Castor Chan
(She/Her)
Covers:
Motorsports (Formula 1, Extreme E, F1 Academy)
Tennis
Lifestyle and Culture
NCTJ-qualified journalist in London
✉️ castorckn@gmail.com
Articles by Castor Chan
Identity in a Foreign Land
The importance of immigrant communities in fostering cultural identity abroad "There is no place like home," says Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. Having lived in England for four years, I cannot deny the wealth of experience that I have gained in my time here. I left my home city of Hong Kong to pursue higher education and better opportunities in my desired line of work, and along the way, I found happiness and friends for life.
The Courier Online
Iconic Prince Charles Cinema faces threat of closure
News Quentin Tarantino’s film-lovers mecca of the Prince Charles Cinema could face closure under a new lease clause proposed by their landlord. The cinema claimed its landlords, Criterion Capital, were trying to include a stipulation in a new lease being negotiated which, if triggered, would force the cinema out within six months’ notice. The Prince Charles outlined its shaky future in a campaign titled #SavethePCC, which accumulated over 138,000 signatures on its online petition in four days.
Chinatown rings in Chinese New Year with annual parade
News Drums and party snappers rang out through the streets of Chinatown and Leicester Square as the annual Chinese New Year parade hit London. The Year of the Snake began on 29 January, and the celebrations marked one of the most important dates on the Chinese calendar where people gather to celebrate and honour their ancestors.
Athletic Union - The Courier Online
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates 18th November 2024
Newcastle University Societies
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Gold, silver, bronze, and chrome: NUPAC win national medals
Edinburgh was up first on the 24th of March, and it saw us leave the city bright and early for the drive up to Scotland. We entered three soloists, a doubles pair and one group, and the day was spent at Edinburgh University’s Pleasance Theatre. The regional competition was host to universities like York, Edinburgh Napier, Stirling, etc, and it was a tough running order full of talented performers.
Society Spotlight: Swing Dance Society
Every Thursday evening, the society meets in St Andrews Church in Sandyford, where it kicks off with an intermediates class at 6pm. If you have never done swing or any type of dance, don’t worry because beginners starts right after at 7:30pm. Each hour-long class comes with an hour of social dancing - essentially, you can dance and catch-up with your friends.
COPA 71 review: A record-breaking women's World Cup
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image Credit: IMDB As the screening started, we had a short introduction from Charlotte Robson, who told us that we should prepare to be filled with joy and pride, but also absolutely infuriated with society. She was right. COPA 71 is such a ride of intense emotions, starting off with a punch to the gut.
Newcastle take rivalry win over Bradford Dragons 97-90
Spirits were high in the sports hall as Newcastle prepared to face the Bradford Dragons. The sold-out event had chairs packed and horns sounding as Percy the Lion mascot ran around pulling cheers from the crowd. Tip-off saw Newcastle take possession, but it would be Bradford who drew first blood. The team quickly rallied to sink a three-pointer just 13 seconds later to put numbers on the board.
Creative Careers 2024: Lead Art Historian Danielle Burke
Danielle Burke is the Lead Art Historian at the Fine Art Restoration Company in Carlisle. We chatted with her to discover how her journey with art evolved, the emotional side of conservation, and how her love of visual media paved the way to working on a fibreglass gorilla. What sparked your interest in art and history, and when did that happen? I’ve always been interested in history, especially from a young age.
Winter Olympics - The Courier Online
Winter Olympics The Fairchild A10 Thunderbolt 2 has a single 30mm Gatling Cannon and two General Electric turbines. When it fires its gun and puts its engines to full it will actually accelerate backwards. That is how powerful it is.
Figure Skating Society brings the ice to Life
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image credit: International Centre for Life As we approach the end of the year, everyone starts marking their calendars with festive fun. The winter season is one to spend with friends and family, so what better than to watch your loved ones slip and slide over the ice? Newcastle’s Centre for Life contains a science museum that creates an open-air ice rink every November alongside its annual Christmas program.
Spinning the stigma of pole on its head
Having joined Newcastle Pole and Aerial Club last year, I’ve quickly gotten heavily involved. But I've noticed a massive issue with misinformation - pole is dirty, it's not a real sport, anyone who does pole is a stripper. While it has its roots in sex work, it has evolved into such a multifaceted sport. So when this year’s tasters rolled around, I asked some of my fellow writers if they would like to give pole a go.
