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Day: 2 December 2016

Free education protestors occupy University of Warwick building

Members of Warwick For Free Education (WFFE) have taken over a University of Warwick building, The Slate, a new £5.3 million conference centre, in protest against the university’s involvement with the new Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and poor working standards, which WFFE describes as “the disastrous direction in which higher education is being pushed, and our own institution’s complicity in that agenda”.

A statement from the protesting group reads: “We are at a truly pivotal moment for higher education. This government is set to usher in the full marketisation of the sector, with devastating consequences for both students and staff.

“Student debt is set to rise, academics will be pushed to breaking point, and private companies will be given a free pass to take over and profit from public universities driven to collapse.

“As tuition fees go up, students don’t even have enough space to study or to sit in lectures. As management salaries continue to surge, hourly-paid teachers are struggling to survive.

“As Warwick prioritises corporate conference space, they fail to provide enough housing for students year upon year.”

As part of their protest, Warwick for Free Education made three demands. The first is: “The University must opt out of the Teaching Excellence Framework”, owing to the university agreeing to the TEF policy despite opposition from both student and staff votes.

The second demand reads: “The University must agree to Warwick Anti-Casualisation’s 6 demands for fair teaching conditions,” reacting to the university’s ‘notoriously’ bad working standards.

Earlier in November, The Guardian revealed that 68.1 per cent of academics at Warwick were working on ‘insecure’ contracts. Warwick Anti-Casualisation group call for hourly-paid lecturers to be made full-time staff and for equal pay rates across departments.

The third, that “the University must scrap the protest injunction and apologise for their handling of the events of 3 December, 2014,” refers to violence against student protests at a sit-in for free education and the following response from the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Nigel Thrift, that the group called a ‘smear campaign’.

West Midlands police were called to the university two years ago and claims of excessive force, including the threat of tasers and use of tear gas to subdue the crowds, have since been made.

One final year Warwick student, not involved in the protest, spoke to The Mancunion: “The fact that Warwick has invested in The Slate building when the campus does not have sufficient study space, teaching space, or even accommodation for its growing student population is outrageous.

“The university continues to accept more and more students while making little attempt to keep up with the demands on facilities — seminars are held in offices, students cannot get seats in the library, first years are put up in hotel rooms.

“With tuition fees set to rise again, and 68 per cent of staff struggling on precarious contracts, it is simply unacceptable that Warwick continues to pour money into outside business ventures to the detriment of its staff and students.”

This reflects the growing hostility towards the university from all areas of the student population, and echoes WFFE’s statement: “This is the product of years of students being treated as consumers and universities being run as businesses, the impact of which is felt very strongly here at Warwick.

“As we sit in this cutting edge facility purpose-built for external companies and businesses, students and staff are experiencing a drastic deterioration of learning, working and living conditions.”

A spokesperson for the University of Warwick Press Office has responded: “We are aware of the occupation by around half a dozen people and we are monitoring the situation.”

The University of Warwick’s Students’ Union have released this statement:

“The Students’ Union has been made aware of an occupation of ‘The Slate’, Warwick’s new £5.3million conference building, by Warwick For Free Education. Our primary concern is for the welfare of those students involved, and Sabbatical Officers will remain in dialogue with both the University and those in occupation to ensure this.

The students’ demands – that the University opt out of the government’s proposed ‘Teaching Excellence Framework’, agree to the “6 Demands for fairer teaching conditions” among casualised staff and abolish the protest injunction – are all supported by democratic mandate and SU policy.

Furthermore, it is clear from recent events such as the Extraordinary Meeting of Warwick’s Senate and the NUS National Demo that students and staff are not being listened to. As outlined in the occupiers’ statement, the traditional democratic channels open to staff and students have now been exhausted. It is also important to note that this building has been purpose-built to support corporate conferences and is not used for teaching and learning, thus causing minimal disruption to students’ everyday lives.”

At the time of print, this was still a developing story.

Review: NUS North West Regional Activists Network

The National Union of Students (NUS) hosted a regional conference at the University of Manchester Students’ Union, covering a wide range of issues.

The first ever NUS North West Regional Activists Network meeting took place on Friday the 2nd of December. Headed by NUS President Malia Bouattia, the conference focused on student activism, ranging from the controversial Teaching Excellence Framework to the current mental health crisis in higher education. She acknowledged that most of the issues students face today are a direct result of “managers and vice-chancellors rationalising the system…[in a] race to the bottom.”

It was argued that in the current economic climate, education has become “a commodity,” and that in the post-Brexit political atmosphere, BAME students are subject to increased discrimination and international students face both a rise in fees and uncertainty about the length of their stay in the UK. By working together and pooling our resources, Bouattia argued, students can help each other to overcome the problems.

The President also spoke of the necessity of the regional network, speaking of the need to “close the gap” between the NUS and the activists they represent. Attendees were invited to share their personal criticisms of their universities or Students’ Unions, with other students or NUS officers providing potential solutions.

The Manchester Students’ Union played host to students from across the North West, from Manchester to Central Lancashire to Derby. Of particular notability was Siôn Davies, a University of Manchester student who is on the NUS National Executive Council and the only Conservative ever to hold such a position. In the current political climate, he is expecting a ‘Tory takeover’ of the NUS. Whilst the NUS remains (for now) a very left-wing organisation, only time will tell if it will be subject to the same political turmoil as the country in which it exists.

One talk, led by NUS Disabled Students’ Officer James Elliot, was entitled ‘Minds versus Markets – Mental Health and Education Funding.’ It focused on the oft-repeated sentiment that higher education in Britain has been subject to a ‘marketisation’ in recent years, and how this has affected students’ mental well-being in particular. A study by the NUS last year discovered that 78 per cent of students surveyed had experienced some form of mental health difficulty at university, with a worrying 33 per cent reporting suicidal thoughts. Whilst the most common cause of distress was workload (67 per cent of students), nearly half were deeply worried about finances — hardly surprising given that UK student debt increased from £15 billion in 2005 to £54 billion in 2014. Elliot encouraged attendees to force their universities to do more than simply “raise awareness.” He expressed a desperate need for high-quality counselling services, institutional mental health policies and systemic change to reduce the financial burden on students.

Led by Manchester Students’ Union Diversity Officer Ilyas Nagdee, the ‘Decolonising Our Education – Tackling the Attainment Gap’ session provided insight into how the British higher education system remains problematic for BAME students. Brought up at the session was the issue that many minority students are made to feel “different” or “inferior” within their academic institutions — one Muslim student complained of an academic advisor who made Islamophobic jokes in front of her. This sort of treatment can lead to feelings of isolation and lower confidence. Additionally, another attendee raised the issue of Euro-centric curricula, citing the example of a Psychology student she knew. Although this student had received excellent results at A-Level, she struggled to finish her undergraduate studies. She felt her degree was “hard to relate to” and was confused as to why non-white psychologists were never mentioned. Although many universities (such as Manchester) have purposely created units that involve the non-Western world and minority groups, it was argued that it was time for them to be part of the standard curriculum.

