A St John’s College bop was closed down on Saturday owing to the presence of a number of non-St John’s students and damage to ceiling panels outside the room in which the event was being held. 

According to various sources, the bop was shut down at half past midnight after the damage was reported. Normally run from 10pm until 1am, college porters are said to have entered the bop, switched on the lights and asked everyone to leave.

The damage has been described as affecting the wooden ceiling panels just outside the room but there are potentially serious ramifications due to the relatively new state of the bop venue. Since the opening of Kendrew Quadrangle in October 2010, St John’s JCR has been able to hold bops in a room built specifically for JCR use.

According to one third year student, “Its official name is the ‘Events Room’ and it is used for some other stuff, but it’s basically purpose built for bops.” The student also claimed that it is a substantial improvementon the previous location of college bops which, “used to be in a grotty basement.”

In tune with recent James Bondmania following the release of the latest film in the series, Skyfall, the theme of the bop was ‘The Spy Who Bopped Me – James Bond(age)’ with many students arriving in black tie in full James Bond style.

For two members of the JCR committee, Jessica Edge and Emily Fradd, the closing down of the bop had a substantially detrimental effect upon one of the few moments of relaxation that Oxford students have access to, due to the college’s actions interrupting their DJ set. “We were inconsolable following the cancellation of the bop, halfway throughour first ever set. As we understand it the reason for this disturbance was that our tunes were so bangin’ that it brought the roof down. Literally.”

There was a further concern by the JCR reps that there was a potentially more malicious reason for the bop’s closure than ceiling damage alone.“As the only female DJs of term we would hope that there is no truth in the rumours that there was an underlying sexist agenda at play.”

Andrew Kennedy, who also attended the bop, jokingly added, “St. John’s College Senior Dean Dr. William White is reported to have been seen racing along St. Giles’ on Saturday evening shouting: ‘Women DJing? WOMEN DJING!? No, no, no, no- not on your watch, Willy, not on your watch.’” However no other witnesses or evidence have come to light that can corroborate this claim.

Due to the outcome of this bop, one St. John’s second year has claimed that the future of college bops is at risk as the question of “whether our next bop will happen is up in the air.”

Last Friday evening between 150 and 200 students and lecturers protested against David Willetts, the Minister of State for Science and Education, and his role in the recent education reforms, particularly university cuts and the increase in higher education fees.

The protest began at 4.30pm and took place outside St Peter’s College, where Willetts had been invited to take part in a symposium along with Andrew Marr, Polly Toynbee and Gus O’Donnell on the subject of how language shapes political debate.

The protest lasted for approximately two and a half hours and David Willetts’ talk had to be stopped after ten minutes due to noise. Protesters from Oxford University, Oxford Brookes, Ruskin College and local schools held banners and chanted slogans that included, “No ifs, no buts, no education cuts” and, “Education for the masses, not just for the ruling classes.”

Protester Robin Handford from Ruskin College told Cherwell, “I’m here because I have a fundamental belief that education is a human right and the government is attacking that right.’

The protest also questioned why Willetts had been invited to speak at Oxford, despite the University’s vote of no confidence against the reforms last June. Arianna Tassinari, from St Anthony’s said, “I’m here to reinstate the view of no confidence because the reforms are elitist, incoherent and unsustainable.”

Former student Shaun Williams said, “It’s scandalous they’ve got away with what they have done. The issue has got to be kept in the public eye.”

One second year, who wished to remain anonymous, was more sceptical and commented, “I don’t think that it is terribly constructive to stand shouting ‘Scum’ to a prominent politician. If they want to make a point, they should do so more maturely.”

The University Press Office declined to comment. David Willett’s office told Cherwell, “We always respect students’ right to protest.”

Trenton Oldfield, the protester who disrupted the Oxford and Cambridge Boat race last year, has dropped his appeal to reduce his six month prison sentence.

The 36-year-old, who is from Australia but currently living in East London, sabotaged the race in April by swimming into the paths of rowers, causing it to be halted and restarted. The race, which was watched by millions on television, was won by Cambridge after being restarted.

In October, Oldfield was sentenced to six months imprisonment for causing a public nuisance, and ordered to pay £750 in costs. Judge Anne Molyneux said that he had acted dangerously, disproportionately, displayed prejudice and showed no regret for his actions, and that he had ruined the race for everyone. Although he was due to challenge his sentence in court this week, a Judicial Office spokeswoman has since confirmed that Oldfield has withdrawn his application.

