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Day: 18 September 2015

Interview: In Our Time producer Victoria Brignell

Written by Charlie Spargo on . Posted in Features.

In Our Time, BBC Radio 4’s discussion series exploring big ideas, began on October 15th, 1998. Veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg has presented every episode from the beginning, a number approaching 700.

This is an extraordinary track record, says producer Victoria Brignell. “In Our Time is a bit like a university seminar, and Melvyn is very experienced at guiding the direction he wants [the guests] to go in.”

Where does its success come from? “The presenter is one factor, the huge variety of topics I think is another. We’ve covered Jane Eyre, Dark Matter, the California Gold Rush, Sappho, and we’ve even done programmes on Eunuchs and the Kama Sutra.”

Guests on In Our Time are leading authorities in their fields, either university academics or representatives from top museums. It sets itself apart from other talk shows in this respect, which often talk solely to journalists, politicians, and other public, media-savvy figures.

“One of the nice things about In Our Time is that we’re not governed by the news agenda,” says Brignell. “We choose topics because they are interesting in themselves. We don’t interview guests because they’ve got a new book out, or they’re promoting a new film, our guests are chosen because they are experts in their field.

“In the early years it very often involved contributors who were journalists or writers, but nowadays we have a policy of only using guests who hold positions at universities or leading museums, because we feel it gives it more authority.”

 

The show has six broad topics around which it picks its conversational subjects—philosophy, science, culture, history, religion, and classics. Despite Bragg being sharply intelligent and university-educated, he clearly can’t have academic qualifications in the range of subjects covered. I ask why it is better to have one presenter with fewer qualifications, than an expert host for each episode, like many subject-specific programmes on BBC Radio and TV do.

“I think that’s one of the reasons why the guests respond well to the questions, because they know they’re talking to someone who is, essentially, a layperson,” she explains. He’s a very interested layperson, but doesn’t necessarily have a qualification in the topic that they are discussing.”

Veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg. Photo: BBC Radio 4

It also helps keep the programme accessible to the listener, contributing to its success. “We say to our guests that the programme is being broadcast to a whole range of people. Some… may have some knowledge already on the topic, but loads of people will only have a limited knowledge of it. We need to make sure that they don’t exclude listeners who are new to the topic.”

Also unlike other Radio 4 programmes on science or culture, In Our Time is not prerecorded. There are three reasons for this. “First of all, Radio 4 likes to do as much live as possible.

“Secondly, live programmes tend to have a certain momentum to them, which prerecorded programmes don’t. Some people relish it, some people don’t, but we often find that programmes that are live have a bit more energy in them.

“The other advantage is that there’s actually less work involved,” she says. As long as there is a competent host, not having to edit or cut what is said means that well-briefed guests will produce a good live show.

 

One thing that In Our Time manages to do is introduce people to topics they wouldn’t have had a chance to study themselves. “For example, a few years ago we were contacted by somebody who used to be a lorry driver. He happened to hear an episode of In Our Time about philosophy when he was in his cab, and he became fascinated by philosophy, so he did a university degree.

“From hearing an episode of In Our Time he had [gone on] to get a BA in Philosophy. It’s stories like that that make the job really worthwhile. You feel that you’re broadening people’s horizons and expanding their understanding of the world.”

Furthermore, “In Our Time is a wonderful vehicle for academics to promote their subjects and spread awareness of their research,” she says.

“We get a lot of positive feedback from academics who have been on the programme, who have been pleasantly surprised at how much comment they get from their colleagues and the outside world after they’ve been on the programme.”

 

I ask if she has any advice for students interested in getting involved in broadcasting production. Her route into the career was not typical—being a tetraplegic wheelchair user, she benefitted from a BBC traineeship aimed at giving disabled people the opportunity to get into production.

“There’s a separate scheme called Extend, which is also aimed specifically at disabled people, and that offers placements for people who are disabled to learn about broadcasting production.

For those interested in a career in journalism or media, “my advice… would be that you’ve got to be very tenacious. It’s very competitive; a lot of people wanting a career in the sector, lots of people chasing relatively few numbers of posts.

