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Month: September 2013

Fallowfield female jogger warning

Written by Sean Doherty on . Posted in News.

Police have issued a warning to female joggers in South Manchester following a string of reports from women who have complained about being harassed.

Nine separate incidents have been reported to the police. Most occurred in Disdsbury between the hours of 6pm and 8pm, but some have taken place in the area surrounding Sainsbury’s on Wilmslow Road between the hours of 10pm and 1am. All the incidents reported took place between the 21st and 29th August.

In most of the cases reported, the man involved followed the female joggers on his bike, staring at them in a manner which made them uncomfortable. In some instances, the women were also subject to sexual comments. All the women who reported an incident felt they were victims of harassment which caused them to feel distressed.

The person being accused of harassment has been described as a white male in either his late 20s or early 30s, wearing a dark baseball cap and occasionally a rucksack. The victims’ ages ranged from 23 to 38.

Detective Inspector Mark Radford said, “We don’t want to unduly alarm anyone, but it would be remiss of us not to warn people about these incidents.

“At this stage the offender hasn’t progressed towards physically attacking anyone, but that doesn’t lessen the impact of what he is doing.

“To be followed and then stared at by a stranger is, at best creepy, and at worst really sinister. I now want people to take a good look at the efit and call us if you recognise him.

“I also want to advise people, particularly women joggers, to take some simple precautions, especially if out at night.

“Stick to well-lit areas, be aware of your surroundings and, if possible, go out jogging with a friend.

“We are taking these offences very seriously and I want to reassure residents that we are doing our utmost to catch the offender.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4973.

Salford students convicted of drug dealing

Written by Sean Doherty on . Posted in News.

Two Salford University students found guilty of dealing drugs have been sentenced to two years each in young offender’s institutions.

First year student Cara Donnison, 20, and her boyfriend, gap-year student Daniel Campbell, 20 were caught with over £2,500 worth of class A, B and C drugs after police searched Donnison’s room last December.

Police found the drugs in the room after following up calls complaining of disruptive behaviour and drug use. After seeing cannabis and white powder on the bed, as well as digital weighing scales, they searched the room.

The search revealed a haul which consisted of ecstacy worth £1,092, 120 grams of cannabis worth £1,206, 8.95 grams of ketamine worth £179, a bag of cocaine worth £40, as well as two bags of ketamine and cocaine worth £36. They also found £170 of cash along with a collection of plastic snap-bags.

While Campbell transported the drugs into Salford, they were kept in Donnison’s university halls room in Castle Isle Student Village, a halls of residence which is home to over 1,000 Salford students and located a mile from the Allerton campus.

The pair, neither of whom have any previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession with intent to supply as well as one count of possession.

Regarding their sentences, Judge David Hernandez said, “I appreciate that this is going to have a disruptive effect on your lives and I keep the sentences as short as I possibly can”, however he added that their actions meant that, “There has to be a custodial sentence.”

The prosecuting attorney said, about Daniel Campbell, ”He said he knew what he was doing was wrong but he got carried away due to the money that he was making from drugs.”

Researchers speed up diagnosis for children with cataracts

Written by Sean Doherty on . Posted in News, Science & Tech.

Researchers from the University of Manchester believe they have developed a test which will allow for faster diagnoses of children born with cataracts.

The group, from the Centre for Genomic Medicine, worked to develop a single blood sample test which checks all genes known to cause congenital cataracts, the largest cause of blindness in children. They received funding for the research from Fight for Sight.

Genetic mutations are estimated to be the cause of half of the 200,000 cases of congenital cataracts. It is hoped that such research may help increase the accuracy of doctor’s prognoses regarding how the condition may develop in individuals and how successful surgery may be.

Previous tests have required consecutive testing of each different gene. Mutations which have the potential to cause congenital cataracts exist in over 100 genes, meaning that the methods of testing currently in use are both slow and expensive.

With a single screening for one gene taking four weeks, diagnosis using conventional means can sometimes take years.

As well as helping to find which genes cause congenital cataracts, genetic testing can also help to reveal conditions which would otherwise go undiagnosed.

Rachel Gillespie, developer of the test, said that “In some cases, we have identified that the cataracts aren’t just a standalone problem, but a symptom of a more complex syndrome. This includes Warburg micro syndrome and galactokinase deficiency, both rare conditions that are probably under-diagnosed, as warning signs in children can be subtle.”

The tests are currently being validated by the team from the University of Manchester and Central Manchester NHS foundation Trust. They plan to make them available on the NHS this December.

Afghan teen who “made the impossible possible”

Written by Inez Dawoodjee on . Posted in News.

An 18 year old who survived a perilous European trek is starting his degree at the University of Manchester this year.

BA Politics and Philosophy student Gulwali Passarlay, who was awarded a scholarship to the University, spoke to The Mancunion about his struggle to make it to the United Kingdom.

Gulwali’s journey began in his home country of Afghanistan. He fled from his home province of Nangarhar, in eastern Afghanistan and began a year long journey spanning 10 countries. Living in the shadow of the Taliban, Gulwali’s mother made the decision to send him outside Afghanistan’s borders.

“I didn’t really understand at the time. I thought we might be coming back, but then we went forever. So I had to make myself stronger and keep telling myself ‘ You can do it. You have left Afghanistan, you can’t go back.’  As an Afghan you have to have this dignity, this self- determination,” he said.

