Friday The Independent February 27, 2004 Cambridge Student Issue 597 Newspaper since www.varsity.co.uk 1947 ARTS INTERVIEW LIFESTYLE Retro Cool Howard you do? Hey, good lookin’ Yesterday’s news, only in Varsity The Tory leader introduces himself Look! Men with no shirts! Page 15 Page 8 Page 11 From RAG week to riches •2003 RAG total £96,000 •Caius raised £22,000 w Gillespie e ndr •Magdalene raised £142 A Photo: Student generosity put under the spotlight as charity drive gets mixed response Bryan Coll Their total of £21,902 set the bench- tumes, including scantily-clad French their float, which they shared with a of organisation. “I’m not really aware Naomi Briercliffe mark for budding fundraisers and maids and a human toilet, who “spent handful of students from Emmanuel. of any big RAG events happening in has created a rivalry between the all day practising his flushing noises” Downing RAG rep Chris Ninan college,” he explained to Varsity.He elite RAG colleges of the university. according to Thompson. The carnival said that students from his college added that the attitude of the college Starting with last Saturday’s Cambridge RAG President Becky raised £3,330 and was described by were “particularly busy” and that it and its students could be quite insu- Carnival, Cambridge RAG week Thompson attributed the success of RAG Treasurer Alan Godfrey as a “real had been difficult to attract enthusi- lar. “Sometimes we don’t get has been as busy as ever. But despite Caius RAG to the fact it has run success”. Thompson said RAG is now astic helpers. Ninan has tried to involved in university-wide events as huge efforts from some, the RAG around half of Caius’ main bops. on track to raise between £95,00 and improve his college’s apparent lack of well as we should”. committee’s figures reveal that not This year rivals Trinity Hall have £100,000 this year. interest in fundraising by sending Whilst organisation is undoubted- everyone is entering fully into the been stirred into action and are now The carnival also highlighted the encouraging messages through the ly important, individuals can also charitable spirit. While Caius almost neck and neck with Caius at gulf between colleges. The number JCR website. In an article entitled make a huge difference. As raised the highest ever total for a the £11,000 mark. However, even of floats was reduced from twenty to “Downing RAG says, you’re crap”, Thompson explained, street collec- single college last year, Magdalene now huge disparities persist; three ten for this year’s parade. Organisers he challenges the “lame” attitude of tions, or “Mega-Raids” to use RAG raised less than the price of a single colleges still have not even raised were keen to argue that this did not his fellow students and calls for a terminology, “make the big money”. ticket for their May ball. £30 (see box inside). reflect waning interest from the stu- concerted effort to improve the col- “Many centrally run events such as Caius has been the undisputed Last weekend, RAG week kicked off dent population. Nevertheless, it was lege’s uncharitable reputation. paintballing are as much for raising king of RAG for the past three years. in colourful style with the RAG clear that some colleges struggled to The problem for some colleges, profile and getting people involved In 2002/3, the college raised more Carnival. Participants braved the freez- make up the numbers. Downing according to Magdalene JCR as they are for than the whole of Oxford University. ing temperatures in a range of cos- failed to attract a single volunteer for President Phil Stevens, is largely one ...continued page 6 The region’s best guide to what’s on – see next Thursday’s Cambridge Evening News NEWS 02 Feb 06, 2004 www.varsity.co.uk Mixed Message Boat Race sets sail continued from front page remaining unvisited students and ask Ellie Hargreaves at the Boat Race, they felt they had Saturday’s gig, “Maybe it won’t open as ...“both individuals are well aware of their permission to come to their room. really arrived. a restaurant… run by c**ts!” The peti- [his homosexuality]”. Other students Yet many do not mind the CICCU The loss of the venue will have a tion was circulated and signed among claim to have received comments such approach. Yoni Garson, the President of Last weekend saw The Boat Race significant effect on the Cambridge the crowd. as, “you’ll go to Hell,” or, “you’re JSoc commented, “I don’t care what they pub and live music venue shut its music scene. With a capacity of The night was a huge success, which damned,” because they were gay. do. As long as they’re not coming along doors for the final time. The last around