Bangor University Students’ Union December 2013 English Language Issue No. 236 Newspaper FREE @SerenBangor Seren.Bangor.ac.uk - SOCIETY OF THE YEAR 2013 - TERAS IN DEPTH DECK THE HALLS HAPPY 50TH DOCTOR WHO
Savings Scheme: A year on Update on last year’s £5 million de cit scheme
by LJ TAYLOR ing them to look and see if they can eas for is a huge step forward within identify areas for reductions and im- the savings scheme a year on from hree areas of ‘university activity’ provements that may go otherwise when Seren originally reported on have been highlighted in the unnoticed by the team leading the the de cit last October. Tongoing e ort to manage the process. The £5 million de cit comes after £5 million de cit, Seren has learned. ‘Although £5 million sounds rather cuts were made to the subsidiaries Research and Enterprise, Financial dramatic we’ve saved, just through that the Higher Education Funding Management and Student Admin- e ciency savings, nearly half of that,’ Council of Wales makes to student istration are facing changes to their Professor Hughes told Seren after tuition fees. internal structure as part of the sav- the initial announcement. Bangor University’s decision to ings programme launched last year. Since the beginning of term a num- charge the full £9,000 tuition fee is ‘It’s important to note that whilst ber of new programmes have been part of the reason for the £5 million we are looking to make savings rolled out, such as online registra- loss. This is due to HEFCW being un- through operating more e ciently tion and the new printer systems, able to subsidise such a high amount we are determined that this will not which are all linked in with the sav- of Welsh students and has resulted adversely a ect frontline services ings scheme. These improvements, in the University losing 201 student to students,’ said David Learmont, dubbed the ‘summer of change’, places. Director of Business Improvement, have already reformed the way in A year on from the announce- who is overseeing the programme. which students and sta at the Uni- ment however Mr Learmont and his This process aims to look at ‘back versity work. team are still con dent that it can o ce functions’ such as nancial It has been a positive start to the be achieved without a ecting the work ows and helping colleges and savings which has seen the Univer- University or its students. As things central services to operate as e - sity keep to its word in not a ecting stand the savings scheme not only ciently as possible. the student experience, in fact they appears to be doing its job but is Whilst the initial announcement seem to be saving money whilst im- helping the university to discover felt as though it would have a det- proving frontline services. better ways of running. rimental a ect on the University, Mr The University has also put a lot Bangor Students’ Union are still Learmont and his team have always of work into the development of working closely with the University looked at it in a postitive way. Bangor 360, a system which aims to to not only help in identifying areas The ‘savings scheme’ has been join together a number of di erent for change but ensuring that the stu- viewed by them as a unique chance services resulting in increased e - dent experience continues to remain to take another look at the way that ciency within the institution. at heart. the University works and not only This has seen a rebranding of the ‘We’ve been working closely with save money through that, but to programme now known as My Ban- the University throughout this pe- make improvements also. gor which will provide a centralised riod, and it’s gratifying to see some ‘It’s an opportunity to re ect on service within the institution to both of the ongoing investment, includ- how we currently operate, a unique sta and students alike, replacing ing new IT projects, library resources, opportunity that we can grab with older systems such as Bangor Portal. and Maes Glas.’ said Antony Butcher, both hands,’ he said last October. ‘There’ s a lot still to do, but I am President of Bangor Students’ Union. When the University rst an- con dent we’ll be able to enhance To nd out more about the de cit nounced the shortfall the Vice- the student experience, whilst be- go to our website for last October’s Assassin’s gather in London for the Chancellor, Professor John Hughes, ing able to reduce our costs,’ said Mr front page. bi-annual Comic Con event. looked to the University’s sta urg- Learmont. 46 The identi cation of the three ar-
December Issue 2013 | Seren 3 CONTENTS
BECKI WATSON EDITOR [email protected] Welcome to our third issue of Seren, and our last edition of 2013! 33 I think I speak for the whole team when I say that this has been an exhausting issue. With essay deadlines approaching and work levels increasing in the run up to the holidays, the stress levels have been high, especially with this being the biggest issue of Seren so far this year. We did manage to nd ways to re- lieve the tension though. Whether it was Kev blasting Christmas tunes at 4am, Sinnead fraping everyone who left their Facebook alone for more than 10 seconds, or LJ and Becci 45 hysterically laughing for 20 minutes 14 at the Amazon drone, we managed News 4-7 to nd a way through, and have a Comment 8-9 produced an issue of Seren that I’m Politics 10-11 43 truly proud of. As you may be able to tell, Seren Science 12-13 has really embraced the Christmas spirit. Check out the Fashion pages Environment 14-15 for hints and tips on what to wear Union 16 this holiday season, and on the Food and Drink pages we have recipes for Societies 18-19 Christmas drinks, as well as vouch- Movember 20-21 ers for Christmas Dinner at the Teras Lounge. Not only that, we’ve got a Gift Guide 22-23 gift guide with some of our favourite Deck the Halls 24-25 presents on the market this Christ- mas, as well as a feature on how Doctor Who 26-27 to decorate your at or house on a TV 28-29 student budget. Don’t say we never give you anything! Film 30-31 Plus, in even more exciting news, Music 32-33 10 the rst video from Seren TV has been produced! Keep an eye out on Books 34-35 Seren’s social media for the rst epi- sode, as well as many more projects Fashion 36-37 to come. Health & Beauty 38-39 Remember, it’s never too late to join us! Just send us an email or Arts & Culture 40-41 come along to our meetings in the Creative 42-43 New Year, any new contributors for Seren are more than welcome. Games & Gadgets 44-45 Now, all that’s left to say is: Merry Comic Con 46-47 Christmas, and a very Happy New Year! See you all in 2014! Food & Drink 48-49 The views presented hereinafter Travel 50-51 do not represent the views of Seren Breaktime 52 Bangor, Bangor Students’ Union or Bangor University. Sport 53-56 21 Seren is printed by NWN Media. 30 Emma Asberg Adam Sharpley Yousef Cisco Megan Gardner Franceska Zerelli Jo Caul eld Callum Lewis Heather Boyles Aled Meredith Victoria Allen ‘Demola Fashola Liam Ashbrook THE TEAM Luke Barrett Becky Smith Harriet Weller Editor Becki Watson Food Harriet Weller Rachel Dunbar William Tracey Katie Middleton Deputy: Content Nicola Hoban TV Ida Vaisanen Chris Glass Adam Burns Iain Detrey Deputy: Design Becci Jameson Film Jack Nicol Laura Sutton Jon O cer Joe Keep Secretary Ali Keshtmand Music Tom Bickerdike Gemma Simmons Peter Clarke Eleanor Hirst News Charlotte Parker Books Amy Blackwell Laura Doody Clara Mc Neely Scott Willey Environment Will Johnson Fashion James Holman Richard Dallison Portia Dodds Emily Rimmer Science Edwin Pynegar Creative Laura Pozzi Al Hulley Anna Selbmann Wyatt Warner Comment Sinnead Towey Travel Steph Yeabsley Sarah Phillips Elin Haf Edwards Jon Williams Arts and Culture Megan Townsend Sport Kevin Gri n Ash Kierans Ana Victoria Health & Beauty Sara Williams Design LJ Taylor
CONTRIBUTORS Zakee Pandor Dan Turner 4 Seren | December Issue 2013 NEWS In Brief An Evening With Lord Coe
Law Teacher of the Year shortlist announced
A BANGOR University lecturer has been shortlisted for the prestigious Law Teacher of the Year 2014 award. Sarah Marie Nason from the School of Law is one of six law teachers who have been nominated from universi- ties from across the UK. Nason said that she was ‘bowled over’ at being nominated for the award, which is the only one of its kind in the UK set up speci cally to reward great law teaching. Professor Dermot Cahill, Head of the School of Law, described Na- son as a ‘superb researcher, [and] an equally dedicated law teacher’. e next stage of the judging pro- Olympic hero shares his life story at Bangor University cess will involve a campus visit to over £500,000 and welcomes two full Jones Hall that was opened up to the I was committed but the work was observe Sarah’s teaching methods, as size netball and tennis courts. public as well as students. h a r d ”. well as interviews with students and Sport Wales have contributed He discussed many topics that he e debate-like talk lasted just over fellow lecturers. e winner will be £80,000 towards the project. believed to have shaped him into the an hour, and the audience were en- announced on 28 February 2014. Graham Williams, North Regional ‘hero’ that he is seen as today. couraged to ask any questions they manager for Sports Wales said, “Just Gary Blackwell, a businessman may have for the Olympic Champion. over 12 months on we are extremely from Connahs Quay was amongst the Many students from the Sports Sci- by CHARLOTTE PARKER excited to see the o cial opening crowd gathered in P.J. Hall. He said ence Department were there to ask for [email protected] of the new netball and tennis sports “It was a great pleasure as an athlete advice on tness and success. dome, which is set to provide year- and sports fan to attend the fabulous A er a short musical interval, Coe ord Sebastian Coe visited Ban- round facilities, not only for the stu- evening with Sebastian Coe, being old thanked the audience for their par- gor’s new sporting facility last dent population, but for schools and enough to have followed Lord Coe ticipation and time. He spoke of how Journalist of the week. Coe, whose work in- residents of the surrounding commu- through his athletic career up to the anyone can be a success and that when Lcluded making London 2012 the huge nities”. modern day national gurehead who he rst started out, he was nothing Year Award success it was, opened the new indoor Maes Glas is having a complete delivered what was an unforgettable special. tennis and netball facility at Bangor faceli and will be re-opened by summer of 2012. I’m sure all that were For a short time a er the ‘Evening University’s Sport Centre. summer 2014. e new facilities will in attendance would agree that the with Lord Coe’, the Olympian signed A FORMER student at the School of e new area was to be used in next include a two-storey gym and a new evening was a great success and that autographs and had photos taken. In Creative Studies and Media has been year’s Varsity weekend; however this aerobics studio. e centre will also be Lord Coe has encapsulated a numer- true sportsmen style, Coe engaged awarded for her work in Journalism. has now been moved to Aberystwyth welcoming new public showers and ous generations”. with every person who threw ques- Noellin Imoh, won a BEFFTA (Black, University. e University will have changing rooms, along with a new Coe discussed how he knew when tions at him, leaving no one disap- Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Televi- many other refurbishments through- oor in the main sports hall. he had become something special. pointed. sion and Arts Awards) a er her out- out the next year. While spending time in Bangor, “Breaking three World Records in 41 standing work as editor of African e Bubble structure is costing just Lord Coe also held a talk in Prichard days in the same year that I graduated, Dazzle Magazine. She described her award and as big- gest of their kind outside of Africa. “Winning the award means a lot to me, as it is my very rst award in the entertainment industry”. Union strikes again She goes on to say how she set her- self goals like this a er graduating from Bangor in 2010. Students a ected by more strike action from the union this week “I went to the BEFFTA awards for the rst time two years ago, and was Second sta strike in 2 months over low pay o ers very impressed. I said to myself that evening, ‘Wow, I would like to be picket lines at other Higher Education of living, the unions state that this their support for the right of univer- on that stage someday collecting an buildings across North Wales and the would mean a 13% pay cut in real sity sta to take industrial action, stat- award for a job well done’. I didn’t ex- rest of the country. terms since 2008. ing their belief in a ‘properly funded pect it to happen so soon”. e strikes a ected lectures and Unison general secretary Dave education system’ of which sta sala- Noellin was awarded her ‘Journalist seminars across the university, how- Prentis said, “ e employers’ imposed ries are an integral part, and that sta of the Year’ title at a glitzy award cer- ever many schools remained largely payment of 1% does not address the who feel valued will ‘make for a much emony in London. una ected by the union action, with increasing cost of living for sta who better University and a much more “Winning this award has de nitely by BECKI WATSON scheduled teaching hours going ahead face rising energy costs and increasing fruitful, and stable, student experience giving me more energy, courage and [email protected] as normal. food bills, and does little for the 4,000 for our members.’ motivation to move on. Knowing that ese strikes follow the action that sta working in universities who earn e statement went on to say that someone is watching and my work is n Tuesday 3rd December, took place at the end of October as less than the living wage.” Although it was ‘positive’ that the strikes did being seen gives me joy, energy and three unions - UCU, UNI- part of one of the largest union dem- there has been no agreement, rep- not take place during examination motivates me to carry on”. SON and Unite - went on onstrations by universities in years. resentatives from all sides have con- periods, and con rmed that the Stu- strikeO in protest against low pay o ers. Union members are striking over the rmed their intentions to continue dents’ Union will ‘continue to work One picket line was staged outside o er of a 1% pay rise to university sta discussion in the hope of resolution to with both parties to protect [student] the Main Arts Building with approxi- members, including lecturers, techni- the dispute. interests, whilst supporting the rights mately een people including uni- cians and administration workers. A statement released by the Bangor of sta to take action on matters that versity lecturers, as well as many other Due to in ation and the rising cost University Students’ Union a rmed they deem appropriate.’ December Issue 2013 | Seren 5 NEWS Hospital Worker Mugged In Brief
Midwife Awards Double
TWO Bangor University sta have been recognised in the 2013 Iolanthe Midwifery Trust Awards. Sheila Brown, a Community Mid- wife in Wrexham and part-time lecturer at the School of Healthcare Sciences, won the Tricia Anderson Award. Her work included organising an ‘Evidence and Skills for Normal La- bour and Birth Course’ for 40 mid- wives. Sheila graciously used her prize money to fund a midwifery course with expert on Normal Birth, Denis Walsh. She also picked up the ‘Dame Ro- salind Paget’ Award. is award is traditionally given to midwives that ree thugs found guilty of assault on innocent bystander progress practice through holistic care for women and families. Two of the attackers, James omas Hughes and Jones, both from Ho- been convicted on the basis of joint Mary Longworth, Director of Mid- Brown and Jamie Hughes, both 20 lyhead, denied robbery but were con- enterprise. wifery Education at the School of years old, were each sentenced to 28 victed at Caernarfon Crown Court in Jayne La Grua, for Jones, said he had Healthcare Sciences also received a months youth detention. e third November. Brown, also from Holy- a desperately sad background, had low monetary award from the Iolanthe mugger, Jordan Jones, 21, received 18 head pleaded guilty to robbery. self-worth and was vulnerable and midwifery Trust to support her doc- months. Judge Niclas Parry said the three de- easily manipulated. toral studies through the University by CHARLOTTE PARKER As the three cornered Mr Monser- fendants were under the in uence of Investigating O cer, DC Karen of Manchester investigating fathers’ [email protected] rate, Brown repeatedly told him “give drugs and saw a vulnerable man on Pritchard-Williams of Bangor CID in uence on women’s decision mak- me your phone“, whilst the other two his mobile phone. ey weren’t aware welcomed the sentences. ing. hree thugs, who mugged a hos- watched on and laughed. Once they of what they were doing. “It gives out a message that violent pital worker as he waited for his had the phone, Brown then punched Judge Parry spoke about how Brown crime such as this will not be tolerated bus, have been found guilty of the victim in the face and kneed him. initiated the attack whilst the other by North Wales Police or the courts,” Tassault and the . As the victim tried to call for help, two watched and encouraged him. she said. e jury heard of how the attackers the muggers ran o and were said to Elen Owen, for Brown, said that he “ e victim was faced with a situa- cornered the victim in a bus shelter be “whooping” as they le the scene. had a di cult upbringing and was tion of three against one”. and began to taunt him for his phone. Mr Monserrate went on to describe hoping to turn his life around on his “ e victim fully co-operated with Sailor Shocked Prosecuting barrister Sion ap Mi- how the attack had a ected his con- release. police and witnesses came forward hangel told of how the victim, Mark dence when travelling home from Philip Clemo, for Hughes, said that to provide statements. I am grateful by Squatter Monserrate, had been working and work a er the incident. He felt es- his client, who was on the periphery, to them for this, as it has led to the was waiting to get his bus home when pecially vulnerable when travelling had an extremely poor start in life. He property being returned to its owner the robbery occurred. home in the dark. had not touched the victim but had as well as a successful prosecution.”
A HOLYHEAD sailor was le feel- ing sea sick when he climbed aboard Antique Bible Stolen Bangor hosts Holy Visit his boat to nd a squatter had been living there. Brian Ferguson de- by NICOLA HOBAN by CHARLOTTE PARKER scribed the mess that he found at the As well as leaving no ngerprints the marina. rare bible that dates back to thieves also le behind a copy of the r Rowan Williams, Master His thoughts and beliefs were well “It was littered with beer cans and the sixteenth century has been Good News Bible in the place of they of Magdalene College, Cam- known across Wales and in some parts bottles, there were candle burns and stolen from its locked case at a had just stolen. bridge and former Archbishop of England. He spoke of how he felt the toilet had over owed”. Achurch in the Conwy Valley. Mrs Brookes stated that she had ofD Canterbury, will be visiting Bangor England were stripping Wales of its Police were called to examine the e Geneva Breeches Bible, which looked online to check the value of the University on Wednesday December wild nature and spoiling it with money. boat, however as there was nothing is from 1589, resided in St Mary’s rare book and found out that it could 11th. Whilst here he will be delivering R.S omas felt very strongly about stolen, no action could be taken. church in Trefriw in a glass covered be worth over £2200. a lecture entitled, ‘R.S. omas, Chris- reserving the natural beauty of Wales. Bosses at the marina have put all the case, which was covered with cloth to PC Nerys omas from North tianity and Buddhism’. He was a member of the RSPB, with blame down to a homeless squatter protect the book from harsh daylight. Wales Police said of the burglary: “ e e lecture, which will be free for who he worked to preserve the Red and have apologised for the lack of e alarm was raised on Sunday 1st church has only been open four times anyone to attend, has been arranged Kite bird of prey. Aged 87, Ronald Stu- security. December, when churchgoers realised between 25 October and 1 December, in conjunction with the University’s art omas died at his home a er suf- e damage caused will cost around that the bible was gone on a er a re- and it is believed that an implement R.S omas Research Centre. Dr Wil- fering from a heart condition. £3,200 to repair, and Mr Ferguson has quest was made to view it. was used to force the lock during one liams will be addressing the 2013 An- Senior Lecturer in the School of received a nancial gesture from the “A little boy had asked to see the of the days when it was open.” nual Archives and Special Collections Welsh, Dr Jason Walford Davies spoke marina owners to help compensate special bible and it was gone. I just felt e bible was written in Switzerland Lecture. of his delight to welcome Dr Williams. for his upset. sick,” said Hilary Brookes, a church by Protestant reformers who had ed 2013 sees the centenary of the birth ‘It is a great pleasure to be able to Despite the e orts made, Mr Fergu- warden and lay reader at St Mary’s. Britain during the reign of Mary Tu- of R.S omas (1913-2000). Whilst welcome Dr Rowan Williams to Ban- son is appalled at the lack of CCTV “It was a planned thing because they dor some years earlier. having a strong passion for the Welsh gor. He is one of our major religious and security on site and believes in knew what they were a er. ere were Mrs Brookes revealed that the bi- language, omas could only express thinkers and is himself, a distinguished future more security men should be no ngerprints and the display case ble’s name comes from the unusual his poetry in English, his rst lan- poet. It’s hard to think of a more ap- available. was locked.” description in Genesis Chapter 3, guage. propriate gure to discuss the work of e bible had last been seen on 25 Verse 7, “ ey sewed leaves together omas, who was well known for his Wales’s nest modern religious poet’. October, and the church had report- and made themselves breeches”, a de- dislike of the anglicisation of Wales, e lecture will be held at the Uni- edly only been le open and unat- scription of how Adam and Eve rst served for over 40 years as a priest in versity’s Main Arts Lecture eatre at tended on four occasions since. clothed themselves. the Church of Wales. 5:30pm. 6 Seren | December Issue 2013 NEWS In Brief Two months on and still no justice Llanberis slate quarry climber falls
A CLIMBER was rescued by an RAF helicopter a er falling in a dis- used slate quarry. e 26 year old climber, from Bir- mingham fell on to a ledge near Llyn Padarn at Llanberis, Snowdonia. He broke and ankle and su ered several severe cuts on his body. RAF Valley sent a crew out on Sun- day 1st December at 14:10 GMT to help rescue the trapped climber. Llanberis Mountain Rescue team were also on hand to help with in the recovery operation. e man was later own to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, where he was treated for his injuries. New pictures released in call for more witnesses witness statements are very vague. night. “I know the owners of [nearby night- One year on e injuries that Edwards sustained “ us far we have been unable to club] Peep have given the police access were so severe that he may miss out on identify any further witnesses but I to all tapes from their cameras. from ood his regiments posting to the Falklands am hoping the release of CCTV stills “I am concerned that the longer this early next year. may jog someone’s memory and help goes on the less chance there will be of disaster e new stills that have been released us identify the assailant. He is de- nding the perpetrator.” by CHARLOTTE PARKER don’t show a clear image of the attack- scribed as in his early 20s, 6’ tall, white Mrs Edwards has now collected a [email protected] er; however police are hoping that wit- with short dark hair which was thicker reward to o er to anyone that can give A FAMILY who lost all their pos- nesses may come forward. on top and ‘comber over’ and of thin any information that the police may sessions in the devastating oods orth Wales Police have re- Investigating O cer PC Eirian build. He was wearing a dark long nd useful. that hit Wales last year are still unable leased CCTV stills of an attack Pritchard at Bangor Police Station sleeved top, a light coloured hooded “I don’t have a lot of money but a lot to return home. on a soldier, hoping to appeal said “Shortly a er 3.00am on urs- jacket and beige coloured trousers.” of Army mums have been in touch Due to insurance issues, Gwynedd Nto witnesses. day 24th October 2013 the victim was e victim’s mother hit out at the and so far we have raised £250 for a councillor Aeron Jones and his part- Welsh Guardsman Harry Edwards leaving the Nightclub when he was at- poor response the police gave the at- reward.” ner Caryl and their three daughters was brutally attacked in October and tacked and assaulted by another ‘club tack. Mrs Edwards, who co-founded She added that despite the fact that won’t be able to go home until March su ered horri c injuries a er a night goer’ close to the steps of the club, and the Mothers against Murder and Ag- the investigations are still on going, 2014. Hundreds of properties were out in Bangor. was punched to the face causing multi- gression Charity (Mamaa) in 2009, is she feels she should be more involved hit by these traumatic weather condi- e 19 year old was leaving Peep ple fractures to his jaw and subsequent furious that it took police almost seven to ensure justice is served. tions, however many of these home- Nightclub at around 3am on 24th hospitalisation” days to take a witness statement from A spokesman for North Wales Police owners have been able to get their October when another ‘club goer’ Despite the quality of the pictures her son. said: “We have not received a formal lives back on track by the anniversary punched him repeatedly in the jaw that have been released, investigating She said, “ e incident is recorded complaint and (as) the incident is the of the oods. and face. e incident happened close o cers are able to give a clear descrip- on CCTV and it’s clear that the attack subject of an on-going investigation it e Jones family are preparing to by to the steps of the club, however the tion of the attacker’s appearance on the is totally unprovoked”. would be inappropriate to comment”. spend their Christmas in rental ac- commodation and look forward to being home in the new year. Pensioner’s death could have been Ink-redible turn out in Llandudno prevented Concern grows as the elderly are missing out on full care service MANY famous faces made an ap- pearance at Venue Cymru in Lla- ndudno last weekend. Visitors to early on 26 June. might have been a di erent outcome, aint Hughes said, of the network, that the Cariad Ink Tattoo Festival, were An inquest held in Llandudno, because Mr Hodges had a severe heart if smoke is detected, the alarms sound looking for lasting memories from which recorded a verdict of accidental problem. in the care centre and re ghters the annual tattooing weekend. death, heard that some councils linked Ms Jones said of the situation: “El- would be sent to the house. Llandudno welcomed tattooist to a Telecare system, but that Conwy derly people are the most vulnerable e inquest heard how Mr Hodges from all over the UK, Europe and council did not. people in society and they want to live may have been unaware of the blaze North America to the event, or- by NICOLA HOBAN North Wales deputy coroner Nicola as independently as possible. as he continued with his morning rou- ganised by Daisy Silcock and He n [email protected] Jones heard that Conwy Council are She expressed interest in contacting tine and only became aware of the re Hughes. unique in North Wales in that the the council. when he le his bedroom and saw the Daisy said: “It has been very busy pensioner that died last June emergency care system is not linked “In Gwynedd and Anglesey, re smoke. He did not activate the alarm but there has been a very friendly, might have been saved if his directly to smoke alarms. alarms are connected to the care cen- that he carried with him at all times. family atmosphere. smoke alarm had been linked e inquest heard how re ghters tre. It is not a choice, it’s just done. I Speaking a er the inquest, a Conwy “We had one guy in who was hav- Ato a central operator. arrived at Mr Hodges’ residence in shall be writing to Conwy Council to Council spokesperson said: “Any sug- ing a tattoo done on his hand while Alfred Hodges, a 97-year old man seven minutes. ask what they were doing about this. gestions and comments the coroner at the same time he had a baby sat on from Llarwst, died earlier this year A re o cer told the inquest hearing “Family members should be aware makes will be given due consideration his lap.” from carbon monoxide poisoning, fol- that Mr Hodges could have been saved their emergency care alarms are not as to whether any lessons can be learnt lowing a re started by a toaster. if there had been a link to the Telecare directly connected. is won’t make a regarding protecting other clients in e re, which started in Mr Hodges’ control. di erence to Mr Hodges but it could similar situations”. bungalow at Llys y Bioden, happened e coroner, however, stated that it make a di erence to other families.” would never be known whether there Community Fire Safety O cer Ger- December Issue 2013 | Seren 7 NEWS Couple plead guilty to fraud In Brief
Llandudno missing man
POLICE are appealing for witness- es to help nd a missing man from Llandudno. Barrie John Jones, 36, has been missing from his home since urs- day November 28th. e last sighting of Barrie was on Saturday November 30th in Towyn near Abergele. It is believed he was on his way to Rhyl, however it isn’t known whether he ar- rived there or not. He was last seen at 3.30am on Saturday, November 30, in Towyn near Abergele and said he was on his way to Rhyl. Concern is grow- ing for his welfare. Barrie is described as between 5 4’ and 5 6’ tall, slim, with short dark brown hair, a moustache and brown eyes. When last seen, he was wear- ing a black North Face Jacket, black Fraudulent couple face jail a er selling fake lighters Adidas tracksuit bottoms and by CHARLOTTE PARKER was an online shop that sold many the couple continuing their work de- “We want to see a level playing blue Timberland shoes. di erent lighters that were branded spite being aware of complaints from eld for all traders. Enforcing trad- Police want anyone who may have couple that have been sell- with many well known logos. Another brand holders. e fact that they knew ing standards is about protecting the information about Barrie or who may ing illegal Zippo lighters with business man raised the alarm when their products were a ecting the pub- legitimate operators from the rogue have seen him to contact Llandudno licensed logos on, have been he suspected that the goods being sold lic, however they continued to sell the operators who o er sub-standard, Police on 101. Agiven suspended sentences. were illegal. lighters was described as a cowardly low quality goods. Legitimate opera- James Humphreys and Paula Ellis e case was then brought forward criminal activity. tors pay signi cant sums to use these both appeared at Caernarfon Crown to Conwy Trading Standards a er Judge Hughes said: “ e general brands on their goods, they can’t com- Court on December 2nd and were or- customers showed photos of their fake public are entitled to be protected pete with those who operate dishon- dered to carry out unpaid community goods. e logos included designed from fraud and should be able to rely estly with the intention of ripping o work. such as Dr Who, Apple and Chelsea on genuine traders and articles.” the public. e couple, from Abergele both FC. e pair were told of how their own “ e losses incurred by the legiti- Drivers in a spin pleaded guilty to a charge of Fraudu- e Zippo lighters that were being mistakes made it worse for them- mate industry are passed onto every lent Trading under the Fraud Act made weren’t only illegally displaying selves. By ignoring any complaints consumer and damages the economy over roundabout 2006. logos, but many of the companies that they were receiving, they are seen to of Conwy. Humphreys was given a suspended were being shown on the face of the be condoning their own wrongdoings. “We will continue to take robust en- sentence of a year along with 250 smoking paraphernalia were in fact John Donnelly, Conwy’s Principal forcement action to protect the public hours unpaid work, his wife was prohibited to be on there. Trading Standards and Licensing Of- and eliminate rogue traders within handed a lighter sentence of 36 weeks Hearing the case at Caernarfon cer said: ”Trading Standards is about C onw y.” in jail and 200 hours unpaid work. Crown Court was Judge Dafydd creating a fair and equitable trading A women has spoken of her anger e business being run by the two Hughes, who expressed his disgust at environment. and terror a er she was involved in a car crash on a notorious Bangor roundabout. New station Becky Williams, from Llanfairpwll, Fire scare for Dublin spoke of how her and her sons were on the roundabout near Asda, when commemorates inventor a car ploughed into the side of them. In 1980, he received the Queen’s ferry She said: “Something needs to by TOM BICKERDIKE Award For Business, an OBE in 1986 be done about it because it was and in 1997 was inducted into the but both lifeboats had returned plaque has been unveiled to by CHARLOTTE PARKER an accident waiting to happen, Gorsedd. to the station and been refuelled by commemorate Dr omas and it happened to us. He also established the Dr Tom Par- Dublin bound ferry was forced 10:45am. Parry Jones OBE, the inventor “What are Gwynedd Council wait- ry Jones Endowment Fund at Bangor to return to port in Anglesey Along with the NFLI lifeboats, a Aof the breathalyser. ing for - someone to be killed on the University, to encourage young peo- following the discovery of a search and rescue helicopter from RAF roundabout?” It was unveiled by his widow, Raj A re onboard. ple to follow careers in science and Valley was also sent to the scene. Parry Jones at the o cial opening of Emergency services told Becky that technology and entrepreneurship. It is reported that smoke was seen A spokesman for Stena has told of a new police station in Llangefni on her crash was the sixth incident that His widow said her husband was al- coming out of a car’s refrigeration unit how the incident was a minor issue. November 29th. Also in attendance they had been called to since the ways proud of his “baby” and thanked on the deck of the Stena Line ferry. “As a precautionary measure, the ship were Mark Polin, North Wales Police roundabout was installed last year. the police for acknowledging his Just a er 9:00 am on Friday 29 No- returned to Holyhead Port by which Chief Constable, and Winston Rod- Motorcylists have also expressed work. vember, Fire and Ambulance services time the incident had been resolved. dick QC, Crime Commissioner. their anger at the lack of road mark- She said: “It is an enlightened and were called to Holyhead. However, no “At no time were passengers or crew Dr Jones, from Menai Bridge, passed ings at the junction. e lanes are not visionary act by North Wales Police, re was found a er multiple checks in any danger and the ship departed away in January at the age of 77. In clearly marked out and it is unsafe which will serve to inspire the peo- were carried out. again for Dublin at 1045hrs.” 1958, he graduated from Bangor Uni- for smaller road users to be seen by ple of Anglesey and Wales. His work A Coastguard agency spokesman Althoguh the re was alleged to have versity a er studying Chemistry and everyone. radically transformed road safety said that there was no re or heat started in the car deck, none of the was a lecturer at Cardi University in A Gwynedd Council spokesman and saved countless lives worldwide. source detected on board, however a passengers were witness to the smoke. the 1970s, when he was approached said: “New road signs which will be He was internationally acclaimed as full safety inspection was carried out It is thought to have been a member to make a reusable breathalyser. A more representative of the road lay- a brilliant scientist and entrepreneur before the ferry was cleared to con- of sta that rst sounded tha alarm few months later, the Home O ce out ahead have been ordered and will yet had his roots rmly in Wales.” tinue on its journey. and warned of problems aboard the approached him for an order. He es- be installed as soon as possible.” e new police station is located on Both of the Royal National Lifeboat ferry. tablished Lion Laboratories, who have the Industrial Estate and is the base Institution lifeboats were launched Shortly a er the incident, e Stena supplied them ever since. It is used by for police o cers covering the Gaer- from Holyhead when the alarm was Europe was then able to leave for Dub- police forces in more than 100 coun- wen and Valley areas and the Wales raised at 10:05am, lin. tries and over half a million units have Probation Trust team. been sold. 8 Seren | December Issue 2013 COMMENT HOUSING PROBLEM STILL NOT MOVING
Mushrooms found growing behind a sink, mould growing in various places and a door pannel replaced with a piece of MDF
their landlord’s who provide high quality hous- dents are encouraged to wait until the lists are ing good houses and service are acknowledged by SINNEAD TOWEY ing across the city. Nominations are now open published before looking for properties. and I think the Landlord Awards is a great way and will be closed on 1st January. e nomina- Hopefully these new schemes will help prevent of doing this. However, I also think it’s essential his year the landlord blacklist, which tion categories are: Value deal of the year, Small the housing horror stories we hear about every that the landlords who provide some of the aw- has been crucial to students of previous landlord of the year, Large landlord or manag- year. Here at Seren, we have been aware of stu- ful houses I have seen over the past few weeks years, has been removed from the Ban- ing agent of the year, and Responsive landlord dent housing issues for a while. Last January we are named and shamed. e blacklist was a safety Tgor website. It seems that instead of condemning of the year told you about some of the housing horror sto- net for students. It meant we avoided even look- landlords for their insu cient houses and poor ere has also been a buddy scheme launched ries we heard to prevent you new house hunters ing at houses that had previously a ected or even reputations there has been more of a focus on the this month by the Students’ Union as a part of from making the same mistakes. is year un- been harmful to previous tenants. ‘good’ landlords. the Bangor Students’ Housing Campaign. e fortunately, we have heard even more housing e Vice President of Education and Welfare, Today was the launch of Bangor Landlord scheme enables students to pair up with another nightmare stories, from peoples roofs falling in Rhys Taylor has commented on the removal of Awards 2014 which has contributed to this new fully-quali ed student who will accompany you to deposits being taken for no clear reason. It will the list, ‘It’s not all about doom and gloom. De- positive attitude towards housing. e Student’s on any house viewings and ask all the awkward come as no surprise that the most reoccurring spite seeing the bene ts of a University Blacklist Union have said, ‘We want to celebrate the work questions you wouldn’t want to ask, or wouldn’t problems seem to be ones of mould and damp or ‘Rate your Landlord’ scheme, it’ll cause more and e ort put in by landlords across the city think about! issues. problems than it solves. Our brand new Land- who provide students with high quality housing. It doesn’t stop there! ere have been housing e removal of the Landlord blacklist is quite lord Awards will in the long term encourage All too o en we her about the bad and the ugly workshops on all week, providing information worrying. It has been available for years and for landlords to do more for students, and will even- when it comes to student housing, we have there- on contracts, deposits, bills and more. If you good reason. ere are many landlords in Ban- tually push up standards in the private sector. By fore launched this brand new initiative, as part missed any of these dates there’s no need to wor- gor with reputations of having awful housing awarding those landlords who succeed in pro- of Bangor Students’ Union Housing Campaign, ry another fair will be taking place on the 27th and this list was one of the key ways in which viding a home t for study, we can begin to set a to recognise the great and the good.’ e scheme January 2-6pm at Academi, the o cial housing students could avoid these houses. precedent among landlords, establishing a mini- has been set up so students can publicly thank lists will also be made available on this date. Stu- It’s important that landlords who are provid- mum standard for student housing in Bangor.”