Upon arriving in Bulgaria, Gulwali was sent back to Turkey and had to hike through kilometres of snowy mountains. After this, he was also arrested when entering Greece.

He said, “They told me that I had to leave Greece within a month or I would have faced deportation back to Afghanistan.

“In all the countries I’ve been to, they’ve arrested me and put me in jail, even though I was only 13.  But I had no choice, I had to make it to my destination, of getting somewhere safe.”

For Gulwali, the most difficult moment was being trapped in the underbelly of a boat that was making the crossing between Turkey and Greece, “There were a hundred people in a small boat for nearly 50 hours.

“We did not have access to food or drink, nowhere to go to the toilet.  The ship was about to sink, water came in. If the police had not come, we would have sunk within seconds.

“I thought I was gone. The only thing I was worried about was that my family would not find my body, I would be somewhere in the sea.”

Gulwali’s arrival in England was the start of his involvement in a number of panels and organisations.  He was a member of the Youth Consul and is now the representative of the North-West in the National Scrutiny Group.  He is also the Ambassador for Refugees and Asylum Seekers as well as shouldering other positions of responsibility.

“ I do as much as I can because I think it is the time for me to get involved and make a difference, not only because this country has given so much  and I want to give back to society, but also because I want to put this to use in Afghanistan. Hopefully it will be relevant and help me and my people,” he said.

Speaking no English when he first arrived, Gulwali went on to achieve 10 GCSEs.  He then applied for the Manchester Access Programme (MAP) and was one of the 500 students awarded a place.  He had to integrate his A- Levels with university workshops and seminars several times a month, all the while learning English.

“ I got into MAP,  I fulfilled all the requirements. I am very grateful to the University. They gave me the chance.  I made the impossible possible.  I still can’t believe that I’m here.  Having this wonderful opportunity and facilities in this great institution, people need not take it for granted. We’re the future and we should be preparing for this future,” he said.

Despite what he has been through, Gulwali’s desire to return to his home country is strong.  “Even if I had very little, I would still appreciate to be there with my family.”

He added, “even if young people leave, it’s because they have no choice.  If they join the Taliban, they will be killed. If they join the government, they will be killed – either case, they go out in the morning and there is no guarantee they will return home alive.”

Gulwali said he wants to one day return to a safer Afghanistan, “My hope is to support my people, my nation. I hope to go back and see my family and take care of them and to get involved with the Afghan peace process.

“My ultimate goal is to be in a position where I can change things.”

 

Scientists win at UK awards

Written by Inez Dawoodjee on . Posted in News, Science & Tech.

Two researchers from the University of Manchester have won a prestigious award for their work in biology.

Developmental Biology PhD student Rebecca Williams and Dr Sheena Cruickshank won prizes in the Society of Biology Science Communication Awards, which focus on work that informs and engages the public in Biology.

Applicants for the awards could undertake a range of possible projects, from writing articles to public exhibitions.  The projects had to fulfil the criteria of conveying science to non-academics in an engaging manner.

Williams – a demonstrator at the Manchester Museum and a Widening Participation Fellow at the University –  won the New Researcher prize.  She is the founder of Fastbleep Biology, an organisation that arranges biology workshops for schools around Manchester.

“I feel absolutely honoured to be given this award for science communication. I love science, and I find that talking to young people and the public about the work that scientists do here at the University of Manchester is incredibly rewarding,” she said.

Dr Cruickshank, a Faculty of Life Sciences Lecturer, was awarded the Established Researcher Prize.  She is one of the developers of ‘ Worm Wagon’, an interactive program which merges art and activities to promote awareness of global health matters.

The program also targets groups of migrant women from India and Africa and enables them to understand the adverse effects of parasitic worms in their countries of origin.

“I am incredibly honoured to win this award. It acknowledges the work done by the whole Manchester Immunology Group who carry out world-leading research and work tirelessly at so many events to help highlight the significance of worm infections and neglected tropical disease in the world,” she said.

Chief Executive of the Society of Biology, Dr Mark Downs commented, “it is essential that scientists share their research with members of the public so that we can all explore the ethical implications of our advances in knowledge.”

“I am pleased to see the entrants to our Science Communication Awards sharing their research in such engaging ways. They are also helping to inspire our next generation of scientists!”

Winners will be presented with their prizes at the Society’s Annual Award Ceremony on Thursday 17th October during Biology Week 2013.

How long does your student loan last?

Written by Gawain Owen on . Posted in News.

Loans are in, the bank balance is looking healthy, but how to approach this new found wealth? Is it a chance to budget and be an independent individual? Or to immediately put down the deposit for a holiday and head out to buy GTA V?

Evidence suggests few people manage to stretch their student loan a single semester.

Maintenance loans on average last just seven and a half weeks, figures from a recent survey by Voucher Codes show. This is despite the first term of university lasting 13 weeks.

The research, published earlier this month, attempts to show a break down of how students spend the money they get from the government, and how this varies from region to region in England.

The award for most frugal goes falls to Londoners, who manage to make their loan last a eight and a half weeks out of the 13. While students in the North East make the call to the bank to extend their overdraft after only six.

