e Independent Student Newspaper

Number 774 Friday 29th November 2013

Published in Cambridge since 1947 www.varsity.co.uk TONG

03 JUNE News Shake-up to Cambridge medical degree as students are no longer allowed to transfer to London hospitals for clinical school. 14 Comment Alice Udale-Smith argues that student journalism is not just for wannabe hacks but for everybody who cares about student life. 1 THE FROST CREEPS IN: A photograph taken from a student’s bedroom window at Downing College captures the sunrise on a frosty morning in Cambridge. 8 A fossil-free University VultureV Sabina Dewfi eld takes a CUSU has called on the University to back up its commitment to reducing its car- look at the best, worst and bon footprint by making tangible changes to its future investment practices downright weird parts of this week’s Bridgemas Sarah Regan business is the extraction and/or pro- responded: “We are working hard to Chalmin-Piu believes that this posi-   duction of fossil fuels. tackle the challenge of the University’s tions the University to “make a social celebrations. e action follows a Varsity inves- carbon emissions.” and political statement”. e Cambridge University Students’ tigation which revealed widespread A decision to set ethical parameters CUSU Education Offi cer Jia Hui Union is to put pressure on the Uni- investment by colleges in companies on investment practices would not be Lee pointed out that “students’ tuition versity to withdraw its investments in which many allege engage in ethically without precedent. Peterhouse already fees are locked up in university endow- fossil fuels. dubious practices. excludes tobacco shares from its discre- ments, providing greater reason for in- In a unanimous CUSU Council vote Cambridge colleges hold signifi cant tionary portfolio. vestments to refl ect the ethical values held this month, CUSU decided that stakes in a number of petrochemical But only last month, the President of the student body”. 3 the University should expand its pledge and coal giants, including BP, Exxon of Harvard University, Professor Drew e Council called on students to 1 to reduce its carbon footprint beyond Mobil, Lukoil, Royal Dutch Shell and Gilpin Faust, dismissed a large student express support for its campaign by the framework of the Cambridge BHP Billiton. campaign on the same issue. Citing signing a petition hosted on the CUSU Climate Change Charter, signed in Varsity also uncovered that the the importance of remaining apolitical website. 2007. University’s gas supplier, as of July and of maintaining the investment re- Leading a discussion group on cli- e Charter declares an intention to 2011, is Gazprom, a secretive Russian turns which Harvard is fi nancially reli- mate change action at St John’s College Sport improve energy effi ciency, but Suyin gas company that has repeatedly been ant on, Faust claimed that she would this week (see page 4), Professor Want to try a winter sport Chalmin-Pui, Co-chair of CUSU accused of corruption and causing se- instead seek “more nuanced” ways to Doug Crawford-Brown, Director of Ethical Aff airs, pointed out at a CUSU vere environmental damage. pursue sustainable and responsible the Cambridge Centre for Climate here in Cambridge? Varsity meeting that it does not commit sig- “ e University should be actively investments. Change Mitigation Research, advocat- introduces you to the Ice natories to take action on investment reassessing its links to Gazprom so that CUSU does not believe that ed stronger student involvement in the practices. the entirety of its supply chain better Cambridge should remain apolitical. University’s fi nancial decisions. Hockey Team and the Ski & e new motion will encourage the refl ects the University’s mission and e University has the largest endow- “It’s their right to assert their opin- Snowboarding Club. University to pursue low-carbon assets core values”, said Chalmin-Pui . ment of any educational institution in ions. ey’re paying £9000 in tuition and divest from companies whose main A spokesperson for the University Europe, valued at just under £5 billion. fees, they can say, ‘I’m a stakeholder.’” Interview: Norman Baker MP on why the Liberal Democrats still matter (p. 8) 2 EDITORIAL Friday 29th November 2013 The real Cambridge spies

hat do you think of when you hear the started investigating students. apathy, campaigning and protest by students really is phrase “student politics”? Whatever Whilst some level of police surveillance is something that can make our voice heard. your political position, view on CUSU, understandable, the Cambridge police unit involved Indeed while many are criticising the election of an or dislike of campaigning the image in this particular failed intelligence gathering attempt, OUSU President who wrote his manifesto in crayon, the conjuredW up is unlikely to be a particularly terrifying seem to have got their priorities laughably wrong. fact remains that LJ Trup managed to win the biggest one. Even if the police did want to keep tabs on groups majority of any OUSU election in recent years, with Indeed even groups such as Cambridge Defend such as CDE, to go to all the hassle of recruiting over 600 more votes than his closest rival. Education, which is often seen as being at the more somebody seems unnecessary. CDE send out regular His campaign must also be credited with leading active end of student campaigning, are hardly what you email bulletins and press releases about both meetings Oxford student to the biggest voter turnout in some would consider dangerous. One of their last protests, and protests; if we can keep up with what they are doing time. Apathy to student politics it seems is not inevitable involved them lying down in public places around the surely the police can too. And let’s not get started on after all. city and covering themselves in red cardboard boxes to CUSU, which positively relishes at the challenge of Here in Cambridge students are continuing to represent students being crushed by debt. I think we can making sure we know what they are up to. engage in political issues both at a student and national all agree that the single most dangerous aspect of this hat the police therefore need to use such tactics level. Whether that is through joining one of the three protest was the possible trip hazard. to ind out what is going on in the student population main student political parties, getting involved in one of It is hard to imagine therefore what the police were is worrying, both because of the lack of respect with CUSU’s many campaigns or even running for a position hoping to achieve when they attempted to recruit a which the police view student activism and for the sheer at the Cambridge Union. local activist to report back to them on student political ludicrousness of the way they attempted to get hold of Whatever your view of student politics, it is not activity. But somehow I doubt it was just the health this information. something that is ready to be written of just yet. Where’s and safety issues that were concerning them when they Perhaps it shows that for all the talk about student our LJ Trup?

the mindset of the players or coaches, accessible. University sports bursaries someone with cerebral palsy will not should be made available to everyone be the next rugby blue! Disability and should recognize that disabled Want to get involved with sport also works best when you ind applicants may require more money natural competitors – not always pos- for their speciic needs. Varsity next term? sible, even with the university’s 500 disabled student population. here also needs to be greater awareness of disability sport around But from personal experience, it Cambridge. his needs to involve doesn’t mean you should give up. an all-encompassing approach, but Applications are now open for Write to us During my time at Cambridge, I Varsity’s campaign for disability sport [email protected] had some success and also learnt a should be supported by a high-proile the role of picture editor and our few lessons. Ski trips are a common event. I suggest a boat race (original I A RESPONSE TO THE LAUNCHING feature of college life and are a good know!) in the next ive years. If not a production, sub-editing & OF THE VARSITY DISABILITY SPORTS way of socializing outside college single race, then it could be a regatta CAMPAIGN term time, as well learning to ski a bit. to decide the best team. It would cer- It is something wanted to do. I was tainly get people talking... online teams. It was with interest that I read the fortunate that my tutor was chairman article calling for more disability of Disability Snowsport UK and was Mike Alhadeff sport around Cambridge. he article able to get the ball rolling by putting Queens’ College, 2009 was right to highlight that to create me in contact with the right people. Email Emily on editor@varsity. a meaningful Paralympic legacy we he biggest challenge was inancial THE OUTSIDERS OF CAMBRIDGE SPORT need to get more of the basics right. (as it is in most cases), but I was also co.uk for more infomation he Paralympics helped greatly in fortunate that some friends were will- In Matt Worth’s article “he outdsid- shaping disability in a positive light, ing to put on a comedy night to raise ers of Cambridge Sport” (very well but it has struggled to create genuine the additional funds for the specialist received by the way) it was stated that cut-through. he Paralympic legacy equipment and private tutor. Dr Patrick Barrie is the reigning Brit- isn’t failing, as many have claimed, but ish men’s singles champion. Whilst it needs more practical applications. As consequence, it helped make an this is true, it might also be worth important college event accessible to mentioning that he is also the reign- At Cambridge, progress has already all. Out of this process, the Enabling ing World Champion! Varsity is looking for been made. he City council has Fund was established and designed to helped established a successful Goal- help disabled students meet the extra In addition, do feel free to mention photographers! ball team, featuring the university’s needs of extra-circular activity. How- that he Cambridge University Tid- very own Sarah Leiter. Selwyn Col- ever, funding is always in short supply dlywinks Club (CUTwC) is also lege has taken steps to make the boat and can be a lengthy process. I found home to the current British Singles club accessible to a blind fresher. this out when trying to help organize Student Champion: Francis Wragg. Whether you are a photojournalist, hese are all steps in the right direc- adapted rowing at the boat club with tion, but there is still a long way to go. a fellow student. Despite encourage- Tanks to the author for aiding to or want to shoot streetstyle, we ment from the boat club, it proved too raise the once considerable proile It is right for clubs to be as accessible complex to organize, especially in the of the Noble Sport’s University want to hear from you... as possible by making necessary provi- middle of a hectic Cambridge term. representatives. sions for disabled people, for example accessible gyms. As Leiter also points So what have I learnt? All parties need P.s. We beat Oxford on their home out, able-bodied people are very wel- to push harder for greater inclusion in turf 106-6 in May’s Varsity Match. A Email Emily on editor@varsity. come to take part in disabled sports sport, weather that involves existing winking record!ing... such as Goalball. However, it is not teams or creating new ones. Funding co.uk for more information always as straightforward. No matter needs to be made clearer and more Francis Wragg

Editor Alice Udale-Smith EDITOR @VARSITY .CO .UK Deputy Editor Emily Chan DEPUTYEDITOR @VARSITY .CO .UK Business Manager Michael Derringer BUSINESS @VARSITY .CO .UK Production and Design Editor Mike Curtis PRODUCTION @VARSITY .CO .UK News Editor Amy Hawkins (Senior), Christina Sweeney Baird & Martha Elwell (Junior) NEWS @VARSITY .CO .UK Comment Editor Hannah Wilkinson, Louis Degenhardt (Deputy) COMMENT @VARSITY .CO .UK Science Editor Nathan Smith SCIENCE @VARSITY .CO .UK Sports Editor Roxana Antohi, Matt Worth (Deputy) SPORT @VARSITY .CO .UK Magazine Editor Sabina Dewield MAGAZINE @VARSITY .CO .UK Lifestyle Helena Pike LIFESTYLE @VARSITY .CO .UK Culture David Godwin, Bethan Kitchen CULTURE @VARSITY .CO .UK Theatre Hannah Piercy, Wen Li Toh THEATRE @VARSITY .CO .UK Fashion Lottie Franklin , Dahaba Ali Hussen FASHION @VARSITY .CO .UK Reviews Jilly Luke REVIEWS @VARSITY .CO .UK International Editor Emily Handley INTERNATIONAL @VARSITY .CO .UK Chief Sub Editor Edd Bankes Online Sub Editor Frankie Cherry and Senior Sub-Editors Jess Baker, Josie Parkinson and Raphael Gray SUBEDITOR @VARSITY . CO .UK Heads of Photography Tom Porteous and Daisy Schoield PHOTO @VARSITY .CO .UK Chief Illustrator June Tong ILLUSTRATION @VARSITY .CO .UK VarsiTV Controller Farah Ghouri and Georgie Phillips (Deputy) VARSITV @VARSITY .CO .UK Local Advertising Managers Alice Taylor and Sophie Rutherford LOCAL @VARSITY .CO .UK Varsity Board Dr Michael Franklin (Chairman), Prof. Peter Robinson, Dr Tim Harris, Chris Wright, Michael Derringer, Aliya Ram (VarSoc President), Chloe Stopa-Hunt (The Mays), Nicola Love (BlueSci), Alice Udale-Smith & Emily Chan

NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT Varsity, Old Examination Hall, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RF. Tel 01223 337575. Fax 01223 760949. Varsity is published by Varsity Publications Ltd. Varsity Publications also publishes BlueSci and The Mays. RECYCLING Recycled paper made ©2013 Varsity Publications Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher. up 78.9% of the raw material for UK Printed at Iliffe Print Cambridge — Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge CB24 6PP on 42.5gsm newsprint. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. ISSN 1758-4442 newspapers in 2011 NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT Friday 29th November 2013 NEWS 3 Medical degree goes under the knife London medical schools “disappointed” at decision to stop Cambridge students transferring to the city UNI

training, said that change had come “far

Martha Elwell UNIVERSITY

SYDNEY too late”.   SYDNEY He said: “It was always ridicu- e University has announced it will lous that Cambridge medical school put an end to the practice of sending couldn’t accommodate all the students half of its medical students to London from pre-clinical and that as a conse- and Oxford for the clinical part of their quence students were forced to move training. elsewhere. Students admitted to study medicine “It’s all well and good suggesting from October 2014 will no longer be that students benefi ted from the choice able to move to one of six other medi- to move, but in reality it’s actually not cal schools to complete the fi nal three that diffi cult to transfer between medi- years of their degree. cal schools if you really have the desire Dr Diana Wood, the Clinical Dean to, even without the benefi t of an estab- at the University of Cambridge, said lished system.” that the existing system was “no longer Shershah Assadullah, a medi- fi t for purpose”. cal student who decided to remain in She explained: “ e ‘pre-clinical/ Cambridge, said that many students do clinical divide’ is now widely regarded not realise that clinical training at an- as outmoded and our situation hinders other medical school is an option when innovation, since any curricular change applying to Cambridge. would require coordination with cours- He said: “Many of us just didn’t real- es in seven clinical schools.” ise there was a separate application for She added: “A fully developed six year programme provides Cambridge with opportunities to create innovative educational themes stretching across “It was always ridiculous two Schools of the University.” Students will no longer be able to transfer to London for their clinical training that Cambridge Under the existing system – which has been in place for sixty years – appealing and I feel this is what attracts varied experience when they carry out As spokesperson for the University of medical school couldn’t medical students can transfer to one people to transfer.” their clinical training.” Cambridge Clinical Students Society accommodate all the of fi ve medical school affi liated to the Peter Kopelman principal of St e University of Oxford, which also said that it had been closely involved in University of London or to Oxford George’s, University of London and sends medical students to London to discussions about the changes. st udents from pre-clinical” University Medical School. Cambridge chair of London Medicine – the body complete their degree, does not intend ey said that the shift brought medics will now undertake their clini- that represents the capital’s medical to change its system. Cambridge “in line with almost every cal placements in hospitals in East schools – said that he was “disappoint- A second-year medic at St other medical school in the country”. clinical school and the possibility Anglia. ed” by the change. Catharine’s, Ali Amin-Nejad, said: e spokesperson noted the stress that we wouldn’t be able to stay. is Rebecca Green, a second-year Speaking to the Times Higher “Whilst the new scheme means that caused to many students by the current meant that a few people were pretty medical student at Trinity, said that Education supplement he argued that there will no longer be any competi- system, pointing to many students’ “dis- upset when they weren’t accepted to she planned to stay on at Cambridge it would be in the best interest of tion when applying for clinical schools, appointment every year” when rejected stay. So I don’t think it will make a for the clinical part of her degree, but Cambridge medical students for the I think most would have preferred from the Cambridge medical school. massive diff erence. commented: “ e excitement and sheer current scheme to continue. at least having the choice of going Nathan Grundy, a fourth-year “Saying that though, I know lots of range of cases that you would be able to He said: “London continues to off er to London or Oxford for their clinical Cambridge medic who moved to people who were 100 per cent adamant experience in a London hospital is very medical students the greatest and most years.” London for the clinical portion of his they wanted to leave Cambridge.” Drunk students anger Addenbrooke’s doctors DNNEEN

D disruption it caused on an already busy

night that would be great.” Irena Borzym, Senior Tutor of St Catharine’s College, sent an email to her students about the incident. She noted that none of the individuals con- cerned were from St Catharine’s. Dr Borzym nonetheless reminded her students about the importance of treating hospitals with “respect”: “We are very fortunate to have free access to medical help in this country. I hope that no one from this college will ever be guilty of such behaviour but I have requested that the Dean be especially harsh in his penalty if one or more of our students do behave in this way. “Please drink and party in a respon- sible way which does not cause prob- lems for other people.” Amy Hawkins intoxication. It is believed that the stu- Ben Zucker, a fi rst-year medic at    dents had come from a rugby or rowing Jesus, said: “Students have a responsi- event, although the colleges involved bility to look after themselves and not Senior tutors at all colleges re- are not known. be an unnecessary burden on the local ceived an email on Wednesday from e letter said that students were health provider, however it is only nat- the Emergency Department of “disruptive, rude and frequently had ural students want to have a good time. Addenbrooke’s Hospital, complaining to be told to stop wandering between It is the balance between the two that about the behaviour of drunken stu- the diff erent areas of the department as is essential.” dents who had “inundated” Accident they shuttled between their friends in A spokesman for the University said: and Emergency during the shift be- diff erent cubicles”. “ e University deplores the reported A NEW LEVEL OF STASH: Pepe Jeans London has announced a new collabo- tween 6pm on Tuesday night and 4am It added: “While waiting in the wait- unacceptable behaviour by students in ration with the University of Cambridge to produce cardigans, blazers and on Wednesday morning. ing room other patients were disturbed A&E. An investigation is under way.” polo shirts featuring the University crest. “As a British fashion brand we are Various students, many in fancy by their rowdy behaviour and com- Addenbrooke’s Hospital receives thrilled and honoured at being selected by Cambridge University to interpret dress, had been hospitalised with facial plained. If you could feedback to their around 100,000 A&E admissions a their values into fashion collections,” said Managing Director Nish Soneji. injuries from fi ghts or because of severe college about their behaviour and the year. 4 NEWS Friday 29th November 2013 Varsity commits to eliminating transphobia in Climate change and you journalism An event at St John’s College looked at the political implications of the climate is week Varsity signed a statement re- committing ourselves to fair reporting change debate and what it means for Cambridge’s research and practices of trans* issues, along with TCS. Here

is our pledge going forward: Sachin Parathalingam ELITEPETE Transphobia remains a deeply trou-   bling issue in our society, unjustly lim- iting the lives and happiness of many “Cambridge University is and can con- people. e media often plays a key role tinue to be a potent breeding ground in perpetuating this hate and misun- for climate change,” according to Pro- derstanding, dominating the public’s fessor Doug Crawford-Brown at a discourse about transgender identities. seminar on climate change held at St. We are saddened that, despite the John’s College last Tuesday. advances in understanding and accept- e seminar organised jointly by the ance in society, a large portion of trans* Cambridge University PPS Society representation in the media continues and the St John’s Palmerston Society to be negative and focused around sen- brought in a mixture of graduates, un- sationalist stereotypes. We believe that this state of aff airs, which has lead to 51 per cent of trans* people feeling that their representation “Cambridge does a wealth in the media had a negative eff ect on of research into climate their emotional wellbeing, is deplor- able and should have no place in our change which has helped society. benefi t policy decisions We believe that the misinformation and falsehoods about trans* people cur- around the world” rently being spread by the media goes against the fundamental principles of journalism and is an issue that needs dergraduates and PhD students, in addressing. We accept that we have not what turned out to be a stimulating and always been blameless in this matter, highly informative discussion. but in the future wish to commit to the e seminar began with Professor following practices: 1. Fair and accurate Crawford-Brown, an expert on climate reporting of stories involving trans- change and director of the Cambridge gender people. 2. Not sensationalising Centre for Climate Change Mitigation transgender identities. 3. Not publish- Research, evaluating the risks and poli- ing transphobic slurs. 4. Allowing the cy tools available for combating climate transgender community to comment change. e University spends £2 million a year on reducing carbon emissions upon the issues that aff ect them. 5.To “Science can only explain what is, work with the trans* community and and cannot predict what will be with order to address the issue. nations, he explained. However Crawford-Brown cited one CUSU LGBT+ to achieve these things exact accuracy. While the current pre- He also shed light on the fact that Speaking about the role of the limitation on the University’s part and Sarah Gibson, the current CUSU dictions on climate change foresee sig- the orthodox model, which maintains University in mitigating climate eff ects that is the need for more careful invest- LGBT+ trans* representative said: nifi cant temperature rises in the future, that developed countries are the pri- Crawford-Brown said: “Cambridge ment decisions in order to keep carbon “CUSU LGBT+ is delighted that our we could be completely wrong or right mary contributors to CO2 emissions, is does a wealth of research into climate locked in the ground. “ e colleges are student newspapers are taking a stand about these estimates,” he said. quickly becoming outdated. According change which has helped benefi t policy catching on to this, but we have to re- against transphobia...We hope that Professor Crawford-Brown also went to him, China is where the model has decisions around the world.” member that companies such as Shell the next generation of journalists will on to note that while the current con- “turned upside down”. China’s carbon e University spends £2 million a create the carbon emissions that they see this behaviour as completely unac- sensus is “we don’t know what’s going consumption and higher rate of inno- year on reducing carbon emissions, in do due to the massive rates of consump- ceptable and that they will help create to happen so just don’t go there,” there vation has resulted in the growth of its addition to large-scale public education tion. Consumption is the beginning of a culture of understanding and respect are many viable alternatives one could carbon footprint, which could in the on the causes and impacts of climate this process and has to be addressed on for all within our press.” pursue in the immediate short-term in future even exceed that of developed change. an individual basis”. comment

Sam Matthew writes in defence of the University’s investments in big oil here are two forms of ethical invest- and every major institution in the world fol- Conocco Philips fourth and Chevron fi fth. Of the environment. In the 1980s, the Council ment. e fi rst works on a ‘do no harm’ lowed suit, demand for coal, oil and gas would course these companies are not perfect. Exxon on Economic Priorities, a social and environ- T principal and involves screening out remain suffi cient for the industry to survive. continues to question global warming and BP mental think-tank, noted that Marlboro maker particular kinds of stocks that an investor has Indeed in divesting, Cambridge would be has suff ered from the Deep-Water Horizon Philip Morris, the leading cigarette company, decided are beyond the pale. Tobacco is almost likely to cede ownership of big oil to those disaster. But through engagement, responsible at the time, was highly rated for its progressive always on this list, along with alcohol provid- investors who are least environmentally aware investors have a chance to shape the impact policies on the hiring of women and minori- ers, gambling stocks, weapons manufacturers, and least likely to uphold industry standards. It and trajectory of an industry which holds sway ties and for off ering excellent day care. In 2012 pornography and of course big oil. e UK’s would be the worst of all worlds. over our environment’s future. ExxonMobil donated over $200 million to Investment Management Association counts e second form of ethical investing is based ere are two major problems with an charitable causes and paid for its workers to 94 ethically managed funds, most of them run on a “do good” principle. It involves screening approach that chooses investments based on carry out over 776,300 hours of volunteering. on the ‘do no harm’ principle. companies for good ethical behaviour. Many environmental criteria. First, ethical portfolios While it is easy to be cynical about such eff orts e CUSU’s Sustainable and Responsible organisations already do this for consumer do not tend to perform as well as those with they do make a signifi cant diff erence and they Investment Society Coalition advocates goods, but the practice is gaining popularity in the full range of stocks to choose from. As the provide a timely reminder that no industry Cambridge join these funds in divesting the investment community. e power of this FT notes, “sin stocks” tend to pay the highest should be considered totally irredeemable. from certain industries on the basis that the form of investment is that is creates an incen- dividends. Cambridge University’s endowment cur- University should be a role model in society, tive for companies to improve their practices Over the past two years in the US, the rently stands at £4 billion, of which over £1bn acting responsibly and helping create a safe and it ensures that dialogue remains between aptly named Vice Fund (which invests only is invested in global stocks. Moreover, thanks future that is better for everyone. No one can companies and those pressing for reform. in alcohol, tobacco, arms and gaming stocks) to its global reputation it is already an institu- question this ideal. Under this system, Cambridge and its col- has made a total return of 56.3 per cent; far tional role model among investors. Cambridge But in reality a safer future is unlikely to leges would invest primarily in those energy ahead of the Ave Maria Catholic Values fund, should use this power and infl uence not to be achieved by Cambridge and other institu- companies with the best records. Greenopedia which excludes them and returned 34.5 per draw the ethical investors out of oil and other tions divesting from fossil fuels. According to has devised an index based on open environ- cent. e underperformance of a portfolio blacklisted industries, but to push for higher the International Energy Agency, despite the mental reporting, greenhouse gas emissions, would be of particular concern for an institu- environmental and ethical standards in those growth of renewable energy and nuclear power, production effi ciency, oil spill effi ciency, pursuit tion like Cambridge, a centre of pioneering and areas which need them most. If the world is to fossil fuels will remain the dominant source of of alternative fuels and stance on climate expensive research, and as such a worthy cause have a safer and less carbon intensive future it energy generation for the foreseeable future. change. Of the big oil majors it currently ranks in its own right. will owe it to continued political and economic Even if Cambridge divested from fossil fuels Shell fi rst, BP second, Exxon Mobile third, Second, there is more to ethics than just engagement rather than sanctions. Friday 29th November 2013 NEWS 5 HARDING

CAROLINE

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: e popular documentary-maker will come to Cambridge on Monday to open an exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum featuring the work of his friend John Craxton, who died in 2009. Here Attenborough discusses the exhibition with Ian Collins, who has been assisting with the show. Craxton’s work covers both the post-war period of Britain as well as his later life in Crete.