Oldfield said he was protesting against elitism and government cuts, and saw the race as symbolic of issues around class. His supporters compare him to the Pussy Riot demonstrators in Russia and say that he has been treated unfairly. On the day of his court hearing his wife said that his protest was ‘a reaction to an increasingly brutal business, media and political elite.’

Although four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent said that Oldfield could have been seriously injured, Oldfield suggested that as an Australian, he was used to dodging surfboards, rocks and boats, and so was not at risk.

Oldfield claims that government ministers lobbied the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to ensure that the original charge was altered to increase the likelihood that he would be sent to prison.

Alastair Billing, a student at Oxford Brookes, said Oldfield shouldn’t have to go to jail ‘I mean what he did was moronic but it wasn’t exactly illegal.’

Ryan Flanagan, a third year Balliol student commented, ‘Appealing in the first place shows how arrogant he is, dropping the appeal makes him even more arrogant.’

St. Annes ‘Carnival’ themed ball, set to take place this February, has been postponed due to ticket sale problems.

After a week of impassioned debate about the ball’s viability, St. Anne’s JCR Committee and Ball Committee released a joint statement that the ball would be postponed for a year. St. Anne’s ball is triennial, so finalists were particularly dismayed to hear that they would miss out on having a ball in college.

On Saturday of 5th Week, the 10th November, the JCR Committee decided by 12 votes to 3 to withdraw financial support for the ball. The JCR committee had voted the day before, but repeated the meeting due to a lack of Ball Committee representation and the absence of minutes for the first meeting. The announcement of the decision at a JCR meeting resulted in a call for a referendum to be held on Thursday of 6th week, calling for the JCR to again underwrite the ball. The referendum was withdrawn on Tuesday.

Concerns about the financial viability of the ball first arose in 3rd week of Michaelmas. A statement from the JCR Committee listed reasons for the decision including, “Tickets had not been put on sale, increasing the risk of having to underwrite the ball … A number of missed opportunities to combine active marketing with ticket sales … A lack of significant contact with St. Anne’s MCR.” The statement draws attention to the fact that tickets could not be sold at Freshers’ Fair or the ball launch, explaining, “This was due to the fact that an entertainment license for both guests and music was received only last Wednesday.”

The financial risk of underselling was highlighted by the statement, “Underselling by 100 tickets would require the JCR to underwrite £8,500 in payments; equivalent to its budget for this year.” The cost of postponing the ball was predicted to be £700.

Helen Robb, a finalist at St. Anne’s, said, “Our JCR budget is notoriously tight, and if there was a potential cost to the JCR which could have damaged budgets for welfare, charities, events, or any of the other JCR provisions, then it’s right that the ball was postponed. I think there was a divide over whether or not the JCR should have backed the ball, with some third year finalists annoyed not to be having a college ball during their time here.”

Though there was noticeably more outcry amongst finalists, there were mixed opinions within year groups as well. Cai Wilshaw observed that “Our JCR meeting last Sunday descended into essentially what was a shouting match between the 2nd and 3rd years. Most freshers at the meeting had no opinion either for or against the ball being deferred. I had a few heated discussions with others in my year about the issue, and there were quite a few outspoken first years who wanted the ball to remain this year. However, in general I felt there was a prevailing desire for sensible discussion on the issue and on the ball’s viability this year.”

JCR Secretary Xin Fan announced on Tuesday that the referendum on financially supporting the ball had been withdrawn. “As well as the proposer’s retraction, it is recognised that without the full support of the Ball Committee, the ball would be unable to proceed should the referendum pass. As voting for the referendum would be on faith that it could proceed, all parties considered it unwise to present the JCR with an undeliverable option.”

Ball President Libby Derbyshire also issued a statement. “We are disappointed to have to cancel the ball, but given the damage of the last week’s events, vital elements are under threat and we believe it is no longer the event it once was. At this stage we are in agreement with the JCR Committee and wholly support the 2014 ball.”

The decision to withdraw the referendum left some students feeling that the wider JCR had not been consulted on the issue. The motion for the referendum received 46 votes in favour and 15 votes against. Helen Robb said, “I think a lot of people were angry because they felt side-lined, and they probably would have agreed with the argument put forward by the JCR if they were given the opportunity to vote; but I think it could have descended into a lot of anger and crowded out some of the reasoning. Either way, by the point that a referendum was called it was too late to return to plans of a 2013 ball.” Ball President Libby Derbyshire agreed that the referendum had potential to be, “more divisive than decisive.”

