WessexScene.co.uk
University of Southampton’s Student Magazine
December 2016
2
7 steps to selecting a superb christmas gift page 6
+ 5 presents under £5 20
A guide to Christmas shopping on a budget.
+
Student revolt or naTional revolution? 25 A fight for lower tuition fees.
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the resurgence of the craze that is mini golf 32 Is golf really a “long walk ruined?”
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
features@wessexscene.co.uk
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
lifestyle@wessexscene.co.uk
Christmas is coming!
We are now reaching the end of 2016. It has been a very strange and scary year. This is, what seems to some, the very peak of 2016 - the icing on the cake with a new President elect in the USA. Whilst Obama doesn’t leave the White House until January 2017, many are worried about the future. At the same time, whilst the decision to leave the EU was made by the UK back in June, Brexit itself is still yet to come. Ever since January, it seems as though it has just been disaster after disaster. However, in the run up to Christmas, it is important to consider the good and hope that 2017 brings better times. In our Features section of this magazine, Ellen talks about the importance of company during the festive period. In times like these, this could not be more true. It’s so easy to focus only on the bad - whether it’s approaching deadlines, bad grades, falling out with friends and family or struggling with student finances. From time to time, it’s good to have a break and simply consider that, despite what is blasted out on social media, it’s not all bad. Some of the little things are some of the most satisfying: Taco Bell is coming to Southampton this month! And some of the greatest things come from great effort, which makes it feel even more deserving when a goal is achieved; in October, RAG raised over £10,000 at their London mega-raid.
Sport JAMES MOSELEY
So, have a little break from your work, sit down with a nice mug of something hot, pop your slippers on and flick through our Christmas issue. Here at Wessex Scene, we’d like to wish all of you a very happy and chilled out Christmas and a fantastic new year. I’m sure most of us will be extremely pleased when midnight rolls around on December 31st so bring it on!
Sport TOM MORGAN
Alice
International CAMERON RIDGWAY
international@wessexscene.co.uk
Travel FREYA MILLARD
travel@wessexscene.co.uk sports@wessexscene.co.uk sports@wessexscene.co.uk
Pause TOM RANDALL
pause@wessexscene.co.uk
News ZéLIE SEDDON
news@wessexscene.co.uk
News Ela Crapnell
news@wessexscene.co.uk
News SAMUEL TYLER
news@wessexscene.co.uk
INVESTIGATIONS HARRIET MARTIN news@wessexscene.co.uk
MARKETING MOLLY EVANS
publicity@wessexscene.co.uk
VP DCI Cameron meldrum
vpdci@unionsouthampton.org
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FRONT COVER IMAGE BY BETH GARRETT WELCOME
INTERNATIONAL 24 Interference in the US Election: Where Do We Draw the Line? By Freya Millard. Image by Robert Lewis
ISSUE 2 december 2016
FEATURES
LIFESTYLE
Your (non-victim blaming) guide to a safe southampton night out
04
7 steps to selecting a superb christmas gift
06
the importance of company
08
OPINION
5 presents under £5
20
agony aunt
21
winter fashion for summer lovers: a guide for updating your wardrobe
22
INTERNATIONAL
the best...lunch options on campus
10
interference in the us election: Where do we draw the line?
24
The bloody history of the empire cannot be ignored
12
student revolt or national revolution?
25
POLITICS
TRAVEL
why the boundary changes will revitalise british democracy
13
48 hours in milan
26
it’s time to stop losing the war on terror
14
overlooked historical sites in southampton
28
SPORT
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
reviving the reef
16
farrell vs lozowski: The battle for number 10
30
a sports fan’s guide to crowd spotting
31
the resurgence of the craze that 32 is mini golf PAUSE
wessexscene.co.uk
the ultimate guide to finding a student house
34
@wessexscene fb.com/wscene @officialwessexscene WELCOME
3
Features
Your (Non Victim Blaming) Guide to a Safe Southampton Night Out WORDS BY SOPHIE HOWARD IMAGE BY ABBIE RUNCIE
Until recently, much of the discussion surrounding rape and sexual assault was served with a side of victim blaming. Questions such as ‘What was she wearing?’, ‘Was she drunk?’ and ‘Were they dating?’ often take center stage in a frantic scramble to blame instances of rape on anything but the rapist(s). As a result we’ve seen rapists evade justice time and time again. Only recently has the severity of this issue been given full attention in the media as a result of several high profile cases. By far the most prolific of these was the trial of Brock Turner who served only three months for the rape of an unconscious woman behind a campus dustbin. The simple fact remains that women and men can be taken advantage of drunk or sober, in heels or pajamas, by boyfriends, friends or strangers and it is never their fault. Though sexual assault at university is often blamed on drinking culture the only common denominator in cases of rape is the moment when a person makes a decision to violate.
Extra Cash
With that being said, you can still take steps to allow yourself to feel as secure as possible on a night out. Taking these 5 precautions should allow you to enjoy your night without fearing for your safety…
Don’t go into secluded areas with people you don’t know well. If you choose to go home with someone, assess both of your levels of intoxication and make clear what you do and do not consent to. If you feel uncomfortable, overly intoxicated or change your mind at any point then leave and call a taxi rather than walking in an unlit area alone or sleeping in an unfamiliar place.
Charge Your Phone
Make sure your phone is always fully charged before the start of your night. It can be a vital lifeline if you or one of your friends needs help or to report a sexual assault. I’ve found from personal experience the Uber app is useful if you need to leave a place fast as it generally comes within 5 minutes of being called. You can also use it if you’ve lost your wallet as you pay within the app and it costs less than a traditional taxi.
Always have an emergency £10 with you in case you need to need to get home. Resist the temptation to spend it on another Jesticle as you never know when you might need it.
Stay in Busy Areas
Keep Your Drink Close By
Don’t accept drinks from strangers and don’t leave your glass unattended at any point. If you suspect your drink may have been spiked tell a friend or a member of the bar staff immediately and ask for them to call you a taxi home.
Talk to Your Friends
Make a safety pact with the people you’re going out with. If you leave the club make sure the people in your group know where you are going and how to contact you. If you’re walking home or changing location, take your buddy with you.
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FEATURES
Features
If the worst does happen and you are sexually assaulted, Southampton Rape Crisis advises you to take the following steps: 1. Get somewhere safe. Call someone to collect you or get a taxi. 2. Seek support straight away: If you are willing to involve the police, call 999 immediately. They can organise taking forensic evidence should you wish to report the incident. 3. Contact/Visit the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Treetops SARC), who have crisis workers available by phone 24/7 and can provide healthcare and medical examinations as well as make referrals for additional support. If you wish to speak to a counsellor immediately call the Samaritans on 116 123 or the Local Southampton rape crisis hotline on 023 8063 6313. 4. Try to resist the urge to wash yourself or your clothes until you have decided whether or not to seek medical support or report to the police. The DNA present on you and your clothes can be used as evidence against your attacker. 5. Additional points of care can include: • Accident and Emergency (A&E) • Family Planning clinics • Your GP • Sexual Health Clinics 6. For longer term support, you may get in touch with Southampton Rape Crisis. They provide counselling, therapeutic groups and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs). So please, be safe on a night out, it’s worth doing these little things to make sure that at the end of the night, you get home safely.
FEATURES
5
7 steps to selecting a
superb christmas gift
Features WORDS BY NATALIA JOPLING TANSER IMAGE BY BETH GARRETT
Christmas is meant to be a time of love and relaxation. But getting gifts for people can often be very stressful. So, if you’ve looked at today’s date, seen that it’s nearing the date, and panic has set in as you’ve realised that you don’t know what to get…for anyone, then this article should help. With Christmas Day quickly approaching, and the seasonal festivities already being enthusiastically embraced, the fortunate few, who already have all of their Christmas presents bought, wrapped and ready, will be feeling rather smug. But for the rest of us, who aren’t sure where to begin with gift buying, the festive season can be a tad stressful. So, here is my advice on how to select the perfect gift:
Step 1: WRITE DOWN 5 WORDS
Although this might seem like a silly idea, it really does work. Grab a piece of paper and write down the first 5 words that spring to mind about the person who you just don’t know what to get. This is a great starting point, for example, if you write down ‘sporty’, then you’ve already narrowed down the present possibilities.
