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March 2016 | Year 9, Issue 4

Freeuni?

Gregor Smith meets the Sheffield students occupying their lecture theatre

hen you think of student protests, you think of marching on the streets, angry faces shouting about raised fees, and effigies of

Nick Clegg being publicly hung (which actually happened in November 2010).

Poor old Nick hasn’t quite been strung up by the public yet - he’s still an MP just up the road from the latest university protest at the University of Sheffield. But this protest isn’t much like the others. When I arrive at the Richard Roberts Auditorium, which was occupied by students on February 29, most of the students are, surprisingly enough, studying. But a few take some time out to talk to me about their occupation.

“It’s something that we’ve been building for quite a while, due to a number of attacks on higher education,” explains Rosie Wright, who I was guided to as ‘the best person to talk about these sorts of things’.

The occupation has only four demands, printed on a small piece of A5 paper. They want to oppose Prevent, stop the upcoming Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), scrap the casual employment of tutors, and hold regular student-staff meetings.

“We had the pre-existing group, the Free University of Sheffield,” Rosie continues, “but as the occupation has gone on, we’ve definitely met and engaged with new students who we didn’t know before, and people who aren’t even students.”

Stuart McMillan, whose head of scruffy black hair suggests he’s been here a while, begins to list off a range of groups and people who’ve all got in touch to show their support: the president of the SU, academics, LGBT groups, environmental campaigners, Owen Jones, and even the artist the auditorium is named after, Richard Roberts.

The University of Sheffield hadn’t been as supportive, Rosie tells me: “We met with the Head of Estates and the Pro Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning. We then had a follow up email that evening from the Head of Estates, which affirmed everything said in the meeting and that it’ll be ‘passed on to other people’, without really giving us any response as to our demands.”

All lectures in the auditorium were cancelled by the university, in spite of the occupiers’ requests otherwise, although some lecturers have held their sessions regardless. Seminar rooms in the rest of the building have also been left unused.

“The narrative they were putting across was one of fear,” Stuart continued. “They used a number of ludicrous examples, including someone being shot at a student union event. They clearly Googled ‘dangerous things to do with students’ and then told us how our ‘disco atmosphere’ was going to encourage drug addicts and miscreants.”

Nothing has inspired this disco atmosphere more than the Teaching Excellence Framework,

which appeared in a government paper about higher education towards the end of last year.

Jasmine (not her real name, she has asked, as she has a job with the university) explains: “It’s basically a way of measuring academic excellence but on qualities that aren’t directly correlated with quality education.

“It mostly measures in terms of employability, and the obvious problems with that is that the top universities have more socially mobile students that enter them, so are more likely to go straight into jobs. There’s a bit of nepotism and elitism at play.

“It’s also drawing on things like the National

Student Survey, which measures the quality of student experience, which shouldn’t be in the remit of academics because it’s a very nebulous thing. It’s not something you can use to measure the academic ability of teachers to impart learning. Academics are being bullied by these accountability measures that-”

“-are based entirely on a market-oriented system,” says Peter, another student who has just wandered into the ‘Quiet Room’ where we’re talking, although the passionate nature of the topics at hand mean that it’s not really quiet now.

Some more occupiers walk in, including Jack, who adds: “We don’t discuss with our lecturers how we feel it’s gone. We have to do it completely behind their backs. It could be done through dialogue rather than these unaccountable surveys.

“The green paper actually says that part of the reason they’re introducing the TEF is that 35% of students said they felt that £9,000 was not value for money, and they’re introducing the TEF thinking staff aren’t doing their job properly. I think they’re missing the point: most people don’t feel £9,000 is value for money because it’s £9,000.”

“You hear criticism of £9,000 [fees] every day. ‘Ooh, I’m paying £9,000 for this but this isn’t good enough,’” Stuart mimics. “When people are pissed off about the way education is, it’s from the perspective of it being a thing that we buy and sell, rather than being an enriching thing in itself.”

As well as the National Student Survey, the occupiers want regular meetings with staff to discuss how the university is run.

“The London School of Economics and the University of Warwick both facilitate regular liaisons between the Vice Chancellor and the student body. We think that would encourage a more democratic atmosphere,” Jasmine explains.

“This moves beyond activist spaces into general students. My housemate, for example, laughs at this movement, but was telling me in a shocked and disgruntled way about the fact that our Vice

Gregor Smith, deputy editor | gregor.smith@thelinc.co.uk

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@TheLinc

Rosie Wright & Stuart McMillan, two of the occupiers continued on page 3 >>

The Linc Editorial

EditorAngeline McCall

Deputy EditorGregor Smith

News EditorKelly Pyart

Deputy News EditorDanyal Khan

Culture EditorLauren Mulcahy

Deputy Culture EditorHolly Reddish

Lifestyle EditorCatherine Talbot

Deputy Lifestyle EditorRebecca Lancashire

Style EditorElise Tel

Deputy Style EditorCaitlyn Lyth

Sport EditorAdam Tomlinson

Deputy Sport EditorLiam Ray

Student Sport EditorsJames WilliamsOllie Collins

Picture EditorGeorgia Dawson

Audio & Visual EditorAaron Renfree

Readers’ EditorSam Pidoux

ContributorsLiam O’DellElliot SpurgeonHollie HabgoodBecky MarrowRachel GascoigneOlivia Peace

The Linc was printed by Mortons Print Limited, Horncastle, Lincolnshire www.mortonsprint.comThe views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily the views of the University of Lincoln or the Lincoln School of English & Journalism.

All rights in the design, text, graphics and other material in this paper and the selection or arrangement thereof is copyright of The Linc or other third party, unless otherwise stated. Any unauthorised use of materials is prohibited, if you require permission please email contact@thelinc.co.uk

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Deputy Editor’s Letter

2 @THELINC

Gregor Smith | Email: gregor.smith@thelinc.co.uk | Twitter: @grgrsmth

I’ve been working for The Linc for the past two-and-a-bit years, which means that I now get the pleasure of announcing that someone else can have a go.

