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Issue No.8 November - December 2009 FREE F to a good o home ho home<br />

The official voice of <strong>Northumbria</strong> <strong>Students</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong><br />

<strong>Reggie</strong> <strong>Yates</strong><br />

& <strong>Kate</strong> <strong>Lawler</strong><br />

at Your SU<br />

Student Internships<br />

LGBT<br />

www.mynsu.co.uk


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*Terms & Conditions Apply


EDITORS WORDS<br />

It’ that time of year again! Itttss<br />

CHRISTMAS! Well, nearly. The shops<br />

are decorated, and the weather is<br />

defi nitely chilly. For me Christmas<br />

is my favourite time of year, ask<br />

my friends; there’s a particularly<br />

embarrassing story about me getting<br />

a little over excited at seventeen<br />

years old. But who couldn’t like it!?<br />

Presents, giving, receiving, food,<br />

family, parties, traditions and the<br />

rest of it! Granted to those of you<br />

who don’t celebrate Christmas our<br />

traditions may seem a little odd (as<br />

fairly pointed out on p11 Ho! Ho!<br />

How Embarrassing!) but it’s all good<br />

hearted fun.<br />

On my wish list this year will be sleep,<br />

rest, a break, peace and quiet and<br />

not working my fi ngers to the bone<br />

in the SU. Myself and all the other<br />

Sabb’s have had an awesome fi rst<br />

semester representing you guys as<br />

students and we will continue to work<br />

just as hard come semester 2.<br />

Well I leave you here in 2009 and we<br />

will be back in 2010 for a bang tidy<br />

January edition. Till then, kisses and<br />

best wishes. Happy Holidays!<br />

Alison x<br />

NSU NEWS<br />

Editors Words & Contents 3<br />

Your Sabb’s 4-5<br />

SU News 6<br />

Oh! What’s Occurring? 7<br />

Hot or Not 9<br />

FEATURES<br />

Ho! Ho! How Embarrassing 11<br />

Student Internships 13<br />

GET INVOLVED<br />

Society Successes 15<br />

LIGHT RELIEF<br />

Spotted 16-17<br />

Centrefold 18-19<br />

Horoscopes 20<br />

Lauren West Knows Best 21<br />

STUDENT CULTURE<br />

Student Street Style 23<br />

Hot Topic! 24-25<br />

LGBT 27<br />

Gig Goers 28-29<br />

TEAM NORTHUMBRIA<br />

Just Jump On 30-31<br />

BUCS Media Intern 32<br />

V Project 33<br />

Shuttle Service a Huge Successr34<br />

Clash of the Titans 35<br />

Contributors<br />

Front Cover Photography - Aaron McConkey<br />

Hot and Not – Miles Chambers<br />

Ho! Ho! How Embarrassing! - John Taggart<br />

Student Internships - Josie Bramhall<br />

Society Success - (NUTS), Carl Shooter (LINKS) & Craig Wood<br />

Spotted & Centrefold - Aaron McConkey & Matt Dinnery<br />

Horoscopes - Catherine Allan<br />

Agony Aunt - Lauren West<br />

Student Street Style - Charlotte Jackson (photography & text)<br />

Gig Goers - Danni Mustardi & Andrew Rawson<br />

Team <strong>Northumbria</strong><br />

Just Jump On - Laura Gutfreund-Walmsley<br />

BUCS Media Intern - Ashlie Tridgell<br />

V Project & Shuttle Service a Huge Success - Simon Rushworth<br />

Clash of the Titans - Mark Kelly<br />

03<br />

Design www.thearchitectshop.co.uk<br />

ontents nu:life


NSU News Your Sabb’s<br />

Your Sabb’s -<br />

Ho! Ho! Ho!<br />

Well the Sabb’s have<br />

made it through their fi rst<br />

semester doing their best<br />

to make the SU the best<br />

place for students. So<br />

how has it been? We’ve<br />

achieved a lot so far and<br />

are all pretty exhausted.<br />

Even sabb’s need a<br />

Christmas break!<br />

Follow us on twitter or join the<br />

offi cial Facebook fan page to<br />

keep up to date with what’s<br />

occurring in your SU. If you<br />

have any ideas about your SU<br />

then contact any one of us on<br />

our e-mail addresses below.<br />

G t an<br />

opinion?<br />

E-mail us!<br />

We love it.<br />

No seriously,<br />

it’s our job to.<br />

04 nu:life<br />

Adam White<br />

Vice - President<br />

Academic Affairs<br />

Highlight of the Month? The<br />

highlight of my month this time<br />

around has to be the amazing<br />

Course rep conference we held<br />

at St James Park and the day out<br />

to Kirkley Hall with the awesome<br />

team of school reps.<br />

What have you achieved for<br />

students this month? I have<br />

achieved more course reps<br />

trained than ever before which<br />

benefi ts all students as their reps<br />

are better equipped to succeed.<br />

We are also in the process<br />

of recruiting Post-Graduate<br />

Taught reps. Furthermore I<br />

have been (along with the other<br />

sabb’s) cracking on with the big<br />

campaign, Anonymous Marking<br />

which if successful will have a<br />

huge impact for students<br />

What are you looking forward<br />

to? I am most looking forward<br />

to beginning campaigning for<br />

around anonymous Marking and<br />

ultimately a long, relaxing rest<br />

over Christmas.<br />

What are you asking for Xmas?<br />

For Christmas this year I would<br />

love for someone to pay off all<br />

my student debt but I’m guessing<br />

Santa’s not that generous with the<br />

credit crunch and everything!?<br />

I hope you all have an amazing<br />

Christmas and get everything you<br />

hope for.<br />

a.white@northumbria.ac.uk<br />

Becky Warburton<br />

Vice - President Activities<br />

& Development<br />

Highlight of the Month? Holding<br />

several really successful RAG<br />

(Raise & Give) meetings with the<br />

whole RAG committee. We’ve<br />

been planning and plotting to<br />

make this year’s RAG the most<br />

successful yet. Look out for it!<br />

What have you achieved for<br />

students this month? Along<br />

with Pete I was representing<br />

<strong>Northumbria</strong> students at a NUS<br />

conference in Manchester getting<br />

our voice out there!<br />

What are you looking forward<br />

to? I’m really looking forward to<br />

Festive Fling and of course RAG!<br />

It’s not far away now!<br />

What are you asking for Xmas?<br />

A well needed break!<br />

becky.warburton@<br />

northumbria.ac.uk


Dave Wright<br />

President<br />

Highlight of the Month? Holding<br />

a hugely successful Course Rep<br />

Conference at St. James’s Park<br />

training this year’s Course Reps.<br />

What have you achieved for<br />

students this month? Backing<br />

from key members of staff in the<br />

University staff in the University<br />

for our Anonymous Marking<br />

campaign. This is a great<br />

achievement and demonstrates<br />

the excellent working relationship<br />

that we have with the University<br />

which means that you as a<br />

student are getting the best deal<br />

from both sides.<br />

What are you looking forward<br />

to? My Birthday!<br />

What are you asking for Xmas?<br />

A brand new <strong>Students</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong><br />