Belle of the Ball: what to wear for your society summer events
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image credit: Instagram (@kimkardashian) If you’re anything like me, you like to dress up and have fun. Feeling my best starts with looking the part, and balls are the perfect excuse to put something special on. There are a ton of events on at this time of year, so read on to find my go-to guideline for what to pick. Firstly, what society/club event are you going to? Are they themed?
Poembox: Staying Afloat
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Grief is like a toy boat Bobbing along in a child’s bath Disappearing in and out of bubble hills Grief is like a cruise ship Filling and emptying in loops Engulfing in its labyrinthian halls Grief is like a kayak Calm control in certain waters Raging among the wet during typhoon fall Grief is like a life raft Always there and never wanted But crucial in cementing you in life’s thrills (Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)
Hometown Hero: Joy Eze is the new European U20 100m Champion
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image credit: Joy Eze All eyes were on the British duo who lit up the women’s 100m track, but it was Joy Eze’s supreme effort that put her on top. Despite Renee Regis narrowing down the lead to a final gap of 0.1 seconds, it was no match for Joy’s stellar pace right off the line. Having been part of Great Britain’s winning U20 4x100m lineup in 2021, Joy has had a taste of European victory before.
Premier League Predictions: Who will claim top spot in 2024?
The day the world has been waiting for since May has finally come: Premier League football is back, and we couldn't be happier for it. As the 31st season of the world's finest football gets underway, The Courier's new sport editorial team has dusted off the crystal balls to have a crack at predicting the campaign's outcome.
Class of 2023: What I'm wearing to my graduation
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates With graduation approaching, here are some top tips for outfit ideas Image: Instagram @newcastleuni There is light at the end of the tunnel, and £43 missing from our bank accounts. Graduation (and ball) season is here, and I am someone who is all for dressing up. After my mental debate over what I’m wearing, here are my top tips for outfits that will go with the iconic robe. 1.
Two in love can make it: Graduating as a significant other
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates L... is for long-distance relationship, O... is for oh actually pixabay As an international student, I knew that any relationship I got into at university was eventually going to get finicky. In terms of the one I’m currently in, between visas and different graduating years, it was a topic that I wanted to avoid like the plague. Whoever you are, it is often an essential conversation to have, but I won’t sugarcoat it - it does suck.
Preview: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Image Credit: IMDb As Suzanne Collins’ last instalment in the Hunger Games universe finally comes out with a trailer, we get to explore more of Panem pre-Katniss Everdeen. I’ve not yet read the prequel itself, but the trailer - and Rachel Zegler - has admittedly intrigued me. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (yeah it’s long) follows the journey of 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) and District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) in the 10th Hunger Games.
tv competition - The Courier Online
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2023 Battle of the Genres: Why watch our faves?
Image credit: Pixabay (clapperboard, laptop, TV, TV remote), OpenClipArt (Apple TV remote, camera, curtains, trophy VHS tape) Comedy - Imogen Smillie Whether you actively seek a comedy show or just stick it on for fun, you have to admit that having a laugh is the best way to relax when settling down with the remote. For me, watching TV is a source of comfort and a way to destress, so why not choose the genre that will also put a smile on my face?
Travelling after COVID
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Covid-19 flipped the world upside down: read about our writer's take on travel after the pandemic Image Credit: Castor Chan I think we are all aware of how much the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world. Zoom schooling, remote workforces, hand sanitiser sales, the list is endless. But one of the biggest hits during that time was the travel industry.
Phallus or pestle? 2,000-year-old sex toy re-identified near Hadrian's Wall
Last month, researchers revealed that a wooden tool - originally thought to be a darning tool - may actually have been an ancient sex toy.
W Series - The Courier Online
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates 20th November 2022
Physical 100 review: Can you really find the perfect body?
Spoilers ahead! If you’ve had Netflix in the past month, it’s likely you’ll at least have seen the thumbnail for Physical 100 across your home screen. With a range of impressive physiques, theatrical challenges, and unexpectedly wholesome friendships, this now-viral show was an enjoyable watch despite some pacing issues. If you haven’t already, I’d at least give it a shot.
