wraps. were Seren lucky enough to get sta al keeping it well and under truly tight withhas restaurant’s the been loy- chemistry. Dr Spacemanyear!” of observed Bio- busy since moving inweekend last taste. a wantingeveryone the to be rst to get UNO building early morning this with P @SerenBangor Newspaper English Language Students’ Union Bangor University EVERYTHING U-NO! BREAKING NEWS NEW MENUTO CHANGE by Security aroundSecurity menu secret new the “Ffriddoedd Site hasn’t this been
BARBARA YOUKNOW Crowds gathered around Bar the today unveiled menu. new their opular Bangor eatery, BarUNO, The LittleBigUnoCard will render every other burger renderwill every inBan- “super-burger”. Reportedly, burger this form one magni cent, yet a ordable, that makes aworld-class burger, to to combine elements the of everything Scandinavia and Century 16th seeks inspiredallegedly by Burger Monks of ‘ e Burger To Burgers’, End All was burger.best would world’s the be almost certainly menu UNO would introduce what long rumoured that been with new the a Reichel second oor kitchen. It had doorsglass of UNO and inside ended insidethe on scoop re-launch the event. SEREN is burger, referred to by some as e line began outside polished the the quick-thinking security sta quick-thinkingthe security the and doors the opened. If it wasn’t for chimed, reworks lit up dull the sky piece. had picture their with time- taken the brave enough to step out of queue the menu’sthe release. were who ose Sitedoedd where it counted down to countdown clock shipped to Ffrid- ympics bar the sta had Olympics the Followingmood. London the 2012ol- Sports, UNO is always sporting inthe grab a bite to eat and watch abit of Sky versity students are able to sit down, gor, and possibly universe, the obsolete. At 11am exactly bell GMT the Known as aplace where Bangor Uni-
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new menunew forces out. them leaving before sheer the force of UNO’s across city the are boarding up and reports suggest that outlets fast food Nothing hascon yet been butrmed Wales to keep up with demand. the bite. a absolute and paradise zenupon taking ate comment, as she reached astate of shesadly was unavailable for immedi- “ eBurger To Burgers”, End All but AN ADBROUGHT TO YOU BY BAR UNO Chefs wereChefs dra infromed across Jo King, was the rst to sample Bar UnoSpecial Issue No. 225 SUNDAY SOOTHER: “BUDGIE LOL SCRUFFS SCRUFFS BRAIN” COCKTAILS! BRAIN MELTING VEGAS PUB QUIZ CASINO NIGHT CASINO NIGHT SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY 06/10/12 30/09/12 24/09/12 OMG BUDGIES WIN BIG BUDGIE- BUDGIE- LYMPICS
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Bangor University Students’ Union Freshers’ 2012 English Language Issue No. 225 Newspaper FREE @SerenBangor Seren.Bangor.ac.uk OUR FRESHERS' GUIDE SEREN TO THE RESCUE THE REAL OLYMPIC COST
RETURN OF FRANKseren TURNER Olympic Ceremony performer to play gig in Bangor Academi this December by JOE RUSSELL from his side venture, Möngöl Hörde, which promises to be more reminiscent t wouldn’t be an unfair slight on Ban- of Turner circa 2001 than 2011. gor’s recent history with music to If that wasn’t enough to convince you suggest that it’s struggled to attract of Bangor’s burgeoning reputation as an Inotable acts to visit. However, a grow- appealing haunt for artists - or if Turner ing number of caveats have appeared in just isn’t your bag - then perhaps the the last three years that dispute such a news that Kissy Sell Out, Jaguar Skills contention; in May 2010, Radio One’s and Jack Beats are all at Embassy in Oc- Big Weekend was held in Bangor; inter- tober, November and December respec- nationally acclaimed opera singer, Bryn tively, will. It’s my job to try and be as Terfel, performed in the university’s informative as possible so I researched Pritchard-Jones Hall late May of this Jaguar Skills to try and get a feel for this year and recent Summer Balls have wel- facet of Bangor’s musical identity. Jag- comed well-known artists such as Rizzle uar Skills o en dons a ninja mask on Kicks, Feeder and Maxïmo Park. Frank stage in order to drum up an air of mys- Turner has recently released live favour- tery in his performances. His style con- ite “If Ever I Stray” which has been tak- sists of a blend between energetic and ing audiences by storm. entertaining performances which make So news of Frank Turner’s gig at it understandable why so many nd him Academi on the 4th December repre- so appealing. sents yet another signi cant coup for ough disingenuous to claim that the university and Bangor as a whole. Turner, Jaguar Skills et al are house- Admittedly, Turner played here in 2006 hold names, they are undoubtedly big but his reputation has risen exponen- enough to encourage more acts of a tially since. In the intervening six years, similar ilk to follow their footsteps into Turner - whose punk roots strike a dis- north Wales’ premier music scene. e parate chord to the resonant acoustic relatively discordant facets of both Skills tones that have more or less de ned and Turner illustrate Bangor’s capacity his post Million Dead (the punk band to lure diverse ranges of music; they also he was a founding member of) career Nick Grimshaw’s ill-fated dalliance with - has released four albums, been nomi- Bangor’s music scene may well be an nated for NME awards almost as many anomaly. Bangor Student Robyn Jones times as he’s appeared at the Reading said “having such a contemporary art- and Leeds Festival), not to mention a lit- ist in a small venue like Academi is very tle gig he played at this summer called exciting, and shows a lot of promise” the Olympics opening ceremony. at and with the arrival of Pontio expected same man, glittering CV and all, is com- for 2014, Bangor students are all look- ing to Bangor to play at a comparatively ing hopeful for similar acts in the not so tiny venue; imagine hearing the haunt- distant future. ingly poignant ‘Long Live the Queen’ or Tickets for the Frank Turner gig are Frank Turner last played in Bangor during 2006 & was a big punchier tracks like ‘Imperfect Tense’ in available from www.kililive.com and fan of Seren when we interviewed him in 2010 (inset) Bangor. It might also manifest itself as went on sale on the 31st August at a cost an opportunity to hear some material of £16 plus booking fee. 2 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Editorial CONTENTS
6 LJ TAYLOR EDITOR
Its that time of year again, life is slowly trickling back in Bangor, stu- dent after student, and a shiny new copy of Seren is ready to greet you. To our readers, both old and new, a big welcome to Seren’s Freshers’ Issue 2012. As I write this its nearing 10pm on our third all-nighter in a row and we’re exhausted. However, I think I speak for the whole team when I 17 say we’re immensely proud of this Pages mammoth forty-eight page Fresh- ers’ Issue (its sixteen pages longer News 3-5 than last year’s!). Those of you who have been Politics 5-7 with us for a while now might no- Business 8 tice that we have had a little play Environment 9 9 around with the overall design, we 20 hope you like it. Check out the new Comment 10-11 AU focussed Sports page, its a par- ticular favourite of mine. Our Olympic Legacy 12-13 We have everything you could need to know inside; from the lat- Union 14-15 est news to the aftermath of the Ol- Societies 16 ympics, an introduction to some of Bangor’s brilliant societies and AU Welfare 17 clubs and a look at the best places Bangor Uiversity: to visit in North Wales. Our eight page Freshers’ pullout has a snaz- A History 18 zy map to help you nd your way around Bangor, locate the places Freshers’ Guide 19 we recommend and most impor- Sex and Drugs 20 tantly where you can pick up your next copy of Seren! Guide To Bangor 21 Its been a long week but with thanks to upsidedowndogs.com Map of Bangor 22-23 and a particular comedic moment Fire Safety 24 when our News Editor came to tell me there was an article on her page Money 25 which was “in no language I’ve ever Health and Beauty 27 seen” (it turned out to be Latin), I’ve made it through this and am Fashion 28-29 36 already looking forward to working on our October issue. Music 30-31 And as always we’ll be at Serendip- TV 32 ity with some free goodies so pop over and have a chat, maybe you’ll Film 33 consider joining us. Not only are we Games and Gadgets 34 looking for a bunch of new sub-ed- itors but photographers, designers, Food and Drink 36-37 proofreaders and anyone who has an idea for an amazing new page Creative Corner 38-39 or feature. Books 40 Well done to the team and thanks 24 to you guys for reading! Travel 41 Sport 42-44 33 NEWS Nicola Hoban TV Becki Watson [email protected] Laura Philips POLITICS Alex Thomson FILM Becki Watson Luke Dobson [email protected] [email protected] Kristell Grainger FEATURES Sam Austin MUSIC Sean Talbot Matt Cox [email protected] [email protected] Sam Smith TEAM COMMENT Sophie Smith HEALTH Kaden Wild Lucy Barrett [email protected] & BEAUTY Lucy Bishop FOOD Gary Bullock EDITOR LJ Taylor & DRINK Joe Russell FASHION Kaden Wild Tom Davies [email protected] [email protected] Neill Harold DEPUTY Rosie McLeod CREATIVE TRAVEL Jordaine Hulse Rachele Johnson CORNER Tom Haynes [email protected] Anna Kimber SECRETARY Matt Jackson Amy Galvin [email protected] SPORT Matt Jackson [email protected] Emily Charnley DESIGN Dan Turner Sally Hoyle Yousef Cisco Dean Ashby WEBSITE Aaron Wiles The views presented hereinafter do not represent the views of
Seren Bangor, Bangor Students’ Union or Bangor University. CONTRIBUTORS Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 3
AGRI RE BNO NBIF AGRI RE BNO NBIF AGRI RE BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR IN BRIEF Local News Bangor University Take A Peek At ‘Peep’ Kayaker Joe Sets New Record Graduates told to by NICOLA HOBAN new toilets and ooring throughout the ‘dumb down’ CVs building, the place o ers a clean and tidy It has emerged that recent gradu- er undergoing a massive trans- environment for all students to enjoy. ates who signed up for Job Seeker’s formation this summer, the Alterations to the traditional student Allowance over the summer have nightclub formerly known as nights have been made also. Whilst been given advice suggesting they ‘ A e Octagon’, or rather ‘Occy’, is getting UnderGrad remains the same on a Fri- remove their degrees from their CVs set to open its doors for the rst time day night, returning for its fourth year, to prevent intimidating employers this weekend, just in time for Fresher’s Peep will be taken over for two student in lower skilled job areas. Several week, this time at the controversially nights a week, allowing students to have students have expressed disappoint- named ‘Peep’. a choice in the matter, depending which ment a er guidance from the gov- A popular nightlife haunt for students night they wanted to attend. Wednesday ernment agency appeared to be more and locals alike, the club closed for the has been nominated as the new night concerned with nding them low- summer for the refurbishment which previous record of 80 days in June: “Not at the club, entitled uniquely as ‘Beans by NICOLA HOBAN income, low-skilled work as opposed has cost around half a million pounds. Bangor’. Student nights at the club typi- only did John help me set points to aim angor graduate Joe Leach has set to assisting them in the graduate job New additions to the decor include a cally o er great deals for students and for but he also helped to design the kay- a new record by becoming the market. See page. 12 for personal new roof top garden, vast new bars and a this year features new additions to the ak that I used for the challenge. I really fastest man to circumnavigate tales completely made-over new club layout, list, giving students an opportunity to appreciated his help. I was incredibly fo- BBritain in a kayak, all in aid of the char- welcoming night clubbers as they pass break up the week with a night out on cused on getting all the way around. I’m ity ‘Surfers Against Sewage’. Macmillan Co ee through its doors. the Wednesday, or for those that choose really happy to break the record”. Setting o from Falmouth on his 2.500 Set in Lower Bangor, ‘ e Octagon’ to save up for the weekend, an ideal Fri- Mr. Leach, from the Isle of Man, visit- challenge in May and taking 67 days to Morning club over the years has built a reputation day night out on the town to wind down ed the island on day een of his travels, ome along to the Manage- complete the voyage, the 24-year old, among students as being a good night a er a busy student week. describing the detour as the “highlight” ment Centre in Upper Ban- now living in Cornwall, pledged to take out but also as “dated” and “a bit of a e new club opens its doors for the of the adventure. Upon returning home, gor on the morning of Friday dive”. Fellow night clubs ‘Academi’ and at least 3 pieces of litter out of the sea the young kayaker said: “I was delighted 28thC September and enjoy co ee and rst time this year on Saturday 22nd each day of his trip. Finishing the trip ‘Embassy’, also inLower Bangor, were September. to get the record, and it was amazing to a cake in aid of Macmillan Cancer ve days quicker than the previous deemed as sti competition for ‘Occy’, More information about Peep get back and be greeted by family and Support. e event is part of Mac- record of 72 days, held by John Willacy, especially since they were newer and Nightclub & Fresher’s 2012 can be friends. I popped a bottle and just en- millan ‘s “ e World’s Biggest Co ee Mr. Leach professed that Mr. Willacy more up-to-date with the times. ese found on their Facebook page ‘Peep joyed the moment”. Morning”, their biggest fundraising friendship had been “incredibly helpful”. perceptions of the club needed to be *Nightclub Bangor’. event. Donations made on the day recti ed and it was decided, especially Continuing, the new record-holder said are given to the Macmillan charity. with Freshers week creeping closer and of Mr. Willacy, who had only broken the closer. Now that the club ‘Peep’ has Welcome to Colwyn Bay’s MIU Set For Closure Boudicas! by NICOLA HOBAN Mr. Saunders, from Rhos-on-Sea, told ust having opened in Lower Bangor Comedy and Phill the room: “Colwyn Bay is the second Bangor, Boudicas is a new café- olwyn Bay Hospital’s Minor In- largest town in North Wales and has the bar o ering itself as a new haunt juries Unit is being targeted for forJ students. With an urban relaxed Jupitus Perform in Student Goat eldest population in Wales. Nearby there closure by the Betsi Cadwaladr is also a skateboard park, a rugby centre atmosphere, the bar holds several UniversityC Health Board as part of the and three large schools. I can’t see why events throughout the week, giving changes proposed in plans to save ap- Colwyn Bay is being demoted. It is a ne- students a variety of choices. What’s proximately £65m. Such a change would cessity to have a MIU in the area. If sav- unique about Boudicas is that they force patients to travel to Ysbyty Glan ings need to be made this is the wrong will make you a personalised cock- Clwyd or Llandudno for treatment. saving. It’s not a risk we can a ord.” tail – you give them a avour, they’ll As a part of the health board’s con- Cllr Cheryl Carlisle, who heads the make it for you. e range is unlim- sultation, three public meetings were Colwyn Bay Hospital Action Group, ited. e prices are reasonable, the conducted at Eirias Park on Septem- added: “Hands o our minor injuries sta are friendly and the place itself ber 14th over the proposed closure of unit. If this is a genuine consultation the is a fresh environment for returning the hospital’s MIU, with health board health board should listen to all these students. executives and clinical experts present p e op l e .” Bangor Comedy Society and Phill Jupitus to explain the changes to the public. A Betsi Cadwaladr’s director of govern- showdown ensued over the plans be- by MATT JACKSON Other games included Bangor Comedy ance and communication, Grace Lewis- tween campaigners and NHS chiefs. e Parry told the concerned citizens that members playing long standing Impsoc plans, announced in June, also include rom possessed washing machines favourite shi le , and party quirks; Ju- the proposed changes were in the in- University Under to lm style cookery, Bangor’s fa- changes to vascular services, long-term terest of providing the best care. “ e pitus was oddly convincing when pre- neo-natal specialist care, the care of Recruitment vourite student comedy society’s tending he had telekinetic powers. bottom line is we have nite resources, FImpsoc once again took to the stage older dementia patients and community we are living in really di cult economic Students’ Union president Antony Freeze with Never Mind the Buzzcocks favour- hospital services. times and we have to use the resources Butcher said “it’s great that Bangor Stu- Donald Saunders, 87, a Colwyn Bay ue to current nancial con- ite Phill Jupitus. e hour long show was dents are involved in fundraising for St in the very best way we can.” straints, it has been decided the Student Goat part of the Giddy Goat Hospital Action Group member, ex- A decision is due to be made by the David’s Hospice, which is an amazing pressed the concerns of the Colwyn Bay at Bangor University that Festival. e festival included several big local charity whilst simultaneously hav- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health anyD recruitment processes should Civic Society. Chairman of the society, names and was organised to raise money ing an amazing experience, it was a fan- Board in December. cease, except for those presently in for St. David’s Hospice. Students who at- tastic show”. Bangor Comedy president the interview process, until a rea- tended Bangor Comedy’s performance Paddy Pritchard can be extremely proud sonable budget has been decided were also welcomed to stay for Jupitus’ of the society and said, “I’m delighted upon. e budget at the moment for one hour Edinburgh show, “You’ll Be that for the second year running Bangor Prestatyn Girl Crushed 2012/13 is currently being reviewed, Wondering Why I Brought You Here”. Comedy has, with two completely dif- but the immediate budget shows a is is now the second successive year ferent groups of performers, proven that By Wall strain on University funding, tak- that Bangor Comedy members have it has the talent to rise to the challenge by NICOLA HOBAN only thing not covered. ere were bro- ing into consideration the necessary taken to the stage with Jupitus. of performing with one of the UK’s ken stones over her body.” Lindsay and investments being made in the aca- little girl who died early this It’s not every day that they’ll get to foremost comedians. It’s a magni cent builders desperately attempted to clear demic schools, the student experi- week was remembered by her perform with such a well-known come- achievement for all involved and goes to the rubble o of the little girl, but Meg ence and the University estate. mother fondly as she described dy talent and unsurprisingly the Bangor show the massive potential this society was declared dead just 10 minutes a er howA beautiful her daughter had looked comedians took the bull by the horns has”. He added, “I am incredibly grateful arriving at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodel- seconds before she was “engulfed” by Get Married At and produced a thoroughly memorable to all those who came along to support wyddan. tons of brick and soil a er a garden wall show for all involved. Jupitus took to the “ e Student Goat”, to Phill Jupitus, to Mrs Burgess continued that on her Bangor! collapsed. stage for a majority of the games, but in the performers, and to Sarah Ecob of way to the shop along Ffordd Penrh- angor University now holds a ree-year old Meg Burgess, from Pr- no way did he overshadow his student Venue Cymru and Steve Doherty of St wylfa she had noticed an excavator pil- full wedding license, meaning estatyn, had been walking to the shops to counterparts, in games in which he did David’s Hospice who gave us this fantas- ing soil behind the newly build bound- that happy couples can have not appear you could hear the TV co- buy sugar with freelance photographer ary wall and “patting” it down. e wall, Bboth the civil ceremony and the re- tic opportunity and whose patience and mum Lindsay Burgess when the trag- median laughing away in approval from support helped to make it a reality”. which was built using concrete blocks, ception on site. In celebration, the edy took place. Talking at Mold Crown the side-lines. Bangor Comedy meets three times a was 74 long and 5 2ins high. Build- University held its very rst ‘Wed- Court, Mrs Burgess remembered: “She Some particularly far out and most week, if you fancy giving comedy a go ing company director George Collier, ding Fayre’ on Sunday 2nd Septem- had a pound pocket money and spent it certainly obscure moments in the show you should consider dropping along 59, used an excavator to back ll behind ber, giving guests the chance to see on some glitter. I was walking along and were Jupitus playing an exorcising to one of their sessions. ey cur- the newly built wall with 10 to 15 tons exactly what’s on o er. Couples were she was trotting behind. She was telling plumber trying to x host Josh Fenby- rently have three branches of comedy, of soil, placing a huge amount of “pres- given the opportunity to meet with me we were going to make cakes when Taylor’s broken washing machine that IMPSOC sketches and standup, and sure and strain” on it, and these actions a host of local wedding suppliers as we got back. I turned around to look was possessed by demons; Rhi Tompson media comedy. Impsoc meet Mondays have been deemed as showing “reckless” well as a tour of the newly renovated how beautiful she was and she was about and Jupitus acting out a scene in which at 7pm, SASU Tuesdays at 7pm and Ad- disregard for safety. Reichel Hall on Ffriddoedd Accom- a couple of metres away from me. She they were cooking rats in a kitchen vanced improv’ meet on ursdays at George Collier, of Kimmel Bay, denied modation Site, plus the historic Teras looked up at me and [the wall] just came whilst pretending to be in various dif- 7pm. the charge of manslaughter on the basis rooms where wedding ceremonies ferent lm types, was equally unique. down. It engulfed her. Her head was the of gross negligence. e trial continues. and civil partnerships will be held. 4 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 UK News Rugby Star Dies in Slurry GCSEs To Undergo Drastic Change by LAURA PHILLIPS modern Britain”. While Mr Twigg does been made that because of this there will believe that schools need to change now, be a “race to the bottom”, meaning that Tragedy he way in which GCSE exams as children are being made to stay on in exam boards will have the idea to attract by NICOLA HOBAN are to be carried out in England education until the age of 18, he does more business by making it easier for is to undergo a drastic change, not believe that change will be achieved the students to pass. ragedy struck last week when a Tmaking them ‘tougher’ for students. e ‘”with a return to the 1980s”. With this new system it is also an- father and his two sons died in an change will mean that a single exam will Mr Clegg plans to formally announce ticipated that students will nd it more accident as they tried to save each be taken at the end of the course, mean- the details of the changes to the GCSEs di cult to get the highest grades. is Tother from being killed in a slurry tank ing fewer high grades and just one exam to MPs. However, sources suggest that suggests that the A* and A grades will at the family’s farm in Hillsborough, Co board per subject. instead of individual units being tested be practically unobtainable for most Down. e reform is yet to be con rmed by there will be a single three hour exam children doing their GCSEs. Family members were le heartbroken both the Education Secretary, Michael assessing everything that the children During the last exam season, there was when Ulster rugby star Nevin Spence, Grove, and Deputy Prime Minister, have learned over the course of their two a leak that stated that it would be better his brother Graham and father Noel all Nick Clegg, and will take e ect for pu- years as GCSE students. e rst stu- if the GCSEs were discontinued and re- lost their lives on the Saturday night af- pils who have begun secondary school dents to study in this way would begin placed with O-Levels for the more able ter they fell into the tank in an attempt this year, meaning that these exams will in 2015, meaning that the rst exams to students and having a di erent exam for to rescue a dog and were overcome by start to take place in the year 2017. be sat this way would be sat in the year the students who are less able. is state- the gas. His sister Emma, who solely Whilst Nick Clegg assures parents 2017. ment raised a dispute within the current survived the accident, has been released that these changes will enable them to It is also very likely that instead of each coalition over bringing in a “two-tier” from hospital where she had been treat- be more con dent in their child’s abil- subject having multiple exam boards system. is seems to have been dealt ed for the toxic fume inhalation. Ac- ity, Labour Education Secretary Stephen the schools can choose from, there will with by creating the single three hour cording to news reports that unfolded Twigg criticised the plans as being only be one per subject. is means that exam covering the entire course. the event, the 22-year old rugby player’s “totally out of date, from a Tory-led for each subject there will only be one father, 58, rst fell into the tank as tried underground slurry tank died from the government totally out of touch with version of the exam paper. Claims have to rescue the family pet. Brother Gra- e ects of exposure to slurry gases. e ham, 30, went to his father’s aid, but was exact sequence of events is not yet clear overcome by the fumes. Nevin and sister but HSENI is investigating a de nite Emma, who is an artist well known for line of inquiry.” her paintings of the Ulster Rugby play- With three other people having died Hillsborough Truth Shocks Nation ers, then made an attempt to save both on Nothern Ireland farms from slurry by BECKI WATSON their father and brother. gas over the past ten years, Presbyterian Grieving family members Mrs. Essie er 23 years of campaigning, the Moderator Dr Roy Patton revealed that Spence and daughter Laura, are said to families of the 96 Liverpool fans the scale of this recent tragedy has le be deep in shock. In a statement from killed during the Hillsborough everybody “in a state of bewilderment Rev. Rodney Stout, senior pastor at disasterA nally know what really hap- and shock”. Ballynahinch Baptist church, it was re- pened on 15th April 1989. A star of the Ulster Rugby squad, vealed: “ e families of Noel, Graham An investigation by the Hillsborough Nevin was predicted to have a success- and Nevin Spence are trying very hard Independent Panel of over 400,000 po- ful international career ahead of him, to come to terms with their tragic loss.” lice, medical and council documents having made an impressive 43 appear- Rev. Stout added: “ e three men were has categorically proven that the victims ances for Ulster. His former colleagues, very close to each other in life, and that were in no way to blame for the events at Ulster’s home stadium of Ravenhill love was expressed in their nal mo- that occurred, laying the blame squarely in Belfast, said that they were deeply ments trying to help one another. e at the feet of the emergency services. In saddened. Chief executive of Ulster family is being supported and comfort- a horri c revelation, it was discovered Rugby Shane Logan added: “Nevin was ed by other family members, friends and that up to 41 people had the potential to a wonderful player but also a wonderful neighbours.” survive their injuries if the emergency person. He was liked by everyone who e Health and Safety Executive for services has acted faster, as many were knew him and his loss will be deeply felt Nothern Ireland (HSENI) is investi- still alive a er the 3.15pm cut o point by his teammates and everyone at Ulster gating the circumstances to establish imposed in the original coroner’s report. Rugby. He will be sorely missed and the a clear picture of how the events oc- But the papers showed that the South thoughts of everyone involved in the Liverpool fans rejoice CHANGE TO SOMETHING curred. It said: “From HSENI’s initial Yorkshire Police were not equipped game are with his family at this time.” investigations, it understands that the to deal with a catastrophe of this level, MP Sir Irvine Patrick called for the mendacity”, but thanked the Prime three family members who entered an and the FA had failed to check Hillsbor- blame to be shi ed onto the Liverpool Minister for his statement, saying that ough stadium’s safety certi cates before fans. is led to the now infamous ‘ e it’s “value in Liverpool simply cannot be scheduling the semi- nal match. Truth’ article by e Sun, accusing fans calculated”. Furthermore, the investigation re- of urinating on the police and stealing With the full scope of the cover up re- Woman Jailed For Full-Term vealed the astonishing lengths the police from the dead; the city wide boycott of vealed, the calls for justice have begun in and council went to in order to cover the paper because of that headline con- earnest. Many have demanded that Sir up their failings on that day. Out of 164 tinues to this day. Irvine Patrick be stripped of his knight- Self-Abortion A er the report was delivered to Par- hood, and the prosecution of leading by NICOLA HOBAN this year to administering a poison with police documents, 116 were altered or withdrawn completely in order to re- liament, David Cameron issued a ‘pro- South Yorkshire police o cers for man- intent to procure a miscarriage, telling a found apology’ for the ‘double injustice’ slaughter and perverting the course of woman has been jailed for eight psychiatrist that she had taken the drug move any negativity about the perform- years a er aborting her baby less ance of the police. is included one of the tragedy. Labour leader Ed Mil- justice is being considered. Chairman while her husband was away and deliv- liband also apologised for the failings of the Hillsborough Families Support than a week before his due date. ered the baby boy herself at home. She o cer criticising the lack of leadership ASarah Catt, from Sherburn-in-Elmet, during the crisis, and another who de- of the last Labour government to fully Group Trevor Hicks, who lost two teen- said that the child was not breathing or North Yorkshire, bought drugs on the scribed the scene as “chaotic”. investigate the disaster. e report was age daughters in the tragedy, has said moving and that she buried his body but met with horror and disgust in Parlia- that that be families are “vindicated in internet to induce her labour when her has not revealed the location. It was also is also led to the police, council and pregnancy was nearly full-term. Claim- media making a concentrated e ort to ment, but none more so than the MPs [their] search for the truth” a er years of heard in court that she went on a holi- for Liverpool, some of whom had lost criticism. But their campaign is far from ing that the boy was still born, Catt re- day to France May 27th. blame the victims for the tragedy. In an vealed to Leeds Crown Court that she e ort to tarnish the reputations of the friends and were actually present at the over; as Mr. Hicks put it, “the truth is out Mr Justice Cooke said that she had match. MP Andy Burnham, who has today, justice starts tomorrow”. had buried his body, though no evi- robbed the baby of the life it was about deceased, criminal checks were per- dence of the child has ever been found. formed on the dead and the blood alco- campaigned tirelessly for an independ- But whether or not the report leads to have and said that the seriousness of ent report into the events of Hillsbor- to any prosecutions, the Hillsborough Having already had two children with the crime lay between manslaughter and hol level of all the dead and injured were her husband, the 35-year old woman tested, including children. Additionally, ough, condemned the “catalogue of families have nally got what they want- murder. When being sentenced, Catt – negligence, appalling failure and sheer ed a er over two decades - the truth. became pregnant again in 2009. How- who portrayed no emotion throughout a brie ng of the press by Conservative ever she believed the baby’s father to be the hour-long hearing – was told by the a man with whom she had been having judge: “ e critical element of your of- an a air with for seven years. fending is the deliberate choice made by Trying to terminate the pregnancy Infant Dies In House Fire you, in full knowledge of the due date of the Gwent Police forensics department in 2010, she discovered that she had your child, to terminate the pregnancy by NICOLA HOBAN missed the legal limit of 24 weeks. Catt now that the area has been cordoned o , at somewhere close to term, if not ac- 27-year old man has been arrest- with o cers additionally carrying out then made several internet searches that tually at term, with the full knowledge ed on suspicion of arson a er related to illegal abortions and abortion house to house enquiries in the area. your child’s birth was imminent.” two adults and an infant died in e man was arrested on suspicion of drugs, and went on to purchase a drug Cooke added: “What you have done is aA house re in Cwmbran, South Wales. used to terminate pregnancy or induce arson with intent to endanger life and is rob an apparently healthy child, vulner- Police received a call at approximately being held at an undisclosed location. A labour over the internet from a com- able and defenceless, of the life which 3.30am from the Fire Service who were pany in Mumbai, India, in May 2010. Gwent Police spokesperson said: “ e he was about to commence. e child attending a re at the Tillsland home. people con rmed deceased inside the It is believed that she took the drug at in the womb was so near to birth, in Two adults and one infant have been Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the the end of May when she was nearly 40 address were two adults and one infant. my judgement all right-thinking people con rmed dead inside the house, with A 27-year old man has been arrested on house was “well alight” when they ar- weeks pregnant. would think this o ence more serious the upper oor of the two-storey build- rived on the scene with four re engines. A er rst claiming that she had had suspicion of arson with intent to endan- than unintentional manslaughter.” ing being reported completely burnt out. ger life and is currently in custody.” a legal abortion at a Marie Stopes clinic An investigation is being conducted by in March 2010, she soon pleaded guilty According to re ghters from South Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 5 World News Harry Was Target In Taliban Attack By NICOLA HOBAN which houses American forces from Camp Leatherneck. A number of air- t has been con rmed by a Taliban cra , hangars and other buildings at the commander that Prince Harry was base were hit and badly damaged by in- the target in the recent attack on surgent re. Anti-Islam Film Protests Escalate Imilitary base Camp Bastion in Afghani- Demonstrators were chanting “death people rioted outside. e Ministry of Defence con rmed By LAURA PHILLIPS stan. the attack, adding that “incident was to America” while others held signs e Afghan government stated that Originally claiming that the attack was protester has been shot dead by sporting “Allah is Greatest”. e more YouTube would be “blocked inde nite- contained with a number of insurgents police outside the US Embassy carried out in revenge for a low-budget killed as a result”. According to sources, violent demonstrators were seen setting ly” to stop people watching the video de- YouTube lm which apparently moti- in Yemen and 15 more have re to cars and tyres. picting the Prophet Mohammed having 18 Taliban militants died in the attack beenA injured during the protests over vated rioters in Libya to kill the US am- It can also be seen that the protests sex, being a homosexual and calling for and another was captured. Continuing, an anti-Islam lm shot in America and bassador and three other Americans a it was stated: “A clearance operation are not just con ned to Yemen. e massacres. week before, the attack which occurred posted on YouTube. protests continue for a second day in As a consequence of the rioting, US including UK and ISAF forces is be- Up to 5000 protesters stormed the US Friday 14th September, killed two US ing conducted and we are in the proc- Cairo, Egypt, a er the anti-Islam lm Ambassador Chris Stevens has died, Marines and several others were injured Embassy in Sanaa as the “anti-Muslim” was reported to mock the Prophet Mo- along with three other American of- ess of accounting for our people, who lm angers many throughout the Mid- when the Taliban militants launched the were subject to a lockdown as is the case hammed. Egypt's president Mohammed cials, two of which have been identi- attack on the base. dle East. e two barricades the police Morsi attacked the lm for the way it ed as information management o cer, when a base is attacked.” had put up to protect the compound However, it was said by Sky News However, some believe that the Tali- mocked Islam, though like Clinton he Sean Smith, and private security guard, Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay, in were proved useless as hundreds of pro- made it clear that he didn't agree with Glen Doherty. Gunmen shot rocket pro- ban’s motive was the anti-Islamic vid- testers managed to storm past them. Cairo, that: “It appears that rather than eo rather than to target Harry. Major the violence that was occurring because pelled grenades and set the compound the attack being linked to the video, it ey were eventually pushed back by of it. Protests were also recorded oc- that they were in alight. Libyan Prime Charles Heyman, a former infantry of- security when they had to re weapons was actually Prince Harry that was the cer and military analyst, revealed: “On curring in Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, Minister Mustafa Abu Shagour has said target. is is quite a development, that into the air. and Iraq. In Bangladesh approximately that a “big advance” has been made in balance it is probably that [the Taliban] US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the Taliban is con rming Prince Harry are grandstanding a bit, but the real rea- 10,000 protesters were burning Ameri- the attempt to track down the killers. US was the primary target.” criticised the anti-Islamic lm, stating can and Israeli ags chanting “God is President Barack Obama has vowed to son that attack was mounted was to co- that it was “disgusting and reprehen- Prince Harry himself was more than a incide with all the riots and all the pro- Great” and “Smash the black hands of “bring to justice” those responsible for mile away with other crew members of sible”. She went on to say that it was a the Jews” as they attempted to attack the the deaths. e military have moved two tests that have been going on across the “cynical attempt to o end people for the Apache attack helicopters when the world.” In questioning whether Prince US Embassy in the capital Dhaka. In In- navy destroyers toward the coast of Lib- attack took place, sources revealed, and their religious beliefs”. However, she also donesia, 250 riot police were needed to ya to give administration “ exibility for Harry should withdraw from Afghani- added that it did not justify violence. that he was unharmed. stan, Major Heyman said: “On balance guard the US Embassy in Jakarta as 450 any future action against Libyan targets”. US o cials said the heavily-armed in- I think the right move is to keep him surgents were equipped with a range of there and let’s just get on with it and get weaponry, including mortars, rockets, on with what we have to do for the next and small arms re. A spokesperson for Israel Considers Independent Strike On Iran year and a half or so.” mad Ali Jafari responded by warning Brigadier General Mike Herzog, a the International Security Assistance Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond By NICOLA HOBAN Force (ISAF) coalition in Afghanistan that “nothing will remain” of Israel if it former Israeli defence chief, said: “ e has stated that Prince Harry’s presence srael’s Prime Minister Benjamin takes military action to target the nucle- question for the Israeli government is said the attack happened near an air- “does not put any servicemen or women Netanyahu has stated that the policy eld on the north-east side of the base, ar programme. e General stated that a should we move independently before at any additional risk”. of sanctions to try and stop Iran’s response to any attack would begin near the window of opportunity for Israel Inuclear programme will not work be- the Israeli border and that oil shipments closes or should we wait and give the US cause Tehran is guided by a “leadership through the Strait of Hormuz would be the chance to do the right thing. ere is of fanaticism”. Additionally, he has also in jeopardy if war broke out. a sense of urgency because the feelings disagreed with those who debate that Under the terms of the Nuclear Non- is sanctions and diplomacy do not yield going to war with Iran would be worse Proliferation Treaty (1968), it is illegal results.” than it having nuclear weapons. for Iran to be developing nuclear weap- Former White House adviser Dr Pippa e Israeli PM revealed: “Iran is guid- ons and if it does acquire them, it will be Malmgren said US bunker missiles were ed by a leadership with an unbelievable classed as a nuclear rogue state. Tehran, not delivered to Israel in August and fanaticism. You want these fanatics to however, insists that the nuclear pro- joint military exercises with the US were have nuclear weapons?” gramme is for “peaceful purposes”. scaled down. “ e Iranians are speeding Both the US and Israel have le open e response from both sides has in- up and putting 1,000 new centrifuges in. the possibility of a strike on Iran if sanc- creased the amount of con ict in the e US under President Obama is not tions and diplomacy failed to stop a sus- Middle East a er a surge of cyber at- going to be of any assistance [to Israel] pected push for a nuclear weapon. tacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and in any way. at has changed.” US Presidential However, the top commander in Iran’s the killings of nuclear scientists in the Elections 2012 Revolutionary Guard General Moham- country. by LUKE DOBSON America. In recent weeks he was over- heard saying that anyone who supports ith just over a month to go Obama doesn’t pay income tax, insult- Syria Crisis Poses Global reat until the 2012 Presidential ing almost half of the nation and pos- By NICOLA HOBAN action is dependent on putting pressure mascus on 13th September. Discussing election, the Obama and sibly some swing voters. He has also on the countries that nance and train this, Brahimi said: “ ere is a need for he escalating con ict in Syria WRomney campaigns are ghting tooth come under heavy re for his consist- the terrorists, and which bring weap- all parties to unite their e orts to nd a poses a threat to the whole world and nail for every inch of ground. In the ent switching of views on issues ranging ons into Syria, until they stop doing so.” solution for the crisis, given Syria’s stra- according to UN-Arab League latest polls, President Obama is leading from health care, to the economy and Carrying on, Assad said that his govern- tegic importance […] and the crisis’ in- Tenvoy Lakhdar Brahimi. a mere 49% to the former Governor’s immigration; some he has changed his ment would “co-operate with all sincere uence over the whole region.” Mr Brahimi warned during his rst 46%, making this an extremely tense mind on since he was Governor, others e orts to solve the crisis, so long as the Brahimi professed that he had “no visit to Damascus since taking over time for both parties. during the middle of debates. e orts are neutral and independent.” plan” to tackle the crisis, but a strategy from former UN chief Ko Annan that It appears that the right wing furore, Americans are feeling hard done by, Russia has insisted that it was not will be “set […] a er listening to all in- the crisis is deteriorating and that it which has grown since the election of though, and the polls show that people “clinging” to any particular leader in ternal, regional and international par- could only be solved by the Syrian peo- Barack Obama four years ago, is helping are considering Romney as they feel Syria, however, it was warned that it ties”. ple. “ e crisis is dangerous and getting drive the Republican campaign’s e orts Obama has not done enough to improve would block any new UN Security President Assad’s forces and rebel worse, and it is a threat to the Syrian to make it to the White House. Rom- the economic situation. Unemployment Council resolution aimed at pressuring ghters seeking his overthrow have people, the region and the world,” Mr ney’s campaign has focussed on criti- is at a fairly deep low and the Obama its long-time ally President Assad. blanked appeals made in an e ort to Brahimi stated. cising Obama’s economic policies and administration has had to submit com- It has been announced by activists end the con ict, which at the moment A er meeting with Mr Brahimi, Syr- blaming the President for the current plaints to the World Trade Organisation that more than 27,000 people have continues to a ect most of Syria’s main ian President Bashar al Assad has called levels of unemployment in the United in order to try and bolster the barely been killed in the 18-month-old upris- cities, including Damascus, Aleppo, for talks between Syrians. President As- States. He has used this stance in an at- buoyant auto-industry (see Business). ing, a rebellion against Syrian President Homs and Deir al Zor. World powers sad has revealed that talks between Syr- tempt to bring undecided voters to his Others feel that his public support of Bashar al Assad. e United Nations remain at a standstill in the UN Secu- ians held the key to di using the con ict side, whilst bringing in the core of the gay marriage is a betrayal of the reli- has put the death toll at approximately rity Council along Cold War lines, with and called on foreign countries to cease Republican base with his conservative gious values