WesternEye w w w. we s t e r n ey e . n e t
UWE’S STUDENT VOICE - Issue No. 3 - Feb 2012
Featuring
Exploring Arts, Culture, Music & Film within Bristol.
IT'S BOWER TIME FOR A REFUND
Central pull out suppliment
Jamie Anderson news@westerneye.net A campaign led by UWE’s Students’ Union, has successfully forced the Centre for Sport (CFS) to reimburse students living in Bower Ashton accommodation a total of £76,000. The refund came after revelations that students living in University accommodation were not given the option to ‘optout’ of the gym membership. Continued on next page
SU & LIFE: pg7 Restaurant reviews Stuck on where to take your loved one out for Valentine’s Day? Tiffany Francis gives you a low-down on where to woo in Bristol.
COMMENT: pg12 A useful degree or a pointless disaster? Is gaining a First in Comedy Studies still funny when looking for a job in the future? Rikki Du Heaume argues it’s anything but a laugh.
FEATURES: pg16 The Bankruptcy Diaries
Pole dancing professional gets pipped at the post Rebecca Day admin@westerneye.net The semi-finals of popular television dance contest, Got to Dance, saw former UWE student and pole dancing professional, Kate Czepulkowski, narrowly miss out on a place in the live finals. Czepulkowski - also known as 'Bendy Kate' - was the first ever pole-dancer to make it through to the live semi-finals of the show, which was televised on Sunday 29 January.
Judges of the Sky 1 dance programme were amazed by Bendy's audition at the 'callbacks'. Actor and tap dancing professional, Adam Garcia, labelled her routine as “captivating and exquisitely performed”, whilst Diversity member, Ashley Banjo revealed that "it was amazing - executed perfectly". Continued pg4
A feature review and interview with former UWE student, Paul Broderick, about escaping the ties of deplorable debts.
ENTERTAINMENT: pg21 New music... for a new term From ‘folk and blues’ to ‘heavy metal’, let Emma Wood and Steve Jennings present to you some of 2012’s toe tapping treats.
SPORT: pg25 It’s a pole lot of fun and fitness UWE Pole Society discusses their achievements and their aim to make negative stereotypes of pole dancing a thing of the past.
2 News & Politics
WesternEye Feb 2012
News Editors Roundup: The World in News EU - Eurozone unemployment hits a record high with 16.5 million out of work at the end of last year - Three quarters of a million more than the year before.
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UK - Network Rail are to plead guilty of health and safety breaches over the deaths of two teenage girls. The victims were hit by a train at an Essex level crossing in 2005.
Italy - Divers searching for bodies of the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster pronounce 17 dead. Work to recover the vessel is expected to take up to ten months. The ship ran aground off the island of Giglio on Friday 13 January this year.
News and Politics Editor Toby Cryne Sub Editor Aminah Ajagne newsandpolitics@westerneye.net Comment and Debate Editor Sarah Adams Sub Editor Caroline Lucas comment@westerneye.net
USA - Newt Gingrich, Republican presidential candidate, is being sued by Rude Music Inc for using Rocky 3 theme tune, Eye of the Tiger, as a campaign song.
Students refunded erroneous gym fee Jamie Anderson news@westerneye.net Continued from cover Over 3500 students living in UWE accommodations, including Frenchay campus, Bower Ashton and the City Centre have all been forced to pay a compulsory fee of £180 for a gym membership that they may not even want. The option was intentionally removed at the beginning of the 2011/2012 academic year, allowing the Centre for Sport to receive an estimated sum in the region of £600,000. Although students were made aware that the accommodation package included Frenchay gym membership, students who had opted for the City Centre were not necessarily aware of more accessibly gyms nearby. This left most students questioning the motives of the University. Colin Offler states: “The ‘opt-out’ option should never have been removed when students were applying for accommodation. “Students should voice their concerns loud and clear when their freedom of choice is being impinged on, especially as we know how squeezed many students are with maintenance grants not even covering the cost of on campus rent. Why should they put up with it?”
The breakthrough for students living on Bower Ashton comes after months of lobbying UWE’s Director of Facilities, Accommodation Management and Vice Chancellor. Cheques will be raised for all of these students and will be available to collect during the first weeks of February from the Bower Ashton information point. The significant value of £76,000 could still yet increase with a current campaign in motion to refund those living in the City Centre. Colin Offler states: “Giving Bower [Ashton] students a refund, has had a snowball effect for other students in the City Centre accommodation. They want their money reimbursed too because there is a 24 hour gym with a pay monthly option and student discount only just a walk away.” The snowball effect has left over 3000 students who reside at Frenchay and the City Centre looking for the same results. Student, Simon White comments: “Students living in the student village should also have the opportunity to opt out of the gym membership.” The Students’ Union are aware of the need for more action and do not appear to be shying away from the sizable challenge.
WesternEye Editor Rebecca Day Assistant Editor Sam Hudson admin@westerneye.net
France - PIP (Poly Implant Prothese) boss, Jean-Claude Mas, has been charged with causing bodily harm and released on a £83,000 bail, after regulators discovered nonmedical grade silicone had been used in women’s breast implants.
Life Editor Rachel Charlotte Sub Editor David Beatson lifeandsu@westerneye.net Entertainment Editor Emma Wood entertainment@westerneye.net Sports Editor Jamie Anderson sport@westerneye.net
Westworld Editor Jenny Pearce westworld@westerneye.net Sub Editor Edward Sharp Sub Editor James Moorton Creative Directors Holly Catford www.catford.com Jack Franklin www.iamjackfranklin.co.uk
Colin Offler has firmly stated: “The Union’s next step is to lobby for the refunds of all other City Centre students who never needed to part with their cash. Our campaign is focused on reimbursing the hardest hit – the accommodation where Frenchay Gym is least accessible to.” Mr Offler will also be reviewing the rent structure for next year. “The ambition for us is to review the UWE Accommodation rent package for future generations of students – roughly 3,500 students a year – and lobby for student choice to be the focus of the package rather than the highly unfair system in place. If you want gym membership, you pay for it. If you don’t you don’t! However, with the prospect of such a large deficit looming, the CFS will be forced to search alternative avenues to compensate and keep the gym open. Ravinder Bisla, Facilities Business and Finance Manager comments: “The cuts are likely to mean fewer improvements to the facility. “These alternative avenues of funding could have consequences to University Sport. We are currently looking at options as to how we take sport forward at UWE and we are seeking to invite discussion and actively involve the SU in this.”
These are ominous times for members of sports clubs who have already been subjected to a dramatic increase in the cost of sports membership, and could find themselves receiving a higher bill next year to plug the financial hole created by the potential refunds. However, it still remains unclear whether students will foot the bill of the CFS if such a deficit is created. Ravinda Bisla states: “There is still a lot to think about and discuss as part of the annual planning and budget process.” In response to students having to foot the bill Mr Offler stats: “If the gym can’t sustain itself with students and the local community who actively want to pay to use the gym, then evidently the business case for keeping the gym open relies on taking students money who have no intention of using it.” With the maximum £9000 fees being charged in the forthcoming year and the potential increase to the already inflated prices of sport membership, it is difficult for debt subjected students to accept the happy relationship implied with UWE’s line of ‘U+WE’ opting for the more realistic ‘U=penniless.’
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Features Editor Laura Dale Sub Editor Niki Mullin features@westerneye.net
WesternEye is published by University of the West of England Students’ Union, 5th Floor F Block, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol. BS16 1QY. Some elements of this newspaper are distributed under a Creative Commons License; please get in contact for more details. WesternEye is printed by Mortons Ltd, Lincolnshire. We believe in making WesternEye as accessible as possible. You can access this publication in PDF format at www.westerneye.net. If you require a different format please get in touch with the Editor (below). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent that of UWESU. We are all human, and sometimes we make mistakes; any problems please contact the Editor at editor@westerneye.net.
News & Politics 3
WesternEye Feb 2012
The search for journals >UWE Library works towards an improved search system for students Toby Cryne Amanda Conway of the Library Services team told WesternEye: “The new system will be much clearer and concise than the old search tool, alerting students right away if the items they are looking for are unavailable, rather than leading students on through the rigmarole of password and search screens only to find that the facilities are unavailable. “The old system searched through a variety of databases for the terms searched, causing varied search results due to different databases using different search tools. The new system will consolidate the information into one database
and should provide much more accurate results.” On Monday 27 February the all new library search will be available to the student populous after the previous concerns over the features of the old databases. The new feature will be prelaunched to student representatives in early February and of course, WesternEye will be providing an in depth analysis of the system. Once this system is in place, the Library team are keen to have student feedback play a crucial role in the further development of the service.
All we want for Christmas... is more time off >Changes to academic calendar set to provide additional time for students to relax over the Christmas break and to prepare for January assessments Rebecca Day admin@westerneye.net The era of the Christmas Day reviser is set to be quashed amidst new changes to the 2012/2013 academic calendar, which finally sees the removal of assessments during the first week of January. Olly Reid, the Students’ Union’s Education Vice-President, proposed and led the campaign, which has been successfully approved by the academic board. Though the changes are not set to be implemented until next year, the Education VP was also successful in his pursuit of an extension to the UWE Frenchay library opening times over the Christmas period. This extension has enabled students to use the facilities in preparation for assessments within the early weeks of January. Between 27 December and 2 January, the library had over a thousand card swipes, a sure fire testament to the Education VP’s argument for opening. “It really did serve its purpose,” Reid told WesternEye.“It was also good for international students who were unable to go home over Christmas. It provided them a place to go and work, and to meet with other students who had to stay at university over the Christmas period as well.”Many objections had to be taken in consideration when
>New services at UWE aim to improve the student experience. Rebecca Day
news@westerneye.net In the last issue of WesternEye, it was brought to attention that elements of UWE’s Library services, such as that of the online journals access has been lacking in constancy in recent times. However, that is set to alter with an all new library search system being set in place this coming February. In response to WesternEye’s recent coverage of the inadequate library features in terms of online journals, a representative of UWE library has assured WesternEye that the new library search has a priority of clearing up many of the glitches of the previous system.
Let UWE be of service
putting forward the proposal, such as concerns regarding security, availability of cleaning staff and the presence of IT services. Reid however worked diligently in collaboration with UWE library to put forward the mandate. “The library, I think, have been one of the most helpful and active departments at UWE,” said Reid. “They worked really hard to ensure students had a place to study over Christmas.” “We were told that the academic calendar wouldn’t be able to change,” he continued. “But after the success of the library’s additional opening hours, I managed to pressure the University to change the 2012/2013 academic calendar.” The aforementioned changes to the academic calendar mean that students as of the 2012/2013 academic year will not have any assessments until after the 7 January 2013. This change will provide more time for students to prepare for any assessments upon their return after the Christmas break. The Education VP commented: “University should be set up in a way that wants students to achieve and having exams that early doesn’t help that.”
admin@westerneye.net UWE have launched a new service for students which will bring together the services for current students through staffed information points, as well as UWE’s current on-line support. The University’s aim is to ensure that more than eighty per cent of student queries will be resolved during the first contact they make, making it a rapid and accurate information and advice service. The service will be provided at Frenchay, St Matthias, Glenside and Bower Ashton with hours of service from 8.30 to 17.00. In addition, the main reception at Frenchay Campus will be open until 20:30 during termtime and is available to students from all campuses. The new service is part of a programme of developments, which aim to improve the student experience. Many of the developments are ‘behind the scenes’ and are set to enhance UWE’s processes and systems. The Students’ Union’s Education Vice-President, Olly Reid, has been active in looking towards providing
easier access to student services. An on-line spider diagram, which will be available through the UWESU website, will allow students to gain straightforward access to the student services available to them at UWE. “Through this new system, students will be able to find what they’re looking for at the click of a button,” said Olly Reid. “It is necessary for students to seek the relevant help they need instantly, without having to spend ages searching the Internet.” A motion brought forward at the 2011 AGM emphasised an improvement on staff awareness of mental health issues amongst students at UWE. It appears with the improvement of student services at UWE, students with such issues should find seeking help more achievable. Polly Smith from Student Services told WesternEye: “Since UWE started planning these developments nearly a year ago, we have had students’ experience in mind and have worked with the Students’ Union to ensure focus on the aspects of university life that are important to students. While we know things will initially be a bit different, we are working to ensure the transition will be as smooth as possible.”
i newspaper competition winner Although Friday 13th may be an unlucky day for some, UWE student, Josh Davis, managed to bag himself a brand-spanking-new iPad 2. The competition entailed purchasing five i newspapers over a two week period, whereby a loyalty card was stamped each time - each copy of the newspaper costing a
minimal 20 pence. The completed card was then put into a prizedraw box, and the lucky winner was selected randomly at the end of the final week. Josh was ‘thrilled’ to hear he was the lucky UWE winner. The competition was promoted in the UWESU Shop at Frenchay and
the last issue of the WesternEye before the Christmas holidays. Many thanks to the i newspaper for their support in running this great competition with the WesternEye and the Students’ Union Shop.
4 News & Politics
WesternEye Feb 2012
LGBT History Month
>Claiming our history, celebrating our present and creating our future UWE Students’ Union alongside UWE, is proud to be celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender History Month this February. Throughout the month, LGBT people have the opportunity not only to proudly showcase their diverse and dynamic communities, but to raise awareness about their history and the efforts LGBT people have gone through to gain acceptance in society today. LGBT Month has been running since 1994 and has encouraged ‘breaking through the silence’ that still surrounds the lives of LGBT people. The Human Rights Act 1998 saw an improvement in the position of LGBT people - samesex couples are allowed to enter into civil partnerships, transsexual men and women can now assert their gender on birth certificates and passports, and a crime with homophobic motives is now a hate crime. UWE values the diversity of its community and is committed in championing diversity. Recently, the University had been ranked 77th in the Stonewall index - the definitive list of Britain’s most gay-friendly employers. UWE has created a more inclusive working environment for
both staff and students and showed heavy involvement supporting Bristol Pride in August 2011. OutUWE is UWE’s LGBT network that actively promotes diversity and equality. Their campaigns which they will be putting forward this year include initiating a zero tolerance policy on homophobia and lobbying for Gender Neutral Toilets (GNTs) across UWE campuses. UWE, UWE Students’ Union and the LGBT Student Network have organised a wide range of activities to celebrate LGBT History Month. The LGBT Network have put together a “Love Music Hate Homophobia” gig, where music will bring people together to make a strong stance against homophobia. Louise Groux-Wirth, UWESU’s Welfare and Community Vice-President, says: “Homophobic bullying truly has no place here at UWE, when our values are so committed to championing equality and diversity.” Students have come together to make a “It Gets Better” video, which will be launched through February. “It Gets Better” is a campaign that started in America, after young people committed suicide as a result of being bullied on the
grounds of their sexuality. Following that, the campaign started to send a strong message to young people that it will get better. The Welfare and Community VP continues: “It would be naïve to think that with all the new legislations on equality that homophobia and other forms of discrimination doesn’t happen, therefore it’s crucial that as we continue our work in celebrating diversity, wherever we can.” There will also be a conference focusing on the visibility of LGBT people within education, sports and wider communities that will be taking place on Frenchay Campus. Students and staff at UWE are hoping for a high attendance of the events and a show in support for the progress LGBT people have made throughout history. Further information: www.uwesu. org/campaigns UWE Equality and Diversity Unit: equalityanddiversityunit@uwe.ac.uk Louise Goux-Wirth, UWE Students’ Union Vice President Community and Welfare : vpcmonnunityandwelfare@ uwe.ac.uk UWE Students’ Union LGBT Network: outuwe@live.ac.uk
Rebecca Day editor@westerneye.net Continued from front page
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The 21-year-old has been a competitive acrobat from a young age, but has only been practising the art of pole dancing for the last two years. 'Bendy' began training through UWE's Pole Dancing Society and has since won several UK Pole Championship titles. Bendy believes that pole dancing has enhanced her creativity, and with her previous skills in acrobatics, she has been able to create a completely new style of dance. Her sole purpose of going onto the show was to change the public's perceptions of pole dancing and to produce creative routines that discard its stereotypes. She wanted to show the programme's viewers just how much pole dancing has evolved, and how far it is away from the type seen in gentleman's clubs. Originally from Yorkshire, Bendy moved to Bristol to study Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation at UWE. Graduating with a First Class Honours degree in 2011, she has now gone on to teaching Pole Fitness masterclasses and performs regularly at dance shows and circus gigs. Bendy states on the Got to
Dance webpage that her lifetime ambition is "to introduce pole into dance and circus shows across the world and to change negative images towards pole dancing." If she had won the £250,000 prize money, she would have used it to fund 'professional circus training across Europe.' 'Bendy Kate's' Facebook page echoed resounding compliments on her performance and commiserations on not reaching the final. Several fans commended her on giving pole dancing a completely new image. One fan in particular commented: "Amazing, you're giving everyone a new outlook on pole dancing, brilliant". Another stated how he had previously dubbed pole dancing as 'seedy'. Despite Bendy missing out on her spot in the finals of Got to Dance, the impact that she has made on her journey so far is an inspiration to many. Miss Czepulkowski will be representing UK Pole this March in the Aerial Pole International Championships in Switzerland, so watch this space to find out how she gets on.
