Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
EDITOR’S NOTE
Hey everyone, welcome to the second issue of Spaghetti
Junction this academic year! I hope you all enjoyed the Freshers’
edition and that you are ready for another great issue (if I do
say so myself). As ever, we have coverage of all the latest Union
happenings, as well as all the latest music, film and DVD reviews.
For all you avid readers out there, we have a book review for you.
So make sure you check it out, so that when you head down to
Waterstones to pick up whatever it is on your reading list, you will
know what’s hot and what’s not outside of all that ‘academic’ literature! If after all that book
related excitement you are feeling peckish, be sure to check out Natalie’s Cookery Corner
for some cheap and tasty recipe ideas. So, that’s it from me and the team until January
when we shall be back with our Winter special. See you all then!
Roxanne Carmen Hawker
Editor: Roxanne Carmen Hawker
littlemissrox13@hotmail.co.uk
Editor-in-Chief: Jennifer James
union.comms@bcu.ac.uk
Deputy Editor:Natalie Marchant
nataliemarchant@hotmail.com
News, Current Affairs, Features & Student Groups Editor: Georgie Campbell
georgina.campbell@students.bcu.ac.uk
Design & Graphics Co-Editor: Jak Flash
jakflash@rocketmail.com
Design & Graphics Co-Editor: Poppy French
poppy_french@hotmail.co.uk
UP FRONT
Documentary 4
New Street Station 8
Scratch Radio 9
Union News 10
Recycle 12
LGBT 13
Charity 14
Jew Society 15
City North 16
Food Miles 18
FEATURES
Sports 21
Stampede 22
Big Squeeze 24
STUDENT CULTURE
Beauty 27
Fashion on Campus 28
Natalie’s Cookery Corner 30
Student of the Month 32
Study Tips 33
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UP front documentary
that was called The Boot. Then, on the grounds where Milner Court stands, a second shelter was established-
The New Boot. Last December, the shelter was revamped and renamed Milner Court Hostel after the Reverend
who set up the initial shelter.
11 members of staff run the hostel with its 25 bedrooms, which are pretty much always in use. The hostel
allows its residents to stay there for a maximum of 28 days, and provides them with breakfast, an en suite
shower room and kitchen and, I must say in my opinion, the quality of these rooms was far beyond that of
Hamstead Halls. The hostel isn’t just a place to relax and get away from it all though, you’re given a key worker
and provided with help to set up benefits and things in order to get your life back on track.
There are many reasons that people may find themselves staying in a hostel; for Milner Court I was told
common reasons are such things as family breakdowns, people seeking asylum and people released from
custody.
There are restrictions in this hostel though, not just anyone can stay here. They will not admit anyone with
previous arson, sexual or violent offences. Milner Court has established a close bond with the police who will
arrive almost instantly if there is even a hint of trouble.
To get a place in a hostel you first have to attend a meeting in the St. Basil’s Link, which is located near the
Gosta Green campus, and then receive an interview/induction at the hostel.
I feel that the homeless have a stigma attached to them that we aren’t willing to easily investigate or question.
Before writing this article, I had little place in my life for these people and disregarded them as something I didn’t
have time for.
When faced with a homeless person, many of us presume upon first sight how that person may have come
to the position they’re in. Generally, I feel the initial reaction is just to apply excessive drunkenness to loss of
belongings and home, but what we have to remember is that these situations can be very complex and fighting
our personal demons can often be a battle lost without the correct help.
you’re pretty
Affordable housing, unemployment, lack of healthcare, drugs, mental
illness, domestic violence, prison release, natural disaster and eviction
are some of the many reasons that may leave a person without a home,
much a social left to seek refuge upon the streets, in doorways and train stations.
Once the onset of homelessness begins, it can be a dangerous and
outcast, but tragic spiral, with the few hopes you have dwindling away.
On the street, you are without proper healthcare and the nights can be
It is possible for the homeless to take the first step though. There are charities and businesses available that
help the homeless to better their living conditions. The Big Issue for example, is a business that helps the
homeless to raise money for themselves. The homeless have to register and then are given 10 free magazines
to sell. After this free instalment, they have to pay for the magazines which cost 70p and retail at £1.50.
“Because we deal with vendors in a commercial way, we help give them the skills they need to get
on in a commercial world. Our philosophy is to give people ‘a hand up, not a hand out’, and provide
them with a way to earn a legal living and get their lives back together that requires input and hard
work from them.” www.bigissue.com
The Big Issue helps people to help themselves. It’s their starting point to get off the street. Now I myself have
heard Big Issue vendors receiving verbal abuse like ‘Oh, go get a job!’. Well, this is a job! It is near impossible
to get employed without a fixed residence, bank account or legal documents, so this is the only chance people
have to help themselves.
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UP front documentary
I wanted to find out what it was like to be homeless by asking someone who was currently in that position. Not
just anyone though; someone who was making an effort to do something about it. With a brief knowledge of
what the Big Issue does after acquiring the information from their website, I set out in search of a distributor. I
came across the young Daryl Tustin selling the magazine outside of New Street Station. I asked him if I could
interview him and told him I would give him some money for his time. He was willing but keen not to waste
too much time, time that could be spent selling the magazine. I was always sceptical whether anyone actually
brought the BI but sure enough, as I was planning my questions, a woman came over an bought a copy.
into a hostel but there’s never what I mean, saying ‘oh get a job’
no spaces at salvation army like and all that sort of shit, but I’m just
and I’m on a waiting list to get a trying to do my best.
council flat. So you don’t feel you deserve
Does selling the Big Issue help to be treated like that because
you alot? they don’t know anything about
Yea it can help me. If I haven’t got you?
much money one day I’ll like just That’s what I mean, they don’t
go and buy like two copies, that’s know my life’s background. I don’t
like £1.40 and I can make like a want to be doing this but some
couple of pounds, you know what I days it’s my only option to get
mean, just so I can get something some food, but sometimes I can
to eat and that. go to like places to get free meals
How long do you work for? and food and stuff like that. So
I just do it once a week some days I’m alright, but some
sometimes, you know what I days when I get stuck I just fall
mean? Once or twice a week. back to this.