That’s right, we’ve opened applications for our 2016/17 editorial team. The Linc is a great publication to work for and one of the best opportunities the uni has to offer, so I heartily recommend that you apply. Details of how to do so are on page 3 and our website.

Even though we’re almost on our way out, there’s a lot of good stuff in this digital edition. I got to speak to some campus activists in Sheffield; Liam meets new SU President, Sammi Storey; Lauren spoke to the former Catfish & The Bottlemen guitarist who’s off to form his own band; Becky takes a look at some Easter treats; and the sport team have been up and down the

county getting a spread of interesting stories.(I would’ve included something from the style team

as well, but it’s not really my thing; my hair and lashes are, you’ll be surprised to know, all natural.)

There’s also some good news below on Freedom of Information remaining at universities, which is what I wrote in favour of last time I was given this column.

Given the fairly rapid nature of the government re-sponse to the pro-FoI campaigners, it made me won-der about the power that this column wields: can it really do anything? What should I say, if it can?

So, as this column - and my university career - comes to a juddering halt, there’s just one thing left for me to say:

I’d quite like a job, please.

he University of Lincoln has pledged that it is “committed to openness and transparency.”

This comes after an Independent Commission review ruled that universities should not be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.

The act, made law in 2000, is commonly used by journalists and members of the public to apply for access to information from publically funded bodies.

It’s often used to investigate and scrutinise public bodies, such as the NHS, universities and government departments.

In response to the commission’s report, a spokesperson from the University of Lincoln said: “The FOI legislation is a way for the public to hold accountable any public body. While universities now receive little direct state funding, we are committed to openness and transparency, and we comply fully with the legislation.”

However, Russell Group universities - which include Oxford, Cambridge, Sheffield, and Liverpool - retain the belief that FOI requests would leave their academic work open to “damaging misinterpretation”.

Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, said: “The Government has recognised the fact

that university research is subject to FOI and this can deter businesses from entering into collaboration with universities.

“Releasing research data prematurely can also jeopardise the commercial activities that contribute to innovation, economic growth and help support further research.”

But in their report, the Independent Commission for Freedom of Information said: “We found the evidence

that the requirements of the Act placed ‘public’ universities at a competitive disadvantage compared with wholly private providers unpersuasive.

“The opinion of the Commission is that it continues to be appropriate and important for universities to remain subject to the Act,” it said.

Matt Burgess, journalist and author of Freedom of Information: A Practical Guide for UK Journalists, said: “These bodies receive a huge amount of public funding and it is part of a journalist’s role – whether they’re a student journalist or any

sort of journalist – to be able to scrutinise and ask for information under the act.

“If the act did not apply to universities it would be very damaging in terms of being able to find out expenses that have been paid to Vice Chancellors, to members of staff and a whole range of information that is in the public interest.”

Freedom of Information remains at universitiesLiam O’Dell, news correspondent

UK universities make £1.8bn in 2014/15 ‘surplus’niversities in the UK made surpluses totalling £1.8billion in 2014/15,

figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency have revealed.

It’s a significant rise from the £1.1bn surplus recorded in 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Some analysts have claimed the margins rose due to all three years of students being on the £9,000 fee for the first time.

Oxford led with a surplus of £191million, and Imperial College London cashed in £143m.

Yet Universities UK, which represents the higher education sector, denied that universities were making a “profit” from their students.

A University of Lincoln spokesman said: “The University is an exempt charity, so is required by law to reinvest income for the purposes of the charity. A surplus provides financial sustainability and also enables us to attract grants and other investment to spend on new academic services, staff and facilities.

“Last year we announced plans to invest £130million in our campuses and we are continually looking for new ways to enhance student experience. This growth and investment is made possible by our solid financial position.

“Ultimately any surplus goes back into the university.”

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U

Many of the stories we’ve run in The Linc this year have been results of FoI requests submitted to universities (Photo: Gregor Smith)

Gregor Smith, deputy editor | gregor.smith@thelinc.co.uk

Chancellor is being paid £300,000 a year, £200,000 extra in travel expenses, and is put up in a house in the Peak District valued at over £1million.”

“Which he doesn’t live in,” Stuart adds wryly.

Yet, at the same time, many ‘front line’ lecturers are being paid by the lecture, rather than on a salary. “Some casual academics get paid on a lecture-by-lecture basis, which is a bit shit,” Jasmine says. “If you’ve spent ten hours preparing this lecture, you only get paid for the two hours of actual lecture.”

It’s not just limited to Sheffield - in August, a Times Higher Education article singled out the University of Lincoln for labelling its ‘hourly paid lecturers’ on their public staff directory. They have since been changed to ‘Associate Lecturers’.

The Sheffield protesters, meanwhile, want to scrap the precariousness of this work. “Academics have asked us to put this in our list of demands,” Jasmine claims. “We want a university management that doesn’t stand for its academics being punished.”

I suggest that it makes sense, given that education is being treated

as a commodity, for educational institutions to want to source its workers in the cheapest way possible.

“Cor, write that down,” Stuart laughs. “Pretend that one of us said it.”

On March 8, a judge at Sheffield County Court granted the University of Sheffield a possession order, with a spokesperson saying they “look forward to the occupation coming to an end very soon”. The next day, the protesters suspended the occupation “on the basis that further progress will be made. Failing this, we will be forced into further escalation.”

THELINC.CO.UK 3

Lincoln’s leading student newspaper (that’s us, by the way) is looking for editors for the 2016/17 academic year.

If you’re enthusiastic about news, culture, lifestyle, style, sport, photography, podcasts, or videos; we’ve got a position for you.

It’s really easy to apply - just ten simple questions on our online application form.

Head to thelinc.co.uk/qpkbu before Wednesday, April 6.

