The tramps team took Warwick by storm on Saturday 8th November in the first of many competitions and if this year goes as well as this weekend, then its good times ahead!

They came away with five medals and one trophy! Charlotte Crowley, first year Sports Education student, competed and won the Inter Advance level. Charlotte also competed with Hannah Sidlow, Elizabeth Rawlinson and Becky Hopton in the Inter Advanced Team event and came second. Gemma Withington, Aled Gibson, Chelsea Phillips and Jane Royles also competed but just missed out on the medals.
More competitions are coming up in the near future and we will keep you updated on our progress throughout the year.

Laura Collins
Press Officer

With wins against Exeter and Southampton, and hoping to notch up another against Bristol tomorrow, they are looking to top their BUCS league.

The women have had problems getting the whole team in the same place at the same time for games, what with category-a lectures and such, but this has not stopped us from playing. The women did particularly well against UWIC a couple of weeks ago winning 8-5 with four men down. Socials have been going well, with pub golf ending in a roaring success and providing the traditional team bonding, and Shirley making sure the fresher’s settle in well. We have had many other amazing dress ups, including gangsta’s and worms for pink and pink.

We have the hunt to look forward to next week and braveheart in honour of St. Andrews day in a couple of week’s time.

The organisation for tour is coming along swiftly, much to the excitement of the whole team. A return to Salou as been long-awaited…

Reunion takes pride of place this weekend and we welcome back many old hands with countless stripes. Blue and Blue, through and through!

Written By Press Office, Lacrosse

We are in the process at the moment of organising the Christmas meal so keep checking the web pages, its going to be one crazy Christmas partaayyy!! Listen out in training this week as we shall mention this then as well.
The past 2 socials were really good, you all looked amazing in your outfits so well done guys!! Hope you had a good birthday lego!!

Written By Rachael Vincent

Ok so there is part of me that says I shouldn’t really be telling you this and should perhaps just not put an article in space this time round, but as Butters from South Park reminds us – you have to experience the bad to really appreciate the good (Not sure he is the originator of those words of wisdom but I heard it there first!). So here I am, now not only will you have to deal with the decline in the economy, you also have to come to terms with the fact that out of the nine games the 1sts have played… we have won only 2 and one of those was vs the 2nd.

On the plus side in BUCS we are still 1-0 and hopes are still high for a strong performance there, we have lot of 1st years in our team so we expect things to start a little slow but I can feel a winning streak coming on!

It’s disappointing but life goes on. Whilst I’m optimistic for a more successful post Christmas experience, It just goes to show winning isn’t everything and Mount. Goodtimes definitely overshadows the meager shallows of Lake 7 losses. (That line perhaps has more of a place in a dairylee factory then a Space article?!)
We are still friends and the year so far has still been great, the good times off the court continue and with preparation for our two tours well underway the futures bright, the futures blue and blue!

Written By Ben Parkyn

On the 5th of November, the Seconds enjoyed a week off, supporting the First team who played at home against Bristol University. Our girls put in a great performance winning 5-2, with Steff Matthews (2), Sarah Haden, Katie Cook and Jo Stafford scoring.
Women of the match was deservedly won by Julia Ladbrooke, whilst Katie Cook  took the nomiee award for her hilarious over-dramatisation of cramp!

The First team had another convincing victory when they played away against Aberystwyth, winning 7-0!  Unfortunately due to the wet weather, the Second’s game against Trinity College Camarthen was postponed, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of both teams as they chavved it up big style with the rest of the sports teams to raise money for children in need!

A reminder again that both teams are playing home matches at the Folley on Wednesday the 3rd of December, the First team against UWIC Seconds, and the Second team are playing Southampton seconds, everyone is welcome to come along to watch and show your support!

Written By Emma Fishleigh

Instead of getting excited and preparing our game on those few days running up to game day, we have been disheartened due to a long list of cancellations. Just as we were getting into our game and forming well as a team, both local league and Uni games have been cancelled back to back. The Tigers see this as a massive hit back due to lack of competitive play over the last few weeks. Nevertheless, this has not and will not stop us doing what we do best on court, and that’s playing the game we all love. We are hoping our run of bad luck will end and our 2 fixtures for this week will go ahead. We are all very ready for another hard, physical game, so bring on the opposition!!!

