Sunday 14th September 2025
Blog Page 2052

Thirst Lodge goes Go-Go

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Popular night club Thirst Lodge has received a new license allowing the performance of pole dancing and lap dancing on the premises.
A motion condemning the lap dancing plans was passed at OUSU Council on Wednesday.

The motion was put forward by Yuan Yang and Lizzie Bauer, who told Cherwell, “When clubs are granted lap dancing licenses, studies in London, Nottingham and Scotland have shown that it comes with an increase in violence, harassment, sexual assault and rape in the surrounding area. Because of this, passersby, especially women, may feel threatened walking past the area at night, and OUSU should fight to ensure that all the students it represents feel safe in Oxford.”

OUSU will now join the Women’s Campaign in urging students to refrain from visiting Thirst Lodge and holding University events at the bar while it is registered as a sex encounter establishment.

Thirst Lodge originally applied for the lap dancing license in January last year, but withdrew the application following local outcry. The second application was approved in December 2009.

The application provoked anger amongst local residents and students, especially members of St. Ebbe’s Church, which is opposite the lodge.
Church manager, Mark Abraham, said: “To have a pub right on our doorstep promoting lap- dancing would only serve to harm the Gospel at St Ebbe’s and Oxford at large.”

Residents were also angered as they felt Greene King, the brewery that owns Thirst Lodge, kept them in the dark about their intentions and did not leave them enough time to protest the decision.

Abraham said, “Once again, Greene King did not tell us of their intentions, leaving us with very little time to object.”

Elaine Beckett, a spokesperson for Greene King, commented, “We believe the operators of Thirst Lodge are experienced and as such will ensure the premises are operated in a professional manner at all times.”

In response to fears about the welfare of students and residents, Oxford City Council said, “The licence has conditions appended to it which, amongst other things, cover public safety. Licensing Officers will monitor the premises as part of our inspection programme and we will of course follow up any matters referred to us by the public.”

Some JCRs have supported OUSU’s opposition of the lap dancing license. St. Hilda’s passed an identical motion in their JCR meeting last Sunday.

St. Hilda’s JCR President Jesse Harber said, “We felt that if the statistics cited in the motion were true, then there was a clear and present danger to the women of Oxford in the granting of this license. Strip clubs use women as objects of sexual gratification, and contribute to a culture where women are regarded as such even outside of ‘sex encounters’ venues.

The danger isn’t that women will be snatched from the streets outside the club – it’s that men will leave the club believing slightly more that women are there for nothing but their own pleasure.”

However, not all students have expressed such concern. One third-year Christ Church student said, “I could not be more thrilled to hear that such refinements are now coming to Thirst Lodge. We have been starved for too long of such fine establishments in Oxford. I know where I’ll be having every one of my nights out.”

During OUSU Council, concerns were raised that it appeared to be a motion passing judgement on women working who may work at the club. Yang assured the meeting that the focus of the campaign was student safety and supporting the residential community around Thirst Lodge.

A third-year St. Hilda’s student said, “Oxford has always been a safe and fun place to go out and I think by introducing something that could be seen as derogatory then it could encourage unacceptable behaviour.”

Thirst Lodge were unavailable for comment.

Interview: Brendan Cole

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A few years ago, who would have thought we’d be able to recognise someone by the moniker ‘the bad boy of ballroom’? But in the last few years, dancing has become part of the national consciousness, with Strictly Come Dancing, Got to Dance and So You Think You Can Dance becoming prime-time Saturday night ratings-winners.

Strictly Come Dancing debuted on BBC One in 2004 and has become one of the most popular formats on British television. 11.3 million viewers tuning in to watch this year’s final when BBC Sport presenter Chris Hollins beat Hollyoaks heartthrob Ricky Whittle.

The bad boy himself, Brendan Cole has been part of the Strictly rollercoaster since the first season, when he gained headlines as well as points from the judging panel. Rumours of an affair with his partner, newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, coupled with a split from his professional partner and fiancée Camilla Dallerup, as well as his penchant for bending the rules of the competition itself turned Cole into a celebrity figure virtually overnight. Linked to a series of glamorous women, he became a regular in the tabloids for his fiery temper and his behaviour on and off-screen.

But now, Cole is settled down and planning his wedding to British model Zoe Hobbs and seems to have cooled off considerably. During our interview, he is charming (natch), unassuming and enthusiastic about his first live UK tour, Brendan Cole – Live and Unjudged. He doesn’t shout at me or walk out (although admittedly, I don’t criticise his dancing). In fact, he thinks his TV persona is something of a cartoon version of himself and is looking forward to showing his audiences the real Brendan.

