the Medwire

Exclusive: The
dangers of drag
racing exposed
March - May 2013
Is Medway a
student town?
P10
P8 - 9
PLUS: SUMMER PARTY RETURNS
P4
Conman preys
on students
P6
Whats Inside?

4 - 6 Campus News
7 Your Uni Updates
8 - 9 A Student Town?
10 Drag Racing
12 - 13 Mental Health
14 Work Experience
15 Medders Profile
16 Whats On?
17 Student Cafes
18 - 19 - Sports
Who does what?
Editor: Jem Collins
Deputy: Kieran Watkins
Deputy: Matt Charles
News Editors:
Campus: Clarissa Place
Local: Michelle Gleaves
Politics: Molly Pike
Sport: Uzoma Jemade
Nightlife: Ola Ojuko
Comment: Jade Edwards
Staff:
Cecily Snowball
Jasmin Sahota
Cian Hodge
Lianne Carpenter
Katie Palmer
Alex Norman
Victoria Polley
Stine Wannebo
The Medwire Student
Media Limited is a
non profit company
with all capital used
to produce free
and independent
student news and
entertainment. We
aim to report events,
both on an off
campus, accurately,
contemporaneously
and are staffed by
volunteer students.
the Medwire
W
elcome back to the Medwire and
our second edition of the year.
Were even more excited about
this one than last time and weve tried to
cram in as much stuf as possible to see
you through until the Easter holidays.
Theres big news going down at the
Medway campus this term, so weve
expanded campus news to four pages.
If youve been keeping an eye on our
website, youll already know that UMSA
is disbanding next year and weve done a
whole investigation into the situation for
students at the Medway campus. Theres
some great news about events though and
were pleased to reveal that the Medway
Summer Party is set to return and some
great cinema discounts for students.
Weve also done an exclusive
investigation into the dangerous world of
drag racing in Medway, the state of mental
health services on the campus and where
exactly is the best place in Medway to go
for a quick cuppa and a cake if youre on a
budget.
Youll still fnd all of our regular features,
sports news and a guide to all the events
happening this term and weve pinned
down Marcus Marsh, head of Medway
Amateur Dramatics, to tell us all their
plans. Whether youre a Kent, Greenwich or
CCCU student youll fnd a dedicated news
section for you and theres loads more on
our website.
If you havent yet checked out our shiny
new website then make sure you do - well
be updating it daily will all the latest news.
Once again its just left for me to say
thank you to the fantastic team I have
behind me whove helped to produce
our best edition yet and I couldnt be
more proud. If you have any comments or
suggestions do let us know - wed love to
hear your feedback.
Jem Collins
Editor
Want to join us?
Were always on the lookout for new
people to join our team - whether youre
looking to get involved as a writer, are a
dab hand at photography or think youd
be good at selling adverts we want to hear
from you!
To get involved, or just to fnd out a bit
more infomation visit us online or email
the editor at jemcollins@live.co.uk
For all the latest news and updates from
the Medway campus just scan the QR
code to get straight onto our website!
Find us online
www.themedwire.co.uk
Twitter: @the_medwire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
themedwire
Campus News
Just because were a small campus doesnt mean there isnt loads going on. Campus
News Editor Clarissa Place and her team have rounded up all the latest gossip.
theMedwire.co.uk 5 theMedwire.co.uk 4
Summer party is set to return
The Medway Campus Summer
Party will return to Coopers this
year with a promise that it will be
bigger and better, The Medwire
can exclusively reveal.
Last years event was held at
Coopers and featured live music,
food and plenty of sunshine.
It was also widely heralded as
a success by students from all
three universities on the Medway
Campus.
Looking to succeed on last
years event, Coopers manager
Gareth Gay, music student
and Kent Union Vice President
(Activities) candidate Jack
McDonnell and Activities Ofcer
Clarissa Place will be organising
the festivities.
Talking about the plans for
this years party, Clarissa Place
said: We are hoping to make
the event bigger and better than
the previous year, hopefully with
more societies able to take part.
The event is for students from
all the universities on campus to
celebrate the end of term and
hopefully theyll come down
whatever the weather.
The summer party is expected
to take place on Saturday, May 18
(to be confrmed in the next few
weeks) and will include 12 hours
of live bands and DJs throughout
the day.
The theme is set to be Exam
Buster to celebrate the end of
exams.
New additions to the party
this year will include a planned
marquee allowing for bands to
play outside, as well as various
showcases and displays from the
campus societies.
The popular Coopers BBQ and
cocktail bar will also return, with
a range of drinks deals to be
revealed closer to the event.
Coopers will also be hoping
to provide a range of summer
themed refreshments, including
ice cream.
A motion to charge students
to go to the event has, however
been scrapped, The Medwire
understands.
A consultation meeting for the
Summer Party is scheduled to
take place later this month, with
more details to be released in the
coming weeks.
Make sure to keep an eye on
The Medwire online to fnd out
more details.
by Kieran Watkins
Deputy Editor
LEFT AND ABOVE:
Students of the
Universities of
Medway enjoy
the sun at the
highly successful
Summer Party.
Calls for more health events
Medway Council should promote
more health events says Tomasz
Kompf, one half of the Medway
Health Challenge team.
Alongside fellow Sports
Management student Agnieszka
Uba, the pair invited local sports
groups and nutritionists to
share their knowledge about
health and ftness as part of their
coursework. But Tomasz would
like the day to have a long term
efect.
Tomasz said: There should be
more events such as this one as
Medway has one of the highest
obesity rates in the whole of UK.
It would also help if Medway
Council would be more willing to
support such initiatives.
The third year students present-
ed a Healthy Lifestyle exhibition
where visitors could relax, have a
massage or refexology treatment
and speak to Gillingham Football
Club, Medway Dragons Wheel-
chair Rugby and others.
