the MedwireJanuary - March 2013

PLUS: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO EVERY MEDWAY EVENT

Stripping away debt? Investigating thedarker side of debt

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Find your perfecthome from home

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What’s Inside?

4 - 5 Campus News6 Your Uni Updates8 - 9 New Years’ Day10 - 11 House Hunting12 What’s On?13 Ask Auntie15 Medders Profile16 - 17 Stripping18 - 19 Sport Update

Who Does What?

Editor: Jem CollinsPrint Deputy: Matt CharlesOnline Deputy: Kieran WatkinsCCCU Reporter: Chloe WallaceGreenwich: Matthew BattlesCampus News: Clarissa Place

Staff:

Emily MagdijMhairi BeveridgeUzoma JemadeRebecca LawrenceLola SoleKatie PalmerMaya EsslemontAlex MaitlandClare FreemanAlex NormanCecily SnowballVictoria PolleyMichelle GleavesJade Edwards

The Medwire Student Media Limited is a non profit company with all capital used to produce free and independent student news and entertainment. We aim to report events, both on and off campus, accurately and contemporaneously. The company is, and will always be, directed and staffed by volunteering students at the Universities in Medway.

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Welcome back to Medway and, perhaps more importantly, welcome back to your very first Medwire of the year! Hopefully you’ll have drunk, ate and cringed your way through enough family situations these holidays that a return to beautiful Medders is a blessing (or not). Either way the Medwire is here to help make your return go with a bang and as is the tradition this time of year, we’ve returned for 2013 with a brand new look company and a brand new team.You’ll find this magazine packed with

essential tips; from how to find the perfect house, complete with flatmates, to what you should and shouldn’t be attempting to give up this January. We’ve also revived the Medder’s profile and this edition we’ll be introducing Fred Clark, one of our own music tech students, who just so happens to be putting an album out as well. Not a Kent student? Never fear, this

year we’ve teamed up with student papers at Canterbury Christchurch and Greenwich to bring you all the latest gossip as well as introducing dedicated reporters at every university. This issue you’ll also see a much greater focus on how to get the best out of living in Medway. We’re all going to live here for three years after all - we may as well make the most of it! Every issue we’ll be highlighting somewhere in Medway you may not have thought of visiting and all of the must have events, both on and off campus. Finally, as you’ve probably noticed

already, we’ve also introduced a shiny new layout and there’s some great stuff going on online as well - do make sure you check us out this term. And if there’s anything you think we should be doing that we’re not - tell us! We’d love to hear from you.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I’d like to thank everyone who’s helped get the Medwire to where it is today. The previous editors; Sara, Ella and Scott have done a fantastic job of pushing the company forward and helping to provide the best news service possible for the Medway campus and I can’t write this without mentioning my fantastic deputies Kieran Watkins and Matt Charles. Hopefully this year we’ll build on what they’ve started and do them proud!

Jem CollinsEditor

Want to join us?We’re always looking for talented new people to join our team - whatever your talent. Whether you’re looking to get involved with the writing, are a dab hand at photography or think you’d be good at selling adverts - we want to hear from you!To get involved, or just to find out more information, pop down and see us at the Refreshers Fayre on January 31 or email the editor at jemcollins@live.co.uk

For all the latest news and updates from the Medway campus scan the QR barcode to visit our website!

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Campus News

MEDWAY’S social life is set for a boost in 2013 with ten new societies launching this term on the campus.Opening their doors to students

for the first time will be the Medway Amateur Dramatics Society, the Medway Film and Photography Society, Conservative Future, Engineering, Biomedical Science, Book Club, Climbing, Business and the Healing Society. The Medwire took the opportunity

to catch up with a few of the new kids on the block and found many of the societies have big plans ahead.Amateur Dramatics president

Marcus Marsh has high hopes after the societie’s hit performance at last year’s Christmas Carol Concert.He said: “We will be creating our own

pieces of theatre on topics that you as members are interested in and that other students can relate to.”He also revealed plans for a

production of John Osborne’s ‘Look Back in Anger’, with auditions in the coming weeks. For those of a more political

inclination David Lewis is hoping to tempt with Conservative Future.The society president says members

will be able to “debate, discuss and get involved with politics”, both on a local and national scale.David added: “I really hope that

Medway’s first political society will be something that will interest any student on the campus who wants to get involved with politics, meet like minded people and have fun”.Keen photographers and film

makers on the other hand will find solace in the Medway Film and Photography Society.The society aims to provide

opportunities and social events for students and help them practice their technique and earn money through job opportunities outside the campus.President Jemma Rogers says she

is planning competitions, guest talks and even a gallery to display members works.Also launched at the end of last

term, Medway Book Club encourages

students to meet new people and discuss a selected book monthly.For those with an interest in

biomedical science, a new society plans to give students a new opportunity to learn more about biology and science. The Biomedical Science Society

hopes to provide biomed related trips, talks with guest academics and study sessions, along with meetings and documentary screenings. Society president Hannah Pradeep-

Kumar stressed: “everyone in all years can join”. The Business Society, which held

its first meeting last term, is run by Alexandra Thornhill.Tosca Hofmann, who helped set up

the society, said: “We’re trying to get as many business people as possible together and hopefully organise events with businesses, get guest speakers to present their companies and overall to get local recognition”.For more info visit the UMSA website.

The Medway campus may be small, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a hive of activity. Kieran Watkins, Clarissa Placeand Victoria Polley have the low down on everything you need to know.

A selection of photographs from the new UMSA society.

