The National Student December 2009

THE NATIONAL

December 2009

STUDENT

Crimbo Telly

The pick of the Christmas telly-box action in this month’s magazine

You’re Lazy!

Leading Labour MP claims British students are ‘lazy’ and should be forced to work harder

Leading Labour MP Barry Sheerman has claimed that students at British universities are lazy.

The controversial claim from the veteran chair of the Commons Education select committee came as he called for ministers to ensure students worked harder. The Huddersfield MP commented that many students cannot speak or write English sufficiently, despite achieving a degree. Sheerman, speaking in the House of Commons, questioned whether some students were capable of making the most of their degrees, saying: “Can we ensure that fair access means

students are suitably qualified, that they can speak and write English properly and they can work a bit harder than the average student in our universities, who don’t at this moment work hard enough?” David Lammy, Minister of Higher Education, avoided the question of whether students could be forced to work harder when questioned. However, the NUS were quick to criticise Sheerman’s comments. Aaron Porter, NUS vicepresident, spoke about how times have changed since the Huddersfield MP experienced free university education during the 1960s: “Barry Sheerman is evidently out of touch,” he said. “Students are working

by Robert Dalling harder than ever to earn their degrees. On top of this they are now working a record number of parttime jobs to support themselves financially, thanks to the top-up fees policy which Mr. Sheerman voted for.” “As chair of the select committee it is particularly outrageous that he should be making such a statement, representing a party that came to power with education as a top priority.” “Mr.Sheerman should stop pontificating in the House of Commons and visit a university in his constituency so he can find out what life is actually like for students.”

Destination Ski

What’s occurring?

The cast of Gavin and Stacey chat to magazine

page 14

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The National Student, December 2009

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2 The National Student welcomes contributions. The National Student works closely with student publications across the UK. We are happy to accept news, comment, features, and reviews on any subject. Contact us at: The National Student PO Box 7731 Derby DE1 0RW or email: editor@ thenationalstudent.co.uk or phone: 0845 46 300 46 The National Student is the independent, monthly newspaper for higher education students in the UK. Published by Defender Newspapers, PO Box 7731 Derby DE1 0RW © 2009 All content is the copyright of Defender Newspapers unless otherwise stated thenationalstudent.co.uk

13-YEAR-OLD SEXUALLY ABUSED BY STUDENT A student who invited a 13-year-old girl back to his flat, plied her with alcohol then had sex with her has been sentenced to 20 months in a young offenders institution. Louis Campion, 19, from Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual activity with a child on May 2 this year. The court was told Campion had met the girl and her two friends in Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth. They then agreed to go back to his flat with him and two other men, said David Bartlett, prosecuting. During an interview Campion, who is originally from Gambia, said he had invited the girls back to the flat. Mr Bartlett, prosecuting, said: “Once there, they were offered drink and had quite a lot of vodka.” “The victim, who was nearly 14, went into a bedroom with the defendant. When he made a move she ran out of the flat but he persuaded her to come back. There were no physical injuries.” Campion and the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been under the influence of alcohol. Campion told police he thought the girls were 16-years-old. In his defence, Campion said that he knew he had made “an enormous mistake”.

The court was also told how the victim had been sexually experienced and her main concern regarding the incident was that she would be grounded. Campion was sentenced to 20-months in a Young Offenders institution and must register as a sex offender for 10 years. He has also been banned from working with children. Judge Samuel Wiggs said: “I have come to the conclusion that I cannot justify a sentence which is not immediate custody.” According to statistics from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) 5% of children have experienced sexual abuse from someone they only just met. Chris Cloke, NSPCC head of child protection awareness, said: “The important message to get across is that under-age sex is illegal no matter what the circumstances. Sexually abused children can suffer long-term emotional damage which is why there are laws to protect them. He added: “Last year over 20,000 sex offences against children were reported to police in England and Wales and more than one in three of these were said to have been committed against 13-15-year-olds.” by Ashley Scrace

POTTER INFLUENCES OXFORD TO FIRST NAME CHANGE IN 550 YEARS O x f o r d U n i v e r s i t y ’ s Magdalen college has changed the name of its Junior Common Room to Gryffindor. Students at the college voted to formally change the common room’s name, for the first time in 550 years, to the house which Harry Potter was a part of in J.K.Rowling’s famed books. As a legitimately passed motion of the Magdalen JCR, the Common room must now be referred to as “Gryffindor” in all official documents, though the name of the college itself remains unchanged The motion was brought forward by third year Magdalen student Zoe Tyndall, and was subsequently approved at a meeting of the Junior Common Room, with only six votes in opposition. The Junior Common Room noted in its decision that “Magdalen College embodies values of courage, daring, nerve and chivalry”,

“the exact same values as Gryffindor house at Hogwarts.” according to Tyndall. S u b s e q u e n t amendments to the provision also called for the college to purchase a sorting hat, and recommended that college president Professor David Calry change his name to Dumbledore. The JCR president has also written to three other colleges, suggesting they change their names to Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw – the other three houses at Hogwarts. Christ Church, who have been identified by Magdalen as the Slytherin of the Oxford system, has taken the suggestion in good spirits. Evelyn Ashton-Griffiths, Christ Churches JCR President, told Cherwell: “Christ Church doesn’t deign to acknowledge the fancies of those mere Mudbloods. Forming much of the inspiration and some of the actual

film set for Hogwarts, we are satisfied that others have finally recognised our superiority.” The motion is subject to approval by the college fellows, and first year Oxford student Henry Choo told The National Student that he doubted the name change would stick. Laurence Mills, the JCR president, also raised concerns about the potential legal ramifications of the name change. Warner Brothers, who own the rights to the Harry Potter series, threatened legal action against a London supper club earlier this year for planning “Harry Potter Nights”, but have currently made no statements regarding the Magdalen JCR. Or as it’s now known, Gryffindor. by Nawin Santikarn

The National Student, December 2009

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Stripping the only option says cashstrapped student

A desperate female student says she will start stripping for money if her delayed loan does not come through soon. According to a report on the BBC’s website, the first year student, who is studying in London, has run out of options after borrowing money from her family and starting various part-time jobs. She is the first member of her family to go to university and does not want to drop out, so she is being forced to turn to stripping because of mounting debts which not receiving her student loan on time has caused. The 20-year-old told BBC News: “I’ve tried my hardest. It is not the way I wanted to start uni, but my rent is due. I would obviously much prefer to not have to do this, but I don’t have much choice as my parents cannot give me any more money.” She added: “I haven’t told them about what I am thinking of doing. My mum is so proud of me. I don’t want to ruin it.” Having borrowed money from her father and sisters, she turned to her university for

TOP-UP FEES PROTEST DESCENDS ON PARLIAMENT

by Ashley Scrace help. The university provided her with £400 as a hardship grant, however, she still owes thousands of pounds in rent for her home in London. The girl is one of thousands of students who have been caught up in delays in the processing of applications by the Student Loans Company (SLC). SLC took over the handling of student loans this year, and have been swamped by a record number of applications. She says that she has never stripped before but has run out of options. “In Leeds, it’s all out in the open, girls I know from college work in the strip clubs there. They always had loads of money and I asked them how they did it. I used to live in Leeds and know a couple of girls who work there, I know the club will be safe. They have bouncers there and everything. “I am resigned to it,” she said. “No one else has any money to lend me.”

False alarms account for 99% of fire calls at uni Of 512 calls made to the fire brigadeatEdinburghUniversity, a mere four were for real fires. According to statistics released by the university, less than 1% were for meaningful reasons. Although some of the 512 were for technical faults, a large proportion were malicious calls. This is despite attempts by the university to raise awareness, which include offering educational programs at the start of each academic year, training for residence hall staff, and distributing posters around campus. Geoff Aird, Community Safety Manager for the local fire brigade, said to The Edinburgh Journal regarding the false calls: “The recurring fire safety issues associated with students tend to be false alarms, kitchen fires and fires caused by smoking materials. And there is always

the odd student who thinks it’s fun to set off the alarm in their halls.” UK Fire Training, Information, and Consulting lists on its website the hazards of a system with a “reputation of generating false alarms”. False alarms “undermine occupants trust in and response to alarms” and “place occupants at risk because they may not respond to a real alarm for a real fire.” Lothian Fire and Rescue service do not currently charge the university for excessive false alarms, but it is allowed to by law, and fire brigades in England and Wales have already introduced fines for excessive alarms. The fines can range from small charges of £120-£250 for individuals to larger penalties in the thousands of pounds for noncompliant corporations.

