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Southampton University’s Student Magazine
ISSUE 4 DEC 2012 www.wessexscene.co.uk
1 / WS / Editors ///
EDITORS
E D I TOR’ S LE TTE R / Editor / Ellie Sellwood
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/ Deputy Editor / Jo Fisher / Graphic Designer / Bronwen Rees / Online Manager / Sam Whitehall / Imagery / Sasha Spaid, / Bryony Wellburn / Features / Andy Haywood / Amy Sandys / Science / Claire Critchley / Politics / Charlotte Harwood / Alexander Green / Winchester / Amy Harwood / Opinions / Samuel Gilonis / David Mendoza-Wolfson / Travel / Chris Clarke / Lifestyle / Emma Hobbs / Emma Chappell / International / Jack Kanani / Sport / Jack Winter / Richard Windsor / News / Tom Durham / Sera Berksoy / Pause / Sam Everard / Publicity / Luke Goodger / Front Cover by Zahra Warsame/
/ Get in touch... We want your letters to the Editor for page 2 in the next issue so send us your comments to editor@soton.ac.uk / Be sure to head online to check out our regularly updated News section and Pause, our procrastination central.
/// Societies / WS / 2
May The Best Mo Win
Now that Movember has come to a close it’s time to see how you’ve been getting on. We asked you to show us your mo for a chance to win some tasche-tastic prizes from our friends at Beardo. And here’s our winner: Vivek Martin, A Motion Graphics student from WSA. He’s made quite an effort and certainly impressed us all here at Wessex Scene. Find Beardo on facebook: www.facebook.com/BeardoUKfollow and visit www.beardo.co.uk/ for the full range of beard and moustache-themed products. ///
SOCIETIES COLUMN
/ Jade Head /
Term’s nearing an end (I know already!) Christmas is nearly upon us, so many of our societies are putting on a huge number of Christmas Balls and parties over the next few weeks, don’t miss out! Over the past few weeks societies have doing some amazing things, be it Hindu Soc helping us all celebrate Diwali, many of our departmental societies putting on talks in order to enhance your learning, the political societies’ coverage of all the political goings on nationally and various bake sales, such as that of Organ Donation awareness Society, in order to raise awareness,. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the various societies’ committees out there, who put in a HUGE amount of time and effort to make sure you are all able to do what you love and have fun with likeminded people- keep up the great work everyone! As always here is a taster of what you can look forward to over the next few weeks: Tuesday 4th December- Humanities and Social Science Winter Wonderland Ball Tuesday 4th December- Circus, Comedy and Magic soc Christmas Bonanza Saturday 8th/ Sunday 9th December- MEDSOC Charities weekend Saturday 8th December - SUStrings Xmas Concert at the Immaculate Conception Church 6:30pm Sunday 9th December - SUCU- Carol Service, Highfield Church. Times: 4:30pm, 6pm, 8pm & 9:30pm. Free mince pies and mulled wine. Sunday 9th December- Concert band Christmas concert, 2.30pm at Turner Sims. Winter Wonderband: A Concert Band Christmas Monday 10th December- Geogsoc Christmas ball, AIM presents their Battle of the Bands competition from 8pm in Bar 2 Friday 14th December- Sunday 16th December- Explore the UK - Weekend trip to Canterbury
3 / WS / Features ///
/ Kerry Sclater /
HOME VS UNI: YULETIDE WARS It’s that time again! Christmas is back and there is plenty to look forward to. Enjoying Christmas as a student can often mean an entirely different thing to the Christmas cheer we find at home. Kerry Sclater highlights some of the pros and cons to watch out for as we celebrate the season and home and away. quiet jingling begins in the A distance, millions of shoppers appear to have lost their
minds and festive colours are starting to seep into the white winter sky. Yes, it’s Christmas: we know the drill, it happens every year. But for many, this year brings the excitement of their first student Christmas. It’s the perfect excuse to celebrate Christmas twice, but in very different ways. With many students not knowing what to expect, it’s time to open the great debate- eat your hearts out Obama and Romney. In the red corner we have Christmas at home, and in the gold corner we have Christmas at University. It’s time to get those bells jingling, whip out the awful Christmas puns and let it snow! ‘It’ll be homely this Christmas’ Going home can be a refuge for students at any time, with the prospect of home cooked food and a comfortable sofa on the cards. But being at home in the festive season is even better than normal: upon returning, you are transported from a small room carpeted in clothes to a win-
ter wonderland. With a bigger budget and years of collecting, home decorations are sure to beat the straggly pieces of tinsel on display at Uni. Picture the twinkling lights and red and gold glow, plus enough electrical decorations to power a small town. Being at home for Christmas means you can join in the ageold ritual of putting up the decorations (for many, a peaceful and jolly activity, for others the trigger of World War Three). Generally, there seems to be two main categories of Christmas decorators: the scrooge, begrudgingly putting up a bare tree; or the artiste, who revels in the coordinating baubles, sometimes sporting a ruler for optimum symmetry. Beware: if there is more than one type of decorator-artiste in your household, make yourself scarce. Christmas at home also brings the promise of a mouth-watering Christmas dinner. After years of practise, this is sure to be a treat: golden turkey, crispy roast potatoes; even the sprouts are bearable, a far cry from any
student attempt at the Christmas meal. Although, it should be said that indulging in this feast often comes with the price of having to eat with family not just annoying siblings and parents, but an array of aunts, grannies and dubiously-connected cousins. Although more relatives means more gifts, it also means the accompanying farce of recycled cracker jokes, awful Christmas jumpers, never ending card games, arguments, and a very drunk Uncle singing Christmas carols. Picture something akin to the Christmas party hosted by Bridget Jones’s mother.