The pair were helped out by
students and societies, with
Capoeira proving popular with
young children.
Tomasz added: Peoples
awareness of sport and nutrition
should be reinforced all the time
by understanding what a healthy
lifestyle is.
Approximately 100 people at-
tended the event at Brompton
Academy on Saturday, March 2.
by Clarissa Place
Campus News Editor
ABOVE:
Agnieszka Uba
and Tomasz
Kompf
Students to hold
fine art exhibition
Seven second-year students
will see their collective artwork
feature in a new exhibition this
month.
The Fine Art students from the
University of Kent have collabo-
rated together on the project,
called Twice in the Same River,
which looks at the development
and change of the River Medway
over time.
The installation will focus on
Chathams Sun Pier, from its col-
lapse to its revival as an up-and-
coming art venue, where the
students work will feature.
The installation by the students
is one of three exhibitions at the
Sun Pier House complex, which
will be fully refurbished later this
year, and is part of the pARTici-
pate Medway campaign.
Talking about the event, the
students said: Translating the
event to inform the viewer in an
immersive and interactive experi-
ence that plays with the senses,
the installation hopes to pay
homage to the collapse and par-
ticipate the audience in a journey
through time.
A private view of the work will
take place on Monday, March 18
from 6pm to 10:30pm. The exhibi-
tion will then be open to the
public on Tuesday, March 19 from
10am to 5pm.
A second exhibition, run by the
Playground collaborative will also
be running at the same time.
The seven students who will
feature in the exhibition are Tom
Pilcher, Sophie Brown, Caitlin Hy-
att, Julia Moyes, Victoria OBrien,
Claire Orme and Stephanie
Rondel.
For more information visit
the groups Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/twi-
by Kieran Watkins
Deputy Editor
Cinema discount at Medway
Medway students can beneft from
cheap cinema tickets at the Odeon
thanks to Rochester Film Society.
The group, set up fve years ago
by Nick Walker, an ex-student at
the University of Westminster,
hosts weekly meetings every
Thursday, which students
are welcome to attend for no
membership fee.
Nick said: We are trying to create
a flm culture in the local area
and then sustain it by producing
special regular events in the local
area that people of all ages might
enjoy.
It is a great opportunity for
students to see flms that often
dont get a theatrical release
locally, so rather than traveling to
Canterbury or London they can see
flms at their local cinema.
Students receive a special two
for one deal when attending the
Rochester Film Society showing
and a valid student card is all that
is needed, to bag tickets at just
3.25 each.
Their showing of Les Miserables
was attended by actress Isabelle
Allen who played young Cosette,
with viewers treated to a Q&A with
some of the flms extras.
Nick said: There is always an
introduction to the flms followed
by a post-screening discussion
over a drink so again students can
get a context to the flm and have
the opportunity to share their
thoughts.
The societies committee costs
1 to join and all members are
part of the process to decide the
programme.
You can sign up to the
newsletter and join the Facebook
page for more details on further
screenings.
by Clarissa Place
Campus News Editor
ABOVE:
The Rochester
FilmSociety
Uni Roundups
We all live quite happily alongside each other, but that doesnt mean we dont care
about our own university. Lianne Carpenter and Matt Keeble have all the latest.
Medway Committee
President Elected
Medway students have voted to elect their
second committee president, Matt Keeble.
He will succeed current president Nick Dufy in
the next academic year.
The Medwire has taken this opportunity to
let the new man on the block introduce himself,
and provide a mugshot!
You may or may
not have heard
that Medway has
a new Student
Committee
President, well
either way you
have heard it
now and Im that new guy.
If you havent heard about this role before
what I will be up to (with the help of the student
committee who will be elected in September)
is representing Medway students in Kent Union
meetings, and making sure we get the changes this
campus truly needs.
I have been studying on this campus for three
years (two years studying and one working at Kent
Business School) so I know that this campus does
have its issues, however this new role will allow us
as students to have the power and representation
to lobby the university and improve things.
Im sure you are all aware that it will take more
than a year to make this the perfect campus,
and so next year I will be focusing on what I see
as Medways big three problems to start the
improvement ball rolling here: one) more social
space, two) Liberty Quays pricing and three)
making students feel like Kent students.
So thats all from me, I would just like to say a
quick thank you to all who voted for me, and if you
do have any ideas on how to make Medway better
just give me an email (mk374@kent.ac.uk ) or collar
me when Im walking around campus.
theMedwire.co.uk 7 theMedwire.co.uk 6
Students warned over hoaxes
by Jasmin Sahota
Medway Police are warning
that a brazen conman has been
operating in the area preying on
student households.
The rogue knocks at residents
houses creating various fctional
stories and asking for small
amounts of money, while
checking the premises for
valuables.
A burglary of a student house
two weeks ago on Richmond
Road is thought to have been
conducted by the same man.
The theft occurred after the
unknown man was supposedly
locked out of his house and
needed to use their phone.
That night the house was
burgled.
The tenants told the police:
We thought there was
something strange with the man;
we defnitely noticed him looking
around the house but didnt think
much of it at the time.
The unknown man has been
described to be white, roughly
58 and has black hair.
The conman has been
circulating Gillingham, forming
fctional accounts to work out
who lives there, when the house
is free and what kind of valuables
they possess.
The fctitious tales range from
the conmans daughter being in
hospital to his car breaking down.
Henna Kirpal, a student at
the University of Greenwich
and victim of the conmans lies
explains: I saw this man at my
door, he acted really distressed
and said his daughter just died
and needed money for a taxi. He
came up with a great, believable
story.
We asked if he had gone to
our neighbours but he said he
did not want to disturb them, at
this point we realised this man
is dodgy and just targeted our
house.
She found it strange that the
unknown man seemed to target
the student house and recalls him
trying to look around the house,
while standing at the front door.
