Nouse.co.uk » Clive Pullman

Political Edge

Clive Pullman — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:53:40 +0000

I don’t like the Conservative party. I think that the benefit system should be the pillar of a civilised society. Redistribution of wealth is something I believe in and my teachers at school were basically full-on Communists. By all rights, I should hate the party. Despite this, I’ve found myself wondering lately – do they have a point? The latest Tory controversy has hit the media in the form of plans to cut incapacity benefit for half a million Britons. Critics have claimed that this, along with other, ‘typically Tory’ policies such as raising the retirement age to 66, show that the party is back to it’s old tricks. I can’t help wondering though if actually these measures could be good news? Currently, 2.67 million UK citizens claim incapacity benefit. Sure, it sounds a bit harsh to ask half a million of these to just man up, but considering you can qualify for incapacity benefit with ‘dizziness’, perhaps it’s time we tightened our belts and asked those who need it least to face the outside world and have a go at working. Even if it’s only part time. Don’t get me wrong- I really do support the benefit for those who really need it, but I think it’s fair to say that many people on it could handle small amounts of part time work.

Besides, the cuts proposed aren’t as bad as the media have led us to believe. All Cameron has promised to do is reduce the payments, not to cut these people off altogether. Another idea that the Tories have been banding around is to cut off those claiming jobseeker’s allowance after a year. Again, it’s very unpopular, but again, is it so bad? A year is a really, really long time. Definitely long enough to find a job, at least doing something quite boring, which pays the bills and contributes to society (if you aren’t capable of finding any work for more than a year, then maybe you should get on that incapacity benefit…)

Now, retirement. An extra year at work is as unappealing to me as the next man, but raising retirement age to 66 generates an extra £13bn in tax revenue per year. With a £170bn+ national debt, maybe DC’s right – it’s going to be a bad few years, but we’re going to have to get on with it. We’ll already have done 65 – what’s an extra year between friends? We might even have time to pay off that student debt. Maybe.

Rumours of Ziggy’s Closure ‘Untrue’

Clive Pullman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:27:27 +0000

Rumours circulating on social networking website Facebook that one of York’s most popular nightclubs, ‘Ziggy’s’ is closing are untrue.

The rumours, which started appearing on Tuesday afternoon, claimed that the nightclub as it is currently known had been shut down, but would be back under new management as ‘The Hub’ in the coming academic year, meaning entry fees on a Wednesday, and full refurbishment to the club’s interior. Some rumours even went so far as to suggest that the club would not return at all.

However, Ziggy’s is not going anywhere. In an interview this morning, the club revealed that ‘The Hub’ is simply the name of their new dance night, which will be hosted on Fridays and Saturdays. The night is intended to give local DJs the chance to get some exposure to the student market. A Ziggy’s employee confirmed that the dance nights would cost money to enter, but said that it was ‘too early’ to say exactly how much.

“We haven’t closed down, and we aren’t under new management. Everything is the same”

The club’s legendary Wednesday student nights will be unaffected by the change, and will continue to offer free entry next year.

Political Edge

Clive Pullman — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:50:30 +0000

Here’s a question. What has everyone in Brown’s new cabinet got in common? Answer- Not one of them is less than 45 years old. Is this really the refreshing new cabinet the party so urgently needs? It seems like it’s almost game over for Labour. After the Local Council results of last weekend coming in worse than even the harshest critic predicted, there’s no saying whether a general election will be next year or next week.

The much anticipated cabinet reshuffle was probably Brown’s last real chance to save himself and his party, and it seems like he’s made some pretty awful calls. Sure, 45 is young in politics (let’s not forget 47-year-old Obama’s bad press over his own age), but filling a new cabinet with well known figures is just going to leave Labour looking a bit stale in the eyes of the electorate.

Labour is going to lose the next election. This much seems pretty certain. Knowing this, surely it makes more sense for Brown to fill the cabinet with relative unknowns? Nothing the cabinet can do could fix the financial crisis, and the situation can’t exactly get worse for Labour, so Brown should have taken the chance to shape the party’s future leadership and given some unknown MPs the chance to experience being in government.And what is there to lose? He’s all out of political capital, so why not appoint the people he really wants? Getting backbenchers who will attempt to implement the policies he really wants, even if they won’t be the most popular, could be his last chance to achieve the things he really wanted to.

It will, after all, only be a ‘new’ New Labour that will give the party any chance of winning. Labour is going down and out, and Brown’s decisions now should be for preservation of the party. A complete facelift is exactly what Labour needs. The appointments he makes will decide how long exactly the party will be down for.

The Tories had the same problem in the 90s. Leaving the same old figures in office meant the public couldn’t see any hope for change, and the party was left flailing for a whole decade trying to get some new blood to re-invigorate. Let’s not pretend that a cabinet of experienced Labour ministers can change the mistakes of the past. Maybe Brown should have spent time thinking of ways to solve his problems for the future.

The power of party broadcasts

Clive Pullman — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:09:39 +0000

Although often ignored, party broadcasts can offer voters a real insight into the policies of candidates rallying us for our votes at the end of this week. For the first time, these five minute clips haven’t just been shown after the news on the BBC, but have also made it on to student friendly iPlayer for us to watch in high quality, on demand. With the significance of these videos increasing, there remains a serious problem for British political parties: why are they all so rubbish?

The campaign videos that the British public have been unfortunate enough to experience all have the distinct whiff of politics-sixth-former-project-work about them. The range is diverse; from a smarmy Nick Clegg, choosing to shoot his broadcast in the same format as the confused.com adverts, right down to fringe parties such as the BNP, who have put together some kind of nightmare history lesson, mixing World War 2, some truly terrifying and ill-informed views on immigration, and even some dramatic music for good measure (as if Nick Griffin’s face wasn’t scary enough).

The only party that seems to have put any thought into their broadcast at all are the Greens. At just under three minutes long, the broadcast is extremely well put together, and really very persuasive. It’s the only one that feels like any real effort was made over it, which considering the fact that their budget is dwarfed even by the Lib Dems, is pretty impressive.

Am I going to vote for the Green party? Probably not, but if I was unlucky enough to have to make my judgement based only on the party broadcasts, there’s a pretty good chance I would.

Party broadcasts mean that in the future, voters hitting the polls will be the best informed that they’ve ever been. Surely it’s only so long before a party comes up with something viral to harness the herd power of the Internet. The Greens are the pioneers here- it can only be so long before the other parties match suit and also give their ad campaigns some serious budget.

Could Iran’s election be the most important of the year?

Clive Pullman — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:43:08 +0000

Following decades of tense foreign relations between Iran and the rest of the world, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last month declared that the Iranian nation was at last “a true and real superpower” at the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Islamic Revolution. The speech is another example of Ahmadinejad baiting America for a diplomatic response, fueling tension between the two nations.

With June’s presidential elections fast approaching, the world’s focus is on one thing – in a country with the hope of better foreign relations through the new Obama government, does anti-America President Ahmadinejad really have it in him to take the presidency once more? To the shock of the world’s media, the answer seems to be simply ‘yes he can’.

After blowing the nation’s energy windfall on electorate pleasing economic measures, Ahmadinejad has suffered a steady decline in popularity caused largely by government slip ups such as refusing to participate in parliamentary politics, and incidents like his recent high profile attack on Israel at last month’s UN convention.

Despite this, the President looks set to win again this Summer. Domestic mistakes and foreign policy fiascos apparently form only a small part of the President’s cult of personality in the minds of many Iranians. Ahmadinejad has secured the votes of the poor through popular redistributive economic decisions, and has also seen a rally of support after his speeches at the nation’s ‘Nuclear Day’, in which he praised the nation’s ingenuity.

To many, the re-election of Ahmadinejad would spell disaster for international relations. Already, Iran is developing the reputation in the Middle East as the ‘defender of the little guy’ against oppressive America, and if Ahmadinejad is in power for a second term, relations with the USA will remain tense. As recently as January, the Iranian President was calling for Obama to apologise for ‘US crimes’, a move that Obama will never agree to.

Put simply, there is no real hope for a recovery in relations between the two countries if Ahmadinejad is re-elected in June. Worse, as the head of a state with powerful Eastern allies, for the first time the risk of an East-West cold war seems very possible. Ahmadinejad will never warm to US relations until Obama makes a diplomatic concession- a move which would undermine America in the region, and will therefore never be made.

Obama’s ambitious promises to give relations with Iran’s new strength may have been a premature promise. The coming years will be Obama’s true test. Maybe, just maybe, he can make it through the economic crisis, but a good relationship with Iran is something which looks certain to to remain out of his reach, at least for the moment.

Roses 2009 LIVE: Saturday

Dan Hyde — Sat, 09 May 2009 08:38:59 +0000

23.59

And that just about rounds it up for today. Roses has been won by York, and incredibly early this year – a credit to all the players involved for the home team throughout the last two days.