News

Liam O’Dell, news correspondent

Want to editThe Linc?Gregor Smith, deputy editor | gregor.smith@thelinc.co.uk

University hits 80% teaching qualification targetighty per cent of teaching staff at the University of Lincoln now have a qualification in teaching, an increase of

13% compared to last year.The University had set the 80% target for

the end of 2015 to ensure that lecturers are “appropriately qualified, not just from a research and scholarship perspective, but also from a teaching perspective”.

The School of History and Heritage has seen the biggest takeup, with almost nineteen in every twenty tutors in the school now boasting a teaching qualification. Yet the College of Social Science has the most qualified teachers overall, with the Schools of Law, Sports Science, Psychology, Business, and Health & Social Care all hitting or surpassing the 80% target.

On the other end of the scale, the School of Fine & Performing Arts has seen a decrease in the number of qualified teachers - from 77% to 62%, putting it alongside the School of Chemistry of having the fewest qualified teachers.

82% of tutors in the new School of Mathematics and Physics have a teaching qualification, while other schools who have surpassed the target include English & Journalism, Life Sciences, and Engineering.

A University of Lincoln spokesperson said: “Delivering inspirational teaching to our students is at the forefront of our institution, so in our last strategic plan we set a goal of ensuring 80% of our academic staff are qualified or Higher Education Academy recognised teachers.

“We are delighted to say that we have now met that target in the majority of our Schools, and are very close to meeting it with the remaining ones thanks to the hard work by our academic staff and the Educational Development and Enhancement Unit which is leading this ongoing project.

The figures put the University of Lincoln far ahead of other universities in the region in terms of tutors having teaching qualifications.

But they don’t plan to stop there - by the end of 2016, the University aims to have effectively all of its lecturers qualified in teaching.

Their spokesperson added: “The professional development of our teaching staff is ongoing across a variety of areas to ensure they can remain professionally refreshed and up-to-date with pedagogical developments.”

ammi Storey, current Vice President for Activities at the University of Lincoln Students’ Union, has told The Linc that winning the

presidential election was “like the biggest weight had been lifted off my shoulders”.

Sammi, who ran alongside three other candidates, described elections week as being a “whirlwind” that “prepares you well for the role” of president.

She said: “I’ve always focussed on making sure that I go out and I speak to students. It always poses new things that I never knew were a problem for students.”

With her time as VP for Activities coming to a close, Sammi said one of the main things she is proudest of is the ‘Sport Lincoln’ brand the Student Union created, and the End of Year Blowout - which takes place in May and sees Union J and Busted star Matt Willis perform at the Engine Shed.

“I think it’s really important that we have something that brings all three years together at the end of the year so our year doesn’t fizzle out”, she said.

As well as this, Sammi and VP for Academic Affairs, Nyasha Takawira, wanted to “create a tradition for students to join their course-related society” and for lecturers to “pressure” this as it will “allow them to gain useful skills”.

Sammi said: “It is really important that they do get an academic benefit from being part of that society, but some societies are about the social side of things which I think is equally as important.

“Just because you’re not

academic doesn’t mean you’re not volunteering, you’re not learning

management skills by being the president, you’re not learning budgeting skills by being the

treasurer”, she added.When asked about lecturers

‘pressuring’ students to join their course society, Sammi went on to add that “it’d definitely be more encouraging students” and that “there will be no forcing”.

Now, as Sammi looks forward to starting her year as president, one of her main aims is to “[make] students aware of what they do that

makes them employable”. Sammi also hopes to

establish a stronger relationship with

students after the SU came

under fire during elections week.A status update was posted on an SU Facebook

page telling students to “vote Sammi #1 for President” was mistakenly published during the week of campaigning, which saw Lincoln MP Karl McCartney criticise the election on Twitter.

When asked about transparency within the Students’ Union, Sammi said they “would always try to be as transparent as [they] can”.

She said: “A lot of people that are outside of the SU don’t fully understand all the processes that we go through. Sometimes we are bound by legal reasons and we have a duty to remain that way otherwise the SU goes under.

“We have a new marketing plan that will want to make sure that we’re communicating with different sorts of students in different ways. A mature student might not be constantly on Twitter, which might be a really great way to get undergraduates.

“There’s been talk about having an idea wall on our page so people can message in, so we will be able to better enforce communication. I think it’s really important for me in the year to come.”

Employability and communication top of new SU President’s agendaSammi Storey spoke to Liam O’Dell about her past year as VP Activities and her future as President of the University of Lincoln Students’ Union

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(left): the biggest and smallest gains in qualified teachers, by department(right): the schools at the top and bottom of the teaching qualification league table

Sheffield students take over lecture theatre<< continued from front page

Many students at the occupation continued studying ‘as normal’ (Photo: Gregor Smith)

(Photo: University of Lincoln Students’ Union)

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@THELINC4

Culture New band for former Catfish guitarist

Lauren Mulcahy, culture editor | lauren.mulcahy@thelinc.co.uk

ormer lead guitarist of Catfish and the Bottlemen, Billy Bibby, has announced his solo Winter Tour 2016 along with his new

band, Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles, after their debut EP, Bide Your Time, came out last month.

Billy was the former leader guitarist and co-founder of the popular band Catfish and the Bottlemen who came about in 2007. The band gigged across the UK and in many places abroad, selling out shows and gaining a huge fan base.

But 18 months ago, Billy decided to part ways with the band and embark on his own new musical journey.

After the process of hunting and auditioning for potential band members (Billy described it as nothing like the X Factor) he’s found the ones he wants. The Wry Smiles are made up of: Mikey Pearce, Matty Thomas and Robbie Jones.

Q – Have you always been into music?A – Yes, definitely, ever since I can remember.

My grandad actually made me my first guitar when I was about three or four, and since then I’ve always stood in front of the TV watching my favourite artists and playing, trying to pretend I

was them. I got my first real guitar when I was about ten so I’ve been playing a long time, it’s always been in me.