Ms Kirpal then went on to say
there was a gathering of people
at the local corner shop who said
this man has also targeted their
houses while creating diferent
stories.
One story that stuck in my
mind was that his car had broken
down and needed a screw driver,
which is worrying because he
could use this as weapon.
Cllr Mike OBrien, the Medway
Council member for community
safety said: It is vital that
students challenge those who
call at their homes to make sure
they are genuine.
If you are concerned about
a cold caller please report the
matter to the Trading Standards
helpline on 08454 040506
and if you feel threatened or
intimidated report the matter to
the police.
ABOVE: The
rogue conman is
targeting student
houses in the
viewto steal their
valuables
Culture Shock is success
Diversity fayre to
come to Medway
After last years fayre, this years
organisers promise it will be big-
ger and better.
The Medway Diversity fayre will
be a chance for students to fnd
out more about diferent cultures
and beliefs.
It is open to all students
from the three universities and
will showcase dancing, henna
tattooing and free food samples.
The fayre will be held be-
tween 11-2pm on Wednesday,
March 13 in the Pikington
Building.
by Katie Palmer by Clarissa Place
Campus News Editor
Asian Societys Culture Shock
brought together an evening of
song, dance and drama, all in the
name of charity.
Performances from the Heal-
ing, Music, Rock Solid and Drama
societies attracted many students
to the event in the Pilkington
buildings main lecture theatre.
Tickets were fve pounds and
proceedings would be split
between Comic Relief and Mind
for their work nationally and the
local community.
Capoeria kicked of the show,
follwed by a perfomance by
the Medway Amateur Dramatic
Society.
The audience were treated to
belly dancing, Dhol drums and
a drama sketch from the Asian
Society.
ABOVE: Students
celebrate at the
Culture Shock
event
Students will soon get the
opportunity to vote for the
president and three vice-
presidents of the student union
for the coming academic year.
Voting is open from Friday,
March 8 for one week, and this
year for the frst time ever the
voting is completely online
through the student portal.
The candidates have all put
together a manifesto that will be
published online for all students
to access and read to help aid
their decision.
Christchurch Students Union
(CCSU) have been trying to raise
awareness of safe sex in their
SHAG (Sexual Health, Awareness
and Guidance) week.
They have taken a light-hearted
approach to the subject to try
and keep the students engaged,
with a range of games and activi-
ties to try and teach them vital
skills, including classics such as
putting a condom onto a banana.
For more information on the
week and its activities, visit www.
ccsu.co.uk/shag.
Student elections
fast approaching
SHAG week gives
safe sex advice
Greenwich electing new president
At the time of the Medwires
printing, Greenwich students are
halfway through voting in the
Student Unions (SUUG) annual
elections.
Standing for president is Alex
Brooks (Change Greenwich) and
Austine Obiezewani (United We
Stand).
Medway campus ofcer
candidates are Kishan Abinantha
(United We Stand) and Aziz
Quadri (Change Greenwich).
A full list of candidates for
all ofces can be found on the
Medwire website.
March is Soft Skills month for
Medway with Kent Union and
the university ofering a number
of courses in sign language and
listening skills.
They will be held in buildings
across campus on a variety of
days in the coming months.
The next available workshop
is Safeguarding Children and
Vulnerable Adults on Wednesday,
March 13.
For more information and
to view the availability of such
workshops, check the Kent Union
website.
Learn soft skills with Kent Union
The Medway
Experience
theMedwire.co.uk 8 theMedwire.co.uk 9
The Medway student experience
is often one which is called into
question. With just one bar on site
and all three universities using it
as a secondary campus, it makes
a harsh contrast to the likes of
Canterbury and Greenwich.
A Medwire survey last week
revealed that 84% of those on
the campus thought the area was
student friendly with a further
91% saying the experience was
inferior to that of their universitys
main campus.
Common complaints included
a lack of student friendly venues
and the need for more events
and activities, both on and of
campus.
One student commented:
Compared to other universities
we have nothing going on,
its crap. Im not enjoying my
university experience at all, I feel
like its catered for old retired
people. Absolutely nothing goes
on here.
Others said there needed to
be more investment and a better
engagement with the local
area. One went as far as to say
the campus should be burned
ceremonially whilst another
suggested that Medway should
be swept out to sea and all
courses moved to Canterbury.
Students are not the only ones
to sense a divide between locals
and the universities. Cllr Tristan
Osborne, the parliamentary
Labour candidate for Chatham
and Aylesford in the next
election, said Medway Council
had failed students.
Being a student is not just
about the quality of the course,
but also the quality of life and
social sphere that is ofered to the
student. It is called the student
experience and it is something
84% say Medway is
not a student town
Medway has failed on in my
mind.
Medway Council, run by the
Tories, has failed its student
population and that matters
because its you that brings
important income into the local
community.
He added: It angers me that
there is a disconnect between
the council and students in
supporting theatre and arts.
The council rarely celebrates
the excellent departments and
services our universities ofer.
However current MP for
Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey
Crouch, insists that it is not a
problem unique to the area.
She said: You see it in any
university town. When I was at
Hull University there were certain
nights you werent allowed to
go into certain parts of the town
at certain times because it was
locals night.
The university population here
is incredibly important to the
town because of course you have
a lot of economic impact. Youre
spending money in the towns in
the bars, the restaurants and the
clubs. It is important that you are
welcomed.
Ms Crouch said the disconnect
could simply be down to a lack
of awareness from local people
to what is on their doorstep, an
attitude she believes could soon
be changing.
With the advent of tuition fees
people are making more local
decisions so they dont have to
have those other combination of
costs, so maybe it will shift over
time.
She did acknowledge, however,
that studying on a secondary
campus could be a weird
experience and come without
many of the perks seen in larger
university towns.
Ms Crouch suggested that this
could perhaps be combated by
the three universities joining
forces more to form their own
Medway groupings.