Though she didn’t get involved in student radio when she was at university, she calls it “a great way of experimenting, [and] finding out what works and what doesn’t work.

“It’s a space where you can try out new things and it doesn’t matter too much if they don’t work as well as you were hoping. If your university has a radio station it’s a good opportunity to learn some skills that might well be useful later in your career.”

In the future, she is confident that Radio 4 will increase its appeal to a younger audience. “There are a lot of programmes on Radio 4 which will appeal to young people. The 6:30pm comedy slot in particular, and programmes like the News Quiz, Now Show, [and] The Unbelievable Truth.

“I would definitely encourage young people to switch on to Radio 4. Sometimes people have a misconception as to what Radio 4 can offer, and a lot is equally valuable to a younger audience as it is to the older audience.”

 

In Our Time returns to BBC Radio 4 on the 24th of September. The first episode will cover Perpetual Motion. All In Our Time episodes are available to listen to and download via the In Our Time webpage, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qykl.

Homeless activist hospitalised after Manchester Metropolitan eviction

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in News.

Camp members of the homeless shelter known as ‘The Ark’ situated under the Mancunian Way have been evicted this Friday by a combination of police officers and Manchester Metropolitan University enforcement officers.

The Ark was created as a “self-serving community” in an attempt to combat Manchester’s developing homelessness crisis. Barriers were erected to provide some measure of security for rough sleepers, with the overhead Mancunian Way providing some protection from the elements.

Through continuing contributions of materials, tents, shoes, clothing, food, and bedding, the camp had sheltered up to 12 people for a number of weeks. The project has been sponsored by a host of activists, many of whom were present to protest Friday’s eviction.

Last week a judge granted Manchester Metropolitan University an order giving them permission to remove the camp. On the 11th of September the camp was handed a civil eviction notice for Friday the 18th. The homeless were granted six days to protest the eviction; however The Mancunion understands that no reply was given.

Throughout the week the homeless produced multiple signs to protest their eviction. One sign claimed the council had threatened to take everything, and had threatened prison sentences or a £5000 fine if the rough sleepers did not dismantle the camp and leave in an orderly fashion.

Videos of the scene clearly show fights and scuffles breaking out between homeless and enforcement officers as the area is cordoned off by metal fences and bailiffs move in to dispose of the camp’s infrastructure.

One video is extremely shocking, showing a lady who The Mancunion understands to be artist and homeless activist Jen Wu being carried from the camp screaming by four male enforcement officers, while protestors endeavour to push the enforcement officers and police away from her. In the video she appears to be dropped straight on her head as protestors grapple with the enforcement officers.

A few hours later our reporter Joe Evans saw Jen Wu, obviously shaken from her experience, carried into an ambulance on a stretcher.

At 1:50pm Manchester Metropolitan University released a lengthy statement. Key to this statement was the claims that:

“The majority of the protestors who were removed this morning are not recognised as homeless individuals, either by the City Council or by Greater Manchester Police.”

Manchester Metropolitan also claimed in their statement that “Throughout this period, several members of the group have been aggressive and verbally abusive to university employees.

“At no point were our security staff involved in any direct altercations with the group.”

This last point concerning altercations seems to be in direct conflict with video reports and testaments made by residents.

Dominic Alicandro, a resident of ‘The Ark’, said that “evicting homeless people in the winter—when the most amount of deaths happen in the winter [is] appalling.”

Simon Pook, a solicitor who works for Robert Lizar Solicitors, a firm currently advising the homeless involved in this incident spoke to The Mancunion saying: “Having watched the video of the incident I am very concerned at the way Jen Wu was physically dropped on the pavement. Why was there that level of violence taking place?

“Also I am concerned at the way Jen Wu was carried by four male enforcement officers. There were female officers on site, were they not available? As far as I am concerned it’s an absolute travesty.

“The issue of homelessness in Manchester cannot be solved with eviction alone. You can’t just keep moving the problem on to the next place. I demand that the University of Manchester Students’ Union Exec Team take up this issue with Manchester Metropolitan’s Union officers.

“However, I and my firm will continue to work closely with these vulnerable people to ensure that their fundamental human rights are respected and they are allowed some dignity.”