“On Strictly you don’t get the chance to show your true personality. They portray you how they want to portray you. With the show I’m doing now, I’m talking to the audience as well as dancing. It’s a nice way to say hello, interact and show your true side.”

Celebrity status took Cole somewhat by surprise. How did he cope with his sudden move into the public eye?

“It was unexpected I suppose. Back in the early days you don’t see it coming, but when it did come it was exciting, you know. The only downside is that everything becomes public not personal, if you have a relationship break-up, it’s up for public scrutiny. But that’s the only downside; it’s a lovely thing to be recognised for all the hard work you’ve put in throughout the years.”

And it was a lot of hard work. Cole worked as a builder to support himself through dance training in South London during the early days, “Without all that, it wouldn’t be the same. I know how hard I’ve worked to get here, so it’s almost like a reward for years and years of hard work, and it’s paid off and I can appreciate it a little bit more than if it was handed to me on a platter.”

Of course, in the last few years, ballroom and Latin dancing has gained cult status, thanks to TV series like Strictly. Dance classes have never been more popular and here in Oxford, the Oxford University Dancesport Club is the most popular sporting society in the University, with over 1000 members. But growing up as a boy dancing in 1980s New Zealand can’t have been the easiest start in life for Cole.

“What are you trying to say about dancing, hey? No, growing up, dancing probably wasn’t the most intelligent thing to do, not the best thing to do when you’re a child because you get a lot of stick, but I think it’s the stuff that makes you stronger. The teasing from the other kids was what drove me to become very good at it. If someone tells me not to do something, then I do it.”

And Cole has no doubts that he would introduce his own children to dancing.
“I would definitely introduce them. By dancing, you learn so much more than just the dance skills: you learn people skills, how to interact with others; it teaches you posture, how to stand, confidence – all the things that are useful when you’re growing up. I think it’s a great thing to do. I think it’s important that the kid has the choice, and then they can like it or hate it, whatever.”

Strictly has formed a massive part of Cole’s professional life. For the past six years he has been one of the most memorable faces of the show, always engaged in some controversy or other with a succession of glamorous partners, including models Lisa Snowdon and Kelly Brook. But who would his ideal partner be, if he could choose anyone in the world?

“Kate Hudson. I just watched the movie Nine and she was wicked. Or Kate Beckinsale.” So Mr Cole fancies doing a foxtrot with an Oxford alumnus – ladies, there might still be hope! Even if not all of us have starred in a string of Hollywood hits…

The tour, which Cole is producing and starring in at the moment has been the culmination of months of hard work, but with his usual enthusiasm, possibly bordering on the workaholic, he is revelling in the challenge.

“It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done. It’s been hours and hours and hours of hard work in the months leading up to it. It’s been sitting down with my musical director, sorting out the dresses, casting it in the first place – so much has gone into producing the show and I have done it all. But it came together and it’s by far the best thing ever I’ve done. When you see people walking out with smiles on their faces, absolutely loving it, it all becomes worth it, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

And Cole is loving the fact that he has his own show, no mean feat for a dancer.

“When you’re on Strictly you’re just a small part of a big production. With this, it’s my production, you’re on the road with a tour bus of people who are following you round, looking to you to deliver them a good show. It’s a massive massive thing and really exciting. It’s one of the most exciting feelings standing backstage and hearing them announce: ‘Brendan Cole – Live and Unjudged’ and thinking: oh my God, this is my show.”

As he’s been working so hard, what does he plan to do when the tour finishes this week?

“I haven’t thought about it! Going on holiday, planning my wedding and then doing the tour again in four months! And then Strictly starts again – it’s all very intense! I’m very much enjoying working, but I am looking forward to the holiday now. The last few months have just been all day, every day!”

To book tickets for his summer tour, visit www.brendancole.com/live_and_unjudged.php 

Blind Date: Week 4

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Caroline Povah
Christ Church, Psychology

Her: 2nd year Psychologist promised a ‘night of fun’ by her journo-hack of a roommate. With too many drunken anecdotes to tell, she’s looking for the boy that will laugh with her, not at her…

After several attempts of awkwardly posing to have a photo taken, Charlie and I were left hovering at the bar. His enthusiasm for the half price cocktails lasted two rounds of drinks, until he decided to change to a beer in an attempt to exert his manliness. The conversation was easy throughout, and I particularly enjoyed his expressed love of ‘Pop Star to Opera Star,’ despite weak attempts to claim that this was only procrastination from his work. He was very polite, and always made sure that he wasn’t about to offend me before he launched unprovoked into an opinionated debate. Two hours and three drinks later Charlie bid me a swift goodbye, and I realised I’d had a surprisingly good evening. Turns out these hacks aren’t that bad after all…

Banter: Entertaining
Looks: Easy on the eye
Personality: Likeable
2nd date? Never say never

Charlie Holt
LMH, PPE

Him: Generally confused Union ex-President and finalist seeks an excuse not to do any work on a Sunday night and to fill the hungover void that X-Factor once filled.

