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Month: September 2015

Campus Sport: a focus on History FC and Netball

Written by Will Kelly on . Posted in Sport.

History FC

Will Kelly speaks to Dan Bunter

It promises to be a very exciting year ahead for History FC, one of the University of Manchester’s oldest campus football league teams. Having suffered two successive relegations, History FC have stabilised over the last two seasons and will certainly be aiming for promotion this season from Division 2.

It took time for the team to gel last season, resulting in a few early losses but a strong second half of the season led to victories against the second- and third-placed teams in the second round of fixtures, as well as a memorable 3-3 draw against league winners the Islamic Society, featuring two last-minute free-kicks from this year’s captain Dan Bunter.

As captain, Dan Bunter, who is a final year Politics and Modern History student, is very optimistic for the team’s chances this year, and having dislocated his ankle at the end of last season, is particularly keen to get back playing for History FC, whom he joined in his Fresher’s year. History FC also welcomes back former captain Lewis Ryder, who skippered the side in the 2013 – `14 season and is back in Manchester studying a History MA.

The ISSL campus league has five divisions of approximately ten teams from a variety of subject and halls teams. It provides a good level of competitive football in a friendly environment. It certainly ensures a great balance between competitive football and enjoying playing the beautiful game. Alongside league fixtures, which take place on Wednesday afternoons, there are cup and plate competitions taking place on Saturday mornings. Therefore there is plenty of football available across the academic year.

History FC have a strong, although small, returning squad from last year and are looking for new players to make the side into a title-winning team. Players from all subjects are welcome to trial; they are being held on Wednesday 30th September from 4:30 – 6pm at the Armitage Centre astroturf pitches. Please bring £2 to cover costs.

Getting involved in the campus football league is a no-brainer for any football lover at the University of Manchester. History FC have been a regular fixture in the ISSL and are looking forward to a hard-fought, enjoyable and hopefully successful season ahead.

 

History Netball

Will Kelly speaks to Laura Sullivan

“As a team it is important for us to keep the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable. Our training sessions are very relaxed but we do work on our netball skills and match techniques, which we then transfer into a game. We train once a week on Tuesday evenings. We have decided that we won’t be holding any trials to join the team this year because we believe that this discourages people, which is the last thing that we want to do!

“Matches are on Wednesday evenings, everyone gets rotated in and they are always entertaining and enjoyable. Last year the team organised a couple of socials outside of netball and the History society, in order to get to know one another better. This year we hope to improve as a team as well as welcome some new faces. We will be working on our shooting and defensive skills.

“Another aspect I would like to work on is increasing and improving our versatility. This will help the team to understand how positions work together to reach the goal. It will also be helpful if switching position is required. We are hoping to organise a few socials once the semester has started in order to get to know one another better and to introduce the new members. We are looking forward to starting the season and welcoming any new players, as well as hopefully winning some matches.”

There she goes: A blue mist surrounds the Eva Carneiro case

Written by Will Kelly on . Posted in Sport.

Chelsea club doctor Eva Carneiro has decided to leave the club, six weeks after criticism from manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho had downgraded Carneiro’s role after the medical staff treated Eden Hazard during the 2-2 draw with Swansea on 8th August.

With Chelsea being already down to ten men after Thibaut Courtois had been sent off, Carnerio and her medical team rushed onto the pitch to treat Eden Hazard, who had signalled for medical assistance. It meant that the Blues were temporarily reduced to nine men, and Mourinho said the duo had been “impulsive and naïve.”

Chelsea asked Carneiro to return to work, but after consulting lawyers for the last couple of weeks, she has decided not to and is now considering her legal position. Mourinho himself is being investigated by the Football Association after a member of the public e-mailed the FA, claiming that Mourinho had used sexist language during his touchline outburst against Carneiro. Television footage is currently being examined by the FA and Mourinho could face a five-match ban if found to be guilty.

Carneiro’s departure from Chelsea has provoked exasperation around the football world. The Chair of the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board, Heather Rabbatts, has expressed her “sadness and anger” at the news. Moreover, there is complete dismay that the incident against Swansea has led to, according to Rabbatts, “one of the few very senior women in the game, a highly respected doctor,” leaving the club through no fault of her own.

Speaking to a few students on campus, there has been a sense of disillusionment about what has happened. “The fact of the matter is, Carneiro fulfilled her duty as the senior medic and responded to the referee to enter the field of play to treat a player. How can Mourinho have the right to take her off the bench when she was working within her accepted guidelines?” asks Becky Jones, a postgraduate student.

Certainly the organisation of Premier League doctors has recently confirmed that had she not carried out her task, Carneiro would have neglected her duty and a breach of GMC guidelines.

Rabbatts believes that “in acting properly, she was then subject to verbal abuse and public criticism, and in effect, demoted by her removal from the bench. Her departure raises a serious question on how players are safeguarded if their medical support is compromised.”

Mourinho has made no apology for his remarks after the game, about which he stated that “Even if you are a kit man, doctor or secretary on the bench, you have to understand the game.”

The organisation ‘Women in Football’ have responded that they believe, “it is appalling that her professionalism and understanding of football were subsequently called into question by manager Jose Mourinho and it threatened to undermine her professional reputation.”

The cavalier attitude displayed by Chelsea Football Club has even concerned FIFA’s medical committee chairman, Michel D’Hooghe. D’Hooghe has announced his attention to set up a medical sub-committee to draw up a new code of ethics between managers and team doctors.

It is quite frankly ridiculous how we have come to this. I would hope that D’Hooghe will draw up a new code to protect the ever-expanding medical profession in football. Because Carneiro is a woman, people have asked if it is not sexist that she has received more attention than the other physiotherapist who was also punished by Mourinho, Jon Fearn.

Anna Kessel, the chair and co-founder of Women in Football, gives the best answer: That yes, it is indeed sexist, but not in the way that some have implied. “Fearn has not had his photograph plastered across every single newspaper for the last six weeks. He did not have stories sold about his sex life. He did not have intimations made about unprofessional behaviour. He did not have paparazzi camped outside his house or hiding behind bushes to capture him taking his dog for a walk.

“Because while Fearn was also a victim of José Mourinho’s ill-chosen words that day, unfortunately it is women in the football industry who tend to face that added layer of scrutiny in everything that they do. That is what is sexist. That is what we are fighting against.”

The whole issue surrounding Carneiro puts in my eyes another question that we as a society should be asking ourselves. Who is much to blame here? It’s not simply Chelsea Football Club. What I would say regarding Chelsea, is that Mourinho should have never made this issue public in the first place, and instead should have dealt with matters internally. Yes, he does have the right to drop anyone from the bench, but somebody from Chelsea Football Club should have stopped him, for his actions have caused particular embarrassment to Carneiro and Fearn.

