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Food The best mince pies of the high street battle it out in our taste test Page 20
Comment The decade in review: what actually happened in the 2010s? Page 10
Monday 9 December 2019 Issue 1401
Fashion & Beauty Let our magical Christmas on campus photoshoot inspire you Pages 26-27 Est 1948
The independent voice of Newcastle students
Students clash over strike stance and disciplinary action Aimee Seddon News Editor The final Council meeting of the semester took place last Thursday in the History Room of the Students’ Union. Six motions came before the council, five of which were passed. The penultimate motion was entitled ‘Taking Action Against Racist and Homophobic Behaviour on Campus’, proposed by Warren Brown-Headley on behalf of Stand Up To Racism Newcastle. This motion came following a video uploaded to Instagram on 14 November in which a Newcastle student shouted racist and homophobic slurs. The motion called for more stringent responses to such behaviour, as well as lobbying the university to put forward a plan as to how they can prevent these things happening again, and to release the results of the current investigation. Drawing attention to the statues around campus of famous Black rights figures,
Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther King, Brown-Headley commented that whilst this highlights the University’s support of BAME students, the prerequisite to making BAME students feel safe on campus is not only to praise in public, but also in private matters. He also said, “This question still remains, how are minorities - women, LGBTQ+ people, disabled, or anyone who becomes a victim of discrimination - supposed to have confidence in a disciplinary system that does not release the results of its own investigations? It’s the duty of the Students’ Union to represent the entire student body and to spearhead institutional change, not maintain the status quo”. 1424 people had already signed a petition supporting the motion, and many students spoke out passionately in favour of the cause and expressed their desire for more transparent disciplinary procedures. Despite this, Faith & Belief Officer Christopher Winter defended the necessity of anonymity following university disciplinary procedures. Addressing such concerns, President Ka-
tie Smyth explained that following his conviction for both stalking and distributing revenge porn, Newcastle student Jefferson Young could be named as it was “in the public domain because it was a public court case”, but his punishment could not be publicly announced without his consent. She further explained that the case involving racist and homophobic slurs was a university disciplinary case, meaning that the perpetrators and their punishments could not be named. Smyth explained that the sabbatical officers could lobby the University to release more information related to their general disciplinary procedures, but not regarding specific cases. This was the only motion of the night to be passed at Council with 100%, signalising the Union’s universal support for campaigning against discriminatory behaviour on campus. Finally, a motion put forward by Labour Society President Matty Lacey proposed that NUSU should support all strike action, including both the most recent strikes and any in the future. He also proposed that the Union should “engage with the UCU in fu-
ture if and when industrial action is taking place”. He furthermore described the launch of an open letter signed by the Labour Society, among others, asking for support for the lecturers and the democratisation of the University. A passionate debate ensued on the issue. Those for the motion mentioned the working conditions of university staff, including zero-hour contracts and issues of low pay and pay gaps. The council also heard testimonies from current PhD students who work parttime for the University. Those against the motion were concerned about committing to unwavering support when the nature of future strikes is unknown. There was also a defence of NUSU’s recent neutral response on industrial action by those believing the Union should stay out of politics, with Elkhawad also saying the Union should be fair and representative of all students. Smyth explained their neutral stance, stating: “The point was that we could support all students, whether for it, or the students that are against it as well, in terms of the impact on
their studies. It was a big discussion.” The motion was ultimately defeated at Student Council, with 43% of Council attendees voting in favour of the motion. A simple majority was required to pass the motion. The Council meeting ended on an open debate over where students would like to see the strike money go. There were some specific requests, such as the creation of water collection schemes and the use of grey water, a new door for the Islamic prayer space, and the introduction of Chaplain rooms. One member suggested the money be returned to the striking lecturers, whilst others believed that students should be compensated for missed lectures. Smyth was clear to state that this was a hypothetical discussion and that conversations and the collection of student opinions were still ongoing. The Students’ Union is committed to protecting the welfare of all students and is working closely alongside Student Progress to implement a review of the University’s disciplinary procedures. Image: Charlotte Paige Boulton
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thecourier Editor Grace Dean Deputy Editor Molly Greeves Online Editor Tom Hardwick Festive cheer Santa Claus
Current Affairs News 3
courier.news@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Aimee Seddon, Carl Smith Valdez, Em Richardson, Emma McLaren & Sophie Wilson
Comment 10
courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Aastha Malik, Joe Molander & Kelly Corcoran
Life & Style
Life & Style Editor: Nimra Rafique
Lifestyle 13
c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Catherine Entwistle, Cecilia Adamou, Holly Margerrison & Jess Herbert
Travel 16
courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amy Harris, Beth Robson & Meggie Williams
Food 20
editor.union@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amanda Goh & Cayla Viner
Fashion 22
c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Kajal Patel, Phoebe Eyles & Shamara Mohsin
Beauty 24
courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Ellie James & Rashida Campbell-Allen
Culture
Culture Editors: Charlotte Boulton & Ella Williams
28 Music
c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Dom Lee, Jagoda Waszkowiak & Joe Smith
30 Television
c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amy Brown, Sophie Hicks & William Junior
33 Film
c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Elisabetta Pulcini, Gretchen, Joe Holloran, Lucy Lillystone & Steven Ross
36 Arts
c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Caitlin Rawlings, Charlotte Slinger & Lauren Sneath
38 Gaming
courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Alex Darbyshire, George Boatfield, James Troughton & Shawn Khoo
Monday 9 December 2019
A note from the editor Newfess of the week
Well, this certainly has been a long semester. And a lot has happened on campus, in the city, and around the world. Student Council has had three sittings and has faced motions ranging from supporting the UCU strikes to campaigning against racism on campus and reducing the paper usage in student elections. The Labour Society has been relaunched. Winter graduations have occurred amidst strike action on campus. Black Excellence was celebrated in the Black in Gold campaign. The Frederick Douglass Centre was formally opened by the activist’s great-great-great-grandson. The University has introduced the Real Living Wage. The Hard Rock Cafe by the Quayside is underway. A new general election has been announced. And I’m bloody ready for Christmas. Merry Couriermas, everyone.
Grace Dean
42 Science
c2.science@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Eleanor Gratton, Patrick Harland & Seshadhri Subramanian
There are many things we bicker about in the Courier office - which county is the best (West Yorkshire), which teenage emo band were best (MCR) and whether or not gaming is a sport (“esports is a real sport” - Darbyshire, 2019), but one thing that we are united on is how distressing this Newfess it. It reads: “My one night stand left this morning and I wake up to see all the chocolates on my advent calendar opened. Blonde rags [SIC] are too much sometimes”. There’s being hungry, and then there’s that. Either someone was disappointed after having a very shit shag and had to rage eat afterwards, or that chocolate surprise on the bed the next morning genuinely was made of chocolate.
NSR Show of the Week
OUTSIDE THE ORDINARY WITH CHARLOTTE PAIGE BOULTON
Fri 3-4pm Tune in to hear some artists who don’t quite fit the mould, a s Charlotte features the music of women, queer and BAME musicians and underrepresented genres. Each week focuses on a different musician; so far there’s been Janelle Monae, Lizzo, MIKA and X-Ray Spex. Join the fun and celebrate the music that comes from diverse musicians, with a different co-host each week (mostly fellow Courier editors who have been begged to participate) and top quality research from Wikipedia forty minutes before the show!
From the archives
Grace Dean looks through the archives to trace Newcastle’s campus history
46 Puzzles
editor.union@ncl.ac.uk Editor: Emma Dawson
48 Sport
Head of Sport: Rebecca Johnson courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Rory Ewart, Stan Gilyead, Toby Bryant & Tom Moorcroft
Editor: Grace Dean
The Courier, NUSU, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB Tel: 0191 239 3940 Email: editor.union@ncl.ac.uk The Courier is printed by: Trinity Mirror Printing, Barton Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, TS2 1UT The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of the Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of the Courier, the Students’ Union or Newcastle University.
Get involved in student media Established in 1948, the Courier is the fully independent weekly student newspaper of the Students’ Union at Newcastle University produced by students, for students. Any Newcastle University student can write for the Courier and it’s never too late to get involved as a writer, illustrator or photographer. Although we only have one print issue left of 2019, you can continue writing for us over the Christmas holidays via our Facebook groups; simply search ‘the Courier 2019/20’ and the name of the section you’re interested in. For more information, visit thecourieronline.co.uk/getinvolved/ or email editor.union@ncl.ac.uk or the relevant section email listed above. Our next writers’ meeting will be held on Wednesday 27 January in the Planning Room of the Students’ Union 1:30-2:30pm, and our print edition will be available on campus on Monday 10 February. Newcastle Student Radio (NSR) is our award-winning radio station run by students, for students. On air since 1997, NSR runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week with shows ranging from music to comedy, politics, sport and news. We have a wide range of opportunities to learn the tricks of the radio trade, from hosting your own show to event organisation and live punditry, and you don’t need any experience to get involved. For more information visit the NSR Facebook page and listen live at nsrlive.co.uk. NUTV is our high-action, fast-paced television branch. Founded in 2010, NUTV produces both on-demand and live broadcasts, covering current affairs, entertainment, music and sports, allowing students to experience the world of TV production. Whether you want to present on camera, direct and produce from behind the scenes, flex your editing muscles, or write and develop ideas, check out NUTV. For more information, email nutv.union@ncl.ac.uk.
Image: NUSU
10 YEARS AGO
20 YEARS AGO
46 YEARS AGO
In December 2009, Sir Liam Donaldson, then Chief Medical Officer for England, was officially inaugurated as Chancellor of the University. Prior to his role commencing, Sir Liam attracted attention by speaking out against “irresponsible” club promoters. Following on from controversially proposing a minimum price per unit for alcohol, Sir Liam also expressed outspoken criticism of city centre bar Linker’s for selling shots for just 1p. During his 14 year period as Chief Medical Officer for England, he was celebrated for his work on the regulation of stem cell research, and his influence in the introduction of the smoking ban in 2007 and was knighted in 2002 as one of the NHS’ most senior officials. His inauguration ceremony also included the presentation of four honorary degrees, one of which went to Geordie sporting hero Alan Shearer. The former Newcastle United striker and BBC presenter was awarded the title of Doctor of Civil Law, his second honorary degree after receiving one with the same title from Northumbria University in 2006. December 2009 also saw Sir Paul McCartney speak to the European Parliament in Brussels to propose an official endorsement of “Meat-Free Mondays”. The Courier was critical of this, with one reporter arguing that “meat eaters will become alienated. Diners gorging on a steak will receive disgusted looks not dissimilar to those directed at smokers in the wake of the smoking ban. Profits at McDonalds will rapidly plummet as activist groups take over restaurants in the same way that Plane Stupid campaigners take over runways.” The writer, while praising McCartney’s intentions, concluded that “he’s going to have to get a lot more people on board than middle-class Prius drivers and those with a fondness for a bag for life.”
An article titled “you silly willy”, published in the paper in December 1999, described how “a Friday night of revelry in the Union came to a sticky end with a performance of the Condom Olympics”. The event, organised as part of World AIDS Day, included contenders putting their partners in as many different positions as possible in just sixty seconds. The paper described how “the winning couple came to a bug end scooping a six-foot tall willie punch bag” (see below), which was described as “ri-dick-ulous”. That week the paper also claimed that “Newcastle could become the first University to be run by students” as a second year Physics student announced his plans to run for Vice-Chancellor. Highlights of Dave Wilkinson’s radical agenda included banning the University from ever charging top-up fees, axing the “widely hated” semester system, and assessing work based on research rather than through exams. He argued that “it’s about time that somebody with modern experience of the system – who didn’t leave University 40 years ago – got the job. Now that students are consumers of education, paying for the privilege, it is important that the University does not overlook us in order to concentrate on research”.
takeover
Shearer celebrated
Campus’ Condom Olympics Courier suffers socialist
Image: Courier archives
Following years of rising tensions between the Courier, the sabbatical officers and the then-powerful Socialist Society, the Editor of the Courier was replaced with a socialist candidate. Then Editor Richard Elsy was accused by Socialist Society of poor-quality journalism and political bias, and after narrowly surviving multiple votes of no confidence at Student Council, he resigned from the role in December 1973. Back then the Editor of the Courier was a position elected by Student Council, which at the time was a battle between political ideologies. Although the Courier’s editorial team put forwards a News Editor to replace Elsy, the Socialist Society, who dominated Council at the time, proposed their own candidate who was ultimately voted in and became Editor. From January 1974, the Courier was ran by Socialist Society as an “editorial collective” containing lengthy editorials criticising “international capitalism” and the Tory government.
67 YEARS AGO
Courier goes rogue
In 1952, the Courier’s editorial team decided to produce a pullout, known as the Scourier, which parodied the student news of the day in what was claimed to be “a light-hearted mirror if its more intellectual prototype”. This “useful sort of paper” included a surrealist account of a flying saucer visiting the Union, an account of a student allegedly being decapitated, and a series of dark-humoured mock adverts, with one promising that “You can get robbed at Manky’s Bank” whilst another argued: “Why not shave by SHAVO? You don’t need blades, brush, soap. Just blood”.
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@TheCourier_News courier.news@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/news News Editors Aimee Seddon, Carl Smith Valdez, Em Richardson, Emma McLaren & Sophie Wilson
Newcastle University announces new Chancellor Sophie Wilson News Editor
On 1 January 2020, Imtiaz Dharker, a renowned poet and filmmaker will become the new Chancellor of Newcastle University. Dharker’s role of Chancellor will be to lead the university as a ceremonial non-resident head of the university. Imtiaz Dharker is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. In 2014, she was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. She is the author of many works of poetry that have a central theme of social justice such as ‘Over the Moon’, ‘I Speak for the Devil’ and her most recent collection ‘Luck is the Hook.’ She concerns herself with issues that face the world in our present day, alike freedom, displacement, conflict and gender. Dharker has been involved previously in the university through the University’s Cen-
tre for Literary Arts, and more widely in the Newcastle community at its Poetry Festival. Her work is studied at both GCSE and A Level standard, and so she is also plays a part in the general education of our students today.
"Imtiaz embodies the values of social justice we hold dear here at Newcastle”
Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President
Dharker says that she is “proud to take on this role”, and that she hopes to be “inspired by the people I meet” in this new role, through the “vitality of its academic staff and students”. This new role places social justice at the
forefront of Newcastle’s virtues, it places poetry as a key movement for our society today, and it also shows the themes she writes about are central to the education system. Newcastle University Vice-Chancellor and President Chris Day said: “We are thoroughly honoured Imtiaz Dharker has agreed to be the next Chancellor of Newcastle University. Imtiaz embodies the values of social justice we hold dear here at Newcastle. Her commitment to it is evident in her work in all its forms.” Imtiaz will succeed Sir Liam Donaldson, the former Chief Medical Officer for England who held the post of Newcastle University Chancellor since 2009. Rebecca Johnson, a Newcastle University undergraduate student in History, said: “ I think Dharker will bring a breath of fresh air to this role. This marks the University’s commitment to celebrating diverty and the creative arts.”
Imtiaz Dharker is a reknown poet and filmmaker. Image: Newcastle University Press Office
Duke of Edinburgh comes to Newcastle University Beth Murray
Newcastle University has become the first higher education institution in the North East to obtain a license for the highly sought after Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE). The Award is being funded by the Farmer Foundation, with the purpose of cementing the legacy of Newcastle Student Ed Farmer. The programme, in which bronze, silver, and gold stages can be achieved, is running throughout this year. It allows students to recommence their previous Duke of Edinburgh Award Progress, or start from scratch. Students will undertake a number of personal development tasks, ranging from volunteering to unaccompanied expeditions.
NU has become the first university to offer DofE Image: Geograph
The award is being funded by the Ed Farmer foundation
Other aspects include physical activity, refining skills and, if completing the Gold stage, working in teams on a residential course. These activities, according to the DofE, enable University students to both meet new people, and to develop essentials
skills that are beneficial for life and work. The DofE website lists a large array of employers that recognise the award, showing it to be highly sought after in the workplace.
Newcastle is the first university in the North East to offer the DofE Award
Someone who supports the programme is the CEO of business giant Serco, Rupert Soames, who states: “The world of work needs people of resilience and aspiration, good at problem-solving and working in teams, energetic, enthusiastic and hardworking. All that you need to achieve a DofE Award.” Those who achieve gold are able to ‘stand out from the crowd’, and even collect their award from Buckingham Palace, however Newcastle University has also decided to further honour its students. Each year, Newcastle staff will choose one student deemed an “outstanding” participant in the Duke of Edinburgh programme, to receive an award from the Farmer Foundation, in memory of Ed.
Newcastle professor wins prestigious award Joe Molander Comment Editor
Muzlifah Haniffa, Professor of Dermatology and Immunology, at Newcastle University has been awarded the Foulkes Foundation
Medal for her research into the immune system and childhood cancer. The prize is awarded every other year by the Academy of Medical Sciences to someone they deem “a rising star making a significant impact on UK bioscience research”. In October, her and her team concluded
Image: Newcastle University Press Office
work creating the world’s first ever cell map of the developing immune system in certain human organs. The comprehensive study on the skin, kidney and liver is expected to help further understanding of diseases affecting the immune system and leukaemia.
The award is given to “a rising star makin a significant imact on UK bioscience research
Before creating the map, Haniffa was busy pioneering the Human Cell Atlas, which aims “to create comprehensive reference maps of all human cells”, according to its website. This is hoped to help with the study of tissue formation, how diseases change the body and the molecular activity of different types of cells. Haniffa – who also works with the Well-
come Sanger Insititute in London – said “I couldn’t quite believe it when I heard that I was this year’s winner of the Foulkes Foundation Medal - I am thrilled! This award makes me feel increasingly driven to discover more about the immune system, by creating open access cell maps which can be used to better understand health and disease”. Haniffa has received many awards throughout her career. In 2013, she was given a Silver Award by the European Society for Dermatology Research, and in 2016 was shortlisted for a North Eastern Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award. The same year, she received a £200 000 fellowship from the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine for her work into white blood cells. Last year proved equally busy: Haniffa accepted the Early Career Prize in Allerlology (the study of allergies) from the 5th European Congress on Immunology, alongside working on a major research breakthrough. Her lab found a type of kidney cell capable of a mutation that leads to cancer in the organ,
and conducted a study of 70 000 cells from the placenta that is hoped will help avoid miscarriages. The study was hailed as the world’s first single (human) cell reconstruction of the interface between mother and fetus.
"I am thrilled! This award makes me feel increasingly driven to discover more”
Muzlifah Haniffa, Professor fo
Describing her passion, Professor Haniffa said, “Whenever I look into the inner-workings of the human body I feel like an explorer going into the depths of space. I cannot think of anything more exciting than working to uncover all of the secrets of the body’s immune system.”
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Monday 9 December 2019
What encourages people to come to university? Grace Dean Editor
A recent study has revealed the factors that influence an individual’s likelihood to go to university. The study of over 1000 pupils by researchers in Croatia found that having a desk to
work at, achieving good grades at schools, having parents with high expectations and enjoying school are among the factors most likely to motivate children to progress to university. Surprisingly, the study shows that these factors have a larger influence than school class size, average grades at the school and the wealth of an area. This led the research-
ers to ultimately conclude that programmes introduced to encourage children to engage in higher education should be directed at individuals rather than at schools. Researchers from the Institute for Social Research, based in Zagreb, questioned 1,050 pupils aged 13, 14 and 15 at 23 schools in the city about a variety of topics, ranging from whether they enjoyed school, whether they would like to continue to higher education, their individual academic grades, what expectations their parents had for them, whether they received academic support from their parents and to what extent, and whether they had their own room, computer and desk. These factors were all shown to contribute substantially A large number of factors to an individual’s influence whether someone likelihood of prowants to go to university gressing to higher Image: Simon Cotterill, Flickr education, with pupils’ academic
grades being the most likely to influence their desire to study at university. The researchers additionally collected data
Having parents with high expectations motivates progression to university
on the schools’ average grades, the sizes of the schools and their classes, and houses prices in the vicinity. Surprisingly, an analysis showed that none of the school-level attributes had a significant influence on pupils’ desire to study at university. The study additionally showed that girls are more likely than boys to want to progress to higher education. The report concludes that: “The major finding arising from the present study is that none of the school level variables used in our analysis contributes to the explanation of pupils’ aspirations for higher education. “In other words, pupils who have similar individual characteristics but attend different schools will likely hold similar aspirations for higher education. “An important finding arising from the present study is that parents can influence their child’s aspirations by expressing their
expectations regarding the child’s educational path and by providing the basic conditions for completing homework and learning (ie a desk to work on). From an equal-opportunity standpoint, it is encouraging that parental employment and educational status did not predict pupils’ aspirations. “It should be stressed that it is possible that different predictors would behave differently for pupils living in rural areas and smaller cities without higher education institutions, where lower socioeconomic status represents a greater obstacle for pursuing educational goals.” Discussing the findings, second year stu-
The study showed that girls are more likely than boys to want to progress to higher education
dent Joe Molander said that his “love for microeconomics” inspired him to study Economics and Politics at university. He further stated that “it’s the done thing and I wasn’t entirely ready to leave education. For the things I want to do in life – being a great (or, at least, slightly above average) stand-up comedian – it is helpful to have a backup.”
Meet your new Marginalised Genders Officer Eleasha Forster Guys, gals, non-binary pals. Hello it's Eleasha Haslam! I am your fellow MGO and I would love to meet you all whom
identify as a marginalised gender: non-binary, transgender, women, gender-fluid, a-gender, heck even allies if you fancy it! On Monday 9 December, I will be running a focus group (with biscuits!). This will be a brilliant opportunity to take that first step in forming an inclusive and equal relationship
as well as listening to what you want as your main priorities for this academic year. The event will be in the form of an informal discussion, touching on my main focus areas I have come up with during my election campaign. This is your opportunity to have your say on what you think about my ideas, the
support provided by the university, and also gain insight into the campaign I wish to run in March regarding gender-based violence and abuse. Following the event, I will compile all of the responses and begin pushing for more specific events, resources, and support in order to make Newcastle University more
inclusive, equal and celebratory of diversity. I can't wait to meet you all! EVENT DETAILS: MGO Focus Group: Mon 9 December 2019, 5.30pm in the Etal Room (SU central) This venue is on the ground floor, perfect for accessibility.
Time to dine at the Tyne dining pods Emma McLaren News Editor
Quayside in the festive spirit Image: Pixabay
Igloo dining pods, firepits and a tipi bar have opened at Newcastle Quayside as part of Christmas events Christmas Tyne and Dine by the Tyne. Christmas Tyne opened on Friday November 29 and will close on January 5. Gateshead’s Baltic Square was home to the festive village last year, and this year it has been set up at the Wesley Square site. Handmade igloo pods offer a Christmas dining experience for up to 10 people per pod. Each dining pod has heating, a speaker system and wifi. The pods are available for two, four, six or ten diners at a time. They can be booked for a two-hour Christmas meal, where customers receive a three-course meal and drinks. Food offerings include butter roasted turkey with herb stuffing, or a vegetarian option- wild mushroom, artichoke and lentil roast. A tipi bar has also been set up on the site, which serves festive drinks and is heated by fire pits, offering a warm winter night by the Tyne. The festivities are operated by SSD Concerts. Managing Director Steve Davis said, "The move to Newcastle has been in planning for some time now and we're delighted to be able to offer stunning views of both the Millennium and the Tyne Bridge. “We were really pleased with how last year's Christmas Tyne was received by the public and we knew we had to go again this year.” Last year, Christmas Tyne attracted over 50,000 guests, and organisers are hoping for similar success this year.
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Air pollution monitored at 22 Newcastle schools Patrick Harland Science Editor
Newcastle City Council, in collaboration with Newcastle University, have installed air pollution sensors outside 22 schools that are within a short distance of major roads. These sensors will monitor levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in the air in order to give an accurate picture of pollution levels close to schools.
Sensors will monitor levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in the air
The data will be collected through the University’s Urban Observatory, and will allow for researchers to engage the children who
are affected directly, giving them a voice to how their cities should be planned in the future. The Urban Observatory is the largest urban experiment collecting data in the UK with approximately 60 different urban indicators ranging from energy use to air pollution and traffic flow. The experiment makes up to 5000 new observations every minute from over 3600 sensors. Air pollution at high levels presents a significant health risk, even more so to children who are more vulnerable to air pollution and diseases relating to it. Air pollution constitutes particulate matter, a mixture of compounds in solid or liquid phase in the air. The danger of air pollution is accentuated by a recent study which claims that in Europe alone there are 790,000 excess deaths caused by ambient air pollution. In order to match both Europe and UK government targets it is necessary for the UK to reduce emissions, for this it is a major requirement to detect air pollution. The risk of air pollution to children is far higher for a variety of reasons. Children are
closer to the ground the area where most vehicle pollution gathers, children also breathe at a faster rate than adults heightening their exposure. Air pollution causes a variety of issues such as stunted growth, respiratory conditions and is a potential cause of cancer.
Air pollution causes a variety of issues such as stunted growth and respiratory conditions
The director of public health at Newcastle City Council Eugene Milne has said that the project will raise awareness amongst those at risk. He has also encouraged people to consult on the council’s final proposals for tackling air pollution, particularly the views of young people. If you wish to take part in the consultation you can do so at breath-cleanair.com.
Air pollution will be monitored around Newcastle primary schools Image: Pixabay
Periodic table lights up for Chemistry Week Rebecca Johnson Head of Sport Newcastle University was involved in the celebrations during Chemistry Week as they projected an image of the periodic table on the side of one of its buildings in commemoration of its 150th birthday. The projection was part of a wider set of celebrations alongside other universities including Northumbria, Keele, Edinburgh and
St Andrews. However, whilst the display was to celebrate the periodic table’s birthday, it also aimed to raise a message about the importance of recycling old gadgets and technology devices. The Royal Society of Chemistry conducted a study which found that 51% of households have at least one unused device, such as a mobile phone or computer. A further 45% were found to have up to five unused devices. Out of this sample, it was uncovered that 82% had no plans to recycle their device after
usage. One of the biggest concerns about the lack of recycling of these devices is that there is a risk that some valuable elements may run out. This has led to chemists across the country attempting to find ways to discover alternatives to these elements and try and find ways to extract these elements from old and unused devices. Newcastle University and MSc Environmental Engineering student, Patrick Har-
land, commented, “I think this is a fantastic idea, as long as it can be done properly and the harmful elements within the devices are disposed of properly. I would question whether the infrastructure exists to fully currently, as I would reckon though a good idea, at the moment it is very ambitious.” The CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Robert Parker, said, “This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Mendeleev periodic table of elements. Now, over a century and a
half later, many of the elements discovered are in critical danger of running out. “We’re really pleased to have the support of some the UK and Ireland’s leading institutions in bringing the importance of the message to life – literally highlighting the responsibility we have in ensuring our old devices are properly recycled. “In the future, they could be needed for other technologies that we haven’t even discovered yet – for health, green energy, treating pollution and more.”
Safety concerns following Glasgow Uni sex attacks Emma McLaren News Editor
The University of Glasgow have increased security on campus after reports of sex attacks in the local area. Police have confirmed that investigations are underway regarding four separate incidents that occurred in the city’s west end, which is close to the university campus. According to a spokesman from the University of Glasgow, lighting on campus has been improved and security patrols increased in order to ensure safety for staff and pupils. The university claimed on twitter that they were working “very closely” with the police, saying: “Incidents like this are rare and student and staff safety is of the utmost importance to the university.” A 34-year-old has been arrested in connection to three of the assaults in the area, and is expected to appear in court. A Police Scotland Spokesman said of the arrest “A 34-year-old man was arrested and charged following a report of three sexual assaults on 17 October 2019 – one in Lawrence Street, Partick and one in Napiershall Street, North Woodside and 24 October in Cranworth Street, Hillhead.” The spokesman also confirmed that other enquiries are taking place: “We can confirm that inquiries are ongoing following a report of the serious sexual assault of a 20-year-old woman in Sutherland Lane, near University Place, Hillhead, in the early hours of Thursday 31 October 2019.” The University has emphasised the importance of student and staff safety in the area whilst such investigations are underway. This news comes after increasing concern of similar issues close to Newcastle University campus. Multiple submissions have been made on the Newfess Facebook page about individuals being followed home from university near the Jesmond area.
The University of Glasgow has increased security on campus Image: Geograph
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Monday 9 December 2019
Christmas Kroud Karaoke comes to Stack Ruby Bartholomew
Due to popular demand, a Christmas special of the successful Kroud Karaoke event is to take place at Stack, on Friday 13 December. Large crowds are expected at the mass sing-along event, which made its debut at the Pilgrim Street shipping container village in July. The festive version of the outdoor karaoke night will follow the success of its recent Halloween special, with tickets for its upcoming New Year’s Eve event already sold out. Previous instalments have included song lyrics on a giant screen, on-stage competitions, spot prizes and confetti cannons. The event is likely to be popular with Newcastle University students, who break up for the winter vacation on the day of the event. The online event description reads: “Oh yes, the count down to the big day is official underway and what a better way to get into
Entry into the event is free Image: Beth Sedley
that festive spirit other than with us at Kroud Karaoke’s Christmas Special! Get ready to sing your hearts out to all the Christmas bangers as well as karaoke classics. "Kroud Karaoke is a party with a difference. It’s not about one person singing, but the entire ‘Kroud’ singing together. Expect a festival style atmosphere with dance mixes as well as the karaoke sing-along classics on the big screen. We’ll also have sing-off battles, spot prizes, the chance to win the official Kroud Karaoke trophy for the best boy/girl singers and confetti spraying madness!” Entry to the event is free on the day, but attendees are advised to arrive well before the start time of 7pm to secure a seat. More information on the event is available on the Kroud Karaoke Facebook page. You can also find out more information on the New Year's Eve event, which will start at 9pm on Tuesday 31 December. Unlike the Christmas event, the New Year's Eve karaoke will be ticketed, with a charge of £10 per person.
NCL's 'Big Sleep Out' cancelled due to poor numbers Ellie James Beauty Editor Newcastle council have had to back out of the international event 'World's Big Sleep Out' due to less than 100 taking interest. Around 2000 participants were expected to sign up to the fundraiser, which was to be held in Exhibition Park, on 7 December,
where the campaigners would sleep outdoors to support the homeless and raise funds. Newcastle would have seen the likes of Hairy Biker chef Si King and Streetwise Opera entertaining and joining those taking part, however Civic Centre chiefs have sadly had to make the decision to cancel the event due to the risk of losing money for such small numbers. A spokesperson for the City Council said
that, "Without the assurances on participation we needed it’s been decided to cancel it now rather than hold a low-attendance event." Other cities around the world such as London and New York are also set to be holding the event, each having special guests including Ellie Goulding in Los Angeles singing a bedtime lullaby and Ruth Jones reading a bedtime story to Cardiff.
The council will be refunding those who signed up to participate
The Big Sleepout, founded by Josh Littlejohn MBE, has previously been held in Edinburgh as 'Sleep in the Park', and has raised over £10m within just two years for home-
lessness in Scotland. For Newcastle, the partnership of Big Sleepout and Street Zero that began last year would have seen funds divided between the charities they support with the goal to end rough sleeping by 2022 within the northern city. To compensate for the cancelled participation, a charity concert has been organised to take place in Newcastle with Lighthouse Family, a British duo who formed locally in the late 1990s. The pair have had hits with songs such as 'High', and they delivered their first studio album 'Blue Sky in Your Head' this summer just short of two decades since their last release.
2000 participants were expected to sign up, but not even 100 did
The Council announced the new plans on their Facebook page, showing they are keeping high spirits, stating, "While we're disappointed not to be involved, it is a huge pleasure to announce Lighthouse Family will be playing a charity concert in the city in 2020!" Those who had planned to take part and support the event were also acknowledged in a statement, saying: "Our thanks go to everyone involved in taking this as far as it’s got and everybody who has shown their support. We would encourage people to support sleep out events elsewhere this winter and support homelessness charities where possible." “However, we’re delighted that we’ve still been able to put on an event where the sole beneficiaries will be those who struggle with homelessness in our city..." Manager of Lighthouse Family, Keith Armstrong, said that “As a band that was created in Newcastle, Lighthouse family is 100 per cent behind supporting Geordies who most need help, and homelessness is something we can work together to stamp out.”
Local duo Lighthouse Family will hold a replacement charity concert in 2020
The World's Big Sleep Out is happening other cities globally Image: Flickr
The council will be refunding those who signed up to participate and despite the plans falling through, has encouraged individuals to host their own sleep out's in their own private spaces to show their support and contribute to the fundraiser. To find out more about the event go to bigsleepout.com.