Excluding rent, alcohol comes in at number one on the list of expenditures, closely followed by food shopping with books coming in third. The survey suggests students spend on average £84 per month on alcohol, out of a £475 budget.

But, for the majority of students being away from home is a new experience and a big step into the unknown. So it is to be expected that this newly granted freedom will be exploited on occasion.

But what is true for all students is that university does not last forever. It is important to make the most of the time you have here. Perhaps this is why alcohol takes priority in the majority of students budgets.

The research also revealed that women spend on average £483 while men only spend £464. The results for the survey are calculated averages taken from a sample of 750 students across the country.

The financial environment for students has changed a lot in recent years. Advances in internet and mobile banking allow us to keep track of our finances and make the whole process of budgeting much more painless.

University of Manchester student Ewan Hamilton told The Mancunion he found mobile banking helped him.

“Downloading a mobile banking app on my phone has really helped me keep to a budget,” he said.

This appears to be the way in which student finance is heading with smart phones creating new and innovative ways to help you stay on top of your money.

Hamilton also suggested such tips as preparing meals in advance and doing one big weekly food shop. By doing this and cutting out daily trips to Sainsbury’s you do not only save money, but have more to spend on the more enjoyable things in life.

Contrary Corner: The force is strong with this one

Written by Suraj Vara on . Posted in Film.

When I heard that George Lucas had sold the Star Wars franchise to Disney for more than $4bn, like every other Star Wars fan, I couldn’t help but utter “I have a bad feeling about this”. Since Lucas has made many awful changes to the Star Wars films over the years, often with financial motivations not creative ones, die-hard fans seemed well within their rights to groan at Disney’s procuring of Lucasfilm. However, as pre-production begins to transform into filming, several new updates have made me feel more confident about the new films.

With the first film, Episode VII, expected in 2015, there is still uncertainty as to what the story will be. There are hundreds of different directions the films can take, and with the science fiction prowess of J.J Abrams in the directorial driving seat, fans should look a little more optimistically at the new sequels. After all, Abrams’ success with the recent Star Trek reboots makes him one of the best candidates to direct the new Star Wars franchise, especially as he will be creating a continuation of the original trilogy.

Extensions of the Star Wars story in comic books and cartoons suggest that we could see Leia and Han’s daughter, Jaina, who just happens to be a lightsabre wielding genius and badass fighter pilot extraordinaire; we could also see the coming of age story of Luke’s son, Ben, whose mother was a Sith apprentice, duelled into submission by Luke, kinky. However, from Abrams’ treatment of the Star Trek franchise, there’s no certainty that he will continue pre-recorded storylines.

Furthermore, rumours of the reappearance of original cast members, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, are becoming more prominent and should add a hint of nostalgia to the new films by bringing them back to their 1970’s and 80’s roots.

The next part of the new Star Wars franchise that I am excited about is the recent press release by Disney which stated that the Star Wars films would also include “stand alone origins films”. So far, Han Solo, Yoda and Boba Fett are the most likely candidates to have their beginnings translated to the silver screen. Who wouldn’t want to know about the mysterious beginnings of Master Yoda before he became head of the Jedi council? After Jango dies, how does Boba Fett find himself in his father’s armour? How does Han end up with the Millennium Falcon, and when did he do the Kessel run in under twelve parsecs?

The fact is the “origins” idea has worked for fictional comic book heroes like Superman, Batman, the Avengers, the X-Men and many others, and it ties in well with the way the new films will continue on from the originals, an overall revisiting of the past if you will.

Similarly, the Star Wars universe is just as vast as the Marvel and DC universes, and the production of comic books, the Clone Wars cartoons, and even the “Star Wars Lego” cartoons, which were released this year, suggests that a multitude of audience captivating films are, potentially, in the pipeline. With the influence and vision of new writers and directors, the franchise seems far away from burning out now.

Top 5: Travel Films

Written by Parizad Mangi on . Posted in Film.

5. Before Sunrise

This sweet and succinct love story unravels in the charming European city of Vienna. As the film progresses, you will fall in love not only with the two protagonists but also their surroundings, just as they fall in love with each other in the span of a day.

4. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Evergreen beauty Audrey Hepburn stars in this cinematic classic that takes place in New York. Here we get to follow our heroine Holly Golightly on her eccentric and amorous adventures in the city that never sleeps (and looking fabulous and fashionable while doing so).

3. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

This little British gem brings you the colourful and vibrant allure of India with the trademark Brit humour you would expect. It’s the perfect mixture of spices that makes it a treat to watch.

2. Midnight In Paris

The old and the new charm of the city of love adorn our screens as we explore Paris through Woody Allen’s quixotic lenses. In what is probably his most successful and acclaimed work in recent times, this Parisian escapade will awaken your wanderlust.

1. Mamma Mia!

If this movie doesn’t fill you with the urge to immediately pack your bags and take the next flight out to Greece, you can sue me. Adapted to the big screen from the iconic musical, with sing-along numbers from ABBA and a joyous spirit, this takes the top spot for being the perfect getaway film to immerse your senses in. Let the goddess Aphrodite lead the way!

Rowling’s return to the wizarding world

Written by Jackson Ball on . Posted in Film.

