Issue 1 - October 2016 by Wessex Scene

WessexScene.co.uk

University of Southampton’s Student Magazine

October 2016

Autumn Dream Destinations page 28

Social media is making us miserable 08

Are we too involved in our social media accounts?

Halloween house party essentials 21

A guide to everything you’ll need to host the most haunted Halloween party.

illuminati apologise for u.s. presidential election 34 “Human error. I’m sorry guys.”

Welcome

ALICE HEARING Editor WESSEX SCENE TEAM Want to write for us?

Get in touch with a section editor. Editor ALICE HEARING

editor@soton.ac.uk

Deputy Editor NUALA MCBRIDE

deputy-editor@wessexscene.co.uk

Head of Design MACKENZIE BROWN design@wessexscene.co.uk

HEAD OF IMAGERY BETHANY WESTALL image@wessexscene.co.uk

Features NATáLIA JOPLING TANSER features@wessexscene.co.uk

Features ELLEN JENNE

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Opinion CARLY MAY-KAVANAGH

opinion@wessexscene.co.uk

Politics KIERAN HYLAND

politics@wessexscene.co.uk

Science & Environment SEBASTIAN STEELE science@wessexscene.co.uk

Lifestyle TALLULAH LYONS

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International CAMERON RIDGWAY

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Travel FREYA MILLARD

Trick or treat yo self

Freshers is over, we’re nearly halfway through the first semester and Halloween is already fast approaching. It’s all going so quickly! With the the terrifying news about tuition fees and the bizarre ‘killer clown’ craze, it probably feels like Halloween has lasted the whole of October - or even the whole year! Despite the way 2016 has gone so far, you can always sit down with a cuppa and flick through this month’s issue. Wessex Scene are here to make your Halloween less genuinely terrifying and a lot more fun. From the history of Halloween to cocktail recipes, we’ve got your Halloween covered so you can trick or treat yourself. If you’re looking for something else to get your claws into, make sure your enter yourself into our Travel competition. We’re looking for amazing photos from your travels, whether they’ve been over the summer or you’ve just had a weekend away. From the mountains of Peru to a day trip into Winchester, anything goes. Simply tag us in your photos on social media and use #WessexSceneTravel. The competition closes 7th November and the winner will have their photo printed onto canvas. If you can’t get enough of Wessex Scene, make sure you like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram and visit our website to get your daily intake of student news, thought-provoking articles and fun features. We’re always looking for new writers, so if you’d like to get your writing in print or published on our website, please email myself at editor@soton.ac.uk. So, happy reading and a happy Halloween! Alice

travel@wessexscene.co.uk

Sport JAMES MOSELEY

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Sport TOM MORGAN

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Pause TOM RANDALL

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News ZéLIE SEDDON

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News Ela Crapnell

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News SAMUEL TYLER

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INVESTIGATIONS HARRIET MARTIN news@wessexscene.co.uk

MARKETING MOLLY EVANS

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VP DCI Cameron meldrum

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FRONT COVER IMAGE BY ABBIE RUNCIE WELCOME

FEATURES 07 Why Remember, Remember the 5th of November - Hebe Neate-Clegg. Image by Tara Shore.

ISSUE 1 OCTOBER 2016

FEATURES

THe Evolution of halloween

LIFESTYLE

magik or dark arts? A fascination 06 with witchcraft why Remember, Remember the 5th 07 of November OPINION

Social media is making us miserable

HALLOWE’EN: NUMINOUS DREAD

POLITICS

is the uk education system failing 13 children? a look across the pond: election 2016

five group costume ideas to try this halloween

halloween cocktail recipes

halloween house party essentials

Agony Aunt

INTERNATIONAL

syrian aid agencies cease cooperation with un

mao’s legacy in modern china

TRAVEL

most haunted places in britian

autumn dream destinations

SPORT

SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

How alcohol affects the body

The solar revolution: The fall of oil could only be 10 years away

super summer 2016: the sporting successes

Doping in sports

wessexscene.co.uk

PAUSE

@wessexscene

Illuminati apologise for u.s. presidental election

fb.com/wscene WELCOME

Features

THE EVOLUTION OF

HALLOWEEN

WORDS BY NATALIA JOPLING TANSER IMAGE BY SOPHIE WILLIAMS

Halloween straddles the line between autumn and winter. Some people love it – and why not? It’s an excuse to dress up and get free food, hopefully of the dessert variety; whilst others loathe it and have a Grinch-esque attitude toward the celebrations. So how did an ancient tradition transform into a night where it’s acceptable to stalk around people’s homes in costumes and be rewarded with sweets?

FEATURES

Features The Name

Why is Halloween called Halloween? Anyone who knows anything about early English history knows that Britain was a hotspot for change. After the Saxons invaded, followed by the invasion of more Saxons, Britain as we know it today, was introduced to Christianity. Along with Christianity came the Christian festivals and holidays including “All Hallows’ Day”. The night of October 31 therefore became known as All-hallows-even then Hallow Eve, still later referred to as Hallowe’en and then of course, finally, Halloween.

The Date

The spooky date as we know it, is derived from the Celtic festival of Samhain which was actually celebrated on November 1. Essentially, the Celts used this to say goodbye to summer and its happiness and joy and hello to winter with its death and misery. Cheerful, right?

Costumes

In the belief that spirits, ghosts and ghouls were in the air the before Samhain, which is were the magical date of October 31 comes in, the Celts would dress up in masks and costumes, in order to avoid being possessed. Thanks to popular culture, in recent years, the aim of many Halloween costumes has gone from looking scary to looking as outlandish as possible in order to attract general attention. Not quite what the Celts had in mind.

Apple Bobbing

As many Halloween traditions have been influenced by the Celts and their practices, it’s might be surprising that the idea of sticking only your head in a bucket of water and trying to emerge with an apple actually came from the Romans. One of the Roman festivals put a great emphasis on the mighty apple as a symbol, and as the Romans invaded the Celts, whom we got our Halloween idea from, the apple bobbing tradition began. And why not? Apples are great.

Trick or Treating

The tradition of giving out sweets to people dressed up only actually surface in the 1930s and boy, have the Americans taken this on board! Supposedly, the American nation spent $7 bn on it last year. That’s a lot of sweets, and a lot of trips to the dentist – so maybe that’s why the figure is so high? Trick or treating is thought to have stemmed from a tradition called ‘souling’, where the poor would go from house to house begging for food and in return would pray for the family’s dead relatives. But as always, in the modern day and age we prefer to ignore things related to plight and make them more fun, by giving out sweets for example. FEATURES

Jack O’Lantern

The word “Jack-o’-lantern” has changed in meaning several times. It was first recorded as a nickname for a night watchman, dating back to 1663 and now it’s the name for a pumpkin with a light inside. However, an Irish legend tells of a man named Jack who tricked the Devil into agreeing not to take him into Hell. But, unfortunately he’d been quite sinful so he wasn’t allowed into Heaven either. Poor Jack was condemned to wander between Heaven and Hell with his lantern, looking for a place to rest and never finding one.

Pumpkin Carving

There seems to be an unspoken rule that a Jack O’ Lantern, also known as a Will O’ the Wisp, has to be made from a pumpkin. We can thank American popular culture for this, as the act of the carving of faces into hollowed-out vegetables, was originally carried out with other root vegetables such as swedes and turnips. So if you can’t find a suitable pumpkin, don’t worry, just nip down to Sainsburys and try and find a nice looking swede. But why do we spend ages carving a vegetable that’s really difficult to carve only to leave it to slowly decay on our window sill with a candle inside? It was believed that the scary carved faces in the lanterns would ward off any evil spirits. I don’t know about evil spirits, but no junk mail would be appreciated.

Noise and Parties

Most people love parties, so there’s no reason why they shouldn’t like Halloween parties! But, many parties can come with quite a bit of noise. We can actually trace back a form of celebration to the Irish Catholics who remembered the souls of all the departed by banging on pots and pans to let the dead know they were not forgotten and lit bonfires to scare away the wandering souls.

So there you go, you know a lot more about what you’re celebrating this year. Happy Halloween!

