A row has erupted at Trinity over whether or not students should have to say grace at meal times. Over the past few weeks a number of scholars and exhibitioners have refused to recite the meal-time prayer when asked to do so at dinners in hall. One student explained why some undergraduates had begun to rebel against the practice. He said, “They oppose [the fact] that academic achievement is being seen as having a religious connotation and resent being obliged to participate.”A response by the Chaplain, demanding that the prize-winners deliver the recitation, has opened up a rift between the students and the College’s Governing Body. In an email sent on 7 February, the Revd Emma Percy wrote, “The personal beliefs of the individual are incidental; the role requires them to speak the words that the college community wish to be said on their behalf.”The Chaplain also argued that reciting the prayer was not a religious ritual but a tradition that current scholars and exhibitioners were obliged to take part in. She said, “There seems to be some confusion about the difference between personal and public prayer, the individual and the role. The scholar/exhibitioner is asked to recite the grace, it is a personal matter whether they also pray it,” she added.Some students took offence to the tone of the message. One undergraduate, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Her argument was perfectly sound but the tone was pretty awful and some people weren’t happy about that.”In an anonymous email to Cherwell, another student described it as “an arrogant letter to all students (most of whom are not practicing [sic] Christians) that tolerates no objections.”Following the email from the Chaplain a motion was brought to the JCR by Jonny Wright, a fourth year student. The motion stated that, “despite the Chaplain’s argument, the obligation to say the words of the grace amounts to forced participation in a religious ceremony.”It also noted that, “A scholarship or exhibition is an award for academic achievement, and should not involve any religious obligation.”At the JCR meeting last Monday a motion was passed by 27 votes to 17 to write to the Governing Body requesting a change in College rules, removing the obligation for scholars and exhibitioners to recite grace. The decision was taken to the Governing Body on Wednesday, after the meeting.JCR President Richard Williams said, “The Principal and Fellows were not overly impressed,” and that they laid out a number of objections.“They did not agree that saying grace can be defined as a ‘forced participation in a religious ceremony’…nor [did they agree that] the grace [is] necessarily best understood as a purely religious ritual.“The Governing Body also reminded students that, ‘the exhibition is essentially a gift, a reward for achievement rather than a right we automatically have claim to; moreover these are funded by sources which hold College tradition dear.’ Most of all, the President and Chaplain were concerned for the hall staff.” The Governing Body handed the issue back to the JCR and Williams suggested that a solution will be reached whereby students who do not wish to say grace will not be obliged to.Peter Hughes, President of the Oxford Secular Society, argued that grace should always be considered a religious practice, and therefore students should not be under obligation to perform it. He said, “It seems ludicrous that anyone should be forced to engage in religious practices, and it must be embarrassing for Christians for it to be dismissed as mere tradition.”To become a scholar or exhibitioner students are required to take a vow to observe the College’s rules, including the obligation to say grace in the dining hall if asked. Williams said, “Over the next week or so I’m going to be talking to all the scholars and exhibitioners to devise a system where grace will be distributed in such a way that no one who is determinedly opposed to it will have to say it.” He added, “The University and colleges claim to be inclusive and equally open to people of all faiths and none. Exclusionary practices like this serve as uncomfortable reminders that we still have a way to go.”A statement from Trinity College President Sir Ivor Roberts said, “The JCR is currently considering the best way to maintain the tradition of Scholars and exhibitioners saying the College grace before Formal Hall.”

by Paul Rainford (Blues' Football Captain) It’s been a relatively quiet couple of weeks for the Blues football squad since our title clinching victory over Worcester University. With no competitive fixtures to focus on, the emphasis has been on fitness training and putting together preliminary plans for the Centaurs Varsity match and the Colleges XI Varsity match that will both take place on Saturday 1st March in Cambridge. The success of the Blues this season has been sustained and nourished by the flourishing of our support base in the Centaurs squad, and those who perform with distinction on March 1st may very well force their way into the final sixteen that will be selected for the Blues Varsity match at Craven Cottage later on in March. Last year’s Centaurs Varsity was one of the most competitive and exciting matches that I have ever had the pleasure to witness. The Centaurs had taken an early lead, only to be pegged back late on in the second half by a wonderful goal ironically enough scored by the brother of this year’s Centaurs captain. Cambridge had then gone in front in the first period of extra time and looked to be heading towards victory before Tom Wherry, now playing at right back for the blues, scored with a header from a corner deep into injury time. Both sides scored 12 consecutive penalties before one of the unfortunate, and most probably unwilling, Cambridge players put his effort wide of the post and handed victory to Oxford. We are certainly hoping for a repeat of an Oxford victory this year, but perhaps one achieved in slightly more comfortable circumstances. The Centaurs team that will play in the fixture will certainly be very strong and well prepared, with many individuals having represented the Blues at some point during the season. This year we have called upon more players and managed a much larger squad than has ever been the case in the past. This has helped to provide an extra level of competitiveness, and has ensured that we have been able to make as informed decisions as possible regarding the personnel at our disposal. With regards to the Colleges XI, Varsity match coach David Robinson (OUAFC club President) will be selecting the squad and would like to invite nominations from all college players for any teammates and/or opponents that you feel would be deserving of a place in the representative team. Please email [email protected] with any recommendations you may have, stating their position and college, and including any comments you believe would be helpful. The next Blues fixture will be played in the first round of the BUSA national knockout competition next Wednesday against Team Bath. This fixture should certainly provide us with a stern test and it will be interesting to gauge the standard of our technical play against one of the more prestigious members of the BUSA football community.