Activists from universities across the country protested the potential rise in tuition fees at Westminster last month. As a result of both Labour and the Conservatives failing to declare their position on top-up fees fees, NUS sought to take action to make it clear that they vehemently oppose any rise in fees, and will encourage students not to vote for any MP who does not speak out in opposition to a fees rise. NUS President Wes Streeting said: “The vast majority of the general public is against higher

fees, and voters deserve to know where their MP stands on this key issue. Today students are making it clear to politicians that if they refuse to speak out against raising the cap on fees, we will hit them where it hurts – at the ballot box.” The NUS organised the event, which demanded that MP’s reveal whether they will vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament, and whether they will pressure the government to seek a fairer alternative to variable topup fees.

In addition to the hundreds who attended this event, 150 student leaders also wrote to the Guardian earlier in the day to warn local MP’s that students would be encouraged not to vote for those who did not oppose tuition fees. A YouGov poll commissioned by pressure group Compass revealed a mere 12% of the public think the latest Higher Education review should even consider raising fees, while a majority would advocate finding an alternative to fees. by David Bateman

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Drunken initiation antics cause furore in Cambridge Thirty drunken students stripped naked and jumped into a river in the afternoon as part of an initiation ceremony for a sports society. As part of an annual weekend-long minitour to Cambridge, new fresher members of King’s College London Boat Club (KCLBC) were instructed to strip naked and swim in the river Cam. In front of onlookers of all ages shortly after midday, rowers of both sexes completed the task before many descended on The Anchor, a nearby pub. Many were still naked, after elder members of the club stole the clothes of those who jumped. Staff at the pub reported that the group took over

APPRENTICE-STYLE COMPETITION SUCCESS FOR ENTERPRISING STUDENTS Teams of students with a flair for entrepreneurship set up their own shops for the day- with the winners being the team who made the most profit. In a challenge which resembled a task from BBC’s The Apprentice, the teams of students from the University of Bath were given a mere £200 start up fund to generate as much profit from one day’s trading as possible from their store in the centre of Bath. Siobain Hone, Student Enterprise Coordinator at the University of Bath, said of the event: “Enterprise is all about creativity and risk. We offered these students an opportunity to be truly entrepreneurial and it’s been very gratifying to see how they’ve performed and how much they’ve learnt. Even the teams who made a loss have got so much out of the experience.” The ‘Student Enterprise’ competition was won by Team SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), who sold goods from the popular donut brand

‘Krispy Kreme’. The team’s selection proved wise, as the donuts are not available anywhere else in Bath, which helped them make a £440 profit, and gain first place. While aiming to win the competition, SIFE also sought to promote a charity event entitled ‘Strictly for Charity’ and raise awareness for current SIFE projects both locally and internationally. SIFE team member Cat Stambouzou, a final year student in Medical Engineering, said: “It was a fantastic experience, and I think all the competitors took home something and enhanced their business skills. Thanks to everyone who bought a doughnut!” Despite being pipped to first place, runners up ‘Winter Warmers’ arguably achieved the most from the experience. Also known as The Bath Soup Company, the team made a £380 profit, and have opted to continue their business after receiving positive comments throughout the day. One of the local businessmen involved

with the event, Gavin Eddy from ForwardSpace, was so impressed by Winter Warmers that he has offered the team a start up loan, and a free stall at his event, St Catherine’s Artisan Market in Frome, on Sunday November 29. The event was backed by the local Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), who said they would be happy to support the event again next year. Brian Chalker, chair of B&NES, was impressed with the local produce being utilised by teams, and highlighted The Bath Soup Company, The Apple Tree and Chai Cafe as businesses which he would be happy to see start up in Bath. The Mayor of Bath also attended, and bought a tie from team Aptus Suits, who took over the shop with their bespoke suit service. Aptus were featured in the September issue of The National Student meeting Conservative Leader David Cameron. by David Bateman

almost all of the premises, leaving their kit bags covering all the seating, which allegedly made it impossible for the pub to take in customers for two hours. According to one member of staff, speaking to independent Cambridge student newspaper Varsity, the rowers became increasingly “rowdy”. Eventually, the group was asked to leave the pub. According to message boards, the tour, which was entitled “The Spy Who Ginned Me” was a huge success. One of the touring party, posting as “Juniper Girl”, praised the great banter and the freshers’ willingness to participate. On Tuesday night,

Captain Tom Webb, posting on KCLBC’s website, said: “Clearly, some of our number were spotted by the Spy Who Ginned Me.” “Although I was not in Cambridge on Sunday, I haven’t heard of any complaints during the tour, whether on the water or at the Anchor. We hope to be back next year in finer fettle than ever. Needless to say, I apologise for any offence taken. None was intended.” The King’s College London Boat Club describes itself as “a friendly and dynamic club” formed in 1997. It is one of the largest sports clubs at King’s college. by Ashley Scrace

‘I felt I was being set up for drugs as they led me out of sight of everyone else and set the sniffer dog on my stuff. They unpacked everything, made me take Dorothy almost completely apart. He wanted to see what was in my wallet. ‘ - page 12

The National Student, December 2009

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ANTI-FEE RISE PROTESTORS ‘TAKE OVER’ CAMBRIDGE

Students angry at the prospects of a rise in tuition fees took part in an NUSorganised ‘Town Takeover’ last month. The ‘Town Takeover’ was part of a nationwide series, which included similar demonstrations in Liverpool, Bristol and Newcastle. The events aid the ‘Funding our Future’ campaign, which protests against a top-up fees rise. Students from Cambridge University, Anglia Ruskin

University and the University of East Anglia joined forces with the NUS to conduct a series of publicity stunts and demonstrations throughout the day. The stunts included the “running of the debt”, a gathering on Market Square for the “student noise” demonstration, and then speeches by Wes Streeting, NUS President, Tom Chigbo, Cambridge University Students Union President, and Matt East, Anglia

Ruskin University Students Union President. Speaking to Cambs24, Chigbo said: “A higher education marketplace, where some universities are able to charge huge fees, would see students from poorer backgrounds deterred from or priced out of access to many prestigious institutions, including Cambridge. We will not allow politicians who claim to represent us to sit back and watch students get stitched

Warning over paying for internships Job-hunting students are being warned against paying for web services to help them find unpaid internships. A university careers advisor says it is “rubbing salt into the wounds” to ask students to pay to search for internships which they may not even be granted. Speaking to BBC News, Jonathan Black, the director of Oxford University’s career service, said he has heard of companies charging fees of up to £1,000. Black says it is particularly unfair for vulnerable students who are worried about needing “an extra edge”. Katie Dallison, careers adviser at Goldsmiths, University of London, said: “I think it’s hard enough that students have to work for free, often full time for months. Paying for this

privilege is really just rubbing salt into the wound. However, realistically, it’s very competitive out there and many students will make large sacrifices to gain experience.” The services the websites offer can include charging hundreds of pounds for introductory letters. There is a danger that the UK could follow the US example, where wealthy parents can buy internships for their children. In a recent charity auction in the UK, work experience in the media was offered alongside a range of showbusiness prizes. There are concerns that these new services often do not open doors, but secure stretches of unpaid work to more affluent students who can spare the time and money. Alex Try, one of the cofounders of the Interns Anonymous website – in

which interns can share their experiences – said: “Some internships are good and are passages to decent jobs, but most are unregulated and with no guarantees, based on the assumption that you can work for free and live in London.” The Government provides a free service called the Graduate Talent Pool to try and match students to appropriate internships. A spokesperson for the Business, Innovation and Skills department of the government said of internships: “The government is committed to offering real help to graduates during these difficult economic times and internships are great way for them to get real life work experience to kick start their careers.” by Ashley Scrace

up with a fee increase.” He added: “Cambridge students will be standing shoulder to shoulder with the local community to ensure that our voices are heard and show that we are ready to fight any attempt to lift the cap on fees. Thursday’s Town Takeover is just the start of that battle. Our campaigning will increase and intensify all the way up to the general election and beyond.” by David Bateman

The National Student, December 2009

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Suspected terrorist tells of his own terror A 31-year-old Algerian tax-collector, being detained in the UK under anti-terror laws, told the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ethics Council about his life as a suspected terrorist and the appalling conditions he lives in. Detainee Y, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke at the NUJ Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM) in Southport via telephone. He has been electronically tagged under a control order from July 2008 for being an alleged security threat – a charge which has never been heard in public. The control order means that for twenty-hours a day he is restricted to his home. The other four-hours can be spent in a designated three-mile area, allowing for Mosque visits every Friday. The restrictions do not allow him to carry

any money, possess any electronic equipment or have contact with others except by telephone. He is allowed to shop at the local Tesco with food vouchers. Serco, a business services company, must be notified of all of his movements. Detainee Y fled to Britain from Algeria in 2000 to escape possible terrorist activity. He was arrested in 2003 for alleged threats to national security and spent over two-years in prison. He was released in September 2005 but spent a further three years being held in solitary confinement in a prison as he awaited deportation. Detainee Y was not deported but was instead served with a control order which restricted his movements. His charges have never been made public in the interests of national

security. A further seven people are reported to be held under the same restrictions. Detainee Y, who addressed the council via telephone link, said: “I do not know what I have done. The evidence against me has never been heard in a public court.” “The only means of communication I have is by phone. I have my mother in Algeria but I’m not allowed to even contact her.” Arjum Wajid, Member of the NUJ Ethics Council, said: “There are people in this country who have been in prisons for a very long time without ever being charged at all. Despite all demonstrations these people still continue to be subjects of these laws.” Asked if it was worse than prison, Detainee Y said: “At least in prison you can talk to others and go to the shops. But here you can’t.