On the internet, you can find footage that outlines the sexist abuse Carneiro faces from football fans within the ground. You also have to ask the question of The Sun, who decided to interview Carnerio’s ex-partner in which he revealed vivid details of their sex life. Who has decided that such a story would be in the public interest? What as a society have we become if that is of any importance to us? As Kessel quite rightly says, certainly Fearn and no other man would be subject to such a story.

I believe that there hasn’t been enough made about Carnerio’s decision to leave the club. The Mancunion endorses the calls made by Kessel for the FA and the Premier League to step up and make a difference. This is about medical ethics, human rights, employment rights and the integrity of the game. It is up to the FA to review the evidence and to do the right thing and to take action. We as a society also need to look at ourselves and endorse change, rather than feed onto the prejudice that exists right now.

Eva Carnerio’s downfall has been led by a club for whom she has worked loyally for six years. Now, the very game that we are in love with has so far suggested that it does not care.

Fighting talk

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Sport.

The Manchester University Shotokan Karate Club is one of the most successful and dynamic university martial art clubs in the UK, and we owe every fibre of that achievement to the passion and conviction of our members. Few people know what Karate actually is, and many have damaging stereotypes about what it entails. I want to describe what this sport and martial art really is about, and how every single person reading this can get involved.

Karate is a martial art from the Ryukyu Island of Okinawa, halfway between the Japanese Island of Kyushu and the Island of Taiwan. The history of this art is complex at best, but can loosely be summed up as a combination of Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Chinese Crane Boxing, and the native martial art of Tuiti. Karate literally means ‘Chinese Hand’, in reference to its origins in Chinese military systems. A martial art employing kicks, punches, grapples, throws, and locks, Karate might perhaps seem violent in appearance. However, Karate is not about aggression, nor violence. As Okinawan master Taika Oyata said, Karate is an ‘art of life preservation’: Self-defence, physical exercise, and physical and mental conditioning.

Sport Karate is a much more modern invention, taking the original martial art and adapting it for the competitive environment of an arena. Here at the university, we practise the style of Karate known as Shotokan—the largest style of Karate in the world, practised by everyone from Chuck Norris to Paralympian David Smith.

Our competition consists of two categories: Kata, and Kumite. Kumite is a semi-contact sparring competition between two opponents, where points are awarded over timed matches for cleanly executed punches, strikes and kicks. Kata competition involves two opponents each performing a routine of movements involving a variety of techniques, with the winner being judged on their accuracy, power, speed, and concentration. These kata contain many applications that are applicable to self-defence, and are often many hundreds of years old. Top sport karateka (people who practise Karate) often specialise in one discipline or the other, but many are highly competent in both—each complementing the other.

Karate is for everyone. If you are interested in the competition element, then we cater for you. We compete at a wide range of competitions throughout the year, with the highlight being BUCS in February. This is part of the BUCS weekend event, which also includes many sports from Judo to Athletics, Boxing, and Swimming.

It is great to be a part of such a huge event and really helps to kick the competitive spirit into overdrive. However, that’s not to say that you have to compete! We have many people who come purely for the thrill of training and the constant hunger to improve and to push their body further than they thought possible. We also have a “work hard, play hard” attitude, and love attending the AU socials, but also have smaller gatherings, and often organise a Chinese meal out (especially after a competition!).

UCU threaten industrial action

Written by Eve Foster on . Posted in News.

Last Thursday the University of Manchester’s UCU announced potential industrial action during a protest against changes made to the university’s redeployment policy.

The protest, which also involved Unison and Unite, and took place between the Samuel Alexander and Alan Gilbert buildings in the centre of campus, follows a meeting on Monday September the 21st between UCU and the university during which terms could not be agreed.

The meeting concerned the university’s redeployment policy, which has recently been altered. In April, 37 staff on the register were given a choice of voluntary severance payment or compulsory redundancy, and 219 more IT staff have been informed that they are ‘at risk’.

The protest’s key speaker was UMUCU President Adam Ozanne, who announced the potential industrial action. He said: “The university is in breach of its existing redeployment policy, and has failed to provide unions or the staff with any assurance that it will avoid redundancies, and by failing to negotiate these changes before implementing them it is in breach of UCU’s procedural agreement with the university.

“We will give the university until the 7th of October to settle this agreement. We need to give the university this deadline because quite frankly what has been happening over the summer is one delaying tactic after another.

“What I find shocking the way in which you hear management saying one thing one day and quite the opposite the next day, so we have given a deadline now and that’s a deadline within which we genuinely hope to reach some agreement.

“If we do not reach an agreement by October the 7th and we are not satisfied by any counter-proposals that the university brings forward, then the next step I’m afraid will be to move towards the balloting all of our members for industrial action.”

Ozanne and the UCU are requesting that the university further negotiate the revised redeployment policy, agree that there will be no compulsory redundancies due to the ‘at risk’ notices redeployees have received, and that there will be no future breach of agreed policies and procedures.

Among other speakers were part-time student Adam Neal and Ph.D. student Jess Patterson, also of Free Education Manchester, who called on students to show their support and see the issue in a wider context.

She said: “This university’s annual financial situation is good. The last figures show that they are operating at a surplus of £45 million, and that’s a profit that we’re not seeing, it’s not benefitting staff or students.

“I’d also like to draw your attention to the fact that this issue is a national issue, alongside maintenance grant cuts and changes to the repayment terms of student loans.

“I want to emphasise that students are here to support the unions and anyone who decides to take action, but also to implore you to see this in a wider context, which is the university’s decision to turn education into a marketplace. This is bad news for students and staff alike—it will mean more cuts, more outsourcing and fewer students from diverse backgrounds.”

In a statement Ozanne expressed similar concerns, stating: “Threatening staff with compulsory redundancy is nasty and unnecessary; it is damaging to the reputation of the university and will deter top class students and staff from coming here.”

A University of Manchester spokesman said: “The university fully recognises and values the role of the trades unions and is keen to work in partnership with them in managing these difficult changes. All changes involving staff that are undertaken by the university are given very careful and serious consideration.

“The university is committed to ensuring that these processes are conducted fairly and transparently and will always seek to explore opportunities for the avoidance of redundancy. The university is committed to a continued dialogue with the trade unions.”

Survey launched on the truth behind UK arts diversity

Written by Elise Gallagher on . Posted in Arts, Freshers' Guide, Theatre.

A new survey published by The Guardian on the 21st of September has set out to discover whether or not having a career in arts and culture is increasingly only for the privileged. The survey, developed by the arts organisation Create, is in partnership with the London School of Economics, University of Sheffield, University of London and Goldsmiths. Art professionals are questioned on their income, career aspirations, and background, with the findings hoping to reveal who truly occupies Britain’s cultural sector.

Prominent figures such as Christopher Eccleston and Julie Walters have stated that a career in culture is increasingly difficult to achieve for those who aren’t from a privileged background. Factors to consider include the high cost of living in cultural hot spots such as London, as well as the recent spikes in university fees.

