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Founded in 1949 The Newspaper of Imperial College Union
FOR GOD'S SAKE
G R O W U P ! Southside wardens insist on
Dr Paul Jowitt, pictured in a
FELIX from 1973 when he
was responsible for the
provision of a room for the
student welfare service at
the top of Union Building.
hard route to the top
The penthouse flats above the Southside Hails of
Residence have now been filled, after lying empty for a
term. However, the new residents are not to be allowed
access to their accommodation by the lifts of the
penthouse level, but have agreed to use the Tizard/Selkirk
gallery level and stairs as their means of entry.
T h e condit ion that the resi
dents cou ld not use the lilt to
the penthouse level was made
quite clear to the applicants,
and those who were successful
h a v e , n o t u n s u r p r i s i n g l y
a g r e e d to t h i s a n d o t h e r
terms. Whi lst not disputing
that the condit ion has been
fully accepted, F E L I X feels
t h a t t h e m o v e is t o t a l l y
unnecessary and is a further
e x a m p l e o f t h e p e t t i n e s s
w h i c h has s u r r o u n d e d the
whole question of the South-
side penthouse Oats.
Last term the Hats were left
empty, pr imari ly due to the
fact tha t D r P a u l J o w i t t .
F a l m o u t h K e o g h W a r d e n
w a s 11 v i n g i n o n e w h i 1 e
another, larger flat was being
d e c o r a t e d for his use. It
appears that the condition of
the second Hat was not good
enough for him (although it
was lor the previous occupant.
D r Frank Potter). This lost
the College revenues of the
order of ^2,000.
N o w we see a I n r t h e r
example of this short-sighted
attitude. The students l iv ing
in the flats are not b e i n g
a l l o w e d to use t h e l i f t s
p r o v i d e d b e c a u s e it w i l l
d i s t u r b the p r i v a c y of the
w a r d e n s . S u r e l y this is an
e x a m p l e of the " w e don ' t
w a n t a b l a c k l i v i n g next
d o o r " p r e j u d i c e m e n t a l i t y
being applied to a group of
students.
It is such a shame that D r
Jowitt above a l l , who is a
former student and Deputy-
P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i o n ,
should be so petty. H e ap
parently d id a lot of work for
students and would probably
have been wr i t ing an article
like this himself eight or so
years ago.
So cut the pettiness and
reverse this decision, South-
side wardens. Remember that
you and your neighbours are
truly on the same level.
N o 601 F r i d a y , J a n u a r y 15,1982 F r e e !
Dear Mark
In vour issue of Dew-nil Xt 4
von published a letter from
N i c k G r e e n i n w h i c h he
alleged (hat Professor Hart ley
is currently negotiating the
sale of one of the College's
most valuable resources in
i n d u s t r y : the f e r m e n t a t i o n
pilot plant. H e quoted as his
authority the ,\m Scientist.
Professor Hart lev is doing
no such thing. The pilot plant
is not for sale and could not.
for many reasons, be sold. It is
the case that the Govern ing
B o d y has a u t h o r i s e d t h e
examination ol proposals with
a v i e w to i m p r o v i n g the
income derived from the pilot
plant by fuller use ol spare
capacity.
There are a number ol such
proposals and no decision has
been taken.
}'mos sincerely
John Smith
College Secretary
Dear Sir
I write in reply to the letter
from a G a r d e n H a l l resident
that you published in the last
F E L I X of last term. I am
w r i t i n g because I feel that you
could not have checked its
factual content and I cannot
let it go unchallenged. The
letter concerned the laundry
i n W e e k s H a l l a n d was a
complete tissue of fabrication,
containing not one truthful
statement. In g iv ing the facts
behind the current contro
versy I shall not lower myself
to the level of this obviously
extremely unpleasant person
by being abusive, but w i l l try-
to, in spite of my extreme
a n n o y a n c e , g i ve the l a c t s
objectively and politely. They
are as follows.
T h e laundry in the base
ment of Weeks H a l l is pro
vided as part of the facilities
lor the H a l l and is intended to
he used by the residents of the
H a l l only. Hence the notice to
this elfecl on the door which
has been there lor at least the
last live years. T h e lock on the
laundry door is of the same
type as the front door and
thus wi l l accept the residents
front door keys. It also has
been thus for at least the last
ive years. Hence the state
ment made by your ollensive
correspondent to the ellect
that there was a petty-minded
conspiracy to lock out Garden
H a l l residents is a complete
lie.
There has been no recent
changing of locks. T h e truth is
very far from this. Most , if not
a l l Weeks residents would be
happy to share their laundry
and were in fact doing so last
term when they heard of the
misfortune of Garden H a l l
whose washing machine had
b r o k e n d o w n . T h i s h a p p y
s i t u a t i o n w o u l d d o u b t l e s s
have continued if it were not
for the totally unreasonable
b e h a v i o u r o f s e e m i n g l y a
great number ol Garden H a l l
residents. Towards the end ol
last term large numbers of
them would take over the
laundry for very long periods
o f t i m e i n t i m i d a t i n g t h e
rightful users by their aggres
sive and unc iv i l attitude and
preventing their access.
A d d i t i o n a l l y , a t u m b l e
dr iver was broken by putt ing
a l a r g e a m o u n t o l s o a p
p o w d e r i n i t , the i r o n i n g
b o a r d w a s b u r n t s e v e r a l
times. Weeks H a l l residents
had their washing removed
from the driers belore it was
dry and the laundry was left
very untidy with litter and
soap powder strewn across the
floor.
It should be noted here
that if this was how Garden
H a l l residents treated their
own laundry then it is not
surprising that it has broken
down.
C o n c e r n i n g y o u r c o r r e s
pondent's assertion that it was
o f f i c i a l p o l i c y to lock out
G a r d e n H a l l residents this is
most certainly not the case.
B u t w h o c a n b l a m e the
ind iv idual Weeks H a l l stu
dent who chooses to protect
his washing whilst he is away
by locking the door.'
II Garden H a l l residents
would like to use Weeks H a l l
l a l t n d r y th i s y e a r t hen I
would suggest that they write
to Weeks H a l l C o m m i t t e e
apologising for their disgrace-
fu I be h a v i o u r last t e r m .
offering to reimburse Weeks
H a l l l o r the d a m a g e they
perpetrated and asking per
mission to use the laundry
s p a r i n g l y a n d at o f f - p e a k
times for which they would be
prepared to make a contr ibu
tion to the maintenance costs.
) burs ill
Andrew L y a l l
Weeks H a l l resident
,S»,
Stan Kearns , former South-
side and H o l l a n d C l u b bar
manager has now retired and
M r M o r t o n tells us that tin-
poor chap is very i l l . As a
r e s u l t o f t h i s M r M o r t o n
p r o p o s e d M r K e a r n s for
Honorary Life Membership
of IC U n i o n at C o u n c i l last
term. H e felt it would be a
nice gesture.
W r i t i n g as an irate H o n o r
a r y L i f e M e m b e r o f t h e
U n i o n , I feel it is an insult to
mysell and other life members
l o r s u c h a p e r s o n to be
nominated by the President.
A t best M r K e a r n s was s
e x t r e m c l v nasty , at worst ,
extremely extremely nasty,
c o n t i n u a l l y i n t o x i c a t e d on
duty and on one occasion told
an elderly lady to " F u c k off,
you old cow". M y mother
wasn't at a l l impressed.
O n the Bar Committee last
year, M r M o r t o n expressed
loud unfavourable opinions
concerning M r Kearns and
his p o o r h a n d l i n g of the
Southside Bar. T o change his
opinion simply because the
poor chap is i l l is the sign of a
weak president.
As for Stan Kearns , he has
been awarded Life M e m b e r
ship by C o u n c i l , prov ing how
stupid they a l l are.
) burs faithfully,
Steve M a r s h a l l
Dear Sir
I am wri t ing to complain
about your presumptious and
pre-emptive action in having
v o u r n a m e p l a c e d on the
F E L I X Editors ' board despite
having only produced a dozen
or so issues. At least the U n i o n
Executive have the decency to
refrain from awarding U G A s
to each other unti l later in the
term.
} ours
I. Joyce
Dear Mail
Barnev M c C a b e is cont inu
ally informing us that money
is being stolen from the U n i o n
p inbal l machines.
