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Month: April 2016

Rediscover Radley: Store Launch

So on Friday 1st April I had the wonderful pleasure of attending Radley’s Store Launch in Manchester’s Arndale, and believe me when I say this is not the scottie-dog-minature-handbag Radley of grandma fame. If I’m honest, when making a designer handbag investment prior to this event, I would never have thought of Radley. For me, Radley represented an older, niche market found in decidedly premium, but not especially cool, department stores. These days, the love it-or-hate it scottie dog is very much in the background, save for a few statement pieces (not to completely forget its iconic hey day), and this time the focus is on quality leather bags and accessories that won’t go out of fashion.

Don’t believe me? See for yourself at their new flagship Manchester store which is just a little bit special.

Three reasons to love Radley:

1. Customisation Stations!

It’s all about you! As a Customer Experience store, there is a dedicated customisation station in the store which makes your beaut new Radley bag something quite personal. They have a line of small leather goods which can be monogrammed with your name, your date of birth, or just about anything. As a sucker for a bit of personalisation, I thought this was a really lovely touch and a thoughtful gift idea for your mum, sister, or best friend.

My personalised ‘Meg’ Radley handbag tag

2. A place to dump the boyf whilst you shop!

There is a dedicated space toward the back of the store for customers to relax and chat to the Radley girls about what they want in their next bag—no rash, impulse buys here! There is a mood board which is changed every season, a stack of those chunky fashion books made for the coffee table for inspiration, and a range of herbal teas and coffees whilst you ponder. Or equally, a place for lost husbands and boyfriends whilst you indulge in the world of handbags and purses.

3. Bags fo’ dayz

Whilst there’s no denying it’s not a cheap fix, it’s not meant to be. It’s an investment that will take you from season to season. Considering the YSL and Céline bags of my dreams retail at around £1,500, Radley is very much affordable luxury and there is definitely something for everyone’s budget and occasion. I went for the Radley Wimbledon (click the image to get yours!) and I’d really recommend this or something similar for those of you thinking of investing in some designer handbag lovin’. This is classic black with gorgeously soft leather, is wearable enough for day-to-day, and smart enough for a job interview (you can read my job interview makeup piece here). I’m not a structured handbag kind of girl so I loved the versatility of this piece, and I like to have the option of a strap, so this detachable crossbody style was perfect.

Shop the Radley handbag range here.

The Wooden Spoon of European Cuisine: Britain

An article I’ve been wanting to write for a while is some kind of synopsis of British food. An attempt to define what it is, if anything at all, where it’s being done and who’s doing it well. I was at a party in North London once, with some students from UCL, a discussion arose about British food and I remember this young Frenchman laughing and insisting adamantly that no such thing even existed. At the time, I didn’t have much of an argument to rattle him with. And, as is the purpose of all knowledge, I was given the impetus to better understand British food so I can shoot outspoken Frenchmen down at dinner parties.

During a weekend in early March, I had the unprecedented and uncoordinated good fortune to attend two very British gastronomic events. The first was a dinner at TNQ Bar and Restaurant in the Shudehill side of the Northern Quarter. The second was a chance to interview a prominent Irish chef, John Relihan. Relihan had a stall at the St Patrick’s Day ‘Irish feast’ in Trafalgar Square.

British cuisine, to some extent, is a mirror, a reflection of what was historically an agrarian society. British food is not characterised by great excess, it’s about a sense of resourcefulness, using all of the products of the slaughter, about using all the game and fowl that have become so associated with Britain. It’s about Goosnargh Chicken. It’s all about Goosnargh Chicken. Like Nordic cuisine, it’s about serving what’s around you, in a style people can relate to. I think that idea of being able to relate to the way the food is prepared is really important. That’s why I vastly preferred Relihan’s Irish stew to his pulled pork burger.

To be honest, I’m rather tired of pulled things, why did every food outlet in 2015 become obsessed with this one texture? It is a #foodtrend I would happily see the back of.

Back to Relihan’s stew. It was great, Irish beef with various familiar root vegetables such as the unwaveringly humble turnip. But who is John Relihan and why should we care what direction he steers British food? He is a product of the prodigal Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen apprenticeship, he has worked in San Francisco and practiced at the alter of what some consider the temple of British cuisine, St Johns in London, he then ran Jamie’s Barbacoa, a real meat and fire affair, before now opening Holy Smoke back in Cork, Ireland.

To me, he seemed like a real chef’s chef, unpretentious and a self-admitted ‘food nerd.’ Whilst talking to him as he prepared for the impending crowds that were about to descend on Nelson’s column, he talked about a couple of things that I considered to be triumphantly British. He had two barrel barbecues on which was burning coal from Oxford. Enter coal man, a gruff, soot-covered coal impresario with a shock of grey hair. He was standing to one side of Relihan’s stand talking to anyone concerned about the benefits of his 100 per cent natural charcoal.

Relihan was using said coal infused with turf shipped over from his native Ireland, to create a wonderfully British smoke, that was being infused into bits of brilliant Irish cow, that probably fed on the sod they were being smoked with. A cyclical triumph.

As we stood in the shadow of the national gallery, Relihan dabbed at the beef and pork belly with strokes of a brush built from a bundle of thyme bound around the handle of a wooden spoon, dipped in butter—the onlooking cameras salivate, food bloggers moan. Drip, drip, drip goes the butter.

I stare into space, before staring back down at one of the best mouthfuls I’ve had in recent years. It was from a starter that Ms Williams and myself were sharing at TNQ. Pig’s head terrine and Scottish scallops. The would-be pescatarian sits opposite me with a similar expression of unbeforeseen joy. The TNQ advertises as British cuisine and sources all its products from this green and present land. Our other starter was pigeon breast, served very rare, with cherries. It didn’t reach quite the same echelon as the pig but was still good. Both were relatively simplistic; like the head chef of TNQ, Anthony Fieldman, can be quoted as saying—not a lot of fuss or frills, it is the ingredients themselves that speak volumes.

And I think that’s something that really characterises British cuisine, the simple marriage of quality ingredients. In that way, it is similar to Italian cooking.

For mains, we had the sea bass and the chicken. The chicken breasts were from a Goosnargh Chicken, which is like the Aberdeen Angus of poultry. They’re from Preston in Lancashire, comfortingly close to home. The sea bass sat on a tomato & roast red pepper compote, the most distinct bit of Mediterranean influence, but had a potato galette made of the inimitable British institution that is the Jersey royal.

Its things like that that I really love about Fieldman’s cooking, his celebration of British ingredients. He draws focus to what we do have rather than what we don’t.

British food… woooooo!

Manchester University Expedition Society announce photography competition winners

At the start of the year, the Expedition Society called for the university’s best travel and adventure photographs. We had some fantastic entries and enjoyed seeing some of the places that Manchester students have explored.

We’d like to congratulate this year’s winner, Joe Harris for his brilliant photo taken on an eight-day trip around rural Norway. Joe (architecture student) and his father covered 2,500km by road, stopping to camp, hike or just explore whatever caught their eye.

We loved the sense of adventure that this photo captures. The dramatic sense of wilderness reminded us that there is so much out there to explore.

Photo: Joe Harris

The runner up was Joe Watson’s atmospheric photo, which was taken on Mount Snowdon.

Photo: Joe Watson

This year’s winner and runner up have been awarded with Barska 10×50 WA and Barska 10×25 Lucid View binoculars (kindly sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor).

The Expedition Society brings Manchester students together to share experiences, resources and ideas in order to plan and carry out student-led expeditions around the world.

If you would like to get involved with the Expedition Society, or would like help setting up your own expedition then get in touch with us on [email protected] or find us on Facebook.

Review: The James Plays

History plays are hard to do right. The play has to reinvent the past for a contemporary audience, providing compelling renditions of historical figures while not straying too far from its source material, or it risks becoming inauthentic. Shakespeare nailed this formula, imbibing huge historical figures such as Richard III with enormous charisma, effectively providing the picture for how we view him today: a Machiavellian, hunchbacked schemer.

