Westerneye issue 5

Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

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UWE’S STUDENT VOICE

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INSIDE ISSUE 05 WESTERNEYE UWE’s Student Voice

SPORTS

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

COMMENT

Varsity Pullout Pullout of uwe varsity teams

Oscars Predictions Red Carpet Awaits

Cannibals of Somerset Life of Our Distant Relatives

Anti-Gay Laws Gay Population Still Vicitimised

Continues on pages 15 to 18

Continues on page 13

Continues on pages 21

Continues on page 6

UWESU REFERENDUM

campaigning.

The Union Resolves: 1. To ensure that products sold by This Union were neither grown nor produced within state of Israel, nor by the illegal settlements in the west bank.

2. To join the global movement for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against the state of Israel until it ends the occupation and complies with international law.

Proposer: Joud Nassar Seconded: Hannah Bailey

UWESU board of trustees call for referendum on boycotting of Israeli goods.

KAYTI MCFADDEN

editor@westerneye.net

UWE Students’ Union recently announced a referendum which will take place alongside the 2014 SU officer elections occurring between 7th subject of the referendum is a motion which was passed on Thursday 21st at AGM, a motion proposed by members of the Free Palestine Society which committed UWESU to a boycott of all Israeli goods and to joining an external campaign movement known as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). BDS claim to be “a strategy that allows people of conscience to play an effective role in the Palestinian struggle for justice.” The consequences of the motion are far reaching, as many companies invest in Israel and therefore their products could no longer be stocked in the SU shops or used by the SU. This includes products made by Nestlé, Fanta, Kleenex, and even Intel computers.

The motion was passed with 84 SU members in favour, and 80 against. The Trustees of UWESU were presented with a petition of over 200 signatures asking for a referendum on the motion, and due to a combination of this and the fact that the vote was so close, decided to call a referendum in order to get a more broad and accurate idea of how UWE students feel about the matter.

The referendum question will appear after the candidate voting during elections week. An Open Meeting was held on 27th for the Returning Officer to confirm the exact question which will appear on the ballot paper, to confirm campaign leaders for the Yes and No campaigns, and to confirm the rules and regulations of the referendum. The agent in charge

of the ‘Yes’ campaign is Jude Nassar, and Rachal Shine is agent of the ‘No’ campaign. The exact question which will be upon the ballot papers is: “Do you believe that UWESU should boycott of all goods manufactured or produced within the state of Israel?”

February at 4.30pm, the purpose of which was The wording of the original motion, as passed by UWESU members can be found below. The statements contained under ‘The Union Notes’ and ‘The Union Believes’ headings are included in order to provide background information only, the ‘Union Resolves’ statements are the outcomes which were originally agreed upon.

Motion: Boycott Divestment and Sanctions

The Union Notes: 1. That the state of Israel is involved in a brutal military occupation of the Palestinian territories.

2. That said occupation is responsible for widespread and ongoing human rights abuses against the local Palestinian population; including the destruction of homes, theft of land and water resources, imprisonment without trial, torture of prisoners, and the contruction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

3. That this is in violation of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights & the Charter of the United Nations. Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land have also been declared illegal by the International Court of Justice and the UK government.

4. That, as noted by Nelson Mandela, said occupation reflects

the former apartheid government of South Africa through the daily breach of the human rights of the native Palestinian population. The South African apartheid system was itself brought to an end in part due to an effective boycott campaign.

The Union Believes: 1. That the state of Israel should end its occupation of the Palestinian territories and allow the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with international law.

2. An effective way to support Palestine is through the boycott of Israeli goods, as proved similarly effective in anti-apartheid

HOUSE OF COMMONS WIKIMEDIA.ORG

Rovers-Sainsburys-UWE: The Dispute Continues...

Local residents concerned as Sainsbury’s fight for extended delivery hours at ‘goliath supermarket’ proposed near Gloucester Road GEORGE GILL

news@westerneye.net

Disputes between Sainsbury’s and locals continue over the delivery hours at their proposed supermarket at Bristol Rover’s ground on Filton Avenue, Horfield. Campaigners are furious that Sainsbury’s have recently applied to extend the delivery hours before they have even purchased the site.

Sainsbury’s already have permission from Bristol City Council to allow deliveries between the hours of 6am and

11pm, Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 8pm on Sundays and bank holidays. They have applied for these hours to include 5am to midnight, seven days a week, Which will extend the current delivery times by 20 hours a week.

The idea of development at Rover’s Memorial Stadium was first put forth in 2005. However, Bristol Rovers had a number of planning permission difficulties. In June 2011, they officially proposed selling up and moving to Frenchay, requiring the purchase of their current groun, by supermarket giant Sainsbury’s

Interestingly, Sainsbury’s has had less difficulty in obtaining approval for the planning of their development from the authorities than Bristol Rovers, with both the mayor, George Ferguson, and national government approving the plans.

However, last spring TRASH (Traders & Residents Against Sainsbury’s Horfield) officially served notice to take Bristol City Council to the High Court over the legitimacy of their consultations.

Continued on page 4

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Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

NEWS

NEWS — UWE FACULTY AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

Message from the Editor KAYTIE MCFADDEN

editor@westerneye.net

MARCH is a very important month for all students as it marks the election into office of a new team of officers for the next academic year. The President and Vice-Presidents of Education, Societies and Communications, Community and Welfare and Sports and Health are the five full-time positions, with extra part-time positions of Education Officer, Societies and Communications Officer, Community and Welfare Officer, Sports and Health Officer, and then one officer for each campus.

Between the 7th and the 14th March, all UWE campuses will be buzzing with activity, with 53 candidates all campaigning for your votes.

On Thursday 22nd May, local government and European Parliament elections will also take place. This gives you the opportunity to choose the people who will represent you both within the local Bristol City Council, or within the European Parliament respectively. Although in most cases, you will be automatically put on the electoral register through the details which you give to our university, make sure that you’re registered. It only takes a few minutes, and can be done at: aboutmyvote.co.uk Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm. They are based in local churches and schools, so are within walking distance. There will even be a polling station on Frenchay campus, on the 4th floor of F block, so if you’re lucky enough to have that one as your designated polling station then you can even pop in and vote between lectures!

Regardless of the candidate you choose to vote for, just make sure you do vote.

Voting is your democratic right, a right which has been fought for throughout the centuries, and a right for which many people have died. We are so very lucky to live within a democratic society, and although it may have its flaws, we must appreciate what we have. There are people all over the world fighting and revolting against their autocratic governments for the chance to form a democratic government.

The Arab Spring, when citizens throughout the Middle-East protested against, and even overthrew their governments, were all started by the ideals offered to them by democracy. The simple concept of having a system like the one within which we live, was enough to start a chain reaction of peaceful protests, which

unfortunately for the most part descended into violent uprisings.

The protests spread throughout the region, helped along the way by the use of social media, which resulted in governments being overthrown in Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, and twice in Egypt; and uprisings and major protests in Syria, Bahrain, Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco and Sudan. The citizens of these countries have lived in poverty; have been arrested; have allegedly been subjected to horrific conditions including torture; have been fired upon by the people who are supposed to protect them; and have continued to fight.

They are fighting for the system within which we live. The system which we take for granted.

How many times have you

voted since you turned 18? How many times have you used the constitutional right which our ancestors fought so hard to achieve for us?

We are so very lucky to live within a democracy, albeit an imperfect one. I am a staunch believer in making your voices heard. Even if you do not support any of the candidates, go along to the polling station and spoil your ballot. Spoilt ballots are counted and people do take notice. For example, the BBC reported that during the Police and Crime Commissioner elections, there were more ballots spoilt than cast for the Liberal Democrat candidate in Coventry. If you simply don’t bother to vote then the politicians will assume that you just do not care. Make them

take notice. There are a funny selection of images on Google of spoilt ballots, primarily from the PCC elections, where people have chosen to vote for ‘Bruce Wayne’, or ‘Judge Dredd’ rather than the traditional candidates.

Regardless of whether you use your ballot to show your support for a candidate, or to show that you do not support any of them, make sure that you use your democratic right and so something.

Do not waste an gift which has been given to you that others around the world are literally dying for.

I repeat: Regardless of the candidate you choose to vote for, just make sure that you do vote.

James Barrett design@westerneye

ELECTION RAMA

Editor Kaytie McFadden editor@westerneye.net

Science and Technology Editor James Riley scitech@westerneye.net

Sports Assistant Tom Williams assistantsport@westerneye.net

Finance Assistant George Lewis assistantfinance@westerneye.net

Online Editor Ginny Faulkner online.editor@westerneye.net

Science and Technology Assistant Antony Poveda assistantscitech@westerneye.net

Westworld Editor Dulcie Horn westworld@westerneye.net

Marketing Manager Lauren Conen marketing@westerneye.net

Assistant Editor George Gill assistanteditor@westerneye.net

Music and Entertainment Editor Jayde Smyth music@westerneye.net

Westworld Assistant Chaneen Salako westworldassistant@westerneye.net

Head of Proofreading James Evans assistantedeitor@westerneye.net

News Editor Ollie Hicks news@westerneye.net

Music & Entertainment Assistant Sophie Seddon musicassistant@westerneye.net

Lifestyle Editor Olivia Garner lifestyle@westerneye.net

Chief Graphic Designer Matthew Woodman design@westerneye.net

Comment Editor Janeeth Devgun janeeth.comment@westerneye.net

Sports Editor George Beard sports@westerneye.net

Finance Manager Dan Kitchin finance@westerneye.net

Graphic Designers Esther Akinola Emma Brown,

Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

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NEWS

Updates from the Presidents of the Student Union

Since being in office the elcted members of the Students’ union have been working on a range of projects in order to make the future brighter for the student experience.

CHARLIE

Student Union President

YOU may remember the launch of my Hidden Course Costs campaign in September.

Every year students find themselves out of pocket by having to pay unexpected and often unfair additional costs relating to their course and accommodation.

The vast majority of students know nothing of the scale of these additional costs. Costs range from uniforms, field trips, printing and materials. Whether it is any of these or others, students are still facing significant hidden costs attached to studying their degree.

It is simply not fair or acceptable that academic success is dictated by how much disposable cash you have.

The effects of these costs put students under additional financial pressure, leading to a range of issues from having to work more hours which sacrifices study time to increasing debt and worst case, dropping out. I’m really pleased to announce that due to your feedback and pressure through the Hidden Costs campaign, we have achieved the following results: All undergraduate students will receive £15.00 printing credit per year from September Every undergraduate student at Bower Ashton campus will receive £75.00 credit for materials per year from September I’ve been working hard in partnership with departments and people within UWE to secure this for you. The process in which your feedback was used can be seen at www.uwesu.org/hiddencosts.

Co-authored papers, representation in meetings and behind the scenes lobbying all were a part of putting more money back into your pockets. I called for UWE to commit to full transparency of additional course costs prior to application on all courses, and to absorb essential costs within the £9k tuition fee. Together, we are making progress and the conversations do not stop here.

You can get in touch via supresident@ uwe.ac.uk or twitter, TheSUPresident TOM RENHARD

Vice President of Community and Welfare

Over the past few weeks I have been working on some exciting projects that we as a team are hoping will have a hugely

positive impact on our student community including developing a new strategy for community engagement as well as a guide to community living – giving students information and advice on living in private-rented accommodation. On top of this we also ran a number of Mental Health Campaign events throughout Feel Good February and a Sexual Health, Advice and Guidance week, giving out contraception and information to students and taking over the Sunday night quiz.

We have been working hard to look at student housing this year and as a result took part in NUS research called Homes Fit for Study just before Christmas which looked at why students are choosing their accommodation and their experiences of it.

As part of an increased focus on housing this year we also ran a very successful Accommodation Fair which saw over 800 students through the doors getting information on housing options for the following academic year as well as on rights and responsibilities as tenants. This is a growing area of work for us and we will be gathering more data through the launch of our Rate Your Landlord Campaign in March.

Safer Spaces will soon be getting rolled out across our Students’ Union designed to promote a zero tolerance approach to bullying, discrimination and harassment in any form to ensure the continued safety of our student community on campus. Links to the policy will be going online for any feedback or questions as well as an online complaints form.

Please get in touch with any questions on any of the work I have been up to at vpcommwelfare@uwe. ac.uk

Rep project with Duncan Stokes HANNAH KHAN our representation & Support Vice President of Societies and Communication Manager, this project is dedicated to improving our student repreWe have over 2061 members of sentation system. Our aim is to UWESU societies! This is an over identify what makes a sector lead- 363 increase since October. ing Student/Course Rep scheme So far seventeen new societies and how we can achieve a top have started up this year, with a 10 status in the Student Reps in new course-based society startUK Universities. We are currently ing up on Glenside and Hartpury looking at how we can benchmark campuses, showing an increase in ourselves against other univer- student activity and engagement sities and how they structure their on satellite campuses which is own systems. Some of the ques- great to see. We also have a new tions we are aiming to answer Fashion Society, the first society through the project are: to be based on Bower Ashton How are other universities campus. funded?

I coordinated the Refresh What staff support is there for campaign in the first week of rep schemes in other institutions?

February for all student activities How do other universities elect to be involved in. This project reps? aimed to promote a big opporWhat ongoing support do other tunity for students who hadn’t universities offer reps? already done so to get involved in How aware are the students of our activities. We tried something other universities of who their reps a little different this year; running are? multiple fairs on different Rep Hour Radio Show - New campuses on different days to give for this year we are running a sports teams; giving societies and student rep radio show! It’s a super networks more opportunities to exciting opportunity for you guys be involved and to maximise their to potentially try something new, presence on different campuses. and give radio presenting a bash. I There was also an option to run a was live on air with Sarah and Edd ‘try-out’ session instead or as well last Friday and we talked about as having a stall to offer potential the upcoming elections, the full new members a chance to join in circle campaign with Cassie who before signing up. We had a lot of also popped by and generally interest from students and took a promoted what reps do and the lot of sign ups, which was fantasshow. I really enjoyed it and it is tic. We had great feedback from a great way to raise the profile of students at St Matts especially, the rep system and promote what who enjoyed seeing the activity student reps and the student on their campus. body are up to. The show is live Other achievements:

I am thrilled to be elected as one of your delegates to go and represent UWE at NUS conference this April. Among other issues I will be lobbying to see NUS continue to work on their widening participation agenda and their resources for supporting student-led activities, namely societies.