Coming up tomorrow are the men’s Football and Basketball firsts, Archery and the presentation of the trophy at the Closing Ceremony. See you bright and early at 9.30am for Sunday Live. Bon nuit.

23.49

And earlier than expected – hope you had time for quick bowl of Fruit and Fibre – we have that final men’s Pool result. It’s gone York’s way along with the 4 Roses points.

23.44

Evening all, some late, late news from Derwent Bar. In the women’s Pool Lancaster took home 4 Roses points, and in the men’s Darts, 2 went the home side’s way. The women’s Darts was won by Lancaster, boosting their total by 2.

Incredibly though, the men’s Pool is still ongoing and is expected to finish at midnight. Don’t worry though, we’ll keep you posted. Try eating some cereal in the meantime, always goes down a treat at this time of night.

20.06

So as another successful day comes to a close for York, there’s just the Pool and Darts still to finish. 12 Roses points are available in those two, and we’ll let you know as soon as they’re decided.

19.58

York take another leg in the Darts, making it 4-3 to the home side overall.

19.57

Back to the poolside drama (see post 19.29). The table has finally been repaired, says our reporter with some excitement.

Lancaster women have raced into a 2-0 lead, but in the men’s York men are up by the same scoreline.

19.54

It’s 2-1 to York in the latest darts match. It’s still 3-3 overall.

19.50

One of Lancaster’s better moments today was in the hockey. Despite this goal, York lost 2-1.

19.42

A final result from the snooker earlier if you missed it. Cue another washing job for York, using that white ball to amazing effect (see what we did there?).

Final score: 5-0 in games; 10-0 in frames. Check the Roses page for a match report coming soon.

19.34

3-3 in the Darts. It’s mighty close.

19.33

And Lancaster seem to be mounting a comeback in the darts, too, taking the first leg in the next match.

Perhaps a bit late, though?

19.31

Back to the actual pool, and it’s full time in the men’s Waterpolo. Lancaster get all four points with a 6-3 win.

19.29

Incredible drama unfolds poolside (punny!). One of the tables has become jammed, putting the whole event in jeopardy.

Lancaster are currently ahead 1-0 in the women’s, but the men are down to the same score. More news on this soon.

19.27

If you’re off to Roses Rave tonight, wrist-banding starts from 8.30pm at the Courtyard. Tickets are selling out fast and it looks set to be a cracking night.

19.21

In the Waterpolo it’s 5-2 to Lancaster after the third quarter.

19.20

Confusion reigns at the Darts. It turns out that the match hasn’t finished after all. So we still wait for those two Roses points. Apologies.

19.19

Last year a stunning performance from the fencers saw them pick up the “Team of the Tournament” title for York. How are they going to decide it this year, though?

Lancaster may not have been at their best, but let’s give credit where it’s due – nearly every York team has been on top form so far.

19.14

And the darts have come to a conclusion after a swift last leg from York’s Jenny Coyle wraps up the win for the home side, 3-2.

Another two Roses points for York.

19.12

Hang on a second, did anyone see Fulham absolutely smash Villa earlier? That’s a Roses-style whitewash in my book. We have taught these Lancs a proper lesson today.

19.11

Half time in the men’s Waterpolo. Still 2-0 to Lancaster.

19.11

Rejected exam questions for those sitting them this week: “Thunderbirds are what?” , “List your most sordid desires”. Has anyone had any as crazy as these this summer? Almost worthy of the economics department…

19.06

The crowd has really bought into this Jenny vs. Jenny contest. The girls are struggling for that elusive final double, both needing 1s to win. Here we go.

19.03

Suppose they had to be at something, though.

19.02

In the men’s Watepolo it’s 2-0 to the Lancs. They’re good at this aren’t they?

18.59

A mass of cheering after Jenny Coyle takes the first leg for York in the Darts.

18.59

Oh and punny definitely is funny. (See post 18.35).

18.55

Key battle at the Darts as the women approach conclusion. McEnroe vs. Borg. Ali vs Foreman. York’s Jenny Coyle vs. Lancaster’s Jenny Smith.

18.50

York’s star Goal Shooter, Sarah Pycroft.

18.47

Looking at that total, there’s quite a few Roses points still to be played for tonight. So for York trying to set a new Roses record, and Lancaster looking to salvage some pride, there’s sixteen up for grabs.

18.44

Final score at the Waterpolo is 9-1 to Lancaster in the women’s. Now for the men.

18.41

Wow these pink jeans are effective. Chuck goes up 3-1 after the fourth leg.

18.36

At the Darts York’s Chuck has won the first leg of her match, hugely aided, no doubt, by her fetching florescent pink jeans.

18.35

OK enough of that. Back to the sports now and some confusion as we’re told they’ve got a “big screen in the pool”.

It turns out that will be ‘at’ the Pool that’s on in Derwent Bar, rather than the swimming that’s at Archbishop Holgate. The atmosphere is building as we approach the men’s event starting at 7.00pm.

18.32

Purely in the interests of gender equality, diversity and the like:

18.27

In the women’s Waterpolo it’s 5-0 to Lancaster at half time and it’s not looking too promising for the home team.

18.21

Wing Attack Cesca Dessain was understandably delighted with that Netball result. “Unbelievable, what a win. We never expected that, but what a feeling.”

Many a congratulation coming your way from the Live Blog team.

18.18

Sun’s out again if you hadn’t noticed. Not that you should be outside, though. This is only the place to be as Roses Saturday evening progresses, unless you’re off to the Darts or Swimming. We’ll keep you up-to-date as the results come in.

18.15

And that’s it. What a win for the Netball. York’s 49-22 score is a hell of an achievement against a Lancaster side two BUCS leagues above them.

18.13

Girls Aloud is on in Derwent Bar as “Old Lady” Natalie strolls on to match up against Lancaster’s Rachel Rocket. Cool names, huh?

18.12

A quick break from the sport. Action-packed isn’t it?

Bad things to hear on waking up: I’ll start. “You’ll never find your penis where I threw it.” Keep the suggestions coming.

18.08

At the netball there’s been another faller, with York’s Wing Defense this time biting the (thick layer of) dust on the tent floor. It’s slippy out there.

45-22 to York.

18.07

Zippy Zoe has won the second leg and York are now 2-0 up in the Darts.

18.06

Poolside news from Dr. S at the swimming. A dispute over disqualification has York chief Hugh Freye-Cook trying to iron things out as the waterpolo girls limber up in the background.

18.03

Correction. Currently throwing for York at the darts, ‘Zippy Zoe’, should read Zippy Zoe Tiptoes. Sorry about that.

18.02

We’re told the Netball girls are doing a challenge where they’re all dressing in boiler suits tying a 2 litre bottle of cider to each hand tomorrow. They should be allowed to do whatever they like after today’s showing; it’s been a stunning performance so far.

17.59

40-19 in the Netball.

17.59

Next up at the women’s Darts is “Zippy” Zoe. She plays the quickest leg in York darts apparently, so expect an update in the next few seconds.

17.56

They’ve entered the last quarter in the netball and Tasha Tranter tells us everyone’s utterly exhausted.

York have established a 37-18 lead and should be good for the win. One last push now.

17.54

Has anyone noticed the guy clapping in the background in one of the streaker pictures below? What a guy!

17.53

Oh and, despite appearances, they did actually play some rugby earlier, too.

Crunching.

17.51

Oh and just to clear it up, the ‘show’ in the tent in no way whatsoever resembles that of the pitch invaders on the 22 Acres earlie. We’ll leave that sort of thing to the rugger boys.

17.49

The girls in the tent are putting on a real show for the supporters. 33-17 to York.

17.48

In the darts Lisa De Meyer has won her first leg with a “mad house” double 1. According to our reporter “she IS York”. Today, that is definitely a good thing.

17.46

We know what you really want, though, so here you go. Enjoy!

17.44

To be fair to the Lancaster girl, though, the pace at the Netball has been frightening. It’s a welcome breather for the supporters, let alone the players.

17.42

A Lancaster player has hit the ground hard in the netball and the game has come to a brief pause as she dries the tears away. It’s 24-16 to York, playing for pride now after overall victory was assured earlier.

17.40

In Derwent Bar the announcer has begun proceedings with the customary “Let’s, play, DARTS!” call. And we’re off.

17.38

Some quite revealing developments in the Rugby earlier. Those with delicate eyes look away now…

17.36

Jenny Coyle, ex-Darts captain, is confident as the ladies prepare to get under way. “This year the team will definately give Lancaster a run for their money”.

17.34

According to an excitable Tasha Tranter at the netball, the intense crowds are inspiring York’s girls to new heights. 21-14.

17.33

Coming up at 6.00pm is the Waterpolo over at Archbishop Holgate school. It’s an interesting sport to watch, if you fancy heading over, it’s right next to the Black Bull on Hull Road.

17.31

It’s looking promising in the netball. York are pushing on and lead 22-12.

17.29

In the netball, its 19-12 to York. Adam “the Doctor” Shergold has just come back to the office utterly traumatised after a brief spell in the tent at the netball.