The sheer range of issues explored at this inaugural Regional Activists Network meeting shows there is still a lot of work to be done, but it was clear that the delegates and students in attendance were keen to make progress.

A guide to art over the Christmas break

We all know the feeling; first semester is coming to a close, a serious lack of motivation, and the promise to catch up on all those missed lectures over the Christmas break. Who are you kidding? You’re not fooling anyone. We’re all going to get home, moan at our parents for decorating the tree without us, don our gay apparel and forget we’re even students.

After spending the last dregs of our student loans and our minimum wages we’ll be desperate to get out of the house without spending a penny. Well, this is your lucky day; because we have the top exhibitions from across the UK this December all planned out for you. So no matter where you lay your hat, you’ll have a free day out on the cards.

London

Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Graphic Art
House of MinaLima
Closes 4th February 2017

With the recent release of J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Harry Potter’s magical world has left us mere muggles pining for more magic in our everyday lives. Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, the designers behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie artwork, are showcasing their magical designs for free! And could they have more perfect wizarding names, please?

You’ll find yourself surrounded by props and artworks like the Marauder’s Map, a Hogwarts acceptance letter, and even Hogwarts express tickets (please let them be legit). Located on Greek Street, just round the corner from the Prince Edward Theatre, I cannot think of a better way to spend a few free hours in the capital.

Liverpool

Sprung a Leak by Cécile B. Evans
Tate Liverpool
Closes 19th March 2017

A popular concept in the modern world is that of Artificial Intelligence, and this innovative exhibition certainly doesn’t shy away from what appears to be computer science’s next logical step. With the growing popularity of shows like Humans and Westworld, the exhibition takes a hard look at the increasing influence that modern technology has on our thoughts and our feelings.

The piece consists of a play between two humanoid robots and a robot dog, and is set in a very possible near-future world. Programmed by researchers and PhD students from the University of Liverpool’s Department of Computer Science, this is set to be a must-see in Liverpool.

Newcastle

MONICA BONVICINI: her hand around the room
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Closes 26th February 2017

Monica Bonvicini brings an exciting exhibition to Newcastle in “her hand around the room”. The Italian-born artist is known for exploring the relationships between architecture, control, gender, space, surveillance, and power. Paying particular attention to individual identity and how we, as humans create our own sense of self, the exhibition ranges from the close and intimate right up the architecturally vast.

This piece will also include various artworks from throughout Bonvicini’s outstanding career, with some works being specially commissioned for this particular exhibition.

Birmingham

Made at Mac: The Art of Computer Games and Animation
mac, Birmingham
Closes 8th January 2017

We so often recommend the works of the professionals, but this is an exciting display of the works of amateurs. Mac, Birmingham offers art classes to children and adults alike, and will be showcasing their work over the festive period.

The artworks are designed based on the stimulus of animation – particularly the animation used in computer games. Who knows? You might just spot the next  best comic-book artist.

Edinburgh

Wildlife Photographer of the Year
National Museum of Scotland
Closes 19th February 2017

On loan from the Natural History Museum in London, this display of 100 of the top photographs of wildlife in their natural environments is set to inspire all who visit. With over 42,000 entries from 96 countries, this competition is truly prestigious. No doubt then that the final images will be awe-inspiring.

Cardiff

Artes Mundi 7
National Museum Cardiff
Closes 26th February 2017

Artes Mundi 7 is an exciting display of the final six artists in line for a chance to win the Artes Mundi contemporary art prize.

Karen MacKinnon, Artes Mundi’s Director and Curator: “Artes Mundi 7 brings together the work of six outstanding international artists. Through their work they examine important global issues such as migration, technology, ecological issues, capitalism and global politics. These artists question what it means to be human in our world and in our time. Whether their works explore the current situation in Angola, fictional future cities, the politics of food production or migration from Syria to Beirut; there is humour, surrealism and provocation. But what connects this diverse exhibition is relevance and urgency, as they comment on and question the spirit of our age.”

Bristol

Daphne Wright: Emotional Archaeology
Arnolfini
Closes 31st December 2016

Based in Bristol, artist Daphne Wright focuses on the suburban and the domestic realm to explore complex social issues and our understanding of society. Her work appears to focus on the everyday and to put it under the spotlight so that we can see reality’s true nature.

The exhibition includes major sculptural works alongside films, prints, and drawings, allowing visitors to connect emotionally with all aspects of the exhibition.

Leeds

Everyday Objects
The Gallery at Munro House
Closes 21st January 2017

Designer Jason Taylor re-imagines the uses of everyday objects and infuses the mundane with obscurity. Some of his creations are functional, others are not, and some are just crazy constructions that seem to make very little sense in our world.

Some of his reinventions include matchsticks, cheese-graters, and biro pens. This exhibition is set to be both bizarre and spectacular.

So when you’re lying in bed wondering why you spent so much money on all those mulled wines last night, just remember; free arts exhibitions have always got your back.

And if that doesn’t tickle your fancy Fuse TV have made a run down of what to do in Manchester, even if you’re on a budget! Watch it here.

City AM Newspaper criticised for auctioning internship for £650

City AM, a business newspaper, has come under fire for auctioning a one-week internship at its London headquarters for £650.

In the advert for their internship, City AM state: “City AM are delighted to offer a one-week internship on their dynamic news desk perfect for a budding journalist. This is a great opportunity to work with the City’s leading newspaper and see how it works from start to finish. From the editor’s desk to going to print, experience just what is takes to bring a newspaper to life each day.”

Although the money raised in the auction is for the charity ‘Maggie’s Cancer Centres’, the newspaper has come under fire for not recognising the inequality of opportunity which the auction perpertuates, as richer students will more likely to afford the internship rather than their less advantaged counterparts.

Graduate Fog, the careers advice website, does not find the charity destination of the money enough to excuse City AM‘s actions. On their website, they state: “As journalism is one of the most competitive industries for UK graduates to break into, and experience is hard to get, it is safe to say that the person who does this internship will be more likely to secure a paid job in future than a person who can’t afford to do it.

“In our opinion, the fact that a few hundred quid will go to charity does not justify that. Internships should never be for sale, or presented as a prize. It is unfair and inappropriate.”

Moreover, The Guardian has reported that many people have taken to Twitter to express their feelings, with one person tweeting that it is “a strange way to make money”.

In an exchange of tweets with Graduate Fog, City AM‘s audience development manager, Tim Miller, pointed out that it’s a one-off charity initiative, and that “we offer internships at no cost”.

Graduate Fog tweeted back that “CV-boosting experience is simply an inappropriate prize in 2016. CityAM should find something else to auction for the money which isn’t at the expense of whoever gets pushed back in the queue for paid jobs, when this person gets pushed forward.”

Review: When Both Sides Surrender

Last Saturday I had the great pleasure of witnessing the final showing of ‘When Both Sides Surrender’, a locally produced Arts Council funded drama performed at 53two – Manchester’s newest and most promising independent arts venue.

On the night, I was unsure what to expect as I had never really gone to watch a play before, but I was absolutely blown away by the themes that the play explored and the effort and thought that had been put into the script and performance.