The James plays then thankfully achieve most of this with a lot of credibility, and set the benchmark for how history plays should be presented to a 21st century audience. They are abound with wonderful, complex personal relationships, as well as exploring grand themes of nationhood or what it means to belong to Scotland, arguments that have raced across time and are still so pertinent now.

The three plays, spanning the reigns of James I, II and III of Scotland for the best part of the 15th century, cover a dense period of exhilarating action. The first play, ‘James I: The Key Will Keep The Lock’, deals with James I’s rise to the throne after 18 years of English imprisonment and is full of wonderful action and low, primitive psychological conflict. The stage, dominated by ten-foot sword, becomes a symbol for the plays themes of bloody conflict, whether familial or with the colourful characters that inhabit Scotland.

Steven Miller plays James I in a terse, restrained manner, his emotions clearly raging inside him alongside his judgement, as he becomes more and more at odds with the barbaric ruling families of Scotland. He is portrayed as sensitive and is openly mocked for his poetry writing. A scene in which he attempts to woo his pragmatic but unfeeling wife (played by Rosemary Boyle) with his ineffective poetry feels resolutely modern, a relationship built on circumstance rather than feeling.

The play’s interest in the public and private spheres of a King’s life is done wonderfully; a scene early on in which the Scottish clansmen literally sit at the foot of the King’s bed on his wedding night is both comic and troubling, and with the double effect of the theatre audience, some sitting behind the stage (as I was), viewing this act was a brilliant highlight.

The play’s Scotland is one of unchecked disorder, the tension between James as a legitimate ruler and the families, ready to pounce at any sign of weakness, are what makes this first play a compelling watch right up to its brilliantly bloody conclusion, where an intricately choreographed scene of physical theatre ends a rollicking introduction to the world of the Jameses.

The second play builds on these themes. James II is a boy King with a blemished face, who is manipulated by the cruel Lord Livingstone to sign off policies ‘in the King’s name’, a motif that haunts the play. The play expands on the first’s themes of psychological conflict, James’ night terrors providing intense if confusing dream sequences, giving the audience an insight into the King’s mind. Like the first play, ‘James II: Day of the Innocents’ shows a conflicted Scotland, one of virtue being eroded by corrupt and powerful noblemen. Once again the use of the physical is sublime; a scene in which the King’s family takes on the Douglases in a game of ball looks so natural, but must have been painstakingly prepared for.

The play contains the performance of the trilogy from Andrew Still, playing Will Douglas, the King’s only friend as a child. His transformation from impish yet endearing child to something a whole lot more dangerous, all the while pressured by his horribly malevolent father, transcends his character, forming an argument about nationhood and the compromise between personal power and the good of the nation.

The third play, ‘James III: The True Mirror’ is the weakest of the three, and  deals with James III’s extravagant and gaudy lifestyle at odds with the desires of Parliament, a new threat to the King’s sanctity as ruler. One of the finest comic moments of the trilogy comes when James issues a personal choir to follow him wherever he goes, and is a wonderful highlight. The costumes, somewhat jarringly a mix of period attire and 21st century, do little to add to the sense that this is a ‘more modern’ play, and although there are some fantastic moments of utter self-indulgence from James, I do not feel that the overall narrative of the play struck home as much as the first two.

Where the play loses its dramatic power was in its attempt to capitalise on the psychological insights of the first two. Using the newly developed mirror, the characters attempt to come to terms with ‘who they really are’, but it doesn’t feel genuine enough, the characters sometimes resorting to platitudes that boil down to “it’s what inside that matters.” Malin Crépin gives a strong lead performance as Queen Margaret, weathering the storm that her husband has created in a regal and composed manner, using her position as a Danish outsider to comment on the state of Scotland both in a funny and poignant manner.

Overall the plays all present Scotland as a place of vitality and hunger, a country conflicted yet with a hugely strong sense of identity. The plays, although serious in subject matter, never shy away from humour; many jokes about the weather in Scotland or more darkly comic moments abide. Although perhaps never going far enough in their explorations of nationhood, these historical plays are the definitive dramatic chronicle of the first three James Stewarts of Scotland.

Manchester student aims to connect East and West with Behind Beijing

A University of Manchester student has set up an exciting photography project to explore the lives and experiences of citizens of Beijing and help people understand a culture so far removed from ours better.

Behind Beijing, “a glimpse into the culture of one of the greatest wonders of the world”, was started by David Adesanya, an Architecture student at the University of Manchester, who travelled to the Chinese capital over Easter on the Study China trip which is funded by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

David was inspired by the international success of Humans of New York, a photojournalistic series by American photographer Brandon Stanton, who photographs and interviews ordinary people in New York City about their lives, sometimes in intimate detail, and publishes them on Facebook. Since 2010 Stanton has gained 17 million Facebook likes and prompted the creation of many similar ‘Humans of…’ projects by photographers across the world.

David carried out a similar process, interviewing people on the street with the help of a native translator whom he met whilst in Beijing, and taking their photograph. “It’s very simple—it’s clear and honest. You ask a question and detail exactly what they say. There’s no Photoshop or editing,” he says.

He hopes that his work can connect people from the polarised cultures of West and East in the age of instant social media—often derided as making us more antisocial and disconnected from one another.

“I find it quite interesting that we live in the West and there’s so much going on in the East. They have completely different traditions and live completely different lives to us. It’s great to discover and uncover these differences, but also to see the parallels”, says Adesanya.

“In this age we seem to have become disconnected due to an increase in social media, so being able to connect through this project is amazing—it shows a form of hope. Creating connections is what drew me to it.”

The Study China programme offers British students the unique chance to live and learn in China. Students attend university to learn Mandarin and Chinese culture as well as going on excursions, and return home with a qualification and experiences not previously available to many.

Behind Beijing launches at midnight on Sunday the 1st of May. You can sign up to be notified at the project’s launch on the website, as well as following Behind Beijing on Facebook and Twitter.

Keep The Caterers protesters disrupt Estates meeting

Demonstrators calling upon the reversal of plans to make 43 catering staff redundant disrupted a meeting by university management to discuss the billion-pound campus masterplan on Tuesday.

In the middle of a talk on the development of the new Engineering Campus which will be located just north of the main university campus near the Aquatics Centre and will cost £300 million, a small group interrupted the speaker holding up a large ‘#KeepTheCaterers’ banner while outgoing Campaigns & Citizenship Officer Hannah McCarthy spoke to the lecture hall’s audience.

“Like the junior doctors that are outside the MRI we feel we have a duty to [disrupt this meeting], to ask why, if there’s money for all these buildings, why is there not money to pay their staff fairly?” she explained in the meeting.

“After three years the university have finally agreed to pay staff of UMC the living wage, which has been the subject of much pressure from students and staff. But now, all of a sudden, they’re saying in order to pay for this they’re going to have to cut staff… whereas we’ve seen here we know that they have enough money to pay their staff fairly.”

She explained how many catering staff have been told that their contracts will be reduced to term-time only which would see their pay cut by around one-third. In the midst of such large-scale investment in the university campus, she questioned how the jobs lowest-paid, “treated with such disregard,” can be

“This is part of a broader trend of marketisation in education. [As] you can see, universities are increasingly run like businesses for profit, and I think that staff and students, we have to work together to demand a different kind of university that is run in the interests of the staff and students who work here.”

The group of seven then walked out of the hall together chanting “keep the caterers!” to applause from the audience.

Today we disrupted the Directorate of Estates “Campus Masterplan” meeting.Here the university unveiled plans to build £600million+ worth of buildings. But we know that their real masterplan is to casualise the workforce and to line their pockets with even more £££. If there is money for swanky new buildings and “greening” multistory car parks then there is money to pay staff fairly and to provide students with bursaries.Their plans to cut catering staff show a university concerned only with their position in the “market”, and it’s us students and staff, who continually pay the price for their profit-driven vanity projects.This is part of a wider trend of marketization in education, where there are profits for managers and job losses for caterers.We demand that management:STOP THE JOB CUTSSTOP THE CUTS TO HOURSEND OUTSOURCING IN UNIVERSITY#KEEPTHECATERERS

Posted by Keep The Caterers on Tuesday, 26 April 2016

The video posted to Facebook by the Keep The Caterers campaign carried the description: “Today we disrupted the Directorate of Estates ‘Campus Masterplan’ meeting. Here the university unveiled plans to build £600million+ worth of buildings. But we know that their real masterplan is to casualise the workforce and to line their pockets with even more £££.