“It’s hormonal out there”, he says.

17.27

At the swimming the girls are really struggling according to “French Lord” Arran Bowen-la Grange (good value in Fantasy Football by the way).

But the men are doing slightly better, winning most of the relays.

17.26

YSTV caught up with Alex Lacy shortly after the win being announced.

Produced by York Student Television, released under a CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license

17.25

In the darts, Lancaster captain Jenny Smith is the one-to-watch after throwing a superb fifteen dart leg against one of York’s men’s this year. Now that is scary-good.

17.24

York have smashed last year’s winning score, by the way. It was 124-122 last year and we could be heading for a new entry in the record books as things stand.

17.22

Lancaster have made a comeback in the netball. The girls are already feeling the strain of a game played at incredibly high tempo.

10-10.

17.18

What an atmosphere at the netball, the second and third teams have stuck around to support the firsts and the screaming is “deafening” we hear.

At the end of the first quarter it’s 10-6 after a hectic opening.

17.13

York have started to build a slim lead in the netball. 10-5.

17.12

At the darts, the girls are warming up. Lancaster supporters are wearing rather fetching white y-fronts over their jeans – “tension” says our man on the ground Liam O’Brien. Very diverting.

17.10

It’s been a tight and tense start at the netball. York currently hold a 7-5 lead.

17.09

Did we mention that there’s a top-notch event going on in Vanbrugh and the Courtyard tonight?

Live music and and DJs will be on show for at both venues – “a night fit for a king!” according to the Roses website. Tickets are £8, get yours online now

17.03

The netball firsts have started. Currently 2-1 to York.

17.03

Lancaster have taken a close third set 27-25 to complete a straight sets victory against the York women.

We’ll let them have that one for the total.

16.58

They’re building up to the netball centre-piece in the tent, starting in a few minutes time.

York are expecting a tough game with Lancaster playing two BUCS leagues above them, but Goal Shooter Sarah Pycroft told us she was “excited and desperate to get playing” earlier. The girls are up for this one, it should be feisty.

16.52

Men’s football 3rds are currently 2-1 down to Lancaster. And according to a certain Tom Hobohm reporting from the sidelines, it’s also wet.

16.49

The third set of the women’s volley is getting pretty close, with the York team apparently “putting all their energies into a comeback.” Scores currently stand at 13-12 to Lancaster.

16.48

If you’re planning to make a night of it tonight after the pool and darts have finished (if you still have the energy left), Rave of the Roses is the night’s event, with DJ sets in The Courtyard and live music in Vanbrugh. Tickets can be bought from the Roses website.

16.43

It appears that Lancaster are calling it a day – they must have heard the news of their defeat – Arthur Baynshelboym (name according to reporter) was 5-1 up when his opponent concedes the game.

16.40

Rugby captain Mike Callis was magnanimous in defeat: “I’m over the moon with the win, we never really played our best rugby. Lancaster had a good scrum, and perhaps the result was a little bit harsh on them.”

16.38

Following a brief pause during the rain, the tennis is back on and Neil Morosz has won his match 6-0, 6-1. More excellent stuff from York.

16.37

And in the women’s volleyball, the second set has also gone to Lancaster with 25-10. It’s not looking too hopeful for York apparently…

16.36

Another victory for York as the cheers reach us here in the blogging office. 31-8 in the men’s first season, a pretty comprehensive victory to match their unbeated BUCS season. Excellent.

16.32

Looking forward to this evening, it’s going to be a corker. Darts and Pool will be taking place in Derwent bar from 5pm, it’s sure to be some fast-paced action, so watch out.

16.27

Another try to York rugby firsts, making the score 28-8 in our favour, scored by Dave Lowe after a flowing move on the right wing.

16.21

Slight amendment to 16.13: at the close of the first set for women’s volleyball, Lancaster had 25 to York’s 23.

16.16

The heavens have burst forth. Who’ll be the first to run for cover under the bouncy castle? Place your bets here people.

16.15

And in the first set of the women’s volley, Lancaster emerge victorious with a 22-18 win.

16.13

More reports in from the netball, and the second team have won their match 27-15. Another few points to add the our ever-growing pile…

16.12

Peter Thomson-Glover has won two straight sets in the men’s 1st singles tennis, scoring 6-0, 6-0. Well done to him!

16.10

A try to Lancaster in the men’s 1st rugby, and a score to 23-8 to York.
And it looks like it’s trying to rain again. Not so good. Should make for some interesting, muddy times on the rugby pitches.

16.06

And in the men’s 1st rugby, a penalty to York means that the score has increased to 23-3 to York. The streakers will be pleased.

16.06

An update on women’s volleyball and the first set has finished and the results stand at 11-5 to Lancaster.

16.03

Women’s 2nds netball has just entered it 4th quarter, with the score currently standing at 16-10 to York.

15.59

Results just in from 1st women’s rugby – “a nail-biting finish” says our reporter – a win for York by 22 to 17.

And the men’s game continues at 20-3 in York’s favour.

15.57

Last game of the men’s doubles tennis, and they’ve won 8-3. Victory upon victory for the white roses today.

15.54

YORK WIN ROSES 2009! 139 points to 34!

Alex Lacy: “Oh my god! That’s amazing! It’s absolutely incredible, the coolest thing ever. How did we win it on a Saturday?”

Incredible indeed.

15.54

That Lancastrian heckler with a megaphone must have had an effect – the 1st men’s hockey have just lost 2-1

15.52

But alas, with great joy we must bear some sorrow. The 3rd men’s football are 1-0 down. *sad face*

15.51

At the second match of the 1st men’s tennis doubles, York win by 8-4. Wonder!

15.50

And our first male streakers of this year’s Roses – 4 young gentlemen sans vetements decided to run around the York rugby 1sts as they played. Bet they loved it.

15.49

Quick update on the overall score, York currently lead Lancaster by 137 – 34. If York can score just another half a point, they win this year’s Roses. Seems a bit of a dead set, but I shouldn’t talk too soon…

15.48

Our very own Harriet Waghorne, the beautiful York Come Dancing partner of a very lucky Mr Henry James Foy, has just won her samba in the Ballroom Dancing in Derwent, scoring 3.5 to Lancaster’s 0.5.

15.43

The lads of the first men’s lacrosse team have whitewashed their opponents with a 28-0 win. “Ridiculous!” declared our on-site reporter. “It got uncomfortable to watch,” he says.

15.41

The cries of spectators and supporters carry on the breeze as the crowd eagerly follow the afternoon’s sport. On my walk over here I happened to hear the dulcet tones of a Lancastrian with a megaphone, claiming that “York have nothing!” How eloquent.

15.38

Update: women’s indoor football has finished, with pride restored as superplaying Gabby, a former Arsenal junior grabbed her fourth goal just before full time, closing the match at 6-2.

15.37

Back to the Sports Centre, and the women’s 1st indoor football team are beating their opponents 5-2. Good stuff.

15.37

From the 22 Acres, we have men’s 1st rugby where captain Mike Ballis has just scored a try, bringing their score to 20-3.

15.36

In the men’s 1st hockey, we’ve got just 10 minutes left and they’re currently 2-0 down to Lancaster. Come on guys!

15.35

And the men’s double tennis 1st have just won their game 8-0. Another couple of points for York there. Every little helps.

15.34

News just in that Fencing captain Harry Whitwell is “jumping around” to celebrate his recent win. A little throwback to last year, and York fencing team were Roses team of the year. A similar accolade for 2009? Here’s hoping.

15.30

In the women’s rugby 1sts, York have opened up a 22-12 lead. At the moment, if York seal the games that they are currently leading in – York will win roses 2009, by a landslide.

15.27

Rugby 1sts news, 13-3 to York at the moment. Clearly, the ladystrippers haven’t put the home side off too much.

15.24

York appear to be putting too much focus on their attacking play and have left themselves wide open. 3-2 now the score in the indoor football.

15.23

You heard it here first, the Women have indeed scored again and it’s now 3-1. Come on York.

15.22

Update on the final score for fencing, it finished 131 to York and 112 to Lancaster.

15.21

York are now in front in the indoor football, it’s 2-1 to the hosts and it looks like there are more coming.

15.20

Netball 2nds, it’s currently 8-2 to York. Apparently, Lancaster can’t finish a bag of crisps at the moment.

15.18

129 points now for York, we can almost taste victory.

15.17

After a close fight, York have emerged victorious in the fencing. That’s more points, and we’re edging ever closer to total victory.

15.12

We are within a couple of results of winning the whole competition, stay tuned. This one could be over soon.

15.09

In the women’s 1sts indoor football, it’s a close game with York denied an equaliser by the woodwork on several occasions. Still 1-0 over there to Lancs.

15.07

In the Rugby Men’s 1sts, Tim Walker has scored a try that has been converted, 7-0.

15.06

It’s closer than a Turkish shave in the fencing, 25-24 to York at the moment.