W h e n I c a m e i n t o the
U n i o n Q u a d last week to get
my bicycle I saw him empty
ing the machines. 1 realise this
is one of his jobs, but at
5:00am.'
lours tasting aspersions
Stefan Twadowski . D o C P G
Dear Sii
W i l l i reference to the lasl
F E L I X you published in the
autumn term — 600 issues
old. and Christmas — w i n
the u s u a l , b o r i n g c l a p . '
Thanks, but don't bothering
commenting. :
\\ c were r e a l l y l o o k i n g
forward to a bumper issue
with lots ol fun. and expected
better. (Yes. we know your
whatnot was ill and you had
to find a replacement, but )
O n page 12. you ask lor
more spacelillers, so whv were
many small ads and Christ
mas w ishes to some people not
p r i n t e d . ' E v e n t h o u g h vou
complain about the number
ol ads sent in (quote "tut. tut,
tin over the top boys'") —,
and we do agree with vou that
the number ol ads sent in was
a bit excessive, we had hoped
vou would have printed mosl
ol them.
1 mils disgustedly)ishi
Carol ine Low Brian Stevens
M . Sturgess Duncan Batty
A . Bawan I . M . Mavvcr
Andy M e r r i l l
'PS: C a n we have a Chcrri ,2
column. '
Ed 's N o t e
G o o d idea! I ' l l cal l it (.hem (2)
Egotistical 'jerks Column. So il
vou want to make a tool ol
vourself. just send in a sicken- '
inglv " i n " small ad vvith/,'5 (to
cover administrative costs).
Page 2 FELIX. January 15, 1982
Student dies in
climbing tragedy
Peter Robinson, a first year physicist, died tragically dur ing the
Christmas holiday whilst c l imb ing on an I C Mountaineer ing
C l u b trip to the Cairngorms.
He was in a party of five attemtpting an ice-climb on Hell 's
L u m , on December 30, M a r k Bown, a chemist, also sustained
minor injuries but is now fully recovered.
A lu l l report on the circumstances of the death wi l l be
submitted to IC U n i o n next week. F E L I X would like to extend
sincere condolences to the family and friends of Peter Robinson
RCM in tune with NUS Students at the R o y a l College
of Mus i c are to lose one of
their two halls of residence.
The c o l l e g e a u t h o r i t i e s
have decided to sell Robert
M a y o r H a l l , s i t u a t e d i n
E v e l y n G a r d e n s , w i t h o u t
consultation with the students
association. This has brought
into question the power of the
s t u d e n t s a s s o c i a t i o n , w h o
a p p e a r to be i n a w e a k
bargaining position at present.
Indeed, it has led to a proposal
lo affiliate to the X L ' S , which '
was discussed yesterday.
It is believed that the move
to sell the hall is part of a
money-saving plan which is
necessary in order to expand
the R C M by the opening of a
new opera school.
And now, by popular demand, the
increasingly enter I aim ng
Barney McCabe The rest of this bit is extremely important to all c lub and society
officers. N o w is the time to start preparing your estimates for next year's
expenditure. The only way the Union can continue its high level of
activities is for all wastage to be eliminated. I hope everyone will be
responsible enough so that we don't have to resort to the large scale
"s lashing" which happened last year.
Some of you may have noticed my new hair-do, nice isn't it? For those
of you who really like it I'm selling signed photos of me from my office at
£5 each. (Incidentally if you try Jingles on Gloucester Road , ask for Sue,
she's very good.) F o r your entertainment also, anyone is welcome to
come and try one of my superb curries cooked in my new pressure-
cooker. T o book just fill in the form in the Union Office. I also got a radio-
a larm for C h r i s t m a s , so that I can not get into the office before
eleven—wow!
Incidentally, a certain Director of a certain Royal C h o r a l Society
seemed to think that my little "feeling" was "f ine" to use for a rehearsal in
the Concer t Hal l . I must also add that it gave me great pleasure to hear
people using it (e.g. Opsoc) . That 's what the piano was bought for, and
soon there will be an easy procedure for anyone who wants to have a
tinkle to do so. Y e s , fellow musicians, a first for I C — a reasonable piano
that is readilt
that is readily available for students to play!! (Incidentally, if anyone
would like to borrow my spare banjo, or even to play just ask.)
Wel l , that's it for the present, thanks for bearing with me (or is it just
bearing me?) See you soon and I wish you all a very enjoyable,
entertaining, stimulating and rewarding 1982.
Barney McCabe
IC Men thrash
Cambridge Women
A Happy New Year was not
had by the women of the
New Hall Cambridge Uni
versity Challenge team as
they were resoundingly
slaughtered by the male
chauvinist IC team last
term.
T h e IC line-up consisted of T .
P i g d e n . G . M a s t e r t o n , A .
G r i f f i t h s , w i t h reserve Z .
Loz insk i , under the masterful
l e a d e r s h i p o f M a r t i n S.
T a y l o r , h y p n o t i s t e x t r a
ordinaire.
T h e heat was on a cold
winter's day in Manchester
on D e c e m b e r 16. T h e I C
team rattled out the starters
for ten in a surprising contrast
to last year ' s i l l - p r e p a r e d
team.
The final score was 275 t<
IC . with the paltry 165 to tht
New H a l l ladies. '
M a r t i n S. Tay lo r has urged
us to p o i n t owl l h a l the i i
success was a limited one. as
they didn't manage lo score
with the other team He also
expressed extreme disrespect
for the U n i o n Deputy Presi
dent, Barney M c C a b e . who
failed to br ing " M i k e " . the
I C U mascot , despi te I C U
policy to the contrary.
T h e next heat is on January
27, and the team wi l l wi l l ingly
take Spanner & Bolt, as all
the team are Gui ldsmen.
T h e successful match wi l l
be broadcast on February 14.
alternatively titled the 'St.
Valentine 's Da\ Massacre ' .
Mooney gets
his just desserts!
3. You.. 4. It's beef..
90 x 130mm colour prints can be ordered from
The Hit Squad, c/o City & Guilds College Union, Mech Eng
Set of four: £1
Single print: 30p each.
All profits to charity.
Please quote corresponding number and title for single prints.
Do not send money with your order, cash will be required on delivery.
Guilds Hit Squad would like to thank M r Mooney for allowing the
hit to take place and all those who contributed to the £30 required
for the contract.
FELIX, January 15, 1982 Page 3
This is a revived feature which gives the
opportunity for anyone to express their
views more fully than the space con
straints of the letters page will allow.
Articles will not be accepted which
merely attempt to contradict the previous
weeks column, as the letters page is
usually sufficient for that. Contributions
should occupy no more than a page and
be typed or double spaced. You will be
free to say whatever you like, as it will be
you who is to be "judged" for your own
honest opinions. This week:
Charles Darwin
and Creationists
by Frank James
This year witnesses the centenary of the death
of one of B r i t a i n ' s g reates t s c i e n t i s t s —
Char les Darwin . Unfortunately this coincides
with the rise of an opposition to Darwinism
from those who term themselves 'creationists'.
I will discuss their motivation for holding this
belief later. The kernal of their opinions, so far
as the development of life is concerned, is that
all the species of plant and animal life were
formed by acts of special creation during the
past six thousand years. (An Irish Archbishop
'calculated' this value of the age of the earth in
t h e s e v e n t e e n t h c e n t u r y ) . F o s s i l s a r e
explained as the remains of animals killed off
during the universal flood.
So far as I am concerned people are free to
believe such myths or not as they please (there
are still flat-earthers after all). But 1 strongly
o b j e c t to p e o p l e h o l d i n g s u c h b e l i e f s
attempting to force such contentions down
other people's throats in the name of truth and
science. They quite seriously believe, and mis
use modern philosophical arguments to justify
this belief, that creationism has the same
theoretical status as Natural Selection. They
f u r t h e r s a y t h a t t h e y h a v e t h e s a m e
institutional structure as modern science. A n d
that among their adherents there are several
doctorates in biology. O n closer examination
the degree awarding bodies of most of thesr
people are universities in the southern United
States — the sort of institutions from which
Ian Paisley 'gained' his doctorate.
N o w all this is pure propaganda on the part
of the creationists to spread their point of view
in the e d u c a t i o n a l s y s t e m a n d to g a i n
respectability. If we let their views predominate
and do no! use reason to show that their views
are absurd then there is the possibility that
their views might spread in this country as they
have already done in the United States.