Step 4: How much do you want to spend?
It’s always a touchy subject, but unfortunately it’s a necessary one to touch upon. Work out the minimum and maximum you think you should spend on this person. Ways to do this are to consider how much would they spend on a present for you and how much money you actually have, just to name a few.
Step 2: Activities
Alas, this is another key step in the gift selecting process, however silly it may seem. Begin listing activities the person likes doing, for example, baking, badminton, watching Shakespeare plays, playing video games…It might be that you immediately write down, ‘likes watching TV’, at which point you feel bad for not knowing what else they like to do, but even this cloud has a silver lining.
Step 3: The Gift
Step 5: Homemade vs Shop-Bought
This isn’t always something people consider, but many actually prefer gifts you haven’t just bought on Amazon using ‘one-click’ (not exactly surprising but there we go). Chances are, when you start making the present, or putting it together yourself, you’ll actually have quite a bit of fun doing it. For example, a photo collage or a scrapbook.
Step 6: The Best Option
Now we start getting on to the actual gift choosing. Once you’ve written down at least 2 things they like doing, start writing down things that are associated with these activities. For example, if you honestly can’t think of anything else the person likes doing other than watching TV, then make them a gift pack for when they settle down to watch something on the small screen. You could include a DVD box set, a snuggie, popcorn, the list goes on…
This shouldn’t be a step, but unfortunately it is. After following steps 1-5, you may now be overflowing with gift ideas. But, it’s better to choose the gift that you think they’ll actually like the most, not just the one that’s easiest for you to buy. If you think that they’d prefer something, which will take more time and effort, then you should go with that option (or Santa will not look kindly upon you, and no one wants that!).
The final step:
You wrap their gift and sit back, smug and relaxed, while everyone else rushes around at the last minute. Hopefully now you should feel more confident about selecting a gift someone, good luck, and happy Christmas! FEATURES
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Features
W
hether it’s your family, or your best friends, it’s important that you surround yourselves with the ones you love during this period. So often we forget that, actually, it’s not the overly indulgent food or the millions of presents that make the day, or even the season. This winter, remember the value of friendship and how those who love you can make your Christmas holidays just that much better. Whether this means reuniting with old school friends you haven’t seen in a year, going back into you work routine and catching up on all of the gossip you’ve missed over that past few months or even having those people, who may as well be family, come over and share a little celebration with you.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPANY WORDS BY ELLEN JENNE IMAGE BY TARA SHORE
As we near the festive period, we prepare for the chaos that comes with cooking that five course meal for your entire family, or queuing for what may seem like hours on Christmas Eve to get those last, all important socks you forgot to buy for your dad. But forget the camaraderie for a minute, and take a look at the people you spend your day with…
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Christmas decorations adorn shelves already, mince pies are making subtle appearances in the bakery section of Sainsburys and there is an overload of Christmas deals and sales. Often we seem to get sucked into the bright lights of House of Fraser, blinding us to the extortionate prices, and freely handing over money we later regret not saving. But, you forget about those two hour queues and the wrestling matches you find yourself in when you’re surrounded by loved ones. Yes, we can freely admit that presents are an exciting part of the day, with the novelty of unwrapping wearing off as you get older, but, it’s not the be all and end all of the day. It’s the small things that really count. Sitting around the TV watching that intense EastEnders Christmas Special. Or all chipping in to prepare the Christmas dinner; the wrapping of the pigs in blankets, peeling the veg, and making that all important gravy. The Christmas season is one that brings people together. Those you see often and those you see maybe once or twice a year. No one can pinpoint what it is that draws people together, or makes people want to celebrate. It’s almost as if Christmas’ timing allows everyone to end their year in their own celebratory style. So, we’re not saying forget the camaraderie that leads up to Christmas, because it is certainly not avoidable, no matter how much we try to substitute online shopping for the hustle and bustle of the high street, but just remember where and who you’ll be with on the day, whether you’re spending the annual holiday in another country skiing, or sat around your living room with those closest to you. Just remember that it’s not all about the material content of the day, but the memories you make and share with your company. FEATURES
Opinion
THE BEST... LUNCH OPTIONS ON CAMPUS WORDS BY CARLY-MAY KAVANAGH IMAGE BY SELINA HAMILTON
Disclaimer: this will be mostly about the best places to have lunch, as I quickly realised after I started writing this and talking to people that a lot of people’s favourite lunch options have meat in, and I don’t eat meat. These are my personal favourite places to go for lunch at university, so if you’re looking for a new place to try hopefully this will help! The lunch locations will be judged out of five on the following factors, to get a total score of 25: • How central they are (working from the Redbrick out) • Price • Quality • Availability • Convenience – can you pop in between lectures?
Bar Three Diner
The Café
Centrality: 5/5 – It’s in the middle of the union building, on
Centrality: 5/5 – The Café is right next to Bar Three Diner,
Price: 4/5 – It’s a pretty good price, around £5-6 for a burger
Price: 5/5 – SO. CHEAP. Their all day breakfast will cost you
the second level next to the cinema – so right on the redbrick. with too many fries.
Quality: 5/5 – Everything I’ve ever had there has been amazing, and going from what other people have said they don’t seem to have any bad options. The Edge’s editor Anneka loves the ‘Edward Chickenhands’ and the ‘Poultrygeist’, and I love ‘Meatless in Seattle’. They’ve also got a food challenge that everyone gets very excited over.
Availability: 3/5 – Granted, it’s lunch and dinner food but it
inside the union building.
no more than £4 (and it’ll be even less for most people because that’s the cost of a 10 item breakfast). That’s pretty much what they’re known for, but they also do sandwiches and some amazing curly fries.
Quality: 2/5 – Some things are great, others are okay, some will only be eaten when you’re hungover and have a 9am.
Availability: 4/5 – Among the best opening times (8am-6pm
isn’t the best opening times (11.30-17.00).
during the week), and they’re open on Saturdays which is a bonus.
Convenience: 2/5 – The diner is definitely a ‘sit down’ place to
Convenience: 2/5 – You can take it away but you don’t really
eat, the service isn’t super slow but it’s not a meal that you grab in between lectures or to take with you.
Overall score: 19/25
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want to take a fry up into a lecture and the queues can (understandably) get a little too long for them to be convenient enough to drop in between lectures.
Overall score: 19/25 OPINION
Opinion Stags
The Bridge
Centrality: 5/5 – Again, redbrick
Centrality: 5/5 – It really is handy that most
Price: 5/5 – £2 toasties and £5 pizzas?! This is by far the best value for money.
Price: 3/5 – Depending on what you want
so super-duper central.
Quality: 4/5 – It’s mainly eaten by drunk students, so it isn’t the best pizza you’ll ever have in your life, but it’s still pretty good.
Availability: 5/5 (roughly 11.30am-
12am) – Also some of the best opening times on campus!
Convenience: 3/5 – Food
takes about 15-20 minutes, more if they’re very busy, but you wouldn’t really pop into Stags for a grab and go lunch, it’s more for when you’re sat with friends and hanging out in there.
Overall score: 22/25
Avenue Café Centrality: 1/5 – Very very
far from the Redbrick. Well, a 10 minute walk and convenient if you do humanities but, far.
Price: 4/5 – Pretty cheap. Their sandwiches are a bit pricey, but their chips and paninis are fab.
places to eat seem to be on the Redbrick isn’t it?
it can be pretty pricey. Chips are £1.60 which you can’t complain about, but some meals can reach a tenner.
Quality: 5/5 – I’ve never had a bad meal there and it’s always full, so make of that what you will.
Availability: 3/5 – (9am-12am Saturday
11.30am-11pm) – Perfect for lunch, but in the evenings they have a specific evening menu which means no chip butties. This is a tragedy.
Convenience: 2/5 – Like the Diner, you’re
not going anywhere fast once you’ve ordered. It’s lovely to sit in for an hour while you eat but it’s not somewhere you’d pop in to grab lunch and go.