A-Z Sporting Spotlight: Pole and Aerial
P... is for Pole and Aerial Image credit: Shannon Jamieson One of the biggest clubs on campus, Newcastle University Pole and Aerial Club (NUPAC) has over 200 members specialising in spins, tricks, and going upside-down. The huge range of talent in the club also makes it one of the most successful. This past weekend, Newcastle won 2nd Overall University at Edinburgh’s Northern Pole Varsity. With more competitions soon - one hosted here on April 29th! - the club is hoping to repeat its success.
How coming out has influenced the way I interact with my loved ones
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates One of our writers explores the effects of coming out on their personal relationships. I’m bisexual, and honestly, that felt easy enough to write. Why am I less afraid of publicly publishing this fact about me, this fraction of who I am, than I was by telling my own parents? I came out to my parents through a Christmas gift I sent them last year.
Your guide to Creative Careers: Who, what, where, and when
Your all-in-one rundown of all of this year's events Image credit: Castor Chan, Pixabay, The Courier Are you feeling inspired and/or curious about all the events? Well check out our handy guide to keep on top of the week ahead, and all the information you need to sign up. Kicking it off on 27th February, we have an amazing opportunity to learn how to write copy.
Kink and BDSM in film: hot or horrific?
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates The portrayal of kinks and bondage in film has often been taboo and controversial, but how good is the representation that does exist? Twitter: @MIKE46823164 If you were to come up to me and say ‘give me a kinky movie’, I’d say Fifty Shades of Grey. But are popular flicks like the Twilight-fanfic-turned-film a healthy or even honest representation of kink and BDSM community?
Under-where to get your sexy staples
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Whilst there are a myriad of lingerie brands out there for you to choose from, here are some of the sexiest brands on the market Whether it is a personal treat, something to spice up my wardrobe, or a fun surprise for the significant other, lingerie is always something I enjoy expanding my range of. I didn’t have much before I came to uni, but it’s become something I really love.
Getting over my fear of sex
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates How my journey with sex has evolved since being at university Image Credit: Unsplash Personally, I think that I’ve come (we're starting off with this pun, sorry) really far since a year ago. I’ve gotten over my dread of losing my v-card, I’m more comfortable with my body, and overall, I have really healthy conversations about sex and our expectations with my significant other.
How Extreme E became one of motorsport's leaders in sustainability
Extreme E is currently thriving on just its second season, and the series has already made its mark on the racing world. It is the brainchild of Formula E founder Alejandro Agag, and has attracted names like Sebastian Loeb, Lewis Hamilton, and Nico Rosberg. Now more than ever, manufacturers are seeking to find alternatives to combustion engines that are just as fast but cleaner for the planet. Extreme E may have landed on an almost perfect medium.
The best Christmas colours to brighten your holiday wardrobe
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Christmas is the season for sparkle and plenty of colour, so here’s how to style these for all of your festive events Image: Instagram @urbanoutfitters It’s that time of year again when we all want to be festive, and we break out those dark, mysterious winter colours. Are there ever any set palettes we should be wearing this Christmas season? No, but there are surely some staples that look timeless year after year.
Dealing with loss during the holidays
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates The holidays can be a painful reminder of who is no longer in your life Pixabay A few years ago, I lost my aunt. She died near the end of the year, and although I wasn’t young, my memories are blurred as to exactly what date it was. Her passing was something I’ve had to slowly learn to process from then to now, and all my feelings towards it still crop up when the winter days roll around.
Cooking up a showstopper: my top 3 cooking shows
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Three must-see cooking shows for all you foodies! Image credit: Pixabay I’ll admit, I’ve seen quite a number of reality and competition food shows. If the series has a good premise, a cool set and an interesting cast, it’s got me hook, line and sinker. It’s also just fun to put on with my boyfriend and debate over who we think should go home next. So here are my favourite cooking shows, all on a silver platter.
Let's be transparent about glass skin
In recent years, glass skin has been a popular skincare trend but how is it really achieved and is it even possible to obtain? This K-beauty trend first took off globally in 2017 and has since found itself in many makeup users’ dictionaries, from luxury fashion shoots to everyday wear. But 5 years on, how has glass skin cemented itself in our makeup routines, and is it truly a standard everyone can achieve? So what exactly is ‘glass skin’?