For many, Christmas at home is much more wholesome, cosy and lavish then at university. Although there may be arguments and an array of embarrassing relatives, when faced with the radiance of the decorations, the assortment of gifts and the deliciousness of the Christmas dinner, these seem relatively pardonable. If there’s one thing that a Christmas at home can exclusively provide, it’s the ‘magic’ factor. Surrounded by loved ones and with the memories of childhood Christmases, home is the one place where Santa Claus really does come to town. ‘Have yourself, a merry student Christmas’ For many, becoming a student has meant a complete change of lifestyle. The onset of budgeting, partying and cooking for yourself will have introduced many students to a more fun, independent life. But how does
this come into play at Christmas? Well for one, the Christmas parties: who doesn’t want to see Gangnam style performed in Christmas outfits? Celebrating the festive and New Year season with new friends will definitely make for some memorable nights (for those who will be able to remember anyway). Christmas at University provides festive opportunities which aren’t available at homewinter balls, socials, Southampton and Winchester’s Christmas markets. These are all unmissable events which remind us why being at university jingle-bell rocks! Then there’s the unrestricted housemate fun. With no rigorous timetable of Christmas activities, students are likely to undertake a more laid back approach to festivities, including raucous parties and plenty of loosely Christmas-related ‘ban-
ter’. It’s obvious that the low budget secret Santa is something sorely lacking from a domestic Christmas. Little home comforts can, however, make a difference to the student Christmas. Yes, the tinsel was only 99p and it’s not exactly Santa’s grotto, but it does cover the stains. Simple domestic goods can also be lacking in the student household, leading to turkeys shoved into ovens and frozen roast potatoes being microwaved whilst the hob boils over. Let’s face it, Christmas dinner on a budget cooked by someone whose speciality is Pot Noodle is not the same as your family Christmas meal, but it’s nevertheless a welcome comfort. Also, sharing tipsy love and Christmas cheer amongst your house mates may have a slight advantage on watching Gran take her teeth out again. Having said this, this is only true if you manage to avoid your cheery Christmas table turning into a yuletide battle ground, with the combination of Christmas budgeting and alcohol often fuelling tense situations. Whilst maybe not quite the traditional Christmas, celebrating the festive period at University can still be an unbeatably merry and eventful time. If there’s one thing that Christmas at home can’t match, it’s the ‘fun’ factor; with socialising, new friends and independence, you’ll definitely be rocking around the Christmas tree. / Images by Julio Rodriguez / Email contact: features@wessexscene.co.uk
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Time for Ireland’s abor tion laws to be brought into the 21st centur y? / Image by Helen Scibilia /
/ Kimberley Peake / ///
On 21st October 31 year old Savita Halappanavar visited a hospital in Ireland, seventeen weeks pregnant and suffering from back pain. Doctors soon discovered she was having a miscarriage, and she requested an abortion. However, the doctors were still able to detect a foetal heartbeat, and therefore refused her request as Irish law forbids abortion unless there is a serious threat to the mother’s life.Three days later Savita died of septicaemia.
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tragic story has brought T hisinternational attention to
the issue of abortion laws in Ireland. Many feel that the current legislation needs reform in order to protect the lives of expectant mothers. More than 50 Members of the European Parliament have signed a letter asking the Irish government to change abortion legislation, including the Irish MEP Paul Murphy, and there has also been considerable public support.
So is Ireland alone in its stance on abortion? Other European countries which have similar legislation include Cyprus, Poland, and Northern Ireland, with Malta prohibiting all cases of abortion. However, Ireland’s laws are seen as the most controversial as they are predominantly based on the Catholic faith which many women affected, including Savita, do not follow. Her parents have raised the question of whether there should be different laws for different faiths in Ireland as it does not seem fair that in a modern multicultural society, one particular religion is given precedence. This is also not the first time Irish abortion laws have been a focus of public and media attention. In December 2010 three women took their experiences of abortion to the European Court of Human Rights, where it was ruled that Irish abortion laws had violated the rights of one of them. In addition, in 1992 Ireland’s Supreme Court ruled that a fourteen year old girl who had been raped and was threatening to commit suicide could receive an abortion due to dangers to her mental health. However, this was never articulated into a new law, so there is still an ethi-
cal dilemma and much ambiguity for what doctors should do in cases such as this. The question remains, is it possible to change the abortion laws of a country which values religion so highly? In the USA it was shown to be entirely possible. In 1973 the highly controversial Roe vs. Wade case was brought to the American Supreme Court, where a twenty-five years old woman argued that the laws forbidding abortion were unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled that governments lacked the power to prohibit abortions as it violated freedom of personal choice in family matters, which is outlined in the fourteenth amendment of the US constitution. This case drastically changed views upon the legality of abortion, and will most likely be referenced in this particular case. It is evident that the Irish government must recognise the need for amending the abortion laws following the media attention this story has received, but will they go as far as is necessary to protect the lives and rights of women? politics@wessexscene.co.uk
7 / WS / Politics ///
IS FEMINISM TOO FRAGMENTED? / Charlotte Harwood / ///
Feminist: An advocate or supporter of the rights and equality of women. This dictionary definition may be what many feminists want this label to mean. But, as Charlotte Harwood finds out, this title has been imbued with so many different connotations over the last century that this clear-cut definition is now far from realistic. his is not to say that T feminists are not, in the vast majority, simply supporters of
the rights and equality of women. Where this gets complicated, however, is when taking into account the sheer volume of peoples and cultures these ideas of rights and equality have to apply to. The problems surrounding a single feminist agenda stem from the undeniable fact that feminism is a political and social movement incomparable to any other. The feminist movement is unique not only in the sheer number of people in the world it concerns, but also in the inescapable problem that similarities between the experiences of women in the world are overshadowed by the inevitable differences fifty-percent of the world’s population will have from each other. The concept of a “sisterhood” can be hard for people to associate themselves with, when they have little or no understanding and perhaps no interest of others, simply because they share a gender and the issues that may arise from it. The conception of Slutwalks
is a perfect example of when feminists with many different focuses and interests come together to show solidarity to one cause, which put most simply is the blame placed upon rape victims for what has happened to them. At Slutwalk London, in September this year, the sheer variety of those who attended demonstrated the variety is
“The concept of a “sisterhood” can be hard for people to associate themselves with when they have no interest in others’ views under the feminism umbrella, with a crowd of both men and women of all ages. However, it also symbolised the fragmented nature of the feminist movement. Amongst the crowd were the English Collective of Prostitutes, calling for greater protection from the police in cases of sexual assault. Socialist Worker also produced posters with anti-rape sentiments upon them, eager not only to support
the cause but also to publicise their own agendas. Queer Strike showed their support, as did the Black Women’s Rape Action Project, Jewish anti-Zionist Network, along with SUSU’s own Feminist Society. In many senses the camaraderie shown by all these different groups on an issue close to every feminist’s heart – sexual assault and attitudes towards it – is highly encouraging. Nevertheless, the presence of groups such as Black Women’s Rape Action Project shows that there are still divides within movement(s) such as this, and specific social groups working together for their of women’s rights. Furthermore, there was very little mention of male victims of rape, and criticism over this lack of attention given to male victims is something both Slutwalk and other similar organisations continue to face. Whether the term “feminism” can ever hold one, pure meaning, seems a far-away prospect, but whether creating one is actually an ideal ambition is questionable. New branches of
are forming all the time, showing that the problems feminism aims to tackle are so wide ranging that it would be impossible to form just one agenda. Take for example Transfeminism, a relatively new concept in the feminist pool. Transfeminism may garner support from outside the Trans* community, yet the problems transwomen face, perhaps because of transphobia, or simply due to lack of awareness, would not automatically find favour with all those who currently call themselves feminists. Can all of these causes really remain under the same umbrella? Ageism faced by women in the BBC is not the same as The Democratic Republic of Congo being the so-called ‘rape capital’ of the world, and body image issues of the Western world is
not the same as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) that women face in places such as sub-Sahara Africa and Indonesia, amongst others. Although none of these
“Can all of these causes remain under the same umbrella?’ issues should be dismissed, it is clear that the problems faced by women across the world are vastly different. Can the movement really claim to be united when FGM is happening in the UK to young girls, yet the preoccupation of many is the portrayal of a woman as a housewife in Morrison’s Christmas advert this year? Many may ask themselves if dampening the “everyday” arguments, such as those against
the Morrison’s advert, would do good for feminism. In focusing on more serious issues, the branding of feminism may be able to unite against the most serious causes. However, in ignoring those “everyday” examples of sexism this could be let these become more acceptable. Does feminism need a PR facelift and one agenda? This question needs to be debated within all the different feminist communities to work out what is effective in bringing more people into the cause, as well as working out what needs to be understood and changed in the world.