News & Politics 5
WesternEye Feb 2012
Drugs in Clubs news@westerneye.net
>Bristol's clubs in pursuit to tackle drug usage
With a population of around 420,000 people, two universities and a large student populace, Bristol’s party reputation undoubtedly precedes itself, having been popularly represented and encouraged further by its depiction in the media. Bristol, as a hub of Drum and Bass, Dubstep and Trip-Hop has often had many associations with drug usage amongst party goers, a reputation further enhanced by its participation in the popular television show ‘Skins’ which has done nothing to quash this rumour. According to the Bristol City Council scheme ‘Safer Bristol’, the city currently has over 8000 problematic drug users. Bristol Drugs Project estimates that over 82,000 people have been personally affected by drugs within the city. When considering Bristol’s vibrant nightlife, it is questionable that this mass usage could be potentially affecting the individual clubs
themselves. WesternEye spoke to several sources to find out whether Bristol's drug culture is affecting bar sales and what measures nightclubs have in place to ensure their customers are safe. One UWE student who wished to remain anonymous, but formerly worked within a highly popular club in the centre of Bristol commented: “Often when I was serving drinks at the bar, a customer would come up and rudely demand water. They’d be gurning and have dilated pupils; you could tell they were on something”. When asked about the effects of this on the bar he remarked: “I do think drug usage is very common, but I don’t feel like it dramatically effects bar sales. We used a lot of vigilance, but if we kicked out everyone who we thought was on it we’d have lost a lot of business. I think the biggest problem was that people were more aggressive when they were on drugs.” Prior to its exceptionally popular
Aminah Jagne
New Year’s Eve night, In:Motion NYE, Motion issued a public statement to all members subscribed to its newsletter that detailed recent issues they have faced as a result of drugs: “Please don’t attempt to bring illegal substances into Motion, it really is risking the future of the club. Unfortunately, we have been seriously let down over the last few months by a few bad apples whose actions in attempting to deal and supply illegal substances to others within the venue – has put the whole project at risk of closure, not just the club, but the BMX park as well.” The newsletter went on to warn that “Due to continuing Police concerns over drug sales and use at our premises, we will have two passive drugs dogs at the entrance to the venue on the night. These will be used at the search points to the venue. There will also be uniformed police officers at the entrance anyone found with illegal substances
will be passed straight over to the police. Inside the venue, as always, there will be both uniformed security and plain-clothed security in operation.” For now, there are no continued rumours regarding the closure of the club, perhaps a sign that its extended security efforts have paid off. Mark Davis, joint owner of nightclub Basement 45, told WesternEye: “It's not a problem for Basement 45 at all. We do everything we can to make sure that people are safe, are given guidelines to follow by the council and are provided with log books to note any incidents as part of police protocol. Alcohol is the most problematic drug [at present] and monitoring how much people have had to drink is a constant throughout the night.” Central nightclub Lakota were contacted to comment but failed to respond. Lakota’s license was suspended for three months in
October and the club was forced to close following the apparent drug related death of 16-year-old Joe Simons in April. Lakota has suffered a number of incidents since the student’s death, including a drug overdose and suspected stabbings. Although the research conducted for this article has been small scale, it appears that for now, Bristol’s nightclubs are struggling, but managing to successfully (with a few exceptions) combat drug related issues and that any upcoming increases in entry fees may well be related to other concerns. David Cameron’s impending ‘minimum alcohol price’ scheme perhaps… but that is another article altogether. Upcoming events for Basement 45 include Wonky on Saturday 4 February. For further details visit: www.basement45.co.uk.
A glass of alcohol a day keeps the doctor away? >Say goodbye to the recommended daily glass of red wine, researchers reveal that having two days off a week is more beneficial to your health Khiam Barry news@westerneye.net Drinkers have been encouraged to have two alcohol free days a week for health benefits after recommendations from The Commons’ Science and Technology Committee. This should be of particular interest to many students, perhaps nursing hangovers from the previous night’s shenanigans or even the month long enduring recovery from Christmas festivities. The question of alcohol consumption is one that has various differing viewpoints across the medical field, with most experts concluding that it is not only how much you have to drink but also how often. Students recovering from the downing of several pints, or the consumption of a glass of wine too many this week may wish to take notice of this advice. Concerns have been raised by MPs
and medical experts about the detrimental effects of regular drinking to people’s health. Whilst it is widely regarded that regular consumption increases the risk of liver disease, there have also been various accounts from medical experts stating that regular, low alcohol intake is actually good for you. However the former statement has led to calls from the government for drinkers to give their body, especially the liver, a break from alcohol for at least two days every week. The liver, which plays a vital role in waste product removal from the body, is the organ most tightly responsible for the removal of alcohol. Large doses cannot only put a strain on the liver, but can also have detrimental effects on other organs such as the heart and even more so, the brain.
Alcohol plays a significant role in killing healthy liver cells causing scar tissue to develop on the organ, which leads to less efficient liver function potentially leading to future health problems. It takes no genius to surmise that the more regularly this occurs the more significant the health implications on oneself. Calls have been made for the implementation of a minimum price for alcohol in an effort to tackle the health problems caused by excessive or frequent drinking – a major finding of the committee’s inquiry being the lack of clarity over guidelines. It is now widely regarded that the public are unsure of what units equate to in terms of glass sizes of respective drinks and as such are practically sailing blind with regards to alcohol consumption.
The current drinking guidelines, set out in 1987 are 21 units a week for men and 14 units a week for women as a maximum. However, it has also been decided that daily guidelines would be more appropriate than weekly guidelines after research in the early 1990’s hinted at benefits of the heart after a small amount of alcohol. After the aforementioned guidelines were produced, daily limits were then set as three to four units for men and two to three units for women. The question is then raised: How can something such as alcohol consumption – much like calorie in-
take – be recommended on such a high scale? If everyone’s body is different, tolerance will vary depending on a variety of physical and physiological factors. The committee has stated that the health benefits of alcohol have been exaggerated somewhat and called for more expert (scientific and medical) input into discussions on the issue. The main message from these findings is to drink in moderation, to not see the recommended limits as targets to be exceeded or surpassed, and to let the body have a break from the effects of alcohol for a few days.
6 News & Politics
Full steam ahead for the cast of Titanic >Casting is looking ship-shape, the production team are on board and it is anchors away for the company of Titanic who are currently rehearsing this year’s UWE musical
WesternEye Feb 2012
Disability Awareness Week Jessica Winter newsandpolitics@westerneye.net
‘Disability Awareness Week’ will be hosted by the Disability Awareness Network. DAN is a group of students both with and without disabilities committed to bringing a voice to UWE on student issues that affect people with disabilities. The network focuses on raising awareness of the problems faced by disabled students at UWE by tackling major problems such as access to UWE’s campuses, education, exams and sport. DAN does not just help disabled students. Advice is offered to people who want to help disabled students such as note-takers, and also aim to educate the general public in the trials and tribulations of having a disability. ‘Disability Awareness Week’ will be running from the 13 – 17 February. See UWESU Disability Awareness Network for more details via www.uwesu.org.
Bristol loses ice rink to student accommodation Amy Haines
newsandpolitics@westerneye.net
Julia Philips newsandpolitics@westerneye.net It is that time of year again when the Centre for Performing Arts is gearing up for a brand new production. Almost a hundred years ago to the date of the production’s opening night, Titanic set out from Southampton on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic for New York taking with it 2228 excited and optimistic passengers. The floating palace was decked out with the kind of luxury no ship had yet seen in the history of Atlantic liners. The musical has been specially chosen this year to mark the centenary of the 1912 tragedy, and with historic costumes, ingenious set, powerful music and an epic storyline everything is set for a landmark on the horizon. The producer and musical director Ian Henderson, who apparently enjoys the challenge of a six-week rehearsal deadline, said: “As always, the student cast have returned from their Christmas break to start the CPA production with great enthusiasm. This show is a somewhat
Hub Radio
>After 45 years, Unite decide it is time to close the doors of Bristol’s popular ice-skating rink
strange subject for a musical but nevertheless a topic which has always been of great interest to the British public for decades. There will be over a hundred students involved in the project from all faculties. They range from those on stage to set construction, lighting and sound to orchestra, props, costume and front of house management. It is always very rewarding to work with UWE students and see how their raw skills are developed and perfected during the rehearsal period.” The plot of Titanic traces the story of many of the ship’s passengers and the tragedy that awaited them on that fateful night when the ship hit an iceberg. From being famous as the largest luxury liner ever built, it is now better known as the most famous shipwreck in history. The wreckage was eventually discovered in 1985 at the bottom of the Atlantic and history finally laid to rest the remnants of that terrible day.
The beginning of February will see UWE radio station, Hub Radio, reestablishing themselves at Bristol Community FM. Hub Radio’s weekly slot will be every Tuesday at 10pm. The show will then be available to listen to either on Hub Radio’s website (www.hubradio.co.uk) or BCfm (www.bcfm. org.uk). The UWE station will be bringing to listeners of BCfm highlights from their shows on Hub Radio, a low-down of current events happening at UWE and Bristol, a weekly news round-up from the WesternEye and a collaboration of music and guest DJs. Different presenters will be heading the show every week, with Students’ Union Presidents also having the opportunity to talk. Matt Ribbins, the new studio manager for Hub Radio comments: “I would say I’m quite scared and excited at the same time about the new show. There is definitely potential for this to go well and it is gaining interest from many people. I hope this new show will give people, not just students at UWE, but from Bristol as well, a taste of what we are all about.”
Bristol Ice Rink is to close later this year after almost half a century in the city. The attraction on Frogmore Street is set to be decommissioned in October 2012 and is set to be converted into student flats. It is currently on lease to the John Nike Group until January 2013. The site of Bristol Ice Rink has been owned by student accommodation provider ‘Unite’ for ten years and now they believe it is time for the building to undergo renovation. A spokesperson for the John Nike Group has told local media that ice rinks such as Bristol’s are costly to run. The building, which was constructed in the 1960s, has also been having issues with ventilation and damp. Unite’s development director, James Hunt, comments: "[We] are in the early stages of planning the new student accommodation, which came about in response to the positive outlook of the city’s two universities.” “Subject to receiving planning permission, the flats could open for September 2014.” Full plans for the building are likely to be made public throughout February. The rink is currently home to Bristol Synchronised Skating Club, Bristol Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club and nine ice hockey teams, including UWE’s own ‘Bristol Lions’. UWE Ice Hockey President Alex Hobern has expressed concern for the future of the Bristol Lions: “The nearest rinks are Swindon and Cardiff; both provide serious logistical and financial problems. We may instead have to change to inline hockey.” Ariana Alexander-Sefre, UWE Sports Vice-President, comments: "The facility is pretty old and could
reway2007: flikr definitely do with an upgrade”. However, she also expressed disappointment for the Bristol Lions and hoped that they will have a new venue in the foreseeable future. Around 30 members of staff could lose their jobs as a result of the closure. Since the announcement in early January, campaigns have been set up by supporters of the rink including a Facebook group entitled ‘Save the Bristol Ice Rink’ and a linked petition, which has already gained 3700 signatures. However, Graham Goodman, Chairman of the Bristol Pitbulls’ ice hockey team, has said: “The current petitions going around are not acceptable for Bristol City Council." He also highlighted the issue that there are different versions of the campaign, with some people protesting against the closure of the Frogmore Street rink whilst others demand a new rink in Bristol. Goodman suggests rectifying this matter by campaigning against “the possibility of a loss of service” for both sporting clubs and the general public. Bristol Ice Rink was opened in 1966 as part of an entertainment complex which also included a cinema, a casino, a ballroom and
other entertainment facilities. Whilst the majority of these buildings closed in the early 1990s, the rink was saved by the John Nike Group as a result of a campaign. The rest of the complex was converted into student flats in the late 1990s. The John Nike Group has announced the possibility of a new rink in Stockwood in South Bristol, where they currently own land. Interest in skating has increased over the past few years due to popular ice-skating television shows. Approximately 200 thousand people visit Bristol Ice Rink every year. Bristol Ice Rink is renowned for its links with figure skater Robin Cousins, who learned to skate at the rink and later won a gold medal at the 1980 New York Winter Olympics. In more recent years, the rink’s success lies in the revival of ice hockey in Bristol. Teams include the Bristol Pitbulls who were promoted English National Ice Hockey League one in their first season in 2009. To find out more about the latest developments on this story, visit www.bristolneedsarink.com or www. facebook.com/BristolNeedsARink
UWE SU & Body Beautiful Month Charlotte Barnes lifeandsu@westerneye.net It’s that time of year again when we frantically search for an irrationally extreme diet to help combat the aftermath of our Christmas indulgences. Well this February, UWE is offering the perfect option for all female students: Body Beautiful Month. Each day, from the 1st until the 29th of February, UWE will be offering a wide range of sports for ladies looking to feel fit. The programme offers women the chance to engage in a range of exciting and energetic sports and opportunities throughout the whole month, and the best bit is… the classes are completely free and will also be held across St Matthias and Glenside campuses too. Now you have no excuse to not get involved! It’s not as tough as it might sound: you’re not going to be put through your paces on the football field, or taught the basic essentials of rugby. Instead of that, you’ll be offered the chance to take part in activities such as Zumba, Yoga, Trampolining,
Life
>Charlotte Barnes discusses the features of Body Beautiful Month and how it can inspire you to take on a new hobby you never thought twice about… Irish dancing and many, many more that will not only cause a couple of giggles, but will burn off some of those Christmas calories too. After a long day at university, the thought of throwing on your sporty clothes and going for an hour-long work-out isn’t the most appealing! However, there are many benefits to physical exercise that offer an added bonus to Body Beautiful Month. There are obvious benefits to exercise in terms of fitness, but there are also many benefits to be gained in the form of improved mental health and general well-being, with certain reports stating that physical exercise can in fact be a very therapeutic hobby! The more obvious benefits from exercise are things such as the condition of your bones and joints, the overall health of your heart and even the avoidance of certain chronic diseases. Recent reports have also suggested that if you are physically active you are significantly less likely
to develop certain types of cancer. It might be the last thing on your mind but there really are benefits to physical exercise that none of us students can afford to pass up. Body Beautiful Month is not only giving you the chance to have a taste of different activities that you might enjoy, but you will also have the chance to take part on a regular basis. There is a lot of potential to take away more than just a month of exercise - you may discover something you really enjoy and wouldn’t mind doing again; which would be yet another bonus of this useful programme! The programme is free to take part in, and you are under no obligation to go to any class which doesn’t interest you - so really, what have you got to lose? Classes start from Wednesday February 1st and further information can be found online with details of where classes will be held, and what exciting challenges you will be faced with over the course of the month.
choose (if possible) to hide them as a coping mechanism to previous prejudice aimed at them. What would you do if there was something about you that due to ‘popular opinion’ was preventing people from taking you seriously? How would you feel? How would you cope? Truth is, people are not just born disabled, it can surface later on, or can be the result of an accident - it could even happen to you too... In regards to famous people that inspire – while many are aware of that fact that physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking is disabled, suffering from motor neuron disease – there are others that may surprise you, such as physicist Albert Einstein (Autism and Dyslexia); the inventor of the motor car, Henry Ford (Dyslexia); the pioneer of computer science, Alan Turing (Autism); Actor Sylvester Stallone (Facial Paralysis and speech problems); Author’s Lord Byron and Charles Dickens (Epilepsy), marathon runner Paula Radcliffe (Asthma). The list goes on. Millions of
ordinary people with disabilities have to constantly overcome adversity to be accepted in their relationships, jobs, education establishments, and elsewhere. It is sadly telling that in a society which claims tolerance and equality for race, gender, colour, sexuality and creed, there is such ignorance and misunderstanding by much of the public and powers of those with disabilities. A shocking one in seven working adults and one in twenty children (approximately 10 million according to national statistics – a figure growing each year) have a disability in the UK. It is my hope, and those of the others in our Networks committee that ‘Disability Awareness Week’ will help to raise understanding and acceptance of those who have a disability as well as celebrating their achievements. During ‘Disablity Awareness Week’ hope to achieve three aims: Take views from students regarding access to the University and the Students’ Union across campuses. This is due to the UWESU taking part
Disability Awareness Week Jessica Winter & Gary Riley lifeandsu@westerneye.net From the 13th – 17th February, the Disabled Awareness Network will be putting on a week dedicated to raising people’s understandings and acceptance of those who have a disability, and celebrating their achievements… Despite the fact that many people with disabilities often have to come to terms with prejudice and difficulties in various areas of their lives, from social situations to job hunting and even in all stages of education, there are those who accept these challenges and rise up to meet them. These are people who have not let their disabilities define their achievements but rather use the hardships they endure to become much stronger. There is your family and friends, and even famous people who inspire you to do greatness by their own journey. Some people you may not think have disabilities, many
in the National Union of Students access challenge. The purpose of the access challenge is to encourage the SU to improve access for you. Question we will ask of you during the week may consist of: Do you find it difficult to access some of your union’s services? Whether it is attending a social event, getting involved in volunteering or simply getting in to the building – we want to know. Secondly we are well aware that the Olympics and Paralympics will be approaching the UK this year and we hope to recognize the achievements of people with disabilities that take part in the various sports on offer. As well as this, we will be arranging for students to take part in various Paralympic sports during the week. Such sports may involve· wheelchair basketball, sit down table tennis, sit down volleyball, boccia, goalball and snowsports. Finally, we will be having a conference that will be focusing on achievement of people with
disabilities. We are intending to have three university speakers from the following possible groups: Community and Welfare, Equality and Diversity and the Disabled Staff Network. We will also be having a few outside speakers. One confirmed speaker will be Ken Hames who has filmed Beyond Boundaries which is a documentary series on BBC 2 produced by Diverse Bristol. Each series follows a team of physically disabled adventurers as they take on some of the toughest expeditions on the planet under the guidance of exSAS Major Ken Hames. We are still in the process of making a final itinerary of the week. We invite you to find out more out on our Facebook group, UWESU Disability Awareness Network. As well as this, we will be advertising nearer the time on posters around campuses and various Students’ Unions and University event sites. You can also email us on disability. awareness.society@gmail.com for more details.
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SU & Life
WesternEye Feb 2012
Post Grad Life lifeandsu@westerneye.net
>Lorna Greville sheds some light on life after university and the difficulty some students face in finding employment...
