Saturday 16th August 2025
Blog Page 232

Prêt for Prêt

Anya Biletsky
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Prêt for Prêt

It was recently announced that two new Prêt À Manger locations are coming to Oxford. And yes, this is important news.

For many students, Prêt is a special spot. From bashing out the last of an essay in the morning before sending it off and rewarding oneself with a hot chocolate, to winding down with friends after a particularly excruciating tute, the uneven floors and perilous ceilings of Tudor Prêt on Cornmarket Street afford some surprising comfort and cosiness to worn-out students. I have oft made plans with fellow Prêt-loving friends with a simple “let’s meet at Prêt”. No qualms (how could there be!), just a delighted friend on their happy way to meet me.

As well as Tudor Prêt, there is the smaller Prêt at the end of Cornmarket, and the tantalisingly luxurious but lamentably distant Westgate Prêt. One of these, if Tudor Prêt has disappointed for lack of your favourite bakery item, will be sure to provide. Although queues sometimes stretch out the door, it would take far more to deter students from what is possibly one of Oxford’s most beloved cafés or lunch spots.

The new Prêts, we are told, will be located in Summertown and at Oxford Station. Students living out in Summertown need worry no longer about having to make an inhumane trek to put a Prêt cappuccino to their lips, and those travelling into Oxford by train will receive the warmest of welcomes to the city with a Prêt mocha or chai latte.

One of the reasons Prêt is so popular among students is its famous Prêt Subscription. If you tend, as I do, to get a coffee every day, the subscription is undeniably good value, coming to less than a pound per coffee if you buy one every day for a month, which is perfect to avoid over-spending on hot drinks during term.

Aside from being a place to caffeinate, Prêt has become a camouflaged Cupid, an uncharted Tinder. One may not initially associate the innocuous café with romance, but the 17th-century wall panelling seems to contain within it the power of match-making (watch out, Cherpse!). The number of Oxloves that are addressed to beautiful, mysterious strangers spotted in Prêt is notably high – but perhaps not so remarkable given Prêt’s swoon-inducing double-chocolate cookies and Berries and Cherries smoothie, which make it of little wonder that there is an unnaturally high concentration of giddy individuals in the place.

I am far from alone in my Prêt-thusiasm. The Facebook Group OxPrêt has garnered nearly a thousand participants since its creation in May this year. The success of the page, which updates its subscribers on the current status of each Prêt (you are told Tudor Prêt doesn’t have ice, so don’t bother with that iced latté you were dreaming about), is testament to a certain Prêt culture within the Oxford student body at large.

OxPrêt founder Jenny Grehan-Bradley told Cherwell that while she initially founded the group as a “joke”, as she and her friends were frustrated about “wasting time going to Prêt and finding out there’s no ice”, she was surprised that “after 20 minutes we had 100 members” – rapid growth indeed. A celebratory post to mark reaching 100 participants was not the end, however, as the group has gone from strength to strength, regularly welcoming new members. Jenny stated that it was especially unexpected for her that the participants of the group have extended “beyond [her] social circles”.

Daily photos shared in the group of members claiming their Subscription drinks, munching on croissants or proudly sipping on those coveted smoothies make the page “a community in its own way”, as Jenny states. Jenny’s own go-to is an “iced caramel latté – but if there’s no ice, a flat white”.

The café, and, now, the Facebook group, have united coffee lovers and “no ice” lamenters from across the university. Like puffers, the RadCam’s poor wifi, and Oxfess, Prêt has become a bit of a university-wide inside joke, if an especially fond one. And so, with the news that a whole two new Prêts are to arrive to the city in the coming months, Oxonians can, fully caffeinated, rejoice.

Image credit: Basher Eye/ CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia commons.

AJ Tracey: Live and Direct from the Oxford Union

Jack Twyman and Izzie Alexandrou
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AJ Tracey: Live and Direct from the Oxford Union

AJ Tracey, the West London rapper, songwriter and producer, spoke at the Oxford Union on Monday 17th October.

The talk gave insight into Tracey’s musical achievements and personal background, as he discussed his journey from Ladbroke Grove to the top of the UK charts. Walking into a packed chamber, the rapper was met with rapturous applause, although the Union stage represents a very different space to Tracey’s usual festival performances.

Taking questions from students, the rapper was asked whether it was a risk to pursue music from his background coming of a single-parent, low-income household. However, Tracey recalled that it was an easy decision to make. “Life is about risks,” he told the chamber. “A life without risks is not a life worth living. But evidently, music was the right decision for me.”