/ Image by Matilda Smith / Email contact: politics@wessexscene.co.uk
THE END OF THE WORLD: A Political Cover-up?
/ Image by Diogo Lopes / / Julia Topazio /
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The ‘Petition for the Truth’ is a request to all world leaders to inform the public of any information they hold regarding the Mayan prophecy that the world will end on 21st December 2012. John Kehne, who began the petition on 20th February 2012, asserts that “something just doesn’t feel right”. Is this enough to suggest a political cover-up, or is it simply a far-fetched conspiracy theory? ut of fear that there may be O truth to the Mayan prophecy, some have turned to our
world leaders for answers. Those who believe that politicians around the world are withholding information claim there has been an increase in the building of government sponsored underground bunkers, alongside governmental hoarding of necessities, such as food and water. Meanwhile Fema (Federal Emergency Management Agency), in the USA, are believed to be preparing camps for the survivors of this apparently impending doom. These people who have signed the petition believe that governments are only warning the ‘elite’ and the ‘worthy’, and are keeping the ‘unworthy’ in the dark to avoid mass panic. Petitioners point to this apparent evidence as proof that our governments are covering-up information about the Mayan prophecy, acting to protect themselves. The online petition has been signed by 4,559 people, ranging from Australia to the Netherlands. One petitioner, Austin Hilterbran from the U.S., said he signed the petition because “We have the right to know as much as you do, so we can at
least prepare for what is going to happen.” Sandra Buessing, also from the U.S., said she signed the petition “because the Government is corrupt and Liars, and WE THE PEOPLE, have a RIGHT to the truth!!” showing the signatories’ belief that politicians are indeed hiding information from the public. Whether there is any truth in this Mayan prophesy or not, fear and uncertainty has spread, causing panic in some areas. Many see recent natural disasters as warnings of the impending doom, for example Hurricane Sandy, or the most powerful earthquake to hit Japan, which occurred on March 11th 2011. A NASA website,
Ask an Astrobiologist, has apparently received over 5000 questions on this topic since 2007, including questions of whether humans should consider suicide. Apparently, one suicide has been linked to a fear of the world ending in 2012. It seems unlikely that the petition, which still requires 5,440 signatures, will achieve anything; it seems unlikely that there is a political cover-up over knowledge of the world ending; and it seems unlikely that anything will actually happen on 21st December 2012, except opening the 21st door on our advent calendars. Email contact: politics@wessexscene.co.uk
11 / WS / Housing Special ///
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Wessex Scene gives you the low down on the advantages and disadvantages of living in areas of Southampton.
Avenue
Pros: Close to Avenue Campus...obviously Short distance to the common where you can have lovely walks Close to Highfield for all your library, lecture and social needs Close enough to Portswood
Portswood
Pros: Close to Jesters/Sobar Close to Sainsbury’s and the Highstreet Midway between town and Uni Lots of Southampton students live here Houses can be rented fairly cheaply Houses available for large groups Close to the shops so easy for food shopping and socialising. You can get away from campus
Cons: The Common and Lover’s Walk have a worse reputation for crime Short distance to Avenue and Highfield meaning your excuses for missing lectures weigh heavily on your conscience. Not many students living
and have a separate home life, which is relaxing Closer to the NOC than Highfield Cons: Bit of a trek to Uni/Library Lots of distractions Portswood has a bit more of a reputation for Crime Walking home alone at night in not advisable There can be some really lowquality and horrible houses to rent
around here Can seem a bit boxed in by Educational Facilities Depending on whereabouts you are, can be an effort to get a bus
Highfield
Pros: The University is pretty much on your doorstep so more lie-ins Midway between Uni and Portswood Highstreet Lots of Southampton students live here Houses are fairly cheap to rent here Arguably safer than Portswood in terms of crime A few shortcuts here and there: Highfield Crescent cuts through to the top of church lane
Polygon
Pros: Near to Bedford Place for nights out Brilliant distance-based excuses for missing lectures Much closer to the NOC than anywhere else
Close to Interchange so there are great transport links here Cons: A bit further from Jesters/Sobar etc. There is a chance of sobering up before you get there! If on the edge of Highfield, it can be a trek to Avenue Campus Even with the buses, it is further from West Quay and Bedford place Not so many houses for large groups It can be expensive, especially behind the library
Closer to town so lots of shops to keep you entertained Cons: A lot of temptation to go shopping or Bedford Place Depends how you feel about it, but a lot more Solent students live here Absurd distance to uni
/ Andy Haywood / / Amy Sandys / / Emma Chappell / / Emma Hobbs / / Image by Bryony Wellburn /
Ocean Village
Pros: Great if you’re an Oceanography student Cons: Not great if you’re not an Oceanography student
BURLESQUE, BOOBS and BAWDY HUMOUR / Rachel Stockey / ///
Rachel Stockey talks about getting up close and personal with burlesque. She asks what does it mean, who goes to watch it and is there is any harm in it? n September I had front row IBulesque tickets for An Evening of at the O2’s Indigo
Arena I had not previously had any real interest in cabaret or watching women take their clothes off. However, I must admit my long-standing curiosity surrounding this style of performance due the controversy that comes with it. The idea of young ladies stripping on stage, not due to some harrowing back story of teenage pregnancy, children to feed, turning to strip clubs as their only means of income, but out of free choice and because – shock horror, they enjoy it, appears to not sit well with many. This, coupled with the feminist view that it is objectifies women and that it encourages the everpresent male gaze, has resulted in burlesque holding an unstable position in the eyes of the general public. So when waiting in line with many a corseted lady, groups of gal pals dressed up in fascinators and fish nets I was eager to understand why on earth women enjoy performing burlesque (as getting practically naked on stage in front of thousands of people sounds to me like the content of a particularly harrowing nightmare), who goes to watch it and ultimately - is there any harm in it? Burlesque has its origins in
dramatic performances, which were designed to create humour through a ludicrous presentation of its subject. It has now mutated into the burlesque we know, the variety performance and female striptease. The show I went to consisted of a group of girls named the ‘folly mixtures’ who did collaborative and solo performances displaying the history and variation within
They enjoy it because it is empowering. Burlesque attracts a predominantly female audience. burlesque. There were also fire dances, bump and grind, and stunning vocal performances alongside the more traditional fan dances and strip tease routines. There were also male performers knife throwing and doing acrobatics. Between each act we were also delighted by witty and bawdy audience interaction with the fabulous host. Her pithy and intelligent banter had me laughing harder than any stand-up comedy performance I have seen for some time. Ok so the nakedness at first was shocking but this was because it breaks down barriers that we are
