Ffridd Site Construction Delayed

Seren90s Night Issue Ffridd Site construction delayed

Becki Watson provision of four disabled units. With he university has raised con- the closing of the Cae Derwen halls cerns that the new residential on College Road, this will provide an site will not be ready for the overall increase in accommodation by Tnext academic year. e construction 470 places. e demand for these plac- of Ffriddoedd Site (p, has fallen be- es has meant that all spaces have been hind schedule, leading to a number of lled without di culty, even though emergency meetings between the uni- the provision of these state of the art versity and the building contractors. facilities means that the weekly rent is Mr Malcolm Swann, College Estates increased by £5, to £38 a week for self- O cer, said of the issue, ‘We are con- catered and £49.30 for catered halls. cerned at the moment about progress. Despite the importance of the new e directors of the construction com- accommodation project, it hasn’t pany are going to make proposals to been without controversy. A similar us for bringing the project back on to housing project at Lancaster Uni- schedule. At the present rate of pro- versity sparked a sit in protest in the gress they won’t be ready for the new Administration O ce against the rise academic year, which is something in accommodation fees, which basi- we’re very anxious to avoid. We have cally shut down the whole university. allocated spaces to people and some Similar concerns have been raised of those spaces aren’t available.’ How- in Bangor. Student Union President ever, Mr Swann is keen to note that Margi Newens has welcomed the ef- the College is ‘very happy’ with the fort to create more modern accommo- quality of the building so far and the dation and a wider choice for Bangor accommodation it will provide. Fur- students, citing the ‘desperate need for thermore, Mr John Clayton of the Res- more quality accommodation in Ban- idential Services has noted that there gor’, but raised concerns about the in- are ‘a number of possible contingency crease in prices, commenting, ‘It is du- plans’ in place should Ffridd Site fail to bious whether students will be able or be completed in time for the Autumn willing to pay extra for facilities which Term. I believe are designed primarily with e £8 million project is set to pro- the conference trade in mind.’ vide three new blocks named Cefn y ird year History student Ben Jones Coed, Elidir and Y Borth, creating 847 commented to Seren that, ‘ e rises in new study-bedrooms at the site, cov- prices is extremely worrying. I’ve had ering the present green eld between to move back onto campus in third Reichel and Plas Gwyn. e layout year because I couldn’t nd private of the new halls include groupings of accommodation, and it’s concerning eight self-contained bedrooms with an to think that other students may not en-suite bathroom (including washba- have this option in the future due to sin, toilet and shower), with a shared high fees.’ kitchen and living room. ere is also

Main Bar robbed Student Fees Album Feature

Fourth raid this year provokes End of ‘free’ degrees as unis set Review of Green Day’s ground- serious security questions to charge up to £1k breaking new album Dookie

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Bangor University Students’ Union February 2013 English Language Issue No. 229 Newspaper FREE @SerenBangor Seren.Bangor.ac.uk FEELIN’ HOT HOT HOT 90S FASHION AROUND THE WORLD

by LJ TAYLOR ANDe Renovation Game STEFAN WILSON

aes Glas Sports Centre is set to undergo a refurbishment. e refurb is a part of Ban- Mgor University’s new estates strategy and will see a complete overhaul of university facilities. e plans include revamping the gym areas, making the tennis courts all-weather by placing a dome over the top, and installing a café within Maes Glas itself. All of these are contributing to a plan to engage with more students. e centre, situated on Ffridd Site, has seen a rise in popularity since last year, when they slashed their membership prices from £243 to an extremely reasonable £90 for 9 months for students. “We are widening what we can do for students” said Richard Bennett, Direc- tor of Sport at Maes Glas. He is excited about what the plans Early artist’s impression of the dome mean for the centre, and believes the renovation will continue to allow stu- the Sports Hall. student usage while still providing a parent and child cubicles”. ment to students’ tness and perfor- dents more pathways into sport. Another improvement Mr. Bennett service for members of the general e design team are about to get on mance.” said Emyr Bath, VP Sport and e building work will be done in is particularly passionate about is the public” he