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Month: December 2017

Can Christmas jumpers ever be ‘stylish’?

Christmas sweaters: we drag out the thread bear bobbled knit every time is comes around to the festive season. You know the one – crew neck, itchy, covered with the same old reindeer print, not the most flattering of garments, although admittedly forgiving on the stomach area after one too many mince pies or mulled wines. However, what I wanted to find out was whether there were jumpers on the market that could actually be stylish.

Turns out the answer is yes! Marie Claire released their ‘Where to buy Christmas jumpers that are actually chic AF’ article just last week giving us the low down on the choicest pulls of the season.

Among the high fashion varieties are the Fenti embroidered sweater which challenges the conventional garish colours of a traditional Christmas jumper — this has chic royal blue, black and white designs running across just the top third of the garment with elegant slits down each side, avoiding that ‘balloon’ effect that comes with a ribbed knit bottom edge.

Or, the Gucci embellished cotton sweater with a gorgeous sequined star neckline against a midnight blue and red background — a real showstopper, as well as names like Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen that have been jumping on the joyous jumper bandwagon.

These beautiful pieces are all well and good despite the five hundred to a thousand-pound price range. Which, may just slightly be out of range of the average student like you and I. But not all is lost, some of our high-street favourites have brought out some flattering styles such as the Fairisle — also known as the not really a Christmas jumper, jumper: Next sell a cream and pastel pink version which is a cute cop-out.

Topshop have brought out a slimming fitted black jumper smattered with jewels for that more expensive look that can be worn all year round and a candy-cane inspired mohair turtle neck which again could be worn all year round so you can get your money’s worth with this one.

Christmas doesn’t necessarily mean throwing fashion out the window, so whatever you do keep it chic this Christmas.

Review: Robbie Williams – Under The Radar Vol.2

Robbie Williams has always been and will forever remain a British music icon; 6 of Robbie’s albums appear in the all-time top 100 biggest selling albums in the UK. Not only this but Robbie Williams also holds the record for the most concert tickets sold in one day – 1.6 million in 2006. Robbie has a long list of achievements and successes, which no doubt cements why he will always remain an icon.

However, now that time has gone by, now with a wife and child, Robbie’s new album feels like he’s still desperately clinging on to his previous laddish boy charm, from his Take That and early solo days back in 2004. Under The Radar Vol.2  which is a follow up of his 2014 album Under The Radar Vol.1.  (Who’d have guessed).

The album opens with ‘Satellites’ with that familiar low sultry growl that Williams is famous for. This is probably the most tolerable song at best along with ‘Eyes On The Highway’ and tongue in cheek track ‘My Fuck You to You’ which has reminded us or at least tried to, of the good old love ballad days of ‘Angels’.

‘Speaking in Tongues’, honestly made my toes curl. Robbie sings about an experience he had in Ibiza, taking drugs and having a girl from Preston begging him for sex. This is probably a reminiscing song and not (hopefully) a recent experience, however, there was a vibe of ‘creepy uncle’ going on there. This is only reinforced by the song ‘Booty Call’ (yep, really…) Annoyingly, musically, this is my favourite. Robbie Williams’ voice lends itself to Jazz, and if you just ignore the lyrics it’s lovely.

Do they still call it a booty call?
Cause I’ve never been hip, chic or down with the kids
Oh, let’s take a break from this Punch and Judy talk
And call it a booty call baby cause that’s what it is

B double O T Y why ’cause I love it
B double O T Y ’cause I can.

Also just thrown into the mix is a horrendous cover Dolly Partons infamous 9-5… Just Why?! There was absolutely no need. I feel like Robbie is really trying to play to his now, very niche, middle-aged female market, but one would hope that even they can see how strange and disjointed this album really is.

Under The Radar, Vol.2  is generally just quite odd a concoction of Jazz, Electro/Dubstep and Weird Ballads. He incorporates his overly autotuned voice with elements of electronic breakdowns in the final track ‘International Entertainer’ that even Skrillex would be too embarrassed to release.

Also, I’m just going to point out that one of the lyrics is literally “Silence in the courtyard, Silence in the Street, The Biggest Mouth in England is just about to speak.” Which is literally a game my mum would play when I was a child to see how long she could get me to be quiet for when I was being loud and annoying. Honestly, after listening to his whole album this point, I wish Robbie would have done the same… but maybe just 15 tracks earlier.

I’m so sorry Robbie, you can still be my northern cheeky chappy. But this was just a train wreck.

2/10

University runners light up the Etihad stadium at Run in the Dark

The University of Manchester running society Run Wild took part in Manchester’s Run in the Dark in aid of the Mark Pollock Trust, a charity aiming to find a cure for paralysis. 10 out of the 28 members who participated placed within the top 100 in the 10km charity event.

The course took the runners through the Etihad stadium and the surrounding area. Along the way, there was a band, and entertainers wearing fluorescent clothing to keep the runners motivated. The society also sported flashing, reflective wristbands and UV face paint to keep with the theme of the night.

Society member Thomas Lewis, said: “It was amazing! Such a unique experience to do a race at night.”

Thomas Tam, who positioned 2nd in his category, said: “The run was very competitive, but all the runners were very supportive of each other, which I think is a great reflection of what the entire community is like.”

From being founded in 2013, the society has grown massively, with an average of 100 members running every Tuesday.

Run Wild’s aim is to encourage students of all running abilities to explore the city in a unique way and to stay healthy. As well as running through the city, students who want to improve their speed attend track sessions and are encouraged to take part in events such as the Great Manchester Run.

‘The routes have stayed very similar, but the organisation has improved! All in all, I think it’s just evolved to be great!’ said Peter, who joined in 2014.

Run Wild meet in the Students’ Union foyer at 18:15 every Tuesday and at Platt Fields Park at 9 am on Saturdays. The morning run is followed by breakfast at Wetherspoons.

Join the Facebook group Run Wild Manchester for more information.