Features

MAGIK or DARK ARTS? A Fascination with Witchcraft WORDS BY ELLEN JENNE IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. - Macbeth, William Shakespeare

We were the generation that was introduced to the world of magic by an 11-year old boy with a lightning bolt scar, circular glasses and a snow-white owl, and this entire world in front of him. However, the notion of magic, witchcraft and wizardry have existed for centuries before Harry Potter graced the pages we read. Now, I won’t be able to explain the entire history of witchcraft to you, because there is just too much to cover. But the themes of wizardry, the supernatural, and the paranormal have purged our lives, from religious beliefs such as Paganism, or Wicca, to the literature to which we find ourselves returning time and time again. Even the way in which we dress up as witches and wizards as children on Halloween, with the black cloaks, cauldrons, and of course, the all important magic wand… With the notion of magic being labelled as both something of sorcery and heresy in the days of Early Modern Europe, it was a practice rejected from the mainstream. We know that over the centuries, the very idea of casting spells, summoning demons or putting curses on people, has become a very diluted practice; something not necessarily taken seriously by the majority of the modern day population. Throughout history, the fascination with the paranormal has not been well received or portrayed in a positive light. Is that due to the lack of understanding? The overwhelming dominance of the church, both in England and through-out Europe? Or that the rumours were true, and people who practiced magic were in fact evil?

literature you get to know that no two types of magic are the same! There is both a ‘good’ and ‘evil’ side, who knew? With notably “good” witches being locally known as healers, a seer (someone who can read prophecies) and generally bring good vibes to people. Meanwhile, others were to be feared. Those who practiced necromancy, or believed in Satanism, were generally perceived as those who hexed people, caused a nuisance, not ones to be trifled with! The fascination with magic has continued throughout the centuries. With events such as the Salem Witch Trials being one of the most popular event in contemporary witchcraft history, we can see just how much people feared what they didn’t understand. I mean who doesn’t float in water? But the wonder surrounding the magic we’ve been told about is something that has continued to make a reappearance. It can only be described as, well, magical! Although the history behind our wonder is something entirely different. The struggles of individuals and the rejection by mainstream society have made something that was historically seen as taboo, instead something that can be enjoyed and not feared. Especially with some of the real life horrors we face.

However, studying a vast array of both religion and Gothic 6

FEATURES

Features

Why Remember, Remember The 5th of November

WORDS BY HEBE NEATE-CLEGG

IMAGE BY TARA SHORE

Remember, remember, the 5th of November; gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot. We all know the rhyme, but why do we celebrate Guy Fawkes and Bonfire night? Well the real question is why on earth wouldn’t we celebrate someone trying to blow up the King and the British government, potentially killing hundreds of people and causing catastrophic damage which modern experts claim could have reached many of the surrounding homes? November 5th, or Bonfire Night, commemorates a failed attempt on the King’s life in 1605. Often called Guy Fawkes night, it recognises the eponymous Fawkes, an explosives expert and member of a gang of Roman Catholic activists. Fawkes was caught in the bowels of the Houses of Parliament by guards moments before he was about to light the fuse that would have set off 36 barrels of gunpowder, enough to destroy the government buildings above him, where King James I was at the time, as well as much of the surrounding area. Following his capture, Fawkes was tortured for information and executed for treason – where he famously leapt of the gallows and broke his own neck to avoid being “hung, drawn and quartered”. Given his treasonous intentions and the fact that he wasn’t even the leader of the activist group, it is perhaps strange that he is commemorated this many years on, with a night of celebrations named after him. But in actual fact the historic lighting of fires on November 5th FEATURES

is not specifically an ode to Fawkes and his thwarted attempts. Its origins lie more in what the failed plot represented. Following the botched assassination, people took to the streets and lit bonfires to celebrate the saving of the King’s life, and subsequently November 5th was declared a national day of celebration. Ever since it has been seen as a way of marking the continued reign of the monarchy and the strength of the British government, by burning straw versions of Fawkes on bonfires, a practice which dates back as far as the 13th century. To this day it is still recognised, not only by people all over the country, but also by the Houses of Parliaments, where guards are sent down into the cellars below the building to check no similar attempts will be made by activists in honour of Fawkes and his co-conspirators. Whether or not you want to take part in (after the year we’ve had, you’d be forgiven for finding celebrations of the power and success of the British government a bit ironic – I’m looking at you, Brexit), remember this great tip for staying safe on Guy Fawkes night: don’t hide underneath parliament with a crap-load of explosives. Either way, that’s not going to end well for you. (In all seriousness, do actually follow the safety tips for bonfires, fireworks and sparklers, they’re quite important). 7

Opinion

SOCIAL MEDIA IS MAKING US MISERABLE

Social media has many benefits. It makes it easier to claim you’re friends with someone who has achieved something incredible, despite not talking to them for many years. It makes it easier to blow up your moderately impressive achievement into something it’s quite simply not. And it’s the best place to lay your respects/mock dead animals, especially gorillas (RIP Harambe). But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Social media makes me miserable. I can’t help myself. I wake up in the morning and I take a scroll through them all; Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram. ‘Oh look – Brian has changed his profile picture to one of him and his new girlfriend of 15 hours’. How lovely. ‘Did you see Chloe went to that gig in the city last night? It must have been good it was all over her Snapchat!’ But, I check diligently. Every morning without fail, I’ll be having a look, checking that group chat which includes people I’ve barely met and couldn’t care less about. But they offer an opinion, or they tell me about their amazing night out; I’ll care then. It’s a vicious cycle, and one that is ridiculously hard to break. We feel the need to be so involved so we don’t miss out, but so often we see posts from other people and feel like we are missing out. The term ‘peacocking’ is being used increasingly to describe the way people brag and show themselves in favourable light online. And it’s 100% accurate.

WORDS BY TOBY LEVESON IMAGE BY BETH GARRETT

The result in all of this is that we end up judging people based on their online actions before we have even met them in the flesh. And that makes me sad. In addition to this, the pressures we increasingly face over body image online make me question the entire point of social media. What are we really gaining from this all? And are the benefits really worth it?

It’s completely true we learn more about the world thanks to social media. But, we also learn all the bad things in the world. Would I not be happier not knowing about it? Would I not be happier if I was apathetic? I’ve tried, on several occasions, to take a day, an evening, even just a few hours away from social media. No apps, no websites, nothing. It’s hard, it’s really hard. It has become such an important and present part of our lives that getting rid of it, even for a short space of time, seems to be near impossible. I always thought the end of civilisation would be caused by something relatively cool like aliens or a return of the dinosaurs. But it’s not. We’ll kill ourselves with our inflated sense of self-importance. OPINION

HALLOWE’EN: Numinous Dread WORDS BY JACOB POWER IMAGE BY BETHANY DAVIDSON

It is the part of men to fear and tremble, When the most mighty gods by tokens send Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. —William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar (1599)

here is something eternal about Hallowe’en, and the smug old canard that Hallowe’en is an American import is not actually true. Certainly for the only two rituals in which most people participate—carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating—we have our trans-Atlantic cousins to thank, particularly since it used to be the humble turnip that was carved and lit from within. Nevertheless, Hallowe’en endures with much the same basic character as it has had since time immemorial. Often thought to lie in the Gaelic harvest festival Samhain (which remains the word for November in the Irish language), which itself may well have Pagan origins, the origins of Hallowe’en are complicated and disputed. But it is no coincidence that it is a time when winter is approaching and darkness falling. “Hallowe’en” itself is a contraction of “All Hallows’ Eve”. The day that follows, All Hallows’ Day (or All Saints’ Day), is a Christian festival focused on the communion of the saints. The 1662 Book of Common Prayer includes a collect for this 10

day, containing a plea for help “to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living”, “saints” or “hallows” being the deceased in Heaven. Whatever form Hallowe’en celebrations have taken, they have always had this lingering fixation on death, and an embracing of the otherworldly, the uncanny and the numinous. Professor Rudolf Otto, upon whose work many men have built, analysed the “numinous” experience — the feeling of transcendental, shivering awe that tingles up to the tip of every human spine from time to time. Immanuel Kant said that he felt it whenever he contemplated “the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me”. The author Vladimir Nabokov thought that it was the highest achievement of art, and so the main purpose of the artist, to trigger this feeling in one’s audience. Professor Otto concluded that the numinous had three components, commonly expressed in the Latin phrase mysterium tremendum et fascinans, or “fearful and fascinating mystery”. This is the surprising thing about the numinous — that this OPINION