Q – Where did the name Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles come from?

A – I just got the band together and we just threw out loads of stupid names together because we needed a name for the social stuff and all that and I wanted the band to have a name so it had its own identity.

So we’re just firing a few names around in the studio and most of them were rubbish, they just made us laugh! Then, our bass player turned around and said ‘what about The Wry Smiles?’ And to be honest I wasn’t instantly like ‘that’s the one’, but I said let me have a think on it for a few weeks, and I thought, ‘yeah, we will go with that’. I’m happy with it now and the lads are happy with it so it’s worked out well.

Q – How different are things for now you’ve left Catfish and the Bottlemen and started your own band?

A – It’s different, but in a good way. It’s just playing with a new group of lads, new musicians; it’s always good because it’s great being in a

band and playing with the same band, having that camaraderie, but it’s nice and refreshing when you’re actually playing with other people as well.

In a way I’m trying to head down the same

road as what I did with Catfish. Where they are now - they’re pretty successful - is kind of where I want to go with my stuff and try and go up the ladder as high as we can get.

Q - What are the plans for you and the band for the rest of the year?

A – Basically, just constant touring, as many gigs as we can fit in, getting another single out in a couple of months and then festivals in the summer. We’ve already started applying for them so hopefully we’ll get some of them, and then hopefully another EP out at the back end of this year.

Review: The ForestHollie Habgood, film reviewer

t’s been a while since a good horror movie has graced our screens. The Paranormal Activity franchise has outstayed its welcome and last year’s Halloween efforts

failed to hit the mark.Although The Forest has an arguably low budget and

only stars moderately well-known actors, it is definitely worth checking out.

The plot follows Sara (Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer), whose twin sister Jess has gone missing in the real-life location of Aokigahara in Japan, otherwise known as Suicide Forest. With the help of Aiden (played by Taylor Kinney, American actor and fiancé of Lady Gaga), Sara ventures into the infamous forest and faces supernatural horrors.

One of the most notable aspects of this film is the story. Most modern horrors ignore plot in favour of cheap jump scares, yet The Forest manages to find a balance between both. This is mainly due to the introduction of the forest itself as a mysterious and sinister location that exists at the base of Mount Fuji.

Due to the amount of ambiguity, the film can almost be classed as a psychological thriller, yet it is unfortunately pulled back by the amount of special effects.

The first two thirds of the film are fantastic and intriguing as the audience is introduced to the eerie forest and Sara’s past. However, it begins to suffer towards the end as the forest causes Sara’s mental state to rapidly deteriorate. Although there is plenty of mystery, this film may not be for you if you like all of your loose ends tied up. Expect to leave the cinema with a lot of unanswered questions.

Overall, The Forest is a frightening and thought-provoking movie that is supported by a stellar performance from Natalie Dormer.

Remember, if you are a student, be sure to use your student card for cheaper tickets!

F“I’m trying to head

down the same road as what I did

with Catfish”

Five films to keep an eye out forWondering what’s coming out in the cinema soon? Elliot Spurgeon has five releases you should definitely think about seeing

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (March 25):The Portokalos family are back again for another wedding. This defines the genre ‘Rom-Com’ and it looks even funnier than the first.

Eddie the Eagle (March 28): The story of Eddie Edwards, the British underdog ski jumper who charmed the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics. With the unlikely casting of Hugh Jackman, this looks to be a good British film that may feature a few surprises along the way.

Huntsman: Winters War (April 8): The sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman. Eric the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) sets out to stop two evil sisters (Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt) from conquering the land.

The Jungle Book (April 15): Based on the timeless Disney animation and with the same director as Iron Man, this looks to be one of the best films of 2016 and the cast doesn’t disappoint. The likes of Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray have all secured roles.

Captain America: Civil War (May 6):Described by Robert Downey Jr as the ‘the Godfather of superhero movies,’ expectations for this film are high. Particularly with the addition of Spiderman for the first time ever in the Marvel film series.

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THELINC.CO.UK 5

Lifestyle7

s the frosty days become less frequent, and the sun sets that little bit later in the evenings, we are again reminded of all the beauty that’s associated with

the Spring season one of those things being the annual celebration of Easter.

But what’s a field of daffodils or a setting sun without a kitchen full of food to fulfil your every desire? Here are The Linc’s top seven quirky Easter baking ideas.

1. Cream egg browniesIf cream eggs are your go to Easter treat, then cream egg

brownies are the next step up. The chocolate sponge outer layer mixed with the gooey centre is sure to make your taste buds tingle.

2. Mini egg rocky roadIf this title alone hasn’t got you running to the shops in

pursuit of ingredients, I don’t know what will. It may not look like the most orderly or neat construction but, as they say, ‘imperfection is beauty’ and this little number is quite stunning.

3. Easter nestsWe all made them in school, which makes them an

absolute classic. They may be a little messy to create, but the end product is definitely worth it, and will remind you of your days back in the classroom.

4. Hot cross bun loafTo put a twist on the classic Easter snack, why not

transform the hot cross bun into a loaf? Filled with cinnamon, raisins and sultanas, this provides a sweet and satisfying alternative to chocolate.

5. Gingerbread cottage...because having a little fun in the kitchen never hurt

anyone! Getting together with friends, or family, to put your own stamp on a gingerbread house could be the foodie you need this Spring.

6. Rainbow cakeThere’s just something about an array of bright colours

that makes baking (and eating!) all the more exciting. Using a variety of edible food colourings, you can create a rainbow effect, or even just pick our your favourite colours – the choice is all yours!

7. Chocolate, banana & walnut cakeOne of the most underrated types of cake, the chocolate,

banana and walnut loaf is a really scrumptious delicacy. The sweetness of the fruit, combined with the crunch of the walnuts provides a texture you just can’t compare, and a sweet surprise that you need to try this year.

