The Record Rejuvenation

If seven years ago one had been asked to picture a record store, the setting scene would probably have been a boxy and frayed shop. Inside would be a fifty-odd foraging through dusty records; a man perhaps too familiar with this hushed and threadbare environment. With Record Store Day having just boasted its seventh annual celebration of all things Vinyl, however, it seems that these stores are finally being let out of their sleeve; releasing themselves from this stigma and kick-starting a record rejuvenation.

In 2008, digital downloads finally outsold CDs. The physical form of music that had triumphed since 1894 had been trumped at the hands of an invisible enemy; coming and going without shape, form or design. Now that disposable downloads have removed the identity of music it's not a surprise that these authentic, physical copies have returned to the lime light. The gift of owning a record with a unique print, a sleeve, and its own art work is an experience untouchable by any other form of music. After 5 years of virtual dominance, its clear why more and more buyers are reverting to the old.

An RSD queue outside of a Rough Trade store. 

And this hasn't gone unnoticed. As the number of buyers has risen, so has the number of artists putting out vinyl to be bought. Alongside almost every alternative release can a parallel vinyl edition be found, a tradition the staple of labels like Rough Trade. Thanks to colossal 2013 releases by Arctic Monkeys and David Bowie, last year saw the highest record sales in 15 years. Just remember - this is no mean feat considering the state the market was in so very recently.

Record Store Day 2014 saw vinyl sales rocket 4000% in one day. This shows just what could be achieved if people visited these shops more regularly; fueling the local trade and community. It's perhaps clear then that any 2007 preconceptions should be put aside for a trip to your local record store, nevertheless because you certainly won't be alone. Of the 800,000 new records sold in Britain in 2013, over a third where bought by people under the age if 35 - highlighting just how the times are changing. It's this renaissance that has given existing suppliers like Chunes and new stores like Weymouth's Stash Vinyl such a promising future; and helped turn previously stagnating shops into cultural hives.

Out with the new, and in with the old.

Dorchester v Basingstoke: Match Preview

Basingstoke were 4-0 winners when the sides last met in October.

Dorchester Town will be looking to claim their first win of the month as they travel to mid-table Basingstoke on Saturday. However, to do so, Simkin's men will need to find their feet in what has so far been a torrid month for the Magpies - induced by their inability to transform draws into victories.

With no wins in 8 travels to the Camrose Stadium, this game comes at a tricky - yet inevitable - time for Dorchester, but could prove vital for the regaining of momentum of their relegation struggle.

Following a  6-0 defeat to high flying Eastleigh, the Magpies will be desperate to reclaim the form of February which saw victories over Eastbourne, Bromley and Tonbridge Angels. With Basingstoke sitting safely in mid-table and The Magpies with a lot more to play for, relishing the challenge could be a key asset  for Simkin's men, in a game of substantial importance.

Having already shipped seven goals in March, however,  Dorchester will need to put away their recent poor defensive performances as they face in form striker Manny Williams - looking for his 16th goal of the season. This will also be pivotal if they are to avoid the result of the reverse fixture, which ended 4-0 at the Avenue - also coming on the back of a 6-0 defeat.

Nevertheless, Dorchester have a cause to remain confident, as their opposition are too without a win in seven - in a run that has seen them fall far adrift from the title race. Whilst the Hampshire side will be hoping to capitalize on the fresh arrival of forward Liam Enver Marum, the Magpies will be looking to advance on their recent succession of draws to find a cutting edge;  in a match that could see the start of a late revival for Dorchester.

(Tired of Hearing It) Through the Grape-Vine

Twitter. Oh, wasn't it great.

It offered a platform for artists to get recognised, a medium for musicians to spread their work, and promised opportunity for the creative. Just look at the tag line: 'Yours to Discover'.

This was, of course, before the age of the Vine. Like the pestilent proliferation of its name-sake plant, within the space of two months of 2013 Twitter had gone from being the home of new music and interesting thoughts, to being overrun by the spread of green logo-ed vermin. Out with the three minute video - in with the Six Second.

In case there is anybody who is not aware of what Vines are - and do any of us really know? -  these are six second video clips, usually intended to be funny. Don't be fooled by their appearance, however; they are not.

But the issue caused by Vines runs far deeper than this problem - although the fact that their success has relied on the use of racial stereotypes is doing nothing for progression or to aid an already ignorant world - as they are a final blow to the dying era of creativity and, well, meaning.

Vines are meaningless, lack any form of originality, and are drowning out the real showcase of talent that Twitter was made for. They exploit the repetition that is a drug for today's youth, playing themselves in loop over and over. It's clearly not bad enough that most Vines are unidentifiable from any other in the first place!
But that's just the internet world that we live in: Everything is the same, there is no creativity, and everything must be short. First there were albums; they were too long, so along came the single. Then the death of the book; instead we are given Facebook. The other day, I even heard Joey Essex use the word 'Long' as a condemnation. Now it's reached Joey, who knows where it will stop.