News from the Dark Blues Ben Crome Debating disaffi liation    Oxford University’s student union, Caius holds referendum on disaffi liation after Selwyn only just reject the motion OUSU, often voted among the worst in the country, made international Christina Sweeney-Baird CUSU fi rst choice votes but ultimately lost to headlines for quite possibly the fi rst   Flick Osborn. time in its existence. So-called “joke Another point of contention in de- candidate” Louis Trup stormed to CUSU is facing yet more strife in the bates regarding disaffi liation is that victory in the organisation’s presi- coming months as numerous colleges every student remains a member of dential elections after mastermind- begin the process of potential disaf- CUSU individually; even when a col- ing the greatest political campaign fi liation. lege disaffi liates the students them- since Boris Johnson presented him- Gonville and Caius JCR opened a ref- selves are still able to access the services self as a vaguely suitable Mayor of erendum on affi liation on Wednesday, that CUSU provides.  ose in favour of London. which closes at 9pm this evening, disaffi liation argue that this strengthens Trup had been ridiculed for sub- while individuals at both Robinson and the case for disaffi liating, as individual mitting in a “personifesto” in crayon Magdalene have told Varsity that they students are not aff ected directly. which featured extravagant policies are planning to raise the issue at open  e CUSU executive and those in such as abolishing mid-term’s noto- meetings and call for referendums next favour of affi liation argue that it is both rious Fifth week, thereby eradicat- term. Robinson College held a refer- unethical to take advantage of services ing the common malaise known as endum on affl iation two years ago and that you are not paying for, and that the Fifth Week Blues. decided to remain affi liated. services CUSU would be able to pro- Yet, in an article for e Oxford  ese new calls for disaffi liation fol- vide would be drastically aff ected by the Student last week, Trup outlined his low just weeks after Selwyn College budget cuts caused by disaffi liations. credentials for OUSU presidency, narrowly decided to reaffi liate in a ref-  e apathy towards CUSU has been deriding Jane Cahill, the candidate erendum with a majority of just 54.93 well documented this term. It has been he resoundingly thumped into sec- per cent of students voting in favour widely reported that 80 per cent of ond place, for her proposal to estab- of CUSU. e current CUSU sabbatical team votes have gone uncast in the CUSU lish a petting zoo to counter welfare Prior to the vote Selwyn hosted a Council, which means that of the indi- problems. Trup, who has volun- highly charged debate between Flick  e arguments from both sides of the ‘joke’ Oxford University Student viduals who can vote on behalf of their teered with a mental health charity Osborn, the current president of the debate in Selwyn revealed much Union presidential candidate Louis colleges and other organisations, just since the age of 14 and is a general CUSU, and the Corpus Christi JCR of the ill-feeling towards CUSU. Flick Trup, there have been renewed calls one in fi ve attend and then vote. all-round nice guy, decried the idea president Jamie Wilman.  e Corpus Osborn warned of the ‘domino eff ect’ for a restructuring of both Oxford and Speaking to e Cambridge Student as ridiculous. Christi JCR and MCR disaffi liated of disaffi liation which is now potential- Cambridge Student Unions in order to earlier this week, Flick Osborn said One of his challenges as OUSU from CUSU in 2010 following claims ly coming to fruition. Jamie Wilman end the apathy students feel towards of the Council issues: “I can’t overem- President will be to stamp out be- of repeated failings of the CUSU sab- repeatedly made the point that JCR the institutions. phasise that the Council is open to all haviour such as that of Somerville batical team to support the Corpus subscription fees represent just 20 per In the last CUSU election one of students. Don’t withdraw because you College’s History Society, which JCR and MCR committee members. cent of CUSU’s budget and so the or- the presidential candidates, George don’t like the tone of debate; come and advertised a talk from an expert on Corpus Christi is currently the only ganisation would not cease to exist if Bangham, ran on a platform of chang- contribute. Communicative and chal- militant Islam as “explosive” and ac- college in Cambridge to be disaffi liated numerous colleges disaffi liated. ing CUSU from an outsider’s perspec- lenging debate is vital to all that CUSU companied its publicity email with from CUSU. Following the surprise victory of tive and won the highest number of does”. images of bombs. Controv. 6 NEWS Friday 29th November 2013 Police commissioner defends attempts to spy on students In a letter to CUSU, Sir Graham Bright says that the actions taken were “within the legal framework” NEWS   letter from CUSU President Flick an opportunity to ask questions and CAMBRIDGE

Osborn which stated that CUSU was hold the Cambridge Constabulary to OF In a letter to CUSU, the Cambridge- “disappointed” at the police’s actions. account. COURTESY shire Police Commissioner, Sir Graham Osborn added: “We work hard to en- “We are also shocked and appalled

Bright, has sought to reassure students sure that the police is always informed that at a meeting of the Home Aff airs PICTURE following last month’s revelations that about any planned demonstrations or Select Committee, Sir Bright linked the Cambridgeshire police force had protests we support. We fi nd the offi c- this surveillance of students with pre- tried to recruit an informant to report er’s actions to covertly obtain informa- vention of violent attacks, saying ‘One on Cambridge student activists, includ- tion about our own and other student dreads to think that something could ing CUSU and CDE. happen in Cambridge like it did in Sir Graham said that: “I am aware Woolwich.’ that various surveillance tactics are “CUSU supports its members’ dem- used in policing in Cambridgeshire “It is crucial that st udents ocratic right to protest and consist- and across the country. eir use is have an opportunity to ently keeps the police informed of such driven by an assessment of threat, risk peaceful action. We are hopeful that Sir and harm within the context of keep- ask quest ions and hold the Bright will reconsider his response to ing people safe. I am not made aware of Cambridge Const abulary our invitation.” the specifi cs of cases, as this would im- Academic staff from the University pinge on the independence of the Chief to account.” have also written an open letter to Constable to utilise the tactics that are the Vice-Chancellor, Sir Leszek most appropriate in the circumstances.” Borysiewicz, expressing their concern He went on to say that: “I have groups’ activities to be completely over the attempts to spy on students. received an assurance from the dismissive of our partnership.” e letter sent to the Vice-Chancellor Constabulary that the actions taken Sir Graham was invited to attend a last week labelled the police tactics as were within the legal framework set out CUSU open meeting to address stu- “highly invasive practices”, and called by the legislation.” dents directly but was unable to attend. on Sir Leszek to “make it clear that the He also added: “I understand that He has however off ered to attend in the University is in no way involved in sup- there are mechanisms in place already future in order to discuss the matter. porting such practices.” for students to raise issues and concerns Responding to Sir Graham’s letter, A spokesperson for the University such as this through the Constabulary’s CUSU said that: “We are disappoint- stated: “ e Vice-Chancellor also notes university liaison offi cer, as well as be- ed by Sir Graham Bright’s response the concerns of the letter’s signatories ing able to engage regularly through its to our letter inviting him to speak to that the right to peaceful protest and student social media accounts, such as Cambridge students about recent rev- political and social campaigning be the student blog and Facebook page.” elations of police surveillance of stu- preserved and protected. He has already Sir Graham was responding to a dents. It is crucial that students have made these points to the police.” Sir Graham Bright, the Cambridgeshire Police Commissioner e joke is over at the OUSU LJ Trupp has been elected President of OUSU by over 600 votes, after writing his manifesto in crayon and promising to introduce double beds for all student

) he wrote for e Oxford Student, Trup YOUTUBE

Cambridge Spy VIA

( berated “un-fun student politicians NEWS Rumour has it... working towards a cosy Labour seat OUSU in 20 years”, drawing attention to the orters at Peterhouse were fact that thousands attend College JCR Pgiving regular warnings to meetings regularly, whilst only a hun- students last Saturday to avoid dred or so appear for the University- the Deer Park. We wonder what wide OUSU Council meetings – an the deer could have been up to? issue that is relevant for Cambridge students as the disaffi liation question e hear that in one col- makes its way through many college Wlege’s JCR elections this JCRs this year. year, a certain welfare candidate OUSU and CUSU are notoriously was beaten by RON in a not- two of the least popular student unions so-surprising turn of events. in the country, and many of Trup’s sup- Apparently that’s what happens porters are hoping that his victory will when your chat-up lines border re-energise the central student unions on the illegal side. of collegiate universities. Whilst an opposing candidate pro- tudents at Robinson have posed a Week Five petting zoo as part Sbeen complaining about the of a more-centralised OUSU-based college’s abysmal internet speed. Trupp performed an original song at hustings across Oxford welfare system, Trup wrote: “I still Something about not being able can’t believe people call me the ‘joke to relieve the built up tension of Jack May crayon, was headlined by the afore- fuck just happened?” and the resound- candidate’.” the Week 5 blues was mentioned.   mentioned hashtag, and proposed the ing message is one of confusion and Trup’s trajectory is one that echoes abolition of Week Five, double beds for bewilderment – the student political the concerns many have about students hink that Gardies at the For those of us on Twitter, #LJTrup- all, world peace, and a monorail to en- system has been stirred and shaken in Cambridge and other universities. Tvery least is free from the 4OUSU4Change may not have been able faster transit to some of the more by Trup’s whirlwind campaign, which Following the election results, Trup stresses of work? ink again. One a trend at the forefront of our tweet- out-of-town colleges, among other wound up taking 1685 fi rst preference said: “I think the people have spoken student’s night got very awkward ing experience over the past few weeks. pledges. votes, in contrast to the 975, 725, and and we’re gonna make a fucking big when she ran into her drunk and Louis Trup, a third-year student at Dismissed by many as a “joke can- 587 won by the other three candidates, change. I didn’t run on an incompe- disorderly DoS at the counter. Brasenose College, Oxford, has baffl ed didate”, Trup has proved his doubters respectively. tency platform, I ran on a platform of many by winning the OUSU Presiden- wrong. Trup’s campaign video ends with the we need to engage people. tial Elections last week – his manifesto, As the results were announced, words “BEHIND THE FUN IS A As his manifesto says in blue crayon , Miss V x written on lined paper in coloured Trup was fi lmed shouting “What the SERIOUS MESSAGE”. In an article “THE MOB HAS SPOKEN”. Friday 29th November 2013 NEWS 7 HARVEY

SKELTON GALLERY

IAN MICHAEL GAGOSIAN

COURTESY , MCKEEVER

ROB SKELTON

IAN

FITZWILLIAM: It’s a white out! Feeling despondent about the lack of snow in Cambridge this term? A new exhibition featuring the work of potter, and Cambridge graduate, Edmund de Waal opens on Friday 29th November. e exhibition is staged in four interconnected ground-fl oor galleries of the Museum and include two large-scale interventions, called a thousand hours and yourself. Huppert pushes for student vote Liberal Democrat MP has spoken of concerns about changes to student voter registration

James Sutton student voting rights might hinder his DEMOCRATS   own chances at re-election. LIBERAL Phelim Brady, Chair of the STUDENT Cambridge MP Julian Huppert has Cambridge Universities Labour Club, pushed the government to ensure that CAMBRIDGE said: “I’m glad to see that Julian Huppert planned changes to the process of reg- is aware of this issue, but sadly it’s his istering to vote do not prevent students party, the Lib Dems, who have pushed from being able to take part in general through these harmful changes. and local elections. In fact, when this bill came to the  e current system registers students Commons last year Huppert voted with to vote on arrival at university; in the the Tories against a Labour amendment case of Cambridge through their col- which would have explicitly mandated leges.  e government has proposed local election offi cers to write to stu- dents with registration forms.” Brady added: “It’s important that as many students as possible vote in “It’s important that as Cambridge in 2015 so we can remove many st udents as possible the Lib Dems from offi ce.” vote in Cambridge in 2015 so we can remove the Lib “Students are a special Dems from offi ce” Julian Huppert and Vince Cable meeting members of Cambridge Student Liberal Democrats case, moving every year, change. I worry that many students what steps are being taken to tackle elections in May, but was defeated by at the University of Cambridge will this problem. Clark responded that the Liberal Democrat candidate by a and there is a risk they will the introduction of an individ- therefore miss out. extra funding will be directed towards 7.4 per cent margin. Dr Sarris said that end up not going on the ual registration system whereby stu- “At Anglia Ruskin University, very electoral offi ces in areas with high stu- despite receiving an estimated 55 per dents will have to register themselves few students are on the register now. dent populations in order to allocate cent of the student vote, “not enough regist er” independently. Students may not realise that they can resources to encourage students to students turned out”. Speaking to Varsity, Huppert out- register in Cambridge as well as their register. Like Huppert, Dr Sarris is worried lined his concerns: “[S]tudents are a home, and may not know what they  e representation of Cambridge that “in many marginal seats it could Regardless of the potential loss special case, moving every year, and have to do – or may not get round to students in elections has been ques- have a signifi cant eff ect” on election of votes for himself, Huppert insists: there is a risk they will end up not go- it in time.” tioned before. Dr Peter Sarris, senior results if the government were to go “Students deserve their say in how their ing on the register. In the House of Commons on 19th fellow of history at Trinity College, ahead with the proposed changes. local area and the country as a whole “Previously, colleges registered November, Huppert asked Greg Clark, stood as a Labour candidate for the Some have pointed out that in the works… however they may vote, I want students automatically, but this will Minister for Cities and Constitution, Newnham seat in this year’s local current climate, Huppert’s advocacy of them to have the chance to do so.” 8 NEWS Friday 29th November 2013 Interview: Norman Baker MP Louis Degenhardt talks to the Liberal Democrat minister about why the public should listen to his party BAKER f people voted with their feet, brought them together, forcing a level

Norman Baker would have every NORMAN of collegiality in spite of their funda- I reason to be worried. Aside from mental diff erences. His assessment of the student Liberal Democrat execu- Labour is scathing: “My respect for the tive committee members, I can count Labour party has really gone downhill the number of students in attendance at since being in government.” his talk on British politics on one hand. He is noncommittal when pressed He half-jokes that the talk may as well on who he’d rather work with after have been held in his constituency, as he the next election, but the tone of his recognises some of the adult faces. speech - “they’re far more tribal than Norman Baker is a Liberal Democrat the Tories…I don’t particularly relish MP and, thanks to a recent reshuffl e, the idea of being in government with Minister of State at the Home Offi ce. Labour after election” – seems to sug- He’s also a conspiracy theorist, publish- gest a marked preference for more of ing in 2007 e Strange Death of David the same. Baker is keen to stress the progressive nature of the “Lib Dem stamp” on gov- ernment, in contrast to the Tories, who “How dare you take the he claims are “becoming the nasty party word liberal! Liberal’s the once again” in the eyes of the public. On Nick Boles’ idea of a National Liberal best word in politics” ticket to run joint Tory/Lib Dem can- didates in 2015 his verdict is unequivo- cal: “It’s not going to happen…how Kelly, in which he questioned dare you take the word liberal! Liberal’s whether the real cause of the scientist’s the best word in politics.” death had been covered up by govern-  e Liberal Democrats are though ment. Caricatured by some parts of the undeniably a changed party, no longer media as eccentric, even a bit odd, much the anti-establishment option that pro- has been made of Clegg’s decision to Norman Baker: Liberal Democrat MP and “independent minded” man vided the base for much of their sup- trust him with our national security. port. In Baker’s view this is not neces- I’m almost disappointed, as a result, by threshold and the closing of tax loop- – why does he feel the need to defend the scrapping of tuition fees as party sarily a bad thing: he points out that the the talk and subsequent interview - he holes as part of a “huge list” of Liberal the government’s record to a room of policy. Red lines will be drawn for the myth that a Liberal Democrat vote is a comes across as perfectly reasonable, Democrat achievements in government loyalists? Perhaps he was just expecting 2015 manifesto: “Lessons have been wasted one has been dispelled. professional and actually quite sensible. that “wouldn’t be happening” under the a bigger audience. learnt,” he assures us. “I don’t think we’re going to take the I ask if he ever feels like an outsider. Conservatives or the Labour Party. To be fair to Baker, he is often re- He also gives us a glimpse of the country by storm at the next election,” “I regard myself as independent Baker argues that his party got a freshingly frank for a politician. His coalition’s unusual working relation- he concedes. But, despite persistently minded, I’ve always adopted a policy in “better deal in the coalition agreement description of his party’s transition ship. Baker describes  eresa May as abysmal polling, he is cautiously opti- life of following the evidence wherever than the Tories,” and believes seventy- from a party of opposition to a party of competent, a “strong character”. But he mistic: “[We will] keep what we’ve got, it goes, and if the conclusions from the fi ve per cent of the coalition’s work to government is in equal parts insightful reveals that although they have a rea- by and large.” evidence are uncomfortable, then so be be positive. and honest. He admits that the Liberal sonable working relationship, he had to If he’s right, we had better get used to it…there’s a safe segment you can work He concedes, though, that some Democrats have been playing “catch hold a candid talk with her on joining the idea of a Liberal Democrat govern- in as an MP, and if you move outside government actions have been “more up” in offi ce, lacking the Tories’ experi- the Home Offi ce, insisting that it was ment; with the polls so tight, it is not that segment then you take risks. I’ve diffi cult to justify.” He stops short of ence of holding power. His message on Tory sources who had ordered the press inconceivable that coalition politics in always moved outside that segment, expressing pride in the government’s tuition fees is delivered from a similar smears on his promotion, regardless of Britain might be here to stay. Given the because there are things, I think, that achievements, but tells me “I’m proud stance. He is clear that as a party of her denial. poor attendance, though, it seems that, should be said and looked into.” of the Lib Dem record. Genuinely.” protest they naively “over-promised – it Baker is self-professedly on the left in Cambridge at least, his party have A substantial part of his speech fo- It strikes me as slightly odd then, that wasn’t done cynically,” and also hesi- wing of the Liberal Democrats. He is got their work cut out to convince the cuses on defending the party’s recent he spends so long justifying Liberal tantly reveals – “I don’t know if this is undeniably uncomfortable working so electorate of their right to remain, or record. He sees policies such as the pupil Democrat actions to an audience pre- public knowledge or not” – that Nick closely with the Conservatives, but the even, in fact, of the right to have their premium, the raising of the income tax dominantly made up of party activists Clegg had personally argued against experience of coalition seems to have case heard. analysis COST OF LIFE MEMBERSHIP Could you get your foot in the door? Femi Oriogun-Williams looks at the world of student Liberal Democrats £2 So what do the Cambridge Student Liberal adults the opportunity to talk about politics and opening up their memberships to students and Cambridge University Democrats do? informally meet some of the most powerful people academics across both universities in Cambridge, Let’s browse through a term in the life of a in the country since 1886. are also the cheapest of the three main student Labour Club CSLD member.  is term’s calendar holds stacks Julian Huppert, MP for Cambridge since 2005, political organisations in Cambridge. of organised fun: pizza and politics, a fi lm night, also made it on to the CSLD calendar. Having Disappointingly, CUCA’s life membership does a Christmas dinner, a pub crawl. Dotted among gained his PhD in Biochemistry from Trinity not cover the all the social costs of Conservative these jubilant evenings are events where students College he is also a fellow of Clare College. student life. It only entitles members to “receive a are given the opportunity to meet those who have Huppert said: “I was an active member of CSLD discount on social events such as Port & Cheese used the CSLD to get their foot in the door to the while I was an undergrad - I campaigned heavily parties and the Chairman’s Dinner.” £5 world of party politics. in the 1997 election, and was very involved with As for the CSLD, in a coalitional political Among them are Andrew Duff MEP, Lord student protests when the Labour government climate, the Liberal Democrats have never looked Oakeshott and Vince Cable, who started out as introduced tuition fees.” so promising as a means to get your voice heard on Cambridge Student a lowly committee member for the CSLD and is He adds some friendly advice: “I the national political stage. Liberal Democrats now Secretary of State for Business, Innovation enjoyed my time in CSLD, and But can student groups like the CSLD and Skills. learned a lot from it – I’d recommend really communicate the views of ordinary Interestingly, Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime students to be involved in it. However, students to the increasingly elite world of Minister Nick Clegg was never a member of the don’t become a party hack – and keep parliamentary politics? Liberal or Social Democrat Party student groups a life going as well!” Even though CSLD is open to Anglia during his time at Cambridge, although he has  ere is certainly little fi nancial Ruskin University students, just like CUCA been accused of being a member of the Cambridge reason not to join one of the student and CULC its current executive committee £10 University Conservative Association. Clegg claims party group at the University. Yearly is comprised exclusively of Cambridge he has “no recollection” of this. membership rates range from £1 to University members.  at may not bode well  ese evenings have given awkward young £5. CULC and CSLD, as well as for the future. Cambidge University Conservative Association Friday 29th November 2013 NEWS 9 Paris ups its security after shootings Matt Appleby refl ects on last week’s shootings and asks if the capital is prepared for future attacks {] {] FLICKR

he word spreads across the city that over the river, a man VIA TIMELINE T has been shot. Later, a second shooting, and a hijacked car. Questions have been raised about Suspect threatens staff how prepared Paris is for this type of attack. Poorly, on the evidence. Perhaps 15 at offi ces of BFMTV, police intelligence could not have pre- November a French vented Friday’s threat to the offi ces of television the television network BFMTV; a lone network, with a gun gunman is diffi cult to predict.  e lo- cations of the shootings on Monday, though, deserve more scrutiny. First shooting at  e offi ces of Libération, the far-left 18 newspaper founded by Sartre, are well Libération news- November within central Paris, as are the head- paper. Photography quarters of the Société Génerale bank. assistant injured. France’s fi nancial hub benefi ts from a Second shooting at Société Gén- twenty-four hour guard; in the wake of an attack on a media outlet, the watch erale bank around two hours later. was tightened at newspapers citywide. No-one is injured. Yet despite the increase in security, re- Police believe suspect hijacked sponse was still painfully slow. a car, ordering the driver to It is unnerving that, even in an age of super-surveillance, a man can hide in take him to the plain sight.  e suspect, having hijacked Protestors in Paris campaign for tighter gun control with banners and signs Champs- a lift to the Champs Elysées, is report- Élysées ed to have escaped via the Metro.  e fl oor of a car park. at risk of reoff ending should be kept explosion in gun ownership, free from Parisian rail service operates ten thou-  e sole suspect Abdelhakim Dekhar under watch. As it was, Dekhar was the usual channels of smuggling. sand security cameras, but by Saturday is not without a previous criminal able to procure a hunting rifl e without Already in the UK, police raids in evening, the trail appeared cold. record. Known for supplying fi rearms alerting the authorities. Manchester have uncovered plastic Suspect is arrested. Po- A journalist was critically injured, in the infamous Rey-Maupin aff air, he  ough violent crime in France has guns; France cannot be far behind. As and the suspect remained at large. served four years in prison from 1998. fallen sharply, the risk of the guns is secure as we feel in the falling statistics, 20 lice say DNA samples Coming eventually to the suburb of  ree offi cers and a taxi driver were never far away. As is customary, the France must prepare for future crime, November from Dekhar matches Bois-Colombes, the gunman hid for killed that day . problem is set to worsen. Rising pov- and with considerable speed. those from the over a day, with some sources report-  e police force can hardly be ex- erty and the popularity of French fas- Abdelhakim Dekhar awaits trial, crime scenes ing that he had attempted to commit pected to predict who will commit cism pushes more to crime each year. having been charged for attempted suicide, before being found on the third crime, but it stands to reason that those  e advent of 3D-printers risks an murder and kidnap.

