All the free fun of the freshers fair

By Kelly Eve

Last updated 10:39, Friday, 26 September 2008

Survival tools for new students to see them through life at university were given away this week in Carlisle.

Freshers grab the freebies at the fair

From free jars of rice and pasta and wooden spatulas to empty plastic pint pots that can be filled for free at a city centre bar – hundreds of students flocked to the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street campus for all the fun of its freshers’ fair.

Clutching bags of goodies, the freebies enticed new arrivals to find out more about pubs, clubs and organisations on the social scene as well as what important advice and support services are available.

The Royal Bank of Scotland, Pride in North Cumbria and Carlisle’s Community Law Centre were among those offering help.

Local organisations included the Mothers’ Union, seen giving out free pasta and rice, to the Abbey Singers and multi-cultural community group leader Saj Ghafoor.

PE student Bernard Keville, from Sligo in Ireland, was quick to sign up to the university’s Gaelic football team, one of the many sports teams looking to recruit members yesterday.

The Freshers’ Fair proved so popular that organisers opened it up to all students.

A free minibus was laid on to ensure students starting at the Brampton Road campus could get there.

Students’ union vice-president Danny Morville said: “It has been going very well and we’ve had far more through than we expected.”

Andy Leather, assistant manager at Carlisle’s Wilkinson store, had 3,000 free spatulas to give out to students as well as discounts to freshers to spend in the Scotch Street branch. He said: “The company is going to 60 universities with the spatulas this year. This is the first time we’ve come here. The spatula was so successful around the country last year that they brought it back. Everyone’s picking one up.”

Photography freshers Laura Thompson, from Northern Ireland, and Stephanie Jones were looking to pick up part-time work and were busy filling in application forms.

Stephanie, 20, said: “I’m from Manchester so I’m finding it a bit quiet at the moment but it’s good to find out what’s on.”

Cockermouth teenager Martin Hall and fellow criminology student Kirsty Hunt were among those to accept an empty pint glass from staff at Walkabout.

The Botchergate bar is one of several clubs and bars the Student Union is working with to arrange nights for university students.

Terminal One plays host to one of its biggest events on Saturday when Cream’s Ibiza tour takes over.

The SU’s Tuesday Night Project – a new regular students’ night in Carlisle – will be launched next week at The William Rufus on Botchergate.

Future events include a Halloween Rocky Horror Picture Show party.