He also admitted that, contrary to widespread belief, his favourite song was “Little More Love.” 

During the talk, Tracey also recalled his experiences with discrimination and racial profiling. “I’ve faced discrimination every step of the way. I remember my Spanish teacher in school bringing me and my black friend to the front of the class and asking the class: what’s the difference between you and them? Hearing her say “these two are more likely to fail than you lot” was difficult to hear.”

In light of the discrimination he faced, however, Tracey has just established a fund to support Black and Ethnic Minority students at St Peters College, Oxford.

Asked about his motivation for establishing the fund, he returned to his own background, saying Oxford was somewhere where he would have loved to be educated. As an establishment which is “a privilege to attend,” the rapper aims to “help underrepresented students have an easier time.” 

Aiming to improve diversity at the university, Tracey claimed that small steps are needed to make big progress, starting with things as simple as a more diverse food menu in college halls. 

“From replacing laptops to sorting out travel,” Tracey’s fund will provide students with essential financial support. Outreach is also a key part of his plan, which aims to visit underprivileged areas to encourage young people to apply to Oxford. 

The rapper emphasised the importance of the fund, saying “if the system is weighted toward white students, it’s up to people like me to level the playing field. There is a lot more education we need to give out regarding white privilege.” 

Tracey says he is prepared to face criticism about the fund, commenting that “some people see it as unfair that white students are not getting the same funding.” He acknowledged that more education and outreach is needed to ensure that racism is challenged in society, and is prepared to face any criticism he may receive. 

These concerns come after the rapper Stormzy was denied the opportunity to set up a similar scholarship for black students at Cambridge. In light of this, Tracey commented; “It’s better not to dwell on things that have been denied. At least we’re doing it now.” 

He emphasised that he was content using his platform to promote social good, regardless of the consequences. “If you make a platform you can do what you want with it,” Tracey said, highlighting that, most of the time, the people who judge him are not practising what they preach. “No one can choose what I do with my platform.” 

“Warm discussion” disintegrated, but Univ finally agrees to turn on heating

Freya Jones
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“Warm discussion” disintegrated, but Univ finally agrees to turn on heating

University College finally agreed to turn on its heating today, after refusing to do so for the first weeks of Michaelmas Term. This decision has been reached after a Town Hall meeting between students and staff on 18th October, which left several students feeling “distressed, upset and angry”. 

Last week, Univ students froze in “sub 10 temperatures”, while JCR representatives met college officers to discuss the cost-of-living crisis and impending energy shortage this winter. The Domestic Bursar, Angela Unsworth, sent a follow-up email to students on Monday 17th October, listing ways in which they could help to reduce college energy consumption. In the email, Unsworth admitted, “it is not going to be an easy winter”, but made no mention of plans to turn on the heating at Univ.

Approximately 400 Univ students were affected by the lack of heat, both in college and in off-site accommodation. Many contacted the Domestic Office in response to the email, prompting Unsworth to organise a “Town Hall” Q&A session for interested parties on Tuesday 18th.

Student attendance at the meeting turned out to be far higher than Univ staff initially expected, and the JCR President persuaded Unsworth to move its location to the college chapel, so more could attend. One Univ student told Cherwell: “it felt as if the Domestic Bursar didn’t want to make the meeting accessible, and she kept changing details randomly at very short notice.”

The University College chapel was filled with concerned students when the Town Hall started, for what Unsworth hoped could be a “warm and considered discussion”. However, the chilly matters at hand became heated as students started to question Univ’s “contradictory and confusing” policies.

Several attendees asked how the lack of heating could be justified, given the 11% increase in rent at Univ this academic year. Questions were raised over whether the additional rent was being used to cover a pay-rise for staff, including those on salaries of over £90,000 per year, with one student saying, “why is it a priority to increase the wages of the highest earners in college when students can’t heat their own houses?” Unsworth replied that this wasn’t relevant to energy, adding “I think we’re getting off the point, aren’t we?”

Another student pointed out that a lack of heat causes serious problems for those with chronic health conditions, reporting that their asthma had worsened due to the cold. “There’s been no recognition of the fact I wake up wheezing,” they told the Domestic staff, adding that it took a long time to even receive a reply when they previously raised this problem by email.

Unknown to many, Univ does undertake to provide electric heaters for those with long-term health problems, but one student told Cherwell, “this information wasn’t made widely available and many disabled students don’t know how to access this support.”