ABOVE: Bianca Chanial

FAR LEFT: Amy Wrapson

TOP LEFT: Clarissa Place

BOTTOM LEFT: Agatha Yuen

Ten new societies to launch at Medway

Medway to rival Cambridge with new law journal A STUDENT on the Medway Campus plans to take on Cambridge and Harvard with a new law journal.The Medway Law Journal, which

was the idea of third year journalist student Jemma Rogers, is an online academic journal similar to the National Law Journal.Providing up-to-date news on legal

issues, along with academic work, analysis and court reports, the journal is accessible online for students.Other successful journals run by

other universities includes law journals at Cambridge and Harvard, however these versions are print only.Already live and just a click away,

Jemma has had help from other students including Harriet Lythgo-Smith and Anthony Toma in setting up the website, and is now hoping that other students will get involved and start to write and post content.Talking about what the journal

will offer to students, Jemma said: “It is primarily for people who are interested in really beefing up their CV, as writing for a law journal is highly recognised by employers in any sphere.”Although the journal has not yet

applied to UMSA to become a society, it is hoped to be approved in the near future.www.medwaylawjournal.com

News Roundupby Victoria Polley

by Kieran Watkins

by Clarissa Place

Asian society gears up for latest charity showWHO said that good will is only at Christmas? The Asian Society is preparing for a charity performance and needs your support in the production of the show and in donations.Taking place on Wednesday 27th

February, the society will host an evening in the Pilkington Building’s main lecture theatre with the help of the Music, Dance, Sikh and Hindu societies. Many more societies are set to

join the list, all hoping to help raise

money for a good cause. Society president Ash ChamakChallo

said: “I’m hoping to raise money for a well known charity but also bring Medway together. It gets the societies working

together to show what Medway has to offer.”To get involved or for more

information, contact the Asian Society by visiting their Facebook page.www.facebook.com/asiansociety.medway?ref=ts&fref=ts

Asian society mem-bers at last year’s diveristy fair.

Looking for the latest events at Medway?

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A NEW survey has found that the average weekly rent for a room in University owned accommodation in the UK has increased by 97% in the last ten years from £59.17 to £117.67. The NUS/Unipol Accommodation Costs Survey also found that the cost of privately owned halls has also increased by 25% in the last three years.

THE suggestion that Scottish students may soon have to pay for their education has been labeled “frustrating” by Robin Parker, President of NUS Scotland. He believes that tuition fees will not encourage students from the most deprived areas to go to university.

A 19 year old student for Warwick University has won a battle against Surrey County Council to save a youth club for disabled and non-disabled children. Courtney Giles and her mother lobbyed for six months to fight the proposed closure. The Council have now granted complete funding.

NUS Chief Executive Matt Hyde has announced he will be stepping down in April. He will take up a new position at the Scout Association as Chief Executive. His achievements include securing more than 1300 parliamentary candidates signatures for NUS ‘Vote for Students’ 2010 general election pledge against higher fees.

by Kieran Watkins & Jem Collins

Accommodation fees rise by 97 percent

“Frustration” of NUS Scotland at uni fees

Student wins againstSurrey County Council

NUS Chief to resign

6 theMedwire.co.uk

Uni NewsTHERE has been a huge increase to the number of prospective students visiting Christ Church University on open days, with November’s bookings risen by 18% compared to records from 2010.During the Canterbury open

day, university staff and student ambassadors were able to showcase new facilities for 2012, including St George’s Student Centre in Canterbury city centre, the refurbished St Gregory Centre for Music and the newly opened Maxwell Davies building.

by Chloe Wallace

Prospetive students increase at open day

Students interview Dr Rowan WilliamsJOURNALISM students at Canterbury Christ Church University were given the unique opportunity to gain an exclusive interview with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. Year three students Lianne

Carpenter, Jack Cheeseman, Amber Stark and Chloe Wallace, sat down with Dr Williams and asked him about the challenges and successes he has encountered, how to engage an atheist, the Royal Wedding and what he’ll miss about Canterbury.Commenting on the experience,

Jack Cheeseman said: “It was a greathonour to meet and interview the Archbishop and it was really interesting to hear what he had to say and see a more personal side of him.”The interview can be viewed online

at http://tinyurl.com/ca363gb

Academic nominated for nursing awardDR JULIE MacInnes, Senior Lecturer in Cardiac Care for the Department of Nursing and Applied Clinical Studies, has been nominated for the prestigious Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Research Society Akinsanya Award.Only four academics have been

shortlisted for the annual prize, awarded for Innovation in Doctoral Studies in Nursing. Dr MacInnes received her

nomination for her thesis work: llness representations, treatment beliefs and the relationship to self-care in heart failure.

Check out what’s been going on at your uni, whether it’s Kent, Greenwich or CCCU, with the help of Chloe Wallace, Jem Collins, Jade Edwards and Matt Battles

by Matt Battles

Latitude Lookout to go to full time show

Latitude Lookout is the student run media service at the Univeristy of Greenwich.

Student wins Daily Mail Scholarship

Tabloid paper to open at Kent Campus

FOUR hours before a deadline, Matt Mckew discovered that he had won the highly competitive Daily Mail Scholarship 2012/13.The Daily Mail is

one of the country’s leading newspapers and Matthew, provided he continues to study hard, will be able to have four weeks work experience there.The scholarship gives Matt, a

postgrad journalism student, invaluable experience, as well as £10,000 towards tuition fees and other expenditure while he studies.

THE MEDWIRE is set for more competition this term with the launch of the Tab in Canterbury.The tabloid paper, famous for it’s

Cambridge arm, has since expanded as a business to over 10 universities. The Tab claims to have a focus on

student interest stories which are often contraversial and light hearted.In the past the online paper has

brought stories to the national media such as the recent milking craze and the subsequent porting backlash at Durham University.The Tab are currently advertising for

both writers and editors to join the team.You can find out more and apply for

positions by visiting www.journalism.tab.co.uk

Kent votes for new Medway committee

STUDENT radio at the University of Greenwich is set for a boost this term, as Latitude Lookout goes full time.The student run station, which also

produces a print magazine, replaces previous media “The Greenwich Telescope” and “The Crow’s Nest”.Previously the station had only

operated a part time schedule.More informations can be found

online at www.suug.co.uk/

When Matt found out, he said that he was “shocked and thrilled” to have won, but soon had to return to his looming essay deadline.The scholarship is one of two

offered by the Centre for Journalism, in addition to the undergraduate Sky News Scholarship.