Yet the suggestion comes just
days after it was announced
that the Universities at Medway
Students Association (UMSA) is
set to disband in 2013.
The union will be replaced by
a new partnership between the
University of Kent and Greenwich,
with Canterbury Christchurch set
to leave.
In a joint statement from
the presidents of Kent and
Greenwich Union, Tom Ritchie
and Kazi Haque, said: This new
partnership between Greenwich
and Kent students unions will
ensure that Medway students
continue to have access to all
the shared services they have
now, such as clubs, sports and
societies, Coopers Bar and the
Advice Centre.
But by working more closely
together through this new
partnership, both unions will
provide their students with
a greater level of support,
through collaborative events and
communications.
The new union will form with a
new name and identity, but there
will be no change in the location
of services.
Yet whilst the news may bring
relief to Kent and Greenwich
students, it raises questions for
1,800 Canterbury Christchurch
students.
Andy Holme, a 19-year-old
Operating Department Practice
at the university, said that CCCU
students already feel out of the
loop.
I get why people would want
their own union, as we are kind
of the odd ones out. Near the
beginning of the year nobody
ever realised we were part of the
Medway campus when we said
we were Christchurch students.
Personally I dont give a crap
what happens because Ive never
used UMSA for anything.
A statement from Canterbury
Christchurch Union also insisted
that dissolving the partnership
was the best move for its
students.
They said: CCSU has been
working hard over the past year
to create a plan that will enable
us to better support you and your
life as a student at the university.
The union plans to employ a
dedicated member of staf to
work at Medway and will ofer its
students the option to continue
representing Medway alongside
Kent and Greenwich students in
sports teams and societies.
Not all students remain
unsatisfed though, with 21% of
students rating their experience
at the campus as good and a
further 1.5% as excellent.
One respondent said: All the
other students need to stop
bitching about Medway when
they dont even bother to give it a
proper go.
Negativity breeds negativity.
Everyone that complains about
Medway is either boring or lazy.
The idea that there is potential
in the Medway towns is one
echoed by Nick Dufy, president
of Kents Medway Committee.
From other student towns Ive
been to like Canterbury it is a very
diferent experience. You get of
the train the very frst thing you
see is a sign saying welcome to
Canterbury and the University of
Kent.
He added: The university has
deals with partners which are
advertised everywhere and you
cant go anywhere without seeing
that it is a university town.
But Nick says there is potential
in the towns. We have amazing
discounts for our students that
people have haggled their lives
away to get. They just arent
advertised throughout the towns.
Medway could be a good
student town, if those things
were in place.
UMSA to disband in
August 2013
MP insists problem is
not unique to area
Labour PPC says
council has failed
Jem Collins, Matt Charles and
Kieran Watkins report.
ABOVE: Students
on campus have
criticised the area
asunfriendly.
It is important you
are welcomed
Personally I dont
give a crap
1.5% rated Medway
as excellent
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theMedwire.co.uk 10
A recent spate of crashes on the Medway City
Estate has raised wider questions over road
safety. Matt Charles investigated a gang of
illegal street racers who use the area.
It is a surreal sight to watch
and yet it is one around the
corner from campus. By day, the
Medway City Estate is a place
for work and industry. But on a
Friday night, the atmosphere is
strangely diferent. Up to 300
people gather on the kerbside
to watch young people hurtle
up the road in modifed cars,
reaching speeds of up to
130mph.
Steve*, 28, found himself
addicted to it from the age of 18.
He thought it was exciting and
craved the feeling of acceleration.
He said: It just feels like you
havent got a care in the world.
You just want to race, listen to
the engine and watch the speedo
climb. Its an adrenaline rush.
Steves friend Mark*, 21, never
took the wheel during the
numerous drag races and drifting
contests. But he has been in the
passengers seat and said the
experience was so fucking scary
that he cried.
They were part of a gang that
operate on Medway City Estate
and have been doing it for more
than fve years now and it is
getting bigger and more popular.
They organise themselves
through a hidden Facebook
group that has over 400
members. Members post photos
and videos of their antics they
even did a version of the Harlem
Shake at their last meet.
Both men agreed to talk to me
because they believe that racing
on the Estate is becoming too
dangerous. Mark remembers
when he was standing on the
side of the road, when a spinner
few of a passing car and was
inches away from slicing a girl in
half.
As a former racer, Steve is
highly critical. He said: The
drivers are ridiculous. They
sit up each others arses with
centimetres of each other. The
racing is dangerous at high
speeds.
Mark went into more detail,
saying: Sometimes, you get the
little one litre Saxos that think
they are Billy Big Bollocks and
drive up there at stupid miles
an hour. But sometimes, you get
your big highly powerful turbo
cars that will crash straight into
a wall.
It is very risky business,
knowing that a faulty spinner or
a small bump in the road or just
a single delayed reaction could
mean the diference between life
and death. It is also illegal but the
gang have a system to avoid any
contact with Kent Police.
Mark said: They know when
the police are coming. You have
people at either end of the road,
so you can see them coming
down.
However, Mark said the police
were starting to make an impact
on the gang. He explained: They
have done quite well lately. They
have been around there and
checked peoples cars so if they
are not road legal, see you later,
your car is gone.
Despite attempts from Kent
Police and Medway Council, both
men agreed that the gang will
not be stopped. They previously
used a site at Laker Road near
Rochester Airport until speed
bumps were ftted.
Youll never stop them
because there will always be one
person who wants to go bigger,
Mark said.
Steve agreed. He says the last
time he was at a meet was three
months ago but says he does not
regret what he did.
He said: At the time, you dont
think it is illegal.
* Names have been changed
Kent Police could not be
reached for comment. For more
reaction to this investigation,
check the Medwire website.
