This Is A Rather Hefty Backlog.

Highbury Youth rock their way into 2009

As Highbury Youth Theatre’s annual sketch show returns to its original slot before Christmas, the festive atmosphere is getting Highbury Theatre Centre’s youth performers ready to present ‘Highbury Rocks at Christmas’. After years of success, Jane Mason (Director) is yet again working hard to produce a witty, playful and enjoyable experience for all ages. This year the youth theatre have written and included a mixture of short scenes including comedy sketches, dances, singing and fantastic acts from ‘Shakin’ Stevens’ to ‘Leonard Cohen’. The show marks the end of Director Jane Mason’s 10th year with Highbury Theatre Centre in which she has also seen great success in her summer production of ‘Their scarves were red’ by Darren Vallier and Robert Sweetman. Each member of the youth theatre brings a fresh and exciting perspective to the show and this is reflected in the diversity of the sketches within the performance which runs from 11^th-13^th December. If you wish to see something fun and care free this Christmas, this festive frolic encapsulates the talents of the local youth performers and the admirable perseverance of Director Jane, Choreographer Sarah and Musical Director Sufia.

If you fancy taking part in the Youth theatre’s next production or wish to make a general enquiry, ring 0121 378 1851. Tickets for the show are available from the Highbury Theatre Centre box office, for more details visit www.highburytheatre.co.uk.

When You Have No Room Left On Your Computer... Upload to the Internet.

As the summer holidays come to an end, The ‘The Ronin Theatre Company’ will come into the limelight in their debut performance of Shakespeare’s, ‘A midsummer Nights Dream’.

The Sutton based drama society has been formed by university students, Matt Ager (Director), Alex Sweetnam (Producer) and Kate McMahon (Co-Producer), who have been joined by others from various universities and schools across Britain. Many of the players are involved with Highbury Theatre Centre, Sutton Coldfield and the company have used the theatre once a week to prepare, fitting in more rehearsals where possible, practising in car parks, gardens and members kitchens.

The young actors and actresses will be presenting the show on Saturday 29^th August, 7.30pm at The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham. The show promises an innovative account of Shakespeare’s words and is brought to life by youthful humour entwined with mature wit.

Director Matt Ager is confident that the play will be a success and he is already planning next summer’s run of ‘The Merchant of Venice’.

The Tickets for the show can be booked on 0121 200 1892 or at the box office itself which is open Monday - Friday 11am - 5pm and from 2pm on Saturday. However, tickets are limited to the theatre’s 80 seats.

Fancy Another?

Ok, so we all know that most students can’t say no to a cheap and cheerful night on the town, but is this really a cause for concern? Or are we all so caught up in this concept of ‘dangerous drinking’ that we have forgotten to have fun?

Experts across Britain have been hinting that Binge drinking is getting out of control and with the challenges that University brings, does this behaviour need to be prevented or embraced in order to alleviate the stress of assignments?

First we need to achieve a definition of binge drinking as the line is somewhat hazy amongst most members of the public. For example, government reports have regarded binging as 'the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol within a limited time period’. The problem here is what counts as a ‘limited time period’. How can we prevent dangerous behaviour if we don’t know at which point it becomes dangerous? However, a general definition of Binge drinking can be described basically as ‘boozing simply to get drunk’.

Many believe that the main cause for concern is young people in Britain. Even eight-year-old children are being exposed to excessive alcohol consumption and are coming into school hung over! The problem spreads to one in four adults in Britain and 44% of 18 to 24-year-olds have been quantified regular binge drinkers causing the UK to be rated Europe's heaviest alcohol consumer.

The onslaught of criticism towards Britain’s ‘binge drinking culture’ is huge, due to the sheer amount of alcohol induced accidents that occur across the nation. It is estimated that alcohol plays a part in 20-30% of accidents and statistics have found that when completely smashed you are more likely to injure yourself falling into a bush or stepping out into moving traffic. This said, is it necessary to abolish this culture completely? Plenty of students are able to have a good night out, drink copious amounts of alcohol and still get home safely! Yes, it is true that they will probably be ‘hangin’ in the morning, but is there any real damage to their bodies?

