Politics Killed the Radio Star

In This Issue….. POLITICS KILLED The Bludgeoner

Tales From The THE RADIO STAR Queer Side fter Storm FM failed to receive any nominations for the Student Radio Awards on 12th October, they were Serendipity 2006 Adealt another blow when Station Manager, Spencer George resigned. Like the true politician he is, Spencer said, “I’ll have more time to spend with the girlfriend.” This was the optimistic side of the decision, which has obviously News saddened him. The shock decision was supposedly based on discontent from within Storm FM’s Executive, but as far as I can tell, The Rant So it seems that Storm FM will not only have a new studio and a new logo when it starts broadcasting again soon, but also a Travel new Station Manager From Bangor To most members of Storm are sad to see him go. After a year in charge of the station and one which Bangor has involved many changes for Storm FM, it is a shame that Spencer felt the need to resign before they took up broadcasting from their brand new studio in the basement of The ‘S’ Team the Students’ Union. Work on the studio has taken place over the summer, converting what were once the showers into a purpose built base for the station. In the twelve months that Spencer has been in charge at Storm, he has been well known The Great Orme throughout the Union as being a strong and very loud voice for Storm, working hard to move the station forward. Spencer does intend to continue to have an active part in Storm FM, still presenting his shows, but without the One Minute Welsh stresses of running a Standing Committee in his third year at university. Former Programme Controller Mike Walsh has been voted in by the Storm Executive and the Students’ Union Councilas the new Station Manager. Halloween Flicks So, it seems that Storm FM will not only have a new studio and a new logo when it starts broadcasting again soon, but also a new Station Manager. The Adventures of Stuart Dent Emma Dodd Adventures From Across The Pond See page 10 for the new Storm FM Schedule. Spencer George, the former Manager of Storm FM Vox Pop

Puzzles

Film

Sport

Doc Spot

Star Sailing

Serendipity, page 6 Glyn, page 3 Music 2 Seren - Halloween Issue 2006

CONTRIBUTORS Dear Reader,

Editor: Emma Dodd Welcome to the Halloween edition of SEREN. As well as Gemma Plowman our usual instalment of news, features and reviews, we’ve Jennifer Stanley gone all Halloweeny in some of our articles too. Now Dr Rashesh Mehta in our second issue of the year, I hope you’ve all settled Sophie de l’Orme back into life in Bangor. SEREN certainly has, having Chris Thomson elected a brand new team of sub editors, we’re well set Stephen Clifford up for the year. I’m really excited to see people with lots Rebecca Hussey of new ideas for the paper. Siobhan Catherine Holt This issue includes some new features. My favourite is Cat Prince our very own cartoon strip. The character of Stuart Dent Luke Wilsher has been created especially for SEREN and you will be Claire Mann able to follow his adventures throughout the year. Vicky Brewster Lucy Digney We had a great response to the first issue and I’m very Amy Garrett happy to see so many people contributing to the paper. Spencer George If you haven’t yet, there’s still plenty of time to get in Jack Peat touch, just drop me an email. Sam Burnett Lexi Hindley Have a happy Halloween. Emma Prout John Jackson Emma Loran Perkins [email protected] Ian Davies Michael Mooney Emma Dixon Ross Butler Mark Jessett Rebecca Cook Kerrie Gardner LETTER TO THE EDITOR Simon Dando Abby Golightly Hi, Emlyn Williams I’m sure you’re glad to receive feedback regarding articles in your paper...so here is some! I have to disagree with the Kieran Dixon Music writer’s review of Lily Allen and her ‘Alright, Still’ album! In a British music scene currently dominated by these David Eykelestam sort of indie bands I think its refreshing to have something that’s a bit different out there. Robert Mann Unlike a lot of the other non-indie acts in the British popular music scene, she’s a spot-on singer that takes influence from Natalie Pierce-Jones --and appreciates -- a wide range of music, and she likes to be backed by a proper band in her gigs (unlike the awful Girls Yasmin Hayat Aloud who came to our Summer ball a few years ago and just sung along to a backing track (or maybe even mimed. I Phil Rhymes couldn’t work it out)). Loads of her songs are underlined by a cool groove and are decorated with good horn parts. Jeni Freeman Although I’m probably biased because my younger bro plays trumpet for her... Tell your music writer to check out the Amy Wallis iTunes exclusive live recording of “LDN” from Bush Hall in London (my bro’s first Lily gig)...the live horns sound phat! Proof reader: Carolan ..... One other thing, in the article, he seems to not be sure whether the Guardian and the Times dug lily’s work...being a Goggin Guardian reader I can say that yes, the Guardian did! Production Consultant: Dan Turner Cheers, Jim Birchwood.

Printed through www.quotemeprint.com 0845 1300 667 Specialists in party dresses & Fashion designers ball gowns 141 Station Road Deganwy Conwy Tel. 07919676186 [email protected] For a look that speaks louder Appointments at university than words can be arranged Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 3 PRESIDENT CENSURED BY S.U. COUNCIL OVER BB’S GLYN hen Big Brother’s Glyn Wise have been nominated for the honour. appeared at Time/Amser last The President seemed to take the brunt of Wmonth, he was presented on the criticism and Councillors took a vote to stage with various accolades. After singing have him censured. What this means in real a song about boiling an egg for the very first terms is that the President was told off. Glyn time and another about Blaenau Ffestiniog, however has not been stripped of his Life the UMCB President, Gerallt Wyn Roberts, Membership, since it could not technically came onstage to make the presentation. have been given to him in the first place, but Glyn, who will be attending the University it will not come into effect until the Annual of Wales, Bangor next year, has been made General Meeting at the end of the academic an Ambassador of the Welsh Language year, when it can be properly voted on. for UWB Students’ Union. As well as this, Glyn’s appearance at Time/Amser on the Glyn was given an UMCB hoodie and Life whole was very popular, with somewhere in the region of six hundred and fifty people Membership of the Students’ Union. turning out to see him. Not bad numbers Various members of the Students’ Union for a Tuesday night. Members of the crowd Executive had made the decision to grant included Lizz Bell, a first year student and Glyn Life Membership, despite the fact Glyn fan, who has seen him five times. Glyn that it is usually reserved for students who seemed to please the audience for the twenty have consistently worked hard on behalf minutes he was on stage. He then went on to of the Union. The Constitution states that sign autographs in the Curved Lounge. Life Membership should be granted to Talking to SEREN, he announced that we “Any person nominated and approved by could have put a better picture of him on the the AGM in recognition of service to the front page, one of the ones he did for Heat Union.” Glyn hasn’t even started at the magazine for example! He flicked through University yet. At a Students’ Union Council the paper and seemed genuinely interested Meeting earlier this month, it was brought in what was happening in Bangor. All in all, to everyone’s attention that the members he seemed like a nice enough fellow, largely of the Executive do not have the power to unaffected by his fame. grant Life Membership of the Union, as this is reserved for the Annual General Meeting where representatives from many aspects of Emma Dodd Union life get to take a vote on people who Sam Burnett, back stage at Time with Glyn

Basically the fact that you started your Mature Students Standing Committee)… E-mail to [email protected] & 27th November. What defines course at the age of 21+. …trips to Dublin and Cardiff later in the ngor.ac.uk or go along to the Mature Mature Students Social Afternoons in If you’re interested in… academic year… Students’ Common Room (in Main Arts Freddy’s in the Students’ Union from 12: a mature …meeting up with other mature students in OR Music Annexe) on Monday or Wednesday 30pm on Thursdays - 2nd November, 9th the same boat as you… …helping out with a OAPeer Guiding (!)… lunchtimes. November & 23rd November. student at …representing mature students to the …then contact your MATURE STUDENTS’ Mature Students Social Evenings in the Union Council and the University (via the OFFICER, JOHN JACKSON. Harp pub on the High Street from 7:00pm Bangor? on Mondays - 30th October, 13th November PARKING PERMIT BIFSA @ TREBORTHst n Sunday 1 October, volunteers from Bangor International Forestry PROBLEMS OStudents’ Association (BIFSA) he University discriminated against spent the day getting their hands dirty people with a surname starting with down at the University’s Botanic Gardens, the letter M and anywhere after it Treborth. The Curator, Nigel Brown, gave T in the alphabet when it came to parking the volunteers a personal guided tour of permits this year. The permits were issued the gardens before they got down to work at registration on a first come first served which included removing a diseased tree basis, yet the registration system is done stump, raking the hay meadows and relaying alphabetically. How did they expect people paths around the gardens. With the recent with a surname beginning with a Z to ever changes in management at the gardens, and get a permit? Some students were given the loss of the dedicated groundsman there, temporary permits, but talking to a fellow the work of the volunteers on the site is now student, I was told the parking permit vital to keep them up and running. desk at registration had actually gone Barry Roberts, President of BIFSA said before people had finished registering, so “The work the volunteers did on the day she didn’t even get a temporary permit. was fantastic and shows how passionate we The 1st years registered before any other all are at keeping Treborth going. Over the undergraduates, so what about the 2nd and next year we will be working further with the Friends of Treborth and the Students 3rd years living in halls or commuting? for Treborth Action Group to ensure the Then came a posting on the intranet gardens have a future for all students to notice board that a limited number of enjoy and to maintain the essential learning permits would be available. They were to environment it possesses”. As well as being be put on sale at the Estates Office for one good for the Gardens, the day was also good day only from 9.30am to 2pm, on Tuesday for those students who wanted to develop 10th October. People started queuing at their practical skills with opportunities to 7.30am in order to obtain one of these use axes, saws and a host of other tools on permits and not all of those in the queue the site. Nigel Brown was overjoyed by the were successful. work done by the volunteers and the level of And what if you had a lecture at 9am enthusiasm shown by them all despite the the day the extra permits went on sale? frequent showers on the day which didn’t Were we expected to miss lectures to get a dampen their spirits. parking permit? The next Student Volunteer day at All of this is contrary to information Treborth will be run by the Friends given on the University facilities website, of Treborth and will be at the start of which explains that parking permits will be November. All the details will be posted on allocated by draw. There was no draw, just the Intranet. an unfair system based on surnames.

Sam Burnett, back stage at Time with Glyn Stephen Clifford Gemma Plowman 4 Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 THE BLUDGEONER ALAN CARR TOUR 2006 (and what did authority ever do for us lan Carr is the first mainstream anyway?) comedian I have seen, so when I It’s understandable, then, that we like Ainitially bought my ticket I was to pigeonhole ourselves in this way. Look extremely excited. The dates for his 2006 at the student community – a microcosm tour included a night at Theatr Gwynedd of the world we live in. From the outside here in Bangor. I have watched him as a we’re just students; from the inside we’re presenter before on such shows as, ‘Eight hundreds of little cliques and groups made out of Ten Cats’ and ‘The Friday Night up of depressed, bland individuals who Project’ so I was eager to see him do stand- cling to each other like bacteria to survive. up in front of a live audience. The overtly You go from being Joan Bloggs to a one- camp comedian didn’t disappoint! His jokes legged black lesbian who has rights and were like many of today’s comedians’ about lbert Schweitzer said once that “the representation. We find personification family life, but he mixed it with elements awareness that we are all human through surrendering our individuality that are relevant to what’s happening at the beings together has become lost to a network of like-mindeds, comfort in moment. He started a lot of his gags with, A being something that everyone isn’t. “Have you read in the news…” through war and politics” – something that ran through the Bludgeoner’s mind These groups thrive like any others As a girl from Manchester and a Tesco as he learned by way of that last vestige have through history – by creating an employee, I found his jokes about my city of upright and honest journalism, The enemy without. Every group does it, and Britain’s leading supermarket hilarious, Times, (save this fine tome, of course) that probably because humans are incapable although at one point I was thinking he 73% of Britons are now considered to be of getting on with each other…fear went slightly overboard about my beautiful members of “officially-recognised victim binds us together like glue. Homophobia, homeland! Steady on now Carr! He does groups”. Forgive me readers if I’m wrong, Islamophobia, Anglophobia (I kid you use his sexual orientation to his advantage but this seems to mean that either 73% of not, it’s a sexy word in some circles) – gross and the audience seemed to love it. Those people in this country are paranoid, or mutations of small problems executed by familiar with his work know its part of his 27% are a bit mean. Or maybe in denial a tiny minority that ensure the healthy style. He is a hilarious comedian and his - it depends how you look at it. survival of ‘victim groups’. facial expressions and elaborate gestures are We do live in a victim/blame culture, David Davis spoke recently of the enough to set you off. it has to be said. Everything that happens ’voluntary apartheid’ that threatens I also want to say how good his support is someone else’s fault, something has to to tear apart Britain, as if it was some act was, John Richardson. He was extremely be done, someone has to be punished. phenomenonal new idea thrashed out funny and I loved his jokes about being a If you trip in the street you’re entitled to on a napkin at one of those Conservative control freak. I hope to see him rising to recompense from the bumbling oaf that Party HQ champagne lunches, but alas, fame over the next few years. On the whole caused you pain, nothing said about the voluntary apartheid is human nature, it was a great evening’s entertainment. fact that you’re a flat-footed fool who something that has existed in our minds should have been looking where they were since early man looked around at his going. chums and discovered envy. Siobhan Catherine Holt We also live in a society that is With the fashionablity of it all there’s plagued by a lack of identity; what does got to be some breakage point at which Like live comedy? Check out Jeff minority groups outweigh their horrid British even mean anymore? The blight Green at Theatr Gwynedd on 4th of post-modernism has left us young oppressors – and 73% is as good a figure people incapable of respecting authority as any. November.