Its so fucking crazy I
cried
They know when
the police are coming
Medways own
illegal racers
ABOVE: Racers
risk both a
criminal record
and their safety
when they take
part
Stress and anxiety. Two things
that can afect us all and can
ruin what could be a fantastic
university career. Sometimes its
things we all deal with, but we all
deal with it diferently. Flatmates
causing trouble, future exams
and homesickness. You talk it
out with friends and hopefully it
wont bother you tomorrow. But
what if it does? What if it gets
worse? What can you do?
According to the Royal College
of Psychiatrists, the demand
for mental health support in
universities has gone up, with
29% of students demonstrating
signs of psychological distresses
and even more shockingly,
female student suicides have
increased by 50%.
The Mental Health Foundation
also reported that 50% of
university students have
experienced severe anxiety and
over one in ten have shown signs
of clinical depression. This is not
a one time, one term issue. This
is something that needs to be
addressed.
It doesnt take a scientist to
realise why this occurs. Its not
a big secret that the big move
is hard on lots of us, and the
Canterbury Campus is doing its
best to help those in trouble with
mental health issues.
On the 20th of February, to help
raise awareness for Mental Health
Week, Canterbury celebrated
Wellbeing day, a day dedicated to
removing the stigma attached to
mental health and helping those
in need. The day was set up by
the national charity University
Mental Health Advisors Network,
an organisation devoted to
helping students sufering from
Mental health: is there
University can be a
demanding time, but
are campuses doing
enough to support
their students? Cecily
Snowball investigates.
enough help?
mental health issues.
Kent Union is also committed
to helping its students stay
healthy and happy. The Wellbeing
Day coincided with Kent Unions
Mental Health Week. Events
included open discussions
about mental health in the LGBT
community and events, such as
How the Mind Works.
Layla Haidrani, a history
student at the University of Kent
who took part in the Wellbeing
Day, says universities need to do
much more than dedicate one
day.
She said: Universities need
to address problems such as
depression, which many students
have and instead of focusing on
merely one day in the calendar,
we need to make this an all-year
round efort.
Kent has succeeded in raising
awareness over campus, but
more needs to be done to
support the students as opposed
to merely campaigning. More
actions need to be done.
According to Layla, the
limitations at Canterbury range
from little support to limited
hours, and Medway is not
far behind. Awareness about
student mental health has not
hit Medway in the same way. The
campus did not hold an event for
Wellbeing day, but the limitations
are due to size and numbers.
Nick Dufy, Medway President for
Kent Union, suggests that to raise
more awareness, more has to be
done to integrate both campuses.
He said: Even in a perfect
world where the Medway campus
has everything it needs, as the
smaller campus it will always
host less great events, debates
and campaigns than the more
populous Canterbury campus,
so the two student populations
need to learn to work together
and integrate.
So what can Medway ofer you
in times of need? The counselling
services at Medway provide
students with close and personal
support. Each student who
contacts the counselling services
receives an assessment and then
six sessions of counselling.
Sarah Kenyon, student services
assistant, says that the Medway
services have improved over time,
with more counsellors added
for each day to give maximum
support.
She also said: Counselling
provides a safe, supportive and
confdential space which helps
to look at any problems they
are facing in a non-judgemental
way. Staf are really friendly and
approachable and are used to
dealing with nervous students.
You should not be afraid of
seeking help where it is needed.
Anything can conjure up feelings
of stress or anxiety and you
should not be scared about
receiving help.
Sarah added: In general, many
relate to stress, relationship issues
and bereavement. Anxiety in all
kinds of forms is one prevalent
area.
Issues dont just stop once term
ends. Out of term time, students
are encouraged to contact
alternative people, such as their
GP or The Samaritans.
Lily* decided to ask for help
after a family member suddenly
became ill. She made the difcult
decision to go into counselling
to let out the emotions that had
burdened her for so long.
She said: It gave me time to
let out what I was really feeling. I
didnt want to burden my friends
of family with what was upsetting
me.
I had always thought
counselling was for people who
were at the very end of their
tether and really needed help.
At my frst session I asked is this
the right thing to talk about? The
answer is yes it is.
Counselling shouldnt have a
stigma but it does and I realise
that now.
She added that the counselling
services were not only hard to
fnd, but also overstretched.
But sometimes its not just
about what the university
services can do for you, but
what you can do for others. As
suggested by Mental Wealth UK,
talking it out can heal a lot more
than originally thought.
Rosie Tressler of Mental Wealth
UK says that talking it out can
lead to much more than a sigh of
relief.
She said: Students can speak
to their peers on the same
level and also be much more
creative about getting the
messages across, whilst ofering a
welcoming space for students to
get involved.
* Names have been changed
theMedwire.co.uk 12 theMedwire.co.uk 13
We need to make
this an all year effort
Anything can conjure
up feelings of stress
I let out what I was
really feeling
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The Medders
Profile
theMedwire.co.uk 15
When he arrived on campus in September,
Marcus Marsh was gutted to fnd out that
Medway had no dramatic society. He wasted
no time in creating one and they are about
to stage the frst play our campus has ever
seen. He tells Molly Pike just why we should be
interested in Look Back in Anger.
So why set up a drama
society?
It was out of selfsh reasons, re-
ally. Ive always had an interest in
theatre; I cant live without it so I
set it up for myself. I think lots of
people here want more things on
campus so I think more students
need to get involved and make
things happen in Medway. Weve
had great feedback not just from
our members but from other
societies. Its great to put a bit of
life back into Medway.
Do you even know what
youre talking about?
I acted in school and Ive attend-
ed quite a few acting workshops
in London trying to learn from
people in the industry. My proud-
est moment was playing the lead
in an adaption of The Trial by
Kafka to 300 people. Directing is
new to me but Im really enjoying
it, Im working with the students
at Medway. Its hard trying to put
on the play but it has been very
rewarding.
So what exactly is Look
Back in Anger?
