Valentine's in Lockdown

How to Spend Valentine’s in Lockdown

Finding inspiration for what to do on Valentine’s day is never easy and this year, with lockdown, there are extra obstacles in the way of having a fun Valentine’s. We asked our contributors to give us their ideas for the best ways to spend Valentine’s day whilst respecting measures in place. Here’s what they had to say: Spa and Cocktail Night By Shannon Bowes-Cavanagh A … Continue reading How to Spend Valentine’s in Lockdown

Album Review: ‘Who Am I?’ by Pale Waves

Words by Maja MeteraImage courtesy of Ian Cheek PR Who Am I?, released February 12 2021, is Pale Wave’s second album, created during the tiny obstacle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to lockdowns, most of the song were produced by Rich Costey (Muse, Foo Fighters) virtually with two members of the band in LA and the rest in their bedrooms in the UK. From very … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Who Am I?’ by Pale Waves

SOPHIE: 1986-2021: The Legacy Left Behind

Written By Phoebe Bowers, Image Courtesy of StayGolden PR Always the same and never the same Day by day, life after life Without my legs or my hair Without my genes or my blood With no name and with no type of story Where do I live?Tell me, where do I exist?We’re just… Im-ma-ma-material, immaterial. If you donÔÇÖt know who SOPHIE was you definitely have … Continue reading SOPHIE: 1986-2021: The Legacy Left Behind

Why Twilight Captivated a Generation

By Shannon Bowes-Cavanagh When the first of the Twilight saga movies were released in 2008 many teenagers rushed out to buy the Stephanie Meyer books. Whether you were an avid fan or not, everyone seemed to be caught up in the Twilight phenomenon. But why was it so popular among this generation? I think the main the reason that the books were so enticing to … Continue reading Why Twilight Captivated a Generation

Poem – Valentine’s Surprise

By Kimberley Jones To my lover,In my whole lifetime I will never be able to express how much you mean to me,And I hope that my efforts will make you believe in our forever.Strange times have taken their toll on you and me,And has made it difficult for us to find happy memories from the year,But I have not given up, eternity we will be.I … Continue reading Poem – Valentine’s Surprise

Iconic Vogue Covers

Words by Leah Hocking When Vogue was bought by media conglomerate Cond├® Nast in 1909, it was transformed from a weekly journal for the upper-class into the infamous womenÔÇÖs fashion magazine that we all know and love today. As one of the best-selling fashion magazines, Vogue has taken the fashion world by storm for well over a century; predicting the most up and coming trends, … Continue reading Iconic Vogue Covers

Portrait of Sarah Waters beside a illustration of a stack of books on a light pink background

Sarah Waters: The Queen of Vintage Lesbians

By Aruni Deraniyagala What is the ÔÇ£lesbian agendaÔÇØ? For Sarah Waters, it means putting more wlw (women who love women) stories out into the world. Born in Pembrokeshire, Wales in 1966, Waters was encouraged to engage in artistic hobbies from a young age by her father. She particularly loved writing poems and stories. Despite this clear passion for story-telling, it wasnÔÇÖt until she was much … Continue reading Sarah Waters: The Queen of Vintage Lesbians

Grandparents and Their Vision of Love

Featured Image Credit: @desindes.desindes on Instagram. It can be very easy to forget that the older members of our family had a life before us; wrapped up in our own worlds where our grandparents are just that: grandparents. Six writers share beautiful tales from their grandparents’ own stories, reminding us the universality of love, loss and heartbreak. John and Alice My Grandparents, John and Alice … Continue reading Grandparents and Their Vision of Love

Bowie and Prince ÔÇô The Male Style Icons of the 80s

words by: Abi Edwards The 1980s has been remembered for its iconic fashion evolution, such as Princess DianaÔÇÖs wedding dress, Katharine Hamnett t-shirts and acid wash jeans. It is also famous for the innovative musical styles and subcultures which emerged at the start of the decade. David Bowie and Prince were both the epitome of innovation within pop music culture, being known for their unique … Continue reading Bowie and Prince ÔÇô The Male Style Icons of the 80s

Number 158

by Phoebe Bowers. It heads a heavy breath An inhale exiled And awaiting  Grey skies above the suspended bridge over the Severn. Rat infested. Bin bags out on the streets, their aborted insides exploded on the concrete. Terraced house terraced house terraced house terraced house terraced house. Fifty shades of brown, beige, and grey. Sunshine in the day. Thirty different corners bookended by your local … Continue reading Number 158

