Issue 8

Editor : Claire Worgan

Editor-In-Chief : Elizabeth Simos
Produced in USSU Media Hub,
University of Surrey,
Guildford
Est. 2008

FREE

APPLY WITHIN...
JOB CONCERNS FOR
CLASS OF 2009
By Claire Worgan “36% of those finishing that I was
undergraduate degrees this informed that the
S tudents graduating this year
will already be feeling the
strain of a downturn in graduate
summer expect to find a graduate
job after university and that
internship had
actually been
confidence in the graduate cancelled!”
jobs. Now is a crucial time for all employment market has slumped
with the realisation that the real to a fifteen-year low.” Students also
world is imminent, and for those found that most
This has not gone unnoticed.
who did not receive a job offer after jobs now required
their placement or even had the Talking to many students who two years
opportunity to do a professional have been looking for internships experience in the
training year will be feeling the and graduate jobs have found that field, which was
pressure more then most. websites such a Mlikround and deemed slightly
Graduate Jobs removed some of impossible due to
The issue of too little jobs and a their internships and currently the lack of jobs in
large number of University places have a very limited selection to the first place!
has also become a prominent issue. apply for altogether. People are
With over 300,000 graduates finding that they are having to take “The numbers planning to study closer to home
per year, is it any wonder the job the “anything goes” stance on of finalists who have received a due to it being cheaper.
market is struggling to cope with applying for jobs as their choices graduate job offer has fallen by a
students seeking employment? for their perfect job are virtually third, compared with 2008” said Alistair Darling recently stated in
non-existent. Some students even High Fliers. his budget speech last week that
A survey conducted by High Fliers he plans to help unemployed under
found that internships had been
Research of over 16,000 students With companies stopping their 25’s with training and education
withdrawn after they had applied.
revealed that only ONE THIRD of graduate recruitment it has not opportunities.
this years graduates are expected One student studying Business come as a surprise that the student
to get a job for which they are Management, who is graduating unemployment rate is rising. Continued on Page 4
actually qualified for. Another this June, said that “When applying
Alongside the issue of money
e w
reason why a lot of graduates go for an opportunity to study and
on to do postgraduate degrees work abroad for an international worries for most students it’s
v i
or travelling. A press release company, it was only half way no wonder that entering higher r
e ird
t
In B
published on the 29th April by High through the application process education has a rather bleak
Fliers stated that outlook. Students are also

i ve on ”!
s
u Sim m ner s
s
Campus Boy is back xc
l
Travel On the e Pap
t h f r o wee
t by th oel?
gh and J e 8*
after Easter... and E
w i e t
Cheap C a u
K ag what does he have nb I
at J Out P
*Pages 16 & 17* nd to say? he
*Fi
Page 8 ”T

Issue 8 |5th May 2009 | www.ussu.co.uk/thestag 1

 Worgan’s Words
W hy Hello! Isn’t it lovely to
be back?....hmmm. Unfor-
tunately for all it’s exam time In this issue.....
CRAM CRAM CRAM! along with
dissertation and final coursework News
COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE. I hope Pages 3 - 7
you all had a wonderful Easter Features
break and you are not now egg Campus Boy & JK and Joel Pics | Page 8
shaped due to the amount of
Public Urinal Opinion| Page 9
chocolate consumed by all. Luck-
ily the weather seems a bit perky, Blazin Squad Interview| Page 9
which means we will all go a bit Stag Exclusive Interview with Simon Bird |
pinky, but that also means that Page 12
the lake becomes the perfect re- Not News| Page 13
vision place for all... plus BBQs. issue so if you have anything you Fashion | Page 14
Oh how we all love the taste of a want to see go in the paper then CoLab | Page 15
burnt sausage.. no pun intended. please send it into us, as we are
Travel on the cheap| Page 16 & 17
I hope you are all looking forward trying to make it extra special!
to all those final celebrations and But for now I will leave you all to Societies
partying and for all of you that a get back to your procrastination Hellenic Soc & Eng Lit Soc| Page 18
graduating the wonderful Grad sessions. interview with foreign| Page 19
ball with those Austiralian animal
named band?! Urmmm The Pos-
soms is it?. The Stag are compil-
Claire Cypriot Soc| Pages 20
Arts
Music Reviews | Pages 21,22,23&24
-x-
Much Love!
ing a special “Class of 2009”
Literature |Pages 25&26
Film | Pages 27&28
Editor| Claire Worgan: ussu.thestag@surrey.ac.uk Horoscopes
News| Amy Short & Steven Hayton: newsdeskstag@gmail.com Page 29
Features| Kim Harris : featuresdeskstag@gmail.com Sports
Societies| Justin Waite & Mariam Nasir : societiesdeskstag@gmail.com
Sports: sportsdeskstag@gmail.com Football & Johnny Wilkinson Honarary
Music| Rachael Fitz-Patrick : musicdeskstag@gmail.com award| Page 30
Literature| Amy Barnes :literaturedeskstag@gmail.com
Film| Ollie Sim: filmdeskstag@gmail.com
Science| Toby Shannon : sciencedeskstag@gmail.com
Marketing| Amy Campbell :marketingdeskstag@gmail.com
Copy Editors | Joe Kenward & Stephanie Davies
Find out more information at:
The Stag is an editorially indepedent newspaper and is pub-
lished by the University of Surrey http://www.facebook.com/home.
Students’ Union Media Hub.
The views expressed in the paper are those of individual au-
php?#/group.php?gid=36469776493
thors and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor
or her team, the Student’s Union or the University of Surrey.

Printed by Surrey and Berkshire Media Limited

Stoke Mill House, Woking Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1QA

The Stag reserves the right to edit submissions. Please direct

all enquiries to the relevant section editors.
Save our stags,
recycle your paper!

2
 Over half a million bricks & blocks + 28 miles of scaffolding +
60,000 nails + 180 builders = 568 new bedrooms…
By Richard Paxton All 568 rooms have shower and energy efficiency and insulation, bed rooms and 9 family flats, just
toilet ensuite and are grouped in but also sustainability in the started, will be completed. This
Accomodation Officer flats of 6 to 8 sharing a kitchen construction process and beyond will be followed by a new social
dining room. The rooms will be during the whole life of the centre/reception building with
Work is progressing rapidly at
furnished to a high standard with building. A good example of this café, general store and activity
Manor Park to construct two large
broadband and telephone. is the sorting of all construction space for residents.
residence buildings that will be
waste so that 70% can be recycled
finished in the summer ready for All the buildings at Manor Park Manor Park is growing and,
or reused.
the 2009/10 academic year. These are built to the highest ‘excellent’ once the Surrey Sports Park is
much needed rooms will help us standard measured by the When these rooms are finished, completed at the end of this year,
house the University’s increasing Building Research Establishment there will be nearly 1300 students residents will have access to one
number of new students and also Environmental Assessment and and University staff living at of the best sports complexes in
help increase places available for Monitoring programme. These Manor Park. This will rise to over the UK.
final years. standards not only encompass 1500 in 2010 when a further 251

Surrey prepared for Got any stories that you want

us to report on?
Swine Flu
The University’s Influenza Pandemic  2) Follow the advice of the UK Foreign Then email us at
Action Group met on 27 April in & Commonwealth Office when
response to the Swine Flu outbreak planning any overseas travel newsdeskstag@gmail.com
that has been attracting significant
media attention internationally. www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-
living-overseas/travel-advice-by-
 The University is strongly committed country/.
to the well-being of its staff, students
and visitors.   Surrey was one of the  If you have recently travelled from any
first UK universities to establish affected area and are experiencing flu-
preparedness planning in respect of like symptoms, you must stay at home
influenza pandemics and we have to limit contact with others, and seek
strong connections with local public medical advice from the University
health experts.  Health Centre on 08444773051.  You
can also contact NHS direct on: 0845
  The threat from this flu outbreak 46 47.
escalated in 24 hours. There has been
a rapid increase in across a number   A website carrying updates of the
of countries, including confirmed situation and important information
cases in Scotland. The World Health for members of the University has
Organisations has increased its own been set up at: www.surrey.ac.uk/alert 
level of alert. Please save this link to your favourites
list. This link will be highlighted on the
  The University is monitoring the homepage of the University website
international situation closely and has when key announcements are made.
taken advice on the most appropriate
measures to take at this time. The   You will begin to see an increase in
advice received, which applies to all poster/materials around the campus
students and staff, is as follows: explaining the importance of hand
hygiene in the next few days.  Please
 1) Establish good hygiene habits now take the time to fully familiarise
(this is always a wise precaution).  yourselves with the information.
This includes washing your hands You will also see anti-bacterial gel
frequently with soap and water, to in lavatories, restaurants and other
reduce the spread and risk of infection; public places. These will be increased
and covering your nose and mouth over the next few days and it is advised
when coughing or sneezing, using a that you use them.
tissue where possible; and avoiding
others with respiratory illness.
3
 Continued from front page
Wes Streeting, President of the NUS recruitment rate. It is a huge
had this to say, concern for us. Higher Education
is worthwhile and potentially life
“We welcome the Government’s changing, but if tuition fees continue
commitment to provide education, to rise and graduate jobs continue
employment and training to fall we will put off the people we
opportunities to unemployed need to be encouraging the most.
under 25’s. The current recession Going to University should not be
has resulted in the worst youth seen as a risk, or as a ‘potentially
employment prospects in a worthwhile investment’- education
generation, and we are therefore is a right.”
pleased that the Government
recognises the importance of However, for the class of 2009 the
offering educational opportunities outlook is not looking promising.
in order to help individuals and the With so many talented people
economy back on their feet.” leaving universities we should hope
that there is our ideal job out there
Nick Entwistle VP Education said somewhere, I guess we just have to
keep looking.
“This year it is harder than ever for
students- there are record levels of
debt combined with a low graduate

If you have a news story

for us please email
newsdeskstag@gmail.com
......................................

4
 What a load Degree Classifications
are unfit for purpose
o’rubbish By Nick Entwistle, VP Education
USSU 2008-2010
Ussu.education@surrey.ac.uk
From a speech delivered to
the National Union of Students
Annual Conference, March 31st
2009

I know you’re not all maths

By Claire Worgan
You maybe wondering why we have published a
picture of a rubbish dump in this issue. It is in
fact the Autin Pearce building during the Easter
Holidays. These piles of rubbish were just some
or the bins that was overflowing in the computer
labs over the holidays. Whether it was the lack
of cleaning staff or just the general dirtyness of
students, it’s a shame that we have to work in
these conditions. Either take your rubbish home
or report the mess before it piles up like this
again!
students, but is there more
of a difference between 59
and 61 than there is between
51 and 59? There is in Higher
Education. A final mark of 61%
results in a 2:1 degree. A final
mark of 59% gives you a 2:2. in fact make it easier for employers to
Many employers only interview graduates identify key talent. Around two-thirds of
with 2:1 degrees and above. A difference graduates achieve a 2:1 degree. Within
of just two percent in the wrong place can that classification there is no real way
end up defining you to employers for the to distinguish them from each other.
formative years of your professional life. Education is not, and should not ever be,
Your degree classification just shows this simply a vehicle to employment but the
number- it does not show what you have reality an unfair tuition-fees system and
done, what you know or what you have ever increasing student debt means that
achieved. graduates need a job that will pay enough
to pay of their loans, and a degree is what
My argument is that the degree
most employers will be looking at. Degree
classification system as it stands today
classification does not do enough to
is unfit for purpose. Higher Education
distinguish graduates from each other.
has evolved, methods of assessment
are evolving, but our concept of final On a wider scale we have heard recently
classification has remained the same. I that “New Universities drive social
believe this grading method is outdated, mobility” and I truly believe this, but

le and that the very concept of a final mark many employers value degrees from

b
is at odds with a belief in lifelong learning some Universities over others. A fuller

ta and continuous personal development. description of achievements on degrees

would benefit students from these

ep The current system confuses precision with

accuracy. How many pieces of assessment
apparently less prestigious Universities.

c
Employers would take notice of the true
have you sat where your marker can really

c
qualities and potential of the student, not
judge you to within 1 mark in 100? Even

na if your assessment can be marked to that

just the University they graduated from.
Anything less and we are only reinforcing

U
level of accuracy, surely that precision
the tragic divide in opportunity and quality
should not be used to produce a broad,
that exists at a secondary education
generalised classification that graduates
level.
will have for the rest of their lives. Getting
a qualification is not, and should not be I’m not asking for a new system to list
seen as, an end to learning but as a step your re-sits, special circumstances or any
along a path. A degree should show your leave of absence. I’m not asking for it to
abilities, not just a quantity- it should list extra-curricular activities either; there
show in what ways you are intelligent, not are too many difficulties and unsolved
just how intelligent you are. problems with that. What I’m asking is for
Pictures courtesy of Hadi Zadeh your degree to reflect what you can really
I further believe that the reluctance to
do.
deal with these issues is based on based
on businesses comfort with the current If you have an opinion please email The
system, but that this reluctance is short Stag - ussu.thestag@surrey.ac.uk or Nick
sighted and that fuller description of at the address above
ability, achievement and potential will
5
 Comedy Club
Tuesday 5th may &
EVERY fortnight
8.30pm – 11pm
@ Wates House Carl Do
Winner
of The C
nnelly
hortle
New Co
m
of The Y edian
ear 200
7

ock urn
Ruth E C affs’ ’08
‘A n y th ing for L at
Finalist in omen’ ’0
8 and
‘Funny W k your Funny?’
thin
‘So you

Bre
tt G
“Ve olds
ry
“Bri amusin
llian
tein
g
t,” L ,” Tim
ond e
on L Out
ite

m bl e
dG a ds in
E t Com
e d y Awar one
s “the
l s S tuden y many a Big, Big,
v e b e
e Re bbed Hors
t at th t year. Du Laughing 007).