One 2nd year who attended the meeting said, “With everything in place and some amazing entertainment, food and drink lined up, all the Ball needed was the JCR’s seal of approval and their commitment to financially underwriting it. The decision to postpone the ball is very conservative, especially considering the majority of those present at the meeting were strongly in favour of a ball this year.”

Another 2nd year added, “The ball arrangements sounded amazing, I think the JCR Committee were just too scared to back it.”

Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnessesfollowing a stabbing on Iffley Road thattook place on Tuesday.

A 31 year old man was treated for an injury to his neck sustained in a fight at the funeral of 76 year old Winnie Joyce, co-founder of Redbridge Hollow travellers’ site near Kennington. The service was held at near by Greyfriars Church.

A witness told Cherwell that around 20 police quickly arrived on the scene in an area renowned for its high proportion of student accommodation. Although the wound was later described as “superficial” by the police itis understood that hospital treatment was required. As a precaution the road was temporarily closed to traffic whilst police officers took control of the scene, the witness claimed.

The funeral had attracted large crowds o fpeople. The mourners had congregated nearby the church when, according to the police report,at around 11.20am a fight broke out between a number of young men, one of whom received superficial injuries to the back of his neck. The alleged stabbing was the climax of a much larger conflict.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman confirmed that no arrests were made and it is understood the man involved failed to press charges.

The police rapidly established a heavy presenceon Iffley Road with, according to Cherwell’s witness, multiple officers, three cars, a riot van and a helicopter arriving at the scene to restore order. The injured man was taken to the John Radcliffe hospital.

Deputy Inspector John Turner, who was appointed by Thames Valley Police to lead the investigation, said, “We believe that this was an incident between men who knew each other.” Reports are unconfirmed that those involved were members of the travelling community.

The fight was witnessed by many of the students who were living across the street in college owned accommodation. Noah Evans-Harding, a second year Medic at Corpus, witnessed the results of the fight from the window of his room. He commented, “There was quite a big crowd down the road by the church. I’m not sure quite what happened but there was abig commotion and the next thing I knew the place was swarming with police. A guy walked past with a deep 5cm long slash on the back of his neck. The whole his back was covered inblood and he was swearing a lot.”

He added, “I was confused but not shocked,you expect this kind of thing in Iffley.”

Deputy Inspector Turner hastened to stressthat there was no danger posed by the incident to the local community, stating, “We do not believe that there is any threat to the wider community and officers have been working to calm tensions since the incident happened.”

However the area’s students seem not to have been intimidated by the event. Ben Houghton, a fourth year Mathematician from Exeter, commented “I was stopped at the bottom of Bullingdon Road by a policeman who said there was an incident up on the left. All I could see was sort of superficial fighting, but I guess it could have been dangerous to go past.”

Ellie Berryman, a second year Lawyer, echoed these views, commenting, “It doesn’t really worry me, it wasn’t related to us” before adding, “It probably would’ve happened anyway.” Fourth year Physicist Alex Lawson also commented, “I’m not expecting it to ever happen again so I’m not really worried.”

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt. Rev. John Pritchard has publicly welcomed the appointment of the Rt. Rev. Justin Welby, a former student of his and currently Bishop of Durham, to the Archbishopric of Canterbury.

Bishop Justin himself described the news as “exciting and astonishing”. He joked, “my initial reaction was ‘oh no’.”

Bishop John commented, “The Bishop of Durham is an excellent choice as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. I have known him since he was a student at theological college and it was obvious then that he had qualities of mind and heart that would fit him for higher office.

“His experience in the city, in reconciliation in Africa, and in demanding roles in Coventry, Liverpool and Durham make him very well equipped for this new role. At the same time, this is a massive responsibility and Bishop Justin can be assured of our prayers and practical support as he makes the momentous journey south.”

Bishop Justin worked for eleven years as an oil executive. In 1987, in his mid-thirties, he began a degree in theology at Cranmer Hall in Durham, where Bishop John was then employed as warden.

The news has been welcomed by others in Oxford. The Revd. Dr. Simon Jones, chaplain of Merton College, said, “Bishop Justin will bring a wealth of valuable experience, both inside and outside the Church, to his new ministry.

“His own spirituality seems to have been formed by a number of Christian traditions. This makes him well placed to be a focus for unity within the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion.

“He will be Visitor of Merton, as well as several other Colleges, and we very much hope that he will be part of our 750th anniversary celebrations in 2014.”