three hundred and live music only made the Boat Race’s closure seem CICCU deny that this form of homo- to our Friday night dinner trying to con- night’s line up had local favourites, seven nights a week, many students more unnecessary. Jazz from Right Turn phobic targeting was part of the mission vert us then they can continue sticking as Right Turn Clyde and The Broken will be left with fewer options to Clyde, described the closure as the and have distanced themselves from many free chocolate bars in my pigeon Family Band headlining. Enterprise indulge their love of live music. The “biggest travesty” and pointed out that reports of hostility towards homosexuals. hole as they like!” Inns are now rumoured to be turning same is not true of beer and wine the new locals would be “ponsey twats”. Michelle Taylor, a Downing College Boon said that the week had largely the much-loved venue into a restau- drinkers, who hardly need another The departing landlord, Stan, received CU member told Varsity, “if I was a gay been a success. Responding to criticism rant or wine bar. the biggest cheer of the night. His hard person, I can understand why I might about pestering students and targeting Enjoyed by both town and gown for “Maybe it won’t open as a work over the past seven years has won feel threatened by Christianity,” but particular groups he told us “irrespective many years, stars such as Oasis and restaurant...run by c**nts!” him the love and respect of Cambridge stressed that the Christian belief was of background – we want everyone to The Darkness have performed on the music enthusiasts. He was thanked pro- “equality in the sight of God… we’re hear. We approach them in the same small and dingy stage. The Boat Race fusely by all the artists and described as a ways as everybody else. As many people has also launched local bands Miss watering hole. Karl Hartland from the ‘saint’ by Greg McDonald. Cambridge is “So far, all events have been as possible need to know who Jesus Black America and The Broken local radio station ‘209 Radio’ has certainly losing something exceptional, respectful of each Christ is… [these talks] give people a Family Band. Greg McDonald of The attacked Enterprise Inns’ proposals. and despite the efforts of ‘209 Radio’ and other...there have not been chance to ask questions”. Dawn Parade commented, that to An on-line petition (thema- their supporters, this looks set to be the However, Boon did express concern at headline a Saturday night at the Boat [email protected]) has been set up end of the show. The only hope now is hundreds of complaints” the criticisms. As a result, CICCU and Race was “something for bands in to help save the venue. Backed by in smaller live music pubs such as The CUSU are now working together to Cambridge to aspire to”. On his band’s musicians and fans, Steven Adams of Portland Arms and The Man on the giving out books not attempting to bash ensure that the same problems do not first tour they played to eight people the Broken Family Band was one of Moon, before the wine bars also take people with it. ” However, she described recur. It seems to be the College-based each night, but with a sell-out final gig many to voice his opinions at them over. comments about hell as “unconstructive. mission work rather than CICCU That’s not the message of God, it needs which has been put into question. Taylor more explaining.” told Varsity that college reps were told to But others have also criticised certain be “discrete” when handing out the eaves gr members of CICCU as aggressive. The Gospel, accept refusals and only talk to biggest response to Promise’s tactics students about Christianity if ques- have come from students who objected tioned. CICCU was aware the mission to CU members knocking on room could cause complaint, so aimed to avoid Ellie Har doors and handing out the specially pub- “ruffling anyone’s feathers”. lished St John’s Gospel. At Girton CUSU President Ben Brinded College, the JCR received over fifty observed, “so far, all events have been complaints that the approach was respectful of each other and considering “intrusive” and “intimidating”. The the size there have not been hundreds of Girton JCR President, Omar Shibli, complaints”. He also praised the commented, “People cannot walk away CICCU run events for “encouraging if they feel uncomfortable.” One student students to think about their beliefs.” commented that: “no other religious or When questioned about ‘pushy’ meth- non-religious group in college would be ods compared to other religious soci- allowed to conduct itself in the way the eties, Taylor pointed out that, as the Christian Union does”.