ISSN 1755-7585 Issue No. 204 February Issue 2009 CURTAINS FOR INSIDE: Summer Ball: CARNAGE? Have your Say RAE Results Brand new fashion column Police step in and put Bangor’s second Carnage event in doubt Willow Does By Liz Stevens the evening and a number of tasks to com- shirts were on sale and almost sold out. ingness to take part in the planning process UOTC ollowing on from the popularity of plete along the way. Carnage 2008 was Sgt. Coppack also explained that inap- of any future events. e safety of students the November 2008 Carnage, an- undoubtedly a success, and Carnage 2009 propriate steps were taken in relation to is paramount in our minds.” other night was scheduled to take was well on its way to becoming a sell out, Carnage 2008, with Carnage incorrectly in- Carnage’s response has been largely Fplace in Bangor on Tuesday 3rd March, but but with critics arguing the event promotes forming licensees that the police had been optimistic. Varsity Leisure Group Limited, disagreements between the organisers and binge drinking and promiscuity; there are consulted regarding safety, when in fact no who own Carnage UK said: North Wales Police may mean the upcom- worries that the plug has been pulled – the such liaising had taken place. Sgt. Coppack “Carnage is open to a positive, construc- ing event is now in contention. To say that question remains, however, why? reiterated that it was each individual licen- tive dialogue with North Wales Police and this has been controversial would be an un- Speculation began running rife when see’s decision to withdraw from the event, is more than willing to comply with all derstatement. it was reported that e Waterloo Inn had and explained: positive and reasonable requests the Police Carnage is essentially a pub crawl; stu- pulled out, and rumours were circulating “It is not the intention of the Police to make in relation to the event’s organisa- dents move in a pre-selected order from pub that police had stepped in and threatened stop such events taking place, in fact we are tion. VLGLtd wants the students to have a to pub (Rascals, e Waterloo Inn, e Ship licensees. is is in fact not the case, with pleased to assist in facilitating any event safe, enjoyable evening and for Bangor to Inn, Varsity, Yates’ and Academi) before Sgt. Bill Coppack of North Wales Police that enhances the perception of Bangor and have the bene t of a positive boost to its descending on the end venue (Time). To informing Seren that Carnage had not con- is safe and well run. To that end we have late night economy, especially at a time of Sheep escape participate, a £7 t-shirt must be purchased, sulted with the police regarding the second been in attendance at a recent meeting of recession.” which includes the fancy dress theme for event until January 22nd, by which time t- license holders and have indicated our will- CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 on Ffridd NEUADD WILLIS STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Luxury ensuite student ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR SEPTEMBER 2009 Our quality accommodation comprises of fully furnished apartments with en-suite rooms, accommodation in clusters of 3, 4, 5 and 6 with a fully fi tted living/kitchen area. We also provide a selection of fabulous studios which have their own living/kitchen area, and which are for situated within single occupancy. walking distance of We can be contacted on: 01248 371450 or 07841 369249 or via email on: Bangor University [email protected] 2 February Issue 2009 EDITORIAL www.seren.bangor.ac.uk elcome to the fi rst Seren of 2009. It seems like an age since we last graced your coffee table / bedroom fl oor / own February Issue 2009 Wpersonal Seren archive, but here we are once more. I hope you have all managed to cope in our absence, I realise sometimes Contributors: these things can be too much for one student to take. The Seren Georgia Mannion team have been feeling the strain too, in fact just the other day I walked into my offi ce to fi nd the music editor curled up in a ball Liz Stevens begging for an opportunity to spill her creative juices. It was quite Aaron Wiles disconcerting. She’s ok now though, worry not. So, in between bringing you amazing newspapers to feast Rhodri Barker your eyes on, the Seren team organised a universally astounding Iain Dalton night of 90s nostalgia. Were you there? Then have a look at the pictures which adorn this page and try and spot yourself. It is my Emily Collins personal belief that the Seren 90s Night will go down in history as the greatest expression of our generation’s Pokemon-obsessed Jamie McNeil