“If there is money for swanky new buildings and ‘greening’ multistory car parks then there is money to pay staff fairly and to provide students with bursaries. Their plans to cut catering staff show a university concerned only with their position in the ‘market’, and it’s us students and staff, who continually pay the price for their profit-driven vanity projects.”

A university spokesperson said: “Consultation is ongoing between UMC Ltd and UNISON over a restructure of University catering operations on campus (FoodOnCampus) and in residences (FoodInResidence).

“A voluntary severance scheme was opened on 11th March for impacted staff and applications are being taken up to and including 29th April. In addition to this, any other catering vacancies that arise have been reserved in order to provide potential opportunities for affected staff. The University hopes to successfully conclude this process early in the summer.”

A United Perspective: Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace

After a disappointing home performance against Villa, potentially the worst team to have ever graced the Premier League, Manchester United looked forward to facing Crystal Palace. Alan Pardew’s men had a surprising draw against the Gunners at the weekend having successfully repelled their lacklustre attacks and hitting them on the break with counter attacks, Yannick Bolasie being particularly threatening . This did not look great for the United faithful, who watched their team struggle to break down Aston Villa… yes Villa. Not many managers have made the doomed Claret and Blues look good, but Louis Van Gaal can add that to his impressive list of things not to include on your CV. Optimism has been at its lowest for some time, which was summed up by a text I received from Manchester United the night before: “United v Crystal Palace – get behind the team as they battle for a top 4 finish at OT tomorrow. Last chance to buy tickets blah blah blah”. It’s not often I get those kind of rousing texts the night before a Premier League game, showing a clear lack of tickets sold for the match.

When the team news came out an hour before kick-off a renewed sense of optimism could be seen on social media; United’s line up was far more attacking than most supporters expected. Louis Van Gaal has had a tendency to pick two holding midfielders against teams when one would do the job quite sufficiently. He has also failed to learn that all of the Red Devils’ best performances in the last two season have come when the formation has taken the shape of a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-3-3 (e.g: against Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City last season as well as Arsenal and West Ham this season). Van Gaal must have noticed that the immobile midfield paring of Fellaini and Carrick against Villa was not fluid enough, and made an apology to the fans after the game for the unconvincing performance. To the fans’ confidence, Van Gaal reverted back to the 4-1-4-1 which had been so successful and exciting against West Ham. The back four lined up with the usual Blind-Smalling partnership in the centre whilst Valencia and Darmian took up fullback roles. Schneiderlin stood as the shield in front of the defence while Martial, Rooney, Mata and Lingard assisted Rashford at the attacking end of the pitch. With Rooney taking up a box-to-box role, making runs from deep in midfield and spreading the play effectively, and Mata orchestrating attacks, the other front three combined to show one of the brightest attacking performances from United this season, interchanging and running the Palace defence ragged.

David De Gea had one of his quietest nights at Old Trafford, not having to make a single save, and was only called upon to make one tackle and claim one cross. His easy pay-check was down to three factors. Firstly, Schneiderlin had his most effective game in a United shirt: shielding the defence, intercepting play and closing down Palace’s tricky forwards (Zaha and Sako) with incredible success. Secondly, Daley Blind, in particular, and Chris Smalling had very solid games at the heart of United’s defence, the former making five tackles and latter winning three aerials. The duo partnered with the ever-running fullbacks of Valencia and Darmian. Thirdly, Palace looked very much like a team looking toward their FA Cup fixture on Sunday; resting Bolasie and Dann (their two best players this season according to my Eagles flatmate) and just generally not looking very adventurous. The most threatening attacks came from the ex-United man Zaha, looking to prove a point to his former club. Unfortunately, the only point he proved was that United were right to have let him go. All-in-all, Manchester United kept another clean sheet, their 17th in 34 PL games this season.

In an attacking capacity, United were the most exciting they have been for a long time. Rooney played a box-to-box midfield role, but, because of Palace’s unwillingness to really test United, he was free to orchestrate attacks from deep or run directly at the Eagle’s defence before laying it off, both of which he did very efficiently. Mata had much more freedom than Rooney in his position, often popping up on the left and the right to interchange passes with the winger/fullback on each side, creating triangles of play which isolated Palace defenders with quick passes. The youthful forward three had very impressive games. Lingard was as industrious as ever, running off the ball to create space, interchanging clever passes with Mata and Valencia on a consistent basis and pressing the Palace defence when they were in possession, harrying them off the ball. While he hasn’t got the headline-grabbing dribbling or clinical finishing of Martial or Rashford, it is in no doubt that Lingard is a very useful player to this team. Rashford did what he does best for the entirety of the match, running into the channels to create space for his team mates and taking the opposition on directly when given the chance. He showed incredible strength late on in the second half when he chased a ball, which most strikers would have given up on, and shoved Mariappa (no weakling) off the ball to unselfishly lay it on a plate for Lingard, who couldn’t beat the spectacular Speroni. Martial played an inside-left role, a position which he is starting to make his strongest, and gave Kelly a torrid time; constantly cutting inside and letting rip some venomous shots, and was unlucky not to score.

While the attacking players were tearing up the Eagle’s defence, the man who actually had the most attacking impact was Matteo Darmian. The Italian fullback fired in a brilliant cross which forced Delaney into scoring an own goal and smashed in a scorching volley from a corner, both with his weaker left foot and whilst playing on the left side of defence (his weaker fullback side). No one would have predicted it and I was personally disappointed to see Darmian on the team-sheet ahead of Tim Fosu-Mensah, but that just shows why I am not the Manchester United manager.

Album: Explosions in the Sky – The Wilderness

Released 1st April 2016 via Temporary Residence Limited

9/10

Featured in everything from Friday Night Lights to Welcome to Night Vale, Explosions in the Sky are most well-known for having their music used in TV and film, and their soundtrack work. It’s been almost five years since the release of their last studio album, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, but Explosions in the Sky have definitely not lost their touch.

The Wilderness has a very subtle electronic feel to it, with quiet, complimentary synths all throughout the album—and unusually, this adds to the feel rather than distracts from it. Not that this is entirely a ‘usual’ Explosions album. Rather than the massive, booming, driving anthems of previous albums, like Postcards from 1952, which present a sort of huge open musical landscape, The Wilderness seems to represent more a quiet, introspective and meditative scene. Even the album’s ‘climax’ track, ‘Disintegration Anxiety’, with its crunchy drums and fast riffs, lacks the usual dramatic, explosive climax.

This isn’t to say the album is an ambient one—there are plenty of faster, more upbeat sections, notably in ‘Infinite Orbit’, which unusually for this album opens with a fast drumbeat, and quickly builds up. Many of the other tracks also have upbeat moments, but the general feel of the album is one of solitude and quietness.

Furthermore, none of this is to say that the album is bad, and their departure (if only temporary) from their usual shtick is to be mourned—it shows that the band can subtly change their style and still maintain a very unique, very well held-together sound—that very few other post-rock bands have been able to replicate over the years.

Perhaps it is because of their association with uplifting, driving pieces for TV and film that Explosions in the Sky have tried to go in a different direction with The Wilderness. Since Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, they have made two soundtrack albums, and so perhaps this departure from their norm allowed the band to refresh their writing and create some truly beautiful music.

My only gripe with the album is that sometimes there is very little ‘flow’ between the pieces. For example, between ‘Losing the Light’ and ‘Infinite Orbit’, there is just a couple of seconds of silence before the fast drumbeat comes in. If there was more continuity it would help ‘smooth out’ the feel of the album.

Sticking around for the summer?

As the second semester comes to an end, the majority of students will have dispersed, leaving the campus eerily deserted. But you’d be foolish to believe that Manchester grinds to a dismal halt in the upcoming months of summer.