Meanwhile, another attendee of the Town Hall said there was no provision at all for those suffering short-term illness, such as flu. Unsworth stated that anyone who was unwell could contact her, but the attendee said: “I emailed you when I was ill and I still haven’t got a reply.”

The impact of cold temperatures on stress and academic performance was also raised. “I don’t think we need a medical diagnosis to suffer from the cold,” one student said. Another told Cherwell: “It’s striking how our negative experiences are being disregarded and refuted … Does Univ have no moral obligations to care for the welfare and wellbeing of its students?”

Towards the end of the meeting, Unsworth mentioned plans to turn on the heating for short amounts of time as of next Monday, 24th October. When pressed, she described plans to heat well-insulated rooms in short bursts throughout the day, but the overall message remained ambiguous. She concluded the Town Hall saying “you’ll have to wait and see,” causing further concern among students.

Coming under increasing pressure, University College revised its decision and decided to turn on heating today, confirming to Cherwell: “I want to assure you we have listened.”

However, one Univ student called the Domestic Office’s attitude “mean and degrading, though unsurprising considering the college’s history of disrespecting students (such as policing people’s rooms with surveillance during covid)”.

A further student, also in conversation with Cherwell, said: “College, especially the domestic bursar, Angela Unsworth, has failed us as students … They are gaslighting the student body insisting it is “warm”.”

In her email on Monday, Unsworth wrote: “With average overnight temperatures of 10-11 degrees, we are asking ourselves “would we put the heating on at home?” The answer is coming back, no; therefore we are holding off here too.”

However, a student who was particularly riled by this told Cherwell, “she’s a person who probably lives in accommodation where she can turn the heating on as she wishes, so she actually has no idea what we’re suffering.”

Some students at Univ considered protests against the lack of heating and the Domestic Office’s “utterly insensitive” communication. They are now relieved that the the college has taken notice of their complaints, although one told Cherwell, “it should have never reached this point”.

University College and Angela Unsworth have been contacted for comment. This article will be updated to reflect the ongoing situation and any responses.

When the Red Bull beat the Prancing Horse

Henry Kay
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When the Red Bull beat the Prancing Horse

Amidst pouring rain in Suzuka, some number-crunching after the finish of the Japanese Grand Prix revealed that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has clinched his second consecutive Driver’s Championship, with four more races to go. Whilst there will be no surprise in the paddock as to which driver is the champion, there was visible confusion and bemusement amongst those present in Japan as to the fact it happened in this race, a messy and incident affected event that featured just over half a race. Yet the Champion for 2022 is crowned, and deservedly so.

Inevitably, there is a desire to draw comparisons between this year and the 2021 season, where Verstappen controversially won his first crown. Both the champion and the season itself are in a good position to be compared year-on-year. Let us first discuss the champion.

Last year’s Max Verstappen was a ferociously quick driver fully aware that 2021 was his first chance to fight for a driver’s title. He pushed himself and his rival Lewis Hamilton to and beyond the limits of racing on numerous occasions, with his aggressive ‘elbows-out’ racing and an efficient Red Bull machine making him a real threat to the previous 6 years of Mercedes dominance and their esteemed and decorated champion. The tension between the teams and the drivers seemed to bubble, then boil and then explode as the season progressed, with results swinging from the one to another and the title being decided on the last lap of the last race in Abu Dhabi. The Max of 2021 had been at times rash, desperate, and reckless in his quest for glory, still the young aggressor fighting hard at the heart of one of the most intense seasons in years.

In 2022, carrying the number 1 on his car, the reigning world champion has retained, and many would argue even improved, his incredible speed and skill around the racetrack. But what has been more noticeable is his different attitude. With the pressure of winning the dream first championship off his shoulders, Max has been a more patient, calmer racer, more calculating about the risks he takes. And yet he has gone on to dominate the season like no one could believe, an unbeatable winning machine, capable of winning any race from seemingly anywhere on the grid, as evidenced by the recent races in Hungary, Spa and Monza. Each win has been undeniably impressive yet met with more subdued reactions. Each win has seemed inevitable. He is on track to break the record for most wins in a season (thirteen), already having won twelve this year. In terms of the battle for the driver’s championship, the Dutch Lion has cruised away from teammate Sergio Pérez and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, so markedly different from last year’s scrap with Hamilton, and now holds his second world title.