The Mays #22

Applications are open to edit the 2014 Mays Anthology, the collection of the best student writing and artwork from Cambridge and Oxford. Grow Further. Interested candidates should email [email protected]

WANTED: PROBLEM The Mays, formerly the May Anthologies, are SOLVERS published annually by Varsity. The editor or editors The mutilated chessboard will assemble a committee of students to invite fi ction Suppose you have a chessboard with two opposite corners removed, and 31 dominoes which each cover exactly two and non-fi ction submissions of prose, poetry and squares of the board. How should you arrange the dominoes so that the board is completely covered? drama, as well as illustration and photography. The

If you want to know the answer or ind out more about committee also appoints guest editors from the literary working at BCG, then visit puzzle.bcglondon.com world. The Mays is famous for having launched the career of Zadie Smith and previous guest editors have included Jarvis Cocker, Ted Hughes, Ian Patterson, amongst others. 10 NEWS Friday 29th November 2013

The ‘college burglar’ is caught again Universities debate use of GPA CAMBRIDGE Michael Janes – nick- As Oxford Brookes University introduces the American Grade Point Average named ‘ e College Burglar” by po- lice detectives – was handed a fi fty system for degree classifi cation, some argue for a uniform change to grading week jail sentence. Janes was identifi ed in CCTV Emily Handley it “would give students more incen- footage in St Edmund’s, St   JACKHYNES tive to keep working to infl uence their Catharine’s and Churchill Colleges. fi nal marks, and enable universities to He is reported to have stolen hun- Several UK universities are considering look hard at their practices of teaching, dreds of pounds from these colleges the introduction of a pilot scheme for learning and assessment.” between 13 and 16 of November. grade point averages, following sugges- However those defending the current He also gained access to student tions that current degree classifi cations system have pointed out that by judging accommodation on Tennis Court are becoming outdated. students on fi nal-year performance, it Road and tried to extract money According to a report published allows them more scope in experiment from a parking meter on Park Street in the Guardian last week, more than more in their fi rst few years of univer- on 15 November. He tried to enter twenty institutions are in talks about sity life. the bar at Caius College the same revising the honours system already in “In the fi rst year, students are fi nding day, but was not successful. place. Instead of assessing the work of their feet and often only get into their undergraduates with a result such as a stride in the second year,” said Professor fi rst, 2:1, 2:2 or a third, there are plans Raftery, Pro Vice-Chancellor for stu- James Bond in Cambridge to replace this with a grade point aver- dent experience at Oxford Brookes CAMBRIDGE Pierce Brosnan, the University. Irish actor most famous for his role However he added: “ e established in the Bond fi lms, was spotted in classifi cation scheme is very good at Cambridge last week. “An advantage of measuring ‘exit velocity’ - the achieve- Brosnan is shooting for a new fi lm introducing GPA is ment of a student in their fi nal year - entitled “How To Make Love Like the possibility of better but we will also run GPA, where every- An Englishman”, directed by Tom British university students are currently judged on end of year exams thing counts, alongside it.”. Vaughan, whose other works include comparison with Hannah Laidley, a third-year medi- the University Challenge feature Students have routinely criticised the extra-curricular achievements as fur- cal student at Peterhouse College, told fi lm “Starter for 10”. international academic current degree grading method, which ther information that could potentially Varsity: “I think that it is true that the In this latest project, Brosnan plays attainment” has existed for 200 years after being in- lead employers to favour one candidate current grade groups don’t tell you a lot a “Byronic” University of Cambridge troduced by the University of Oxford, over an otherwise equally well-qualifi ed about the individual marks, but I don’t professor, who is forced to re-eval- for being unfair and vague. For instance, competitor. think that this is a bad thing. People of uate his life when his girlfriend, a 2:1 only diff erentiates between can- A further argument in favour of in- similar abilities may get marks that dif- played by Jessica Alba, falls pregnant age (GPA) system, as is currently used didates who have achieved 60 per cent troducing GPA is the possibility for a fer by 10 per cent in an exam based on with his baby. ` e actor was seen in American universities and in other or 70 per cent and not those who have better comparison with international what questions they have prepared in around Clare College, where it is countries around the world. Although achieved borderline results such as 61 academic attainment, as it is already the past or how much sleep they got the believed much of the exterior foot- UK degrees are still regarded as valuable per cent or 69 per cent. used in Canada, the USA and many night before their exam. age for the fi lm will be shot. qualifi cations, it is hoped that the GPA Graduate recruiters have accused the Asian countries. Concerns have also “[GPA] allows people to focus on not One fi rst year Clare student, would off er a more accurate record of current system of being a “crude” meth- been raised that employers outside of just achieving well academically, but Morven Macaulay, tweeted: “Pierce students’ achievements. od of selecting the most suitable candi- the UK do not recognise the honours gaining relevant experience to diff eren- Brosnan was at Clare Bridge. e proposal for this new system date for employment after graduation, degree system at all. tiate themselves from the many other Ohmylord why am I not dressed yet. has received support from Universities as each class of degree can cover a wide Amid continued accusations of grade people who got a 2:1, for example.” #artstudentproblems”. Minister David Willetts, after Oxford range of attainments. Conversely, the infl ation in British universities, Bob e University of Cambridge did Brookes became the fi rst UK university GPA would permit employers to see Burgess, who is the chair of the GPA not respond to a request for comment, Oxford drinking society to introduce it alongside the existing whether a students’ achievements fall at Pilot National Advisory Board, is en- however Cambridge is not among the classifi cation for honours degrees ear- the lower or higher end of a particular thusiastic about the scope off ered by universities that are considering intro- condemned for misogyny lier this year. grade boundary, as well as listing their the grading system. He believes that ducing GPA in the near future. CAMBRIDGE An Oxford University drinking society, e Black Cygnets, at St Hugh’s College Oxford, caused controversy with a planned ‘Fox Hunt’ event. e event was to involve male stu- Cambridge students launch dents, or ‘Huntsmen’, dressed in red jackets chasing the women ‘Foxes’ dressed in short skirts and fox ears. Invitations were only sent to the fe- website to energise campaigning male fi rst year students the society deemed attractive. Natalia Molina how inspiring a movement is: the fo-

e college’s principal, Dame   cus is on how much snowballing power DEVINENEPHRON Elish Angiolini, said on Friday: “We it will have. Current petitions range are utterly appalled that any member Dissatisfi ed with the infl uence of cur- from those of mothers reaching out to of our community would consider rent student-run political campaigns, protect the innocence of their children belonging to, or participating in, two Cambridge students have launched (Petition to: “Put age-ratings on music this repugnant, sexist and secretive e Bridge, a new kind of online busi- videos whether sold in shops or viewed group.” ness which seeks action and results in online”) to anti-sexist campaigns the political sphere. In a similar style to (Petition to: “STOP making SEXIST Second CDE protest stu- sites like change.org, e Bridge plans kinder eggs!”). to accept petitions made by registered In contrast to such emotion-based dent debt privatisation voters with the aim of achieving direct petitions, the accent in e Bridge is on CAMBRIDGE Cambridge Defend contact with politicians. ideas which wish to become a move- Education staged a creative dem- Founded by Eric Hambro from ment, issues where the petitioners are onstration at the Sidgwick Site last Magdalene and Raza Habib from willing to back their projects, both fi g- week in another protest against Emmanuel, the website was launched uratively and fi nancially. e Bridge re- higher education spending cuts and in light of “the profusion of online quires petitioners to be registered voters privatisation in the sector. campaigning”, that has taken place in and be willing to donate a minimum of e group was participating in a the past few years and received mini- £1.00 to their cause: their donations ‘ e Bridge’ aims to help co-ordinate direct action national day of action against the mal response by MPs. allow them access to the minutes of privatisation of student loans, with e self-proclaimed goal of the busi- the meeting with the MP, according to Raza Habib on the subject of the as-of- more people involved in the demo- 25 universities across the country ness initiative is to change the way their website. With e Bridge, a desire yet limited infl uence of online petitions cratic process”, referencing Russell taking part. campaigners interact with politicians: to implicate the petitioner in the peti- in the political sector. Brand’s statement in his piece for the e protesters played a game by linking the student initiated cam- tion process is evident. With petitions, interest is quickly New Statesman, that he doesn’t vote as called ‘Stuck in the Debt’ and staged paigns with the relevant campaigners e co-founders of e Bridge want lost; as the individual loses the be- “there is nothing to vote for”. a ‘die-in’ to demonstrate the “crush- in Westminster who can then refer the to propel small petitioners into the po- lief that he can make a diff erence, he Second-year Magdalene Student, ing” eff ects of debt on students. campaigns on to politicians. litical scene and allow their voice to be loses the ability to make a diff erence. Will ong said: “Better connection e protest followed the revela- e business model of buildthebri- heard by paying for the website to cam- Fellow co-founder Eric Hambro gave between those in power and those who tions that police in Cambridge have dge.org.uk is similar to that of other paign on their behalf. the following example: “At a time care but are outside of the political attempted to spy on student political websites such as change.org which also “At the moment it’s only large or- when celebrities like Russell Brand are system can only be a good thing. I do groups such as CDE, news which seeks to bring small petitions into the ganisations or focused pressure groups advocating that people don’t vote and wonder though how likely this is to ac- was met with outrage from many spotlight. that actively approach politicians, we’d people have become disenfranchised by tually work in practice. It might just be Cambridge academics. e website change.org places like to open that power to as many peo- broken promises, it is more important far too idealistic and the kind of thing weight on the power of a story and ple as possible,” said Bridge co-founder then ever to have a platform that gets only students care for.” Friday 29th November 2013 NEWS 11

Council crackdown on housing Inquest into Cambridge student’s death concludes Charities work alongside the council to address homelessness in Cambridge it was an accident CAMBRIDGE An inquest into the COP Chloe Cliff ord-Astbury death of Marcus Hughes-Hallet, LUNAR   - who died while on holiday with his QUICK family in Malta in August 2012, has Cambridge city council’s fraud team are concluded his death was accidental. leading a crackdown on illegal council Hughes-Hallett, 20, was a student home subletting, a trend which is con- of Mathematics at Queens’ College. tributing to the city’s housing problem. He drowned after getting into dif-  e fraud investigators have dis- fuculty swimming between two un- covered fi ve sub-let council-owned derwater caves in Santa Marija Bay properties and one housing association off the Maltese island of Comino. property in the last few months.  ere His father raised the alarm when was also an instance of a home being he failed to reappear after several left empty, while the tenant moved to minutes. He was removed from the another city.  ese homes were reallo- water and fl own to hospital, where cated to new tenants. he was pronounced dead. None of the tenants have been pros- ecuted, but the council is “conducting Smoking banned in all full criminal investigations” and seek- ing legal advice to determine whether Cambridge hospitals the individuals have committed an CAMBRIDGE A smoking ban on the off ence.  e sub-let and abandoned campuses of Cambridge University homes were identifi ed thanks to an Hospitals will come into force on 1st anonymous tip-off . January, 2014.  e city council commented that  e ban will apply to all ar- the problem is “real and immediate”, eas of campus, including research and that Cambridge’s homeless are be- institutes. ing deprived because of it. Catherine “I have spent a large part of my Smart, Executive Councillor for hous- Hundreds of people sleep rough in Cambridge every night professional life dealing with the ing, added: “People who cheat like this terrible eff ects of smoking – deaths are not cheating the council, as it still from 183 individuals, the number re- while Wintercomfort provides free immigrants are particularly vulnerable from cancer, emphysema and lung corded in 2011-2012. breakfast and showers for individuals to becoming homeless because they are transplantation. As well as this  e council has just accepted a who are sleeping rough. not aware of their rights to access wel- smoking costs the NHS and society plan to build 275 new homes near A number of student-led initiatives fare and accommodation. billions of pounds each year,” said “A number of st udent-led Babraham Road, on the southern are attempting to alleviate the hard-  e grant will fund welfare centres Dr Keith McNeil, a heart and lung initiatives are attempting edge of Cambridge. Councillors have ship of homelessness. Streetbite organ- and patrols of CRI workers who will transplant physician and respiratory praised the project, developed by Hill ises groups of students to bring food, be able to communicate in several medicine specialist at Addenbrooke’s to alleviate the hardship of Residential, for the signifi cant amount hot drinks and conversation to people languages. Hostpital. homelessness” of social and aff ordable housing it con- living on the street, while Cambridge “ ere’s a lot of stigma and incorrect “It’s only right and proper that tains: 40 per cent of homes will fall into RAG is donating some of the money stereotypes associated with [homeless- we lead by example, and make this category.  e developers stated that raised through its activities this year to ness], which means people are often Cambridge University Hospitals a their project will “deliver much needed the Cambridge City Foodbank. automatically excluded from opportu- smoke-free campus.” gets the rent.  ey are cheating other aff ordable housing in Cambridge.”  e government has recently provid- nities that the rest of us take for grant- people in Cambridge who are desper- With substantial reductions in gov- ed Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI) ed”, says Jen Durrant of Streetbite. Cambridge Blues join up ate to get rehoused.” ernmental aid, national and local chari- – a social care and health charity – with “ [T]he lack of aff ordable housing,  ere is a large and increasing ties are shouldering a heavy portion of a £144,000 grant to spend on helping the lack of funding for support services with Cambridge United demand for aff ordable housing in the burden. Cambridge-based charities homeless immigrants in Cambridge. and the impossibility of getting a job CAMBRIDGE Director of Football Cambridge. Last year 229 people were such as Jimmy’s provide short-term CRI suggests that there has been when you don’t have a secure address for Cambridge United Jez George found sleeping rough in Cambridge. emergency accommodation for home- a signifi cant increase in immigrants all mean that the odds are stacked has said that a collaborative eff ort  is constitutes a signifi cant increase less men and women in Cambridge, sleeping rough.  ey believe that against you.” between Cambridge United and the University Light Blues football team could be benefi cial for both clubs.  ey are currently providing the Light Blues team with coach- ing following the exit of Che e biggest sale of student debt to date Wilson as their manager due to studying commitments. Government has sold a stock of student debt worth an estimated £900 million Speaking to Cambridge News, George hopes United’s involvement Martha Elwell doesn’t make economic sense.” 1990 will prove fruitful: “ e university   It is thought that the coalition ul- 1990 1998 is massive in this city and the club timately wants to sell all publically Creation of student hasn’t historically been able to forge  e government this week sold a port- owned student debt. Concerns have Introduction of tuition any meaningful relationships with it, folio of student loans worth around been raised that this can only be profi t- loans company but there are so many so many stu- £900 million to a private debt agency. able for private companies if the limit fees dents in Cambridge, it’s something  e privatisation of the loans – which on interest for repayments is raised, in- » Founded to provide » Dearing report the club should be doing because were taken out by students in the 90s – creasing the burden on those who have suggests students there could be long-term benefi ts.” is part of the government’s plan to raise bought student loans. low interest loans George hopes that the collabo- £15 billion from the sales of public as- However, cabinet ministers have said to students should pay ration will encourage more Light sets to boost investment. that sale of the student loan book will » Average loan is » Labour passes Blues will eventually become in-  ere have been two sales of student not result in increased interest rates for Higher Education volved in United. debt to private companies in the past students. In June, Business Secretary £390 but this will be the largest yet. Vince Cable said: “I have ruled out cat- » 28% students take Act 1998 Stephen Hawking “disap- Toni Pearce, President of the NUS, egorically changing the terms of interest one out » £1,000 fees pointed” by Higgs boson said: “ is announcement is extremely rates charged to graduates with existing introduced in concerning and is one that will see the student loans taken out before 2012... discovery public subsidising a private company Work on the feasibility of selling the 2004 1998/1999 CAMBRIDGE Stephen Hawking told making a profi t from public debt, which outstanding student debt continues. an audience at the Science Museum is incredibly problematic.” “However, the [Rothschild] study Cap raised to £3,000 that he thought that “physics would  e government is selling the loans contained a proposal which suggested 2012 be far more interesting if [the Higgs » for £160 million despite their worth a change in interest rates charged to Student loans now Cap raised to £9,000 boson] had not been found.” being estimated at more than fi ve times existing students – that proposal was worth over £2.7 He also admitted that he had lost that amount. comprehensively dismissed two years billion a bet of $100 with an American aca- Pearce said: “ e impact of this sale ago and will not be taken forward by 2013 demic about whether the so called won’t only aff ect borrowers, but will af- this government.” » Approximately “God-particle” would be found. fect everybody.  e simple fact is that NUS President Toni Pearce said: “We 80% now take out Government sells Evidence for the existence of having these loans on the public books recently secured assurances from David the Higgs boson was announced would be better off for the government Willetts that terms and conditions on a loan £900 million worth of at CERN last year, and earned in the long run. student loans would not be changed as 2013 student debt Professor Peter Higgs of Edinburgh “Selling off the loan book at a dis- the result of a sale, but we want to see the Nobel Prize for Physics. count to secure a cash lump sum now all students protected on this by law.” 12 NEWS Friday 29th November 2013 CURTIS

MIKE

INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY: e Northumberland Telescope, fi rst built to fi nd the planet Neptune, has had its renovation completed this week. e Northumberland is the only remaining large instrument from the early days of the University Observatory, and dates back to 1833 when the Duke of Northumberland (later Chancellor) expressed a wish to donate the telescope to the observatory. Double Nobel laureate and Cambridge alumnus Frederick Sanger dies, aged 95

Nathan Smith biology, from genetics to biochemistry, for a PhD and aiding the war eff ort by STAFF   would be based much more on passive carrying out applied research into ni- , observation instead of targeted altera- trogen uptake in potatoes. KEYSTONE Frederick Sanger died on November tion than it is today. A man of many fi rsts, Sanger pro- 19th 2013, at the age of 95 years. It is no understatement to say that duced the fi rst DNA whole genome But who was he? First, the Wellcome Frederick Sanger brought biology into sequence for the virus Phi X 174 and Trust Sanger Institute, a leader in the the modern analytical age. sequenced the entirety of the mito- Human Genome Project, is named af- And yet despite all this, he remained chondrial genome (mitochondria are ter him. A quick Google search reveals a modest man who shunned the spot- eff ectively ‘energy making factories’ that he was one of only four individuals light in favour of the lab bench. He re- that populate, in some form, all cells to receive two Nobel Prizes (the oth- fused a knighthood as he did not want with a nucleus). is was the fi rst time ers being Marie Curie, Linus Pauling to be called ‘Sir’, although he did later a ‘human’ genome had been sequenced. and John Bardeen, while two organi- accept the Order of Merit. Scientists from across the world have sations – the United Nations High paid tribute to him. Craig Venter, one- Commissioner for Refugees and the time rival and one of the most con- International Committee of the Red troversial living scientists, described Cross – have also won multiple Nobel “Being a Quaker he was Sanger as “one of the most important prizes). ese were both in chemistry, a conscientious obje or scientists of the 20th century.” the fi rst in 1958 and then again in Sir Mike Stratton, director of the 1980. during the Second Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said Both are highly impressive accolades World War” of Sanger: “Fred was an inspiration to to say the least, yet somehow don’t many, for his brilliant work, for his qui- seem to capture the incredible impact et determination and for his modesty. and infl uence that he had on biology as He was an outstanding investigator, the inventor of both protein and DNA Sanger matriculated at St John’s with a dogged determination to solve sequencing. College in 1936, reading Natural questions that have led to transforma- It is hard to over-emphasise the im- Sciences. It was at Cambridge that he tions in how we perceive our world.” portance these discoveries have had on met his future wife, Newnham under- Such words of high praise would un- modern biology, so instead imagine graduate Joan Howe, whom he married doubtedly be called hyperbole if applied the world without Sanger. e human upon graduation in 1940. e couple to another man, and such tributes show genome would never have been se- had three children: Robin, Peter and what a cornerstone Frederick Sanger quenced; the specifi c design of medical Sally. was to the foundation of modern biol- drugs against protein targets would be Being a Quaker, he was a consci- ogy. But perhaps the best words to de- no more than a pipe dream; our under- entious objector during the Second scribe Frederick Sanger are his own: he standing of inherited diseases would be World War. He stayed at Cambridge was a man “engaged in the pursuit of next to non-existent. Indeed, much of and divided his time between studying knowledge.” e Sanger Institute in Cambridge is named after the scientist Friday 29th November 2013 SCIENCE 13

Evolution laid out in a beaker N I E T S N E K N A R F Katherine Armstrong NIAID  

Everyone knows that Darwin’s theory

CURTIS

of evolution germinated while on the MIKE Galapagos Islands and about the pro- found impact of his research. Here, however, is the man who “created his own Galapagos Islands” and studies Fact evolution from 4000 vials of bacteria: OR Richard Lenski. For the last 25 years, he has kept fro- Fiction? zen E. coli and observed its evolution in order to understand the process in other organisms. e experiment began with Olivia Remes 12 lines of identical bacteria in separate fl asks which were fi lled with glucose Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein details solution and kept at body temperature. the life of eccentric scientist, Victor After 75 days, some of the strains were Frankenstein, who discovers the frozen, and this practice has continued e bacterium E. coli has been cultured for over 58,000 generations secret of generating life, ultimately ever since. leading to the creation of a creature e main hypothesis Lenski wanted change. ese lines developed defects in DNA prevented one type from taking over. he soon rejects as a grotesque to test, he says, was Stephen Jay Gould’s For example, the fi tness of the strains repair and rather than dying out as was e frozen samples of E. coli are what monster. e novel had a sig- assertion that, repeated a second time, has improved by an average of 70% over expected, just had higher rates of muta- really make this experiment extraordi- nifi cant infl uence across literature, evolution would have gone in an en- the whole experiment. Fitness is meas- tion. One of the mutations that occurred nary. As previous strands of the bacteria epitomising the genre of horror fi c- tirely diff erent direction. ured by the rate of reproduction, mean- was the appearance of two diff erent can be observed at will and compared tion. However, reading it brings to 58,000 generations of E. coli later, it ing that the most recent cultures can types of E. coli in one fl ask: a type of to the new ones or indeed to each other, mind an inevitable question — is is clear that this is not the case. Some double 1.7 times in the time it took the bacteria that created large colonies with it is possible to see the entire process Frankenstein’s monster be scientifi - said that bacteria in such a stable en- original cultures to double once. large cells, and one that created smaller of their evolution. Lenski has created a cally plausible? vironment wouldn’t provide any valid Furthermore, all 12 lines improved at colonies with smaller cells. Against all living fossil record that allows him to Vladimir Demikhov was a information on evolution in nature, a similar rate, suggesting that in broad expectation, neither type conquered the track evolutionary development as it pioneering surgeon in the Soviet but in fact Lenski and his team did see terms evolution is reproducible, but other. Instead, they formed an eco-sys- happens. How many people can boast Union and is considered by many an accelerated process of evolutionary six lines evolved diff erently to the rest. tem where factors such as competition of that? scientists to be the father of heart and lung transplantation. He made signifi cant contributions to organ transplant and coronary surgery, performing organ transplants in Are microbes allies in our war against cancer? dogs and studying their reaction after various organs were intro- James Forsythe human microbiota - and there are more regimens in mice, whilst its illustrated with another experi- duced or removed. His most   than ten bacteria for every single human absence had a detrimen- ment in which treatment unusual experiment involved head cell in the body. Many of these bacteria tal eff ect on the treat- of tumors in mice fal- transplantation, whereby the head Cancer is the current terror of medi- are symbiotic organisms that can help ment. Whilst this tered when they had and upper body of a puppy was cine, which has grown in infamy as us in our daily struggle to survive in a result may seem frequent antibiotic grafted onto the neck of a mongrel. the likes of cholera and smallpox have variety of ways. One example removed from treatment. Dr. Robert J. White, an been counteracted by sanitation is the production of vi- cancer treatment e microbiota American neurosurgeon, became and vaccination. Cancer is a tamin K by the gut because lack- may also have an inspired by his work and began complex range of diseases microbiota in the ing microbiota eff ect on chemo- performing head transplants on that requires diff erent intestines, an es- would cause therapy. e CTX rhesus monkeys. His experiments approaches for therapy sential vitamin many other chemotherapy were generally unsuccessful; the when compared to that the body problems (like drug was observed monkeys would die a few days later many of the infa- cannot pro- a lack of vita- to cause digestive due to immunorejection. His ulti- mous infectious dis- duce itself. min K), this could problems, by caus- mate desire was to perform similar eases that were just Recent infl uence clinical ing villi to shrink and transplants on living humans. as prevalent in the papers pub- practice in the treat- letting certain species of Could Demikhov and White past. We may be get- lished in ment of cancer. bacteria into the spleen and be considered modern-day ting some unexpected Science this It is currently common for lymph. Feeding these bacteria to Frankensteins? Perhaps. But help in cancer treat- month detail cancer patients to be treated with an- mice led to an increase of T-cells from without Demikhov and the other ments from bacteria, the positive ef- tibiotics in response to their weakened the immune system in the spleen. Victor Frankensteins around the even though MRSA and fect of the micro- immune systems. While antibiotics e need remains for tests in humans world with their unbridled thirst countless others continue to biota on cancer will stop harmful pathogens, they will before we can feed specifi c bacteria to for knowledge, the fi eld of trans- plague humanity. therapy. e presence of also harm the microbiota, potentially patients or reduce their antibiotics, but plantation may not have recorded ere is a plethora of bacteria inside the gut microbiota was found causing adverse eff ects not previously the infl uence of gut bacteria on the im- the same progress that it did. a single person - collectively called the to boost the eff ects of three antitumor considered in cancer therapy. is was mune system is now apparent.