Oxford’s Women’s 2nd XI took centre stage on Monday as they thrashed a strong Cambridge team 5-1, surprising even themselves as they dominated a match which was much closer than the score suggests. Oxford started sharply, quickly going 2-0 up thanks to 2 goals from Riki Gale, making her last outing for the Monkeys. Cambridge threatened briefly at 2-1 but goals from Morvan Allen, Helen Macadam and a late strike from Sian Roberts secured a great win. The difference between the 2 sides came in the form of Jess Hughes, Oxford’s Goalkeeper. “She was just a woman-possessed.” said the Monkey’s Captain, Aynsley Bruce, “It seemed like she’d be able to stop anything Cambridge threw at her. It helped that their keeper was utterly pathetic, but Jess still deserves a lot of credit for todayís result.” Their game was followed by the much-anticipated Men’s 2nds match. In a tense affair, which never saw the Occasionals playing their potential, Oxford both took the lead through Martin Pickup and had to come from behind thanks to veteran performer Neil Gallacher to secure a 2-2 draw. Although creating enough chances to have won the match, the 2nds also had to withstand periods of pressure, and a draw seemed the fair result at the final whistle. The same could not be said for the Men’s 3rds who could be forgiven for feeling aggrieved with their game ending 1-1. Cambridge had taken an early lead with the Infrequents looking the more nervous of the 2 teams. Oxford used a moment of undoubted ingenuity from fresher Jonathon Monk to spark them into life and quickly equalised through a coolly taken penalty stroke from Benji Portwin. Having had the majority of possession in the second half, the 3rds could not seem to find the winning goal and it was telling that the final whistle was met with clear relief from the Cambridge bench. The Ladies 3rds, affectionately known as The Hos, ended up on the wrong side of a 2-0 defeat after a determined performance which failed to see them take any reward from a game that on another day they felt they could easily have taken something from.by Ian RossiterMen’s & Women’s 1st XI play Cambridge in 8th week

The next Cowley Road Carnival takes place on 6 July and, for those of you unaware of the one-day event (due to its habit of falling in the summer vacation), it’s a street festival held around the Cowley Road where up to 25,000 people gather for an eclectic mix of music and stalls in an atmosphere described by one veteran as ‘a scaled-down Notting Hill.’ True to the style of the festival, the fundraiser boasted a varied line-up.

