ELIXf* The Student Newspaper of Imperial College Nol 033 21JUN95 "^^^ Albertopolis Falls at the First Hurdle

BY RACHEL WALTERS

The 'Albertopolis' proposal to rejuvenate South Kensington has been rejected by the Department of National Heritage's Millennium Fund. The ambit- ious application for National Lottery funding was not among the 83 selected projects announ- ced last Thursday. The rejection is part of an ongoing procedure to determine which projects will gain a share of the Commission's £1.6 billion budget. The Albertopolis pro- posal would have created a huge pedestrian precinct and under- ground shopping mall beneath Exhibition Road, connecting prominent local museums with Imperial College. But as Mike Elrich of the Millennium Commission explained to FELIX, the planners: "were unable to show us that it was the best use of the Millennium have been short-listed are based money, from both a financial and around urban re-development technical point of view". and recreation plans. Cash Crisis The Commission based its Further sets of proposals to choices on a stringent set of earn a slice of the National BY ANDREW SMITH times that the part-time worker criteria. Successful applicants Lottery winnings will be consi- appears to have undertaken large produced proposals that were dered next September. Those A member of Imperial College scale deception. environmentally sound, of excep- whose plans have been unsuccess- Union (ICU) staff has departed There is some confusion as tional architectural quality and ful are advised to go away and under a cloud of suspicion, after to who should take responsibility likely to receive public backing. rethink their schemes. an estimated £7,000 has been for allowing the apparent subter- Providing a lasting monument to Mr Elrich suggested that the found missing from the Union fuge to continue for up to nine mark the millennium was huge cost of the Albertopolis coffers. The affair has only just months, however. While over- another high priority. "Projects proposal may have proved its been brought into the open, time sheets for Union employees have to show us that they cut the downfall. The scheme required a following legal worries that are authorised by the Union mustard," Mr Elrich said. sum of £100 million, but the undue publicity might hinder Manager, Mandy Hurford, wages He emphasised that ideal Millennium Commission has the expected criminal trial. are actually paid out by College's proposals were ones that would only £350 million to distribute in The staff member is alleged Pay Office. be of genuine benefit to the this round of awards. "They need to have started claiming small The ICU employee was community. "They've got to to scale it down a bit, and make it amounts of extra overtime contracted to work twenty five mean something to people," he more people orientated," he during the previous academic hours a week, but is alleged to insisted. Many of the bids which advised. year. It was only in more recent (continues on page two)

m news&credits one&two&three news review: four&five&six&seven feature: who's watching your back? eight&nine feature: the Rector's View ten&eleven s-files: powerdown twelve&thirteen incoming: the last word fifteen standby: saying goodbye sixteen&seventeen standby in review eighteen&nineteen summerguide: surviving the summer without us twenty B News Medical Miasma BY ANDREW SMITH College's Deputy Managing Director. His team hopes to The much vaunted new Basic dissuade the Treasury, who must Medical Science (BMS) building, approve all Department of planned to be completed by April Health (DoH) capital grants, 1998, faces further delays in the from pursuing their desire to test approval of the £40million public the BMS under a 'Private sector contribution to its Finance Initiative'. This scheme funding. It had been hoped that attempts to save public sector full approval would have been money for essential projects. gained by Easter, especially given On the question of whether a two senior cabinet ministers' public announcement can be public support for the project. expected in the near future, Dr Monday 19 June saw a high Eastwood asserted that he was level Treasury delegation of "very hopeful that it will be senior civil servants travelling to forthcoming very shortly" but he Imperial College for discussions commented wryly: "it's always with Dr Rodney Eastwood, imminent".

('Cash Crisis' continues) have regularly forged claims for Deputy President Clubs & Imperial College Security have now admitted that the newly installed upassivep to thirt y nine hours extra Societies, Ian Parish. infra-red (PIR) detectors in the Department of Computing failed duringovertime a . With ICU paying for Expressing dismay at the raid on the William Penney Lab two weeks ago, writes Rachel Walters. the wages of the employee's events, Lucy Chothia, ICU They had earlier claimed that the system functioned perfectly when twowhol youthse sectio n as one bill, the President, stressed that they broke into the research area in the early hours of June 2nd (FELIX 1032)exces. It s would not have been could not be repeated. "We've now appears that although the break-in was unsuccessful, it was onlyimmediatel y detected. had a full review of the Union pay prevented due to the vigilance of a nearby security guard. Security gave chase,It wa s when the overtime structure and measures have been and two suspects were subsequently arrested. sheets were checked, just before implemented to ensure that this Keith Reynolds, Head of Security, explained: "fortuitously one ofEaster our , the discrepancies were will not happen again," she guys happened to be on the Chem Eng walkway system and heard the uncoveredglass . FELIX understands insisted. go, so he radioed and we were there probably nearly as damn quick as thaif thet th e employee originally used The employee, almost PIR had gone anyway." photocopies of authentic time universally liked throughout the Previously, Terry Briley, Deputy Head of Security, had told FELIXsheets . After college brought in Union, was initially suspended that the successful handling of the incident was due to the PIR detectors.enhance He d security measures the but subsequently resigned had said that he was encouraged that the new security measures were provingemploye e seems to have obtained pending an expected prosecution to be effective. stamps from the drawer of the on charges of false accounting.

be evacuated from the building include theoretical immunology the first fully-reported trial for News in Brief ten minutes before closing time. and biological diversity and he is cystic fibrosis, representing a Well done Mark! Well done Bob! keen to continue his work in significant step in the search for a Imperial College Union (ICU) Imperial biologist Robert May those fields, as well as commuting cure for the disease. staff have been full of praise for has been appointed as the himself to his new posting. RCS enter Forbidden Land Mark Home, this year's new Government's new Chief Well done Mary! The impending demolition of Ent's Manager, after the sell-out Scientific Adviser. Professor May, St Mary's Hospital Medical RCSII has raised a problem for success of last Friday's end of 59, is a Royal Society research School is a shining example of Royal College of Science Union, term carnival. ICU looks likely to professor who divides his time medical research, according to the as their hallowed office is make up to £1500 from the between the zoology department new Committee of Vice contained within its walls. The night's festivities: "Of course, it of Oxford and our own institute Chancellors and Principals soon to be displaced souls that are will all be ploughed right back in of pure and applied biology at report. 'Universities and the the RCS hacks will now be in the to provide even better student Silwood Park. Health of the Nation' presses for unfortunate position of spending services," Mark stressed. The government position, continuing investment in the staff most of their time in a City and The transformation of the which includes heading up the and resources of medical schools Guilds building. concert hall into a Whirl-y-Gig Office of Science and to encourage medical care The new CCU office, and the 'experience' proved a particularly Technology, will see Professor advances as a result of technical garage of the fire engine Jez, are big hit, and helped the Union to May reporting directly to the innovations. to be in the Department of Civil pack in 1250 punters, the Minister for Science. He will also The Department of Engineering but it seems that maximum legal capacity of the be charged with coordinating the Pediatrics anti-meningitis prog- College didn't give them much of building. The only sour note activities of all the other chief ramme and the clinical gene an option. Apparently it was came as the clock approached scientists in each of the relevant therapy research of Professor Bob either take what was offered or it 3am. Smoke detectors set the fire government departments. Williamson came in for particular would be presumed that the RCS alarms off and the revellers had to Mr May's current interests praise. His department produced no longer required office space.

JIM FELIX 2uungs News Lectures Move

BY ANDREW SMITH AND seemed at ease with the required AUNINDYA SINHARAY moves. He said that "it's inevitable that old buildings will It has now been confirmed that, have to be sacrificed." His starting next term, chemists will department will be losing three have the majority of their lecture theatres and a large lectures in the Sherfield tutorial room. Building. The move has been Prof Phillips told FELIX forced by preparations for the that he hoped chemistry courses construction of the Basic Medical would not experience too much Science (BMS) building. timetabling disruption. His Professor Alan Swanson, Department has previously run Pro-Rector for Educational the majority of lectures in the Quality, said the 'displaced' mornings, with laboratory departments had 'all been very sessions in the afternoon. helpful'. The Chemistry depart- Stressing the importance of John O'Leary, the Aeronautics departmental photographer, has been awardedment has been offered exclusive laboratory work in chemistry an MBE in recognition of his work as a policeman in the 'Specials', writesuse o f the 120-seat Pippard courses, he said, "Imperial Aunindya Sinharay. John was recommended for the honour by the AreaLectur e theatre, the larger of the chemistry graduates are charact- Head Office of the Special Constabulary and also by his own Peckham Sherfield Building's two lecture erised by the amount of practical Divisional Station. Describing himself as "an operational officer walkingtheatres the . Biochemists will use the work they do ... it's why industry street", he told FELIX that it is almost unique for an ordinary officerRea dto Theatr e and Huxley 140. beats a path to our door." receive this type of honour especially since he has served in the force forN ao extra time provision is Asked whether he was happy comparatively short time - seventeen years. Citing one of his chief tasksbeing asmad e for students to travel with next term's arrangement, he 'selling the old bill', he has been heavily involved in community projects.from labs and lectures to admitted: "it's the only com- Every summer he helps take up to 800 South London youths campingSherfield for a . Professor Swanson promise. Alan Swanson's been month in an character building initiative, as part of the Southwark Youthsaid tha t the students and staff very accommodating." Professor Project. The annual trip costs around £50,000 of which he helps to raisewoul d have to become more Phillips believes that cons- £10,000. He is also involved with the Christmas Care Association, workingdiscipline d to ensure that truction work on the BMS for fifteen hours every Christmas Day to provide food for over 400 elderlylecture s start punctually. project will begin on schedule people. Currently holding the rank of Special Inspector, John's technicianAwar e of the wider benefits and that vibration-damping alter-ego works in the Aeronautics Department where he has been sincethat the BMS development will equipment may be required for joining in 1956 as a junior technician. Mr. Ron Adams, Aeronautics bring to Imperial College, some of the department's experi- departmental superintendent, told FELIX; "He's known to me and Professoto r David Phillips, Head of mental equipment. others for his all round willingness to help whenever he can ... it couldn'tth havee Chemistr y Department, happened to a nicer person."

Liberal Agenda for IC Cash Credits BY ANDREW SMITH not exist, and question whether of all higher education courses. Editor Owain Bennallack the Lib Dems have actually Thus students could obtain Printer Andy Thompson A new draft document setting out consulted any universities other qualifications - using waystage Assistant Printer Jeremy Thomson the Liberal Democrat view of the than ex-polytechnics. marks rather than degrees - after Business Manager Tim Bavister future of further and higher The Lib Dems propose studying from a wide variety of Advertising Manager Wei Lee education could be disastrous for cutting the proportion of the subjects. Again, this is funda- Editorial Team Imperial College if ever imple- £600m research money that is mentally contrary to college mented. Their plans centre on a currently given to institutions policy, recently outlined by the Art & Literature Jon Jordan more equitable sharing of the like IC. This would help spread Rector. He emphasised that IC Cinema Wei Lee £600 million that the Higher £200 million across the whole must defend the benefits of full Columns Marcus Alexander Education Funding Council of system 'to enable all academic time residential degree courses. Layout & Design Paul Dias and England (HEFCE) gives to staff to engage in research or Whilst questioning the Jon Jordan universities to spend on research. development work'. experience that the Liberal Music Vik Bansal The present system sees IC This idea goes funda- Democrat planners have of News Rachel Walters. receiving relatively large mentally against IC's argument higher education, College autho- Photography Ivan Chan & Diana Harrison amounts, since HEFCE targets that scarce research money must rities expressed the hope that S-Files Rebecca Mileham 'centres of excellence'. The be concentrated. One senior they might invite them to college Summer Guide Jeremy Thomson Liberal Democrat document says college official questioned the to 'show them what really Standby Jon Jordan that 'centres of excellence' do not benefit of giving money to people happens'. In this way, they say, Editorial Assistance exist: a point strongly denied by who are 'not any good at research politicians could be convinced Imperial College authorities. and who probably never will be'. that funds must be focused on Collating Last Week Jeremy Thomson They suggest that the document The other main plank of the high quality research centres. and Rachel Walters addresses a problem which does draft policy is the modularisation FELIX News Review

News Rewind Computer thefts, campaigning, the NUS, KCLSUand the mysterious CVCR...