£4 on the door
n a l i s
Fi las The n (2
urgh st in etitio
Edinb h”. Finali Act Comp
tc ew
to wa Big N

6
 Aren’t you Grad you’re going?...
By Ben McCauleyCommercial are on the Union Facebook fan
Manager page). £720

T
FRIDAY 26TH JUNE 2009 Graduation Ball Breakdown DJ Costs. We have DJ’s playing
he Graduation Ball is run as TICKET COSTS &
Headline act is The
JUSTIFICATION Wombats
BREAKDOWN
a fundraising event for the Tickets just £55 | 7PM - 7AM
throughout the event. £800
University of Surrey Students’ Income
Funfair – Attractions – Photographer - Breakfast
Union, as such the VAT is added Ticket Sales Attractions. We could reveal the
onto the cost price of all expenditure
Tickets NOW on sale in the BOOKSHOP
Ticket Price £55.00 attractions to you now but you
Expected Sales 1130
for the ball and not deducted from Additional Income 0 want some surprises on the night.
the total income.
Total Income £62,150.00 Overall cost. £3035

Ticket Sales are expected to be Casino. Again self explanatory.

Expenditure £1,300
around the 1130 mark. This figure
is based on historical data. Headline Act £20,700.00
Support Act £460.00 Security. The cost of door staff
Rider Expenses £1,000.00
Additional Income. This is currently Marquee Cost £8,050.00 and stewards for the twelve hours
budgeted as zero due to the Sound £2,600.00 of Graduation Ball. £3,000
Lighting £2,600.00
National Student Survey not Stage £3,000.00
Accommodation £1,200.00 Lock Up. A safe place for us to store
reaching the 80% completion rate Crew Food £300.00
things like the band equipment
from final years. The £6000 we Funfair £6,300.00
Fence £1,400.00 until it’s needed. £875
would have received if the survey Track £2,000.00
had reached 80% may still be Casual Staff Costs £300.00
Radios & Communication.
Karaoke £220.00
available to the Graduation Ball Decor £440.00 The cost of radios for security
but at the time of writing this is not Fake Paps £720.00
and production purposes and
DJ Costs £800.00
yet known. Attraction 1 £430.00 the infrastructure to allow our till
Attraction 2 £460.00
systems to work in the middle of a
Therefore total budgeted income Attraction 3 £1,800.00
Attraction 4 £345.00 field. £600
for the ball is £62,150. Casino £1,300.00

Ancillary production Contingency Costs. Because

Expenditure.
Headline Act. The Wombats cost
£18,000+VAT bringing the cost of
the band for Graduation Ball to
£20,700
Support Act. Support Band for
the Oak House complex. £460
Rider Expenses. Even though
we’ve paid for The Wombats there
are additional associated costs.
Accommodation , food and drink,
backline costs etc. £1,000
Marquee Cost. Even though the
marquee has been there all week
for Graduation receptions we as
the Union contribute a fraction of
the overall cost to use the marquee
for the ball £8,050
Sound & Lighting. The production
on the field relies on equipment
that is hired in so that you can
actually see and hear our headline
act on stage. Overall Cost £5,200
Stage. Self explanatory really, you
need to be able to see the band.
£3,000
Security
Lock Up
£3,000.00
£875.00
something always goes wrong
Radios & Communication £600.00 or you’ve just plain forgotten
Contingency Costs £1,000.00
something. £1,000
TOTAL COSTS £61,900.00 Overall Cost £61,100
NET BALANCE +£250.00
So after all that income coming in
you can see we have then spent it
again leaving us with a budgeted
Accommodation. The cost of the field, otherwise, if it rains they surplus initially of £250 (less than
room hire for Stage Crew who sink and all you get to look at on 5 tickets). The more tickets we sell/
volunteer to provide technical the night
extra income we receive means
is some trucks stuck in the mud that we can add attractions, funfair
rather than having fun on the rides etc. Don’t leave your ticket
services for the event (if they were dodgems. £2,000 purchases too late as it is hard to
paid or a company were hired in it add worthwhile attractions at the
would cost much more). £1,200 Casual Staff Costs. The cost of last minute. Tickets are on sale
casual staff for the ball. £300 now from the University Bookshop
Crew Food. See above. £300
PS – You also get breakfast if
Funfair. Cost of the free funfair. you survive the night and that’s
£6,300 Karaoke. One of the attractions in not in the budget (that’s some
the Oak House Complex. £220 of the contingency funds gone
Fence. The field is fenced off so then).
that those who don’t part with the Decor. Well you don’t want the
ticket money can’t enjoy all the Great Hall to look like the room you
festivities that those who have did your finals in do you? £440
parted with their hard earned cash
have purchased. £1,400 Fake Paps. Fake Paparazzi – the
initial photographers when you get
Track. We have to pay for track on the field produce some great
way to get the funfair rides onto pictures. (The highlights of which 7