they hold; these votes could 20,000. e Syrian Observatory for Hu- the US and UK supporting the call for in supplying arms to his enemies. Assad ideals. end up going to Romney and his more man Rights – a British-based group that President Assad to resign whilst Russia stressed: “ e real problem in Syria is However, the former Governor of conservative values. is monitoring the violence – said that and China stand next to and defend him that of combining politics with the work Massachusetts has drawn heavy criti- How the American people will actu- 160 people were killed in Syria on Fri- against what they perceive to be as out- being done on the ground. e political cism for several high pro le ga es over ally vote remains to be seen; yet it seems day 14th alone. side interference. work continues, in particular by calling the course of the campaign. His trip to these campaigns will have to continue Mr Brahimi, 78, also met with Foreign for dialogue between Syrians based on London before the Olympics was met ghting for every last one, right up until Minister Walid Muallem and members the aspirations of all Syrians.” with contempt by the British public November 6th. of the opposition that are tolerated by He continued: “ e success of political and was seen as an embarrassment for the government since he arrived in Da- 6 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 7 Politics by ALEX THOMSON Politics e Cabinet reshu e 2012 he basics of a cabinet reshu e is under pressure for his handling of the MP’s who have positions in the BSkyB takeover bid. is promotion is Government are moved from one that I don’t see the logic in; in es- Tone department to another, either as sence Cameron is praising Hunt for his junior ministers or ministers in charge work on the BskyB bid which seems of departments; the name is slightly morally wrong and adds fuel to the re misleading because some of the changes of the critics who believe that the gov- are made at below cabinet level e.g. jun- ernment is ‘owned’ by Rupert Murdoch. ior ministers. is cabinet reshu e is Elsewhere, Chris Grayling replaces the rst and potentially the only one of Ken Clarke as Justice Secretary. Mr the Coalition government with David Clarke takes a lesser role as minister Constitutional Reform Cameron expressing his opinion that without portfolio in the Cabinet O ce, he hated reshu es and believed that his where he will act as a government “wise cabinet colleagues need time in their head” o ering advice to Mr Cameron job, and that constant change of minis- on issues including economic strategy. his article will focus on Lords re- failure to reach agreement, but the case duce the boundary changes in time for dation would only change the Lords in a pearing. ters and cabinet favoured by Tony Blair He has been replaced by employment form and the boundary review. for a democratic Lords was still over- the 2015 election, Mr Clegg argued, and piecemeal way, it would still give the Lib Last month, David Cameron said he was counter-productive. minister Chris Grayling, who is regard- is controversially moved to another role tary Caroline Spelman, Welsh Secretary stands down from the Government, and Lords reform was o cially cut whelming and he “hoped to return” to the Lib Dems as a whole would not sup- Dems something to feel proud of when would continue to argue for the changes (that of international development); in Cheryl Gillian and Commons leader Sir Northern Ireland Secretary and Hous- Tfrom the government’s plan for legisla- the issue a er the next election, sched- port their introduction before then in they re ect on their part in the Coalition a er Nick Clegg withdrew Lib Dem sup- Cameron cannot ditch his chancellor ed as being to the right of Mr Clarke on for they are allied on economic policy justice issues. Some see the new justice some eyes she was ‘demoted’. I have to George Young. Among notable promo- ing Minister Grant Shapps becomes tion recently, and as Nick Clegg said, uled for 2015. I don’t believe that the pro- any future vote. and would allow change to be enacted in port for the idea, but the Conservatives and if Cameron did move Osborne then secretary as being a way placating Cam- say I don’t agree with this move either tions, Maria Miller and eresa Villiers Tory Party co-chairman. this means that the Lib Dems will vote posals as they stood would have made Without Lib Dem support - and with the next parliament. will now pick candidates within existing it would seem that the Prime Minister eron’s critics on the right wing of the for a few reasons; the ‘demotion’ was for join the cabinet as Culture Secretary, Paul Deighton, who was chief ex- down any Government plans to change the Lords anymore democratic,;the Labour also opposed - the government He also said the Lord Steel propos- boundaries. has lost faith in the government’s eco- Conservative party who see both Clarke all intents and purposes political; the and Baroness Warsi has lost her job as ecutive of the London 2012 organising the electoral boundaries that would have ‘term’ of a lord or a senator would have would lose any vote on boundary chang- als would not have the desired e ect of e rst will be selected in 40 key Con- nomic policy and been fatally damag- and Cameron as being too so on law & Conservative party is starting to believe Conservative Party co-chairman, but committee, will be given a peerage and bene ted the Tories over any other party been for 15 years, which means that they es because of the total opposition to it. reducing the size of the Lords and were servative target seats from November - ing. All the members of cabinet that order. is is another bad move by the that a third runway at Heathrow is essen- will continue to attend cabinet. become a Treasury minister with a focus in Westminster. ese electoral bound- could sit through three parliaments and And Downing Street said it was still “no surrogate for democracy”, but the the major seats they will need to gain in haven’t been moved could be seen to PM, as Clarke was starting to build up tial for Britain’s future economic growth ere does seem to be a bit of a theme on infrastructure and economic recov- ary changes were intended to even out be far less accountable than the Com- the Prime Minister’s intention to have Lib Dems want to reform the Lords and order to get a majority in the Commons. have been successful in running their momentum on justice about a focus on and that it would strangle business if a in this cabinet; more female ministers ery because of his work with the Olym- every constituency and make every MP mons. ere is very little need as I see a Commons vote on boundary changes this could be a way of getting gradual A senior party source insisted the third runaway wasn’t built which is the seem to have lost their jobs than men, pics. Deighton is seen as a person who covering broadly the same amount of it for a largely elected house; there are next year. change. When it comes to the next par- move did not indicate they had given up wrong policy and would simply increase either leaving the Government or get- can force through change and bring the area and same amount of constituents. many changes which are needed to the “It is the law,” a spokesman said. “An liament, I believe that another coali- on hopes of boundary changes, but crit- ere will be no third runaway ‘til a er the amount of carbon dioxide being ting lesser roles, which worries me be- ‘Olympic spirit’ to the Government and In a statement to the Commons, Lords, like the abil- tion will need to ics will suggest the decision signals a re- pumped into the atmosphere. cause there weren’t that many women the rest of the country. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg ity to strip a mem- be formed and the treat, which would be a common sense the election of 2015 ere will be no third runaway till af- in the cabinet at the start of this gov- All ve Liberal Democrat cabinet said ministers had sought but failed to ber of his position, “Without Lib Dem support - and with Labour Lib Dems could de- approach for they know that they will ter the election of 2015 because of the ernment. ere are now 6 women on a ministers, including Business Secretary build a consensus on the changes. More or changes to al- also opposed - the government would lose any mand Lords reform, not get the bill through. e constitu- departments, or need to be kept in their the victim over the criminal, but also coalition agreement banning any expan- cabinet of 27 people, so roughly only a Vince Cable, will remain in their posts. than 100 MP’s voted against the tim- lowances they are or they would not ency changes would be likely to prove of position in order to see their individual Clarke admitted what some critics of sion until the election, and I hope that quarter of the cabinet is female, which is Former cabinet minister David Laws - ing of the legislation; the government given. vote on boundary changes” support the larger most bene t to the Conservatives, and reforms through. justice in the UK have been saying for the next government of whatever po- bad and needs to be changed to improve who resigned over his expenses in 2010 planned to use a ‘guillotine’ motion to He repeated his party, whichever may trigger another coalition in 2015. e changes have not a ected key ages - that prison doesn’t work in trying litical colour realises that railway expan- the prospects for women in politics, but - has returned to the government as a ensure the bill got through parliament intention to vote against the implemen- Act of Parliament sets out the process. party it maybe. David Cameron will back redrawing gures such as Chancellor George Os- to reduce the levels of crime. I believe sion, improvements to bus services and also would set an example to the rest junior education minister with a ‘roving but this was voted down by more than tation of changes to MPs’ constituency e Boundary Commissions are doing For Labour, Deputy Leader Harriet boundaries when the matter is put to borne, Home Secretary eresa May or that Ken Clarke here is right; we need other public transport projects would be of the country - if the cabinet is gender brief’; he replaces Sarah Teather. I think 100 rebel Conservative MP’s and would boundaries, saying reform to the Lords their work, they will report next year Harman said Lords reform was “un n- the vote, probably next year, but shorn Foreign Secretary William Hague, who to adopt a far more exible approach to a far better policy than building another balanced then why can’t businesses or that David Law’s appointment back into have meant that if the legislation was put and the Commons were part of the same and a er that there will be a vote in Par- ished business” but criticised the gov- of Lib Dem support the measure is un- will all remain in their posts. Education justice which puts the victim at the heart runway. Miss Greening - a strong oppo- councils be the same? the government is a wise one, for would to the house, it would have a lot of time “constitutional package”. Before the liament. at vote is required by the act.” ernment for failing to win over those likely to be passed. Secretary Michael Gove and Work and of the process, not criminals. Although nent of a new runway at Heathrow - has Among other changes, former North- be seen as a good minister by both Con- for debate in which MP’s would have Government started to move towards Addressing MPs, Mr Clegg also said with genuine concerns on all sides. Labour has already begun selecting Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith this opinion may not be popular in the been replaced by former Conservative ern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson servatives and Lib Dems and help to given massive speeches and not giving legislating on House of Lords reform, he would not support separate propos- e Conservatives are starting to se- their candidates for the next general will also stay in their jobs. Andrew UK today, it’s one that will become more Chief Whip Patrick McLoughlin a er becomes the new Environment Secre- promote unity both in education but any time to the actual legislation. both parties said that there was no link als put forward on the Lords by Lib Dem lect candidates in existing Parliamen- election. Lansley has been replaced as Health widespread when the cost of prisons rise less than a year in the job. tary, and Wales O ce minister David also in the Coalition as a whole. Tory MPs who opposed the plans between the two motions. peer Lord Steel to make it easier for tary constituencies, despite insisting Liberal Democrat party president Tim Secretary by Jeremy Hunt; the move is and so does the re-o ending rate. ose leaving the government in the Jones has been promoted to Welsh Sec- cheered Mr Clegg as he con rmed the e proposals - strongly backed by peers to retire and to be stripped of their the boundaries should be redrawn be- Farron told local Lib Dem parties to a promotion for Mr Hunt, who has been Transport Secretary Justine Greening shake-up include Environment Secre- retary. Lib Dem minister Sarah Teather U-turn on the rst day a er the recess. the Conservatives - have already been membership for non-attendance. is fore the next election, which e ectively start selecting the day a er Nick Clegg Labour said it “shared the coalition’s dis- approved in principle by Parliament, is a bad move on the part of Clegg be- means that the Conservatives have giv- withdrew his support for redrawing appointment” about lack of progress, for but Mr Clegg said the coalition part- cause some changes to the Lords is bet- en up trying to push the legislation on constituencies. it was in all three major parties’ manifes- ners could not take a “pick and mix ap- ter than none, and would continue the boundary change through parliament. Nick Clegg rejected the plans, previ- tos to reform the House of Lords. proach” to political reforms. pace of reform by gradually changing e Tories also want to reshape the ously backed by Lib Dems, a er Lords Leanne Wood’s new message, a Mr Clegg told MPs he “regretted” the ere was no commitment to intro- the Lords. Even though this recommen- Commons map, with 50 seats disap- reform was abandoned. ‘Green New Deal for Wales’ n her rst major speech, which will Ms Wood outlined plans for new be indicative of the direction that Wales based nancial institutions and Plaid will take for the Assembly elec- tax breaks for pension funds investing New minister with new Ition’s in 2016, Ms Wood told the party’s in Wales, which would rely on either annual conference in Brecon that “eco- major devolvement of economic policy nomic underdevelopment is the single to Wales or independence from the UK. message biggest hurdle to our progress as a na- e idea would be to o er tax breaks, t i o n”. which are based on the ones available he new DCMS (Department for of both sexes’ sports. the need for equal coverage in newspa- Ms Wood said a Plaid Welsh govern- in Canada, to those pension funds pre- Culture, Media and Sports) min- Miller told broadcasters that, outside per and other media of female sports. ment would establish new national bod- pared to invest in their own communi- ister, Maria Miller, has started the Games, women's sport had been If you pick up any paper and read the Tthe job running by calling on the major "woefully under represented on televi- sport section of it, 98% of it would be ies to invest in green energy and boost ties. innovation and enterprise. ese new Although the theme of the speech was broadcasters to increase the amount of sion", with women's cricket, football and details of male sports. is also needs to national bodies will be at the heart of of Welsh independence, Plaid’s long time allotted to female sports. Mrs Mill- netball "buried pretty deep in the sched- change, for with equal exposure on tele- this green new deal in order to massively term aim would not be achieved until er is also the minister for women and ules, if shown at all". vision, there needs to be equal reporting boost economic growth in Wales, which the economy was in much better shape. equalities. e minister wants to meet broadcast- of female sports by the media. is far behind Scotland or England. e But the long-term ambition of the party Mrs Miller said the success of Team ers to discuss how the momentum from Among the highlights of the Olympics aim of this new initiative is to give “skill, - achieving Welsh independence - did GB's female athletes had been truly in- London 2012 can be maintained. is is was Jessica Ennis winning heptathlon work, hope and opportunity for a new not feature prominently. Again this spirational and that the huge TV audi- the right time to build up pressure on gold on "Super Saturday" for Team GB's generation”, but one of the major stum- is very interesting politically, because ences showed the public had a real appe- the media with both the report from athletics team. Some 16.3 million people bling blocks to her proposal is that ener- it may signify a move away from de- tite for mainstream coverage of women's the Leveson inquiry due in November tuned in for that, while there was a tel- gy is not a devolved power to the Welsh manding independence immediately to sport. I agree with her one hundred which will bring change to the media in evision audience of 11.3 million for Re- Government, with the UK holding the a more long term and slower approach percent; when you actually stop and general and also the coverage (and great becca Adlington's bronze medal in the power to legislate in this particular area. to independence. ere has been some think about it all, the sport shown on enjoyment) of female sports in the Ol- 800m freestyle swimming. ese two To start this ‘Green New Deal’, the Welsh realisation by the party and in particular telly is normally male unless its athlet- ympics means there will be great pub- are great examples of what I’ve been say- government would have to request the by Ms. Wood that the majority of Wales ics. Football for instance - Premiership lic support for the Minister to push this ing in this article; there is want from the UK government to devolve energy, don’t want full independence, and may- or the World Cup, it’s always male foot- agenda as much as she can. As the Min- public for female sports which broad- and if the UK government refused, this have Wales’ interests as its over-riding and would need a partner to govern ef- any idea of a coalition. be this is starting to lter into policy de- ball. Another example is cricket; when ister who is in charge of translating the casters need to ful l, either voluntarily would signify the end of the project priority”. is particular statement is fectively. Maybe Labour will be the big- President Roosevelt’s New Deal was cisions being made by Plaid. it’s shown on terrestrial telly, it’s always report from the Leveson inquiry into ac- or by government intervention. without it really starting. very interesting politically; she is reject- gest party, but not have enough seats to widely seen as turning around the US More renewable energy production male cricket. I know that some may say tion, either through legislation or other Mrs Miller's plea comes nine months In this, her rst speech to the annual ing the potential of a coalition in the govern e ectively; or even a rainbow co- economy a er the 1930s depression and and a national home energy e ciency that now with the sheer amount of chan- means, she should use the report to a er the BBC came under re when conference, Ms Wood said the weak Welsh Assembly with Labour or any po- alition evolving between the Conserva- this policy is seen as to draw inspiration programme will form part of Plaid nels available with the digital switchover draw up legislation to force broadcasters its annual Sports Personality of the Welsh economy “condemns us to de- litical party, but I predict that one of the tives, Plaid and the Lib Dems. is is from the American New Deal, but also a Cymru’s proposals for a greener future. you could nd female sport somewhere to have 50% of its sports broadcast to be Year award did not include any women pendence on a government in Westmin- potential results of the 2016 election is just speculation at this point, but what’s New Deal tailored for the speci c needs but that’s not the point; there needs to be female sports. among its 10-strong shortlist. ster, of whichever hue, that will never that no party gains an overall majority clear is that at this point, Wood rejects of Wales. an equal balance on the main channels A point which Miller has missed is Maria Miller, new minister 6 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 7 Politics by ALEX THOMSON Politics e Cabinet reshu e 2012 he basics of a cabinet reshu e is under pressure for his handling of the MP’s who have positions in the BSkyB takeover bid. is promotion is Government are moved from one that I don’t see the logic in; in es- Tone department to another, either as sence Cameron is praising Hunt for his junior ministers or ministers in charge work on the BskyB bid which seems of departments; the name is slightly morally wrong and adds fuel to the re misleading because some of the changes of the critics who believe that the gov- are made at below cabinet level e.g. jun- ernment is ‘owned’ by Rupert Murdoch. ior ministers. is cabinet reshu e is Elsewhere, Chris Grayling replaces the rst and potentially the only one of Ken Clarke as Justice Secretary. Mr the Coalition government with David Clarke takes a lesser role as minister Constitutional Reform Cameron expressing his opinion that without portfolio in the Cabinet O ce, he hated reshu es and believed that his where he will act as a government “wise cabinet colleagues need time in their head” o ering advice to Mr Cameron job, and that constant change of minis- on issues including economic strategy. his article will focus on Lords re- failure to reach agreement, but the case duce the boundary changes in time for dation would only change the Lords in a pearing. ters and cabinet favoured by Tony Blair He has been replaced by employment form and the boundary review. for a democratic Lords was still over- the 2015 election, Mr Clegg argued, and piecemeal way, it would still give the Lib Last month, David Cameron said he was counter-productive. minister Chris Grayling, who is regard- is controversially moved to another role tary Caroline Spelman, Welsh Secretary stands down from the Government, and Lords reform was o cially cut whelming and he “hoped to return” to the Lib Dems as a whole would not sup- Dems something to feel proud of when would continue to argue for the changes (that of international development); in Cheryl Gillian and Commons leader Sir Northern Ireland Secretary and Hous- Tfrom the government’s plan for legisla- the issue a er the next election, sched- port their introduction before then in they re ect on their part in the Coalition a er Nick Clegg withdrew Lib Dem sup- Cameron cannot ditch his chancellor ed as being to the right of Mr Clarke on for they are allied on economic policy justice issues. Some see the new justice some eyes she was ‘demoted’. I have to George Young. Among notable promo- ing Minister Grant Shapps becomes tion recently, and as Nick Clegg said, uled for 2015. I don’t believe that the pro- any future vote. and would allow change to be enacted in port for the idea, but the Conservatives and if Cameron did move Osborne then secretary as being a way placating Cam- say I don’t agree with this move either tions, Maria Miller and eresa Villiers Tory Party co-chairman. this means that the Lib Dems will vote posals as they stood would have made Without Lib Dem support - and with the next parliament. will now pick candidates within existing it would seem that the Prime Minister eron’s critics on the right wing of the for a few reasons; the ‘demotion’ was for join the cabinet as Culture Secretary, Paul Deighton, who was chief ex- down any Government plans to change the Lords anymore democratic,;the Labour also opposed - the government He also said the Lord Steel propos- boundaries. has lost faith in the government’s eco- Conservative party who see both Clarke all intents and purposes political; the and Baroness Warsi has lost her job as ecutive of the London 2012 organising the electoral boundaries that would have ‘term’ of a lord or a senator would have would lose any vote on boundary chang- als would not have the desired e ect of e rst will be selected in 40 key Con- nomic policy and been fatally damag- and Cameron as being too so on law & Conservative party is starting to believe Conservative Party co-chairman, but committee, will be given a peerage and bene ted the Tories over any other party been for 15 years, which means that they es because of the total opposition to it. reducing the size of the Lords and were servative target seats from November - ing. All the members of cabinet that order. is is another bad move by the that a third runway at Heathrow is essen- will continue to attend cabinet. become a Treasury minister with a focus in Westminster. ese electoral bound- could sit through three parliaments and And Downing Street said it was still “no surrogate for democracy”, but the the major seats they will need to gain in haven’t been moved could be seen to PM, as Clarke was starting to build up tial for Britain’s future economic growth ere does seem to be a bit of a theme on infrastructure and economic recov- ary changes were intended to even out be far less accountable than the Com- the Prime Minister’s intention to have Lib Dems want to reform the Lords and order to get a majority in the Commons. have been successful in running their momentum on justice about a focus on and that it would strangle business if a in this cabinet; more female ministers ery because of his work with the Olym- every constituency and make every MP mons. ere is very little need as I see a Commons vote on boundary changes this could be a way of getting gradual A senior party source insisted the third runaway wasn’t built which is the seem to have lost their jobs than men, pics. Deighton is seen as a person who covering broadly the same amount of it for a largely elected house; there are next year. change. When it comes to the next par- move did not indicate they had given up wrong policy and would simply increase either leaving the Government or get- can force through change and bring the area and same amount of constituents. many changes which are needed to the “It is the law,” a spokesman said. “An liament, I believe that another coali- on hopes of boundary changes, but crit- ere will be no third runaway ‘til a er the amount of carbon dioxide being ting lesser roles, which worries me be- ‘Olympic spirit’ to the Government and In a statement to the Commons, Lords, like the abil- tion will need to ics will suggest the decision signals a re- pumped into the atmosphere. cause there weren’t that many women the rest of the country. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg ity to strip a mem- be formed and the treat, which would be a common sense the election of 2015 ere will be no third runaway till af- in the cabinet at the start of this gov- All ve Liberal Democrat cabinet said ministers had sought but failed to ber of his position, “Without Lib Dem support - and with Labour Lib Dems could de- approach for they know that they will ter the election of 2015 because of the ernment. ere are now 6 women on a ministers, including Business Secretary build a consensus on the changes. More or changes to al- also opposed - the government would lose any mand Lords reform, not get the bill through. e constitu- departments, or need to be kept in their the victim over the criminal, but also coalition agreement banning any expan- cabinet of 27 people, so roughly only a Vince Cable, will remain in their posts. than 100 MP’s voted against the tim- lowances they are or they would not ency changes would be likely to prove of position in order to see their individual Clarke admitted what some critics of sion until the election, and I hope that quarter of the cabinet is female, which is Former cabinet minister David Laws - ing of the legislation; the government given. vote on boundary changes” support the larger most bene t to the Conservatives, and reforms through. justice in the UK have been saying for the next government of whatever po- bad and needs to be changed to improve who resigned over his expenses in 2010 planned to use a ‘guillotine’ motion to He repeated his party, whichever may trigger another coalition in 2015. e changes have not a ected key ages - that prison doesn’t work in trying litical colour realises that railway expan- the prospects for women in politics, but - has returned to the government as a ensure the bill got through parliament intention to vote against the implemen- Act of Parliament sets out the process. party it maybe. David Cameron will back redrawing gures such as Chancellor George Os- to reduce the levels of crime. I believe sion, improvements to bus services and also would set an example to the rest junior education minister with a ‘roving but this was voted down by more than tation of changes to MPs’ constituency e Boundary Commissions are doing For Labour, Deputy Leader Harriet boundaries when the matter is put to borne, Home Secretary eresa May or that Ken Clarke here is right; we need other public transport projects would be of the country - if the cabinet is gender brief’; he replaces Sarah Teather. I think 100 rebel Conservative MP’s and would boundaries, saying reform to the Lords their work, they will report next year Harman said Lords reform was “un n- the vote, probably next year, but shorn Foreign Secretary William Hague, who to adopt a far more exible approach to a far better policy than building another balanced then why can’t businesses or that David Law’s appointment back into have meant that if the legislation was put and the Commons were part of the same and a er that there will be a vote in Par- ished business” but criticised the gov- of Lib Dem support the measure is un- will all remain in their posts. Education justice which puts the victim at the heart runway. Miss Greening - a strong oppo- councils be the same? the government is a wise one, for would to the house, it would have a lot of time “constitutional package”. Before the liament. at vote is required by the act.” ernment for failing to win over those likely to be passed. Secretary Michael Gove and Work and of the process, not criminals. Although nent of a new runway at Heathrow - has Among other changes, former North- be seen as a good minister by both Con- for debate in which MP’s would have Government started to move towards Addressing MPs, Mr Clegg also said with genuine concerns on all sides. Labour has already begun selecting Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith this opinion may not be popular in the been replaced by former Conservative ern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson servatives and Lib Dems and help to given massive speeches and not giving legislating on House of Lords reform, he would not support separate propos- e Conservatives are starting to se- their candidates for the next general will also stay in their jobs. Andrew UK today, it’s one that will become more Chief Whip Patrick McLoughlin a er becomes the new Environment Secre- promote unity both in education but any time to the actual legislation. both parties said that there was no link als put forward on the Lords by Lib Dem lect candidates in existing Parliamen- election. Lansley has been replaced as Health widespread when the cost of prisons rise less than a year in the job. tary, and Wales O ce minister David also in the Coalition as a whole. Tory MPs who opposed the plans between the two motions. peer Lord Steel to make it easier for tary constituencies, despite insisting Liberal Democrat party president Tim Secretary by Jeremy Hunt; the move is and so does the re-o ending rate. ose leaving the government in the Jones has been promoted to Welsh Sec- cheered Mr Clegg as he con rmed the e proposals - strongly backed by peers to retire and to be stripped of their the boundaries should be redrawn be- Farron told local Lib Dem parties to a promotion for Mr Hunt, who has been Transport Secretary Justine Greening shake-up include Environment Secre- retary. Lib Dem minister Sarah Teather U-turn on the rst day a er the recess. the Conservatives - have already been membership for non-attendance. is fore the next election, which e ectively start selecting the day a er Nick Clegg Labour said it “shared the coalition’s dis- approved in principle by Parliament, is a bad move on the part of Clegg be- means that the Conservatives have giv- withdrew his support for redrawing appointment” about lack of progress, for but Mr Clegg said the coalition part- cause some changes to the Lords is bet- en up trying to push the legislation on constituencies. it was in all three major parties’ manifes- ners could not take a “pick and mix ap- ter than none, and would continue the boundary change through parliament. Nick Clegg rejected the plans, previ- tos to reform the House of Lords. proach” to political reforms. pace of reform by gradually changing e Tories also want to reshape the ously backed by Lib Dems, a er Lords Leanne Wood’s new message, a Mr Clegg told MPs he “regretted” the ere was no commitment to intro- the Lords. Even though this recommen- Commons map, with 50 seats disap- reform was abandoned. ‘Green New Deal for Wales’ n her rst major speech, which will Ms Wood outlined plans for new be indicative of the direction that Wales based nancial institutions and Plaid will take for the Assembly elec- tax breaks for pension funds investing New minister with new Ition’s in 2016, Ms Wood told the party’s in Wales, which would rely on either annual conference in Brecon that “eco- major devolvement of economic policy nomic underdevelopment is the single to Wales or independence from the UK. message biggest hurdle to our progress as a na- e idea would be to o er tax breaks, t i o n”. which are based on the ones available he new DCMS (Department for of both sexes’ sports. the need for equal coverage in newspa- Ms Wood said a Plaid Welsh govern- in Canada, to those pension funds pre- Culture, Media and Sports) min- Miller told broadcasters that, outside per and other media of female sports. ment would establish new national bod- pared to invest in their own communi- ister, Maria Miller, has started the Games, women's sport had been If you pick up any paper and read the Tthe job running by calling on the major "woefully under represented on televi- sport section of it, 98% of it would be ies to invest in green energy and boost ties. innovation and enterprise. ese new Although the theme of the speech was broadcasters to increase the amount of sion", with women's cricket, football and details of male sports. is also needs to national bodies will be at the heart of of Welsh independence, Plaid’s long time allotted to female sports. Mrs Mill- netball "buried pretty deep in the sched- change, for with equal exposure on tele- this green new deal in order to massively term aim would not be achieved until er is also the minister for women and ules, if shown at all". vision, there needs to be equal reporting boost economic growth in Wales, which the economy was in much better shape. equalities. e minister wants to meet broadcast- of female sports by the media. is far behind Scotland or England. e But the long-term ambition of the party Mrs Miller said the success of Team ers to discuss how the momentum from Among the highlights of the Olympics aim of this new initiative is to give “skill, - achieving Welsh independence - did GB's female athletes had been truly in- London 2012 can be maintained. is is was Jessica Ennis winning heptathlon work, hope and opportunity for a new not feature prominently. Again this spirational and that the huge TV audi- the right time to build up pressure on gold on "Super Saturday" for Team GB's generation”, but one of the major stum- is very interesting politically, because ences showed the public had a real appe- the media with both the report from athletics team. Some 16.3 million people bling blocks to her proposal is that ener- it may signify a move away from de- tite for mainstream coverage of women's the Leveson inquiry due in November tuned in for that, while there was a tel- gy is not a devolved power to the Welsh manding independence immediately to sport. I agree with her one hundred which will bring change to the media in evision audience of 11.3 million for Re- Government, with the UK holding the a more long term and slower approach percent; when you actually stop and general and also the coverage (and great becca Adlington's bronze medal in the power to legislate in this particular area. to independence. ere has been some think about it all, the sport shown on enjoyment) of female sports in the Ol- 800m freestyle swimming. ese two To start this ‘Green New Deal’, the Welsh realisation by the party and in particular telly is normally male unless its athlet- ympics means there will be great pub- are great examples of what I’ve been say- government would have to request the by Ms. Wood that the majority of Wales ics. Football for instance - Premiership lic support for the Minister to push this ing in this article; there is want from the UK government to devolve energy, don’t want full independence, and may- or the World Cup, it’s always male foot- agenda as much as she can. As the Min- public for female sports which broad- and if the UK government refused, this have Wales’ interests as its over-riding and would need a partner to govern ef- any idea of a coalition. be this is starting to lter into policy de- ball. Another example is cricket; when ister who is in charge of translating the casters need to ful l, either voluntarily would signify the end of the project priority”. is particular statement is fectively. Maybe Labour will be the big- President Roosevelt’s New Deal was cisions being made by Plaid. it’s shown on terrestrial telly, it’s always report from the Leveson inquiry into ac- or by government intervention. without it really starting. very interesting politically; she is reject- gest party, but not have enough seats to widely seen as turning around the US More renewable energy production male cricket. I know that some may say tion, either through legislation or other Mrs Miller's plea comes nine months In this, her rst speech to the annual ing the potential of a coalition in the govern e ectively; or even a rainbow co- economy a er the 1930s depression and and a national home energy e ciency that now with the sheer amount of chan- means, she should use the report to a er the BBC came under re when conference, Ms Wood said the weak Welsh Assembly with Labour or any po- alition evolving between the Conserva- this policy is seen as to draw inspiration programme will form part of Plaid nels available with the digital switchover draw up legislation to force broadcasters its annual Sports Personality of the Welsh economy “condemns us to de- litical party, but I predict that one of the tives, Plaid and the Lib Dems. is is from the American New Deal, but also a Cymru’s proposals for a greener future. you could nd female sport somewhere to have 50% of its sports broadcast to be Year award did not include any women pendence on a government in Westmin- potential results of the 2016 election is just speculation at this point, but what’s New Deal tailored for the speci c needs but that’s not the point; there needs to be female sports. among its 10-strong shortlist. ster, of whichever hue, that will never that no party gains an overall majority clear is that at this point, Wood rejects of Wales. an equal balance on the main channels A point which Miller has missed is Maria Miller, new minister 8 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Business President Obama les complaint with World Trade Organisation over Chinese government’s potentially illegal car exportation subsidies
Obamaby LUKE DOBSON accused the Chinesevs. government of: restrict-Chinacomes as no surprise that Obama is continu- the campaign; he has been seen to be a candi- ing rare earth metals used in high tech devices, ing to act strong against the threat of eternal date willing to support any side of an argument resident Obama announced on Mon- thereby making it more expensive to make trade hazards such as the Chinese subsidies. to win votes, sometimes in the same debate. day that he had led a complaint with such products outside of China; and impos- Romney was quick to use this to his advantage The economic hardships that have faced Amer- Pthe World Trade Organisation (WTO) ing duties on American made cars being sold by decrying Obama’s economic plans and calling icans for the past ve years are beginning to against China. The complaint dealt with China in China, making them more expensive to buy. him weak on trade and growth. The former Gov- lessen and slowly, so slowly, its economy is be- supposedly illegally subsiding car exports, Even though the Obama administration ernor of Massachusetts has used the economy, ginning to pick up again. It is no surprise, then, which would have a major detrimental ef- has led these complaints, this most recent and its lack of an unimaginably swift recovery, that the President must ensure the best pos- fect on the already gloomy US auto-industry. one has been seen by many to be a blatant as a major post of his campaign. As usual with sible ground for American businesses. Beijing US trade representative Ron Kirk said, “Export point of campaigning. Ohio, one of the swing the Republicans, he believes that tax cuts and responded with its own complaint, challenging subsidies are prohibited under WTO rules be- states in the election, relies heavily upon its harsh measures will save the country; deigning measures taken by the US to prevent dump- cause they are unfair and severely distort interna- auto-industry. Obama has previously bailed to forget that it was during the last Republican ing of cheap Chinese goods such as kitchen tional trade.” Indeed, China’s export-led business out car manufacturers in the state, in order to presidency that America’s economy was hit by utensils, paper, magnets and steel. In fact Chi- model has led to a trade surplus of $25bn a month keep its economy a oat after he took o ce. the downturn. In response to Romney’s calls na has already won one WTO case against the this year, something which has been attacked by This election, being heralded as a tight race of weakness, Obama brought up how he had US, so this seems to be leading to a mounting unions and auto lobbyists in the US for a while. on all bases, may be won or lost on issues such outsourced jobs to China when working in the trade con ict between the two super powers. This isn’t the rst time Obama has led a com- as this. With high levels of unemployment in private sector and how the Governor has invest- plaint against China this year. Respectively they old manufacturing states, which have yet to ments in Chinese companies. This calling out of feel the e ects of any economic rescue plan, it Romney’s con ict-of-interest is note the rst in Sports Direct to buy JJB? Jaguar Land Rover 2,000 Jobs at risk. ring on all cylinders. by AARON WILES 2012. However this didn’t quite go to plan and with the poor weather impacting sales and the failure of truggling JJB put itself up for sale around a securing other investments elsewhere, Dick’s pulled month ago and now speculation suggests their investment leaving the future of JJB uncertain. Sthat Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley is set JJB was once the biggest UK sports retailer and to be the new likely owner. If the plans are to be at one point had been valued at £1bn, now it believed, the deal could see the closure of up to has debts of £36m and looks set to be taken over 100 stores and therefore the loss of around 2,000 by what is now the UK’s biggest sport retailer, jobs as he keeps the most pro table stores open Sports Direct. The competition authority are sure and puts the remaining stores into administration. to have a eld day over this but if this takeover JJB has been in trouble for some time, a lifeline was doesn’t happen, it’s likely that JJB will go into ad- o ered to the company just a few months ago from ministration and closures could be catastrophic. Dick’s Sporting Goods who were willing to invest We have no doubt that we’ll have more in- £20m that would have seen 60 stores overhauled. formation on the takeover by the time you’re Not only that, arguably the most sportiest summer reading this as an o cial announcement is ex- that the UK has ever seen o ered an opportunity pected any day now, until then the future to take advantage of customers inspired by London of JJB and its 4,000 sta remains uncertain. by AARON WILES launch just over a year ago. The Halewood plant now employs 4,500 people, treble the imes have never been better at amount of sta it had just three years ago. Jaguar Land Rover and the com- Jaguar Land Rover have made no secret Tpany shows no signs of slowing about their future investment plans, they’re down as it prepares to launch the brand spending around £1.3 billion on a new new Range Rover in over 170 countries. manufacturing facility in Solihull, an engine The new model is backed by a £370mil- factory in Wolverhampton and an assembly lion investment into the company’s manu- line in India. The investments will play a vital facturing facility, that also includes the part in the success of the assault the compa- creation of 1,000 jobs in design, prod- ny is planning on the automotive industry, uct development, and manufacturing. as mentioned the brand new Range Rover The investment follows the news that the is almost ready for launch, the Freelander is company has for the rst time ever, begun getting an update and the Defender is facing 24 hour shifts at its Liverpool Halewood its biggest overhaul in its long history. Over plant as it tries to keep up with the global at Jaguar, they’re readying the XF Sport- demand for the Range Rover Evoque. 88,000 brake and the highly anticipated F-Type. of them have been sold worldwide since its Expect to be hearing of Jaguar Land Rover’s continued success over the next few years. Business in brief • After an unexpected rise in July, UK in ation rate falls 2.5% in August • Debenhams post 3.3% increase in sales, expects higher pro ts compared to last year. • 250 year old toy store Hamleys bought by French retailer Groupe Ludendo for £60m. • Manchester United posts £320million revenues, down 3,3% on 2011. • Bad debts in Spain have risen to a record €169.3bn. • Greece government puts islands up for sale as it tries to clear its debts.