Although we are encouraged to think that having a degree is the only way forward in life, I’m sure – like myself – you have seen your friends at home embarking upon jobs that we once scoffed at, and are now jealous of, purely because they can afford to run a car and go abroad a few times a year. They may still live at home though, and your independence is priceless. Wait, no, it’s not. Independence costs a small fortune and you’ll probably find yourself moving back home after you finish your degree. Within three months you’ll have settled back into the usual routine of vacuuming, ironing and then, inevitably, you’ll sign on. This is, of course, the bleakest outlook and also incredibly unlikely. Life after university isn’t quite as bad as the aforementioned implies. Firstly, you must understand that you have a lot of options. Aside
from employment there are a lot of internships available all over the UK and abroad. Although these are all very competitive, UWE should have provided you with all the necessary skills to be not only eligible to apply but to be a real contender. However having a great application and a finetuned CV is still the best chance you can give yourself. Job hunting is going to be incredibly difficult, but it is not an insurmountable climb. Here are some top tips; they may be obvious, but take heed. Be flexible. So you’ve done a journalism degree and you want a job in the BBC straight away: this is unlikely. Don’t have a one track mind - look at other options that utilise your transferable skills and do some freelance writing on the side; both the initiative you take and the skills you learn will eventually take you where you want to go. Being flexible also
Lorna Greville
means in terms of salary and area: you may have to move for the perfect job. Be persistent. Don’t expect to get the first job you apply for, or even the second, third, fourth or tenth. Apply for anything and everything that you want to do. Don’t stick to one CV for every application. Create different versions of it that are suited specifically to each job/internship. Having a skillsbased CV is invaluable - ask about these at the UWE Careers centre (infohub.uwe.ac.uk). Utilise all the help you can get! The UWE Careers is there to help, go to them with any problem or question. They are more than happy to lend a helping hand! Furthermore, UWE Graduate Careers have an array of different internships that pay £250 per week or more. If all else fails and you really do end up living back at your parents
and on the dole, do not despair! It’s likely that the only thing letting you down is lack of experience. Offer yourself on a voluntary basis to local businesses. They are far less likely to be bombarded with 300 plus applications and are far more grateful for the help of an enthusiastic graduate. Furthermore,postgraduate education in the form of Masters Courses or conversion courses is becoming more and more popular. Most courses will accept a 2:1 and cost around £5000 for the year. This extra year is a real boost in terms of employability afterwards. There is also a whole host of different funding options for postgraduate courses. While there are less options available to art students, there are some scholarships available from AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council) and it may also
be worth applying for bursaries and grants from specific charities. Although some of these may only be a couple of hundred pounds, this will go a long way. Studying or working abroad is another excellent option. Postgraduate courses are hugely discounted for UK students in all EU countries and you can even study free in both Sweden and Malta – something which is certainly worth looking into. Finally, value yourself and your degree. You may or may not have worked hard to get it, but it took at least three years and it is something to be proud of. Someone will eventually see your skills and be enthused by the prospect of employing you and hopefully you’ll be just as pleased to be employed by them. Good luck!
bail you out, and certainly no student overdraft waiting at the next cash machine. The money you take is the money you have – unless you look at finding yourself a job whilst abroad. Budgeting yourself will, in later life, allow you to think more carefully about what you spend your money on and you’ll appreciate what you have a little bit more – yet another bonus to packing your bags! Although you may be on a budget, you can really make those pounds stretch that extra mile. Take India for example. £8 is roughly the maximum daily expenditure. Yes you read right! £1 for food, £3 for accommodation and £5 to travel the length of the country. It really is that cheap. Alternatively, if India doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, why not try Inter-railing? £300 will take you on any train throughout Europe for 22
days; you could be eating ice cream in Italy one day and seeing an Opera in Salzburg the next. STA (Student Travel Agency) provide fantastic deals for students at affordable prices – the round-the-world trips are exceptional value for money. Lonely Planet guide books provide the ultimate travelling companion. From cheap and cheerful hostels to the ultimate adventure experiences – the world will feel as if it’s in the palm of your hand. So, what better way to say a longawaited, final farewell to education than to pack your bags and delve into an overseas experience of a lifetime? After all, the average student does spend approximately sixteen years of their life in full-time education! Who knows what fantastic opportunities and experiences await on the horizon? I’ll see you on the plane!
The world's your oyster Liam Corcoran lifeandsu@westerneye.net
>Liam Corcoran explains how plucking up your courage and packing your bags could be your ticket to a whole new bundle of unforgettable experiences… Reaching the final stages of your university life can prove an almighty challenge, especially when having to consider what you want to do next. You either feel obliged to go straight into work or to continue studying at postgraduate level. But before you get too bogged down with mulling about what the future holds, why not apply some thought to picking up a backpack and experiencing what the world has on offer for you first – it might be the only chance you get! Thinking about travelling can be a daunting concept. You have to consider where you want to go, how much it will set you back, and who you want to travel with. But before giving it some minor thought and dismissing it, it might be worth you thinking about taking the plunge to go out and explore before the opportunity passes you by. There are many benefits which reap from hitting the road, from building selfconfidence to experiencing different cultures and ways of living. Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about travelling, and have come to the
conclusion that it is something I’d most definitely like to do – seeing the world is an important leap for so many reasons. Taking the time out to travel always seems to interest prospective employers. Travelling shows independence, initiative and a whole lot of confidence. Travelling is the ultimate adventure, and come on, who doesn’t want to be an adventurer? From trekking the Great Wall of China to swimming with sharks in Australia, obtaining these life experiences really puts you ahead of the game when it comes to discussing lifetime achievements and also says a lot about you as an individual. For some of you, moving away from home and on to university possibly seemed like a huge step – you’re thrown in to a completely new living situation and amongst a bunch of people you’ve never met. Whilst travelling, there is literally no end to the diversity of people you’ll be meeting; an abundance of people from completely different walks of life
and cultural backgrounds. Be sure to scrap luxury hotels – hostels are the best way to meet new people. Often they have common rooms, which are packed with backpackers eager to meet like-minded travelers like you! Before you know it, you’ve formed extraordinary bonds, with extraordinary people – friends for life who you can reminisce on your adventures with for years to come. Managing your money at university can be difficult, especially if you intend to go travelling as soon as you finish. A part-time job during your studies and full-time employment over the holiday periods will put you in good stead for acquiring some hard earned cash for your travelling experience. Whilst travelling, you HAVE to stick to your budget no matter what – there will be no student loan coming in every couple of months to
SU & Life 9
WesternEye Feb 2012
Let the hunt begin lifeandsu@westerneye.net
>Scouting out a new house for next year may seem stressful. Nikki Swain explores the controversies of ‘early’ house hunting and whether it really is worth getting your foot through the door sooner rather than later...
As 2012 is drawn upon us, one of the biggest worries a lot of UWE students face is their living situation next year, and whether their instalment of the New Year student loan is going to stretch to be able to place a deposit down on a new place. However, some priorities seem to have changed drastically after just three short months of flying the nest and becoming independent… The shock of doing my own washing was challenging enough, but when house hunting was being thrown into the equation so soon, I didn’t know what to think. It all seemed too early to me, but after viewing several houses and hearing how they were being snapped up days after we viewed them I started to realise that the rat race had already begun. A second year Media and Cultural Studies and Journalism student, Coral Payne explains her surprise at the early depositing when she said, “We’re not going to look until after Christmas like we did last year. The deposits are so expensive, some around £400 to £500.” Upon contacting an independent estate agent I found out some of the previous history of the houses they offered and how quickly interest was shown in recent years. Nick Krestovnikoff, estate agents owner, stated, “In 2009 my nine
properties were sold in eight days, this was due to the late returning of students because of the snowfall which caused a rush. In 2010 the same nine properties were sold within two weeks in January. However, I’ve already sold three out of nine of my houses before the middle of December 2011, the first being sold on November 30th after the first viewing.” These figures show how interest of student housing is creeping up earlier in the first term, which is also having an effect on Bristol University students who are looking for houses in the city. Mr Krestovnikoff explains how when he started twelve years ago most of his houses went to Bristol University students, but now it’s an even split of interest between the university students who want to make the most of living in the city. After speaking to various students who began house hunting in November, I have heard mixed emotions towards the subject. Aiden Watts, 19, studying Property Management and Investment, explains how he has ‘loved’ the house hunting, but how it has come with downsides. “It has had an impact on my work; overall I would say I’ve spent a good 8 hours or more on it when I could have been working.” Confusion is continued when
Nikki Swain
Tania Thorn, 20, studying Creative Product Design said: “We should be given more help, like places to look for houses, a recommended time to start looking and what to inspect when viewing a house , for example dampness.” So is it down to lack of information students are buying so quickly? Out of personal preference to get the ideal location? Or just sheer panic? To put various minds at rest with some words of an expert in the field: “You will always find a property but if you leave it too late you will need to be flexible with quality and location. I recommend you speak to the students who are living in the houses already about the landlord and the reliability of him/her. You need to be free to study not waiting for a lazy landlord to fix a dishwasher. People will get the property they deserve if they do good research.” The University also benefits from an on campus Student Lettings agency which students can use for free. With over 40 years of experience behind them, they provide direct and friendly guidance with any queries or pitfalls you may encounter whilst searching for your house. They can be found at the Red Bar Patio and are open between 9:00-4:45 on Monday to Thursday and 9:00-4:15 on Fridays.
Where to woo in Bristol Tiffany Franicis lifeandsu@westerneye.net Valentine’s Day, that Marmite of celebrations: hated by many, but loved by those of a flirtatious character, or simply a romantic heart. It is perfectly true, however, that the way to anyone’s heart is through the stomach, either by overdosing them on aphrodisiacal treats, or by fattening them in such a manner that nobody else will want them (believe me, it works!). Regardless of your intentions, here is a short list of Bristol’s finest, cheapest and most exotic feasting rooms available to the small-pursed student.
The Mud Dock, The Grove This sumptuous riverside restaurant is situated, believe it or not, above a bike shed. However, do not let this corrupt your ideas of the place! Dangling from the ceiling of this light and lofty building is an array of vintage bikes, adding to the rustic atmosphere and Mediterranean aroma. I chose the lunch of tapas for two, brimming with Spanish cheeses, meats, olives and salad, and it was quickly served and just divine; as an extra delight, the price of beverages was considerably low for such an establishment. The Mud Dock provides a Valentine’s menu of a 3-course dinner, a glass of Prosecco and live music for £29.95 each. Score: 9/10
Glassboat, Welsh Back If you are a true romantic, or a wealthy heir, this boatrestaurant hybrid is a beautiful location for a meal with your lover: at night, the lights of the city reflect off the surface of the river and create an atmospheric glow fitting for any romantic meal. The prices are not quite as delightful, but the staff are fast and professional, and my £15.50 roasted guinea-fowl was absolutely delicious, if slightly too gourmet (by this I mean small!). We didn’t approach the wine list, for fear of fluttering our hearts in the wrong way, but I can confirm that a couple venturing into this restaurant are sure of a lovely evening. The Valentine’s price of £49.50 each includes a glass of champagne, a 4-course meal and coffee. Score: 8/10
Delmonico, Gloucester Road If, like the vast majority of students, you live on Gloucester Road, and are a fan of candlelit, Italian dining, this is the place to be if you are seeking something in a lower price-range. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is pleasant and the prices start from around £8 for a main meal; however, during my visit, the food was fairly delayed and slightly cold. Despite this, the tastes and textures of the food were lovely, and I imagine if I had the courage to complain and have it reheated, the result would have been delightful! The Valentine’s menu consists of a 2-course or 3-course dinner for £19.95 or £24.95 respectively. Score: 7/10
Za Za Bazaar, Harbourside You may have heard rumours: rumours of the fruits of exotic lands gathered together in one room, a room full of bright lights, sumptuous smells and cupcake towers. I can confirm the rumours are true: this buffet of foods from China, Thailand, India, Britain, Spain, America, Italy and Mexico is the feast of kings, and it can belong to you, the greedy student with a monstrous metabolism, for just £12.99 each on Mondays-Thursdays. The service is meticulous and the food is freshly made in front of you. However, it isn’t the most romantic setting, but providing that you aren’t wooing royalty, any guy or girl will probably be too full to notice that they’re being rolled into bed! I don’t think they do a Valentine’s option, but if you arrange everything into heart shapes on the plate, I’m sure that will work too! Score: 9.5/10
SU & Life 11
WesternEye Feb 2012
Hi! I’m Tom, your RAG President. Firstly, I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. I hope that everyone’s enjoying their time at UWE and is back from the holiday break feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle term two. RAG (Raise and Give) is having a huge re-launch at the moment, so we would like to enrich you with knowledge on RAG. You’ll gain an awareness of what RAG is, its mission, the events and the benefits for students who get involved on a national and an international level. RAG is recognised nationally across universities in the UK. It is made up of enthusiastic students fundraising for charities of their choice. There are twelve students who are currently on the committee who help lead an array of fundraising events across campus. RAG is always looking for new “Raggies” to get stuck in with organising events, promoting around campus and just simply being a part of the circle.
Charities
This year RAG has chosen 4 local charities to raise money for:
Bristol and South Gloucestershire People First works with adults with learning difficulties to promote their human rights, help them make choices and be in control of their lives and live independently.
County Air Ambulance Trust offers financial support to air ambulances in the region. Their target is to raise £10million in the next 10 years.
Vassall Centre Trust provides a centre in Fishponds, and employment and voluntary opportunities for disabled people.
Jessie May Trust provides vital nursing care for children with terminal illnesses.
The aim for RAG this year is to raise £15,000 for the above charities. With this goal in mind we have planned for a wide range of fun events to take all UWE campuses by storm. We offer UWE students a chance to give something back to the local community in addition to providing students with a means of escapism from the university stressors that we all may face.
Challenge Events Jailbreak Jailbreak is a challenge event fundraiser, where a group of students team together and try and get as far away from UWE as physically possible with no money. All you need to do is pay a small admin fee and get friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you on your travels. Jailbreak is unlike any other experience you’ll encounter whilst at university. It’s an opportunity to do something truly different and memorable. Hone your powers of persuasion, sharpen your sweet talk, prepare to improvise and expect the unexpected. You could be finding yourselves beneath tropical palms, amongst ancient Pyramids or in a hazy Amsterdam coffee shop. With persuasion and persistence the possibilities are endless... No money and 36 hours: how far will you go? This year Jailbreak will start on Saturday 24th March 2012. Climb mountain Kilimanjaro for Childreach International Climbing Kilimanjaro is a once in a lifetime experience. From lush rainforest at the foot to Kibo’s snowy peak, climbing Kilimanjaro is the challenge of a lifetime, and being a non-technical climb it is open to most people of reasonable fitness. This challenge is a popular student event that will inevitably change your entire outlook on life and will raise thousands of pounds for charity. This year’s team of 30 students have been busy fundraising, ready for the African adventure of their lives in June. If you are not signed up to this adventure don’t worry as there is a chance to sign up this September. UWE students are projected to raise more than £84,000 for the charity Childreach International, an international development charity, through getting sponsored to climb to the highest peak in Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This is the first year UWE students will take part in the adventure. If you think you may be interested in getting involved next year then look out for more information, and perhaps start getting your fitness up to mountain climbing standards now! Bar Crawl Every year RAG organises one of the biggest student bar crawls taking students throughout the Clifton Triangle to bars offering the best drinks deals. Games are set up along the way to give our bar hoppers the challenge of keeping their mental focus whilst numbing their senses with the devil’s juice. Raids Raids are Street Collections. This is where our ‘Raggies’ join forces with UWE students who decided to volunteer and go out into the streets (often in costume) to collect for the chosen charities on any given day with buckets. Many Rags also organise week-long ‘tours’ over the university holidays in which they will travel from town to town, collecting in each one, and raising thousands of pounds for the beneficiary charities. From this stems the ‘Megaraids’: A Mega-raid is defined as a Raid where more than one Rag is present and in recent years these have been organised on a massive scale by charities with some events taking place consistently for over a decade. All Megaraids tend to include a social aspect and often attract former students who still take part.
Events so far Charlie and the Chocolate Factory During first term RAG transformed Frenchay’s Red Bar into The Chocolate Factory. We had a fountain oozing with chocolate, mountains of cakes provided by a professional chef, and our very own Cheerleading team - the smell of chocolate made Red Bar seem physically edible and irresistible. Cadbury themselves were also in Red Bar offering games and free treats to add a spark to the event. Movember UWESU were one amongst a thousand universities to support the Movember movement last year. There was a huge online presence for students and colleagues to sponsor out ‘Tash’ growers and the women who were brave enough to walk around with a fake moustache for a week! The aim of Movember is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men
Amsterdam Amsterdam? Yes, UWESU have booked a UWE student trip to Amsterdam as part of RAG week during February. Amsterdam is the most popular trip for university students across the nation to go on. It’s certainly an experience students don’t want to miss out on. UWESU’s Amsterdam trip has been booked, and will be running from Thursday 23rd until 26th February 2012.
Gunk a Sabbatical Officer Is there a sabbatical officer you would like to see get 'gunked'? If yes, then get your votes in - it's all for a great cause. Votes will consist in the form of donations, and will be collected throughout the week. The officer who receives the highest number of votes to their name will get covered - head to toe - in gunge. The RAG Week finale will consist of the ultimate pub quiz, where the winning team will have the immense pleasure of throwing a bucket of gunk over the sabbatical officer who received the highest amount of donations. What a great way to raise money and to see off, what is going to be, a fantastic week.
So why should you get involved?
Being a member of the RAG committee is great fun, very rewarding, sociable and also looks great on your CV. In addition to being a part of a great social network and having the potential to make lifelong friends, being a part of RAG will leave you with marketing, organisational, promotion and project management skills that can be applied to any job that you apply for after university. To check out the line-up for RAG Week, visit www. uwesu.org/activities/rag/ ragweek2012.
Comment &
Debate
Who turned out the lights? Joshua Plume comment@westerneye.net
>Joshua Plume expresses the importance of maintaining Enlightenment values in society and recognises those states, which are gradually falling into darkness... The Enlightenment of the 17th century influenced many key elements of Western politics. It promoted reason, justice, tolerance, progress and freedom at its most basic form; creating natural rights of the individual, freedom of speech and self-regarding actions. It provided caution that centralised power can easily corrupt. This being said, the key figures of that time, including Hobbes, Locke, Lord Acton and Voltaire, might be spinning in their graves about the state of modern politics with significant departures from these values in certain countries of the Western world. The question of a departure of Enlightenment values was ignited
on 2 January earlier this year when Viktor Orbán’s controversial Fidesz party, which is currently in power in Hungary, introduced a new constitution granting him new powers over the media, the legal system, banks and even “personal conscious.” A free media is essential in true democratic countries since, as Voltaire claimed “I detest what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” People should be free to express their opinions, political or otherwise, without fear of persecution. Take Russia as an example: No free press and thirteen “alternative” journalists have been killed since 2000 without a clear conviction.