The creationists appear to be dissatisfied
with a materialistic account of the development
of man. Yet what can science do but discuss
the nature of the material world? T o advance
theories which in their very nature cannot be
substantiated by any direct material evidence
is unscientific to say the least. O n the other
h a n d D a r w i n i s m d o e s a c c o u n t for the
evolution of life and also for the evidence
w i t h o u t any need to i m p o s e c o n v o l u t e d
i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s or r e s o r t to n o n - s c i e n t i f i c
arguments.
What is the motive of these people? The
only answer I can find is power. B y setting up a
system for the development of life which is not
dependent on chance, and which within itself is
logically coherent (Alice Through the Looking
Class is incidentally logically coherent given
the initial postulates), the creationists argue
that this will lead to a secure society. They
cannot tolerate a pluralistic society in which
people can do as they please. They want to
enforce a system of belief on others from
which no deviation is permitted and thus
ensure their control over society.
They ignore the evolutionary fact that man
is an animal and should be proud to be so. It is
after all by pure chance that any of us are here
at all, and I do not see what is so very odd in
accepting that our species is also here by
chance. If Darwin knew that there were still
creationists in existence 100 years after his
death he would be spinning in his grave in
Westminster Abbey.
BAii THE
Don't worry dear, one ol these days
Mr Left is sure to come along.
Lady Flowers and the IC Wives Club invite you to a FREE BEER AND
B A N G E R S in the Rector's Pad (170 Queensgate) on Tues Jan 26, from
5:30 to 7pm. Everybody welcome, names to Jen in the Union Office by
5pm, Fri Jan 22.
Dinner in Hall
D i n n e r s - i n - H a l l w i l l be held on the fo l lowing dates d u r i n g the spr ing
t e r m : , J a n 19; Feb 2; Feb 1G; M a r c h 2; M a r c h H i ; and M a y 11 1982.
M e m b e r s ol the Senior C o m m o n R o o m wishing to attend any of the
above dinners should book places through Miss K . D a i l l y , R o o m 354.
Sherf ield (int 2231) using a booking form which can be obtained, from
the beg inn ing of the term, either from Miss D a i l l y . or from the box
located in the Senior C o m m o n R o o m in the Sher l ie ld B u i l d i n g . Students
should book through the students' union. The Idlest lime for hooking is 12:00
noon on llie Friday preceding the dinner.
Charges
Payment for dinners booked must be made, in accordance with the
rates shown on the booking form, at the lime ol booking but. as
bookings are accepted subject to the ava i lab i l i ty of places, deposits w i l l
be refunded if a d inner is over-subscribed at the l ime ol booking. Il is
regretted thai no refunds can be made in respect ol cancellations by
ind iv iduals after m i d d a y on the M o n d a y preceding the dinner.
Genera l
Staff and students at tending H a l l dinners should Ibregalher in the
S e n i o r C o m m o n R o o m or the A n t e - r o o m in the S h e r l i e l d
B u i l d i n g — d e p e n d i n g on whether the d inner is being held in the Stal l
or M a i n D i n i n g H a l l — a t 7:00pm lor d inner at 7:30pm. (The location
o f e a c h d i n n e r — w h i c h w i l l d e p e n d on the n u m b e r ol p e o p l e
a t t e n d i n g — w i l l be displayed on hoticcboards on the Level 1 and Level
2 Lift Concourses of the Sher l ie ld B u i l d i n g . ;
Sherry or other dr inks w i l l be avai lab le lor purchase In the Senior
C o m m o n R o o m or A n t e - R o o m before dinner , f l i c wine and port
served d u r i n g d inner w i l l be inc luded in the overal l charge.
Dress
Except for the final H a l l D i n n e r of the term ( M a y I I . 1982, when
evening dress (black lie) should be worn , the co l lec t dress for men lor
H a l l Dinners is a lounge suit.
Page 4 FELIX, January 15, 1982
Students To those of us who work here the Student
Services Office seems remarkably like the
centre of the universe, so it always comes
as a rather nasty shock when, in moments
of casual conversation with a student or
member of staff in another part of College,
we are met with blank expressions and
remarks like "where's that?" or "what do
y o u do t h e r e ? " , w h e n we h a p p e n to
mention where we come from or what we
do. Admittedly we have only been in
e x i s t e n c e (in our present p l a c e a n d
structure) for one year, so to make the
event and spread the news a little further
here again is a brief rundown of our
various activities.
. College Accommodation
Application and billing for all the College
a c c o m m o d a t i o n al located to students
begins with us, including a limited number
of flats for families.
Private Sector
There are quite a number of landlords and
l a n d l a d i e s in West L o n d o n who now
contact us rather than other agencies
w h e n t h e i r f lats or b e d s i t s b e c o m e
available, while we attract new sources of
accommodation through advertisements
in London newspapers at regular intervals.
This means that we always have some
current information on vacancies through
out the year with an extra effort to gain
more p l a c e s at the b e g i n n i n g of the
academic year and each new term. If we
c a n n o t p r o v i d e y o u with the type of
accommodation you are looking for an
Accommodation Guide may be of use with
a list of agencies and legal and practical ad
vice.
Serviced Legal Advice
This includes all kinds of legal problems
from traffic offences to making claims
under the small claims procedure in the
county court.
In certain cases where you may have to
have a solicitor, as for example, you would
if you wanted someone to represent you in
a magistrates court , we have lists of
solicitors who do legal aid work—which is
free if y o u r i n c o m e is low e n o u g h —
together with the areas of the law that they
s p e c i a l i s e i n . T h e s e l ists a l s o n o t e
solicitors who speak languages other than
English.
Landlord Problems
These can be many and varied. One of the
problems is knowing just what your rights
are. Other problems, such as an imminent
breakdown in the relationship between
tenant and l a n d l o r d , may be h e l p e d
through an intermediary such as ourselves.
Consumer Rights
Legislation over the last few years has
given the c o n s u m e r c o n s i d e r a b l e p r o
tection. However, it is still up to the
individual to find out how he stands in any
transaction that appears to have g o n e
wrong, and summon up enough energy to
commence battle! This is where we can
provide reinforcements with advice and
s o m e t i m e s direct i n t e r v e n t i o n w h e n
appropriate.
Immigration/Home Office Problems
This is an area which may require the skills
of specialist organisations or solicitors
which we can put you in t o u c h with
although for routine enquiries we should
be able to provide most of the answers.
A fairy's assistant
tells all Insurance
We have quite a selection of leaflets on
m a n y t y p e s of i n s u r a n c e , i n c l u d i n g
bicycles, possessions and holidays. We
may also be able to help sort out problems
concerning claims.
Covenants
Here is a useful way of supplementing your
income by reclaiming tax paid by your
parents on their contribution to your grant.
F o r m s e x p l a i n i n g the p r o c e d u r e a r e
available from Student Services.
Benefits
We have most of the Department of Health
and Social Security leaflets relevant to
students, such as those on all aspects of
the NHS, unemployment benefit, supple
mentary benefit , and s o c i a l s e c u r i t y
a g r e e m e n t s with the E E C a n d o t h e r
countries. Our own information sheet also
explains the rent allowance and rebate
schemes.
Grants
Help with chasing up recalcitrant L E A s ,
advice on eligibility for grants, details of
certain discretionary allowances and lists
of educational charities can be provided.
Miscellaneous
This includes such things as reference
books on h o l i d a y j o b s a n d w o r k i n g
holidays, while we also aim to act as
intermediaries between those looking for
tutor ing work and those in n e e d of
tutoring.
If t h e r e ' s a n y t h i n g e l s e y o u n e e d
information on topics not mentioned here,
come and see us in the Student Services
Office. If we can't help, there's always our
book of useful phone numbers.
Sue Telling
Small Ads
• T O D A Y
in C h e m E n g Theat re 1 at 1:00pm
Industrial Society presents
T h e C h i p s A r e D o w n
A view of the effects of m i c r o
computers on industr ial emp loyment
with the West L o n d o n representat ive of
A S T M S .
A real live trade unionist!!
• F a n t a s t i c Kn i twear Sa le
Tuesday , January 19 11:30-2:30 J C R
Br i t ish made Shet land jerseys £7.50
L a m b s w o o ! jerseys £9.50.
• M i n i 1300, 1971, f lared arches, w ide
wheels , no rust, recent respray M O T
(Oct 82), £425. P h o n e 584-0854.
• F r e e offer: Hardly used pos i t ion of
p o w e r — R a g C h a i r m a n , wanted by R a g
Commit tee . Next meeting 5:45pm, J a n
21 in S C R .