all accustomed to in society. It is not a usual activity (for the clear majority of us – I hope) to sit 10 feet away from ladies seductively stripping down to thongs and nipple tassels for one’s entertainment. In a society littered with a new feminist discourse it is frowned upon to enjoy such a display of sexy flesh. However this show was not crude or vulgar and this was clearly reflected in the audience it attracted. At least 80% of the audience I encountered was female, whether for hen parties, mothers with daughters (in some cases grandma too!) or just mates enjoying a night out. I did not see one man in the audience who was not accompanying a woman. These shows do not encourage leering men to come and perv on the scantily clothed dancers – in fact many of the men looked rather uncomfortable. Yet the initial feeling of unease at the public removal of clothing soon subsided and by the end had been replaced by admiration. Burlesque is incredibly selfaware - it knows what it is and the boundaries it crosses. It laughs at itself for its subversive behaviour and encourages you to laugh along with it. Burlesque dancers laugh in the face of the feminists who call their art form degrading by creating sphere in which men and women alike
/// Opinion / WS / 14
from my experience a reluctant boyfriend or husband, whereas it appears to appeal to women from all walks of life. This I believe is because through all the bravado, humour and sexiness it has a very poignant message:  the importance of being comfortable in your own skin – a message a girl of any age can relate to. Burlesque performers embody this moral to its extreme, as to stand (almost) naked in front of over a thousand people is the definition of body confidence.
are encouraged to admire and celebrate the female form in all its naked glory and respect the woman who displays her boobs and bum to many who wish they had the confidence to do the same. This brings me to the answers I have found to my earlier questions‌ Why do women enjoy performing burlesque? They enjoy it because it is empowering. For a limited amount of time
each night they can escape the confines of social convention, which demands that to be ladylike is to be covered up. In fact they show, down to its bare essentials, what it is to be female and they have the ability to inspire adoration for the female form through their bodies. Who watches burlesque and why? Burlesque attracts a predominantly female audience. It takes a particular type of man to watch a burlesque show -
Lastly - is there any harm in it? I think that burlesque is largely misunderstood. From an outside perspective it is far too easy to plant it in the same category as a strip club. I consider myself a feminist and to hear burlesque tarnished with the brush of objectifying women shows to me ignorance about the very essence and motive of burlesque. Its light hearted nature, comedy and elegance (not to mention its male performers) set it apart from the strip club which are in the business of making profit through the sexualisation of the female body. Therefore if both the art form and the girls which perform it are given the respect they deserve then no, it is not harmful. In fact it is the complete opposite, a true celebration of womanhood. And what is a better way to celebrate than with champagne? Not to drink of course, but poured over the bare boobs and bums of the dancers for a rather spectacular finale!
/ Image by Amy Harwood / Email contact: opinion@wessexscene.co.uk
15 / WS / Opinion ///
WHY DO THE ENGLISH PAY TUITION FEES?
/ Maren Emde /
What’s it like to come to the University of Southampton from a German University? Why is it that we pay fees here, is the money we pay obvious in the services that are available to us? ERASMUS student Maren Emde looks at the difference between our University and hers back home. am an ERASMUS student I from Germany and currently
studying at the University of Southampton. I should start by saying I really like studying and living here. But the thought of the huge amount of money that you all have to pay for your education makes me shudder. I say, “you have to pay” because as a participant in the ERASMUS program I do not have to pay any fees here I don’t have to pay fees in Germany either, as education is the responsibility of the states. Around 2005, several states introduced tuition fees of about 500€ a semester (around £800 a year). But right now there are only two states in which you have to pay to go to university. There are two main reasons for the widespread abolition of tuition fees: elections and changing governments in the different states, but also the huge student protests linked to the introduction of fees. When I started my course in 2010 at the University of Frankfurt, fees in the state of Hesse had already been abolished. But studying in Frankfurt is not free, I have to pay fees to my University of 306€ per semester (£490 for the year). 180€ (58%) of this sum goes on my travel ticket.
The remaining money goes to administration, students’ union, etc. If there is such a big gap between the money we spend on our education surely there are differences between our universities? In my first week at Southampton I heard a girl in a seminar say: “Can you imagine having a seminar with 20 people?!” Actually, I can’t. During the five semesters I have studied in Frankfurt, I don’t think I have ever attended a seminar with only 20 people. The average number of students in my seminars is around 40–which is few compared to more popular courses. I attend lectures here with fewer people than at home so I never have to worry about sitting on the floor or outside in the hallway, trying to listen through the open door. Not to say my lecturers in Frankfurt are bad but, besides the fact that I have a comfortable chair, there is of course an immense improvement in the quality of learning in the small seminars. It is easier to have a productive discussion with fifteen instead of forty people. I did not know about the huge range of societies on offer before I came but I love the fact that you can find a society for nearly
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everything. Moreover, Highfield Campus offers the SUSU Shop and many other cafes and restaurants which offers more choice than my home university. Despite the variety of cafes and pubs I don’t think it is possible to get a cheap meal. In our canteen in Frankfurt (like the SUSU Cafe) we have 5 to 6 changing main dishes everyday of which the cheapest costs around 1,60€. The money that we pay to the students’ union subsidises our canteens and cafes to make food available at student-friendly prices. Also the holdings at the library here are a lot smaller and the loans are very short compared to those at my home university. Although I have seen advantages during my time here I am still not convinced of tuition fees, especially since sometimes I can’t see why they exist. Small classes are great and I really enjoy these here but if I had to decide between the two education systems I prefer to learn “for free” under more difficult conditions. Education, as I see it, is a human right and should be free. If tuition fees in England stay this high or increase I think it will reduce the number of students, Email contact: opinion@wessexscene.co.uk
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS It’s that time of year again. Some love it, others hate it and some couldn’t care less. It’s all well and good receiving great presents and loving them (with the exception of Nan’s knitwear), but when it comes to buying them for others, we all panic. Buying presents for the opposite sex is the trickiest, unless you are certain of her bra size or know he hasn’t already got that PS3 game. So here are just a few ideas...