Overall score: 18/25
The unlikely winner of this was: The Stag’s! With super cheap toasties and pizzas, combined with long opening hours and pretty tasty food, it’s stormed ahead as the best lunch location on campus. Maybe somewhere to try out if you haven’t already?
Quality: 4/5 – It’s pretty standard café food
– I can confirm that their tea is fantastic though.
Availability: 3/5 (8.30-16.00) – Open early, close early. Not the most convenient opening times, especially as it’s the only place on Avenue to eat.
Convenience: 3/5 – Easy to grab a sandwich or drink and go, but for some things, not so much.
Overall score: 15/25 OPINION
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The Bloody History Of The Empire Cannot Be Ignored WORDS BY EMMA PERRY
IMAGE BY JOANNA PANG
The Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has suggested changes to the history curriculum to show a less biased view of the British Empire. Changes include discussing how the Empire expanded “at the expense of people”, along with the negative impact of British Imperialism and the slave trade. This marks an important change in the usual narrative of glorifying our historical achievements, no matter the cost. The role of Great Britain in the slave trade and other suffering around the world, particularly of black and minority ethnic people, is often brushed aside. Children are taught that we once had the largest empire in the world, but not of the way people under our rule were mistreated. Under British rule, India’s formerly powerful economy suffered and they experienced more famines in decades than they had in the thousand years prior. Even David Cameron, our former Prime Minister, has admitted that many of the world’s problems today come from the decisions made during the British Empire. In India, entire systems were dismantled by the British, including important education systems. British denial of our crimes worldwide has gone too far. Winston Churchill is celebrated in education and throughout British culture and was recently put on the new £5 banknote. This ignores the fact that he was not only complicit in, but actively engaged in what some have called the “starving” of India, a famine which resulted in the death of three million people. As recently as the 1950s, Britain was committing atrocities in countries under our rule. In Kenya, the Mau Mau revolt resulted in almost an entire population of 1.5 million people being detained in camps and prisons. Many were beaten to death or died from malnutrition or disease. While imprisoned, many were used as slave labour, and interrogation under torture was common. The Mau Mau rebels had local support, too, from those who wanted to reclaim their land from British 12
rule. Many of these crimes have been covered up by those involved, including the Governor of Kenya at the time, who stepped in to ensure those involved weren’t prosecuted. In fact, in other cases, those who committed atrocities were rewarded. In 1919, in Amritsar, India, troops opened fire on protesters, killing an unknown number that could be more than 1000 people. They created an enclosed area, causing a stampede and a lethal crush, and a further 1000 were injured. Later, after debate in Parliament as to whether the General Reginald Dyer’s actions were justified, he was awarded £26,000 and labelled a hero for ‘saving India’. Just a few examples that show the rosy view of the British Empire, as often taught in schools, is utterly inaccurate. To hide the legacy of poverty we left behind in colonised countries is dishonest to the modern world, and to hide the crimes we committed while decrying dictators around the world is the peak of hypocrisy. What Jeremy Corbyn proposes is a worthy attempt at correcting the wrongs of the past, but more must be done to address our culture of glorifying our bloody, disruptive history. Entire countries have suffered at our hand and the legacy of the British Empire remains. Now, it is up to the Conservative Party to follow through on Corbyn’s suggestion – whether they will or not remains to be seen.
OPINION
WHY THE BOUNDARY CHANGES WILL REVITALISE BRITISH DEMOCRACY T
WORDS BY MATTHEW COWLEY IMAGE BY EMILY BEASLY
he independent boundary review has been a source of controversy in recent months, and yet it seems like a perfectly rational idea. Putting aside the specifics of the changes – whether or not you think certain wards would be better in certain constituencies – and looking at them purely objectively, there seem to be far more advantages than flaws to the reforms. Firstly, equalising the size of constituencies seems a thoroughly reasonable democratic desire. If we want a democracy that fairly represents its electors then it would make sense for every representative to speak for as similar number of constituents as possible. Accusations that this is unfair because recent changes to the Electoral Register have left people out of the figures are not entirely unfounded, but the simple fact is that the best aggregator of how many electors are in a constituency has to be the number of registered electors at the previous election. This is by no means an optimal figure, but it’s not as if these boundaries couldn’t be altered in future to account for population changes. In this sense then, the boundary changes will create a more equal representation for constituents throughout the nation and thus a fairer and better democracy. This is unless of course, one believes that the electors of the Isle of Wight should have around 5 times less representation than those of Na h-Eileanan an Iar, or that English electors should have 1.3 times less representation than Welsh electors on average.
to influence policies in the local area and thus will be taken more seriously by voters, bringing more scrutiny, accountability and higher turnouts. Meanwhile, local constituents will benefit from having a much more personalised system of policy-making. They are able to influence their legislators because they are based much closer to them, and can also enjoy policies that are inherently grounded in local contexts and needs. Representation will also be improved if the public have more faith in their representatives. One of the biggest concerns people have about MPs is that they simply cost too much. For these people, the boundary changes must surely provide a solution to reduce the costs associated with government. 50 fewer MPs equates to 50 fewer MPs’ salaries, 50 fewer teams of MPs’ staff, 50 fewer sets of expenses, 50 fewer offices – the list can go on and on. With a reduced number of MPs we can see a further decentralisation of powers to local government and a resultant revitalisation of British democracy. Decisions that affect Southampton will actually get made in Southampton, and important decisions on local policy will get made in local areas across the United Kingdom. Boundary changes will lead to a more representative and democratic Britain, and a Britain where central government costs less and local government does more. That can only be a good thing.
If we accept it reasonable to have equal representation for every elector in the country, then the main objection to the concept of the boundary changes must be that reducing the number of MPs from 650 to 600 will adversely affect the quality of representation. This argument doesn’t seem to stand up to scrutiny. In fact, fewer MPs ties in with the increasingly decentralised approach to power being taken by government in recent years. If it follows that fewer MPs leads to further devolution of areas of legislative control to regional centres of power, then we will see an increasingly important local government, and one able to make a real difference to its constituents. This will have benefits for both local government and local people. Local government will profit by having greater power POLITICS
13
IT’S TIME TO STOP LOSING THE WAR ON
TERROR WORDS BY JAMES EDWARDS IMAGE BY ABI BARTHEE
In September 2001 following the 9/11 attacks on the United States, President Bush declared a ‘global war on terror’. As time would tell this would become a conflict which would define foreign policy objectives for the next fifteen years and leave many a military tactician asking the same question… ‘How do you wage war on an abstract noun?’. I titled this article with the proclamation that “It’s time to stop losing the war on terror”, and to some that will come as a surprising statement. Are we losing the war? The simple answer is yes, and the facts are overwhelming. A study conducted by the Rand Corporation highlights this, as the think tank estimated that in 2007 there were 28 Salafi-jihadist groups like Al Qaeda, while in 2013 this number was up to 49. In the same period the number of attacks by these groups rose from 100 to 950 attacks, and the number of terrorists active from a high-end estimate of 42,000 increasing to 105,000. None of this is to prescribe the war on terror a failure, or that victory is impossible, but it does say that the current strategy is failing. Following the ‘defeat’ of the Soviet Union in 1989 there was a sentiment that it was politicians who lost the war, not the generals. The same is true in the war on terror, as no general can win such a conflict with their hands tied down by such rules. This comes to the crux of my argument. To win this conflict, we need to change our approach, specifically regarding borders and proportionality. 14
It is at this point I would expect some readers to be outraged, shouting ‘Wwhat of our morality? State sovereignty?’. This is a fair point, and yet one which I passionately dislike. Why is it somehow seen as moral to allow terrorists to plan their next attack safe in the knowledge that they are protected by borders in nations which have no interest in clamping down on terrorism? If you have the ability to stop such evil wherever it may lie you also have the responsibility to do so regardless of international borders. Evil recognises no border and neither can we in our pursuit of it, not if we want to win. Next we come onto the idea of proportionality, and this point is twofold. Firstly, proportionality can refer to our conduct in war, but the broader point I want to focus on is the idea of a proportional response. Someday someone must explain to me the merits of such a response, and why is it that the response to a terrorist attack is limited by proportionality. To win the war on terror we need to inspire terror in our enemies, to make them certain that should they attack us or our allies there will be no nation, no corner, no line we will not cross to hunt down POLITICS
those responsible and bring them to justice. This also means ending the fear of committing ground forces to such a conflict. On November 11th, we honoured the Armistice between the Allies and Germany which in effect brought an end to World War One. At the time it was thought to be ‘the war to end all wars’ and a war like no other, both in its scale and brutality, however twenty-one years later there was a conflict that would shake the world once more. Today we are embroiled in the first total war the world has ever seen, a conflict where nobody can stay neutral or on the side-lines, and a war not against a nation but against Terror itself. France, like numerous nations, suffered horrendous tragedies in both World Wars, and on November 11th we will remember them. In 2016 France has once again suffered many atrocities, but this time committed by an enemy who will never seek peace or ask for mercy. It is scandalous to stand on the sidelines and allow someone to commit an atrocity, so what does it say about us that we ignore not just one but hundreds of atrocities. The conscience of our nation surely lies dormant tonight.