e stem cell controversy may intended, I’m afraid) from ignorance as to what this kind of uterus. If your ethical system counts fence o seem like a stale topic to some: research actually involves. I completely accept the idea that not the destruction of any fertilised egg as murder, e f the debate had its heyday everybody should maintain a comprehensive knowledge of all the majority of women on the planet would have to d .. . in the years of the second modern science, so I can imagine why some people hear the be put behind bars. n Bush administration, words “embryo research” and picture cackling biologists creat- In fact, it is not the morality of stem cell research that I reaching a heated climax ing Frankenbabies and designer earlobes. In reality, stem cell needs defending, but its ability to live up to the scientifi c Stem in 2006 when the zygote- research is much less gruesome, and a lot more useful. hype. When ES cells were fi rst isolated in 1998, they were hugging President signed Extracting stem cells from embryos is not an unethical proc- hailed as the Next Big ing in biology, as scientists prom- a controversial veto that ess. e embryos used are just four or fi ve days old– essentially ised stem cell-derived hearts in a decade. In the intervening Cells restricted federal funding created by squirting semen onto a petri dish with some human fi fteen years, they’ve realised that making organs is actually re to research involving the de- egg cells on it, as in IVF treatment, a scientifi c technique which rather a tricky business - it’s only since August that scientists oo M struction of human embryos. is considerably less contentious. Indeed, ES cells are often taken have been able to grow a small mat of heart muscle tissue Kris When in 2009, Obama reversed from excess IVF embryos that would otherwise have been capable of beating in sync. these executive orders, biomedical discarded. e extraction process destroys the embryo, but at An entire heart is still many years down the line, but stem labs across the country echoed with long-held sighs of relief. this stage it consists of a rough mass of less than a hundred cells cell therapy has nonetheless demonstrated its promise in Stem cells have made comparatively few headlines since. and is unrecognisable as human, and more akin to a caulifl ower. simpler procedures. ey were used as early as 2003 to allow a Nevertheless, the issue is still relevant today. Several US It is about the width of a human hair, and certainly lacks any Korean woman to walk after 19 years, and in 2005 to restore states maintain a ban on all human embryonic stem cell (ES structure needed for pain, thought, or even movement. the sight of forty people with defective corneas. More recently, cell) research, and public opinion on the matter remains Some believe that terminating embryos is inherently im- in 2012 the fi rst study involving human embryonic stem cells strongly divided. A Gallup poll published this year, for instance, moral because life begins at fertilisation, making such an act published results showing that its two vision-impaired partici- revealed that a third of all Americans believe that human stem is equivalent to murder. I sometimes wonder if these people pants demonstrated improvement after stem cell treatment. cell research is “morally wrong”. In 2010, a quarter of Britons know that, even in healthy human females, three-quarters of all ere is nothing unethical about using embryonic stem and an astonishing 60% of Austrians said that human stem fertilised eggs are spontaneously miscarried and fail to survive cells. It is far more wrong, in my opinion, to block re- cell studies should be totally forbidden. to birth. As many as half do not even implant into the mother’s search with such demonstrable medical potential. I think that much of the aversion stems (pun 14 COMMENT Friday 29th November 2013

Comment Is student journalism a bum out? It may not always be earth-shattering, but student journalism plays an important role in university life But these occasions are few and far tired and lofty the arguments get, aff ect our day-to-day lives, whether we programmers, writers, illustrators, between. Much more common is the student journalism is necessary for do so to provoke discussion or simply photographers and people like me who churning out of more of the same: yet the same reason national journalism is entertain ourselves. are simply rather nosy. another four star review for the ADC necessary: to hold the society around  ere can be as much joy and Whichever category you fall into, main-show, the mysterious disappear- us to account.  is does not just take journalistic skill in covering the debate the creative freedom that comes with ance of another one of Pembroke’s cats the form of time consuming investiga- about the Union’s sponsorship as running a student paper is simply and yet more self-generated, publicity- tions into investment in fossil fuels, but unparalleled, and something we are driven scandal over a few bare bottoms in the seemingly little things such as unlikely to experience again in our (although personally I found the loss speaking up for students facing crip- working lives. It is for this, self-serving, of Millie poignant and sorrowful). pling room rents. “Journalism is not reason that so many student journalists Entertaining though these stories may Student journalism provides a glamorous and doesn’t fi rst get involved in Varsity. But who be, they hardly live up to the grandiose megaphone for the issues that students can blame us when we’re having this vision of investigative journalism so care about and the fact that students make good dinner-time much fun? Alice Udale-Smith often conjured up by student hacks are looking out for each other helps conversation (as my Student journalism is not just about defending their work. maintain some level of accountability fi lling pages with the trivial, the vulgar hat is student journalism Generally speaking, student journal- in Cambridge. Yet if this were the sole friends often wearily feel and the petty; it is varied, creative and for? After a term as editor of ism is neither glamorous nor earth- aim of student journalism I could just the need to remind me)” expressive. It does (and should) aim W Varsity I really ought to have shattering, and certainly doesn’t make as well join a student charity, political higher than simply cultivating the a response, yet the perfect soundbite good dinner-time conversation (as my party or the JCR, and not worry about highest number of Facebook likes. continues to evade me. friends often wearily feel the need to continually stalking e Tab’s web-  ere is something refreshing about It would be all too easy to launch remind me). During my term as edi- site to see if they got their review up there can be in a truly comprehensive student journalism’s ability to mus- into a well-rehearsed speech about the tor I have spent far more time trying before we did. So what is it that makes analysis of One Direction’s new album. ter up the energy to be thoroughly importance of student led investigative to balance photos, wrestle with the student journalism stand out from the Both are just as much a part of student nosy about what is going on. Student journalism, with impressive sounding correct use of apostrophes and acting other ways we could spend our pre- culture as each other, and are both interest in CUSU has never been less goals of “holding the University to as head cheerleader for the rest of the cious free time? It is because student valuable in their own way. enthusiastic, the average student strug- account” or “greater transparency for team than I have devoted to anything journalism is so much more than just From a purely selfi sh perspective, gling to muster up even a good strong all”. And yes, there are rare occasions that would remotely seem to count as championing these worthy issues and student newspapers also serve as train- dislike of CUSU anymore, yet for all when an investigation fi rst imagined proper ‘journalism’. Slaving over the student causes. ing grounds for students in skills that its faults, student journalism can never at a dreary November news meeting paper edition at 3am in the Varsity Student journalism also exists to are often neglected in lectures. Neither be criticised for its lack of interest or (which only two people turned up for offi ce for the second night in a row (for facilitate debate, whether the discus- is this experience limited to wannabe participation in student life. I’d say it’s anyway) leads to the University sitting the third time in as many weeks), I’m sion is about the University’s lack of an hacks who want to rack up enough one of the best ways to truly contribute up and taking note. Or, at the very not at all ashamed to admit I won- ethical investment policy or the ongo- experience to beg, borrow or brag to it. Just be prepared to say goodbye least, makes me incredibly unpopular dered why I bother. ing dilemma of Fez vs. Cindies. We their way into a real journalism job. It to your degree for a while fi rst: there’s with Senior Bursars everywhere.  e answer is of course that however have the ability to cover the issues that is a collaboration between designers, always the holiday to get on with that. Friday 29th November 2013 COMMENT 15 Dude, where’s my monorail? With faltering faith in student politics, are crayon manifestos the way forward? what it should; they’re an essential part or the common room presidents’ com- of CUSU’s structure. rough affi liated mittee, who form on a basis of mutual common rooms with good channels of self-interest and very little shared Simons Says communication, CUSU can represent vision. ere is no space outside elec- your needs and interests at the highest tions where every student can vote on J S level of University decision making. what their union does. I stood because is is where your educational experi- I wanted a union that made itself Very few students at Cambridge ence is defi ned, which is much of what relevant, fi rstly by giving everyone a live and breathe student politics. CUSU’s work entails. CUSU is an chance to vote on policy rather than I’ve yet to attend a protest with organisation run by students, for stu- personality, and secondly by being more than a couple of hundred dents. From policy-setting at CUSU willing to take tough campaigning haggardly students, a good chunk Felicity Osborn Council where any student can pro- Nathan Akehurst action on issues such as the soaring of whom are often not quite sure   pose a motion to direct the sabbatical   cost of living or the arcane elements of what they are shouting about. ey team, to its engagement with the stu- the Oxford disciplinary system. ere are always a marked contrast to the USU – why should anyone dent body through your JCR, MCR, o say that Louis Trup’s vic- are those in the Trup camp that agree 2010 Tuition Fees Protests, where care? Why do students need a faculty and autonomous campaign tory spells ‘the end of student with such a message and those that 50,000 others and I wandered C central students’ union anyway representatives, CUSU relies heavily T politics’ is somewhat overly militantly reject it. But regardless, his round London for an afternoon, when JCRs and MCRs do so much on student involvement. If you think millenarian, but it certainly represents win sparks a debate that has been bub- demanding a reversal of the tuition excellent work in colleges? What does CUSU is irrelevant, engage with us in a severe – and to my mind positive – bling under - should we have a central fee rise. CUSU even do?! dialogue; the more you’re involved, the shock to the system. It’s important to student union, and if so, what should I don’t actually believe in a re- Central students’ unions have a fun- more eff ective and productive CUSU understand that Trup’s voters are not it do? What do words like ‘representa- versal of the tuition fee rise. I think damental role in protecting the quality will be. Withdrawing only makes the a homogenous block. ere are those tion’, ‘engagement’ and ‘democracy’ the economic arguments in favor of students’ university experiences in a student voice weaker; there is power in who voted for no other reason than mean in practice? of raising tuition fees are much time of unprecedented turbulence in numbers and CUSU is only as strong the fact that they found him funny. Personally I believe that central stronger than the ‘we all have a the Higher Education sector. as the students behind it. ere are those who enforce apathy student unions, even at Oxbridge, are right to a free University education’ Tuition fees have risen and several CUSU provides free sexual health and pretend that their ‘apoliticism’ is necessary and do important work on mantra. I was there for a diff erent Vice-Chancellors have made state- supplies to your JCR and MCR not the defence of the status quo that welfare, representation and liberation reason. at summer I had read ments advocating further rises. e to distribute to you, it runs a huge it amounts to, but that think it’s cool issues. Common rooms are important Hitch-22, Christopher Hitchens’s student loan book is on the verge Shadowing Scheme – the fi rst of to hate student politics without any but not ubiquitous. memoir. In it, he describes after- of being privatised, with potentially its kind in the country; it runs the especially defi ned reason for doing I am however disenchanted with the noons spent standing on soapboxes terrible consequences. International Student Advice Service; it’s conduct- so. And there are those who simply machine-like nature of student politics in Oxford, and how membership of students could be charged to use the ing research on the cost of living in haven’t ever seen their student union and certainly do attribute the percep- the International Socialists quin- NHS; landlords may soon be permit- Cambridge; it has got extra funding do anything that aff ects their lives. tion of irrelevance in part to the failure tupled over his time there. I was ted to check student visas possibly from the University to provide support en there are those who are fully of student unions to properly engage. skeptical and cynical but also young, resulting in dangerous racial profi ling. for societies; it’s improving the tutorial aware of what their union does and op- Trup’s win is to be applauded because excited and occasionally angry. I National political issues do not bypass system to ensure equality of provision pose its existence or its work for politi- he is more than just a joke candidate. was bored of seeing how many students. A central students’ union across the colleges; it’s campaign- cal reasons. ere are those across the In a week he sprung from nowhere to swigs of neat Vodka I could neck with a strong, united voice is abso- ing for a student hub building in the political spectrum who aren’t opposed a victory that campaigns which had before throwing up on the street lutely essential in campaigning about city centre; it funds the autonomous to OUSU but do perceive it to be dom- spent months preparing couldn’t come corner and heading to some house such political issues. is isn’t just a campaigns which are crucial for under- inated by wannabe career politicians. close to. Despite his unusual election party. So I went to protest. debate about one college’s affi liation represented groups. I was a candidate in this year’s promise of a monorail around Oxford. I have no doubt that most people to CUSU; it’s about the importance Don’t give up on the students’ union; election, but had I not been, I’d have He represents ‘something new’, who went on that protest under- of representation of students beyond don’t remove your voice from having a voted Trup. Every year in OUSU there in his own words. Time will tell stood the issue better by the end of the walls of the college. Your JCRs say. Add your voices to change CUSU are slates named after their presiden- what that something is, and how the the day. I also suspect that every- and MCRs do excellent and important for the better - don’t just assume that tial candidate, drawn from informal bureaucracies of student politics will one there learnt something about work ensuring your college provides someone else will do it for you. bureaucracies such as the Labour Club react to it. forming groups in civil society with a political aim. at’s an important part of what politics is about. It’s also what CUSU is about. So why does no one turn up? It’s either because there is nothing anybody cares about enough to bother or because people don’t feel a body like The art of doing nothing at all CUSU is a good platform to vent frustrations. Here’s my attempt at of breaks, if only because of the consol- emotional whims or physical urges, we the same’ were dressed up as supportive an explanation . e things that rile ing (and highly fashionable) notion of get a demerit. Wednesday at Cindies asides, but the subtext was clear: take me are not things you or I confront a ‘work-life balance’, but how we spend only escapes condemnation because as many days off as you like, but I won’t every day, which makes it very dif- those delicious minutes/hours/days is it’s validated by a special pact which be joining you, because I intend to suc- fi cult to get people to care about it. another matter entirely. We have de- gives otherwise impulsive or frivolous ceed. Faced with the silent judgement Getting people to care about where veloped a hierarchy of free-time activi- activities an aura of worth. is social of his peers, that day off was swiftly their College invests their money, ties that is both complex and arbitrary contract is inevitably played out the reviewed, shortened to a sad footnote or who donates to them, is not easy. in equal measures. According to this morning after, when revellers exchange at the end of an exhausting week. e economics are complicated index, taking a night off to go clubbing words of faux-regret and go through Maybe Einstein was right, and we and things quickly become quite is acceptable, because it constitutes the rigmarole of competitive self-dep- should see time for what it really is: nebulous. Jennie King group socializing with a discernible recation. Exclamations such as ‘I have relative. is has nothing to do with e recent reaction to rent end goal; similarly, watching a TED SO much work, really shouldn’t have laziness or apathy, nor does it endorse rises was rapid and condemn- t is a myth universally acknowl- talk or writing a letter or learning an gone’ or ‘Can’t believe I was that drunk, an unbridled hedonism devoid of time ing. People cared about it, in part, edged that an undergrad in obscure African dialect would qualify management. Of course we should because it palpably aff ected them. I possession of free time must be in as relaxation in its most productive stay interested - a desire to grow and Investments, homelessness, trade want of a ird. Proverb dictates that form. On the other hand, an after- diversify and self-improve is arguably barriers, wars and poverty are not time is precious, time is money, time noon spent learning B*Witched lyrics, “An undergrad in one of our greatest assets - but if we things virtually all of us regularly, if is short. Culture has rebranded time reading Buzzfeed articles entitled ‘ e possession of free time must only embark on tasks with a known ever, come into contact with. Nor as our enemy, and drawn us together 35 funniest reactions to this chair’, or end point we deny ourselves the joy of is it obvious that taking an hour in eternal, fruitless combat. For some, lying in the foetal position watching be in want of a  ird” the inane, the light and shade of living. out of our day to vote in CUSU’s this can be an incentive, placing them re-runs of Boy Meets Girl/ e West You may not ‘learn’ anything tangible chamber is likely to make any dif- in an adrenaline-fuelled, existential Wing/Recess would constitute a brazen or profound from a how-to Twerking ference to any of those problems race against the clock, but for most it and shameful waste of time. I’m such a disaster’ reveal the Jedi video, but don’t be fooled by the mis- or the people involved. e chain fails to empower and serves only to What qualifi es some ‘extra-curricu- mind game that can only be won with conception that unproductive equals that links what you do to a mining paralyse, driving them into the mire of lars’ as valid, some as sinful procrasti- six ‘I’m-going-to-Fail Marys’. unworthy. Learning to be comfortable worker in the Congo isn’t easy to doubted choices and remorse. nation? What makes ‘going for a run’ a When a friend decided to take a in your own company, learning to let grasp, but that doesn’t mean it’s not is is never truer than in savvy, Cambridge-approved use of 30 day off from revision – and submerge go, learning to silence your internal there, operating and aff ecting what Cambridge, where the short 8-week minutes, while compiling a photo-col- himself for 24 hours in the jacuzzi of monologue for a few moments every you and they do every day. term intensifi es activity and makes lage of Putin pulling stupid faces is an mindless drivel – I was shocked by the day; these are invaluable human skills at’s why I think your time is time-guilt a normal experience. ere hour (weekend) irredeemably squan- reaction that followed. A fragrant mix- that shouldn’t be the sole preserve of spent very wisely reading about and is ‘so much to do’ that we mythicise our dered? e underlying issue is one of ture of horror and bemusement, served Buddhists and Zen Masters. It’s about trying to understand this chain, not moments, and what should be a realm self-improvement: where we perceive with a healthy dollop of self-righteous time we revelled in the silly, meaning- at CUSU’s chamber, then explain- of possibility becomes little more than ourselves to be growing as individu- interrogation. Comments such as ‘wow, less nonsense, without the emotional ing it to anyone who will listen. a 2-month ticking prison. als, mentally or physically, we award a do you have time for that?’ and ‘what a backlash. It’s about time we got down- Most of us can see the importance gold star; when we’re seen to indulge great idea, I wish I could aff ord to do right foolish. 16 COMMENT Friday 29th November 2013 Protest! What is it good for? sale of the student loan book catalysed student led or otherwise, are prompts elected to represent the views of the rectly to our elected politicians. No a ‘National Day of Action’ on the 20th for conversation.  ey get people talk- people, protect their interests and aid need to don a sensible coat, fashion November, as twenty-fi ve campuses ing about real problems in our society the vulnerable. a sign out of an Amazon box and across the country played host to the and can often reveal major fl aws in our With that said, standing in a public storm the Bastille. protests of students “shocked at the current system of governance. Politi- space as a form of political expression But there is another form of extent of the government’s betrayal.” cians and the public are compelled to is hardly a new phenomenon, and resistance that, rather sadly, many More locally, there have been calls for refl ect upon and justify their decisions student protests are not completely do not participate in. It’s well within the University to condemn the actions and beliefs. pointless. Bulgaria has now witnessed your right to protest, whether it be of Cambridgeshire Police for spying Students, particularly students in over 160 days of protests led by stu- online or in the streets, but please Alice Taylor on students.  e government seems to Cambridge, are either very busy or dents. Last week they were joined by don’t forget your right to vote. Elec- think that students can be sidelined very lazy.  ere seems to be no middle the largest trade union in the country tions are powerful things. You only ver the summer I joined the in some areas and yet prioritised as a ground. So when they take time out as they took action against low wages have to look at the recent discussions protest in New York against threat in others. of their day to stand in the persistent and unemployment.  eir eff orts have in colleges about women’s offi cers to Othe acquittal of George Zim- Although pockets of the student drizzle outside Senate House, there even garnered the attention of the see that. Protests get people talking. merman.  e scale of the crowd was community have been galvanised into must be a valid reason for them doing British media. Nothing may be changed, but at least phenomenal.  e anger with Zimmer- action, no real change has occurred. so. After all, that play they are directing But other platforms for protest, such grievances are aired, and when we get man and the legal system was obvious. But for me, causing an immedi- is waiting, that overdue essay beckons as Twitter and online petitions, are the chance to take to the ballot boxes No justice. No peace.  is was the ate change in legislation is not what and Breaking Bad will not watch itself. in my view just as eff ective. Possibly we’ll keep them in mind. land of the loud. But still he was left student protest is about. Even if they  ey are being taught to be critical even more so, because they make up We are British. Complaining isn’t to roam. And subsequently point a are viewed by some as merely ‘token about our world. To challenge the for what student protests often lack in really our thing. So the fact that we shotgun at his girlfriend. Allegedly. If resistance’, they are still an expression norm.  ey are the next generation of terms of feet on the ground. Social me- are standing up and saying something a protest on such a scale as this cannot of political thought, something that business leaders, politicians, civil serv- dia can be used to amass huge amounts is great. We’re getting there, slowly incite rapid, meaningful action, then should be encouraged in a society in ants and teachers. Taking a literal stand of support in a very short space of but surely.  ere will be no Russell what hope do student protests have? which apathy appears to be on the rise. against issues concerning students time. You can protest in your pyjamas. Brand-esque revolution. Change will What’s the point? Can student protests  e student protests of 2010 didn’t – ranging from loans to job oppor- All it takes is a retweet or fi lling in a be iterative. It will be painfully slow. ever make a diff erence? reduce fees but they did call politi- tunities and now privacy – is a clear couple of boxes and you’re done.  e Students’ demands will be initially  is term has been one of unrest in cians to account for capitulating on message that we do not agree with the government even has its own website ignored. But that doesn’t mean that the student community.  e proposed their beliefs and promises. Protests, decisions of a government that was for e-petitions so you can speak di- they are not heard. The good, the bad, and the jelly of the moment, the Women’s Cam- perceive women’s bodies. However, by what we are ultimately striving for is that surround rape, has been extremely paign should be more popular than it restricting choice these initiatives only gender equality. Banning men from at- useful.  e ‘I need feminism because...’ has been for a long time. Despite this, serve as another form of oppression , tending the CUSU campaign’s weekly campaign – in which people on the when questioning some undergradu- often crossing the dangerous border meetings surely creates a monologue streets of Cambridge were asked to ates for their thoughts on it, I was that divides radicalism from reaction. where there should be a dialogue. complete that sentence on a white- presented with a catalogue of looks  e strict and aggressive attitude On the Campaign’s Facebook page, board and have their photo taken with of either total indiff erence or outright regularly taken by the Women’s in a side list of posting rules, it is it – was hugely successful, and the disdain. Campaign not only gives activists bad written: “0. [So important it is before album of collected pictures was shared More alarmingly, the majority of publicity but also misrepresents most point one.] THIS IS A WOMEN’S over a third of a million times on people had no idea what the Cam- women’s views.  e prohibition of jelly SPACE. Respect women’s experi- Facebook. Olivia Bernhardt- paign is.  is is an important problem wrestling, for instance, inspired such a ence, respect women’s lived experi- It would also be wrong to blame which the Campaign fails to recognise. backlash that a counter-petition raised ence, respect women’s voices. Men are the unpopularity of the Women’s Brogan On the one hand, not enough people over a thousand signatures. Whilst welcome to read and to listen, but if Campaign entirely on the Campaign know about it, and on the other, those we need radical groups to spearhead you decide to engage please keep your itself. A huge portion of the hate it feel exceedingly intimidated who do know about it simply don’t change, this won’t come unless we male privilege in check.” receives is a refl ection of the extent of stepping onto the tintack-strewn care. bring the bulk of people behind us. Male privilege is an important sexism in society, or at least the extent I fl oor that is feminist debate in Although very much a feminist, As Jess Franklin from Corpus problem to be raising, but is it perhaps of ignorance of feminism, and in fact Cambridge today.  is is not due to I feel incredibly confl icted when it Christi says: “I think that they need to not more important to declare that demonstrates why we still need a the complex nature of feminist issues, comes to the Women’s Campaign in be more aware of the ease with which “Sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia,” Women’s Campaign. although that does of course raise a Cambridge. I am only too ready to they can alienate people, especially etc. are not tolerated. And that’s not After the jelly wrestling debacle an few challenges, but rather because of herald it as a super-power of Good boys, and that when they have sense- to mention the distasteful capitals. article was published in e Telegraph the hostility and anger which now through which we can fi ght forces of of-humour failures it sets them back by  e misandry that often crops up in calling women from feminist groups surrounds them. Nevertheless, the Evil and secure gender equality. In confi rming many people’s preconcep- the language of CUSU is certainly not “a bunch of screechy activists with perception of the CUSU Women’s reality, I am often left dispirited and tions that feminists are inaccessible encouraging meaningful conversation unshaven armpits.”  is stereotyping Campaign amongst students raises isolated by it. and serious.” between the sexes, without which we of feminists as physically disgusting important questions which need to be For example, CUSU’s calls to ban  is brings me to the exclusion of can’t progress. seems all too frequent and easy. It is addressed. Barefoot, I will attempt to the competition formerly known as men from the Women’s Campaign.  is is not to say that the Women’s therefore vital that the Women’s Cam- wander through. ‘Rear of the Year’, as well as last year’s It is indeed important for women’s Campaign is not a positive infl uence in paign begins to counteract arguments With a new wave of feminism petition which stopped jelly wrestling campaigns to be run by women, but Cambridge.  e work they have done, that swiftly dismiss them as extremist breaking across some of the most at the Wyverns’ Garden Party, raised this must not involve an ‘us and them’ especially in terms of raising aware- nutters, rather than simply playing into important social and political topics valid questions about how we use and attitude towards the opposite sex when ness about the myths and problems them.