At least the Hungarians haven’t taken this lying down idly. 30,000 Hungarians took to the streets protesting the departure from the democracy that overthrew a communist regime, less than 20 years ago, crying out “Viktator! Viktator!” a clear pun on Orbán’s first name. The voting system has also been undermined, since changes to constitutional boundaries have left the Fidesz party with majorities in each sector and opposition parties’ support has now dispersed. To be fair, the Hungarian Prime Minister claimed this was to make constitutions a “uniformed size” under international advice. This disputed the evidence that Fidesz’s party would have won the two previous elections under his new constitutional boundaries. Did that sound familiar? Wasn’t that one of the arguments we in this country were asked during the Alterative Vote referendum? Smaller parties, although winning votes, not being represented because of dispersed support and the rules of ‘first-past-the-post’ favouring larger parties? Yes, we cannot judge the Hungarians too harshly because their decisions have merely shed light on the inequalities on us “fair” countries, including the USA and UK. Starting with the US, the shock news that Rick Santorum is vying to be the Presidential candidate for the Republican Party and placed a close second behind Mitt Romney by eight votes in the Iowa Caucus is a clear indication that an individual’s freedom is under scrutiny. This is a man who has promised air strikes on Iran if they don’t comply with a list of demands, stating that Iranians “will not and cannot be negotiated with.” The same person who would rebuild the USA on the basis of his devout Roman Christian values if possible and is an outspoken protestor of homosexuality and abortion. How far has this strayed from Enlightenment values? It seems countries nowadays find it easier to forget the principles of tolerance and rea-
son. War should be seen as the last option and a truly regrettable one since it shows that communication, diplomacy and reasoned debate has failed to produce a compromise between conflicting issues. Santorum is clearly blinded by his own religious faith (which was notably strengthened by the sad loss of his daughter Gabrielle due to premature birth) and is intolerant to allow other people of their expressions of faith. Personally I feel religion should be separate to politics, but that’s a debate for another time. How about here in Britain? It’s again a simple matter that a person’s beliefs make an “I’m right you’re wrong” attitude to the extent that tolerance is seen not as strength but as a weakness and lack of moral fibre of your own. One example is extreme euro-sceptics such as the likes of the British National Party and other pro-national groups. They tend to have a firm belief that Britain is great and should stand apart from Europe yet these beliefs do not stand when brought to an open debate. Who can forget Nick Griffin on BBC1’s Question Time? However I feel this proves that Enlightenment values aren’t completely lost: he was brought to a debate to show his side of the argument, which was shown to be ill founded. Diplomacy 1 - Ignorance 0. I’m not arguing against anti-Europeans, as stated before everyone is entitled to their beliefs (tolerance in action) but rather the blind, non-negotiable beliefs that do nothing to incorporate other people’s viewpoints. There are other issues that have abandoned Enlightenment traditions. The Enlightenment brought about the ideas of “natural rights”, the idea that we are all entitled to “Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness” as stated in the American Constitution. You could argue then that the welfare system is supported by Enlightenment thinkers to ensure people have the means to achieve self-enlightenment and live a happy
life. However, as we’ve seen in recent years our welfare system has been abused. People claiming to be unfit for work due to a “bad back” came under scrutiny by the new Conservative government, and a crackdown on tenants of council house’s subletting their home when they are no longer resident of it. Need I also begin on the expenses scandal that will still be fresh in people’s minds? Lord Acton postulated that “Power corrupts: absolute power corrupts absolutely” and we saw then just how easy it is for power to corrupt and for politicians to think themselves above the law. Liam Fox, the defence secretary, resigned after increasing pressure that he allowed his friend Adam Werritty (a Scottish businessman, not an official man of government) to join him in global meetings and, after speculation, that national security had been breached. Freedom, justice, progress, tolerance, individuality, reason, are all pillars that upheld the Enlightenment. A departure of the doctrine of religion over the political process; a respect for a person and their choices and beliefs. Yes times change, and perhaps those changes are inevitable, however I can’t help but feel that aspects of these principles should be respected more than they currently are. I am by no means a religious man, however principles of religion I agree with. Take the 10 commandments: Thou shall not steal? Thou shall not murder? Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour? Thou shall not covet thou neighbours house, wife etc.? I may not agree with much of the rest, however, I’m glad those values have seen their way, in one form or another, into decent moral standings we expect from one another. I feel that the Enlightenment may turn out in much of the same way; the principles are never truly gone but neither are they at the forefront of people’s minds.
Debate 13
WesternEye Feb 2012
Nigerian government approves controversial bill >Aminah Jagne examines the facts surrounding the shocking approval of strict regulations against same-sex marriage in Nigeria. In November 2011 the Nigerian senate passed a highly restrictive bill condemning same-sex marriages. If the bill is eventually passed by the country’s House of Representatives and following that, signed by President Goodluck Jonathan, those found participating in same-sex union could face up to 14 years in prison. Furthermore, the bill states: “Any person, who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organises or directly or indirectly makes public show of same amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and shall be liable to conviction to a term of ten years imprisonment.”The senate also made it clear that this law would apply to tourists within the country as Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, political adviser to the president proclaimed: “This is Nigerian law and if you are an American and you come to Nigeria, you must subject yourself to our law and if you are caught violating this law or any other law, you will be prosecuted accordingly.”
In 2007, a survey conducted in Nigeria by public opinion programme Pew Global Attitudes Project revealed that 97 per cent of Nigerians (both Muslim and Christian) believe that homosexuality should be rejected rather than accepted, one of the highest intolerances in the world. The specific focus of the bill on gay organisations will therefore have a large effect on what little support there is for the gay community at present and wrongly encourage further hate-acts and violence toward LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender) via the public condemnation of their identity and basic human rights. Nigeria is largely split between Muslims and Christians, with both parties in agreement that gay marriage is wrong in the eyes of their religion. However, all sexual orientations are in agreement that religion is of the utmost importance to their lives with many homosexuals reluctant to reveal their sexuality for fear
of being rejected by their church. The fact that individuals are forced to choose between religion - the importance of which will been instilled within them from birth – or vehemently hiding their sexuality, perhaps even from their closest loved ones is abhorrent, made even more so by the encouragement of this by their own government. Following the passing of the bill, both US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron have called for its retraction, with Obama issuing a memo that instructs officials to take the countries LGBT rights into consideration when allocating foreign aid. David Cameron went as far as to warn that the UK will consider withholding aid from countries that do not recognise gay rights. Although the motivation behind this is clear, the imposition of Western Powers’ own cultural views on countries – to which they provide aid – has highly colonialist overtones and
Aminah Jagne comment@westerneye.net has rightly sparked outrage within the Nigerian senate. Labaran Maku, Minister for Information points out that: “Between Europe, America and Africa there is a huge culture gap. Some of the things that are considered fundamental rights abroad also can be very offensive to African culture and tradition and the way we live.” Whilst Zakari Mohammed, the chairman of House of Representatives and a Nigerian lawmaker stated that: “We have a culture, we have religious beliefs and we have a tradition… Same-sex marriage is alien to our culture and we can never give it a chance. So if [Western nations] withhold their aid to us, to hell with them.” With Nigeria having the second highest number of people in the continent living with HIV/AIDS, the threat of a retraction of donor funds by the USA and UK, which pays for 95 per cent of the antiretroviral prescribed in the country, is clearly a hindrance
rather than a help and could cause masses of citizens to suffer. As homosexuals are already under fire in Nigeria, it is difficult to comprehend why the government is placing so much emphasis on the condemnation of same-sex marriage when LGBT organisations within the country are still fighting for a mere understanding or tolerance of their choices. As suggested by Jabulani Chen Pereira, Africa’s program co-ordinator for the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, it appears that the senate’s goal is to “shift attention from its State priorities in attaining the challenges set out in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)” for example, “poverty eradication, access to basic health, and the right of all citizens to enjoy education”, by drawing focus towards the castigation of an issue that is at present, sparsely an issue.
2011 shock story: phone hacking scandal and the Leveson Inquiry Philip Mansell
>Philip Mansell looks back over the news that shook the media and press. 2011 was the year that the biggest media scandal in decades rocked Britain. It was confirmed that for years the News of the World had been intercepting voicemail messages on ‘celebrities’ mobile phones and the Leveson inquiry still continues today. However, it wasn’t just celebrities that they had been following. Perhaps the most controversial example of phone hacking is that the NOTW had used the practice on Milly Dowler’s phone, a thirteen- year-old girl who was abducted and murdered in 2002. The alleged hacking took place when, whilst unaware of her death, journalists listened to her voicemail messages. As her inbox filled, messages were deleted to allow more space, giving false hope to the Dowler family that she was alive. No evidence has been able to prove this, however during the inquiry it was stated that the messages had been deleted and were not automatically removed, as proposed by police.
The NOTW’s hacking encompassed a huge network of public figures and ultimately led to the demise of the publication which had been in print for 168 years. But questions remain; how had this been allowed to happen and what are the consequences? Sienna Miller’s evidence, on 24 November, provided great detail into the intrusion of the press which had blighted her life for years. She claimed she had been left to question her close family and friends after a highly private issue was released in the press. Having been made aware of the phone hacking practice, she realised that no one had leaked the information to the newspaper, but her voicemail had been hacked. She questioned the practice of the paparazzi and their willingness to go to any lengths to get a picture or story. Miller stated that she regularly had groups of paparazzi chasing her down dark streets to get a picture; questioning its morality. She made
the point that if the cameras were taken away, it would be a group of men chasing a woman. In this way, it is clear that the NOTW phone hacking scandal has allowed for a wide examination of the British press with future consequences. Allegations that other newspapers including The Times and the Daily Mirror have been involved in phone hacking have further damaged the reputation of the press. Without doubt the controversy of phone hacking has had a damaging effect on the reputation of the press, but I feel that there has always been a suspicion and unease at the distaste of certain journalistic practices. Whilst the public purchase the newspaper, read the stories and look at the pictures, it does not necessarily mean that they are comfortable with the way the stories have been gathered. The phone hacking scandal is not the first controversy the British press has been involved in; problems for the NOTW regarding the
comment@westerneye.net practice of intercepting personal information dates back to 2007, when Clive Goodman, the newspapers royal correspondent, pleaded guilty to the practice. One of the defences used by the journalists and editors involved is that if someone is willing to put themselves in the public eye, then they deserve what they get from the newspapers. So, how do we draw the line between journalism and pure intrusion? The public will always desire to read about celebrities, particularly something controversial – and it is clear that is what has been capitalised upon by the press. Paul McMullen, former Deputy Editor of the NOTW, claimed on ‘Newsnight’ that the newspaper released less newsworthy stories so that when they did release a story uncovering something like corruption there would be ‘five million people’ to read it. This was widely criticised, but it adds to the inability to judge between journalism and unprofessionalism.
As the Leveson inquiry continues, it is difficult to notice any immediate effects of exposing phone hacking at the News of the World. Regardless of the outcome of the inquiry, the scandal has shed a new light on the murky journalistic world, of which the public will now always be aware of. The phone hacking scandal is not a guaranteed catalyst for change and it is unlikely that we will see a drastic change, but at least there is an acceptance that major newspapers are involved and there will be a greater scrutiny of everything they do. Media controversies will not cease because of the scandal, but at least the press has the option and ability to learn from their mistakes and move away from using these wholly unacceptable practices.
14 Debate
WesternEye Feb 2012
Running into traffick It’s a man’s world
>Sex trafficking and illegal prostitution has continued to be a complex battle to fight around the world, Muttahar Halepota analyses the approaches available to attempt to combat this crime.
>Khiam Barry explores the cracks appearing behind the male dominated nominations of one of the most coveted awards in British sport Khiam Barry comment@westerneye.net
Muttahar Halepota comment@westerneye.net The fact that in the 21st Century young people, especially young girls, can be brought into a liberal, democratic and developed country for the sexual gratification of others is completely shameful. There are different views on dealing with trafficking. I, along with many others, agree with the “Dutch model”. This involves legalising and regulating brothels where there is contraception, health checks, social security benefits and wages for prostitutes. Arguably this means that prostitution is like any other profession – regulated, legal, noncoercive and safe enough. So this is the best way forward, right? Wrong. This approach ignores so many things that it can be described as “doing nothing”, whilst patting those with power and influence on the back for being “liberal”. This approach is the lazy response; it ignores the massive void of power, confidence and determination that prostitutes, male or female, have. It ignores the lack of safety of the trafficked, whilst giving the impression of real progress, because the pimp has apparently lost his place. It fails to root out the underlying issues as to why we have prostitution and trafficking: employment, education, drugs, poverty, self-determination and other issues. Academic researcher Nick Mai, argues that most sex workers are consensual adults. Others suggest that there should be coercion tests to root out those who are forced to become prostitutes, whilst leaving others, as they earn more money than menial occupations. However, this approach makes some fundamental errors, mistaking apparent consent for genuine. Nobody aspires to become a prostitute; even those who support the Dutch model would concede this. Anti-prostitution activist Melissa Farley argues that there is always an underlying cause; perhaps the person may have been sexualised from a young age, be economically or socially deprived, and they may
see a profession involving sex as the only way forward at that time. Farley likens this to domestic abuse, where the woman returns to her violent partner because of the ‘mask’ she puts up. A person who lacks selfbelief in their skills, intelligence or worth cannot be said to truly consent. Even then, there is no promise of complete consent; aid worker Jody Williams found evidence of girls being pressured into lying about how glamorous their work was; they feared retribution from their employers if they publicly dissented. Another thing that is constantly ignored is the profit motive of brothels. Those who provide the most sexual gratification for clients will be kept on, while those who might be uncomfortable with certain acts will be pressured to be more enthusiastic, especially during recessions and economically uncertain times. I believe that legal brothels do not create oppression-free havens, nor do they benefit victims of trafficking, despite the expected safety issues being cut out. Holland and Germany, two Dutch approach countries, are held to be some of the world’s most popular destinations for trafficking by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Organised Crime. Trafficking has increased in the Netherlands, and the red light districts have been sneakily taken over by criminal gangs, proving very difficult to regulate and keep out the gangs. The illegal sex industry competes with its legal counter-part; where there is demand or even a means the brothel owners will use the legal front as a method for disguising illegality and coerciveness. Treating prostitution like any other job could allow the state to sanction exploitation. This may sound laughable; however, this is exactly what happened in Germany in 2005. A 25 year old waitress in
Berlin was threatened with losing her unemployment benefit for refusing to work for a brothel. While this may seem unlikely to happen in the UK, it is worth remembering that during times of recession some governments act lazily and put too much trust in profit driven businesses. It would be cowardly to shy away from creating alternative employment, provide better education and tackle the roots of the problem. The roots of the problem appear to be that prostitution and trafficking are complex issues. There is no exhaustive list as to why they happen. There may be no solution that can eradicate them completely. However, where there is demand and means there will be supply. I invite the reader to consider the Swedish model, of criminalising the pimp, buyer and the brothel owner; whilst providing employment, education, counselling, incentives, self-empowerment and medical assistance to help the people to leave the trade, without criminalising them. I also propose having a trained police force that can root out these gangs. Even though the criminalising of buyers could be argued as a breach of their civil liberties or human rights this has reduced trafficking in Sweden greatly. Critics may also argue that the Swedish model will take time and money. I don’t accept that. This problem enslaves people, robs them of their freedom to be safe and be respected and not commercialised; the solution to such a problem is worth investing in. While it may be that, we cannot completely eradicate trafficking or prostitution, we can tip the balance away from those that economically benefit from this problem in favour of these young people by empowering them and creating better opportunities.
This year’s BBC ‘Sports Personality of the Year Award’ caused a few raised eyebrows amongst observers due to the notable absence of any female nominees. This topic was alluded to during the ceremony by one of the presenters, Gary Lineker, making a light-hearted comment. Jake Humphreys was another of the three presenters of the ceremony, alongside Sue Barker, and was keen to stress the fact that the event was not a sexist competition. He suggested that the achievements of the ten male finalists warranted their place on the shortlist and that their efforts genuinely did outshine those of their female counterparts. To include women for the sake of women being included would positively discriminate against male sports achievements which would otherwise be recognised. The eventual winner of the award, Mark Cavendish, has had a fantastic year winning the world championships and gained the green jersey in this year’s ‘Tour De France’. Rebecca Adlington, winner of the recent swimming World Championships, voiced her disappointment at the lack of female representatives in the shortlist but still wished the male finalists luck. Another potential worthy candidate was Chrissie Wellington, winning the ‘Ironman World Championship’ for the fourth time. Wellington similarly expressed her anger at the lack of recognition for women in sport on Twitter, writing: “More must be done to promote minority sports/female role models”. The fact that the nomination selection panel consisted of notable ‘lad’s mags’ has been the subject of much discussion as to whether or not this is fair. Due to these magazines’ male dominated readership, they could favour male sporting achievements over women’s. Also, it has to be said that male sports had more coverage last year, making their successes better known. In response to the voting method criticism, BBC News has reported the BBC will review its voting process, still remaining convinced of the equality and fairness to all individu-
als. They have assured that the last vote is solely down to the public, but they will “seek the opinions of people both within and outside of the BBC before deciding on the appropriate methodology for 2012”. Special mention has to be made to golfer Lauren Taylor winning the ‘Young Sports Personality of the Year Award’ after a very successful 2011, winning the Ladies ’British Open Amateur Championship’, becoming the youngest woman to do so at 16. With two other female finalists, cyclist Lucy Garner and swimmer Eleanor Simmonds, there is a bright future for female athletes. With this year’s London Olympics, the platform is certainly there for the likes of Jessica Ennis and Rebecca Adlington to step out of the shadows of their male peers and prove their worthiness of inclusion in the final ten of 2012’s ‘Sports Personality of the Year Award’ ceremony.
READ SOMETHING YOU DONT AGREE WITH? LET US KNOW. comment@westerneye.net
Debate 15
WesternEye Feb 2012
The day the internet was saved comment@westerneye.net
>Liam Corcoran discusses the impact that SOPA and PIPA could have on the future of our internet
Some of you may not even realise it, but the internet is under attack. There are people who would see it changed so they can control it; so they can control what you see, experience, use and produce. These people are the American government, funded by the entertainment industry. Sopa (Stop Online Piracy Act) and Pipa (Protect IP Act) have been making their way through the houses of Congress and the senate in America, with one sole objective, to censor the internet. And who would have these massive powers over the internet? Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Both these acts were so absurd that action had to be taken, and that action was taken on such a massive scale that both acts have been postponed. Over 13 million people and companies like
They didn’t understand that when you threaten something like the internet, it won’t be taken lightly. These acts aren’t even needed, Megauploader was shut down because of acts already in place in the US. The internet is huge, it spans the globe and gives millions of people access to things that weren’t possible 10 years ago. As of December 2011, over two billion people had access to the internet and it’s still growing, so what could possibly threaten that? As the world gets more and more internet capable, the business model that the American entertainment industry presents us with has become outdated. But rather than change and adapt to fit this new generation, they would rather fight to keep it the same way, the big controlling the small. Sopa and Pipa would change the
Wikipedia, Google and a whole host of other websites took action. Some more than others, it has to be said. Wikipedia went completely dark for 24 hours, where as Google just blacked out their banner. This is the first time so many people in America have joined together in fighting the powers that be and is a truly historic moment. The entertainment industry really didn’t expect there to be quite so much backlash against the acts. It took them by surprise and led to the postponing of the acts. However, they will be back, if slightly reworded.
internet to its very core. It would allow the entertainment industry to block access to infringing domain names, sue websites until they remove links and cut off advertising funds to websites by forcing the advertisers to close their accounts. All that just to stop internet pirates, and that might not sound like a lot, but when put into practise, it’s on another level. For one, these two acts would not stop pirates. You can get round a website being blocked by just typing in it’s IP address rather than the .com address. If you pirate a lot of movies or music, that isn’t too challenging.
Liam Corcoran
What they would do is cripple any new start up website that the entertainment industry feel isn’t doing it’s filtering properly. This would mean no new social networking sites or search engines, meaning no one could challenge the dominance of Facebook or Google. Youtube would have also been shut down straight away. That might seem a bit extreme but the wording of the bill is so loose and ambiguous that in the eyes of the wrong judge, a lot could look like a pirate site and be shut down, affecting anywhere where people express themselves, make art or news, remix and restructure media. In order to put both acts in place, they would also have to meddle with the very inner workings of the web, meaning that everything that enters and leaves your computer is monitored to such an extent, that what you do is no longer free, and if you make a mistake, you could face five years in prison straight way. This is the American government though and we trust them right, (You really trust them?) but what happens when other countries pass similar laws? The internet would no longer be a neutral place throughout the world. Everyone’s internet would look different and individual countries would receive different information. It would affect grassroots organisations, protesters, thinkers and creators. Countries could kill movements before they even began. Under Sopa and Pipa, the Middle Eastern uprising might not have happened. That’s the thing about people with power, they always want more power and when they get it, they will abuse it. They would go after everyone from families to children to little old ladies, and why? So Hollywood can sell more movies. Pipa and Sopa will return, but when they do we have to fight again. We’ve won once, we can win again. Don’t let the entertainment industry censor the web.