be satisfied with half measures, while hiding behind the wellworn and twisted veil of morality, makes our nation and us its citizens accountable as well for these acts of terror. What grieving families need now is not more cries of outrage from a capricious crowd of stuttering sympathisers, instead what they need is action. Nothing can bring back their loved ones, but we can still act to stop countless more innocents joining their ranks. We have a choice. We must either stop these half measures and eliminate our enemy, not just within our borders but root them out wherever they hide with whatever means necessary, offering no mercy and leaving no sanctuary for this evil. If not we must consign ourselves to a world ruled by terror and fear, and force future generations to live under its perpetual shadow. It’s time to choose, it’s time we stop losing the War on Terror.
Tonight, children in Paris, in Nice, in Brussels, and across the globe will sleep less soundly with no parent to comfort them. Parents will lie awake mourning the loss of their sons and daughters. Brothers who have lost sisters, sisters who have lost brothers, and the countless masses who have lost friends all sleep less soundly tonight. Yet their grief should be a burden on all of our consciences. Be of no doubt that the decision to POLITICS
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Science & Technology
Reviving the Reef WORDS BY RACHAEL SMITH IMAGE BY CLAIRE PAPA-ADAMS
O
n the 16th October, the Sun published an article claiming that, after 8000 years, the Great Barrier reef had died. This demise of the largest life form on the planet led to widespread mourning on social media. However, these claims were over-exaggerated and even though the future of the world’s reefs seems to be a bit bleak, there is hope yet. When it is said that the Great Barrier reef is in ‘severe stress’, it is vastly different to the stress that humans undergo. Environmental stress brought on by global warming causes corals to disperse all of the colourful algae living within them. The result is that the coral becomes white, a process known as bleaching which may take a change in sea temperature of as little as a 1˚ C to happen. Not only does this severely affect the coral, causing the coral to become weaker and more susceptible to disease, it also has an impact on the entire ecosystem that uses corals as a base. That is not the only environmental issue that has an effect on these colourful and phenomenal life systems. Increasing carbon dioxide levels lead to ocean acidification, making it difficult for corals to grow. The acidic water means that corals cannot absorb the calcium carbonate they require to build and maintain their skeletons, causing them to eventually dissolve. All this (and more) has led to one of the main attractions of Australia going from the thriving and vibrant underwater city it was, to a place filled with death and despair; a fate seen all over the world in various corals. However, there has been research suggesting that there is more resilience in the oceans than we previously thought.
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A promising approach to saving coral reefs is known as ‘fragmentation’. Fragmentation (and the newer microfragmentation) have been used in conservation for up to 11 years already. Unfortunately, the process requires time, labour and money. On a basic level, it involves cloning parts of coral and then reintroducing them into the wild in the hope that they will settle and grow over the old coral, rejuvenating it. This has been done in the Florida Keys where 200 micro fragments were introduced 3 years ago and are now 6-8 times bigger and have joined together into sections. From there, researchers Dave Vaughan and Chris Page have introduced around 10,000 pieces into the wild. The issue with using cloned corals is that they are all genetically identical, meaning that they can succumb to the same environmental stresses. You could put all this work into cloning and planting thousands of fragments and the next environmental issue could wipe it all out. Like any strong ecosystem, diversity is essential. Vaughan and Page are growing 20 to 30 genetic variants of coral to address this issue, but another researcher, Peter Harrison, is investigating the possibility of taking two sexually active corals, waiting for them to reproduce and collecting the offspring to introduce into the wild. This idea was previously used in Australia in the late 1990s and Palau between 2007 and 2009. These teams released the progeny onto healthy corals under mesh sheets, and although thousands settled, most of them died within 30 weeks. It was suggested that this was due to overcrowding as the reef was healthy and so, in 2013, Harrison and his team found a severely damaged coral in Magsaysay and tried again. Even though the initial results were not promising, with most of the settlers dying within 6 months, by 9 months SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
those that had survived were settled populations and within three years they had reached sexual maturity. The scientific concept of survival of the fittest applies here. Some of the corals have been able to cope with environmental difficulties better than others; these have been nicknamed ‘super’ corals. Ruth Gates has been collecting these ‘super’ corals and breeding them in her lab to create corals that will be able to cope with the next big bleaching event. The idea is to create a coral that will be able to cope with the changing seascape without human intervention. There is, though, another organism that has the potential to help – fish. Even though fish can be seen as destructive when they knock over young coral, they can also help to nibble away at algae that might cover the newly planted coral, preventing growth. This was noted in the Seychelles, in research led by Sarah Frias-Torres. The project involved growing branching corals for transportation. These were grown on ropes that had to be scrubbed by hand in order to keep the young coral from being overgrown. The researchers noticed that certain types of fish were attracted to the growing coral and ate the algae that threatened it. This observation was also made when the coral was moved into the wild. After transporting 10,000 corals, fish started appearing on the reef. At first, they knocked over 16% of the reef, but the team eventually established a system that appears naturally in order to reduce destruction. While this was successful in the Seychelles it may, once again, not be suitable everywhere. At the end of the day, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to saving corals. Each will require a different combination of the newest techniques due to the variety of threats they face SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
as well as their own needs. Even though coral fragmentation, reseeding and selective breeding come with their own advantages and disadvantages, the potential that they have shown and the willingness of coral to stay alive gives a glimmer of multi-coloured hope for the future.
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All this (and more) has led to one of the main attractions of Australia going from the thriving and vibrant underwater city it was, to a place filled with death and despair; a fate seen all over the world in various corals.
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17
Lifestyle
5 Presents for Under £5 WORDS BY HANNAH BEESON IMAGE BY CHARLOTTE MIELL
With Christmas coming up, now is the time for Secret Santa to be arranged and the price limits set. It’s always hard knowing what to get people, whether to get a joke present or something nice, so I’ve set out five present ideas for under £5 to help you decide what to get.
JELLY SHOT MOULDS
Perhaps you’ve got to get a present for that one person that you genuinely have no idea what they like. Well, if you want something easy, fun and cheap, this could be the perfect solution! This super easy present not only looks like you’ve really searched for something good, but you barely have to spend anything! At £4.95 from prezzybox.com these jelly shot moulds will almost certainly get used for a house party or two!
Argan Oil
So you’ve got to get a present, and you don’t want to go down the alcoholic route? Easy! Argan oil is becoming increasingly popular, and this little bottle from Amazon will look like a great present! With great reviews, you seriously can’t go wrong with this as a present. This is great if you want something a bit more serious and genuine, but not too expensive. This keeps to the £5 limit at £4.90 and is a great little present.
Raspberry Prosecco Lollies
Food presents are always a great way to go, and these prosecco lollipops offer something different but still tasty! As long as they’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong giving these to someone as a present! The cheapest on the list at £3.95, these alcoholic sweet treats are a great take on traditional confectionary.
