Bringing you the best news on campus since 1897 31 October 2014 thegryphon.co.uk

‘Sudden and tragic loss’: campus mourns Trisha Lad

Greg Whitaker News Editor

A University of Leeds student has been with this incident.’ the University as a student ambassador at found dead at her home near Bradford on Following the release of post-mortem Biochemistry visits days. Monday. results on Wednesday, Detective Super- A spokesperson from the University of The body of 19-year-old Biochemistry intendent Atkinson added: ‘I have spoken Leeds said: ‘This is dreadful and shocking student Trisha Lad was discovered at to the family members this evening and news and our thoughts are with Trisha’s the family home in Clayton on Monday updated them on the results of the post friends and loved ones. Staff are work- evening, along with that of her parents and mortem examinations. They are continuing ing with the University’s counselling and younger sister. to come to terms with what took place chaplaincy services to help students who Police have now confirmed that the three at Blackberry Way, which has robbed a are affected by this tragedy and we will do women were stabbed to death in their family of two generations, and specially all we can to support them.’ beds, while Mr. Lad died from compression trained officers are supporting them at this Trisha’s Personal Tutor, Dr Stephanie of the neck caused by hanging. very difficult time.’ McBurney, added: ‘Students and staff are Post-mortem examinations have revealed Both Jatindra and Duksha Lad worked mourning the sudden and tragic loss of that the three women were killed during for Bradford City Council, while youngest Trisha Lad, a second year student studying the course of last weekend, when it is daughter Nisha had just completed her Medical Biochemistry in the School of Mo- thought the family were celebrating Diwali GCSEs. lecular and Cellular Biology. Trisha was a together. Mr Lad was said to have died a Trisha Lad had just started the second warm, vibrant and cheerful young woman few days later. year of her Biochemistry course and was with an ever-present smile. She was a pop- At a press conference on Tuesday, West an active member of Leeds University ular student who made friends easily and Yorkshire Police’s Protective Services Officer Union’s Mind Matters society. She also had a positive attitude to both her studies Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson played an active role in fundraising ac- and to her extracurricular activities. It is said they were ‘keeping an open mind’ but tivities, including the University of Leeds difficult to come to terms with this tragedy confirmed that West Yorkshire Police are branch of the Anthony Nolan trust. This and all of us who knew Trisha are poorer ‘not looking for anyone else in connection year Trisha was also preparing to represent for her loss.’ 2

Daniel Hadley ©

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK News 3 ‘Ell for Ellerslie Hall boss Row, row, row your

Jake Hookem ‘He still knows my name. Personally, I News Editor think it’s a shame that he’s been asked to boat, gently Roger Steve move to Lyddon.’ Past and present residents of Eller- Some students allege that Mr. Steel has slie Global Residences are calling on the told them personally he does not want to university not to move their hall manager go, and they hope that the University lis- Jamie Steel. ten to their pleas for him to stay. Residential services have chosen to Explaining the move, a University move Mr. Steel to Lyddon after 14 years at spokesperson said, Ellerslie, which has upset many residents ‘The University manages 12 large res- who view him as a key part of their halls idences and some smaller properties, and experience. it is not unusual for staff to move between One resident has said, them. Many staff see relocation as an op- ‘He is not just our hall manager, but portunity to gain more experience and our friend. Ellerslie is Jamie and Jamie is broaden their knowledge of the University. Ellerslie.’ ‘The deployment of managers and Spotted:Leeds Uni © Since their establishment in 2012, staff within our residences is constantly Emily Willson in the boat, and shared it this morning. Jamie Steel and the Ellerslie Global Resi- under review and changes are only im- It’s believed the boat was stolen from dences team have won the Best Complex plemented when Residential Services are Two Leeds University students were Stage@Leeds where LUU’s Theatre Group award in the Leeds Landlord awards twice confident that these are balanced in the spotted rowing a wooden boat in the society had stored it, after using it as in three years. best interests of residents and staff. Roger Stevens fountain on Thursday. part of a prop in their recent production A former Ellerslie resident told The ‘If students have specific concerns The incident occurred at approxi- ‘Saved’. The boat is currently still missing Gryphon of their fondness for Jamie Steel, about the staffing of their residence, Hall mately 2am on Thursday morning and and it is not clear if it has been damaged. ‘He’s more of a paternal figure to the representatives can contact Residences at only became public knowledge after Both the society and the ‘Spotted: Leeds hall than a manager. Very friendly, loyal, [email protected] or call (0113) Facebook Group ‘Spotted: Leeds Uni’ got Uni’ Facebook page have asked for any proactive, kind. Legendary. 343 6085 in the first instance.’ hold of an image (above) of the two males information regarding its whereabouts. Blood donation sessions on the rise Greg Whitaker sessions in Leeds. and North Wales. The announcement comes in the same Online News Editor Sessions in Leeds are due to be held at Donna Batty, Lead Donor Relations week as a proposal was made at LUU’s the Leeds City Donor Centre on the Head- Manager for NHS Blood and Transplant, ‘Better Union Forum’, calling on the Union The NHS has announced that extra row between the 2nd and 28th November, said, itself to become a venue for blood dona- blood donation points will be set up in and are open to any ‘fit and healthy per- ‘By spending your hour with us you tion. Leeds throughout November. son’ between the ages of 17 and 66. are helping to ensure that patients are able A spokesperson for NHS has since said, The NHS initiative, which has been According to NHS statistics, despite to get the blood they need. So if you are ‘We’re really pleased that students labelled ‘Save a life with the extra hour improvements in clinical and surgical thinking about donating for the first time from the University of Leeds are so enthu- this November’, is overseeing more than practices, hospitals and patients still rely or you are an existing donor who hasn’t siastic about giving blood because every 90 extra donor sessions across West York- on more than 7,000 people attending a been for a while then please book an ap- precious donation saves or improves lives.’ shire next month, including 36 additional donation session every day across England pointment to give blood.’

Campus Watch News from campuses around the world

Oxford Head Porter resigns to stand for Notts Uni say a huge no to necro ‘Sarcastic’ Warwick Prof returns University of Zimbabwe bans stu- election with UKIP dents from kissing A number of students at the Univer- A Warwick professor has returned to The Head Porter at Oriel College sity of Nottingham have been fined £150 the university following a nine-month The University of Zimbabwe has in Oxford has resigned, so that he can each for chants relating to necrophilia. suspension for ‘being sarcastic’. The Eng- banned students from kissing or hug- stand as a UKIP candidate in the 2015 The chants included reference to dig- lish tutor was accused of ‘sighing’ and ging on campus. Any student found general election. ging up, and having sex with, a female giving off ‘negative vibes’ during inter- doing so faces immediate eviction from Mr Bird, who has worked at the col- corpse. views. He was banned from campus and their halls of residence. lege for more than three years, stepped A University Spokeswoman said that having contact with students. The sus- The ban is part of a list of 11 mis- down from the porter job earlier this the action was taken in line with ‘its stu- pension, which UCU says ‘beggars belief’, conducts that includes cooking in bed- month to dedicate his full attention to dent code of discipline’. has now been cleared. rooms and loitering in dark places as politics. offenses that will result in eviction.

Emily Willson Hugh Baillie-Lane Emily Willson Charlotte Stones

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK 4 News Sport science team Uni funded for shown red card cancer research Charlotte Mason apologise and also undertake a number News Editor of activities that will prevent a repeat of this type of incident. Once these actions A University sports team has been have been completed, we hope that the suspended amidst allegations of sexism. team will be reinstated in the intramural The Sports Science Intramural Foot- league’. ball team will be banned from the league The Gryphon understands that the and players must issue an apology after incident happened during a match, al- an inappropriate comment was made to though the University’s Sport and Phys- a female referee. ical Activity declined to give further de- A University spokesperson said, ‘This tails at this time. regrettable incident was not in keeping The team will be banned from intra- Sam Lewis © with the University’s values or the Intra- mural sport matches until further notice. mural Code of Conduct and, as a result, Players have also been asked to issue the Sports Science intramural football an apology and undertake behavioural ner; increasing the quality and depth of Hugh Baillie-Lane team has been temporarily disbanded ‘training’. MRI scans from five visible atoms in every from the intramural league’. The University’s Sports and Physical million to theoretically over 100,000 vis- ‘After discussions with the Universi- Activity team is investigating the inci- ible per million. From the more detailed ty’s Sports Office, the team has agreed to dent. The University has received funding image produced by the scanner doctors for pioneering research in conjunction will be able to gain a better understand- with York University to help transform ing of how the body handles drugs, tox- the diagnosis and treatment of patients ins and even natural substances such as suffering from illnesses such as cancer, sugar and fat. This could result in quicker cardiovascular disease and musculoskel- diagnoses and more effective, efficient Lecturers vote for treatment. etal diseases. The £6.8 million research centre will The technique, known as Signal Am- mean new imagining facilities will be plification by Reversible Exchange, or created at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and SABRE, has been developed by the Uni- marking boycott versity of York. It works by magnetically the University of York. Construction on a new imaging cen- labelling drugs or substances that occur tre at Leeds General Infirmary will begin naturally in the body without changing next year with patients being recruited in their molecular structure, therefore mak- early 2016. ing the method safe and versatile. The hope is that researchers will Professor Sven Plein from the School LeedsUCU © work on new imaging methods that will of Medicine at Leeds said: ‘This is a great see the signal in MRI scanners increase example of bench to bedside research 100,000 fold. that we hope will have a profoundly posi- The York centre will continue to fo- tive impact on the lives of patients. cus on refining a method of Hyperpolar- ‘Together with colleagues at the Uni- isation of hydrogen atoms in the body, versity of York, we hope that this tech- whilst the centre in Leeds will focus on nique could in future be applied to every clinical trials of the method with a view to MRI scanner in the country, massively Charlotte Mason Mark Taylor-Batty told The Gryphon, News Editor it entering mainstream medical practice. enhancing how medical professionals di- ‘There will be a partial withdrawal of la- Researchers from the University of Leeds agnose illness in patients.’ bour in protest at tens or even hundreds The University has criticised lecturers’ alongside Doctors from Leeds Teaching The funding from the Medical Re- of thousands of pounds being removed decision to take part in a marking boy- Hospitals will be responsible for applying search Council comes from a package from our pensions. The proposals, if ac- cott in protest of proposed cuts to staff the imaging technique to patients. worth more than £230 million announced tivated, will mean University of Leeds pensions. Hyperpolarisation allows more hydro- by Chancellor of the Exchequer George lecturers will have a far worse pension The action is due to affect the setting gen atoms to be visible to an MRI scan- Osborne last week. than Leeds Beckett lecturers, who are in of exams, marking and giving feedback a different scheme’. to students, with graduations also at risk UCU will meet for talks with em- of disruption. ployers on Thursday, although Mr Tay- The decision follows a vote by 69 UK lor-Batty said, ‘It’s likely the action could universities on whether to act in the ‘in- Crash in Hyde Park continue through to Christmas or even creasingly bitter row’ over pensions, with the exam period’. stepped out into the road. the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) The University statement continued, A witness told this newspaper, ‘There claiming that some lecturers would lose Charlotte Mason ‘UCU and representatives of the employ- were two ambulances and a police car hundreds of thousands of pounds of News Editor ers are currently engaged in negotiations at the top of the hill. There wasn’t much savings if proposals by Universities UK to ensure the sustainability of the nation- going on but it was obvious that it was (UKK) went ahead. al pension scheme, USS. Those negotia- Police have launched an investigation something serious’. A University spokesperson told this tions are at a very early stage – the first after a man was hit by an Amber Cars The man was taken to hospital, where newspaper, ‘We are extremely disap- meeting was last week and UCU has yet taxi on Friday. he received treatment for minor injuries. pointed that the UCU has decided to to put forward its own proposal’. Emergency services attended the The taxi’s windscreen was partially take industrial action now. This action ‘Naturally, we will do all we can to scene on Royal Park Road at approxi- smashed in the incident, although Police needlessly threatens student assessment, minimise the impact on our students and mately 6.30pm following reports that a confirmed the driver remained unharmed. progression and perhaps ultimately grad- will issue guidance as soon as possible’. vehicle had collided with a pedestrian. The Gryphon contacted Amber Cars uation’. It was reported that the 34-year-old but they did not respond in time for President of Leeds University UCU FULL STORY at THEGRYPHON.CO.UK man was wearing earphones when he printing.