In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, Matt Downie from the pressure group Crisis stated that: “Rough sleeping in England has risen by 55 per cent since 2010, and by 14 per cent in the past year, with cuts to benefits and homelessness services taking a heavy toll.”

Downie said that at Crisis, “we are particularly disturbed by reports of people’s possessions being thrown away. If you are living on the streets, a small collection of belongings may be all you have left.”

“Manchester City Council must now make good on its commitment to support people to escape the streets.”

Freshers’ Flu: How to avoid the inevitable

Written by Eva Katz on . Posted in Lifestyle.

It’s Freshers’ Week, and now is the time to start thinking about how best to ward off the sickness that, unsurprisingly, a week of  bingeing on booze and fast food will induce.

With excessive alcohol consumption, a diet consisting primarily of Domino’s Pizza and the generous drunken sharing of saliva with your crush from the floor below, Freshers’ Flu will find you, and it will get you. To help you avoid spending the first few weeks of your semester sniffing and coughing your way through lectures, we at The Mancunion have decided to share some of our wisdom gained through our many tumultuous years at university.

We’re not suggesting that you don’t fully embrace the bad habits and self-abuse that makes Freshers’ Week what it is, we simply want you to amaze your peers by swanning into your first week of actual lectures as the beacon of health (well kind of, you are students after all!)

Firstly, vitamins! As much as we wish it was, pizza is not technically considered a “balanced meal”, even if you get the veggie one. For this reason, we advise that you supplement your intake in the form of pills. A vitamin a day will keep the doctor away! To support your immune system, Vitamin C is the one for the job. To address the wider issues that arise from abusing your body, multivitamins are also ideal for keeping you on form.

Secondly, actually eat something healthy. You’ll be amazed what a little greenery can do for you. Make the most of the weekly greengrocers that visits the Owens Park Campus. You don’t even have to walk to Tesco!

Thirdly, drink plenty of water. Although many of you will still have your youth to protect you from the crippling hangovers to come, a litre of water before bed will ensure that you can get up and go to those introductory lectures in your first week. (Or at least leave your bedroom… your choice.)

Last but most certainly not least, try not to let your beer goggles get the best of you! Although a couple of smooches are perfectly acceptable as you get to know the students that share your halls, try not to let it get out of hand. This is, by far, the easiest way to contract some unwanted illness, whether it be something serious, or simply an annoying cough or cold.

With all of these tips and tricks to evade the plague, you’ll have no excuse to miss those vital introductory lectures. You can thank us in October!

How to beat the burglar

Written by Eva Katz on . Posted in Lifestyle.

It’s no secret that Manchester isn’t the safest city in the UK, but adding a little common sense into your daily routine you and your possessions can stay out of harm’s way. By merely ensuring that doors and windows are locked when leaving you can prevent a burglary without having to invest in military strength padlocks.

Off-campus however, it’s a slightly different story: When you’re sharing accommodation with multiple occupants it can be difficult to know if you are, in fact, the last person to leave. In order to avoid any unwanted intrusions, make it part of your exit routine to lock and check any doors and windows.

Another way to avoid theft is to keep your possessions hidden from sight whilst out, whether this be under your bed or in your underwear drawer. After all, it’s not exactly the first place a thief would look, is it?! This is particularly relevant if you live on the ground floor, as your room can already be seen from public areas around the property.

Unfortunately it’s not only your possessions at home that are at risk, as bicycle theft is not uncommon. Investing in a reliable cycle lock—not a poor quality cable type lock—is an absolute must, as 99 per cent of cycle thefts in Manchester were of bicycles with a cable lock. Make the most of the university’s cycle crime reduction measures: Free online cycle registration, free visible marking of cycles and discounts on Gold Standard ‘D’ locks (from their RRP £45 to £15 for students).

Unattended items on campus are also liable to be targeted. The majority of laptop theft in campus buildings occurs as a result of leaving it unattended. We’re all guilty of reserving a space in Ali G with our possessions but a study space really isn’t worth the price of a laptop! Yes, even during exam periods.