15.05

Men’s Lacrosse news, York are on course to reach the 20′s. We’re currently at 16-0.

15.00

Women’s indoor football 1sts have just kicked off, we’re hoping York can save some pride there.

14.56

It’s all going down on the 22 acres, we’ve got waterbombers attacking Lancaster teams and supporters – and female streakers on the rugby pitch. Apparently, they’re “definitely from Lancaster”. Take that however you want to.

14.56

As you might have guessed, York have wrapped up the tennis. 4 more points for the home side.

14.53

Just to recap on some of the action from earlier, York took victory in the rowing (which is how Roses started), due in no small part to Rosamund “Possum” Wood’s outstanding coxing, avoiding a tourist barge in the process.

14.51

Just a side note. If the previous comment ends up as hubris, I am entirely not responsible.

Your faithful and impartial blogger

Noice

14.50

Just to keep you updated on the overall score. Its 110.5 – 33.5. Thanks for coming Lancaster.

14.48

In the Men’s Hockey 1sts, Lancaster have taken an early lead after three minutes. Surely scoring in the first few minutes is cheating, we weren’t properly warmed up.

14.47

8-1 now in the women’s football. Whoever we’ve got reporting down there has his/her hands full – it’s a thrill a minute. Not if you’re from York though.

14.45

Finally, York have scored in the women’s football. 7-1 now. Bit late to be making a move, but we’ll take it.

14.45

At half time in the Men’s Lacrosse, it looks as though York’s men are trying to best the ladies earlier thrashing of 18-1. York are on track, 12-0 is the score at the moment.

14.44

The downward spiral continues for York in the women’s football, it’s now 7-0 with Lancaster’s Phillipson taking four of the goals.

14.43

Ballroom news now, York have won the beginner’s event 23-19 and Harriet reports that Sarah Naylor’s foxtrot was incredible.

14.42

More late news (time goes much slower in Halifax than the rest of the world)… Lancaster claimed victory earlier in the trampolining, winning 147.3 to 145.3.

14.40

Ahoy! A little late but here anyway… York have claimed all of the points in the sailing, thoroughly exemplifying the assumption that York is made up of those who didn’t get into Oxford but are nonetheless exceptionally middle class.

14.38

It’s not looking good in the indoor women’s football, we’re trailing 6-0 now. Bad times

14.38

A word from Jack Butcher, men’s volleyball captain: “It was an awesome performance, our best of the season in our biggest game of the season. Many players were out of position and I’m very proud of everyone”.

14.35

Some of the tennis athletes

14.30

End of the second quarter in the Men’s Lacrosse, it’s apparently “very easy” at 11-0. On a side note, the referee appears to have his own gravitational field and is incapable of running, and beeps when he goes backwards, and (insert fat joke here).

14.29

Women’s 2nds indoor football, Lancaster are winning 4-0, scoring two goals in quick succession. Dan Hyde, go and put a wig on and get involved!

14.28

Final score in the Hockey 1sts, 0-0. York Coach Jamie Unsworth told our hack on the pitch “It was an inspired performance from York, Lancaster were a strong team but had a bad attitude”.

14.25

The Men’s 1sts fencing is hotting up, York are only one point behind at the moment and it’s building up to a big finish.

14.24

In the rest of the world’s news, Jenson Button has taken pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix. As if you needed the BBC.

14.22

14.21

Ladies hockey photos coming in now…

14.20

If there’s a ball involved, we’re winning. York have just won the Men’s Volleyball with a 25-15 victory in the final set.

14.19

Lauren Cockbill, York’s Tennis prodigy has produced a clinic on the court, smashing Lancaster’s “competitor” 6-0, 6-0.

14.18

York have gone 3-0 up in the snooker with two games left to play. This gives York the victory and more points, as they can’t be caught. Do you think we should just give Lancaster some points – make it more interesting?

14.16

We’ve just got underway in the Women’s Indoor football. Lancaster nearly opened with a goal, but were denied by a fine save from the York keeper.

14.14

Final score in the netball: 51-23 to York. Hilarious Hobohm likened this one to a bloodbath.

14.13

Men’s Lacrosse news. It looks as though this one is going to be a cricket score and we’re only at the end of the first quarter. More to come…

14.10

High drama on the rugby pitch, Liz Prance has been forced off the pitch with injury. We’re still at 0-0 in that game, but this injury can only hurt the home side.

14.09

For any of you reading the roses booklet, take note of the following gem from our own Adam Shergold: “One thing is guaranteed, drama and unpredictability”. First of all, that’s two things. Secondly, you can’t guarantee unpredictability. Dr Shergold… must do better.

14.08

Netball news from Hobohm, 44-21 to York. It’s apparently not fun any more. I find that hard to believe, it’s not as though it’s a nonsense sport like Octopush or anything.

14.06

York are coming pretty close to the 100 mark. Remember, the magic number is 137.5 to seal victory. It’s very possible that there will be no pressure on the home side tomorrow

14.05

Doctor Shergold and YSTV managed to rope Brian Cantor into an interview at the earlier rowing.

Produced by York Student Television, released under a CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license

YSTV credits: Ian Martindale

14.03

York are two sets up in the completely serious sport of men’s volleyball. 25-17 was the score in the second.

14.02

Nouse, serving you Tennis news around the clock. Lauren Cockbill is currently 5-0 up in her match. Should be a walkover.

14.00

Hockey photos coming in…

13.58

News in that a goal in hockey was disallowed because the ball was too high. Doh!

In beachsports, Volleyball score is 20-14 to York in second set.

Netball score currently 39-18 to York, although Jess Roberts has been injured. Ouch.

13.56

Also in netball Jamie Tyler valiantly tries to start a chant for the home team. Sadly not enough syllables in ‘York’ to bring it up to Noice’s high musical standards…

13.55

Netball score is 37-18 at the end of he 3rd quarter. Apparently Lancaster are wearing odd socks…kooky or freaky? Comments below please…

13.53

Back to Butlins (only kidding of course..) where Harriet Waghorn reports lots of cheering for the latin and rumba. Noice is venturing near the guitar once more…

13.52

Pub games now and its on to snooker… York now up 2-0. Unbelievable scenes as Steve Bradley takes on Craig Charles aka ‘luckbox’. First frame game goes to a respotted black and bradley wins with a complete fluke! Ironic for poor luckbox….

13.50

Football final score 8-3 to York. Top hole! Clearly due to the extra special talents of Nouse’s lovely Dan Hyde. York gain 2 more points.

13.48

Hobohm is describing the women’s netball as “an absolute bloodbath”. Who knew netball could be so violent?

Half time at the hockey women’s firsts, still 0-0. Oooohhhh….

13.46

Jones here…York football and Jake ‘what luscious hair’ Delaney scores a goal. James Grey apparently also has a “pitch long dribble” (sounds disgusting to me) taking the score to 6-3. Cracking.

13.43

In the completely serious sport of men’s volleyball, York have won the first set 25-16. Like I said, completely serious.

13.42

Spot the pensioner letching at the boys.

13.41

13.40

I’ll get back to the photos momentarily, we’ve got more pictures of lycra clad men than you can shake an oar at. For now though, here’s more news…

York are up 4-3 in the Indoor football 1sts, Dan Hyde’s colours are doing the trick

25-14 to York in the netball, it looks as though Lancaster are attempting something along the lines of a comeback.

York are still dominating the tennis proceedings.

More to come…

13.36

13.35

Photos coming in from the earlier rowing victory…

13.31

Rugby 2nds win 32-3 and win 2 points. Hooray! Musician in residence Noice here describes it as a “bit of a spanking”.

13.30

Womens doubles in tennis 8-0 to York. Huzzah! Noice moves to the guitar for some beautiful serenading….

13.29

Lancaster currently ahead 2-1 in the indoor football. Super duper rubix cube Nouse reporter Dan Hyde has also been substituted and his reputation remains untarnished…. Noice is playing the ukulele ala marilyn monroe….

13.22

We made the announcers call, Dan Hyde has claimed the assist as York and Lancaster are all square at 1-1 in the Indoor Football.

13.19

York indoor football seconds have lost their match 4-3, giving another mercy point to Lancaster. Fear not though, we’ve had our wires crossed in the office and Dan Hyde, Nouse sports editor and candidate for this year’s production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat is playing with the 1sts, not the seconds – so stay tuned.

13.17

We’re being told by Big Tom Hobolm that our friends at the Yorker are watching our blog for information on the netball. If that’s you, watch the games – not us!

13.15

At the end of the first quarter, the netball thirds match is York 15 – 4 Lancaster.

13.14

A fight has broken out amongst the forwards in the Rugby, studs and yellow cards everywhere. You can almost smell the testosterone from here. That might be damp, actually – this is Halifax.

13.11

Lancaster are up 4-3 in the indoor football. One of the Lancaster players is wearing an earring that can only be classed as BLING. All capitals.

13.10

Word to the wise, the York Hornets are offering Pimms for £2 a cup but it’s going fast. We’re unsure whether the price includes a dance, but you should go over there and find out either way.