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK News 5 PGCEs suspended Leeds surgeon dies over Ofsted concerns Robert Cohen fessor Mark Pike said, ‘We have a distin- guished history of providing high quality The University has announced that it teacher education and envisage doing so will not be offering PGCE teacher train- for many years to come. We are confi- ing next year following an Ofsted report dent of a successful re-inspection.” that found that the quality of courses ‘re- The decision comes with an overhaul quires improvement’. of teacher training with the School Di- The School of Education has been rect scheme, which gives schools more asked to raise standards before a re-in- involvement in university courses. Telegraph© spection, when it is hoped training will School of Education student Aušra be approved for re-introduction in the Raulušonytė told The Gryphon that the Jake Hookem 2016/17 academic year. decision was ‘sensible’. She explained, News Editor A University spokesperson said, ‘The University looks seriously at the fact Porth beach near Newquay, Cornwall at ‘When the primary and secondary PGCE that Ofsted did not assess the programme about 1.30pm on Sunday. courses were inspected by Ofsted in favourably. This just proves their interest One of the three people who drowned The presence of lifeguards on the December 2013, inspectors praised the in quality’. off the coast of Cornwall this weekend beach, which was absent at the time of quality of teaching and learning. How- Students wishing to undertake a was an honorary lecturer at Leeds Uni- the tragedy, is to be reviewed. ever, overall, the inspectors felt that Uni- PGCE at the University have been ad- versity Medical School. In a statement Julian Hartley, Chief versity of Leeds Initial Teacher Education vised to apply for courses elsewhere in Stuart Calder, who was understood to Executive of the Leeds Teaching Hos- Partnership requires improvement’. the region. be on holiday in Cornwall with his fam- pitals, said: Head of the School of Education Pro- ily, got into the water to help others in ‘This is devastating news and our difficulty. hearts go out to the family of Mr It is thought Mr. Calder died while try- Calder, who was an extremely popular ing to rescue a group of teenage surfers and well respected member of our con- who came into trouble in bad conditions sultant staff. Halo withdraws in the sea. All of the teenagers made it to ‘Mr. Calder became a trauma and shore alive, leading many people includ- orthopaedics consultant here at the ing Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat Trust in 1998. Before that he was a sen- MP for Leeds North West, to say Calder ior house officer and registrar here in licensing bid ‘died a hero trying to save others’. Leeds, so he spent almost all his career Calder, 52, was a Consultant Ortho- with us and had a well-deserved repu- paedic Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hos- tation as a skilled and extremely dedi- pitals and had a particular expertise in cated surgeon. sports-related injuries and arthritis. His ‘While the treatment of patients work led to him become an honorary lec- was at the centre of everything he did, turer. Mr Calder was also an active researcher The other two victims have been and helped train generations of junior named as Rachel Dunn, 42, and Kevin orthopaedic surgeons. Reynolds, 44, both from St Austell. ‘He will be tremendously missed by The incident occurred at Mawgan everyone.’ Union backs Malia Escorcio addressed the issue in a recent Abla Klaa blog post titled ‘Freedom of Expression’. News Editor The statement read, ‘The distasteful Sam Broadley © responses go against the values of our or- ganisations and we hope that represent- to open in Spring 2015. Concerns were Leeds University Union released a atives feel comfortable enough to discuss raised regarding Halo’s close proximity statement earlier this week in response to the newly proposed motion opposing ISIS Danny Anderson to the library and the potential noise dis- the recent attacks on NUS Black Student at the next NEC meeting.’ tractions. Campaign’s (BSC) officer, Malia Bouattia. He has since said, Halo has withdrawn its application to West Yorkshire Police also objected The NUS recently came under attack ‘Given the support from students at Leeds City Council to extend its opening to the application. The Police expressed when a motion to condemn IS failed to Leeds for us to speak out on this issue, hours. concern about the potential for anti-so- receive a majority vote. Members of the the Exec unanimously decided to pub- The club on Woodhouse Lane sought cial and criminal behaviour that might BSC led by Malia Bouattia had voted lish the statement regarding freedom of to lengthen its opening hours until 6am accompany longer drinking hours. against the motion. speech in support of Malia.” as well as opening two additional outdoor West Yorkshire Police Licensing Of- In a statement released by the NUS, Final year student Harry Shotton, who bars. The application was withdrawn be- ficer Cat Sanderson explained: ‘The they explained that the ‘motion would lobbied the Union to release a statement fore the licensing meeting at the Council premises need to be able to control their unfairly demonise all Muslims rather following Sussex Union’s statement of took place. venue and customers within their current than solely the group it set out to right- solidarity, told The Gryphon, Solicitors acting on behalf of the Uni- hours of operating before applying for fully condemn’. ‘Given the reprehensible racist, sexist versity of Leeds voiced concerns and sub- additional hours.’ The decision resulted in a media and islamophobic threats and abuse di- mitted a formal objection. The Gryphon contacted Halo for a backlash and consequently racist and rected at Malia, a few others and I felt it The University’s new Laidlaw Library statement but they were unavailable for misogynistic attacks on Miss Bouattia. was necessary to get LUU to publicly is- is currently under construction and due comment. LUU Union Affairs Officer Bradley sue it’s solidarity and support with Malia’.

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK 6 News ‘We’re not going to take things like this anymore, we’re not going to let companies tell us what’s perfect’ Leeds University students Frances Black, Gabriella Kountourides and Laura Ferris spoke to The Gryphon about their recent petition against Victoria Se- cret’s controversial ‘The Perfect Body’ campaign.

Abla Klaa they might not buy underwear from there News Editor but they’re going to see the image.

What was your initial response to How have people reacted to your the ‘The Perfect Body’ ad? petition? G: I got a message saying, ‘I’m recov- F: I first saw it in the Trinity Centre ering from anorexia and it’s images like and I was really taken aback, so I stopped these that trigger it.’ It’s in no way about and took a photo and uploaded it to skinny shaming; we’re saying that ad- Facebook. The campaign just spiralled verts are saying that it’s one specific type from there. that is ‘perfect’. In our view everyone is. G: I got really angry about it too. I L: There are men and women out Jasmine Andersson © thought, ‘Does anyone else think this is there who are amputees or have under- awful?’ gone surgery that have left them with look a certain way. socially responsible. scars who will never achieve what’s dis- F: …and I think the reasons why wom- G: I agree. Our petition is focused on Why did you think it was neces- played to us as ‘perfect’. en do buy the products is because they’re the fact that Victoria’s Secret labels these sary to campaign against it? so afraid of not fitting in, being inade- models’ bodies as perfect. We’re not go- Why do people accept these rep- quate, being insecure. ing to take things like this anymore, we’re L: If nobody says anything then no- resentations of women? not going to let companies tell us what’s body will know that this is wrong. It’s a What’s the way forward to change perfect or what we need to conform to really powerful thing to start a petition to L: Women are seen but not heard in these perceptions of ‘perfection’? – they should be conforming to our ide- tell Victoria’s Secret we feel uncomforta- our society of Page 3 and men at the top. ologies. ble by this advert. However, I think that women are also in F: One thing this petition should work Follow the campaign with the ‘IAm- G: When young girls are walking by, some way responsible for it - we aspire to towards is making sure all companies are Perfect’ hashtag.

Breaking down the stories that matter. The Digest.

ibtimes.co.uk © The Guardian © BBC ©Telegraph ©

Britain leaves Afghanistan ASDA faces legal action C of E to allow Female Bishops Scotland to reduce drink-drive limit The last remaining British combat ASDA is facing legal action from The Church of England has an- The Scottish Government have an- forces were withdrawn from Afghani- some female employees. The women in- nounced plans to appoint their first fe- nounced that the drink-drive limit in stan on Monday, ending a 13-year mili- volved claim they are not paid the same male bishop as early as next year. After Scotland will be reduced. The new limit tary presence in the country. rate as male workers in distribution ware- a vote in July, the Church passed the mo- is planned to be implemented by the 5th Britain joined the United States-led houses despite their jobs being of ‘equiv- tion to allow women to become bishops December this year. international coalition that toppled the alent value’. after a previous vote in 2012 failed. Under the new plans it will mean Taliban government in 2001. The firm representing them says it William Fittall, General Secretary of that the alcohol blood limit in Scotland Camps Bastion and Leatherneck in has had 19,000 enquiries from current or the General Synod said the Church body will be decreased from 80mg to 50mg Helmand province were ceremoniously previous staff and that over 1,000 em- could pass an amendment to Canon law per 100ml blood. However, in England handed over to Afghan security forces. ployment tribunal claims have already when they meet in November. and Wales the limit will remain at The bases had served as the coali- been lodged. The firm claims that the The first vacancy in the country will 80mg per 100ml. tion’s regional headquarters since Britain difference in wage between male and fe- be Southwell and Nottingham, and close- If the change is enforced it will mean took command of Helmand province in male workers may be up to £4 per hour. ly followed by Gloucester, Oxford and that a driver could potentially be over 2006. If successful the claimants could re- Newcastle. Mr Fittall said that female the limit after just one glass of wine or 2,210 American and 453 British ceive up to six years of backdated pay. candidates were already being prepared pint of beer. This will bring Scotland in troops have been killed since the mis- An ASDA spokesperson said, ‘we do not for the positions and the system should line with the current alcohol drink-drive sion began in 2001 and £19bn has been discriminate and are proud of our record. ‘gear itself up’ for change. limits already in force across other Eu- expended in operational costs. We will robustly defend ourselves.’ ropean countries. Danny Anderson Hugh Baillie-Lane Emily Willson Emily Willson

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK News 7 Death row survivor: ‘After all, I was innocent’ This week, LUU Anti-Death Penalty hosted an interview with Ray Krone, the 100th man to be exonerated from death row. The Gryphon was there to hear his remarkable story of innocence, anger and justice.

myaurora.org ©

Charlotte Stones to those left on Ancona’s body. In the no- just wanted to clear another case.’ he speaks of the day his lawyer tele- toriously tough-lawed state of Arizona, During a retrial in 1996 an expert was phoned him to deliver the joyous news. police interrogation was fierce. You can’t able to testify in court that the saliva After serving ten years, three months and Ray Krone is not your typical death help but empathise as he becomes angri- found on Ancona’s body was in fact not eight days in prison for a murder he nev- row inmate. A former Air Force sergeant er: ‘Here’s a man who doesn’t even know Krone’s. You can hear the relief in Ray’s er committed, Krone was found innocent and postman with a previously clean me, calling me a murderer and a rapist, voice: ‘Finally the truth was coming out.’ and was going home. criminal record, the bearded fifty-some- telling me to confess.’ This trial was to be different, and it was. Serial sex offender Kenneth Phil- thing man sitting before us hardly evokes Krone remained positive of the out- A heartstring-pulling final word from lips, who was serving a prison sentence the image of a hardened criminal. But come of the upcoming court case. ‘I the prosecution split the jury, whose de- at this time, matched the DNA. Phillips, after being falsely convicted of a murder, really wasn’t worried about it. I knew I liberation drew out over three and a half who was on parole when the murder was Krone was on death row. wasn’t going to be there long, I was re- days. Verdict: guilty. Ray, an innocent committed, was living with his mother a Telling his remarkable story is noth- ally thinking “Did I lock my car? Who is man, was going back to jail. He describes short distance from the bar. ing new to Krone. He rattles through feeding my dog?”’ Krone faced trial with the screams of agony in the courtroom as Since his release, Krone has cam- the facts. It’s not the first time he has little hope, represented by a junior lawyer his family were delivered the news and paigned to abolish the death penalty recounted the day that changed his life on his very first murder trial. The odds telling his mother, ‘It’s okay.’ through the ‘Witness to Innocence’ or- and it won’t be the last. ‘It was a Sunday were against him, as was the jury. He was Moments after confessing he was ganisation. He is the 100th person to be afternoon about 1 o’clock. I remember my found guilty of first-degree murder. only ‘99% sure’ that Krone was innocent, exonerated from death row in the United dog was barking, I had a big Doberman, Ray recalls the moment his fate was the judge delivered his fate – forty-six States. Despite receiving compensation he didn’t bark much so when he did I revealed in front of the courtroom: ‘It all years imprisonment. Although Ray was for his false imprisonment, he maintains, paid attention.’ It was then that his life happened in slow motion.’ spared execution, the sentence was a ‘no amount of money heals the pain changed forever as a police car pulled up Faced with a sentence in one of Amer- death penalty in itself. At 35 years old, and suffering of what we went through.’ and he found himself as the main sus- ica’s toughest prisons, Maricopa County Ray would be over 80 upon release. Years Openly admitting that prior to his suf- pect in a homicide investigation. Jail, survival tactics were key. ‘You can’t went by and Krone’s hopes of his rightful fering, his conservative, small-town views 36-year-old Kim Ancona had been walk around saying you’re innocent in freedom began to slip. ‘I started thinking, favoured the death penalty, Ray Krone’s found in the toilets of the bar where prison, no one cares. I’d see people being “I’m going to die in here.”’ story now actively challenges opinions on she worked. As a regular darts player in taken out of their cells, being watched It was in 2001 that his world was to the controversial topic. the CBS bar in Phoenix, Arizona, Krone and guarded so that they could make be turned upside down once again when In his inspiring, hopeful and poign- became the focus of police attention. ‘I sure they didn’t kill themselves before the a new law passed in Arizona to allow the ant conclusion to the interview, Ray says, was shocked. Here was someone I barely state had the opportunity.’ use of DNA as evidence during sentences ‘It’s not about the last 10 years, it’s about knew and the police were at my house to His resentment towards state is evi- for the first time. what I have to do in the next 10 years.’ ask me questions.’ He willingly cooper- dent throughout the interview: ‘The state The very day seems fresh in Krone’s ated, providing samples of his teeth im- weren’t concerned whether you were mind. He doesn’t sweep over the details. prints, which were later (falsely) matched guilty or innocent, they’d kill you, they You can see the meaning in his eyes as