It has been just a couple of years since the final Harry Potter film stormed the box-office, but it already seems time to hop back on our broomsticks for a triumphant return. J.K Rowling, author of the all-conquering series, has recently announced that she is planning a new feature set within the Potter universe. The new film will be based on one of the series’ spin-off books: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

For those of you who have never heard of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, it acts as a purported text book that Harry and his friends study during their time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft a Wizardry. The book, which Rowling penned as fictional narrator ‘Newt Scamander’, is one of three similarly ‘academic’ spin-offs, with the others being Quidditch through the Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

As the title would suggest, Fabulous Beasts and Where to Find Them is a compilation of evidence and anecdotes on all sorts of magical creatures. As a leading ‘magizoologist’, Newt Scamander is at the forefront when it comes to a huge variety of monsters. So while the film version is likely to offer some old favourites, like the Hippogriff and the House-Elf, we can also expect a whole hoard of brand new beasties.

From what we know about the book, the events Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will take place 70 years before the first Harry Potter story, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. This makes it unlikely that many of your favourite Potter-verse characters will make an appearance, especially as the book contains no major links to the original series’ plot. However, avid fans among you will know that Rowling went to the unnecessary effort of marrying Scamander’s grandson Rolf to fan-favourite Luna Lovegood. Could we see a flash-forward in which Rolf and Luna are telling their children about their great grandfather? Or perhaps Newt himself may bump into a younger incarnation of Luna’s father Xenophilius Lovegood? For now we can only speculate.

While many of you might be thinking this new film will just be ‘more of the same’, it actually marks quite a considerable change of pace for the author herself. Despite being one of most successful writers of modern times, this latest project will be Rowling’s screenwriting debut. While she obviously had a massive role in the previous films, Rowling acted only as a story consultant figure, never touching pen to paper when it came to the actual script so this is really uncharted territory for her.

It suffices to say; writing a screenplay for a movie is a very different challenge to writing a novel. If someone excels on one platform of writing, it does not mean they will excel on others. For example, many of Stephen King’s stories have been adapted for film by other writers. When King’s initial stories have been adapted by others, they have gone on to become some of the most beloved works of cinema around, including The Shining and The Shawshank Redemption. However, when King took the adaption task upon himself and actually single-handedly wrote a screenplay, the result was the poorly-received 1986 film, Maximum Overdrive.

So how will Rowling fair in this new role? Only time will tell. In the meantime though, it can’t be denied that the author has once again sent Hollywood into a state of frenzy. They can change the stories, the cast and even the screenwriter, but one thing remains certain: a return to the Harry Potter universe will have fans flocking to cinemas in their thousands.

Ultimate guide to Freshers’ Week 2013.

Written by Patrick Hinton on . Posted in Freshers' Guide, Music.

MONDAY

D TACHED vs Ghosts of Garage – Freshers 2013

South & Avicii White – £3.50/£5

There’s two times the fun at this double venue night. D TACHED take over South, showcasing future garage favourites The Golden Boy and Eton Messy’s Panda. Meanwhile, Ghosts of Garage will air the classics at Avicii White. One ticket gains you access to both.

Murkage x Juicy x Overproof

HMV Ritz – £5

Three of Manchester’s most popular student nights have teamed up to present this huge party at the HMV Ritz. The event billing promises “explosions of confetti, champagne showers and no holds barred whinin’, twerkin’ and bootyshakin’ to a soundtrack of the biggest hip-hop, bass and bashment records of all time”.

Remake Remodel

Soup Kitchen – £3

For those that like to rock, this is the place to be. Expect to hear classic and contemporary rock n roll and alternative bands, from Led Zeppelin and Nirvana to Radiohead and Tame Impala. Free tote bags and posters will also be given out, which will come in handy hiding your breeze blocked accommodation walls.

TUESDAY

Gold Teeth

Deaf Institute – £4

Warm up in the Main Bar with motown and soul, then hit the Music Hall where Gold Teeth DJs will be causing chaos with Hip Hop/Garage/House/Disco/RnB party anthems.  First 100 through the door get treated, Snoop Doggy Dogg style, to a free gin & juice.

NXNW presents A Free Freshers’ Party

Soup Kitchen – FREE on guestlist before 12:30/£2 after

NXNW kick off this year with a free party held in an underground basement featuring their residents and friends, sure to be a fun and sweaty affair. Check the Facebook event for details on how to get on the guestlist.

Student House

South – £2/£3

Quality music and inexpensive drinks are the top two selling points of Student House, what more could you want? Perfect if you enjoy the cheapness of student nights, but not the commercial chart pop. Dancefloor focused house and techno is the flavour of this night.

WEDNESDAY

Chow Down

Mint Lounge – £5

Plastician headlines Chow Down’s freshers’ event at Mint Lounge. Plastician has been very influential to the UK bass scene, and as the man behind hugely popular Rinse FM and Radio 1 slots his DJing class is evident. This appears unmissable.

Fully Loaded

Red Rum – FREE

A night of Drum & Bass and Jungle music in a dingy basement venue in Fallowfield. This is ideal for Fallowfield based students wanting to maximise their alcohol buying capabilities, entry is free and you’ll also be provided with a free shot upon arrival. No need to catch the bus either as Red Rum is a short walk from Owens Park.