WANT TO WRITE FOR SEREN? VOLUNTEER email the editor at [email protected] FAIR angor Students’ Union played host this month to the Gwynedd Volunteer BFayre. Voluntary Organisations from all four corners of the County attended to HALLOWEEN raise awareness and advertise their latest volunteering opportunities. Student Volunteering Bangor assisted in the organising of the event and had their WICCAN STYLE very own stall raising awareness of the amazing projects that student volunteers run in the local community. Among the o, Halloween is upon us again (huzzah! in a past tense. guests attending were Russell Grant, famous Much fun and sugary snacks ensue), Letting go of those who have left this for his Horoscopes and being on Celebrity but what does Halloween mean for the life is also an important part of Samhain. S Fit Club, Dafydd Wigley and Bangor Mayor, Wiccan, and general earth religions. None This is not to say that we should lose the Douglas Madge. Mayor Madge thanked the are definitive, and please don’t consider me memories, or the lessons of the past, but student volunteers for all their hard work a spokesperson for all earth religions, as each instead honour them and integrate them and pledged his support for any future individual has different perspectives. within ourselves before progressing. Those activities. “To truly become whole as Witches and involved in earth religions perhaps feel more as human beings we must learn to dance acutely the transience of human life; just as the edges of being, to balance waxing and the Wheel of the Year turns, so every human waning within ourselves as the earth finds a must eventually cross the veil. This should SIGNING IN AT THE S.U. DJ SOCIETY balance of her own.” - Dianne Sylvan be no cause for dejection, but should instead hat does signing someone in to the Students’ Union really stand for? People are ttention all music lovers! We are This is the essence of Halloween to those breed an appetite for Carpe Diem! Seize the asked to sign in members of the public whom they don’t know regularly on nights currently in the process of starting involved with earth religions. For Pagans it day, and leave no room for regret. out. Also, in Welcome Week, students were asked to sign in freshers because they a DJ society, which will be called goes by the traditional name of Samhain A fitting Wiccan Samhain ritual is W A didn’t have their NUS cards yet. Where does this place responsibility on students and how SPUN. If you’re a DJ or you want to learn (pronounced sow-een), and is arguably the to keep the seeds from your pumpkin, can this responsibility be laid down fairly? how, GET INVOLVED. Through this most important Sabbat, or festival day, in attributing each one with an occurrence, It is indeed the choice of the individual as to who they sign in and whether they sign society we hope to organise trips to clubs the cycle of the year because it is considered memory, feeling, disappointment or anyone in at all. For this, admittedly, they should be responsible for that person. However, and organise our own events so that local the New Year. The energetic whirligig of failure which no longer serves any positive do Bangor’s students really know their rights and responsibilities with regards to signing DJs can play out. If you can’t DJ, that’s not summer has passed, and nature appears purpose from the past year and while people into the SU? Most asked know roughly about paying for damages and being faced a problem as we are more than prepared to draw within itself as leaves fall, animals standing by running water, the Menai Straits with a possible ban, but it is quite apparent that Bangor’s students don’t know enough about to teach you how. Not only that, but we begin to hibernate, the once-vibrant colours for instance, throw each seed in whilst this issue. intend to set up a DJ agency so that clubs become muted and the earth takes a deep consciously letting go of its attributes. Allow Anyone may assume that this sort of information would be made available on the Union and societies can access DJs of preferred breath in order to ready itself again for the the current to wash away these negativities website, but if it is, it is very hard to find and a general enquiry made by email was similarly genres for fundraisers and other events. The coming year. This is a time for humans to and make the conscious decision to dispel no help. More literature needs to be made available to students with regards to this matter only way we can do this is with your help! also turn inwards, to rest, and to face the them from your life. and the responsibilities made more explicit. Bangor’s SU isn’t known for its problems, but if It doesn’t matter what music you’re into. All realities of the previous year and release Have a happy Halloween! its students are unaware of their obligations, maybe we are lucky that this is the case. them. This is a time for letting go, and Rebecca E Hussey are welcome. welcoming change and renewal. By clinging For more details on SPUN contact to guilt, questioning what could have been Jennifer Stanley Simon done differently or berating ourselves, then Tel: 01248353499 stagnation follows, and lives become lived Email: [email protected] Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 5 TALES FROM THE QUEER SIDE The Rant A Revolution in Social Responsibility elcome to Bangor. You’ll find gay people here. his last month has been the the economy, yet neglected to mention Violent crime in my home constituency more of a responsibility in their day to day WAnd lesbians. And bisexual ‘Conference’ season for our three the mass borrowing needed to keep the increased by 66% between 2001 and 2005. life. Parents need to instil values into their and even transgender people. You’ll find Tmain political parties: the Liberal economy afloat. John Reid gave a speech Every sentence that emanated from his lips us doing Forestry, Theology, Zoology and Democrats, the Conservatives and the about terrorism and crime in the UK, yet was nothing more than a lie. Sports Science. We’re doing all the courses Labour Party. These conferences provide failed to mention his and his predecessor’s Finally we had the Conservative …the conference was full you can think of. We get everywhere and do a chance for party members to debate the failings as Home Secretary (the issue Conference in Brighton, a chance for party of sizzle, but no steak everything. One thing about Bangor’s LGBT course of action they think their party surrounding the deportation of foreign members to take part in policy debate community is that it proves that stereotypes criminals, or lack of it, is just laughable). through the means of modern technology. should be taking. don’t always fit. And for a small corner And finally we were treated to the ‘farewell’ Their intentions were good but watching children from a young age. It doesn’t matter First up, on the sunny shores of Brighton, of North Wales, there’s a thriving LGBT speech by Prime Minister Blair. There 80-year-old men and women try and what end of the income ladder you are; were the Lib Dems. It’s appropriate that the is no doubt that Tony Blair is one of the fathom how to work an electronic voting teaching your child manners, respect and community here. Lib Dems should hold their conference by best public speakers Westminster has ever pad was painfully funny. As with anything a willingness to learn costs nothing. Home At UWB Pride, we’re here to ensure that’s the sea as their policies have always been seen. His ability to manipulate his audience the Conservatives have to offer at the owners need to slow down the effects of always the case. What does Pride do? Well, somewhat ‘wishy-washy’. All in all the moment, the conference was full of sizzle, climate change. We complain about global our most well-known event is Fruit Salad. Liberal Democrat Conference was nothing but no steak. The speeches were delivered warming yet do very little to slow the This is the first Tuesday of every month It’s appropriate that short of pointless, the only noticeable in a positive and energetic manner, but the process down. How many of you can say in Academi and it’s the night we take over moment being the reappearance of former lack of concrete policy, even at this early you replace your broken bulbs with energy the bar. We say that this night is ‘straight- the Lib Dems should hold leader Charles Kennedy. Everybody waited stage in Cameron’s leadership, is somewhat -saving bulbs? Businesses need to better friendly’ and it doesn’t matter what sexuality with baited breath as Charles took the their conference by the concerning. Even more worrying is the new cater for their employees’ needs, making the you identify with as long as you leave any stage. This surely was his chance to prove Conservative party logo. Apart from the working environment more comfortable hang-ups at home. The music on the night is to everybody that the party was wrong sea as their policies have fact it looks like a piece of broccoli, the new and offering more flexible hours, especially an incredibly broad spectrum with Britney to replace him with the out of date Ming ‘oak tree’ logo is more suited to a building to employees with families. and Kylie at one end to Nine Inch Nails and always been somewhat Campbell. As soon as he opened his mouth firm than a political party. It’s time for the nanny state to be Nirvana at the other. though we were reminded why he was All in all it was a poor conference season abolished and it’s time for us, the British UWB Pride isn’t just about having a good “wishy-washy” replaced as leader: boring, monotonous and out of the three there was only one public, to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves time once a month though (although Fruit and uninspiring. Much like the rest of the soundbite worth paying attention to, and down and take some responsibility for our Salad is always a very good night). We’re also Lib Dem Conference. through tone of voice and gesticulations it was delivered by the Conservative leader, actions. We can’t rely purely on politicians here to campaign against discrimination. The Labour Party Conference, held are unparalleled by any other politician. David Cameron. “It’s time for a revolution to improve our standard of living; we need Did you know the National Blood Service in Manchester the following week, was a However, had he been under oath during in social responsibility,” he declared from to be accountable as well. still bans outright any gay or bisexual man platform for Labour ministers to persuade the speech he would have been arrested behind his lectern. from donating blood even if they’ve only the country as to why they should succeed for perjury. “[We have] achieved record How right he is. It’s time for the ever had ‘safe’ sex? See below Tony Blair as Prime Minister. Gordon numbers of police and cut crime.” (Tony government to stop interfering in our Spencer George Coming to University is a huge change. Brown made a passionate speech about Blair – 28th September, Labour Conference) lives and it’s time for the public to take And if you’re unsure of your sexuality as poverty, the NHS and his ability to run well, it’s all the more confusing. In Bangor you’ll find support to help with this. The Advice Centre and Nightline are both there to talk to and UWB Pride has some friendly faces if you want an informal chat. You can take it as fast or as slow as you like – it’s your life and no-one else’s and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. What we hope UWB Pride does, though, is provide a face for LGBT students. We’re here to show that we’re not hiding and we’re not ashamed. We’re proud and we’ve good reason to be. That’s why we’re called UWB Pride. So, I hope to see you all at Fruit Salad on 7th November.

Stephen Clifford

ationally blood supplies are currently running short; a lack Nof volunteers means that at this moment there is a less than four-day supply of some types of blood. Yet the policy on who can donate remains hideously out of date. If you are male, you cannot donate blood if you have had sex with another man, with or without a condom or other form of protection. This puts gay men in the same category as drug users, prostitutes and those carrying hepatitis C, B and the HIV virus. On the 13th - 15th of November the National Blood Service once again visit the University of Wales, Bangor. You will be able to donate blood between the hours of 10:30 – 13:00 and 14:30-17:00. UWB Pride members will be there asking you to sign letters requesting for the policy on blood donation from gay and bisexual men to be changed. I ask that you go along and donate blood on our behalf, as doing so will help to save a person’s life. I would then ask that you see us, show your support and assist us in getting this highly unjustified ban overturned. Please give blood because we can’t!

Mark Jessett 6 Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 SERENDIPITY 2006 ach year the Serendipity Freshers’ Several sports clubs, including Fencing, Fair serves the purpose of promoting Frisbee, Snow Sports, Walking and Surfing, Ethe University’s clubs and societies, to name but a few, greeted students with enticing potential new members to peruse flyers, banners and (in some cases) videos, a wide range of extracurricular and social to promote their activities and free trial activities. Due to its format, it is considered sessions. BWRPS (Bangor War-gaming and to be the most important event in recruiting Role Playing Society) made a huge effort new members due to its success in creating dressing up for the occasion. a fun, diverse and informal atmosphere in Inside, the mass of stalls, banners, which each society can discuss their field in music, costumes, matching hoodies and person with prospective members. team colours served to promote an enticing This year the clubs and societies of range of extracurricular and social activities. UWB put on another colourful display Team sports representatives, volunteer at the Serendipity Freshers’ Fair. On the groups, historical, religious, dramatic and 27th and 28th of September, freshers and racial societies alike competed for students’ current students alike were greeted with attention with bright banners sporting lively enthusiasm from society members, names and slogans and examples of their promoting societies from sports to Amnesty societies’ previous work and triumphs. Even to Biscuit Appreciation. representatives from Green Peace and the The busy atmosphere began right from Red Cross turned out in order to promote outside the Students’ Union with a live their local work within the community. DJ promoting Time/Amser nightclub.