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK 8 Features Protein, Power-lifting and Push-up Bras: Weight lifting and the Modern Woman The Gryphon speaks to local bodybuilder Karina Nielsen about body image and the pressures of being a woman in a male-dominated sport.

Anna Turner of the norm, and women everywhere might be and how it might look. The are starting to like what they see and booty is slowly phasing out the thigh Have you encountered any kind For many people the words how it makes them feel. If you’ve gap as the latest must-have ana- of negativity, either online or in ‘female bodybuilder’ still conjure up a never tried venturing into that strange tomical accessory and, at the time real life? How did you respond? grotesque image of a colossal wom- and mystical part of the gym some- of writing this, the facebook page an, with rippling muscles and maybe times referred to as ‘the man cave’, ‘yeah, she squats’ currently has well I think it depends. Obviously during even a little five o’clock shadow. This you may want to give it a try. It may over a million supporters. So while contest prep [the diet] is very strict, is an image that makes people recoil seem to be populated by surly, seri- there is definite cause to celebrate so you will find that your mood and use words like ‘extreme’ and ‘un- ous looking blokes who don’t want the increasing acceptance of weight changes, you can almost get a little feminine’ in response - an image that a curious woman spoiling all their lifting as a valid and popular hobby bit depressed. You get into this zone for many years has acted as a sort of homo-social fun, but that’s far from for women, there is still a myriad of where you just have to eat, train, cultural boogeyman that keeps wom- the truth. You’ll quickly discover that troubling issues and concerns that sleep and then repeat again. It’s not a en away from the dumbbells and when a guy is attempting to lift twice surround the topic. joke. You literally get in that kind of squat racks, leaving Zumba classes your body weight above his head he With this in mind, The Gryphon zone. So I suppose you can feel a bit as their exercise of choice. is far too caught up with local Leeds athlete grumpy and you can feel like people Many women are still convinced occupied by the very real and very Karina Nielsen, who has recently are thinking ‘ah, she’s just moody all

that these cardio-heavy workouts are imminent threat of death to give competed in the UK bodybuild- the time!’. Other than that I think it the best or only route to an attrac- much thought to his surroundings. ing and Fitness Federation’s British depends how you choose to approach tively athletic physique. Some have The fear of judgment can be a Championships after obtaining an it, sometimes people lose track of “ been given the impression that lifting very difficult an“ d daunting barrier to impressive first-place victory in the what’s inappropriate. So it all sort of heavy things will overcome when it East England regional qualifiers. We depends on how you’re doing it. If somehow compro- There can be a fine stands between you spoke to her about her experienc- you’re doing it for yourself I’ve found mise our femininity, line between sup- and a new hobby or es competing in a sport that is still it’s fine. Sometimes though, there’s a making us more experience - espe- sometimes viewed as an unconven- fine line between not making it sex- masculine and ulti- plements and drugs cially one that has tional choice for women. ual. I mean, in fitness modelling and mately less attrac- – what’s legal and had a history of tive. stigmatization and How did you first get into com- TV shows and what’s not legal awkwardly gendered petitive bodybuilding? documentaries often “ associations. Honest- present viewers with extreme exam- ly though, since taking a serious I watched a competition last year ples of women who have roughly 0% interest in weight-lifting I’ve found and I was quite intrigued - I thought body fat, or their figures have been that judgment more often comes (if it ‘I wanna do that. I want to get on steroid-enhanced. They show us comes at all) from people outside of stage, I want to show off my hard these uber-women and suggest to the gym. work’ because I really enjoy my viewers ‘this is the very normal and There remains a small but often training, but I thought [bodybuilding] standard reality of female bodybuild- vocal group of people who love to would be a really nice way to really ing - this is what you will look like if disguise their hang-ups and outdated show off that hard work. you start lifting weights’. It isn’t. It’s concerns in the form of unhelpful not even close. nuggets of advice such as ‘don’t get Do you think perceptions about It’s astoundingly patronizing too big’ or ‘stick to light weights if female bodybuilders have towards these incredibly dedicated all you want to do is tone’, and my changed? women to just assume you could favorite of all, the mind bogglingly end up looking that way by ac- intrusive ‘what does your boyfriend It seems to be more popular, I think. cident. Whether you like the way think?’ I come from a dance background, so these women look or not, they work Competitive female bodybuild- we still had to train quite hard, but incredibly hard to achieve it. A few ing is beginning to come out of the not hours in the free weights section and fringes and into plain view. It is even lifting weights as such. It was quite the odd protein shake will not yield possible to see strength-training new to me when I first started, about these impressive results. becoming part of that ever tangled, a year ago but I think [female body- For many people female strength never stable and always problematic building] is a lot more popular now. training is gradually becoming part idea of what the ‘ideal female body’ Definitely. Karina Nielsen ©

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK Features 9

of stuff. I find that when it comes a different way. You won’t be skinny to male bodybuilding, they can get but you’ll be strong and defined, and away with just being really muscly – that’s something that I really like. I there’s no pressure on them to per- used to always want to be the skin- form as much. So, I think for females niest and the lightest, but now that it’s a lot about your presentation, al- focus has shifted and I want to be though it does depend on what class strong, I want to be fit. you’re doing because when women get up to bodybuilding then it does Do you think the popularity of change and you will be judged more female bodybuilding is going to on just the muscle. Though I definite- bring this strong, muscular look ly feel like, in the lighter category, it’s more into the mainstream? more about other things. Yeah, I think so. Then again, I work So do you find there is a tempta- within this kind of environment tion towards extreme dieting and where that’s the look I see a lot. But I drugs, or is that over-exaggerated? do have more and more clients com- Yeah, to be honest there is a lot of ing to me wanting that look. I look that going on. Especially when you’re at them and think ‘oh, you’re nice in the competitive world, because if and slim’ and they’ll say ‘yeah, but I one person is into that sort of thing want to build more, I want a bigger others will be like ‘Oh, I need to do bum’ and things like that. So I think, that as well otherwise they’re going generally speaking, more people are to win!’ In competitive bodybuild- going for that look. ing there can be a fine line between supplements and drugs – what’s legal So, what can bodybuilding offer and what’s not legal. Everyone is women that other sports don’t? taking supplements, which are legal, so you end up taking all these things I think confidence – body confidence. that in the long term can be quite Knowing that you can change your harmful for your body. body and have some control. It’s not Karina Nielsen © so much about being faster than Karina celebrates finishing in 1st place at the British Championships Is there anything you’d like to see somebody else, or winning some- change about your sport? thing, it’s more about doing your things like that. It is a fine line. gym, because that way I avoid the personal best. When I was younger attention. That’s the only thing I find I’d just love to see more girls using I didn’t enjoy sports because I didn’t

Do you think that female body- uncomfortable, being looked at. Even weights. It seems to me that some like that competitive aspect, but now builders do tend to be more sex- if I’m not wearing any particularly girls are still quite hesitant about it’s just about pushing myself and ualized than their revealing clothing – them. It’s partly about confidence, competing with myself. male counterparts? As a woman, it’s about I think it’s something and partly a fear about not know- how you pose, it’s what new to some people ing how to do it, and that’s fine. As Are there any final comments I think so, yeah. I and they’ll look at a personal trainer my job lets me you’d like to add? you wear and may- “ think it has some- you, and I find that teach people and introduce them and thing to with want- be even what kind of sometimes quite I love hearing women say ‘oh, I can I will say there’s a big difference ing to show off your posts and statuses you disturbing. lift so much now!’, I think it would between general bodybuilding to hard work, and the put on social media. So be nice to see more girls just go for keep fit, compared to preparing for problems sometimes When it comes it. I’ve been in Denmark and in their a competition. I speak a lot to my “in that sense you feel come with how to being judged gyms where there’s quite a few girls clients about health and fitness as you’re doing that. As you have to be careful in a competition, training – together or on their own – being two different things. If you a woman, it’s about about portraying the do you still think lifting weights, doing squats, doing are looking to get on stage you will how you pose, it’s right image. men and women lunges. It was so nice to see. have to workout almost every day what you wear and are treated differ- and be on a restricted diet – so it’s maybe even what ently? So, what for you have been the not healthy in the long term. I was kind of posts and statuses you put benefits of taking up strength really quite poorly during the last on social media. So in that sense you I think it depends what class you’re training? few weeks, just because I was so run feel you have to be careful about competing in. I’m in the lightest down. That showed to me that it is portraying the right image. Whereas bodybuilding class, which is bikini Well, obviously I feel a lot stronger. I really hard on your body and it isn’t men, they can take their top off and fitness – and then you have body feel a lot more confident in my body something everyone should aim for. look muscly and that’s all good. It’s fitness and then you’ve got body- as well. I used to be a dancer, and I’d My body fat dropped to about 10% - mostly still females who feel they building for women. So in bikini look at myself in the mirror and think which is quite low for a woman, you have to be careful about how they fitness you’re being judged on your ‘I’m a little bit chubby there, I don’t really want to stay at about 20%. You portray themselves. I find that I prefer appearance: your hair, your make-up, like that’, but now I can sculpt my should find a balance where you’re to train when it’s really quiet in the your stage presence and all that kind body. It helps you see your body in feeling healthy.

