Stopping for a spot of people-watching on freezing Victoria Park last week, it struck me that when it comes to snow, as a population we are divided into two camps. There are those whose reaction to a fresh snowfall on Monday morning is one of complete dismay in anticipation of the freezing cold, dangerous travelling conditions and disrupted schedules that lie ahead. The other camp greet the beautiful scene with a gasp of excitement at the prospect of snowmen, sledging and snowball fights.

As a happy resident of the latter camp, I am led to question why we neglect the pleasures of travel this time of year. Those who do manage to find time for a short getaway over the festive period often do so in search of warmer weather: Egypt the most popular destination.

Surely, instead of wishing it away, we should embrace all that winter has to offer us. Some scenes were simply made for snow. St Petersburg, for example, would not be the romantic fairytale it is without a thick layer of snow enveloping its historic skyline and completing its iconic image.

Other destinations are completely transformed by the turn of the seasons. Travelling through the wild landscapes of Lappland last summer with the pleasing glow of the sun of my back, I found myself for the first time in my life, wishing it was winter. The sparkling scene before me was stunning, yet I couldn’t help thinking that my visit to Santa’s reindeer-populated home would be more appropriate in the depths of one of the four winter seasons that occur so far north. True, my trip would have taken place in close to permanent darkness, but a reindeer race, a night at the IceHotel and a breathtaking glimpse of that ever enduring image of the spectacular Northern Lights would have been ample compensation.

Winter opens an exclusive casket of outdoor activities for everyone from the excitable toddler to the adrenalin junkie. With skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and bob sledding to name a few, the weather makes possible what is quite impossible in the UK. Our temperate climate should surely make us all the more anxious to experience winter in its glory. Perhaps this is why when we do see a rare snowfall, the country descends into interrupted chaos.

In Lappland, the prospect is so familiar that the Sami people have over 300 words for snow. Their nonchalant attitude is synopsized in the Finnish saying: there’s no such thing as bad weather; just bad clothing. Preparation then, is the real key to enjoying the harsher side of the cold season. Pull out the trusty Wellingtons, dust down those old thermals, lose your inhibitions and embrace the winter. Your reward can only be to return home to the comforts of a long novel, a hot chocolate and the toasty glow of a homely fire.

Emma Howard

What started as a gloomy Thursday morning quickly brightened up upon the Queen’s arrival, as sunshine broke through the clouds to welcome the royal couple on their return to the University. The historic visit comes fifty years after Her Majesty formally opened the Percy Gee Student’s Union Building in 1958.

Speaking to the Ripple before the Royal arrival, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Burgess, said: “We’re very excited; this is a very special occasion. The visit highlights the University’s developing status.” This visit comes after arguably the University’s most successful year to date, with only weeks ago being awarded the THE University of the Year Award. The University has also been placed highest in the Midlands within the National Student Survey for the fourth consecutive year and we have achieved our highest ever ranking in the national league tables, securing our position as a top twelve institution.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness arrived in Leicester via the Royal train, The Royal Sovereign, marking their first visit to the city in six years. Accompanied by a police escort, they pulled up to campus at 10.40am, to be greeted by an excited staff and student cohort who had abandoned lectures and studying to catch a glimpse of history in the making.

The enthusiastic crowd, which had been building for several hours beforehand, eagerly welcomed the Monarch with loud cheers and jubilant applause.

On her arrival, the Percy Gee building could be seen behind Her Majesty as a distant memory of the past. The Queen was seen looking towards the future with the opening of this impressive structure; a sign of hope and success.

Stepping out of the Royal Rolls, the Queen was dressed immaculately in a clean-cut, pastel pink ensemble, with matching hat and jeweled brooch. The Duke was sporting a long brown over-coat and a smart grey suit.

The Lord-Lieutenant and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant escorted The Queen and The Duke to the library entrance where they were greeted by Sir Peter Williams, the University’s Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor.