Christmas stocking fillers

When we think of Christmas stockings we generally assume that we will be filling them with the usual suspects; do chocolate coins or perhaps a 2018/19 planner ring any bells? Instead of leaving the shopping until the last minute and ending up with these obvious gifts, why not treat your loved ones to some exciting accessories, which can all be found for under £15! Alternatively, you can always put these on your Christmas list if you don’t want to give them away…

1)    Tangle Teezer Glitter Gem Compact Styler, £11.50

This travel-friendly hairbrush is ideal for someone who is always on the move. This newest, glittery design features a protective cover to ensure that the teeth stay clean and continue to work perfectly.

 

2)    Topshop Exclusive Coconut Oil Pod Face Mask, £4.00

Topshop’s range of face masks are perfect for giving any complexion a fresh glow. The masks are available in coconut, orange juice, or avocado scents.

 

3)    Makeup Revolution Contouring Precision Oval Makeup Brush Set, £13.32 in Superdrug at the moment

While the oval brush trend may have been and gone, these brushes have stayed definite hit with numerous bloggers. If you fancy giving the gift of variety (away from the universally trusted beautyblender), you can now buy the Oval Contour Set for a bargain £13.32 in Superdrug.

 

4)    Colour Block Scarf, £10

We all need a cosy scarf to wrap up warm with in winter, and where is better to look than the pre-Christmas sales? Pick up a chunky scarf for half its normal price at £10 in River Island’s sale at the moment, so be sure to pick it up soon to get it into someone’s stocking this Christmas!

 

5)    Perfume Atomiser in Ice Pink by Travalo, £5.99

This reusable perfume atomiser is essential for any seasoned traveller. The lightweight bottle is easy to use, and the perfect way for a loved one to travel with his or her favourite perfumes in compact form.

Hope on World AIDS Day

There’s not much that could get hundreds of people in one place on a freezing cold Friday night.  Royal weddings happen in the Spring for a reason.  Yet last week in Manchester that is exactly what happened.

Last Friday marked World AIDS Day, a time to remember those we’ve lost over the years to HIV and to show solidarity to those currently living with the virus. Hundreds of people joined the Manchester World AIDS Day Partnership in Sackville Gardens for a vigil to remember those we’ve lost, celebrate how far we’ve come and look forward to the future.

The Vigil was an important opportunity to reflect on those who are sadly not with us today.  It centred around the Beacon of Hope in Sackville Gardens, currently, the only memorial in the UK dedicated to those we’ve lost to AIDS. 2017 marks 30 years of local organising and activism sparked by the AIDS crisis.

At LGBT Foundation, our ‘Let’s Talk About Sex’ project seeks to bring together the campaigning on sexual health in Greater Manchester through the personal testimonies of ordinary people. It is thanks to these grassroots activists that we’ve made so much progress.

The theme for the Manchester World AIDS Day Vigil this year was ‘Hope’. There is plenty to hope about for the future, even though in these present times it may not always feel that way.

Through continued developments in treatment, the majority of people in the UK living with HIV are living with healthy and fulfilling lives. With suppressed viral loads, this now means that HIV won’t be passed on to someone else. U=U (Undetectable=Untransmittable) is potentially one of the most powerful ways in which HIV stigma will be defeated.

We now live in a time where politicians no longer ignore or refuse to discuss those living with HIV. It was particularly heart-warming to hear Andy Burnham discuss — without prepared notes — his hopes for the future with HIV and his experiences working for Chris Smith, the first MP to publicly declare that they are HIV positive.

It is looking forward to the future that we can be most hopeful.  PEP and PrEP are major developments in HIV prevention. The recent launch of the PrEP Impact trial also means that people are dramatically reducing their risk of exposure. The launch is looking at how people take the drug and how this could be rolled out if the NHS financed it. Those not on the trail can also get PrEP through iwantprepnow.co.uk.

There remains work to be done, and we can be hopeful that our community hasn’t lost sight of that. Those living with HIV still face stigma on a daily basis. Only this week, a survey revealed that one-in-five British people would feel uncomfortable wearing a red ribbon for World AIDS Day. Of the people who claimed they wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing the ribbon, 34% said they wouldn’t want others to think they had HIV or AIDS.

One-third of people living with HIV in the UK have experienced discrimination. Half of these instances have involved healthcare workers. Despite being outlawed discrimination those living with HIV remains commonplace, making the work of organisations like LGBT Foundation and George House Trust an important lifeline.

Manchester is an amazing city to live and study in. As someone who grew up here, I know from my own experience at uni that many LGBT people from around the world choose to study in Manchester for its unique LGBT scene. There remain many false perceptions about HIV transmission – that it only affects elderly gay men.

Yet only a third of people accessing HIV care are over 50, and younger HIV+ are often absent or underrepresented in the public imagination. Around 13,500 people in the UK are HIV+ and are unaware of it, showing the importance of regular testing and more open conversations about sexual health.

We remain committed to the United Nations 90-90-90 target – having 90% of people aware of their HIV status, those who are HIV+ on treatment and with an undetectable viral load.

This target is not just a hopeful one. It is an achievable one.

University of Manchester students tackle female genital mutilation

According to UNICEF, 200 million girls have been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), with 30 million more said to be at risk.

This global issue is closer to home than one might think. In the UK there are approximately 137,000 women who have had FGM with 20,000 more at risk.

Manchester ranks 5th in the top hotspots for FGM in the UK. There have been 670 cases identified, with 115 of these affecting girls under the age of 24.

The World Health Organisation defines FGM as a process that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

FGM is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women.

Established in 2003, the New Step for African Community (NESTAC) is a non-profit organization that supports Africans and immigrants. They focus mainly on people living in the North West of England. As stated on nestac.org one of their main objectives is to “protect and preserve the physical, emotional and/or mental well-being of refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants, as they seek social integration and independence.”

Sarah Malik is the FGM coordinator for Greater Manchester and spoke on the behalf of NESTAC. In an interview with The Mancunion, Sarah was asked about the 2,000 girls in Manchester who had been victims of FGM. She said, “the number is probably much higher than that.” Sarah speculated that due to the tight-knit nature of the communities that practise FGM few are willing to speak out against it.

FGM is illegal to carry out, assist with or organise in the UK according to the FGM Act of 2003. This act, however, was still being circumvented by sending children abroad to have the procedure done and external relatives were scapegoated as the cause. Since then, FGM has been included in the Serious Crime Act of  2015. This act gave extraterritorial protection for girls and included parental liability, stopping the blame being passed onto other relatives.