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK 10 Features ‘The media is the thing which is harming Muslims the most’

Abla Klaa papers will have headlines that are quite my own personal perspective I do not caused IS to arise in the first place. You Vickie Hesketh provocative towards the Muslim commu- know whether it is good or whether it is have to get rid of the root causes of nity. It’s unfair because for some who do not. At the end of the day I do not know terrorism and extremism in the Middle Over recent months, the terrorist group not know or have never heard of Islam, what their agenda is. If their agenda East. Islamic State has dominated newspa- IS have become the face of it. Some is to help innocent people then that is per headlines around the world. Their media reporting is also complicit in the great. However, the question that people What is your opinion on the foreign actions are contradictory to the peaceful rise of Islamophobia which is problem- need to ask themselves is why are they fighters, who are leaving to fight in religion of Islam, but this has not always atic. People feel that there is a threat so quick to attack the Islamic State and the Middle East? been made clear by political leaders or from the Muslim community which is help the innocent people in Kurdistan the mainstream media. The Gryphon why one of ISoc’s and other Muslim and Iraq but are not taking any action My opinion would be the same for spoke to the president of Leeds Univer- organisations’ roles is to show that it is to assist the innocent people of Syria, anyone - it does not matter if they are sity’s Islamic Society, Muslim or none Mus- Mohammed Luhishi, lim - going to join a about the actions of - violent criminal or- and reactions to - IS. ganisation is wrong. I feel that anyone who What is your view goes there should on the actions of the be held accountable Islamic State? with IS for what they are doing. However, The Islamic State is very at the same time, un-Islamic. They are a I think that there criminal and extremist should be more done organisation that acts in in terms of the gov- the name of Islam but ernment and Muslim does not represent the community by way religion or Muslims, con- of educating and trary to what the media raising awareness, might have you believe. because a lot of the They have hijacked people who are going a religion which pro- can be brainwashed motes peace; the actual by people who try to meaning of ‘Islam’ itself use their religion and comes from the word faith to make them ‘peace’ in Arabic. I don’t do these criminal

think Muslims should Leeds ISoc © acts. I feel that the have to keep defending government needs to themselves against anoth- not the case; Islam is a tolerant religion. Gaza, Yemen, everywhere in the Middle try to educate people er extremist organisation just because The media is the thing which is harming East and other places around the world. more, not just Muslims but non-Mus- Muslims the most. As a Muslim when lims too, and try to make sure that they IS are a criminal and extremist I read a headline saying ‘Muslims are IS has gone through many develop- organisation that acts in killing innocent people in Iraq’ it feels ments. Do you think we will ever see Some media reporting is the name of Islam but does unfair as they are not offering the other the end of organisations like this? also complicit in the rise of not represent the religion or side of the argument. I do feel like this Islamophobia Muslims problem of Islamophobia will get bigger I think that the problem is that a lot and bigger for Muslims here in England of people think that they can get rid they claim to be of the same religion, in in the future. of these groups by fighting fire with the same way that Christians shouldn’t fire, using weapons against weapons. know that these criminal organisations have to defend their religion in defence Does the UK and the USA have a Whereas I believe that we should tackle are not representative of Islam. I also be- against the KKK. right to get involved? the root cause of extremism because lieve that the Muslim community should “ they are a criminal and extremist group try to do more in terms of educating How is the media handling this issue The Islamic Society is an apolitical who have hijacked the Islamic faith. I “and raising awareness in the Muslim in your opinion? society. We deal with the actual faith, think that even if you got rid of them population here in England. the belief of Islam. We are not a political there would still be others that would I think the media has been very”biased society so I cannot comment from the spring up to replace them due to the ” in its reporting. A lot of the time news- Islamic Society’s perspective but from oppression in the Middle East and what

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK Comment 11 Comment Ched Evans EU Foreign languages Victoria’s Secret Lewis Decker discusses whether the Jasmin Vincent looks at whether Marcus Rowe on why the UK is Frances Black challenges Victoria’s convicted rapist should be allowed to David Cameron’s stance on the EU is ignorant in learning a foreign Secret’s latest ‘Perfect Body’ return to football just another popularity contest language campaign Football is a moral wasteland

Lewis Decker [email protected]

n April 2012, Ched Evans was convicted of raping a 19 year old girl in a hotel room, taking ad- vantIage of her while she was too drunk to talk. He was given a 5 year sentence, yet just two and a half years into that sentence, he’s out there, making vid- eos with his girlfriend, pleading to be accepted back into the hearts of foot- ball fans nationwide. Even questioning whether Evans should be playing football seems to gloss over far more serious societal is- bbc.co.uk sues. The fact that Evans is out of jail after a couple of years represents yet another example of a sexist legal sys- magnificent ‘comeback’. Why? Because However, I think there’s a possibil- come from areas of the UK or across the tem that does not care about violence football is entirely ethically empty. ity that the football community is Dr. world where people feel utterly power- against women. Football breeds a strange tribal Frankenstein to Evans’ monster, and less in their communities. Then sudden- The most stomach-churning part mentality, where clubs and their sup- we have to ask ourselves how a foot- ly, they are given shed loads of money, of all is that Evans continues to shrug porters will back their players whatever ball player, far removed from the dirge celebrity and power. A footballer’s ego is off his guilt because ‘she was drunk - their crime. of society we often like to associate to bound explode and, to a certain extent, so…’. This is not just an idiot misunder- I know I’ve been guilty of it with my criminal activity, came to be in such a this instils in them the belief that they standing what constitutes rape, this is own club, Watford. A few years ago, position. can act in any way they want. vile victim-blaming and an attack on striker Troy Deeney was convicted of I once went for a Nando’s with up I think there’s a case that says that women. Evans’ ‘apology’ video does not and coming Watford player Bernard Evans’ over-inflated sense of self led even give his victim a passing mention, ...pundits will laud his Mensah. I remember him telling me how him to believe there was no problem and while sections of the media (The magnificent ‘comeback’. jealous he was that I was at University in taking advantage of a very drunk Daily Mail) have lamented Evans’ ‘lost Why? Because football is while he was stuck playing football. I young woman. ‘I’m Ched Evans, foot- potential’, his victim changed her iden- entirely ethically empty. thought ‘You bastard! You get to live my baller: I can go where I want, say what I tity and location twice in order to escape childhood dream and are jealous of my want and fuck who I want’. threats and abuse from angry football Politics lectures and nights at Fruity?’ There’s no doubt that until Evans fans. “GBH after a drunken night out. After his I was livid. But he explained that apologises for his crime, he should not Bearing all this in mind the logical release Watford immediately re-signed by the age of 15, football had become play another minute of football. If he reaction from the football world would him, and while initially I swore I would his career, and at that point his adoles- does, it proves that football is a moral be ‘Who’s going to want that slimy, not support him, a few goals later I was cence was over. He would never have wasteland. Such cases as this, be them dead-eyed remorseless rapist playing there with the rest of the morons”chant- the chance to go out into the world, more or less serious than rape, will be for their club?’, but as we all know, the ing his name. make mistakes, learn and grow in the the case until we completely restructure football community is far from logical. Deeney, however, truly is a reformed way that most people get to. He argued the way footballers are ‘reared’. Treat Indeed it wouldn’t surprise me if character, and is proof that forgiveness that as a result it is more difficult for them like the fragile young teenage Evans was back on the pitch by is there to be earned and deserved. If footballers to come out as well-rounded, minds that they are - not goal scor- next summer. He’ll be earning thou- Evans showed even the slightest bit of socially-minded people. ing, profit-generating, dispensable toys sands, kids will get the name of their regret it would go a long way. After all, Football is traditionally a sport for the - and maybe they might do less dam- goal-scoring ‘hero’ printed on the backs rehabilitation is what the justice system working classes, and today many play- age to themselves and the communities of their shirts and pundits will laud his should“”be all about. ers right the way through the leagues they live in.

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK 12 Comment Is EU independence just a popularity plea?

we now should owe? Well, technically lash out to the rest of the EU, but with are being taken advantage of in the EU, Jasmin Vincent yes, but realistically no. With a month such a direct stab in our backs, it is go- and only adds to the list as to why we History of Art to hand over such a large amount of ing to be no surprise when members should just leave. [email protected] money, it’s quite unfair to expect us say it cannot go on. Even when Camer- Saying that, Cameron’s backlash all to just give out such a massive sum in on argues we are a leading player in the seems to be a bit of a political stunt. o, David Cameron is refusing such a short time. organisation, and how it will be a huge From the outsider looking in, he seems to pay an extra £1.7bn to the Furthermore, it seems rather incon- benefit to stay, it’s hard to believe that like a petulant child trying to stomp EU. Isn’t that just great? Peo- gruous that one of the big EU players, we are even considered a participant in whatever little ground he has, instead pleSwanted a reform in policies over the France, is receiving a £790m rebate the EU. of asserting his dominance over the EU. EU crisis, not an outright temper tan- because its economy is struggling. The With a sizeable £58 per person This only demonstrates the world of trum. two spectrums of the scale are mas- coming out of the ordinary taxpayers politics. In all fairness, Cameron probably sively disproportionate, and it seems pocket, it is unsurprising that this back- With nearing elections, Cameron does have a right to be angry. £1.7bn is reasonable to demand some form of lash goes hand-in-hand with the rise of seems to be pulling some desperate a hefty sum of money, and in his words investigation. a right-wing fuelled Euroscepticism. It measures, to appear like he under- it is ‘simply not acceptable for the EU It’s easy to be bitter about this and certainly provides the feeling that we stands the people of this country and to make these kinds of demands and the growing anti-EU feeling that is true to do so in such a fast-track process’. A of many. Unfortunately he’s come onto bill this big is not going to help Britain’s that playing field a bit too late. membership of the European Union. Whatever happens now, his reaction So why such a big bill? The UK, has definitely caused us to question like other countries, has been making further the benefits of staying in the changes to the methodology for meas- EU. When a politician argues the case uring the size of it’s economy, meaning of staying in, and then quite blatantly it has been including aspects such as illustrates some sizeable disadvantages, money from illegal drugs and prostitu- it all becomes very annoying and quite tion. As a result, the economy appears confusing. We either take the EU as it bigger than previously reported, and comes, or we just leave and be done the UK has been underpaying the EU. with it. Does this mean, then, that it’s fair for the EU to suddenly demand money that IB Times © Foreign languages shouldn’t be ignored

Marcus Rowe In order to enjoy learning a language, cents, whose attention spans are already atively fluently, then surely most British Arabic and Chinese it is necessary to reach a level where a prone to wavering. people have the ability to speak another [email protected] basic conversation can be had. But it is all As someone who grew up speaking language. too often the case that people quit before only English at home until until I was in- Many believe that the scrapping in n Britain, it’s common knowledge they reach this level, leaving themselves troduced to French and then German at 2002 of the requirement for 16-year- that our society as a whole has a with an almost useless collection of half- school, I appreciate what a struggle it can olds to sit a language at GCSE has had a chronic fear of foreign languages. learned words and phrases. Once this hur- be to stay motivated in the early stages, negative impact on our national linguis- OurIlack of effort on this front is seen by dle is overcome, the process of learning a but it really does pay off. There are an tic ability. I would argue that in order for many as a national embarrassment and language becomes rewarding and fulfill- incredible number of opportunities that language GCSEs to be useful, they should there are often calls for language teaching come from being able to speak a foreign test useful knowledge such as booking to be given higher priority in schools. ...people quit before they language, from employment to personal tickets and hotels while travelling or be- However, in order to improve the na- reach this level, leaving travel. ing able to converse spontaneously, rather tion’s proficiency in foreign languages, it themselves with an almost One of the reasons why we are so re- than reciting prepared paragraphs about is not enough to simply make children useless collection of half- luctant to learn foreign languages is the the environment or whether you get on learn a language to GCSE level. The way learned words and phrases assumption that foreign people will always with your family. in which languages are taught in schools be able to speak English. Fortunately for Learning a language can seem like a must be completely changed. Too often, “ us, English is very widely spoken, but it is thankless task, until you have your first in an effort to cover everything in the cur- ing: managing for the first time to have a still not ubiquitous. Even in England and successful conversation with a native riculum, teachers move on from the basics conversation with a foreign person in their Wales, according to the 2011 census, there speaker and see their amazement when before pupils have fully understood and own language is incredibly satisfying. were 138,000 people who spoke no Eng- you tell them that you’re British. A French- learned them. They are left feeling that The methods used to teach foreign lish at all. man once said to me on a school trip ‘You they will never be able to learn a language languages in the UK also contri”bute to ‘But I simply can’t learn a foreign lan- cannot possibly be English, your French is as it is too difficult, which means that the many students becoming apathetic to- guage’, the masses cry. Well, in most of too good!’. What was even more alarming gap between the level they are supposed wards learning another language. The Northern Europe, being able to speak two was that it summed up the British attitude to be at and the level they are actually at endless monotony of verb endings and or three languages is the norm. If near- towards learning languages perfectly. widens to the point where they simply give past tenses is hardly a gripping way to ly the entire population of a country like up. teach a language to a group of adoles- the Netherlands can speak English rel-

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK Comment 13 Victoria makes no Secret of the ‘perfect’ body