• A d i d a s c o u n t y s q u a s h racket , towel
grip, racket cover, and squash b a l l — a l l
for£12. Contac t A. Winkler , C h e m Eng
letter - racks.
•We l fa re Week F e b 15-19. W a t c h this
space for further detai ls s o o n .
• A s t r o s o c observ ing meet ing : A talk
on the use of the C e l e s t r o n by Dr B i g -
nall on Wed J a n 20 in the Waveguide ,
P h y s i c s Bu i ld ing at 3:30pm.
• W o u l d a n y o n e w h o wants an entry
form for the G L C ' s 'Portrait of a C i ty '
p h o t o g r a p h i c c o m p e t i t i o n , p l e a s e
contact H. R u d d , C h e m 2 . (I've on ly got
six, so first c o m e first served.)
• B U N A C and your s u m m e r in A m e r i c a
today 12:30-1:30. G r ee n C o m m Rm.
• D o you want to rule the un iverse? Or
just b e c o m e another un ion h a c k ? E i
ther way, you ' re go in g to need p u b
licity. Contac t Pal lab G h o s h , P h y s i c s
2. PS : Steve Marsha l l is a liar.
• L a t e night tours of K e w — c o n t a c t T.
Raynham, C h e m 2.
• W e d e m a n d t h a t s o m e o n e d o e s someth ing about this evil tyrant C o l o ne l B e r t a z z i a n d h is f o u l f a s c i s t s . H 1 2 R 2 1 H S .
• T h i s s u m m e r s p e n d your vacat ion at
Needham's Ho l i day C a m p , Barns ley ;
all poss ib le faci l i t ies, 7 real ales, and 12
rugby pi tches.
• W o o d s t o c k : N i c e to have you back.
Love and k isses . B o n z o .
• T o Debbie "I can take them all o n "
Thanks for the brush . S igned the p i n
kos.
• R C S R U F C invite app l ica t ions for the post of "hal f - t ime entertainer". A l l i n terested shou ld see Euan for audi t ion . • P h y s i c s Wanderers footbal l team cha l lenge a l l - comers for games on gundays . A n y o n e interested contact C. Bannock , P h y s i c s 2 via letter - racks.
• The R i c o c h e t D i s c o L o o k i n g for a more pro fess iona l d i s c o t e q u e for you r party or soc ia l funct ion? Don't settle for less, book the best. C o n t a c t C o l i n R o o m A2, L ins tead Hal l . • C h e m i s t r y 2. Don't you real ise that s o m e people in your ranks are gett ing you all a reputat ion as egot is t ica l je rks? H o w about an acc ident in the L a b ?
• W a t c h out! If too few art ist ic and literary cont r ibut ions are submi t ted to the Ed i tor of The Phoenix, (Barney M c C a b e ! ) , then he has threatened to fill it up with his own work. S e n d cont r ibu t ions to The Phoenix Editor, c/o FELIX Office.
A l l m a n n e r of c o n t r i b u t i o n s a r e
u r g e n t l y n e e d e d f o r t h i s a n n u a l
m a g a z i n e . F o u n d e d in 1886 by H G
W e l l s , T h e P h o e n i x is t h e a r t s
m a g a z i n e of Imperial Co l l ege U n i o n .
P r e v i o u s e d i t i o n s have c o n t a i n e d ;
a r t i c l e s , s t o r i e s , p o e t r y , m u s i c ,
p h o t o g r a p h s a n d a r t w o r k .
C o n t r i b u t i o n s a n d offers of help
s h o u l d be sent to :
T h e Ed i t o r ,
T h e P h o e n i x ,
Fe l i x Office,
I C U n i o n .
THE MAGAZINE OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE UNION
FELIX, January 15, 1982 Page 5
F i r r i f i f r r i f F F r r i f r i r i f r i r i r i r F
FELIX Csilciulsup 1982 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
0 Jan 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 Ents f i lm: Deerhunter, 6:30,
ME220. J C R Party
© Elec E n g / C o m p u t i n g
2nd year careers party
IC U G M , 1pm Great Hal l
0 U L U B a n d Compet i t i on : IC
heat, C o n c e r t Hal l
Ents f i lm: Kentucky Fried
Movie, 6:30pm, ME220.
0 0
O Feb 0 0 0 Ents f i lm: Star Trek, 6:30pm
ME220.
0 0 0
0 0 M e c h E n g / C h e m Eng
2nd year careers party
0 0 Sabbat ica l Papers U p
Ents film: McVlcar, 6:30pm,
ME220 .
0
Gu i l ds D inner and D a n c e
0 0
O 0 0 0 0 0
IC C o u n c i l
Ents f i lm: Flash Gordon,
6:30pm, ME220 .
L inks Carn iva l , Un ion
Bu i ld ing
C iv E n g / A e r o
2nd year careers party
Ents f i lm: Airplane, 6:30pm,
ME220.
0
O Mir 0 0 0 IC Hust ings U G M , 1pm
Great Hal l
Ents f i lm: Being There, 6:30
ME220.
0 0 0
o 0 0 0 IC Resul ts U G M , 1pm
Great Hal l
Ents f i lm: China Syndrome,
6:30pm, ME220.
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 Ents f i lm: The Great Rock
and Roll Swindle, 6:30pm,
ME220 .
0 0
IC C o u n c i l :tnc<
tst
H a i
C L U B S A N D S O C I E T I E S
Astrosoc
This term, as well as regular lectures on
various astronomical topics such as "Hip-
parchus" by Prof Welford on January 19 (i.e.
fhis Tuesday) and "Quantum Gravity" by Dr
Isham on March 23, and observing meetings
(with further talks from Dr Bignall on practical
observing technique), we hope to be able to
take advantage of telemetered information
from the University of Surrey's planetary
sciences satellite U O S A T - O S C A R - 9 . O n
board experiments from which we hope to be
able to collect data, include radiation detectors
for the investigation of auroral displays and a
magnetometer allowing the detection of
geomagnetic storms. The C C D camera
imaging system promises to be the most
interesting (and most comprehensible!) though
as this relays pictures of weather patterns on
earth. However, before we can receive and
use any of this, we need to build up the
relevant circuitry. We have the components,
we have the circuit diagrams, we even have
soldering irons, and, yes, solder—but is there
a n y o n e out t h e r e f a n c i e s w i e l d i n g a
soldering iron? The more the merrier of course
come to any one of our meetings (Tuesdays,
Physics LT2, 6:30pm, or alternatively contact
Gary Fuller in Physics 3).
CND
Audiosoc Is it true, has the Chairman of the Audio
Society defected, only being able to print small
ads in this so-called magazine? Is he exiled to
reside permanently in Chelsea? Does Jo of 84
Granville Rd SW18 really have a decent
system? Is she still going to keep her promise
of taking me out for a meal? The answers to
these questions (and more) are no, no, very
yes(!) and 'I don't know, why don't you ask
her?1.
I may have been quiet, but certainly not
dead. I have been scheming, planning and now
I bring you not just one but two major
lectures. No, you're not hallucinating, this is
actually happening.
J . Scott Strachan, eminent engineer and
designer of the world famed Syrinx PU1 and 2
tonearms will, in the Quiet Room, QR002,
Sherfield Building this evening at 6:30pm
deliver a lecture and demonstrate equipment
(at the same time as downing a pint) on the
subject of 'Tonearm and Turntable Design'
(Hear it like it is folks, from the pros.)
The second lecture will be in the same place,
QR002 at 6:30pm on Wednesday, February 3
and this time Mr Mike Daniels will euphemisc
on the sales directions of audio companies.
Mike Daniels is one of the sales managers of
D W Labs, the company that bring you such
goodies as the Gale loudspeakers and the
Carver Cube magnetic amplifier and Mr
Danie ls will also be demonstrating this
equipment. What a great man! Come along
and bring a friend and an open mind.
T h e I C E u r o p e a n N u c l e a r D i s a r m a m e n t
groups has arranged, through the Humanities
Dept , a n excellent series of lectures for this
term under the title "Nuc lear War in Europe?"
Cr i t i ca l decisions are going to be made over
the next few years on which not only our
defence but also our very survival will depend.
C a n you afford not to listen to the arguments
from both sides which will be presented this
term? Unless you plan to live for the rest of
your life with your head in the sand you will
finally have to confront and take a stand on
these issues—and this lecture series could be a
fine place to start.
A l l of the talks will be given in Physics L T 1 .
The full list is:
Tuesday, January 19 "Nuclear Weapons in
E u r o p e " , Field Marshal the L o r d Carver .