“One word describes my house from last year, “freezing”. I thought students were taken the p*ss BAD HOUSES DAMPEN OUR SPIRIT when they moaned about having to wear layers and gloves inside but I realised this was the truth “I had terrible luck with my rst accommoda- when I was wearing thermals and a dressing gown tion during my rst year. When we rst moved in to bed. When we rst signed the contract we were we noticed a funny smell in our room, and some EMMA’S STORY MEGAN’S STORY over the moon. We had a large ve bedroom mould in the kitchen and bathroom, but thought house that was clean at a reasonable price. What little of it. Within a month however, I had become we didn’t realise was that the house was so damp so sick I was coughing all night, my lung capac- and poorly insulated that despite having the heat- ity down to about half – I couldn’t even walk ing on constantly the house was still minus Mos- up to the university without fainting! It started cow. Not only did we realise how cold the house with cold symptoms and a fever, at which point had become, but the lovely whitewash walls soon I went to the doctor for the third time, this time become covered in mould. I had to throw out a demanding tests for what clearly wasn’t the u. coat and two pairs of shoes as they were stuck All I got was a feeble note suggesting much but together with mould. It had become apparent in saying little. As the issue nearly went legal against our nal few months in the house that we had our landlady and an Environment Health Inspec- been clearly tricked into thinking we had one of tor deemed it harmless the mould was oor to the rare mould/damp free houses in Bangor. Our ceiling and had ruined nearly all our possessions. landlord’s “some maintenance work” really meant A er moving into asbestos-infected (old) Garth was that he needed to repaint the mouldy walls I felt instantly better, but my lung capacity was so house-viewers could be just as oblivious to the decreased for months and I had a sore throat for state of the house as we were. e worst part of it weeks. I would urge anyone with similar issues to all was by the time I had paid for the heating of not back down – there’s no such thing as harm- the houses I was paying more to live in that slum less mould.” than I did for my lovely warm Peris at I had in r s t y e a r .” 8 Seren | December Issue 2013 December Issue 2013 | Seren 9 COMMENT COMMENT FFRIDD SITE LAUNDRY LEAVES US OUT TO DRY HOUSING PROBLEM STILL NOT MOVING
MIND YOUR MANNERS Ida is an international student working in liasion with the international o ce . Every issue she’ll write about her experi- ences in Bangor. By JAMES HOLMAN abandoned the downstairs section and moved the next machine would become free and we by IDA VÄISÄNEN upstairs only to nd a similar situation; we even got to thinking, we each pay just over £4000 to I have a confession to make: I hate mak- had to avoid a large puddle on the oor up there. stay in this accommodation yet we still have to As a returning student to Bangor, I ing phone calls. Especially in English. Even pay to use the laundry facilities knew before I arrived this year that though my linguistic con dence has soared and even then they do not work the laundry facilities on Ffridd site IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE MORE over the time I’ve been in Bangor, calling properly as clothes placed in the weren’t the best, however, I am really WASHING MACHINES AND DRYERS BEING people is still hard. One day I notice I have dryers o en come out damp. surprised by how far they have fallen INTRODUCED ONTO FFRIDD SITE double-booked myself and have to cancel How can this be justi ed? over the past few years. my appointment. The receptionist listens to It would be great to see more My atmates and I went to use my explanation and then asks: ”Did you call washing machines and dryers the laundry facilities this week and in to reschedule or apologise?” Another thing that I nd di cult to comprehend being introduced onto Ffridd site. It would be arrived to nd that only three of the washing I’m completely thrown o . Still is how few washing machines there are on Ffridd even better if they were free all together. ere machines in the downstairs section opposite I pull through and do the rescheduling. site, considering the population of students are not that many washing facilities in Bangor, security worked. e others were either full of Then it happens again. I call in about some there, more machines are certainly required. therefore a lot of students rely on these ma- Mushrooms found growing behind a sink, mould growing in powder or didn’t take our money when insert- test results and get yelled at by a complete Having abandoned all hope, my atmates and chines. Let’s hope for action to take place soon! various places and a door pannel replaced with a piece of MDF ed, extremely frustrating when you have lled stranger for calling fteen minutes early. I returned home to wait the thirty minutes until the drum with your laundry and detergent. We Everything I planned to say is thrown out of their landlord’s who provide high quality hous- dents are encouraged to wait until the lists are ing good houses and service are acknowledged the window. I’m left stammering. by SINNEAD TOWEY ing across the city. Nominations are now open published before looking for properties. and I think the Landlord Awards is a great way Still this doesn’t only concern me. and will be closed on 1st January. e nomina- Hopefully these new schemes will help prevent of doing this. However, I also think it’s essential WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR In a grocery shop a young man behind me his year the landlord blacklist, which tion categories are: Value deal of the year, Small the housing horror stories we hear about every that the landlords who provide some of the aw- gets severely told o by the cashier for car- has been crucial to students of previous landlord of the year, Large landlord or manag- year. Here at Seren, we have been aware of stu- ful houses I have seen over the past few weeks rying his shopping in his own bag rather years, has been removed from the Ban- ing agent of the year, and Responsive landlord dent housing issues for a while. Last January we are named and shamed. e blacklist was a safety NEW COMPUTERS than a basket or a cart. He does apologise Tgor website. It seems that instead of condemning of the year told you about some of the housing horror sto- net for students. It meant we avoided even look- but still the cashier doesn’t back o . While landlords for their insu cient houses and poor ere has also been a buddy scheme launched ries we heard to prevent you new house hunters ing at houses that had previously a ected or even leaving the store I can still hear scolding reputations there has been more of a focus on the this month by the Students’ Union as a part of from making the same mistakes. is year un- been harmful to previous tenants. about safety regulations which this poor ‘good’ landlords. the Bangor Students’ Housing Campaign. e fortunately, we have heard even more housing e Vice President of Education and Welfare, chap had outrageously broken with his Bag Today was the launch of Bangor Landlord scheme enables students to pair up with another nightmare stories, from peoples roofs falling in Rhys Taylor has commented on the removal of for Life. Awards 2014 which has contributed to this new fully-quali ed student who will accompany you to deposits being taken for no clear reason. It will the list, ‘It’s not all about doom and gloom. De- Why do we do this to each other? positive attitude towards housing. e Student’s on any house viewings and ask all the awkward come as no surprise that the most reoccurring spite seeing the bene ts of a University Blacklist We are constantly reminded of manners Union have said, ‘We want to celebrate the work questions you wouldn’t want to ask, or wouldn’t problems seem to be ones of mould and damp or ‘Rate your Landlord’ scheme, it’ll cause more while associating with other people, but and e ort put in by landlords across the city think about! issues. problems than it solves. Our brand new Land- what else are those situations I mentioned who provide students with high quality housing. It doesn’t stop there! ere have been housing e removal of the Landlord blacklist is quite lord Awards will in the long term encourage other than bullying? When scolded by a All too o en we her about the bad and the ugly workshops on all week, providing information worrying. It has been available for years and for landlords to do more for students, and will even- stranger we are turned into children again. when it comes to student housing, we have there- on contracts, deposits, bills and more. If you good reason. ere are many landlords in Ban- tually push up standards in the private sector. By That’s also why these social situation terror- fore launched this brand new initiative, as part missed any of these dates there’s no need to wor- gor with reputations of having awful housing awarding those landlords who succeed in pro- ists usually get away with it. It’s not easy to of Bangor Students’ Union Housing Campaign, ry another fair will be taking place on the 27th and this list was one of the key ways in which viding a home t for study, we can begin to set a defend yourself while you’re the underdog. to recognise the great and the good.’ e scheme January 2-6pm at Academi, the o cial housing students could avoid these houses. precedent among landlords, establishing a mini- In these situations, we are usu- has been set up so students can publicly thank lists will also be made available on this date. Stu- It’s important that landlords who are provid- mum standard for student housing in Bangor.” ally reminded that everyone has bad days. Still no-one knows what the other person has been going through before sitting be- “One word describes my house from last year, hind their desk or picking up the phone. “freezing”. I thought students were taken the p*ss That’s why we should treat other as a fel- BAD HOUSES DAMPEN OUR SPIRIT when they moaned about having to wear layers low human beings. This concerns anyone and gloves inside but I realised this was the truth we come across. It’s ridiculous how much “I had terrible luck with my rst accommoda- when I was wearing thermals and a dressing gown e ect we can have into other person’s day tion during my rst year. When we rst moved in to bed. When we rst signed the contract we were without knowing it. we noticed a funny smell in our room, and some EMMA’S STORY MEGAN’S STORY over the moon. We had a large ve bedroom Like when a lovely librarian spon- mould in the kitchen and bathroom, but thought house that was clean at a reasonable price. What taneously asked have I had a stressful day. little of it. Within a month however, I had become we didn’t realise was that the house was so damp Or when a passerby has smiled at me with- so sick I was coughing all night, my lung capac- and poorly insulated that despite having the heat- out any other motive than smiling. Mo- ity down to about half – I couldn’t even walk ing on constantly the house was still minus Mos- ments like that don’t take much time but up to the university without fainting! It started amount of hard drive space allocated per student, on their own machines, and it’s worth considera- cow. Not only did we realise how cold the house they do lift fellow people out of the swamp with cold symptoms and a fever, at which point by CALLUM LEWIS a potentially disastrous situation when multiple tion, but to function properly as a quick, easily had become, but the lovely whitewash walls soon for a moment. It’s not just common cour- I went to the doctor for the third time, this time deadlines rear their ugly heads. accessible resource between long sessions on the become covered in mould. I had to throw out a tesy. It’s mercy. demanding tests for what clearly wasn’t the u. he university seems strangely split on its is isn’t to say that the university doesn’t care personal PC, these computers must actually be coat and two pairs of shoes as they were stuck If you are staying in Bangor this All I got was a feeble note suggesting much but technology stance regarding computers. about its IT services – indeed, while Bangor’s var- quick and easily accessible. Logging on brie y to together with mould. It had become apparent in Christmas, St John’s Methodist Church saying little. As the issue nearly went legal against On the one hand, we have the high-end ious online services won’t be winning any awards transfer les or print documents is all but impos- our nal few months in the house that we had TMacs and PCs found in many departments that in the aesthetics department, they do share a high sible due to both the low number of machines is inviting students to a traditional Brit- our landlady and an Environment Health Inspec- been clearly tricked into thinking we had one of ish Christmas Day Lunch. This takes place tor deemed it harmless the mould was oor to perform outstandingly well, giving students the degree of care and attention invested in them by and the crawling pace at which they function. the rare mould/damp free houses in Bangor. Our on 25th December at 1pm in the Church ceiling and had ruined nearly all our possessions. equipment they need to create work at a pro- the support team, amd the so ware updates over e good news is that according to IT services, landlord’s “some maintenance work” really meant Hall. No charge, but booking is required by A er moving into asbestos-infected (old) Garth fessional standard. But on the other end of the the summer show a willingness to improve. e a hardware upgrade is in the works, as they are was that he needed to repaint the mouldy walls emailing [email protected] or I felt instantly better, but my lung capacity was spectrum we see a large number of computers hardware, however, is painfully in need of an up- currently testing an upgrade to the M:/ drive, so house-viewers could be just as oblivious to the [email protected] by 18th December. decreased for months and I had a sore throat for struggling to keep up with the hectic demand of grade. which would speed up the load time and increase state of the house as we were. e worst part of it While booking, you should tell how many weeks. I would urge anyone with similar issues to student life. e argument could be made that university personal storage from 500 MB to 2 GB. IWe may all was by the time I had paid for the heating of places you would like, and any dietary re- not back down – there’s no such thing as harm- e boot times in particular leave many stu- computers are provided primarily as a ‘stop-gap’ not know when this upgrade will take place, but the houses I was paying more to live in that slum dents frustrated as they struggle to access their measure based on the assumption that the aver- it’s comforting to know that a solution to these quirements you have (vegetarian, allergies less mould.” than I did for my lovely warm Peris at I had in work. Another point of contention is the small age student will be conducting 90% of their work student frustrations is on the horizon. etc). r s t y e a r .” 10 Seren | December Issue 2013 POLITICS In Brief Osborne to BBC: “ e Job Is Not Yet Done”
CHANCELLOR George Osborne spoke to the BBC ahead of the chan- cellor’s annual Autumn Statement which will be delivered on ursday. He hinted at more austerity meas- ures to be instituted a er the 2015 General Election, should the Con- servatives emerge victorious. With recent reports showing modest eco- nomic growth, it had been hoped that Osborne would bring an end to current austerity plans, but such hopes were dashed when the chan- cellor spoke of “more di cult deci- sions” to be made regarding the gov- ernment’s budget. Osborne also warned against the re-emerging trend of large bonuses in corporate sectors, saying that we “must learn from the mistakes of the p a s t .” Do we need an internet lter? by CALLUM LEWIS ing the most notorious o ender. is ban on radical political views may these measures, for the most part PM’s Twitter isn’t just about porn, though. is is soon become a ban on mildly critical they work incredibly well. Rather few months ago the internet about censorship. views, giving the party in power an than an ill- tting ‘opt-out’ system that was ablaze with debate over It’s a hard position to defend, o en unprecedented ability to silence dis- restricts websites by default, these Blunder the proposed introduction misconstruing valid concerns about sent among the masses. varied and nuanced lters allow the Aof an internet lter proposed by the freedom and privacy with a desire to To many this form of ‘mission creep’, average user to have a high degree of IN the latest of a long-line of so- Conservative government, set to block go against the ‘think of the children’ whereby the laws are slowly expanded choice without worrying about poten- cial-media ga es, the o cial twitter pornographic content unless one opts slogan of politicians that is so o en to forbid an ever growing list of web- tial censorship. e problem seems account of Prime Minister David out of the default lter settings. ‘ is used to justify invasive policy. To sites, is nothing to worry about if one to be a lack of technical education in Cameron accidentally followed the is absurd!’ we all cried. ‘ is will never think that the safety of children is at trusts the regulations set in place to how to access these features. ere- account of an escort service. happen!’ Well, it appears we are in for the forefront of Cameron’s mind is to limit such an ability. However, in the fore, rather than waste untold mil- A spokesman placed the blame a rude awakening. e internet lter is miss the bigger picture. wake of the ongoing spying scandal lions on an intrusive and unwanted on the social media representatives going ahead, and this can only mean Recent news has come to light that that has gripped nations across the measure, the sensible option would of previous Prime Minister Gordon bad things. these blocking measures may be ex- world, trust in the oversight of west- be to teach those without much in the Brown, who created an auto-follow Support for such measures has been tended to cover what Mr Cameron ern powers when handling internet way of computer skills. is may not process. is meant that every ac- eeting at best. A public consultation calls ‘the extremist narrative’. Com- tra c is at all time low. bene t a government whose sole aim count which followed the Prime last year concluded that ‘no great ap- parisons have been made to China’s So what alternative is there? How is control, however. Minister was followed by him in petite among parents for the intro- own internet ltering system, dubbed do we stop children from accessing To many a free and open internet return, with no vetting involved. Al- duction of default ltering of the in- ‘ e Great Firewall’, where political content not designed for them while is worth ghting for, to give billions though the system was discontinued ternet by their ISP - only 35% of the activism sites and western media con- still maintaining a free internet? Well, of people around the world a way to in 2009, Downing Street have yet parents who responded favoured that tent are banned extensively. To think the status quo is rather good at that al- interact and share information in a to fully vet the accounts it follows, approach’. is is without considering that a similar system in the UK is the ready. Every internet service provider truly global environment, free from which led to the blunder. the views of the rest of the country, end goal of the new policy may bor- currently o ers parental controls to the bonds of government control. It tailoring the UK internet to only one der on the paranoid, but the terms es- restrict a customisable range of con- remains to be seen how the opt-out demographic that by and large don’t poused in the proposals are so vague tent. So too do search engines and in- lter will be used by governments of even want it for themselves. as to cover a hideously large range ternet browsers give these options at a the present and years to come, but for 90’s Student All this isn’t to say that there are no of potential ‘threats’ to the system of lower level, giving users the option to now at least, the future is looking a lot valid concerns over content on the government. customise the browsing experience of more restrictive. Loans ‘Sold’ web. Parents don’t want their children In the minds of those who resist this users who share the same system. exposed to harmful images, porn be- policy there is a very real fear that a While there are workarounds to LAST week Universities Minister David Willets announced that 890 million pounds worth of student loans taken out by British students between 1990 and 1998 had been sold to a private company for 160 million pounds. is is the third 2014 5 3% times that student loans have been 35% 2438 sold to the private sector - it previ- The percentage of The year when The number of peo- The number of inter- ously happened in 1998 and 1999 - parents surveyed who widespread internet ple who have signed net users who believe but the move has still been met with are in favour of Inter- filtering is expected a petition on that the goverment criticism. NUS president Toni Pearce to debut in the UK called the move “extremely concern- net Service Providers change.org against should not regulate ing,” and over 15,000 people signed a filtering Adult content internet filtering internet consumption petition opposing the plans. Willets dismissed criticism, say- ing that the sale, to Erudio Student Loans, will allow the Student Loans Company to focus on providing loans for current students instead of collecting from people who have 20,000,000 long graduated from university. The number of households that will be affected by the new filter by the end of 2014 10 Seren | December Issue 2013 December Issue 2013 | Seren 11 POLITICS POLITICS In Brief In Brief Osborne to Debate Boris Johnson BBC: “ e Job Is Two Students Debate e Big Political Issues Under Fire For Not Yet Done” IQ Comments CHANCELLOR George Osborne BORIS Johnson is facing criticism spoke to the BBC ahead of the chan- from within his own party a er a cellor’s annual Autumn Statement controversial speech in which he which will be delivered on ursday. declared that inequality is an es- He hinted at more austerity meas- sential component of economic ures to be instituted a er the 2015 growth, before going on to mock General Election, should the Con- people with below-average IQs, servatives emerge victorious. With saying that the government must recent reports showing modest eco- do more to support the 2% of the nomic growth, it had been hoped population with IQs above 130 and that Osborne would bring an end jokingly asking his audience if any to current austerity plans, but such of them had IQs of less than 85. hopes were dashed when the chan- Deputy Prime Minister Nick cellor spoke of “more di cult deci- Clegg responded to Johnson’s com- sions” to be made regarding the gov- ments by accusing him of talking ernment’s budget. about people “as if they were dogs” Osborne also warned against the and Prime Minister David Cam- re-emerging trend of large bonuses eron distanced himself from John- in corporate sectors, saying that we son’s comments, saying that he will “must learn from the mistakes of the allow “Boris to talk for Boris.” p a s t .” Do we need an internet lter? by CALLUM LEWIS ing the most notorious o ender. is ban on radical political views may these measures, for the most part ‘United’ Kingdom? Organ PM’s Twitter isn’t just about porn, though. is is soon become a ban on mildly critical they work incredibly well. Rather few months ago the internet about censorship. views, giving the party in power an than an ill- tting ‘opt-out’ system that Is Scottish, Irish, and Welsh devolution a positive thing? Donation Blunder was ablaze with debate over It’s a hard position to defend, o en unprecedented ability to silence dis- restricts websites by default, these the proposed introduction misconstruing valid concerns about sent among the masses. varied and nuanced lters allow the Sara Lloyd Williams and Victoria Allen discuss. Campaign Aof an internet lter proposed by the freedom and privacy with a desire to To many this form of ‘mission creep’, average user to have a high degree of IN the latest of a long-line of so- Sara Lloyd Williams, 22, is a third-year student Victoria Allen, 20, is a third-year student studying Conservative government, set to block go against the ‘think of the children’ whereby the laws are slowly expanded choice without worrying about poten- against Launched cial-media ga es, the o cial twitter pornographic content unless one opts slogan of politicians that is so o en to forbid an ever growing list of web- tial censorship. e problem seems studying History, arguing for devolution. Modern and Contemporary History arguing account of Prime Minister David out of the default lter settings. ‘ is used to justify invasive policy. To sites, is nothing to worry about if one to be a lack of technical education in devolution. Cameron accidentally followed the think that the safety of children is at trusts the regulations set in place to how to access these features. ere- THE Welsh government have is absurd!’ we all cried. ‘ is will never he question of devolution over does independence really have? am against devolution because I language - but divisions also occur in account of an escort service. the forefront of Cameron’s mind is to limit such an ability. However, in the fore, rather than waste untold mil- launched a website (www.orgando- happen!’ Well, it appears we are in for independence is a hard one to It leads me to believe that independ- believe politicians and nationalists England itself, for example the North/ A spokesman placed the blame miss the bigger picture. wake of the ongoing spying scandal lions on an intrusive and unwanted nationwales.org) to raise awareness a rude awakening. e internet lter is grasp with facts and gures. ence has become a deep rooted per- will never be satis ed. ey were South divide. on the social media representatives Recent news has come to light that that has gripped nations across the measure, the sensible option would of the changes in how organ dona- going ahead, and this can only mean TIn September 2015 the people of sonal issue for many people rather theI ones calling for devolution in 1979 I think it also plays on people’s na- tion is handled in Wales ahead of of previous Prime Minister Gordon bad things. these blocking measures may be ex- world, trust in the oversight of west- be to teach those without much in the Scotland will go to the polls to vote than a practical answer for a country’s (which failed, with 80% of Welsh resi- tionalities, having to choose whether December 2015, when a new organ Brown, who created an auto-follow Support for such measures has been tended to cover what Mr Cameron ern powers when handling internet way of computer skills. is may not for or against independence for their given problems. While this may not dents voting against the proposal in a you are British, Welsh, English, Irish donation system will be instituted. process. is meant that every ac- eeting at best. A public consultation calls ‘the extremist narrative’. Com- tra c is at all time low. bene t a government whose sole aim country. Currently in Scotland opin- altogether lead to an issue, a quick referendum) when the people them- or Scottish. What’s wrong with having e new system will one of as- count which followed the Prime last year concluded that ‘no great ap- parisons have been made to China’s So what alternative is there? How is control, however. ion polls show an apparent majority look over the waters can shows us how selves were not actually asking for it. a dual identity? Being British includes sumed consent, meaning that all Minister was followed by him in petite among parents for the intro- own internet ltering system, dubbed do we stop children from accessing To many a free and open internet against independence in the country this can easily deteriorate. Almost 100 people who have been residents of return, with no vetting involved. Al- duction of default ltering of the in- ‘ e Great Firewall’, where political content not designed for them while is worth ghting for, to give billions (the last yougov poll showed 52% years a er the formation of the Re- Wales for more than one year will though the system was discontinued ternet by their ISP - only 35% of the activism sites and western media con- still maintaining a free internet? Well, of people around the world a way to against, 32% for). But can an issue that public of Ireland ghting can still be Devolution of powers is a slippery automatically have their organs do- in 2009, Downing Street have yet parents who responded favoured that tent are banned extensively. To think the status quo is rather good at that al- interact and share information in a runs so deep and for so long really be seen for those who seek independence slope nated a er death unless either they to fully vet the accounts it follows, approach’. is is without considering that a similar system in the UK is the ready. Every internet service provider truly global environment, free from measured in such clinical statistics? north of the border. As September or their next-of-kin choose to opt- which led to the blunder. the views of the rest of the country, end goal of the new policy may bor- currently o ers parental controls to the bonds of government control. It I grew up in a Welsh speaking home 2015 dawns closer it’s an undeniable Devolution was passed in 1997 even- the Welsh, Irish, Scottish, and English. out. tailoring the UK internet to only one der on the paranoid, but the terms es- restrict a customisable range of con- remains to be seen how the opt-out in the heart of rural Snowdonia, even truth that one side of the debate for tually, but only a er being pushed We can be proud of both our regional Welsh First Minister, Carwyn demographic that by and large don’t poused in the proposals are so vague tent. So too do search engines and in- lter will be used by governments of in the Nationalists circles it appears independence will win and the other through by the Labour party. heritage and national heritage. I’m not Jones, speaking at the website’s even want it for themselves. as to cover a hideously large range ternet browsers give these options at a the present and years to come, but for to be an area that seems almost ste- will lose. With the arguments already Devolution of powers is a slippery saying everything about the Union is launch, noted that the law will also 90’s Student All this isn’t to say that there are no of potential ‘threats’ to the system of lower level, giving users the option to now at least, the future is looking a lot reotypical in its supposed support creating such strong debate, it’s be- slope with more and more powers be- perfect, but it can be improved, and a ect students studying at Welsh valid concerns over content on the government. customise the browsing experience of more restrictive. for Welsh independence. From our coming increasingly di cult to see ing devolved. Politicians will not be should not be a reason for devolution. universities, declaring that they are web. Parents don’t want their children In the minds of those who resist this users who share the same system. Loans ‘Sold’ old traditions of folk music and po- how Scotland will ever be a whole na- satis ed until they get more power. We should keep the Union together, uno cial “citizens of Wales” and exposed to harmful images, porn be- policy there is a very real fear that a While there are workarounds to etry to modern television shows and tion again, whatever the result. is should not be a reason for devo- we have more of a say worldwide and therefore subject to Welsh laws. LAST week Universities Minister lution, and we should stop emphasis- lots of di erent cultures and traditions David Willets announced that 890 The question of Welsh ing the di erences in our nation. to be proud of. We should be respect- million pounds worth of student Unity is mostly shown in times like ing our di erences rather than argu- loans taken out by British students independence is an ever present the Queen’s Jubilee, royal weddings, ing for separation because of them. New Cap On between 1990 and 1998 had been factor in our society or the Olympics, when we show our We have a joint heritage, and are in- sold to a private company for 160 pride in being part of Great Britain. terlinked with one another. Payday Loans million pounds. is is the third 5 3% 2014 the growing number of Plaid Cymru ere is nothing independence can It was during these times that “Proud Right now, the Scottish has a par- times that student loans have been 35% 2438 AM’s and MP’s in the area, it becomes give a nation that devolution eventu- to be British” was trending worldwide liament, Wales has an assembly, and CHANCELLOR George Osborne sold to the private sector - it previ- The percentage of The year when The number of peo- The number of inter- obvious that the question of Welsh in- ally cannot. It may be a slower pro- on Twitter, and is not something we Ireland has an assembly. England had announced a new cap on Payday ously happened in 1998 and 1999 - parents surveyed who widespread internet ple who have signed net users who believe dependence is an ever present faction cess, but in many ways this makes it should eliminate for the sake of want- none of these but is still ruled from loans last week, despite having but the move has still been met with filtering is expected of our society. safer. Everything given to a nation by ing to reject a dual identity. the UK parliament, which any MP ruled out similar plans in his 2013 criticism. NUS president Toni Pearce are in favour of Inter- a petition on that the goverment to debut in the UK In 1997, both Scotland and Wales devolution has been thought out with It seems almost medieval to go from Wales or Scotland can vote on budget less than six months ago. called the move “extremely concern- net Service Providers change.org against should not regulate voted in favour of devolution for their every consequence both negative and through a process which might ac- decisions that a ect England. is Payday loan companies such as ing,” and over 15,000 people signed a internet filtering filtering Adult content internet consumption respective nations which created two positive thought out. By pushing for tually split the United Kingdom up. isn’t the same the other way round, Wonga, have faced criticism before petition opposing the plans. independent assemblies in Edinburgh further devolution rather than inde- With the Scottish Independence ref- which shows why English students over their business practices, which Willets dismissed criticism, say- and Cardi . ese assemblies allowed pendence Scotland and Wales could erendum coming up, this could pos- were the ones rst hit by the tuition involve targeting those with poor ing that the sale, to Erudio Student separate Welsh and Scottish govern- have their cake and eat it. e as- sibly happen. In history many coun- fees rise. We cannot change what is al- credit and o ering them loans with Loans, will allow the Student Loans ments to create laws in 12 devolved semblies could hold enough power to tries like Italy and Germany have ready done now with devolution, but high interest rates - Wonga’s cur- Company to focus on providing sectors (such as education and health). create laws around the needs of their gone from individual states to form we should not strive for independence rent APR is 5853%. loans for current students instead In the 16 years since devolution, both nations while still securing the essen- the countries we know today. e individually, or more devolved pow- Osborne has yet to announce the of collecting from people who have 20,000,000 these assemblies powers have only tial support that being a part of Brit- United Kingdom underwent the same ers, just because of the way politicians exact amount of the cap as it will be long graduated from university. increased as more areas become fully ain holds, such as security in maintain process, with Wales joining in 1536, stir di erences between us. e Union determined by the Financial Con- The number of households that will be affected devolved and by 2015 both nations their economy. Devolution is a work and Scotland in 1707 when their royal is stronger together working together. duct Authority. e new caps are will have tax making (though limited) in progress yes, but it’s very much one family inherited the English throne. set to begin in Spring of 2014. powers. erefore if the assembly’s worth seeing through to the end. Division can be seen sometimes - for by the new filter by the end of 2014 powers keep increasing, what purpose instance the Welsh having their own 12 Seren | December Issue 2013 SCIENCE IN BRIEF Male and SCIENCE BANGOR female brains wired di erently by EDWIN PYNEGAR