I have been working with UWE to create a structure of representation within the union for students to have their say on green issues and to run campaigns, events and activities relating to sustainability both on campus and in the community. This involved securing £40,000 worth of funding from the University to fund student-led initiatives and a fulltime member of support staff to support these projects. I am happy to report that following this recruitment the project is now well underway and you can now sign up to be a green leader at UWE! What I’m doing now: Working with the Sports and Activities and Community and Welfare departments to make simplify procedures and bureaucracy surrounding sports, societies and networks.

Developing the new UWE Students’ Union communications strategy, that aims to increase awareness and engagement with your students’ union.

Putting a real push on starting up more new societies for different courses and interests.

MEGAN EDMUNDS

Vice President of Education

It has been such a busy period for us as a department, we’ve got some big projects going on as well as the Student Led Teaching Awards which we are super excited about!! Nominations for the SLTA are live so if you have had an outstanding Student Rep or vibrant Lecturer we want to know and thank those individuals! As I said before we have some exciting projects going on and here’s just a couple of them: Student Rep Project - I am currently working on a Student

UWE STUDENT UNION THE SU PRESIDENTS: (L-R) HANNAH KHAN, CHRIS WHITE, CHARLIE ROPER, MEGAN EDMUNDS & TOM)

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Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

NEWS

Rovers-Sainsburys-UWE: The Dispute Continues...

Local residents concerned as Sainsbury’s fight for extended delivery hours at ‘goliath supermarket’ proposed near Gloucester Road Continued from page 1 Leading the opposition to the plans which TRASH call a “goliath” supermarket, is local Green Party councillor for Bishopston West, Daniella Radice. Alongside her is Lib Dem councillor Dr. David Willingham, both of whom were elected in 2013 having been campaigning against the development proposal that year.

“It is incredible that Sainsbury’s are applying to extend their delivery hours given the sensitivity of the application. Their delivery yard is in close proximity to many houses and by extending the hours neighbours will only have five hours of undisturbed time per night,” councillor Radice commented in the Bishopston Voice.

She added: “If the store is not operationally viable without a time extension it adds to the argument about this being an unsuitable location for such a large store. We have urged the council to reject this application.”

Sainsbury’s have promised a range of measures to ensure disruption to the local community is kept to a minimum. These include radios and headlights to be switched off in the service yard and refrigeration units and reversing alarms to be switched off from 5am and 6am, and 11pm

SAINSBURYS ARTIST IMPRESSION BRISTOL 427

and midnight.

Sainsbury’s spokesman, Ben Littman, said: “there are a number of advantages in [extending our permitted deliveries hours], in particular it will help reduce the number of vehicles during peak traffic times.

“I do realise this has caused concern and would like to reassure neighbours that this is not unusual and that Sainsbury’s are very experienced at delivering in residential areas at these times without causing unnecessary disruption.”

Last year, petitions were organised both for and against the development proposal. The petition in favour of the development doubles its competitor with over 12,000 signatures.

Some people consider this to be the result of the wider Bristol Rover’s community input rather than local Bishopston, Horfield, Montpelier and Redland residents, who are all in close proximity to Gloucester Road shops. However, Charlotte Leslie, Conservative MP for Bristol West, believes Bristol is being “held to ransom” by groups like TRASH when it comes to planning permission in respect of future investors. In this case particularly, as she points out that the Sainsbury’s will create 350 jobs and use renewable energy.

“I am sick of hearing great ideas

failing because of a combination of narrow mindedness and short sightedness,” argued the MP. “It is clear to me, speaking to local people, that they want a healthy mix of supermarkets and independent shops. I am a champion of independent shops and I believe that they will thrive BECAUSE of supermarkets, not in spite of them. The evidence shows that big stores will keep people in the area, not push them away.”

Last November, Bristol Rovers Chairman Nick Higgs accused TRASH of avoiding him after they turned down an opportunity to have a public debate with him in a nearby Rover’s pub.

TRASH, however, issued a robust statement: “Having a debate about a matter that is the subject of a judicial review is pointless and futile. Proposing to hold it in a pub, is completely inappropriate.”

The judicial review is scheduled for 13th March, this year and will held over one and a half days.

Bristol City Council are being challenged on the legal legitimacy of their retail consultation and their retail mitigation proposal.

Follow this story and keep up to date with the judicial review on our website at www.WesternEye. net

Peaceful Student Protests End in Bloodshed Three people were killed on the first day of a peaceful student protest in Venezuela which deteriorated into rioting and violence with at least ten more students confirmed dead since February the 12th, the Venezuelan Day of the Youth.

GINNY FAULKNER

news@westerneye.net

Three people were killed on the first day of a peaceful student protest in Venezuela that has deteriorated into rioting and violence with at least ten more students confirmed dead since February the 12th, the Venezuelan Day of the Youth.

The current protests began with students taking to the streets after a dispute with the government over the socialist regime and lack of freedom. They argue that the government must act to stop inflation (in December 2013 this stood at 56.2%) and huge crime rates. With 25,000 murders a year, 90% are being unpunished due to a lack of action and investigation by the police. C itizens have taken to twitter to speak out about how they feel unsafe in their country and how the government has done little to protect their human rights. However, the Venezuelan Government has shut the social networking site down within the country, meaning the only method of mass communication is state controlled television and radio.

From the reports which have been broadcast elsewhere, particularly the Colombian news network NTN24, the military is said to have acted aggressively, treating the protesters, who are unarmed, as criminals. Weapons being used by soldiers are suspected to include not only guns but also gas bombs, rendering the protesters immobile and therefore increasingly vulnerable to fatal tactics.

There is now evidence to suggest that protesters are being mistreated and possibly tortured after being arrested.

The Government has cut off

electricity to many homes and security forces have allegedly raided private sector warehouse facilities, creating purposeful shortages of food and goods.

One of the students leading the protest has stated: “They [the Government] try to incriminate us as if we want to topple the regime. We don’t want to topple the regime; we want to destroy the lie, the dissimulation of the regime. It’s a totally different thing.”

Unidad Venezuela, or the Bureau of Democratic Unity, the Venezuelan democratic alternative leading the protests tweeted that “The performance of the National Guard and the National Police violated guarantees laid down in our Constitution” and have declared the actions of the Government as “Brutal Repression”.

President Nicolas Maduro has dismissed the violence, stating that “to march in this country you need permission according to the law” and many of his elderly supporters are taking to the streets in support, describing the younger generation and students involved in the protests as fascists. The opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez was incarcerated (unlawfully according to opposition groups) on charges of inciting violence. He has stated that despite government corruption, the himself and his supporters will remain loyal to the cause they have undertaken, to protect the freedom of Venezuelan people.

Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

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Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

NEWS

COMMENT — OPINION AND TOPICAL DEBATE about homosexuality can influence a child’s sexual orientation, comment@westerneye.net even though President Putin has overtly refused to answer the Ever since June, following question of whether his belief the introduction of legislation is that you can be ‘born gay’ or outlawing ‘homosexual propa- whether or not you can ‘become ganda’, Russia has experienced gay’. an upsurge in homophobic vigiUnder the new law, private lantism. The bill, banning the individuals promoting this propaganda of non-traditional ‘non-traditional sexual behaviour’ sexual relations to minors,’ has face fines of up to 5,000 roubles sparked an international outcry, (around £100), whilst any indiwith belief that it is deliberately vidual in an official position aimed at limiting the rights of caught risks paying at least 10 Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender times that amount. These fines and intersex individuals. are prescribed to any individual The ambiguous law, which even providing information about JANEETH DEVGUN

This new law appears to forbid any suggestion that homosexual love is equal to that of heterosexuals, but surely in this modern day and age, what would constitute such a suggestion?

A BBC Monitoring Report has concluded that ‘There are no major celebrities or politicians that are openly gay in Russia, due to the fact that ‘coming out’ would be tantamount to professional suicide’. It appears that whilst the Western world moves forward in offering the LGBT community equal rights, Russia is moving backwards and the difference between the East and the West

Russia Grabbing Headlines for the Wrong Reasons

Homosexuality was decriminalised in 1993, so why are Russia’s gay population still being victimised?

GAY RIGHTS RUSSIA PETER GRAY

does not explicitly mention homosexuality, has been defended by many in the Duma, who had previously pushed for similar laws that were rejected in 2004 and 2006. The Russian legislation suggests that information

homosexuality to people under 18. One of the first men charged under this law was simply holding up a sign that said ‘Gay is Okay’, a statement that we take as normative in societies such as ours in the UK that honour human rights.

becomes even more prominent.

The rights of Russia’s gay citizens seem to be constantly decreasing; there have been bans on gay pride marches in Moscow, extensive fines to gay rights groups and shockingly a dangerous increase in attacks on gays or ‘suspected gays’ by gangs

of ‘hunters’. In May, a 23 year old man in Volgograd allegedly came out to a group of friends, who raped him with beer bottles and smashed his skull in with a stone. In June, a group of friends in Kamchatka kicked and stabbed to death a 39 year old gay man, then proceeded to burn the body.

These disgusting acts of violence and bullying towards homosexual individuals are shocking, but it is the thousands that are unreported that remain the most disturbing.

In addition, anti-gay campaigners have also created an online presence; the Russian version of Facebook, Vkonatkte, is host to videos of rapes, brutality and the humiliation of gay people. So the question is, where are the international community and why are they not confronting this clear violation of human rights?

A recent poll has found that over half of Russian citizens interviewed believe that the LGBT community should not enjoy the same rights as heterosexual citizens, an archaic attitude considering homosexuality was decriminalised in Russia in 1993.

What is interesting however, is the exploration of where this social source of homophobia stems from.

Hostility towards gay people has not been helped by the deeply conservative attitudes among the two biggest faith groups in Russia; Russian Orthodox Christians and Muslims. Both of these faiths condemn homosexuality, and religion and religious attitudes are often of the utmost importance to Russian families and communities.

A further influence of the Russian stigmatisation of gay people may be the disgusting perception that homosexuality and paedophilia are intertwined.

Putin himself has defended Russia’s anti-gay law by equating gays with paedophiles and has said that Russia needs to ‘cleanse’ itself of homosexuality if it wishes to increase its birth rate. These comments were stated in an interview with Russian and foreign television shows and continues to show the wide gulf between the perceptions of homosexuality in Russia and in the West.

A Channel 4 Dispatches documentary earlier this month focused on a group calling themselves ‘Occupy Paedophilia’ beating up homosexuals for sport and in some cases for fun and amusement. This group is the largest anti-gay vigilante group in Russia, and is responsible for the hunting down of, physical abuse against, and the public humiliation of gay people. The members of their group rationalise their violence against gays as pro-children activism and use the terms ‘gay’ and ‘paedophile’ interchangeably. The group reiterate that their objective has nothing to do with being anti-gay, it just so happens that all paedophiles

they lure into falling for the traps they set (usually through the promise of gay sex) are gay.

Empirical research in this area has always concluded that gay or bisexual individuals are no more likely than heterosexual people to molest children; a fact which appears to be forgotten by those who happily interchange the two and give homosexuality an extremely negative perception.

Although all eyes are on Russia at the present, it should not be forgotten that this country is not alone in its homophobic attitude. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Association lists 78 countries with criminal laws against sexual activity by lesbian, gay, bisexual and intersex (LGBI) people. These include; Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Uganda and Pakistan. In Uganda, the President has proposed anti-gay legislation that would criminalize ‘the promotion or recognition’ of homosexual relations. In many of these countries, LGBI people are continually victimised and are often treated as lesser beings in society. How is it that the majority of countries sign international human rights treaties which include the right to a private life, to equality, to dignity but they are still able to criminalise homosexuality? This is a circumstance that hopefully only time and further education will heal.

To end on a positive note, it is important to reiterate that LGBT rights are improving in some countries. In Argentina, the 2012 Gender Identity Law allowed the change of gender on birth certificates for transgender people, alongside the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2010.

Last year, Vietnam hosted its first gay pride rally and has recently launched a campaign for equality in employment. The number of countries that are legalising same-sex marriage is continually growing, with Denmark, France, Brazil and New Zealand just a few of the countries that have passed the legislation recently. Even in the United States, where gay rights are an extremely controversial subject, President Obama has provided public support for equal marriage and the Supreme Court has reversed the Defence of Marriage Act (which had previously prevented the Federal government from recognising same sex marriages).

There are a number of non-governmental organisations that work with countries to achieve equal rights for LGBT people, and in some areas they are proving successful. However, it is clear that we still have a long way to go before international consensus is reached and LGBT individuals can enjoy equal rights throughout the world. We just need to keep on trying.

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Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

COMMENT

Could this be the end of the use of human embryonic stem cells?

Stem Cell Therapy has been the intervention strategy that could one day potentially change the face of disease, but the means of its practice have always been open to question amidst polarized discussion.

SOPHIE EVANS

comment@westerneye.net

In January, Nature – the catalogue of journal and science resources - published an innovative study by groups in Boston and Japan which has the capability to further recent progress in stem cell therapy.

Obokata et al. found that through the exposure of the somatic (body) cells of mice to a stressor, such as brief immersion in an acid bath, this reprogrammed the cells to become pluripotent stem cells, which are then capable of developing into any possible type of body cell.

Further, after the introduction of egg cells, these stem cells were then incorporated into chimaeric foetal mice. Mouse cells are frequently used in medical research as their genome and physiology is similar to that of humans and so there is potential for this technique to be used on human cells as medicine.

2013 brought small but

significant advances in stem cell research and therapy; from the generation of functional human lung epithelial (surface) cells at Columbia University Medical Centre, to the improvement of a man’s eyesight from clinically blind to clinically sighted at ACT in Massachusetts. In China, tooth-like structures consisting of enamel, dentin and dental pulp were generated in mice from epithelial cells isolated from urine. Stem cell therapy, like most areas of medical research, is advancing with slow progress, as a result of difficulty in emulating the conditions required for the cells to differentiate into various body cell types, and also as a result of a lack of adequate sources of human stem cells. However, there are hopes that, in the future, regenerative personalised medicine will be possible for human tissues.

Another finding of Obokata et al. was that the genes for regulation of pluripotency were less methylated, that is that

they were more easily expressed.