Opening the bill were Joe Allen & Anghard Jenkins. Were it not for Jenkins’ violin accompaniment, Allen’s guitar and vocals would only swell the current glut of such sounds, but her strings complemented the vocals well, soaring in more relaxed sections and adding strength and body to intense crescendoes. Next up was rapper Mr. Shaodow and DJ-producer Mars. Good stage presence was on show, although it was to everyone’s detriment when an initially impressive opening display of martial arts backfired with a painful fall and nasty limp for Shaodow. Not normally a fan of rap I held out only limited hope, but largely a shift of subject matter to issues such as minimum wage jobs, racism and the state of the music industry made the music more accessible and enjoyable. Backing tracks were well produced and a real attempt to connect with the audience was made, although the crowd seemed reluctant to respond. Headlining the show was Raggasaurus, a band whose set, titled Camel in the Caribbean, aimed to combine Atlas Mountains singing with reggae. It worked, and the melodic and ululating Arabic vocals added interest to the reggae backing which created life and energy. However, after a few songs it became clear that there wasn’t enough variety in the performance to hold interest. That said, a combination of bouncy sounds and an increasingly intoxicated crowd led to the only dancing of the evening.by Chris Cooling 

Sophie Manning spends 24 hours at the mercy of an SMS answering serviceWhen Danny Wallace, loser, depressive and slightly porky novelist, decided to say ‘yes’ to every offer that came his way, lives were changed. The world enjoyed seeing a Jack Black desperado figure get into more endearing scrapes than Dennis the Menace. They smiled as he rapturously won £25,000 and then amiably lost it again; they chuckled at his goofy seduction attempts, and they just about pissed themselves as the 30-year-old’s ex and her boyfriend ask politely ‘would you like to join us?’ The concept recently became so popular that film rights exchanged hands; producers cast rubber-faced humourist and veteran comedian Jim Carey, as the lead in ‘Yes Man’, due to be released in December 2008. Not that he could very well refuse.Wallace had, in fact, coined an old trick. Long before the prankster was a twinkle in his parents’ eyes, the Dice Man was roaming the streets of America, making decisions based on the roll of a die. This darker version of the game of chance, incorporating sex, rape and murder, spawned a lifestyle – not to mention a revolution in drinking games. And then came mobile phones, and text messages, and before you knew it, you were splitting up with your lifelong love on the whim of a bored mobile services employee. The business of risk-taking took a new turn when in 2004 Colly Myers launched Any Questions Answered. It’s a simple but astoundingly effective moneyspinner: after one free question, customers pay £1 to have any niggling question (small or great) settled once and for all. The companies offer guaranteed answers to any queries – ‘fun, serious or just challenging’ – which soon become surprisingly addictive. Searching for an excellent curry on a day trip to Stratford upon Avon? Scuppered in a pub quiz? Stuck at the back of a seminar with a fatal ignorance of pre-Raphaelitism? Never has the Pringles slogan ‘once you pop, you can’t stop’ been so pertinent. Or almost never. AQA released their top three questions to The Sun in December last year, after several months of PR-manufactured suspense. “What’s the best way to make a million” came in at number one, followed by “how to stop global warming”; third most popular was the old chestnut “is there a god?”Wildcards included “how do I get my manhood out of a hover without going to A&E” and “is it ok to have sex with a dog?” Sadly although the company was happy to inform us of the public’s questions, it declined to release its valuable advice to the papers’ readers.By January 2008, the company had answered over 10 million questions and reached a demand level of over 17,500 questions a day. Snazzy new functions include ‘celebrity answers’, when the likes of Robbie Keane take a few moments to sate fans’ curiosity as to whether Tottenham’s leading scorer prefers Jaffa Cakes or Hobnobs. Soon, the business model caught on around the world; AskMeNow was established in America. Soon, Texperts changed its remit from a subscription-based service called ‘Re5ult’ to a more gimmicky version, designed to catch some of AQA’s drunks, fools and students late at night. Let’s face it, if it’s academic information you’re after, AQA and Texperts aren’t going offer anything that Google can’t get you faster. What it can provide is a little bit of wit, and a little bit of urgency – the cherry-on-top to your 160-character solution service. I tested this service to the limits of its utility, to see if it could help me with some difficult decisions. Over the course of one Tuesday, I asked a faceless stranger the answer to my most important questions, and promised myself to act on their advice.Do you need sucked out of a spiralling attitude of negativity? Try.Start 9am:Wake up. Open cupboards in vain hope of contents. Remember challenge and decide to give it a go.To: AQAWhat's for breakfast?To: S ManningYou should have two Weetabix, for breakfast followed by a big fry up. Try and get someone else to cook it for you, as this improves the taste.10.13amGood start. Unfortunately offers no help as flat deserted and dutiful friends are at lectures. I’m also concerned about calorie counts. Is that Corporate responsibility? Aren’t they looking out for my