building.<br />

dave.wright@<br />

northumbria.ac.uk<br />

Pete Woodward<br />

Vice - President<br />

Welfare & Equality<br />

Highlight of the Month?<br />

Speaking and representing<br />

<strong>Northumbria</strong> students at the NUS<br />

Zone Conference for Welfare for<br />

training and getting the best deal<br />

for our students.<br />

What have you achieved for<br />

students this month? Secured<br />

funding form the University to run<br />

a Christmas safety campaign with<br />

Student Services.<br />

What are you looking forward<br />

to? Running a fantastic week of<br />

events for SHAG Week (Sexual<br />

Health & Guidance Week) 30th<br />

Nov-6th Dec.<br />

What are you asking for Xmas?<br />

For no increase in tuition fee for<br />

students…and a camera.<br />

pete.woodward@<br />

northumbria.ac.uk<br />

NSU News Your Sabb’s<br />

Alison Jones<br />

Vice - President<br />

Communications<br />

& Involvement<br />

Highlight of the Month? Training<br />

Course Reps Course Reps at the<br />

conference this month. I had two<br />

sessions to teach and both went<br />

really well with everyone taking<br />

part and joining in.<br />

What have you achieved for<br />

students this month? I’ve begun<br />

the legal processes for NU:TV.<br />

There’s a heck of a lot more to<br />

take into consideration of than I<br />

thought there would be but it’s<br />

coming on, slowly but surely!<br />

What are you looking forward<br />

to? Fling, Christmas and<br />

Referenda.<br />

What are you asking for Xmas?<br />

A Mustang GT 500, in red. But I’m<br />

not sure Santa can carry one so<br />

socks will do.<br />

alison.jones@<br />

northumbria.ac.uk<br />

nu:life 05


NSU NEWS SU:News<br />

SU:NewsNovember<br />

- December 2009<br />

You Said, We Did -<br />

Drinks Prices!!<br />

It’s simple and it’s to the point, drinks prices<br />

are down, wayyyy down. After listening to what<br />

you had to say, here at the SU we have done<br />

something about it and reduced our drinks prices<br />

to make you happy. So may I present to you our<br />

NEW Happy Hour drinks promos:<br />

£1.50 PINTS<br />

£2.50 DOUBLES<br />

2 COCKTAILS FOR £5<br />

(Mon, Weds, Fri from 5pm, Sat & Sun from 12pm)<br />

06 nu:life<br />

Bull Street<br />

Style<br />

Yes it sounds very similar<br />

to an article in this months<br />

NU:Life, but Red Bull street<br />

style is quite different.<br />

Newcastle was just one<br />

of the many stops on the<br />

nationwide Red Bull Street Style tour which gave<br />

you the chance to showcase your freestyle football<br />

skills. The competition was the fi rst of its kind<br />

and players had to abide by three simple rules.<br />

3 minutes on the clock, 2 players in the ring and<br />

1 ball to show your talent. <strong>Northumbria</strong> students<br />

along with others from around the region got<br />

their chance at the day event held at the Baltic Art<br />

Gallery to show their best ball juggling tricks in the<br />

Newcastle regional heat. The prize? The chance<br />

to get to the World Finals in South Africa, 2010.<br />

The British fi nals will be held on the 21st Nov in<br />

Camden, London. Game on!<br />

Read all about it!<br />

Read all about it!<br />

Read all about it!<br />

Student Written<br />

Submission (SWS)<br />

It doesn’t sound like the most interesting of<br />

topics but it’s great news, it’s part of a massive<br />

audit. Over the past several months managers<br />

and Sabb’s in the SU have been interviewing<br />

<strong>Northumbria</strong> students’ opinions about what they<br />

think about the University. Its part of a massive<br />

audit on the University and the <strong>Union</strong> is here<br />

to listen to what student’s opinions on the Uni<br />

are. And the University takes note! Big time!<br />

They want to hear what you have to say and we<br />

produced a nicely sized document called….<br />

you guessed it, the Student Written Submission.<br />

Overall, good comments, good feedback and<br />

the University is pleased with the outcome. They<br />

ARE listening to what YOU have to SAY.<br />

They Did The Mash,<br />

They Did The<br />

Monster Mash.<br />

Granted it strange to be writing<br />

about a Halloween event in the<br />

Christmas edition of NU:Life,<br />

but with such a success it can’t be<br />

mentioned. Witches, ghosts, corpse<br />

brides and even the odd robot<br />

came out in full force to attend<br />

the SU’s Monster Mash<br />

Halloween party. A good night<br />

was had by all. The day before<br />

saw a monster pumpkin carving<br />

session in the SU for both home<br />

and international students to get<br />

that Halloween feeling. Good effort.