childhood… maybe we’ll bring it back next year. Joe Firth Moving on to the glittering pages of this exciting February issue. As you’ve seen, we’ve analysed the Carnage issue into Matt Ison submission – however I would like to draw attention to the Willow Manuel apparent suggestion that an organised pub crawl is the remedy to Bangor’s recession. Perhaps we could suggest they hold it in Sophie Griffi ths a high street shop that is in desperate need of some custom. The mass exodus of Bangor’s student population this Christmas Tom Hecht apparently caused Bangor (and the global economy, so it seems) Laura Winstanley some serious issues and as such, it seems Carnage is offering a solution. I salute that, and I’m sure £40 chopping boards do too. Polly Daszkiewicz We also have coverage of sheep escaping and wreaking havoc up at Ffridd site Emma Gregory and as such, the team have spent half an hour choosing their favourite breed of the woollen animal. It’s nothing but hard work round our place. The headline on that Tom McCarron particular article might just be the best thing I’ve come up with in a long time (in my humble opinion). So far, 5 people have seen it and 2 people have genuinely Biya Ashraf laughed. I’d be interested to hear whether any of you lot think I’m moderately Dwight McCarthy amusing, although for some reason I suspect the odds are stacked against me. Right that’s enough inane babble from me, if you’ve got this far then Homan Yousofi congratulations. I expect the next thing you’ll do is a really exciting quiz on Frances Birkett Facebook or something. YOU SHOULD BE WORKING. There, don’t say I’ve never tried to help. Sion Wyn Laszek Jack Sexty T’ra, Rosie MacLeod Jo Caulfield - God of editing Cat Prince Michael Xavier Henry Tom Durkin Robert Mann Bethan Thomas Alex Stamp Helen Aldred Jenny Brierley Photography: Helen Waller Tom Hecht Gary Smith Jade O’Donoghue Special thanks to: Fiona Braddley Proof reading: Tom Hecht TEAM SEREN Spencer George BRINGING NEWS TO YOUR CRIB. RECYCLE Emily Collins Editor Jo Caulfi eld Here at Seren, there’s News Stephen Davies nothing we love more Features Bianca Murray than Mother Nature and Music Emma Dixon d’ya know what she Film Mark Varley loves? Recycling! After you’ve fi nished Books Emma McColl Travel Stef Black with us, can you put us in your blue Sports Will Varley box and make sure we get made into Design Dan Turner something else? Thanks very much. 3 February Issue 2009 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk NEWS Bangor scores some Mumps Epidemic top RAE results Engulfs Bangor ecause we at Seren care about you One dose of MMR protects around 65 students so much, you should be per cent of those who receive it against angor University’s research en- ness School went one better, claiming jects and this reinforces other evidence aware of a suspected outbreak of mumps, with a second dose of MMR quiries have been highly praised the top UK spot for best research. demonstrating the quality and scale of Bmumps currently worrying the University improving immunity to around 85 per recently, with schools ranging Furthermore, the School of Mu- our expertise in areas which cross sub- population. An email was sent out with a cent of recipients. So it is possible to see Bfrom Psychology to Sports Science hav- sic, headed underneath the Arts and ject boundaries. By working with busi- lea et from e National Public Health mumps in individuals who have been vac- ing been accredited with particularly Humanities umbrella, had 90% of its ness, industry, service providers and Service for Wales (NPHS) but in case you cinated with MMR, although this is not lavish praise. e Research Assessment research sta were listed as being of in- policy makers the knowledge created at missed it, here’s some information on the common. Exercise (RAE) attempts to measure the ternational quality. e same percentage Bangor University is applied to bene t disease: If you have not had two doses of MMR level of research according to how they of world quality research sta was also the world.” Mumps is unpleasant but usually mild vaccine you should contact your GP to compare to a world-class benchmark. given of those listed under the Earth In addition to the above research and infectious. It usually causes pain and arrange this. Please inform the surgery Nineteen subject areas were assessed in Systems and Environmental Sciences recommendations, the schools of Welsh, swelling of the salivary glands between when you make the appointment that this Bangor’s research schools with almost eld. e University’s Vice-Chancellor Psychology and Sports Science all rated the ear and the neck.