KENT students in Medway have voted in their new committee.Nick Duffy will head the committee

which will aim to tackle Medway specific issues.Emily Magdij was elected to position

of Vice President, with Clarissa Place taking Social Activites, Aimee Williams Welfare, Kieran Watkins Campaigns and Jem Collins Media.Emily Magdij, new Vice President,

told the Medwire: “It feels wonderful to have been elected to such an important position for Medway, and I’m very happy that people thought I’d do a good job.”She added: “I’m very excited to begin

the next phase and start affecting change for Medway.”Tom Ritche, Kent Union President,

hailed the new committee as good news for Medway students.

Matthew Mckew has won the Daily Mail Scholarhsip

by Jade Edwards

by Jem Collins

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This year, I just

Every year we promise ourselves that we’ll give up the same things and every year we fail miserably. Rebecca Lawrence and Clarissa Place explain what just isn’t worth bothering with.Everybody’s saying it; “make 2013 your big year.” But let’s be honest - we’ve already set the bar pretty high. The chiming of Big Ben at midnight marked the end of a spectacular year; we reminisced the Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee as just one of many events that made 2012 a vintage 12 months. Now in January 2013 how can we go one better? According to Facebook and Twitter-ites it begins with promises to make a difference, either to improve ourselves physically or in the eyes of others. Yes, you guessed it, I am referring to New Year’s resolutions

The New Year is now well upon us and I bet that most of you spent time scrambling to

make up a few New Year’s resolutions that will probably have been forgotten about by February. In fact, according to one study, only a mere 12 per cent of us ever actually see them through to the bitter end. From shedding the Christmas splurge to shaping up like Jessica Ennis, most of our drunkenly agreed ideas will fade out sooner than we’ve had time to think them through. So, we have a proposition for you – lets make 2013 the year that instead of giving up our bad habits, we embrace them.

SmokingLet’s start with smoking, as we all know

that smoking is cool. I mean, all the cool kids do it and you don’t want to be uncool now do you? Yes, it may mean at times that you’ll be left standing out in the rain sucking in nicotine with a hacking cough but at least you’re going to look damn cool doing it.

It’s also a well-known fact that smokers have more friends. Smokers unite. People who venture into the smoking areas in clubs because they’re simply too hot inside will be shunned by the public, yet hard done by smokers who have been forced to leave the club due to this ‘no smoking inside’ law will bond. We look after our own.

And smoking makes you happy. The act of smoking releases dopamine, the ‘happy hormone’, which is scientifically proven to make us feel better. So really, telling someone to quit smoking is like telling someone who’s depressed to stop taking their anti-depressants, and you wouldn’t do that now, would you?

But if for some strange reason, the health benefits and scary back-of-the-pack pictures do get the better of you, then heed our advice and throw every last packet, lighter and matchstick you own as far as you can throw them. Research suggests that whilst gradually cutting down can make you feel like you’re achieving more, you’re actually just prolonging your addiction. Cold turkey it is then.

DrinkingAnother treat people often shun for the New Year is alcohol, which is madness seeing as everyone knows that alcohol solves all problems. To avoid feeling the existential angst that comes from asking the big questions like “What is the meaning of life” and “Is he not calling because I slept with him on the first date?” Simply drink alcohol. Not only will it numb the pain but it’ll probably make you do something downright hilarious in the meantime.

You should also encourage the consumption of alcohol if you have the misfortune of being ugly as everyone knows that alcohol makes ugly people sexy. If you yourself look like the back end of a donkey then a double tequila shot will make you think you look like George Clooney or Megan Fox. And for us poor souls who have to look at these ugly urchins day in and day out then downing a whiskey sour gives us the chance to escape reality and pretend we live in a society where everyone is just as beautiful as us. It’s win, win.

Alcohol also encourages us to be more honest with our friends. Are you sick of that friend who always bangs on about his girlfriend even though she’s not that fit and hasn’t even got decent banter? Does your friend often go out in outfits that she really doesn’t have the body for, embarrassing herself and you in the process? Well now’s the chance to tell them. And the best thing is that in the morning you can blame it on the fact that you were absolutely smashed. Just make sure that they haven’t read this before you tell them.

Weight LossIf you’re not a smoker or closet alcoholic then you may have just considered eating healthily or losing weight this New Year. This is a resolution that I’m torn by. If you’re still at the stage where you can get away with putting on a pair of Bridget Jones’ pants to give the illusion of being skinny then by all means keep doing what you’re doing.

However, if your thighs have started to rub together when you walk then you should definitely join the gym and acquaint yourself with salad. Not because you’re health is at risk but because you’re a walking eyesore. Getting drunk and smoking doesn’t affect anyone else. Being obese visually offends everyone who crosses your path so are you really that selfish that you won’t go on a diet?

It doesn’t even have to be that hard - you will lose weight by eating normally. Just 500 calories less will lose one pound in weight. University is not always known for nutritious eating with the numerous takeaways around, yet all you need is a few simple additions to the cupboard. Buy a small supply of canned kidney beans, chickpeas and spinach. At just over 50p for a can from Tesco’s you get one of your five a day and add extra flavour to pasta and mince. Take a packed lunch, you know exactly what you want and won’t always be tempted to pick what is convenient. Don’t over analysis what you eat; everyone needs a chocolate bar to perk them up once in a while. Treat yourself in moderation.

And whilst here are few who can manoeuvre the gym with grace and not leave red faced that doesn’t relegate us to being slobs forever. Instead of splashing out on a membership, you can do it by yourself and with a little help of your friends. Use charity as a motive, find out when the next race is, from The Race For Life or, if you fancy a challenge, a Marathon and go for runs to build up your stamina. Before you start Google your route and its distance and if you achieve it stop by the pub for a pit-stop.

If running is really not for you, walking can also shift the Christmas wobble. By walking at least 30 minutes you can build up to longer walks in the spring, where you can go for picnics. Your next challenge?

Find the hidden beauties in Medway. Good luck with that one.