Laura Sinclair, 3rd year Midwifery Student: “I would love the original Star Trek box set, geeky I know! I could do with a new webcam for my laptop, and a new Zen MP3 Player. Oh! and Chanel N05 eau de parfum.” “If I were to buy a present for a guy I would probably buy him a nice wallet or aftershave.”
Tom Graham, 3rd year Politics student: “This is a bit embarrassing but I really want the complete Friends box set. Any kind of computer game would be cool, some chocolate, and possibly some music for my trumpet.” “I would get a girl some jewellery, some socks because I buy everyone socks, and chocolate.”
Alex Wylde, 3rd year Philosophy and Politics student: “I don’t really need anything, but I suppose a big bottle of whiskey and a new watch would be good. And even though I have one already: a whole new guitar!” “I would buy my girlfriend some earrings and a bottle of Peach Schnapps.”
Jade Martin, 3rd year Oceanography student: “I know what I want! A Pikachu onesie! Biscuit cutters because I like to bake, a telescope, and a pirate hat to wear to the sales.” “In the past I have bought guys pyjamas, chocolate, Xbox games and pants.”
Eleanor Hunt, 3rd year History student: “I would like some new earrings and a nice pair of boots. Even though it’s not going to happen, a new laptop would help me out, and a new pair of slippers.” “I have bought my boyfriend a lot of books and music in the past; I am good at baking so I have made him some cupcakes too.” There you go guys, hopefully one of these suggestions has left you feeling inspired. If not, sneakily ask your friends what they have bought in the past and pinch their ideas - or you could play it safe and buy socks – you can’t go wrong there! / Vicky Simons-Bourne /
Email contact: lifestyle@wessexscene.co.uk
/// Lifestyle / WS / 18
Have yourself a merr y little Christmas dinner...
/ Emma Chappell /
Putting a student spin on the traditional Xmas day feast calls upon those involved to submit to a deluge of tasks, involving everything from experimental stuffing to onehanded roast potato shaking. Despite being left with the feeling that we should have completed a diploma in oven shelf management before even attempting the project, our first Christmas meal was a remarkably civilised conclusion to an eventful term. n order to help our readers Itionachieve the feeling of satisfacthat comes only from ob-
serving six oven trays of roasted vegetables, an Everest of stuffing and a commercial catering sized jug of gravy grace the kitchen table, the Wessex Scene has compiled some handy tips for perfecting the house Christmas roast. 1/ Bring lots of figgy pudding When it comes to students, food is Mr Motivator– though sex is a close second. So while you may plan an intimate Crimbo feast, the whiff of food prepared without the aid of a microwave will have a tendency to bring acquaintances out of
the woodwork. If you are to feed the five thousand as a concession to the festive occasion, you must overestimate when buying supplies. People tend to overeat at this time of year and students tend to overeat (given the opportunity) at any time of year. What’s more, leftover roasts make yummy sandwich fillings. Once everyone has paid up, and you’ve stocked up, everything is on track to go seven-swans-a swimmingly. 2/ Distribute and delegate the workload As in any team project, everyone needs to pull his or her weight. Granted, some people may be more at home with their hand up a turkey than others, while some may prefer to take charge of creating the Christmas ambience. Either way, make sure everyone knows their role and sticks to it. It is best to have most people in the kitchen at the preparation stage to create a mini production line of vegetable peeling, chopping and seasoning. Once most things are in the oven and on the hob it is counterproductive to suggest that 8 people stay: you will end up making a meal of the cooking process rather than dinner
itself. Take note of individual strengths; leave the turkey to the wannabe pro-chef and the homemade angel decorations and fairy lights to the humanities students. 3/ Don’t expect a Christmas miracle Well, not in the conventional sense. Your roast potatoes may be unevenly crisped due to a faulty fan oven and your pigs may have lost their blankets; your turkey may even be a chicken (good cost-cutting method) but nevertheless, there will be grandeur in the squished seating arrangements, the sunken Yorkshire puddings and the frankly hazardous arrangement of tangled fairy lights. But just like that stable in Bethlehem, these humble surroundings only highlight the simple perfection that is found in enjoying the company of those you love, and what could be closer to Christmas than that?
/ Images by Amy Harwood / Email contact: lifestyle@wessexscene.co.uk
19 / WS / Science and Enviroment ///
THE INVASION IS HERE: Chinese Mitten Crabs Spotted In Southampton
/ Image by Caroline Raby / / Claire Critchley /
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They are listed within the world’s worst 100 invasive species, and recent sightings in Southampton have confirmed the presence of one of the most destructive creatures – the Chinese Mitten Crab. This creature may sound cute and friendly but its juveniles are rapidly damaging our native river systems. ittle crabs with furry pincers L that look like mittens might make the Chinese Mitten Crab
sound cute and friendly but it is a real threat to our river systems and the organisms that live within them. Chinese Mitten Crabs originated from Asia and came to Europe about a century ago in the ballast waters of ships. Despite entering Europe, they didn’t reach Britain for seventy years and only recently have they been officially confirmed in Southampton Waters. Their dark brown bodies are about 10cm with four pairs of legs also up to 10cm in length and a pair of fur-covered pincers at the front. These creatures start life in river systems and migrate seawards, reaching sexual maturity in estuaries. The males enter the estuary first and mating occurs as soon as the females arrive.
The adult crabs then migrate to the sea over the winter, where the females spawn because it is warmer and milder. By the summer the eggs have been transported back into the estuary by the tides and the adult crabs have followed to watch the eggs hatch. By the end of the egg hatching the adults have died out and the juveniles travel upstream to the rivers where they bury into the river cliffs - which is where the problems begin again. Juveniles can also travel across land between rivers. The crabs remain classified as juveniles for two to three years. Whilst they are juveniles, they bury into river cliffs and cause land to erode and collapse into the rivers. They also eat vegetation and small fish but have no natural predators in Southampton waters. This is a major problem, it means the crabs can reproduce to form large populations.