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Obamaby LUKE DOBSON accused the Chinesevs. government of: restrict-Chinacomes as no surprise that Obama is continu- the campaign; he has been seen to be a candi- Flip flops ing rare earth metals used in high tech devices, ing to act strong against the threat of eternal date willing to support any side of an argument 1 resident Obama announced on Mon- thereby making it more expensive to make trade hazards such as the Chinese subsidies. to win votes, sometimes in the same debate. theffrc.com such products outside of China; and impos- Romney was quick to use this to his advantage The economic hardships that have faced Amer- day that he had led a complaint with Old clothes Pthe World Trade Organisation (WTO) ing duties on American made cars being sold by decrying Obama’s economic plans and calling icans for the past ve years are beginning to 2 against China. The complaint dealt with China in China, making them more expensive to buy. him weak on trade and growth. The former Gov- lessen and slowly, so slowly, its economy is be- recyclenow.com supposedly illegally subsiding car exports, Even though the Obama administration ernor of Massachusetts has used the economy, ginning to pick up again. It is no surprise, then, which would have a major detrimental ef- has led these complaints, this most recent and its lack of an unimaginably swift recovery, that the President must ensure the best pos- 3 Wine bottle corks fect on the already gloomy US auto-industry. one has been seen by many to be a blatant as a major post of his campaign. As usual with sible ground for American businesses. Beijing clorks.co.uk US trade representative Ron Kirk said, “Export point of campaigning. Ohio, one of the swing the Republicans, he believes that tax cuts and responded with its own complaint, challenging subsidies are prohibited under WTO rules be- states in the election, relies heavily upon its harsh measures will save the country; deigning measures taken by the US to prevent dump- Trainers recycled into sport courts cause they are unfair and severely distort interna- auto-industry. Obama has previously bailed to forget that it was during the last Republican ing of cheap Chinese goods such as kitchen 4 tional trade.” Indeed, China’s export-led business out car manufacturers in the state, in order to presidency that America’s economy was hit by utensils, paper, magnets and steel. In fact Chi- nikereuseashoe.com model has led to a trade surplus of $25bn a month keep its economy a oat after he took o ce. the downturn. In response to Romney’s calls na has already won one WTO case against the Paint this year, something which has been attacked by This election, being heralded as a tight race of weakness, Obama brought up how he had US, so this seems to be leading to a mounting 5 unions and auto lobbyists in the US for a while. on all bases, may be won or lost on issues such outsourced jobs to China when working in the trade con ict between the two super powers. communityrepaint.org.uk This isn’t the rst time Obama has led a com- as this. With high levels of unemployment in private sector and how the Governor has invest- old manufacturing states, which have yet to ments in Chinese companies. This calling out of Ink cartidges plaint against China this year. Respectively they n Tuesday 11th September failed court appeal. the size of the Isle of Wight, where up 6 feel the e ects of any economic rescue plan, it Romney’s con ict-of-interest is note the rst in a challenge to the cull that Brian May suggests that the answer to 6,800 badgers could be destroyed. emptycartridge.co.uk will kill thousands of badgers lies not in a cull, but in vaccination. Also speaking at the rally, Gavin Ofailed at the Court of Appeal. e aim Speaking at the rally he said "what Grant, Chief Executive of the RSPCA recycle4charity.co.uk of the cull is to reduce cases of TB in I would like to do, if this cull can be said “We are bitterly disappointed that Old furniture and lightbulbs Jaguar Land Rover cattle, 26,000 of which were registered shelved, I myself would volunteer to go the UK Government is ploughing on 7 Sports Direct to buy JJB? last year. in with the farmers to Europe to work with plans to kill badgers but the ght ikea.com e RSPCA website claims that on them to try to get permission to is not over yet.” Brian May agreed, "all “Scienti c studies have shown that vaccinate our cows...I can open doors, I can say is be with us, support Team- 8 Sex toys 2,000 Jobs at risk. ring on all cylinders. culling would be of little help in reduc- I'm a rock star. It's unorthodox but it Badger.org, sign the petition and try to sextoyrecycling.com by AARON WILES 2012. However this didn’t quite go to plan and with ing bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) works. Its a terrible tragedy if it goes get David Cameron to reconsider and the poor weather impacting sales and the failure of in cattle and even suggest that it could ahead and its an irreversible tragedy let's just pray we can succeed." Magazines make things worse in some areas.” - you can never bring those badgers For more information search “Stop truggling JJB put itself up for sale around a securing other investments elsewhere, Dick’s pulled 9 Local doctors’ surgeries usually welcome month ago and now speculation suggests their investment leaving the future of JJB uncertain. As one of few wild land mammals back. You could kill all the badgers in the Cull” or go to TeamBadger.org. that Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley is set JJB was once the biggest UK sports retailer and le in the British Isles, rarely seen Britain and it would not stop the prob- donations for their waiting rooms S badgers seem to occupy a special place lem of bovine TB in cows.” to be the new likely owner. If the plans are to be at one point had been valued at £1bn, now it Georgia Mannion in the heart of the public. is has e cull would see badger killing li- believed, the deal could see the closure of up to has debts of £36m and looks set to be taken over 10 Sofas and matresses 100 stores and therefore the loss of around 2,000 by what is now the UK’s biggest sport retailer, never been more visible than at the censes distributed for two areas in the jbsfibre.co.uk jobs as he keeps the most pro table stores open Sports Direct. The competition authority are sure Stop e Cull rally the same day as the South of England, both approximately and puts the remaining stores into administration. to have a eld day over this but if this takeover Medicine JJB has been in trouble for some time, a lifeline was doesn’t happen, it’s likely that JJB will go into ad- 11 o ered to the company just a few months ago from ministration and closures could be catastrophic. Doom, destruction and planned obsolescence; or, intercare.org.uk Dick’s Sporting Goods who were willing to invest We have no doubt that we’ll have more in- Cars £20m that would have seen 60 stores overhauled. formation on the takeover by the time you’re why you have to buy a new phone every 3 months. Not only that, arguably the most sportiest summer reading this as an o cial announcement is ex- 12 giveacar.co.uk £ his week Apple unveiled its lat- at’s inconvenient, but not so bad. Doesn’t this sound like a gloomy that the UK has ever seen o ered an opportunity pected any day now, until then the future est version of the iPhone. Didn’t When you consider that 10 million prediction by a paranoid environ- to take advantage of customers inspired by London of JJB and its 4,000 sta remains uncertain. Carrier Bags by AARON WILES launch just over a year ago. The Halewood they just release the new one? people are expected to do the same mentalist? In fact economist Victor 13 plant now employs 4,500 people, treble the TYou know, the one that talks? Yes, less before the end of September it seems Lebow made the observation in 1955. Most supermarkets offer a recycling service. imes have never been better at amount of sta it had just three years ago. than a year ago the 4S inspired a new less like inconvenience and more like How right he was. So what can we do? Jaguar Land Rover and the com- Jaguar Land Rover have made no secret Bicycle Bikes fixed up and sent to Africa debate among technology cognoscen- utter lunacy. e answer is simple but it requires ef- 14 Tpany shows no signs of slowing about their future investment plans, they’re ti. Is Siri genius or is it tacky? Is a talk- Where will all these new USB ca- fort. Recycling helps but it will never re-cycle.org down as it prepares to launch the brand spending around £1.3 billion on a new ing phone the next generation or is it a bles come from? Where will the old be enough. We need to break the lin- new Range Rover in over 170 countries. manufacturing facility in Solihull, an engine gimmick? Did you see the Ellen ones end up? Who is paying for this? ear chain of destruction, consumption Sports equipment The new model is backed by a £370mil- factory in Wolverhampton and an assembly De Generes spoof of the advert You might think you are (you are). In and pollution, and support sustainable 15 lion investment into the company’s manu- line in India. The investments will play a vital or are you not really a fan? truth it’s also is the countries where the systems that promote recy- sportsrecycler.co.uk part in the success of the assault the compa- facturing facility, that also includes the How about this question: Why raw materials are sourced, the people cling, reducing waste and Batteries creation of 1,000 jobs in design, prod- ny is planning on the automotive industry, make two phones that are basi- worked to death* in the factories that reducing consumption. uct development, and manufacturing. as mentioned the brand new Range Rover cally the same, give one a voice produce these products, and the natu- Are you a Mac, a PC, 16 Your closest recycling point is The investment follows the news that the is almost ready for launch, the Freelander is (and whack the rear camera ral environment-turned-land ll to or do you refuse to have probably M&S in Lower Bangor. company has for the rst time ever, begun getting an update and the Defender is facing up by three megapixels) and store the old USB cables that pay the your human needs dic- 24 hour shifts at its Liverpool Halewood its biggest overhaul in its long history. Over call it a revolution? real price for this reckless consump- tated to you by a company CDs & DVDs plant as it tries to keep up with the global at Jaguar, they’re readying the XF Sport- Eleven months later and tion. whose economy is big- 17 musicmagpie.co.uk/ demand for the Range Rover Evoque. 88,000 brake and the highly anticipated F-Type. we’re now faced with the for- Of course it would be absurd to ger than some countries? of them have been sold worldwide since its Expect to be hearing of Jaguar Land Rover’s midable h. No doubt your claim that only Apple proliferate this Scary as it seems, it’s your webuydvds.co.uk continued success over the next few years. preferred social network- system, but as the most ostentatious choice. Bras ing site was bombarded with electronics producer of the day, they * e “don’t sue us, it’s 18 real-time regurgitated facts and make the best example. Annie Leon- true” disclaimer: In 2011 Take them to Oxfam in Lower Bangor or Business in brief asinine observations. For those ard, author of e Story of Stu , ex- an investigation took place in drop them in the Bangor’s Bras for Africa • After an unexpected rise in July, UK in ation rate falls 2.5% in August concerned with the environmen- plains that companies not only inten- two Foxconn factories in China • Debenhams post 3.3% increase in sales, expects higher pro ts compared to last year. tal impact of the phone - wel- tionally build products that will soon that build Apple products a er box at the Students’ Union • 250 year old toy store Hamleys bought by French retailer Groupe Ludendo for £60m. come friend, you are on the right be out of date (planned obsolescence); a spate of employee suicides. Clothes, books, toiletries, bedding • Manchester United posts £320million revenues, down 3,3% on 2011. page – there are a few interesting they also dazzle consumers with “up- Inhumane working conditions 19 St Mary’s Homeless Hostel in Lower Bangor • Bad debts in Spain have risen to a record €169.3bn. changes. For example, Apple have dates” to convince them to throw away were found, Apple issued a state- • Greece government puts islands up for sale as it tries to clear its debts. improved battery life and moved perfectly functional products and buy ment "Apple is committed to is always happy to receive donations. back to metal covers a er the new ones (perceived obsolescence). ensuring the highest standards nwha.org.uk glass back of the iPhone 4 unfore- Here is a quotation for you to con- of social responsibility through- The Rogues Gallery is unlike anything seeably proved impractical. Fewer sider: out our supply base. Apple re- Old towels, blankets and anything for pets Bangor has seen before. Creating smashed phones and dead batter- “Our enormously productive econ- quires suppliers to commit to 20 original one off custom pieces is their Body Piercing by: ies mean fewer wasted resources! omy demands that we make consump- our comprehensive supplier The nearest RSPCA centre is in Conwy. speciality, you won’t fi nd catalogues Hooray- this may be worthwhile tion our way of life, that we convert the code of conduct as a condition Pile your stuff in a car and go and change of designs that are constantly a er all! Don’t rejoice too soon, buying and use of goods into rituals, of their contracts with us. We replicated, each piece is hand drawn eco-conscious friends; Apple that we seek our spiritual satisfactions, drive compliance with the code the lives of some animals. You can also put almost and tailored specifi cally for each have arguably made their wanki- our ego satisfactions, in consumption. through a rigorous monitoring Electronics anything on Freecycle. If customer. est decision in recent times. ey e measure of social status, of social programme, including factory 21 you can’t find a website have changed the dock connec- acceptance, of prestige, is now to be audits, corrective action plans Gazelle.com £ that will pay you for it, it’s tor, rendering all existing iPhone- found in our consumptive patterns. and veri cation measures." Envirophone.com £ likely you’ll find someone 154 High Street, Bangor, LL57 1NU, 01248 355140 compatible products absolutely e very meaning and signi cance of who’ll thank you for it. World Class Custom Tattoos by useless. Maybe you’ll have to buy our lives today expressed in consump- recycle4charity.co.uk/ groups.freecycle.org/ TheRoguesGallery a new USB cable or speaker dock. tive terms.” BEN ORMEROD & KEV HEATH @RoguesTattoo Georgia Mannion BangorFreecycle/posts/all 10 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Comment GRADUATES REVEAL ALL
ABOUT LIFEevidence of your ON extensive job-hunt. THE allowance for long periodsDOLE of time; how- er’s allowance and into any line of work You’re also required to attend a meeting ever, I can’t help but feel like the advice you can nd, le to worry about your with your supervisor once every 3 or 4 given to graduates in these situations graduate career at a later date whilst jug- weeks. is is the real treat; your super- isn’t helping anyone. “I decided not to gling a life of pouring pints in your local visor is the one who goes through your take her CV writing advice and luckily pub. CV (a er making sure you know what a I didn’t have to go to my second advisor Gary, a computer science graduate, en- CV is), asks you what sector of work you interview. Coincidence?” writes Elise, countered entirely di erent issues with would like to get into, and then o er you who recently managed to secure a full- his job centre. A er nding a graduate work completely irrelevant to the sector time job with her degree still present on scheme that he was eager to apply for, you just mentioned. It has emerged that her CV. he realised that travel costs would have during these supervisor meetings some Mitch is a sociology graduate who been too much. “I asked the job centre graduates have been told that having signed on at a job centre in the Mid- if they would help me out with this, but a degree on your CV can prevent you West, he told me he didn’t encounter because the scheme was over 16 hours a from getting your foot in the door in the week they wouldn’t do anything for me.” unskilled jobs market. It is apparent that “She suggested that I “It could have meant a job for me at the the aim of these advisors is simply to end of it, so you’d think they’d be more get you o the system as quickly as pos- should ‘dumb down’ helpful with stu like this.” is is more sible, reducing your expectations and my CV as it would evidence that the government agency by SEAN TALBOT the best three years of my life in, and aspirations to work that doesn’t war- simply isn’t suited for graduates at all, was now back home in the North-West rant higher education. Because there is impact on my chances and perhaps they ought to be more case- o all freshers out there; welcome of England, jobless, aimless and longing no distinction between graduates, non- of nding a ‘normal’ speci c when it comes to o ering guid- to Bangor and, most importantly, for one more Yellow burger. I was obvi- graduates and applicants for the dole, ance and nancial assistance. Luckily for the wonders of university life. ously reluctant to apply for job-seekers they are all processed in the same way. j ob.” Gary, he has now landed a full-time job TAnd to all returning students, well, you With job centres processing graduates – without the help of the job centre. allowance, the thought hadn’t even know the drill. But let’s take a second crossed my mind until it was suggested in the same way as they do everyone anyone who told him to discard his It’s evident that jobs are out there for to remember what it was that made us to me, yet there came a point (approxi- else, and with the government’s recent university education from his CV, “to be graduates, but it is also clear that you choose the university route. Perhaps it mately a er 3 or 4 weeks of resistance) budget cuts to welfare forcing sta to honest they never looked at it,” “ e Job are not going to nd your way to these was to get a degree, or to develop as a when I caved in. I had no choice, I had rush peoples’ job hunts and broaden Centre were pretty useless; no advice, jobs relying on the help of the job cen- person and meet new people, or maybe yet to nd a job and the last remnants their searches to all kinds of work, re- no assistance just a 30 minute wait every tre. With their priorities focused on it was just pushy parents and the gov- of those glorious instalments from the gardless of education, it is no wonder two weeks to sign on. You spend all your reducing unemployment gures, gradu- ernment telling you that university edu- student loans company were all but de- that one in three graduates are now em- life being told to “get an education” and ates should not go there expecting any- cation paves the way to a better life in pleted. ployed in lower skill jobs, compared to “go to uni,” then you come out the other thing short of upsetting. e moral of the future. Whatever the reason, I can’t One month you’re at the Summer Ball, one in four back in 2001. side with the quali cation everyone has the story would be to enjoy your time imagine there’s many of you out there dancing to DJ Fresh with everyone you Elise graduated from Bangor this year banged on about and you nd yourself at university, learn as much as you can, with low career ambitions. Unfortu- know; the next you’re in a queue wait- with a degree in English, and fell victim with very little money in a job market all the while being aware of your future nately, I write to you today with some ing to claim your share from the welfare to the degree purge in August. “A er ooded with the unemployed.” ough job prospects, and try to build up your humbling, worrying and downright pot. It’s not exactly a happy reality, you discussing my past employment and Mitch’s viewpoint is that it is down to his skill sets and experiences. Like a pro- depressing tales of life as a job-seeking just have to deal with it – but it doesn’t educational background she suggested choice in degree and that if he thought fessor once told me in our rst lecture, graduate. get any easier. Once you’re all done with that I should “dumb down” my CV as it about which subject will open doors for “In three years you’re going to be unem- “You should sign on” said my mother, the application process and you’re o - would impact on my chances of nding him, as opposed to which subject he is ployed; start thinking about that now.” just a few days a er I returned home cially a member of the club that nobody a ‘normal” job.’ So three years in univer- interested in, then perhaps he would be from Bangor for the last time. My mood wants to be a part of, you have to attend sity should be brushed under the carpet? in a more favourable position. ough was already at an all-time low; I had just the job centre every two weeks to “sign I wanted to laugh I was so taken aback.” how can a degree open doors for you if le the place I grew to love and spent on”, at which you’re supposed to show Understandably, the government do you’re being informed that your main not want people claiming job-seeker’s concern should be getting o job-seek- A TEETOTALER’S TIME AT FRESHERS’ 101 FRESHERS’ o you’ve got your key, unpacked your cases, said farewell to your family, and you’re ready to start the adventure that by KRISTELL GRAINGER is university. Now what? Freshers’ Week is hyped up as one of THE most important events in your life as a student, Sbut with so much to take in, it’s di cult to know how to get the most out of it. So from someone who’s been there, s a student who doesn’t drink, done it, and has the sambuca stained t-shirt to prove it, here are my tips for a successful Fresher’s Week. I can certainly say that fresher’s week was a very daunting ex- by BECKI WATSON perience.A Honestly I was petri ed, con- 1. Be Brave! vinced that everyone would look at me di erently because I didn’t “ t in” with The absolute worst thing you can do in the rst weeks the norm. But that was not the case! Be- of uni is spend all your time in your room Skyping peo- 3. Going Out! ing a teetotaler was nothing to worry ple back home. If you don’t put yourself out and meet Freshers’ Week is perfect for nding out what your about, and actually it really wasn’t a total other people, you’re going to end up spending a lot favourite bars and clubs are. I’d recommend going handicap when making friends. Clearly of time on your own. Think of it this way - nearly every on at least one pub crawl, so you can gure out it is harder to make friends when you single Fresher has just moved away from home for the which bars have the best atmosphere, and where don’t drink or go clubbing, and that is rst time, so they’ll be just as eager to make friends as has the cheapest double vodkas. There may not be why you have to immerse yourself in you are. Spend some time chatting to your atmates many nightclubs in Bangor, but they’ve got a lot any and all other activities you can. don’t need alcohol to enjoy yourself. In or getting to know people on your course, and you’re to o er, with themed nights on nearly every day Joining societies is an obvious way of my experience it is the people you are bound to end up with new mates in no time! of the week, and a brand new club opening on the meeting people. Don’t over load your- with who make it fun, so there shouldn’t 22nd, so there’s no reason not to have a good time. self with societies, but join quite a lot be a need to worry. If it is the clubbing if you can, you always meet interesting that you dislike just o er up something people there, people you wouldn’t nor- else to do. We all went out to Nando’s for 2. Get Involved! mally think you could be friends with. dinner on the rst night; it was a much It’s a surprising experience. And go to nicer atmosphere and a better way to in- As much as you may want to spend all your time social- all the taster activities uni o ers. Even if troduce yourself. ising, Freshers’ Week has so much more to o er, with 4. Don’t Forget the you know you are not likely to join the It sounds like a cliché but just remem- the University, College departments and the Student society really, it is the best way to throw ber that everyone is in the same boat Union running events to help you settle in. The biggest Important Stu ! yourself out there and get to know oth- as you. Everyone is nervous and wants of these is Serendipity, where every club and society ers. to t it, and make new friends. Keep is gathered to give you information about all the Although a huge part of Freshers’ Week is having fun, As long as you smile and swap num- your door open to others at all times, amazing things you can get up to at Bangor. Clubs and it’s essential to also do a few formal things. Health and bers with the people you meet it’s not someone is bound to come to you and societies are free this year, so why not give it a go? It’s Safety talks, compulsory meetings with tutors and too di cult to maintain a friendship. be willing to try new experiences, that a great way to meet new people, and some of the best registering for your course all sound unbearable when Just o er to go out for a co ee, or bake a way you are bound to make a variety of nights out you’ll ever have will be club socials! you’ve got a bad hangover, but you’ll be ned if you cake and invite everyone over. at was new friends and have the most amount register late and you may not get your loan on time. de nitely the best way I met my friends, of fun! By the time fresher’s is at an end Also, missing an important meeting with your tutor will and we kept in touch throughout the you won’t even remember the anxiety give a bad impression, which isn’t wise when they may year, even though we had no classes to- you felt when you rst arrived, on the be marking your assignments. gether. contrary, you’ll have great memories of If drinking is the problem but you the moments you spent with your new enjoy clubbing then just go for it. You friends. 10 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 11 Comment Comment PONTIO: IT’LL APPEAR GRADUATES REVEAL ALL ONE DAY by MATT JACKSON a brand name than a future building. Cast your memories back to last year ABOUT LIFEevidence of your ON extensive job-hunt. THE allowance for long periodsDOLE of time; how- er’s allowance and into any line of work when everyone in Bangor was eagerly You’re also required to attend a meeting ever, I can’t help but feel like the advice you can nd, le to worry about your hen I was looking around universities a good few years awaiting the Pontio and Nick Grimshaw with your supervisor once every 3 or 4 given to graduates in these situations graduate career at a later date whilst jug- collaboration; Bangor was going to be weeks. is is the real treat; your super- isn’t helping anyone. “I decided not to gling a life of pouring pints in your local back, we drove into Bangor Wand were told to park next to a large taught how to party as hard as the likes visor is the one who goes through your take her CV writing advice and luckily pub. building. We were told that this held the of Fearne Cotton. Whilst Nick Grim- CV (a er making sure you know what a I didn’t have to go to my second advisor Gary, a computer science graduate, en- shaw’s Bangor outing may not have gone CV is), asks you what sector of work you interview. Coincidence?” writes Elise, countered entirely di erent issues with University’s Students’ Union, as well as the beloved Academi and Time. to plan, ‘Pontio’ are making a name for would like to get into, and then o er you who recently managed to secure a full- his job centre. A er nding a graduate themselves around Bangor as an events work completely irrelevant to the sector time job with her degree still present on scheme that he was eager to apply for, When I nally arrived at Bangor as a fresher with hope glimmering in my planning company and do add a splash you just mentioned. It has emerged that her CV. he realised that travel costs would have of culture to the little Welsh epoch, with during these supervisor meetings some Mitch is a sociology graduate who been too much. “I asked the job centre eye, I found out that what I was told was the old students’ union was now drama performances, lm screenings, graduates have been told that having signed on at a job centre in the Mid- if they would help me out with this, but and various other experiences that aren’t a degree on your CV can prevent you West, he told me he didn’t encounter because the scheme was over 16 hours a known as the “Pontio Site”. is would be a leading arts and innovation centre otherwise o ered in Bangor. However, I from getting your foot in the door in the week they wouldn’t do anything for me.” can’t help but feel it’s a slight move away unskilled jobs market. It is apparent that “It could have meant a job for me at the and would hold a lovely library build- “She suggested that I ing for us to utilize when it was open in from the original idea of a building. RIDICULOUS RESHUFFLE the aim of these advisors is simply to end of it, so you’d think they’d be more I have no doubt the Pontio building get you o the system as quickly as pos- should ‘dumb down’ helpful with stu like this.” is is more 3rd year for our dissertations; our peer guides looked at us with envy. Now as a will eventually appear at the foot of sible, reducing your expectations and my CV as it would evidence that the government agency Main Arts, and will ful l all of Bangor’s man now in de facto charge of our na- some people want it, so we should have aspirations to work that doesn’t war- simply isn’t suited for graduates at all, 3rd year I sit here saying to the new rst by LUKE DOBSON by SEAN TALBOT the best three years of my life in, and years that they will see a lovely arts and hopes and dreams; whether that hap- tional health. In 2007 he signed an Early it on the NHS. No, we should not. e was now back home in the North-West rant higher education. Because there is impact on my chances and perhaps they ought to be more case- pens by the 2014 projection or not is yet Day Motion supporting homeopathy. NHS is there to provide us with health- no distinction between graduates, non- speci c when it comes to o ering guid- innovation centre in 3rd year. aybe it’s just me, but I was o all freshers out there; welcome of England, jobless, aimless and longing of nding a ‘normal’ As I sit here writing this article, about to be seen. I hope that Pontio lives up under the impression that it When one of his constituents wrote in, care, not ights of fancy promoted by a to Bangor and, most importantly, for one more Yellow burger. I was obvi- graduates and applicants for the dole, ance and nancial assistance. Luckily for to the reputation that it has acquired as expressing their concern, Hunt replied deluded minority. It may sound harsh, they are all processed in the same way. Gary, he has now landed a full-time job to start my third year, the Pontio build- was a sensible, logical idea to the wonders of university life. ously reluctant to apply for job-seekers j ob.” ing is feeling no closer to being built a potential business and that future stu- M ll Cabinet positions with people suited with the following: but I don’t want people to die because TAnd to all returning students, well, you With job centres processing graduates – without the help of the job centre. allowance, the thought hadn’t even dents will overlook the huge delays at- “I understand that it is your view that they had the opportunity to ask for ho- in the same way as they do everyone anyone who told him to discard his It’s evident that jobs are out there for than when I arrived here years ago. With to the speci c job. Well, Dave obviously know the drill. But let’s take a second crossed my mind until it was suggested the current completion date for the tached to the build. I’m sure the plans of doesn’t share that opinion. homeopathy is not e ective, and there- meopathic preparations over treatment to remember what it was that made us to me, yet there came a point (approxi- else, and with the government’s recent university education from his CV, “to be graduates, but it is also clear that you a cinema and theatre will most certainly fore that people should not be encour- that could actually help them. budget cuts to welfare forcing sta to honest they never looked at it,” “ e Job are not going to nd your way to these £40million building set at 2014 (2013 on In the recent reshu e, we have been choose the university route. Perhaps it mately a er 3 or 4 weeks of resistance) the Pontio website), the current second go down well with the population of given a potentially homophobic Equal- aged to use it as a treatment. However It’s bad enough that the Coalition was to get a degree, or to develop as a when I caved in. I had no choice, I had rush peoples’ job hunts and broaden Centre were pretty useless; no advice, jobs relying on the help of the job cen- Bangor, many of which are ba ed by the I am afraid that I have to disagree with seems set on slowly dismantling the their searches to all kinds of work, re- no assistance just a 30 minute wait every tre. With their priorities focused on years can hope that the building will be ity Minister and a Health Scretary who person and meet new people, or maybe yet to nd a job and the last remnants completed before they leave; much like I lack of a cinema, or more so how previ- believes that homeopathic treatments you on this issue. Homeopathic care NHS in preparation for privately funded it was just pushy parents and the gov- of those glorious instalments from the gardless of education, it is no wonder two weeks to sign on. You spend all your reducing unemployment gures, gradu- ous cinemas have shut down. is enormously valued by thousands of health authorities. Now we have to deal that one in three graduates are now em- life being told to “get an education” and ates should not go there expecting any- was told when I joined. should be available on the NHS. ernment telling you that university edu- student loans company were all but de- In fact Pontio is now Yes, you read that correctly. Maria people and in an NHS that the Govern- with a Minister who has no clue about cation paves the way to a better life in pleted. ployed in lower skill jobs, compared to “go to uni,” then you come out the other thing short of upsetting. e moral of ment repeatedly tells us is “patient-led” the basic principles of medical science. one in four back in 2001. side with the quali cation everyone has the story would be to enjoy your time starting to feel more like Miller, who is also our new Culture Sec- the future. Whatever the reason, I can’t One month you’re at the Summer Ball, retary, has been given the title of Min- it ought to be available where a doctor en again, have we ever had Cabi- imagine there’s many of you out there dancing to DJ Fresh with everyone you Elise graduated from Bangor this year banged on about and you nd yourself at university, learn as much as you can, and patient believe that a homeopathic net Ministers who are experienced in with a degree in English, and fell victim with very little money in a job market all the while being aware of your future ister for Women and Equalities, taking with low career ambitions. Unfortu- know; the next you’re in a queue wait- over from eresa May. Much like May treatment may be of bene t to the pa- the areas they are given to govern? No, nately, I write to you today with some ing to claim your share from the welfare to the degree purge in August. “A er ooded with the unemployed.” ough job prospects, and try to build up your tient.” we are lumped with professional poli- discussing my past employment and Mitch’s viewpoint is that it is down to his skill sets and experiences. Like a pro- before her, Miller has been criticised humbling, worrying and downright pot. It’s not exactly a happy reality, you for her shoddy voting record on LGBT For those of you who are in the dark ticians; people who have based their depressing tales of life as a job-seeking just have to deal with it – but it doesn’t educational background she suggested choice in degree and that if he thought fessor once told me in our rst lecture, about homeopathy, and believe that it is lives and careers around gaining power. that I should “dumb down” my CV as it about which subject will open doors for “In three years you’re going to be unem- rights. Since being elected as an MP in graduate. get any easier. Once you’re all done with 2005 she has either voted against, or a valued treatment, let me explain the What they do when they actually get in “You should sign on” said my mother, the application process and you’re o - would impact on my chances of nding him, as opposed to which subject he is ployed; start thinking about that now.” issue. Homeopathy is not medicine. It power is, I think, never fully thought a ‘normal” job.’ So three years in univer- interested in, then perhaps he would be been absent from, all major bills con- just a few days a er I returned home cially a member of the club that nobody cerning LGBT rights. She is known to has never been scienti cally veri ed to about. Where are the doctors, scientists, from Bangor for the last time. My mood wants to be a part of, you have to attend sity should be brushed under the carpet? in a more favourable position. ough help people; the only way it can do is by academics and economists; people who I wanted to laugh I was so taken aback.” how can a degree open doors for you if have been against gay adoption rights; was already at an all-time low; I had just the job centre every two weeks to “sign the Human Fertilisation & Embryol- acting as a placebo. Why? e principle would have the expert knowledge to run le the place I grew to love and spent on”, at which you’re supposed to show Understandably, the government do you’re being informed that your main behind homeopathy is to take a drop of the country in the best possible way? not want people claiming job-seeker’s concern should be getting o job-seek- ogy Bill (which allows lesbian couples the ability to receive fertility treatment); an e ective medicine and dilute it thou- Yet here we are, stuck with a govern- and she has been in favour of de ning sands of times. A helpful metaphor is ment who makes a homophobe Equali- A TEETOTALER’S TIME AT homophobia as simply an act of free- if you imagine crushing one grain of ties Minister and a naive crack-pot dom of speech. rice and dissolving it in a sphere of wa- Health Secretary; all the while, com- FRESHERS’ 101 It doesn’t take a wet liberal sodomite, ter the size of the solar system. Sounds pletely unaware of the terrible irony. FRESHERS’ completely ridiculous, doesn’t it? at’s I need a paracetamol (or several thou- o you’ve got your key, unpacked your cases, said farewell to your family, and you’re ready to start the adventure that such as me, to see that Miller is com- by KRISTELL GRAINGER because it is when compared to actual sand boxes of a homeopathic version). is university. Now what? Freshers’ Week is hyped up as one of THE most important events in your life as a student, pletely unsuited to hold any job which medicine. but with so much to take in, it’s di cult to know how to get the most out of it. So from someone who’s been there, s a student who doesn’t drink, requires her to advocate equality. S en we come to Jeremy Hunt, the e argument Hunt makes is that done it, and has the sambuca stained t-shirt to prove it, here are my tips for a successful Fresher’s Week. I can certainly say that fresher’s week was a very daunting ex- by BECKI WATSON perience.A Honestly I was petri ed, con- 1. Be Brave! vinced that everyone would look at me di erently because I didn’t “ t in” with A STUDENT'S The absolute worst thing you can do in the rst weeks the norm. But that was not the case! Be- of uni is spend all your time in your room Skyping peo- 3. Going Out! ing a teetotaler was nothing to worry ple back home. If you don’t put yourself out and meet Freshers’ Week is perfect for nding out what your about, and actually it really wasn’t a total GUIDE TO LIVING other people, you’re going to end up spending a lot favourite bars and clubs are. I’d recommend going handicap when making friends. Clearly of time on your own. Think of it this way - nearly every on at least one pub crawl, so you can gure out it is harder to make friends when you single Fresher has just moved away from home for the don’t drink or go clubbing, and that is IN HALLS which bars have the best atmosphere, and where rst time, so they’ll be just as eager to make friends as has the cheapest double vodkas. There may not be why you have to immerse yourself in you are. Spend some time chatting to your atmates many nightclubs in Bangor, but they’ve got a lot any and all other activities you can. don’t need alcohol to enjoy yourself. In or getting to know people on your course, and you’re to o er, with themed nights on nearly every day Joining societies is an obvious way of my experience it is the people you are bound to end up with new mates in no time! of the week, and a brand new club opening on the meeting people. Don’t over load your- with who make it fun, so there shouldn’t 22nd, so there’s no reason not to have a good time. self with societies, but join quite a lot be a need to worry. If it is the clubbing if you can, you always meet interesting that you dislike just o er up something people there, people you wouldn’t nor- else to do. We all went out to Nando’s for 2. Get Involved! mally think you could be friends with. dinner on the rst night; it was a much It’s a surprising experience. And go to nicer atmosphere and a better way to in- As much as you may want to spend all your time social- all the taster activities uni o ers. Even if troduce yourself. ising, Freshers’ Week has so much more to o er, with you know you are not likely to join the It sounds like a cliché but just remem- the University, College departments and the Student 4. Don’t Forget the society really, it is the best way to throw ber that everyone is in the same boat by BECKI WATSON I spent my rst year in Enlli on Ffrid- time, but your own weird atmate will meals, and it was only living in halls that party when su ering with an epic hang- Union running events to help you settle in. The biggest yourself out there and get to know oth- as you. Everyone is nervous and wants of these is Serendipity, where every club and society Important Stu ! doedd Site, in a at with 5 other rst- make a good story to tell in the pub one forced me to sort myself out. over is not a good experience, someone ers. to t it, and make new friends. Keep ike many Freshers, moving into years. I was lucky that all of my atmates day! Of course, one of the highlights of WILL leave milk to go o in the fridge, is gathered to give you information about all the Although a huge part of Freshers’ Week is having fun, As long as you smile and swap num- your door open to others at all times, halls was my rst experience of amazing things you can get up to at Bangor. Clubs and were lovely and we all got on well, except Living on your own also kind of forces hall life is spontaneous at parties. and 4am re drills are the bane of eve- it’s essential to also do a few formal things. Health and bers with the people you meet it’s not someone is bound to come to you and living away from home for an for one guy who we never saw leave his you to do all those grown up things that e amount of new drinking games I rybody’s lives. But as the second years societies are free this year, so why not give it a go? It’s Safety talks, compulsory meetings with tutors and too di cult to maintain a friendship. be willing to try new experiences, that extendedL time. When deciding which room. At one point we thought he might you’d been avoiding for years; things like learned within the rst month of being move into their new accommodation, a great way to meet new people, and some of the best registering for your course all sound unbearable when Just o er to go out for a co ee, or bake a way you are bound to make a variety of universities to put down as my rm and nights out you’ll ever have will be club socials! actually be dead, but it turned out that washing your clothes, remembering to at Bangor was ridiculous, and staying in most of us will look back on our time you’ve got a bad hangover, but you’ll be ned if you cake and invite everyone over. at was new friends and have the most amount insurance, I was determined to move he’d moved out mid-November without buy loo roll, and making your own food. for a few (well, a lot) of drinks is much in halls with fond memories; and if you register late and you may not get your loan on time. de nitely the best way I met my friends, of fun! By the time fresher’s is at an end out and go into halls; not just because I telling us. And as far as weird- atmate- For me, cooking was a big problem, as I cheaper, and sometimes even more make the best of it, you will too. Also, missing an important meeting with your tutor will and we kept in touch throughout the you won’t even remember the anxiety wanted to go out and have parties with- stories go, mine’s de nitely not the was still burning toast at 18. ere were fun, than going out clubbing, especially give a bad impression, which isn’t wise when they may year, even though we had no classes to- you felt when you rst arrived, on the out parents looking over my shoulder, worst; I heard one about a girl who le still some disasters (such as burning rice when the night ends in a few games of be marking your assignments. gether. contrary, you’ll have great memories of but because I wanted more independ- a trail of diced fruit from the kitchen to to the bottom of a pan, and the smell drunken Twister. If drinking is the problem but you the moments you spent with your new ence, and the chance to try new things her room, to the confusion of her at- lingering for days), but I’m happy to say Still, sometimes hall living isn’t that enjoy clubbing then just go for it. You friends. by myself. mates. It may seem frustrating at the I’m no longer living o Morrison’s ready great. Cleaning the kitchen a er a at 12 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Our Olympic Legacy?