My Winter Playlist
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Take a look at these cosy tunes to ease into the winter weather. Image Credit: YouTube As the temps drop and the days get darker, winter has truly started to creep in. Whether it’s reading with a cup of hot chocolate, wrapped up in bed, or the freezing trek to class, I think we’re all in need of some cosy tunes. So as someone who listens to acoustic songs year-round, let me try and persuade you to give my favourites a try.
Preview: so what's on 'The Menu'?
Is the trailer as appetizing as the food looks? Anya Taylor Joy stars in The Menu - Image courtesy of @RegalMovies on Twitter I've been a fan of Anya Taylor-Joy for a little bit now, with some of her projects (Split, Queen's Gambit, Last Night in Soho) cropping up in my watch lists. So ever since it was announced that she was appearing in comedic horror film The Menu as leading lady and complete mood Margot, I've been wanting to see it.
Abandon ship: British rocket test launch ends in the Atlantic
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates British space company Skyrora launched their Skylark L rocket off the Icelandic coast at the start of October, where it managed 500 metres before meeting a watery end. Amongst already unfamiliar low temperatures and severe weather conditions, the launch was reported to have “experienced an anomaly”.
Alumni Spotlight: Steph Wentworth
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates The first alumni feature of the year, we talk to racing presenter Steph Wentworth Image credit: Steph Wentworth Steph Wentworth is currently a freelance motorsport presenter, with features on F1 TrackTV, BTCC etc. She graduated last year studying Spanish, Portuguese and Latin America studies, and we chatted about her sports media journey. How was your university experience?
Scooby Dooby Done: Cartoon Network merges with Warner Bros.
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates A fond farewell to everyone's favourite Cartoon Network after 30 years! Image: Instagram @cartoonnetworkofficial This past week, it was announced that Cartoon Network studios will be merged with Warner Bros. Animation. CNS had just celebrated its 30th anniversary at the beginning of October, and many fans took to social media to complain but also reminisce on their childhood.
In conversation with our Commonwealth Games representative: Jade Pitcairn
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has not only been history-making, but fans and visitors also flooded the city to make it one of the busiest multi-sport events since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Birmingham 2022 had the “largest-ever integrated program of para-sport”, and also marked the first time that more women than men were awarded medals.
Review: 'Prima Facie' (National Theatre Live)
Featured Image Credit: @jodiemcomer, Instagram Content Warning: strong themes of sexual assault and violence I’ll admit, the first time I was aware of Jodie Comer’s acting was through watching Killing Eve on Netflix about a month ago. After finishing Season 1, I asked my boyfriend on a whim if he wanted to see the play that kept popping up on my Instagram ads. So, we decided to go to a screening at Tyneside Cinema.
Get ready with me: university edition
Finding outfits for lectures can be quite daunting, so here are some ideas for everyday. casual.outfit.ideas on instagram When you’ve got 9ams on every day of class - I’m kind of dreading semester 1 - sometimes all you want to do is shove on a sweater and the closest pair of jeans on your floor. But when I want a good start to my day, here are the few things that I do to get ready. Once I get through brushing my teeth and hair, my first step is usually to decide what to wear.
How F1 changed my life
As of writing, I’m finishing up my second year in Newcastle studying media and classics - an unconventional combination, I’m aware. But two years ago I had no idea where my education and career path were going at all. Formula 1 showed me what I wanted to do. In high school, my peers around me seemed so sure of themselves, trying to be doctors, politicians, or academics, and they knew where they wanted to be. I never excelled at one particular subject, perhaps except geography.
I Warmed to You as Winter Gave Way to Spring
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Castor Chan takes Poembox with a piece called "I Warmed to You as Winter Gave Way to Spring" I warmed to you as winter gave way to spring You light me up as your smile beams proud Have seagulls always been so loud?
Caitlyn kardashian-jenner
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2022 Celebrating Success Awards: Acknowledging our students’ achievements
During the entire month of May, outstanding student achievements were recognised by the university in NUSU’s annual Celebrating Success Awards, the majority of which were hosted in Venue in the Student’s Union. The awards ceremonies - split into 8 nights for the 8 categories - were packed with the nominees and their friends ready to have a good time and hopefully win an award for their hard work all year.
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