Aunindya Sinharay, staunch newsteam member, takes a last look at the issues that excited and dismayed Imperial during the 1994/95 session. mperial College (IC) Institute than it also seems to Cross & Westminster Medical possibility. All Estates would say sauntered into another have become a member of the School, along with the Royal was that studies were in progress academic year with the 'Russell Group', a clutch of elite Postgraduate Medical School. to see what could be done to news that Da Vinci's universities whose high-ranking The results of these mergers remedy the situation. I denizens skulked secretively in a would require the construction of The RCSU could be ceiling had sprung a leak; but despite the good humour of hotel of the same name. a Basic Medical Sciences officeless, their motor club left watching two sabbs plugging Consisting of the likes of Oxford, building, next to the Chemistry garageless and chemists could be the holes with their fingers, Cambridge, University College department. left lecture theatreless; to some more ominous news was London and the London School The BMS project, originally the whole scheme seemed utterly awaiting the first issue of the of Economics (and us, of course) costed at £72m, was then mindless. Many were decidedly term... the Russell Group 'broke away' to downsized to £62m. The unimpressed with the project's St.Mary's Medical School form a 'superleague' of colleges, involvement of medical students organisation, or lack thereof. Dr. had sauntered into financial raising fears that Brian Levitt of Chemistry, scandal when Cyril D'Souza, a they were intent considering the lecture lecture hospital cashier and self- on claiming the problem, sarcastically muttered: confessed gambler was found to best students "All this is a brilliant example of have personally spent more than and research planning." £600,000 of Mary's money. Mr. contracts. But Still, come May, £20m was D'Souza was charged in February said Sir David promised mysteriously from 1995 and was sentenced last Williams, chan- HEFCE for the BMS building: month to five years imprison- cellor of Cam- odd because they never formally ment. bridge Univer- declared any funding. Virginia sity: "there is no Bottomley, the Secretary of State superleague and FRESHERS' WEEK for Health, announced the none envisaged... funding in a press release. But we are an infor- Any sauntering was quickly IC's Planning Division sought to mal group with reduced to inebriated staggering downplay suggestions that all the similar interests, set up for the as Fresher's Week went into opened the possibility of funding money was in the pipeline, protection of the research action, though with less than from the Department of Health; insisted it still depended on the strengths of leading universities." amusing consequences. 'Over- the medical section would be Department of Health producing It subsequently emerged that the enthusiastic behaviour' occurred financed 100% by external £20m. We clearly have a long way Russellers actually first rode out at the New Year Carnival when sources, and HEFCE would fund to go. from IC itself, under the lead of about thirty of the freshers 25% of the Biology section, an Sir Eric Ash. But Imperial's decided to share the stage with extra £12m coming from IC itself. current rector, Sir Ronald THE RUSSELL one of the Bands performing in In pure money terms, no hassles. Oxburgh, was keen to downplay GROUP the Union Ents lounge. But would that be the whole the story, saying that sensational The new first years were story? Not only would there be (JUST WHEN YOU journalism had exaggerated the clearly going to be more of a an extra 1000 students on the whole affair. All the group aimed THOUGHT IT WAS handful than was thought. South Kensington site, there are to do, said Sir Ronald, was to SAFE...) Within days, one had provided a also the required leisure and demonstrate the merits of the test of Beit Hall's Fire Alarms accommodation facilities to present system of selective after smoking dope. His sub- consider as well. Part of the 'Old And there's more (Sensation- funding by lobbying politicians sequent caution and fine only Chemistry' department - featur- alism? Us?). The student union and the like. hinted at the unsalubrious ing some very old panelled at LSE set up what it called the activities that Beit Quad would lecture theatres, the RCSU office 'Aldwych Group' to protect host later in the year. MERGERS, ' and the RCS Motor Club - is students interests in Sir David's physically in the way too. The non-existent superleague - MYSTERY AND solution: Demolition. "But we including union officials from IS IT A BIRD? SUSPENSE will re-house them somewhere," IC, LSE and other (yes...) 'elite' IS IT A PLANE? assured the Estates Division. universities. Their first meeting NO, IT'S A The acquisition of the National With HEFCE sure to refuse the was held at IC on the 1st construction of replacement November. But, to complicate SUPERLEAGUE Heart & Lung Institute was only the first in host of transplants lecture theatres, whilst other things further, a more-elite-than- No sooner does IC announce its planned for the next few years. theatres in college run way under elite group had emerged within intended merger with the The next phase would involve capacity, chemists being lectured the elite superleague of elites. Sir National Heart and Lung St.Mary's merging with Charing in other departments seems a real Ronald admitted that the vice-

HM FELIX 2IJUR95 News Review

chancellors of the Big Five do quoted out of context," after sufficiently offensive. Depicting chairman told FELIX: "His still 'occasionally' meet, and even insisting that "they not anti- the Moors Murderers collecting management experience will be scoffed at the idea of some sort of semitic or homophobic". In for a children's charity, it bore an invaluable asset." Ivy League being set up; just as much the same way, perhaps, as the title 'Doing it for the kids' Soon Sir Eric, an avid well, as it appeared that the elite Sir David Williams' Superleague whilst the highlight inside were proponent of e-mail at Imperial, (sigh) Aldwych group were start- was non-existent... photographs of bizarrely mutil- had put the SLC on the Internet. ing to voice their own concerns, ated genitalia. It was banned by This great bid for student asking whether such a group was FOREIGN AFFAIRS ULU president Gemma equality allowed technohippies "morally acceptable". Williams, who said that IC Rag and cyberpunks to 'flame' the With IC improving its links with would not be allowed to SLC as easily as anyone else. Just FUNDAMENTALS universities in other countries - distribute it on their premises; e-mail [email protected]... notably Thailand - it seemed Other student problems seem to ironic that the Foreign Office THE fade into insignificance against a could soon be turning away BEIT backdrop of Islamic Funda- students from politically sen- mentalism sweeping London sitive countries. In an attempt to FIGHT Colleges. One group was reported halt the proliferation of dan- to have distributed anti-homo- gerous military hardware over- A postdoc had sexual and anti-semitic leaflets in seas, especially nuclear weapons, his jacket and and around ULU. At King's students from ten countries could wallet stolen, College London's Fresher's Fair find themselves being vetted by with onlookers another group was asked to leave the Government before being suspecting when it was discovered they were allowed to study in the UK. three males religious activists of Hizb u Dr. John Hassard of Physics who were later Tahrir ('Liberation Party'). was critical of the scheme, confronted by These events prompted the believing that it was 'racist' and a technician in ULU council to pass a motion that the UK was effectively within a week it had been the Quad; a fight ensued in reinforcing its "stance against telling other countries that they shunned by the unions of which all six union stewards bigotry and prejudice from any weren't responsible enough to Goldsmith's, Royal Holloway and attempted to subdue the pro- source" and effectively pro- have nuclear weapons. But Bedford, the LSE and KCL. But tagonists, after which four of the hibiting the distribution of despite the scheme's appearance the widespread cold-shouldering stewards required hospital treat- potentially offensive literature. as an attempt to fix the stable probably did Rag a favour. That ment. The resulting deficiency of The national organiser of one door after the postdoc had bolted, same week the medical schools of stewards meant that staff from a group had told the national press to others the heavy-handed St Guy's, St. Thomas's and private security company would that they had control of about diplomacy seems justified. The St.George's were screaming out be deployed in their place. fifty Islamic Societies nationwide Iraqi Nuclear Weapons Program for copies. There were also allegations and had amassed some 2000 was set up by an ex-IC researcher of an IC security officer drinking members. THE STUDENT whilst on duty. Security said that two officers had been on duty A week after MOANS COMPANY the ULU ban, an that night; certain eye-witnesses incident claimed that only one officer was occurred at the The beleaguered Student Loans seen. Terry Briley, Deputy Head School of Orien- Company (SLC), by now of Security, said he was shocked tal and African seasoned in the art of stumbling at the notion of security men Studies (SOAS). ineptly into the spotlight for all drinking on the job. The chair of the the wrong reasons, once again And there was more doubt Islamic Society found itself in the news. A over when police had been called, (and Hizb u confidential DFE document was and whether Security sent for Tahrir member) leaked to the Guardian detailing them when the stewards had reportedly paid the proposed privatisation of the asked. It was also unclear why tribute to an SLC. The Committee of Vice- Security - though attending to Muslim suicide Chancellors and Principals was the injured - had not been bomber causing a SOAS corn- in 1979, and is currently headed unrelenting in their fierce further involved at an earlier mittee to ban all speakers from by a former IC student. disapproval of the SLC, saying stage. Security felt that, as the the group. Another incident that the repayment mechanism police had been contacted as soon occurred at KCL where it was wrong: "If the Government as the violence started, then it DOING WHAT FOR appeared that members of a had got the repayment scheme was the police whose actions rather vaguely titled 'Culture THE KIDS? right in the first place, the banks should be scrutinised. Society' intended to disrupt a IC's infamously indecent Rag would have taken it." Police actually appeared on meeting of the Jewish Society. Mag provoked a storm of protest A few weeks later the SLC the scene at 3am, after the three "The disturbing atmosphere of when it was published in had a new Chief Executive. Sir assailants had left the fray; so if the meeting led to the decision to November. Even the Rag chair Eric Ash, a former Rector of IC the police had been slow in their call the Police," said KCLSU. Ian Robertson admitted: and a non-Executive SLC reaction, then the actions of the Earlier, a member of IC's "Personally, I feel very offended director since September 1994, security guards were above own Islamic Society had said of by it." was drafted in to head the criticism in this regard. Right? Hizb u Tahrir, "They are often The front cover alone was troubled company. The SLC But the finer details of the