The play is set in 1950s Britain.
Its about Jimmy Porter who is an
educated young guy angry with
having no money and no future.
He bullies his wife Alison because
her rich family dont like him but
all she wants is a peaceful life.
Alison has a close friendship
with Clif, their Welsh lodger,
who tries to keep the peace
between the married couple.
Why should people come
to see Look Back in An-
ger?
Its something new; nobodys
ever put on a play on campus
before. Theres not much going
on at this campus so I think
people should defnitely come
and see it. Although the play is
set in the 1950s a lot of its themes
are still relevant today. Its set just
after the Second World War when
nobody had any money which I
think people can relate to.
How are you raising the
money to fund the play?
We are hosting a fundraiser
on Thursday, March 14 to raise
some of the money. UMSA has
provided us with a fund which we
are using for lighting, sound and
props. Our fundraiser will be a
pub quiz with some comedy and
music in between. The pub quiz is
1950s themed as the play is set in
the 50s which should be good.
Whats next for Medway
Amateur Dramatics?

Were looking forward to writing
our own pieces of theatre; pieces
that are our original work and are
more modern. Everything is per-
formance, look what happened in
the riots a couple of years back,
people are trying to speak out
and theatre is a way in which we
can do this. If you join the drama
society you get that freedom of
speech, doing things you want
to do and bringing up what you
think is important as a student.
ABOVE: Marcus
in rehearsals for a
previous show
Look Back in Anger is set to
be perfomed on March 18 /
19 at the Medway Campus
For more information, or to
sign up, visit the societys
section on the UMSA web-
site. Membership costs just
5 for the year .
www.umsa.org.uk/clubs/
medway_amateur_dramat-
ics_society_mads
Work experience is vital for you
by Katie Palmer
Summer will be with us soon
enough and everyone deserves
to have a break after exams
however if you are wishing to sit
around all Summer, you may wish
to rethink your plans.
John Timpson is the chairman
of the high-street key-cutter store
Timpson, and last year he spoke
to the Telegraph about why work
experience is vital for pupils.
He explained how health and
safety has almost wiped the get
out into business week of the
timetable in most cases, and so
it has become crucial to fnd your
own work experience whenever
possible.
Work experience is not all
about sitting at a desk waiting
to fle papers or make tea at
break time; some places ofer
challenging responsibilities that
would look professional on a CV.
Also, experiencing diferent felds
of work will help you to decide
which career path to take in the
future, if you are still unsure.
By completing work
experience, you will show a
genuine interest in your chosen
feld of work. Molly Pike, a
20-year-old Journalism student
was given the chance to work
on a local newspaper where she
interviewed a pop band on her
frst day.
She said: I was chufed, Id
always toyed with the idea of
being a music journalist and it
was my frst real shot at it.
Over the next couple of days
I was calling up sources and
securing lots of interviews and
quotes. Im not a fan of talking on
the phone. With an accent like an
extra on Eastenders, Im a little
frightened of it..
She continued to say: There
was my article, my writing with
my name right next to it. It was
the best Id ever felt.
A High Fliers report on
nebusiness.co.uk last month
showed that more than a third of
the jobs available will be taken by
people who have already worked
for the frm while studying.
Mark Palmer is a maintenance
manager at Farleigh Hospice in
Chelmsford who interviews the
staf who work for him. He said:
Work experience shows that
the person isnt work shy and is
obviously keen to learn the job.
To help fnding work
experience, visit the National
Council for Work Experience or
allaboutcareers.com.
ABOVE: One of
the organisations
that can help you
in your search
theMedwire.co.uk 16
theMedwire.co.uk 17
Whats On?
Cant wait for the Easter holidays already? Dont panic, theres still plenty going on in
Medway. Victoria Polley has all the details of whats happening both on and of campus.
Companies combine
for free concert
Kent journalist to
reveal all in talk
Students to hold fine
art exhibition
Fight off the easter
egg weight
Comic Reliefs Red
Nose Day
Learn to relax
yourself
Worlds biggest
flash mob?
Medway question
time for union
Look Back in Anger
on Campus
The Capella Theatre Company and
group River Voices will be combining
their musical talents to present an
afternoon concert on Saturday, March
23.
The concert will be flled will solos,
group performances and acapella
pieces and will run from 1pm at St
Georges Centre, Pembroke Road,
Chatham. Tickets are free and
donations are welcome.
Interested in journalism? Kent born
journalist Bob Ogley will be giving a
lecture entitled My life as a newspa-
per reporter.The event will take place
at Wigmore, Gillingham at 8pm on
Wednesday, March 20 and tickets are
3.75.
Bob will talk about some of the peo-
ple he has met, the colleagues he has
known and the events he has covered
during a lifetime and has also written
22 books and has lived in Kent all his
life.
This years Medway Festival of Steam
and Transport will have an extra
special twist; the unique opportunity
to walk around the set of popular BBC
drama series Call the Midwife.
If youre staying in Medway for Easter
Bank Holiday (29th March- 1st April)
stop by hundreds of classic vehicles
grouped by decade, live folk and
blues music, animal encounters, shire
horse wagon rides and even take a
trip on a vintage bus. Full details can
be found at www.thedockyard.co.uk.
If you are worried about eating one
too many Easter eggs this year, then
worry no more. If you failed on keep-
ing any ftness related New Years
resolutions then you can start again
with Zumba classes at Medway Cam-
pus Sports Hall.
The Latin inspired workout classes run
every Wednesday from 5:30-6:30pm
and are a fun way to keep ft and bet-
ter still- a great way to ensure a guilt
free Easter!
Friday, March 15 is Comic Relief 2013.
Make sure you look out for events
around the campus that might be
Doing Something Funny for Money
or why not organise your own?
www.rednoseday.com has plenty of
fundraising ideas - and make sure you
drop up a line at the Medwire to let us
know what youre up to!