“I am in complete and utter isolation. It’s so physically and psychologically punishing.” The meeting was held by the Ethics Council to highlight the issues faced by suspected terrorists and to promote a new leaflet about terrorism reporting guidelines. Michael McColgan, NUJ member and a Human Rights Lawyer for Howells solicitors, Sheffield, said: “The principle of justice is the right to be heard. This man has not been heard. He does not even know what charges he faces. This is not open justice at all.” An audibly frightened Detainee Y said: “I’m being tortured in this country. I feel I’m living like a ghost. I have less rights than animals and am being abused by justice. My life is unbearable. Please help me.” by Ashley Scrace

89% happy with uni 89% of university students rate their teaching and learning experience as “good or excellent”, according to a report from NUS. The NUS/HSBC Student Experience report was published earlier this month, which examines teaching and learning patterns, as well as the views of students. The report worked on criteria which included student experiences, teaching performance and feedback and assessment. The report highlights that students have, on average, 14 hours a week of teaching – called ‘contact time’. Almost three-quarters were satisfied with their amount of contact time. At a time when students have been labelled as ‘lazy’, the report highlights how students claim to spend a further 15-hours a week in private study. Yet not all the findings were positive. 90% of students

complained that there is a lack of exam feedback, with only a further 12% saying they’ve ever received written comments on their exams. The construction of courses was also an issue, with 61% of students feeling they would like to participate more in what goes on in their course. Students recognised that some solutions to shaping the course are becoming course reps, yet many do not have the time when faced with massive workloads. Overall most students – a staggering 89% found their university experience enjoyable. Chloe Philip, 21, an undergraduate from the University of Hertfordshire, summed up how many students feel. She said: “The experience is excellent. It’s the best time in your life. But the stress of work makes it a little less enjoyable.” by Ashley Scrace

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STUDENT RADIO AWARDS HIT TOP OF THE CHARTS

WHAT WOULD YOU WALK OVER HOT EMBERS FOR?

Five students braved a ‘Firewalk’ across hot embers to raise money for their local charity, Neurocare. The event, hosted by fire-walking experts Blaze, encompassed a two-hour motivational psychology seminar, which equipped the participants with the confidence and mindset necessary to walk across the wood embers unharmed. The University of Sheffield students then took it in turns to walk across the embers at Norfolk Arms in Ringinglow, raising over £500 for Neurocare in the process. Claire Monk, a participant and Activities Officer at the University, said: “The worst bit was standing on the cold floor after. I want to do it all again, especially as it is all for charity. The motivational speak was amazing.” Fundraising efforts will continue until Christmas for the charity, which has raised more than three quarters of a million pounds in the past three

years for the Neurosciences Department at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. This money has been spent on buying equipment which helps save and improve the lives of patients with a range of debilitating neurological conditions, including brain tumours, strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Motor Neurone Disease and Epilepsy. Emma Douglas, fundraiser for Neurocare, said: “I would like to say thank you to the University of Sheffield for putting a team forward for this exciting challenge! This is the third time Neurocare has arranged the Firewalk and everyone always says what an amazing experience it is. It’s a great event for Neurocare because it brings in all different types of people from across the city. I also took part and it was really exciting. Next year we’re thinking of doing a Glass Walk. by David Bateman

The biggest event of the Student Radio calendar hit the Indig02 arena in London last month, as the best of student radio were lauded for their achievements. Stations from across the UK attended the 14th National Student Radio Awards on the November 24, where the evening’s main awards for Best Male Presenter, Best Female Presenter, and Best Student Station accompanied a diverse range of awards to celebrate the growing success of student radio. The ceremony was hosted by a vast array of the countries top radio talent, including Scott Mills, Fearne Cotton and Student Radio alumnus Greg James. Radio Warwick (RaW) were this year’s biggest winners, scooping a massive four gold awards as well as a number of smaller prizes. The station won awards for ‘Slow Hands’ in Best Scripted Programming, Julie Ann Lough won Best Female Presenter and they also won two awards for ‘The Big Chewsie’, which won both ‘Best Entertainment’ and The Kevin Greening Memorial award for Outstanding Radio Creativity. Ben Anderson said of Winning the Kevin Greening Award: “I can’t believe we’ve won this, after hearing so much about Kevin’s commitment and influence on UK radio – this means an incredible amount to us”. LSRfm.com won the best station award for the first time in 15 years – leading to an emotional Dan Hudson, the station’s manager, saying: “Last year was a massive year for LSRfm.com – it’s the first time in 15 years we’ve been rewarded for all the hard work the team at the station put in – I’m speechless...this is insane.” The diversity, creativity and originality of Student Radio was paid tribute to by both Andy Parfitt, Controller of Radio 1; Ashley Talbot, the CEO of Global Radio; and Richard Park, the broadcasting veteran and Director of Broadcasting at Global Radio. Tim Dye, Chair of the Student Radio Association said: “We’re so pleased to be able to award the best talent in student radio at such a huge venue as the indigO2 within London’s O2 complex. We’ve seen this evening that not only is creativity still alive in the radio industry, but that student radio remains key to providing the best new talent to pillars of the industry such as the BBC and Global Radio.” “To be able to celebrate Student Radio amongst big names really is fantastic massive congratulations to all of our winners.” by David Bateman

The National Student, December 2009

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RECORD LABEL TO GO GREEN

University College Falmouth students helped to adopt the first green policy of its kind for an international record label, in a bid to target environmental pollution. During a digital branding course, UCF students shared their environmental views with Alex di Savoia, managing director of Aardvark Records. The media students felt that MP3s were green whilst CDs were not. UCF students studying MA Professional Writing and BA Broadcasting were passionate about green and environmental issues. They offered their ideas to help the music industry improve green solutions in CD manufacturing. Aardvark, an independent label based in Cornwall, hopes this policy will be adopted by other record labels worldwide. Di Savoia said: “What I’d like to see is record labels investing in research to make CDs environmentally friendly. Recycling unwanted CDs and DVDs could be one answer. The industry could win back deteriorating public perceptions by

adopting green manufacturing processes. It could also give the beleaguered CD format a new lease of life.” Aardvark distributes thousands of promotional CDs to DJs, radio stations and music video channels globally. But as part of its green policy, they will reduce their use of promotional CDs and promote audio and video to online publications and websites instead. Di Savoia and UCF students believe that lessons can be learned from drink and drug campaigns, as these messages target behaviour. One proposal is that funds to research green CDs could be voluntarily paid for by record labels, through a small percentage of their digital music sales. Apart from implementing the first green policy, Aardvark was also one of the first labels to use podcasting and support internet radio. They believe that the green policy could reduce illegal downloading. “The message would have to be clear: that mp3 sales fund the research needed to make CDs green,” said di Savoia. by Olivia Heath