said. board with the task, and work should Healthy Living. phases so as not to disrupt the day to proposed new gym layout. An important addition, although soon be beginning. e Estates Strategy is also looking day running of the gym. “ e layout as it is makes no sense. not one that immediately springs to Maes Glas’ rennovation is met posit- into renovating St Mary’s Site by 2015, Phase One involves the covering of You’ll see a distinct di erence when it’s mind, is that of a cafe. With the only vely by the Students’ Union. knocking down the Chemistry tower the current outdoor tennis courts with done” he said. food availiable at Maes Glas provided “ e redevelopment is long overdue and refurbishing Main Arts along with a ‘dome’ (right). e proposed layout will see the cur- by vending machines and the only and a er it is complete will o er more other areas. e dome will not only protect the rent reception area become the main close food outlet the student centric spaces which will aid in the improve- courts from the bad weather Bangor weights room with cardio above it. e Bar Uno, this is an addition that aims is accustomed to, but will also provide stairs between them will take the place to please past the usual level of a post- two indoor tennis and netball courts. of the bike racks that are at the front of workout mu n. Customers or AU Clubs wanting to the building now. “We don’t just want to be a cafe asso- play netball have previously strug- e work is scheduled to be complet- ciated with the sports centre. We want gled to use the tennis courts as they ed in time for the next academic year. people to come here if they fancy a cof- are o en occupied by 5-a-side football Another aspect of the renovations fee with friends, or need a bite to eat.” games. is making the sports centre more ac- said Mr Bennett. e second phase will involve build- cessible to students. Mr. Bennett feels e intended area for the cafe is the ing work beginning on the centre it- that it is important Maes Glas caters large corridor currently leading to the self. Mr Bennett told us how the new for both students and the public, but upstairs weights room. plans would provide a dedicated aero- should maintain a strong focus on the Along with these fairly major im- bics room. e popular classes at Maes student population. provements, there are touch-ups ex- Glas are currently held in the main “Maes Glas needs to look like it’s part pected throughout. hall as there is no speci ed location of the university. e students are the “ e changing rooms are being com- for them as of yet. is current setup majority of our footfall and the de- pletely upgraded, with more focus on limits access that AU Clubs can get to velopments will allow us to prioritise privacy with enclosed showers and Early designs of how the new downstairs of Maes Glas could look

February, 2013 | Seren 5 CONTENTS News 6-9 Politics 10-11 Environment 12-13 LJ TAYLOR EDITOR Science 14 [email protected] Comment 16-17 You may or may not have noticed Interview 18-19 that Seren is looking a little di erent this issue. That’s because, with International Feature 20-21 the impending arrival of our annual Gay Marriage Feature 22-23 90s night, we have revisted our childhoods! Teach First 24 The best part about our 90s RAG 25 themed cover is that it pulls out to give you a nifty 90s Night poster for Union 26-27 your walls! Never say we don’t give you anything! Societies 28 You’ll also nd our 90s Night logo Society Girls 29 dotted around the paper signalling special blast from the past articles. Food 30-31 The 90s aside, I’d like to just tell TV 32-33 you all about how Seren went to Varsity last weekend. It was the rst Film 34-35 time we have properly covered the Games 36 event and even though Bangor lost (only just!) I was immensely proud Gadgets 37 of my team. I’ve had a lot of com- Music 38-39 pliments on our e ciency and we 51-54 had a record number of views on Fashion 40-41 our website. Well done Team Seren! I’m also proud of my team that put Books 42 this issue together with me. We’ve Arts 43 got a lot of good stu in this issue and even a few new pages such as Creative 44-45 the Science page and Faces of Ban- Faces of Bangor 46 24 gor. We’re halfway through the year Advice 47 and its amazing to see the team go- Breaktime 48 ing from strength to strength. I hope you all enjoy this Varsity Travel 49 packed, feature heavy pre-elec- Sport 51-54 tions issue. And of course your free poster. As always get in touch if you want to join us, we’re on the hunt for a TV Editor and we better be seeing you at 90s night! Tickets will be going on sale this week so grab one whilst you can! Oh and on the union page we’ve left you all a 10% voucher for Sparx, so you’ve no excuses for turning up costumeless. To in nity, and beyond! #TeamSeren #Bangor90s The views presented hereinafter do not represent the views of Seren 49 Bangor, Bangor Students’ Union or Bangor University. 