Lorna Davies

Students and staff were left stranded last week after a volcanic eruption caused chaos in the skies.

Reading staff and students away for Easter were unable to fly home as airspace was closed all over Britain due to an ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano.  Many students missed out on lectures and revision for upcoming exams due to the six-day shut-down.

UK airports have now been permitted to open but some are subject to delays.  The University of Reading advised students to contact their tutor or department with regards to absence from academic commitments.

Lorna Evans, 20, a third-year student at the University of Reading studying Land Management expressed concern for students missing out on revision lectures due to the absence of staff.  She said: “I’ve missed three lectures which I’m quite worried about as they are revision lectures and my exams start next week.”

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Laurence Green

James.  Remember them?  In the early ‘90s they delivered up some pure classics in the form of Sit Down and Born of Frustration.  And now they’re back with a snappy mini-album of seven new songs.  Are they up to scratch?  The answer is a resounding ‘yes’.

James are back with a snappy mini-album

When you’ve been in the music game as long as James, there’s a constant pressure to remain fresh-sounding and innovative while still retaining what made you unique in the first place, what earned you legions of fans the first time around.

It’s a testament to James’ musicianship as a band that they succeed on both fronts.  Lead singer Tim Booth’s vocals are still as impassioned and moving as ever, the band still capable of conjuring up lush musical soundscapes; four- minute snapshots of energy and emotion.

There’s flavours of Keane to some of the tracks here, especially on the standout Crazy – all synthetic strings and dreamy lyrics of a ‘magic world’.  And here lies James’ power; that ear for melody crossed with a skill for poetic lyrics that glide through straight to the heart without you even realising.

An ear for melody crossed with a skill for poetic lyrics

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And Jess Lazacyzk takes the presidency.

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Here comes the big one. Candidates are emotional and slightly injured, this one will be close.

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Up next is student activities.

This is going to be a hell of a lot of rounds.

Great.

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Delayed update there. Nez Cazimoglu has taken VP Democracy and Campaigns by a large margin.

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Steph Johnson takes VP Welfare and Representation

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Up next are the candidates for VP Academic Affairs.

Some emotions are picking up already.

Tommy Gilchrist reelected to the position by a margin

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Trustee results coming in now.

10 rounds…good lord…

Ben Haines gets the first spot

Final round now.

James Lloyd and Chris Campbell get the last two spots.

Chris has a rep for his speech. Lovely interesting drunk stories.

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Quote of the night so far goes to Karl Hobley

“Oh, absolutely crackin’”

Trustees up next.

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