SCAN Sept 25 Freshers' Issue

scan.lancastersu.co.uk

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SCANLU

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SCANLancaster

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STUDENT COMMENT AND NEWS

Established 1967 Freshers’ Week ‘25

STRIKES LIKELY

THIS TERM AS

UNI MOVES TO

INSIDE:

Special Freshers'

Guide to University

CUT 400+ JOBS

We've prepared a special six-page guide for

Lancaster University freshers. From everything

happening in Term 1 to campus's must-follow

Instagram pages, it's a comprehensive

introduction for new students.

SEE PAGES 10-15 FOR OUR FRESHERS' GUIDE

Beloved

Local Music

Venue

Kanteena to

Shut Down

If the UCU are successful in their ballot, campus could see its first strikes since 2022/23. Photo taken 30 November 2022.

Josie Hyland | NEWS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lancaster lecturers are currently

voting on whether to strike over the

University’s plans to cut more than

400 jobs by the end of the academic

year.

University management plan to

make 417 full time equivalent (FTE)

redundancies by August 2026, in an

effort to save a total of £35m ahead of

a massive predicted deficit next year.

The lecturers’ union, however, dispute

the size of the deficit. If the cuts go

ahead, 212 FTE academic jobs and 205

from Professional Services will be axed.

The LUCU, the Lancaster branch of

the University and College Union, are

currently balloting their members

for strike action. If the proposal

is approved, which seems highly

likely, UCU members at Lancaster

University will strike some time in

late October or early November.

In a separate dispute over real-term

pay cuts, the UCU are preparing to

ballot their members nationwide for

strike action, with trade unions GMB,

Unite, and Unison also considering

strikes in the higher education sector.

Combined, the local and national

disputes have the potential to make this

year the most educationally disrupted

at Lancaster since the pandemic.

In a comment to SCAN, LUSU

President, Rory O’Ceallaigh,

acknowledged that students’ opinions

on the potential strikes are likely to vary.

He has said that any decision which

LUSU makes about supporting or

opposing the strikes would be decided

by Union Assembly, the democratic body

of the Students’ Union. He emphasised

that LUSU’s core concern is ensuring

that student needs are prioritised.

O’Ceallaigh’s statement, as well one

from Education Officer, Liz Gillett,

mentioned new Office for Students

guidance which says that students may

be entitled to financial compensation

if their education is disrupted.

The LUCU’s branch president, Dr

Sunil Banga, said to SCAN that

the union ‘do not take any strike

action lightly,’ and that the LUCU’s

decision to ballot their members

followed months of deliberation.

He blamed University management

for imposing decisions which left

staff with ‘no alternative’ but to

strike and asked, ‘if staff are working

in an environment which … affects

their mental health and wellbeing,

… how can they provide a great

teaching experience for students?’

Professor Sarah Kemp, the University’s

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engagement,

said in a July statement to Lancaster

City Council that approximately

£25m of this deficit comes from a

shortfall in international recruitment.

Fees for domestic undergraduates

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

SEE PAGE 5

A Graduate's

Guide to

Making it

through

University

SEE PAGE 11

Societies

Spotlight:

Eight of our

Favourite LU

Societies

SEE PAGES 12-13

Freshers'

Recipes:

Eating Well

on a Budget

SEE PAGE 15

CONTENTS

News

Comment

Arts &

Culture

Music

Screen

Lifestyle

Creative

Writing

Sports

Freshers'

Guide

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Josie Hyland

scan.editor@lancastersu.co.uk

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Emily Adams & Mehtaab

Rakha

scan.associateeditor@lancastersu.co.uk

HEAD OF OUTREACH

Lizzie Coopland

EDITOR EMERITUS

Caitlyn Taft

EDITORS

Grace Crossley

Lily Mosses

WRITERS

Amy Bates

Ben Baylis

Emily Cornwall

Lydia Pearson

Georgia Platt

Erin Strom

@ScanLancaster on Instagram

The Editorial Committee above is responsible for all

content and production of SCAN. Compliments, comments

and complaints to be addressed to Editor-in-Chief in the

first instance. Activities Officer Emily Houston-Woods is

responsible for all legal matters and significant reputational

harm and can be contacted at lusuactivities@lancaster.ac.uk

(Printed by Mortons)

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We’re back!

It’s exciting to return to Lancaster after the

summer, but we’re even more excited to be

back in print after a slightly longer break.

It’s been a busy summer for us, plotting

our return to paper and planning

a lot of other changes all the while.

It started as a small group of us but

it’s become several dozen. It’s been so

heartening to see just how many people

have wanted to get involved, and we’re all

so grateful to everyone who’s contributed

their time and energy over the summer.

In particular, Caitlyn Taft, our erstwhile

Editor-in-Chief, has been indispensable.

She’s offered advice, guidance, and a

whole lot of hard work to help us get

things up and running over the summer.

We’re grateful as well to Pat James and Polly

Mascord of LUSU’s Societies Team, as well

as new Activities Officer, Emily Houston-

Woods, who’ve given us a lot of time and

attention. We wouldn’t have been able

to print this issue without their support.

Head-itorial

(A letter from the Heads)

We’re planning a lot of changes over

the coming year. Keep an eye on our

Instagram account (@scanlancaster)

and our website (scan.lancastersu.co.uk)

to see what’s happening. Our next print

issue might even look a bit different…

This ongoing transformation also happens

to be a great time to get involved with

SCAN! Your ideas can help to shape the

future of Lancaster’s student newspaper.

If you've got an interest in journalism, writing,

art, photography, or graphic design, we’d love

to hear from you. We’re always after fresh

perspectives and new ideas as well, so send us

a message even if your interests lie elsewhere!

We can all speak from experience in saying

that getting involved in student media is some

of the most fun you can have at university.

It’s a fantastic way to meet new people and

there’s no better way to make new friends

than by working on a project together.

evening, want to brainstorm writing

ideas, or looking for a lively night out in

town, there’ll be something for everyone.

And, hey, if you’re still not interested in

joining up after all that spiel, that’s fine

too. We need readers, after all! Advice,

feedback, and tips are always welcome,

just send us an email or an Instagram DM.

Maybe a paper newspaper’s a bit oldfashioned

these days, but we still think

it’s pretty cool. More importantly, we

think it’s still the best way to let students

know what’s going on at their university.

So, thank you for reading. We hope you

enjoy and, if we don’t see you at one of our

socials, maybe we’ll see you in the next issue!

We’re going to be hosting a variety of socials this

term, and you don’t even need to be a member

to get involved. Just check our Instagram

for the time and place, and then turn up!

Whether you’re after a chill board game

Uni News at a Glance

Lancaster

without Vice-

Chancellor

until January

Professor Andy Schofield’s

departure has left Lancaster

University without a Vice-

Chancellor, as his replacement

is unable to start until 2026.

Professor Schofield’s new job as

Principal and Vice-Chancellor of

the University of Glasgow comes

with a £400k salary, according

to the Lancaster Guardian.

Set to replace him is Professor

Steve Decent, current Principal

and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow

Caledonian. He was a Pro-

Vice-Chancellor at Lancaster

between 2014 and 2019.

However, his current position

at Glasgow Caledonian

prevents him from starting in

Lancaster until January 2026.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor,

Professor Rebecca Lingwood, will

act as Lancaster’s interim Vice-

Chancellor in the meantime.

SU’s Road

Rage over

Uni Parking

Charges

In July, the University announced

that on-campus parking fees

will apply 24/7, enforced by new

ANPR cameras fom 1 October.

Previously, parking charges

were only enforced from

08:00–18:00, Monday to Friday.

LUSU have campaigned for the

changes to be reversed, fearing

that parking charges will act

as a barrier to extracurriculars

for cash-strapped students.

In response, the University

have updated their parking

policy, offering three hours for

£1 on evenings and weekends.

They point out that no uni campus

in the UK has more bus services

than Lancaster, that parking is

free for the first hour, and free

passes are available for students

and staff with Blue Badges.

LUSU have said they will

continue to lobby to remove

the new charges entirely.

League

Table

Roundup

The new league tables are out!

That’s right, there’s some new charts

to tell you which of your mates you

should feel academically inferior to:

Both The Guardian and The Times

dropped Lancaster three places,

to 14th and 15th, respectively.

Complete University Guide,

more kindly, didn’t move

us at all: we’re still 10th.

Yep, courtesy of CUG, Lancaster

students can continue to revel

in telling their friends, ‘we’re

actually a top-10 university, you know?’

at every possible opportunity.

Across the board, Lancaster is

still the highest-rated university

in the North West, and second

best in the North, after Durham.

Ultimately, it’s only the top rating

of the three that matters, that’s

why there’s actually 12 universities

in the exclusive top-10 club.

In the international tables, however

it’s bad news: QS have moved

Lancaster out of the Global Top 150

for the first time in eleven years.

All that will really matter to

Lancaster students, though,

is that we remain above York

in all three domestic tables.

Even in university rankings, roses

are red!

Josie Hyland (@josiehyland_)

Lizzie Coopland ......................

Emily Adams (@emilya.dams)

Mehtaab Rakha (@mn_rak4)

Massive Wagons

Perform in

Great Hall

For two nights this September, rock

band Massive Wagons returned to

Lancaster to perform in the Great Hall.

Though current students may

mostly think of the Great Hall as

a venue for exams or the place in

which they’ll (hopefully) graduate,

it once also provided a stage for

a vast array of musical legends.

Bob Marley, Queen, Blondie, and

the Ramones are just some of

the famous acts who played the

Great Hall in the 1970s and 1980s.