Sidgwick Says e nights I’ll List ening to Being invited to Getting drunk, never remember real music, like Tom Spooner’s smoking weed, What was with the friends Avicii’s new birthday party going out, not the highlight I’ll never forget single caring who sees of your term? ALFIE LEWIS SHYAM JAKE ECONOMICS ANTHROPOLOGY ECONOMICS ENGLISH PORTEOUS

TOM

Vulture FEATURES ■ LIFESTYLE ■ FASHION ■ CULTURE ■ THEATRE ■ REVIEWS 18 VULTURE / FEATURES Friday 29th November 2013

Why I love... Why I hate... Although Bridgemas technically fell on a Monday this year, there’s I love Bridgemas. I really do.  e lights, the friends, and the increasing still no better start to the week than Cambridge Christmas festivities. sense of freedom as another term at Cambridge comes to an end. Yet I  ere’s so many things to enjoy about this time of year. Not only is it can’t help thinking the concept is fundamentally fl awed. still Autumn – the leaves are changing colours into fi ery reds, yel- lows and oranges that fi ll up the pavements with unrelenting speed, First of all, it’s a bit early. I mean, I can party harder than Charlie Sheen (only to be swept away I sometimes think to myself, sadly) – but – but for a whole month? It’s kind of pushing it if I’m honest. Also, I you’re still with friends, and away from the familial awkwardness think the world has come to the universal conclusion that Christmas of pushing the brussels sprouts to the side when all you really food is a bit shit. We all subscribe to the lie every year that we like want is the meat. Your friends wouldn’t care. Mum does. mince pies and fruitcake, though I for one can’t keep up the illu- sion for more than a week. Two months of pretending brussels  e fi rst thing to love about this time of year? Decorations. sprouts are a seasonal delight is two months too much for me. Bright lights, bubble-like city doesn’t have the same kind of ring to it as the Cee-Lo Green original, but the Cambridge And what about Christmas music? Does anyone like it? I’m City Council has already begun hanging them up!  e same a massive Slade fan, but every time I hear Noddy Holder can be seen with the many pubs enticing people out of the scream “It’s Christmas” I want to slay every glam-rocker I cold and into the warm rooms with a good ale. see, though admittedly such sightings are much rarer these days. And Cambridge makes it worse – they have a habit Mulled wine and mince pies. I could stop there but, of singing carols without the oh so necessary irony. I sup- just think about it, the taste of hot mulled wine after pose it’s all well and good but it seems half of them are coming in after a long day out in the cold (or in the in Latin, and unfortunately loquor non est labium. UL where central heating in North Wing seems non- existent) is heavenly. Add mince pies to the occasion On a more serious note, I can’t help feeling it brings and it’s a perfect way to eat delicious food, and escape out the worst excesses of Cambridge.  e drink, the (momentarily at least) the feeling of essay dread and pomp, the butter-toff ee accents. I’m not a Puritan; panic. drink is lovely. However, when Bridgemas becomes an excuse to suit-up and drink-up then suddenly And fi nally, among the many other things to enjoy I’m not a fan. Maybe it’s time to go all Tiny Tim, at Christmas, it’s presents! Giving someone a nice but surely Christmas is about inclusion – not gift, or receiving one, is a great thing but one exclusion – and Bridgemas should be the same. of the most enjoyable elements of Bridgemas So this year, invite round that random Anglia is the added challenge of the student budget. Ruskin student you met at Lola’s. Make peace Secret santa is nothing new, nor are price lim- with the Land Economist next door to you, and its in general, but make it £10 and the pressure buy him some chocolates – or some socks. Even of getting an expensive and thoughtful gift is reduced invite your friend up from Oxford to show them massively. Last year I was given a mug shaped like a toilet. I guess the error of their ways. You don’t have to go crazy overboard it’s the thought that counts. though; John’s can still go fuck itself. Words by David Godwin Words by Nathan Smith All illustrations by June Tong

It’s one a.m., and lights are going out With ordered fl icker, like words I want to say; Doors locked against the drunken, ageing day, Certain warm feelings tucked up in bed with doubt.  e bells chime softly in to scatter out my thoughts Matins Like birds at dusk, who fl ee to separate nests, But when the dawn comes calling for its guests And only now can the sun replace  ey sing in unison: alarms and news reports. the darkness and regain things one lost  eir voices cold against my silent cheek, paradise at a time, including  eir wings a harsh fumble against the sleeping wind, Phrases that their roosting feet had fi rmly pinned the moment when some kind of silence Once more in disorder: a gale, a paper streak breaks on a lap of fruitless birdsong Outshone by on-off lights and dozy morning sun; and a snapping rivulet of frost. My dreams turned out of bed before they had begun. - Harry Cochrane - Rinna Keefe twinkling fairy lights. twinkling fairy I’m no Grouch: I the up put council the early how about grumble Scrooge-like a or Christmas, middle-aged of commercialisation the at rant another yet year? the of time won- derful most the just up sum that Doesn’t spas. home and hampers bags, hand- for ‘H’ nightwear, and Nintendo nail-art, ‘N’ for (naturally), juicers and jewellery, for jigsaws actually is ‘H’ for Holy? Brace yourselves. No. ‘J’ Jesus,Nativity,‘J’ ‘N’for perhaps for or appear: would words festive ditionally tra- following the of any whether self my- with bet quick a I’dhave thought wait here then. you? You haven’t seen it? Right. just I’ll Oh... hit ‘play’? to homepage JL the to season the of advert TV rush they that the bear?). missing about the worried so and is hare Who the – on ment judg- passed and – seen hasn’talready who (although, advert the TV Christmas watch to opportunity important toys. trees, Christmas jumpers and Christmas alongside page links to Christmas hampers, Christmas – front the campaign dominates advertising Christmas store’s department the of slogan forget- table ironically the – forget” never offensive, just...unavoidable. or touch.gaudy festive too tle Nothing A DewfiSabina eld We wish you amerry ubiquit-mas Friday 29thNovember2013 i int on t be to going isn’t  is  en there’s the A-Z of Christmas. I all- the there’s forget, we lest And, they’ll Christmas a someone “Give website will have noticed a lit- a noticed have Lewis will website John the on browsing been recently has who nyone ponders on the meaning of Christmas, John Lewis adverts and multicultural and adverts John Lewis of ponders Christmas, meaning on the a few Americans who wouldn’t call call wouldn’t who Americans few a Holiday. tolerant generically the with ol iaie hr i a o more lot a you is As there America. imagine even would and live), I pro- is diff Britain (where foundly to,say, Spain erent in here celebrate we get- evolution. anyone teaching about know angry and ting to heart unlikely by offare Creed the citing watch King’s Christmas; and then.and now evensong chapel a to go perhaps who Christians self-defined of proportion sizeable a there’s – tions into account other religious denomina- taking – that means which month) a (for once worship means of ‘regular’clarifi cation, place a attend regularly not do population of the percent 85 religious. not are percent 25 and Christian is tion In the UK, 60 percent of the popula- me. with bear but shattering, Christmas, per se, that I’ve got it in for . family,my with food,fi isn’treplaces. It colour,being and light festive the feel, community the love I Christmas. love religious imagery in the Spanish Spanish the in imagery religious s o cn mgn, hr’ quite there’s imagine, can you As o ti rao, h Crsms that Christmas the reason, this For Easter at mass to go who  ose earth- hardly is following  e h wr Crsms rpaig it replacing Christmas, word the n h tly bt tuge re- struggle but telly; the on Christmas than the British one. British the than Christmas

lot opeey censored completely almost TOM PORTEOUS evolution, most retailers have sagrn 8 pret of percent 80 staggering a legedly reject the theory of theory the reject legedly In America, however, where the population is Christian; af f l Aeias al- Americans all of half t es oc a ek and week; a once least at church attend percent 40 Carols from from Carols

TOM PORTEOUS White House to describe the ostenta- the describe to House White the by attempt hilarious the especially of fans themselves otfie we I cietly wished accidentally I mortifi when ed for? Christmas is c) then, tinsel. antlers What, reindeer b) hat santa choice a) of your drinking wearing inevitably, parties, and, with synonymous become has Christmas cently, re- More crackers. cheapest the tear for went mum because always that crowns much, paper family, too and presents eating telly, tree,Santa, the decorating church.defibe fias: ned over ghting the to relationship any in perspec- of devoid Christmas almost Yuletide, seems England the on European tive them. entertaining celebrating about more and religions people’s ignoring about less is tolerance’ ‘cultural that recognise to failed have politicians American state, the and religion divide to attempt able in ornaments and December is a Christmas tree.” Classic. lights deco- with tree rated evergreen an that knows I remember a few of years ago being ago years of few a remember I can Christmas Personally, less frankly the to back Moving that,me respect- to their seems in It on prime time TV: “Everyone “Everyone TV: time prime on iu dcrtos tik at think – decorations tious acy, declaring emphatically emphatically acy,declaring least one lavishly decorat- lavishly one least o noe te conspir- the uncover to ed 8-foot Douglas fir per room – as ‘Holiday trees’. is mrc deigned America Miss Captain Obvious Obvious former a from quote Captain A particularly particularly A that rebranding; in our lives” religion that we st wantill of traditional elements acknowledging the evolved into of a day “Christ has mas fied, “I’m not offon the ended.air for a second before she clari- Why would I be?” out for a hug. An awkward silence hung you”to reached Christmas and “Merry genuine a with grinned,replied had she however, bumbling, pathetic I-I-I’m Sorry.” thinking. Hanukkah, wasn’t I sorry. meant I obviously sorry, I’m gosh, “No, out, stammer to managed wildly, back-pedalling and, statement retracted my immediately I I Christmas”. “Merry a who Jewish, mine, was well of very knew friend good very a pc-n-i attd t religion; to attitude pick-and-mix a the from same page, albeit a from diff reading erent book. basically were We gift-giving. and bush decorated a she has gift-giving; and tree decorated a eoe hd vn tre my started even had I Before Perhaps it’s off ensive to have such such have off to it’s ensive Perhaps the most evangelistic aff evangelistic most have air.the I that my Christmas was hardly hardly was Christmas my that refl knew ection.she all, After uiy o clbain and celebration for munity linked fundamentally are o rn tgte te com- the together serve: bring they to purpose the by She was right. Holidays Holidays right. was She

TOM PORTEOUS TOM PORTEOUS FEATURES sharing sharing and goodwill and forgetting the taking all the fun parts like love, family, cal, but it’s not. I literally cannot wait. cannot cyni- literally I not.it’s but cal, Sounds months. dur- bleak to the forward ing look to celebration,something blow-out a is Christmas o al h fml; or set n py- watching jamas in spent hours family; the all for ing;drink;and muchfood presentstoo decorat- Shameless excess. about: is all Christmas quasi-secular Western, modern, scream- the and what provide  kicking ing. ey Sunday, a on church of out people dragging aren’t commercially-minded the at . aimed is Christmas of commercialisation  ironic. e deliciously is however, sation, Christmas. clas- the of – commercialisation products sic sell to panies com- to by hijacked is been Eid has Muslims, and Jews, Rosh to as is Hashanah Christians to important as is just year is which of Christmas, that time fact the this at hear all we’ll vehemently rejecting the than parts we don’t. rather lives, our in want still we the elements of traditional religion that has evolved into a day of acknowledging dear Christmas hold that we seems It . values human basic the of most fact in opne ad eatet stores department and Companies commerciali- about complain To complaint biggest the Perhaps whole bloody Crusades,hea- bloody whole es ptec, opsin – compassion patience,ness,

/ then-converting history. esg o lv, forgive- love, of message VULTURE powerful and resonating and powerful the birth of Jesus. It’sJesus. of birth a the mean- more much is nfl o hs who celebrating actually those are to ingful Obviously Christmas Christmas Obviously Love Actually Love ism and Elf 19 . DAVID GODWIN JUNE TONG 20 VULTURE / LIFESTYLE Friday 29th November 2013

PICK A TEAM SPORT & INVEST IN COMMIT TO IT DECENT OUTERWEAR If the only person you’ve When you’re gettinging ready agreed to exercise with is you, for a big night out, nothing killskil the chances are you’ll pull out at the mood faster than hearinging the rain lash at last minute. It’s too cold, it’s too wet, your windoww pane and the wind hohowling to I’ll go tomorrow. Sound familiar? Well, get in. Forget those sexy blackk heels – yyou need the benefi t of joining a team sport is As darkness rubber soles tonight. By the timeime youyou’ve fi nished that there are other people counting on descends over Cambridge, puddle-proofi ng your outfi t, you’ll’ll loolook more like you to show up. And if you don’t train daylight is swallowed by a serpentine a giant rubber duckiekie than a social butterfl y. But regularly, you won’t perform as well set of streetlamps snaking its way through before you resign yourself to a lifee of bathtbathtubs and when it comes to competi- the city.  e rain is unrelenting and the wind soap suds, hear me out. If you headd to the shops and HOST tions. Two compelling is unforgiving. Looks like another night indoors. invest in a decent raincoataincoat and decent leather boots, EVENTS IN YOUR OWN reasons to get out You have the company of your most faithful friends you’ll be able to brave the weathereather without com- HOME of bed! (Facebook, BuzzFeed), you’re wrapped up in your duvet, promising on your outfi t. Raincoats,aincoats, no matter Inviting friends over is the easiest and your sorrows are drowning in a second mug of hot how daggy, can alwayss be discarded at the way to avoid being a hermit this winter. cocoa. What’s not to love? Well, my friends, one thing: the front door, allowing youou to emerge,emerg safe, You don’t need to dress up or leave the house. terrifying possibility that there may be little to distinguish dry and happy, like a butterfl y leaving Better yet, head to Sainsbury’s and buy some you from a soft gooey marshmallow – pale (from lack of sun- its cocoon. decent cheese.Fondue night anyone? Promise the light), round (from excessive eating) and devoid of personal- largest slice of camembert to whoever shows up in ity (from failure to maintain social interaction). INDULGE IN a beret with a baguette under their arm.  e follow- FOOD YOU NEVER EAT ing week, try your hand at Mexican cooking. Whip up Marshmallows are not as sexy as their chocolate IN SUMMER some quesadillas and guacamole and you’ll have a fi esta counterparts. Romance with other forms of candy Have you ever seen bikini-clad girls in no time . Play taco roulette by adding a deadly is precluded by plastic packaging. It’s a lonely life eating risotto on the beach? Neither have amount of chilli to one taco and seeing which BRING indeed. So how does one avoid this fate? How I.  ere’s a reason why winter food is confi ned unfortunate diner spends the rest of the THE OUTSIDE do we survive the next few months without to the colder months.  e mercury drops so low evening in the bathroom, then watch INDOORS turning into pale blobs of unhappi- that only carbs can save you now. Nothing feels bet- your worries drift away with the Feel like a picnic but put off by ness? Here are a few ideas. ter than bursting through the front door in a whirl of rising steam. If this sounds too the rain? Bring the party indoors. scarf, raincoat and damp hair, and digging into a steam- hard , get your laptop, and host Spread a rug on the carpet, invite all ing bowl of risotto. Sure, your glasses fog up, and the pot a Downton Abbey mara- your friends over for scones, and pass is hard to clean afterwards. But it tastes so damn good. thon from the comfort around the Pimms like it’s nobody’s busi- Enjoy the feeling while it lasts, and eat as much soup, of your carpet. ness. You can’t control the weather out- pasta and rice as your stomach will allow. Experiment a side, but the atmosphere inside is yours little – throw sun-dried tomatoes, bacon and arti- to create. If scones don’t satisfy, throw in choke hearts into angel hair pasta, sprinkle with some unusual sandwiches like apple, parsley and drizzle with lemon. Or enjoy a lighter cheddar and bacon, grilled cheese spaghetti with strawberries and balsamic sandwiches or French toast with vinegar rather than boring old pork mince. poached pears, salted cara- Don’t be afraid of new fl avour combi- mel and mint. nations. Housemates make the best guinea pigs. Motivation for the Winter Marshmallow

Where were you before here?

I was in the army as an artillery inst ru or, operations offi cer, and military police offi cer.  e army gives you very diff erent responsibilites. You are in charge of someone’s life.

Stephanie Taic CAMBRIDGE CAMBRIDGE LUCY CAVENDISH

of What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been shows us Cambridge, one storyshows us Cambridge, at a time given?

A guy ran into me on the try line, he What is your biggest st ruggle at the did score, but ducked his head and got moment? Work to live, don’t me right in the collarbone! I st udy law. It’s a lot of reading, but I live to work. Was it worth it though? don’t regret choosing to st udy it. I don’t Not really, we were going to win know what I want to do with my life. I anyway. don’t really want to be a lawyer. Charlie Nye Sarah Lombard Phanos Anast asiou SELWYN DOWNING HUGHES HALL HUMANS Andreana Panayi Panayi Andreana Friday 29th November 2013 LIFESTYLE / VULTURE 21 Our fl apper fascination BROS Saskia Walker   WARNER How (not) to love . Scott Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby, Bridgemas the embodiment of the 1920s EMILY DEAN F American Dream, asserts with absolute confi dence: “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” He is not It’s beginning to look a lot like to be swayed. Gatsby’s ultimate dream Christmas... except it’s not. It’s – a plethora of multi-coloured shirts, November.  e decorations may the fl ash car, all utterly meaningless in have gone up around college and his eyes – is to have Daisy; or at least in town, but the wider population the version of Daisy he remembers. He of Cambridge remains unaff ected: makes no allowance for the years which to outsiders, it is still a damp, have passed, let alone her very real hus- and dreary November. But the band and daughter. Bridgemas spirit kicked in with Unlike the ever-idealistic Gatsby, it the dawning of week 6, when seems rather obvious – to us and to the Christmas formals were being baffl ed Nick Carraway – that you sim- booked, Cindies started play- ply can’t. Nonetheless, with regards to ing Mariah Carey, and you began music, fi lms, television and novels, we toying with the idea of a voyage to do appear to be giving it a fair go. Poundland to bulk buy tinsel. We are desperate to evoke and, in Will we see the bright lights of Baz Lurhmann’s e Great Gatsby at the Girton Spring Ball? So here are some steps you can Gatsby’s vein, repeat the past; the lat- take to make sure that, by the time est instance being the Girton Spring I can’t possibly be the only one amused while the American activist Margaret most ridiculous fun. you go home, you are feeling as Ball the theme of which is to be ‘Les and devastated by the events unfolding Sanger was spreading wild ideas about It was a golden age, of hope, chaos, Christmassy as possible – if only to Années Folles’: a resurrection of 1920s in the extensive grounds of Downton birth control and sex for fun. Women splendour and lavish debauchery and annoy your parents. Paris in all its splendour. In this notion Abbey. While a far cry from Gatsby’s were freer than ever – embodied by the it continues to capture the imagina-  e Advent Calendar:  e actual of glamour and spectacle, lies the crux nights of revelry, the goings-on at classic ‘20s fl apper dresses. tion today. In the current climate of date of Bridgemas is hotly debated. of our superfi cial fascination. To many Downton are astonishing in their own  e 1920s are so entirely en vogue: problems at home, issues abroad, and a Some (wrong people) feel that the of those who’ve read Fitzgerald (or at right. In Britain too, society was mod- the popularity of drop-waist dresses, million little things to complain about 25th November is the right date – least seen Baz Lurhmann’s reworking: beads and sequins makes the entire (even, dare I say it, in Cambridge), the but just arbitrarily moving exactly an unashamedly simplifi ed adaptation, style utterly unavoidable. With the Roaring Twenties have come to repre- a month back doesn’t account for but with a kaleidoscopic palette to ri- proliferation of fl apper hair and head sent an ideal of letting loose and feeling the fi ner points of Bridgemas life. val the most outrageous May Balls) the “In a ‘20s suit, the bands, we’re all giving a vague nod to free. You can do anything you want to Some choose to start their advent ‘20s look like one hell of a party. gentleman are dapper and Joan Crawford, Gloria Swanson and do and be anyone in the world you want calendar 24 days before Christmas Be it France or America, the era is other inimitable 1920s screen sirens. to be. Who wouldn’t be entranced? formal, which makes sense, and remembered as one of excess; bright all know how to dance.” As for the boys, Leo DiCaprio Our fascination with the 1920s some 24 days from the end of lights and wild nights.  e reality doesn’t look half bad as Jay; in a ‘20s stems, quite simply, from that overrid- term. Whatever day you desig- is rather more complex. Glitter and suit, the gentlemen are dapper and all ing buzz.  e ecstatic hope that any- nate as Bridgemas, nothing feels charm hid a thousand fl aws including ernising. While the situations were know how to dance (although some- thing or everything is possible. Change Christmassier than remembering prohibition and post-war rehabilita- very diff erent, certain similarities do what diff erently from the average dis- is in the air, making Girton’s theme all you can legitimately eat chocolate tion. But the 1920s were a time of un- emerge between Downton, Gatsby and play in Cindies). the more tempting, and propelling lit- before your 9am. precedented liberation; the First World innumerable other programmes, novels,  e sense of spectacle extends to tle remnants of a bygone yet longed-for Christmas Formal: Who doesn’t War was over, business was booming or 1920s revivals. the entertainment as well – an endless era back into the present. Like the trag- love a Christmas dinner? Especially and society was shifting. Feminism also did rather well out of stream of jazz, orchestras, and whirl- ic Gatsby, we too are unable to repeat one not quite as good as your Leaving the nuits folles of Paris for the 1920s. Suddenly, women in Britain you-round-‘til-you’re-dizzy dances. the past, but its hold upon us endures mum’s, with compulsory sprouts a moment, a very diff erent version of and the United States (although not in With Charlie Chaplin and the fi rst and we cannot help but be swept up in and not enough pigs in blankets. the British ‘20s attracts our attention. France until 1944) had the right to vote, ‘talkies’ on screen too, the ‘20s seem the and captured by ‘Les Années Folles’. Don’t get me wrong; I always have a sprout. One. Out of Christmas duty. But there’s something joyful about having a proper Christmas dinner with friends, when you haven’t had to make it yourself (burning the Lucy’s Cookbook roast potatoes in the process). And the glorious sight of the waiting staff reluctantly decked out in tinsel fter a term of being committed scarves really adds to the festive to cooking well, you’ve reached    atmosphere. All things said, the A breaking point – as has the sink, Smoked haddock, pea and spinach ri- Chicken tikka massala, £1.80, 7.5/10 Chinese chicken curry, 5/10 excitement of wine, pulling crack- from all the unwashed utensils.  is sotto, 7/10 From Italy’s fi nest cuisine to the  eir Chinese counterpart fared ers, and pretending to like turkey week, for your delight and delectation, I We started with the healthy option, a rich aromas and delicate spices of even worse, bringing up the rear of really does get the Christmas spirit bring you not a recipe, but a review. We risotto from Sainsbury’s My Good- the Orient, curry was next on the the table and then some. It lacked fl owing. will go around the world in 800 watts, ness range. We ate. We discussed. list, and I have to say was greeted any defi nable taste, which was odd Secret Santa:  e anticipation, accompanied (obviously) by none other We judged. It was creamy, if a little with great anticipation by my trusty as it was the spiciest of all the ready the suspense, the disappoint- than the good old Sainsbury’s ready lacking in seasoning, but also fi ll- tasters. Creamy and fi lling, with a meals. As well, at 2 for £6, the noo- ment… Secret Santa encompasses meal. ing, and lived up to its healthy name good level of spice for a curry, it was dles and curry are not as good value. practically every emotion you will In order to have enough stomach with some chunks of fi sh and peas to brilliant value at half price and was experience over Christmas in a FLICKR space to properly assess the full scope of be spotted amongst the rice.  e ri- awarded the most points so far ac- / few minutes of merriment. With a GOODHEW what’s on off er, I had to gather together sotto did well, stumbling slightly in cordingly, despite the health front fl oor/staircase/select group who you a group of dedicated Downingites, since the value for money category at £3 a (that health wheel was not happy). MILES can trust to get good presents, it dubbed the Famished Five, to use as my pop (or 2 for £5, which is better). Even more exciting was the naan can be a great way of getting keen. willing guinea pigs for this ready meal bread I purchased to go with it, 2 for Maybe go all out – get a tree to put taste test. 75p and easily ‘grilled’ in a toaster. the presents under, and knock back It was at this point that fellow lin-  one too many glasses of wine before guist extraordinaire Emily Heslop had Bolognese or chicken and bacon bake, you start. If you stick to the rules of the brainwave of a table, with marks out 7/10  simple present buying, you won’t go of 10 in the categories of  e bolognese from the Classic Ital- Singapore noodles, 6/10 far wrong: do they drink? If so, al- tastiness, sauciness ian range was everything you would Ever onwards to Singapore and its  cohol. If not, food.  en no one can (yes, that’s what expect a bolognese to be.  ere was fabulous noodles. Or not so fabu- Shepherd’s pie, 8/10 be disappointed when everyone gets I said), value for pasta, there was mince, it was “en- lous, as it turned out, being labelled World weary and travel worn, we wine/chocolate/socks and you end money and health. joyable but not memorable” (Alex “highly dubious” by architect Will returned home to the humble shep- up with a hand-painted toothbrush What follows are Cook, engineer) and came out equal Haynes. Having given them a good herd’s pie, and were pleasantly sur- holder. the results of our to the risotto.  e chicken and ba- stir, they looked much more edible, prised. It was tasty, with good mash Ignore the Scrooge-like nature cultural (if not con pasta bake from the same range and we set to with gusto. However, on top and lots of sauce not too stag- among non-Cantabs in the face quite culinary) received similar marks, however, at my guinea pigs were not impressed. geringly full of saturated fat, and at of such anachronistic festive fun, adventure. £2 each (as part of a 3 for £6 deal on As Chris Corley, engineer, so aptly £2 was pretty good value too. In fact, get your tinsel on, your tree up and any Classic Italian or stickered meal) put it: “I’d be reaching for the soy it ticked all the boxes, and came out blast out the Band Aid; term is Lucy Roch they are pretty good value. sauce”. top. nearly over, and Bridgemas is here. 22 VULTURE / FASHION Friday 29th November 2013