Tuesday, January 26 "The Soviet 'Threat '
a n d Bri t ish Defence Pol icy" , Professor Robert
Ne i ld .
Tuesday, February 2 " U K Defence—The
Neutral i ty O p t i o n " , A l a n C l a r k , Tory M P for
P lymouth Sutton.
Tuesday, February 9 "Nuclear Deterrence—
F a c t o r F i c t i o n " A debate b e t w e e n L o r d
Chal font and Professor Michael Pentz.
Dancing O n November 28 IC Dancing C l u b hosted all
the other L o n d o n University Dancing Clubs
(and Cambridge) at the L o n d o n B a l l — a series
of friendly competitions, some in a lighter vein
t h a n o t h e r s , i n t e r s p e r s e d w i t h g e n e r a l
dancing and a display by two professional
Lat in -Amer i can dancers. The event was highly
successful , and the J C R was packed for the
whole of a very enjoyable evening.
T h e Danc ing C l u b Dinner & Dance two
weeks later also proved to be a good night
ou t—hav ing eaten our fill, we danced to a live
band until the small hours.
N o w that some of you have missed two of
the best social events of the academic year,
we're going to give you yet another opportunity
to learn how to put one foot in front of another
without treading on someone else's toes—not
quite as easy as it sounds when you're on a
c rowded dance floor.
O n Tuesday, January 19, at 7:30pm in the
J C R , we are starting another beginners' class
i n b a l l r o o m a n d L a t i n - A m e r i c a n d a n c i n g .
Hopeful ly by M a r c h 5 all of those who have
been brave enough to take their first faltering
steps will have the chance to represent IC at
the Inter-Varsity Danc ing Compet i t ion in the
"Of f Beat " event—a team effort which we
usually do well in.
Whether you just want to learn a social skill ,
or whether you intend to be the best thing
s i n c e s l i c e d b r e a d , y o u ' v e got to s t a r t
somewhere—so how about investing 40p in
IV2 hours professional tuition by coming along
to the lesson on J a n 19.
( N B : W e now also have an Intermediate
C lass at 7:30pm in the J C R on Wednesdays).
Hamsoc
F e d up with C B ? Bored with IC Radio? Why
not get onto the airwaves with amateur radio.
This term H a m s o c will be running a series of
lectures for those of you wishing to pass the
Radio Amateurs E x a m , an essential require
ment for an amateur licence.
T o start things off there'll be a talk just giving
an introduction to what's involved in taking the
exam and what you'll be able to do once you
have a licence, there'll also be a demonstration
of some typical equipment as well , so if you're
interested come along to R m 1207 Elec Eng on
W e d n e s d a y , J a n u a r y 20 at 1:00pm. M o r e
details are available from Julian C o o c h , Ext
3000 or Michae l Bul l , Ext 3035.
Debsoc
O n Thursday , January 21, there will be a
lunchtime debate on the Socialism versus
Captialism theme featuring speakers from IC
Conservat ive Society and the Socialist Party of
Great Britain . Further details will appear in the
pre-debate publicity. If you would like to join
t h e D e b a t i n g S o c i e t y c o n t a c t D e r m o t
M c C a u l e y or C h r i s L e e v ia M a t h s l e t ter -
r a c k s — w e only bite when angry.
SF Soc
It was January 15 1982, but for four and a half
billion people it would soon be January 18 1982,
and people would flock to M e c h Eng 220 to see
Time After Time, a spiffing comedy thriller in
which H . G . Wells pursues Jack the Ripper into
1979 , s t a r r i n g D a v i d W a r n e r , M a l c o l m
M c D o w e l l and M a r y Steenburgen, with a few
laughs and a bit of blood. Recommended.
I trust you were all aghast at what the Beeb
did to 2001-A Space Odyssey, that other
slighly more famous comedy thriller. I know I
was. Not ice to r ich film fans: tomorrow the
Scala is showing the Star Trek blooper real
Those who do not understand that would not
be interested. Not ice to book fans: Timescope
and Riddiey Walker out in paperback. Notice
to S F Soc bulletin fans: author out to lunch.
But where have all the jokes gone? Is it the
weather? The F T Index? The Editor? The
sinister little men I see out of the corners of my
eyes who vanish when I look at them? O r
perhaps I dreamt it all. N o , something must
have happened to give me the vivid nightmares
which make me wake up screaming the lyrics
of Dancing Cheek to Cheek. W h o has
kidnapped all the inspectors on the under
ground? What really happened to Ambrose
Bierce? H o w should I know?
Robert Blake and his Batrachian Rhythm
Boys
J. Scott Strachan, designer of the Syrinx PU1 and 2 arms
Quiet Room, QR002,
Sherfield Building.
Page 8 FELIX, January 15, 1982
What's On
Friday, January 15
• T h e C h i p s a r c D o w n : a talk by A S T M S , 1:00pm, Chem
Eng LT1 .
• C h r i s t i a n U n i o n F e l l o w s h i p M e e t i n g with talk on
'Prayer', 6:30pm, Music Rm, 53 Princes Gate. Followed by
coffee and biscuits.
• B U N A C w e e k l y c l u b meet ing , 12:30pm, Green C o m
mittee Rm.
Sunday, January 17
• W a r g a m e s c l u b meet ing , 1:00pm, Union S C R .
Monday, January 18
•Hang -g l i d ing c l u b meet ing , 12:30pm, above Southside
Bar.
• D a n c i n g c lub a d v a n c e d c lass , 7:30pm, J C R .
• B o a r d s a i l i n g c l u b w e e k l y meet ing , 12:30 and 6:15pm,
Southside Upper Lounge. Contact Nick Ajderian, Mech
Eng 3 or Andy Grimshaw, Zoo 2 for further details.
• W i n d B a n d rehea rsa l , 5:45pm, Great Hall, cheese
and wine afterwards.
• S F S o c f i lm: Time After Time, 6:30pm, ME220, 20p
members, 50p non-members.
Tuesday, January 19
• C a t h o l i c m as s a n d l u n c h , 12:30pm, Chem 231. Nomi
nal charge for lunch.
• 3 F s l u n c h t i m e meet ing , 12:30pm, Southsider Upper
Lounge.
• S T O I C p r o g r a m m e , 1:00pm, J C R , Southside Tele
vision Lounge, Southside, Beit, Linstead & Weeks Halls.
See posters for details.
• D e p t of H u m a n i t i e s p resents :
1. Nuciear War in Europe?
Part 1: The Soviet 'Threat' and British Defence Policy with
Prof Robert Neild, Prof of Economics, Cambridge; lately
Director of the Stockholm Peace Research Institute,
1:30pm, Blackett Lab Theatre 1. (Arranged by IC Euro
pean Nuclear Disarmament Group).
2. Man, Mind and Spirit
Part 1: Christian Communication with Michael Taylor,
Editor Methodist Recorder, 1:30pm, Read Theatre.
• IC A m n e s t y G r o u p meet ing , 5:30pm, Green C o m m
Rm.
• W i n e t a s t i n g Soc— tast ing a selection of top German
wines, 6:00pm, Union Lounge.
• M e t & Mat S c i S o c even ing lecture 'Dental Materials'
by Dr B.E. Causton (London Hospital Dental College),
6:00pm, R S M G20.
• A s t r o s o c L e c t u r e by Prof Welford on 'The Instru
mentation of Hipparchus', 6:30pm, Physics LT2 . Free to
members.
• D a n c i n g C l u b beg inners ' c lass , 7:30pm, J C R .
• I C C A G S o u p R u n , meet 10:30pm, Falmouth Kitchens.
Wednesday, January 20
• W a r g a m e s C l u b meet ing , 1:00pm, Union S C R .
• A s t r o s o c o b s e r v i n g meet ing : Use of the Celestron by
Dr Bignall, 3:30pm, Waveguide, Physics. Members free.
• I C T r a m p o l i n e S o c , meet 5:30pm, Courtauld Hall,
Q E C , Campenden Hill Rd.
• D a n c i n g C l u b Intermediate C l a s s , 7:30pm, J C R .
Thursday, January 21
• C h r i s t i a n U n i o n g roup meet ing , 1:00pm, Seminar
Rm, Level 2S, Botany.
• S T O I C p r o g r a m m e , 1:00 and 6:00pm, all usual places.
• M o p s o c l e c t u r e 'Noise' by Dr Blitz, Brunei Univ, 1:10,
Physics LT2. Free to members (membership 60p), non-
members lOp.