DARYL And how old are you? So it’s good, you are trying to
TUSTIN
So how did you become
I’m 23.
Have you been to school
help yourself, you don’t want to
be homeless:
homeless? before? No, and I’m on a Methadone
I was in a children’s home since I Yea, I did do school. Whilst I was program at the minute. So I’m not
was younger like, and then when in the childrens home they used to doing drugs at the minute. I’m on
I left the home I moved into a get a private teacher to come in. I Methadone yea.
flat, and err I ended up going to did really well at school but I didn’t What drugs were you on, was it
prison and they didn’t pay the rent take my GCSE’s but I can read Heroin?
whilst I was in prison, and I come and write perfect. And I’ve got a Yea, Heroin, yea.
out of prison and I lost my flat forklift licence aswell. Any other drugs besides that?
basically. And since then I’ve been Do you have any plans for the Just crack Cocaine as well. I used
homeless. future? to do that as well.
For what reason did you go to Yea, I want to get a job. I want to How did you get onto that?
prison? start fork lift driving again, but I I started off smoking Cannabis
Because I got involved with drugs just need to get a permenant place when I was younger and then
and that. to live first, before I do that. And I started doing Speed then ecstacy
Do you live in a hostel now? want to get settled down with a girl which led onto Heroin and Crack
No, err, I was in the salvation and that. Cocaine.
army for three days right, like in Is it easy selling the Big Issue? Was it easy to get hold of?
an emergency room but they ain’t Err, not... it is and it ent because Yea, so easy to get hold of. It’s
got no permenant spaces to I had some people come up and give easier to get Heroin than it is to
to move out. But I’m trying to get you a bit of stick, do you know get Cannabis these days.
It seems that drugs are the root cause for Daryl’s homelessness. My previous association with homeless people
and drugs would have put me into the mindset of giving him little pity. We may think that someone who uses
‘smack’ deserves what they get for using such a dangerous and dirty drug. However, after speaking to Daryl,
I realise that he didn’t initially intend to be a Heroin user. He started on speed and ecstasy which are common
place recreational drugs for a number of university students across the country. For whatever reason he felt the
need to try Heroin, he did. It could have been peer pressure, it could have been curiosity. I for one know how
easy it is to accept drugs when people you know are offering them out.
Heroin is an strong drug that creates a physical addiction. It changes the chemicals in your body until it comes
to be that your physical being is reliant on its intake. Holding back from Heroin can create some aggressive
withdrawal symptoms, so it’s not something you can easily quit. It’s a pitfall that many vulnerable people can
easily fall into.
What I did like about Daryl was his personality and his willingness to help himself. He’s out there selling the Big
Issue because he can’t get a job without somewhere to live. The life he leads is not the one he wants. He’s just
a young guy like you and me trying to make his way in the world, however difficult that may be.
6 SPAGHETTI junction
UP front documentary
My next mission was to find someone who’d been homeless and managed to build up a life away from the
street. Luckily I managed to find someone with a direct relevance to the student body; a photography lecturer
named Paul O’Donnel, who works at BIAD. Paul was willing to give me some of his time so he could tell me his
story of how he’d been on the streets, and overcome them.
Paul O’Donnel had no great fears
of living on the streets because he
had a lot of previous rock climbing
experience, that had given him
knowledge on how to sleep rough.
A common spot that he’d taken
to staying in was Hebdon Bridge
Railway Station, which I imagine
was a safer bet than a random
doorway. He did have the option
to stay at his relatives, but with
the grief and guilt that they would
give him about getting a job he
felt pressured, and found that the
streets were more inviting.
This is a problem that we never
really take into account. We all so I was curious to know what All work and no play etc etc.
know how stressful family is and the weather conditions had been Now of course Paul is sat before
sometimes the only option is to like, as he would have had to me in the photography office,
get away from them. Whether it be endure the seasonal variations. eating his sandwich, drinking out
to move out or take to the streets, Luckily for Paul, with his previous of his large Guardian newspaper
there isn’t always someone you rock climbing experience, he had mug, right next to a Mac, so it’s
can fall back on. attained a good quality sleeping a safe bet that he’s no longer
As I speak to him, he jokes and bag that kept him warm so the homeless. I enquire into how it
tells me that the most curious weather was never too much of was that he managed to escape
place he’d ever slept in was a issue. the tumult of the street and return
on the back of a lorry that was For Paul times were different, to society.