A fear of criminal repercussion deterred many women from wanting to speak out about their experiences. Sarah Malik stated that “things have changed.”

Malik continued: “At the beginning, there was a feeling of being ostracised for coming forward, but now everyone is getting re-educated and there is definitely a different approach now.”

Joining Sarah in the talk were two women who had been subjected to FGM and now act as mentors in NESTAC’s Guardian scheme. The women gave anecdotal speeches about their personal experiences. They both stated that at first, they did not realise there was anything wrong with FGM because it was such a big part of their culture. But after some re-education, they began to understand not only the physical but psychological dangers of the procedure.

NESTAC now have 35 women who volunteer to go out into communities to educate about FGM.

Causing offence to people who practise and defend FGM was brought up by third-year drama student Molly Stedman. In a discussion with The Mancunion, Molly said, “I came to the talk primarily because I really care about the issue of FGM but I just don’t know how to navigate it as a white European woman.

“I really don’t want to come across as a white saviour trying to ‘rescue’ these young women. I never want to be a white imperialist imposing a western view on other cultures.”

Sarah Malik praised the diversity of the 60 students in attendance for showing an interest in the topic. “It’s all about education and raising awareness. We are here to teach people about FGM. No matter who you are or where you work, it can be a good thing to know about,” Sarah told The Mancunion.

The event was organised by MCR Global Health Society, the Obstetrics and Gynaecology society and Sexpession.

The talk was the first in a series of educational events on the topic of FGM. In February 2018 there will be more workshops for healthcare students and a panel discussion held during Sex Week in March 2018.

England lose again, but better

Let me be the first to say that I told you this would happen. On the much-awaited fifth morning of the second Test, English hopes were crushed in half an hour. Bairstow, Ali – fags out. You’re in. Overton, pad up. Fifteen minutes later and he was in too. You could sense it, those who care about the English cricket team up and down the country, switching off the radio and turning off the light, in unison, and going to sleep. At just before 4AM. You could feel it. They went to sleep with the speech of Glenn McGrath whirling around in their dreams: Whitewash.

Well, a stopped clock is right three times in seven series. The match, and, one presumes, the series, were lost in the first session on the first day. The day/night pink ball wasn’t swinging, and Broad and Anderson are not quick enough to beat the batsman with a ball that’s doing nothing.

The English domestic structure, with its tight schedule, makes it easier for bowlers to develop a probing fast-medium pace rather than an energy-sapping 90mph+. This is not a problem in English conditions. The Dukes ball we use here swings and seams and reverses, at humid, drizzly grounds like Headingley and Old Trafford – it makes sense for English bowlers to become craftsmen rather than quicks. But in Australia, with the Kookaburra on hot dry flat pitches, it is a less effective approach.

Joe Root made an interesting call after he won the toss and put Australia into bat. It was not this decision that let him down. It showed faith in the bowling attack to take wickets and seize the initiative on the muggy first day. England did not look threatening. Australia brought the hundred up in the 39th over for the loss of only one wicket — a run out from Chris Woakes — and performed steadily for the rest of the opening day.

Woakes had Warner caught behind and Khawaja slashing one off Anderson to Vince at gully, shortly after he’d brought up his fifty. Craig Overton was added to the England side at the expense of Jake Ball for this Test, and bowled a consistent medium pace, extracting bounce by dint of his height. His maiden Test wicket was a beauty, bowling Australian captain Steve Smith for 40.

Australia closed the first day on 209/4, but Handscomb and Marsh couldn’t add to their partnership of 48 the next morning, the former falling LBW to Broad. 209/5 looks good for the bowling team but the Australians have a decent tail and England do not have the right bowlers to attack it. The score crept up and up, Shaun Marsh recording 126 unbeaten runs along the way, before Australia declared on 442/8, a score well above par for the surface.

The England batsmen knew before they got on the plane that they would have to be at the top of their games to repel the trio of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins. Three nasty people. They might not have been so worried about Nathan Lyon, but the spinner is getting bounce and spin this series that Moeen Ali can only dream of. England didn’t follow-on only on the say-so of Smith and were all out for 227, the only substantial resistance a 66 run partnership for the eighth wicket between Overton and Woakes. Overton recorded the best figures in each innings for England, 3-105 with the ball, 41 not out with the bat.

Smith chose not to enforce the follow-on, such is the modern way. For me, this was a worse decision than Root’s to bowl first. It meant that Australia had to bat out a session under the lights with a new ball. Finally, England showed a bit of fight, and finally the ball became less stubborn. Anderson did the early damage Bancroft nicking one to Bairstow and Khawaja trapped LBW for 20, DRS showing it to be just clipping off-stump. Shortly after, Woakes had Warner at second slip, and then the big one. Having twice been given out but reprieved by DRS, but when he was hit on the back pad while on 6, again by Woakes, technology could only query rather than overturn the original decision.

England only competed in this Test for four sessions. The one bowled at the end of the third day when they reduced Australia for 53/4, and the whole of the fourth day. Broad bowled well and with hostility but it was Woakes with 4-36, and Anderson, with his long-awaited first five-for in Australia (5-43) who did the damage. Overton wrapped up the Australian innings with the wicket of Hazlewood, Australia collapsing to 138 all out.

If only they’d started like that. 138 still gave England a target of 354, which would have been their highest ever run chase. But cricket statisticians are obsessed with fourth-innings run chase records, and England’s performance against the new ball was impressive. Vince got out seduced by the drive, and Cummins beat Malan for the pace just before close of play but English supporters entered the fifth day cautiously optimistic.

Despite Malan’s late dismissal, 176/4 with a target of 354 on a pitch that was holding up well and with another twenty overs til the new ball – well, you could forgive English supporters that hope. But soon it was reduced to 177/6, with both overnight batsmen falling to the faintest of nicks, Woakes caught behind off Hazlewood from the second delivery of the day and Root suffering the same fate for 67. Soon Moeen Ali joined them back in the pavillion, attempting to sweep Lyon and being caught in front. All out for 233, a fairly convincing defeat by 120 runs.