Goldsmiths recently discovered that a mere 18 per cent of Britain’s cultural workforce come from parents with a working class background. Dave O’Brien of Goldsmiths, who is leading the research stated that, “a whole host of studies have demonstrated clear evidence of inequalities in cultural jobs based on people’s gender, ethnicity and class. However, there has yet to be a comprehensive picture from across different occupations. There’s a need for much more comprehensive data about working life in the cultural and creative industries.”

Last year, former Shadow Culture Secretary Chris Bryant said the arts were predominantly made up of people from privileged backgrounds. Broadcaster Stuart Maconie, who attended Edge Hill University, has complained that today’s artistic expression is quickly becoming that of a “rich fellow’s diversion, a pleasant recreation for those who can afford it, rather than the cultural imperative it should be.”

BAFTA-winner Julie Walters echoed his concern, adding that: “Working-class life is not referred to…we’re going to get loads more middle-class drama. It will be middle-class people playing working-class people, like it used to be.”

A previous study has already revealed significant obstacles for those from a working class background. O’Brien stated that this research clarifies that individuals from a working class background have been considerably under-represented in comparison to those from more affluent backgrounds.

Vikki Heywood of the Warwick Commission, while announcing the recent Enriching Britain report on diversity, said that, “there are barriers and inequalities in Britain today that prevent [creativity] from being a universal human right. This is bad for business and bad for society.”

Professionals within the arts of any type are encouraged to take the survey, which is available to complete until the 18th of October. The results are expected to be announced in November ahead of the ten day event Panic!, which is in partnership with Create, Goldsmiths, and The Guardian as well as the Barbican and British Art Show 8.

The event will include UK-wide public discussions regarding the findings of the survey, as well as music and film events. Running from the 26th of November to the 5th of December, Panic! states that its ten days will be dedicated to the preservation of UK arts, and it aims to investigate what has actually happened to social mobility within the arts.

Half of female students experience sexual harassment

Written by Joe Astill on . Posted in News.

Drinkaware, an independent charity that focuses on reducing alcohol misuse and harm, has recently published a survey of 2,000 students that suggests that universities must do more to tackle alcohol-related abuse in the bars and clubs of university localities.

Half of female students and one in sev male students claim to have experienced some form of inappropriate sexual comments, abuse or sexual assault in the last year whilst at a bar or a club in their university town/city.

A further 43% said that this kind of behaviour occurs every time they go out to a bar or a club, and most said that this has made them disgusted or angry, with a minority saying it made them feel upset.

Arguably the most surprising figure to come out of the study was that a staggeringly low 1% of students actually contacted their university’s student support or welfare authority in relation to their experiences with sexual abuse on nights out, preferring to tell friends instead.

These findings are extremely telling and this seems to have translated to an active desire by students for university authorities to take action on the matter. Most of the students (73%) surveyed by Drinkaware thought that universities themselves should take action against the perpetrators of sexual abuse in order to secure justice for the victim.

Moreover, 61% of students surveyed felt that their university should campaign against sexual abuse and 56% said that the victims of these incidents should receive counselling.

Now the charity has released a video entitled ‘You Wouldn’t Sober, You Shouldn’t Drunk’ highlighting the fact that people don’t just walk up to other people in the street and start touching them inappropriately, therefore you shouldn’t do the same in a club or a bar when under the influence of alcohol. The CEO, Elaine Hindal, adds that many students just consider abusive behaviour a normal occurrence when out and about, and feel as if they are not empowered enough to deal with it properly.

 

The Students’ Union organises events such as Reclaim the Night, in which people take to the streets in protest of all forms of sexual violence against women, so the university is no stranger to tackling sexual crime.

Many students have their own stories to tell. Second year Sociology student Jade said, “it would get to the point where you actually had to leave the club.”

“You would have crowds of men that will say things like ‘you know you want to.'” Similar experiences were reported by Medicine student Hannah, “it’s not just during nights out, I had a guy on the bus trying to touch me.

“It is clear that something serious needs to be done in order to tackle sexual violence on a large scale across our university towns.”

Jess Lishak, women’s officer for the Manchester Students’ Union told The Mancunion, “the findings add to a huge amount of evidence that women students experience sexual harassment, assault and rape in alarmingly high numbers and, like with all forms of sexual offences, are highly unlikely to report to either the police or other institutions like universities.

“For me, what’s sad is that these statistics are not shocking at all; we live in a society that expects, legitimises and belittles sexual harassment and violence through ‘jokes’ and ‘lad culture’ to the point where even when women experience such harassment most times they go out and admit that it makes them angry or disgusted, they still don’t feel like they can or should tell any authorities.

“That’s why we create the ‘report and support’ button online through the ‘We Get It-zero tolerance to sexual harassment’ campaign, whether you want to report something anonymously so that the university and the union are aware it’s a problem, or for further support from a harassment advisor, you can report any form of harassment or discrimination online, whether it happened in lectures or off campus. You can find the ‘report and support’ button at www.manchester.ac.uk/we-get-it.”

Preview: ‘Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and Other Love Songs)’

Written by Hannah Foy on . Posted in Theatre.

Opening to critical acclaim earlier this month, Cornwall-based theatre group Kneehigh brought ‘Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and Other Love Songs)’ to Manchester’s HOME. The production is a radical reworking of John Gay’s ‘The Beggar’s Opera’ into a modern tale of wit, wonder and weirdness.

Directed by Mike Shepard and containing a shiny score of music from Charles Hazelwood, a modern ambience glows through the production, taking each audience on one hell of a night. It’s shocking, touching and funny. A crafty mix of contemporary corruption, urban myths and confrontations comes together in this gritty world.

The original Beggar’s Opera was written in 1728 by John Gay and adapted by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill as The Threepenny Opera in 1928. Like its predecessors, Kneehigh’s new version is a musical satire that holds a mirror to today’s society. The story itself alters before our eyes into glorious theatrical life.

Beginning as a renowned local criminal, Macheath is hired by the corrupt mayoral candidate Les Peachum to kill his rival; here a sense of the unnerving nature of the play is unleashed. However, the story is unable to stop there. Once the deed is done, Macheath is torn. A life of love? Or a life of crime? Subsequently and inevitably, the remainder of the tale begins to crumble.

It is truly a modern performance, incorporating puppetry, dance and physical theatre to keep us on the edge of our seats.

The 13-strong ensemble comprises Rita Fatania (Mrs Peachum), James Gow (Musician & Mac’s Gang), Angela Hardie (Polly Peachum), Martin Hyder (Les Peachum), Giles King (Colin Lockit), Patrycja Kujawska and Lucy Rivers (Widow Goodman), Dominic Marsh (Macheath), Justin Radford (Musician & Mac’s Gang), Ian Ross (Musician, Mayor Goodman and Mac’s Gang), Beverley Rudd (Lucy Lockitt), Jack Shalloo (Filch), and Sarah Wright (Punch Puppeteer and Mac’s Gang).