On the whole, 2022 has been of great importance to F1 due to it being the first season under a new sweeping set of aerodynamic regulations introduced to improve racing. Taking stock of the season’s eighteen races so far, it is fair to say that the regulations have done their job. The reduced ‘dirty air’ being thrown off the back of cars has made it easier to follow meaning battles can take place over extended periods of time round the racetrack. Who can forget the first race of the season, where three laps of incredible battling between Leclerc and Verstappen decided the race, or when the same happened in Saudi between the contenders, as well as lower down the field between the two Alpine drivers. Austria had a five car battle for eighth position, and Silverstone saw Leclerc, Hamilton and Pérez squabbling in a compact space. As such, it is clear that Ros Brawn’s dream has, to a certain extent, come true. There is the ability for closer racing, and as such the racing within races has been more consistently exciting throughout the field.

However, where this season has lacked in comparison to last year has been the blazing intensity. Maybe 2021 will never be matched, but still, it is a marked difference to what has ended up being Max and Red Bull’s calm procession towards the title. Admittedly, and painfully for a Ferrari fan like myself, the tightness of the championship battle has been reduced by an unnervingly consistent string of strategic and technical errors by the Scuderia, which have handed over the advantage of having the fastest car to a better run team, who, once they unlocked the secrets of their car, have never looked back. For so long, the season has already felt like a forgone conclusion. Also of note is that the playing field still has some way to go to being levelled out. This season has been a tale of two teams, and the all-conquering Mercedes of the last seven years are scratching their heads wondering how they fell away so sharply. The Silver Arrows are the only team hopeful fans could look to for another team to take victory, a wish so far without reward. There have been no McLaren Monza’s, or Ocon’s Hungaroring surprise. Instead the season has been a two-horse race, with a clear winner emerging with several furlongs remaining.

The Prancing Horse and the Red Bull have gone to battle. The horse has tripped and faltered, whilst the bull has grown wings and ambled to victory at 200mph with impressive dominance. 2022 has so far been an impressive and enjoyable year in Formula One, but it unfortunately bears more in common with the Hamilton era, rather than 2021’s slugfest.

Image Credit: Emperornie/ CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia commons.

Dating at Oxford

Phoebe Walls
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Dating at Oxford

The dating scene at Oxford can feel very strange. In my first French tutorial the tutor told us how he met his wife in fresher’s week, bonding over a forgotten jacket and they’ve been together ever since. Yet dating in Oxford seems to be full of extremes. With students often left feeling overwhelmed by Oxford’s workload, a common tendency is to swear off relationships altogether. The word ‘relationship’ nowadays has a vastly different meaning; many people avoid relationships because the label to them means a life partner for eternity. Yet on the other hand, hook-up culture in Oxford is very much real. Students manage to fit no-strings-attached casual sex into the small hours of the morning, around busy social lives and academic schedules.

Some Oxonians consider dating within college to be as extreme as incest, yet other students report sleeping with their college grandmother or son. The college family system in Oxford creates a precariously platonic arrangement. Going out with someone in college is easy while it lasts; breakfasts in hall, constant bumping into each other, gazing through a candle at a formal dinner. Yet when the inevitably short-lived relationship ends, living in such close proximity creates awkward encounters or apathy. Taylor Swift’s All Too Well (the ten-minute version) becomes startingly relatable on walks through Christ Church meadow. Colleges are close-knit environments, but this also leads to gossip. From my room in Bear Lane, I have heard every single word of a two-hour long conversation about my peers’ love lives and now have enough content to write several novels.

Once the novelty of people in college wears off, students tend to look elsewhere for love interests. There are endless ways to meet new people in Oxford from libraries, cafes, and society events to clubs. It is impossible to kiss anyone in this city without seeing them again. Inevitably in a matter of days, hours, or weeks you’ll see them en route to the same careers fair or lurking in a Tesco aisle.

A common alternative to snogging a stranger against a sweaty wall is dating apps. These apps used to scare me but over coffee a friend told me she had met a nice boyfriend online. Tinder provides an empty void of swiping past faces. It’s like a cattle auction. Boys declare they don’t believe penguins are real and the biggest risk they’ve taken is going shopping on acid. Some men will message saying they just want you to come to their hotel and hook-up before their girlfriend discovers their account. For the about me section one boy wrote ‘The last time I was someone’s type I was donating blood.’ Another bio read ‘I am a student, I live in a room, and I happen to have feet.’ I’m not going to fall head over feet for that. I get the ick from reading the descriptions. My irritational ick list includes empty rucksacks, not using a mouse, the slow tying of shoelaces, caffeine-free coke and buying a pint of milk from McDonalds after a night out. Meeting people for the first time from Tinder is nerve-wracking. It’s a relief when it’s not an elderly catfish arriving at Turf Tavern. That’s if they arrive, of course. It’s even easier to ghost someone you’ve met online and cancel at the last minute to get a train back to Clapham to see your dog. Dogs are an effective way to lure people into your profile. Stuffed cats can also be intriguing.