The warm weather brings a summer full of outdoor gigs and festivals. Urban music festival season kicks off in June with Parklife; this year’s fantastic lineup includes the Chemical Brothers, Major Lazer, Diplo and Wolf Alice. A series of concerts on warm summer nights in Castlefield, with acts such as James Bay, and Guy Garvey amongst others, for the annual Summer in the City Concert series. The biennial Manchester International Festival is an internationally renowned fortnight of premieres and never before seen events, shows and gigs, which has brought exclusive gigs by Bjork and The xx—as well as Wonderland, a spectacular theatre production from Blur frontman Damon Albarn. Manchester International Festival is taking a break this year, but still, barely a week goes by without an event taking residence in the festival tent at Albert Square.

Summertime also brings Al Fresco food and drink to the city—with squares and pavements suddenly alive, and the beer gardens full to the brim. Places like Spinningfields and Castlefield really become their own when using their fantastic outdoor spaces in the usually rainy city. The Oast House is a particular favourite when the clouds eventually part. With its large outdoor space and relaxed atmosphere, the August Manchester Picnic brings the same outdoor eating vibe to Piccadilly Gardens.

This year’s sporting events include the Olympics, Wimbledon and the UEFA Euro 2016 football tournament. Seek out the big screens and you’ll soon discover that a party atmosphere with a bit of a crowd can be even more fun in Manchester than actually being at the event itself. Unique spaces have regularly included an urban beach complete with deck chairs and a cocktail bar—in contradiction, Stone Roses’ frontman Ian Brown has claimed that Manchester has everything but a beach! On that matter, the legendary Stone Roses have announced a new album and a series of concerts this summer; what will be massive sellout events.

For classical music lovers, the crescendo reaches it peak as the summer draws to a close. Take a picnic and a bottle or two of bubbly to enjoy whilst you marvel at the spectacular fireworks accompanying the Halle Orchestra as they perform live at Tatton Park. This glorious venue also hosts an annual yearly flower show.

Every year, at the end of August, Manchester Pride brings a huge influx of visitors into the city. Headliners this summer include Katy B, Judge Jules and Will Young. For a more refined genre of entertainment, the 24:7 Theatre Festival brings the best of the year’s plays back for mini productions in unusual locations. There are also regular plays held in many of the city’s parks—with Heaton Park, and Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden being wonderfully atmospheric places to watch Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde as the sun sets. Actors have bravely carried on even when the sudden downpours have interrupted the rare sunshine.

So grab the suncream and get ready for a great time, as with so many things happening, Manchester is the perfect place to spend the summer. Let’s face it, beaches are overrated anyway!

Graduation Gratitude

With Graduation, less than three months away, surely our priorities lie in deciding what we’re all going to wear for our graduation? For those celebrating graduation in the summer, the world is our oyster and the weather will permit us to wear pretty much whatever we want (just make sure an umbrella is on hand).

Graduation is a milestone in any student’s life and you want to look great when reaping the reward for years of hard work. Here are my top picks for potential graduation outfits which are bound to make you feel great on your big day.

Flaring is caring

For those of you who want to embrace the summer and take on an individual look, MANGO’s Flared Skirt Dress (above) is the perfect pick. Available in three colours, the simplicity that this dress offers is a great way to achieve class.

TRY: Team this dress with white peep toe heels and accessories to get the full on summer graduation look.

Jumping for Joy

The Jumpsuit is a fabulous all in one option to take your look to many different levels. Try with this great halter jumpsuit that brings a smart look to the table.

Topshop Halter Jumpsuit £69.00
Photo: Topshop

TRY: Team this up with some coloured heels and chunky bracelets to really bring out your personality or keep it classy with gold accessories and black heels.

Slim is never grim

When it comes to graduation there is a variety of looks you could go for when choosing a suit. From different fitting to different colours.  This three piece slim fit suit is a brilliant summer pick for graduation.

French Connection Slim Fit Bright Blue Milled Suit
Photo: Moss Bros

TRY: Pair this blue suit with some tan shoes and don’t be scared of experimenting with tie colours.

The Cream of the Crop

Don’t think that suits are restricted to men, women can also rock a suit look. This outstanding cropped trouser suit will just ooze sophistication on your graduation day.

ASOS Premium Linen Suit Culottes £38.00
ASOS Premium Linen Clean Suit Blazer £55.00
Photo: ASOS

TRY: With a pastel suit, keep your look in the same palette by wearing accessories that are a darker shade to enhance the summer colours.

Better safe than sorry

You can make any outfit your own, but here are a few must haves for your graduation in Manchester to stay safe from the rain. Riri would be proud.

British Belt Company Umbrella £15.00  
Photo: ASOS ASOS Original Duckhead Umbrella £22.00
Photo: ASOS

Hopefully these picks have given you some inspiration about what to wear to graduation. Remember it is a day to celebrate your achievements, so you should own it and feel good while you’re walking up there. Congrats on making it so far! See you on the other side!

Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid

Bolstered by the news that Cristiano Ronaldo was out of the game, City fans were in fine voice for their team’s first ever Champions League semi-final. The mosaic of flags before the game was especially effective as the fans took to their seats early to sing their hearts out and wave their flags waiting for the team to come out the tunnel. And in true City fashion, as they did exit the tunnel, the fans burst into boos at the Champions League anthem. The prospect of City fans being able to do this at the San Siro in the Champions League final is certainly an interesting one.

Although it won’t go down as a classic Champions League match, the 0-0 draw at The Etihad between Manchester City and Real Madrid had its fair share of action, and a great sense of professionalism from both sides. Both sides defended very well, hence the lack of real clear cut chances, and the midfield tug-of-war brought about great performances from Real Madrid’s Luka Modrić, and Manchester City’s midfield pair Fernando and Fernandinho.

Photo: Harry Newton

Despite the lack of chances throughout the game, it was Joe Hart yet again that saved City’s skin! The keeper pulled off two phenomenal saves: One from a Casemiro header, and another from point-blank range as Pepe shot at the keeper. Both looked like certain goals but the Englishman’s reflexes were well up to the job. Hart now has the most saves in the UEFA Champions League out of any keeper this season, and some of them have been exceptional. Despite these two chances, however, Hart was rarely tested as Fernandinho and Fernando in the middle showcased fantastic energy levels to stop the Madrid attacks. Although football fans may prefer watching the fancy flicks and back-heels of attacking players, Fernando’s game-saving interceptions and crunching challenges were just as impressive as any bicycle kick.

A first half injury to David Silva led to the introduction of teenager Kelechi Iheanacho for his Champions League debut. Despite how Iheanacho had a fantastic game at the weekend, grabbing two goals against Stoke City, his introduction meant a change in formation for City that altered the game. The 4-2-3-1 formation was working very well, as Fernando and Fernandinho commanded the midfield and Kevin de Bruyne in the attacking midfield position was creating the opportunities for the blues. The switch to 4-2-2-2, however, pushed De Bruyne to the wing and was less effective on the attack, leaving a hole in the middle.

City had few chances in the game despite their midfield efforts, as Sergio Agüero was kept quiet, but it was in the dying moments of the game when their best chance came. Substitute Raheem Sterling was put through on goal, but a heavy touch took the chance away from him quicker than the pacey winger could get there. The keeper collected.

A draw was a fair result in the end, as City controlled the first half, and Real Madrid had a better share of the ball of in the second due to Luka Modrić almost single-handedly turning the midfield battle on its head late in the second half. Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane stated after the game that he believed the game was 50/50. He also said plenty other things, but I was far too busy sat with my mouth open drooling at the prospect of being ten feet away from Zinedine Zidane. The crowd of journalists ooh’d each time he opened his mouth and his glistening teeth sent a ray of light bouncing off the walls. The spotlight shone off his head like it would from the halo of a footballing angel. It’s hard to believe this is the same head that sent Marco Materazzi toppling to the ground in the 2006 World Cup. I know it wasn’t your fault Zizou… I know.