Personalised chocolate
So perhaps you’ve got a really sporty person and you’ve no idea what to get them? Well you can’t go wrong with some personalised chocolate! These chocolate rugby balls come in a great little container, and the seller lets you personalise the label that comes with it. This gives a great opportunity to make a suggestive comment about ‘his rugby balls’! At exactly £5 this gift is right on the limit, but it’s a great alternative to a lot of more traditional personalised chocolate gifts and still allows you to tailor it to the person receiving it.
Sticky notes
This stationary sticky note addition is a really cute option for someone who loves to keep things organised. Although it might seem boring to some, these are a great way of keeping things organised and yet still pretty, and for those stationary hoarders out there, these are great! At £4.99 this is only just under the budget, but these notes can be used for a variety of things; whether that’s marking interesting pages in a magazine or catalogue or using them to brighten up your uni work.
And there we have it; five presents for under £5! Hopefully when secret santa comes around, these will give you some inspiration when deciding what to get. There’s always something for everyone, no matter how hard it seems, you’ve just got to think outside the box! 20
LIFESTYLE
Lifestyle
AGONY AUNT
IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL
University life is now firmly underway, the half way mark to semester one is rapidly approaching and, before we know it, the Christmas holidays will be upon us. Agony Alex is back is to answer any queries you have that may have arisen since the early Fresher days.
I’m struggling with the amount of deadlines I have in this month, however I’m part of a sports society and we have socials each week that result in me being hungover the next day and not able to do any work – I don’t want to miss out on any of the fun, but equally I want to get good marks, what should I do?
Although there is pressure to go to every sports social and attend every night out, sometimes you just have to remember that ultimately you’re paying £9,000 for a degree and that should be your first priority. More people than you expect will be in the same position, and it wouldn’t be surprising if some socials around deadline time don’t have a high turnout – because everyone will be in the same position as you. That being said, if it’s a big event, such as a ball (which are normally fab nights!) then where possible start your work earlier than you normally would, finishing it a couple of days before it’s due in and then you’re free to enjoy your evening without a deadline looming over you.
I think I went out too much in Freshers’, and have spent all the money I was meant to use for food for the rest of the month – my fridge is basically empty, what can I do?!
This is a common occurrence for many freshers. Often the freedom to buy your own food and cook what you like, combined with the temptation of 7 nights out a week can result in your money disappearing quicker than you expected. There are several ways to solve this. The first and foremost is getting onto the phone with your parents and asking them extremely nicely (perhaps even offering your services over the Christmas holiday in exchange for some extra cash now)
for money for food – no parent will let their dearest children perish in the winter months. If this doesn’t work, then it’s time to get a job. There are heaps of jobs going in West Quay, and also options to work on campus, so keep an eye out for job vacancies. Once you have a bit of cash, make sure you buy food in bulk; things like rice and pasta are great as they are so easy to turn into a dish, plus they will last you for ages!
I have just got into a relationship, and I’m enjoying spending time with them – but it’s taking up so much of my time at the weekends and I’m starting to spend less time with my friends. How do I work round this?
New relationships are great, and it sounds like you’re enjoying your ‘Honeymoon Period’. You don’t, however, want this to have an effect on your degree, and it might be worth having a chat with your partner and explain that although you’re enjoying their company, you want to be able to spend time with your friends as well. This can lead to you consciously thinking about sharing your time more evenly, and hopefully explaining things to your partner will allow them to understand your situation better as well.
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. LIFESTYLE
21
Lifestyle
WINTER FASHION FOR SUMMER LOVERS: A GUIDE FOR UPDATING YOUR WARDROBE WORDS BY LYDIA HAWKEN IMAGE BY SOPHIE WILLIAMS
There are two different types of people in the world; those who relish every last ray of sunshine and those who spend six months out of the year willing the leaves to change colour so they can dig out all their favourite chunky knits, cosy scarfs, and tailored coats. If you’re the latter, then go forth and immerse yourself in your extensive autumnal wardrobes. Yet if you’re on the opposite side of the spectrum, then fear not, here is the Wessex Scene’s tried and tested methods for updating any wardrobe for the winter months ahead.
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LIFESTYLE
Lifestyle
THE RIGHT COAT.
Coats are a tricky thing to get right. Although essential to any winter wardrobe, they can absolutely make or break an outfit. In the same way that shoppers often have their favourite seasons for dressing, there are people out there who own hundreds of coats. And that’s okay, it’s their thing. Despite being a fashion enthusiast, I am not one of those people. For years I avoided coats, I literally would brave the cold out of fear of ruining my outfit; as if they were covering up my hardwork! Stupid, I know. Believe it or not, I eventually came to my senses and invested in a good quality parka. At £80 (even with my 50% discount working in high street brand, WHISTLES), this felt like a lot of money. But three years later and it’s still going strong. With an enormous fluffy hood that not only protects me from the rain but feels like I’m wearing a duvet, this was one of the best wardrobe investments I’ve made to date. Even though I’ll never be a coat obsessive, I have recently added a Topshop number to my collection because it was love at first sight. Often that’s the best way to shop, going with your heart effectively guarantees that you’ll get your money’s worth out of an item. This coat in particular is black with a skimming, A-Line shape complete with a removable faux-fur collar. It encapsulates my style and I’ve been wearing it non-stop. For my fellow coat-avoiders out there, my advice is to bag yourself a classic style in either black, grey, or camel. These colours will work as the basis of your winter wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to splurge a little on a transcendent style, i.e. a coat that will still be in fashion for years to come, as this means you won’t be faced with a yearly dilemma of overwhelming choice. Keep it simple kids.
ALL OF THE BOOTS.
Every September, almost like clockwork, high street stores are flooded with every style boot imaginable. This season it was all about embroidery, the must-have item amongst the fashion bloggers were a pair of Miss. Selfridge black ankle boots embroidered with delicate flowers in pastel tones. Although this is great as a trend piece, come January they’ll be long forgotten. Instead, you can always nod to AW16’s biggest trend by investing in a pair of velvet boots. Like embroidery, velvet is everywhere this season but is less of a fad trend and will always look festive around this time of year.
summer, they even look great paired with tights and your favourite floaty summer dresses. Topshop mass produce ankle boots like they’re going out of style. But that’s the beauty of it, a pair of black ankle boots will get you far in life. For the more daring amongst you, knee high boots are a very easy way to look chic and put together without all that much effort. I invested in a suede pair of black WHISTLES knee high boots a couple of years ago and they’re still going strong. Again, although a higher price point, I did get them on sale and so it’s worth looking at the WHISTLES, Reiss, and & Other Stories websites at the start of this month as stores start shifting their winter stock to make way for SS17. I’d recommend having a peruse amongst some of their sale bargains to add to your staple winter wardrobes.
WHEN IN DOUBT, WEAR LIPSTICK.
I live by this mantra. Although not technically a fashion choice, an autumnal lipstick can go a long way in bringing interest to an outfit. Do you even get more Christmassy than a red lip? With the liquid lipstick trend in full swing, there are plenty of winning formulas on offer. If you’re in the market to invest then look no further than the Stila ‘Stay-All Day Liquid Lipsticks’ (£16 – available on Cult Beauty). These tick every box for a liquid lipstick in terms of longevity and comfort but they’re certainly not for the light-hearted as they are heavy-duty formulas available in an array of vampy colours. Personally, the NYX ‘Soft Matte Lip Creams’ (available in selected Boots and ASOS) can do no wrong in my eyes. At just £5.50 each, the range of colours is incredible and they are hands down the most comfortable formula to wear – this is coming from someone who owns too much lipstick.
If you’re still mourning the loss of summer, then I hope the prospect of winter fashion has put a spring back in your step. If anything, some retail therapy is the best way to get over any sort of heart-break. Happy Shopping!