carrying large concrete drainage we’re talking 30 years ago here It turns out that back then, public
tubes. When he’d climbed in in when he was about 25 and most baths weren’t uncommon so
order to take refuge, the lorry of us weren’t even born. We all maintaining a level of cleanliness
was stationary and the carriage think we’re strapped for cash now, wasn’t such an issue. After a good
wasn’t attached so it seemed like scrapping away at our loans and scrub, Paul would ‘hang around’
a reasonable shelter. Eventually tunnelling into our overdrafts. Rochdale Art College in North
though, he was awoken by the Well, living on the streets means Manchester. He managed to fix
rumbling of engines as the lorry you have serious financial issues. himself up with an art student and
began to drive away with the Paul would work short jobs on eventually moved into her flat! I
carriage in tow. So with a quick places like farms, and to endure guess this was a lucky break as I
dose of courage, he made his this labour you needed energy. can’t imagine things would turn out
agile dismount from the moving The first thing the farmer would so rosily in today’s judgemental
vehicle. I suppose it’s a key fact to do is feed you. Getting this free society. There’s a man I often see
take into account that when you meal would have been a great sat on the Gosta Green walkway,
have no fixed residence, you don’t benefit. Living without a fridge and there’s no chance I’m inviting
know where you’ll be sleeping and cupboard space means him back to my house!
next and how it is you’re going to you can’t stock up on your local A long time has passed since
be woken up, and what you’ll be supermarket bargains. Paul’s time living on the streets.
faced with when you do. We have After working and gaining a small He works as a lecturer in
to remember that not everyone wage, Paul informed me that the Birmingham City University, he’s
is caring and understanding. If first thing he would do is take managed to secure a family, (and
someone finds you sleeping on his money and go on a ‘bender’ a narrow boat it seems). So all
or in their property, they may not around Manchester. is not lost. Being homeless isn’t
welcome you with open arms. I suppose that if you are living on the end of someone’s life. They
Paul told me that he was on the street, the last thing on your can rejoin society and escape the
the streets all through the year, mind is starting a savings account. stigma of being a bum.
In writing this article, I set out on the task to broaden my own knowledge of the homeless, to give me reason
to give them my time or help. By doing this, I’ve come to the realisation that these people are people too and
no matter how cliché it sounds, we’re all human and deserve equal treatment. Don’t run out and give all your
money to charity, but next time someone asks for help, consider their situation and how much they’re doing to
help themselves and what you can do to help give them the opportunities you’ve had.
SPAGHETTI junction 7
UP front new street station
Well, with over 35 million people travelling through New Street Station every year, it was fair to say
that the place was in need of a good lick of paint. But, boy, they have not stopped there! Birming-
ham City Council, Network Rail, Advantage West Midlands and Centro have all clubbed together
to give our station the £600 million pound makeover that it desperately needs.
The BIG revamp; also known as the Gateway Project is full of new, visionary and breathtak-
ing designs. Chairman of Gateway Funders, Cllr Mike Whitby said: “The Birmingham Gateway,
which will support over 52 million passengers a year, demands a world class architectural vision to
embody the rebirth of New Street Station.’’
The daring reinvention was revealed to Birmingham City passengers in September, including
plans for three high tech digital displays that will mark the main entrances to the station. New
Street station will not be missed that’s for sure!
It is expected to be three times the size it is now, and as if that wasn’t enough; the entire station
will be covered with reflective metal. So finding it is easy, navigating your way around it may be
slightly trickier though.
Not only will it impress the parents when they finally make it up to bring you some home cooked
food, but your mates will be gagging to come back.
This is another string to Brum’s bow in making this city one of the best for its construction and
design achievements out there. The development will also bring economic benefits by creating an
estimated 10,000 new jobs for the people of the city.
Chief executive of Network Rail, Iain Coucher said: “We listened to the people of Birmingham
and made New Street a top priority – with this new design we can be sure of a top class station for
the millions of people who use it every year.”
Maybe going home won’t be such a drag after all? We can now travel in STYLE!
Kirsty Booth
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Scratch radio, the University’s own radio There are various departments withing Scratch:
station will be on air 24/7 starting from early
January. The studio is open for registered Music Department - This department works
volunteers now until December 6th for studio in conjunction with labels, receiving and
training sessions, and to pre record shows reviewing new releases ready to add them to
ready for the launch in January. the studio playlist keeping the station’s music
at the forefront. For more information, contact
Whether presenting, promoting, production emma.nouriel@scratchradio.co.uk or
recruiting, or just spinning some wax is your justin.stainton@scratchradio.co.uk
interest. Scratch is more than welcome for
you to get involved. Also, if your interested in News and Sport - Keeping Scratch up to date
music, radio or working in the music industry, on the latest news regardless of the topic along
by registering with us as a volunteer will prove with all the latest sports.
beneficial to you and will put you in contact sarah.stevenson@scratchradio.co.uk
with other like minded people within the
University and in the business. Promotions/Publicity - Keeping the station in
the public eye, through various mediums. For
Three is the magic number (just like De more info contact jon.price@scratchradio.co.uk
la Soul preached); in order to become a
volunteer. All three departments are keen to work with
new students.
1. Apply for the application form at
studio@scratchradio.co.uk Get Involved if you want to be heard.
2. Complete the application form
3. Return the complete application to
volunteers@scratchradio.co.uk
UP front
UNION
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UP front
UNION
SPAGHETTI junction 11
Illustration: Daisy Whitehouse
UP front recycling
The universities join forces for their common cause... and party!
L e s b i a n G a y B i s ex u a l Tr a n s g e n d e r
BY
Cherie Lyster
COALITION
LGBT
students were lucky enough to have their academic year kicked
off with an innovative, inter-university Freshers night. Coalition, the
organisation behind it saw Birmingham City University’s lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender society join up in partnership with
other Midland’s universities to put on a spectacular night out!
The night began at Glamorous on Hurst Street where LGBT students from across the
Midlands gathered for the event, and they were dressed up military style (that was the
theme). They received free goodie bags and enjoyed exclusive drink promotions and
competitions, with Birmingham City University’s own Dan Porterfield winning a free bottle of
champagne. The party, made up of LGBT Freshers and returning students then moved on
to trendy club Chic, where the students were given free shots at the bar. University rivalries
were left at the door as students from various LGBT societies met strangers and crawled
home with new friends.