Now, forty years on from its glory

days, the Great Hall is trying its

hand as a gig venue once again.

Massive Wagons took to the stage

on two packed evenings, recording

for their upcoming live album.

The band, originally from Lancaster,

might be recognisable even to

students who don’t keep up

with the hard rock scene. Their

mural on the side of The Pub,

China Street, is hard to miss.

Earth to Grace, the band’s most

recent album, was also their most

commercially successful. Releasing

last year, it reached #4 in the UK

Albums Chart, and marked their

fourth consecutive album to reach #1

in the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart.

scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster

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WRITERS:

Josie Hyland

Caitlyn Taft

Lancaster University

Plan to Cut 417 Jobs

are capped, and their

value has declined by

over a quarter since 2018.

Many UK universities have

therefore relied on increasing

overseas student numbers,

where there is no fee cap,

in order to compensate.

International students at

Lancaster now pay an

average of £25,000 per year

in tuition fees.

However, a decline in

international student numbers

means that Lancaster

University’s initial prediction

for international recruitment

in 2025/26 was off by roughly

1,000, according to Professor

Kemp. With an average fee of

£25,000, the ~1,000 student

shortfall created by this newer

prediction equates to £25m.

Of the remaining £10m, Professor

Kemp told the City Council that

pay awards and rises in minimum

wage, national insurance,

and costs such as energy had

all contributed to increased

expenses for the University.

The LUCU have criticised

the University for lacking

transparency when it

comes to these figures. The

internal estimate that £35m

needs to be saved has been

backed up by an analysis

by consultancy firm KPMG.

Although the University has

shared a report based on

this analysis, the LUCU are

frustrated by the University’s

reluctance to share the

underlying analysis and its

methodology.

Dr Banga said that a Freedom

of Information Act request

yielded a copy of the analysis,

but it was ‘useless’ due to heavy

redactions. The LUCU say they

still don't know the assumptions

used to reach the £35m figure.

In response, the LUCU have put

together their own financial

estimate, which they say

shows that there is no case

for involuntary redundancies.

Their report, from earlier this

month, used actual recruitment

numbers for domestic students

and the most recent estimate

of recruitments for overseas

students. Based on these

numbers, they’ve criticised the

University’s newer recruitment

targets as overly pessimistic.

In her statement to Lancaster

City Council in July, Professor

Kemp said that Lancaster

University is expected to recruit

609 overseas undergraduates

and 566 overseas postgraduates

this year. The LUCU’s report

gives the same target for

international undergraduates,

and a slightly higher target of 644

for international postgraduates.

The report gives the most recent

estimates of actual recruitment

as being 534 for international

undergraduates (75 below

target) and 805 for international

postgraduates (161 above

reported target, or 239 above

Professor Kemp’s figure). It

also gives figures for home

students as 251 above target

for domestic undergraduates

and 190 below target for

domestic postgraduates.

The LUCU claim that the

total expected income from

new students is therefore

£1.2m above target, although

they say this figure still lies

~£11.5m below what was

predicted in the ‘original

budget’ provided to them.

Citing this figure, rather than

the estimated £25m tuition fee

shortfall given by the University,

or the total £35m target for

savings, the LUCU say that only

~170 job cuts are necessary

and that these can be achieved

entirely through voluntary

severance/redundancy.

Lancaster University did

not respond to our request

for comment about the

report, however if the

LUCU’s figures are accurate,

it raises the question of

whether the University is now

underestimating the number

of international students they

will recruit. If so, the actual

deficit next year would be

smaller than the University’s

current estimate.

The true size of the deficit won’t

be known until around this time

next year, once the University

has the final student numbers

for 26/27. Under current plans,

all 417 job cuts will have been

made by 31 July 2026, at the end

of the University’s financial year.

Because the LUCU are

hesitant to believe Lancaster

University’s deficit estimate,

this deadline for job cuts

makes them extremely anxious.

Dr Banga said that the LUCU

Lancaster University staff.

have requested that the

University postpone involuntary

redundancies until the

summer, feeling that a more

accurate assessment of the

situation can be made then.

However, if such an

assessment showed that

further job cuts were still

necessary, it would be too late

to implement them before the

start of the new financial year.

The consequences of running

such an unplanned deficit

would be dire.

So too could be the impact of

these job cuts. Dr Banga says that

staff morale is extremely low,

causing many to leave Lancaster

University of their own accord.

He estimates that, if the job

cuts go ahead, total departures

by the end of this academic

year could actually sit at 700

when staff attrition is included.

A document from the LUCU

claims that the risk assessment

in Lancaster University’s own

report on the KPMG analysis

rates the risk of the cuts to the

student experience as ‘high’.

The LUCU claim that the same

report lists the risk as ‘medium’

just ten pages later, despite no

additional mitigations being

introduced. It isn’t clear at

this time if this is an error.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

74 - Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

25.0 - School of Global Affairs

23.0 - School of Arts

21.0 - School of Social Science

5.0 - School of Law

58.9 - Faculty of Science and Technology

15.4 - Lancaster Environment Centre

10.4 - Physics

9.9 - School of Mathematical Sciences

6.9 - Engineering

5.5 - Psychology

5.4 - Chemistry

5.4 - Computing and Communications

57.8 - Lancaster University Management School

16.0 - Management Science

11.0 - Accounting and Finance

8.5 - Economics

7.1 - Entrepreneurship and Strategy

6.6 - Marketing

6.6 - Organisation, Work and Technology

2.0 - Executive Education

20.5 - Faculty of Health and Medicine

12.0 - Lancaster Medical School

6.2 - Health Research

2.3 - Biomedical and Life Sciences

Planned academic job cuts by department, according to info given to

All told, it appears that

this academic year will be

filled with uncertainty. The

frustration of unionised staff

with the proposed job cuts,

combined with the LUCU’s

scepticism of their necessity,

means it appears likely that

the strike ballot will succeed.

Its impact would be

compounded if the UCU’s

national ballot also results in

strike action, especially if other

unions decide to join them.

Whilst this could pressure the

University, it would also increase

the risk of educational disruption

and could have a significant

financial impact on staff, who

are not paid whilst on strike.

It’s easy to get so caught up

in the facts and figures of this

nationwide higher education

crisis that the human impact

gets forgotten. Whether it’s

staff worrying if they’ll still

have a job this time next year,

or students worrying about the

impact on their education, or

administrators worrying for the

future of their institution, the

prevailing climate on university

campuses is one of anxiety.

Lancaster University did not

respond to our request for

comment.

Comment

Can You Put

a Price on

Community?

Josie Hyland

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The sudden closure of half of the

college bars has left student staff

feeling unsupported and put college

culture in peril.

Central to Lancaster University’s

identity are its nine colleges, and at the

heart of each college’s community is its

bar. That’s why it came as a shock when

the University, who manage the college

bars, closed four of them earlier this year.

Each bar is a reflection of its college’s

identity: sporty Fylde has a sports bar,

lively Grizedale has a cocktail bar. The

JCRs rely on the bars as venues for college

events. Sports teams and societies rely

on them for socials, whether it’s a quiet

board game night in Trev, or trekking

from County to Cartmel for a game of

pub golf – a name which made more

sense when campus was a 9-hole course.

Graduate College’s bar closed in 2020, and

their struggles maintaining a cohesive

community identity since then suggest

that difficult times lie ahead for Bowland,

Lonsdale, Grizedale, and Pendle.

The first closures (Bowland and

Lonsdale) were announced in January,

and the announcement for the latter

two came in June. The justification given

was that the college bars are simply

unprofitable. Costs are up and sales

are down; it’s just supply and demand.

In my opinion, however, the situation

is more complex. Lancaster University

is a massive organisation: it owns

or controls nearly every building

on campus, which is functionally

a town of 22,000 people. That gives

the University a duty to support the

community which has been built here.

The college bars are currently

unprofitable, yes, but their net cost is

surely still negligible to a large university.

Supporting them is a small financial

investment which pays massive social

dividends. The existence of social spaces

like the college bars is what makes

campus a community, not merely a

collection of offices, lecture theatres,

and student halls. Management’s refusal

to make investments like this shows

that they have become too profitoriented.

Until someone finds a way to

quantify community on a balance sheet,

it will not be a priority at Lancaster.

The manner in which the bars have

been shut is a particular disrespect

to students, especially their student

employees. Some students working at

the closing bars told SCAN that they

were not warned about the closures,

finding out on Instagram like everybody

else. JCRs also say they received

little (or in some cases zero) notice.

Student employees also told us that

4

SCANLU SCANLancaster scan.lancastersu.co.uk

Arts & Culture

WRITERS:

Emily Adams

some staff were promised support by the

University in finding work elsewhere,

but that this didn’t materialise for

most. Shorter opening hours at the

remaining bars made spare shifts

hard to come by, and the cost-ofliving

crisis means student jobs at the

University in general are like gold dust.

The question now is what will happen

to spaces left behind. They still belong

to the colleges, who must quickly adapt

to their new realities. Pendle JCR told

us their space is currently open to

students, and they’re working with their

SCR and the University on long-term

plans. Bowland have extended their

common room into the bar area, adding

microwaves, kettles, toasters, and fridges

for student use. Lonsdale’s space is still

home to their pool tables (now on free

play!), and will be used to host events.

Grizedale Bar, meanwhile, has a brighter

future. Over the summer, the closure was

reversed: it was announced that the bar

would open for ‘special occasions’, such as

Freshers’ Week. Now, it’s been confirmed

that Grizedale Bar will be open from

7pm until midnight on Wednesdays,

Thursdays, and Fridays, at least for first

term. Even when the bar isn’t operating,

the space will be available for all to use.