13.08

Netball 3rds: More domination from York, we’re up 8-1 and it’s not looking like slowing down any time soon.

13.08

We’re getting word that Seb Hurst has just scored an impressive individual try to take York 28-3 up in the Rugby seconds. Absolute spanking.

13.05

Lancaster have pulled ahead again in the Men’s Indoor football. It looks as though Lancaster are not aptly distracted by Dan Hyde’ rainbow costume.

13.03

According to Tom Hobolm, the York Women’s netball thirds are 4-0 up. It’s netball-tastic, says Hobolm. You can tell he thought that one through for a while.

13.01

By the way sports fans, it’s Criss and Charlotte holding the fort here for the next hour or so.

13.00

If you can eat five Jacob’s Crackers in a minute, we want to hear from you. Videos on a postcard.

12.59

York are slicing through Lancaster in the fencing and I’m running out of sword based puns. We are 15-10 up in the epee.

12.58

In the dancing, Waghorn tells us that Lancaster’s fixed grins are a little off putting.

12.56

In the indoor football, we’re at 2-2. The Lancaster keeper is having a mare of a time. He’s turned the ball into his own net after a quickly taken free kick. Our man on the pitch says that he’s gone from pink to very red in a heartbeat.

12.55

More points on the board for York in the hockey. The home side have clinched a 2-1 victory. Captain Sam Dart told our reporter: ” A lot of strong characters played together as a team today, it’s a great result for us. “

12.52

We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Matthew “chops” Jeynes. Will he bring cider with him? Will he talk to Dan Hyde? So many questions.

12.51

The seconds are underway in the indoor football, Lancaster and York are 2-1 at the moment – Lancs have gone ahead after equalising with a lucky break off the post.

12.49

Half time at the rugby seconds, York are now 18-3 ahead. Looks like we could win the whole thing by tonight.

12.48

Quick mention for Camilla Holly Jenkins, who is covering trampolining and fencing at the same time. She cares about obscure sports, so we don’t have to.

12.45

Dancing news. A group exhibition has just take place, we’re told is like the Haka, but slightly less intimidating and more spangly. Harriet Waghorn, campus’ finest dancer and a surefire winner in the Rumba is warming up as we speak.

12.42

The Indoor football seconds have just fielded, lets hope they can get along a little better than the thirds.

12.41

The Men’s thirds Indoor football has just finished at 7-3. Defensive errors and bickering caused that one. 1 extra point to Lancaster, not that it looks like it’s going to matter.

12.39

More fencing action that isn’t at all confusing… York have won “nearly won” overall. Epee is cut even at the moment at 43 a piece.

12.36

York have stolen one back in the football, but Lancaster have responded by scoring another two to take the score to 7-3. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of action out there.

12.33

Rugby news: The York seconds are up 6-3 now midway through the first half. Looking like a kicking game so far, in spite of the tricky wind conditions.

12.31

Tennis news, York’s boys are dominating the Lancs pretenders with an ace performance. Lots of 6-0 scores coming in.

12.30

Our intrepid sports editor has turned up to play at the indoor football, but has done so by wearing every colour under the sun. At least he’ll provide a distracting influence, if nothing else.

12.28

Intermediate trampoline results, Lancs 1st and 3rd, while York is in the middle at 2nd. I assume intermediate results are garnered from trampoliners jumping quite high, but not all the way up.

12.27

News piling in from the sports centre, Lancaster have maintained their three goal lead and are now 5-2 up on York.

12.22

Mixed results so far today for the home side. At least the weather is better.

12.20

Back on the football pitch, Lancaster are ahead 4-1 at half time. York’s defenders are too busy shouting at eachother to do any defending apparently. We’ll keep you posted.

12.18

Henry Whitell, York fencing captain tells our correspondent that he’s feeling confident going into his match. Overall he says that things are close, but they’ll just about edge it. Get it? No, ok.

12.17

Indoor football news, Lancaster are looking sloppy. They’ve just given away their third free kick, slide tackling is not smart indoors boys. The floor is hard.

12.15

The rowing has concluded over on the Ouse, with the Senior men bringing home victory for York. That’s an overall 12-8 victory for York in the boats.

12.13

Lancaster have a megaphone at the Hockey, we’re told, and are generally abusing it. Pipe down you pikeys. Where did you steal that from?

12.12

Gangstarr Rap is blaring from the Pavilion changing rooms over on 22 acres as the Rugby 2nds get underway. 3-0 to York there.

12.11

Indoor Football is underway. The York 1st team are 1-0 up early on. York seem to be all over them though.

12.10

Half time in the Men’s 2nd Hocket. 2-0 there.

12.08

More fencing news, from Dan Hyde. Shouldn’t he be footballing?

York Men’s 2nds have won the foil, and now it’s come down to the Sabre, with points level.

In the Women’s Epee, it’s 5-3 to Lancaster.

12.05

A win for Lancaster on the river. The visitors have just won a Women’s Senior race, meaning that with one race to go, the rowing points are level.

Tense. I bet Cantor is loving it.

12.04

We’re trying to get in touch with the wonderful York Hornets, who are “stunting” around campus all day. Queen Bee AnnaClaire Younger tells us that the girls are “just going around being supportive, and not actually cheering anyone until the closing ceremony tomorrow.”

Ah ha. Good plan. But won’t all the cheering be a tad academic by then?

12.00

Warming up over in Derwent Bar for the ballroom dancing.

We got a lot of stick last year for printing a quote from a spectator who described this event last year as “like something from Butlins”. I promised Dancesport I wouldn’t do such a thing this year.

Oops.

11.59

Tranter – against her will – is back at the Fencing.

York Men’s 2nds have taken the Foil, while the Women are up 45-38 with “hours to play”.

11.54

Trampolining update. In the Intermediate section of the event, Lancaster placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Were they super-good? Did the York competitors ‘get bounced’? No. We didn’t have any competitors. Sad times.

11.52

York have another in the Men’s 2nd Hockey – 2-0 now. Tom Harcourt got it, and York are playing much better than before apparently.

Breaking 100 points before 1 o’clock? This is a drubbing….

11.50

Trampolining – results, hurrah!

In the Novices, a Lancaster trampoliner has won, with two competitors from York in 2nd and 3rd.

Apparently the York team is pretty thin on the ground because most of our best trampoliners aren’t actually students. Hmmm. How does that work??

11.46

The Men’s 2nd Hockey tie is underway on the astroturf, and York have taken an early lead. Matt North has bagged it. 1-0 there.

11.43

Results from the river.

Men’s Novice 8 have won by a length and a half on the Ouse – another victory for York, but unfortunately no points.

11.41

More trampolining banter.

Another poor Lancaster girl has fallen during her warm up after her ‘spotter’ missed it as she was being persuaded to try on a leotard by another competitor.

Camilla Jenkins – full of anecdotes, lacking a bit in results.

11.40

News from the Tennis.

Franny says that York are on top in the Men’s Doubles event.

The first pair have won by 8 sets to love, the second 8-3 and the third by 8 sets to 6.

Now I’m no tennis expert (and to be frank, neither is Jonny), but I’m pretty sure 8 sets is a couple too many. But there you go. It is Roses, I suppose.

11.35

Jonny is still a bit lost down at the Tennis Courts. News to come.

Dan has just left to play in the Mens Indoor 3rds. Hogarth-Jones has taken over on the phones for the lunchtime shift.

11.31

On the astroturf, coming up are the Men’s Hockey matches. The Lancaster captain is feeling confident: “The loss of indoor has no bearing on the results, and at the end of the day, we should easily win this afternoon and that’ll pull us back level.”

Hmmm. Maths ain’t his strong suit.

Our Women’s captain wasn’t too sure. She reckons that after the indoor: “That’s where Lancaster’s strength lies, and we’ve improved so much over the past year, so we should win today.”

11.29

Back to the Ouse now, with the Women’s Novice 8s. York have won again, this time by four lengths. Rowing is a veritable pot of gold for the home team. No points for this one, but big psychological drubbing for the visitors.

11.28

York women’s hockey seconds captain Theresa Jones said: “we matched them throughout but our finishing let us down at times. The girls all played their hearts out, though.”

1-0′s a very admirable result, because Lancaster have the edge in the hockey overall. Next up are the men.

11.21

The women’s hockey 2nds is over. 2 Roses points to the Lancs after a 1-0 victory. Could have been more, too.

Match reaction from the captains to follow.

11.20

Injury in the trampolining. A Lancaster girl has just landed badly and “buggered her knee”. Making a change from the American Football, there are actually paramedics on the scene.

In other news, York only seems to have 7 competitors in the event, less than a third of Lancaster’s total. Quality not quantity.

11.17

Over to the rowing and York have won the senior men’s 4 by one and a half length in an exciting race.

York kicked away under the bridge and Lancaster just didn’t have the legs to keep up. 4 Roses points bagged.