Opinion

essential human experience, which so often breathes life into the mind and knocks the wayward heart out of joint, may have fear as an essential element of it. But it really ought not to be surprising, we all know that fear has vital functions. Who is better off, the timid doe who scarpers at the slightest rustle, or the fearless dodo who struts under the huntsman’s knife? Fear is instructive, warning us to avoid what we ought to avoid, and to do what we ought to do. But Professor Otto’s tremendum does not simply denote fear of danger or negative consequences. In fact, it is not sufficient simply to label this feeling “fear” at all. It is not merely a difference of magnitude – it is an altogether different thing. C. S. Lewis attempted to describe that difference using this thought experiment: “Imagine being told that there is a tiger in the next room. You would feel fear. Then imagine being told that there is a ghost in the next room. You would also feel fear, or what we call fear, but it would really be something different, not borne out of knowledge of danger, but out of the mere fact that it is a ghost. The special kind of fear it excites may be called dread”. This dread is and always has been the blood and viscera of Hallowe’en and its various rituals, from the dark and deathly costumes and décor to the supernatural horror genres. The cleverest directors of horror films know how to exploit their audience’s sense of numinous dread, with darkness, silence and the inexplicable. To paraphrase G. K. Chesterton on another subject, these dreadful horror movies succeed because they float easily in an infinite sea. Gritty, gory, worldly horror films attempt to cross that sea, so making it finite and failing to have the same dread-inducing effect. Indeed, these OPINION

films, where they do succeed, often only succeed by clothing themselves in numinous dread—John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978) is a skilful example of this. But for the most part, our modern Hallowe’en has eschewed true dread and turned into a shallow, unwholesome festival of consumerism, gluttony and pretence. So this is my suggestion to you. Do not fall unthinkingly into the arms of this sordid modern Hallowe’en culture. Rediscover dread and make it your own. It is part of what might loosely be called the “human condition”. Indeed, I believe that there is much wholesome and instructive dread and fear to be found in the world, if you know where to find it—and not in plastic ghoul masks or gory slasher flicks, but in the Numinous, the Unspoken and the Eternal.

Hallowe’en endures with much the same basic character as it has had since time immemorial. 11

Politics

Is the uk education system failing children?

WORDS BY ANA BOND ESPARRAGUERA The British education system has gone through vast changes within my lifetime, from the introduction of smartboards under the Blair government, to attempts by the Coalition Government to increase the value of GCSE qualifications through the English Baccalaureate. However the recent U-turns in education reform by the Cameron and May governments suggests that something clearly is not right. Forced academisation and grammar schools are not a way to increase social mobility, and we need a practical and pragmatic solution where all children have access to outstanding education. Labour’s landslide success in the 1997 General Election gave the first Tony Blair Government a huge mandate to enact a sweeping wave of “Education, Education, and Education” reforms from the heart of their manifesto, following a promise to put classrooms at the top of the political agenda. Between 1997 and 2007, there was a rise in funding of 48% per child, and an average spending of £1.2bn on education every week. Technological developments during this period played an essential role in transforming the learning environment, as increased popularity of a 24-hour Internet revolutionised the way information could be accessed. These advances in technology allowed teachers to diversify learning through the use of smartboards and widespread use of computers, which was particularly useful for children who struggled with concentration and had learning disabilities. Education reforms under New Labour were inclusive and aimed to develop a ‘life-long interest in learning’ and included programmes such as SEAL to encourage development of a wide range of behavioural, emotional and social skills. Yet even with the vast range of reforms and increased participation in higher education (16-18), it could be suggested that with the introduction of tuition fees, Labour has ultimately failed young people. However the coalition government education reforms, implemented by Michael Gove, hit the worst off the hardest as funding per child dropped by 26%, stretching state schools POLITICS

IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL to their limits. Even though there was a focus on achieving 5 A*-C GCSEs (including English and Maths), which could be argued as a good thing for students that are more academically inclined, students who could not apply themselves in academic environment struggled to achieve the standard. The coalition government aimed to make ‘GCSEs and A levels more rigorous’ to ‘prepare students properly for life after school’, but with a lack of funding and resources for teachers questions are raised over how we can prepare our children for life after education. Between 2010 and 2013, there were £6.9 billion worth of cuts to the education systems, which saved an estimated £13.3 billion. As education is a right and not a privilege, children deserve the highest quality of education regardless of background, something the coalition government only made increasingly difficult. With no more GCSE modules, students are now forced to take their exams at the end of one year and fewer vocational courses were offered, leading to higher stress levels and increased failure, and between 2010-2015 66% of young people failed to achieve a D grade in GCSE Mathematics, showing that the reforms put young people at breaking point. We need to think critically about education reforms. Theresa May’s plan to introduce more grammar schools to ‘increase social mobility’ has caused uproar not only from backbench Tory MPs but also the public. If we were to reform education to increase social mobility, another way to do this would be through the removal of tuition fees and investment in universal education, as well as investing in apprenticeships and vocational skills. While the government has made several attempts to centralise education, what is clear from this is that the government is not thinking about the individuals who will need more funding and who struggle to follow traditional academic teaching. With the closing of several units for children with learning disabilities, we are forced to question if the centralisation of schools is an attempt to ‘drive up standards’ or to save money.

Politics

A look across the pond:

election 2016 WORDS BY TOM BROWN IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL

he last 12 months have been the craziest I have ever seen in my 5 years of following US politics. We have seen two of the most unpopular major party candidates, one a reality TV star and rogue businessman, pitted against another inhibited by her gender and various accompanying scandals, on the verge of the White House. The fact that we could see our first Female President brushed aside by scandals and soundbites has turned this election into more of a shouting match than ever before. In this article Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be taking you underneath the surface and past the headlines of Election 2016.

POLITICS

Politics One word has been synonymous with this election cycle and that word has been scandals. So lets start with Democratic nominee Hilary Clinton, whose scandals have been well covered and scrutinised by even the FBI. The biggest scandal surrounding Clinton is from when she served as Secretary of State, where she used her private family email to receive and send official communications, rather than the formal Secretary of State email account. While using a private server account is not illegal, many oppnents see her actions as something worse than just malpractice. Polls have indicated that trust in Clinton had dropped to 36% in the aftermath of the scandal, supported by demands by opponents that Clinton’s actions warrant detention and imprisonment. However, Clinton is not the first or even only current politician to use this practice. In addition to adamant opponents to her, for instance Chris Christie and Jeb Bush, her current sucessor as Secretary of State, John Kerry, is culpable of the same crime. Yet when the FBI investigated the issue, they found that while Clinton was undoubtedly careless, they were unable to find a case that would support criminal charges, although Clinton’s vocal opponents have not refrained from repeatedly dragging the scandal through the mud. Similarly, Clinton’s second major scandal also stems from her time as Secretary of State, and regards her role in the 2012 Benghazi Embassy Attack, where four Americans were killed. While at the time eight congressional investigations concluded that the State Department could have done more to increase security at the embassy, Clinton herself was not found to have committed any personal wrongdoing. Yet this has not stopped this scandal becoming a political tool for Clinton’s opponents, and criticisms have been levelled against Clinton’s foreign policy, in addition to the Democratic nominee being branded a murderer. What has been Clintons strength in this election however has been the fact she is the most experienced candidate of our time. She is a former first lady, senator and secretary of state and now presidential nominee, and this just might save her in the election when she goes up against Trump.

Perhaps the most serious scandal following Trump from day one has been his finances. He is the first candidate in 30 years not to release his tax returns and claims the reason for this has been the fact he is currently being audited for 2 to 3 years. Such sporadic audits would grant Trump enough time to be elected president first but this is completely false, and has lead the IRS to release a statement telling Trump that he actually can release them despite his audit as they are completely unrelated. Similarly, his unknown business dealings both at home and internationally could set an unprecedented ethical dilemma. Normally a president puts their assets into a blind trust under the care of independent person. Trump has claimed he would do this, but leaving his children in charge of the company is not only shady but shows a complete lack of understanding of a basic principle. So where has this huge support come from? He is the equivalent of the Brexit vote in America. He has found a disenfranchised pulse, can whip them into a frenzy and send them to the polls. He can tap into white america and rely on them to be his main support group. As well as the GOP’s fall from grace, evidenced by many respectable politicians endorsing him, Trump has been able to pick up some Sanders or Never Hillary supporters along the way. His campaign has been clever as much as it has been openly abrasive. As it stands 3rd party candidates are not welcome at the Presidential debates. Gary Johnson is the closest candidate to them on around 13%, so Clinton and Trump may well be the only real choices for President come election day in November. However the result could well depend on numerous factors: Can Trump rely on a limited demographic? Can Clinton rally the Never Trump troops and convince them to vote for her? And just how many votes will 3rd party or no-votes take away from each candidate? There may only be weeks left but there is still a long way to go.

