Octoberserenseren 2000 UWB’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER Free and unfettered inside New Seren Be safe in emerges Bangor p2 New music and more p6 All the Right Movies p8 Reading matters p12 Bangor in shock as new-look periodical hits streets: ‘I told you so,’ brags Associate Editor angor was on red alert this As reports of the publication torial assistant ‘EMB’ likened the pointed’ in particular by music morning following the sur- spread, Bangor’s roads and foot- shock publication to Oxford rock- editor Clare Lewis’ attack on high- Bprise appearance of Octo- paths were facing the prospect of ers Radiohead’s 1997 album OK profile visitors Mark and Lard and Play nicely, ber’s edition of elusive student gridlock as students flocked to Computer. Production Editor Julie Mansun, whose gigs were widely newspaper Seren. Doubts had secure their copies. The Union, Neild simply purred. considered to be something of a kids p14 been raised as to whether the however, refused to acknowledge Reaction amongst local resi- coup for Bangor. Overall, though, beleaguered publication would calls for an emergency sitting of dents was cautious. Huw Werth, response to the new Seren has ever see the light of day after the Senedd to discuss the crisis, and 73, of Trem Yr Wyddfa insisted that been mostly positive, with an issue missed an alleged sixth dead- the local constabulary admitted the publication of the new edition overwhelming 54% of respond- line on its motley course towards that they planned ‘no special meas- ‘didn’t really bother him,’ but Gwla- ents to our specially-commis- publication, but the paper’s staff ures’ to accommodate the rush. dys Hills, 57, of Caellepa was too sioned survey considering the was this morning triumphant as When approached by this overcome to speak with us. issue to be ‘quite disappointing the first copies of the new edition newspaper the staff of Seren Closer to home the new issue to wholly satisfactory.’ began to trickle into the SU. accepted that their actions may has received a mixed reception. The UWB Surf Team, which ‘This could be our best issue have precipitated widescale dis- CCSO Will Kelly was understood was cruelly burlesqued in the May Round, round, ever,’ crowed a source close to the ruption, but were unrepentant. last night to consider that it was issue, had not, as we went to press, editor. ‘We’ve put blood, sweat and ‘It’s pandemonium,’ conceded ‘about bloody time’ the issue went issued a formal response to the get around p16 tears into this. I haven’t touched Associate Editor Chris Chapman, to press. Ents Manager Shaun news. The Canoe Club was not my thesis in weeks.’ ‘but I like it!’ Staff writer and edi- Casey was said to be ‘disap- approached, for obvious reasons. 2 SEREN October 2000 NEWS [email protected] Be careful out there Women’s OfficerClaire Middleton offers cautious counsel o you’ve just moved to Bangor; a haven of your hand. Carry a personal alarm mountains, trees, pubs and tranquillity. in your hands at all times. Do not SIsn’t it wonderful? The answer should be wear a personal stereo. Tell people a categorical yes, but unfortunately that isn’t where you are going, giving con- always the case. Although Bangor is pretty tact numbers and what time you are small compared to some of the places you likely to arrive. If you feel that you could have found yourself, personal safety are being followed try to move to a is still an issue you have to consider. In the well-lit area or enter a busy public past few weeks there have been five attacks amenity and ask for help. on women in Upper Bangor alone. It does Personal attack alarms are avail- happen, even in a sleepy North Wales city, able from the Welfare Office and and the chances are it will happen again. the Union shop at a cost of £2 You can take practical steps to protect each. Last year we ran a successful yourself against attack. Know where the self-defence course for female stu- danger areas are. Previous areas in which dents. The course for this year is attacks have taken place include Lon Pobty in the process of being organised (St Mary’s hill), Glanrafon Hill, Holyhead Road, and hopefully will be up and run- the pier and the ‘magic gardens’ (the steps ning by the beginning of November. between the Crescent and Lower Bangor). If you would like more information Many of the halls of residence have areas or would like to take part, email me which are poorly lit. This is one of the prob- (my address is below). lems the Women’s Group will be working to If you have been attacked you change over the next few weeks. can talk in confidence to North Be sensible about these problems. Never West Wales Rape Crisis