Party OnAfter a whirlwind Christmas and New Year, partying might not be at the top of your list but don’t let that stop you! For a fun time but not a late night join a society, UMSA now boasts over 50 societies including sports teams wanting new members. Societies fit into your timetable and allow you to meet new people, then once you have recovered from all your late nights there are plenty of society socials to put into the diary. You can speak to members of the societies at the Refreshers Fayre on Wednesday 30st January in the Pilkington building.

You can broaden your nightlife from Tap N Tin and Casinos to Maidstone and Canterbury which all cater for students and are only a short train or bus ride away. And when you run low on the student funds, a house party is always a great and cheaper alternative to have a fun night in. 2013 will bring new challenges, keep

your resolution simple and one year on feel the results.

And so... ?I realise that you probably attempted to make these new years resolutions to aid a long, happy and healthy life but it really comes down to this. You’ve spent a long time perfecting the art of drinking, smoking and maintaining a slightly rounded body – and after all this time do you really want to be known as a quitter?

No, you’re better than that. So smoke, drink and be merry!

won’t bother...

Many people struggle to give up their bad habits for new year.

Howo find flatematesyou’ll still like next yearOne of the first things everyone thinks about when moving out is “who the hell do I live with”. It might be easy to just grab the first person that comes to mind, but whilst you may be the best of friends now, you may have entirely

different standards of living, which places strain on even the best of friendships.

Think about how clean each of you are, whether you like constant heating or prefer a chillier atmosphere. Obcessed with football or sex? Do they stay up late or go to bed ear-ly? Go out every night or never at all? You’re never going

to find the perfect house mates, but try and make sure you compliment each other.

Let the house hunt begin...

It might seem like you’ve only been in Medway a month or two, but already everyone is talking about moving out and bunking up. Running around screaming in panic could seem like a plan, but never fear, Maya Esslemont, Clare Freeman and Jem Collins have got it covered.

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Choosing a place to live can be daunting for anyone, especially freshers leaving home for the first time. And just when you’ve settled in to halls and think you’ve got it all sorted, it’s time to do it all again.You have been at Medway for a few months

now, figured out your social and academic timetable and are beginning to look forward to the Christmas holidays. Ah, the Christmas holidays! No lectures, no work, nothing to worry about - except where you are going to live in second year and who you are going to live with.January may seem a little early to be

thinking about housing, and though there’s no need to panic, it’s always good to be prepared. This year there’s even more choice than ever, with Liberty Quays opening their

doors to returning students and fierce price wars between local estate agents. It might seem like a lot to consider, but the Medwire is here to help.

Student HallsFirst things first you need to decide if you want to stay in halls or move into a house of your own. To many, part of the university ideal is living at halls of residence with like-minded people. Countless students enjoy the communal atmosphere and are willing to pay the price for it. If you’re looking to stay in halls, it’s worth

accepting now that’ll you’ll be paying considerably more than friends in houses for a lot less space. Currently Liberty Quays

are advertising 2013/2014 rooms for £108 a week, but it’s worth noting that this price is worked out on a 52 week contract - so you’ll still be paying rent over the summer holidays. If you want to opt for standard 39 week contract, the price jumps to £130 a week; either way you’ll be paying well over £5,000 a year for your room.Liberty Quays have offered a few treats to

soften the blow, however, with students now able to dodge disgusting residents and choose who they live with, as well zero deposits for those who book before January 31st. Chris Walker, 19, a journalism student at the

University of Kent, struggled financially, but did not regret living in his university halls. “If you value money go elsewhere but if you

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value interaction try and stay at uni accommodation” he said.If you have decided to move into

halls of residence for a second year, make sure to remember that you, as a student, have the same rights as any other tenant . Whether you are renting privately or with university accommodation, the same rules apply to you as other adults. You are allowed to expect an accommodation representative to remedy housing complaints and if landlords do not follow up complaints, try contacting your university or students union. Ask to pay rent in line with student finance - halls of residence should be more amenable to this request so make the most of it. Having rent paid in line with your loan payments makes life a lot easier and prevents you from accidentally eating into your rent.

Private RentalsHowever, if your halls of residence are expensive and 3am fire alarms aren’t your thing you need not worry about being isolated from your peers, thousands of students move out to private accommodation every year and you’re likely to get a lot more for you money.Alex Brown, an Audio Design

student, decided to move out and is convinced it was the right choice. He explained: “It’s cheaper, offers more independence, and I can play loud music and do my own thing in the living room without annoying loads of people.”Most importantly, be sure to

background check your lettings agency. It’s easy to think that any letting agency with an official domain name, high Google rankings, and a large office space can be trusted, but this is not true. Just last year, 249 tenants in Canterbury were duped into handing over cash to a “runaway letting agent” called Joseph Newman Letting. The scam left many students without deposits or homes.Asking your letting agents the

right questions before putting down a hefty deposit is vital. Firstly, ask if they partake in a Client Money Protection Scheme. This is a safeguard which protects tenants, students or not, from rogue traders. Should the agent embezzle your rent or deposit, the scheme’s insurer will try to pay back the costs. Ask your estate agent which Client Money Protection scheme they are involved in, and use a search engine to verify the company if you are still unsure. Never be scared to ask too many questions about who regulates the

letting agency you choose. You could be thankful for it in the long run.Don’t be pressured into signing

anything before you’re ready. A small amount of landlords will pressure you into signing a contract even before a thorough viewing of every room.Make sure you are able to read the

contract before signing it! If you feel awkward doing this in an office, get your estate agent of landlord to supply you with a contract via email, a few days before you are due to sign, so you are clued up before you arrive. Although it is tempting to skim read, make sure you check all clauses, as you otherwise may find yourself with a hefty hidden charge later on in the year.One thing to look out for and

to discuss with your flatmates is whether you are planning to go on a joint or separate contracts. Whilst it can in some cases cost slightly more to create separate tenancy agreements, this acts as a safety net if one person does not pay their rent, as the others won’t be liable for it.