14 Seren is printed by NWN Media. THE CONTRIBUTORS Thomas Bickerdike Harriet Weller TEAM Kevin Gri n Joe Keep Editor LJ Taylor Food Joe Russell Kayleigh Reid Ali Ketshmand Deputy: Content Becki Watson TV Becki Watson Martyn Curzey Adam Morris Deputy: Design Laura Jones Film Becci Jameson Laura Doody Matt Robino News Nicola Hoban Music Tom Davies Tasha Keen Tom Williams Politics Conor Savage Fashion Harriet Acton Al Hulley Ailish Rose Environment Will Johnson Books Sophie Smith Science Adam Morris Arts Rosie MacLeod Karen Kan Ali Brabbs Comment Sinnead Towey Creative Tom Haynes Zac Hinchcli e Ben Dickenson Features Ida Vaisanen Faces of Bangor Ana Elizarova Tom Williams Dhan Panesar Emma Åsberg Advice Ali Keshtmand Tim Vincett Kristell Grainger Society Girls Pippa Botting Breaktime Stefan Wilson Brogan Feasey Ben Lyte Travel Jordaine Hulse Robyn Wynn Ava Grossman bit.ly/seren90s Sport Matt Jackson 6 Seren | February, 2013 NEWS

Student loans endorsed in Labour sponsored report Labour report suggests replacement of all maintenance grants and students to pay tuition fees by JIM KILLOCK levels and vocational training, as well science and medical courses prohibi- time education would be funded on Dave Kirby, UW Bangor SU Presi- he Labour sponsored Borrie as potentially abolishing examina- tively expensive. the same basis. dent said: “I am shocked that the Report has recommended that tions at 16. Repayments would begin when Jim Murphy, President of NUS, con- Labour Party could consider going student loans replace all main- e authors also stated that expan- graduates reached about 85% of the demned proposals to make students further than the Tories in forcing stu- Ttenance grants, and that students pay sion of higher education cannot con- national average income, a similar pay for their education. ey should dents into debt. Debt is divisive and for a proportion of their tuition fees. tinue to be funded. system to that operating in Australia. achieve on the basis of academic abil- soul destroying. e proposals are part of the Com- Further and Higher Education e report also questions ‘the pe- ity, ‘not the ability to pay’, he said. A “ ere are ways of funding higher mission for Social Justice’s report funding would be uni ed through culiar assumption… that universities member of Labour Students, he add- education without making students published on Monday. ey are likely a Learning Bank, set up to provide should continue the boarding tradi- ed that he welcomed the attempt to su er. Graduate taxation would mean to form the basis of Labour’s manifes- loans for up to three years’ education tion of public schools.’ Students in the open the debate. that students were amply funded to at the next General Election. or training. Funding levels for main- future will build up ‘points’ towards a e last labour spokesman on High- while at college. Bringing grants into e education proposals aim to tenance would be the same across the degree over a number of years, rather er Education was sacked for publicly the bene ts system would cut admin break the barriers between vocational board, but proportional contributions than leaving home for three years of advocating proposals similar to those costs.” and academic training by merging A- to course fees could make entry to full-time education. Full and part- in the report. Hudders eld payo deemed illegal

by LAUREN JONES Professor Graeme Davies, Chief Ex- his image. However, opponents of the Hudders eld MP Barry Sheerman Robert Sheldon, Chairman of the ecutive of the HEFCE, was made in deal have complained that the deal said: “ e whole crisis arose from the Public Accounts Committee wel- he £700, 000 pay-o to the conjunction with the severance pay was made in secret, as local author- sacking of the representative gover- comed the move, having previously Vice Chancellor of Hud- for Kenneth Durrands. ity representation was removed from nors and a vote of no con dence in described the payment as ‘scandal- ders eld University has been Mr Durrands, who promoted a the governing body earlier this year. the Vice Chancellor. en to o er o u s’. Tblocked by the Higher Education ‘Genghis Khan’ police, le a er a sta Other sta who have taken early re- him half a million pounds early re- e HEFCE has now ordered all Funding Council for England for be- no con dence vote. e payment in- tirement this year have received no tirement because of his stress is out- such pay-o s to be disclosed. ing ‘possibly illegal’. e allegation by cluded a tax-free pension package to extra payment. rageous.” 