Bangor Students’ Union’s English Language Newspaper ISSN 1755-7585 Issue No. 224 May Issue 2012 INSIDE: Summer Ball A FREE SOCIETY Line-up! Holla for Hollaback! Gwynedd Picture by Eddy Reynolds Brand new Motors Page! Gwynedd • University Increases Students’ Union Funding • Societies and Clubs Bene t from Free Memberships Gwynedd LJ Taylor extra money would be pumped back matter to students and directly ben- ment.” into student facing areas. One way to e t students... From the academic year Bangor University’s agreement to rom the start of the next aca- ensure this was to have the University 2012/13, student clubs and societies this is just the start of an overall shi demic year, all Bangor Univer- increase Students’ Union funding to will be completely free for all students. in the way the University makes its sity students will be able to join cover the costs of membership fees. is means no membership fees and decisions. With their new Student Ex- FS.U. societies and A.U. clubs for free. We have been given assurances that no additional personal insurance costs. perience Enhancement Strategy, the Gwynedd is development comes a er lobbying free membership for any student to Whilst we are pleased with this com- University will guarantee that students from the team at Bangor Students’ Un- any club or society will not mean that mitment, it is simply a starting point, will be at the heart of its decision mak- ion to get students more value for mon- the club or society in question will lose and we will be continuing the pressure ing process. is strategy was written in ey in light of the University’s increase of money. e increase to the Union’s on our institution to make signi cant collaboration with the Students’ Union We say bye to budget will be used to cover the money improvements in areas that directly and covers areas such as student em- tuition fees to £9,000 per year which be- that students themselves would have bene t students. We are also calling on ployability, the services the University the Sabbs! ings this September. Clubs and societies previously invested through member- the University to be transparent about o ers, developing its education strategy charge anywhere from a few pounds to ship fees. e amount that each indi- where students’ money is being spent. and committing to a more inclusive over a hundred for membership so this vidual club and society will receive is Bangor Students’ Union campaigned and diverse student community. e could potentially save students hun- yet to be nalised, but will be worked hard against fee increases and we view strategy also commits the University to dreds of pounds each year. out with the current year’s membership any additional cost to students as un- “sketching out plans for transport links e Students’ Union has been rmly in mind. palatable, unwelcome and a risk to the between our campus sites in Bangor, to against any rise in tuition fees since the When the University initially an- adage that higher education should be make it easier for you to get around”, idea was rst proposed back in 2010 nounced its intention to support the available to those with ability, not those which we think those who live in Bryn and refused to stand down when the Students’ Union’s initiative, President with the ability to pay. Eithin halls will be particularly pleased decision was made to increase students’ Jo Caul eld, who had been at the centre We will continue to be at the fore- by. An online version of the strategy can fees to £9,000. e union wanted to en- of negotiations, released this statement: front of discussions to ensure that Ban- be found on the SU website: sure that students wouldn’t be losing “We have been ercely lobbying for gor students receive additional bene ts www.bangorstudents.com out from this fee increase and that the Bangor University to invest in areas that in line with their additional invest- 2 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk May Issue 2012 Sean Talbot Editorial Toby Raynsford The Seren Team Hello! Editor: Aaron Wiles Welcome to [email protected] what I can’t be- lieve is already Deputy Editor: LJ Taylor my last issue of [email protected] Seren! Just a News: Steven Freeman few months ago [email protected] we were creat- Politics: Anna Hatfi eld ing our Freshers’ [email protected] Issue, now in the midst of disser- Features: Rosie McLeod tation deadlines, [email protected] essay stress and Creative Corner: Tom Haynes exam trauma, [email protected] we’re getting Contributors ready to wave Food & Drink: Joe Russell Nicola Hoban Sean Talbot [email protected] you off for the Summer, and un- Samantha Austin Toby Raynsford Film & TV: fortunately, some Alex Thomson Adam Pazdor Amy Westlake & Heather Boyles of you for good. Georgia Mannion Charlotte Summers fi [email protected] Congratulations Jennifer Krase Jonathon Howard Music: Joey McNally on getting yourself a degree, and for passing your year. Jez Harvey Ryan Iddon Here at Seren we like to go out with a bang, which is why Dhan Panesar Matt Jackson [email protected] Emily Taylor Matt Coombs Fashion: Kaden Wild this issue is once again a massive 48 pages. This obviously means we have new features, and for the fi rst time ever James Gudgeon Liam Connolly [email protected] we have a Motors section, you should be aware that it’s my Regan Jamieson Sophie Smith Health & Beauty: favourite page this issue, and not just because I made it. The Emily Tearle & Sara Royle issue also sees the return of the business page, and this time News 3-5 [email protected] we’re giving you tips on how to make some extra cash using Politics 6-7 Advice: Ashleigh Garnett eBay. You may have heard about Hollaback, it’s a street Comment 8-10 [email protected] harassment campaign and we’ve heavily covered it in this Environment 11 issue because we think it’s important that you’re kept safe! Travel: Rowena Nathan Also inside this month’s issue, we’re saying goodbye to the Features 12-13 [email protected] current Sabb team who have all done excellent jobs whilst Hollaback 14-15 Sport: Tom Knott in offi ce, we have all your standard music and fi lm reviews Business 16 [email protected] including a bit of an Avengers special simply because we Societies 18-19 Secretary: Luke Dobson loved it. Most excitingly though, this Seren profi les the acts Union 20-21 [email protected] playing your Summer Ball, and what a ball it is going to Creative Corner 22-23 be! We’re seriously impressed with the line-up. I’m going Design: Dan Turner to sign off now simply by saying that it’s been a pleasure Summer Ball 24-25 [email protected] editing Seren this year, and I’m thankful for the experience Fashion 26-27 I’ve gotten from it. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading the Health & Beauty 28 paper as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together, Seren Ashleigh Answers 29 The Sabbs has got a good team of people behind it and without them Music Jo Caulfi eld 30-31 it wouldn’t look as good as it does today. For those gradu- Classics 32 jo.caulfi [email protected] ating and heading off into something new, good luck, and Film & TV 33-35 Danielle Buckley for those who are returning, we’ll see you next year! Games & Gadgets 36-37 [email protected] Food & Drink Danielle Giles Ps. R.I.P. Graham </3 38-39 Travel 40-41 [email protected] Breaktime Rich Gorman 42 Motors 44 [email protected] Aaron Wiles Sport 45-47 May Issue 2012 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk 3 Local News Appeal to Find Missing Peer Guide of Matthew Williams the Year 2012 By Nicola Hoban By Steven Freeman n appeal is being made by the knowing what has happened to him. on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 ebecca Earnshaw, a German lan- Rebecca being the proud winner this family of an A-level student We are just praying and hoping he will 555 111. “We also want to hear from guage student from the School year commented: who went missing Wednes- come home, we can’t give up hope.” anyone who may know of Matthew’s of Modern Languages has been “I decided to become a peer guide as Aday 25th April 2012. Beloved brother His parents, devastated by his dis- whereabouts. I would also appeal to Rnamed Peer Guide of the Year 2012 for I really like helping people, and it was and son Matthew Williams, 18, from appearance, have explained how they Matthew himself to contact police and her committment and excellent work in a way of giving something back to the Bangor, was last seen by his parents have had to tell Matthew’s 6-year old his family to let them know that he is the award winning mentoring initiative. University. ere were many nominees, Dennis and Susan Williams as he le sister Tiana that her big brother was safe and well.” Every year Bangor University de- all of whom have done lots of good their home on Caernarfon Road on missing.