This lack of play will just bring us out stronger and harder and the adrenaline build up will hopefully explode this week and continue furthermore!!!! Our team is still working great together in training and I have every confidence our success will continue. Our cancelation after cancelation has left our players feeling gutted and let down, purely because we love the game and love playing. I am proud to say that the spirits in the team have not hindered, if anything they are heightened as we are a really close unit on and off the court and we are very much looking forward to playing again!!

My confidence in the team is still strong and we will hopefully bring home a few more wins…..so watch this space for our next report!!!!! Heads up girls……..Our team is what???!!!!!

Jess Addington – Club Captain

Last time I reported that the snow had arrived, it has since been a rather nasty cycle of snow, ice and rain. The ice has been particularly awful as Lillehammer is full of hills and travelling by foot now takes twice as long, either struggling up a hill or sliding down! The nights now begin at three PM and I am told soon it will be two PM, this is a bit of a shock to the system, it feels like the middle of the night yet it is only early afternoon!

Unfortunately I had to cancel a trip to Fredrickstad and to Sweden due to the driver having to urgently rewrite a failed assignment! I am hoping to re-arrange this before Christmas and have also been researching a visit North to view the Northern Lights.

We also have now had our final international dinner night, during the semester we have had several evenings where we all cook foods from our country of origins. It has been a great way to get to know everyone better and learn more about the different cultures also enjoying an evening of company. This time the Norwegian’s cooked a traditional dish called Fårikål, literally translating to sheep in cabbage, which is what it essentially is! Seasoned lamb is cooked with cabbage for a couple of hours to form a stew and served with potatoes and other vegatables. We also had waffles which appears to be a Norwegian favourite amongst the students!

All of us international students live together in student halls and have been eating often together on the weekends. We all share and help cook a meal which is really enjoyable as it feels like a surrogate family whilst we are all away from our home comforts. Some meals have included fish caught by the German boys cooked with a traditional German sauce, French Crepes, Cheesey Croc Monsieur and the Dutch Speculaas cookies, traditionally eaten on December the 5th to celerbrate St Nicholas’ Eve. We have a party planned to celebrate this and a Christmas Party: Julebord to look forward to. This is based in the mountains and is a huge event in Lillehammer, we are all excited about the prospect of a traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner and ball to follow over looking the snowy landscape. The majority of international students are returning to their home universities for semester two so it is also one of our last chances to have a big event together.

Currently my brother Andy and his friend Lee are in mid visit. As this is my last article before Christmas I will write all about our trip together and Christmas in the New Year. I have an exam on the 18th December so break up a lot later then everyone back home; I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my family and visiting Cheltenham in the New Year. Have a brilliant Christmas!!

Written By Linda Page

You should have received your confirmation and wait for your first set of learning materials. To all the international students who volunteered teaching their respective languages, thank you very much and I seriously can’t make all of this happen without your help! Thanks to Cathy Green of International Office too!
The University of Gloucestershire International Students Facebook Group is growing and growing everyday! Thanks to all who have joined and invited their friends to be a member as well. Most of all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Home Students who joined the group, your presence in it and your warm acceptance of all the international students is something that is very important. Thanks for allowing us to be part of your university experience.
Let’s talk about current events this time, what can I say about Obama’s victory in the US Presidential race? Most of you may know that I am a “John McCain” supporter (through my Facebook), and therefore I adhere by his tagline of spreading opportunity instead of spreading wealth around. But since the elections is over and even if I’m not living in America, the least I can do, and we can do, is to perfect our own lives and help one another to achieve what’s the best for all of us.

They say that the US Elections has a big impact in every country in the world considering America as one of the super-powers at the moment. Indeed, it is very important, and now that the people has spoken and chose Barack Obama, the advocate of change, as their new president, we all have to move on and continue whatever good has been started. After all, we are ONE COUNTRY and ONE WORLD, regardless of the race, nationality and language differences; we have to dream as ONE, believe as ONE and survive as ONE.
Dates for your Diaries!

December 1, 2008 – One World Christmas Party at Fullwood House, Park Campus, 6.00 pm;

December 6, 2008 – Deadline of submission of entries for the Christmas Challenge, 5.00 pm;

December 7, 2008 – Carols Service at FCH Chapel, 7.30 pm.

Written By Rowdy, International Exec

If you are starting to think about where and who with you would like to live next year, keep the above date in mind.

The University has a registered housing list available to all students at the university from Monday 2nd February.  There are over 400 hundred properties on the list ranging from 1 bedroom flats to 10 bedroom houses.  The average size house on the list is 4 / 5 bedrooms, (please bear this in mind when getting into groups).