6 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 7 NEWS NEWS Donation to Treborth In Brief Student partners with crime writer helps sports societies BANGOR University student Ash- win Sanghi is working on a collabora- tion with James Patterson, described as the world’s most popular crime writer. e PhD creative writing student, considered a writing phenomenon in his native India, is co-writing one of the novels in Patterson’s ‘Private’ series, in which Patterson uses a cohort of local writers to express the actual feel of major cities and the culture within them whilst exploring the various branches of global detective agen- cy Private. Sanghi states that he believes that the fusion of ideas from East and West will result in a gripping and engaging read. Author to visit Bangor ON THE 4 March Jackie Kay, her- alded as one of Brtiain’s most versatile writers, will be visiting Bangor and Alumni donation sees new draining system and ood lights installed conversing with Dr Kachi A Ozumba, by JOE KEEP football and American football. e to the amount of rainfall, but now tinue their association and ( nancial) a fellow writer and lecturer. Everyone Vertidrain system, composed of rotat- we have the Vertidrain machine we commitment to both the University is invited to sit in on the conversation collective donation from Ban- ing spikes that create natural drainage, won’t have to postpone nearly as many and the local community. I have fond and it is free for anyone who attends. gor alumni has seen the addi- also massively reduces the likelihood games, as the pitches will stay playable memories of playing rugby at Treborth Jackie has written for both adults tion of a Vertidrain system on of a waterlogged pitch arising. for much longer.” from my student days, and still come and children across a range of medi- Athe Treborth playing elds, which will ums from poems to short stories to e Director of Sport Richard Ben- is is compounded by the fact that regularly to run, walk and watch the have future bene ts for Bangor Uni- nett said of the donation: “ e dona- the pitch endures a massive 50 games odd match. memoirs. Jackie’s talents have been versity sports societies. tions of both pieces of equipment have a year across the varying sports, and “One of the University’s great unique merited through the various awards Following a large amount of match made a signi cant di erence to our head groundsman Roger Hilton com- assets is the environment in which it she has received for a huge range of cancellations, alongside the cancel- ability to keep clubs active in what has mented: “ e arrival of the Vertidrain resides, from the majestic mountains di erent texts, culminating her receiv- ling of numerous training sessions for been a very damp and snowy winter so machine means that we can we take of Snowdonia to the pristine beaches ing of an MBE in 2006 for her services a vast number of sports clubs in need far. e oodlights have led to a mas- full advantage of our drainage system of Anglesey. Where else can you play to literature. of the Treborth playing elds, the sport sive reduction in the overall wear and and ensure that as many games as pos- and train on pitches that o er views societies have been gi ed with two tear on the pitches and the Vertidrain sible go ahead as planned.” as stunning as the two iconic bridges Bangor University portable oodlights along with a Ver- will make a huge di erence in the long One of the previous students Phil and swirling waters of the Menai Student loans endorsed in Labour tidrain system, all funded by alumni term.” Nelson, now an alumni of the uni- Straits? Now with the contributions Challenge of Bangor University. e new ood- Emyr Bath, Vice-President for Sport versity, commented: “Like most Ban- from alumni to help drain and light lights will allow a greater area of the & Healthy Living within the Students gor Alumni, I am incredibly proud of the pitches, teams will nally be able to DESPITE su ering defeat at the eld to be utilised for the huge amount Union stated: “For many years we have our University, and it’s fantastic to see play on quality surfaces that match the hands of UCL (University College of usage it receives, limiting the tearing struggled to complete our xtures due that so many ex-students want to con- quality of the vista.” London) Bangor still have a chance to sponsored report up of the eld, especially due to rugby, reach the semi- nals if they can win their next two games. Bangor took a commanding league Labour report suggests replacement of all maintenance grants and students to pay tuition fees in the opening rounds against UCL, opening a very impressive lead at 100- by JIM KILLOCK levels and vocational training, as well science and medical courses prohibi- time education would be funded on Dave Kirby, UW