Campus Boy
Fear and Loathing
on Campus
My three weeks at home over Easter
were punctuated by me being forced
into three social interactions, all of
which were probably avoidable, and
all of which were, without doubt,
regrettable.
First, the dentist. I usually shun dental
check-ups because I prefer to keep
my mouth shut. I didn’t have to book
an appointment, but the same dentist
had told me a year ago that I needed
three fillings so I thought it a good idea
to be re-assessed and finally get them
done. There are few times in life when
you feel so vulnerable. There I lay, a
strange man peering deep within my
orifice, prodding and jabbing at gum
and enamel in order to re-establish
what we already knew. The dentist
also wanted to re-establish a few other
things he thought he knew. But how
did he know, and why?! My University
course, my final year of study, my
future occupation… he knew more
than me about what I should be doing
with my life. Perhaps his piercing eyes
peered deep within my soul as I lolled
my tongue. Or, perhaps I spoke too
much on my last visit and he’s logged
it all into his big database. Probably
that one. Probably shouldn’t speak
too much this time.
Just… why? He’s a dentist. There’s
only one type of gap he’s meant to
fill and it’s not the awkward ones in
conversation. I don’t need, or want, to
even converse in that room. That goes
for many rooms, true, but particularly
dental rooms. I can see why a private
dentist may feel the need to give
patients apparent value for money,
including a superfluous five minute
chat about Life in General, but I’d
happily pay that little bit extra to shut
my NHS dentist up. The alternative
is that he... wanted… me, and had
actually scribbled these notes about
my life onto post-its, which now
adorned the back of his bathroom
door like revision notes, in order to
drop some casual lines upon my next
appointment. Hopefully not that
8
one. Hopefully nothing to do with
bathroom post-its. He concluded that
I now only need two fillings, for some
reason, but I resisted the urge to hug
him and so made my hasty exit.
Second, the stranger. To be more
precise, it was a stranger in a car that
slowed as it approached. I knew what
was coming, confirmed to me by the
retraction of the passenger window. I
prepared myself, and gathered in the
necessary information: my current
location, the direction the car is facing,
whether or not the driver is wielding a
knife, the attractiveness of his wife. You
know, all the important stuff. Except
his wife wasn’t very attractive at all,
and it was her face that glared at me in
such anticipation when they asked for
direction. Perhaps it was the gormless
look they gave me, or the smell of a
nursing home emanating from their
car, but something threw me off. But
then again, I always get thrown off. I
buckle under the pressure. Suddenly
all the information I’ve taken in
previously leaves me, and I’m stranded
in the spotlight, struggling to form
any kind of sentence in front of two
meek but oh so expectant little faces.
I look around me, take a moment to
gather that information again. Not the
wife, I really don’t need to take that in
again, I’m pretty sure she was the one
smelling of disinfectant and urine. Or
was she? Maybe I should re-assess her
like the dentist did my teeth? Maybe
she’ll be better second time round?
God, no. Focus. Street, direction of
travel, destination. I suddenly feel
able to form a sentence, although
hand gestures come to me first. I
begin waving around like a loon
for a good few seconds before any
verbal descriptives arrive to aid the
cause. I fumble a bit, but generally
feel good about the direction in
which I’ve sent them. The window
returns, placing a material barrier
between me, gormlessness, odour
and awkwardness. It signals the end,
and I continue my journey. But a few
steps later and I begin to question my
answer. ‘Under the bridge’… there are
two bridges. They will definitely go
Snapped at
JK and Joel?
Pictures Courtesy of Adam Sayer
under the first and end up miles away
from where they want to be. Which, by
the way, was an Argos on an Industrial
Estate. I remember this and suddenly
don’t feel so guilty. But a little concern
creeps up on me… Perhaps he did
have a knife and perhaps, for whatever
reason, the direction I’ve given will
lead them straight back to me. I lightly
jog the rest of the way into town.
Finally, the acquaintance from school.
An acquaintance because he wasn’t a
friend. I knew his name, but that’s it. I
also knew that on own clothes days,
he would come to school dressed in
black, chains linking various body
parts. But on normal school days,
he was one of the geekiest, most
introverted, people I’ve ever met, and
I’ve met myself. I wondered why he
always felt the need to display one
character or the other, but therefore
never be comfortable in his own skin.
I concluded that he was an attention-
whore, like most of the other stuck-
up boys at my stuck-up grammar
school. But he was in Sainsbury’s
now, in a suit! No chains! I think this
surprise overcame me a little, and I let
out a whimper. ‘Hi’ I said, rather too
loudly. Some shoppers looked round,
wondering if this salutation was
aimed at them. It wasn’t of course,
and then I saw that this acquaintance
was wearing earphones. He didn’t
respond. He nodded slightly, which is
a response of sorts. But I needed vocal
response now, shoppers were staring.
Nodding was useless to me. Perhaps
he thought I just mouthed it? Oh how
I wish I had just mouthed it. But I can’t
retract it now; the sound waves are
out there, resounding in my head,
filling the silence with reverberating
awkwardness. I continue down
the aisle at some pace, leaving my
acquaintance in his safe cocoon of
noise. And then I realised, in that
moment, as I placed tins of custard
that I didn’t need into my basket in
an attempt to look normal, why the
dentist felt that need to fill those
gaps.
 Public urinal in Guildford, we're
looking for urine-put
Peeing In Public
Isn’t That Bad
----------------------------------
By Andy Vale
B efore there were football pitches, people
were kicking pigs bladders over rolling hills.
Before people were blogging, they were writ-
ing in diaries. Before we did degrees, we went
to college. Grand advancements do not come
without being preceded by a grand necessity
for them to be made (slinky’s aside). For a long
time the sport of public urination has been a
pillar of the community here in Guildford and
participants are being rewarded after years
of piss poor playing surfaces, a lack of public
funding and occasional hassle from the police.
Now Guildford Borough Council has allowed
public urination to be taken to the next level
with the installation of the Urilift. A public urinal
that meets the high standards set out by the
governing body of the sport The ‘Public Urina-
tion Duty Dudes Laudably Enjoying Ourselves
Freely Peeing In Side-alleys Society’ (a.k.a.
P.U.D.D.L.E. O.F. P.I.S.S.) It has been decreed
that every night at 10pm it shall rise from be-
A ‘P*ss Poor Idea!
----------------------------------
By Jack Symons
How much money does it cost to turn Guildford
into a public toilet? £54,000, it turns out.
At 10pm every night, the new ‘pop’ up Urinal
rises to greet the need of Guildford’s ‘kebab-
eating’ members caught short after a night on
the town. The Pop-up urinal was installed to
‘tackle the problem of men urinating in public’
after a ‘night out’ but all it’s done is create an
open space for men to do just that. How very...
counterproductive.
The Society for People Who Hate Acro-
nyms But Have a Strong Sense of Irony
(S.F.P.W.H.A.B.H.A.S.O.I) have written to The
‘Public Urination Duty Dudes Laudably Enjoying
Ourselves Freely Peeing In Side-alleys Society’
(P.U.D.D.L.E. O.F. P.I.S.S) to lobby for a revolu-
tionary solution to the issue – a cup.
neath the ground to stand proudly for all to pee.
The two metre high Urilift looks like The Tardis
redesigned for 2009 and is fitted with state of
the art troughs for males of all genders to de-
posit their fluid in the middle of the street. The
mathematically designed alcoves allow just the
right amount of viewing for the passer by so
that they know you are participeeing, but can-
not see your dong. This isn’t always guaranteed
when using an unofficially sanctioned venue.
The cost of this facility is more than most peo-
ple’s annual salary, but considering most of the
users have just paid extortionate alcohol tax I’m
sure it evens out eventually. Could you say the
same about the new Stag sculpture? Person-
ally I would rather have a Urilift greeting all who
enter. Earmarking Surrey as a leading figure in
space age technolowee, unafraid of wearing
its colours on its sleeve (and the dreaded ‘last
drop’ on its trouser leg).
Some purists of the sport have expressed con-
cern that modern day technology may be ruin-
ing the game, with the Urilift being a sign of the
times. One lifelong devotee to the art has gone
on the record stating, “I once peed against a
Jack Wills shop, it was one of the best of my life.
They are a company whose target audience can
only afford them by mooching off their parents
This clever initiative is estimated to be cheaper
than Urilift by approximately £53,950 cheaper
than the £54,000 Urilift. An alternative meas-
ure suggested in response to the problem is
the idea of a Seminar on ‘Public Urination Eti-
quette and Forward Planning in Modern Soci-
ety.’
Some have questioned the moral implications
of the Urinal. Many prominent members of the
Student-led Society have gone on to suggest
the Urinal as sexist as it fails to support women
caught short after a night out. Can we really
support the inception of public facilities that
don’t support all people, regardless of gender?
No.
So Students, stand up (haha) and protest
So we go on to ask ourselves, if this is what the against this travesty by urinating not into the
council do to tackle the problem of urinating in Urinal, but next to it.
public, then what next? ‘Street bidets’ for wom-
en who choose to scrub up in public? We have
to draw a line somewhere and we feel the local
council has just crossed it - or built just under
at an unhealthy age or spending their student
loan morbidly irresponsibly. For that they de-
serve every fluid ounce I can give them.”
You see every pee you take in public is a protest
against something. I’ve seen people pee in pro-
test of certain politicians, disagreeable publica-
tions and the lack of public urinals. Peeing in
public is one of the most basic forms of rebel-
ling (or is that repelling) allowed to us, despite
being misunderstood as criminal behaviour,
poor hygiene and a sign of a weak bladder.
The installation of the Urilift shows the council
understands our cause and is willing to provide
a public forum for us to practice our craft with-
out fear of persecution, ridicule and wet shoes.
Its stainless steel slick surface may herald the
commercialization of what was once the sport
of the everyman, but I personally feel it brings
public urination into the 21st century with an
air of respectability. In a few years’ time, peeing
in the street will have the same wild support
in this country as football, iPhones and The
Queen. Or vice versa.
it. We ask readers of the Stag, whatever hap-
pened to privacy and why are we so accepting
of the latest addition to Guildford high street?
We feel that this is a major disappointment
and let-down to Guildford and has undermined
the male population by stereotyping them as
‘opportunist piss-makers.’
Perfectly adequate public toilets are situated
at the top of Guildford High Street yet for some
reason they close long before the clubs shut. I
can think of many cash-strapped recession-af-
fected graduates who would be happy to moni-
tor the safety of the facilities for a fraction of
the £54,000 Urilift.
What are your thoughts?
Email us at
ussu.thestag@surrey.ac.uk
9
 Blazin Squad Hit Surrey
Amy Campbell sits down with boys for a quick chat...
Blazin Squad first touched the hearts
of many teenage girls with their first
hit ‘Crossroads’ in August 2002. After
leaving school aged 16, the ten boys’ lives
have been dramatically turned around,
achieving six consecutive top ten singles
by the age of 19. In 2004, it all went quiet
on the music scene for the boys. Aside
from the music industry Kenzie’s image
has been fairly consistent in the media.
In 2005 he appeared in the third series
of Celebrity Big Brother where he come
runner up to Happy Mondays dancer Bez.
He has also made appearances in The
Weakest Link, Never Mind the Buzzcocks,
Crique de Celebrity and CelebAir and not
to forget his on- off relationship with
Jodie Marsh!
But after a five year break the new five
piece band are here to tell us what they
have achieved in the last few years and tell us
about their aspirations for the future. Lee, Mus,
Marcel, and Kenzie joined us the University of
Surrey to perform a few of their old classic hits
and perform their new single. Together with
their new producer ‘Naughty Boy’ the band
have created a new urban pop sound that they
hope their fans will soon take to. Don’t forget
that the boys’ new single, ‘Let’s Start Again’
will be out on 1st June 2009.
What’s the history of Blazin Squad? Is it true
that you started as two separate crews the
‘incredible crew’ and Blazin Squad?
Lee: Yes, that’s true we didn’t really like each other
at school, we were rivals!
Marcel: We decided to come together to form
Blazin Squad for financial reasons as we all enjoyed
rapping and singing but needed somewhere to
produce our material. It was hard to break into the
music industry being two separate bands from the
same area, we all had talent and that talent needed
sharing.
Kenzie: Yeah we all went to the same school and
lived in the same area but now were best of friends.
It was good coming together as a ten-piece as there
was a mixture of talents amongst us
What type of music would you class your songs
as? Boy band, garage?
Kenzie: I suppose it used to be a bit of garage but
now were trying to aim our music at a more diverse
audience not just the young female teenagers, but
the older female audience. I wouldn’t say its boy
band more urban/pop. A new style which no one
else in the music industry has!
Mus: Yeah, we’re trying something new with our
10
fans to see if they will like it. It’s a move away from
the old up beat garage towards a more urban style.
Who is this aimed at? What audience?
Lee: Everyone and anyone who likes Blazin Squad!
Kenzie: We are trying to appeal not just to the young
girls but to the adult females with out new urban
style.
Mus: We hope that our old Blazin Squad fans will
stick by us and take to our new genre of music. But we
are also hopping to target the more mature female
audience rather than just the young teenagers.
Marcel: Obviously we like the attention from the
younger audience as they are the ones who buy our
singles! But yes we are hoping to diversify our music
to a broader audience.
Do you have favourite a track, if so what is it?
Mus: ‘Let’s Start Again’ as we have been able to
give it our special touch.
Lee: Yeah the same, but I did really enjoy performing
‘Crossroads’ as it always got the crow screaming and
singling along. I think it’s just a classic hit, but ‘Let’s
Start Again’ has probably got to be my favourite so
far.
Marcel: We spent a lot of time on ‘Let’s Start Again’
and it’s a single that we are very proud of.
I am sure some of out loyal readers would be
interested to know if you boys are single at the
moment. Can you tell us anything about your
current love life?
Lee: Yeah love life is great!
Mus: Yeah it’s all good at the moment!
Kenzie: No comment! It’s really good thanks, very
good actually.
Kenzie, can you tell us a little bit about your
relationship with Jodie Marsh?
Kenzie: (laughs) Well what do you want
to know! She was good, proper Essex girl!
Loved a laugh…. But I have had better! I
don’t really see much of her anymore, but
maybe when we make it big again I might
bump into her!
You have achieved six top ten hits in
the last couple of years? Can you give
any advice to our wannabe pop stars
out there?
Lee: Dedication. It’s all about how dedicated
you are. You have to be passionate about
what you want to do and never give up.
Mus: It’s all about passion. If you have got
the drive and believe that you can do it,
don’t let anyone stop you.
Could we see a reunion of Blazin
Squad?
Lee: At the moment we are very happy with the five
piece band, but maybe one day we would like to get
back together as a ten piece and produce a song.
You all left school at 16 years old, if you would
have gone into further education and gone to
university what would you have studied?
Lee: Sports since I really liked sport when I was at
school. If I hadn’t of got into the music industry I
would have gone to college to do sports science.
Marcel: Languages! I loved talking languages when
I was at school and it was something I was good at
besides rapping!
Kenzie: Probably English I really like writing and
being creative!
Does the university life appeal to you at tall?
Is this the first university you have visited?
Lee: Its all about getting drunk isn’t it!? Yeah it looks
fun, it would appeal to me
Kenzie: Yeah easy life isn’t it! Hour lecture a day!
Lots of drink!
Mus: Uni life does look good, you all look like your
having fun and I’m sure working hard at the same
time!
“ See you at the Crossroads...”
Well next page ------------>
In 2004 it went quiet for the group as you didn’t release any songs after
‘Here 4 one.’ Can you tell us what you have done since then?

Lee: I went over to America to write some of my own material for a few months. It
was good, nice and relaxing and I wrote a few songs.

Kenzie: Well where do I start? I have had so much fun! Celebrity Big Brother was
probably the best experience I have ever had, aside from being in Blazin Squad!
It was a life changing experience, something that I will always treasure!

Mus: Me, Kenzie, Mus and James formed the band Friday Hill and realised our
debut single ‘Goodbye’ in October 2005, which reached number five in the UK
singles chart. We then released a second single ‘One More Night Alone,’ a cover
of boy band D-Sides single which reached number thirteen. The band was really
successful but we then decided to reform as Blazin Squad with a new flavour to
our music.

Kenzie: Friday Hill, I forgot about that. Very successful, very successful.

Lee: They just missed us though!

The original ten members merged down to five members in 2005, can you
tell us why you decided to split as a band?

Lee: Dedication, it was all about dedication. Some of us were more passionate
about producing and writing than the others. We are still friends with them, there
are no split feelings. We will always stay good friends.

Kenzie: Passionate, I like that. Yeah we were just that little bit more dedicated
than the other band members. But there are five of us, James couldn’t be here
Fancy writing an article for
today.

Mus: Everyone seems to have gone their own way now, and they’re happy, that’s
The Stag....
all that matters. Featuresdeskstag@gmail.com
Kenzie: Maybe, it’s a possibility. Never say never!

On the go and need

MORE juice? Health and Social Care Open Evening
Tuesday 12 May 5-7pm
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Whether you are deciding on your next step after college, want to get back into the healthcare profession
or want to develop your career, this is the perfect chance for you to gain an insight into the programmes we offer.

During your visit:

t

Speak to our academics about Degree, Diploma and Continuing Professional Development programmes
t
Visit the skills laboratories
t
Tour our beautiful campus
Followed by

‘Moving Mountains’ Evening Talk 7.15-8pm

by Guest Speaker Claire Bertschinger
The inspiration behind ‘Live Aid’, Claire Bertschinger will
share her experiences of working with the International
Committee of the Red Cross in what promises to be an
engaging and thought-provoking talk.

Admission FREE, by ticket only.

To register for either or both events please go to:

www.surrey.ac.uk/healthsocialcare

For more information please call:

T: 01483 686722

Just £7 each.
Fits in your pocket.
Compatible with all mobiles.
Runs on 1 x AA battery.

NOW on sale in your

Problem solved. Students’ Union in Rubix.
11
1917-0309

1917-0309 Health and Social Care Open Evening Poster.indd 1 18/3/09 17:19:14
 Exclusive interview with the
guy who's stuck Facts about Simon
Age:24
in the middle Any Nicknames? Birdie, Bird-

SIMON BIRD man.