WOMEN’S and men’s brains seem to be wired di erently – in ways that match the stereotypes. Neuroscien- tists from the University of Penn- sylvania in Philadelphia scanned the brains of 949 people aged between 8 and 22, focusing on the cortex – the part involved with thought and per- ception – and the cerebellum - the part which coordinates movement. ey found that the le and right hemispheres of the cortex had many more connections in women than in men, which might re ect better ca- 507 year old clam found by Bangor scientists pabilities in understanding others’ by EDWIN PYNEGAR was actually 507 when he was caught, BBC could resist making puns about e project uses data on the clams’ emotions, whereas in men each side making him the oldest animal yet a “clamity”. e coverage even led to lifespan and growth patterns to exam- of the cerebellum had more links esearchers in the School of known to science. hate mail, with the team being ac- ine the e ects of climate change on to the opposite cortex - this favours Ocean Sciences have made e trouble started because the work cused of being “clam murderers”. the ocean over the past 1000 years – connections that promote coordinat- headlines from America to of calculating the clam’s age is done Prof. Scourse said that Ming was but the researchers are also investigat- ed movement – something that men RAustralia – just not necessarily the by opening them up so as to see the de nitely not killed by accident, and ing why the clams live so long. It has generally do better in. headlines that they might have want- rings on the inside – and once a clam also that there was nothing to hint at been suggested that they may have e researchers now want to look ed. is opened, it dies. e scientists said how old he was before he was opened evolved particularly e ective mecha- at whether this is always the case, or ey surround the tale of Ming the that before they did this with Ming, up. e numbers of clams taken by nisms for holding back the ageing whether these “male” and “female” clam, an ocean quahog who spent they had no idea how old was. the scientists were also kept as low as process. It’s possible that further study traits overlap in some people. ey most of his long life blamelessly is didn’t stop the global media possible so as to ensure minimum im- of the biochemistry and tissues of the also hope to nd out which networks lter-feeding o the coast of Iceland from writing articles that Professor pact on the population as a whole. clams could reveal a great deal about men and women share and which are before being dredged up by Bangor James Scourse of Ocean Sciences “ e same species of clam are caught ageing in a wide range of di erent speci c to one sex. scientists. insists are unfair. e Metro ran with commercially and eaten daily; anyone animals, including ourselves. Just how long he’d been living there, “Bungling Scientists Kill World’s who has eaten clam chowder in New e researchers also believe that however, hadn’t been clear until a Oldest Creature”, while USA Today’s England has probably eaten esh Ming might well not be a one-o : few weeks ago. Ming was originally headline was “Scientists accidentally from this species, many of which they think it very likely that there are Genetic thought to have been a sprightly 405 kill world’s oldest animal at age 507”. are likely several hundred years old”, even older clams than Ming lurking screening – but further work showed that he And neither the Independent nor the added Prof. Scourse. down on the sea oor. banned by EDWIN PYNEGAR THE US Food and Drug Adminis- tration has ordered the Californian biotechnology company 23andMe to immediately stop selling its personal- ised genetic testing service. e com- pany, which is backed by Google, sells tests for $99 that analyses customers’ DNA and tells them about the poten- tial health impacts of their genetics, as well as examining their ancestry. It has over 400,000 customers. However, the FDA stated that 23andMe had not provided su cient data to justify its claims for its prod- uct, and that it was concerned about the public health consequences of MRI to understand how we shop inaccurate results. Users of the tests by EDWIN PYNEGAR the test subject to pick from a range hope will tell us a lot about how we the supermarkets on special o er, it’s o en change their diets or begin to of special o ers. e scientists will respond to di erent types of compet- also thought that supermarkets and self-manage their medication based angor University scientists are then use the brain scans to nd out ing information in the world around brands are losing out on millions of on the results that they receive. embarking on a major project which parts of our brains we use us. In particular we are interested in pounds by getting their promotions In addition, a Dutch study in 2011 to work out why we shop the when making decisions in the shops how factors we may be unconsciously policy wrong – explaining why three claimed that these tests o en showed Bway we do. every day. aware of can override what might be major grocery and healthcare compa- con icting results for the same DNA, Researchers from the Department of Dr Paul Mullins, Bangor Univer- considered the optimal choice based nies are sponsoring the project. and that in some cases their medical Psychology will brain-scan super- sity's senior lecturer in Psychology, on conscious judgements”. And the news for any of us trying predictions were no better than ip- market shoppers to try to work out said about the work, “We are really Previous research suggests that to save money at the supermarket? ping a coin. what’s going in their brains when excited about this new research op- people o en don’t act rationally when Early results suggest that a er 23 Despite this, genetic testing leading they’re presented with promotions portunity. Our 3T MRI system allows they’re in supermarkets, because minutes there, we start to make to personalised medicine is likely and special o ers. us to investigate the neural basis of the brain su ers from ‘information choices with the emotional part of to be one of the most important e project, conducted in partner- decision making. Using advanced overload’. our brains rather than the cognitive steps forward in 21st century medi- ship with the retail research rm brain imaging techniques we hope Nearly half of shoppers only buy part, making us more susceptible to cine. Patients could be treated in SBXL, will ask shoppers to simulate to get a better understanding of how one product of a ‘buy-one-get-one- marketing – and a er 40 minutes the ways most likely to help them indi- a trip to the supermarket – all while shoppers respond to special o ers. free’ deal, and almost 20 per cent will brain e ectively shuts down when it vidually, and side-e ects from drugs in a £3 million fMRI scanner. e is also gives us the chance to bring buy special o ers even if they’re more comes to making logical decisions. could be reduced. experiment works by displaying our research on decision making expensive than the normal product. e moral of the story is – get in and products on a screen and then asking into a real world context, and we With almost a quarter of products in out of Morrisons fast! December Issue 2013 | Seren 13 SCIENCE IN BRIEF Nobel prize winner dies By LUKE BARRETT FREDERICK Sanger, a British Chemist and winner of two Nobel prizes, has passed away at the age of 95. Receiving his rst Nobel prize in 1958 for demonstrating how amino acids link together to form insulin, this discovery allowed scientists to analyse any protein within the body. His second prize was awarded in 1980 for inventing a method of reading the molecular letters that make up the ge- netic code, this discovery being vital to the development of biotechnological drugs and the base for decoding the human genome. Frederick was one of only four peo- ple ever to have been awarded with two Nobel prizes and his innovative 3D Printing a Heart work and discoveries have changed the world forever. By LUKE BARRETT tended material to use in the construc- they can be utilised. 3D printers can plex tissues and in creating enough tion and with just 50 CCs - roughly only produce items approximately a cells to be able to print organs and cientists now believe that within two golf balls worth - they should be few millimetres wide, however the then to allow them to mature. Comet a decade they will be able to 3D able to construct a heart. heart has a network of capillaries and Kevin Shakeshe , director of the print a human heart. To be able Some of the more delicate parts of the smallest of those is but a few mi- Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells issue toS construct a new organ seems in- destroyed by the heart, such as the valves and blood crons thick (that is a 1000th of a mil- Engineering and Modelling and the credibly complex; however Stuart Wil- vessels, would need to be constructed limetre) and they are vital for the sur- UK Regenerative Medicine Platform liams, executive and scienti c direc- separately and then “glued” to the rest vival of the organ. Hub in Acellular Technologies, stated Sun tor of the Cardiovascular Innovation of the structure, using biologically safe e other major issue, as is usual in that there is a great interest in support- by EDWIN PYNEGAR Institute in Louisville, states that the glue. e aim of printing organs is to scienti c development, is money. 3D ing this scienti c advance as it is well STARGAZERS were disappointed heart is likely to be the easiest of all maximise the number of patients re- printing is expensive and a consider- understood that the technology would last week when Comet ISON was des- organs to reproduce as it is essentially ceiving them. able amount of additional funding is lead to new discoveries and additional stroyed by the Sun’s gravity. just a pump with tubes. e most di cult part of 3D print- needed to see this research to its end. therapies. e comet, discovered last year by e goal is not just to 3D print ing organs is trying to keep them alive; e foundations of this project are So within 10 years we should see the two Russian astronomers, had been hearts, but to be able to do so in less a er printing is complete, the organs solid but there still needs to be rapid appearance of 3D printed organs in predicted to be as bright as the Moon than three hours! Fat cells are the in- take time to grow and mature before progress in the printing of more com- use in hospitals around the world. in the night sky in the run-up to Christmas. However, its closest ap- proach to the Sun last ursday led to it breaking up under the Sun’s heat and gravity.While there had been speculation that some pieces of it might have survived, NASA con- rmed on Monday that it’s now only dust – a sad end for a comet that had travelled over a million years from the edge of the Solar System. Astronomers hope to use the data they obtained from observing the comet, though, to nd out more about the Solar System’s past. NASA sends rocket to Mars by LUKE BARRETT
e newly discovered ligament is labelled ‘ALL’ in this diagram ANOTHER rocket was success- fully launched from Cape Canaveral space station in Florida. e rocket was sent up to carry a probe, known Scientists discover new body part as the MAVEN (the Mars Atmos- phere and Volatile Evolution space- by EDWIN PYNEGAR e road to the discovery of the ante- rehabilitation, some people with cru- “very refreshing” and said that it was cra ), out of our atmosphere so it ro-lateral ligament, as it’s now known, ciate ligament tears su er from “pivot a valuable reminder that despite the could begin a ten month journey to ou might have thought that in dates all the way back to 1879, when a shi ” – episodes when the knee gives medical world’s advanced technology, our neighbouring planet, Mars. this age of MRI scanners and French doctor proposed the existence way during activity. basic work on the anatomy of the hu- e probe was released from its keyhole surgery, we’d know of an extra undiscovered ligament at Dissecting 41 bodies, they found the man body isn’t yet complete and still counterpart 53 minutes a er launch Yabout the anatomy of the human body the front of the knee joint. antero-lateral ligament as a distinc- throws up surprises. and Maven will now utilise solar en- from the head right down to the tips Dr Steven Claes and Professor Johan tive separate structure in all but one Dr Claes and Professor Bellemans ergy to reach the Red Planet where of your toes. Bellemans then revisited the sugges- of them, in exactly the location the say that their work questions much of it will orbit in her outer atmosphere. It turns out, though, that we didn’t tion as part of their research into ante- French doctor had suggested 130 years the current medical thinking on the Hopefully, we will be able to bet- know it quite as well as we’d thought. rior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. before. Further research then showed treatment of cruciate ligament tears. ter understand the processes which Two surgeons from the hospital of the ACL injuries are common in sports that the pivot shi phenomenon ey’re now working on techniques robbed Mars of most of her air. MA- Catholic University of Leuven in Bel- where pivoting in the knee is common, stems, in all the cases they examined, for repairing injuries in the newly dis- VEN cost $671m and is currently gium have discovered a new ligament from football and basketball through from an injury to the previously un- covered ligament, but it’d be best not to making good progress. MAVEN will in the knee, with major implications to skiing. known ligament. hold your breath: they say that a surgi- reach her destination in September for how we might treat sports injuries ey were attempting to nd out why e Anatomical Society, which pub- cal x is still likely to be several years of next year so only time will tell if in the future. exactly it was that despite surgery and lished their study, praised the work as away. this is money well spent. 14 Seren | December Issue 2013 ENVIRONMENT In Brief Last minute UN climate deal by RACHEL DUNBAR
ONCE again, a last minute deal has “saved” UN Climate talks. A er almost 2 weeks of talks, 700+ envi- ronmental campaigners, angered by the slow pace of negotiations walked out of the conference in Warsaw, Poland. Director of Greenpeace In- ternational, Kumi Naidoo, stated "backsliding by Japan, Australia and Canada, and the lack of meaning- ful leadership from other countries Typhoon Haiyan strikes governments here, have delivered a slap in the face to those su er- ing as a result of dangerous climate change". Representatives from 350. org blamed lobbying from fossil fuel Phillippines companies for the slow progress. e quake. e Bohol earthquake was tory. e natural disaster has caused concern as basic utilities and services Warsaw talks saw developed and by CHRIS GLASS the country's deadliest earthquake in the displacement of 550,000 people, have been a ected, such as water sup- developing countries in a 30 hour 23 years, killing 222 people, injuring leaving 2.5 million people in need of ply. ere have been reports of local deadlock before last minute compro- n November 7th, the strong- est recorded typhoon ever to 976 and damaging 73,000 buildings. food aid. e majority of these people citizens digging up water pipelines in mises were made over single words e earthquake damaged local and are now forced to reside in evacua- the search for fresh water. in dra texts. e UNFCCC claim make landfall hit the Philip- pines.O e typhoon, being the 25th national road networks making relief tion centres, of which there are 1,215. Plans are under way, and action has COP19 concluded successfully with of the season in the area, was named e orts di cult. Fortunately, Typhoon According to the UN, some 130,074 begun, to immunise around 33,000 the pathway to a new 2015 global Haiyan did not strike the Bohol region houses have been destroyed and in children from measles and polio and climate treaty agreed, however what Haiyan. With sustained winds of 199 mph and gusts of up to 235 mph, Ty- directly, however some 40,000 people some towns and cities as much as 90% in the town of Tacloban. ese chil- should be drawn from COP19 is that were still evacuated, further disrupt- of building have been destroyed. dren have also been given vitamin A governments are evidently incapable phoon Haiyan was classi ed as a cat- egory 5 typhoon and a ected a stag- ing relief e orts. In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, the tablets to boost their immune systems of agreeing and implementing a re- e current death toll for Typhoon UN has appealed for $301 million, and help prevent illness in the future duction in global emissions. gering 11.5 million people, about 10% of the population of the Philippines. Haiyan is much lower than expected, the money being needed to provide weeks and months. Previous to Typhoon Haiyan, the earlier estimates were thought to be the millions a ected with supplies A disaster of this magnitude will Philippines was already in a deli- in the region of 10,000; currently the and also help with the monumental take many months and years to recov- cate state; three weeks beforehand death toll is 5,209. Despite this Ty- clean-up operation. However, money er from, however, with typhoon sea- the Bohol region of the Philippines phoon Haiyan is still the deadliest is not the only form of relief needed; son now subsiding fears of the disaster Second natural disaster in the Philippines’ his- the spread of disease is the major being exacerbated are lessening. chance for was struck by a 7.2 magnitude earth- red squirrels by LAURA SUTTON
ONE of Britain’s most loved ani- mals could be making a comeback. e Red Squirrel population has been declining since the introduc- tion of their American Grey cous- ins in the Victorian era. Apart from Grey Squirrels out competing Red Squirrels for resources such as food, water and breeding areas, the Grey Squirrels also carry a poxvirus called parapoxvirus; this does the Grey Squirrels no harm, however it is deadly to native Red Squirrels. For the rst time ever this week, scien- tists from the University of Liver- pool have found that some squirrels in Formby, Merseyside, which have previously contracted the virus, have survived. A small number of Marine environments under threat those who had previously contract- by GEMMA SIMMONS ers found 59 plastic items in total ture (IUCN) and their numbers have deaths caused by mankind. Although ed the virus also had antibodies in including plastic shopping bags and slowly been increasing since a ban on some preventative measures are in their blood implying that they had he negative e ects human be- plastic sheeting. e cause of death commercial whaling. Local residents place to prevent incidents like these, developed some resistance. ings are having on the ocean is for both these whales was ‘intestinal say they have noticed the whales com- they are not mandatory and unfortu- is research could suggest a second no secret and the consequences blockage’ and researchers at the biodi- ing closer to the shore recently to feed nately, many choose to ignore them. Tof things like marine pollution and chance for the Red Squirrel popula- versity centre said that this is an “in- on the current abundance of herring November 2013 also marks a signi - tion, however they are by no means ship tra c are slowly becoming a part creasingly common phenomenon”. in the area. e deaths were described cant milestone in marine conservation all immune from the virus. Less than of everyday media, especially over the As well as pollution, ship tra c is as “very unusual” and were investigat- history as the government announced 10% of the population had the anti- past few months. Firstly, back in July, also having a huge impact on marine ed at London’s Institute of Zoology. Mr its plans to create 27 new Marine Con- bodies and it is unclear whether this a sperm whale beached and conse- life, especially cetaceans. Just this Deaville, who is the project manager servation Zones (MCZ) to protect im- is enough to pass onto the next gen- quently died on an island o the north week, a 7.6 meter long minke whale for the Cetacean Strandings Investiga- portant British species and hopefully eration. In addition, this immunity coast of the Netherlands. During the washed ashore on a beach in Nor- tion Programme (CSIP), said that the halt the rapid decline in sh and other has only been observed in one site. necropsy, researchers were shocked to folk, followed by a smaller whale of post mortem tests indicated that both marine life. is is one positive step Despite these reservations, scientists nd that the whale had a stomach full the same species just four days later. the whales’ deaths had been caused by towards conservation of the marine remain hopeful that the Red Squirrel of plastic. is nd came just months Although considered an endangered ship strikes. environment with hopefully more to populations will bounce back. a er another sperm whale had washed species, Minke whales are of ‘least Whether it is ship strikes or pollu- follow. ashore in Spain with a large amount of concern’ according to the Interna- tion these deaths are just the latest in plastic items in its stomach. Research- tional Union for Conservation of Na- a long line of increasingly common December Issue 2013 | Seren 15 ENVIRONMENT In Brief Badger cull cancelled by AL HULLEY THE Gloucestershire badger cull has been called o due to the fact that targets are not expected to be met, as not enough numbers are being killed. It was agreed that culling would end as of Saturday 30th November 2013. ere was an eight week extension to the original six week trial which was due to end 18th December, the Department of Environment Food and Rural A airs (DEFRA) are due to release the resulting death toll on Monday. is extension period was the result of the unsuccessful trial, where only 708 were killed, 30% of e World’s Most Polluted the local population; the expected target was 70%. Places Volcano by LAURA DOODY Many of these locations have lead blown particles or through drinking risk of consumption. Minimata dis- among the list of contaminants; this water. ease, named a er the Japanese bay threatens list of the world’s top 10 most heavy metal can cause severe brain Mercury pollution also features on where it was rst discovered, is caused polluted places has just been damage in children, kidney failure and the list multiple times, it being used in by the consumption of mercury and Indonesia released by the Blacksmith In- infertility in adults. e Agbogbloshie the extraction of gold in many areas. causes uncontrollable twitches, that by SARAH PHILLIPS Astitute in conjunction with the Swiss dumpsite in Ghana tops the list and is In Kalimantan, Indonesia gold mining can be violent in extreme cases. MT SINABUNG Volcano, Indone- Green Cross; unsurprisingly Cherno- the largest processor of e-wastes from is the primary industry and supports Of the areas in the top 10 most pol- sia, has been put on the high alert af- byl, Ukraine, is high on the list. e European countries in West Africa. At 43,000 people, many of the miners luted list there is a large variety of con- ter three years of dormancy up until majority of locations have high levels the site, levels of lead contamination here smelt within their own homes tamination types, however all cases September of this year when it began of metal pollution from mining and in soil are 45 times higher than the and this releases high concentrations are caused by human activity. In many showing signs of activity. On No- industry, and these metals can have safe level recommended by the United of mercury vapours indoors. Mercury of the a ected areas, e orts are being vember 25th, the volcano, in North devastating e ects on human health. Nations. Over 40,000 people live on can a ect enzymes and hormones made to clean up pollution and plan Sumatra, spewed ash to an altitude of e list was created based upon the this site and a further 200,000 could within the body, and cause brain dam- so that it does not occur again in the 1.5 km into the atmosphere, raising population size a ected, toxins in- be a ected by the pollution originat- age and can also easily accumulate in future, however this is a long process the alert from ‘stand-by’ to ‘caution’. volved and impacts on humans. ing from the location, either as wind- water and sh, which increases the and will take many years. Ash covered homes, elds, farms and roads up to 70km north of the volca- no, “everything turned hot surround- ing us,” said Jatah Surbakti, a farmer, who ed the falling ash. A total of 15,000 people from the 17 vil- lages closest to the volcano, have been ordered to evacuate their homes and move to temporary shelters 5 km away. So far there have been no casualties, but in 2010, when the volcano last erupted, two people died and 30,000 people were displaced. Scientists pre- dict that this eruption will not be as devastating, and that people shall soon be able to return to their homes. Cae Mabon CAE Mabon is an 'eco retreat', situ- ated in North Wales and sitting in the heart of the Snowdonian Moun- tain range and is known to many as a Welsh Shangri-La. Nestled in an oak forest in the Kiribati - e rst victims of shadow of Elidir Fawr, the retreat is modest in size, consisting of a replica Celtic Roundhouse surrounded by climate change? seven elegant dwellings, including wider global community. Evidence for ply; a recent report suggests that fresh tares of land on one of their islands to buildings such as a Longhouse and a By RICHARD DALLISON building in the style of a hobbit hut this international problem has been water will run out before rising seas rehome the nation’s 100,000 residents. brought to public attention in the past completely inundate Kiribati. In addi- Kiribati is not the only nation at from Lord of the Rings. Cae Mabon he island nation of Kiribati in was founded in 1989 by local story- the Paci c Ocean is, perhaps, week when the world’s rst climate tion, the loss of land to the sea will not peril; many more nations are at great change refugee, Ioane Teitiota, was only cause the 100,000 population to risk from climate change induced teller and songwriter Eric Maddern. one of the most at risk na- People go to Cae Mabon from all Ttions, in terms of climate change, in refused asylum in New Zealand by have to abandon their homes, but also sea level rise. e Environmental the High Court. Justice John Priestly, whole islands, meaning more people Justice Foundation suggests that by over the world to clear their minds the world. e 32 atolls that make up and heal the body. In early Novem- the nation average just 2m of elevation who presided over the case, called the will be living in less space, leading to 2050 there could be up to 600 million bid “novel, but misguided”, before up- overcrowding of the remaining area. people made vulnerable by rising sea ber, a group of students from Bangor above current sea level, and with the University’s Students for Treborth latter set to rise by a predicted 0.3 – holding the ruling given by an immi- Lack of space is already causing is- levels, in other island nations such as gration tribunal previously. sues on some islands; many are now Tuvalu, but also in low lying countries Action Group (STAG) society, went 0.9 metres by 2100, the islands are at to Cae Mabon and found that they risk of becoming uninhabitable. For the people of these islands the running out of space to grow enough such as Bangladesh. Without serious situation is more than novel; the situ- crops to survive and some now do not and meaningful action on a global were overcome with a strong posi- e possible inundation of sub- tive energy from the experience. Cae stantial parts of Kiribati raises many ation is becoming harder to manage have enough room to bury the dead. level there is a real possibility of losing and cope with by the day. e main e situation has become so bad that not just land to the sea, but also the Mabon truly is a place to reconnect serious concerns, not only for the with your spirit, which can prove so national government, but also for the problem for the nation currently is, the Government of Kiribati is in dis- cultures and histories that that land and will continue be, fresh water sup- cussions with Fiji to buy 2,500 hec- sustains. di cult in the modern world. 16 Seren | December Issue 2013 UNION Stand for election!
ach year, by law, the students of Bangor students here in Bangor. is is a one year paid and 3 Vice-Presidents. a er Christmas, so watch www.bangorstudents. elect a team to run their students’ union position, with two years being the maximum e Sabbatical year of o ce begins in mid- com for more details. For any queries please con- and work on their behalf. amount of time anyone can do it for. June 2013, so you’ll need to take a year out of tact [email protected]. ESabbatical o cers are current students elected Any current, registered, Bangor student can your studies or stay in Bangor for a year a er you (and paid) to run your students’ union as a full- put themselves forward to stand in the election: complete your course. time job for a year (July – July) to make sure including you! e elections will take place in February/ that the SU is run according to the wishes of the ere are four positions available, President March and there will be lots of information out Get involved for your second Our Manifesto As a result of YOUR feedback semester over the last two years, we have lobbied the University on the following issues:
• Anonymous Marking
• e Personal Tutor System
• School Handbooks
• 24 hour library access
• Feedback and Assessment
t’s hard to believe that we are al- from football to diving, mountain ready so close to the end of the walking to underwater hockey, and • Joint Honours contacts in rst Semester! Welcome week and then 25 volunteering projects, work- both schools SerendipityI seem like they were only ing with the elderly, children, sports very year we run Now, it is a new year and yesterday. groups and environmental projects. “Our Manifesto” – an we want to help you im- As the nights get shorter and the Coming to University is not just annual survey which prove your student experi- • Wednesday a ernoon’s free temperature drops it can be amazing about leaving with a piece of paper givesE us the evidence we ence, to do this, we need to to think that we are, in many ways, saying you’ve passed some exams. It’s need to improve your time know what you think about from academic study nearly halfway through the year. about trying new things, meeting new in Bangor. is is a brief our 10 new pledges. Whether you’re in Bangor for one year people, making you more employable, 10 minute survey, and cov- e evidence that you give or many, now’s a great time to think and having a load of fun doing it. We ers 10 areas where we need us will be used in the vari- • Minimum standards of about why you’re at University, how know that employers are always look- your help to create change. ous University committees your degree is going, and what else ing for candidates that stand out. You can ll it out by click- we sit on, in the SU itself, Blackboard you’re getting up to. People who have extra skills and ing over to https://www. and as a basis for our “An- If you haven’t got involved in any of experience that make them valuable surveymonkey.com/s/Our- nual Student Statement” the SU activities, January is the ideal to an organisation. So why not make Manifesto2014 (English) or – our yearly report on the • Postgraduate inductions time to get stuck in. We’ve got 120 dif- your new years resolution to get in- https://www.surveymonkey. University – so please do ferent societies, like acting, singing, volved with the SU, to try something com/s/EinManiffesto2014 click across and ll it out! environmental groups, medieval re- new. You never know where it might (Welsh). enactment, as well as 60 sports clubs, take you!
18 Seren | December Issue 2013 SOCIETIES In Brief Christmas Celebrations Rostra Pantomime THIS year, Rostra's Christmas Pantomime will be a performance of Peter Pan, a show for all ages. Performances will take place in JP Hall on the 13th at 7.30pm (doors open at 7) and the 14th at 2.30pm and 7.30pm (doors open at 2 and 7). Tickets are £5 for non students, £4 for students and £2 for children under 12. Music Society Concert BANGOR University Music Soci- ety are hosting their annual Christ- mas Concert in PJ Hall on Friday 13th December at 7:30pm. Come along for an evening of festive fun! by ASH KIERANS day, and such a spirited atmosphere. Shopping Centre, as well as members and we have a Welsh Choir, English Featuring music from Holst, Barber, e Christmas Celebrations are of RAG volunteering in Bangor City Choir, Brass Band, Storm FM, not Sullivan, Coates, and music from angor Students' Union are extremely important to the peo- Centre to help raise £145.61 with e to mention all of our mascots, RAG lm and television. Tickets are £5 proud to announce that on Sat- ple of Bangor, and it is one of the People of Bangor Community Group's and more! But that's just what we're for adults and £3 for concessions, urday 7th December, students most highly anticipated events of to go towards funding the event. providing; there's a walking puppet available on the door. Bwill be at the heart of the festive cel- the Christmas season, with last So far we have a huge number of nativity, festive markets, aerial acro- ebrations on the High Street in Ban- year’s festivities stretching across societies involved, from the students batics to name just some of the fun! gor! We have worked closely with a whole week’s worth of events. that worked hard to make sure the To nd out more you'll have to come the People of Bangor Community Preparations for this year’s celebra- grotto in the Deiniol Centre is a hub down, I'll look forward to seeing you Concert group over the last month or two, to tions have started early with a num- for Christmas Joy, to the many groups on Saturday! ensure it is going to be an incredible ber of students turning up to help set coming to the high street on the day! Band up the Santa’s Grotto in the Deiniol e celebrations kick o from 11am, YOU are invited to attend the Bangor University Concert Band’s Christmas Concert! e concert will take place on Saturday 7th December at 7:30pm in Pritchard- Jones Hall, Main Arts. e evening will consist of a fun mix of concert band music, lm music and familiar favourites be- fore nishing with some Christmas classics, and tickets are only £1 for students, so don’t miss out! If it’s not YES, it’s NO
SODA Variety Show SODA, Bangor University’s Mu- sical eatre Society, is putting on Psych Soc’s Nightline an end of semester variety show. is years show is titled “Any Dream Will Do” because our aim in SODA is to help people ful l their Campaign Winter Ball uring the week starting Mon- formation, games, free alarms and, performance dreams. th SODA will be performing numbers by ZAKEE PANDOR cial gatherings. day 9 December, Bangor most likely, free hot chocolate! Kick- from many di erent musicals includ- A ticket gets you entrance to an Nightline will be running a ing o this campaign will be a Q&A student-leadD information campaign session Monday evening, starting at ing: Rent, Hairspray, Cabaret, West amazing event including a free drink, ome to the Christmas Ball, a focusing on the de nition and impor- 19:00 in the Welsh Seminar Room in Side Story, as well as some preview yearly award-winning event food and access to the bar, as well as songs from this years headline show all the priceless fun and joy that you’re tance of sexual consent as a concept. Main Arts, which will involve initiat- put on by Psych Soc. A themed Our aim is to also provide sta and ing discussions surrounding the issue Guys and Dolls and many others. Cevent that is chosen by the people guaranteed to have. Don’t miss out on “Any Dream Will Do” will be per- one of THE socials of the year! e students with vital information con- and a panel of professionals and rep- of the society for the people of the cerning the issue of sexual consent, resentatives answering any questions formed in JP (John Phillips Hall) society, the wonders and extrava- event is open to all, so keep your eyes on Sunday the 8th of December at out for tickets that will be on sale soon including the procedures in place, ser- you may have. So come along to the gance of the event go on through- vices that are available and what peo- session to nd out more and look out 7:30pm. Tickets are £4 standard and out the night. Enjoy yourself and for £15. Don’t forget to follow our Fa- £3 concession. cebook and Twitter! You can also nd ple can do to provide support to fellow for our stalls around the university for dance to music, or watch one of the students. roughout the week there some free stu and information! Come to see our variety show to numerous entertainment acts. Social- more information about this event on get a taste for SODA and get excited the Facebook page. will be a host of stalls ran by external To nd out more, check out the ise with your friends and colleagues at professionals, such as the university’s Nightline website at www.bangor. for our main show, Guys and Dolls, one of Bangor’s most anticipated so- which will be performed in March. Police Team, and Bangor Nightline nightline.ac.uk, or call our new num- themselves, consisting of such in- ber at 01248 383880. December Issue 2013 | Seren 19 SOCIETIES In Brief St. John’s Ambulance THE St. John Ambulance Society (LINKS) is an ever-expanding group dedicated to providing its mem- bers, new and old, vital learning and training around the subjects of rst- aid. Not only is the LINKS society an active and social group but it can provide di ering levels of rst aid Members of BCSS making knitted Christmas decorations quali cations and help improve em- ployment prospects as well as give you the skills which could help save a life. Bangor Cra y-Sewing Society You can nd us by emailing at [email protected] or e society will also include features ing new things from the society. about the society and join at the mar- by FRANCESKA ZERELLI nding us on Facebook. such as a blog and a mending and al- Furthermore the society will in- ket too. would like to introduce the brand teration service. Regular socials will corporate the Bangor Employability We will also be hosting our very rst new BCSS - Bangor Cra y-Sew- be open to all members, with these Award into the society, so those of you Swap Event on the 11th December, ing Society. e society aims to providing members with a chance to wanting to learn a new skill will be a fun and casual way to update your provideI a weekly meeting place for make and show their own costumes. earning points and having fun at the wardrobe! For a small entry fee of £1 PULP people with similar interests to meet e society will also encourage and same time! and a donation of 2 items, you can “PULP Creative Writing Magazine up in an easy-going environment. organise trips to vintage fairs and an- Weekly attendance will not be nec- browse all of the donated clothes and are always on the lookout for poetry Don't worry if you're a beginner- nual fashion shows to gain inspiration essary – members are more than wel- take as many as you want, with music, or prose submissions! Find us on -everybody is welcome! Some activi- for hosting our own events, for exam- come to pop in whenever they have drinks and snacks provided by the so- Facebook for questions about word ties may include making embroidery ple a ‘swap-till-you-drop’ event. time! ciety. We will then keep any materials length or subject matter etc. or send and cross stitch, clothing, jewellery, Anyone is more than welcome to Fundraising activities for the society le over for our future projects. your work or queries to pulp@ban- quilting, cushions/pillows, sock plush teach the rest of the group any other will begin with the Bangor University If you any questions send me an gorstudents.com! We look forward toys, knitting, crocheting, creating cra y techniques they are familiar Christmas Market, so please come email [email protected] or nd us to hearing from you! iron on designs, tie-dying, and dream with. I am no expert myself so I’m along and support us here. It will also on Facebook: BCSS Bangor Cra y- catchers. very much looking forward to learn- be possible to nd more information Sewing Society. Ukelele Society LOVE playing the ukulele or fancy learning how to? e Bangor Ukulele Society is open to all and welcomes both locals and students to give them an opportunity to share knowledge, learn new skills or just kick-back and relax whilst listening to some of the best and worst examples of music from the past few decades. We o er free lessons every ursday at 7:30pm in the Council Chamber in Main e winner and runners up of RAG’s FIFA tournament Arts, and the pub social follows at e Greek at 8:30pm. ere’s no com- mitment needed, come whenever you Student Christmas like to wind down from uni work. Find us on Facebook. RAG’s FIFA Event Or email us at: [email protected] th Market by ADAM SHARPLEY 28 entrants battle it out over 4 minute n Friday 6 December, the you can be photographed with Santa halves. First, second and third would Bangor University Student and his elves. A percentage of their AG (Raise and Give) have receive a Movember T-shirt, and a Christmas Market will be tak- proceeds will go to the Society to fund named their supported chari- choice of vouchers provided by Bar ingO place at the University’s Prichard- new equipment and eld trips. ties for the year. Each year RRAG, a project within SVB (Student Uno for food and drinks along with Jones Hall between 12 – 5 pm. Now an ere is also a great deal of volun- some RAG goodies. annual event, the market hosts over 70 teering and fundraising involved with Volunteering Bangor) support two lo- A total of 55 matches were played, stalls with a wide range of handmade the market, such as Geographical cal and two national charities. For the National but only one could be Bangor's best products such as jewellery, cards, dec- Oceanography student Ben Allison rst time, they invited the entire stu- FIFA player. In 1st place, Mark Barnes orations, arts & cra s, knitted goods, and his fellow students, who will be dent body to vote on who they should support this year by using the SU’s on- stormed through the winner’s bracket Trust baking, and international foods. raising funds to purchase a rigid in- THE National Trust Society is a new line voting so ware. 237 people voted and was the overall champion. In 2nd e market is organised by the Uni- atable boat (RIB) for the Maritime society to the university, set up to al- for the local charities and 184 voted place came Richard Macey and 3rd versity’s B-enterprising team who help Volunteer Service (MVS), Menai low students to gain valuable skills by for the national charities. Without went to Alex Chitto. e event in total students and graduates develop their Bridge branch. e RIB will be used volunteering with Europe's leading further ado, Bangor RAG’s charities raised £85.55 and involved collabora- entrepreneurial skills during their by MVS members as well as the lo- conservation charity, the National for the current year are Mind Ynys tion between an AU Club, SU Society, time at Bangor. e range of stalls will cal community to help them achieve Trust. e society will organise regu- Môn and Gwynedd, St. David’s Hos- SVB Project and help from the sta of feature individual students who have Royal Yachting Association quali ca- lar volunteering activities in a vari- pice, Prostate Cancer UK and Chil- Bar Uno. e organisers would like to developed their own products, or tions which will help them gain em- ety of disciplines, but predominantly dren with Cancer UK. e RAG team say a big thank you to all who partici- groups a liated to clubs or societies ployment in the marine sector. eir countryside conservation, gardening, are very happy with both the selection pated and spectated. who may be fundraising for their club stall will be selling Christmas themed, historic collections’ conservation and and the number of students who got For further updates on Bangor RAG or local charity. chocolate based pizzas. visitor services. ese activities will involved in the selection process. nd us on our Facebook page‘RAG Among the societies taking part in So whether you’re going to nd a gi be held at the National Trust’s coast On Tuesday 19th November, Bangor Prifysgol Bangor - Bangor University the Christmas Market are the Pho- for that special someone, or you fancy and countryside properties in Snow- University Men's Football and Gam- RAG’, Facebook pro le ‘ Rhodri Rag’, tography Society, who will be sell- treating yourself to an early Christ- donia and on Anglesey, as well as at ing League (BUGL) joined forces to Twitter @bangorrag, website www. ing greeting cards and prints of high mas present, get down to the Student the mansion house and historic gar- raise money for RAG’s four charities bangorstudents.com/rag or e-mail quality photographs taken by talented Christmas Market, it’s de nitely not to dens of Plas Newydd and Penrhyn with a FIFA 14 tournament at Bar us at rag.manager@bangorstudents. photographers from the Society. ey be missed! Castle. So come on, get involved with Uno. e tournament had a total of com! will also have a Santa’s grotto set up, so BUNTS!' 20 Seren | December Issue 2013 MOVEMBER 22 Teams competed in Movember Quiz 500 people came to the AU night £1400 raised from door and t-shirt sales at Academi 6 individual AU clubs organised Movember fundraisers £827 raised by MOBS December Issue 2013 | Seren 21 MOVEMBER 22 Seren | December Issue 2013 Gift Guide-Seren's favourites
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Pizza Chopper Heated Bagpuss Super Power Poster Whether you’re one of those people who Bagpuss has been around many-a-year These days we all love a good superhero loves a £1 pizza from Aldi or whether you love and these days he’s perfect for the student and so with this retro looking poster you can a good Dominos, you are pretty much guaran- home that is bloody freezing all the time, and check out all the di erent abilities. Perfect for teed to need a pizza cutter. So why not treat since there’s no pets allowed he solves two covering that mouldy student wall. someone to this ultra cool beast of a slicer. problems. Clever cat.