Bangor SU Presi- Student nominated for award 0. However, UCL were able to claw he Labour sponsored Borrie as potentially abolishing examina- tively expensive. the same basis. dent said: “I am shocked that the back the points and overhaul the dif- Report has recommended that tions at 16. Repayments would begin when Jim Murphy, President of NUS, con- Labour Party could consider going Short lm nominated for Best Fiction and Best Welsh language lm award ference to come back and win 190- student loans replace all main- e authors also stated that expan- graduates reached about 85% of the demned proposals to make students further than the Tories in forcing stu- young mother, who is in an abusive re- In their assessment of the lm, the 125. Bangor’s next game will be aired Ttenance grants, and that students pay sion of higher education cannot con- national average income, a similar pay for their education. ey should dents into debt. Debt is divisive and lationship, be beaten and bullied. judges said: “Lovely clear, strong story- on BBC 2 Wales at 8:00pm on the 11 for a proportion of their tuition fees. tinue to be funded. system to that operating in Australia. achieve on the basis of academic abil- soul destroying. Mr Evans said of the nomination: telling with inspired editing during the March. e proposals are part of the Com- Further and Higher Education e report also questions ‘the pe- ity, ‘not the ability to pay’, he said. A “ ere are ways of funding higher “I am very pleased to be nominated domestic violence and some extraordi- mission for Social Justice’s report funding would be uni ed through culiar assumption… that universities member of Labour Students, he add- education without making students but I was more surprised at rst, par- nary performances drawn out of very published on Monday. ey are likely a Learning Bank, set up to provide should continue the boarding tradi- ed that he welcomed the attempt to su er. Graduate taxation would mean ticularly with the double nomination. young children by the director. ere Nurse training at to form the basis of Labour’s manifes- loans for up to three years’ education tion of public schools.’ Students in the open the debate. that students were amply funded e importance to have your work re- was a maturity to this piece of work. Bangor to at the next General Election. or training. Funding levels for main- future will build up ‘points’ towards a e last labour spokesman on High- while at college. Bringing grants into viewed, critiqued and ultimately well e direction and editing was skilful e education proposals aim to tenance would be the same across the degree over a number of years, rather er Education was sacked for publicly the bene ts system would cut admin received in this way is what a develop- and e ective. e director achieved A REVIEW into the Non Medi- break the barriers between vocational board, but proportional contributions than leaving home for three years of advocating proposals similar to those costs.” ing lmmaker like myself thrives on. an amazing and natural performance cal Healthcare Education in Wales and academic training by merging A- to course fees could make entry to full-time education. Full and part- in the report. “‘Not’ is a di cult lm to watch and by the two young children, which is has seen Bangor University’s bid for at times it was di cult to write and a talent. e sound was well thought Undergraduate Nursing Provision in lm. British lm has a long and suc- out and very e ective. e whole style North Wales become successful. cessful tradition of producing raw so- of the piece was perfectly suited to the is means that as of September, cial drama, so the lm’s style was very subject.” Bangor will provide all provisions much inspired and in the tradition of Other students and graduates from across all four of the disciplines: Men- this ethic. It would be amazing if ‘Not’ the School of Creative Studies and Me- tal, Adult, Child and Learning Dis- won. I was nominated last year and it dia involved in the production include ability. e head of the Healthcare Hudders eld payo deemed illegal was great to have that feeling of be- Dewi Fôn Evans, Marty Hughes, Dan Sciences department expressed his ing nominated. But I nd I am closer Hogg, Ali Brabbs, Michella Cortéz, a er he gained a rst class honour de- jubilation, stating: “ is is an excellent by NICOLA HOBAN to this lm, a cliché but like it is one Sera Mai Williams, Matthew Hughes achievement for Bangor University, Professor Graeme Davies, Chief Ex- his image. However, opponents of the Hudders eld MP Barry Sheerman Robert Sheldon, Chairman of the gree in Filmmaking at Bangor’s School by LAUREN JONES Bangor University student has of my children. I’m very protective of and Dave Clarke. which has