The idea of Coalition began within our own LGBT society, with the motivation to create a
more united front for student LGBT societies in the Midlands. For the first time in years,
Midland’s LGBT societies will be working together on campaigns and club nights, this being
the first of many LGBT events to come for Midland’s students. The night was a huge hit
amongst the students who can’t wait for the next event, which is being planned for the end
of November. They can also look forward to workshops and campaigns which will be taking
place throughout the year.
As a united group of Student LGBT associations and societies in the Midlands, Coalition
2008; whether it be for partying or campaigning, promises to be a force to be reckoned
with.
Facebook group: Coalition Birmingham
SPAGHETTI junction 13
UP front charity
A HUNDRED
CUP CAKES LATER...
Chocolate
cupcakes,
fairy cakes, rice
crispie cakes and
carrot cakes...I can only
be talking about one
thing- oh yes, the coffee
afternoon held on behalf of
Macmillan Cancer support.
Monday 27th October hosted
the most successful coffee
afternoon that has ever been
held at the TIC. In one afternoon,
we raised £200, from the sale of
cakes and beverages! We are very
grateful to all those who participated
and were generous enough to contribute.
Margaret Mulhall, who holds the fort at the TIC and Gosta
Green Student Union offices approached me about getting involved
in this. At first, I just liked the idea of being involved in something and
meeting new people. However, after doing some research I realised
what this task meant. It meant Macmillan’s could have a greater chance
of sustaining its unfailing support of cancer patients and families;
from funding nurses to holding conferences that inform about cancer.
I committed a lot of time making up mini leaflets and baking cupcakes.
Avi Sehmi, Edna Bates and Graham Gambin all donated cakes to the event
where Lewis Read, Kat Harris and myself served cakes and beverages for
donations. A lot of people had a personal interest in the charity for the work they
do. Before the day was over, I was made aware how important our collective was.
I have every confidence that the effort was worth it and I would
encourage people to get involved with volunteering. I know that for me,
this has been one of the prominent highlights of my university life so far.
It is a great way to extend your social network, hosting skills that sometimes
go unnoticed, learning new ones and in doing so benefiting worthy causes.
If you do want to get involved, contact the Students’ Union, there are loads of things that
you can do. Doing new things and growing as a person are part of the university experience, and
volunteering goes beyond this as it allows you to have a positive impact on somebody else’s life.
Mica Castillo
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UP front jew society
SPAGHETTI junction 15
Pictures: Caron Taplin
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UP front food miles
Enough of statistics though, as aspects of the catering industry. for the market; the current site has
what do they actually mean to The food suppliers have seen become more difficult to update
us students? Most of us feel that many changes in the habits of with recent consumer changes.
we need to be more responsible consumers. It goes without saying So, the market will move to a new
for the environment, whether it’s that we now do most of our site with better composting, water
by joining in with Birmingham shopping in supermarkets, and and waste management systems.
City Students’ Union recycling we now prefer our meat cut off If you visit the Bullring market,
campaign, or taking the bus rather the carcass in portioned pieces. you will find produce from the
than driving. But how many of Believe it or not, this has helped to wholesale market on sale. The
you have considered the notion reduce food waste. For example, produce is more reasonably priced
that what you eat affects the lamb from New Zealand is now than the supermarkets. Although
environment? I wanted to know if being sent over cut off the carcass supermarkets are often branded
my theories about people’s buying and vacuum packaged, meaning enemies to the green consumer,
habits were on target, so I headed more food for consumption can be with the excess of packing and
down to Birmingham Wholesale sent over. rejecting of more organic shaped
Market to meet up with Simon The market also recycles. For fruit and veg, it is still possible
Hughes to investigate further. example, for the products that to buy seasonal and often local
Birmingham Wholesale Market is a come in Polystyrene, the packing produce.
21 acre site of Pershore Street, in can be reused or it can be turned So, whether you care about
the centre of Birmingham. In 1974, in to briquettes, used in insulation. the environment or not, changing
the market opened to trade in Also, all the pallets through- out your attitude towards food and
meat, fish, poultry, fruit, vegetables the market are constantly reused your eating habits could save you
and flowers. The market and then sold back into the some pounds whilst giving the
provides goods for greengrocers, industry. environment a little boost as well.
butchers, restaurants, and all I was also told of the new plans
SPAGHETTI junction 19
ADVERT
Pictures: Poppy French
SPAGHETTI junction 21
Features stampede
The plains of Broad Street were open, and everyone was off
on the prowl. However hunting wasn’t on the mind of every
fresher; tigers were drinking with rabbits, lions were sharing
watering holes with the lambs, we were certainly a serene
bunch! But with the drinks starting to flow, the roars and
howls could be heard all over Broad Street as the sold out
Stampede made its way up to Dragon Eye, the home of the
Student Unions’ Wednesday’s are Great. Here you furry lot
pranced and preened in three rooms of fabulous tunes, the
favourites for the animals! After such a grrrreat, evening we
must say the biggest animal thanks to the stewards. The top
steward being Elgan Hughes who got a free ipod & the worst
steward Jodie Gibney who got a wooden spoon. With fur
beginning to fade, there were certainly more than two sleepy
beavers out, we all headed home, back to holes, nests and
hutches for a well deserved rest.