Methylation of DNA is part of a phenomenon called epigenetics, in which the DNA of an organism is not changed, but its expression is.

As is demonstrated in the accompanying photograph by Dr Nessa Carey, author of The Epigenetics Revolution, using sweets, the more methyl groups

IMAGE WWW.NESSACAREY.CO.UK

Methylation of DNA and consequently reduced expression visualised using jelly tots (methylating groups), strawberry laces (DNA), and marshmallows (histones; proteins around which DNA is wrapped in cells)

attached to an area of histones and DNA in a cell (a gene), the more tightly bound around the histones the genetic material is, and therefore it is far more difficult to express, and is effectively ‘switched off ’. The fact that the genes for pluripotency were less methylated demonstrates further that the cells were reverted to their stem cell state and therefore capable of being developed into many types of body cell.

There are medical benefits to having a supply of human stem cells on which to perform research and perhaps which may even be used to regenerate tissue if technology advances far enough, but another significant aspect of this technique is to lessen the reliance on human embryonic stem cells. Their use has been hugely controversial among many groups of people, including religious groups who believe that the creation of embryos in order to source embryonic stem cells, or the use of ‘surplus’ embryos from

IVF (itself a controversial issue), is immoral.

It is also argued that through permitting the collection of human embryonic stem cells for regenerative medicine, practices such as cosmetic rejuvenating therapy or gene therapy in the sex cells are therefore permissible.

The ability to obtain cells from consenting adults would surely eliminate these arguments, as well as potentially reducing the occurrence of graft-versushost disease, a debilitating condition whereby tissue or cells transplanted from one person to another can result in an excruciating immune response in the recipient whereby there is an attack on the transplanted cells.

There is slow progress in the area of stem cell therapy, but it is making significant progress.

Today, stem cell therapy has remarkably recovered vision for a man who was previously blind; and this development brings with it excitement for what the future may hold in this area of research.

Team UWE membership fees - worth the bankruptcy?

As yet another Varsity Series begins this term Ben Smith explores whether sports memebership fees are worth the financial strain.

BEN SMITH

comment@westerneye.net

As with the majority of British universities, UWE charges it students to train and compete in sports whilst representing the university. The fees attached to these sports clubs can be vastly high, with some club membership costing over £100 to join. Some clubs have trials, and for the most part, you do not pay membership fees until after the trials process is complete. Also, those who join but wish to pull out within the first few weeks are eligible for a full refund .

For your average student the

However, the question remains; are these fees too high, or are they perfectly reasonable? highest fee of £100 is a lot of money: one week’s rent, 2 weeks worth of food, plenty of nights out, or the joining fee for some of the more expensive sports at UWE. Many students could be put off by this large sum of money which initially will only

gain you membership. If sport is not your thing you have nothing to worry about, but if you are an avid sportsperson already, the prospect of not competing due to financial restraints is a tough battle to have. The choice of whether to play sport or go short of money for a few weeks could be a tough question for some.

One option to combat this is that we could all urge the university to lower sports fees.

This issue then is in the fact that sports fees are decided as a collaboration between the sports committees and the Students’ Union individually, dependant on the different equipment and training needs of the sport. Lower fees may well increase the interest amongst students, and therefore potentially create a fitter and healthier student body. However, this is not necessarily the case.

Although initial participation may increase, unfortunately the number of drop-outs and time wasters would also. The fees currently in place could be argued to increase commitment levels and give those involved a drive to succeed if for no other reason than to get their money’s

worth out of their sports club.

Furthermore, with regards to improving the health of the student body I doubt that sports fees or zero would achieve much, simply on the basis of the fact that those already interested in sport will always partake in it, and those who individuals who could potentially benefit from sporting activity but have no interest in it will not. This can be evidenced by the centre for sports usage rate.

Freshers on Frenchay campus have the option of having a Centre For Sport (CFS) membership included in accommodation fees.

Although every year this provides an initial increase in CFS usage at the beginning of term, this slowly decreases and eventually plateaus to a smaller figure, with the facilities being used mainly by those who enjoy sporting activity.

In addition, what is included in sports membership fees must be looked at. In some cases, it can include kit, but where finance particularly helps is with knowledge and experience.

Membership fees, although not necessarily used to fund all of the different benefits, ensure that sportspeople and teams

gain many added benefits. For example, sports teams such as Rowing need dedicated full and part time paid staff to make the team successful. Some of this readership may also be aware of the Wallscourt farm gym building, where the high performance gym is located, and where strength and conditioning trainers provide fundamental aspects of training to UWE sports team members.

You also gain access to the UWE based nutritionist who can offer help and advice on how to lose weight, lean up, increase muscle mass or whatever is needed for your role in your desired sport.

Equipment must also be paid for and, understandably, some sports do not need as expensive equipment as others. Ultimate Frisbee and Rowing, for example: compare the price of a new Frisbee to the price of a new racing eights boat. Without membership fees, teams would not be able to buy the equipment they need, which will cause poor training standards which could damage competitive performance. Anyone whom has ever played sport seriously knows how demoralising and infectious not being competitive is.

Without fees students would save money, but the teams they would partake in would be uncompetitive, have poor training facilities, have very limited (if any) coaching, and face problems of commitment that could bring a team to its knees. The fees imposed to join sports teams do not force masses of students away from playing sport, with or without fees only those who are interested in sport will ever participate seriously.

If you are a student who does want to play sport but is unsure due to fees, bite the bullet and have a go, the gains you will get from both your participation and your fees will be great and you will not regret the initial cost.

One last thought, would you prefer your UWE sports teams to be competitive or uncompetitive in the Varsity Series against those Bristol yoiks?

I think we all know the answer to that.

Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

08

COMMENT

A Geopolitical Analysis of the Situation in Ukraine The recent manifestations against the Ukrainian government are one of the most violent the country has ever known. They are intensifying and spreading throughout the country. This article is not an interpretation of the clashes between the political regime and the demonstrators. First, it would be advisable to analyse the geopolitical situation of Ukraine so as to understand the stakes of such uprising.

JAKE SPORT

comment@westerneye.net

Ukraine is the biggest country in Europe after Russia; it covers 603.000 square kilometres of the continent. It is located in the East of the European Union, in the West of Russia and in the North of the Black Sea. Therefore, the country is at a crossroads between 2 main European trunk roads, railways, and hydrocarbon transportation routes. Its association with either the European Union or Russia is thus a major political issue.

Ukraine has never really been an independent state. It had been controlled by both the Polish Empire and the Mongol Empire in the fourteenth century, by both the Polish Empire and the Ottoman Empire in the seventeenth, been a part of the Tsarist Empire and of the Soviet Union in the twentieth century. The scars of History can nowadays be found in the demography. On forty-eight million inhabitants, seventythree percent are of Ukrainian origin, twenty-two percent are of Russian origin and five percent are Polish, Belarusian or Tatars.

IMAGE UKRAINE

The country is divided between a catholic, almost nationalist and anti-Russian West and an orthodox Russian-speaking East.

Consequently, Ukraine is a split nation without any real culture of independence. Finding an ally on the continent becomes a primordial necessity.

Russia has close relations with Ukraine.

Russian is the second language in the country and Ukrainians are considered a brotherly people.

The independence of 1991 is seen by Moscow as the loss of a region linked to the Russian identity. However, the country is subordinate to its neighbour, which is Kiev’s first commercial partner. It is subject to important investments and the relatively good economy of Russia benefits the population (there has been fine economic growth in the past decade). Moscow has recognised Ukrainian sovereignty over Crimea in exchange for the stationing of Russian fleets in the territory, especially the Port of Sevastopol. Russia is also its main hydrocarbon supplier; indeed, Ukraine enjoys a thirty percent

discount on the price of natural theories of globalisation gas. were confronting each other: Kiev is on good terms with capitalism, dominated by the US, the European Union too. In 1994, and communism, in which the they signed a Cooperation and People’s Republic of China and Partnership Agreement. In 2002, USSR were competing against Ukraine creates a Committee for each other. At the downfall of the European Integration and the Soviet Union, the prospect of an expansion of the Union to the expansion of the ‘globalisationwestern borders of the country, westernisation’ was rapidly taken and in 2004 revived relations into account. NATO geopolitical with Brussels. Contentious issues goals are, as a result, to stop still exist though, particularly China from becoming the leading considering nuclear security. world power and to pull Russian Despite the closure of Chernobyl, influence back over its borders. two power plants that were According to Zbigniew Brzezinski, built afterwards (Rovno and “anyone who controls Eurasia [...]

Khmelnytski) still do not meet controls the planet” (The Grand international safety norms. Chessboard). The objective is Nevertheless, there is overall a to ‘slide’ NATO frontiers to the real economic reorientation since East and to influence ex-soviet the collapse of the Soviet Union. nations (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Relations with NATO have well Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, changed as well. In 1997 Ukraine Tajikistan and Ukraine). signed a Charter that authorises Containing both China and Russia them to join the building of is necessary in order to dominate European Security. Later on, the continent. There is also a Kiev will send one thousand, need to keep energy dependence eight hundred soldiers to Iraq. in check, but eighty percent of the In exchange, the US facilitates Ukraine’s naval bases are rented the liberalisation of the state by by Russia. giving many credit terms.

Without Ukraine, Russia During the Cold War, two could then lose a significant

part of its power. Moscow uses the hydrocarbon dependence of its peripheral countries as a defence weapon. It means that the country needs to control the Baltic isthmus that links the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, hence the quasi-permanent pressure that they put on Kiev.

It is a highly important site in strategic terms for the Kremlin: Russia is able to project itself in the Mediterranean zone and to overlook the western Caucasus, in order to keep its influence on some ex-soviet states.

Ukraine is what Halford MacKinder called a ‘geopolitical pivot’. It is a territory that has a central role in the rivalries of two world powers (in that case, Russia and the EU, integrated in the military command structure of NATO) thanks to its geographic characteristics and resources.

Tensions in the country are thus unlikely to stop soon. In any event, the use of weaponry both by the state and the protesters portends a coup d’état against the institutions and might go as far as civil war.

It’s Time to Talk about Sexual Health With almost half a million cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections diagnosed in England in 2012, it is clear that this is a problem which needs to be taken seriously. 64% of those diagnosed with chlamydia are under the age of 25, meaning that university students are especially at risk.

KAYTIE MCFADDEN

comment@westerneye.net

and contaception. You must have seen the fantastic picture of Tom Renhard, our very own VP Community and Welfare sitting inside a big box of condoms? It’s pretty hilarious.

With almost half a million cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections diagnosed in England in 2012, it is clear that this is a problem which needs to be taken Everyone knows about STIs. seriously. 64% of those diagnosed Everyone knows to use a condom. with chlamydia are under the age So why do infection rates continue of 25, meaning that university to rise? Any contact between your students are especially at risk. private bits can pass on infections SHAG week, which stands for – it doesn’t have to be penetrative.

Sexual Health And Guidance week So don’t leave it to chance – Get (very apt acronym, right?!) took checked out regularly. Chlamydia, place at UWE during February for example, doesn’t always have and provided lots of information sympotoms. However, it can about sexuality, consent, gender cause infertility, which will not be

fun later in life when you decide to settle down. If you’re going to have a one night stand then be sensible. Can you really trust that person who you’ve known for 4 hours that they’re clean?

The rules are simple: 1.

Don’t have someone without

sex with a condom.

2. If you are in a monogomous relationship then BOTH get checked out. Then you can go on the pill/get the implant and then have lots of sex without having to use condoms.

It should not be one person’s responsibility to carry condoms.

It seems to be pretty standard that men are expected to carry condoms, and women are expected to request that the man wears one. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. It is the responsibility of both partners to carry condoms and insist that they are worn. Carrying condoms does not make you ‘easy’.

It makes you safe.

Personally, I think that people being embarrassed about the topic is part of the reason that STI rates are continuing on an upwards trend. Having

been raised Catholic, including attending a Catholic primary school where sex education was literally non-existant, I definitely understand the awkwardness.

Although my family were always relatively open, I still had the very definite sense that sex was a bad thing (certainly before marriage anyway!) I then attended a multifaith secondary school, which was very open. Sex education there was extremely honest, and this frankness is entirely necessary.

Unless sex is treated as the totally natural act which it is, then people will find it awkward to discuss safe sex.

09

Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

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Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE — LOCAL AND NATIONAL TRENDS

International Women’s Day ERICA TOMS

lifestyle@westerneye.net

on saturday 8th march, thousands of events will occur worldwide, across governments, organizations, charities and the media, and 183 of these are in Britain. What better excuse to celebrate? As the official website points out, there are still inequalities in the world, thus this day is symbolic in recognising the ‘social, political and economic achievements of women whilst focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.’ It is important to choose one day to mark progress.

Unfortunately, due to still-evident inequalities worldwide, we need a celebration of change made and a reminder of future change needed. In terms of treatment, men and women still experience life differently; from the law banning women from driving in the Middle East, to the double-standard of the word ‘slut’ used in the uk. Yes, women have the vote and to a large extent, the same opportunities as men. No, equality has not been achieved.

at the turn of the 20th Century.

How far have we come since the celebrated Suffragists? Iwd recognizes women in developed and undeveloped countries alike, and developed an ‘International Day of the Girl Child’ which was annually celebrated from 11th To those who say women and October 2012. Dealing with issues men will never be equal: women such as sexual abuse, this day and men should not be treated needs more recognition amongst differently due to the ownership British society. of different sexual organs.

The United Nations (un) Feminism is currently under- recognized iwd in 1975, yet each going a revival in the popular year since they have chosen the media. There have been many theme. This 64 year gap between articles in response to the ‘Uni the first iwd and the recognition Lad’ culture, and a backlash to of existence by the un shows recent comments made on tele- the time-lag occurring between vision shows such as ‘Celebrity registering change and creating Big Brother’. The recurrent issue acceptance. The mission statein the uk is the discrimination of ment for this year’s theme is women on a sexual basis. There to ‘challenge the status quo for are no laws to protect women women’s equality and vigilance’ to against verbal sexism outside of ‘inspire positive change’. What are the workplace, in everyday life; you waiting for? why not? Around the time of For more information and to International Women’s Day 2012, find registered official events: national newspapers discussed internationalwomensday.com the implications of ‘sexist remarks’ to use your voice on the matter, becoming an illegality. Providing tweet #womensday. this is applied to both sexes, we should be encouraging this.