by MATT COX of sport a week rose from 20% to 85%. Another change that has damaged school sport alk of “legacy” and “inspiring a generation” participation is that there is no longer a need to was one of the main themes that pervaded collect information for an annual survey of sport the London 2012 Olympics. Merely discuss- participation. is led to headteachers diverting Ting “legacy” alone, however, is not enough; it needs money to improving what they are judged on - to be supplemented and inforced by nancial back- exam results. Since sport participation is no longer ing and tangible action. monitored, it has become easier to invest in exam Prime Minister David Cameron, however, came improvement. under re in the closing days and a ermath of the It seems that the motto of the games - “inspire a Olympics over a number of cuts to school sports generation” - has worked. e generation has been funding, as well as his dismissal of Labour’s previ- inspired, but without the necessary teaching and ous target of two hours’ compulsory school sport as equipment, the “inspiration” might not go too far. a “piece of pointless Whitehall box-ticking”. It’s not all bad news, though, as the overwhelming Previously, the government provided £162m an- success of the games has seen not just the public nual funding for school sports partnerships. How- but athletes come out in defence of a mandatory ever, this was cut in October 2010 as part of a series two hours of physical education. is has led to of government cuts. Public outcry over this led to some backtracking from Cameron, who has in- the cuts being reduced slightly. Currently, fund- sisted that £1bn will be invested in sport over the ing for school sport is £65m a year - but only until next four years. 2013. He said: “If it was just about money and setting e facts of the matter are that despite Cameron’s targets, we wouldn’t have a problem, but the fact dismissal of Labour’s strategy, pupils’ participation is we also have to raise our ambition and change in school sport increased during this time. For ex- the culture so that we really encourage sport and ample, between 2003 and 2010, the number of sec- competitive sport in schools.” ondary school children playing two hours or more
Whatever happened to by MATT JACKSON a signi cant proportion of the contract. I expect them to pay us in line with the n the build up to the Olympics terms of the contract”. is showed a the much-criticised security ? considerably more prominent Buckles company, G4S (once Group 4 who when in parliament in July admitted that the ISecuricor,) were the talking point of the nation. security rms reputation was in tatters; many ex- In July, a mere two weeks before the start of the pect Buckles to be out of a job in the not-so-distant games G4S told the London Organising Commit- future. tee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (locog) G4S are a large security rm who operate within that it would be unable to provide enough security airports, immigration, prisons, and the police. It is to cover the event. a global company and is one of the largest private As safety concerns grew and news outlets report- sector employers in the world. Following the Lon- ed that G4S were supplying less than 75% of the don failures G4S have pledged to start their own expected sta the police and military were dra ed independent inquiry into what exactly happened in to help appease the panic and furore. G4S were in the run up to the games and what they could meant to supply an estimated 10400 guards to the have done to avoid the fuss; which is said to have Olympic and Paralympic games. had a considerable knock on their pro t margins. Now in the a ermath of the Olympic games G4S Early indications suggest that the G4S failures are battling it out with locog over unpaid amounts. stem from a mixture of misjudging the length of So far G4S have been paid £90 million of the £255 recruitment, underestimating the size of the task million contract and have reportedly not been force and the amount of administrative work or- paid since the controversies in July. G4S chiefs did ganising the games security would need. expect that the short fall in their estimations would Early estimates are suggesting that G4S won’t get leave at least £50 million o of their bill however their full contract and, as it remains, G4S are still bosses were bewildered with locog’s apparent re- at loggerheads with Locog. fusal to pay them. G4S chief Nick Buckles said “I’m not going to sit here and say we did a great job, but we delivered Drop in crime during Olympics by MATT COX rested nine people at games venues during the Olympics. he feel-good nature of the Olympics was It was thought that ticket perhaps exempli ed most e ectively by the touts and sellers of black- signi cant crime drop that took place dur- market merchandise would Ting the Games. be an issue, but they only had Starting on the Opening Ceremony, the two-week a handful of cases to deal with. period saw crime drop in London by 6% during Scotland Yard said pre- the Olympic - and Paralympic - games, according cise comparisons with 2011 to head of the Met Police Bernard Hogan-Howe. would be di cult because e news will be especially welcomed a er the of the riots and that exact problems involving security company, G4S. G4S’ gures were still being inability to deliver su cient security sta led to calculated for the three- fears, but Hogan-Howe said police were happy to month Olympic and Paral- step into the breach. “Not only did the public seem ympic period, but there was to enjoy it but also the o cers didn’t want to go likely to have been a signi - back,” he said. cant fall. Boris Johnson expanded on this in other com- ments, telling journalists that the Met had only ar- Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 13 In the wake of London 2012, Luke, Matt and THE OLYMPICS IN NUMBERS Matt dig deeper into the real cost of the games... Proud to 90% OF THE MATERIAL INSIDE THE be British OLYMPIC PARK CAN BE REUSED OR RECYCLED, MAKING THIS THE GREENEST OLYMPICS YET
£10.8bn by LUKE DOBSON efore the Olympics, it was safe to assume that SPENT ON THE OLYMPICS IN a lot of Britons were...less than hopeful about us putting on the Games. We all had our TOTAL Bdoubts; what, with the IOC cracking down on any- one using their branding, and the mess surround- ing GS4, we had every right to be. Yet, when Danny Boyle’s spectacular Opening Ceremony kicked o , there seemed to be an elevation of national pride and hope seemed to return to our consistently pes- simistic national mood. I watched it happen over Twitter; as the Queen met James Bond; when Rowan Atkinson appeared playing Chariots of Fire; and how the quirky in- jokes which all British people have grown up know- ing were broadcast for all the world to see. People 27 began lling with pride and, as the cauldron was lit, it seemed that our country had changed into one of MILLION PEOPLE WATCHED THE optimism and praise. is sense pervaded the entire Games, as the OPENING CEREMONY IN THE UK world watched us host one of the best Olympics in living memory. Pundits from around the globe congratulated us for the organisation, for the mar- vellous volunteers and for the warm welcome that we had given our neighbours from around the £400,000 Earth. COST TO DESIGN THE OLYMPICS If that wasn’t enough, our tiny little island began to make its way up the medals table. Team GB won LOGO events we hadn’t placed in for decades, surprising us at every turn as they rose and rose. Whether you were a sports fan or not, watching our progress unfold made for excellent television and served to continue our buoyant mood. ose two weeks were some of the oddest in this 135,000 country, but they had to end. We began to come down from the high as the Closing Ceremony ROOMS WERE AVAILABLE ebbed, yet not all of the pessimism returned. e pride lingered, and the memory of the amazing WITHIN A 30 MILE RADIUS OF sporting achievements meant that the Paralympics THE OLYMPIC PARK were the most popular they’ve ever been. ere are many negatives concerning the Olym- pics but, at their heart, they are meant to unite and bring hope. is we achieved, although none of us ever thought it would happen. What happens to the Olympic Park? 9.66 MILLION MENTIONS OF THE OPENING CEREMONY ON TWITTER by LUKE DOBSON In fact, a brand new community will grow in the the space. space once the centre-of-attention of billions of e Aquatics Centre and Velodrome will be t the end of the Paralympic Games, the Ol- people; new schools, nurseries, health centres and open for all the local community to use and the ympic Park was once again closed to the places of worship will be built to bind it together. area around the Velodrome will form the new Lee public. e contractors moved in to begin e Athletes Village will also be transformed into Valley VeloPark which will include a recon gured theA work of transforming the large area into its in- almost 3,000 a ordable new homes. BMX tracks. 1.34% tended legacy. But what is to become of the venues we all saw ere are plans for every square inch of the Park, By July next year, the northern area of the Park, Olympians triumph and fall in? Well, the Olympic making sure that there is a real legacy for London. AMOUNT OF GOLD IN A GOLD North Park, will reopen as a waterway lled site Stadium is set to become the home of British Ath- From what we can see, the ‘inspire a generation’ MEDAL with playgrounds and a small capacity sporting letics, hosting the World Athletics Championships message has been adopted for these projects which venue for local events. e following year, the rest in 2017. Other events, such as concerts and other will carry on for decades to come; with a blossom- of the Park will open. is will have been trans- cultural events, will also take place there; and there ing new community in east London, surrounded formed into a 50-acre urban space called South have been bids from several football clubs and by sporting venues for all. Plaza, on which 11,000 new homes will be built. other interested sporting parties for them to use 14 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Union Cymdeithas Llwelyn Serendipity! Cymdeithas Llywelyn is Bangor Students’ union’s Welsh learners society. Set up by learners, for learn- ers! The society supports Welsh learners, regardless of level or past experiences. But that’s not all! Cym- deithas Llywelyn o er a long list of other things. We are a social society. There are loads of social events planned for the up and coming year, for your enjoy- ment. Cymdeithas Llywelyn is a standing committee within Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Bangor (Bangor union of Welsh speaking students). UMCB has a strong presence in Bangor University and is the 26th-27th September Welsh speaking stu- Serendipity is the SU Freshers’ fair. For 2 days during freshers’ week we’ll dent community. The be gathering nearly 100 Societies and over 60 Sports Clubs, not to men- learners o cer repre- tion the cream of the local business crop who are all looking to give you sents learners on the freebies, vouchers, and opportunities to sign up to a Club or Society! You UMCB executive. can also pick yp your Love Bangor card, see opposite for details! Cymdeithas Lly- welyn are looking for new members and a chairman to represent the community of learners on the executive committee of UMCB. If you’re interested in either of the above or want more information e-mail the Intramural Bangor 2012-13 Society: [email protected] Intramural sport in Bangor is looking to run Intramural Bangor’s very own Park Run have its most exciting year yet, with many equivalent! Look out for updates and emails more sports and opportunities to partici- to keep you informed about everything that pate than ever before. Whether football is is going on within Intramural Bangor. your thing, or you fancy trying your hand at Keep in touch with what is going on via the Free Clubs badminton or basketball or even simply keep AU website (www.undeb.bangor.ac.uk/au), on t and active through running, Intramural Facebook (IMB Intramural Bangor Facebook Bangor will be o ering a wide range of op- group) or if you have any questions email portunities to get involved. You don’t have [email protected]. For any Societies! to be experienced or ‘good’ - all you need is general information about sport in the AU Unlike most Students Unions up and down the UK, we here at Bangor are very lucky to be able to enthusiasm contact Emyr Bath (VP Sport and Healthy o er you something special! This year unlike ever before it will be free for any student to join clubs and Superteams will return once again (Sunday Living) at Bangor VP Sport facebook or emyr. societies! Whats the catch? Well there isn’t one. We have over 160 Clubs and Societies not to mention 18th November, 1-8pm, Maes Glas), where it [email protected]. loads of volunteering opportunities! If you’ve got a hobby, will be decided which AU club has the best So if club sport does not appeal to you, you sport or interest that you’re looking to carry all-round sports men and women, as will simply do not have the time needed for such on at university (or even if you don’t) come a Superstars (date TBC, Maes Glas)– where indi- a commitment, or even fancy something ex- long, to Serendipity our ‘freshers fair’ it’s the viduals put their speed, strength and endur- tra, there is plenty to try out and get involved one stop shop for you to meet all the clubs, ance to the test in the most gruelling day in! societies, volunteers, some local businesses, of sports activities. and plenty of friendly faces. It takes place on This year we are establish- Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th Septem- ing an intramural 7-a-side ber in Maes Glas, you don’t want to miss it! football league – Sundays 2-5pm at the arti cial pitches- (anyone can enter- rst come rst served!); one league per semester. We will also be running atomic touch sessions once a week – a great way to stay t through a sport caught between the realms of basketball and netball! On top of this, basketball and bad- minton (Sundays 5-8pm Maes Glas) sessions will be available, and we are also intending for the rst time to Meet Your Sabbatical Officers Mared Jones UMCB President
Antony Butcher President Shon Prebble VP Education & Welfare Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 15 Union REPPING YOUR COURSES SINCE 2010 What do Course Reps do? Course Reps are students who volunteer to deal with any issues that a ect your academic experience; things like timetable structures, teaching delivery, feedback quality and library resources. They take your opinions (good and bad) and represent them at meetings with sta in your school, to help ensure that the things you rate stay the same, and the things you’re not happy with change for the better. They also go to Course Rep Council meetings, where they let the Students’ Union know how things are going in your school and talk to other Course Reps to nd out how your school compares to others. What will I gain from being a Course Rep? The warm feeling that you’re helping to improve the academic experience of your classmates (not to men- See how much tion yourself), a range of employability skills that will make you stand out from other students, points towards your Bangor Employability Award, a strong relationship with your school and your Students’ Union, a chance to meet new people, an invitation to the Course Rep Awards Ceremony, a certi cate of achievement and the you could save! chance to be Course Rep of the Year – the list could go on! bit.ly/HADk31 Why should I tell Course • NUS Extra card only costs £12 • We’ve signed up more than 50 local businesses Reps what I think? • You can buy and collect yours on the same day in the SU • The average yearly saving with NUS Extra card is £525 Course Reps are elected by you, so you’ll know who they are, why they’ve got the role and how they can So whether you’ve just got here, from Theatres, to Local Shops, Salons help to make improvements. They’ll probably be in one or two of your classes too, and their details will be recently got back, or never left, if and everything in between. available at your school, so it’s really easy to get in touch with them. You might think that only you have a you don’t already we reckon that As well as all the exciting discounts particular opinion or problem, but lots of other students might be thinking the same as you! If you all tell a you’ll Love Bangor by the time you o ered already by NUS Extra, look Course Rep how you’re feeling they can identify the problem as a wider issue and do something about it. The leave. You’ve probably heard of NUS out for the Love Bangor window opinions that Course Reps bring to sta in your school and college, and to the Students’ Union, are taken very Extra but do you know about Love stickers which look just like (see seriously, so you can expect action to be taken if things aren’t going well, and for your school to be celebrated Bangor? image) for additional savings, and if it’s doing amazing things. Love Bangor is our own (free) little the best part is, you’ll be supporting addition to the NUS Extra card, if local business too! you’re a Bangor student and you For a full list of all the bene ts love Can I become a Course Rep? sign up for an NUS Extra card, you Bangor gets you just visit Yes! Any student can stand to be a Course Rep. automatically gain all the added bangorstudents.com/lovebangor/ Having Course Reps who come from all walks of business we’ve rooted out for you, life is really great, because students come from all walks of life, and they all need to be repre- sented fairly. Your school will be electing Course Reps on a date between 24th September and What is the 12th October, so don’t hang around! Get in touch with your school to nd out when the elections will happen and make sure you’re on the list of Students' Union? potential Course Reps. The elections aren’t as daunting as they seem either. The very most The Students’ Union is YOUR organi- projects to keep you entertained you’ll be asked to do is say why you want to be sation run by students for students. and active. You can try your hands a Course Rep to your class, and in most schools We’re completely independent from at new things, from comedy to you’ll need to get just a couple of student votes the University, which means that we medieval re-enactment, from Gaelic to be successful. can campaign and lobby for change football to handball, and from learn- on your behalf. It doesn’t matter if ing Welsh to playing Quidditch! For more information about becoming a Course Rep, or contacting your Course Rep if you have an issue, contact you’re a rst year undergraduate, Alongside all of this is UMCB, the Course Rep Coordinator Michelle: [email protected] / 01248 383651. a nal year post-graduate, interna- Welsh Union. This provides events tional student or a distance learner, and support for all Welsh speakers there are many ways in which you and learners. You can nd the Union Sabbatical O cers are students who have taken a year out to be your representatives and look after your Students’ can participate and get your voice in Bryn Haul near the Ffriddoedd Union. We’re elected by you and we work for you - so if you have issues that you feel are important to make your heard. Site, behind Bar Uno on Victoria student experience the best it can be, let us know so that we can get on it! There are ve of us - you can nd out The Union also o ers loads of sports Drive. more about each of us and our speci c roles on our website bangorstudents.com clubs, societies and volunteering
Ash Kierans VP Societies Emyr Bath & Community VP Sport & Healthy Living 16 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Societies BATTLE OF COME SEE US THE BANDS AT SERENDIPITY!
BAR UNO 27TH SEPTEMBER 7PM BANGOR UNIVERSITY OFFICER TRAINING CORPS You crown the winner!
by SAM SMITH trekking in Transylvania, parachuting in California and sailing in Germany. ales University O cer Train- Perhaps the best thing about the VARIETY SHOW ing Corps (WUOTC) is a part of UOTC however is the cracking bunch the British Army, which pro- of people from across Wales that On September 30th PSYCH Soci- W ety presents to all students and sta vides military leadership training to you get to work and train alongside. students at Welsh universities, includ- The camaraderie and banter both Enjoyed reading Seren so far? Then to choose your commitment level. If members PSYCH’s Bangor Variety ing Bangor! The O cer Training Corps in the eld and in the many socials why not think about joining us? you’re the kind of person who joins a Fest! A night dedicated to societies, (OTC) intends to develop the leader- throughout the year develops par- With societies and clubs being free society and gives it their all then why for your enjoyment! Presenting a full ship potential of selected university ticularly strong friendships that cer- to join this year there’s never been a not consider joining up and running night from 7pm doors until 10.30pm students through challenging yet tainly enhance the whole experience! better time to give in to your inner to be one of the following Sub-Edi- with perfomances from Comedy Soc, enjoyable training in the UK and over- Our fantastic year was rounded journalist! tor’s; Environment, Health and Beauty, SODA, BEDS, Rostra, Circ Soc, Dance seas- you even get paid for your time! o with a 2 week Summer Camp Seren has been an important part of Music, Film, Books or Travel. and Al Bahiyya as well as featuring During your rst year in the UOTC, consisting of a 6 day foray in the Bangor University for over one hun- And if none of them take your fancy Storm FM, Stage Crew and more! you take part in a vast range of ac- eld putting into practice the skills dred years, though we weren’t called then why not come along and sug- This fantastic night will provide non- tivities that introduce you to life as we learned on the 5 weekends Seren way back when! gest a page we don’t already have? At stop entertainment for all attendees, a British Army O cer. From learning throughout the year. The second One of the best things about being Seren we always want new pages. at £2 in advance or £3 on the doors, the basics of operating in the eld week consists of a number of adven- a part of Bangor’s English Language But if you can’t commit as much with all proceeds going to help the as an infantry soldiers, to discover- turous training activities, in camp Student Newspaper is how rewarding time come and write for us or maybe Bangor Specal Olympics, Hope House ing how to tie a bow-tie and avoid training and cultural visits/socials. it can be. Not only do you get to see become a Seren photographer! and Happy Faces charities. Tickets are social faux-pas at formal mess func- One of the great things about OTC 2500 copies of your hard work dis- Why don’t you pop over for a chat, available from the Wheldon Recep- tions, the OTC certainly has it all! is that you can make what you want tributed around Bangor but you gain and some freebies, at our Serendipity tion, Serendepity or contact Psych@ You are given the opportunity of it. There is no requirement to join tonnes of experience. stall 26th and 27th Sept. undeb.bangor.ac.uk - it’s certainly not to gain valuable leadership skills the army, so if you fancy a job at uni- Seren is a society that allows you an event you want to miss! through hands-on experience in a versity that pays you to gain an in- military environment. You also get the sight into how the army works then opportunity to improve your physical this is surely for you! Like anything tness and mental robustness, both in life, you get out of it what you in the eld and on the various courses put in; but then again, the instruc- run by the army that you can attend tors are exible and recognise that – for example, meeting the tough university commitments come rst. For me, WUOTC has given me the demands that Sandhurst requires Anthony Burgess’ should you want to join the Regu- opportunity to meet people who by LUCY BISHOP A Clockwork Orange are like minded; people who do not lar/Territorial Army after university! Costume. We can train you up in stick to the student stereotype. I e are a drama society that WUOTC regularly plans adventur- anything you would like to learn, ous training trips. Past excursions cannot wait for this year to begin! performs six student-written or published plays each year. and we very much welcome new include skiing in the Alps, sailing in W skills, such as Music or Dance. Visit our stall at Serendipity! This coming semester we are perform- Croatia, climbing in Greece, sur ng We have fun while putting on a variety in Devon, sea kayaking in Cyprus, www.facebook.com/bangorotc ing ‘Amadeus’ by Peter Scha er, ‘No Sex Please, We’re British’ by Alistair of great plays. With regular socials and JAPANESE Foot and ‘Arabian Nights’ by Dominic a huge selection of exciting projects Cooke. We don’t just put on plays ei- you’ll never have a boring week. SOCIETY ther! We pack our semesters with ex- If you want to act then all you need to Post-Graduate tra projects which include Medieval/ do is turn up to one of our open audi- Victorian Festivals, Murder Mystery tions. Our auditions for this semesters LUCY BARRETT by Evenings, Labyrinth Theatre projects, plays will take place on 8th/9th/10th October in JP Hall. If production is et up in mid-2011, the Japanese The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 48 hour Student Forum more your thing, then just turn up to Society aced its rst academic projects, radio plays and many more! one of our meetings and meet our year of running and was nomi- No matter what experience you have, S production manager who can nd he Postgraduate Student Forum out who else is having the same prob- nated for a Society Award in 2012. you can get involved in anything from projects for you to be involved in! (PGSF) wishes a warm welcome lem, who in the university should be Though we did not win, we have be- Acting and Directing to Lighting and to all incoming postgraduates. dealing with it, and what can be done come more determined than ever to T [email protected] You may be feeling that Welcome to make an improvement. Then you deliver the best possible society for Week is designed for undergraduates. can save your own time for the more those interested in cultural exchange. This is partly true – but we all need important stu . In the past, we have held ses- time for meeting people, settling in, As well as lending support to post- sions on origami, anime drawing, relaxing, and preparing for the start graduate issues, the PGSF helps you music, language and celebrated of the semester. (And we notice that to fend o the isolation of research (at festivals from both Britain and Ja- you have already strayed from your least temporarily), and to build a com- pan. We also took a group to the desk far enough to pick up a copy of munity of fellow researchers. Over the Manchester’s Doki Doki Festival Seren. Well done! ) Perhaps postgradu- last year we have organised a number and held games and lm nights. ates need Welcome Week more than of social events for postgraduate stu- This year, after taking on board anyone. Because once the studying dents, including evenings of food suggestions from society mem- begins, it’s postgrads that tend to have and drink where postgrads have met, bers, we hope to host monthly nity Bangor is the Student campaign focuses on safe sex, and as a harder time: a bigger workload, a networked, and shared ideas. We will lm nights, more social events Union’s LGBTQ+ Society. We such we will be giving out free con- greater risk of isolation, and a larger be running similar events this year, as and provide more information Uaim to represent you and your doms. We’ll also be giving out useful number of distractions, such as teach- well as working with the Academic for students hoping to travel ei- views, keep you informed on all things lea ets on LGBTQ+ issues. Come and ing and publishing. And that’s partly Development Unit on lunchtime re- ther abroad to Japan or around LGBTQ+, and make sure you’re en- see us for a chat or sign up to our why the PGSF is important. search seminars, and incorporating the UK for international students. tertained with our fun- lled social email list! The PGSF is a representative group our General Meetings and elections Everyone is welcome at the Japa- events! After Serendipity on Wednesday, for postgrad students across Bangor into a more relaxed and participatory nese Society; it doesn’t matter if you We’re very excited about this Fresh- we’ll be having a BBQ where you can University, working closely with the format. In addition, we will be organis- are an international or home student. er’s Week, because we have some bril- get to know our committee and each Students’ Union. We attend key ing a conference in the second semes- Our rst meeting of 2012-2013 is on liant events. First o , on Tuesday we’re other. university meetings to make sure that ter, where researchers from Bangor Thursday 4th October. We will be having our brand new club night at We also have our weekly non-alco- the viewpoint of postgraduates is be- and other institutions will share their watching the Studio Ghibli lm ‘Spir- Academi: Identity! With our resident holic event LGBTea in Blue Sky Cafe ing put across. So, when Welcome expertise. ited Away’. You’re welcome to join us! DJ, you’ll enjoy an eclectic mix of your where you can enjoy light-hearted Week is long gone and you are in the Remember to look out for our events, favourite music at Bangor’s only atti- conversation and a hot beverage. throes of your thesis, we can help deal check us out on Facebook, and keep [email protected]! tude-free night! If you want to stay in the loop, make with any issues you encounter within us on speed dial in case of academic We’ll also be at Serendipity, where sure you check out our website www. the University. Contact us with any emergencies. we will be launching our latest cam- unitybangor.co.uk and like us on Face- postgraduate matter, and we’ll nd paign; I Take One Everywhere. This book or even follow us on Twitter. Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 17 Welfare
My name is Dafydd, the lovable bear mascot always there for hugs, and I’m here to tell you about Nightline, the in- Mformation and listening service run by students for stu- dents. You may notice posted throughout the university build- ings and sites posters with my face all over them and wondering what Nightline is but never fear, I am here to enlighten you all. Nightline is a service that runs from 8pm at night to 8am in the morning every single day during term time. Coming to uni- versity can be a little scary for some, I know I was terri ed but I had so much fun with all the volunteers at Nightline that I felt right in place and they are there to help you too; whether it be wishing to talk about missing family or friends, feeling worried at night and wanting to talk to someone to just wanting to get the number of a taxi company or take away then Nightline is the number you can phone for all that information and more. They are con dential so don’t worry that it will be spread around like gossip and they are non-judgemental. You can also nd out more information by going to our website at bangorstudents.com/nightline. If you are interested in join- ing the Nightline society and becoming a volunteer then you should pop along to their stand in Serendipity and ask for more information. Nightline fully trains all its volunteers and gives them transferable skills which are great for show- ing to your future employers. I will be at Serendipity too and I always love a good hug or being in a photo with people. Thank you for bearing with me and reading this article! Bye! nawdd nos|nightline nawddwww.undeb.bangor.ac.uk/nightline nawddnos|night nos|night 01248line 362121line www.undeb.bangor.ac.uk/nightlinewww.undeb.bangor.ac.uk/nightline 01248 362121 01248 362121 Meet the Wardens...
International Student Support O ce Do you fancy a FREE trip to Beijing? roeso, Welcome, Huan ying, - 2.30pm. Want to get involved? We Swaa-gat hai, Bienvenue, invite all students (and sta ) to submit hones have a faint click before dents think we do so I’ll share.... and non-sporting activities. This gives CWillkommen, Benvenuti, Cead proposals to host a Learning Lounge. they start ringing. They do! But Wardens start their role in a week wardens a chance to get to know all Mile Failte, Yookoso, Kalos ilthate, The International Student Support sometimes when the phone of intensive training in mid-Septem- their students better as well as enjoy Ahlan Wa Sahlan to all of you from O ce is to help international students P rings that click is not a click, it may ber before other residents arrive. a bit of friendly banter with each other International Student Support O ce. (including EU) to get the best out of as well be a gunshot. When on call Every week, I will check the kitchens “I have a warden sign How can I win a trip to China? In their time in Bangor. We are based that faint click is enough to wake a that have been assigned to me and partnership with the CSSA (Chinese at the new International Education warden from the deepest of slum- chat with residents on my corridors. on my door. “ Students and Scholars Association) we Centre in Rathbone Hall and we pro- bers with a jolt to cause re exes of When I am on duty I sign in at 6pm I also just live a normal life. I’m in the are proud to announce “Culture Chal- vide advice and guidance on a range a ninja... The Nokia ringtone itself and remain on duty until 8am the 2nd year of my PhD, which I love! I have lenge 2013”. It’s a student-led event of welfare-related matters to inter- just adds extra familiarity to the situ- next morning and for all that time I great friends and try to keep up a bit of which aims to promote cultural un- national students and their families. ation and acts as a reminder to re- am available to any student on site a work life balance. I go home (to the derstanding and acceptance amongst We also organise a range of extracur- trieve the on-call bag and the trusty for any reason. Every call out that is emerald isle) when I can. I hate Mon- Bangor students in a diverse and origi- ricular activities: trips, music, perform- warden hoody from its door hook made is logged and followed up. All day mornings or walking to school nal way. How does it work? Very easy: ances, art & craft, sports and much on the way out to the security lodge. in wind and rain but its all part of the you apply, we randomly draw 8 teams more! For our events programme, Being a warden is great! It’s a job of “Our role is to ensure that whole ‘student experience’ I reckon. that compete against each other in see: http://www.bangor.ac.uk/inter- opposites though. It’s fun but some- halls is a pretty good place for So I guess that’s the bones of what a series of tasks and, if you are lucky national/support/news_trips.php.en times upsetting. It’s easy when you everyone to live” you need to know about wardens. (and good enough), you will win the Please note that our events are open can x other people’s problems with We aren’t counsellors or ogres or opportunity of a lifetime to visit one of to ALL students (international and UK) the smallest of actions, but it’s hard wardens keep up to date with the fairy godmothers, we are just stu- the most amazing places in the world! and we would welcome your ideas and when you’re trying all you can do to log so as to stay informed as to what dents with a bit of training in how For more information and how to ap- suggestions. Moreover, if you have a help make something better and you is happening on site on a daily basis. to hopefully make the whole ‘liv- ply see: http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ talent or can you sing/dance/perform know it’s to no avail. You’re a hero when I have a warden sign on my door. ing in halls’ part of university life a international/support/index.php.en or want to learn new things, we want you help someone out but you’re a Wardens are on site for the welfare bit better ( at least for some people). Don’t miss our new “Learning to hear from you! We are currently re- villain when you call to a at about of all residents and pretty much our If you have any further questions Lounge” – a series of free workshops cruiting volunteers and performers to a noise complaint or kitchen mess. role is to ensure that halls is a good about wardening or wardens just to help you make the most out of your help us run our events. We can o er a I’m about to start my 2nd year (or hopefully better!) place for every- ask any of us. But for now wel- time at Bangor University. The Learn- full induction, supervision, references as a warden on Ffriddoedd site. I one to live and spend time happily. come to Bangor University! My top ing Lounge is informal, social and cov- and tons of fun! If you are interested will share the pleasure of calling it All wardens are actively involved in tip for university life: make it the ers a range of topics. It’s coordinated or want to know more, please email ‘home’ with about 2,000 other stu- the Inter-Hall Spirit programme which best few years possible. Oh and in- in partnership with the Careers O ce. Manuela on [email protected]. dents this year. I don’t really know sees all halls competing recreation- vest in a decent waterproof coat! The Learning Lounge happens every what Ffridd residents or other stu- ally across a wide range of sporting two weeks, starting Wednesday 17th October in Deiniol Library, 12.30pm 18 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Bangor University: A History The History... Famous Graduates An English graduate, Boyle is an internationally acclaimed director, writer and producer. His lms in- clude Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire, which won a staggering, 7 Baftas, 5 Critic’s choice awards and eight Os- cars in 2008, including Best Direc- tor and Best Picture. Most recently Boyle acted as Artist Director for the London Olympics 2012 opening cer- emony and is tipped for a place in the Danny Boyle New Year’s Honours list.
One of the most historically signi - The creation of Bangor University is a tale of sacri ce for the cant of Bangor’s alumni, Edwards was progression of education; a true story of the everyday hero. the pioneer behind one of the biggest medical breakthroughs in recent his- tory; the development of IVF in 1968 and the birth of the rst ‘test tube incorparating the Welsh language in all. The Uni- baby’ Louise Brown in 1978. By 2010 by SAMANTHA AUSTIN an estimated 4 million babies have versity has always accepted women onto their been born by IVF, an achievement for n 1881, after much campaigning, it was nally courses, and has opened their doors to both rich which he was subsequently awarded decided that there should be an increase in ac- and poor since it rst opened. the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Icess to Universities in Wales; one was planned With the money raised from the local people, Medicine. for the South and one for the North. Conwy, Den- Bangor city donated a 10 ache plot to build a Robert G Edwards bigh and Porthmadog were among the many new, specially built, University. In 1911 the im- towns that competed for the honour. The criteria pressive Main Arts building opened and the was to be beautiful and show an aptitude for the University established itself in a position on top One of the foremost welsh lan- acquisition of knowledge. In 1883 Bangor was of Bangor. It wasn’t until 1926 though, that the guage authors of the 20th century, chosen. science departments had Roberts graduated with a degree in Welsh Literature in a period where The local quarry- “I consider the act of those quarrymen of Pen- a new home, and were women, particularly of her class, men, tradesmen and rhyn. It’s a noble thing for men sitting round this able to move out of the were generally denied access to farmers had banded table to give their hundreds and their thousands, Penryhn Arms Hotel, us- higher education. Her extensive together to give but for a poor man to give his one pound or his ve ing funding from North works are notable for their focus on theire pennies and pounds out of his daily earnings means to deny Wales Heroes Memorial. life in rural Welsh communities. She their pounds to make himself something. That is real sacri ce.” The University would a future for higher not exist as it does to- later became a regular contributor to education in Bangor. day without the gener- Kate Roberts the rst Welsh language newspaper At the opening ceremony on 18 October 1884, ous nancial input, passion and persistance of Y Faner. AJ Mundella, the MInster of Education, summed the local population. up the feeling of pride and sacri ce from the local During the second world war the Prichard Jones After obtaining a degree in Philoso- populous. Hall was used to store the treasures from the phy, Bérenger went on to establish The rst building to house Bangor University National Gallery of London. And students were the Mauritian Militant Movement was the old Penryhn Arms Hotel, situated be- evacuated to Bangor University from University political party in his home country tween Maesgeirchen and Hirael, and what is left College London. Bangor University has proven Mauritius. The party always received of it can be found today after a stroll along Beach that it is safe and secure., and is still one of the more than 40% of direct votes in Road. safest Universities in the UK today. general elections, something which At rst the University o ered only English, his- For a summarised history of Bangor University caused Bérenger to become rst tory, Greek, mathematics, physics, philosophy feel free to peruse Bangor University 1884 - 2009 Deputy and then later Prime Minister and chemistry., in the medium of English, but has by Dr David Roberts, registrar of the University. of Mauritius from 2003-2005, and es- established itself worthy in many other subjects, tablish his current position as leader of the Opposition. Paul Berenger
An actress of the stage and screen, Barber graduate from Bangor in the same class as her then boyfriend And Around Bangor... Danny Boyle with a degree in Drama. She has played many of the greatest female roles such as Eliza Doolittle and Lady Macbeth, winning an Olivi- er Award for Best Newcomer, as well as working alongside greats such as Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh and Ian McKellen, who funded a library in her Frances Barber name in India. Honorary Alumni by SOPHIE SMITH an honorary degree from the university, which was awarded to him in June 2009 for services to Archbishop Desmond Tutu broadcasting and the study of the environment. Already a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for The university holds a strong relationship to At- olwyddelan Castle is traditionally the highlighted the unfair treatment of the Welsh by his e orts to end Apartheid in South Africa, Arch- tenborough, as his father is a graduate of Coleg birthplace of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, situ- the English courts, and the castle boasts the only bishop Desmond Tutu further added to his nu- Normal and his brother, acclaimed actor and di- Dated near Llanberis, it covers two routes moated castle in the area. merous accolades with an honorary degree for rector Richard Attenborough, is also an honorary through Snowdonia and is the sight of royal pri- Penrhyn Castle is a 19th-century neo-Norman services to world peace and reconciliation along- fellow of the university. sioners and military take overs. castle, built by the owners of the local slate mine. side David Attenborough in June 2009. Upon ac- To the south of Bangor sits Caernarfon Castle, The Penrhyn Slate Quarry was the largest in the cepting his award he praised the people of Wales, the place where the Princes of Wales are coro- world in the 19th cantury, and boasts one of the stating that “I’ve always had a soft spot for Wales Philip Pullman nated. An awe inspiring giant of a building, which earliest railways...... We owe a great deal to yourselves, when we The author of 20 novels to date, Philip Pullman retains most of its original structure. Over in Anglesey one nds Bryn Celli Ddu, a won the spectacular victory over apartheid, the is best known for his ‘His Dark Materials’ Trilogy, The walled town of Conwy was once protected burial chamber dated to the late 3rd century BC. victory would have been totally impossible with- which has been adapted for stage, screen and ra- by Conwy Castle, and due to its position enjoyed Evidence indicates multiple religious systems. out support of the many international communi- dio, and has won several awards such as the Carn- a successful sea merchant business. Later the Vic- Aber raw is the archaic base of the old Welsh ties and you in Wales were among our most com- egie Medal, the Guardian Children’s Book Award, torians built upon on the old town and modern Princes and was once the site of the weird and mitted supporters....” and the Whitbread Book of the Year Award - the Conwy is now a beautiful mix of Victorian struc- wonderful old traditional ways. rst time in history that the prize was given to ture and medieval charm. Finally Bangor is a Victorian city, and boasts one a children’s book. Pullman has been actively in- Beaumaris was once the Victorian base of the of the longest piers in the UK, as well as a beauti- David Attenborough volved within the university as a guest speaker English justicial system in North Wales. The Gaol ful town centre full of well used Victorian build- As a man who needs no introduction, David At- on several occasions. and courts were used for only a short time, but ings. tenborough is one of only four people to receive seren
FRESHERS’ GUIDE 2012 20 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 sex&Drugs YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STAYING SAFE AND CLEAN, AND PREVENTING ANY TEARS DURING FRESHERS’ WEEK 1.no means no University isn’t all about sex. Sure, Bangor was last year listed as the university with the most amount of sexu- al partners per person, but that shouldn’t mean you end up doing anything you’re not comfortable with. Take your time, wait till you’re ready, and most importantly, know that you can always say, “no”. Perhaps not so blunt- ly, just incase you think the other person might be a keeper. Saying, “not tonight” or “I’m not ready yet” is no big deal, and anyone who says otherwise isn’t worth the price of a condom. Which brings us nicely to point #2... 2.be safe Once you’re comfortable and willing to have sex, the next golden rule is the obvious one; safety. Always car- ry a condom. It’s as simple as that. You never know who you might run into round the corner, or bump into in peep, and you never know how far it might go, so it’s always worth to be prepared. Condoms protect you from both STIs and unwanted pregnancies, unlike the pill, which only prevents the pitter-patter of tiny feet in your uni halls. However it’s not just intercourse you need to be careful with; you should be wearing condoms during oral sex as well to ward o the spread of any unsightly mouth a ictions - I’m talking about herpes, people, you don’t want to be catching this giveaway a week before you’re due to visit your parents. For guys it’s simple, put some- thing on the end of it. For girls, it’s still simple, cut the tip o your nest Durex, then slice the whole thing in half from top to bottom and hey presto! You’ve got yourself a dental dam. Easy. 3.GET TESTED If you follow the rst two rules then chances are you won’t need to heed this advice, but no matter how safe and cautious you are, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to these things. Regular visits to a clinic or hospital will give you peace of mind and ensure you that you’re doing the right thing when it comes to safe sex. If you ever feel that something isn’t quite right and are think- ing of getting checked, but are too scared to do so, then speak up. Friends are there for a reason, however if you’d rather keep it from them there are a heap of support services available here at Bangor such as Nightline. Don’t worry, keep calm, and remember that it’s better to feel relief than fear and doubt. 1.NO MEANS NO Just like with sex, and anything else for that matter, if you don’t want to do something then you shouldn’t. The university environment introduces you to all kinds of new things, and not all of them are good, therefore it’s important to remember that you can always back away from any situation you don’t feel comfortable with. Nobody has the right to pressure you into doing something you’re unsure about, and if they persist, they’re probably not worth sticking around with. Remember, drugs also means alcohol, and have no doubt that there’s a lot of that out there. Everywhere you go while at university (at least in the night time) there is likely to be a few drunk people around, stumbling to the next water hole, getting their next vodka x. 2.KNOW YOUR STUFF If you’re thinking of experimenting, like many people do while at university, then be sure to read up about any substance you’re considering. It’s better to know what you’re taking, its e ects and how to deal with a bad trip if you have one. Websites like The Pill Report include detailed accounts of peoples’ experience on dif- ferent branded extacy pills. It is also a good idea to do your research on possible sources; dodgy deal- ings should be avoided at all times. Ask around, get some recommendations and the golden rule - be safe! 3.FIND A SAFE SPACE Make sure when taking any substance that you’re in a safe environment. And by that, I don’t just mean place, it’s also good to be surrounded by familiar people who you can trust - just incase any- thing goes wrong. Be a wise drug user, consider everything we’ve suggested and your time at university should be free of disaster. Though know the risks you’re taking when partaking in any form of illegal or illicit activity (which we are in no way endorsing). For example; studying to become a teacher? If you’re caught by security, or worse, then you can wave goodbye to that dream - and those annual summer holidays.