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Zombie Shower Gel Scratch Map River Song Notebook Where’s the fun in buying someone Lynx Got one of those friends who seems to You probably know a Doctor Who fan who Shower set this Christmas? Those are for the have travelled everywhere? Why not get them no doubt wants to know what’s in River Song’s Christmas of old. This year help your buddies one of these cool world maps and have them notebook. Unfortunately, we can’t get hold prepare for a zombie apocalypse with this scratch o every place they’ve been. Then of that one - spoilers - but why not get them gruesome looking, hazardous, shower gel. you’ll see if there’s an explorer in your midst. their own to ll with secrets of their own.
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Socket Safe Dino Cookie Cutter 5-in-1 USB Students often can’t a ord home insur- Dinosaurs are cool. Whatever you say, they These days it’s hard to nd someone who ance and so they need to make sure they’ve are the best. Why not get one of these for a doesn’t have a smartphone in their pocket. got a way of keeping their valuables safe. housemate and then maybe they’ll make you However, batteries are notorious for dying. That’s why this handy plug socket design will some yummy dinos. Also, try say Dino Cookie This brilliant device will t right in your pocket de nitely come in handy! Cutter quickly. and charge just about everything!
Available from: Red5 Available from: Red5 Available from: iwantoneofthose 22 Seren | December Issue 2013 December Issue 2013 | Seren 23 Gift Guide-Seren's favourites Gifts to bring home to meet the parents £14.95 Christmas is a time to show your parents that you have been able to stay alive without them, so get them something nice
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Pizza Chopper Heated Bagpuss Super Power Poster Whether you’re one of those people who Bagpuss has been around many-a-year These days we all love a good superhero loves a £1 pizza from Aldi or whether you love and these days he’s perfect for the student and so with this retro looking poster you can £9.99 a good Dominos, you are pretty much guaran- home that is bloody freezing all the time, and check out all the di erent abilities. Perfect for teed to need a pizza cutter. So why not treat since there’s no pets allowed he solves two covering that mouldy student wall. someone to this ultra cool beast of a slicer. problems. Clever cat. Cat DJ Deck Golf Ball Stamper Personalised Baubles Available from: iwantoneofthose.com Available from: prezzybox Available from: iwantoneofthose.com Provide endless amounts of fun for your Your gol ng parent will never lose a ball Simple and easy and will last for years, parents, now that you have left for Uni, they again with this novelty monogram stamper. brought out at every Christmas and remem- need something to entertain themselves and A bit of fun but could also be quite useful for bered. A little token of gratitude after Uni, you this way they can send you pictures to make that keen golfer in your family. really start to appreciate your parents, and you miss home even more. little gifts are a start.
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Zombie Shower Gel Scratch Map River Song Notebook Secret Santas Where’s the fun in buying someone Lynx Got one of those friends who seems to You probably know a Doctor Who fan who Presents for that atmate you still don’t quite know, here’s something everyone will like Shower set this Christmas? Those are for the have travelled everywhere? Why not get them no doubt wants to know what’s in River Song’s Christmas of old. This year help your buddies one of these cool world maps and have them notebook. Unfortunately, we can’t get hold prepare for a zombie apocalypse with this scratch o every place they’ve been. Then of that one - spoilers - but why not get them gruesome looking, hazardous, shower gel. you’ll see if there’s an explorer in your midst. their own to ll with secrets of their own.
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Tattoo Colouring Book Gardening Grenade Emergency Food Tin Everybody loves a good colouring book, so Where there’s dirt, there can be owers! Everybody loves to secretly snack, bond what could be better than this novelty tattoo The master of ‘guerilla gardening’. The gre- with your atmate over your new place to colouring book that lets you browse through nade shaped, clay pot contains buttercup, keep those snacks together. A quirky lunch designd for that possibe rst tat but also lets poppy and ryegrass seeds with the idea being box. When it’s an emergency, open the food Socket Safe Dino Cookie Cutter 5-in-1 USB you keep between the lines and choose your to drop them in desolate places so the seeds tin and snack away. 20 x 15.5 x 7.5cm. Students often can’t a ord home insur- Dinosaurs are cool. Whatever you say, they These days it’s hard to nd someone who colour scheme. Just a bit of fun. can grow and create life! ance and so they need to make sure they’ve are the best. Why not get one of these for a doesn’t have a smartphone in their pocket. got a way of keeping their valuables safe. housemate and then maybe they’ll make you However, batteries are notorious for dying. Available from: amazon.com Available from: iwantoneofthose.com Available from: iwantoneofthose.com That’s why this handy plug socket design will some yummy dinos. Also, try say Dino Cookie This brilliant device will t right in your pocket de nitely come in handy! Cutter quickly. and charge just about everything!
Available from: Red5 Available from: Red5 Available from: iwantoneofthose 24 Seren | December Issue
SINCEDeck it’s Christmas we’ve once again put together a guidethe of how easily you can put together Halls some festive decorations on the cheap just from a few shops around Bangor. As you can see on the next page we decided to have a white tree this year and instantly committed to blue as it was the Seren colours. That was a huge mistake and lucky for you guys you have us to tell you DO NOT GO BLUE! As pretty as it is it is al- most impossible to nd nice blue decorations in Bangor. Apparently everyone likes red and gold. Boring. Anyway have a look at what we got, everything (except the puddings) are available in di erent colours. You’ve probably noticed that most of our decorations came from B and M too. We scoured all the big shops (Tesco, Asda, Home Bargains, B and M, Poundland and The Range) and found that B and M was the only one that had at least a half decent range. Happy decorating and Merry Christmas! £3.99
£1.75 EVEN though we loved B and M, well perhaps love is too strong of a word, for our decorations we were not at all impressed by their fairy lights. The blue and green lights above were exactly what we wanted, they were blue, they were a decent price and there was a hundred of them. We got them back, put them on the tree and they didn’t even work! The worst part about this is that we bought the exact same ones last year and had the same problem. Apparently we’re too trusting as we thought maybe they would have xed the problem by now. So we nipped to Asda and even though we got a good price the Asda lights were only really good for wrapping around a window! Fairy Light Conundrum indeed. Spice up the replace
89p December Issue 2013 | 25
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£2.99 £1
£1.49 99P Tree-mendous! £1.49 26 Seren | December Issue 2013
by LJ TAYLOR used to getting new Doctors but familiar look- together, ght the Zygons, stop a likely grumpy and older manner. never before have we had a sup- ing scarf, under U.N.I.T from blowing up London and I loved the constant references and t over 1200 years old and af- posed past Doctor that we’ve never orders of Queen Elizabeth I. Some all whilst the War Doctor is about to there were certain scenes that were ter saving the world countless met. An interesting twist is exactly four hundred years earlier it would live their darkest day. nothing less than perfect. Atimes, it’s not surprising that what Doctor Who is about and Ste- seem that the Queen acquired a The episode is a thrilling emotion- Whether you are a regular viewer, the Doctor has a huge collection ven Mo at provided more than one. piece of Time Lord art, a 3D paint- al ride that leaves you more than ex- haven’t watched the show in years of friends and fans, and last month “I’ve had many faces, many lives…” ing of the last day of the Time War cited for the Christmas special and or never before, you need to see we all got together to celebrate his And for the 50th anniversary entitled ‘Gallifrey Falls’. It’s more than the future of Doctor Who. ‘The Day of the Doctor’. Yes it’s bet- 50th anniversary in one blockbust- not even two versions of the Doc- enough to get the Doctor interested For those of you who are crazy ter if you’ve been watching previ- er of an episode. After months of tor were enough and so fans were and provides the perfect way for the enough to have not yet watched ous series and know what’s going speculation and waiting, did Steven treated to the long-awaited return Doctor Who team to wow their 3D ‘The Day of the Doctor’ (ten times at on but to be honest it doesn’t even Mo at’s ‘The Day of the Doctor’ give of perhaps the most popular Doc- audience. It also serves as a great least) we don’t want to spoil it but matter that much. One thing I will Earth’s greatest hero the birthday he tor to date, David Tennant. It was plot device to give us a recap on the Mo at has done an amazing job. say though is after watching this deserved? announced back in May that the Time War and how John Hurt comes I have to admit that whilst watch- beast you’ll likely be tuning in on When those now famous time vor- Doctor’s Tenth incarnation would into it. ing I was a little unsure whether I Christmas Day and beyond. tex titles rst hit the screen in 1963 it make an appearance, along with “Today this war will end. No more.” was enjoying it or not, it felt like a marked the beginning of a new era: Billie Piper, one of the key points of We are cleverly transported lot was happening but at the same William Hartnell’s rst Doctor was excitement for the Who-niverse. through the painting and into Gal- time it wasn’t. And then the nal about to change Saturday nights Whilst we had no idea how Ten lifrey at the fall of Arcadia, the Doc- twist hit with a bang! Eve- forever. And so it was not only t- would return; whether it would ac- tor’s darkest day, where the plot rything I knew about Who, ting, but touching, to revisit those tually be him, a ashback, his hu- wheels are really set into motion. everything that has same black and white titles exactly man clone or even the version of After a long time of staying away happened since fty years later as ‘The Day of the him encountered in Trenzalore but from the Time War, the Doctor real- Christopher Ec- Doctor’ began. Not only that but the we knew it was going to be brilliant. ises he cannot allow it to continue, cleston took ‘New Who’ team beautifully recreat- And brilliant he was. “I have stayed my hand too long. No up the reins in ed ‘Classic Who’s’ very rst scene as a “Sand shoes and Grandad” more”. Although he knows the con- 2005 was about to police o cer wanders past a sign for Since Trenzalore, where Clara dis- sequences will be dire, and that he change. As the ‘I.M Foreman Scrap Merchants’, the covered his secret (John Hurt’s War won’t be able to live with himself, Doctor place where the Doctor was so fa- Doctor) our hero seems to have he makes the decision to destroy his would mously encountered fty years ago. parted ways with his feisty compan- people to save the world from the say; time It’s enough to make fans both old ion. Clara is now a teacher at Coal wrath of the Daleks. can be re- and young feel a pang of nostalgia. Hill School, where the show rst It’s a decision brings him to en- written. The sign and the vortex, of course, began back in 1963, yet the second counter Billie Piper in a role that we The Who-niverse aren’t the only references thrown the Doctor calls upon her she hops didn’t quite expect to see her in and has waited a long time our way in this hour and a quarter on her motorbike and straight into which brings the War Doctor, the for this special and the episode, but they certainly do a ne the TARDIS. Tenth Doctor and the Eleventh to- Doctor has waited even job at setting the bar high for the Before we can nd out why the gether in an adventure that could longer. I have to ad- rest of the evening. Doctor drafted in his most impor- change everything. mit that ‘The Day of the “He is my secret” tant friend the TARDIS is lifted into The 50th anniversary sees the re- Doctor’ wasn’t the best ‘The Day of the Doctor’ in a way the air and essentially kidnapped. turn of one of the Doctor’s oldest episode of the show but was a continuation of season seven’s It’s a great scene for the 50th an- enemies; the Zygons. And in this for a 50th anniversary it grand nale, ‘The Name of the Doc- niversary that reinforces how truly episode they are not only wreaking couldn’t have been bet- tor’, back in May this year. Whilst the British the show is as the, also quin- havoc on Elizabethan Britain but ter. episode still did not tell us the Doc- tessentially British, blue box is trans- present day London too! Without revealing tor’s real name it did introduce us to ported across central London with All in all the hour and fteen min- too much I absolutely John Hurt as the Doctor. the Doctor hanging o the edge. utes of the episode is a busy time for adored how everything For fans of the show it has been a It turns out U.N.I.T. are behind the Doctors who not only have to is about to change and it long wait swamped with specula- the ‘kidnap’, prompting the return spend a lot of time trying to be the feels like we’ve gone full cir- tion and excitement. It was a real of Jemma Redgrave as Kate Leth- better Doctor but they must under- cle, especially with Peter Ca- rst for Doctor Who. We’ve been bridge-Stewart as well as a very stand why they’ve all been brought paldi about to come in December Issue 2013 | Seren 27
799 episodes
An adventure in space and time
by BECKI WATSON near misses that could have prevent- drama producer at the BBC, and newer fans of the show tend to only ed the Doctor ever making it onto the series’ rst director, Waris Hus- know the series from Christopher s part of the BBC’s celebration television at all. sein (Sacha Dhawan), was one of the Eccleston onwards, the history of of Doctor Who, the produc- From the historical side of the rst Indian-British directors to work Classic Who, and particularly Hart- Ation company commissioned show, it was fascinating to see how for the BBC. The drama acknowl- nell, are often overlooked, but this a number of specials looking back the rst series of Doctor Who was edged the di culties they faced at could stand to change in the light at the legacy of the show, with the produced, shown through the leg- the old boys club in the company, of this fantastic performance. From best of these being An Adventure endary shaky sets, the use of house and then revelled in the triumph the emotional reference to Ten’s re- 7 in Space and Time. Written by Who keys to create the distinctive sounds of these outsiders as they created generation (‘I don’t want to go!’) to veteran and Sherlock co-writer Mark of the TARDIS, the tin-foil Cybermen, the best loved show on television. Matt Smith’s touching cameo on exteriors Gatiss, An Adventure in Space and and the tight BBC budget that only But perhaps the best part of the the set of the First Doctor’s TARDIS, Time is a docu-drama telling the allowed for four edits in an entire drama was the amazing portrayal An Adventure in Space and Time story of how Doctor Who rst came episode. Aside from the technical of William Hartnell, the rst ever did a brilliant job of acknowledg- onto our screens back in 1963. Ini- aspects of the show, it was great to Doctor. Brought touchingly to life ing the legacy of Hartnell’s role. tially conceived by the broadcasting see the incredibly progressive side of by David Bradley, Hartnell’s journey Overall, An Adventure in Space legend Sydney Newman (Brian Cox) Doctor Who being showcased; when from a struggling actor typecast in and Time was poignant, beautifully as something to ll the gap in the the show was in development, Ver- army roles to being beloved by the made, and a wonderful tribute to the BBC’s Saturday night schedule, the ity Lambert (Jessica Raine) was both nation for his role as the eccentric in uence and success of this truly feature-length special charts the the youngest and the rst female time-traveller is truly moving. As beloved show. numerous setbacks, false starts and 26 encounters The five (ish) doctors reboot
by LJ TAYLOR 50th anniversary. Even for those of ryone wants to be best pals with, are actually himself! It’s also nice to us who have never really watched and his voicemail is crammed full see tongue-in-cheek cameos from hen Peter Davison realises Classic Who, the humour, the refer- of messages from Davison, Baker Paul McGann, John Barrowman, that the 50th anniversary ences and the sheer brilliance of the and McCoy suggesting ideas for the Georgia Mo at, David Tennant and Wof Doctor Who is bound to Five(ish) Doctors is truly appreciated. special or con rming they would be Russell T Davies as well as current come with a special episode, he be- In the spoof Doctor Who’s head available to shoot it. Doctor and companion, Matt Smith lieves that surely it means a return writer, Steven Mo at, switches from Without the amazing and dedi- and Jenna Coleman. for his fth Doctor. However, when being the writer of the villains to the cated fanbase that Doctor Who is As brilliant as the 50th anniver- he doesn’t get the call he embarks writer, the villain. It is a role that he well known for, the Five(ish) Doctors sary special was, I feel as though The upon a quest with Doctors six and was more than happy to take on - in could have come across as nothing Five(ish) Doctors Reboot is a strong seven, Colin Baker and Sylvester Mc- fact, Mo at actually provided what more than a trio of ‘has-beens’ totter- contender for the best thing to come Coy, to secure their places in the an- was originally Davison’s idea for a ing about in a desperate attempt to out of the whole celebration. I know niversary special. ‘fan-video’ with a budget and cam- return to the pinnacle of their career. I for one can’t wait to see what Da- 9 This thirty-minute spoof docu- era crew so he could properly make Instead it is a perfect, and heart- vison and friends will do to get into mentary comes as yet another bril- it for the BBC. warming, adventure that shows us the 60th anniversary! designs liant companion to the Doctor’s In the short Mo at is the man eve- how the Doctor’s biggest fanboys 28 Seren | December Issue 2013 TV In Brief “I Love Lucy” actress dies at 94
ACTRESS Shirley Mitchell, who is believed to be the last surviving adult cast member of sitcom ‘I Love Lucy’,’ died from heart failure on 11th November. Mitchell, best known for her role as Lucy Ricardo’s gossipy friend Marion Strong, started her career as a radio star. Mitchell met and befriended Lucille Ball, the fe- male lead of ‘I Love Lucy’, during Ball’s time on the radio show ‘My Favourite Husband.’ Originally aired from 1951 to 1957, ‘I Love Lucy’, remains one of the most popular TV comedies of all time. Debbie in Yonderland
Coronation Street by SARA WILLIAMS (and adults) Horrible Histories, the for her husband and two children to sode dealing with various Health and show pokes fun at numerous elements return home from work/ school, until Safety issues that arise from installing moves into a new rying to summarise to any- of the epic fantasy dramas that have one day when she opens her pantry torture devices for his enemies. one who hasn’t seen Sky’s new come to our attention recently (Game and nds an elf waiting to take her to Yes, all in all it’s a bit silly, but set original comedy Yonderland of rones and Once Upon a Time). her ‘destiny’. it’s witty one liners and e ective Twhat the TV show is actually like to Its story premise is very traditional; Yonderland’s success lies in its abil- use of puppets makes this a truly AFTER two-and-a-half-years of construction, Coronation Street watch has proven to be very di cult. an evil force threatens all the realms of ity to hit a ne line between serious laugh out loud half hour of TV. will move to its new home on Sal- e closest I can manage is this, im- Yonderland and following the proph- fantasy adventure and full out comedy ford Quays, Manchester, in Janu- agine a TV show featuring the Mup- ecy written on an ancient scroll the sketch show. e rst series follows Yonderland is on every Sunday at ary. e new set intends to cater pets and their sense of humour, then ‘saviour’ must be found and bought Debbie’s attempts to grasp what it is to 6:30pm on Sky1 the demands of high de nition imagine the plot of that show is taking before a council of elders to accept be a saviour in this foreign land (the TV with its bigger size. e pro- the micky out of Lord of the Ring. Ex- their destiny and to save Yonderland. scroll with the speci c details of her ducers have attempted to faithful- actly, but somehow this show works! Debbie Maddox, a regular homemak- purpose was unfortunately lost in a ly recreate most of the street, with A comedy show created by the peo- er who lls her day with endless day- drunken haze), while the main antag- the changes remaining as minor ple who recently bought children time television programmes waiting onist Negatus tends to spend each epi- details. For example, the Rovers Return inn now has two upstairs windows instead of one. Once the show moves ITV is planning to open the old set, used since 1982, as a visitor attraction for at least six months.
Bring Back Brian AFTER the unexpected death of Family Guy character Brian Grif- n, a change.org petition aiming to resurrect him has reached over 75,000 signatures. Even though Brian’s death was rst suspected as a hoax, the show con rmed it by tweeting from the o cial ac- count “RIP Brian. #familyguy. Brian is now replaced in the se- ries by a new dog named Vinnie, voiced by Tony Sirico from e Sopranos. Fresh For Season 3
Sherlock airs on by HEATHER BOYLES duced to wholesome new housemate arrives at the house and Oregon au- egon, their contrasting personalities and fresher Candice and, at rst, she tomatically takes on the job of inter- all seem to somehow nd a way to get New Year’s Day hannel 4 on Demand o ers is keen to prove herself to her second preter. Meanwhile, Kingsley starts a along while desperately trying to ap- a reward for their viewers. If year housemates. She studies English long distance relationship with Josie, pear cool at all times. e series so far SHERLOCK has been con- you sign up (handing over so Oregon o ers to be her mentor to but then chickens out of breaking up sees them navigating old and new re- rmed to continue with its third Cyour name, email and postcode), you “crack [her] head wide open, if [she] with Heather because her grandfather lationships, whether it’s Oregon cop- season, airing on January 1, 2014. can now watch the next episode of can handle it.” Candice’s intellect be- is dying. ing with awkward encounters with e exact airing time hasn’t been Fresh Meat a week before it’s aired. comes apparent, and the two become Just to make things even more Shales, or JP and Howard trying to announced yet by the BBC. e e end of Season 2 nished with rivals over who is right when it comes pressured, Josie nds out that she woo Sam. opener episode, e Empty quite a bang leaving our characters go- to literature, a quarrel that is calmed can come back to Manchester if she e residents of Hartnell Avenue Hearse, will o er a resolution to ing their di erent ways. Vod and Ore- slightly when Candice gains a respect starts on a pharmacy course. JP hasn’t continue to try to succeed at Univer- the dramatic Reichenbach Fall gon le to travel through South Africa for changed trying to win over another sity life with the help of alcohol and mystery. e show’s composer over the summer. Josie was kicked o Oregon when she learns that she had girl, only he seems to have fallen rath- ill-advice from fellow housemates. Michael Price has also revealed her course at Manchester, but found an a air with Professor Shales. er hard for Sam. Now second years, surely that means that the upcoming third season a place at the bottom of the country Oregon and Vod arrive back on two What makes the show so brilliant is they are older and wiser, right? will include more tears than ever in Southampton, leaving Kingsley di erent ights, but both are too cool the diverse cast of characters that can before. caught between two girls. to admit that their trip was a disas- each lead an episode on their own if Season 3 picks up at the beginning ter. e reason why becomes appar- needed. From likeable nerd Howard of the academic year. We are intro- ent when Vod’s Mexican boyfriend to intelligent and artistic artist Or- December Issue 2013 | Seren 29 TV
What have you been watching?
Secret Orange e ick Arrested South Park Diary of a is the New of It Development Call Girl Black
WHENEVER I’m feeling low, AFTER watching the Doctor A NETFLIX production, Or- ON PAPER, e ick of It I AM fanatical about Arrested this is the show I watch. South Who 50th anniversary episode, I ange Is e New Black is, without doesn’t sound like the most riv- Development, in the same way Park, for me, is comfort televi- was hit by a massive Billie Piper a doubt, my favourite new show eting tv show. Whenever I rec- that pre-teen girls are about Justin sion. No matter how bad things craving. I turned to this show for of the year. e show tells the ommend a sitcom depicting Bieber. If it were possible to marry may seem, South Park is the one a x and a er devouring eight (loosely adapted) true story of bumbling British politicians who a tv show, I would be down on one episodes I can comfortably say always seem to get it wrong, I can show that never fails to make me that this show is a new favourite. Piper Kerman, who was arrested see people’s eyes glaze over. But if knee in front of Arrested Develop- laugh. e show has spawned Starring Billie Piper as a London for drug tra cking and sent to a there’s anything that British come- ment in seconds. If the creator of countless memes and catchphras- call girl, this show is a lot of fun. female prison. e show features dians do well, it’s political humour Arrested Development asked for es (“Oh my God, they killed Ken- I can honestly say that I didn’t an amazing ensemble cast of ac- and this show is no exception. my rst-born child in exchange ny” anyone?), which can obscure think that a TV show about pros- tors, and each one plays their part e slight disdain that most Brit- for an Arrested Development lm, how sharp the comedy can be. Of titution would be full of laughs, to perfection. Be warned though: ish people feel towards politicians then I’d hurl my child at him in ex- course, there’s still plenty of dis- but I am quite happy to be proven if you’re anything like me (i.e. translates into this show, resulting citement. I love this show, is what gusting jokes and swearing chil- wrong. And there’s loads of come- someone who cries at the drop in a comedy that is the perfect mix I’m trying to say. And so will you, dren (two things which I approve dic sex scenes, if you like that sort of a hat), this show will probably of second-hand embarrassment if you enjoy comedies about dys- of thing (I de nitely do.) and vulgar language (courtesy of of heartily) and that’s what keeps make you cry. A lot. Prepare the the 13th Doctor, Peter Capaldi.) functional families with so many the fans coming back for more. Kleenex. jokes that repeated viewings are essential. Ida’s Rating: Archive Treasures by IDA VÄISÄNEN ant Columbo (Peter Falk), the brilliant one of TV's most popular detectives mind of the LAPD, would work his of all time. way to get the murderer caught e show aired in the US 1971-1978 sudden death has taken place. is revelation would be achieved before getting cancelled and more oc- e police are called. Among through endless visits to the suspect's casionally between 1989 and 2003. the investigators wanders the house, telling more chatty stories and e show was broadcasted in 26 coun- Amost unthreatening gure you can leaving the conversation to return a tries and was particularly popular in imagine. A short, unkempt, overly minute later with 'just one more thing'. Iran and France. Columbo received polite and sort of goofy-looking fellow e o cial investigation would slowly numerous awards including 13 Em- wearing a beaten-up trenchcoat and pipe down but still Columbo would mys, two Golden Globes, two Edgar chewing a cigar tentatively. He goes return to the suspect like a stray dog, Awards and a TV Land Award nomi- unnoticed but all this time his mind is irritating them to the point of raving nation for Falk in 2005. e show also ticking. He asks an innocent question madness until nally the nal for- spawned a short-lived spino , Mrs. about a newspaper or a pair of gloves, gotten detail would come out which Columbo, which was cancelled af- throwing in a story about his wife or would result in the suspect's arrest. ter only thirteen episodes due to the dog to go with it. Still the web of these As a character Columbo di ers from negative critical and public reaction it tiny little details is coming together the TV detective of today. Whereas received. in the brilliant head of this common- the truth is o en scared or beaten A er Peter Falk, who played Colum- appearing man. is death wasn't ac- out of the suspect, Columbo built bo for over forty years, passed away in cidental. It was a murder. his plans of uncovering the murderer June 2011, a complete Blu Ray boxset When Columbo rst premiered as a on being friendly and likable, result- of Columbo was released in Japan to TV-movie in 1968, it was unlike any ing in him being underestimated by commemorate his memory. e box other crime series of its time and pop- his opponents. Underneath the sim- set was presented in a faux-wooden ularised the inverted detective story ple appearance a brilliant mind was cigar box. format. e crime and its perpetra- working and always succeeding in the ”He looks like a ood victim,” Falk tor were shown to the audience right end. Columbo's rst name was never once said of his character. ”You feel in the beginning of each episode and revealed and his much spoken wife sorry for him. He appears to be seeing Before CSI: Columbo the tension would build up as Lieuten- was never shown but still he remains nothing, but he's seeing everything.” 30 Seren | December Issue 2013 FILM In Brief FAST AND FURIOUS 7 FILMING TO GO AHEAD DESPITE DEATH OF PAUL WALKER FAST and Furious 7 is still to go ahead, although production is to be delayed. Walker had shot most of his scenes. e cast was due to y to Abu Dhabi for an additional shoot in January. e movie is likely to be de- layed beyond its scheduled July 2014 release date. e producers of anoth- er Walker lm said that they would be moving ahead with the release of Hurricane Katrina drama Hours.