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e’re three months into the year and both Facebook and Twitter have had their fair share of social media shake ups.

Twitter came under fire after their timeline was to change to displaying ‘top tweets’ first. Then before that, the hashtag #RIPTwitter trended online after rumours emerged that the site was to remove its unique, 140- character tweet limit.

However, last month, Facebook also made a controversial change to their website. For a long time, users of the social media platform have been asking Mark Zuckerburg and his team for a ‘dislike’ button. Now, people have finally got what they wanted – sort of.

Instead of the ‘dislike’ button, Facebook have

now introduced ‘reactions’. With these six new buttons, users can say that they love the post, it makes them laugh, or that it makes them feel happy, sad or angry.

In a post on Facebook, Zuckerburg said that “not every moment you want to share is happy”.

“Sometimes you want to share something sad or frustrating. Our community has been asking for a dlslike button for years, but not because people want to tell friends they don’t like their posts.

“People wanted to express empathy and make it comfortable to share a wider range of emotions.”

Since the release, the new feature has received

some mixed reactions. Either way, it’s a move by the company which finally sets it apart from Twitter. Over the past few months, Twitter has adopted polls and a new timeline similar to Facebook’s ‘Top Stories’.

Meanwhile, Facebook’s been promoting their new live video feature, which is probably meant to rival Twitter’s ‘Periscope’.

After Facebook launched ‘Reactions’, the attention has turned to Twitter, where tweeters are desperate for an ‘edit tweet’ button. It’s fair to say that 2016 promises to be an exciting year for social media.

Express yourself: Facebook launches new ‘Reactions’

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quirky Easter baking ideas

(Photo: Sarah Joy / Flickr)

(Photo: scotproof / Flickr)

Liam O’Dell, tech correspondent

Becky Lancashire | becky.lancashire@thelinc.co.ukt this time of the year when the British weather can be hit and miss, we don’t always want to venture out to the gym

or for that run we’ve been thinking about all week. The thought of curling up in front of the television just seems much more appealing.

In fact, official research done by TV Licensing shows that we watch around 3-4 hours a day. So here’s some tips of how to turn your TV time into exercise time.

Make use of the advertsWe all hate adverts, so instead of sat watching

them why don’t you try running on the spot or star jumps instead. Set yourself challenges too.

Why not try the wall sit? Sit up against the wall and time yourself by the adverts. Start off with one advert and maybe after a few weeks you’ll be able to last the whole of the advert break!

Make it a gameWe’ve all turned our favourite programmes

into drinking games, but here’s a fun game without the hangover!

Choose a different exercise for maybe 3 of your favourite characters (add more if you feel more advanced) and every time that character appears on screen do 10-15 reps of that exercise.

You can make your own rules too – plank if they say a common phrase etc. Why not get your friends involved as well?

Just simply fidgetThis may sound like a silly one, but researchers

have found that you can burn up to 350 calories more a day if you fidget while you’re sat down. So don’t sit still, just keep moving about. Maybe best to try this one alone though unless you want to annoy the people you’re watching with.

Create a circuit in your living roomSet up little stations in your living room and

alternate them throughout the programme. Maybe start off with skipping, then to squats or even use weights if you have them. If you don’t have weights why not try things you have in your kitchen. Tins are a great substitute and you can use them for your dinner afterwards.

StretchThis one is pretty simple and is perfect for

when you’re watching at the end of a long day. Do some stretches to get your body relaxed before bed. Concentrate on a different part of the body for each section of the programme. You can do them lying down, sitting down or standing up. You can do some slow neck and shoulder exercises without even moving from your position on the sofa.

How to get fit whilst watching TVCatherine Talbot, lifestyle editor | cat.talbot@thelinc.co.uk

(Photos: Catherine Talbot)

A

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@THELINC6

Style

eing a self-acclaimed ‘savvy shopper’, I always strive to find the best deal when out shopping, especially for beauty products.

All trends, beauty crazes in particular, seem to change within the blink of an eye. And for those short in cash it can be pretty hard to keep up, especially when most beauty products in the limelight come with a hefty price tag.

Besides the latest beauty fashions, finding super-secret products that make fantastic dupes for high end items is always a winning situation.

The main trick is to shop around, it can take a couple more hours than usual, but who doesn’t like an extra little bit of retail therapy?

Here are a few of my ‘secret’ High Street finds.

Perfume: PS… LOVE AmeliaPrimark, £3.50

This is an absolute bargain, and it smells even better than its price. For ages it felt like I had been searching for a cheap, yet beautiful, perfume for everyday wear. I tried almost every shop, and every range of body spray or eau de toilette available, until late last year I found Primark’s range of PS… LOVE perfumes – and thank goodness I did!

The perfume range has grown quite significantly since it began, and now has various different scents, sizes, and bottle types, so there is literally a perfume suited for anyone. I started off using PS…LOVE Noir and received tons of compliments on my new scent. Now I like to use the Amelia perfume, as it’s a little lighter and more citrus based, ready for spring and summer (pictured).

PS… LOVE Polka is also meant to a fantastic dupe for Lady Million, by Paco Rabanne.

Lipstick: Essence, 05 Cool NudeWilkinson, £2.30

I discovered Essence early last summer, and fell in love with this shade while the MAC Velvet Teddy hype was going on. It is a beautifully creamy and nourishing lipstick, and its colour is incredibly pigmented. It makes a perfect Velvet Teddy dupe, it’s almost identical, and is a smidge of the cost at just £2.30.

Essence do a fantastic range of lip liners to match all their lipstick colours too, I’d suggest using 06 Satin Mauve £1, with this lippy – you’ll be looking like Kylie Jenner in no time.

False Lashes: SultryPrimark, £1

These lashes are fantastic – really easy to apply, are natural looking enough for daytime wear, but also glam enough for night time, and are a quid per pack.