Whilst all of this may seem a little overwhelming, students should take comfort that Manchester and its landlords are taking precautions to make Manchester a safer and more secure place. Manchester Student Homes, Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police are collaborating on a burglary prevention project for this academic year which identifies properties that have been previously targeted by thieves and hardens these properties against being targeted in the future.

Furthermore, landlords are encouraged to issue their tenants with welcome packs including safety information specific to their property and area. GMP have also sent a ‘Welcome to the Community’ guide, containing essential safety and security information, to the parental address of second year students moving into their first off-campus property.

Ultimately, a little logic and awareness could ensure you emerge from university with all of your possessions still intact and in your possession. That is, unless you have a tendency to lose or break things yourself.

Manchester’s holy trinity of comedy

Written by Elise Gallagher on . Posted in Theatre.

The Comedy Store
The London-based Comedy Store swung open its Deansgate Locks doors back in 2000. Arguably the grandest of our lineup, the venue boasts a 500-seat theatre, a generous public bar and dining area as well as all the VIP packages you could need to make your comedic experience that bit more grand. The Comedy Store pride themselves on staging top-quality shows, including the best names in the business, while at the same time encouraging and showcasing fresh talent.

The Best in Stand Up runs every Friday and Saturday night; other events include King Gong, where punters can try their hand at comedy—at the mercy of the public—and Lip Syncin’ Battle, which, stemming from the popular US show, allows comics, celebrity guests, and the public to battle it out to become the best Lip Sync in the city.

The Frog and Bucket
Manchester’s first and longest-running comedy club, it has been the place to go for a good laugh since 1993, where it started off as a small city centre pub. Situated on the end of Oldham Street, many famous faces have appeared within its walls. For example, Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas, John Bishop, and Sarah Millican have all graced its stage, many of whom started on the Frog’s historical amateur night: Beat the Frog.

A young John Bishop went in as a punter to watch an open mic night and exited by getting on stage and telling the one joke he had. Other nights include Laughing Cows, which is an all-female line-up of comics and has helped the likes of Jo Brand launch their careers. Finally, Barrel of Laughs, which features three comics and a late night disco after the show, courtesy of the DJ, is well worth attending.

Pub/Zoo
Pub/Zoo is two venues in one. The pub half of the building, which sits between Sidney Street and Grosvenor Street, emanates the traditional boozer approach, holding up to 280 people. Complete with a decent selection of beer and a varied menu that includes classic pub-grub, salads, vegetarian options, all-day breakfasts and, of course, roast dinners on a Sunday, you can see why it’s so popular with students.

The ‘Zoo’ holds up to 80 people, making it a cosy affair for the comedy and club events that it holds. The most popular event is the multi award-winning stand up comedy night, XS Malarkey, which runs every Tuesday. Starting back in 1997, Pub/Zoo put all of their efforts into supporting those at the beginning of their comedy careers, laying claim to names such as Jason Manford and Alan Carr, who began their careers there.

Mancunion shopping guide

Written by Kassi Allcock on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Whether you are on the hunt for your favourite high street stores, or in the mood to explore some of the hidden gems of the Northern Quarter, Manchester really does have it all when it comes to shopping. It doesn’t make a difference if you are experiencing the city for the first time or if you feel like you have discovered every possible corner—there is always more adventure to be found. First up in this shopping guide is…

The Arndale:

Let’s begin with an obvious: The city shopping centre. For all of your high-street essentials, this should be your first point of call. Including a 2-storey Topshop, a gigantic Boots, and opposite one of the two Manchester Selfridges, what more could you possibly need? To add a cherry to the top of the cake, the Arndale runs student events throughout the year, allowing you access to incredible discounts.

Market Street:

The road running directly down one half of the Arndale may feel like a battlefield on a Saturday afternoon, but it is full to the brim with amazing shops. A personal favourite is the 5-storey Urban Outfitters that juts out into the street in true UO style. Don’t be afraid to follow Market Street beyond the end of the Arndale, because you will discover little treasures such as Joy, a less-recognised Fashion and Gift chain.