DAN STEVENS TO JOIN NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 3 DAN Stevens will return to screens, By ‘DEMOLA FASHOLA Legend fame would be taking the rest anymore. Jena Malone made the most cast as the villain for Night at e of the installments of the franchise. of all her scenes by playing the scorned Museum 3, a er dramatically be- will shamelessly admit that I was is one also saw a fresh crop of new- former victor Johanna Mason. Sam ing killed o in Downton Abbey last maybe the most excited person on comers join the franchise; Sam Cla in, Cla in came out in all his Greek-god- Christmas. Stevens, who made his earth for the Hunger Games se- Alan Ritchson, Jena Malone joined the like glory to play Finnick Odair. break playing Matthew Crawley in quel,I Catching Fire. cast as previous victors while the ever- Francis Lawrence’s direction of the the hit period drama, landed the role Walking into the cinema and trying astounding Philip Seymour Ho man cast is spellbinding. Lawrence is rela- alongside Ben Stiller, who returns in to maintain composure as the lm joined the cast as the warped-minded tively known for directing movies to the lead role as museum guard Lar- started proved to be a serious pain in gamesmaker Plutarch Heavensbee set over-the-top scopes and visuals ry Dale. Since leaving Downton, in the backside. I knew what I was expect- (Seriously Suzanne Collins?). and, with a book set in post-apocalyp- search of accolade in Hollywood, Ste- ing dialogue-wise as I was well aware Usually I would say that Jennifer tic times, it’s very easy to oversaturate scene in this was absolutely breathtak- vens has starred alongside Benedict of the books but no trailer could have Lawrence was the best thing about the themes of the story by making ing and watching the dress catch re Cumberbatch in box-o ce op e prepared the second lm, but perhaps the best them too literal, but Lawrence nds a may have been one of the most beauti- Fi h Estate, and yet to be released A me for (and maybe worst) thing about the masterful balance between keeping the ful moments on celluloid I have seen Walk Among Tombstones with Liam what I Hunger Games: Catching Fire is Don- themes from the rst just as relevant all year. All the citizens of the Capitol Neeson. saw. ald Sutherland’s bone-chilling perfor- while introducing new ones. at said, looked like they had taken some acid In May mance as President Snow. Snow in this some of the camera angles were a bit and gone to town in Lady Gaga’s closet. 2012, Li- movie makes Bashar Al-Assad look awkward, especially the scenes in the is movie was one that was beauti- onsgate like he’s a toddler toying with hairspray games arena. RON BURGUNDY fully made with an amazing attention Pictures on his action gures and not actual hu- e unsung heroes, however, of the COANCHORS to detail. Not only did it make social an-man beings. However, movie are the NEWSCAST commentary on the twisted world of nounced Jennifer Lawrence de- costumes. May reality television and the “Big Brother” WILL Ferrell co-anchored KXMB that Fran- livered an outstanding we all please system, it was also an incredible outing Saturday night news broadcast, in cis Law- performance as Katniss give a round of on the part of the cast and crew of this character as Ron Burgundy from An- rence of Everdeen who is in a applause to cos- picture. I suppose I can begin rocking chorman. e former SNL comedian Water For sort of identity crisis in tume designer back and forth in the fetal position for is currently promoting the sequel to Elephants this lm. She is neither Trish Sum- the 3rd lm then. 2004 comedy Anchorman. Ferrell and I am a Capitol Citizen nor merville. e read the news of the teleprompter ex- District 12 member wedding dress aggerating eye blinks and engaged in entertaining wordplay with the rest of the Bismarck news team. e 30-min- ute video, which is part of a viral mar- keting campaign, has gained traction VIN DIESEL LEADS TRIBUTE TO CLOSE on social media sites. He also went to Winnipeg where he was slated to help FRIEND PAUL WALKER cover Canada’s Olympic curling trials. Anchorman 2 releases on December PAUL WALKER, OF FAST AND FURIOUS FAME, DIED AGED 40, ON 30TH NOVEMBER 2013 18th. By CALLUM LEWIS man, laying owers and toy cars at the Pantelion Films released a statement scene of the accident. A message on regarding the release of the lm: “A er OLDBOY in Diesel led a tribute on Mon- the pavement nearby reads ‘Race in lots of back and forth, this is our de- REMAKE FLOPS; day for his longtime friend and Paradise’. cision. It’s Paul’s tour de force. He’s in LEE DENIES co-star Paul Walker, who died Other celebrities expressed their every frame of the movie.” STEALING Vtragically in a car accident on Saturday own sadness, in particular those who e lm re ects Walker’s extensive a ernoon. e Fast and Furious star had starred alongside him. charity work – Walker founded Reach CONCEPT ART died a er his 2005 Porsche Carrera “Wherever you blessed your pres- Out Worldwide, an organisation dedi- RELEASED in 538 locations, but collided with a lampost. Walker, 40, ence you always le a mark”, tweeted cated to providing disaster relief to without much of a marketing push, was returning from a charity event in rapper and Fast and Furious co-star countries including Haiti and e the movie bombed with just $1.25m Santa Clarita, North of Los Angeles, Ludacris, while Dwayne ‘ e Rock’ Philippines in 2010. taken in over a ve day period. With when the driver of the vehicle lost con- Johnson le a short but emotional “I’m a doer”, he said concerning the this in mind it is highly unlikely that trol. farewell: “Love you, Brother”. charity, “and whether it was the tsu- it will be in cinemas long enough to Mr Diesel posted a number of pic- Walker was best known for his role nami in Sri Lanka or the earthquake make $3m, making this remake one tures and messages on Twitter express- as Brian Connor in the hugely success- in Indonesia, I was always saying, I of the biggest ops in recent mem- ing his grief over the news. ful Fast and Furious series, in which he should be there; I should be helping ory. In addition to this, the studio “Brother, I will miss you very much. portrayed the character through ve of o u t ”. is dealing with accusation that they Heaven has gained a new angel”, he be- the six lms. A seventh lm, planned Walker is survived by his 15 year old stole concept design for the posters. gan. “My brother and I, we aimed for for release in 2014, is set to go ahead daughter, Meadow. Designer Juan Luis Ramon made the the stars together. I feel honoured and despite the actor’s death. accusation in an open letter plea, on blessed to have known such a wonder- His drama Hours, set in the a er- his blog, to Spike Lee. ful guy. Rest in peace.” math of Hurricane Katrina, is set to Fans have paid their respects to the release on the 13th December. December Issue 2013 | Seren 31 FILM TOP TEN FILMS OF 2013 AFTER A BRILLIANT 2012 FEATURING THE LIKES OF PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, LINCOLN, AND ARGO, JUST HOW HAS 2013 MEASURED UP? THESE ARE, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, A SELECTION OF THE BEST FILMS TO BE RELEASED THIS YEAR.
STAR TREK: BLUE IS THE RUSH SPRING INTO GRAVITY WARMEST BREAKERS DARKNESS COLOUR EASILY the best lm about cars to COME for the boobs, stay for James EVEN though the conceptual sci- THIS is a brilliant space opera AN ADAPTATION of Julie Maroh’s be made in recent memory. If you Franco. Franco plays the role of the of the original series has gone, the new that is visually out of this world. It’s graphic novel Le Bleu est Une Couleur don’t know the story of that fateful deceiver to a tee, “answering the girls actors get to grips with their roles well. not a lm of ideas or concepts, but Chaude, it won the Palme D’Or at season, you’re in for a dramatic treat prayers for salvation”. Amid heavy In particular, Chris Pine does a very more of a physical concept and even Cannes earlier this year. is com- with well-shot action scenes that religious symbolism, the themes re- good job as Kirk. e action sequences experience. One of the few lms ing-of-age story traces the formation thrill the viewer. Although somewhat ally do come through and Harmony are done with verve and are electric, where the quality of the product and disintegration of a raw romance Oscar-bait, it is a well-done biopic Korine is every bit a modern day lm but that isn’t the core enjoyment of this is actually enhanced by the 3D ef- so powerful that it transforms the about two real-life rivals whose story auteur. Nearly every piece of mise-en- lm. Much of the humour and enter- fects, this lm challenges the senses. life of the heroine. It is an interesting captivates just as much now as it did scene has meaning and the heavy use tainment originates in the chemistry To create a feeling of dread in the juxtaposition as the main character, in the 1970s. Both Daniel Brühl (Niki of colours, especially pink, is key to the between Kirk (Pine) and Spock (Zach- lm, Cuarón opens Gravity with a struggling to come to term with her Lauda) and Chris Hemsworth (James themes. It is a clear social commentary ary Quinto). It still maintains some 20 minute unbroken shot, follow- sexuality amid homophobia, meets Hunt) put in a fantastic performance of today’s generation based on a mu- cultural legacy (even casual Star Trek ing Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Matt forthright, blue-haired artist Emma. as two men intrinsically linked by op- tual dependency, to put it in the words fans will get some references) while Kowalski (Clooney) as they com- e relationship never feels hollow, position, but connected by mutual of James Franco: “ is is reality. is is being very much a modern sci- epic. plete a spacewalk. e camera dips but sincere and real, which speaks respect. Instagram… sorry motherf*****s! this and dives in close to give a sense of heavily about how good the casting isn’t High School Musical”. what life is like in orbit. e inten- is for this lm, and they were men- sity a er the 15 minutes is draining, tioned alongside the director when and that’s a good thing. nominated for the Palme D’Or.
FROM UP THOR: THE ON POPPY LORE PRISONERS THE DARK WORLD’S HILL WORLD END VERY much made in the fashion of LEFT to fend for themselves, the THE tense psychological thriller that THE latest Marvel o ering gives us THE end of an era, the nal install- Akira and Grave of e Fire ies, at children of an SS o cer and their 2013 sorely needed, Prisoners sees a super-powered epic swinging back ment of the Cornetto trilogy with its face value at least. It doesn’t have the mother, who is a staunch Nazi be- Hugh Jackman battle with the police and forth between Norse mythology love of blood and ice cream, even- magic of other Studio Ghibli titles, liever, are interred when the allies and with himself to track down his and real world elements. Although though this one seems to have more but it more than makes up for that are victorious at the end of WW2. young daughter a er she and their some areas are weaker than others, the ink than actual blood. e World’s with a sweet and charming romance, e beautiful backgrounds linger neighbour’s daughter go missing from overall picture is more than enough End sees ve childhood friends try light and tender hearted humour, and long enough to, at rst glance, sepa- their suburban street. Shot appar- to leave the action/adventure lover to complete an epic pub crawl that the somewhat nostalgic manner in rate from their darker implications. ently on the same streets as e Lovely satis ed. ere are a surprising level they started as teengers, spearheaded the way that it presents Japan of the is isn’t a romance or a thriller, but Bones, there is de nitely a chilled at- of sci- elements in e Dark World, by Gary King (Simon Pegg), to reach 1960s. Although it seems quite so , more a story of rebuilding. It shows mosphere and a huge build up of dread as viking longboats soar through the the fated World’s End pub, number it dabbles with heavier topics, stretch- how sometimes, even though painful as the inevitable happens. It poses the skies of Asgard ring lasers at their twelve on their ‘golden mile’. As usual ing from parenthood (and loss of at rst, things must be broken down question of how far would you go to get enemies. e only letdown seems to with Pegg/Frost/Wright lms, noth- such) and letting go of responsibility before anything can be rebuilt. Sas- back those you love. Much less ashy be the villain, Christopher Eccleston’s ing is as it seems and soon there are to grow, to the bombing of Nagasaki, kia Rosendahl gives a superb perfor- than Taken and refreshingly realistic, rather one-dimensional Malekith, the aliens and ‘blanks’ running about. the Korean War and Japan’s transition mance, in the role of a confused teen- it keeps you guessing up until the end ever scowling leader of the Dark Elves. Not as groundbreaking as the other to democracy, as well as its exposure ager le to fend for not only herself and makes you shout at the screen as if His character is easily outshone by the two in the trilogy but enjoyable none- to the world during the Tokyo Sum- but also her siblings in what is a very Jake Gyllenhaal can hear you. rest of the cast which include the ever theless and a perfect round up to the mer Olympics of 1964. e striking con icting time. e lm displays powerful presence of Idris Elba and, last ten years of the apparent dream yet smooth animation is hand drawn, very well the harrowing journey and of course, the great Anthony Hopkins, team. Let’s raise a glass to the bitter adding to its nostalgia, and there is discovery that the beliefs taught to as well as comedic high points from end, or rather lager end. clear care taken with the character her may not be true, and her attempt- Stellan Skarsgard and Kat Dennings. design and background art. e lm’s ing to come to terms with this. Overall, e Dark World is a much magic lies in the beauty of its realism, more epic a air than its predecessor. arguing for steps forward yet staying or 2 boasts fantastic visuals and fun connected to the past. is a step in characters, a wild narrative and good the right direction for Studio Ghibli location choices. under Goro Miyazaki. 32 Seren | December Issue 2013 MUSIC 1,000th number one album ROBBIE Williams’ new album ‘Swings Both Ways’ has become the 1,000th album to top the UK Charts. It has shifted 67,000 copies more than Eminem’s ‘Marshall Mathers LP 2”. The rst number one was Frank Sinatra’s ‘Songs For Swingin’ Lovers’ in 1956 and since there have been 3,000 album charts published. The Beatles have spent the most weeks at number one – 174 weeks – with 15 number one albums. Williams’ elev- enth number one album as a solo artist equals Elvis Presley. However, whereas Williams has been at num- ber one for 31 weeks, Elvis has been for 63.
HMV remove Lostprophets albums
AS consequence of the Ian Watkins trial, HMV have con rmed they will no longer sell any Lostprophets re- Avenged Sevenfold - Hail to the King tour leases. On 28th November, a spokes- time to see the support band, called which got a rapturous response as sung it together. The arena went person revealed that the band’s mu- by KEVIN GRIFFIN Five Finger Death Punch. Having people went mental. Starting the dark as lights from the crowd came sic will not be available in store or never heard of them before, I was show, the curtains opened to reveal up and a single spotlight on an oth- online and sta have been advised Date: 1st December 2013 pleasantly surprised when it turns their typical skull with wings back- erwise dark stage shone on an emp- to remove stock from shelves. Location: Wembley Arena, London out that I really enjoyed their hour drop and out came re and reworks ty space as Rev’s voice started and Lostprophets’ guitarist Lee Gaze set. They were a sort of mix between as they began with ‘Shepherd of Fire’, then went down, before shining on has expressed his relief that the band aving started their tour in Oc- Killswitch Engage and Stone Sour, o their newest album. Shadows as he sung his part. This got can now nd “closure”. He tweeted: tober, Avenged Sevenfold’s which is extremely complimentary The setlist was epic and the only a great reception from the crowd as “That was over quick. Thank **** ”. In H‘Hail to the King’ world tour - to that particular band. So, I would interval in the two and a half hour we all chanted “Jimmy!” in memory a separate tweet he thanked the fans nally arrived to the capital city – Lon- recommend them as they also riled set was a ten minute guitar solo from of the former band member. for their support. don. Wembley Arena has seen a lot up the crowd ready for the main act, lead guitarist, Synyster Gates. The Overall, Avenged Sevenfold were Apple has refused to comment on of great bands play there to enter- Avenged Sevenfold. most heartfelt moment of the gig extremely entertaining in their use whether they will be taking similar tain its 12,500 capacity. Having just st The stage was set and ready to go, came when Shadows announced, as of re and explosions in sync with action and removing the band’s mu- seen them on Sunday 1 December, chants of “Sevenfold!” were echo- he always does, that he was going to their music, which gave the atmos- sic from iTunes. I have to say it was a great display of ing throughout the arena... then play the recording of the song ‘Fic- phere a massive lift as every mem- showmanship and the music was im- mense. came Shadows’ voice through the tion’, where he and deceased band ber in the crowd sung to every song, Kasabian’s darkness, “London! Are you ready?”, member Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan making for an epic gig! homecoming gig I arrived at the sold-out show in
KASABIANS’S 2014 homecoming gig in Leicester will feature new ma- terial, according to Serge Pizzorno. They will play a 35,000 capac- ity gig in June, to coincide with the release of their self-titled debut al- bum 10 years ago. Pizzorno posted on the band’s o cial website: “We’ll have a new record, so we’ll be play- ing tunes from that and we’ll also be playing the massive anthems that we have. It will just be a huge cel- ebration, you know. The important thing will be, what’s going to hap- pen next?” The band are currently recording their new album, which will follow on from 2011’s ‘Velociraptor!’ Photo by Storm FM Bangor, Facebook BBC Trust reject complaints Battle of the Bands THE BBC Trust has rejected a com- by BECKY SMITH mellow acoustic act - Sam Parsons. energetic and very con dent band; knew how to play and play well. They plaint received about Radio 1’s re- He brought the loud crowd to a quick these guys de nitely knew how to could be likened to bands such as fusal to play ‘Ding Dong! The Witch Is Date: 28th November 2013 and quiet lull with his gentle tones rock out, and they certainly had Kings of Leon as they had that hook Dead’ on its o cial Chart Show. The Location: Bar Uno, Bangor and smooth melodies; a good start some impressive head banging go- and rhythm which catches the audi- song reached number two in April, to an even greater night. ing on. ence in an instant. after an online campaign by oppo- n 28th November, a battle The following band was the Moon- The second to last band Leep were Overall, it was a fantastic night. All nents of Margaret Thatcher, in the was fought. A erce, erce light Thieves from Coleg Menai. a little disappointing, especially giv- the bands were extremely talented wake on the former Prime Minister’s Obattle. The prize? To play the Even though they were young, they en that they opened with an Oasis fa- and energetic and the audience tried death. The BBC Trust described it as Psych Societies Winter Ball on 10th certainly did not lack talent and got vourite after which their set seemed to match their energy throughout “clearly a celebration of a death”. December. There were ve contest- the crowd going with their upbeat to gradually get worse. Though they the evening. Lucy is a Decoy placed A member of the public comment- ants, each of whom put up a brave rocky vibe. They were runners-up in did de nitely know how to move, third, Moonlight Thieves second ed that the refusal compromised the ght. The Battle of The Bands was the competition, which is impres- their energy captured audience and and Beyond The State rst. All of the chart’s integrity and “a breach of the put on by Storm FM in association sive considering that their contend- they seemed to rely on that, which bands who played are de nitely ones requirement for impartiality”. They with Bangor University Stage Crew ers were older and had been on the isn’t necessarily a bad thing. to look out for on the Bangor music also argued that there was no politi- and hosted by Bar Uno. All ve bands Bangor music scene longer than they The nal contestants were called scene in the future! cal message conveyed and “did not were given a 20 minute slot in which have. Lucy is a Decoy, who whacked out refer to any individual”. they showed their talent. Following the Moonlight Thieves, some great music and were very well The night started with a cool and we had Beyond The State, a hyper, practiced musicians who evidently 32 Seren | December Issue 2013 December Issue 2013 | Seren 33 MUSIC MUSIC 1,000th number one album Seren’s10 favourite albums of 2013... ROBBIE Williams’ new album So, has 2013 been a good year for music? We’d like to think so, as there has certainly been some noteworthy album releases ‘Swings Both Ways’ has become the 1,000th album to top the UK Charts. this year. Therefore, here’s our selection for Seren’s 10 favourite albums of this year (in no particular order). It has shifted 67,000 copies more There are some notable absences which deserve an honourable mention, including ‘AM’ by Arctic Monkeys, ‘Rewind The Film’ than Eminem’s ‘Marshall Mathers LP 2”. The rst number one was Frank by Manic Street Preachers, ‘Night Visions’ by Imagine Dragons and, of course, David Bowie’s “The Next Day”... Sinatra’s ‘Songs For Swingin’ Lovers’ in 1956 and since there have been 3,000 album charts published. The Beatles have spent the most weeks at number one – 174 weeks – with 15 number one albums. Williams’ elev- enth number one album as a solo artist equals Elvis Presley. However, whereas Williams has been at num- ber one for 31 weeks, Elvis has been for 63.
HMV remove
Lostprophets albums The 1975 - Charlotte Wright Joe Keep – Sound City: Real to Reel Nicola Hoban – Thirty Seconds to Ben Dickinson – Frank Turner: Curt McArdle – Los Campesinos: Mars: Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams Tape Deck Heart No Blues AS consequence of the Ian Watkins MY TOP album of the year has to ‘Sound City: Real to Reel’ is the re- trial, HMV have con rmed they will be The 1975’s self-titled album. The sult of letting great musicians relive There is something about Thirty Frank Turner's latest album, Tape 5 albums in and still going strong, no longer sell any Lostprophets re- Avenged Sevenfold - Hail to the King tour album was released on 2nd Sep- memories. Dave Grohl, Foo Fight- Seconds to Mars’ music that has Deck Heart, encompasses all that Los Campesinos de ne musical pro- leases. On 28th November, a spokes- tember 2013 and went straight to ers frontman, set about a project always appealed to me, and their is great about the folk/punk musi- time to see the support band, called which got a rapturous response as sung it together. The arena went gression. Everything Gareth David person revealed that the band’s mu- by KEVIN GRIFFIN number 1 on the album charts in the to collect the stories of Sound City album ‘Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams’ cian. A mature e ort, Turner retains Five Finger Death Punch. Having people went mental. Starting the dark as lights from the crowd came speaks is instantly quotable. Flam- sic will not be available in store or UK. I began listening to The 1975 in Studios in L.A from the people that does not disappoint. Maybe it’s the the exemplary song-writing ability never heard of them before, I was show, the curtains opened to reveal up and a single spotlight on an oth- boyant word play and imagery has online and sta have been advised Date: 1st December 2013 January with their EP ‘Music For Cars’. have walked its halls. The album anthem cry that you can hear in the that has permeated his previous pleasantly surprised when it turns their typical skull with wings back- erwise dark stage shone on an emp- become their trademark and whilst to remove stock from shelves. Location: Wembley Arena, London The 1975 are well known for their that resulted, as well as the movie, song, maybe it’s the hard-hitting work, intertwining themes of love, out that I really enjoyed their hour drop and out came re and reworks ty space as Rev’s voice started and the early LP’s may have soundtracked Lostprophets’ guitarist Lee Gaze song ‘Chocolate’ which hit the top is a musical masterpiece. Featuring truth of the lyrics, maybe it’s Jared break-up and good old fashioned childish twee and false love, ‘No aving started their tour in Oc- set. They were a sort of mix between as they began with ‘Shepherd of Fire’, then went down, before shining on has expressed his relief that the band 40 in the UK. Although The 1975 are some of the industry’s heaviest hit- Leto – or all of the above. What I punk, with the chord based acous- Blues’, like its predecessor ‘Hello tober, Avenged Sevenfold’s Killswitch Engage and Stone Sour, o their newest album. Shadows as he sung his part. This got can now nd “closure”. He tweeted: known mostly for this song, many ters, namely: Paul McCartney, Stevie know is that it’s brilliant and I’m not tic led music he has become known Sadness’, is rmly lodged in reality. ‘Hail to the King’ world tour - which is extremely complimentary The setlist was epic and the only a great reception from the crowd as “That was over quick. Thank **** ”. In H great songs also feature on the al- Nicks and Rick Spring eld, the album going to question it. So be sure to for in his solo work. And this is why ‘Avacado, Baby’ is a glitchy reminder nally arrived to the capital city – Lon- to that particular band. So, I would interval in the two and a half hour we all chanted “Jimmy!” in memory a separate tweet he thanked the fans bum, such as M.O.N.E.Y and She Way moves around di ering tempos and listen to this album! My particular fa- this album is my favourite album of how easy it is for one to become don. Wembley Arena has seen a lot recommend them as they also riled set was a ten minute guitar solo from of the former band member. for their support. Out. This album is by far my favourite beats with ease, each track o ering vourites are ‘City of Angels’ and ‘Do or of the year. It might not tread new stuck in their own ways; ‘What Death of great bands play there to enter- up the crowd ready for the main act, lead guitarist, Synyster Gates. The Overall, Avenged Sevenfold were Apple has refused to comment on of 2013. an individual personality. Tracks like Die’. Also, make a point to watch the ground, but it is an incredibly fun, Leaves Behind’ an ambient nod at the tain its 12,500 capacity. Having just Avenged Sevenfold. most heartfelt moment of the gig extremely entertaining in their use whether they will be taking similar Notable tracks: Chocolate, The City, ‘You Can’t Fix This’ slowing things videos to these songs too; they’re re- exciting album that quite simply, oxymoron of emotions, the strongest seen them on Sunday 1st December, The stage was set and ready to go, came when Shadows announced, as of re and explosions in sync with action and removing the band’s mu- Girls down o ering a more atmospherical ally something. rocks. and most fragile element of human- I have to say it was a great display of chants of “Sevenfold!” were echo- he always does, that he was going to their music, which gave the atmos- sic from iTunes. song and ‘The Man That Never Was’ Notable tracks: Up In The Air, City of Notable tracks: Recovery, Four- ity. If ‘No Blues’ covers it you, and eve- showmanship and the music was im- ing throughout the arena... then play the recording of the song ‘Fic- phere a massive lift as every mem- breathing pace and a more reckless Angels, Do or Die Simple Words, Polaroid Picture ryone you know, has felt it. Keep on mense. came Shadows’ voice through the tion’, where he and deceased band ber in the crowd sung to every song, feel into the album. rockin in the real world, LC! Kasabian’s I arrived at the sold-out show in darkness, “London! Are you ready?”, member Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan making for an epic gig! homecoming gig Notable tracks: You Can’t Fix This, Notable tracks: What Death Leaves The Man That Never Was, Cut Me Behind, Avocado, Baby, For Flotsam Some Slack KASABIANS’S 2014 homecoming gig in Leicester will feature new ma- terial, according to Serge Pizzorno. They will play a 35,000 capac- ity gig in June, to coincide with the release of their self-titled debut al- bum 10 years ago. Pizzorno posted on the band’s o cial website: “We’ll have a new record, so we’ll be play- ing tunes from that and we’ll also be playing the massive anthems that we have. It will just be a huge cel- ebration, you know. The important thing will be, what’s going to hap- pen next?” The band are currently recording Matthew Ridgway – Kanye West: Jon Williams – Alice in Chains: The Mikey Pennington – Villagers: Thomas Bickerdike - Dropkick Mur- their new album, which will follow Yeezus Devil Put Dinosaurs Here Awayland Pippa Botting – Bastille: Bad Blood phys: Signed and Sealed in Blood on from 2011’s ‘Velociraptor!’ Photo by Storm FM Bangor, Facebook Kanye’s bravest release to date; his The American rock band Alice in ‘Awayland’ is the second album Since Bastille’s debut single ‘Over- “The boys are back and they’re BBC Trust reject trademark jazz and soul sampling Chains rolled out another gem of an of Irish songwriter Conor O’Brien’s joyed’ was released in April 2012, looking for trouble.” Appropriate clashes with electro-industrial synth album, following on from their previ- group, Villagers. The record is a brave they have slowly grown in popular- words from everyone’s favourite complaints evolution from the traditional folk in- ity and have now become one of Celtic punk rock band from Boston. Battle of the Bands and distorted drum beats, in an al- ous release in 2009 (‘Black Gives Way bum which constantly surprises. It to Blue’) which was a success. In an uence of debut ‘Becoming a Jackal’ the most popular current alterna- It followed on from the success of THE BBC Trust has rejected a com- mellow acoustic act - Sam Parsons. energetic and very con dent band; knew how to play and play well. They by BECKY SMITH has nothing on 2010’s MBDTF lyrical- interview with Rolling Stone, Jerry to a more diverse and eclectic sound. tive rock bands. Their latest album, their 2011 album ‘Going Out in Style’, plaint received about Radio 1’s re- He brought the loud crowd to a quick these guys de nitely knew how to could be likened to bands such as ly, but “New Slaves” may be his great- Cantrell said: “You see growth and As ever, O’Brien’s strong lyrical ‘Bad Blood’, which was released on which for me was near-perfect. Bass- fusal to play ‘Ding Dong! The Witch Is and quiet lull with his gentle tones rock out, and they certainly had Kings of Leon as they had that hook Date: 28th November 2013 est since “Jesus Walks”, condemning that the band is moving ahead in prowess is showcased throughout 4th March, debuted at No. 1 in the ist and lead vocalist Ken Casey want- Dead’ on its o cial Chart Show. The and smooth melodies; a good start some impressive head banging go- and rhythm which catches the audi- Location: Bar Uno, Bangor the racial inequality of American new territory that we haven't been to the record. However, the crowning UK album chart. Due to its success, ed to have fun “making the most song reached number two in April, to an even greater night. ing on. ence in an instant. imprisonment and the over-zeal- before, but we haven't lost our iden- achievement of Awayland is produc- an extended version of the album catchy, singalong kind of songs”; in after an online campaign by oppo- The following band was the Moon- The second to last band Leep were Overall, it was a fantastic night. All n 28th November, a battle ousness of drug law enforcement. tity”. As a result, ‘The Devil Put Dino- ing a work that balances a myriad of was also released on 25th November that respect, mission accomplished. nents of Margaret Thatcher, in the light Thieves from Coleg Menai. a little disappointing, especially giv- the bands were extremely talented was fought. A erce, erce However, lines such as “I keep it 300, saurs Here’ sounds fresh and new, in uences into a cohesive and soni- and featured their new track ‘Of the Whenever I hear them I always feel wake on the former Prime Minister’s Even though they were young, they en that they opened with an Oasis fa- and energetic and the audience tried Obattle. The prize? To play the like the Romans” in “Black Skinhead” yet still maintain the classic Alice in cally beautiful album. Villagers’ blend Night’. With a sound similar to that like there’s a smile on my face. Plus death. The BBC Trust described it as certainly did not lack talent and got vourite after which their set seemed to match their energy throughout Psych Societies Winter Ball on 10th almost let the album down, but their Chains even 90s sound. ‘Scalpel’ is a of acoustic earnestness and uplifting of Coldplay, featuring strings, strong it features ‘The Season’s Upon Us’, “clearly a celebration of a death”. the crowd going with their upbeat to gradually get worse. Though they the evening. Lucy is a Decoy placed December. There were ve contest- self-awareness renders them forgiva- track that contains many thoughtful brass melodies are strongly comple- piano chord sequences and disarm- which is most de nitely “not some A member of the public comment- rocky vibe. They were runners-up in did de nitely know how to move, third, Moonlight Thieves second ants, each of whom put up a brave ble. The lyrical inconsistencies sparse and provoking lyrics. mented by an intelligent use of elec- ingly beautiful lyrics, I believe this al- cheesy Christmas tune”. ed that the refusal compromised the the competition, which is impres- their energy captured audience and and Beyond The State rst. All of the ght. The Battle of The Bands was yet bombastic nature and its ability Notable tracks: Low Ceiling, Scalpel, tronica that permeates throughout bum signals the start of a new genre Notable tracks: The Boys are Back, chart’s integrity and “a breach of the sive considering that their contend- they seemed to rely on that, which bands who played are de nitely ones put on by Storm FM in association to surprise made ‘Yeezus’ one of the Breath On a Window the record. of laid-back ‘pop’ and it is my favour- Rose Tattoo, Jimmy Collins’ Wake requirement for impartiality”. They ers were older and had been on the isn’t necessarily a bad thing. to look out for on the Bangor music with Bangor University Stage Crew most interesting, entertaining and Notable tracks: Nothing Arrived, ite album of 2013. also argued that there was no politi- Bangor music scene longer than they The nal contestants were called scene in the future! and hosted by Bar Uno. All ve bands rewarding albums of the year. Earthly Pleasure, The Bell Notable tracks: Bad Blood, Laura cal message conveyed and “did not have. Lucy is a Decoy, who whacked out were given a 20 minute slot in which Notable tracks: New Slaves, I’m In It, Palmer, Pompeii refer to any individual”. Following the Moonlight Thieves, some great music and were very well they showed their talent. Blood on the Leaves The night started with a cool and we had Beyond The State, a hyper, practiced musicians who evidently 34 December Issue 2013 | Seren BOOKS BOOK OF THE Author Condems Science Fiction MONTH by NICOLA HOBAN SHOULD CHILDREN ONLY READ CLASSIC LIT? IN AN attempt to modernise Jane Austen’s novels and bring them into the 21st century through a project called e Austen Project, Sense & Sensibility by Joanna Trollope is just the rst out of the six stories to be re- booted. Truth be told, it’s not a bad attempt. It pretty much stuck to the plot of the original, whilst tting into the 21st century – women being able to ful l a working role, for example. e characters are all written as they were originally, although per- haps a little more eccentrically - but maybe that’s down to their 21st cen- tury backdrop. Joanna Trollope And just like with Austen’s original, I wanted to reach through the pages Dr Stephen Colclough. and strangle those characters, they Senior Lecturer irked me so much. However, whilst in the original I of English liked the Dashwood family, in this I’M A big fan of sci- , and read all the version I found Marianne to be self- greats- Asimov, Moorcock, Tolkien- as centred and ignorant, Margaret to be a teenager. ey helped me catch the bratty and Belle to be naive and im- reading bug and I’ve continued to read by NICOLA HOBAN acters. day irrelevance of books set a century practical. It seemed that they’re worst (and watch) sci- as an adult. traits had been magni ed. ward-winning novelist Joanna When referring to the e ect that a or more in the past in favour of focus- ere is, of course, some very good Trollope has created a storm e only one who escaped my academic work on sci- and fantasy. In classic novel can have, Trollope, who ing on their themes, ideas and people. wrath was Elinor, though I occasion- in the literary world by stat- other words I don’t agree with the idea Aing that children are getting little is related to the Victorian novelist “ e idea that fantasy might simi- ally shouted at her too. that children should read a lot of Aus- moral guidance from fantasy novels Anthony Trollope, said: “Whatever larly derive its relevance, not from the Another issue I had with it is that it ten instead- but they should read some didn’t seem to ow correctly in some and should instead read only classic age you are, Austen has something for presence of dystopian war games or literary classics. I remember being novels. you. I would go further, in fact, to as- supernatural creatures, but from its places, and I had to read some sec- blown away by Joyce as a teenager too. tions again to try and overcome my Trollope stated in e Sunday Times sert that a reader never comes away human elements – characterization, confusion. Possibly it was because the that she wanted to see nineteenth from an Austen novel empty-handed.” philosophy, politics, culture, motive – novel was written quickly, or it might century authors like Jane Austen Arguments against Trollope’s state- seems never to have occurred to her. just be Trollope’s style, but some parts Dr Andrew Webb did not make sense to me. Lecturer of English and George Eliot being taught in the ment have already begun to arise “Indeed, given that many established I’m still undecided about the end- classroom; that we should get books on the internet. A contributor at the literary classics are themselves works ing of Trollope’s book – maybe I al- I THINK children should read sci- that would give children a of fantasy or science ction ways will be. It rounded things up ence ction and Austen. e two - stronger sense of guidance ALTHOUGH FANTASY IS A LOVELY – Frankenstein, Dracula etc instead of ending the story abruptly classics and sci - should not be op- back on bestseller lists. ESCAPE I’M NOT SURE IT’S MUCH HELP – it’s hard not to wonder at like Austen did, and it just didn’t sit posed. ere are lots of classics that are Reading science ction and what point their status as right with me to see everything tied science ction texts a er all. A bigger fantasy novels like e Hun- classics would cease to pro- o neatly with a big red bow. It was issue is the reading of English-lan- just too forced and polished for my guage Welsh classics. e Anglophone ger Games and Twilight means that Hu ngton Post posted a response to tect them from Trollope’s scorn.” liking. Welsh literary tradition contains lots children are “missing out on an enor- Trollope’s article, saying: “ is sort of Author Marcus Sedgwick had his All in all, I thought that it was an of amazing books and these should be mous amount”, according to Trollope. cognitive dissonance is all too com- piece to say, stating: “I believe the entertaining read. But I will always read more widely - and especially in “Although fantasy is a lovely escape, monly evident in the arguments of main thing is that they’re reading, and prefer Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Welsh schools. I am not sure it’s much help. Because those who pit science- ction-fantasy enjoying what they’re reading, for that Dr Rachel Wille it is a parallel world, it’s not the one against classic and mainstream litera- opens the doorway not only to the vast Lecturer of English you are wrestling with. e classics, ture. world of literature; it can also lead to by contrast, can comfort children and “Trollope has blithely condemned the desire to embrace diversity, some- TROLLOPE assumes that the parallel give them guidance.” fantasy as irrelevant simply because thing Joanna Trollope seems unwill- universes of fantasy worlds o er little e author felt that some fantasy the settings and events don’t resemble ing to do.” or no moral guidance. While I under- novels didn’t relate to the real world those of the real world; yet at the same is begs the question, what does stand Trollope’s opinion, I personally or give detailed descriptions of char- time, she happily overlooks the every- Bangor think? have no problem with children read- ing science ction and fantasy writing. In fact, there is a long tradition of fan- tasy writing that some contemporary authors appropriate and play with in STUDENT OPINIONS all sorts of fascinating and stimulat- ing ways. In addition to writing e Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien was one of the foremost literary critics of his Becci Jameson William Tracey Amy Blackwell generation, as was CS Lewis. Like all Deputy Editor, Seren History Student Books Editor, Seren genres, there is very good fantasy writ- ing as well as very bad fantasy writing. TROLLOPE has a good point to I THINK that people should read TROLLOPE’S argument on both In some ways, the worst excesses of make. Children today witness so much more science ction and fantasy. It’s sides is weak. For one, she only gives recent fantasy writing – the brooding violence and fantasy within mod- a lot more relevant to the modern age two examples of science ction and Edward Cullen and the uninteresting ern novels and even more so in their than something written several cen- fantasy, and two, she only men- Bella Swan – have their genesis in the lm adaptations. Young people need turies ago. Science ction and fantasy tions nineteenth century authors. romantic plots of the nineteenth-cen- to learn the values that seem to have can be a platform for the discussion I wouldn’t class Twilight as science tury ‘classics’. I would not dismiss the been lost in our society. Classics like on modern morals and values. Why ction; vampire ction is now it’s entire fantasy genre per se and, given Charles Dickens and the Bronte sisters would you look to the past to decide own genre. As a literature student, I changing social attitudes, we should tell tales of sorrow and heartbreak and on your morality when you have per- study classics; I love classics. I don’t exercise caution when agreeing with teach readers about grief, loss and the fectly good examples of contemporary however feel they represent the same the view that nineteenth-century real- human condition. Children get lost in authors whose works inspire you to be morals as today’s society. I think you ism unequivocally o ers moral guid- the daydream that modern writers in- the best you could possibly be? can learn a lot more from Katniss ance in the twenty- rst century. habit. We need some realism! Everdeen than Elizabeth Bennet. December Issue 2013 | Seren 35 BOOKS Seren Reviews: CLASSICS OR SC-FI! WHAT TEAM ARE YOU ON?
