So I was up pretty early yesterday - and in the Union by 9am, setting up for Refreshers'!  Once I'd got my society's stall set up, it was a question of getting the Union's publicity boards assembled with Elle.  And boy, are they a nightmare!  I've been told that they cost a rather large amount of money, a sum that you could quite easily go out and buy a reasonable car with, and so on the basis of that, you'd think that they'd go together quite well!  But no, I was wrong - I'd put up the smaller ones before, with relative ease, but the large one that you'd have seen at the right of the stage is one that I won't be volunteering to help put up again in a hurry!!

Anywho, after some re-jigging of tables and a few extension leads later, I went off to my seminar to go and learn about 'Management Futures'.  And I was very happy to learn that my seminar tutor is our lecturer for the unit, and she's extremely knowledgeable on the subject, which always helps!  After that hour, it was a jog (okay, I didn't jog, it was a walk) back to the Union and saw our fantastic new Wall Art Society (of the University of Portsmouth - WASUP) having a few problems with finding something that they could show off their talent with.  So I went and dropped my bag off up in Lux and went out to the yard to raid the bins (ooh the things I have do for this Union!); the society seemed to be pretty happy with my liberation, so I went back upstairs to join the rest of the societies.

Steph and Simon on the 101 Things Stall had been busy making plenty of balloon models, and in the short hour I'd been gone, lux was packed, with said balloon models being found all over the club!  One of my first stops was at the Islamic Society's stall, where I was plied with toffee eclairs (yum) and told about all the things that have been organised for Islamic Awareness Week, including talks by converts to the faith, the purpose of life, and the history and science of Islam.  It looks to be a packed week for them all, and I hope that some of you can find some time to go and have a listen - details of all the events happening can be found on isop.co.uk

Just a few stalls down, Devinder Singh, of the Sikh society was finishing setting up their projecter and next to him, Nick of the Student Respect Society was inviting all students along to a Stop the War Demonstration, which, if you want to take part in, will be taking place tomorrow (Friday 15th Feb), starting out the front of Eldon Building at midday - bring banners and placards!

Opposite all that business, Harri at the Feminist Society was promoting a discussion that will be held in the Union next Monday (18th February) at 4pm: Is sexy always sexist?  As with all these events, all are welcome, so get yourself along there and discover for yourself what the answer to this question is!  Harri is also our Womens' Officer on the Ethics, Equality and Diversity Committee and is part of the International Women's Day Committee, who have organised a rally on Saturday 8th March in Guildhall Square at 1.30pm, with speakers talking about Equal Pay and Abortion Rights, amongst others.

Round the corner from them, we had the Gaming Society, who are organising a 96 player gaming day and further up the stalls, Sean Baker at our all new Politics Society was giving away free cake and taking new sign-ups for "A relaxed, informal umbrella society that promotes free thinking political discussion amongst the student body and the wider University community".  Check out their group on facebook.

And then back round to the other side, where the Campaign Coalition were starting to build the wall of debt - a collage of photos of individual students and how much debt they are in due to the rising top-up fees of Universities.  And next to the Campaign Coalition were the Socialist Students, who championed the recent lobbying of John Denham, the Minister for Universities.  They are having a public meeting on Wednesday 27th February at 7.30pm in the Union to talk about what's happening at the moment with our economy.  Are we heading for recession? And what will be the consequences for you, the students?  Come and find out!

As well as it being Islamic Awareness week next week, it's also the Christian Union's Mission Week - they've got loads of events going on, including a discussion about Evolution vs. Creation on the Tuesday in CO2, and a Pudding Night on Friday, so if you haven't given up deserts for lent, definitely get yourself along there!!  (once again, everyone is welcome!!)

Well that may have been a rather long post, but it doesn't even scrape the surface of all the things that your societies are organising this semester... if you missed Refreshers Fayre, it's not too late to join any of the societies - just get in touch with them via the 'get involved' part of this site and find out what else is going on, like the Societies Takeover - a night of music and festivities at the Union on Saturday 23rd Feb (tickets available from the cash office and from various students - check out the facebook group)

This semester also sees plenty of events happening during RAG week, including a charity skydive, assisted by the skydive club.  Get in contact with any of the RAG committee for more information!!

Right, you probably should be getting back to some work now, and so should I!

Any questions?  Give me a call/email.

07971 100515, sarah.blatchford@gmail.com