Every other 63% of all STI cases oc- young person FUNFACTS cur among people less aged 16-25 than 25 years of age. says they have tried drugs 28 miles The average per- 30 minutes son will spend 600 per hour is of active sex hours having sex the average burns approxi- between the ages 10,000 people ejaculation mately 200 of 20 and 70. a year are hos- speed calories. MDMA is safer Zpitalised due to gthan alcohol ÷ alcohol 6 A =â Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 21 by GARY BULLOCK Freshers’ Guide to Bangor 2 3 1 4 Mike’s Bites Blue Sky e Tap and Spile Oscar’s Lounge Grease just when you need it. Perfect for combat- Just o the high street, Blue Sky is hidden behind A really good old fashioned pub. Serving ex- Oscar’s Lounge is a weird one. One week it’s an ting the morning a er a rough night out. Mike’s an alleyway next to the butchers. A great place actly what you would expect, perfect pub grub at Indian restaurant, the next it’s a wine bar. What- Bites is known around Bangor for its range of all to have lunch or just escape. With ethical locally great prices while o ering a selection of real ales ever the theme, Oscar’s is a safe retreat from the day breakfast meals, there to cure your hangover sourced produce, you know you’re doing your bit on draught. Although it’s a trek away from town, hectic mayhem o en found in the likes of Paddy’s. whenever you choose to face it. even when you indulge in one of their delicious you’ll be glad you made the trip because you’ll be Interior design is cool and sleek, and the atmos- With seating areas both upstairs and downstairs, cakes with a cup of their fairtrade co ee. treated to the views of the Menai Straits while you phere is always welcoming. Beware when tak- it’s the perfect spot away from the world to help Perfect on a cold winter’s day when they stoke sit down to have your meal. ing drunken friends to this bar, however, for you you wash down your hangover with a pint of tea. the stove re keeping you comfortable and cosy. It’s an ideal way to round o a day at the pier, might end up footing the bill of that £30 bottle of All in all it’s a good place to have a morning de- Blue Sky also hosts a variety of events from gigs to being only a short walk away. Tuesday is pub quiz bubbly they ordered but couldn’t provide the cash brief and hang out all the dirty laundry from last poetry readings for you to enjoy while you relax day at e Tap which is free to enter so why not for. True story. night, even if you’re still wearing it. over a cup of herbal tea. give it a go! Seren Recommends: All you can eat Indian buf- Seren Recommends: e greedy bastard Seren Recommends: Chicken in a Basket Seren Recommends: Giant Yorkshire puddings fet 6 5 7 8
Crumbs e Pier Cafe e Belle Vue e Butcher’s A great alternative to Subway, o ering larger is really is one place that you should visit dur- With the renovation, life has been forced back If you thought you had good meat, then you’re in portions at a fraction of the price with everything ing your time at Bangor. If not to enjoy the pier into it, giving it a more up to date look that not for a treat. e butchers serves some of the nest freshly prepared in front of you. Serving a wide itself but for the great reward of tea and scones in only looks but feels more alive. With its opening cuts of locally sourced meat that are usually cheap- range of sandwiches, Jackets and pastas, which this warm and inviting cafe. being served by the up of the room allowing more of the bar to ac- er than their supermarket counterparts. you can mix and match the lling to suit your friendly sta it is a quiant way to spend a day out cessed at any one time, freeing it from its previous Using their ne range of fresh meats in sand- tastebuds. A great choice for your lunchtime Seren Recommends: Scones and tea clostrophobic layout. serving a usual selection of wichs, pastries and deli options makes it a great needs if you are down on the highstreet. beers, wines and spirits to start the night o right alternative for lunch on the go. With their friendly Seren Recommends: Chilli and cheese jacket or to continue on until the end. the outdoor court- sta you’ll never be disappointed with a visit. potatoe yard allows you to take a break on a night out for Seren Recommends: e breakfast baps some fresh air and chat in the peaceful setting.
9 The ROGUES . GALLERY TATTOO AND ART STUDIO 10 11 12
01248 355140 e Rogues Gallery Relics e Late Stop Elias Garage Whatever you’re looking for, whether that be a Out of the way behind the high street, Relics is e only 24hr convenience store within walking For a lot of students nding a reliable garage isn’t new tattoo, your rst tattoo, another piercing for guaranteed to ll your house with everything from distance in Bangor. ere to help you out on those at all relevant but for those of us with cars its es- the collection or even just some cool jewellery the quirky little trinkets to beds and sofas. You can al- long all nighters when all you need is another bar sential! e guys at Elias are a friendly bunch and Rogues have got it. We guarantee you won’t nd ways nd a good bargain when you go in and who of chocolate and an energy drink to keep you go- won’t screw you over like a lot of other garages. a nicer, more helpful or professional bunch. e knows what treasures you might nd there. ing. ey are honest, professional and always up for a studio is located just up the hill past Varsity and is Some of our best nds were mirrors for £1 and is place is a complete god-send when it’s past good chat. Located at the end of the High Street, also home to e Rogue’s Den where you can get desk chairs for a ver. closing time on a Sunday and your house has run Elias Garage is de nitely your rst stop for motor some really cool, antique items. e gallery is one out of tea or loo roll. problems. Plus they are part of Love Bangor! to keep an eye on as we hear those rogues are plan- ning a special student event real soon!
15 13 14 16 Sparks Nice ‘n Naughty Zip Print Oriental Grocery Food Store Sparks is a place that can be easily missed be- Not many people would admit to paying a visit to You probably won’t see much of this place until Feeling a bit homesick or fancy a totally new taste ing tucked away in the upper oors on the Bangor Nice ‘n Naughty but it’s something many residents the end of your third year but it’s somewhere you experience? is might be the place for you, you’ll high street, but one that de nitely shouldn’t as you of Bangor have done. It’s great for novel birthday need to be aquianted with when your planning to nd all the ingredients you’ll need to be cooking will be in need of this hidden gem for all of your presents, the item you need to explore that new fet- get down to writing that dreaded dissertation. Just up a storm in no time. fancy dress parties. With the store catering for ish or spice up a hot night. With some of the friend- don’t leave it till last minute as I’m sure you’ll be If you’re feeling sick of Morrisons’ 17p noodles everything from full costumes to those nishing liest and most professional sta around you’re sure tempted to do, as around hand in time this place then you might want to try some from here, they touches on your own inspired designs. Without to feel comfortable, whatever your needs. gets very busy and you may have to allow extra have a very wide selection with every avour un- a shred of doubt fancy dress nights are part of the With an interesting selection of avoured lubes time for binding. ough if you are in a pickle, der the sun. And if you want to get hold of some essence that is the university experience, you will and condoms, you’re guranteed to nd something they do have a rush binding service that costs a bit real Mountain-Dew then they have that too! nd yourself calling in on this place in your hour that takes your fancy. more but could mean you’ll be making that dead- of need just before what is sure to be an epic night line. out. Find our stands at any D 3 A O R H 6 T R of the points or pick up a A t G i R E P Swimming a P copy from any of these locations r U Pool S t - Your halls kitchen - Management Centre i - Late Stop - Academi Shop n a - Mike’s Bites - Uno M e D G - Students’ Union - Fridd Shop A 3 LY O N R N - Rathbone and Garth - Rogue’s Gallery I E A R Orme Road N O - JP Hall - Neuadd Willis E A M D D A 2 O Halls of Residence R 4 6 Sports and Leisure buildings 5 BANGOR E G E L L LIDL DEAN ST 12 University buildings O 4 Peep C Nightclub A5 Main Arts 1 ST ROAD Hardcore T Gym 4 UN Library V O A M Embassy 11 5 Supermarket 7 D MENAI SE 16 NI 10 IA Friddoedd Site Late Stop 24hr R Restaurants to take your 1 T G L 8S V L HIL E parents to, see page 38 IC AN N D D T RAFO E R O P IV R E IA 7 1 Brigantia 5 Finance O ce 2 Bar Uno 1 2 Hen Goleg 6 Dean St Morrisons DEINIOL 3 JP Hall 7 Wheldon Deiniol 13 2 4 Rathbone 8 Brambell Library Playing 3 Sports Hall YHEAD ROAD Fields Normal Site HOL 9 Maes Glas 8 A5 Sports T ASDA* E Normal Site E Centre R Library T S H Y D IG PT A H O Y Bistro RO P N D Ô ED 15 L O D 5 D RI 14 FF Railway Station AD RO N ALDI FO R B A Menai Bridge, E N L R St Mary’s M E Treborth Sports Site, O A N C A55, Junction 9 T
* ASDA is due to open in November 2012. Correct at the time of printing. Find our stands at any D 3 A O R H 6 T R of the points or pick up a A t G i R E P Swimming a P copy from any of these locations r U Pool S t - Your halls kitchen - Management Centre i - Late Stop - Academi Shop n a - Mike’s Bites - Uno M e D G - Students’ Union - Fridd Shop A 3 LY O N R N - Rathbone and Garth - Rogue’s Gallery I E A R Orme Road N O - JP Hall - Neuadd Willis E A M D D A 2 O Halls of Residence R 4 6 Sports and Leisure buildings 5 BANGOR E G E L L LIDL DEAN ST 12 University buildings O 4 Peep C Nightclub A5 Main Arts 1 ST ROAD Hardcore T Gym 4 UN Library V O A M Embassy 11 5 Supermarket 7 D MENAI SE 16 NI 10 IA Friddoedd Site Late Stop 24hr R Restaurants to take your 1 T G L 8S V L HIL E parents to, see page 38 IC AN N D D T RAFO E R O P IV R E IA 7 1 Brigantia 5 Finance O ce 2 Bar Uno 1 2 Hen Goleg 6 Dean St Morrisons DEINIOL 3 JP Hall 7 Wheldon Deiniol 13 2 4 Rathbone 8 Brambell Library Playing 3 Sports Hall YHEAD ROAD Fields Normal Site HOL 9 Maes Glas 8 A5 Sports T ASDA* E Normal Site E Centre R Library T S H Y D IG PT A H O Y Bistro RO P N D Ô ED 15 L O D 5 D RI 14 FF Railway Station AD RO N ALDI FO R B A Menai Bridge, E N L R St Mary’s M E Treborth Sports Site, O A N C A55, Junction 9 T
* ASDA is due to open in November 2012. Correct at the time of printing. 24 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 25 Money his Summer Seren was invited back to Bangor Fire Sta- tion for a cup of tea, a chat and the chance to dress up as a SAVE MONEY WITH T reman and play with all the cool toys. This year Editor, LJ, was joined by Design Man, Cisco and News Editor, Nicola. The friendly Blue Watch were eager to tell us about everything they do for the city of Bangor. After giving us those cool statistics that we have further down the page, they took us out to have a look at all the kit. From the heavy gear used to cut through cars to the re Jeep, super secretive IRU and new to the collection speedboat you can be rest assured that Bangor Fire Station are fully kitted out to keep us safe. We also learnt Cisco has a good throwing arm and Nicola rocks the cool ‘I’m just sitting in a speedboat’ look. The sudden sound of alarms was treated casually by the guys who quickly suited up Being a student is expensive! But here at Seren we’ve come up with a few and rushed out to a call. Ten minutes later they were back, Bangor was safe. simple tips to keep you out of the dreaded overdraft! From ideas for cheap food That’s when we got down to business and moments later Cisco and Nicola were to ways to keep your bills down we’ve got it covered! We’ve also put together a suited up. Have a look what we learnt. list of the best places to get yourself discounts, freebies, and we’ve even rated the discount cards available around the city. What more could you need?!
HOUSEHOLD BILLS GROCERY SHOPPING Some of these top tips for saving money on your bills may seem like Okay so there’s a good chance that whoever sent you o to university did so simple common sense but its surprising how many people do assume with supplies in tow. There’s also a good chance that you’ll spend a lot of they are things they don’t need to do. Freshers’ Week eating takeout. But that can’t last forever. Eventually you are going to have to do a shop but here at Seren we’ve got a few handy hints on Instead of leaving electrical appliances, such as your tv, how to keep that price down. DVD player, games console etc on standby, turn it o . You could save up to £130! Its easy, especially on your rst shop, to opt for brands. The ones that you know and the ones that you like. Sometimes they are on o er and maybe its worth 300The amount of call outs to It’s easy to plug your phone in to charge and then forget about it, especially buying them but the majority of the time you could get cheaper. Give downsizing university halls per year if you’re o to bed! But did you know that by just unplugging it as soon as its a go! This doesn’t mean you necessarily have to buy the cheapest brand, all you fully charged you could save £5 on your electricity bill. need to do is select the next brand down in price from the one you’d usually buy. Give it a go and just see how much you can save. Students seem to like cups of tea, whether its because its cheap or to warm them up when the heating’s broken we’re not sure. Either way if you make surethat you only boil as much water as you’re going to need then Sometimes you’re not sure which store to go to. Bangor has quite a selection, that’s up to £50 O your bill! there’s Morrisons, Tesco and in November there’ll even be an Asda. And don’t forget Lidl and Aldi! Try something like mysupermarket.com to compare a few And then there’s lightbulbs! True energy e cient light blubs do prices. cost more money and sometimes take longer to warm up but by switching 5 bulbs to them then you can save on average £30. Have you ever thought about shopping online? For students who don’t have a car it can sometimes work out pretty well, saves you from carrying bags and £600 bags of shopping home in the rain! It also means you can see how much you’re spending and stops you buying stu you don’t need that you might see on the THE COST TO SEND OUT end of an aisle! There’s lots of options for delivery times meaning that if you’re busy you can select speci c times to suit you or even opt for slightly cheaper 2 FIRE ENGINES delivery by seeing when the van is already going to be in your area! What time do they start Meat is expensive. We’re not saying you need to go vegetarian but if you limit reducing? the amount of dishes with meat in per week then you’ll de nitely lower your bill! Sometimes you make too much, or some of the ingredients are spare. If you think ahead about what you could reuse then maybe you can save yourself some money.
Remember if you’re on a tight budget only buy what you need!
Did you know that use by dates are more of a guideline? Typically food The average number of smoke will last an extra 3 days. Though keep an eye on it ‘cause its not always alarms set67 off from steam per year true! 25% Off 50% Off WHAT CARDS SHOULD I GET? The re ghters at Bangor express that they don’t want to be seen as a uniform service; they are very ap- NUS Extra Love Bangor Pubs and Clubs proachable! The most popular and most recognised of Unlike most university cities Bangor We can’t deny that university life does student discount cards is the NUS card, you doesn’t have all the high street stores and mean going out, whether you’re drink- probably had one in college, right? Well, as restaurants that the NUS Extra card o ers ing, clubbing or just having a meal out a university student you can apply for an discount on. Don’t worry though because with the atmates. So we reckon its pretty Bangor’s re ghters are fully trained to deal with ooding NUS Extra card which will cost you £12 For the SU have been onto this problem for a important that you know where you can and have their own top of the range re speedboat. the year, that’s just £1 a month! An NUS few years now and have got in touch with get more discounts. One of Bangor’s most Extra card o ers you discount from a vast local businesses to ensure that us Bangor popular pub cards is the Yellow card. You amount of companies such as Topshop, students are still getting the discount we can get the card from Yellow (Yr Hen Glan- Cineworld, Endsleigh Insurance, Amazon, deserve! See our Union pages for a full list fron) for just £1 and when you register McDonalds, Asos, Orange and hundreds of the discounts. One of the best things it online you get a free burger as well as more! Plus, this year, you can not only get about a Love Bangor card is that it comes discount on loads of drinks, like 25p o all 50% o of Spotify Premium but you can free with a NUS Extra card! And this year shots. It also works at Yates’ too! Unlike other emergency services, the Fire Service can’t prioritise have your smartphone insured for free! If the Students’ Union will be printing your calls. This means if they are called to a false alarm they could be you head to their website NUS have even NUS Extra, complete with Love Bangor, delayed to a real emergency! put together a cool quiz which works out cards at the Fresher’s Fair Serendipity on approximately how much you could save 26th & 27th September so you won’t have with a card from your usual expenditure. to even wait the usual two weeks for your discounts! Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 25 Money SAVE MONEY WITH
Being a student is expensive! But here at Seren we’ve come up with a few simple tips to keep you out of the dreaded overdraft! From ideas for cheap food to ways to keep your bills down we’ve got it covered! We’ve also put together a list of the best places to get yourself discounts, freebies, and we’ve even rated the discount cards available around the city. What more could you need?!
HOUSEHOLD BILLS GROCERY SHOPPING Some of these top tips for saving money on your bills may seem like Okay so there’s a good chance that whoever sent you o to university did so simple common sense but its surprising how many people do assume with supplies in tow. There’s also a good chance that you’ll spend a lot of they are things they don’t need to do. Freshers’ Week eating takeout. But that can’t last forever. Eventually you are going to have to do a shop but here at Seren we’ve got a few handy hints on Instead of leaving electrical appliances, such as your tv, how to keep that price down. DVD player, games console etc on standby, turn it o . You could save up to £130! Its easy, especially on your rst shop, to opt for brands. The ones that you know and the ones that you like. Sometimes they are on o er and maybe its worth It’s easy to plug your phone in to charge and then forget about it, especially buying them but the majority of the time you could get cheaper. Give downsizing if you’re o to bed! But did you know that by just unplugging it as soon as its a go! This doesn’t mean you necessarily have to buy the cheapest brand, all you fully charged you could save £5 on your electricity bill. need to do is select the next brand down in price from the one you’d usually buy. Give it a go and just see how much you can save. Students seem to like cups of tea, whether its because its cheap or to warm them up when the heating’s broken we’re not sure. Either way if you make surethat you only boil as much water as you’re going to need then Sometimes you’re not sure which store to go to. Bangor has quite a selection, that’s up to £50 O your bill! there’s Morrisons, Tesco and in November there’ll even be an Asda. And don’t forget Lidl and Aldi! Try something like mysupermarket.com to compare a few And then there’s lightbulbs! True energy e cient light blubs do prices. cost more money and sometimes take longer to warm up but by switching 5 bulbs to them then you can save on average £30. Have you ever thought about shopping online? For students who don’t have a car it can sometimes work out pretty well, saves you from carrying bags and bags of shopping home in the rain! It also means you can see how much you’re spending and stops you buying stu you don’t need that you might see on the end of an aisle! There’s lots of options for delivery times meaning that if you’re busy you can select speci c times to suit you or even opt for slightly cheaper delivery by seeing when the van is already going to be in your area! What time do they start Meat is expensive. We’re not saying you need to go vegetarian but if you limit reducing? the amount of dishes with meat in per week then you’ll de nitely lower your bill! Sometimes you make too much, or some of the ingredients are spare. If you think ahead about what you could reuse then maybe you can save yourself some money.
Remember if you’re on a tight budget only buy what you need!
Did you know that use by dates are more of a guideline? Typically food will last an extra 3 days. Though keep an eye on it ‘cause its not always true! 25% Off 50% Off WHAT CARDS SHOULD I GET? NUS Extra Love Bangor Pubs and Clubs The most popular and most recognised of Unlike most university cities Bangor We can’t deny that university life does student discount cards is the NUS card, you doesn’t have all the high street stores and mean going out, whether you’re drink- probably had one in college, right? Well, as restaurants that the NUS Extra card o ers ing, clubbing or just having a meal out a university student you can apply for an discount on. Don’t worry though because with the atmates. So we reckon its pretty NUS Extra card which will cost you £12 For the SU have been onto this problem for a important that you know where you can the year, that’s just £1 a month! An NUS few years now and have got in touch with get more discounts. One of Bangor’s most Extra card o ers you discount from a vast local businesses to ensure that us Bangor popular pub cards is the Yellow card. You amount of companies such as Topshop, students are still getting the discount we can get the card from Yellow (Yr Hen Glan- Cineworld, Endsleigh Insurance, Amazon, deserve! See our Union pages for a full list fron) for just £1 and when you register McDonalds, Asos, Orange and hundreds of the discounts. One of the best things it online you get a free burger as well as more! Plus, this year, you can not only get about a Love Bangor card is that it comes discount on loads of drinks, like 25p o all 50% o of Spotify Premium but you can free with a NUS Extra card! And this year shots. It also works at Yates’ too! have your smartphone insured for free! If the Students’ Union will be printing your you head to their website NUS have even NUS Extra, complete with Love Bangor, put together a cool quiz which works out cards at the Fresher’s Fair Serendipity on approximately how much you could save 26th & 27th September so you won’t have with a card from your usual expenditure. to even wait the usual two weeks for your discounts!
Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 27 Health and Beauty Cheeks: L’Oreal The One Sweep Sculpting Blush Jason Wu Fall 2012 NYFW FALL 2012 NATURAL LIP SMOKEY EYE RUNWAYWhile fashion week is about fantasyHAIR and illusion, the most captivating trends from the fall shows emphasized wearable texture, natural ease and feminine approachability. From
polished ponytails to unfussy strands left free around the Eyeliner: MAC Smudge shoulders, hairstylists offered up plenty of inspirational — Minted Eye Kohl (used on and achievable — ideas that fl oat from the runway to the real runway), Maybelline Unstop- world surprisingly well pable Liner in Sapphire
Eyelashes: L’Oreal Knot it UP! Voluminous Mascara Whether braided around the crown, coiled half-back or Jason Wu is a favourite designer right knotted into an updo, hair now and his makeup looks on the runway was manipulated in fresh, are just as brilliant as his clothes. For his new directions this season. spring collection we saw minimal eyes While some looks require an and bright, bold lips, but for extra set of hands, others put fl ipped the script with natural lips and fall 2012 he a simple and attainable twist smoky emerald green eyes on the classics. . More H&B Health and Beauty Eyeshadow: MAC Eye- on the shadow in Club (used on runway) Precise Ponys Disheveled Ponys The ponytail always plays a Tibi’s artfully disheveled ver- part in fashion week and this sion is our favorite. There’s season it was all about con- nothing cooler (or sexier) Website THE LOOK cise, perfectly pulled-back than messy hair and nothing looks. Hair was prepped with easier to wear on a daily ba- styling serums to prevent sis than a ponytail. Consider Embellish frizz and add shine, then fl at- it the Holy Grail of wearable Statement hair accessories ironed into sleek curtains. To fall 2012 hairstyles turned up at multiple shows, Get in the habit secure the base, stylists used The pony is positioned just often sharing (or stealing) the Everything about uni and being a student is a recipe for everything from shiny black above the nape of the neck spotlight from their accompa- unhealthy habits. e late nights, the fried food, ramen, tape at Jason Wu to simple and had a great messy tex- nying updos. From cosmic and more co ee than considered healthy, there is little elastics carefully concealed ture. hairpins to ceremonial fl oral hope for maintaining a healthy diet. Luckily for you, here with a few loose strands at headpieces, adding a little are a few tips to keep you on track during your years with- BCBG and Ralph Lauren. embellishment is a very good out losing any of the fun! thing this fall. Up late studying? Instead of choosing Maccies or some dirty pot noodle, instead opt for some baby carrots and hummus, or maybe some celery and cheese and chive dip? ese options are just as delicious, and have far less calories and sodium, and ll you up so much more than junk. Scan the QR code with your smartphone! Don’t ignore salad! Yes, the burgers and ice cream both look fantastic, but take a peek at the veggie section, YES it usually takes longer to prepare, however that prep time usually feeds you hunger slightly! Indulge in fresh fruits and veggies, and to make your plate as colorful as possible. Instead of heavy creamy dressings, try out a vinaigrette or olive oil on your salad, it will taste lighter, and will be hundreds of LADY GAGA calories lighter. Deadly Nightshade Going to Fatcat? After months of media buzz, Lady Gaga Fame has fi nally been launched. You probably know It’s one of the most simple and straight forward social by now how this celebrity perfume thing works. Some celebrities—like Sarah Jessica activities in uni. Don’t miss out on the fun just because Parker—get down and dirty in the design process, vetting the concept, going through the you’re trying to stay healthy! Simply order o the salad mods, arguing for dirtier musk, losing arguments for dirtier musk, announcing that next time portion of the menu and skip the bread and fries if there things are going to be different. Then there are those under whose noses you presume a is any. If you simply can’t ignore an amazing pasta dish on scent strip has passed, but who have not attended that endless cycle of developmental- the menu, order it! Just be sure to only eat about half of phase meetings. Lady Gaga appears to be of the assertive former type. what you’re given, portions in restaurants are not accurate Early reports had it that the singer wanted her perfume to be based on blood and semen and portions for one meal. Plus Varsity are devils for lling be suited to an ‘expensive hooker’. Now that wasn’t likely to sell, so the rumour changed to your face! the perfume having the same molecular structure Stuck at the Library? as the bodily fl uids. On hour 6 at the library, and you know it will be a while Roll on to August 2012 and we can reveal that until you can leave? Only option is the taking a pile of blood the fragrance box bears no mention of blood or junk food? Never fear! If you are hungry for just a snack, semen. Instead it has notes of Belladonna - a fruit bags from Morrisons or Tesco, nuts are epic revision & deadly nightshade, pulverised apricot, saffron food also an unknown smartfood popcorn! is delicious and honey drops - the fi rst ever black Eau treat is typically only 100 calories a bag and so tasty... I’m semen de Parfum that sprays clear and becomes not on about the sugary variety! invisible once airborne.. After fi rst whiff it is Cook at Halls sweet, erring on sickly, but it dries down on the skin to a soft, addic- If you have the option to cook for yourself, de antly take tive scent – reminiscent of the addictive nature of fame, perhaps? advantage! When you’re the chef you know exactly what According to Gaga, ‘my perfume was designed for women, but a lot and how much of something is being put into your meals. of my gay friends wear it’, Being able to control how much butter, sugar or oil goes Where it’s lacking in shocking notes, it makes up for in its unusual into meals allows you to be more conscious of your food look. The juice, in the futuristic bottle, is a murky black, representing choices. If living with a group of friends, coordinate nights the ‘dark heart’ of fame. Spritz the fragrance and it turns clear while to cook together or nights were you each take on a meal airbourne. and serve to one another. Cooking can be fun, social and Lady Gaga Fame launched nationwide on 22 August, from £25 for 30ml also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle! Plus its an great excuse for halls COME DINE WITH ME 28 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Fashion NYFW 2012 JASON WU SS 2013
LONDONFW 2012 PETER PILOTTO SS 2013 ow clever there was nothing retro about the end results, are Peter once they’d been dunked in glowing shades of HPilotto (yes coral-red and cobalt and occasionally smoth- it is plural, they’re ered with twinkling plastic fl owers, to ravishing two designers effect. urrently on our radar is designer called Peter Pilotto While their rivals are busy getting swept along Jason Wu. FOR the past few sea- and Christopher de to a tribal African beat , they played with wavy Csons, Jason Wu’s collections have Vos). And they are lines, clouds and a rope print that twisted round been comedy. He’s not alone in being clever. They’re pat- hems and waists to striking effect. More ar- tern wizards who resting still were the swooping peplums, some-
fascinated with contrasts by trying to JASON WU SS13 marry two extremes. For spring/sum- are also geniuses times to the ground and those big swooshing mer 2013 the designer explored a pair of at cutting and drap- skirts that hit just above the knee - a silhou- photographers and their distinct views More ing. But don’t think ette that just a season ago looked untenable on the female form: the fetishism of Hel- of this as a tech- but now seems increasingly like a contender mut Newton and the hazy, humanism of nical dissertation, for cool, experimentalists. It certainly makes Lillian Bassman. In the past, an empha- FASHION because the spring/summer collection was too sis on duality has been a savvy move on Health and Beauty sexy and elegant to be dissected into dry the- Wu’s part, appealing to two distinctly on the ory, tempting although that is when one’s feel- different customers, and perhaps bridg- ing in the mood for a nerdy fashion discussion. ing the divide along the way. But this is about clothes to wear. And those Wu’s collection remained true to his pre- differently scaled patterns - a theme tackled ferred silhouettes - high-waisted shorts, elsewhere but nowhere more eye-catching or bodysuits, A-line skirts, sleeveless Website inventively than here - would certainly get you sheaths, and collared blouses - but toyed noticed. But unlike some of the kaleidoscope with fabrication. He focused on bring- clashes we’ve seen, you wouldn’t look freaky. ing together leather and lace - boudoir There’s a point beyond the decorative to those textiles for the dominatrix and pin-up. oh so cleverly mismatched patterns and it’s The opening look was a crocodile dress this: spinning something new out of separates. with a lacy keyhole, but what was strik- In this instance, it’s separates that when worn a change from pleated chiffon maxis. And for ing was how the material looked matte together, look like a dress. It’s a three for the the brave there were latex look, pastel bustiers and pliant, hugging the body in a seduc- price of one deal that is really taking off in the and boleros - an alley most recently explored tive hourglass. Coquettish pieces like current climate. by Proenza Schouler. Not that you could accuse bandeau tops and apron dresses were And like others in London, they’re playing with these two of plagiarism. They’re true originals stripped of their effete qualities when shapes. Sure there were plenty of slinky, below - but they might want to ditch the rubber. constructed from sable hides. In fact the the knee pencil 1940s style skirts - although models, with their smooth hair covered with lofty veils and scarlet lips, were LONDONFW 2012 bestowed with a swaggering authority. Other stand outs included the archetypi- SS 2013 cal bad boy wardrobe staple, the biker Scan the QR code with your TOPSHOP UNIQUE fter seasons of über-themed shows stilettos in white leather mixed with clear jacket, streamlined and rendered in soft smartphone! pink, inky coats made of fl oating organ- from Topshop’s designer label UNQUE, plastic, that synthetic also turning up on more za and the frisky harnesses worn over Aeach one styled to a level that would than one runway in London, and, for that mat- many of the ensembles. make Lady Gaga look like a jeans–and–T-shirt ter, in New York. The other half of Wu’s proposal was kind of gal, next spring sees the label go all [LOOK FROM SHOW] handled with the sort of painstaking de- grown-up and polished, with nary a fl ash of What’s interesting about all this is that in some tail that he’s become known for. Laser- neon, punk studding, or shredded denim in ways it’s the bravest move Topshop could cut leather skirts somehow had a light- sight. It’s clear that under the creative control make. After a decade or so of creating looks weight swing in their movement. The of former British Vogue fashion director Kate that referenced the vagaries of street style detailed incisions meshed with pieces of Phelan, Unique is taking a more sophisticated with an intense speed, this shift to clothes transparent lace, sometimes so beauti- approach, a process Phelan started with the that could dress women in their 30s, 40s, fully melded that it was hard to detect pared-down utilitarian deluxe fall collection and beyond might just be a smart one. One where one ended and the other began. that’s now hitting stores. This, in a nutshell, thing about fast fashion is that it has tended Nylon gloves that reached up the arm is what she and her team are thinking of for to skew ever younger. Unique’s vision of spring were reminiscent of silk stockings while next season: plenty of soft, wide gauzy pants will speak to those in that until-now disen- circular hat boxes, shimmering clutches, in a bold check, blown-up painterly fl orals and franchised constituency who don’t think they and bucket bags harkened back to a by- silver on one side, white on the other, various- have one foot in the grave but have it fi rmly gone era of demureness hooker. ly worn with an oversize jacket, tee, or shirt; planted in a closet full of pieces that are cool, Overall, while Wu wrestled with familiar a swingingly voluminous palest-ecru biker nuanced, and youthful without being young. ideas, the overall feel of this collection jacket over a short black lean skirt; and two Will teen and twentysomething Topshop aco- is of the clarity and precision with which great sculpted tops—one in a gray neoprene- lytes fi nd something here for them? That’s to he executes it. Even in looks where he like sweatshirting, the other in white ribbed be seen. Yet, sitting front row, Pixie Geldof, used draping, there was a presence that cotton punctuated with zippers—both paired a virtual poster child for all the aching street is unmistakably part of Wu’s DNA. The with short narrow skirts doing that double- hipness the brand stands for, was wearing a Wu customer may be many things be- layer thing we saw in New York last week, crisp white J.W. Anderson for Topshop shirt, hind the closed bedroom door, but one here combining sheer with opaque, matte with black kilt, and sedate silver sandals, her hair thing she’s defi nitely not is unkempt. shine. Worn with all of this was the simplest a demure dark brown rather than the trashy statement in shoes: barely there ankle-strap blonde with roots of old. Could be that even 28 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 29
Fashion Fashion NYFW 2012 SEREN JASON WU STYLE £25 DOWN SS 2013 TOWN Effortless, urban and cool.