‘When Both Sides Surrender’ bravely dramatises the 2011 England riots, which began after the fateful shooting of Mark Duggan by Metropolitan Police officers in North London. It led to people taking to the streets as an opportunity to vent their frustration against the failings of government through civil disturbances. This pitted angry youth against unprepared police in a complex battle for the control of narrative, order and virtues.

The play represents just that, a standoff between two supposedly opposing factions and a struggle between law & order vs anarchy, good vs evil. It makes you question and rethink even things such as what is considered right and wrong.

‘When Both Sides Surrender’ is a story of tragedy, power and morality. It consists of a gang of boisterous, hungry youths in the midst of the Salford riots, in search for retribution and respect amongst chaos. Also there is a unit of police officers, held to be self-proclaimed guardians of the peace but this is not so clear cut, made so by them each having their own views on how to resolve the ongoing unrest.

What makes the performance so extraordinarily unique and incredible is the use of Shakespearean language and themes throughout, which manages to provide a whole new scope of meaning and interpretation of who rioted and why? It chimes with Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film adaptation of Romeo + Juliet, being that it mesmerisingly blends Elizabethan style acting with the tribulations and surreality of modern life in England. The conviction of the senior police officer and the way he described the fate of Salford’s streets like it was the last days of Rome shows the levels of thought and ingenuity that went into the play.

The cast consisted of upcoming and established Northern actors. You could feel the energy and emotion come through from each and every performer as tears were seen being stubbornly wiped away from faces on the front row and in certain scenes you honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!

Andrew Readman was truly fantastic as the senior police officer, his powerful monologues hit home the message of the play – but you cannot take anything from such a bright and energetic cast. It really was clear to see how much fun they must’ve had working together under Director Lawrence Evans. I’m certain some of them will go far in the near future! Post-performance I had the great pleasure of meeting the Lawrence Evans and Writer Scott Devon and was taken aback by how much the play meant to them, both as art and as an important piece of social commentary.

The venue itself 53two was such a perfect fit for the performance. I didn’t think such a place existed in Manchester before Saturday night and ‘When Both Sides Surrender’ was in fact the first (and we hope of many) feature length plays to be shown there.

Situated under railway arches within a compound opposite the Bridgewater Hall in town, it really is a gem with such a bright future ahead of it. Owner (and would you believe Actor in the performance) Simon Naylor opened the venue not long back after beating big dog offers from property investment companies (a rare victory for the arts it seems these days) to open what promises to be one of the best independent arts venue in Manchester with the right amount of exposure and support.

With a cosy lounge area, fully equipped bar and quaint decor (quite surreal in essence when you’ve trudged through a dark and dingy car park to get to the entrance) the main venue room complemented the performance. You really feel that you are in the thick of the drama itself. What amazed me was a scene where the rioters became aware that the police were on the move in the distance and then a tram slowly rumbled overhead (imitating the sounds of a rumbling advancing army). Ominous, transient sounds of the city such as this fitted perfectly with the sombreness of the performance and actually sent shivers down my spine on the occasions it occurred.

The events that took place in cities up and down the land during August 2011 may be fresher in some minds more than others. As for me, I was a naive 19 year old Police Officer at the time, not wanting to understand why lads the same age, colour and class as me felt the need to throw bricks at ‘us’ and carry out wanton acts of violence against ‘their’ own neighbourhoods.

Even language such as ‘us’ and their’ infiltrates your vocabulary subconsciously, which the performance tries to break down. The press, government and the courts helped me and most of England come to a conclusion on the reasons behind why my fellow citizens took to the streets in anger against a system that had failed them. As Writer Scott Devon said to me at the bar after the performance – there are no winners or losers, just in the same way it’s difficult to say what is right and what is wrong.

The play should make anyone rethink why the civil unrest in Manchester & Salford happened, why was it brushed under the carpet so easily when we were made out to feel so unalike? My biggest disappointment regarding ‘When Both Sides Surrender’ is that I only got to see it on its last night. A truly striking performance that led me on a long walk into the freezing cold night afterwards thinking about what I had just witnessed. Bravo Manchester.

Review: Billy Elliot The Musical

The multi-award winning, smash hit musical, Billy Elliot comes to the Palace Theatre. The musical about a young boy who just wants to dance, against the backdrop of the 1985 miners’ strike, takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster.

Set in a northern mining town, where the strikes have made money scarce and class divides stronger.  This is the political climate surrounding the musical which prevents a happy-go-lucky narrative, instead offering a real depth to the characters and their situations.

By chance, Billy Elliot attends Mrs Wilkinson’s (Annette McLaughlin) ballet class after boxing training. It is here where Billy discovers his love for dance.  The dance sequences are beautiful. Particularly the dance duet between Billy and an older version of himself (Luke Cinque-White), both technically and visually spectacular, as Billy soars above the stage. The musical has numerous visually spectacular numbers, including the ballet class interlaced with fighting between Police Officers and strikers.

You can’t help but be overwhelmed by the talent you see on stage, particularly as half the cast are children. On the night I saw Lewis Smallman play Billy Elliot, but this role is shared by 3 other boys, making 4 Billy Elliots in total. Smallman was a sensation and left the audience wanting to jump to their feet in applause after every dance number.  No doubt the rest of the boys will be equally as impressive.  The children shone in their roles, not least Billy’s ‘cross-dressing’ best friend Michael.

The musical raises some interesting and complex issues. The heavy working class and masculine-environment, means Billy Elliot isn’t supported in his dance dreams, but instead is banned from attending more classes. These emotionally driven scenes between Billy and his dad (Martin Walsh), illustrates the danger of penning yourself into a box and the importance of being an individual. Mr Elliot eventually realises the importance of supporting Billy’s dream and takes him to the Royal Ballet Company audience in London.

The strike is one of the main themes running throughout the musical. Both Billy’s dad and brother are on strike along with the majority of the town. Those who aren’t are ‘scabs’ and shunned from society. The numerous references to Margaret Thatcher and a full scale dedicated song ‘Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher ‘ means you are constantly reminded of how communities were ripped apart during the 1980s. It is sometimes easy to forget, but this musical fully reminds you of the importance of community. This is an important reminder, particularly as we now see our second conservative female prime minister, Thersea May, come into power.

The strong sense of community was perfectly encapsulated as the community came together to fund Billy Elliot’s audience costs. Countless sacrifices were made to help Billy achieve his dreams. One of the most emotional moments in the musical is when the strike is broken, as the audience know the devastating effects of this, whilst the characters can only assume. I certainly had to wipe away my tears at a number of moments throughout the show and I wasn’t alone.

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Infact, the audience are sent into fits of laughter throughout, mainly because of the near constant, but still surprise of the children swearing . This show really does have it all. It thoroughly deserved its standing ovation. You take away the notion that everyone is different and you should take pride in being an individual, demonstrated in ‘Express Yourself’. Whilst also appreciating that you can’t achieve your dreams alone, but are part of a community and that is what makes you strong, highlighted in ‘Once we were kings’.