The threat of closure still looms large over

the surviving bars; the sudden nature of

last year’s announcements suggests a

death warrant could arrive at any time.

Grizedale’s stay of execution may offer a

glimmer of hope. It remains to be seen

whether last year’s closures have boosted

customer numbers at the remaining

bars, or simply discouraged people from

going out. Some worry the reductions

in opening hours will only further harm

profitability. The perfect remedy for the

anxious atmosphere in the college bars

would be a relaxing pint – if only there

was somewhere left to get one of those.

Lancaster University did not

respond to our request for comment.

Dukes Creative Futures!

Emily Adams

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Calling all students with a

creative itch begging to be

scratched!

Creative Futures is a new project

at The Dukes looking to support

two young creatives pursuing

an idea of their choosing. An

extension of their in-house

Youth Board, this project is

designed to give a voice to the

young people of Lancaster and

foster a sense of community.

I worked alongside The Dukes’

creative communities team

throughout July, ensuring that

this project is tailored towards

young people. Creative Futures

holds the experiences of the

young creatives at the forefront

of their mission, and while

guidance will be offered, the

project will give the selected

participants a platform to

express themselves in whatever

way they choose.

So, what does this project entail?

Creative Futures is looking

to take on two young people,

allocating £500 each to assist

in the development of their

projects. The scheme also

offers a free space for rehearsals,

meetings, and events. There is

also an opportunity to undergo

a workshop with a creative

professional in your area, to gain

further support, advice, and

grow your network.

There are no criteria for what

your creative project could look

like. The only ask is that it is

something that young people in

Lancaster can engage with.

It could be a poetry reading,

a beat-boxing workshop, a

ballet routine, a clay exhibition,

anything at all. No matter how

bizarre or unique your form may

seem, this is a chance to share

your individuality and express

yourself.

The project runs from

October to July, meaning that

students are able – and greatly

encouraged – to apply, no

matter their background. It

doesn’t matter whether you’re

currently completing a creative

degree either. Perhaps you’re a

STEM student with a passion

for mosaics, or a politics student

who’s been dying for a chance

to show the world their secret

tap-dancing abilities. If you have

an idea that you want to see

become reality, then why not

apply?

The deadline to submit your

application is the 13th October,

and the application consists of

two stages. The first stage is for

you to introduce yourself and

briefly outline your idea. If your

idea is feasible and The Dukes

can support it, you’ll be invited

to further discuss it in depth

during an informal chat either

online or in person.

For more information, check

out their website, where you can

find a handy information pack

that explains exactly what you

should be thinking about when

completing your application.

Photo from SCAN Archives

M u s i c

WRITERS:

Georgia Platt

Erin Strom

Lancaster Music Co-Op: The Heart of

Lancaster’s Music Scene

Georgia Platt

Lancaster Music Co-op has been

a jewel in the crown of Lancaster’s

music scene since 1985. But what

is Lancaster Music Co-Op, what

do they do, and most importantly,

how can you get involved?

If you were to walk past The Pub on

China Street on the last Friday night

of every month, you’d likely hear a

cacophony of home-grown bands

having the time of their lives. Watching

these bands would be a crowd united

by a passion for local live music.

This is all made possible because of a

wonderful place called Lancaster Music

Co-Op. Founded by a group of Lancaster

University Students who wanted to

support and uplift local bands, the Co-

Op originally found its home on Lodge

Street as a performance, rehearsal, and

recording space. The Co-Op building was

closed in 2018, but a team of volunteers

has fought since then to renovate,

reopen, and continue the legacy.

The club nights at The Pub are a key

source of fundraising for the Co-Op

through donations and merch sales. They

also provide key opportunities for local

bands to perform. A personal favourite

memory of mine was queer punk band

Varicose Veins’ cover of A Town Called

Malice by The Jam at the May 2025 gig!

The Co-Op is so close to meeting its

goal of reopening in 2025, 40 years

after originally opening. If you want to

get involved, keep an eye on Lancaster

Music Co-Op’s social media, head on

down to a club night, or come down

to a volunteer recruitment event. It’s

such a special thing to be a part of, and

Lancaster is very lucky to have such a

passionate and strong live music scene!

Photo Credit: @lancaster_music_co_op on Instagram


5

Is This It for Kanteena?

Erin Strom

Popular town venue Kanteena to

close its doors in the New Year.

Stashed away in a repurposed warehouse

behind The Grand Theatre, Kanteena

is cool. Its brightly-painted boards,

corrugated iron and DIY feel make it the

natural home for Lancaster’s alternative

and electronic scene. At an Electric Six

gig in June, the Detroit band expressed

their excitement to play the venue,

revealing they’d been hoping to play in

Lancaster for some years now.

All good things, however, must come to

an end. In a statement shared on social

media in July, Kanteena revealed that

the site would be closing come the New

Year.

The statement said firmly that “there

is no drama” in its closure, that “the

landlords have been brilliant” - but

“when your time’s up, your time’s up”.

Kanteena was intended to occupy a

temporary tenancy in a disused space

in Lancaster until further plans came

along, and it delightfully extended its

stay. The site has hosted internationally

acclaimed bands such as Space and The

Zutons. It has also been a champion for

local art, music, and talent.

For six years, Kanteena has served as a

strong central bastion for Lancaster’s

music scene, opportune for hosting

mid-sized gigs. As a regular gig-goer

in the area myself, I’m not sure there’s

a venue that matches it. The size of it

makes it the perfect spot to host, and

the surrounding culture of the site is an

added bonus.

The central question that seems to

arise when thinking about Kanteena's

looming exit from the scene is where

artists should go instead. If a larger artist

wants to play Lancaster in 2026, they

are given the choice of a more intimate

venue or striking Lancaster from their

tourbook altogether. I do fear this could

make it unattractive for artists to tour

the area, culling local opportunities

for music-fanatics, and populating the

trains to Manchester.

I do think the closing of Kanteena

would be a huge loss to the area. It’s

a real community hotspot, hosting a

beer garden, axe-throwing, and even

impromptu weddings. The vibes there

are unmatched. It’s a destination, a “this

must be the place”, but also somewhere

one can pop in for an hour or so and

listen to the DJ decks.

I’m not the only one with such thoughts.

As of writing, the planning website for

the demolition has received

806 public comments, with

795 being of objection.

Most cite Kanteena’s

status as a “cultural and

community asset” as

their reasoning. Even

though there are plans

to renovate the area

into a “Cultural Quarter”,

it’s hard to imagine

anything purpose-built for

culture could amass the one that

Kanteena has built up so naturally.

SCAN Newspaper has approached

Lancaster City Council for a comment

on these objections, but they declined

to comment at this time.

There are a few options to explore

in mourning an iconic landmark of

pizzazz. One option is to object to

mourning entirely, cross our fingers, and

hope Kanteena reopens in a place where

its legacy can continue. Another option

is to succumb to the temptation and

get our kicks somewhere else, leaving

Lancaster barren of its proud

music scene.

The final option is to find

some sort of silver lining.

In Kanteena’s demise,

we migrate to the many

small, fantastic music

venues across the city,

and be the pacemaker to

keep Lancaster’s musical

heart beating.

Photo Credit: @kanteenalancaster on Instagram

S c r e e n

WRITERS:

Mehtaab Rakha

Grace Crossley

'The Glassworker': The Persistence of

Artistry in the Shadow of Conflict

Mehtaab Rakha

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

In an age where Disney ‘magic’ has faded

into trite endeavours, cinemagoers

have begun turning to alternatives.

If you’re looking for a break from the

3D computer-animation that has been

dominating Western animation for

the past decade, The Glassworker will

be a much-needed palate cleanser.

Directed by Usman Riaz in his directorial

debut, The Glassworker was originally

released in 2024. It is Pakistan’s first handdrawn

animated feature film. It follows the

story of Vincent Oliver (Sacha Dhawan), the

son of a glassworker, and his relationship

with Alliz Amano (Anjli Mohindra), an

aspiring violinist and daughter of the

famed Colonel Amano (Tony Jayawardena).

The two become friends, despite their vastly

different backgrounds, and bond over

their mutual pursuit of artistry. However,

as war creeps closer to the seaside town

of Waterfront, it becomes more difficult

for Vincent and Alliz to ignore their

allegiances to their families and ideologies.

The narrative is told through a series of

flashbacks. As Vincent combs through

letters and old ornaments, he recalls past

regrets and his buried feelings for Alliz. The

scenes between these young protagonists

are touching, wrought with an awkwardness

and dizziness that feels painfully familiar.

The recurring motif of the Djinn, a creature

embroiled in cyan flames, ties the two

protagonists together even when distance

is put between them. This ethereal inclusion

is a subtle nod to the folklore of Pakistan.

Heavily influenced by Japanese anime

(particularly Hayao Miyazaki’s work), The

Glassworker’s animation style is magical

and picturesque, portraying the wonder

of the ordinary and unflinching horrors

of battle. Watching the Olivers mould

molten sand into voluminous vases and

crystalline petals, and Alliz wield a violin

with spell-binding melodies, the audience

earns an appreciation for the hard work

behind each of the character’s passions.

The bustling town of Waterfront takes

inspiration from the streets of Pakistan.

Gulab jaman vendors and chai walas are

at every turn, and kurtas and saris are part

of the typical fashion. Colonial and Mughal

architecture line landscapes, echoes of

an unspoken but permeating history.

All this artistry and passion, however,

is wreathed in the shadow of conflict.