Photo: Harry Newton

The performance was professional and astute, handsome and suave… Oh, sorry, I’m thinking of Zinedine again. Yes, the performance was professional from Manchester City and they managed to keep the all-important clean sheet at The Etihad. Both managers stressed in the post-match press conference that neither team is favourite to go through to the final, but City will feel confident after keeping Madrid out for 90 minutes already. We’ll all have to wait another eight days to find out though! It’s fun, this Champion League malarkey, isn’t it?

NUS National Conference 2016 – a round-up

The NUS 2016 National Conference, hosted at the 5,000-capacity Brighton Centre, came to an end on the 21st of April. This year’s has been headline-grabbing and historic, from the election of the first-ever black woman President to the discussion over banning anonymous social media accounts.

 

Officer elections

On the second day of the National Conference delegates voted for the NUS’s full-time officers

Malia Bouattia was elected NUS President, Richard Brooks was re-elected Vice-President Union Development, Shelly Asquith was re-elected VP Welfare, Sorana Vieru was re-elected VP Higher Education, Rob Young was elected VP Society & Citizenship, and Shakira Martin was re-elected VP Further Education.

 

Malia Bouattia became the first BME woman and the first muslim President of the NUS. Her election, amid discussions around anti-Semitism and other previous comments, caused an immediate backlash in the headlines and across social media.

Recently, 47 Jewish Society Presidents had signed an open letter raising concerns of anti-Semitism questioning Bouattia’s reference to the University of Birmingham as a “Zionist outpost”, and to clarify any connections she may have with MPACUK, an organisation no-platformed by the NUS.

Bouattia responded to the allegations in the open letter, emphasising her dedication to tackling all forms of racism and prejudice, and attempting to make clearer her anti-Zionist position as opposed to an anti-Semitic one.

Many news sources have focused on Malia’s purported “refusal” to condemn IS, with headlines including ‘NUS elects president who refuses to condemn ISIS‘. This arose from a motion proposed two years ago with the intention of solidarity with Iraqis and the condemnation of the terror group. It was delayed by Bouattia over concerns about its wording, which she believed could target all Muslims rather than IS alone. This revised motion was later passed, as the NUS have emphasised.

She responded to all the allegations made against her in an article for The Guardian this weekend. “There is no place for antisemitism in the student movement, or in society”, she wrote. “If any of my previous discourse has been interpreted otherwise, such as comments I once made about Zionism within the media, I will revise it to ensure there is no room for confusion.”

Student Chaplain for Liberal Judaism Rabbi Leah Jordan wrote an article discussing the election of Bouattia, stating that it was “exciting” for the prospect of liberation movements, but inviting her to discuss in detail her perspectives and goals for Jewish students. “I would hope that her past choices in wording reflect an ignorance of the history of anti-Semitism in left-wing activism, rather than racist intent”, wrote Jordan.

The election of Bouattia first saw students at Cambridge University Students’ Union call for disaffiliation from the NUS. Since then more and more groups of students, from universities including York, Oxford and Manchester, have decided to petition and campaign for referenda to decide on whether students would like to continue to stay in the NUS.

“We are stronger when we work together,” said exiting President Megan Dunn in he closing remarks at the Conference. “When Students’ Unions are under attack, we are better off united than we are standing on our own, believing we can defend ourselves by standing apart.

 

Holocaust remembrance

In a climate of worry about anti-Semitism within the NUS as well as on the left of the political spectrum, many students were incensed by the fact that a motion to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day saw two rounds of opposition speeches, mainly opposing the motion due to the fact that other genocides were not equally memorialised.

“There are some within the NUS who feel that Holocaust Memorial Day should not be remembered because it is not inclusive enough”, tweeted a furious Eric Pickles MP, now UK Special Envoy for post-Holocaust issues. “There are some within the NUS who would turn their backs on the murder of six million Jews.”

https://youtu.be/C_O9h0-glCg

John Mann, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group against anti-Semitism, said: “Today’s comments and their reception were inappropriate, offensive and point to a disturbing wider ignorance about anti-Semitism in NUS.”

 

National Student Survey

In opposition to the government’s green paper on education—in particular the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) which will allow certain universities to raise tuition fees based on their teaching performance—the NUS resolved to hijack the TEF through a boycott of the NSS.

The action, according to the proposer of the motion, hopes to “render the TEF unworkable, and seriously disrupt the government’s higher education reforms as a whole.”

The hope is that a boycott will delegitimise the results of the survey which the government hopes to use as a factor in how universities are ranked in the TEF. This useless data will, apparently, be a stumbling block for the graded tuition fees system.

The NSS is “a weapon to beat academic staff with and as an excuse to cut courses and close departments”, said Hope Worsdale, incoming Education Officer at Warwick SU, who spoke in favour.

“The current reforms would further destroy public education as we know it, so it is fantastic news that the NUS has chosen to boycott these surveys in order to defeat them.”

 

Yik Yak

One of the earliest headline-grabbing decisions made at National Conference was the decision to “open a dialogue with Facebook, Twitter and Yik Yak” with the intention of restricting anonymous posting during Union elections which often sees vicious online abuse aimed at candidates.

Despite agreeing that the engagement through social media of students was a positive thing, they believed it was much more of a problem that “racists, sexists, and cyber bullies” could not be disciplined. The decision was widely reported as the NUS banning Yik Yak and caused a lot of negative commentary on Twitter.

I would rather have Yik Yak than the NUS! If you represent students then stop messing with what we love!!” tweeted @JohnDobbykins.

 

Student Media

The prospects of student media during Union elections was more favourable. Motion 314, proposed by Bath Students’ Union, was passed on the third day of Conference after Union Development debate overran the previous evening’s period. It resolves:

1. For the VP Union Development to investigate how media groups can run better content for Students’ Unions Officer Elections.

2. For the VP Union Development to produce guidance for Students’ Unions Media Groups in running pieces that truly reflect candidates’ policy proposals and incumbent officer progress.

3. For the VP Union Development to work with external organisations, such as the National Student Television Association (NaSTA), Student Publication Association (SPA) and Student Radio Association (SRA) to help find effective avenues in supporting media groups in providing coverage during officer elections.

Photo: Screenshot, manchester SU @YouTube

It came after widespread worry and displeasure among student media platforms who are often subject to strict controls on what they can publish during Union election in the interests of total fairness.

“Too many student unions effectively gag their student newspapers on reporting anything but propaganda during their elections, and this is incredibly damaging to democracy”, said outgoing SPA Chair Jem Collins.

“Often these policies were probably well meant to prevent bias or unfairness, but in reality, the lack of a free press to hold candidates to account damages student democracy, leaving the electorate unengaged and uninformed.

“With proper regulation, it is not only possible, but advisable, to have a student press that is both unbiased and fair, but holds candidates to account.”

Top 5: Under £5

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer: £4.19

If there were ever a drugstore product that could compete with the beauty gods of Nars and Bobbi Brown, Collection have hit the ball out of the park with this miracle of a concealer. Known to the masses as every beauty blogger’s holy grail product, this masking masterpiece can hide those tired 9am lecture eyes like no other concealer can. It’ll cover up any and every essay-enduced blemish with ease, and it’ll fit right into your pocket for midday touch-ups. At only £4.19, the Lasting Perfection Concealer is an absolute steal.

Rimmel London Sculpting Palette by Kate: £4.99

Fairly new to the market, Kate Moss’ trio of beauty is now standing loud and proud on the Rimmel London displays in Boots. With countless high-end blushers, bronzers, and highlighters coming in individually at a whopping £20-30+ price point, it’s a sigh of relief to see a 3 in 1 product for a fraction of the price. Much like her fantastic lipstick collection for Rimmel and her inspiring fashion collection for Topshop, good ol’ Kate has outshone herself again. With an almost exact dupe for NARS’ Orgasm Blush, her palettes should be flying off the shelves.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick: £4.99

Treating yourself to a new lipstick without breaking the bank is becoming increasingly difficult. Having a browse through my own lipstick collection I am definitely no exception to this, with all but one causing over £5 of damage. Funnily enough, however, the £4.99 gem that sits smugly amongst the rest is actually one of my most reached for shades. Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Lipstick in ‘Sugar Plum’ is a beautiful, vibrant pink which remained a firm staple in my make up for the whole of last summer. As the weather is soon to make a turn for the better, I’m sure that it’ll soon be making a much needed reappearance.