• D e p t of H u m a n i t i e s p resents :
1 Fi lm: The World at War (Thames TV )
Part 10: Genocide, 1:15pm, Great Hall.
2. Lunch-hour Concert , Albert Ferber (piano), 1:30pm,
Music Rm. 53 Princes Gate.
3. New Nations: Making Independence a Reality with E.C.
Anyaoku, Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth, 1:30,
Read Theatre. (Arranged by IC C o m m on Overseas
Students.)
• G l i d i n g C l u b meet ing , 5:30pm, Aero 254.
• F i s h i n g C l u b meet ing , 6:00pm, Stan's Bar.
• L i f e S c i Pa r ty , 8:00pm till late, J C R , 50p.
sec The social clubs estimates for next session
have to be submitted to the Union Finance
Committee this term. I have prepared an
estimate form which has to be completed by
each club and returned to me by January 28.
These forms will be placed in the chairmen's
pigeonholes on Monday . It is important that all
club chairman or treasurers collect a copy.
A n y claims submitted after this date will be
d i s r e g a r d e d . A n y r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of the
Co mmu n i s t Society should contact Stephen
Gou lder immediately via the U n i o n Office
because this club faces abolition.
Community Action
Wel l , we're back in action again. Soup runs as
usual. W e need help to carry donated clothes
from Holy Trinity B r o m p t o n to the action
group room on Sunday evening on February 7.
If you can help, drop your name to Sean
Coy le , E E 3 .
A r e you interested in helping with the Ac t i on
G r o u p for handicapped children as featured
o n B B C t e l e v i s i o n ' s Grapevine—Every
S a t u r d a y a f t e r n o o n , or h e l p i n g b u i l d a n
adventure playground for them.
Meetings on Monday at 12:30 in the action
group r o o m , top of the union.
Wind Band IC W i n d Band exists to enable players of
w o o d w i n d a n d brass i n s t r u m e n t s to play
together in a group. There is no required
s t a n d a r d ; we p lay for fun a n d a n y o n e is
welcome. N o great commitment is needed.
The band rehearses on Mondays from 5:45
until 7:15pm in the Great Hall and gives two
concerts each term on Tuesdays at lunchtime.
W e are having a cheese and wine party after
the rehearsal on Monday , so if you would like
to join us, please come and play and stay
afterwards.
Industrial Happy new year everybody, and we trust you
had a fun time in the holiday.
T h i s t e r m we w i l l be as busy as e v e r ,
administering a mixture of trips and talks. The
first event is today no less! At 1:00pm in C h e m
Eng L T 1 , a real live trade unionist will present
a talk, entitled 'the Ch ips are D o w n ' about
the impact of microprocessors on industry.
O n Tuesday, January 19, we have a trip to
the Proctor and G a m b l e soap factory, meet
Beit A r c h , 12:30pm for good clean fun.
Ian Ross , the Industrial Correspondent of
the B B C , w h o m you have no doubt seen on
the news, is coming to College on January 29;
more about that in our next few articles, so
watch out!
City & Guilds
It's a busy week to start the term with. Tonight
is the Gui lds "for no reason whatsoever" party
with a live band—The Stargazers (hot off
Pebble Mill at One) and a disco. F r o m 8:00 till
late. T ickets £1.00 from C C U Offices.
O n Tuesday, January 19, there's a Genera l
Committee in the U n i o n Dining Hal l . If you're
supposed to be there and can't make it, send
apologies to Sue Ridd before the meeting.
There 's a trip to the pub of the week—the
Frog and F i r k i n — o n Monday . Meet U n i o n Bar
at 7:00pm. See Guildsheet for details.
F i n a l l y t i c k e t s for D & D ( the a n n u a l
engineers dinner and dance for the uninitiated)
are now on sale from the Gui lds Office, £30 for
a double ticket.
Have a good term. Happy new year.
NeiV
Your chance to meet Kodak
c o \ 0 l
Kodak Limited will be interviewing at your University on
FEBRUARY 8
We need engineers and scientists,
computing, marketing and account
ancy trainees. Your careers service has
the details. Collect a copy of "Kodak
and Your Future" and apply as indicated.
Look forward to seeing you.
E9 FELIX, January 15, 1982 Page 9
*7&eat*e The Mayor of Zalamea by Pedro Calderon
de la B a r c a in a v e r s i o n by A d r i a n
Mitchell. Directed by Michael Bogdanov.
The Olivier, National Theatre.
In August 1580, troops were massing in
Zalamea, a small Spanish town, for what was
to become a successful assault on Portugal.
This was the Spain of Philip II where Holy
Wars brought about the conquest of vast
d o m a i n s . T h e s e h i s t o r i c a l facts f o r m the
background of the play The Mayor of Zalamea
by Calderon , the great 17th Century Spanish
playwright who still remains one of Spain's
greatest dramatists (the other being Lope de
Vega). In some respects he is akin to our own
Shakespeare. Calderon himself was incredibly
versatile: he was a dramatist of superb wit and
intellect, a magnificent swordsman who fought
m a n y d u e l s , a n a c c o m p l i s h e d p u r s u e r of
women and, finally in life, a priest. H i s plays
were prolific in number and extraordinary in
var iety . H e wrote tragedies and histories,
comedies of manners, mythological plays and
dramas of chivalry and philosophy.
The troops are given shelter in Zalamea by a
farmer, a man of principle and honour. But no
sooner does the rough brigade enter the town
when the captain is determined to lay his
hands on the beautiful farmer's daughter. His
determination allows nothing to stand in his
way and as may be feared he succeeds in
attaining a girl only by raping her. Spaniards at
the time of the play and of the events upon
w h i c h the p lay is b a s e d w e r e e s pec ia l l y
sensitive in matters of honour. H o n o u r in the
form of virginity is the keynote of The Mayor
The Oresteia. The trilogy by Aeschylus in
a version by Tony Harrison. Directed by
P e t e r H a l l a n d m u s i c by H a r r i s o n
Birtwistle. The Olivier, National Theatre.
The National Theatre production of the
Oresteia is a rare and long awaited event.
F r o m the L a n d of A e s c h y l u s (b. 5 2 5 B C ) ,
founder of European theatre, it is one of the
most powerful works in all drama. The play
tells in three successive parts an epic story of
blood-guilt, vengence and reconciliation, and
concerns the gods of the House of Atreus.
Agamemnon returns to Argos after conquering
Troy and is killed by his wife Clytemnestra.
G o a d e d by Apol lo to avenge his murdered
father. Orestes kills Clytemnestra. The Furies
threaten him and he goes to seek Apollo 's
help. The G o d promises protection and sends
him to seek justice from Athena , which he
Duel from the Mayor of Zalamea.
of Zalamea. In fact El Honor lies at the core of
much of the Spanish Go lden Age drama. The
culprit is brought to trial by the newly-elected
M a y o r of the town who ironically turns out to
be the victim's father.
Complet ing the narration of events would
not only spoil potential enjoyment but would
also oversimplify or even belittle the play. It is a
g r e a t m a s t e r p i e c e t h a t h a s b e e n a c t e d
continuously in Spain since it was written in
about 1644. The timelessness of the play and
the reasons why it will continue to delight
audiences for many generations to come lie in
its masterful blend of contrasts. It is at once a
eventually attains to the annoyance of the
Furies.
In keeping with the ancient tradition, the
entire cast in the production use masks, and
this forces nearly all one's attention on the
dialogue. The masks certainly remind me how
important facial expression is in drama. The
d ia l ogue is p o e t i c , r e l en t l e s s in d r a m a t i c
intensity and somewhat monotonous in tone,
a n d s t a r t i n g at 5 :00pm the p lay c e r t a i n l y
d e m a n d s a lot f r o m trie a u d i e n c e . T h e
accompanying music provided by percussion,
wind and harp is simple and imaginative and
provides added poignancy to moments of
drama. The Olivier's auditorium complements
the work marvellously. The fan-shaped theatre
with open stage and banked seats are based
on the ancient amphitheatres where the great
Greek dramas were once performed.
superb comedy but yet a tragedy. Tender love
s c e n e s g i v e w a y to b i t t e r s w o r d f i g h t s .