Favourite TV Programme? The
Editor Claire Worgan grabs a Office, Seinfeld, The Sopranos
Favourite Music? At the moment
quick interview with Simon Bird – TV On The Radio, Fleet Foxes
A.K.A Will from the hit E4 show If you could take 3 things on
a treasure island what would
“The Inbetweeners” they be?
- Hi Simon, thank you ever so My girlfriend, a ball, and a bottle of
much for taking time out for this Heniz tomato ketchup (to go on all
interview, you must have a very the meat I’ll hunt down).
hectic schedule at the moment.
Now, we noticed that before
“The Inbetweeners” was aired, Student Comedy competition is a
you also did stand up comedy. brilliant thing. I did it for several In the scene in the boat in episode so caught up in the process that I
What got you started? year and the people that run it are one of the second series, James sort of forgot that it would ever go
really top notch. They know their (who plays Jay) had to fire a flare out.
I started doing stand-up at univer- stuff and they do it for all the right up into the air. The shot you see in
sity. I was totally and utterly terrified reasons. They really want to help the show is his second go at that. -Are their plans for a third se-
by the prospect, but thought what young comedians get better and His first attempt went horizontally ries?
the hell you only live once, and gave more confident. And they do every- rather than vertically and almost
it a go. And there’s nothing quite like thing they can to give you a leg up. blew up a group of fishermen. That Nothing’s been confirmed yet, but
the buzz of making people laugh. was pretty funny. Not for the fisher- there are a few murmurings.
Once I’d done it the first time I just men obviously.
wanted to do it again and again. - Now we all know you from your -And do you have any plans
role as Will in “The Inbetween- - Playing a 6th former, did it yourself?
ers” on E4. How did you end up bring back memories of your
- We also found that you once getting this role? school days? Well my main interest has always
got yourself disqualified from Definitely. That overriding sense of been writing, and what I’d really
the Chortle National Student It was a total fluke. There’s no way I anticlimax and inadequacy was all love to do is write my own sitcom.
Comedy awards in 2006, is this would have got it if I’d just come in too familiar. So that’s the next step hopefully.
true? off the street and auditioned. I can’t
act. The guys that write it came and -What was it like winning not - Any closing words?
Yes, that’s true. That was deliber- saw me in a show I had written at only “Best New British Televi-
ate. The competition was being the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, just sion Comedy (Scripted)” but Here’s a joke I heard today: Did you
sponsored by Revels that year (boo, randomly. They saw it advertised in also “Best Male Comedy New- hear about the two aerials that got
hiss), and they’d come up with all a brochure and had a spare hour comer” in 2008? married? It was a rubbish wedding
these ridiculous, draconian rules so came along. They liked that, and but the reception was great.
– like you weren’t allowed to talk stayed in touch with me – getting It was very surreal. I wasn’t expect-
me to write a few things for a radio ing it at all. I was surprised to be
about confectionary. It just struck
show they were doing – and I think nominated to be honest, because
FEISTY ONE HE WAS
as me as totally barmy and para-
noid and cynical. Nobody was go- I sort of wormed my way into their for me what’s so good about the
ing to talk about confectionary. Get affections. Me getting the part was show is the group dynamic. It
over yourself Revels. So I basically pure nepotism. wouldn’t work if one of us domi-
said all this in my set and ended nated proceedings.
up speaking about confectionary -Do you have any similar per-
for about ten minutes. I finished by sonality traits to Will? - Did you ever expect “The Inbe-
handing out loads of Mars Bars, Kit tweeners” to have such a cult
Kats, Double Deckers, Maltesers, Unfortunately I think I probably do. following, with over 1.2 million
Crunchies, Lion Bars etc to the au- I’m also quite fussy and obstinate viewers watching the first epi-
dience. Anything but Revels basical- but I hope I’m not a snob like Will sode of series 2?
ly. They didn’t like that. I should say is.
though, In general the Chortle The fact that people might watch
-What’s the funniest thing that it never even crossed my mind. It You can catch Simon in the bril-
has happened whilst filming? was my first part on TV and I was
12 liant “The Inbetweeners” on E4
Thursday at 10pm
 ******** WARNING *******
THIS IS NOT NEWS!
This week our regular Not Newsreader Mr Nattress has been replaced with Speical Guest and ex Lord of The
Puzzles Colin Everett

New wet-look campus for 2011

By Colin ‘ Legend’ Everett

W ith the economic downturn affecting many

Higher Education institutions, architects
have unveiled their impressions of new plans
Jewson’s builders yard and depositing punters
on Cherry Tree Lane. Other chutes will take al-
ternative routes, with jungle, arctic and ocean
for the Stag Hill campus. The planned chang- themed rides not yet ruled out. Perhaps disap-
es were put forward in order to bring in more pointingly, plans to convert Senate House to
money for the university, as well as cut down the world’s tallest helter-skelter are thought be
on maintainance and cleaning costs of exist- incompatible with local planning laws.
ing buildings. However, whilst retrofitting older
academic buildings to reduce wasted heat and “Although we consider the conversion of Senate
light is uncontroversial, plans to demolish some House to a helter-skelter,” said a spokesman The National Union of Students, however, has
halls of residence and replace them with a se- from Guildford Borough Council, “this is likely been less than complimentary.
ries of adrenaline-inducing waterslides have
raised many an eyebrow. to contravene local planning laws, so it would “This is quite possibly the most disastrous idea
not happen.” for higher education that we have ever come
“At present, our only income streams are fee- across. It is a symptom of higher education
paying students and research money.” read a Reaction from students to the new plans has turning more and more into a profit-seeking
statement from the Senate. “These new plans been mixed. business, rather than a means of acquiring
will permit the university to better engage with specialist knowledge. First Surrey becomes a
the local community, especially with their wal- A statement from the President of the Student’s waterslide park without consideration for its
lets.” Union received before going to print read sim- fee-paying students. What next? Swansea Uni-
ply “WOO YEAH!”, while some people randomly versity becoming a beach resort? Southamp-
The money that is to be saved on maintainance stopped outside One-Stop, clearly didn’t seem ton University turning into a film studio? Lough-
by demolishing Surrey, Guildford, Stag Hill and that bothered by it, as they ignored our ques- borough turning into the world’s biggest kebab
University courts will be used to construct and tions and walked straight past. shop? Converting Surrey into a waterslide park
maintain a mile-long pipe traversing the hill- is, I feel, the beginning of a slippery slope.”
side, crossing the railway bridge, passing the

13
 Dress, £44.99,
River Island

Bag, £14.75,
ASOS

Top, £16, Top, £10, Dress, £22,

New Look New Look Next

Sandals, £14,
New Look

Top, £32,
Miss Selfridge
Shoes, £69.99,
River Island

Skirt, £22.99,
Lovin’ Miso at Republic

We all hope this summer will be a scorcher so

the latest trends are a must have to be cool in
the heat of the season. A collection of boho
chic, floral, animal-print and the new classics are
sure to be show-stoppers. So why not treat
yourself to a bit of each? It is the holiday season Top, £18,
after all...Enjoy! New Look
By Natalie Millard
Dress, £50,
Lipsy

Necklace, £15,
Accessorize

Shoes, £40,
New Look

Shorts, £24.99,
River Island
Top, £38,
Dress, £55, Jeans, £45
Lipsy Both from
Next