The theme of The first iwd was held in 1911, before British women even had International the vote. Celebrating the achieve- Women’s Day 2014 ments of women and recognizing their rights; the first International Women’s Day was provoked by ‘Equality for women is the activities of labor movements progress for all’ across Europe and North America

Coursework blues?

JACK ILES

lifestyle@westerneye.net

it is that time of year again.

Irrespective of being a third, second or first year, the unrelenting demon that is coursework is dominating our lives.

Every student at some point in their life has valiantly fought past one hundred words only to realise they cannot continue. Our motivation crumbles and the cold terror of failure incapacitates us; progression ceases. So how do we solve this, how do we boost our mood whilst writing our coursework? This article identifies four easily accomplishable methods, tried and tested by students across the globe.

Firstly, planning is crucial.

Identify the distance between now and your deadline. Then break down the tasks you need to accomplish into small, manageable sections. Doing a little bit every day will not only improve your mood whilst studying, but will have a positive effect on the end result. Having two days to research, write and check an assignment will result in high levels of stress. Giving your assignment two to three weeks,

contributing to it on a smaller scale every day will vastly improve your motivation.

Secondly, snacks. You do not need me to tell you that writing coursework is very hunger-inducing. For example, Roald Dahl consumed chocolate whilst writing to such an extent that he created a solid ball of foil from the wrappers.

Thankfully there are certain foods we can snack on whilst studying to improve our mood.

Internet forums preach the benefits of berries, bananas, and everything deliciously sweet and refreshing. Whatever your favourite fruit is invest and keep it close. This is not limited to fruit either, find a snack that works for you and your mood will noticeably improve. Enjoying the smells, flavours and textures establishes a positive mental mindset.

Thirdly, exercise. If you find yourself struggling mid-way through an essay then go for a short walk outside. Removing yourself from the frustrating situation will create distance from the stress. Whilst you are exercising your body releases endorphins that naturally improve your temperament. Also your mind

will be unconsciously resolving your coursework issues. When you return you will find yourself reinvigorated and armed with new approaches to your challenge.

Fourthly, rewards. Depending on the individual these can be large or small scale. On the large spectrum students have benefitted from envisaging the final reward that completing their coursework will achieve. When you next lose motivation, picture yourself on the stage of Bristol Cathedral on a beautiful summer’s day. All attention in the building upon you for one glorious moment as you finally get recognition for the struggle of the last three years. Small scale rewards range from having a break after a certain milestone, or setting aside time in the evening for your favourite pastime. Having these rewards will embalm you in a sense of wellbeing.

Some of these factors will not work for everyone, but experiment with what improves your mood when writing coursework.

Remember that it is okay to have bad days, but do not let them characterise your week.

Crocodile Dundee Bristol video shows a log floating downstream because, he claims, the ‘reptile’ was swimming upstream police were flagged down by against the current. a very alert bus driver on Monday However, the real mystery 3rd February who claims he spot- remains, where could the dangerted a 6ft croc lurking under the ous predator have come from? No Bedminster Bridge in Bristol. The zoos, as Bristol Clifton Zoo and bridge being approximately 500ft Noahs Ark Zoo have confirmed away from a nursery and 1,000ft that all their animals are away from a secondary school. accounted for. Bristol Aquarium The croc has also been hunted has said they are not missing any by police in full riot gear in animals, but have kindly offered Eastville Park and Snuff Mills to give the on the loose croc a since the initial sighting, with temporary home if it is caught. several other consecutive alleged On a slightly more humorsightings in the River Avon, by ous note, since the police search a motorist who was so stunned someone has created a Twitter she almost crashed her car and account for the crocodile naming an equally bewildered cyclist who it ‘Chris the Croc’, tweeting: spotted the reptile push its head above water, revealing his eyes @TheBristolCroc if anyone wants and snout. a piece of me. I’ll have a piece of The Chief Constable of Avon you first. I’m hungry. and Somerset Police, Nick Gargan tweeted that there was ‘no need’ What is more, Bristol’s Mayor to stay indoors, but advised George Ferguson has already against ‘water-skiing’. It is still touched base with ‘Chris the Croc’ unknown whether the crocodile to engage in local politics via is still on the loose in the city. Twitter: Police have been unable to track @GeorgeFergusonx seems as the beast down. though there is very little proviMany are sceptical and have sion for Crocodile capture scoffed at these sighting claims, George… #nextyearsbudget whereby the misleading colour of the Avon, a murky brown and olive green, floating debris and Currently the search has shed no natural swirls can allow for the light on the reported sightings mind to play tricks. It could be and no trace of the reptile. Police easily explained bythings such as have stated that further invesa carried floating log or a shadow tigation will ensue on the basis on the water seen out of the of further sightings. However, the prominent question remains, corner of the eye.

Bradley Stoke town council- are people just jumping on the lor has revealed a video that he bandwagon because they want shot of the Avon last year show- to believe in a uniquely founded ing an object he believes is the Bristol myth or is the beast of reptile swimming in the water. Bedminster actually surviving in He rebuffed those who argued the the Bristol waterways?

GEMMA DAVIES

lifestyle@westerneye.net

CROCODILE FREETAALEN ©

Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

11

LIFESTYLE

MODERN ROLE MODELS. NEVER SAY NEVER.

Baby, baby, baby. No! GEMMA DAVIES

lifestyle@westerneye.net

pretty-boy bieber turns 20 this month and it seems an appropriate time to review his scandalous achievements to date. Starting out on YouTube as a young Canadian boy from a small town in Ontario who made it in the music industry became the key in his successful rise to fame. With considerably more followers than President Barack Obama on Twitter, Justin Bieber had succeeded quickly in trending worldwide. I bet some of us ladies have even walked in on our secret Belieber boyfriends listening to some of his infectiously likeable songs.

Many were won over by the pop star’s movie Never Say Never, however this impression has gradually soured by his recent indecent, disrespectful and shameless antics. The Biebs has become a controversial, hotly debated public figure and for every swooning ‘Belieber’ there is another who simply loves to hate him. Despite ongoing opinions about his infamous quiff, dropcrotch jeans and ‘Baby’ tone music, it seems there are now many justified reasons for his criticism.

Bieber’s most recent shenanigans of illegal drink driving, high speed car chases, assault on his own security staff, publicised photographs smoking marijuana

JUSTIN BIEBER JOE BIELAWA ©

and his menagerie of tattoos, it seems he has become everything parents no longer want their children to grow up to be.

His behaviour has been detrimental to his giant fan base and following his recent alcohol/drug use and reckless driving, a petition in the us materialized, urging President Obama to deport the bad-boy pop star. The petition has racked up more than 263,000 signatures, having surpassed the 100,000 mark at the end of January. This now means the White House is required to issue an official response.

Other mini-scandals have surfaced too including Bieber spending a night in a brothel, disrespecting Canada by meeting the Prime Minister in a pair of dungarees, spitting on fans from a hotel balcony and an attempted attack from a car on the paparazzi in London. He since vowed to never return to the uk again.

Justin’s Believe tour in London broke the hearts of many crazed ‘Beliebers’. Keeping fans waiting for two hours was his biggest crime. Fans of school age in the end had to leave the concert early to get up for school the next day.

Many parents bought tickets for the concert worth £70 for their children to see their ‘Boyfriend’ idol that they barely got to enjoy.

The teenager visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam last

year and laughably wrote a note claiming that the Holocaust ZODIAC REMKO VAN DOKKUM © victim “would have been a Belieber!”

It gets better still however; on Christmas Day he tweeted to his 47 million followers: “My beloved Beliebers I’m officially retiring.”

Oh, but he was ‘just kidding!’ was the official response from his pr POLLY SNELL third of Americans believe in team. Devastated fans didn’t have lifestyle@westerneye.net astrological predictions! to panic for long, for their hero Although one can’t help but soon followed up with “I’m never star signs, horoscopes, pose the question, can having this leaving you, being a Belieber is a certain personality traits assigned much faith in astrology be harmlifestyle”. to each zodiac… at first glance it ful in any way? Arguably, reading The behaviour and lack of all might sound a bit too bizarre so-called ‘predictions’ of your apologies from The Biebs has for people to actually base their week ahead is self-indulgent in shown him at the age of now 20 to lives around. In the uk alone, itself, but could zodiac signs really be a poor role model, despite his however, research has found help people to see their lives more pretty-boy looks, and a product of that most women consider their clearly and figure out a clearer child-star-money-making-fame. star sign to fit their personal- path for themselves?

His celebrity life has been an ity perfectly, suggesting that not Many people believe it to be emotional rollercoaster for us all! only are most women fully aware therapeutic; for example, readWith his rocky relationship with of their star signs, but also the ing an extract from the back of Selena Gomez finally reaching a specific traits that match. a magazine that tells you you’re bitter end last summer, the star A study based on a sample of going to have a really wealthy appears to have ‘gone off the rails’ students in the UK found that month for a change, and posiand permanently damaged his 100% of them knew their star sign, tive thinking by default does help own credibility and popularity.

70% of them checked their horo- people to live more fulfilling lives, Still, his despicable antics over scopes regularly and amazingly so to some extent horoscopes can the past year have culminated 85% of these students agreed that truly be beneficial. in upcoming court dates for his the description of their birth sign Many more rational thinkillegal deeds, yet he releases a describes their personality fright- ers may define the concept of new single entitled ‘Confident’. eningly accurately. astrology as ridiculous, with the If that’s not irony… I don’t know Although, many people today scientific leaps we’ve made in what is! But I welcome any dedi- who perhaps study their signs society, especially with claims cated fans out there to fight for us devotedly may not actually know being made by astrologers that all to ‘LEAVE BIEBER ALONE!’ where they came from. Well, the the Moon has a similar effect on technical explanation behind the humans as it does on the ocean, zodiac is ‘the apparent path of the due to the fact that the body is Sun across the celestial sphere made up of 75% water. over the course of the year’, but This doesn’t change the in reality many believers may have fact however that hundreds of no idea where their faith stems millions of dollars are spent on from, or why they routinely flick astrology every single year in to the back pages of the paper the us alone, with 7,000 profesevery week. So where did these sional astrologers currently living unusual beliefs originate? and working in America. Even 6,000 years ago, a tribe in conducting a search for anything southern Babylonia began focus- ‘astrology’ related on Google ing on the stars for guidance and provides you with nearly two counted their months by the million website links! phases of the Moon, then thouWhatever your view on astrolsands of years later the Greeks ogy, it remains a fiercely popular called these constellations the topic with people all over the ‘circle of animals’ or zodiakos world believing in the predictions kykios — which we now refer to and traits related to each zodiac as the zodiac. sign. I’m a Gemini, who is repreThese days, horoscopes have sented by the sign of the twins. gained a much greater sense of We as characters are supposed consumer appeal; with magazine to be versatile, expressive, and pages dedicated to celebrating commonly known to present two each sign’s birthday month and distinctive sides to their personaleven comparing which signs are ity, hence the ‘twin’ symbol. One compatible with one another. twin can be communicative & Interestingly, 75% of astro- adaptable, whereas the other twin logical believers are women, is prone to restlessness and an according to a study performed indecisive nature. Seems pretty by stariq.com, and a considerable accurate to me…

The zodiac

12

B R I S T O L’ S B A C K B O N E

BRISTOL’S BACKBONE

Introduction ANNA-MAY RICHARDS features@westerneye.net

there's an army of people behind the inhibition-free parties, carnivals, sounds, market stalls, 24/7 shops and brothels. As well as all of the city’s iconic musicians and artists whose voices can be heard more readily, there are the other people, who are an essential part

of Bristol's culture – and they have more to contribute. Who are the people putting the Blackthorn in the pubs, protecting the streets, adjusting the music, and putting graffiti on Bristol’s walls? It's time to hear from the voices which keep this city ticking over and think about those who make it what it is. Those who have so much to say, but do not usually have the platform to do so. It's time to hear from Bristol's Backbone.

Makala and Baylea from Knowle West Media Centre humanity has created a new reality. An open-source world where information, education, and knowledge are available to everyone with access to a computer. Whilst it might seem reasonable to assume this is a small portion of the world's population - especially when one consider the ‘pity’ Westerners are regularly encouraged to engage with in regards to economically developing countries – initiatives like Hole-in-the-Wall are ever increasing the percentage of the world’s population which can learn from community driven sites like Wikipedia. You may not be able to reference it in your essay, but it's certainty a good starting point for a basic overview of a concept you may not have come across before.

A bit like asking your nan about the 60's: everyone has their own perspective, it is always subject to change and it is important to explore further understandings.

On the back of this digital future, education secretary Michael Gove has introduced mandatory lessons in coding for secondary schools.

Potentially this could provide the basis for the employment of a generation. Potentially it could alienate a mass of young people before they understand what empathy and consequence mean. Political education aside, digital technologies have the potential to open up a world of communication within communities, and develop creativity where before scarce resources could have restricted that capacity. Successful petitions by Avaaz.org and revolution-orientated event organisations in Egypt are evidence of this.

Most of us will associate data with mundane, boring processes, and creativity with interesting

thoughts and personalities, but data is essential to understanding and experiencing everyday life.

For example, Leonardo Da Vinci brought the two together with his Vitruvian Man. Bristol based arts charity, Knowle West Media Centre (kwmc), reconciles aesthetics and statistics with the Data Patchwork project. Playing on the paradoxes found in life 'when you fuse two things you wouldn't expect together' Makala Campbell and Baylea Hart detail the project that is now entering its second phase. kwmc often focuses the initial stages of any project in this southern area of the city; 'because of the way Bristol was built and grown, it's centre and where all its investment is tends to be in the North, its just a geographical thing, so obviously as Bristol's expanded,and it's grown out to the South- historically this neighbourhood was for slum clearance, so all that history and background of where the skills main investments have been, - aside from all the other assets found in the area - is why we're keen to stay where we are.

Then our successes, and whatever works well, can be replicated elsewhere; share the learning'. One of the endeavours Digital Projects Producer Makala Campbell is in the process of developing, with the assistance of her team of eight Junior Digital Producers, uses interactive tools to collect information about local preferences and lifestyle choices which can then be represented visually.