There are those that say the fight that England showed for four sessions of the match might rekindle some belief that they can get something out of this series. But 2-0 down and a fast wicket at Perth? Not likely.

Manchester welcomes UK’s first Buddhist Scout group

Dr Mun-Kit Choy, a research fellow in cardiovascular science at the University of Manchester founded the first ever Buddhist Scout Group in the UK last week.

The group holds meetings at the Manchester Fo Guang Shan temple in Stretford every Sunday and run by the Buddha’s Light International Association.

In an interview with the Guardian, Dr Choy said that the values of Scouting and Buddhism complement each other in that they promote people to “do good things, say good words and keep good thoughts.”

Choy claimed his decision to help form the group is part of wanting to give his children a “holistic education.” Choy also believes the founding of a Scout group will further integrate Manchester’s Buddhist community due to the community requirements of being a scout and obtaining badges.

He stated: “we want our children to see communities that are not just the Chinese communities, or the Buddhist communities.”
Although initially a Christian organisation, the Scouts have become far more diverse in recent years. Whilst the group in Manchester is the first Buddhist Scouting group in the UK, this follows a pattern of other religions starting groups all over the country, with Sikh, Hindu and Muslim groups also in existence.

Scouting uniform has also expanded in variety to accommodate various religious traditions with a headscarf variation created in 2012. Moreover, an atheist variation of the Scout promise was introduced in 2014 replacing the ‘duty to God’ with ‘uphold our Scout values.’
Scouting has seen somewhat of a revival in recent years reporting 12 continuous years of growth, and a record waiting list of over 50,000. This is in part due to the appointment of TV personality, Bear Grylls, as Chief Scout.

According to Grylls, again speaking to the Guardian, “more people like Mun-Kit Choy who take the initiative to open Scout groups in their community, means more kids get to experience the incredible adventure and life skills that are found in Scouting.”

 

Live review: Robert Plant

30th November 2017, 02 Apollo 

There are very few words that can be used to exhibit just how overwhelmed I felt by this gig. The crowd was in the presence of a man who dramatically changed the music industry almost 50 years ago, leaving an impact so large that its shockwaves are still felt universally today.

Though, there were elements of creeping doubt as to whether or not such high expectations would fall short given the lasting legacy of Zeppelin and Plant’s decision to steer far away from it. From the moment he entered the stage, I was reassured.

Robert Plant’s creation of the Sensational Space Shifters has allowed fans to experience the result of his more recent musical exploits. It is the best thing he has done since the days of hair, mythological writing, and unbelievably tight flared trousers. The sheer exuberance that Plant conveyed on stage amongst the six other musical virtuosos was magical.

I’ve never seen any vocalist so enthralled by just being on stage in the company of musicians who are sharing in his passion for music with such diverse influences. As Mr Robert Plant claimed, he has been very lucky in being able to indulge and relish in music from all parts of the world which have been fused together in an evocative, powerful, and incredibly beautiful concoction that is the Space Shifters.

It is clear that the Space Shifters are masters in combining a range of instruments and techniques to produce songs such as ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Carry Fire’. Both reflect the peak of Plant’s modern musical expertise. By incorporating a wide-ranging variety of instruments such as the Violin, the kologo, drums, and keyboard, Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters are able to create such a diverse, unique sound ranging from traditional folk and psychedelia to African music.

Given the extent of influences, it was almost as if the audience were being educated not only on the music itself but also world culture. We had been invited into what seemed like a private session of experimentation and collaboration.

Alongside playing a setlist of 12 original songs, Plant treated his fans to a few Zeppelin greats including ‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’, ‘That’s the Way’, and ‘What is and What Should Never Be’ — which left my jaw hanging open. Never in my life would I have ever expected to see Plant perform songs that have defined my entire childhood. This is where some of you may mutter under your breath ‘geez you need to move on’ but how can I possibly when as soon as Plant sang his first note of their rendition of ‘That’s the Way’ I found myself being forced off my seat, practically standing due to a feeling of electricity tingling up and down my spine.

In case, you’d been wondering, yes, Robert Plant still has the voice. Perhaps not the extremely high notes but in no way did this hinder his performance. The spins made to the Zeppelin songs performed reiterated just how comfortable Plant feels being part of the Sensational Space Shifters. ‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’ left me absolutely speechless and guitarist Liam Tyson certainly did the song justice. Admittedly, the performance offered a harrowing glimpse as to what it would have been like to see Zeppelin in the hey-day leaving me somewhat sad and in awe of equal measure.

Despite their interpretation of ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ not entirely convincing me, it would be scandalous to not pay recognition to the energy, vitality of this cohesive musical supergroup in every single song they performed.

Just as Robert Plant appeared to be humbled working alongside such a talented band, I was even more so to have finally experienced the Golden God perform live. Talk about Communication Breakdown!

10/10

Xmas dinner for 6 under £20

Here are the basic ingredients for a student-friendly Christmas dinner that quite frankly I would happily eat on the big day.

Ingredients:

  • Pre-cooked roast chicken x 2 — £10 Tesco
  • Pigs in blankets — £2.20 Tesco
  • Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire puddings — £1.70 Tesco
  • Kale — £0.72 Aldi
  • Quixo Stuffing — £0.34 Aldi
  • White potatoes — £1.18 Aldi
  • Carrots — £0.30 Aldi
  • Parsnips — £0.60 Aldi
  • Gravy — £0.85 Aldi
  • Honey — £0.95 Aldi

£18.84 overall and ONLY £3.14 EACH leaving more money to spend on the important booze and pud of your choice. Plus I promise you will have leftovers.

I am not going to go through every step of the Christmas dinner process, as I feel that would be a laborious read. Plus there is no one way that is righteous, everyone has a unique trick up their sleeves to make these ingredients glisten and taste heavenly.

Here are my Xmas dinner tips:

Chicken — I buy the chicken pre-roasted which means there is no faffing around basting and seasoning when Tesco does the job for you, plus you can be sure you won’t give your housemates food poisoning.

The chicken only needs one hour in the oven and turns out perfect. I would suggest covering with foil after half an hour so the chicken remains moist and juicy.