SEREN volunteers in our sexy T shirts

o was Serendipity a success? Asking complimented each society. members that make Serendipity what it is. several stallholders, general opinion However, it was suggested by a minority Although some students sign up for societies Swas of a good turn out, with many that Serendipity’s chaotic format might and clubs they don’t intend to join, by and students signing up for more than one be preventing students from joining the large, many students find clubs and societies society. Each society has recruited many societies they want. Several students also that interest them, and a large percentage of new, enthusiastic members and some commented that they couldn’t find the those who sign up stay on as members. societies are reporting more new members societies they were looking for and found But, in general, Serendipity this year has than ever. overenthusiastic society members imposing. been a successful and fun experience to all Students commented that society Others were talked into signing up for involved. members were friendly, helpful and societies that they didn’t whole-heartedly enthusiastic about their particular activity. wish to attend. Most enjoyed the buzz of the atmosphere Arguably, the atmosphere of Serendipity Rebecca Cook and appreciated the sheer hard work is often competitive, but, for the most that went into the production of the part, feedback is in favour of the lively banners, flyers, displays and freebies that atmosphere and enthusiastic society

A juggler, outside the Union

Enthusiastic volunteers The BIFSA (Bangor International Forestry Students’ Association) stand Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 7 Health

THE GREAT ORME Sophie talks health and beauty tips ight, I have held back the wrath, less is more, don’t do it to excess, as you will Result: you look gorgeous as well as warm. Goth look is back, fits in nicely. Make your but I can’t contain it any longer; just look like a fashion victim with a desire Another fashion item that gets me thinking look vampy with a red lippy: pillar-box, shorts and those footless tights. Let’s ‘nooooo’, is those waist belts. Just don’t do strawberry or berry depending on your skin R to look like a cheetah. move on, ladies, into the next season that is it, they don’t make your waist look smaller, tone. Team with chocolate, rouge or black Ankle boots adorned with cute buttons autumn and winter fashion, please put those they do the opposite by creating bulge, they nails. Add with your leopard print look to and bows are also in fashion, coming in goose-pimpled, pale legs away. Reasons don’t look cool and they never will. Stuff it impress. (Remove colour when starting to loads of colours and materials; though I why: A) those mini shorts require serious back in your wardrobe and wear your belts chip, it ain’t pretty). Autumn make-up: eyes can’t see how they work with a skirt; unless maintenance and B) I’ll spell it slowly- t h e- are strong and smoky, cheeks in berry or you have the aforementioned stunner pins, around the normal waist line. w e a t h e r- i s- c h a n g i n g. If you hadn’t peach tones, lips are pearlescent glossy, all again this rule won’t apply to you. I suggest Sick of stripes? They seem to have been in already noticed it’s colder, windier and dominating this seasons catwalk. Adjust to you team them with jeans, maybe your our shops for months and they’re BORING. I welly-worthy rainier. For we are in North personal style. Remember, don’t be a sheep, skinnies, to brighten up your outfit. New can’t wear them, as one of those with a larger Wales, move on; unless you are a stunner Look is the place I suggest you go as they cup size it doesn’t mix well, and can make individual style is the key. with pins to die for, you alone can carry the you look like a Pamela Anderson shoot with What have I learned from this month’s have a varied shoe selection. shorts fever into the winter. clothes on (a rarity). Wear in moderation if Vogue? Not much; an abundance of ads Grab yourself a stylish coat: of What’s in, as most of you have probably you have to at all. A final moan is sunglasses confirmed by June Sarpong’s ‘Slave to considerable length (below waist), noticed and bought into, is animal print. It’s past September: no, gives a celeb-wannabe Fashion’ (great show by the way), and a statement (colour red, blue, other) most here and staying with us a little longer than look and it just doesn’t match winter wear. complete Kate Moss portfolio. Don’t get me come with a fetching tie to cinch in your I anticipated. It’s everywhere; accessories, started. Xx waist, or large buttons all of which make Squint and lose the shades till next summer. tops, coats, shoes where isn’t it? Remember it more fashionable and fetching to wear. Forgot this is a Halloween issue - the Sophie de l’Orme STUDENT SAFETY ONE FLEW OVER ccording to Home Office statistics, another or in a taxi students own more expensive ♦ Keep an eye on your drink Aconsumer goods than the rest – don’t be a target for drink spiking THE EMPTY NEST... of the population. Sadly, 1 in 3 students ♦ If possible use a cash point niversity is the first time away from your every move. Obsessively cleaning the gave her something to do, it also gave her become the victim of a crime each year, with during the day home for many of us. It can be one family home? This is mainly a method used the opportunity to do something nice for mugging, burglary and vehicle-related theft ♦ Be vigilant when using your Uof the most thrilling, daunting and to distract them from the fact that you have my return at Christmas. She decorated in a the most common affecting students. mobile phone challenging phases in our lives as well as a left. Another variation on this symptom way she knew I would like and still felt that Even though Bangor is a relatively safe ♦ Don’t leave your belongings stage of massive readjustment. However, is the desire to decorate. Irrational over she was performing some kind of parental place to live, like in any other city you unattended not many of us consider the effect our concern that you are making friends, eating role. are always at risk of becoming a victim of Safety – at home moving out will have on those left at home. correctly, going to lectures etc? This is a last, There are simple ways we can help our crime. ♦ Lock your windows and doors Our parents, who have spent some of the vain attempt to have some control over parents through this difficult time in their By adopting a safety-conscious attitude ♦ Don’t leave things out on display best years of their lives bringing us up, your life and feel that they are still, in some lives. Contact home: this does not have to and habits, you reduce your vulnerability – especially in the car are suddenly without their ‘little darlings’. way, fulfilling the role of a parent. be a daily phone call, a text or email would and your appeal to an attacker. ♦ Use an ultraviolet pen to mark Although some may be glad to see the back This period of readjustment is bound work just as well (maybe a little more cost Always trust your instincts and electrical items of us, others can see the beginning of this to be unsettling for your parents; they effective too!) judgement and be alert to what is going on ♦ Make a list of personal property new part of our lives as the end of theirs. have, after all, spent the last 18 years with Try not to rely on them too much: around you! and serial numbers This reaction is very common and is usually you under their feet, making a mess and the occasional tenner in an emergency or Safety – out and about ♦ Keep cash cards and cheque referred to as Empty Nest Syndrome. emptying their fridge. A family friend having your laundry done when you go ♦ Avoid walking home alone ‘Empty Nest Syndrome’ (ENS) is always joked she knew her son was home home won’t hurt but there is a line. Not books in a separate place ♦ Avoid shortcuts and isolated the term given to the emotional and from university because her washing depending on your parents for everything Other thoughts... areas psychological condition that can happen to machine was full and her fridge was empty. will benefit you as well as them. You’ll Think confidence – even if you feel ♦ Keep to well-lit areas parents when one or more of their children The theory is that your parents will be so need to learn how to survive on your own insecure, don’t let it show! Remember, ♦ Walk on the same side as leave home. ENS is basically the term used glad that you have thought to visit them eventually and continual dependence on attackers are looking for someone who oncoming traffic – that way you can see to encapsulate the feelings of sadness and they won’t mind having to do your laundry. your parents will only make things harder looks like an easy target – someone who is approaching vehicles loss that parents feel now that their children Although this may be true, it’s probably best for them in the long run. preoccupied easily. So, walk tall, be positive. ♦ Have your door key ready for no longer need day to day care. not to take advantage of them. After a while, your parents will readjust BE ALERT, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS when you arrive at the door ENS can appear in many different guises Bizarrely, the first thing my mother did to not having you about in their day to day For further information please contact ♦ Don’t hitch-hike or take lifts and symptoms can range from the very when I left home was decorate my room. lives, given time. Nobody likes change, but the Advice Centre, second floor of the from strangers minor to the very major. Are your parents It didn’t particularly need doing and the in this case it is for the better. You will find Students’ Union. 01248 388015 or advicece ♦ Carry a personal attack alarm calling you at least 10 times a day? This is fact that it involved, in effect, deleting my your independence, and your parents will [email protected] Safety – at night a way of checking that you are, in fact, still existence within that room could have been regain theirs. Personal attack alarms can be purchased ♦ When out drinking with friends alive. It can also be used as a way of checking seen as a very odd cause of action. However from the Advice Centre, second floor of the Cat Prince make sure you take care of one another where you are and what you’re doing as they this could be considered good therapy for Students’ Union for £2.00 ♦ Arrange to go home with one have not yet become used to not knowing ENS as it not only took her mind off it and DOC SPOT ll of us are subjected to time, space undertake to continue growing? postures, dynamic surya namaskars. Slow spirit grows. This state of basic meditation one wither away with time. and matter, and in the normal Appropriate food: activities such as bouncing jacks and mock- changes the linear concept of time into it Acourse of existence to factors such There are certain foods which are skipping build up cardiovascular endurance, being eternal and infinite. This immediately as light, motion and mass. As a result we are specifically designed for digestion such stamina and the immune system. Do helps get rid of psychological stress. It also reduced from human beings to humanoids. as fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, push-ups and pull-ups for strength, power alleviates emotional trauma collected and Dr. Rashesh Mehta The never-ending race of life deteriorates grains and herbs (in their most natural and to increase muscle and bone density. upheld in the innermost recesses of memory the quality of existence. The malfunction form as they have healing and regenerative Each workout should finish off with an which destroys one from within. of various systems of our bodies, losing to properties). “ALWAYS REMEMBER TO abdominal workout; targeting the lower, As the physical, psychological and the ultimate balance of energies, results in CATER FOR YOUR HUNGER, NOT YOUR upper and mid-abdomen exercises using emotional faculties are balanced and collapse; ultimately leading to degeneration APPETITE”. Fulfil it with nourishment and slow deliberate movements. corrected, one begins to heal physiologically avoid cravings. All these improve the sense of and the balance of dynamic non-change and erosion. Exercise: equilibrium, co-ordination, assist in is maintained, which keeps one’s health To counteract this one must understand Exercise is essential to remove all energy reaching an ideal metabolic state and give ever-generating and blossoming. This and begin taking an integrated approach blocks and challenge the musculo-skeletal a new life to the nervous system, thereby state of bliss results in an ever-existing and towards the five dimensions of wellness structure. This results in transcendence of improving reflexes, responses, alertness and never-ending fountain of youth that leads - physical, psychological, physiological, the subject-object duality and experiencing spontaneity. to youthfulness in all bodily functions, emotional and spiritual. the transformation into wholeness? The last and the most important bit is to including sexual activity. Humans are subjected to ‘entropy’ Workouts need to be done at least four sit or lie down with your eyes shut, in a state To sum it up, this integration brings which is ‘universal tendency to break from times a week, preferably in the mornings of pure being, becoming conscious of within about the awareness of being conscious, that orderliness into disorderliness’. It is said with warm ups and slow conscious and without, thus sinking and connecting one is conscious and that life is completely ‘One never grows old, but when one stops breathing throughout. Stretching and with the centre of one’s being, whereby streamlined and harmonised. In this state, growing, one becomes old’. So how do we contracting every part of the body can everything comes to a standstill. In this one doesn’t become prey to the predatory continue growing? What do we need to be achieved through either yoga, Pilates state of bliss; rejuvenation and buoyancy of systems of the modern era, which makes 8 Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 FROM ADVENTURES FROM Travel BANGOR ACROSS TO BANGOR THE POND