A Christmas Party

SHOOT DIARIES FESTIVE FASHION he weather outside is fright- ful, but the fi re is so delight- T ful – there is no excuse but to fi re up your wardrobe with some sizzling party dresses to get into the Christmas spirit.  ere may still be a month to go, but the festive season comes round very early in Cambridge. is week, we looked at the vast array of Christmas attire available on the high street from frocks and fur coats to Christmas jumpers – yes they are a must and totally acceptable to wear around college. No longer are they the embarrassing hand-knitted present from an elderly relative, worn once and then hidden at the back of the wardrobe.  e Christmas jumper is now a festive season staple, even featuring on high-end fashion cat- walks for the likes of Burberry. For how long will this popularity last? As a comforting classic that cheers up the last few weeks of term, it doesn’t look like it will be anytime soon.

Lottie Franklin & Dahaba Ali Hussen

Photography by Alice Taylor, clothes modelled by Cambridge students Friday 29th November 2013 FASHION / VULTURE 23 24 VULTURE / CULTURE Friday 29th November 2013 e art of passing notes Notes Editor Jemima Moore on magazine publishing in the age of the internet Michaelmas

iPads and Kindles become ever more MAGAZINE he concept of a magazine is a

Musings good one. A magazine is not popular. NOTES T for everyone; it is for those However, while the online market for F B who want to read its particular niche. magazines is booming, the traditional A magazine is a specialist in one area, print version will not die out. In fact, Packed with theatres, galleries, mu- be it bodybuilding, trains or fashion. By I predict that it will become even more seums, concert venues, actors, writ- reading a magazine, an individual can treasured as our nostalgia for real things ers, and artists, Cambridge is an become a specialist in a certain area and takes hold. It is for this reason that, at ideal city for culture. ere’s so much in doing so develop their sense of indi- Notes, we choose to print paper copies to see that it’s very easy for much of viduality. A magazine allows anyone to for every issue as well as publish articles it to pass you by. I’ve seen plenty of become part of a sub-culture, to defi ne on our website. theatre in my fi rst term here, but themselves against the rush of main- e online magazine, such as our I’m all too aware of great shows and stream entertainment and information. website, has several fundamental diff er- events that I’ve missed. Most of all, You can decide what you want to read, ences to the traditional printed periodi- I regret not going to see more of the but you can also decide what you want cal. Most importantly, it is published on new and the unusual. to write. ere is a magazine suitable a rolling basis, updated daily, a stream Like most freshers, I’ve been for every kind of creative outlet you can of information, in the same vein as the caught up in starting my course, imagine. As editors of Notes magazine, Facebook newsfeed. On a magazine’s making new friends, going out, and we provide an alternative to journalism website, articles and artworks are pub- somehow squeezing extracurricular lished as individual items, each judged commitments in between. In this by their own merit, unrelated to any hectic cycle, the weeks fl it by and other work in the publication. keeping track of cultural events isn’t “A magazine allows In a monthly or bi-weekly maga- balance between print and online, with Notes hosts with the launch of each is- easy. Fitting them into the work- anyone to become part of a zine, the editors have time to collate our fi rst annual book in colour coming sue. We make a space – for two hours in life balance is harder still. And why and compile work. We can envision out in January. the Munby room in King’s – for read- should we make an eff ort in the fi rst sub-culture” the magazine as a whole, rather than A new series of videos of our con- ers and contributors to listen to each place? as a series of fragments, so as to create tributors reading their poetry will also other’s works and discuss them in an e fi rst answer to this should a coherent and distinct vision for each appear online, where poets can commu- open, relaxed and democratic environ- be the quality of the culture on of- and feminist writing, and create a issue. Without a theme, the magazine nicate their work in ways that are im- ment. ese events have helped foster fer; Cambridge can certainly deliver. home for all those interested in other becomes a collection of information – possible in written form, adding pitch, a Notes community that we hope will Every so often a show like Jerusalem thought-provoking things, be it poetry, with a theme the magazine becomes a pace, rhythm and tone. grow stronger with every issue. at the ADC comes along and as- art, essay writing or anything else that is proposition. Nowadays, the idea of seeing videos e magazine has led us from print- tounds everyone lucky enough to genuinely creative and engaging. e works selected for each printed or photos of ourselves on the internet is ed periodical, to internet newsfeed and have a ticket. Publishing a magazine in these times issue come alive when placed together no longer unusual. We are used to be- back again. is time the interactive ere are weekly concerts of is, however, not as simple as it once in the paper booklet. However, the in- ing able to interact with such published community created on the internet has consistently high standard, such as was. e magazine industry is under- ternet provides a place to show works work online. e democratic nature led us to develop a similar community King’s Evensong, while e Junction going an irreversible shift from print that would not be so easy to publish of the internet means that everyone around the printed periodical, turning has hosted AlunaGeorge and other to internet. Most magazines now have in print. Colour photos and artworks, can speak and be heard (or write and it from an abstract source of a sub- great bands and there have been a a more profi table online business than for example, can be uploaded for zero be read), as everyone is anonymous culture into an actual environment in slew of fi ve-star movies on at the print business and this trend is set to cost, and our range of artwork can also and equal. which everyone is valued equally and Arts Picturehouse (Blue Jasmine, become even more pronounced in extend to video. is internet environment is cre- everyone is united by their common Gravity and Philomena, to name a the next few years, as devices such as Next term, we want to maintain this ated in a microcosm at the events that interest. few). S

So there’s a range of high-quality ’ FABER

CUGAT &

CLASSICS

culture for everyone. But culture is FABER FRANCIS worth more than just its entertain- VINTAGE ment value, especially when it takes us out of our comfort zone and makes us consider something that we’ve never seen before. Last year I saw Elizabeth Price’s Turner Prize-winning fi lm e Woolworths Choir of 1979. Weaving together clips of pop music, photo- graphs of 14th century architecture, and archive fi lm footage, the fi lm recreates a fi re in Woolworths furni- HAROUN AND THE SEA THE FORWARD BOOK THE GREAT GATSBY ture store in fantastical forms. I can’t say that I understood what OF STORIES OF POETRY 2014 it meant, or that I saw everything THE Price was trying to draw attention Salman Rushdie’s short novel Ha- e Forward Book of Poetry e Great Gatsby is one of those to. But at the very least, I was moved COFFEE TABLE BOOK round and the Sea of Stories is an 2014 presents some of the best books that everyone seems to have afterwards to see fi lm in a diff erent CONNOISSEUR absolute delight. Haroun’s father is contemporary poetry published on their bookshelves. It has an in- way: how we’re aff ected by it, and the greatest of all story tellers but in the British Isles over the last nate cultural currency in the sense how we’re drawn into a strong sen- With the constant fl ow of new when something goes wrong and year, including the winners of that owning it somehow (at least in sual engagement with it. And that, I books from publishers , the he loses his power, Haroun sets 2013’s Forward Poetry Prizes. e the eyes of some) makes you a bet- think, is what good art does: it makes time of giving and receiving is off on an adventure to the sea of anthology - the 22nd of its kind - is ter person. us see the world diff erently. certainly a fun one. stories to get it back. e adventure introduced by Jeanette Winterson. But not everyone will have a fi rst We need to have an open mind is an epic one told in an absolutely Poets within the volume include edition copy. A hardback edition towards the new and unknown. is week I’ve pulled together beautiful way. Rushdie’s descrip- Emily Berry, Michael Symmons from Quintessential Rare Books in Why not go and see a play in Greek, some gift ideas for your literary tion of the sea of stories for exam- and Jacob Polley. the USA comes in at £190,529.04 or an artistic burlesque show? Both friends or indeed for yourself. ple is absolutely sublime. were on in Cambridge recently. In such a culturally rich environment, there’s bound to be novelty as well as quality. Next Friday, I’m going to the Fitzwilliam Museum to see Edmund de Waal’s exhibition of white porce- lain, with one of the pieces commis- sioned specifi cally for the Chinese gallery. It’s not what I’d usually see – I don’t normally see porcelain out- side of an antiques shop – but even if I don’t like it, seeing it will be an experience worth having. Make your hot drinks more literary. Have a ‘whale’ of a time with this! is map is better than a sat nav! Hide the fact you use technology...  Friday 29th November 2013 CULTURE / VULTURE 25 A Day Trip - Part Two We rejoin Varsity’s gonzo correspondent, Jacob Waits, as he fl ees the menacing guardians of a local heritage site, abandoning his luckless photographer, Young, in his haste to fi nd safe ground e made it, and slammed irrevocably mar the view.  is had course in the slightest in fear of our far endeavour fi nds itself outshone by walking on it since you were a boy!” I the door, but the car ap- the added eff ect of granting a certain superior horsepower and structural in- geology. A random motion of magma replied. I was confused and alarmed W peared not to share our privilege to those adventurous souls tegrity, he had ploughed on, safe in the and water impelled by heat and pres- that our driver’s – until now agreeable urgency and valuable seconds were who did not wish to slowly fade away knowledge that his nerves, grounded sure had created a masterpiece that no – relationship with his chemical intake wasted as Adamson attempted to coax, behind a round-edged desk.  ey had in hundreds of years of monolithic tortured narcissistic ‘genius’ could hope had taken such a distressing turn. berate and kick the engine out of its the privilege of ending their existences devotion and tradition were far more to match. “Don’t fuck about, what’s that?!” torpor. As he did so, I saw Young, the more dramatically by hurtling off a likely to hold than ours – the fi ckle, My reverie was broken when He pointed towards his calf at what photographer, barrel past the advanc- delightfully scenic cliff into the rocky impatient children of a world Adamson ran past me semi-naked, looked to be a scab of some kind. ing guards, leaving them in a cloud sea hundreds of feet below. in a constant hurry to lolloping towards the water like some “I don’t know, a mole, a scab, both of choking dust, a delaying tactic that While not apparently eager for change. great shaggy hound, and plunged into things upon which it is rarely consid- may well have saved our lives. Clearly death, Adamson certainly paid it the glassy depths. Not to be outdone, ered acceptable to invite comment!” the girl was of greater value to our little heed judging by his driving. I too advanced, and it was not until “It’s not a fucking scab – it’s biting party than I had initially realised. As we rounded one of those mortal I was far out of my depth and me and it fucking hurts.” “What the hell are you doing?” She corners we found our path blocked paddling furiously that I reconsid- I looked closer, and saw the tiny exploded, leaping into the car. by oncoming traffi c. An ered the wisdom of this move. I lump was indeed not merely a blemish “Did you get the shots?” roared ancient man was sat had neglected to fi nish my last but a tiny invertebrate of some kind. Adamson, still frantically hammering astride a quad-bike, long cigarette and the hot end was A chilling thought occurred; what if at the engine black robe and longer nearing my face with alarm- the lake was full of these bloodsucking “What are you – ” grey beard fl apping in ing speed. Unfortunately, parasites? We were doomed for sure. “Did you get them?!” he repeated, the head wind. Behind him, both my hands were in the “Get it off !” he screamed and with an almost insane rage, as the he towed an open trailer fi rst instance wet and would I obliged, pulling the thing off engine fi nally sputtered into life. populated by two impassive ruin the cigarette, and in the Adamson’s leg – with more of a strug- “Yes but –” mules. Adamson veered madly second, fully occupied gle than I would have thought neces- “ en we are getting the fuck out to avoid this bizarre obstacle keeping me afl oat. sary – and hurling it away. I grabbed him by the shoulders. of here!” he cried, and with admirable and brought us to a halt inches LI After a moment of

resolve, plunged his foot down and from picturesque doom. Behind MOANA indecision, I resolved “We have to get out of here,” I fl ung us out madly onto the road, away us, the man continued on, vanish- to advance, paddling insisted; “we have disrupted the calm from that sinister place. ing round the bend without so and puffi ng away of this body of water and now it has Our next destination was the more much as blinking. like some poor turned on us. We are no longer wel- idyllic of two lagoons on the island, We knew there was a monas- seal to whom a come here.” an ideal spot for tourists to go and tery on the island, but this monk sadistic trainer In wordless agreement he turned baste themselves in salt, without the – for he could have been nothing has taught terrible with me and the two of us splashed highly disruptive motion of the sea else – was many miles from home. and dangerous insanely towards the shore, fl ounder- itself. Our route took us through a Where he was headed with his be- habits. When I ing in our panic like maddened gib- number of mountain passes and along mused cargo I shall never know, could bear the bons. Young had only just managed to gravel tracks (barely worthy of the but the thought that would heat no longer, change into her bikini in the demure description) which Adamson blazed stick with me was that snapshot I mustered all my safety of the car and was walking down at a less-than-cautious speed. of a head-on collision between the facial might, and spat down to the shore when she saw her Fortunately, we appeared to be the 21st century and a much, much the cigarette as far as I could. two companions surging towards her only motorised life on the island. Only older way of life.  e wizened but It fl ipped through the baking air, and in a fl ailing mass of surf and limbs and once did we encounter anything to powerful man, had spent his life in  e landed some feet distant with a hiss terror. Wisely, though still confused, check our speed. Of many bizarre and the service of an abstract concept that rest of our journey passed without and a gentle series of ripples. she checked her step and looked out at terrifying incidents that occurred that had long since grown unfashionable. comparable incident, and soon we Suddenly Adamson cried out, and us with an enquiring gaze. day, this was perhaps the most surreal. Beneath him was a modern mode of were pulling off the road onto the thrashed spasmodically. But as ever, there was no time to Local authorities on the island transport and behind him, a medieval narrow strip of scrub that separated “Jesus, what’s wrong with you?” I explain the subtleties of the situation clearly had a taste for dramatic specta- one. Indeed a head-on-collision with tarmac from saltwater.  e water was cried to such a determined optimist and cle, for many of the precarious bends the 21st century – personifi ed in this a deep and radiant blue, and even such “What the fuck is that?” He asked, we piled into the car, revved, and fl ed, on those mountain tracks were devoid case by the intoxicated contents of a a devoted sceptic as myself was forced frantically, raising his left leg as if of- clambering onto the road out from of anything so tasteless as a hard Ford Fiesta – very nearly occurred to consider the beauty of the place. fering it to me. that bloodthirsty lake, and onwards to shoulder – such an imposition would literally. However, rather than alter his Ultimately, all humanity’s artistic “Its your leg, man. You’ve been hopefully more welcoming environs. In Focus  e Mr Bean of Savile Row A collection of photographs taken by various professional photogra- Lottie Franklin looks at an exhibition on fashion’s most likeable man, Paul Smith phers operating from a studio in Post Offi ce Terrace, Cambridge MUSEUM he Design Museum in London to charm outgoing, but sophisticated, from the mid 19th to the late