Notes The Hitch Feed Catcher Wool from Hikers in the Under Guide to the Rye ground Galaxy
by ADAM BURNS by JON OFFICER by MEGAN TOWNSEND by PETER CLARKE by CIARA MCNEELY IN MIRA Grant’s sci- novel Feed, J.D. SALINGER’S ‘ e Catcher in the WOOL by Hugh Howey was an un- NOTES from Underground, as the ti- ORIGINALLY broadcast as a ra- which is set in the future, the zom- Rye’ is a classic coming of age tale, fol- expected gem! We are introduced to tle suggests, is ctional prose based on dio show before being adapted into bie apocalypse is long over, and hu- lowing the adolescent Holden Caul- the character of Holston who lives in the inner-monologues of a man living the deliberately misnamed ‘trilogy’ manity has survived. Zombies still eld’s travels in and around New York the mysterious Silo where the inhab- down in the underground. e novella of ve books, Douglas Adams’ ‘ e roam the streets of North America, in the immediate days following his itants of earth must live in order to secures its status as a classic due to Hitchhiker’s Guide To e Galaxy’ was but thanks to heavily increased secu- dismissal from prep school. escape the harsh environment of the the great in uential impact it had on an instant hit spawning a tv series, lm and even a stage show. rity measures and severely restricted e novel depicts Holden’s detailed world above. a wide range of writers - Nietzsche, Hitchhiker’s Guide is the rst book rights from a paranoid government, observations of everyday people and e extraordinary thing about this Freud and Ka a, to name a few - and in the series and follows its protago- society is mostly back to normal. the ‘phonies’ he meets along the way. story is the fact that it was originally while contemporaries such as Austen nist in pyjamas, Arthur Dent, as he With print journalism replaced by e direct address adds a personal a short story being sold cheap on and Dickens wrote novels on the com- and his Betelgeusian companion online bloggers, the book follows tone and the narration of the novel Amazon, and due to its initial success edy of manners and raised issues of Ford Prefect hitchhike across the three reporters following a Republi- gives a close insight into the rebel- Howey quickly took the opportunity social injustice, the problems the char- universe a er the earth is destroyed can Presidential campaign trail. But lious attitude of a perplexed teen not to expand on his story. And, for such acters faced in these stories seem mor- to make way for a motorway. when zombie outbreaks begin to knowing where life may take him. a short book, Howey has really devel- ally super cial when in contrast with Along the way they encounter some are up again, the team nd them- e novel is not everybody’s cup of oped his themes well. the themes Dostoyevsky delves into. Its of Adams’ most iconic characters in- selves reporting a much bigger story tea, granted. Perhaps it is the casual One of the things I loved about this o en heralded as a forerunner to ex- cluding the irresponsible two headed than they rst imagined, and must and intimate manner in which the book was the mystery; you are con- istential philosophy with the questions galactic president, Zaphod Beeble- uncover the truth behind their gov- protagonist addresses the reader, along stantly le guessing what on earth it raises such as “What is freedom?” brox, the paperwork loving Vogons ernment’s new policies before it’s too with the occasional use of what has is going on in this strange futuristic and “Who is e Other?”, the protago- - who are all too reminiscent of that guy you spoke to when your student late. been considered as o ensive language world, particularly the mysterious way nist situated underground in isolation nance hadn’t gone through – and Mixing blood, gore, and action with and colloquialism, that heavily con- in which criminals are forced to take being the ideal setting for said ques- everybody’s favourite manic depres- smart political satire and interesting tributed to the novel - in some cases part in “the cleaning”, and as a result, tions. e protagonist’s psychopathic sive robot, Marvin, whose penchant characters who know their horror cli- - not being taken seriously as true lit- how it impacts the society in the claus- demeanour, and his constant contra- for spreading doom and gloom is chés, Feed is the best thing to happen erature. is is a book to read when trophobic little Silo. diction and re-evaluation of his moral responsible for more than one chaos to zombie ction in a long time. you’re angry at the world; being happy Without giving away too much, position, also place the novella as one inspiring event. Whatever you do, do not judge this and content will not allow you to get to Howey seems to manage to illustrate of the earlier modernist texts, depart- Packed with witty and satiric nar- book by it’s genre. It’s a zombie book, grips with this book. to the reader the wonderful world he ing from a traditional victorian-style rative, adventure and the most sen- but it’s not. Do not let the zombies In my opinion, it was only inevitable has created, without really revealing narrative. sible nonsense you’ll ever read, this put you o . ere is much more to with Salinger’s grippingly authentic exactly how humanity ended up being Notes can be read in one sitting, quest to discover the meaning of ‘life, Feed then the living dead; it’s dystopi- understanding of teenage angst, self- forced to live underground. If you’re reaching 100 pages in most editions, the universe and everything’ is en- an ction about communication and re ection and gritty reality, that this a fan of the Hunger Games series but and I’d highly recommend a read for thralling from the rst sentence and makes for what is arguably one of the the impact and total control of social novel could only lead to great notori- want to get away from the tiresome the cultural signi cance of the text; greatest science ction novels of all media. And whilst some might argue ety, landing the novel its rightful place love triangle, this is de nitely worth a though it might not be the best topic time. Just remember: grab your towel that the genre is deader than its sub- on the classics shelf. read. for light conversation at your local bar. and DON’T PANIC. ject, Feed shows there’s life in it yet! 36 Seren | December Issue 2013 FASHION FOR THE LADIES SLIP INTO SOMETHING LESS COMFORTABLE
By JAMES HOLMAN your own. Here are some useful tips ellery that makes a black dress look yellow. River Island has a cou- on how to accessorize your dress so classy and sophisticated is a pearl ple of vibrant yellow dresses s Christmas draws nearer, that you stand out from the crowd. necklace or bracelet. e white of that would look amazing women across the globe e LBD: the pearl set against the black dress paired with some bright pur- celebrate at the thought of Or indeed the little black dress,; is a guaranteed contrast. However, if ple platforms. If you did want Aone thing and one thing only: Party in fact any black dress. Black is the you are planning on wearing a pearl to throw in that third bold dresses! easiest colour to accessorise and it necklace, make sure that the dress colour then perhaps a green It is no secret that women love a always looks chic and on-trend. Now will allow it; a high necked dress and clutch bag would be for you. good cocktail dress, whether it’s the black is the colour that most women a chunky necklace rarely look good. To keep a bold colour look- LBD or something more colourful, go for; it is attering on your gure, Bold coloured dresses: ing sophisticated, you would there is usually one that every lady and the majority of dresses you will Now here the fun starts. You want need to make the dress the has their eye on in the shops. nd are this colour. erefore, you to go bold but how bold is too bold? staple item of your out t and However, I know that there is one need to make a statement with your Is there such a thing as too bold? e accessorize with tones that are question that haunts each and every shoes and accessories in order to long and short answer to this is ‘yes’. more sombre. Try some bur- woman when it comes to dresses, stand out from the somewhat mono- I am all for the brighter the better but gundy heels with a matching and why wouldn’t it? e question chromatic crowd. Try some funky there really is a line that shouldn’t be bag and then add some gold of which I speak is, “What if some- patterned shoes or, if you’re con - crossed. I would recommend that jewellery. one else is wearing the same dress as dent enough, slip on a pair of bold you try to pair no more than three me?” I’ll give you a moment to over- coloured heels to compliment your bold colours at one time, two would come the shiver that undoubtedly dress. e thing to remember with be preferable. just ran the length of your spine… bold coloured heels is to make sure ere are a number of outrageously Feel better? that you co-ordinate them with your bold coloured dresses in the shops TOPSHOP Whilst I cannot stop others from jewellery, such as matching some hot at the moment, ranging from loud £24.00 buying that dress that you’ve had pink stilettos with a similarly col- greens to hot reds but the colour that your eye on, I can help you to make it oured bangle? Another piece of jew- I think doesn’t get enough credit is NEW LOOK NEW LOOK NEW LOOK £24.99 £24.99 £19.99
RIVER ISLAND £30.00
WHAT ARE THE CELEBS WEARING?
elebrities are always a good place to look to if you are nding it di cult to choose what to wear. Here are three looks that are perfect for Cthe Christmas period that you can pull o just as well as any A-lister with these more a ordable alternatives.
RIVER ISLAND RIVER ISLAND TOPSHOP £35.00 £69.00 £32.00 December Issue 2013 | Seren 37 FASHION
ello everyone, My name is James and I am the Fashion Editor this year. I am really grateful FOR THE GENTS that I was elected for this position as I enjoy working within journalism and thisH is a domain that I nd particularly interesting. I look forward to making the fash- ion pages throughout the year and I would love to hear from you if you have anything that you would like to add to them. You can contact me using the email: CRACK OUT THE [email protected] CHRISTMAS KNITS anks!
By JAMES HOLMAN
he days are still getting shorter and it won’t be long now before you begin your journey home for the Christmas holidays. Excitement has undoubtedly set in and for good reason, for now is the time to crack Tout your Christmas Jumpers. A relatively new phenomenon, the Christmas jumper is now the winter es- sential in every man’s wardrobe. Topman and River Island even have a section on their websites dedicated to it. So, have you got yours? e best thing about these cosy companions is that you can wear them with pretty much anything. Be it a pair of skinny jeans for an indie look or your jogging bottoms to maintain that sporty edge. So there you have it, go and get yourself a warm Christmas jumper so that come Christmas day, you can be comfortable in the knowledge that you look great, whilst actually being comfortable. Who said comfort knows not of fashion?
RIVER ISLAND £38.00
RIVER ISLAND £35.00 (FASHION EDITOR FAVOURITE)
RIVER ISLAND £45.00 TOPMAN NEW LOOK £30.00 £14.99 OUTRAGEOUS FEET look professional at all. By JAMES HOLMAN I have always been of the opinion that you should wear socks that are the same colour as your trousers; this maintains a professional and smart appearance whilst elongating your legs. Is this too s I sit at my computer in the University Library, I nd myself attracted to small snippets of boring? vibrant colour that seem to leap across the oor. At rst I am too slow to catch a glimpse at Vibrant socks are great for when you are dressing down at a party with friends, a night out or just at the exact source of this bright light, but as I keep a watchful eye, everything becomes clear. the weekend with your favourite pair of jeans. However, when you hit the world of work I am going AWhat could a man use to express his personality in a world where he must dress in a smart and to have to say that this is a big no-no. professional way? A nice shiny watch, perhaps? A loud tie? Not these men I see in front of me - they I think that you should maintain a professional appearance at work and then what you do in your have gone for patterned socks. own time is completely up to you! I nd myself torn at the idea of patterned socks. On the one hand, they can be very comical and I If you fancy being daring and buying some socks to light up your wardrobe then check out these like a good pattern, but on the other, they stand out too much against a suit and I don’t think that they exciting pairs from stores that you can nd in Bangor.
BURTON TOPMAN RIVER ISLAND RIVER ISLAND TOPMAN £10.00 £12.00 £12.00 £12.00 £12.00 38 Seren | December Issue 2013 HEALTH AND BEAUTY THANK THE SKIN YOU’RE IN By SARA WILLIAMS fortunate issues for the skin on your your skin looking tired and worse for your skin cope with the hardship of face. A constant exposure to the cold wear. Amongst the midst of all the par- the Christmas season. s a new year begins, the ef- Bangor nights, teamed with the toxins tying, arriving home and just wanting So try and start 2014 right by mak- PARTY SKIN fects of the Christmas party found in alcohol and (o en less than to jump into bed, it’s also very easy to ing these simple resolutions to thank TIPS Aseason can lead to some un- healthy) hangover foods can leave neglect easy routines which could help your skin for all it’s put up with. 1. I WILL IDENTIFY MY SKIN your forehead, nose and chin and see Try and drink a minimum of 2 li- TYPE if any oil can be seen on the paper. tres of water per day, especially on the day following a drinking session. e easiest way to do this is with a • Normal/ Combination Skin – If Most problems caused by hango- simple test using a strip of toilet pa- oil is only present on nose and vers (headaches, swelling, vomit- per. Wash your face with a soap free forehead ing, tiredness) are all caused by your cleanser, wait 3 hours and don’t put • Oily Skin – If oil can be seen on body trying to rectify the problems any other products on your skin dur- all 5 areas caused by severe dehydration. ing this time. A er 3 hours blot a piece • Dry Skin – If no oil can be seen in of tissue paper on both of your cheeks, any of the areas. An easy way to make sure you get 2. I WILL TAKE THE TIME TO 3. I Will Do More an e Bare enough water is to ll a 2 litter bot- BROWSE Minimum Every Day tle every morning and make sure it’s all been drunk by the end of dinner Once you’ve identi ed your skin e minimum products needed are a time. type nd products that suit your deep cleanser and creamy moisturiser, skin. ese days almost all products allowing you to clean and repair the If you’re not driving in the morn- are labelled and there are some to skin from that day. It takes 5 minutes at ing try a Bloody Mary to perk you suit every budget from high street most, and if done twice a day EVERY- up. e alcohol in the drink will slow drug stores like Superdrug or Boots DAY then the e ects will soon show. down the inevitable pain while the own brand products to expensive But o en your skin needs much more tomato juice will help the hydration designer formulas. Browse around, than this basic routine during the win- process while helping supply you and ask sta behind beauty counters ter months. Invest in a good toner dur- with much needed vitamins. for advice on the di erent products. ing the New Year sales to really give Don’t just grab the rst item you see your pores a clean as well as looking S B M R on o er as the ingredients it contains into deeper moisturising treatments to may cause increased problems for give your skin a much needed boost. • 50ml (double) Vodka your skin. • 150ml tomato juice 4. I WILL STICK WITH IT 5. I WILL GIVE MY SKIN EXTRA • ½ a lemon( juiced) TLC EVERY WEEK • 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce It takes time for your skin to adapt • 3 dashes hot sauce to a new product. Keep using the same is can be from a variety of options; • Celery salt and pepper to taste products for at least 4 months. If a er invest in a good exfoliator and take a this time you see no visible di erence few minutes of your day to really deep M think about trying a new product or if clean your pores. Alternatively pick up your skin is a real problem consider a face mask at your local drug store 1. Combine all of the ingredients, visiting your GP who could help you and give your skin a well-deserved vodka and tomato juice rst, fol- identify other medical solutions for moisture kick to get you glowing by lowed by the other ingredients your skin worries. Spring. 2. Drink Make Your Heart Skip a Beat Eyes With a Di erence By SARA WILLIAMS art tattoo. ese designs work in the using regular soap products. Here’s By SARA WILLIAMS products. same way as temporary tattoos we all a few of our top design inspirations Most energy drinks in British su- ick of wearing the same old used as children. Pick your favourite as well as information on how to get permarkets contain these chemicals ecent tests conducted by a team smoky eye look to every party? design, apply to your skin, dab water hold of some of these unique designs at similar amounts, and regulating of experts at the University of Looking for a more creative idea on it and watch at it transfers from the for yourself this Christmas. bodies are feeling increasing pressure Bonn in Germany have discov- forS your eye makeup this year? Well paper to your skin. e designs then Rered that drinking energy drinks that from various groups to begin a strict- consider investing in a temporary eye easily wash o at the end of the night contain high ca eine er regulation of these products. While levels can change the recommendations All of the participants hearts are already in place way your heart beats. were beating much harder than e study focused before they drank the products. against using energy on energy drinks that drinks with a heart contained 32mg per 100ml of ca eine condition, be advised to not go over- and 400mg per 100ml of another board with your own consumption chemical, taurine. e tests show that during the exam period as the long an hour a er drinking, all of the par- term heart damage from regular use ticipants hearts were beating much of these products is still unknown. harder than before they drank the
Eye Rock - £6.99 Limited Eye Rock products are available at both Superdrug and Claire’s Accessories in Ban- gor. More are available online. 38 Seren | December Issue 2013 December Issue 2013 | Seren 39 HEALTH AND BEAUTY HEALTH AND BEAUTY THANK THE SKIN YOU’RE IN HOW TO HIDE THE HANGOVER By SARA WILLIAMS fortunate issues for the skin on your your skin looking tired and worse for your skin cope with the hardship of By SARA WILLIAMS you have to step out into the world health. So bring out the sequins, face. A constant exposure to the cold wear. Amongst the midst of all the par- the Christmas season. following a night out is to draw feathers or light up jumpers or Bangor nights, teamed with the toxins tying, arriving home and just wanting So try and start 2014 right by mak- PARTY SKIN s a new year begins, the ef- u ering from the night be- attention away from areas that if you feel these are slightly over fects of the Christmas party found in alcohol and (o en less than to jump into bed, it’s also very easy to ing these simple resolutions to thank will hold the most telling sign of the top reactions, fear not, Seren’s healthy) hangover foods can leave neglect easy routines which could help your skin for all it’s put up with. TIPS fore but still need to look Aseason can lead to some un- decent for a presentation, your state. By focusing the atten- here with a few easy tricks at mak- Svisit to the relatives or work? tion away from your skin and eyes ing you look better than you feel. 1. I WILL IDENTIFY MY SKIN your forehead, nose and chin and see Try and drink a minimum of 2 li- you can create an easier illusion of TYPE if any oil can be seen on the paper. tres of water per day, especially on e key points to remember if the day following a drinking session. e easiest way to do this is with a • Normal/ Combination Skin – If Most problems caused by hango- Apply cold tea bags on your Don’t skip the concealer. Find your brightest lipstick, pref- Reach for the aspirin not the simple test using a strip of toilet pa- oil is only present on nose and vers (headaches, swelling, vomit- eyes for 15 minutes. e ca eine A yellow concealer will erably not the one from the night paracetamol. e reason? Aspi- per. Wash your face with a soap free forehead ing, tiredness) are all caused by your breaks down fat cells around the counteract dark circles on before though. While you may rin contains anti-in ammatory cleanser, wait 3 hours and don’t put • Oily Skin – If oil can be seen on body trying to rectify the problems eyes to reduce pu ness while the the skin, while they will have thought bright lipstick was for properties as well as being a pain any other products on your skin dur- all 5 areas caused by severe dehydration. cold temperature closes blood blend into your natural the evenings wearing it during the killer. is will help reduce any ing this time. A er 3 hours blot a piece • Dry Skin – If no oil can be seen in veins to reduce the redness sur- skin tone easier than pink day will draw people’s attentions swelling and pu ness you dis- of tissue paper on both of your cheeks, any of the areas. An easy way to make sure you get rounding the area. shaded formulas. away from your tired skin and red play as well as curing that head- 2. I WILL TAKE THE TIME TO 3. I Will Do More an e Bare enough water is to ll a 2 litter bot- eyes. In the same way make sure ache. BROWSE Minimum Every Day tle every morning and make sure it’s Applying a primer to you don’t apply any make up on all been drunk by the end of dinner your skin prior to apply- your eyes, beige eye shadow and a Apply blusher, not only to your Once you’ve identi ed your skin e minimum products needed are a time. ing makeup will also ll sweep of mascara at the most. cheeks but also your forehead and type nd products that suit your deep cleanser and creamy moisturiser, out any lines you may chin to give your ushed out face skin. ese days almost all products allowing you to clean and repair the If you’re not driving in the morn- have and give your skin an a fresher, healthier colour. Alterna- are labelled and there are some to skin from that day. It takes 5 minutes at ing try a Bloody Mary to perk you extra glow. tively you can use a bronzer to give suit every budget from high street most, and if done twice a day EVERY- up. e alcohol in the drink will slow the skin a more sun kissed look if drug stores like Superdrug or Boots DAY then the e ects will soon show. down the inevitable pain while the you feel that a hint of blush will not own brand products to expensive But o en your skin needs much more tomato juice will help the hydration do the trick. designer formulas. Browse around, than this basic routine during the win- process while helping supply you and ask sta behind beauty counters ter months. Invest in a good toner dur- with much needed vitamins. for advice on the di erent products. ing the New Year sales to really give Don’t just grab the rst item you see your pores a clean as well as looking S B M R on o er as the ingredients it contains into deeper moisturising treatments to may cause increased problems for give your skin a much needed boost. • 50ml (double) Vodka your skin. • 150ml tomato juice 4. I WILL STICK WITH IT 5. I WILL GIVE MY SKIN EXTRA CAN YOU DEAL WITH IT? • ½ a lemon( juiced) TLC EVERY WEEK • 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce much easier for you to plan your time It takes time for your skin to adapt • 3 dashes hot sauce e ectively. Write down your exam to a new product. Keep using the same is can be from a variety of options; • Celery salt and pepper to taste times and work back from there. Ask products for at least 4 months. If a er invest in a good exfoliator and take a yourself how many hours you want to this time you see no visible di erence few minutes of your day to really deep M spend on each subject and how you think about trying a new product or if clean your pores. Alternatively pick up can space these out in an e ective your skin is a real problem consider a face mask at your local drug store 1. Combine all of the ingredients, study plan. visiting your GP who could help you and give your skin a well-deserved vodka and tomato juice rst, fol- Another key way to maintain your identify other medical solutions for moisture kick to get you glowing by lowed by the other ingredients health during the exam period is to your skin worries. Spring. 2. Drink increase the nutrients received by the body. is means a sharper fo- cus must be put on eating healthier, which can be di cult, especially on Make Your Heart all-night cram sessions. But swapping the quick- x sugar rushes received Eyes With a Di erence by chocolate or sweets for the slower Skip a Beat releasing sugar in fruit will mean you By SARA WILLIAMS art tattoo. ese designs work in the using regular soap products. Here’s can keep your energy up for longer By SARA WILLIAMS products. same way as temporary tattoos we all a few of our top design inspirations without su ering the dreaded ‘sugar Most energy drinks in British su- crash’ which can hinder your study ick of wearing the same old used as children. Pick your favourite as well as information on how to get permarkets contain these chemicals progress. ecent tests conducted by a team smoky eye look to every party? design, apply to your skin, dab water hold of some of these unique designs milk based drink (such as a hot choc- humans can only truly concentrate on at similar amounts, and regulating Make sure you get enough sleep of experts at the University of Looking for a more creative idea on it and watch at it transfers from the for yourself this Christmas. olate) and doing whatever relaxes you one subject for a period of about 45 bodies are feeling increasing pressure no matter how much work you feel Bonn in Germany have discov- forS your eye makeup this year? Well paper to your skin. e designs then the most, be this reading or watching minutes before they get distracted, so Rered that drinking energy drinks that from various groups to begin a strict- you need to do that evening, this is consider investing in a temporary eye easily wash o at the end of the night television. e information you’ve it’s also important that you take regu- contain high ca eine er regulation of these products. While By SARA WILLIAMS especially important on the night be- • Forgetfulness studied won’t disappear if you turn lar breaks away from your works. levels can change the recommendations fore the exam. It’s o en tempting to All of the participants hearts • Unexplained aches and pains away from the textbooks for a while. If you nd that work gets too much way your heart beats. are already in place xam time is always a stressful stay up all night and do as much last were beating much harder than • Poor appetite An easy way of keeping your stress make sure you talk to someone. is e study focused against using energy time for any student, regard- minute craming as possi- before they drank the products. • Loss of interest in activities can be a friend, your personal tutors, on energy drinks that drinks with a heart less if you’re in your rst year orE your nal one. It takes a very lucky • Increased anxiety and your parents or if you’re still at a loss contained 32mg per 100ml of ca eine condition, be advised to not go over- irritability for someone to talk to because it’s and 400mg per 100ml of another board with your own consumption person to be able to handle such During the winter exam • Increased heart rate 4.00am and everyone’s asleep, Bangor chemical, taurine. e tests show that during the exam period as the long an experience without some sort of period, it’s also easy to avoid • Migraines/headaches Nightline is available between 8.00pm an hour a er drinking, all of the par- term heart damage from regular use struggle to deal with the pressure • Blurred vision fresh air – 8.00am, just call 01248 383880 ticipants hearts were beating much of these products is still unknown. they‘re under. It’s a strange thing to •Dizziness Make sure you take the time o to harder than before they drank the feel positive about, but we can all at least try and take comfort in the fact treat yourself. Giving yourself re- ble, but research shows that students levels down is to exercise. Exercising wards for your hard work reinforces we’re all in the same boat. So how Once you’ve identi ed the symp- who sleep well the night before an do we even begin to cope with such toms we can then start looking at releases a chemical called endorphins the brain to associate hard work with exam perform better over-all than into your blood stream which stimu- pleasure. Try to avoid using these a pressure I hear you ask? Well it’s a ways to x the situations. One of those who stay awake. If you’re hav- good question to ask. the easiest ways to do this is o en to late the part of the brain that creates treats as bribes to persuade yourself to ing trouble falling asleep try taking a the feeling of happiness. e more do the work rather than rewards for Begin by recognising the signs. It separate yourself from many of your hot bath before bed, drinking a warm may sound silly but many of the symp- friends doing the same modules. Eve- endorphins you have in your blood- completing a particularly hard task. toms of stress can easily be attributed ryone works at their own pace and stream the easier it will be for you to However, no matter how you tackle to other illnesses, especially during the comparing yourself to the progress of relax when your study session is over. the exam stress, remember one im- winter period where illnesses like they your friends o en increases the pres- During the winter exam period it’s portant detail. ey are only around u are in their prime element. Com- sure you put on yourself. also easy to avoid fresh air as we spend for a very brief period, and come the hours indoors with our notes (or do- end of January you can have days o Eye Rock - £6.99 mon signs of stress are the following: First o , make a list of everything you need to do before your exam (for ing everything under the sun but), but to enjoy yourself before the second se- Limited Eye Rock products going for walks outside can be bene - mester begins. are available at both Superdrug • Di culty getting to sleep or example re-writing your notes, look- di culty waking up in the ing up extra information on a particu- cial to your brain’s ability to focus on and Claire’s Accessories in Ban- your work when you get back. Tests gor. More are available online. morning lar subject etc.). By having these pri- • Constant tiredness oritised in front of you it will make it carried out by psychologists show that 40 Seren | December Issue 2013 ARTS AND CULTURE
The Turner Prize 2013
Our Arts and Culture Editor, Megan Townsend, recaps the 2013 Turner Prize by MEGAN TOWNSEND dition of their predecessors, many standing in the centre of the room: The other was ‘These Associations’: mospheric environment. The French submitting installations and lms A kinetic piece, who blinks as well commissioned speci cally by the artist was presented her prize by ne of the biggest dates in the instead of ne-art. However British- as urinates into a bucket. Shrigley Tate Modern, it is the rst “live” work Irish actress Saoirse Ronan in Lon- Arts calender, the Turner Prize Ghanian Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, himself is best known for his comi- in the vast space, consisting solely donderry, the UK Capital of Culture Owinners were announced chose instead to create magni cent cal animations which have brought of encounters between around 70 2012. She thanked organisers pro- earlier this month. The Ceremony paintings. The Central Saint Martens him fame as well as notoriety, much storytellers and visitors to the gal- fusely for accepting her onto the and exhibition took place earlier Graduate was nominated for her of his work is viewed as ‘outsider art’. lery. Competition organisers de- Art scene in Britain, saying: “Thank this month, on Monday 2nd Decem- 2012 exhibition at Chisendale Gal- Believed to be post-modern, he is scribe his work, saying: “Seghal’s you for adopting me, thank you for ber in Northern someone who cre- intimate works consist purely of live having a French one here”. Prouvost Ireland ( the rst ates his pieces for encounters between people and then touchingly had her daughter time it has taken INDUSTRY INSIDERS HAVE BEEN their reaction by demonstrate a keen sensitivity to brought onto the stage whom she place outside of APPREHENSIVE ABOUT NOMINEES people rather than their institutional context. Through was heavily pregnant with at the England in its 29 a deeper meaning. participatory means, they test the time of lming. The evening seemed year history). The However, the artist limits of artistic material and audi- incredibly triumphant for everyone prize was under himself opposes ence perception in a new and sig- except for the critics it seemed. speculation this year particularly lery in east London, titled ‘Extracts & that: “As a professional artist there’s ni cant way”. Mark Hudson for The Telegraph from the media, as of recent years it Verses’. A favourite to win this year, probably a lot of people who don’t The winner was French artist Laure insisted there was “nothing that has become a laughing stock rather Yiadom-Boakye’s collection of por- take my work seriously and don’t Prouvost. Her ‘installation- lm’ was shocks about the pieces nomi- than a serious exhibition to help up- traits of imaginary people, allows us think I’m a serious artist. I am serious seen as perhaps the most signi - nated for the 2013 Turner Prize.” He and-coming talent. Even industry to question how we read pictures in the sense that I have spent my en- cant piece in the exhibition this year, claimed that ten years ago the piec- insiders have been apprehensive in general, particularly with regard tire life in this comic endeavor.” granting her the £25,000 prize and es presented would have shocked about what exactly this year’s nomi- to black people. “There’s people in Tino Seghal was the youngest of perhaps launching her career to new and provoked discussion, but in- nees had to o er. the paintings but they somehow the nomi- stead now provide “mild, The Turner Prize is a £25,000 prize, don’t make sense as portraits”, she nees this head-shaking disappoint- presented annually to British artists claimed at the exhibition. “For me year. The SEGHAL’S WORKS DEMONSTRATE A ment at the likelihood under the age of fty. It is arguably it’s just painting. I suppose that’s the German- KEEN SENSITIVITY TO THEIR CONTEXT that absolutely no one will the most publicised art-award in the di erence between working from English art- be shocked”, and instead UK, with many of its pieces reach- someone you want to capture and ist created of being excited about the ing national newspapers. It has a trying to invent one”. live perfor- new artists being given reputation for being shocking and One of the more publicised nomi- mances which presented intimate levels. Her piece follows a strange the prestigious honour this year, thought provoking. It has become a nees this year was David Shrigley’s story-telling and immersion for visi- ctional narrative of her grandfather instead compares the Turner Prize real symbol of British art with iconic “Brain Activity” and his particular tors. He was nominated for the prize attempting to dig a hole to Africa as today with the excitement 10 years works such as “The Physical Impossi- brand of black humour. His piece for two of his exhibitions: ‘The Vari- she lms his attempts. The installa- ago, when artists like Hirst provided bility of Death in the Mind of Some- took part on four di erent plat- ation’, which is an immersive piece tion surrounding the lm was lled discussion for the entire nation. one Living” by Damien Hirst, and “My forms: drawing, sculpture, lm and which places visitors in a nearly-dark with teacups and old furniture, giv- Bed” by Tracey Emin. Of course, this photography. The piece explores gallery with 20 performers who sing, ing the visitor an experience rather Check out the turner prize nomi- year there was no lack of media cov- life-models in painting, with interac- dance, clap, hum and talk creating than simply being a viewer to her nees and winner yourself at http:// erage on the big night. tivity, allowing attendees to actually ‘an electrifying aural-spatial experi- lm. The piece o ers a complex www.turnerprize2013.org/ This years nominees were of use easels and paint his sculpture ence of pure, unencumbered imagi- and courageous combination of course following the eccentric tra- which depicts a surreal nude gure nation in action’. images and objects in a deeply at- 40 Seren | December Issue 2013 December Issue 2013 | Seren 41 ARTS AND CULTURE ARTS AND CULTURE What’s going on in Bangor?