There is a whole range of Primark lashes to choose from, some more daring than others depending on use, but these have to be my favourites, so feathery and pretty looking. They are a fab dupe for any Eylure set, which often cost five times as much and more!

Eyeshadow: W7 In The Buff, Natural Nudessomewhere, £9.99

I’ve been using this palette for a while now, as an affordable dupe for Urban Decay’s Naked 2 palette. Its colours bear significant resemblance to the Naked palette, and the pigmentation is

almost as good. The packaging is also almost identical, if a little bit tackier than the original, but all the same this product is amazing for those on a budget. You even get a brush with the palette too, so you’re good to go from the off. For me, eyeshadow is eyeshadow, and if you blend it well enough, no one can tell what brand it is!

St Moriz Instant Self-Tanning Mousse: Medium£3 (price differs in each shop)

Works just as well as the brand favourite St Tropez, and costs up to ten times less. It has great coverage, and doesn’t smell too bad either. I always apply mine with a mitt, and never get a streaky tan.

Tanning is a big thing for me on nights out, and I never want to be the girl with the dodgy tan, so easy application, plus fab coverage is a must – and this mousse doesn’t disappoint. It also looks super natural and gives more of a ‘glow’ after a shower, so you’re still left feeling sun kissed for a couple of days afterwards.

air combs breaking in your hair, tugging (lots of tugging), being unable to actually get a brush through it when it’s dry, so

many knots... all things which I have been exposed to since my early youth when my straight blonde hair turned brown and got curly. Really curly.

And also frizzy, circa 2006, which didn’t help.Many, many products and years of testing

different techniques later, I have finally found solid, go-to ways of dealing with my curly hair.

Owning this type of hair takes a lot of maintenance. I’ve found that using Superdrug’s hair masks have really taken some of the wildness away and given it a softer feel rather than it resembling hay or straw. A more recent recommendation given to me was to deep-condition it once a week to keep it soft and manageable so that’s another option.

Put your semi-wet hair in plaits and sleep on it, especially after using an anti-frizz product. It controls the frizz, and it dries much more

neatly so when you take the plaits out your hair hasn’t increased in size and frizz.

Use anti-frizz products to control the mane. Frizz Ease, Anti-Frizz Serum, Frizz Miracle Shampoo; try them all until you find one that works for your hair and takes to your curls. The success of the product might depend on the size of your curls and whether they’re tight or loose.

Never brush your hair once it has fully dried. Taking on that kind of battle is one for the brave and fearless. You’ll face an incredible amount of tugging from the tangles, you’ll have to put in a lot of effort, and for what? All the curls disappear, lost in a brand new frizzy mop. I find that the go to in terms of maintenance when it’s dry is to just leave it. Styling it differently to usual to hide the mess is another way of dealing with it when dry. Just don’t go near it with a brush as you lose any remaining curls.

Also I would avoid blow drying it at all costs, not without a diffuser at least; let it dry naturally.

I can’t count the amount of times I used to lose patience after having to have a towel on my back while it took hours to dry, but after many unsuccessful turns with a hair dryer, losing all my tight curls and making my hair wild rather than reserved, it’s worth it to wait.

Certain types of hair require it to be washed two or three times a week, but the thing I’ve found with my hair type is that I have the luxury of not having to wash it as frequently as other hair types, because I can pass off with my messy mop of curls. But the reasoning behind not washing it as frequently lies in the fact that it takes so much effort to actually wash it and comb it, and it can be draining. So as long as you take care of it whenever you do wash it, you’re onto a winner.

How to deal with curly hairOlivia Peace, beauty writer

Cheap finds: staying stylish on a budgetRachel Gascoigne, beauty writer

From winter warmers to spring style

Becky Marrow, fashion writerB

H

ven though spring technically starts on March 20, the weather seems to be getting warmer and warmer each day. Despite that, the infamous Lincoln wind seems to be showing no signs of disappearing any time soon – so here are some transitional winter to spring outfits to help keep you stylish yet ready for any kind of weather.Block heel mule sandals

Every seasons there’s the new “ugly shoe” trend that everybody jumps on board with – and this spring it’s definitely the suede mule with a block heel. They’re absolutely everywhere on the high street at the moment – from Primark to Zara. So whether you want to invest in a good quality, expensive pair or some cheap ones just to see if you can pull them off, the choice is yours. Rucksacks

Rucksacks have been slowly creeping in for the past year, with most people shying away from the bulky backpacks that you tend to see in kids TV programmes from the 90s. But this spring you should be able to pick whatever style backpack you want, because they’re going to be everywhere. The 90s revival is happening and there’s no way of stopping it – so you might as well join in.

StripesStripes seem to be appropriate for every

season, so make yours more spring-like by opting for colourful ones rather than the

usual black, white and navy stripes. If colour isn’t your thing, make yours stand out by going for bolder, more graphic stripes that differ from what you normally see on the high street.

Metallic/reflective materialGlitter was the in-thing for winter, but it’s being replaced

this spring with a new metallic material trend. Whether you’re daring enough to buy a dress or top, or perhaps want to keep it minimal with a new set of earrings – there’s a million ways that you can get on board with the trend this season.Slip dresses

Spring fashion shows have been bursting with models wearing slip on dresses in 2016, and the main concept seems to be using what is normally seen as underwear as outerwear. It may not seem like a very stylish fashion statement at first, but try finding ones with a lovely scalloped edge and layering them over fine knitted tops to keep yourself warm but still on-trend.(Photos: Rachel Gascoigne)

THELINC.CO.UK 7

LincSportFollow us for local sports news and live match updates for Lincoln City and more on Twitter.

@LincSport

Lincoln City boss Chris Moyses is in contract talks to extend his stay

at the club and to be paid as the Imps boss.

The 50 year-old has been in charge at Sincil Bank since December 2014 after he replaced Gary Simpson.

Moyses took over the managerial position on a yearly rolling contract but doesn’t get paid by the Imps for his services.

“I do it for nothing at the moment,” said Moyses.