The Golden Age of Cinema

Cover illustration by Shafia Motaleb / @artsyfifi Words by Luke Hinton When you think about defining moments in Hollywood, each era seems to have one key characteristic. The 1980s were undoubtedly the era of James Cameron, with the acclaimed director releasing hits like The Terminator, Aliens and The Abyss. Similarly, the 2010s will forever be remembered as the golden age of the superhero, with Avengers: … Continue reading The Golden Age of Cinema

Invisible Illnesses VI: My Experience with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour

By Katie Waits *TW ÔÇô Discussions of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs), dermatillomania, and trichotillomania* ÔÇ£Can you all please turn your cameras on?ÔÇØ  ThatÔÇÖs such a familiar request nowadays. Some days, IÔÇÖll be happy to switch my camera on in a seminar. Other times, I dread those words. It usually means an hour of fidgeting, sitting at an awkward distance from the camera, constantly tilting and … Continue reading Invisible Illnesses VI: My Experience with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour

An Immersive History Lesson: Touring the Globe

Image by Jake Williams Words by Sasha Nugara Travelling should not just be about a tan or memories, it should also be integral to your educational journey, as you learn about the worldÔÇÖs history and culture. Everyone loves a beach holiday, lazing about in the sun, grabbing a beer or cocktail from the bar, but itÔÇÖs important to register where youÔÇÖre holidaying and recognise its … Continue reading An Immersive History Lesson: Touring the Globe

Putting Stardust in the 70s: David Bowie’s Musical Legacy

Words by Leona Franke With the aftermath of hippie culture and the blossoming of exciting new technology, the 1970s emerged to be a decade of variety and ideas, and this is no clearer than in the music that rose to prominence. However, no other face impacted the early 1970ÔÇÖs quite much as one, and he came in the vessel of a freakish figure, an instant … Continue reading Putting Stardust in the 70s: David Bowie’s Musical Legacy

Review: It’s A Sin

By Katherine Wheeler ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà If youÔÇÖre looking for a sign to start watching ItÔÇÖs a Sin, this is it. YouÔÇÖve probably already seen the trailers, this show is everywhere- and everything. It covers every genre from comedy to tragedy, from romance to bleak, creeping horror. The truth is, Russell T DaviesÔÇÖ new show is one of the most important pieces of television IÔÇÖve ever seen. … Continue reading Review: It’s A Sin

1988, Section 28 and Its Lasting Unwanted Legacy

Illustration by Madeline HowellBy Sarah Belger In 1988, British Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher banned the ÔÇÿpromotion of homosexualityÔÇÖ by local authorities with the introduction of Section 28 of the Local Government Act. This meant school children received no formal education about LGBT+ identities or relationships. Local libraries were also prohibited from stocking books and films which contained mentions of homosexuality, meaning that most children … Continue reading 1988, Section 28 and Its Lasting Unwanted Legacy

The Beginning of Bond, James Bond

Cover illustration by Anna Kerslake Words by Chloe Chapman James Bond is notably one of the most iconic landmarks of British film culture. It even featured amongst the performances as part of the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony with Daniel Craig helping the Queen to ÔÇÿskydiveÔÇÖ into the arena (a good nod to that yearÔÇÖs film Skyfall, IÔÇÖll admit). The simple yet classic phrase ÔÇ£Bond, James … Continue reading The Beginning of Bond, James Bond

A Disillusioned Democracy

Millennials are more disillusioned with democracy than any generation in living memory, research suggests. A majority of the world’s young people may now be dissatisfied with the political system, according to a study by Cambridge University’s Centre for the Future of Democracy. This article highlights via three students, how they feel the culture of politics needs to change to cater towards and how they should … Continue reading A Disillusioned Democracy

Spice Up Your Wardrobe: Iconic Spice Girls Looks

Words by Maddie Balcombe When it comes to iconic fashion moments, it goes without saying that the Spice Girls hold the crown. From VictoriaÔÇÖs girl-boss mini dresses to Mel BÔÇÖs leopard print flares, the girlsÔÇÖ individual styles shouldnÔÇÖt work together, but they somehow managed to merge their stylistic differences into the perfect pop image. Back when the Spice Girls formed, it didnÔÇÖt take long before … Continue reading Spice Up Your Wardrobe: Iconic Spice Girls Looks