Useful degree or pointless disaster? >Is gaining a First in Comedy Studies still funny when looking for a job in the future? Rikki Du Heaume argues it’s anything but a laugh. Rikki Du Heaume comment@westerneye.net Getting a degree is considered by many as the foundation stone in achieving that dream career. It not only furthers ones knowledge in a chosen field but broadens our own experiences and perhaps most importantly, helps us stand out from others when it comes to obtaining work. We spend hours flicking through prospectus’ and discussing choices with student advisors over the best establishment to go to. All being well we end up on the course and establishment of our choice. Failing this, some will spend hours come results day going through clearing simply to ensure employability in three years’ time. Along with this, over the last five years emphasis has also been placed on issues such as economic decline and the importance of choosing a degree that will set you up for work. Now whilst this advice seems sound and logical I, along with others, am astounded that both establishments and students are choosing courses now dubbed “Mickey Mouse” degrees. No doubt people will argue that no degree is stupid, still surely many will believe that a BA in Harry Potter is as useful as a chocolate fire guard. This example is firmly at one end of the daft degree spectrum but it is certainly not alone. Whilst searching online for such degrees I came across some which made me envisage even longer lines of unemployed graduates at the dole office. In general, the American’s seem to have drunk more crazy juice than British universities. I feel I am obliged to share some of the weird and wonderful courses available to students across the pond. These are: The Phallus, The Art of Walking, Queer Musicology, Cyber Feminism, The Adultery Novel In and Out of Russia, Philosophy and Star Trek and finally, Maple Syrup. In fairness, these are all equivalent to modules over here, not full degrees. Perhaps the best degree is Golf. Don’t get me wrong I have no issue with the sport and have played on my local course a few times; I also enjoy watching The Masters Tournament. I do however feel that three years of
learning about club selection, the perfect green and the importance of having a good caddy is a waste. A waste of money, a waste of educating space and a waste of time. Unless you’re the next Sophie Sandolo or Rory McIlroy you may as well set your loans on fire. Available at the University of Birmingham, students complete modules in psychology, sports science and business and finance. But still… golf? Along with controversial degrees we now have the oversubscribed. Many students in the last few years, and I’m sure in years to come, have chosen degrees in subjects which offer little or no chance of employment in that field. As a mature student, I have come across many people from my compulsory education that chose degrees in subjects which at the time seemed “cool” but now are working in totally polarised industries. For example one chose Media, obtained a First from Wolverhampton and now has spent six years working in a DIY shop. Another chose Art at Bournemouth and has spent the same amount of time unemployed. And it doesn’t stop at “stupid” or “cool” degrees either. MPs are constantly pointing out during debates on education that there are more nursing students than there are nursing jobs and there are more psychology students than there are patients, which leaves us questioning the futures our degree choice can provide. Whilst it is too late for us to change we should be advising those who are about to apply to university to seriously consider their choices because a BA in Basket Weaving will not help many people’s employment.
16 Debate
WesternEye Feb 2012
‘Choosing to Die’ or the right to be free? >“Is it possible for someone, like me or like you, to arrange for themselves the death that they want?” Zoe Hatziantoniou comment@westerneye.net In the UK, assisted dying or euthanasia has always been spoken of under hushed tones. Fantasy novelist Sir Terry Pratchett released the documentary ‘Choosing to Die’ in June 2011 on the rights people with physical and mental diseases have if they want to end their lives. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in December 2008 Pratchett had to come to terms with slowly losing his mind, therefore losing his passion: writing. The documentary follows his exploration through the world of euthanasia, meeting other British peo-
about recognition at the end of the day that you have made the right decision and this will hopefully keep your mind at peace knowing that you have helped another person rest. Pratchett also mentions that when people are unable to take care of themselves or continue with their usual routines, they need to have the choice of whether they can take their own life. People should be allowed to go peacefully and with dignity. Pratchett states that the only option for within the UK “is the good old fashioned do it yourself suicide”. The consequence for anyone else present can be imprisonment, or a
the service you must be a member of Dignitas, be of sound judgement and possess the sufficient level of physical mobility to self-administer the drug. In the case of Alzheimer’s sufferers, including Pratchett, this destruction of the mind provides a huge dilemma. If someone with Alzheimer’s applied for the treatment too late, their mind would not be in the desired state to consent to the medication. Posing the question of whether you die while you’re sane, sacrificing potential healthy years ahead or wait until the last moment possible, risking the loss of your opportunity to control the end of
your disease. Due to the co-operation of a physician the person must suffer from “a disease which will lead to death… and/ or an unendurable incapacitating disability, and/or unbearable and uncontrollable pain”. This is where the debate begins. What categorises as ‘unbearable’ pain? This highly subjective set of circumstances is one of the main reasons why the legalities of the treatment are so delicate. The extremely complex subject will no doubt take years to have all questions answered. Is it our place as humans to choose when our lives
are complete? Who decides how far a life must be troubled until suicide is acceptable? Do we prioritise the quality or the quantity of our futures? I believe it is best to enjoy the moments you have with your close ones instead of taking tomorrow for granted. Pratchett’s documentary, available online, is a poignant and emotional piece, meeting real people and showing a glimpse of the trouble they face.
Final Year Undergraduate Students
ple also contemplating and planning their own deaths. There are numerous sides to whether assisted dying should be legal for people suffering from incurable illnesses, like multiple sclerosis. Made illegal in the 1961 Suicide Act, campaigners continue to protest to change the law, most recently funded by Pratchett in January 2012. Aspects to consider include whether it is viewed as an ethical decision from a doctor’s point of view and taking into account the families’ perspective. It is an unimaginably difficult decision to make; battling with the selfishness of wanting your loved one to stay with you while doing what’s best for them. But when does it stop being the decision of the people around the person that is suffering and start being the individual’s alone? Surely people should have the choice when they see that their disease is making them unable to enjoy life. Also, what does legal mean? Is it that the people that stand by and watch you cope with your condition and in the end agree to help you rest, do not go to jail? Perhaps it is
death tax. Following this, what about the people that are left behind? There is the need to consider them and how this decision will affect the way their life goes on. Is committing suicide always a selfish act or would thinking about tomorrow as another painful day keep the relatives from agreeing to such a decision. However, after a point, the quality of life may not be acceptable. Pratchett states that Switzerland is the only country in the world where foreigners can go to be assisted to die. He also mentions that Mr Minelli, founder of non-profit assisted dying organisation ‘Dignitas’, can make all of the arrangements necessary for you to end your life, including cremation and transportation of the body back to the UK. Mr. Minelli defends ‘Dignitas’ stating that in Article 8 of the ‘European Convention on Human Rights’, there is a right of self-determination. The online brochure from ‘Dignitas’ states the treatment is there for “medically diagnosed hopeless or incurable illnesses, unbearable pain or unendurable disabilities”. To access
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Features Giving People a Bed and a Reason to get Out of It > With tough economic times upon us, Niki Mullin looks to the most vulnerable people in Bristol and how organisations have been put in place to help the homeless off of the streets... Niki Mullin features@westerneye.net o, when we think of Bristol what springs to your mind, Banksy? Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge? University rivalry? But what about homelessness? It is estimated that at any one time there are several hundred people without a home in our city. This is the cold reality of a prosperous, affluent city like Bristol, where there are always people on the outside looking in. But with significant pockets of homelessness and stubborn deprivation, we can no longer fail to see them.
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"When no one wants to take you on, Emmaus gives you a chance." A recent research report ‘Homelessness: A silent killer’, by Dr Bethan Thomas of the University of Sheffield reveals the extremely detrimental impact of homelessness on people’s health and well-being. The average age of death of a homeless person is 47 years old and is even lower for homeless women, at 43, compared to 77 for the general population. Homeless people are 9 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. Quite simply, homelessness kills and resolving it saves lives. On the 1 April 2011 a pilot scheme in London began called ‘No Second Night Out’ (www.nosecondnightout. org.uk). This initiative focuses on helping those who find themselves sleeping rough on the streets of London for the first time. No Second Night Out ensures there is a rapid response to new rough sleepers and is dedicated to providing an offer that means they do not have to sleep out for another night. The Government wanted to see this standard applied across the country, and Bristol was one of the fortunate cities to receive a grant of £229,000, which was received by St.Mungo’s (www. mungos.org), a registered charity in the South that provides a homeless service to people in our area. With this they were able to adopt the ‘No Second Night Out’ initiative in the city. The grant is part of an £8 million pot being awarded by the Homelessness Transition Fund to 41 projects that aim to ensure that no one lives on our streets. The £20 million independent Fund was set up to help support the Government’s rough sleeping strategy: ‘Vision to end rough sleeping: No Second Night Out nationwide’. Administered by umbrella organisation, Homeless Link, the Fund received 190 applications from charities wanting to protect key homelessness services and adopt initiatives like ‘No Second Night Out’. The service will provide additional resources targeted at people new to the streets. St Mungo’s will offer a public hotline for reporting rough sleepers and an outreach service that will bring individuals into the centre for assessment. St Mungo’s regional director, Elizabeth Harper, shared her excitement with the WesternEye about the
future project. “St Mungo’s is delighted to have been successful with the bid to the Homeless Transition Fund for funds to support our street outreach work in Bristol with a ‘No Second Night Out’ response service and additional complex case support. “This is extremely good news for the rough sleepers we help off the streets, as well as our outreach staff who do an incredibly tough job night after night.” The standard is based on having the right services in place, so that new rough sleepers can be identified and helped off the streets immediately. The public can alert services if they see anyone sleeping rough so they get help. Rough sleepers can go to a place of safety, where their needs can be assessed and they can get help. Emergency accommodation and other services are provided to the most vulnerable. Rough sleepers from outside an area can be reconnected with their community, where they can be near family and friends and can get housing and support. Housing minister Grant Shapps commented: “When
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“When economic times are tough, protecting the most vulnerable in society becomes even more important." economic times are tough, protecting the most vulnerable in society becomes even more important. I’m delighted that vulnerable people in Bristol have £229,000 of extra help to make sure that they will never need to spend more than one night sleeping rough. A safe, warm place to stay is something that everyone should be able to rely on.” In Prime Minister David Cameron’s New Year message, he admitted that 2012 would be difficult as the economy struggled. In times of cutbacks and raising inflation we cannot rely on the state for the entire solution to homelessness. Emmaus Bristol (www. emmausbristol.org.uk) is a registered charity and social enterprise which helps homeless people out of hardship by “giving people a bed and a reason to get out of it”. Emmaus opened in 2003 and now operates a residential community of 23 former homeless men and women (“Companions”) and a recycling/reuse business with three retail outlets in St Philips, Barton Hill and Bedminster. The Emmaus shops in Bristol are Aladdin’s caves and full of treasures. They sell all sorts of recycled second hand goods, from furniture, bric-a-brac, records, books and clothes to cookers, fridges, electrical goods and bicycles. Items can be collected and delivered that are too large for you to transport. With offers of house clearances at competitive prices and a bike repair service to add to the list, there’s not a great deal more you could ask for. Shopping or donating to one of the
Photo: Laura Dale
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shops is a positive way to help the homeless community in Bristol and support Emmaus. “When you’ve been unemployed, when you’re in hostels, no one wants to take you on. Emmaus gives you a chance – it’s changed the way I look at life,” commented Mark, an Emmaus Companion. As a fellow student, I know we have little disposable income and we have to be realistic. But with the endless house moves in a student lifetime, or the amount of bike punctures we acquire, we could look to alternatives to solve the problem. Instead of asking the parents for money and taking your punctured tyre to the Mud Dock cycle repair shop, use one of the Emmaus services. Or if you want to pull out all the stops, run a marathon for Emmaus Bristol or simply volunteer your skills – Emmaus Bristol aims to turn charity on its head and now is your chance to get involved. We can help on a more regional scale as well. The Big Issue Foundation Events are exciting opportunities to look out for and inevitably helping the homeless community. The website (www.bigissue.com) lists all upcoming events such as The Night Walk and The Big Sleep Out. With hundreds of people taking part, it is a festival of fun and entertainment whilst helping an undoubtedly inspirational charity. We can’t change someone’s whole life in a single afternoon, but a small act of kindness can go a long way in encouraging someone who is stuck in a desolate place. So I am asking you, in solidarity with one another, play an active part of being part of the solution.
18 Features
WesternEye Feb 2012
A New Years Revelation
>A New Year brings with it new experiences, new jobs and… new resolutions. But after the clock strikes 12.01am, how many of us really stick to them? Khiam Barry discusses the trials and tribulations when it comes to keeping your word.
Khiam Barry editor@westerneye.net
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he year 2012 is now upon us; Christmas is over, trees have come down and wrapping paper fills our bins, leaving behind only one reminder of the holidays... our New Year’s resolutions. The question that is often asked is why do many of us choose 1 January to make these changes? Why do we wait until the turn of the year to make these amendments or improvements to our lives? Surely, if something needs changing we’d make those changes straight away instead of waiting for the remaining month or year to pass by before we embark on the big change. Well, why not 1 January? It is a common ideal that New Year’s day is the perfect time for a ‘fresh start’ or to venture upon a new challenge; or as the saying goes: A new year, a new you. However, it can be argued that some people are ‘all mouth and no trousers’ – they say they will do or change certain things and make their respective resolutions without any intention of actually sticking to them. A prime example being those who take up the generic resolution to ‘get fit’. You promise to go the gym, to eat healthier and to steer clear of alcohol. Unfortunately, some people don’t quite live up to their promises. Taking on a resolution so large can prove extremely difficult, and usually results in a scenario a little like this: You leave your house to go to the gym – the gym you promised yourself that you would join in the New Year. En route, you pass your local kebab shop. The not-so-enticing smell of greasy chips and kebab meat somehow manages to rope you in. Before you know it, you’ve picked the greasiest thing on the menu and you’re gorging your face, leaving all intentions of getting those ‘buns of steel’ on the counter. Then before you know it, that’s two of your resolutions in the bin along with your empty kebab box, leaving you with the empty feeling of failure and the uncomfortable full feeling of a severely bloated belly!
UWE students' New Year's Resolutions James Houghton took to Frenchay campus to find out what UWE students’ New Years Resolutions are (and whether they’ve managed to keep up with them!)...
A resolution such as kicking a habit like smoking can be very difficult. As well as battling a physical addiction, there is also the psychological addiction to overcome. For some, the fear of the challenge is what leads them to fail. However, with smoking, the fear of not quitting and not taking on the challenge of quitting could be a motivating factor to stick to the resolution. Being reminded of the potentially unpleasant consequences of smoking such as accelerated ageing and cancers are certainly worthy reasons for sticking to such a resolution. Methods such as nicotine patches, or replacing a cigarette with a lollypop or chewing gum are ways in which people try to quit. Some people are able to go ‘cold turkey’ and give up completely. However, this could prove to be very stressful to keep up and that stress could cause you to start smoking again. Taking ‘little steps’ may be advisable. Hypnotism and self-help books such as Allen Carr’s ‘Easy Ways to Quit Smoking’ can inspire people to quit. Furthermore, without wanting to state the obvious, it all depends on the nature of the resolution and size of the change. For example, there is a significant difference in saying that you want join the gym to lose a few pounds or to tone up those ‘wobbly bits’, compared to saying that you want to run one marathon a month for the next year. For some people, despite all their good intentions, they set themselves too big a challenge or change, and for all their efforts are left disappointed if they don’t quite reach them. So, if you want to follow through with your resolutions this year, here are my tips for success: • Make one or two resolutions that you know you will be committed to sticking to. • Be honest with yourself and make sure that the goals you set yourself are realistic. • Maintain a positive, mental attitude – you CAN achieve if you put your mind to it. • Be cautious about the goals you have set –
Thom Howell, 21 Linguistics “Basically, I need to go out there and meet some new people; get out there more try and meet a few women, I’ve been a bit rubbish over the last year. I’ve been out six times since the turn of the year, which is a lot more than usual.”
Samantha Butters, 20 English Language and Linguistics “My new year’s resolution is to bite my lip a bit more. You know think before I speak, at the moment it seems to be working.”
dramatically slashing calories, or over-doing it at the gym can potentially do more harm than good. • Start with small steps – throwing your full pack of cigarettes in the bin might just be a cause for disaster. Cut down gradually. As long as you quit at some point in the New Year, you’ve ultimately achieved your resolution. • Seek support from friends or family – they always provide the best motivation • Don’t let set-backs throw you off course – one minor glitch, doesn’t mean you should give up! So, if you’ve already fallen at the first hurdle, DON’T give up. Remember the tips and let broken resolutions be a thing of the past. But if all else fails, perhaps next year some of us might benefit from asking Santa nicely to dish out some realism, a little motivation, commitment and above all, that thing called will power!
Louis Jenkins, 20 English Language and Linguistics “My resolution was not to stop drinking but to just try and control myself more when I am drunk. I basically need to stop being such a mess on a night out.”
Martin Aldridge, 22 Games Technology “My resolution was to learn something new everyday, preferable from a book and so far I’ve stuck to it. Only missed a couple of days, so I pretty proud of that.”