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campus comment
the courier
Monday 9 December 2019
All we want for Christmas is
We're paying £9250 a year to be here and we deserve to have our needs met. Her 1. Provide more education surrounding consent I want Newcastle University to make more effort to educate students about sexual consent. The only time I can recall consent being mentioned by Newcastle University at all was back at Fresher’s week. A member of Northumbria Police simply pressed click on a couple of YouTube videos about sexual assault, then asked if anyone had any questions at the end. Since then, I have seen posters on the subject of consent around campus, but they have always been distributed by societies like It Happens Here rather than the University itself. Whilst it’s amazing that these societies take the initiative to do this, they shouldn’t need to – the university ought to make educating students about sexual consent its own priority. Now, I understand that there’s an argument that one small video on consent could be considered all the education we need. After all, we’re adults, right? We understand that rape, abuse, and harassment are all terrible crimes. For most of us, this is true. Yet, there’s no denying the fact that there are some out there who don’t understand the concept of consent. As recently as 2017, a Courier article reported that 17% of Newcastle students had been subjected to some kind of sexual assault or misconduct before Freshers’ Week was even over. Whether these incidents refer to full-blown rape or catcalling, their cause amounts to the same thing: their perpetrators believe themselves to be above any form or punishment or criticism. Earlier in 2019, It Happens Here’s posters about consent were vandalised, with marker pen scrawled over them. Unfortunately for some students here, obliterating the concept of consent extends beyond a political statement, and into real life. So, next time I see a poster on consent, or receive an invite to a talk on the subject, I challenge Newcastle University to ensure that it’s associated with their logo. Em Richardson
NU's Student Support Services are inadequate
2. Improve student support Newcastle University Student Support Services are inadequate, especially for those who desperately need access. In my roles, I often encounter people going through situations that are incredibly emotionally tiring and often trau- matising. It is also these people, those with a real need for support who are the most likely to be rejected from counselling, and to wait months to get support that is much needed in place. The reality is that students with mental health problems exist on this campus, trauma-
Illustration: Daniella Dakin, @dduuddles
tised people exist on this campus, and University as an environment can exasperate these issues. Thus, to turn these students away – the students that our University website swears to support – is cruel. These students end up waiting over a year for NHS counselling, something the Wellbeing Service is aware may be the case, with their only support being support groups provided by fellow students. These support groups that receive no support from the University and shouldn’t be sufficient for those in dire need of support. Real solutions are needed: humanist responses, not copy and paste promises. Georgia Corbett
3. Provide transparency for victims during the reporting procedure The current University procedure is to not name the sanctions provided to any student. This means that when you report any incident to the University, even if you are a direct victim of the individual that you are reporting, that you will not be allowed to know the sanction that they reach. They will only tell you if the individual remains on campus – not likely a reassuring thing to be told, given most of the time students are not expelled for sexual or domestic violence. My question is this, what is the point in reporting, of going through the trauma of telling the University, making a statement, living in fear of repercussions while you await the disciplinary hearing, only to never receive any sense of justice? No sense of closure or completion? If this was how our criminal system worked, we would be horrified. A system rigged in favour of perpetrators, a system that discourages people from coming forward, surely cannot be just. And you would be right, and it is no more just here. To ask students to report incidents to the University, is to ask students to trust the system that is in place; how can one trust an opaque system which traumatises reporters more than it offers any real solace? The case in the paper last week highlights this at its worst, a student has suffered at the hands of this convoluted and seemingly cruel system, change is needed; that is clear and hopefully listening to student victims/ survivors will be at the heart of that, lest more ‘change’ be insufficient. Georgia Corbett 4. Pop a kettle in the SU Tea. The reason that I am able to get myself to uni every morning. No cup of tea in the morning means that I will be grumpy for the whole of the day. In my opinion, a cup of tea is not too much to ask for when you are gruellingly studying for hours on end in the Student’s Union. Once I have finished reading 100 pages of my 3 novels for this week then I would like to be able to pop down in the SU and help myself to a FREE cup of tea. I do not mind bringing my own tea bags, I really do not. But I cannot bring myself a kettle to uni! No, not even a portable one! So please, please please please may we have a free boiling water tap in the Student’s Union to break up my uni work? Sophie Wilson 5. Pay student media some respect Last week, Dominic Lee wrote a fantastic article about how student media doesn't receive the re-
Was a hash decision made?
Joe Molander
As bad first weeks at work go, it’s hard to get worse than this. Ollie de Planta de Wildenberg was fired after just four days of working full time as a people services administrator for the University, when he called a colleague “hash brown” in an email. Wildenberg insists it was an innocent mistake, putting the error down to autocorrect; however, his superiors were unable to ‘replicate’ the slip-up, and believe the phrase carried racial overtones. In a statement sent to the Wildenberg, the University said “I believe that in the balance
of probability that you did type the words in question and that the words were perceived as offensive and involving racial language”.
I've never heard "hash brown" used as a racial slur before
Wildenberg maintains that “It is a bit weird thing to call someone that intentionally. Why would I do it? To class it as gross misconduct
is just unbelievable. I didn’t realise initially just how serious they were taking it. The sanction bears no resemblance to what happened. I strenuously deny that this message had been sent deliberately. It was a typing error. There is nothing to suggest this is racist”. Unpacking this is tricky, for more than one reason. Personally, I don’t think this was autocorrect if the email was sent from a laptop, seeing as laptops usually don’t have that faculty. Giving the brevity of the email (which only has one line past the fateful greeting), it’s possible it was something sent off from a phone, in which case Wildenberg’s defence is
more feasible.
There are so many questions unanswered
Second, I’ve never heard “hash brown” used as a slur before. It’s true that as someone who is violently Caucasian, I’ve heard sparingly few phrases used as a slur before, but this isn’t just coming from me. Wikipedia has a list, which is hundreds of entries long and includes over four hundred citations, and fails
to make any mention of hash browns. It’s possible that the use of “hash brown” – if not the result of autocorrect – was a reference to race, and is a phrase of Wilenderg’s own invention. The issue here is there are so many questions unanswered: we still don’t know the context of the email or what “hash brown” is meant to actually mean if typed deliberately. If this was a racial jibe, suspension seems like the right course of action. Until we at least get a sense of whether or not there was a genuine racial dimension to the message, it seems like a bridge too far.
Images: P
campus comment
the courier
Monday 9 December 2019
s...quite a few things, actually
ere are our New Year's Resolutions for the University and the Students' Union -spect it deserves. The last seven days have only reinforced this fact more, with people behaving disrespectfully at Fight Night and the University attempting to intimidate the Courier into altering an important story. We live in a time where journalism is more important than ever. We aren't just here to celebrate the Uni and SU's accomplishments and flex our Photoshop skills. If something is going wrong it's our job to report on it, to inform students and let them have a voice. My resolution for the University and the Students' Union is to respect our independence and let us do our job. Molly Greeves
Student media aren't only here to celebrate the University's accomplishments
6. Stop putting ugly statues everywhere As a hopelessly romantic English Literature student, I bloody love a good statue or two. The classic stoic-looking grey blokes and blokettes staring out into the world, a pigeon, seagull or duck on their shit-caked shoulder. What I can’t abide, however, is an insulting statue. Call me oversensitive, but I refuse to look at a statue that won’t look back at me. This brings me to the main offender of the numerous statues on campus, the Pink Ballerina. Appearing during the first semester of the 2018/19 term, the Pink Ballerina was met with divisive opinion from day one. Not only was the statue a mess of offensively bright colour, it also lacked a head of any kind, something I simply do not trust. Why are we here? And why is the ballerina here too? All of these were questions proffered by Senior Fine Arts lecturer Katie Cudden when she had the statue erected in front of the Hatton gallery in the Architecture Quadrangle. I should clarify that I have the utmost respect for Katie and her work, and appreciate the boldness of her sculpture. However, I cannot shake my crippling fear of headless statues, and this one haunted my first year like a ghost. I hope that in the coming decade the university will accommodate even the most unusual of needs, such as my own. Alex Darbyshire 7. Respect unpaid labour in the SU (or, better yet, pay for it) Being part of extra-curricular activities like volunteering with Go Volunteer, societies, student media or taking a representative role as a Course Rep or a Liberation Officer is a great way to enhance your university experience and meet people beyond your course and flat. But when you take a position of responsibility in these, like editing for the Courier or being on a society committee, it can’t be underestimated how much responsibility and work this can add to your life. Yes, it’s good fun, but it’s still unpaid labour that I think should be appreciated more. Perhaps “radically”, I think things like Liberation Officers and Heads of NSR and NUTV should be paid; these roles really do require time, effort, planning and many meetings that would be paid for someone doing those roles in a full-time staff capacity. Running campaigns and fighting for
Patrick Harland, Flickr
Emma Dawson
injustices alongside your degree is tough, and sometimes staff appear to expect you to prioritise this like a paid job. Surely the SU can spare some cash to pay all of their Officers fairly? Even if this was just a timesheet for campaign planning and event delivery, it would add extra value to the role and show people that their work is valued and appreciated. Even without the pay, the unpaid labour of student volunteers is often not appreciated across the board. Society members never seem to understand how much effort goes into planning a ball or a guest speaker. Sub-editors for the Courier dedicate hours of their life to struggling with InDesign and Photoshop to share the student voice in our incredible weekly paper. Liberation Officers, whilst somehow handling the responsibility of representing a diverse marginalised group as an individual, hold the SU and university to account, support students, bring motions to council, run extensive campaigns and do tons of behind-the-scenes work. We should all be aware of this hard work and appreciate it, rather than taking credit for unpaid labour or dismissing their work because of its voluntary nature. If you’re one of these overworked and underpaid people – I feel you. Having been probably over-involved with extra-curriculars in the SU since my second year, I know the burnout and the frustration that can come when you don’t feel appreciated. Of course, there are some excellent people who do truly thank you for your work, and you know it does matter. Still, let’s show some more thanks to these student volunteers who make our student experience better. And, you know, chuck them a bit of National Living Wage every now and then. Charlotte Boulton
Images: Public Domain Pictures
Student strike solidarity
Students at Liverpool university received a threatening email ahead of the University and Colleges Union’s industrial action over casualisation, pay and pensions. Universities Resist Border Controls reported that an email stating that “any international students who choose not to cross picket lines to attend teaching sessions risk jeopardising their visa” had been sent to non-EU students. The same email also alleged that participation in the picket lines is ‘unlawful’. Numerous other
universities are engaging in similar bully tactics, as reported by The Guardian, such as encouraging students to report any of their lecturers who strike. This is part of a larger and uglier picture where UK universities are creating hostility between staff and students. University management will not tell you that staff receive no pay for all the days they are on strike. They will not tell you that strikes are a last resort and that staff do not want to be on the picket lines but at work. You won’t be told that strikes occur after months of attempted negotiations with executive boards are unwilling to listen. You won’t be told that staff pay more into their pension than ever before but receive
less. You won’t be told that staff feel threatened by their institutions for participating in industrial action that is essential to improving their situation. Disruption is not the goal but it is the outcome of a lack of dialogue from universities. Many feel universities have become corporations that demand an increasing workload for staff whilst working conditions and pay worsen. The approach that university management are increasingly taking is turning institutions in to businesses with unattainable targets and greater workloads, all whilst cutting pay and making life harder for staff and students. Student services routinely fail to provide adequate support for students or if they do, are overstretched and understaffed. Newcastle
University has failed to provide essential support to student carers, students with mental health issues, survivors of sexual violence and those who have experienced the death of a loved one, among numerous others. Time and time again students and staff are not being given fair provisions by an institution that makes tens of millions of pounds from its various investment ventures. The bullying and scaremongering from universities is commonplace and is a deliberate attempt to cause divisions. Don’t let university management scare you out of solidarity.
Images: Newcastle University, Pixabay
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comment 10
the courier
@courier_latest courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk Comment Editors Aastha Malik, Joe Molander & Kelly Corcoran
Monday 9 December 2019
2010 Where did the time go? 2011 2012 T 2013 2014 2015 2016 W 2017 2018 2019 With the 2010s coming to a close, our writers look back over the biggest stories of the decade The Arab Spring
he Arab spring was a series of anti-government protests, rallies, and uprisings throughout the Middle East and North Africa in the early 2010s, fuelled mainly by the rise of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. The protests began in Tunisia, where protests began against an oppressive regime and a low standard of living. The protests would soon engulf many surrounding countries, such as Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain. Street demonstrations were a common feature of the Arab Spring, and the authorities in these countries responded with violence. Retaliatory measures were seen in some countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya and Egypt, including coups d’etat, insurgency and even civil war. The Arab Spring had mixed results: regimes that weren’t as oil rich or lacked hereditary succession plans were more
likely to change and democratise themselves. Intervention by foreign states has also not helped the cause of the protesters, who wanted self-determination. Many Arab nations also ended up having power vacuums, resulting in a contentious battle between religious elites and those wanting democracy. Uprisings and protests still go on in many countries across the Arab world, and are seen as a continuation of the Arab Spring. However, the ideals of the original protests have been well and truly lost, barring a few countries like Tunisia where genuine change has happened. Despite the fact that there were people still voicing their displeasure in countries like Algeria, Iraq and others this past year, it is hard to imagine these movements bearing fruit. Sesha Subramanian
The Rise of Xi Jinping
hen Xi Jinping stepped out at the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party as China’s new leader, no-one expected the radical changes that were to come. Now, he is the most powerful man in China since Mao. Born the son of an official who was eventually purged, Xi was sent to live in a cave in northeast China while still a teenager. This experience only hardened his dedication to the party, though, with Xi working his way up through the murky apparatus of the Chinese Communist party (CCP) until he became president in 2012. Almost ten years later, the man now holds the whole of China in his hands. An anti-corruption investigation at the beginning of his rule rid the party of a vast number of
rivals, and now Xi looks to remove the last traces of opposition in China. With the state shutting down designated malcontents and Xi removing term limits at the last party conference, he appears to be here for the long run. It is not just the centralisation of power that worries western onlookers. Foreign policy has also been notably aggressive. Xi’s big project, the Belt and Road Initiative, looks to spend over $1tn on projects in a third of the world’s countries, especially developing Asian and African economies, tying them economically to China. As the world’s geopolitical axis looks to shift to the east, Xi Jinping looks to be the man at the centre of the 21st century.
Images: Wikimedia Commons
Tomo Clarkson
Lebanon
L
ebanon had been absent from the political scene for some time, but now recent events have changed the situation, and it’s back stronger than ever. For those of you who don’t know, Lebanon is now facing tough times, mostly from a series of uprisings against the current regime. For years now, Lebanon has been enduring a trying economic situation, with GDP growing by only 0.2% in 2018, compared to 0.6% in 2017. Meanwhile, the government has been accused of corruption, stealing and bribery. As if that wasn’t enough, in 2015, Lebanon faced a huge problem dealing with waste and trash which remains a national crisis to this day. Other major crises include shortage of electricity and water, not to mention the wild fires that swiped out more than 3 700 acres earlier in October. Lebanese people are fed up. That’s when the government decided to take it a step further and announce new
tax measures on 17 October this year. This is when the people of Lebanon decided to put an end to things. Tens of thousands of people associated with different religions and political parties united to shout with one voice “fall the regime” and “kolona lil watan” which translates to “All of us! For our Country, for our Glory and Flag!”, the Lebanese national anthem. This hasn’t happened since the last civil war in the 1990s. Even as anger escalated, protests remained peaceful and creative. One thing to point out here is that Lebanese people know how to have fun, even in a time of political angst. They barbecued on the streets, and brought an inflatable swimming pool to the protest, as well as a DJ. They held yoga classes in the middle of the street, and sang “baby shark” to little children. They even brought their own home furniture, like sofas and refrigerators. But what do the Lebanese people actually want? Initially,
U
they wanted the resignation of the Lebanese prime minister Saa’ed Al-Hariri, which they got a couple of weeks after the protests. That’s goal number one achieved: what next? There are three more aims: start preparing for parliamentarian elections, as many parliament members have been accused of corruption; decrease government officials salary by 50%; and finally, prepare for a general election to form a new government. Unfortunately, over the past week, protests have become more violent, especially from Hezbollah supporters, which led to clashes between unarmed peaceful protestors, armed Hezbollah protestors and the Lebanese army. Hassan Nasrallah – the leader of the Hezbollah group – criticized the antigovernment protest. Could this be a start of a second Lebanese civil war? Marcel Shamshoum
David Cameron’s Pig Play
ndoubtedly, one of the biggest stories of the past decade was the famous “piggate” scandal surrounding former Prime Minister, David Cameron. “Piggate” was a story that appeared in ‘Call Me Dave’, an unauthorised biography of Cameron involving his antics with a dead pig whilst a student at Oxford University. Apparently Cameron did not just play around with the pig, but actually went the whole hog by putting what was described as “a private part of his anatomy” into the dead pig’s mouth as part of an initiation ceremony.
Images: Liam Austen
Flight MH-17
David Cameron has insisted the source of the story was telling porky pies
The story was said to have come from an MP who had been at Oxford at the same time as Cameron. However, Cameron called the story “utter nonsense” and insisted that the anonymous MP in question was telling porky
pies. Cameron’s response to the situation may appear misguided, even “ham fisted” in retrospect, as the Prime Minister said that he was too busy running the country to dignify the situation with a response, also taking a break from his twitter account. That break was probably for the best as his first tweet since the allegation was met with a barrage of pig-sex related abuse; the UK Prime Minster was effectively being hog-roasted by all of twitter. In fact, it was only this year that Cameron really went into depth about the accusations in his autobiography ‘For The Record’, where he assured that he didn’t put his porker into the dead pig’s mouth. However, despite speculation, it is unlikely that we will ever find out whether the story is really true or not, and whether David really was a dirty pig after all. Dominic Lee
The cartoon was drawn by Liam Austen, whose work can be found on the Instagram account @dontdo_dull
O
n 17 July 2014, Malaysian Airlines flight MH-17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down near the village of Hrabove in Ukraine. The commercial airliner had 298 souls on board – 283 passengers and 15 crew – including 80 children, none of whom survived. This year on June 19th, five years after the crash, the Dutch-led ‘Joint Investigative Team’ (JIT) issued four international arrest warrants for those responsible. So, just what happened that day over a field in Ukraine? The incident took place at the height of the Ukrainian Civil War between the EU-backed Ukrainian government and Kremlin sponsored, pro-Russian separatists. In the weeks prior to the downing of the plane several Ukrainian military jets were downed by Separatist rockets, and investigators believe – via examination of radio communications – that those responsible mistakenly believed the passenger plane to be another military jet. In the days after the attack, the artillery used to down the plane was taken back into Russia, from where it left weeks earlier. The four people identified by the JIT include three Russians with Moscow and FSB connections and a Ukrainian. Russian officials, unsurprisingly, deny any involvement and are refusing to extradite the suspects. Something you only do, of course, when you are 100% sure they will be found guilty. The four will be tried in absentia in the Netherlands in March next year. On board the plane were two locals, John Alder and Liam Sweeney. Both were hardcore Newcastle United fans and were onboard the plane travelling to watch their beloved Magpies play a series of pre-season friendlies in New Zealand. Their families, along with the families of the 296 other victims of this war crime, will likely never get justice. And that only compounds one tragedy into another. Joe Holloran
comment
the courier
11
Monday 9 December 2019
We’ve been looking forward to this...
Five of our Comment writers make their predictions for what the next ten years have in store for key social and political issues
F
Democracy
The Overton Window
or a long time, it seemed that the system of liberal democracy - lauded as a bastion of western culture and civilisation - was inviolable. Now it seems that democracy is under attack, and by those who would profess to uphold it. Consider the situation in Bolivia. When now-resigned President Evo Morales was re-elected in late October this year, the Organisation of American States (OAS) - which receives the majority of its funding from the US, and which claims to want to strengthen democracy in member states – sought to delegitimise his rule. Allegations of electoral fraud then forced Morales to cede power to Jeanine Añez, a decidedly anti-indigenous interim president ruling over a country with a 65% indigenous population.
The recent erosion of democracy isn’t new
None of this is particularly new, however. The US, supposed bulwark of democracy, has had fingers in Latin American pies for a while now. Many elections have been considered undemocratic, followed by the sudden appearance of a new leader with surprisingly American interests. In other words, the recent erosion of democracy is absolutely nothing new. Global forces of imperialism and capitalism have always attempted to undermine the wishes of the many in favour of the desires of the elite. Unless there is some radical change in the current global hegemony, the next ten years will see only further decline in true democracy. Tom Leach
P
olitics today is radically different from what it was 10 years ago. Back in the 90s, ideas like Brexit or nationalisation were unthinkable, but now they’re serious policy suggestions. The Overton window frames all of these policies, or things that the political mainstream deem acceptable at a given time. This changes constantly (the window has shifted to become much more LGBT-friendly over the last decade, for example), and over the next ten years, it is unlikely it will shift back to the centre. Radicalism has replaced centrism as the political norm. We have seen shifts towards radicalism both in America with candidates like Bernie Sanders, and in the UK with Jeremy Corbyn. With elections coming up in both these countries, it is difficult to see a way in which the Overton window can shift back to where it was ten years ago. Consider how hard it is for centrist parties like the Liberal Democrats to form a majority government. With regards to policy, the climate crisis means that ideas that we now think of as radical, like the Green New Deal, will have to become accepted in order to deal with the existential threat of climate change. Similarly, technological advances and automation mean that ideas like universal basic income may have to be seriously considered, as work becomes less available. The Overton window has already shifted, but it will need to shift even further to deal with the issues that the world will face in the next decade. If we want to properly deal with issues like climate change, we cannot afford for it to shift towards the centre. Faye Navesey
“I
Justice
Brexit
t’s not who you know, it is what you know”. In an ideal world the next ten years will see the opportunity for students to get jobs to be based not on their connections, but on their qualifications and personality. It will be based on them as a person, not who their father or mother is, or who they work for. To be frank, this information should be irrelevant. I strongly believe that people should make their own way in their careers, and stop relying on wealthy peers to get them a job. The class system that we live in today should not mean that the wealthier students and people applying for jobs can automatically get a job, yet it does. As LinkedIn said in this decade, in 2016, 70% of people in their survey got a job in a firm because they already knew someone working there. Whether this is a family member or a friend, this is wrong. If their uncle works in a managerial position for Google then they should not automatically gain professional employment there. By all means they should apply, but the approach to their application should be equal in comparison to all other applicants, this is only fair and just. Ideally, this system of entering work would completely eliminate the bias issue of people getting jobs because of who they know. But we do not live in a fairy tale, we live in a reality where the best that can happen is that policies accumulate and new opportunities open for students who would otherwise not get the same chances as other student when applying for jobs. It is a hard system to combat, and the policies implemented should be done so with great care and consideration. While a more rigorous interview technique would prevent people from getting a job based on who they know, this may equally deter the less confident students from applying. Therefore, there needs to be some thought put in to what policy could be successful to combat this issue, but our system of employment needs to be updated and balanced. Sophie Wilson
A Images: Wikimedia Commons (Morales and Corbyn)and Phil Roeder on Flickr (Sanders)
Climate
s this decade ends, I want to look forward to a brighter tomorrow. I cannot do that. The future is full of uncertainty when it comes to the environment. Our climate is spinning out of our control and we are heading towards an unchangeable mass extinction event, one that we have only ourselves to blame for. The next decade has to be one of significant and rapid change within the sectors of aviation, energy, and food production in order to prevent critical and irreversible damage to our planet. Our leaders in this past decade have failed us, it is now time for the younger generation to speak up about our future, and the fact we want to have one.
In the 2020s, the young people of the world can become the force for change I know we can be
With the likes of Greta Thunberg, we have seen the power that young people have; the Extinction Rebellion groups and the climate strikes being globally spearheaded by our generation. We are capable of changing the planet for the better, and it is my sincere hope that in the decade of the 20s the young people of the world will finally get heard and become the force for change that I know we can be. If we fail in this, then it is likely that either the governments failed to act, or that they did so far too late. If so, as the ice caps melt and sea levels rise, unleashing unknown catastrophes onto our global population, our generation may become one of the last on this dying world. It is for that reason alone that I hope and pray that our voices will finally be heard, and our planet can not only begin to heal, but that it will also be treated with the respect and consideration that it deserves. Images: Wikimedia Commons
Patrick Young
T
he most terrifying aspect of Brexit is not only its ever delayed imminence, but the fact that no one knows quite what will happen if it carries through. In ten years, will Britain resurge from the ashes of a great empire? Probably not. It is more likely to still be struggling in the aftermath of a difficult transition. As a European immigrant, I can testify the looming sense of urgency that settled on the 3.6 million EU immigrants after the results came in back in 2016. It is not only about the practical implications that Brexit will have on our lives, spanning from employment to travelling; but rather, the feeling of living in a country who categorically reject the type of international collaboration that immigrants depend on. Since 2016, migration has fallen, hitting its lowest levels since 2013. In the next ten years, it is therefore likely that migration will continue to decrease, regardless of whether Brexit is delivered or continuously delayed; unless of course the government manages to both deliver Brexit and reinforce a pro-immigration stance, which let’s be honest, is just not going to happen. This will most likely reverberate across the economy, as the value of migrants has been well documented. With this in mind, it is in fact possible that Brexit will not have actually taken place in ten years time. In fact, despite PM Boris Johnson stating that he would rather “die in a ditch” than delay Brexit, Brexit was once again delayed. The only certainty regarding Brexit in ten years is that, in one way or another, it will continue to negatively impact the lives of citizens, either by seeking to settle after a strenuous transition, or eventually snapping under the constant pressure of an impending catastrophe. Elisabetta Pulcini
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Monday 9 December 2019
c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk @Courier_Life thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle Life & Style Editor Nimra Rafique Lifestyle Editors Catherine Entwistle, Cecilia Adamou, Holly Margerrison & Jess Herbert
Are you unlucky in love? Email us at c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk
Joe Smith meets Dominic Lee Second Year English Literature
Second Year English Language
Blind Date Image: Emma Monaghan
Hi Joe, were you nervous for your date? Not really, was looking forward to it! How did you prepare for your date? Two lines of coke and a Linda McCartney sausage. What did you wear? Who was the best dressed? Just went with the classic hoodie and jean combo. I’d say me but only because of my Skechers. I’ve heard they are right on trend.
His views on dogs were startling and took me by suprise What was your first impression of Dom? A nice bloke, great music taste and banging shoes. Where did you meet? We met at Dog and Parrot as we are both awful people. We went to patrol the Crimbo markets after. What was the highlight of your date? The silent pints were defo a highlight.
Hi Dom, how’s your dating life been? Well when you look like this it’s never a struggle! But I was really looking forward to meeting the mystery man. What were your first impressions of Joe? Good? Bad? Happy? Sad? His beard was a bit patchier than mine but his eyes sparkled like the night sky! Not sure about the beanie though... What did you talk about? Were there any topics you avoided? We talked a lot about music! We both have similar tastes! Turns out he’s a bit of a sadboi though, he kept showing me Spotify playlists with anime photos on. Who is your celebrity crush and how does Joe compare? I’m not sure if she counts as a celebrity but I’ve always had a crush on Grace Dean. Joe didn’t even come close I have to say. If Joe were a 90s Britpop band which would he be? He’d be Oasis because he’s not as good as he used to be. He said he likes Pulp but I’m not sure he’s as suave as Jarvis.
We went to the pub and sat in silence with our drinks
What was the worst , weirdest, or funniest thing Dom said? His views on dogs were startling and took me by surprise. Not everyone’s a dog person, I suppose.
What did you get up to? We went round the Christmas markets for a bit then went to the pub and sat in silence with our pints.
Will you see him again? Not deliberately, but I’m sure our paths will cross again, possibly at a 1975 concert.
If Joe were an item of food from a Christmas Dinner what would he be? He’d be a Christmas pudding because I wanted to smother him in alcohol and eat him. Oh, and maybe set him on fire.
If Dom were a character in the Nativity who would he be? I’d say he’d be one of the farm animals. Probably the donkey. Only because of that Dominic the Donkey Christmas song.
Will you see each other again? Yes we’ve planned to go and see The 1975 together next year. If they play Menswear he said he’d take me to Blackpool for a romantic getaway!
Which member of Coldplay does he look like? Spitting image of Chris Martin, had to get a photo up on my phone and make sure it wasn’t him. Don’t want any association with Coldplay thank you very much.
If Joe were a place on campus what would he be? That’s a tough one! He’d probably be the Courier office because I see him around there quite a lot dicking around and playing Minecraft and Fun Maths Games.
Would you recommend blind date? Yes, but only if they’re not on a date with Dom. He’s mine!
Finally, would you reccommend blind date to a friend? Yes 100%. I’m so pleased I did it because I think I might have found the one!
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life & style lifestyle Can you enjoy Christmas as an adult? All I want for Chr Monday 9 December 2019
Christmas lover Kate Baguley is determined to repackage the festive period for millennials
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s we grow older each year, the magic of Christmas day begins to fade. Christmas as a child involves excitement and anticipation – leaving milk and mince pies to help Santa on his journey, checking if Rudolph ate the carrot that you left, opening the lounge door on Christmas morning to see if you made the ‘nice list’. Total magic. Then we have the parents, who regain the mag-
ic of Christmas by creating it for their own children. But what about us in the middle of this? Not quite a child nor a parent? Where we are too old to buy into the idea of elves in Santa’s workshop, but too young to host our own Christmas? It is a liminal space to exist in. The threeweek break from university sends us home with bags full of revision and secondary reading for essays. So, how can twenty-somethings fully enjoy Christmas? A lot of focus goes onto Christmas day. This build up of pressure can cause huge amounts of stress – family issues, financial problems, and so on. For some lucky people, the magic of Christmas lives on for a few more years due to younger siblings. However, for the rest of us, Christmas evolves, and we must evolve with it. The best way to enjoy Christmas is to take the pressure off the idea of it being one day. Yes, for religious reasons, Jesus’ birthday is quite literally one day. But spreading out Christmas can make it seem easier to handle. After all, Christmas brings about a three-week break from university for us all.
Despite the hours of revision and essay work that you ultimately have to do, there are a lot of positives to this break. Guaranteed good food after countless weeks on Tesco ready-meals. A clean house. Baths. Actually feeling warm because you don’t have to deal with your stubborn housemates never turning the heating on. A good night’s sleep in your own bed. Sound pretty good, right? The best part about Christmas is that it is the best excuse to celebrate. All month-long. Think about it, now that you are an adult, you can drink as much prosecco as you want! Everybody is always up for a night at the pub or even a night in with a bottle of wine, just because it’s Christmas. It is a time for work parties and society balls – pure celebration. The entire concept of a Christmas Eve night-out has been long debated, and I personally find the idea of being hungover on Christmas day completely awful, but whatever floats your boat! Then, of course, there is the big day. Despite that you have revision and essays clouding your Christmas break, the one day that you can definitely put down those flashcards is the 25th December. The secret to enjoying Christmas day as an adult is making it your own, stripping off the pressure to fully experience it. As soon as you accept that Christmas isn’t about what’s under the tree, it’s about who’s around it, things will get a lot easier. Yes, Santa may not have squeezed down your chimney, and it is your mum’s handwriting on those present tags, but isn’t that part of the fun? Also, there is no such thing as a ‘conventional’ Christmas. It does not matter who or what is missing, whether it’s spent with mum, dad, or neither. It’s about spending time with those you love – be it family, friends, or partners. It is about treating people with gifts (with the small amount left over from your student loan). Christmas is a day for good food and good company – what more could you want? So, regardless of the fact that you know Santa’s sleigh isn’t on your roof, and you have a neverending to-do list, the Christmas season should be one of celebration, love, and a well-earned break.
all members are in agreement politically – sadly this is not the case. Family harmony breaks apart easier than a cracker, and with just as big of a bang where politics are concerned. Imagine a traditional Christmas scene – fire crackling, mulled wine a-flowing and your uncle accusing your cousin of being a ‘Leftie’ communist – ‘tis the season. Forget your tame, Monopoly fueled feuds; political disagreements take the family row to a whole new level. It can be hard to enjoy time together with such important, pressing matters on the front of the papers and on everyone’s minds, particularly on such reactionary and emotive issues such as healthcare, education and taxes. Naturally, opinions differ on all these issues, but this is made all the more difficult when they occur within one family. As if family rivalry wasn’t bad enough already, this aptly timed election only adds fuel to the fire that is family fall out. So, we will never stop the differences, but how can we mitigate the potential damage on the fragile family harmony? Respect is key to keeping disagreements from exploding into a full-blown civil war and is the first step in preserving the peace this Christmas.
Recognising and trying to understand other family members’ viewpoint is so important. It can be interesting to hear other views on these contentious matters, even if it is your Great-Aunt’s rant about the ‘fuss over nothing’ climate crisis. However, as families go, things are never quite so simple. If confrontation is unavoidable, come ready and armed with knowledge. If you to have to fight your political corner, come prepared. If your inner politician does get the better of you, at least be prepared to defend your political corner. We’ve seen enough carcrash debates over the last month – don’t let your kitchen table be the scene of another. Try to see this as an opportunity to get stuck into the political scene with your nearest and dearest, whether you agree with them or not. And lastly, know when to call it a day. If you’ve followed the above step and are still getting nowhere it’s time to take on the role as peacekeeper – even if that means walking away. Sometimes, although frustrating, this is the best option to preserve the peace and enjoy the festive season. Christmas is about spending time with the people you love, and sometimes love can mean sighing, rolling your eyes and retreating. Let the election ruin the country, but not your family Christmas.
Cora Herbert wanders to her fa
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he nights are getting longer, the days are getting shorter, and the annual “can you believe how dark it is!?” conversations are in full swing. While it is tempting to retreat into the nest of warmth and blankets that is bed, I challenge you to resist – lace up your boots, zip up your puffer and venture into the great outdoors. The autumn and winter months have their own unique beauty. Let’s start embracing the season, even if that means pretending it not sub-zero out there! Ignore the bad press that this time of year gets and help #MakeNovemberGreatAgain. So here is a whistle-stop guide to getting outside in winter.
Exhibition Park This is an great choice if you don’t want to stray too far from campus. The pond wildlife is worth the walk alone, forget people-watching… it’s all about swan-watching this year. There’s plenty to do in the park including the Café in the Park which offers a 10% student discount, as well as an outdoor gym and tennis and basketball courts.
Jesmond Dene Located just north of the city centre, there is no excuse not to pay a visit to the tree-lined ravine. Follow the riverside footpaths along the valley and find all sorts of gems along the way, including everyone’s favourite petting zoo – Pet’s Corner. If you love waterfalls, Insta-worth bridges, and goats the size of donkeys – then Jesmond Dene is the perfect outdoor retreat.
Last Christmas... I gave you my vote Cora Herbert on how to handle family fallout after the upcoming election O n the twelfth day of Christmas the British parliamentary system gave to me… yet another election. Met with same enthusiasm a pair of bad socks would receive, the people of Britain have been gifted another trip to the polling station this Christmas. As things heat up in the televised debates, the upcoming election drama will inevitably extend to the home and spark debates among families across the country. One dreams of a utopian family ideal in which
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lifestyle life & style
Monday 9 December 2019
nights or festive fights: Christmas at home ristmas is views Silent Concerned about festive family arguments? Yasmine Bridge is here to offer advice
favourite places around the city Corbridge
This historic Dickensian-style village is gorgeous in winter and feels like jumping into a Christmas card scene – bonus ‘cozy points’ if you stop off for a hot chocolate! The village has some great cafes and pubs, or if you want to maximise your vitamin D intake explore the village itself or take a stroll along the river.
Hexham Back on the train and a little further down the line you’ll reach Hexham. This little town boasts a substantial abbey which is free to look around. Also, there are plenty of independent shops, ideal for a spot of Christmas shopping.
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t this time of year, the festivities conventionally mean that loved ones reunite, swap gifts, eat (far too much) food and have a merry old time. However, this image of the ‘cereal box family’ that we are so often sold does not allow for every individual circumstance. As we know, families come in all shapes and sizes. Although all families have their own difficulties, we should not ignore the fact that some people simply don’t get on with theirs. Whilst some of us are lucky enough to get on well (or well enough) with our families, we imagine Christmas is particularly difficult for those who don’t. This Christmas, as always, some of the more trivial arguments will inevitably arise, revolving around what to watch on the TV, or who knows best about the cooking. However, when it comes to it, we’re told the season isn’t about the presents, the food or the materialistic things, but those we spend time with. Christmas places many unspoken strains upon families.