Roast Potatoes — always parboil the potatoes for around 15 minutes. Put a tray in an oven to heat up and then add a substantial amount of butter to melt. Once parboiled, give the potatoes a shake in a pan so the edges get roughed up. Then add the potatoes to the melted butter in the tray. Add garlic rosemary and more butter and give the potatoes a stir.

Photo: Anokhi Shah

Carrots and parsnips — parboil parsnips for 5 minutes. Add garlic and oil over the carrots and parsnips in a tray. After around 20 minutes of cooking squeeze honey over the carrots and parsnips then place back in the oven until the veg is sticky and caramelised.

Kale — for those who would like to avoid sprouts. Fry kale in garlic and butter for some tasty greens.

Photo: Anokhi Shah

Manchester is only UK city vying for Europe’s best Christmas market

Manchester is the only city in Britain which has a chance of winning top spot in this year’s tussle to top spot as the competition for Europe’s greatest Christmas market opened for voting last Friday.

The city’s Christmas market has been nominated to the shortlist of the annual competition, with no fellow cities in the UK to keep it company.

The Northern powerhouse is vying for first place amongst the giants of continental Europe, including notorious festive destinations such as Vienna, Cologne, Dresden, and Aachen.

Manchester Councillor and ‘Christmas spokesperson’ Pat Karney, is confident about the city’s chances: “It comes as some surprise that Manchester’s markets aren’t at the top of everybody’s list of festive attractions.

“We know that our markets are the best in the world, but now we need you to give us the thumps up as well. Vote in your thousands and take us to the top.”

Some of the market’s customers have also been highly satisfied this year: “Amazing place to try food from around the world. Great place to meet new people. Good German beer and traditional wurst. Bustling place but still not too crowded. Earlier in the day is good for kids in a pram too.”

The market has received wide plaudits for its international focus, following the success of the Manchester International Festival earlier this year: “Coming from Germany I’m used to very traditional markets. The Manchester Christmas market is very international with standards from various countries such as Germany, France and even Turkey! Well worth a visit.”

One Manchester student was not so confident about the city’s chances: “Although the markets are great I’m not sure they have what it takes to win it this year. The fact that they’re based on European markets suggests the prize might well stay on the Continent.”

Aaron Bossey, a 22-year old Bio-med student, was more optimistic: “I like that people are able to showcase their own art. The singing moose head and Viking mugs was true highlights.”

Albert Square’s European-inspired markets are open every day until 9:00 P.M until December 21st, whilst all other markets are open until 8:00 P.M until the 20th of December.

Voting opened on the 1st of December and runs until the 11th of December — this coming Tuesday. You can help take Manchester to the top by voting at the website, here: www.europeanbestdestinations.com/christmas-markets

Stay up to date on Twitter at #MCRCHRISTMAS.

Uranium discovery could lead to biodegradable plastic

Manchester University’sProfessor Steven Liddle, has published paper describing the use of uranium in a process of catalysis, a never before seen reaction for this element.

The success of this attempt is a significant development for the science.

Liddle, who is the Head of Inorganic Chemistry, compared it to “the discovery of liquid crystal displays, which happened 20 years before everyone sat up and realised that they could be used in modern computer displays and TVs.”

The discovery opens up new possibilities for the uses of Uranium, an element many associate with nuclear power. On the periodic table, Uranium sits between two different types of metals, Lanthanides and transition metals. These metals differ greatly in their chemical reactivity.

Professor Liddle’s research has led to the consideration that Uranium could combine aspects of the two types of metals it neighbours, giving rise to the development of new materials and compounds.

Liddle added: “Development work like this really could pave the way for new medicines and also the creation of truly biodegradable hard plastic.”

This could end being a solution to what many see as the environmental crisis of plastic waste, something that many scientific leaders are aiming to tackle.

In 2016, around 480 billion plastic bottles were bought, an increase of 300 billion from a decade ago, and a figure expected to go up to 583.3 billion by 2021. Less than half of this is recycled, and according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, between 5 million to 13 million tonnes of plastic ends up in oceans every year. Their research estimates that by 2050, the ocean will contain more plastic by weight than fish.

As it currently stands, it is illegal for ships to dump plastic into oceans, but no such legal restriction applies to plastic flowing into the ocean from land.

During a recent UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, a document was signed that contained a statement saying the flow of plastic into the ocean must be stopped. This is said to be a breakthrough in the plastic pollution problem, and ministers say it is only the start of their ultimate goal for zero emissions of plastic.

However, the agreement is not currently timetabled or legally binding, which leads some to say that is it not enough. Some hope that governments will take this as a signal to accelerate the development of national policies on plastic pollution reduction and encourage more research into new technologies to aid solutions.

Cafe in Chorlton considers going cashless

A coffee shop in Chorlton-cum-Hardy has decided to try out going cashless, believing it will save staff’s time.

Owner of coffee shop Barbecue, Shen Lu, told The Mancunion: “We had the idea initially as a joke, a few months ago, we just spend hours dealing with cash, I would say about an hour a day… nobody else is really doing it around here, but it’s quite common around some other countries in Europe.”

The move to a cashless system would apparently save the coffee shop staff time and reduce the risk of counting and admin.

In the past few months, Lu started to really consider how to implement a cashless system in the coffee shop. Barbecue have already conducted a few test trials and set up surveys for customers to fill out. Whilst many of the coffee shop’s customers don’t mind the change, this decision may alienate customers that don’t have the means to pay cashless.

“We got a lot of feedback and it was really mixed. What surprised me is a lot of people were not understanding why there was a benefit for this system.”

When asked if Lu was concerned about the potential loss of customers due to the cashless move, she highlighted that the move would ultimately increase the coffee shop’s productivity.

“We want to concentrate on other aspects of running the business, like serving people and getting the product right, spend more energy on the creative side. [Handling cash is] creating a lot of extra work for everyone”

As well as the usual contactless card payment and Apple pay, Lu is considering taking payments using Bitcoin.

“There was quite a few regulars saying ‘Would you accept Bitcoin as well?’, it’s quite a new concept, so I’m quite surprised there’s quite a lot of people that’s been using it.”

Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer electronic worldwide payment system. It is currently accepted as a form of payment by more than 100,000 merchants worldwide.