Features 19
WesternEye Feb 2012
The Bankruptcy Diaries Rebecca Day
admin@westerneye.net
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he average predicted debt a current student will be leaving university with is £26,000, whilst students starting this academic year, their average debt will be soaring up to an astounding £53,000. The prospect of adding additional figures on to this extortionate amount after you have left university is almost unthinkable, despite the ‘so-called’ meagre monthly repayments. Former UWE student, Paul Broderick, is a prime example of a graduate who succumbed to the banks’ wicked ways and found himself mounting up more debt than he had bargained for... The Bankruptcy Diaries is a captivating novel that contains 21 chapters, each aptly titled with cleverly chosen sub titles in accordance to banking related quotes - ‘Bankruptcy is like losing your virginity. It doesn’t hurt the next time’ was no doubt one that made me laugh out loud. Paul Broderick, who tells his tale through the fictional character, Paul Livingson, takes you on a fascinating and gripping journey from the post-university dread of having to delve into the ‘world of work’ through to the financial difficulties that gradually take hold of his life. Despite his student debts hanging unwantedly over his head, he still wants to live ‘the high life’ - and realises with a credit card, it all seems too easy. The book is written in a diary format that allows you track his financial deterioration over a seven year period. He lives well beyond his means, by attempting to live a life that is just simply unsustainable. Paul Broderick cleverly and nobly conveys one man’s loss of control and his willingness to try and regain it again. The brilliant sense of humour that is continuously conveyed throughout the novel is cleverly contrasted with the darkness of debts. It highlights the materialistic society we live in, and how some of us in British society live well beyond our means, as well as raising awareness of just how corrupt financial institutions really are. The novel reveals an onset of sleepless nights, severe depression and an impending breakdown of a relationship. As letters from his banks make their reoccurring appearance on his door mat, the reader becomes gradually aware of just how easily these organisations are willing to give their money away - and Broderick demonstrates just how easily it can all be spent. Every time a letter slips though the post confirming an extension on his ever-increasing overdraft or from loan companies offering to lend unrealistic amounts of money, you find yourself desperately wanting to coax the author away from the financial demons, which continuously appear to haunt him throughout. He writes in the novel: ‘What a state I’m in. I blame myself for being so reckless, but I’m also angry with the bank for allowing me to repeatedly max out and consolidate. They kept on feeding me until I’d stuffed myself to the point where I could no longer move.’ His deterioration in mood is alleviated by the pivotal moment when he eventually sees the light at the end of the tunnel. His realisation of the corrupt state allows him to turn his life around and literally put a middle finger up to the system. It was fascinating to read how Broderick finally decided to take a firm stance against the system, plumping for default in a feat to savour his own health and well-being. His father stands as a prominent - and a somewhat ‘angel on your shoulder’ - character throughout the novel, that enforces the disapproving views on credit cards and loan agreements, whilst his jet-setting friends provoke and encourage him to join them on booze-fuelled European ventures. In the words of Broderick, they were ‘living like miniature kings on plastic thrones.’ His father emphasises on him ‘learning the value of money’ - a view which reflects the more frugal, older generation, rather than the young. As you become drawn further and further into the depths of his diary, the manipulating nature of banks and their exploitation of financially vulnerable individuals becomes vividly apparent. Broderick allows the reader to explore and question whose
responsibility it is for the financial breakdown that an increasing amount of people seem to be facing. Is it the individual’s responsibility? Or is it more sinisterly the systems ploy to encourage mountains of debt, making slaves of us all? This is a strongly recommended read to any university student, or anyone experiencing financial difficulties. Paul Broderick was once studying at UWE, accumulating the same standard university debt that we will all be leaving with at some point. Credit cards and overdrafts are too often looked upon as a means to acquire ‘free money’, but it is not - as Paul Broderick clearly demonstrates in his financial feat with demonic debts. After reading the novel, I was intrigued to find out more, so I caught up with Paul Broderick to ask his views on claiming bankruptcy, who’s to blame for the increase of debt in Britain and what advice he would give to us students who are destined - for what it feels like - a lifetime of debt. What made you decide to produce your book in a diary format? ‘I experimented with a conventional narrative form at first but eventually decided that the diary format worked particularly well for this type of story where a lot of events are happening quickly and where some mounting bills and debts – are constantly repeating. I liked the way it leant itself to changes of pace and the way I could bring characters in and out at various points.’ What would be your advice to students who contemplate getting credit cards during/after university? ‘Avoid them at all costs. University is where they suck you in by giving you overdraft facilities and credit cards by normalizing debt so that when you cross over into the world of work you’re already accustomed to having the bank’s debt products and continue to use them. Students tend not to be too concerned with the long-term and are more concerned with having the means to enjoy themselves – well, I certainly was – and don’t really stop to question why banks are happy to let them have credit. Having said that, I do remember wondering why the banks were offering various sweeteners and competing to entice you into banking with them but I suppose it was pretty obvious really.’ What are your thoughts on the rise in tuition fees and the debts students will be facing after they have finished? Do you think it’s still worth going to university for? ‘The tuition fee thing is just another part of the neo-liberal, roll back the state agenda where the government washes its hands of a financial burden and education becomes just another industry. I thought it was bad when I graduated with £7000 worth of student loans and a couple of grand on an overdraft but the levels of debt students are forced to incur nowadays seriously changes the balance of work or study equation. However, you’re kind of backed into a corner – aside from the qualifications and skills to be gained that will enable people to have a much more interesting or rewarding life there’s also the ‘university experience’ factor. Despite the debt I think I’d still be keen to go and given my live for the now nature I’m sure I’d think it was still worth it.’ How did you manage your money whilst at university? ‘You won’t be surprised to learn that the answer to this one is awfully - despite having a part-time job.’ Your father seemed to have stood as quite a prominent figure throughout your book. Do you wish you took your father’s advice at any point? ‘Again it comes down to attitude to life. Do I wish I’d been sensible, lived a good clean life and maybe owned a property? Despite the travails of the years of chronic indebtedness I had a ball during the good times and life is all about experience, after all, you never know when you’ll step out into the road and get mown down by the number 73.’
Paul Broderick How did it feel when you realised that bankruptcy was the only way out of your situation? ‘It felt good to have arrived at a decision after all the prolonged procrastination and agonizing over my situation. By that point I just wanted to be free and didn’t care what it took to achieve that.’ Would you advise bankruptcy to anyone who gets into a similar situation as you? How has going bankrupt benefited you? ‘Obviously each person’s circumstances will differ but I’d certainly advise in favour of default rather than spending years of your precious life in slavery and servitude to the financial institutions just to pay back debt (which isn’t even real) to line the pockets of bankers and shareholders. Freeing myself from debt through bankruptcy allowed me to begin living how I wanted to and by that I mean working a lot less and becoming a writer. I doubt I’d have managed it so easily, if at all, had I slogged myself silly for god knows how many years paying it all back. I think I’d have been finished as a person long before I’d made that final payment.’ What do you think are the major causes for the increase in debt in Britain? And who do you think is to blame? ‘Government, banks and individuals are all to blame. Firstly, Thatcher’s deregulation of the city resulted in the development of the credit industry that was handing out cards and loans during the boom years and imploring people to spend, spend, spend! New Labour continued Thatcher’s neo-liberal economic policies so government played a huge part. The banks were the ones handing out the money without caring whether people could pay it back, just so they could increase their profits so they too are also culpable. Finally, anyone who signs an agreement and takes out a card or loan must take individual responsibility for their actions (me included).’ What are you plans for the future? Do you plan on writing any more books? Giving people advice on financial difficulties? ‘I’ve got a few ideas developing in notebooks and will be starting a new writing project soon. I already give people advice on financial issues through my website but it isn’t exactly orthodox.’ Paul Broderick’s book, The Bankruptcy Diaries, can be purchased online through Amazon. Be sure to also check out his website (www.iwentbankrupt.co.uk) and follow him on Twitter @iwentbankrupt.
20 Features
WesternEye Feb 2012
Change your policies, not our pensions >With 7000 students at UWE enrolled on healthcare related courses, Laura Dale looks at the implications the proposed government cuts will have on prospective NHS workers, as well as the rest of the public sector workers... Laura Dale features@westerneye.net
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"Everyone is so angry because we will be working longer, paying more and getting less." fresh new graduates and younger members (aged under 34) will be expected to work up to eight years longer. As well as this, employees are still expected to contribute to their pension scheme even in these extra years. And if they choose to leave early, their income would be ‘actuarially reduced’ by roughly four to six percent for each year. As well as working for longer under the new scheme,
NHS members also lose out in the long run. Instead of calculating their pension on their final salary, as they do now, pensions will be calculated by average earnings. So, if someone were to take time off for maternity or paternity leave, his or her final pension sum would ultimately lower because of their time off. The Trade Union Congress (www.tuc.org.uk) are suggesting that the press are ‘spreading four big myths’ in order to persuade the public to back the government changes. These leaflets aim to quash rumours in the hope of informing the public of the real deal behind public sector pension cuts. Many believe that public sector workers get ‘goldplated’ pensions – an unfair advantage over private sector staff. In answer to these ‘myths’, Trade Union Congress points out that once the cuts come into play, “the median pension for working in the NHS is £3500 a year. Would £3,500 sound like a luxurious annual income for you in your old age? Everyone deserves a decent pension when they retire. However, the assault on public sector pensions will do nothing to improve private sector pensions. In fact, it will simply clear the way for employers in the private sector to drive down the pay and pensions of their staff even further.”
Basically, everyone is so angry because we will be working longer, paying more and getting less.”
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"The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of democracy." On 30 November 2011, up to two million public sector workers protested their cause, staging a ‘walk-out’ causing public uproar and the fear that thousands of patients would be neglected and that the strike would cost millions.
Photo: Getty Images
ritish history is filled with protests flooding our streets since anyone can really remember, from Saxons with flaming torches to students with placards. A democratic nation such as ours prides itself on our right to protest, where activists can take to the streets and campaign for what they believe in. The Directgov website (www.direct.gov.uk) states that: “The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of democracy, and it has a long, distinguished history in the UK. Taking part in a demonstration, rally or protest is a high-profile way to take a stand on issues important to you. Protests can make a real difference – leading to changes in governmental policies and laws. Peaceful protests allow people to come together and stand up for what they believe in, and can be a very effective way of promoting change.” In 2011 alone, England saw many a demonstration against various policies, from cuts in education, disability benefits to the ongoing international Occupy campaign. Not only are we affected by a great number of these government cuts by being students, but as future public sector workers as well. For example, nearly 7000 students at UWE are enrolled on healthcare-related courses, many of which will lead to careers in the NHS. As NHS employees, 2011 graduates are looking at a pension scheme that works by taking a percentage of pay out of your monthly salary in order to cover costs – this means that NHS employees are left with less money to live off each month than private sector workers. Pensions are then paid out on a final salary; meaning that it is calculated by the amount that you earn upon ending your career. This scheme was agreed in 2007 to 2008 when it was decided that it was an affordable and sustainable system. NHS employees are happy with the current scheme; although they are paid much less than private sector workers, they can be reassured in the fact that they have a descent pension at the end of their careers. But in 2011, a mere three years later, the government proposed a change to the supposedly ‘sustainable’ scheme. Now, the government is pushing for an increase in the retirement age of NHS employees, which is due to rise in stages up to the age of 68 in 2046. This match to the state pension age will result in older employees having to work between one and six years longer, while
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"The proposed average salary calculation could reduce your pension by up to 25%.” Of course, it is not just the public sector that faces pension cuts. National debt is affecting everyone, so shouldn’t that mean everyone needs to make sacrifices to help pay off the debt? Indeed pension costs are out of control in this country, but “NHS staff pay into their pension scheme throughout their working lives. In fact, in 2010, £2 billion more was paid into the scheme than retired NHS staff received in pension payments. The scheme more than covers its costs and actually generate a surplus for the Treasury to spend.” If the scheme already makes a surplus of £2 billion then why does it need to change, where is that money going? Maria Furtado, 28, is a Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) steward for Pediatric Physiotherapy at NHS Gloucestershire and will be affected by these cuts. Maria said: “Yes, we are going through an economic recession. If everybody needs to sacrifice to replace the national deficit, how are bankers still able to get huge bonuses when banks caused the global financial crisis?” As a female, Maria finds the proposed average salary calculation particularly infuriating as she says: “This could reduce your pension by up to 25 percent depending on [your] career path. Therefore – especially for women – career breaks and reducing hours to part time will be detrimental for your pension. “The new scheme will follow the consumer price index rather than retail price index. Again, this is likely to reduce your overall pension by ten to fifteen percent.
Katy Thomas, 25, a fellow Physiotherapist said: “Although NHS workers decided to take industrial action on the 30 November 2011 service users did not suffer. Throughout the country NHS staff still worked, despite agreeing with the industrial action, to ensure that patient care was not compromised. The same action was taken earlier in the year when the government granted a public holiday for the Royal Wedding.” A new offer has been made by the government, sparing 530,000 staff earning between £15,000 and £26,557, but instead leaving higher earners to contribute more, leaving the battle for pensions is far from resolved. http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/aboutus/factsandfigures/ studentdemographics.aspx
Entertainment Music Film and Television
The Oscar Nominations >Jack Cullis presents his own interpretation of this year’s Oscar nominations Jack Cullis entertainment@westerneye.net The experience of a film is entirely subjective: important to remember when it comes to a sensible dissection of the nominations The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences makes for film’s highestprofile pats-on-the-back, the Oscars. We will have to wait until late February 26th to allow ourselves to lose our heads again, like we have with the nominations, when the golden men are finally handed out, and your favourite film/supporting-actress/ sound-editor goes home trophy-less. So, your much-loved 2011 films of Drive, Shame and Melancholia have been snubbed. You absolutely detest The Artist and its managing 10 nominations. And, let’s not even get you started on Hugo [11 nominations]. You don’t like Tuesday mornings, prefer blondes to brunettes, and love the letter ‘K’. It is all subjective. Your favourite films and performances are missing. Calm down and tell yourself that you could not do better than those that did make the grade. Not even better than Madonna’s W.E. [of course, that’s subjective too]. The front runner then has emerged as a 3D film [one of those new glasses-based films you loathe], Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, it receiving the most plaudits and having us question whether there really is life in the waning 3D experiment
‘Talkies’? Should Jean Dujardin be removed from the Best Actor running due to not speaking in The Artist? And where does that dog fit in? Best Supporting Actor? The Academy has shown its lighter side with its nominations, with few deeply-serious films this past year, creating a niche for Midnight In Paris, The Artist and Hugo - flamboyant, wonderfully charming and colourful films, kind enough to make you smile from time to time. These films are harmless, with The Artist seeming like a joyous gift from out of nowhere. Service has been paid to Terrence Malick’s cinematic opera The Tree of Life, which left most of us scratching our heads in the summer; an unquestionably beautiful meditation on the wonder of life – if a bit short on narrative. However, these types of films are the bread and butter of the voters – films for filmmakers, by filmmakers, exploring the possibilities of the medium – and Malick, along with Scorsese and Woody Allen [Midnight In Paris], make up a bulk of praise for film’s old guard. All with Best Director nominations, perhaps this shows the gulf between nomination-lacking Spielberg and his War Horse, widely regarded as fairly weak, heavy on the emotions, and not particularly attempting anything revolutionary [Melancholia,
anyone?]. Has it received a Best Picture nod for its director’s name alone, or the quality of its ‘lesser’ components [6 nominations, 5 of which are not in the major categories], not including its writers and actors - deservedly slighted. It was perhaps a year of fine isolated performances more than anything else, with 12 actors including Gary Oldman, Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams all receiving nominations for films not recognised in the Best Picture list. This has enabled a wide cross-section of the year’s films to receive recognition, suggesting it has been a great year in terms of the fantastic range of films to choose from, and fairly simple affairs at that. This is no bad thing - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy perhaps argued itself out of a nod because everyone was asleep. A Separation and A Better Life are also commendable inclusions; lesser known pieces going up against the more mainstream affairs in the categories of Best Actor and Best Screenplay due to their strengths as films, and not recognition. But don’t worry - Clooney and Pitt are amongst it all in the Best Actor category, if you find yourself drifting off. Clooney seems to have this award sewn up already, his role screaming his ability to act up a storm. But what about Fassbender?! Far too
dark. Streep’s The Iron Lady performance, completely changing identities and becoming Thatcher for a few hours, will win her Best Actress. There is the feeling that there were not many great parts for women this year, and the categories making up the numbers with a few selections. Bridesmaids’ Kristen Wiig would have been a perfect choice, but no – too silly for the Academy. And what about Swinton?! Too, too dark. So, what for Best Picture and Best Director then? It seems a competition between The Descendants, Hugo and The Artist here, with War Horse et al distractions [and Drive, Shame and Melancholia left wondering why they aren’t in the running]. Best Director usually follows suit with Best Picture, and all three mentioned previous are exquisitely directed. However, it may come down to the body of work, which would have Scorsese taking home the Oscar. Surely no one can feel bad about that..
tion nourished for another 24 hours, and Brandon awakes once more.
Erratic, she dislodges the ticking mechanism of Brandon’s day, his life, and ultimately, himself – and he is forced to negotiate with his affliction’s fierce, relentless hunger.
This is director Steve McQueen’s Shame, an uninvited, silent gaze upon this infinitely exercised nightmare. Much more announced and unwelcome is the sudden presence of Carey Mulligan’s ‘Sissy’, his estranged sister, literally lumping herself in his private domain.
Their relationship is cast in accumulated tensions and unspoken tragedies from their history. These deeply unhappy siblings are not ‘bad people’, just have come from a ‘bad place’. The subtle brilliance of the film in illuminating this is seen in the faces of both as the sis-
ter spews a rendition of ‘New York, New York’ and they are reminded ‘little-town-blues’ are far from having melted away, and that to make a ‘brand-new-start-of-it’ through reconciliation is unimaginable. A haunting, fleeting portrait, Shame becomes more of a repeated intrusion on the secrets of strangers to chew on than a narrative to swallow down. It is uncomfortable and honest, which the filmmaking and performances do not try to conceal. It is magnetic, horrible, and brilliant.
A mesmerising midnight jogging scene through a blurred city forces you into Brandon’s horror; with his every thought, shamed, and desperate for an escape that never presents itself. With an agonisingly edited crescendo of unravelling inference and action towards the film’s climax, we all burst apart.
yet. However, The Artist is hot on its tail, which is as expected, and already has gained the momentum of many endorsements of its Best Picture, Actor, and Director credentials. The Academy certainly has a soft spot for the cinema of the past this year, as both films celebrate, whether seen through disposable glasses or not. Naturally and routinely, the backlash has begun. Many are left questioning the love-in for a beautifully shot and directed exercise-in-style such as The Artist, and the overlooking of Drive, which could easily enjoy a similar description. Are they not both either brilliantly original and compelling, or over-stylised and empty? Other notable absentees include both Shame and its powerful Michael Fassbender performance, and the equally as mighty Tilda Swinton and her We Need To Talk About Kevin. Both dark affairs, both brilliantly executed. And what about Andy Serkis’ delivery of another finely-tuned performance, albeit through CGI ones and zeros, in Rise of the Planet of the Apes? Overlooked. As was Tintin, but we are at a point where the medium of film is in transition – are these examples animation, or traditional performance as through a different means now possible - a lot like the progression from silent film into the
And, for those wondering, Drive has been nominated! For Best Sound Editing. It is all subjective.