Russ Yallop

Gorilla – £4/£6

Russ Yallop comes to Manchester off the back of a Summer residency playing alongside some of the biggest DJs in the world at Ibiza super club DC-10. The Hot Creations and Crosstown Rebels favourite will spin a set of underground house tunes.

THURSDAY

Frontin

Joshua Brooks – £3 before 12/£5 after

Fun vibes will be abound at Frontin’s freshers’ party. They encourage all attendees to let loose and have a ruddy good time by playing a great selection of Dancehall/Garage/RnB/Disco.

Bump & Grind

Sound Control – £4 adv/£5 before 12/£6 after

Freshers’ week sees the launch of Bump & Grind at Sound Control. House/Grime/Hip Hop/RnB will be played across two floors and a double and mixer is only £2.50. I can’t see nothing wrong with that.

Reggae Thursdays

The Deaf Institute – FREE

Providing good times is what Reggae music is all about, so don’t miss Reggae Thursdays if you’re seeking skanking induced fun. It’s in the main bar from 9pm -1.30am and is completely free of charge.

FRIDAY

So Flute

Roadhouse – £8/£10

So Flute present DJ Dez Andrés, the producer of Resident Advisor’s Track of the Year 2012, at The Roadhouse. The man closely associated with Dilla and Moodymann will bring the sound of Detroit amidst flawless mixing to Manchester, this is sure to be a very special night.

iDiOSYNC

Antwerp Mansion – £10

iDiOSYNC presents a stellar lineup including the likes of Wbeeza, Josh Butler and Bareskin at the increasingly popular Antwerp Mansion on Curry Mile. With live and DJ sets being performed there’ll be plenty of musical variety to please all revellers in attendance.

Bohemian Grove 3rd Birthday

Islington Mill – £10

One of Manchester’s most forward thinking and respected promoters celebrate their 3rd birthday at the Islington Mill in Salford on Friday. Headlining the night is Traxx, who’s earliest musical memory is spinning records on his toes as a baby. As an adult he has perfected the art of DJing and will unleash a masterful, vinyl only set.

SATURDAY

Pangaea Festival

University of Manchester’s Students Union – £22/£25

The largest student run festival in Europe returns to Manchester with a massive lineup, featuring the legendary DJ EZ amongst others. Multiple rooms showcasing different music, interactive art installations and the prospect of 6,000 students in fancy dress are just some of what Pangaea has to offer.

DJ Sneak

South – £12

The self-proclaimed ‘house gangster’ hits South on Saturday, bringing 20 years of experience as a mainstay on the house circuit with him. The man who influenced heavyweights such as Daft Punk, Armand Van Helden and Basement Jaxx is providing value for money by playing a 3 hour set.

Drop The Mustard

Gorilla – £8/£10/£12

WHP affiliates Drop The Mustard present a night of American house and disco with a live set from No Regular Play. Residents of New York at Gorilla surely promises a night of King Kong proportions. Selecting on the night are Pillowtalk and DTM residents.

 

 

Stylish but straightforward: Basil Pesto

Written by Ben Walker on . Posted in Food & Drink, Freshers' Guide.

Homemade Basil Pesto with Penne, deconstructed Bruschetta, and Pecorino Romano.

This is a fresh dish that relies on good ingredients, not necessarily high quality cooking skills. The key, as is often the case, is to keep tasting as you go.

 

You will need:

Fresh basil leaves (handful)

Pine nuts- (you can lightly toasted these in a dry frying pan for extra flavour, but be careful, they burn very easily)

A little fresh garlic

Half a red onion

Five cherry tomatoes

Hard Cheese (I chose Pecorino, but there are a lot of others to try)

Good olive oil

Pasta (I used Penne)

Three slices of good bread (i.e. Ciabatta)

Salt and Pepper

1              Make the pesto: If you don’t have a food processor or a pestle and mortar, you can simply chop the ingredients finely with a knife.

For one portion (and multiply as required) finely chop a good handful of fresh basil leaves. Also chop a little nib of garlic and a teaspoon of pine nuts. Add a little salt and pepper with a little grating of the cheese, and when all the ingredients are in the bowl, add decent olive oil until you achieve an oozy consistency- not too thin.

2              Set aside whilst you make the bruschetta topping. Quarter five cherry tomatoes and put into a colander. Add and pinch of salt to the tomatoes and gently move the tomatoes around to try and get some of the water out of them.

Once this is done, add to a bowl, a half a small red onion (finely chopped). Mix the ingredients with a little oil and seasoning. You are essentially looking for a chunky salsa consistency. Set aside.

3              Put the pasta on according the packet instructions. Season the water with a good pinch of salt—adding salt to the pasta water really does make a difference to the taste.

4              Whilst the pasta is boiling (in plenty of water), take three slices of artisan bread, preferably Ciabatta, and toast/grill with a little oil drizzled on them to help achieve a nice golden colour.

When al dente (not too soft, but with a little firmness till there) drain the pasta and tip the pasta back into the pan. Add in the pesto and stir vigorously until the Penne is well covered. There will be a little water still left on the pasta which will be cause the pesto and emulsify into a smooth sauce.

Spoon into a wide bowl and add some of the tomato mix on top and add a good grating of cheese.

Serve with the bread on the side and maybe a fresh, light beer.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of Food and Drink

Written by Ben Walker on . Posted in Food & Drink, Freshers' Guide.