Know Your Rights You have a right to see every room in the house before entering a contract. No matter how pleasant the pictures are, make sure you view the house properly, ask questions about its standard, and feel completely happy before committing to anything. On the way to view a property,

make sure you check out the area. If you see lots of burglar alarms on the street but your potential property does not have one, this may be something you should consider asking about. If any of you have a car, where it could go and would it be safe?When in the property, try and

remember to do things like check taps and that the toilet flushes. Keep an eye out for damp walls, broken radiators or lights .If you’re unsure whether a company

is reliable or not, it’s always worth speaking to a university advisor - a university seal of approval can really sway a decision. The Medwire also runs it’s own accommodation section on our website, where you can see a selection of houses from reputable landlords and always go with experience - those people already living in houses are a wealth of information.Always make sure you shop around first to get the best deal. Lots of landlords will include bills, internet and a TV license in with your rent, but make sure you check. When we last looked Your Move were offering

some houses at £75 a week and JG Student Lets are offering most of their houses at £300 a Month, often including some services.Whether renting privately or in halls, know your rights. Across Britain, a small amount of landlords will try to make a quick buck off the perceived naivety of students. Don’t let that be you - Make sure you complain with confidence. Expect your landlord or halls

supervisor to address the following problems: structural faults with the property (walls etc.), sinks, baths, and basins which stop working, issues with the water or heating system, damage caused by repair work you have attempted (in some cases), pests and vermin (unless the problem is caused by you), Gas safety (a check must be completed every year) and mould growth or damp (you must keep the property “reasonably clean” in order to put in a complaint according to law). This list isn’t exhaustive however, if something is wrong, ask for it to be fixed.You might struggle to find the time,

during a hectic schedule of heavy drinking and revision, but on many occasions you can take court action in order to make landlords keep up their side of the bargain. With mould growth especially, you are legible to take action against landlords or letting agencies, as this can be a harm to your health if untreated. If you are in any doubt, there are

many organisations which can offer you advice if you are unsure of your rights.

The Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Kent, 01474361239,

Medway Council, 01634 333333.University of Kent , 01227764000, Greenwich University (Medway),

020 83319063, Canterbury Christ Church,

What’s on?Feeling those post-festive party blues? No fear, it’s all happening in Medway this term. Katie Palmer’s got all the details of what’s happening both on and off campus.

Lose the Christmas Weight Fast

Refresh yourself and sign up for more!

Grab yourself a new man at Coopers

Welcome in the New Year - again!

Snuggle up for Medway on the big screen

Discover Charles Dickens (finally)

Celebrate your inner sport god(ess)

Diversify your interests at the fayre

Of course you are feeling guilty after volunteering to clear the last of the

Christmas leftovers yourself. If you feel like you need to be

whipped back into shape for the New Year then visit Strood Sports Centre for a Boot Camp session.

Non-member tickets are £5.40 – a few classes later and you’ll be fit

enough to beat other customers to the Post-Christmas half price food

sales. Bargain.

Read Up on all the latest and greatest.

Remember all the freebies and fun of signing up to everything you’re

never going to go to last time round? Well, now you’ve got the chance to sign up and actually attend as the

refreshers fair returns. Find out more about societies and

forthcoming events on campus, as well as picking up a few freebies

along the way. On Wednesday 30th January from 11am to 2pm in the

Pilkington Building.

On the 23rd January, all ladies should attend Coopers where

they will receive free glasses of champagne served by shirtless Spartan waiters, whom will be

available for auctioning off at 10pm. Other great prizes are up for grabs and there will also be games and a

performance from Rob Byles. For a guaranteed laugh, feel free to

come along - and make sure to bring all your friends!

No classes on a Thursday morning? Love reading? Then you should

definitely go to the readers group at Chatham Community Hub, at 10.30am every third Thurday of the month. You can discuss your

favourite books and find out about new ones. If reading is your favourite

hobby, there’s nothing wrong with doing something productive with it.

You’ll make some good friends out of it too, a win-win really.

If the fact that this event is free hasn’t won you over already,

perhaps mentioning the market and entertainment will do the trick.

Come to Chatham High Street on Feburary the 9th to see the third largest celebration of the Chinese community’s kind – dancers, food,

music, what more could anyone want from a night out? A Chinese New

Year parade will follow on the 17th February.

The heart-wrenching musical arrives on the cinema screens from the 11th

January at the Odeon in Chatham Maritime.

But what makes this Blockbuster even more exciting as it was filmed right here in Chatham - cue a game

of spot the uni students. Buy a ticket if you enjoy tear-jerking sing-along films starring actors such as Helena Bonham Carter and Anne

Hathaway.

Ask Auntie...Let’s be honest living at university can be tough, especially when university happens tobe in Medway. Don’t worry, Auntie Medway is here to help. Kind of.

A celebration evening for sport clubs on campus, which is open to all sport

clubs and members. Tickets now available for £25, guests welcome. The deadline for tickets Friday 8th

February. Awards evening takes place on

Wednesday 20th March at Priest fields (Gillingham Football Club).

After last year’s successful fayre, this year’s fayre promises to be bigger

and better. It is a chance for students to find out more about different

cultures and beliefs. Open to all students, with dancing,

henna tattooing and free food samples just some of the highlights.

On Wednesday 13th March from 11am to 2pm in the Pilkington

Building.

We all know that Dicken’s lived here - but how many of us have actually Up until the 28th February you can go down to Rochester high street

to witness an exhibition that covers social history within Dickens’ novels.

You will have an insight on everything from Victorian education

to Victorian food. For a history session where

admission is free, go from Tuesday-Sunday 10am – 4.30pm.

theMedwire.co.uk theMedwire.co.uk12

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essays, dissertations and research projects.

Submission is by email and your work will be amended using Track Changes.

I check punctuation, spelling, grammar andthe overall meaning of the sentences. I do not

interfere with the writer’s style, but any queries would be brought to your attention.