To resolve theoretical issues on a wider scale it is important to hone in on the nitty-gritty practical aspects. 'It started out as a city wide 'dash-board', and looked at

THE LIVING LIVING ROOM KNOWLE WEST MEDIA CENTRE

all the Council's priorities for all power to those being surveyed neighborhoods- so, health and asking 'is there anything missing – well-being; travel, it was about how do you want to word it?' very specific topics and what inforThe digital world has repeatedly mation could you share within proven that collaboration can be those topics, so people knew what key to success for individual and was happening in the city, as well group projects. The Junior Digital as more locally. We said- lets get a Producers at kwmc brought skills level deeper and see what are the in animation, coding, journalism issues in this community. So we and illustration to share with one spoke to groups that are already another and an open mind to learndoing regeneration, and other ing new ones. All are aged 18—24 things in the neighbourhood. and were recruited through the What we've done is led by what's Creative Employment Programme, happening in Knowle West's which supports young people into community right now. So it might their first job in the creative indushave looked very different if we'd try. On a wider scale, KWMC has done it a year ago. ' 'collaborated with the University Something we can all agree on of the West of England in an effort is the media's tendency to exas- to establish viable routes for young perate social tensions through people into the creative industry and sensationalism and misinterpreta- identify barriers to employment.' tion of facts. The Data Patchwork The Data Patchwork projproject is addressing this by shar- ect has three phases. First, the ing open data that is relevant to the development of questions for an community. For instance, crime interactive survey covering issues and security were identified as a including safety, shopping, health prominent concern for residents and lifestyle; second, the making of Knowle West, but by visual- of interactive installation 'The ising local crime statistics, Data Living Living Room'; and thirdly, Patchwork will reveal the more the creation of accessible live data comforting reality of a drop in feeds and animations to visualize crime levels. 'It's all about talking the results of the survey. to local people, finding out what The Living Living Room constithe important issues are, finding tutes eight carefully constructed out what groups in the neighbour- cardboard furniture items includhood are already trying to achieve, ing a grandfather clock, bookcase, so we can look at what questions and window frame. Participants need to be asked to support their can respond to the survey queswork. There was a lot of frustra- tions by moving objects, like tion we were hearing from the choosing a book or interacting police and Neighbourhood Forum with the clocks minute hand. 'We where crime levels were decreasing wanted something that people but peoples perception was that would talk about, because it's a they were increasing'. The ques- survey that isn't SurveyMonkey, tion that exposes this fallacy is very I can’t imagine that someone pleasantly presented with a scale of would do a traditional survey and cats and dogs. The project returns go, “oh wow I've just answered

Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

this really interesting survey you must do it”, so the hope is that once we reach a certain amount of people with our own promotion, that other people will want share that information'. The online Information Station that Baylea and her colleagues develop will include animations to show the live data that is collected.

To pilot the concept of animated live data, kwmc's Digital Producers created a live weather widget pulling data from Yahoo. With information like this they can then develop software that suggests activities and events in Knowle West based not only on the date but also the weather forecast, so people are able to see where is good to go in that moment. 'The information station will be showing live data, the point is that the project won''t finish, it'll continually change'.

Makala sees Bristol as a city that is rich in creativity. She's been working at Knowle West Media Centre for 'years and I'm always learning, I find this creative environment is more flexible around enabling individuals to go on that journey. I think it's through learning and exploration that interesting things happen and that's why often some of our projects will be quite vague at the beginning, so we've got this rough idea, but its all about working with people in the community to figure out how that idea needs to be shaped.' She views Gove's plans with mixed feelings; 'it's good that they're teaching coding in schools now but at the same time, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses., I would hate to think that there are people out there who would struggle and be judged because of that. It should be something that you get a little taste of and then take it as an option, you know when you get to that position in senior school.

Having said that there are kids who can do it at like 8 or 9!'

These are the projects that stimulate creative and personal growth in Bristol. Completed in 2008, the building that houses KWMC's ethos of supporting ‘regeneration, education, and social action through the arts and technology’ reflects exactly that.

Ceiling to floor windows invite in light and visitors, the walls are built with straw bail panels, rainwater collects on the roof for use indoors and reactive lighting stops energy going to waste. The architects even used some aspects of the previous building in an effort to cushion any environmental impact. This organisation is progressive in it's social, environmental and economic attitude. © ‘The Living Living Room’ will be touring five areas in Knowle West from the 1st of March until the 14th. © More information can be found at kwmc.org.uk/ cardboardcreations & datapatchwork.co.uk

Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

Oscars 2014: Who Will Win? Get your glad rags on, the red carpet awaits!

JAYDE SMYTH & SOPHIE SEDDON music@westerneye.net

the awards season is coming to a close and everyone’s eyes turn to the season’s biggest party: The 86th Academy Awards. Western Eye editors Jayde Smyth and Sophie Seddon predict this year’s winners.

Best Picture

Nominees: ‘American Hustle’, ‘Nebraska’, ‘Captain Phillips’, ‘Philomena’, ‘Dallas Buyers Club’, ’12 Years a Slave’, ‘Gravity’, ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and ‘Her.’ Jayde: The biggest category and the most difficult to choose I

OSCAR TRAVIS KAYA

13

MU S I C & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

think. I thoroughly feel like ‘12 brutal drama and is in the best wonderfully flawed individual, Years a Slave’ should win, it’s position for the win considering and this should be paid tribute to. been met with both fan and crit- it has exceptional performances, J: I’m inclined to agree with ical acclaim, but ‘Gravity’ has directorship, cinematography, Sophie on this one, not only is that typical Oscar winner feel rather than just one or the other. Blanchett the bookies’ favouabout it. It’s got big names, it’s rite to win, she’s also the one got great cinematography, it’s got Actor in a Leading Role who deserves it. The category is an original, if not out there, plot. Nominees: Christian Bale chock full with fantastic actresses, Should it win? Perhaps not, but ‘American Hustle,’ Chiwetel including Miss Adams. Her leadit’s certainly a contender.

Ejiofor ‘12 Years a Slave’, Bruce ing role in ‘American Hustle’ has Sophie: It’ll be between the big Dern ‘Nebraska’, Matthew generally been well received, hitters which is a shame because McConaughey ‘Dallas Buyers earning her place among the a film like Her is so original in Club’ and Leonardo DiCaprio nominees, but can she snag the its concept. I feel ‘American ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’ golden statue from more deservHustle’ may be too vague in its J: I know McConaughey is the ing hands? Probably not. Despite genre, that there is no particular rumoured favourite, but come being a close battle between appeal to it generally. ‘12 Years on. The guy has wasted his entire Blanchett and Adams, it’s clear a Slave,’ a classic, moving and career on mediocre rom-coms for who the winner will be. years and finally participated in a critically decent film, but does he Best Actor in a Supporting Role deserve an Oscar on his first go? Nominees: Barkhad Abdi My opinion is no. I’m casting my ‘Captain Phillips,’ Bradley Cooper vote towards Leonardo DiCaprio, ‘American Hustle,’ Michael because aside from being a Fassbender ‘12 Years a Slave,’ Jonah phenomenally talented and popu- Hill ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and lar actor, did you see how tightly Jared Leto ‘Dallas Buyers Club.’ he was holding that Golden Globe? J: I’m going to say it’s a close call The guy surely deserves this. between Jared Leto and Michael S: McCoughaney does make a Fassbender. Who should win? complete transformation for Fassbender hands down, his his role in ‘Dallas Buyers Club,’ performance (the whole film which is impressive considering really) was phenomenal. Who will his cv of poor films. However, win? Probably Leto. It’s his first I do have to assert my personal Academy Award nomination and belief that Chiwetel Ejiofor as wasn’t even nominated for the Solomon Northup in ‘12 Years a BAFTA, which in my book means Slave’ is the most worthy. It is he’s probably going to win. beautifully executed, and would S: I cannot be certain who will win; boost morale for his fellow Fassbender, Hill, Cooper and Brits. It’s unlikely Dern or Bale Leto all deliver fantastic perforwill have a look-in despite their mances and the newcomer of the impressive performances. group, Barkhad Abdi in ‘Captain Phillips’ was terrific. However, Actress in a Leading Role would the Oscar’s really give him Nominees: Amy Adams ‘American the award first time around? I Hustle,’ Judi Dench ‘Philomena,’ hope so, though Leto was very Cate Blanchett ‘Blue Jasmine,’ convincing in his ‘Dallas Buyers Sandra Bullock ‘Gravity’ and Meryl Club’ role… this should be an Streep ‘August: Osage County.’ interesting one.

S: Blanchett as the titular character in Woody Allen’s rebirth Best Actress in a Supporting Role ‘Blue Jasmine’ is a dead cert for Nominees: Sally Hawkins ‘Blue the win this year, hands down. Jasmine,’ Jennifer Lawrence You do have to feel for Adams, ‘American Hustle,’ Lupita Nyong’o being nominated five times and ’12 Years a Slave,’ Julia Roberts winning nothing, but unfortu- ‘August: Osage County’ and June nately, she is just defeated by Squibb ‘Nebraska.’ better competition. With Streep, J: I have to confess myself as a little Bullock and Dame Judi Dench bit in love with Jennifer Lawrence, all in the running, Adams will over the past 3 years she has be highly unlikely. Blanchett quickly become an internet sensawas exceptional as Jasmine, a tion and everybody has nothing

but nice things to say about her.

She was the clear winner last year, but this year I think the award has to go to Lupita Nyong’o, how could it not? If ‘12 Years a Slave’ walk away with only one award, it has to be Nyong’o’s performance.

It’s been one of the most haunting cinematic performances I’ve seen in an age, and if she doesn’t win I’ll be outraged.

S: Lawrence’s competition in this category is tough with Roberts and Hawkins, who were both incredible in ‘August: Osage County’ and ‘Blue Jasmine’ respectively. Hawkins particularly has proven herself to be successful in so many diverse roles and to such a high standard.

But, I think the dark horse goes to Lupita Nyong’o in ‘12 Years a Slave.’

A sensational and tortured performance, played with such strength, she deserves this win. Also, would the Oscar’s permit Lawrence to win two years in a row?

Best Animated Feature Film

Nominees: ‘Frozen,’ ‘The Croods,’ ‘Despicable Me 2,’ ‘Ernest and Celestine’ and ‘The Wind Rises.’

J: My favourite category.

‘Despicable Me 2’ was good, but nowhere near as good as its predecessor. The clear winner has to be ‘Frozen,’ it’s been an Internet and box office hit. It deals with anxiety in a way most animations don’t, it has a deliciously deceiving villain and its characters are incredibly relatable. Plus a few catchy tunes and a charming romance, how could you not love this film!

S: I didn’t rate ‘The Croods’ too much, so the winner is probably going to be ‘Frozen’. It’s another example of Disney mixing traditional story lines, but with original characters and a new outlook on it. I think it’s a straight winner. Shame. ‘Despicable Me 2’ was also exceptional, though not as good as its predecessor. This may let it down.

Best Directing

Nominees: David O. Russell ‘American Hustle,’ Alfonso Cuarón ‘Gravity,’ Alexander Payne ‘Nebraska,’ Steve McQueen ’12 Years a Slave’ and Martin Scorsese ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’

S: This category is probably the most competitive of all at this year’s Academy Awards. It could go to any of the big five but Cuarón is looking like the one poised to win, although McQueen could easily take him by surprise and win, as could Russell… I can’t call it.

J: It has to be Cuarón doesn’t it, if there’s one thing all critics have agreed on it was his outstanding directorial performance with ‘Gravity.’ Yes, the category is a strong one with big names, but none of them hold a candle to Cuarón surely? © If you disagree with any of our predictions, or have ideas about the other categories let us know by tweeting @WesternEyeMusic. © music@westerneye.net

14

Battle of the Bands Returns Musical uwe students battle it out as the competition is back for another year, but what is it exactly?

ALICIA WENSLEY

music@westerneye.net

instruments will be tuned and vocals warmed up all over the University of the West of England as Battle of the Bands returns for another year.

Contestants will be performing and competing against each other to get first place in the competition that spans from the heats in February, through to the final on April 4. The competitions will close at Frenchay Campus, with heats also taking place at Glenside, St Matthias and Bower Ashton.

Battle of the Bands, organised by uwe Live Music Society and uwe Students’ Union has been successfully running for six years.

Ali Maxwell, Live Music Society’s Treasurer and main organiser for this year’s event says: ‘‘We’re showcasing the best of uwe’s extensive musical talent.’’

He adds: ‘‘I’m looking forward to seeing the mixture of talent that uwe’s got to show – the best

Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

MU S I C & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

of the talent the student body 25. Four bands, which Ali Maxwell from all campuses has to offer.’’ describes as ‘an eclectic mix’, will It kicked off at Frenchay Campus play for their space in the Final. The on February 18 at 7pm in Red Bar. winner of each heat automatically Four acts were trying to win over goes through to the grand finale. the three judges and the audience.

The ‘singer/songwriter’ acousThe St Matt’s heat took place only a tic heat on February 27 is the last couple of days later at the Students’ in the competition was hosted at Union bar at 8pm on February 20. the Bower Ashton campus from It will be the last time Battle of the 4.30pm in the Students’ Union bar.

Bands will visit St Matt’s due to the While each heat’s winner gets upcoming campus closure. a place in the final, it is not the In all heats, each act will end of the road for other contesperform a 20 minute set followed tants. Acts that placed second will by a short break. Judges and audi- get another chance as they can ence alike will have the time to compete in the Elimination round decide and vote on their favourite. on March 14. The Elimination After the voting is done, judges will round will be part of what looks offer their comments and reveal set to be a memorable day for their decision. Following this the uwe students, as the round begins audience vote will be announced. after the uwesu Election results Ali Maxwell explains: ‘‘The are revealed. The winner of the judges are popular and familiar elimination round will secure a faces from each campus.’’ place in the Final.

In the heats, the three judges In last year’s Final, Diamond have 25% of the vote each while Junkies were crowned the the audience has the remaining 2013 winners, with bands 25%. Glenside’s visit from Battle of The Rupees and Crinkle the Bands took place on February Cuts close runners-up.