Meanwhile Donald J. Trump’s campaign has endured a whirlwind of scandals. From his opening statement about immigrants coming from Mexico and his ‘wall’ policy, to how he has conducted himself under pressur, to delve into all of his scandals and would take up the space of this entire magazine. His name calling has often been focused on lying, whether direct at ‘lyin’ Ted Cruz or lying Hillary Clinton. Yet when Politifact checked both candidates statements of the years they only found 13% of Clinton’s to be completely false, while comparatively 53% of Trumps’ statements were found to be completely false. POLITICS

Science & Environment

WORDS BY SAM WILLSTEAD

uring freshers’ week, the average student spends over £200 on booze. The ethanol found in these drinks is pretty central to almost all cultures – particularly among the young. Alcoholic drinks were brewed long before we actually understood how they work, and even now (as with the action of many drugs) some things still remain a mystery. Why, you might be wondering, as a Jesticle trickles down your throat, does this feel so great? Why, you might be wondering the next morning, do I feel so awful?

Various ways of representing Ethanol’s chemical structure. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

IMAGE BY HEATHER RANKINE performs. Thus, our thoughts, speech and movements become sloppy as a result of these signals being slowed down. The thought processes that normally prevent us acting like a socialite, a buffoon or a flirt are diminished by this causing us to act more impulsively. As you also may have experienced, much of a night out is often forgotten. It is thought that in order to form memories, long-term potentiation in the brain must occur. Basically what this means is that the signals between certain neurons are enhanced for an extended period of time, in response to the stimulus we are remembering. As a drug which makes signals harder to transmit, it makes sense that alcohol makes longterm potentiation more difficult. This means that, if you really go overboard, some memories simply won’t form while drunk – or at least not as clearly as when sober.

THE MORNING AFTER

As you probably already know, the active ingredient in the sweet pacifying nectars is ethanol: a product of fermentation of sugars by yeast. No matter how good it may feel, ethanol is fundamentally a poison. If the yeast are left to keep fermenting sugars, they will eventually kill themselves from all the ethanol they produce. Ethanol is a sedative, meaning it slows down brain signals. It does this by binding to a receptor on brain cells (neurons) called GABAA, which changes the shape of the receptor. This change in shape causes the receptor to open like a gate, which allows the neuron to flood with chloride ions present outside the cell. Now that it is filled with these chloride ions, it is more difficult for electrical signals to pass through the neuron. An impossibly complicated combination of these electrical signals throughout the brain is responsible for consciousness, thought, movement and all the other functions the brain 16

The hangover is actually not that well understood; there are probably multiple reasons for hangover symptoms – impurities present in drinks, a bad night’s sleep and the stomach struggling to cope. However, most symptoms are probably caused by dehydration – but how does drinking dehydrate? Alcohol inhibits the release of a hormone called ADH (anti-dieuretic hormone), which regulates urination. When high levels of ADH are present, the kidneys take in more water so less water is lost in urine. When levels of ADH are lowered, the kidneys take in less water so more of it is lost in urine. This natural cycle helps keep a healthy amount of water in the body, but alcohol disrupts it – by lowering the ADH concentration in blood, too much water is lost when peeing. The brain starts to dry and shrink a bit due to lack of water; this pulls on membranes inside the skull causing terrible headaches.

SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

The Solar Revolution: The Fall of Oil Could Only be Ten Years Away WORDS BY SEB STEELE

IMAGE BY ABBIE RUNCIE

The concept of disruptions has been around for a long time now. Shocking revolutions such as the near-complete transition from horse-based transportation to cars in thirteen years in New York City, or the rapid adoption of smartphones, are two of many examples where the “experts” on the inside completely failed to predict the oncoming market disruptions, which are usually created by outsiders to the market. S-curve showing the long incubation and sudden advance that is common in technology. Credit: Seb Steele

Another property of technological disruptions – and technological progress in general – is that it forms exponential, S-shaped curves. Progress starts slow before reaching a tipping point where mass adoption occurs practically overnight, often with little warning. That may be a slight exaggeration but it serves to highlight just how unforeseen these changes are by the vast majority of people; even people in the know. One killer combo of key technologies that has been steadily advancing for years is solar power and batteries, specifically lithium ion (Li-On) batteries like the ones found in your smartphone. Both of these have been following exponential curves which are in the midst of a very large acceleration. In particular, investment in Li-On batteries has increased hugely in the last few years, driven in particular by Tesla Motors’ new $5Bn “Gigafactory”. Tesla, famous for the all-electric Model S saloon car, plans to introduce a $35,000 mass-market model called the Model 3 for which it will require a large new supply of Li-On batteries. In fact, this one new factory alone will more than double the world’s production of Li-On batteries, all the while reducing the cost by 30-50%. The potential disruptions are two-fold. First is the rapid changes to the automotive market that electric cars will bring, but more relevant to this article is that the business model of energy utilities may cease to be profitable. Energy utilities make the bulk of their money by charging higher prices at peak times: Arizona Public Services, for instance, charges $0.495/kWh at peak and $0.05/kWh at midnight. Already there are companies in the USA which offer businesses a large battery pack for their premises which means the business can buy electricity at midnight rather than at peak times, which can halve their energy bills. Even having enough capacity SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

to store a few hours’ worth of energy can result in dramatic savings – and cost the utility provider dearly. Remarkably, at the current rate of cost reduction, the tipping point for home energy storage will likely be around 2020 – only four years away. So, in four years, traditional energy utilities could be disrupted and face major upheaval. This comes without even considering the impact of solar. Right now in 2016, the cost of solar has reached $0.05/kWh – a cost equivalent to buying oil at $10 a barrel, five times cheaper than real crude oil. Here comes the real kicker: by 2030, assuming current trends, the cost of solar will be less than the cost of transmission of traditional energy sources. That is to say, solar at your house will cost less than just maintaining the energy pylons we currently use, not to even mention the power stations themselves. It’s fair to say that the solar and battery combination will wipe the floor with traditional energy, even if the trend doesn’t continue for all that time. The trend which, by the way, has been going strong for 25 years and is, in fact, currently accelerating. It’s fair to say that although this won’t be the end, it will be yet another nail in the coffin for oil. And not just in hot countries – the trend is as true for Norway as it is for the USA. The combination of batteries with solar power is set to revolutionise energy as we know it, calling projects like Hinkley Point into question. 17

Group Costume Ideas to Try this Halloween WORDS BY TALLULAH LYONS IMAGE BY JEMMA FLORES

The first of October arrives, and already Halloween is on everyone’s mind. Group chats all over Portswood are going wild; with the same all-important questioned being posed, what is everyone going as for Halloween? This year, take your costumes one step further and make it into a group effort with the help of one these group costume ideas.

Power Puff Girls Harry Potter One for the trios out there, the Power Puff dress up idea is a chance to live out your childhood dream, because every girl had their favourite. Plus who would miss out on the chance to have a superpower for the night? You need either a pink, blue or green dress paired with some white knee high socks and the look is complete. If you’re feeling particularly creative, try and create the same embellishment on the front of the outfit.

Because who doesn’t like Harry Potter? It’s common to see a lone Hermione or perhaps even a Harry wandering the streets at Halloween, but the famous trio together as one group – well that’s magic for you. (Even better if you have a ginger friend ready to embrace the stereotypes and go as Ron this year) But why stop there with the three main characters? J. K. Rowling created a whole heap of characters across her seven books – take your pick, and like Dumbledore’s Army, get ready to take on whatever the night throws at you.

LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle

The Smurfs

Where’s Wally?