Frances Black has the words ‘The Perfect ‘Body’’ bran- body image, low self-esteem and eating photo-shopped that those bodies are English and Philosophy dished across photos of models of an disorders among women. It tells us almost impossible to attain. Victoria’s [email protected] identical, slim body type. that only one body type is desirable. Secret could use their power to celebrate The annual Victoria’s Secret show It tells us that only one type of wom- the beautiful, rich amazing diversity of is broadcast in over 200 countries. an deserves to be proud of her body women’s bodies, instead of telling us ooking back at my adolescence, According to a 2012 YouGov study, it is in underwear. It tells heterosexual and that only one body type is worthy and I remember a particular episode the most popular clothing company in bisexual men that only women who desirable. with great clarity: seeing cellu- America, and they are also hugely pop- look like this are attractive and that liteLon my legs for the first time when I ular in Canada and the UK, among oth- there is something wrong with them if If you think that Victoria’s Secret was 19 and inducing myself into a state er countries. Their power and influence they are attracted to women of different should be held accountable for this of panic. I went out and bought body over society’s perception of women and body types. It perpetuates a culture that marketing campaign, please sign brushes and moisturizers to try and beauty is immense, and this campaign shames women into believing that they the petition ‘Victoria’s Secret: Apol- tackle this unsightly, humiliating flaw. struck me as an unforgivable abuse of are somehow a failure for not looking ogise for, and amend the irrespon- My thought process was that if I started this platform. like the women in those photos. sible marketing of your new bra dealing with my cellulite now, perhaps I The message that this kind of cam- Only 5% of women naturally pos- range ‘Body’’ at Change.org: http:// wouldn’t have to feel ashamed and em- paign sends out to women is unhealthy sess the body type portrayed in ad- chn.ge/1tgfHE9 barrassed by my body when I was older. and damaging. It promotes negative verts like these, and the models are so Underpinning this whole thought process was the belief that I would no longer be attractive or desirable if I had cellulite- I would not be perfect. I would be flawed, tarnished. Years of seeing circles of shame in Heat magazine, zeroing in on the supposed ‘imperfections’ of female celebrities and subconsciously processing an endless stream of airbrushed models had left me believing that true beauty meant constant perfection. I had been convinced that normal things that most women have in some form or other - cellulite, wrinkles, non-pert breasts, tummies that stick out, body hair – were embarrassing and shameful, rather than the wonderful, natural variations of the human body that they are. Where do such ideas come from? Marketing, magazines and the media have a lot to answer for. An all-too common marketing tactic that com- panies use is to make their customers feel insecure and inadequate, while promising their products as the cure for whatever supposed ailment they have come up with. Underwear and clothing store Victoria’s Secret’s new marketing campaign for their range of bras ‘Body’ is an appalling example of such careless, irresponsible advertising. The campaign Frances Black ©

1 in 30 10,000 3,000+ victims of rape will see their students took French signatures on the petition attacker convicted A-level in the UK last to amend Victoria’s Secret year underwear campaign

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK Debate 14 Debate Is the porn industry exploitative? Pornography has divided opinion for centuries, and it is now more readily available than ever. The porn industry has transformed from ‘French Postcards’ to adult films, and recent government proposals advocate a mandatory ban on internet porn. This week, The Gryphon Debate asks whether porn really is as degrading and expolita- tive as we’ve been led to believe. Yes Faith Dunne he question of whether porn is el of beauty similar to women they havd left tarnished. After watching the Louis very difficult to maintain relationships or degrading has been circulat- watched during porn. Women also may Theroux documentary Twilight of the feel close to someone as porn has desensi- ing for many years, however feel that they have to mimic the body Porn Stars it became apparent that one tised him from feeling the typical level of myTanswer will always remain the same. image of a porn star in order to impress intimacy felt when in a relationship. male porn star in particular lacked the Admittedly, it is becoming a more fervent the opposite sex. Men may even feel the And it may not only be the porn stars’ topic today with the support of the in- same: watching a particularly attractive According to The Huffington relationships that have been sacrificed by ternet, making porn accessible to almost male porn star could make male viewers porn. The intimate relationships of viewers everyone at almost every age. This means feel more body-conscious. Additionally, Post, approximately 30% of will be affected too. Porn distorts an act that both the younger and older genera- they may feel that the only way to please porn viewers are women. which is supposed to be intimate into a tion of men are able to access the video a woman is to have sex with her which superficial and trivial scene. footage of the objectification of women. intimacy which is usually felt when hav- A close relationship with someone is Watching porn exacerbates the at- Porn distorts an act which is ing sex with someone. In fact, it was re- something which should be cherished titude that women are only sex objects, supposed to be intimate into a vealed that he was in love with one of his and porn is one factor which is trivialising that sex is the only way to achieve satis- superficial scene co-stars, however he was rejected by this these relationships. Is it not better to feel faction, and that males are the dominant woman as love is not something a porn intimate with a real person than to watch sex. Viewing one naked female porn star star should feel, so the industry portrays. the superficial intimacy of two people on a performing sex acts not only exposes her could make a man more anxious about Sex is a very intimate act and for screen? So I say to porn lovers: maybe it’s personal, unique beauty but also defects such an intimate act. “someone to be expected to refrain from time to go out and start a real relationship the general male perception of the female Furthermore, it is not only people who feeling any affection is unnatural and un- rather than staring at the meaningless one body. watch porn that may feel belittled or de- dignified. As a result of working in the on the screen. And it is not only men who seek a lev- “graded but the porn stars themselves are porn industry, adult film starts ”may find it ” No Anna Turner n order to respond to statements like ploited/degraded infantilizes women more So perhaps when we label porn as de- or consumption? ‘porn is exploitative’ or ‘porn degrades than a thousand porn stars in schoolgirl grading we are not talking about all porn, The laws are particularly prejudiced women’ we have to unpack what uniforms ever could. This is because it but about more specific sub-genres of porn against those in the BDSM community, theseI words mean. Are we using these assumes that women can’t enjoy the act that are viewed as violent, extreme and who are the fiercest campaigners against terms broadly to mean that anyone who of sexual performance – that they cannot where ‘degradation’ is seen as part of the sexual abuse, stressing the importance of has sex in front of a camera for monetary possibly feel satisfied in a job that requires appeal. I am of the belief that it is not our consent. The line between what is con- gain is being exploited and degraded? I them to have multiple sexual encounters. job to police the sexualities of consenting sensual and what is ‘degrading’ is not so think most porn stars would find that idea The porn industry is not perfect and adults by limiting their means of expres- black and white within pornography – an insulting. The porn industry contains some that there may be some individuals with- sion. These videos have a place within the industry built on selling fantasy over re- of the most intelligent business people in in it who do feel exploited, but the same porn industry as long as there is consent ality. any creative industry. is true with any industry - no occupation and performers are aware of what will be If we are to outlaw the erotic depic- When we claim that men and, more has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. expected. tion of ‘extreme’ content then will there often, women within this industry are ex- By keeping videos like this in the pub- be policemen charging into our libraries ploited or degraded we are demeaning their Attaching stigma to porn in lic eye, rather than the black market, they to remove the works of Marquis De Sade? intelligence and treating them as something particular simply because of its can be regulated and do not require actual What about Rochester’s poems and Anais less than what they are: adults capable of sexual nature comes across like abuse or exploitation. We are then given Nin’s short stories? All these writers have making their own sexual, professional and the option to watch these videos or not and erotic depictions of rape in their work, in financial decisions and taking responsibility slut-shaming are able to take responsibility for that de- addition to other ‘extreme’ content, and for them. cision. When a sex offender claims ‘porn yet somehow we privilege their writing The phrase ‘porn is degrading’ is de- Attaching this sort of stigma to porn made me do it’ - and we validate that with over that of pornographers who choose to grading in itself. It treats adults who have in particular simply because of its sexual the rhetoric that porn is dangerous and ex- depict similar things on film – one is ex- made a personal choice like naïve children nature comes across like slut-shaming. It treme - we take away responsibility from ploitative and the other artistic. who can’t possibly understand what they’re also conveniently ignores other forms of that sex offender. Suddenly it’s not their Labelling porn as an exploitative in- getting into. It also partially reinforces the exploitation within less taboo industries; I fault, it’s porn’s fault. dustry is simply an exercise in erotic elit- idea that women in particular must be blind would rather campaign for less exploita- This kind of mentality is an attack on ism. It seems that porn is only obscene to the realities of the porn industry – as“tion within the coffee and chocolate in- the idea of personal agency as well as on and dangerous if it has the Brazzers though they couldn’t possibly be sexually dustries before I start worrying about porn freedom of sexual expression. Why should emblem in the corner rather than the Pen- aware adults who understand what porn stars that, for the most part, have control anyone tell adults what they can and can- guin logo on the spine. entails. over their hours and working conditions as not get their rocks off to as long as no one To say that women in porn must be ex- well as being well paid. ” is being hurt in the process of production THEGRYPHON.CO.UK Crossword 15 Current Affairs crossword The week’s affairs in black and white squares

As glamorous as ever, follow the clues below:

ACROSS:

1, Title of Russell Brand’s new book 4, Name of the party which were refused TV coverage in the national election debates 5. Name ofthe misogynistic abuse of female gaming enthusiasts 6. Name of the place where father was paralysed on a rollercoaster 7. High street brand criticised for skinny mannequins 9. 1982 government exercise to test the UK’s capacity to deal with the nuclear war

DOWN:

1. Acting President of Zambia Name of the Mercury Music Prize winners Celebrity challenged over facial appearance Serenaded whilst in labour by her pop star husband

Last week’s answers: Canada Nokia Mike Read Tesco Makhiti Guido Fawkes Oscar De La Renta Balotelli Letters Adressed to Sophie Bell, Debate, Issue 4:

Your article in the The Gryphon of the 24th October really caught my eye. It even reminded me of the great Eric Hobsbawm, who argued that you have to ‘see the past as a coherent whole, rather than (as historical specialization so often forces us to see it) as an assem- bly of separate topics.’ I don’t really disagree with the fact that it is important to see the bigger story. But on the other hand: why do historians divide history in parts and pieces? You state that ‘dividing black history from the history of other races is segregation’. I completely disagree. Do you segregate females because you write a book about the political and social emancipation of women? Do you segregate scientist because you publicize a study about the history of sci- ence? Do you segregate the Chinese because you write a history about the Chinese community in Liverpool? You say ‘black history’ is a history of an ethnic group. I can’t argue that, but it is as important to see black history from a social and demographic perspective. If you want to under- stand the Civil Rights movement, you have to look at the history of the black group of people in our society. My point is: the term black doesn’t necessary refer to the ‘race’ of black people, but far more to the minority of black people within, for example, the British society. Hereby, ‘black’ doesn’t oppose ‘white’ because a general history of England is almost entirely white. That’s why there is nothing wrong with dividing history. It is necessary and essential because national history is far too often the history of majorities. Furthermore, from a practical and technical point of view, it seems indispensable to divide history and scrutinize little parts. This has absolutely nothing to do with segregation. On the contrary, understanding the difficult history of the black community within Western societies can help to ban and extinguish racism.

