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Day: 28 April 2013

Winner of Photography Competition announced

Congratulations to Peter Chinnock who has won The Mancunion’s Photography Competition this year.

Peter impressed the judges with a series of images depicting life on the Oxford Road corridor. His work displays tremendous technical skill as well as a sensitivity and understanding toward his subjects.

Here’s how he describes his work: “I see photography as a way of documenting the world around me. My main passion is Architectural photography, Manchester has some fantastic buildings but most of these can’t be found on Oxford road unfortunately. Last year I did a photo project in which I took a photo a day for a year. Over this time I developed a real passion for street photography and street portraits. I see it as a way of telling stories, setting scenes and understanding areas and communities. I found myself walking to and from uni last year a great deal so I could get a photo for that day. Over this time I built up quite a range of different portraits and scenes. There are a great deal of homeless along the road. I talked to a fair few, all very pleasant people with great stories to tell and all very happy to have their photo taken. I enjoyed the conversations much more than I imagined, it really helped with my confidence too. 99% of people are more than happy to have their photos taken. They just need to be asked!”

Peter, a second year Architecture student, wins £100, as well as the chance to join our photography team for 2013/14.

 

Last year Peter undertook a project where he took a photo everyday. Here’s one of the images he took that we loved. “99% of people are more than happy to have their photos taken. They just need to be asked!” says Peter.

UoM cricket team prepare for 11th ‘Old Boys’ Day

This summer is a big one for cricket, as the Ashes return to England. Before that though, the University of Manchester Cricket Club has its own longstanding rivalry to settle. On Sunday 5th of May the UMCC are hosting two reunion cricket matches in the 11th ‘Old Boys Day’ at Sale CC.

The first match is the Comyn Cup, which started in 2011 and settles the rivalry between current members from t’up North and down South (or Northern Monkeys vs Southern Fairies to quote Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels!). For 2013, a T20 match will be played between 11.00am and 2.00pm to decide the rivalry, with a live loudspeaker commentary to provide stadia experience for spectators. The winners will proudly boast their name on the silver tankard.

After tea, the second game takes place as a team of current members will take on the UMCC Old Boys (Old Bees CC). This annual event has occurred for more than a decade. The Old Boys bring a fantastic club atmosphere for all to revel in and feel proud of its history.

After play has finished, a carvery dinner will take place in the clubhouse, including a mystery speaker and auction to raise money for the club. On offer are the signatures of great sportsmen such as Andrew Flintoff, David Beckham and Johnny Wilkinson; not to be missed!

In other cricket news, the Armitage ground will soon be undergoing serious renovation. Alongside a new astro-turf strip, the square is to be totally refurbished, and there are plans for state of the art covers to be purchased to ensure the quality of the ground. The Firrs pavilion will undergo a serious upgrade over the next year and if all goes to plan the scoring hut will also be upgraded accordingly. This investment from the University is thanks to the ongoing success of the UMCC on and off the field.

There has never been a better time to join the UMCC if you want to play quality cricket with a welcoming atmosphere. The UMCC offers 7 teams to cater for all standards, competing with the likes of Durham, Loughborough and Leeds University and has indoor tournaments during the winter. This June, two teams are touring Sri Lanka to play on test grounds and train with international cricketers. This pro-active club offers something to members all year round. Old and new members will be keeping track on the tour and Ashes simultaneously as cricket reclaims the summer once again!

Naan worse than the curry mile

Wilmslow Road’s ‘Curry Mile’ has been revealed as ‘Manchester’s most anti-social street’.

The stretch of road, where thousands of students pass through on commutes to and from University each day, saw more than 260 incidents of anti-social behaviour recorded between April 2012 and January this year.

These statistics show that on a stretch of road only 800 metres long, there was around one incident of anti-social behaviour recorded every day.

The Curry Mile’s figures are a large contributing factor to the police neighbourhood area of Longsight – the area covering Rusholme – being ranked second in crime league tables across the whole of Greater Manchester.

3,359 instances of anti-social behaviour were reported in Longsight in 2012.

Student hub Fallowfield is not far behind Longsight in the rankings. The area, which also covers Withington, Levenshume and Platt Fields, saw 2,716 incidents reported in 2012.

The city centre topped the list, with more than 3,606 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported across the ten month period.

The statistics, supplied by UKCrimeStats and compiled by the Manchester Evening News, show that there is almost one incident every two hours in the city centre. Particular hotspots named were Piccadilly gardens, with 251 incidents, and The Printworks at Withy Grove, with 140.

Students expressed shock at the results of the survey.

“I’m surprised at these results,” said Sarah Cook, a third year Speech and Language therapy student.

“I’ve never experienced any anti-social behaviour myself on the curry mile.”

Keeley Cutts, also a third year Speech and Language therapy student, echoed these sentiments.

“I wouldn’t feel particularly worried walking there late at night as it’s always fairly busy.

“I would be more concerned walking alone in a more isolated area.”

Cassandra Riddell, a second year Psychology student, said: “I don’t feel intimidated walking down the Curry Mile because it’s always so busy, and brightly lit.”

“You’d think that Fallowfield would be higher up the list, [as] you always hear of burglaries around student houses there.”

These statistics come after The Mancunion reported how the curry mile is also considered an ‘accident hotspot’ for cyclists. £200,000 of changes are now to be made to the area in an attempt to make it safer for cyclists.

Eureka! competition to improve the library experience

Eight Manchester students will face a panel of judges this week, to present their ideas to enhance the library experience at Manchester.

The Eureka! Innovation competition asked students across the university to put forward innovative new concepts or designs to improve the customer experience at the University of Manchester Library.

After hundreds of responses, eight finalists have been chosen: Jacqueline Austin, a PhD Business and Management student, International Relations student Ilan Bajarlia, Jade Brodie, who studies International Management with American Business Studies, Shuping Dang, an Electrical Engineering and Electronics student, Law student Arlana Demlan, Philosophy student Ned O’Sullivan, Max Parker who studies International Management and Artificial Intelligence student Robert White.

Ilan runs his own start up company which provides personalised software via a new digital platform, Jade currently assists in a Keele University project focused on the re-branding of pharmaceutical supplements and Max is President of Manchester University’s AIESEC, a global organisation that transforms students and recent graduates into leaders by running an international exchange programme.

The pitches will be delivered in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style on the 2nd May and will be hosted by Gadget Show presenter Ortis Deley.

‘We’ve had so many great ideas and we’ve been absolutely delighted by the quality, range, and diversity of entries,’ said competition organiser Nick Campbell.

‘Shortlisting has been tough but it’s now up to the judges to decide which one’s the winner!’

‘As a leading university we’re always seeking improvements. Thankfully, we have some of the world’s leading students with great ideas too!’ he added.

The competition winner will receive vouchers worth £1000 and the library has committed money to scope or implement the winning idea.

Judges of the competition include General Secretary Nick Pringle, Paul Sykes, owner of Paul’s Pies and Steve O’Hare, Manchester Director of Equistone.