This excessive use of alcohol can be the cause of many teenage skin complaints, dehydrating your body and causing a lack of vital nutrients. It can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure which although may not trouble you now, in years to come your heart could be in grave danger! A common problem related to alcohol abuse is liver damage and the disease cirrhosis which turns your liver into scar tissue.

Undoubtedly, these physical problems are bad enough, but binge drinkers need to consider the social problems attached to alcohol consumption. On a small scale, slurring your words doesn’t seem like such a problem, but what happens when you get up in the morning, you can’t remember where you are, where you have been, or why you are in a stranger’s bed? Some might regard this as an achievement, but statistics have shown that one in five binge drinkers who do pull regret it afterwards.

Although it is tempting to go out every night of the week and pull as many people as you want, Deals of £1 entry, £1drinks floating around to lure you in, it is clear that binge drinking is a problem and the amount of lectures missed due to the following hangover is immense. The culture has spread over the past five years and it is necessary for people, especially students, to be aware of what damage it is doing to their bodies before it is too late.

Moving south has its advantages... having money is not one of them.

Over priced lockers and lack of space has been causing problems for gym fanatics at Bournemouth University.

At first look the gymnasium would appear to be good value for money, charging just £95 for a year subscription. However, with the non-refundable lockers are costing people a fortune, making the cheap subscription a trap for gym goers.

Not many gyms feel cosy. Spacious and airy, but not cosy. When you are working up a sweat the last thing you want to do is be within touching distance of another person.

At Bournemouth University gym the lack of space is immediately noticeable. This raises the question, are they over charging for their facilities?

When charged 20p for a locker you normally wouldn’t bat an eyelid, but when you have to open said locker a number of times on your visit to the gym, reinserting 20p each time you start to notice your purse getting a lot lighter.

It is a well known fact that students are not the wealthiest of citizens and to charge them extra for the use of a locker seems a little unfair.

Suzan Barrow said: ‘It is ridiculous the amount you have to pay for the lockers, I end up spending around 80p each time I go to the gym! They are certainly making up for the cheap joining fee now!’

Many universities charge a small joining fee compared to outside companies. Newcastle University charging far less per year than Bournemouth. The gym in Newcastle is spacious and classy. So why does Bournemouth charge so much for such a little, smelly space?

It is not only the gym that charges extra however. The library at the university also charges students 10p to print a page of black and white text and 30p for colour. As a University with a large media school, they must be making a mint out of their students.

When students have to pay for their student card, it does make you wonder where are the fees we pay going? Each student at Bournemouth pays over £3000 a year, for what? Media students even had to pay for a specialist card in order to use equipment. Be it only £1, the money does build up.

Surely, as tuition fees keep rising, it is now the time to question where exactly our money is going.

Half an hour in the airport from Hell: On an episode of Airline

If there was a choice between Frank Sinatra and Tony Christie, we all know who would make the Hollywood Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Airline does not give you that choice. Instead, the programme forces you to endure half an hour of aural torture.

Although Sinatra brings some class to the otherwise extremely cheesy opening credits, it is still hard to take the programme seriously. Filled with drunkards singing ‘Is this the way to Amarillo’ and poor attempts at Cossack dancing from airport staff, morons of the world unite in Luton Airport.

As the camera pans across a group of embarrassed passengers, from across the airport a father screams the command ‘Girls get you f**king arses over here!’ to his small children. After making a complete cretin of himself at the check in desk, he demands a flight or a hotel room to compensate for his delay.

The monotonous format of the programme unintentionally sums up the experience of waiting for a plane perfectly. Conflict then interview with angry passenger, conflict then interview with confused passenger, conflict then interview with annoyed member of staff… you see the pattern.

When watching Airline, it makes you wonder if anyone who has seen the programme will ever set foot in an airport again?! ITV would probably be best sending the film reels off on a plane to Nevada.

Public Eye Profile: http://www.mattharrisphotography.co.uk/

Photographer Matt Harris uses art as an escape. We ask how his troubled background helped to shape his photography and develop his love of the countryside.