X-Factor competition for designers begins The first talent competition in Britain to find the country’s next top interior designer has recently commenced. Students at the two participating universities, KLC School of Interior Design in London and John Moore’s University in Liverpool, will each design studio apartments in Grosvenor’s flagship One Park West building in Liverpool. Through a panel of judges, giving the competition an X-factor feel, students will be judged on their interior designs and the winners will get to execute their design, amongst other prizes. The panel members include Ben de Lisi, a former mentor on Sky One’s Project Catwalk, Alex Proby, an in-house interiors expert at property giant Grosvenor, and Kate Kingston, from the interior design firm Kingston Shaw. Instead of Simon Cowell firing his vicious comments at the candidates, De Lisi will be leading the panel in this talent show. Proby spoke on the task which each team had been assigned: “The KLC students are to design a studio for a retired couple who intend to use the space as a second home. Meanwhile, the students up North at JMU are designing a different studio aimed at an urban professional in his or her late twenties. We’ve set a budget of £5,000 to supply all furniture and to fit out

the studio. It’s really tight. On top of that, the students have to choose furniture that is available on a four-week lead-time.” Similar to the X Factor talent show, the interior design talent contest is aimed at attracting young hopefuls eager to show their potential. Proby also spoke about what qualities the winner would need to display: “When judging the entries, we’ll be thinking ‘does the design maximize potential of space, is it under budget and does the furniture function in its use?’ We want to find someone with real ‘wow factor’ - the design needs to appeal to the target market but be differentiated from the norm.” As well as their designs being shown in the 17-storey building, the winners will be invited to take part in an internship at interior design practice Kingston Shaw. Other prizes include a shopping spree in Liverpool, and a “live the city” weekend staying at One Park West. The judging panel’s leading member, Ben De Lisi, also commented on what the competition offers youngsters: “This is an unrivalled opportunity to design an apartment in a much talked about building designed by Cesar Pelli, the man responsible for the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.” by Grace Wermenbol

Advice from

Know your rights this Christmas W ith Christmas around the corner you’ll no doubt be stocking up on 2-4-1 vouchers to make sure you’re not completely strapped for cash once everyone is ticked off your present list.

got your loan through, its unlikely you’ll be spending so much, so luckily VISA chargeback offers the same protection as Section 75 but for goods that cost up to £100 that are bought on VISA debit or credit cards.

You may normally gloss over the ‘boring’ elements of shopping, but if you don’t check your T&Cs, tighter returns policies, postal strikes and retailers going bust could leave you out of pocket or stuck with faulty presents. So before you start bulk-buying scented candles for your aunties, make sure you do the following:

> Know your online rights: Purchases made online, by post or by phone benefit from a ‘cooling-off period’, starting the minute you place the order and ending 7 working days the day after receiving the goods, during which time you are free to cancel.

> Check the returns policy: Shops are not legally obliged to offer a refund on unwanted goods, however many will refund, exchange or give credit notes as a gesture of goodwill. Some returns policies are extended over Christmas, but early-bird shoppers should keep an eye out for those that aren’t. > Confirm delivery dates: Retailers that fail to deliver goods within 30 days of an order must offer the option of cancelling and getting a full refund. Use websites with “guaranteed” delivery dates to make sure gifts turn up on time. > Pay by the right cards: Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act gives you valuable extra protection if an item you buy which costs over £100 is faulty, not what your ordered, or simply doesn’t turn up. Unless you’ve only just

> Check who pays for P&P: When shopping online, the website’s terms and conditions should say who is responsible for paying postage on unwanted returned goods. If they don’t say, they pay! > Not all goods are refundable: Many items such as CDs, DVDs and computer games for example can be refused a refund if they are no longer sealed. > Stand your ground: If goods are faulty, not fit for purpose or not as described, you can return them to the retailer as long as this is done in a reasonable time. If you need more information on refund rights, head to http://www.which.co.uk/advice/ returning-goods-your-legal-rights/index.jsp by Phil Jones, personal finance campaigner for Which?

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The National Student, December 2009

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Saint Cameron the Ark-angel A

county Down entrepreneur aged just twenty years old is taking the clothing world by storm while also questioning the social consciences’ of the world today. Cameron Stewart previously founded the clothing business Ark limited with a view to making the world a better place. His company name is an abbreviation of the words “Acts of Random Kindness” and the concept is simply that every time you wear an Ark t-shirt you perform an Act of Random Kindness hence making the world a better place. As a teenager, Cameron always had an eye for business and during his A-levels he started his own clothes selling enterprise on eBay which isn’t exactly your average part-time job for an eighteen year old. However, making a profit wasn’t his main priority and with time he slowly started to shape a business idea that wasn’t wholly concerned with profit but one that would make the world a better place while still looking fashionable. The inspiration behind the ARK venture began during a Duke of Edinburgh expedition with friends in the Wicklow Mountains. During the gruelling trek his mind was occupied with thoughts a type of business venture he could combine with kindness

buying clothing, they were buying an identity to adopt a way of life. Instead of putting on a t-shirt to be someone great, why couldn’t you wear one to do something great?” Cameron officially launched Acts of Random Kindness Ltd in December 2008 following a trip to China to investigate an ethical factory which could make his Ark° polo shirts. Satisfied with his findings in China he employed this company to begin making his polo-shirts and placed his first order of just 600 polo-shirts. Like any business proposition initially the goods were introduced to friends and family but pretty soon the idea took off and Ark became inundated with orders as well as receiving major media coverage. In one year the company sold their product to over twenty five major countries throughout the world. Ark° has already been linked with the popular “live strong” wristband movement and many have predicted its potential to be the new symbol for good. Arks° ethical range consists of top quality, 100% cotton, long and short sleeve tee-shirts. The front of the tee-shirt bears Cameron’s opening line “So I have this idea”, while on the back, the inspirational story of Ark° is written. Ark° is

fashion world is one that has often been described as fickle, superficial and shallow with the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada supposedly conveying the temperament of infamous vogue editor Anna Wintour. The movie portrayed just how harsh the world

and as he faced the highest peak, ARK was born. Hence the logo ^. Cameron said, “I started looking around and saw that people weren’t just

the first clothing line of its kind and links positive social action with fashion, a concept which has never before been considered let alone accomplished. The

of fashion can be and ultimately there is no goal other than that of looking good. However, Ark° couldn’t be further from this image

and there is no doubt that it is one of the most innovative, original and authentic ideas that the business world has ever seen. The ultimate goal of Ark°; to make the world a better place and look good doing it. It has been described as the brand for people who want to look good while doing good. Ark° is unique because it combines individual actions with money well invested in order to make someone’s day. They are one of the few companies with the exception of charities to invest their profits back into the business and undergo volunteer projects which are now taking place globally. Right from the very beginning, the young brains (or should I say hearts) behind the operation have pledged it is a non-profit organisation and have even gone as far as legally committing to never take a dividend. The profits that Ark° makes are projected straight back into the company apparently to spread the message of “Arking” all over the

world. According to Cameron; “When you’re wearing Ark, you’re on the lookout. What can I do? Who could I help? It’s not like wearing any old t-shirt. There’s this tingle of anticipation when you throw it on in the morning, not knowing where it will lead you” The enthusiastic entrepreneur has started a fashion revolution and in an age where we have been criticised for being over-concerned with ourselves, Ark° offers the fashion conscience a way of questioning their ideals and looking at the broader picture. The company places an entirely new perspective on fashion and allows any individual an excuse to do a good deed and make someone’s day. More recently the campaign has been elevated to a new height after the President of Ireland Mary McAleese requested an Ark° teeshirt in an attempt to do her “drop in the ocean” deed to make the ocean a very nice place. This is a huge accolade for the Ark° team and promises to raise the credentials

on the work they are doing as well as helping the millions of homeless, poverty stricken and desolate people who benefit from Arks° relentless work every year. Ark° campaigns have included simple actions such as giving out buns in Dublin to much more global campaigns such as Lisbon treaty Guerrilla Gardening. Cameron is now based in Dublin and has employed a team of four people in order to make the Ark° dream a reality. He is definitely a one of a kind in the business world and it is very refreshing to see a genuinely helpful proposition as opposed to a view of merely profit and loss. The Ark° campaign continues to expand globally with the launch of the website contributing greatly to its international status as a non-profitable business organisation. If you would like more information on the campaign or to buy your own tee-shirt and start “arking” please visit www.arkhq.com. by Tara McLaughlin

The National Student, December 2009

FEATURE

10

World Aids Day

Following World Aids Day at the end of last month Emma Pomfret from Christian Aid looks at the ongoing problem in South Africa