a strong tradition in o er- ecutive of the HEFCE, was made in deal have complained that the deal said: “ e whole crisis arose from the Public Accounts Committee wel- of Creative Studies and Media, is the been nominated for Best Fic- it and at the same time very proud of e Ffresh event , which showcases, ing high quality, bilingual nurse edu- conjunction with the severance pay was made in secret, as local author- sacking of the representative gover- comed the move, having previously director of the 12-minute short lm he £700, 000 pay-o to the tion and Best Welsh language what we all managed to produce. e celebrates and inspires students cur- cation across North Wales, in partner- for Kenneth Durrands. ity representation was removed from nors and a vote of no con dence in described the payment as ‘scandal- ‘Not’, which has been described as ‘an Vice Chancellor of Hud- A lm at Ffresh, the student moving im- crew were amazing and the cast were rently studying moving image degrees ship with Betsi Cadwaladr University un inching look at oppression from ders eld University has been Mr Durrands, who promoted a the governing body earlier this year. the Vice Chancellor. en to o er o u s’. unbelievable, especially when you con- in Wales, will announce the winners age festival in Wales. home’. e story is told through the Health Board.” Tblocked by the Higher Education ‘Genghis Khan’ police, le a er a sta Other sta who have taken early re- him half a million pounds early re- e HEFCE has now ordered all during an event at Glyndwr University, sider the di culty of the subject. e John Bryan Evans, 32, who is cur- eyes of two young daughters who have Funding Council for England for be- no con dence vote. e payment in- tirement this year have received no tirement because of his stress is out- such pay-o s to be disclosed. School of Creative Studies and Media Wrexham from 20 - 22 February 2013. rently studying an MA in Filmmaking been forced to grow up watching their ing ‘possibly illegal’. e allegation by cluded a tax-free pension package to extra payment. rageous.” have also been very supportive.” 8 Seren | February, 2013 NEWS In Brief 8Ways comes to North Wales A TRIAL run of a police project, 8Ways: Change your Life, has proven successful in reducing crime within Conwy and Denbighshire. It references the 8 areas where help is being provided: drugs, alcohol, accommodation, children and families, nance and debt, mental and physical health, behaviour and education training and employment. e project is aimed at those who present a high risk of re-o ending but may not otherwise be subject to supervision. e project was a blueprint for similar programs to be rolled out across Wales. Police search for Mochdre man POLICE are looking for any information relating to the identity of a man who has been described to be in his late thirties with long, dark hair in a ponytail with a moustache and wearing a grey hooded top, who o ered Murdering husband sweets to a young girl outside a school in Mochdre on Monday 18 February at around 4:00pm. e girl declined and the man pro- ceeded to leave the area. Anyone with information relating to surrendered to police the incident is being urged to ring 101 and quote P025984. Yates turned himself into police a er hiding wife’s body in car boot

by NICOLA HOBAN Jones said: “He had been violent to- Mr Lloyd Jones told the jury: “For- Mrs Yates had undergone a ‘prolonged Inquiry into car wards her in the past. He had displayed tunately, it wasn’t with great force. She assault’, su ering from severe blunt crash death aernarfon Crown Court heard towards her a temperament which was thought she was going to die is what force head trauma as well as having earlier this week how a ‘vio- controlling and possessive. He had she told a police o cer.” facial and neck injuries. e bones in AN INQUIRY heard earlier this lent’ man turned up at a North shown he was jealous.” He continued, Mrs Yates, a taxi escort for disabled her face had been shattered a er mul- week that if a 21-year old woman had CWales Police tra c base with his es- “When the defendant was interviewed children, had previously described tiple blows from a weapon, punches, been wearing her seatbelt, she may tranged wife’s body in his car boot af- by the police a er his arrest he told how her husband went berserk a er and manual strangling. have been able to survive the car crash ter he had murdered her. them he didn’t want to share.” being refused sex. However, she then roughout police interviews, Yates that killed her. John Yates, 58, from Warrington, Mrs Yates had been abused by her withdrew her complaint. She was claimed that he had had no intention It is believed that Melissa Mackenzie, Cheshire, admitted to manslaughter husband multiple