From personal experience, you can’t go wrong with a pair of black ankle boots. For those of you mourning the loss of LIFESTYLE
23
International
Interference in the US Election: Where Do We Draw The Line? WORDS BY FREYA MILLARD
IMAGE BY ROBERT LEWIS
The US election has probably never been as vitally important as it was this year. The stakes are enormous and now that Donald Trump has been elected no one knows what to expect. The future of America and the ripple effect it will have on the entire world, is hanging by a very thin thread. Aside from that very terrifying reality, the presidential campaign couldn’t have been any further from smooth sailing. Endless external influences kept piping up to create, what is quite possibly, the most dramatic election there has ever been. A major scandal to hit the US election involved leaked information from the Clinton presidential campaign – and only from the Clinton campaign, suspicious much? WikiLeaks offers a public service in their eyes, to inform the masses of what goes on behind the political red curtain. Some of this information is obtained via hacking, which on its own is extremely problematic territory in terms of privacy and blurring the lines of human rights. Many of the revelations just confirmed suspicions that were already circulating, and didn’t impact Clinton’s presidency run in the way that might have been intended. Firstly, they showed that Clinton’s views on banking regulations vary depending on who she is talking to. Hardly shocking – a politician adapting their language for who they are addressing. They also revealed that her campaign’s relationship with mainstream media is far too snuggly. An extremely concerning example of this is an email exchange that involves a reporter asking for approval on his article and sending it over to be checked by the campaign before release.
processes is completely against their policies. A deeply troubling point Clinton raised during the third presidential debate is that 17 US intelligence agencies, both government based and private, have confirmed that the Russian government itself is responsible for the hacks, going all the way up the ranks to Putin himself. This rings serious alarm bells, as the specific motivations behind Putin’s involvement and whatever his intentions, the chances of them being a good thing for America and the wider world are zero to none. Whether it’s Clinton cosying up to the US mainstream media or Trump getting help from his ‘buddy’ Putin, I think it’s safe to say that the real issue here is the too many cooks in the kitchen situation going on. All these agendas are delegating attention away from what should actually matter to the American public; what policies they support and what future they want. This election has arguably been ransacked by a media storm and the media shifting their weight around like a bully in the playground is not the democratic way. Those interfering in such an important decision need to be held accountable. Let the American public do their thing.
It is argued that the information released is valuable information that voters have the right to know. The counterargument to this is that the root of these hacks are external to the US and intended to interfere with the elections making WikiLeaks accomplices in aiding foreign interference. Following these hacks targeting the US elections, the Ecuadorian government revoked the internet access of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. In response he made a public statement declaring that interfering with countries’ electoral
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INTERNATIONAL
International
Student revolt or national revolution? WORDS BY CAMERON RIDGWAY IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL Like Apartheid was for their parents, South African students say the fight for lower tuition fees is the struggle of their generation. For more than a year now, students across the country have been marching through their university campuses in protest. Their demand? A ‘free, decolonised education’. Initially a peaceful movement, protests have become increasingly violent in recent weeks. The protests were first sparked when the government first proposed a tuition fee increase of between 10 and 12% last year. In October 2015, students blocked the entrance to the campus of University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, after suggestions it may raise fees by 10.5% in 2016. The protests quickly spread to other top universities across the country, prompting President Jacob Zuma to announce a year long freeze on the cost of tuition. University fees in South Africa vary per institution and are determined based on income from three main sources of funding. These include government subsidies and private investment in addition to fees. The subsidy for each institution is determined based on the socioeconomic background of its students, and while the amount of government funding given to universities has increased by almost 70% since 2001, a decrease in the number of students enrolling has meant a decrease in the subsidy paid per student. After the announcement of a proposal to increase fees by 8% in 2017, protests demanding free education for all soon re-erupted. The movement has since grown to encompass an entire social class – the ‘missing middle’. Many protesters are poor black students whose parents have jobs but cannot afford the high cost of a university education, a situation illustrative of the general trend of inequality within South Africa as a whole.
burden imposed by annual fee increases to the Bantu Education Act of 1953 – an Apartheid era law which imposed a curriculum suited to the ‘nature and requirements of the black people’, thereby limiting their potential to reach some high-level positions in society. Whether free education can and should be achieved is also a subject of much debate. Some Black voices have accused the country’s White population of refusing to acknowledge the ‘black debt’ owed to much of the country’s population post-Apartheid. On an economic level, some independent organisations including the South African Institute on Race Relations have suggested that the money to pay for free education could be raised through tax increases. Some University heads have, however, maintained that providing universal free education as the protesters demand would not be economically viable. There is also a wider political element to these protests. South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has been in the midst of a sharp popularity decline ever since President Zuma was mired by allegations of corruption, accused of being ‘morally compromised’ and unable to lead. The party’s recent announcement that the promised judge-led task force on tuition fees will be delayed until April 2017 has done nothing but stoke tensions further. The #FeesMustFall protests are, above all, a fight over the way in which South Africa deals with its own heritage. The scenes of protesters retalitating against police attacks with rocks are reminiscent of the student movement during the Apartheid era- a divide along racial and economic lines which some believe never went away. With such high levels of tension, a compromise will be difficult to reach.
The government has now addressed some of the protesters’ concerns. Zuma recently announced that he was putting together a task force to look into the issue to ensure that the future of the country’s ‘children’ was ‘not jeopardized’. Some protesters have likened the financial
INTERNATIONAL
25
Travel
48 Hours in Milan WORDS BY AMY PICKNELL IMAGE BY LUCY WHELLER-PARR
As one of the more authentic and rustic Italian cities, Milan makes for a beautiful location. With its busy city lifestyle, vibrant street scene and night life, there is no doubt that this dream location is perfect for a short break away. After visiting Milan with my boyfriend earlier this summer, here is my quick guide for the must-see attractions that this city has to offer that can be visited in 48 (or 24!) hours.
1
Duomo di Milano
Duomo means “Cathedral” and with the intricate and gothic design of the Duomo di Milano it is unparalleled in it’s beauty. It is the largest church in Italy and the fifth largest in the world! You can visit the inside during or outside of service times, and climb the stairs (or take an elevator) all the way to the top for absolutely stunning views of the city. I recommend doing this in the morning before the heat of the day settles in and the small sweaty staircases are overrun with tourists!
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Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The good thing about Milan is that once you’re in the city centre, nothing is too far away! If you fancy a bit of shopping, The Galleria can be found directly next to the Duomo. Although, it is mainly a tourist attraction for the gorgeous artwork and architecture, it is an open plaza full of designer shops like Prada and Chanel for those non-student types who want to splash a bit of cash, or even for those who just want to window shop. There are, also, many small coffee shops and restaurants to try out. I strongly recommend the restaurant: La Locanda del Gatto Rossa for the best pizza I’ve had in my life and for only €11 – a bargain, especially considering the location!
3
Navigli Canals
Just a short metro journey away, the canals were one of my favourite places that I visited in the city. Located some distance away from the main city centre, the Canals have an edgier personality compared to the touristy Piazza di Duomo; but it still doesn’t lose a single ounce of its life. The canals have a relatively quiet and calm atmosphere by day; but as the sun TRAVEL
sets locals emerge from the woodwork to have sociable drinks with friends after a busy working day and tourists join them to create a hub of vibrancy and contagious energy in the dreamy setting of moonlit canals.
4
Daytrip to Lake Como
This is probably an attraction best saved for a 48-hour trip; as we went for a whole day and it still wasn’t enough! Although, not strictly classed as Milan, you can easily travel to Lake Como on an hour train ride and it’s definitely worth it! Idyllic Lake Como is just on the border of Italy and Switzerland, with beautiful green mountains surrounding the blue water and many colourful houses and hotels are dotted along the landscape. Once you get off the platform in Como it’s time to explore by boat! You can choose a complete tour of the many villages around the lake or just the one. We didn’t have the time to visit every one so we chose Bellagio, known for being one of the prettiest villages. Bellagio is on the side of a mountain so be prepared to walk up a lot of cobbled streets on steep inclines (not the best combination if you don’t want to trip!) There are many small and unique coffee shops, restaurants and souvenir shops selling local art, scarfs, miniature statues; which altogether really add to the authentic Italian experience.