“The club has been financially strapped for a number of years. I think it needed someone like myself to come in and clear the decks.

“I’m termed as a rookie manager, which I am in a number of ways and I’m happy with that title but I think going forwards the club’s in a good places now.”

Becoming manager at Lincoln City was a big step up

for the former Imps defender, with his only other managerial experience coming at Northern Counties East Division One side Lincoln Moorlands Railway.

While talks are on-going with chairman Bob Dorrian about a new paid deal at the club, Moyses revealed his long-term plans for Lincoln City.

“To get paid,” he joked.“Hopefully that will come,

I’ve been speaking with the chairman about that, to get some financial reward for me for next season.

“It’s to keep the club moving forwards and ultimately get

them out of this division and back in the Football League.”

The Lincoln-born man, started his football career with the Imps in 1982 and stayed there for two years – making four appearances for the team he supports. However, it didn’t work out with Lincoln City and he joined Halifax Town.

He struggled to make an impact in football and

eventually started playing for non-league sides, which included Grantham Town.

After regaining his love for football he became the assistant manager of Lincoln United, helping to coach his son’s side before being appointed Lincoln Moorlands Railway manager in 2010. He helped the Moors

reach their highest ever league position before resigning to concentrate on Lincoln City once again.

Following the Imps relegation to non-league football in 2011, Moyses pumped £75,000 into their youth academy to give youngsters the same opportunity he got.

“When the club got relegated they lost some funding in the academy and it was something I felt that needed progressing,” said Moyses.

“Connor (Robinson), Kegan (Everington) and Simmo (Alex Simmons) were all part of the youth team when I was part of it, so it’s nice to see that general progression.”

Moyses attentions are now firmly fixed on getting Lincoln City out of the Vanarama National League. The Imps are 10th going into Saturday’s match with Kidderminster Harriers.

Ollie Collins, SU Sports Editor | ollie.collins@thelinc.co.uk

Trinity part company with HoushamGainsborough Trinity have parted company with manager Steve Housham by mutual consent.

Captain Dominic Roma has been placed in temporary charge for the remainder of the season and assistant manager Darryn Stamp has agreed to stay at the Lincolnshire club.

Housham’s first managerial job came in 2007 when

he was appointed player/manager at Brigg, where he stayed for four years.

He left Brigg in May 2011 and joined Trinity, working with the youth team before taking over as caretaker manager from Brian Little in August. After a successful trial period Housham was appointed manager in September 2011.

Housham led Trinity to the

Conference North play-off final in his first season however they lost 1-0 to Nuneaton Town.

The new combination of Roma and Stamp achieved Trinity’s first win in five matches on 12 March, beating promotion-chasing Nuneaton 1-0 - reversing their play-off final defeat and easing any existing fears of relegation.

LincSport Talks: Where do Lincoln City need to strengthen in the summer?

Adam Tomlinson (Sports Editor): Wingers – It’s crucial that the Imps bring in a wide man in the summer, as James Caton is returning to Shrewsbury after the loan spell and Muldoon is creating a good partnership upfront with Rhead, which means they will have a shortage out wide.

Liam Ray (Deputy Sports Editor): Central midfield - City have often allowed opposing teams to dominate the midfield area. They need a midfield general: a player who’s been there, seen it and done it and can control a match at this level.

Ryan Hall: Central midfield - I think Moyses should be on the look-out for a classy attacking midfielder, preferably with Football League experience, who can take some of that goalscoring burden away from Matt Rhead.

James Williams (SU Sports Editor): Striker - Although Jack Muldoon has supported Matt Rhead well recently, the Imps still need another out and out striker they can rely on for a full season.

Samuel Gilbert: Central midfield - When the long ball to Rhead is not working, Lincoln could do with a ‘Plan B’ in the form of a midfield playmaker. A central midfielder with the ability to play that eye of a needle pass could be a blessing for Muldoon, giving him more opportunities to use his pace and stretch defences.

Nathan Hill: Striker - With the likely departure of Liam Hearn, The Imps will be left quite short of options in this department. Not only that but Matt Rhead needs a strike partner to share the goals with and to give opposition defences something else to think about.

Luke Vials: Striker - Matt Rhead was an inspired signing

by Moyses but the Imps have looked less of a threat when he is absent. If they can find a striker who can hit double figures alongside Rhead they will be in for a great season in 16/17.

Jarrad Johnson: Goalkeeper - Paul Farman’s keepy-uppy fail in his own box against Altrincham was truly shocking. He’s a good goalkeeper though, so maybe get someone in who will keep him on his toes.

Elliot Spurgeon: Striker - They need another striker who can share the goals with Matt Rhead to take the pressure off of him. If they do sign a striker I think they will be for a great season come August.

Daniel Jefferson: Striker - Matt Rhead has been their only reliable source for goals this season so a signing a forward is important. Especially if they gain promotion you can’t just rely on one forward, you need to spread the goals across more of the squad.

Adam Tomlinson, Sports Editor | adam.tomlinson@thelinc.co.uk

There’s a possibility - no matter how small some might say - that the Imps could be back in the Football League next season. Regardless, our writers have picked an area where they feel the club should choose to improve in the summer.

Lincoln City striker Liam Hearn has joined Harrogate Town on loan for the rest of this season.

Hearn has made 22 appearances for the Imps netting ten times.

The striker made his Harrogate debut on 12 March, but only lasted 60 minutes in a defeat to Telford.

Hearn joined City in May 2015 after he turned down a new deal with Mansfield Town. He made his debut coming on as a substitute at home to Cheltenham Town and scored

the equaliser with a header in a 1-1 draw.

Hearn has experience at the level of his new club - Alfreton Town was where he enjoyed most of his success scoring 65 Conference North goals between 2008 and 2011.

Meanwhile, Imps pair Conner Robinson and Nat Brown have joined Boston United until the end of the season.