Over the year we will endeavour to help you eat and drink your way around Manchester’s finest establishments, with also recipe ideas and advice to cook up a storm at home too.

In the past five years or so the craft beer and casual dining movement has gone from a niche interest to a becoming the heart and soul of the Manchester food and drink scene, and with two Michel Star Simon Rogan opening The French in March 2013, we are students at a very exciting time in Manchester’s gastronomic evolution. Added to the vibrant Curry Mile, the out laying villages of East and West Didsbury and Chorlton; there is a lot to eat and drink in 2013/14.

The Union Bar, open 11am-midnight 7 days a week (Mancunion)

The first two weeks of any University year, whether it’s your first or even your seventh, it is crazy, hectic, and ultimately fun. Here we have assembled what we think are the best places in the Manchester University bubble for food and drink, keeping around the Oxford Road corridor, whilst we all get into the groove of the new academic year. Also we have come up with a few tips that we thought could be of use to you in these first busy weeks.

There will be a lot of drinking going on, as I’m sure many of you are looking forward to, but remember there is absolutely no pressure for anyone to have to drink either to excess or even at all. Also, we hope that you consider what you’re eating, if you are in catered halls then your diet will be looked after for you, to a great extent. If you are self-catered or living in a house, try strike a balance between wholesome ‘home-cooking’ and quick and convenient meals—but always try and be creative.

Hopefully here we have catered for a broad range of interests and tastes—drinking venues, culinary destinations, and informed advice that will hopefully contribute to a fantastic start to the semester.

 

 

In praise of Red Chilli

Written by Georgia Crichton on . Posted in Food & Drink.

You are welcomed by two bowing red gentlemen, statues that is. Don’t be too surprised if this friendliness does not extent to all the staff, yet we are here, first and foremost, to eat—an experience the Observer noted as ‘joyous’.

The dark interior is a warren of booths, small tables, and banquet spaces, stylishly divided with carved wooden screens.

At £5.50 for the Lunch Menu, there are few places that can compete on delivering this quality and quantity. We had ginger and spring onion chicken, shrimp fired rice, and beef in black pepper sauce. The sauces had subtle flavours, the meat was succulent, and the rice was light and fluffy. However, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, ask for the a la carte menu and a recommendation for something a little quirky and more authentic that you haven’t tried before. The salt and pepper squid are guaranteed to tickle your taste buds, with the Szechuan pepper adding a fiery Oriental note to your classic ‘calamares’.

Though located at the heart of the University campus, this is not just an excellent weekday-lunch time destination. Red Chilli Oxford Road is a haven for Beijing and Sichuan cuisine for all occasion.

Banish those hangovers

Written by Maddy Hubbard on . Posted in Food & Drink, Freshers' Guide.

Gemini (328-330 Oxford Road)

Located at Whitworth Park Halls, Gemini Cafe is a favourite of students who are looking for an enormous plate of food for next to no money. It may not win awards for the quality of its ingredients any time soon, but the eggs are always perfectly fried, the bacon crispy and the service friendly. What more could you want?

 

Coffee House Cafe  (Copson Street)

On a side road in Withington, this greasy spoon is one of my favourite places in Manchester, particularly when hungover. What sets it apart is huge portions, low prices, and most of all the warmth of the welcome of this family run cafe. Regulars, having “the regular”, provide the ideal atmosphere for a bit of people watching while you try to remember the night before.

 

Fallow (once the Fallowfield Trof)

Legendary for its fry ups, continuing to corner the market in providing a better quality of breakfast. No grey tubes of mystery meat here – the sausages are properly herby and actually taste of pork.

WE ASK: Best Freshers’ memories

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Lifestyle.

‘Thinking she was Pout’s version of Lara Croft, my friend jumped off a table onto me, knocking me to the floor and kicking me in the head with her heel. Unsurprisingly, I ended up concussed and was soon being whisked to A and E. The rest of our friends happened to be there too after returning a wheelchair they’d stolen; somehow we all ended up being reunited in Manchester Royal Infirmary!’

Dana, third year, English Literature

 

‘My flatmates and I decided to invest in a flat pet during Freshers’ week. We decided on the low-maintenance option: a goldfish. After the sixth night we returned to the flat to find said fish, Shamoo, missing. It turned out that he hadn’t taken the normal path to the grave, through a drainage system, but instead had travelled through someone’s digestive system: one of my flatmates had eaten him. RIP Shamoo.’

Nicki Savin, second year, Maths with Business & Management

 

‘I moved into halls on the first Saturday, before Freshers’ had officially started. We were told that there was going to be a ‘party’ that night in Squirrels and having never been to Squirrels before, my flatmate and I assumed it was going to be a glamorous affair. We got all dolled up – sparkly dresses, fake eyelashes, seven-inch heels – and walked in to find a load of people in jeans and t-shirts awkwardly sipping their pints.’

Molly, third year, Fashion & Textile Retailing

 

‘My best Freshers’ memory is meeting Tess. We’re in third year now and still together.’

Don, third year, Economics

 

‘A few nights in, I met a guy at a house party and ended up going home with him. I crept out at 7am the next morning and sauntered back up to Oak House, thinking smugly that my housemates would definitely still be in bed and wouldn’t even realise I hadn’t come home that night. As I rounded the corner to my building – still in last night’s clothes, high heels in hand and make-up down my face – I saw my entire block standing outside in their pyjamas, looking at me. There’d been a fire drill. Of course.’