This also works as an individual costume, but when you’ve made the decision to leave the house sprayed painted in blue, it’s always nice to have the moral support of the others who have chosen to do the same. Besides, there was a whole Smurf family. Paired with a white cap and a white pair of shorts – you’re set to go as a Smurf for Halloween. If you don’t fancy walking round with a slight blue tinge to your skin for a few days after Halloween, a blue t-shirt and tights will suffice.

Stand out from the crowd with red and white stripes this year. Probably one of the easiest looks to create, all you need is a red and white stripy top, red and white hat and blue trousers and you’ve nailed it. This one is another one that works well as an individual costume, but why not cause havoc on the dance floor – people won’t know whether they’ve seen you or your flatmate, causing confusion all round. This one is particularly useful when finding who you came with, all you need to do is ask Where’s Wally?

Spice Girls If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends - a chat up line that’s bound to get results. Channel your inner Spice, rally the squad and don your finest 90s attire to recreate the iconic Spice Girls fashion for Halloween this year. This group costume works best if there are five of you, one of you prepared to risk the infamous Scary Spice skin-tight leopard print cat suit. Assign the nicknames – Posh, Baby, Ginger, Scary and Sporty and get ready to Spice up your Halloween (life).

LIFESTYLE

Halloween Cocktail Recipes WORDS BY ELLEN JENNE

IMAGE BY SELINA HAMILTON

As students, we love to jump at the chance to have some booze. We never seem to need an excuse. But with Halloween fast approaching, it’s time to switch up your usual Strong Dark Fruits, Sainsbury’s Basics vodka and orange juice, or your usual Jesticle. Whether you’re having a chill night in with a few drinks, or want to impress your mates, these gothic twists on classic cocktail recipes will be a winner.

Bloody Sangria (serves 8-12) Ingredients:

•1 (750 ml) bottle of red wine, Merlot •2 cups pomegranate juice •¼ cup Cointreau (you can always substitute orange juice) •2 cups sparkling water •2 cups ice •1 to 2 cups pomegranate arils •1 to 2 oranges, sliced

Method:

Easy Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail •Pumpkin pie spice •Raw sugar •Dry champagne •Apple cider •Apple brandy

Ingredients:

Method:

•Pour the Merlot in a pitcher, add the pomegranate juice and the Cointreau, stir well. •Put the mixture in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. •Remove the mixture from the fridge and add the sparkling water. Stir well. Add ice if desired. •If serving for a holiday that isn’t Halloween related I would add some pomegranate arils and sliced oranges for garnish. •Serve!

•Combine pumpkin pie spice and coarse sugar on a small plate and set aside. •Pour a small amount of apple cider in shallow dish. You’ll use the sugar mix and apple cider to rim the glasses. •Dip the rim of the glass in the apple cider then dip into the spice mixture. •Fill each flute ¾ of the way with champagne and top with a splash of apple cider and apple brandy.

Morgue-a-rita (serves 4)

Bloody Mary

Ingredients:

Goo: •1/4 cup light corn syrup •Green food colouring Cocktail: •1/2 cup fresh lime juice •1 cup club soda •3/4 cup tequila •3 ounces triple sec •4 cherries •4 teaspoons maraschino cherry syrup

Method:

•Mix together 1/4 cup light corn syrup with green food dye. •Place glasses in the freezer to frost them. When frozen, dip each glass into the green syrup and invert to allow the syrup to drip slightly. Return glasses to the freezer to set. •Insert stirrers through maraschino cherries for each drink and set aside. •Juice the limes and strain if desired to remove pulp. •Combine tequila, triple sec and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until very cold. •Pour one teaspoon of the maraschino cherry syrup into the bottom of each glass. Add a cherry and stirrer to each glass. •Carefully pour the margarita mixture into each glass till about 3/4 full. Top off each drink with 1/4 cup club soda and serve immediately.

Ingredients:

•2 parts Grey Goose vodka •4 parts organic tomato juice •½ part fresh lemon juice •4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce •4 dashes of Tabasco •Pinch of sea salt •Pinch of black pepper •Some cubed ice •To garnish: Celery, ground black pepper and fresh aromatic herbs

Method:

•Add plenty of ice and all of your ingredients to a shaker or stirring glass •If you’re using a shaker, tilt it backwards and forwards a few times to mix the ingredients without making the drink frothy. If you’re stirring, you can do so vigorously •Pour the mix into a glass. Top up with fresh ice if it’s not quite full •Add your garnishes. Any fresh herbs and a celery stick work well •Tabasco tip: if you’re making Bloody Marys for a group of people, make a jug without spice and let people add their own Tabasco. Some like it hot, others not so much!

LIFESTYLE

1 PUMPKIN

This one goes without saying but no Halloween decor is complete without a pumpkin or two. Make the carvings into a whole house event and if you’re feeling adventurous, use the insides in some cooking or baking! The pumpkin should be the centre piece, shown in all its glory so add a candle and position appropriately – if the budget allows, buy a couple and put them outside your front door to welcome your guests.

2 FAIRY LIGHTS I may be biased, but fairy lights really are the best investment. They are great in bedrooms, draped round the living room and used correctly are the perfect accessory for any Halloween party. Primark are always great for Halloween shaped fairy lights, so are Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s. Dim the lights, artfully arrange them around the drinks table or along the walls and voila – Halloween vibes achieved. Just don’t forget the batteries!

Halloween House Party Essentials WORDS BY TALLULAH LYONS IMAGE BY SELINA HAMILTON

Halloween. No one really knows why us Brits go all out to celebrate a very American tradition at the end of October, no matter the reason, house parties are thrown up and down the country. Any excuse for a party right? If you’re throwing one this year, this quick guide will help transform any student house in time for the long awaited arrival of the 31st October.

LIFESTYLE

3 HALLOWEEN PIñATA

A less conventional choice, but great fun for all involved! They can be bought reasonably cheaply from supermarkets, or found in West Quay. Commonly associated with children parties, this form of entertainment is severely underrated and makes a great addition to any student house party, fill it up with Halloween sweets and chocolates and let the competition commence – who says you need to go knocking on doors to get treats this Halloween?

4 TEA LIGHT CANDLES

More of outside décor, as may pose a major fire hazard – open flames and drunken students aren’t exactly a perfect combination. If you have a big enough garden, arrange the candles along the edges of the path to create an outdoorsy vibe, a welcome break from the kitchen dance floor. Before you leave the house, make sure someone checks that the candles are all blown out.

5 VODKA JELLY

Less of a suggestion and more of an essential, vodka jelly is a welcome addition to any party – Halloween themed or not. Achieved in a variety of ways, from slicing open watermelons to using individual shot glasses, whatever method used the end result will always lead to extremely appreciative guests. Try and theme it using either blackcurrant juice or food colouring to change the colour, giving it more of an affect and sticking with the Halloween theme. 21

Lifestyle

AGONY AUNT

IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL

Freshers’ Week is over; you’ve officially flown the nest and now face the reality of living alone. Agony Alex is back to answer your questions, and shed some light on those post-freshers’ queries… I’ve moved into my halls, and everyone seemed nice at first, but now I’m not sure if I want to be friends with these people for the whole year. What should I do?

If you think your flat mates might not be the only people you want to hang out with for the rest of the year the best way to meet new people is to get involved with societies where you can make lots of new friends! Your course society is a good place to start as you’ll meet lots of people studying the same as you whom you share common ground with

Am I going out too much? My flatmates go our almost every night, and I want to join them to make sure I’m not missing out on any of the fun, but I’ve missed a lot of my lectures and behind on my reading – it’s okay though isn’t it as we only need to get 40% in our first year?

It’s true; you only need to get 40% in your first year. However, if you’re thinking about doing a year abroad or getting an internship at the end of first year then your results will be something that will be looked at. The temptation to go out every night during fresher’s week is high, but you need to look after yourself and do what feels like for you, missing a few lectures in first year won’t be the end of the world, but you don’t want to make it a habit as before you know it the whole year will have passed you by, and you’ll risk not even achieving that pass mark. There will be so so many nights over the course of university, don’t feel pressured to go to everyone and prioritise which ones are more important to you!

My course is nothing like I imagined it, what can I do as I really don’t like my course?