Hearn joins Harrogate Town on loan

Moyses in talks over new deal

“(The aim is) to keep the club moving and get back in the Football

League”

Matt Rhead needs back-up and competition (Photo: Danny Allen)

Is Chris Moyses poised to extend his stay at Sincil Bank as manager? (Photos:

Danny Adamson and LincSport)

Ollie Collins, SU Sports Editor | ollie.collins@thelinc.co.uk

LincSportFollow us for local sports news and live match updates for Lincoln City and more on Twitter.

@LincSport

Liam Ray, Deputy Sports Editor | liam.ray@thelinc.co.ukDave Frecklington believes his player’s desire to fight until the end will stand them in good stead as the Evo-Stik First Division South play-off race enters its business stage.

The Lincoln United boss has overseen a terrific run by his side over the past few weeks, culminating in a last-gasp 1-0 win over Basford United on 15 March.

The victory, thanks to Sean

Wright’s late header, meant United cemented their spot in the play-off positions and gained ground on Tuesday night’s opponents, who sit a place above them in the league.

With just nine games to play this season, the Whites will look to continue their solid recent form of six unbeaten matches and four clean sheets.

Speaking after the win over Basford, Frecklington said: “You

just never know with this team. They just keep going until the end. We’ve scored about four or five times in the 90th minute (of a game).

“We would have taken four points from the last two games (against Belper Town and Basford). We’ve now closed the gap on Basford and it’s a massive result.

“All the teams in the league know how good we are. I think

Chasetown and Leek Town are the biggest threats to us, but winning a game in hand is huge.”

United will hope injuries sustained to goalkeeper Richard Walton and top scorer Jack McGovern are not too serious.

Both missed the victory over Basford but will hope to return away at Market Drayton Town this Saturday.

Jenkinson aims to come back even strongerLincoln boxer Bobby Jenkinson insists he will be back stronger than ever, after suffering his second career defeat and losing his Commonwealth super-bantamweight title.

Jenkinson, who trains at Lincoln’s Bracebridge Boxing Club, was stopped by Gamal Yafai in the seventh round during his first title defence at the Genting Arena in Birmingham earlier this month, and the Lincoln star was forced to throw in the towel after a spirited performance.

Yafai praised the heart shown by his opponent - nicknamed ‘the Dazzler’ - during the fight and despite the loss, Jenkinson says the support he received has been overwhelming, especially from people in Lincoln.

He said: “I’ve had so much support and everyone in Lincoln has said such nice things. I couldn’t have asked for more. I know I will be back and I will be back stronger.”

The fight was broadcast

live on Sky Sports as part of a Matchroom Sport bill, and Jenkinson still maintains ambitions to work with promoter Eddie Hearn once again and have more fights live on TV in the future.

“It was great to have a fight live on TV, despite it obviously not going my way. Hopefully we’ll keep in contact with Eddie Hearn and be able to get another fight on Sky soon.”

Jenkinson will hope to get his career back on track after the defeat, but revealed his short term plan is all about a deserved rest. His long-term goal, however, is fully set on fighting to win back the belt he had prised away from him as well as pushing on for more titles.

“Right now it’s all about having a little bit of a rest but I will get back and I will win titles again. I’m determined to get my Commonwealth title back and get a few more belts back and keep getting better.”

Samuel Gilbert, boxing correspondent

James Williams, SU Sports Editor | james.williams@thelinc.co.uk

The University of Lincoln Women’s football team could achieve a league

and cup double this season.The women’s side have

already won the league and therefore been promoted from the Midlands 2B Division and face the University of Wolverhampton’s First Team in the Midlands Conference Cup Final later this month.

Defender Grace Parker, who is in her second year of study at the university, was part of the team that finished second in the league last season and has seen first-hand how the side has developed this season.

She said: “I think after the first two or three games of the season I thought yeah we’ve got an extremely good squad this year.”

“Last season we finished second in the league and we have

an even better squad this year so that made us think winning the league could be possible.”

However, Parker knew that the other teams in the league will have improved and hailed the impact the first year players have made to the Lincoln team.

“We went into the season not knowing what the opposition was going to be like.

“We could think of what the teams that we played against last year were like but obviously a new year brings in new players. Teams can be completely different each year.

“In the taster sessions at the start of the year we immediately spotted five or six freshers who we definitely wanted in the squad. It was quite easy to see that they were very committed and had clearly played football for their whole lives.”

The cup run has been an added bonus on top of the league triumph. After knocking out teams from higher divisions during the competition, Parker sees no reason why Lincoln can’t claim another big scalp in the final against the University of Wolverhampton who are top of the league above Lincoln.

“We’re expecting a very tough game but at the same time we’ve got nothing to lose,” she said. “We’ve done so well this season and aren’t expected to win. They might go into it thinking to lose to us would be embarrassing

and that will put more pressure on them.”

So as this season nears its conclusion what does Parker think has been the key to the team’s success?

“We work extremely well together on the pitch. The team ethic this season has been better than I experienced last year and it’s just been incredible.”

“We all get on so well, socially we do a lot together and we’ve just bonded really well as a team.”

That team spirit will be tested in the cup final in a couple of weeks. But if the success the women’s football team have had so far this season is anything to go by, they may complete what would be a remarkable league and cup double.

Lincoln United warming up for their match against Stocksbridge Park Steels.

(Photo: Ollie Collins)

ULWFC on brink of historic double

“We’re expecting a very tough game but at the same time, we’ve got

nothing to lose”

Bobby Jenkinson (left) with promoter Eddie Hearn (right). The “Dazzler” hopes they’ll continue to work together in the future. (Photo: Bobby Jenkinson)

ULWFC popping open the champagne after clinching the league title in February (Photo:

@ULWFC on Twitter)

Frecklington hails Lincoln United spirit after vital victoryLincoln United’s celebrations after their 1-0 win over Basford United (Photo: Ollie Collins)