Whether it's just that attention spans are truly running out, or we have finally been hardwired by the instant world of social media, Vines are just the epitome of what is happening today.

I may be being a tad harsh on them, but along with their 9 Million + followers (That's 27 times the amount that David Bowie has), to me this is a clear cause for concern. I'm just warning you now - before you become just another number; glued to the screen watching repeats of Jerome's Tea Party... 14,400 times a day.

Not-So Borset

Rarely will a day go by without one of my peers saying that there is nothing to do in Dorset. Having lived in Greater London for 14 years, however, I believe this is certainly not a case of warranted boredom. We are lucky to grow up in Dorset - whether you believe it now or not.

When I moved to Dorchester from Romford in 2011, the freedom that I was met with was almost a culture shock for me. I had come from a town where I simply couldn't go to the park on my own, yet now I was in a place where it seemed children could roam free at any time; without any fear at all. I could go to the skate park in Dorchester well into the evening - all parks were locked at 6 in Romford - and this freedom to do anything without the threat of being mugged (or worse), was something I could never have dreamed of before.

I guess I've now grown out of the skate park, but the scope for venture in the Dorchester area is still massive. Just last year saw the development of the new sports centre; along with gym and swimming pool. Alongside the 3G AstroTurf, it's clear that we have some of the best modern sporting facilities in Britain. Before I moved here, both my home and training pitches were nearly half an hour away - in separate locations. That's why I refuse to take for granted the incredible sporting facilities that we have here. In the local area there's a rugby club, a dance troupe, a hockey team, a gymnastic group, water polo, the nearby Clay Pigeon Raceway, basketball courts and t-w-e-l-v-e football pitches. And if none of this tickles your fancy, there's always the Fun Run (30th March, Dorchester Middle School!).

We are lucky enough to live in immediate proximity to Weymouth, and the opportunities provided by it's trademark coast line are countless. We live by a coastline ideal for the sailing, windsurfing and kayaking courses accessible in Portland Harbour, all of which are sporadic opportunities - accessible to us. That's not to mention the cinemas, bowling alley, shopping facilities, and sports clubs in Weymouth. Not forgetting fishing off the stone pier on a drizzly day in March!

I don't know about you, but I'd take the beach over the Thames any day.

Although it must be said that a Saturday afternoon trip down to The Avenue will always provide an eventful game of football, if there is a chance that sports aren't providing a solution to your boredom, then the arts and music in Dorchester certainly will. The Dorchester Arts Centre is forever a venue for performance- ranging from comedic warm up gigs to theatre - but also hosts live artists. And if you're not put off by the potentially terrifying idea of 3 hours unattached to a mobile phone, then Pop Club is another great boredom- killer. With young musicians ranging from virtually every age, this is a one-off opportunity to play live music in a group, no matter what instrument you happen to play. Also, with Brewers Quay back open in Weymouth, new doors have been flung open for the creative minded, with record stores and the Art Asylum leading the way in the music/art revolution. When the word 'art' extends further than graffiti riddled suburbia, then you know you're in the right place.

It seems then that claims of 'having nothing to do' are plain nonsense. Even if the spectrum of opportunity provided in Dorchester isn't enough for you, then with swift train links to Weymouth, Yeovil and Poole within half an hour, there really is no case for complaint. This 'boredom' is not the result of living in a small country town but is instead the result of having no intention of looking for things to do. People are far too obsessed with the world of iPhones and Vines, and as a result are forgetting to look up and see what's actually going on around them.  Interest is a certain antidote for ennui; in a world of 6 second attention spans. That's why spending my teenage years in Dorset isn't - at least I don't believe - a burden at all.

National Disservice

Later this year, a bill - backed by Tory MP Philip Hollobone - will go to Parliament calling for the return of National Service. Whilst it may have thrived at the time of the First and Second World Wars, I believe that the education system today means that the rejuvenation of  National Service would be irrational, unpopular and unproductive.

When I hear the words National Service, I cannot help but tie them to Conscription. And I can be forgiven for doing so - after all, throughout the 30's, 40's and 1950's that's essentially what it was. Males between the ages of 18 and 26 could be told to report to a military base and then shipped away within a week, where they would be expected to carry out military training exercises in far away locations. Whether building bridges on a Royal Engineer course in Cyprus, or providing nursing support to troops in Korea, participants could expect to have their lives brought to a stop - without notice - at any time.

However, if National Service was to return in 2014, it's not difficult to see why it would take a rather different shape. Considering the huge loss of life among young soldiers during the 20th century, a replication of the original national service would be scandalous, and this is something that Hollobone of course is aware of. 

As a result, he has instead drawn up plans of service to enhance the 'self respect, personal reliance, discipline and behavior' of 18-26 year-olds. 