Durham Head to Durham on the train and after looking around the city, remember to take a walk down by the river. This walk takes you down and around under the Cathedral, which at this time of year is especially gorgeous, with fallen leaves lighting up the riverside path. The upcoming festive period is a golden opportunity to explore the local area. Spending time outside has been proved to help mental and physical health and works as a general mood lifter. So if you’re suffering with a case of deadlineblues or dark-days-itus – grab some pals and go get yourself a much needed dose of vitamin D. Dust off your coat and head into the open – its free and all yours for the taking! Instagram: @ema_malyauka
For instance, the financial burden is ever prevalent. Along with this, it’s often the one time of year that everyone is under the same roof. Whilst this is usually a really warming and much anticipated experience, it can lead to rising tensions and spats. Yet all this considered, it still remains important to try and spend time with family and loved ones if at all possible. However, you shouldn’t put yourself in any sort of compromising position if you really don’t get on with your family on a much more deeply rooted, serious level. Another angle to take involves learning to love your own company. Spending time alone can sound really daunting, but if you are not in a position to spend time with your family, you have the right to put yourself first, and deserve to have a good time none the less. Throughout the festive period, there is nothing wrong with going solo, whether you want to look around the Christmas markets or take a trip to the beach. Often removing yourself from any potential environments of tension for a while can create a calmer atmosphere in general.
You shouldn’t put yourself in any sort of compromising position if you really don’t get on with your family
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Stay off the socials! By looking at people’s pictures of the “perfect day”, you’ll only get yourself down (and remember the filtered snapshots don’t show the heated argument that just took place over the television or the turkey). There is no need to compare your Christmas to another household’s, as every situation is so unique. Remember to not be too hard on yourself, and remind yourself that no family set up is without its flaws. Perhaps you have the chance to use the festivities to reach out. If you are able to work on relationships, Christmas is the time, to lead you into a positive new year. Or perhaps you won’t. Either way, everyone deserves happiness and calm, and can enjoy themselves just the same.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year Sally Grey confesses to being a certified Christmas-aholic in this festive season I
t’s the most wonderful time of the year! Upon reading those words you did one of two things. Smiled or groaned. If you did the latter, stop reading now, this article is not for you. But if, like me, you already have your tree up, Christmas tunes on and Love Actually (or The Grinch, no judgement here) playing in the background, then read on. I love Christmas. The songs, the food, the general Christmassyness of it all. Yes, I am that person wearing a sparkly Christmas jumper and drinking overpriced Christmas-themed hot chocolate out of a mug shaped like a reindeer. I am an unashamed Christmas-aholic. It’s the one time of the year when everyone makes a real effort to get together, and yes, the presents are the main reason some people actually turn up, but at least you get to see them. We’re all so busy nowadays and everyone keeps in touch via smiley face emojis and meaningless “must meet up soon!” texts. Christmas forces us to actually meet up face to face, and when we do, we remember why we’re friends in the first place. These people we don’t have time to see during the year are still brilliant, and the rekindled friendships will definitely help you through the obligatory Christmas
board games with your family. Decorations are a huge thing in my house – but there are no coordinating baubles and tinsel in sight. Oh no, we go full madcap décor – crazy felt things my sister and I made as kids, knitted woollen snowmen, flashing multicoloured lights, and a slightly squashed-looking angel for the top of the tree. They may be uncoordinated and probably very weird to an outsider, but they’re ours and they make it Christmas. It’s the traditions that make it special, but they don’t nec-
But the best thing about Christmas is the perspective essarily have to be traditional. If you’re away from home for Christmas this year, why not create new traditions with your friends? Go to the Christmas markets together, have a Christmas film night, buy matching Christmas jumpers to wear while watching said films, do whatever makes you feel like it’s Christmas! Just because you don’t get to decorate the tree at home, doesn’t mean you can’t do one at your uni house. Yes, you might have missed out on baking biscuits/wrapping presents/drinking mulled wine/whatever you normally do
with your family, but that doesn’t mean your Christmas can’t be Christmassy. All you need to do is get a few friends together and stick on some Christmas songs. You’ll be wearing those silly paper hats from the crackers within minutes. Yes, some parts of Christmas might be less enjoyable. Maybe you don’t get on with your family, perhaps you’ve lost someone, split up with your partner, just really hate mince pies! But the best thing about Christmas is the perspective – it’s the perfect time of year to remember what really counts. Don’t get on with your family? Have Christmas with friends. Remember those you’ve lost with others who loved them, use the money you would have spent on your other half to treat yourself. And swap your mince pies for Christmas cookies. Just remember to share them with those who matter to you.
Image: S&B Vonlanthen on Unsplash
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life & style travel
courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Travel Editors: Amy Harris, Meggie Williams and Beth Robson
the courier
Monday 9 December 2019
Christmas festivities Our writers explore Christmas celebrations around the globe,
Beamish T
ransport yourself back in time with Beamish Museum’s Christmas festivities this holiday season. If you’re stuck in Newcastle over the holiday period or are just looking for something fun to do, Beamish is a wonderful way of experiencing Christmas, the North East, and a little bit of history. At Christmas time, the museum is decorated with traditional Christmas decorations, and you can take part in fun festive activities such as ice skating, drinking traditional mulled wine, and meeting reindeer at Santas Grotto. There are different buildings across the museum from different time periods across the 19th and 20thcentury that house exhibits about Christmas and the North East where you can watch carol services or try Christmas treats. To access each activity, you can walk around the museum (I recommend taking a torch!) or catch an oldfashioned tram! What I love the most about Beamish at Christmas is their night-time activities; everything is beautifully lit and feels completely magical. If you’re interested in supporting local small businesses, there’s also a crafts and food market at the band stand as you enter the main section of the museum where you can try lots of local Christmas food and buy beautiful trinkets from local crafters for your Christmas tree or home. Meanwhile, a brass band plays jolly Christmas songs; truly setting the tone for the rest of the visit. For a relatively small fee of £14.50 you can get an unlimited access student ticket for the whole year so you don’t only get to access Beamish’s Christmas activities, but everything else they do during the year. Definitely worth the buy if you like getting out and about, and like me, love the North East’s history. - Beth Robson
Vermont T
his mountainous winter wonderland is nestled away on America’s north-eastern border with Canada. I do not understand how many tourists gloss over this hidden gem, in favour of the hustle and bustle of Canada during the holidays. Any Vermonter will tell you, that Flatlanders (their term for us outsiders) come to Vermont for two things only- Skiing and the snow. Many Vermonters enjoy a nice Christmas Ham, as opposed to our Turkey. They also enjoy highly alcoholic Eggnog, more so than some of their other American peers. Many Vermonters enjoy hunting, so expect some variety of game on the menu for winter- this usually being Venison. As they are American, you can expect portion sizes to be massive, got to have the winter weight to survive the cold temperatures here. Vermont is a majority Catholic state (one of the few ones, thanks to the French), and as such, many Vermonter families enjoy going to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, as for many, Christmas remains a religious celebration as opposed to consumerist, secular celebration that is has become in the UK. Vermonters take Christmas seriously, and go all out decorating their houses, as is common across America. It seems like a sort of competition, with who can make the gaudiest, brightest house festooned with lights. Vermonters themselves admit that they do enjoy looking at other houses’ Christmas decorations more than decorating their own house- something we can all relate to. I hope I have managed to pique your interest in visiting Vermont during the Christmas period, and perhaps I will see you out there another year. -Patrick Young
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Japan
hile Christmas has only recently been celebrated widely in Japan, it is not seen as a religious holiday but more about spreading joy and happiness around. Christmas in Japan has also been influenced by some US traditions such as gifts. Most Japanese families do not decorate their homes with Christmas lights. Instead, there are many public light displays that are called “illuminations” all over major cities such as Kobe and Tokyo. All major cities will typically have at least one big site dedicated solely to illuminations. The picturesque light displays are up throughout most of December and the more popular ones draw huge crowds. A traditional Japanese Christmas dinner is nothing like ours. No turkeys or puddings, instead, they have big buckets of KFC. As turkey is rarely, or not at all, found in Japan, KFC has used their fried chicken as a marketing campaign as it is as close as they would get to a turkey. Strawberry shortcake is also a favourite during the Christmas season. Finally, Japan’s Disneyland is massively popular during Christmas. Disney hosts Christmas parades which are known to be vibrant with festive costumes and music. Not only is it a great place for families with children but is also a popular date spot for couples on Christmas Eve.
-Amanda Goh
Singapore H
ave you ever spent Christmas on a tropical island? It is far different than spending Christmas in the UK. Well firstly, snow is not a thing. Considering the population of Christians are not the majority, Singapore celebrates Christmas in a surprisingly ‘big’ way. Singapore’s biggest shopping street, Orchard Road, gets a literal glow-up every year around Christmas time. The 1.5km shopping stretch gets filled with Christmas lights and decorations from huge sparkly Christmas trees to fairy lights hanging over your heads as you walk down the road. If this doesn’t scream Christmas, I don’t know what will. During Christmas, the annual Christmas Winter Wonderland event returns to Singapore. Similar to Lumiere, Gardens by the Bay gets filled with enchanting decorations and carnival games. While there is an entrance fee to get in, it is well worth the money since many of Christmas Wonderland’s best attractions are free. If you can ignore the humidity, its is definitely something worth looking at. Christmas day is spent pretty similarly to Westerners. Midnight church services are available on Christmas Eve as well as Christmas Day. After the service we would feast like kings with Turkey and cake with our families. Christmas in Singapore is usually spent with family and loved ones. It’s a religious celebration like any other, regardless of religious beliefs, and everyone gets to take part in the fun of frolicking in fake snow, Santa suits and of course, Christmas presents!
-Amanda Goh
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Alnwick
o the term’s ending, and you’re ready to go back home. Whether you’re planning on self-indulgence or self-study over the seasonal period, here’s what Alnwick can offer if you’re seeking an afternoon filled with festive spirit. If you’ve ever stepped into The Alnwick Garden, you might be familiar with its world famous Poison Garden or its spectacular cherry blossom orchard in the springtime. This winter, the Garden will be illuminated every night for visitors to stroll through after dusk. The Winter Light Trail, which requires the purchasing of its own ticket, offers more lively light and sound shows to ‘have your senses buzzing’. If you would rather keep to the main garden grounds, the weekends will also feature live seasonal music throughout the day to keep up the festive mood. Armed with a mince pie and hot mulled wine from the winter stalls open till 22nd December, what would be a better way to beat the winter frost? Of course, the ‘market’ aspect of Alnwick being a ‘market town’ cannot be ignored. Accompanied with live carolling, there, you can find more sweet treats and seasonal drinks amongst the stalls, as well as stocking fillers for your near and dear. With artisanal handicrafts and traditional gifts on sale, nothing says personalised more than the local treasures created by local artists. If you missed Durham’s Lumiere because of the rain, or don’t fancy forking out to go down to London’s Kew Gardens, Alnwick gives you the perfect opportunity to snap a few quality photos and create some fond memories. - Gemisha Cheemungtoo
Internationa
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travel life & style
Monday 9 December 2019
from around the world from famous traditions to popular festive destinations to visit
Dear Writers...
The three of us wish you the best Christmas break and look forward to seeing you in the New Year; thank you for being the best writers and always giving us something amazing to read on Sunday nights! Love, Amy, Meggie & Beth x
Kazakhstan Lapland L I
n Kazakhstan, we do not celebrate Christmas as much as we do New Year. Therefore, I would like to tell you more about our traditions for New Year celebrations. First and foremost, it is a family festivity. Often the 31st December is spent preparing the house for the night: cleaning and cooking. The tree is usually put up some time during the month. When all is done, the family sets up the table and fills it with refreshments. The number of people could vary from close family members to all the relatives in the same city to even friends and their families. The night usually starts off with the main meal which is often either Beshparmak or Manty. Afterwards we drink tea and have fruits, salads, sweets and Baursaki. This can go on for the duration of the whole night with another helping of the meal served at a later time. As the hour gets nearer to midnight, everyone turns their attention to the TV. Champagne is poured for all of us and children even get to have their own Kids’ Champagne (which is essentially a lemonade). A few minutes before the clock strikes 12am the president starts his speech which happens in two languages: Kazakh and Russian. He finishes just before the twelve chimes are broadcasted all over the country. Everyone cheers, clinks their glasses and drinks as we enter the New Year. There are two ways that the children receive p r e sents. From a young age we are all taught to believe in “Ayaz Ata” (Kazakh) or “Ded Moroz” (Russian) who brings home presents. The name roughly translates to “Grandfather Frost” who is similar to Santa Claus in appearance and has a granddaughter which usually escorts him for the festivities. Throughout December all children write letters to him to say that they were well-behaved all year and which presents they want and leave them on the windowsill. Traditionally, one of the male relatives or a hired entertainer dresses up as him on the night of the celebration. Sometimes children are required to recite poems for him to deserve their presents. However, as an alternative option some parents leave the presents under the tree the night before while the children are asleep. When all the kids in the household are old enough to have found out the truth, the tendency becomes that the family does the New Year shopping together. All presents are unwrapped after midnight. That night is often a long one as children indulge in their new toys, puzzles and games and adults continue their chatter up until dawn. Sometimes families come outside to experience fireworks happening all over the city. Sometimes they shoot their own. New Year is a warm family holiday shared between close people. It is a belief that whoever you celebrate your N e w Year with are the people whom you’ll spend the rest of the year with. - Jade Aruzhan Sagynay
Christmas Tree: maciej326, snowflake: Osckar, lights: Clker-Free-Vector-Images, all via Pixabay
apland, located in the northernmost region of Finland, with its wintry cold climate, pine trees and blankets of snow makes it a very popular destination for Christmas holidaymakers. Deep within the Arctic Circle and only a short flight from the UK, Lapland is the perfect location for a Christmas trip – and you get to visit Father Christmas’s ‘homeland’ and even get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. For those, like myself, who dream of a winter wonderland where you get to stay in a cosy snow-dusted log cabin, visit reindeers and get to drink mulled wine by a warm fire, Lapland should be the destination at the top of your list. December in Lapland is all about Christmas and that is no surprise considering how they celebrate the festive season – they even have a hotel named “Hotel Santa Claus”. Unlike here in the UK Christmas Eve in Lapland is quiet, as families spend time at home altogether, which results in a lot of places being closed. However, they all open back up on Christmas Day and Boxing Day to let the fun begin. Every day there are new activities to take part in, new food to try and locals to speak to. From husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides to snow hockey there is tons of fun to have in Lapland this time of year – you can even have a meet and greet with Santa himself! In Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, they have the Arctice Winter Wonderland complex, where there are igloo-style bars, where everything is carved out of ice and Ice Princess cocktails are available all day. While you enjoy an ice-cold drink you can sit and enjoy the fantastic animal sculptures surrounding you. Then you can enjoy some outdoor skating, snowtube slides and head over to Santa Claus Village. Lapland knows how to celebrate Christmas the right way; enjoy a festive meal in a dining room surrounded by beautiful Christmas decorations, cosy up in front of the log fire with a groggy-mulled wine with a little brandy and decorate gingerbread after a short husky ride in the snow.
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-Amy Harris
Poland
n Poland, Christmas is called “Boże Narodzenie”, which means “God’s Birth”. With Poland’s main religion being Catholicism, it has made a huge impact on how Polish people celebrate Christmas. The unofficial festivities start on the 6th of December, known as the Day of Saint Nicholas. On that day, well-mannered children receive gifts, whilst naughty children receive a “rózga”, which is a twig. Unlike the UK, Christmas Eve is the most significant day in Poland, the night which is called “wigilia” and it begins when the first star appears corresponding to the Star of Bethlehem. It is a tradition to leave an empty seat and a set of cutlery for someone that may need food or shelter. The dinner starts with breaking the “opłatek” – the Christmas wafer with others and giving each other wishes. In Poland, the Christmas dinner is meatless due to fasting, whilst fish is not considered meat in this case. There are typically twelve dishes prepared symbolising the Twelve Apostles. The soup served is usually “Barszcz z uszkami”, which is a red coloured soup served with little tortellini or alternatively mushroom soup is served. Typical dishes include mushroom and cabbage “Pierogi” – dumplings, carp, “Bigos” – braised sauerkraut, “makowiec” – poppyseed cake, just to name a few. After dinner, the gifts are exchanged and then attend mass in churches at midnight. - Wiktoria Rogacka-Hu
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Austria
he long-awaited year-end holiday has finally come upon us. Although we’re all for cuddling up at home all nice and warm surrounded by family and friends (and presents), December is also a prime time for travelling. Each country celebrates this festive occasion differently and travelling during this period gives you the opportunity to learn about different cultures from around the world. Here, I will discuss a few of the many reasons as to how Austria has upheld its reputation as one of the best go-to Christmas destinations. Known to be one of the few countries with the largest and best Christmas markets in Europe, it’s no wonder Austria attracts millions of visitors each year during this holiday. The largest market located in Vienna is the Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz. To add to the wintery atmosphere, they’ve transformed their footpaths in the park into a skating rink where you can skate along instead of strolling. Situated right in front of the City hall, the 105-foot christmas tree makes any photo picturesque. There are hundreds of vendors dotted around the market selling a wide variety of products. Whether it’s stuffing yourself with warm brews and local cuisines, immersing yourself in the fragrance of countless scented candles or browsing through one of many Christmas themed gifts for your loved ones, you’re bound to find something to take away with you at these markets. Austria is also home to many renowned classical composers so to all the music-lovers out there, Christmas concerts are abundant and easily found. Kick back and relax as you immerse yourself in the melody of classical music, the fluidity and grace of professional ballet dancers or the soothing voices of the choir. Venturing out of the capital, Salzburg is another popular destination and can be reached by train. This is where the culture of celebrating Christmas in Austria can get slightly creepy. You may find yourself caught in a parade with people dressed in terrifying masks with curved horns, adorned with heavy cow bells that jangle as they half-dance, half-stamp by. These are the Krampus and Perchten Parades which uphold an ancient folk tradition. This tradition has been running since the 17th century, when Saint Nicholas would visit children during the Christmas period. It was said that the well-behaved children would be presented with gifts while the naughty children were punished by these terrifying figures. Attending these parades will certainly change the mood of your typical Christmas holiday but it will definitely be a memorable one. - Sara-Jane Chan
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Australia
n Australia, Christmas is in the very middle of summer with searing-hot temperatures and blinding sunlight, so understandably the celebration of Christmas is fairly different down under. Rather than a warm roast dinner Christmas is often celebrated with a summery salad and cold meats, alongside drinks and a cold dessert. This is followed by a Boxing Day barbeque, a common tradition in most Australian homes, eaten whilst watching the traditional Boxing Day cricket test match, this year Australia face New Zealand. If you find yourself in Australia this Christmas keep an eye out for the surfing Santa’s, surfers who engage in the hilarious tradition of going surfing kitted out as Saint Nick. However not everything is different, you still gather with the family and exchange gifts, celebrating together. The traditions aren’t overly different just altered by the significantly different climate. Decorations don’t differ overly either, there’s still wreaths on doors and trees decorated with baubles, tinsel and lights. Just don’t expect to catch sight of much snow. - Patrick Harland
the courier
19
travel life & style Where should you be celebrating New Year?
Monday 9 December 2019
Image (Snowflake): Osckar from Pixabay
New Year tipple of choice? A hot chocolate loaded with whipped cream and marshmallows
Champagne
Anything and everything, although single shots are usually a waste of time
I don't care as long as there is a drink in my hand
Who will you be hugging when the clock strikes 12? Family
Boyfriend/ girlfriend
The tin of shortbread from your neighbour
Favourite place for drinks in Newcastle?
Wild, woolly and definitely wholesome: don your tartan, YouTube some reels and prepare to ruin the taste of whiskey for the rest of your life.
Image: Victoria Evans from Wikimedia Commons
Get out of comfort zone No more spontaneous Soho trips
Fast food
The Botanist
Yoga, meditation and salad
Quayside Spoons Anything fresh & healthy
Dog and Parrot
SCOTLAND
New Years Resolution?
No more attendance emails
Friends
Favourite Crimbolimbo comfort food?
The local spirit
Nursing the head with ice skating and cosy coffee shops
How will you be spending the first day of 2020?
Sipping something fruity on the beach
NEW YORK
AMSTERDAM
RIO DE JANEIRO
Glitsy, glamorous and one for the bucket list: dress for the Artic and a brave Times Square for the famous Ball Drop, prepare to live out every rom-com dream.
Dynamic, beautiful and one for the parties: no dress code here but line your stomach with olliebolen, enjoy fizz and fireworks from the rooftops and prepare for warehouse raves until the early hours.
Flamboyant, beachy with a backdrop of culture: dress in white, underwear coloured to match your values and prepare for some spiritual rituals.
Image: Paul Mannex from Flickr
Image: Eelco Crommer from Flickr
Image: Remarques from Flickr
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the courier
life & style food
Monday 9 December 2019
Pie wars: battle of the supermarkets
Our writers review their all-time favourite mince pies from various supermarkets just in time for the festive Christmas season
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t is that time of year again. All the shelves in the shops are stacked high, proudly displaying their shop’s own-brand mince pie treat. Every shop you enter is the same, all offering an enticing 6 pack to take home and have with a hot cup of tea. But, how can you be sure you are getting the right mince pie for you? Do not despair, because we have gathered some enthusiastic tasters to do all the comparing for you!
Tesco – Gemisha Cheemungtoo
From first glance at the seasonally red packaging, the image of the mince pies stacked on top of each other look promisingly juicy. The presentation of the mince pies inside is reasonable and doesn’t stray too far from what you see on the box. The pies are on the
Image: Sara Nigohosyan
It's beginning to look a latte like Christmas
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is the season when the leading coffee brands across the nation release their annual Christmas menu ready to tantalise our taste buds with numerous festive drinks. The red Starbucks cups have returned and the queues for takeaway coffees run out the door of every Caffé Nero and Costa branch. The choices are endless, however here are a roundup of some of the best Christmassy beverages on offer this year. Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate @ Starbucks Starbucks always know how to serve up a cup of Christmas joy and this year they have created the new Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate. This scrumptious drink is a blend of mocha sauce, marshmallow syrup and marshmallow flavoured whipped cream. Everyone loves a rich and sugary treat whilst wandering around Christmas markets in the cold, so this is the perfect hot chocolate blend to try. Caramelised Almond Latte @ Caffé Nero This new drink includes Caffé Nero’s classic coffee blend with additional caramelised almond syrup. This drink is suitable for vegans and vegetarians and you can even try it with coconut milk! This drink puts a merry twist on a traditional latte and would be the ideal treat to pick up prior to a 9am start as it will give you a caffeinated kick before a long day at university. Salted Caramel Crunch Frostino with Cream @ Costa As part of their Frostino range Costa have released the new Salted Caramel Crunch Frostino which is a rich and creamy blended ice drink. Costa even offer this drink with lacto-free milk as well as numerous vegan options which allows this cool alternative to be available to everyone. If you’re rushing around Eldon Square and working up a sweat in your woollen Christmas jumper you many fancy a slightly colder alternative to a hot chocolate or latte, this is why the Christmas Frostino range is perfect. There is so many options to choose from this year and it is great to see the big brands catering for a variety of different individuals. These are some of my favourite Christmas drinks I have discovered so far and I’m sure there’s plenty more I am yet to discover throughout December. Caitlin Rawlings
side of being just cooked: a light golden brown in colour and coated with a slight sprinkling of sugar. Biting through the crust is not a challenge with the cases being buttery soft and crumbly in the mouth. Be careful to not let it collapse all over you however, which is something I learnt the hard way. A strong indicator of quality was the pie’s good proportion of filling to pastry; however, I did find a subtle floury aftertaste to it (which can easily be ignored, really). Now to the core of the pie itself: the filling. I was glad to find out that the picture was not a lie- it was juicy and moist. Loaded with a generous portion of fruits, the mixture was fairly balanced between sweet and tart, with the flavour of the citrus peels infusing through nicely. Overall, it made for a pretty compelling case of a mince pie: cheap and cheerful, and easily devoured in a couple of bites.
Co-op – Sara Nigohosyan
Co-op is perhaps one of the most convenient stores for students now that it’s opened in the SU, which makes trying its minced pies just as convenient. The good thing about the co-op minced pies is that they are 6 in a box, so you can have them alone and enjoy them for a longer period of time, or share them with someone and enjoy them together. Taste-wise, they’re nice pies. There’s not much that makes them stand out besides their cute, appealing design, but overall they taste like pretty much any other good minced pie. It’s soft, but still has some crunch, and its filling is sweet and fruity. It’s quite small in size, so you’re likely to have two, but it’s also generous in terms of the cup it’s in, as it is overflowing. Of course, you can’t expect perfection, as the pies had an uneven sugar coating on the top. However, they were still sweet, but not too much so. Overall, they’re a nice treat. They’re definitely worth it for the price, so if you’re doing a casual shopping in the co-op, you might as well grab some sweet minced pies.
Sainsbury’s – Joe Smith
of my life I was pleasantly surprised when taking my first bite of the Sainsburys mince pie. Although still not a fan of the filling, the pastry was almost enough to sway me. To start with let’s talk about presentation. Sainsburys go for the traditional approach, a simple Christmas tree lays on the top of their pie. It’s simple, effective and not too garish. Sometimes simplicity is the key to success. From this point on, I knew Sainsburys were onto a winner. As far as taste goes, the pastry was perfect. Not too dry. Not too soggy. Then I got to the mincemeat. As previously mentioned, I’m not a fan of this particular festive filling. However, Sainsburys might’ve just opened my eyes. It tastes how Christmas smells. A fusion of festivities exploded in my mouth and instantly transported me into the middle of December. I offered one to my house mate and her exact words were, “This is a banging mince pie.” I couldn’t have put it better myself.
M&S – Rashida Campbell-Allen
So do yourself a favour this Christmas and treat yourself to one of these divine treats.
Waitrose – Meggie Williams
The Waitrose No1 all butter mince pies, costing £2.50 for a 6 pack, are indeed the cream of the crop. Critics and mince pie scrooges say too dense with pastry, I say the perfect balance; with pastry as buttery and melt-in-themouthy as this why wouldn’t you want lots of it? Each mouthful I took my taste buds were met with a punchy pop of apricot, glacé cherries, almonds and brandy: each flavour beautifully counterbalanced each other, giving the perfect Christmas taste and escaping the ‘too heavy category’ I think too many mince pies sadly fall into. To really get the best out of your mince pie, it must be warmed in the oven and served with lashing of clotted cream (add caramel sauce if you are feeling extra naughty this Christmas time). Treat yourself this festival season with the best of the best… there is a reason they were ballsy enough to name it No1.
These are not just mince pies. These are M&S mince pies. Lidl – Cayla Viner For me to assess the quality At Christmas, I am an and greatness of a mince pie, avid mince pie eater. I it is all down to the ratio! Ratio could argue it is one of the of pastry to filling, and when I best parts of the festive seasay that M&S has got this down son, because these little sweet Image: Rashida Campebll-Allen to a fine art, I’m not overstating. I treats are (much to great sadusually go for the classic deep fill pie. ness) really only exclusive to the A succulent filling made up of zesty end of the year. vine fruits and a cheeky tipple of cognac I have had my fair share of shop to warm the soul, all snugly encased and sealed bought pies, and I have to say the Lidl Dewithin a crumbly shortcrust pastry, providing buttery, luxe is an underrated gem. While it is not as conmelt-in-the-mouth sensations, lightly finished with a venient to access compared to the city centre stores, when dusting of sugar for texture – one simply can not resist. you are next doing your bargain weekly shop I urge you to When I tried my second one, I was feeling indulgent, so splash out on a box. I popped it in the microwave for a few seconds and boy, I have never been the biggest fan of the pastry – it is often was this a game changer! far too dry and if the lid is not touching the filling, don’t Heck, even the statistics (also known as Which.co.uk) even bother. However, the quality of the mince is always show that M&S are indeed the best mince pies on the the deciding factor. These deep-filled, cognac infused and market this 2019, scoring an impressive 87% on a blind perfectly spiced pies (with a passable encasing) have certaste test done across 11 supermarkets. tainly made it this year.
Battle of the chocolate tins After not being a mince pie person for most
Amy Harris debates on what is the best chocolate tin to enjoy this Christmas season
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s the countdown to Christmas begins Quality Streets friends, families, lecturers and coQuality streets are more for the advenworkers will be buying in their faturous type. You’ve got the “Purple vourite Christmas chocolates, including One” with hazelnut and caramel, the four famous chocolate tins. And as the “Strawberry Delight”, the “Oreveryone goes out to purchase their ange Crème” and “Coconut Éclair”. Christmas treats along comes the anSo unlike your usual chocolate bars nual debate of which tin full of various like in the Celebrations tin, Quality assortments of chocolates holds the top Streets have both chocolates, toffees tier position and reigns supreme? and sweets giving chocolate lovers a Instagram: @qualitystreetuki In for the running is the classic tin of wider selection of tasty treats. Celebrations, their rival Heroes, the popuHowever, beware of the toffee penny, it lar Quality Streets and the “Rose Brothers” will have your teeth out! Roses. Roses Celebrations Roses offer a wider selection of tasty treats. Similar to As soon as the tin of CelebraQuality Streets you get your fruity twists such as the tions is opened it is guaranteed “Tangy Orange Crème” and “Strawberry Dream”, that the Maltesers are the first while also having the “Country Fudge” and clasto go. Out of all eight treats, sic “Caramel” to dive in and choose from. So, the Malteser is the favourite both these assortments run very close together. and if you come across a tub However, in the Roses tin you even get the “Cofof Celebrations at the end of fee Escape” and “Signature Truffle”, which aren’t Instagram: @cadburyuk Christmas 90% of the time options in the Quality Streets tin. you’ll find the tin littered with Heroes Bounty bars after everyone reRoses and Heroes are both made by Cadburys but fused to eat them. offer some very different treats. Like the classic CelThe Celebration ebrations, the Heroes tin also only offer mini versions of tin is a classic. your favourite chocolate bar. You get your mini “Wispa”, However, un“Fudge”, “Twirl” and the classic “Dairy Milk”, but while like other offering our favourite “every day” chocolates they don’t chocolate deliver on the exciting fruit, toffee and sweet combination assortthat both Roses and Quality Streets do. ments Which’s quiz taken by 679 people found that Quality they only Street runs as the most popular with 38% voting it as their offer mini favourite, followed by Celebrations with 20%, Roses at versions of 16% and Heroes at 18%. chocolate Unlike Celebrations and Heroes, the chocolates found bars, there in Quality Streets and Roses aren’t available as a bar like are no fruit the “Twix”, “Wispa” and “Maltesers”. The sweets offered combinations in those tins are for the more adventurous chocolate type Image: Nimra Rafique or toffee and who want to spice things up. fudge options. All in all Roses and Quality Streets tie very close to-
gether, as do Celebrations and Heroes. However, the tin of chocolate treats that reigns supreme has to be the Quality Street – you get two different toffee options, you have your fruity chocolate combinations and your classic plain chocolate as well. They cater to all types of chocolate lovers.
Image: Walter Chavez on Unsplash
the courier
21
food life & style
Monday 9 December 2019
Food Editors: Amanda Goh & Cayla Viner
2020 food trends Must-eat treats at Newcastle Christmas market Sara-Jane Chan anticipates upNews editor Carl Smith Valdez reviews the delicious offerings at the Toon's Christmas Market coming food trends for 2020
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he Christmas season has finally emerged. It started manifesting from the cold freezing weather, and the long-awaited Fenwick windows. The joyful spirit is very infectious with the colourful decorations, the twinkling lights and the harmonious music around the city. What is more is the annual Newcastle Christmas Market. The market will not only be based at Grey’s Monument but has also been extended to Northumberland Street and Blackett Street. The market offers an abundance of mouth-watering foods and drinks for the festivities for visitors and shoppers. It is an excellent time to experience different delicacies of the yuletide from around the world. Here are the top three food stalls I’d recommend visiting to feel the festive atmosphere. Best Yorkshire Pudding Wraps The stall entitles itself as the ‘best’, with its power to move the inhabitants of Newcastle. It has been previously served in The Hoppings, The World Cup Fan Zone and
Instagram: @melisliving
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Image: Carl Smith Valdez
uch has changed over the past couple of years, especially in the ever-dynamic food industry. Below some of the top food trends to be aware of as we enter the new decade in 2020:
Healthy living, healthy eating
Hadrian’s Tipi. For the second time in the market, with the courtesy of Hetton-le-Hole, the Yorkshire pudding warps are back. There is a variety of meat choices from beef, turkey and pork. The meal offers a roast Christmas dinner in one go for only £7. The plate-sized meal includes carrots, green beans, potatoes and stuffing. The price also includes a complementary sauce to top off your vegetable and meat filled wraps. The sauces differ from cranberry, mint, apple or horseradish. Though its presentation of a Yorkshire pudding is slightly unusual, its unique presentation will leave one astonished and equally satisfied. The sauces perfectly blend to the savoury meal. Two stalls are available at the Monument and Northumberland Street if one ever needs to satisfy their cravings. Churros These doughnut-like treats originated from Spain are deep-fried, sugar-dusted and are drizzled with rich chocolate sauce. It is best consumed after it is freshly fried, while the outside is nice and crispy. Churros is a nice, comforting delicious pastry. It is perfect for the wintery weather with its soft and warm insides. One can taste the sweetness of Christmas joy once the sugar grains and the chocolate sauce consistently melt in your mouth. The churros themselves also cater to vegans, so how could you not love this place? It costs £5 for one serving.
You can also choose to add marshmallow toppings for an extra £1. Even though it may seem expensive, the additional cost delivers with its heavenly taste. The Churros stalls can be found at Monument, Grainger and Northumberland street. Chinese Noodles Located at Northumberland street, this stall has largest pan of noodles to quench anyone’s hunger. Fill yourself with appetising noodles from vegetables (£6), chicken (£8) and plain (£5). Sauces that can be added to your noodles vary from hot sweet chilli, barbeque, black bean, sweet and sour and Chinese Curry. Extras such as chips, prawn crackers and salt and chilli chips are also available if you are still longing for more! The Chinese culture is predominantly presented with the tasselled Chinese lanterns. Visitors are welcomed to further embrace the culture with chopsticks. Though it may seem frustrating for some customers, these utensils can be an interesting way to learn and accept different cultures. Remember that these recommendations are only three out of over 70 stalls in the Newcastle Christmas Market. The market offers more for everyone! Make sure you browse further to get a more immense experience that fits to your personal needs. Shopping stalls will remain until 24 December, whilst food and drink stalls will be open until 31 December. Pay it a visit while you can.