Arrange a meeting with your personal tutor and let them know how you’re feeling. Perhaps it’s just the initial part of the course that you’re not too keen on and they may be able to give you an overview of the rest of course, and you may feel that it’s worth sticking around to get to the bits you enjoy. After that, if you still feel the same way, make an appointment with the advice centre and they’ll be able to guide you through the next steps.

I’m really struggling keeping up with my course and lectures, and I’m behind on my reading every week. Everyone else seems to be coping fine, what can I do?

Firstly, remember that other people might give the impression of being on top of everything; but really everyone is feeling the same! Your lecturers will usually guide you to which readings are key, focus on these and then when you have time to do the others. Maybe find a friend and decide to do half the readings each for every lecture and swap notes? If you really are struggling speak to your personal tutor, as they will be able to offer you help and guidance.

Published every month, Alex is here to help solve your troubles and pass on wise words of wisdom. Contact agonyalex@wessexscene.co.uk with your problem or question, and it will be answered anonymously in our monthly column. 22

LIFESTYLE

International

SYRIAN AID AGENCIES CEASE COOPERATION WITH UN WORDS BY GEORGE VILLARS

he U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently received a letter from 73 Syrian Aid Agencies, announcing that they are ending their cooperation with the organisation due to concerns over how much influence the government of Bashar al-Assad has over the aid delivery process. The letter, which was received days before the announcement of a US and Russian backed ceasefire in Syria, leaves many questions over the future of aid in the embattled country. This follows rising concerns over the legitimacy of the UN operation in Syria, as details have emerged over the past months of financial aid being received by ministries of the Syrian government on US and EU sanctions lists. The letter stated that ‘the Syrian government in Damascus has a significant and substantial influence on the performance of UN aid agencies based in Damascus’. The World Health Organisation has spent over $5 million on blood bags and kits which are now directly under the control of the Syrian military, as the Syrian Department for Defence is responsible for the nation’s blood banks. There have also been numerous reports that blood supplies have been removed from convoys bound for rebelheld areas of the country, along with other vital medical supplies. Rumours of some clinics requesting blood supplies to come under the scrutiny of Syrian security forces have also circulated, leading to the arrest of some dissidents. Aid meant for civilians across the country is frequently ending up in the hands of the Syrian Army. Agencies who have signed the letter claim that they would add points to the information sharing scheme, and OCHA Damascus would then immediately remove them - thereby negating the point of the scheme. Any aid that is dispatched for rebelheld areas lacks nutritional food and useful medicine. Additionally, the Syrian government has been accused of disregarding the value of assessing the need for aid, and the post distributive monitoring that agencies routinely carry out. At best this is neglect, at worst it amounts to the regime covering up the fact that millions are still without the aid they so desperately need.

IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL the information sharing scheme means the UN agencies operating in Syria will lose most sources of information on what is going on in the north of Syria, and in the majority of rebel held areas, where these NGOs work. Ultimately this will have the worst effect on the OCHA, as they lose their nationwide network of informants with experience of realities on the ground in rebel held areas. These developments came days before the announcement of a Russian and US backed ceasefire that commenced on 12 September, with hopes that if it holds out the US and Russia will begin an air campaign against extremist groups including ISIS and the al-Nusra Front, and slowly de-escalate conflict between rebels and the regime to focus on the common enemy. The regime is required to halt all airstrikes, and ground forces will ease the siege on Aleppo to allow aid to reach the east of the city, which has been under brutal siege for months. The regime is in apparent violation of the ceasefire, as two aid convoys, totalling 60 UN trucks have been blocked from accessing stricken civilians in Aleppo and elsewhere. Russia has struck back at these allegations, claiming Syrian opposition forces have also failed to honour conditions of the ceasefire as they are still holding the Castello Road into Aleppo. Bashar al-Assad has been using aid as a weapon - bolstering his supporters and the forces fighting on his behalf, meanwhile weakening the opposition and denying essential aid to millions of vulnerable civilians. The UN, through their lack of a response, has been complicit in this abuse of aid, and it must end. The withdrawal of 73 agencies seems unlikely to change the way UN operations are run in Syria, which are acknowledged to be far from ideal. The fact of the matter is they operate within the highly unstable country with permission from the regime, and to push back against him is to risk their entire operation - the International Mercy Corps withdrew from Syria after threats from the government. However, without action, Assad is likely to continue making the UN OCHA a weapon of war. The UN must ask whether it is time it freed itself of al-Assad’s influence.

The practical implications of these organisations withdrawing from

INTERNATIONAL

Mao’s Legacy In Modern China WORDS BY LEILA SCOLA IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL

At the start of September, it was the 40th anniversary of Chairman Mao’s death. He continues to be a controversial figure for both the government, and the people of China. Thousands of pilgrims queued outside the Forbidden City to see Mao’s embalmed body, and thousands more went to his birth place to lay flowers – over social media app WeChat over 2.5 million people took part in an online flower-laying campaign. However, official media was very quiet about the anniversary; the Communist Party newspaper didn’t even print an article about it. Chinese censors also reduced online discussion of the anniversary, and there was no official event to commemorate their former leader. This reflects the complicated legacy that Mao left in China. He transformed the country into a New China and established control over the entirety of the country and stimulated economic growth, yet he also was accused of causing a famine that killed an estimated 45 million people and his Cultural Revolution was a political disaster. His successor, Deng Xiaoping made it clear that ’70 percent of Mao’s work was good, 30 per cent was wrong‘, and with that remark created a split between Mao’s China and the one he wanted to create. However, in a country with soaring inequality and corruption many Chinese think back fondly on a time before market reforms when all were all equal; this in turn puts pressure on the current leadership who follow this policy.

himself in the same vein – as a leader who will protect the Chinese people. The development of such a form of charisma could almost be perceived as a personality cult, though it is unlikely he will ever gain the worship enjoyed by Chairman Mao. His anti-corruption campaign takes a leaf from Mao’s book. He presents himself as cleansing without mercy, as being the party in the interest of the people, cracking down on ‘tigers’ and ‘flies’ alike. In reality, he is ensuring power is recentralised around him, and that smaller officials cannot step out of line. This recentralisation is also a way to stop the government excessively spending money since the economy is slowing down. However, the big impact is that it is pulling the party down towards the level of the people to show that Xi Jinping’s government is working in their interest, just as Chairman Mao once did. The difference now is that this leadership wants stability, and to leave class struggle and revolution behind with Mao in the Forbidden City, and move on into a brighter, future where the free market and Communism coexists. Whether this can fully be achieved, however, remains to be seen.

The government did take the opportunity of the anniversary of the Great Helmsman’s death to warn against taking extreme views and trying to right his wrongs. They are in the difficult position of trying to maintain Mao’s image as China’s hero, whilst not letting people forget that the Communist Party is different now, and it is them, and not Mao to whom they owe their loyalty. The way that the current president, Xi Jinping, is doing this is by making himself China’s strongest leader since Mao. He is portraying

INTERNATIONAL

Travel

Mo st Haunted Places in Britain WORDS BY HANNAH BEESON IMAGE BY MACKENZIE BROWN

Ever been interested in ghost legends and folk tales? Well here’s something to feed your curiosity of the paranormal and with Halloween coming up soon it seemed more than appropriate to divulge into some of the most haunted tales in Britain. Perhaps you even live nearby one, if you fancy yourself a little ghost hunting trip? 26

Pluckley Village Kent: Pluckley is known as one of the most haunted villages in England. According to the records, there are between 12-16 ghosts in the surrounding area. ‘The screaming man’ is the most recognised ghost, it is believed that the spirit is of a man who whilst working in the village Brickworks fell to his death. Other village tales recall a highwayman who was apparently run through with a sword and pinned to a tree, in a place now known as Fright Corner. This doesn’t even scratch the surface of the many brutal stories that surround this eerily village.