Dont forget to buy your Red Nose!
Give It A Go are holding a two hour
taster class teaching participants how
to perform relaxation techniques.
The master class on Monday, March
18, will teach hand massage, Indian
head massage and Aromatheraphy
with guidance and the opportunity
to practice on partners. The class
will take place from 2pm-4pm in the
Pilkington building (107). The perfect
skills to learn to ensure you can relax
for the busy months ahead!
If youre planning to stick around once
the academic year is over then get
yourself to Canterbury to take part in
an attempt to stage the worlds big-
gest fash mob. Emily Cook is hoping
to break a Guinness World Record.
with choreographer to the stars,
Ash Mukherjee, who has previously
danced for Mother Teresa and Michael
Jackson. The gates will open at 12pm
at Abbey School playing feld in Faver-
sham, and learning the dance will
begin on Saturday, June 29.
Kent Union will be holding Medway
Question Time as part of the Leader-
ship Election 2013. Medway students
will get the chance to hear what
candidates in the Leadership Elec-
tion 2013 think and what they want
to do. The event, which is being help
at Coopers on Tuesday, March 12, will
also include drinks promotions at the
bar. Dont miss out!
Medways Amateur Dramatics society
are holding 50s inspired quiz night
to raise money for their upcoming
performance of Look Back In Anger
on the 18th and 19th March. The
quiz night will be held at Coopers on
Thursday, March 14.
For more information check out this
editions Medders profle.
Imaginary scientifc research has shown that cofee and cake is amazing. But where
is the best place in the Medway Towns to get it? Stine Wannebo took a lookaround.
The guide for
coffee lovers
Cofee is a part of the student
experience; it is as simple as that.
But even though we are blessed
with a multitude of diferent cafs
on campus, the more adventurous
of students might want to venture
outside their comfort zone and
into the stirring world of the
Medway Towns.
Although the town is lucky to have
familiar names such as Latinos and
Costa, the ultimate student caf is
actually neither of them.
Latinos is pleasantly located
between Sainsburys and Subway
inside Pentagon Shopping Centre,
and is likely to be a good place for
a rest after a good run between
the nearby shops. Despite good
cofee, Latinos is not the place to
sit down for a chat, as the seating
area is in an open space and
often very noisy. Only those with
excellent concentration skills can
really make use of the free Wi-Fi
that they ofer. A take-away on
the benches along the Riverside
is a much better option on these
sunny days; the birds will be your
only disturbance.
Chathams very own Costa is
known to draw students down
from the Dockside, but sadly that
is due to the Costa-brand more
than anything else. The cofee is
great, as always, but the caf could
probably use a facelift. The place
comes across as dark and worn,
but certainly nothing that cannot
be overlooked in great company.
Most tables are just a little too
small to work on, but with only
a laptop you can probably make
it work. Go for the table in the
bottom corner, and you are likely
to be left alone. The caf is located
close to a Subway, but this time
on the High Street. When you see
Debenhams, you are nearly there.
Caf Nucleus just of Chatham
High Street describes itself as
an oasis in the middle of busy
Chatham, and with its modern
interior, free Wi-Fi and the many
exotic plants the description is
actually quite ftting. The inside
area is varied, with both proper
dining tables and smaller cofee
tables, and there is even benches
outside if one wants some air. The
tables are a good size for studying,
and the place is far from busy.
Free Wi-Fi is also a bonus. Caf
Nucleus does also have plenty
of diferent cakes and pastries,
the cofee is good and they even
serve hot, freshly made food from
a kitchen in the back. Judging by
the amount of liquor behind the
counter it seems the caf might
turn into a bar at night. Look for
a brightly blue building at the
Tesco-end of the High Street, it is
hard to miss.
Dickens historic Rochester is not
short of cafs, and there is one
literally on every corner. The Deaf
Cat is one of these, perfect for the
student who likes a bohemian
and artsy environment. The
atmosphere is a mix between a
cofee place and an auction hall;
everything from the vintage sofas
to the art covering the walls is
for sale. But what matters is that
the cofee is cheap, and often
wonderfully decorated, but watch
out for the take-away thimble-
sized small cup.
The Rochester Cofee Co. is right
across the road from the famous
cathedral. The place is lovely, the
window flled with six to seven
diferent cakes and the walls
covered in diferent options of
cofee. This is defnitely the place
for the adventurous cofee lover,
as half of the menu is unknown
to most. The staf wishes to
especially point out the alcoholic
cofees, and the young and stylish
atmosphere of the caf perfect
for students, they say. Maybe not
for hardcore study, and maybe
not for those on a strict budget,
but the Rochester Cofee Co. is
certainly a place worth visiting.
A nice way to put it is that
cafs simply are not Gillinghams
strongest suit. None of the few
cafs look particularly inviting,
and from what the Medwire has
experienced, an attempt to buy a
simple chocolate-chip cookie can
easily end in total fasco. In these
instances a cofee lover needs to
keep to what they know and settle
for a hot cup from either Subway
or Greggs.
Chatham
Rochester
Gillingham
Sport
Our own UMSA Sharks crossed
paths with British Olympic stars
and posted yet more personal
bests at this years BUCS long
course meet.
The success of last years
short course BUCS was difcult
to follow, but the teams aims
remained ambitious, producing
frst-rate swims from the
outstanding swimmer of the
weekend, third year Steve Bayles.
European champions Liam
Tancock and Hannah Miley
were also in the pool over the
three days of highly competitive
swimming, chalking up some top
times in their specialist events.
Sharks founder, Clare Freeman,
said: The best swim defnitely
goes to Steve Bayles as the last
time he swam was in a time trial,
and he still did a personal best!
Unfortunately, Clare could not
muster a best in her last BUCS
competition, but remained
happy, as she added: We swam
with Liam Tancock in the warm
up and he touched me to go
past.