The entire production was phenomenal, from the northern accents to the tutus galore. This is certainly not one to miss.  Billy Elliot the musical is being performed at Palace Theatre till the 28th January. Get your tickets here. And remember to take some tissues with you.

A student life: chair of the Polo society

When I meet Jade, I get the impression straight away that she certainly bucks the trend for the usual ‘lazy student’ stereotype, as instead of spending her free time bingeing on Netflix like the most of us, she is busy running around taking part in not one, but six societies. Her main dedication being to the Polo society, of which she is chair for the second year running.

I asked her to tell me a bit about how she was involved in the Polo society.

“Well I used to do a different degree for half a year, so I started back then in 2014 — it wasn’t really much of a society back then, it was just a few people playing polo and if you have four people you can call it a society! And so they were all leaving and they had this little stand at the freshers stall and they gave five pound taster sessions,  and I thought okay I’ll try it, and once you’ve gone once you get addicted!”

She continues: “And so they left us to it, and everyone who had gotten a really good taste for it started making it into a society and then we kind of just appointed roles as we went a long, so I was secretary and then this last year I became chairperson.”

I want to know, as I expect a lot of people do, exactly what’s involved in Polo society, and what they actually do.  Jane responds equally enthusiastically and is clear she really wants to place emphasis on how fun the sport actually is.

“We have this amazing coach, who sells horses to Argentinian polo teams, he also trains Liverpool Polo Club as well. We have half the lesson as chilled out just doing your own individual thing and then the second half you play chuckers, which is what the game is called, and they’re usually around seven minutes long.”

“It’s all aimed towards the big competitions, and we have two of them a year and they’re with SUPA (Schools and Universities’ Polo Association) so there are two big ones and other smaller ones around, there’s also the Chrisite Cup which we’ve started doing — which we won last year which is pretty good! So it’s good to be able to get involved in that kind of thing as polo society is now a lot bigger.”

Winning trophies and practicing every week is not all that they do, as Jane assures me that “we have more socials now!” She laughs, before admitting that before the society developed, the socials used to be a more humble affair.

“Because there used to be so few of us, it used to be ‘let’s make spaghetti and go round to someone’s house’ but now we go out for meals or do something silly… Oh we did something really interesting recently actually…”

“We did a naked polo calendar! We were the month of March. Loads of polo societies from all around the country raising money for a charity to do with raising people’s self-image… all the money goes to a good cause!” (Always an excellent reason to get your kit off.)

I ask if most people start out as complete beginners or if people have played it before coming to University.

“Most people haven’t played it before… but they can ride a horse. If you can trot you can join! When people ring and they say they haven’t ridden before, we usually direct them to Equestrian Society and you can train with them for a year and then come back to us and start playing polo!”

Speculating about the often exclusive image of Polo, I ask Jade if you have to already own a horse to play.

“No, the coach owns his own troupe of polo horses, which have to be trained for six years to become polo horses! They’re really well-behaved and chilled out, so well-trained and will look after you even when you’re half-hanging off trying to hit the ball across the field!”

After chatting about the large role she plays in Polo Society, and the society going from strength to strength, I wonder how Jane has any time for anything else, but she’s actually involved in five other societies, including Panto.

“Yeah I got involved with that last year, and fell into in after going to an audition because it was so fun, and I’ll be doing it again this year with the next pantomime. I’m part of too many societies!

“It’s hard to split my time. I’m running from one thing to another every single day. Involved in drama society, musical theatre society, film making society, dance society, panto society and polo society!”

“Polo is the one society I would drop everything for, because I’m the chair!”

Course: Drama — second year

Best bit about polo society: “The tournaments, with people you love in a team, and you get to play a crazy adrenaline-filled sport, and we’ve quite a lot and it makes you feel great that you’ve put the time in to get to that stage! And it’s like a big sleepover, because you stay the whole weekend.”

The worst bit: “Lack of funding! We struggle to get funding, we’re so new and niche, and we need to get funding so we can subsidise it more.”

Work life balance: Not great: “I’m part of six societies!”

How can people get involved: “Like our Facebook page and drop us a message and we’ll get back to you so you can come to training! Our coach trains straight from beginners, and so anyone can come whenever they want! Even if you just want to give it a go, we welcome everyone with open arms.”

 

The best is yet to come

Eddie Jones’ England went into the autumn series with a perfect record of nine out of nine wins. I predicted that they would emerge from the series with that perfect record still intact. While at the time of writing they are yet to play Australia, I predict they will have won the game; England’s XV is nearly back to full strength, with the likes of George Kruis back in the fray.

Following this set of games, a significant consideration is whether England have continued on their rapid upward trajectory of progress. Through the Six Nations and the Australia tour, England displayed a blistering rate of improvement: they were electric, playing an expansive, exciting style of rugby not witnessed under the previous regime.

However, in this series, England have honed this style. With excitement comes petulance; instead, this series England have looked to play with a level of maturity and calmness, while maintaining the style exhibited over the course of this year.

A crucial point in the series occurred at the very beginning, within the first ten minutes of the match against South Africa. England found themselves 6-0 down as a result of over-excitement, giving away several unnecessary penalties, ultimately, playing immature rugby.

While previous England sides might have wilted, gone chasing the game and subsequently being picked off, Jones’ side took a deep breath, dusted themselves off and took hold of the game. Securing a breakdown penalty, England acquired good field position and executed a crisp backs move to score.

This was a demonstration of maturity, cool minds in the face of adversity. From here, England looked the only winners, eventually coming out 37-21 victors. Defensively, England had many things to work on following the game: South Africa accumulated 21 points, both of their tries arising from disorganisation and lapses in concentration.

While England have started to illustrate a winning maturity, disorganisation and concentration in defense have arisen as a problem. Although the result against Fiji was never in doubt, Fiji scored 3 tries in a ten minute stint before half-time. A defensive stupor of this magnitude, against such lowly opposition, enrages a coach like Eddie Jones; one who strives for meticulous perfection in every aspect of the game. The 58-15 final result was deceptive. This was a disappointing game in terms of performance.

The match against Argentina took on a whole new meaning with Elliot Daly’s early red card. This was a perfect opportunity for England to practice how the team would react to this type of scenario in more significant circumstances, a crucial Six Nations or knock-out World Cup game for example. This was a further illustration of maturity.

England put many hours of tactical training into practice, adopting a reserved game plan that focused on minimal concession and the accumulation of points: the forwards were magnificent in the way they ground out valuable penalties for the team. Dylan Hartley, along with Owen Farrell, demonstrated their leadership qualities: Jones’ decision to give Hartley the captaincy has been truly vindicated this year.

This was also the best defensive performance of the series, England conceding only 14 points to an Argentina side that were quick and creative. While the South Africa victory was timely (England had not beaten them in ten years), this was by far the most satisfying, a performance as good in defence as in attack.

Injuries to England starters have forced Jones’ hand during this series, notable absentees including Mario Itoje, Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell. It has led to the imposition of the likes of Daly and Semesa Rokoduguni; Daly’s ability to play a number of positions could be incredibly useful for England down the stretch.