figure? A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. Suddenly remember I too have a academic commitments. Shit. Have done no reading, as ever. Thankfully, with my new personal guru, solutions are just a text away. To: AQAHow typical were the experiences of the Pastons during the Wars of the Roses?To: S ManningApologies, we were unable to find confirmation of their experiences being typical during the War of the Roses. No charge for this reply.12.42pmThanks a bunch AQA. Survive lecture, just. Returning downcast from Christ Church a tramp grabs my arm on Cornmarket. I panic, reach for the phone and hold him off for a second while I text furiously.To: AQAHave you got any spare change?To: S ManningSorry, the AQA service doesn’t have any lose change or it would gladly give you some. Try asking in the kebab shop down the road, or your parents.1.23pmParents are 400 miles away and AQA are, apparently, stingy bastards, so I don’t feel too guilty not shelling out. Hurry on to college to meet a friend for lunch. Fall into dispute about Jordan’s latest rejig and remember to settle the matter using my new best friend.To: AQADo Jordan's new tits look better or worse?To: S ManningKatie Price aka Jordan was 36C-23-34 is now 34D-24-34. She remembers, “I was totally flat-chested at school.” Most would say she looks better now.2.16pmSlightly skeptical of their figures but happy to have the matter settled, I rejoin the masses on Cornmarket to complete my daily dose of harassment. Religious nutter gets me this time but I take this chance to challenge AQA on a bigger question.To: AQAShould I accept Jesus into my life?To: S ManningWe cannot decide for you. Religion continues to play a very important role in many people’s lives. Christianity is the largest religious denomination, accounting for 33% of the world’s population.4.31pmGet home. Half-empty gin bottle is now fully empty. Am raging. To: AQAThe bastards have stolen my gin. What is an appropriate punishment?To: S ManningAQA doesn’t think that you should try to punish the people who have stolen your gin. The hangover they’ll have tomorrow will be sufficient punishment.6.45pmFriend Dave is impressed: ‘Ethically, that makes a lot of sense. That kind of advice prevents the disintegration of society.’ I say: ‘it was you, wasn’t it’. Get ready for night out as faghag to filthy gin-swigger. Try my luck with AQA…To: AQAWill I get lucky tonight?To: S ManningYou will get lucky tonight if you are confident, dress to impress, are generous, and lower your standards. Exude confidence and you will be irresistible.10.55pmDecide to go for it. Confident swagger in place, I roll up skirt and slide fit Bar Boy a two pound coin with the words “Surprise me, sweetcheeks.” Tequila and a grope later decide AQA is a bad friend. 5 shots late I forget this. Turn to AQA again.To: AQAOkly i like him, fulngog good idea?To: S ManningYou have mistakenly texted the AQA service rather than a friend. Some Valentine’s trivia: 5.2million red roses will be sent for Valentine’s in the UK x2.37amWake up. Vomit. Remember challenge. Begin to worry that I’ve given away too many personal details. Wonder who AQA is. Get paranoid.To: AQAWho are you and what do you want with me?To: S ManningAQA provides answers to any question using intelligent algorithms, databases and human researcher. We want you to have a nice cup of tea and a biscuit.8.43amFor once I take their advice, feeling uncomfortable that an SMS answering service knows me better than I know myself. Wake up the next morning with time to ask a final question. Not afraid to use it. Consider some possibilities and end up going with the big one.To: AQAShould I keep relying on AQA to determine my life's course?To: S ManningYou shouldn’t rely on anyone or anything to determine your life’s course.– Work out what you really want from life and AQA will help you along the way.Kind of them to offer. But realise this way of life is costing me a fortune at £1 a text. Make resolution to get real live friends.
Additional research by Billy Kenber

Keble 71 – 17 St. Anne's/St. John's Keble, staking their claim to retain the Cuppers title, thoroughly outplayed St. Anne’s/St. John’s in a onesided quarter final clash. They showcased what they are capable of, and proved that they remain the team to beat this year. The two teams last met in 2005, in the depths of Division Three at the beginning of Keble’s epic march to the summit of college rugby. Then, as now, the huge margin of Keble’s victory reflected a corresponding gulf in training and fitness. The Saints arrived in the quarterfinals having eked out the narrowest of victories against Worcester, their sixth straight win this season, during which they earned the Division Three title. Keble, meanwhile, were rattled by Magdalen’s spirited challenge, clawing back the lead only towards the end of a tense and brutal encounter. However, if the League and Cuppers champions know anything it is how to win, their unbeaten record stretching back more than a year. From the match’s beginning, Keble were ruthless in executing their game plan, pinning the Saints back with accurate kicks and using their well-drilled pack. Driving mauls from the line-out produced four tries in the first half alone. The experienced Brendan McKerchar at the base of the scrum and a raft of other University players marshalled the disciplined home side to make victory quickly seem inevitable. The Saints looked intimidated by their renowned opponents, and suffered from poor decision-making when in possession, allowing the Keble backs to test the defences out wide and run in tries of their own. Frustration led to a caution for Saints enforcer Ed Slack, who