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Features stampede
24 SPAGHETTI junction
Features big squeeze
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ADVERT
M
Student Culture beauty
O kay, so not only have those wild nights during Freshers’ (together with somewhat excessive binge drinking)
taken their toll on our skin - but we now have to face up to the facts. British weather is getting greyer (if that’s
possible) and with autumn round the corner our skin craves a little TLC!
But girls (and boys for that matter), don’t lose all hope just yet. We have hugely appealing tips to
retain moisture for chicks on the move! We could just sit back and blame the weather or Mother
Nature – but wisen up kids!
Central heating and air conditioning.
These may be technological marvels but they’re dermatological disasters! We are
often unaware of just how much moisture is drawn out of the air and our skin as we
resort to central and air conditioning to keep us warm.
Too much ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’!
When it comes to retaining moisture within your skin, water can appear to
be the enemy. Inside your skin it keeps the cells plump and moist, but it has
Moisture
the opposite effect when you are met with it on the surface. Stripping your
skin’s natural oils whilst believing you are ‘deep’ cleansing is a common
mistake. Even if you suffer from the odd nasty spot it is important to retain
a comfortable moisture balance so aim to get ‘soap free’ products.
Maniac!
Using a PH balanced face wash will maintain your skin’s natural
oils while removing dirt and impurities. Ensure you use warm
water as hot water will take away the skin’s natural moisture.
Increase your water intake. This is the most important and
cheapest way to stay hydrated and it keeps your hangovers at
bay! We are expected to consume at least two litres of water
per day, and with the typical student’s busy day to day lifestyle,
juggling social activities with education, surely we would need
to consume more? And if you use radiators to keep warm, then
a bowl of water will soak up the heat instead of leaving it all to
your skin to soak up!
Skin around the eyes is the most delicate and is often the first
place to collect fine lines and, much to our disappointment the
area that reveals tiredness and exhaustion.
Using eye creams is essential this month and will ensure the
area causes no discomfort.
Top Tip: Mix a little eye cream with your favorite concealer and
apply around the eyes. This will give you a natural coverage
leaving the eye area hydrated for longer (even in attempting to
cover up last night’s drunken antics/ facing a hangover during
the following morning lecture!)
We’re more than a month in now and you crazy cats are still parading down the
catwalk we call university life, and that’s what we like to see! This issue we’ve
hunted down some of the fashionable folk from Birmingham’s Institute of Art and
Design at Gosta Green. So people, feast your eyes on this sauve of students and
maybe next time you’ll find yourself amongst these colourful pages.
Amy Amy
Fashion Design Studies at BIAD
Glasses- D&G Dress- Punk Shop
Jacket- Charity Shoes- Punk Shop
Top- H&M Top- H&M
Trousers- H&M Scalf- H&M
Shoes- H&M
If you need your
Amy happens room redesigning
to be a culinary don’t worry, call
genius with Sushi as in Amy, she’s
her speciality! on speaking
terms with Kevin
McCloud from
Grand Designs!
Gina Lisa
Studies at BIAD Studies at BIAD
Dress- Miss Selfridge Scalf- Market
Top- Topshop Jeans- H&M
Shoes- Office Jacket- Charity
Scalf- Market Top- Charity
28 SPAGHETTI junction
Student Culture fashion on campus
Stewart Daniel
Studies at BIAD Illustration
Shirt- River Island Top- Topman
Jeans- H&M Shirt- Topman
Trainers- Schu Jeans- Topman
Shoes- Converse
Stewart wouldn’t
shave his head Beam him up
for less than Scotty because
£1m. Sounds like Daniel loves to
someone’s in need draw Sci-fi!
of a reality check!
June Linda
Fashion Fashion
Shirt- H&M Hat- Taiwan
Skirt- China Top- Forrina
Shoes- China Jacket- China
Jeans- All Saints
And you thought Shoes- J.U.S.T.
Poppy and Jak
were sleepy Noodle bars watch
beavers, well June out. Linda’s not
can sleep for 16 picky she likes all
hours! the noodles she can
get her hands on!
Antony William
Visual
Communication Studies at BIAD
Hat- Topman Coat- Debenhams
Jacket- Topman Trousers- Topman
Top- Topman Trainers- Hong Kong
Jeans- Topman Jumper- TK Maxx
Shoes- Converse
William doesn’t like
Antony’s a talented to see food go to
young fellow, waste, he’ll even
with the ability eat the chicken’s
to down a pint in feet!
three seconds.
That’s quite an
achievement!
SPAGHETTI junction 29
Student Culture natalie’s cookery corner
You’ll need:
1 3 pounds potatoes
2 water to cover
3 125ml to 175ml milk
4 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
5 3/4 teaspoon salt
6 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Peel the potatoes and cut into large chunks. Boil water in saucepan, and put ¾ of the teaspoon salt in the water.
Cook the potatoes in boiling water with a lid for 15-20 minutes until they’re tender. Drain the potatoes. Mash in a
large mixing bowl until no lumps remain. Add milk in small amounts, beating each time, until correct consistency.
Add the butter, ¼ teaspoon salt, and pepper, beating until mashed potatoes are light and fluffy.
Makes enough mashed potatoes for 6 to 8 people.
30 SPAGHETTI junction
Picture: Jak Flash
Student Culture natalie’s cookery corner
Flapjacks
Flapjacks are very quick to make and satisfying for any sweet tooth. Below is the basic recipe, but of course you
can experiment and put in nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips if you fancy!
1 225g Rolled Oats
2 75g Brown Sugar
3 3 Tablespoons (75g) Golden Syrup
4 100g Margarine
Here’s how you do it:
Put the oven onto 180 degrees and grease
a baking tray. Mix the margarine, sugar and
golden syrup and heat gently in a saucepan.