Moreover, the strength in depth of the English talent pool has also been illustrated during this series. The ability to bring on the quality of Nathan Hughes, Henry Slade and Kyle Sinckler is a luxury for Jones, enabling the team to dominate the latter stages of games.

Jones is looking for sustainable improvement, not quick-fixes. He is slowly creating a team that has a solid, dependable and flexible style, in which players can be fitted in and out of. The initial part of this year saw the implantation of a deadly attacking style; the autumn has seen the development of game maturity. Eddie Jones has remained calm and focussed throughout: he thinks England still have a lot to improve on, especially defensively.

The 2017 Six Nations, is the next hurdle, away matches against Wales and Ireland standing as formidable examinations. Despite being 2nd in the world, this team is undoubtedly still a work in progress. In my eyes, they are on the cusp of being exceptional.

Live: White Lies

25th November at The Albert Hall

6.5/10

By the time White Lies take to the stage, The Albert Hall is bursting at the seams with 2500 hungry fans packed into a sold-out show. Launching into ‘Take It Out On Me’, lead single from latest album Friends, they waste no time blowing more than just the proverbial ‘bloody doors’ off of the venue. Sounding huge and with a light show bombastic enough to set off a seizure in someone a kilometer away, the atmosphere is like that of a scaled down arena show.

A few songs in, you can count the number of people still sitting on both hands. The stained-glass windows and organ behind the stage make a suitable setting for what certainly feels like a mass religious experience. Minus the speaking in tongues, White Lies have a faith healer-like ability to whip up an audience, with tracks from 2009 debut To Lose My Life… noticeably receiving the best reactions. The building positively erupts for fan favourites such as ‘To Lose My Life’ and ‘Death’; the reaction to the latter likely to make any building inspector shudder at the thought of it taking place in what is, a grade II listed building.

As the show progresses though, there is a sense that White Lies have played all their cards. Anthem after anthem with variable reactions from the audience starts to dull the experience. As massive as they sound, without enough contrast, parts of the set fade into one another. There is an obvious appeal to playing the songs with the most energy, but without the change of pace, without quieter moments, the highs just don’t consistently feel so high. There is a lack of danger, for the most part you know what is coming and it is the moments when they deviate from this rigid formula that really shine through. ‘The Price Of Love’ is a welcome change of pace and sees front-man Harry McVeigh actually come across as dark and subdued. It may not be the biggest singalong of the set but it is one of the most captivating points and it elevates the impact of what follows it.

While it is impressive how big just four musicians can sound, with the exception of drummer Jack Lawrence-Brown, they rarely seem to get as lost in the performance as their audience. With a talent for writing such mammoth tunes as they do and provoking such a reaction out of an audience, it is a shame to see some of their contemporaries graduating to playing arenas without them. In another world, one which they aren’t let down by such a one-dimensional back catalogue and aren’t as afraid to take risks, it would be easy to see them playing to twenty thousand people rather than two and a half. Overall an hour and a half spent with White Lies is undoubtedly an enjoyable experience, but one can’t help thinking of the gig it could have been.

Bath chemistry academic leads Christmas Lectures

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the annual televised Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Professor Saiful Islam, from the Department of Chemistry at Bath University, will be presenting the BBC lectures this year, with a focus on energy.

He says that “people take energy for granted. It is all around us from the moment we are born and we assume it will be with us for all time. I’m excited that our celebration of energy offers a wonderful opportunity to explain how current cutting-edge research on clean energy technologies is founded on the Royal Institution’s rich heritage of discovery by greats such as Michael Faraday.

“I’m also looking forward to recreating some memorable moments from previous lectures with the help of some very special guests.”

Whilst some elements of the show will remain a surprise, we do know the opening scene to the lecture. Moments after it begins, the theatre will be plunged into darkness, being lit by a single candle. Professor Islam said: “One thing about energy is that it cannot be created or destroyed, only changed from one form to another. So the candle is a nice example of chemical energy leading to light and heat energy.”

The University of Bath lecturer is following in the steps of some particularly famous and prestigious names, who have also presented at the Christmas Lectures. Since their conception in 1825 by Michael Farraday, scientists Richard Dawkins, David Attenborough, and Carl Sagan have presented.

Representing the University of Manchester have been Dame Professor Nancy Rothwell, who spoke in 1998, and Professor Danielle George, who presented ‘Sparks will fly: How to Hack your Home’ just two years ago.

Speaking on his appointment, Prof Islam has said: “I feel very privileged, very honoured, and partly terrified to follow in their footsteps. Hopefully my nervous energy will carry me through.”

He also hopes that his year at the Christmas Lectures can inspire like Carl Sagan did him during his talk in 1997: “I don’t know if I’m a role model, but I’d be very happy if I did encourage younger generations from diverse backgrounds to stay in science… I’m a firm believer that if you want good science and innovation, you must exploit the talents of all, regardless of gender, race and background,” he says.

“Science can be tricky and hard, but there are rewards. I want children to understand that the pursuit of science is the proper way to unravel the mysteries of the world around us and that it is full of beauty and exciting discovery.”

Cassian Harrison, from BBC Four, said: “The Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution are a much loved part of the BBC’s Christmas schedule and how better to celebrate their anniversary than with this very special series of lectures from Saiful Islam exploring the extraordinary world of energy.

“With classic moments from the past 80 years and some very special guests, as well as a look ahead at cutting edge research, these lectures promise to be a real treat.”

The 2016 Christmas Lectures will broadcast live from the Royal Institution’s theatre on 26th, 27th and 28th December 2016 on BBC Four

Jodrell Bank blocks home development plans

A proposed new housing development near Jodrell Bank Observatory, in Cheshire, has been blocked on the basis that new electronic appliances in the area would increase signal pollution and affect the observatory’s ability to receive radio signals.

The site is 1.95 miles from the observatory, which was established in 1945 by Sir Bernard Lovell and is featured frequently on TV shows, such as Stargazing Live, with presenters such as Brian Cox.

Sajid Javid, Communities and Local Government Secretary, has agreed with the public enquiry’s opinion that, “as an established world class facility, [Jodrell Bank] should be afforded reasonable protection”.

A statement from Mr Javid’s team, states: “The secretary of state… considers that this proposal could damage the world-class work being carried out by the observatory. In his view, the harm to the efficiency of the radio telescope carries substantial weight against the proposal.”

Furthermore, “the protection of Jodrell Bank as a facility of international importance transcends the housing land supply circumstances of the case” and “the reasonable protection of Jodrell Bank Observatory is a matter of global significance.”

Scientists have argued that a new development would take signal pollution in the area to above 10 per cent, with a public enquiry concluding that, “the harm to the efficiency of the Radio Telescope carries substantial weight against the proposal.”

This is not the first time the proposal has been rejected as Cheshire East Council also rebuffed the development last year.

Ainsley Arnold, Councillor of Cheshire East, added: “Jodrell Bank observatory is a vital asset to this borough, the nation and the international scientific community. The protective zone around the telescope has been in place since 1973 and we are very pleased that its importance has been recognised and reinforced.