Occurring?<br />

Oh! What’s<br />

Business as Usual<br />

Come the beginning of December your SU<br />

will be under some massive construction as<br />

we continue to make your SU the best in the<br />

country. The front entrance of the building is<br />

next on the list for redevelopment as we are<br />

getting a shiny new entrance for the SU! This<br />

means front entrance will be out of use for the<br />

next few months but we are defi nitely open as<br />

usual with the temporary entrance on the side<br />

of the building through the red doors. Bit of<br />

a nuisance but in 6 months’ time you will be<br />

glad of the change.<br />

Elliot Minor<br />

Another night, another gig. This time we<br />

have Elliot Minor gracing our stage. The fi ve<br />

piece band prides their success on their<br />

classically infused rock style and has had<br />

numerous successes as well as appearing on<br />

Radio 1’s live lounge. The band enjoyed the<br />

<strong>Northumbria</strong> crowd so much that they are<br />

back to play again on Sat 21st November.<br />

Tickets as always are available at the SU<br />

Welcome Desk. Perfect as an early Xmas<br />

present.<br />

NSU NEWS Oh! What’s Occurring?<br />

Festive Fling<br />

It’s here! It’s Huge! It’s<br />

happening! Festive Fling<br />

is on its way. Those<br />

second and third years<br />

know this event is one of<br />

the highlights of the year.<br />

First years prepare to<br />

be impressed. We at SU<br />

think that each semester<br />

should be signed off<br />

with a bit of a party. And<br />

by ‘a bit of a party’ we<br />

mean a 15 hour long party in the SU. Expect<br />

entertainment, goodies, freebies, t-shirts and<br />

a lot of banter. The event is ticket only so<br />

remember to get yours from the Welcome<br />

Desk in the SU.<br />

Give Blood,<br />

Save A Life<br />

Want to give something<br />

back? Christmas<br />

presents will potentially<br />

be saving someone’s<br />

life which is pretty high<br />

up there. The National Blood Service will be<br />

coming to NSU on the 24th, 25th and 26th<br />

November and gives you the chance to save<br />

a life. It takes no time at all, it’s right on your<br />

door step and it’s an awesome cause. It’s<br />

the perfect chance to do a bit of good. It is<br />

Christmas after all!<br />

nu:life 07


MON, WED, FRI FROM 5PM<br />

SAT & SUN FROM 12PM<br />

£1.50 selected PINTS // £2.50 selected DOUBLES<br />

2 PREMIUM Habita COCKTAILS FOR £5<br />

AMAZING DRINKS<br />

OFFERS<br />

www.mynsu.co.uk<br />

www.drinkaware.co.uk<br />

WINNERS OF ‘BEST BAR NONE’<br />

CLUB, PUB & LIVE MUSIC VENUE AWARDS 2009<br />

TOP CLUB NIGHTS // TOP TALENT // LIVE BIG SCREEN SPORT<br />

LIVE GIGS // PREMIUM DRINKS AT LOW PRICES<br />

STYLISH COCKTAIL LOUNGE // SMOKING AREAS


HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER!<br />

This sitcom is even better than<br />

Friends. Yep, you heard me!<br />

Go discover it for yourself if you<br />

haven’t already, it’s truly awesome!<br />

When you too see its genius,<br />

come meet us at the bar - and<br />

suit up!<br />

NORTHUMBRIA’S 24 HOUR<br />

LIBRARY! I sound proper lame<br />

don’t I...well, it comes in handy<br />

around now when you realise<br />

you left all your assignments for<br />

the last week and can’t afford to<br />

buy books because your student<br />

loan’s transformed into trebles.<br />

GREGGS! There’s actually one<br />

round every corner! Literally! One<br />

day maybe, when I’m really, really,<br />

really bored, I’ll count them all and<br />

stand with my hands on my hips<br />

grinning in smug self-satisfaction.<br />

Or maybe not. Well, it’s the<br />

thought that counts.<br />

GOING CHRISTMAS<br />

SHOPPING I mean, I’m all for<br />

yuletide joy, but doing it during the<br />

worst recession on record? On<br />

grey, rainy Saturdays?! With swine<br />

fl u supposedly peaking as you’re<br />

stuffed in swarming shops?!?<br />

Ahhhhh, the wonders of eBay.<br />

TWILIGHT FILM Yes, some won’t<br />

agree *cough, most girls*, but<br />

c’mon, it’s overrated. It’s like High<br />

School Musical for teenagers.<br />

Granted I’ve “heard” that the<br />

books are half decent but the<br />

fi lm was just boring!<br />

UPDATING FACEBOOK<br />

STATUS’ VIA MOBILE: -<br />

“...OMG this club is amazing”,<br />

you’re on Facebook on your<br />

phone in a club...yeah, seems<br />

like it!<br />

“…...is driving right now”, breaking<br />

the law and boring me, good job.<br />

“…...just left Primark – didn’t buy<br />

anything“, no-one cares you tool!<br />

You heard of Twitter?!<br />

By Miles Chambers<br />

NEWS Hot! or Not!<br />

nu:life 09


www.mynsu.co.uk<br />

The<br />

STOCK EXCHANGE<br />

experience<br />

FRIDAY<br />

13 NOV & 11 DEC 09<br />

@REDS BAR


Ho! Ho<br />

How Embarrassing<br />

“It’s Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid”,<br />

not true! Even if you aren’t as cynical as me<br />

hopefully by the end of this article you will be more<br />

than convinced!<br />

To put it lightly we let a lot slide at Christmas time,<br />

fi rst and foremost I wouldn’t usually get excited<br />

about a raisin pudding and would ordinarily be more<br />

suspicious of an old bearded man with a love for<br />

children - but it’s parcelled up as Christmas so it’s<br />

okay! Let’s remember this is the same time that you<br />

hang raggy socks up, a man breaks into your house<br />

and worshipping a tree isn’t considered to be weird<br />

behaviour! It’s all just the magic of Christmas!<br />

Although an aspect of Christmas feared by<br />

most is that of the family gathering - a hotbed of<br />

awkwardness and embarrassment. It is here where<br />

countless “uncles” claim to know everything about<br />

you - much like a crazed stalker, they claim to have<br />

pictures of you in their house although you have<br />

never seen them, but they are family…apparently,<br />

which makes it all right! Also at these events<br />

numerous stories are told seemingly to make you<br />

the focal point of everybody’s laughter - for me the<br />

story re-told every year is the time I sat in a corner<br />

and I ate a whole packet of sausages to myself<br />

- thanks Gran. I don’t remember this happening<br />

- I was fi ve. So every year I cry into my snowfl ake<br />

jumper and hope people forget.<br />

FEATURES Ho! Ho! How Embarrassing!<br />

At Christmas the price of presents can quickly<br />

mount up; there is always the economy route of<br />

buying a box of 100 festive cards from Poundland<br />

- but if you do go down that road, guilt and shame<br />

are your only friends…so yet again you fork out way<br />

too much for something they probably don’t want<br />

anyway! Of course you get to receive presents, but<br />

gone are the days of fl ashing lights, space sounds<br />

and karate chop actions, I’ve lost faith. Instead I get<br />

socks - the joy!<br />

Tradition is a central part of the festive season,<br />

although unfortunately this year I won’t be partaking<br />

in certain activities. Apparently at 18 years of age<br />

it would simply be “not right” for me to put carrots<br />

outside for Rudolph and his friends, or even leave a<br />

sherry and a bit of cake on the mantelpiece for Santy<br />

when he arrives…if they don’t turn up this year I’ll<br />

know who to blame.<br />

John Taggart<br />

Ho! Ho! man me no<br />

reindeer, but I won’t<br />

say no to some<br />

crunchy carrots...<br />

Ho! Ho! Me reindeer,<br />

Me RUDOLF!!!<br />

nu:life 11


SU<br />

northumbria<br />

Advice and Representation Centre<br />

Get your<br />

PECs out!<br />

Claire Rasul is the Education<br />

Caseworker in the Advice and<br />

Representation Centre. Here<br />

she answers your questions….<br />

I know it’s only the fi rst Semester but I have<br />

been really ill for two weeks now and it has<br />

defi nitely affected how well I’ve been able to<br />

study. I haven’t attended some lectures and my<br />

assignment which is worth 50% of that module<br />

is just all over the place. Should I drop out and<br />

come back next year? I really want to get the<br />

best mark I can.<br />

The fi rst and easiest thing to do is speak to your<br />

guidance tutor or another tutor you feel you can<br />

talk to. It’s important to keep the University updated<br />

when you’re ill so they can give you the support you<br />

need. If you really feel that you want to withdraw<br />

for the rest of this year and come back next, it may<br />

be a possibility but you should also think about<br />

whether this is really the best option - if you’re<br />

feeling better now, could you catch up with the work<br />

you’ve missed?<br />

If you decide to carry on and submit your<br />

assignment, you could also submit a PEC (Personal<br />

Extenuating Circumstances) form. The important<br />

thing about this form is that to fully explain not only<br />

your circumstances (in this case your illness) but<br />

that you make explicit how this actually affected<br />

your work - missing lectures for example.<br />

COURSE REP<br />

MEETING<br />

You will also need to provide evidence to prove the<br />

circumstances you are describing. In this case, a<br />

doctor’s note would be something you could use.<br />

In other situations, students may have to think<br />

about what evidence they can provide to show what<br />

happened.<br />

Sometimes tutors can grant Late Authorisations<br />

(extensions) and this may help you get caught up<br />

with assignments however it is usually only possible<br />

to be given either PECs or Late Authorisation to<br />

prevent making up for the circumstances twice.<br />

Later in the year, your School may have deadlines<br />

for submitting PEC forms so make sure you check<br />

when this is. You PEC form will go to a board to<br />

be considered. Your marks will never change but<br />

decisions about you may - eg a change in your<br />

degree classifi cation or allowing another attempt at<br />

an assessment.<br />

Contact us!<br />

We can help fi ll in PEC forms and can speak to your<br />

School on your behalf. You can get in touch for any<br />

‘on-course’ issue The Advice and Representation<br />

Centre provides a professional advice and<br />

casework service.<br />

Call 0191 2274810 or drop in (1st Floor,<br />

<strong>Students</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong>) for quick enquiries or to book an<br />

