On Thursday, 30th May from 7-11:30pm over at the Union we have a rather special little Jam and Showcase. It started life in Ramsgate and has been running successfully for over a year. It is now coming to Canterbury!

Waassuup was started by Brian Tuitt ex Bad Manners Drummer (but one of the original members), having spent 111 weeks in the British Singles Chart and touring round the world with the band Brian has certainly covered most of the bases professional musicians do. After Bad Manners and other projects Brian went to open a very successful recording studio in Surrey where he has worked with the likes of Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Mark Richardson (Skunk Anasie, Feeder), Lee Thompson (Madness) and Mark Wallis (The La’s, Travis, Redwood). After all of this Brian moved towards the coast where he is now working with several bands as a session drummer and hosting and organising Waassuup.

A back line is provided (Drums, Small Guitar Amp, Small Bass Amp) so if you want to come and play, or join in a jam just bring down your instruments and join in. There is also the opportunity to have a a chat and learn from people who have been in the industry and covered everything from Playing, Engineering and Production to working closely with record labels!

There will be some great drinks offers including: 2 jugs of beer for £15, 5 bottle for £10, double up on spirits for £1 and 2 jugs of cocktail for £10.

It is a perfect opportunity to come down and show your wears, join in with like minded musicians and learn a trick or two!

With the deadline for Student Loan applications for 2013-14 fast approaching (31^st May 2013 – new full-time students / 28^th June 2013 – continuing full-time students) we in the Students’ Union thought we would take a look at what it actually means….

For a student entitled to the full Maintenance Grant and Loan (household income of £25k or less) living in St George’s (the most expensive university accommodation) they will be left with just £5 a day! However spare a thought for those students only entitled to the Maintenance Loan (household income of more than £42k), if they live in St George’s they will be short £240 before they have even started!

See how we worked this out or find our more here

Before the next phase of technical work starts, we need to test the concepts and process to date and will be running 2 focus groups in the St George’s Centre, Canterbury, on 6^th June to find out what potential users think.

The sessions will last for around 90 minutes and will be relaxed and informal with group leaders talking about what the app might look like and how it might work.  All attendees need to do is share their thoughts on what they see and hear.

Refreshments will be provided and every attendee will be given a 50% discount voucher for any hot drink bought from Thanks A Latte for the whole month of June.  PLUS all attendees will be entered into a draw for a free pair of Summer Ball tickets worth over £80.

If you’d like to come along and help design a great app, register your interest here and we’ll get back to you.  Obviously, places are limited and we need to get as broad a group of attendees as possible so get your name down early!

Co-ordinated by the University’s Staff LGBTIQ network, CCCq, Staff and Students from the University will be marching together as a visible network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer/questioning members of the University community at London Pride on Saturday 29th June 2013.

The London Pride Parade is a procession of walking groups and floats which together march through the streets of Central London to celebrate the LGBTIQ community.

The University is proud of its diverse community and the belief in the inherent dignity and potential of every person is one of the University’s core values. Regardless of your sexuality, help us to shine with pride, by marching with us on Saturday 29th June!

For more information about our staff network, CCCq, and to sign up for the London Pride Parade, visit: http://canterburyccq.wordpress.com

Kind regards,

Danny Ball
Chair of CCCq

It’s EDS awareness month! Disabled Students Officer (Jos Achner) explains what it is and tells us of her personal experience.

I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – Hypermobility Type, this is supposed to be one of the less complicated types, however, for myself and others I know this hasn’t turned out to be the case.  First though I should say what EDS is: it’s a connective tissue disorder where the protein collagen is formed incorrectly and as just about everywhere in the body contains collagen it can affect many things.  For some it may be hypermobility alone (extreme flexibility, dislocating joints, severe pain), for others it can lead to organ failure including the bladder and bowel which can lead to having to be fed artificially by something called TPN through a line into a vein near the heart.

For me it has severely affected my joints leading to being reliant on a wheelchair, it has also caused problems with internal organs; this means I have to deal with bags that collect waste from my body.  Every day is different when living with EDS, some days I feel ok and have enough energy to do things like attend university and if I’m really lucky play some of the sport I so love.  Other days I have no energy, extreme pain, joints dislocate at the slightest movement and issues to do with my internal organs.  And then of course there are days when it can be anything in between these two extremes.  However, I find strength from the other people I know with EDS and the support we give each other.  Let’s face it there are always people in the world who are far worse off than me!

May is Ehlers Danlos Awareness Month and as well as raising awareness I am fundraising for the charity Ehlers-Danlos Support UK.  Please visit the just giving page and donate towards my fundraising efforts:  http://www.justgiving.com/joschristchurch

Photos

Here are the photos of the tattoo I had to raise money and awareness for EDS

To be eligible, students need to have a TV Licence, be leaving their halls or rented accommodation and moving back home to a licensed address.

Any finance-savvy student who purchased a TV Licence at the start of the academic year will have a full three months remaining on their licence. This means they can now claim a refund for the final unused quarter. The savings could pay for a ticket to a gig, a one-way flight to Amsterdam or night out to celebrate the end of student exams.

Spokesperson for TV Licensing, Glen Morris said:

“With exams fast approaching and the Easter term coming to an end, the student refund is fantastic news for students who planned ahead and bought their licence at the start of the academic year. It’s vital students understand the law when it comes to watching or streaming live TV or they risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.”

Recent research* by TV Licensing shows three out of five students watch at least an hour of TV a day, and 71 per cent of students use their laptop to watch TV. A TV Licence is needed to watch, record or stream programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV. This is the case whether you use a TV, laptop, games console, tablet, mobile phone, or any other device.

Phil Davis, Chair of the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA), added:

“The summer is a great opportunity for students to repair their bank balances, and it’s important they use every opportunity to do so. Getting a refund on the unused three months of a TV Licence is a really easy step to take. “

“It’s important students buy a TV licence at the earliest opportunity when starting university and take advantage of the flexible payment options available to them. Most of all, it’s vital students avoid fines for not holding a  TV Licence – a quick visit to www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo helps students ensure they are covered to watch TV on a range of devices.”

To arrange a refund, or for further information, simply visit: www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo, or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090.

The event which is only two years old is expected to be the biggest yet, and will hopefully register Christ Church’s first win! The event which is at Canterbury High School starts at 11am and will have food and beverages available all day.

Please come along and show your support!

For more information on Christ Church Sport, please contact:

 Aidan Ainsley

Vice President (Sport)

01227 782271

aidan.ainsley@canterbury.ac.uk

The game which is supported with a number of other entertainments such as Zorbing, is expected to have a turnout of around 1000 spectators giving both Universities all the support they need!

The gates open at 3pm, and the women’s game starts at 4pm with the men starting at 7pm with food and beverages available throughout. Don’t miss what will be a great evening of sport!

For more information on Christ Church Sport, please contact:

Aidan Ainsley

Vice President (Sport)

01227 782271

aidan.ainsley@canterbury.ac.uk