After opening at Manchester’s HOME, ‘Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and Other Love Songs)’ carries on to Birmingham Rep (29 Sept – 3 Oct); Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham (13 – 17 Oct); Northern Stage, Newcastle (20 – 24 Oct); Warwick Arts Centre (27 – 31 Oct); West Yorkshire Playhouse (3 – 7 Nov); Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse (10 – 14 Nov); and Shoreditch Town Hall, London (2 – 12 Dec).

The production is suitable for anybody over 14 and is running at HOME until 26th September. To watch the trailer, click here.

Sport in the City: Hyde United FC

Written by Adam Selby on . Posted in Sport.

You really don’t need me to tell you that there is more to our city’s sporting scene than just two football teams, Manchester City and Manchester United. Research last month, conducted by sports network ESPN, in partnership with Bath and Gloucester University, crowned Manchester as the sporting capital of the UK. They based their decision not just on the illustrious success and past history of the two Manchester clubs, but also judged the city on parameters ranging from atmosphere, range of venues and even transport links.

Now, to anybody who knows a thing or two about the rich diversity and abundance of sports on offer throughout the city and the wider Greater Manchester area, such recognition doesn’t come as a great surprise.

Therefore, over the course of the academic year, as well as paying close attention to, and prioritising the progress and successes of our university’s very own societies, teams and campus sports, let our new Sport in the City feature tempt you into a very different sporting day out. Whether it’s a new sport, a team about whom you did not know, or just an event that interests us, we hope that we will entice you to explore the wide sporting variety that the city has to offer during your time studying at the University of Manchester.

 

In the spotlight this week: Hyde United FC

Well… who are they?

Hyde United FC, a semi-professional football team currently competing in the Evo Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division. In recent years, Hyde United—nicknamed The Tigers—experienced consecutive seasons of relegation after failing to establish themselves in the higher tiers of non-league football.

However, in June 2015, the announcement of fan ownership of the club, coupled with the return of manager Gary Lowe—who led The Tigers to the premier division of the National League back in 2011/12—should hopefully bring the good times back to Hyde and their average attendance of 500 spectators at each home game.

How do I get there?

Situated seven miles away from Manchester City Centre in Tameside, Hyde’s stadium Ewen Fields is accessible to students via public transport. Should you wish to catch the bus and make use of your UniRider, the 201 Stagecoach bus leaves from Manchester Piccadilly/Newton Street every ten minutes and stops off at Hyde Bus Station.

Meanwhile, for those wanting to catch the train, aim for the Newton for Hyde station, with a direct service running every 20-30 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station. With a student railcard, an off-peak day return only costs £2.65—bargain! From both the bus and train stations respectively, a short ten-minute walk will then lead you to your destination and if in any doubt, head for Hyde Leisure Pool; the ground is tucked away just behind that building.

But how much does it cost to get in?

Although many non-league teams do in fact offer a student concessionary ticket option, a ticket to watch Hyde United in action will cost you the same as a full-priced adult ticket. £10 for a league game or £5 for any cup game or friendly during the season. There are, however, discounted season tickets for Hyde United available to purchase for the eager Tigers amongst you. Match day tickets are available to purchase at the gate.

What are the facilities like? 

The purchase of any food and drink during your day out is entirely optional, but with a social club attached to the stadium serving food and both soft and alcoholic drinks, you may find yourself hovering over for a much needed hot beverage during the winter months. On average, a pint of lager will cost you £2.60, while soft drinks alongside your typical match day hot food and snacks are also available. A match day programme costs £2.50.

Tell me something I didn’t already know…

Liverpudlian comedian John Bishop played for Hyde United for two seasons between 1988 and 1990 in his days before comedy. He made 41 appearances for The Tigers, scoring seven goals.

Furthermore, the club have also experienced significant success off the field via social media, with just fewer than 39,000 followers on Twitter, more than the likes of Cambridge United, Oxford United and Preston North End. Through a mixture of light-hearted tweets combined with never being afraid to mock their own plight, their social footprint has truly won the hearts of fans from around the country and even led to a lucrative shirt and stadium sponsorship deal with The Lad Bible.

Finally, when can I see them in action?

Hyde’s next home league game takes place on Saturday the 3rd of October against mid-table Stourbridge FC—in a competitive, yet unpredictable league, very few points can prove the difference between promotion and relegation.

If you have any requests for local teams, sports or events taking place in Manchester, or if you wish to be involved, please contact: [email protected].

Top 5: Banned Books

Written by Yasmin Mannan on . Posted in Books.

1. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (1955)

Lolita tells the story of a young man from Paris, Humbert Humbert, who is infatuated with young girls, whom he often calls “nymphets” throughout the novel. He moves to a small American town and becomes obsessed with the daughter of Charlotte Haze and marries her in order to get closer to her daughter, who is 12. He eventually runs away from the town with Charlotte’s daughter in order to pursue a “relationship.” The Home Office swiftly banned Lolita and seized all copies of it on the grounds that it was “pornography”, prompted by the editor of the Sunday Express hailing it “the filthiest book I have ever read.” France banned it the year after but, strangely, Lolita was published without any problem in the US.

2. Where’s Wally? by Martin Hanford (1987)

This seemingly harmless children’s picture book was among the top 100 banned books in the 1980s. The current edition no longer has the offensive content but in the original publication there was a picture of a woman with one exposed breast. It was an extremely small detail but censors found it while going through the book with a magnifying glass. In the current edition, her bikini is left on. #Freethenipple?

3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958)

Set in the nineteenth to early twentieth century, this book is a triumph in postcolonial literature. One of the most critically-acclaimed pieces of African literature, Achebe uses nine fictional Nigerian villages and Okonkwo, the protagonist, leader, and wrestling champion, to recall the consequences of British colonialism and Christian missionaries on his Igbo community. It was banned in Malaysia due to its criticism of colonialism.

4. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) by Lewis Carroll

This is that classic, well-loved, yet mildly perturbing children’s book which found itself banned in Human, China at the beginning of 1931 on the grounds that it humanised animals in a way that made them equal to human beings. The censor believed that it was an insult to humans to have animals acting like them and described the concept of children reading the book as “disastrous.”

5. Farenheit 451 (1953) by Ray Bradbury

This is true, glorious irony. This book is about banning books. It centres around a fireman whose job it is to burn books, although Bradbury denies that the book is about censorship. It was banned under McCarthyism in the United States due to its perceived accusations of censorship.

Scores of students protest homeless evictions

Written by William Brown on . Posted in News.

Scores of students outside Manchester Metropolitan University gathered this Wednesday to protest “social cleansing” on MMU’s campus following last Friday’s eviction of ‘the Ark’.