The Environment Agency are currently looking at ways to reduce numbers but initial methods have come under scrutiny, since the nets used are banded in the UK due to their threat to eels, which are protected. Although eels are not present in all the same locations, the Environment Agency are looking for a generic scheme that can be implemented nationally. Once caught, they are likely to be sold in Asia where their reproductive organs are a delicacy, whilst some may be kept in captivity or used for research. So it looks like it’s not just humans whose juveniles cause problems! So do the Chinese Mitten Crabs – the only difference is that the Chinese Mitten Crabs aren’t doing anything about repairing their damage. Until we find a solution these furry invaders are at risk of taking over not just Southampton’s waterways, but soon enough all of Europe’s Email contact: Science@wessexscene.co.uk
WHOSE SPERM IS IT ANYWAY? / Claire Critchley /
/ Image by Tara Shore /
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No, Jeremy Kyle really isn’t that desperate for contestants; however it is true that tortoises are having paternity tests. But fear not, it’s all in the name of science! Scientists at the University of Florence wanted to test if female tortoises had a preference to the age of the sperm they used to fertilise their eggs when mating with multiple males.
ho’s the daddy? And why W do eggs fertilised at the same have different fathers? These are questions that some scientists have being trying to get to the bottom of when examining the reproduction of Hermann Tortoises.
Hermann Tortoises are native to Southern Europe in the region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, where they are known to bask in the sunshine to warm their bodies up and eat plants found in Mediterranean meadows. Unfortunately the meadows are declining due to urbanisation, fragmenting the habitats, reducing the proximity of available mates. Accidental killings by humans, machinery and dogs are also reducing the wild population. As a result, several studies are being under-
taken to understand and maintain wild population of this ancient reptile. Female Hermann Tortoises mate with multiple males and can store their sperm for up to four years, a trait not uncommon within the reptile world with some species of geckos and turtles also exhibiting this behaviour. They can then use this sperm at the optimum time for their eggs to ensure successful fertilisation, maximising the number of offspring produced and often producing offspring with several different fathers in the same clutch of eggs. Studies have shown that the last male to mate with the female was more successful at producing offspring of his own, a “last in, first out” policy. The more the
female mates, the more sperm she garners and the older sperm gets pushed further up the tube and further away from the unfertilised egg. When the egg needs to be fertilised the tube simply releases some of the stored sperm. This would suggest that the sperm closest the egg will be used first, hence the belief the last male will be the most successful. Yet when the tortoise offspring underwent paternity tests in the most recent study, the results showed that the fathers were not necessarily the last acquainted males, suggesting that the sperm gets mixed when in storage or that the female actively uses older sperm first to prevent it becoming unviable. Scientists believe that the lifestyle of the Hermann Tortoises could have provoked such an adaptation. With wild populations becoming increasingly low, it is a case of getting the sperm whilst they can and then using it when appropriate. There you have it; to become the daddy a policy of “last in, first out” isn’t always true… in relation to Hermann Tortoises, of course! Email contact: Science@wessexscene.co.uk
Study China
/ Images by Bronwen Rees / / Ellie Sellwood / ///
The Study China Programme is open to all full time UK students and is partly funded by government sponsors, if you want to visit China in 2013 then read on to find out how. his time last year I was com Tpleting my application form
for the Study China Easter Programme. Four months later, at the beginning of my trip, I stood on the Great Wall of China surrounded by craggy mountains, watching the clouds dance around me. The wall itself represents Chinese history and power but it was here that I began to understand just how much I could learn from my trip. The Study China Programme is organised by the University of Manchester and is partly funded by government sponsors, all full time UK students regardless of degree subject or level of study
are eligible to apply for a place. The Easter Programme, which I was selected for, was based in Jinan at Shandong University and there were about 100 successful applicants from all over the country, studying a wide range of subjects and from different backgrounds. As the programme began a week into my Easter holidays I decided to take the opportunity to visit Beijing for a few days before travelling to Jinan. I organised to meet some other girls on the trip, at a hostel in Beijing but flew by myself. I landed in Beijing airport, possibly thebiggest airport I have ever seen
then tried to navigate myself to another terminal to meet another friend, and then get us to the taxi rank. I’d printed the name of the hostel in Mandarin so I gave this to my taxi driver, he attempted to speak to me but I could not understand anything of what he said. It was a scary experience but we arrived at the hostel safely. We’d chosen to stay at the Happy Dragon Hostel, which I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Beijing. In the next three days we crammed in as much as possible and visited the Forbidden Palace, twice because the first time we couldn’t
/// Travel / WS / 22
find the way in, the Summer Palace, the Pearl and Silk Markets, the Giant Pandas at Beijing Zoo and made a day trip to the Great Wall of China. The study programme itself consisted of two and a half weeks of Mandarin classes at Shandong University. There was a coach to Jinan organised from Beijing airport and the journey was around 9 hours. Our accommodation consisted of shared rooms at the University’s Hotel and this was paid for. I had never studied Mandarin before so this presented quite a challenge, fortunately though, there were a lot of us in the same boat. It was interesting to see just how different Mandarin is to English or other Western languages. It is only when you start to learn
a completely different language and immerse yourself in a different culture that you begin to understand the potential problems for international students in the UK. We spent the whole of the first week learning how to pronounce the four different tones in Mandarin but eventually progressed onto characters. During our stay at the university we had two excursions planned and paid for, to the Confucius Temple, Mountain Tai and a performance of the Peking Opera. There were also lectures and workshops: in Confucianism, Sino-European relations, Calligraphy and Chinese Music and a chance to attend a lecture with a Chinese student. We were also paired up with a buddy from the
university who took us into Jinan in the evenings and on days off to show us more, they proved to be invaluable and we made some great friendships. There was also an afternoon set apart for us to spend with a Chinese family. All in all, we were given every opportunity to learn about China and Chinese culture and create long lasting friendships with everyone we met, from the UK and China. The fact that this trip has been the biggest topic of conversation for me over the past few months proves just how much of an impact it has had, so don’t hesitate to apply for the programmes in Easter and summer next year. Email contact: travel@wessexscene.co.uk
WE ARE ONE RACE / Jack Kanani /
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Discrimination, hatred and violence, only 3 small emotive components of the demonic shackles that tie us all down into our designated categories, the outcome of which was unknowingly created by geneticist Richard Lewontin and further cemented into society and culture. hroughout time, wars have T been waged and people singled out due to their race, an
inherit problem experienced to this day. Southampton has recently enjoyed a plethora of cultural festivities, including experiencing Black History Month and Mexico Week, making the divide caused by discrimination all the more alarming. In 1972 Richard Lewontin, an avid critic of certain neo-Darwinism elements, produced and published his paper ‘The Apportionment of Human Diversity’ whereby he explores and researches the neoteric notion that there is more diversity within a race than there is between races. Using a hierarchical structure for his paper, Lewontin divided populations into eight categories based on geographical properties and considering 17 different polymorphic loci: Africans, Amerindians, Australian Aborigines, East Asians (Mongoloids), South Asians, Indians, Oceanians and Caucasians. The results of his research proved that 85.4 percent of allelic diversity happened within a population category which also testifies to the fact that the world is 99.5 percent genetically identical.