The new library boasts state of the art technology in a unique learning environment with an increased capacity and thousands of new books and resources. Sir Peter Williams said: “She was equally interested in the new technology, but was mightily relieved to learn that we do still have folding books.”

The Queen and Prince Philip paused to admire the revolving sculpture in the library’s foyer and paid particular interest to the innovative book return system.

The Royal couple then proceeded upstairs where they had the chance to speak to a variety of students and benefactors and also viewed various exhibitions displaying research projects that the University is currently pursuing, as well as a model of the campus, to which the Duke took a special interest in the engineering building, asking: “What is this?” Perhaps he could not see the ship either!

They spent approximately forty-five minutes touring the building before returning to the foyer to unveil a commemorative plaque and officially open the building. Pro-Vice Chancellor and Librarian, Christine Fyfe, said: “This is a wonderful day for the library.”

On leaving the library, the Queen turned and surveyed the impressive glass structure, greeted by another rapturous reception from the student body. Cheers of, “We love you M’am!” could be heard from the crowd as she made her way back to the Royal motor.

The Vice-Chancellor articulated the mood perfectly in commenting; “This was a historic moment in the history of the University; one that will last forever.”

James Gardner & Amy Cory

This is not the case, however, in India. Take a rickshaw through Varanasi during the Hindu lunar month of Kartiki and discover a city ablaze with golden lights, freshly whitewashed houses and spectacular fireworks. This is the holiest of cities and the streets are lined with magnificent statues of Hindu Gods, as they are carried past the temples overflowing with worshippers as they queue with offerings on the first day of the Hindu New Year. It can only mean one thing: Diwali has arrived.

Diwali, or Deepavali in Sanskrit, means a ‘cluster of lights’. In Hinduism it marks the homecoming of Lord Rama, avatar of Vishnu and ancient King of Ayodhya as he was guided home by the oil lamps of his people. The Sikh’s on the other hand, remember Guru Hargobind Singh Ji, his release from prison and rejoice in the freedom to practice one’s own religion. With Jainism, India’s most ancient religion, comes the desire to seek maksa: permanent happiness and the final liberation of the soul. Characterized by inner enlightenment and the triumph of good over evil, the trail of lights throughout India will follow wherever you go.

So, the Festival of Light has arrived with spectacular style in the City of Light 7000km away, but you, however, have not. The excitement of Freshers’ Fortnight has passed you by and the closest you get to streets lined with gold is wading through the bright fallen leaves walking across Victoria Park on an autumnal morning.

Think again. Leicester is a multicultural city, the first in the UK where to be white is to be an ethnic minority. It is also home to the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India. Perhaps you’re bored of spending another forgettable night at the same old club, but even if you’re not, I urge you to take yourself down to Belgrave Road on the 28th October and sample a taste of India.

And what a taste it is. Push your way through the crowds gazing at sari-clad dancers on stage and get in the queue at one of the many local food shops that extends its hours on this, the first day of Diwali. Breathe in the spicy aromas of bhajis, samosas and aubergine fritters but whatever you do, don’t miss the sweet counter. There may not be room in your stomach to sample every shade of the kaleidoscopic delicacies before you, but if you’re sensible, there will surely be room in your bag.

Yet don’t restrict this hedonistic feeling to your stomach. Allow your eyes to take in the abundance of jewellery shops that line the street and the dazzling lights above as you wander down the famous Golden Mile to the Recreation Ground. Here, with my heels sinking into the well-trodden mud, I gaze skywards at the magnificent fireworks arching over the full moon, drawing me in with each burst of colour.

I stop for a short exchange of greetings and a snapshot picture with a jovial man in the street and remove my aching feet from my inappropriate choice of footwear. As I walk barefoot down the centre of the deserted flyover with the sounds of the Hare Krishna mantra echoing in my ears, it feels as if I’m back on the road again. Maybe, for one night only, I really am.

Emma Howard