plays host to a new exhibition: DESIGN fashion lovers across the globe, espe- 20th Century are to be exhibited T Hello, My Name is Paul Smith. cially those looking for extremely high in a new show called “Cambridge  e exhibition showcases the interna- quality craftsmanship. Revisited”. tional brand that the Paul Smith label His ultra-bright multicoloured stripe has become, greeting its viewers with a was only meant to be used for one  e digitally remastered photo- visual exploration of the personal jour- collection, initially. After it proved so graphs are a result of the work of ney for this artist, photographer, de- popular, Smith preserved the design Peter Lofts, the last photographer signer and entrepreneur. in numerous parts of his collections. to occupy the studio before its  e exhibition is spread across a Scarves, shirts, diaries and wallets are closure for redevelopment in the range of diff erent rooms presenting all adorned with the print. It is even mid 1980s.  e pictures show the Paul Smith’s physical and emotional printed onto his famous Mini, featured changing face of Cambridge and development. It transports visitors at the exhibition. many of the scenes and build- through his fi rst shop in Nottingham  e show closes on the 9th March ings (as you might expect with – a cubicle which only measured three 2014 so if you’re in London go in and Cambridge’s long history) are in- metres squared – to his fi rst showroom say hello, connect with Paul Smith’s stantly recognisable. Some however in a Parisian hotel. You visit his offi ce bright, energetic, life-loving way of show considerable alteration and emporium of eclectic fi ndings and crea- Paul Smith himself features at the exhibition thinking, or as he said in a recent others have disappeared completely. tions, embodying his magpie personal- Culture Show interview, his “Savile row ity that has infl uenced his novel shops. / Mr Bean” way of design.  e exhibition is currently tak- None of these shops are the same, of his artistic mind which mirrors his Celebrated for his expressive prints, ing place on the third fl oor of the whether they are in Covent Garden or creative visions.  e display presents far Paul Smith has perfected a classic style Student tickets are £8.40, Central Library in Lion Yard. It Fifth Avenue, New York. more than just a fashion brand, but the with consistently modern twists. Button more information about the will be situated in the area outside A room of psychedelic moving images personal archive of a bold, classic, in- holes of diff erent colours, colourful silk event can be found at the Cambridgeshire Collection and and spaces exhibits the visual interiority genious and honest fashion icon. linings or bright socks have continued www.designmuseum.org opposite the café. 26 VULTURE / THEATRE Friday 29th November 2013 All in a day’s work for the ADC Aron Penczu speaks to some of the people involved in e 24hr Plays hat defi nes literary form? you...they’re part of the experience.” But superpower would you have?’ for exam- Wolinski, an executive producer and Convention points us to it’s diffi cult to say more. To ensure that ple, or ‘When do you go to bed?’ He organiser of the event. She’s certain the Playground W features of the fi nal text: stipulations are adhered to, the theme believes that depth of characterisation best plays will come “out of the most length, metre, rhyme. We like to and the teams are only announced as will be crucial to a successful piece. extreme of circumstances,” and indeed C T think that the conditions of produc- the 24-hour countdown begins, and Others are thinking about the visual the idea of productive limitation is fun- tion – weeks of writing strung out on the cast and crew are in the paradoxical aspect. Shounok’s main purpose is to damental to a 24-hour play. e National eatre, a by-word for cocaine, in Stephen King’s case, for position of preparing for what can’t be leave “one really enduring image in the Helen Charman, an actor in last theatrical excellence, celebrated its instance – are irrelevant to the mean- year’s production, comments that al- 50th anniversary earlier this month ing or quality of an aesthetic object. though the obvious diffi culty is the to commemorate what it has done If that’s the right way to approach preparation, the ten-minute constraint best for the past half century: pro- most literature, it’s surely inadequate is itself a challenge: there’s no room for duce and import quality products when it comes to many performing arts. superfl uity. e experience as a whole is no matter how uncommercial they And greatness in improv, by defi nition “a lot of fun, but also surreal.” sound, and use new methods such resistant to iteration, is predicated on Hours of caff eine-fuelled mania as physical theatre to illuminate the our knowledge of its extemporaneity. puts performers under unusual strain. themes of the play, creating a pro- A 24-hour play lies somewhere be- It’s understandable that one of Isolde’s duction that can serve as a refl ection tween improv and ordinary drama. priorities is “creating a space in which of our times. Less form than format, perhaps, it was people feel excited.” She envisions an e National eatre has a far conceived in Manhattan in 1995 as a “incredibly collaborative atmosphere”, greater responsibility than any other one-time-only event which germinat- and, though it’s important for a direc- theatre company in Britain: being ed, grew, and now runs annually at the tor to have faith in her writer, she says our national theatre, it has to walk Old Vic. later that some improv and ad-libbing the line between providing a high e concept is simple: produce a are probably unavoidable. “It’s about quality service, and catering to the 10-minute play in 24 hours. at means playing with it.” public’s wants and desires. about 12 hours of writing and editing, e time limit lends itself to comedy, In order to do this, the theatre another 12 to learn lines, build sets, and but the cast and crew have a broader embodies the belief that people un- rehearse. vision as well. Shounok, for example, is derstand and respond to quality, not Pressure’s high, and the challenges searching for balance between “a hu- just performances staged purely to are self-evident. What’s remarkable, man relationship that is identifi able entertain. as anyone who saw last year’s winning and intellectual challenge”, taking his e National eatre has consist- Information can attest to, is the quality cue from Tom Stoppard, who grounds ently advocated originality, and has of the material that emerges. BETH FISHER his “deep philosophical meditations in since become the benchmark against “It’s exciting and terrifying at the poignant human characteristics.” which all other British theatre, in- same time,” says Shounok Chatterjee, a prepared for. audience’s minds.” Isolde Penwarden, Jess Wolinski claims the event cluding our own theatre scene in fi rst-year Law student who will write ey have plans, however provi- also directing, admires the minimal set, will showcase “the very best talent Cambridge must measure up. one of the fi ve plays. ere is purity to sional. One director, Raph Wakefi eld, open to meaning but “not necessarily Cambridge has to off er.” I believe her. Here in Cambridge, Michaelmas something whittled down to 10 min- intends to work intensively on line- elaborate in itself.” It should be a brilliant night. We judge term has produced its usual show utes: he’s drawn to the “honesty in the learning, then dispense with the usual is may be a year of particularly it conditionally. of quality. It has seen an acclaimed form”. And he thinks the unique for- warm-ups and focus instead on hot- minimal sets, in fact, as the teams will production of e History Boys, as mat will make for a good relationship seating. A type of improv, hot-seating have to work without funding. “We e 24hr Plays will be on at the ADC well as the e Bacchae, a tragedy with the audience. involves asking actors to respond to want every part of the show to be as eatre on Monday 2nd December, at by Euripides which was updated to ey’ll “almost build the text with random questions in character: ‘What challenging as possible,” explains Jess 11pm serve as a refl ection of our times. Even if the latter production did feel like a somewhat contrived mod- score. More than a couple of the ac- next he complains that his wife has no ernisation, the innovative spirit is CAOS tors clasped their stomachs in the hope CORPUS PLAYROOM idea what he is going through, that it is to be applauded. In future, I hope S P that it might help push out those lower B more painful for men. to see more shows which place a notes. e score requires a consider- e medical characters in the play greater emphasis on illuminating able range from almost every member are both frighteningly incompetent the script rather than modernising it Upon entering the auditorium at the of the cast, so it is perhaps no surprise Birthday nonchalantly throws the audi- and physically and emotionally tough simply for the sake of it. Cambridge Arts eatre, it was in- that, with so many untrained singers ence into the thick of the play where a on Ed and Lisa. e ins and outs of Jez Butterworth’s epic play stantly clear that Cambridge Operatic on stage, there were some unorthodox couple is waiting in a hospital ward to labour are shown with physicality; the Jerusalem also took to the ADC stage Society’s take on South Pacifi c was an techniques being put to use. have a baby. An ordinary (if exciting) audience is not spared the gory details, to refl ect the condition of Britain amateur production. It’s funny how It almost goes without saying that enough scenario, one might think: but not to mention the pain and discom- amidst the erosion of rural ways of little details give the game away – in two stars of the show were the men in this case, it is the man who is preg- fort of Ed. e nurse is a no-nonsense life – and to great success. this instance it was a creased backdrop. who wrote it back in 1949. Many of nant. What ensues is a humorous look Northerner who systematically forgets Perhaps more experimentally, However, that is no reason to pass up the songs are now musical theatre clas- at gender role reversal but also a poign- details about Ed’s labour, which is both Shoot Coward! took three Latin on the opportunity to see the Rogers sics – and well worth the ticket price ant view of the relationship between a worrying and darkly humorous. In American plays that had not even and Hammerstein classic. on their own – and audience members married couple who have been deeply contrast, the registrar is played with a been shown in Britain before and e set – strangely not mentioned hummed their way through the inter- aff ected by pregnancy, both as individu- sunny, and even saccharine, disposition. staged them in the Corpus Playroom in the programme – makes particu- val with renditions of ‘ ere Is Nothin’ als and as a couple. However her over-enthusiasm contrasts – a move as daring as any done at the larly clever use of the space available Like A Dame’, ‘I’m in Love With A Gabriel Cagan plays Ed, the preg- hilariously with the fears and frustra- National eatre. and is successful in helping both the Wonderful Guy’ and ‘I’m Gonna Wash nant husband in a manner which cap- tion of the couple. Despite the humour, It is this willingness to try some- actors and audience transport them- at Man Right Outa My Hair’. e tures the role of the emotional preg- the play touches on some deep-seated thing novel, and produce it with selves to the wartime South Pacifi c second act suggests why this show is nant ‘woman’. e emotions, fears, anxieties about pregnancy and hospi- creativity and fi nesse, which I hope island on which this love story is set. still as popular as it was over 60 hormones, and complaints that he is tals, particularly those relating to NHS to see more of in the Cambridge Perhaps the director (Chris Cuming) years ago; Joseph’s (Gavin not hormonal, are played with spooky institutions, such as hospital infections theatre scene. has overlooked some of the potential of Jarvis) fi nal number ‘You’ve accuracy. However, Cagan does not and a lack of doctors. In spite of its initial resistance to this steeply raked stage as he demon- Got To Be Carefully Taught’ descend into a full-blown camp per- e play also touches on emotional the National eatre, British theatre strates a marked fondness for position- expresses how hatred and formance and certainly does not and diffi cult subjects, such as the eff ect has been well served by it, given its ing characters towards the front when prejudices are learned and the become a caricature of the of pregnancy on the couple and their willingness to adapt and look abroad singing. e result of this is that the message of the song is as rel- ‘crazy, emotional relationship, particularly the idea that for inspiration, as well as accept production occasionally has the feel of evant now as it ever was. woman’. His they must try to return to the young the literary shifts and attitudes in a concert performance rather than an Whilst the show lacks perform- couple they once were. e idea of Britain. all-immersing musical world. momentum in places, ance, and post-natal depression aff ecting both e Cambridge theatre scene Characters interacted well with each Cuming’s cast and indeed members of the couple, regardless of has perhaps emulated the National other and there were many convincing crew do justice to the the char- acter in who was pregnant, is a poignant mo- eatre’s ideals in its willingness and moving scenes. In particular, Nellie impressive collection the play, could have been ment in the play, highlighting serious to experiment with unknown plays (Emma Vieceli) and Emile’s (David of fi rst-rate TONY LUMB offensive gender disparities. from other cultures, aided in part by Gower) performances in the famous show-tunes but instead e only drawback of the play is the its diverse student body and its large duet ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ con- and convey remains ending, which seems overly simplistic international student intake. veyed a wonderful tension both within the moral of neutral, and clichéd, given the subtle and clev- Nevertheless, the student pro- and between the characters who are the tale con- blending er grappling with gender stereotypes ductions of the day might continue desperate to share, and yet also deny, vincingly. And to elements of femi- throughout the rest of the play. ere to better themselves by examining their love for one another. the anonymous de- ninity and masculin- are subtle and subversive perform- whether the staging of their pro- e vocal performances were, almost signer of the set, you de- ity. One moment he ances throughout, but unfortunately ductions are mere aesthetic, or add across the board, strong, although there serve a mention in the is upset that his wife this makes the ending all the more meaning to their texts. did seem to be a common diffi culty programme. calls him neurotic be- disappointing. with some of the lower lines in the Daniel Edward cause “it’s sexist”, the Rebecca Rosenberg Friday 29th November 2013 THEATRE / VULTURE 27 10 Questions with Isabella Nicholson Varsity speaks to Isabella, one of the Cambridge Impronauts, ahead of Improv from the Crypt SNG that oh so helpful phrase, but sadly my Generally speaking, yes, sometimes.

CHRISTOPHER accent did not sound anything like that Having lived in the US briefl y as a of a Geordie.  ankfully my ineptitude child, it was interesting how the Amer- became an on-running gag that night, icans I knew were very earnest and did so not all was lost! not get British humour or sarcasm.

What is the trait you dislike most in What is the most hilarious thing that others? has happened to you during your time in Cambridge? I dislike both unwillingness to try new things and also being afraid to look My friends and I accidentally bought stupid on stage. One of my favourite not one, but TWO life-size posters of quotes from Tina Fey’s book Bossypants Alan Rickman online while drunk af- highlights how comedians, especially ter Formal Hall. I had to keep him in women, should not be afraid to look my room for the rest of the term, at the silly: “Amy (Poehler) made it clear that foot of my bed. His constant judging she wasn’t there to be cute. She wasn’t stare perversely made me more produc- there to play wives and girlfriends in tive while working. the boys’ scenes. She was there to do what she wanted to do and she did not Have you noticed any diff erences in fucking care if you like it.” humour between the sexes?

Do you like horror fi lms? I haven’t necessarily noticed diff erenc- es in humour, but I have noticed that I like the fact that it’s such a diverse women tend to only play female char- genre, and also one of the most well- acters in comedy. Improv thankfully al- known and most parodied, especially in lows you to branch out and play what- fi lm. I also think it’s a great genre for ever gender you want: women should improv, because there are so many sub- not be afraid to play male parts. “I like dark humour because it’s interesting to see how people react to it. Some people can’t take a joke very well!” genres and archetypes to play with. What sorts of things inspire your im- sabella Nicholson is a third year fi rst British cast member on Saturday gives me free reign to unleash all of How would you describe your sense provisations? historian at Girton. She has Night Live, or become a fi lm director. the crazy characters/personalities/alter of humour? What do you think about I been involved in several Girton  ere’s no harm in dreaming big! A lot egos I wish I could be. dark humour? Accents and strong characters defi nite- Amateur Dramatics Society produc- of comedy greats have been on SNL ly inspire me. I sometimes feel more tions as an actor and director. She and to be able to follow in their foot- What’s been your most embarrassing I’d say I have a very silly sense of hu- self-conscious if I don’t have an accent. joined the Impronauts in May and steps would be incredible. moment as part of the Impronauts? mour, centred on impersonations and Having watched almost every episode went to Edinburgh Fringe as part of parodies. I like dark humour because of Whose Line is it Anyway?, I admire the cast of is Revolution Will Not Be What’s the best thing about being When performing in Edinburgh, I was it’s interesting to see how people react Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles’s vast Improvised. part of the Cambridge Impronauts? given an off er to be an evil Geordie to it. array of dynamic characters and I try mayor.  e only phrase I could say in my best to emulate their approach. What’s your dream job?  e freedom it gives you – that’s what a Geordie accent (without sounding a Do you think it is hard for people I love the most. You aren’t bound by mixture of Welsh, Irish or Swedish) was from other countries to understand Improv from the Crypt will be at the My dream job is either to become the a script or a certain character, which ‘Way-aye Pet.’ I started the scene with British humour? Corpus Playroom 3rd-7th December Panto-time? “Yes it is!”; “Oh, no it isn’t!” Rebecca Rosenberg and Imogen Sebba off er us their views on this popular Christmas tradition ORR y fi rst brush with a celebrity C sparkle and pop music only enhance you’re meant to have heard of. ECLAN was at a pantomime a dec- D the already entertaining shows. Plus, Surely panto’s better than I’m mak- M ade ago in Woking, Surrey. CREDIT the celebrities add comedy value and ing it out to be? Oh no it isn’t! No I remember the evening well: an over- swooning potential. Pantomime obeys one who considers themselves a seri- crowded theatre full of noisy children, the shrewd mantra of one of this gen- ous theatre-goer wants to be seen at a weary parents cradling glasses of wine eration’s biggest pop stars, Psy – “dress pantomime. ITV got a tradition going and people crunching savoury snacks. classy, dance cheesy”, and it works pret- about 10 years ago, with stellar actors  en the lights dimmed, the mu- ty well. including Harry Hill and Paul Merton, sic started, and Danny from Hear’say Rebecca Rosenberg and even those haven’t aged well. came on stage dressed to the nines in  e point is, we don’t want panto to his Oriental Aladdin suit.  e musical f you pass a theatre this Christmas be any good. It’s much more British to score comprised pop songs or melodies season, or even a theatre advert on have a tradition whose only purpose is borrowed from well-known tracks. I a billboard, I can already predict to give us something to complain about, Everyone danced, everyone cheered the poster you will see. along with grumbling about the gov- and everyone shouted the pantomim-  ere will be a sparkly background ernment and the weather. In the same ic refrain “He’s behind you!” What in a lurid shade of green/purple/pink way, we want to complain that our local more could you want from a night of obscured by enormous faces.  e ob- production spent their entire budget Christmas entertainment? ligatory actress who has spent fi rst getting CJ from Eggheads to stardom, pay cheque for this job on teeth-whit- that ‘twerking’ is the punchline to 67 e cast of the ADC Footlights pantomime e Princess and the Pea. ening, so is smiling as widely as pos- diff erent jokes (the rest being about sible to show them off .  e lead actor, poo) and that the feline celebrity of the “Pantomime gives us entertainment and an economic boost Audience participation is a must in who might have been in an episode week just landed a starring role. diverse comedy and in local communities. pantomime, which is what makes it so of Casualty last year and has probably What would we do with a brilliant One of the greatest parts of British universal. Even the grumpiest cynic modelled for an independent fashion local pantomime? Book tickets with- modern-day fairytales.” pantomime is the fact that everyone cannot ignore the battle cry “Oh no it boutique, but is now sprayed orange out being able to pretend they were for across the country can experience a little isn’t!”, when everyone, from children to so as to not to make his co-star feel young children? Let’s face it: quality is pantomime magic, with a performance parents to aloof teenagers, shouts in re- self-conscious.  ere’ll also be a man not the reason we slog through panto – Pantomimes tour England an- from their favourite all-singing and sponse, “Oh yes it is!” . Pantomime nev- in make-up and a frilly dress, cast in why pretend? nually to great success. Small local dancing soap opera character or girl- er disappoints: there is always a bad guy accordance with that timeless rule of Imogen Sebba theatres are fi lled to their capacity with band member.  e Christmas period or gal to boo, or a hero or heroine to comedy: the fatter, the funnier. the nation’s favourite celebrities and is guaranteed to be lit up by satisfying cheer on. Plus a hefty dose of Chaplin- And then, in a font looking like a excited audience members. Particularly performances of romance, battles and esque slapstick, topical quips and egre- cheaper version of the one used by e ADC/Footlights pantomime The at a time when local independent adventure, not to mention the extrava- gious amounts of cross-dressing. Disney in the 1990s, the name of that Princess and the Pea will be on at the theatres and cinemas are dying out, gant costumes and epic stage designs of Pantomime gives us diverse comedy beloved fairy tale that’s being bastard- ADC eatre until Sat 7th December pantomimes off er a colourful dose of pirate ships and fairy castles. and modern-day fairytales.  e sequins, ised. Which, of course, stars someone at 7.45pm 28 VULTURE / REVIEWS Friday 29th November 2013 SELECTS

SUNDANCE

MAD ABOUT MUSEUMS   MUSEUM OF CAMBRIDGE   e Museum of Cambridge was founded in 1936 by a group of citizens who wanted to preserve the ever-changing social, indus- trial and cultural customs of the town. It is located in a beautiful timber-framed building, formerly the White Horse Inn, itself an im- portant part of local history and an already busy waiting staff to fi nd you issues of class, race and sexuality and ideal setting for such a collection. event a new glass is acceptable, drinking fi l m yet remains unafraid to leave ques- Curators have really engaged champagne out of a tumbler is not), tions unanswered. It comfortably with the space, retaining many of or determining which bun was mine fi nds contemporary ground; the rally the original features such as the to butter. e green light was on for against privatisation and increased fees bar and fi replace. e fl oors and aff able monogendered dining. resonates strongly, as unfortunately do surfaces are brimming with curiosi- e wine was bounteous and plenti- depictions of homophobia. ties, and objects are rarely put in ful, impressing in me the importance e continuous assault of Kechiche’s cases, allowing for much better ADONIANS SOCIETY of learning the correct protocol for BLUE IS THE WARMEST camera angles force us into unexpected demonstration of how they would   drinking port, claret and dessert wine COLOUR intimacies. is is a fi lm that thrives have been used. Downstairs focuses simultaneously . off the senses; the camera is unapolo- on domestic life; with a range of While most courses were well- .   getically focused on open mouths, cooking and cleaning utensils, the executed, I feel the pudding was too damp eyes and cautious hands. Its various bug traps are particularly Endless claret. e best food in ambitious, being dominated by a intimacy is not fl attering; the clumsy grizzly! Cambridge. e wonderful moment misjudged explosion of vanilla sauce. Abdellatif Kechiche’s latest venture is, open-mouthed eating of Adele is Upstairs, tucked in the corner when the lights go out. Fellow diners ough on the face of it I’d usually in many ways, unafraid. It is a fi lm that initially repulsive, but in the end is of the fi rst room, is the building’s old enough to have fagged for your agree the heavier the splash a stem lingers unapologetically. From the gen- endearing. e desire for food is paired original wig room where people grandfather at Eton. Myths abound, ginger pudding gets the better, as any esis of love at fi rst sight, it tracks the with sex and Adele’s appetite for both could powder their wigs without but to my surprise, the Adonians is a dessert chef will tell you, there’s only sexual awakening of young schoolgirl is played out in unsparing close-ups. fear of getting powder around the charming mixture of all these things so much fudge you can pack into Adèle, who breaks away from her Despite the controversy around rest of the house. Just beyond this (except for the food), marked by a par- a sticky toff ee pudding pasta-based working class parents them, the sex scenes don’t monopolise is the University room, illustrat- ticularly self-conscious awkwardness. before its lapses into a to fi nd love within the artisan the intensity of the fi lm. After we ing how “town and gown” have Before even heading towards the somewhat regrettable shell-fi sh eating bourgeois. Love emerged from the cinema my friend coexisted throughout the centuries. rather too liberal champagne pouring, oral experience. comes in the form of blue- expressed how they had felt more One of the most amazing objects is layering up for the November night, Despite having haired painter Emma (Lea discomfort at the prolonged close-ups a painted turtle shell; the turtle was my friend rang in a panic to tell me enjoyed a splendid Seydoux), and is stripped of Adele’s crumpled weeping face than made into soup for a Clare College a button on the bottom of his shirt evening, by the end I away just as easily as the with the displays of explicit sex. dinner. is room illustrates the had fallen off , leaving what might be was unfortunately still dye that laces her hair. However de-sensitised or assaulted discrepancy between the simple, best described as easy access. An open unable to say for sure Incredible per- viewers feel by these scenes, it’s hard honest ways of the townspeople and invitation? Only time would tell. what the Adonians are formances draw out to dismiss their contested fi lming the decadence of the university. Unfortunately, it soon became clear trying to do: a social tension process. ey descend into gratuitously LUCIELUCIEOTTOBRUC OTTOBRUC e ‘Fens and Folklore’ room that my companion’s sartorial sense last hurrah to between exposing shots but, although out of contains an impressive collection of was indeed the vogue among well- a better time, the two place with the subtle emotional lives of ice skates and, oddly, animal bones dressed gentlemen folk, making my Cindies with families, en- its characters, there’s a sense in which and children’s shoes. e latter prophylactic winter wear positively better wine, hancing the these scenes stay true to Kechiche’s were put into the walls of houses to anti-social. Panicking, I found myself or post-modern juxtaposed social intent; their function is to cause upset. protect the inhabitants against evil. draw a complete blank as to dinner satirical meta-theatre environments of the e fi nal image of the fi lm is a twist Next door, the ‘Arts and Artisans’ etiquette. Luckily the conviviality of about modern gender painting studio and the of genius, with a conventional fairytale room houses a wonderful display my dining fellows ensured that noth- relations? French classroom, and heterosexual union denied unapolo- of local crafts, such as hat and lace ing ill came of my inability to unfold Alas I’m still in the the changes of the getically, smashed by the realism that making, which were extremely my napkin (it was kindly placed on my dark. characters throughout marks this fi lm in all its intimate intricate and diffi cult to do by hand. lap for me with soft, caring fi ngers), e writer did not their relationship. uncomfortable beauty. In the ‘Childhood’ room, along- the loss of my wine glass (sending the wish to be named e fi lm details ea Hawlin side old prams and a quite disturb- ing baby runner, is a case containing all of the objects a teacher would Yet three of the fi ve new Stanley evocative blend of patriotic and main sketch and renders it as an isolat- have used in the 1800s. ere are fi ne art Spencers acquired by the Fitzwilliam pastoral Englishness, biblical tales, ed episode. e most touching of the remarkably few items: an ink jug, Museum as part of the Acceptance- Great War recollection and dry-witted set, though, is ‘John Donne Arriving a couple of books, a cane. e In-Lieu scheme are just this: studies, self-examination. Apart from this self- in Heaven’: fl atly and honestly painted, teacher’s box, containing four trays oil sketches and explorations. e examination, which the Fitzwilliam it foreshadows the work Spencer was of vegetable and mineral samples, is rougher the sketches come, the more already showcases in some of Spencer’s to do setting Christ’s ministry in quite sophisticated in contrast. insight they off er into the mind of the self portraits and nude double England’s green and pleasant land. e museum works very hard to artist. Somehow his exploratory marks portraits, the other fl a- Where else would Donne be arriving engage children with the exhibi- STANLEY SPENCER have a greater aura about them, a vours are encapsulated than Widbrook Common? e tions. Alongside activities such as   more direct connection with the man in these new acquisi- soft light is English and dressing up (yes, I tried on the hats himself, than his fi nished products. tions. ‘Scrubbing autumnal. when no one was looking) there is a e loosest of these sketches is a Clothes’ fi nds As a group, these lovely room on the third fl oor fi lled particularly appropriate acquisition comforting paintings are quiet with toys and books for them to It is a strange feeling to look at studies for a Cambridge museum. A study on domestic- and understated. use, as well as cases of toys from as for paintings that were never realised: paper, it shows a bustling construction ity on the e Early early as the 19th century on display. Michelangelo’s ‘Slaves’; Tatlin’s ‘Tower’ yard – part of a scheme depicting the battlefi eld, Modern room For me, e Museum of – works in progress, preparations, fresh building of the Tower of Babel – and while ‘Making hardly registers their Cambridge embodies everything tinder never lit which we have come to was intended to adorn the University a Red Cross’ sees arrival (a refreshing con- a museum should be about. It is know as the work itself. ese things Library’s walls (the commission fell soldiers, while making trast to the much trumpeted original, informative and a little bit are synecdoches, standing for unfi n- through). Hod carriers (apparently a recognition signal Poussin acquisition). Yet whimsical. e open approach to its ished wholes just out of imaginative painted from life in his home village, for an aircraft, ac- not only are they worthy exhibits means you are not just an reach. When these works are ubiqui- Cookham) pass masons working on cidentally assemble of looking at: they add to observer, but an active participant tous, it’s not problematic – but seeing classical columns; in the background a George Cross in the museum’s already- in the experience. It has something a new study for the fi rst time, for a a gothic arch is chiseled and adorned. some corner of a considerable selection of to excite everyone, and you will go work that will never exist, can we read One can only imagine the architec- foreign fi eld. Two of Spencer’s work, making away with a new appreciation of it as a fi nished product in itself? Is it tural identikit his fi nished tower might the pictures, though, are fi nished arti- here a terrifi c place to get to know an the culture and history which has an artifact or an artwork? e divisions have resembled. cles. ‘Making Columns for e Tower underrated modern master. shaped Cambridge. are blurred. Spencer’s subject matter is an of Babel’ takes a vignette from the Robert Hawkins Friday 29th November 2013 REVIEWS / VULTURE 29