T-shirt, £10, New Look

Skirt, £34.25, Lipsy Skirt, £28,
Necklace, £12, Miss Selfridge
Freedom at Topshop
Belt, £1, Primark
14 Shoes, £65, Topshop
 NETWORKING WITH
EMPLOYERS EVENT!
Brought to you by
CoLab
TIME:
6-8pm
DATE:
20/5/09
Please Note: This event had previ-
ously been organised for February,
however it had to be postponed. It
has now been rescheduled so do
not miss out on your chance to at-
tend!
Do you want a chance to network
with local business from your sec-
tor? CoLab enterprises, in con-
junction with the Surrey Chamber
of Commerce are running a em-
ployers networking event. Here’s
what you need to know;
HOW IT WORKS
There will be a short talk by Stew-
art Graham from Avalon Solutions
regarding good networking prac-
tise and the benefits of networking
for students and business. This
will be followed by another pres-
entation into a host of web 2.0
technologies such as Podcasting,
Skype, Photoshop and many more.
The remainder of the evening will
be an open format exhibition giv-
ing you the chance to meet, greet
and network with local business.
ISN’T THIS JUST ANOTHER CA-
REERS FAIR?
No. We’re aiming for a 1:1 ratio of
business to students with no HR
departments in sight! Businesses
will be coming with an open mind
expecting to learn from and about
students so bring you’re A-game.
VENUE:
Lecture
Theatre
We’re really excited about the for-
mat of the event as it gives you,
the student, the perfect chance to
meet the right people, showing off
your amazing skills and ideas in
the process.
WHEN/WHERE
6-8pm, Wednesday 20th May -
Lecture Theatre Building
HOW
Tickets – will be on sale after the
Easter holidays
FOR WHO
All Surrey students welcome – Lev-
el 1 through to PhD.
A LITTLE ABOUT COLAB AND
SURREY CHAMBERS
CoLab is a student run social enter-
prise. Based in SCEPTrE, funded
jointly by SCEPTrE and the e-learn-
ing unit and Surrey, CoLab aims to
use networking and technology as
a vehicle for building links between
Surrey students, the university and
local business.
The Surrey Chamber of Commerce
is a membership organisation pro-
viding networking services to busi-
nesses across all sectors and sizes
with operations in Surrey.
15
 How to travel on the cheap
By Yvette Van Der Eijk
I f, like me, you are disheartened by the
current recession and the idea of selling
your soul (translation: employment), the
best option is to carry on studying. But
what if you don’t have the grades/money
for a Masters or PhD, or like me you just
cannot be arsed? Well, then there is one
other meaningful option, and that is to
take some time out and travel.
The pros and cons of travelling
Travel is fun, scary, intimidating and
frustrating, but incredibly rewarding. In a
way, it’s the best education a person can
have because of how it opens your eyes.
You will experience things most people
only read in magazines, and you will find
a depth in other cultures and places that
can only be appreciated after you have
seen them for real. Travel is fun; you are
bound to meet loads of interesting people
from all walks of life. You will have the
chance to do irrational, stupid stuff (think
bungee jumps, swimming with sharks),
see beautiful places (too many to list!),
explore cultures, try every curry in India,
drink every Bahamian cocktail then sleep
it off on the nearest beach. Travel can
also give you the chance to do something
meaningful or educational while you make
up your mind about your future. You can
learn Kung Fu in China (check out www.
shaolins.com), salsa in Cuba, Thai cookery
in Thailand, a language (check out www.
cactuslanguage.com – they’re relatively
cheap); volunteer work or jobs in teaching
are also easy to obtain as a graduate and
will look great on your resume besides
being very memorable. There are loads of
internet sources for these.
Diving with the fishies near Nassau,
Bahamas
It seems to me many students who want
to go travelling always end up following
the straight path. I can only think of three
main reasons: 1) the idea is intimidating;
2) finding the right people to go with; 3)
money. Yes, they are good reasons, but
come on. If the first reason applies to you,
get over it! Like a shot of vodka. Just neck
it and enjoy the after effect. Finding the
right people to go with is also difficult,
but don’t forget that solo travellers are
rarely alone. Travel can be expensive, but
in many places living costs are a fraction
of what you are paying to live at uni right
now and there are plenty of ways to earn
money whilst on the road. And so the
whole point of this feature is to show how
the average penniless Surrey graduate/
student can travel the world in a way that
is affordable and meaningful.
16
Working your way
With a degree and no money, a good
option is to work abroad. Often you can
work for several months, travel on the
money earned and find another job
elsewhere when you run out again. As
English-speaking graduates, the world
is our oyster here! In English-speaking
countries, finding work is fairly easy; USA/
Canada offer paid summer camp work
(try www.bunac.org) and finding casual
work in Australia and New Zealand is easy
with a working holiday visa. In non-English
speaking countries, you can work as a
dive instructor or do casual work in tourist
areas. If you are qualified in healthcare,
there are lots of hospitals worldwide that
will employ you and if you are a native
English speaker, you can work pretty
much anywhere as an English teacher.
Working as an English teacher
Anyone with a university degree and native
English can work as an English teacher.
Getting a TEFL qualification before you
leave is a good idea as it increases your
employability and will help a lot in your first
classes. Basic TEFL training is cheaper
(around £200) and done online but if you
want a more intensive training you can do
it abroad, e.g. Egypt, Thailand (TESOL).
Any teaching experience will also help,
though some countries are so desperate
for English teachers they will hire you after
just a phone interview without experience
or TEFL training.
A good place to start is South Korea.
Though not as exotic as Japan or China,
it’s an interesting country with a great
culture, friendly people and lots of work
opportunity! Most Korean schools will pay
at least £1000/month, taxes are stupidly
low (4%), and most schools will provide
free fully furnished accommodation,
health insurance and flights. Working
conditions are good and living costs low,
meaning you will be able to save up most
of your salary whilst living a comfortable
lifestyle with the odd trip to Japan or China.
Why so few people know about this I don’t
know! Other Asian countries offering high
salaries are Japan and Taiwan, although
living costs are higher. The JET programme
offers placements in Japan. Otherwise,
salaries and living costs vary but you will
find work pretty
much anywhere especially if you have a
TEFL qualification and experience. There
are lots of good job boards on the net –
try www.tefl.com, www.eslcafe.com.
Seoul, South Korea
Keeping it cheap
Life on the road can be much cheaper
than life at uni if you choose the right
places and know the odd trick. First,
pick your location carefully; your money
will not last long in places like Europe
or Japan (unless you go there to work!)
and certain places that may appear
cheap (Africa, Mongolia, Mexico, Cuba)
are actually not so cheap because of the
difference in local and tourist costs. The
cheapest places are probably developing
Asia followed by South America. You can Transport in some places can be…
also make use of the credit crunch and interesting
visit countries with very weak currencies
such as Iceland or Hungary. Other tricks: Learning a few local words
can do wonders when you haggle for stuff
at the market. Try “I’m a student”, “Lower
the price please” or “You kill me, my
friend!”. Haggle for everything! It’s normal.
Although it’s normal to charge more for
foreigners, observe what locals pay and
make sure you’re not being completely
ripped off. If you visit third-world countries,
bring clothes with you. Many locals will
accept this as part-payment at markets
and is often appreciated. Shoes, mobile
phones and electricals also go down well.
Stick to markets and local businesses,
Now is a good time to explore Iceland they are usually cheaper and better for
the locals. Try to make some local friends;
Accomodation :Facebook-like not only are they interesting, but they
networks exist for travellers and people also know all the cheap places to eat, go
offering their free couch for the night. out and shop. Locals are easier to meet
Try Couchsurfing and Hospitality Club – if you travel outside tourist zones or use
they are quite secure because members networks such as Couchsurfing. Bring
can get verified and leave references for photos or items from home, since they are
each other. If you can’t find a free couch, always keen to see what your hometown
youth hostels are usually quite cheap and family are like. Pack as light as you
and a great way to meet other travellers can (excess baggage is expensive!!) and if
– www.hostelworld.com covers pretty you really cannot live without your phone
much everywhere and provides reviews then buy a local SIM card. Avoid Forex
so you’ll know if you are about to spend offices at airports because they normally
the night in a stinking shitpit. In some give the worst rates; the best rates are
countries (e.g. Cuba) where hostels don’t to be had with debit cards, even if they
exist, the best alternative is local-ran charge commission. Finally, don’t be afraid
guesthouses. These are normally charged to make the occasional splurge. The odd
per room so it helps to share a room with shark dive, mountain trek or animal safari
someone. If you feel bold enough (and are experiences you will never forget so if
you can be sure it’s safe) you can also you don’t allow them at least once, what
sleep rough – in Latin America, it’s often is the point in travelling so far at all?
OK to sleep in a hammock on the beach
and camping rough is permitted in many
places especially Scandinavia, Iceland or
middle-of-nowhere spots.
Transport: For cheap flights it helps
to shop around. For standard returns,
internet sites such as Travelocity are often
cheaper than STA travel but STA are good
for flexible, one-way or round-the-world
tickets. As for getting around, do as the
locals do; avoid taxis and take the chicken
bus! So long as it’s safe, though, I mean
you don’t want to be waiting at bus stops
in the middle of the night in crime-filled
shitholes like Nairobbery.
In markets near shanty towns
like these, 2nd hand stuff is often
appreciated
 Travel on the cheap
Asia
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Asia is the continent to travel if you want
adventure and variety without breaking
the bank. Though developed Asian
countries (e.g. Japan, Taiwan, Singapore)
are more pricey, Asia is very affordable.
Think developing areas such as Southeast
Asia, parts of China, India. Getting around
is cheap and easy on public transport,
though not always safe since many boats
and buses tend to get overloaded and
apparently when they break down are
fixed with random stuff like forks. Asia has
huge variety – lots of different languages,
religions and customs. Scenery is varied,
too, from Thai beaches, Cambodian
temples, the Himalayas to the Gobi
desert. Asia is also home to the world’s
richest man (the Sultan of Brunei) as well
the poorest slums. Wherever you go, you
will encounter cultures so very different to
our own and you are in for an adventure.
Everest base camp trek
Adventurous stuff you can do: you
can go trekking up volcanoes (Mt Fuji,
Japan; Gunung Bromo, Indonesia) or in
the Himalayas all the way to Everest Base
Camp; you can walk the Great Wall in
China, go scuba diving with sharks and
other friendly fish, cycle for charity around
Vietnam or visit North Korea, but only the
military border – go no further! Apparently
driving in Asia and Korean spicy food is
also an adventure in itself. But OK if
you want more placid stuff, go to a full
moon party in Koh Pa Ngan (Thailand)
or try random food like Mongolian sheep
bollocks, Korean live octopus or Chinese
dog. Either way, make sure you avoid
those places that are maybe a little bit
too adventurous – currently not so travel-
friendly are North Korea, Bhutan, Burma,
Tibet and some regions in India, especially
Kashmir.
Latin America
where to go
After Asia, Latin America is probably the
cheapest continent to travel, although
many countries (especially Mexico) use
the $ which is bad news for us Brits. In
general, the further South you go the
cheaper it gets. There are plenty of buses,
though driving is an option since petrol
is ridiculously cheap and a Carnet de
Passage document is not required. Police
officers are unlikely to care how genuine
your vehicle documents are so long as
they look official. Crossing borders can
be tricky with a vehicle, but often a bit of
bribary helps, apparently a good trick is
to bring a few glossy mags and put them
on the dashboard, so when the border
officials get cranky just offer them Playboy
magazine. Spanish goes a long way in
Latin America and is well worth learning,
since outside tourist zones many people
don’t speak English. Though most Latin
American countries are safe, it’s best to
check up on certain places – especially
Venezuela, Columbia, Nicaragua and
Mexico (at night). Also don’t venture too
far into the Panama jungles on your own,
you don’t want to run into any bandits
there.
Adventurous stuff you can do: for
trekking, there are the Andes, Peru and
Patagonia or volcanoes in Central America.
In Mexico/Central America, there is great
diving opportunity, Aztec/Mayan ruins,
cenotes (cave pools), Copper Canyon and
jungle trekking. You can learn Argentina
Tango, Cuban salsa, Spanish; volunteer in
schools or orphanages; conservation work
is also common e.g. in the rainforests.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Africa
Africa is a wild, beautiful place and not
for the faint-hearted. You’re in for serious
adventure and awakening here and the
phrase “TIA” (This Is Africa) is something
you will hear A LOT. The truck broke
down again. “TIA, my friend”. Damn, got
malaria again. “TIA, my friend!” Africa is a
concentration of all third-world problems;
poverty, AIDS, malaria, drought, civil
war, the list goes on forever; but the
African people have such an amazing
spirit despite these problems that is truly
admirable and makes you realise what
miserable ba***rds Westerners are for
complaining when it rains. The people are
very warm and definitely not shy. Africa is
cheap by Western standards, but not as
cheap as people expect. This is because
there are tourist prices for everything and
safaris will add up nicely. Getting around
in Africa can be tricky; transport is slow,
breaks down a lot, is often late by several
hours and sometimes non-existent. A
more reliable way to travel around Africa is
with an organized truck tour. They usually
follow a tight schedule so you won’t get
so much contact with the locals, but are
good for first-time travellers who want to
experience Africa. Try Oasis Overland; they
are affordable and mostly attract people in
our age range (20s). Finally, don’t forget,
you will need every travel vaccination there
is, you are guaranteed at least diarrhoea
at some point and you will need to keep
your eyes very open. But, hey, TIA, and it’s
Gorge swing – a must if you are in Victoria
all part of the experience! Falls!
Europe
Europe is currently one of the most
expensive continents for Brits to travel to
thanks to the weak £. Even with Ryanair,
everything is so damn expensive once you
arrive at your destination. So, best option
is to stick to non-Euro zones, Eastern
Europe or places with weak currency, e.g.
Iceland or Hungary.
African children are far from shy
Sun and sand: If you want beaches
and sun, it’s better to go in September or
Safety in Africa: Africa is a place where
June when it’s not so touristic and prices
you really need to keep your wits about
are lower. Avoid Italy/France etc; Croatia
you. Cities such as Johannesburg and
and Slovenia have some lovely beaches
Nairobi (“Nairobbery”) are rife with crime.
and small towns making them a good low-
As a white tourist, you are considered
price alternative. Also, the pizza in Croatia
impossibly rich so you’re a prime targets
is cheap and very nice!
for beggars, scam artists and general
hassle. So, keep on your toes, avoid civil
war and you should be fine. And take those
malaria pills… if not, you will regret it!
Adventurous/meaningful stuff
you can do: There is lots of opportunity
for volunteer work such as HIV awareness
programmes, teaching, construction and
so on. Africa is the place for safaris – you
can ride elephants, walk with lions, see
loads of animals in the wild; alternatively,
you can cage dive with Great Whites or trek
up Mt Kilimanjaro or the Atlas Mountains.
There is also diving off the beautiful coast
of Zanzibar or the Red Sea or trekking the
Sahara. Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe)
is an adventure hub; you can do microlight
flights, bungee jumps and loads of other
stuff there for a fraction of what you would
pay in the Western world. The grade 5*
white water rafting and “adrenaline day”
– unlimited abseil, rap jump, flying fox Geysir, Iceland
and gorge swings - in particular are well Nature: Iceland is a rare, wild country
worth the price. host to Europe’s largest waterfall, active
volcanoes (two are due to erupt soon!),
geysers and so on. Although it’s not
exactly cheap, with the current crisis now
is a great time to go. Iceland Express offer
return flights from London for around
£200 and wild camping in Iceland is totally
legal, so pack a tent, cooker and forget
showers because there are thermal pools
everywhere. Best time to visit Iceland is in
summer, when you can see the midnight
sun, whales, puffins and dolphins. Just
make sure you pack a raincoat.
Rafting the Zambezi (near Victoria Falls) 17
 HELLENIC SOCIETY
Edited By Mariam Nasir
The Hellenic Society managed to organize some of the
greatest events in the Union. Live Concerts with traditional
Greek music as well as bringing for one night only, all the
way from Greece - the most popular Hip-Hop & R&B band
- ‘GOIN’THROUGH’ and ‘THE FAMILY’. We also brought
two of the greatest Djs and radio producers in Greece;
‘VALENTINO’ and ‘SOULIOTIS’. Our resident Djs presented
Greek Night as well as one of the greatest events of the year
the annual CARNIVAL NIGHT. We are the first International
society of this University that managed to have a great web
page (www.ussuhellenic.com) which has internet radio
(www.ussuhellenic.com/radio). We also took part in all
the events organized by the students Union like those in
the international week (I-Gala). We would like to thank for
this successful academic year: President of the students
Union Elizabeth Simos, VP societies Jack Simons as well as
all the Sabbaticals and all the members of the Union staff
Ben, Jade, Lip and many more. We would also like to thank
the Cypriot Society that again this year we made a great
cooperation and made all the events successful.
Visit as at:
www.ussuhellenic.com
FB group: type Hellenic Cypriot Society University of Surrey
And listen to our Radio: www.ussuhellenic.com/radio
By Antonis Maragkos – Hellenic Society President.

Wine & Words at the Eng Lit Soc

By Stephanie Davies & Dawn Harman
At the English Literature Society we party like it’s 1984. “Wine and words” is
our slogan, but has become something more of a mission statement given our
regular meetings at Roots bar.
To tie in with this year’s new English Literature course at the University, the
society was created with a view to bring together likeminded literature lovers.
And if you noticed that excellent bit of alliteration in the last sentence, we want
you! The Eng Lit Soc is not just closed to those lucky, talented and gorgeous
students of English, the only prerequisite to joining is an understanding that
reading is sexy.
Previous shenanigans have involved a town-conquering pub crawl, the infamous
Christmas party (featured above), and plenty of film showings including
Bladerunner, History Boys, Clockwork Orange, Apocalypse Now, and À bout de
souffle. If you missed these, you missed out-- but don’t go crying into your copy
of Wuthering Heights just yet. We have plenty more exciting events planned,
including theatre trips, future film showings and another bar crawl at the end
of semester.
For updates on future events and meetings, join the Facebook group “The
English Literature Society of the University of Surrey.”