Film Review: Shame Jack Cullis entertainment@westerneye.net Michael Fassbender’s sex-addicted New-Yorker ‘Brandon’ awakes with the ritual shame of yesterday, every day. He travels to work, noticing an attractive woman on the subway, every day. Or perhaps his next fix is found within the office or selected later in the bars and clubs, filthy vacations to the lavatory having to make do until then, every day. The cycle resets, addic-
22 Entertainment
WesternEye Feb 2012
Paul McCartney @ Manchester Evening News Arena
TV Review: This is England ‘88
Sam Brown
Sam Hudson
entertainment@westerneye.net
admin@westerneye.net
Nearly a year after the anniversary of Macca’s intimate show at Liverpool’s O2 Academy, here he was playing a Christmas show at a venue ten-times the size. While that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity harking back to the days of The Beatles at The Cavern Club, this was a more modern McCartney show. Big screens flashed up special effects to compliment certain songs, and images of The Beatles were interspersed with real-time shots of the band. Spectacular fireworks filled the arena for the James Bond title track ‘Live and Let Die’ and the audience was even treated to rarelyperformed festive song ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ - featuring a starryeyed local children’s choir and fake snow. With such a vast and enviable catalogue of songs to choose from, the set-list was split well between McCartney’s various musical projects. Right from set opener ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ – it was the songs by the Fab Four that really dominated catchy melodies, excellent rhythms and feel good songs that stand the test of time over 40 years later.
Mainly playing songs he wrote on his own, Paul does air some tracks co-written with songwriting partner John Lennon - such as ‘The Word’ - a piano led tune in its live debut. A rendition of early Beatles hit ‘All My Loving’ certainly brings up some odd feelings, especially as the huge screens that adorn the stage flash up images of the four twentysomethings running from hoards of screaming girls. Paul then sang ‘Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you’ –but close your eyes here, and it really could be 1963. At 3 hours with no break, this is quite an effort for a 69 year old gent. Nobody does it better than this seasoned performer. The highlight of the set had to be his solo acoustic double header of ‘Blackbird/Here Today’ - the latter a moving tribute to John, of Paul imagining a conversation they never had. These songs hold strong messages and sound best in their mellowness, the larger numbers suffering slightly from the booming acoustics of the largest arena in the country. McCartney ends his colossal set with multiple encores and crowd
pleasing sing-alongs of ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Let It Be’. After a gruelling set featuring countless songs that define many an upbringing, Macca and the band bow, before finally leaving the stage - Paul last of all - waving, smiling and holding his thumbs up to the crowd as if it was just another night at The Cavern. A fantastic performance from a class act all round. Not bad for a pensioner.
Many people are now aware of Shane Meadow’s This is England saga that debuted with a powerful and gritty feature film back in 2006. This continued with a three-part This is England 86 mini-series in 2010 and most recently appeared on our screens in a four part series titled This is England 88. Throughout this narrative, spanning a five year retrospect of the 80s, it is comforting to see that the quality of realism portrayed through true-natured characters placed in dramatic, yet plausible scenarios remains to be of a high standard. This is England 88 reunited us with the majority of the recurrent cast members and centred mainly around the three most enduringly captivating characters of Woody, Lol and of course Sean. The story begins 18 months after where we were left in the previous series, as we witness Lol’s struggles and descent from reality following her horrific ordeal, Woody’s apathetic attempt at a ‘middle class’ life and Sean’s
teenage dilemmas as he enters the world of adolescence. Much like Shane Meadow’s earlier work, it should come as no shock that this series touches on some of the most sensitive issues of society including mental illness, suicide and adultery. Yet the real hook is how these issues have been stripped back in a raw and naturalistic approach, without even the slightest hint of excessive dramatisation. So real and entrancing is the character’s dialogue that it brings one to question whether a script was used at all. Ad libs overpower any doubt that this spectacle of a 1980’s dystopian Northern England is essentially an autoethnography of Shane Meadow’s own upbringing. To be critical for the sake of being critical, the series may have benefited from including some of the more positive elements apparent during the previous series premier yet this is a non-essential element of what is well and truly remarkable story.
Club, The XX, Warpaint and Foster The People all have a similar guitar set up to their indie predecessors. But the twist now lies in their use of electronics to transform their sounds into something fresh, and innovative. Indie rock as we know it may be dying, but crossovers with
electronic genres are producing some pretty exhilarating results. It seems that it’s not just Bristol that’s crazy about dubstep – the rest of the world has finally catching on.
The End of an Era
>Former indie-rock fan Emma Wood puts forward her comments on the recent allegations of the demise of the genre
Emma Wood entertainment@westerneye.net
Recently, The Guardian ran an article suggesting that Indie, or Alternative Rock is dying a ‘slow and painful death’. At the end of December, the NME also quoted Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream fame, saying that guitar music was “no longer where creativity is”. He continued, “everybody seems to be settling for the status quo”. Sadly, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to argue with this view. Music trends are by no means stable, and it seems strange to remember that a couple of years ago folk was considered distinctly uncool. Now, however, the likes of banjo-infused Mumford of Sons can be heard bouncing around the irrefuta-
bly mainstream club, Syndicate. The grassroots revival of folk and blues has come as a surprise to many, but its authenticity is at odds with the excesses of the rock genre. In the current climate of mass unemployment, riots and recession – the affluent swagger of the laddish guitar band has become a little difficult to stomach. Indie rock was at its peak in the mid-noughties with jangling guitars dominating the charts. However, over time this has begun to sound increasingly tired. The Vaccines are arguably the only breakthrough alt rock band in the past year – but even their sound is undeniably nostalgic. In a sense, it’s like we are al-
ready harking back to a bygone era. Propaganda’s indie nights used to play offbeat, edgy music. Now DJs simply blast out Vampire Weekend’s ‘A-Punk’ week in, week out. In short: Music that was once new and exciting has just become a new brand of ‘cheese’. With even indie stalwarts like Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke turning his back on the humble guitar in favour of dubstep sounds, it would seem that electro is hurtling to the fore. With the inaccessible likes of Skrillex now getting considerable airplay on Radio One, it seems that the age of dubstep and electronically driven music may finally be upon us. Bands like Two Door Cinema
Entertainment 23
WesternEye Feb 2012
New music for a new term
Steve Jennings & Emma Wood
Folk & Blues
Pop
With the help of Noah & the Whale and Ed Sheeran, folk has taken the charts by storm. Blues is also enjoying an underground resurgence its only a matter of time before it follows suit. Michael Kiwanuka won BBC Sound of 2012 back in January with his soulful brand of folk. His voice is utterly goosebump inducing, definitely making him worthy of the prize. To Kill A King are another folk act to watch, being hotly tipped by The Fly as the next Mumford and Sons. They use unexpected sounds to keep them fresh and interesting, so this is not folk as you know it.
Frank Turner isn’t exactly new to the circuit, but he’s not as well known as he should be. If you think folk is all about relaxed guitars and dreamy lyrics, think again. Turner’s ‘punk-folk’ has a lot to say, and he’s not afraid to shout about it. EW The Black Keys are leading this charge and you’ll find yourself hav-
Dance Rapidly moving above ground, dance is enjoying huge chart prominence at the moment. Nicolas Jaar was one of the most unique and interesting artists to flourish in 2011. Jaar released his debut LP ‘Space Is Only Noise’, showcasing his sound which sits on the fringes between techno, house and downtempo. Tracks such as ‘Love You Gotta Lose Again’ and ‘Variations’ are examples of how Jaar’s chilled but danceable sound stands out from the bunch. Julio Bashmore also had his best year in 2011. From his 5 EP releases, the highlight was ‘Everyone Needs a Theme Tune’ which featured Mixmag’s track of the year ‘Battle For Middle You’. Walker’s focus on shuffling percussion, sharp synth stabs and vintage vocals were mixed faultlessly to create, for me, one of the tracks of the year. Walker deserves the hype, as his output is both prolific whilst maintaining high quality control. SBTRKT also enjoyed a breakthrough. His self-entitled collabo-
ing a weird craving for Jack Daniels. White Stripes’ fans will definitely like what’s on offer here. The Greasy Slicks are another one to watch, although very much a band still in their infancy. Insanely talented, these guys could go far.
‘Pop’ can often be considered a dirty word, but at the moment a lot of genuine talent seems to be seeping through and taking the place of the X Factor. Lana Del Rey’s face has been splashed everywhere over the past few weeks, but for good reason. Her voice is incredible, and the tunes she’s churned out so far have been embarrassingly catchy. The Good Natured are another example of electro-pop at its best, and fans of Ellie Goulding will definitely appreciate. Oh Land also helps prove that ‘pop’ is no longer synonymous with
‘crap’. Quirky but with mainstream sensibilities pinned firmly to the mast - she’ll be stuck in your head before you can say ‘Oh’.
Metal & the heavy stuff rative LP (with Sampha), released on Young Turks Records was met with generally positive reviews. ‘SBTRKT’ stood out from many other 2011 debuts as it contained both dance-floor focused tracks and subtle 2-step rhythms that were created with vocals in mind, not just as an afterthought. Jessie Ware has emerged as a versatile and worthy vocalist in bass music. Ware has featured on tracks such as SBTRKT’s ‘Nervous’ and Joker’s production ‘The Vision’, and does a good job at showing off her talent for creating catchy and subtle vocal hooks. Her live performances are often better than on record too. The 2 Bears are also ones to watch out for, with single ‘Work’ attracting a lot of attention and airtime over the last fortnight. Their debut long player ‘Be Strong’ is set for release in late January. Hot Chip front man Joe Goddard and Raf Rundell are the men behind the project.
The word ‘metal’ causes most people to run for the hills, however there is a lot of good music in this genre that should not be overlooked. Hello Lazarus are great if you aren’t used to heavy sounds and want to ease your way in gently. Accessible and melodic, these guys thwack in bursts of heavy sounds to kick it up a notch. The Safety Fire have been ravaging eardrums with new single ‘Huge Hammers’ over the last couple of months, and recently rendered Zane Lowe speechless live on air. They provide frighteningly good guitar throughout, but are definitely not for the faint hearted.
Rock/Indie
Hiphop/Rap As with dance, hiphop/rap is no longer leftfield and has been absorbed into the heart of the charts. Azealia Banks is destined for success. The fact that she is still unsigned, and yet has managed to become one of the biggest prospects this year is a lesson many young artists can take on board. Banks’ quickfire lyrical dexterity shows that she means business. Wretch 32 has enjoyed a good deal of attention with tracks such as ‘Traktor’ and ‘Unorthadox’ since his steady incline onto the British rap
entertainment@westerneye.net
scene. His nomination for BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll is a testament to his more traditional, sample-focused sound. DJ Shadow many people may not associate him with hip-hop as he has been frequently referred to more within the genre of trip-hop. With only 4 albums since his preeminent debut Entroducing in 1996, it is hard not to get excited when new releases are announced. The Less You Know, The Better took Joshua Davis nearly 2 years to produce, but your patience is well rewarded when you give it a listen.
With many people decrying the end of the genre as we know it, there is still some talent bubbling through. The Jezebels harking from Australia produce powerful yet delicate rock, and have been slowly gaining momentum. Various Cruelties are incredibly NME friendly and have been getting a lot of airplay recently. Sounding like a less anarchic version of The Vaccines, these guys may go against the grain and enjoy some success. M83 remain the biggest, little
band around at the moment. Providing the theme tune for Made In Chelsea ‘Midnight City’, the cross over with electro pop here is huge.
24 Entertainment
WesternEye Feb 2012
Album Review: The Maccabees - Given to the Wild
Gig Review: Skrillex @ Bristol O2 Academy
Oliver Tong
Larrissa Huggard
entertainment@westerneye.net
entertainment@westerneye.net
After 3 long years I hold in my hand The Maccabees third studio album ‘Given to the Wild’ (GTTW), turns out 3 years was worth it, I have been locked in a room waiting for this. The Maccabees have come back older, obviously, and drowned in a sea of reverb; they’ve clearly been making the most of the studio to create some beautifully odd sounds. The album swells to and fro; at times it is tantalisingly ambient but then they are not afraid to catch you off guard with screaming guitars and a full frontal wall of sound, driven by the always intricate and excellent drums. Certainly they have ‘matured’, unafraid to include some more experimental electronic elements, for example ‘Go’ opens with an electronic drum kit, a long reversing cymbal and in comes what seems to be a heavily effected guitar. This track pulls in and out driving constantly from minimal electronic to full blown indie-rock with a guitar that roars at you, cutting through the wake of reverb and drone. The album is unashamedly digital, Weeks’ fragile voice echoes in your
ears with reverbs so huge that he may as well be singing in space. The guitars do not always sound like guitars and the synths are used subtly and to a brilliantly unassuming end. Throw all this aside and you can still hear The Maccabees underneath; tracks like ‘Pelican’ (their first single from GTTW) holds similarities with ‘About Your Dress’ from the first album and it is easy to see how they moved from ‘Young Lions’ (on their second album) to one of my favourite tracks on GTTW, ‘Heave’, that delicate voice and those intricate guitars are simply hiding beneath some truly excellent production and
digital effects. ‘Heave’ in fact is a wonderful marriage of digital and analogue and is a stand out track, alongside ‘Ayla’, ‘Unknow’ and ‘Grew Up At Midnight’. It would be foolish to call this their best, and I think deep down my heart lies with ‘Wall of Arms’ their second album, but this is not one to miss. It’s a stunner from one of the best British bands in the business, if I were to give you a rating I’d say 8/10. If I were to give you some advice, I’d say get your best headphones out lie down and play it through, start to finish, and let The Maccabees melt you away
On the 29th of November, international music sensation Skrillex performed on Bristol’s very own O2 Academy stage, supported by fellow up and coming artist, Flux Pavilion. On entering the O2, Flux Pavilion had already started with ‘Bass Cannon’ and the atmosphere was mental, he completely smashed it and there was not one person in the entire venue that wasn’t going crazy for it. After 45 minutes of him, there was a communal worry that Skrillex would not be able to follow his set and maintain the relentless pace. The crowd had to endure 15 minutes of chart songs and a single spotlight on stage, giving time to for everyone try and push to the front. Couple of moshpits later and
after some serious tension building, Skrillex comes skipping onto stage to ‘My.Name.Is.Skrillex’ which of course got everyone very lairy. I noticed a few kids running around, which concerned me a great deal especially when being pushed into a pit by one particularly enthusiastic youth. But apart from being a 14+ event, the gig was incredible with Skrillex proving himself as a main act. His accompanying light show was also immense. I would say that this was one of the sweatiest and best gigs I have ever been to. Completely worth every penny, although I would say if you hate pubescent teens then go for an 18+ event. GO AND SEE HIM.
time. It was fantastic. An honourable mention to Gemma Knight Jones too, who took over the role of Deloris at the interval due to unknown circumstances, and carried the part off seamlessly – and just as strikingly! All this, paired with a catchy soundtrack, fabulously
colourful costumes and an impressive amount of moveable scenery made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Loyal to the film, Sister Act is a feel-great, Broadway/70s Saturday night fever mash up. Fun, flashy and a rapping Granny! An utter pleasure.
Theatre Review: Sister Act James Bonser entertainment@westerneye.net Based on the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, the musical (produced by the woman herself) is slap-bang in the middle of its UK tour. Penned by Cherie and Bill Steinkellner, the original West End production opened at the London Palladium in June 2009, and a new production has opened on Broadway to multiple Tony Award nominations in the past year. This show sees Cynthia Erivo star as Deloris Van Cartier – a wannabe superstar singer who throws us into a world of 70s soul and disco. In the spirit of Foxy Cleopatra, Erivo owns the stage. She radiates charisma and shifts effortlessly between the 70s vibe and the Broadway squeal encapsulating the show. Despite this, I thought that Sister Act has a rather low-key, prologue opening for my taste, which unfortunately made it feel a little slow. This feeling continues when Deloris is cut off in her
prime by her lover-come-bar owner, Curtis, who claims she is not good enough to sing in his club yet, much to her chagrin. Everything changes for Deloris though when she is hidden by police in a convent for protection, after she witnesses Curtis shoot a man in the street. Hardly the happiest setting to a musical comedy when your married lover sets his three violent (though farcical) goons on you, and initially I feared the worst when the introduction of smitten police officer “sweaty” Eddie Souther, played by Edward Baruwa, failed to pick up the pace. However, It soon becomes clear that I had no reason to be worried as the introduction of the fantastic nuns, characterised beautifully by the ensemble cast and led by stubborn Mother Superior – played by Denise Black with her immaculately placed facial expressions – lifted
the entire show to the rafters and beyond. The dynamic between the repressed, rebellious nuns and Deloris worked wonderfully as a plot device and contributes much of the shows humour. The amazing Julie Atherton stood out particularly as Sister Mary Robert – I remember her from the West End production of “Avenue Q” and yet again she delivers a charming performance full of energy and joy. What seems to be a recurring theme throughout the show is that first impressions are often misleading. This is certainly the way I felt about the show as a whole because it just got better and better as it went on. Baruwa’s Eddie personifies this with a smooth yet rousing number about half way through act one, featuring many costume changes, and made me feel really invested in the whole performance for the first
Sport 25
WesternEye Feb 2012
Sport Fixtures Upcoming sports fixtures for Feb 2012 Date/time Sport
Home team
Away team
Venue
08/02/2012 00:00 Football
University of Bristol Mens 3rd
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 3rd
TBC
08/02/2012 14:00 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 4th
Bournemouth University Mens 2nd
Centre for Sport
08/02/2012 14:00 Lacrosse
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Bristol Womens 2nd
St Matthias Campus
08/02/2012 00:00 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 2nd
University of Southampton Womens 3rd
Centre for Sport
08/02/2012 00:00 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 3rd
University of Southampton Womens 4th
Centre for Sport
08/02/2012 00:00 Squash
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
Cardiff University Mens 1st
Centre for Sport
08/02/2012 00:00 Squash
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
Aberystwyth University Mens 1st
Centre for Sport
08/02/2012 00:00 Squash
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Bath Womens 2nd
Centre for Sport
08/02/2012 00:00 Table Tennis
University of Bristol Mens 1st
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
TBC
08/02/2012 00:00 Tennis
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
University of Gloucestershire Mens 3rd
David Lloyd Club
15/02/2012 14:30 Badminton
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Bath Mens 3rd
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 16:30 Badminton
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
University College Plymouth St Mark & St John Mens 1st
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 13:00 Badminton
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Bath Womens 3rd
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 16:00 Basketball
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Bristol Mens 1st
Filton College WISE
15/02/2012 00:00 Basketball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Glamorgan Womens 1st
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 14:00 Football
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 4th
University of Winchester Mens 3rd
Clifton College Sports Ground
15/02/2012 14:00 Football
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 3rd
University of Winchester Mens 1st
Clifton College Sports Ground
15/02/2012 00:00 Football
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
Aberystwyth University Mens 1st
Clifton College Sports Ground
15/02/2012 14:00 Football
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of the West of England (Hartpury) Mens 2nd
Almondsbury UWE FC
15/02/2012 14:00 Football
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Bath Womens 2nd
Filton College WISE
15/02/2012 17:00 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
Aberystwyth University Mens 1st
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 12:30 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 3rd
University of Southampton Mens 4th
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 15:30 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
Cardiff University Womens 1st
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 14:00 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Gloucestershire Mens 1st
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 00:00 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 2nd
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 3rd
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 14:00 Lacrosse
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Gloucestershire Mens 1st
St Matthias Campus
15/02/2012 13:30 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 4th
University of Winchester Womens 2nd
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 00:00 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 3rd
University of Bristol Womens 3rd
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 15:30 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 2nd
Bournemouth University Womens 2nd
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 17:30 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Bristol Womens 1st
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 14:00 Rugby Union
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Gloucestershire Womens 1st
Bristol Saracens RFC
15/02/2012 13:30 Squash
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 3rd
Cardiff University Mens 2nd
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 15:30 Squash
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
University of Bristol Mens 3rd
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 00:00 Table Tennis
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Gloucestershire Mens 1st
Centre for Sport
15/02/2012 13:00 Tennis
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Bristol Mens 2nd
David Lloyd Club
15/02/2012 00:00 Tennis
University of Bristol Womens 2nd
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
TBC
22/02/2012 00:00 Lacrosse
University of Bristol Mens 2nd
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
TBC
Continues to next page>>
26 Sport
WesternEye Feb 2012
Sport Fixtures continued Date/time Sport
Home team
Away team
Venue
29/02/2012 14:30 Badminton
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Bath Mens 2nd
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 16:00 Basketball
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Plymouth Mens 1st
Filton College WISE
29/02/2012 13:00 Fencing
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Southampton Mens 1st
St Matthias Campus
29/02/2012 13:00 Fencing
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Southampton Womens 1st
St Matthias Campus
29/02/2012 14:00 Football
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Plymouth Womens 1st
Filton College WISE
29/02/2012 14:00 Football
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Exeter Mens 1st
Almondsbury UWE FC
29/02/2012 14:00 Football
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) Mens 3rd
Clifton College Sports Ground
29/02/2012 14:00 Football
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 3rd
University of Bath Mens 4th
Clifton College Sports Ground
29/02/2012 14:00 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 3rd
University of Southampton Womens 4th
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 12:30 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Bath Mens 2nd
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 17:00 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) Womens 1st
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 00:00 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 4th
Bath Spa University Mens 1st
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 15:30 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 3rd
Southampton Solent University Mens 2nd
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 00:00 Hockey
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
Cardiff University Mens 3rd
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 14:00 Lacrosse
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Bath Womens 2nd
St Matthias Campus
29/02/2012 00:00 Lacrosse
University of Bristol Mens 2nd
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
TBC
29/02/2012 17:30 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) Womens 2nd
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 15:30 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 2nd
University of Bath Womens 4th
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 13:30 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 3rd
University of Bath Womens 5th
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 00:00 Netball
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 4th
University of Winchester Womens 3rd
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 14:30 Rugby Union
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
Bournemouth University Mens 2nd
Clifton RFC
29/02/2012 15:30 Squash
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
University of Gloucestershire Mens 1st
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 13:30 Squash
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 3rd
Cardiff University Medics Mens 1st
Centre for Sport
29/02/2012 13:00 Tennis
University of the West of England (UWE) Womens 1st
Cardiff University Womens 2nd
Clifton College Sports Ground
29/02/2012 00:00 Tennis
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 2nd
University of Winchester Mens 2nd
David Lloyd Club
29/02/2012 13:00 Tennis
University of the West of England (UWE) Mens 1st
University of Bath Mens 2nd
David Lloyd Club
UWE holds BUCS Indoor Rowing Championships
Students run, row and cycle for 2012 Gold Challenge
Ben Brown
Ben Brown
sport@westerneye.net
sport@westerneye.net
UWE Centre for Sport hosted the first ever indoor rowing event as 250 rowers from across the South of England took part in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Indoor Rowing Championships. The competition was divided into six categories that all had to reach a certain distance in the shortest time, ranging from the beginner’s one kilometre race, to the senior’s two kilometre race. Universities from Bristol, Bath, Southampton, Plymouth and Exeter competed here at UWE in one of eleven regional competitions that make up the BUCS National Championship. The event was hosted by former Team GB rowing coach and former chair of British Universities Rowing, Nigel Mayglothing, and Paul Stannard, the current coach of Team GB was the adjudicator. The event proved to be very successful and should be the first of many indoor rowing championships.