“As a council, we are doing everything possible to meet the housing needs of our area. However, this was simply the wrong development in the wrong place. It is very good to see that the long-term protection of vital scientific work has prevailed over the short-term high demand in housing supply.

“This further underlines the importance of the ongoing collaboration between the council and Manchester University over operations at the site.”

Female scientists sign letter against hate

A group of women in STEM have written an open letter against Trump and the “anti-science sentiment” he brought to the United States during the 2016 election cycle.

The President-elect notoriously claimed that climate change was a concept fabricated by China and promised to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement during his campaign. The agreement is part of a global action plan to limit the increase in global warming to 2°C, and only became effective on the 2nd of November this year.

The letter states: “Science is foundational in a progressive society, fuels innovation, and touches the lives of every person on this planet. We fear that the scientific progress and momentum in tackling our biggest challenges, including staving off the worst impacts of climate change, will be severely hindered under this next U.S. administration. Our planet cannot afford to lose any time.”

The letter also mentions discrimination targeting against “minority groups, women, LGBTQIA, immigrants, and people with disabilities. Many of us feel personally threatened by this divisive and destructive rhetoric and have turned to each other for understanding, strength and a path forward.”

Dr Kelly Ramirez, at the Netherlands Insitute of Ecology and an author of the letter, has said that herself and her co-authors felt this letter was needed due to the “fear that the scientific progress and momentum in tackling our biggest challenges, including staving off the worst impacts of climate change, [would] come to an abrupt stop” following Trump’s victorious campaign.

Dr Franciska De Vries, from the Soil and Ecosystem Ecology Lab at the University of Manchester, is also part of the group that initiated the plan and spoke to BBC News following the letter’s publication.

With an initial estimated outreach of 500 female scientists, Dr De Vries hopes that this “global network” of scientists can support each other in research and inspire young women to embark on careers in science.

“It’s empowering for people to read that letter and to see the huge amount of signatures and support” and to know by sharing “these feelings with a network — we have a voice.”

“We see this as the start of something bigger.”

Working class students win protection against class appropriation

Students at St Hilda’s College, Oxford have won a battle to win protection from discrimination against their working-class status. The students reported that they had received unsavoury comments regarding their Primark clothing.

The college has now voted to appoint a ‘class liberation officer’ in order to prevent students from low-income backgrounds being referred to as ‘chavs’. One student stated: “Insults such as ‘chav’, chav-themed social nights and questions such as ‘why are you wearing Primark?’ can make poor students feel upset and worthless.”

Students at Manchester have faced similar criticism as the scruffy-look ‘Fallowfield Style’ has been deemed offensive to poorer students, and even the homeless. First year English student Louise grew up in a working class family in London and feels that richer students in Fallowfield ‘dressing down’ can be seen as insulting. She told The Mancunion: “My family have always struggled with money. We were lucky if we could pay the bills at the end of every month. Seeing students purposely dress down to try and look ‘edgy’ or ‘cool’ seems a bit disrespectful to people who actually can’t afford expensive clothes.”

Indeed, other students have expressed anger towards the fact that the Fallowfield dress code of baggy trousers and loose jumpers could be viewed as patronising to the homeless community in Manchester. Second year History student, George, said: “When you see students dressing in old, scruffy sports gear and then you find out that they went to a private school in London it seems a bit like they’re taking advantage of their wealth. Poverty and homelessness is a huge problem in Manchester so why are some students trying to pretend that they’re poorer than they are? It all just seems a bit thoughtless.”

However, the Students’ Union are taking action to tackle class appropriation. Just this year, the student Senate voted to appoint a part-time Working-Class Officer to ensure that those studying at Manchester who came from a less well-off background are having their grievances represented. This comes at an especially important time when earlier this year that government announced that they would be cutting maintenance grants, a key source of income for students from poorer backgrounds.

In fact, despite some working class students stating their annoyance at Fallowfield’s fashion sense; others feel it is being given unnecessary attention over other, more important issues. Biochemistry student Harriet reinforced this idea when she commented: “I grew up in a working class part of Birmingham and have seen that there are much bigger problems than some rich kids wearing old Adidas trackies. I do think the university should be doing more to make sure that people like me have enough support on our courses and private lives to have as good a time as students with richer parents.”

Petition for a referendum on NUS membership at Manchester goes live

Across the country, many Students’ Unions are voting on whether to remain affiliated with the National Union of Students (NUS).

The issue of students’ disillusionment in the NUS gained force when President of the NUS Malia Bouattia generated scandal over her comments regarding Jewish students, which prompted backlash from many students across the country and led to calls that it was failing to represent the whole student body. Some disaffiliations have already occurred at universities in Newcastle and Hull.

At the University of Manchester, students currently do not have the opportunity to vote on whether their students’ union should remain affiliated. However at the first senate meeting of the academic year the Students’ Union debated whether to offer a referendum on membership of the NUS, this was not passed.

Despite this, Samim Sadid has started a petition on the Students’ Union website calling for a referendum on NUS membership. Speaking to The Mancunion, Sadid has said: “The referendum provides an opportunity and democratic exercise for students to express concerns they may have about the NUS. A growing number of students do not feel the NUS is representing their interests effectively. They want change and feel the NUS are not providing that change.”

If the referendum is allowed to take place, it would allow the debate that has happened at other universities to take place at the University of Manchester. Referendums have also been held at Cambridge, which voted to stay by a five per cent margin, and Oxford where 57 per cent voted to stay.

Sadid went on to say: “This referendum, therefore, empowers students to campaign and pitch their arguments for remaining or leaving the NUS, and, deciding which direction they want their students’ union to follow.”

In statement to The Mancunion Naa Acquah, General Secretary of the Students’ Union said: “As a democratic institution, we are delighted that students come up with a range of ideas that have the ability to trigger referendums on a variety of issues. Within our structures we also hold a referendum on NUS every 3 years which would have been next academic year.

“With regards to the recent proposal to hold a referendum, our current view is that at a time when Higher Education is under attack, we foresee that being a part of the wider Student movement will be invaluable.”

49% of female students are victims of sexual assault

It has recently been reported in Babe that 49 per cent of female students have been sexually assaulted. Babe’s Consent and Sexual Assault survey revealed that 51 per cent of those were assaulted while at university.

The survey revealed that many knew their attacker, with 78 per cent saying that it was either a close friend or boyfriend and 67 per cent stating that it was someone they knew.

One girl, interviewed by Babe depicted her experience as “disturbing”, stating: “It happened just after the end of my first year of uni. I was assaulted after a night out by another close friend while I was drunk and asleep. He was sober and he thought I’d ‘wake up and enjoy it’ – needless to say, I didn’t.”

27 per cent of those who stated their assault took place at university said that these events occurred during their first year, with 23 per cent reporting that the assault took place during Freshers Week.

The University of Manchester had particularly high results with a 17 per cent of students saying they had been raped and 35 per cent saying they had been sexually assaulted.