times in the past, killed seven months later, on 18 July. to kill his wife, that he had ‘lost my who died in August 2011, would have of mother of two Barbara Yates, 49, the court heard. In 1987, she was ad- Mr Lloyd Jones informed the jury h e a d ’. been held within the body compart- but denied murder. According to re- mitted to hospital a er Yates repeat- how Yates had driven up in his car at Mr Lloyd Jones continued to add: ment of the car, subsequently avoiding ports, Yates approached an o cer in St edly punched her, tried to strangle her, the North Wales police tra c base at “ e issue is whether it was murder or the injuries which led to her death. Asaph, Denbighshire, saying: “I need and banged her head on a car dash- St Asaph, where he told a chief inspec- manslaughter. e defendant appar- Coroner Mr Pritchard-Jones com- to hand myself in please, I have killed board. Mrs Yates had also told her tor: “I need to hand myself in please, ently will be advancing a defence of mented: “If I look at the last 12 months, my wife.” sister how her husband had locked her I have killed my wife. I have just had loss of control.” I have had four or ve road tra c cases e couple were married for 18 years in a cupboard. In 2011, she was again enough. I have mental health issues. e trial continues. that were entirely survivable if the peo- before she le him in 2009, and jurors taken to hospital a er Yates assaulted She is in the back of the car.” ple concerned had been wearing seat- heard how he had become jealous of her, at one stage grabbing a hammer Home O ce pathologist Dr Brian belts.” He concluded, “seatbelts do save her new life. Prosecutor Wyn Lloyd to hit her over the head. Rodgers came to the conclusion that lives”. Rhyl schoolboy hit by car PC denies rape accusations ON THE 19 February, a schoolboy was hit by a car at around 8:10am. e accident happened just past a ze- Suspended police o cer awaits trial a er denying assault charges bra crossing in a 20mph zone within Rhyl. As witnesses heard screams, by NICOLA HOBAN rape and two charges of indecent as- Mr. Walker stated that it was likely lice Federation’s Community Service emergency services were called. With sault on a girl aged under 16 over ten that character witnesses would be Award in 2011 a er joining the force North Wales police o cer ac- years ago. called, including senior police o cers in 2003. Additionally he was nominat- the boy trapped underneath the car cused of indecent assault and elements of every emergency service Acting as the defence lawyer, Nicho- and it would be appropriate if the trial ed for an all-Wales community award attempted rape of a child is to las Walker asked that the defendant be judge was from outside of the area. A for his work on the Llandudno Busi- appeared. Ago on trial in September. Fortunately, the boy escaped with released on the same bail conditions pre-trial review will be held in June ness Against Crime initiative. PC Gary Donnelly, from Llandudno, as before. Mr Recorder Duncan Bould when the trial judge is known. In 2010 he gave First Minister Car- minor injuries whilst police cordoned was a well-known face and recognised o the area to carry out further inves- agreed to these terms, setting the date e Recorder told the defendant: “A wyn Jones a tour of his beat in Llan- as a community beat o cer in the of the trial for 2 September. An agree- pre-trial review, which you must at- dudno a er he visited the town’s po- tigations into the accident. Any with town, is currently suspended from the information relating to the accident is ment was also reached between Mr tend in relation to the preparation of lice station to meet the o cers. North Wales Police a er he was faced Walker, e Recorder, and Prosecutor the trial, will happen before the trial Donnelly has been suspended since being urged to contact the police on with charges which date back to 2002. 101, quoting P026275. John Philpotts stating that arrange- judge before June 30. the allegations arose in October 2012. Appearing at Mold Crown Court ments should be made for a judge “In the meantime, you will be bailed eariler this week, Donnelly, 47, plead- from outside North Wales to conduct on the same three conditions.” ed not guilty to a charge of attempted the trial. Donnelly won the North Wales Po- 8 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 9 NEWS NEWS In Brief In Brief 8Ways comes to Plea for Colwyn North Wales Bay witness AFTER an assault on a 26-year-old A TRIAL run of a police project, man occurred outside a takeaway in 8Ways: Change your Life, has proven Colwyn Bay at 11:25pm on the 18 Jan- successful in reducing crime within uary, police are calling for information Conwy and Denbighshire. as to the identity of one of the two at- It references