From Bethlehem to the world Marcel Shamshoum discusses Christmas food traditions from around the world
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We are more health-conscious than ever in this new age, and that’s for the better. As life expectancies increase, so do the incidences of long-term conditions of which many are preventable by living a healthy lifestyle. Snacking is a common habit most of us are guilty of – but gone are the days of regret after consuming those sugary bars of goodness! Many food companies are making the shift from sugar to artificial sweeteners such as stevia and manufacturing the same products but with lower levels of sugar and saturated fat. On a national level, governments, such as the UK, have imposed sugar taxes in the hope of reducing the overall intake of sugar and thus reduce childhood obesity. Public education of food nutrition also plays a crucial role in influencing decisions on healthy eating. It’s not just getting less of the bad stuff in you, but making sure you’re eating more of the good stuff too. There are many foods that are advertised for their beneficial effects on the human body, termed ‘Superfoods’. To name a few: chia seeds, acai berries, nuts, quinoa and many more. Now hold up, don’t go rushing off to eat tons of all these foods alone. It is important to remember to keep everything in moderation.
t’s that time of year where we are allowed to gain usually have Kunafeh, a sweet cheesy delight with a tion. It is a potato casserole baked in a pool of cream, Image: Ana Azevedo on Unsplash some extra pounds. Yes Christmas!! No matter crispy shredded kataifi pastry on top. Another desert and between each layer is another layer of pickled where you’re from around the world we sort of have that is eaten in December for Saint Barbra’s day sprats. Defintly a dish to warm you up on a cold winter. The Rise of Veganism one tradition in common, that is celebration over food. is Burbara; which is a pudding like desert made In Norway, the best way to celebrate is with It’s not just about hip vegan cafés that you might find off And the most amazing thing that each country cele- from wheat , spices like cinnamon and nuta plate of nice juicy rack of pork ribbe as the the corner of a lane in a buzzing city anymore (there albrates with its own special traditions and festive foods. meg, topped with pomegranate or candy. center piece of the table. Usually served ways seems to be one). Big Chains are taking on a high Christmas Town France with meat cakes and prawns and deco- with this trend as well, such as: restaurants like WagaWe cannot talk about Christmas without talking Normal French cuisine has always rated with lingonberries. Then you mama introducing new vegan menus, supermarkets like about the real Christmas town, Bethlehem. been on the top list of best cuisines. Imcould munch on Norwegian cin- M&S offering vegan ranges, even fast food chains like Originally Bethlehem means the house agine that combined with Christmas! namon flavored Christmas Pizza hut and Domino’s offering vegan pizzas! of meat or house of bread, Bet meanAnd nothing says France other than cookies like krumkaker or berMeat-free alternatives are expanding at an incredible ing house, lehem means meat in a palter of fruits de mer; a classic on linekran. And to go with that a speed. Soy is often the main ingredient in vegan or vegArabic or bread in Hebrew. So Christmas eve in France. This beautinice warm cup of mulled wine etarian food options, however it is also one of the most no wonder this city has a lot ful selection of juicy muscles, delicate infused with cardamom and cinna- common food allergens. To all those with soy allergies, Instagram: @fatfatnu to offer in terms of food. clams, sweet crab, luxurious lobster and mon; and do it the Scandi way served fret not! Varieties have expanded to include beans, lentils Traditionally in those magnificent oysters, all in one plate with raisins and almonds inside the glass. and all sorts of other weird and wonderful grains that you Bethlehem, families served with a fresh squeeze United Kingdom might have never known to exist. will have a traditional of lemon and some hot And finally, the United Kingdom home This caters to the increasing numbers of people startPalestinian menu that sauce. Another French classic of the trifle and the pudding. Each year at Christ- ing to embrace a plant-based lifestyle for various reasons, consists of a mezze – starter, that people always debate on mas people start to prepare a month in advance and this does not only apply to food. The term has come a variety of main dishes and a is escargot or snails. Cooked for the main event, their Christmas dinner menu. to include not purchasing any items containing animal selection of deserts. The mezze with loads of butter garlic and To start, you can’t resist a good Pâté or parfait, with products – such as leather, fur, wool, silk, down or skins a ar may consist of a fresh Araparsley, this dish is a staple of crackers and fig chutney. And a piece of advice here if you or products that have been tested on animals. Many n r bic salad; finely diced French cuisine that I would defi- want to do it at home do it a couple of days in advance. high street shops adapt by manufacturing vegan friendly efo n tomatoes, onions, nitely recommend giving it a try. Then you’ve got your pigs-in-blankets, beautiful chipo- clothing and accessory items and avoiding animal testing. tio an cucumber and mint Foie gras is also a French delicacy that lata sausages wrapped with Smokey bacon to die for. These products will carry a 'Vegan society' trademark for :@ dressed with a lemon makes its way to the Christmas table in And then comes the centerpiece of the table, the mighty validation. Being vegan is not what some may view as just am gr olive oil dressing. Hu many French households, served with fig or turkey; and if its cooked correctly it will be crispy, juicy ta a ‘food hype’, but is a culture and an intrinsic way of life s mmus, Bitinjan bi laonion confit. Usually paired with sweet wines and tender as it should be. To accompany that you In that many people live by for a variety of reasons. ban, an eggplant yogurt Vins moelleux, semi-sweet Coteaux du Layon could have a variety of sides like roasted vegHowever, it is important to note that being vesalad and fattoush or very sweet Sauterne depending on your palette. gies, some Yorkshire puddings, some stuffgan will have an impact on your health. Cutting salad to name a few. And for dessert, people would usually have a bûche ing and mashed potatoes. Once you’ve out meat and animal products from your diet will For mains we would de noël which is basically a chocolate yule log. Or they had all these on your plate, top it all with mean that your body is not receiving sufficient usually have a stuffed could have galette des rois, this is an almond cream the silky gravy and some tangy, amounts of certain essential vitamins and nulamb leg or roasted filled pastry that is in my opinion a great way to end a sour sweet cranberry sauce. trients. Most of these can be easily topped up by chicken, Kousa w holiday celebration paired with a glass of champagne. And finally desserts, my supplements and eating the equivalent amounts warak which is stuffed Scandinavia favorite part. Whether you of plant alternatives. Jasmijn de Boo, the CEO vine leaves, zucchini Scandinavia, the actual winter wonderland, has a lot decide to do a fruit trifle, a of Vegan Society says, “One can become vegan and eggplant. Kib- to offer to the Christmas table. But since Scandina- fruit cake, a Christmas pudin stages – there are no rules and you are only beh pie which is a via consists of many countries; we’ll be talking about ding or all of them, try to keep answerable to your own conscience”. If you gominced meat pie. the most popular and common dishes in these areas. some for others cause it’s that Instagram: @lakantoaustralia ing to be vegan, do ensure you do it right – you And finally, to end Let’s start with a very warm dish from Sweden that time of year where sharing is cardo not want to compromise your own health. on a sweet note we is Jansson’s frestelse which means Jansson’s tempta- ing when it comes to food, or is it… ?
22
life & style fashion
c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Fashion Editors Kajal Patel, Phoebe Eyles & Shamara Mohsin
the courier
Monday 9 December 2019
Get the look: festive music videos Jess Herbert gets inspiration from Christmas music videos to share some tips on changing up your outfits this festive season
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Instagram: @mariahcarey
Brand on our wishlist - TALA Chloe Buchan looks at the environmental friendly clothing brand TALA
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ith climate change being at the forefront of TALA’s items aren’t solely limited to gym wear however; world issues at the minute, sustainability is they could be worn in a whole range of ways. The ontrend neon colours of the ‘Flare’ range would be perfect the hot topic that’s on everyone’s lips. In recent years it has been made quite clear how dam- for a festival in the summer months, and the cropped aging the fast fashion industry is, and yet it still remains hoodies and joggers in the ‘Rec’ range would be perfect very difficult to find a fashion brand that considers its for cosying up in on those chilly January days. The inclusivity of the brand is something else that environmental impacts, whilst still being affordable and something you actually would choose to wear. A brand sold it to me: the models on the website come in a which ticks all of these boxes is TALA, the brainchild of range of shapes and sizes, thus representing real Grace Beverly, formerly ‘GraceFit’ on Youtube. women. This inclusive attitude is a breath of fresh The brand, whose mission air in the fitness community, as is to create athletic and many brands simply seem to athleisure wear that is ostracise women who do not 100% sustainable, was fit within their narrow standlaunched this year and ard of fitness and beauty, has already seen great meaning that it can be hard success. Its recent to find fitness attire if you collaboration with don’t fall within this accepted Jordyn Woods demographic. Not only this, is a demonbut you would be hard pressed stration to find anyone more of the likeable and warm growing than the founder status of the of this brandbrand. Grace Beverly is This is a a driven young clothing brand woman who I would highly has achieved recommend so much anyone to add in such a to their Christshort perimas wishlist; od of time; what better way her work to motivate yourethic is enviself to go to the able and inspiring gym come Janufor anyone with a ary than a fresh vision. and funky gym All in all, set. And on top TALA is a of that, you don’t brand that have to worry that you cannot the clothes you’re really fault, sweating in are therefore damaging to the making it environment: the perfect even the paper addition to labels on the any wishlist items are this Christplantable! Instagram: @wearetala mas.
It’s the season of the suit as depicted by Miodern fashion is determined by Inschael Bublé in all his Christmas videos tagram influencers and fashion as he frolicks through the snow in his week catwalks, but at this newly-shined shoes. We see this time of year, there’s somewhere else again in Coldplay’s Christmas we can steal our outfit inspiration Lights, where Chris Martin from: Christmas music videos. scrubs up nicely in a black tie, One of the best looks is Leona and waistcoat with a fresh Lewis in One More Sleep; the rose pinned on, resonating opening shot shows her with a the formal and sophisticated burgundy wide brim hat, grey festive dress code. trench coat and white high For a more urban look, in neck jumper, demonstrating Mistletoe, Justin Bieber juxhow layering with muted coltaposes a leather jacket and ours is a simple yet elegant way black jeans with red fingerless to keep stylish and warm this gloves and trainers to provide a winter. pop of colour amongst the darkCoats dominate the videos - East Image: leonalewis on YouTube ness. Kim Wilde also reiterates the 17 foreshadowed Rah culture with the importance of accessorising in Rockin’ same ski season puffer jackets that now Around The Christmas Tree, where her sit in Bar Blanc for £2 Tuesdays, meanwhile in elaborate red earrings and green hair ribbon Last Christmas, George Michael models a dark add a fun tackiness to her festive look, duffel coat cinched at the waist to create a which ties her candy-cane coloured sharp silhouette despite the bulky layoutfit together. ers. It’s clear here that outerwear is But the frontrunner of festive supposed to enhance the outfit, fashion will always be Mariah’s rather than hide it. santa dress in All I Want For In Christmas Time, The Christmas Is You, a red velDarkness give Swingers a vet number sitting above the run for their money with knee that would be a sure-fire their flare collection, includitem to get a kiss under the ing a low-rise striped pair mistletoe at your upcoming and white leather lace-up office party. pair, which would both look It may be increasingly bleak at home on the PrettyLitoutside but Christmas music tleThing website. The video videos show that your wardrobe also embraces knitted Christdoesn’t have to mimic that. By mas vests and fringed sleeves, accessorising, layering and finding reminding us that this is the time Instagram: @michaelbuble statement pieces, you can shine brightof year to make bold choices with our er than the star at the top of your tree. wardrobes.
All I want for Christmas
Joe Molander discusses why he thinks we should consider asking family and fr
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hen I was a kid there was no worse present than clothes. Now I’m a student, and while I still have the mental age of a child, I no longer have the financial resources of one. The bank of mum and dad no longer extends to everything I wear, and as a result, my socks are more hole than sock, and even my Doc Martens – supposedly the perfect marriage of hipster and resilience – have gaping tears in them. The soles are worn down, parts of the leather have become detached at the seams, and the laces are filthy. I’m the first person I know to wear shoes in such poor condition. A homeless man once asked me for change, and when I said I didn’t have any, he smiled and said “no problem: nice shoes by the way”, so at least they appeal to one demographic. Essentially, if I didn’t get clothes for Christmas I would have to spend Boxing Day searching through my old cupboards for t-shirts I got when I was thirteen that still fit me. My Angry Birds t-shirt might have been funny in 2012 (if nothing else, it’s fascinating: it has a bird in a fedora saying “Go ahead punk, make my day”, a reference to a film that came out decades before the target demographic
for Angry Birds was born), but it hardly cuts the mustard now. Alternatively, I might have to beg my younger brothers for the world’s first hand-me-‘ups’. Clearly, clothes are a great gift for Christmas.
My Angry Birds t-shirt might have been funny in 2012, but it hardly cuts the mustard now
Not everyone will agree: so far, I’ve focussed very heavily on gifts that come from need. A lot of people reading this, though, won’t need any more clothes: it’s possible our readers (yes, both of them) are agonisingly close to having their lives together. Maybe, just maybe, their shoes don’t leak when it rains. What about them? Are clothes a good gift idea for them? Certainly, it’s easy to avoid getting stuff you don’t like, simply by asking for specific
the courier
23
fashion life & style Trends of the 2010s Margarita Ivanova discusses some stand-out celebs fashion looks from this past decade W I Monday 9 December 2019
Celebrity fashion icons
n this so-called fashion-forward age, unfortunately, a lot of socio-historical concepts are still universally prevalent. So as gender-neutral fashion finally makes its way into the mainstream, its about time we all got used to it. Soon we’ll be greeting 2030, with all the new trends that will come with it, and then 2040, and so on. We will continue to watch as fashion grows, changes and becomes a force to be reckoned with. But before we get carried away by looking into the future, let’s take a few steps back into the past, and reflect on the most iconic (and questionable, may I add) looks of the 2010s. It seems only fair that we begin with the most bizarre – and by far one of the most controversial – looks of all time. Think 2010. Now think Lady Gaga. And now, let your mind recall the horror that was her meat dress. Though the singer-songwriter claimed her dress was not a message against animal rights, but rather, according to Billboard, a “statement against the governmental restrictions placed on the rights of gay soldiers.” However, I’m not sure it was quite the right move, and while it’s difficult to call this look ‘iconic’, I think we can safely say that it’s certainly one that will not be forgotten any time soon.
Let your mind recall the horror that was her meat dress
that she wore to the CFDA Awards. That day, Rihanna proved to the world that she really does shine bright like a diamond – and I wonder if those 230,000 crystals had something to do with it? The famed singer wore the look so well that she complimented the dress, rather than the other way around. But, it’s Rihanna, so I’m not surprised. If we were to go through all of the singer’s iconic looks, she’d easily steal the show. And let’s face it, the entire article would be all about her. Let us move on to 2017. The year where casual ranked with couture. The year where Zendaya had a stripy pyjama red carpet moment and Rita Ora showed up to the MTV EMAs wearing a bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her hair. I never thought that something so simple could ever look so glamorous, but I was wrong. So, if a bathrobe worn on the red carpet isn’t iconic, then I don’t know what is.
as is clothes?
riends for clothes as a Christmas present
clothes. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with taking a potluck approach: for a couple of birthdays, my parents would get me a t-shirt they found funny, and the results were nothing short of incredible. I’m writing this very article wearing a top they got me with a Dalek from Doctor Who on it, edited to look like a lollipop; the stick reads “Da-lick”, and I refuse to believe that isn’t genius. A very specific group of people aren’t a fan of that type of fashion, namely the group of people who have taste. It’s still possible for this elite cabal to get clothes for Christmas without looking ridiculous, though. Indeed, the holiday can be used as an excuse to splash out on something nice that you wouldn’t usually be able to afford, if you put up half the money. Alternatively, you could get something you can afford but don’t really need, so wouldn’t buy unless someone else was offering. It’s also nice to go through a website with a sibling or parent and find something you both agree would suit you, and do the same for them. Alternatively, you can follow the same festive tradition as Christmas jumpers and abandon all taste in fashion. This year, I’ve asked for a t-shirt that is so awful and so poorly designed that it won’t even be able to function as a pyjama top. As soon as Boxing Day rolls around, it’ll go in a drawer to be forgotten about, but on the day, it’ll make people laugh, and bring us all together. If that isn’t a good gift, I don’t know what is.
Images: Mel Poole on Unsplash
Teeny tiny sunglasses
In previous decades, we’ve lived by the mantra of ‘the bigger, the better’ when it comes to sunglasses. Recall Audrey Hepburn in the iconic film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. However, this decade saw the rise of an altogether different trend: tiny sunglasses. Picture Neo in The Matrix, and you’re thinking along the right lines. These shades are tricky to pull off but can provide an outfit with a unique twist, when incorporated correctly. Personally, I’m hoping this is a trend that doesn’t live to see 2021.
This year’s looks have been nothing short of iconic
Instagram: @zendaya
Now let’s flash forward to 2014, and talk about Rihanna’s sheer, Swarovski-crystal-adorned dress
ith he 2010s are already drawing to a close, it seems the perfect time to take a look at five of the decade’s most iconic fashion trends.
tiny Valentino bag that she brought as an accessory. Miniature handbags have certainly become a hallmark of recent fashion trends, but this one looks like it was stolen right off the shoulder of a designer Barbie doll. But, it sparked a conversation, and for that, Lizzo makes it onto my list of the most iconic looks of the decade.
Finally, we return to 2019. This year’s looks have been nothing short of iconic. With Cardi B’s Thierry Mugler Grammy Awards ensemble and the return of Jennifer Lopez’ famous green Versace dress; it’s hard to pick a favourite. But there is one look in particular that I want to talk about: Lizzo at the AMAs. Miniature handbags have certainly become a hallmark of recent fashion trends. It’s not so much the ruffled tangerine-colour gown that caught my attention, as it is the teeny-
Instagram: @emmachamberlain Instagram: @cfda
2020 fashion expectations Dominic Lee shares thoughts on what to expect for the future of fashion
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he last ten years of fashion have given us a number of trends which have changed the way we style and buy our clothes. The streetwear model has completely revolutionized both high and low-end fashion, leading to more relaxed styles being incorporated on both the high street and the runway. Brands such as Supreme and Palace have changed the game for fashion companies which I think may continue into the next decade.
Next decade will see the death of fast fashion I believe the next decade will see the death of fast fashion; juggernaut Forever 21 is already shutting down stores all over the US and we could see a similar trend her in the UK with shops such as Primark. Shoppers are now arguably far more environmentally conscious than they once were and the environmental concerns of fast fashion may mean that they become out of favour. Thus we could see fast fashion brands invest more into quality than quantity, still making profits but producing far less waste. Following a streetwear model could become key for high street brands. Streetwear has never been so popular and the idea of having limited collections could be beneficial for the high street, increasing demands for products while keeping numbers low. This could rejuvenate Britain’s fledgling high streets. In terms of the looks we will see in the coming decade, retro-inspired fashion could still feature prominently. The 90s have been hugely popular in looks over the past few years with chunkier and baggier silhouettes playing a big role. Whether we go further back to the 80s is another matter, however 80s-themed shows such as Stranger Things have already had an influence on fashion so it is certainly possible. Influencers are also likely to continue to play a big role in what we choose to wear. From rappers to Love Island stars, influencers are key to sales and this will only continue into the next decade. So from the looks of it I think that we’re going to get more of the same from fashion but on a much larger scale. However, trends are truly unpredictable and the next ten years could certainly change everything all over again.
Chunky sneakers
From Nike to Fila, to Balenciaga, it seems everyone is loving the ‘so hideous they’re cool’ sneaker trend. The 2010s will definitely be remembered as the decade when it became acceptable to wear trainers just about anywhere, and paired with any outfit. Our desire for ‘unique’ sneakers seems unlikely to wane anytime soon, so I’d recommend investing in a pair. (After all, it seems you’ll be able to get your money’s worth and wear them for pretty much any social occasion).
Mom jeans
Skinny jeans, you’ve got competition
Move over skinny jeans; you’ve got competition. Over the past couple of years, it seems the classic skinny jean has been replaced by their baggier, and arguably more conservative, cousin. I blame Barb from Stranger Things, but nonetheless I’m a huge fan of Mom jeans. As someone who’s a size bigger on the bottom, I find them much more flattering than skinny jeans and their high-waist fit means they look great with a simple t-shirt tucked into the waistband. The now-iconic denim trend is also versatile enough to be worn with a nice shirt on a night out too.
Leggings
Thankfully, this is a trend most of us abandoned long ago, but the 2010s saw a definite increase in sales of leggings. See-through, skin-tight, and usually baring a hideous pattern, it’s no wonder leggings are a thing of the past. Still, there was an alarming period during the early 2010s when they seemed to be everywhere, and not just on those currently playing sport!
Chokers
Instagram: @sophiesuchan
Chokers are one of those 2010s trends that have simply been ever-present. Their popularity has never peaked, but neither has it fallen- they’ve simply been lingering in the background of the entire decade, sitting above the neckline of everything from woollen jumpers to skater dresses. Nonetheless, the past 10 years have brought us some fashion memories that will not be forgotten, even though we wish we could, so here's to a new decade, featuring even more weird and wonderful trends. Em Richardson
the courier
24
life & style beauty
Monday 9 December 2019
Fill your stockings to the brim with these beauty buys this Christmas
Rachel Makinson tells us about the best beauty products you should be stocking up on this year EOS Lip Balm If you’re planning on popping a lip scrub into someone’s stocking, then a good lip balm will of course complement it nicely, and will also be much appreciated at this time of the year. As well as being super moisturising, the EOS lip balms smell wonderful, and around Christmas time, there are usually special festive editions, and mini gift sets available.
Perhaps the best part about these lip scrubs is that they’re actually edible! (Although maybe don’t go eating the entire pot at once)
: ram tag Ins
Instagram: @skin.f reaks
Beauty Brand Lovin'
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he brand we are loving this week is the less talked about Soap and Glory! This brand is not only recognised worldwide but with good reason too, it covers all your beauty needs from makeup to skincare products and these are what we are
Tree: pixabay.com /@gellinger Angel: pixbaay.com/@alexasfotos
going to look at. Makeup: Firstly, we will look at the makeup, and what’s not to love? They have mascaras, lip liners, bronzers, highlighters, concealers and brow sticks. These all give off the same impression of creating the perfect bronzed look which can be perfect for summer and winter. A majority of these products and vegan and cruelty free meaning the brand has a positive ethos and ethnic side to their branding. Back to the makeup now, their glow all out highlight stick is simply stunning and is perfect for sparkling up subtle looks. Although it is for the cheeks it can also be used on the body and eyes allowing us to glow and stand out on a Saturday night. The makeup product that makes us love this product is the iconic sexy mother pucker lip-gloss which has been flying off shelves since it came out in 2006 and still continues to be one of the most popular products. This super lip pumping product has super fill lip plumping spheres exploding in volume when on your lips giving us the perfect pout we all want. And the best thing is it now comes in 7 shades! Skincare: So where to start with their skincare? Soap and glory skincare is an absolute essential in your skincare whether it’s the body butter or scrub of your life it’s a must. They have multiple fragrances within all their products able to fulfil the needs of a wide customer base. They have original pink which is where we find out most popular products like hand food, heel genius, the righteous butter, clean on me shower gel, bronzing spray and body spray. These are always the products I grab when I see soap and glory because they enable yourself to feel completely refreshed and all help to give you a little pamper from home. Other fragrances include Sugar Crush, Fruitigo, Mist you
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e m: @essi Instagra
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Glossier Lash Slick Mascara This mascara is super lovely to apply; it gives you that extra lash length and a nice natural looking curl. On top of this its water-resistant, conditioning, and the baby pink packaging is quite adorable. Frank Original Coffee Scrub This incredible smelling body scrub is 100% natural and vegan, and makes the skin feel dreamily soft and refreshed. The antioxidants in the coffee can also help with any scarring and the prevention of breakouts, which is definitely a nice bonus. Tangle Teezer If you know somebody who doesn’t already have a Tangle Teezer, then definitely pop one into their stocking this year. These detangling hairbrushes are super compact, come in loads of different prints and colours, and they are nice and gentle on the hair. These beauty and skincare products are all brilliant, and are sure to please whoever it is you’re buying for this Christmas!
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s I’m sure we all know by now, Christmas is just around the corner, and with it comes the hunt for those perfect presents. If there’s a beauty lover in your life who you’re struggling to buy for, then look no further for gift inspiration. Gemstone Facial Rollers Traditional gemstone facial rollers, usually made from either jade or rose quartz, have become especially popular recently. They have been praised for their ability to relieve stress and tension from the face, for aiding circulation and helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and any wrinkles. The Kitsch jade roller is one of the most popular on the market, at just under £20, but if you’re trying to shop on a strict budget this year, then there are also plenty of equally great, but cheaper, versions of gemstone rollers out there. Sheet Masks Originating from South Korea and Japan, sheet masks have become a beloved beauty staple by many, with hundreds to chose from. Any skin care fanatic would certainly love to find a sheet mask in their stocking this year. Some great ones include those by Origins, Avène, Dr. Jart, and of course those by actual South Korean and Japanese companies, such as Holika Holika. Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish This long-lasting nail polish by Essie makes a great stocking filler. Whilst it most likely won’t last as long as an actual gel manicure, the polish is still pretty resilient compared to most other polishes, and comes in a multitude of really pretty colours. Lush Lip Scrub Dry lips are a real problem for most people around this time of year, so a nice lip scrub is sure to be appreciated. Lush make a lovely vegan lip scrub that comes in a handful of delicious flavours, including honey, bubble gum, “mint julips”, and cookie dough. Perhaps the best part about these lip scrubs is that they’re actually edible! (Although maybe don’t go eating the entire pot at once).
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Madly, Smoothie Star and Call of Fruity. Within all these fragrances we can see a range of products which help to improve your skincare routines and can add as an extra for a pamper. Festive ideas: When it comes to Christmas presents Soap and Glory is perfect providing gift sets ideal for Secret Santa or a gift for a loved one or a friend. They have small sets in cardboard packaging with a variety of the beauty products and all fitting in a similar price bracket. And then they also have the new gift sets which comes in tins which are larger and come with more products in and these would play more as a large gift to someone as they are higher in price but the value is sensational for the products inside and you also get the tin which can be kept for storage or display. Overall Soap and Glory needs more recognition as it is a basic must which we all need whether it’s just some hand moisturiser or some lip-gloss their products cover hand bag essentials and something extra for home pampering. The best thing is boots are selling products at half price right now and there are sales to follow so go out and love this brand! Charley Moran
Shop this loo
Body Sho Soap and Collectio Collectio Collecti No7 Lo Soap &
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beauty life & style
Monday 9 December 2019 courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Beauty Editors Rashida Campbell-Allen & Ellie James
Behind the brrrilliant beauty
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Sh op th No is N 7 loo £1 o7 St a 2 k: y . £2 Col 50 Skin Per l f M .79 ecti Ill ect o a u E y n m (cal Pr ssen bell in ico I nc ato ) So im ce ine r e r £15 ap ark Su 'L d iB & E per ash RO Hig .00 Gl yes la S hl e W or ha st n igh y L do Ey sat ter P e i ip w lin on en glo cil (n er ' M ud ss (d as (b 'M ee ca e) l on p b ra ot he de lac £8 rP ) .99 k ) uc £ ke 2.9 r' £ 9 9.0 0
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the courier
The girls did their own makeup for this year's Christmas photoshoot. They all achieved a natural beauty look, with gentle emphasis on their eyes and lips. With products from a variety of brands including Soap and Glory, No7, and Bodyshop, beauty can be something that is put together using more than one favourite brand and whatever works best for you. These looks go to show that less is more, and you should be yourself this festive season, wearing whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident!
The boys this year enjoyed taking part in the photoshoot, flaunting their model skills on campus. We asked them for some comments on why they chose to participate. Carl Smith Valdez (left) said that, 'The photoshoot was a truly inclusive oppertunity to know about my fellow editors in a different light.' Dominic Lee (centre) told us, 'This was a great opportunity to practice my smoulder for my Tinder profile.' Alex Darbyshire (right) commented saying, 'I feel like I've got quite a long neck, so the turtle neck made me embrace my body.' Instagram: @soapandglory
Photographer: Yiota Peratikou Baubles: clipart.info Labels: pxfuel.com Background: Karen Arnold, publicdomainpictures.ne
Shop this l ook: Revo defin lution C Laure concea onceal a a £30.0 Merc ler £4.0 nd 0 ier P 0 owde Bene r f i £26.0 t Hul a Bro 0 Be nzer (ChaccaHighl i m Too F pagne Pghter £33.1 aced c op) £1 hoco 6.00 5 L'Or late b e ar a Too F l Liqui d a Ma ced M Line £14.0 c Lipstic ascara r £6.99 k (M £ 0 odes 12.00 ty)
Christ
tmas on Campus
MODELS: Aimee Seddon, Alex Darbyshire, Carl Smith Valdez, Dom Lee, Grace Dean, Phoebe Eyles PHOTOGRAPHERS: Ben Payne, Carson Wong, Yiota Peratikou CREATIVE DIRECTORS: Ellie James, George Boatfield, Nimra Rafique, Rashida CampbellAllen
the courier
28
culture music
Monday 9 December 2019
c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Music Editors Dom Lee, Jagoda Waszkowiak & Joe Smith
Writers’ picks: our top ten albums of 2019 2. Tyler the Creator IGOR
1. Sam Fender Hypersonic Missiles
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Finlay Holden
5. Billie Eilish When we all fall asleep where do we go?
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ncapsulating music critics, aspiring teens and gig-goers alike, Eilish creates an album with such a wide appeal her sudden shot into the limelight was nothing to be suRprised by. Her style incorporates new hip-hop like beats with the sound of 00s Beyoncé and Mariah Carey, while still having a sound similiar to that of Melanie Martinez. Ultimately, despite her obvious female musical influences, Eilish is incredibly unique in her sound, and that is what makes hers different to any other album put out this year. Despite retaining a style of music throughout, each song on the album is as unique as Eilish herself. ‘my strange addiction’, ‘xanny’ and ‘bury a friend’ are my personal favourites on the album. I also love how all of Eilish songs lack capital letters, as a way to distance herself even more. At the age of only 17 when the album came out, it’s extremely impressive that she has been able to craft and achieve such huge success off this album, and therefore, I believe this to be one of the best albums of the year; not only for the music itself but what it has helped Eilish achieve. Hope Lynes
7. Fontaines DC Dogrel
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ogrel is an eclectic fusion of post-punk and modern romanticism. It tackles how modernity changes everything that was once held so familiar and explores a variety of styles leading to an incredible listening experience. FONTAINES DC take on a different approach to punk and don’t make their songs completely political. They target how their home town of Dublin is forever changing and how they need to adapt to it. Rather than sticking to one formula of song that works, FONTAINES switch up their style in nearly every track. ‘Sha Sha Sha’ wouldn’t be out of place on The Cures first album and ‘Dublin City Sky’ is a modern day Irish folk song to sing together in the pub after last orders. Dogrel is an almost perfect album. It takes everything great about post-punk as a sub-genre and adds more. The snarling vocals over the incredible slew of instruments cement Dogrel as a definite album of the year, and perhaps for me, an album of the decade. Joe Smith
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t might be one of the greatest albums of 2019, but it would be unfair to consider Tyler The Creator’s IGOR as a contender for album of the decade. The artist’s ability to find success with his most experimental album to date sets a precedent for the music of this coming era – the 2020s rather than 10s. Mr Creator’s IGOR can be compared to a film that you can’t wait to re-watch over and over, despite its length and weirdness. The glitzy synthesizers, sprinkled bits of jazz and ensemble of highquality performances (spanning from Kanye to Solange) never glosses over the fact that Tyler is the most interesting character in his own story. All of this makes for one of the most complex and interesting narratives in music this year. Jagoda Waszkowiak
Image: Instagram (feliciathegoat) pixabay
t was inevitable that this album would be on this list. Following a critics choice award and sold out UK tour leading to selling out arenas, this number one debut album from ‘The Geordie Springsteen’ has made a hell of an impact on indie music culture and beyond, especially here in his hometown. Fender asks questions that voice the concerns of a generation, using his songs to document small town frustration and the many mental challenges that come with it. This record is a loud announcement of talent that shows huge potential for the future, even if it is not always completely cohesive. Rarely has an artist of Sam’s generation been able to so eloquently discuss issues to such a large audience without being able to provide all the answers. It is undeniably refreshing to see a talented songwriter with a phenomenal vocal ability that doesn’t try to fit in with all the other formulaic chart-topping pop stars, but uses his success to actually make statements that, clearly, a lot of people agree with.
3. Lizzo Cuz I Love You
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well-deserved top three place for Lizzo’s excellent Cuz I Love You, an album that brought our Queen Lizzo into the spotlight. For me, the album was a grower, with some of the tracks taking a few listens to really take off for me, but I couldn’t resist the empowering fun songs for long. Singles like ‘Juice’ and ‘Truth Hurts’ have been MASSIVE, making Lizzo’s impressive soulful voice and honest lyrics the sound of the summer. Light on collaborations, only featuring Missy Elliott and Gucci Mane, the album highlights Lizzo’s talent and personality. From exposing her heart and soul on title track ‘Cuz I Love You’ to listing all the types of boys she likes (big mood) on ‘Boys’, the album is versatile and just generally good fun. It’s my favourite album to listen to at the gym; there’s something about being told to “do your thing, run the whole damn world” in ‘Like A Girl’ that sends my motivation sky-high. Seeing an outspoken fat-positive black woman topping the charts is incredible to see in an industry often dominated by boring white men (who luckily are lacking in the Courier’s top picks, to be fair), and long may Lizzo’s reign continue. Charlotte Boulton
8. Vampire Weekend Father of the Bride
Image: Wiki Commons: Openclipart. ampire Weekend have been at the top Goodfreephotos 9. Hozier
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of the indie-pop scene now for over a decade. On May 3rd, the NYC natives released their fourth studio album Father of the Bride to widespread acclaim. What makes their latest effort from Ezra and co worthy of a place on this list? The Ariel Rechtshaid-produced album caught some fans by surprise with its odd, but highly effective combination of socio-political lyrics and world beat inspired synth funkiness. Six years after the release of their seminal masterpiece Modern Vampires of the City, Father of the Bride completes the bands transition from a group of grammar conscious indie-punks to summertime fun boys. ‘Harmony Hall/2012’ showcases the bands new-found soul and is renunciant of Afro-beat era Paul Simon. The albums best songs ‘Sunflower/Big Blue’ combine elements of free-form jazz and the psychedelic stylings of The Grateful Dead. The albums final signals ‘This Life/Unbearably White’ feature the bands most political lyrics ever, overlaid on some pretty simple, sunny pop melodies. It may not be the groups best album overall, but I defy you to find a more upbeat, summer sun filled effort from 2019. Father of the Bride has been nominated for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album at next years Grammys. Joe Holloran
Wasteland, Baby!