The campaign, led by Brazilian Professor Sérgio Pena, operates by offering free DNA tests in order to prove that only one race exists – the human race. They attended the London 2012 Olympics games and gave participants a code for their website where they could access results of their genetic lineage. Their research in London confirmed the validity of Lewontin’s theory of 85.4 percent diversity, as after analysing their data from volunteers in London, they received an 83.9 percent genetic variability results within a population category. This illustrates that human genetic variation occurs between people from the same population rather than people from different countries or ‘races’. ‘We Are No Race’ intends to perform DNA tests on all the footballers performing in the 2014 World Cup, as well as the possibility of testing Olympian athletes in 2016, an important reference as the football world has been stormed recently with racial problems. The campaign has received political support in Brazil, who are facing largescale problems with social inequality relating to skin colour, although the project is set to open debate around the globe.
/ Image by Rebecca Hopkinson / The project clearly defines its objections and details the insufficient relation between ones colour and their ancestry, leading to the thought; how have we let racial segregation affect our history so much? Within British society, we have adapted to readily accept stereotypes based on racial profiles, something that is taken for comedic effect but highlights underlying social thought patterns. These thoughts will never defuse over night, however it is imperative to educate and provide information to allow individuals to arrive to their own conclusions, in order to try combat a systemic community influence on an individual’s socialisation. At the University of Southampton there is a great sense of cultural diversity however it is still possible observe a slight cultural divide, in which international students often banding together and not diversifying, which has employed its own stereotype represented by the ‘Southampton Uni Meme’ page on Facebook. It is understandable that moving far away from home would be scary and cause people to instinctively attract together with who/what they know – however this causes an instantaneous void that devel
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“We fervently believe that this scientific fact should be absorbed by our societies and incorporated into their moral convictions, establishing a position antagonist to discrimination in any form� ops and becomes wider over time regardless of the great efforts made to support diverse events by SUSU. Cultures, societies and communities are complex social structures that contain bonds which hold us all together. As a human
race, I find it imperative that we focus on the more impending problems we are soon to face, like sustainable energy, food and resources and work towards saving our planet. It is despairing to read and consider that a society (or group of like-minded individuals) can use cognition to ex-
plain racist and narrow-minded views. With the struggles we have faced with equality I can only hope that in times to come we, as one unified species, can live together without articles like this needed to be made. Email contact: international@wessexscene.co.uk
ART STUDENT PAINS / Amy Harwood / ///
The top 3 responses I get when I tell people I study an art degree are 1. “Really? Why?” 2. “What will you do for a job?” 3.“No seriously, WHY?!” The perceptions of Art degrees aren’t very positive ones; many think that because we don’t study ‘academic’ subjects we’re ‘spanking money up the wall’ by spending thousands of pounds drawing pretty pictures and wearing berets. In most instances that is true, but there is a lot more to it than that. Just. nless you have studied art U yourself, either for GCSE’s or A-Levels and beyond, you
just won’t understand the crap that we go through. The scalpel blisters, the ruined clothes, the money we spend on never ending printing; the all-nighters making sure columns are properly aligned on InDesign and the hours on Photoshop that you know you will never ever get back in your life. I bet hundreds of fashion students could tell you horror stories of unstitching entire garments, pattern cutting disasters and knitting nightmares. Fine Artists would tell you their despair of lack of inspiration or originality - you may sneer, but a block for ideas is the absolute worst. Animators burning their retinas from staring at the computer screen for too long, Graphic Designers and their epic battles with the demon that is typography and Photographers living off 10p super noodles because they have spent all their money on printing and
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developing pictures. The list goes on. I was never ‘academic’ at school. I loved learning about History, writing in English and talking in German, but I wasn’t built for exams or writing essays auf Deutsch. I worked really hard to achieve good GCSE’s and just scraped by on my A-Levels, but Art and Design was always my passion. It is how I’m programmed. Now here I am, 15 years later, in my second year of my Art Degree studying and preparing for my career as an Illustrator.
It really gets my goat when others assume we’re slackers or doomed for unemployment because art is a ‘pointless’ or ‘lazy’ subject. Tell me, who designed the clothes you’re wearing? Who makes the books and magazines you read? Where do you think animation comes from? We work really hard and a lot of it feels like it’s all for nothing, but we carry on because it is simply what we do. Bloody fingers, teary eyes after that ‘crit’ from hell, and the ink stains in our carpets. It will all be worth it in the end. This is what we keep telling ourselves anyway.
TWEETS: @Noorana_A “everyone else thinks your degree is a load of shit” #ArtStudentPains Third Year Fashion & Textiles
“@Nganzim_: Just realised i left my memory stick with all my images in uni :/” #ArtStudentPains First Year Graphic Arts “@Judymarytee: Me and grids are not getting on today, on the plus side in sat in my actual studio for once” #ArtStudentPains Second Year Graphic Arts
“@jadenoquet: Would like it if one piece of work went the way i was hoping today!” #ArtStudentPains Second Year Fashion & Textiles @WessexScene_WSA The #freewine has gone! Noooo! #ArtStudentPains Wessex Scene at a Fine Art exhibition! @lissamarshall96 most of my clothes are ruined by paint/ink/dye #artstudentpains Second Year Fashion & Textiles @_MichaelATaylor The other day I walked past a movie poster, stopped and went back because I was annoyed it was pixelated. #Artstudentproblems Second Year Graphic Arts @cjdurnford: Sat watching paint dry. Literally. #ArtStudentPains Second Year Fine Art
/ Images by Niamo Mann / Email contact: winchester@wessexscene.co.uk Twitter @wessexscene
27 / WS / Sport ///
Uni Karting Team Steal Second in National Qualifiers
/ Andy Ure /
The University of Southampton Karting Team achieved their best ever result in the British Universities Karting Championship last season by taking 3rd place overall. Looking to build on this result, eight drivers arrived at Bayford Meadows Circuit in Kent at 7am on a cold Wednesday morning for the 2013 Southern Qualifier.