All properties on the list have been through a health and safety check with the university and a Housing Adviser would have inspected the property within the last two years.

Students are strongly encouraged not to start looking for housing until the list is released and to only seek accommodation from the list.

The housing list can be viewed through our specific website, StudentPad.  All students will be emailed directly to their student email accounts prior to the list being released with instructions on how to access it and the password which will be live from 9am on the 2nd February.

Meet the Housing Team –

The Housing Team are part of the Accommodation Department and consist of specialist advisers who are able to offer advice and guidance on all issues relating to privately let off-site housing.  From your first year in private housing the advisers are on hand to help ensure you settle in quickly and have a happy productive year at the university.

The team has the responsibility for registering the properties that are advertised on StudentPad.  All properties are visited and details checked to ensure compliance with the university registration criteria.

The Housing Team are able to act as mediators between landlords and tenants should any problems occur and can also signpost to other relevant services.  As part of Student Services we can provide you with all the information you need to get issues resolved.

Whatever your query, wherever you live in off-site accommodation; feel free to get in touch with the Housing Team or come in to see us at Francis Close Hall Campus.

The benefits to the University Registered Housing List:

➢    All properties registered with the University are fully furnished and have to fulfil certain health and safety criteria, which is over and above the legal requirements needed by the council.

➢    The Housing Team is here for you and your interests.  Our aim is to ensure provision of good quality, safe accommodation at a fair rent without ‘hidden’ costs.

➢    The Housing Team has specialised staff in place to offer advice, support and guidance with any problems or queries you may have.

➢    The Housing Team are here to help throughout the year.  Although your contract is with the landlord of the property, if you need advice you can always come and see us, we are happy to help with any query or problem you may have.

➢    The list is available from the 2nd February, so you have plenty of time to be certain about who you want to share with and can come back after a relaxing Christmas armed with the information you need to successfully House-Hunt!

University Registration Scheme

The university currently operates a database of flats and houses.  In order for an owner to register with us they have to fulfil a certain health and safety criteria.  This ensures that our required safety standards are met, all of which are there for your benefit.  Only university registered properties will be advertised on StudentPad.  For full details on the registration scheme please read the Student Housing Guide or online at www.glos.ac.uk/accommodation.

Who are you going to live with?

Think carefully about who you are intending to share the accommodation with as you will be spending a lot of time with them and there will be no easy way to change this once contracts are signed.

Think about the various aspects of your lifestyles to help you decide; are some of you very tidy, whilst others can live with mess?  Are some of you early birds and others night owls?  Will you be able to share out the responsibilities of the bills?

A common issue during the year is students wanting to move as they have fallen out with housemates, so consider your choices carefully.  You will be signing a legal document stating you will stay in the property for a period of time; you cannot just leave half-way through, ensure you are happy with your choices.

I don’t think many climate scientists would agree with him when he said “we know f*** all about the state of our atmosphere”! This was in response to my quizzing of the need for more monitoring of the condition of our vulnerable climate which is recognised by the majority of authorities on climate science as dangerously edging towards a tipping point of no return. I think the climate science community would strongly disagree with him on that. Besides, with all due respect to the possible integrity and fun of this project, there are many more worthy investments to make to slow down climate chaos down here on the Earth’s surface.

Virgin Galactic’s green credentials are not worthy or proven enough to justify this wasteful folly. The decision to take any unnecessary flights is more a question of morality when it’s the majority world of poverty stricken billions who will never even get near a plane, let alone a spacecraft, who will suffer the impact of such unnecessary damage to our already very fragile atmosphere.

Whitehorn informed me that the craft is fuelled by Nitrous Oxide and rubber. He referred to nitrous oxide as laughing gas, but it is laughable to be asked to accept that a spacecraft can be powered by latex and a greenhouse gas. This is very worrying when you consider that nitrous oxide (N2O) is 296 X more harmful to the atmosphere than C02!!! Whitehorn gave confusing information as he later referred to the fuel as NO2 which is nitrogen dioxide, which is another pollutant caused after combustion. Whitehorn couldn’t give me enough technical evidence to back-up his greenwashing claims so I will be conducting research on Virgin’s green credentials within the climate science authorities.

Was it right for one of the greenest universities in the UK to support this business plan? You decide!

Angela Shannan