Makeup Revolution Iconic Palettes: £4

The Urban Decay Naked palettes are on every beauty lover’s Christmas and birthday wish lists. Infamous for their beautiful array of long lasting, breath-taking eyeshadows, it’s a slap in the face to know that they each leave a £38.50 dent in your bank balance. Dreaming of making the palettes more accessible to students on a budget, many brands have brought out their own replicas. Makeup Revolution’s take is practically an exact dupe of every single colour, with their Iconic 1, 2, and 3, cloning Naked 1, 2, and 3, for a far friendlier price.

Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Nail Paint: £3.99

Barry M are renowned for their inexpensive nail polishes, every single one coming in at under a fiver each. Their Speedy Quick Dry collection, however, is definitely something extra special to be shouted about. With a brush shape not too dissimilar from the nail polish Queen, Essie, and a finish that won’t smudge when you’re in a morning rush, these cheap and cheerful colours are a nail polish lover’s dream. ‘Eat My Dust’ is a charming cornflower blue, ‘Pit Stop’ is a glamorous grey, and ‘Lap of Honour’ is a loving lilac. For £3.99 a bottle, I could quite easily find myself purchasing every single shade…

Preview: Eat Beats

Eat Beats is a brand new, forward-thinking student night in Manchester hosted by Sound Control. The launch night kicks off on Wednesday the 27th of April with a fantastic line up of top-notch DJs covering house, techno, bassline, hip-hop, grime and everything in between. Joining them on the evening will be resident DJ duo Understate. Quickly becoming a name to look out for, they have created a buzz in the house and electronic scene with their bass-heavy tracks and energetic live sets.

We caught up with the guys to get the low down on the party and find what Eat Beats is all about.

You’re playing at the launch party for Eat Beats—the brand new, forward-thinking night at Manchester Sound Control. Are you looking forward to this one?

Yes, it’s a really exciting time seeing a new promotion team coming in with some very exciting artists on the line up. We have just recently finished the uni lifestyle in Leeds and we are aware of student culture. We think it’s got the right format to get people gassed. There’s a very bright future for Eat Beats and we are really proud to be a part of it.

What can we expect from your set?

High energy and good vibes. We spend a lot of time working on our sets to ensure a flow of groovy house bangers that people can get stuck into on the dance floor. We play a lot of our own productions intertwined with artists that are really pushing boundaries within the house scene. We like to play a lot of different records together, different aspects of house, which at points will slip into the darker side of tech.

You’ve played warm up sets for the likes of Disclosure, Gorgon City and DJ EZ and will be playing at Hideout Festival this summer. What else have you got planned this year?

We have some really exciting material we have been working on over the last few months, which will be surfacing throughout 2016. This year we have been working with some very talented vocalists and producers that have been feeling our sound. Hideout is a big thing for us this year, everything leads up to this.

You’ve just completed a promo mix ahead of the Eat Beats night, how did the mix come together and track selection?

It was a fun mix to put together. It’s very current and represents an insight of what to expect from an Understate set. There’s tracks featured from local artists right up to major house players. It’s more steered towards a tech sounding set but right at this moment in time, it’s the tracks we fully back for the club.

You’ve recently dropped your new track ‘Don’t Stop’ which is available for free download via your Soundcloud page. Tell us about the track.

We started this track a long time ago. Usually we would scrap tracks that linger about but there was something a bit special with this one. It kept drawing us back and as our sound developed further we finally got to a place where we could smash it out. It’s kind of where the name come from. ‘Don’t Stop’ until something is finished. It was a small lesson to keep hold of those wavey ideas that don’t make the cut and then come back weeks later with some fresh vibes.

What music is on your radar at the moment?

Solardo, Kideko, Sonny Fodera and Justin Jay are some of the artists we’ve been feeling at the moment.

What activities have you got lined up for 2016, any more new music?

We have some really exciting material we have been working on over the last few months, which will be surfacing throughout 2016. This year we have been working with some very talented vocalists and producers that have been feeling our sound. We’re feeling the collaborative thing at the moment, it’s great to work with other musicians who bring new ideas about. We have just released a special track ‘Earl Grey’. It’s a collab with our late friend Hunty, who was a big supporter of our music.

You can catch Understate play at the launch party of Eat Beats at Manchester Sound Control on Wednesday 27th April. Tickets are on sale now and are available at soundcontrolmanchester.co.uk/events/eat-beats-launch-party/

For more information check out:

facebook.com/EatBeatsManchester

facebook.com/understateuk

A United Perspective: Everton in the FA Cup

There is no such thing as certainty when it comes to Manchester United nowadays. They were expected to roll over Aston Villa comfortably, but that fixture was anything but comfortable. The Claret and Blues hit the post and Gestede very nearly scored in the dying minutes of that match. Next came Palace, a once combative team now flirting with the relegation zone. This midweek fixture was slightly more relaxed as Van Gaal reverted to a 4-1-4-1 and let his players express their attacking ingenuity, finishing the game with a clean sheet and two goals. Confidence has grown over the past weeks, but the Dutchman is still under the microscope. While a top four finish is United’s main objective this season, the Red Devils have almost stumbled into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, without prioritising it over League or European fixtures.

The road has not been an exceedingly tough one: they scraped a lucky 1-0 win over Sheffield United, comfortably beat a struggling Derby side 3-1, rolled over Shrewsbury 3-0 and managed to clinch a replay win against West Ham. Everton were not expected to really test the Reds when they travelled to Wembley; the Toffees have significantly underperformed in the League this season, sitting eleventh with a team full of talent. It has been a bit of a shock that Martínez has clung on to his job for this long. Nevertheless, like United, it has been almost impossible to predict their performances this season. Surprisingly, Everton had not conceded a single goal in the competition going into this fixture.

United lined up in an odd 4-1-4-1 formation, with Rooney and Fellaini partnered in the attacking midfield role, but had clearly been instructed to swap box-to-box duties. Lingard’s energy was preferred to Mata’s creativity on the right and Martial drifted up and down the left wing with his usual elegance. Carrick deputised for the rested Schneiderlin at the base of midfield, while the promising Fosu-Mensah was given a start at right back with Smalling, Blind and Rojo making up the rest of the defence. Rashford took up the lone striking role once again.

The game started frighteningly quick; Martial tore down the left and almost set up a chance before Lukaku skipped past David De Gea and passed the ball towards the empty net, only for captain Rooney to get back and clear off the line. United gained some composure and scored the opening goal soon after. In classic Fellaini style, the lanky Belgian scuffed the ball into the turf after Martial’s mazy run set him up on a plate. Often the scapegoat of United’s failures since the departure of Sir Alex, the former Evertonian made the effort of pointing to the name on the back of his shirt in celebration, reminding the fans that he’s not all that bad. In fact, he probably had one of his best games in a United shirt.

The Toffees didn’t really look like threatening De Gea’s goal until after the break. Martínez must have given his men one hell of a team talk because the team which came back on the pitch was ten times better than the team which left it at the interval. Barkley and Lukaku dropped slightly deeper, picked up balls in space and ran directly at the Reds’ back four, eventually causing some problems. After an excellent pass from Lennon to pick out Barkely, the English youngster was (debatably) fouled by Fosu-Mensah in the penalty area. Lukaku stepped up to take it, hoping to turn his below par performance around, however, things only got worse.

The striker’s firmly hit shot was denied by the outstretched De Gea, who saved United’s season for the hundredth time. Everton, although, did manage to equalise not long after. The introduction of Deulofeu caused Rojo a problem at left back; his quick feet were too much to handle and his cross following his humiliation of Rojo was unfortunately deflected into the net by Smalling in the 74th minute. The following 15 minutes was a nervous state of affairs: end-to-end, chance after chance was made, yet both goalkeepers produced fine saves and neither side could find the back of the net.