In the midst of Manchester’s homeless crisis, ‘the Ark’ was created this August as a “self-serving community” to provide some measure of protection for up to 20 rough sleepers under the Mancunian Way. However, MMU claims rights to the land and was granted court permission to disassemble the site last Friday.

Throughout Friday morning, violent altercations between protestors and MMU enforcement officers broke out, as bailiffs tore down tents and barriers. One homeless activist, Jen Wu, was hospitalised after she appeared to be dropped by four male enforcement officers. Videos from the scene drew scathing criticism from many university officials and students.

In open letter to the Vice-Chancellor of MMU, published on the 18th of September, 60 senior lecturers and members of staff called for the university to “demonstrate its commitment to social justice by putting our learning and research to good use in the demand for proper housing and services for this vulnerable group of people.

“The University should be seeking educational futures for these people, not condemning them.

“This is a key moment for MMU—an opportunity to join the wave of humanitarian support we have witnessed for homeless refugees, and extend a hand of friendship to these homeless people on our doorsteps. As academics, staff and students we have a wealth of expertise and resources. It is time to put these to good use in combating homelessness and its effects. We urge you to drop the lawsuit against these victims of cutbacks in welfare and services, and consider the damage that may be done to the University by any attitude or action which smacks of ‘social cleansing’.”

At Wednesday’s protest, about a hundred student protestors chanted to bewildered first years, “Say it loud, say it clear, the homeless are welcome here!” and “Lives not land!”

Homeless members of The Ark have been told not to protest without a license in the vicinity of the Mancunian Way, however many rough sleepers made an appearance clearly glad of the solidarity displayed by the students.

One member of the Ark, Dominic, told this reporter: “This is amazing, it’s so good to see these students getting involved, and it’s absolutely brilliant!”

Rosa Methol, the organiser, told The Mancunion that, “after witnessing Friday’s heartbreaking eviction of the Ark homeless shelter and speaking with lots of people on that day, we realised how much sadness and outrage there was amongst MMU students and staff as well as the general public about the decision MMU made. We decided to put this feeling into action with the protest today and feel it was a very positive step to raise awareness, especially with new students whose Fresher’s fair took place today.”

This Thursday, the Executive Committee of the University of Manchester  Students’ Union issued a statement, saying that they are “appalled [by the] treatment of those at The Ark homeless shelter.

“The camp was set up by local homeless people to provide rare shelter as the number of homeless people in Greater Manchester continues to grow by thousands.

“This is a shocking reflection of the society that we live in; whereby instead of providing support and resources to the vulnerable, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Council worked to use excessive force to remove the homeless from the area, in what can only be described as an act of social cleansing.

“Instead of using their positions of power and privilege to improve the conditions of poverty and deprivation, they are choosing to sweep this issue under the carpet, hiding some of the visible effects of their continued £59million worth of public spending cuts.”

Fresh off the catwalk: Autumn Makeup Trends

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

Summer has well and truly blown itself out, and we are left resigned to Manchester drizzle from here on in. But fear not!  Not everything needs to be grey and bleak. You may be casting aside your shimmery cheek colours and coral-hued lip-glosses until another sunny day, but Autumn/Winter catwalk trends can be equally vibrant.

 

‘Fifty shades of greige’

A fabulously mediocre new term coined on the Marc Jacobs catwalks, ‘greige’ is seemingly the new black when it comes to a smoky eye.  Don’t reach for moody, dark tones around your peepers and instead try a wash of something more neutral.  Burberry went for ‘natural, earthy tones’ and Prada for warmth in their models’ eye looks.

Fruity lips

Bold lip colours are popular every season and this year is no exception.  In a move away from the trend of deep, vampy lips in the colder months, fashion houses made up their modules in warmer, fruity tones:  Marc Jacobs chose “velvety, eggplant” colour lips, with Carolina Herrara and Emmanuel Ungano opting for berry; raspberry and blackberry.

70s glow

In line with the injection of Seventies style into Autumn/Winter fashion this season, the makeup looks also pertain to the retro and flamboyant decade. Many brands were channelling 70s glamour icons such as Farrah Fawcett and Jerry Hall; radiant, bronzed skin that’s more natural than the caked-on, contoured looks we’re seeing today. Balmain’s “glowing skin” and Gucci’s “no-makeup makeup” were also fine examples of the 70s effortless style, with Max Mara also keeping it “fresh but sexy.”  Who said bronzer had to be limited to summer time?

Autumn Leaves

Nothing champions an autumn beauty edit quite like nail colours.  As soon as the temperature drops, it’s away with the pastel blues and sun-kissed corals and it’s time to rummage for those leafy shades again.  Here are some of our favourites.

Photo: The Mancunion

(L-R) No7 ‘Hot to Trot’, Kiko ‘346, Olive Drab’, Maybelline Forever Strong Nail Polish in ‘Midnight Red’, Estée Lauder ‘Blue Blood’, OPI ‘Act Your Beige!’, Essie ‘Chinchilly’, Essie ‘Sole Mate’.

Feisty footwear

Written by Perisha Kudhail on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

With summer coming to a close, don’t think that your footwear has to suffer. Wearing the right footwear can make an outfit come together and make you feel on top of your fashion game. Whether it be designer or high street brands, your feet shall be fabulous.

First on our list we have the essential boot.

The Chelsea boot is a great transition from autumn to winter, so you’ll get your wear out of them. A simple yet effective choice of footwear. These are great for wearing day to day. Try wearing these picks with block coloured jeans and an easy going jumper.

Our recommendations:

Craving – £140
Photo: Kurt Geiger Saving – £24.99 Photo: New Look

In winter you’ll have more festivities to wear your heels to. But just because the sun is setting a bit earlier doesn’t mean you have to tone down the glamour. A glamorous pair of heels is a must to get rid of those summer blues. Wear these picks with your “freak ’em” dress and let yourself feel like a queen!

Craving – £140 Photo: Ted Baker Saving – £45
Photo: ASOS

Trusty sneakers come next on our list. You can choose to purchase heeled sneakers if you want a bit more “swag,” but we’re going to go for the “classic look.” Mix it up and wear these picks with a skater dress or skirt.

Craving- £47
Photo: ASOS Saving- £19.99 Photo: New Look

Last, but not least, the go-to loafer. These are a must to transition into the winter and will guide your chic/casual look. Glitter variations are a great way to add a bit of sparkle to your outfit, even on the dullest of days. Try wearing these picks with knee-length leggings and a long tee.

Craving- £90 Photo: ASOS Saving- £22.99
Photo: ASOS

All these picks will make your feet feel sassy! So don’t let the end of the summer blues get to you, a new season equals a new closet.