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ive years after the worldwide success of ‘Take Me To Church’, Hozier dropped his sophomore album, Wasteland, Baby! on 1 March 2019, building on the sound that captivated audiences on his debut. Without doubt, there are glorious moments (‘Shrike’, ‘Nina Cried Power’ and the title track) but they are fleeting. Clocking in at just under an hour, the 14 tracks feel like over compensation for the past few years of radio silence. With his powerful cathedral-like voice, Hozier waxes lyrical about religion and sex throughout, but second time around it just feels a bit disappointing. At its worst, the album has filler songs with big choruses aimed at the stadium crowds. But Hozier is at his best when he’s at his most tender or most passionate. With that said, Hozier blues guitar playing remains exquisite on the album – if not better – and if his most recent protest song Jackboot Jump is anything to go by, Hozier will be even better on the next album. It shows that an artist doesn’t have to fit the ‘pop’ singer songwriter mold that seems to be bloating music in 2019. Hozier is a bit of an outsider; his blues and folk style and his willingness to tackle taboo matters in a contemporary society set him apart from the rest. Phil Etchells
4. Foals Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost. Parts 1 and 2
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t’s well-known that it’s hard to make a second album, but how the hell do you make a sixth? Foals’ Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost subverts expectations while encapsulating everything fans love about the band. Foals haven’t had a massive career lull since they formed in 2005, but fans have long agreed that their debut effort, Antidotes, is their best. But Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost might just have changed that. Split into two parts, both albums represent the best of the band: part 1 their brighter, synthy side and part 2 their heavier, more aggressive sound. On Part 1 in particular, this is possibly the most ambitious Foals have been production-wise. They’re still rock songs at their core, but there’s more texture, with tracks such as ‘In Degrees’ and ‘Moonlight’ creating completely new worlds. ‘Part 2 is more reminiscent of What Went Down, their last album, in the best possible way. Channelling the chaotic energy of their frontman, the first single, ‘Black Bull’ is a beast that can’t be tamed. ‘The Runner’ champions perseverance with a killer riff and a sense of optimism that was much needed after Part 1. This album is incredibly deserving of its #4 position on the esteemed Courier-Music-sectiontop-album-awards. What’s above it, Lizzo? Fair enough. Tyler the Creator, Sam Fender? I haven’t listened to either of them to be fair. I’m sure they’re good. Anyway, this is a great album. Molly Greeves
6. Lana Del Rey Norman Fucking Rockwell
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fter the inconsistent patchwork of genres in Lust for Life, Lana Del Rey has driven back to her sadcore comfort zone with Norman Fucking Rockwell. The twice nominated Grammy album is an orchestral celebration of Americana love, laying hypnotic vocals over romantic strings to reaffirm Del Rey’s superiority at ballad curation. While she infamously teeters on the borders of boring, NFR catches many moments of experimentation; the title track opens with fearless, sexually liberated lyrics, followed by ‘Venice Bitch’ which juxtaposes a haunting yet witty chorus with an electronic interlude to create a ten minute masterpiece. However her greatest triumph has to be ‘Cinnamon Girl’ where blunter, monosyllabic lyrics replace Del Rey’s often elaborate and referential imagery; this simplicity brings her vulnerability to the forefront. She finally strips herself of the pretentious Hollywood pastiche that dominates her other tracks, presenting herself simply as a woman yearning to be loved. NFR is a delicate and intelligent exhibition where Del Rey flaunts her musical skills and industry experience. While predictable in places, her effortless melancholy, raw poetry and enchanting orchestrations make it a strong contender for album of the year. Jess Herbert
10. Charli XCX Charli
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harli XCX had one of the most surprising albums of the year with Charli. The British pop princess had been hovering outside of the mainstream for much of her career, occasionally making a fleeting appearance in the charts. However, on her latest album Charli truly blossomed into a star with energetic hits like ‘1999’ and ‘Blame it on Your Love’ which have cemented her star status. Charli incorporated impressive collaborations such as Lizzo, Troye Sivan and recent star Clairo which added something to the album which was previously missing from Charli’s work. The production on the album was tight and crisp which complemented well with Charli’s vocal performances on the album which were mixed in a way that they were far more interesting than on her pervious work. Charli is truly deserving of a place on the top 10. Dominic Lee
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music culture
Under the tree: music gifts you want to see Lucy Lillystone discusses what to buy the music lover in your life when Santa comes to town
Etsy, Prezzybox and more, prices range between £20-£50 across the various websites.
3. Band merch
LOVE their albums but to make things more interesting, last year I decided to put effort into my sister’s gift by personalising an album for her, made up of all her ) er favourite songs. Although this sounds like ch Fin a lot of effort, it really wasn’t and it was actun ti ally quite nice listening to the songs that I know Jus r( she loves. On top of this, I made my own album cover k c i l F with pictures of all her favourite band members alongay, ab side naming the song names on the back inside jokes x i P or things we’d said related to the song. For me, this was ee, L more than just another album to add to her collection nic i and was definitely nice watching her opening it and reom D r), alising what I’d done (my sister’s a crier so no surprise aving a sister who e d she started crying). fen lives and breathes mu(@ sic, I’m no stranger to buying m a 2. Personalised soundwave print r g music-related gifts at Christmas sta While we’re on personalised gifts, Notonthehighstreet. n I time. While there is always an ends: com do these amazing personalised favourite lyrics/ ge a less list of albums you can buy for that Im soundwave prints where you can take a favourite song music lover in your life, sometimes its nice to and get it printed in a unique and new way, framed and spice things up and get some a little creative for the everything. While this may be hard because no doubt Christmas period. Here’s my top 5 best gifts to give to music lovers will struggle to tell you their favourite song, the music lovers in your life: it again shows the thought you’ll have put into the present and it’s most definitely unique. 1. Personalised album Available online at MixPixie, Notonthehighstreet.com, Make your own personalised album: music lovers
H
Music lovers can never have too much band merch, whether this is t-shirts, jumpers, posters, etc. While often these can be quite expensive, trust me they will appreciate it. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve bought my sister a t-shirt over the years and she still appreciates it every year. And if the artist has brought out new merch just recently, even better as you know they’ll definitely want it and just haven’t got round to buying it yet.
4. Record coasters
Just recently, a friend of mine bought himself some record coasters and after a long wait for them to come, they finally arrived and I must say they looked pretty cool. So, if you’ve got a music lover in your life and you’re stumped as to what to buy them this year, go retro and buy them some record coasters. They’ll definitely spark questions when they’re whacked out at pres. Or, they’ll serve as a cool room decoration. Definitely make sure you order them in enough time to arrive for Christmas though! Available online at Amazon, Notonthehighstreet.com and Etsy, prices range between £2.50-£15.
5. Guitar Bookends
While scrolling the web these past few days for my own Christmas shopping, I came across some acoustic guitar bookends which I just thought was extremely creative and very cool. Whether to actually hold up books or to hold up CDs, these will look very nice on your bookshelves and will most definitely make that music lover in your life grateful during this festive period. Available online at Wayfair, Amazon and Ebay, prices range between £25-£30.
Christmas will break your heart with terrible tunes
Em Richardson and Amanda Goh discuss the worst songs to (dis)grace our ears this season
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have been introduced to the weird side of Christmas and I have heard things I will never unhear. I’m not trying to be a Grinch, Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year (and I love the occasional Christmas song jams) but honestly, these songs are the weirdest and most depressing Christmas songs I have ever heard. ‘Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer’ - Elmo & Patsy Firstly, look at that morbid title. Imagine yourself waking up on Christmas morning, turning on the radio, and that is the first thing you hear. The title says it all – Grandma got run over by one of Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve. The lyrics of the song just takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions – from finding grandma at the murder scene to grandpa not giving a hoot about his trampled wife. The song continues to confuse me with its cheery tune and hilarious music video despite those morbid lyrics. Not only that, it actually got made into a film. Yes, a film for children. You heard right.
The lyrics are by far the most creative ‘Leroy the Redneck Reindeer’ - Joe Diffie Listen to this, Rudolf fell ill one day and told his heavilycountry cousin Leroy to come help Santa on Christmas Day. If you are confused, do not fret, I am too. Not sure if it is the lyrics, Diffie’s hair in the music video, or the country music vibe that confuses me the most. But I’ll give it to him, the lyrics are by far the most creative (more creative than grandma being run over by a reindeer). ‘The Christmas Shoes’ - NewSong This song tells the story of a poor boy trying to buy shoes for his sick mother. It could have been a wonderful Christmas song about love, family and joy but the lyrics did not really make the cut. “I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight,” Weird, but okay… This narrator who isn’t quite feeling the holiday spirit is nonetheless out Christmas shopping when he notices a little child attempting to buy a pair of fancy shoes. The kid doesn’t actually have enough money to buy the shoes, so the narrator pays for them and reflects, “I knew that God had sent me that little boy to remind me what Christmas is all about.” Does it suggest that the entire scene was just for the narrator’s benefit and not anything else? Amanda Goh
Image: Needpix
Image: Instagram (sesamestreet)
Image: Instagram (abba)
Image: Wikimedia Commons (Scott A. Thornbloom)
Image: Instagram (officialqueenmusic)
Image: Instagram (realaled)
Image: Wikimedia Commons (Newsong Ministries) Image: Needpix
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et’s be honest, the best thing about Christmas music is usually the ‘so bad, it’s good’ factor. Christmas songs should be catchy, cheesy, and sickly sweet in sentiment.Yet, I’m here to argue that there’s actually such thing as ‘so bad, it’s BAD’, when it comes to a few Christmas classics. ‘Walking in the Air’ - Aled Jones Aled Jones’s 1985 monstrosity. I have despised this song for years, thanks to its ear-splitting shriek of a chorus. As you might have guessed, my feelings towards it weren’t improved when Fenwick’s decided, inexplicably, to play the song 24/7 during their 2018 Christmas window display. It’s thanks to these sadists that I still occasionally hear Aled in my nightmares.
I still hear Aled in my nightmares ‘Happy NewYear’ - ABBA & ‘Thank God it’s Christmas’ - Queen Next, I’d like to give an honourable mention to festive failures from two of my favourite bands. Any other time of the year, the opening bars of a Queen or ABBA song will see me running to the dancefloor. Play me a bar of Queen’s ‘Thank God It’s Christmas’ or ABBA’s ‘Happy New Year’, however, and I’ll run firmly in the opposite direction. Both are songs that could have been perfectly fine examples of their respective artists’ work, if not for the inexplicable decision to shoehorn Christmassy lyrics into a perfectly good piece of music. Band Aid 20/30 - Various Artists However, none of these sins are quite as terrible as… Band Aid 20 or Band Aid 30. The original 1984 version of Band Aid is, quite simply, perfection. If the organisers of the anniversary tragedies wanted to make more money for charity, they should have simply fulfilled their honourable intentions by rereleasing the original. Let’s be honest, you’d be hard-pushed to argue that the likes of Robbie Williams, Dizzee Rascal and Clean Bandit, are in any way comparable to Bono, Ultravox and Boy George. The original wins, every single time. Em Richardson
Alternative-mas: Christmas covers
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’ve rounded up the best indie covers of Christmas songs to whack on the party playlist this festive season. Blossoms – Wonderful Christmas Time Paul McCartney’s classic Christmas tune is reworked nicely by the Stockport lads. Their dreamy synth pop record Cool Like You lives on in this cover, a nice angle to take. This one sounds classic Christmas; bells jingling and lyrics sung like Blossoms are in a snowy, lamppost-lit street, late in a winter night. I can see myself dancing around the tree already. Pale Waves – Last Christmas Hands up if you want a Gothic Christmas. My hands up, yours should be too. Pale Waves slapped their black nail varnish and leather jackets onto the hands and shoulders of George Michael as they pulled off a remarkable cover of Last Christmas, a classic. Vocalist Heather Baron-Gracie whines the chorus characteristically, but it’s weirdly works. Granted, the song is darker, but it’s a welcome and fresh approach that you should throw on at the family Christmas drinks, just to spice things up. Wolf Alice – Santa Baby Blimey. No hiding here, this cover is beautiful. Ellie Rowsell serenades you softly as you borderline whispers the lyrics of Eartha Kitt into your ears, goosebumps a plenty. Dim the lights, pour yourself a wine and recline in your chair, as Wolf Alice take you further and further into the realm of relaxation. Step over Kylie and Bublé, this is the best cover around. Image: Instagram (@wolfaliceband)
The Courier Classics
Louis Grantham
David Brent Life on the Road
Life on the Road, Brent’s debut in the music industry features 20 songs, rich with the emotional rigour of a reversing dump truck with no tires on. It seems apt to begin this review with the surrogate song itself. In which it seems Brent is seemingly recollecting a memory of recovering a “pretty girl” on “freeway nine”, recollections that become a recurrent theme in the album. The chorus itself is agonisingly catchy, so much so that TV platform Freeview has decided to use it in their latest advert campaign. Painful. ‘Lady Gypsy’ follows on with the theme of remembrance. Here we see a ‘mid-40s’ Brent describe his 18year old self strolling through Whitley Wood, a suburb south of Reading. During this jaunt he transpires with the “lady gypsy” before breaking into chorus explaining his love for this lady whose name he had “forgot”, true romance. Romance continues the further you delve into the album, with Brent’s home town of ‘Slough’ having a whole track dedicated to it. With its “equidistance between London and Reading” Brentmister general’s argument is clear throughout the song, to give his hometown the tribute it deserves. How successful an argument he proposes is up for debate, with many, if taking the line literally, would agree that anything more convenient than a “Tesco express” is in fact very convenient. Seeing as we are now in December, it feels appropriate to end the review with Brent’s own attempt at a Christmas song. ‘Don’t Cry It’s Christmas’, although not making any major moves in the charts so far, would not surprise me if it were to perhaps make a late charge into the Christmas chart, though, its rather morbid take on Christmas may have somewhat ruined any chance it may have ever had. What does this album offer? Well, from reggae to light rock to a now popular classic on British advertising, David Brent’s Life On The Road seems to offer just what the name suggests, a compilation of songs spanning from a vast array of genres and types. On a more serious note, it, in my opinion, may indicate the rather lost nature of Brent himself, since losing his job as manager at Wernham Hogg Paper Company. Rory Ewart
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culture TV
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Monday 9 December 2019
c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk TV Editors Amy Brown, Sophie Hicks & Will Nsieyanji
Doctor Who will you be watching this Christmas?
Meg Blount talks about what we can look forward to on the silver screen this Christmas season
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fter the yearlong countdown, December has finally arrived, returning the traditional Christmas cheer and excitement for 2019, especially with all the festive films and television programmes. If, like me, you are eager to discover the delights that are airing on television during this seasonal period, you may invest in the Christmas Radio Times magazine; it is definitely tradition to flick through the pages, highlighting all the ‘must see’ shows as you go and planning those cosy winter nights in front of the TV, next to a burning fire with a mug of hot chocolate. The lead up to Christmas is almost always signified by the arrival of Strictly Come Dancing and I’m a Celeb to our screens; these long running reality programmes have brought great entertainment to many households over the years, and have helped to fill up the evenings of the last few weeks before it is deemed acceptable to start celebrating Christmas. When December finally hits, all the traditional TV Christmas specials are introduced, and I am sure that this year everyone is aware of the return of Gavin and Stacey, which has created a massive influx of national excitement. In the past, Downton Abbey was known to have a festive episode, along with other programmes such as the brilliant Sherlock. Occasionally, dramas based on the stories of Agatha Christie are shown around New Year, and there is great potential for more of these short mysteries to be developed.
Festive television programmes and films add extra enjoyment Other shows like The Great British Bake Off, Call the Midwife and Doctor Who will have specific episodes to comply to the season, bringing further merriment and
carrying on the tradition. A plethora of films are also shown on the television; a lot of people traditionally snuggle up with their families and watch a film on Christmas Eve, whilst others commit to a monthly movie marathon by attempting a film version of an advent calendar. Of course, there is always the debate as to which movie is the best Christmas film, which is undoubtedly the Grinch. Other contenders are commonly Elf, Home Alone and Love Actually, all very good films which deserve a watch, but do not quite make it to the standard of the Grinch. Another less popular film which merits a high rating is: It’s A Wonderful Life, the black and white American fantasy is a heart-warming classic that should, without a doubt, be added to everyone’s list of screening traditions. The phenomenal films of Harry Potter also make a yearly appearance during the holiday season, with all eight movies shown in chronological order, to satisfy the global fandom and to maintain ITV’s tradition. Hopefully as the term begins to wind down and everyone returns home for Christmas, the festive television programmes and films add extra enjoyment and relaxation to a well-deserved break and this wonderful time of the year.
Image: IMDb
Autism on the
Joe Holloran discusses if represent
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heldon Cooper was portrayed for twelve years by Jim Parsons on the hit TBS sitcom about a group of geeky academics living in LA. What is interesting about Sheldon is that the show's creators - Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady - have always denied writing Sheldon as having Aspergers, while Parsons himself claimed that after ASD fans started identifying with the role, he began reading into ASD and used it to inform his performance and to make it more realistic. This was a nice touch on his part. There are aspects of Sheldon’s character that I feel are very accurate to Asperger’s and others that I fear are based on stereotypes or actually have nothing to do with the condition but rather his personality. Sheldon is routine oriented and is always uncomfortable with changes to his carefully planned life. From my point of view this is true. I used to get very anxious when going on holiday for example because of the change in routine, new sensory information (new smells, heat changes etc). Transitioning from the summer holidays to term time was also difficult. For us aspies, there is comfort, not contempt, in the familiar. Sheldon has lots of intense interests which he will fixate over – Star Trek, Comics and trains to name but a few. This is also true of me, although my current obsession – Star Wars – has been going strong for the last decade at least. Sheldon is also interested in the pragmatism of science and how the world works. Where I don’t think Sheldon is a good portrayal of ASD is in the way he treats others.
What's the 2020 vision for the future of TV?
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George Bell discusses the most anticipated shows for 2020, with the arrival of revivals on Disney + finally coming to the UK
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he 2010s have given us some great TV shows that will be talked about for years to come but what can we expect from the next decade dominated by streaming services? Here are some of the most anticipated shows to come out of the roaring 20s. Star Wars Obi-Wan show
Hello there! Everyone’s hopes were fulfilled when it was revealed that we would be getting more of the iconic Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi in the form of a TV show airing November 2020. Thanks to Ewan McGregor set to reprise his iconic role as the Jedi, the hype is building for this show and especially due to the critical success of The Mandalorian means we may be in store for something great. Not much is known about the plot of this new show but rumors have it following episode 3 with Obi Wan’s time in exile and protecting Luke.
Image: IMDb, Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.
Sex Education Season 2 (Netflix)
Airing 17 January there’s no better way to start the next decade with a brand-new season of the wildly popular Netflix Original, Sex Education. Starring Asa Butterfield, Emma Mackey, and Ncuti Gatwa to name a few centers around the students of Moordale, specifically Otis (Asa) and Maeve (Emma) who set up a student sex clinic to help the other students. The show covers various serious points like sexuality and abortion in respectful ways while still being fun and light-hearted. The diverse range of characters means that there will definitely be at least one you can relate to especially with more coming in the next season. Since airing all episodes in January of this year, people have been desperate for more, so thankfully not much longer to wait!
Image: IMDb
Game of Thrones Targaryen spin-off (HBO)
Arguably the biggest TV show, ever, it’s not surprising that spin-offs were coming from the fantasy juggernaut Game of Thrones. While the final few seasons left a lot to be desired, especially season 8 there are still a lot more stories to tell about the land of Westeros. The first of these shows are going to be set in the age of the first men and show how the Night King came to be. It was rumored to be titled “Bloodmoon” and starring Naomi Watts. However, this show sadly got cancelled but from the ashes, quite literally, came to a new spin-off based on the dragons themselves, House Targaryen. Based around the initial rise to power a n d history of the Targaryens it looks like this spins off will give us more dragons and more interesting characters to fall in love with, or maybe loathe entirely. Set to release March 31st, 2020 in the UK, Disney’s new streaming service, which is already in the US, looks to be a serious contender to Netflix thanks to a large library of exclusives and original shows coming to it. Excluding shows like The Mandalorian as it has already aired in the US here a few of the most anticipated shows coming to Disney Plus.
Image: IMDb
Loki
The superhero genre has been extremely profitable for Disney so it’s no surprise that with the launch of Disney Plus we will be getting a flood of new shows set around our favourite characters and some new ones. Several have already been announced like The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Wanda Vision and What if? But one of the most anticipated ones is definitely Tom Hiddleston’s Loki. Arriving spring 2021, the show will follow the trickster god in his adventures with the tesseract following the events of Avengers: Endgame and how he influences certain historical events. But let’s be honest, re- gardless of the plot, any opportunity to see Tom Hiddleston as Loki again will be taken with open arms.
Image: IMDb, 2012 Marvel
Garland: Pixabay by GraphicsUnited Snowflake background: Karen Arnold, publicdomainpictures.net
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Monday 9 December 2019
e small screen
tation helps or hinders the audience
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Sheldon is rude, condescending and incredibly arrogant. One of the most persistant and popular myths around ASD is that people on the spectrum have no empathy. This is not true. It is accurate that we struggle to recognise facial cue’s, body language, indirect language and sarcasm (No, I’m ‘fine’!) but studies have shown that once we know someone is upset we actually feel their pain more accutley than neurotypicals. This, again, goes back to the black and white way of seeing the world. ‘I don’t like to feel bad so I should stop others from feeling bad’. Until the very last episode of the very last season, Sheldon knows his behaviour is selfish and negativly affecting the lives of those around him but does nothing about it. To me this is down to his personality and his unwillingness to accept his imperfections. Many ‘aspie’ kids are given the training to function better socially while still young and they carry these skills with them in through life. Sheldon, it seems, was taught these skills but chose to ignored them. Although he does improve in this regard in the last few seasons, this is still the biggest issue for me with the character of Sheldon Cooper. The popularity of the show means that for a whole generation, he is the autistic person they know and now because of his behaviour many of the negative stereotypes around ASD will forever be reinforced in the minds of the audience.
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TV culture
The most AD-orable Christmas ads of 2019
Caitlin Rawlings talks us through the best and worst of Christmas adverts this festive season
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he release of Christmas adverts has now become an annual event in which the UK’s market leaders battle it out to produce the most heartwarming advert of the year. Previous years have seen iconic TV adverts such as Sainsbury’s 2014 re-enactment of Christmas day in the trenches in 1914 or John Lewis’ Monty The Penguin. Every year I look forward to witnessing both the best and worst attempts from big brands to win the approval of the nation. John Lewis & Waitrose- of course, John Lewis are at the top of the list. Every year John Lewis set the bar for the best Christmas adverts and have done so since 2011. This year they did not disappoint as we were greeted by Edgar the excitable dragon. The advert follows a little girl and her friendship with Edgar who adores Christmas. Unfortunately for Edgar he cannot seem to control his excitement or his ability to breathe fire which causes him to nearly ruin Christmas. However, the little girl thinks of a master plan and instead of ruining the Christmas feast Edgar has the honour of lighting the Christmas pudding. The
narrative of this story was complimented by Bastille’s rendition of ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’. The advert proves that a hit song and a cute animal animation seems to be the hit formula for a John Lewis Christmas advert.
The ASDA advert succeeded in giving me that warm festive feeling ASDA- this year’s ASDA advert followed Tilly on her quest to capture the magic of the Northern Lights as she spread Santa’s left-over magic around the town. Tilly builds a fishing rod from her Grandfather’s walking stick and turns the town into a festive kingdom. The whole concept reminded me of Roald Dahl’s BFG as Tilly stood clutching a jar full of magic. The advert was an imaginative approach to the notion of spreading magic at Christmas. This advert had an emotive family feel and succeeded in giving me that warm festive feeling. Now for the worst this year had to offer: Marks and Spencer. This advert, ‘Go Jumpers for Christmas’ was a major disappointment. I expected high production values and a heartfelt story and was met with an advert about jumpers which make you want to dance. It’s just such a dull concept. There was a lack of storyline. A woman received a rather unappealing blue jumper and started dancing
and that’s all that really happened. House of Pain’s song ‘Jump Around’ has been overused in numerous adverts too. It felt as though M&S were trying to be ‘hip’ and ‘cool’ and in doing so majorly missed the mark. JD Sports-‘JD Comes Alive’ was also another major anti-climax. The advert relied on celebrity appearances from stars such as Anne Marie and Mabel to sell the advert to the masses. There was nothing unique or memorable about this advert apart from the stars dancing in a JD shop surrounded by trainers. I expected a lot more from a brand as popular as JD Sports. Another year, another set of Christmas adverts. This year has provided us with a mix of both brilliant and bad adverts which have entertained us in the interludes between our favourite programmes. 2019 has bought everything from dragon’s to dancing jumpers to our TV screens, so I wonder what 2020 shall bring.
Images: YouTube
Celebrating a decade of strong women on TV Kate Dunkerton runs us through some of the best female characters that have carried some of our favourite TV shows
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s 2019 comes to an end, we need to reflect on the good things that came out of the decade, such as the remarkable characters and performances we’ve been blessed with. Ranging from epic dramas to fun sitcoms, let’s take a look at some of the strongest women in TV of the decade. First up is Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019) Sansa Stark, played by Sophie Turner. As the eldest daughter in the Stark family, the rulers of Winterfell and the North, Sansa’s arc can only be described as traumatic. Sansa starts the series as a naïve and spoiled girl, whose only dream is to move to the capital, marry prince Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) and become queen of the Seven Kingdoms. However, she is easily influenced by master manipulators Queen Cersai Lannister (Lena Headey) and Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish (Aidan Gillan), leading to her witnessing her father’s death and forced to marry Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) for their own gains. As things begin to look up for Sansa when she escapes King’s Landing, she falls into another trap by being forced to marry the sadistic Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon), becoming an abused prisoner in her own home. It is when she is finally reunited with half-brother Jon Snow (Kit Harington) that she overcomes her role as a victim in people’s games, providing the army that wins back the North from the Boltons and gaining justice over her enemies. She uses the manipulative skills she learned from Littlefinger against them, reclaiming her homeland and being rightfully declared as Queen in the North.
She also explains her struggles with everyday sexism at work Moving away from the drama now is Brooklyn NineNine’s (2013-) Amy Santiago, played by Melissa Fumero. A career-driven and eager-to-please police detective in Brooklyn’s 99th precinct, Amy might initially seem to be just a love interest for Andy Samberg’s Jake Peralta. Always trying to impress Captain Holt (Andre Baugher),
female police detective, often being underestimated by her colleagues and the general public. Her hard work and dedication p ay s off
it’s implied Amy is one of the best detectives in the precinct w hi lst also
winning performance as Russian assassin Villanelle in Killing Eve (2018-) has been a talking point for many. Created by Fleabag’s (2016-2019) Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Comer shocked many with her flurry of accents and comedic yet psychotic performance as Villanelle. Working for a crime group known as The Twelve, the series digs deep into the complex relationship between Villanelle and MI5 intelligence agent Eve (Sandra Oh) as they become obsessed with each other in a game of cat and mouse. Villanelle is possibly one of the most intriguing female characters of recent times, as she can easily flip from a charming and witty young woman to a brutal murderer in seconds, flaunting the deaths of her victims as she escapes unnoticed. The complex nature of the fearless killer that is Comer’s Villanelle will go down as one of the most memorable female characters in televi-
They can carry TV just as much as the men
joining in with the heists and pranks that ensue. However, she also explains her struggles with sexism every day as a
Images: IMDb
when she becomes a sergeant, getting one step closer to achieving her dream of being the youngest person to become captain. More recently, Jodie Comer’s award-
sion. Some honourable mentions include Game of Thrones’ dragon queen Daenerys Targaryan (Emilia Clarke), who suffered a similar fate to Sansa prior to the birth of her dragons, and assassin Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), Sansa’s younger sister who spends most of her storyline independently exacting revenge on her enemies. Stranger Things’ (2016-) Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), who has fought an unbeatable monster using her telekinetic powers three seasons in a row, and Peaky Blinders’(2013-) Polly Gray (Helen McCrory), the matriarch of the Shelby family and adviser for criminal gang leader Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy). Overall, if the decade has done anything at all, it has provided audiences with memorable women who prove they can carry TV just as much as the men.
45%
Percentage of all speaking female characters across TV in 2017-2018
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Monday 9 December 2019
A decade in review: your top 10 TV shows
Holly: Pixabay
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The show is based on the famous book series of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, and it follows the adventures of a brilliant detective and his flatmate, Dr. John Watson, solving various mysteries in modern-day London. Staring Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) and Martin Freeman (John Watson), if you are looking for a detective series with ingenious mysteries, a brilliant depiction of how every small detail can reveal someone’s story, or, a sarcastic bromance, Sherlock is the show for you. And if you are still not convinced, the best way to describe this show is through one of the most iconic lines of Sherlock: “I’m not a psychopath, Anderson. I’m a high-functioning sociopath. Do your research.”
There’s no doubt that Breaking Bad received significant critical acclaim throughout its original airing from 2008 to 2013, but the impact it had on wider TV culture operated on a time-delay. It wasn’t until the final culminating moments of the show’s broadcast alongside a healthy tenure on Netflix that it became cemented as a hit with audiences. Walter White, Jesse Pinkman and the cast of characters that surround them continually develop and grow as though they are real people, just as the characters in any good drama should. Similarly, it feels unfair to label mainstays of the show, like Hank Schrader and Skyler White, as supporting characters – they share the mantle alongside Walt and Jesse, as they too are fully realised as living individuals. George Boatfield
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The character of Fleabag herself is poignantly crafted, with every smirk and eye-flick towards the camera lingering just long enough to accentuate the hilarity of every sexually awkward moment without ever feeling cheapened as a comedic gimmick. Incorporating themes of sexuality, mourning and depression, Fleabag illustrated that levity need not be sacrificed to explore its messages with depth and compassion. In particular, Fleabag’s relationships with best friend Boo and The Priest encompassed a powerful and, at times, harrowing study of power and control within the boundaries of sexuality. More importantly, however, is its persistent female gaze. Subverting tired clichés of women and sexuality in comedy, Fleabag proved what shouldn’t need to have been proven: that female sexuality can be engaged with full agency rather than objectification. Peter Lennon
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is clever, topical and honest. It managed to gather a devoted fan base with consistently excellent writing and at times daring directing, all anchored by an endlessly charismatic cast. The show’s brilliance lies in its format. Taking the classic set up of a sitcom, the show is weirdly grounded by its horrible protagonists. Instead of starring twodimensional ‘aspirational’ characters that never truly evolve, Sunny embraces the cyclical nature of the sitcom: by being centred on characters who refuse to ever evolve or learn from their mistakes. This show is not only incredibly funny, but it stays fresh due to its always sincere creators: from black face to trans rights, there isn’t one issue the gang will not address through shouting, toxicity, and selfishness. Elisabetta Pulcini
An amazing script, dark obsessions, and the use of a hair pin as a murder weapon, Killing Eve has it all. The (literally) killer leading ladies, Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh play the brilliantly named Villanelle and detective Eve Polastri. Their mutual fascination with each other became our obsession, as they chased one another around Europe – Comer dressed in that pink Molly Goddard confection. Deliciously dark comedy permeated series one, opening with Eve screaming in pain, only to reveal that no, she wasn’t in mortal danger, but had fallen asleep on her arm. These brilliant scenes make Eve relatable and lovably flawed. Add this to the obsessive, deadly Villanelle and you have a perfectly strange pairing. When’s series three?
A show that definitely doesn’t pull its punches, Black Mirror is as dark as it is amazing. The anthology series covers many different stories in a deep dive into the not too distant future and how disturbed it can possibly become. First airing 4 December 2011, Black Mirror has five seasons up to now and an interactive movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. Thanks to the different themes the show always manages to stay fresh and cover a lot of problems of today like forced social norms and bee population diminishing and even potential future issues. While definitely not for the faint of heart, Black Mirror is surely one of the best and impactful shows of the 2010s and one you need to check out on Netflix. George Bell
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In a time of increased political instability and fears of national security, Bodyguard offered a unique and incredibly personal slant on terrorism in modern Britain. The six-part series focuses on Police Sergeant David Budd, played by Madden, who is a PTSD-afflicted army veteran working as the principal protection officer for Home Secretary Julia Montague. As well as detailing Budd’s horror-struck state after experiencing the devastation of war, the series explores his difficulty in maintaining his role as Montague’s bodyguard despite discovering very unsavoury information about her policies and the Government’s concealment of information from the public. If none of this convinces you that this is one of the best series of the decade, then Madden’s delicious Scottish accent surely will.