The team sufered from
some key swimmers who were
unavailable to attend the event,
resulting in the mens medley
relay being pulled out.
But Maddy Harris remained all
smiles when the team arrived
back in Medway, when she said:
Everyone swam really well.
A few PBs, I got a long course
50m butterfy PB, while Steve
Bayles swam a 27.0 50m freestyle
and 30.0 50m butterfy PB.
We saw Amy Smith, Hannah
Miley and Liam Tancock swim.
Clare and I did in fact swim in a
warm up lane with him. We were
star struck for the rest of the day.
The Saturday night out in
Shefeld was a hit once again,
this time the theme being
anything but clothes.
Maddy explained: Girls
fashioned dresses from bin bags,
newspapers, wrapping paper,
pillow cases and bed sheets.
The boys had a card board box
outft, a sleeping bag and some
tin foil.
For more information on
how to join UMSA Sharks email
umsaswimming@hotmail.co.uk
by Cian Hodge
ABOVE: Members
of the UMSA swim
teamcelebrating
their successes
Swim team success
It has been a promising term for
the girls frsts basketball team, in
what is only their second year.
Basketball is one of the fastest
growing sports in the UK, and is
relished nowhere more than at
Medway.
The girls, captained by
Sharayne Robinson, have shown
fne progress this term, sitting
at the top of their league with a
genuine chance of promotion.
The team recorded an
unprecedented 154-6 victory
over the University of Essex, with
Hannah Cox scoring 58 points
and Robinson 28.
The Medwire recently caught
up with the girls to discuss their
season and general feelings on
womens basketball.
When asked about how they
see womens basketball at
Medway developing, Hannah
said: Hopefully we can get better,
weve got a good squad this year.
Sharayne added: It depends
on the people who come in;
the talent amongst the girls is
diferent every year.
Quizzed about why they chose
basketball over netball, which is
traditionally popular amongst
girls, Hannah said: I actually
did try out for both, I got into
the netball frst team as well but
basketball is defnitely a better
sport and I get along with the
girls better.
Sharayne said: I played
basketball before I came to
university, thats my sport I play.
When asked about whats
the hardest thing about
playing basketball, after some
deliberation they agreed it was
the physical side.
Sharayne said: Its the stamina.
Hannah added: Physical ftness,
apart from that I wouldnt say
theres anything that hard.
Hannah said: Our aim is to get
promoted, if not we know we will
be top of the table if we dont get
promoted, we know that weve
played well this season.
Despite the big win over
the University of Essex, they
disagreed that this was the
highlight of their season so far.
Hannah said: It was probably
our frst game against UEL when
Sharayne scored a three pointer
in the last second. Everyone got
up and it was like One Tree Hill!
The mens team also secured
third place in their league in
addition to reaching the quarter
fnal of the BUCS cup.
From basketball to rowing, theres
a wealth of sport at the Medway
Campus and our dedicated sport
team have rounded up all of the
latest news in two handy pages.
Ladies Basketball
takes off in Medway
by Uzoma Jemade
Sports Editor
ABOVE: Sharayne
Robinson (Left)
and Hannah Cox
(Right) of the
ladies team
theMedwire.co.uk 19 theMedwire.co.uk 18
As spring came to life, so did the
Universities at Medway Rowing
team who since the New Year
have racked up some promising
results.
Building on second place
in both the novice pairs and
individual medley coxed fours,
students Huw Jones, Reuben
Grice, and Sam Anderson fought
valiantly in their next event, the
indoor BUCS league where Grice
earned them their frst points for
the season.
The clubs latest and most
successful meet this season
came at Maidstone, where Sam
Anderson was part of the winning
individual medley coxless, with
fellow students Iwan Jones and
Reuben Grice fnishing second in
the same feld.
Grice and Huw Jones continued
the success of the day with a
second place fnish in the novice
coxed fours too.
Despite being inundated with
a high number of new members
and a lack of coaching staf, the
form of the club has been upheld
in competition.
Out of the eight club members
who helped the club come in
seventh place at their Bedford
Head meet, fve of them were
University of Kent students,
whose speed saw the team
register as the 25th fastest out of
200 teams competing that day.
Even more impressively the
clubs time on the water at
Greenwich Head saw them
fnish as the ffth fastest boat of
the day in what Jones called a
competitive feld.
Talking about the impact of
new additions to the University
boat club, Huw Jones said: The
club has had an impressive
number of novices join this
year, all of whom have shown
impressive progression.
And this progression suggests
a successful summer to come.
Rowing enjoy good results
by Alex Norman
BUCS LEAGUES
ROUNDUP
Badminton: The Medway
Mens frst team are at currently
sitting second in the South
Eastern 4B League, after losing
3-5 to Kings College last month.
Netball: Medway Womens 1sts are bottom of the
South Eastern 4B league, with just one win after
eight games. The 2nds are sitting in fourth in the
South Eastern 9B league and the 3rds are in ffth
place in the 10B league.
Football: Medway Womens 1sts are joint top of
their league, unbeaten after four games. The Mens
1sts are also second, trailing Essex 3rds by four
points with two games in hand. The Mens 2nds are
top of the 5B league, the 3rds are fourth and the
4ths are second.
Karting: Medways karting team are closing in
on the top ten of the British Universities Karting
Championship despite a mixed rounds three and
four in Llandow. The next round of the series will
be hosted at Buckmore Park in Chatham.
Basketball is better
than netball
The hardest thing is
the physical side
Your Move
Student Houses
Houses to let in Gillingham now and
for 2013/2014.
Large selection of student properties
available, so look no further
79 Balmoral Road
Gillingham, Kent, ME7 4PD
gillinghamlettings@your-move.co.uk
www.your-move.co.uk
01634 852345
View
houses
from Your
Move online
by visiting:
theMedwire.co.uk