appointment or email Claire at<br />

claire.rasul@northumbria.ac.uk


STUDENT<br />

INTERNSHIPS<br />

A How To Guide<br />

The past few summers I have returned home to a<br />

tedious summer job in order to pay off the hefty<br />

overdraft. I’ve spent my precious pennies on the<br />

usual: bills, food, going-out, rent etc and each<br />

summer I pay the price. This summer, however, I had<br />

something a little different in store.<br />

I managed to obtain a couple of weeks working for<br />

Waitrose Food Illustrated Magazine down in London.<br />

The idea excited and scared me to the point when<br />

I wondered why I was putting myself through it, but<br />

I gritted my teeth and made the trip down from my<br />

small Yorkshire town to the bustling capital.<br />

I was working with the editing and publishing team<br />

and my fi rst day consisted of shredding over two<br />

thousand competition entries, not the most inspiring<br />

task. Don’t let this put you off though, for every<br />

wearisome task there was an exciting one ready and<br />

waiting. I was given the opportunity to do a small<br />

bit of writing and I helped with research tasks for<br />

articles. I was allowed to sit in on meetings which<br />

provided me with an insight into how the concept<br />

of fl at plans and how the whole magazine came<br />

together. It was also interesting as they were putting<br />

together the Christmas issue so I got into a very<br />

festive mood in the middle of August!<br />

Josie Bramhall<br />

FEATURES Student Internships<br />

Overall my experience was one I’ll never forget and<br />

I would defi nitely recommend it to anyone who is<br />

interested in this area of work, it provides you with<br />

inside knowledge about how the magazine comes<br />

together and the work involved.<br />

How Did I Do It?<br />

In order to gain an opportunity like this<br />

you need to:<br />

a) Send your C.V. and cover letter to as many<br />

magazines and newspapers as possible or<br />

use a website such a www.gorkana.com<br />

which provides a list of all internships and jobs<br />

within the industry.<br />

b) Literally sell yourself! At this stage you have<br />

nothing to lose!<br />

A Few Handy Tips to end on for when<br />

you’re there:<br />

Be confi dent<br />

Ask questions<br />

Get involved<br />

Let them know your interests<br />

nu:life 13


14 nu:life


NUTS SOCIETY<br />

Ever fancied jumping out of a perfectly good<br />

aeroplane?<br />

Well here’s your chance of a lifetime!<br />

Here at NUTS (<strong>Northumbria</strong> University Trainee<br />

Skydivers) we’re offering you that golden opportunity<br />

at a ridiculously discounted rate. Now fi rstly, don’t<br />

panic as the courses we provide are for those with<br />

no skydiving experience whatsoever. So if you think<br />

you’re diving in at the deep end, then relax because<br />

there’ll be 11 other people on your weekend course in<br />

the same position as you.<br />

What we offer is an 8 hour training course, BPA<br />

membership, free kit hire and your fi rst jump for free.<br />

Sounds expensive but that’s £80 cheaper than normal<br />

and each jump after that only costs £22 including free<br />

training and kit hire.<br />

LINKS SOCIETY<br />

LINKS is a joint<br />

society between<br />

<strong>Northumbria</strong> and<br />

Newcastle, and is the<br />

student side of St John Ambulance.<br />

The idea is simple - you join LINKS, then take one<br />

of 2 routes: 1. We train you for free, we give you all<br />

the support and skills you need, and we give you the<br />

opportunity to practise these skills at various events.<br />

2. You just come to the Thursday meetings, learn<br />

fi rst aid without going on courses, and come to the<br />

amazing socials!<br />

We have about 150 members, 50 of which are fully<br />

trained and attend duties such at football at St James’<br />

Park & The Stadium of Light; gigs and concerts<br />

- recent ones including Take That, Oasis, Maxïmo Park<br />

and events such as The Great North Run.<br />

GET INVOLVED Society Successes<br />

Your fi rst jump, you exit the plane by yourself at<br />

3,500ft. However, your parachute will be on static line<br />

(i.e. your parachute will automatically open as soon<br />

as you exit the plane) so there is no need to panic or<br />

worry. If you choose to stay on after your fi rst jump,<br />

then each £22 jump will teach you more and more<br />

skills, so that you can move onto pulling your own<br />

rip cord, performing somersaults in the air and fi nally<br />

qualifying.<br />

However, the fun doesn’t stop there! After qualifying<br />

you can progress onto formation skydiving, freefl ying<br />

and so much more.<br />

So what are you waiting for? Check out our website<br />

at www.sunuts.co.uk or join our facebook group<br />

‘<strong>Northumbria</strong> University Trainee Skydivers’ and if<br />

you’re up for the challenge then give us an<br />

e-mail at SU.NUTS@northumbria.ac.uk to join the<br />

next course!<br />

With LINKS, you get out what you put in. I personally<br />

have been on over £600 worth of courses, attended<br />

conferences, leadership weekends and some amazing<br />

events, all for free. But LINKS isn’t just about fi rst aid,<br />

we also have some fantastic socials, such as the<br />

annual “Pink Pubcrawl”, where you dress pink, drink<br />

pink and (if you can) eat pink!<br />

We meet every Thursday 7:30-9:00pm, although as<br />

it is a joint society, the venue changes between the<br />

Universities!<br />

At the moment we’re putting on “give it a go”<br />

sessions at both Coach Lane (4th Nov) and City<br />

Campus (18th Nov), so if you want to know more,<br />

why not come along? Or email me at<br />

chief@newcastle-links.sja.org.uk<br />

Carl Shooter - <strong>Northumbria</strong> Chief - Newcastle LINKS.<br />

& Craig Wood<br />

nu:life 15


LIGHT RELIEF Spotted<br />

16 nu:life Photography by Aaron Mcconky, Full Moon


OH THE FUN AND<br />

FROLICS OF FOAM!<br />

WHAT IS IT ABOUT FOAM<br />

PARTIES WHICH MAKE<br />

US REGRESS BACK TO<br />

BEING SIX YEARS OLD<br />

AND GETTING SOME<br />

SERIOUS EXCITEMENT<br />

OVER BUBBLES!?<br />

Who knows but throw in some banging tunes,<br />

an outstanding venue and some very happy<br />

students and you have yourselves a foam<br />

party. If you wanted to stay clean in your shirt,<br />

if you didn’t want your mascara to run or if you<br />

wanted to keep your hair straight, this party<br />

was not for you! Throw me a towel, I’m done.<br />

LIGHT RELIEF<br />

Spotted<br />

nu:life 17


LIGHT RELIEF Centerfold<br />

Think sexy.<br />

Think Ibiza.<br />

at the STUDENTS’ UNION, DOMAIN working the decks.<br />

A night to remember or one to forget. <strong>Kate</strong> is quite a character,<br />