11.16

In the hockey Lancaster have just taken the lead. Apparently it should be 3 or 4 but the York Goalie’s having a stormer. 1-0.

11.15

Rugby firsts captain Mike Callis has just announced the starting line-up for this afternoon’s 15s. Here we go:

1. Innes
2. Corp
3. Grant
4. Handy
5. Callis
6. McGregor
7. Wakeling
8. Weir
9. Walker
10. Grant
11. Nathan
12. Felgate
13. Lowe
14. Brugge
15. Jones

11.07

Lacy’s off to the boathouse now to meet with Cantor, Grenville and the other VIPs for canapes and champagne.

By popular request, we’ll have the Rugby Line-ups as soon as possible.

11.04

Jonny Fransman, whose a dab hand at the sport himself, is down at the Tennis Courts.

He “has no idea what’s going on”, but thinks that the 1st seed pair of the Men’s 2nd Doubles (bear with me here…) have won against Lancaster.

Someone help him out. Please.

11.02

“Fantastic” news from the trampolining.

You’ll need to imagine this for maximum effect. Out of the 40+ contestants, only the top three from each university will count for points. All the others, our correspondent tells us, “are just bouncing around in leotards for kicks”.

11.00

Still goalless in the Women’s Hockey 2nds. Lancaster are fighting back again, and there are chances at both ends, but no quality finishing on display. A cracker down at the astroturf. Twenty minutes to go, and this could go either way…

10.57

For anyone heading to campus soon, I’d strongly recommend popping in to the Tent to see the Men’s Indoor Football, where our very own Dan Hyde will be running rings around Lancaster’s defence. As the tenth best Futsal University in the country, we should be picking up the points with ease.

10.55

Tranter at the Fencing:

We’ve won the Epee, and are 24-13 up in the Foil. There’s the Sabre after that, but this is looking like another victory for York, saving some Agincourt-esque massacre.

10.52

Quick correction: The trampolining is Mixed, not just Women. So – Come on guys and girls.

PCME

10.51

Lancaster, apparently, are BUCS Silver Medallists in the Senior Women’s Rowing 4s, so they’re pretty bloody good. Six lengths, then, ain’t too bad at all.
I bet our girls are far hotter anyway.

Imminent is the Men’s Senior 4s…

10.50

Those last results are for the Novices – there’s the Intermediates and Advanced to come.

Dan “The Knowledge” Hyde – yes, of Fantasy Football fame – tells me that no points will be awarded until all the trampolining has been trampolined, and then all the results are amalgamated to split the points. Fab.

10.48

My favourite – Trampolining.

Jenkins – still audibly disgusted – reports “lots of leg slapping”. York aren’t too good, it seems, at the bouncing – we’re down to Lancaster in three rubbers, 6-5, 6-1 and 6-3. Come on girls!

10.46

Noicey calling in the results. He used to row you know. And he’s pretty damn stacked.

Anyhow, Lancaster have won their first points of the day – a bit of a smashing in the Senior Women’s 4. York took too wide a line in the bend and lost by 6 lengths. Cox.

10.40

News from the Hockey pitch.

York have turned it around late in the first half and are now the ones applying the pressure, peppering the Lancaster goal with short corners. Still goalless there though.

An angry Lancaster player approached our correspondent, the enigmatic Leigh Clarke, and told him “If you’re from York Vision, I’m going to punch you.”

“Why?”, asked Leigh – a braver man than I.

“Because you’re worse than The Sun.”

Ouch. What would Harry Pearse say?

10.35

Tranter (through gritted teeth) tells us that York are 10-3 up in the Men’s fencing. Not sure if that’s points, or games, or impalings…

We’ll get you some Fencing terminology when it comes in.

10.34

More rowing news – pending frantic edits and counter-edits: The Women’s Freshers 4 have just massacred (if that’s a rowing term? Sunk?) Lancaster, winning before the visitors had even got round the final corner.

What that means is that potato-potarto novice-fresher, we’ve got two points. Ha ha!

10.32

Confusion down at Lendal Bridge. It’s pretty bloody simple, no? Boats float, men row, first to the line wins…

But no. It’s a battle of Sports Editors past and present, with Shergold (who’s with the scorer) and Noice (who’s with the team) arguing between Novice and Freshers…

I mean, we definitely won, but did we win points?

10.29

Fencing now, for all you foil-fans. Natasha “Get me out of here as soon as possible” Tranter says that York have taken the Men’s 2nd epee. Skewer them lads.

10.25

More news from the Ouse. (Who needs Haikus?)

York have taken the Men’s Novice 4s as well, reports Noicey, who reports that a canal boat presented an obstacle at the end of the race, but our crew pulled out some sweet swerving to snatch the win.

10.24

More words of wisdom from Lacy.

I ask him whether he thinks yesterday’s domination means the trophy could be in the bag…

“I’m pretty chuffed, but I’m not sure about it being game over. I think they’ll pull back the lead today. Yesterday we had lots of our strengths, with most of the racquet sports, and the snowsports, which we were expected to win. But, if we can hold them off today, it could be all over very soon.”

And the big event today – the rugby? “I think our Mens have it in the bag in all the matches,” Lacy speculates, “but the Firsts will be pretty close.” Last year, that game went to the wire at 14-14, but our boys haven’t lost a game all season. They’re not likely to start against a bunch of bleach blonde pansies, right?

10.20

Word from Leigh Clarke at the Women’s 2nds Hockey. Lancaster, who desperately need to score some points, and soon, are dominating the hosts. They’ve just missed an open goal and are running our girls ragged at the back. A good crowd as well, this early in the morning.

Shout out to Sophie Hossack. Viel Glück Leiblings.

10.18

Results from the Ouse. Freshers Women’s 4 – Criss Noice tells us that York have won by half a length, and that’s first blood of Day Two to the mighty York.

10.16

A word with Lacy, whose birthday it was yesterday. Was it a big one? He “sorted out a couple of stewarding problems” and was “moving footballers around at 4 in the morning”. Well. That’s one hell of a revelation.

10.09

The Lancaster Trampolining girls are wearing T shirts that say “Rate my positions on the bed” apparently, says Jenkins with unveiled disgust. A good Alcuin fresher would never wear such a thing.

“And it’s awful, none of them are wearing sports bras, which is a little worrying. It’s like a constant bouncing act,” adds the girl that will ONLY wear La Perla.

I guess it’s only fair to say that its going on in the Dance Studio. Chop chop…

10.05

I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to the Ballroom dancing – being a Rumba Master and all that…

Not sure when it’s actually happening though. The schedule says 9-5, but there’s no way on this earth you can dance for that long. Expect the action to get underway soon. Derwent Bar for you Foxtrot Fans.

10.03

The rowing is underway with the Women’s Novice Four, with the Men’s following that.

10.02

Camilla ‘Manhattan’ Jenkins is over at the Trampolining. Dan Hyde is trying to decipher both her extraordinarily well-spoken accent and the technical terminology that she’s trying to explain. There are 10 elements, apparently, consisting of 7 somersaults, a 270 degree rotation, a 270 degree somersault rotation, landing on your front or back. A further 540 degree rotation is then asked for.

That’s a lot for 4 points. Good effort trampoliners. I feel a bit woozy just typing that.

09.58

I passed the Women’s 2nds warming up on the Astroturf as I cycled across campus this morning. They looked pretty warm. I used to play hockey. I was pretty unremarkable.

09.56

Gossip over at the River from Dr Shergold suggests that the Rowing schedule has been turned on its head thanks to our esteemed VC Brian Cantor. The word is that him and the other bigwigs have ‘requested’ that the blue riband event, the Men’s 8, be held at a time that they may watch it.

How cheeky.

09.52

Right – 10 o’clock is almost here.

Ready to kick off is the Rowing, Tennis, Hockey, Fencing, Sailing and Trampolining. We’ll have updates from all of those events right here, so stay tuned.

09.50

To answer Richard Mitchell’s kind request yesterday regarding auto-updating of comments, our Tech Wizard Chris ‘Better than Mitch’ Northwood has tweaked our already super-sweet blog system that means not only will these updates slide in with beautiful ease, so will the comments. And not a slice of garish orange in sight.

09.48

If you missed any of yesterday’s action, you can check out all of Friday’s match reports – with pictures AND video – on our special Roses page. Big props to YSTV for the videos.

09.46

So – what’s to come? A big morning of Rowing, and Doctor Shergold is currently down at the Ouse, followed by all remaining Tennis fixtures, and the two big Netball and Rugby XV clashes.

09.44

So Alex Lacy and the rest of the York team must be waking up with a smile this morning, sitting on a healthy 52 point lead after only 81 points have been decided. At this point last year, York held a slender 1 point lead, and went on to dominate Day 2 – if the same happens today, it could be game over for Lancaster very quickly.

09.40

Good morning Roses guys and gals, it’s bright and early down here in Halifax, and it’s Henry and Dan here for the breakfast shift.