Beautiful Spanish tunes rendered on the guitar
contrast with the brutal, naked sound of the
cannon, and all human types from the King of
Spain to the c ommon tart make an appearance
in the play. A very strong cast is headed by
Daniel Massey and Michael Bryant who both
give outstanding performances. This is the first
production to be transferred from the National
T h e a t r e ' s s m a l l C o t t e s l o e T h e a t r e to the
Olivier, and this surely demonstrates its wide
appeal. This is a play that I cannot recommend
too highly.
A modern audience seeing The Oresteia
largely lacks, of course, the shared culture
w h i c h was fami l iar to al l w h o w i t n e s s e d
performances in the Fifth Century B C . In his
plays, Aeschylus reflected the issues of his
own day as well as drawing on legends known
to all his contemporaries such as the epic
poems of Homer . The legends made up a
pretty comprehensive history of the world as
the ancient Greeks knew it. T o Harrison, the
director of the play, the main social factor
mot ivat ing the tensions a n d the apparent
resolution of The Oresteia was what Friedrich
Engels called "the historical defeat of the
female sex"; the transition from the old world
of m a t r i a r c h y to the n e w w o r l d of male
domination, female subjection and property
rights assured by inheritance in the male line.
In the time of Aeschylus, Athenian women
were unfree. "The best reputation a woman
can have is not to be spoken of among men,
either for good or for evi l" claimed Pericles, and
"by nature the male is superior, the woman
i n f e r i o r ; there fore the m a n ru les a n d the
woman is ru led" stated Aristotle. It is said that
the figure of Clytemnestra in The Oresteia
probably resembles what many men today fear
w i l l be t h e u l t i m a t e r e s u l t of w o m e n ' s
liberation; a terrifying figure capable of taking
her husband's life in her hands. "The new
wor ld , " says Harr ison , "the world of Zeus and
Apol lo , has continued unbroken and almost
unchanged until our own time. N o w however it
faces a challenge from radical feminism. A n d
the insights that have emerged from that
movement are crucial to our understanding of
The O r e s t e i a a n d the confl icts A e s c h y l u s
portrayed in i t . "
Nick Bedding Masked players in Oresteia.
Page 10 FELIX, January 15, 1982
Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban, 214
pages, Picador, £1.95.
This isn't a bad book, but it's nowhere near
as good as the rave reviews all over the cover
say it is. It's set in the east of Kent about two
and a half thousand years in the future after a
full-scale nuclear war in 1997. Everyone has
b e e n p e r m a n e n t l y r e d u c e d to a m u d hut
existence. The hero, Riddley Walker , writes an
account of the adventures that happen to him
over a period of about a week following his
twelfth birthday.
The author writes that the book is "written
not even in proper English but in a broken-up
and worn-down vernacular of i t . " This is the
most striking feature of the book. Here 's a
sample:
"Being the Big 2 they only done ther 4 shows
a year regler plus special Is now and then but
they liket to look like Jul time Eusa showmen
they kep ther faces shavit and all. Orfing the
littl 1 he carrit the fit up and Goodparely the
big 1 he carrit the weapons the same as regler
Eusa show partners done even tho they cudve
had the hevvys carry the fit up and the
weapons and them as wel."
I don't think it's meant to be a serious
attempt to predict what an English dialect
might be like two thousand years in future but
it is v e r y e f f e c t i v e at e s t a b l i s h i n g a n
atmosphere. A jarring note in the dialect is the
presence of technical words like program
(make a plan) and pirntowt (printout, meaning
conclude). They add a futuristic touch that'll
apeal to science fiction fans but it's a gimmick.
The story itself contains a strong mystical
element that puts the book closer to fantasy
than science fiction. The plot concerns events
which are important for the main characters
but don't have any significance for the whole
world. This isn't quite clear until the end of the
book, which makes for an anti-climax, and
when the Punch and Judy show starts on page
128 the book begins to get silly. A l l the same
it's a more imaginative book than most and
well worth the initial struggle that's needed to
make sense of the language.
Stories (seventeen of them) by Desmond
Hogan, 254 pages, Picador, £1.95.
Pretentious rubbish. Every paragraph is a
candidate for Pseuds' Corner, for example:
" H e came in the summer, left Dubl in , city of
hippies, of Divine Light people, flowers before
an altar in Santry, oranges before the same
altar and rhubarb . " Rhubarb it is.
N . IViflson
What has 16 million feet, a radius of 14 miles
and a big nose? Give up? It's London (I lied about the nose).
Have you ever held a warm, voluptuous
woman (or man, for 14% of you) in your
arms? No? Neither have I. But if you have,
then it probably gives you very little idea as
to what London is like. Life here, like
anywhere else, is what you make of it; to
different people it is different things: the
proverbial rose or the thorn that lies below
it. In this series of epic written voyages
(blockbuster film coming soon) I will try
and show you places that I enjoy, or would
enjoy, whenever I visit them.
- Chelsea
(To be read in an Alan Wicker style.)
"Welcome to one of the most eccentric
roads in England. In the mid-60s it revelled
under the title "the most hip street in
London" . Come down here any Saturday
and you'll see why. For this corridor which
links Sloane Street to Parsons Green by
passing through the area of discussion
allows some of the most eccentr ical ly
(some say forlornly) dressed people to taxi
through as they stare at expensive shops,
restaurants and, most of all, themselves."
But equally worthy of comment are the
parades of very individual shops that line
it. Let us divide King's Road (for that is
what the A to Z calls it) into three sections,
the first running westward from Sloane
S q u a r e to C h e l s e a C o l l e g e a n d the
Chelsea Fire Station, the next continuing
to that temple of architectural araoe and
economic folly, the World's End, and the
final part running on from there which I do
not intend to deal with and suffice it to say
that it contains some very extravagant
antique stores (very compelling study for a
lazy S u n d a y afternoon). No, far more
interesting are the first two regions.
Sloane Square itself has many things
including a notable arena of very good,
mostly exoerimental plavs (thanks Mrs
Thompson), i.e. Royal Court Theatre and
the only underground station I know with a
pub on the platform—the less said about
that, the better, I fear. Nevertheless, good
sense prevails and we may begin our trek
by musing at one of the J o h n Lewis
archipelago, the Peter Jones departmental
store which houses all kinds of somewhat
middle-class goodies.
Then we get into what the Kings Road is
all about—boutiques. No taste in forms of
attire is spared the ravages of commercial
ism; all kinds of mannequins stand all day,
all night trying to convince you that you
too may, when so dressed, be equally
g o o d - l o o k i n g . H e a v e n f o r b i d s u c h a
morbid thought!
There are many such emporiums which
may well withstand close inspection and,
indeed, even intrigue one into looking
inside. The Great Gear Market (just take a
peek at this one!), The Chelsea Drugstore
(No. 49, clothes in the basement, bar on
the g r o u n d f loor and topless g o - g o
dancers and a disco upstairs), The Chelsea
Cobbler (No. 54, booties), and Boy (No.
153, army gear) reside in the first bit of
Kings Road, while the likes of The Dress-
Pound (No. 396, second-hand clothes from
Dior downwards),Tibet House (No. 490a,
take a g u e s s ) , Ace (No. 185, w i l d i s h
clothes, diamante T-shirts, expensive), Flip
(American preppy get-ups), Retro (No.
229. 30s and 40s clothes) and many, many
more tend to fill the other important bit.
A s with any other major s h o p p i n g
centre, restaurants abound and some of
the more notable ones on this road are, in
order (approximate), The Chelsea Kitchen
(No. 98, cheap, good), Borscht'n'Cheers
(No. 273, Russian and rushin'), The King's
Road Jam (No. 289a, extremely, very
interesting), Kennedy's (No. 316, good
hamburger and live rock music), Asterix
( N o . 329, for R e a l B r e t o n C r e p e s ) ,
and Theirry's (No. 342, nicely romantic).
Instead of letting my article rampage
further into the wilderness of lists, I will
take this opportunity to consider The
Chelsea Antique Market (No. 245a, see the
F O R G E T ME N O T stall) and Antiquarius
on the corner of Flood St (where Mrs
Thatcher lived) and King's Road for they
are both very I think I've overused most
superlatives.
Chelsea, as you may well be wondering,
is not just made up of King's Road. To be
sure (in slight Irish accent) there are many
more streets but, with the exception of
maybe Fulham Road, they are certainly
less fulfilling with regard to trade. (They,
h o w e v e r , m a i n t a i n t h e i r very great
aesthetic value and are a pleasure to walk
along.)