2IJUn9B FELIX MM News Review

brawl were getting increasingly of a referendum. rules governing the running of actively encouraging people to obscured in a fog of ambiguity Which brings us around to. elections had been broken. vote in an attempt to render the that had settled HHHHHIHI A heated debate followed election invalid, and so winning on the incident. and a vote was taken. Fifteen their campaign passively. All the Security members called for an electoral same, the rule-flouting continued insisted there re-run, fourteen against. But the - overlooked as it was deemed had been two votes were re-counted, and one 'silly' to invalidate an entire calls made to the member actually changed his referendum purely because of a police, about decision, causing a fourteen-vote technicality. half-an-hour all draw. Council chair John More advertising, cam- apart, though Durrell had the casting vote and paigning, canvassing.... but the Scotland Yard manfully put everyone out of whole affair seemed in real didn't believe their misery. danger of soaring to fresh heights that the first call The results were valid: Sarah of bumbling ineptitude. By the reported any White for President, Matt time voting came round, it violence taking Crompton for Deputy President seemed that the campaigns place; as far as (Finance and Services), Tim together with, perhaps, the they were concerned only a theft Townend for Deputy President issue's continual prominence in was reported and so they didn't THE SABBATICAL (Clubs and Societies) and Rachel the FELIX news pages, had led feel an immediate response was to sufficient numbers turning out ELECTIONS Walter returned as FELIX in order. Editor and Print Unit Manager. for the election to be quorate. Keith Reynolds, head of Elections, elections everywhere Which allowed us all to get Sure enough 965 voted to stay Imperial College Security, ad- and lots and lots to drink - as back to... outside the NUS, 696 voted to re- mitted that there may have been results night would show. enter. 'a bit of confusion' on 'both sides Within a week, gossip was US & THE NUS (II) Reactions were varied; "It of the fence.' However, he maint- spreading over who was standing would be a great shame if the ained that nothing like this for what, especially given that With the sabbatical elections out NUS had won in the light of the would occur again. four members of the Elections of the way, the end of the Spring campaign that was run," said Committee had resigned citing term finally saw the decision to Deputy President Dan Look. US & THE NUS conflict of interests. Papers went hold a vote on NUS affiliation. Sarah Thomas felt the whole up, and rumours began to Though a lot of students didn't election had "turned into a farce" Do we, don't we, should we, metamorphose into fact. Down actually support joining, it was and she was "relieved that it was shouldn't we... one of the biggest went the papers two weeks later, clear that the student body felt all over". Oddly, 80% of the issues to be debated during the with only one candidate running they should be allowed to make medics wanted to re-join, with year was whether ICU should unopposed. the decision for themselves. one of them saying that cheaper return to the National Union of A deluge of posters hit The Summer term saw beer prices were a good incentive. Students (NUS). The NUS itself college the following week, with campaigning across college once seemed willing, even eager, to nine candidates chasing four more. The anti-NUS lobby, DOC RAIDED (AND welcome back London's prodigal posts. Candidates advertised, headed by Sarah Thomas, AGAIN, AND college with open arms but many canvassed, campaigned, received campaigned mainly on the students at Imperial were less flans at Mary's, advertised, financial implications to ICU as AGAIN AND....) than enthusiastic. canvassed and campaigned. well as the highly political nature Representatives from the Meanwhile a FELIX opinion of NUS activity; the pro-NUS KCL, UCL and now IC's NUS courted ICU to explain the poll showed a huge proportion of campaign, led by Stephen Webb Computing Department suffered benefits of re-affiliation, even students who were 'undecided'. and James Connolly fought their numerous break-ins throughout offering a knockdown affiliation More advertising, canvassing and corner on the benefits - financial, the first half of 1995, suffering fee of £20,000 and an £11,000 campaigning - until to spoil it all legal and otherwise - that the thousands of pounds worth of saving on beer to coax the voting time arrived. NUS could bring to the student theft and damage. An early Kensington campus back into the The final result seemed to body. From the beginning there morning raid in February cost fold. But that left a £9,000 have been swung by the flanning was concern on where both sides college £30,000, though the shortfall - and there was also medics, provoking a storm of were getting money - speculation vigilance of postgraduate student concern that the NUS would controversy over Mary's voting. was especially rife over how the prevented further damage. Soon consider ICU 'a feather in their It appeared that at the medical anti-camp were being funded. another gang of professional cap' and that ICU's apolitical school, 'sample voting slips' had Hustings were pathetically thieves struck, apparently stand would be sullied by been found amongst the ballots, attended and there were fears stealing on order. This time affiliation to a National Union indicative, perhaps, of a certain that the whole election would not £8000 worth of RAM chips were not renowned for its love of confusion amongst the Mary's be valid (quorate) through less taken, with electrostatic damage incumbent governments. voters. than the required 1000 students received by the machines A motion was presented to The really dramatic voting could end up voting at all. To threatening to massively increase council calling for a referendum. actually came a week later. At make matters worse, the pro- the repair bill. The intruder was It was defeated, but on a ICU council, there was a real campaigners were accused of caught but fled before security technicality: it was feared that a possibility that the sabbs-elect using illegal posters which backup could arrive. referendum would interfere with could get a post-election kick in carried no election dates on Two further raids occurred the sabbatical elections which the ballots. It seemed clear that them, and they started inviting over Easter, with one criminal were also due to take place in the in view of the way things had NUS staff to speak at hustings;. being chased but escaping, and Spring term. Council was though, gone at Mary's with the sample Meanwhile the anti- damage estimated at around in principle, in favour of the idea ballot papers, the constitutional campaign were accused of not £70,000 this time. The second FELIX News Review

raid could have been equally bad locked. They then attempted to the reporter present. OSC Chair. The March event were it not for another student kick the door down in their bid actually turned out to be a sell- who confronted and pursued the for freedom, four of them being out success with thieves, one of whom escaped caught in the process. The Mershin saying through a ground-floor damage caused was estimated at that he "didn't maintenance area. The other £2000. expect it to go so headed for the security lodge at Ghassan Karian, KCLSU well." By the end the main door, and broke out President, hastily distanced of the term through the double front doors himself from the affair, calling differences had and onto Queensgate. mascotry 'toss', despite the fact been resolved. Less than a fortnight into he'd shown interest in it earlier Another the summer term, the William in the year. He claimed that the fight, another Penney Laboratory on the incident was 'Imperial's fault' venue: The Sherfield Walkway was struck, after the initial attack by the RCS Queen's Lawn though this time the amount students. He denied any involve- played host to a taken and the damage caused was ment of KCLSU, any prior ~^ brawl between small - the one computer stolen knowledge of the attack and any staff and was described by Dr. Jonathan use of the KCLSU minibus. The technicians after a dispute in the AND FINALLY... Lever as 'obsolete'. possibility of pressing charges Holland Club just before Christ- Further problems were existed as the offenders had been Of course this is but an mas. There have been several caused, when infra-red detectors caught on security cameras. impressionistic view of the calls for more responsible con- installed to cover high-risk areas There was an added Imperial's news year - lots of sumption of alcohol this year, were set off by DoC's own staff. dimension - some felt that broad strokes with plenty of local particularly in the wake of the On one occasion the alarm President and Labour councillor colour. But what lies beyond the Beit fights, where a security sounded seven times in a single Karian was merely protecting his edge of our limited canvas? guard was attacked in January. evening, making the Linstead own interests lest his image be One potentially worrisome As if the NUS and Sabbatical Hall fire alarms seem positively damaged in his campaign for the issue for ICU is the fact that elections were certainly enough, tongue-tied in comparison. The ULU presidency. But a week come 1998 it could be relocated others took place around college Physics department was also hit later he issued a full confession, into the Sherfield Building. But and received varying degrees of in a raid which damaged eight saying that he'd knowingly the provisional plans provided by disinterest. The C&G elections machines. "They're making the misled ICU and FELIX. He'd the Estates division were found came and went with a depres- place like Fort Knox," a security known about the use of the wanting by ICU; the proposed singly low number of people guard commented. Perhaps it's KCLSU minibus in the attack, 3rd floor Union Bar would be noticing and even fewer caring. about time. that the offenders had targeted very small, and it seemed The RCS and RSM elections IC, and he even confirmed that unlikely that the Traditional Bar occurred with a slightly larger he'd handed over the keys could be transferred to the new turnout, but all three led to much THE KING'S MEN himself. He apologised for the premises 'panel by panel' as debate on the future of the CCUs Chasing around London nabbing "collective decision to cover the originally hoped. There'd also be at South Kensington. bits of metal and masonry fact that our minibus was used". the problem of whether ICU Fourth year Aero exam belonging to other college's Yet he denied lying catering would be able to papers went missing, allowing compete with that of College. unions is taken surprisingly personally to FELIX about the the students to put their feet up seriously by some. In December incident, stressing the 'collective According to Dan Look, a for a while as their exams got an RCSU mascotry team libe- decision'. Asked whether or not referendum on the proposed postponed. The examinations did rated 'Reggie', KCL's stone lion the affair could affect his move was "not something we eventually take place, but if the mascot. But though initially campaign to become ULU would rule out." summer exam papers had gone dismissive of the I 1 Crime proved a major prob- missing the ensuing chaos would loss of the mas- lem throughout the year, starting have been horrific. "I don't know cot, it appeared with signs and doormats going what you'd do then, jump out of that KCLSU missing from ICU in October, the window or something," com- actually tacitly vending machines and car radios mented the Head of Aeronautics, approved a rev- vanishing and arcade machines Professor P. W. Bearman. With enge attack by being raided in Halls. Some the summer term free of flattened their students on offenders proved less adept than Aeronautical professors adorning IC's Union Bar others - a two-man crimewave the pavements, we can only in February. ground to a halt after it got lost surmise that things have run smoothly in exam-land. 13 Fourteen in the Electrical Engineering KCL students Department. mini-bussed The Overseas Societies Thanks to everyone in college, both their way to Committee finally managed to staff and students, 'great and small' South Ken- assemble a committee with which without whose generous co-operation sington, entered the Traditional president, he replied "Why to begin the year, though the and time the news pages would have Bar (where the Stone Lion had should it?" Elected to the ULU run-up to International Night been barren. We are grateful. often been sighted...) and Presidency in early March, he was dogged with all manner of The FELIXnews team wishes liberated several bottles of told ULU General Council that problems, plagued with infight- all their regular readers an enjoyable alcohol and a number of he would occasionally tell 'fibs'. ing and JapanSoc boycotting the summer, and their detractors an tankards. But attempting to The previously media event in protest of the handling incident-packed newsworthy fate, escape, they found the exit friendly Karian refused to talk to of the event by Andreas Mershin, starting next October. 21 Jungs FELIX MM Feature Who's watching your back? Security issues were the basis for a large number of this year's news stories: from drug dealing to computer thieving, Imperial College is increasingly home to crime worries. With the help of local PC Clive Coleman and IC Head of Security Keith Reynolds, Andrew Dorman-Smith looks at the conflict between tightening up protection and clamping down on student freedom.