While there was, thankfully, no journalist sitting discretely in the corner scribbling notes as I tried my best chat (cringe), the prospect of an intense written-up report was unavoidably present on our minds on arrival. What better way of forgetting this awkward fact and creating an illusion of normality than a trip to a cocktail bar? Even without the social lubrication of alcohol, however, Caroline was a friendly and immediately likeable person who was clearly as apprehensive as I was about the whole thing. We got on well and conversation was natural and easy. I learnt a lot about the wonders of Guildford, psychology and the dark secrets of Christ Church. All in all, surprisingly good fun – and yes, even better than the X Factor.

Banter: We covered a lot
Looks: Comfortably out of my league
Personality: Good fun
2nd date? Doubtful. Despite being fun

 

Honorary degrees revealed

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Dame Eileen Atkins, DBE, is one of several famous figures to be given an honorary degree by Oxford this year. The star of numerous films, including Gosford Park and Cold Mountain, as well as hit TV show Upstairs, Downstairs and the BBC drama Cranford, is set to be given the degree of Doctor of Letters.

Professor Geoffrey Hill, one of the most distinguished poets of his generation, will also receive this honour. They are joined by Lord Sainsbury, a minister under Tony Blair and a major donator to the Labour Party, who receives a Degree of Doctor of Civil Law. Justice Stephen Breyer, an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, will receive the same degree.

In addition to this Professor Sir Ian Kershaw, Lord Weidenfeld and Professor Brigitte will also receive honorary degrees. All such degrees are subject to approval by Congregation and if passed will be awarded at Encaenia, the University’s annual honorary degree ceremony, on Wednesday 23 June 2010.

Students campaign to save Sikh Temple

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An online petition has been launched to save Oxford’s only Sikh temple. As Cherwell reported last week, the temple has been told to close due to irregularities with planning permission and the fact that the building was not designated as a place of worship. However, there was opposition to this decision due to the fact that it would leave Sikhs in Oxford with no place to worship.

The petition, started by Oxford University Sikh Society, states “we kindly request Oxford’s Council allow 69 Cherwell Drive to be run as a Sikh place of worship.” Sikh Society aim to present the petition to Oxford City Council as part of their efforts to prevent the closure of the Gurdwara. 

To view the full petition see: http://www.gopetition.co.uk/online/33821.html

Oxford failing minorities

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Oxford is still lagging behind other UK universities in the recruitment of students from ethnic minority backgrounds.

A Race for Opportunity report from 2007-8 shows that 16% of students from the UK studying for degrees were from a black, Asian or ethnic minority background. This is higher than the proportion of people from ethnic minority backgrounds in the general 18-24-year-old population, which is 14.2%.

At Russell Group universities overall, the proportion of students from an ethnic minority background was only 14.1%. However, at Oxford, the percentage of students from an ethnic minority background is only 11.1%. At Cambridge the percentage is even lower, at 10.5%.

Urgent new motion for Student Union passed

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OUSU Council voted on Wednesday to pass Stefan Baskerville’s proposals for reforms to the OUSU funding structure which will end college affiliation fees. In a motion to support the paper “Urgent Challenges for OUSU and the University,” the student body also chose to back the OUSU president’s plans to incorporate the Student Union and include every student as a member.

The motion received strong opposition from Rob Shearer, president of disaffiliated Linacre College MCR, whose main complaint was OUSU’s lack of consultation with students, and who asked the passing of the motion be delayed until more consultation had been held. He pointed out that only one student had attended OUSU’s consultation meeting held just 36 hours after the plans were announced. “I know that because it was me,” he added.

Shearer further argued that the reforms were missing the point. “The underlying problem is that the budget keeps going up.” Dan Lowe of St Edmund Hall, one of numerous members who spoke out in favour of the motion, argued that this was misguided: “funding is the problem.”

OUSU’s funding structure is clearly unreliable and insufficient; as the report itself notes, even a massive cut in spending on services and firing several sabattical officers would not help OUSU back out of its current deficit.