PROFILE

21-year-old Matt was raised in South Harrow, London. He bought his first camera aged 18 and quickly caught the bug, investing in a refurbished, digital SLR 6 months later. He now spends his time working in Stubbington, Fareham, where he lives with his Mum and her partner, capturing images during high tide and shooting at dusk.

Kit Used

Nikon D200 DSLR with Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide, amongst other lenses and high quality filters.

There is no better way to describe school drop out Matt Harris than eccentric. Shaggy bearded and scruffily attired, he gives the impression of someone who has not made the fortune he deserves and behind his eyes lies a troubled past which hinders his career. Matt believes art should create new thoughts or stimulate memories and after starting his career on a whim, this is what he tries to achieve with his high dynamic range photography.

The photographer is influenced by his coastal surroundings, applying computer wizardry to transform ordinary photos into modern artistry. He chose a career in photography after buying an SLR camera on an impulse. “I figured I had nothing to lose, all to gain, and just went for it,” he said, trying hard to sound nonchalant.

Offering a cup of tea, the welcoming artist explains that he escaped to Fareham four years ago. Although fascinated by the countryside, he spent the first year of his new life living as a recluse, after developing severe anxiety problems. “This is still alien to me,” he explains, gesturing wildly at his surroundings. “But I have always been a water baby, so once I was able to make it out the house, seascapes seemed the most natural option for my photography.” The city boy now feels he couldn’t live anywhere bigger than Stubbington, because of his love of the surroundings that inspire his artwork.

Matt has great ambition, hoping to expand his work to include promotional portraits and images from around the world, but it is clear his passion will always lie in landscapes. “I couldn’t imagine myself not being a landscape photographer anymore.” Even his ambitions of portraiture include wildlife. “I want to work with young, indie designers, and integrate fashion into my dreamy land and seascapes.”

The quirky photographer has had great difficulty in gaining public exposure due to his anxiety problems and is – after four years - yet to use Fareham’s public transport systems, making his ambitions to travel seem somewhat futuristic.

Living in London, Matt was subject to 4 gang attacks and blamed by some for the suicide of his best friend. This began an onslaught of agoraphobia, which hindered publication of his camera work. However, his background has shaped him and influenced his photography. His lack of trust in people encouraged him to focus on the natural world and his love for it is reflected in his pictures. “I have a finer appreciation for things now” he shrugs shyly – the first indication that he isn’t comfortable when speaking of his past – “I hope my work inspires people to get involved in nature… People don’t appreciate it as much as they should!”

Mark Upfield is a studio photographer who shares his lighting knowledge with Matt. “I love Matt’s photography,” he enthuses. “Since I started shooting with him mine has improved a lot. The knowledge he has on cameras is incredible!” Self-taught over just 3 years and with no previous work experience, It is astounding how long Matt is able to talk about cameras, spurting technical jargon that very few would understand.

Although Matt has recently developed his photography to include images of people, he admitted that he has a way to go before he will be getting out into the wide world. “It was very spur of the moment,” he said. “Me and Mark were out shooting when he mentioned his skater friends were out. We asked if they were interested in being photographed – which skaters always are - and arranged to meet them”.

Like many artists, Matt has struggled to sell his work. “I’m used to places screwing me around when it comes to payment” he grumbles “I have sold little more than a dozen prints so far”. Working from his office at home, Matt’s prints are displayed in a few small galleries and framing shops along the South Coast. “One shop makes my office look tidy,” he jokes, “and my office looks like it’s been subject to blitzkrieg”.

Matt’s dishevelled appearance is certainly reflected in his work place. Even after rearranging his pokey studio several times, the clutter just doesn’t shift. It does lead you to wonder if this disorganisation is the reason for his lack of work. Despite this, a number of Matt’s prints are displayed at Brown’s Fine Art, in Locks Heath, a studio run by husband and wife partnership, Graham and Helen Brown. “We love his work! It is very enhanced but has a good sense of composition and colouring,” Graham said. “Photography is a difficult game at the moment, you could never sell it for as much as fine art because people don’t rate it as highly.”