and Sexual walk home alone at night. Your best protec- Abuse Line on 01248 354885 or tion against attack is to walk in groups of Nightline on 01248 362121. People Glanrafon Hill: you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy three or more. Make sure you know where are out there and they can help. the security guards for your hall are located and how to contact them. However tempting Upcoming events • On the 14th of November there will be a paigns is posted on the Women’s Group noti- it may be do so, DO NOT give the door code • A campaign focusing on safety in the halls night at the main bar for lesbian and bisexual ceboard (next to the welfare board on the to your hall out to everybody you meet. Last of residence will be taking place over the next women’s day. This will involve cheap drinks way into the Curved Lounge). year a known local rapist found out a hall few weeks. and dressing up and is open to all. All proceeds door code and consequently had access to • October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. go to Lesbian Line, a local phone line provid- If you would like to contact me about any the building for an entire fortnight. If you are Watch out for information on campaigns to ing information and support for women. of these issues or would like any more infor- walking somewhere alone be alert and look highlight the risk factors and preventative mation on the Women’s Group, email me at alert. Have your house or car keys ready in measures such as self-examination. Information on upcoming women’s cam- [email protected] Railtrack says no R.S. Thomas dies to faster trains ailtrack has come under heavy ing the revised plans, Spokesman the signalling braking distances fire from rail watchdogs after Andrew Goodwin said ‘I find it incon- associated with travelling at faster Rpulling the plug on plans to ceivable that, in the year 2000, a pro- speeds. drastically reduce journey times fessional company is given the task ‘Safety is paramount in the between Bangor and Chester. of upgrading speeds from 75mph to industry,’ he stressed. ‘That is more A new timetable, which was sup- 90mph and ends up acting like a important than some train journeys posed to come into effect two weeks bunch of complete amateurs trying taking a few minutes longer than ago, would have slashed journey to put a model railway together.’ He originally envisaged.’ times with a 15mph speed increase added, ‘It should be more open with However the latest develop- between the two stations. The plans the rail-using public whom it has ments have also brought First North however had to be dropped at the treated disgracefully.’ Western into the picture. A spokes- last minute because of signalling Railtrack’s North West Zone man for the train-operator said ‘We problems. director Mike Cowman said that the are naturally disappointed by the The Strategic Rail Users’ Asso- £1m upgrade had been put on hold announcement but we will work ciation has accused the train com- purely for safety reasons. with Railtrack to make sure that the pany of acting ‘unprofessionally’ and ‘The outstanding issues on the work is completed as soon as pos- hiding behind the safety issue. Blast- North Wales route are to do with sible.’ ributes continue to pour in for R.S. Thomas, who died on Monday 25th September aged 87. Holder of the Queen’s Gold TMedal for Poetry since 1964, Thomas quickly rose to become one of the 20th Century’s finest poets. Raised in Holyhead, the poet developed close links with the Uni- versity and area over the years, often using the landscape as settings for his work. Last May, he opened a centre named after him in the Welsh department, containing the most comprehensive collection of his published pieces anywhere. In 1998 he was also awarded an hon- orary professorship in recognition of his contribution to poetry. Dr Tony Brown of Bangor University said Thomas would be greatly missed. ‘I worked with him on several occasions and found him to be a very austere man but with a dry sense of humour. I think that he’s left us with a magnificent body of poetry that is to be enjoyed by all.’ Plaid Cymru President, Ieaun Wyn also joined in praise: ‘He helped put Wales on the cultural map and was an inspiration and role model to numerous Welsh writers. His work will remain with us as a testament to the flowering of the Welsh writing in English and the emerging Welsh identity.’ All aboard for Chester! [email protected] NEWS SEREN October 2000 3 Cash Talent scouts injection snub Oxbridge helters and projects in Bangor whilst St Mary’s night shelter is set orget Oxford and Cambridge: if it’s talent are set to receive a massive to receive £40,000.