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13

MUSIC SOC Events

201315th Jan - Open Mic 22nd Jan - Band Night

29th Jan - Refreshers Party

5th Feb - Band Night 12th Feb - Valentines Music

19th Feb - Band Night 26th Feb - Open Mic Night

5th March - Rockaoke12th March - Best of Music Night19th March - Open Mic Night26th March - Folk Night 2nd April - Open Mic Night

Also look out for our socials, elections, hoodies, gigs at lunchtime and Tap and a compliation album!

Q. Sensible, 19, asks: My flatmate keeps stealing my food, how do I talk to them about it without losing a friend?

A.Confrontation is absolutely not the way forward here. As anyone knows, being straight with people only ever ends in arguments and heartbreak, so I suggest instead an insidious campaign of deceit and subterfuge. Try adding laxatives or, for the less malicious poisoner, LSD, to leftovers. Be sure, however, to remember exactly what you’ve poisoned, or you may end up in a lecture wondering when the flesh melted off your fellow students and the ceiling turned to butter. Alternatively, as poisoning is illegal and is absolutely not encouraged by the Medwire, place mousetraps inside cereal boxes. Your point will certainly not take long to come across.

Q. 2000 People, 18+, asks: I think

Medway is shit, how do I cope?

A.The same way the rest of us do, dear. Drinking until you’ve blocked out the misery.

Q. Lovelorn, 20, asks:Me and my boyfriend are at separate universities: how do you make long distance work?

A.You don’t. Better to find some nice young man where you are and use him mercilessly until you get over the inevitable heartbreak from your first love. But when you’re done with that, hey! Medway has a thriving middle aged creep scene! Just check your local clubs when you’re too drunk for self esteem to apply to you any more.

Q. Lonely, 23, asks: I haven’t bonded with anyone in my

flat/on my course what would you suggest?Have you left your room? Have you started using alcohol to self medicate your anxiety issues? I suggest both. A glass of wine or ten really helps one to ease into the spiderweb of social intricracies, as it allows you to crash through it completely. Everyone is much, much funnier when they are drunk, and you will find confidence you didn’t even know you had! Even your lecturers will sit, stunned into silence by your candor, if you take the plunge and show up to your lectures roaringly drunk. You will think everyone wants to be your friend, and everyone knows how much easier it is to forge connections when one assumes they are already there.

A.

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Medders’ Profile

theMedwire.co.uk 15

Fred ClarkHe’s 21, one of our own and already has 3 albums and over 200 gigs under his belt. Intrigued? We certainly were. Alex Norman is on the case.

Lets talk about your other material for a moment?

In 2009 I released my first album ‘Open Road’, 2010 I released ‘My Liberty’ and summer 2011 I released ‘Good Morning Sunshine’. I’ve also released a few EP’s and collabo-rations with other musicians.

So how long have you been playing guitar and writing songs for, Fred?

I wrote songs in primary school actually, just the tunes and lyrics. It was when I started electric guitar lessons in second-ary school at 12/13 years old that I really started to write a lot of songs and got into recording my music too.

Who would you say are your main influences on this latest album, Stay Smiling?

Musically, I was listening to a lot of Ben Howard, Switchfoot, Jack Johnson and Newton Faulkner when making the album, and I really feel that they helped to form the sound I knew I was aiming for. Personally, the album is about growing up and the changes, good and bad that come with that

How does this album compare to your others?Are you the kind of artist who thinks each new song you write is the best, or does each hold a special place in your heart?

Good question, I’d say that this is my best album to date, music wise, lyric wise, production wise, I just feel I’m really growing into the artist that I want to be. The songs are so much more personal on this album too which makes them easier to sing live, but actually harder to get right in the studio. Every now and again I get a special feeling about a song but to be honest my favourite changes almost every week, at the moment it’s “All Down To You” which I just released a music video for.

For more information on gigs, tours and to buy music visit www.fredclark.co.uk

On the subject of playing live do you think its much more valuable experience than just simply releasing your music in the hope that people will pick up on it?

Oh totally yes, I think playing live is the most important thing about making music, for me it helps to mould my songs into their best structure and after a while I settle on a way of playing them, then I’ll go into my studio and record them. It’s a real buzz when you make a connection with the crowd and I don’t think that compares with just releasing music and getting feedback from the recordings, every time I play live I’m taking a risk, and that’s exciting, I push my voice further, I share these very personal songs with mostly people I’ve never met before. It’s really awesome!

theMedwire.co.uk 17theMedwire.co.uk16

Staying rich and staying

dressedDegrees are costly things and it’s well known that students will do anything for a bit of cash, but worrying numbers are now turning to stripping and pole dancing. As Medway looks forward to welcoming it’s latest strip venue, Lola Sole and Alex Maitland investigate.So it’s the second semester, deadlines are mounting, exams are a stone throw away and stress levels are beginning to rise.Inserting your card in the ATM

machine at the side of Pilkington never felt so good and the hurdles of students both in and out of Coopers confirm it.For half of us it’s a time to rejoice -

student loans have arrived and so has irresponsible spending.Who cares about rent and that

never-ending reading list when there’s the option of a day trip to Bluewater with new killer heels to boot?And as for the boys? A new TV is

currently being ordered from Argos in Chatham because the 42 inch you currently have is just not big enough to accommodate COD Black Ops 2 or Fifa 13.

For the less fortunate of us, it’s still a time of scrimping and working out how to eat for the week.It’s estimated that over half of all

university students take on a term time job in order to pay the bills.Even for those “lucky” few in the

former group, the reality of over £30,000 in debts upon graduation can be a sobering prospect.Recent research has shown that an

increasing number of students and graduates are using the sex industry to fund their studies.

Dr Jon Roberts, of Kingston University, found in one survey that 16% off students would consider working in the industry, while more than one in ten were open to the idea of becoming escorts.

