Comedians past-it, fashion presents and music yet to come In our last issue of the term, Varsity chucks you some chestnuts for your open fire No. 610 The Independent Cambridge Student Newspaper since 1947 Friday November 26, 2004 Architects denied Cambridge nightlife to get a makeover permission for protest march But Streeting pledges that Mockel von dem Bussche-Ippenburg von Mockel t r standing demo will go ahead lbe A Lucy Phillips “Following consultation with the Proctors, it was felt that [inside] the THE POLICE have blocked Senate House would not be an appro- attempts by CUSU to march from priate venue for such a demonstra- the Architecture Department to tion. It is unfortunate that those who Senate House as part of their join the rally feel that there is a need protest against the department’s clo- for a protest of this kind.” sure. But a standing demonstration But members of ArcSoc are still will still take place outside Senate unhappy at not being allowed into House on Monday. Senate House for the protest. The demonstration has been McLaren said, “I am hugely frustrated organised by CUSU president Wes that the University has decided to Streeting, and Luke McLaren, block our protest from using Senate President of ArcSoc. Streeting has House. This cynical response from the expressed his disappointment at the University is typical of the way in decision to stop the march, which which it has dealt with the has already been advertised through- Architecture Department to date: nar- out the University. He says that the row-minded, petty and quite clearly Police have stopped the march running their own parallel agenda. because they claim the organisers did “Aside from the fact that this snub not make contact early enough. But will reflect poorly on the University, he maintains that he gave the Police it has been deliberately intended to the seven days notice he thought compromise our protest and help required for a march and that “inter- minimise pressure on Professor Cliff nal and communication problems” and the General Board… I can’t led to its cancellation. think of anywhere more appropriate A sergeant from Cambridge than Senate House to hold a pro- James Dacre Constabulary has responded by say- gressive debate about the future of a on how an evening out in Cambridge will be different in 2005 ing that at least a month’s notice is world-respected department within THE NEW Year will witness dramatic being replaced by a new licensing system entering inappropriately, and will ensure required to hold a march where there this University. Have the Proctors shifts in the infrastructure of that allows for the possibility of staying public safety and avoid public nuisance. may be around 1000 people present. considered how wise it is to leave the Cambridge’s city-centre nightlife. open until 5am, as clubs and bars on the Robert Osbourn, Cambridge’s Principal “One week’s notice would never have Cambridge MP and four leading Varsity can reveal that some of the continent do. B Bar, Vaults, Bar Ha Ha Environmental health officer, who will been enough planning time. In any critics in the architectural world out most striking changes to our favourite and Number 1 King’s Parade are all be running the panel that decides ven- case, the request should come in in the wet and cold?” (or at least most visited) clubs and bars applying for extended licenses. The ues’ suitability for licensing, described written form”. According to a senior The demonstration will take place include the closure of Coco’s and Ishca expected effects include a gradual shift how “we will be taking any objections to police official involved with city cen- from 1pm on Monday afternoon and the opening of a large branch of away from clubbing culture and towards proposed licences regarding specific tre issues, he was contacted by phone outside the Senate House. Rowan ‘The Living Room’ chain. CUSU will smaller, more intimate bars. Frank organisations very seriously.” on Monday by CUSU and received Moore, Director of the Architecture also run Eclektix nights in disused city Walding, who has promoted a number of In colleges, there presently exists an written notice on Wednesday. He Foundation, and Anne Campbell buildings including the Guildhall’s club nights around Cambridge, suggest- archaic “Vice-Chancellor’s licence” to added “We don’t want to stop things MP will be speaking at the event. basement. An extension to Po Na Na is ed that “only the best nights out will serve alcohol. Next year, college bars like that [happening] and want to Unconfirmed speakers include tele- also being proposed. Elsewhere, build- remain” and that “clubs will disappear”. will require personal licences. Osbourn help with public safety”. vision’s Kevin McCloud, Professor ing has begun on the