refusing to let me talk to her until I had a drink and relaxed. Not<br />

what you’d expect from her reputation, quite relaxed and down to<br />

earth who hit the clubs in Newcastle after with the Rough Hill crew.<br />

If you get a chance to meet her, buy her a drink and have a chat.<br />

Hers is a vodka cranberry.<br />

Words & Photography by Aaron McConkey<br />

18 nu:life


LIGHT RELIEF Centrefold<br />

A night to<br />

remember or<br />

one to forget...<br />

www.katelawler.net<br />

nu:life 19


LIGHT RELIEF Horoscopes<br />

SAGITTARIUS<br />

22 November - 21 December<br />

Nerves try and get the better of you, but stay focused.<br />

Success will be achieved if you base decisions on<br />

practical thinking. Don’t rush into anything!<br />

CAPRICORN<br />

22 December - 19 January<br />

You may want to get in touch with someone from<br />

your past or they may contact you. Be sure to check<br />

your messages/email.<br />

AQUARIUS<br />

20 January - 18 February<br />

You’re starting to feel more generous. Directing<br />

this towards individuals who could really use your<br />

support will change the way you feel about giving.<br />

PISCES<br />

19 February - 20 March<br />

You’ll fi nd yourself wanting to be more like someone<br />

you admire. The way they approach life seems to get<br />

results. Use their admirable qualities as inspiration.<br />

Stay true to yourself!<br />

TAURUS<br />

20 April - 20 May<br />

You are now able to see something that has been<br />

going on right in front of your eyes. What you do with<br />

this new found information is entirely up to you.<br />

20 nu:life<br />

ARIES<br />

21 March - 19 April<br />

You need help and now is a time to realise that you<br />

have to ask. We all have our pride, but remember<br />

that you are only human.<br />

GEMINI<br />

21 May - 21 June<br />

Feelings of inspiration can occur as you<br />

experience creative ideas. Make sure to have pen<br />

and paper handy as these ideas will be short-lived.<br />

CANCER<br />

22 June - 22 July<br />

You have to make decisions, which could have<br />

important consequences for your future. When you<br />

can’t make a choice, it is best not to choose, but<br />

let it play out.<br />

LEO<br />

23 July - 22 August<br />

You may feel the urge to get back at someone.<br />

Hang onto your self-respect and just go on as if they<br />

didn’t exist without giving a second thought to it.<br />

VIRGO<br />

23 August - 22 September<br />

Everything feels in sync and those around you are<br />

making you feel wanted. It would be nice to feel<br />

this way all the time, but it would only distract you.<br />

LIBRA<br />

23 September - 22 October<br />

The right attitude will make all the difference.<br />

Though you may not feel like putting on a happy<br />

face, giving it that little bit extra will pay off.<br />

SCORPIO<br />

23 October - 21 November<br />

Going with your gut feeling will pay off in a big way.<br />

Others will try to change your mind so be sure,<br />

listen to your instinct.<br />

L


Money, money, money<br />

Must be funny In the<br />

rich women’s<br />

world...<br />

aurenWest<br />

knows best<br />

Dear Lauren,<br />

With Christmas coming up it’s a pretty<br />

expensive time of year. I’ve already exhausted<br />

my loan and I’m still to buy all my presents<br />

for friends and family. The thing is, my new<br />

friends at Uni get extra money off their parents<br />

and spend so much I can’t keep up with them<br />

and my bank account is suffering! How can<br />

I suggest doing something else apart from<br />

going out on expensive nights without looking<br />

cheep? ANY ideas would be great.<br />

Thanks, Soph.<br />

Dear Soph,<br />

I know this is quite a common problem, it’s so<br />

easy to power through your loan and not realise<br />

what you are spending. Have you considered<br />

taking on any part time work? There are some<br />

recruitment agencies in Newcastle such as<br />

Direct Recruitment which offer you work via<br />

text which you can accept or decline and you<br />

aren’t tied down to do anything, which is good<br />

for students. You could also maybe suggest<br />

doing things like having a dinner party, or a<br />

house party which would mean you could stay<br />

and drink in the house instead of paying into<br />

clubs, taxis and overpriced drinks. A lot of the<br />

time house parties are just as good craic as a<br />

night out if not better, I think so anyway! About<br />

Christmas, I am sure you’re family won’t mind<br />

if you just buy them small presents, and if they<br />

do, tell them they could have had better ones if<br />

they gave you money! In a nice way, of course.<br />

Good Luck!<br />

Love Lauren xxx<br />

LIGHT RELEIF Lauren West Knows Best<br />

Dear Lauren,<br />

I have an issue with my fl atmates, well I think<br />

it’s an issue. I’ve been noticing stuff going<br />

missing from my room, it started with small<br />

things like pens but now I’m sure books and<br />

DVD’s have gone also. I’m pretty sure I haven’t<br />

mislaid them but I don’t want to start a huge<br />

argument with my fl atmates as we get on quite<br />

well. How should I go about this?<br />

Cheers J<br />

Hi J,<br />

Regardless of what it is that is going missing, it is<br />

still a big issue and you should really approach<br />

them about it, even if it does cause an argument,<br />

stealing is not just a problem, it is also a crime. If<br />

your fl atmates get a bit arsey when you mention<br />

to them, or if you don’t want to approach them<br />

yourself, you should take it up to a higher level,<br />

and speak to the accommodation staff, who could<br />

then launch an inquiry, which could hopefully fi nd<br />

the guilty culprit, and then they would be punished.<br />

Don’t feel bad about bringing it up both because<br />

the one who is stealing from you is much more in<br />

the wrong, and you have a fair point! In halls also, it<br />

is easy for people to come in and out of fl ats, so try<br />

to make sure your door is locked when you aren’t<br />

in, to make sure, and will also give you peace of<br />

mind when you are out. Anyhow, good luck with it.<br />

Love Lauren xxx<br />

nu:life 21


The new Student<br />

<strong>Union</strong> housing service.<br />

19 of the finest letting agents are now in your Student <strong>Union</strong>.<br />

Pop in and take your first steps to stress less house hunting.<br />

Be ahead of the game... Use the new House Hustler lettings points<br />

in the Student <strong>Union</strong> and search through over 2,000<br />

properties from 19 letting agents. look at pictures,<br />

get descriptions and reserve viewings of<br />

properties you like.<br />

Your perfect student home is finger tips away.<br />

In a rush? View all these letting agents properties and more at<br />

www.househustler.co.uk, the biggest student property portal in Newcastle!<br />

WWW.HOUSEHUSTLER.CO.UK<br />

The quickest way to find a house


Big statement boots<br />

Ankle roll up jeans<br />

tudent<br />

treet<br />

tyle<br />

Chunky layered knits<br />

The catwalk was bursting with wearble trends for<br />

this winter. Think sequins, studs, leather and fur on<br />

eveything and anything. Chunky statement boots<br />

are a must have aswell as oversized knits, thick<br />

tights and lots of layering. The new coours are reds<br />

and blacks and fabrics are velvet and leather. The<br />

silohuette as all about strong shoulders so girls<br />

don’t fear the shoulder pad. For guys try a quilted<br />

jacket over a lumberjack shirt or jumper with a cool<br />

print and an tan satchel. Turn ups on jeans and<br />

trousres give a new life to the skinny for both boys<br />

and girls. Happy shopping.<br />

STUDENT CULTURE Student Street Style<br />

We’ve been out and about<br />

around campus to see what<br />

<strong>Northumbria</strong> students are<br />

wearing...<br />

Studs embelishments and fur<br />

Quilted jackets<br />

Knee and thigh high boots<br />

Double breasted blazers<br />

nu:life 23


STUDENT CULTURE Hot Topic<br />

Hot Topic gives you, the student, a voice to big<br />

issues affecting you. They are current questions<br />

surrounding you and your life and raise the<br />

awareness of the topic.<br />

“ARE STUDENTS GETTING<br />

THEIR MONEY’S<br />

WORTH OUT OF<br />

LANDLORDS?”<br />

John Henderson<br />

DIRECTOR ACORN<br />

PROPERTIES<br />

There are two types of deposit schemes with<br />

Assured Shorthold Tenancies. Firstly, insured<br />

where the landlord holds the deposit but can’t<br />

touch it without your permission. Secondly, the<br />

Deposit Protection Service where the money is held<br />

separately and it needs both the landlord and the<br />

tenant to agree the refund. If there is any argument<br />

the issue is dealt with by the arbitration service. If<br />

your rent is over £25,000 per property per year then<br />

you are outside the scheme and the landlord or<br />

agent would hold the deposit.<br />

The deposit schemes work around your inventory;<br />

this is a list of all the items in your property and the<br />

condition they are in when you move in. When you<br />

move out you will be “checked out by your landlord<br />

using the same document so any changes can be<br />

noted. If it’s damage you pay. If it is just wear and<br />

tear the landlord pays. Simples!<br />

There are good and bad people, that includes<br />

tenants, landlords and letting agents. Therefore<br />

it is really important that you choose your agent<br />

carefully right at the beginning. If you are a student<br />

24 nu:life<br />

YES<br />

This month we are looking at housing and<br />

landlords. It seems that every year landlords<br />

are pushing students to put down deposits on<br />

houses to rent earlier and earlier, potentially<br />

stirring up a hype to get students to sign<br />

contracts to rent a house for the following year.<br />

Furthermore a lot of students feel they aren’t<br />

treated fairly by their landlords or letting agents.<br />

But on the other side, are students a nuisance<br />

to landlords? Here we see Director of Acorn<br />

Properties lay out the truth on how landlords are<br />

here to help students, and also how one student<br />

really feels about the situation.<br />

and need advice go to the agent you got your<br />

property from if you have a dispute they should be<br />

able to advise you and help you. Always choose<br />

an accredited agency after all; they are going to be<br />

looking after your fi rst month’s rent and deposit, for<br />

at least a month, often longer before you move in.<br />

If you just give your money to anyone who is to say<br />

it is still going to be there when you move in?<br />

Choose wisely, always ask for advice and always<br />

check that your letting agent is accredited. That is<br />

always a good sign that if they are prepared to be<br />

audited and vetted by an independent regulatory<br />

authority, then they should be a good source<br />

of information and advice for tenants as well as<br />

landlords. ><br />

THERE ARE GOOD AND<br />

BAD PEOPLE, THAT<br />

INCLUDES TENANTS,<br />

LANDLORDS<br />

AND LETTING<br />

AGENTS.