Dating in Oxford can feel like a minefield. It’s a world of extremes with most people appearing to just be either after friends with benefits or a soulmate to settle down with. I struggle to find the in-between. History repeats itself. I matched with dozens of people with the same name as my first Oxford boyfriend, back as a naïve seventeen-year-old fresher. Miscommunication is a big problem too. For Oxonians it seems to be all or nothing. Amongst our jampacked days surely there must be some time to meet new people while we’re still in our prime.

Image credit: Danny Lines

Cockroach chaos: Exeter infestation crawls on

Freya Jones and Izzie Alexandrou
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Cockroach chaos: Exeter infestation crawls on

A cockroach infestation has taken hold in Exeter College’s off-site accommodation, affecting approximately 60 students. Access to kitchen facilities has been limited for nearly a month and pest control intervention in students’ rooms is ongoing. 

The cockroaches, initially described by Exeter’s domestic bursar as a “maintenance issue,” have been found in bathrooms, near sinks and on washing products, while others were seen crawling on the kitchen fridges. 

Students report that this has sparked a rent strike, with around 36 affected residents refusing to pay their battels. However, an Exeter College spokesperson did not believe this to be accurate and said they are not aware of a single student refusing to pay their battels.

On 30th September, Exeter College staff sent an email to the affected residents – second, third, and fourth years living in Cohen Quad – prohibiting use of the 1st and 2nd floor kitchens due to maintenance concerns. A second email, sent on 4th October, informed students that the kitchen facilities would be closed until 17th October, and in order to compensate for the inconvenience, they would be given a 60% reduction in Hall food prices.

Nearly two weeks later, the college maintenance team finally admitted to finding “evidence of cockroach activity” in the kitchens, after students themselves reported the infestation. They were then informed that the area would be out of bounds for a further two weeks, until the 29th October, with cockroach traps being placed in all 1st floor bedrooms to monitor activity. 

The college is now offering Cohen Quad residents a 100% discount on hall food while the kitchens are closed. However, one Exeter student affected by the cockroach fiasco told Cherwell that this is not enough. “College only serves food at a very specific time,” they explained, “so if you have a tutorial, you’re rushed to get back to college so you can eat. It also poses a problem for those with eating disorders, as without a kitchen, they have no control over their meals which can be distressing.” 

The student added: “We’re paying almost £2k a term, only to have roaches in our bathrooms and no access to college kitchens. And as a non-British person, I have to say, sorry, I do not want your college food, even if it’s for free.”

Another Exeter College student told Cherwell: “The cockroach infestation has impacted my trust in college. Their lack of transparency about the situation has proven to me that this college continuously treats us like children. This whole time they’ve told us “suck it up” about something that could potentially be a health hazard.” 

A spokesperson for Exeter College said: “Following sightings of cockroaches in Cohen Quad, pest controllers are taking appropriate measures to eradicate the insects as quickly as possible, including spraying the affected communal kitchens, which are closed, and the deployment of monitors. The College deeply regrets this unfortunate situation and we are grateful for students’ patience and support as we take the necessary action, and we will continue to keep them updated.

“We are liaising closely with student representatives to ensure the welfare of all students. The College has offered a 100% discount on meals taken in College, and those students who prefer to cook for themselves can use unaffected kitchens both on site and at the College’s Turl Street site.”

Exeter College has been contacted for additional comment on the rent strike; this article will be updated to reflect the ongoing situation and responses received.

Is The Union worth it?

Jack Twyman
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Is The Union worth it?

The Oxford Union is an iconic symbol of Oxford. Founded in 1823, it is one of Britain’s oldest university unions and one of the world’s most prestigious private students’ societies – at least according to its Wikipedia page. On its own website, you are presented with a banner exclaiming: ‘The World’s foremost debating society’. I joined the Union in my fresher’s week excited to make the most of what I thought would become a vital aspect of my University life. Here’s some advice I would give to freshers today before you make the most of the discounted membership offer. 