Lu also pointed out the added security risk of having cash around the store: “there’s been a bit of increased crime in the area as well recently. We’ve had to call the police a few times, there have been guys at the back trying to steal vehicles. It’s just a bit dangerous at times.” She hopes the customers see and can understand the benefits of going cashless.

Interview with Tom Chaplin

Tom Chaplin is following the success of his acclaimed solo album The Wave, which reached number three on the UK Album Chart with a beautifully festive new disc Twelve Tales of Christmas which came out November 17th. This stunning collection features eight original songs co-written by Tom and four inventive covers.

We were lucky enough to talk to the singer about his new work. Chaplin explains that he was really nervous about his new album Wave. He felt like a “new artist”, and was so energised and enthused by his album’s performance in the charts that he just wanted to keep on going.

The timing, however, worked out perfectly for Tom Chapin, as he finished touring with Wave in the summer, and it felt achievable to have everything ready in time to tour again in Winter with his Christmas album Twelve Days of Christmas. But this is not your everyday cheery Christmas album, Chaplin goes on to add. “It’s more of a realistic version of Christmas, not all jingle bells and reindeer.” Tom illustrates how he wanted to paint a more authentic reality of the season, with both the good, the bad, and all that falls in-between.

As previously mentioned, Mr Chaplin includes in this album some cleverly thought out and integrated covers in the track listing. Chaplin talks about how initially there were lots of songs that jumped out at him, but just wouldn’t have fit with what he wanted it to sound like. However, much thought went into his choices as he wanted them to be “a surprise” especially because he wanted them to sound a completely different way.

I go on to talk about Tom’s traditions and his idea of a perfect Christmas. He says that for him that he is “really traditional, more or less.” He has a daughter who is aged is in her “prime Christmas days.” Every year, they do the whole stockings, leaving the carrot, milk at night, and having chocolate for breakfast routine.

Tom takes rather more of a solemn tone. “But on a deeper level, these occasions are so rare for us as a family. We’re all so busy all the time, so it’s just one opportunity to be all together, and relaxed.” And it’s these memories and traditions that’s he’s determined to keep alive for as long as possible.

I go on to ask about the new John Lewis advert #MoztheMonster. As it was only four years ago, back in 2013 when Lily Allen did a cover of Keane’s song ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ for the JL advert. Tom expresses his appreciation for the singer, “Lily has always been a big companion. As Keane, we weren’t really the band everyone wanted to love, so we always really appreciated her support.”  He goes on to say “[the Advert] did bring a lot of people back to us, a new wave of a younger generation of fans who were now introduced to their music…but I’ll take what I can get.” He laughs.

I push Tom Chaplin as to what he means by this, to which he replied, “when we [Keane] first started, we were very precious about our music, but now we take all we can get. It’s now a totally tougher place to get success than what it first was.”

Tom Chaplin is playing at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on the 10th December.

Pankhurst Centre raise money for therapeutic garden

The Pankhurst Trust have started a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for a therapeutic garden for women experiencing abuse.

The project is designed to commemorate the work of Emmeline Pankhurst and other suffragettes in their fight to secure the vote 100 years ago, as well as to function as a sanctuary for women experiencing abuse today and the centre aims to raise £20,000 towards it .

The Pankhurst Centre stands where Emmeline Pankhurst and her family lived in Manchester. Pankhurst was a prominent political activist and women’s rights supporter, who helped women win the right to vote. The house is now used as a small museum and houses Manchester Women’s Aid.

Elaine De Fries of the Pankhurst Centre stated that “the support we’ve had so far is amazing, with so many people wanting to help us transform the outdoor area at the Pankhurst Centre into a garden that reflects the story of the suffragettes and offers a green space for visitors to our museum and women using the services we offer through Manchester Women’s Aid.

We see the potential that it has to be a therapeutic space that women and their children who have experienced domestic abuse can enjoy and regain their well-being and sense of place, which we hope the crowdfunder [sic] will enable us to do if we can reach our £20,000 target.”

The building of the garden is especially poignant with the approach of the new year: in 2018, it will be 100 years since the first women got the vote in the United Kingdom.

Bex Shindler, Fundraising and Development Manager for the Pankhurst Trust argues that the issues that women experienced 100 years ago in getting their voices heard are still very relevant today.

Shindler stated: “The Suffragette Garden will be such an incredible legacy, not only symbolically but also practically, proving a tranquil and reflective space for women and children, many of whom have experienced great trauma within their lives.”

The centenary of women’s suffrage is also being commemorated by other projects across Manchester. An event organised by student volunteers at the University of Manchester, the Women in Media conference, will pay homage not only to women in media, but also fighters for gender equality in political spheres.

The Pankhurst Trust’s fundraiser runs until 6:00 P.M. on the 14th of December 2017. To find out more about the plans or to make a donation visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/plant-a-seed-for-gender-equality or contact Bex Shindler at The Pankhurst Trust for more information: 0161 359 6354 or email [email protected].

Manchester Christmas Markets: the Yorkshire pudding burrito

It is a topic that divides all of us — when is it acceptable to really get into the festive spirit? Some start listening to Mariah Carey and Slade as soon as the calendar hits November, some remain stony-faced until well into December.

But I challenge anyone, even the most staunch anti-Christmaser out there, to attend the Christmas markets and not feel festive. Dotted about around the centre, there are areas of the Christmas markets to be found from Albert Square to the Printworks, and various side-streets in between.

It is also not just mulled wine and the now almost eponymous Yorkshire pudding burrito on offer, there is a huge range of goods available from various stalls.

It is probably only fair to start with the Yorkshire pudding burrito that you cannot have missed on Facebook day in, day out for the last month.

A Yorkshire pudding the size of a dinner plate served up with a choice of meats and all the trimmings, what is not to love? Slow-cooked meat, pulled and slathered in gravy with roast potatoes and vegetables, it is not hard to see why such an invention would take the north by storm, generating queues of up to 45 minutes just to be sampled.

It is almost beautifully simple to review, for we all know what a Christmas dinner tastes like, and we all know what Yorkshire puddings are like, and so it is very simple to envisage the successful combination that I can confirm this is.