I

t has been 15 years since the end of apartheid in South Africa but, despite emerging as a relatively wealthy democratic nation and long-awaited host of next year’s glittering football World Cup, the legacy of discrimination lives on. While South Africa’s new constitution offers some opportunity for the redistribution of power and assets, economic and social inequality permeate all aspects of life, including life-saving access to HIV testing, medication, and cohesive support structures for those living with the condition. In fact, South Africa now has the highest rate of HIV on the planet, with a staggering 5.5 million HIV positive people who account for one fifth of all cases globally. According to the latest figures from UNICEF and UNAIDS, there are also an estimated 2.5 million children orphaned by HIVrelated illnesses, many of whom are cared for by already struggling elderly grandparents and teenage siblings. As in many countries

around the world, stigma is rife and taboos abound, so although HIV accounts for about half the deaths in the country, more than 90% of the population tragically remain untested. ‘YOU ARE NOT ALONE’ In the beautiful city of Cape Town and the nearby impoverished townships of Khayelitsha, Philippe,

awareness about HIV as well as providing vital child health monitoring and home-based care for seriously ill people. Martha, a community worker and counsellor with Wola Nani, explains how lay counselling can help. “When people first come to Wola Nani, it is very hard for them - they have just been diagnosed and

‘One girl I know says bad things about HIV. She says she’s going write and tell each and every house in the neighbourhood that I have HIV. I hate it because when other people find out they might reject me.’ Gugulethu and Mfuleni, Christian Aid’s long-term partner Wola Nani (www. wolanani.co.za) works around the clock to support HIV positive women and their children. Roughly translated as ‘we embrace and develop one another’, Wola Nani tirelessly works to raise

think they are going to die in the next month, they want to cry,” she says. “So I let them cry for a few minutes and then I tell them ‘you are not alone, we are here, you are not the only one with HIV. If you look after yourself, you can live for up to 20 years.’ “We tell them the best

Sista, 15, is a member of Wola Nani’s kids club in Phillipe, one of Cape Town’s poorest communities know for its high rates of unemployment, violent crime and HIV. She lost her mother to HIV and is herself HIV+.

thing to do is come to a support group and be with others. There are a lot of ladies like you. It begins to give them hope,” she adds. Ntombi, another lay counsellor at Wola Nani, was diagnosed HIV positive in 2004 when she was pregnant with her third child, now three-yearsold and, thankfully, HIV negative. “At work I look after orphans whose mothers have passed away from HIV related illnesses and who may be HIV positive themselves,” she says. “When the children come we welcome them, we talk to them about HIV and then go to play outside. “Wola Nani has changed everything for me. Now I’m proud and confident in having HIV. I can talk about it and I counsel others – life is better, much better.” THE BEAUTIFUL GAME As one of a number of young men being coached to become mentors to younger children, 16year-old football-fanatic Sibusiso Dlomo, says he’d rather spend his free time at Wola Nani’s kids clubs than out on the streets with his peers. “Most people get in trouble because they’ve got nothing to do and are bored, but football can help teach people not to rob people, not to take drugs, not to do house break-ins,” he explains. “Every day you can go to the field and practice and then on Saturdays go and play a match. Clubs like this are good because they keep you learning new stuff all the time. They give you an alternative.” At Wola Nani’s children’s clubs and wilderness camps, serious discussions about life-saving Antiretroviral (ARV) medication and key social issues affecting the children’s lives are interspersed with having fun and playing games in a safe environment.

“We learn new games every day and the kids talk about their problems. For example, many kids don’t have enough to eat at home – they can sleep for maybe two nights without eating and maybe on the third day they’ll have food. Wola Nani found this out and now they give them food parcels.” With his newfound confidence and focus, Sibusiso now believes that he can look to the future with a positive attitude. “When I finish school I wanted to be a soccer

player,” he grins. “But my second option is to continue with my studies. I want to study law because I don’t like to see people robbing and committing crime.” ‘WHEN OTHER PEOPLE FIND OUT THEY MIGHT REJECT ME’ HIV positive Sista Guebityala, 15, shares a bedroom with three girl cousins which is just larger than a single bed and holds no other furniture. Two of them sleep on the bed and two on a mattress on the

The National Student, December 2009

FEATURE

11

DID YOU KNOW? SOME SHOCKING STATS AND FACTS :: The number of people surviving on less than $2 a day in South Africa is equal to the entire population of neighbouring country Mozambique. :: According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organisation WHO), 33.4 million people are now living with HIV worldwide.

THE GOOD NEWS :: UNAIDS and WHO estimate that since the availability of effective treatment in 1996, some 2.9 million lives have been saved. :: Around 200 000 new infections among children have been prevented since 2001 due to ARV therapy. :: In Botswana, where treatment coverage is 80%, AIDS-related deaths have fallen by over 50% over the past five years.

All images:Christian Aid/Sarah Filbey

:: A further 2.7 million people were newly infected in 2008, and two million died of HIV-related illnesses

in the same year.

Ntombi (wearing green, right) conducts a home visit as part of her work as a children’s worker with Christian Aid partner Wola Nani in Cape Town. Wola Nani reaches those most vulnerable to HIV in the poorest township areas. Thulani (orange t-shirt, center of picture) is 17, HIV+ and on ARVs. He and his 14 year old brother Ayanda lost their parents due to HIV and live with their grandmother Mises Dukumbana, 63 (pictured left, red headdress).

floor. Sista’s mother died of an HIV related illness in 2001, but her aunt cannot access a child care grant as Sista’s mother had no official ID. “One girl I know says bad things about HIV. She says she’s going write and tell each and every house in the neighbourhood that I have HIV. I hate it because when other people find out they might reject me,” she says. “Only my best friend

Usiwe knows my status - she’s also HIV positive and she told me her status first. “I know her from school and she lives in my area but we don’t talk about our illness together.” Fortunately for Sista, as member of one of Wola Nani’s children’s clubs she has plenty of opportunities to confidentially talk through her problems with trained counsellors. “I have fun at the Wola Nani kids club

and the organisation is now helping me to get groceries and my uniform for school; skirt, shirt, shoes and socks,” she explains. “We are learning about HIV and AIDS at the support group, where we also learn about violence and rape.” As part of her ARV therapy, Sista has been prescribed a cocktail of drugs, and is actively encouraged by staff at Wola Nani to make sure she takes her medication regularly and on time.

Children act out a role play depicting social issues affecting them, such as drunkenness, rape and drug abuse during Wola Nani’s kids club in Mfuleni township, Cape Town.

“I have to take two pills in the morning at seven o’clock and three at seven pm,” she says, holding up a brightly

coloured strip of tablets. “It’s easy, it’s not difficult, but they don’t taste nice, they’re bitter.

“When I grow up I’d like to be a doctor, I want to help people with their problems and their sicknesses,” she smiles.

Christian Aid is supporting the Push for the Pool, a campaign to help more people in poor countries to get the life-saving medicines they need. To find out more, and lend your support, go here: christianaid.org.uk/worldaidsday

The National Student, December 2009

FEATURE

A Traveller’s Tale 12

It’s been epic, it’s been emotional, it’s been, well, unlikely....but somehow our roving writer Nathan Millward made it back to dear old Blighty from Sydney on his trusty moped steed Dorothy. After a year and half of his adventures across the globe this is the final installment of Nathan’s epic saga....

W

hen I left you last I was sleeping beneath a Kazakhstan hedge as my ride across the world on an old motorbike called Dorothy was closing in on its end. I’d been on the road almost eight months, I’d passed through 10 countries on my way from Sydney and now, on a level line with England, was making preparation for my final push to London. As usual I was up early, 5am, the field I’d camped in was pitch black and desolate, nothing around, not a light from a farm or a car on a passing nearby road. But that, every night, is how I would plan it. Finding a spot as far from anywhere in a country full of space and nothing much built or living in it. Kazakhstan is one big field, ploughed sparingly by the occasional dirt road taking you from one side of it to the other. I was now in the top left corner, sat tight on the border with Russia. The flame turned blue. It was my tiny gas stove firing into life to boil water in an old sweet corn tin I used to make myself a tea. It had become my ritual, the first thing I did when I woke up in a freezing field. It was cold here, almost in the minus at night and in a fake North Face sleeping bag I shivered. I slept fully clothed, I’d had my pants on now for six days and my t-shirt too. I carried so few clothes I wore them all. In my tea I dipped the bread I had left over from the night before. It was my