Romania: Home Of Legends and Myths omania is set to join the EU on the Snagov Monastery — where, according to that is full of surprises and excitement.It 1st of January 2007. Its inclusion legend, Vlad is said to have been buried is a year round tourist destination and Rmeans that Romania’s tourist profile after his assassination; Castle Bran (Castle has much to offer for those who like to will be lifted and many more people will Dracula); the Poenari fortress; the village of try something different. To find out more be heading to the land of Dracula and Arefu — where many Dracula legends are about Romania visit virtualtourist.com, or werewolves. Romania is the second largest still told; the city of Brasov — where Vlad romaniatourism.com. country in Eastern Europe behind Poland. led raids against the Saxon merchants; and, ell, I have been in America for 7 fter living in America for about It is mainly rural and over 90% is made of course, Curtea Domneasca — Dracula’s Luke Wilsher weeks now and have just about 3 weeks now, I am beginning to up of mountains, forest, farming land and palace in Bucharest. Bucharest, Romania’s Travel Editor Wsettled into their weird and Anotice subtle differences between river plains. Romania’s climate is much like capital, is situated on the river Danube wonderful ways. Classes have started and Americans and the English. Mainly the the UK’s; it has four distinct seasons with which flows through the whole of so far so good, the work amount is slightly complete lack of knowledge they have about hotter summers and much colder winters Romania. Bucharest, though not as higher than at home (and called ‘homework’ England. By FAR the dumbest question I than we experience. Romania’s population famous as other eastern European cities which I still find odd) but it is made up of have been asked is “Do you have Christmas is small for such a large country; 22 million such as Prague or Warsaw, has much smaller tasks so it seems more, but is in fact in England?” people counted in the 2006 census. Romania to offer for those who venture there. easier content! Unfortunately, being the only The biggest difference, by far, is cheese. is relatively cheap, one British Pound being The nightlife is excellent and there are Brit in class does make me a target for the Yes, the sandwich filler of choice for the the equivalent of 5.23 Romanian Lei. many casinos, pubs, clubs and “exotic” lecturers, they presume I will be a fountain of majority of the nation has undergone a The Carpathian Mountains dominate bars a bottle of beer costing L0.60, and knowledge on all things British - they seem severe reconstruction over here in America. the centre of Romania, with fourteen of its kebabs from L0.50. The city is easy to forget that although I’m old (22, its old to Now, I love cheese. A cheese and Marmite peaks reaching above the altitude of 2,000m. to navigate via either the Metro me) I did not personally know Wordsworth, sandwich was present in my lunchbox This geographical diversity means that or the tram and bus service RATB Shakespeare or Queen Elizabeth I! most days throughout both primary and Romania is a great place to experience the (Regia Autonoma de Transport Last Saturday, the University put on secondary school. On my gap year, I took great outdoors. It has the highest population Bucuresti) short trips from L0.40. a night in a local bar for international with me four tubs of Marmite, and my of Brown Bear, almost extinct in the rest There are many landmarks to see students which was really good fun, gave us parents posted more out to me. I was of Europe, and also home to wolves and also including the Palace of the a chance to dance and get drunk, although prepared for a Marmite shortage, but I was Lynx. This make Romania’s wilderness Parliament, and the Memorial of I failed to realise that their standard shot not prepared for the cheese. more challenging than most of Europe Rebirth built to commemorate is a double measure- the next morning I I will warn you now. Sit down. Put down and anyone heading into the back country the Romanian Revolution suffered! The nightlife here is somewhat anything breakable and listen… should consult the Romanian tourist of 1989 which overthrew different to home; it makes Bangor look Cheese, over here, comes in a can. Yes, I board and experienced guides. Tourism communism. Skiing is like the epicentre of the world for clubbing! know. Breathe. The shock will soon pass. in Romania focuses upon the country’s also popular in Romania, I am missing Saturday nights in Academi. Now, I don’t think cheese should ever be natural landscape and history. Transylvania and for those who tire Evening entertainment really is what you liquid. You should never need a spoon to is a popular tourist destination for many of over-crowded ski make it and the university do try and put eat cheese. If you do, something has gone while in Romania. The Dracula legend is runs Romania is an on a variety of events, we have movie nights wrong. Now I know, if you melt cheese Romania’s biggest pulling factor and there ideal destination. where they show the latest films for free in a there are liquid-like qualities, but what are a range of tours that take in the most 7 nights skiing in big auditorium, comedy nights and various you started off with can only be described important places in the legend. Dracula a 4 star hotel at bands play here- Dashboard Confessionals as solid. Here? I have yet to see cheese that was based upon the 15th century ruler of half-board will are playing here Dec 4th, I’ve been promised doesn’t either resemble soup or that awful Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler. Dracula tours start at £389. that I will like them and they are quite big at packet cheese that comes in pre-cut slices. can include the town of Sighisoara — Vlad’s Romania is a home so I’m going to go investigate. That really processed stuff that feels like you birth place. Other Dracula sights are: the d e s t i n a t i o n Went to my first ice hockey game last are munching on a carrier bag. Friday, it was the first home game of the America is an amazing place, but if you season; we had to start queuing at 3pm- the are planning on studying here, make sure game started at 7pm! It was definitely worth you like E numbers, or you pack your own Uncultured person’s guide to Cardiff the wait, I had so much fun. We were even sandwiches. or a trip closer to home, why not given a list of chants to shout and every check out Cardiff? You can get a direct time we scored they dangled a long line of Ftrain from Bangor (it does, however sieves over the balcony and pointed at the Amy Garrett still go through England) for about £30 opposing teams goalie screaming ‘sieve, return with a railcard, and Wales’ capital sieve, sieve’ at him! Harsh, but fun. could rival many a metropolitan city on the I went to the ‘Big Apple’ for fall break with continent. five other Brits and three other international WHATEVER! students - it was fantastic. We only had three I’m a skint third-year student, with not days in the city, so we went much taste culture-wise. I can’t be affording on a mad tour trying to fit these trendy cafés and wine bars, cocktails in as much as possible; which cost more than my budget for my we went ice skating at whole night out etc. Noooo. So, when I the Rockefeller Centre, went to Cardiff (with two of me mates), we up the Empire State stayed in the Backpackers hostel and ate a building at night, ate at surprisingly small amount of take-away! We the Hard Rock Café. If did have a lovely meal in a nice little Italian only for the massive Ferris restaurant one night, complete with posh Wheel in Toys‘R’Us! wine and over-enthusiastic little waiters. Until next time… If only one could remember the name. The Backpackers was a great deal, with If you’re looking for information and greedy!), Flares, Liquid and the like. We did lovely views of the River Taff and the ever- reviews of afore-mentioned posh and venture into a nice Mexican?-themed bar Lucy x x impressive Minnellium Stadium. Oh, I said trendy cafés, you’re reading the wrong “¿Que Pasa?” They have scary zebra-print it wrong again. I’m sure you know where I article. Cardiff Bay is infested with posh sofas and reasonably-priced spicy food, as mean though. Anyway, the hostel cost about little places, but we sauntered on by, sat on well as two entrances, which turned out to £30 each for three nights, in a dormitory. the waterbus jetty and ate food from Tesco be a handy shortcut across the high street. If Cheap, and we got to meet random people Express. Class-sy! But, hey, don’t get me only we’d known that at the time! from across the world! Well, we met their wrong, we did some cool things too. We On the attractions side of things, there’s luggage and their sleeping backs, we partied looked at the uber-posh Assembly building, a great amount of things to do and see. too hard unfortunately! The bar was 24 the Senedd, and the Minel … Limeli… the Landmarks aside, there’s Techniquest, an hours and the staff were uber-friendly. What Millennium Centre! We oohed and ahhed interactive science museum thingy, we didn’t more did we need?! MORE MONEY is the over the wonders of the shiny architecture go in, so I don’t have details. The National answer. Recent research has shown that and had extortionately-priced ice creams Museum of Wales, free entry, has many this super-trendy city is the most expensive from Cadwaladrs. exciting exhibitions and arty-farty doodahs. city to live in, putting paid to the popular Seriously, I’m trying to write like a travel My friend was very impressed to see Rodin’s belief that London is the most exorbitant. journalist now. sculpture, ‘The Kiss.’ And instead of reading Apparently, “almost £1,059 a month of Cardiff has all the High Street chains this, the Tourist Information Centre has a Cardiff residents’ income goes on essential you’d expect in a bustling metropolis and comprehensive array of friendly advisers, living costs from an average salary of £1,088, its fair share of quirky little independent and a wide selection of leaflets. including £160 a month on credit cards.” shops too. Piss-up wise, there are the usual Oh yeah, and if you’re into Doctor Who, Shock horror! (Information courtesy of favourites, Wetherspoons (four of them, Cardiff, is just like, well, heaven. www.funkydragon.org) Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 9 Halloween costumes on a shoe string Features

(or your female friends’ if you’re a guy) to recreate a couple of moles and warts and to A Jam for Oxfam blacken the eyes. The cauldron is used for added effect, but Regular night Schizophonic came together with the Screaming citizens please don’t try burning things at any parties on October 15th for a fantastic night of live music in aid of charity. or nights out! The Mad Professor A great costume for the guys. Uses a lab coat, magnifying glasses and a bit of fake blood. Price list: Lab coat: free (if you’re not a science student, I’m sure you know someone who is!) Magnifying glasses: £1.99 from Bargains Galore Vampire blood: 69p from Bargains Galore Put the fake blood over the lab coat for a ‘splattering’ effect. Backcomb your hair and fix it with hair spray. Finally, try and look slightly unhinged and mad. ave a Halloween party to go to, costume for Halloween. Requires a bin-liner The knife is for added effect only; please dressing up for a themed night as a cape, a witch’s hat and a broomstick. don’t take them out, knives and alcohol out? Well SEREN’s here to help. H Price list: don’t mix, and you will be arrested! Here are 2 fantastic Halloween costumes, Bin liner: from any supermarket or house- These are just a couple of ideas to show both for under £3, showing you just how hold goods shop you what you can do on the cheap. There’s resourceful students can be, especially with Witch’s hat (complete with fake green hair): plenty of discount shops along the High Bangor’s infinite variety of pound shops! £1 from Diskos Street selling a variety of cheap Halloween The Witch fancy dress bits. Happy Halloween! chizophonic rocks Academi once Broomstick: £1 from Diskos Schizophonic managed to raise nearly Probably the most simple and traditional Claire Mann a month on a Monday, with DJ Dig through your makeup selection £200 with a fantastic night of live music so Features Editor SPublic Ellion, Mr. Gary Brown and well done to all involved! But if you missed Sam Bogdos. They bring to you a mix of Classic Hip Hop, Dirty Drum and Bass and, How Secure Is your Student according to Gary ‘Top-Notch Turntablism ‘Top-Notch Turntablism and and anythin else that will keep the people anythin else that will keep the dancin”. people dancin” House? It is the perfect alternative to Amser/ recent spate of crimes in Bangor secure than student housing. The main Time’s Monday night cheese, and let’s face it, Tips for is raising the serious issue of the disadvantage though, is the number of even we students need a break from cheesy it, don’t worry! Schizophonic is running Asecurity of student houses. people coming and going in and out of flats. music from time to time. throughout the year in Academi. Screaming Most student households will contain So, if you live in halls you should definitely This year’s opening night was combined Citizens are currently putting aside gigs to keeping your thousands of pounds worth of equipment. purchase room insurance, which for halls with a charity night for OXJAM, Oxfam’s record their new album but check out their An average student household may will also be much cheaper. You should also biggest, most ambitious, music event. The myspace profile for regular updates. house secure contain a computer or laptop per person, get into the habit of always locking your charity is asking musicians to put on all Oxjam has not yet left us either! A night printers, digital cameras, CD players, bikes, room door when you leave the flat, and kinds of music events during October to of funk, soul, drum & bass and afro beats is happening at Hendre Hall on October 27th ock it up: Half of all mobile phones, mp3 players and musical always making sure the main door to the flat raise thousands of pounds to fight poverty. to raise money for the charity. It is open burglaries happen on instruments making it an appealing target. is locked. If there are any problems with the Local band Screaming Citizens, 7pm-3am and costs £8. Buses leave from the spur of the moment A survey amongst nearly 400 students coded door into your flat inform Security comprised of brothers Scott and Frasier L outside Theatre Gwynedd at 7:30pm and through unlocked doors or across the UK by Accommodation for immediately. McDonald, Kev Mooney and Dave 8:30pm. windows. Always lock your Students has revealed that 55% of students Student properties can be an easy Browning, put in a special appearance, doors, even in they day when target for thieves, especially during holiday bringing the crowd a hip swinging Claire Mann you are in. ‘3 out of 10 students said periods. If your house looks secure, this acts performance of jazz, funk, rock and soul. Don’t show it off: Make their home security was poor as a good deterrent to opportunist thieves. They filled the dance floor with their It is important to stress that you are not funky beats, flute and sax solos and Scott’s Features Editor sure your TV, video, computer or very poor’ and other valuables can’t be unsafe in your homes. If you follow the enormous vocal talent. seen from the window, and simple rules listed in this article you are never leave cash lying around. have been the victim of at least one much less likely to be targeted. Keys: Remove keys from crime. Amongst those to have suffered The main point to raise is that if you doors, as thieves are sometimes a crime, burglary and theft, affecting have any concerns over the security of your able to reach them through the 80% of victims, were the most common. house, do something about it. Contact your letterbox. Don’t leave house It appears that along with the large landlord or onsite security accordingly. And or car keys in view, always put amount of valuables students have in their for private housing, if needs be, contact the them in a drawer out of sight. household, a lower level of security on Advice Centre. Don’t let yourself be an easy Insurance: A startling 33% student houses also contributes to higher target for thieves. of students said they had no levels of theft. 71% of students said they had Claire Mann room insurance. It may be excellent or good security on their property. an inconvenient expense, but By the same token, nearly 3 out of 10 said Can you spare an hour with the cost of a student their home security was poor or very poor. theft being £900 and room If the locks on your house are broken or or more a week? insurance being around £70 damaged, the Advice Centre in the Students’ We need a Volunteer insurance is cheaper! Keep lists Union advise that you write a letter to your of the make, model and serial landlord asking for them to be fixed, and Van Driver / Stock numbers of your electronic give a copy of this letter to the Advice Centre Collector urgently! items to help police track them in case your landlord does not respond. In down if they are stolen. Visit this event they will contact them on your For children’s charity www.endsleigh.co.ukfor student behalf. bag drop & pick up room insurance, recommended If you have specific concerns over by the national union of the safety of your property, you can around the Bangor and students. contact the Police-University Liaison Anglesey areas Postcode your valuable Officer on the following e-mail address property: Use an ultraviolet [email protected], For more information pen to mark your stuff with your and in some instances a visit to examine please contact Hope Want your club or society to feature in Seren? postcode or university name the security of your property to give advice and student ID number. could be arranged. It is important to stress, House Charity Shop on We will send a member of the Seren team Holidays: If you can’t however that this should be used only 01248 355 644 or call in along to one of your sessions and your club or take your valuables with you in serious circumstances as there are not during the Christmas, Easter sufficient resources to do this on a large to the shop for a chat society will be featured on this page! and summer holidays, arrange scale. with Anna or Rhian at Email for them to be held in secure With round-the-clock onsite security, storage or left with a friend. Halls of Residence are much more 280 High Street, Bangor. [email protected] 10 Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 Seren’s Radio Times StormStorm FForecastorecast Bangor’s Student Sound 87.7 FM MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

6am: Welsh Show 6am: Bangor Student Sound - Non-stop music 6am: Bangor Student Sound - Non-stop music 7am: Storm In A Tea Cup - Storm’s morning mainstream mix, featuring Storm soap “LL57” on Mon/Wed/Fri.

9am: Bangor Student Sound - Non-stop music 9am: Storm In A Tea Cup 11am: Bangor 11am: Storm Bites - Varying presenters with a mid-morning mix of music and chat to accompany your elevenses and essay Student Sound deadlines! 11am: Bangor Student Sound - Non- 12pm: The Sunday stop music - mainstream 1pm: The S.U. Show - All the latest news, chat & happenings from your Students’ Union, hosted daily by various members of the Roast music & chat. Union’s Executive Committee.