Stuck in the Seventies

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

Flared jeans, bell sleeves, and frills galore–the seventies have made a theatrical comeback in 2015, and it looks like the trend is here to stay. With Jackie Burkhart as my fashion icon (shout out to That 70s Show fans), I couldn’t be happier that the style savvy trend is making an autumnal transition. Here are a few items that you might want to consider adding to your shopping basket…

Photo: ASOS

Patchwork:

Whether it’s a suede bag or a leather coat, patchwork jazzes up any fashion piece. In particular, I am lusting after this vintage a line skirt from Milk It. With a mishmash of autumnal neutrals, this skirt screams seventies. Paired with a fringed shirt, like featured on the ASOS website, you will be acing autumn’s top trend.

Photo: ASOS

Folk Blouses:

Although slightly more summer appropriate, you could definitely rock this look well into the coming season. With a lace up top, and flaring bell sleeves, this ASOS blouse is the perfect pick. Paired with your favourite jeans, and layered with a thick scarf, you can be both warm and stylish.

Photo: Topshop

Pinafores:

This is definitely my favourite fashion trend from SS15, and I cannot wait to wear it through to the end of the year. These beauties are literally all over the high street, and are popping up in corduroy as well as denim. Styling the ultimate autumn colours, they can be found in shades ranging from deep mustard, to raging burgundy (like this one from Topshop).

Photo: Zara

Fringing:

As mentioned, fringing is a key pawn in the seventies fashion game. Adding a bit of texture to your everyday outfits will make your autumn that bit more exciting. My top tip is to invest in a heavily fringed bag, preferably in an autumnal colour. The one that I have picked out is a beautiful oxblood over-the-shoulder bag from Zara.

Photo: Missguided

Suedette A Line Skirts:

Another A line skirt has successfully landed on this hit list! Released in a variety of denim shades throughout the summer, autumn is opting for a suede slant on the style. Sporting olive green, this pick from Missguided would look fab worn with a pair of tights and some little black boots.

Quinoa Frittata, what a wonderful phrase

Written by Helena Maxwell-Jackson on . Posted in Food & Drink, Freshers' Guide.

Until my first year at university, I had always been a breakfast person. Naturally, when I arrived in halls, I continued to wake each morning imagining the nutty scent of coffee and the sweet aroma of perfectly-buttered toast.

Bounding towards the communal kitchen, I would fling the fire-door open exuberantly, and stop in my tracks. At the sight of my kitchen, the fervour of my enthusiasm subsided, and my appetite would dampen like coals on a British barbecue.

Our kitchen was never the cleanest. When I turned on the light, the neon glow would illuminate trails of sticky smears. The lamp would flicker as if shaking with mirth, reveling in my disgust at my own shambolic kitchen. The sight of that kitchen was certainly enough to put me off the idea of breakfast.

Of course, as a first year student, I rarely ventured out of my bedroom before 11am unless a particularly vehement lecturer decided to make the cruel joke of scheduling a 9am lecture. When I did leave my room, and tiptoed into the kitchen (watching out for pieces of broken glass and the cockroach that allegedly frequented block three) I was always at a loss as to what to eat.

By my own surprisingly punctilious standards, in light of the squalor within which I endured and even thrived, 11am was far too late for a meal of cereal or yogurt. Anything later than 10:30am and we were in brunch territory.

Brunch foods are easy enough to think up; eggs, bacon, and perhaps the occasional veggie sausage. However, all these things require cooking, and worse still: Frying. There is nothing difficult about frying, but it can leave a film of grease on the hob, which can dry into a sticky nightmare.

My flatmate was the Rothko of grease. Our stove was a canvas upon which he built ever-shifting layers of vegetable oil and pork fat, expressively spotted with bits of tomato sauce and dried up grains of rice. I did not want to add more butter splatters to the stove quite so early on in my tenure.

Now that we are a year into university, my flatmates and me keep a fairly tight ship. However, the memory of that kitchen still lingers over me, casting a shadow over my breakfast aspirations.

Luckily, I have this lovely quinoa frittata recipe. All the joys of brunch condensed into a neat, cake-shaped treat. This brunch recipe is baked, not fried, so you don’t have to worry about wiping down the stove top. Better still, this recipe can be made ahead of time, and is equally good when eaten hot or cold, so it’s perfect to eat on the way to those pesky 9am lectures.

I paired this fritatta with a creamy carrot and thyme purée, elevating the dish into the demesne of dinner. The purée is a joy in itself, and would work equally well as a bed to a white fish, like cod. The puree does involve a bit of frying, but you could easily roast the onion and garlic in your oven instead.

For the frittata:

  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 chilli
  • ½ leek
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 rashers of smoked bacon
  • 4 desserts spoons of double cream
  • A splash of olive oil
  • A knob of butter
  • 4 medium free range eggs
  • 4 table spoons of cooked quinoa
  • A tablespoon of chopped parsley
  • Salt and white pepper
  • 6-hole Muffin Tin

Instructions: 

1.       Preheat the oven to 180°C

2.       Chop the pepper and chilli into little cubes.

3.       Slice the leek, using only the white and light green part. Wash the rounds well in a colander.

4.       Place two sheets of paper towel on a microwave-safe plate. Place the bacon on top of the paper towel and two more pieces of paper towel on top.

5.       Microwave the bacon until it is nice and crispy.

6.       Place the chili, leeks, pepper and a whole garlic clove into an oven-safe dish and drizzle with oil. Season well and bake for around 15 minutes.

7.       Grease the muffin tin.

8.       When the bacon has cooled down cut in into little cubes.

9.       Whisk four eggs in a mixing bowl. Add Parsley, cream and season well.

10.    Purée the roasted garlic clove by removing it from its skin, sprinkling salt on it, and squishing it with a knife.

11.    Layer the roasted vegetables, garlic, bacon and quinoa into the muffin tin. Saturate each layer with the egg mixture.

12.   Sprinkle with the grated cheese.

13.   Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

And for the Purée:

  • ½ stick Celery, chopped
  • ½ Leek, chopped
  • ½ onion, chopped
  • 5 carrots
  • ½ onion, finely-diced
  • A bunch of thyme, tied with a string
  • 2 table spoons of double cream
  • Olive oil
  • A Knob of butter
  • 1 garlic clove, finely diced
  • Salt and white pepper

Instructions:

1.       Preheat the oven at 180°

2.       Peel the carrots and chop into chunks.

3.        Place in an oven-safe dish, drizzle with oil and season. Roast until soft.

4.       Place the celery, leek and ½ the onion in a pan and cover with water. Simmer for 20 minutes before straining, keeping the liquid and discarding the celery, leek and onion.

5.       Melt the butter and a little oil in a pan. Fry the onion until soft and add the garlic and the thyme.

6.       Cover the onion and garlic with a little of the liquid and add the roasted carrots. Season and simmer for 5 minutes before blending to a puree.

7.       Check once again for seasoning and add the cream.

 

Final step: enjoy!