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ue to the popularity of the BUKC, teams must now qualify for the main championship by competing in four sprint races and two endurance races. The sprints are 25 minute individual races, whereas teams of two drivers work together in the hour-long endurance races comprising of two compulsory pit stops. The day got underway with a two hour test; a chance for all the drivers to blow out the cobwebs from the off season and get back into the BUKC rhythm. Scott Michaels was on
the mark immediately, posting the fastest time of the entire session in his very first outing. He was closely followed by Southampton A drivers James Robinson and Ben Davis. Once the test was complete, the sprint races began where Scott Michaels managed to turn his 19th place start into fifth on the first lap alone. He battled through to take fourth place, a great start for the team. With grids of 36 drivers, problems in the first few laps were inevitable and the Southampton A were unlucky in their next two
races. Ben Davis was taken out at the final corner at the start of his race but managed to fight back to 14th, whilst Captain Andy Ure had no luck in the traffic, having started 31st, but also managed to fight his way up to 14th. With these two results, the team needed some high finishes to challenge the top runners and this came from James Robinson in Race Four. Starting sixth, James was able to take the lead after just seven laps. He pulled out a comfortable gap and retained it to the flag, securing Southampton’s first victory of the season. ‘With grids of 36 drivers, problems in the first few laps were inevitable’ However, it was Southampton’s performance in the endurance races that stood out. Having meticulously practised pit stops throughout testing they set about turning their eighth and 18th starting positions into top results. In the first race, Scott managed to climb into the lead by lap four and the team kept him out on the clear track to help him build a lead. At the pit stop, Andy took over and emerged still in the lead, losing
/ A podium finish for the Univeristy of Southampton Karting Team /
it only briefly to Medway A towards the end of his stint. After a perfect second pit stop, Scott emerged second to Medway. Despite catching right up to the back of their driver, Scott wasn't able to pass but a valuable second place had been earned. The second race was kicked off by James who managed to climb to 14th before being brought in early for the first stop. Ben was then able to steadily make up positions as other teams pitted and climbed up to second place before ending his stint. As James climbed in for the final time he emerged eighth with a lot of work to do but he stuck at it, fighting it out with some of the BUKC’s top teams. After a great move on last year’s second placed team Herts A, James finished in second place. This secured Southampton second place overall in the Southern Qualifier, giving them a great footing for the rest of the season.
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‘It was Southampton’s performance in the endurance races that stood out’ Southampton B also had a good day, with a notable performance from Stuart Wells in his sprint race, where he achieved seventh place. Both teams worked together well in the endurance races, with Stuart and Ross Oakes climbing from 36th to 12th, whilst Matthew Conroy and Henry Croft gained eleven places to finish 18th. The first round of the BUKC 2013 will be held on Wednesday, December 5 at Buckmore Park. For more info follow @SotonStig or www.facebook. com/WessexMotorClub For info on the BUKC visit: www.bukc.co.uk
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/ Thanks to Sam Bailey who did the design of the sport section /
THE MAN BEHIND THE MACHINE: Southampton’s Engineering Marvel
/ Richard Brown /
Richard Brown looks at the impressive F1 achievements of university alumnus Adrian Newey.
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s Red Bull Racing reap yet more glory from the 2012 Formula One season for the third year in succession, we are very much in the midst of a 'Red Bull Era' of championship-winning domination - following that of McLaren and Williams across the 1980s and 1990s, and of Ferrari in the early 2000s. Formula One teams comprise of hundreds of engineers, designers and aerodynamicists, all of whom must work seamlessly together on an unremitting journey of innovation to conceive the elegantly rapid vehicles that we see out on track. But at the heart of this massed effort are the individual 'architects' of any team's success.
You will have seen the brain behind the Red Bull cars regularly, without realising, in podium celebration photographs alongside drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, or on television offering a humble word of praise amongst the excitable buzz in the pits.That man is Adrian Newey OBE - University of Southampton engineering graduate of 1980, and Red Bull Racing's Chief Designer. Newey's success speaks for itself. He has led the design of nine championship winning cars. Doing so with three different teams (Williams, McLaren, Red Bull), spanning across 20 years of vastly different design regulations, technology, drivers and tracks is remarkable. He has certainly had to temper success with failure - some of Newey's cars falling foul of his immensely ambitious nature, compromising performance reliability. But his unwavering desire to experiment and ability to correct errors all-in-one has granted him a formidable reputation. In a time when Formula One car aerodynamics were still poorly understood, yet fundamental to beating opponents on track, Newey rose to fame as the modern era's great innovator. From his rounded cranium have emerged the devious application of 'Active Suspension' and sleek design of his 1990s Williams cars, the beautifully packaged / Image by Ankit Singh /
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McLarens during the turn of the millennium, and the 'blowndiffusers' and intricate frontwing designs on post-2010 Red Bull cars. Newey is unique in many ways. In a world of motorsport design now fore fronted by CAD and complicated computer flow technology, Newey is the only leading motorsport designer to still use the traditional pencil and paper to bring his ideas to life. Whilst Newey often calmly jokes about this, coining himself a 'dinosaur of the industry' in a recent interview, it is this very undertaking that arguably allows him to work his genius. Patiently drawing your own work, and relying on your own raw imagination to see the contours of a car requires special talent. With every successful car Adrian Newey continues to create, he cements his on-going legacy as a true great of motorsport engineering. Most satisfyingly for us, he is one of Southampton's own. Sport is sponsored by
Email contact: sport@wessexscene.co.uk
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Gifts Not to Give Your Significant Other This Christmas / Image by Marta Beltowska / / Sam Everard /
One of the hardest parts of the holiday season is deciding just what to get for that special person in your life. Luckily, Pause is on hand to narrow down the selection with some hints on which presents will go down worse than a pork buffet at a Bar Mitzvah:
Your heart. Don’t listen to Wham, despite what they did last Christmas. The real reason George Michael’s never going to dance again in Careless Whisper is because he’s missing a vital organ. A scrapbook of all the cracker jokes you collected over Christmas dinner. Photoshop your face into loads of old photos of her and her family to show how much you care. Mein Kampf. Especially do not qualify this with ‘but you love reading autobiographies!’ A gift certificate good for ‘one chance to perform oral sex on me’. The gift intended for the person you’re cheating on them with. A real life reindeer. Cool, but impractical. A lock of your ex’s hair. A one-way plane ticket to Israel. Herpes.
/ Scene Stealer Amy Harwood /