Further research by Teela Sanders and Kate Hardy of the University of Leeds found that a quarter of lap dancers had a degree.Jake Butler, who runs student advice

website SavetheStudent.org, said it was true students were feeling the strain.“It is financially harder for students

these days to get through university but not for the reasons that most believe. The increase in fees does not have an instant effect during your time at university, only after you graduate. “The main impact on students now

is the rise in living cost coupled with the fact that less parents are able to support their children due to losing jobs or receiving pay cuts in the recession.”He added that is also much harder to

find part time work than a few years ago.“But it’s important that no student

should feel pressured into applying for jobs that make them feel uncomfortable.”However, many strippers argue the

work is not at all degrading.Joanne*, 24, is a professional stripper

at a London night club.She said: “I don’t feel degraded in my

job what-so-ever.

“It really makes you feel great as a woman and you have to ask who is getting made to feel degraded, us the dancers or the guy paying for you.”She added: “I have met people who

have had such stupid ideas about it being seedy, but I’ve taken them into the club where I work and they have actually loved it”When asked whether customers

ever try and take things to far, Joanne explained: “Of course you are gonna get guys thinking that it’s an option, but as soon as you say; ‘No, it’s a dancing club not a brothel’ they are

As many as one in ten graduates would consider being an escort.

“£30,000 in debt can be a sobering prospect”

“A quarter of lap dancers have a

degree”

embarrassed”.And taking your clothings off can

pay - Joanne sometimes earns upwards of £14,000 a week.However not every stripper claims to

be living the dream.Anca is a 22 year old Estonian

immigrant dancing in Soho. She came to the UK aged 18, hoping for better prospects, but has been dancing ever since.She said: “Every day there’s someone

who thinks I’ll come with him. Soho is a bit like that though, especially with tourists. “I try not to speak to the punters

too much because as soon as they

hear I have an accent they think I’m a prostitute”However she’s still confident in

her safety whilst working. “I have a button I can press. I have had to press it more than a few times and then the guy was just taken away.

“I think it’s different in other places though, this isn’t the playboy club or anything like that, we all know what kind of punters we get here.”Whilst neither of these girls are

actually students, stripping your way through university it’s a very real prospect for many girls.And with 2013 seeing the opening

of Aaron Stone’s £15.000 strip club in Casinos, Rochester, it’s a prospect very close to home.The club will take up half the ground

floor of the popular student venue and will use a separate entrance.There will be four lap-dancing

booths, a VIP area with one pole and a stage with another. Safety will of course be a

consideration, and customers will be watched by 18 separate CCTV

cameras.The town is already home to

Charlotte’s Bar on the high street.But what do Medway students

themselves think of the idea?Suzie*, a 20 year old student at

the University of Kent, admits she’d probably give it a go. She said: “If i really needed the

money and this job was the only option to “pass, go, and collect 200”, (and have the body of a Victoria Secret’s model) then yes, maybe I would. “What’s strange is on the outside,

stripping and gyrating up and down a piece of metal is viewed as cheap, distasteful and a little seedy, yet

the boom in women who take pole dancing classes to tone up and feel sexy has sky-rocketed.”Suzie added: “So if you’re a student,

can climb up the thing and get payed for it, as long as you’re not using every opportunity on the District Line to practice, why the hell not?”* Names have been changed

“You have to ask who is being degraded, us the dancers or the guy

paying for you ”

Medway is soon to see it’s second strip club within a few metres of one another.

“Everyday there’s someone who thinks I’ll

come with him.”

“As long as your not using every oppertuni-ty on the District Line,

why the hell not?”

The view on campusHannah Tribe, 20Studies Radiography at CCCU

“I would pole dance certainly if I was vaguely skilled in the art, and table dance as well”

Matt Gill, 21Studies Music Production at CCCU

“Yea. If I could make money from something I enjoy to pay back debts then it makes sense”

Beckie PowellStudies Radiography at CCCU

“No, l wouldn’t. For a start I can’t dance, so I’d just embarrass myself”

Matt Brlous, 20Music Production at CCCU

“I wouldn’t be a prostitute, but maybe an es-cort if it only involved dinner or something”

Top ways of saving with your clothes onby Lola SoleReluctantly changing your name to Pinkie and giving a dirty dance will not solve your financial issues. Instead, why not try:1. Avoid unnecessary pur-chases. Before you head to the till ask do I really need another dress or video game? Every saving helps.2. Most high street stores have store cards and the benefits usually include discounts or a free delivery the next time you shop online. But those little plastic devils will send you to financial hell as the in-terests rate on repayments is through the roof. SO SAY NO! 3. Many banks also offer free financial support if you’re struggling. Natwest Financial assistant, Hayley Melon, explained: “We offer free advice to all our customers particularly students who have debt issues. They can come in at

any time of the day we go through their expenditure, income and see if they are paying for things they shouldn’t be.”4. Alternatively you can head to www.citizensad-vicce.org.uk and you will find people who deal with this sort of issue on a daily basis available to offer you more help and advice.5. You don’t start repaying your student loan until you start earning £25,000 which will cost you £30 a month - so no need to panic if you’re skint!6. If you have lots of debts always pay back the one with the highest inter-est rate first or will grow bigger and spiral out of control - get it out the way!7. If you have weekend job try saving a little from your monthly wage and putting it away in a separate account to help eliminate debt problemswww.debtadvice.co.uk

SportWhilst you might have spent all of the holidays pigging out on chocolate and cake, the Medway sports teams have still been keeping fit. Our Sports Editor, Uzoma Jemade, has all the latest updates.