TRAVEL

Travel

Borley Rectory The Ancient Ram Inn

Essex:

Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire:

Finally the tale of Borley Rectory to leave you with. The property was previously known as the most haunted house in Britain. This is because it is built on the site of an ancient monastery and therefore holds a big reputation for being home to a wide variety of spirits. The old legends claim that a nun from the nearby nunnery at Bures use to haunt the ground before the house was built, according to the tale she fell in love with a monk from Borley. But when the two of them tried to elope they were tracked down and executed. Rumours have circulated of the nun looking at startled guests through the windows of the newly built rectory,

The Ancient Ram Inn currently holds the title of ‘most haunted house’ in Britain. The inn was built in 1145, and was used as a keeping-house for the slaves that built the St. Mary Church until 1930 where it switched hands to a private owner. One of the rooms in the house is known as the ‘Witch’s room’, as it is believed to have been the last place that an accused witch stayed at before she was horrifically burned at the stake. Even today, many individuals still claim that the witch haunts that room. Yet the most haunted room in the inn is known as ‘The Bishop’s Inn’. Many guests have refused to sleep in this room and the guests that did have been seen fleeing from the room during the night, due to a monk who is said to haunt the room. Some folk tales about the inn even go as far as saying that the redirecting of the water on the property has created a portal for dark energy to enter our world. The current owner, John Humphries has often spoken about paranormal experiences that have occurred during his time on the property. For example, on his first night he was grabbed by his arm and dragged out of bed and across the room. Yet Humphries lives alone. After searching the property he found evidence of devil worship and sacrifice, including the remains of children under the staircase.

Prestbury Village Gloucestershire: This village ties with Pluckley with the status of most haunted village in England. Prestbury’s best known spectre is the hooded monk known as ‘The Black Abbot’. He is rumored to appear on the occasions of Christmas, Easter, and All Souls Day. When he does appear he always walks the same route and always finishes in the attic of a little cottage on High Street, where he noisily moves things about.

TRAVEL

In 1927 the Reverend Eric Smith and his wife arrived at the rectory. They had been warned of the ghostly presences beforehand; legend has it a horse and carriage would drive whilst being controlled by an invisible force. The family invited Harry Price, a well-known psychic researcher to the property, his presence caused objects to be smashed and hurled towards him by an unseen spirit. Following this the rectory then became the home of the Reverend Foster and his wife. One of the resident spirits took a liking to Marianne, the young wife. Messages directed to her began to appear throughout the house, some of them asking for her help. Foster had the rectory exorcised, which initially seemed to work. Soon though, music began to be heard throughout the house, and eventually their own child was ‘attacked’. They left, and the house has been empty of a reverend ever since. Harry Price later returned to the house, and found some extraordinary psychic presences. A seance held in 1938 led to a spirit from beyond the grave claiming that the rectory would catch fire, burn down, and a nun’s body would be found. Eleven months later, a lamp fell over, and the rectory burnt to the ground. Witnesses claimed to have seen a nun’s face looking out from the top window. In 1943 Harry Price returned and found the jaw bone of a young woman in the cellars. He attempted to end the haunting of Borley by giving the remains a Christian burial, but people still report spiritual activity.

Get your gloves and scarves out, autumn is approaching! Which of course means the weather is refreshing, the leaves are changing colour and everything is wonderful. This is the prime time to go abroad so if you’re looking for the perfect autumn destination, then look no further. Whether you want to see those incredible natural scenic views, engross yourself in the Halloween celebrations, or just escape the cold weather for one last time – Then there is something for everyone on this list of places to visit this autumn time:

Cotswolds, England

If you love autumn for the brisk evening walks and the incredible sight of a city wrapped in colour as the leaves begin to brown and fall, then Cotswolds makes for a postcardperfect destination. Referenced as the most “quintessentially English City” it is filled with endless medieval architecture of homes and cathedrals that create the most amazing scenic walks. Since the city contains over 300 years of history, there is plenty to visit and learn about so you’ll never get bored. Whether you take a visit to the Cotswold Distillery, a walk through Manor Garden, or a bus tour through the streets, this town will definitely not disappoint your autumn getaway.

Sleepy Hollow, New York, USA

For those of you who are Halloween-obsessed, a small town just 30 miles north of New York City makes a great autumn destination. Dominated by its eerie collection of mansions, manors and cemeteries, Sleepy Hollow really comes alive in the autumn season. The town is home to one of many infamous spirits – the Headless Horsemen from “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. Irving’s burial site remains within the small town as well, in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The cemetery is home to a vast collection of American authors, actors, and philanthropists. As October approaches, the town puts on a month-long Halloween festival filled with rides, live music, fairs, and parades.

Lombardy, Italy

If you’re looking for an autumn destination which will give you plenty to do and keep you surrounded by the beautiful season colour changes then Lombardy ticks all of the marks. This region located in northern Italy is home to incredible sights such as Lake Como, its capital, Milan, and the famous Duomo di Milano. Lombardy is filled with a mix of large, buzzing cities as well as picturesque Italian countryside – so it’s the best of both worlds really. You could spend your days getting lost in the public gardens whilst admire the rich orange-red leaves flooding the ground and making their debut for the year. Or perhaps you would rather visit the Duomo and spend a day stroll around the fashion capital of Milan. And don’t forget to visit the world renowned Da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper whilst you are there. No matter where you may find yourself in Lombardy, you’re guaranteed beautiful sights and a busy itinerary.

Namibia, Africa

If you’re not ready for the cold weather yet and you’re looking for an escape to get that last dose of summer heat, then a visit to Namibia is well and truly called for. Namibia has some of the most developed tourist facilities among all of Africa alongside consistently pleasant weather and unique sights you just won’t find anywhere else. All in all it makes quite a wonderful country to visit. This small country on the southwest coast of Africa also contains the oldest desert in the world which provides the setting of some of the most beautiful night sky views in the world. If you want the full Namibia experience, I recommend taking the Desert Express – a 2 day journey with plenty of stops along the way. You get to walk in the desert, visit galleries and museums, see the unique animal and plant species in the area, watch lions being fed, and finally enjoy a desert sunset.

AUTUMN DREAM DESTINATIONS WORDS BY MACKENZIE BROWN IMAGE BY ABBIE RUNCIE 28

TRAVEL

Super The summer of 2016

has been an extremely exciting one for Great Britain. It’s been difficult to narrow it down to the biggest triumphs but here are the top five of the season, across the sporting spectrum.

Tennis | Murray madness

As far as sporty families go, brothers Jamie and Andy Murray definitely got the tennis gene. Back in July, Andy won the Wimbledon Championship for the second time, defeating Milos Raonic in straight sets, having beaten him only a few weeks before that to win the Queen’s Club Championships for the fifth time. Following this was the Rio Olympics, in which Murray became the first player, male or female, to win two gold medals in the tennis singles events in an epic four-hour final against Juan Martin del Potro. For the older Murray brother, Jamie has also had quite the successful summer. The US Open gave Jamie Murray his second Grand Slam victory this year with doubles partner Bruno Soares.

CYCLING | FROOMEY FRENZY

The thirty-one-year-old British cyclist has definitely had a victorious year. Being seen as one the most successful stageracing riders of the recent era is no small feat and Chris Froome has certainly earned that title this year. Not only is he the first British rider to win back-to-back Tour De France titles, he also has managed to retain his bronze Olympic medal for the cycling time trial event.

OLYMPICS | BRITAIN’S BONANZA

Coming off the back of having a home games in 2012, the Team GB athletes had high expectations for how the Rio Summer Olympics were going to go. Despite the plethora 30

SPORT

Summer 2016: The Sporting Successes WORDS BY NATASHA DENNINGTON IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL

of problems Brazil had in the run up to the games, it was an extremely successful fortnight. These Games were the most successful for Great Britain since 1908, winning a total of 67 medals, which exceeded its London 2012 tally of 65 medals, becoming the first nation to surpass its medal total at the Olympics immediately following one that it hosted. To summarise some of the highlights of the games: • Cyclist Jason Kenny became only the second British athlete since 1908 to win three gold medals at the same Olympic Games. • Gold for sir Bradley Wiggins confirmed him as the most decorated British Olympian with eight medals over five games. • Gymnast Max Whitlock won Britain’s first ever gold medals in gymnastics in men’s floor and pommel horse. • Alistair Brownlee became the first triathlete to successfully defend an Olympic title and his younger brother Jonny upgraded his bronze to a silver. • The pair of Jack Laugher and Chris Mears became Britain’s first Olympic diving champions in the 3 metre synchronised springboard event, whilst Tom Daley became the first British diver to medal in multiple Games. Overall, whilst finishing second in gold medals to the United States, Great Britain won gold medals and overall medals across more different sports than any other nation at the Games.