Philip Harrison<br />

NORTHUMBRIA<br />

UNIVERSITY STUDENT<br />

As a fi rst year student I have recently come to<br />

realise the fi nancial hardship of actually being a<br />

student. Something I have noticed in particular is<br />

the cost of Student accommodation; I understand<br />

that we all get student loans in order to help<br />

us along with this. That being said, speaking<br />

personally, my loan fails to cover the full amount of<br />

accommodation fees never mind the essentials;<br />

food, drink ect. I also know that I am not the only<br />

one in this position, many of us seem to be fi nding<br />

it hard to juggle new, expensive student fees with a<br />

new exiting social life, and because lets face it we<br />

are here to have a good time too.<br />

Some would simply tell us to ‘get a job’, however<br />

that’s not as easy as it sounds and recent studies<br />

show, ‘45% of students with a part time job feel<br />

distracted from their studies’. Figures also show<br />

that student rent had increased by, ‘23% between<br />

2003 and 2007’. Not to mention extra charges and<br />

losing deposits over already existing problems, for<br />

example a friend was charged for a broken towel<br />

holder which was hanging off when she moved in!<br />

Another option for us would be to choose private<br />

housing, something which we are expected to do in<br />

our latter years. That being said is that really a better<br />

option? Speaking to friends, some landlords from<br />

private housing seem to be rather harsh and unfair.<br />

Several people have told me stories about broken<br />

appliances, extra charges and deadlines which<br />

have not been met. Two close friends who failed to<br />

get a placement in student halls found themselves<br />

in houses which weren’t ready for their arrival and<br />

had to suffer without the necessary appliances. I<br />

have also been told the cost for each deposit for<br />

members of the household is pricey; often over a<br />

month’s rent which a lot of students or parents just<br />

cannot afford that! How are we expected to pay for<br />

our current rent, and then also pay close to £600<br />

deposit for somewhere else?! As a consequence<br />

NO<br />

STUDENT CULTURE Hot Topic<br />

students are often left with the pressure to come<br />

up with the money by landlords or left with the poor<br />

choice of the last accommodation. Landlords are<br />

pushing students to early to sign for expensive<br />

letting agreements that sometimes students just<br />

cannot afford.<br />

Again, examples of students loosing their deposits<br />

for issues that should have been settled with the<br />

previous tenant seem to be a common occurrence,<br />

as well as what feels like “tricks” in order to gain<br />

money from us. It can’t be just me who thinks that is<br />

totally unfair. What do you think?<br />

HOW ARE WE EXPECTED<br />

TO PAY FOR OUR<br />

CURRENT RENT, AND<br />

THEN ALSO PAY CLOSE<br />

TO £600 DEPOSIT FOR<br />

SOMEWHERE ELSE?!<br />

As a consequence students are<br />

often left with the pressure to come<br />

up with the money by landlords<br />

nu:life 25


STUDENT CULTURE LGBT Shag Week<br />

SHAGWeek<br />

A degree, new friends,<br />

and great memories<br />

are all things students<br />

at <strong>Northumbria</strong> receive<br />

each year. But too often<br />

Chlamydia, Syphilis, and<br />

other sexually transmitted<br />

infections (STIs) are<br />

now joining that list.<br />

Helping you enjoy your<br />

time at <strong>Northumbria</strong>,<br />

the <strong>Students</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong> is<br />

hosting SHAG (Sexual<br />

Health Awareness and<br />

Guidance) Week from<br />

the 30th November - 6th<br />

December. The week<br />

aims to help educate<br />

students on STIs,<br />

promote safe sex, and<br />

encourage students to<br />

get checked regularly.<br />

Don’t be intimidated by<br />

the topic - we know it<br />

can be daunting to talk<br />

about our own sexual<br />

activity, let alone our<br />

sexual health but having a<br />

healthy attitude to sex and<br />

knowing the right steps<br />

Always wear<br />

protection...<br />

to take when engaging in sexual activity is something that<br />

everyone will benefi t from.<br />

Throughout the week, our team of ‘Condom Fairies’ will<br />

be distributing condoms and lubricant for free to students<br />

so take advantage and stock up on your supplies! The<br />

programme of events throughout the week includes visits<br />

from the staff of Newcastle’s sexual health clinic, tackling<br />

the issue of HIV on World Aids Day (1st December),<br />

and unique tie-ins to <strong>Northumbria</strong> <strong>Students</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong><br />

entertainments. Test your knowledge of sex and sexual<br />

health at “Sexually Challenged” (Quiz Night, Sunday 6th<br />

December) and get the chance to win some cash! If you<br />

see yourself as the next Alexandra Burke or JLS then see<br />

if you have the SEX-FACTOR at SHAGaoke (Karaoke,<br />

Thursday 3rd December). There truly is something for<br />

everyone.<br />

I’m also delighted to announce that the LGBT are hosting<br />

their Winter Ball during SHAG Week on Friday 4th<br />

December. <strong>Northumbria</strong> LGBT society continues its great<br />

reputation for being THE place to go as a gay, lesbian,<br />

bisexual, or trans student. This reputation includes a record<br />

of fantastic events and socials that cater not only<br />

to exclusively LGBT students, but all students<br />

regardless of sexual orientation.<br />

Pete Woodward & Hannah Cassidy<br />

nu:life 27


STUDENT CULTURE Gig Goers<br />

THE<br />

KUSH<br />

Currently<br />

taking over<br />

the North East<br />

with their mix<br />

of Funk, Rock,<br />

Psychedelic<br />

and Blues,<br />

here NU:Life was lucky to grab a few<br />

minutes with band members Johnny<br />

and Pete before they disappear off into<br />

the world of big lights and even later<br />

nights...<br />

WHO ARE ‘’THE KUSH’’?<br />

Parky - Vocals<br />

Johnny ‘Blue Hat’ - Sax<br />

Pete Bennet - Guitar<br />

Ade Scarlett - Bass<br />

Ben ‘Firestix’ Kindlan - Drums<br />

WHAT’S THE ORIGIN OF THE<br />

BAND’S NAME?<br />

Pete: The band’s name originated from<br />

a song that Ade and me wrote named<br />

“Hindu Kush.”<br />

Johnny: It also means ‘Great’ in<br />

Geordie.<br />

WHAT GENRE OF MUSIC DO YOU<br />

CONSIDER YOUR WORK TO BE?<br />

ANY MAJOR INFLUENCES?<br />

Johnny: We’re the newest type of<br />

Rock & Roll, playing good time party<br />

music with infl uences such as Oasis,<br />

Rolling Stones, Beatles, Blues Brothers,<br />

Led Zeppelin and The Prodigy.<br />

28 nu:life<br />

WHO WRITES YOUR SONGS?<br />

Johnny: We all write the tunes, and simply chip in<br />

with our own bits.<br />

WHERE HAVE YOU PERFORMED?<br />

Pete: The furthest we’ve toured is Amsterdam, but<br />

that was just too messy to talk about. We played<br />

World Headquarters last week, that’s my favourite<br />

venue as far as Newcastle’s concerned.<br />

HAVE YOU HAD ANY WORD FROM RECORD LABELS?<br />

Pete: We did a bit of a verbal agreement with Primary Talent<br />

in London - they’re one of the biggest booking agencies in<br />

the world, looking after people like Led Zeppelin, Oasis and<br />

Kasabian.<br />

ANY FAMOUS LAST WORDS?<br />

Both: COME TO A GIG AND<br />

GET YOUR PIG OOT.<br />

www.myspace.com/thekushlive<br />

Danni Mustardi<br />

Jonze’s new fi lm.<br />

THE KUSH<br />

NSU DEC 4<br />

@ Disco Down.<br />

Tickets £4 @<br />

Welcome Desk.<br />

KAREN O & THE<br />

KIDS - WHERE THE<br />

WILD THINGS ARE<br />

Karen O, famous for her<br />

fashion sense as much as her place<br />

in Grammy nominated band the Yeah<br />

Yeah Yeah’s, ventures out on her own<br />

to release the soundtrack to Spike<br />

O’s backing band for this endeavour isn’t exactly a bunch of<br />

kids though, it’s a who’s who of the American Indie scene.<br />

Brian Chase (yeah yeah yeah’s), Dean Fertita (the Raconteurs)<br />

and Bradford Cox (Deerhunter) all lend their expertise in<br />

creating this charmingly stripped down soundtrack to the<br />

Where the Wild Things Are motion picture.<br />

Where the Wild things Are is a story of where we go as<br />

children, to fi gure out the world we live in and O captures this<br />

innocence with perfectly crafted songs that are both playful<br />

and tender.<br />

“I wanted something really simple, but memorably and<br />

seamlessly woven into the movie” says O of the album. As a<br />

body of work that stands up on its own, it will be interesting to<br />

see if O has achieved her goal when it all comes together with<br />

the UK release of the fi lm on December 11th.