Autumn doesn’t get much simpler £20 £65 than this LONDONFW 2012 £45 MEN’S DAY SS 2013 en’s Day closes London Fashion Week, and, truth be told, it’s a pleasant change to the champagne and Mdrama of the womenswear shows. There’s less of the egos and snippy front-row politics, and, maybe this is a be- tween the legs thing, but the men just get on with it! Saying that, Topman’s front-row did turn into celebrity LONDONFW 2012 watch: Jamie Hince, Mr Hudson, Mark Foster, Alex Zane, Rick Edwards and Thom Evans (aka Mr Kelly Brook... aka PETER PILOTTO SS 2013 my future hubby), plus Sir Philip and the Green clan trig- ow clever there was nothing retro about the end results, gered a tide of fl ashes. are Peter once they’d been dunked in glowing shades of £35 But that interlude doesn’t detract from the point that, on Pilotto (yes coral-red and cobalt and occasionally smoth- Men’s Day, the clothes take centre stage. So, what of them? H Call it the London 2012 infl uence, but everyone seemed to it is plural, they’re ered with twinkling plastic fl owers, to ravishing two designers effect. have sportswear on the brain - see the bomber jackets at Lou Dalton; plastic rain macs at Matthew Miller, urrently on our radar is designer called Peter Pilotto While their rivals are busy getting swept along a new name on talent platform MAN’s schedule; and nylon Jason Wu. FOR the past few sea- and Christopher de to a tribal African beat , they played with wavy Csons, Jason Wu’s collections have Vos). And they are lines, clouds and a rope print that twisted round been comedy. He’s not alone in being clever. They’re pat- hems and waists to striking effect. More ar- tern wizards who resting still were the swooping peplums, some- fascinated with contrasts by trying to JASON WU SS13 Downtown £75 marry two extremes. For spring/sum- are also geniuses times to the ground and those big swooshing looks are relaxed yet strong mer 2013 the designer explored a pair of at cutting and drap- skirts that hit just above the knee - a silhou- and fi lled with AT- photographers and their distinct views More ing. But don’t think ette that just a season ago looked untenable TITUDE, it has an £46 on the female form: the fetishism of Hel- of this as a tech- but now seems increasingly like a contender off duty military mut Newton and the hazy, humanism of nical dissertation, for cool, experimentalists. It certainly makes feel yet its NATU- Lillian Bassman. In the past, an empha- FASHION because the spring/summer collection was too RALLY CHIC with sis on duality has been a savvy move on Health and Beauty sexy and elegant to be dissected into dry the- relaxed denim & Wu’s part, appealing to two distinctly on the ory, tempting although that is when one’s feel- OVERSIZED cable different customers, and perhaps bridg- ing in the mood for a nerdy fashion discussion. knits and boy- ing the divide along the way. But this is about clothes to wear. And those friend coats. Wu’s collection remained true to his pre- differently scaled patterns - a theme tackled £28 ferred silhouettes - high-waisted shorts, elsewhere but nowhere more eye-catching or bodysuits, A-line skirts, sleeveless inventively than here - would certainly get you Website parkas and smart jogging bottoms at Christopher Shannon, sheaths, and collared blouses - but toyed noticed. But unlike some of the kaleidoscope TOPSHOP UNIQUE SS13 £38 who is carving a healthy niche in luxe sportswear. with fabrication. He focused on bring- clashes we’ve seen, you wouldn’t look freaky. More subtle - and beautiful - was E Tautz’s take, the Savile ing together leather and lace - boudoir There’s a point beyond the decorative to those BLAZERS, polo shirts, fi ne knits and dark wash denim are Row label headed up the dandyish Patrick Grant. The early textiles for the dominatrix and pin-up. oh so cleverly mismatched patterns and it’s All looks from the key elements to this fi ne look inspired by urban living 20th century Olympics, when men came dressed for the The opening look was a crocodile dress this: spinning something new out of separates. in our rural city. games in their own clothes, before the tracksuit became with a lacy keyhole, but what was strik- In this instance, it’s separates that when worn a change from pleated chiffon maxis. And for uniform, was the starting point. Hence, “track pants” came ing was how the material looked matte together, look like a dress. It’s a three for the the brave there were latex look, pastel bustiers SEREN loosely tailored in wool and structured linen; a T-shirt’s co- and pliant, hugging the body in a seduc- price of one deal that is really taking off in the and boleros - an alley most recently explored balt pocket referenced the cycling styles of the time; and tive hourglass. Coquettish pieces like current climate. by Proenza Schouler. Not that you could accuse STYLE lots of unstructured linen and silk jackets appeared in blues. bandeau tops and apron dresses were And like others in London, they’re playing with these two of plagiarism. They’re true originals are using products from Speaking of blues, that was another keynote: dark colours. stripped of their effete qualities when shapes. Sure there were plenty of slinky, below - but they might want to ditch the rubber. £40 Save for the neon yellow and pink T-shirts at Martine Rose, constructed from sable hides. In fact the the knee pencil 1940s style skirts - although RIVER ISLAND another upcomer fostered by MAN, and the pink and lilac models, with their smooth hair covered £85 trousers (yes, really) at JW Anderson, currently the fashion with lofty veils and scarlet lips, were LONDONFW 2012 pack’s wonderkid after his sophomore womenswear show bestowed with a swaggering authority. last week, there wasn’t a whole lot of sun in these sum- Other stand outs included the archetypi- SS 2013 mer collections. Black was the predominant hue at Dalton - cal bad boy wardrobe staple, the biker TOPSHOP UNIQUE Scan the QR code with your which makes sense when you realise that the miners’ strike jacket, streamlined and rendered in soft fter seasons of über-themed shows stilettos in white leather mixed with clear smartphone! of 1984 was the inspo for her pieces. pink, inky coats made of fl oating organ- from Topshop’s designer label UNQUE, plastic, that synthetic also turning up on more each one styled to a level that would than one runway in London, and, for that mat- £22 Thoughts were on sunnier things, though, at Topman and za and the frisky harnesses worn over A Shaun Samson. The far-fl ung shores of Mexico inspired many of the ensembles. make Lady Gaga look like a jeans–and–T-shirt ter, in New York. Samson’s poncho-style striped shirting, while Topman’s silk The other half of Wu’s proposal was kind of gal, next spring sees the label go all [LOOK FROM SHOW] tops and shirts with Ikat prints were Moroccan in tone. If the handled with the sort of painstaking de- grown-up and polished, with nary a fl ash of What’s interesting about all this is that in some TOPSHOP latter’s offerings are a hard sell, they’re nothing compared tail that he’s become known for. Laser- neon, punk studding, or shredded denim in ways it’s the bravest move Topshop could to its pyjama-style trousers. Or its patent burgundy em- cut leather skirts somehow had a light- sight. It’s clear that under the creative control make. After a decade or so of creating looks bossed clutches - Has the metrosexual man evolved enough weight swing in their movement. The of former British Vogue fashion director Kate that referenced the vagaries of street style £45 £30 to tackle one of these? I’m sure I’ll be hitting Topman De- detailed incisions meshed with pieces of Phelan, Unique is taking a more sophisticated with an intense speed, this shift to clothes sign, but don’t be expecting any of it in the Bangor store as transparent lace, sometimes so beauti- approach, a process Phelan started with the that could dress women in their 30s, 40s, they tend to get very basic stock... *SOB* fully melded that it was hard to detect pared-down utilitarian deluxe fall collection and beyond might just be a smart one. One where one ended and the other began. that’s now hitting stores. This, in a nutshell, thing about fast fashion is that it has tended Nylon gloves that reached up the arm is what she and her team are thinking of for to skew ever younger. Unique’s vision of spring £36 were reminiscent of silk stockings while next season: plenty of soft, wide gauzy pants will speak to those in that until-now disen- circular hat boxes, shimmering clutches, in a bold check, blown-up painterly fl orals and franchised constituency who don’t think they £30 and bucket bags harkened back to a by- silver on one side, white on the other, various- have one foot in the grave but have it fi rmly TOPMAN gone era of demureness hooker. ly worn with an oversize jacket, tee, or shirt; planted in a closet full of pieces that are cool, Overall, while Wu wrestled with familiar a swingingly voluminous palest-ecru biker nuanced, and youthful without being young. ideas, the overall feel of this collection jacket over a short black lean skirt; and two Will teen and twentysomething Topshop aco- is of the clarity and precision with which great sculpted tops—one in a gray neoprene- lytes fi nd something here for them? That’s to he executes it. Even in looks where he like sweatshirting, the other in white ribbed be seen. Yet, sitting front row, Pixie Geldof, used draping, there was a presence that cotton punctuated with zippers—both paired a virtual poster child for all the aching street £22 £50 is unmistakably part of Wu’s DNA. The with short narrow skirts doing that double- hipness the brand stands for, was wearing a Wu customer may be many things be- layer thing we saw in New York last week, crisp white J.W. Anderson for Topshop shirt, hind the closed bedroom door, but one here combining sheer with opaque, matte with black kilt, and sedate silver sandals, her hair thing she’s defi nitely not is unkempt. shine. Worn with all of this was the simplest a demure dark brown rather than the trashy statement in shoes: barely there ankle-strap blonde with roots of old. Could be that even METRO 30 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 31
Music The Music
hAIL & fAIL SUMMERRound-up Our selection of who’s hot and who’s not in music THE VACCINES A quick look at some of the best abums released by TOM DAVIS no mystery/ ... no piercing stare/ throughout the summer. Kaiser Chiefs Muse just out of shape with messy hair) f you’re a dedicated follower of in Young’s lyrics. Laden with sharp Not many take the Chiefs’ music Much like Matt Bellamy’s goatee, their musical fashion, there is no doubt punk ri s, “Bad Mood” is my personal Bloc Party seriously but they continue to be o cial Olympic song “Survival” is a Iyou’ll have heard of The Vaccines. recommendation; probably because Four bloody good fun wherever they shocker, and they’ve almost become a Their debut, What Did You Expect I can be as grumpy a git as The Vac- SPECTOR go. Their performance of The Who’s parody of the band they used to be. From The Vaccines?, was a highlight cines’ oppy -haired frontman. “Pinball Wizard” at the Olympics Now they’re being sued for Resistance in what was otherwise a poor year So is their sophomore e ort a so- ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS closing ceremony was inspired, allegedly ripping o a space rock- for British music. Well, unless you lution to the problems plaguing the and cemented Ricky Wilson’s posi- opera. Given how devoid of inspira- enjoy sobbing to Adele. At best it British music scene? Probably not. e ortlessly combined the punk rock by TOM DAVIES debut that nails indie-pop in Killers- title suggests, but great fun nonethe- tion as one of the greatest British tion it was, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Over the last ten years or so, plenty of esque fashion, and at its best it com- less. Enjoy It While It Lasts is built from entertainers of the last ten years. melodies perfected by bands such as young bands with promising debuts old, brash, and arrogant, or au- Ramones with the steady indie rock prises the best of 80s synth with mid- the ground up for a festival crowd, have u ed their second album (Pi- dacious, smart, and con dent? 90s Britpop (more Pulp than Oasis, swaggering from epic chorus to epic sensibilities of The Strokes, but at geon Detectives, The Enemy, Fratel- Hot Chip Enjoy It While It Lasts balances times it was naive and rather green. B mind). Recent single “Celestine” is the chorus and for the most part it works; Pussy Riot Lana Del Rey lis) and faded away. Early indications precariously on the fence of brilliance Justin Young is a more than compe- In Our Heads pick of the tracks on o er and has showcased perfectly by debut single are that this won’t be the case with and for the most part isn’t quite sure received plenty of airplay over the and album nale “Never Fade Away”. “We’ve been ghting for the right to Lana herself has claimed she was tent lyricist despite his own reserva- The Vaccines, but I can’t help but feel where it wants to fall. Spector are yet tions, and at times it’s hard to distin- summer. Like much of the album, it This is part of the charm, but at times sing, to think, to criticise... No matter sent to boarding school at 14 as a that this is their peak. I’ll be the rst to another proclaimed saviour of indie, is meticulously polished and the cho- there is a sharp taste of arrogance in the risks, we go on with our musical form of rehab, so she could kick her guish whether he’s playing it cool or admit that I had reservations about Wild Nothing bringing us slicked back hair, dodgy is genuinely uncomfortable with be- rus of “Keep the past in the past and Macpherson’s palatial baritone and ght in Russia” Not only have Pussy drinking habit. e song “Born to this band, but there is no doubting Nocturne fake glasses, and sharp suits from know this/ that I only ever did what I for some this will be divisive. Spector Riot reminded us how important Die” was based on her “wilderness” ing a frontman. At times Come of Age that this is a really good album. Com- that dodgy end of the Topman sale can be uncomfortably gloomy, with thought was right” is pure pop perfec- may not be as good as they might like music is as a medium for protest, years apparently, but it sounds more posed without being cocksure, Come that no one ever seems to buy. For tion. “True Love (For Now) is reminis- to think they are, but if they can reign they’ve also shown us how even a Home Alone than Johnny Cash. Be- “All In Vain” staring down the barrel of Age can at times be infectiously singer Fred Macpherson and guitarist of a gun and “Lonely World” bemoan- cent of the The Shins circa 2007 and in the strut and stick to this ever so country as big as Russia can be so ing a millionaire’s daughter must retro without overdoing it: One of Chris Burman this represents their last a great song, showcasing Burman’s catchy formula they’re on to a winner. far behind in terms of civil liberties. have been a tough upbringing, no? ing a lack of con dence, but these most pleasant surprises of 2012. chance at mainstream success; previ- moments are where The Vaccines imaginative guitar ri s and masterful It might not be to everyone’s taste, ous bands Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man and Les use of a pedal board. However, for the but this album is written for the twen- are at their most endearing. “Teen- Listen to: No Hope, Teenage Icon, Incompétents were commercial ops, age Icon” is perhaps this album’s most part, is hard to shirk the feeling ty-nothings, for us, making it easy to Frank Ocean Chris Brown Bad Mood. Two Door but is Enjoy It While It Lasts a desper- that these songs were written to sell, recommend. Enjoy It While It Lasts. nest moment, with its bouncy, riot- ate and cynical attempt at cashing in? ous chorus perfectly betraying the Cinema Club such as “Friday Night, Don’t Ever Let It Put a di cult summer of prejudice Adding homophobic slurs to the list of In short: Yes and no. This is a solid End”, which isn’t much more than the and controversy behind him with reasons to dislike this odious man, his sheer self-depreciation (ordinary/ Beacon a huge performance at the VMAs, continued success is an unquestion- reminding the industry why he is able victory for marketing over talent where he is anyway. Latest album and culture, and his latest album For- by AARON WILES & LJ TAYLOR suspended in the air. The show ever, she wasn’t alone with her was just the uplift that the crowd Channel Orange opened with a group of druids Jack for long as a knock on the needed, after the rain prompted tune was given “NO STARS EVER” hen Madonna began her has been a critical chanting as they swung a lantern door brought an onslaught of an anti-umbrella uprising, and the by Aussie mag X-Press in a review I career back in the 80s she success, achiev- across the stage. We can only as- masked men intent on murder- marching band suspended above could only dream of writing. probably had no idea that ing an aver- (Content printed W sume it to have been some kind of ing Madondon. This saw a number the stage were worth a watch too. now, thirty years later, that she age of 92/100 ancient ritual performed to honour of ght scenes occur as Madonna Madge ended the night with a prior to THAT would be one of, if not the, biggest on Metacritic. neck tattoo.) by TOM DAVIES released in July, was to be their nal al- streets that he sings of on this album. ancient beings because Madonna ran round shooting everyone, tak- beat-pumped version of ‘Celebra- bum. I’ll start with the positives: “Mod- The best description for the majority selling solo artists of all time. She soon made her way onto the stage. ing down a helicopter and still tion’ which saw the stage screens ong Live The Struggle is a far ern Life Has Let Me Down” is a mag- of this album is soft. “This Is My Home” probably didn’t think that thirty The Queen of Pop was dressed like nding time for the bottle of Jack. lit up in a Tron-esque cube pattern cry in musical terms from any of ni cent track. It really is brilliant; the is a description of the London riots but years later she’d still be raking in some kind of viking goddess for all Once she was done running and the Queen herself dancing LThe King Blues’ previous albums. chorus is a tantrum against the shirt at best it is sickeningly cringeworthy, millions with a new album and a of two seconds before she whipped around with a ri e Madonna atop a moving podium, centre- Sometimes such a departure can work and tie, 9-to-5, to “remind yourself this and “Walking Away” is a terribly non- world tour, and we probably didn’t o half of her clothes. Some things found herself carried o by an- stage, clad in leather sportswear. for bands. Each of The King Blues’ prior tie is not a noose”. It is without doubt descript tale of a break up, so much think that we would be driving for never change. And once she had her other assortment of masked men Five minutes later and the albums had been quite di erent from the best song on the album, and on a so that you really couldn’t care less 9 hours to an Olympic consumed group of scantily clad male dancers and fastened to a tightrope which show was over, Madonna disap- the one before: Their debut, Under par with the very best of their previous about it. It is really, really terrible, so Hyde Park and paying £80 each by her side we were thrown straight they all then danced on during peared beneath the stage and The Fog, brought upbeat ska; and the work. Unfortunately, that’s it. In “When much so it could be a di erent band. I for the privilege, but there you go. into MDNA’s rst track ‘Girl Gone a shortened rendition of ‘Papa we were tasked with nding one follow up Save The World, Get The felt cheated when I heard these tracks, When MDNA came out we Wild’, broken up in the middle by Don’t Preach’ which soon morphed another amongst the masses. Girl complemented their already de- “Long Live e Struggle cheated by an album that promised so were not impressed. We gave a bit of a ‘Material Girl’ breakdown. into the more recent ‘Hung Up’. Whilst £80 was a bit steep, con- veloped sound with a more popular much. Long Live The Struggle is empty it a chance though and by the It wasn’t long before Madonna’s The routine was all a little odd but sidering Madonna’s support was a stance. Punk & Poetry was heavier, but is empty and hollow” and hollow; when such a principled time we were squished up in apparent new love for guns, she showed the Queen of Pop is nowhere horri cly bad set from one half of equally as accomplished as its pred- The Revolution Comes”, frontman Itch stance is taken by a band, it seems that Hyde Park amongst many fel- recently joined the NRA, brought near retirement yet as she kept up LMFAO (the other half had hurt his Classic Album Review: ecessors, and my personal favourite. Fox sings of rising up from “the slums”. going through the motions is all the low Madge fans we were ready. us into ‘Revolver’ followed by our with her much younger dancers. back), we did not regret it. The tour’s I like The King Blues. In fact, I really like I don’t quite get that bit, though. What more obvious. “Modern Life...” aside, In true Madonna style the whole personal favourite ‘Gang Bang’. Madonna was aided in her liver setlist was a perfect balance of old, Word Gets Around The King Blues. They were superb at I always loved about The King Blues this is a disappointing end to a band show was an over the top specta- For the latter, Madonna splashed version of recent single ‘Give me new and long forgotten Madonna Leeds Festival in 2011, and their heav- was the sheer honesty of their work, that brought us some fantastic music. cle involving a lot of guns, masked out on a mobile motel room and a all you luvin’ ‘ by a giant screen ver- songs and proved that the Queen ily punk in uenced lyrics are a breath that it felt genuine and principled. men and even a marching band bottle of Jack for company. How- sion of rapper Nicki Minaj. The song of Pop has still got a lot left in her. of fresh air in a (currently) rather bland But which “slum” does singer Itch music scene. Sadly, in April of this year have in mind? Long Live The Struggle the band announced that they were to was recorded in LA, a far cry from the split and that Long Live The Struggle, WHAT’S ON IN NORTH WALES THE XX COEXIST One to watch by SEAN TALBOT a few precious beers during freshers’ week. everything this band is about and eve- PALMA VIOLETS FRANK TURNER Main man, Oliver Smith, apparently rything I love about them, and nally MONDAY 15TH OCTOBER 4TH DECEMBER hree years after the release of their stated that the sound of the album was in- Angels; possibly the best song to ever by TOM DAVIES of my Dad’s car, and it might well be debut, xx, the mysterious London spired by “club music”, after the break from be over-played by Radio 1. The vocals on one of the most important albums CENTRAL STATION WREXHAM BANGOR ACADEMI Ttrio, The xx, are back with a follow- their rst tour meant that they had more tracks have also been put to much bet- ecent album releases have I’ve listened to. Not all the songs (£6, 14+) (£16, 18+) up; the highly anticipated Coexist. After free time to spend partying. Though I’m ter use in this record, Romy and Oliver are been bland at best, and, de- are stadium anthems but they are the amazing and well-earned success not entirely sure where they went club- familiarly soft and conservative, but have spite massive commercial This band are going to be HUGE. that found them following their rst al- R all honest tales: Stories of commu- I’ve seen more bands at this Wait, what? Bangor? BANGOR?! bing, perhaps Bangor, because the in u- both acquired a new con dence that is success, Stereophonics never quite They’ve just released their rst bum, everyone – including myself – was nity, drinking, murder, and loss. Da- venue than I can remember and I couldn’t believe it when I heard, ence is hard to nd – except in Missing, evidently vocalised in Unfold, Swept Away topped their debut album, Word single Best of Friends onto expecting great things from them; so kota these songs are not, but these couldn’t recommend it more. De- but this is an absolute coup for where an eerily long silence and epic drop and throughout the rest of the album. Gets Around. In their current guise, iTunes and at 99p it’s an abso- they had a lot to live up to. Well let’s just are songs about real people, from scribed as ‘Wales’ leading live mu- our student venue and in the leave you with nothing but love for The If you’re looking for something that’s Stereophonics are barely recognis- lute no-brainer. Rough and raw, put it this way; they delivered. And I could real communities. If Oasis brought sic venue’ by Kerrang, it is small, three years that I’ve been in Ban- xx and everything they do and stand for. both powerful yet understated, this is your able from the band that exploded their sound is somewhat remi- easily leave it at that, but that wouldn’t the sound of the sprawling council intimate, and only has a maximum gor - aside from the Summer Ball Though the sound is similar, Coexist isn’t thing. The xx have become one of Britain’s out from the former mining town of niscent of the debut Libertines be a very good review, now, would it? estates of Manchester, Stereophon- capacity of 550 for music events. perhaps - we haven’t had an artist simply another xx. They’ve taken the new, most-loved alternative bands of late, and Cwmaman in South Wales. Riding on single What a Waster, but sub- Sticking to what they know best, this al- ics gave the villages and towns of Over the years, some huge artists this big. Frank Turner excels at small awesome and deeply refreshing sound they don’t fail to demonstrate why that is. the back of the success of Britpop, stituting crack, prostitutes, and bum is brimming with low, whispery am- Wales a voice, and something no have played here on their way to venues, large venues, and festivals they originally had and made it mark- Coexist is perfect for chilling out to after a Kelly Jones & Co brought arguably ill-advised C-words for sheer bience that will put the bass of any good Welsh band has since matched. fame (Bi y Clyro, Kasabian, Robert alike, recently playing to 12,000 edly better; they re ned it and the result night out in Academi, before a night out in the best popular music album by a passion and romance. It is simi- sound system through its paces. So if you Plant, Enter Shikari) and this could people at Wembley Arena AND is an album that is all we anticipated and Academi, or basically any time of any day. Welsh band to the masses. I’ll never lar to the Howler album released enjoyed xx, you should certainly go out Listen to: A Thousand Trees, Local be Palma Violet’s rst steps in that he performed rst at the Olympic more. Some stand-out tracks include: forget the rst time I heard this al- early 2012 - which is no bad and buy Coexist. If not, you should prob- Boy in the Photograph, Tra c, Same direction. See the One to Watch opening ceremony. This will be no Reunion, which adds steel drums to the bum; 7 years old, from the tape player thing - but there is something far ably opt for a free live stream instead of Size Feet section of our music pages to see di erent. Rave reviews wherever he list of instruments The xx can utilise to more endearing about the raw parting with £7.99 – because despite it be- energy of this band. 99p, do it. just what I think of this young band! goes and a guaranteed performer. produce a creepy and alluringly atmos- ing a must-hear album, that could get you pheric sound, Missing, which epitomises Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 31
The Music
SUMMERRound-up A quick look at some of the best abums released throughout the summer. Bloc Party Four SPECTOR ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS
by TOM DAVIES debut that nails indie-pop in Killers- title suggests, but great fun nonethe- esque fashion, and at its best it com- less. Enjoy It While It Lasts is built from old, brash, and arrogant, or au- prises the best of 80s synth with mid- the ground up for a festival crowd, Hot Chip dacious, smart, and con dent? 90s Britpop (more Pulp than Oasis, swaggering from epic chorus to epic BEnjoy It While It Lasts balances mind). Recent single “Celestine” is the chorus and for the most part it works; In Our Heads precariously on the fence of brilliance pick of the tracks on o er and has showcased perfectly by debut single and for the most part isn’t quite sure received plenty of airplay over the and album nale “Never Fade Away”. where it wants to fall. Spector are yet summer. Like much of the album, it This is part of the charm, but at times another proclaimed saviour of indie, is meticulously polished and the cho- there is a sharp taste of arrogance in Wild Nothing bringing us slicked back hair, dodgy rus of “Keep the past in the past and Macpherson’s palatial baritone and Nocturne fake glasses, and sharp suits from know this/ that I only ever did what I for some this will be divisive. Spector that dodgy end of the Topman sale thought was right” is pure pop perfec- may not be as good as they might like that no one ever seems to buy. For tion. “True Love (For Now) is reminis- to think they are, but if they can reign singer Fred Macpherson and guitarist cent of the The Shins circa 2007 and in the strut and stick to this ever so Chris Burman this represents their last a great song, showcasing Burman’s catchy formula they’re on to a winner. chance at mainstream success; previ- imaginative guitar ri s and masterful It might not be to everyone’s taste, ous bands Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man and Les use of a pedal board. However, for the but this album is written for the twen- Incompétents were commercial ops, most part, is hard to shirk the feeling ty-nothings, for us, making it easy to Two Door but is Enjoy It While It Lasts a desper- that these songs were written to sell, recommend. Enjoy It While It Lasts. Cinema Club ate and cynical attempt at cashing in? such as “Friday Night, Don’t Ever Let It Beacon In short: Yes and no. This is a solid End”, which isn’t much more than the
by AARON WILES & LJ TAYLOR suspended in the air. The show ever, she wasn’t alone with her was just the uplift that the crowd opened with a group of druids Jack for long as a knock on the needed, after the rain prompted hen Madonna began her chanting as they swung a lantern door brought an onslaught of an anti-umbrella uprising, and the career back in the 80s she across the stage. We can only as- masked men intent on murder- marching band suspended above Wprobably had no idea that sume it to have been some kind of ing Madondon. This saw a number the stage were worth a watch too. now, thirty years later, that she ancient ritual performed to honour of ght scenes occur as Madonna Madge ended the night with a would be one of, if not the, biggest ancient beings because Madonna ran round shooting everyone, tak- beat-pumped version of ‘Celebra- selling solo artists of all time. She soon made her way onto the stage. ing down a helicopter and still tion’ which saw the stage screens probably didn’t think that thirty The Queen of Pop was dressed like nding time for the bottle of Jack. lit up in a Tron-esque cube pattern years later she’d still be raking in some kind of viking goddess for all Once she was done running and the Queen herself dancing millions with a new album and a of two seconds before she whipped around with a ri e Madonna atop a moving podium, centre- world tour, and we probably didn’t o half of her clothes. Some things found herself carried o by an- stage, clad in leather sportswear. think that we would be driving for never change. And once she had her other assortment of masked men Five minutes later and the 9 hours to an Olympic consumed group of scantily clad male dancers and fastened to a tightrope which show was over, Madonna disap- Hyde Park and paying £80 each by her side we were thrown straight they all then danced on during peared beneath the stage and for the privilege, but there you go. into MDNA’s rst track ‘Girl Gone a shortened rendition of ‘Papa we were tasked with nding one When MDNA came out we Wild’, broken up in the middle by Don’t Preach’ which soon morphed another amongst the masses. were not impressed. We gave a bit of a ‘Material Girl’ breakdown. into the more recent ‘Hung Up’. Whilst £80 was a bit steep, con- it a chance though and by the It wasn’t long before Madonna’s The routine was all a little odd but sidering Madonna’s support was a time we were squished up in apparent new love for guns, she showed the Queen of Pop is nowhere horri cly bad set from one half of Hyde Park amongst many fel- recently joined the NRA, brought near retirement yet as she kept up LMFAO (the other half had hurt his low Madge fans we were ready. us into ‘Revolver’ followed by our with her much younger dancers. back), we did not regret it. The tour’s In true Madonna style the whole personal favourite ‘Gang Bang’. Madonna was aided in her liver setlist was a perfect balance of old, show was an over the top specta- For the latter, Madonna splashed version of recent single ‘Give me new and long forgotten Madonna cle involving a lot of guns, masked out on a mobile motel room and a all you luvin’ ‘ by a giant screen ver- songs and proved that the Queen men and even a marching band bottle of Jack for company. How- sion of rapper Nicki Minaj. The song of Pop has still got a lot left in her. THE XX COEXIST by SEAN TALBOT a few precious beers during freshers’ week. everything this band is about and eve- Main man, Oliver Smith, apparently rything I love about them, and nally hree years after the release of their stated that the sound of the album was in- Angels; possibly the best song to ever debut, xx, the mysterious London spired by “club music”, after the break from be over-played by Radio 1. The vocals on Ttrio, The xx, are back with a follow- their rst tour meant that they had more tracks have also been put to much bet- up; the highly anticipated Coexist. After free time to spend partying. Though I’m ter use in this record, Romy and Oliver are the amazing and well-earned success not entirely sure where they went club- familiarly soft and conservative, but have that found them following their rst al- bing, perhaps Bangor, because the in u- both acquired a new con dence that is bum, everyone – including myself – was ence is hard to nd – except in Missing, evidently vocalised in Unfold, Swept Away expecting great things from them; so where an eerily long silence and epic drop and throughout the rest of the album. they had a lot to live up to. Well let’s just leave you with nothing but love for The If you’re looking for something that’s put it this way; they delivered. And I could xx and everything they do and stand for. both powerful yet understated, this is your easily leave it at that, but that wouldn’t Though the sound is similar, Coexist isn’t thing. The xx have become one of Britain’s be a very good review, now, would it? simply another xx. They’ve taken the new, most-loved alternative bands of late, and Sticking to what they know best, this al- awesome and deeply refreshing sound they don’t fail to demonstrate why that is. bum is brimming with low, whispery am- they originally had and made it mark- Coexist is perfect for chilling out to after a bience that will put the bass of any good edly better; they re ned it and the result night out in Academi, before a night out in sound system through its paces. So if you is an album that is all we anticipated and Academi, or basically any time of any day. enjoyed xx, you should certainly go out more. Some stand-out tracks include: and buy Coexist. If not, you should prob- Reunion, which adds steel drums to the ably opt for a free live stream instead of list of instruments The xx can utilise to parting with £7.99 – because despite it be- produce a creepy and alluringly atmos- ing a must-hear album, that could get you pheric sound, Missing, which epitomises 32 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 TV body dismorphia then you don’t want it enough,” signals that she may well be this season’s breakout character. Yet whilst I’m undeniably excited to see the direction that this half will take, Downton Abbey I’m signi cantly less interested in the goings on of McKinley High. I feel that Season 4 Murphy made some terrible choices when deciding which characters to by Sophie Smith keep on. He cast o every big gun in his arsenal, when the retention of even one fter such mixed reviews to some of the big characters such as Mercedes of the outlandish and slightly un- or Puck, both of whom I feel had a lot believable storylines last season, more to give, could have generated A more interest in the characters that the season 4 premiere has proved that Murphy and co. certainly aren’t afraid have been left behind. The teachers and to shake things up, and that this season adult characters are already reputedly Glee is going to be all about reinven- going to be taking a back seat, though tion. we can expect a lot of will they won’t Despite many doubts about the they wedding drama from Will and show’s new format, the new structure Emma, and the fallout of the intriguing seems set to be a success. Though ini- alliance between Sue and Roz as they tially dubious about the split focus, I attempt to take down Principal Figgins. was surprised at just how much I en- Unlike the New York characters, the joyed it; in following Finn to Fort Ben- new introductions to McKinley are al- ning and Rachel and Kurt to New York ready falling short of the mark. At rst by Sophie Smith as they try to establish themselves at glance Marley, Jake and Kitty appear NYADA and Vogue respectively, the to be blander versions of Rachel, Puck t all kicked o with the wedding promising his own idealistic moral the other side, even if she has to hold show is able to retain its focus on the and Quinn, with Wade a.k.a. Unique ll- everyone has been waiting for, and code, and force him to stop punish- his hand on the radiator until he com- characters at the heart of the show, and ing the diva role vacated by Mercedes Iafter much criticism for last series’ ing himself (as well as the viewers) for plies to her will! breathe new life into a structure that and Kurt, suggesting that the writers dizzying leaps through time and out- the death of Lavinia. Downstairs ties are also shifting. may otherwise have become stale and have just recycled old characters in an landish ‘soap opera style’ plotlines, But it’s not all doom and gloom With the introduction of new foot- predictable. Rachel’s di culty to adjust attempt to compensate for better char- series three is going back to basics. as the introduction of the fabulous man Alfred, the partnership of Tho- to New York, and the establishment acters that they have been forced to let Reverting to a far more relaxed pace Shirley McLaine, as Cora’s mother mas and O’Brien looks set to be put of the upcoming love triangle be- go. Even though Jake and Marley and tightening its focus on Downton Martha Levinson, provides a brilliant to the test as she attempts to use her tween her, Finn and hot new addi- have been better established in and its inhabitants allows us to re- comic double act with the Dowager old comrade to help her nephew get tion Brody takes things back to the one episode than characters establish what makes this show so Countess, as they battle out their ahead and become a new valet, only base level of season one, focusing like Mike or Tina were in three compelling; Julian Fellowes’ rich char- views of the old world vs. the new. to be coldly shot down by the former on more realistic storylines that seasons, they feel a little heavy acterisation, which was somewhat This theme of modernity and change footman, suggesting that this might target the emotional dilem- handed and clichéd even by smothered by the melodramatic sto- dominates the rst episode, espe- signal a turn in the relationship of the mas experienced by its Glee’s standards, to the ex- ry arcs of the previous season. cially through the character Bran- former duo. Elsewhere, the Bates sto- young audience. tent that the interactions That’s not to say that this season son. Radical and unwelcome, his ryline looks set to continue through- My favourite part between Marley and will be free of any of the drama we’ve new elevated position is a continual out series three, as Anna doggedly of the New York set- her mother made come to love. Indeed, the famous source of ire, fabulously depicted by tries to overturn her husband’s guilty ting is the opportu- me cringe every prosperity of the Twenties is some- Carson’s sni y reception and glass conviction, hopefully picking up nity it gives to break time they ap- thing that will bypass the Downton breaking disgust. But despite him be- speed and culminating in a gasp wor- out of the safe high peared on estate, as the series opens with the ing completely abrasive, he provides thy resolution involving that shady school stereotypes screen. But de- revelation that poor investment a brilliant way to show how far things new cell mate. and play with some spite some poten- choices have left Lord Robert virtual- are set to change at Downton. His Overall, the series premiere has laid more interesting sce- tially rocky ground to ly penniless and facing the imminent budding bromance with Matthew is the groundwork for yet another excit- narios and characters, such cover with the remain- loss of the estate. The Crawleys are adorable, as they pledge to bound ing autumn of suspense, petticoats the introduction of Kate Hudson ing New Directions, I’m set to ght for their way of life, some- together in the face of their ‘insane’ and biting witticisms, and with an- as Rachel’s love to hate alcoholic hoping this new split thing that will become increasingly decision to take on two of the hot- other wedding, a birth and a funeral and bullying dance teacher, Cas- focus will make com- complicated by the will of Reginald headed Crawley girls. Perhaps most due before the nale, the third series sie July. Her biting criticisms are pelling viewing, and Swire, whose death o ers Matthew surprising of all is endorsement from of Downton Abbey is shaping to be reminiscent of Sue Sylvester at go on to become the means to save the family from the Dowager Countess, who seems just as eventful as its predecessors. her peak; her insistence that “If bigger and better nancial ruin, but at the cost of com- set to make the most of her man on you are not su ering from severe than ever.