Swipe Cards see 'piggy-backing' - the way in Security meets the which people without swipe cards technology of the nineties can simply follow authorised students into buildings - as a The swipe card - or 'Access major problem. With few students Control' - system was initiated in prepared to actually ask others for 1 992 in an attempt to 'control the identification the whole idea of perimeter' of IC so that security 'controlling the perimeter' is being staff would be released to 'super- put in doubt. Clive Coleman vise the interior'. Instead of the suggests that students and staff 88-strong team responsible for are perfectly entitled to ask those manning the front doors of every following them in or out for proof building, only four lodges are now of identification, saying that the permanently supervised, with the police will deal severely with rest of the staff expected to patrol anyone who objects to being certain 'sectors'. questioned. But security personnel admit Keith Reynolds insists that that the system isn't infallible. They the system is perfectly adequate: a Safety PC Coleman agrees with foolproof system of floor to ceiling 'Halls are a priority' this sentiment, suggesting that turnstiles would cost £1.3 million. Halls of Residence are parti- the cost could be limited by To support his view that 'piggy- cularly susceptible to 'piggy-back' employing students between 6pm backing' isn't a problem, Mr entering, but when the original and midnight, for example, to 0 Reynolds asserts that the vast check IDs. reforms were introduced Mr majority of robberies which occur Reynolds promised: "My priority While Mr Reynolds insists

: ,:.ym?:--m- y:- yyyyyyyyyyyyy during the swipe card system's is the students, especially those that the overall 'crime and „:;;,:'. :MM:-kM^.:MMMMM activation are as a result of forced living in halls". Some security incident rate' in halls is not that entry. guards are known to favour bad, he asserts that under the twentyfour hour manned security present staffing levels it is not lodges at the front door of each possible for security guards to be Keith Reynolds hall, especially the large South- posted at each door. side ones. Citing the attack on a He is though attracted by IC Head of Security female fresher in her Linstead PC Coleman's suggestion of Mr Reynolds was instrumental in bedroom two years ago, they having students on each door, bringing through the 1992 reforms insist that the protection of saying that it as 'a good idea'. But and he says that the security service students would be improved with he questioned where the money has come on by 'leaps and bounds'. a heightened security presence. for this could be found. Future security plans and equipment upgrades will be balanced against the college's budgetary constraints. The head of Clive Coleman security said: "we can't go round The Local Bobby blithely robbing academic depart- ments". Putting the present crime PC Coleman, the homebeat officer rate in to perspective, Mr Reynolds of the Belgravia sector, spends a asserts that, "compared to other large proportion of his time dealing London Colleges, we're laughing... with Imperial affairs. In fact, it has we're sitting on it pretty well". been reported that two thirds of He appealed for student help crime in the area happens at in tackling crime: "please come and Imperial. Clive runs crime pre- tell us ... we're not here to make your vention weeks at IC twice each year life difficult, we're here to help." to raise awareness of the security problem, where he marks students bicycles with a security code to act as a theft deterrent. FELIX Feature

New technology But the reliability of the nabis smoke over-intrudes into PIRs and dope-loving new PIRs is in doubt after the the private lives of hall residents. smoke detectors system failed to work just weeks While PC Coleman insists that after it was installed. Mr the public smoking of 'herbal Constant Monitoring Recent months have seen a massive up-grade in IC security Reynolds admits that the new drugs' will be prosecuted, he Big Brother is watching facilities. With the introduction PIRs in the William Penney Lab suggests that the police are not you... of new technology, staff can be didn't trigger, despite an outside interested in private consump- An influx of new technology seen freed to react to incidents rather window being broken and tion. "Whatever you do behind in recent months has meant that than wait for them to happen. various computer equipment closed doors is your business," he security are in a position to But the benefits that the being tampered with. Describing said, insisting that it was up to monitor student activity more than high-tech equipment brings are the incident as a 'malfunction' college, and hall wardens in ever before. The installation of a questioned by some security staff, the head of security insists that particular, to deal with the network of alarms and cameras who point out that for a camera this does not happen very often discovery of small amounts. has lead to allegations that a so- to be of any use in crime and that all the defective Besides, Mr Reynolds called Big Brother system is being detection, somebody has to equipment was 'dumped'. thinks that the new fire detection created. constantly look at the television The new smoke alarms equipment has had little to do The whole system of swipe monitor. This problem will be continue to be a cause of conten- with the twenty-five drug cards was specifically introduced combated with a new camera tion. Introduced under govern- discoveries of recent weeks. He so that they could also operate as soon to be installed on the ment regulations, their instal- says that the network of smoke library cards, for cashless catering, walkway, which will be coupled lation was plagued with problems alarms have only once resulted in student voting or in association with an Passive Infra-Red (PIR) regarding their oversensitivity. the seizure of illicit substances, with the sports centre. In Mr detector so that movement would Now students are complaining and that most of those found Reynolds words: "it was almost a activate it. that their ability to detect can- have been caught out by staff. smart card." But he insisted that the constant monitoring of student activity through the cards is some way off: "it won't be done, or not while I've got any say in it." Security do not keep records on students and apart from using data for major investigations, all information is dumped after seven days, he insists. Nonetheless, Terry Briley, his Deputy Head, has voiced enthusiasm for the creation of a 'rogue's gallery' of offenders to keep track of errant students.

But Keith Reynolds dis- missed the idea of a 1984 type scenario insisting that he is not "a great believer in putting cameras all over the place for no real reason". He admits that he gets more requests from departments for closed circuit surveillance than he thinks are appropriate.

Staff dent to a manned security lodge, Mr Reynolds also supports were defeated by a concerted 'Some are old, hard of at which point the criminal the current minimum staffing programme of industrial action, hearing and they can't run' escaped. levels, insisting that a twelve man and Mr Reynolds still insists that Mr Reynolds admits that team can staff the four fixed the present security staff provide Some students have problems some of the original messengers points and 'put in a good the best service. Although some believing that security are may not have fully adapted to patrolling system'. Justifying the short term financial advantage physically up to the job: many of their present role as security staff levels, the head of security could be achieved by putting the IC security staff were originally officers. But he defends his staff: contends that a night shift of service out to tender, the rapid employed to deliver mail before "they have come a long way down sixteen Imperial College Security turnover of personnel that would the job of 'messenger' was the new road and are quite good." guards is considerably more inevitably result would present a changed to 'security guard' three He suggests that the mobile personnel than Belgravia police serious problem, he maintains. years ago. "Some are old, hard of response unit, always available to station has to cover the whole of With staff continuity being stres- hearing, and they can't run," one react to incidents and containing their sector. sed, it seems that IC Security are student commented. In one case the younger, fitter elements, The overhaul of security safe, for the foreseeable future at earlier this year an intruder was should be able to cover any staffing in 1992 came after pro- least, from any more attempts to escorted by a postgraduate stu- possible staff inadequacy. posals to contract out the system close them down. 2IJUI195 FELIX MM Feature Th Rector's View

Sir Ronald Oxburgh talks to Owain Bennallack about some of this year's pressing issues I'd only met the Rector once before and I because he had an important businessman P©03 (Hood] P9LD(IIDQ(3©3 can't remember saying anything, except to to see. acknowledge that yes, he could have Well, we had them this year. They wrote in You have said that you do not have a another piece of my spicy beef pizza. So advance very properly and my attitude was that problem 'in principle' with top-up fees. But what was he like? He was thoroughly I can bare loud music for one afternoon! would you concede that fees may lead to pleasant and attentive, incredibly alert and would-be students from less well off confident. In terms of breaking his cool ijth© utod]ita[| ffli(BL7g®L7familie s avoiding Imperial and, if so, how veneer I was completely useless - Brian will you overcome this? Walden, your job is secure. But in terms of The influx of medical students and research It would be very undesirable if that were to approaching the head of Imperial on behalf to the South Kensington campus may happen and so the only way I could conceive of of my humble readership: for my sins I was represent one of the greatest opportunities us introducing top-up fees would be to impressed. As much as anything else, he for rejuvenation and growth that Imperial introduce a scheme of scholarships and seems much more mindful of student has seen in living memory. But is.the bursaries in parallel. interests than most other senior figures. merger too ambitious, considering the But presumably the fees are introduced Anyway, below is an abridged and fairly mixture of new buildings and changes to because there is a problem with money - if faithful version. See what you think. the estate, the new course structure and the money doesn't come from fees then it previously antagonistic student bodies? would have to come from somewhere else? No. Next question? [laughs] Basically, the top-up Not at all? "I would be entirely fees would have to be Would you agree with the sentiment that No. happy if a way could applied differentially - whilst present students must be consulted Has anywhere else tried the okay, it's not as efficient as and informed about any significant 'medical scientist' course be found to start if you charge everyone the changes to the campus environment, long- structure? maximum top-up fee but I term decisions, such as the possible move Yes... a variety of places. But taxing all think that would be both of Imperial College Union to the Sherfield our aim is to develop a graduates..." socially and academically Building, are best left to those qualified curriculum which actually leap- unjustifiable. and appointed to make them? frogs over the other medical schools. The So in that case you would still be forced to [laughs] "And when did you start beating doctors produced by our medical school will be look elsewhere for funds? your wife?" let loose on the population in the later part of I'm not sure what we would do but anything It isn't at all hedged... the first decade of the next century and the one which actually discouraged people from coming As far as I'm concerned we have to present thing you can say for sure is that medical to Imperial on the grounds of cost would not be ICU with an opportunity which is so good that practice is going to be phenomenally different acceptable. everyone wants to come to Sherfield. Ultimately then. Would a graduate tax be acceptable to - yes, I am the person who is responsible for the A modern doctor has got to face a quite you? way that money is spent in college but I think bewildering range of problems. He's got to be Entirely. everyone around here likes as far as possible to an enormous generalist, highly dependant on Would you be happy to pay a graduate tax work by consensus. I shall be very disappointed fechnology in a whole range of ways. yourself? if we cannot come up with a scheme so [For example] diagnostically in the form of I would be entirely happy if a way could be attractive that the Union says 'this is what we imaging, in respect to chemical testing and in found to start taxing all graduates - certainly want'. the use of information technology in diagnostic everyone who is in the 40% tax bracket. Would you overrule ICU if it said 'this isn't decision making. [Diagnosis and safe drug Is that likely to happen? what we want'? prescription] is a heaven sent opportunity for an I can't judge. I have no idea whether it I can't visualise a situation in which that expert system. would be practicable. Any tax, if it is to be could happen. If people come up with over- You could argue that it would be better for effective and fair, has to be collectable and I riding reasons we've overlooked, then okay, we doctors to be more socially aware rather don't know how collectible such a tax would be. have to think again. than scientifically aware, because the Your first problem is you have to identify Do you think that moving to Sherfield could expert system will remove some of the everyone who is a graduate. You can start with lead to a curbing of student activities just necessity for technical knowledge. people who are going through the system but through close proximity to the heart of Now that's dangerous! Anyone who works ideally I'd like to catch people of my own bureaucracy? with technology has got to know its practical generation and earlier. I wish I thought it could! No, I don'f think limitations and that involves having some Presumably people would start arguing there's the remotest chance. understanding of the system. They must work that they didn't really benefit from their So there isn't a chance of less late-night with an attitude that I can best describe as time at university. licenses being granted et cetera. 'informed scepticism'. Ah, no you don't allow that. You say that if I don't think it has any bearing on it really. Is the gradual phasing in of students to the you are earning a rather low salary then you The fact is that although I tend to work here late Basic Medical Sciences building an attempt are either choosing not to benefit financially, by - and would undoubtedly be disturbed by to prevent them becoming St. Mary's working in some lowly paid but important revelries on the Queen's Lawn - by and large students or Charring Cross' students? activity - for example teaching - or you are this place functions at the same time that most Not particularly. If we are to achieve the earning well and you are what you are because, students are in classes. It's like a morgue most benefits we are looking for with having an whether you believe it or not, you are a evenings. intake of 250 students rather than the 100 we university graduate and we're going to judge I just remember Angus Fraser switching off have with Mary's, then we have to have them in you as having benefited so you can jolly well the bands at the Rag Fete last year one place. pay. IlTTT FELIX 2IJUn95 Feature