I loved my time in Milan; but as with any city, 1 or 2 days is still not enough to see absolutely everything that it has to offer. Nevertheless, I hope this guide could give you some ideas of where to start on your visit. Happy Travelling! 27
Travel
Overlooked Historical Sites In Southampton WORDS BY MARK MARSDEN IMAGE BY ELLIE RIMELL
I know many people think history is irrelevant, after all, it’s in the past and what significance does that hold for us now? As a history student myself, I am here to rebuff the nay-sayers and prove that history is in fact interesting, especially in Southampton. This is a massive factor in our livelihoods as students here which perhaps goes unnoticed and unappreciated at times.
THE BARGATE
One of the city’s major attractions is the Bargate and the surrounding city walls – these cannot be missed. Henry II started the process of defending Southampton through constructing the Bargate around the late twelfth century. This decision was prompted by several factors; firstly Southampton had gained major significance in this era because of its prominent role as one of Stephen’s bases in the south-east during an English Civil War between him and his rival to the throne, Matilda. Secondly, because of its ever increasing importance as a trading port, therefore an additional structure was needed to allow more goods to pass through the city. The Bargate still holds it’s position as a massively significant site in the city, even to this day as it has done. This is proven by the fact that the gate is displayed on the city’s badge and that plans to demolish the structure in the early twentieth century were rigorously fought. Other leaders, especially in the Medieval era, helped to further signify the Bargate; • • •
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For instance, the West Gate was the setting for Edward’s III return to England after the famous victory he achieved at the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Henry V departed via the Bargate for his campaign in France, which reached a climax in the famous Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Jane Austen, arguably one of the finest English authors of all time, has a plaque dedicated to her on the Bargate structure demonstrating her strong links to the city.
THE RAILWAY
The coming of the railway proved vital for the development of Southampton’s identity. A parliamentary act in 1834 decided that a rail infrastructure was desperately needed for this region. The works were mostly completed from London Waterloo to Southampton Central in 1840, resulting in a majestic looking train station with a grand clock tower at its north entrance. However even at this time, there was still a need to get a horse drawn coach in order to cover the eighteen mile journey from Basingstoke to Winchester – not the smoothest of transports. The station was then used during World War One to transport German prisoners of war captured after battles, from Britain’s most important Military Embarkation Port to the mainland. At the turn of the twentieth century, there was a significant investment into the railway, in order to accommodate an ever increasing amount of trade passing through the three dry docks. Due to this, dock companies owned around ten miles worth of track which connected the docks to the main London and South Western railway grid. By 1925 there were approximately a hundred movements of freight and passenger trains per day- an impressive and highly successful operation.
TRAVEL
Travel
HIGH STREET
The High Street also tell the story of Southampton’s war-time history, during World War Two this area was completely flattened, namely due to a German air raid with incendiary bombs in 1940, the twelfth century All Saints Church was completely ruined. Sad events such as these mean that this area of the city has now unfortunately lost its once strong reputation as one of the most beautiful High Streets in England before World War II.
THE AVENUE/SOUTHAMPTON COMMON
The prominent, modern day tree-lined Avenue around Southampton Common was originally created in 1744-45 in order to commemorate the battle of Culloden (1745). In order to preserve the Common, a parliamentary act in the eighteenth century stipulated that no one could ever build on this site. The churches around the Avenue played their part in World War One, as the nineteenth century St. Avenue Congregational Church, now know as St Andrew Church today, offered assistance to troops stationed on the Common before they went off into the trenches. TRAVEL
PORTSWOOD
The infamous student area of today that we all know and love, use to be a woodland area but in the twentieth century became a social spotlight. Below are the history of some sites that you hopefully will recognize; • • • •
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Sainsbury’s in Portswood used to be the site of an old Palladium Cinema (1913 – 1958) The Brook music venue was originally a hotel at the beginning of the 20th century and was known as the Brook Inn. Many of the buildings on Portswood, such as the Public Library remain entirely the same since the early twentieth century. Bevois Valley: the area of the night club Jesters, use to be the site of small local businesses such as the Mount Hotel and cobblers. You could say there is still some necessity for a local shoe store for all those last minute demands for Jesters’ shoes… It is hard to believe that up until just before WWII, Portswood was once home to an impressive tram network where carriages were maintained and they operated up and down the entire stretch, even to as far as Bargate.
29
Sport
FARRELL VS. LOZOWSKI THE BATTLE FOR NUMBER 10 WORDS BY SARAH RENDELL
Saracens as a club are at the top of their game at the moment. Current European champions, premiership champions for the second year in a row and they have signed world class players for this season. What comes with this is a team that has a breadth of amazing players who can do the job at hand, this leaves coaches with the difficult decision of who to leave on the bench and who to be in the starting 15. For me, personally, the fly half position is one of the most important positions on the field. This position delegates the field when in attack, usually kicks at goal and really ties the team together. This is why I think the competition for the number 10 shirt at Saracens at the moment is one to watch. On one side we have Owen Farrell, the world class 10 that has proven himself not only for Saracens but also for England. On the other hand we have Alex Lozowski, who played excellently for his previous team Wasps and in his first few games for Saracens, he has established his name and showed what he can do with a rugby ball in hand. It seems as though the club’s coaches may have already made their decision concerning this battle. Owen has been out all of this current season due to injury, the European game against Toulon was the first time the coaches could choose him for selection. They immediately benched Lozowski, who had been filling in the jersey all season, in favour of Owen. Some fans disagreed with this decision with one saying ‘how can Alex Lozowski be dropped? He’s been excellent’, another commenting ‘feel for Alex Lozowski missing out this one. He kept the ship level in Owen Farrell’s absence’. But it seems the coaches made the right decision. During his first game back Farrell kicked 16 points, set up a critical try and was man of the match. They have also started Farrell ahead of Lozowski for all of the following games in the season. However due to Farrell’s pristine form at the moment should we rule out Lozowski’s efforts this season?
scored 4 tries. He managed to fill the shoes of Owen Farrell, many were worried about the blow Saracens’ goal kicking was going to have but Lozowski knocked the majority of them over. Are the coaches just being blinded by the shine of England’s summer success? Is it wrong not to play Lozowski when he was just hitting his stride in the position? When this battle will become fierce I think is when the international period of rugby begins. Eddie Jones, England Rugby’s head coach, has selected both Lozowski and Farrell for the international team. They have to compete for club and international shirts. Especially with George Ford thrown into the mix the set up for England this season will be an interesting one to see play out. Both Farrell and Lozowski are performing extremely well, so keep a look out for this fearsome fight for the 10 shirt.
In his first games for the club he has won all but one game and 30
SPORT
A Sports Fans Guide To Crowd Spotting
WORDS BY JAMES MOSELEY Being at a live sporting event is one of the most exhilarating yet exciting things you can experience. There’s nothing like seeing your heroes before your eyes. However, sporting crowds vary a lot from sport to sport and can make or break your experience, so here is my guide: Sports Crowds 101.
Football
Having only attended a few football matches at a young age I don’t have much experience of what is known as one of rowdiest crowds in sports. Having some of the most devoted and avid fans really benefits the spectacle. Unfortunately, due to its large following there is always going to be a minority of people who give a bad reputation to all fans of the sport. Football definitely has one of the biggest problems with rival fans clashing, leading to increased security and separating fans to avoid conflicts. It is a shame, as having rivalries can make sport so great, but when a rivalry goes beyond friendly competition, it can leave a bitter aftertaste.
Rugby
Unlike in football, the opposing fans are rarely separated into different stands, everyone just generally mixes in. This may seem like a good way for fights to start when a game is close or tensions are rising on the pitch. But apart from once having a full pint upended onto me as the crowd celebrated Leinster’s 2011 European Cup win I have never experienced any real aggression at games (the happy Irishman did offer to buy me a pint afterwards but being only 14 at the time I thought it best to decline and leave him to drink to victory with his fellow countrymen). That’s not to say there aren’t incidents, but having fans reflect the mutual respect shown between the players is great to see.
IMAGE BY DANIELLE REDSTALL of a rowdy football or rugby crowd. I was lucky enough to be able to attend Wimbledon a few years ago and was able to see what sets a tennis crowd apart. On TV it seems like every few points there is a respectful smattering of applause. But live, you really experience the intensity of two athletes pushing themselves to their physical extremes. The crowd is far more often than not quiet due to being captivated by the match, rather than being bored.