by Becki Watson The Valleys Strike Back
ll there seems to be on television these brush over the troubles in the area, but to pro- the project on their weekends has turned into to the South Wales Valleys than what people days is one reality show after another; if vide an authentic look at what The Valleys really something much more. With no funding what- tend to think… it’s about focusing on those in- Ait isn’t The Only Way is Essex, it’s Made are. The people in the area don’t mind poking soever, the team used their links with small dividuals who create their own opportunity in in Chelsea or Geordie Shore. But after MTV an- fun at themselves, but as Alex explains, businesses and charities to get the project The Valleys and learning from them.” nounced their latest show The Valleys set in ‘MTV has chosen the place because o the ground. Since then, The Valleys They hope to release the trailer by the end of Wales, a few of the locals have decided enough of its reputation and problems. are here has been featured in local the month, and a short lm is being released is enough, and have struck back at the media Poverty is a real problem newspapers, ITV Wales, and the soon after. With the campaign growing every giant with their own portrayal of life in Wales which many of the people BBC, and even seems to have day, here’s hoping that some of the negative with The Valleys are here. have experience of and put MTV on the back foot. images of Wales will nally be proven wrong. The premise of The Valleys is taking a group it’s not funny.’ But while The levels of enthusiasm of Welsh youngsters dreaming of stardom, acknowledging that The involved in this campaign If you want to get involved, go to valleysare- plucking them from their ‘hamlet towns’ and Valleys have their bad shows just what the lo- here.com or like them and SSP Media on Face- seeing how they survive big city life in Cardi . points, the project aims cals think of MTV’s idea of book to nd out more. Despite MTV saying the show will be ’irreverent to showcase the peo- Wales, but Alex hopes that and funny’ as well as ’familiar and genuine’, it ple trying to improve it this is just the beginning, didn’t go down well. Alex, from The Valleys are (‘We wanted to put the ‘We hope that when MTV here team, said, ‘We were fed up with the bad spotlight on people who starts broadcasting more image given of the area, and when we talked to do good work in the area.’), people will see it and start to our friends, we found out we weren’t the only such as local artists, photog- get involved.’ ones.’ After discovering the widespread disdain raphers and those working in The team has lmed a trailer in for the upcoming programme, they decided the media, as well as supporting local partnership with SSP Media, a media com- to do something about it: ‘Instead of sitting charities on their website. The ultimate goal is pany run by Bangor University student Osian around whinging, we thought we’d try to do to create a sense of pride in the area, despite Williams, who have volunteered their expertise something positive.’ their di culties. out of their own free time. Osian said about the So they got together, set up a website, and But what started as a small group of cam- project, ‘the main reason for making this lm is tried to get the message out. The aim wasn’t to paign o cers and graphic designers running to help people understand that there is more Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 33 Film
Becki Watson oming at the end of this year’s the clan leaders who, at rst, appear summer lm season is Brave, to be merely Scottish stereotypes, are CPixar’s latest animated feature. interesting, as well as comical. As this was Pixar’s rst lm with a fe- As for the animation, it de nitely male protagonist, there were high lives up to the precedent set by pre- expectations for the studio’s 13th vious Pixar features. The lm is stun- feature lm, despite the production ning; every detail of the medieval being hit with setbacks and disagree- world is meticulously rendered, from ments during production. individual blades of grass, to threads Set in the highlands of medieval on each clan’s tartan, and it brings the Scotland, Brave tells the tale of Prin- magni cent natural beauty of Scot- cess Merida (Kelly MacDonald), land to life, as well as Merida’s glori- daughter of King Fergus (Billy Con- ously curly red hair. Matt Jackson nolly), who rebels against the regal Contrary to what many expected life set out for her by her mother, from the lm, Brave doesn’t focus on he Bourne Legacy is the fourth Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson). the heroine’s e orts to break her cul- lm of the Jason Bourne se- After refusing an arranged marriage ture’s traditions; instead, the central Tries based loosely on Robert and embarrassing the local clan lead- theme is of mother-daughter rela- Ludlam’s novels. Following years of ers by beating their sons in an archery tions, and the fraught relationship be- will they won’t they, the lm nally meant this to happen. The presence open to the next instalment of the competition, an argument with her tween Merida and Elinor is explored. came around to be developed with- of the Jason Bourne character is still franchise, but that was something we mother leads Merida to nd a witch Although this central relationship is out original director Paul Greengrass felt throughout the lm without him must have surely expected consider- (Julie Walters), who gives her a spell written beautifully (and is something and without the appearance of Matt actually needing to be present. This ing the book series consisted of 10 to change her fate. But the spell has many parents and teenagers may re- Damon as lead Jason Bourne. This however takes nothing away from titles, 3 making up a trilogy and the unforeseen consequences that leave late to), the overall storyline feels a paved the way for Jeremy Renner Renner’s e orts as Cross but builds rest making up, well the rest. Merida and Elinor scrambling to nd little at, as there are no major twists, (previously Hawkeye in the Aveng- upon the successful franchise. All-in-all I felt that The Bourne Leg- a cure before the kingdom descends and the ending is quite predictable. ers) to take the mantle of protagonist The same old villainous govern- acy was a good lm, similar to what into chaos. This may disappoint fans of Pixar Aaron Cross. ment take the place of the antago- we’ve come to expect from the en- The performances of the voice cast who were expecting something a lit- The Bourne Legacy carries on quite nist, who still plagues Cross as they joyable series, full of crashes, chases, are terri c, especially Kelly MacDon- tle more unique and unconventional well from the previous trilogy; how- did Jason Bourne to set up the style and shoot-outs. It wouldn’t be an ald, who brings the right level of from the animation giant. ever it becomes obvious that the of Bourne lm we’ve grown accus- action lm without a roof-top chase charm to the rebellious Merida, and Overall, this lm su ers from the lm was never meant to be stand- tomed to. In a similar fashion to the now would it? Whilst the lm could Emma Thompson, who strikes the success of its own studio. Although alone. The plot itself not only carries rst three lms, the new instalment of well have attempted to seem like a perfect balance between the regal Brave is a ne lm, it doesn’t quite on from the events of Ultimatum but ‘Bourne’ is spread out in a plethora of stand-alone lm riding on the Bourne queen and the mother who ultimately reach the standards set by previous somehow manages to interlink itself expansive locations world-wide and name, the creative team have clearly wants her daughter to be happy. The Pixar animations, such as ‘Wall-E’ and to what has happened. Part of the that was de nitely something that tried to create a “legacy” for the lms main humour comes from Billy Con- ‘Up’. But even though this isn’t the plot seems to be set simultaneously caught my eye; although a big spend- and in fact, I found that the title Leg- nolly’s portrayal of the larger than life masterpiece fans may have been ex- with the events of Ultimatum but ing blockbuster shouldn’t really have acy and lack of Jason Bourne himself King Fergus, as well as the antics of pecting, Brave is still a fun, entertain- not in a slapdash rush, but in a way shocked me, right? made more sense. Merida’s young triplet brothers. Even ing lm for all ages to enjoy. that seems as though they always Ultimately the lm has left itself
Kaden Wild
t seems pretty silly that I’m doing isn’t the lm for you. revenge in hostile territory where the help but get swept along in it all. This are bigger roles for Bruce Willis and a review of Expendables 2 even Bruce Willis plays what seems at rst odds are stacked against them. Note movie is worth a watch purely for the Arnold Schwarzenegger, and it’s great Ithough I’m yet to see the rst one. I to be a villain, Mr. Church. He enlists all foreigners bar the actual Expenda- action scenes and special e ects. The to see them team up with Stallone didn’t go into this expecting anything the Expendables to take on a seem- bles are enemies in this lm, which I opening sequence and the scenes and kick some ass towards the end amazing; in fact this lm was a second ingly simple job. The task is owed to thought was pretty comical. in the airport towards the end are a of the lm. These great action movie choice. However it did surprise me, him by Barney as they have some un- The Expendables 2 does exactly major highlight - not to mention Stal- legends all together allows for some and I left the cinema dying to see the paid debts, so he gathers his band of what you expect it to do - mindless lone taking on Van Damme is a bit of great nod backs to their most famous rst! old-school mercenaries and sets o action and great camaraderie. Trust a treat. movies, such as Die Hard, Terminator So straight to the point: this movie to collect a map device. But things go me when I say it is awesome. The Stallone, Statham, Lundgren, Terry and Rambo all getting hilariously ref- was all about over the top macho ac- wrong and one of their own is vicious- body count is insane and I was often Crews and Randy Couture are all erenced. tion, blood splatters all over the place, ly killed, which I believe was a huge giggling at the comedic deaths and back and the chemistry between the The Expendables 2 is a movie that and some great nostalgic nods to the mistake, as when I saw this actor in uncountable blood splats. The movie central Expendables really makes you can just kick back and enjoy, and past. If you are into this, you will have the lm, I instantly sat up on the end is as deep as a puddle and the plot is this movie what it is. The banter be- marvel in it’s over the top ridiculous- a great time. If you are expecting a of my seat. However, he gets a knife almost nonexistent. It really is an easy tween the group provides some of ness, which is what makes the lm movie that is meaningful and deep, rammed in the heart not far into the watch; having said this, it’s jammed the best comedy moments in the what it is. with plenty of character development lm, so don’t get too excited. The Ex- back with action and witty dialogue movie - Stallone and Statham have a and soppy romance then this really pendables are then compelled to seek from start to nish and you can’t particularly great relationship. There 34 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Games and Gadgets
ur world is in ruins, nature is reclaiming the Earth and the Enough about the plot though, what can we expect from the only survivors have turned against each other in a vicious gameplay? Oattempt to stay alive; what’s left is the last of us. From in game footage that has been released to date we can I am, of course, going to be biased whenever it comes to a game expect a very similar feel from The Last of Us’ gameplay to that of made by California based developers Naughty Dog. My love for the Uncharted series. Both gun ghting and melee combat will be the Uncharted series knows no bounds and the dedication of the incorporated as well as ‘dynamic stealth’ a new gameplay mechanic ‘Dogs’ shines through in everything they do. And so, it has to be said, that has been introduced for the game. The developers describe the next year is going to be a great year for gaming with the release of new feature as allowing the player to approach each situation with a Naughty Dog’s newest epic; The Last of Us. di erent technique or strategy which will cause a di erent reaction Like a lot of games, movies and tv shows for that matter, The Last from each enemy. A lot of gamers will know that enemies often react of Us deals with a post-apocalyptic world and the idea that there very similar which means they soon become predictable and a little will be a great ght for survival not just between humans and the bit boring so hopefully, if done right, the ‘dynamic stealth’ could a ected but between the survivors. potentially put a stop to this. So how exactly has the world come to this? Cordyceps Unilateralis The thing you need to remember about Naughty Dog is not of course. Never heard of it? Okay, its a parasitoidal fungus that only are they creative geniuses but they do not seem to know their spreads between ants and a ects their behaviour before killing them. own limits. In fact, I am starting to doubt that they have limits at In The Last of Us’ universe it has mutated into a fungal plague that all. The team are constantly pushing the boundaries of video game now a ects humans in a much similar way, leaving those infected development and half of the stu they do rivals what some of contagious to the last of us. Hollywood’s blockbusters pull o ! The game will follow the journey of Joel, the player character, and Motion capture is a massive tool used by the Dogs and sees their Ellie, his 14 year-old sidekick, if you like. voice actors o ering much more than their voices to the overall Joel appears to be your typical post-apocalyptic hero, he’s rough, game. Think of how they made Gollum in the Lord of the Rings ready and likely has some hugely-important-in-the-plotline past. The trilogy and you’ll get the general idea of how Uncharted and character is described as having ‘few moral lines left to cross’ which, The Last of Us are put together. The overall e ect of motion quite frankly, is probably something you need from a guy ghting capture in a video game is to the realism. I talk about the plot for survival. of video games a lot because I love narrative driven games Wise beyond her years Ellie was born six years after the outbreak and that is what Naughty Dog give us time and time again. and has lived her whole life in the quarantine zone. Unlike Joel she The team go the extra mile to make their games a ‘playable knows nothing of how the Earth used to be and in true Naughty Dog movie’ where not only does having fun, shooting fashion we already have a great plot device in the works. people and having the sense of achievement matter Beginning in a quarantine zone somewhere in infected Boston we but you really begin to care what happens to these meet Joel as a black market trader for the camp, twenty years after characters. the initial outbreak of the plague, selling both drugs and weapons to With the release date still be con rmed there’s still the other survivors. After a, as of yet unknown, event leaves the zone a lot for us to learn about the Playstation 3 exclusive in panic Joel nds himself promising to take care of Ellie and escape but already it’s looking like a game that will be long the zone to a dying friend. And thus begins their journey. remembered as an amazing achievement. One of the The game promises to take you on a journey across the devastated massive attractions to the Uncharted series is just United States with their survival threatened more and more every day. how real the in game graphics are and it seems that Much like 2011’s Uncharted 3 the game with The Last of Us Naughty Dog have once again focuses on the friendship between pushed their limits and created something beautiful. Joel and Ellie and the idea of trust being fundamental to their survival. LJ Taylor
ewind to 4th October a ected by the chip. With mobile 2011, Apple lovers gaming growing at a ridiculously fast Raround the world are pace it’s important for your phone to glued to their Macs, iPhones, be able to handle the graphics and iPads, even iPods as they watch give you a higher frame by frame livefeeds coming out of the rates. Apple campus in California. One of the biggest problems that Rumours were swirling that the consumers have encountered when multi-billion pound company it comes to iPhones is the battery life. were about to announce the Not only does it not last so long but next iPhone; assumed to be unlike with other phones you can’t just the iPhone 5. It wasn’t. buy a spare battery to replace it with if you run out. Phones are becoming all of the current accessories being 30 Less than a year later and more and more important in our lives every day with us not only relying pin connector compatible. Apple have we’re all back at our many Apple on them for calls and messages but for calendars, emails, cameras and designed a lightning to 30 pin adapter to solve this problem but it products watching another livefeed, again from California, where the hundreds more applications and so its vital that our battery life at least is of course sold separately at £25 each. iPhone 5 is actually going to be revealed. gives us chance to get through the day. The new A6 chip will advance Its understandable that this has annoyed people but to be honest The reveal was met with mixed reaction. In essence, Apple really that weak battery life of previous iPhone’s and give you 8 hours talktime, Apple is a business, of course they are going to do things that will annoy haven’t done a lot to upgrade the iPhone 5 from it’s predecessor 8 hours 3G browsing time and 10 hours video playback time. people to make money. And £25 is a small price to pay to be able to use the 4S. Sure it looks a little bit slicker, its taller and there’s a few new Not long ago I remember seeing a mock ad for the iPhone 5 on the all of your existing connectors. Or at least I reckon so. features but nothing that warrants its price in the opinion of many internet that basically showed a digital SLR going by the name of the When the iPhone 4S launched last year it came with Siri, the iPhone’s disappointed fans. iPhone 5. It was funny because its true. Phones are used more as a ‘intelligent assistant’. I hate Siri personally. From what I’ve seen with the So what exactly is new about the iPhone 5? camera than they are as a traditional phone, or so it would seem 4S there’s still a lot of work to be done on it though Apple do claim that Whilst still the same width of the iPhone 4 and 4S, Apple opted these days. And so it is not at all surprising that the iPhone 5’s they have advanced it much more for the 5. Once you’re done using it as not to make a phone that felt bulky, the 5 sports a new 4 inch camera comes with an upgrade of sorts. It is disappointing that something to impress your friends though I still think that you’ll screen making it the tallest iPhone yet. The new screen means that the 8 megapixel camera of the 4S is still there, though Apple are never nd another use for the feature. a whole new row of apps can t on your home screen, you can probably counting on a 5S having 10 megapixels or something The iPhone 5 hasn’t seen a lot of new features nor has it seen see more emails on your screen, and in horizontal mode you can of the sort. The 5’s camera however does have 40 percent faster a massive redesign. Other than being a little taller than the 4 t more days across your calendar display. The iPhone 5’s screen capture, better noise reduction and advanced low light capture. and 4S it does look a hell of a lot like them. The silver sides is around 9 millimeters bigger than that of the previous iPhone’s As well as that there’s a few cool new features for all those of the 4 and 4S have been replaced by black on the black but Apple are keen to express that its not too big, its just right, as budding Instagram-ers out there. The iPhone 5’s new panorama model which does look very nice and the back is now made you can still type and doing everything with just one hand. This mode is de nitely something to be excited about. There’s been a of aluminium and pigmented glass (or ceramic glass on is, in my opinion at least, a good move on the California based number of apps recently that allow you to create panorama style the white and silver model). While the phone is thinner, company’s behalf as a lot of smartphones these days simply look pictures of digital cameras but they never seem to stitch together lighter and taller it isn’t massively di erent from the obtrusive. That and they can rake in millions more with an extra 9 right. Apple’s integrated mode however takes a leaf out of an SLR’s previous model at all. You will now nd the headphone millimeters of screen added to their next iPhone no doubt! book with the way it takes the photo and combined with the new jack at the bottom of the phone however. The screen isn’t just longer, its new 326 pixels per inch retina A6 chip produces seamless photos. The front camera which rst All in all I have to agree with critics, the 5 really isn’t display promises to stun. It has 18% more pixels than the 4S and appeared with the iPhone 4 has also seen a bit of an upgrade and if anything amazing. But at the end of the day Apple, as a Apple claim that you will no longer be able to make out individual you use it for FaceTime calls these can now be made over a normal business, can make minor changes and still sell millions pixels with your eye. Colours are also going to be 44% greater than phone connection rather than just wi- . of these phones and that’s exactly what they are about the previous phones. One of the best parts about the new screen Perhaps the change that has warranted the most outrage is the to do. If you aren’t near to being able to upgrade then though has to be that you can nally sit back and watch HD videos new lightning connector. Ever since the iPod rst came out Apple maybe it isn’t worth forking out for an iPhone 5 but if, without the annoying black bars at either end, also known as have been using the same USB to 30 pin connector on all of their like me, you’re at your upgrade date then its set to be an letterboxing. mobile products. The new lightning connector however is much amazing phone, like any iPhone. The iPhone 5’s brand new A6 chip promises a lot faster iPhone smaller to adapt to the thinner, lighter iPhone design. The smaller all round. It increases CPU speed meaning that when you open connector is said to be more durable and is reversible which means LJ Taylor apps, messages, emails they should appear instantly unlike with that there’s no wrong way to plug it in, much like Apple’s magnetic the slightly sluggish A5 chip in previous models. Graphics are also MacBook chargers. This all seems ne but the outrage comes from relaxed seating, unique eating
light breakfasts high tea table d’hôte quality wines lunch & dinner
For bookings: 01248 388686 [email protected]
Bangor University, Main Arts Building, Teras, College Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG 36 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Food and Drink
Freshers' Guide to Takeaways
ai Sing, one of two Chinese takeaways in Up- favourites, there is an unforgivable omission of any per Bangor, beats its competitor Ying Wah duck dishes. Chicken and sweetcorn soup is ne, on the sole premise that the one dish eaten the kind of liquid that will be perfect when you’re Tat the latter lingers in my memory for the wrong freezing in January. ings pick up through dishes reasons - lemon chicken that had an unpalatable such as crispy chilli beef but decline again with a Chinese washing up liquid acidity to it (that aside, Ying chicken curry that is almost wholly devoid of any Wah does o er some good lunch time o ers that discernible avour beyond the residing taste of un- are worth checking out.) Tai Sing is between the dercooked chunks of onion. A nal mention goes Creperie and health food shop on Holyhead Road. to the Singapore noodles which, in fairness, are Inside, you’re likely to be greeted by the delightfully more indicative of Tai Sing’s overall quality than cheery woman that takes orders. ough the menu other o -the-mark dishes such as the wonton soup. is vast and full of the obligatory Chinese takeaway
f takeaways were people, Bella Bella would be in University Plaice once. Good job, too, because Bangor’s behemoth resident. Essentially it’s just quantity just about made me forgive lack of quality) an ordinary takeaway serving kebabs, burgers but Bella Bella certainly has a greater magnetic pull. Iet al for reasonable prices but it’s always busier than It might have something to do with its convenient its upper Bangor adversary, e University Plaice positioning at the top of Bitch Hill and in-house KEBABS (they really did stink the room at with that one). seating. e one grievance is their (as is common I’m not entirely sure why this is the case; my expe- with the majority of takeaways in Bangor) infatua- riences in both have been largely similar (caveat: I tion with bought-in chips rather than the superior was given a complimentary portion of kebab meat ‘chip shop’ chip. izza House (Tŷ Pizza) is next to Paddy’s Bar to your door. Unlike Domino’s, they don’t sha you. on Holyhead Road, Upper Bangor. Whilst O ers such as the Tuesday special buy one 12” piz- Bangor plays host to a Domino’s (down by za and get another 12” half price complement the PNeudd Willis) it’s always best to support local, in- great value of their standard prices. A 9” Hawai- pizza dependent companies. Pizza House also represents ian pizza from Pizza House will cost you £4.20. Its better value for money. Whilst Domino’s will un- 9.5” enemy from Domino’s will set you back a cool doubtedly be o ering special deals this Freshers £12.99. Pizza House also has its own Facebook page week and the rest of the year, Pizza House is invari- where Bangor residents eulogise their love for this ably the cheaper option. Like Domino’s, it delivers small pizzeria. here are four proper, bona de cafés in Up- out of the kitchen. And that steam is the spawn of per Bangor. I can’t comment on Morrisons’ the real reason you should make Mike’s Bites one because I’ve never eaten there but it’s always of your essential stops in Freshers week. e café Tbusy enough to suggest that it’s competent enough. serves a wide range of breakfasts at not too incon- Creperie Café is in its foetal period but still o ers siderate prices - £4.55 for a small breakfast, £5.95 something refreshingly di erent; sweet crêpes cost for the upgrade. But, as any ardent Mike’s Bites goer £2-£4.50 and savouries £3-£5 and are largely val- will tell you, its unique selling point is the ‘Greedy ue for money (you really can’t go wrong with the B a s t a r d ’. grilled chicken, onion, sweetcorn and pickle crêpe). £12.95 gets you three rashers of bacon, three sau- Options, on the corner of College Road, is a bit of sages, four hash browns, two eggs, scrambled eggs, an odd one. Its menu is huge, so big in fact, that steak, fried bread, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, I wonder if quality su ers in the face of quantity. three slices of black pudding, two slices of toast and http://m.alwecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Motorino-Pizza-Margherita.jpeg at said, the chickpea and pepper[17/09/2012 17:56:33] salad is fantastic to wash it all down – a pint of tea, probably cold un- and fresh, with a hit of acidity from the dressing less you deal with it rst. No substitutions, no toi- that pleases your palate su ciently enough to con- let breaks. Only a big plate of food stands between vince you to visit again. Finally, arguably Bangor’s you and immortality. Upon unlikely completion of Cafes most popular café, Mike’s Bites. It’s a must for any this infamous breakfast, your name will be forever new student. If you’ve just moved into a hall on (well, for the rest of the year at least) adorned on Ffriddoedd Site, chances are that your walk to lec- the wall of the café. tures will take you past Mike’s Bites. Its bright blue An honourable mention has to go to Blue Sky façade leads into a warm and vibrant café – indeed, Café in Lower Bangor. Four consecutive years in the front is usually su ocated by the steam coming e Good Food Guide is thoroughly well deserved. where to take your parents s great as all these takeaways and cafés Sky Café, Noodle One, Yo’Mamas and 1815. The leg Menai student Aled Williams of ‘Great British tissue, the Belgian wa e with caramelised ba- Aare, they won’t do much to convince your university’s restaurant, Teras, is especially good Menu’ fame , and the subsequent ball-achingly nana and to ee ice-cream should. If it doesn’t, parents that you’re eating healthy food at (go online to read a review.) high prices. That said, the menu reads beauti- you’re morally bankrupt. university. Nor will they be too impressed if Cross Menai Bridge and convince your par- fully, particularly the risotto of prawns, clams, you suggest eating at any of them were they to ents to go to any of the great restaurants on scallops brown shrimp and crab with samphire. Looking for these places? Flip over to the map come and visit. Anglesey. Harry’s Bistro, Beaumaris, is di cult to If you think that sounds like food porn, it’s It would be remiss of me to suggest that justify going to on a student budget but with a rendered as little more than coquettish foreplay 1 Blue Sky Bangor has lots of great restaurants to eat in. It burgeoning reputation - it’s been nominated for when you hear the menu at The Harbourfront doesn’t. There just isn’t the demand for really entry in The Good Food Guide 2013 - it might be Bistro, Holyhead. This is proper X-rated salacious 2 1815 good independent restaurants. Prospective the sort of place parents are looking for; roasted lth. Pulled pork - the zietgeist barbeque dish of 3 Noodle One restauranteurs habitually ock to neighbouring chicken with broad beans, asparagus and pea the year - comes in a taco with homemade BBQ Anglesey, not least because of its inexhaustible gnocchi costs £12.95. sauce as its lubricant for just £5.95. Cancel your 4 Teras natural bounty of amazing ingredients. Also located in Beaumaris is Cennin, a restau- subscriptions; spend your money here instead. Notable places within Bangor include Blue rant that has both a well-known chef, former Co- If that isn’t enough to get you reaching for the 5 Yo’Mamas Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 37 Food and Drink Dylan's Restaurant - Menai Bridge, Angelesy - Tel 01248restaurant 716 714 Review TEN KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
As the year progresses and money gets tighter, it can get harder to justify spend- ing money on the things kitchen cupboards thrive upon. e following ten ingre- dients will help tweak bland, repetitive dishes and keep your palate from stagnat- ing into the dark world of bland pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner. garlic paste Fresh garlic isn’t especially expensive but as is so o en the case, you’re le with the odd clove and decayed garlic skin hanging around your kitchen. Chances are that, unless you’re roasting a whole bulb, you won’t use one in its entirety. ere’s a simple way to resolve this – garlic paste. Morrisons sell a large jar of minced garlic (in the Asian Foods section, next to the spices) that costs £1 and will almost certainly serve you all year. And don’t listen to inane drivel about garlic lingering around you; its hot, pun- gent avour enhances anything from a spaghetti bolognaise to a blisteringly hot chicken curry or a warm baguette topped with copious amounts of garlicky butter. Who cares if it makes you smell; it tastes fantastic.
St.George’s Road, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, 01248716714 lemon juice See above. Fresh lemon juice, as delicious and irreplaceable as it is, just isn’t a by YOUSEF CISCO AND LJ to visit was already made. I have friends gredients to bring out the avours from practical use of a stretched student budget; far better to buy a bottle of lemon TAYLOR who live in Menai Bridge and missing one of my favourite dishes. juice and rely on its inferior but not devoid of acidity advantages. Try adding a out on an opportunity like this would’ve Dylan’s markets itself as a pizzeria and little at the very end of cooking a pasta dish, its acidic hit will complement most iving in North Wales doesn’t of- been a scandal. it’s easy to see why. e thin, Italian style pasta sauces. Be careful when adding to anything dairy based; its addition could ten give you a lot of great options e restaurant looked great; it had bases come with the perfect amount of cause the liquid to split if added too early or not quickly mixed through. when it comes to wining and din- the feel of a family owned 50s seafood tomato sauce and an array of di erent ing.L ere are no recognisable brands diner with authentic retro photos on the fresh toppings. salt around, other than fast food establish- walls and random nautical objects dot- e only problem is the price. Dylan’s ments, and sometimes it’s di cult to be ted about the place. e outdoor seating isn’t a typical student cheap meal out. is is a fairly obvious but nonetheless deserving inclusion to the list. Salt is one able to tell the good from the bad when area overlooking the Menai Straits just Dishes fall around the £9 mark and of the basic tastes that our mouth reacts to, not only making food moreish but it comes to local restaurants. seals the deal on an already brilliant din- things don’t get much better with drinks also enhancing savoury elements. Add a little to onions whilst they’re frying – the I came across this restaurant when I ing experience. Its location means that at £3.50 for a bottle of San Miguel and salt will bring out the water content and help to prevent the onions from burning. found their beautifully designed menu; you can sail there with plenty of boat £2.50 for a glass of cranberry juice. If Sprinkle on top of meat straight from the oven; stir through a chocolate sauce to two colour letter press print on fully re- parking space in the straits. you want something di erent, that’s harmonise the sweet and bitter notes. cycled brown paper in my house, some- e sea bass was done to perfection, guaranteed to impress, then it’s de nite- thing I would never have expected to grilled on a bed of onions and thyme ly worth the price. nd in North Wales, and had thought and drizzled with olive oil. Although Its mix of arty Italian air and rustic butter my housemate brought it back from it was no match for my dad’s Lebanese sea food diner reminiscent of the 50s Butter is good for anything - spreading on your toast, dolloping on a jacket po- London, or somewhere a little more recipe, it was still great. It didn’t have is the perfect combination; it’s only a tato, melting in the microwave and pouring down your throat. commercialised. I visited their website much avour as they le the sea bass to bridge away. and fell further in love; everything about be understated, with no additional in- 9/10 this place seemed perfect. e decision soy sauce Soy sauce contains Umami, the zeitgeist culinary term of this decade. It’s found in ingredients such as tomatoes, cheeses and MSG (take-aways favourite.) It boosts Cookbook Review savoury tastes in dishes (oddly, Morrisons sell a little tube of ‘Umami’ for around £2), soy sauce being a particularly umami-laden ingredient. Add a touch of soy to bolognaise and cheese sauces or play it safe and use it as a linchpin for any good stir fry. frozen peas Peas are pretty much a ubiquitous vegetable in food I cook at home. Risottos, curries and pastas all bene t from the addition of a handful of sweet peas. Fresh ones are great but not possible due to their relatively short season. Using peas as http://www.dylansrestaurant.co.uk/gallery.php[17/09/2012 18:39:03] a background accompaniment to a dish is great and helps with your 5-a-day, but they’re also great blended with some stock, butter, yogurt, fried onions, salt and pepper to make a lovely soup. stock If Marco Pierre White’s tenuous association with Knorr is observed, every cup- board should have stock in some form – cube; pot; whatever. e use of stock is vital for some dishes – risottos, soups et al but it’s also very handy when money’s a bit tight and you can’t a ord meat or sh. Make a cheap and tasty bowl of rice; crumble a stock cube in at the start of cooking and add any le over ham, cheese, peas etc that you have lying around t’s becoming increasingly common method and drawings. e nature of for anyone that’s ever cooked a risot- the book and its layout almost forces the to to publish a cookbook – a quick recipes into simplicity; no dish has more spices IWaterstones search of ‘cookbook’ brings than seven separate steps and, almost is is a bit of a contentious one, primarily because spices spend more time at up 5337 results – making it di cult to without exception, use inexpensive pro- the back of the cupboard than they do seasoning our food. Be selective; don’t buy work out which ones are worth spend- duce. e eight chapters cover soups, smoked paprika because one recipes says you need it. Compromise and use chilli ing your money on and, with an ever pasta and rice dishes, meat, sh and powder; not the same but better than spending an extra £1. Chilli powder, tur- expanding corner of the internet cover- vegetarian mains, puddings and lastly, meric, cumin and ground coriander should be enough to cover all spice bases. ing most culinary needs, those that just cakes, biscuits and breads. aren’t. ere are student favourites – shep- So it’s refreshing to see something dif- herd’s pie, pesto pasta and chilli con oils ferent, a cookbook that doesn’t just tell carne – but also intriguing dishes such is one’s down to personal taste and what’s cheapest, but you should de nitely you how to make ‘the bestest chicken as tuna croquettes and aduki bean burg- give extra virgin olive oil a wide berth(unless you plan on making lots of salad curry ever’. Helen Ashley is an artist ers. e back cover describes the recipes dressings). It’s a waste of money and for several reasons should never be heated. and illustrator whose idea for ‘Kitchen as ‘the comfort food you grew up with Alternatives include the versatile vegetable oil, rapeseed oil (which, amazingly, is meal, this book is more than capable Drawer’ was born when family and (think gooey cauli ower cheese, warm- now produced in Wales) and sun ower oil. friends started to use her hand-drawn, ing sausage and bean casserole and of giving you the recipe to recreate that instruction aided illustrations to cook fresh, crumbly apjacks)’ and it’s hard to feeling, whether it’s a comforting beef with at home. disagree with that, though I’m not sure stew or a creamy chicken and mush- sugar room pie. e book’s layout is reassuringly basic. many of us ate vichyssoise soup too of- I don’t have a particularly sweet tooth but I can appreciate the advantages of Each recipe takes up two pages; one list- ten at home. having a big bag of sugar in the kitchen, not least because of its cake-making com- ing ingredients, the other showing the If you’re panging for a home-cooked modities.
http://kitchendrawerrecipes.com/images/chickmush.jpg[17/09/2012 18:33:20] 38 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Creative Corner
Paintings by Debbie Roberts
Your
Burger King In e Laundrette Work!!
Indicators clicking, 8:17pm. we pull into the interchange; e scrunched packet of a used washing tablet car headlights skitters across the oor. droning over our faces like a last yawn. Door slams shut. Sta ordshire Northbound e dry, matted, white musk M6 Moto. of industrial strength detergent Rustling Greaseproof wrapper, sticks crumpled cardboard co ee cup to my hand. snapped plastic fork Headlights shatter on impact; in the Burger King takeaway. rain streaked window Lorry rolls into a bay outside; of the late night laundrette. engine shudders. Rumbling tra c. To my le , the drun of a dustbin sized wash- e 559 Bus ing machine I scu e past the drivers booth from the 1980’s and a drained Coca-Cola can rolls under churns on. a seat. Wheezing beneath the amber street lights, Poems by Tom Haynes the 559 bus slugs on.
Photography by Victoria Warren Want your work in Creative Corner? Email [email protected] Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 39 Creative Corner North Wales International Interview with Poetry Festival Jane Gri ths-Jones By TOM HAYNES titled “Viva la Poesía”, hosted by Rhys ith the release of her rst Trimble with special guest Ian Gregson picture book “Peta Peng- oetry lovers are in for a treat this will also be held. win” imminent, Angle- October as events of the North W At 12 noon on October 6th, “It’s Rain- sey author and illustrator Jane PWales International Poetry Festi- ing Words”, a free poetry walk through Gri ths-Jones is buzzing with val are to be held in Bangor. Bangor, will take place. Beginning at excitement. Tom Haynes gets an the Whistlestop Café on the pier, there insight of the inspiration behind will be a reading by Gwyn Thomas. her work. The concluding festival event in Ban- gor will be “A Word In Your Ear” the Your new picture book is called same day, in which international poets “Peta Pengwin”. Can you tell us Anja Utler, Cia Rinne, Morten Sønder- more about it? gaard, and Yu Jian will give readings. Yu Jian It is a bilingual children's picture Richard James and The Gentle book for Welsh learners age 0-7, Good will also give musical per- but I feel adult Welsh learners will formances. Bangor University also enjoy reading it too. In the Terrace Room 3, 8pm. Tickets £6, story, Peta is upset by his appear- books, and I can't ever see me Tony Conran concessions £4. ance and turns to his mother for doing anything else to be hon- A special Bangor weekend tick- comfort. I think it’s a heartwarm- est. I’m very happy and passion- Local poet Tony Conran will kick o et can also be purchased, allow- ing story which is sure to raise a ate about what I do! proceedings on October 1st by per- ing access all events from the smile. forming some of his works in collabo- Thursday to Saturday. Tickets ration with the Conran Poetry Chorus. £16.00, concessions £10.00. Finally, what advice would you The event will begin at 8pm in the Ban- Visit northwalesinternational- give to budding writers and artists? gor University Powis Hall. Tickets £5, poetryfestival.org for further de- My advice to other writers and concessions £3. tails and to purchase tickets. artists is to believe in yourself. If Nominees of the 2012 Wales Book of Katerina you see an idea for a book that the Year, including Karen Owen and Iliopoulou you think and believe will work, Gerwyn Wiliams will give readings on then go for it. Give it 100% and October 4th in the Bangor University don't be afraid to contact pub- Terrace Room 3. The event begins at lishers. They can be very helpful, 6pm. Tickets £5, concessions £3. even if at rst your books get re- A second event, “In Transit” will follow jected, they will often give you at 8pm in the same room, where ve invaluable feedback that will international poets including Katerina help you on your way to getting Iliopoulou and Jeroen Theunissen will your work published. give readings. Tickets £5, concessions £3. On October 5th, Poetry Wales are set to present a reading by Chinese poet Yu Jian, followed by a conversation about his life. The event will be held at 6:30pm in the Ky n Café in Bangor What was the inspiration be- High Street. Tickets £4, concessions £3. hind the book, and what did you At 8pm the same evening in the Jeroen eunissen Anja Utler want to achieve with it? same location, an Open mic evening My inspiration came from the everyday dilemma of trying to overcome a bad hair day which, annoyingly, we all experience What's on at from time to time! I wanted chil- dren to see that even cute little penguins get a bad hair day and Bangor Art Gallery? that there are ways of resolving it. Penguin chicks are so cute and he work of an internation- in the gallery. I think it’s quite men and and shermen as they cuddly whilst also being very en- ally acclaimed artist who fresh work, that’s really dynamic, once were. tertaining to watch, and I love Tsketched miners working and captures the people well The exhibition is open until the way they waddle, play and is making a splash in Bangor Art from the era he sketched them September 29th. Admission free. of course cuddle up to their par- Gallery this freshers week. in.” ents. Josef Herman, who died in Also featured in the February 2000 age 89, has his gallery are the watercol- artwork displayed in an exhibi- our and pencil artworks Your studio is on a farm in Llan- tion titled “Llafur: Imaging the of William Selwyn, and daniel, Anglesey. Do you feel Labourer”. the oil on canvas paint- this environment has in uenced Peta Pengwin is out on Gomer Esther Roberts, curator at the ings of Mihangel Jones. your work? And what else in- Press in October 2012. gallery said: “It’s great to have Both artists also o er a spires you? the work of an internationally ac- glimpse into the life of Living and working on a farm claimed artist like Josef Herman workers such as quarry- in Llanddaniel is de nitely a con- stant source of inspiration for me, as my stable studio is surrounded by an abundance of wildlife. But unfortunately there are no pen- guins here. (Only Peta!)
What else are you currently working on, and what do you hope to achieve in the future? I’m currently working on a few picture books - all of which are about animals and their environ- ment. My day begins and ends with doodling sketches and scripts for future dummy picture 40 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Books Booker Prize Shortlist 2012
by LUKE DOBSON tion during the war. There she nds ter he has ascended from his more ry of two individuals; Audrey Dearth, which made it through to the selec- the only Japanese garden in Malaya, than humble beginnings. Now Chief who fell into a coma at the end of the tion process, the longlist and made it he shortlist for the 2012 Man tended by the former gardener of Minister to Henry VIII, Cromwell First World War, and a young psychia- to the nal six. Talking of the longlist, Booker Prize, one of the most the Emperor of Japan. She must face must deal with the King’s relation- trist, Zack Busner. Zack nds Audrey, there is one book from this year’s Tprestigious awards in literature, advancing Communist guerrillas, ship with Anne Boleyn and how it and several other patients, in the vast which I personally think should was announced last week. Six of the the mystery behind how the garden takes a dark turn for all concerned. Victorian mental asylum he transfers have gotten through to the shortlist. nest novels of the past year are now came to be, and her own misty past. Futh, middle-aged and recently too. He sets about trying to wake them, The Teleportation Accident by Ned in contention to win the £50,000 prize Joe and his family arrive at their villa separated, is heading to Germany for a yet doesn’t know the consequences. Beauman is a wonderfully witty and in October. It is a mark of distinction in Nice to discover a mysterious wom- walking holiday in Alison Moore’s The Being proclaimed as the best of Self’s constantly strange novel. Set in the to be nominated for the shortlist; an in the pool, in Swimming Home by Lighthouse. Whilst there, he deals with speculative ction, Umbrella deals 1930s, starting in Berlin and travers- indeed, even getting this far in the Deborah Levy. As Kitty Finch insinu- a hostile patron at the hotel he stays at, with the madness of modernity and ing to Paris and across the Atlantic, it process will mean they are awarded ates herself into this family holiday, this before setting out on a week-long cir- how it a ected the world after 1918. follows Egon Loeser as he attempts £2,500 and a speci cally commis- strange thriller deals with the devas- cular walk along the Rhine. He thinks A city and an underworld are shown to unravel two mysteries: whether, sioned, handbound edition of their tating secrets we keep from ourselves through his life, bringing up memories in Narcopolis by Jeet Thayil, one and his hero, a seventeeth-century stage book. and shows how even the most stable of his childhood and his rst trip to the same, as we are taken on a journey designer Adriano Lavicini really died In The Garden of Evening Mists by people can come apart at the seams. Germany with his father. This account stretching three decades. With an in- because of a cosmic deal with evil; Tan Twan Eng, we are taken to Ma- The sequel to the Man Booker-win- of someone’s life gives us an insightful terlude in Mao’s China, this electrically and why a handsome, clever, mod- laya in 1949. Young law graduate, Yun ning Wolf Hall, Bring up the Bodies look at the e ects of family on our lives. charged novel shows Bombay through est guy like himself can’t get laid. Ling Teoh, returns for the rst time by Hilary Mantel continues to fol- Set across the entire 20th Century, a vast cast of pimps, pushers, and poets. Part historical, romance and science since evading the Japanese occupa- low the life of Thomas Cromwell af- Umbrella by Will Self deals tells the sto- And there we have it, the novels ction; this is a Seren Recommends. Classic of the Month Union Street by Pat Barker by ROSIE MACLEOD and poverty that all arose from this King, the matriarch of Union Street, Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad same stimulus; Barker addresses each entrusted with the other women’s se- eart of Darkness was an on- of locating and returning Kurtz, a eesside novelist Pat Barker is one swiftly yet in thorough detail. crets. All of the stories are loosely inter- going joke in my rst year rogue ivory trader, to civilisation. perhaps best known for her Re- This work is divided into chapters, linked and each Union Street chapter Hdoing English. It seemed On the way, Marlow discovers dif- Tgeneration Trilogy, which is set but each chapter is a single individu- contains a reference to another’s plot, to crop up in every module, even ferent kinds of darkness, initiated by in the First World War and follows al’s novella. Melvin Burgess’ novel Junk such as when Kelly witnesses a prod- though the other four books we the deep dark of the Congo wilder- the lives of men deeply a ected by (1996), which is also a hard-hitting uct of a backstreet abortion, which were told to get before we came ness he must traverse. He encounters shellshock. Her rst novel, Union piece of social realism focussing on is described in shocking detail in Iris to Bangor were only used once. the Europeans’ cruel treatment of the Street, showcases this author’s strong heroin abuse, uses a similar format. King’s unsettling chapter. The work Most of you will have heard of native population, a dark stain on our ability to write in a mesmerisingly Unlike Burgess, Barker’s characters are was published in 1982, nine years af- Joseph Conrad’s novel and, if not, history. However, through Kurtz and addictive style to achieve graphic all female. Not only that, they are all ter the Strike, yet when it was still rm- you will have heard of /seen Apoca- his own narrative reasoning, he dis- and horri c accounts of real events. working-class and each su er an indi- ly in living British memory and deeply lypse Now. The lm was loosely covers the darkness within us all, and Union Street is set in the North vidual deprivation-induced fear. Barker etched on the northern psyche. Union based on the novel, transplant- our ability to commit great acts of evil. East at the time of the Miners’ Strike demonstrates the many ways in which Street is a gritty novel that confronts ing the action from Africa to Vi- It’s a dark novel, yet it is all the bet- of 1973. Her characters’ lives are all seven women of widely varying ages the real-life horror, but is also darkly etnam, using the American Army ter for it. Conrad weaves his tale by deeply shaped by the socio-political were a ected by the men’s striking. funny in parts. It is an exposé of a peo- instead of an English captain. drawing us into the Congo with him, background, and the strength of The Strike is the cause of some wom- ple who lived in uncertain times and I remember disliking the novel, enabling us to sit in Marlow’s chair the novel is that Barker manages to en’s hardships, an accessory to oth- how they reacted to them. Although as you do when you’re forced to and ponder on the innate wick- convey how the Strike was not an ers and a catalyst to further troubles. it is far more cynical a work than the study it. Since then, I’ve grown to edness which we are capable of. enclosed issue, but instead brought One of the protaganists is Kelly lm Billy Elliot and the novel Junk, love it. The story follows Marlow, a A pure classic, from beginning with it a storm of deprivation that af- Brown, who falls victim to a predatory Union Street also demonstrates how captain employed by the Belgians to end, and a must read; even fected everybody who lived amid and man. Others include Muriel and Lisa tame our current recession di cul- to transport ivory down the Con- if you’re not studying English. alongside it. The economical depriva- Goddard, who have to work long hours ties are in comparison to the grit and go, and is also given the mission tion, alcohol abuse, wife beating, fear, and budget tightly in the absence of day-to-day fear that was this strike. their husbands’ employment, and Iris
Cocktail Books by LUKE DOBSON hilst not trying to actively However, at Uni you have an un- a classy drink which tastes nice and endorse drinking, Seren paralleled opportunity to try the vast sets you up nicely whilst pre-drinking. Wknows that you will all be pantheon of alcohol on o er, and you If you and your pre-drinking bud- indulging in more than a casual of al- might need a guide to help you deci- dies begin to like these concoctions, cohol over the next week. This said, I pher your Mojito from your Mint Ju- I’d step it up a notch and get The thought it’d be a good time to bring lep. How to Booze: Exquisite Cocktails Savoy Cocktail Book. This tome is al- up the idea that you don’t just have and Unsound Advice by Jordan Kaye most holy amongst cocktail drink- to drink beer to have a good time. & Marshall Alter is the book for this. ers, as it comprises of the original Cocktails are making a comeback. I’m Filled with the authors’ stories about recipes of hundreds of drinks, us- not talking about brightly coloured certain drinks, the main use of this ing every spirit you could think of. mixes of one spirit and a pint of a- book will be the great recipes that These books give you the oppor- voured juices; I mean proper cocktails, most of you will be unaware of. For tunity to explore the wide world of like an old fashioned Martini. I’m not example, a Daiquiri, the drink en- cocktails. Make your own cocktail putting down the brightly coloured joyed by JFK and Hemingway, doesn’t recipes from the stu in your at, buy a airs you’ll get in most bars, far from involve strawberry avouring and some from clubs for a change from it; I have gotten more than merry on slushy machines; it’s simply rum, snakebites; but, most of all, have fun. a few Kyrptonites’ and Glass Towers’ . lime juice and syrup. Ouila! You have Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 41 Travel Top Places to Visit in North Wales
by JORDAINE HULSE here to see. Here you can travel into Llech- is good enough for the royal family then it is wedd Slate Caverns and learn all about how Llandudno most de nitely a great place to go and visit. here are many sights to see and at- the slate used to be mined and the miners that You can’t possibly live in Bangor without Beaumaris tractions that North Wales has to o er. worked there. making a trip up here, whether it is just to go Another town on the Isle of Anglesey. Here TWhether you prefer to relax in the great Colwyn Bay to watch the latest cinema release or to travel we have another beautiful castle to add to outdoors or try your hand at go-karting, there A short train journey away from Bangor and up the Great Orme you are guaranteed to have your list with a scenic view of the Menai Straits. is something here that will interest everyone a lovely seaside town which is perfect for a a great day out. The Great Orme Tramway is Although the castle is built on marshes so take and help to make your time living here a great sunny day trip to the beach. Nearby is also the 110 years old and been very popular over the your wellies along with you if you plan on go- experience. Welsh Mountain Zoo where you can spend the years for history and nature enthusiasts alike. ing on a rainy day! Beaumaris Goal and Court- Snowdonia day looking at some of the rare animals such From the summit you can see some spectacu- house are also an interesting and informative Home to the highest mountain in Wales and as chimpanzees and snow leopards. As well as lar panoramic views and enjoy the peaceful day out – you are able to get a joint ticket for not forgetting Electric Mountain too. Snow- this you can walk around the rst lemur enclo- atmosphere. For those who enjoy skiing and these tourist attractions too. donia like many other places in North Wales sure to come to North Wales! snowboarding there is also a dry ski slope lo- Holyhead is one of the exquisite sites not to be missed. Portmeirion cated on the Great Orme in Llandudno which A large town in Anglesey which also has a Mount Snowdon has several di erent paths A beautiful Italianate village which is rife boasts the longest toboggan run in Britain. ferry port. Why not be adventurous and jump up to its summit which vary in di culty and with tourists all year round. Some of you may There are also the Great Orme Mines in the on a ferry across to Ireland for the weekend? If length according to preference. Some people know it as the lming location of the popular area which are a collection of tunnels and you don’t want to travel that far then why not do tend to favour the Mountain Railway and television show The Prisoner. This village was caves to explore. Although if you are claustro- go and learn about the boats instead – there enjoy a leisurely ride to the top. Either way it originally built and designed by Sir Clough phobic then this will probably not be your cup is the Holyhead Maritime Museum where you is easy to soak in and admire the spectacular Williams-Ellis in the unusual style of an Ital- of tea! can see the old lifeboat station. There is also views of the surrounding national park. We ian town and although there is an admission Anglesey South Stack Lighthouse which is a great ha- must also not forget that Snowdon is not the charge into the town it is most de nitely well Practically a stone’s throw away from Ban- ven for birds during the summer months and only mountain in the area, if science is more worth a visit. gor, here you can nd plenty of things to do a lovely walk if you don’t mind over 400 steps... your thing then a trip to Dinorwig Power Caernarfon and see. For example there are many fantastic Conwy Station or Electric Mountain to see the inner Just a bus ride away it boasts a number of beaches such as Lligwy, Red Wharf Bay, Rhos- Another incredibly popular destination in workings of the mountain might just be per- tourist attractions. Caernarfon Castle is just neigr, Traeth Bychan, Benllech and many more. North Wales especially in the summer months. fect for you! one of the popular places to visit - it is a World These beaches have some lovely, golden Conwy Castle is a magni cent sight and you Betws-y-Coed Heritage Site and has been described as the stretches of sand and not to mention some of can still see the walls which encompass the Is located in the Snowdonia National Park is “most impressive of Wales’ castles”. With great the best doughnut stands ever. majority of the town within them. Of course a picturesque and quaint village with a popu- views and plenty of pubs within the castle If you fancy getting to grips with a bit of na- you cannot go to Conwy without visiting the lation of only 534 people. There are a lot of walls it is just the place for a relaxing time. ture and seeing some of the wildlife too then Smallest House in Britain. shops and cafes around and it is also the ideal Caernarfon is not only known for being a Pili Palas is the place to visit – the main attrac- place to have a meander along the charming place to relax as the adrenaline junkies out tion is the many di erent species of butter y As you can see there are so many things to river Llugwy. there might know it has Redline Indoor Kart- however it is also home to meerkats, reptiles, do in North Wales so why not get out there Blaenau Ffestiniog ing. There is also a cinema in Caernarfon at farmyard animals and lots of bugs! and start exploring! Another town lled with some great history; Victoria Dock which is extremely handy for all Of course you can’t forget that Prince William the Ffestiniog Railway and the mining of Vic- lm bu s. and Kate Middleton live on Anglesey and if it torian slate being just a couple of attractions HOW TO LOSE THOSE BACK TO UNI BLUES Just come back from a lovely long summer and already nostalgic for your holidays in the sun? Returning to university and the prospect of having to work hard over the following months may not be something that you are looking forward to so here are a few tips for you to beat those post-summer blues and brighten up your September!