Once the mixture has melted, pour in the oats
and stir. Then place mixture into the baking tray
and press down firmly to ensure all the mixture will be stuck
together. Cook in the oven for around 20-25 minutes. Take out the oven and let it harden a bit. Then cut it into
sections before it completely cools. When cool remove from the tin and eat!
SPAGHETTI junction 31
Picture: Poppy French
Student Culture student of the month
How are you finding the course, and do you feel it’s helping you to develop your
skills?
I’m really enjoying the course as a whole- considering the fact that it wasn’t a course
that I initially considered, I think it has definitely worked out
to be the best course for me. The tutors really encourage
you to push your work further, and to incorporate different
disciplines within your own work, which I think has
really helped me push my skills forward and helped
me to develop my ideas.
32 SPAGHETTI junction
Picture: Jak Flash
Student Culture study tips
Essential Study Tips for the Modern Day Student
So, we’ve realised by now that things are changing. No more do students lock themselves away in dark and
dusty rooms for three years with their heads buried in an old leather-bound book. Oh no, times have changed
and so must we.
Of course, I’m not condemning books, far from it! Books should be every student’s best friend. But choosing
the right book, learning to skim read and effectively summarise can prove challenging at the best of times. So
here goes... essential tip of the day: read the ‘contents’ page. It may sound simple, but believe it or not, most
students pick books solely by their title or blurb.
Academic books and journals are not written in a confusing way on purpose, but after combining several
studies it would be hard to summarise the entire book in a two paragraph blurb on the back cover. Reading the
introduction and conclusion can normally give you an idea what the article or study is about, avoiding wasted
time reading something that is totally irrelevant.
Effective studying can make the ideal student, but how do we go about retaining the information? Does
the answer lie within your diet? Actually, yes! Believe it or not, what we eat does affect our memory. So, tip
number two: eat fresh fruit and vegetables. I know, I know, you don’t want to be nagged at to eat healthily, but
it will honestly affect your studying. Dark green, leafy and root vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots and sweet
potatoes are especially good for you.
If the green fingered approach is not your thing, whole grains (such as brown basmati rice or oats and rye)
oily fish (such as sardines or mackerel) or even eggs have been proven to give your memory a boost. You’ll by
wishing you’d paid more attention to this advice when sitting in an exam with “writer’s block”. So get down to
your local supermarket and stock that fridge!
So we’ve got the body and brain sorted, but what about group work? This is a tricky one. You either like or
you hate it. But there are ways to work through it without tearing out your hair. If you prefer individual work, it
will help to divide the group into sections. Working on a single section will allow some individual work, whilst
collating together as a group for the overall project.
If you are the complete opposite and prefer to work in groups, you will of course suffer on individual
assignments. To conquer this... talk to a classmate about your work. Getting advice from someone else
provides similar support as in a group.
With these tips in tow, everyone can become the “Student Idol”. Eating healthily and reading the correct
material may seem simple but it will help. So, armed with essential tips, you will overcome anything your course
can throw at you. Georgie Campbell
SPAGHETTI junction 33
Picture: Alis Pelleschi
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Words & Picture: Jak Flash
Kneale Brown
A child in the eyes of the Lord
Solo artist Kneale Brown takes it as it comes. He’s During his performance, Kneale stopped to talk to
not seeking fame or money, he seems to be in it for his listeners. It was already personal with us sitting
the music alone. He’s studying Music Tech, which he so close but still Kneale persists in reminding us that
doesn’t see as being a course that will throw him into he’s human, just like the rest of us and he’s here to
the music industry and believes if it does happen, it’ll share the music. He discarded the microphone and
be purely by accident. To him, a degree is more like preformed directly and if anything, it increased the
an experience, not something that necessarily puts vitality of his melodic ballads.
you into a career. He’s under no delusions about his He started singing at school and was asked to join
future and it’s this honesty and openness that makes a band by his friends when he was 14, which is where
him so inviting. he learnt to play guitar. Clearly with time and practice
In the expanse that is Bar42, Kneale played to a his talent progressed, bringing a new perspective to
small crowd, strumming away at his guitar, playing a variety of music. He used to like a lot of 60s bands
something he calls ‘acoustic pop’, although from the like The Doors but, since coming to university, his
lyrics and the intensity he brings across in his voice, taste has deviated into the works of processed beats
it’s clearly something deeper. from the likes of Aphex Twin and Björk, leaving us
With the crowd spread across the room, Kneale with the artist that he is today.
calls everyone in telling them to bring their chairs, He took a year out before coming to Birmingham
making the whole set a lot more personal. He’s got a City University and played an assortment of gigs with
great vocal range and it’s clear he’s dedicated to the Indie and function bands, whilst managing as many
music as it rides through him. We see him briefly lift short or free college courses that he could.
off his seat, carried away by the momentum of the He believes not that music should be free, but
music and, playing his new song Fresh brings the that the artist should really work for what they earn.
tempo of the music up. He’s currently recording it with Instead of paying a great expense for an album,
a guy called Sidney Kabul from the Conservatoire, Kneale would prefer to give you his music for you to
and hopefully it’ll be released onto his Myspace in enjoy.
coming months. It’s definitely something to look out
for. www.myspace.com/knealebrown
SPAGHETTI junction 35
Arts & Entertainment live review
“ See that
girl over
there? She’s
been to
every single
TheBeggars
gig we’ve
played this
tour.