be] to provide an environment where people FELIX has run a number of stories can get an exceptional concerning crimes such as computer theft degree of technical and student drug use this year. Do you feel expertise and have the crime is getting out of control? opportunity to develop the I don't think it is out of control, but I think other sides of their it's a serious problem. We have such a character as well. concentration of high value equipment that we Should these oppor- are forced to take a series of measures which tunities come from within will, I'm afraid, to some extent inhibit our the curriculum or outside freedom in the use of the campus and also cost of it? us quite a lot of money. Both really. There are a So you do appreciate that security may lot of opportunities for become over-tight? people who want them: Absolutely. It is one of the challenges of running FELIX, doing one modern society; the more prevalent individuals of the jobs for ICU, within that society who are not prepared to organising a club or display abide by the rules, the more you have to inhibit or a meeting. This is the the freedom of the majority in order to stop the kind of experience that minority doing undue damage to the system. It employers are interested in is very sad. and it is probably better I've heard that measures such as spot gained outside the curri- checks are being discussed. culum. Self-expression and Well I've not heard that discussed. technical communication Ah. [laughs] can in part be gained from No, I'm mostly talking about keeping things outside but it is actually locked up. something that you can address within the curri- culum. I have an initiative in its early stages at the To what extent should the defence of moment to do just that - it tradition be put before sense and happens to be something practicality when dealing with the minimal about which I feel very student interest in the CCU's and increasing strongly indeed. apathy towards the politics of ICU? Do you hope to see increasing awareness department feeding into a major college effort [laughs] Answers on two sides of paper of the communication of scientific ideas in that area too. please... from scientists at Imperial? These themes - which are inter-disciplinary When I was wording this question I was Yes I do. Without qualification. Yes. interdepartmental themes - will achieve a much attempting to angle it so that you would greater prominence than in the past. I imagine feel qualified to speak. that we will go into the next century with [long pause] broadly the same structure of undergraduate I think there is not a single answer and you Do you have an all-encompassing vision of departments that we have today but probably really have to play each bit of it by ear. I have Imperial College's place in the next with continually changing and more mobile seen many situations where bureaucrats have millennium and for how long do you hope inter-disciplinary graduate centres. Individual come in and made trivial savings at the expense to be part of it? staff members may well do their teaching in an of a great deal of goodwill, simply through Oh, my contract expires in 1999, so I think I undergraduate department but actually do their being insensitive to things which people - won't make it into the next millennium. On the research in an inter-disciplinary department perhaps irrationally - valued very highly. other hand, what the college does will inevitably some way away. Equally there are some things which, given the be affected by what we do now. A set of umbrella centres or 'missions' on financial pressures we may be under - [you top of the current departments? have to put to people] whether it is a depart- "Ultimately - yes, I am the That's right. That's one way in which we will ment head or a Constituent College Union or person who is develop. And I'd like us to have a greater what have you - "I know you've been doing this degree of financial stability then we have now. for fifty years but this is what it's costing us and responsible for the way Imperial College is rather like a Rolls-Royce with this is what it's costing you". a mini-sized gas tank. What comes in is what On another point, should the degree that money is spent" goes out and we have no reserves. We basically always come before everything else at I can see a number ot major scientific have to live on our wits. university. challenges over the next decade. One is the Presumably that takes up more of your [Thinks a moment] I think that's a decision whole health and biochemical area - we talked time then you'd like? what every student has to make for himself. of some of them - those are unbelievably Well there are only so many hours in the day Okay. Do you think that more work difficult areas which are going to become and one does have to think about that. always produces a better all-round accessible for the very very first time. I think that Would you like to see more women at graduate? the opportunities are both tremendous and Imperial and do you think it's possible? It depends what sort of work. terrifying and I think the college will be Sure. The medical school will change the [After hammering out a consensus as to inevitably deeply involved. proportion to some extent. It is part of the what question we are talking about] Another will be the interaction of human college plan that we will continue to increase The reputation that this college has - and I beings with the environment. The number of the number of women in the college. A think it must maintain - is for producing first people alive today is exactly twice that when I progressively greater proportion of those who class graduates in their specialist fields. But it is was a student, and that is pretty terrifying. If the get higher grades at 'A' level are women and it becoming progressively less satisfactory to think planet is to remain habitable and we are not to may be that they filter through anyway. But we that is all that matters. The justification for the perturb it unwittingly by our own activities then must maintain our efforts of trying to sort of full-time residential degree course that we have to understand how the planet works. I communicate some of the excitement and we and the other older universities offer [has to can see some of the effort of almost every challenge of science to kids at school. 5 FELIX The S-Files Remember me when I'm gone: London's blue plaques

FAMOUS LAST WORDS Final Say°

BLUE PLAQUES eramic Icon ill

The building site two doors down within the city limits. from my house screams into life at Blue plaques are one way of preserving the 8 every morning and doesn't go city's unique qualities. These round, ceramic back to sleep until 6. Dozens of icons are placed on houses where the people who *y REBECCA men are engaged in stripping out added to London life over the years lived or MILEHAM the insides of a listed build- stayed. The plaques are part of ing, while holding up the the London landscape: what TIM NATASHA outsides with enormous, i is their own history? PARSONS LODER crane-constructed scaffold- In this week's double- ing. It's been going on for page extra special last S-files Editors and Writers months, and is bound to be of the year, we speak to the of the S-files finished the day I move out. man behind the plaques, London's obsession with Francis Carnwath. Find out preserving appearances es Maxwell's plaque : Palace Gardens Terrace wnere the local blue plaques ... .(.id f¥94.:,.:.!:!.lil&..i.8?;|;? seems commendable to all except those who live are and who they commemorate. And read about within earshot. The history of the city is remark- one potential new plaque which has special sig- able, not least because of the number of famous nificance to Imperial's chemistry department. people who have been born, lived, stayed or died S-files

How did you get the job of chairman of the bl of the various specialities and see whether there were any obvious tee? names that hadn't come up in the past but which ought to be recog- Well, I'm not a historian, I was a merchant b deputy director of the Tate for 4 years, so I mi Do you, as a former Tate director, ever look at some of the artist change. I was on the London Advisory commiffe' blue plaques and think, well they wouldn't be remembered which is the planning committee for all listed build today? areas in London and it is they who operate the bk Yes, occasionally. But inevitably the plaques are going to reflect the English Heritage. The scheme was originally startei views of the time, and I suppose that's part of their charm. of Arts and was taken over by English Heritage in A Does the involvement of the Royal Society of fi dominance of actors and painters comn plaques? tional centre for a very long time, and it's reflected in this particular way, It was 1901 when they ceased to be involved that the distinguished or well known people that lived here should be any involvement with it at all since then. We certainly do try and balance the professions, but one of our crite- ./^Slm ria is that people should have such I walk arou an exceptional'or outstanding per- Jp* * see the pic sonality that the well-informed pass- Latin Amei er-by immediately recognises their Martin am name. Now that does apply to quite Chilean lii a lot of scientists, but I think that London. Th even if they had a very interesting life too, becau; yet nobody had ever heard of them, of people ti we'd have to think more carefully. we did Der What are the other criteria for a of interestir rmer brass plaque to be placed? o used to do his n //ife Some It has to be the actual house where the perse e tune which was ally there's whatever it was that he or she did. Then we have nlaaue. and thev d it comes person was sufficiently famous, or well-known, oi plaque. How is the notoriety of a person measured? We have a committee of six which includes t Dr David Starkey - and then the officers of English some quite difficult discussions. We don't acce[ either until the centenary of the person's birth or u for at least 20 years Over 20 years one can take about whether their recognition will continue. Have there been big discussions about particu I can't think of a case where we've had to ha put up a pic but there are often different views about whethe the some rr recorded or not. We consider 50 or 60 names anc year. There are quite a lot that don't meet the crite Where do the suggestions come from? Suggestions tend to come up from the familiei )m people livin in a house or some society that is supporting the p since I've become chairman, I've felt that we shou Id look at the balanc< lie Row, LC f FELIX 2IJU09S The S-Files

ofl Colourful Character CHEMIST A. W. HOFMANN streets of London PLAQUE ADDRESSES j p

This year, Imperial's chemistry small square chamber connected with the chim-! department celebrates its 150th ney flue. There were no stink closets except the: birthday. Connected with the covered part of a large sand-bath heated with \ -cz event is a move to commemorate coke". i. the department's first professor, Although the College was highly respected, August Wilhelm Hofmann, by it found its industrial sponsors uneasy at the (putting up a blue plaque on prospect of a long wait for j =5- llfl;'.' I the house he lived in during 20 applicable results. In 1 853, j I years in London, lacking funds, it was absorbed \ j Hofmann was born in the by the Royal School of Mines, : German town of Giessen, Which amalgamation later j famous for its school of organic became Imperial College. J chemistry. He originally studied Despite his acade- philosophy and law, but realised his mistake and mic achievements, Hofmann's true talent was as enrolled instead to study chemistry. a teacher and enthuser in chemistry. A student: S" Hofmann's great interest was IN the com- wrote: "Hofmann had a marvellous power of ponents of coal tar, a byprod- stimulating his students and of

uct of the coal gas industry |n 1853, he became director imparting to them his own which was usually dumped in; of the Royal College of enthusiasm . Exhibiting exate- rivers. In the mid 1800's, ment for even the most routine I Chemistry, which later ! Hofmann showed that several experiments, Hofmann even ingredients of coal tar were managed to eulogise about related to ammonia. This batteries: "A faithful hand- ::^\|o¥:P::-;||;|; ll^^ril-lv^lilli j seemingly esoteric feat inspired very practical maid, the voltaic battery multiplies for us, in I advances in the dyeing industry. Compounds durable metal, the noblest productions of artistic! ^classified by Hofmann were later used in the genius". } production of red, mauve, blue As a teacher, j Hofmann had reservations^ i and violet dyes. lillll about the specialisation in 1 .O " Meanwhile in Britain, ' oil x v:'! rhr* nntn'.; v Henry de la Beche and others education which remains? were pushing for a chemistry today: "the object... is to pre- i . :. ; 'Ill : : " ' : . vent cramming in one special i j college, and Hofmann was rec- "" ,t:''" ommended to oversee Britain's subject and utter ignorance in f I first College of Chemistry. After overcoming ini- all the rest of science". His lectures were attend- itial uncertainties about English life, he stayed in ed several times by the forward-looking Prince i London for 20 years. Albert, and he was summoned to explain to The College's laboratories, Queen Victoria about the dyes he had helped create. \ : -..... set up in rooms on Oxford Soon Hofmann may be August Hofmann is :'triiPS^r 'iv;ij ;'l|'s:v...: _ Street, were somewhat rudi- remembered for all of commemorated for Imperial: If:] mentary. A student of London through a blue 1 I; V, College through the Hofmann \ added a new Hofmann's wrote later: "the plaque on his house Chair for Chemistry, currently dimension to the first public laboratory I worked in Fitzroy Square. held by Emeritus Professor in was the Royal College of Charles Rees. Soon Hofmann may be remem- Chemistry in Oxford Street in 1853 to 1856. This bered for all of London through a blue plaque I was very different to our present one, the appli- on his residence in Fitzroy Square, Wl. 1 ; ances being few. We had to make our H2S in a

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2IJUD9S FELIX FULL RCC COLOURS Julian Rees Owen Brown Rashid Al-Shally Afandi Darlington Jim Stewart James Evans Bobby Karamata Mark Evans Tom Bradley Dr. Sarah Freedman Alcan Fernandes John Harrison Jane Topliss Robert Lea Jim Ryan Rafal Lukawiecki Rennie Lloyd Summer storage Nevil Pesika Steve Kleppa Roger Serpell Mike Sadler Louise van der Straeten Jeff Bratt Sarah Wingrove Reidar Grevskott Wendy Yates Pinaki Roy will be available in the union

THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF MINES FULL SPORTING COLOURS UNION: COLOURS 1995 Matt Firth Anjit Cloudaiy FULL SOCIAL COLOURS Gideon Wentun for details enquire at Lennard Kolff van Oosterwijk Alex Hawkins Sarah White Alcan Fernandes Will Steel. Dom Cook the Union Office reception. Rhidian Jones Pinaki Roy Gary Waller Tomoko Takama Sanchia Gill Rachel Evans Jon Say Jim Ryan Prof. Shaw Corne Timmermans Jason Clarke HALF SOCIAL COLOURS Mr.T. HALF SPORTING COLOURS Victoria Green-Colwill Leon Bengelodyk Ard Wormeester Sonar Shah Corne Timmermans Nigel Frost Steve Martin Daniel Halls Matt Crompton John Wright Jeff Wilson Maruf Alum Faye Matthewman Mike Collins Simon Hiscocks Sam Caley Myles Barrat Sanchia Gill Dan Hagan Faye Matthewman Jim Harsen Barbara Groenendygh James Duff James Duff Paul Weber Mike Sadler Adam Robinson Rennie Lloyd The Union can not except lability for any possessions left. Elisa Young Jeff Bratt Carla Mackle

IMPERIAL COLLEGE UNION BOOKSTORE

CM

TOURS 22nd 11.30 - 1.3 JC AND "TANK GIRLt GIVEAWATt S mm ?®R FROM ICU ENTS & beatwax Incoming

Answering back! The final words of the year... Edited this week by Marcus Alexander Freedom? Cypriots are E quality...... Maybe Dear Felix, Cypriots! Dear Felix, What everyone seems to forget I feel that I have to write in res- It is with great interest that I when ranting on about the ponse to Farida Begum's letter last Dear Editor, read the articles on the social male/female issue is that, week, about freedom of speech. From my having read "Felix" position of men and women (Felix underneath it all, there are very This is however a very difficult several times, I have formed the 1032). Despite the differing few differences between us. OK, issue to tackle. The policy run by impression that the students' perspectives on who is the true there are some obvious physical ICU and by most student unions is weekly magazine does not cover victim of subjugation and prejudice, differences but as far as I am not anti-freedom of speech, it's an any kind of British or International one point seems to form the concerned the rest are cultural. The anti-racist issue. political issues. Therefore, people common denominator in the issue of woman in science has I can't comment on the ICU writing in it do not need to be arguments of all correspondents. interested me. Girls are doing as IslamSoc meetings which have thoroughly informed on such That is, whether one likes it or not, good as, if not better than, boys in been cancelled, I only know that matters. the overwhelming trend in almost science in general, especially if you they are not cancelled at whim, but Though intended to be a every society at whatever stage of look at last year's GCSE maths only with good reason after much humorous, holiday article, Frank development is currently towards results. Yet the proportion of consideration by the Union Office Poole's "postcard from Cyprus" further emancipation of women women studying the 'hard' sciences and security. After the events of brings politics into one's mind. and their increased participation in is still very low. Why is this? Well the beginning of the year, so Does he really believe that "Cyprus society. Fiona Duerden can rest assured accurately reported in FELIX in the is...the disputed territory of Greece However, few people seem to that the fault does not lie with the autumn term, where King's College and Turkey"? Saying something as have considered other social admissions tutors, as a woman Jewish Society students had to be stupid as that, shows lack of transformations that have applying for these subjects is more police escorted off their campus, knowledge of history and traditionally accompanied this likely to be accepted than a man after a meeting of King's College geography to an unacceptable process of liberalisation, namely (UCCA statistics 1 994). The fact is "Current affairs" Society was degree. Someone should better changes in sexual practices and that girls aren't as interested in a cancelled, I would very much hope inform Mr. Poole that Cyprus "is their impact on family and personal career in science as the boys. that similar does not occur here. meant to belong" to the Cypriots relationships. I am not aware of Why have we got into the whole In my position as Jewish Society themselves. It's typically a free any society which has trodden the masculine/feminine stereotype Chair there are many safeguards I country and does not belong as a road to modernisation and social anyway? Traditional roles are need to adhere to to protect the whole or as a part neither to reform without a simultaneous ingrained into society but it wasn't members, and there are many Greece, nor to Turkey. It seems like proliferation of promiscuioty and always this way. Throughout the events which we do not hold Mr. Poole is not aware of the 1 974 deterioration of the moral and ages, women have fought beside because of the fear of racist Turkish invasion to the ethical norms that constitute the their men and even led them into groups. Before we have a meeting undisputedly Cypriot until then, very foundation of stable families. battle. we are supposed to check the island of Cyprus. Turkey had been Whether this is a pure historical On the issue of positive room, and all our publicity is not condemned by the UN and coincidence or is in fact the product descrimination, I certainly wouldn't meant to mention room places or countless other international of a causal relationship is the want to think that I had only got a times, we are meant to just tell the organisations for its actions in crucial question that has not yet job because my employers needed people we know are coming. The Cyprus. Two thousand Cypriots been fully addressed. to fill their quota of women. were lost, and are still after 20 Muslims at IC are in the "minority" Today's western civilisation was OK, I do have a gripe that finds years considered to be missing, of 2,000. Although I am not preceded by that of the East. One in favour of feminism on one thing although they have most probably branding anyone a fundamentalist of the fundamental differences covered by last weeks Felix and died in Turkish prisons. Obviously, or a racist, these people are active, between the two is in their that is the portrayal of women by their relatives do "understand what and IC is on the NUS list of top ten treatment of women; the former the media. Personally, it is not is going on". I wonder sometimes, "fundamentalist hotbeds" in the preaches freedom and equality of offensive just banal. One day they how many of the tourists spending country. Whilst I have very very women, whereas the latter was will make well scripted big budget their holidays in any of the fortunately not had to incur'the based on a system of values which films in which the women don't northern coastal cities of Cyprus ordeal of taunts, daubings and subordinated women to men, and continually have hysterics in the are aware of the fact that the actual attacks incurred by many of denied them many of the priveliges name of dramatic impact: we're Cypriots were violently forced to my colleagues, I have had posters that men widely enjoyed. Yet, not completely incapable, even if abandon their properties there, in torn down pretty regularly. I would perhaps ironically, this civilisation we are supposed to be the weaker July 1974. not like to see this escalate further. gave birth to a culture that elevated sex. These people who cite "freedom Politics as you probably know, the status of women and attributed What I have been trying to say is of speech" generally, in their "free may involve some very sensitive to them an almost divine and that if a crime has been committed speech" incite hatred against issues. This careless, ignorant heavenly sanctity. against women then we were there women, Hindus, Serbs, homo- article on Cyprus is a heavy insult, Here indeed lies my dilemma. casting stones of our own. Are sexuals and Jews, to name just a not only to our Cypriot fellow Freedom and equality of both men women really the guilt-free and few. Whilst I am not saying that students of the College, but to any and women is, in my opinion, a helpless victims in all of this? Think every member of IslamSoc is democratic mind. If Mr. Poole moral imperative as well as a social about it and maybe you might associated with Hizb-ut-tahrir, I wants to distinguish the country inevitability. Yet I cannot help begin to see why I call myself an would like to remind my friend that into two parts, then he must noting that the western model of equalitarian and not a feminist. everyone's point of view needs to somehow understand that the equality had been effected only at Anna Juvanen-Lettington be accounted for, and everyone's northern one is under Turkish a very high price, exterminating Biology II feelings taken into account. occupation and the southern is still some of the finest elements of the Although everyone does deserve free. At least for the sake of Felix's human spirit and destroying the One letter writer asked that his the right of freedom of speech, neutral approach to any kind of fabric of stable and compassionate letter not be cut; unfortunately this even more so everyone deserves politics, the truth must be restored families. Many of the traditional was not possible. However, in their freedom of movement, to the eyes of your readers. Some societies are only just beginning to interests of equality all letters were education, and religious or social politics in your magazine would not go down this road. Therefore: If cut to an equal length. Such is life. belief. That is what ICU policy was hurt as much as ignorance and [the western model] of equality of Letters may be commented designed to acheive. indifference do. sexes is to culminate in such tragic on by a guest editor, whose Sarah Waiman Sincerely yours, ending, shouldn't we think again opinions are not necessarily Chem Eng 2 Spyros Michas about it? ICJS Chair 94-95 Yours sincerely, those of the editor, and cut Yasser Hatami (EE3) due to space restrictions. 2IJUn05 FELIX MM Standbye THE LAST menu ^| losing tracks, firing blanks It started with a clash of cymbals and the hoot of the saxs. tintin tapped his feet and bent his ears to the sound of dramasoc's production of a midsummer night's dream - the rock and roll version.

Once it had credibility but as we all know the quickest way to lose that is to sell your script, play or cartoon character to Hollywood and listen to the marketing meeting saying 'whatdamean she hasn't got a name, why don't you call her Rebecca?' Magpie weeps an elegy for tank girl.

Stylus hits the road, back and won't come back no more, no more, no more. Errr so that's that then - the last of our london columns.

When pavement took Brixton Academy by storm, tintin was ^^-^ there. Later on he went home and caught up on the new I 2 I albums from therapy? and the beastie boys. Vile chimed in with soul asylum and paradise lost.

rotation regular he/en-/ouise (first year chem) links up with 0 the curiously named spudnik (first year elect eng but for how much longer?), and together they give those discs a spin.

past top of the bottoms

Quite what Shakespeare would head, certainly adds to the think of some of his current atmosphere. incarnations is open to question. Of course using music in this Personally I like to think that what way does create some difficulties would worry him far more is the too. On occasions the stage was ridiculous reverence that we still rather crowded as 'the Fairies' seem to universally afford him. retreated to their instruments but Maybe the case for 'unadulterated generally the stage direction was There are two views about tank girl. There are those die hard comic fans bard-dom' can be sustained for handled quite well. Perhaps of who'll leave the film early with a sour grimace and those who have just such serious plays as Macbeth and more importance was the relative picked up a more general note of interest and fascination for the Hamlet, but his comedies were weakness of the male vocal leads, character. And for those people, the ones who hadn't heard of Tank Girl surely designed to be funny, not particularly during the rather before May, this film is entertaining, despite its similarly to a futuristic bound up in conservatism. calamitous version of 'good female Rambo. vibrations'. This was quickly It's a fact that, thankfully, Tank Girl is set in the future when planet earth has become a desert. forgotten however, as the play- hasn't escaped the notice of Water has become the most valuable resource. There lives Tank Girl, within-a-play brought 'a mid- dramsoc. After their production of referred throughout the film as Rebecca Buck. She's a bad smart ass and summer night's dream' to a heady Hamlet earlier in the year, last of course the heroine. Due to the deaths of several of her friends in a conclusion. week saw their latest Shake- latter day commune, she is out to get Kesfilee, the head of Water and spearian offering, a customised The antics of the mechanicals Power Company, played by regular English bad guy Malcom McDowell. and original rock and roll version and their romantic yet tragic 'pro- Which is about as structured as the plot gets. In a similar way McDowell's of a midsummer night's dream. duction' contained the pick of character is extremely boring; this type of megalomanic is as old and Instead of the usual thespian play's comic acting. Matt Williams tiresome as Hollywood's attempts to film graphic novel heroes. played a hyperactive Bottom with pronouncements concerning the And it's easy to see why comic book fans have found Tank Girl aplomb, John Savery's Snug was mixed up emotions of the mortals; unacceptable. Changes have been made to make the film accessible to remarkably straight-faced and Joe how Helena loves Demetrius loves the general public. Tank Girl's name for starters Apparently this was McFadden's legs and feminine Hermia loves Lysander loves thought up at the last minute by co-creator Jamie Hewlett to satisfy the charms were worth the ticket price Hermia but can't marry her etc, script writers inability to grasp the concept that Tank Girl is just 'tank girl'. alone. In particular their manic we get the usual thespian And then there is Lori Petty's extremely annoying high pitched American version of '"right" said fred' was a pronouncements shot through drool which just makes people suicidal. with the odd burst of Roy fitting endpiece to a well acted Still the original comic book heroine is a 40th century Barbarella and Orbison's 'only the lonely' or Patsy shambles. Tank Girl is very much on similar lines. Visually the whole film appears Cline's 'crazy'. It makes for quite Equally the overall finale, an faithful to the artists and the excellent animated sequences breaks the an interesting combination which aptly weary 'a hard day's night', film up, creating a little of the outrageous Tank Girl atmosphere. And in most cases adds to the rounded off a pleasing perfor- finally there are the mutant kangaroos; surely the best thing in the film. underlying humour. Watching mance with an impressive So, Tank Girl is enjoyable and fun to watch but only if you don't Titania, queen of the fairies, demonstration of the thought that expect the real comic to pop out of the film. The artistic license will singing 'you must have been a had obviously gone into its disagree with some people and it's important to remember that the beautiful baby' to Bottom, who by direction and orchestration. O interpretation of a theme is different for everyone. For those of us who this stage has acquired a donkey's know it well though, this is Tank Girl without her tank. 0 FELIX Standbye