18
 Interview with a Foreign Post-
Doctoral Fellow from PAKISTAN
Doctor Ghulam Shabir (Post-Doc, Sociology
Department, SU)
Interviewer: Hamza Javaid (PhD Researcher, FML,
SU) (2008-09) Treasurer, Pakistan Students’
Association
Edited By Mariam Nasir
Q1. How you selected Surrey University for
your Post-doctoral studies?
A: There were plenty of reasons for selecting Surrey
University, but the one’s which stood out were the
education standard; my close friend’s reference and
the rich history Surrey University possessed. Now
before coming to UK, I was offered a fellowship place
at Oklahoma State University USA but because of
my friend (Dr. Zafar Iqbal), who insisted me joining
here, played a major part in my final decision and I
never regretted because it has been a marvellous
one year’s experience which will stay with me the
rest of my life.
Q2. Can you briefly tell us about your first day
here at the University?
A: As it is my first visit to UK so there was always
this agitation related to the West culture whether it
will be easy for me to adjust myself. Alhumdulillah
(all praise to Allah (God)); I was pleased with the
greeting given to me by the University, followed by
the immigration officers at Heathrow Airport. I feel
lucky to have Professor Colin as my supervisor,
Professor arranged a lunch for me that was kind of
him to do so and likewise Department of Sociology
warmly welcomed me as if I’m a returning staff
member rather than a new fellow researcher. Most
importantly, I highly appreciate my friend Dr. Zafar
who helped me to adjust into the environment fairly
quickly.
Q3. How would you rate Surrey University
Library facilities?
A: Excellent, before I forget, first day I visited the
library with a department colleague and was
amazed by the facilities there and how much a
library is doing for the University Students. Situated
in the George Building, it is a five storey educational
field possessing treasure of books, journals,
magazines, newspapers, from various disciplines
like Management, Law, Science, Physics, Biology,
Sociology, Engineering, Artificial intelligence,
Satellite, etcetera. When I got my ID card from
the reception area giving me the first chance to
official roam around the library, I was amazed by
the printing press inside the library where they do
all the designing and stuff, students go there for
binding, t-shirt design and many other things just
excellent. Another best thing comes on the first
floor, the café area where student can sit and relax
taking any food along or buying from the winding
machines there and wireless broadband facility in
every corner of the library. At the 3rd Floor there is
a SPLASH (Student Personal Learning and Study
Hub), another excellent environment for students
where they can study on their own or in groups
with elegant interior. Splash also supports student
in various study requirements arranging seminars,
workshops and face-to-face problem solving with
the expert. Not forgetting library is full of high speed
dell workstations for students as well and is open till
late night not limiting students to only come around
9-5 working system.
Q4. Before we move on, any other area you
want to share on the facilities of Surrey
University?
A: It has been a pleasure to spent one year here
at the University; I have attended many seminars,
workshops and others academic activities on daily,
weekly and monthly basis majority of these programs
are free of costs. The University of Surrey certainly
provide immense opportunity of learning new
subjects and to do research activities throughout
the year, due to this we can say that educational
standard of the Surrey University as compare to all
other UK academic institutions is comparatively
very high.
Secondly, Here I have observed that all the teaching
staffs are online with their students through Ulearn
portal, and this makes them connected with the
students 24x7. Centre for learning and development
is doing a lot as well, an example may be the
‘Preparing to tech’ workshops for teachers and
researchers who will take academia as a profession.
In my sociology department on every Thursday, we
have seminar series where PhD researcher are
invited from various institutions around the world
and here they present their research articles,
thesis, thus this way we can learn what is latest
happening in our research areas, and this is another
marvellous experience for me to learn things face to
face as well.
Q5. What do you think of University Careers
Service and Students’ Union?
A: I feel lucky that I have attended University ‘careers
fairs’ arrange by Careers Service where London
based multidimensional companies come here and
from their allocated stalls guide graduates students
in relation to their future careers. An opportunity
for students to ask them questions about company
structures/ recruitment procedures and inside
environment and on going developments and this
also provides the graduates to get aware of company
requirements so they can work out the competency
required when they complete their studies. With all
this I can say, Careers Service is doing a tremendous
job which I will take back to implement such initiative
for graduates in Universities of Pakistan.
Regarding, University Students Union, they have
a lot going on like ‘fresher fair’ where different
students societies come together under one roof
representing different countries/ sports/ etc in
their small stalls inviting thousands of students and
increasing their membership. I’m happy to know
that Pakistan Students’ Association is a vibrant
Society where they have arranged dinners/ trips/
sports activities for all Pakistanis studying at the
University and such activities provide us a platform
to know other Pakistanis here and certainly this
helps knowing the way how student spend their
time away from home.
Q6. Anything you would like to say to your
Supervisor of your Post-doctoral study?
A: University of Surrey without a doubt recruits
excellent academia faculty, experience with
Professor Colin has been great (I’m honoured).
From the start, all the guidance, developing my
knowledge in the field of social sciences research
methodology, he has given me a lot with his
effective communication skill. Not surprisingly all
his PhD and Post-doctoral students will appreciate
his knowledge of the field. He arranges group, one
to one meeting, discussion and seminars for his
PhD and Post-doctoral researchers regularly where
he delivers lectures which are always fruitful for the
students.
Q7. What do you think of Guildford?
A: Expensive, jokes apart. It is a nice place for
overseas student like me to settle down very quickly.
Every necessary amenities are approachable for the
students just like Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford
town shopping centre, TESCO, Railway Station,
Bus Station all are on walking distance from the
University, and even Central London is also only one
hour travel distance from the Surrey University.
Q8. Any message you want to share with
everyone?
A: I enjoyed studying in the University of Surrey.
I’m taking back with me great memories, I wish
everyone good health and May the peace, mercy,
and blessings of Allah (SWT) be with everyone.
Website: www.ussu.co.uk/psa (Keep visiting for the
all the latest update)
19
 EFEK UK - The National Union of Cypriot
Students of the United Kingdom
University of Surrey Cypriot Society student accommodation etc. For a number of (on 15 November in each year) in relation to the
years SYKFA also had a fund for helping Cypriot declaration of the so called “Turkish Republic
Edited By Mariam Nasir students in the UK, who were facing financial of Northern Cyprus”, a state not recognized
difficulties. SYKFA’s main role, however, was by any other country in the world other than
to inform UK students and the British public Turkey, who in effect has established it.
The first organised Cypriot student organisation
in general, about the Cyprus problem by, EFEK UK has also organized many speeches,
in the UK was the “National Union of Cypriot
between others, issuing brochures and holding discussions and round table discussions
Students of England” (“EFEKA”), established in
events in relation to the Cyprus problem. with various Cypriot and British politicians
1953. The first president of EFEKA was the late
mainly in relation to the Cyprus problem
Spyros Kyprianou, who became president of the
The National Union of Cypriot Students of the or other educational and student matters.
Republic of Cyprus in 1977 and who held that
United Kingdom” (“EFEK UK”) was established
office until 1988. The first general secretary of
by the amalgamation of EFEKA and SYKFA in On the 21st of February 2009 the annual
EFEKA was the late Tassos Papadopoulos, who
1993. Since its establishment, EFEK UK has elections of EFEK UK took place and a week
became president of the Republic of Cyprus
laid the path for the Cypriot student movement later on the 28th of February the new board
in 2003 and who held that office until 2008.
in the UK and has continued the work of EFEKA was elected. The President of Surrey Cypriot
and SYKFA. EFEK UK has tried to have frequent Society - Michalis Yiacoumi was elected as the
The tragic events of 1974 which led to the Turkish
communications with university Cypriot President of EFEK UK for the Year 2009-2010.
invasion (and the since then occupation of the
student societies all over the UK and has in So the Cypriot Students of Surrey University
North part of the island of Cyprus by Turkish
various occasions supported some of these have the privilege to have a direct voice in
troops) has also had an impact on the Cypriot
Cypriot student societies financially (mainly in their National Union through their president.
student movement in the UK. The second
the first few months of their establishment).
organized student organization in the UK,
EFEK UK has also had frequent meetings EFEK UK’s main goals are to 1) enlighten
namely the “Organization of Cypriot Students
with the minister of Education and Culture of the British public opinion about the Cyprus
of England” (“SYKFA”), was established in
the Republic of Cyprus and with the Cyprus problem, 2) resolve all types of problems that
1975. SYKFA’s main activities concentrated
High Commissioner in London, mainly to find Cypriot students may be facing from time
in solving the numerous problems of Cypriot
ways to solve the numerous problems of the to time, and 3) associate with other UK and
students in the UK, such as high student tuition
Cypriot students in the UK. EFEK UK has foreign student organizations in relation to
fees (for non-EU students), lack of scholarships
also for many years held an annual peaceful student issues.
to Cypriot students from the UK government,
demonstration outside the Turkish embassy

20
 MUSIC
Super Furry Animals - Dark Days / Light Years - 13th April 2009
Arguably the best thing from Wales since cockles
and bacon, the Super Furry Animals have arrived
back fresh from their multiple-and-partially-
successful-side-project outings with ‘Dark Days
/ Light Years’ – an album apparently based on
‘riffs and grooves’ that they’ve been playing for
the past few years. Riffs and grooves-a-plenty,
this release sees the Animals continuing their
psychedelic persona whilst taking the outside-the-
box dial up a notch. First single ‘Inaugural Trams’
features a German-speaking Nick McCarthy (Franz
Ferdinand), and has a very bouncy and borderline
comical feel to it – an interesting, yet wonderful,
introduction for all non-SFA fans. Album opener
‘Crazy Naked Girls’ doesn’t really get going until
a good two minutes in, but then hits you with an
awesome guitar riff and the instant knowledge that
your purchase is going to be worth every penny...
Airship, We Were Promised Jetpacks and Frightened
Rabbit - Scala 15th
Frightened Rabbit have exploded onto the
April 2009
some of the band not engaging at all with
indie scene pretty rapidly, and had come to
the Scala to play a one off, sold-out, show.
Meeting the singer afterwards, he was to-
tally amazed and really pleased that the
show had been such a success, way above
anything they could have expected. Their in-
fectious sing-along lyrics with the infamous
Scottish accent is always a favourite, and
hearing people try to put it on when singing
along is always good to hear as well. Fright-
ened Rabbit have only really come into
the limelight after the release of their last
album, The Midnight Organ Fight back in
2008. This album is them at their best, and
has been much more successful for them
than their first album, released in 2006.
The first band up was Airship, who started
playing to a pretty small crowd to begin with.
Combining hammering drum rhythms and
drawn out synth chords, they played their
set with passion and skill. You really start
to feel the intensity of the vocals, and the
guitarist really went for it. The lead guitarist
even lent a helping hand to the drummer,
playing a floor tom to the side, giving their
set a real energy and enjoyment to watch.
The next band up was We Were Promised
Jet Packs, adding another Scottish band
to the bill. They opened with a really great
drum solo, spoiled by the lighting guy not
being able to follow a fairly simple flashing
pattern. Intense up-beat guitar riffs mixed
with rapid drum rhythms and blistering
bass parts made this into great music to
dance to, but I didn't really get the impres-
sion that they were really into the gig, with
After doing good things with The Peth (Rhys Ifans’
“Satanic Abba” band), Neon Neon (Gruff Rhys’
and Boom Bip) and Gruff’s own solo project, the
band have clearly been dying to get back to some
serious SFA action. Dark Days... is an inspirational
zoo of so many brilliant ideas, it’s hard to take it all
in at once. Mixing old and new-school styles, you’re
never far away from something you’ll like. Other
highlights include the hypnotic ‘Cardiff in the Sun’,
the compulsory summer anthem ‘Helium Hearts’
and ‘The Very Best of Neil Diamond’ – a chilled-out
yet substantial song with a simple and fantastically
memorable hook. SFA certainly don’t suffer from
deteriorating-album-quality syndrome. Fact.
Patrick Hunter
5/5
the crowd or each other. The Scottish ac-
cent went down a treat, and there were
even a fair few Scots singing along too.
Up last were the mighty Frightened Rabbit.
The crowd had now packed in, creating a
solid mass of people in front of the stage.
They seemed relatively quiet by gig stand-
ards, but it seemed to be one of those gigs
that were more about the intimacy of the
venue, where you can shout things at the
singer and quite happily get a response.
Scott, the lead singer and guitarist, had
a great stage presence, knowing how to
work the crowd and cracking jokes, often
about Scotland. They played mostly songs
from their newest album, which has some
amazing tracks on it. Their quirky, quotable
lyrics are great, throwing in the odd swear
word every now and again when you least
expect it. The lineup constantly changes
around, with each member playing a dif-
ferent instrument at some point bar the
drummer. One of the highlights was the
encore, which began with Scott playing
'Poke' unplugged at the front of the stage.
The audience were completely hushed,
and even tried to join in with the chorus,
to which he shook his head. They finished
their set with 'Keep Yourself Warm', which
had everyone singing and moving about.
These guys were great tonight, and obvi-
ously need to perform more down south,
as the response will definitely be positive.
By Mark Allen 21
 Filthy Dukes - ‘Nonsense in the Dark’ - 16th March
The new debut album from Filthy Dukes has caused a storm of rave reviews variety of sounds and hooks
across the nation, with some even hailing it as ‘what Daft Punk’s 3rd album to keep you listening right
should have sounded like’. I first heard some of the key tracks on a teaser, to the very end. Once that
and couldn’t wait for the album to come out. Their infectious synth-driven four-to-the-floor kicks in
pop is great, and each track has a great variety, but stays in the safe zone of though, everyone’s got
the electro-pop genre which couldn’t get much bigger at the moment. to start bobbing their
heads. ‘Somewhere At
These three guys hail from London, and like many electro artists they started off by Sea’ is a great way to end
DJ-ing around the country, but with the likes of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem. the album, with a much
After releasing the track ‘Tupac Robot Club Rock’, it provided them with a wealth slower song, really giving
of media attention. The track features some really catchy rapping, and some them a chance to show
brilliant low bass lines. These tasty rhythms and beats will have you gagging for off their vocal ability and
more, and it’s not all synths and blippy noises. Oh no. Many of the tracks have some skills away from the synths,
brilliant vocal work, with ‘Elevator’ mixing catchy synth hooks and soft vocals. sounding something more
There are also some great instrumental tracks too, made to get you out on the like Death Cab For Cutie.
dance floor. Their sound could be compared with bands such as Justice, MSTRKRFT
or Daft Punk, but served with a huge slice of pop to join the others at the top. 4/5