She’s made us a new hearty set full of old and new song as intricate as Leonard
fan page and all...” Well, gems. Their new material, Cohen’s The Future and not
with fans like that, this such as Mays Lane, is fail miserably is a result
band really must have more mature and that most could not
something. What’s more is reflective, achieve – yet they
that they appreciate their showing the do, and they
fans and their devotion. audience truly make it
Wednesday 8th October t h a t their own,
was a fine night for the there’s replacing
Carling Bar Academy. a lot to Cohen’s
Reading-based Indie band, c o m e gravelly
Beggars, had arrived in from the voice with
Birmingham. The quartet band – Girdlers.
have supported no less having T h e i r
than The Courteeners, b e e n Myspace
Babyshambles, and Joe together page lists a
Lean and the Jing Jang for less than mountain of
Jong at different points three years, but influences from
this year, and (at the time having known each Buffalo Springfield to
of writing) are currently other since childhood. The Kinks via the likes of
on their own 21 day This bond can be seen The Beatles, The Libertines
headlining tour of the UK through their performance; and Bowie. Through this,
that culminates at London’s Jamie Girdler along with they’ve managed to forge
100 Club mid October. his brother Justin and the their own completely
There wasn’t as large of a two Dan’s -Webb and Starr, natural sound that is like a
turnout as one could have showcase songs about love, breath of fresh air on the
expected for these boys, life, drugs and politics... competitive indie scene.
who have played to sold- that they make somehow Oh, and just to top it
out crowds across the tie together into anecdotes off, they’re all good
country, but this was not that you don’t want to end. looking! A recipe for
going to stop them from “Lost in thoughts of past success? I think so...
putting on a blinder of a set. regrets, scattered thoughts You’ll be hearing more
There was an air of mystery and cigarettes/making plans of Beggars soon,
in the room, as the band, you forget” introduce the trust me on this one.
who don’t behave song Someday too Soon Find their blog on http://www.
like most other and have a sort of youngmodsforgottenstory.
rising talents melancholy grace, blogspot.com and
on the scene, compared with the more information on
quietly took catchy lyrics of You their myspace page,
to the stage and Me, one of www.myspace.com/
and then their older tunes. beggarsband
gave the After all, a band Natalie Marchant
audience a who can cover a
36 SPAGHETTI junction
Arts & Entertainment live review
THOU
SHALT
NOT
F**K
WITH
THIS
AKALA
When a gig starts at 7:00 p.m, and at 7:00 p.m you are the only one there-and I mean the only one
there, you get a little bit worried. I’m talking like I wasn’t just first in the queue, I was the queue! Luckily
for me (and Akala’s ticket sales I guess), more people arrived, the doors opened and I was in, out of the
cold and wet! This was my second Akala gig and my first time at the Bar Academy, part of the Carling
Academy family. The man himself wasn’t due on stage until 9:30p.m so there was a bit of time to kill.
Luckily, there was a DJ on stage to keep the crowd entertained. I say luckily, what I actually mean is the
man was awful! I have no idea who he was but I think I could have done a better job! It’s like dude, learn
LIVE
how to use the decks and you might get somewhere! As fun as it was listening to a bad DJ, myself and
my fellow Akala fan Caroline decided that now was a really good time to go to Macdonalds. I have to
say, in my whole life, I have never been so happy to see that big yellow ‘M’. After filling up on fries and
milkshakes, we headed back to the BA where thankfully, the DJ was almost done. Time for the support
act-a rapper named Sincere, who, I’ll be honest, I felt was anything but. He had some talent, but he was
nothing special. Maybe I felt like that because I was comparing him to Akala...who knows?
When Mr not so Sincere in my opinion sauntered off the stage, I felt like I was going to burst
from sheer excitement! I knew what was coming next, the Shakespeare of the urban world... Akala! As
the comparisons with Shakespeare suggest, this man is legendary. The crowd went crazy the second
he stepped onto the stage. He performed tracks from his current mixtape (The War Mixtape Vol II),
some of which were updated versions of his earlier work, like Roll Wid Us (featured on the Kidulthood
soundtrack). Another highlight of the night was Bit by Bit, a track taken from his second album Freedom
Lasso. He performed it acoustically which was a beautiful thing to witness. Also on the playlist were
Electro Livin, Bulls**t and Freedom Lasso, all songs which get the crowd going, as well as a few
freestyles thrown in for good measure. Then, the track that proves why he is referred to as Shakespeare,
Comedy Tragedy History, where he incorporates all the titles of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as quotes
from them. If that isn’t lyrical genius then I don’t know what is. His set had flown by, and I loved every
minute of it. The last song of the evening was (of course) Shakespeare, one of my favourite Akala tracks,
and with good reason. As amazing as Akala is, he is still very much an underground artist and I have
no idea why. He is, by far one of the most talented rappers the UK has ever produced, if not the most
talented. All of the self proclaimed greatest rappers could learn a few things from him...as the man says
himself ‘Thou shalt not f**k with this’! Roxanne Hawker
SPAGHETTI junction 37
Arts & Entertainment album reviews
ALBUM REVIEWS
Shakespeare said that music was the food of love…here at Spaghetti Junction,
we say that music is the reason why Shakespeare said that. Clever, I know. Here
are some of the latest album releases reviewed, just for you, enjoy!