diet now. Bread and tea. Living cheap, the budget was almost out. Three months I thought it would take to ride from Sydney to London, now it was almost treble that, I might have to phone the parental bank to bail me out. But not far now, just 3,000 miles to England. Two weeks I reckoned it would take, only one way to find out. I flattened the tent and threw it on Dorothy’s back. The sweet corn tin was swilled, my teeth brushed, my helmet clipped. Back on the road.. At the border with Russia the Kazakh guards weren’t friendly. They said I should have a form I was never given. They invited me into office and shut the door. Four men stood around me. “You give us $200.” I said no and sat there arms folded. I’d been in these predicaments too many times to just cave in. My bollocks were brass by now. For four hours I refused to pay, just sat in silence refusing them the money they asked for, until they gave up and let me though, to Russia, a place I mildly feared but which I quickly grew to love. It was the people, especially in the south. They spoke no English and me no Russian, but they would assist and smile and make you feel welcome. The city’s were beautiful too. I met a biker gang in one who made me tea all afternoon and gave me spare inner tubes because I’d arrived there with a puncture. I bought a Che Guevara patch for my rucksack to

say thanks. I had his beard now. Long and wily, like a face decorated by pube. But I looked like shit so what did it matter. My gloves didn’t match, my waterproof suit was a salmon pink. I was a vagrant, a vagabond, with a Pakistan stamp in my passport which instantly made the Ukrainian border guards twitchy. I felt I was being set up for drugs as they led me out of sight of everyone else and set the sniffer dog on my stuff. They unpacked everything, made me take Dorothy almost completely apart. He wanted to see what was in my wallet. I’d heard this about Ukraine officials corruption, runs rife, especially against anyone on a bike riding (or in my case almost pushing) through. Dorothy kept stopping on me, threatening to give up. My first night sleeping in a Ukraine hedge after the border guards finally let me through was a worry. The trip was everything and so was Dorothy. If she died I panicked at the possibility of having to finish the trip without her. Fatalism was in the air. I felt a little doomed. It was cold, it was wet, it was miserable. My bike was broke and I was still 2,000 miles from home sleeping in another hedge. Pull yourself together man, get back on the road. With a cough and splutter we blasted through Ukraine, the race was on now. I’d set a date in my mind for when I wanted to get back and to make it would push us tight. Morning dark to evening black we would ride, fourteen hours a day in the saddle or more, stopping in Soviet

style cafes to eat food from the gulag before carrying on through a country where all people seemed to do was sit on their front door step and talk. A policeman stopped me, by now I was prepared for the bribe. I’d bought a box of cigarettes from duty free and gave him half of those. That was Ukraine, not my favourite country, probably my least. And then Poland, the place where everything changed. The world had moved from

I could breathe again, look back on the road that had brought me here, through Indonesia, China, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, so many countries I thought I never would see until the day I charged out of Sydney on the spur of the moment with my visa about to run out. I rode some more and stayed at the home of a couple of German bikers I’d met in Kazakhstan. We watched Long Way Round with Ewan McGregor. I didn’t recognise any of it.

‘A policeman stopped me, by now I was prepared for the bribe. I’d bought a box of cigarettes from duty free and gave him half of those. That was Ukraine, not my favourite country, probably my least.’ east to west, it was familiar, I wasn’t home but I was I felt in the right postcode. I saw signs for paintball and second hand car yards, a thing I’d not seen since Australia. I also found a Honda dealer and finally had Dorothy fixed, or rather improved because still she wasn’t quite right. In Poland I rode by day and by night. I was in the zone now, feeling the itch to get back on the bike every time I pulled off the rode. One night I slept in a truckers yard lay across Dorothy in the corner where every one pissed. It stank and I didn’t sleep. I was in the Germany the next day. Dresden, what a beautiful place. I stayed two days to shower and launder. My clothes broke the washing machine from all the dirt. But

The secretaries, the survival training, the free bikes from BMW and the support truck that sat constantly in their rear view. I just had Dorothy and the collection of junk I’d gathered along the way. I was in two minds. I laughed when I saw all that they had but also mourned at what they still lacked. Freedom and solitude, it was the greatest discovery of my adventure. Flanked by cameras and being encouraged to laugh and cry for the telly would have ruined it for me. I wouldn’t have swapped places with them for all the tea in the China, nor would I have swapped bikes because Dorothy really was the embodiment of this trip, she was, as I put in a group email

as I closed in on home, not a motorbike but the spirit of adventure. Here she was; a 105cc half scooter, half motorbike thingy-ma-bob that instead of being used to ride around Australian suburbs had just carried me halfway around the world needing nothing more than a new front sprocket. The day she rolled into Calais was magnificent. She was battered and bruised, overloaded with luggage and yet she was still going, chugging along at a speed far too dangerous for the autobahn but riding it anyway. She was yeeHa, wild eye, red eye, and so was I. But we’d made it; Sydney to London on a shoestring, no planning, no preparation, just fire her up and leave. It’d had been a battle from the first day to the last. But we did it, she did it. And for that the small crowd stood at Dover waiting clapped her proud as she rolled off the ferry and made her final saunter into London to the finish line. So there we go, the conclusion to a story that began a year and a half ago as I retuned to Australia with intention of winning back a woman I’d met at speed-dating. I’d succeeded in that and stayed nine more months before immigration kicked me out and sent me on my way. I had a flight I could have caught but instead I took a chance on a little motorbike called Dorothy and rode home instead. As for the girl, I’m heading back to Sydney to see her next week. This time I will be taking the plane.

De stination Ski E.Molle/OT Montgenèvre

Thinking of hitting the slopes this winter. Let us give you some of our top destinations for some awesome on-piste action... St. Anton am Arlberg

St. Anton am Arlberg is a cozy little resort in Austria which has maintained a genuine ambiance and charming atmosphere. The area boasts guaranteed snow from the end of November to the end of April, 280 kilometres of marked runs and 180 kilometres for off-piste fans. For ski-virgins 40% of the slopes are suitable for beginners and there’s plenty of extreme slopes for adrenaline junkies. There’s plenty more than taking to the slopes to entertain: horse-drawn sleigh rides through the romantic Verwall Valley, a 4-kilometre long toboggan run from the Gampen plateau to the valley lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes and leads you down more than 500 meters height difference or various walks in spectacular surroundings. There’s ice-skating and curling, and at the new multi-functional sports centre, arl.rock there’s tennis, squash, bowling, climbing (including a climbing route to the roof), ice climbing, bouldering to keep you occupied. For the shop-o-holics the town boasts a selection of quality boutiques and shops and the area has over 90 restaurants and bars, so you’re spoilt for culinary (and drinking) choice. Excellent food, remarkable service and a wonderful ambiance have once again convinced the testers from the Gault Millau and in 2009 they have awarded three more restaurants in the international ski resort with the prestigious “toque” – the Stube in the Hotel Alte Post, the Verwallstube on the Galzig as well as the Restaurant in the Hotel Arlberg Hospiz in St Christoph am Arlberg. By the way: the Verwallstube on the Galzig, which has been distinguished with two toques, is the highest-altitude Gault Millau-graded restaurant in Europe at a height of 2,185 metres. St. Anton am Arlberg offers a relaxed and sophisticated resort with quality ski facilities.

stantonamarlberg.com

Montgenèvre

Situated at an altitude of 1,860 metres Montgenèvre is part of the biggest international skiing domain, the ‘Milky Way’: 400km of pistes and is the most accessible resort in the French Alps. This doyenne of ski resorts lies between France and Italy, with 65km, 100km or even 400km of pistes, linked as it is to the ski resorts of the Turin Winter Olympics and Paralympics of 2006. All of these resorts together make up the ‘Milky Way’ (Sestriere, Sansicario, Sauze d’Oulx, etc.) with over 400km of pistes! Get on your skis and you can stop off for lunch in an Italian restaurant. Various kinds of mountain activities are on offer: snow parks, snowshoe trails, snowmobiling and much more besides. The 2009/10 season has seen the creation of a new space specially for beginners and families. An area of 50,000 square metres located on the ‘front de neige’ in the heart of the village. It is a safe space which includes the travelator at La Butte, a free ski-lift (La Durance) and a snow garden. In fact the resorts whole infrastructure has been overhauled to make it more beginner friendly making it perfect for novice skiers and snowboarders. At an altitude of between 1,860 metres and 2,700 metres, Montgenèvre has optimal snow quality and sunshine. Its climate, location, altitude and substantial network of prepared snow (over 55% of the skiing areas) offer pure skiing pleasure. There are spaces specially designed for all styles and level of skier. Montgenèvre was the first skiing domain to be triple-certified for Quality, Safety and the Environment (QSE). It is a traditional village of the Hautes-Alpes, which combines authentic character with its status an international ski resort. In its unspoilt natural setting, Montgenèvre has much to offer to lovers of nature, culture and sports, as well all the facilities which tourist visitors have come to expect. The offers 30 shops and 17 restaurants, and a cinema and an ice rink.