Best regards, Simon Grymonprez

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK 16 Science Lead based crime: petrol not bullets

Michael Owen botanist Nicander wrote that lead makes Science Editor the mind ‘give way’. Lead in petrol is especially danger- In our Western democracy, elections ous for children due to the simple fact are won and lost on the basis of multi- that they spend more time closer to the ple factors. Commonly, the economy is ground than the average adult. This nearly always top of the agenda due to small difference in height can make all its trickledown effect on every facet of the difference in the quality of air they’re society, including crime. breathing; lead is heavy and heavy stuff Crime rates are a major issue for any sinks. Also the physiology of children government. If crime is falling, history means that lead lingers in their bodies tells us that they will seek to use this to longer. Children’s bones are continuously their political advantage; citing their pol- being remodelled as they grow, allowing icies and strategy as the primary factors the lead to be continuously re-intro- in any perceived successes. However, duced into the bloodstream. the explanation for any success can be But how does lead exposure affect completely unexpected and often of a a person’s psychology, and why can it more scientific nature. cause a spike in criminal activity? Experts often suggest that crime Lead interferes with neurotransmit- resembles an epidemic. Karl Smith, ters, chemicals used by neurons to send a professor of public economics and signals to other cells. It blocks certain government at the University of North receptors in the brain, and it’s the tar- Carolina-Chapel Hill had a rule to cate- geting of these receptors that is thought gorise epidemics. If the epidemic spreads to be one of the main effects of lead’s along lines of communication the cause toxicity. Gérard DuBois © is information, if it travels along trans- Lead poisoning interferes with the An illustration by Gérard DuBois of a molecule of lead in a police line-up portation routes the cause is microbial, if normal development of a child’s brain perfectly captures its criminal element. it fans out from a single place the cause and nervous system. Increased blood is insects, or if it’s everywhere at once lead-levels in children have been shown ment of Housing and Urban develop- declines in lead experienced particularly the cause is a molecule. to correlate with decreases in intelli- ment, began investigating whether lead early or particularly sharp declines in Thomas Midgley Jr. (1889-1944) was gence, nonverbal reasoning, short-term exposure had an effect on violent crime. violent crime 20 years later.’ lauded for his scientific achievements, Nevin found that if you track the But then couldn’t it be argued that but his legacy leaves a bad taste in the levels of lead in the atmosphere and this trend is exclusive to the US, with mouth. He can be credited with two compare them violent crime rates, the its ridiculously high gun ownership and scientific discoveries that have had some correlation is inescapable, almost perfect. its poverty stricken inner-city ghettos, of the most catastrophic effects on our He published a paper on the subject in resulting from years of the ineffectual environment over the last century. One 2000, concluding that if by adding a and detrimental ‘war on drugs’? of which was the use of CFCs in fridges time lag of 23 years (the time it takes This is where Nevin’s second paper and aerosols that have contributed to from childhood to full-grown, criminal comes in; he took his study and applied ozone layer depletion. The other being adulthood), lead emissions from cars it to other industrialised countries such the creation of our molecule in question: explain 90 percent of the variation of as New Zealand and Canada - not tetraethyl lead. violent crime in the US. exactly renowned for their crime rates - Created in 1921, tetraethyl lead was It is important to remember that cor- and found an identical pattern. He then mixed into petrol until it was gradual- relation does not always equal causation, applied it to the UK, France, Germany, ly phased out 20 years ago due to its therefore something more concrete was Australia and Italy and found the exact neurotoxicity and damaging effect on needed, and a double whammy hit the same matched pattern. Nevin claims catalytic converters. It has a high octane memory, attention and social engage- criminology world in 2007. that he has never found a country where rating - signifying it’s ability to with- ment, amongst other things. Lead ex- Jessica Wolpaw-Reyes, a public the correlation is absent. It has even stand compression before detonating - a posure has also been shown to increase health professor at Amherst of the been applied to individual neighbour- trait that can increase fuel economy aggression in countless studies. University of Massachusetts, picked up hoods and the same pattern is found. and performance. Ethanol has the same From the 1920s onwards, crime in Nevin’s gauntlet and released a paper As with every theory, it is important effect. It is cleaner and more widely industrialised countries continued to rise that coincided with another of Nevin’s to remember it is still only a theory. It available, but tetraethyl lead was pushed as exasperated politicians and chiefs of papers. She decided to investigate trends would certainly be pretty evil to system- as the ‘mixer’ of choice due to its profit- police failed to reverse the trend. Any from state to state, and she discovered atically subject thousands of children ability to patent holders. small victories in crime reduction seemed that the reduction in crime was far from to lead exposure to test this theory, so Exposure to lead is predominantly unable to stem the increase in violent uniform. Speaking to the BBC in 2013, it can never be confirmed under exper- through inhalation, or in the case of crime, especially in cities such as New she said ‘there is a substantial causal imental conditions. For this reason we tetraethyl lead, through the skin. Lead York, a hotbed for life-sapping traffic relationship, I can see it in the state-to- will never know if it’s lead bullets that has been known to be poisonous for jams; perfect for the proliferation of lead. state variations. States that experienced cause crime, or the very lead itself. a long time. In the 2nd century, Greek In 1994, Rick Nevin of the US Depart- particularly early or particularly sharp

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK Science 17 From theoretical physics to Hollywood

Henry Munro

It’s reasonable to say that Kip Thorne’s career route has not been that of your typical theoretical physicist. After retirement from his role as Feyn- man Professor of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2009, his passion for edu- cation burned on. Taking a step back from mentoring and advising students, Thorne turned his efforts towards the public, with the intention of illuminating the darkest corners of Einstein’s general theory of relativity: black holes. Lying at the fringes of known phys- ics, even the simplest concepts con- cerning black holes are unintuitive and mind bending (even to final year physics students), yet it was these that Thorne set out to expose. With cinema as his chosen forum, Thorne approached film producer Lynda Obst and they started developing ideas for a movie revolv- ing around black holes and wormholes (theoretical structures tunnelling through Warner Bros © space to join two distant regions). After initial interest from Steven Before falling into the inescapable beautiful structure came directly from What is a black hole? Spielberg, the film was eventually picked depths of a black hole, matter - be it a the equations he had supplied. It tran- up by director Christopher Nolan, known neighbouring star or planet, is ripped spired that the black hole’s immense Once a star has burnt its fuel, it for producing stunning visuals in titles apart and forms a flat circulating ring gravity, coupled with its rapid rotation, collapses under its own weight due such as Inception and The Dark Knight. around the black holes centre (similar in actually meant that the very fabric of to gravity - the bigger the star the Christopher set out to combine his ideas shape to those surrounding the planet the universe was being dragged along stronger the gravity. In the case of with a script his brother, Jonathan Nolan, Saturn). When the black hole encoun- with it as it spun on its axis. This the largest stars - over 15 times the had developed for in 2007 for Obst in ters a lot of matter to feed upon, these warped the surrounding space in such mass of the sun, gravity wins out and a separate venture. He then enlisted the rings - known as accretion disks - can a way that light from the originally flat what was left of the star collapses help of Thorne, whose works inspired themselves reach a colossal size. Heated rings had become wrapped around the uncontrollably into a singularity (a the film, as both an executive producer by friction as they grow, they can form black hole, forming the distinctive halo. point of infinite density). This is how and scientific consultant for the develop- some of the brightest structures in the What the team had therefore created black holes form. The gravitational ing film. universe, juxtaposing the darkness lying was an image of a black hole to unprec- field around this unimaginable point The finished product, Interstellar, fol- within their disks. edented physical accuracy. Taking up to becomes so strong that it sucks in lows a group of explorers and scientists Working together with the special 100 hours to render a single frame, the any object that has the misfortune of attempting to save humanity from an effect house Double Negative, Thorne simulation was so accurate that Thorne straying too close to the ‘Event Hori- environmentally ravaged earth. Smash- set out to produce images of Gargantua is now planning on using it as observa- zon’, including light (hence the name ing through the boundaries of known fitting of a Nolan movie. After devising tional data in multiple scientific papers black hole). The truly terrifying gravi- space travel, they venture into a worm- a whole new set of equations that would detailing the discovery of the halo. tational forces produced by black hole in an effort to discover a habitable work within Double Negative’s rendering The end result therefore leaves holes are so strong that they twist planet in a new galaxy. software, Thorne left the special effects everyone satisfied. Nolan gets a truly and contort the very fabric of the Upon seeing the potential for a team to run the simulation and produce breath-taking backdrop in which to tell universe, also known as spacetime. successful film, Nolan set Thorne the the images of the black hole and sur- his story, and Thorne can rest easy in task of accurately depicting Gargantua, rounding accretion disk. the knowledge that Einstein’s iconic the- the black hole rotating at close to the What the special effects team saw ory of general relativity has been bought speed of light, central in the plot of the next was truly surprising. Instead of the to the big screen in a manner that will film. Thorne not only had to formulate flat disk they expected to see they had leave viewers awestruck and wanting the spatial geometry created by the created an astonishing glowing halo more. immense structure, but also devise a stemming from the disk and surround- Starring Matthew McConaughey, way to illuminate the region surrounding ing the black hole. The team, unable Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain and a black hole’s invisible interior. Luckily, to explain the phenomenon turned to Michael Caine, Interstellar will be hitting Thorne’s passion for physical accuracy in Thorne for answers. Although unex- UK cinema screens on 7th November. nature provided the answer. pected, Thorne recognized that the

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK 18 Sport England start Four Nations unconvincingly Kayley Dickinson resolute, proving to be full value for soon found out as The Kiwis put could well prove to be the deciding Rugby League their 26 points. in a solid performance and fixture as to who will make it to the England’s game was far from the thoroughly deserved their final, assuming that New Zealand will The Four Nations kicked off this heights expected against a team who victory. beat Samoa (which of course isn’t a weekend in Brisbane with England were only in the competition following This weekend sees New certainty). taking on Samoa in what should have a qualifying victory against Fiji. Neither Zealand take on Samoa England will look to build on been a comfortable opener. side ever looked comfortable or good and Australia take and improve on their first This wasn’t the case, however, as enough to take the game by the on England. In a performance when they take they took on a Samoa team who shone scruff of the neck and push on for a competition of on Australia in their own in terms of aggressiveness, flair and comprehensive victory. England scraped only four, this back yard. Australian enthusiasm. The game ebbed and the 32-26 win and must improve weekend is forward Greg Bird has flowed with the lead changing hands dramatically to pose any sort of a threat pivotal in already stated how frequently. to Australia or New Zealand. deciding adamant he is that After a nervy opening quarter In the other match, New Zealand who will it will be Australia England took the lead in the 21st made fairly easy work of beating an make it to the facing off against New minute, seemingly paving the way for a Australia side blighted by injury 30- final. Zealand in the final. England, routine victory. England could not kick 12. The Kangaroos started brightly, Australia’s match full of world class talent, will on from there though as Samoa were but their inexperienced players were against England hope to prove him wrong. Yorkshire football: The season so far Leeds United It would be an Bradford City Bradford’s season is on a knife edge. Their understatement to say there is never a dull mid-table obscurity means that the team are within a moment at Elland Road. We haven’t even few wins of rising into the heights of the play-off battle reached November, yet this season has but a continuation of their current form next time out already spewed up plenty to talk about. against struggling Doncaster could well also drag Massimo Cellino has predictably stuck to his them down into the relegation dog-fight. They impatient traditions and sacked two head certainly have the potential within the side, as a coaches already. Dave Hockaday and Darko recent draw with league leaders Bristol City shows. Milanic were given six games each before Inconsistency may be their biggest issue, as a good the President re-addressed his claims that run is all that is needed to climb the division. both men were what the club needed to Valley Parade has once again seen high attend- get back into the top flight. On the field, ances throughout the year with attendances over results have been less than inspiring but 12,000 a regular occurrence. Phil Parkinson has certain- there have been glimpses that United’s ly earned his stripes in the Bantams hot seat, after guiding the club much-changed squad does have real to promotion and a League Cup final in his three year tenure, and quality. Neil Redfearn has seemingly now been given the top job on a with Bradford currently in 12th his job looks secure for the near permanent basis and the Leeds faithful will be happy that someone that future. Daniel Nixon they and the players know and trust is in charge; their only concern will be that if Cellino decides to get rid, the club will lose arguably the best academy coach that they have had for years. Peter White York City With only one win all season, York are a shadow of the team that reached the playoffs in the last campaign. Nigel Worthington left the club last week Huddersfield Town After an initially shaky start with the club languishing in 22nd place in League 2 and just a point outside the - a 4-0 loss on the opening day of the season, sacking relegation zone. Former Scunthorpe manager Russ Wilcox is the man given the task to their manager immediately afterwards and propping revitalise the Minstermen and see them rise the table throughout the season. Wilcox up the table in mid-September - the Terriers have has experience in the league after gaining promotion with Scunthorpe done well to climb up the league after an ongoing last year so will be looking unbeaten run of 6 games. Recent impressive to kickstart the campaign results have included a 3-1 win away to Wolves, from here on. Finding and home triumphs against Millwall and that elusive first home Blackpool. Grant Holt has signed on loan win at Bootham Crescent from Wigan to add some Premier League could be vital in getting quality and experience up front, while momentum, and with only one Nakhi Wells is back in the goals again. Chris win and nine draws this season it Powell, Huddersfield’s bright and engaging manager, is clear to see that finding the net should be quietly satisfied with their progress then and seeing out games is the issue that after a fairly gloomy opening to the season. needs to be addressed. Adam LeRoux Euan Cunningham