Some people are appealed by Stranger Things and its 80s world with pop music and school kids in dressed in preppy clothes reading comics and riding bicycles around town whereas others love how the narrative is an amalgamation of genres ranging from horror, scifi, teen drama and even fantasy. The narrative itself is applaudable because it grips the viewers with its thrilling cliffhangers in every episode to an extent where the only appropriate way to watch it is by binge-watching the entire season. Although a fantasy narrative, it also allows the viewers to have a genuine identification with the human side of its kinda-scared, kinda-gutsy characters. Arnojya Shree
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Do you remember when you used to be a Game of Thrones fan? Me too; the sprawling storylines, the political intrigue, the captivating dialogue and the intense battles. It was a series that didn’t talk down to its audience, one that never looked for an easy way out and only utilised shock factor when it made sense (see the early departure of Ned Stark’s head). By season eight most saw that Thrones had lost its shine. And while it is difficult to think back to earlier seasons without them being tarnished by the abysmal failure of its final six episodes, it is important to remember that this series was a titanic cultural icon that pushed the boundaries of what fantasy could be. It’s just a shame that, like Titanic, it ended in icy (and fiery) disaster. Steven Ross
Snowflake background: Karen Arnold, publicdomainpictures.net
Set in Birmingham in 1919, Steven Knight’s BBC drama Peaky Blinders (2013-) follows Cillian Murphy’s ruthless anti-hero Tommy Shelby’s quest for power following World War One. Deriving from a family of gypsies, the Shelby family front as bookmakers whilst establishing their control over Birmingham as gangsters through violence and intimidation. After finding a crate of guns, Tommy sees his chance to move up in the world. However, their behaviour doesn’t go unnoticed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who sends over Irish spies Major Chester Campbell (Sam Neill) and Grace Burgess (Annabelle Wallis) to infiltrate the Shelby family. It’s popularity and consistency absolutely earns its place in this list. Kate Dunkerton
All images and logos: IMDb
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Monday 9 December 2019
THE SNOWBALLS See what was utter bollocks in film in 2019 in our Snowball Awards
Worst Screenplay: The Lion King
Worst Film: Tall Girl
As a tall girl, I was excited to watch Netflix’s teen rom-com Tall Girl, following the trials and tribulations of a high school girl who towers above her classmates. What I didn’t expect was just how contrived and immature the entire film was. It will not go down as one of Netflix’s better attempts at original content due to the liberal use of clichés and poor acting. As the film opens, we are introduced to Jodi, a 6 foot 1 and a half female, labelled the “tall girl” at her school. After being asked out whilst sitting down, the boy is immediately put off as she stands over him, seeming more like 8 foot rather than 6. What follows is the childish bullying in the hallways over her height. Through flashbacks, we see her source of insecurity is through her overbearing dad (Steve Zahn), who has had her tested for medical issues over her height since she was three. This contrasts with her older sister Harper (Sabrina Carpenter), a beauty pageant queen of average height. Jodi is relentlessly pursued by her shorter friend Dunkleman (Griffin Gluck), who carries around a milk crate. This doesn’t help when Swedish foreign exchange student Stig (Luke Eisner), who looks just like he’s out of an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue, comes into her life, who sees beyond her supposedly abnormal height. Of course, she must fight for his affections with her long-time bully Kimmy (Clara Wilsey), who used to call Jodi “Taller Swift”, which is apparently really funny. The ending, featuring the infamous milk crate, is cringey and awkward. Kate Dunkerton
Unnecessary changes, undue credit and corporate greed earn 2019’s The Lion King a spot for worst screenplay of the year. The Lion King (1994) is not just a classic Disney animation project, it’s also a near perfect movie. It is funny, focused and full of heart. This is largely due to its incredible script, written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton, which equally delivers on quotable lines and tear jerking moments. However, in 2019’s soulless remake, they are not even credited as writers. This is because the original movie was written outside the rules of the Writers Guild of America, which protects writers, granting them residuals for their work. In fact, despite this movie copying almost to the comma the original dialogue, Jeff Nathanson is credited for the screenplay. In addition, not only is most of this dialogue an uncredited rip-off, but the few changes it makes simply do not work. In fact, this remake exemplifies everything that is wrong with Hollywood at this time. It reuses material which was already perfect, makes it 30 minutes longer for no discernible reason and takes out some of the best lines. Among the most deplorable omissions are Rafiki’s memorable “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it”, and the musical number for ‘Be Prepared’, one of the best Disney villain songs. Of course, some will argue that some changes are bound to be made in any remake: however, when original movie is perfect to begin with, any change becomes unnecessary. Elisabetta Pulcini
Worst Animation: The Adams Family Worst Actress: Jessica Chastain Overall 2019 has been a pretty good year for animated films. There was Toy Story 4, Pixar’s conclusion to the greatest animated film series ever. The weird and wonderful I Lost My Body out of France and Klaus, the latest from Despicable Me (2010) creator Sergio Pablos. However, as is the case most years, there were some real stinkers too – looking at you Lego Movie 2. That film was bad, but it doesn’t hold a candle to this year’s winner of the Snowie for worst animation. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Addams Family. Directed by Sausage Party (2016) pair Veron & Tiernan, this utter insult to the memory of Charles Addams could and should have been so, so much better. What made the original Addams Family TV series of the 60s and the early 90s films so enjoyable was they played up to the dark, yet familyfriendly humour. They played the morbid for laughs but at the heart of the story is a family who love each other and have to overcome some kind of threat to their way of life. The 2019 version does away with all of that and replaces it with ‘Look at the weird Goths acting all Gothy’. The jokes fall flat, the voice performers are badly miscast– I love Oscar Isaac, but his voice as Gomez Addams is terrible – and the plot is paper thin. But the biggest problem with this film, and why it is the winner of Worst Animated Film of the Year, is its animation style. Joe Holloran
By far one of the worst movies of the year, Dark Phoenix (2019) has many flaws. The directing, the storylines and the dialogue all lack focus and direction, making this movie not only far from entertaining, but also hard to watch. The main problem of this film is clearly Simon Kinberg who, as the director, fails to provide his actors with the support needed to deliver worthy performances. His lack of experience ultimately led to a one truly stand out abysmal performance by a talented performer. In fact, Jessica Chastain is a good actress. From Interstellar (2014) to It Chapter Two (2019), she has demonstrated skill and charisma, and has consistently delivered on strong characters who confidently lead the movie they are in. However, the same cannot be said of her performance as the antagonist in Dark Phoenix. She is not only bad: even worse, she is entirely uninteresting. Had it not been for the predictable makeup, the viewer would not have been able to tell that she was supposed to be an important character. The complete lack of presence she brought with her on screen is truly surprising for an actress of her calibre. Given the terrible dialogue, clearly written by someone who lacks any understanding of what human emotions might be, Chastain understandably sleepwalks her way through the movie. Not sure of what emotions her character was supposed to be feeling, she chose to go with the neutral choice: none whatsoever.
Elisabetta Pulcini
Worst Actor: Worst Director: Jon Favreau
Hero Fiennes-Tiffin
Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, best known for his role as Hardin Scott in After and as young Voldemort, in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, for me was most definitely the worst actor of 2019. Besides the fact that he was playing a character who is meant to be Harry Styles from a fan-fiction which is still insanely baffling. How did this film even get the go ahead? Hero's acting from start to finish is absolutely appalling. I can’t think of a single time during this movie where there was an emotion that wasn’t a blank face from Fiennes-Tiffin. He literally had no feelings and I get that he was meant to be this cliche mysterious bad guy that girls all love to fall in love with, for me it was nothing more than dreadful acting. I felt no remorse, no feelings towards this kid and that’s not a good thing. I want to sympathise with characters but Heroes acting wasn’t allowing it for me. And then there’s the lack of chemistry between him and his co-star Josephine Langford that I found myself just not investing in the romance and as a result ended up on my phone for the majority of the film due to the sheer boredom. Let’s also not talk about how I definitely thought Hardin was Tessa’s brother until they kissed. Casting wise, mistakes were definitely made. Overall, After is one of the worst movies of the decade, not just for the acting but also the screenplay, the plot, everything. It is a disgrace to cinema. Someone send these kids back to acting school. Please. Lucy Lillystone
There have been a lot of bad movies in 2019, from Dark Phoenix to Godzilla, but none are as lazy as The Lion King, the most blatant cash grab in Disney’s recent history. Jon Favreau killed it with Elf, Iron Man, The Jungle Book and, more recently, The Mandalorian, but when it came to this remake, it felt as though he was a puppet and Disney were pulling his strings – there was none of his charm or style bleeding through, and the entire movie was a shot-for-shot copycat of the brilliant animated flick. Even the original animators voiced their anger, as he more or less took their work and ‘updated’ it with a ‘live-action’ coat of paint. It’s essentially the same film with worse voice acting and far less personality. The animals are emotionless and are dipping their toes into the uncanny valley and the songs are hollow. Everything about this film feels like a soulless take on the original, and how that happened under Favreau’s watch when he did wonders
with The Jungle Book is beyond me. The colour palette is drab which stems from its attempt at being overly realistic but when you take an out-there cartoon and try to make it gritty and grounded, with no changes to the story or the way in which it’s shot, it doesn’t work. He clearly knew this when making The Jungle Book, and so seeing him stumble into the same pitfalls as the other directors behind other remakes is curious – why did he regress, making the same errors as Aladdin and Dumbo? James Troughton
Jon Favreau & the Beast images: IMDb All other images: Youtube
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ome film stay with you long years after you first watched it. Some because they are wonderfully written or directed. Others because of a particular performance that stirs up. And then there are those rare movies who are none of those things, yet burrow their way into your brain because they are simply like nothing you have ever seen before. For me, the first film to achieve this was the 1997 indie cult classic Gummo. The directorial debut from future Spring Breakers (2012) creator Harmony Korine, Gummo's plot (in as much as it has one) takes place in 1975 and focuses on the under-class inhabitants of a small Midwestern town of Xenia, Ohio as they attempt to go about their lives in the aftermath of a (real life) devastating tornado. Our main protagonist is a teenage boy called Solomon (Jacob Reynolds) who, with his best friend Tummler (Nick Sutton), pass the time wandering around the broken town finding new and increasingly destructive ways to break the spell of boredom. The film repeatedly cuts away from the two boys, and instead provides little insights into the lives of some of the town other bizarre inhabitants. And that is about it. Harmony Korine was the king of gritty, nihilistic and funny coming of age movies. Because of the sex, drugs and violence in his movies, some have called his films 'teensploitation' a term that to me is nonsense. Teenagers like those in his films exist and their stories are worth telling because they are the forgotten products of a broken society. Of Korine's three key films as a writer, Gummo, is the only film of the three that allowed Korine to take the damaged young characters he creates so well and place them in a world that reflects on the outside what lies within their minds. Joe Holloran
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c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Film Editors: Elisabetta Pulcini, Joe Holloran, Lucy Lillystone & Steven Ross
The Two Popes
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Image: IMDB
ntony Hopkins and Jonathon Pryce gave convincing performances as Popes Benedict XVI and Francis respectively in this biopic about the succession of Francis to the Papacy. The real action and some of the best dialogue came in their theological debates. Benedict was a conservative Pope with total belief in the unchanging nature of God and the Church, whereas Benedict was a keen reformer, sure that the Church must modernise in order to keep up with the world. The film does not shy away from challenging two figures that are believed by millions to be infallible. Benedict is portrayed as a power-hungry, pompous Pope and his involvement in money laundering and the child sex abuse cover up is examined. Francis does not get off lightly either, as his troubled past in dictatorship- era Argentina is scrutinised. He is shown to have collaborated with the junta in an attempt to protect the faith. These flash backs are interesting and provide more context for how Francis came to be the leader that he is, but ultimately become too long winded and deflect from the main plot of the film – the struggle between two men of God to find common ground. The first thing they both agree on is that neither can get to sleep if they drink coffee late at night. But coffee is high in caffeine, so this isn’t exactly a major breakthrough. Over the course of the film however, we see these two strong minded men grow closer to each other in understanding. A meeting in an amazing recreation of the Sistine Chapel (the Vatican does not allow fictional films to be shot in the Chapel) brings the humanity out of Benedict who up until this point appeared as a grumpy relic. When his emotions come to the surface it is apparent that Hopkins was the perfect casting choice. While not a film for everyone, The Two Popes tells a fascinating story about the nature of religion and the similarities that can be found in the most contrasting of people.
Monday 9 December 2019
Knives Out
Dolemite Is My Name
Image: IMDB
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ome film narratives make you want to dive headin but with Dolemite Is My Name that wouldn’t work. It’s a film which takes some getting used to, but the process happens subtly that before you even realise, you would find yourself wanting to know the whole story. The narrative is loud, lewd and non-cosmeticized which is how every inspirational success story unfolds in the long run. Eddie Murphy has made a comedic return to the big screens by breathing life into Dolemite’s unpolished, tenacious and persevering character. When it comes to direction, any film with an aura of being a biopic, especially the one which tells the story of a coloured person from back when racial differences were on the forefront, has a sensitivity to it. Therefore, its accurate portrayal is a big concern. In the first half, the power of observation and a perfectly timed epiphany gives Moore the idea of creating the character of Dolemite who raps with a rhyme about absurd scenarios in an obscene, comical way. Like any determined artist, he decides to take the reins of destiny in his own hand by self-recording and producing his new material. In the film’s second half, Moore works towards fulfilling his dream of producing a “Dolemite” movie which tells his personal story of dealing with the nightlife, nightclubs and their owners, mobsters and money disappearances. This is a gritty personal story of sexual and power politics, but Moore puts a comedic spin on it with exaggerated dramatic action. The charm of Moore presents a man, who has become a musician, a stand-up comedian and finally an action star all through the virtue of “willing himself into it”. The narrative makes its viewers feel hopeful by sharing the story of a man who managed to become the “Godfather of Rap” through nothing but a persistent attitude and an unshakable belief in himself.
Steven Ross
Arnojya Shree
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Image: IMDB
love letter to the classic murder mystery and whodunit stories. Knives Out, written and directed by Rian Johnson, is one of the most entertaining films this year. A rich and wildly successful mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) invites his family and friends to celebrate his 85 Birthday but he is found dead the next morning. Private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) arrives with the police and with the assistance of a kind-hearted Marta Cabrera (Ana De Armas), tries to find out the truth. The excellent cast portrayed a wide range of characters who play different roles in the story, each one with their own distinctive personality and motivations. The hidden hypocrisy shines from beneath the kind façade showing some of the ugly parts of the Thrombey family. Knives Out takes the conventions and tropes from classic, Agatha Christie-inspired murder mysteries, and serves them as a witty and high paced modern tale. The reality in Knives Out feels like a puzzle which blends seamlessly with the victim who loved creating his own games and mysteries and whose influence is still strong on all the characters. Metanarrative elements complement the story that has its own personality. The plot has many twists that take the audience to different places that it might be expected from a classic detective story and resists the temptation to imitate elements of blockbusters that would not feel right The film is visually pleasing with some very good shots, but what is more memorable is the marvellous production design. Harlan’s mansion is filled with the most bizarre items showing his love for gimmicks and curiosities. Knives Out is an excellent film that twists in different ways than expected and revives a genre that for a long time was cast aside. It feels both like coming home and a breath of fresh air. You will not regret watching it. Gabriela Wieckowska
Star Wars wars: are
Gaming Editors George Boatfield & James Troughton face-off in a Yes - James Troughton
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he Star Wars franchise is weird, it began with a bang and only improved with its subsequent films, only to be diminished and insulted by its prequels, and then again by its sequels. It's a trilogy that, in all honesty, probably should've been left alone as a relic of the 80s, a sci-fi surprise that could easily stand the test of time. However, it wasn't, as Disney dug it back up from the grave to spit on its decaying carcass. For clarity, I loved The Force Awakens (2015), it was a great way to bring people back into the franchise through familiarity. It was a lot like A New Hope which would have been fine had The Last Jedi (2017) changed things up. It should've been a gateway that opened a door to newer and more exciting things but what we got instead was an Empire and Return mix up that's messier than Revenge of the Sith
Images: YouTube (Star Wars Official)
(2005). My problems mostly stem from The Last Jedi, a film I loved in cinemas but grew to hate the more I watched it. All of the plot threads are jarringly cut, all of the characters are poorly developed and it ends in a way that immediately dooms its sequel. We could jump on the 'fuck Rian Johnson' bandwagon and blame him for everything, but the issues are much deeper rooted than that. Kathleen Kennedy is the figurehead, so naturally, she has become a scapegoat for hatred, but a lot of that energy should be directed at the faceless corporation that is Disney, who drag up classics to make hollow live-action remakes and milk their IPs to death. The sequel trilogy wasn't planned out at all, as soon as they gained access to the Star Wars kingdom, they wanted a film out as soon as possible Disney should've waited, they should've planned and they should've organised. What we got instead was a sequel helmed by a director with a completely conflicting vision, working on the foundations set by a man who had no eye for the future. It wasn't going to work, it was an impossible task and Rise of the Skywalker is banking on nostalgia to sell. Palpatine returning wasn't thought out, it's a reaction to declining sales. 'Duel of the Fates' in a teaser? What went wrong, then? Well, as much as Kennedy has become a scapegoat, there are pieces of evidence to suggest that she has a
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Monday 9 December 2019
@Courier_Film thecourieronline.co.uk/film
film culture
Best hidden Christmas gems Harriet Metcalfe takes a look back at some of her favourite, often overlooked, Christmas classics
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hanks to streaming giants, there is now an absurd number of Christmas films out there. So if you’re spoilt for choice but don’t feel like watching Die Hard again - fear not! I’m advocating for some festive feel-goods you might have forgotten or overlooked. First things first, I’m supporting a sequel. Controversial, I know, but Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! doesn’t get the credit it deserves, despite the dreadful title (no-one's perfect, I guess). This time, the kids drag another poor, unsuspecting teacher (Tennant) out of the classroom, and travel to Wales to compete in a 'Song for Christmas'. Sure, we can be a Grinch about it and point out how many similarities there are in key plot points, but tugs at all the same heartstrings that the 2009 original does. And maybe it’s the Whovian in me, but I even like David Tennant a little more than Martin Freeman… Nativity 3, however, gets a sack of coal. Michael Caine. Muppets. What can go wrong? A lot according to some – but The Muppet Christmas Carol belongs in the sobad-its-good category. The retelling of the Dickens classic is just the right level of absurd for Christmas. And yes: it’s a musical. So
there’s an album and Kermit has his own song and did I mention Michael Caine? 2011’s Arthur Christmas also falls in this unexpected gem category for me. The heart-warming animation about Santa's somewhat clumsy and despite the hideous green jumper and my originally low expectations, it’s become regular Christmas viewing. 1954 classic White Christmas, features Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, a song-and-dance team who join forces with a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to save the Vermont inn of their former commanding general that’s on the brink of closure over Christmas. It’s my favourite on the list, and I worry that it gets forgotten thanks to the number of modern films available on streaming platforms – it’s well worth finding a physical copy, if not just to see Bing Crosby sing in the tear-jerking opening sequence alone. Nora Ephron's classic rom-com You've Got Mail isn't
decide… I guess there’s always John McClane.
The retelling of the Dickens classic is just the right level of absurd for Christmas technically a Christmas film (cue the Die Hard debate), but rather sees Tom Hank's superstore bookstore chain threaten to take over Meg Ryan's independent store. And whilst the two characters might hate each other in real life, their relationship blossoms online over email (give them a break, this came out in 1999) during the festive season. If you don't fall for the romance? Just laugh at the size of the phones and those computers instead and you might even recognise a certain Tom Hanks gif. Honorary mention also goes to Jingle All the Way – but if you’re all struggling to
Image: IMDB
e the sequels a disappointment? Image: IMDB
a duel of words over the merits of the Star Wars sequel trilogy hand to blame in the state of Star Wars. There's the idea that she went back on Lucas' vision, unlike Filoni who embraced it with the TV side of things. Then there are the reports from Variety that state that she promised creative freedom to filmmakers only to pull the red carpet from under them before strapping the puppet strings onto their backs. Why do you think Solo (2018) and Rise of Skywalker have gone through the ring in terms of crew shifting? Some things up and that messy production bleeds into the final cut.
We could jump on the 'fuck Rian Johnson' bandwagon, but the problems are much deeper rooted than that So, how would I fix the sequels? I'd keep Lucas on as a creative consultant for every project, I'd have Filoni in charge or at least holding a bigger slice of the pie and I'd plan the future trilogies out, rather than rushing into them with no clear vision. Feige may not plot every single detail but he has an over arching story in his mind and that's why Marvel works - Star Wars lacks that, and it's so evidently trying to imitate the superhero success, but without the soul or guidance.
No - George Boatfield
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hile there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of those ready to speak against the latest slate of Star Wars projects, I don’t share their views. I should disclaim early on, I’ve got something of a controversial opinion to get off my chest - The Last Jedi is my favourite of all the Star Wars films. If that statement fills you with rage, perhaps it’s best that you stop reading here. The toxicity that has festered within the fanbase as of late has grown tiresome and the last thing I want to do is add onto that. But if we’re all being honest, controversy surrounding the recent films is nothing new to the franchise. Each entry in the saga has been met with both detractors and enthusiastic fans, and this doesn’t look set to change with the upcoming release of The Rise of Skywalker later this month. J.J. Abrams returns as the director after proving his worth on The Force Awakens. Both him and The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson have done sterling work in reviving the dormant Star Wars saga, both bringing their unique story sensibilities to the series and have expanded its scope as a result. Some say that the lack of a defined arc for the series has left directors and writers unsure of where to go next or where to leave things off, but I think that this has been the new films’ greatest asset. It has lead to open story structures that have allowed for surprise plot twists and the trimming of fat where necessary while expanding on some truly interesting dynamics between both new and old characters. And that’s another point I’d like to bring
up - the synergy between both the original cast as well as the new additions. Unlike what some are saying about the recent treatment of Luke Skywalker, I think that the developments explored through his recent appearances both harken back to the more volatile traits he displayed in the original trilogy, and give way to new growth and genuine closure on his arc. His interactions with Rey throughout Episode VIII were some of the most captivating moments of the film, and did a great job in adding more to her character beyond The Force Awakens. Returning to the upcoming Rise of Skywalker, it’s clear that Abrams is hoping to unify each entry in the franchise and provide a meaningful conclusion regardless of which aspects of Star Wars you prefer. This is an ambitious goal, no doubt, potentially being the first to have something for each era of fans. Of course, this could also go the other way and become the most derided of the bunch. Personally, I have high hopes following the promising trailers that have revealed the return of big-bad Emperor Palpatine in the absence of Snoke. The trailers in general have been note-perfect, light on spoilers and remaining cryptic while always building anticipation for the next film. The early trailers also revealed a focus on more practical elements and traditional filmmaking methods that have thankfully remained in place throughout the new trilogy. That’s not to say that the CGI has been lacking -
Snoke’s appearance in Episode VIII is worth a shout-out. All that’s remaining now it to wait and see how the story ends. Regardless of the difficulties this trilogy has faced in the eyes of a vocal fanbase, perhaps the end of the Skywalker Saga will also provide some closure amongst audience debate. Or perhaps it’ll all continue as usual, and James and I will be writing yet another one of these opinion pieces in a year’s time. The debate will be with us. Always.
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the courier
Monday 9 December 2019
c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Arts Editors Caitlin Rawlings, Charlotte Slinger & Lauren Sneath
The ultimate gift guide f
With Christmas fast approaching, do not fear- Lauren Sneath, Charlotte Slinger, Emily Richardson For the bookworm who loves a personal touch
For the real life knitting nancy
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very group has one - a friend who is so fidgety that you constantly wish they had something in their hands, to stem their fiddling habits. Be it nailbiting, hair chewing, picking at anything perishable - there is a way to cure your pal of their affliction! A perfect secret santa present is a ball of coloured wool, a set of needles and instructions for how to knit (for beginners). Knitting is beneficial for mental health, as it provides physical stimulus to distract from deadlines or other issues students may suffer from. It can even be social - there are knitting socieites and communities everywhere! Your friend can learn a new skill, beat their annoying habits and (save the best 'til last) eventually make gifts for you - everybody wins.
Images: pexels
o you have a friend that loves to devour books? Do you need a gift for them that is affordable but shows just how much you love them? The perfect gift I thought up for my friend as I went off to university was to give them a book that has a meaningful quote embedded in it. Find a book that sums up your friendship in one line. Grab a highlighter and doodle around that one line, getting as intricate or fancy as you like. Then, write in the front of that book a little message about how inside of this text is one line that they need to find. Tell them not to skip forward and to find it, but to discover it as they are reading. It will sum up your friendship and give them a lovely new shiny book to read over the Christmas holidays. If you want to make it more festive, maybe wrap it in some wrapping paper (preferably not the plastic type!).
Images: Pixabay
For the stressed-out student
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olouring is a great way to relax, with studies suggesting it both improves sleep, and decreases stress and anxiety. It’s also likely to appeal to your creative friends, with the ‘theme’ of books available ranging from mandalas, to Game of Thrones. Buy someone a colouring book and a pack of decent pencils, and see what they come up with. If nothing else, ‘I have to finish this page’ is a great excuse to procrastinate from uni work, when some of the pages are so complicated that they can take hours to complete.
Images: pxfuel
Cosy up with a classic: Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' Rebecca Johnson shares her favourite way to get in the festive spirit, with the nineteenthcentury story of Ebenezer Scrooge which has become a staple for families at Christmas time
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is the season to grab your comfiest and ugliest Christmas jumper, a cup of something incredibly warm (whether that be tea or mulled wine) and a good book, and where else to start other than with the Christmas classic, a Christmas Carol. Despite being published in 1843, the story still finds itself a popular classic for all ages during this festive period, and it embodies everything to love and despise at Christmas, whilst reinforcing that the festive period is a time for goodwill and enjoyment. It was created by a chap often coined as the inventor of Christmas and is a household name in terms of literary classics, Charles Dickens. I first discovered this novel when I was about eight, my dad bought me a wonderful copy of it, jampacked with intricate and amazing illustrations by P.J. Lynch. Athough I’m not a stickler for classic books usually, this is something I always try and read during December and really helps me get into the festive spirit. A Christmas Carol is a story that everyone is familiar with, split into five staves, it tracks the past, present and future of the miserable, tight, old git that is Ebenezer Scrooge. We open with Scrooge expressing his distaste for charity and all things Christmas related. He is then visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him that if he doesn’t change his mean ways, he’ll end up doomed to an eternity of wandering the earth bound in chains due to his sheer greed.
So begins the visits of three ghosts. Scrooge is immediately visited by the ghost of Christmas past, who transports him to his… well… Christmas past. Our protagonist is taken to his childhood, showing himself to be a lonely young lad. The scene quickly shifts Scrooge as a young man, who is seen celebrating the festive period at his former employer, Fezziwig, who hosts a ginormous Christmas bash. Scrooge is forced to reflect on his younger self’s greed, which led to him losing his fiancée.
The story embodies everything to love and despise at Christmas The protagonist protests against being shown this memory and is suddenly in the presence of the ghost of Christmas present, a huge jolly green giant of a character who shows Scrooge the joys of Christmas. However, the spirit focuses on the life of Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s employee, who hosts a family Christmas, whilst fretting over the fate of his ill son, Tiny Tim. Scrooge is informed that Tiny Tim will die unless something changes in the immediate future. The penultimate stave is written in the most haunting of manners as Scrooge meets the third and final spirit, the ghost of Christmas yet to come. A tall and mystical
figure, “shrouded in deep black garment”, the spirit does not speak, yet arguably says the most about how Scrooge needs to reform himself. He shows Scrooge the limited, if any, remorse felt by people over his death. The old man is then shown Bob Cratchit and his family mourning the death of Tiny Tim, and the neglected grave bearing the name “Ebenezer Scrooge”. Does Scrooge change his ways in the final stave? You’ll have to pick up a copy to find out, and there’s some smashing editions dotted about, it’s well worth a look. If that’s too much of a strain, check out the various adaptations of this old, yet familiar Christmas tale, including Disney’s animation, Bill Murray’s modern take on Scrooge or the Muppets’ film.
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Monday 9 December 2019
@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/arts
for a creative Christmas
arts culture
n and Sophie Wilson have compiled a list of gift ideas for your creatively inclined friends and family! For those who love the classics
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hy not combine literature and art, by buying the art-lover in your life a set of Penguin’s book cover postcards? They come in boxes of one hundred cards, featuring the covers of many of your favourite novels. Their small size means they can easily be tacked to a wall, and they’re guaranteed to brighten up even the drabbest student house.
For the stylish and practical bookaholic
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enguin also sells tote bags featuring iconic, vintage book-covers. I own one myself, and can confirm that they’re spacious and strong, as well as stylish. For the literature lovers out there, there really is no better way to transport your books onto campus. You get a bonus point if the cover on your bag matches one of your books!
For that friend who thinks they're the next Monet
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hether you think your friend or family member is the next great master, or want to encourage them in their first attempt at getting creative, simply gifting them some great quality art supplies is a great place to start. A pretty set of watercolours, a vibrant tin of acrylics, or even something like a modern calligraphy set all show you support their artistic endeavours, and the excuse of buying supplies is one less boundary to getting started! There are loads of online resources for supplies like Cass Art or Papier, but keeping it local there's a great choice in our very own Blackwell's, Newcastle Arts Centre, or Grainger Market.
A Beautiful Thing to behold: NUTS review Jess Herbert reviews the NUTS adaption of Jonathan Harvey's hit 1993 play Beautiful Thing
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ach time I see a NUTS performance I’m blown away by their professionalism and polish, but somehow Beautiful Thing exceeded my expectations. Written by Jonathan Harvey, the play presents two working class teenage boys navigating the turbulence of being gay in the 90s. In a world saturated by Hollywood images of romance, it was refreshing to see a couple fumbling through their first relationship in a painfully relatable way; the delicate naivety and insecurity portrayed by Leo MacNeill and Max Brennan captured the true kerfuffle of young love. There were many moments of gravity, detailing physical abuse and financial struggles, that flowed through the undercurrents of the play – these poignancies encourage us to consider our often privileged position of being at university, as well as reminding us how far LGBTQIA+ rights have come. But these were perfectly balanced with comedy. The rapid, witty and often inappropriate humour consistently lifted the mood, and it demonstrated how talented the cast were that they could switch between emotions within seconds.
and their parents.
Truly transporting us to the 1990s
The understated set presented an authentic teenage bedroom on one side, and a courtyard with two plastic chairs on the other, however both areas felt so separate, the directors did an excellent job of creating different spaces within such a small stage. The simple setup enabled the dynamic lighting and 90s soundtrack to
shine, truly transporting us to the 1990s. The wholesome ending of the play brought tears to many eyes in the audience, but it struck a perfect balance between being cheerful and remaining realistic – as homosexual couples continue to face discrimination every day, it felt appropriate not to end too optimistically. However, every character had an arch, and therefore it was satisfying watching their growth over 90 minutes. Overall directors Beth Rennie and Martha Johnson put on an engaging and poignant comedy, confirming the talent of student theatre and power of love.
They all maintained convincing London accents throughout
The actors had physically demanding roles – bursting into Cass Elliot songs one moment and being strangled with a hosepipe the next – and yet they made every challenge look effortless. They all maintained convincing London accents throughout the turbulent scenes and this really helped them transform into their characters. Despite the fact that all the actors were students, their mannerisms and costumes enabled them to differentiate their ages, to the point where I forgot I wasn’t watching secondary schoolers
Poem Box Don't tell the stars Why are stars beautiful? Were they ever not? Were they ever lost, In the abyss of my mouth? Was I ever next to them; To caress them with my gaze, To kiss them with my hands? Oh… beautiful you are. Because the whiteness of your light Holds the secret of our souls. It holds her nose, her eyes, her lips… And I am nothing, Compared to her smile. The stars are beautiful Because we only love, What we may never touch. The stars are beautiful Because we only love, The illusion of eternal love. And I am nothing. I am the darkness, In which the stars will die. Maria Savin
@TheCourierArts Image: Ross Lowton
@thecourierarts
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culture gaming
Monday 9 December 2019
courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Gaming Editors Alex Darbyshire, George Boatfield, James Troughton & Shawn Khoo
Cancelled gems of the twenty-tens
Our writers reflect on this transformative decade for gaming and the promising projects that have slipped through the cracks Silent Hills (PT) Celina Chow
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wenty years ago, Silent Hill, published by Konami, came out on PlayStation. Then, in 2015, the final title of the franchise as we know it, Playable Teaser (P.T.) of Silent Hills, was permanently removed from PlayStation Network after the cancellation of the game. The promise shown in Hideo Kojima’s P.T. revitalised hope in the future of the franchise. P.T. built dread in a manner that was reminiscent of earlier Silent Hill games, and the switch to a first-person view tailored a more personal experience. It was downloaded over a million times and received significant critical acclaim in the run-up to its removal. There’s no doubt that Kojima’s newly released Death Stranding isn’t in the same vein as the Silent Hill series. Konami withholding the IP makes me think it’s unlikely for someone to take Silent Hill over yet, as we’ve seen with Paradox Interactive acquiring Vampire: The Masquerade. However, P.T. did leave its mark on the genre and has inspired many projects since. We can only hope that someone with a passion for the series can create another Silent Hill inspired experience.
Image: YouTube (Noclip)
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Image: YouTube (IGN)
Star Wars 1313 Peter Lennon
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riginally announced at E3 in 2012, Star Wars 1313 was designed to bridge the career of Boba Fett between Attack of the Clones and Empire Strikes Back as he navigates the criminal underworld of Coruscant: Level 1313. A whole game spent with the notorious bounty hunter would have been a treat for any Star Wars fan. Before the game could get further in development, Disney acquired the franchise and shelved all projects at LucasArts. From the six minutes of footage that made its way out of the studio, Star Wars 1313 boasts clean graphics and a suitably grimy tone that encapsulates a more niche area of fascination in the Star Wars universe. More tragic was the subsequent drought of single-player experiences in the Star Wars franchise. Kathleen Kennedy last acknowledged the game in an interview with /FILM in 2015 - she described the concept art as “unbelievable” and that they may “very well develop [Star Wars 1313] further.” Nearly five years later, although the chances of this seem very slim, spiritual successors exist in The Mandalorian and Jedi: Fallen Order.
Final Fantasy: Project W Alex Darbyshire
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inal Fantasy has never had its main series developed by a studio outside of Japan, but did you know that Eidos Montreal developing what would have become Final Fantasy XV? This story was broken by YouTube games journalist George Weidman back in April 2018, when he revealed several anonymous, though well supported, rumours of the game’s development. Eidos Montreal studio head David Anfossi was given Square Enix’s blessing to begin the early stages of development on the first western Final Fantasy, codenamed Project W. This was developed for a year before being cancelled unceremoniously by Square Enix higher-ups, frustrating much of the Eidos team. The game had an art style themed around fractals, the concept art of which looked like nothing else in 2011 and 2012, when the game was in development. The scope of the game was astronomical, with the game world featuring dozens of planets to visit and explore. Seamless planetary landings topped all this off, this appears to have predicted much of what made No Man’s Sky so distinct.
f all had gone to plan then the 2016 edition of Doom would have been very different. What ended up as reboot of the series was initially intended to be the fourth game in this legendary first-person shooter franchise. While the reboot itself received much critical acclaim, fans were left wondering what could have been. The game that would have been Doom 4 was first announced back in 2007. Three years had passed since the release of Doom 3 and the games production studio, id Software, promised a return to the gameplay Doom and Doom II, while also utilising new upgrades to the games id Tech 4 engine. From interviews with id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead, we learned that it would take place on a post-apocalyptic Earth. This version of the game was envisioned as much more narrative and dialogue focused, with more emphasis on the use of cinematic cut-scenes. id put the project on hold in 2009 while the team focused on completing Rage. Sadly, disagreements about the project’s intended gameplay and creative influences meant that it was put on hold in 2011. Between 2011-2014 various efforts were made to bring the project back into development, but to no avail. The decision was made in early 2014 to scrap Doom 4 entirely and to reboot the series instead. The end result was the 2016 award-winning Doom. In the end, not a bad trade-off.