Framework, in Lee-on-Solent, a cafe/deli in Hill Head and Titchfield Haven RSPB reserve all display his prints. He also has work published in various magazines such as ‘Practical Photography’ and ‘Digital Camera’ for which he did a photo-shoot with reader, Simon Brown. “It’s not often you find such talent willing to share knowledge,” Simon said. “He is on the road to bigger things and it couldn't happen to a nicer young man”.

Matt has debated taking on a second job at his local wildlife trust to keep the money flowing. He doesn’t shoot during the day due to lighting, so this wouldn’t affect his photography and with plans to actively promote his website in the New Year, he is certainly not giving up the evening job any time soon.

What Makes A Good Reporter?

Marc Sallis gives abnormally sensible advice for a self-proclaimed rocker!

The 32-year-old Journalism Graduate is the Editor, Director and co-founder of Artrocker Magazine and believes good reporting is the use of ‘correct facts’, ‘experience’ and a good portfolio. Throw in a bit of personality and you are away!

Sallis says ‘Experience is the key to success… it’s even more important than a qualification’. Although, he does appreciate that a degree can help break into the business particularly alongside NCTJ recognised qualifications.

After graduating from Bournemouth University, his wishes to be a journalist had diminished. But with a natural talent for writing and a 2:2, he started at a ‘small business-to-business publication’ for £12,000 a year.

Ending up as Editor of two magazines wasn’t enough for Sallis. “I hated it. I was the youngest person in the industry by about 10-15 years, but it felt like about 30!” Working for a series of publications, he travelled to the USA and Europe, tasting fine wines and sleeping in grand hotels for the title of Deputy Editor.

Artrocker started online and after consulting the creators of the e-cast, Sallis became co-founder of the magazine. “I have learnt EVERYTHING I need to know… in the 5 years since the launch.”

Sallis is a fan of experience, hard work and dedication. “Each job has been like… putting a Russian Doll back together, leading to bigger and better opportunities.”

A willingness to do a journalism-related course and a decent portfolio is what it takes. This is evident in Sallis’ route to success.

Social Networking Saves Lives.

*Due to identity issues I have removed ages, surnames and any other ways of identifying these people.

Ruthiee, has had enough of her mum’s habits and is putting everything she’s got into her online petition.

On 29th November at 7pm, the inspirational teenager set up a group on social networking site, Facebook to try and persuade her mum to ‘kick the habit’. After seeing a similar group on Facebook, Ruthiee was enthused to imitate the idea and get campaigning.

Mother of two, Jane, has been smoking for 8 years. She finally made the pledge to quit smoking after her daughter, Ruthiee begged and pleaded, showing her mum photos of lung cancer and its effects.

The family has been through a great deal. With her brother being kicked out of the house; Ruthiee has reason to believe that this stress is the cause of her mum’s habit, but she doesn’t see that it is a valid excuse. She said: “I want her to quit because I love her… it breaks my heart to see her sucking on those death sticks. Every time she has one I see 5 minutes of her life disappear”.

Jane suffers from a severe form of epilepsy and as smoking has been known to trigger seizures in epileptics, Ruthiee is worried for her mum’s long term health and the risks her mum is taking.

When the campaign began, Jane was still unwilling to quit smoking due to her stressful lifestyle and the fear of putting on weight. She agreed to give up under the condition that two million people joined the group, and no less! Ruthiee said: “This was a last resort… I’ve been begging for years, so when I mentioned this idea to her and she agreed to it I was over the moon”.

Kim, quit smoking 8 years ago when she fell pregnant with her first child and since then she has found life a lot easier. She is backing the campaign 100% and other family members are also getting involved.

Alongside messages supporting the cause, so far the group has reached 153,614 members. Although Ruthiee is unsure of whether they will reach the target 2 million, she has announced that her mum has seen the sheer amount of support for the cause and has decided to make the first steps to quit smoking by arranging to see a doctor. One fan of the group said: “Wow, goes to show one person at a time can change the world.”

Pensioners Recall Sweet Victory.

Claude and Joan, 71, of Cannock, revel in the phrase ‘Life is a box of chocolates’.

Married at 19, they met at their local scout group. Now retired with 3 grown children, the duo have surprisingly similar wartime memories.