CHASE &<br />

STATUS<br />

- END<br />

CREDITS<br />

Featuring Plan B, ‘End<br />

Credits’ is taken from the<br />

forthcoming Harry Brown<br />

fi lm starring Sir Michael<br />

Caine and is Saul and<br />

Will’s fi rst single release<br />

through Vertigo Records.<br />

Having performed some<br />

attention grabbing<br />

festival sets over the<br />

summer Chase & Status<br />

seem to be following<br />

the same path carved<br />

out by Australian DnB<br />

heavyweights Pendulum,<br />

as they look to go from<br />

underground favourites to<br />

mainstream successes.<br />

As you’d expect, the<br />

beats are still tough<br />

and heavy, but with a<br />

more lo-fi sound ‘End<br />

Credits’ is defi antly made<br />

for cinema. Plan B’s<br />

appearance on the track<br />

is neither here nor there;<br />

it adds none of his wit<br />

or anger that we see in<br />

his solo recordings. It’s<br />

as if his presence on the<br />

track is nothing more<br />

than to add another big<br />

British name in order to<br />

promote it.<br />

STUDENT CULTURE Gig Goers<br />

RISE AGAINST - SAVIOR<br />

“Just jump on”. The fi rst words Ruth Walter, national bronze<br />

medallist and jiu jitsu sensai (instructor), say to me were<br />

more than unexpected.<br />

I jump on her back and, by the power of upper body<br />

strength, manage to move to her front without touching the<br />

fl oor. Part of the warm up, this is crucial to break barriers<br />

between participants and ensure effective execution of the<br />

movements.<br />

A respectful rei (bow) on entering the training room<br />

- and toward your partner - before practicing techniques<br />

marks respect and is almost an apology in case you hurt<br />

each other. This is unlikely given the skill of <strong>Northumbria</strong><br />

nominee Coaches of the Year 2009 Walter and David<br />

Chalton. Watching a demonstration between Chalton and<br />

an experienced member, I think ‘I can’t do that’, and then<br />

fi nd myself doing it, with encouragement from each and<br />

every person, regardless of grade.<br />

nu:life 29


TN Just Jump On<br />

JUST JUMP ON<br />

“Just jump on”. The fi rst words Ruth Walter,<br />

national bronze medallist and jiu jitsu sensai<br />

(instructor), say to me were more than<br />

unexpected.<br />

I jump on her back and, by the power of upper<br />

body strength, manage to move to her front without<br />

touching the fl oor. Part of the warm up, this is<br />

crucial to break barriers between participants and<br />

ensure effective execution of the movements.<br />

A respectful rei (bow) on entering the training<br />

room - and toward your partner - before practicing<br />

techniques marks respect and is almost an apology<br />

in case you hurt each other. This is unlikely given<br />

the skill of <strong>Northumbria</strong> nominee Coaches of the<br />

Year 2009 Walter and David Chalton.<br />

30 nu:life<br />

Watching a demonstration between Chalton and an<br />

experienced member, I think ‘I can’t do that’, and<br />

then fi nd myself doing it, with encouragement from<br />

each and every person, regardless of grade.<br />

By the time two hours are up, you feel ready to O<br />

Goshi (hip throw) an unsuspecting housemate,<br />

which is a real syndrome in jiu jitsu, apparently.<br />

Resist this urge.<br />

“I have had new recruits ask me if I’ve killed<br />

anyone” muses Chalton. “This is an attitude we<br />

discourage. Jiu jitsu is about self defence and<br />

confi dence, not looking for a fi ght.”<br />

This is echoed by other novices in the club. “The<br />

techniques become more natural after a few<br />

sessions,” enthuses Dan Richardson, a fi nal year<br />

Internet Computing student who plans to grip jitsu<br />

roots in Japan after graduation.