Tom

Renhard, current Vice-President Community and Welfare, organised Battle of the Bands last year when he was Live Music Society’s Vice President. Talking of last year’s competition he says: ‘‘The judges were that torn we ended up putting two acts from the Elimination heat through to the final for a jam-packed six act final! ‘‘It was an amazing experience and the calibre of the acts was really good, with really well attended heats and everyone having a good time.’’

He adds: ‘‘All I am expecting this year is for some good quality acts performing and for everyone attending to have a good time. ‘‘As the former Vice President of the Live Music Society, I understand how much work is required to get this event to run well and I know this year’s Live Music Society Committee have worked really hard to make this event happen, so I can only picture good things coming from it.

‘‘I’ll be looking forward to seeing what the offering this year is and I can’t wait to compere some of the heats!’’

This year’s Final is on April 4 and starts at 8pm on the Frenchay Campus, and coincides with Last Orders at the Escape and Red Students’ Union bars. There will be cash prizes for the winner and second place, and other prizes are to be revealed. Four judges, who are made up of Students’ Union Presidents and special guests from the local music industry, along with the audience will decide the winner of Battle of the Bands 2014.

Coverage of the competition will be available on uwe’s Hub Radio, Hub Xtra and Western Eye Online.

Ali Maxwell says: ‘‘Following the success and excitement of last year, uwe’s Battle of the Bands competition is back with the coveted first prize to be hotly contested again.’’

UWE LIVE MUSIC SOCIETY DANIEL MINTY

12 Years a Slave review McQueen delivers both a shocking and powerful portrayal of slavery that will stand the test of time TOM WHITTON

music@westerneye.net

once a common and accepted method of acquiring cheap labour, the concept of slavery is now looked back on with shame and regret. The atrocities associated with the kidnapping of free individuals and loss of identity have left a mark on Western civilisation that can never be erased and bringing such a sensitive topic to cinema requires a great deal of attention and respect. In his most recent directorial role Steve McQueen reminds viewers what humanity is capable of in this powerful portrayal of life as a slave.

Based on 19th century memoirs of the same name, the story follows Solomon Northup’s transition from life as a well respected carpenter to his loss of freedom as a Southern labourer.

After two weeks travelling as a musician Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) finds himself kidnapped by the men he had journeyed with.

Waking up in chains, he realises the hardships ahead of him as he loses his name and identity.

Sold as ‘Platt,’ Northup is bought by plantation owner William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch); a sympathetic slave owner who recognises their humanity.

After problems arise Northup is transferred and becomes property of Edward Epps (Michael Fassbender); a psychotic ‘slave breaker’ with uncontrollable rage.

This is where Northup spends the majority of his slave years and once relationships are established a more authentic understanding of slavery becomes apparent as Northup begins to accept this new role forced upon him.

We witness the numerous

tribulations faced by slaves as they are confronted by prejudice in many forms. The relationship between slave and owner emphasises the dominance held by the southern white slavers that do with their property as they please.

Religion is a dominant theme throughout the film used to unify the slaves but also criticised as a tool to justify slavery at the time.

The differentiation of the two sides is staggering as a culture clash emerges always ending with the same victor. The exposure of day to day life on a plantation provides an extended emotional weighting as we begin to realise just how long people were subjected to this inhumane treatment.

The cinematography implemented by McQueen is utilised to create the sense of alienation and anxiety felt by the slaves taken from their homes. In one

particular scene Northup is left strung to a tree with only the length of his toes saving him from suffocation. We watch a number of slaves continue their work around him during this lengthy scene but they are unable to interfere fearing punishment.

It’s moments like these that drive home the indignity of this existence. The film is unable to hold back when presenting us with the horrors slaves were forced to contend with because its true impact would never be realised.

This authenticity is preserved due to the sets and scenery that is undeniably Louisiana. The songs sung by slaves conjure sadness but also hope as we see them unify as one. This sense of togetherness offers a brief moment of respite in a film shrouded by isolation and abuse.

The heart-rending rendition of ‘Roll Jordon Roll’ conjures emotions Northup had never felt as he recognises the importance of his cultural background and finds himself. Hanz Zimmer’s exceptional score must also be

credited for evoking the correct responses during the moments where words won’t suffice.

Ejiofor’s performance is sensational and authentic, conveying the intensity of a life altering event. His facial expressions become central to conveying contrasting emotions that tell a story in itself; the subtle actions of a man suppressing anger speaks volumes. Fassbender’s performance as hard-hitting Edward Epps compliments Ejiofor as their characters’ conflicts bring out each other’s strengths. Cumberbatch’s brief but convincing performance as the well respected slave owner William Ford is fantastic.

Simply put this film is a must see, not only for its immense quality as a cinematic production but also for the story and history it portrays. With a run time of over 2 ½ hours the film is able to take you to a world left behind and is an experience that will remain with you long after the end credits have rolled.

UWE

Motto: Light Liberty Learning Established: 1992 – University Status, 1970 – Bristol Polytechnic Students: 29,760 Colours: White, red and black Website: uwe.ac.uk

About

BRISTOL

Each year over a thousand students from the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England go head to head over a series of sporting events, organised by the Students’ Unions of both Universities. Our aim is to enable students to compete in their chosen sport against their closest rivals

whilst promoting both universities extra-curricular activities on offer to the city of Bristol, in the name of fun, rivalry and friendship whilst fundraising money for local charity. In the last two years the event has raised nearly £20,000 for local charities & each Union.

Motto: Vim promovet insitam “[Learning] promotes one’s innate power” Established: 1876 Students: 18,770 Colours: Bristol Reds Website: bristol.ac.uk

History

The series dates back to 1995 when the University of Bristol first challenged the University of the West of England to a boat race in the Bristol Docks. One member of the crowd lining the dockside that day was Billy Cotton, he was so impressed he approached the two Students’ Unions about staging a Rugby Union fixture for Oxfam. A year later saw the inaugural Varsity Rugby Match at the Memorial Stadium. Reputedly in 1997 saw the inaugural Football Varsity, this event has had a number of homes including Ashton Gate and more recently the Memorial Stadium. Varsity Day was born on 26th March 2003 as the brain child of Lucy Walker [ubu au Chair] and a member of uwesu staff and hosted in its entirety at Coombe Dingle, the old sports hall, uwe’s St.Matts gym, ubu pool, various

meeting rooms and both Role Playing societies hunkered down at a city centre Laser Quest!?

This was the first time so many participants from each University had the unique opportunity to compete against one another on the same day, with 19 sports and societies competing. In the same year came the University of the West of England found the first series sponsor in the name of Bristol & West. The Series thanks in main to the University of Bristol secured Lloyds tsb as the Varsity Series Sponsors between 2004-2006 inclusive.

The event then went without a title sponsor for 6 years until 2012 when Ernst & Young sponsored the event. During this time, the event developed to include American Football and Ice Hockey, impressive; but more

so when you know that for 364 days a year athletes representing their respective Universities are part of the same team in joint clubs hosted within uwesu.

Bristol Bullets American Football Club ceased to exist in 2006 and uwe Bullets and Bristol Barracuda were born. Bristol Lions Ice Hockey Club sadly came to an end when Bristol’s only Ice Rink closed in 2012. Two decades after its inception the Varsity Series, has its own website; spans over six months, includes over 1.500 athletes in over 80 teams participating in over 20 sports from both institutions. It is without question one of the biggest multi-sporting events in the South West. A sellout Fight Night in ubu’s Anson Rooms; an new event introduced to the Varsity calendar in 2012.

THE VARSITY CHARITIES Charity is at the very heart of the series, last year the Varsity series successfully raised £9,000 for Inspirational Friends, whereby two uwe students competed in the 2013 Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge to raise money for Myton Hospice and Jo’s

Cervical Cancer Trust in aid of their friend who was also a uwe boat club member – Eleanor Ellis, who sadly lost her battle with cervical cancer in May 2012.

The two charities selected for this year’s Varsity Series are Creative Youth Network

including those who are financially deprived or have experienced abuse, and those who live with a disability. We get them involved, thinking, doing, creating… discovering their potential.

We aim high: we work with world class artists and high quality youth workers to inspire, challenge, encourage and support.

The arts on offer include

dancing, graffiti, circus skills, DJing, animation, film making, drama, photography, sculpture, live music sessions and more.

Creative Youth Network is about making friends, speaking up, joining in, taking the lead, realising your talent and finding your voice. Discovering yourself through a creative process.

UWE’S CHARITY

uwe's chosen charity for the Varsity Series this year is the Creative Youth Network.

The Creative Youth Network's mission is to inspire every young person to do more than they ever thought possible.

We encourage young people to challenge the barriers they face by engaging with the arts. Young people from all backgrounds,

who encourage young people to challenge the barriers they face by engaging with the arts and Off The Record, a Bristol based charity who focus on the mental health and well-being of children and young people aged between 11—25.

BRISTOL’S CHARITY

Bristol’s chosen charity for the Varsity Series this year is the Off the Record charity.

Off the record are a registered charity and company working across Bristol and the surrounding area. Off the record’s concern and work is focused on mental health and the emotional well-being of children and young people aged 11—25.

Off the Record, think about mental health in a similar way to physical health. Mental health is about how we feel, think and behave.

We offer a range of therapeutic services, training, research and consultancy, as well as participatory campaigns alongside local young people.

UWE

1st 1st 2nd 2nd Mixed 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 1st 2nd & 3rd Mixed 2nd 3rd & 4th Mixed 1st 2nd 1st Mixed 2nd 1st 3rd Freshers xv 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st Mixed 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 1st 1st Mixed Mixed Mixed Mixed Mixed Mixed Mixed

Sport Badminton Men Badminton Women Badminton Men Badminton Men Basketball Mixed Basketball Men Basketball Women Basketball Men Hockey Men Hockey Women Hockey Men Hockey Women Lacrosse Men Hockey Men Lacrosse Men Lacrosse Women Lacrosse Women Lacrosse Football Women Rugby League Rugby Union Men Rugby Union Men Tennis Women Tennis Men Tennis Women Tennis Men Football Women Volleyball Women Volleyball Men Netball Netball Netball Netball Netball Cricket Women Cricket Men Futsal Men Futsal Men Trampoline Squash Men Squash Men Squash Men Squash Men Squash Women Waterpolo Men Waterpolo Women Swimming Gala Wargames/Trading Cards Poker Pole Fitness Bar School/Cocktail Society Chess Scrabble

Mixed

Mixed

Mixed

Mixed

Mixed

Mixed

Mixed

1st

1st

1st

4th

3rd

2nd

1st

Mixed

1st

2nd

1st

1st

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

1st

1st

1st

2nd

2nd

1st

1st

Freshers xv

2nd

1st

2nd

Mixed

(Bath 1st)

2nd

1st

3rd & 4th Mixed

2nd

2nd & 3rd Mixed

1st

1st

2nd

1st

1st

2nd

Mixed

2nd

2nd

1st

1st

UoB

pm

pm

eve

pm

eve

pm

18:00:00

to

12:00:00

available

Courts

16:00:00

14:30:00

13:00:00

11:30:00

10:00:00

17:00:00

15:45:00

14:30:00

13:15:00

12:00:00

11:00:00

10:00:00

18:00:00

12:00:00

12:00:00

12:00:00

12:00:00

14:00:00

14:00:00

14:00:00

14:00:00

16:00:00

14:30:00

15:00:00

15:00:00

13:00:00

12:00:00

16:45:00

15:30:00

14:15:00

13:00:00

19:00:00

17:00:00

15:00:00

14:00:00

14:00:00

14:00:00

13:00:00

13:00:00

Time UWE

wins:

uob:

Total: uwe:

UWESU Sports & Activities (4th Floor F Block, UWE Frenchay)

UWESU Sports & Activities (4th Floor F Block, UWE Frenchay)

UWESU RED Bar

UWESU RED Bar

UWESU RED Bar

UWESU RED Bar

UBU Swimming Pool

UBU Swimming Pool

UBU Swimming Pool

Redland Lawn Tennis & Squash Club

Redland Lawn Tennis & Squash Club

Redland Lawn Tennis & Squash Club

Redland Lawn Tennis & Squash Club

Redland Lawn Tennis & Squash Club

Centre for Sport, uwe Frenchay Campus – Court Two

Centre for Sport, uwe Frenchay Campus – Court Two

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court Two

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court Two

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court Two

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court One

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court One

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court One

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court One

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court One

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court One

Centre for Sport, UWE Frenchay Campus – Court One

SGS (Filton wise)

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Indoor Tennis Centre

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Indoor Tennis Centre

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Indoor Tennis Centre

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Indoor Tennis Centre

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Grass

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Grass

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Grass

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Grass

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Grass

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Grass

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Grass

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Astro 2

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Astro 2

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Astro 2

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Astro 1

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Astro 1

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Astro 1

Coombe Dingle Sports Complex – Astro 1

University of Bristol Centre for Sport

University of Bristol Centre for Sport

University of Bristol Centre for Sport

University of Bristol Centre for Sport

University of Bristol Centre for Sport

University of Bristol Centre for Sport

University of Bristol Centre for Sport

University of Bristol Centre for Sport

Location

VARSITY DAY TIMETABLE AND SCORESHEET UoB

wins:

Varsity Riding 2014

Varsity Rugby

21st March / Summerhouse Equestrian Centre / FREE

31st March / Memorial Stadium / £5

uwe Riding and uob Riding Club Present The Very First Riding Varsity!

The event comprises of both Dressage and Show Jumping, with 6 teams competing it is sure to very exciting!

Dressage requires the most detailed partnership between horse and rider. Riders have seven minutes to build this

partnership before performing a dressage routine. This is judged on the accuracy, effectiveness of aids and the harmony between horse and rider.

Show Jumping is where attention to detail is shown at its ultimate. Riders must tackle a course of jumps, where one small hiccup could make the difference between winning and losing.

In the 6 years that Varsity Rugby match was co-ordinated by Oxfam from its inception in 1996, the event raised over £50,000 and for the first 10 years of its life the event was co-ordinated and held in February. In 2003 the event was co-ordinated in its entirety by both Students’ Unions for the first time with one of the largest Varsity attendances to date with over 3,500 spectators from both universities and the local community. The event has always been held at the Memorial Stadium with the exception of 1 year where it was held at Clifton rfc in 2001, and the one year that the event was postponed due to

inclement weather.