ASHANTIthe vault
After three platinum selling albums, Ashanti returned this year with her
fourth album that has struggled to reach gold status, never mind produce a
hit single. With The Declaration being labelled a flop, it could be said that
her new release is the label’s way of countering their losses, as The Vault
is a collection of unreleased tracks the former R&B sensation recorded
during her early years; otherwise known as 2001 when Murder Inc. were
still called Murder Inc. and people still bought Ashanti’s albums. The old
recordings have been revamped as they have been paired with present day
beats, created by some of the hottest new producers. Kidd Kold produces
the majority of the album, adding irresistible, exciting beats, but the highlight
comes from the single Let’s Do Something Crazy which was produced by
newcomer Migs. It must be said that The Vault does contain some hidden
gems, but it’s sad that Ashanti has to turn to recordings from her once golden
era to keep her in the charts.
OASISdig out your soul Liam, Noel, Gem and Belly are back with their 7th studio album Dig Out Your
Soul, along with new drummer Chris Sharrock (let’s see how long this one
lasts!) They appear to have ventured towards a more psychedelic, slightly
electronic, electric guitar and heavy drum lead sound you would expect to
hear from Kasabian and, at times, The Chemical Brothers’ lighter stuff. The
cynics may laugh this album off, but it’s a step in a different direction. Bag
It Up, a song that will be recognisable for the lyrics: “got my heebijeebies
in a little bag”...whatever that means, is definitely good. Watch out for I’m
Outta Time, a song which took Liam Gallagher a self proclaimed nine years
to write, in dedication to the memory of John Lennon. Overall, this is a
respectable return to form from the Mancunians, with eight out of 11 tracks
being worthy, the boys are a definite Oasis in the desert that is the music
world... 4/5 Ash James
38 SPAGHETTI junction
Arts & Entertainment DVD reviews
DVD REVIEWS
There is nothing better than completely ignoring your university work and settling
down with a good DVD. With that in mind, Joel Harley has reviewed some of the
latest DVD releases. Although, be warned, he seems to hate Family Guy...
THE HAPPENING
Marky Mark Whalberg talks to a potted plant. A plastic one
at that. People start to commit suicide because Mother
Nature and her plants tell them to through the means of
some chemical or something. Zooey Deschanel looks
bewildered (and a bit stoned) throughout. And a man feeds
himself to a lawnmower.
Yes, the worst movie of 2008 is now on DVD! M Night
Shyamalan’s The Crappening manages to out-terrible his
entire back catalogue (including the one in the village and
the one with the fish lady), with 90 minutes of idiocy, bad
acting and ineptitude on all fronts.
Pretty much everything here is awful, the only redeeming point being its unintentionally comic undertones.
Seriously, there are some hilarious moments in this film. If you really hate yourself (and I’m talking an intense
self loathing), buy the two disc special edition, which includes an extended cut.
I don’t know about Mother Nature, but this film sure made me want to kill myself. 0/5
FAMILY GUYseason 7
Yes, they recomissioned it again. Season seven of
everyone’s favourite Simpsons rip-off arrives on DVD, as
original as ever. Sorry, did I say original? I meant faux-
offensive, unfunny and stupid.
I could summarise some episodes, but the plots are
interchangeable really, and just a collection of repetitive
non-sequitors. There’s nothing particularly new, just a slew
of the same old “remember that one time…” jokes, mostly
without punch lines, and a reliance on FAT MAN FALL
DOWN FAST and I REMEMBER THAT FROM THE 80s
stuff, all served up with a side order of bad characterisation
and extra servings of Seth Macfarlane’s horrible ‘acting’. There is also an evil baby with an ‘British’ accent,
as well as a dog that can talk (and drive and read and write...) More of the same then. If you liked the first six
seasons, then you’ll like this. Incidentally, this gets one star simply because it isn’t American Dad. Don’t get me
started… 1/5
SPAGHETTI junction 39
Arts & Entertainment film reviews
FILM REVIEWS
Wondering what’s hot and what’s not at the cinema? We have reviewed some of
the latest releases to hit the silver screen! So, happy viewing-but don’t blame us
if your popcorn is stale, we just review the films not the cinema!
40 SPAGHETTI junction
Arts & Entertainment theatre & book review
BLOOD BROTHERS
Blood brothers are two males related by birth, or men
who aren’t related by birth, who swear loyalty to one
another. The musical tells a story revolving around
twins who were separated at birth. The twins’ different
backgrounds take them to the opposite ends of the
social spectrum, one becoming an Oxbridge graduate
and the other ending up on the dole. With a twist of
fate, the brothes become best friends and both fall in
love with the same girl. Ultimately, this conflict leads
to their tragic death.
The mother of the twins, Mrs Johnstone, was played
by Niki Evans who was the runner up of last year’s
X Factor. She had a fantastic voice and an amazing
stage presence. She also had a very convincing
scouse accent even though she’s actually from
Birmingham. Niki played the part excellently and
you could really empathise with her character. The
musical was also humorous throughout which
actors who played the twins, switched flawlessly from
complimented the dramatic storyline. They even made
hyperactive children to troubled adults and had such
a joke about the fact they’d used the same actor for
good chemistry that you would actually believe they
the milk man and the doctor.
were brothers. The narrator worked well alongside the
Blood Brothers had a justified standing ovation.
storyline, flittering around the characters as though
However, I wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t like
he was a conscience or a shadow. I wasn’t however,
loud bangs, or if you know the story well and aren’t
overly impressed with his singing voice.
accustomed to change as the ending is apparently
I didn’t know the storyline before seeing Blood
different to the play. I also felt it was quite abrupt to
Brothers at the Hippodrome. This made me a
finish, which spoiled the atmosphere, but overall I
bit apprehensive about it, but I thought it was
think it’s a musical that is definitely worth watching.
well performed and you could easily relate to the
Kirsty Dronfield
characters which made it even more moving. The
42 SPAGHETTI junction
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