E.Molle/OT Montgenèvre

montgenevre.com

Méribel

Geographically situated in the heart of the 3 Vallées ski area, the Les Allues valley in the French Alps is a must-ski area, offering over 150km of downhill slopes including the famous ‘Mauduit’ slope, named after Méribel’s own champion, George Mauduit. With its 1000 metres of vertical drop and demanding and challenging path, it delights even the most blasé skier. Méribel offers ideal skiing conditions: sunny slopes, guaranteed snow thanks to 80% of the ski area being situated above 1800 metre altitude, and state-of-the-art lifts. The ski area also offers easy and fun slopes for family skiing, a moon park for freestyle fans, a children’s-only ski area equipped with the brilliant Magnestick system (where children are magnetically fixed to the chairlift). In Méribel there are two snowparks at different altitudes of the resort. The MoonPark is situated in Méribel Center with over 25 acres of fun with whoops, tables, rails and boxes, all made from wood and a ‘Chill and Grill’ area to relax and kick back in. Plattières Snowpark in Méribel Mottaret Created in 1995, the oldest snowpark in Les 3 Vallées is spread over 15 acres between 2100 and 2400m, at the heart of Mottaret’s ski area. Renowned for its half pipes (one beginner and one expert) this popular park is great fun and can be used by the majority of skiers and boarders. Try its famous whoops, the boardercross (650 metres long) and its many jumps. Méribel is a resort of wooden and stone chalets amidst pine trees, and boasts some new features for its winter season. The Four-star Hotel Hélios & Spa situated on the slopes, the new 500 square metre Clarins Spa at three-star Hotel Allodis. There are also new Mazots (wooden chalets) hidden away in the mountains offering a more peaceful holiday and true alpine experience.

french-alps.meribel.net

With its rustic charm and a newly extended ski area – Serre Chevalier is a great destination for your winter holiday

at speed by horses. For a real adrenalin kick try a snowkite course with the resort’s specialised school.

A laid-back resort Serre Chevalier has a unique laidback charm. It is made up of 13 villages oozing rustic character along the valley floor, from Le Monêtier les Bains to Briançon. Whether you choose to stay in one of the many family run establishments or a luxury hotel, you will always receive a warm welcome.

Take it easy If your idea of a great holiday is a little less strenuous, you’ll delight in Les Grands Bains. New for this season this health and wellness centre spread over three floors provides the perfect opportunity to kick back, relax and enjoy natural thermal pools and some well-earnt pampering. Complete with indoor and outdoor pools, Roman water features, relaxation zones, sauna, steam room and hot tub, it also features a health and beauty institute and an oasis of calm reserved solely for adults. You can also visit a relaxation centre such as the sea water therapy centre or the Monêtier baths – pools filled with mineral-rich spring water.

Never a dull moment. There are many activities to try in addition to downhill. For fans of flats, 35km of cross-country trails run along the valley floor by the river. For speed junkies there’s snowmobiling, ice driving on a circuit open to the public all season, and ski joering, where skiers are pulled

Fabulous fodder With so much to do you’ll need plenty of sustenance, and Serre Chevalier’s restaurants certainly deliver. Le Bivouac de la Casse and the Café Soleil are popular mountain restaurant choices, serving excellent food with an atmosphere to match. When you’re done for

Val d’Isère

At an altitude of 1850 metres Val d’Isère in the French Alps is an internationally famous ski resort, which has preserved its alpine charm and authenticity. The area has a fine ski-pedigree the greatest alpine skiing champions have all raced on the legendary Bellevarde Face or the Rhone Alps run on Solaise. Now you can ski in their tracks. Some of them grew up and learnt to ski in Val d’Isère. Jean- Claude Killy left such an impression on the skiing world that the Val d’Isère/Tignes skiing area bears his name: the Espace Killy. The area boasts 300km of marked runs with something to suit all tastes and levels. With 60% of the runs above 2200 metres there is exceptional snow cover from Late November through to early May. The varied slope exposure enables the skier to organise their skiing time according to the sun’s position. The ValPark ski park offers an awesome ski experience. The park has grown even bigger for the 2009/10 season and now offers units for all levels and extensive signposting. The freestyle zones and new ideas created by Val d’Isère’s SnowPark team will be operational from December 15 2009. The team have extended the easy-learning zone to allow novices to try out a wide range of units. The natural boarder cross in Borsat valley is great fun and guaranteed to send your adrenaline levels soaring, and ValPark also offers progressive bump runs (green, blue, red and black) and a park with 25 fun rails (Including a dancefloor, barrels, wall, and banana rail). And for when the slope-based adrenaline becomes too much there is a comfortable chillout zone with deckchairs, bar, music and much more… For further relaxation you can indulge at one of the nine sumptuous spas and healthsuites in Val d’Isère. But if you’re still feeling energetic Val d’Isère’s new leisure centre is ready and waiting to welcome you for relaxing after-ski or more intense training sessions. With 5,000 square metres filled with sporting equipment including 780 square metres of different swimming pools, there is plenty to choose from. The local hotels form a constellation of high quality establishments (including chalets, serviced and self catering apartments), with something to suit all your accommodation needs. The local restaurants serve a harmonious blend of traditional and modern cuisine to seduce the gourmet visitor. Val d’Isère has a one star Michelin rated restaurant “la Table de l’Ours” and many other excellent eateries. Val d’Isère is set in naturally spectacular surroundings and they want to keep it that way. Val d’Isère is a benchmark tourist destination with a structured economic development (expansion based on ethically responsible and environmentally friendly values). The town has drawn up a plan of action, which includes over sixty undertakings to promote a sustainable environment. With spectacular surroundings, great facilities both off and on the slopes and an extensive series of events throughout the season Val d’Isère is good choice for you next ski excursion.

valdisere.com

the day, recount your tales over a delicious meal – the Ricelle in the village of Chantemerle is great value, or for classic French cuisine try the Marotte in Villeneuve. Stay in style Accommodation in the three main villages of Le Mônetier, Villeneuve and Chantemerle, and in the small town of Briançon, ranges from a luxury residence to greatvalue apartments. And each base has it’s own individual character from the traditional village of Le Mônetier to the 17th Century town of Briançon – which has a wide selection of shops, restaurants and bars – so you are sure to find something to suit your needs. Fast Facts Slopes 1200m to 2770m Lifts 66 Pistes 250km, 22% green, 28% blue, 37% red, 13% black Snowmaking 146 hectares Six-day lift pass €194.50

serre-chevalier.com

Agence Nuts - Val d’Isère Tourist Office

Enormous, varied ski area Set in the Hautes-Alpes, the Serre Chevalier Vallée is one of the largest ski areas in Europe, with 250km of pistes and extensive off-piste terrain. A huge expanse of larch forest provides shelter on the lower runs for great tree skiing and boarding, and the open runs up high are great for making the most of the resort’s 300 days of sunshine. The vast area means if you push it you can cover 6000m of vertical descent in a single day.

Images: AGENCE ZOOM

A valley of plenty

The National Student, December 2009

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Birmingham sneak past Loughborough in last gasp lacrosse classic The University of Birmingham women’s lacrosse 1st team won 7-6 in a closely fought match against Loughborough last month last monthinwhatwasundoubtedly one of the clashes of the season. Birmingham hosted the match and beforehand, Co-captain Jamie Lawrence was confident of victory with her side being undefeated and top of the league and Loughborough, by contrast, languishing in fourth. The first ten minutes set the tone for the entire match

with Birmingham on the offensive and Loughborough furiously checking and winning possession. Loughborough responded and fifteen minutes into the battle the visitors were dominating the play but unable to convert this into

goals, Birmingham goalkeeper Catherine Gaunt called into action to maintain parity. The m,atch did not stay goalless for long, Loughborough scoring through Vicki Owen just about managing to toss the ball into the net after a complex series of passes. Minutes later, the away side’s co-captain Asha Niven was involved in a furious battle for possession with the Birmingham’s Ellie Sayers which the latter ultimately lost and which led to a