Usman Riaz cites that he was influenced

by his home city, Karachi,

during the production

of The Glassworker:

‘Like Vincent and Alliz

facing the growing

threat of war, my

colleagues and I grew

up with the looming

threat of conflict in a

post 9/11 world. Riot

drills, bomb threats,

curfews, guards and

checkpoints all over

Karachi, became an

everyday part of our

lives.’

(Usman Riaz, “The Making of The

Glassworker | Episode 01: The Dream”,

Mano Animation Studios YouTube

Channel)

As The Glassworker progresses, we watch

as a quaint utopia is militarised, and its

people weaponised. The film deftly portrays

that no matter what side you choose, there

is no escape from the ruin of war. The film

doesn’t necessarily condemn any political

belief, but it recognises how authority

and propaganda interfere to facilitate

further destruction. However, in the end,

no one is spared from the ravages of grief.

Photo Credit: Mano Animation Studios, 2024

The Glassworker is a thematically powerful

film. Though at a character-level, there is

a little more substance to be desired, it is

ultimately a symptom of the comparatively

short run time and ambitious narrative.

What has been achieved, however, is a

narrative that balances the scathing critique

of war with a deep appreciation for artistry

and the people behind it. This film is a feat

in its own right, and I sorely look forward

to Mano Animation Studio’s next project.

The Glassworker will be screened at

The Dukes from the 7th October to the

9th October, so get your tickets now!

6


Freshers’ Flu Got You Bedbound? Here’s Five

Films to Romanticise Your First Year

Grace Crossley

We all love a chance at escapism

from our own hectic lives as

students, with our 9am lectures and

our looming deadlines. Here are five

films that I think perfectly depict the

Lancaster University experience.

1. Legally Blonde

This Michaelmas

term, we should all

be channeling our

inner Elle Woods

and slay at all of our

assignments. Wear

that cute outfit, blast

some Chappell Roan and

make the best out of your first year!

2. Dead Poets Society

This film is a must-watch

during the autumn.

Despite being set in a

boarding school, it still

serves as great motivation

to get your required

reading done. It also will

motivate you to make the

most of your opportunities

here in Lancaster. Carpe Diem!

3. The Social Network

For any comp-sci students

looking for inspiration, look no

further. This film has comedy and

drama. It will encourage you to

knuckle down and focus on

upcoming projects, rather

than spending sleepless

nights playing Minecraft

with your friends.

4. Good Will

Hunting

Once again,

Robin Williams is

inspiring students

to pursue education

whilst making us

laugh and cry. Let this

film serve as a reminder

not to be condescending to

those studying a different degree,

we’re all equally as important.

5. Monsters University

This list wouldn’t be complete without

mentioning this iconic film. Although

it’s slightly inaccurate, I hope it

encourages you to get involved

with joining a society or

two and getting involved

with student events.

Maybe you’ll end up

joining us at SCAN!

Photo Credits, Left to Right:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., 2001

Touchstone Pictures, 1989

Mirmax Pictures, 1997

L i f e s t y l e

WRITERS:

Lily Mosses

Ben Baylis

New to Lancaster?: Fun Facts About

the City You Might Not Know

Lily Mosses

Although home to only

just over 50,000 locals,

Lancaster has a rich

history, community,

and culture. Here

are just a few of the

many fun facts about

Lancaster–we really are

a small but mighty place!

Lancaster’s

Heritage

Did you know the title ‘Duke

of Lancaster’ is always held

by the current monarch? It

has been that way since the

late fourteenth century.

When Henry IV

became King, he

decreed that

the ‘Duke of

Lancaster’

s h o u l d

be held

separately

f r o m

other titles

belonging

to the Crown.

The title ‘Duke’

is used to refer to

Queens as well as Kings,

unlike other dukedoms.

The River Lune is possibly

named after an ancient

Celtic God, Ialonus. There

is evidence of him being

worshipped in what is

modern Lancashire. One

inscription (which now

resides in the Lancaster

City Museum, in Market

Square) was found

in 1802 just north

of Lancaster. It

reads ‘to the

most holy

god Ialonus

Contrebus

[...] former

decurion,

fulfilled his vow.’

The Three Mariners

Pub, located near the

River Lune, is one of only two

sites in the United Kingdom

to operate an original

gravity-fed cellar. It is the

oldest pub in the city,

dating back to the

fifteenth century.

It has also had

n u m e r o u s

g h o s t

sightings,

which landed

it on an episode

of the TV show

‘Most Haunted’.

The perfect spot

for a Halloween pint!

Lancaster’s

Community

Many people know of the

nearby Morecambe F.C., but

did you know Lancaster has

its own semi-professional

football team? Lancaster

City F.C., or ‘the Dollies’,

play in the seventh division

of English football. Their

home is the Giant Axe

Stadium, named

after the old

architecture

of its exterior

wall, said to

look like an

axe when

v i e w e d

from above.

Near Lancaster

train station, there

is a war memorial

village, which was originally

built to rehabilitate

disabled ex-servicemen,

giving them both housing

and work opportunities.

Nowadays, it is maintained

through donations, and

properties are open to

the public to rent or buy,

but priority is still given

to war victims’ families.

Every Wednesday and

Saturday, a market

comes to Lancaster

city centre, with

many local

businesses

trading in

baked goods,

provisions,

and arts

and crafts! A

smaller version

also operates

on campus on

Tuesdays and Thursdays,

providing ample chance

for a gift to yourself for

finally finishing that essay.

Lancaster

University

Our campus is built on an

area of land named Bailrigg,

all 2880 acres of which were

first owned by Count Roger

Pictavensis. They were then

given to a civil parish, which

named the settlement after

a local nobleman, Roger

de Bailrigg. Although the

current council did not

purchase the land until

1963, Bailrigg House–

part of the university

today–was built by 1902.

The university’s Great Hall

was once a massive hub

for rock enthusiasts. Many

bands such as Pink Floyd,

Queen, Dire Straits, and

AC/DC played there during

the seventies and eighties,

leaving a legacy which

has recently been

reignited by

the Massive

Wagons’ twoday

live gig

on September

19th and 20th.

Photo Credits, Top to

Bottom:

Lizzie Coopland

Lizzie Coopland

Mehtaab Rakha

Best Places

for Food

and Drink

in Lancaster

Ben Baylis

Despite being a small city,

Lancaster has one of the highest

student population ratios, with

around 1 in 10 people being

students. With one of the most

important aspects of student life

being good food, here are some

examples of what I and other

students think are the best places

to go for food and drink in Lancaster.

Gallico Lounge

Photo Credit: @gallicolounge on Instagram

Maybe I’m biased, but throughout

my time in Lancaster, Gallico

Lounge has easily been the standout


7

spot. The food and atmosphere is

amazing, the menu is vast, diet/vegan

inclusive, and the drinks are gorgeous.

Some of the food highlights for me

and my partner were the Brisket Biria

Smash Burger and the Louisiana

Fried Chicken, which we both loved.

A close friend also described the

place as “Fantastic” and “9/10” with

“fast service”, telling me how much

he and his partner enjoyed the tapas.

These include the patatas bravas,

salt and pepper squid and black

bean and sweetcorn quesadillas, to

name a few, of which he described

them as “good value for money”.

However, the real appeal is the drinks.

The ‘Two of the same’ Cocktail deal

that runs from 5pm till close every

night is brilliant, with the Lounge on

the Beach, Mango Mojito and Long

Island Iced Tea all tasting amazing

– coming up to £12.95 for two of the

same cocktails. This makes Gallico

Lounge a wonderful spot for drinks,

even if you aren’t the going-out type.

Sultans Experience

Creative Writing

‘The Hearth’: Creative

Writing Competition!

We are pleased to

open submissions for

the Creative Writing

Section! This term’s

theme is: ‘The Hearth’.

As Autumn approaches

with a chilly disposition,

it becomes harder to keep

warm, even when wearing

bulky layers underneath

your jumpers. Your room

is icy. In the night, there is

no reprieve from the cold

that keeps your eyes wide.

It's strange; this small little

shoebox is supposedly your

room. It feels alien, like you’re

trespassing on someone else’s

territory. There's still a little

piece of you back home, in

your old room, safe and sound.

You wish you could reunite

with that piece of yourself

and find a glimmer of warmth

under your own covers.

Why not find some comfort

in front of the Hearth? Maybe

the fire will keep the freezing

weather from etching into

your bones. Maybe its warmth

will ward off the Freshers’ flu

that has all of your flatmates

bound to their beds. Maybe

embracing the flames will

make that void inside of

you feel a little…lighter.

‘The Hearth’ has been

a symbol of warmth,

homeliness and safety

since the medieval period.

In the inaugural months of

your university experience,

Lancaster’s cold can be

something that takes

some time to get used to.

Whether you are feeling the

cold from the weather, or

homesickness keeps gnawing

in your stomach, try seeking

a ‘Hearth’ of your own.

Send us your prose or poetry

interpretation of ‘The Hearth’

to scan.editor@lusu.co.uk

The deadline for submissions

is 14th November. We

look forward to reading

your

submissions!

S p o r t s

WRITERS:

Josie Hyland

Photo Credit: @sultanexperience on Instagram

I don’t think that any student

discussion about food in Lancaster

can be complete without mentioning

Sultans, and since you probably

already know it, I’ll keep it brief.

Sultans is the ultimate go-to spot

for a quick, cheap, and tasty bite to

eat. It being open until 4am makes it

easily the best place to sober up after

a night out. The cheesy chips are a

highlight, and the burger meal deals

are exceptional for the price (£7.50

for a meal incl. a free bottle of water).

The experience is made better by

the generous rewards cards given

out, never mind the fact that many

societies get their own discount.