Bristol over the past few years have full control of the event but uwe Rugby is stronger than it has been and are eager to show what they can do on the pitch. Rugby is at the heart of the Varsity Series and always attracts crowds.

Support your University and Rugby Club as the teams go all out to win the Varsity Trophy (as well as bragging rights for the year).

The match promises to be a great spectacle so make sure you’re there to watch the most attended Varsity match of the series and raise money for this years chosen charities - Creative Youth Network and Off The Record.

Canoe Polo Varsity 3rd May / Harbourside / FREE

Head down to Bristol Harbourside and watch Canoe Polo Varsity!

Canoe Polo (called Kayak Polo in some countries) is a competitive ball sport played on water, between two teams of five players, each in a kayak. The object of the game is to get the ball into the opponent’s goal, the team scoring the most goals in a set time being the winner.

RIDING UWE STUDENTS UNION

Varsity Climbing

Varsity Windsurf

22nd March / The Climbing

29th March / Bowmoor Sailing

Academy / FREE

Club / FREE

The first ever official uwe v uob varsity climbing competition, hosted by The Climbing Academy, Bristol, is here!

Starting at 18:30 Saturday 22nd March, competitors will have to be warmed up, chalked up and ready to climb by 7pm, where they will have 2 hours to attempt 20 different problems graded from 3 to 7b/c (or in other words, pretty simple to pretty damn difficult!)

With only a single attempt at each problem, each team will have to call upon all their strength, balance and cunning to really prove who can pull the hardest!

The event will feature an Individual Championship and Team Championship and the Varsity winner and score will be decided on the Team Championship competition.

Brace yourselves, the first ever Windsurf event in the varsity series history is here!

The event hosted by both UWE and Bristol universities, sees an army of students will take to the waters in a nail biting competition. The day will comprise of a number of heats in each division which include Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, Team races and the much anticipated Alumni races.

Following a brief ‘free sail’ and last chance to polish their skills, competitors will head for the start line for a gruelling race course testing them to their sporting limits! Music will be ensuring a great atmosphere, and race commentary throughout the day, spectators welcome.

VARSITY TEAM BIOS

Polo Varsity 10th May / Beaufort Polo Club /£5

RUGBY UWE STUDENTS UNION

Advance Tickets

Varsity Boat Race 26th April / Harbourside / FREE

On Saturday 26th April 2014 Bristol’s floating harbour will once again play host to the annual Varsity Boat Race that pits the University of Bristol against neighbours the University of the West of England. Inaugurated in 1995, the event celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, a milestone that promises the biggest and best event yet. The Boat Race is the oldest and most prestigious of the flagship events

of the two universities’ Varsity Series that runs from February and culminates in early May. Raced from Hotwells to the heart of the city, the 1450 metre sprint is always a thrilling showcase of side-by-side boat racing at its best. With a series of races throughout the day, the University of Bristol Boat Club will be trying to wrest the Varsity Challenge Cup from the hands of the current holders, the University of the West of England.

One of the most prestigious events in the Varsity Calendar, Polo is an event not to miss. Rich in History, Polo is the oldest ball sport in the world dating back to 600BC. The event will be filled with action as the players hunt down the ball to score in their goal using a slender mallet. The polo player job is to stay focused, keep at a gallop, carry or pass the ball to a team mate and hopefully score!

Even if you are not a horse lover, Polo is sure to provide plenty of thrills and spills.

POLO UWE STUDENTS UNION

Varsity Gliding 14th & 15th June / Cotswold Gliding Club / Bristol & Gloucestershire Gliding Club / £TBC

BOAT RACE UWE STUDENTS UNION

Varsity Fight Night 29th April / Anson Rooms / £10 Adv.

Showcasing new events from Fencing, Tae Kwon-Do, Jitsu, Kickboxing and Muay Thai.

With five trophies to fight for this adrenaline fuelled event hosted by the Anson Rooms shouldn’t be missed.

FIGHT NIGHT UWE STUDENTS UNION

The events will be held over two days, with Day One being held at uwe’s training ground, Cotswold Gliding Club, and the second day at UoB’s training site, the Bristol and Glocestershire Gliding Club, on Sunday 15th June. We are currently waiting for Bristol Uni to confirm that they can host 15th June.

There will be two simultaneous competitions in order to encourage participation and cater for all levels. These two competitions will be called progression and soaring (flight duration).

Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

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Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY — NEW AGE ADVANCES AND SCIENTIFIC CONTEXT what powers your home?

There are probably a dozen other more important things to be worried about than climate change: you’ve got next month’s bills to worry about, that coursework deadline, Dad’s birthday present, and you still don’t know what you’re cooking for that dinner party tomorrow night.

In today’s modern, fast-paced world, the problems that don’t appear to directly affect us can often slip our minds or just be someone else’s problem. Yet, with the announcement from the ipcc (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) that they are 95% certain that humans are the dominant cause of climate change, is it finally time for the entire world to pay attention and think about nuclear power?

The main problem that we’re facing is greenhouse gas emissions. These are gases like carbon dioxide, methane, ozone and water vapour that are released all the time by our energy hungry lifestyles. One of the biggest greenhouse gas emitting sectors is electricity production from the carbon powered stations all over the world that provide power to our homes. Most of this energy is produced by big coal and gas power plants. Just 27% of the energy required in the uk is made by non-carbon producing methods and that is when the wind blows and the sun shines enough for our wind farms and solar farms to work at their best.

It has become obvious in recent years that normal renewable energy sources (these are sources that have an unlimited source of fuel with no carbon output, i.e. solar, wind, hydroelectric) just can’t keep up with our requirements. Some optimistic estimates have said that the uk would need between 50,000 and 75,000 wind turbines to provide us with enough power and with so many people protesting against the current 5,000 turbines and the cost to build them, this is just not realistic. Nuclear power stations could be the answer.

A fluorescent alternative?

Can nuclear power cure the uk’s carbon addiction ALEX HALE SCITECH@WESTERNEYE.NET

ADVANCED TEST REACTOR ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY ©

Although they do not technically fall under the umbrella of a ‘renewable’ energy source, they don’t produce any greenhouse gases, they take up much less room

and according to the University of Maryland, nuclear fuel could last us another 200 years.

It seems like some countries are well ahead of us with

these thoughts. In 2008, France produced 77% of its domestic power from nuclear power stations and they have another power station ready to go online in 2016. Their reputation as the country with the world’s most nuclear power has even prompted the government to let them help us build Hinkley Point C. This nuclear power station in North Somerset could provide as much as 13% of our electricity needs by 2020 and avoid the production of 9 million tonnes worth of co2 per year, that’s the roughly equivalent to the co2 production of 2 million cars. But with only 18% of our power being produced by nuclear power now, is it time to truly quit coal and gas and commit to nuclear power completely?

“Business as usual is not sustainable, we have to look for alternatives,” says Admiral Neil Morisetti, Special Representative for Climate Change to William Hague. “If we continue to use fossil fuels in the manner we are today, it is going to increase the risks posed by climate change,” says Morisetti, and the world is coming around to see that this is the case. The science behind climate change, especially since the ipcc announcement and ensuing media furore, is now widely accepted after many years of debate between scientists, policy makers and the general public.

Whenever nuclear power is talked about, there are always mentions of Chernobyl, Fukushima and Three Mile Island but events like these are extremely rare, and so far the total death toll directly related to nuclear power is considered to be almost zero (the 4,000 cancer-related deaths from Chernobyl are not counted by authorities because soviet era power stations lacked safety regulations). Compared to many technologies, nuclear power is very safe; coal power has been related to mercury poisoning deaths all over the world. Part of the reason for such a low incident rate related to nuclear power is that public fear over potential

disaster has prompted safety policies surrounding the regulation of nuclear power to be very strict.

There is still strong opposition to nuclear power. Janice Baker, an anti-nuclear power campaigner from Somerset has been campaigning for many years against nuclear power stations in the uk.

I’m fully aware that the power stations aren’t going to blow up on us, it’s the nuclear waste that I’m worried about. It [nuclear waste] can hang around for up to a million years in some cases and can really hurt the environment.

It doesn’t matter if we’re going to save the world one way but then destroy it another.

The waste generated by nuclear power production is a concern to all nuclear power users; once the fuel has been spent, it is still radioactive and potentially very harmful to the environment.

Common waste products are elements like Plutonium-239 which can continue to produce radiation for several hundreds of thousands of years. Most countries now agree that the best way to dispose of the waste is to store it hundreds of metres underground in carefully monitored bunkers until it either becomes non-radioactive or we find a better way to dispose of it. There have, sadly, been incidents of nuclear waste leaks in the past but these are extremely rare and are becoming rarer with better safety procedures and regulations.

These, and many others, are the issues that are due to be discussed by governments and scientists from around the world at the 2015 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (unfccc) in Paris. Neil Morisetti is hopeful: “The unfccc can make some big decisions on the future of climate change as a whole — it needs to be done”.

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Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Uncovering the cannibals of Somerset

Science and Tech writer Tariq Ismail explores what life was like for our distant relatives in a new exhibition of prehistoric Britain

ICE AGE FAUNA MAURICIO ANTÓN ©

TARIQ ISMAIL

scitech@westerneye.net

hippos swim the avon. Hyenas hunt in Horfield. Mammoths stomp across Broadmead. This isn’t a work of fiction; this is ancient Britain. ‘Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story’, a newly opened exhibition at the award-winning Natural History Museum, London, brings to life prehistoric Britain, giving fascinating insights into what life was like for Britain’s early humans, and the animals and landscapes with which they had to contend.

The exhibition represents a culmination of work by a 50-strong team of palaeontologists and geologists from over 20 research institutions spanning 12 years, and led by the Natural History Museum. The continuing endeavour, known as the Ancient Human Occupation of Britain (ahob) project, has found evidence that has fundamentally changed our knowledge of early humans in Britain.

It had been previously thought that humans had been in Britain for half a million years but excavations by the ahob project uncovered prehistoric flint tools in Happisburgh, Norfolk, that date back to 800,000 years ago, making this the earliest known settlement in Northern Europe.

In February scientists announced the discovery of a set of footprints along a nearby

beach that were dated to the same age. These findings imply that humans survived here in freezing climates comparable to modern day Sweden, without the benefits of clothing or fire. The humans of 800,000 years ago had to deal with cooler summers and icy winters which averaged between 0°C and -3°C. As well as the battle against the cold, these early humans would have been hunted by sabretoothed tigers and hyenas, and maybe even other humans. Fossil remains of pine cones, pollen, beetles and voles show that humans lived close to the edge of northern pine forests with few edible plants and short daylight hours. These humans were hardy individuals.

The people of Happisburgh would have probably belonged to the human subspecies Homo antecessor, different to modern humans (Homo sapiens), which only left Africa 200,000 years ago.

The study has used intuitive scientific techniques, including biostratigraphy, in which remnant traces of plants and animals found within the flint tools are analysed and cross-referenced with species already known to be extinct or not yet present. This shows which plants and animals were around when the tools were made and provides a time-frame for when the tools date back to.

Huge gaps in the fossil record show that humans were not

The ahob project uncovered prehistoric flint tools in Norfolk, that date back 800,000 years This discovery represents the earliest known settlement in Northern Europe

The humans of 800,000 years ago contended with icier winters Battling colds which averaged between 0°C and -3°C with no clothing or fire

always present in Britain, with the changing climate forcing migrations. During ice ages, the channel froze over, allowing humans to retreat south to mainland Europe, only to return when the climate was a little less demanding. In fact, there were periods spanning 100,000 years when humans deserted Britain altogether. Today’s Britons are descendents of the tenth attempt that humans made to populate Britain, resulting in our population being regarded as one of the youngest in the world, when compared to our continental neighbours.

The exhibition contains relics from the Happisburgh site in Norfolk, along with many others from across the uk. A notable artefact is the skull of the earliest known Neanderthal in Britain, discovered near the village of Swanscombe in Kent and known affectionately as the Swanscombe Man despite the fact that the skull belonged to a young woman.

The 450,000 year old Clacton spear, the oldest wooden spear in the world, is also on display.

Other precious finds include Neanderthal remains dating back 230,000 years from Bondnewydd in Wales, and a prehistoric jawbone from Kents Cavern that radiocarbon dating puts at around 40,000 years old, making it the oldest anatomically modern human fossil discovered in Northern Europe. Professor Chris

Stringer, palaeontologist and at the National History Museum, says of the exhibition: “You will be surprised by the history hidden beneath your feet.”

Numerous discoveries made by the ahob team have slowly painted a picture of the way that early humans lived. Analysis of 15,000 year old human bones found in a Somerset cave revealed the grisly truth that the cave-dwellers dined on other humans. The cannibals didn’t stop there — the heads of their victims were painstakingly shaped into functional cups or bowls, which Stringer suggests were used for special purposes, perhaps holding food, water or blood during rituals. These artefacts provided the earliest evidence of this gruesome practice in Britain.

The exhibition paints a vivid picture of the humans that once roamed Britain, with life-size models bringing our ancients back to life. The ever-changing environments that these humans had to contend with are explored, from the frozen pine forests of 800,000 years ago to the dusty, hyena-ridden savannahs that Britain became thousands of years later. The Natural History Museum is the final resting place for all of these artefacts. As professor Stringer says: “This gives us an exciting glimpse into our past, which also leads us to reflect on our future.”

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Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

SPORT

SPORT — UNIVERSITY COMPETITION AND GLOBAL SPORTS Midfielders

Bristol — the home of top-class sport!

GEORGE BEARD

sport@westerneye.net

the city of bristol is blessed to have many high-quality teams that you can easily attend and support.

Football, Rugby and Cricket are most prominent within the area.

Importantly, many of the clubs recognise that students can be struggling for cash. As a result, student prices and discounts can often be found, making it more affordable to watch.

Football, both for men and women, is played at a high level in Bristol. Bristol City will be looking to have a strong finish this season after a disappointing campaign so far. Under 21’s can buy tickets in advance from just £11 to watch Bristol City play. City play their home matches at Ashton Gate, which is just a 15 min walk from uwe’s Bower Ashton Campus.