PARALYMPICS | PARALYMPIC PARADISE

across 11 sports which eclipsed even China who medalled in 13 sports and topped the podium in 9 sports. Sarah Storey, the track and road cyclist, became GB’s most successful female Paralympian, participating in her seventh Paralympic games. With athletes ranging from ages thirteen to 67 all medalling, GB definitely have set the bar high for Tokyo in 2020.

WORLD TRIATHLON | BROWNLEE BROTHERHOOD

Fresh off the success from the Rio Games, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee were competing in the climax of the World Triathlon Series. Disaster struck as Jonny suffered from heat stroke in Mexico, causing him to fade dramatically with only 700m to go and nearly collapse. Showing the true value of being a good sport, Alistair helped his younger brother across the line to finish in second place. Unfortunately this did mean that Jonny narrowly missed out on the world title, but it just goes to show that the brotherly love between these two is much stronger than the sporting rivalry which is a huge success in itself.

As summer draws to a close, the whole of the GB sporting community can rest easy knowing that they have pulled off a summer filled to the brim with triumphs. With the Sports Personality of the Year contest in the near future, it will be interesting to see how the nominees for it shape up this year, let alone the victors. If anything, the fantastic summer should just be celebrated as much as possible and know that Great Britain have strongly affirmed their place on the world’s sporting stage.

With 265 competitors across 19 sports, Team GB set themselves the target of 121 medals in order to surpass the 120 medals won at the 2012 Games in London. The GB squad managed to finish with a total of 147 medals, which was their best medal haul since the 1988 summer Paralympics in Seoul, South Korea. The team won medals in 15 sports, and won gold SPORT

Sport

DOPING IN SPORTS: THE NEEDLE IN THE BACK WORDS BY JAMES MOSELEY IMAGE BY HEATHER RANKINE

DOPING

has once again come back into the public eye after a rather eventful year with the uncovering of a state run doping scheme for Russian athletes. But doping wasn’t always frowned upon, until quite recently it was accepted and even encouraged. Taking substances to improve sporting performances can be traced all the way back to the Ancient Olympics in Greece but it really came into the picture in the late 19th century. Events were held where cyclists would ride for six days straight, all on drugs, where the main selling point was the fact that the drugs were allowing them to overexert themselves far more than if they were clean. This form of doping was also employed at the 1904 Olympics where it was hailed as a benefit with the official race report stating, “The marathon has shown from a medical point of view how drugs can be very useful to athletes in long-distance races.” There were several instances of people dying or being permanently damaged from these events but no real effort was made to regulate the taking of any substances. Around this time, a man named Bob Goldman asked a wide range of athletes if they would take a drug if it would guarantee them a victory in an event but it also meant they would die 5 years later. Over half of the athletes asked said they would take the drug. Through the 1950s and 1960s, as sporting successes became a political statement, East Germany enforced a state run doping operation to increase their haul of golds at the Olympics. It certainly worked in 1968 they won 9 golds, in 1972 they had 20 and in 1976 they won 40 golds. Reports of athletes who fled to West Germany during this time said they were being given “vitamins” and had no idea they were drugs. Renate Neufeld SPORT

was one of these athletes and realised what was going on when the pills she was given gave her stomach cramps, stopped her periods and she started growing a moustache. Although almost none of the athletes officially failed their drugs test, in 1992 reports were found showing this was due to a state wide cover up of the matter. Doping perhaps reached its peak at the 1988 Olympic 100 metre final, now known as the dirtiest race in history. The winner of the race, Ben Johnson, who also set a world record time of 9.79 seconds, was almost immediately disqualified due to failing a drugs test after the final. Only 2 of the 8 finalists have not been convicted of doping at some point in their career. Possibly the most notable drug scandal ever is that of Lance Armstrong. Armstrong become the most successful road cyclist, winning a record breaking 7 Tour De France titles between 1998 and 2005. He had to fight against cancer throughout his career and was plagued by doping accusations. Although there was no hard evidence against him, his teammates were caught which strengthened the case against himself. In 2012 he had his titles revoked and in 2013 he confessed to doping, which was generally considered a stab in the back as many, myself included, wanted to believe he was clean. Ultimately, the drugs that are out there have always and will always be ahead of the methods to catch athletes and so it seems inevitable that doping scandals are going to become a sad reality of the sporting world. It’s not if there will be another needle in the back, it’s when. 33

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Illuminati Apologise for U.S. Presidental Election

WORDS BY TOM RANDALL IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL

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he Trump/Clinton race has perhaps historically no rivals for a US election between two utterly contemptible candidates. Although the Illuminati, the shadowy group of possibly extra-terrestrial origins controlling global finance and politics, occasionally set up such an election in a nearly-unknown country such as Belgium for their own amusement, never before have they done so in the world’s foremost power. In a move unprecedented in the history of said clique, founded in the mists of time but can trace its modern incarnation to a drunken joke between Prince Bertie and Napoleon III in 1863 (taken tragically out of context) has issued an apology to the ‘plebs’ of the world. Mark Zuckerberg, a senior member of the Illuminati who sacrificed a virgin goat while at Harvard and was awarded with the source code used to make Facebook, issued a post on his social media site.

“I’m sorry, plebs of the world. We at the Illuminati try and make sure our candidate wins the election, and sometimes set him or her up against a candidate of legendary incompetence, such as we have planned for the May/Corbyn General Election you guys get to have in February 2018, but this time our notes got a bit jumbled. You know how it is when the cocaine is flowing and there are more strippers than I can care to count at the party, but we got a bit confused you know? Human error, I’m sorry guys. This one is on our heads. We accidentally put two candidates from our ‘worthless stooge’ list against each other, when we meant to choose one of them to put up against someone who would benevolently rule you in our, I mean your, best interests.” Illuminati Analyst, Alan Deacon, 36, who lives in a shed at the end of his mum’s garden by St Deny’s station, spoke to the Wessex Scene about these extraordinary statements. We met him in a secret location by the M27, having agreed to wear suits of tin foil to protect ourselves from eavesdropping mindreading devices and bring a substantial amount of cannabis to his shed as payment. “Basically, you see, normally they use the radio waves from wi-fi boxes to control elections to make sure their guy wins but this time they forgot to choose one of their guys as a candidate. This is because of a party Prince Harry hosted for them all at their secret lair under the UN building where they mixed up the notes, as they said. Personally, I wonder if it is all part of a greater ploy to suddenly introduce their guy as a third candidate who will win in the face of two PAUSE

utterly horrible individuals being the only other choices.” His conclusion is hard to escape, almost as hard as it was for us to escape once he had ‘consumed’ our offering and was violently demanding a lift to Burger King while telling us about how Prince Philip killed Diana before she revealed that the Royal Family are lizards from a planet near Alpha Centauri. By accidentally pitting a 70 year old Joey Essex with added megalomania against a woman who enjoys lying so much she once lied to an orphaned puppy with a terminal illness in 1986, the shadowy cabals could probably put a universally hated figure like Piers Morgan up as a third party candidate and win anyway, so their mistake may not be too destructive. Donald Trump was due to speak at a rally in Backwood County, Arkansas, when this apology raced around the world. His response was as follows “So I was watching the news. I watch the news a lot. And these people came on it. They were saying they were trying to secretly control our election. I assumed they were Hillary’s people. But they weren’t. And I was confused. I am rarely confused. If elected I will be the least confused President in US history. It seems these guys are financiers. Bankers. Politicians. Bureaucrats. When I am President we are going to win. We are going to win hard. We are going to shut these people down.” His speech continued like this for 47 minutes, followed by celebratory gunfire led by Marlon Eisenweger III, Sheriff of Backwood County. Hillary Clinton was at her campaign HQ making out-dated internet ‘maymays’ to appeal to the ADHD-ridden youth vote when she issued a brief statement claiming that she has never “had financial relations with these people”. A leaked email, gained by elite Pause hackers in a basement under the Maths tower by typing “password” into the password field, showed otherwise. In unrelated news, an ex-Buckingham Palace double-glazing salesman has told the Mail on Sunday that the Queen is a shape-shifting lizard. Charles may not come to the throne until he has defeated her in single-combat in a special arena under Windsor Castle. His interest in pseudo-science has weakened him however and we could easily see a century of Liz on the throne according to a drunk man in the palace grounds.