If you’re one of the few people in

Lancaster yet to try Sultans, do so.

Honourable Mentions

Some other spots I thought I would

highlight briefly, that didn’t quite

make the word count, include The

Herbarium and Tuck. Both are

stunning Café’s, with The Herbarium

being a must-try for vegans.

Pizzetta Republic is my favourite oncampus

food spot; the pizza is to die for.

KC’s is excellent, I highly recommend

the Jerk Chicken and Jollof rice

(basic I know, but so good). Friends

Bistro is perfect for Chicken lovers.

Wok Inn is a campus favourite

(My partner loves the spring rolls).

Freshers should definitely check out

the food trucks in the city centre. I

absolutely recommend the crepe van.

The Nutella pancakes are a must-have

during winter. Get yourself one and

check out the Lancaster Light Festival!

Six Days and Six

Minutes: How Morecambe

F.C. Rose from the Ashes

Josie Hyland

history. Late wage payments from the National League, and

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

and mounting HMRC debts insolvency was imminent.

resulted in point deductions

and a fine for Whittingham,

now the sole owner.

Photo Credit: @morecambefc

on Instagram

When Morecambe F.C.

may be the Shrimps, but

their resurrection last

month was phoenix-like.

In September 2022, majority

owners Jason Whittingham

and Colin Goldring put

Morecambe F.C. up for

sale and resigned as club

directors. Shortly after,

a Cardiff court banned

them from being company

directors for twelve months

over their management

of an unrelated company.

In the subsequent three

years, Morecambe spiraled

into crisis. 2023 saw the

League One side relegated

for the first time in their

Players’ contracts were rarely

renewed; some of the few who

were offered deals jumped

ship instead. A brief transfer

ban and a lack of funds meant

player quality languished.

In 2025, Morecambe were

relegated again, putting them

outside the Football League

for the first time in 18 years.

A much-needed sale seemed

close by June. A takeover

by Panjab Warriors had

been approved by the

EFL. But by the month’s

close, Morecambe’s board

accused Whittingham

of stalling the deal and

failing to pay June’s wages.

July brought crisis. The

entire board resigned when

Whittingham began sacking

directors to prevent them

from putting the club into

administration to force a

sale. Morecambe’s MP and

Panjab Warriors accused him

of holding the club hostage,

the latter beginning legal

action against Whittingham.

Morecambe were suspended

By August, time was running

out. Keir Starmer joined

those calling on Whittingham

to sell and, on the same day

HMRC ordered liquidation

against Morecambe, a sale

agreement was reached.

On Sunday 17 August, Panjab

Warriors’ takeover was

finalised, and Morecambe’s

suspension was lifted. With

just six days before a scheduled

match against Altrincham,

there was no time to waste.

The club still had a transfer

ban, no insurance to train,

and only five signed players.

On Monday, June’s wages

were paid, and manager

Derek Adams was sacked.

On Tuesday, Ashvir Singh

Johal was hired to replace

him. At 30, he’s the youngest

manager in the top five tiers

of English football, and

the first Sikh to manage a

professional British club.

By Wednesday, July’s wages

and HMRC debts were

paid. The transfer ban was

lifted and the Altrincham

fixture

confirmed.

A flurry of signings brought

another twelve players to

the club by the weekend.

On Saturday, Morecambe

fans turned out in their

thousands, unbothered by

the grim odds and simply

relieved to be back in the

Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

It took only six minutes for

Morecambe’s new optimism

to yield results. Ben Tollitt, one

of the few returning players,

scored on the rebound to

ecstatic uproar from the

stands. The match was

tense following the Robins’

34th-minute equaliser.

In the eighth minute of

added time, however, a late

victory for the Shrimps was

secured by Daniel Ogwuru,

who had joined the club

less than 24 hours earlier.

In just six rollercoaster days,

Morecambe F.C. had risen

from the ashes, finding lastminute

victories both on and

off the pitch. Not even a 4-0

loss to Aldershot two days

later could dampen the club’s

spirit. Though subsequent

results suggest Morecambe’s

route back to the EFL might

not be straightforward, there’s

no club in England better

prepared for the challenge.

8



9

10


Freshers’ Guide

Meet Your New FTOs!

Josie Hyland

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lancaster University students are members of LUSU,

the students’ union. Although maybe best known for

Sugarhouse, the SU nightclub, LUSU’s main duty is

representing its members’ interests, just like any other

union.

To make sure the SU is as representative as possible, four elected

student officers work full-time to advocate for students. We call

them FTOs.

Representation will be particularly important this year: the

University’s big cuts risk negatively impacting students, and a new

Vice-Chancellor starts in January. The Curriculum Transformation

Programme (CTP) is being finalised this year and will move

the University from three terms to two semesters, requiring the

complete redesign of almost every module.

Here is a brief introduction to the FTOs who are currently in office!

Rory O’Ceallaigh

(he/him)

@lusupresident

The President leads the FTO team, acts

as spokesperson and Trustee Board chair,

and oversees meetings with the College

JCRs.

Rory graduated over the summer with a BEng in Mechatronic

Engineering. He’s spent a lot of his time at Lancaster on Furness

JCR, including a term as their College President.

In his spare time, Rory’s a keen trumpeter, playing in Inglorious

Brassterds and the Music Society’s Big Band.

His priorities as President include:

Seeing students through ongoing cuts

Helping the colleges to thrive

Protecting student spaces

Supporting the rest of the FTO team

Liz Gillett

(she/they)

@lusueducation

The Education Officer represents the SU

in all academic matters, liaising closely

with the University and overseeing the

Academic Reps.

Liz just graduated with a BSc in Politics, IR

a n d

Management. They enjoy kickboxing and swimming (she even

served as the Kickboxing Society’s president), and likes to crochet

clothes and cuddly toys.

Liz’s priorities include:

Maximising student input in the CTP

Ensuring a good quality of education throughout the

University

Implementing self-certification, meaning no more sick

notes to get an extension

Encouraging employment skills

Emily Houston-Woods

(she/her)

@lusuactivities

Pendle College’s JCR and netball team, having also run the Harry

Potter Society. She has two dogs, Holly and Mia, enjoys playing The

Sims, and worked throughout her time as a student at a home for

adults with learning disabilities.

Her priorities include:

Improving access to, and removing financial barriers

from, activities

Pushing for academic-free Wednesdays

Promoting women+ in activities and leadership roles

Club accreditation scheme

Leah Buttery

(she/they)

@lusuwellbeing

Leah graduated with a BA in History, writing

her dissertation on the impact of 1960s

tampon advertising on menstrual stigma

today, which has no doubt informed some of

their policies! Outside of studies, Leah enjoys

painting, reading about interesting women, and

admiring castles.

Her priorities for this year include:

Secure University funding for free, accessible period

products on campus

Keeping wellbeing services effective and accessible

despite budget cuts

Continuing the campaign against sexual misconduct,

and expanding it to include off-campus safety

Emily has graduated with a BSc in Natural

Sciences. She spent last year as President of

What’s Happening in Term 1?

Photo Credits:

Lancaster University Student's Union

Emily Adams

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

As much as I love our campus, I encourage Freshers to

venture into Lancaster beyond your weekly Aldi shop. The

city can seem small, but once you get to know the right

places, you’ll never run out of things to do. Here are some

events happening this term to help initiate you into the

Lancaster culture.

Love Lancaster Live

(9th-12th October)

Many of us were devastated to hear

that the annual Lancaster Music

Festival was taking a hiatus this year.

But from its ashes rises a phoenix

in the form of ‘Love Lancaster Live’,

a four-day event seeing local bands

perform in over 50 venues across the

city.

The highlight of the weekend will

take place at The Storey, where BBC

Introducing will be hosting six artists

from across the region on Saturday

and Sunday evening.

If you’re still chasing the high of

Freshers’ week, and looking to escape

your week one woes, then this is for

you!

Spooky Dukes

(late October)

Visit Lancaster’s local independent cinema, The Dukes, in the

week running up to Halloween for a pick of spookyseason

films! Only a two-minute walk from the

city centre, The Dukes spotlights some great indie

cinema throughout the year, and their Halloween

lineup always possesses (get it?) something for

everyone.

Their ‘Dark Dukes’ week last year

included a range of films, from

recent hits such as The Substance, to

slasher classics like A Nightmare on

Elm Street, to the highly acclaimed

Onibaba and the beloved Hocus

Pocus. If you’re a (blood)sucker

for some creepy flicks, get yourself

to The Dukes, with reduced ticket

prices for students.

Gregson Fireworks

(5th November)

Head down to The Gregson Centre and join in on

a lantern procession from the Gregson to Miss

Whalley’s Field, where there will be a bonfire and

firework displays. Only up the road from The Dukes,

The Gregson Centre is a pillar of the Lancaster

community, and what better way to be introduced

than a night of fireworks and wonder.

If you’re missing the traditional firework displays from back home,

this is a perfect opportunity to grab your new found-family and

make some memories!

Light Up Lancaster

(6th-8th November)

Escape the dark, winter nights and watch as

Lancaster transforms into its very own canvas.

Light Up Lancaster sees a series of interactive

light artworks and installations around the

city’s heritage buildings and open spaces.

Back for another year, the annual festival has

announced its theme as ‘In the Blink of an Eye’,

exploring the beauty of impermanence and

change.

Last year’s installations included a holographic

eye cast onto a water feature in the canal

outside The Water Witch; illuminated shards

cascading down the centre of the castle courtyard; and my personal

favourite, a collection of glowing cubes dotted across the gardens

of The Storey art gallery, each one synced up to the heartbeats of a

local Lancaster resident.