For me, the reasons for joining the union were simple; to hear inspirational figures speak, to meet different people, and to make the most of being at Oxford and the uniqueness it has to offer. In this respect, the Union has been great. The term card this term has been a marked improvement with AJ Tracey, Malala Yousafzai, Anthony Fauci, Imran Khan and many notable others on the calendar. Then there are the usual Thursday debates which tend to be packed in Michaelmas but noticeably less empty by Trinity term. The speakers at these debates are noteworthy too. However, they are subject to change at short notice, like with Suella Braveman last week, and members can often be disappointed at key speakers missing – especially at panel events. While this isn’t the committee’s fault, it is something to be aware of. 

Many people believe the Oxford Union is a relic and out of touch with the modern university.  While others point out it has produced some very famous and highly influential figures – ex-Union President and ex-PM Boris Johnson are normally given as examples. In fact, walking along its corridors and seeing the framed photographs of previous committees is an amusing activity especially to see numerous prominent Conservative politicians in their student era.  The Union remains a contentious institution. Just a few days ago my friend and I were taunted by a passerby after exiting the grounds. It’s not uncommon. And it’s perfectly understandable why. 

Membership to the Union currently costs £299 – with £20 taken off for the annual Fresher’s offer. Access membership – with certain strict criteria – is £170 which while a reduction is regarded by many as a price too high. Now, this may sound like a lot, and it is. But life membership is for life and gives you access to certain members’ benefits and privileges – which is great if you can afford it. The Union Bar is popular and serves an assortment of drinks at discounted prices, and the member’s library offers a wide selection of books, including a well-stocked fiction section from where you can make requests. There are several social events throughout the term – jazz nights, debating and the networking opportunities on offer at the Union are considered a great investment by many. It is unfortunate that this tends to be the main networking arena in Oxford, especially considering the barrier to access in the way of membership fees. However, if you are a student now, wishful thinking is quite different from reality, and the Union still remains as it is. 

Networking is what the many committee members – also referred to as ‘hacks’ – do in overdrive. The desire to get to the top of the pile – a.k.a Union President and then presumably Prime Minister – can be bemusing to watch. I cannot fault these individuals for their dedication. These positions do offer good work experience, and social opportunities, but are generally reserved for a select few who win the Union popularity contest. I wouldn’t say a committee is a particularly accessible venture, but it’s very possible with the right mentality. Each committee position comes with strings attached. Firstly you must either be elected or appointed, depending on your position. Union elections are marred by a desire to seem official, and important. As only members can vote, many people can be burnt out by the constant social media output of perspective ‘slates’ the Union’s terminology for its political parties.  This is normally just a group of similar-minded candidates who club together for the election. 

Once elected each committee position has a varied number of mandatory “vac days”. These are days when you work on choosing debate motions and then inviting all the speakers for the term. It is an impressive feat, considering the ratio of requests to responses they surely receive. However, being able to do this work can be a barrier, as committee members are reimbursed only £8 a day for their trouble. A higher £12 is reserved for access members and I am reassured by a committee member that extra funds are available from the University to those who need it. Challenges still remain with securing accommodation for these days – and this experience is highly varied depending on what college or financial situation the member has. 

Other commitments for elected and appointed members include helping to set up events – including moving benches in the chamber before an event. Individual members take ownership of certain events whether it- be a pub quiz or panel event. According to this committee member, the commitment totals a few hours per week – but varies with level. Committee members enjoy reserved front-row seats at events in return for their help. It seems that these positions are quite similar to those of other societies and should be valued as such. There are over 400 clubs and societies at Oxford and this means that you can definitely enjoy a position on a committee while not joining the Union. The prestige of the Union cannot compare to the prospect of being part of a society that is a key interest to yours. Being a committee member is not a necessity to become a politician or successful Oxford alumni in the future.  Instead, it is an experience for those who want to be part of a historic debating society and its day-to-day runnings. 

To give me an idea of what the Union is doing for Outreach, I spoke to its Senior Outreach Office, Timothy Green. “I chair access committee, which is made up of several officers representing various groups for whom it is important to make the union accessible: ethnic minorities officer, disability officer, LGBTQIA+ officer, socioeconomic officer, women’s officer, international officer, graduate officer, permanent and temporary membership officer, and communities’ officer.” He tells me: “The role of the access committee is to assess how to make the union more accessible. We scrutinise and propose changes to the rules and standing orders of the society, and discuss how we can make the union a more inclusive space. I will be running our termly accessibility consultation, and organise school visits for disadvantaged students, and have lately been working with the university’s outreach team to find ways to mythbust about Oxford University and the Oxford Union. Last term the entirety of the committee took part in a charity drive with the homeless community, in order to give back a little to society.” I ask about potential outreach to local schools to provide facilities for use.  This has not recovered since COVID, yet he is keen to stress they are working on solutions. 