I really like this album, and it’s got some great tracks that I could see released Mark Allen
as singles soon. Some of my favourite tracks are ‘Twenty Six Hundred’, as it
reminds me of the kind of stuff underground electro artists would be up to, and
playing to a floor full of people. One of the best things about this album is the

Duke Pandemonium - 11/5/09

Comprised of The Atmosphere and The Dragon, the only excuse
for not having heard of this duo is the fact that you either don’t
have a radio or you just don’t like popular music. Their latest
Lily Allen ‘Not Fair’
single ‘Rubber Lover’ seems to have been played on Radio 1
and 6 Music pretty much on the hour. They have also visited Jo
Whiley’s live lounge and covered Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies (Put
a ring on it)’, well worth a listen. For many people, admittedly
myself as well, this is my first glimpse of Marmaduke Duke, but
in actual fact this is their second album following on from ‘The
“Another sassy, witty and
Magnificent Duke’. It is the side project of Simon Neil (from Biffyy
Clyro) and JP Reid (from Sucioperro). Both with respected music
careers already behind them, through their new creation they have
catchy tune from
successfully added another string to their bow. The album is a
mixture of all things electro indie, dance, and a sprinkling of drum Lily Allen, ‘Not Fair’ is
‘n’ base beats… if you can have a sprinkling. The songs are fast
paced and ready for summer gatherings; they have the strange
ability to make you want to get up and have a little bop around, one of her best singles to
even if it’s just in your room so you look like a bit of a weirdo…
probably best to save it for the dance floor or a festival somewhere.

For me, the album took a few listens but I am fully on the
date”.
bandwagon now. Each individual song is good in its own right, it
is just when they are played continuously that the uniqueness is
somewhat blurred. When listening to it, there are two tracks for
me that made me stop and look to see what they were as they
did stand out above the others and those were ‘Everybody Dance’
and ‘Demon’, which is a crazy 7:35 mins long which, considering
- Miriam Kidane
‘Rubber Lover’ is only 1:54, is quite intense!
Basically, if you like ‘Rubber Lover’ then you will like this album.
The other songs may not have quite the same pop factor but for Our Music Editor
me that is why I like them.
Rachael Fitz-Patrick and her team of
4/5
Rachael Fitz-Patrick reviewers present you with some more ear-
tingling reviews for the summer!
22
 Concerts on Campus Open to All
How many music events have you been to on
campus this year? Did you know that there are
regular concerts and gigs going on around
campus that all students and staff can attend?
Even better, most of them are free! Highlights
last semester included the student run and
extremely popular Free For All concert and Malian
musician and BBC 3 World Music Award Winner
Bassekou Kouyate’s breathtaking performance
in the University Hall. For both concerts, Stage
Crew did a great job, transforming the Hall
into a wonderful concert venue with full stage,
sound and light show. In PATS Studio One, we
recently had Julian Lloyd Webber performing
to a packed audience of 250 people, two nights
after the University Big Band had performed a
superb late night set of jazz favourites.
Our concerts encompass a wide range of musical
genres from rock, pop, jazz and electronica
to classical chamber music and concerts for
Symphony Orchestra and Choir. Most concerts
take place in the Performing Arts Technology
Studios (PATS), the large building opposite the
NatWest field and next to the bank. However,
Bloc Party, Foals and Wet Paint - Olympia, 12th April
To say I am a fan of Bloc Party would be a total
understatement, I would say obsessive is more
fitting. But seriously, this was the ninth time I had
seen the band and I was just as excited, if not
more excited, to see them for the ninth time as
the first, second, third etc. Supported by another
favourite, Foals, this night was set to be a fitting
way to end eating silly amounts of chocolate on
Easter Sunday. I arrived at the Olympia, a venue
that I had never been to before, and it reminded
me of an aircraft hanger - the venue was huge.  ‘Ares’ and ‘Song for Clay’
The first support band, Wet Paint, were average,
they played their instruments really well and did
create a really good sound, however the vocals
and lyrics were definitely not up to scratch.
Foals I’ve seen a few times before at smaller
venues and always thought they were amazing,
but this time I felt the atmosphere of the
Olympia swamped their sound. They played
crowd pleasers ‘Cassius’ and ‘Red Sock Pugie’.
The audience went absolutely mental for them
and breathing was only allowed in between
songs.
After nearly being killed during the Foals set,
I was thinking perhaps they may calm down
for Bloc Party... erm, naïve or what? The band
played a selection of tracks from all three
of their albums, Silent Alarm, A Weekend in
the City, and Intimacy. The band opened with
Halo, and as soon as we heard the first chord,
the whole crowd surged to the front and for
the next hour and a half I was pretty much
we also put on gigs in the University Hall, Wates relaxing and listening to music is great for
House, the Management Building, Guildford your general well-being and it also might help
Cathedral and in town, so do look out for events you feel more alert in the afternoon. Every
coming up. Wednesday, we hold free lunchtime concerts in
the PATS Building, Studio One, between 1.10pm
This Friday 8th May, we will be staging a music and 2pm. These concerts are usually given by
night in The Firs Room at Wates House. One undergraduate and postgraduate students
of our most popular and highly anticipated specialising in performance and the repertoire
concerts of the year, the Free For All gigs are is always extremely varied. You’re as likely to
informal and fun evenings that showcase the hear music by Herbie Hancock, Joe Satriani or
enormous range of musical styles and the huge Charlie Parker as Elgar, Mozart or Chopin.
talents of the various bands and performers
within the music department. Why not come Everyone is more than welcome at our concerts
along and unwind in the bar after a hard week and most of them are free so why not just come
of exams, enjoy some great live music in the along and see what you think? Whatever your
Firs Room from 7.30pm and then if you fancy musical tastes there’ll probably be something
it, there’ll still be plenty of time to head to the for you to enjoy. Please contact me at j.harber@
union or into town afterwards? All this music is surrey.ac.uk if you would like further information
at student friendly prices, FREE, so a great way about any of our events, or would like to join the
to start your night out. mailing list. Until next time… keep supporting
live music and don’t forget the gig on the 8th
Are you bored of the usual lunch hour sat May at Wates House.
around feeling lethargic following a morning
of lectures? Why not liven up your lunch-hour Jamie Harber
and try something new? Studies suggest that
fighting to stay alive. The
band was in great spirits
and, after their second
encore, lead singer Kele
came out wearing a white
bunny outfit wishing the
audience a Happy Easter!
They were amazing live,
and this was definitely one
of their best performances.
were definitely the biggest
crowd pleasers; that, and
their most well known track,
‘Helicopter’. They ended
the night with a spectacular
light show for one-off dance
song ‘Flux’. The night was
pretty mental, I was left with
about four bruises over my
legs and, sadly, I lost one of my new shoes
I was wearing in a moshpit during the track
‘Prayer’. Was the night worth it? Erm… YES!
If you have a review to send
into Ths Stag,
5/5
Miriam Kidane
Please email
Musicdeskstag@gmail.com
23
 TUESDAY 12TH MAY
2PM IN THE STUDENTS’ UNION

24
Literature Get those creative juices flowing....

The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

Reviewed by Amy Barnes versity life drawing class, who strains of daily life, I wouldn’t
still harbours feelings for her suggest this book. If you are,
I discussed this novel in the ex-husband and former art tu- however, someone who is in-
kitchen with my mother, who had tor Jake. Her two daughters pro- terested in the dynamics of the
begun reading it but had to stop voke both worry and envy within mother-daughter relationship,
due to its incredibly dark subject her, and force her to confront mental illness and questionable
matter. Somewhat ironically, her position as a mother as sexual advances, ‘The Almost
The Almost Moon explores the well as analysing her role as a Moon’ ticks all of these boxes.
mother-daughter relationship daughter. Her relationship with And gives you something to
that ultimately leads to an event her own mother, a former under- chew over and discuss with your
that has consequences not just wear model now struck with de- mother whilst searching the
for the aforementioned, but for mentia, is the crux of the book. kitchen for something to cure
family members and friends too.
Dark, disturbing but fantastical- your Bank Holiday hangover.
To give a detailed synopsis of ly written, Sebold’s ‘The Almost
the plot in this review would Moon’ is fraught with motives,
be the equivalent of remov- memories and another more
ing the lynchpin that holds the ominous word beginning with
novel together; so I’ll be delib- ‘M’. If you’re looking for a light
erately vague. Helen Knightly is read or portal to a better place
a middle-aged model for a uni- away from the stresses and

WRITING COMPETITION
Perfect for the creative among you, The
Bridport Prize is one of the most highly
esteemed writing competitions world-
wide, boasting a £5000 first prize. For
a small fee, submit your short stories
or poetry to be in with a chance of win-
ning a number of cash prizes and the
opportunity to be entered in the For-
ward Prize or National Short Story Prize
competitions.

For more information, pick up a leaf-

If you have a review for our literature let from the English Common Room
(52AC05) or go enter online at
section www.bridportprize.org.uk.
Please email Editor Amy at Get writing and good luck!
literaturedeskstag@gmail.com 25
Have you heard the word? No? Better check Facebook then…
By Amy Barnes life as an anti-Vietnam newsletter at the Emory talgia for something that was distributed and
University Campus in the U.S. before evolving into then sadly defunct years before I was born.
*Disclaimer* a much-loved controversial mouthpiece. Quite It seems to me that we are an apathetic gen-
simply, the BIRD printed the news ‘you weren’t eration compared to our 1960s counter-parts.
I should point out now that this article bears no supposed to know’; covering topics such as the Of course I cannot deny that there are many
relevance to the recent ‘craze’ following the air- Vietnam War, youth culture, women’s and gay students who are empowered and who partici-
ing of a particular episode of Family Guy. If you liberation, civil rights and workers’ struggles. pate in campaigns to get the voices of them-
have got this far and now feel thoroughly disap- Its outspoken resistance against long-standing selves and others heard. But today it appears
pointed, you should feel thankful that I informed ideas, including an attack on the Coca-Cola that literary outlets such as the BIRD have
you of this now instead of waiting until the end Corporation, landed the BIRD in court on more had their wings clipped by the rise of internet
of this article. Go on, keep reading, I dare you! than one occasion. This did not dampen its pop- expressionism: Facebook and Twitter being
ularity amongst its readers despite attempts the most obvious culprits. But when it comes
Last semester, I and others on the English Lit- to stem this spread of counter-culture. Some down to a Facebook group versus a well-writ-
erature degree programme studied a module high school and college principals suspended ten article by someone who feels passion-
on World Literature and Cultures. It was closely students caught with copies and BIRD vend- ate enough to challenge and channel ideas
linked to the interesting and revolutionary dec- ing machines were banned in the state capital. into an article that I can rip out and tack onto
ade of the 1960s. One particular area of the my wall, I know which one I would choose.
assessment required us to research examples You’re probably wondering why I was so en-
of counter-culture in art, music and literature. thralled by the discovery of this publication. Find out more about the BIRD online:
I was struck by how much enthusiasm was http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/
After a lot of Google searches and clicking poured into this paper, and the amount of
of links, I came across a site that really got feathers it ruffled with its no holds barred re- news/0052.html
my attention. I abandoned my original idea portage. The very idea that a newspaper could
to discuss the iconic Mods and Rockers and take on the Supreme Court, survive a fire and
instead opted for something more literary: still remain in the memories of people today
an underground 60s newspaper, the BIRD. provoked two feelings in me. The first was one
of admiration for such drive. The second was
The Great Speckled Bird, a.k.a The BIRD, began one of sadness confusingly mixed with nos-