Bishop Justin has worked extensively in the field in both the Middle East and Africa, especially Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. In the Niger Delta he has worked on reconciliation between armed groups.

In Baghdad he reopened St. George’s, the only Anglican church in Iraq, shortly after the end of the allied invasion. He has lectured at the US state department, on the basis of his expertise in the politics and history of Nigeria and Kenya.

A French court sentenced Thierry Tilly, 48, to eight years in jail today, on charges of false imprisonment and abusing the weakness of psychologically vulnerable persons. He relieved 11 members of the aristocratic de Védrines family of £3.6 million, as well as property including a chateau near Bordeaux, over the course of a decade, in what the Judge described as a “Machiavellian Plot.” 

Tilly convinced the family that their lives were in danger as part of a scheme involving the Hapsburg dynasty and freemasons, and hid them in Oxford.

Tilly, with the aid of another man, Jacques Gonzalez, told the de Védrines that he was a NATO spy working for the true king of France and the international secret society called ‘The Balance of The World,’ fighting against  paedophiles and the masonic order. In return for protection against the conspiracy, he convinced the family to give him jewellery, property and cash over a ten year period. Their resulting seclusion from society in their ancestral Chateau led to the French press naming the de Védrines “the recluses of Monflanquin.”

When the property was seized by the French government due to unpaid taxes, Tilly moved the family into hiding in several homes across Oxford. Five properties were rented from Oxford Landlord Andrew Scully, and the family stayed in a house on near Cowley Road. Scully also alleges that he has been “well and truly conned” out of a quarter of a million pounds in damages, rent and court fees. The family lived and worked in Oxford for several years.

Throughout this period, their money was gradually transferred to a Canadian charity run by Gonzalez called ‘The Blue Light Foundation.’ Mr. Gonzalez has also been imprisoned for 4 years for deception and complicity. 

When sentencing, Judge Marie-Elisabeth Bancal said that Tilly had used the “creation of group paranoia” and the “exploitation of family weaknesses” to exploit the de Védrines. He became “a constant presence by their side, physically and then by telephone or email.” Daniel Picotin, the family’s British lawyer, said of Tilly that “he is to mental manipulation what Leonardo da Vinci is to painting.”

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said that they were not involved in the court proceedings, and declined to comment on the case.

The UK’s leading academics, associated with the Institute of Economic Affairs, have called for a ‘U-turn’ in financial regulations, arguing for”‘simpler and more stable legal frameworks”. Experts said that the current regulations are ‘too complex, as well as being dangerous and unnecessary.’

Alan Morrison, Professor of Finance at Saïd Business School and one of the authors of the article, explained in an email to Cherwell: “Capital regulation is staggeringly complex. Its principles are laid out in a series of accords published by the Basel Committee.

“Their first capital accord was communicated in a 26 page document; the later Basel II document ran to 347 pages, and subsequent documentation has added a further 166 pages.

[That’s 539 pages] that are hard to understand, and [have possibly become] a focus for lobbying and regulatory arbitrage.”

The article further argues that increased regulation is not the key to a sustainable financial market. One alternative solution proposed by Morrison is increasing the level of equity held by banks.

He said, “Banker arguments that this would undermine industry are unconvincing to me, and smack of special pleading,’ he said in his email, emphasizing that the key is to make the requirements ‘easy to understand and hard to work around.’’

Additionally, Morrison argues that the tax break on borrowing that corporations receive should be abolished to make debt less attractive, and finally, he suggests, in line with the proposal conveyed in the Vickers Report, that separation of commercial and other forms of banking would be a step towards improvement.

“Interestingly, one of the proposals involved abolishing the deposit insurance, which is an often failing system developed to protect bank customers. This safety net inadequate because it encourages bankers to take more risks than socially desirable, but fixing this does not necessarily mean that people who keep their money at the bank would have to live with the threat of losing everything.’

“I think, although some of the other people signing the article to which you refer may disagree, that such an outcome would probably undermine the banking sector and that it would be arguably uncivilised and cruel. High and simple capital requirements would be one way to address that problem; another would be heightened liability for bank shareholders.”

Details of the argument can be found in IEA’s journal of Economic Affairs: “Financial regulation: the need for a revolution.”

The first sixth form college to be established under education secretary Michael Gove’s free school initiative opened to 200 students this autumn.

The London Academy of Excellence in Stratford, Newham, aims to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds in earning places at Russell Group universities, including an increased uptake at Oxbridge. It is supported by eight of the country’s leading independent schools. Demand for places at the Academy was high, with over 500 applications for 150 places, a number later increased to admit 200 students.