Ultimately the hefty price tag of membership is the pinnacle of deciding on membership or not. For me, while £250 does sound like a large amount, I do not regret my decision to join. Instead of spending that money on a College Ball ticket,  I now have access to the Union for life and have been enriched by countless speakers who I would not have otherwise heard. While some speakers are now actively looking for other societies in Oxford to speak at so that they can be heard for free, the Union remains on another level – especially with the prestige behind it; if this is your main objective then membership is worth it, one committee member told me, otherwise think it over. I would hope that membership fees can be driven down and guaranteed to every student to ensure fairness.  However, the Union is unequipped for this size and would instead become another Student Union. While the Union isn’t perfect, a committee member was keen to highlight that its committee is fairly representative of its members, and its members fairly representative of the University as a whole. The choice to join the Union is yours but make use of the open period, assess what it could offer you personally, and then decide whether it will be the best value for your money. 

Image: CC2.0//NIDAS via Flickr.

When it’s Arsenal, there’s no such thing as celebrating prematurely

Zoe Abereoje
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When it’s Arsenal, there’s no such thing as celebrating prematurely

It was only a couple months ago when I sat in the JCR, miserable, watching the north London derby as spurs fans celebrated Harry Kane scoring a penalty in what developed into a 3-0 thrashing. Head in hands, tired of stress snacking on giant skittles, distraught and upset, I got up and left before half-time to fill the void of sadness with some cakes at the welfare tea happening across college. Ranting while eating a mr kipling slice I insisted that there was no point supporting this team that made me so upset.

It goes unsaid that the 21/22 season for Arsenal fans was not one for the faint hearted. With such a terrible start to the season, the hope that the team could despite all odds finish in the top 4 was strong and powerful. It eventually came to a painful, crumbling halt, only for an all or nothing documentary to come out a few months later to add further insult to injury and salt in a fresh wound. 

But this season feels different, fans who have had their eye on the team since the pre-season have noticed that despite the disappointing prior season, the team have genuinely come back stronger. In the last couple months, Arsenal have developed into quite a threat beating high performing teams consistently. Worries the team faced limbo following the exit of high profile players like Aubameyang and Lacazette seem futile now following the welcoming of Jesus and Zinchenko and returning of Saliba. With no draws and one loss so far, in the league, Arsenal are a much better team than they were a year ago.

However, the conversation surrounding Arsenal seems to be: give it time. Celebrations are premature. I ask, at this point how much more time does one need, eight wins in nine games seems like enough time to say that Arsenal are genuinely in great form. They’ve had one of their best starts of the season in a long while, whilst a year ago they were making one their worst starts to the season in history. If fans weren’t making a big deal, I would be concerned, it is not everyday you see Arsenal at the top of the league past GW1. 

Furthermore, it is the same people screaming at fans to stop celebrating prematurely who are increasingly reliant on Arsenal players in their FPL. If we’re celebrating prematurely then, take Martinelli out right now and while you’re there get rid of Jesus and Saliba. More and more teams not only have maxed out city players on their FPL but Arsenal ones too. This is the same team who were eighth in the league only 2 seasons ago, and have not qualified in the top four for a long time. 

So when I see people complaining online that Arsenal fans are celebrating prematurely, I get a bit confused. We’re not used to the top of the league like that. Interestingly some fans complain that Arsenal’s winning form has got people jumping on the bandwagon of success. There was a time when the team didn’t even have a wagon. The obvious fact is Arsenal are performing better than they have in a long time and it’s making a lot of people quite happy.  So what if we want to celebrate, who knows how long it’ll last?

Image Credit: Last Stop Okinawa via Pexels.

AJ Tracey launches fund to support BAME students at St Peter’s College

Freya Jones
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The rapper AJ Tracey is launching a fund to support Black and Minority Ethnic students at St Peter’s College. He hopes the fund will “level the playing field” in terms of access and student experience at Oxford University, with the aim of assisting current BAME students and encouraging more to apply.

Visiting Oxford on 17th October, Tracey told Cherwell that he created the fund because “Oxford is an amazing place to be and if I can make it easier for underrepresented students then that’s an achievement in itself.” 