He claims that the program will run with the NHS, yet admits that military service will still be involved. 

This itself will spark some morale controversy, yet it is another issue which I am concerned about. If this plan was to go ahead, it would mean that education would be greatly affected. Having worked hard for exams for the past 3 years, for my education to suddenly be prolonged would be devastating. Having to take two years out of studying or learning, at a time when I would be preparing for further exams, would mean that years of work would need to be re learnt. 

Whilst the original National Service aimed to supply men with jobs by teaching trades, with more teenagers going to university than taking jobs, this would now be aimless. Those training to be doctors, physicians and lawyers could be whisked away to fix tanks on an engineers course, rather than complete their studies. It's then clear that National Service is irrelevant for the 21st century, and as a system built for the development of physical skills and trade, it couldn't possibly provide the same level of effectiveness in the modern day. 

As a result of its downfalls, it's extremely unlikely that this bill will be passed at all - yet there certainly is room for Hollobone's intentions. I absolutely agree that young people should be taught respect and cooking skills, and I believe that we live in an intolerant society, but there is no need for National Service.   Granted, these type of schemes were effective 80 years ago, but this was 80 years ago. There is no question that we could benefit from money management advise and the other courses offered in the Bill, yet offering it in this manner just isn't the way forward. 

Any plan would need to stripped of any military connotations and added to curriculum at secondary education, where it could be effective, rather than simply disruptive. If Hollobone is so keen on teaching teenagers manners and life skills, then this would surely be a more appropriate course of action. Not unfamiliar with controversy, however, a more appropriate course of action probably isn't what Holobone wants.

Michael Gove: Butcher of Creativity

In another chapter of his never-ending war on education, Michael Gove has announced his intentions of cutting  English Literature from the school syllabus. Currently studying for my GCSEs, this is yet another crippling blow to an already strangled curriculum; in a system with a growing disregard for creativity and free-thought.

I feel that, in the current day of 2014, creativity is dying. A stirring claim - I know - yet, when I look at my peers, it is what I am led to believe. I enjoy making music, learning and reading, but it seems that I am currently almost alone in my pastimes. I seem to be part of a 'bored' generation - too cool to take an interest in politics or be seen as anything but a sheep. Of course we can't expect every sixteen year old to suddenly start thinking for themselves - the mind just doesn't work that way - but I do certainly believe that the education system could do part to inspire the youth, and kick start the creativity-revolution. We need free-thinkers and we need people to be aware of the world they live in, and by adjusting the school curriculum these people are far more likely to become. By axing English literature, Michael Gove is acting as a contraception for the growth of creative individuals, removing what remains essentially the only inspiring part of secondary education. 

The undeniable truth is that of course that there are some students who are not interested in Animal Farm or other significant writings, yet this is not the reason the subject is being dropped. Michael Gove, in his strive for a 'traditional' school system that focuses persistently on academia and grades, has forgotten what is essential for the basis for learning - creativity, driven by interest. For those captivated by the literature of Orwell and Shakespeare, the subject is obviously worth its weight in gold, but I would argue that even those the least interested would find vital lessons from the basic morals of these books. Animal Farm teaches free-thinking, An Inspector Calls addresses class division and responsibility,  and Romeo and Juliet exposes further prejudice. The retaining of these lessons is needed, to inspire future thinkers but also to remind us of human values, something missing at times in this modern world.

If Miliband wants to reduce the voting age to 16, he needs to give students something that will drive them to vote, and something that will increase their awareness of the importance of voting. We have recently seen Russell Brand encourage people not to vote, and if you ask me, its not just corrupt politicians that are to blame for embarrassing young voter's turnouts. We are all too 'bored' to vote, and probably will still be too 'bored' to vote for years to come. Creativity needs to be implemented into the school curriculum - whether via awe-inspiring classic literature or the debate of continuous topics - to create a more educated and inventive youth. But of course they probably won't if it has any chance of affecting their party's hopes. Animal Farm, An inspector Calls and Of Mice and Men are all written by left-wing authors, but surely it would be to controversial to ask if this was why their books were cut. No. Of course, that would not be the reason. After all, you'll be hard pushed to find any politician who currently upholds the morals of these books. 

It just seems clear to me that cutting English Literature cannot be a good thing for the education of future teenagers and the development of tomorrow's minds. It's true that those who are the key thinkers of the future will already be interested in the clliterature, but it's transparent that there is no reason the rest cannot be affected by it just a little bit. If anything, those who read the aforementioned books at school will take away the basic morals, but in this new Gove-ian curriculum there will be no morality. The role of the teacher should be to enhance their students minds, both academically and experimentally, but the room for this work is rapidly being diminished. Work needs to be done at an earlier age so that young people can think for themselves and break the petty restrictions of their peers; and this can only be a good thing. If not, I fear that in the near future we could be breeding a nation of slobs and indoctrinated academics... and I am not sure which one is worse.