Rosa, third year, English Literature

 

‘I fell asleep in Ritz one night and ended up getting the bus home on my own. I then fell asleep again on the bus and woke up in Didsbury, with absolutely no idea where I was. Not advisable.’

Joe, third year, Economics

 

‘My worst moment of Freshers’ was probably having to go into a ‘very important’ introductory seminar with a moustache and a penis drawn on my face in black marker pen. It was even more embarrassing because it’s such a clichéd thing to happen! My tutor just looked at me and said dryly, ‘Ah, to be young again.’’

Kat, third year, International Relations

 

‘On our first night in halls, loads of us – boys and girls – ended up in my flatmate’s bedroom, drunkenly watching the most bizarre porn ever. I have no idea why. Some of it revolved around a boy trying to seduce his mum, except the ‘boy’ was actually a forty-year-old man wearing a baseball cap. It was a bonding experience, I guess…’

Nick, third year, American Studies

Fighting Freshers’ Flu

Written by Beth Currall on . Posted in Lifestyle.

We’ve all been (or, shortly after reading this, will be) there: after a week of little sleep, a lot of alcohol and even more mingling with strange, sweaty bodies in halls and clubs, Freshers’ Flu has beaten the best of us. Studies reckon over 90% succumb to the second week sniffles, and battle through the first week of lectures armed with man-sized Kleenex and dosed up with paracetamol. However, if you take the right precautions and follow our three simple steps, it is possible to beat this dreaded disease.

1. Eat Properly

The first week of university marks for the majority of us students, the first step into the adult world of living independently- and that includes cooking and buying food for ourselves. Whilst the temptation to live off take-aways and microwave meals is at times too great to resist, try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can, as they will ensure that your immune system is fighting fit despite the late nights and alcohol consumption. At the very least, buy some multivitamins and pop one of those every day for the next couple of weeks.

2. Don’t Stress!

Reports from the BBC indicate that half of the Freshers’ Flu symptoms are actually psychologically based, caused by the stress that comes with settling into a new environment. Therefore, it’s vital that you try to make your first week as stress-free as you can, by getting to know your surroundings, taking the time to interact with new people, and, most importantly, not radically changing yourself to impress your new ‘mates’. Once the euphoria of Freshers’ Week has worn away, you’ll soon realise who your real friends are.

3. Sleep and Exercise

Exercise is a great way to clear your head of last night’s haziness, and can also help you to meet new people along the way-killing two birds with one stone. Go for a jog around Platt Fields or join the gym, as exercise can be integrated into your new lifestyle as part of your daily routine. Also, make sure you catch up on sleep, or drink plenty of water on a night out if you haven’t had a chance to nap.

So there you have it, your (almost) fool-proof guide to beating the bug, and keeping the good times coming! Now nothing can stop you from having the best week of your life, and being able to bounce back and ace this first semester- which  is the main reason why we’re all here, of course.

 

Celebrating the life and work of Seamus Heaney

Written by Elizabeth Mitchell on . Posted in Books.

On August 30th, the world lost the most important Irish poet since WB Yeats. Born in 1939, Seamus Heaney was one of the greatest modern poets. Indeed, at the time of his death, Heaney’s poetry made up two thirds of the sales of living poets’ work in Britain. His output was prolific, beginning with his revered collection, Death Of A Naturalist, published in 1966. The volume is based on a childhood spent on his family’s farm in County Derry. The first poem, ‘Digging’, describes the land worked by his father and grandfather.

Heaney began his career as a schoolteacher. He later became a lecturer, culminating in a 21-year stint at Harvard and his election as Professor of Poetry at the University of Oxford. Heaney also wrote two plays and was a respected translator, with his translation of Beowulf winning the 1999 Whitbread Book of the Year Award. However, he will be best remembered for his poetry, which earned him the 1995 Nobel Prize for Literature.

A Catholic and a Republican, Heaney moved to the Republic of Ireland in 1972 and claimed Irish nationality. Writing at the time of the Troubles, his work took on a darker nature. While turning down the British laureateship partly for political reasons, Heaney read ‘Requiem for the Croppies’ to both Catholic and Protestant audiences on the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising. His work celebrated those easily forgotten – the ordinary people trying to survive, irrespective of their political allegiances.

Having suffered a stroke in 2006, Heaney was left in a self-proclaimed juvenile state. This served as inspiration for his final volume Human Chain, which charts the process of ageing and comments on mortality in a bleak, confessing manner. It won him the Forward Poetry Prize, the only major poetry prize that Heaney had yet to be awarded. Heaney’s literary genius was even apparent minutes before his death: his last words, “Noli timere” (Latin for ‘Do not be afraid’), were texted to his wife. His genius will live on through his work.

Top five literary nights out in Manchester

Written by Esmé Clifford Astbury on . Posted in Books.