In early December 2011 over 100 gym members and staff took part in the 2012 Olympic Gold Challenge at UWE Centre for Sport. The charity event was being held nationwide in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Gold Challenge is a non-profit organisation that has teamed up with the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games to raise funds for the NSPCC. UWE is already over half way to reaching their target sum of £500. The top 72 people who raise the most money are entered into a draw to win the chance to run the 100 metre track at the new Olympic Stadium in London in front of 20,000 people. The top university will have a separate 9 lane race. UWE’s fitness fanatics gathered throughout the day and collectively managed to run, row and cycle 2012 kilometres all to raise money for charity. Organiser of the event, Simon Weaver, told WesternEye: “I just want
to congratulate everyone who took part in the Gold Challenge event. Throughout the day there was a great sense of teamwork and camaraderie amongst everyone. “However the hard work really begins now... we’d really like to reach our target of £500. I would really like to encourage local people to support us and donate what they can by visiting our webpage. (uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/UWEGYM)” So far £270 has been raised with
every individual working hard to collect sponsorship. Miki Parr raised the most money with a fantastic £62. UWE students Daniel Rooney and Tom Plater were in the gym from 07.30 until 22:30 and managed to travel a whopping 225km and 179km respectively. Doing most of the workout on the cycling machines, Tom declared: “My bum hurts, and I want some pasta!” Anna Keir, NSPCC community fundraising manager for Bristol, said: “I
would like to thank the UWE Bristol Centre of Sport Gym for organizing and taking part in this Gold Challenge event for the NSPCC. Without support like this we really couldn’t continue helping vulnerable children and young people across the UK.” Overall, the event proved to be a great success. It encouraged excitement for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as raising awareness for the great work that the NSPCC do in this country.
Sport 27
WesternEye Feb 2012
Ian Purnell
Right to reply: Ian Purnell.
sport@westerneye.net
The Key to building Sports Success or Sports Elitism? The October edition of the Western Eye carried an article proclaiming that the increases in Sports club membership fees this year would actually be good for Sport at UWE. But what the article failed to say was which sports. The mainstream sports (rugby, hockey, etc) have established players who will gladly pay the fee for university level training and playing, and that’s fantastic, but what if you tried those main stream sports while at school and would like to try something different ? It was my belief that the “University experience” was all about expanding your horizons, trying new things and growing as a person. The financial commitment to try just one sport does, as was stated in the article, mean that people will not join lots of clubs. This will hit the minority sports hardest, university may be the only place you ever get to try competitive Frisbee, or fencing or American Football, but with an ever reducing student budget, maybe you just can’t
afford to pay to just ‘try something new’. For many years Ariana Sefres’ (VP Sports) predecessors have promoted inclusion and greater access to sport for UWE students. She was quoted as saying: ‘Students who want to participate in sport will still be able to pay the fees, though it may mean not signing up to as many clubs’. Would you pay £40, to try out a minority sport? Jiu Jitsu is one of those minority sports, we have to charge the same increased fees, yet we see no sign of the great facilities enjoyed by hockey or rowing in the article. Like a number of other minority sports we are not able to get even one training session in the Centre for Sport on Frenchay campus. Instead, we are isolated at St Matthias in Fishponds with students having to rely on the legendarily poor service from the U3 to get to training – I say “get to training” because of course after training the U3 has already finished its even-
ing service. This transport issue on its own has halved club membership over the last five years, the increased fees have hit even harder. This year following Freshers’ taster classes we had students approach us to find out how to join the club – that is until they heard how much it cost, and then we never saw them again. It is claimed the higher fees will see greater commitment to the sport you do join – utter rubbish and spin. You build commitment to a sport by playing and enjoying it, make it easier to join and play, not by putting it out of students’ reach. The 2011 Jitsu club secretary has had to stand down, because after two years committed training, he simply cannot afford to join the club. So how exactly does an increased fee help build commitment to your sport? For 27 years, originally under the BPSA, and more recently under BUCS, the Jitsu club has had members competing for UWE at National level, now they are each expected to
pay an additional £30 for the privilege of representing UWE. This extra cost has meant that for the first time since 1984 the Jitsu club did not attend the national competitions, quite simply the increased cost put attendance beyond individual’s budgets. The article quite correctly stated that students had voted for the current financial approach (increased charges). However, what was conveniently not mentioned was that students were given a number of options, and the one which was voted for by UWE students was actually the option which increased fees by the smallest amount. It was the lesser of many evils students were forced to choose between. The article further claimed that UWE remains one of the cheapest institutions for sport, especially when compared to Bristol University, which does not seem to be totally correct. Bristol University has an initial fee equivalent to the new sports ‘passport’; they call it health and sports
membership and also charge £20. Then, for example, membership of the Jiu Jitsu club is an additional £30, but there is no additional charge for BUCS registration so equates to squad membership at UWE which is set at £50. Also included in that, Bristol University membership fee is individual membership to the National governing body worth £25. (This membership is an optional additional fee for UWE students). So to more accurately compare like for like: Bristol University Jiu Jitsu club membership costs £ 50, and for the same benefits a UWE student must pay £ 95 for Jitsu club membership. So rather than cheaper, UWE is actually virtually double our local rival. The revenue raised by the new charges will undoubtedly improve the facilities etc. provided to the mainstream sports at UWE, however, this will most likely come through the closure of minority sports clubs and the reduction in sports diversity.
Bristol City to Host FA Cup Final
Your President Calling
Jamie Anderson
Ariana A Sefre
sport@westerneye.net Bristol City and the Football Association have announced that Bristol City’s Ashton Gate Stadium will be the venue for the 2012 Women’s FA Cup final. Club Executive, Guy Price, was joined by members of the FA and England team manager, Hope Powell, to announce the news. Price said: “It is very exciting times for women’s football and Bristol City football club. “Bristol is a real community and our football club is at the heart of that community. We hope the event will galvanize the city.” The 42nd Women’s FA Cup Final will take place on Saturday 26 May 2012 and will be the pinnacle of Bristol’s inaugural ‘Sports Week.’ The highly anticipated week will feature both the Olympic torch relay and Bristol’s 10k run, culminating in the FA Cup Final in what hopes to be a busy sporting summer schedule for Bristol. Price hopes to see 21,000 seated stadium of Ashton Gate at full capacity for the match, believing that ‘Bristol Sports Week’ will not only bring the community together but help showcase Bristol as a ‘shining light in the national sports calendar.’
The news has been received with delight from many representatives of the women’s game, especially former England international Hope Powell. As manager of the national side, she relishes the opportunity to continue raising the profile of the women’s game. She comments: “Our game is the number one female participated game in the United Kingdom, and the standard has increased tenfold in all areas, especially professionalism. “We hope that the great facilities here at Ashton Gate will allow us to showcase the talent in the women’s game.” The final is to be screened live on Sky Sports and will no doubt “generate a great deal of hype and excitement around the city” said Bristol Academy captain Corinne Yorston. Yorston led the side to last year’s final in front of 14,000 fans at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena, narrowly losing out 2-0 to an Arsenal ladies side that has dominated the women’s game. Yorston spoke of the competition’s significance: “I’ve grown up watching both the men and women’s finals over the years and for it to be held here in Bristol is really special.” The FA Cup, formerly known as the ‘Women’s FA Mitre Challenge Trophy’ was first established in 1971 when winners Southampton
WFC defeated Scottish side Stewarton 4-1. 42 years on the cup has since grown, changed and developed in importance and now is the central ambition of the majority of Women’s Football Club’s throughout England. The location of the Final has changed hands many times in recent years, with finals being played at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, Nottingham Forest’s infamous City Ground and Coventry’s Ricoh Arena. However, even if the location isn’t consistent the finals usually are. Arsenal Ladies side have proved to be a formidable opponent in all areas of the women’s game. They have won 4 of the last 5 finals – the streak halted only by a dramatic 3-2 win by Everton ladies in 2009 – and have won the Women’s Premier League for seven successive seasons. The University of the West of England’s Women’s Football President, Sophie Harding, hopes that the announcement will be able to raise the profile of the Women’s football at UWE. With the up and coming Varsity Competition, which features football and other sports matches against rivals Bristol University, Harding hopes for ‘people to come throughout the day to create a great atmosphere to make both the men’s and women’s matches a real event.’
vpsports@uwe.ac.uk Now into 2012 all the action is really starting to kick off. With a Wednesday sports night already taking Bristol by storm at Po Na Na, Bristol; the Varsity series is also looming and the awards ceremony date is set for Friday 25 May – this is certainly one term we won’t forget! Last year’s successful ‘Body Beautiful’ campaign will repeat itself this year but with an ‘Olympic World Tour’ theme, where the succession of free classes throughout February will have cultural influences from around the world. You can expect to see classes such as Bollywood, Caribbean dance, Yoga, Zumba, Bellydance and many more. For Sport Relief in March, we will host a sponsored Bike ride where we will be organising a scenic 50 kilometre route that includes a pleasant stop for lunch by the sea. Keep a lookout for how to sign up. Within the next month or two we will see Frenchay campus transformed by UWE graffiti artists, who will be totally re-vamping our derelict walls and adding some colour to your walks between lectures. This is all part of the ‘My Culture’ Olympic inspired campaign – if you want any more info just drop me an email. Term two is also bringing you all
discounted memberships to sports clubs, so if you didn’t sign up to a sport last term, this is your chance to get involved in term two. Most club memberships have been reduced to half price as well. Visit www.uwesu.org/sports for more information. Enjoy all the term two activities, and stay updated along the way via my blog and twitter – www.uwesu.org/blogs/vpspor ts/ www.twitter.com/ArianaASefre
Sport
Bristol & UWE
UWE Pole Society Sarah Buckland sport@westerneye.net UWE Pole Society is going from strength to strength, and it’s only in its third year of running! At last year’s Activity Awards, the Pole Fitness Society came Runner Up in the category for Best Society, with our President taking the titles for Society Colours and Best Personality! This year the Pole Society has more members than any other society, and is even giving the major sports team a run for their money! Its success demonstrates how hard the committee work in trying to change the negative attitudes that can surround pole dancing. We take any opportunity to publicise the fitness aspect needed for even the simplest of spins and tricks. After bringing home the title of Champions of the Inter University Pole Competition held in Cardiff last year, the UWE team will be joining forces with the UOB Pole Society to host the competition in Bristol in March this year. It may only be the second year of the competition, but we have already secured world renowned judges, guest performers and sponsorship! Not only that, but all the proceeds for the competition will be going straight to Bristol Rape Crisis, a specialist support service for women and girls in Bristol and the surrounding areas, who have experienced any form of sexual violence. We aim to continue to change perspectives and surprise people with our achievements. Most re-
cently last year’s President Kate Czepulkowski fought off thousands of competitors to reach the live semi-finals of Got To Dance on Sky 1. The society and whole pole community are fully behind her in her own achievements, after already scooping the titles of UK Professional Pole Champion and World Doubles Runner up with our studio owner Kate Johnstone. Overall, the only way is up for the Pole Fitness Society! We love getting involved with other sports and societies too, and are more than happy to organise joint socials or events. If you’re hosting an event, why not ask us to do a performance? For more information or questions, just email us at uwepolesoc@live.co.uk. We proved this when we published our society calendar at the start of December! With comments such as “We had no idea this could be done so tastefully and classy”, “We’re really impressed” and “I can’t believe how strong you girls are!” coming from members of staff within the SU, the whole committee are thrilled with its success. After bringing home the title of Champions of the Inter University Pole Competition held in Cardiff last year, the UWE team will be joining forces with the UOB Pole Society to host the competition in Bristol in March this year. It may only be the second year of the competition, but we have already secured world renowned judges, guest performers and sponsorship! Not only that, but all the proceeds for the competition will be going straight to Bristol Rape
Crisis, a specialist support service for women and girls in Bristol and the surrounding areas, who have experienced any form of sexual violence. We aim to continue to change perspectives and surprise people with our achievements. Most recently last year’s President Kate Czepulkowski fought off thousands of competitors to reach the live semi-finals of Got To Dance on Sky 1. The society and whole pole community are fully behind her in her own achievements, after already scooping the titles of UK Professional Pole Champion and World Doubles Runner up with our studio owner Kate Johnstone. Overall, the only way is up for the Pole Fitness Society! We love getting involved with other sports and societies too, and are more than happy to organise joint socials or events. If you’re hosting an event, why not ask us to do a performance? For more information or questions, just email us at uwepolesoc@live.co.uk.
We proved this when we published our society calendar at the start of December! With comments such as “We had no idea this could be done so tastefully and classy”, “We’re really impressed” and “I can’t believe how strong you girls are!” coming from members of staff within the SU, the whole committee are thrilled with its success. After bringing home the title of Champions of the Inter University Pole Competition held in Cardiff last year, the UWE team will be joining forces with the UOB Pole Society to host the competition in Bristol in March this year. It may only be the second year of the competition, but we have already secured world renowned judges, guest performers and sponsorship! Not only that, but all the proceeds for the competition will be going straight to Bristol Rape Crisis, a specialist support service for women and girls in Bristol and the surrounding areas, who have experienced any form of sexual violence.
taken a step further with this legal agreement and the proposals will be submitted to both Bristol City Council in the case of the Sainsbury’s application and South Gloucestershire Council regarding the new stadium, after extensive consultation. Professor Steve West, Vice-Chancellor at UWE Bristol, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to take this initiative for Bristol and South Gloucestershire a step further to reality. “At a time when belts are tighten-
ing it is good to see this ambition being realised with the investment and growth flowing into the region. The UWE Stadium we hope will also
We aim to continue to change perspectives and surprise people with our achievements. Most recently last year’s President Kate Czepulkowski fought off thousands of competitors to reach the live semi-finals of Got To Dance on Sky 1. The society and whole pole community are fully behind her in her own achievements, after already scooping the titles of UK Professional Pole Champion and World Doubles Runner up with our studio owner Kate Johnstone. Overall, the only way is up for the Pole Fitness Society! We love getting involved with other sports and societies too, and are more than happy to organize joint socials or events. If you’re hosting an event, why not ask us to do a performance? For more information or questions, just email us at uwepolesoc@live.co.uk.
UWE Stadium Update >Progress made with legal agreement News Desk sport@westerneye.net Bristol Rovers Football Club, the University of the West of England (UWE) and Sainsbury’s have reached a legal agreement regarding the proposed new stadium at UWE and the redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium. In June 2011, the Club and UWE announced their aspiration to build a new stadium on land nearby the University’s Frenchay Campus. The
development depended on Sainsbury’s proposal to build a store at the Memorial Stadium, which would help to finance the move and bring in significant investment to the region, thought to be worth £60 million. Sainsbury’s proposal at the Memorial Stadium site will include a store, work space, community facilities, homes and ample parking. A public consultation will begin later this year. The prospect of the stadium have
allow the University to reach out to young people and our diverse communities across the region.”