Papadofragakis to stop campaigning

Clive Pullman — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:06:34 +0000

Democracy and Services candidate George Papadofragakis announced on Tuesday that he doesn’t intend to focus any more time on campus campaigning due to other commitments.

The candidate stated explicitly that he was still a serious contender for the role, saying, “I am not withdrawing my nomination nor am I even considering to, but I simply do not have the time to continue advertising my campaign.”

Attributing his decision to a 15,000 word dissertation among other work commitments, Papadofragakis went on to state that he had “pretty much stopped campaigning since last Friday and I’m now just making it official”. A student of computer science, and working through a 60 credit term, Papadofragakis said that he couldn’t help but feel that the elections were ‘only made for Humanities students’, pointing out that ex-candidate for Sports President Kath Mildon had been forced to abandon her campaign last week for similar reasons.

If elected, Papadofragakis will focus on the promotion of student democracy, improving campus bars, regulating advertisments of letting agencies on campus, boosting services to Heslington East, and extending the rent guarantor scheme to EU students.

Although unavailable for comment, Papadofragakis finished with a message to voting students. “I will just strongly encourage all of you to take the time and read all the candidates’ policies before you make your choice. Student politics should not be reduced to the level of a publicity contest – student politics should be a clash of ideas. It is up to the students themselves to ensure that by reading everyone’s proposals and by choosing the best candidate, not just the one who has the most free time available to spend on campus. “

Tony Benn Breaks the BBC’s Gaza Appeal Ban

Clive Pullman — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:08:55 +0000

TONY BENN, the former Labour MP and journalist has caused a stir at the BBC by breaking their policy of not broadcasting the address of Gaza aid organisations on air. In an interview live on air with the Today programme, and later on News 24, Benn ignored the questions of his interviewers and proceeded to read out the address for the Disasters Emergency Committee (the DEC), a humanitarian aid organisation, saying “If the BBC won’t broadcast the appeal, I’m going to do it myself.”

The interview came in the middle of Israel’s attacks on Gaza in early January, an issue which has split the opinion of many high profile political commentators. The DEC is an umbrella organisation for 13 humanitarian aid groups, including British Red Cross, Oxfam, and Christian Aid. Despite these credentials, the BBC has, until recently, refused to broadcast an appeal on behalf of the group, arguing it would damage their commitment to impartiality.

After reading out the address several times, the ex-MP launched into an attack on the BBC’s decision not to broadcast more information about the group. He added that “The Israeli foreign minister said there is no humanitarian crisis. Now, be clear, the Israelis objected to the BBC, and that’s the reason [for the ban]. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t think we should give aid to Gaza.” An irate Benn dismissed the criticism that humanitarian aid may find its way to Hamas, arguing that “Hamas is the elected government! In 2006, Hamas won the general election in Palestine.” Later in the interview he told a reporter that he had been in the BBC all morning, and nobody agreed with their decision.
Claiming the BBC had collaspsed to Israeli pressure not to broadcast the appeal, Benn stated “People will die because of the BBC’s decision.” When the BBC asked Benn what his thoughts were on other broadcasters who weren’t broadcasting the appeal, he simply said, “Well, they’re wrong as well”.

Flustered interviewers were clearly unsure of how to deal with Mr Benn’s outburst. Despite Benn insisting that the Today programme presenter Edward Stourton agreed with him, Stourton said simply on air “It’s not why we asked you here” and tried to change the subject. Benn, ever a controversial figure, completely ignored his interviewers’ protests, telling them that if they wanted him to stop, they would simply have to remove him from the the studio.

Students to face campus rent divide on Hes East

Clive Pullman — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:19:30 +0000

YUSU has confirmed that accomodation prices on the Heslington East extension will be more complicated than currently due to an anomaly in the plans.

YUSU Academic and Welfare Officer Charlie Leyland stated: “I believe that the ensuite rooms have worked out cheaper to build than larger non-ensuite rooms, which throws our two tiered system of ensuite and standard.”

If the University used the usual pricing scheme at Heslington East, some students would find themselves paying more for rooms with fewer facilities.

YUSU President Tom Scott explained the new accomodation: “There are larger rooms that are part of a ‘house’ with a shared shower, there are studio flats for couples and other interesting variations.”

The University must now consider how to price the new rooms. There have been concerns since January 2008 that the more expensive Hes East accomodation could great a campus divide, leading to the creation of ‘ghetto’ on Heslington West, with poorer quality rooms and lower rents.

Former YUSU President Anne Marie Canning spoke last year of concerns over creating a situation of “the rich and the poor.”

Scott has agreed with his predecessor, saying that: “since it’s all brand new, we can safely assume that everything on the new campus will fall into the higher rent bands.”

‘War on terror’ a mistake says Miliband

Clive Pullman — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:52:48 +0000

FOREIGN SECRETARY David Miliband surprised political commentators last week by declaring the ‘war on terror’ a mistake during a speech in Mumbai.
He made the comments at the end of his trip to the state capital where he sought to ease tensions between India and neighbouring Pakistan.
He described use of the phrase ‘war on terror’ as a mistake, saying, “The more we lump terrorist groups together and draw the battle lines as a simple binary struggle, the more we play into the hands of those seeking to unify groups with little in common” It seems the Labour minister sees a fight against terrorism as more complex than simply a struggle against a single, united, ‘terrorist’ front. “It is not Al Qaeda that has made India a substantial terrorist target practically every month for the last twelve” he argues on his personal blog.
He stated that declaring a war on ‘terror’ “implied a belief that the correct response to the terrorist threat was primarily a military one – to track down and kill a hardcore of extremists”, a sentiment that the Foreign Secretary doesn’t agree with. Instead, he argues, the way to counter terrorism is to “by championing the rule of law, not subordinating” This attitude can be seen in his latest move supporting President Obama’s intention to close Guantanamo.
Indeed, the Obama camp won’t officially talk about a ‘war on terror’ at all, and will probably adopt a less military-focussed rhetoric in general to show the world that America’s war-mongering days are over. The British government informally dropped the use of the term in late 2006.
The timing of the speech is key. Delivering this speech so close to the end of Bush’s presidency is seen by some as a move to distance Britain from the foreign policy that the administration has pursued. British officials, however, maintain that the timing of the speech was decided by the mission in Mumbai, and were not intended to politically position the UK. They did, however, concede that power changing hands in Washington had allowed the Foreign Secretary to be ‘less cautious’ with his language. The ‘war on terror’ so far has been directed by America. Only time will tell exactly what kind of war President Obama intends to fight.

Courtyard ‘detrimental’ to future of college events

Clive Pullman — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:01:14 +0000

Tension between YUSU and college JCRCs looks set to rise after news that the social calendar of the union’s new bar, The Courtyard, is already saturated with planned YUSU events.

Speculators say that the level of competition the new bar will provide against campus bars will negatively impact college events in the future.

The new venue, which opened last weekend is the only Union run bar on campus, and will be open every Friday and Saturday until 2am, competing directly with college events which are normally held at a similar time. The Courtyard will also be serving three meals a day and doubling up as a coffee bar. This puts it in direct competition with not only other college cafeterias and bars, but also the smaller coffee bars throughout the campus.

Dani Fill, Vanbrugh JCRC Chair believes that “we would be silly not to be worried. Obviously it’s great for students in general to have more of a nightlife on campus, but for Vanbrugh events it’s going to be detrimental”

Other JCRC Chairs believe that YUSU is being too ambitious with the number of events it wants to hold, and that the sheer quantity could, in itself, reduce the popularity of The Courtyard.
“They’re going to be asking students to consistently return to their venue, pay to get in and have similar Fridays and Saturdays, if their events are to be a success. I’m not sure this can be done,” stated Derwent JCRC Chair Joe Rankin.

The near-closure of the Alcuin bar before Christmas shows just how much pressure campus bars are already under, and the introduction of a new source of competition could well create even more problems for the university.

YUSU is adamant that it’s doing everything it can to relieve pressure on college bars. YUSU Societies and Communications Officer Rory Shanks says that the colleges were a top priority throughout the development process. He went on to say, “The Courtyard will encourage college bars to be more competitive. Furthermore, it will keep students on campus, an aspect of the development which will clearly aid the other bars. We see it as a joint-venture.”

Already, the union has agreed to hold full capacity events no more than once every two weeks to give college events like Club D a chance to survive. Ents Tech, which provides technical campus events, should fall in price too. This too could give a boost to suffering events.

Sam Asfahani, Langwith JCRC Chair, doesn’t think that the new bar will be a problem; he believes that, in the event of a problem, YUSU will take “positive steps” to ensure a responsible solution will be found.

Regardless of these facts, Rankin is still very concerned that “there is a chance that the large number of YUSU events will somewhat detract from the novelty and interest of certain campus/college events.”