Despite my apprehension, there was a real feeling<br />

of people wanting you to do well and succeed<br />

despite an urge to slap, punch and throw them<br />

hard.<br />

Chalton says: “This is an unusual feature of<br />

jitsu, though crucial for progression through the<br />

gradings”<br />

The traditional gi (uniform) looks like a pair of pjs<br />

and a dressing gown, though is vital to perform<br />

grabs and throws effectively without ripping your<br />

favourite t-shirt. Although license and gi costs<br />

sound expensive, it works out cheaper than a night<br />

out, whilst increasing fi tness and stamina levels.<br />

David Lennon, assistant instructor, Dark Blue belt<br />

and committee member says: “Jitsu is one of those<br />

things that people just try because they want to do<br />

something new and then stick at, rather than rugby<br />

or football where they know what they want before<br />

looking.”<br />

TN Just Jump On<br />

At the moment<br />

our class is mostly<br />

made up of at least<br />

30 new<br />

starters...<br />

Ever popular, the club has grown to 10 times its<br />

size in 2004.<br />

“At the moment our class is mostly made up of at<br />

least 30 new starters,” says Lennon, which was<br />

encouraging to a complete newbie with no martial<br />

arts experience.<br />

Not only will you break a sweat and come away<br />

with a real sense of achievement, your social life<br />

will take an upturn. Regular visits for coffee at the<br />

Hancock after training, socials and competitions<br />

make the jiu jitsu club one of, if not the, friendliest at<br />

<strong>Northumbria</strong>.<br />

“I’ve learnt a lot about myself - I can hold my head<br />

up high and give a sense of confi dence,<br />

which may protect me more than the moves<br />

themselves,” says Kim Allinson, who achieved<br />

her yellow belt after a year in the club. Grades<br />

are accomplished in groups, which serves to<br />

signify team spirit in a solo sport. To prove to<br />

yourself you can do it too, contact jitsuclub@<br />

northumbria.ac.uk. Laura Gutfreund-Walmsley<br />

nu:life 31


TN BUCS Media Intern<br />

BUCS<br />

MEDIA INTERN<br />

HI THERE! MY NAME IS ASHLIE TRIDGELL<br />

AND I AM THE NEW BUCS MEDIA INTERN<br />

FOR TEAM NORTHUMBRIA.<br />

What that means is that you’ll see me popping up at<br />

various matches on a Wednesday afternoon looking for<br />

the best stories and the biggest wins.<br />

So if you see me around Coach Lane, Bullocksteads,<br />

Kingston Park or on the City Centre campus give me a<br />

shout with your breaking BUCS news.<br />

I’ve been studying at <strong>Northumbria</strong> for two years and I’m<br />

just entering into the third and fi nal year of my sports<br />

management degree.<br />

But more importantly I really enjoy watching all sports<br />

- even in the lovely weather the British winter throws at us!<br />

And those of you who saw me soaked to the skin at the<br />

BUCS Super 8s Rugby League last month will know what<br />

I’m saying…<br />

32 nu:life<br />

As I don’t actually play on any teams I<br />

quite often go along to watch matches and<br />

support friends. I already know how BUCS<br />

Wednesdays work and want to be a part of<br />

this season’s sporting success.<br />

Entering into journalism has not been<br />

something I’ve really considered as a future<br />

career. But after securing this fantastic<br />

opportunity I’m really looking forward to<br />

learning as much a possible about the world<br />

of sports writing.<br />

<strong>Northumbria</strong> University sports teams work<br />

so hard every Wednesday bringing in those<br />

all important wins and then there’s the Stan<br />

Calvert Cup. I can’t wait!<br />

Hopefully I’ll be able to give all those involved<br />

in Team <strong>Northumbria</strong> the recognition they<br />

deserve at some stage during the next eight<br />

months.<br />

I’ll be coming to watch different teams each<br />

week at their home fi xtures so look out for me<br />

and give me a shout. I’m your passport to<br />

hitting the teamnorthumbria.com headlines<br />

and making the pages of next month’s NU:<br />

Life.<br />

Finally I just want to wish everyone<br />

involved with TN a brilliant year of sporting<br />

achievement. And thanks for letting me be a<br />

part of it.<br />

Ashlie Tridgell


V PROJECT<br />

Team <strong>Northumbria</strong> staff and students have thrown<br />

their weight behind a new scheme aimed at offering<br />

talented teen leaders the chance to hone their skills.<br />

TN’s Community Sport team, headed by Jen Rudin,<br />

is working with pupils from across North Tyneside to<br />

offer volunteering and leadership experience.<br />

Within the groundbreaking ‘V’ volunteering project<br />

and in partnership with Sport Universities North<br />

East (SUNEE), Jen and her team hosted a day of<br />

skills-based sessions at <strong>Northumbria</strong>’s Kingston<br />

Park stadium.<br />

And TN’s SUNEE intern Andy Spoors told NU:Life<br />

the day was a huge success.<br />

“The kids who attended were from schools and<br />

colleges across North Tyneside and they were<br />

taught a wide range of skills based around event<br />

management,” said the third year Journalism<br />

student.<br />

“Issues around health and safety, marketing,<br />

promotion and media management were discussed<br />

and the same pupils will work on the Clash of<br />

The Titans rugby event at Kingston Park later this<br />

month.”<br />

The new North Tyneside Leadership Academy for<br />

Sport (NTLAS) has been launched with the aim of<br />

providing students involved in sport with relevant<br />

experience and possible career pathways.<br />

TN V Project<br />

And members of TN’s rugby squad joined the<br />

university’s Community Sport team in offering<br />

expert tips and advice to sports-mad students.<br />

NTLAS offers selected youngsters, who are<br />

already involved in leadership through coaching,<br />

captaincy or as offi cials, the opportunity to further<br />

develop their skills. And Jo Suddes, PE consultant<br />

with the School Improvement Service, added:<br />

“The Academy should provide opportunities for<br />

students to learn from their peers and help them<br />

achieve qualifi cations and awards to support their<br />

volunteering.<br />

“It’s a great chance for teenagers committed to<br />

sport to take part in a wide range of leadership<br />

and volunteering placements and projects and we<br />

provide mentoring on a group basis.<br />

“Ultimately we aim to celebrate, profi le and reward<br />

the contribution young leaders make to school and<br />

community sport. “<br />

TN is a well respected sports provider within the<br />

North East and the pupils involved in the scheme<br />

are learning from students and staff boasting a<br />

wealth of experience.”<br />

nu:life 33


SHUTTLE<br />

SERVICE A<br />

HUGE SUCCESS<br />

Budding badminton players from across the city<br />

fl ocked to a groundbreaking session at <strong>Northumbria</strong><br />

University to get a free taste of a sport taking giant<br />

strides forward.<br />

Badminton England and Team <strong>Northumbria</strong> joined<br />

forces to deliver a day of action designed to attract<br />

everyone from absolute beginners to one-time fans.<br />

And badminton bosses were able to assess the<br />

power of social networking sites in promoting their<br />

sport after taking part in a national experiment.<br />

Junior England international Lauren Smith was on<br />

hand to offer expert tips and advice to all-comers.<br />

And Badminton England’s Regional Offi cer for<br />

Northumberland, Norma Waterfi eld, told NU:Life the<br />

day had been a resounding success.<br />

“This event was part of the Badminton England<br />

Facebook Challenge – a project designed to see<br />

how social networking can increase participation,”<br />

she said.<br />

34 nu:life<br />

TN Shuttle Service<br />

“It’s just one of the ways we’re looking at getting<br />

more people of every age playing the sport regularly.<br />

“Thanks to Team <strong>Northumbria</strong> we were able to use<br />

the university’s facilities to showcase badminton to<br />

a number of new players and people who hadn’t<br />

played the game for years.”<br />

Members of TN’s badminton club joined Smith in<br />

guiding beginners through badminton’s basics.<br />

And Stephen Fairley, in his second year at<br />

<strong>Northumbria</strong> University, said: “I’d hardly played since<br />

school but I thought I might like to play again.<br />

“In the end I stayed all day! It was really good and I<br />

enjoyed it so much I’ll be a regular at the university’s<br />

Saturday morning sessions.<br />

“Norma and the team made me welcome from the<br />

fi rst minute and the coaching was excellent.”<br />

Second year <strong>Northumbria</strong> student Glen Oxley, from<br />

North Shields, added: “I used Facebook and then<br />

saw a poster in the sports centre so I thought I’d<br />

check it out.<br />

“I played a bit of badminton last year but want to<br />

play regularly again. The whole day was fun, you<br />

know what would happen and when and it was a real<br />

social occasion.”<br />

Simon Rushworth


TN Clash Of The Titans 2009<br />

CLASH OF THE<br />

TITANS 2009<br />

Team <strong>Northumbria</strong>’s BUCS rugby guns<br />

are once again training for the fi ght of<br />

their lives as they prepare to face fi erce<br />

rivals Newcastle at Kingston Park.<br />

Possibly the one of the most exciting<br />

and hotly contested fi xtures in the TN<br />

sporting calendar will surely be marked<br />

by a packed out crowd at <strong>Northumbria</strong><br />

University’s newly acquired stadium.<br />

And fi nal year Sports Development<br />

student Phillip Ludford is relishing the<br />

prospect of another epic encounter with<br />

the Poly’s oldest of foes.<br />

“Well we’ve been playing all our home<br />

games at Kingston Park this season but<br />

there’s always a lot of extra buzz when<br />

we play Newcastle,” he said ahead of<br />

the November 11 Clash Of the Titans.<br />

“The crowd tends to get very riled and<br />

there’s always some sort of drama.”<br />

“The lads are looking forward to it<br />

obviously. It’s always good getting one<br />

up on the old enemy and as for the<br />

fresher’s on the team - well it’s going to<br />

be fantastic for them to experience such<br />

a competitive setting.”<br />

Despite taking three of the previous four<br />

games with the red brick side, TN know<br />

exactly how unpredictable the scoreline<br />

can be under the pressure of the big<br />

match.<br />

And veteran forward Ludford showed<br />

plenty of respect for Newcastle – a team<br />

he has faced in countless battles during<br />

his playing career with TN.<br />

“We won our last few matches purely<br />

by playing simple rugby really,” he said.<br />

“We kept it solid, kept it safe and there<br />

was about 20 points in it by the end so<br />

if we can come away with a win like that<br />

then I’ll be happy.<br />

“I know they are going to be well drilled<br />

and their defence will be as great as it<br />

always is. They are such a hard team to<br />

break down - especially when they’ve<br />

got full support in the stands.<br />

“They tired pretty easily last time out<br />

and our fi tness will probably be a shade<br />

better because we’ve been training<br />

hard. But on the day, when adrenaline<br />

is pumping, I’m sure they will be able<br />

to match us. It’s going to be as close<br />

as it always is but we’ll be giving our<br />

absolute all as usual.”<br />

TN will host Newcastle at Kingston<br />

Park on Wednesday 11th November.<br />

Stay posted to TN.com for all the latest<br />

results as they come.<br />

Mark Kelly<br />

“We won<br />

our last few<br />

matches<br />

purely by<br />

playing<br />

simple<br />

rugby really”<br />

nu:life 35


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