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK Sport 19 Has the financial crisis finally hit F1? Tom Moore are likely to cause immense problems for Nico Rosberg, who is 17 points behind fourth place in the drivers’ standings, Formula 1 birthday boy Bernie Ecclestone. Given teammate and championship leader with Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel the struggle for Formula 1 to attract Lewis Hamilton, to claw back some and Fernando Alonso separated by a Following its hugely successful an audience in America, a Caterham points before the inevitable title decider mere four points. In what has been relaunch in 2012, the USA Grand Prix and Marussia-less grid on show will do in Abu Dhabi in which double points an impressive season for Bottas and returns to the outstanding ‘Circuit of little to boost the sport’s presence. The will be offered. Williams F1, he would be more than the Americas’ in Austin, Texas this current issue harks back to F1’s darkest Further down the field there is worthy of fourth place. weekend. day a decade ago, when only six cars a particularly Whilst there is much to be excited The race, which last time attracted made the grid in Indianapolis. interesting about for this weekend’s Grand Prix nearly 120,000 people, is set to be With 20% of the F1 grid effectively three-way the events of this weekend may only overshadowed by the worst crisis to hit absent, this weekend’s Grand Prix fight for serve to cover up the cracks that have the sport since 2005. promises to be rather interesting. started to appear in F1; cracks It sounds crazy to say it, even in a Qualifying will need to be that could soon microcosm as bonkers as F1, but after changed completely, with turn into a chasm both Caterham F1 and Marussia F1 perhaps four cars going out should the ever teams went into administration this in both Q1 and Q2 instead of struggling Lotus week the sport is clearly in a worsening the six we were accustomed and Sauber teams crisis. to. fail to rectify their The ramifications of both Caterham In the race itself the onus own financial and Marussia’s departure from the grid really is on an under-pressure issues.

Should London have an NFL franchise?

YesNAdam LeRoux oPeter White When the Detroit Lions faced off for the San Francisco 49ers, on America’s In my opinion, the prospect of there American footballers that I’ve spoken to against the Atlanta Falcons recently it West Coast, who have already made the being a British-based NFL team is are just ex-rugby players that wanted to marked the tenth NFL game to be played journey to Wembley twice, winning both beyond ludicrous. try something a bit different. Wembley at Wembley in the recent International times. I find it hard to my get head around is the home of football (or soccer to Series. Each one of these has been mag- This week Carolina play Seattle, how it would be good news for anyone distinguish the two sports) and should nificently attended, averaging at 82,764, which is a five hour flight between the involved apart from the cash-hungry be used on rare occasions to showcase which is over double the number of two places. Carolina to London will take Wembley elite, who are seemingly great football events. There is a vast people that attended the recent England an extra four hours, which means quar- willing to abolish any sporting tradition amount of football history and tradition home game against Norway, showing the terback Cam Newton can earn another if it means they can recoup some of at Wembley and the idea of basing a popularity of American Football on this $7000 on his way there. Newton’s the frankly ridiculous £737m that club there for a sport that we don’t really side of the Atlantic. extended contract entitles him to they splashed out on the national know about just to make a few pennies Whilst Wayne Rooney and co. may $14.67 million per year from 2015, stadium. seems daft to me. not have been dishing up entertainment so a nine hour flight should I appreciate the Secondly, think of the Americans. at England’s national stadium as of late, be no reason to kick up a argument that interest Thanks to David Beckham et al. interest our American visitors put on a sporting fuss. in American football in our version of football is expanding in showcase for those watching; a last-sec- Hosting an American is growing in the states, yet imagine how people would ond field goal clinching victory for the Football team will not be the UK and I react if one of their teams was given Lions in an amazing comeback victory. new to London, with the understand a spot in the Premier League. Besides The game has expanded massively here Monarchs flying the English that occasional the fact that teams such as the San over recent years, growing from just a flag in NFL Europe until 1998. matches at Francisco 49ers would face an 11 hour single game in 2007 to three this year A proper franchise within the Wembley sell out and add a flight to play a league game, Americans and a proposed five matches at Wemb- National Football League is bit of novelty to the league simply aren’t keen on the idea. While ley by 2016. a bigger proposition, and a season. However, that really they enjoy the occasional trip to London, So why not have an NFL team huge step forward. should be that. Regardless of what they agree that any British interest is in London? The team would be well The facts and figures are people might say, I honestly believe more to do with curiosity rather than backed, for sure. The patriotic nature of there, and with NFL fran- the majority of Britons have almost passion and they doubt whether our the British would shine through - we love chises seemingly chopping no knowledge of the sport and the nation could truly fall in love with the putting one over the Americans don’t and changing whenever they novelty that it possesses is all that game. Having the odd game at Wembley we? And with away fans a rare occur- feel like it, it is surely only a persuades them to watch it. Nearly then is surely sufficient to meet the rence in NFL, travelling isn’t an issue. matter of time before those in everyone I know that chooses to needs of British fans and is satisfactory People argue the distance is too much the boardrooms see sense and stay up for the Super Bowl does it for the Americans, who we really need to for some teams, but it doesn’t seem to be bring an American Football as an excuse to get drunk and the few be thinking about. Let’s leave it at that.

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK 20 Sport Ferdinand’s FA fine Autumn tests await Chris Chadburn place a front row of Dan Cole, Alex Cor- Rugby Union bisiero and Tom Youngs, who all remain out with long-term injuries along with November 8 will perhaps be the the Kiwi’s tormentor, Manu Tuilagi. biggest match yet for Stuart Lancaster’s Positions four to eight are as strong as England side, as they go up against New they have ever been and England boast Zealand. a genuinely world-class lock pairing in It is fair to suggest that the Six Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes. Nations decider against Wales two years With so much back-row quality to ago is perhaps the only more meaningful choose from, captain Chris Robshaw will test that this England side have faced definitely be well supported at blindside under Lancaster’s stewardship. With the and No.8. upcoming Autumn International against The battle for the scrum-half shirt is the All Blacks at rugby HQ one of only between Ben Youngs, Danny Care and FoxSports © three opportunities England have to Lee Dickson. Expect Care to start and prove that they can beat the Southern attempt to initiate an electric tempo Charlotte Stones Ferdinand has been suspended for three Hemisphere elite. early on. Recent ever-presents Owen Football matches commencing with immediate Every England fan will have been Farrell and Mike Brown will also surely effect, subject to any appeal, after an encouraged with the progress under Lan- keep their places in the XV, however QPR defender Rio Ferdinand has FA misconduct charge against him was caster, with a switch from a turgid, naïve the major decisions for Lancaster will been handed a three-match ban, fined found proven. and sometimes incomprehensible style to be in the centre. The Bath duo of Kyle £25,000 and been made to attend an "It was further alleged that this a far more fluid, passionate and intense Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph will education course for comments he made breach was aggravated pursuant to FA brand of rugby. Lancaster’s insistence on certainly provide attacking sparks, but on Twitter. Rule E3(2) as the comment included a bringing in young and exciting play- the superior distribution and defence of The sanctions, announced on reference to gender. ers who are performing for their clubs Billy Twelvetrees or Brad Barritt may well Wednesday by the Football Association, "Following an Independent Regulatory has intensified competition for places, be favoured. On current form, Bath flyer come after Ferdinand responded Commission hearing on Wednesday keeping egos low and Semesa Rokoduguni should get the nod, inappropriately to a follower on Twitter. 29 October, Ferdinand was also fined performance levels but the other wing position is anyone’s After a Twitter user criticised £25,000, severely warned as to his high. Lancaster’s guess. Ferdinand on transfer deadline day future conduct and ordered to attend an toughest man- England are about to embark on a (September 1), tweeting ‘maybe QPR will education programme, arranged by The agerial period crucial four weeks in their preparations sign a good CB (centre-back) they need FA within four months." to date will be for a home World Cup. Next Saturday one’, Ferdinand responded by saying, This is not the first time that the determined by will reveal a huge amount about wheth- ‘get ya mum in, plays the field well son! 35-year-old has landed in Twitter whether he er this England side have the resolve to #sket’. trouble. Ferdinand was fined £45,000 can re- win next year. Most believe that the The FA charged the former England after insulting England teammate Ashley quality is there in glimps- captain on October 14, though he failed Cole in a racially derogatory tweet. es, but four consecutive to respond to the initial charge, which is Now a member of FA chairman Greg matches against the best believed to have contributed to the FA’s Dyke’s commission looking at how to in the world will really choice of punishment. improve English football, Ferdinand indicate whether the A statement on the FA website said: boasts an online audience of almost six performances of 2003 'Queens Park Rangers defender Rio million followers. can be replicated. Cross country hit the ground running Richard Powell in 12:09 and 12:24 respectively. Amicia 12:08 to haul the ‘A’ team back to 24th for the ‘A’ team, keeping the distance Cross Country then passed on to Zoe Hewitson, who place in a strong field. between the leaders and Leeds almost ran one of the fastest second legs of the Next up were the men, and Richard identical. This left Josh Woodcock-Shaw The Manchester University relay event day in 11:52. Rosanna Stewart continued Powell got the ‘A’ team off to a good to bring the ‘A’ team home safely in was held on October 25, with a huge her recovery from a long injury and ran start before handing over to Linton Tay- second. turn out from Leeds once again. With a a strong 12:51 to keep Leeds ‘A’ on their lor in third. Linton powered through the Leeds ‘B’ finished in eighth whilst windy and muddy three kilometre course toes. field and passed to Joe Steward in the Leeds’ ‘C’ and ‘D’ teams were mainly in Leeds’ path they displayed great team Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ were in good posi- lead. Joe extended the lead to 25 seconds made up of first-year students with the spirit and managed to put out four men’s tions and aiming to consolidate their per- and ran the fastest leg for Leeds in 8:51 promising Rory Anderson, Andy Williams and women’s teams. formances going into the final leg. Beth and the sixth fastest time of the day. and Matt Cullen providing the backbone. Amicia Lee and Jennie Lockwood Garland, a new recruit, ran the fastest leg Captain Chris Smith took over The ‘A’ team have a great chance of kicked matters off for Leeds; Jennie had of any of the Leeds ladies’ team, finish- from Joe, but was passed by European medalling at the BUCS Championships in a superb run on the first leg, and Amicia ing in 11:35 before passing onto Georgina Championships athlete Jonathan Davies. February. was not far off that pace, getting round Connelly who finished off proceedings in Zach Tobias was on the penultimate leg