What to wear: autumn

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

The two months following the summer are always the most awkward, fashion-wise. It is known as that in-between weather, where it’s too chilly to leave the house in short sleeves, but too humid to layer on the thick coat and scarf. What are we supposed to wear? After searching through my favourite online stores (and adding far too many items to my ‘save for later’ list), I have compiled two perfect Autumn outfits: One for the chicas, and one for the fashion-conscious chicos.

Photos: Zara, ASOS, Office, ASOS, Joules

For the female outfit, I have put a strong focus on the accessories. The colours that accompany autumn are definitely my favourite part. Rustic oranges, faded greens, and deep reds—the ultimate colour trio to keep you warm from the dropping temperature. With that in mind, I have chosen a fairly basic t-shirt and jean combination, allowing the rest of the outfit to bring it to life. First off is a stripy t-shirt from Zara (who doesn’t love a striped tee?).

For me, the star embellishment really makes it stand out, providing it with that extra tier of detail. The tee has been matched with a mid-wash pair of skinny jeans from ASOS, to keep the look nice and simple. The first burst of colour that I have thrown into the mix is the gorgeous bright yellow raincoat from Joules. Layered on top of such a humble outfit, the coat would definitely be an eye-catcher.

Adding another pop of colour, I have included a thin oxblood scarf from ASOS, which would be an optional feature depending on weather. If worn, it would give your outfit that additional autumnal vibe, really screaming, “I am ready for my Pumpkin Spiced Latté now!” To finish the outfit off, I decided on a classic pair of white hi-top Converse, allowing you to show off any summer tan still remaining. Just try to avoid the thousands of puddles on campus…

Photos: ASOS, River Island, ASOS, ASOS, Daniel Wellington

Moving onto the male outfit, I have chosen to go coatless, opting for a jumper instead. You know—sweater weather is better weather, and all that. Like the female outfit, I have tried to keep it as simple and suave as possible, interweaving beautiful autumnal colours throughout.

To begin with, a plain white tee from ASOS. We can’t really get any simpler than that, can we? Combined with a pair of black skinnies, you will look like the epitome of ease. Sprinkling a dash of autumn ambience, I have chosen a crew neck jumper in a sophisticated olive green to layer on top. As a colour contrast, these oxblood Converse would look super stylish as well.

Lastly, the Daniel Wellington watch would compliment the entire outfit, especially with a red-tinge to the strap. If you’re looking for autumn flair, this outfit would tick all the boxes.

Editor’s picks: Upcoming writing competitions

Written by Yasmin Mannan on . Posted in Books.

Amnesty International Poetry Competition | Closing Date: 31st of October

Writers must be Sri Lankan to enter this competition, either living in the country or having emigrated within the last 20 years. There have been enforced disappearances for decades in Sri Lanka, hence the title of the competition: ‘Silenced Shadows’ in order to raise awareness. Entries can only be submitted in English, Tamil, or Sinhala, but can be submitted from anywhere in the world. Entrants must be aged 14 or over when they submit to the competition.

Prizes: There is no cash prize for this writing competition but all the winning poems will be published on the Amnesty website. A book of those winning poems, which will contain all three languages, will also be published by Amnesty International in 2016 and be sent to all their writers. The Panel of Judges will consist of a variety of acclaimed writers and poets of whom a list is available on the Amnesty website.

Entry Fee: Free

 

SLAMbassadors UK 2015 | Closing Date: 30th of September 2015

SLAMbassadors UK is the national youth slam and the upper age limit is 18 so this is one for you Freshers. Slam is the competitive art of spoken word performed before a buzzing audience. Young adults from all over the UK are invited to enter by filming themselves performing a poem or rap piece and uploading it to their SlamCam Youtube channel.

The theme is ‘identity’, which you may interpret how you like: Cultural identity, national identity, who you are, what you see and how it’s shaped you, human identity, identity crises, etc.

Prizes: Six acts will be chosen from across the UK to take part in an intensive, two-day masterclass with the spoken word artist Joelle Taylor. The best portfolio of three to five poems will win a £10,000 prize. Open to all writers aged 16-18.

Entry Fee: Free

 

Manchester Fiction Prize | Closing Date: 25th of September 2015

Established by Carol Anne Duffy and run by Manchester Metropolitan University, this is a prize for those who have a cool few pounds to spare in the name of a massive cash prize: £10,000 for the best short story of up to 2,500 words! Open internationally to new and established writers aged 16 and over.

Entry Fee: £17.50

 

National Poetry Competition 2015 | Closing Date: 31st of October 2015

This is The Poetry Society’s annual competition for a previously unpublished single poem. It will be judged by Sarah Howe, Esther Morgan, and David Wheatley.

Prizes: 1st Prize: £5,000, 2nd Prize: £2,000, 3rd Prize: £1,000, and seven commendations of £200. The top three winning poems will also be published in the Poetry Society’s leading international journal, The Poetry Review, as well as having the possibility of reading at some of the UK’s most prestigious literature festivals.

Entry Fee: £6.50 for your first poem, and £3.50 per poem thereafter

The Coffee Column: Federal Café & Bar

Written by Elena Gibbs on . Posted in News.

CALL THE FEDS:

Highly food-pornographic materials on display here.

In our first meeting as editors, Helena and I took the opportunity to get straight down to business by doing a review.

Even before knowing that we were here on business, the staff were eager and friendly, showing us to a seat and explaining that orders are taken at the bar. During my introduction as Food & Drink editor, manager Claudio sat down and shook hands with us and gave a little explanation of the concept behind the café. Federal is Australian/New Zealand founded and takes inspiration from many places to build the ideal spot on the corner of the Northern Quarter.

The changing artworks leave the walls fresh and updated, and the food is delicious with much scope for vegetarians. I had the halloumi and thyme shrooms on sourdough with roasted hazelnuts, and will be returning to sample the almost erotic-sounding croissant french toast with summer berries, almonds, whipped vanilla mascarpone & salted caramel. I could write an entire piece on the food and the atmosphere in Federal, but sticking to the main purpose of this column, we will feature the coffee and leave you assured that both the aforementioned are outstanding.

The café uses Ozone coffee and serves everything from a short to a long black, as well as piccolo to cappuccino. All the standard cups are available with the usual extras of soy milk, decaf, and syrup shots. It also must be said that their coffee art is beautiful, which makes your drink feel extra special. Hand-brewed seasonal single origin coffee is also available in the forms of pour-over and aeropress, which takes a little longer but is worth the wait for real coffee lovers.

For those who are a fan of colder drinks but want the caffeine hit, Federal bottles their own cold brew, which is a unique way of serving coffee that delivers its subtle earthy notes without the bitter aftertaste. The iced variety is also available in vanilla, caramel and chai lattes, as well as americano and espresso on the rocks. Affogato is also a wonderfully indulgent choice for those wanting a sweet that perks them up; this is a traditional Italian dessert made by pouring hot espresso over quality vanilla ice cream. If you get that tired feeling after eating a huge meal, affogato is a good option to boost your energy and delight your tastebuds.