The blue half of Bristol, the Rovers, will be looking to improve upon the 14th position in League 2 they finished last year. Bristol Rovers have formed a partnership with uwe to move into a new 22,000 seater stadium within the next few years. Students with a valid nus card can get discounted tickets, ranging from £11 to £20.50.

However, without doubt the best value sport to watch in Bristol is the Bristol Academy Ladies. Always a strong contender in the top division of women’s football, tickets cost a mere £3 and season tickets costs just £18 After narrowly missing out on the title last year, new manager Dave Edmondson will be looking to go one better this time around. The team play only a stone’s throw away from the Frenchay campus at near-by Filton Sports and Leisure Centre.

If you like your rugby more than your football, then Bristol Rugby Club is for you.

Currently competing in the rfu Championship, English rugby’s second tier, promotion back to the Premiership is their main target for this campaign. Bristol rugby shares the Memorial Ground Stadium along with Bristol Rovers football club, located just east of Filton Avenue.

With the summer still feeling light years away, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club will hope to compete on all fronts this year after going through this season without winning a trophy.

Tickets are comparatively inexpensive to watch the Gladiators play compared to other counties, with prices this season varying between £11 and £22.

An excellent range of sports are available to watch in Bristol during the forthcoming year.

Make sure you take advantage of what the city has to offer!

The chosen ones ALEX STOREY

sport@westerneye.net

with the 2014 world cup looming large on the horizon, there are only a handful of matches before Roy Hodgson names his squad for Brazil. Only a select few can begin to pack their suitcases and for the rest, it is a mad dash to force their way into Hodgson’s reckoning. Let’s take a look at the contenders for the hottest ticket in world football.

Goalkeepers

A problem position for many years, Manchester City’s Joe Hart has grabbed the Number 1 shirt by the scruff of the neck since the disastrous campaign of South Africa 2010. He is a shoe-in for Brazil but much has been made of the other two goalkeeping spots.

After coming out of international retirement in 2013, West Brom’s Ben Foster looks like a good bet to go as Joe Hart’s understudy.

The third goalkeeping spot is very much up for grabs and it looks like it’s going to be between Celtic’s Fraser Forster and Norwich’s John Ruddy. Forster put in an outstanding performance for Celtic against Barcelona in the Champions League this season, but lacks international experience.

Ruddy had a long spell out of the game in the 2012/13 season but has been solid for Norwich this season. Forster is likely to edge his East Anglian rival out for the final spot though.

Defenders

Barring injuries, the right back position seems like the easiest position to select of all. Liverpool’s Glen Johnson is likely to be first choice, although he is having an injury hit season. Tottenham’s Kyle Walker will also be on the plane to Brazil after being consistently selected by Hodgson. If

Johnson is ruled out with injury, Manchester City’s Micah Richards is likely to deputise, despite being frozen out for club and country for a couple of years.

Historically, England have been blessed with a multitude of options at centre back, but the choice for Roy Hodgson is significantly reduced for Brazil.

Everton’s Phil Jagielka is a certainty to start for Hodgson’s Lions after impressing for Roberto Martinez’s side this season and has been an ever present for England in the past two years. He is likely to be partnered

by Chelsea’s Gary Cahill, who has been mightily impressive alongside former England captain John Terry for the Blues. A Manchester United duo have every chance of making the squad. Both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have faced criticism for their performances this season, but remain favourites of Roy Hodgson. Challenging the United duo for the final two positions are Tottenham’s Michael Dawson and Cardiff ’s Steven Caulker and whilst there some talk of coaxing ex-captain John Terry out of retirement, Hodgson has officially ruled this out.

If the competition was based on the quality of left backs, England would be favourites to win it. Although Southampton’s exciting prospect Luke Shaw is likely to carry the mantle in years to come and Kieran Gibbs has been a regular for title-chasing Arsenal, only two names are likely to be in the thoughts of Roy Hodgson. Chelsea’s Ashley Cole is England’s most-capped full back and although he will make the squad, he may find himself warming the bench. Everton’s Leighton Baines has every chance of starting the first match against Italy in Manaus. A hugely impressive season so far has put him in the driving seat.

In the heart of England’s midfield is where Hodgson is likely to face his biggest dilemma. The only certainty for the squad is captain Steven Gerrard. He is likely to be joined by Arsenal’s Jack Wilshire who has only been denied more England appearances by injury but remains a favourite of both Hodgson and fans alike. The final two positions are very much a guessing game.

The experience of Chelsea’s Frank Lampard or Manchester United’s Michael Carrick could be vital in an otherwise young squad.

On the other hand, the raw talent of Everton’s Ross Barkley could be extremely important in breaking down international defences, whilst Hodgson often relies on Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley in competitive matches.

Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson has been impressive for Brendan Rodgers’ Reds this season, but is likely to be an outside bet.

On the wing, Hodgson has been denied his most precocious talent with Arsenal’s Theo Walcott having been ruled out with injury and there are no certainties on either wing. Tottenham’s Andros Townsend exploded onto the international scene with two superb performances to help England secure qualification for Brazil but has suffered injury problems of late. Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has looked impressive on his return from a five month injury layoff and if he stays fit, he will be on the plane.

Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon has a lot of international experience, but he finds himself down the pecking order as does Manchester United’s Ashley Young.

The ever reliable James Milner has been solid for Manchester City this season and should find himself on the plane. Sunderland’s Adam Johnson has been sensational in recent weeks and could yet find himself going to Brazil this summer. The same could be said about Southampton’s Adam Lallana and Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling who have both been in

recent squads, but both will have to have a stunning ends to the season to make the plane.

Forwards

Up front, Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney will be England’s main hope for success in Brazil.

He will joined by Liverpool’s in-form Daniel Sturridge who is currently the top English scorer in the Premier League and is likely to partner Rooney.

The other two positions are not sewn up, although it seems unlikely that Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck won’t make the plane, despite him playing second fiddle to Rooney and Van Persie at Old Trafford. The final position is likely to be reserved for a target man with Southampton’s Rickie Lambert and West Ham’s Andy Carroll vying for a spot.

Lambert is the form man and due to Carroll’s lack of match time, is likely to get the nod for the spot.

Potential Squad

Goalkeepers Hart, Foster, Forster Defenders Walker, Cole, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Jones, Dawson, Baines Midfielders Gerrard (Captain), Wilshere, Carrick, Barkley, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Milner, Lallana, Townsend Forwards Rooney, Welbeck, Lambert

Sturridge,

Alex Storey assesses the chances that England’s finest footballers have of making the plane to Brazil this summer

WHO WILL BE WEARING THE THREE LIONS IN BRAZIL THIS SUMMER? STEVE A JOHNSON ©

Western Eye 03.14 — Issue 05

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SPORT

England sack Kevin Pieterson England take a new direction after sacking their most gifted player, Philip Mansell ponders whether this decision has been a wise choice KEVIN PIETERSON NIC_R ©

PHILIP MANSELL

sport@westerneye.net

it was announced on Tuesday evening that after discussions between the England selectors and Kevin Pietersen, England’s all time highest international run scorer was to be permanently dropped from the side.

In the immediate future this means he will not be selected for England’s tour of the West Indies next month, or the subsequent World T20 tournament in Bangladesh. In the long run, it means that cricket fans will never be able to watch one of the most thrilling batsman in recent years in international cricket again.

Statements released by England and Pietersen himself were predictably vague, and the question of the majority of cricket fans lips has been simply; why?

It is a valid question. Pietersen’s apparently disruptive nature has been well reported for a number of years, ranging from his clash in early 2009 with then-coach Peter Moores, which resulted in kp losing the captaincy and Moores losing his job to his removal from the England side in the summer of 2012 for sending derogatory texts to South African players about his then-captain Andrew Strauss.

However, since his re-integration it had been a relatively smooth ride, with numerous interviews given by England players relaying the same shtick; ‘kp has been brilliant since coming back, we’re much happier as a side’ and so on. But inevitably, cracks began to appear when England started losing (badly) in Australia in November of last year. Pietersen’s shot selection was questioned, and he was lambasted as giving

away his wicket too easily and not digging in. Despite his supposed inability to play for the good of the team rather than himself, he finished as England’s highest run scorer in the Test series.

Rumours have already circulated and promptly been denied regarding a showdown between Pietersen and Test captain Alastair Cook whilst in Australia.

Sadly, the situation has also prompted the reliably opinionated close friend of Pietersen, Piers Morgan, to begin an attack on England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Morgan’s presence in kp’s corner can only have soured relations, particularly as he has been so consistently vocal in support of Pietersen and critical of Cook and the England management.

The obvious disappointment of being on the same side of an argument as Piers Morgan is only

Sporting spotlight — UWE Boat Club rowing is a sport that in the uk at least is often associated with University sports, and the uwe Boat Club (uwebc) is certainly one of the most prominent clubs in terms of competition, training and commitment. Tom Williams interviewed uwebc President, Hannah Eardley to learn more about the club.

WesternEye– How many members does the boat club have this year and how does this number impact the performance?

Hannah Eardley– About 60 members, which is relatively low; usually we have 100+. We toe the line between being an elite club competing amongst the best universities and being a social club. In an ideal world we would have enough equipment to have every member competing at an elite level.

WE– How are the competitions structured throughout the year?

HE– Winter is a head format; a long distance time trial where boats race the same course one after another. Summer racing begins around Easter and is a regatta format, which has six boats side by side racing 2km.

There are bucs rowing events for all universities and holds a head event and a regatta. The head

race was cancelled due to weather and flooding and the regatta is scheduled for May bank holiday weekend. We won a variety of medals last year — including two gold — and hope to win more this year too!

WE– How has the season been so far and how has this set you up for the summer?

HE– The winter season has been a challenge; weather conditions have prevented many clubs training and races are being cancelled most weekends. Thankfully, our club is based on a canal which meant we are able to get out and train. This will hopefully give us an advantage come the summer regatta season.

WE– Varsity is fast approaching.

What chance do feel uwe has in competition this year?

HE– We won overall last year, 3 to 2, but the format has changed slightly and only 4 races will count towards winning. Uwe are tougher and have trained harder, attending sessions no matter the weather, so we have every chance of retaining our wins this year.

WE– What would you say are the benefits of joining the uwebc?

HE– Rowing offers the opportunity to learn a new sport from

scratch. Our novice program is designed to introduce people to rowing in an enjoyable manner. By the end of the first year members get the chance to represent the university at the biggest races in the country even in a ‘first’ boat.

This is something other clubs are unable to offer to novices.

The sport is incredibly social, we spend a lot of time together as a squad and many members choose to live with each other, and we are notorious for a huge night out!

The intense training offers the chance to learn time management and self-motivation, worthwhile skills to have at university that often improve members’ grades.

We support each other and are always ecstatic to welcome new and fresh members.

secondary to the sadness of knowing that Kevin Pietersen will never play for England again. There will be no more innings like his 151 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2012, or his phenomenal 186 in India later the same year. 23 Test Centuries, 9 odi centuries and 13,797 international runs is Pietersen’s legacy. What England fans will remember however is perhaps the most talented English batsman ever, who played some truly enthralling innings.

The ecb needs to answer a number of questions regarding the sacking of Pietersen. The bland statements released by both camps have enraged fans and pundits alike, but suggest that the issue is not over and all cannot yet be revealed. The manner in which Pietersen has been dealt with suggests a major issue arose, but with no revelation from the

ecb, England fans can only ponder and speculate as to what has led England’s best batsman to be dumped so ceremoniously.

Kp will undoubtedly be purchased in this year’s ipl auction, get paid a huge amount and be treated like a superstar.

One feels that this treatment has always been what Pietersen needed, and at times he was provided this within the England set up. The ability or determination to manage a problematic player like kp was clearly lacking in recent months.

With his track record, England may well have justified reasoning for this decision. But until this reasoning is made public, many fans will continue to support Pietersen, and decry the ecb for the premature removal of such a phenomenally talented player.

UWE Gliding Club — a brief introduction claude hoarau, the uwe Gliding Club president, recently completed his first solo flight in a glider. Claude is studying Aerospace Engineering with the aim of becoming an airline pilot. Gliding offers friendly and affordable pilot training, and with flights from as little as £7, there’s no better way to learn to fly whilst at university.

Claude, having already gained some experience flying light aircraft, went solo after just 26 training flights which is an impressive achievement. A committed trainee glider pilot who goes flying every weekend will normally go solo in their first year, and can then progress towards cross-country flying or advanced aerobatics. During the

summer, it is not unusual for gliders to stay airborne for up to 5 hours at a time covering as much as 200–300 miles.

Gliding has a lot to offer, whether it’s a gateway to learning the basics of flying before training as a commercial pilot, or just a way to enjoy time outdoors, taking in the views and having fun. The club also offers a way for interested aerospace students to get involved in aircraft maintenance to improve their skills and employability.

The club and Students’ Union are proud to offer these opportunities to all students at uwe and we invite anyone who’s interested to get in touch.

Go to www.uwegliding.com for more information.

The uwebc certainly offers a mixture of socialising, training and competition whilst giving every member the chance earn a place on the racing team, something unique to the club. The 20th Anniversary Varsity rowing will take place on 26th of April at the harbour side.

CLAUDE WITH HIS INSTRUCTOR GEOFF AND UWE’S K7 DARREN EDGE ©

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SUDOKU — LOGIC & NUMERACY PUZZLES Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.39)

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Tue Feb 25 18:27:44 2014 GMT. Enjoy!

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Tue Feb 25 18:27:44 2014 GMT. Enjoy!

Puzzle 3 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.45)

Puzzle 4 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.44)

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Find the following words featured in this month’s issue of WesternEye

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WORDSEARCH — LITERACY PUZZLE

Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.49)

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Western Eye 03.14 – Issue 05

PUZZLE YOURSELF

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Tue Feb 25 18:27:44 2014 GMT. Enjoy!

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Tue Feb 25 18:27:44 2014 GMT. Enjoy!

COLOUR— INSIDE THE LINES

ILLUSTRATION SAM COX — SECOND YEAR STUDENT SAMCOXDESIGN.CO.UK

WESTERNEYE REFERENDUM SAINSBURYS VENEZUELA PRIVATISATION RUSSIA STEM UKRAINE ZODIAC CANNIBALS COURSEWORK VARSITY CROCODILE STI WESTWORLD CAMPUS FEMINISM FASHION EXHIBITION

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