One anonymous respondent to The Tab claimed she “never reported it to the university or the police”, something which she regrets after being told that it would not affect her degree but she felt that there was “no support and nowhere [she] could turn to talk about what had happened”.

When questioned about how they combat these issues a University of Manchester spokesman stated: “This is a self-selecting survey where an unknown number of participants filled in an online form, so the findings should be treated with caution. However the University does treat any instances of harassment extremely seriously and we recommend to students that such allegations be reported to the police for investigation in the first instance.We also offer extensive support to students in the form of pastoral support, including counselling services provided in-house. Through the ‘We Get It’ campaign, run alongside the Students’ Union, we have instituted a zero-tolerance approach and an initiative of spreading awareness throughout the University community.”

The Guardian recently reported that research conducted by professionals stated that 70 per cent of British women have “taken steps in their everyday lives to guard against harassment. Women have been told to defend themselves: wear rings with daggers, carry rape alarms, and use anti-rohypnol nail varnish every time they visit a bar or go out to a nightclub.”

Manchester’s Reclaim the Night, hosted by the Manchester Students’ Union, sees thousands of women amplifying their voices and taking to the streets to ‘say ‘NO’ to sexual violence against women.

This event has become a platform for women to stand up to those that think sexual harassment is acceptable, attempting to educate others about street harassment, rape culture, and victim blaming and aims to make the University of Manchester a more safe and open environment.

Last year saw the protest’s greatest turn-out, with over 3,500 students marching against sexual and street harassment. Despite this, the figures mentioned previously would suggest that sexual harassment remains an issue in university life.

Newcastle to give special dispensation for distressing topics

The University of Newcastle has recently considered offering students extra time, exam re-sits, and deadline extensions for work involving ‘sensitive topics’ as this may have an impact on students’ final grades. It will include material taken from any subject, across any field, which includes violence, rape, misogyny, and racism.

‘Trigger warnings’ are already issued by many of the UK’s top universities such as LSE and Edinburgh, much like many universities in the US. They give the opportunity for students to know beforehand the topic of lectures and readings they may feel uncomfortable with and have established a safe environment for students to attend discussions.

Academics, such as Dennis Haynes, Director of campaign group Academics for Academic Freedom and education professor at Derby University, has criticised this academic proposition and has referred to it as “bureaucratic mollycoddling” as reported by The Sunday Times.

Students at University College London studying the module Archaeologies of Modern Conflict have also been given permission to leave lecture theatres if a topic they are focusing on is deemed ‘disturbing’ or ‘traumatic’ such as the Holocaust or the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Sociology lecturer Pam Lowe at Aston University, Birmingham, recently wrote for the New Statesman suggesting that it was “important for staff to assist and support students while teaching and learning sensitive issues, but we should not be sanitising the curriculum for them.”

It is not yet clear what constitutes a ‘sensitive topic’. Universities in the US takes a very different approach to the matter, with many leading academics at top US universities suggesting that labelling work as difficult should be taken with a pinch of salt, as dealing with these issues is something the student chose to do when considering their subject.

Why do the Irons keep getting hammered?

Nobody likes fickle football fans; it’s easy to sit there and call for your manager to be sacked when things aren’t going well. However, in order to enjoy the good times with a football club, disappointments must be endured too. And West Ham fans have certainly had their fair share of ups and downs over the years. But why exactly have they been so underwhelming this season?

To a large extent, West Ham’s summer recruitment has been to blame. The board were very transparent in their desire to sign a marquee-style striker. In a Sky Sports News interview, Sullivan specifically said “We need a 20-goal-a-season striker and that will cost us £25m or £30m. That is where the bulk of the money goes”.

And things got off to an exciting start with a reported £40m bid for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette. The club were also linked to Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi as well as AC Milan’s Carlos Bacca. It was all looking so promising; the fans were brimming with excitement.

Eventually, West Ham had had to settle for Swansea winger-cum-striker Andre Ayew. Undoubtedly, he’s a technically gifted played. West Ham broke their transfer record fee in signing him (reported fee of £20m). But it wasn’t exactly the marquee signing the club hoped for, nor was getting injured in his first game exactly ideal.

West Ham’s other summer signings have been poor. In his few cameo appearances, striker Jonathan Calleri has looked massively off the pace. Signing Borussia Mönchengladbach captain Håvard Nordtveit on a free looked a steal but he has failed to settle in the Premier League, again looking off the pace. Slaven Billic was keen to link back up with Gökhan Töre. But the winger’s poor work rate landed him a bad first impression with fans, who value effort levels immensely (hence their idolisation of Mark Noble).

World-cup winner Álvaro Arbeloa has made just two appearances this season (with no detailed explanation given for his absence). With Sam Byram injured, West Ham have had been forced to play top goal scorer Michail Antonio as a make shift right-wing back.

Then there’s the new London stadium (a.k.a. the Olympic Stadium). On paper, this was a brilliant move for the club. Money matters in football and it’s foolish to think otherwise. Acquiring such an iconic stadium has massively added value to the club’s global brand, as indicated by the recently reported interest from investors in Qatar.

But in footballing terms, the move has been a total disaster. The board keep telling fans that they are no further away from the pitch than at Wembley. While this may be true, spectators still feel quite a distance away from the players. The pitch itself is also larger than Upton Park was, encouraging expansive football; this can be exploited by away teams who like to play counter-attacking football.

Architecturally, the stadium just doesn’t suit football. This was the cause of the reported violence at the Chelsea home game (without wanting to make excuses for actions of individuals). Because the stadium was designed for athletics, no sections were initially designated explicitly for home and away fans. This meant that at half time, fans would go for some refreshments (more often than not a pint) and would be stood in the queue with opposition fans.

While this relaxed atmosphere might work with sports like rugby, football is just not ready for that transition (and may never be). In addition, the noise in the stadium seems to go “up and out”, meaning you can’t hear fans singing at the opposite end of the stadium.

Upton Park was romantic, atmospheric and intense. Away teams used to dread away days at West Ham; now they lick their lips with excitement. London Stadium just doesn’t have that “sense of place”. Of course, this may be crafted over time as new memories are forged. But the early signs are that the London Stadium is emblematic of the commercialization of football which fans loathe.

Finally, it is worth talking about David Sullivan and David Gold’s striker recruitment. Just listing some names of their signings over the years speaks for itself. Wellington Paulista. Malden Petric. Marco Borriello. Emmanuel Emenike. Freddie Piquionne. John Carew. Victor Obinna. It honestly feels at times like we’ve based our recruitment on scouting reports from Jack Sullivan’s FIFA escapades (David Sullivan’s son). The truth is that West Ham have lacked a top striker ever since the forced retirement of Dean Ashton due to injury.

Despite the recent positive performance at Old Trafford, West Ham fans will still be worried, and the constant speculation about Dimitri Payet’s future isn’t exactly helpful. But Billic is likeable, experienced and well-respected. He retains the full backing of the board and (importantly) the fans. In addition, we have one of the league’s top goal scorers in Michail Antonio. Left-back Aaron Cresswell is also in top form as indicated by his recent England call up. But unless Billic turns things round quickly, he might be the latest manage to be thrown off the premier league managerial merry-go-round.