The Turner Prize 2013 BEDS PRODUCTION: The Taming of the Shrew by PORTIA HELENA DODDS to do it! The set was simple as were the costumes (even though some of the waist coats were rather dashing), but t is fair to say that even though I can’t stand Shakespeare acting was not simple by any means. It would be unfair to Our Arts and Culture Editor, Megan Townsend, recaps the – as ironic as that is, being that two of his characters single out particular people, considering how the whole Inames are my own and I’m studying English Literature case came together superbly. However, I do have to say – he certainly knew how to write a good play (leaving any that particular leading lady Leila Gwynne and overbearing 2013 Turner Prize sort of copy write politics aside). ‘shrew tamer’ Osian Hughes brought their witty characters by MEGAN TOWNSEND dition of their predecessors, many standing in the centre of the room: The other was ‘These Associations’: mospheric environment. The French However, I think for the performance I witnessed, his to light. What I liked most about the whole performance submitting installations and lms A kinetic piece, who blinks as well commissioned speci cally by the artist was presented her prize by good words were only a part of this show. Language is were the non-speaking interactions that went on. Occa- Shakespeare’s trademark and it is easy to get lost amongst ne of the biggest dates in the instead of ne-art. However British- as urinates into a bucket. Shrigley Tate Modern, it is the rst “live” work Irish actress Saoirse Ronan in Lon- sionally it has to be said that the miming and ‘background it, but I think this cast were able to more than just pull it o Arts calender, the Turner Prize Ghanian Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, himself is best known for his comi- in the vast space, consisting solely donderry, the UK Capital of Culture action’ was a little distracting but it is not something to but actually present a high standard play. With his words winners were announced chose instead to create magni cent cal animations which have brought of encounters between around 70 2012. She thanked organisers pro- fault. Similar with dialogue, it only added to the meaning O and 1920’s style costumes, to any unsuspecting spectator earlier this month. The Ceremony paintings. The Central Saint Martens him fame as well as notoriety, much storytellers and visitors to the gal- fusely for accepting her onto the of the performance being drilled into its audience. Mean- this production could have been done by anyone. How- and exhibition took place earlier Graduate was nominated for her of his work is viewed as ‘outsider art’. lery. Competition organisers de- Art scene in Britain, saying: “Thank ing is crucial in Shakespeare and I’m rather glad the direc- ever, it is not the costumes or the design that put on a this month, on Monday 2nd Decem- 2012 exhibition at Chisendale Gal- Believed to be post-modern, he is scribe his work, saying: “Seghal’s you for adopting me, thank you for tors, Edward Lang-Whiston and Lucy Bishop, didn’t ‘dumb performance, it is the actors - and these BEDS (Bangor Eng- ber in Northern someone who cre- intimate works consist purely of live having a French one here”. Prouvost down’ the play. Yes, it was easy to get lost at times, but that lish and Drama Society) actors and actresses rival those of Ireland ( the rst ates his pieces for encounters between people and then touchingly had her daughter is more down to Shakespeare’s intentions rather than intel- The Royal Shakespeare Company. Or am I being a little too time it has taken their reaction by demonstrate a keen sensitivity to brought onto the stage whom she ligence or acting. The audience laughed and booed where INDUSTRY INSIDERS HAVE BEEN praise-worthy? Perhaps, but the fact is that Shakespeare is place outside of people rather than their institutional context. Through was heavily pregnant with at the they were meant to and were fully brought into the story. APPREHENSIVE ABOUT NOMINEES tediously di cult to do. It is common that whenever per- England in its 29 a deeper meaning. participatory means, they test the time of lming. The evening seemed Slapstick wasn’t overly used just for a cheap chuckle but forming Will’s work, the actors get too caught up in trying year history). The However, the artist limits of artistic material and audi- incredibly triumphant for everyone what I cannot stress enough was that this bunch of BEDS to deliver his lines, and get around the tongue twisters of prize was under himself opposes ence perception in a new and sig- except for the critics it seemed. actors were able to convey a somewhat confusing play and the Early English to show it o . In this production, meaning speculation this year particularly lery in east London, titled ‘Extracts & that: “As a professional artist there’s ni cant way”. Mark Hudson for The Telegraph make it understandable. That is not an easy task to com- was delivered and it wasn’t just copious amounts of lines from the media, as of recent years it Verses’. A favourite to win this year, probably a lot of people who don’t The winner was French artist Laure insisted there was “nothing that plete and I am very proud to have watched their opening learned and then parroted. The fact that their humour, real has become a laughing stock rather Yiadom-Boakye’s collection of por- take my work seriously and don’t Prouvost. Her ‘installation- lm’ was shocks about the pieces nomi- night – the most di cult of play performances. understanding and thought were put into the dialogue than a serious exhibition to help up- traits of imaginary people, allows us think I’m a serious artist. I am serious seen as perhaps the most signi - nated for the 2013 Turner Prize.” He meant that this wasn’t just another society putting on an- and-coming talent. Even industry to question how we read pictures in the sense that I have spent my en- cant piece in the exhibition this year, claimed that ten years ago the piec- For any more information on BEDS and upcom- other Shakespeare. Which is incredibly di cult to do con- insiders have been apprehensive in general, particularly with regard tire life in this comic endeavor.” granting her the £25,000 prize and es presented would have shocked ing peformances like their facebook page: sidering the dangerously short amount of time they had about what exactly this year’s nomi- to black people. “There’s people in Tino Seghal was the youngest of perhaps launching her career to new and provoked discussion, but in- https://www.facebook.com/bangorbeds nees had to o er. the paintings but they somehow the nomi- stead now provide “mild, The Turner Prize is a £25,000 prize, don’t make sense as portraits”, she nees this head-shaking disappoint- presented annually to British artists claimed at the exhibition. “For me year. The SEGHAL’S WORKS DEMONSTRATE A ment at the likelihood under the age of fty. It is arguably it’s just painting. I suppose that’s the German- KEEN SENSITIVITY TO THEIR CONTEXT that absolutely no one will Christmas Culture the most publicised art-award in the di erence between working from English art- be shocked”, and instead UK, with many of its pieces reach- someone you want to capture and ist created of being excited about the ing national newspapers. It has a trying to invent one”. live perfor- new artists being given reputation for being shocking and One of the more publicised nomi- mances which presented intimate levels. Her piece follows a strange the prestigious honour this year, thought provoking. It has become a nees this year was David Shrigley’s story-telling and immersion for visi- ctional narrative of her grandfather instead compares the Turner Prize real symbol of British art with iconic “Brain Activity” and his particular tors. He was nominated for the prize attempting to dig a hole to Africa as today with the excitement 10 years works such as “The Physical Impossi- brand of black humour. His piece for two of his exhibitions: ‘The Vari- she lms his attempts. The installa- ago, when artists like Hirst provided bility of Death in the Mind of Some- took part on four di erent plat- ation’, which is an immersive piece tion surrounding the lm was lled discussion for the entire nation. one Living” by Damien Hirst, and “My forms: drawing, sculpture, lm and which places visitors in a nearly-dark with teacups and old furniture, giv- Bed” by Tracey Emin. Of course, this photography. The piece explores gallery with 20 performers who sing, ing the visitor an experience rather Check out the turner prize nomi- year there was no lack of media cov- life-models in painting, with interac- dance, clap, hum and talk creating than simply being a viewer to her nees and winner yourself at http:// erage on the big night. tivity, allowing attendees to actually ‘an electrifying aural-spatial experi- lm. The piece o ers a complex www.turnerprize2013.org/ This years nominees were of use easels and paint his sculpture ence of pure, unencumbered imagi- and courageous combination of course following the eccentric tra- which depicts a surreal nude gure nation in action’. images and objects in a deeply at-
The Belle Vue, Fake Xmas Dinner Beaumaris Victorian Christmas
by MEGAN TOWNSEND by MEGAN TOWNSEND THE fake Christmas dinner at the Belle Vue last Monday was a welcoming introduc- THE absense of a real Christmas market in Bangor has de nitley been noticed; how- tion to the festive season for us Bangor students. As usual, it delievered the eccentric ever, the Beaumaris Victorian Christmas event de nitley brightened my spirits. It took mix of fantastic food and live music. As many students in Bangor will have left before place on the 30th November and really managed to bring some life into the festive we get within 12 days of Christmas, it was nice to get into the spirit. The music con- season as well as give some really interesting aspects on life in Victorian times. For ex- sisted of the usual live mic acts, and an incredible carvery-style Christmas dinner. If ample, there was a Victorian Medicine display as well as a punch and judy and a town you missed this, however, don’t be too glum. The Belle Vue will have plenty more cryer. There were Christmas market classics present such as mulled wine and roasted events going on leading up to the festive season. chesnuts, making everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside despite the chilly setting. A re- ally traditional way to get into the Christmas spirit. 42 Seren | December Issue 2013 CREATIVE
PHOTOS BY ANNA SELBMANN Student crafter: Anna Selbmann by LAURA POZZI ate wonderful handmade items which to achieve a high nish they must be range from handmade and bound completely aligned. nna Selbmann is a second year books, to decorative stars for the Although the most complicated to student at Bangor University Christmas period. make, the books are Anna’s favourite studying Marine Vertebrate Anna’s favourite to make are the due to the level of satisfaction gained AZoology. It could therefore be consid- books, these are made by following by completing such a nicky product. ered quite surprising that in her spare a number of essential steps, and the Most of the items created are sold via time she enjoys nothing more than end product as seen (above right) are an online shop which is managed by cra ing, in particular creating paper unique and magni cent. Anna, whilst her mother is in charge cra s. e steps taken to create these books of sending the items out to customers. All year round Anna is on the look- are: rstly the pages are sewn together, However it will be possible for all out for interesting paper and collects then the outer cardboard which is at Bangor to see and sample Anna’s it for her cra ing projects. Most of covered with a choice of paper. e work too, as she has been successful in the cra ing work is completed in the inner and outer sections are then booking a stall at the Student Christ- few concentrated weeks when Anna lined up and stuck together. is is the mas Market. Head on down and sup- is home from University. Together most complex part of the process as port student cra ers this Christmas. with her mother Anna is able to cre- POETRY SUBMISSION
Counting Street Lights by ANA VICTORIA Tiny lanterns are stirring their glow into my eyes Counting, as I am walking by your side And maybe the sea will soon col- lide with the sky Because it would be easier to hide... Aerial performance at And just for a second I’m becom- ing distracted, Darkness becoming a distant Bangor Cathedral murmur by ELIN HAF EDWARDS side of the Cathedral. Showing me a pathway that pushes A er Angel, children from BLAS, me ahead, angor’s festive celebrations on Pontio’s drama and lm project at Slightly northward and around the 7th December will culminate Glancegin and Hirael schools, will corner in a lantern procession down lead a musical performance inside the Bthe High Street and a mesmerising You have split my soul into a thou- Cathedral. Procrast - a - Stitch aerial dance down Bangor Cathedral Pontio’s artistic director Elen ap Rob- sand fragments by LAURA POZZI which they love. (above), entitled Angel. ert said: “Join us in taking a moment As I am stepping on the rocky Creating a range of items, from Organised by Pontio, in association out of everyday life – and Christmas shore, s seen above, Emma and door hangers to decorative items to with the People of Bangor Community shopping - to pause and re ect. Bring Unknowingly you are capturing Lyndsey have been very busy bookmarks, there is sure to be some- Group and Bangor Cathedral, the fun- your lanterns, scarves and gloves and their movements cra ing in their spare time. thing to suit all. lled festive day will draw to a close enjoy this festive treat, part of Pontio’s But you are unaware of it, I’m sure ASpecialising in cross-stitching they ere has been a lot of interest in with a spectacular performance. autumn season of events. have created some unique and fan- their project with many friends re- Starting at 4pm outside the Pontio “We’d like to thank Bangor Cathe- And if you are believing there is tastic items together. questing commission pieces and shop, a procession will make its way to dral for making this event possible and something to be said, It all started when Emma, who had their popularity has kept growing the Cathedral, led by children carrying of course our students, the People of e words you spoke have wrapped learnt to cross-stitch as a child, got due to this. Word of mouth has also lanterns made during workshops led Bangor Community Group, and our around my heart back into the hobby last year and was played a huge part in their success so by Mari Gwent. Second year theatre young people from BLAS for coming Or at least the thoughts are passing even cross-stitching while visiting far, with the girls being approached students from Bangor University will together for this special day in Bangor.” through my head, her friend Lyndsey at her home. Fol- by others interested in their work. present a subtle promenade perfor- Information As we're making our way towards lowing this Lyndsey also got involved e next steps for Procrast-a-Stitch mance exploring the concept of angels Angel the start and working together Procrast-a- include a stall at the Student Christ- as guardians, messengers and guides Performances at: 1.30pm & 5.00pm, Stitch was born and has developed mas Market, where they will be sell- along the route. 7 December 2013 Just like a perfect puzzle my mind from there. ing items they have already created as Aerial dancer Kate Lawrence will Bangor Cathedral is now standing Procrast-a-Stitch merges both crea- well as taking orders for commission then combine dance with the equip- Angel Lantern Procession But I would like to see more of you tivity and in this case ‘nerd’, as many pieces. e next steps also include es- ment and movement of rock climbing 4.00pm And I am wondering if you are of the designs are based on what the tablishing an online presence to fur- to deliver an awe inspiring perfor- 7 December 2013 wondering, girls consider to be ‘geeky’ themes, ther promote the project. mance high above the ground on the Pontio Shop If I am wondering about you too... December Issue 2013 | Seren 43 CREATIVE
DAN TURNER COMMON BLUE
YOUSEF CISCO ‘LONELY BENCH’
JO CAULFIELD LAKE PADARN
THINK YOU’VE GOT AN ALED MEREDITH EYE FOR DETAIL? HANDY CLEAR DANGER WITH A PAINTBRUSH? TRIGGER HAPPY WITH A CAMERA? OR EVEN A POET AND WE DON’T YET KNOW IT?
GET IN TOUCH : CREATIVE@SEREN .BANGOR.AC.UK LJ TAYLOR SNOWDONIA AND YOU COULD BE FEATURED!
LJ TAYLOR LJ TAYLOR WINTER JACK ‘DONKEY’ 44 Seren | December Issue 2013 GAMES
VS
by JACK NICOL in cloud streaming and if they manage to be by LIAM ASHBROOK is accompanied by 8GBs of GDDR5 memory able to stream a back catalogue of 360 games and 500GBs of storage. The increased perfor- icrosoft’s new addition to the console then that will be a major selling point. In terms he release of the Playstation 4 in the UK mance is evident straight away with the u- market is not quite what it seems at of media and services, it has connectivity to and Ireland (29th Nov) came a full two idity of the OS; the most important increase M rst. It’s no coincidence that when the ESPN, Net ix, and HBO all working under the weeks after it broke day one sales in to gamers, however, comes in the graphics rst announcement of the Xbox One from Mi- T much improved Kinect’s voice control UI. But North America, with over one million units department. crosoft there was little to no mention of it as they are also making a push for advertising, sold in 24 hours. Although the games available upon release a game console. The focus was more upon it but are still denying that they are looking to In a world now dominated by smart phones have admittedly caused some disappoint- as a home DVR unit. The de ning factor of the gather biometric data of viewing habits. While and cheap apps, some have been quick to ment, you cannot question the leap made in console is a minor convenience feature. The the interface looks like a sleek improvement, preach the oncoming death of the console. graphical quality. Fan favourites like Call of Xbox One attempts to be the focus of the liv- there are still a few bugs to work out. The 360’s Whilst Microsoft have made clear their ul- Duty: Ghosts, Assassins Creed: Black Flag and ing room, putting every one of your electron- interface, crammed together with a multi lay- timate goal in creating a machine that will FIFA 14 all look vastly superior to their last ics through it. It’s as if Microsoft has realised ering of advertising, tv shows and games, has function as the central entertainment hub generation counterparts, whilst Battle eld 4 that they cannot compete with Sony and Nin- been replaced by a three tile layout. Advertis- of the living room; Sony has held to its early and NBA 2K14 reach almost realistic levels of tendo for the Japanese market, and has rather ing is less intrusive than before, but its debut message: this one is for the ‘gamers’. The gen- presentation. The gap between console gam- focused e orts on competing with things like use is clunky, spluttering and at risk of damag- eral consensus is that Sony has chosen the ing and PC gaming has never been smaller. Apple TV in the American market. While this is ing Xbox Live’s reputation of premier online right path. The Playstation 4 also supports remote play. an interesting idea, one that may pay o , you console gaming. It simply takes too long, and At £349 Sony has created a machine worthy With the touch of a button you can play your have to wonder just what this will leave for the is badly handled by the OS. It takes too long to of the growing hysteria surrounding the next- PS4 games through your PS Vita; this means European market in terms of continued com- actually discover what you’ve done jumping generation of consoles. Jet black and slanted, you’re no longer con ned to a single room in patibility. The Xbox One’s design is rather sub- through hoops. the chassis is somewhat smaller than the which to enjoy the next-gen experience. You tle. At rst the neo-eighties design looks similar The Xbox One OS considerably larger than original Playstation 3, yet it holds within that can connect to your PS4 from anywhere up to to the PS3, but it feels better built. The analog the PS4, but much of this is down to its external body enough power to make the last gen- around 30 feet - the signal is strong and the sticks have been vastly improved since the 360, power supply and Kinect sensor. It also looks eration look mediocre. The new dualshock picture quality is superb. with the narrower dish providing a feel of more slightly like a VCR machine, whereas the PS4 4 controller is a huge improvement upon its Overall the PS4 is a brilliant achievement precision. Also the edges have been rimmed looks like a clunky Toblerone. Overall the Xbox last-gen kin; sporting curved triggers, re ned in engineering. Sony’s message was loud with tread, meaning that they won’t wear thin One isn’t a bad DVR/gaming console. The at- analogue sticks and a clever touchpad, the and clear, this one is for the gamers, and they like the 360. It has a signi cant advantage over tempt to move forward and into a new market controller is now more comfortable and slick weren’t lying! the PS4 in its cloud storage. Azure, the cloud is honorable but there is one major stumbling than ever. streaming service, delivers on the company’s block; it’s price. Its just far too expensive. The With a new-generation come new expecta- ambition of next gen gaming. It maintains £450 price tag doesn’t feel like it is value for tions. To meet those expectations Sony has in- under immense pressure from background money, especially when its key features may corporated within the device some powerful operations, digital delivery and social interac- not be optimised for use in the UK. hardware; the much-touted AMD-based APU tion. They are also attempting to make strides CONSOLE EXCLUSIVES THAT MAY SWAY YOUR DECISION December Issue 2013 | Seren 45 GADGETS Ready, aim, print THE US congress is attempting to crack down on rearms that are able to evade metal detectors and x-ray machines. This includes new 3D printed guns. Gun laws which are already a risky subject in the US are increasingly hard to constrict and Brian Malte, a director of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, is worried about the availability of these plastic guns and says that the government need to renew the ex- piry date to an extra 10 years ban on undetectable rearms; however, certain parties are reluctant. Brazil 2014 By BECCI JAMESON Amazon have unveiled a rather minutes. The drones would be at the manned aerial vehicles. Amazon are draw in Fifa strange new branch to their growing end of the production line and lift just waiting for the green light from mazon have recently intro- tree. Amazon Prime o ers fast free o the packaged parcels straight o the FAA, so as soon as they want, duced a new project to their delivery but the newly proposed Am- the conveyor belt and would deliver UFO’s will be a thing of the past as app Aalready full repertoire. They azon Prime Air plans to y customers’ within ten miles of its start point. everyone will assume it is their par- gave us the Kindle which helped us parcels through the air attached to The product is very early in its de- cel ying through the air towards FIFA is set to release an app for iP- read on the go, keeping all our fa- computerised drones. Unveiled ap- velopment and has years to go to be them. hone, iPad and Android that will al- vourite books in one handy place, propriately on Cyber Monday, the consumer ready. 2015 is a very early Unsurprisingly, postmen and wom- low fans to keep up with the 2014 ready at the touch of a button. Love day said to be the most popular for estimate and Amazon predict that it en everywhere are fearing for their World Cup draw live. As well as Film lets us watch what we want online shopping, it seems like some- will be much later before they can jobs but they need not worry for a keeping you up to date and stream- when we want including Blu-Rays, thing out of science ction, but Ama- start delivering this way. The Prime few years at least, and the slightest ing the live draw, it will also match DVDs and Games through the post. zon plan to have the service up and Air would have to wait for technical glitch on Amazon’s part would result schedules, destination guides and Amazon Prime o ers free two day running by 2015. The credibility and advancement, to adhere to regula- in raining presents. Father Christmas team pro les. Fans will be able to delivery while Amazon Art deals in success rate is likely to be low and I tions and go through rigorous test- will be out of a job. customise the app to show news for all the rare and limited edition works wonder if it will ever take o . ing. Amazon have released a handy vid- their favourite clubs.The app is set of art from selected galleries. With all Amazon CEO Je Bezos told As the gadget plans to y through eo explaining what they plan to do to go beyond international tourna- these ngers in pies, you would think American TV that he believes the the air, it has become a concern for and how it will work, so have a look ments to cover 197 leagues around that Amazon could rest on their lau- unmanned drones will be able to the Federal Aviation Administration for yourself and see the ridiculous the world in both men’s and wom- rels and be pleased with what they carry parcels less than ve pounds (FAA) who have had to create and lengths that the company are going en’s football. have accomplished so far. in weight and arrive in under thirty modify rules to accommodate un- to to be innovative. This it seems is not the case and ‘Smart Wig’ THIS is not a joke. Sony have de- veloped the ‘Smart Wig’ a “wearable computing device” attached to any avour toupee: human, bu alo, wool, feathers, yak, the works! The device will be able to use small elec- tric shocks for "tactile feedback" to cial network Path and several tness By BECCI JAMESON the wearer, monitor environmental programs. conditions, check the user’s vital The watch is not an independent dding yet again to the ridicu- signs, "wig-to-wig communication", device but rather relies on your ac- lous, we delve into the world “telekinesis, using facial expres- tual phone through the rather out- Aof Samsung and their crazy sions or brain activity to control, for dated medium of Bluetooth, and ideas for a seemingly Star Trek in- example, a computer presentation ashes up your incoming calls and spired future. The Samsung Galaxy and claims to provide Bat-vision to messages; in e ect it is another no- Gear is in fact a wearable phone that the wearer to enable them to see in ti cation screen while your phone is is pretending to be a watch. Critical- the dark. ly, it hasn’t been received very well. safely tucked away in your pocket or Even Kevin Bacon hasn’t inspired us bag. It is a little basic compared to to ock to our local phone sellers what is expected these days; there and order one as quickly as possible. are no Facebook or Twitter links ‘Nazi Shazam’ The smart watch can be used to run and it only has individual pages for apps, show alerts and make voice ringing and texts. This minimalistic GERMAN authorities are consider- calls. Samsung are pleased to have interface means that you will prob- ing releasing an app that enables beaten their competitors, Microsoft, ably have to spend a lot more time the police to be noti ed when “far Apple and Google to the punch but looking at your wrist than Samsung right” illegal songs are being played has this meant a sacri ce in the func- suggests, trying to navigate to each on the radio or in clubs and bars. tionality of the gadget? Is this just a page. The smartphone app would imme- desperate gimmick to stop the grad- It is quite easy to ring from the diately recognise “neo-nazi” music ual slump in the sales of Samsung watch as long as you don’t mind allowing the police to act instantly. product? I’m not sure if the novelty looking like an utter idiot; we’ve only The app goes by the name of “Nazi of this item will be enough to tempt just got over the ‘I’m not actually Shazam” and the authorities hope it will decrease the exposure to “gate- them when they see how little this talking to myself’ Bluetooth head- expensive way” music. The music is pretty di- futuristic watch can do. sets and now we may have to get investment in- verse ranging from heavy metal to The Galaxy Gear features a four used to people in suits mumbling deed. Samsung folk to rap so it is hard for the police cm LED display, a speaker and mi- into their wrists. have announced to recognise independently. There crophone, a 1.9 megapixel camera, For what it is, it is very expensive. At an update will enable the left with are however still fears that the neo- has four gigabytes of internal stor- just under £300 in the UK, its ridicu- watch to be used with the Galaxy S4, a prototype that needs a nazi’s will be able to evade the app age and a non-removable battery. lous. The watch is e ectively an add S3 and Note 2 but any other Android separate charging base once a day as they have done with previous It comes preloaded with ten di er- on to an already expensive phone. phone will be left out. and a very hit-and-miss voice con- prevention strategies. ent clock options and there will be The Galaxy Gear will only be compat- The Galaxy Gear has disappointed trol system. It’s either this or Google about seventy apps available when ible with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 most people who wanted to have a Glass, which would you prefer? it’s released, including Evernote's which is £650 for the handset, a very fully integrated Smart watch and are note-taking software, eBay, the so- 46 Seren | December Issue 2013
25th, 26th and 27th Oct 2013
It’s 3.00am on a Sunday morning, it’s freezing cold and Nathan Drake rocks up to Main Arts building only to be greeted by a lum- berjack and Ramona Flowers. It is of course time for Comic Con and your dedicated Seren team sacri ced sleep in order to bring you all the news and excitement straight from the event. Okay...so maybe that’s not entirely correct. We may or may not have got up at ridiculous o’clock for our own enjoyment and now we happen to be telling you about it so you can be jealous. Photos: Jack Nicol Words: LJ Taylor Either way look at how cool it was! What is Comic Con? LONDON Comic Con has existed convention as a guest, often signing since 2002 and generally takes place autographs or doing photos. at the Excel Arena twice a year, on Guests often take part in special the last weekend in May and the panels such as those in the States last weekend in October. The event that are used to make big reveals mimics the world famous, and much such as new video games or mov- bigger, conventions over in the ies. This is a chance for people to States, such as the huge San Diego ask questions about their favourite Comic Con. It’s a place where fan- show or game etc. boys and girls from across the world Aside from the entertainment that get together, dress up and gener- the Comic Con puts on, a lot of the ally have a great time sharing their people visiting use it as a way to do love for games, lm, tv, comics and mass meetups with people from the anime. same ‘fandom’. Comic Con’s are not only host to One of the best things about a wide variety of people from dif- Comic Con is it can be whatever you ferent places and backgrounds but want. You can go there to meet your host a number of small stalls spread favourite actor, maybe you want to across the arena. As conventions of try out the latest video game, you this kind have grown they have at- might love the selection of shops tracted more attention from celeb- and stalls, maybe you want to meet rities and those in charge of some up with other fans or maybe you of the most popular tv shows and love the whole experience. Whatev- lms. And so a lot of people now er you love, at the very cheap entry attend such events to meet their fa- fee it’s worth any game, sci , tv or vourite actors who will come to the anime fan taking a visit some time. December Issue 2013 | Seren 47 Cracking Cosplayers WHEN we rst decided that we were de nitely attending Comic Con we were a little unsure whether we wanted to dress up or not. The second we got there we couldn’t have been happier that we had. It seemed like those in normal clothing were in the minority around London’s Excel Arena that weekend. We met Darth Vader, some Stormtroopers, an Ewok, Legolas, HawkMan, Magnemite, Bender, Crash Bandicoot, a Clicker and Jack Sparrow just to name a few! We were so impressed with the costumes that we decided to award our favourites!
Best Dressed: Clicker (The Last of Us) ONE of the rst people we met in the queue, this dedicated fan had spent months replicating the fungal infection that turns the world to devastation in Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us. Up close the mask looked even more realistic. Full credit to her for not only having the patience to create this work of art but for wearing it in a building that was already a sauna. We only hope it survived the weekend!
Best Group: The Assassins ASSASSIN’S CREED is such a popular franchise that it was a certainty that we’d meet an Ezio or two, even an Altair. However, nothing could prepare us for what was waiting outside as we were leaving. A huge group of Assassin’s (that this picture doesn’t even give justice) had gathered. They all looked amazing however Revalations Ezio was the most impressive; he perched upon that statue for ages!