There are also loose leaf teas, matcha green tea lattes, spiced chai and the continental Hot Milo—an Australian malted chocolate drink. Various still and fizzy cold drinks are refrigerated and there is also a Federal juice made up of kale, avocado, ginger, banana, lime and omega seeds for the power protein dieters out there, or for those who just love a good smoothie.

Finally, Federal Café & Bar opens its doors until late on weekends, serving alcohol in the form of vanilla infused espresso martinis and coffee rum old fashion cocktails. So take advantage of the USP Friday night brinner, the breakfast/dinner compound that’s perfect for late-risers or early after-workers who missed out on breakfast. Enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the uniqueness, and enjoy the coffee.

 

TAKE-AWAY ✓

FOOD ✓

CAKE ✓

OTHER DRINKS ✓

SPORTICIPATE: Get involved

Written by Will Kelly on . Posted in Sport.

The University of Manchester SPORTICIPATE Programme is a fantastic opportunity for any students or staff members at the University to engage in free activities on campus. The programme came about after Sport England had announced their new Active Universities Project to provide £10 million to universities with the aim of engaging more students in sport. SPORT Manchester was keen to seize the opportunity, having seen the success of the Sport England funded ‘Hall Sport’ project. The team pulled everything together to present a strong bid and in July 2014, received successful news that the University of Manchester would be included in Sport England’s fund list. Around £236,000 would be granted by Sport England along with £106,000 from the university to provide more opportunities for students to get active over a three year period, to which an additional programme, SPORTICIPATE, has come about.

SPORTICIPATE Timetable

What is the programme?

SPORTICIPATE is made up of a weekly timetable of free sports and activities, as well as one-off events, and welcomes all abilities to take part in any of the sessions and events.

The sports that are on the programme are: Badminton, Futsal, Gymfit (a Gymnastics inspired fitness session), Indoor Cricket, Korfball, Lacrosse, Swimming, Squash/Racketball, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Bhangra, Dodgeball, Bokwa and Belly Dance.

You just need to register for events on the weekly timetable or ‘one-off’ events, then turn up, and all of the equipment will be provided. The timetable will have additional sports included next semester, so keep your eyes peeled for changes. There will be four special events where students and staff can come as a team or individually,to compete against other teams in a more fun-orientated atmosphere.

The inaugural SPORTICIPATE event will be held at the Armitage Sports Centre on the 18th of October, where plenty of students will take part in various tournaments and activities. For the second event, Sporticipate will be hosting Christmas-themed events, taking place on Saturday the 29th of November and 6th of December, at the Trinity Sports Centre (located right behind the main library).

Sport England will fund the project for three years and two sabbatical interns will manage the programme each year, thus allowing for refreshed creative input every year. SPORT Manchester hope that the Sporticipate Programme will become synonymous with themselves and become well-known throughout the university as having created a strong infrastructure of coaches, venues, and sessions. The aim is for the university to see the benefit and value in running the programme and hopefully they will continue to support it after Sport England funding ceases in 2018.

Be sure to like the Sporticipate Facebook page for more information about the weekly timetable or events. If you have any queries about the programme, then send an email to [email protected], comment on Sporticipate’s Facebook page, or pop in to the SPORT Office for a chat.

Enjoy sporticipating!

Cycling have been shifting the gears

Written by Will Kelly on . Posted in Sport.

The University of Manchester cycling team are certainly ones to watch this year after some notable success on and off the track last season. There were some stand out performances in the events organised by British Universities and College Sport (BUCS). Last year, Bex Barona made the downhill mountain bike race her own. She won the individual race and also teamed up with Grace Alma-Whitaker to win the female team race. The male team, consisting of Jack Stanton-Warren and Tarn Fynn, powered through to a third place finish, while Sebastian Baylis put in an impressive performance in the 25-mile time trial to finish in fifth place. The only para-athlete to compete in the BUCS cycling events was our very own Eleni Papadopoulos.

Off the track, the administration has been transformed, bringing in new sponsors and partners; Lapierre, Homes4U and Bicycle Doctor all helped the club to move forward financially. There were over 120 members of the cycling team last year—a new record for the club.

For those who do not know much about the club, you certainly don’t have to be a Bradley Wiggins to join, since they run activities for all abilities of riders and cover all aspects of cycling. Last year, the club introduced a successful Easter training camp abroad, and set up the first ever Varsity time trial with Manchester Metropolitan University. We are proud to say that we well and truly dominated the event, with Tarn Fynn and Gareth Clarke finishing 1st and 2nd respectively in the male Varsity Time Trial. Eleni Papadopoulos finished second in the Female Varsity Time Trial.

Certainly the Cycling club are looking to up a gear this year. Having replaced their coach to get an input into every discipline, the cycling club will be looking to compete on all fronts and win more BUCS points, including targeting certain events at the Velodrome championships. The Christie Cup will be in Manchester this academic year, so a win on home turf would be huge motivation for the team, as well as ousting city neighbours MMU again in the Varsity time trial. The club are also planning to run another inter-university competition. This will consist of a series of criterium races, which of course they will be looking to win.

Having initiated early contact with William Adams, the new club captain, The Mancunion can reveal that there are plans to set up a charity bike ride for Maggies Centre. More information will appear in due course.

It’s certainly exciting times for the cycling team, because the potential is there for them to become a force to be reckoned with. If you have a passion for cycling or are looking to try cycling for the first time, get on your saddle and join the cycling club!

Will Kelly was speaking to Tarn Fynn, a key member of the Cycling Club Committee last year.

“I’m not grumpy, I’ve got chocolate in my teeth”

Written by Elena Gibbs on . Posted in News.

…was the Russian barista’s response to my question “having a good day?”

Prior to this exchange, I’d been feeling a little flat, and as I observed her firmly horizontal expression, mouth matching my mood, I thought to myself how we could all do with a little cheering up—and why not be the one to initiate the process?

What followed was an emotive account of how as a child in Russia, sweet things were rare and coveted. The only option was a teaspoon of cocoa mixed with sugar, serving as the most wonderful treat to those deprived taste buds.

“We didn’t have chocolate like we have now: Here, there, everywhere in abundance”—so what sufficed was this little tryst of chocolate and sweetener, taken on the sly from the cupboard. The packet would go down and down, her mother eventually noticing the reduction in amount.

“Why does it still taste so good?” she said. “I guess it takes me back to those childhood days, the rarity.

“When you’re deprived of something, the treat of it makes it more special, I think.

“Same with everything: clothes, cars, everything.”

Having one thing that you love dearly, no matter if there are worse or better options available, is important to treat with the highest value.

“Enjoy your coffee,” she said. “Please!” and smiled, no chocolate in sight.