exits (?) ascending the spiral stairs 0 rc

My favourite places in London are Last time pavement came to play, they left off with a gentle refrain the places I go to leave her from. it was a wash out. Slackers by and a soaring chorus. Elsewhere Paddington station, with its nature, they seemed ill at ease the likes of 'shut down' and their caterpillered grey-grimed-glass onstage and proceeded to muffle sole moment of punk asylum, vaulted roof and its ghostly their way through one of the worse 'caged rat', remind us that they can Victorian trains that still pull in and gigs I've seen. Last week at Brixton still rock, while 'to my own devices' smoke the air with breathless Academy it was a different tune; all remind us that they can chill too. steam; Westway carpeting hail the conquering heroes as Personally, I would like to have magically out over houses and Pavement returned upmarket and seen more of the former and less of lives, past the arks of the blew away all our expectations. the latter but I guess the majority of corporations to the promising Songs from current album, the hungry hordes wouldn't. Pirner b: sounds like Radiohead. Good refuge of the barren M4 corridor; 'wowee zowee', were spliced with leaves us with a parting shot of 'I but nothing new or special. the Grand Union Canal, the more than the odd one or two from did my best'. Hopefully, that's still industrial artery which I'll chug out 'crooked rain crooked rain' - to come. (7) of here on one day; Heathrow, its Stephen J. Malkmus choosing to ridiculous passenger handling open with the anthemic 'silence If you're in need of cheering facilities in my mind sellotaped kit'. "Your sister cursed, your up and want to listen to a feel- onto the side of the enormous father's only damned now," he good record then don't choose concept of leaving here in a sang and it summed up both the paradise lost's draconian times. If moment (like the passanger band's inherent meaning, or was you can begin to contemplate what off of 'tequila sunrise'. But I like carrying compartments perched on that absurdity? 'Fight this genera- Metallica would sound like if the it, especially the mad cellist. top of the dinosaurs in 'the tion' was another case in question. Sisters of Mercy wrote their songs Flintstones'j; even Victoria Coach Happy to singalong, we weren't then you're some way to knowing Station and its Napoleon complex. sure whether we were indicting what this record sounds like. In the These are the places I love ourselves and we sure didn't care main they've weaved dark most in London and the places I either. tapestries built on huge guitar riffs screams out 'ambient bollocks'. return to again and again. Not Perhaps they played too few of and enveloped in a dark, creeping because I long to leave but the new ones and relied too much atmosphere. Recent single, 'the last because I long to arrive. I covet on singles like 'cut your hair' and time', and 'shadowkings' are more the excitement, and I enjoy seeing 'heaven is a truck' (excluding the traditional chug-a-long metal hi- vrm r\r c IrvUnnl A summer babe' before Therapy?'s latest album, natacha atlas - leysch not 'arak relationship between London and coming back as the wacky infernal love, sees them in a b: it's the 'kabaddi' theme music the lands she rules over than the Pavement of old. playfully ironic mode; at least on (you know that sport on channel slow watering down of a trip to Drummer Steve West swapped the album cover. Sporting mon- 4). Surprisingly good, the edge of the endless suburbs. places with Stephen J, second strously fake chin-pieces the band, hi: I can feel it stirring my asian If I were rich I'd like to leave drummer-come-madman Bob put a who have made their name mainly blood! I love it but now the world London in a private helicopter. Air random face mask on and the as angst ridden indie thrashers, really will think I'm mad... traffic control would be the special recombined band staggered into appear to lighten up slightly. And sound of my favourite place, action with such misplaced it's a situation which is reflected to kinky machine — together with the noise and taste enthusiasm you had to smile. For a some degree on the album too as london crawling of the wind rushing past the couple of songs they even looked current single and title track, hi: sounds like mega city four roughly sealed window with the like they were enjoying it as much 'stories', appeared surprisingly force of a speeding brick. The city as the audience. weak to my delicate ears. As for b: blur sounded like this on would spread out beneath me like their orchestral version of Hiisker 'leisure'. A band to watch. like the computer graphics that It must be weird being soul Du's 'diane', the only creditable are periodically used before asylum. One minute you're response can be that they have to 'London Tonightesque' television nobodies, barely breaking even be having a good laugh. (7) programmes and the whole city after twelve years then you're would be allowed to qualify as my releasing your seventh Ip. It's more The beastie boys - who'd favourite place. polished, yet still full of great songs believe it, eh. Not too long ago It's Friday 7.00am on June and it contains one about they were the scourge of VW 16th and I've been up all night runaways; the best song Tom Petty owners everywhere and now editing news reviews and writing could never write. Next minute they're respectable, even reputable, fanciful columns to my short-lived you're on mtv so much you're tired purveyors of trump-pump-city-slang wandering past. I would like right of seeing your own face, the Ip's to-a-rhyming-twang kinda music now to feel a little queasy in one selling in millions and the world is (we think). Latest release on their of my places, because it's so early preparing itself for the follow-up... very own Grand Royale label, root and because I don't drink coffee So, does it deliver? Pretty down ep is a mixed bag of ten and so am forced to have an early much. Believe it or not, /et your dim tracks. Three are remixes of title morning coke. I'd like to be light shine is even more commercial track, which is a good bassy dive watching the night-people and than 'grave dancers union' and it's but not really that good or bassy. day-dwellers mix and I'd like to be quite clear that Dave Pirner is far Most of the reminder are live going and returning. lot more comfortable pretending to versions of tracks from last year's Like most of Earth's people, be Tom Petty than he ever was 'ill communication' album. It all my roots migrated to the city, and playing Bob Mould. 'Misery' is a adds up to being a bit of a time its gates are precious to me. 0 great opener, picking up where filler though. (5) 0 FELIX o

checking out the decks, spinning those discs

Thorn's dangerously quiet Their trick is that although falsetto is swathed in six songs like 'best friends string barbs. There are few arm' and 'brinx job' veer rhyming couplets; these songs are close together, they remain twisted stories from a suffering distinct. Partly it's because Wy0W0kkkMykkk% soul, a continuation of the angst Pavement ignore the traditional of their millstone 'creep' - finally niceties of verse-chorus-verse and mm being laid to rest. so they can crash out, kick in D.C.Cr/pp/edick overdrive guitars or even the odd harmonica to redirect the melody wherever they change their mind. future sound of london - i s d n Partly it's the simple fact that FELIX 1032 Pavement are one of the best jon spencer blues bands playing around today. A seamless soundscape of explosion tintin cybernetic cool with orange samples from 'aliens' and FELIX 1008 P a v e m e n t 'repomon' serving as the z o w e e w o e e vocabulary;, meaning disappears This is a young album, w FELIX 1029 over the event horizon and you're which is as full of left simply to sink into sensation. swaggering rock as instru- This is music in its truest, purest mental wit as nervous energy. The sense. first time you let it go, Whammm! Joe tintin

mm W

j^^v To a degree this is a film M.JJ designed to cater for b- movie cultists and techno- phreaks. The rest of us will find it Clerks is a major achiev- interesting, funny in parts and Ikl ement for debut director technically superb but then we'll Kevin Smith. Shot in a go back and cry over Edward o o d slackeresque grainy 16mm black Scissorhands. FELIX 1029 and white, it's fast paced, well fintin rehearsed and has hard hitting Opening with one of the dialogue. And all for an overall tim burton's nightmare >1 most innovative and budget of under $30,000. before Christmas ^^^ original opening sequences Magpie FELIX 1014 for a long time, the film is shot in black and white which allows Tim I r k s frankenstein Burton to recreate his typical FELIX 1027 FELIX 1010 gothic, brooding visual style. With an often very amusing script, it "It lives" is the glorious cry moves along at a fairly sedate A which marks the fulfilment pace and although it runs slightly of Frankenstein's alche- longer than needed, nevertheless mistical search. And amidst the it never ceases to be engaging. boiling flasks and copper tubing Adrian Branagh's portrayal of Victor Frankenstein carries us on in the breathless imperative of results without responsibility. tintin the silver screen, those stars in shining glory FELIX 2IJUn95 Perhaps Oliver Stone Amateur is every bit as MbmjB should take time out, hold yL_jfl| funny as Hal Hartley's his breath, count to fifty previous work, while the and then sit down to watch quiz action scenes are also well- show. He might learn a thing or handled. But the real attraction is two. The point is that you don't the compellingly realised need to overblow the media to relationships between the main send it up; they do it for you and characters. have done so ever since the first Joe black and white pictures flickered across the bakelite box. amateur u r e 'Cos the heart of Quiz Show's FELIX 1016 FELIX 1019 message is that America lost its innocence long before Jack bullets over broadway In the land populated by Kennedy lost the back of his head. FELIX 1028 (|bmJ§ beautiful plastic surgeons, tintin symbolically driven dreams The exuberance of all the and slowly narrating Japanese q u show IkJ characters lifts this film shrinks, Suture may slow down but FELIX 1023 from being 'another Woody it retains its sure progression to a Allen film' to a hilariously funny nicely twisted end. film. In particular Dianne Wiest tintin has one of the most memorable roles. It's undeniable, Woody Allen is back on track. Magpie

MM;......