UMSA Sharks continue on upwards runMedway’s swimming team have showed steady progress this term in the BUCS league, bolstered by an influx of freshers. The team remained competitive

despite swimming against the likes of Loughborough and Bath who boasted international swimmers and olympians such as Michael Jamieson.This term marked the first time the

group were able to put forward a full team, with all members achieving a personal best.The success adds to their growing

number of accolades, after the team was also named Medway Team of the Year at the UMSA Sports Awards. Clare Freeman, who founded the

sports team 18 months ago, said: “Feburary will be my last BUCS and I hope it will be the best yet!“I’ll be sad to leave but I know I am

leaving the team in capable hands.”She added: “We are always looking

for new members to join us, no matter their ability and would love to see some new faces at training!”The team at the most recent BUCS

competition comprised of: Clare

Freeman, Dave Woolley, Steven Kirby, Jade Kitchen, Kim Chan, Thomas Pleasant, Madz Harris, Cian Hodge, Alex King, Jack Yim and Ashley Pike. Fresher, Cian Hodge, was

particularly pleased with his progress registering a personal best of 34.8 in the breaststroke and also going on to get 33.6 in the relay.When quizzed about the team’s aims

for next term, Hodge commented: “Our aims for the longcourse BUCS meeting in February are to improve on our placing from last time, and to get more people from the university involved in competitive swimming.”The team will also be holding their

second annual varsity gala in early March, with more details soon to be released.Anyone wishing to join the Sharks

can sign up on the UMSA website, with social membership costing £27 and competitive membership £52.All members recieve free training

sessions, an UMSA Sharks polo shirt and access to socials.For more information email

umsaswimming@hotmail.co.uk

ABOVE: The swim team celebrate their successes with a onesie themed night out.

RIGHT: Jack Yim dives in the UMSA Sharks last varsity gala.

Kent’s first XI football team are currently sitting at the top of the the highly competitive BUCS Mars Football South Eastern 1A division.Despite failing to submit required

County FA Affiliation before the deadline, leading to a one point deduction, the team remain in joint first position, second only on goal difference.The first team navigated four

unbeaten fixtures, winning 3 and drawing one. The result of the season so far was a

6-0 thrashing of Middlesex University.There are 6 teams in the division and

the team in first will be required to take part in a promotion playoff at the end of the season. The bottom two teams will be

certainly be relegated, but more could go down is a top team loses the premier playoff.Kent’s 2nd XI are currently third

in the South Eastern 4B division,

winning two, drawing one and losing one.However, the 3rd XI team are

currently in a perilous position, in 5th in a six team league after winning one, drawing one and losing two.In the new year they will hope to

fight for survival to escape relegation.Kent’s women’s XI are also struggling

to stay up, currently at the bottom of their group having won one fixture and lost three. Their season is in desperate need of

salvation as they conceded 12 goals in their opening three fixtures, being humiliated 6-1 at Parkwood Pitches by rivals Canterbury Christ Church.Students at all of the Medway

Universities are able to join the campus football team, with a team of 1sts, 2nds and 3rds on offer, alongside a women’s team.Membership costs £75 a year for

men’s teams and £45 a year for the women’s team.

Mixed results for Kent Football

Team Not Mentioned

Here?

Email us at:jemcollins@live.co.uk

theMedwire.co.uk18

The Spartan’s rugby teams have faced a term of mixed fortunes in 2012, with the first team sitting bottom of it’s league, but high hopes for the seconds.Jack Buxton’s team have lost all six

games they have played, leaving them bottom of the South Eastern 2B League, with no points and a total goal difference of -204.The results will come as a double

blow to team, after previously enjoying a series of back to back promotions.Jay Akbar, captain of the seconds

team, however, is much more hopeful of his team’s progress.He commented: “We’re on a pretty

steady route to the play-offs and we plan on winning our league.“All the freshers that have joined

this year hae made massive improvements since their flegling training sessions.”Aside from fortunes on the field, the

team will also be stripping their kit

off in Coopers this term, as part of their Ladies Night Auction.On January 23, a team of shirtless

Spartans will be on hand to serve free bubbly to the ladies, before being auctioned off at 10pm.There will also be a raffle with prizes

including Nando’s vouchers and Ann Summers goodies.

Games will be played throughout the night alongside a perfomance from Rob Byles.Membership for the Spartan’s team

costs £95 for the year and includes membership to Medway RFC.Anyone wishing to join the Spartans

can find more details on the UMSA website.

Spartans tell a tale of mixed fortunes

ABOVE: The Spartans pose for a team photograph

ABOVE: Fierce competition in the Women’s team for Mayhem.

RIGHT: Male team members compete in a BUCS fixture

Medway Mayhem cause chaosNovember was a month of fireworks, for the Medway Mayhem teams, at they ran riot in the BUCS leagues. The men’s first team competed in

the South Eastern 3B league losing only two games in the whole term.The team dismantled Essex

University 100-53 and beat Kent’s first team 70-65, leaving them third in the league.The second’s team are currently

sitting sixth in the South Eastern 4B league after losing their first two games.The team will be looking to improve

their position with games against Suffolk and Westminster on January 23.The women’s team are currently

sitting top of the South Eastern 3B division after winning all three of

their matches last term. Coach of the First XI, Benjamin

Pageaux, summed up the teams ambitions and their determination to evolve: “Next season will be very exciting with the continuity of all 3 of our teams. “Moreover the 1st Men team will

try to access the 2nd division and will be linked with the Medway Park Crusaders with creation of a Scholarship with the Sports Department.” He added: ”The 2nd XI Men will

target the top of their league and Women will try to stay in their new league (if promotion this year) or try to access the division above (if promotion bid fails).”Basic membership costs £20 and

team membership £85.

BUCS LEAGUES ROUNDUP Badmintion: Medway Men’s 1sts are currently sitting 2nd

Netball: Medway Women’s 1sts are facing relegation as they of the South Eastern 4B league, just below King’s College.

sit at the bottom of the South Eastern 4B league. The 2nds arefaring better in the South Eastern 9B league, sitting 4th and the 3rds are 7th in the nine team 10B League.Football: The women’s 1sts are currently 2nd in the 3B league, behind King’s Medics only on goal difference. The men’s 1st are also top of the 5D Mars league. Medway 2nds are sitting 5th in the 5B league, 3rds are 4th in the 7B with the 4th team sitting just above them in third place.Tennis: The Men’s first team are currently placed six of seven in the South Eastern 5A league.

theMedwire.co.uk 19

Your MoveStudent Houses

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Large selection of student properties available, so look no further

79 Balmoral RoadGillingham, Kent, ME7 4PD

gillinghamlettings@your-move.co.ukwww.your-move.co.uk

01634 852345

View houses from Your Move online by visiting: theMedwire.co.uk