Cycling
Cycling is a slightly odd one for crowd structure, due to the way velodromes are constructed, as well as there only being dim lighting (except for the track itself which is brightly illuminated). This focuses everything on the athletes. That said, if the crowd can get behind a cyclist or team, such as Team GB during London 2012, the noise can be deafening and bring the atmosphere to a whole new level.
Ice Hockey
Strangely enough, for a sport where men with big grizzly beards slam into each other while skating on ice, the crowd is one of the most family friendly and diverse there is. It is common to see entire families attend, and there’s always a big emphasis on clean language. That’s not to say it’s tame; it’s not in the least. In fact, the atmosphere at an ice hockey game is the most intense and tribal thing I have experienced. With the closeness of the action and an involved crowd (which it usually is) the ensuing drumming and chanting can make the entire occasion thrilling, even if you may be left a little bit hard of hearing afterwards.
Tennis
Tennis definitely draws quieter crowds, partially due to the tradition of tennis being more of an upper class sport, but it’s certainly not the only reason and it doesn’t make the experience any less than that SPORT
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Sport
The Resurgence of The Craze
That Is Mini Golf WORDS BY LUCY MORRIS IMAGE BY BETHANY WESTALL
Is golf a ‘long walk ruined?’ Mark Twain certainty thought so at least until he encountered ‘British style’ mini golf. He became enchanted with it and played many long games with his good friend Woodrow Wilson, before he was president of the United States. But where did mini golf come from, and what is the new craze known as ‘Adventure golf’? The oldest mini golf course can be found in St. Andrews, Scotland. The Ladies’ Putting Club was formed there in 1867 as a member’s only club for upper class women, in which they could play a game called Pitch and Putt. Interestingly, whilst women were permitted to play this sport as it was seen as ‘suave’ and fashionable, they were not permitted to ‘take the club back past the shoulders’ as this was seen as vulgar. The craze quickly caught on in Britain, however, it wasn’t until 1916 when it began to capture the hearts and minds of America. In 1916 James Barber designed the first ‘mini golf ’ course which inspired a whole new craze in America. Soon innovative designers were creating miniature golf courses everywhere. In 1926 a course was designed on the roof of a New York City skyscraper. By the end of the 1920s there were 150 rooftop courses in New York alone. Despite the depression of the 1930s the mini golf craze survived and thrived. Many miniature golf pitch and putts were closed down as they were too expensive to maintain however in their place ‘rinkie- dink’ courses sprung up. These courses were made up with whatever rubbish people found lying around including old tyres, pipes and gutters. Eventually the ‘crazy’ obstacles’ popularity made them a regular feature in US mini golf courses. Thus ‘crazy golf ’ was born. By the end of the 1930s it was estimated in America alone that four million people were playing crazy golf. But why was it so popular? With the arrival of the Depression, shanty towns called ‘Hoovervilles’ started appearing. The 32
average income of an American family dropped by 40% between 1929- 1932. Therefore crazy golf came at an opportune time as it spoke into the feelings of uncertainty and discomfort many Americans felt by bringing some light relief. Additionally, crazy golf was a ‘sport’ that was classless, it could be played by people of all social rank meaning it connected with a vast audience. However, the crazy golf dream wasn’t sustainable, and by the 1970s, the game had lost virtually all popularity. This sounds like a sad ending to a story that had once brought people facing hard times much joy yet recently crazy golf has made a major comeback. Towards the end of the 1990s a new craze began known as ‘Adventure golf ’ or ‘country- club’ mini golf courses. This revival was partly due to interest of well-known celebrities such as Jack Nicklaus. Soon crazy golf competitions began to spring up all over the world including Australia, Germany, the US and the UK, and many international competitors are held every year, including the British finals held in Hastings every October. So is crazy golf a long walk spoiled as Twain argued? In short, definitely not! The evolution of mini golf is one that largely reflects the public mood, aspirations and concerns of the day. How incredible that such a humble sport supported the liberation of women, was a sport of decadence in the 1920s and finally a sport that helped people through the Depression. I know I’ll never look at a miniature motorized windmill on a green the same way again. SPORT
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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO FINDING A STUDENT HOUSE By Tom Randall Image by Robert Lewis First years will soon be setting out to find dwellings for themselves and the flatmates they arbitrarily decide to live with in second year. The housing market is in a confusing quagmire of foreign owners, buy-to-lets and disreputable agencies in this day and age. Fear not however, for forewarned is forearmed and your humble author’s life experience as a jaded third year has much wisdom to be imparted. 34
Firstly, the mad dash. There are two pieces of utterly conflicted advice, between the agencies, of whom we shall speak a little later, and what SUSU (known briefly as US but in a victory against the Establishment on a par with Brexit and Leicester City’s recent successes, was reverted. Sadly the proposal to ‘build a wall and make Portsmouth pay for it’ achieved no such success). Firstly, that every house worth having is probably let out by the end of Fresher’s Week. Secondly that there is no need to think about it until the
Union’s housing agency releases listings in about February. The former view is aimed at squeezing as much of your hard-earned loans and grants out of you as possible, the latter is symbolic of the union’s generally impractical tendencies. Essentially, just as when you’re at the open bar at your uncle’s 3rd wedding, this time to a Russian lady 15 years his junior, moderation is the key and steering between the two extremes is utterly essential. Location is key. You might think that PAUSE
Pause being by Jester’s is a plum place, but you might not think that at 3am with assignments due. Likewise, only the bookish and prematurely-aged live in Highfield, allegedly due to the nearby Hartley Library, but probably because of the cosy nights in watching Pointless being a little easier here, as it’s what everyone else in Highfield does. So, you have decided to actually look for a house and have found people you think you might be able to tolerate for a year? Well done. Next comes the hard part. Finding a landlord or agency is probably tougher than finding a house, with all student housing generally breaking a similar level of building regulations and safety laws. You may find many glossy leaflets pushed through the doors of your halls flats, advertising this agency or the other. If you want to pay through the nose to have a mouse called Graham as your roommate and generally experience a Charles Dickens novel when winter arrives, feel free to be taken in by the glossy photos. The internet is, as when
you are writing an essay with a deadline in 8 hours and feel a need to procrastinate, your friend. Try and shop around a little bit [Useful advice in Pause? Cease this at once! – Editor], but generally speaking there isn’t much choice. Having found a property and the relevant agent, it is time to brave their office. A greasy man in a bad suit will try and get fees for everything, with £120 being considered a fair price for photocopying some forms by many in the industry, while reminding you that at least 37 other potential tenants are interested. The sales tactics are not unlike those employed by Chinese secret police when they find a kilo of cocaine or an Amnesty International leaflet in your hand luggage.
going on saga cruises and catering-sized boxes of Werther’s Originals. This does not fit well with maintaining a house to a basic standard of decency. If the corner can be cut, or the repair not carried out, it will be. Before long you’ll be placing bets on how far the mould will spread in a given time, or how many rats you can catch within a month.
After all this money spent, you would hope that maybe the landlord is a bit more helpful. Again, this is wishful thinking. If the landlord even lives locally, he is likely to be supplementing his retirement with your hard-earned rent payments
TO LET:
TO LET:
A 6-bedroom house with charming pets (rats and pigeons) free of charge. The property is situated in a pleasant area with excellent transport links, only 35 minutes from the University. The interior décor is tasteful, having been refurbished as recently as 1976, with the mould stains and patterns breaking up the outlines of the walls. Literally in one case. Kitchen with all the latest gadgets and utilities, only breaking four fire safety regulations. Landlord contactable and available to do repairs on the 3rd Tuesday of every odd-numbered month. Rent is a competitive £87 for each room per week.
A modern and new student development complex in the city centre. Including a gym, cinema and study room, the development is full of everything you could possibly need or want. The individual bedrooms are larger than the average flat in Southern England. Ideally suited for a wellmoneyed international student. Rent from a cheap £170 a week. Unfortunately the developers do not offer any such tenancy options with lower rent and more basic facilities.
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