The Council gave the motion overwhelming support. In opposing the reforms, Shearer represented a small but very vocal minority present at the meeting.
OUSU will now take the funding model to the University Joint Committee. There are no guarantees the proposals will ever be put into place; a similar model to this was rejected by the University authorities in 2007 and OUSU will be asking Oxford for a considerable amount of money. Baskerville admitted “I imagine the University will have some conditions” on the block grant, and suggested these may include evidence that OUSU continues to seek to save money.

However, it is hoped that the stronger student support this time will put more pressure on the University not to reject the model. Furthermore, by making these proposals in Hilary term rather than, as with previous attempts at OUSU reform, in Trinity term, the University will hopefully be more willing to listen, having not yet finalised its budget allocations for the year ahead.

Baskerville emphasised the importance and urgency of the reforms. “The way we are currently funded mismatches what we do… This is in the best interests of students, the best interests of common rooms and definitely the best interests of central student representation.”

Yet it seems Baskerville is already facing problems with his plans. He announcemed during Council that it was very unlikely that OUSU would be moving to new premises, despite seeking new premises being part of the Urgent Challenges paper. Baskerville said the University was “not willing to put up the funding.” However, Baskerville assured Council that, after passing the Urgent Challenges motion, OUSU would continue to put pressure on the University to consider funding a change in premises. The current offices at Thomas Hull House are both expensive and have no wheelchair access.

Jonny Medland, Access and Academic Affairs for OUSU, sees the success of the proposals as an opportunity for OUSU to stop endless debating over funding and budget deficits and focus on working for students. “We’ve been talking about this for years,” he said. “We’ve got more important things to talk about.”

Going Up, Going Down

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Going up:

Apple
The world number four became Britain’s first finalist in the Australian open since David Lloyd in 1977. Of course he didn’t win…but we were hopeful.

Andy Murray
The world number four became Britain’s first finalist in the Australian open since David Lloyd in 1977. Of course he didn’t win…but we were hopeful.

 

British Bubbly
The Classic Cuvée champagne made in Sussex became the Champion of Worldwide Sparkling Wines, beating well-known French giants such as Bollinger and Louis Roederer. At least one Brit became a champion this week…

Secret Oxford
Yes, Saatchi and Saatchi Facebook groups are getting annoying, but at least this one is useful. Discover hidden coffees, walks and everything else you never knew you didn’t know about Oxford.

Going down:

Beards
If you have seen Brad Pitt’s latest facial offering then you’ll know what we mean… No excuses about keeping warm blah blah, no girl likes stubble rash.

 

Pyjamas
Tesco has banned people from shopping in their pyjamas after complaints that under-dressed patrons were making other customers feel uncomfortable. Every little (bit of clothing) helps.

Politeness
Apparently politeness ‘costs us £3,000 a year’. Britons are missing out on possible savings of £74bn a year because they would rather lose money than complain, according to research. Screw scrooge, it pays to be a grinch…

Dictionaries
A Southern California school board has pulled the Merriam-Webster dictionary off its shelves after a parent complained about the entry “oral sex”. If that’s how the kids are getting their kicks these days, what’s the world come to? 

Doxbridge over troubled water

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Controversy has arisen in Magdalen College this week following a motion passed at their General Meeting last Sunday awarding £40 to every student going on ‘Doxbridge’, the sporting tour of Dublin involving Oxford, Cambridge and Durham colleges, at a combined cost of £960.

Proposals are to be made at a JCR Committee meeting next week to alter the college’s constitution and allow motions which have been passed at General Meetings to be reconsidered in subsequent weeks.

This proposal has been seen by many as the result of the ‘Doxbridge’ motion, which passed by only four votes.

Over 80 signatures on a petition calling for this to be overturned have since been collected. Under the proposed rule change this will be enough for the result of the vote on the motion to be suspended and considered at a later date.

However, the petition has caused anger amongst many Magdalen students, some of whom are even threatening to resign from the JCR if the motion is overturned.

Matthew Chan, ex-JCR Vice-President of Magdalen, who organised the petition and opposed the original motion, received an abusive email signed by “The Doxbridge Massive”.

Students from Magdalen’s football and netball teams plan to travel on the ‘Doxbridge’ tour, which costs £219 per person and takes place over the Easter vacation. It markets itself as a ‘Sportsparty’ and concerns have been raised over whether the JCR’s money would in fact be spent on sport at all.