Improving access to high-ranking academic institutions is a matter close to Tracey’s heart. Having grown up in Ladbroke Grove, an area of London with high inequality, he recalls aspiring to attend Oxford before deciding not to apply, due to the unexplained rejection of other BAME pupils from his school. 

Now a successful artist, reaching the Top 20 in the Charts with his singles “Ladbroke Grove” and “Butterflies”, he hopes the AJ Tracey Fund will improve access for a new generation of BAME students at Oxford. He sees this as particularly important, given the need for minority representation in the curriculum and ongoing disputes over the imperialist Cecil Rhodes statue at Oriel College.

Money from the AJ Tracey Fund will be awarded to BAME students at Peter’s on a case-by-case basis. Tracey says this will likely be used to help with the cost of practicalities, such as travel expenses and new technology. The package will be trialled with donations of £40,000 per year for the first three years, and Tracey hopes that a higher standard of living for BAME students will assist better results in outreach programmes. He also aims to sponsor careers mentoring for BAME students.

In 2022, only 28% of undergraduates admitted to Peter’s were from BME backgrounds, although this is still one of the highest percentages at any Oxford college. Notably, Peter’s was also the first college to admit black undergraduates in 1929, which Tracey says is a factor that encouraged him to approach them. 

One student at Peter’s told Cherwell, “It’s great to see the college partnering with such a big name. St Peter’s is very welcoming, and it’s nice to see that spread.”

The head of St Peter’s, Judith Buchanan, has also said she is “delighted to have AJ Tracey in our world”.

As part of the college’s celebration of Black History Month, Peter’s will host the AJ Tracey dinner on 17th October, which Tracey will attend after speaking about his visions for BAME access at the Oxford Union. St Peter’s told its students that the dinner would primarily be an opportunity for students from minority backgrounds to celebrate their identities. 

However, AJ Tracey is also prepared for criticism, saying “some people see it as unfair that white students are not getting the same funding.” These concerns are partly due to the backlash received by the rapper Stormzy, who launched a similar access scheme at Cambridge University. In response to this, Tracey points out that “society is largely catered towards white people, so anything that helps is a good thing.”

Flavours of Europe

Archie Moss
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Flavours of Europe

Many students may find themselves presented with an opportunity to host a dinner during their time at university. To take advantage of it can reward the host with a sense of accomplishment, pride, and satisfaction. I advise that students seize these opportunities, however they should do so seriously to forge a memory of an unforgettable evening for both themselves and their guests. There are a series of faux pas which I have witnessed (and on occasion committed) at student dinner parties, and in this short piece I hope to provide inspiration from someone who made so many feel at home when cooking along to her on the television, or when following her recipes in her famous books.

In 1961, Julia Child, along with Luoisette Bertholle and Simone Beck, published the book “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”, and the three authors provide helpful pointers which ensure that the preparation of food is just as enjoyable as the consumption of it is. The planning for such a dinner event should begin a day in advance, where one has the time to assess a chosen recipe and collect the ingredients or equipment required. Child recommends the careful visualisation of each step to avoid surprises, along with many other useful tips which readers are recommended to read for themselves. However, a personal suggestion which applies to Oxford students in particular is to be realistic. Many student kitchens here are under-equipped, so it is vital that you take stock of the equipment you have available to you. If you do not have an oven, then stick to the many dishes you can make on the hob or in a slow cooker. If you have only a microwave, then consider a cold buffet. Stick within your means, as often the best results stem from limitation.

If you are fortunate enough to have access to an oven, I recommend the recipe for Beef Bourguignon which is provided in the aforementioned text. When correctly made at home the taste will rival that of meals found at this city’s finest restaurants. If you can stretch to it, try purchasing a Burgundy wine from one of Oxford’s many wine shops. There is no shame in buying their cheapest, since the wine will mainly be used for cooking, but it is traditional, and a good quality wine will add an unparalleled depth and richness to the sauce. I used a 1.5kg cut of beef brisket, which can be found online or at the various farmers markets in the city (I recommend Headington on a Saturday for a selection of free range and ethically farmed meat). This dish along with potatoes would easily feed six and will probably have you go down as the greatest chef in your flat! I hope that this piece inspires you to go that little bit further when hosting a dinner party for your friends, and I assure you that the results of your efforts will truly be worth it. Join me next time for a delve into traditional Italian cuisine.

Image credit: Fauxels via Pexels.

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