lashed out at his opposite number having made a fearsome covering tackle. Despite pace in the front row and throughout the pack, making them competitive at the breakdown, Saints looked bereft of answers and by half-time the match looked as if it might provide little more than kicking practice for the Keble fly-half. However, the underdogs emerged from the break looking much less cowed, with flanker George Nava leading a series of ferocious tackles to earn turnover ball. Centre Dan Simon displayed trademark panache to take advantage of one of these and sprinted over the Keble try-line, which had never before looked at all threatened. Mildly perturbed, Keble did not relax the pressure and maintained a stranglehold on the set pieces, reducing the Saints to feeding from scraps. Their glut of possession was well-used by strong runners who maintained a steady stream of tries throughout the second half. Playing for pride, the Saints were unbowed and snatched a second try through Matt Jones’ interception. While the result was beyond doubt, there was still a large and partisan crowd to impress. The match remained competitive to the last, both sides having to defend their own lines and doing so with intensity. The uniformly powerful Keble forwards drove hard at the fringes of rucks, while the Saints used their own battering rams in the shape of Stuart Hindle and Oli Adams to attempt a break-through. Keble’s technical superiority and clinical training eventually won them this contest and allowed them to open up an unassailable lead. However, the plucky Saints were able to get the last word, stringing together a genuinely impressive run of plays to put scrum-half Matt Evans-Young over in the corner. Keble laid down a marker of their superiority in this match, and their semi-final opponents will have to find a way to contain their heavy physical firepower. It is testament to their discipline and refusal to relax while on top that not since November 2006 has a side put more than 17 points on them in a league match. The Saints meanwhile should not be dispirited by defeat from the masters.by Huw Davies and Peter Wood

New OURFC Captain Varsity substitute Peter Clarke has been selected as the new rugby captain, following the retirement of Joe Roff. The surprise appointment marks a turn of fortune for the 25 year-old flanker, whose Oxford career has been blighted by injury to date. The former Loughborough student, who previously captained the Leicester Tigers Academy, has already set his sights on Twickenham victory: ‘It’s a tremendous honour to captain this club, but I won’t be patting myself on the back. I am ambitious and want to be in the best place I can to help win the Varsity Match; I know I’m a quality player and I have got confidence in myself.’ Pub sports special Exeter 1 were the eventual winners of Division 1 of the College Pool league having amassed 56 points. However Matt has noted that had the league been played on a ‘Frames for’ basis, then they would have been pipped at the post by Merton 1. Incredible! In Division 1 of the Oxford University Table Football League, Merton I currently sit top of the table, with a comfortable lead. If one looks at the stats for Michaelmas, Matt notes for all those anoraks out there, that the most common score in the league was 0-12 which seems suprising as it suggests that the players play better away from home, on new turf (or table). However if one takes the league as a whole Matt sees that apart from 20% of matches being walkovers mainly thanks to Division 3b, the score was most commonly 6-6 or 7-5.
by Matt Gold

St. Peter's 17 – 10 St. Catherine'sThis was a Cuppers contest of epic proportions and one which St. Peter’s, sticking to their tried-and-tested brand of forward-dominated rugby, just edged out a Catz side whose running game couldn’t quite deliver the results they hoped for. The first quarter of an hour revealed for all to see that the visitors had not played a competitive match since 0th week. Catz literally panicked under pressure from the Peter’s scrum, boosted by the presence of Blues second row Bertie Payne. Although the Manor Road outfit couldn’t be faulted for their commitment in the tackle area, a lack of communication allowed Peter’s to eventually touch down in the corner to take the lead. Things quickly went from bad to worse for Catz, with the ball being spilled and poor decisionmaking led to another Peter’s score. This time, however, poor tackling was to blame, allowing the scrum half to squeeze through an unguarded fringe with little resistance. The try was then converted, leaving Peter’s 12-0 up and looking totally dominant. Catz then managed to hang on until their cavalry arrived – University players Rich Godfrey and Ali Walker arriving from labs. Immediately the visitors seemed full of confidence, with both set pieces beginning to function. A five-metre lineout was spun wide, then switched for Walker to bring the half to a close with a well-taken try. The visitors began the second period as they ended the first. Aggressive rucking gave the backs a chance to attack, and Matt Perrins crashed over for Catz’ second unconverted try. Peter’s realized they were in a game and rallied, driving the ball to the heart of the Catz defence. Although the visitors’ tackling was as tough as ever, a five-metre scrum was driven over for Payne to touch down. The game was far from over, though. Both Walker and Godfrey carved out openings for Catz, but the final ball just would not come. Peter’s did well to close the game down by driving around the fringes, making sure Catz had as little ball as possible in the dying seconds.by James de Mellow