Light Up Lancaster is the perfect opportunity to discover some of

the essential hotspots in Lancaster’s community and, for me, it has

always been a magical start to the Christmas season.

Photo Credits, Left to Right:

Emily Adams

Caitlyn Taft


11

A Graduate’s Guide

to making it through

University

Mehtaab Rakha

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

It’s a daunting prospect, but

I bet you’re up to the task.

Starting university is a bit of a whirlwind. One

minute you’re sitting in your bedroom, brimming

with pride and achievement, dreaming about

where you’ll go and who you’ll meet. The next

minute, you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere

with nothing but a suitcase, laptop and a poor

sense of direction. The rain comes and goes, the

heat is still stifling despite the autumnal month’s

arrival, and the city isn’t exactly what you pictured.

With three years stretched out in front of you, how

on earth are you supposed to do any of this right?

There are a few things that I could advise upon: drink

water, get enough sleep, don’t skip too

many seminars…but I bet someone

has already told you that. Though

it’s not particularly awful,

it doesn’t exactly provide

a picture of the day-today

of university life.

Fear not, freshers. I was once

as excited, terrified and

downright disappointed by

Lancaster as you are right

now. And yet, I can safely

say that these last three years

have been the best of my life

(without even a hint of sarcasm, if

you would believe it). With the gift of

hindsight, I present to you my advice to make

sure you make it out of university alive and thriving.

The first glimpse of university life is in college flats.

These flats hold all sorts of potential, from your

first friends to your first foes. Play your cards right,

and you’ll reap the rewards. This means cleaning

after yourself in the kitchen, not playing music

loudly at late hours, and not leaving raw meat

unattended. Most disagreements arise due to a

lack of hygiene and consideration, so please look

after shared spaces and be patient with flatmates.

All this doesn’t guarantee

you will be friends with

people in your flat. It’s

preferable to maintain

a civil relationship with

the people you live with,

but that doesn’t mean

a friendship will spark

because of proximity. I

didn’t find my group of

friends until the end of

my first year! You have

time and plenty more

opportunities to find

a friend group that

is right for you.

As a quick note,

please don’t

sleep with your

flatmate. It’s

really not worth

the consequences.

Now stay with me

here: be kind to

yourself. That phrase

might not hit until year

two, but someone needs

to tell you now, before the

nights get hard. Productivity and

efficiency are a sore spot for many students

trying to succeed. Throw in a bit of imposter

syndrome, and in a couple of weeks you’ll find

yourself paralysed with anxiety. Don’t ever

let it get to that point. Making space

for failure, rather than holding onto

every individual mistake, means you

don’t have to carry the constant

weight of pressure. I promise

that you are doing enough, every

single day, and you don’t always

need a grade to reflect that.

These pointers may seem rather

irrelevant, but if you don’t have the

right conditions, you’re not going to

make the most out of this experience.

I know so many people (including myself)

who were severely bogged down by the demanding

nature of university. It is unfortunately

part of this hellish environment.

However, you shouldn’t

underestimate your agency

in these situations. You can

rest. Be consistent. Ask

for help and extensions

when possible. It doesn’t

mean you’re a failure;

it just means that no

piece of coursework

is more important

than your wellbeing.

‘How can I look after my

wellbeing?’, you might ask. Well,

pursuing a hobby or sport through

a society is a viable option. But don’t just

do something that you have years of experience in;

join at least one society whose focus is something

you’re unfamiliar with. Stick with it, be awful at

it, make mistakes and learn from them. In an

institution that constantly forces you to be at your

best, give yourself space to fail.

Then pick yourself up again.

When I was a fresher,

every student and lecturer

parroted the same

sentence: ‘First year

doesn’t matter!’ Yes, in the

grand scheme of things,

first year contributes very

little to your final award.

But that does not mean

that you should just skip

lectures and take deadlines

as a friendly guideline. If

you’re anything like me, you’ll

want to give it your best shot.

Firstly, if the slideshow for your next

lecture is up on Moodle already, copy the notes

to your preferred notes app/writing apparatus

before the lecture. That way you can actually

listen to what your lecturer is saying instead

of seeing if you can type faster than a lecturer

can utter pretentious gibberish. It will save

many headaches, so do it for your own good.

Please go to lecturers’ office hours. You’re just

punishing yourself if you don’t. They’re not scary,

they are probably dying to look at something

that isn’t their overflowing email inbox. Asking a

question won’t invoke rage and condescension. It’s

what they’re there for, so don’t be afraid to knock

on their door. Chatting to them is a chance to build

upon your existing (or waning) knowledge. If that

still doesn’t convince you, just think of attending

their office hours as getting your money’s worth.

As I said previously, just try when it comes to

your studies. Be curious when it comes

to topics of interest. And if you’re in a

group project, don’t be dead weight;

your supervisor will know and

will definitely mark you down.

Hear me when I say that university

is a massive adjustment.

Whether you’re excited or

nervous, some things will be

very difficult, purely because

you’re doing it for the first time.

I was terrified when I came to

Lancaster. I was introverted, anxious

and a little brash. However, I did

promise myself that I would take every

opportunity that came my way and give it my all.

That, really, is the only bit of advice you really need.

Photo Credits, Top to Bottom:

Iqra Mehmood

Mehtaab Rakha

Mehtaab Rakha

Mehtaab Rakha

12

SOCIETY SP

LU Women+ in Sport Society (@luwissoc)

Josie Hyland

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Women+ in Sport may be one of the newer

societies on campus, but they’re already

making a big impact. Founded just last year,

WIS are committed to identifying and tackling

the issues faced by women+ in sports at

Lancaster.

I spoke to Outreach Officer Amalee (she/her),

who told me more about what WIS get up to.

WIS work closely with the University and SU,

meeting with stakeholders in university sport

and sitting on LUSU’s Sports Committee. This

means that they and their members directly

influence sports policy at Lancaster.

One of their campaigns for this year is a

kit drive, done in collaboration with the

University’s Don’t Ditch It scheme. They hope

this will increase the accessibility of sports,

where kit costs are often a barrier – especially

during the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis.

Of course, not everything they do is so bigpicture.

WIS maintain strong relationships

with the University’s many sports clubs, which

they use to host networking events for student

athletes and leaders.

Their connections across campus make them

a great place to go if you’d like to get more

involved with sports but don’t know where to

start. Whether you’re an experienced athlete

looking for a new challenge or just looking to

get more active, WIS offers a warm, welcoming

environment.

Amalee emphasised that getting involved can

be a great way to make friends and improve

your physical and mental health.

Although WIS is a fantastic gateway for

women+ who want to get more involved with

sports, they’re also a community in their own

right, hosting socials and offering a way for

students to make a difference without having

to do much more than turn up and be heard.

Photo Credit: @luwissoc on Instagram

Lancaster University Doctor Who Society (@luwhosoc)

Josie Hyland

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Doctor Who Society (also known as WhoSoc) is

perfect for fans of the iconic BBC sci-fi programme.

WhoSoc meets up at least once a week during

term for an impressive variety of socials.

There’s everything from cozy game nights to

exciting excursions. They put on bar crawls,

but also cake crawls: tastier and alcoholfree

journeys across Lancaster’s many cafés.

I spoke to their President, Ollie (he/him), who

told me more about what they do. They focus

on offering a fun, welcoming space where

people can be themselves and make friends.

With Doctor Who’s latest season now over, I

wondered if WhoSoc might be quieter this year,

but Ollie reassured me that they “definitely

don’t stop when the new series finishes.”

Last year, they played in the first-ever Whoiversity

Challenge, a Doctor Who trivia contest featuring

societies across the country. Our WhoSoc

finished an amazing 7th (of 23 teams), and the

competition is set to return this year with even

more universities getting involved. WhoSoc

are always prepared for quizzing, thanks to

their fierce rivalry against York during Roses.

Don’t worry if your knowledge of the

Whoniverse isn’t so intense; Ollie emphasises

that WhoSoc is open to all. A staple of the

society is their screenings. Members can

bond over their favourite episodes, and the

alternation between classic and modern series

lets some enjoy OldWho for the very first time!

If you’d like to know more about

WhoSoc, their Instagram @luwhosoc

is the best place to find them.

Photo Credit: @luwhosoc on Instagram

Lancaster University Islamic Society (@lancsisoc)

Mehtaab Rakha

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Are you a Muslim Fresher interested in

finding a like-minded group? Or perhaps

you’re a student keen to learn about a new

religious community? Whether you’re

practicing, learning, or simply curious, the

LU Islamic Society welcomes everyone

during Fresher’s Week and beyond.

Abdul Wasey, ISoc’s President, explained

that the society “aims to create a

welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable

community for Muslims and non-Muslims,

from any background or walk of life.”

The society holds multiple different events

each week, such as game nights, dining

out at restaurants, and sports days. Weekly

halaqahs (religious study circles) are also a

key part of ISoc, as one executive explains:

“Our weekly halaqahs are a popular event

that many people look forward to. The

mix of thought-provoking topics and

casual tea-time snacks creates a relaxed

and welcoming vibe. It’s a great chance

for everyone to come together, learn

something new, and enjoy good company.”

With a diverse set of socials and a welcoming

atmosphere, there’s sure to be something

to suit everyone in the Islamic Society.

During Ramadan, ISoc holds Iftaars- where

the community can gather and eat a range

of food donated by local restaurants or by

students’ families. These are completely free,

and students are encouraged to come along

and eat whether they are fasting or not.

Everyone can feel like they belong in

the Islamic Society. They have created a

nurturing and inclusive space for all students.