Seren at Comic Con Nostalgia Award Best Arrest Comic Con sounded like fun cause we had heard that the queue really a queue - Saturday must open for general entry until 11am we left we even sat in on the Lego from the start. We’d all heard of to get in on the Saturday had been just have been the most popular the queue started to move quite a Marvel Super Heroes where Troy how great the similar conventions about seven hours long and there day - and so we got in the smaller bit before. Baker and Craig talked about how across the pond are and we wanted was no point us traveling all the queue and waited for general entry Plus queueing wasn’t so bad. We the voice acting was put together to experience that for ourselves, or way to London just to queue all to open. got to meet some cool people and whilst we watched a demo of what at least experience something simi- day. After a little confusion on how We had been meaning to book LJ had chance to grow a beard and looks to be the best Lego game yet! lar. Wales Comic Con, held in Wrex- to start the fancy hire car we were beforehand and get the early bird complete the Nathan Drake look. And then of course we watched ham, would have made sense as on our way and, Comic Con aside, tickets but we were too slow and We had hours to just walk around the Haven panel where stars Emily the obvious choice here however had an interesting, fun trip down the website went down before and see what was going on. There Rose and Lucas Bryant chatted we had unfortunately missed that South. the early bird deadline randomly were plenty of shops to explore and about season 4 before putting fans for the year. When we eventually arrived, and set at 2.00am on the Friday. There if it weren’t for us hating queues we to the test in their special Haven And then London Comic Con panic-parked in the world’s most had been a chance to buy early would have tried out some of the quiz show. announced that the Haven cast expensive hotel car park, we spent bird tickets once we arrived but latest video games. Most of our It was a really great day that all would be attending and with that a bit of time just admiring the sheer they cost £20 instead of £10 gen- time was spent just marveling at four of us enjoyed, the only down- being LJ’s favourite show there was amounts of cosplayers wander- eral entry and so we thought we’d how much e ort some people had side was the long drive that had no way a Seren trip wouldn’t hap- ing around. And then we hurriedly take our chances with the smaller gone to with their costume, and exhausted us. However, come next pen. searched for the queue. Both luck- queue. It was a good decision be- then quite a bit of time spent in the Wales Comic Con we’ll be there! We had to set o at 3.00am be- ily and annoyingly there wasn’t cause even though the gates didn’t Delorean and the TARDIS. Before 48 Seren | December Issue 2013 FOOD AND DRINK the Teras Lounge has to o er as you can enjoy 20% o for the Christ- the wintery term comes to close. mas period. You could sample their brand new For those of you wanting a break Christmas menu with a tempting from revision, why not treat your- 20% o , with such delights as Christ- self to one of the Lounge’s exclusive mas pudding and apple crumble - a new Christmas drinks. On the menu personal favourite - or a tantalising this December will be a Frosted Mint full Christmas dinner with a turkey Hot Chocolate, a creamy Hazelnut lollipop taking centre stage. This and Praline Latte and a Spiced Gin- o er even stretches to Bar Uno, lo- gerbread Latte all topped o with cated on Ffrid- doedd Frosted Mint Hot Chocolate, a creamy site, who Hazelnut and Praline Latte and a w o r k Spiced Gingerbread Latte alongside Teras to bring you another cracker- whipped cream, alongside their al- pulling-worthy menu. ready extensive drinks list. As it’s the If you fancy going somewhere season of good cheer and all things new for your society Christmas din- tasty, the lounges are serving all ner this year, or are thinking ahead these specialty co ees at the same ings of Teras Lounge. The Lounge is and planning for 2014, then why not price as their regular co ees to all By HARRIET WELLER tucked away beyond Café Teras in try out Reichel Hall? Located at the Seren readers. Main Arts where a student/lecturer e have teamed up with opposite end of Ffriddoedd Site to And nally, to top it all o , what common room once stood, and it re- the lovely people of Teras Bar Uno, on the ground oor of the Christmas would be complete with- tains the same character today with to provide you with some- Reichel block - which to many of you out a mince pie, free to all Seren W inviting armchairs and authentic may bring back memories of being a readers with every hot drink pur- thing to perk you up on those de- replaces. It is the perfect venue to lightfully chilly days and will put you fresher munching on 12p supernoo- chased in Café Teras and Bar Uno. simply sip a warming winter drink, into the Christmas spirit. dles - you can now enjoy the same Take time out to relax and make treat yourself, your family, or your We are lucky here at Bangor Uni to delights of Teras in the newly reno- the most of the o ers below. All society to a delicious Christmas have no shortage of cafes, with them vated Grand Reichel Hall, a venue you have to do is simply present the meal, grab a sophisticated lunch or popping up in every corner of the which is waiting to be unwrapped relevant voucher below when mak- a frost conquering breakfast. university, but you may have yet to by students and well and truly uti- ing your order. So go spread some Why not come and discover what discover the sumptuous surround- lised, and what better time when Christmas joy, one co ee at a time. Happy Christmas from Teras
Puddings Galore Teras Lounge in action
By KATIE MIDDLETON s there more to life at university? The Christian Union held a talk which looked at exactly that back in October and over 70 of you came along to Teras Lounge to hear I Reichal Grand Hall what we had to say. We loved the venue in the daytime, so thought it would be perfect for our event and decided to try it out. We were not left disappointed. The Lounge was the perfect venue for our evening of puddings and cake. The sta helped cater to our every need, helping us set up our music and rearange the furniture to our requirement. We were even able to work alongside the chefs to come up with our own selection of delicious cakes and puddings. And what a great evening it was! The atmosphere was amazing, and everyone commented on how much they enjoyed the event. The evening was a resounding success, and we would recommend the Lounge to other societies and we have even better news for you: it is completely free to hire! We hope to be in Teras again in the near future so look out for our events in a Teras lounge near you! December Issue 2013 | Seren 49 FOOD AND DRINK Snow Drinks like Christmas
Our one stop Drinksguide to drinks this Christmas Inspired by the Christ- What about something a little dif- mas drinks on offer at ferent? Why not try Mulled Vodka? Teras, we decided to By EDWIN PYNEGAR gather together a few Ingredients: of our favourite festive - 1 bottle of lager beverages for you to - Orange/lemon peel - Handful of raisins and almonds e Bangor University Real Ale Society discover and hope- - A sprinkle of your favourite fully delight in! Christmas spices, we like cinnamon, recommends trying cloves and cardamom - Vodka ‘12 Days’ by Hook Norton Brewery this One for you to create in your very - Brandy own kitchen - Baileys Hot Chocolate - Sugar Alsacian Mulled WIne Christmas. It is perfect with its strong notes By RACHEL THORP By HEATHER BOYLES Method: of chocolate and spices. Ingredients: Pour lager into a large pan, I picked this up whilst working - 500ml full fat milk and add the fruit peel, raisins, al- abroad; I prefer this to the Eng- - 5 tbsp. of the nest hot choco- monds, and those Christmassy spic- lish equivalent because it’s fruitier, Our favourite ingredient to spice up drinks late you can nd es and boil it down until the lager’s sweeter and generally just tastes like - A few pieces of your favourite almost gone (you want to extract the nice, hot, alcoholic fruit juice. this winter is nutmeg. Try grating it over chocolate spices’ avours, but don't want any - 4-5 tbsp. Baileys beer left in the vodka at the end). Ingredients (for 6-8 people): Eggnog, it adds a great twist. - Squirty cream Then add your spirits; 3 parts - 1.5 litres of red wine (2 75cl bot- - 4 long cinnamon sticks vodka to 1 part brandy for as tles) much as you want to make. Heat it - 250g brown sugar A new drink to ll your cupboard up with, Method: gently for about half an hour, but - 1 unwaxed lemon Heat the milk in a pan and whatever you do, keep the lid on! If - 2 unwaxed oranges (If you can’t Winter Jack. A punch full of cinnamon, ap- add hot chocolate powder and you don’t, the booze boils o and nd unwaxed oranges and lemons, pieces of chocolate. you end up with mulled water in- buy waxed and give them a good ple, cloves and, of course, Jack Daniels. Try Whisk until smooth and stir stead… scrub with a scourer.) in the Baileys and pour into When it’s nearly done, in a - 2 cinnamon sticks warmed up for an even punchier drink. your favourite festive mug. separate pan gently melt a - 2 star anise Top with squirty cream and a few tablespoons of sugar until it car- - 2 cloves cinnamon stick and if you are amelises and is golden brown, and - 1 pinch of grated nutmeg Finally recycle all those empty bottles by feeling really extravagant sprinkle add it to the vodka mixture. It’ll bub- edible glitter over it for the nal fes- ble – a lot. It’s now nished, but feel Method: turning them into Christmas decorations. tive touch. free to add more sugar – it is Christ- Grate the lemons and orang- mas after all! es to create zest. Cut the re- Try adding lights, candles or ribbons and The perfect showstopper to end any Drink it straight away, or put it maining fruit into slices. create the perfect centre piece for your table! Christmas Feast in bottles for later or as presents Mix all ingredients in a pan for people. It keeps pretty much and warm slowly, just until it forever. If you do bottle it, you can steams, unless you want to boil o include the raisins, almonds and peel the alcohol that is. from the pan too. Heat for 15 minutes and then lter using a sieve, or just ladle Before you drink it, heat it up again into mugs. so that it’s warm – great with a mince Place a slice of orange in the pie or piece of Christmas cake! glass and drink.
SHAKE OUT! BEFORE CHRISTMAS Seren checks out the latest drinks venue in Bangor!
by IAIN DETREY As we entered the shop we were great! With our various shaken cre- ‘Shake out!’ is the new milkshake greeted with a cheery smile and an ations purchased, we perched on a ometimes we all need a sugar bar in Upper Bangor located within array of avours to choose from, too couple of the arm chairs scattered hit. This is especially true as the shop front of the Greek Tavern. many to mention but they included around the shop and commented Sthe end of the semester draws If you’re anything like some of my chocolates like Lion Bar and Terry’s on the tastiness of our drinks. near and the dreaded deadlines friends you will now be exclaim- Chocolate Orange, as well as some With our sugar cravings satis ed, approach. Some of the more keen- ing “THERE’S A MILKSHAKE BAR festive combos like the ‘Snowman’. we departed, happy that we made eyed amongst you will have no- IN BANGOR?” Yes, yes there is. The I went for the standard Oreo, which the trip to try out this new exciting ticed a new establishment quietly excitement of this news led to the is made with ice cream, Oreos and, bar and I would recommend that open up with the potential to do formation of a plan to go as a group of course, milk. A quick blitz in the anyone reading this does the same! just that! to try it out. We were not disap- blender later and I had my ice-cold pointed. beverage in my hands and it tasted 50 Seren | December Issue 2013 TRAVEL Seren Down Under O Christmas Time
rising to heights we go on holiday hours of light in the day, sleep pat- a fair few similarities, especially in It is almost enough to ask whether By JOE KEEP to achieve. The temperature means terns are thrown out the window, the shopping sense. Despite not this form of Christmas rivals the one those layers are being abandoned in with 1.00am feeling like 8.00pm. being granted the white Christmas at home. ith Christmas just around favour of shorts and t-shirts, accom- The increased day, although being we all want, shops still depict scenes So, despite the craziness of the the corner, all attention panied by trips to the beach, some- amazing in allowing lots to be done, of winter in displays during the fes- long, warm days, Christmas in Aus- turns to shopping and the thing that seems absurd after twen- is enough to be draining. If you cou- tivities. This may seem odd, as it did tralia isn’t too much of a shock to W ty one years of doing the complete ple in the heat as well, the depend- when I rst noticed it, but it does the system, as long as you remem- weather. With temperatures drop- opposite. With the heat also comes ence on water becomes apparent provide a little home comfort even ber that when it gets dark, it’s a ping, the layers increasing, and one a change in what is eaten. Instead of very quickly. However, these are though it appears so out of place. lot later than you imagine it is. The hundred days of snow predicted, all the normal large meals, especially only small issues, something that, if With the snow comes the Santa’s experience is something everyone the pieces are in place for a white Christmas dinner, smaller morsels you have spent any more than a few grottos, Santa hats, reindeer antlers should have, as it opens your eyes Christmas. With that, it is odd that I are opted for and barbeques make days in Australia, you will be aware and all other forms of festivity. So to the possibilities beyond what we nd myself in a place where the op- an appearance in their masses. of regardless. They aren’t enough to despite that biting winter weather perceive as the norm. This Christmas posite is happening. Another major di erence is the detract from the feeling of Christ- and darkness being absent, there is could well be one of the best I’ll ever Whilst temperatures back home length of the day. With my body mas everywhere you go. still the feeling of Christmas in eve- have. are falling, temperatures here are thinking that there are minimal But don’t lose heart, for there are ryone you see and talk to. Joyeux Noël visit and neither are the hotel/ By ELEANOR HIRST hostel bookings. It will also be streaming with romantic couples. Paris can somewhat be seen as a Food and drink are not exactly the cliché place to travel in the winter cheapest things to buy either. season. It is also not everybody’s But everything to do with travel ‘cup of tea’ so to speak, no matter is based on how ‘fussy’ you are what the season is. However the and whether you know where to setting of Paris at Christmas is illu- look. If you’re looking for a hotel minated beautifully and for lovers near the sights your budget must of Paris it is a must. be high. However if you stay in Christmas is traditionally seen certain areas, such as the outer as a time to be home with family districts, you can have a relatively and friends snuggled in a onesie, low budget. which probably needs washing In my personal experience, a lit- after several days of continuous tle piece of home is always best if wear, whilst refusing to leave the travelling abroad at Christmas; for house, surrounded by leftover me personally this has to be the Christmas dinner. prospect of snow. Many aspects of However, sometimes Christmas Christmas such as the food, drink does not always have to be spent and weather can be found across this way. Paris is only across the Paris; naturally a ve star hotel Channel; this makes it easy to only outside the Louvre is not for the stay there for a couple of days if scrimping student. If you want to needed, meaning that over Christ- immerse yourself in Parisian cul- mas break you can visit other fam- ture, rather than simply looking at ily and friends as well. However, the ‘sights’, the outskirts are usu- Paris is not the cheapest place to ally the best places to be. December Issue 2013 | Seren 51 TRAVEL Manchester Christmas Market
selling ready-to-eat European foods, er districts to high street shopping pected at an event such as this, with or exclusive o ers only found on the By SCOTT WILLEY to alcoholic drinks, avoured cof- centres, making the market about pints of beer £4.00 and mulled wine market. fees, sweets, cheeses, independent more than just the stalls on o er. £3.50. You must take into consid- The market is open all day from stablished in 1999, the Man- clothing and soaps – both from in- In the past few years, Manchester eration that you are paying for more 10:00am till 8:00pm in the run up to chester Christmas Market is ternational and local sellers. It is the Council has attempted to increase than the drink, but also the Christ- Christmas. I would personally rec- Econsistently ranked as one of perfect opportunity to buy Christ- the greener side of the market. Cus- mas atmosphere and the market ommend leaving early and return- the best Christmas Markets in the mas presents; from stocking llers tomers can purchase a variety of itself. With no entry fee, sellers must ing late, meaning that you can ex- U.K. It has won numerous local and to more bespoke one-o and spe- mulled wines, beers, co ees and hot make money exclusively from sales perience the market when it is less national awards, and boasts over ciality items. The market itself takes chocolates, all of which are poured of their products. busy during the day, before seeing 300 stalls, spread across the centre around 2-3 hours to walk around, in a 15th Anniversary Manchester Other gifts and items range in it lit up and bustling in the evening. of Manchester. and snakes through Manchester City Christmas Market mug or glass. price, and although they appear a There are many places to eat, drink, An open return to Manchester will Centre, culminating outside the im- Mugs/glasses have a deposit, which little in ated to comparable items and sit down within the market, as cost you £26.05. A ve minute walk pressive Town Hall, complete with a can be reclaimed when returned, or you could nd on the high street, well as many pubs, cafes and shops from Oxford Road station, the mar- lit-up Santa Claus sitting above Al- the mug/glass kept as a souvenir. they are often from independent on the outskirts of the route. ket is free to enter and can be left bert Square. The route passes many The stalls themselves are wooden sellers or are speciality items, giv- and returned to at any point along of the main shopping districts of huts or cabins, be tting with the ing it something special. Many stalls its route. Stalls range from those Manchester, from expensive design- Christmas style. Prices are as ex- also o ered personalisation of gifts Where is Christmas to you? mas time (apart from my own home), enough lights on it to illuminate the By EMILY RIMMER New York has to be up there on the night sky - there is no way that you list. With its spectacular Christmas can not nd something magical to t’s the most wonderful time of the shows, wall-to-wall shopping stores do. year and by ‘it’ I mean Christmas lled with Christmas treats and pre- They don’t call it the City of Dreams Itime in New York City. Of all the sent ideas, ice-skating and the ‘Rock- for nothing! places that make me think of Christ- efeller Centre’ Christmas tree - with
much likelier home of elves than the By WYATT WARNER North Pole. A few miles away, the lo- cals celebrate the holiday with crab he swamp behind my grand- bakes on the beach, their scarves parents’ house in Rhode Island and sweaters contrasting with their Tfreezes around Christmas time bare feet. As the sun sets, home- every year. The ground sparkles with made lanterns are stuck in the sand ice and frost and when the morning and the most macho celebrators fog turns even the dense trees into commemorate the season with a silhouettes, Rhode Island seems a swim in the ice-cold Atlantic Ocean. THE SEREN CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. Surname of 10th Doctor actor (7) 3. First name of White Christmas singer (4) 4. Silent __, popular festive tune (5) 7. American scientists plan to print a 3D ___ within the next ten years (5) 9. e ___ End, the nal of the Cornetto Trilogy (6) 12. Christmas roasted nut (9) 13. President __, antagonist of e Hunger Games (4) 14. Full of amazing jokes, paper hats and bits and bobs (8) 18. Avenged Sevenfold played which London arena at the start of this month (7) DOWN 2. Festive decoration (6) 5. Bird traditionally eaten at Christmas (6) 6. Days of Christmas (6) 8. Where it’s normal to have Christmas on a sun-soaked beach (9) 10. Bangor’s newest society (6) 11. Government’s proposed lter on the __ (8) 12. 507 year-old animal found by Bangor scientists (4) 15. First name of a kid le Home Alone and our Sports Editor (5) 16. Excellent way to spice up your out t at work: multicoloured ___ (5) SUDOKU! 17. Colour of a Christmas hat (3) EASY BEFORE
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Look at the ‘identical’ creative photos - HARD AFTER can you nd the six di erences? December Issue 2013 | Seren 53 SPORT Hockey strive to be better
First, Second and ird teams aim higher for the second semester BY JON WILLIAMS which just shows how close the league really e Seconds were facing an interesting year, Bangor. e 2-1 defeat to Rhyl was all down to is this season. e opening day, a 5-1 defeat to with their new captain, who had just made the a fantastic defensive display from Rhyl, as well or BUHC, this has been a season full of Colwyn Bay was down to a lack of hockey be- massive, but well deserved step up from the third as their goalkeeper pulling o some world class thrill, spills, ups and downs. At the begin- ing played over the summer, resulting in a lack of team to the second. e opening game saw the saves. e Seconds are aiming for promotion this ning of the semester, the club bid farewell match tness. Subsequent games saw the Firsts Seconds against Colwyn Bay irds. In a 7-goal year, and while one or two results haven’t gone toF many of those who had nished their third, lose close games against Knutsford, Prescot and thriller, Bangor snatched a winner with just 2 their way, semester two will de nitely see them fourth and h year at Bangor University, which Timperley. A well earned point against Bolton minutes remaining. scoring goals for fun and picking up points. also meant that starting positions within the was on the cards, until an erroneous umpiring e next game was a rarity for the Bangor e irds team have had a tough season this Firsts, Seconds, and irds were up for grabs for decision resulted in a Bolton goal giving them an Seconds team, a 0-0 draw, but over the next few semester. Captain Josh Banks has inherited a those remaining. undeserved win. games, the goals would start to ow. A 3-0 win team full of freshers, with some being inexperi- e Firsts play in the North West Hockey However ‘good things come to those who wait’, over Denbigh, a comfortable 4-0 win against enced in a game of hockey, having never played League Division 2, the Seconds play in the North and nally on the 2nd December, the Firsts Bebington Fi hs, two 5-2 wins against Oxton in their life. It also does not help when they play West Hockey League Division 7 Southwest and earned their rst league points with a compre- Fi hs and Sixths and a 9-0 demolition against in a league notorious for the other teams drop- the irds play in the Glyndwr University North hensive 4-1 win against Wilmslow. is looked Northop Hall. ping the Firsts and Seconds to play in the Sunday Wales Men’s Hockey League Division 1. e like the Firsts had nally turned a corner, but bad Whilst a 1-1 draw against undefeated Neston league. Firsts and Seconds play on Saturdays, as well as luck hit their next few games, including a close Sixths was a good result, the back-to-back de- Despite all this, there are signs that semester Wednesdays in BUCS, and the irds on Sunday. 4-3 defeat to Bowden. feats against Llandudno and Rhyl were frustrat- two could see plenty of goals and wins for the For the Firsts team and their captain Mike Ur- A run of four defeats was broken with a great ing for varying reasons. When Bangor went to irds team, as evident in the game against Ab- qhuart, with the team a ected by many members result against Formby, nishing 3-1. Whilst the Llandudno, they had found out that the oppo- erystwyth. Fantastic play and an all-round game leaving, this was going to be a tough semester. league table may not look good now, with lessons nents had decided to drop a handful of Firsts was undermined when two defensive errors saw Especially as they play in a tough, close and learned and game experience, there is no reason team players to their Seconds team. is, and the the opponents snatch an agonising 2-0 win. De- competitive league. So far, the Firsts are bottom why the Men’s Firsts cannot rocket up the table fact that both umpires were Llandudno-based spite this, their show of resilience will come and of the table, but have so far outscored 3 teams next semester and have a strong end to the sea- didn’t help. eir inconsistent and, at times, one- they will pick up points in the second semester. above them - Formby, Timperley and Bolton - son. sided decisions contributed to a 2-1 defeat for Strictly, a success Dance society raise £110 for Children in Need by KEVIN GRIFFIN Each dance was scored by four judges and then it was passed onto the audience for their chance n the 16th November, the Bangor Uni- to have a vote. e lucky winner was a member versity’s Dance Society hosted an event of the Women’s Rugby team who danced in the they called ‘Strictly Come Bangor’. is style of Latin and Ballroom. Congratulations! wasO a charity event in which the society raised On Sunday 15th December, the Dance Society an impressive total of £210. ey donated £110 are hosting yet another event. is is the Christ- of this to Children in Need and kept £100 for the mas dance show which will take place in JP hall society; well deserved considering how success- at 1pm and 6pm. Involved in this event will be ful the event was! a large variety of dances from tap to jazz and, It has been described as a fun- lled night with if it takes your fancy, some crazy Irish to Lat- a wide audience as people from all kinds of dif- in dance, and of course, some lovely Ballroom ferent societies fought for their chance to win. dance. e society have been planning and prac- Members representing their respective society ticing for this event since the beginning of the were partnered up and had to dance with their semester and are extremely excited to perform. ‘professional’ dancing partner from the Ban- e tickets come as £3 for student and £4 for gor University Dancing Society, giving them a non-students. chance to express their skills in dance. Also, in February 2014, the Dance Society plan ere were a large variety of types of dance on to take a trip up to Edinburgh to represent Ban- show during the event. e types of dance went gor in a dance competition. So, every bit of sup- from a nice, slow jazzy type to dancing the Hula! port for the society will go far and may result in e variety of dances mixed it up for the whole a competition win for the society! competition, making each one just as entertain- ing as the next. 54 Seren | December Issue 2013 SPORT In Brief Cup game Bangor University to host for Bangor FC fencing tournament by KEVIN GRIFFIN In the history of the competition, Bangor Uni- ON the 9th December, Bangor City FC are versity have not won once, says the Club Cap- travelling away to Rhyl to compete in a cup x- he Bangor University’s Fencing Club has tain. However, he does believe that this is our ture. announced that they will be hosting this year, considering we are the ones hosting it and e game kicks o at Rhyl at 3:15pm. e year’s university-run fencing tournament have the home advantage. With enough support, Welsh cup xture follows a recent 0-0 draw be- Tfor the rst time in its history. the fencing team can win this, so they are en- tween the two clubs, and Bangor City FC fans e tournament, which is the biggest univer- couraging all the support they can gather in time have an allocation of 500 tickets from Rhyl FC. sity-run fencing tournament in Wales, will for the tournament in March. Tickets are being priced at £7 for adults, £5 for include competitors from universities across For those students that are interested in par- OAP’s and £2 for children. Tickets can be pur- the country. ticipating in the event or joining the BU Fencing chased from the Bangor City FC box o ce. e tournament is going to be held on the club, their sessions are held in Gym 3 on Normal Bangor will be looking to go through to the Normal Site premises in gym number three Site, from 8-10pm on Tuesdays and Wednes- next round and not repeat the disappointing 0-0 from Saturday 15th March, and it is expected days, and from 1-4pm on Saturdays. draw earlier this week. that at least ve other universities in Wales will Anyone interested is welcome to come by to e cup is a great opportunity for the club to be sending teams and representatives. ese in- any of the listed sessions and join in with the expand, with plans to install more seating in the clude teams from Cardi and Aberystwyth. team. ground, making it more convenient for fans to watch them play. BUCS Paintballing shoot their results Bangor Men’s 8-0 Lancaster Men’s way to a nomination Badminton 1sts Badminton 2nds
Bangor Men’s 74-125 University of Indoor Cricket South Wales 1sts Pontypridd and Cardi Men’s 1sts
Keele Men’s 135-99 Bangor Men’s Fencing 1sts Fencing 1sts
University of 1-2 Bangor Men’s Hudders eld Football 1sts Men’s Football 1sts
University of 4-5 Bangor Men’s Salford Men’s Futsal 1sts Futsal 1sts
Bangor Men’s 0-2 Manchester Hockey 1sts Met’s Men’s Hockey 2nds
Bangor Men’s 3-1 University of Volleyball 1sts Liverpool Men’s 1sts
Liverpool John 34-10 Bangor Ameri- Paintballing society nominated for ‘Breakthrough Team of the Year’ Moores Men’s can Football American Foot- Men’s 1sts by KEVIN GRIFFIN teams and not just universities. that new players have the right direction to suit ball 1sts At one stage of the competition, Bangor’s their playing needs. he Bangor University’s Paintballing Soci- Paintballing Society had the highest score on ey play together every month at home, host- Bangor 89-58 Edge Hill ety were nominated for an award at the that particular eld of play on that day. ey ing an away team and go to large paintballing Women’s Uni Women’s UK Paintball Awards. ranked 13th overall by the end of the competi- events across the whole of the UK. Basketball 1sts Basketball 1sts T ey have been nominated for the award tion, being the highest placed university in the Some of these events have over 400 people in ‘Breakthrough Team of the Year’ a er having a league and, to top it all, beat Aberystwyth’s team attendance. ey are a social team, and a er eve- Liverpool 4-0 Bangor successful year last year with some fantastic re- who were placed 17th. ry game a cold beer or so drink is a must at the Women’s Women’s sults. Two of its members were nominated for e club, also known as the BUPS Lions at end of the day, and being with friends is pretty Football 1sts Football 1sts individual awards as well, making it one of the prestigious tournaments and events, is a soci- much all they are about. most successful years in the club’s history. ety that has been set up by people with a lot of A er the awards, they are still as ambitious Bangor 8-1 University of is year’s awards took place at 6.00pm on 30 passion for the sport. Anyone is free to join no as ever. ey plan to maintain a society that Women’s York Women’s November at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Not- matter what sort of experience they have playing has members in the club who enjoy the sport Hockey 1sts Hockey 2nds tingham. paintball, whether they’re new to the sport or a for what it is. While tournaments and winning Last year, the Paintballing Society had an in- seasoned veteran. matches are important to them, the Bangor Uni- Bangor 2-0 Liverpool credibly successful year. As well as defeating ey are a self-proclaimed gateway to the versity Paintballing Society are all about having Women’s John Moores Bangor’s rivals, Aberystwyth, at Varsity, they also paintball way. With a friendly atmosphere, fun with what they do and have a laugh together. Volleyball 1sts Uni Women’s took part in a tournament called the Ultimate anyone who enjoys the art of outdoor combat Well worth the e ort! Volleyball 1st Woodsball League, which includes nationwide should revel in this opportunity. ey make sure December Issue 2013 | Seren 55 SPORT Avada Keeldava break Meet the Broken Brooms team!
Team stats
BANGOR UNIVERSITY’S Quidditch team this year brought a squad that consisted of 21 players. While others started with the team last year, the majority of the players brought this year were new to the sport at the beginning of this semester. For every game played during the tournament, a di erent starting line-up was an- nounced.
Here is an introduction to the team and their playing experience:
- Lee Marsh: Captain of the team, a beater with 19 games playing experience Bangor nish third in Oxford’s quidditch competition - Jade Saunders: a beater with 22 games play- ing experience - Sam Davies: a beater with 19 games playing experience e rst red card in the sport has been dealt! - Jonny Stewart: a beater with 9 games play- ing experience - Antony Butcher: a beater with 8 games playing experience by KEVIN GRIFFIN played gloriously. Overall, Bangor Broken is game appeared to be one of the more in- - Sarah Wheat: a beater with 6 games playing Brooms won ve of their six matches in the tour- teresting ones to watch, due to the events that experience n the 9th and 10th of November, the nament. As predicted, they made it very far in took place. - Anna Barton: a chaser with 22 games play- newly founded Bangor University Quid- the tournament, only losing to Keele University, During the course of the game, Keele claimed ing experience ditch team were involved in a two-day or Avarda Keeldava, in the semi- nals. Despite the title as the rst University quidditch team - Gabe Napper: a chaser with 22 games play- tournamentO which was hosted by the prestigious already having beaten Keele University in the to get a red card in the sport. ey played in an ing experience Oxford University. pool stages of the competition, Bangor were unsportsmanlike manner and proved this by at- - Tom Dutton: a chaser with 21 games play- ere was a great collection of diverse teams tempting to headbutt one of our players, Owen ing experience involved in the tournament, with 16 teams from Lynch, who is a chaser. - Ben Honey: the tournament organiser, a around both the UK and Ireland making the Coming unscathed from the incident, Owen chaser, with 19 games playing experience trip to Oxford for this event. Quidditch UK, the quickly shook it o and showed how sports- - Jay Holmes: a chaser with 9 games playing UK’s governing body for quidditch teams, were manship should be done, doing Bangor proud experience the ones responsible for organising this event. by not reacting badly to the situation. - Paula Noon: a chaser with 9 games playing ere were three main teams involved who A special mention goes out to Tom Heynes experience have a good reputation in the sport for playing who caught the snitch against Keele University - Ben O’Sullivan: a chaser with 9 games play- well. ere were e Oxford Chimeras, Avarda despite having a suspected dislocated shoulder. ing experience Keeldava and none other than Bangor Broken In the process of catching the snitch, he had to - Sally Higginson: a chaser with 9 games Brooms. All three teams have good form in the ght o the opposing seeker and wrestle him for playing experience physical sport, where you have to run around the snitch with the dislocated shoulder, earning - Owen Lynch: a chaser with 8 games playing with a broom in between your legs. Bangor Broken Brooms an impressive victory in experience Bangor Broken Brooms went into the tourna- the pool stages of the competition. - Emily Lakin: a chaser with 5 games playing ment as everyone’s third favourite to win and e tournament is the rst that Bangor Uni- experience claim the tournament for us. nally undone in the semi nals when they faced versity has had the pleasure in taking part in. - Andrew Hull: a keeper and chaser with 19 Our Student Union president, Antony Butch- them again. Overall, coming third is a great achievement games playing experience er, also accompanied the Quidditch team and During the pool game with Keele, it was quick- for the team and will lead on to better things for - William Johnson: a seeker and chaser with competed in all the games that Bangor played. ly discovered how hard hitting their team were. the club. 18 games playing experience He took the position of beater and gave a good e violent way they played ensured some of our - Tom Heynes: a seeker and chaser with 8 showing for the Student’s Union. players were le injured for the rest of the tour- games playing experience e tournament started for Bangor and they nament. - Georgia omas-Parr: a seeker and chaser with 6 games playing experience - Johnny Lyden: a seeker with 16 games play- Merry Christmas from Seren Sport! ing experience Quidditch Tournament success page 55 SPORT I moustache you about the football
Maes Glas and Security nish 12-3 RAG raise money for Movember
by KEVIN GRIFFIN moustache. ey can post pictures onto the web- cause. site as a post, and from this, encourage more Also in attendance were the RAG society, the hen the month of November comes people to donate money to their page. society of Raising and Giving. ey prepared a around, there seems to be a mass need e most impressive moustaches are shown on cake sale just outside the pitch to raise money for men to grow moustaches. sites across the Internet. ere have been some for Movember. WIt is a great opportunity for men around the shown as being respectful in the way they have e match took place at 11.00 am on Sunday 24 world to grow a moustache for a good cause. e designed their moustaches on sites such as the November on the Maes Glas AstroTurf on Ffrid- charity Movember encourages men to grow their LAD Bible. doedd site. moustaches to raise awareness for men’s health. As well as using a ‘Mospace’, the sta of Maes e match itself was an excellent display of Unfortunate health a ictions such as testicular Glas gym and the security sta on Bangor Uni- sportsmanship, as well as having some good foot- cancer a ect men all around the world and the versity’s Ffriddoedd site organised a football ball on show. e match nished at 12-3 to the money men raise for the charity goes towards match as a fundraiser, which was well-market- Maes Glas sta , despite the security sta scoring combating diseases and cancers that a ect men. ed around the halls of residence and university three amazing goals. ey could not handle the Men everywhere are able to create a ‘Mospace’ buildings. tenacity of the Maes Glas sta ’s team attack, with on the Movember website so they can encour- e game was well-supported with approxi- them conceding twelve goals in total. age people to donate on their page and update mately 40 people showing up to cheer on the All in all, it was a great match that had great the people who donated on the growth of their teams as they played, and donated towards the support from students and local residents alike.