Claude vividly recalled one day in 1944, when tanks drove past his home, the soldiers throwing spearmints to all the children. He said: “When you were six, this was very exciting because sweets were rationed!”

Claude became an engineer due to his early encounters with such staggering machines. Little did he know that what he thought was exciting was in fact an American taunt, sticking two metaphorical fingers up at the British rationing system.

Joan said: “We had all sorts of rations on sweets, clothes, anything really”. Her oldest memory was when sweets were taken off rations.

Joan received three pence pocket money per week –equal to one new penny- and sweets were rationed at 2oz a week. It was crucial to pick the lightest ones to ‘get the most for your money’.

Joan was ecstatic when she could pick what she really wanted. “Nobody had favourites because no one had sweets often enough,” She said. “You don’t get that now. You can buy… that Pick and Mix without any trouble at all”.

Joan also recalled her first taste of Banana which she thought ‘most strange’. She said: I wouldn’t put it in my mouth because it looked bizarre!” Luckily, she has grown to appreciate the taste.

Thank God It’s finally over! (Almost)

Michelle McManus, Rick Waller, Hear’Say, One True Voice. Any of these names ring any bells? How about Steve Brookstein or Shayne Ward No? Just goes to show, winning a 1 million smacker record deal on national TV doesn’t do anything for your reputation once the hype has died down.

The commercialised drivel that dares to monopolise the formerly few worthwhile channels in our multichannel environment is quite frankly the most superficial bag of donkey excrement I have ever come across.

No matter how sad it is that this poor attempt at entertainment graces our screens, there is nothing sadder than the thought that I watch it along with the other 99% of the population. It practically brings me to tears. How can we all be so caught up in this phone-in fanatic’s paradise that we find the time to watch this TV that we promptly go online and moan about?

From the sparkling dresses on Strictly Come Dancing to the vomit worthy antics on I’m A Celebrity, the thread of Facebook is constantly taken up by people cutting each other’s opinions down and slating pretty much all of the contestants in turn. It’s no wonder Susan Boyle never made it through Britain’s Got Talent without needing help. The ridicule these people have to put up with is a monstrosity.

Over the course of this year’s X-factor poor old Joe McElderry came in for a shock when a Facebook group beat him to the top of the charts. I mean, yeah, when asked what was the Christmas Number One 2009, you would say ‘Killing In the Name’ – Rage Against the Machine… but was it really the song that got to number one, or the concept of commercial failure? I think it’s fairly accurate to say that people didn’t really buy the ‘controversial’ nonsense because they wanted it. They just really wanted to piss off Simon Cowell.

Of the profit-seeking TV that has graced our screens over the past ten years, nothing can be worse than the proprietor of all that calls itself reality TV. How in anyway can watching a group of people, locked in a house being treated like performing monkeys be classed as a real situation? Disregarding this, how can it even be the slightest bit interesting?

The majority of Big Brother screen time is live and due to the foul mouthed cretins that populate the Big Brother house most of the programme is dubbed with the sound of bird song to prevent a breach of Ofcom’s media regulations. Which leads me to think… what on earth is the point? Surely they could be showing something a bit more interesting? Or failing that, another episode of Friends.

There is light at the end of the tunnel though. Big Brother series 11 has been announced as the last ever time we will have to endure this appalling excuse for entertainment. Although the diary room may have been an original idea to begin with, it is starting to become clear that ideas are thin. I turned on the Tele-box the other day and discovered a contestant having a conversation with a talking tree in return for Tabasco sauce. Now that really is dire straights.

Dear Blog, I have been Neglecting You.

Wow, it has been a while since I posted anything on here.
Since my last post I have endured two exams, one bad, one horrific and a shed load of coursework due dates.
I am far too behind in Shorthand- if any one tells Karen I'll kill you - and I think I have slept on average 3 hours a night for the past week and a half.

On the positive side of things, I have been reunited with my beautiful cello and am currently trying to write up parts for cello in the band I have joined.

I have am joining Nerve Radio as a news reader and writing for The Wire Newpaper.
Looks like it is going to be a busy term...