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Image: YouTube (IGN)
Doom 4 Joe Holloran
Half Life 2: Episode 3 James Troughton
n 1998, players entered the revolutionary first-person shooter world of Half-Life, battling aliens while traversing the tight corridors of the Black Mesa Facility. Its 2004 sequel was no different, breaking the mould and took the genre to new heights. Half-Life: Alyx may do the same for VR but for now, we’re left to wonder what happened to the episodic Half-Life entries. The first debuted in 2006 and the second in 2007 and both were lauded by fans. The latter ended on a cliffhanger, with fans itching for more content. However, they were shot down prematurely, with the third instalment never seeing the light of day. Gabe Newell, President of Valve Corporation, used very vague language until Episode 3 dropped out of Valve's discourse entirely. It resurfaced more recently as an insulting joke to fans who had been eagerly awaiting the promised conclusion. After over a decade of nothing, the lead writer, Mark Laidlaw departed the company. As he left, he unveiled that Alyx and Gordon ventured on a suicide mission. They launched the Borealis into the Combine's hub for it to not even leave a scratch. Alyx was whisked away by the GMan and Gordon by the Vortigaunts. Episode 3 may be abandoned but who knows what the future will hold after Alyx?
Image: YouTube (Super BunnyHop)
Images: Facebook (ValveTime)
Rumours surrou Path of Exile 2 on the road to release Following this announcement, Alex Gervás reports on to the next act in Grinding Gears' story CMD Stacey Henley returns from he D B uring Exilecon, Grinding Gear Games announced that Path of Exile would receive a sequel, which is expected to be released in late
2020. The official page of Path of Exile announced that the beta wouldn’t arrive until late next year. Therefore, the official Path of Exile 2 is expected in 2021. However, the company did assure extensions will be released for the first game every three months. Path of Exile 2 will be set 20 years after the ending of its predecessor, on the same fantasy world of Wraeclast. With this new arc comes 19 new ascendancy classes and significant changes to the skill system. The ‘Range Attack Totem’ skills will now be called ‘Ballistas’. They
will be closer to the character, giving more importance to positioning.
The armour and weapon system has completely changed
On the other hand, the items for active skills, ‘Support Gems’, will include ‘Skill Gems’, making the skill justifiable since it will no longer depend on the character’s class. The whole armour and weapon system has also changed: weapons will have six support sockets to increase skills
rather than being tied to levelling up. Grinding Gear Games took this new release as an opportunity to tackle many issues that came with the original Path of Exile. The company said: “there have been many changes that we would have loved to make to Path of Exile but could not because they would break existing characters. Path of Exile 2 is an opportunity to make all of these changes in one large update.” Path of Exile 2 is expected to be a much-needed improvement on the game’s system that will increase playability and engagement by making the mechanics simpler.
ioWare started this decade with a bang, releasing Mass Effect 2 in the summer of 2010. Not only is that title considered the studio's best ever release, it's also amongst the decade's best from any developer, earning a monumental Metacritic rating of 96. Unfortunately, they rounded off the decade with less of a bang and more a smoking heap of machinery, with Anthem literally setting consoles on fire. It tells you something that that's not even the worst thing you could say about Anthem either. The future might be brighter though, for both Anthem and BioWare as a whole, after some extensive
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Monday 9 December 2019
Stadia overheating Chromecasts
Editor Grace Dean reports on Stadia's hot and spicy release
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arly adopters of game streaming across the globe have been distraught to discover that Google Stadia is causing Chromecasts to overheat. Alongside criticism about the difficulty of setting up the device, since its launch on November 19, multiple Reddit and Twitter users have complained about the overheating of their Chromecast Ultra media player dongle, which is required to use Stadia on a TV. In some instances this supposedly leads to the Chromecast shutting down, which is a built-in safety feature to ensure internal components do not burn out. The time taken for this overheating
gaming culture What's the ROC got cookin'?
@Courier_Gaming thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming
ranges from a few hours to just several minutes, meaning that users are having their playtime severely limited. When this happens, users have to restart the device and may be required to revert to their most recently saved game. VG24/7 reports that some Stadia Pro members have instead resorted to playing it on laptops instead of on TV via the Chromecast Ultra. Responding to these complaints on Reddit, Google argues that the device is not causing shutdowns. The support team claim that Chromecast Ultra is working as intended, and stated that: "We know any sort of heat on a device can be worrisome, but we can confirm there is no thermal overheating issue with Chromecast Ultra. During normal usage [like watching ‘epic Fortnite compilations’ on YouTube], the surface of the device may get warm to the touch, but this is working as designed." Problems with the Chromecast Ultra overheating have been persistent since the launch of the device. The Chromecast Ultra contains energy-efficient components which are robust enough for video streaming, but PC News suggests that Stadia could require such a large amount of continuous data streaming - several megabytes of data every second, according to Android Authority - that the hardware is unable to continue functioning fully. If the malfunctioning is caused by the Chromecast Ultra being underpowered then a software update is unable to fix this; upgraded hardware would be required, which goes against the entire purpose of Stadia. While Stadia functions without problems on supported Pixel phones and the Chrome web browser, the Chromecast Ultra is currently the only option to play Stadia on a TV.
Christmas not gamey enough? Stacey Henley is here to help
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estiny attempted to reinvigorate the firstperson shooter scene, ready to completely change online play and redefine a genre which was quickly growing stale. While it didn't quite manage that, perhaps the Destiny cookbook, releasing next year, will put something fresher on the table. The book is an official product made by developer Bungie, and is ostensibly written in character by rare trader Eva Levante. In reality, the author is Victoria Rosenthal, the popular gaming food streamer of Pixelated Provisions.
At first, Destiny doesn't seem like a game ideally suited to a cookbook
Rosenthal's channel often creates dishes either from games or inspired by them, including Stardew Valley, The Outer Worlds, and quite recently every curry from Pokémon Sword & Shield's Curry Dex. Yep, even the whipped cream one.
2.6 mil
Number of PvE players on Destiny 2 as of September 2019
It's not the first time Rosenthal has gotten involved in official cookbook merchandise either: she was the brains behind the official Fallout cookbook which released earlier this year. At first, Destiny doesn't seem like a game ideally suited to a cookbook; it doesn't have in-game food options that are as in-depth as something like Breath Of The Wild, nor is it especially focussed on exploration and world building. It does however include a fair few worlds, and the apparent flora and fauna of these planets make up the basis of the dishes. The fried chicken on the front cover doesn't bode well for Cayde-6's Colonel, but other than that we have no real indication of what the recipes inside will be. The book promises “mouthwatering food from Levante's diverse list of recipes inspired by the game's unique worlds”, and feels like a must have for budding chefs who also happen to be Hunters, Titans or Warlocks.
Images: YouTube (destinygame) & Wikimedia
Resi 3 remake rumours
Muslim Taseer analyses these rumours in his gaming debut
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umor has it that Capcom is currently developing a remake of Resident Evil 3 in the style of 2019’s Resident Evil 2, which was released earlier this year and are now on track for a 2020 release. YouTuber Spawn Wave has claimed a remake of the 20-year-old classic is in the works, and Eurogamer and VGC have both stated that this matches information they’ve received from multiple sources.
Images: Wikimedia, YouTube (Google), YouTube (YouTube) & Facebook (Grace Dean)
und Bioware's future projects
er mission to bring us new of what BioWare has in store for next year retooling. It felt like Anthem was dead in the water, but the javelin suit gameplay has potential, and the games as a service model was designed to help games stick around. Lowering the price point, or even going free like Destiny 2, could lead to the biggest resurrection since Jesus, or at least No Man's Sky.
96%
Score attained by Mass Effect 2 on review aggregator Metacritic
Reports suggest that plans for an overhaul go as deep as the roots of Anthem, including the gun play, flight
systems, loot drops and weaponry. While those remain on the table, what is apparently the focus of BioWare and their parent company EA is new content and expansion packs. Whether this is released all in one go or is drip fed over a series of event based updates remains to be seen; the only concrete information is that the next phase of Anthem is likely to be called either Anthem Next or Anthem 2.0. It's important to note that this all comes from Kokatu's Jason Schreier, not BioWare themselves. In other BioWare news, Schreier revealed a new Mass Effect game was in 'very early development', with Mike Gamble, a veteran of the series since ME2, as director.
Awards on 12 December, where the RE2 remake has been nominated for Game of the Year. This would most likely mean a mid to late 2020 release. As of yet, this is only a rumor and has not been confirmed by Capcom, although the prospect of Jill Valentine’s return battling the Nemesis certainly is exciting, and fans of the franchise are sure to have their fingers crossed.
These rumours line up with comments made by Capcom in January of 2019
These rumours line up with comments made by Capcom. In January, soon after the release of Japanese website Game Watch’s review of Resident Evil 2, Capcom’s Yoshiaki Hirabayashi said in an interview that plans for an RE3 remake would be down to fan demand. Fans and critics alike certainly loved the Resident Evil 2 remake, with it receiving rave reviews and selling 3 million copies in its first week. Calls for a similar remake of RE3 began mere days after the release of the RE2 remake, so it seems like a safe bet that RE3 is next in line. According to Spawn Wave, the remake will most likely be announced at the Game
Image: flickr (BagoGames)
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Monday 9 December 2019
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@Courier_Gaming thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming
gaming culture
Third annual GOTY in Paint Epstein's Mansion - George Boatfield ( + Untitled Goose Dinner)
Crash Team Racing - Stacey Henley Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - Alex Darbyshire
Mortal Kombat 11 - James Troughton
Red Dead Redemption 2 (PC) - Charlotte Boulton
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culture science
c2.science@ncl.ac.uk Science Editors Eleanor Gratton, Patrick Harland & Seshadhri Subramanian
the courier
Monday 9 December 2019
Death of last known Sumatran rhino in Malaysia Kristina Flexman reports on the devastating death of the last of these wonderful creatures and what it means for the planet W ithin the last 20 years the population of Sumatran rhinos has declined by 70%, and hence, within our lifetimes, we could see the disappearance of the world’s most primitive rhino. In 2008, the IUCN classed the Sumatran Rhino as critically endangered, with 220 – 275 individuals remaining. At the time, conservation programmes
and international legislations were in place in attempt to help the species, but despite these efforts, the population now dwindles at fewer than 80 individuals (with some estimates as low as 30). The death of 25-year-old Iman on the 23rd November 2019 marks the annihilation of the Malayan population
of Sumatran Rhinos. A species which once roamed Asia and parts of India, is now restricted to just 5 fragmented populations within Indonesia. The populations have been isolated and cut off from each other due to deforestation and mountainous terrain, meaning the probability of rhinos meeting and interbreeding is reduced immensely. As numbers decrease, the likelihood of survival rapidly decreases. To enhance this problem, the
Despite the doom and gloom, survival of the Sumatran rhinomightbepossibleiflargeeffortsaretakeninIndonesia. The Sumatran Rhino Rescue alliance is working with the Indonesian government to build two new Sumatran rhino sanctuaries, and to bring all Sumatran rhinos into a single breeding programme. In their first year of action, they found and relocated a healthy female rhino (Pahu), they grew in terms of number of partners (joining with zoological societies from all over the world), and three more rhinos have been identified in need of relocation.
Hope lies in IVF, captive breeding and protection of the species
fertility of females decreases if they do not regularly mate, as they have a tendency to grow cysts in their reproductive tracts. Iman herself suffered from these cysts, and failed to reproduce when introduced to Tam (the last male Sumatran rhino in Malaysia, who died in May this year).
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Hope for the future relies on IVF, captive breeding, and protection of the species, all of which have been of increasing interest and investment in recent years. A large amount of funding is required, for example relocation of each rhino costs $800,000, and development of sanctuaries by the alliance is likely to cost $2.8 million. With habitat loss from deforestation, it is uncertain whether the Sumatran rhino will ever thrive in the wild again, but we do know that right now is an absolutely critical time for conservation of the species. Sumatran rhinos make up a tiny proportion of 25% of all mammals which are threatened by extinction. The death of Iman serves as a reminder that 2019 is a critical time for all species threatened by deforestation, poaching and climate change.
New immunotherapy drug Epidemic of child inactivity offers cancer patients hope Philip Etchells voices WHO's concerns over a sedentary lifestyle
Lilla Marshall discusses a potential alternative to chemotherapy
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embrolizumab is a new anti-cancer drug, which could be approved for use in the NHS by next summer. The drug could improve the clinical outcome in some patients with head, neck or prostate cancer, compared to the current standard of chemotherapy. The new drug also appears to have fewer side-effects.
The drug could help sufferers of head, neck or prostate cancer
While typical chemotherapy involves directly killing cancer cells, immunotherapy anti-cancer drugs stimulate the body’s immune system in to destroying cancer cells. It is currently only used as a standard treatment in some cancers (e.g. melanomas) but can also be used if chemotherapy fails to work. However, a recent trial found that it should be used more often.
Within a group of men with advanced prostate cancer, who had failed to respond to any other treatment, one in 20 saw a reduction in tumour size on pembrolizumab. One in four patients, with advanced head and neck cancer, saw their cancer stabilise for an average of 23 months, which is longer than the average chemotherapy stabilisation of period of four and a half months. However, currently more patients respond to chemotherapy than to immunotherapy. Professor Paul Workman, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, describes the biggest obstacle with using immunotherapy: “A limitation with immunotherapy is that there’s no good test to pick out those who are most likely to respond.” A recent study, however, has provided some early evidence that a prostate cancer patient’s response to pembrolizumab could be predicted by looking at mutations in DNA repair genes. “Lucky” patients who are found to have these mutations could be classified as “super responders” to the treatment and be able to avoid the toxic effects of chemotherapy, something with Professor Workman is very excited about and keen to see studied further.
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our out of five young people worldwide are not exercising enough, which puts both their current and future health at risk, warns the World Health Organisation (WHO). The recent WHO study, published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal, gathered survey data from 1.6 million 11 to 17 year olds. It followed physical exercise trends across 148 countries from 2001 to 2016. The study found that globally, more than 80 per cent of adolescents do not meet current recommendations for physical activity per day – 60 minutes of moderate-vigorous exercise. The findings also revealed that girls were more active than boys in just four of the 148 countries studied (Tonga, Samoa, Afghanistan and Zambia). In the UK alone, more than 85% of girls were not exercising enough in 2016 – compared to almost 75% of boys. Ms Leanne Riley, co-author of the study, explained “in some cultures, adolescent girls are not encouraged or meant to be as active as boys,” and study author, Dr Regina Guthold, highlighted how urgent action must be taken “to promote and retain girls’ participation in physical activity.”
80 Image: Flickr
% of adolescents don't meet current recommendations for physical activity per day
Accessibility, safety and an increased focus on academic performance over health were some of the factors affecting participation. One other predominant factor was the rise of indoor “digital play” compared to previous generations. Dr Mark Tremblay, from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, in Canada, explained how increasing sedentary lifestyles are contributing to the decrease in physical exercise. He said that because of the electronic revolution, “people sleep less, sit more, walk less frequently, drive more regularly, and do
Images: Pixabay
less physical activity than they used to.” According to the NHS, one in six UK deaths is due to physical inactivity (the same as smoking) and it costs the health service an estimated £900 million every year. The WHO suggested policy makers, at both national and local levels, have a responsibility to act “for the health and well-being of all people, including adolescents”. Dr Fiona Bull, another co-author of the study, said: “Strong political will and action can address the fact that four in every five adolescents do not experience the enjoyment and social, physical, and mental health benefits of regular physical activity”.
One in six UK deaths is due to inactivity, the same as deaths caused by smoking
Last year, WHO member states agreed to reduce inactivity levels by 15%. However, if changes are not made, it is unlikely that this global physical activity target will be met by 2030.
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Monday 9 December 2019
@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/science
science culture
Suspended animation could save lives Real or plastic: which is worse? Maud Webster tells us about the latest new CPR modification Molly Greeves debates which Christmas tree we should buy
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edical professionals have taken CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] up a notch in a ground-breaking trial which sees the first use of EPR [emergency preservation and resuscitation], whereby patients are put into a state of suspended animation to ensure more time for them to be treated. Used in cases of people who are at danger of bleeding to death, or have just suffered a heart attack, EPR involves quickly cooling the brain to less than 10 degrees celsius, replacing blood by a freezing saline solution. This is usually pumped straight to the aorta, the main artery which carries blood between the heart to the rest of the body.
5
% chance of survival with current attempts to save victims of stabbing and shooting due to blood loss
After the patient’s heart has ceased to beat, the surgeon has time to operate on the patient before warming their blood back up to 37 degrees celcius. In theory, the surgeon could be given up to an hour longer to perform the operation before the patient is revived. Patients who have been subject to this new medical discovery have so far mainly been victims of stabbings or shootings, who normally are only projected a 5% chance of survival due to blood loss. One of the aims of the trial, as detailed at a symposium
at the New York Academy of Sciences earlier this year, is to reduce the amount of brain damage patients are usually left with following such serious injuries.
The surgeon could be given an hour longer to operate
After describing the trial, Samuel Tisherman [the University of Maryland] said the trial had been tried on at least one patient so far, but did not elaborate on whether that patient, or any others, had survived. He commented that the first time he saw it attempted, it felt “very surreal”. Full results of the trial are not expected until late 2020, at which point 20 patients will have been subject to the procedure. Those conducting the trial will compare the chances of brain damage as a result of the procedure as well as the injuries originally suffered. Another complication can be the damaged sustained to blood cells as a result of EPR. Overall, the trial sounds promising and it’ll be exciting to follow the results of the trial when they are released next year.
I
t’s the most wonderful time of the year! Except from for the planet, which is fucked. Wrapping paper, food waste, electricity. But between fake and real trees, which one accelerating the speed that our planet bursts into flames the most?
The first thought is that cutting down trees is bad for the planet so a fake is preferable
The first obvious thought is that cutting down trees is bad for the planet, so it’s probably better to get a fake tree. But this is ignoring the fact that fake trees are made out of, you guessed it, plastic. According to the Guardian, a 6.5-foot artificial tree has a carbon footprint equivalent to around 40kg of greenhouse gas emissions, way more than a real tree. They’re also ridiculously hard to recycle, if not impossible.
40
kg greenhouse gas emissions, the carbon footprint of a plastic fake tree
If this information has convinced you that a real tree is the way forward, the greenest way to get one is to buy locally – this reduces the carbon footprint of your tree as it won’t have to travel to get to you. It’s also significantly better for the planet if you burn your tree or plant it in the garden once January rolls round rather than putting it in a landfill. When trees decompose, Image:Pexels
they produce methane gas which is screwing us up even worse than carbon dioxide. But say you really want a fake tree – maybe you want to get a fun colour, and you’ve made enough sustainable changes that you feel like you deserve one. The most environmental thing you can do is buy a second-hand fake tree so that you’re not paying to produce yet more plastic. It’s also worth considering that you can use an artificial tree every year, possibly for the rest of your life, whereas you’d have to buy a real tree every year. Basically, it’s greener to buy a real Christmas tree. But there are ways to reduce your environmental impact either way, so just be mindful. Either way, we’re fucked! Merry Christmas!
Image: Pixabay
Could this cosmic catapult be the key to space-age revolution? Patrycja Ubysz tells us about NASA's latest Mars-based science experiments and how they will advance space exploration
A
nalysing physical samples on the surface of Mars is an incredible technology, allowing us to obtain valuable data without complicated and dangerous expeditions to the planet. This, however, comes with its limitations. Sending fragile analytical devices to Mars that will survive landing is not always successful and the weight and size limitations need to be considered. Having a sample studied on Earth would allow a broader range of examinations.
Analysing surface samples of mars allows us to obtain valuable data without danger
Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, collecting rocks and dust from the surface of the planet and sending them to Earth, is believed to be “among the most important goals of Mars science” by the NASA Analysis Group. NASA and ESA decided to collaborate on the MSR proposal, but the idea is not entirely fresh. Many sample return missions were proposed before and never executed. This time seems to be different. ESA’s ministers confirmed the budget for the MSR mission on the meeting 27-28th November in Seville.
2031
The year that the samples are expected to return to Earth
Scientists believe there were Earth-like conditions on Mars billions of years ago and the planet could be inhabited. They will study the samples obtained with the MSR mission to find out how did the past life look like. The rover Mars 2020 provided by NASA is planned to arrive on the red planet in 2021, collect samples up to 500g and launch them back to Earth with provided by
ESA return orbiter. The samples are expected to land in Utah in 2031.
Scientists believe there were Earthlike conditions on Mars
MSR is very complex and involves launching a rocket from another planet which was never done before, to meet the return spacecraft on the orbit. All actions must be planned with an incredible precision and there are many factors that could abolish the mission. Nonetheless, if successful, the results will be one of the most important and exciting in space exploration.
A DECADE O 2010
Primate predicament
The Courier revealed that 27 macaque monkeys were among 24,696 animals “used” by the University in the 2009/10 academic year. This led to a legal case between the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) which left the University “fearing for its staff”. After hearing of the University’s “highly invasive” brain experiments on macaques, the leading animal rights group submitted a Freedom of Information request in 2008 to be given details of the licences held by researchers who conduct vivisection work with macaques. The University blocked the request, citing that the research was the “intellectual property of the staff” and thus divulging such information could impede their future work. BUAV consequently launched a tribunal. Adding fuel to the flame was a letter from Berlin authorities leaked to the Courier which detailed their refusal to grant a Newcastle professor permission to carry out similar experiments there because of concerns for the welfare of the macaques. The intended training methods, which involved severely restricting the monkeys’ water access to only two days a week in a period of up to 400 days, meaning they could only quench this thirst by having their head immobilised in a primate chair. The University ended up spending £250k on legal fees.
Fine Arts occupation
In an ongoing occupation of the Fine Arts Building, 15 students marched into King’s Gate to express their disgust at higher education cuts and proposed tuition fee increases. The building had to be shut for two hours after the students laid down in the foyer with their mouths duct-taped shut. Two days later, a group of students, including one dressed as a cat, walked into the building armed with 9000 fake one pound notes adorned with the Vice-Chancellor’s face, which represented the proposed new tuition fees. The students threw the money in the air while the “fat cat” rolled, miaowed and crawled on all fours in King’s Gate. Despite causing controversy, the occupation was supported by the NUS, Newcastle UCU, local political groups and Labour MP Chi Onwurah.
Two biomed professors confess to child porn
Former Newcastle Biomed lecturer Trevor Jackson was sentenced to four years and nine months imprisonment for children sex offences and child pornography, to which he pleaded guilty. These included charges of having sex with a 14-year-old girl he groomed on MSN. Just months later, Biomedical professor Michael Kehoe pleaded guilty to charges of child pornography, including four counts of making indecent images of children, one of possession of indecent images of children, and one of possession of extreme pornography.
2011
Ricky on the Road to ruin
After years of echoes reverberating through the Richardson Road walls, the rumours were finally answered; the University officially announced the upcoming demolition of the student accommodation site. With a reputation for being the most sociable halls at Newcastle, the building was as equally infamous for its grotty conditions as it was for its party environment, with a spokesperson saying how the site had “reached the end of its lifespan” with problems with infrastructure, utilities and heating. The demolition plans outlined in 2011, however, failed to come to life; the University hoped to complete the rebuild in 2014 at the cost of £9.5m, but this actually came much later on. The last residents of Ricky Road, as it was affectionately known by generations of residents since its birth in the 1970s, closed the doors of the flats for a final time in June 2016. In September of last year, the first residents moved into the new accommodation, Park View Student Village, which offers en-suite facilities and is a marked improvement from the former site.
Uni expenses uncovered
In an expenses scandal, the Courier revealed that university chiefs had claimed £148,922 in expenses since June 2008. The claims were primarily from then Vice-Chancellor Chris Brink who, despite earning £240k a year, claimed £39.6k over the three years. This included £673 for a bed and £358.70 for an IKEA shopping spree to furnish his home on the outskirts of Newcastle, which was supplied by the University for no rent. The University attracted criticism after spending £14,656 between 2008 and 2011 granting honorary degrees. These included degrees given to a government advisor, a playwright, and Geordie football legend Alan Shearer. This figure was almost three times the amount spent by Northumbria University over the same period. Most of the money was spent on providing catering after the ceremonies, but it was revealed that £961 was spent funding floral arrangements. In an additional spending scandal, the University postponed a £850k refurbishment of the King's Gate building, proposed to make the £30m "more VIP-friendly". Despite being only 18 months old, the administration proposed introducing a floating bar in the building which would have been suspended above the atrium of King's Gate and supported from the ceiling, costing the University £738 per square metre. A document accessed by the Courier stated: "It has been recognised that there is currently no world-class venue anywhere within the University, commensurate with its academic eminence, which creates the right ambience for receiving important guests".
NUMed opens
Newcastle University opened its new medical facility in Malaysia with 80 undergraduates enrolled. Based in South Malaysia, the opening saw Newcastle become the UK's first university to establish an arm offering fully UKaccredited medical degrees taught overseas.
Image: L. Mackenzie
2012
Biometric scanning proposed
Students were left angered by proposals to introduce biometric fingerprint scanning to measure lecture attendance across campus following a call from the UK Border Agency to record the attendance of international students. This, however, faced great backlash from the Newcastle Free Education Network and a range of student protestors. A referendum at Student Council showed 78.9% of students voting against the implementation of biometric fingertip swipe scans for all students as a digital record of attendance.
Success at sex league tables
Newcastle celebrated beating Northumbria in the Student Beans sex league tables. Newcastle came in at number 13 of 101 universities in the country, with students here on average having a 4.72 sexual partners since beginning their studies, compared to 4.17 at Northumbria, which came 27th. In the Student Beans Drinking League, however, Newcastle saw a massive drop from ninth in the country to 37th, with students drinking an average of 18.7 units of alcohol each week, a decrease of 2.5 from the year before.
Staff bike shelter slammed
The University was criticised for spending £95k on a staff-only bike shed. The shelter, located under Claremont Bridge, accommodated only 60 bicycles, which put it at a cost of over £1500 per space. The shelter was constructed following demand from staff for increased safe storage after 54 bikes were reported stolen on campus in the 2011/12 academic year. Most of the cost was put down to the introduction of "European-style double stacker bicycle racks", which totalled £63m.
2013
Prof arrested over graffiti
A lecturer was sentenced for leaving "bizarre" graffiti in Jesmond Dene. Professor Stephen Graham, then a senior Architecture lecturer, was given a nine month prison sentence for scrawling "polite" graffiti on the sides of cars on Northumberland Gardens and other streets in August 2012. In total he defaced 27 vehicles belonging to local residents at a cost of £28,586 by scratching words such as "arbitrary", "very silly" and "really wrong" into the cars with a screwdriver. Under the influence of three-quarters of a bottle of gin, antibiotics and other medication, Graham was revealed to only be wearing a suit jacket, sleep mask and no trousers at the time of the incident.
2014
Investment portfolios uncovered
The Courier uncovered the University and Union's investment portfolios. It was revealed that the University had invested almost £8m in oil and gas between 2012 and 2014, alongside investments in BAE Systems, a multinational defence, security and aerospace company which supplies the US, UK, India and Saudi Arabia. The Union was shown to have its investments in two schemes managed by BlackRock, which invests in a range of companies including oil and gas companies, tobacco producers and petrochemicals suppliers.
INTO bomb plot
Former Newcastle University student Vladimir Aust was sentenced to two years in prison following a bomb scare in the INTO Building in June 2014. Aust pleaded guilty to manufacturing the controlled substance HMTD, the ingredients for which he had bought for £22 from Amazon. After accessing videos on how to manufacture HMTD and reading The Anarchist's Cookbook online, which includes extracts from al-Qaeda, Aust mixed a variety of volatile chemicals in his bedroom in the INTO building. Items later found in Aust's bedroom included a gas mask, electric wiring, chemicals and knives stuck into a wooden board. The Counter-Terrorism Unit was contacted by the University after the display of knives was discovered, and a bomb disposal unit was called, with the INTO halls, the SU and Haymarket bus station being evacuated. Previously the University had failed to search Aust's room after a small explosion occurred in his halls.
ON CAMPUS 2015
Physics relaunched
Physics degrees were finally relaunched at the University after a nine-year absence, with 39 Physics students joining the course in September 2015. Because of a declining interest, the Physics Department at Newcastle closed its doors to new undergraduate students, but a nationwide spark in demand for the subject saw the University relaunch its Physics BSc and MPhys programmes. £2m was spent providing purpose-built facilities including in the Herschel Building, named after the University's first Professor of Physics Alexander Herschel, the grandson of Sir William Herschel who famously discovered Uranus.
Boat Race returns
Newcastle finally saw a rival of the Boat Race of the North against Durham after a five year hiatus. Despite running annually since 1997, the race was put on hold in 2010 but was reborn in May 2015. Newcastle saw victory overall following their success in the marquee men's senior eights race, and onlookers celebrated along a Quayside packed with Newcastle students
2016
LifeSoc under fire
In 2016, a group of students set up Life Society on campus, which identified its primary aim as promoting "a culture of life and respect of human dignity amongst society members". The society was formally ratified by Societies Exec despite concerns that the welfare of some students would be affected, and appropriate measures were introduced to the society's constitution to ensure that these concerns would be addressed. The Secretary of the Socialist Society, seconded by the President of Feminist Society, brought a motion to Student Council to deratify LifeSoc, arguing that it had "a negative impact on the mental well-being of students". After a heated half hour debate between those arguing for and against the motion, the deratification was ultimately rejected, with 63% of votes supporting the continuation of the society. Those who spoke for the society explained how its deratification would be undemocratic and would suppress free speech.
2017
Muslim prayer space debate
The University’s reduction of access to Muslim prayer space on campus led to a peaceful protest by Islam Society and a series of motions at Student Council. Formerly accessible 24/7, the University made the controversial decision to limit opening hours on weekends to just five hours on a Saturday, with a spokesperson citing “operational difficulties with the King George VII Prayer Space – such as members of the public sleeping in there overnight and others trying to gain access not for prayer purposes”. This was, however, strongly criticised by the student body, as members of the Islamic community must pray five times each day – including if they choose to spend their weekends at the Robinson Library. This left the University’s Muslim community – estimated at a few thousand students – forced to pray either outdoors on the ground or in an alternative hideout on campus to get the privacy they deserved. This led to an on-campus peaceful protest of about 100 members of Islam Society on a windy October day prying together outside the King George VII Building to highlight the importance of the prayer space. Some society members expressed fear of a “hidden agenda” behind the University’s decision, referring to Islamophobia sentiments in the mass media, which was vehemently denied by the University.
MLK anniversary commemorated
The University chose to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of Martin Luther King receiving his Honorary Doctor of Civil Law from Newcastle by unveiling a twometre bronze statue of King in King’s Quad. The statue, designed by sculptor Nigel Boonham, was unveiled by American Ambassador Andrew Young, who himself had accompanied King on his visit to Newcastle in 1967. Discussing the statue, Young said, “it probably looks more like him than any of the other statues I’ve seen – and I’ve seen a lot”. The unveiling of the statue marked the University’s commitment to the city’s year-long Freedom City programme, culminating that same day with the awarding of honorary degrees to four prominent civil rights advocates. These were the aforementioned Ambassador Andrew Young, who played a crucial role in drawing up equal rights legislation in the US in the 1960s, Archibald Sibeko, trade union and political leader who fought against the South African apartheid, author Malorie Blackham MBE whose works address the effects of racial prejudice, and Tom Caulker, advocate of multiculturalism in Tyneside.
No more Men's Bar
Image: Quishi Song
Following decades of contention, Student Council finally passed a motion to rename Mensbar in December 2016 with a whopping 76% majority. The bar was first opened in 1925 as Men's Bar, at a time when women were excluded from some public spaces because of their gender. Ladies were only allowed into the bar on Tuesdays. In 1967, the bar finally opened its doors to women, and the apostrophe was finally removed from the name in the early 1980s. A link was created between Mensbar and the Latin motto "means agitat molem", meaning "mind over matter". Despite this new meaning, it was still argued that the name promoted an outdated and exclusive message. Attempts to change the name date back to a proposal from the Courier in 1975, and numerous Council motions followed. In 1976 a poster in the Union asking for new name suggestions for the bar announced that “The Mens Bar is dead…long live the ___ Bar!” Proposals included “The Bloody Expensive Bar”, “The Stag and Dalek Bar”, “The Fox and Gynaecologist Bar” and “The Gaping Crotch”. A heated debate, however, saw over a third of students wish to maintain the name “Mens Bar”, and so the bar was known for the next 40 years. Following the December 2016 Council motion, a JotForm was created to allow students to propose new names, and 600 individual responses were collected. These were shortlisted to Luther's, commemorating the link between the University and MLK's honarary doctorate, The Cross & Lion, after the University's coat of arms, and Aelius from Pons Aelius, the Roman fort which later became Newcastle. Luther's was ultimately chosen following a cross-campus online ballot in March 2017, and so the bar remains known as today.
2018
Strikes come to campus
In spring 2018, over 65 university campuses across the country, including Newcastle University, faced unprecedented levels of strike action which lasted for 65 days and involved approximately 190,000 academic members of staff due to pensions changes. Newcastle University Student Council chose to take a neutral stance on the strikes after rejecting two rival motions both supporting and opposing the lecturers’ strike which had been proposed by the Marginalised Genders Officer and NUSU President. Following the tense sitting of Council, the Marginalised Genders Officer ultimately resigned from their role. At Newcastle, a petition to obtain “a refund for every lecture missed” following the strikes obtained over 11,000 signatures.
Student dies following initiation
In October, a coroner ruled that first-year Economics student Ed Farmer died as a result of a hypoxic brain injury due to prolonged cardiac arrest. The four-day inquest saw witnesses giving testimonies to determine the cause of death and the timeline of events leading up to it. Witnesses explained how Ed had attended an "initiation-style" event on 12 December with students from the Agricultural Society, during which he drank a significant amount of alcohol, was rendered immobile and unconscious, and was taken to the RVI where he then died on 14 December 2016. The hearing revealed that first year attendees were encouraged to bring 70cl of hard spirit, £30, a metro ticket, swimming goggles, a Kinder egg and lubrication, and were told not to bring their student smartcard with them or anything associating them with either the University or the Agricultural Society. At least 100 vodka orange trebles were purchased during the bar crawl, while attendees were also pressured to consume food including chicken feet, raw potato, raw eggs, dog food and milk mixed with wine. Students were also encouraged to fight, shave each others' heads, drink vodka from a tube through a pigshead, and go apple-bobbing in a mixture of alcohol and urine. The coroner reported that Ed "was carried into the house [of a committee member], laid down in the hallway and placed in the recovery position". Despite other students "monitoring" and "checking" fellow students who were unwell, including Ed, he was discovered to have stopped breathing at 4:43am and was reported to be "quite pale, his tongue was yellow". No ambulance was called, with the President of the Society driving Ed to the RVI in his own car, where Ed unfortunately passed away the following day.