allowing him to write gritty vignettes  e new album deviates only his penchant for depicting scenes of music of council estate life. Now many of the slightly from his fi rst, though producer council estate life, drawn from his own media outlets that hyped his epony- Rick Rubin does on occasion foray past experiences. Yet ‘Messed Up Kids’ mous debut are poking fun, as he into a heavier sound.  ese attempts lacks the wit of the previous album’s sports Prada shoes and hobnobs with generally fall fl at, with lead single ‘Trouble Town’. It fails to paint a con- supermodels. So has Jake lost his way? ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’ pitting Bugg’s vincing picture of inner city characters Petty discussions of ‘authenticity’ nasal vocals against a punk backing, drawn into drug dealing and prostitu- aside, Shangri La delivers twelve with grating results. tion, as Alex Turner did so successfully JAKE BUGG morsels of well-crafted indie Bugg also attempts to deliver with ‘When  e Sun Goes Down’.   rock. Fans of the fi rst album will longer, more complex songs In the quieter moments of the be treated to more fi ngerpicked that demonstrate song writ- album Bugg’s talent starts to shine folk, interspersed with bursts ing maturity.  ese often through. ‘Me and You’ shows his

of energetic KMERON feel bloated and tender side in a country ballad, while When the young Jake Bugg shot to rock n’ roll. contrived next to ‘Pine Trees’ strips him back to guitar fame he was heralded by many as a At times tracks such as the and vocals in an emotionally bare song. breath of fresh air in a world of manu- it feels like punchy skiffl e  e album closes with ‘Storm Passes factured pop and X-Factor stardom. the hyperbolic opener ‘ ere’s A Away’, a wistful tune that segues With guitar-based acts occupying a comparisons to Beast And We All Feed through various facets of Americana, dwindling proportion of commercially Donovan carry a grain It’. An exception is ‘Simple blending a blues chord progression successful music, Bugg claimed it was of truth. At other Pleasures’, which makes with Nashville vocals. Yes, it may be his mission to “get people picking up points, he unfor- for an enjoyable romp derivative, and Jake Bugg may not guitars again.” Yet most of his songs tunately slips into presumably engineered as be the saviour of guitar music, but are co-written with hired songwriters. unadventurous an epic anthem to close a something about his music exudes an He’s also keen to stress that he grew Gallagher-esque festival set. irresistible charm. up in the Clifton area of Nottingham, drudgery. Lyrically, Bugg retains Tom Ronan

quite regularly using private listening two tracks, their latest singles ‘Best they’re keeping it, but perhaps keeping mode in order to hide my secret addic- Song Ever’ and ‘Story Of My Life’, it too consistently. Some tenta- music tion.  is whole situation culminated really show off their feel-good pop tive rock infl uences do dart in an ‘ironic’ (read ‘completely serious’) vibe. I challenge you to fi nd a in now and then, notably viewing of their fi lm, is Is Us, in more uplifting getting-ready- in ‘Little Black Dress’, September. to-go-out song than ‘Best but you can’t listen to  e question you’re probably asking Song Ever’ after a dull day of the album the whole way at this point is “WHY?” A few months essay-writing. Some of the through without ONE DIRECTION ago, I’d have asked the same thing. I tracks even have an (almost) getting generally dislike manufactured pop, meaningful feel, such as bored of   and it’s pretty much universally agreed ‘Half A Heart’ . the sound. that artists with proper integrity write It’s to their credit that However, each all their own songs and play their own the boys EVA RENALDII perfectly A review of a One Direction album instruments. Not to mention that any have had formed needs to be accompanied by a bit of 1D purchase inevitably puts more more little nug- context. After all, most 13-year-old cash into Simon Cowell’s grubby little creative get of pop girls would give it a fi ve star rating hands. input into makes its before they’d even fi nished listening to But one thing is hard to ignore; that, this particular way into your the fi rst song. though their success may be manufac- album, with Louis head just in the I’m not a 13-year-old girl, but I have tured and image-driven, they’re still and Liam apparently way you’d expect from to confess that at some point during making great pop music. And we need writing most of the a 1D album, and I the summer, I somehow became a pop music sometimes. tracks themselves. hope they keep mak- closet ‘Directioner’. I realised this after With this new album, they’ve not I think their ing them like this. receiving several texts asking why my really attempted to move away from main issue is sim- Even if I will Spotify profi le showed that I’d been their squeaky-clean sound, but some ply repetitiveness still be listening in listening to One Direction for the past sort of weird post-punk One Direction – they’ve cracked secret. Listings hour. After that fi asco, I found myself album would be so wrong.  e fi rst their sound and Ellie Gould VIEWMINDER

Event Talk &   +       e fi lm investigates US military  e legendary American Civil involvement in the Middle East Rights activist, recipient of the and the increasingly dark and dis- Presidental Medal of Freedom quieting world of covert operations. and Baptist minister addresses the  e screening will be followed by a Cambridge Union Society. Truly a discussion with the producers. once in a lifetime opportunity.

8.15pm, 1st December 7.30pm, 2nd December Cambridge Picturehouse, Cambridge Union Society, St Andrew’s Street West Road

Rvd Jesse Jackson is due to address the Union on 2nd December

Music eatre Album Comedy            Some would say mellow, others would A family-friendly Dickens adap- Donald Glover’s notoriously saucy A round-up of some of the hottest say they make Coldplay look like atation to get you into the festive alter-ego releases his second studio names in Cambridge comedy. Go so Nicki Minaj. spirit. album. Expect big things. you can say you saw them fi rst.

7.00pm, 1st December 7.45pm, 10th-14th December 6th December 7.30pm, 3rd December Cambridge Junction, ADC, On Glassnote Records, Universal ADC, Clifton Street Park Street Park Street Reviews Reviews 30 SPORT Friday 29th November 2013 Getting ready for Twickenham

LIZZIE MARW What are the winning chances of the Cambridge Rugby Blues at the Varsity Match? Richard Stockwell signifi cantly lower-scoring than other FOR THE LOVE OF   games in the season. Goal kicking can end up making the diff erence, e 132nd Varsity Match will kick off and Briggs recognises that “having a SPORT on 12th December. Blues-level sport kicker like Don is a fantastic bonus.” at Oxbridge is all about the Big One Don Stevens’ kicking success rate has Roxana Antohi against the Other Place and Cam- improved throughout the season, and bridge will be hoping to win their six- he kicked eleven from eleven against  ty-second victory over Oxford, leaving London Scottish. the Dark Blues trailing on fi fty-six. ough Stevens’ reliability is reas- As a Cambridge student, admitting Cambridge has had mixed results suring, Briggs is wary of going into the that you’ve failed at something is like so far this season. Light Blue Captain match with a strategy to kick points at volunteering to have one of your teeth William Briggs explains that his fi x- However, Cambridge’s fi nal fi x- 26-19 defeat despite leading by ten every opportunity, insisting that “we extracted just for kicks. But the fi rst ture list has been “replete with quality ture before the Varsity Match will be points at half time. Briggs denies that will adapt to the opposition on the step to rehabilitation is acceptance, so opposition,” made up of “teams with against Sydney University on Monday. Cambridge switched off , something no day.” here we go: my name is Roxana and diff erent styles and strengths.” Oxford beat the Australians 34-24 player would do in “a game that’s the e squad puts a tremendous I used to row. at said, Cambridge has stood the earlier this week and it will be interest- pinnacle of years of hard graft.” He amount into preparing for the Varsity ere, I said it. In my fi rst two years test of professional opposition reasona- ing to see how scores compare. puts the reversal down to the fact that Match. CURUFC alludes to their at Cambridge I rowed for my college bly well. On three occasions, the Blues When it comes to the Varsity Match rigorous training schedule when de- and absolutely sucked at it. I used to were only overwhelmed by the size of itself, while Cambridge has the most scribing themselves on their website as be one of those Ripley’s Believe It or their opponents rather than their skill. wins overall, it is Oxford which has “a wholly amateur student rugby club Not rowers, one that never initiated ough Cambridge was squarely beat- won the last three meetings. Oxford “When it comes to the aiming to off er a rugby environment or even joined in boatie banter. Not en by Bristol, a fi ve try loss was fl at- will again be captained by John Carter, Varsity Match itself, while that is as ‘professional’ as possible.” because I didn’t love it, but because tering to Northampton Saints while a who will make history as the fi rst man As well as the intensity of their whenever we got to the unavoidable strong performance kept Cambridge to captain Oxford in three successive Cambridge may have the training in the immediate term, every erg scores conversation I had to run within one score of Saracens until the Varsity games. most wins overall, it is rugby player runs the risk of long term away: mine were about ten times dying minutes. e Cambridge squad does not fea- costs to their health. While Briggs worse than everyone else’s. Oxford has fared similarly in the run- ture many returning Blues this year but Oxford who have won the says he naturally has the physique for It comes to no surprise that I was up to the Varsity Match. ey lost by Briggs does not view this as a concern. last three meetings.” the game, his “main health concern re- never in the best crews. Had I been respectable margins to the professional e mix of nerves and excitement is lating to rugby would be the price my the coach, I wouldn’t have let my- opposition of the Newport Gwent the same for all the players. joints will pay later in life from the col- self anywhere near a boat. But at the Dragons and Worcester Warriors, and, In any case, big-game experience lisions they’ve been a part of.” He is, end of last year, I fi nally decided to most impressively, lost by only seven matters little since “few people involved the Oxford bench “brought a dyna- however, “happy to pay that price” due make my life as well as everyone else’s points to Russia earlier this month. in the Varsity Match have enough for it mism to the second half that we weren’t to his love of the sport. easier and quit once and for all. But Briggs notes the diffi culty of draw- to count.” What is needed is “the right expecting.” He admits that “it rattled Leading Cambridge to victory in I couldn’t quite cut myself off com- ing any conclusions from the two sides’ temperament to handle the pressure.” us and we lost our momentum.” the Varsity Match would surely be the pletely, so I took on coxing instead. respective seasons since they played Cambridge felt the pressure in e Varsity Match is understand- highlight of his sporting career. Now, for those of you who don’t against diff erent opposition. last year’s fi xture when they fell to a ably a nervous aff air and tends to be know, a cox is the person sitting at the front of a boat who steers, is in charge of the crew and motivates them during races. All fairly straight- forward. But I have one teeny-tiny thing that makes things slightly more ere’s more to football than Blues complicated. I’m dyspraxic, which means that my hand-eye coordina- tion is about as good as Miley Cyrus’ Cambridge United, the local football team, also fi nds followers amongst students singing. So in my fi rst outing I man- aged to almost kill the eight people in Matt Worth & Rob Colemeadow OLIVERN my boat by crashing them into other   boats, trees, bushes, banks, dogs, swans, you name it. If it was within Cambridge United currently stand four reach, we probably hit it. points clear at the top of the Confer- While adrenaline defi nitely didn’t ence Premier Division. ey have the lack in my boat, I gradually got bet- best home record of any club in Eng- CHIZINESS ter. at’s when coxing became a dif- land’s top fi ve divisions, having won ferent experience. Here I was telling all ten of their games this season. On eight men what to do and shouting average, around 2,700 fans attend their at them mercilessly if they did some- matches at the Abbey Stadium. thing wrong, which is pretty much However, the size of the club’s stu- every woman’s dream. e power was dent following is diffi cult to gauge. It’s incredible – I even (almost) went certainly rare to hear student fans talk to Ann Summers to look at leather of going to Cambridge games. Pricing whips. could have something to do with this. What made things even better £10 will buy a concessionary seat in the Surprisingly for some, Cambridge students attend the matches of the local team in order to escape the university bubble was the fi rst race. When the whistle Abbey Stadium’s north terrace. at’s went off I became a diff erent person. a lot of money for many students, and October in Cambridge marks the start providing an important attraction. Ben e standard of football on off er can I could remember the awful pain may deter some from attending. of the new academic year and therefore Jones, an undergraduate at Wolfson be of a high quality. Many teams pro- from the races I had rowed in. I knew Other Conference teams off er student a large increase in the population of the College, says: “ e best thing about the moted from the Conference go on to do exactly what these guys were going tickets for as little as £5. Alternatively, city. Surely then, attendances at United Abbey is the atmosphere and getting well in League Two, and Cambridge’s through, and how much they wanted £10 will see you into Newcastle’s St. matches should subsequently increase? amongst the locals. Cambridge stu- recent home wins against Aldershot to stop rowing and get away from James’ Park to watch some of the best Home attendances prior to the dents are often so focused on work that and Woking saw some explosive attack- it. So I went crazy. I started scream- teams in England. Another factor may game against Hereford United on 5th things can get a bit sterile. Most people ing football and neat passing, not just ing like never before, telling them be the stadium’s location on Newmarket October averaged around 2,900; from who watch Cambridge United are from from the home team. Both Ben and it didn’t hurt enough, making them Road, a long way from the centre of the next game onwards, around 3,400. a similar background to mine; it’s a nice Andy tip Cambridge’s Kwesi Appiah, squeeze every bit of power from their University life. e distance is perhaps e rise may not entirely be due to a reminder that there is a world outside on loan from Crystal Palace, as a play- aching bodies. It got so intense that greater in the mind than on the ground student infl ux, but there seems to be of university terms.” er to watch, praising his mobility and I bit my cheek and started bleeding, – it’s a twenty some correlation, and what’s clear is Andy Gales, also at Wolfson, agrees: commitment. splurting blood everywhere without minute walk that even a couple of hundred student “ e best thing is getting out of the Our interviewees agree, however, noticing. ey responded like I never from Parker’s fans per game could be fi nancially sig- student bubble for 90 minutes.” Andy, that United’s student following is low knew they could, and in the end we Piece. nifi cant to the club. e capacity of a Manchester United fan, started fol- key. Both think that only a small group won the race. On the the Abbey Stadium is 9,617, meaning lowing Cambridge in his fi rst year, of students regularly attend games. e I have now fi nally come to terms other hand, United usually sell around one third of after going to a game where free stu- club seems to be aware of this, and with with my failed rowing career. e fi gures sug- available tickets. ere is plenty of room dent entry was off ered. Cambridge thousands of places going spare at each fact that it allows me to understand gest stu- for student support. off er something diff erent from the game, is off ering a special student price my crew as their cox and use that for dents may We tracked down a few students who glitz of the Premiership. Andy says: “I of £6 for the FA Cup tie against Bury their benefi t has helped me accept be attend- regularly attend Cambridge games. don’t see a confl ict between supporting on Tuesday 3rd December. It looks like it. If that’s as close as I’ll ever get to ing, contrary ey were very enthusiastic about the Manchester United and Cambridge - a great opportunity for students to sam- being good at a sport, it’s enough for to expecta- experience of following the local team, the only competition they could meet ple local football for the fi rst time. me. tions. Early with the contrast to University life in is the FA cup.” Friday 29th November 2013 SPORT 31 GUPTA

ROHAN Curling Skiing Slopestyle Ice Hockey &

ose of you who are already using zimmer frames to get to For the fi rst time in history, Olympic skiing will now include Ice hockey is the fastest-paced and arguably the hardest hit- CHRISTOPHER lectures and have mental age scores of seventy from Facebook slopestyle. For the last decade there has been growing participa- ting collision sport in the world. Professionals are allowed to DAN quizzes may well get a kick from watching the curling event. We tion and interest in this trick-jumping discipline. Slopestyle is compete at the Olympics, which adds , CURTIS

recommend a nice cup of chamomile tea and an electric blanket now one of the highlights of the winter sport calendar, and with considerable attraction to the hockey MIKE while viewing the qualifying rounds. Simon Dumont, famous for boosting huge airs in the X Games event, combining national pride with superpipe, and Jon Olsson, famous for wowing the big air pro-league favourites. e 2014 crowd, among others set to compete, the Sochi slopestyle event Winter Games in Sochi will be Alpine Ski Racing is sure to provide extreme entertainment. seen by the majority of ice hockey Alpine ski racing has traditionally fans as a time of reckoning. e been the main event at the Winter major powerhouses of this sport Olympics. Once again, favourites – Canada, the US, Sweden Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn and Marcel and Russia – equally want and Hirscher will be competing across fi ve disciplines. expect to win, and nothing Downhill, the fastest and most exhilarating dis- short of a gold medal will be cipline, will be the most exciting watch, with satisfactory. racers hitting speeds of 120 miles plus per hour, fl ying off 60 metre jumps and carving down icy slopes. Look out for Mikaela Shiff rin in the women’s slalom, Ted Ligety in the men’s giant slalom and the Italians Christof Innerhofer and Dominik Paris in the downhill. Cambridge Ice Hockey Club Cambridge University Ski If you are impressed by the speed, pace and Snowboard Club and physicality of ice hockey then give If you feel that watching skiing is not the University club a go. ere is a long- enough, join the Cambridge Univer- standing Cambridge connection to the sity Ski and Snowboard Club. eir game, since the Oxford-Cambridge ri- highly-attended weekly training ses- valry is the longest one in the ice hockey sions at the Milton Keynes Snow world, dating back to 1885. e Cam- Centre cater to both racers and bridge team are the current Varsity freestylers. So whilst Cambridge champions, having demolished the may not be an international snow Dark Blue opposition last year. sport capital, winter sports afi ciona- Winter is coming ey train in Peterborough and dos still have their place here. Join are still looking for players now in time to hone those skills by Jaason Geerts and JP Espinosa with previous experi- for the Varsity trip, or else Located in a prime region for winter sports and host- Sarcasm aside, skiing and snowboarding are some of the most ence. Contact Cap- continue improving once ing some of the country’s most able skiing students, popular pastimes of Oxbridge students. Come 2014, they, along tain Jaason Geerts you’ve come back from Cambridge certainly lives up to its reputation as a world- with the rest of the world, will be turning their attention to Sochi, (jmg201) for more Tignes. Contact Presi- leading snow sports university. With Castle Hill providing a Russia, where the Winter Olympics will be taking place. Events will information. dent JP Espinosa superb location for international championships, nearby ski run from the 7th to 23rd of February in a range of disciplines includ- (jpe32) for more training and guaranteed snow all year round, skiing at Cambridge ing ice hockey, bobsled and the most extreme event of all, curling. information. beats rowing every day. If all of this sounds beyond exciting to you, then why not give it a go in Cambridge as well? Join the University Ski and Snowboard Club or the Ice Hockey Club for some local winter sports action.

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www.unicen.cam.ac.uk 32 SPORT Friday 29th November 2013

FOR THE LOVE OF SPORT Roxana Antohi has swapped a previous sports love for a rebound this term - coxing. Sport See what she has to say about it on page 30. MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT SPORTSCENE NEWTON Cuppers win for Christ’s CROSS-COUNTRY e Hare and Hounds battled the cold on the Cuppers cross country course in what was the fi nal opportunity for the runners to display their form before the Varsity team selection. In the men’s race, over a 10.5 km course, Alex Short claimed the victory, with a time of 32:28. In the women’s race the 6km course was completed by the incredible Lucy Gossage in 22minutes and 30 seconds. As for Cuppers, a hefty turnout of runners in the men’s race helped Christ’s to seal the victory. In the women’s, three solid runs from Holly Page, Chloe Beckett and Emma Elston made Homerton victorious – emphasising and adding to the Homerton ladies’ already sizeable lead in the College League series. Fantastic victory for Blues FOOTBALL On November 20th, the Football Blues faced Hartpury, the league champions for three years running. Cambridge started strong, with Sherif scoring in the second minute. is was followed by another goal from James May, which caused the opposition to put pressure on the Light Blues. Hartpury managed to score one goal before the halfway whistle. Coming into the second half, Childs scored another goal, which made the visitors react by adding two more to their tally. Forde made sure that the victory was Cambridge’s with a splendid goal over the goalkeeper’s head. e fi nal e CUWBC rowers have been amongst the sportswomen who have benefi ted from the positive changes in the perception of women in sport at Cambridge score was 4-3 for the Light Blues. Weekend loss for Golfers GOLF Last week the Cambridge golfers visited St George’s Hill Golf Club. e crisp but dry morning saw Cambridge leads women in sport St George’s Hill taking a comfortable 4-1 lead. e afternoon play looked Olivia FitzGerald looks at how Cambridge sport changes outdated perceptions much better for Cambridge. Playing only 9-hole fourball better ball n a country in which female ath- might not otherwise have considered are not as valued by the university. themselves to the next level. matches due to the late time in letes receive 0.5 per cent of total rowing due to fi nancial hindrances. Walters adds “I know girls who refuse Mixed university and college teams the year, and able to correct some I sponsorship and form only 5 per In recognition of the increased re- to wear their sports kit to lectures, even have also played a signifi cant role in mistakes from the morning, the Blues cent of sports media coverage, I should spect and awareness gathering around if they are going straight to practice, bridging the gap between men and won the afternoon session 3.5 - 1.5. be forgiven for initially thinking that I the Women’s Boat Race, the 2015 event for fear that academics and less-sporty women on the sports fi eld. ese teams Unfortunately, this was not enough might have to convey a sense of frustra- will be staged over the same course and peers will judge them.” is is not just a help to break down perceptions of cer- to win the overall match. Final score: tion and gloom when writing an article on the same day as the men’s race. is university issue, but is symptomatic of a tain sports as ‘men’s sports’ or ‘women’s CUGC 4.5 - St. George’s Hill 5.5. about women in sport. shows just how far women’s sport has cultural perception that strong, athletic sports’, and off er a casual, fun environ- To start with, I picked up three na- come; eighty years ago, a Selwyn rowing ment in which women can participate Southampton hold it tight tional newspapers in my college bar and captain addressed a letter to CUWBC without being intimidated by either ICE HOCKEY e Light Blues met skimmed through the sports section, saying “I personally do not approve male teammates or the sport itself. Southampton on the Peterborough just as a one-off survey. ere were no of women rowing at all. It is a ghastly “We are a university that Mixed sport can be played at a com- ice rink. It took only 5 minutes articles about women in sport and not a sight, an anatomical impossibility and values accomplishment, petitive level, as demonstrated by mixed for Cambridge’s Eric Kroshus to single photo of a female athlete. physiologically dangerous.” university teams such as badminton or score the fi rst goal. is awakened However, I was pleasantly surprised ankfully, this type of opinion ap- and as university lacrosse. Last year’s mixed lacrosse vice- Southampton, who scored the next when I looked into the situation in pears to belong in the past, something sportswomen, we carry captain, Fiona Latham, told Varsity three goals. Cambridge evened the Cambridge. is year’s great success supported by the comments of Erin about the growing importance of mixed tally as the fi rst period came to a close. story is certainly sponsor Newton’s de- Walters, this year’s Ospreys president: that.” lacrosse: “It became a half-blue sport In the second frame, Julien Gagnon cision to provide the female boat club “I’d say that sportswomen at Cambridge last year, and the popularity of mixed put Cambridge ahead three minutes (CUWBC) with funding equal to that are, for the most part, respected. We sports and Varsity or league successes in. Kroshus completed his hat-trick given to the men by BNY Mellon. e are a university that values accomplish- women are unattractive. help change its image.” and Geerts put the Blues ahead 6 - 5 increase in funding has allowed the ment, and as university sportswomen, Gradually, this perception is being e progress that has been made for with one second to go in the second women’s squad to employ three full- we carry that. As for myself, my expe- worn down and Cambridge women women in sport at Cambridge is some- period. Southampton jumped to time coaches and alleviate the stress rience as a sportswoman at Cambridge are playing a role. On Monday, the thing in which the university can take a third period lead 7 – 6. With 5 caused by members having to contrib- has been a very positive one.” Ospreys held their termly speakers pride. Such progress is surely recogni- minutes to play, Eric Kroshus tied the ute towards their travel and kit, which However, things are not perfect. A dinner with guests such as GB hockey tion of the fact that good sport is good game. Final score, Cambridge Light can lead to costs of more than £1,000 disparity in funding in other sports is an player Hannah Macleod and ‘Women sport, and doesn’t have a gender. Blues 7, Southampton Spitfi res 7. per year. issue that places limits on Cambridge Sport Trust’ trustee Kate Dobinson. Let’s hope that as Cambridge moves is not only allows athletes to con- sportswomen. Unequal funding also Dinners such as this allow sportswom- forward in providing equal sporting op- Find more match reports online at centrate on their training, but also makes sends out a negative message, suggest- en to meet each other, appreciate their portunities, the world outside the bub- www.varsity.co.uk/sport the sport more accessible to those who ing that their eff orts and achievements achievements, and be inspired to push ble can observe and follow suit.