2pm: Bangor Student Sound - Non-stop music 2pm: The Back 2pm: Vox Pop Pages - Sports show with Tom Lindsay (the 4pm: The Classical 4pm: Storm’s Homeward Bound - Drivetime early evening mix, featuring new episodes of Storm’s soap, “LL57”, on Mondays, man who loves the Show - with Pete Wednesdays & Fridays. ladies!) Banks 6pm: Something 6pm: The Borrowed, Referendum 6pm: The Time Something Blue 6pm: Something A 6pm: The Text 6pm: Welsh Rock 6pm: Welsh Show - Political chat with Tunnel - Warm-up - Old & new music from Bit Different Session - DJ-PJ & Spencer George & for Time/Amser, with DJ-PJ, with her crazy- Kayleigh Evans reside Sam Burnett Spencer George, Alex coloured links! over your txt requests. Liddell & Tom Lindsay. 7pm: Alex’s Ear 7pm: Bangor 7pm: Bangor - Audience phone-in Student Sound 7pm: Ultrasound Student Sound 7pm: The Motel - with with Alex Thomas. - New, classic & obscure 8pm: The Forum 8pm: Alternate - Harry Perry & Sarah Indie with Storm’s head 8pm: Lowri Jones - Debating panel show Local & unsigned bands, 8pm: Benn the Clinton of music, Sean Clement. - Welsh language & with ‘Your Forum’ & with Rachel Sullivan & Radio Man Welsh music news round-up. Kate Jarvis. 8pm: Rock Stock - Pre-Trash warm-up with 9pm: Café Tom Giddings & Keira - Trash 9pm: R+B Show - Americana Ring. 9pm: The Chillout DJ Holly with alternate 9pm: No Added with Hayley Whittaker Zone - with Alex Liddell music from across the Sugar - David 9pm: Sunday pond. Pallant & Jack Green Night Live - (Mancunians & music) 9pm: Bangor mainstream music & 10pm: WelshBoy with ‘The Weird Weekly’ entertainment Student Sound - Non- Rap Show - with 10pm: Thomas & a fi lm quiz. 10pm: The stop music Mike Walsh & his Lansley 10pm: Bangor protegé Pimpasaurus. Underground - Student Sound - Non- Colonel Kirkham’s LIVE stop music dance mix. 11pm: Solid Gold 11pm: Welsh show - Soul with William Geldart 11pm: Bangor 11pm: Bangor Student Sound - 12am: The Storm Student Sound - 12am: Bangor 12am: Bangor 12am: Bangor - Join Cat, Non-stop music 12am: Acoustic - Sleepover Non-stop music Student Sound - Non- Student Sound - Non- Student Sound - Non- Tom & Kate for late mellow out post-Trash. stop music stop music stop music night, eclectic, relaxed entertainment.

The Forum is looking for guest panellists for its debat- Join the Storm FM team. ing show on Monday eve- Interested in taking part in Contact: [email protected] nings. If you or your society radio drama? Script-writing, is/are interested in debating acting or production? LL57 various topics (political, so- needs you! Contact Claire cial & not-so-serious) then Stapleton for more details... contact John Jackson... [email protected] [email protected] Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2006 11 Seren’s Radio Times

ONE MINUTEelcome back to One Minute WELSH Welsh. This month’s instalment Wof phrases should supply you StormStorm FForecastorecast with everything you need to be able to say Bangor’s Student Sound 87.7 FM for Halloween. MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

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Sunday The Forum is looking for �� A choice of Sunday guest panellists for its debat- �� Saturday Join the Storm FM team. ing show on Monday eve- �� Lunch �� 80s & 90s DJ nings. If you or your society 12:00 – 18:00 Interested in taking part in Contact: [email protected] �� radio drama? Script-writing, is/are interested in debating �� acting or production? LL57 various topics (political, so- needs you! Contact Claire cial & not-so-serious) then Sun – Thurs (15:00 – 18:00) Stapleton for more details... contact John Jackson... Fosters & John Smiths £1.50 a pint [email protected] [email protected] 12 Seren - Halloween Issue 2006

ooking for the perfect Halloween flick but not sure that y favorite scary movie is not one of the ones with the scary your stomach is up to yet another blatant remake of The monsters or the axe murderers, and it is not one set in a Corpse Final scary house or a secluded wood. Films like The Grudge, LTexas Chainsaw Massacre? Or maybe you’re just looking for M more of a chilled Halloween this year? If so, then Corpse Bride is Saw and The Ring simply make me laugh or throw up, not at the Bride the film for you on the spooky October day in question. A must Destination gory details, but at the cheap rip-off of Japanese films because the view for fans of director Tim Burton’s earlier foray into animation American industry is struggling to come up with its own original The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride is 76 minutes of ideas. Frankly the only film Hollywood has not stolen from another humorous adventure set in a stunning palette of macabre colour. country or a book recently is Snakes on a Plane...enough said (having The film can be recommended on the visual presentation alone, said that it was a hilariously good watch!) Anyway, sorry to go off which has the feel of morbid artwork set in motion. As we can on a tangent...my favourite scary film is Final Destination...”What?” expect from Burton, the film is very definitely set in his inimitable, I hear you cry...Well, it may be a really simple idea, and quite fantastically grim style which some critics have said, rather poorly scripted, but that is what is scary. It is not complicated, unfairly, makes this piece feel unoriginal. This is the style on which and it is straight to the point; death is quite scary! The concept of Burton has built his name and which fans know and love; therefore people about to die any minute did keep me on the edge of my such comments should be treated with a pinch of salt. Corpse Bride seat throughout the film. Think about it this way; scary films try tells the tale of shy Victor Van Dort who is due to be betrothed and trick you into thinking everything is OK although you know to Victoria Everglot. There is one snag however, and that is that something bad is about to happen...In Final Destination you know it the clumsy Victor can’t seem to get his vows right. As he practices is about to happen, you just don’t know how, no people jumping out them one night on his way home through the gloomy forest, he of wardrobes, no spooky phone calls, just plain unexpected sharp accidentally awakens the ghoulish murdered bride who has been objects dropping and limbs being severed and sparks firing and slumbering underground until the day that she is finally married to vehicles coming from nowhere. Brilliant. Yes they did milk it with her true love. Cue singing skeletons and dancing ghouls in a series number three, but I will admit I enjoyed the first two. Sorry! of merry showstoppers sprinkled throughout the film. Voiced by an all-star cast including Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Paul Whitehouse, Joanna Lumley and Christopher Lee amongst Emlyn Williams others, Corpse Bride is guaranteed to provide an injection of comic relief to your Halloween. Ross Butler

HalloweenFancy a scary night in this Halloween?Flicks Check out SEREN’s horror film recommendations.

n my opinion it is quite rare to stumble across an 1980’s horror The Shining Pet movie that actually scares you. Horror was said to have had a golden The Scream Iperiod from the late 70’s to the mid 80’s. After this time, all new films Sematary have been said to be bland imitations. When you consider films such as Nightmare on Elm Street or The Triology Exorcist they would have certainly terrified the audience back then and possibly viewers of today. But you will find that most movies of that era have inadequate effects and storylines when compared to modern day movies, which can leave you breathless with fear, for example The Grudge. But there are exceptions. I am talking specifically of a film released in the year of 1989, which completely took me by surprise. It goes by the name of Pet Semetary. It was a couple of years ago when I first saw this movie, broadcast on Channel 5. I think that the main reason this masterpiece is so scary is because that it is based on the novel written by none other than the master of the macabre, Stephen King. ow I’m not a big fan of horror films as I It is a story about the Creed family. They move into a new home with have the nerves of a World War II veteran a new life ahead of them. But what they don’t know is that they now live Non firework night but for me, my favourite next door to a place which children before them have built, with broken scary film has got to be The Shining. Based on dreams: the Pet Semetary. This tiny patch of land hides a more sinister the novel by Stephen King, it still stands head and secret as the father of the family, Louis (Dale Midkiff) finds out from the shoulders above many of the generic slasher flicks aged but kindly next-door neighbour Jud (Fred Gwynne). ooking for some light-hearted horror this that are being churned out nowadays. Only films like Once Louis has discovered the secret and its powers, he abuses it and Halloween? Wes Craven’s Scream films could Saw even come close to matching the psychological the wise words of Jud and finds out the hard way that “Sometimes dead Lbe for you. Without too much gore but torment it inflicts on the viewer. Scenes such as is better”. enough scares to keep you going, these are horror those of the twins in the hallway and the woman in The story develops with pace and effect and the characters, especially films for the more faint-hearted, ably carried by the bathtub are just downright freaky and will have Jud, are what makes it unique. The very ideas and concepts of the tale some of Hollywood’s better known actors. With you reaching for the cushions in no time. Stanley are interesting and towards the end, simply evil. The film is punctuated that mask the Scream Trilogy epitomised a horror Kubrick’s masterful cinematography combined by flash backs of past events, which give the audience an insight to what film that actually had some semblance of plot. It with Jack Nicholson’s inspired performance come might happen. This creates a large amount of suspense and atmosphere also provided horror which is watchable for those together to make this the quintessential horror film that haunt the very corners of the room you’re sitting in. who find the more recent editions to the genre a that will surely be remembered forever, and ever, I don’t want to give too much away to those who haven’t seen it, but I bit OTT. and ever… promise you that this film is in a word, disturbing and will probably give Also, Spice Girls: The Movie – scares the hell out you trouble sleeping for a couple of nights after. Abby Golightly of me! Chris Thomson Kieran Dixon Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 13 Film The Departed (18) **** Film Four for free- The Last Kiss (15) ** Should you be watching?

ver the summer break, Channel Four decided that after eight Oyears of charging around £6 per think that it is fair to say that Zach seems to be almost nihilistic in its approach t’s refreshing to see three of American tense, seat-gripping finale. month for their premium film channel, Braff is one of the more recognisable to a similar subject. Not once do we feel that cinema’s biggest names return to This is an 18 certificate movie so: vulgar that they would make it available for free Icomedic actors of our generation. He being in love, being happy and stable in life something like top form. Since profanity. Check. Lots of blood. Check. And to all across the entire digital platform. shot to fame in Scrubs, and wrote, directed is anything to really be thankful for, because I They rolled out the changeover with a Goodfellas, Scorsese, Hollywood’s crime Jack Nicholson’s sublime gangland boss and starred in one of my favourite films, we will always look for something more lord, has seen switches in genre proved hitting on an underage girl asking if she’d high profile advert campaign starring Garden State, two years ago. In The Last elsewhere. The film does raise a few laughs, unsuccessful at the box office and amongst got her period yet. Check. It sounds wrong Hollywood actors such as Ewan McGregor Kiss, he plays against type as Michael, a mainly with Michael’s friends and their critics: period pieces, Kundun, Gangs of but trust me; this is comedy but damn is and Willem Defoe. I for one was quite 29 year old man, scared by the prospect misadventures. That left me wishing that New York and The Aviator. Damon and Di it dark. happy by this decision. Ever since Channel of turning 30 very soon and feeling as if the film had focused more on them, rather Caprio also make searing returns to form, The movie has its problems: it’s a ‘bum- “there are no surprises left” in his life. In than Michael’s own torturous experience. the former finally coming out of the shadow number’ i.e. a little long for some tastes But why should you at steps Kim, a 20 something college student The film does offer some glimmers of hope of that infernal puppet in Team America and the female character who becomes who literally throws herself at Michael and for the characters at the end, but by that (remember, he wrote Good Will Hunting) involved with Di Caprio and Damon feels least give Film Four a bit suggests to him there is more to life than point, you really will not care about them in this thrilling Boston crime epic from the at times somewhat inconsequential, but of your time? his steady career, devoted girlfriend and at all. master of the genre. these are very small needles in a gloriously forthcoming baby. The film also looks at It is a shame really, as Braff proves here A remake of the Hong-Kong 2002 entertaining haystack. Four’s inception in the 80s, they have been the relationships of Michael’s close friends, that he is more than capable of playing a thriller, Infernal Affairs, The Departed sees In a nutshell: awesome! The most one of the few channels to pay attention and Jenna’s (Michael’s girlfriend) parents dramatic role. Not once did I think of his the divide between both sides of the law entertaining picture this year. Not for the to interesting, lesser known films and try imploding marriage. lovable JD character from Scrubs, and I blur as an all-star Hollywood cast swear, faint hearted but if you loved Goodfellas, to get them out to a wider audience. They With a great ensemble cast, a likeable did sympathise with him when he realises kill and even butcher their way through if you love Scorsese, you will not be seemed to move away from this during the leading man and a script from an Oscar- what a mistake he is making. The rest of the the complexities of life in the Boston-Irish disappointed. 90s however, and instead moved the more winning screenwriter (Paul Haggis, he of cast play their parts well, but they are just mafia. There are rats on both sides and no interesting arthouse and less commercial Crash fame), where exactly does The Last not developed well enough to really leave one can be sure who has the sharpest teeth properties to their specialist film channel. Kiss go wrong? Maybe our preconceptions a lasting impression. If you are in a happy Halloween Flicks until Scorsese pulls back the curtain for his David Eykelestam So what made them decide to make of Braff’s earlier roles and the way the relationship, this film may well leave you it free for all? Some may argue that it film has been advertised suggest that it is a wanting to erase the two-hour running time simply wasn’t making enough money as romantic comedy, when it really is neither from your mind, I know I did. a subscription channel (it had 300,000 of those things. Whereas films like Eternal subscribers at the time of changeover) Sunshine of the Spotless Mind look at the R-Point (15) *** whereas it now reaches over 18 million failure of relationships in an almost wistful Ian Davies households. As it is the only real film manner, lamenting our lost loves, this just channel available for free to everyone with digital television, the adverts during the film are justified. After all, you can only rely on the other channels showing films Open Season (PG) *** (which are few and far between these days, thanks to Sky having a stranglehold on film rights) or you can just rent a DVD. But why should you at least give Film Four a bit of your time? To my mind, if you want to at least watch something different, Film Four caters for that every night. In the past month, they have had a Korean Cinema special, showcasing six of the finest films to come out of Korea in recent years, such as Oldboy and Brotherhood. World Cinema is a big part of the night time programming on the channel, and is a perfect gateway for those who are just becoming interested in films outside of the standard Hollywood fare that we all here is a strategically important Although this is a film not exploited to its travel to Llandudno Junction to see on a island, called R-Point south of Ho full potential in terms of its ability to build regular basis. The downside to the channel Chi Minh City. Every night they tension, it is definitely a film to get the blood is as said previously, adverts. But also the T pen Season is yet another computer enough laughs to even entertain viewers of receive a transmission begging for help. moving. fact that perhaps the films are repeated too The transmission is from a scout mission At first the group of soldier seem more often, although this isn’t as bad as some animated film intended for young a more demanding nature and young kids. of nine men which went missing 6 months like scouts on a day trip rather than a other digital channels (At the time of Ochildren and as such I went to see It features a terrific voice cast featuring Billy previously. This is when Choi Tae-in, a fighting force; yet, as the film develop this writing, ITV2 showed Back to the Future this with low expectations. However, even Connolly, Debra Messing, Jon Favreau and hardened lieutenant and his team are sent in feeling of amateurism helps fuel the fear. Part 2 three times in 24 hours!) I for one though the target audience is obviously Gary Sinise, with Kutcher stealing the show to see what is happening and try and recover The film is quite slow to pick up, and it is hope that this does change, and a wider young children, this film does have whenever his character is on screen. the missing scout group. However what they a long time before anything scary actually selection of films is shown each month. something to offer people of an older age There are also some great one-liners uncover is horrifically terrifying and only happens, but once the fear gets going you This is just my opinion of course, but group. The humour, at times pushes against that help to raise this above more typical one of them will make it back alive. will start to hope that nothing scary happens if you have no work to do this evening, the boundary of the film’s PG rating with animated fare. If you are looking for some The film is set in a stunning location for a very long time. and there is nothing else on TV worth some examples of mild black humour and simple entertainment ‘Open Season’ is which really adds to the feeling of isolation. watching, give night time Film Four a try. there are some fun movie in-jokes too. definitely worth seeing but remember this is The film has a very moody atmosphere You might see something really cool! This tale of a grizzly bear (voiced by a film for kids so don’t expect too much. brought about by good cinematography Michael Mooney Martin Lawrence) a deer with one antler and a positive performance from the cast. (voiced by Ashton Kutcher) leading an Ian Davies animal rebellion against the hunters has Robert Mann 14 Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 Music Costello Music – The Fratellis