In the final five, Van Gaal hauled off Fellaini and replaced him with Herrera, who had an important impact. In the 92nd minute, Martial picked up the ball on the left wing near the halfway line and played a one-two with Rashford. He then rolled the ball to Herrera who stumbled, swivelled and poked the ball back to Martial who raced towards Robles before coolly slotting the ball past the onrushing keeper. Celebration ensued, as the Frenchman, deemed a “waste of money” by the Mirror back in September, yet again provided a classic United moment, up there with his debut goal against Liverpool. The match finished 2-1 and the Red Devils went through to the final of the FA Cup to face either Crystal Palace or Watford.

Even before the game, not many United fans were confident of silverware this season, but Louis Van Gaal did what he does best: pulling out a result when his back is against the wall. No matter which team United face in the final, they will be clear favourites. However, with the top four unlikely, the real question is whether Louis Van Gaal will retain his job next season if the FA Cup is delivered, and would the fans want the Dutchman still there? The most likely answer is no, because of the importance of Champions League qualification with Adidas’ kit deal. But, if Louis was to win the FA Cup in his last ever match and retire the Old Trafford job, he would leave with his head held high and with the Red Faithful’s respect. A win-win situation.

Manchester City 4-0 Stoke City

Despite how a date with destiny looms on Tuesday for Manchester City, as they face Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, they had to turn their attention to the Premier League today and face Stoke City. The Blues didn’t disappoint as they ran out easy 4-0 winners! The goals came, the sunshine was there for all, and Toure, Silva and Aguero were all sporting some beautiful pink and yellow boots. How wonderful! Although it did look like they were all wearing fruit salads on their feet.

Photo: Wikimeia Commons

If this match was a film…

Kelechi if you can

Photo: Wikimeia Commons

Yea, you read right—that is the greatest pun you’ve read in a very long time! After a scintillating performance, City’s wonder-kid Kelechi Iheanacho brought the game to Stoke City and scored two goals while he was at it. Iheanacho became City’s joint third top scorer this season, as he scored his eleventh—now level with Raheem Sterling—which is quite the achievement considering he’s only started nine competitive games.

Iheanacho’s energy was evident from the first few minutes, and after initially taking five or ten minutes to get into the game with a few dodgy passes, it was nice to watch the belief and confidence of the striker increase as the match went on. He was anticipating the play before it happened, wasn’t afraid to shoot, and scored two very different goals highlighting his talent. Even from the sixth minute, the fans had created a song and were singing his name. It will be a day to remember for Kelechi Iheanacho.

City now have four wins in their last five games in the Premier League, after previous to this run struggling to knock up two wins in a row since October. Obviously City are well up for the fight for a Champions League qualifying spot, and at the minute are leading Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham United in this race for the final two spots. Catch them if you can…

Big Moments

34th minute: GOAL! Jesús Navas’corner meets Fernando at the near post as he flicks it into the far corner of the net. Fernando with two goals in one month—prolific!

41st minute: PENALTY! After a pacey start to the game, not being afraid to see a lot of the ball, Kelechi Iheanacho was brought down in the penalty box by Ryan Shawcross, leaving Bobby Madley no choice but to point to the spot. This came after the Nigerian 19-year-old played a one-two with Yaya Toure.

42nd minute: GOAL! Sergio Agüero got yet another goal this season and became, for the time being, the joint-third leading goal scorer of the season! He puts the ball to the top right of ex-City man Shay Given’s glove.

48th minute: CHANCE! Stoke came out from the half-time break raring for battle, as Marko Arnautović put in a beautiful cross but Joselu put it well over. I always think you have to be a bloody good footballer to go by one name; Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Jô etc. On this occasion, Joselu should have converted.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

58th minute: SAVE! The pressure continued for Stoke, as this time Joe Hart had to spring to life and stop Arnautović from netting, after he wriggled free from Nicolás Otamendi.

63rd minute: GOAL! Kelechi Iheanacho got the goal he so very much deserved—just as Wilfried Bony jumped up and stood on the touchline waiting for his substitution, he watched in awe. Pablo Zabaleta, on his 300th appearance, pulled the ball across the six yard box, where the fox in the box was waiting to tap it in.

64th minute: SUB: Agüero OFF, Bony ON.

74th minute: GOAL! Iheanacho with another. Bony was the supplier after he played a delightful ball to the Nigerian, but it was Iheanacho’s first touch that made the goal possible, as he took the ball through the heart of the defence and then rounded the keeper for a tap-in.

Stoke City

Stoke were quite happy to sit eleven men behind the ball and then try for a counter-attack goal. Early in the first-half this proved to be relatively successful, but as soon as the deadlock was broken, it seemed to falter with some sloppy passing. This didn’t stop Mark Hughes trying his hardest to rally the troops back at his old stomping ground, as he acted as the fifth defender bellowing at them when to push forward when to sit back. At one point he even joined the back four from the touchline, to demonstrate when to move up! Although Hughes hoped this would look like an ex-Manchester United legend helping his team to a win—it ended up resembling when Robbie re-joined ‘Take That.’

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Stoke don’t really have anything to play for this season anymore, and are quite happy in the middle of the table, but keep a keen eye on them next year as there’s some stars in that team. Arnautović played very well down the left wing, and surely Hughes will be given more money this pre-season to spend and get them up in the European spots next year.

Man of the Match

Kelechi Iheanacho was easily the Man of the Match with two goals and one assist (if you count being fouled for a penalty as an assist), but we’ve already discussed Iheanacho earlier in my fantastic punny section ‘Kelechi if you can’ (yes, I’m still banging on about that pun). So, here I will highlight another player who brought his A-game today, and that was Fernando. If you were watching City last season you may have noticed that Fernando didn’t really cover himself in any glory, but this season he has been vital. Especially in the second half of the season, when City have looked somewhat sloppy at times, Fernando ‘the mop’ has been there to secure the midfield. He now looks easily comfortable on the ball, and is even dictating the occasional attacking play once he’s cut the ball out. Hopefully, if Pep Guardiola wishes to keep him next season, City will sign Leroy Fer too. Then we can have Fer, Fernando, and Fernandinho in midfield. Wouldn’t that be just great?

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Quote of the Presser

“I think that Kelechi is a player that will have an important role in this club in the coming years… His contribution is very important for the way the team play… I am very pleased for him.” – Manuel Pellegrini on Man of the Match Kelechi Iheanacho.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Stat of the Match

City have only conceded once at the Etihad to Stoke City—when they won 1-0 last year.

Fan Watch

After a slight stumble at the start of 2016, it looks like City are finally hitting a little bit of form—now unbeaten in seven after the loss to Manchester United. The fans thanked Manuel Pellegrini during the match for this, singing his famous chant from the terraces! The Chilean replied with a wave and a smile. It’s nice that everyone’s friends again isn’t it?

Photo: Rakka @Flickr

Injury Table

It’s been a difficult year for City when it comes to player fitness, as they’ve seen constant injuries. With most of the team making a come-back now, here’s a little update on where everyone’s at.

Yaya Toure—ended the game with a muscle injury. Will be assessed tomorrow if he will be fit for the Real Madrid game.

Fernando—a little pain in his knee. Will assess tomorrow, but Pellegrini is optimistic.

Kevin de Bruyne—should be fit for Real Madrid. Rested due to very minor problem.

Fernandinho—should be fit for Real Madrid. Rested due to very minor problem.

Raheem Sterling—100 per cent fit.

David Silva—100 per cent fit.

Samir Nasri—should be fit for next week’s Premier League match. Not in the Champions League squad.

Vincent Kompany—was rested due to risk, but is 100 per cent fit for the Real Madrid game.

Union budget cuts threaten future of The Cambridge Student

The Cambridge Student, the official student newspaper at the Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU), has been informed that their budget will be significantly cut with only two term days to appeal, meaning they will have to end the print edition of their newspaper.

On Friday the 15th of April, senior editorial staff at TCS were sent an e-mail from Union trustees and officers informing them that the 2016/17 budget would see a “reduction in resource allocation” taking place, a move that would kill the print edition of the weekly newspaper after 17 years of existence.