colossal Robert The sudden flurry of interest in investing detailed how a number of college McLaren expressed his irritation Sarah Wigglesworth from Sheffield Sayle building transforming it into the in Cambridge’s night-time scene has Bursars have already looked into secur- at the changes to the original plans University, Ted Cullinan, who ‘Grand Arcade,’ to be filled with bars been attributed to these nationwide ing late-night licenses for their college for the demonstration and said, “I’m designed many of Cambridge’s and restaurants. The Kambar will changes to licensing laws. bars and Ents. A number of colleges not sure whether the mix-up lay buildings, and Guardian design and allegedly change ownership (and per- Local councils in England and Wales have faced problems with licensing laws with the Police or lack of organisa- architecture writer Jonathan haps close), APU will open a large will be taking over the alcohol licensing recently. Whilst there is now talk of re- tion by CUSU.” Glancey. Many alumni have also nightclub and the area around the function from the Magistrates’ Courts. opening King’s Cellar, its bar has not The organisers had originally shown support for and interest in Railway station is expecting a major In the absence of a criminal record, functioned all term. hoped that the protest would finish the campaign. redevelopment to include a number of individuals and properties will be able to Last week the promoters of Sunday inside the Senate House, but the new night spots. apply for a late licence as long as they Roast at Coco’s unexpectedly moved their University has expressed some con- Over the course of the coming year, all can prove to the local council that their club night to Life... cern as to the suitability of the venue. Comment: Page 8 existing licences regarding the sale of practice will seek to prevent crime and On Wednesday a spokesperson said: Editorial: Page 11 alcohol and public entertainments are disorder, will prevent minors from - Continued on page 4 ONANISM PAGE 7 THE SHORT STRAW PAGES 2 & 9 EXPERIENCING THE APOCALYPSE RIGHT NOW PAGE 20 CHAMPAGNE SUPERNOVA PAGE 14 THRILL SEEKERS PAGE 22 READING BEDTIME STORIES PAGE 27 2 NEWS November 26, 2004 www.varsity.co.uk News in Brief Student takes concerns to Straw Guildhall conversion Anne Campbell arranges meeting for student wrongly arrested in Israel this September Cambridge County council have recently decided to convert the Chine Mbubaegbu and taken to court on the basis of ground floor of the Guildhall into a ‘secret’ evidence which suggested that cultural centre to liven up the city. A CAMBRIDGE student who was they were terrorists. The judge threw This decision arose after the subjected to unauthorised detention by out the charges, but placed them under Crown Court’s moved last month Israeli officials whilst travelling in house arrest at their hostel… until from the Guildhall to East Road Jerusalem in September, has met with deportation.” Current ideas being discussed for Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to tell him Straw had agreed to meet with this cultural quarter include creating of her ordeal. Campbell and Qureshi in September, a parade of shops, cafes and restau- Hajira Qureshi, a Maths student when Campbell raised the plight of her rants, as well as a heritage centre. from Newnham, had been travelling constituent in the House of Commons Other ideas, which have been pro- through Jerusalem with two female in a question to the Prime Minister on posed, include putting up a bridge companions, Samra Ghafoor and September 15th. When questioned, between the Corn Exchange and the Amina Shaikh to Nablus in the occu- Mr. Blair had answered “We have Guildhall which used to be put up in pied West Bank. They had hoped to raised the matter with the chief of the 1860s for special occasions. The spend three weeks there doing chari- police in Jerusalem and we shall contin- fact that the Guildhall is a listed ty work for children, when the inci- ue to pursue it with the Israeli authori- building may make it hard to imple- dent happened. ties. At this stage, that is all I can say.” ment some of these ideas. During the meeting, arranged by Campbell had wanted the Foreign University Islamic Society’s recently- point by Israeli police at a checkpoint in Anne Campbell, MP for Cambridge, Secretary to hear first-hand of Hajira’s formed Human Rights committee, Ramallah this July. Campbell said: “It is Rumina Hassam Hajira described in detail how she was ordeal at the hands of the Israeli police was also able to question Mr. Straw the sort of experience Palestinians go arrested at gunpoint at 3.30am at her and also wanted to discuss the role of closely on British policy with regards through on a daily basis.” hotel in Jerusalem Old City.