he Fratellis’ debut album, Costello Music is, in my opinion, the best Tthing since sliced bread. In fact, it is sliced bread. If you liked singles Henrietta and Chelsea Dagger then you will love Doginabag and Creepin’ Up The Backstairs. With lyrics and themes that may shock some straight-laced parents, it is the perfect student album. Tip – sing the words fast enough, like The Fratellis themselves, and no-one will notice the rude words. When asked what they thought about Fruitella sweets, the band said they were “fantastic”, which pretty much sums up their album.

Natalie Pierce-Jones nna F J Morris is a student singer- musical knowledge there because I can Sam’s Town – The Shine On - Jet The Freedom songwriter studying psychology in still sing everything but if you put music her 3rd year. Seren met up with her in front of me that I haven’t seen before I ow an established name following Spark - Larrakin A Killers to ask her a little bit about her new album don’t understand it at all. I do struggle a the success of their debut LP Get his is the long awaited follow up to At Sea and this is what she had to say… lot to express myself with things and my Born, Jet now face the difficult Love Hot Fuss, released back in 2004 and N music is the only way I can concisely put ‘second album challenge’. Already the band for those who loved that album, How would you sum up your style of down what it is that I feel. It is quite a T have been criticised for drawing too heavily here are few bands quite like Sam’s Town shouldn’t disappoint. After music? major influence in my music and it’s what on the Oasis influence, with whom they Larrikin Love. For a start, their having listened to ‘When You Were Young’, makes my music so unique I think, the fact toured in 2005. uncompromising style and wardrobe you could be mistaken for thinking that The T It’s sort of like funky jazzy music but, that I have all this musical knowledge but It’s true that, had you been living on choices, for example, suggest that they Killers have left the indie world behind for a because I’m a classically trained person as can’t express it properly. another planet for the past few years and would be more comfortable in 19th century more mainstream angle, but if anything, the well, it’s got this weird element of Tallis had never heard of Jet, you might plausibly rural Britain rather than in modern-day album still stays true to what we have come and Bird and old fashioned styles of music. close your eyes and picture the tracks of London. Even their choice of instruments to expect of The Killers. You’ll have to decide for yourself! At Sea – Anna F Shine On being penned by the Gallagher deny modern-day conventions – mixing Even from the first track ‘Sam’s Town’, brothers. Such comparisons are inevitable fiddles and trumpets with guitars and a wide J Morris the album displays traits already known to Who are your influences? when both bands draw heavily on influences variety of percussion. This all combines to us like the catchiness of ‘All These Things such as the Beatles, The Stones et al and make a sound that is lively and vibrant. It That I Have Done’ and the 80s synth sounds My biggest influence is probably the hroughout the country I’m sure without doubt, Jet capture the sound of is country music with a ska edge and to see of ‘Somebody Told Me’, which can be found stuff I did with my choir because I was there are thousands of young the early seventies perfectly. A few years them live is much more like attending a barn throughout the album. That’s not to say in choir for a very, very long time. Then women sat on bar stools with ago this would have been a quality they dance than a gig. T that Sam’s Town is just a regurgitation of from more popular music I’m a big fan of a microphone propped up in front of could have capitalised on. However, with The problem, therefore, in Larrikin Love Hot Fuss. By all means, the style of the Jeff Buckley and Joni Mitchell and Damien them, but I’m also sure that very few of the market now becoming saturated with producing an album is whether it is feasible two albums suggests the mark of a group Rice, but I’m not sure I would say they are them sound anywhere as near as good as groups such as Wolfmother producing to convey the raw, disjointed and slightly who know who they are but it is clear influences because I’ve always written, Anna Morris. sounds reminiscent of the 60s / 70s era, unhinged energy that is impossible to escape that a transformation has taken place in since I was a little kid. I think my biggest Now with a title like that it was never the approach no longer feels as fresh and in their live music on a simple compact disc; the two years since their debut album was influence is just everything around me. I going to be Napalm Death or anything original as it did. and on the most part the album delivers. In released. Indeed the group have kept and write about the things that I see rather at that end of the spectrum. However, it Often the tracks on this album feel as particular, the intro track draws the listener further established their 80s style sound to than listening to a musician and thinking I could easily have just been a girl sat with if the band have attempted to play it safe into the album, into Larrikin Love’s world, the point where some songs, such as ‘Bling want to sound like that. an acoustic guitar pouring her heart out. and stuck too rigidly to their original sampling strains of ‘Six Queens’ – the second (Confession of a King)’ and ‘Bones’ wouldn’t Actually that’s pretty much what it is, but influences, rather than living dangerously track on the album. However, in some ways have sounded too out of place twenty years Are you proud of the album and it’s also so much more. and experimenting with different sounds. the album disappoints. ‘Meet Me By The ago. However, songs like ‘Read My Mind’ pleased with how it’s turned out? Anna’s voice has a definite calm to Having said this, there are a few gems to Getaway Car’, for example, has clearly fallen and of course ‘When You Were Young’ show it and if you closed your eyes you really be found with tracks such as “Rip It Up” victim to overproduction with the presence a successful development of an already I’m getting there with it! I found it a could imagine yourself floating away on and “That’s All Lies” which come when of too many instruments and too fast a established and successful style. bit difficult recording and I found it a bit a tranquil ocean. Now I bet if Mr Tom the group are most at ease with their own tempo. The similarity to Hot Fuss shouldn’t difficult to listen to it recorded. I couldn’t Hanks had had this CD for company raucous style. One of Jet’s strengths is that There is also the sense that Larrikin Love put you off if you didn’t like it. Sam’s Town have asked for more though really, it’s gone rather than a coloured in football then they are equally at ease in delivering ballads didn’t use their best songs on this album and explores a mixture of characteristics already so well. It’s just a bit strange listening to he may have been able to manage a smile as they are in knocking out energetic riff- inclusion of such songs as ‘Raggady Anne’, expected of The Killers as well as new ones. myself on a CD. or two. rife anthems, as tracks such as “Eleanor” or ‘Little Boy Lost’ which perfectly showcase The lyrics are arguably a little poorer in None of the songs are technically that and future single “Bring It On Back” the band’s witty lyrical style would have been places, in that they still use a lot of repetition How are people able to get hold of a complex but that’s exactly what makes At demonstrate. welcome. Despite this it is impossible not to for choruses as before (which looking at copy of the album? Sea work so well. Simplicity truly is the If you are a fan of Jet or the other enjoy ‘The Freedom Spark’. It is an album their past success is a good thing), but also key. Arpeggiated chords and rhythmic aforementioned artists then you will still that clearly shows just how exceptional the the lyrics seem a little clichéd “we’re burning Yes! I have an email address (see below) bass notes provide the backdrop for enjoy this album and it’s likely to prove band are, as it perfectly combines unusual down a highway skyline” and unoriginal. where they can order the CD from. It’s £6 Anna’s touching vocals that range from a commercially successful (in Australia the yet genuine lyrics with exciting and uplifting The references to American culture offer and it’s hopefully going to help me pay for mere whisper to heart-aching wails. album has already gone platinum), just music. This is the magic of Larrikin Love something a little different to other chart my masters. I know it’s not cheap but at Comparisons with other singer- don’t expect another Get Born otherwise and I defy you not to dance along. albums. least it’s not a tenner or more! songwriters such as Jeff Buckley and Eva you may find yourself disappointed. For Killers fans, the album is a great Cassidy are inevitable, but songs such as follow up and for those not so keen, there is Emma Dixon Where can people see you playing Answers and album highlight Affirmation something to be found in there. Ross Butler around Bangor? show that, although inspiration is obvious, Anna’s style is truly her own, My first gig this year will be at the and may be more akin to edgier artists Jen Stanley Rathbone formal on 26th October! I do such as Regina Spektor. hope to do some more gigs but I need to When listening to the album it is get settled with my work first. When I’m difficult to believe that Anna is barely a bit more underway into the year then into her twenties and although done Calling all hopefully I can do a few gigs here and before in the past, the music is now, once there. Sometimes I busk as well in the again, fresh and to have such a talent on music lovers! town centre! our doorstep is something we should all be thankful for. Want to write a review? Being dyslexic, do you find it affects your writing or playing? If you like what your hear and would SEREN get sent loads of CDs, like a copy of the album then feel free to and it could be you reviewing It’s probably the reason I am a email Anna at: say.hello.to.anna@goog songwriter. I’ve had fifteen years of lemail.com them. Get it touch with me at classical training and I still can’t read [email protected] music, it’s just like garbage to me! It’s Chris Thomson for more details. even worse than words. I know I have the Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 15 Books

want you to think back to the last time you read a book that wasn’t for one of your modules. Can’t remember? Don’t feel guilty, because you’re certainly not alone. Reading We Need To Talk About Kevin - Lionel Shriver Ifor the sheer enjoyment of it seems to be a dying art these days, despite the gushing comments of literary critics, teachers and smarmy government officials, who claim that JK “We Need to Talk About Kevin” by Lionel birth? The book has been a subject of wide Rowling and Harry Potter have saved the hobby of reading from near-extinction. Shriver is a book that explores the lives of debate purely because no two people have It looks like reading, that simplest of pleasures, just doesn’t cut it in the increasingly digital a family destined to be directly involved precisely the same opinion on it. world of internet and iPods. Already, we’ve got telephones, the World Wide Web, music and in an American High School massacre. In addition, “We Need to Talk About video in the palm of our hands; traditional diaries have been chucked away in favour of The narrative is told from the perspective Kevin” speaks volumes about not only the ‘blogging’ sites such as LiveJournal and Xanga. Even our social lives are being dictated by sites of the teenage killer’s mother, Eva, in the apathy of modern teenage and child culture such as MySpace and Bebo. Is the humble book next in line for the digital revolution? Well, form of letters to her estranged husband, – at one point a young Kevin very astutely yes, if the latest technological reports are to be believed, in the not-so-distant future, we’ll be in which she tries to account for the tragedy points out that he would much rather do able to download entire books to a hand-held reader such as a BlackBerry or PDA. by closely analyzing her son’s upbringing. nothing and be given free money than work Now readers, I don’t want you to think I’m a technophobe – I’m currently typing this on These letters, however, really act as a form of hard to get a job – but also about the current my wireless-enabled laptop, playing digital format music, and I’m as addicted to MySpace as confession for Eva, who is daily blamed for legal and judicial systems in America. everyone else, but what I want to know is, is digitising novels going to mean more people will her son’s actions. Published in the same year as Booker read? What difference does the format of the material make? It’s the same principle, whether Shriver’s witty prose draws on themes of Prize winning Vernon God Little by it’s in a book, or a swanky hand-held computer. American culture and fear of motherhood, D.B.C. Pierre and within a few years of the There’s nothing like a good book to provide you with complete escapism. A book can as well as an in-depth and obviously well- release of Michael Moore’s “Bowling for take you to any place, and any period of time, and they allow you to see events from many researched look at the High School massacre Columbine”, the High School massacre and different perspectives. Could the internet really provide such a real world? I know what my phenomenon. Her take on these subjects the culture that breeds it is clearly a topic opinion is, guys, but what’s yours? Before I leave you to ponder that question, I’ll say this makes the novel a page-turner and one that’s that requires discussion. In my opinion, – which would you rather curl up with in front of the fire? Somehow, I don’t think the answer impossible to put down. Even after the cover no fictional source has yet done this as well will be ‘a laptop’! has been closed you keep on considering the as “We Need to Talk About Kevin” in terms I don’t want this page to be about what I’m reading; I want to know what you’ve been novel’s ambiguity: Who is really to blame? of exploring the ripples of cause and effect reading lately. If you’ve read something brilliant lately and want to review or recommend it, Can Eva’s story be trusted? Was it love or within these tragedies. email [email protected] hate that caused Kevin to commit his crime, or was his fate sealed from the day of his Vicky Brewster

Students are invited to enter a short story competition run by the website SHORT STORY COMPETITION stories4u.co.uk. £100 IN CASH PRIZES Do you enjoy writing stories? If so, this competition is for you. Each submission should be a work of fiction, and should be not more than 2,500 SEE YOUR WORK PUBLISHED words long. The deadline for submissions is 6pm on Friday 12th of January 2007.