Northern Quarter:

The last of the city centre troves is by far the most unique, and is definitely most-loved among students. Tucked away down the various roads are chain vintage stores such as Cow, non-profit charity shops, as well as independently-run businesses. To name a few, Retro Rehab, Café Pop, and the infamous Affleck’s are definitely all worth a nosey.

Oxford Road Corridor:

Moving away from the city centre slightly, but keeping the same Northern Quarter charity shop vibe, the Oxford Road Corridor can actually be a fantastic place to grab some bargains. Charity shops are dotted throughout, stretching all the way from Fallowfield to the city centre. There is even an Oxfam on the university campus itself!

Trafford Centre:

If you’re living in the most populated student areas (Fallowfield, Victoria Park, Withington), travelling to the Trafford Centre can be quite a lot of effort, making it advisable to spend an entire day there. The Trafford Centre and the Arndale do share a wide variety of stores in common, but the Trafford Centre does have its unique selling points—John Lewis being the key one, personally. It is also the home of the second of Manchester’s Selfridges, which is always exciting!

…and if you still can’t find what you’re looking for, and it all feels a bit overwhelming, you can always lose yourself in the world’s biggest Primark, right here on your Mancunian doorstep.

Manchester must-haves

Written by Kathryn Murray on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Indestructible boots

I am not sure if you are aware of this, but it rains in Manchester. A lot. Rumour has it, Manchester is the rainiest place in England (this is actually false, Manchester is 8th on the list with the title going to Cardiff…but try telling that to my constantly wet socks). Invest in a good quality pair of boots, and if you want to be really safe, you could bring your favourite wellies with you, too.

Leather Buckle Boots – £75
Photo: Warehouse

Sturdy coat

Your cute little biker jacket and your new suede cape are not going to protect you when a month’s worth of rain falls in the 30 seconds that you spend waiting for a bus. Be kind and treat yourself to a new coat. Definitely splash-proof if not waterproof, and don’t kid yourself—you need a hood! There is also wind in Manchester, meaning that a cheap Primark umbrella doesn’t make the must-haves I’m afraid!

Bellfield Longline Parka – £38
Photo: ASOS

Beauty buys

Time to invest in a waterproof mascara. Yeah, rain. Plus, when you roll out of bed at 8:30 and have a 9 o’clock lecture, you will be thankful that the mascara you tried to rub off last night refused to budge. Moisturiser and a good lip balm are always great to keep handy, too—all this rain, wind, partying and erm… ‘studying’ plays havoc with your skin!

Book Bag

Ahhh, accessories, my one true love. I would recommend a bag that fits your tablet/laptop/notepad in, and also one that zips, keeping the rain out and the work in!

Aldo backpack – £45
Photo: ASOS

Makeup Corner: emergency makeup

Written by Millie Kershaw on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

The first few weeks at university are always a bit of a whirlwind. We’ve all been there. You wake up feeling not so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to find that you have a lecture or an important meeting in less than 20 minutes. Have no fear; this emergency makeup look will get you up and out of the door in no time, looking a lot fresher than you did five minutes ago…

1. FACE: No time for foundation. Blending takes time, and a badly-blended base on dry, tired skin can look a lot worse than if you just hadn’t bothered in the first place. Moisture is essential for tired, dehydrated skin, so apply liberally and your skin will thank you for it. Dab a bit of concealer under the eyes and on any blemishes, and move on!

Photo: The Mancunion

2. BROWS: If this is a step you can’t justify skipping in your routine, set aside the pencil or gel, and simply brush them through with a tinted gel for maximum efficiency.

3. EYES: Curl your lashes and apply mascara. Ensuring that you include this step will make your eyes look a lot less dozy. For an added boost of brightness, line the waterline with a nude kohl pencil and dab a highlighter-shade powder in the inner corners. Black eyeliner in a rush can get messy and unpleasant.

Photo: The Mancunion

4. CHEEKS: Blusher is your best friend today. Take heed to not go too overbroad however, for fear of turning up on campus looking more musical theatre than lecture theatre.

5. LIPS: Throw a tinted lip balm into your bag and apply on the go. You can swipe it on hastily on the bus or after you’ve necked your coffee en route.

Finished—with 12 seconds to spare.