Boxed: the student-run charity project for the homeless

Boxed UoM is a new charity project that aims to help address the problem of homelessness in Manchester by donating essentials and other gifts to the ever-growing number of people sleeping rough in this city.

Ross Collington and Georgina Bullen, the students behind this innovative project at the University of Manchester, started up this charity as a way of giving back to the local homeless community this Christmas.

Each shoebox should contain around seven items from a list provided by the students, including: toiletries, non-perishable food, and clothing items (which must be of a sellable nature if second-hand). The aim is to spend between £7 and £10 on each box if possible.

They realise that packaging boxes may take some time, so individual items are welcome as well as any cash donations via the Boxed UoM Go Fund Me page. As of the 30th November, £310 of the £350 goal has been raised.

Boxed have teamed up with a few local charities, including Barnabus and Mustard Tree, who will be responsible for distributing the donations made. Barnabus, a Christian homeless charity, aims to deliver their boxes at their Christmas Dinner on December 6. Mustard Tree, an organisation aiming to combat poverty and prevent homelessness, will be open for donations until December 15.

Boxed have also teamed up with The Closet in aid of the local mental health charity Manchester Mind. Their shop on Oxford Road, between the University of Manchester Students’ Union and Academy 1, is accepting donations too. This will spread awareness of the mental health issues that are partially responsible for Manchester’s homelessness.

To promote the project, Boxed took to the Students’ Union on November 28 from 9am onwards, selling Krispy Kreme donuts and vegan food items to get students involved.

There is a collection box in the Owens Park reception in Fallowfield, which is open until December 15. The Go Fund Me page online is also open for donations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ross told The Mancunion: “We know as students how tight money can be towards the end of the semester. But anything you can give, be it a box, item, or some money, will help us make a difference this Christmas.”

For more information, please visit the Boxed UoM Facebook page.

Print Mania

Stepping away from the classic all black look can be daunting, it is classic, sophisticated and of course hides multitude of sins. Unfortunately it can become boring. Fashion is about having fun and experimenting with what you wear, so step away from your black skinnies and v-neck tee and incorporate some patterns and prints into your everyday look. From the classic Breton stripe to more eclectic geometric patterns, there are plenty of prints that you can rock to give your style a fun update.

The classic stripe

For those of you who are pattern shy and a full checked suit a la Tory Burch is too much to swallow, then start off with patterns that are more easily integrated into your everday look. Stripes are always in fashion, start with the timeless striped tee to test the water before experimenting further with this pattern.  Vertical stripes are hugely flattering, whether they are on a dress or a pair of trousers this pattern will create the illusion of being super slim by elongating your body. For high-end fashion inspiration, look to Balmain whose collection includes a number of mini dresses with thick vertical stripes in muted tones, a style favoured by the Jenner sisters. Olivier Rousteing, the creative genius behind the current Balmain aesthetic, fully embraces stripes as a pattern that can be fun but also sexy. His glass beads embroidered mini dress in multicolour is a testament to this, embracing the fun side of fashion.

Animal print

Animal print is a favourite on the high-street and with high-end designers alike. Like stripes, animal print is timeless but fun. Whether you opt for leopard, tiger or zebra, these prints can be easily incorporated into your everyday style. Choosing to wear animal print does not have to scream Scary Spice, it can be as subtle or as eccentric as you want. The cheetah print trousers and matching bra might not be a winner for you but take inspiration from Mel B’s fun look and wear a print jacket with your standard black skinnies. This season, both Zara and Topshop have embraced the cheetah print trend and have created lust worthy animal print inspired pieces. I am currently coveting Topshop’s pointed cheetah print boots which are sure to jazz up even the most boring outfit.

topshop.com

Pop art

Look to Moschino for the famous pop art print. From smoking lips to capsule print knitted dresses, Moschino is the ultimate designer for fun fashion pieces. Pop art pieces have had a firm place in fashion for years and it is a print that has been recycled time and time again. As a child in the early noughties, I remember my mum wearing Andy Warhol inspired pieces covered with the famous image of the bombshell Marilyn Monroe. Perhaps one of her more eccentric outfit choices, but nevertheless a great look that has done a full cycle and is now, once again, a hot fashion trend.  If smoking lips are not for you, then why not opt for the subtler nautical theme which was a hit on Tommy Hilfiger’s latest runway show.

Transform your style and incorporate these prints into your everyday outfit choices, experiment with fashion and update your classic look. Fashion is a fun way to express yourself, so take advantage of the fabulous prints on offer on the high street.

Review: The Innocents

The Innocents is a beautifully tragic drama which borrows its idea from the true story of a group of Polish nuns who were repeatedly raped by Soviet soldiers immediately after World War Two ended.

The story is quietly powerful, exposing the shocking and unexpected effect of rape on an uncommon group of people. Highly acclaimed French director Anne Fontaine explores different themes and shares the uplifting nature of unbreakable female unity but also their consequent betrayal.

Although the film has been received positively by critics, so far garnering 95 per cent positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 80 reviews), it is by no means Fontaine’s first successful movie, having also directed the transatlantically popular Adoration, Gemma Bovery and Coco before Chanel amongst many other accomplished French films. Working alongside her is cinematographer Caroline Champetier who does a wonderful job of highlighting the nuns’ intense distress following their attack.

What makes it worse for them is that on top of suffering from PTSD they are terrified of being condemned to hell for being touched, something that they perceive as being a sin. When we discover that, the rapes feels all the more tragic and heart breaking as you feel their heightened shame. Champetier manages to skilfully communicate their distress through stillness and muted colours which puts the focus solely on their emotions, thus contrastingly transferring the scene from a quiet atmosphere to one of disquiet.

Fontaine carries out an in depth analysis of the different characters which frequently conflicts with their sense of morality. This is certainly true in the case of the nuns to varying effects, and also, to a certain extent, Samuel, who is Jewish, who early on in the film expresses hatred towards the Polish (they had shunned the Jewish before and during the war) however he later on aids the nuns, helping to deliver some of their children.

The main starring actress is Lou de Laâge, who does an outstanding job of taking on the role of Mathilde, a medical student who helps the nuns. Her presence on screen is magnetic and compelling, as her powerful yet timid vibe gives her a lovely edge that is complimented by the other actors. Vincent Macaigne had me feeling very conflicted with his portrayal of Samuel, Mathilde’s co-worker and lover. Whilst he was charming and provided an element of much needed humour and lightness to the otherwise heavy plot, he also was annoyingly self-deprecating and lacked compassion and tact during a time when it was needed the most. However, I feel this did make him more human and when sharing screen time with Lou de Laâge, he forces her character to reveal the vulnerable and tender side to her that she is reluctant to show.

The Innocents is a tragic film that will genuinely give you goosebumps and make you feel some intense emotions (I confess I cried twice throughout the film) that is solidified by wonderful acting and cinematography. Really worth a watch.

4/5