Loughborough counter attack. A brilliant check by Becca Roberts Gawen enabled the hosts to regain possession and within a few strong throws, Kirsten Lafferty scored the first goal for the home team to the relief of the

spectators. Soon after, Lafferty managed to score again to bring the count to 2-1 with Birmingham now dominating. Having established the lead Birmingham started to become more confident in their play and silly mistakes were kept to a minimum. This simply seemed to infuriate the opposing team and they managed to level the scores at 2-2. Parity didn’t last for long though as Lizzie Sharp scored a brilliant goal after finding a clear line to the net. The goal was made all the more sweet when Loughborough’s next attempt, shot by Natalie Woods, went wildly off target. Birmingham responded strongly with Molly Pike steaming down the pitch, outrunning the players trying to mark her but unfortunately losing possession metres from the goal. Loughborough’s Emily Grey got close enough to the goal to hit the post again but it was Lizzie Sladen who managed to score seconds later. There was a minor dispute over the validity of the goal, with the away team adamant that it counted and the referees unsure as to whether it had gone wide. Finally, after a delay, it was counted and the match continued with a score of 3-3. The match at this point became a scrappy affair with Jess Adams bundled over by Loughborough and other clashes in the midfield. There seemed to be a concentration of Loughborough players defending their goal at all costs against the dangerous Lafferty who was pushing to score again but lost the ball just as half time was called. Birmingham won the first toss of the second half but the ball was quickly won back by Loughborough who broke quickly to the other end of the

pitch but missed the goal. The visitors took the initiative and soon scored another goal with Joanna Campbell managing an easy goal which went straight through Birmingham’s defence. Yet another goal was scored relatively easily by Loughborough’s Sarah Price, who took up a great position by the goal, received a good long pass and managed to sneak the ball in past Gaunt. Some clinical attacking from Loughborough meant they were now winning 5-3. However, a series of mistakes by Loughborough enabled Molly Pike to score for the home side, allowing Birmingham to close the gap to 4-5. Shortly after, despite the away team seemingly congregating around the goal, Lafferty managed to score her third of the match, and restore parity once more. Birmingham had managed to wrestle back the impetus of the game and Alice

Bruynseels scored to bring them back into the lead to 6-5. Striving for a goal to put the game to bed, Birmingham attacked through Gaunt, who managed to gain possession and threw an amazing pass to Bruynseels who raced towards the Loughborough goal. Birmingham couldn’t score though and lost possession once more in a series of midfield fumbles which looked like costing them dearly as Loughborough stormed up the other end of the pitch with just 12 seconds of the match remaining and equalised. It looked as if the away side had salvaged an unlikely point. That was not to be the case. Birmingham won the restart toss and the ball found itself to the stand out player of the match; Lafferty, who was cynically fouled, gaining a free shot at goal. She dusted herself down, grabbed the ball and converted it with 2 seconds left to play, shooting the ball past

the oncoming Loughborough keeper. The final score was 7-6 in the closest and most dramatic lacrosse match this BUCS season. As Loughborough licked their wounds, Birmingham coach Dave Abini was left delighted with the outcome of the match. ‘We are the ones to beat’ he exclaimed proudly, sentiments which were echoed by co-captain Jamie Lawrence, who noted that prospective lacrosse players want to play Birmingham now because they have dominated the league so far this year. Lafferty was equally positive and insisted that the win ‘more than makes up for last year’s loss against Loughborough in the BUCS final.’ Based on this performance, it seems that the lacrosse crown may be leaving Loughborough and heading to Birmingham. by Jessica Blackburn

The National Student, December 2009

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finishing one second behind Lefley, the new record holder. It was a heated competition between both across all events that they took part in, where Davies went on to take the BUCS record and gold medal in the 100m backstroke, finishing in front of Lefley who took silver with a time of 59.22. The women’s 200m freestyle saw another new record as Clare Dawson of Stirling broke Caitlin McClatchey’s 2005 record by two-hundredths of a second. Alys Thomas representing Swansea came runner up, claiming silver, whilst old record holder McClathey had to settle for bronze. The much decorated Loughborough University added to their collection of BUCS records and Gold medals as Laurent Carnol and Joe Roebuck smashed the 200m breaststroke and 400m Individual Medley records. Carnol completed the 200m breaststroke event in 2.10.51 breaking fellow Loughborough representative Craig

Elliot’s 2007 record. Roebuck was one second short of a personal best in the 400m individual medley but did go on to leave his own BUCS record behind from last year by an incredible improved five seconds. Ben Hockin

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S h e f f i e l d International Ponds Forge arena played host to the BUCS Short Course swimming championships in mid November. In the annual event, which showcases the best swimming talent from across the country’s universities. 1,150 student athletes competed in entertaining races which saw thirteen BUCS records broken. Two of these records were broken twice within the same event; the Women’s 50m backstroke. Over the period of two days Georgina Davies of Swansea swam 28.45 seconds in the heat stages and 27.94 in the final to overhaul Loughborough’s Rachel Lefley’s existing 2008 record, who incidentally competed against her within the event. Lefley, who previously represented team GB at the World University Games in Belgrade this year, then put her heartache from the 50m behind to take the 200m BUCS backstroke record, this time with Davies

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Swimmers smash records in Sheffield

of Loughborough underlined their dominance in the pool breaking the men’s 100m freestyle record in a time of 48.33. Strathclyde’s Robert Renwick captured gold on top of setting a new BUCS record in the 200m Freestyle with a time of 1.43.46. Stirling student Andy Hunter saw his record for the 200m freestyle he set in 2008 broken by Renwick by over a second. Renwick was in good form however, taking the 400m freestyle record on the Sunday with a time of 3.41.32. L o u g h b o r o u g h captured yet another record in the men’s 200m freestyle team event, by breaking University of Bath’s 2007 record in a time of 1.28.52. The men’s 200m medley team then dominantly went on to make it a clean

sweep of records for the Loughborough men’s relay team taking the record in a time 1.38.45. After consistent allday performances, it was time to give out individual honours. The prolific Renwick from Strathclyde won the best male performance with Davies of Swansea taking the honours in the women’s field. The stature and reputation of The BUCS Short Course Championships is continually growing, with student swimmers thriving and enjoying the opportunity to compete at the world class Ponds Forge International arena. Dave Fletcher, BUCS Swimming Sports Management Group Chair and ASA Board Member, was understandably delighted with the weekends events: ‘It is

great to see over 1150 students competing at the BUCS Short Course Swimming Championships. The Short Course Championships provides students with an invaluable opportunity to compete against current and future Olympians and some of the best swimmers in the country. ‘Ponds Forge continues to provide BUCS students with fantastic facilities and we look forward to bringing the BUCS Long Course and BUCS Team Championships 2010 back to Sheffield.’ Whilst the individual successes were claimed by representatives from Strathclyde and Swansea, once again it was Loughborough who stole the show and firmly asserted their dominance within the sport. by Robert Dalling

Leeds Met steal the show in Nottingham Th e U n ivers it y o f Notti ng ha m played host to t he Ba d m i n t o n In divid ua l s o v e r t h e weeken d o f N o v e m b e r 2 0 -22 2 0 0 9 . W i th re co rd e n t ri e s a gai n t h i s y e a r o f 1 2 8 dr a ws i n a l l d i s ci p l i n e s wh i c h i n cl ud e d the

M e n ’s S in g le s , W o m e n’ s S in g le s , M e n ’s D o u b l es, W o m e n ’s D o u b l e s and M i x e d D o u b l e s , i t was the highest entry ever with the most number of m a t c h e s e v e r p la y e d . L e e d s M e t C a r n e g ie proved to be t he d o m i n a n t f o r c e o f t he

w e e ke nd w inning in all f ive d iscip line s in w hat w a s a f a ntastic d isp lay o f skill a nd d iscip line . Only Lo ughb o ro ugh in 1994 ha ve achie ve d this same imp re ssive f e at. Ha rry Wright w o n the d o uble s f o r the f o urth co nse cutive

ye ar w hich ha s b e e n achie ve d p re vio usly i n any e ve nt a nd Wrigh t has no w w o n e igh t title s. This be a ts Do nn a K e llo gg’ s p re vio u s re co rd o f f ive w hilst a t Lo ughbo ro ugh. Lin K e nn f ro m Le e d s M e t C arne gie also w e n t

on e b et t er t h a n l a s t y ea r , wi n n i n g Gol d i n t h e Men ’s Si n g l es , wh i l s t A n i t a R a j Ka u r of L eed s Met C a r n eg i e r et a i n ed h er s i n g l es and d ou b l es t i t l e. C a r n eg i e’s J oa n n e Qu a y wa s a l s o s u c c es s f u l i n t h e wom en ’s d ou b l es

a n d m i x ed d ou b l es . T h e week en d s er v ed t o h i g h l i g h t n ot on l y L eed s Met ’s d om i n a n c e wi t h i n t h e B a d m i n t on f i el d b u t a l s o t h ei r c on t i n u ed rise to p r om i n en c e a c r os s a l l s p or t s . b y To m C l a r k e