Entrants must be students.

Full details can be found on the website www.stories4u.co.uk.

Get writing, and good luck. Your horrorscopes for November with Cosmic Kerrie on to others, it’ll benefit you in the long unions. And this month, it’s not just love Aries (21st Mar – 20th Apr) Virgo (24th Aug – 23rd Sep) run. (Even if it does bore you to tears right you feel passionate about, it’s your work, I’m afraid that if something’s been You may be subject to some confusion now!) Try not to tinker with any machinery family, friends and beliefs too, so God help getting on your nerves lately, then chances this November, so make sure you double either, be it your car or your hairdryer. (It the person who insults them, for you will are it will continue to bug you through check everything you do. (Hang on, you’re might blow up!) And try not to get angry not be best pleased. You’ll find yourself most of November. You know you should a Virgo, you probably do that anyway – ok, with a new person…they can’t help being full of energy this November, like a rabbit be direct and just get it sorted, but it’s likely triple check everything you do!) Try to stick so dim! on heat, so make sure you use it to your that your hot temper will just have to boil with any problems, because they will sort advantage! under the surface for a while. Try distancing themselves out, but if you need some time yourself from your worries. Take up a new Cancer (22nd Jun – 23rd Jul) alone, explore a new location. Take a walk sport or go out with some different people, Someone from your past, like an old by some water and clear your head. If you Sagittarius (23rd Nov – 21st Dec) Aquarius (21st Jan – 19th Feb) for this November is the time for you to flame, might pop up in November. If you’re go out on the town, keep an eye out for a Although you have a lot of oomph, it’s You need to finish a job you’ve neglected start fresh enterprises. And if ever there is already in a relationship, then be resolute. sexy stranger. Although any romance is best for you to rest this November. Don’t this November. Don’t be tempted to put it a month for you to take a walk on the wild You’ll be attracted to a new romance but likely to be short lived, it will make for some promise to do anything by the beginning off because otherwise you’ll land yourself in side or fire up a sexual liaison, November is should not risk what you have now. And exciting stories! Don’t feel that daring? Try of the month, and certainly don’t start a big pile of dirty brown trouble! You’re best it. It’s all very saucy indeed… if you stick with your current partner, then reading a book instead, although I don’t anything new until the end of November. to stick with current affairs this month and expect your passion together to burn! If think it will have quite the same effect! Keep and eye on your health. Be creative, not begin anything new. Do stuff that you already know you’re good at, and you can’t Taurus (21st Apr – 21st May) you’re single, prepare to feel indecisive but just don’t overdo any physical activities. about what to do. Just don’t rush into Although you’ll bounce back, they may go wrong. It’s probably best if you apply this November’s shaping up to be a profitable Libra (24th Sep – 23rd Oct) things. Make sure you think it through have you more worn out than usual. Also rule to your love life as well, even if you are month for you Taurus, both financially and If somebody owes you some money, then first because any relationship started in keep an eye on your finances. And if you charmed by a new face. Make time to relax. socially. Expect to meet some interesting make sure you get it back; otherwise you November could be very steamy indeed. Be find yourself being tempted one night, then You like to socialise but sometimes it’s good new people (especially whilst out on the might be out of pocket for a long time, and careful with you’re money and your heart. just make sure you’re honest. Nobody likes for you to be alone too. town!) who, although they might not hang Christmas isn’t all that far away! If you’ve a liar; their pants often smell rather smoky. about for long, will leave you feeling in a got a job, don’t think about leaving and very happy mood. However, as you meet Leo (24th Jul – 23rd Aug) getting another one, because chances are Pisces (20th Feb – 20th Mar) these new people, remember not to forget November is the month for you to that throughout November, you won’t be Capricorn (22nd Dec – 20th Jan) You need to concentrate on solving the other people who are close to you. Just reflect, Leo. Think about where you are in able to find one. You’ll feel quite nostalgic If you meet a potential love partner problems in November, which will probably remember to be reliable, tactful and loyal to your life right now, where you want to be this month, and will remember past flames before the 16th of November, prepare for be of an educational matter, or might be to the friends who came first, and November going to and how you can get there. Also fondly (unless they made your life a living indecision and confusion. However, if do with travel. If an old flame contacts you, will be a very good month for you…you chew over the people in your life. (No, hell, in which case you’ll remember then you meet them after this, then roll on the and if there were no bad feelings, then why lucky sod! don’t eat them, just think about them!) with a little less fondness!) Any work you do good times! (Hint hint, nudge nudge!) not meet up for a chat? You’ll be feeling Try to work out who is beneficial to you, this month will be successful, so get writing November is the time for you to let your particularly charismatic in November, and up that assignment and enjoy the rewards! so you never know where it might lead. Gemini (22nd May – 21st Jun) and who you should chuck. If something is hair down and really live it up. Give work bothering you, this is the time to work out the elbow for a change and take more time Make sure you finish all your projects, and This November, your best bet is to stick how to fix it. But don’t react to any of this to extend socially. Mingle, chat and discover don’t start dreaming about new ones until with it. I know it sounds boring, but you Scorpio (24th Oct – 22 Nov) just yet. Wait until later in the month before what makes other people tick. Just one you’ve completed the old ones. Expect need to tackle routine chores (yawn) and tie You will be feeling very passionate you do anything. And when you do do it, word of advice…keep an eye on your bank to have a giggle if you go out. You’ll be up all your lose ends. You’ll feel like letting throughout November. If already with a do it fast. That way, you’ll find you have far account as you do this! feeling very content this November, just lose and flitting off to do something new, partner, then they should thank their lucky fewer complaints! like a marshmallow surrounded by warm but don’t. Look after what you have right stars! If single, then your sexual magnetism chocolate. now. Finish present topics before you move will soar, leading to some interesting 16 Seren - Halloween Issue 2006

Sudoku Traditional Sudoku 2 6 8 4 9 1 5 7 3 THERMOMETER 4 5 1 7 8 3 2 6 9 5 ILL SOD RUINS B A O N N I R U G FOOL N R U O A G I B N C N I G R U B N O A 6 FLOG MEAN HATED I G N B R O A N U DEVIL R N B U N A O G I 7 NOW I DEMON U O A G I N B N R MATE O N I N G R U A B 8 G U R A B N N I O PAY TEAMSTER D E. Wordoku “Bangor Uni” “Bangor Wordoku A B N I O U G R N 9 I’M WITH WHITE P R O P A G A N D A NAIVE PERVERT O V R D E P D. Film? L E E D S D I T T O 10 REAL RELISH I R E E O L C A T D U R E X I E S C ACROSS:- DOWN:- C T I R E D T E E 1 To trick ogres, 1 A greyhound racer A I O O O D PRIZE-CROSSWORD remotely (8) renamed by Vauxhall R A G E S Z O R R O PRIZE-CROSSWORD S E E E S G (5) 1 2 3 4 G R A S S R O O T S 6 After ski but also 2 The condition of a

this issue:- before! (5) No use grumbling. use No D.

Kitchen sink; sink; Kitchen Scottish lake (4) 5

Be seeing you; you; seeing Be A. C. grill; Mixed B.

7 6 across, anglicised

: enCRYPTtive 3 Harvest (4)

(5) 6 7 Hellraiser. 10. Vampire;

Interview With The The With Interview 9.

Pet Sematary; Sematary; Pet 8 Attack flying 4 Can’t remember

8. Two; Omen Damien, 7. Damned;

mammals back (4) being seated, cross-

Village Of The The Of Village 6.

Of Illusions; Illusions; Of legged in an Esprit

Lord Lord 5. Nightmare On Elm Street; Street; Elm On Nightmare 9 Questions (4) 8 9 9

(5) A A 4. Exorcist; The 3. Massacre;

The Texas Chainsaw Chainsaw Texas The 2. Psycho;

1. 10 Marilyn mite have 5 Honest recipients (8) 11 Film Anagrams Film :

Richard Madeley. Richard E. one after 7 years (4)

6 Descended from (8) 10 11 12 13

The Omen; Omen; The D.

Groundkeeper Willie; Willie; Groundkeeper 12 Passing seconds

Marvin the Martian; Martian; the Marvin A. C. Shakira; B. 11 Sounds cold in South

emit backwards (4) :

IMAGEinative America (5) 14 15

Rio de Janeiro. de Rio 10. Donna; 9.

Lion; Lion; 16 Legally remove (5)

8. Sam; & Grant Phil, - 3 7. Horse; Horse;

13 Cold abode (5) 16 17

6. Peacock; Male 5. Frequency; High

14 Hilda’s better half Very Very 4. 1945; 3. Ireland; 2. 500; 1. 17 Ploughs through

inQUIZitive : cash registers (5) and Marshall’s No.1 (4) 18 A coded artist in a 18 Compiled by John Jackson half-shell (8) 15 Seren (4) Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 17

The prize puzzles this issue are the Wordoku (below) and the Crossword (bottom). E-mail your answers to UZZLEs, [email protected] or cut them out and hand them in at the Students’ Union reception, marked THE S TEAM osers & “Seren”. Don’t forget to put your name, tel no. ` ` and Uni e-mail address with your completed entry! Winners will be selected at random and prizes will be Film Editor roblems awarded by 01/12/06. In 2006 a crack reporting unit was sent to prison Music Editor ello! I’m Ian Davies, 21 and in by a union court for a crime they didn’t commit. ello to everyone, my name is P Wordoku “HALLOWEEN” my second year of studying Chris Thomson and I will be coloured tail feathers, the FACTive English and Film Studies. These students promptly escaped from a maximum In some parts of Ireland H your new music editor for the General interests are film, music H male peacock or the female H L W E E security stockade to the Bangor underground. coming year of Seren. Music is a real inQUIZitive Halloween is referred to as (preferably indie and rock), video games peahen? passion of mine and although I am not 1. Which number does the “Pooky Night”, named after E L and reading. I decided to give editing the Today, still wanted by the government, they particularly gifted at playing it, I just 6. What type of animal was the mischievous spirit “puca” film section of Seren a try, as films have can’t get enough of it; you will rarely see letter D represent in Roman been a huge part of my life since about survive as reporters of fortune. If you have a Boxer in George Orwell’s who appears (as “Puck”) in E H A me walking around without headphones numerals? the age of 2. There’s nothing finer than story, if no one else can report, and if you can find in my ears. Over the coming year I aim “Animal Farm”? William Shakespeare’s “A watching a good film with a bunch of to focus on some more local aspects of 2. Which country’s football O A friends, and I want to bring that mindset them maybe you can hire the S Team. 7. How many children does Midsummer Night’s Dream”. , ` ` music, up-and-coming bands, live gigs association is responsible to the page. I hope you like it! the character Peggy Mitchell ~~~~~~~~~~ L W H E L etc. Of course I will also be bringing you for the introduction of the Any month that begins on a a roundup of the biggest albums released have in EastEnders? each month and a selection of other penalty kick? Sunday will contain a “Friday A L music related articles. 8. What is Africa’s largest 13th”! Secretary 3. In which year was the N O L United Nations founded? land predator? ~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Which girl’s name is also ello! My name’s Lexi Hindley 4. In relation to radio, what Many Alfred Hitchcock films E O and I am Secretary for Seren. Sports Editor have won Oscars over the do the initials VHF stand the Italian title of address HThe reasons for this are simple. for a woman? years, but the man himself L H E E N I like pens A LOT (my current favourite y name is Jack and I’m for? never won an Academy being a sparkly purple number), but I studying history. I’m the new 10. Which city is overlooked Same rules as number Sudoku, but the letters also enjoy writing minutes. And seconds, sports editor and hope to keep 5. Which has the multi- Award for his directing. M by Sugar Loaf Mountain? and hours. Sorry, that wasn’t funny. I’m you up to date with all of Bangor’s sports from “HALLOWEEN” are in place of the numbers in my third year (finally!) of a Linguistics news, in and out of the University. This 1 to 9. Note though that there are 2 ‘L’s & 2 ‘E’s! degree, which I love. When I grow up, I year I hope to really expand and develop EXPOSEitive Film Anagrams would like to be a subtitler; but only if I our sports section and make it the best can pick which programmes to work on. sports section Seren has ever had. last issue:- 1 SHY COP AenCRYPTive 1 3 2 5 4 6 8 9 7 IMAGEinative 2 5 9 7 3 2 8 4 1 6 SEX MANIAC C. 6 8 4 1 7 9 3 5 2 TEACHERS WHAT 3 1 9 8 5 7 6 2 4 ASS Film Editor Union Correspondent Marketing and Sales 8 4 6 9 1 2 7 3 5 3 HEROIC TEXTS 7 2 5 6 3 4 9 8 1 B ello, my name is Cat Prince and I am this year’s Union Correspondent for Seren. ’m Michael and this year in the film section I’m hoping to cater to the ’m Yasmin, in my second year of Linguistics and this year’s Head of Marketing and 9 7 3 2 6 5 1 4 8 4 ANGEL SAINT A. I am currently a second year studying English and Journalism and in my spare B. time I am an Independent Councillor on the Students’ Union council and also needs of the DVD watcher by telling Sales for Seren. I also do promotion for Time/Amser and Academi, work at the Harp,