The Yorkshire pudding is crisp and yet fluffy, the meat is soft and the gravy to top it off carries an excellent flavour, the only downside being the queues. It must be said I went at peak time, a Saturday afternoon, but did spend 45 minutes queueing up for something which took more like 45 seconds to eat.

There is much more to the Christmas markets than just the wrap though, of course. Who doesn’t love a warming glass of gluhwein (that’s mulled wine to you and me) to try and combat the Manchester weather, and with various German lagers and ales to be sampled it is very easy to find some of the ‘Christmas cheer’ that may be evading some of the more Grinch-like characters out there.

It is not like one has to get a Yorkshire pudding wrap either, with various burgers, hog roasts and bratwursts on offer for those who don’t want to wait.

It is true that to enjoy the Christmas markets to their full one may well have to accept it is a somewhat more expensive affair than your average student trip, but there is not much that can get you into the Christmas mood in quite the same way.

Live review: Kasabian

Thursday 30th November, Manchester Arena

There are not enough words to justify or even quite describe just how powerful the atmosphere was in Manchester Arena this night. The Leicester-based five-piece really only have one goal when they perform, and that is just to give it absolutely 110 per cent and  blow you away with the sheer power and stage presence they possess.

Not many bands can boast a set list like their’s. Each song set off a fresh flood of cheap thrills, the set ranging from timeless classics such as ‘Underdog’ and ‘Re-wired’ to material from their new album Crying Out Loud like ‘Bless This Acid House’ and ‘Comeback Kid’. The start of each track felt like a new event, even less popular songs causing a tangible buzz – a hard feat to achieve. But with a music career spanning over 13 years and six albums worth of recordings, it’s hardly surprising.

Mid-Show, they announced their love for the city, claiming many people think they’re from Manchester because of the absolutely overwhelming reaction from the city, to which the audience roared in reply. “Manchester, this is the reason we do this!”, shouted Sergio Pizzorno.

His effortless cruises through masterpiece tracks (‘Treat’, ‘Shoot the Runner’) combined with Tom Meighan’s crude, one-of-the-lads command of the set list was a fiery combination, and it was clear darker themes from the new album meant a lot to them. ‘L.S.F.’ and ‘Vlad the Impaler’ were extraordinary moments, the crowd physically bouncing to the contagious beats. ‘Put Your Life On It’ was a particularly emotional stand-out, whilst ending with ‘Fire’ seemed more than appropriate as the enthusiasm continued to burn long into the night.

It’s been said many a time that Kasabian are the kings of live music and Manchester witnessed a flawless, out of the box spectacle. To see crowds of people genuinely dancing to guitar music gave their performance a sheen of retro hedonism and made it much more than a gig. It was a bloody good party.

10/10

(We told ourselves we’d only ever give a 10, and I quote, “If it’s really really really really really REALLY f*cking good”…so we almost want to give it an 11.)

Live review: Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson’s show on Monday the 4th of December was disappointing on so many levels. I really like Manson, his persona, and music. It’s over the top, edgy, and fantastically entertaining, and so my expectations were relatively high. To the dismay of the crowd and myself, the sorry excuse for the show he put on at O2 Apollo was unacceptably bad and definitely didn’t justify the £35 price.

Firstly, let me highlight what was good about the show — slim pickings, to say the least. Back in September of this year, Manson injured himself during a show in New York when a prop he was climbing fell on top of him, crushing his ribs, skull and legs. Despite his injuries, he tried to rock the stage with a leg brace that made him look like a wobbly pirate, unintentionally, of course. We could argue that he’s dedicated to his fans and that he truly cared for them but his actions said otherwise.

The list of what went wrong definitely outweighs this stand-alone positive. ‘Amazonica’ opened, or at least tried to open, the show with her metal DJ set. A ‘metal DJ’ is a concept that is already pathetic in itself but Amazonica’s ‘performance’, if you can even call it that, was beyond terrible. She had zero crowd interaction and was just playing a metal playlist in a failed attempt to warm up the crowd.

Said spectators were underwhelmed and then further insulted by Manson’s tardiness. He was supposed to come on at 9pm sharp yet he didn’t show up until half an hour later, making for an hour-long wait between acts. Arriving late to your own show and not apologising is just insulting. As an artist you owe everything to your fans, the least you can do is show up on time.

Manson’s attempt to rock the stage while handicapped was, to put it kindly and simply, bad. I am actually at a loss for words on how disappointed I was. The audio mix was dreadful, it was like listening to mud, if mud was audible. There were some moments where you could just start to hear Manson and his voice is actually fantastic, shame it was drowned out for the vast majority of the evening.

He also kept signalling to his band to stop playing before songs were finished for some unexplainable reason. Our patience was further tested by the long pauses between songs which Marilyn took to have helpers come on stage and change his outfit. It’s part of his absurd persona but on that occasion it was disruptive. I’m sure the audience wouldn’t mind him wearing a single outfit throughout if it meant for a cohesive set.

The crowd were unresponsive to the rocker’s attempts at interaction, so much so that I physically cringed when both of his encores were received in total silence.

Honestly, this has to be the worst gig I’ve been to. Amazonica was hilariously atrocious and Manson just failed to put on a decent show. It may seem harsh to be so critical of a man who is injured and was probably on a lot of painkillers but, if I were in his place, I’d cancel the tour. A canceled show is better than a terrible show.

In Manson’s defence, this was definitely him at his absolute worst. I’d be willing to give him a chance and see him again when he’s fit to perform. But, for now, I cannot say this sorry excuse for a gig was good in any shape or form. Sorry Marilyn.

Rating: 2/10

The LGBTQ+ society gives students free HIV tests in the SU

Student societies in the University of Manchester recently commemorated World AIDS Day on Friday, the 1st of December, a day to not only remember those we have tragically lost to the AIDS pandemic but to also solemnly dedicate ourselves to preventing the spread of HIV.

The Mancunion talked to the Communications Officer, Bridie Forrester, and the Diversity Inclusion Officer, Austin Tuck, from the university’s LGBTQ+ Society about some of the initiatives they were undertaking on the day.

The LGBTQ+ Society cooperated with the LGBT Foundation to offer students HIV screenings in the Students’ Union building, distribute free safe-sex materials in the lobby, and also sold red ribbons as part of a fundraising effort for George House Trust, an organisation that provides support structures for those diagnosed and living with HIV.