The society looks forward to meeting any

new members this Michaelmas term.

Photo Credit: @lancsisoc on Instagram

Lancaster University Writers’ Society (@luwritersoc)

Amy Bates

Whether you’re an experienced and seasoned writer

or someone who hasn’t written anything but essays

in years, the Writers’ Society is the place for you!

The Writers’ Society is a community that

aims to create a space for like-minded writers

to relax, make friends, and work on their

projects. We also don’t require a membership!

You don’t need to be studying a creative writingbased

discipline to join, or even have any prior

experience. You are welcome regardless of

Photo Credit: @luwritersoc on Instagram

whether you’re working on a manuscript that

you’ve been focused on for years, or want a space

to test out the first poem you’ve ever written.

We are a sober inclusive society, and seek

to provide our members with a variety of

events. These include bar crawls, creative

writing sessions, and academic workshops

with members of the university’s English

Literature and Creative Writing department!

The Writers’ Society also aims to act as an

outlet for emerging writers to showcase their

work. Open Mic Nights are a staple in our

society, allowing our members to read aloud

their own creative pieces or even just come

along to listen and support their fellow writers.

We also run ‘Ardent Lies’, a literary journal that

releases issues termly. It publishes prose, poetry,

and script in its issues. We accept submissions from

Lancaster students, and there is no submission fee.

Feel free to get in touch with us through

our Instagram @luwritersoc for anything

else, and be sure to come along to

our socials during Michaelmas term!

OTLIGHT!

13

Lancaster University Philosophy Society (@lu_philsoc)

Lily Mosses

Whether you’re a seasoned philosopher,

keen to learn, or just fancy some interesting

debates, then Lancaster University’s

Philosophy Society might be for you!

We host discussions every Tuesday from 6:30pm –

8pm, covering a range of topics. Past topics include

artificial intelligence, the meaning of art, free will,

the supernatural, and the nature of morality. Our

chief aim is to foster a friendly, casual environment

for thought-provoking debate and introduce

members to a wealth of new perspectives.

Specialised philosophical knowledge is not

required. In fact, many of our members

study other disciplines, and have increased

their knowledge of various philosophical

standpoints through discussions (me included!).

We also host talks by guest speakers for those

interested in academic and recreational

philosophical study. They are short, lecturestyle

presentations by specialists, with the

chance to ask any questions at the end.

There are also many opportunities outside of

session discussions to make friends! Traditionally,

many members head to Trevor (Furness College’s

bar) after Tuesday’s discussion to relax and chat.

Alongside this, we have weekly socials, ranging

from classic Wednesday nights out to more chilled

evenings such as karaoke, quizzes, and board

games. We are a sober-inclusive society. There are

always non-alcoholic options on drinking socials,

and many socials don’t even focus on drinking.

So, if the Philosophy Society sounds like your

thing, please come along to our taster session.

Have a great Fresher’s week or first week back,

philosophers. We hope to see you at one of our socials!

Photo Credit: @lu_philsoc on Instagram

Lancaster University Film Society (@lu_filmsoc)

Emily Adams

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Everyone enjoys watching films,

right? So come along to Filmsoc!

One member of the Executives, Charlotte, says,

‘Film Society is an amazing place to make new

friends with fellow film lovers, discover films

you’ve never come across before, and take a

break from the busy rush of uni life. Whether

you like the cult classics, blockbusters or

the oldies, there’s always something for you.’

Every Tuesday at 7pm, we take over the

biggest lecture theatre on campus to deliver

a top-notch cinema experience, followed by

discussions over a pint at Furness’ bar, Trevor.

Filmsoc puts on a diverse range of

screenings. Executive member Mo says

that one of the best things about the

society is the ‘diversity in its themes and

movie selections, it's rarely repetitive’.

Our films are decided by our members based

on weekly themes. In the past, we have included

themes such as ‘Whodunnits’, ‘Gothic cinema’,

and the beloved ‘Disney Channel movies’.

The society also arranges trips to Lancaster’s

local independent cinema – The Dukes – and

hosts collaborations with other societies

on campus for themed movie nights.

Membership only costs £5 and allows you to

have your say in our weekly picks. This also

gives you access to our group chat, where

you can bond with kindred spirits about

your latest watches. However, our weekly

screenings are free for anyone to attend!

Pop down to Margaret Fell lecture theatre

on a Tuesday night, or follow us on

Instagram at @lu_filmsoc to see what’s

coming soon to a lecture theatre near you!

Photo Credit: @lu_filmsoc on Instagram

Lancaster University Roller-skating Society (@lurollersoc)

Mehtaab Rakha

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Perhaps it’s been a few years since you last

took your roller-skates for a spin, or maybe

you bought a pair impulsively and are a little

tentative to try them out alone. Whatever your

experience level, the LU Roller-skating Society

welcomes you! The society aims to create a

collaborative and relaxed community where

members can develop their roller-skating skills.

Whether you’ve just begun your roller-skating

journey, or you’re resuming a beloved hobby,

there’s a wide array of socials that you can get

involved in. From casual skate meet-ups to

themed socials and even craft evenings, you

can feel included whether you’re confident

in your skating skills or just want to spend

time with students who share your interests.

As said by the Co-President of the

society, Ruwa, ‘The friendships made

within the society are strong, with people

arranging to skate outside society events.’

The society is friendly, relaxed, and doesn’t shy

away from having a little bit of fun. As Ruwa

says, due to the smaller scale of the society, the

community is very tightly knit, making it feel very

easy and inviting to get involved with socials.

If you’re looking for a niche hobby that’s

a little different to what other societies

offer, then this might be the place for you.

The society will be at Freshers’ Fair, and

will be holding a welcome session at the

beginning of term, so keep an eye out for

updates on their Instagram (@lurollersoc).

Photo Credit: @lurollersoc on Instagram

Lancaster Environment Centre Society (@lec_soc)

Emily Adams

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Are you a student within the Lancaster

Environment Centre (LEC) looking to get more

involved in your department? Are you outside

the department but take an interest in all

things green? Look no further! LECSoc is the

place for you.

LECSoc’s co-president, Chloe, says ‘we offer

a welcoming community with a variety of

events, including pub quizzes, pizza nights,

craft sessions, and engaging talks from guest

speakers.’ LECSoc also hosts an annual

Christmas meal, and a Summer ball to

celebrate the end of the year.

Unique to LECSoc is their very own netball

team. A perfect opportunity for those looking

for some casual competition and a fun way

to keep active, they run ‘inclusive, mixedgender

netball sessions that focus on having

fun and enjoying time outdoors’ through

‘developmental training sessions and friendly

matches.’

The society looks to create a community, both

through these social events as well as academic

support for those seeking help throughout

their degree, striking a perfect balance between

work and downtime.

Membership is £5 for the year, however the

society also offers a 3-year membership at just

£10 if you’re interested in securing your place

as a loyal LECSoc regular.

Whether you’re looking for fun social events,

an opportunity to stay active, or some extra

guidance during your degree, there will always

be something for you at LECSoc.

Photo Credit: @lec_soc on Instagram

14


Field Guide to Typical

University Students

Emily Cornwall

Freshers, beware! Whilst

our university is nationally

celebrated for its natural

beauty, prospective students

should not allow themselves to

be lulled into a false sense of

security by the oil pastel sunsets

and adorable duck population.

In reality, our campus is a cutthroat

ecosystem that accommodates

any number of dangerous species.

This field guide, which has been

cultivated after two years of

careful observation, aims to give

you a fighting chance against

the deadliest amongst them.

The Kitchen Menace

(Cullinarius

Calamitas)

Easily identified by its distinctive

tracks, if you find smears of

indeterminate foods across

every surface, you may be

cohabiting with a Kitchen Menace.

This creature possesses an

extraordinary ability to use

every dish in the cupboards

(including yours, so protect

your crockery vigilantly) to

concoct a plate of beans on toast.

A being of deception, it will

also leave the aforementioned

dishes floating in a sink of cold,

soapless, grease-dappled water to

‘let them soak’, even if the dish in

question is a crummy breadboard.

Failing a civil conversation about

cleanliness and shared spaces, I

recommend gathering a portfolio

of photographic evidence and

reporting this invasive creature

to your accommodation manager.

The Group Project

Phantom

(Cooperor Absens)

Although this species is less

blatantly destructive than the

Kitchen Menace, it is more

psychologically harmful due

to its confusing elusivity.

To this day, it remains unclear

whether it is merely a stressinduced

hallucination. It

spends a large portion of the

year hibernating and makes

itself known only through the

occasional appearance on

a shared Google document.

I advise caution; this species

is of the Hirudinea (leech)

subclass, and it will claim credit

at the end of the term despite

making zero contributions.

The Overexcited

Society Member

(Sodalicium

Fanaticus)

Whilst not an inherently

aggressive species, its eagerness

may be distressing for those like

myself with a crippling phobia

of audience participation.

During daylight hours, you can

find this specimen bouncing

around Alexandra Square holding

a sports ball and energetically

endeavouring to rope unsuspecting

bystanders into physical activity.

Being one of the more inescapable

species on the grounds, you will

also have to be on your guard

around Lancaster’s pubs and clubs,

where you’ll likely find a horde

of them in fancy dress drinking

technicolour shots like water.

The Seminar

Philosopher

(Seminales

Philosophus)

A contradictory species which

manages to be both socially

reclusive and irritatingly verbose,

the Seminar Philosopher

lives in dimly lit classrooms

on a diet of cheap cigarettes

and caffeinated drinks.