Vocals are relegated to the status of 'just another instrument'; although for Ira's voice still drones, Mercury Rev that's the highest Georgia occasionally takes throwi n g muses state of grace. Lyrical sense is not vocal control with shy u n i v e r s i t y their talisman. Moods are confidence, but the group's driving FELIX 1017 important, feelings never die; this force remains their love of some is music to inspire. good guitar reverberation and The consistency of this tintin semi-inane odd-ball attitude. album is underpinned by tintin the presence of a band, not ercury rev just an individual. see you on the other side O I a t e n g o The downwards rhythm ana FELIX 1026 / e c t r o - p u r a progression of 'hazing' is perhaps g g e d FELIX 1031 the singular example but you get FELIX 1012 the impression that the slow swagger of 'teller' and force of 'no I didn't want to eulogise. way in hell' will give an equally But, after listening to this, good return with persistent listen- I'm afraid that it's ing as the more accessible tracks. impossible not to. This is Nirvana Perhaps the overall moral to as we had never heard them accept is don't live in the past. The before (and sadly will never hear Throwing Muses are dead. Long them again). live the Throwing Muses. Vik tintin

tuungs FELIX MM FELIX Guide m it* The City of London Soho Festival range of local groups. help would entail one or Festival 9 July. St. Anne's Gardens, Strolierthon 95 Small Ads two evenings per month. 20 June- 7 July. Over 80 Wardour Street, Soho. 12- 16 July Codbury's spon- Call Dovid Finlay-Maxwell events throughout the 6pm. A combination of sored fun London walk Free Firsts on 01484 450982. square mite including live music, good food and with five entertainment, See the world's first gear "Place to live" Wanted concerts, operas, recitals, a huge village fete in drinks ond inevitably, wheel, double helix, com- Four bedrooms, at least lectures, films, literary drag. An enjoyable day chocolate. In aid of Save puter and compared cash one other room, within 2 events, jazz, open air & with o huge variety of the Children and One 770969^200041 machine at the excellent miles of college, as scruffy children^ performances, things ta do, cat, drink , Small Step eharites. Call Science Museum. Entry is as you like and less than walks and an arts fair. listen to and try on. 0171 353 6060 for an free to IC students and £250 pw. Yeah, and staff Call 0171 377 0540 for a Organised by IC's Alex entry pack. III1MIMIIIIIIII iHNliil monkeys might Technical Help Needed brochure. Howard and featuring sev- consumerism Call 01223 836639 or London's libraries provide Podding ton eral IC bands only £1. ' ii inn in,llliilii: 01482 213017 Performance Festival Spitalfields Community many cassette machines Disk boxes for sale July 2. Paddington Rec Festival for use by blind. Help is 983 slightly used 3.5" Ground, W9. Free. With 23 July. Old SpHalfields required to maintain and disk boxes for sale at 15p ail manner of jugglers, Market, Brushfield St, El. install these and give each. Contains protective unicyclists, circus acts, Multicultural celebration some guidance on their scrap paper. Call Larry on clowns etc. with music, dance, poetry use. Experience in elec- 0171 017070 tronics is needed and and ploys performed by a

Bon Jovi + Von Halen + Empire. £9. Menswear Phoenix 95 Reading, £40, £34 cones. Reading Neil Young, Ugly Kid Joe + Thunder. Southside Johnny 1 July. Marquee. £7. 13-16 July. A fantastic Bootleg Beatles Bjork, Hole, 23-25 June. Wembley. + Bobby Bandiera Jesus & Mary Chain number of acts including 22 July, Shep Bush Soundgarden, Gene, The £22.50. 28 June. Mean Fiddler. 2 July. Shep Bush Empire. Empire. £8. Boo Radleys, Tricky, Glastonbury Robert Cray Band £10. Vic Chestnutt Throwing Muses, 23*25 June. Sold out 28-30 June. Shep Bush Wilson Pickett Suede, Public Enemy, 25 July. Purcell Room. Pavement, Smashing you'll have to go over the Empire. £15. 2 July. Grand. £13.50 Brand New Heavies, £9.50. Pumpkins, Green Day, fence. With ftaweReaeo , Bracknell Festival Elastica + Gene + Plant & Page Teenage Fanclub, Carter Black Crowes, Oasis, Soul 30 June -2 July. Jab S*M*A*S*H. 6 July. 25 & 26 July, Wembley. USM, Drugstore and Asylum, Elastica, The Wobble, Invaders of the Forum. £10 The Cranberries more. 25-27 August. £60. Cure, Jeff Buckley, Tricky, Heart, Ultramarine, John The Verve Avon. £58. 31 July. Wembley. £15 Jethro Tull The Saw Doctors, Martyn, Annie Whitehead 7 July. Astoria. £7 George Clinton & the CROPEDY Richard 29 Sept. Apollo Supergrass and plenty and more. South Hilt Rolling Stones Parliament Funk Thompson, Danny Hammersmith. £15 Levellers more. Park, Bracknell. Weekend 11, 15, 16 July. Wembley, 15 July. £15. Thompson, Roy Wood, Jerry Lee Lewis £26, day £10, cones free. £25. WOMAD Procol Harum and more. 5 & 6 October. Brixton 24 June, Forum. £1 5 Mercury Rev Marianne Faithful! 21-23 July. Alt Farka 11 & 12 Aug. Cropedy. Academy. £10. Sharon Shannon 1 July. Astoria. £8.50 12 July. Shepherd's Bush Toure, Papa Wemba, £29 weekend Therapy? 2 July. Mean Fiddler. £7. SAS Band Master Musicians of Procol Harum 13 October. Brixton Soul Asylum 1 July. Shepherd's Bush Jajouka, Muzikas, Morto 12 Aug. Shep Bush Academy. 26 June Shep Bush Empire. £9. 13 July. Mean Fiddler. Sebestyen and more. Empire. £16.

Bandicoot Open Air Opera Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell, Britten, Vivaldi, Hall. Oscar Toojours, Capercaillie, O i 21 June, 8.30pm. Arena, Season Royal Fest Half, South Mendelssohn, Elgarand Hammerstein's sensual Sharon Shannon, 167 Drury Lane. £3. IC's Victoria Embankment Bank. Weir, Stravinsky Grieg. Queen Elizabeth wind musical repeated by Undisfarne and more. top jazz funk band goes Gardens, Villers St, WC2. and Mahler. £5-12. Hail. £7.50-10. popular demand. Cherry Hinton Hall professional! June-July. Coll 0171 375 National Festival of Gory Crosby's Nu Troop London Symphony Grounds, Cambridge Meltdown 95 0441 for details. Free. Music for Youth 11 July.Purcell Room, Orchestra £36 weekend. 23 June-1 July. Royal Presenting a wide range 3-8 July. Over 6500 South Bank. Virtuoso jozz 23 July. Barbican Centre. JTQ + Jomiroquai + Festivaf Hall. 0J7J 928 of opera companies with young musicians, singers bassist ploys John Michael Tilson Thomas Maceo Parker + Little 8800. Elvis Costello head- performances in the early and dancers in all styles. Coltrone, Miles Davis and celebrates the music of Axe. 29 July. Highbury Fields. £20. lines with his own choice evenings each week. £4, £2.50 cones per day. Charlie Porker. £10. Leonard Bernstein at his 01S1 870 9624 Piano Masterclass c^i set: Jozz Passengers, Digby's Ha If-Dozen George Benson final concert as LSO con- o The Brecker Brothers With Arturpizarro. 30 Deborah Harry, Jimmy Journey Through Jazz 11 July. Royal Festival ductor. 7 July. Barbican Centre. July. Purcell Room, South Scott, June Tabour, 2 July. Purcell Room, Hall. £15-30. Cambridge Folk Bank. The culmination of South Bank. Fairweather Masters of electric Jazz. BB King Festival London Philharmonic the summer school class- appears with five of UK's 15 July. Royal Festival 28-30 July. Elvis Costello Orchestra and loads es. Four sessions, £3.50 finest young soloists. Aenuhin Hall. £10-25 (yet again), Pou! Brady, more. Sec also Celluloid each or £6.50 for all four. Meltdown in W> Kensington Symphony 10 Juh, "he Menuhin Carmen Jones Kate ond Anno Orchestra School rchestra plays 21-23 July. Royal Festival McGarrige, Bolfo

The Open Air Theatre £6. Evenings 8pm, mati- of Louis Jordan's unique Regent's Park. 0171 486 nees 2.30pm. and enjoyable jozz. 2431. Richard III: 22-27 Royal Shakespeare My Night with Reg Behind Bars June, 7,8,14-17 July, 10- Company at the Barbican Criterion Theatre, If you have ever been tempted to whip the code. Next write the oddly placed 14,29, 30 August. A Centre. 0171 638 8891, Piccadilly Circus. 0171 out your 0.5mm Rotnng in Sainsbory'sdigit s in a list and the evenly placed Midsummer Night's Measure for Measure 344 4444. £5-17. Kevin and change your '53 Margot into o bot- ones in a second one. Add up both Dream: 21, 28-30 June, 1,2,3,14,15, 21, 24 & 26 Etyot's moving, quiet, He of ptonk-dc- plonk, then read on... lists, multiply the odd list by three and 1-6, 10-13, 19-22 July, July, A Midsummer thoughtful and coldly The barcode system seen on all prod- add rt to the even list. To get the check 4-9, 23-28 August. The Night's Dream {every- comic play portrays the ucts was first introduced in digit, subtract this result from one's doing it) 5, 6, 12, Music Man: 25 July -3 meetings of old College 1977 and is now used not Every item 1ne next highest multiple of August. Drocula 4, 5, 18, 13, 16 & 17 July, Twelfth friends under the fearful only for all consumer prod- bought and So/cf ten. 19 August Watch Out Night 7, 8, 10, 11, 19, shadow of AIDS. ucts but also for private sys- bears the mark Each number of the code is For Mr Stork 11, 12, 14 20, 26,27 July. tems such as library books. represented by two bars ond August Falstaff 26 Five Guys Named Moe Each has twenty-six bars ond of the Devil - two spaces, each of which August. All £7 50 - Albery Theatre. 0171 369 spaces surrounded and and so it should con be one to four units thick, £17,50, cones. Stondbys 1730. A lively celebration bisected by three further -MA but the complete number is pairs. The numbers they rep- always eight units wide. The Dialogue in the Dark sale, but are probably 0171 580 5533. Projects resent are printed below the bars, with bars need to be readable from both Royal Festival Hall, very expensive. by architect Weston one notable omission. Here's how they directions, so the bst six numbers have Piccadilly, WC1. 0171 921 Katherine Dowson Williamson until 1 July work: their bars inverted, allowing the scanner 8800 A conceptual The Mayor, 22A Cork St, and Arata Isozaki until 1. The first two numbers give the to tell which side of the code it is read exhibit - ie. you think it's Wl 0171 629 5161. Until 12 August. A highly country of origin - in England's cose it's ing. brilliant or nonsense. You 7 July. A strange and dis- atmospheric space where 50. The scanner needs some way of detect are introduced to your turbing show, does not you con hang around 2. The following five ing where to start and own white stick and lead seem to have a particular reading art &V design figures identify the stop and where the con through dark rooms, your style, but is themed on magazines. Free entry. manufacturer. tre of the code is. This is human body alteration senses taken over by the South Bank Photo Show 3. The following five provided by the guard and reproduction. dialogue supplied. Royal Festival Hall, South are an arbitrary code bars - the three pairs of Concrete foetuses and 227the Royal Academy Bank, SE1. 0171 921 allocated by the manu- lines t mentioned earl breast implants abound, Summer Exhibition 8800. Carefully vetted facturer to indentify the er. They are present on make up your own mind Piccadilly 0171 494 5615 work from over 1000 commodity, including all bor codes, and on this one. until 13 August. £4.80 , photographers - the its size. extend further down £3.50 cones. A lively and Art Market theme being hometruths. 4. This is the cunning than the other bars exuberant show with the 23 July, 13 Aug & 10 Until 23 July. bit. The remaining They ore two medium best of contemporary Sept Old Spitolfields number is a check digit bars with two medium artists alongside little Market, Brushfield St, El. end is there to stop you subverting the it corresponding digit known but excellent Exhibits 25 artists for one system with your trusty magic marker. :re is a good reason for pieces. All have passed a day only. It is derived from all the other digits ise they correspond the rigorous selection proce- RIB A tike this; first delete the second digit of dure ond most are for 66 Portland Place, Wl.