TCS reports it has requested a year-long deferral of the decision, in which time period it can work on reducing costs and increasing profit. None of its members, it says, were made aware that cuts were to be made until the e-mail was received, and at no point were they asked how the paper’s running could be made more affordable.

In an article titled CUSU budget threatens 17-year TCS print legacy, TCS says: “According to the CUSU Constitution, the budget should have ‘been made available for inspection at the CUSU Offices during office hours for the 2 weeks prior to the day of the meeting.’

“This would have been April 18, however it has not yet been done.”

TCS cost CUSU £24,430, and brought in £32,140 in sponsorship and contract income.”

“Totally baffled by @CUSU proposals to cut funding to @TCSNewspaper”, tweeted incumbent Student Publication Association Chair Jem Collins. “LOOK AT THESE FIGURES. #dothemaths”.

Editor-in-Chief of The Cambridge Student Elsa Maishman said: “We cannot switch immediately, with almost no warning, from being a primarily print newspaper to an online-only presence with the capability to rival the large scale, large investment organisation that is the Tab.”

The SPA also released a statement in response to the proposed cuts, calling upon the Union “to abandon proposals to cut budget for The Cambridge Student as a matter of urgency.” TCS was shortlisted for many prestigious SPA awards at this month’s SPA National Conference.

Collins said: “It may sound overblown, but student media really is vital to both university life and democracy, keeping students informed and holding power to account.

“It doesn’t just benefit those who participate, but the whole student body. For SUs to try and pull the plug on funding for something this important is frankly an embarrassment, especially when you look at the consistent quality of the work at TCS.

“Print media is still of paramount importance on campus, and enables engagement in ways you can’t emulate online and it’s important to safeguard this for future students.

“The SPA will work with TCS to help lobby against these proposals, which would be wholly damaging to the university, union and it’s students.”

At the NUS National Conference 2016 which came to an end yesterday, delegates voted in favour of Motion 314 which resolved to work towards more transparent Union election coverage and strike a balance between fair coverage and accountability, amid concerns of SUs exerting excessive control over what their media outlets could release during the election period.

The Cambridge Student‘s latest edition can be read online here.

Preview: Manchester City vs Stoke City

Injuries
• Samir Nasri—couldn’t recover 100 per cent. For the next game he should be OK.
• Vincent Kompany is fit—should be playing as normal again now.
• David Silva is fit—Pellegrini said that Silva should be fine to play two games in a row now, whereas it was uncomfortable earlier in the month. He also said that he tried to sign David Silva when he was at Real Madrid.

Last Time

Stoke City fans when promoted to the Premier League. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Xherdan Shaqiri was just showing off really in December, when Stoke ran out 2-0 winners in a superb game for the Potters that saw Marco Arnautovic net twice early in the first half. It was a day to forget for City, as Stoke’s energy and pace was too much for them, and City never really looked in the game. Mark Hughes has turned Stoke into a very different team to that of Tony Pulis’ era. Pulis used to play a tough game full of tackles, flailing elbows and long throw-ins, whereas ex-City manager Hughes has added some genuine quality to the team. Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping that City can play better this time; “they had important players in their best moments” he said, as he expressed his optimism this time round. He also said that he hasn’t seen Stoke play like that all season.

Quote of the Presser

“It was exactly the same against Paris Saint Germain. The best thing to prepare for the game that we must play on Tuesday, is to try to win tomorrow against Stoke” – Manuel Pellegrini

Sergio’s 100

On Tuesday against Newcastle United, Sergio Agüero scored his 100th Premier League goal for Manchester City. Not just that—he became the second quickest player in the competition’s history to do so, just behind Alan Shearer. The goal itself was a header miles offside from a Kolarov cross… but lets ignore that for a moment. This goal may prove to be very important in securing fourth place for City, but Agüero has scored some other very important goals in his time at The Etihad. Let’s take a look at his top three goals in a blue shirt.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

3. Swansea – The arrival of Agüero!

Agüero arrived for a hefty price tag, much hype and zero experience in the toughest league in the world, so he had to hit the ground running if he wanted to achieve greatness in his time here. We’ve seen with the likes of Wilfried Bony and Stevan Jovetic, that if you don’t hit the ground running here, you may fall by the wayside as there’s plenty others who will take your spot. But, Agüero came on from the bench to score two goals in a great display of things to come. The second of his goals was a beautiful shot from twenty five yards out that flew into the net.

2. Bayern Munich – EuroStar!

Okay, so I’ve slightly cheated as this is technically three goals… and not in the Premier League, but it would be a crime to miss this out! City were 2-0 down in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, looking at most probably elimination from the competition. Step up Sergio Agüero, as he scored three goals that eventually saw City sail through to the next stage of the competition. This was probably City’s greatest Champions League moment yet – but there’s time for this to be overtaken in the coming weeks! A hat-trick against one of the greatest teams in the world? It’ll have to be one special goal to pip this one to first place….

1. QPR – Martin Tyler’s career defining moment!
Not just Agüero’s greatest goal at City, but the greatest goal the Premier League has ever seen. Although the goal itself looks a bit boring, the pressure Agüero was under to score this goal was immense! On the 93rd minute of the last game of the season, Agüero scored the winner against QPR that saw City finish top of the table on goal difference! Without that goal, who knows where City would be? Sergio Agüero, Roberto Mancini, and thousands of people in The Etihad will never forget the day, and surely even this little Argentinian could never outdo this goal.

Distraction

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

If you don’t already know—then where the bloody hell have you been? City will be facing the might Real Madrid on Tuesday at The Etihad, in their very first Champions League semi-final. For many of the City team, this will be the furthest they have ever featured in the competition, and therefore they could be forgiven for having one eye already on that game. The Blues have to try and get past Stoke City first in the Premier League without being too distracted in the meantime! When asked how he will spur the City team on, Pellegrini stated that they will still want to beat Stoke as “all of them want to play in the Champions League next season” so will want to finish in that top four.

Prediction
Stoke City is always a dodgy affair, as it’s very easy to underestimate them. With City having one eye on the Champions League semi-final, I’d expect the Blues to be less all-guns-blazing and more don’t-get-injured. That being said, I think the quality will be too much eventually.

Manchester City 1-0 Stoke City

AMBS release animated poem for 50th anniversary

Last year the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) celebrated its 50th anniversary since its establishment in 1965. It is now the largest business and management school in the United Kingdom.

Founded as part of the Victoria University of Manchester in 1965, the Business School moved to its current position on Booth Street West in 1971. In 1994 the Business School, the UMIST School of Management, the School of Accountancy and Finance and the Programme in Research in Science and Technology merged to create the Manchester Federal School of Business and Management.

In 2004 the University of Manchester was formed from the merging of UMIST and Victoria University. As part of this the federal school finally became MBS as we know it. In 2015 a donation of £15 million from Lord Alliance of Manchester saw the business school renamed in his honour.

To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the business school commissioned a poem by Manchester-based writer and poet Tony Walsh, known as Longfella, encapsulating “Manchester’s originality, innovation and boundless achievements across science, business, hospitality, sport, infrastructure and music; whilst celebrating the School’s heritage and ongoing contributions to the City.”

The poem and animation ‘Manchester Means Business’ describe what about Manchester makes people proud, whether it be the sport, the science, the culture or simply their home. The video was animated by freelance illustrator Barney Ibbotson, the son of an MBS alumnus and former teacher, and produced by North West film company Mocha.

Tony Walsh said about the commission: “From my former career in the public sector I was a student on an executive development programme at Alliance Manchester Business School and so I was delighted to be commissioned to write a poem to mark their 50th anniversary. I was also born in 1965 and so it felt like it was meant to be!

“The School and the wider University of Manchester play a vital role in attracting talent to our city from around the world. I wanted the poem to place Alliance MBS firmly within our fantastic melting pot of music, sport, commerce, diversity and all the other things that make this such a special, world-changing place to be. As a School that is led by its ethics and so proud of its “hands-on” approach, it was important to reflect those things in the poem too.”

AMBS are inviting the general public to let them know what Manchester means to them on Twitter, using the hashtag #MCRMeans.