Though I have tried to decipher its

call – characterised by a distinctive

garble of unnecessarily long words

preluded by the phrase ‘just to

play devil’s advocate’ – I have been

unable to draw any actual meaning

from any of its vocalisations.

It appears to make these noises

purely for its own amusement.

Be warned, challenging this

specimen may trigger its

defence mechanism; the

patronising scoff of disbelief.

Proceed with caution, dear

freshers!

How to Survive Student Halls

Lydia Pearson

One of the pinnacles

of the first-year uni

experience is living

in halls. At best,

they’ll be your new

best friends. But

things don’t always

work out that way,

and that’s okay.

Hopefully, if things don’t

go well, you won’t have to see

too much of them again. But unless

you ask to move, you’ll still have to

deal with them for nine months.

Here are some tips on how

to survive living in halls.

1. Bring a peace offering

with you.

Sure, you don't know if people have

allergies or dietary requirements,

but it never hurts to bring cupcakes,

biscuits or even coffee or tea.

2. Be friendly, but don't

feel pressured

Be friendly and approachable with

your new flatmates. Introduce

yourself, ask questions, get

to know people! You won't

get on with everyone.

However, it's best to try

getting along with your

new flatmates. You'll

be living together for

the next nine months,

after all. Also, why not

make a group chat? Having

a flat group chat is a useful

way to keep updated on what's

going on in your flat. It might seem

intimidating at first, yet it's worth it!

Some people like going out with their

flatmates. That's fine. Some people

don't. That’s okay too! Don't

pressure yourself or anyone

else. There are many

more things you can

do together that don’t

involve clubbing.

3. Have a bin

rota.

This is important.

Get it done! It needs

to be balanced among

everybody in the flat.

Remind everyone in the flat group

chat if necessary, and stick to it!

4. Keep the kitchen clean

and tidy!

This might go without saying.

Make sure you keep your

kitchen clean and tidy. Your

college officers will be

checking. Plus, it's the

considerate, fair thing

to do. If you need help,

there’ll be people you

can ask. So please, don't

leave the kitchen dirty.

5. Always ask

before having

people over.

This one also might be selfexplanatory.

Ask before

you have anyone over,

especially if they're a

boy and you're in allgirls

accommodation,

for example. This is

a polite, considerate

thing to do. Your

flatmates will appreciate it.

6. Make the most of living

on campus.

Living on campus connects you to

the community at the uni, and your

college too. It also means you're

close to classes, so you can

just roll out of bed and

head straight to class.

Take advantage of this!

7. Last but

certainly not

least, stick up

for yourself.

This is the most

important thing of all.

If your flatmates do or

say something to make you

uncomfortable or upset, speak up.

Don't tolerate bullying. You can report

people anonymously and be moved to a

different flat in your college if necessary,

Don't suffer in silence. Uni’s a time

for hard work, yet also a time to have

fun. Don't let anything – or anyone

– stop you. Hopefully, my tips will

help you get through your year living

in halls. Good luck, you’ve got this!

Photo Credits: Mehtaab Rakha


15

Gimmick Accounts you Should

Follow as a Lancaster Student

Emily Cornwall

Whilst university is a place for learning, it is also a place

for socialising, and what better way to do that than

by following gimmick accounts? However, instead of

directing you towards the affiliated societies that you

can locate easily on the LUSU website, I’m here to

spotlight some of the funniest, weirdest, and most iconic

gimmick accounts that our university has to offer. All

of the following accounts can be found on Instagram.

@extractorfansoflancaster

An account dedicated to posting and rating photos of extractor fans.

You can DM the admin with your own submission, where it will be

rated using such metrics as ‘suck factor’, ‘personality’, and ‘sexiness’.

My favourite part is that the admin lets you choose the song that

will accompany the post of your extractor fan, so choose wisely!

@jeremiah_of_lancaster

A sort of unofficial campus mascot, jeremiah_of_lancaster

chronicles the adventures of Jeremiah LeCrouche, ‘a cool

skeleton unliving in Lancaster’. His hijinks – which have thus far

included playing the kazoo, hanging out in a washing machine,

and shopping in HMV – are a source of campus-wide

entertainment. If you keep your eyes peeled around

town, you might even spot the icon himself in person.

@lu_thedarkknightrises__soc

By all appearances, a fairly normal account

purporting to represent a mysterious The Dark

Knight Rises society, but keen-eyed observers

may notice that until the 4th of May, it was a Hobbit

and Lord of the Rings Society. Clearly, what this account

is truly dedicated to is keeping us on the edge of our seats.

@lancasterfits

We’ve all had the experience of being almost stopped

in our tracks by somebody on the spine who’s

dressed like they got lost on their way to the

Met Gala. This account seeks to celebrate

Lancaster’s vibrant array of styles. If you’re

too shy (or perhaps too intimidated) to

tell someone you love their fashion sense,

you can use the form in this account’s

bio to write an anonymous appreciative

comment. It’s everybody’s guilty pleasure

to keep an eye out for their own outfits there, too.

The Meme Pages

On top of all the gimmick accounts, our university has

no shortage of meme pages, just some of which include

@lancscore, @badlancsmemes, @basedlancaster, and

perhaps most famous in recent months,

@evillancasteruni (of which our very

own Jeremiah was just made ‘Professor of

Bone Studies’). These pages are like the

Instagram account equivalent of targeted

ads; why look at general universityrelated

memes when you can have them

tailor-made for you? What’s more, for

new students, they’re actually a good way of

familiarising yourself with the best of the university’s ‘inside jokes’.

In a year where we lost such icons as @lancs_crush, @

whereisguinness, @lancsjoks, and @onlylancs, we can only hope

that a new generation of gimmick accounts will rise from the

ashes of these campus legends.

Photo Credits, Top to Bottom:

@jeremiah_of_lancaster on Instagram

@onlylancs on Instagram

@lancasterfits on Instagram

Freshers Recipes: Eating Well

on a Budget

Georgia Platt

One of the things that a lot of

students worry about is how to cook

and eat well at uni. Here are three

tried and true recipes that saved

me as an undergraduate! They’re

all vegetarian, one is fully vegan,

and the other two can be made

vegan with some substitutions.

And best of all, every one of these

recipes makes multiple portions,

so they are perfect for batch

cooking and freezing for later!

Coconut Chickpea Curry

(makes 6 portions)

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp oil

• 1 onion, sliced or diced

• 3 garlic cloves (or 1 tsp garlic paste)

• 2 tablespoons curry paste

• 1 tin chopped tomatoes

• 1 tin full-fat coconut milk

• 2 tins chickpeas, drained

• 1 tsp sugar

• ½ tsp salt

• Rice or naan to serve

Method:

Step 1:

In a large pan, saute your onion for about

5 minutes. Then, add your garlic and

curry paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Step 2:

Pour in your tomatoes, coconut milk,

and chickpeas. Bring to a boil, then

simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring

occasionally. Stir in the sugar and salt

to taste, and serve with rice or naan!

Mac and Cheese

(makes 2-3 portions)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter/margarine

• 175g pasta

• 1 garlic clove (or 1tsp of garlic

paste)

• 1/2 tsp mustard

• 1 + 1/2 tbsp flour

• 250ml milk

• 125g cheddar

• 12g Parmesan

Method:

Step 1:

Heat oven to 200°C. Cook the pasta for

8 mins and then drain. The pasta will

continue to cook in the sauce later, so

it doesn’t need to be fully cooked now!

Step 2:

Melt the butter in a saucepan, then add

garlic and mustard. Cook for 1 min,

then add flour to form a roux. Cook

for another minute, then gradually

whisk in milk until a lump-free sauce.

Simmer for 5 mins, whisking until

thickened. Don’t worry if this takes a

few minutes; it can be a slow process!

Step 3:

Take off the heat, and then add the

cheese and half the Parmesan. Add

pasta, pour into an ovenproof dish and

top with the other half of Parmesan.

Bake for 15 mins until just golden on top.

Mushroom Soup

(makes 4 portions)

Ingredients :

• 90g butter/marga:rine

• 2 onions

• 2 cloves of garlic (or two heaped

teaspoons of garlic paste)

• 500g chestnut mushrooms

• 2 tbsp plain flour

• 1 litre hot vegetable stock

• Thyme, salt, and pepper to taste

Method:

Step 1:

Heat the butter in a large saucepan

and cook the onions and garlic until

soft but not browned, about 8-10 mins.

Step 2

Add the mushrooms and cook over

a high heat for another 3 mins until

softened. Sprinkle over the flour

and stir to combine. Pour in the

vegetable stock, bring the mixture

to the boil, then add some thyme

and simmer for another 10 mins.

Step 3

Remove the mushroom mixture from

the heat and blitz using a hand blender

until smooth. Gently reheat the soup,

adjust seasoning to taste and serve.

Photo Credits:

Georgia Platt

1

16

SCAN PUZZLES

Crossword Maker

M I N I

C R O S S

W O R D

3 4

2

1

DOWN

1) Purple (5)

2) Small lumps (7)

4) Ethical (5)

5) Authentic (4)

7) To No Avail (2, 4)

ACROSS

2) Within reach (6)

3) Check list (2, 2)

6) Lancashire river (4)

8) Flood protection (8)

9 Dispel (6)

?

?

9

7

8

5 6

S UDOKU

7

6

Across

[4] To No Avail (2,4)

[5] Authentic (4)

[8] Small Lumps (7)

[9] Ethical (5)

Down

[1] Dispel (6)

[2] Flood Protection (8)

[3] Lancashire River (4)

[6] Purple (5)

[7] Check list (2,2)

[8] Within Reach (6)

8

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