The Clasp arrives
In summer 2018, a campus-wide debate emerged following the erection of Clasp. This 4.5 metre-high art installation was created by Sir Antony Gormley, best known for the Angel of the North statue. Installed as a five year loan to the University as part of Sir Antony’s Blockwork series, its eighteen constituent iron blocks were intended to rust. The statue has, however, proved controversial. In May 2019, it was covered in graffiti in broad daylight, and soon after small silver lines joined the larger blue and yellow swathes of spray paint. This was by far the piece’s most visceral piece of criticism, but certainly not its first. Soon after its installation, an online petition was launched which branded the sculpture a “piece of driftwood” that “ruined the aesthetic of campus”, and has since garnered close to eight hundred signatures. This includes students attempting to place a white gnome on top of the statue as a “symbolic gesture of reclaiming campus spaces”. In October 2018, an additional statue was erected on campus outside the Hatton Gallery. The statue by Senior Fine Art Lecturer Katie Cuddon depicted a headless and yellow-skinned figure with arms outstretched, wearing a pink tutu and tree trunk legs. It has been the subject of intense curiosity on campus, and a student started an online petition calling for the removal of the statue, saying: "I have no idea what the statue itself is trying to portray or how anyone else would be able to link it to something relatable – it is a headless multicoloured ‘human’ with wavy tree trunk legs. If it does have a message to send across then it isn’t doing it very well.”
2019
by Grace Dean by
Free sanitary products
Following sustained efforts by NUSU President Raff Marioni and Marginalised Genders Officer Charlotte Boulton throughout the 2018-19 academic year to introduce free-of-charge sanitary products for students in need, machines offering a range of tampons and sanitary towels were due to be implemented at eight sites across campus. These include the Business School, Medical School, the Marjorie and Philip Robinson Libraries, and the Armstrong Building, and the machines would be accessible by any student simply by swiping their smartcard. Despite being heavily supported by the Students’ Union, the venture would actually be a joint partnership, with the University responsible for financing and maintaining the machines. This would lead Newcastle to be the first university in England to offer free sanitary products to all students financed by the University, although these products were already available for free at the Students’ Union. Students at Newcastle University were disappointed to discover that the University did not followed through on its commitment to introduce free sanitary products across campus in time for the start of the new academic year, with the machines being officially opened on 29 November compared to the initial early September date.
Uni becomes Living Wage accredited In November, Newcastle University was formally accredited as a Living Wage Employer, which means that all staff and employees receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.30. This is set to benefit around 700 University colleagues. Of the 110 accredited employers in the North East, Newcastle University is, interestingly, the only university in the North East to be accredited; the Durham, Sunderland, Northumbria and Teesside Universities are yet to reach this status. Durham Students’ Union is, however, accredited, along with 23 other Students’ Unions across the country.
Student safety questioned
Following an anonymous student known as Amy sought guidance from the University after discovering that her convicted stalker and distributor of revenge porn was admitted onto a Masters course at Newcastle, Vice-Chancellor Chris Day accidentally copied her father into an email intended for University staff. This was followed by many students speaking out about their fears on safety on campus.
puzzles
the courier
Monday 9 December 2019
Puzzles Editor Emma Dawson Festive Enthusiast Amy Brown On the nice list Mr Tatyo
The General Knowledge Crossword
ACROSS
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Take 5 1
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DOWN
1. A form of martial arts (10) 2. Italian city, setting of Romeo and Juliet (6) 3. Japanese dish of fish or vegetables fried in batter (7) 4. Keanu Reeve’s character in The Matrix (3) 5. Polish physicist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity (5,5) 6. Largest of the Inner Hebrides (4) 12. Dairy-based drink popular at Christmas (6) 15. A fan of Star Trek (6) 16. One of the three disciplines of modern fencing (5) 18. Represent someone else, especially in voting (5) 19. US state with the capital Salt Lake City (4)
Sudoku
ACROSS
3
5
1. Capital of Ukraine (4) 3. Broadway theatre award (4) 7. Unscrupulous or unoriginal journalist (4) 8. Alfa - , Italian car brand (5) 9. Remark in a play only intended to be heard by the audience (5) 10. Words to identify paces, people or things (5) 11. Tapered rod used to strike a ball in pool (3) 13. Charli - , English singer songwriter (1,1,1) 14. Cereal often used to feed animals (3) 17. Eighth planet from the sun (7) 20. Scottish and Northern English word for a child (5) 21. - Horseman, animated adult series (6) 22. The Black -, band known for ‘Gold on the Ceiling’ (4) 23. Vivienne-, British fashion designer (8)
1. Immoral act against divine law (3) 4. Prefix showing something to be environmentally friendly (3) 5. Sinister and frightening (5) 8. Cunning and decitful (3) 9. Make an amount last longer (3)
7
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1. Precieve with the eyes (3) 2. Frozen water (3) 3. Relating to ancient Norway or Scandinavia (5) 6. A type, class or sort (3) 7. Organ of sight (3)
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47
Word Ladder
Anagrams
Use the clues to transform GIVE into TAKE
GIVE
CASH TRIM (1 WORD)
Remain alive
ANYA PERRY WEST (3 WORDS )
Having the same characteristics
GAILY SANDBOXES (3 WORDS)
Body of Water
TAKE
The Little Crossword
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Find the word that goes with both words to form a well known phras, such as FULL and BUG being connected by STOMACH (full stomach and stomach bug)
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16 Garland: Pixabay by GraphicsUnited Holly: pixabay Bauble: ElisaRiva, Pixabay Robin: freesvg.org, Open Clip Art Reindeer: Needpix, Pixabay
ACROSS
1. Anger (3) 3. Intention or purpose (6) 6. Liquid dish, typically savoury (4) 7. Sharp blade for removing hair (5) 10. A dishonest scheme (4) 13. Either of two equal parts (4) 15. Natural skill (6) 16. Grain used for bread or whiskey (3) 17. Unit of measurement for beer or milk (4)
17 Lights: Pizabay Background: Karen Arnold, publicdomainpictures.net Tree: freesvg.org, Open Clip Art
DOWN
FULL
WARMING
SECOND
SHOT
DINNER
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Word Link
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BARNY COMEDY (2 WORDS)
1. Feeling of wanting to know or learn (8) 2. Moose (3) 3. Trainee, often unpaid (6) 4. The sensation of flavour (5) 5. Slightly warm, lukewarm (5) 8. Great energy or enthusiasm (4) 9. Succulent plants often in the desert (5) 11. Cry of a crow or rook (3) 12. Word used to refer to oneself (2) 14. Having a level surface (4)
CHRISTMAS
LINE UP
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION A B C E T J U V E N T U S W A I E I O Q R U S S I A O U G T M D J A N G O P A L T L H U N G K A N G A R E E C C C Y P R U S R I S O W N O R Z T O B F U L T
K O
A T A R I R O D S N A U L T D A M A T E R I A L N G O I T E G P T O R A A T O M G O O A P E U I R O N R O A D
U P D R R C G P I O B A M A F O L K N L M E G E M I N E M R E S A E A O C I R C L E F D O A T N I M A T U M W A K A N D A
B T U S E
D L E D U C K D S
the courier
48
sport
Monday 9 December 2019
Love Actually II, the sportstar Steve Smith as Harry Rebecca Johnson If Steve Smith were to be any Love Actually character, it’s Harry. Much like Harry, Smith oversaw it all and was the man to be. He was captain of the Australian cricket side and adored by his nation. Both were likeable guys, who had a job they just wanted to crack on with. However, both Harry and Smith were attracted to the same prospect, the prospect of cheating. Whilst Harry was drawn into the red web of his secretary Mia, flirting with her and buying her a necklace behind his wife, Karen’s, back, Smith was also cheating behind Australia’s back. Smith was part of a leadership team that were aware of plans to cheat in a test match by scuffing the ball with sandpaper to give it more reverse swing.
“Invite him out for a drink and then, after about twenty minutes, casually drop into the conversation the fact that you’d like to marry him and have lots of sex and babies.”
Harry, Love Actually
Harry and Smith’s worlds came crashing down once their dirty plans were rumbled. Karen confronted Harry about his necklacegiving antics at their children’s nativity play, leaving him unsure of his future with his family. Smith’s tampering colleague, Cameron Bancroft, was caught cheating on field, resulting in a press conference where Smith confessed to the world’s media about his team’s unsportsman-like antics. Both Harry and Smith experienced a massive fall from grace, making them the perfect combination.
Harvey Eliot as Sam Toby Bryant Whilst all the adults are trying to steal the spotlight with their heat-warming love stories in Love Actually, we all know the true stars of the the film are Sam and Joanna. Sam falls for his American classmate and learns the drums to impress her rockstar-style, before a last-minute iconic dash through the airport for a kiss on
the cheek from his beloved. Therefore, in a year when he became the Premier League’s youngest ever player at 16-years-old and 30 days, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliot must take the role. Playing for Fulham at the time, a last minute substitute appearance away at Wolves saw Elliot write his name into the record books. Since then he’s been snapped up by the Scouse side and in October got sent off to an education course with a ban after bad mouthing Spurs’ Harry Kane on social media. Elliot is hardly full of the charm that Love Actually’s Sam can claim. And where Sam learns to love, Elliot is just learning how to keep his mouth shut.
Coco Gauff as Joanna Toby Bryant Sam’s love interest, Joanna, is very much the classmate that everyone is after. Fellow compatriot and youngster Coco Gauff lands her role in The Courier’s casting. 2019 has been a fairy-tale for the 15-yearold. A few notable moments including a first WTA title in doubles and a WTA main draw debut as a wild card at the Miami Open kicked off the first few months of 2019 well.
“But the truth is, I’m in love and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Harry, Love Actually
However, no one could have predicted what was to come next. Another wildcard entry into Wimbledon saw Gauff in the qualifying draw and she proceeded to knockout 92nd rank and qualifying favourite Aliona Bolsova to enter the first round. In the main draw, the youngster claimed scalps against Venus Williams, Magdaléna Rybàrikovaà and Polona Hercog, before being eliminated in the fourth round by eventual champion Simona Halep. Unprecedented success taken with a smile and endearing charm, Gauff found herself in the hearts of tennis fans across the world – Joanna would be proud.
Alastair Cook as PM David Dominic Lee Hugh Grant as Prime Minister David is the true British gentleman. His smooth voice and
SPUZZLES!
amicable personality make him easily one of the most relatable and likeable characters in Love Actually. Grant bumbles around smiling at almost all times in a way that you can’t help but fall in love with. There was really only one man who came to mind when thinking of sportsmen who shared similar attributes and that is England cricketing legend Alistair Cook. Cookie’s smooth strokes with the bat are the cricketing equivalent of Grant’s tones and he could often be found with an ear to ear grin on his face in the slips. Grant and Cook are also leaders in their respective fields. Grant is the Prime Minister while Cook was England’s captain for a while although his supporting cast of teammates such as Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad are certainly a lot better than Grant’s cabinet- who if you believe him are “absolute crap” Even in the smaller details the two are strangely similar. One of the most iconic scenes from Love Actually sees the Prime Minister dancing around number 10 before finally being caught. Cook on the other hand was part of another dance craze made popular by the 2010 Ashes winning England side who performed their “sprinkler-dance” at the MCG after defeating the Aussies. The Prime Minister’s feud with the US president also somewhat resembles Cook’s locker room divide with troublemaker Kevin Pietersen. It’s undeniable that Hugh Grant and Alistair Cook are two of the finest gentleman Britain has ever produced and while the connection may not be obvious at first glance, they truly are one and the same.
Jimmy Anderson as Natalie Stanley Gilyead If Alastair Cook is David then only one man can be the sporting equivalent of his love interest Natalie. Jimmy Anderson. The parallels are obvious. In Love Actually David and Natalie meet on their first day of work, whilst Jimmy and Sir Alastair met in 2006 when they were both newbies in the England test setup having been called up from the England A squad for a tour of India. The similarities don’t end there. Natalie jokes throughout the film that she’s from the dodgy end of Wandsworth, and Jimmy is from Burnley, the dodgy end of Lancashire. The most obvious similarity between the two couples is the obvious sexual tension between them. Cook and Anderson witnessed a complete change in the coaching and play-
SPORT THE DIFFERENC Image: Instagram @ freedailyembroidery
Six changes have been made to these two seemingly identical images, can spot them all?
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Monday 9 December 2019
rs who rocked 2019 ing personnel during their time in the England team, but the one constant over that time was the romance between the two, with the pair rooming together on tour and wiling away the hours playing darts together. Like David and Natalie, the pair were torn apart. Jimmy and Alastair due to Cook’s low batting average prompting his retirement, and Natalie and David due to a strange, fairly
“Thank you, sir. I did have an awful preminition that I was gonna fuck up on the first day. Oh, piss it!”
Natalie, Love Actually
problematic, very pre-metoo incident in which Natalie was fired for being hit on by a sleazy American president. Upon the split, Jimmy, like Natalie, declared his undying love for his friend. Whilst Natalie wrote “I’ll always be yours” in a card, Jimmy tearfully stated “he’s my best mate, it’s been so great him always being there for me” in an emotional Sky Sports interview following Cook’s last test. Given the similarities between the two couples we can only presume that come Christmas Eve Sir Alastair will be knocking on doors around Burnley, desperately searching for his lost love.
Bradley Wright-Phillips as Colin Stanley Gilyead
Images: Instagram @ kayn76, @s_ayesha8, @jimmya9, @ robbiesavage8, @ bdubyas_view, @ itszaraphillips, @ harveyelliot07, @ cocogauff, @steve_ smith49
CE you
Chris from Love Actually leads a fairly depressing life in England as he works as a waiter and is perpetually unlucky in love. He moves to America where his fortunes change as he becomes a “sex God” and strikes lucky with a group of American girls enamoured by his Englishness. Bradley Wright-Phillips, the ex-Southampton, Charlton and New York Red Bulls striker, has followed a similar footballing pathway, never really performing in England before going to America and becoming a hero. The English striker started his career at Manchester City before dropping down the leagues, never really catching the eye during spells at Southampton, Plymouth, Charlton and Brentford. At the age of 28 he upped sticks and left for America to join the New York Red Bulls, where his fortunes changed.
Wright-Phillips scored 126 goals in 240 appearances during his six years with the club and won the MLS golden boot twice. An unremarkable career suddenly became littered with individual honours, as he made the MLS all star team twice, was voted New York Red Bulls most valuable player three times, and made the CONCACAF region’s best XI in 2018.
“I’m on Shag Highway, heading west!” -
Colin, Love Actually
Upon leaving the club the Red Bulls’ sporting director Denis Hamlett described Wirhgt-Phillips as “one of the best forwards in MLS history” and, like Chris, whilst the mention of his name won’t have much of an impact upon the average English person, in America he is worshipped as a hero.
Get into the Christmas spirit by matching romantics and loverats to their onscreen doubles in the Courier’s Love Actually re-cast
Eventing Championship and the 2006 FEI European Equestrian games. Zara Phillips also shares Juliet’s popularity as she sprung a surprise to be voted 2006 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year, ahead of golfer Darren Clarke and gymnast Beth Tweddle, winning 32.5% of the public vote despite being considered an outsider by the bookies. In 2011 Phillips had a fairytale wedding similar Juliet’s in Love Actually, tying the knot with England rugby player Mike Tindall in an exclusive ceremony at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. Whether any of Tindall’s friends have turned up at the couple’s house to silently declare their love for Phillips using unnecessarily large placards is unknown, but even if this hasn’t happened the pair are similar enough for Zara Phillips to be considered Juliet’s sporting equivalent.
Unai Emery as Aurelia Toby Bryant
Zara Phillips as Juliet Stanley Gilyead
Aurelia struggles to communicate with love interest Jamie. Unai Emery struggles to communicate with a lacklustre Arsenal side.
Juliet, Keira Knightley’s character in Love Actually, is the original rah. If a 2019 remake was made of the film she’d almost certainly be dressed in a brightly coloured puffa jacket complaining about lower income students getting larger maintenance loans. Juliet is popular with both her husband Peter and his best friend Mark and so her sporting equivalent must therefore be a posh but popular sportsperson. Zara Phillips fits the bill. Phillips is probably the poshest sportsper-
“Jamie’s friends are so good looking! He never tells me this. I think, maybe now I have made the wrong choice? Picked wrong Englishman?”
“I know you’re Peter’s best friend and you’ve never particularly warmed to me. We’ve never got friendly, but I hope that some day that can change.”
Juliet, Love Actually
son of the century, her Nan’s the Queen and when she was born she was sixth in line to the throne. Zara Phillips competed in probably the poshest sport in the world, show jumping, winning gold medals in the 2005 European
Aurelia, Love Actually
However, where Emery’s failing finish with the sack, Love Actually’s Aurelia is more succesful in her pursuit of Colin Firth’s character’s sack, becoming engaged at the end of the film. On his arrival in May 2018, the attraction between Emery and the Arsenal fans was certainly there. The prospect of playing the free flowing football of Arsene Wenger’s prime finally seemed possible. But it just wasn’t to happen, the Portuguese boss being dismissed in November of this year, Freddie Ljungberg taking the reigns temporarily. Not quite the love story that compatriot, Aurelia, experiences in her Love Actually role which sees her dive into a lake to save Jamie’s latest novel draft... Unai Emery is looking for
love again this Christmas.
John Terry as Mark Rebecca Johnson Much like Mark, John Terry is a chap who is desperate to infringe on others relationships, whilst being as unsubtle as possible. Mark is absolutely smitten with Juliet, his best friend Peter’s wife. He obsessively films the bride in her wedding video with closeup shots of her face, and Juliet discovers his stalkerish tendencies and is taken aback. Then in one of the most iconic scenes in film history, Mark knocks on Peter and Juliet’s door, and to the soundtrack of Silent Night, confesses his love to her with huge written signs, ultimately declaring to her, “to me, you are perfect.” However, unlike Mark and his confusing romantic gestures, John Terry wasn’t as smooth. The former England and Chelsea captain was sniffing around his team-mate, Wayne Bridge’s, girlfriend- Vanessa Perroncel. Whilst Mark didn’t reach this point, it was rumoured that Terry and Perroncel had had an affair. The tabloid newspapers jumped onto this story, and rumours spiralled. Terry was stripped of the England captaincy by then manager Fabio Capello. Perroncel claimed throughout that the affair never took place. Which subsequently led to the Daily Mail and the News of the World printing apologies to Bridge’s former girlfriend.
“But for now, let me say, without hope or agenda, just because it’s Christmas, (and at Christmas you tell the truth) to me, you are perfect, and my wasted heart will love you.”-
Mark, Love Actually
The incident also led to the famous handshake snub by Bridge to Terry. Bridge’s new club, Manchester City, played Terry’s Chelsea. As Terry leaned in to shake Bridge’s hand before the game started, Bridge completely ignored his former teammate’s gesture and continued down the line.
SCORE: /12
WHERE’S YOUR HEAD AT? Can you find the six sports people hidden in the crowd?
Images: Instagram @sterling7, @stokesy, @ mrapinoe, @lewishamilton, @andymurray, @ dinaashersmith
Image: Public domain pictures
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sport Lacklustre England off to slow start in New Zealand
Monday 9 December 2019
Sesha Subramanian reports on England Cricket’s first test against the Kiwis as they fail to mustre up an early Christmas joy
When Stuart Broad came in to bat at number eleven, his words that morning echoed through the minds of many of those listening to the BBC Test Match special - that he didn’t just think England could salvage something out of the test, he believed it. Alas, with 65 runs to win, 21.1 overs to go and with the Kiwis just needing one wicket to wrap it all up, it was more wishful thinking than anything. As it turned out, Broad’s batting in the face of Neil Wagner was not even half as strong as his conviction that morning
on radio - a full toss onto his pads getting the Englishman out. Wagner ended the innings with figures of five for 44 and was easily the standout performer for the Kiwis. England’s fate was pretty much sealed much before that, however, as they went from 276 for 4 to 353 all out in one morning. While they made some progress by trying to dismantle the Kiwi batting lineup, BJ Watling’s eleven-hour long stint which produced 205 helped New Zealand to a mammoth
615 for 9. He was helped in no small part by Mitchell Santner’s maiden test century and Collin De Grandhomme’s 65.
11
Hours spent in bat by New Zealand’s BJ Wattling
The seventh wicket stand of 261 between Santner and Watling was indeed England’s most brutal period. Santner and Grand-
homme also came good with the ball and on the field, with the latter twice removing Joe Root for a grand total of 13 runs and the former snapping three wickets as well. England’s new era under Chris Silverwood has now begun with an all-too-familiar tale of an innings defeat akin to the ones they suffered in Barbados, Auckland, Sydney, Perth, Chennai and Mumbai before this. They looked incapable of producing gruelling batting stints or take 20 wickets on flat dirty tracks - both characteristics New Zealand have shown consistently over the last few years.
England’s new era under Chris Silverwood has now begun with an alltoo-familiar tale of an innings defeat
Jofra Archer, who also tweeted that he faced racial abuse during the first test, struggled with the ball and is clearly still finding his feet at the test level. Despite a late ninth wicket stand by him and Sam Curran for 52 runs, England never looked likely to get a draw out of it and eventually, Wagner drove the final nail into the coffin.
Jofra Archer also tweeted that he faced racial abuse during the first test
With Trent Boult still out and the fiery Lockie Ferguson likely to make his debut in the second test, more pace could be thrown England’s way. They certainly couldn’t handle it in the first test. Will the second prove to be different? It remains to be seen.
A testing start in the first test for England Image: @englandcricket (Twitter)
Kiwi standout BJ Wattling (2010) Image: Wikimedia Commons
Jofra Archer @JofraArcher “A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team , the crowd was been amazing this week except for that one guy , @ TheBarmyArmy was good as usual also”
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Savage Signs: Stockport Town snap up MOTD pundit Andrew White is on hand with the lowdown on Savage’s surprise move to the lower league that’s got football fans talking
Robbie Savage has signed for Stockport Town nine years after hanging up his boots as a professional Stockport Town, who play in the 10th tier of English football, announced the signing on Sunday afternoon, announcing, “Ok folks, our second super Sunday signing is former Welsh international @RobbieSavage8”.
Savage is arguably better remembered for the worse moments in his career
Savage started his footballing career at Manchester United, playing in the FA Youth Cup wining team of 1992, later labelled “the class of 92”. Savage was then given a professional contract by Manchester United, but he failed to make the grade, not playing a single minute before moving to Crewe in 1994. Savage enjoyed long spells in his career at Crewe, Leicester, Birmingham, Blackburn and Derby County. His greatest success came at Leicester, where he reached two league cup finals, losing the first 2-1 to Tottenham, before winning the second 2-1 against Tranmere Rovers. This medal would prove to be Savage’s solitary winners medal in his entire career. Savage is arguably better remembered for the worse moments in his career, in-
famously captaining Derby to the lowest ever Premier League points tally of just 11 points.
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Professional caps made by Robbie Savage
Counties Football League (NWCFL) First Division South side. “I want to try and give a bit of what I went through in my career with rejection, rehabilitation and the mental side of football.” While Savage may not have had the glit-
tering success of “the class of 92”, he did still have a respectable career. Playing 11 seasons in the Premier League is no mean feat. It’s brilliant for a Non-league club to see the extra gate-receipts that Savage’s signing will bring, and it’s refreshing to see a former
pro who cares about the future of the game. Only 0.012% of professional club’s academy players ever play in the Premier League. If Savage’s signing can even get one former academy player back into league football, it’ll be a resounding success.
On top of this, Savage’s extraordinary 89 yellow cards leave him seventh highest yellow-carded player in Premier League history. Savage made the move to Broadcasting with BT Sport, and initially received a lot of flack. Despite this, Savage has gone on to become a successful and well-respected pundit. So why return to playing? Savage, who is involved with the club’s owners Pro Football Academy (which seeks to get young players back involved with the game after being released by clubs), says his aim is to help young players progress.
“It’s not a PR stunt, it’s me trying to help youngsters progress in the game.”
- Robbie Savage on the move
“It’s not a PR stunt, it’s me trying to help youngsters progress in the game”, Savage said, after signing for the North West
Robbie Savage warming up for Stockport Image: @StockportTwownFC (Twitter)
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Monday 9 December 2019
Festive fixture congestion - yay or nay? BUCS Andrew White & Jamie Armstrong argue for and against the busy football Christmas calendar Andrew White FOR
The argument of whether there is too much fixture congestion in the Premier League during the holiday season is a debate that stems every year. This has led to the introduction of the ‘Mid-Season player break’, from this season until at least 2022, but this has not solved the crisis of fixture congestion. More needs to be done during the winter period. The issue was highlighted most recently by Jurgen Klopp, stating “we cannot go on like this”. “The situation is clear, the solutions are possible, the leagues have to sit at a table and discuss it and think about the players rather than their wallet”.
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The number of Premier League matches this December
This came after Liverpool were drawn to play Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on December 16, when the team will be in Qatar for the Club World Cup. Klopp has threatened to forfeit the tie if the fixture is not moved, but the EFL have made it clear that the fixture will remain.
Players are burnt out, overworked and away from their families
As a football fan, I love the winter football schedule as much as anyone; your team play-
RESULTS
ing every three or four days, the excitement of all the top matches... However, players and managers constantly complain of their being too much fixture congestion in December in England. They’re burnt out, overworked and away from their families over the festive period. The Liverpool case study just highlights the need for the Premier League to introduce an extended winter break, like every other top league in Europe.
BADMINTON
M2 v Hull 1sts M3 v Hull 3rds
BASKETBALL FENCING
M1 York 2nds M2 v Durham 4ths W1 v Leeds 1sts
Football is unrecognisable from the escapist treat it once was, squabbling over VAR, transfers etc. entrenching the game in cumbersome minutiae. A recent and festive complaint from Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola is fixture congestion, Klopp stating “we cannot go on like this”.
Well Jürgen, you can. Fixture congestion, like VAR, is a bugbear for those who believe that football requires robotic levels of fairness. Football, much as life, has its ups and its downs. Klopp’s complaint that Liverpool face 12 games in 37 days overlooks his expensively assembled squad, featuring 25 top-level talents constructed for such eventualities. Guardiola can almost field two top-level sides, not
FOOTBALL
Jurgen Klopp has been one of the key critics of the festive fixtures Image: @LFC (Twitter) to mention the availability of world-leading academies. With better squad-planning, rotation and faith in youth, these fixtures would be no issue, both manager’s scheduling complaints, bi-products of unparalleled success. Festive fixture congestion might seem physically and mentally demanding- perhaps because it is. It earmarks the Premier League as a world-renowned competition, whilst complaints that European clubs have superior resting periods neglect the Premier League’s introduction of a February mid-
season break. Christmas periods are testing, but are also traditional. Supporters love festive football, the sheer volume of games meaning that come January the league table could have dramatically transformed. So, as VAR and broadcasters surgically remove the game’s soul, football must keep some continuity. The challenge and tradition of Christmas football is treasured by supporters. Klopp’s remonstrations forget that football shouldn’t revolve around the elite. Bah Humbug Jürgen!
Ice hockey culture heads to crisis point in NHL Rebecca Harrison discusses the increasing hostile of the National Hoockey League (NHL) today
It’s been a rough November for the National Hockey League – the elite level of ice hockey based in North America – and its reputation within the wider sporting community is continuing to suffer. Having lagged behind other American sports leagues for decades in several areas including diversity and inclusivity, the NHL continues to be plagued by incidents unacceptable to modern society. Don Cherry, a veteran sports analyst for Hockey Night in Canada, was finally fired in early November for his xenophobic remarks against immigrants. It was not the first time and is unlikely to be the last time – if his total
Xenophobic remarks have increased in the NHL Image: @mapleleafs (Instagram)
lack of remorse is anything to go by – that his comments have crossed the line from controversial to unacceptable. Mike Babcock, former head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has also recently been fired from his position, with several players past and present coming forward with horror stories about his verbally and mentally abusive coaching style. To cite the most talked about example in the media at the moment: the ‘mind game’ he played against Mitchell Marner – 4th overall draft pick for Toronto in 2015 – when he was rookie, having him rank his team mates based on how much effort he thought they
2-6 8-0
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Jamie Armstrong AGAINST
Football, much as life, has its ups and its downs
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were putting in, then sharing said list with the team. The team were furious – but rightly with Babcock, not Marner. If Toronto’s three-game win streak, including a 6-0 shutout for goaltender Frederik Andersen against the Detroit Red Wings, in the week following Babcock’s sacking is anything to go by, it was a decision that was a long time coming. And if these two incidents weren’t bad enough, Bill Peters, head coach of the Calgary Flames, resigned a week later after admitting to using a racial slur against Nigerian-born former player Akim Aliu when he coached in the minors a decade ago, and more recently,
getting physically abusive with players behind the bench during his time with the Carolina Hurricanes. Hockey may be just a game to most of its viewers, but to the players who bust a gut getting to the NHL, its their life, their dream, and most importantly, their job. Any xenophobia, bullying or racism in any other workplace would lead to immediate dismissal and, depending on the severity, police involvement. It has never been more evident than it has been in the last few weeks that something needs to change.
Bill Peters resigned after admitting to using a racial slur against Akim Aliu
Hockey already has the disadvantage of being an abnormally expensive sport to get into, but when faced with incidents like we’ve seen this last month, the future of the NHL looks anything but bright. And these are just the incidents we’re hearing about now. Think of how many talented, young players will have glimpsed the dark side of hockey and the total lack of enforced punishments and packed it in before they ever really got started. Phrases like ‘If You Can Play, You Can Play’ and apologetic press conferences and declarations of ‘I don’t know why I said those hateful words, I regret them and will never do it again’ have lost all meaning in the face of persistent incidents of racism and homophobia. How the NHL has gotten away with their sub-par response to serious problems for so long baffles the mind, but one thing has been made abundantly clear in the past few weeks – the players, the fans, and the staff will no longer stand for it.
56-5 57-60 56-42 120-128 61-135 121-111
M1 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts M2 v Teeside 1sts M3 v Sunderland 3rds W1 v Durham 2nds W2 v Leeds 2nds
4-2 2-1 8-2 1-1 3-2
M1 v Liverpool 1sts M2 v Leeds 3rds M3 v Durham 5ths M4 v York 3rds W1 v Leeds 1sts W2 v Liverpool 1sts W3 v York 1sts W4 v Sheffield Hallam 3rds W5 v Leeds Beckett 5ths
5-3 2-0 1-0 3-3 1-0 0-4 1-0 5-0 5-0
HOCKEY
LACROSSE
M1 Manchester Metroplitan 1sts 8-9 M2 v Hull 2nds 10-0 W1 v Loughborough 1sts 9-7 W2 v Leeds 2nds 14-6 W3 v York 2nds 8-12
NETBALL
1sts v Northumbria 1sts 2nds v Leeds 2nds 3rds v Leeds Beckett 4ths 4ths v Leeds Beckett 5ths
54-53 39-56 48-33 38-46
M1 v Northumbria 1sts M2 v Doncaster 1sts M3 v Hull 1sts M4 v Leeds Beckett 1sts M5 v Sunderland 1sts W1 v Glasgow 1sts W2 v York 2nds
42-7 10-12 29-15 TBC 57-14 57-14 20-42
1sts v Leeds Beckett 1sts
32--28
RUGBY UNION
RUGBY LEAGUE
SQUASH
M1 v Lancaster 1sts M2 v Northumbria 1sts M3 v Durham 3rds W2 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts
TABLE TENNIS
M2 v Leeds 2nds M3 v Durham 3rds
TENNIS
M2 v York 2nds W1 v Northumbria 1sts
ULTIMATE
M1 v Bangor 1sts
VOLLEYBALL
5-0 0-5 0-3 0-4 17-0 15-2 6-0 3-3 1-15
M1 v Northumbria 1sts W1 v Sheffield 1sts
0-3 3-0
M2 v York 1sts
4-5
WATERPOLO
Congratulations to all Newcastle University’s sports teams this year, we can’t wait to see more of your sporting success in 2020! - The Courier Sports Team
sport the courier
Monday 9 December 2019 Issue 1401 Free
@Courier_Sport courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/sport Head of Sport Rebecca Johnson Sport Editors Rory Ewart, Stan Gilyead, Toby Bryant & Tom Moorcroft
One of the sports on offer last week was sitting volleyball Image: Joe Gubbins
I am an athlete, sport is for everyone: inclusive sport comes to Newcastle
Head of Sport Rebecca Johnson reports on Inclusive Sports Week at NUSU, encouraging athletes of all abilities to try disability sports Last week saw the introduction of inclusive sport week at Newcastle University, headed by Athletics Union Officer, Joe Gubbins. The week celebrated the diversity of student athletes across the university, with both abled and disabled athletes able to participate. Under the tagline, “I am an athlete, sport is for everyone”, the week saw a wide variety of disabled sports taking place in the Sports Centre, the sports included goalball, boccia, sitting volleyball and visually impaired cricket sessions which took place across the week. Goalball, sitting volleyball and boccia are
Inside Sport today >>>
NHL Drama
Rebecca Harrison reports on all the happenings in the NHL this season Page 51
all Paralympic sports and will be featuring in next year’s 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo. Goalball is for visually impaired athletes,
The week saw a wide variety of disabled sports taking place in the Sports Centre
where the aim is for athletes to throw balls by hand into the opponent’s goal. Sitting volleyball is also another fast-paced dis-
ability sport, similar to volleyball, this version requires players to sit on the floor and keep one buttock or part of your torso on the floor. Boccia and visually impaired cricket are slightly slower sports, but still require an immense amount of skill. Boccia is similar to bowls, instead players sit down and roll their ball as close as possible to the white ball further down the pitch. Visually impaired cricket was also offered during this week, with players required to hit a size three football with ball bearings inside of it. Specialist glasses were provided for non-visually impaired participants.
Sport Actually?
Students were encouraged to get involved whenever they could, with the activities
The sports on offer included goalball, boccia, sitting volleyball and visually impaired cricket sessions
scattered across the week at different times. Other sessions available also included a
Our sports writers decide which sports stars should play Love Actually characters Pages 48-49
quiet gym hour every day. The week also included talks surrounding mental health. The week concluded last Friday with a talk from Clarke and Carrie Carlisle about the importance of taking care of your mental health. Carlisle was a professional footballer, with a career at Leeds United, Burnley and Northampton Town. He attempted suicide twice before being admitted to a psychiatric hospital where he received a diagnosis. Carlisle is now an ambassador for the mental health charities Mind and the Premier League Kick It Out campaign.
Spuzzles returns The infamous sports puzzles section returns to its Christmas home Pages 48-49