1. The Castle Hotel 66 Oldham Street

A Northern Quarter institution, The Castle Hotel hosts regular spoken word nights, including Tongue in Cheek this Thursday, and serves up a delicious – and potentially dangerous – pint of scrumpy

2. Gorilla 54/56 Whitworth Street West

Gin was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s drink of choice, so don your flapper dress and drink like it’s 1920 at Gorilla’s Gin Parlour

3. The Art of Tea 47 Barlow Moor Road

For a more subdued affair, get off the beaten track and head to The Art of Tea in Didsbury to spend an evening perusing their selection of second-hand books and sipping tea – or something stronger

4. Peveril of the Peak 127 Great Bridgewater Street

Named after Sir Walter Scott’s novel, this cosy traditional pub boasts a good selection of real ales and can be recognised by its distinctive tiled exterior

5. Hardy’s Well 257 Wilmslow Road

If you don’t want to stray too far from Fallowfield, pay a visit to Hardy’s Well, an honest, no-frills pub, with a verse by local poet Lemn Sissay painted on its outside wall

Manchester: a literary city?

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Books.

There is a certain grittiness about Manchester that makes it seem like an unlikely place for writers to flourish. Writing about Paris, Baudelaire said, “You gave me mud and I have turned it to gold”. As any Mancunian could tell you, there is no shortage of mud – or puddles – in Manchester. Indeed, it is its very grittiness that inspires writers.

It is no coincidence that there is a strong preoccupation amongst Manchester-based authors with industry and its social impact. While Baudelaire’s Paris was being rebuilt by Haussmann, Manchester was still in its infancy, the textile boom absorbing surrounding villages into one big, noisy hub of industry. “Manchester,” wrote Jeanette Winterson, “spun riches beyond anybody’s wildest dreams, and wove despair and degradation into the human fabric”.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South tells the story of a young woman, Margaret Hale, who leaves her rural southern home for Milton, a northern industrial city based on Manchester. Besides being an unflinching account of the city’s poverty and cruelty, it is a love story. Margaret overcomes her prejudices and falls in love with the North – and with mill owner John Thornton. Gaskell, though critical of the dehumanising aspects of the industrial revolution, writes about the industrial North with affection and a degree of understanding, unlike Charles Dickens, who presents it in a more negative light in Hard Times.

Manchester’s literary heritage is not confined to industry. Although the working class remains a recurrent theme, more recent authors have branched out to explore all aspects of the human experience. Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange is a chilling vision of a futuristic society wrought with violence and governed by a repressive totalitarian state. With the success of the film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick, it became a cult classic.

Jeanette Winterson’s experience of growing up in the North led her to write a rather different novel: Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is about growing up with a highly religious, domineering, adopted mother – and a silent father – in Accrington, a small town outside of Manchester. In it, Winterson plays with the form of the Old Testament, using memory and one-sided storytelling to describe complicated relationships.

While Manchester leaves its mark on many authors, one author has chosen to leave his mark on it: Lemn Sissay’s ‘Poetry as Landmarks’ appears on the walls of pubs, takeaways, and pavements across the city. His collections of poems, such as Rebel Without Applause, are less social and universal, and more about personal identity and suffering.

With the city’s universities offering creative writing courses that attract ambitious new writers and established authors, Manchester’s literary scene is still flourishing. Last year, the University of Manchester’s Centre for New Writing appointed Jeanette Winterson as Professor of Creative Writing, following in the footsteps of Martin Amis and, most recently, Colm Toibin. Meanwhile, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is Creative Director of Manchester Metropolitain University’s Manchester Writing School.

Beyond the ivory towers, Mancunians are attending literary salons, poetry slams and readings. Literary blogs and magazines abound, and every October celebrated authors descend on the city for the Manchester Literature Festival. Students and locals alike are taking an interest in literature, reading the words of their predecessors and contemporaries, and even adding their own voices to the mix.

Ask Izzy

Written by Isabelle Dann on . Posted in Lifestyle.

I’ve just started university, I’ve got to make loads of new friends, and I’m worried that everyone is cooler than me. How can I fit in?

Whether they’re showing off their misspelt Sanskrit tattoos from their gap yah or enlightening others to the enigmatic joys of “deep house” music, chances are most of your fellow students are indeed cooler than you. Fear not, however, as there are plenty of ways you can be quirky and individual just like everybody else. Generally, a good starting point is to grow an embryo of a beard and/or dip-dye your hair a fetching shade of fuchsia. Finally, boycott Tesco then steal your flatmate’s food.

I’m moving into halls soon. Everyone I’ve ever met on the internet says Fallowfield is the place to be but I only got into Victoria Park. Will I be missing out?

This is a highly reasonable anxiety because Fallowfield is literally the only place in Manchester where you can buy both Jägerbombs and cheesy chips. You’ll just have to befriend as many Owens Park residents as possible and find a comfortable piece of their floor to call home, otherwise you will seriously have absolutely no fun at all.

My first social for my course is coming up, causing a severe wardrobe crisis! What can I wear to make a great first impression?

It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed for such affairs. I recall my very first social for English Literature, which had an innovative “Shakespeare” dress code. Consequently, I arrived at Jabezz Clegg sporting a homemade nun costume of the S&M variety (I was Isabella from Measure for Measure, obviously); it was a great excuse to whip out my novelty red fluffy handcuffs and wear a tea towel on my head. Upon arrival, I found that I was the only one in full costume with the exception of a male friend, whose fairy queen attire in the name of Titania was quite exquisite. Needless to say, our names were not quickly forgotten.