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK Sport 21 Goals galore for Gryphons as Sian Smith puts in a five star performance

to convert another two Daniel Nixon goals for the team. Women’s Football Before the visitors could Leeds Uni 2s 9-0 Leeds Trinity 1s even catch their breath the two Uni maestros The Uni second team had a break continued to run the show, from normal league action this week linking up to allow Smith hosting a Leeds Trinity side placed two to complete her hat-trick leagues below. and bring an outstanding Uni were hot favourites before kick- first half display to an end off, and the home side didn’t disappoint with a handsome score of in any way. It didn’t take long before Sian 6-0. Smith found herself in space in the Trinity A second half box before curling a looping effort into substitution saw the the bottom right hand corner. addition of Alexandra The goal really got the Uni confidence Fould. Within seconds flowing. Chloe Hanlon pulled the strings of being on the field, the

in the midfield feeding the two Uni tricky winger worked her Lucie England-Duce © strikers with a host of chances. Minutes way into the box and later Smith nicked the ball off the last slotted home into the bottom right hand venture forward. overwhelming 9-0, thanks to a late goal defender’s toe, leaving her flat-footed, to corner. Even when Trinity did venture into With the win all but confirmed, Uni from substitute Cesca Ivaldi, taking Uni covert her second of the game. the opposition side the two centre-halves began to ease the pressure, but this didn’t through to the next round of the cup Charlotte Cork also wanted in on the held strong and composed, providing stop Smith from adding another to her draw. action, and after finding her way onto the the two full-backs, Maggie Macdonald tally, taking her to a fantastic five for end of two inch perfect passes, managed and Eve Griffiths, with time and space to the day. The final score finished at an Try something new with Adam LeRoux This week marked my biggest trying to stop you by any means minutes into my first ever quidditch battle with the foe and you’ve really run test yet. So far I had conquered possible and a further two – the session, but already I was feeling myself out of (Huffle)puff. korfball, mastered motorsport aptly-named beaters – throwing coming under its spell. I was a convert. Wandering into a world of wizardry and done fine at fencing, but this bludgers (dodgeballs) at you whilst Back to the action, and so far we’ve was an enjoyable experience, and the week’s task was different gravy. you do it. Not so easy now is it? got the quaffle and the bludgers, now game was a lot more tactical than I This was the week I took To be brutally honest, let’s chuck in one more ingredient: the had imagined, with set game plans a dive into the world of I hadn’t prepared myself Golden Snitch. Even the least ardent before matches. The physicality along quidditch. for this. There I was on of Harry Potter fans will know about with the need to think quickly makes it Now before we begin, the walk to Hyde Park the snitch, the one the seeker is usually the toughest challenge I have come up I’d like to confess I’m not expecting some nice, gentle trying to catch as it flies all over the against so far, but strangely, the most much of a Potter pedant. fun riding around on place. enjoyable. I’ve watched the films - brooms. Little Although some of the quidditch The group was more than welcoming haven’t we all - but knowing did I know gang might think they can, we can’t fly, and as the sport was open to anyone, the rules of quidditch takes that the tackle so the snitch takes on a different form. it was very inclusive. The Griffins a bit more knowledge than bags would be out when Put a tennis ball inside a yellow sock will be aiming for success in the ‘L your average cinema goer like it came to defence practice and attach it to someone’s shorts and Tournament’, coming up against myself has. and that throwing a bludger hey presto, you’ve got yourself a snitch. London, Leicester and Loughborough on Firstly, there’s the quaffle, in someone’s face – as I The game ends when the seeker from November 15. From what I saw this week the main ball in the game. had the joyous experience either side manages to get the snitch, they are more than capable of winning The aim is for any of the three of doing – was completely which awards them 30 points. That’s the whole thing. chasers to get that ball through legal. It had only been 20 when you can relax after an intense one of the three hoops at the other end to score 10 points. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Got another sport you would like Adam to do? Send an email Now imagine three opposing to [email protected] to get him along to join in. chasers and a keeper Sam Lewis ©

THEGRYPHON.CO.UK 22 Sport Men’s volleyball keep promotion push alive after breezing past York

Anne Wyman ©

Adam LeRoux story of the set was the vast number of into top gear. Gabriel Leoni stepped up fought game: ‘We all played really Men’s Volleyball cheap points gifted to the visitors which to the plate with some excellent play to well today, we are setting our sights on Leeds Uni 1s 3-1 York 1s ultimately saw them pinch a 25-22 see the Gryphons stretch to a 14-7 lead. promotion this year’, Elgar said after the victory. For a side that had such huge game. Sibanda was in equally confident The men’s volleyball side continued York started the second with their physical presence, including a giant mood: ‘It’s my first year as captain and their strong start to the season with a tails up, firing into an early lead once who stood at close to seven feet, York we have won our first three games 3-1, 3-1 victory over the University of York, again, and it looked as if the Leeds side seemed to be lacking in the blocking 3-0, 3-1, things are looking good’. but it was anything but easy going for may crumble. Mark Elgar obviously had department. Time and time again Leeds Newcastle are next on the agenda for the Gryphons in this tense encounter. other ideas, as he fired some powerful were creating great chances that they the Gryphons, and after two successive In their three matches this season, spikes that penetrated the York defence put away, and when Jen Hsien Hsu teed wins in the league they will be feeling the home side have only lost two sets, to claw his side back into it. up Nigel Sibanda to spike, the third set confident when welcoming them to the showing the resilience and strength of At times, the second set was not one was wrapped up. fortress that is the Gryphon Centre. the squad at the moment. The second of for the volleyball purists, as things got The fourth set saw both sides those conceded sets was the first in this scrappy on court. The ball seemed more commit numerous enforced errors, but Stats match, as York came flying out of the like a hot potato that nobody wanted Leeds’ quality shone through as they traps. on occasion as the game plan seemed outfoxed their opponents. The tactic of Leeds York The visitors did a great job of not to go out the window for both sides. elongating the points and then killing allowing Leeds to get into a groove and Improvisation was needed at times, with them off worked wonders and meant 46 Winners 21 capitalised on the Gryphons’ numerous creative net play by Mohammad Basha that another closely-fought set was errors. The fluidity and confidence of helping the Gryphons’ level the scores theirs once York’s giant knocked another 22 Blocks 14 recent performances was lacking and after a 25-21 second set victory. spike too long for the umpteenth time. York continually kept the points alive, The third set was where it all clicked Elgar and Captain Sibanda were in 38 Errors 37 forcing errors from their opponent. The for the home side, as they finally got high spirits after what was a closely Sport 23 Daybell on form for Leeds Results but Nottingham claim win

Badminton 1s (M) 4-4 Keele 1s Badminton 3s (M) 8-0 Bangor 3s (Cup) Badminton 1s (W) 4-4 Nottingham 1s Badminton 2s (W) 7-1 Keele 1s

Basketball 2s (M) 26-79 Bolton 1s (Cup) Basketball 1s (W) 32-40 Bangor 1s

Football 3s (M) 1-2 Leeds Trinity 1s (Cup) Football 4s (M) 6-1 Leeds Trinity 2s (Plate) Football 1s (W) 5-3 Sheffield Hallam 1s Football 2s (W) 9-0 Leeds Trinity 1s (Cup) Football 3s (W) 0-7 Teesside 1s (Cup)

Hockey 1s (M) 1-7 Loughborough 1s Hockey 2s (M) 4-0 York 3s (Cup) Hockey 3s (M) 2-5 Durham 5s (Cup) Hockey 4s (M) 0-8 Durham 3s (Cup) Hockey 5s (M) 1-0 Sheffield 4s (Cup) Hockey 6s (M) 3-6 Northumbria 2s (Cup) Hockey 1s (W) 3-2 Loughborough 1s Hockey 2s (W) 4-0 Leeds Beckett 4s (Cup) Hockey 3s (W) 2-3 York 1s (Cup) Hockey 4s (W) 1-3 Leeds Beckett 2s (Cup) Hockey 5s (W) 4-1 Sheffield 4s (Cup) Hockey 6s (W) 1-5 Durham 4s (Cup) Hockey 7s (W) 0-14 Bradford 1s (Cup) Will Stanley © Lacrosse 1s (W) 0-17 Loughborough 1s Alex Bowmer McLoughlin picking up a game and and Hor struggled against quality Men’s Table Tennis both Benjamin Hor and Alaa Memari opposition, while Memari demonstrated Netball 1s 27-30 Newcastle 1s Leeds Uni 1s 5-12 Nottingham 1s unable to get on the scoreboard. plenty of guile as he pinched a game, Netball 2s 78-14 Liverpool 4s The next round of games was but ultimately lost out in a competitive Netball 4s 31-56 Sheffield Hallam 1s (Cup) Nottingham proved too strong for played in a very similar vein, with encounter. Netball 5s 26-39 Newcastle 4s Leeds as they powered to a 12-5 win in Daybell excelling and the rest finding With the score at 9-3, it was the men’s table tennis. the going tough. McLoughlin gradually impossible for the Gryphons to muster Rugby League (M) 1s 68-8 Leeds Beckett 2s It was clear from the off that the grew into the match as it wore on, and a comeback. Daybell once again shone, visitors were a class apart. However, began to find his range and claw his but the other three singles encounters Rugby Union 1s (M) 16-22 Newcastle 1s Kim Daybell, Leeds’ best player and a way back into it. However, his opponent ended in defeat. Nottingham, in a rush Rugby Union 1s (W) 10-27 Sheffield 1s member of Great Britain’s Paralympic handled the pressure points better and to get home, made a request to forfeit squad, put the home side on a sure secured a 3-1 triumph. Hor and Memari the customary doubles match, which Squash 1s (M) 1-4 (4-13) Durham 1s footing with an assured opening display. battled manfully once more, but had occurs at the end of BUCS fixtures. Squash 3s (M) 3-0 (9-0) Liverpool 3s (Cup) Despite a fairly even start, Daybell nothing to show for their efforts. Leeds accepted this, meaning that they slowly began to establish clear water At this point, it started to feel that gained an extra point. Table tennis 1s (M) 5-12 Nottingham 1s between him and his adversary, as a Nottingham triumph was imminent. Even though the outcome was his greater consistency on both the Even so, Leeds refused to lie down, and disappointing, it is important to bear Tennis 5s (M) 4-2 Sunderland 1s (Cup) forehand and backhand told. The Daybell continued his imperious form. in mind that the Premier North division Tennis 1s (W) 4-8 Sheffield 1s Nottingham player became more His third opponent really pushed him, contains four of the best university aggressive as the match wore on, but with the ball pinging back and forth table tennis teams in the country. The Volleyball 1s (M) 3-1 York 1s it was too little, too late, as Daybell at bewildering speed and both players fact that Leeds are in such esteemed Volleyball 1s (W) 3-1 York 1s wrapped up a 3-0 win. scrambling to keep the points alive. company is a testament to the hard Despite this victory, the other Leeds’ star man was unruffled work and dedication of the squad. Waterpolo 1s (M) 9-12 Edinburgh 1s matches went very much in the however and maintained his 100% Waterpolo 1s (W) 6-11 Liverpool 1s East Midlanders’ favour, with Steve record in the fixture. Both McLoughlin

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The men's volleyball Could the women's Is it time How did Adam team continued their football 2s get for a LeRoux get on excellent start to the their first victory London NFL when he entered season with victory of the season in franchise? the wonderful world over York - p.22 the cup - p.21 Debate - p.19 of quidditch ?- p. 21

Anne Wylam © York seen off as the men's volleyball team continue start-of-season hot streak - p. 22 Loughborough in seventh heaven as Leeds still search for win • Gryphons left bottom of league after third straight defeat • Leeds still adapting to life in the Premier North Division Peter White Berry held the line well and tried to feed soon 3-0 in front after another smart promoted to the Premier North division Men's Hockey the Gryphons’ attack. Leeds had the penalty corner. Leeds managed to reduce last season. The away side made it six Leeds Uni 1s 1-7 Loughborough 1s pick of the opportunities in the opening the deficit from a short corner of their after their attacker cleverly rounded exchanges but unfortunately they just own, but any hope of a comeback was Claisse and finished. The Gryphons then The University of Leeds 1s’ tough couldn’t take their chances. thwarted as Loughborough scored their seemingly ran out of steam towards start to the season continued as Loughborough took the lead against fourth just before the break. full-time and Loughborough added a they suffered a heavy defeat to the run of the play after a well-worked Leeds came out fighting after the seventh with the last flick of the game. Loughborough 1s on a crisp afternoon at move from a short corner that saw interval and Evans again demonstrated Leeds are finding life tough in the Weetwood. the ball fly straight into the net. Leeds his ability with some impressive top league but there were glimpses that With their opponents having won responded well and had a good spell of dribbling. However, Loughborough soon this side have what it takes to start last year’s BUCS championship, the pressure, yet they struggled to muster settled into the half and they stretched getting some points on the board. The Gryphons knew that they faced a stern up any real openings. The game went their lead to 5-1 with a good finish from team face another tricky game next test. However, Leeds displayed their flat for a brief period before the away the edge of the shooting circle. week as they host Sheffield Hallam doubtless determination and intent side doubled their advantage 10 minutes To Leeds’ credit, they never gave 1s who are unbeaten so far in this from the off and Max Evans looked before half-time. Goalkeeper Charlie up, and Wheaton almost notched a campaign, yet the Gryphons will be dangerous every time he received the Claisse made a good save that ricocheted second for the hosts before a goalmouth determined to claim their first victory of ball in Loughborough’s half. The away back into the shooting circle but scramble culminated in a penalty corner. the year. side demonstrated their class from the Loughborough were quickest to react. The Gryphons did have chances in the first whistle but they struggled to break The away side continued to press second period but Loughborough were Leeds down as James Wheaton and Tom after their second goal and they were just too strong for a side that were only