26
Film Get the popcorn ready.....
Let The Right One In (15)
To say that ‘Let The Right One In’ is a ‘Swedish
Vampire Film’ is hardly a thorough categorisation.
In fact, is it drama? Is it horror? Is it romance? Is
it mystery? What makes ‘Let The Right One In’
such a transcendent, haunting film is not that
it grips you, it’s that it knows how to touch you.
It’s refreshing and thoroughly breathtaking.
Shot in the chilly suburbs of Stockholm, Os-
car is an innocent, lonely, regularly bullied
young boy living in an apartment complex
with his mother. One day, a young ‘girl’ by
the name of Eli moves in next door with an
older man who is a suspected serial killer.
At the centre of all this, is a tight-bonded,
unusual love story between Eli and Oscar.
It is a beautiful fairy tale and, while there
are moments that stir the senses, you care
about the two vulnerable souls at the centre
of this. They both have difficulties of adapt-
miment for the young girl he tries to provide for.
ing to life and yet you know that one; they are
meant for each other and two; they will do Why is it the first ‘great’ film of 2009? Be-
anything to continue their love. It is a weird cause, like horror, it haunts you. Like romance,
love story, but there isn’t a moment where it touches you. Like drama, it moves you.
you recoil from it. In fact, you understand. Like mystery, it makes you wonder. Only oc-
casional films shift gear as exemplarily as Let
There is a moment where Eli’s guardian, The Right One In. At the moment we have the
Hakan, is trying to provide for her blood thirst Saw franchise which just shouts mindlessly
by killing random inhabitants. He fails the first at you, but Let The Right One In does what
try on screen, but the second try he tries to horror is supposed to do, and that is stir you
kill a boy in a changing room. The result has with feelings. Weird and, indeed, wonderful.
Hakan disfigure himself to conceal his identity.
In a later scene, Eli visits the hospital to see her Ollie Sim
father figure in an unrecognisable, repulsive 5/5
state. What is clever about this scene though Have you been to see a film lately
(which is indicative to the rest of the film), is and fancy telling us what you thought
that when we see the bodily horror of Hakan’s about it?
corroded face, we see it not as a horrific set
piece, but as a disturbing, heartbreaking com- filmdeskstag@gmail.com

The Boat That Rocked (15)

Loosely based around the there is hardly a plan. out-on-the-town montage,
pirate radio movement of it feels irritatingly sponta-
Radio Caroline during the While there are occasion- neous and careless. But
late 1960’s and seventies. al good laughs, the main hey, maybe your swing-
Out in the North Sea, a pi- fact of the matter is that ing uncle can explain.
rate radio station, Rock FM it spends too much time
(very inspired), is broad- stuck in nostalgia. In other Ollie Sim
casting mainstream rock words, it is like someone
n’ roll to the displeasure recklessly hitting the shuf- 2/5
of British government offi- fle button on their iPod,
cials who plan to shut down and at what cost? Well,
and infiltrate the vessel. that the film spends two
unnecessary hours going
I think it’s fully established nowhere. In fact, it would
that Richard Curtis is a bet- have done better if it was
ter writer than he is a di- a half an hour TV series.
rector, but that’s the least
of the film’s problems. Overall, it’s incredibly sag-
The opening premise is gy and as a means of en-
sound and the ensem- tertainment it does have its
ble cast is perfectly ac- moments (having a char-
quainted (and it sounded acter named ‘Twatt’ isn’t
like they had a blast), but one of them. Honk!). How-
once there is a premise ever, just like the drunken
filmdeskstag@gmail.com 27
17 Again (12A) Observe and Report (15)
Not the most original idea, but that Only a few films can pull off a
is not to say it doesn’t have some de- “dark comedy” (courtesy of Jody
gree of dignity. Simple set-up; Mat- Hill, director of Observe and Re-
thew Perry is bored and fed up with port). In fact, the director also
his life. He wishes to be seventeen said that he wanted to do a “co-
again and is transformed into a rein- medic version of Taxi Driver”.
Well, dream on. Also, rent out
carnation of Zac Efron, I mean, him-
The King of Comedy and that’s
self. If you like, it is Big in reverse.
what you’re talking about. I just
hope that from this film and
Lets go over the ground rules; I many other Judd Apatow films
have a soft spot for Zac Efron. Al- before that, this ‘Seth Rogan
though 17 Again is not as good as, phenomenon’ stops right now.
say, his other works (High School
Musical 3), he is charming and per- The ‘story’ involves a security
fectly credible in the role. What I’m guard (Seth Rogan) with man-
wondering at the moment is, was ic depression who works at a
there a meeting with Zac’s agent over his character hav- shopping mall. It is brought to
ing to play basketball? Well, just like the film, I can go with it. his attention that an anoma-
lous streaker is running around
the mall. At the same time, he
is in love with a counter-girl Ollie Sim
Ollie Sim
(Anna Faris) who owns a make- 1/5
3/5
28
up stall and tries to protect her
before a professional detective
arrives to handle the situation.
Compare this to Paul Blart: Mall
Cop and you’ll see that at least
Paul Blart has more charm
(please don’t take that as a com-
pliment). However, what is re-
ally irritating is that one, it has
as much laughs as there were
at the Nuremberg Trials. Two,
it’s incredibly smug about it-
self. Three, it wants to be edgy,
but the fact of the matter is
that it’s just depressing. In fact,
there is a rape scene in the film
that makes you ask yourself,
“Sorry, did I miss a meeting?”
 Madame Za-Za
“ The stars speak to me darling”
Aries (20th March – 20th April)
Libra (20th Sept- 21st Oct)
You need to work on your temper this fortnight. Yes, you’re
You know something is up with your best friend, they just
under a lot of stress and strain, but so is everybody else and
won’t tell you what it is. Be persistent- they need your help
taking your frustrations out on those around you isn’t on.
and they will ask for it eventually. Single? They’re like buses,
Single? The single life is the place to be for you right now-
aren’t they? You can wait months and all of a sudden two
you have more important things to focus your attention on.
people will show interest... Taken? You’re feeling guilty, and
Taken? Keep your relationship in perspective- they will still be
rightly so. Own up and take the heat. You’re strong enough to
there next week but your exams won’t be.
survive this.
Taurus (21st April- 20th May)
Scorpio (22nd Oct- 21st November)
Positive thinking is the key right now- and you’re doing a very
You’re over thinking the situation and stressing yourself out
good job of that. With that attitude you will fly through your
for no reason- relax. It’ll all sort itself out in the end. Single?
exams. Single? That certain someone is messing you around
You’ll never know if they feel the same if you don’t own up to
and you need to let them know you won’t stand for it. Taken?
how you feel. Taken? Their parents are being a nightmare and
You feel neglected but that isn’t their intention- they’ll have all
you can’t understand why they don’t see it too- give it time.
the time on the world for you once the exams are over.
Sagittarius (21st Nov- 21st Dec)
Gemini (21st May- 20th June)
You’re having a belated teenage rebellion right now- have
You’ve been very welcoming lately, and your acceptance is
you stopped to think about why you’re acting out like this?
going to pay off soon. That person is very grateful, and they
Single? Don’t try so hard to look for love; you’re most likely to
have a surprise for you to show just how thankful they are.
find something when you weren’t even looking for it. Taken?
Single? Summer is coming and you’re excited- just don’t get
Your jealousy is causing problems for the two of you. It comes
carried away. Taken? You’re upset that they’re holidaying
down to one thing- do you trust them or not?
without you- but they need some time out. Absence makes
the heart grow fonder, remember. Capricorn (21st Dec- 20th Jan)
Cancer (21st June- 21st July) Enjoy the lull in activity because it won’t last too long before
your life becomes a hive of activity once more. Single? They’re
The student loans may have only just come in but your budget
taken, so move on. It isn’t meant to be. Taken? You’ve made
has you in a state already. You have two choices- start making
them feel alienated which is making them insecure. Take
cut-backs or look for a part time job. Single? They’ve told you
some time to let them into whatever is going on in your life.
they like you- but they’re involved with your friend. Stay well
away. Taken? You’ve neglected your close friends in favour of Aquarius (21st Jan- 19th Feb)
love over the past few months. Make it up to them.
You’re role as a diplomat is only going to worsen the feud- you
Leo (22nd Jul- 22nd Aug) may think you’re helping but that is far from the truth. Single?
They say they don’t want a relationship. So you have to decide
Your organisation has paid off, just be careful not to get too
if that’s what you want for yourself or not. Taken? Enjoy this
complacent. You need to continue working hard to ensure you
drama-free stage of your relationship. You never know how
get the results you want. Single? Your friend feels like you only
long it’ll last.
have time for her whenever you have a new love interest to
talk about. Prove her wrong. Taken? They’re just jealous and Pisces (19th Feb- 19th March)
looking to rock the boat. You trust your partner- and that’s all
that matters. You’re taking your work very seriously right now and that is
fantastic. Keep it up for the next few weeks and then you can
Virgo (23rd Aug- 21st Sept) enjoy the summer safe in the knowledge that you did the best
you could. Single? These talks with your ex are a bad idea and
You’ve had more than a slight knock in confidence. It’s
you know it. You broke up for a reason. Taken? Talk to them
important that you don’t let it get the better of you. Single?
about what’s troubling you. They have the answer.
They like you, you like them. So what are you waiting for?
Taken? Don’t let them tell you what you can and can’t do-
you’re your own person and you don’t belong to them. 29
30
 University of Surrey F.C. Reserves
complete historic double
The University of Surrey F.C. capped off another
successful season this week as the Reserve Team
completed a well deserved League and Cup
double.
In the Club’s first season in the Surrey
Intermediate League the 2’s looked as if they
were going to secure a very respectable second
place in the Reserves Division One League
when they trailed the leaders Royal Holloway
Old Boys’ Reserves by eight points with only
seven games to play. However on Valentine’s
Day Surrey put an arrow through the hearts
of Holloway’s one hundred percent winning
record with a 2-1 at the Varsity to cut the lead
to five points. The five points still remained
with only three games to play but with Surrey
on a winning streak which stretched back to
2008 and with Holloway faltering the teams
remarkably went into the last day of the season level
on points. However Holloway having the advantage
of a better goal difference which meant that if they
won on the last day Surrey would need to beat their
result by eight goals.
Surrey travelled to third from bottom Ewhurst with
an attacking line up and were five goals in front by
half time, however it was looking as if they would
need at least an eleven goals win as news came
through that Holloway were winning their game
3-0 at half time. Surrey kept pushing for goals and
eventually got nine without reply, three courtesy of
striker Ben Redhead. The news then came through
that Holloway had thrown away a three goal lead at
had lost 4-3 at Cranleigh meaning a win of any sort
was enough to win the League for The University
on a dramatic final day. Surrey had not topped
the table all season but reached the summit at the
perfect time to claim the title.
On the Wednesday The Reserves chased a double,
which even the most optimistic players would
have seen as highly unlikely event earlier in the
season, in the Surrey Intermediate League Cup
Final at Godalming Town, against Worplesdon
Phoenix Reserves. The 2’s were much the better
side throughout the game and had numerous
chances in the first half to go in front. However
the chances were not taken and The University
suffered a setback on the hour mark when
against the run of play Worplesdon went in front.
Surrey didn’t panic and continued to play the
better football which was eventually rewarded
with a goal courtesy of midfielder Jack Nash who
powered his way through the Phoenix defence
before poking the ball past the keeper from ten
yards. Surrey continued to have all the play and
went in front when with ten minutes remaining
when James Salmon looped a bouncing ball
with his head into the corner of the net to give
the striker his thirty second goal of the season
and The University a deserved lead.
Surrey came under some late pressure from Phoenix
but managed to hold to complete an excellent
double. Team captain’s Tom Dack and Jon Creswick
lifted their second trophy of the week, and the
Club’s third of the season after the 4’s won their
BUCS League back in March. Congratulations to all
of the 2’s players for a great season.

Rugby Star Johnny Wilkinson

recieves honorary Doctorate
from The University of Surrey

On the 3rd April 2009, England rugby star Johnny Wilkinson

OBE, was awarded an honarary degree of Doctor. for his services
to sport. Johnny, member of the english rugby team 2001-2003
said

“It’s a real privilege for me and I do feel very honoured to have

received an honorary degree from the University of Surrey. I
missed out going to university, initially I had a place set for me
but rugby took over. I’d always wished it was something I could
do at that age.”
To see Jonny being interviewed please visit:
http://www.surreysportspark.co.uk/preview/film
If your sports team has an
achievement to shout about
then email us at
sportsdeskstag@gmail.com 31
32