It’s better late than never for Guantanamo

Clive Pullman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:11:30 +0000

Finally, with news of a district court ruling ordering the release of five Algerian prisoners, America seems to be taking the first steps towards shutting down the notorious Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

Zachary Katznelson, the legal director of Reprieve, said “The decision by Judge Leon lays bare the flimsy basis on which Guantanamo has been founded – at best, slim evidence of dubious quality, at worst, nothing.” The famous military prison has been a stain on America’s human rights record since 2001, attracting attacks from both global media and civil rights groups. To many it seems the ruling is a long overdue acknowledgment that torture is unacceptable. However, America has history of dodging judicial rulings on civil rights – why should this be any different?

Already, Supreme Court rulings designed to protect the rights of the detainees has had little impact. This June saw a Supreme Court decision stating that every prisoner in Guantanamo has a right to a trial in a civilian court. So far 200 detainees have filed appeals against their imprisonment but the official line remains that the cases are “under review”. The Supreme Court was designed to protect the basic rights of Americans. If even its decisions can be disregarded, what hope can we possibly hold for a lowly district court decision?

The American federal court system is a labyrinth of constitutional guidelines and procedures. Political debate is rife over whether military affairs are within the realm of the federal courts. The judge presiding over the Algerian case urged the government not to appeal against the ruling. However, if this is taken to the Supreme Court, America will again face the irksome debate over civil rights, military regulations and where the judiciary system fits between them.

The problem is no one wants to talk about it. The issue of Guantanamo and torture has become politically radioactive, being passed from policy group to policy group like a hot potato. Indeed, even the Bush Administration has skirted round its own proposals to amend the way the base is run, considering it too contentious to approach during campaign season. Torture didn’t even feature on the list of Americans’ most important election issues, so why would Obama risk dividing his support base over an issue people would rather not discuss?

Even if, by some political miracle, Guantanamo Bay was shut down tomorrow, where would we put the prisoners? Imprisoned without trial, we couldn’t possibly confine them to a regular prison, and yet to release them freely onto America’s streets would be political suicide, not to mention extremely dangerous. International law forbids America from repatriating them and it is likely, anyway that they’d be tortured no matter where they ended up. The Economist asks the pertinent question, “Dare you let a 9/11 mastermind walk free?”

Closing Guantanamo Bay would be a huge victory for civil rights groups, but at what cost? When faced with the decision between the rights of few or the security of many, it still seems obvious which side of the debate the American public will support. The district court decision is by no means a revolution, nor should we expect it to be.

Jacqui Smith victim of fingerprint heist

Clive Pullman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:11:25 +0000

Ever since the announcement of a biometric ID card system in 1997, pressure group NO2ID has been desperately seeking a way to expose the dangers of ID cards. Now, with the revelation that they have Home Secretary Jacqui Smith’s fingerprints, it seems like they’ve finally got that chance. The real question is, what do they plan to do with it?

The fingerprints were taken last month from a glass used by the Home Secretary as she gave a speech (ironically) about how secure biometric data is. When asked, NO2ID were hesitant to reveal their plans, but confirmed that the group was confident they had a way of reproducing the prints. They stated that the glass the prints were taken from will be returned to the venue saying “We wouldn’t want to be doing anything illegal.”

According to the Home Office, “ID cards will provide an easy and secure way for legal UK residents to prove who they are.” Supporters of the scheme argue it will reduce illegal working practices and ensure that employers and public bodies are certain who they are dealing with.

However, the security of such a scheme must be called into question when biometric data can be reproduced from almost everything a person touches. In the wake of a series of data losses, it seems that government agencies themselves may be the biggest risk to the security of the scheme.

The introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals begins this November with the first ID cards for British citizens issued next year. Workers in sensitive areas such as airports are expected to have ID cards by next year. Eventually, they will become compulsory although the Government has not yet named a date.

The scheme has come under constant attack from pressure groups and the public since its announcement by the Government. A major criticism of the ID card scheme is that it involves every person surrendering personal information, such as fingerprints, about themselves. Identity fraudsters are constantly becoming more advanced, and if biometric data could be faked, there is a risk that people will accept their ID as proof they are who they say they are without questioning it, simply because it is assumed the cards are completely secure.

In addition, the cost is a serious problem. Although the Home Office has assured the public that claims the ID cards would cost up to £300 are unfounded, it has confirmed that the cost will be more than £5bn in the next ten years.

Even for those who do not mind their data being stored in some remote computer or the additional cost that getting other ID card will require, there remains the issue that no form of ID is completely secure, and for this reason, no form of ID will ever seriously curb crime rates. Perhaps NO2ID’s fingerprint heist is the first step in revealing just how dangerous the scheme could be.

Lib Dems ‘justice pioneers’ says Clegg

Clive Pullman — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:42:31 +0000

Speaking confidently to a crowd of hundreds, Nick Clegg gives off an un-mistakable air of authority. Well spoken, well prepared and well turned out (of course), Clegg is every bit the modern politician. Speaking for just one minute, and then taking questions for fifty nine, it’s all about relating to the ‘every man’, sharing their angst at closed post offices, high inflation, falling standards. To almost every question, he answers as you would expect; no to ID, yes to the Euro, tax breaks for the poor, it’s all standard stuff. Standard stuff, that is, until a member of the audience brings up crime. That’s where it gets exciting.

Before he explains his plan, he sets out today’s figures, “Those [young men] on short term prison sentences, and short term prison sentences are the vast bulk of prison sentences, now re-offend at a rate of 92%.” Ninety-two percent. A damning statistic. Especially for a government that promised to be tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime… He calls it the ‘treadmill’, a system where young people realise they can get away with offending, doing a few weeks, coming out, and offending again. Talking about how to stop it is the first time that evening that Clegg looks genuinely interested, excited.

The idea is simple. For small but serious crimes, such as broken windows, graffiti and vandalism, bring in not the police, but the community to deal with the offender. Under the Lib Dems’ scheme, offenders will be forced to face their victims and their families, explain why they did what they did, and apologise. It’s as simple as that. Members of the community, and the victims themselves then have the power to decide how the offender can make up for their crime, through visible community service, or some other means, and that’s the end of the matter. The police only need to get involved if the offender refuses to cooperate.

It sounds great in principle, but is forcing an offender to apologise really an effective way of stopping crime? Clegg certainly thinks so. “Guess what the re-offending rate is for the community justice panels we’ve been running for the last few years in Somerset, remembering the figure for short term prison sentences is about 92%? It’s 7%” he claims. He tells us in the interview that as a teenager he himself was forced to face a community justice board in Munich, after being (in his own words) ‘very badly behaved’ and destroying a greenhouse filled with exotic plants. “…we had to meet the person who’s property we damaged, and I genuinely found it a very humiliating experience. To make up for it we then had to dig municipal flower beds in the hot summer sun of Munich for the rest of the trip” It looks like a community justice board was all that was needed to get the young Clegg back on track.

Will the Lib Dems ever achieve a shift in policy however? After all, short of a miracle, the party has no chance of getting into power at the next election. However, there‘s another, oft overlooked, way for them to exert power- county councils. The Liberal Democrats now control a majority of local councils in all seven of the largest cities in the UK, more than enough to give this policy a chance to prove itself. Perhaps there’s hope for the party yet. Community justice boards? If they’re good enough for Nick Clegg, they’re good enough for us.

Political Edge

Clive Pullman — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:32:29 +0000

As a rule, Leaders of the Opposition tend to fall into one of two categories; either they find themselves pathetic and weak against a wildly popular government, or they seem to be so pragmatic and sensible that the public find themselves wondering why they didn’t elect them in the first place.

David Cameron and the Conservatives have recently been falling into the latter of these categories. Their comments about Labour’s lack of vision, poor leadership and terrible economic planning, all seem to be ringing true. Cameron has the look about him of a man that knows that the next election is in the bag. The only question in the minds of most Conservatives is, by how much will they win?

And yet, is it really fair to assume Labour is dead in the water? In a poll published by the Guardian newspaper last week, 43% of people trust Labour to solve the credit crunch, the largest group. Compare that to just 35% for the Tories, and their lead isn’t as concrete as they may think. Sure, they’re still ahead overall, but for the first time in months, it’s a lead that can be measured in single figures.

True, it seems that the Labour party have been having a rough time since Blair’s departure. The past year has seen a plague of mistakes; data losses, unpopular counter terrorism bills, the failure of the economy, and the party’s lack of vision. It all seems to have been mounting up against Brown and, in many ways, it’s almost safe to assume the Conservatives could do nothing between now and the next election and still win with a huge majority.

Nevertheless, the results of the poll will be viewed as good news by the Labour leadership, particularly given that the result comes at the end of a year where public spending has nearly doubled, including a myriad of unpopular bailout packages for the private sector. Perhaps this could act as a reminder to the Conservatives – criticise if you will, but it’s not all about how you deal with the crisis. Sometimes it’s how decisive you seem that really counts. For the first time since taking power, Brown seems in control, informed and practical. Alarm bells are ringing in the Tory camp this autumn – put away your false confidence my friends, at least for the moment. The fight’s not over yet.