Buy a Calendar Book a Weekend Getaway Create a Travel Wish List Start Planning for Next Summer What better way to get over the end of sum- Whether you fancy a weekend break in the Now is the perfect time to start putting to- It’s never too early to start looking at holi- mer than to start a countdown to your next lovely British countryside or a cheap last- gether a list of places that you would love to days for the next year and it is often cheaper holiday? Buying a calendar (or even a per- minute holiday abroad – there is nothing bet- go to the most. Make a realistic top ten and to book a year in advance. Once you have sonal diary) not only gives you somewhere to ter than booking a weekend getaway to have aim to visit those places in the next fews years. booked it you can then start counting down jot down all your university deadlines but also something to look forward to in the near fu- Start looking at what sights and attractions the months until your holiday in the sun. On provides a place for you to tick o the days un- ture. There are several websites that can help are there for you to see. You could also pur- the other hand why not book a winter holi- til your next holiday or day out. Alternatively you to plan your holiday so that you get the chase a map of the world and pinpoint your day? As they say the possibilities are endless! why not make one yourself? best deal for your money. dream destinations. 42 seren.bangor.ac.uk Freshers’ Issue 2012 Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 43 Sport Sport Grand Slam victory for Murray Galloping Ahead of the Competition by BECKI WATSON as Djokovic was making some unchar- match and I don't know how I man- that, Andy’s US open triumph ends BURC is free to join for the 2012/13 there too! is year we will be o ering acteristic errors. But Novak’s legendary aged to come through in the end.’ is in the 76 year long wait for a Brit- year, so there’s never been a better time our riders a chance to have a go at the ndy Murray has become the strength and stamina kicked in and he is the rst time Djokovic has lost on ish male winner, the last being the to take up the reins! Our taster sessions exciting discipline of POLOCROSSE. rst British man to win a Grand took the next two sets 2-6 3-6. A few hard court for over 2 years, but the ve- legendary Fred Perry back in 1936. for Beginners is on Friday 5th Octo- Described as a mixture of lacrosse and Slam tournament in 76 years years ago, this would have been the end time major winner was gracious in his As Murray himself admits, it’s ber and the advanced taster session is rugby on horseback, this game com- aA er a heroic 5 set victory over Novak for Murray, but the incredible strength tribute to Murray, saying ‘I had a great a little too early to be thinking of on Friday 28th September, come sign bines riding skills with team play and Djokovic at the US Open. Adding to he has built up over his last few years on opponent today. He deserved to win knighthoods a er only winning yourself up to a session at Serendipity! loads of fun – be warned though, it is his Olympic gold medal and rst ever one Grand Slam. But with Murray Working together with Anglesey EC, VERY addictive and before you know it Wimbledon nal, Murray’s rst Grand “I had a great opponent today. He deserved to win in the shape of his life and possess- BURC can provide lessons at a dis- you’ll be galloping in for your next ride Slam victory ensures his place in tennis this Grand Slam more than anybody. ” ing a self-con dence and mental counted rate throughout the week, both o or tackle! history. strength that has never been seen privately and in groups, on a range of If you are looking to get a bit more It was a very close nal, and was as the tour came through for him, and he this Grand Slam more than anybody. I in him before, it’s not beyond the well-schooled, friendly horses and po- ‘hands-on’ with horses, we are able to thrilling a match as was expected from decisively won the last set 6-2. would like to congratulate him.’ realm of possibility for him to win nies. We can also o er hacking for be- o er exciting opportunities this year. the world no.2 and no.3. An extremely Murray, watched by his mother Judy, Murray’s victory takes him up to third another tournament before the ginners through to experienced, with Our proud association with the Angle- close rst two sets, which included a girlfriend Kim Sears, and other famous in the world rankings ahead of Rafael season’s nished. One thing’s for grassy canter tracks or thrilling beach sey RDA means that anyone who would 26 minute tie break and a 54-shot long supporters such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Nadal, and his rst Grand Slam win has certain - deciding the nominees for gallops for the brave! like to volunteer with the Riding for the rally, ended in Murray winning 7-6 7-5, seemed to be in disbelief at his victory, some speculating that his sponsorship Sports Personality of the Year just If competing is your thing then our Disabled is very welcome. Sessions run and one set away from victory. Many but recovered enough to praise Djoko- earnings will increase to over £100 mil- got a lot harder than it already was. BUCS team is the place for you! Our weekly and leaders, sidewalkers and were beginning to think that Andy vic’s great performance: ‘Novak is so lion, making him one of the highest paid team will be competing against Man- helpers are all greatly appreciated. Full Lacrosse Overload could win it in straight sets, especially strong, he ghts until the end of every sports stars in the world. But more than chester and Chester this year, complet- training will be given so if you would e girls gear up for second year in BUCS ing a Novice level dressage test and like to help give something back then by EMILY CHARNLEY you never knew you had! by ANNA KIMBER then jumping a course of up to 3 , to please contact our RDA O cer Rachel O the eld, the Lacrosse Club also & AMY GALVIN be marked on style – and all that on a Holt. ere is also the chance to com- angor Lacrosse Club is now en- has a great social life with weekly socials Kings of the road - F1: e season so far tering its fourth year as an AU Moto GP: Racing towards a that degrade faster than anything seen ave you heard the rumour go- strange horse with a 7 minute warm-up. plete quali cations. and a foreign tour each year. Last Easter, Last year we came second in our region, But of course, no AU club would be team and has grown from being 20 of us travelled to Festival Croatia for in the sport before. ing round Bangor? 2012/2013 is Brelatively small to a club with over 60 with one of our riders qualifying for the complete without a roaring social life, a week of sport, sun and sangria... it got In this unpredictable eld, consistency the year to learn how to horse regular members. We have both male thrilling nish has been key, and this is where the wily ride,H because this year Bangor Univer- individual regional nals and several and BURC has a cracking one! Last messy! Alongside playing sport and team members attaining their AU Col- year we partied every Wednesday night and female squads with both rst teams socialising, we also work hard to fund- Alonso has excelled above all others. He sity Riding Club is hotting up! So try competing across the North West re- is unquestionably at his peak and prob- something new, jump in the saddle and ours and Half-Colours for their achieve- (here’s a tip, don’t book a lesson for raise for various charities. Lacrosse has ments throughout the year. And that’s ursday mornings). Our ‘Pub Show- gion. We aim to be a well-rounded team played a vital role in instigating the Fe- ably driving better now than when he Shout TALLY HO as you gallop down that trains hard, plays hard and always won his two world championships. His the Menai Straits! not all- we were the rst club to get a win jumping’ night is now legendary – can BRAry campaign and this is only one of on the board against Aber at last year’s you handle the ‘shots Chase-me-Char- looks out for its members. the ways that we will be continuing our lead has narrowed though; McLaren are So what does riding have to o er? Lacrosse is growing in popularity year experiencing somewhat of a revival, as From lessons to beach rides, jumping Varsity as well! Team Tryouts will be on lie’? How good is your fancy dress mak- charity work this year. Wednesday 3rd October 12pm onwards ing skills? Can you scrub up for the AU by year. Last season saw both teams At the Athletics Union Dinner before demonstrated in Jenson Button’s win at to hacking, volunteering opportuni- make their BUCS debut, which we all Spa and Lewis Hamilton’s win at Monza. ties and quali cations to social nights, contact Amy Galvin on bangorriding@ dinner? Will you survive a night out in the summer, the Lacrosse Club received hotmail.co.uk for more details. Bangor wearing your jodhpurs and long enjoyed immensely. is experience the ‘Spirit of the Year’ award. We are Despite a majestic performance in Bel- there’s never been a better time to sad- taught us a great deal and we hope to gium, Button is e ectively out of the title dle up in Bangor! We cater for all riders, However if BUCS seems a bit much for leather boots?!?! all extremely proud of this achieve- you, there are competition opportuni- If you want to nd out more, then kick continue this development in the com- ment and felt that it acknowledged our by TOM DAVIES e eld this year is perhaps the most race, but Hamilton will go to Singapore from complete beginner to advanced, ing season. Another of our highlights just 37 points behind the Spaniard. With and with the help of the great team at ties for all, no matter how long you have on and contact Bangor Riding Club on enthusiasm, both on and o the pitch, even it has ever been, with the excep- been riding. We regularly run dressage, Facebook, Twitter or via email on rid- from last year was Varsity which we are throughout the year. We hope to con- ack in March, when then season tion of the three newer teams, Cater- 25 points for a win, it is wide open. Anglesey Equestrian Centre there really all looking forward to getting involved started, if someone had told me Inevitably, the focus in the run in is something for everyone. e superb showjumping and gymkhanas (and of- [email protected] tinue to thrive this year and would love has been able to tame, it is clear that ham, Marussia, and HRT. For the rst with again this year! by RACHELE JOHNSON that Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso will be Alonso, Hamilton, and Vet- indoor school means that the Welsh ten fancy dress on ponies as well) which to see lots of new faces! Rossi is hungry for more and he believes time in years we’re seeing teams from A sports team is a great way to meet Bwould be leading the Driver’s World tel, but there are others that could still weather doesn’t stop us and neither do everyone is welcome to take part in. During Fresher’s Week we will be his time last year, Casey Stoner that riding for Yamaha is the gateway to the mid eld genuinely challenging the di erent people than those you may Championship with seven races to go, challenge. A er two seasons out, 2007 those winter evenings. Like team sports? BURC can help out holding taster sessions so people can had a 44 point lead over Jorge a h championship title. top teams: Sauber’s Sergio Perez came so usually come across and most impor- I’d have probably laughed. But more fool World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, the get a feel for the sport, meet every- Lorenzo and by race 16 Stoner Rossi’s return to Yamaha is not the close to beating Alonso in Malaysia, and tantly… it’s a whole lot of fun! We wel- one and generally decide if Lacrosse is Thad secured the championship and won me: by now I should have a greater re- beat the Ferrari driver to second place Lotus-Renault driver, has had a solid, come players of all abilities and no prior only news to have stirred up pre-season spect for Formula One’s ability to com- if unspectacular, season. A string of something that they would like to get his second GP title. e 2012 Moto GP frenzy. For British fans, the introduc- at the Italian Grand Prix. Formula One’s And Cue Snooker & Pool experience is required. Many of our cur- pletely reinvent itself. stubborn performances have taken the involved with. If you have any questions champion however, is still undecided tion of Bradley Smith from Moto2 to Dick Dastardly himself, Pastor Maldo- you out. We run semester long pool leagues, rent members had never played or even A er the dominance of Red Bull last Iceman to third in the Driver’s Champi- for us or would like to learn more about and with Lorenzo having a mere 13 ride alongside Cal Crutchlow for the nado, shocked with a win for Williams Our main session is on a Sunday at last year’s pot reaching £90. Up until heard of Lacrosse before university and season, on the back of Sebastian Vet- onship, and only a point behind Ham- the club, please come and nd us at Ser- point lead over second place Dani Ped- Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team has been in Catalunya. Bar Uno from 7pm till close. ough recently, the snooker side of our club are now vital members of our club. It is tel’s Championship win in 2010, the safe ilton. Kimi came from nowhere to win endipity (the Freshers’ fair) or contact rosa, and with 6 races still le , it prom- exciting news. e British duo will have Maldonado’s win was not only a dem- the tables aren’t great, they give us the has been overshadowed by an attention o en said that Lacrosse is easy to pick money would have been on the Renault- the 2007 Championship by a point, and us on our Facebook page… just search ises to be an exciting nale. the chance to capitalise on this season’s onstration of how di erent cars suit dif- opportunity to be a part of the univer- to pool but in an e ort to change this, up but hard to master, so why not give powered team to continue their success a driver of his ability always has the ca- Bangor University Lacrosse Club. Although the conclusion to this year’s impressive results from the Tech 3 team ferent tracks, but it also highlighted the sity’s social core. We’re sponsored by Bar we’ve devised snooker tournaments for it a try? You could discover a talent that in Schumacher-esque fashion. Much pacity to surprise. e new Texas Grand GP is yet to be decided, it has undoubt- and with both riders proving that they impact that this years new Pirelli tyres Uno and host some of our competitions the next year. was said about the pace of the Ferrari Prix should be a thriller, and the classic edly been overshadowed by the changes are extremely capable; perhaps a British have had on the competition. A er Vet- there, with good prizes to be won. If you want to give pool or snooker a prior to Australia, with whispers that it circuits at Japan and Brazil never disap- that will be occurring in the 2013 sea- champion is in the making? tel’s domination of the 2011 Champion- Whereas Sundays are sociable, our try but are worried that you aren’t good was an absolute dog of a car seemingly point. May the best man win! by JOE RUSSELL son, in particular Valentino Rossi’s re- Casey Stoner’s decision to retire at the ship, Pirelli were briefed with livening ursday sessions – 6pm till late at City enough, don’t be. We’ve genuinely seen con rmed by an absence of pace in pre- turn to Yamaha a er a dismal two years end of the 2012 season was met with up proceedings, surprising even the e’re Bangor University’s Snooker – are geared towards tour- people who couldn’t hit the ball every season testing. So why is Alonso ahead? with Ducati in which he managed only mixed feelings and has undeniably over- most seasoned F1 followers with tyres snooker and pool club. nament standard play. is emphasis time grow into capable pub hustlers. two podiums. Whilst riding for Yamaha, shadowed his season. e question as ough we’re one of the has paid dividends recently, with one Similarly, if you’ve come from a com- Rossi won the Moto GP championship Wsmaller AU clubs, we have a solid base member going unbeaten in the team petitive background and want to get in- to whether he could retire ‘with a bang’ four times, won a total of 46 races and and win the championship has followed of long standing members who are all event at the BUCS pool event in Great volved with the club’s teams, come along alongside teammate Lorenzo, secured Pietersen dropped for India happy to play snooker or pool with any- Yarmouth, 2010. e club was equally and we’ll give you the chance to prove Stoner to every race but a er his crash at wake of the scandal retired from pro- England’s squad for the tour of India the Triple Crown titles for three con- Indianapolis, where he sustained a bro- by MATT JACKSON one that fancies giving it a go. All abili- proud to see a member win MVP at the yourself. fessional cricket) and current captain contains a few fresh faces with uncapped Welsh Universities Championships in Feel free to contact us via our facebook secutive years. When Rossi announced ken ankle, his chances of retaining his ngland batsman Kevin Pietersen ties are welcome – missing the ball isn’t Alastair Cook. batsmen Joe Root and Nick Compton Cardi last year. ese events are great page: search Bangor University that he was leaving Yamaha to ride for Moto GP title are fairly slim. has been dropped from the tour a problem, neither’s clearing the table Pietersen had threatened to retire in line to make debuts as well as Jonny fun, and despite the ball-achingly long Snooker and Pool Club or email: Ducati in 2011, his decision was greet- With only four riders staying with the of India following controversial in one visit – and don’t be put o if you from international cricket himself and Bairstow keeping his place in the side. journey down to Great Yarmouth, al- [email protected] Bangor’s New Game Face ed with an air of shock. Whilst some same team they began the 2012 Moto Ecircumstances in which it was revealed don’t have a cue, we’ll be happy to help have invested in this role. e aim of the believed the move to be motivated by had already cast doubt over his future It won’t exactly come as a shock that ways worth it. by SALLY HOYLE GP season, next year promises to be that he had been sending provocative prior to the third test against South Af- Bairstow remains as his performance in UTC is to increase participation and de- money, Rossi is adamant that the switch hinking about picking the racket full of excitement, rivalry and good old texts to his South African counterparts; rica; he was instead le out of the squad the third test showed a lot of character velopment within university tennis. is to Ducati was fuelled by a desire to start up for the rst time in years? In- drama. although Pietersen has denied that for the third test in favour of Yorkshire’s and determination. If they resolve their will be achieved by having more training a fresh chapter in his Moto GP career. En garde with Bangor fencing club spired by this summer’s sporting the messages revealed tactics. Despite Jonny Bairstow; who made a good case disputes, Pietersen could play limited times available for all levels (from begin- However, a er two seasons of poor re- wish to compete there are currently two Tevents? Bangor University Tennis Club claiming he had apologised to former for himself to be included in future over cricket in India. ners through to BUCS players) and also sults on a bike that only Casey Stoner e BU Fencing Club has long been BUCS teams, a Men’s and a Women’s, has many di erent forms of the game to captain Andrew Strauss (who in the matches. having more diverse forms of tennis (for established to allow students and non- which have done well in recent years. o er at all levels. students alike a chance to test their Recent achievements are: Men’s North- example, Cardio Tennis, Beach Ten- Having only been an o cial club for nis and Touch Tennis). Alongside this metal against other seasoned fencers, ern 2A Champions in 2010/11, Women’s around ve years we have done well to Wales destroyed by Serbia as reversal under Coleman continues or simply to try the sport again or for Trophy Champions in 2009/10 and new and exciting programme of play we retain members and play the majority of will be o ering a great social scene with by TOM DAVIES less lunge on the impressive Guillaume contingent of Welsh fans. Soon a er it by the manager himself. Coleman had by DEAN ASHBY the rst time. Last year the club gained Women’s Team of the Year in 2008/09. our BUCS xtures. Now, as a more estab- some excellent fencers, some complete plenty of opportunity to meet new peo- Gillet, they had looked like causing was 2-0, with woeful defending allow- expressed con dence that his side could ver the past few years, Fencing lished AU Club, it has been decided that ple and enjoy our tennis themed events. rior to the Serbia game, Wales Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ problems. ing Tosic to slot in from close range. qualify for their rst major nals since as a combat sport has unfor- beginners, and hope to expand even fur- As well as this the club received AU the time has come for a new ‘game face’. ther over the coming year. To comple- Club of the Year in 2006/07, run in- If you like the sound of this welcom- had lost all three xtures under However, 10 men against the third most Gareth Bale provided a glimmer of hope 1958, but it is becoming quite appar- tunately su ered a dwindling With the help of our new committee ing, established club with a new and expensive international team in the with an unstoppable, swerving free kick ent that although the manager is saying Oamount of interest, particularly from the ment this they will be introducing more tra-club inter-regionals each year and new manager Chris Coleman. we will be delivering our normal train- more exciting edge, then get involved in P e xtures against Mexico and Bosnia world inevitably ended in defeat; Spurs’ from 25 yards, and his tireless perform- the right things o the pitch, he strug- younger generations. Whether this is friendlies with other universities and participate in the Welsh Universities ing sessions but also be o ering a wider the ‘tennis buzz’ by looking out for our were only friendlies, and tough xtures, Jan Vertonghen sealing the victory with ance was the only positive for Wales. gling to orchestrate what happens on it. due to the niche reputation of the sport more within-club tournaments, to allow Competition, of which they were the range of tennis that has ever been avail- new recruits to try out competition in a champions in 2008/09. stand at the up and coming ‘Serendip- but in each game Wales looked devoid a thunderous le -footed drive from out- Second half goals from Djuricic, Tadic, Defeats to Belgium and Serbia are big or the cost that most associate with par- able at the university before. is will ity’/ Fresher’s fair! We look forward to of inspiration and shape, and gener- side the box. Sulejmani, and Chelsea’s impressive setbacks, especially with Croatia yet to ticipating, it is clearly a hindrance. is more relaxed environment. be implemented by the new university Beginners are more than welcome seeing you there and giving you more ally lacked the positional discipline that e performance against Belgium Branislav Ivanovic, the Serbian captain, play. Miracles aside, this campaign is al- luckily could be set to change this year tennis coordinator (Sally Hoyle) who information on our action packed had been instilled by previous manager had renewed some optimism for Welsh completed the rout. Wales’ list of miss- ready a write o . with the excellent coverage, advertise- Club membership is free for 2012/13, and meeting details can be found on will also work alongside the committee. and members have access to a multitude the website, http://bangorstudents.com/ Fresher’s Week Programme. Gary Speed. Wales’ rst World Cup fans, but Aleksandar Kolarov’s stunning ing internationals is an impressive one, ment and commentary that the sport e UTC position is unique to univer- Contact: [email protected] Quali er against Belgium was better; up free kick, and rst international goal but it is no excuse for the ‘dreadful per- received during the Olympic and Para- of club kit, weapons, the quali ed coach fencing/. sity tennis and we are lucky enough to until James Collins’ dismissal for a reck- for Serbia, silenced the small travelling formance’ in Vojvodina, as described lympic games this summer. and fantastic socials. For those that be one of 22 universities in the UK to Freshers’ Issue 2012 seren.bangor.ac.uk 43 Sport Galloping Ahead of the Competition BURC is free to join for the 2012/13 there too! is year we will be o ering year, so there’s never been a better time our riders a chance to have a go at the to take up the reins! Our taster sessions exciting discipline of POLOCROSSE. for Beginners is on Friday 5th Octo- Described as a mixture of lacrosse and ber and the advanced taster session is rugby on horseback, this game com- on Friday 28th September, come sign bines riding skills with team play and yourself up to a session at Serendipity! loads of fun – be warned though, it is Working together with Anglesey EC, VERY addictive and before you know it BURC can provide lessons at a dis- you’ll be galloping in for your next ride counted rate throughout the week, both o or tackle! privately and in groups, on a range of If you are looking to get a bit more well-schooled, friendly horses and po- ‘hands-on’ with horses, we are able to nies. We can also o er hacking for be- o er exciting opportunities this year. ginners through to experienced, with Our proud association with the Angle- grassy canter tracks or thrilling beach sey RDA means that anyone who would gallops for the brave! like to volunteer with the Riding for the If competing is your thing then our Disabled is very welcome. Sessions run BUCS team is the place for you! Our weekly and leaders, sidewalkers and team will be competing against Man- helpers are all greatly appreciated. Full Lacrosse Overload chester and Chester this year, complet- training will be given so if you would e girls gear up for second year in BUCS ing a Novice level dressage test and like to help give something back then by EMILY CHARNLEY you never knew you had! by ANNA KIMBER then jumping a course of up to 3 , to please contact our RDA O cer Rachel O the eld, the Lacrosse Club also & AMY GALVIN be marked on style – and all that on a Holt. ere is also the chance to com- angor Lacrosse Club is now en- has a great social life with weekly socials tering its fourth year as an AU ave you heard the rumour go- strange horse with a 7 minute warm-up. plete quali cations. and a foreign tour each year. Last Easter, Last year we came second in our region, But of course, no AU club would be team and has grown from being 20 of us travelled to Festival Croatia for ing round Bangor? 2012/2013 is Brelatively small to a club with over 60 with one of our riders qualifying for the complete without a roaring social life, a week of sport, sun and sangria... it got the year to learn how to horse regular members. We have both male ride,H because this year Bangor Univer- individual regional nals and several and BURC has a cracking one! Last messy! Alongside playing sport and and female squads with both rst teams sity Riding Club is hotting up! So try team members attaining their AU Col- year we partied every Wednesday night socialising, we also work hard to fund- ours and Half-Colours for their achieve- (here’s a tip, don’t book a lesson for competing across the North West re- raise for various charities. Lacrosse has something new, jump in the saddle and gion. We aim to be a well-rounded team Shout TALLY HO as you gallop down ments throughout the year. And that’s ursday mornings). Our ‘Pub Show- played a vital role in instigating the Fe- not all- we were the rst club to get a win jumping’ night is now legendary – can that trains hard, plays hard and always BRAry campaign and this is only one of the Menai Straits! looks out for its members. So what does riding have to o er? on the board against Aber at last year’s you handle the ‘shots Chase-me-Char- the ways that we will be continuing our Varsity as well! Team Tryouts will be on lie’? How good is your fancy dress mak- Lacrosse is growing in popularity year charity work this year. From lessons to beach rides, jumping by year. Last season saw both teams to hacking, volunteering opportuni- Wednesday 3rd October 12pm onwards ing skills? Can you scrub up for the AU At the Athletics Union Dinner before contact Amy Galvin on bangorriding@ dinner? Will you survive a night out in make their BUCS debut, which we all the summer, the Lacrosse Club received ties and quali cations to social nights, enjoyed immensely. is experience there’s never been a better time to sad- hotmail.co.uk for more details. Bangor wearing your jodhpurs and long the ‘Spirit of the Year’ award. We are However if BUCS seems a bit much for leather boots?!?! taught us a great deal and we hope to all extremely proud of this achieve- dle up in Bangor! We cater for all riders, continue this development in the com- from complete beginner to advanced, you, there are competition opportuni- If you want to nd out more, then kick ment and felt that it acknowledged our ties for all, no matter how long you have on and contact Bangor Riding Club on ing season. Another of our highlights enthusiasm, both on and o the pitch, and with the help of the great team at from last year was Varsity which we are Anglesey Equestrian Centre there really been riding. We regularly run dressage, Facebook, Twitter or via email on rid- throughout the year. We hope to con- showjumping and gymkhanas (and of- [email protected] all looking forward to getting involved tinue to thrive this year and would love is something for everyone. e superb with again this year! indoor school means that the Welsh ten fancy dress on ponies as well) which to see lots of new faces! everyone is welcome to take part in. A sports team is a great way to meet During Fresher’s Week we will be weather doesn’t stop us and neither do di erent people than those you may those winter evenings. Like team sports? BURC can help out holding taster sessions so people can usually come across and most impor- get a feel for the sport, meet every- tantly… it’s a whole lot of fun! We wel- one and generally decide if Lacrosse is come players of all abilities and no prior something that they would like to get And Cue Snooker & Pool experience is required. Many of our cur- involved with. If you have any questions you out. We run semester long pool leagues, rent members had never played or even for us or would like to learn more about Our main session is on a Sunday at last year’s pot reaching £90. Up until heard of Lacrosse before university and the club, please come and nd us at Ser- Bar Uno from 7pm till close. ough recently, the snooker side of our club are now vital members of our club. It is endipity (the Freshers’ fair) or contact the tables aren’t great, they give us the has been overshadowed by an attention o en said that Lacrosse is easy to pick us on our Facebook page… just search opportunity to be a part of the univer- to pool but in an e ort to change this, up but hard to master, so why not give Bangor University Lacrosse Club. sity’s social core. We’re sponsored by Bar we’ve devised snooker tournaments for it a try? You could discover a talent that Uno and host some of our competitions the next year. there, with good prizes to be won. If you want to give pool or snooker a Whereas Sundays are sociable, our try but are worried that you aren’t good by JOE RUSSELL ursday sessions – 6pm till late at City enough, don’t be. We’ve genuinely seen e’re Bangor University’s Snooker – are geared towards tour- people who couldn’t hit the ball every snooker and pool club. nament standard play. is emphasis time grow into capable pub hustlers. ough we’re one of the has paid dividends recently, with one Similarly, if you’ve come from a com- Wsmaller AU clubs, we have a solid base member going unbeaten in the team petitive background and want to get in- of long standing members who are all event at the BUCS pool event in Great volved with the club’s teams, come along happy to play snooker or pool with any- Yarmouth, 2010. e club was equally and we’ll give you the chance to prove one that fancies giving it a go. All abili- proud to see a member win MVP at the yourself. ties are welcome – missing the ball isn’t Welsh Universities Championships in Feel free to contact us via our facebook a problem, neither’s clearing the table Cardi last year. ese events are great page: search Bangor University in one visit – and don’t be put o if you fun, and despite the ball-achingly long Snooker and Pool Club or email: journey down to Great Yarmouth, al- [email protected] Bangor’s New Game Face don’t have a cue, we’ll be happy to help have invested in this role. e aim of the ways worth it. by SALLY HOYLE UTC is to increase participation and de- hinking about picking the racket velopment within university tennis. is En garde with Bangor fencing club up for the rst time in years? In- will be achieved by having more training spired by this summer’s sporting times available for all levels (from begin- wish to compete there are currently two Tevents? Bangor University Tennis Club e BU Fencing Club has long been BUCS teams, a Men’s and a Women’s, ners through to BUCS players) and also has many di erent forms of the game to having more diverse forms of tennis (for established to allow students and non- which have done well in recent years. o er at all levels. students alike a chance to test their Recent achievements are: Men’s North- example, Cardio Tennis, Beach Ten- Having only been an o cial club for nis and Touch Tennis). Alongside this metal against other seasoned fencers, ern 2A Champions in 2010/11, Women’s around ve years we have done well to or simply to try the sport again or for Trophy Champions in 2009/10 and new and exciting programme of play we retain members and play the majority of will be o ering a great social scene with by DEAN ASHBY the rst time. Last year the club gained Women’s Team of the Year in 2008/09. our BUCS xtures. Now, as a more estab- some excellent fencers, some complete plenty of opportunity to meet new peo- ver the past few years, Fencing lished AU Club, it has been decided that ple and enjoy our tennis themed events. as a combat sport has unfor- beginners, and hope to expand even fur- As well as this the club received AU the time has come for a new ‘game face’. ther over the coming year. To comple- Club of the Year in 2006/07, run in- If you like the sound of this welcom- tunately su ered a dwindling With the help of our new committee ing, established club with a new and Oamount of interest, particularly from the ment this they will be introducing more tra-club inter-regionals each year and we will be delivering our normal train- friendlies with other universities and participate in the Welsh Universities more exciting edge, then get involved in younger generations. Whether this is ing sessions but also be o ering a wider the ‘tennis buzz’ by looking out for our due to the niche reputation of the sport more within-club tournaments, to allow Competition, of which they were the range of tennis that has ever been avail- new recruits to try out competition in a champions in 2008/09. stand at the up and coming ‘Serendip- or the cost that most associate with par- able at the university before. is will ity’/ Fresher’s fair! We look forward to ticipating, it is clearly a hindrance. is more relaxed environment. be implemented by the new university Beginners are more than welcome seeing you there and giving you more luckily could be set to change this year tennis coordinator (Sally Hoyle) who information on our action packed with the excellent coverage, advertise- Club membership is free for 2012/13, and meeting details can be found on will also work alongside the committee. and members have access to a multitude the website, http://bangorstudents.com/ Fresher’s Week Programme. ment and commentary that the sport e UTC position is unique to univer- Contact: [email protected] received during the Olympic and Para- of club kit, weapons, the quali ed coach fencing/. sity tennis and we are lucky enough to lympic games this summer. and fantastic socials. For those that be one of 22 universities in the UK to Andy Murray Wins page 42 SPORT Touchdown! MudDogs score Team of the Year by NEILL HAROLD Northern Conference in which the MudDogs played. he Bangor MudDogs are the Uni- e new year saw Bangor lose 22-0 at versity’s American football team home to Leeds Carnegie before travel- and 2011-12 was their third com- ling to Aberystwyth for a repeat of the Tpetitive season which they nished with season opener. is match was much a 5-3 winning record. is was a major closer with the scores tied at 20-20 at the step forward for the still relatively new end of normal time a er the MudDogs AU club which is looking to improve on dominated the rst half but the Bangor this in 2012-13. o ence broke the Aber hearts by scor- e club has now gone through a full ing on the rst play of overtime and the three cycle of development, which has Bangor defence then denied Aber the seen a huge change from the very rst chance to equalise on their next drive to friendly in May 2009, where 15 players give a relieved Bangor the season double took on a squad of 40+ from the Uni- over their rivals. versity of Manchester’s Tyrants. Bangor Poor weather had been a problem for nished last season with typically over pitch availability throughout the season 45 players on the o cial roster for each and the club found itself at 4-2 in play- game, a coaching infrastructure of eight o contention with one weekend le in sta , just lost out on making the nation- which to play two xtures. A pitch wasn’t al play-o s and was recognised the AU available in Bangor so a double header as its Team of the Year a er also winning was arranged on a synthetic pitch in AU Varsity Team of the Year in 2010-11. Manchester, where the MudDogs played One of the highlights of the season one extended half of football against was the season opener at home against the Hudders eld Hawks as one xture varsity rivals Tarannau Aberystwyth and another half of football against Liv- who Bangor had played four times in erpool Fury for the other. e play-o the previous two seasons but had never hopes were crushed with a 17-0 loss beaten. Bangor had also not won a game to the Hawks who had changed tactics during its two previous seasons so win- the week before to the infamous ‘Dou- ning 39-0 in front of a huge home crowd ble Wing’ which the team hadn’t played on a full size and correctly marked pitch against previously. Honour was restored with proper posts from America was an with a 20-0 win against the Fury but the amazing day for the club, and an over- damage had been done and the dreams due reward for the longer-serving club of play-o glory were dashed. members and supporters who had stuck e club is now preparing for the new with team through the darker years be- 2012-13 season with the big di erence forehand. being that the sport is now part of BUCS, e club then had the rest of the which will hopefully result in even more support on home game days, with four e club’s social activities have always so, regardless of whether you follow the Northern Conference paying attention nancial support for the game across people needed each game to be the focused on getting together to watch live MudDogs or not, Varsity is the place to by next two games with an 18-6 victory Great Britain and has already made an ‘chain crew’ looking a er the down NFL games from American on Sunday watch the sport on a Sunday evening. at home against the MMU Eagles and a impact for the club in Bangor. e club markers. e club is also looking for one evenings and the club is pleased to an- ere will also be a Superbowl party 46-8 romp away at the Manchester Ty- is looking for new players of all abilities or more lm bu s to record home and nounce a partnership this year with Var- on the night of Sunday 3rd February rants. An away xture at the She eld and experience levels but we would par- away games so that the club can use the sity on the High Street in Bangor. Live starting at around 11pm and going Sabres for the third year running then ticularly like to hear from anyone who is footage to analyse their performance af- games on Sky Sports will be shown there through till about 4am when the game saw Bangor lose 52-6 to the eventual big and would like to be a lineman! ter games. from 6pm – midnight (UK time!) in a nishes. Find the MudDogs at: conference runner up of the BUAFL’s e club is also looking for sideline Want to watch the NFL in Bangor? dedicated viewing area for football fans bangorstudents.com/bangormuddogs/ Bangor players called up for GB Handball Squad by MATT JACKSON als; a positive start. e team knuckled Zindovic, Stefan Duvnjak, Matt Boden, on the line and scoring a brilliant haul down and kept training hard for na- Bangor Handball coach Stephi Wil- of 16 goals, the second highest scoring ver the summer, handball has tionals. ey faced tough opposition in liams and Club Captain Matt Everett (as tally. A highlight of the tournament for picked up in popularity follow- Chester’s Deva as a warm-up and nar- both coach and player), to feature in the Bangor was seeing the GB team beat ing London 2012, and in the rowly lost 20-19; not bad considering squad who went to Eindhoven to play in the tournament hosts 7-6. e most en- Orun up to the Olympics Bangor Univer- Bangor had been a team for merely 3 a European tournament. e women’s couraging point however was that 3 of sity handball club was founded a year months. Whilst the team didn’t qualify team did fantastic and a string of excel- the 5 who had attended the tournament ago. e club attracted a lot of interest; from their group at nationals their year lent performances from coach Stephi had never played the sport until a year especially from people who had never was capped o with 5 of their players Williams saw her get her name on the ago, and that Bangor was the third most played before. picked for the ABUHC (British Univer- score sheet to help win some close x- representatives only being pipped by old Every year the club will compete in sity) squad. tures. guard. two main tournaments, the regionals From the national championship, A similar level of achievement was For those who might want to try hand- and nationals. eir rst win came at scouts for the ABUHC squad (Asso- recorded for the men’s team, includ- ball, the team meet twice a week for regionals with a victory over Liverpool. ciation of British University Handball ing Filip Zindovic being named as our training, 12pm until 3pm on Sundays e club nished 3rd out of 4 at region- Clubs) selected 5 players, including Filip team MVP, performing fantastically and 8pm until 10pm on Mondays.
Bangor ANNUAL AND University MONTHLY STUDENT GYM MEMBERSHIP OPEN TO STAFF AND LEISURE ONLY MEMBERSHIP FOR 9 MONTHS PUBLIC AND £90 FULL ACCESS TO GYM AND ALL CLASSES FOR £135 EXERCISE CLASSES BADMINTON SQUASH CLIMBING WALL ALL AVAILABLE AT MAES GLAS SPORTS ACADEMI BAR UNO ACADEMI BAR UNO ACADEMI BAR UNO FRESHERS OPERATION SQUIDS INN UNO LIVE: THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY LOL “GET DRUMMIN” THE BIGMEET UP! & “COMEDINE” INTERNATIONAL 04/10/12 28/09/12 22/09/12 DON’T STAY IN, THERE AND TRY ITALL OMG Welcome Weekend VS. VS. Party PART I VERSUS ERS VS FRESHERS VS RETURNERS GET OUT FROM FROM FROM 10 9 PM -LATE PM - 7 7 7 PM PM PM PM PM 3 AM
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The best way to warm up to the biggest night of the week is most definitely cocktails. Make sure you swing by Bar Uno and get warmed up for a nightout.
Everyone’s got to take a break sometime. You’ve just got to You just want to chill out with do it and you’ve earned it. So fly over to Uno, we’ll re-fuel The best way to warm your mates in your pyjamas you with great food and just a relaxed place to unwind and and watch movies on our get that energy back in the tank! up to “HEY YOU!”. Here to help you recover after ridiculously large TV! We a long days fixtures, or play the movies you choose, if you haven’t played, just head to our facebook just to get you ready for and take your pick! the night ahead.
Every Thursday at Bar Uno you can expect one of a variety LITTLE of live acts, be it an open mic THE night one week ,a band night the next, there’s always a live music flavour of some type. UNO This thing’s a bit BIG special! We’ll be putting out some special offers throughout the year LITTLE and if you happen to THE have one of these little CARD things then, well... you YOUR LITTLE LOYALTY ON CARD FACEBOOK can get in on them! SMALL CARD, BIG OFFERS! UNO Pretty awesome if we “BAR UNO BANGOR” BIG do say so ourselves. GO TO CARD FOR UP TO DATE OFFERS GET YOURS TODAY!