The motion passed by the extremely narrow margin of 33 votes to 29. Many complained that the meeting was ‘mobbed’ by those going on Doxbridge and their friends, who left as soon as the motion had passed.

Beth Goodwin and Hannah Thompson, who put forward the motion, argued that the funding would encourage participation in sport and “help with team bonding”. They had already approached the college for funding and been turned down.

Chan said, “This whole motion is a peculiarly macabre joke and deserves to be treated like one. I am kind of baffled that it passed at all, and will be doing everything I can to make sure that it doesn’t second time around, including indulging in a spot of the old constitutional pernicketitude.”

He argues that the email notifying members of the time and agenda of the General Meeting was not sent out until a few hours before it was due to take place, twenty-two hours and fifty-five minutes after the deadline specified in the JCR constitution.

He told Cherwell, “This motion represents a gross abuse of the circumstance that if you get enough people with a vested interest (in this case, £40 each) to come and vote for you at a GM, you can push through measures that privilege the few at the direct expense of the many.

“Some of the people going are not by any stretch of the imagination regulars on the respective teams. There is no way that the JCR should be paying for this, regardless of whether it can or not. And it probably can’t; not without damaging our spending on more worthwhile things.”

Chan’s actions have proven extremely divisive in Magdalen. Arnold Reigns, a 3rd Year English student, said “I support what Chan’s doing; rules should not be so strictly enforced or they become fundamentalist. ”

On the other hand, George Dix, a 4th Year Maths student said, “I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my life, including drunkenly pulling my dad, but none of them as stupid as what Chan is doing now.”

JCR President Tom Meakin told Cherwell, “In Fifth Week the JCR Committee will present a motion to amend the Constitution so as to allow motions to be re-heard if a proportion of the JCR wishes. This ‘cooling-off’ period will ensure that controversial decisions – be they costly, technical or otherwise – are taken only after wide consultation and are thus representative of the majority.

“It’s important to point out that whilst the Doxbridge motion was contentious, this move is sensible regardless. Whilst it might slow some areas of decision-making down, any increase in participation is a good thing.”

Equal fees for asylum seekers

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Oxford students are supporting a national campaign to grant asylum seekers lower University fees. The students intend to lobby the University to allow asylum seekers to pay home fee rates for their tuition.

Asylum seekers and some refugees are currently classed as overseas students and must pay fees of up to £20,000 per year.  Moreover, asylum seekers are unable to take out student loans, cannot apply for grants and most bursaries, and are not permitted to work.

A motion was passed at OUSU Council pledging its support. It argues “the current funding system, both nationally and within Oxford University, is unfairly punitive towards asylum seekers.”

It was proposed by Michael Walker, a representative of the Oxford branch of Student Action for Refugees (STAR), the group leading the campaign.
Speaking to Cherwell, Walker commented, “Considering Oxford’s current public effort to widen access to the University, we hope it will recognise the importance of the ‘equal access campaign’ in working to achieve this end.”

Jonny Medland, OUSU VP Access and Academic Affairs, commented, “Getting into Oxford is hard enough for students from privileged backgrounds – any asylum seeker who has got an Oxford offer should be given all the support that they need to make sure that they can come here.”

Manchester, London  Metropolitan, Liverpool, Manchester  Metropolitan, Middlesex and Edge Hill Universities have all reduced the fees they charge asylum seekers to the level of home students, and Walker hopes Oxford can soon be added to that list.

“STAR’s campaign in Oxford is part of a national movement that has already achieved success around the UK, including at Manchester University, where fees for undergraduates seeking asylum have been lowered to the ‘home rate’. We strongly believe that Oxford has a responsibility to add its weight to a campaign to persuade the government to change its punitive funding policy.

“Furthermore, until government policy has changed, we urge Oxford to follow the lead of other universities in offering those seeking asylum an education at home fee rates, thus helping to reduce the injustice caused by a funding regime that effectively excludes those seeking asylum from higher education. STAR looks forward to working with the University to achieve a positive outcome on this issue.”

Wadham and Somerville JCRs had declared their support for Walker’s motion. However, in an online survey at St Edmund Hall, the overwhelming majority voted against the motion. Students expressed concern that the University funding is limited and this may eat into it. However, Walker pointed out that the number of students this would realistically affect would be minor, and that this was more “a matter of principle.”

As well as campaigning on this issue, Oxford STAR is involved with other projects. According to Ellie Bates, a member of the group, the Oxford branch “has been established for many years and the current membership are really active with 50 people attending events.” 

The University had offered no comment on the issue at the time of going to press.