Students could head up to the top floor of the Students’ Union building to see a certified medical officer and get information on their status within an hour of getting pricked on their finger. Austin Tuck said that it was particularly important for the LGBTQ+ Society to undertake these efforts to “allow people to know their status and give them the resources and capacity [to] fight the stigma that has been historically created over time that has made [AIDS] a ‘gay’ disease”.

Bridie Forrester hoped that by bringing facilities closer to people and by providing a stigma-free space, the intimidation of going to a clinic would be reduced: “One of the loveliest things is that having it somewhere here in the SU– it’s a lot more homely, you pass by it every day—going to a specialized clinic is just a lot more scary.”

Bridie also expressed hope that by bringing HIV screenings closer to the everyday environment of the student community, the LGBTQ+ Society could help eliminate the cognitive distance that many people have created to knowing their own status. “It’s a bit like looking at your bank account. If you know that it might be bad, you just don’t want to look at it, but that just makes things worse!”

The LGBTQ+ Society believed that it was important that World AIDS Day “turns into a conversation on how to be safe”, and that the dialogue was not only accessible but was also correct and informed, with people with the facts and expertise. Bridie Forrester expressed regret that sexual education still remains a “straight, cis-focused field where the emphasis on using condoms is just to prevent pregnancy” and their significance in preventing STIs is not highlighted.

Austin Tuck, an exchange student, shared some of their experience with sexual education in the US, where many states still practice abstinence-only education. The harmful mentality around sexual activity in general “just adds to the stigma of being HIV-positive,” they expressed.

Austin explained that “even though today is a somber day for remembrance for those who have passed because of HIV, it’s important that we don’t be passive about that, and we should use that to go forward.”

Due to a lack of public awareness, Austin Tuck says that many often don’t know that due to medical advances, “living with HIV isn’t a death sentence… As long as you know your status early, you can have a very healthy sex life as long as you take the right precautions.”

Bridie was optimistic that a sex-healthy society could mean more people would be safe, sharing with The Mancunion that many testing centers see new couples being tested together as the start of their relationship.

Bridie rounded up with: “Don’t worry about it so much! Just [get tested]!”

What it’s like being a ‘girl gamer’

Overwatch, Counterstrike, DotA, League of Legends, Halo; no matter the game, I never play with my microphone on if it is in a randomly-set match. Sadly, that mistake often means that I will receive rejection from a community that I have known and loved for over ten years.

It is not the matter of whether I will be harassed, but rather the severity of the harassment. There will always be the casual bigotry of male players mocking me for being a “gamer girl”: a fraud who capitalises on her gender to garner male attention.  Other times, there will be private messages containing rape and death threats that may persist for months if I do not report users for abuse. However, what hurts most is the indifference and skepticism I am met with when I attempt to talk about my experiences frankly and openly. Gaming, like many other traditionally male-dominated sub-cultures, is almost unforgiving in its normalised exclusion of women.

When I bring up the vile comments and the violent threats made to my person with my male friends, they are almost never supportive. There is an air of discomfort, maybe a raised eyebrow. They will ask me why someone would go out of their way to send me a private message threatening to assault me, they will say that they find it hard to imagine this sort of thing comes up very often, they will insist things have gotten significantly better in the past few years. In other words, there is a culture of questioning the validity of a women’s lived experiences simply due to the nature of her harassment– the fact that it is of an overtly sexualised nature mentally obstructs sympathy and concern.

After discussing it with other female friends who had gone through similar experiences (one of which was forced to delete her account due to the persistence of one of her anonymous abusers), I have found that the skepticism from trusted male friends often causes more pain than the actual experience. The trust implicit in the friendship is betrayed because she is assumed, at least in part, to be lying for some selfish gain. For this reason, many of my friends choose to brush off many of their most troubling encounters often jokingly– too afraid to be emotionally invested in an experience that they will be alienated for. This breeds a culture of silence around misogynistic behaviour that would otherwise be horrific in normal circumstances.

Before the mass-popularisation of gaming and “geeky” sub-culture by television shows and popular video game streamers, the most active members of the gaming community were male. This meant that the vast majority of the content creators, professionals, and fans were male, setting into motion a sense of self-entitlement and ownership over the gaming sub-culture. When women attempt to participate in the community (e.g. become professional gamers, design and create content, or even simply enjoy it alongside everyone else), they are continuously interrogated. There is a presumption that women only pretend to like sub-cultures to attract men, and therefore the self-appointed experts of the community feel it in their right to weed out any imposters.

Whilst at a convention, I snapped pictures of a person dressed as one of my favourite video game characters only to have a complete stranger ask me whether I even knew who it was. Another encounter pressured me to recite all the players on the US Overwatch World Cup team while I was purchasing commemorative pins.  From this granular level, this self-righteousness to protect the purity of gaming from female fraudulence extends all the way upwards. Geguri, a professional South Korean Overwatch player, was forced to submit proof that she was not cheating when members from an opposing team accused her of hacking. Female game developers and professionals find it difficult to gain any real credibility in their industry because their skill is treated as an amusing novelty at best and a threat at worst.

Though there are no doubts that things are improving, the sluggish rate at which they are suggests that the gaming community is still relatively insulated. Part of the reason why is because there still remains an outdated idea that nerd culture is made up of men who make up the outcasts of a society that worships “jocks” or “alpha males”. Obviously this isn’t true, especially in gaming; a quick look at any of the most popular streamers show that members of the community can be sociable, easily charismatic, and incredibly self-assured. However, the culture we see now is partly due to the inheritance of that misrepresentation; because gamers are validated in feeling like they themselves are victims or harmless nerds, their misogynistic behaviour can be cast off as innocent. Since they are not associated with the blatant masculinity of classic jock culture, their sexism is somehow less damaging.

It is a shame that a sub-culture that thrives off collaboration, community, and new innovation so often subverts its own values. In order to fix a problem, the first step is recognising that there is one; to take the degradation of women seriously in all of its forms and to support an open discussion around it. This article is not meant to villainise individuals who are part of the gaming community, but instead raise awareness about the complicity that we all have in this culture of exclusion and what we can do to stop it.