The admissions process involves interviews, verbal reasoning tests and the submission of personal statements. Successful applicants are taught from a selection of 12 ‘academic’ A-level subjects, chosen from the Russell Group guide to preferred subjects, ‘Informed Choices.’ Speaking to the Sunday Times, Richard Cairns, headmaster of Brighton College, said, “The aim is to have more pupils at Oxbridge than 75% of independent schools”.

However Robert Wilne, headmaster of the London Academy of Excellence, stressed that this aim is one amongst many, telling Cherwell that “We are focusing on Russell Group universities, of which of course Oxford and Cambridge are two, but they are only two of the 24.”  He added that the media focus on the school’s Oxbridge aims mirrored a problem he hoped his Academy could correct, saying that in some communities “it’s either Oxford or a former polytechnic. They don’t recognise there is a spectrum.”  

David Messling, OUSU officer for Access and Academic Affairs, commended the Academy’s aims, telling Cherwell, “School support is critical for students with potential and ability to see that they have what it take to apply to Oxford.”

Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, who is on the governing body of the Academy, added, “The LAE model will work because it engages a number of schools who are able to play to their strengths, enabling young people to be with like minded peers”.

The free school initiative is not without controversy, with many fearing they will prove detrimental to existing local schools. Oxford City councillor Sam Hollick said, “It tends to set schools in competition with each other, so it serves the students who are already doing well but the majority tend to see standards fall.”

Exeter student Owen Donovan agreed, saying, “Though this will be a brilliant opportunity for the children involved, I’d rather we invested more across education.”  Wilne, however, stressed that the impact of the Academy would not be limited to its students, but, through an ‘outreach’ programme, would be extended to existing local schools. Sixth formers will perform community service, whilst the Academy is currently recruiting for a “Director of Educational Aspiration” in hopes of ensuring a broad impact.

The ‘Save Kensal Rise Library Campaign’ has suffered a further setback, following a recent meeting with All Souls in which it was announced that the College is selling the library to a property developer to be turned into flats.

Campaigners who call themselves ‘The Friends of Kensal Rise Library’ held a rally on Saturday outside All Souls in the hope that Fellows would use it as an opportunity “to discuss a more meaningful future for Kensal Rise Library.”

Margaret Bailey, a Director of the campaign, said, “We invited the Warden and Bursar to come to speak to us on that occasion. They de- clined, but we have been invited to a further meeting on 20th November 2012. We have asked to meet with the College on other occasions and have been referred to Cluttons their property agents.”

They have also written an open letter to the College which expresses that they feel “misled” by the college. The letter, which has been sent to the Warden and all of the Fellows of All Souls individually, describes the college’s move as a “breach of faith.” In the letter Bailey said, “We represent a larger community that sees the Col- lege’s current proposal as nothing short of a breach of faith with this relatively poor area of north-west London, from which it has already profited handsomely.”

She continued, “Although the College do- nated the land, the library building from which the College and Mr Gillick now seek to profit was not paid for by the College, but by public subscription and a donation from Andrew Car- negie, the philanthropist.”

In a press release, campaigners asserted, “The Friends of Kensal Rise Library were shocked at a recent meeting with the College’s Bursar, Mr Thomas Seaman, to be told that the College was selling the library to a property developer to be turned into flats.

“On the 3rd August 2012 Mr Seaman, Bursar of All Souls, claimed that “this building will not be turned into flats. In reality the entirety of the old library is to be converted for residential use, with only a small part of the new building re- maining available for rent by the library.”

Campaigner Laura Collingon told Cherwell, “We are very disappointed by the way that All Souls’ have behaved so far. They assured us that the building would not be turned into flats but they are now saying that this will happen.

“However, they have said that we have persuaded them that there should be a library on the site. I don’t think this will be possible if we are shut out of our historic library building and forced into a tiny space where we have to pay a market rent to an unsympathetic property de- veloper, which is what is currently suggested by All Souls.”

She continued, “This is not a sustainable future for the library. It would be shocking if an educational institution like All Souls persisted in putting profit before learning.”

Bailey remains hopeful about the future, telling Cherwell, “We have a meeting with the college on 20th November and we hope the discussion will be productive.”

The library, opened in 1900 by Mark Twain, has been a source of tension between All Souls and the community in Kensal Rise. The cam- paign has been supported by numerous literary figures, including Alan Bennett, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith, Jacqueline Wilson and Maggie Gee, as well as the Royal Society of Literature.