Sudoku Traditional Sudoku 2 6 8 4 9 1 5 7 3 THERMOMETER H I Head of News on Storm FM. I decided to become Union Correspondent because I feel them all the great films out there and Iand am secretary for the Debating Society. 4 5 1 7 8 3 2 6 9 5 ILL SOD RUINS that it is very important that students know what is happening within the university getting your opinions on which DVDs I wanted to become Head of Marketing for Seren because I believe our student paper B A O N N I R U G FOOL they attend. I was actively involved in the SU elections last year and I was shocked at the you like to watch. I’m looking forward is the perfect medium for transferring information of what’s going on locally and around N R U O A G I B N number of students who had no idea that there was even an election taking place. My aim to working with Ian to fill you in on all the University, yet not enough people get to read it. I want to make things bigger and C aspects of film and to help you spend N I G R U B N O A 6 FLOG MEAN HATED is to bring this information to the students. better this year - more promotion, more interest and definitely more people reading the your money wisely. I G N B R O A N U DEVIL paper. If you’d like to advertise in Seren, or get hold of a copy, contact me on R N B U N A O G I 7 NOW I DEMON [email protected] U O A G I N B N R MATE O N I N G R U A B Books Editor 8 PAY TEAMSTER G U R A B N N I O D E. ’m Loran Perkins, I’m 19, and I’m from Nottinghamshire. And contrary to what Wordoku “Bangor Uni” “Bangor Wordoku A B N I O U G R N 9 I’M WITH WHITE you might think, I’m not an English student. I’m a second year French and Spanish Web Designer Features Editor P R O P A G A N D A student. I decided to run for the position of Books Editor, because I like to write, I hen I’m not in Bangor I live O V R D E P NAIVE PERVERT and also because it combines two of my favourite things - books and being bossy! My i, my name’s Claire and I’m the new features Editor of Seren. I’m a third year D. Film? in South Devon, where I L E E D S D I T T O 10 REAL RELISH main aim for the books section this year is for it to be very much about what you lot studying Zoology with Conservation. It’s a little different to most courses I R E E O L are reading, not about other people telling you what you should be reading! So with Wenjoy spending time walking, the Seren team do but I am hoping to do a journalism masters next year and camping, climbing and caving, as well H C A T D U R E X I ACROSS:- DOWN:- that in mind, if you’d like to submit a review or recommend a book, please email me at eventually want to be a science journalist. Therefore writing for the paper is giving me E S C [email protected] as spending as much time as possible invaluable experience. I aim for the features section to give students lots of information C T I R E D T E E 1 To trick ogres, 1 A greyhound racer on the beach with my friends. I was about what’s going on in Bangor with features on different nights out and topical issues A I O O O D originally planning to study broadcasting for Bangor students, such as student accommodation and any issues students may have. PRIZE-CROSSWORD remotely (8) renamed by Vauxhall engineering and I spent a lot of my time R A G E S Z O R R O PRIZE-CROSSWORD S E E E S G (5) 1 2 3 4 Travel Editor organising the lighting and sound for G R A S S R O O T S 6 After ski but also various school productions. However 2 The condition of a after taking part in two 5 week expeditions

this issue:- before! (5) ’m Luke the new Travel Editor. I’m a third year studying English with Journalism. No use grumbling. use No D. Kitchen sink; sink; Kitchen 5

Scottish lake (4) I aim to go into travel writing and Journalism after Uni so writing for Seren will to Iceland in 2003 and 2005 to carry Treasurer Be seeing you; you; seeing Be A. C. grill; Mixed B.

7 6 across, anglicised give me some of the skills I’ll need to go into this. I’ve done trips climbing, rafting out glacial research, I developed a keen

: enCRYPTtive 3 Harvest (4) I interest in environmental issues. I am

(5) 6 7 mountain biking and canoeing in places such as India, Mexico, Ecuador and all around ello, my name is Jen. I’m a second year studying Linguistics and English Hellraiser. 10.

Vampire; Vampire; now here at Bangor studying Sustainable

Europe. I hope to give you features on countries to visit, days out in and around Bangor, Language. I stood for treasurer because I wanted to become more involved in

Interview With The The With Interview 9. Pet Sematary; Sematary; Pet Development.

8 Attack flying 4 Can’t remember and issues for students such as the state of the national rail. the committee.

8. Two; Omen Damien, 7. Damned;

mammals back (4) being seated, cross-

Village Of The The Of Village 6.

Of Illusions; Illusions; Of legged in an Esprit

Lord Lord 5. Nightmare On Elm Street; Street; Elm On Nightmare 9 Questions (4) 8 9 9

(5) A A 4. Exorcist; The 3. Massacre;

The Texas Chainsaw Chainsaw Texas The 2. Psycho;

1. 10 Marilyn mite have 5 Honest recipients (8) 11 S` TEAM WANT TO BE PART OF THE ‘S’ TEAM? Film Anagrams Film

: THE `

Richard Madeley. Richard E. one after 7 years (4)

6 Descended from (8) 10 11 12 13 The Omen; Omen; The D. Groundkeeper Willie; Willie; Groundkeeper Name:

12 Passing seconds Here at SEREN we’re always looking for people to write for Marvin the Martian; Martian; the Marvin A. C. Shakira; B. 11 Sounds cold in South S. DENT

emit backwards (4) : IMAGEinative 14 15

America (5) Position: the paper. If you have an idea or an article, don’t hesitate Rio de Janeiro. de Rio 10. Donna; 9.

Lion; Lion; 16 Legally remove (5) REPORTER 8. Sam; & Grant Phil, - 3 7. Horse; Horse;

13 Cold abode (5) 16 17 to get in touch.

6. Peacock; Male 5. Frequency; High

14 Hilda’s better half ID No.: Very Very 4. 1945; 3. Ireland; 2. 500; 1. 17 Ploughs through

0002158243

: inQUIZitive cash registers (5) and Marshall’s No.1 e-mail: [email protected] (4) 18 A coded artist in a 18 website: http://www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Compiled by John Jackson half-shell (8) 15 Seren (4) 18 Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 INITIATION CEREMONIES

A rite of passage to join a club or society. The weirder, the better. Some people will never have experienced this. But those who have, remember. We asked the students of Bangor what they thought about initiation tests, or ceremonies. We also asked if they had ever taken part in one.

Matthew Evan Matt Bonney - Jodi Roberts - Viv Sim - Joey Sas Allen - - Linguistics English Italian and Psychology Redhead - Creative Rugby – “After a Language Spanish Rowing – “This year we Engineering Writing training session, we had Snooker – “We just set “I’ve never had to do are making the freshers “You shouldn’t have to “If you want to join to sit, fully clothed, in a up our club, and we initiation, but I think come on a fancy dress do an initiation test, but a club you shouldn’t bath of cider. We then think our new members they’re really good! pub crawl. The boys it wouldn’t necessarily have to prove had to drink the cider will have to drink a They’re so much fun to have to dress as Angels, stop me joining a club yourself by doing through a straw. The pint of wine. Maybe watch, at least! I’m not the girls as devils. Last or society if there were some silly test” ones that weren’t sick, something like Echo sure I’d want to do one year it involved lots of one.” were allowed to join the Falls, white or red, we myself though…” lycra and wellies…” team!” don’t discriminate!” Fancy Dress Gwisg Ffansi

Ymunwch ‚ ni am

Barti Calan Gaeaf Snowsports club Varsity SODA 31st October 7.30 pm Mens Football Hydref 31ain 7.30yh Seren - Halloween Issue 2006 19 Sport

CHEERINGaving watched the cheerleading flick, ‘Bring exercises for the winner. The cheers themselves are fun BANGOR It On’ we felt confident to pull out the pom and easy to learn but if you find this a little difficult (like Hpoms and give it a go for ourselves. The girls at us) the cheers are in writing. Routines are taught in slow Serendipity assured us that despite our low fitness levels and easy steps with one-on-one teaching. and lack of experience we were welcome to come and The first social of the year, themed ‘Moulin Rouge’ train with the current team. This is a new club to Bangor was a huge success. True to the theme everyone was set up by JoJo in an attempt to offer a varied and exciting underdressed for this occasion in corsets, tights and frilly way for people of any ability to get fit and show Bangor knickers. The night started off with a pub-crawl, ending University spirit. The club is now running strong and the in Time. There are 2 socials a month - one pub-crawl committee members; JoJo, Sam, Alex and Vicki all work and one get-together, including fundraising events and hard to ensure everyone feels welcome and becomes a cinema trips. part of this large friendship group. For anyone interested in joining cheerleading, now Far from the stereotype of a cheerleader, I didn’t is the perfect time to get involved as training is still in think this sport would be for me. However George its early stages. The team is interested in hearing from Bush captained his university team and if he could do anyone with Gymnastic Qualifications to teach and it then surely so could I. This club is truly inclusive any teams interested in having cheerleaders. Training with all sizes, shapes and abilities taking part. I had currently takes place on Wednesdays from 6pm till 8pm many misconceptions about cheerleading and would at Normal Site Gym, although an additional day is likely recommend that anyone interested in a new sport doesn’t to be added. It’s £15 joining fee with a free t-shirt. The disregard cheerleading before trying it for themselves. team will be cheering at university matches allowing you Cheerleading offers a great all-round workout pushing to show off your skills and support for various university everyone to their own capabilities in a friendly teams. The one thing cheerleading is lacking is BOYS. atmosphere where you feel like part of a team. So any strong boys out there interested in an intensive Training is a fun workout without realising how much workout with 30 fantastic girls please don’t hesitate to you’re doing. Training starts off with a varied warm-up contact JoJo at [email protected] or just turn up. including the classic playground sailor game; involving different actions for every word, e.g. throwing yourself to Jeni Freeman & Amy Wallis the floor when ‘hit the deck’ is called. The team captain, JoJo, adds the incentive of avoiding the more intense

here’s always a warm welcome at sure to be there or thereabouts come next stadium at Nantporth on the Holyhead the Farrar Road stadium – home of spring. Road. City has a great history, having won our TBangor City Football Club. Look out for exciting players in City national league twice, and with cup honours Bangor Playing in the Principality League of colours such as all-time Welsh record goal- aplenty. We also have a proud European Wales, City is one of the most successful, scorer Marc (Jiws) Lloyd-Williams, wingers record – playing in various competitions and best supported, sides in Welsh football. Sion Edwards and Ashley Stott, and classy over eight seasons – and recently campaigns Always challenging for honours, City defenders Paul O’Neill and Martin Beattie. have taken us to Romania, Yugoslavia is again amongst the front-runners in this Keep up with all City news at City and Latvia. Look out for more European season’s League, and under the shrewd www.bangorcityfc.com adventures come next spring! management of Manchester United and The future is also exciting as we are Wales legend Clayton Blackmore we are F.C. gearing up for a move to a new out-of town Jack Peat Fancy Dress Gwisg Ffansi

Ymunwch ‚ ni am

he Seren Editor has asked me to write club is just the thing for you. track in Kerpen, near Cologne) It’s not merely a short piece about the fantastic new But that, of course, is never going to do the bottom rung on the motorsports ladder, Tgo-karting club that will hopefully justice to the artform that is driving fast. either – there’s a thriving international scene be joining the swelling ranks of AU clubs Make no mistake: professional racing drivers in which middle-aged men who aren’t good shortly. To be honest, I thought I’d got away are poets, creative minds of the highest enough for proper racing cars frequently get with leaving the office at 3pm on a Friday order. There’s a beauty in watching a great together to try and blow 7-year-old child (in order to support a new student initiative, driver at work, mastering the car, taming the prodigies into the weeds. Barti Calan Gaeaf mind), but I’m happy to evangelise on road, wringing quick lap after quick lap out On a personal level, though, the a niche-filling set-up that will provide a of precision machinery. There’s also a great satisfaction of improving your lap time by 3 welcome vent for any petrolheads at UWB. deal of hilarity in watching me spin off the seconds over an afternoon on your first ever According to my ‘Pocket Oxford track having overcooked it in the first corner trip karting is addictive to the extent that I’m Snowsports club Dictionary’ (which hardly fits in any and three people having to scamper across thinking of sneaking back to Cartio Môn to Varsity rucksacks I own, let alone any cavernous the grass and run-off tarmac: racing is that get in a few practice laps before the next club SODA pockets, but anyway) a go-kart is a ‘miniature diverse. meeting. It’s that much fun. 31st October 7.30 pm racing car with a skeleton body’. That’s my All the top drivers started off in karts Mens Football job done then - if you fancy pounding round – I couldn’t really name any for you at Hydref 31ain 7.30yh a few local tracks in a miniature racing car the moment, but I’m sure they did. (Aha! Sam Burnett with a skeleton body then the go-karting Michael Schumacher’s dad Rolf owns a kart