For people with wallets willing to die, I'd
point them towards places like The Frock
Exchange (450 Fulham Road), A. Clarke
(340 Fulham Rd) for second-hand clothes
and Laura Ashley at 157 Fulham Rd and
cheaper, slightly imperfect Laura Ashley at
60 Lower Sloane St, SW1.
As nightlife will always be a part of
student life (try taking that away, Maggie)
one could spend time at the Paris Pullman
Cinema (65 Drayton Gdns, 11:00pm every
night), the Pan Bookshop (158 Fulham Rd,
open till 10:30pm), Midnight Blue (186
Fulham Rd, an expounder of the D. Dirts
tricks) or mayble try getting an early
breakfast from Up All Night (325 Fulham
Rd, closes at 6:00am). And, whatever the
rest may say, I'd tell you to go to Parson's
at 311 Fulham Rd for good hamburgers
and great waitresses. (If you push this one
a bit, you know do your Imperial bit, I may
have a special discount scheme for all of
you lovely people.)
I am sorry that I may have successfully
avoided public houses so far, but you must
be considerate. Enjoying yourself may
mean going to the Six Bells (197 Kings Rd)
for a spot of jazz on Monday nights or,
equally, you may want to try a hand at the
lunchtime strippers at the Golden Lion
(490 F u l h a m R d , i n c l u d i n g s t u d e n t
d iscount) . The Cafe des Artistes (266
Fulham Rd) have a nice enough disco
while The Trafalgar (200 Kings Rd) have
jazz sessions sometimes.
As a guide this is somewhat discriminat
ing, but fairly comprehensive. It is not, as it
may seem, attempting to go through all the
shops that may exist in Chelsea, but an
attempt to get some of you folk off your
bums and trying to enjoy some of this
fabled conurbation. I hope it goes some
way towards helping.
Shezi Abedi
FELIX, January 15, 1982 Page 11
Dinner-in-Hall
O n page 4 you will find details of this term's
"Dinners in H a l l " . This title has caused some
confusion in the past and not many people are
certain about the purpose of these events.
The idea really sU-ms from the collegiate
system of O x f o r d and Cambridge , where a
formal dinner in the place where you live is a
regular event. T o imitate this, to an extent,
Imperial Col lege hold several dinners a term
which anyone (not just those living in halls) can
a t t e n d . A f u n d h a s b e e n set up w h i c h
subsidises the meals for students. This gives
p e o p l e w h o l i v e i n o r o u t o f C o l l e g e
accommodat ion the chance to mix with staff
over a meal and is intended to promote social
wellbeing.
Election Fever
This term sees the onset of election fever,
which will soon grasp you all by the throat.
Papers for the sabatical IC posts go up on
, February 11 with husting on M a r c h 4 and
e l e c t i o n s o n M a r c h 8 a n d 9. I wi l l w a r n
candidates for these posts in particular to be
early with their publicity. Every year people
leave things to the last minute, so if you have
considered standing, plan ahead. The last date
on which I will accept completed posters or
h a n d o u t s for p r i n t i n g w i l l be M o n d a y ,
February 22. After that financial penalties will
be imposed and I cannot guarantee that they
will be done in time, or even at all.
Soapbox
A s explained on page 4, this is a revived
feature which is intended to give people a
chance to air their views at greater length than
the letters page may allow. I cannot guarantee
inclusion but will keep articles over for future
inclusion if I receive too many. I do not intend
to impose very great editorial contol over
these a r t i c l e s so y o u may be as d a r i n g ,
damning or controversial as you like. This
provides a unique opportunity for free speech
and also means that you will be judged on the
merits of your own arguments by the masses.
S o don't be shy—take up the gauntlet and tell
us all about something you feel strongly about.
C r a s h Pad
O u r glorious leader, M r Nick M o r t o n , has
asked me to inform you that if the industrial
action by the train drivers continues, a "crash
p a d " will operate in the Union Building. So if
you live out in the sticks you can bring in your
sleeping bag and take up residence until British
Rail resumes normal services. Enquire at the
U n i o n Office for details.
Staff Meeting
There will be a staff meeting today at 12:30pm
in the F E L I X Office. Br ing along your bright
ideas for this term. Remember that it's never
too late to join the staff.
Credits
M y thanks to Peter Rodgers, Dave Britton,
J o h n and Soheel (promising newcomers—it 's
never too late!), R i c h A r c h e r , Mart in S. Taylor,
L o v e l y L e s l e y , R e t c h , D a v i d (where ' s the
interview?), Pallab, M a z and Ian.
mwmwm
I w o n d e r how m a n y of y o u r e c a l l A n g u s
M c O a t u p , the drunken c loakroom attendant
at The Inebriated Haggis? After the alcoholic
excesses of last year's Hogmanay, he thought
it prudent to stay dry this year, and so he spent
N e w Year 's Day in the Highlands, watching
the sporran flinging and the haggis dancing at
the Highland Games .
The climax of the games is, of course, the
tossing of the caber, in which each competitor
tries to throw a thirteen foot tree trunk up Billy
Connol ly 's kilt. A t least, it should traditionally
be a thirteen foot pole, uniform in diameter,
and cylindrical in shape; but nowadays many
tossers prefer a shorter length, and so each
c a b e r is ' p e r f o r a t e d ' by par t ly s a w i n g it
t h r o u g h ; in th i s way the c o m p e t i t o r s , by
b r e a k i n g t h e c a b e r at a n a p p r o p r i a t e
perforation (or perforations) can shorten it
from its original thirteen feet to any whole
number of feet less than thirteen. But sawing
through a caber weakens it, and so to reduce
the possibility of injuring Billy Connol ly for life
(or to increase the possibility, depending on
h o w v i o l e n t l y y o u p l a y ) the n u m b e r of
perforations is kept to a minimum. Angus has
been passing the time between tosses by
working out where along its length the pole
should be perforated. A n y offers?
Solutions, comments and criticisms to me at
the FELIX Office please. £5 donated by Mend-
a-Bike to the correct solution randomly
selected at 1:00pm on Wednesday.
Christmas Puzzles
The only person to get three puzzles out of
four completely correct was Zar Amrolia. H e
wins the £10 voucher and £5 cash. Other
prizes go to George C h a n , Maths 2, Mike
Hodgson, Physics 1 and Andrew Britton,
Maths 3. Congratulations to these and all who
entered, and also to J . Bl i tz , D o C 3 who won a
competition last term, but whom I forgot to
credit. Cheques for all the above people will be
available in the F E L I X Office on Monday
afternoon. Finally, very many thanks to Mend-
a-Bike for their continuing generosity with
prizes.
Light on the Matches
A v B : 2 - 1
A v C : 1 - 1
B v C : 1 - 1
Chess Player's Nightmare
1. White had played P(B2)-B4 instead of P-Q5.
2. Black had just played P - Q B 4 . White played
P(N4)xP instead of P (Q5)xP en passant. Of
the four positions this was the hardest, and a
number of people were caught by it.
3. Again Black had just played P -QB4 . White
played P (N5)xP en passant instead of P(Q6)-
Q 7 .
4. White played P-B7 instead of P-Q8=Knight.
C o d e in the Head
This one was easily the most difficult (?) and I
didn't expect anyone to find all four carols. In
fact, nobody found more than one, although
not everyone found the same one.
The bold face letters, reading in reverse
order, spell 'First Noel ' .
Count ing A = l , B=2, and so on, the numbers
of letters in each line spell out 'Rudolf the Red' .
Subtracting the numerical values of each
pair of letters (so, e.g. il gives 9, 12, and since
12 - 9 = 3, il gives c) spells out 'Deck the
H a l l s w i t h B o u g h s o f H o l l y ' . S p e c i a l
congratulations to M i k e Hodgson who was the
only one to crack this code.
Finally replace each capital letter with a 1,
and each lower case letter with a 0 and you
have the numerical values of ' G o o d K i n g
Wenceslas ' in binary! Not an obvious idea, but
fairly well-known (it's described in one of
Mart in Gardner ' s books) and I warned you it
was difficult.
Other solutions next week. A n d now; a
word from our sponsors.. .
Mend-a-Bike N e w B i k e s f r o m £ 6 5
Discounts for FELIX Readers
P a r k W a l k G a r a g e , Park W a l k
(near E v e l y n G a r d e n s )
FELIX is published by the Editor for and on behalf of the Imperial College Union Publications Board, and is printed by the Union Print Unit, Prince
Consort Road, London SW7 2BB (589-5111 ext 1048 int 2881) Copyright FELIX 1982. Editor: M A Smith, Advertising Manager: S M Giblin.
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