the 8 areas where help tackers, who still remains at large. is being provided: drugs, alcohol, ac- Police say he would stand out in peo- commodation, children and families, ple’s memories, as he was wearing a nance and debt, mental and physical short sleeved red or orange t-shirt and health, behaviour and education train- the weather was cold. Police are urg- ing and employment. e project is ing anyone with information to get in aimed at those who present a high risk touch on 101 or via Crimestoppers on of re-o ending but may not otherwise 0800 555111. be subject to supervision. e project was a blueprint for similar programs to be rolled out across Action over Wales. health cuts A GROUP of around 30 individuals Police search for is considering a legal challenge against Mochdre man the proposed health care cuts. e group, formed in St Asaph on 18 POLICE are looking for any infor- February, came together claiming that mation relating to the identity of a the review board failed to interact with man who has been described to be in them appropriately when deciding on his late thirties with long, dark hair in the health cuts in the area. ey are a ponytail with a moustache and wear- now seeking legal assistance in trying ing a grey hooded top, who o ered Murdering husband Policing powers should to force a judicial review of the deci- sweets to a young girl outside a school sion agreed upon by the review board. in Mochdre on Monday 18 February at e Community Health Council has around 4:00pm. been called on to represent the com- e girl declined and the man pro- munity views but has been told it can- ceeded to leave the area. be devolved to Wales not play a partisan role. Anyone with information relating to surrendered to police the incident is being urged to ring 101 and quote P025984. Yates turned himself into police a er hiding wife’s body in car boot First Minister states: “Decisions a ecting Wales should be made in Wales” Prestatyn stores by NICOLA HOBAN justify. devolved, not only in policing, com- does his party back his position?” In a to open by NICOLA HOBAN Jones said: “He had been violent to- Mr Lloyd Jones told the jury: “For- Mrs Yates had undergone a ‘prolonged Powers over criminal justice would munity safety and crime prevention, reminder that her party had been call- BOTH Tesco and Marks & Spencers Inquiry into car irst Minister Carwyn Jones has include the courts, prisons and proba- but also on water, ports, road safety, ing for enhanced powers for a number wards her in the past. He had displayed tunately, it wasn’t with great force. She assault’, su ering from severe blunt called for powers over policing have announced plans to open new Pr- aernarfon Crown Court heard towards her a temperament which was thought she was going to die is what force head trauma as well as having tion, as well as the establishment of a alcohol and late night entertainment of years, she added: “If Labour had lis- estatyn stores on 7 March. crash death earlier this week how a ‘vio- to be devolved to Wales in an separate Welsh legal jurisdiction. In licensing, plus the administration of tened to recommendations from the controlling and possessive. He had she told a police o cer.” facial and neck injuries. e bones in unveilingF of the Welsh government’s Tesco announced it would take on AN INQUIRY heard earlier this lent’ man turned up at a North shown he was jealous.” He continued, Mrs Yates, a taxi escort for disabled her face had been shattered a er mul- preparation for this, the rst minis- elections. Richard Commission, which called 211 sta members, followed by the week that if a 21-year old woman had CWales Police tra c base with his es- vision for Wales under devolution. ter is calling for the appointment of a Mr Jones added that these new pow- for a signi cant amount of what the “When the defendant was interviewed children, had previously described tiple blows from a weapon, punches, creation of a dot-com service 6 weeks been wearing her seatbelt, she may tranged wife’s body in his car boot af- Mr Jones’ administration’s submis- Welsh member of the Supreme Court. ers should be devolved by 2020/21 as rst minister is now proposing, we by the police a er his arrest he told how her husband went berserk a er and manual strangling. sion to the Silk Commission, which is a er opening, creating a further 32 have been able to survive the car crash ter he had murdered her. them he didn’t want to share.” being refused sex. However, she then roughout police interviews, Yates He also wants a new Government part of a wider reform of the UK Con- could be much further along the jour- jobs. Marks & Spencers will be tak- that killed her. John Yates, 58, from Warrington, looking at the scope of the Welsh As- of Wales Act, stating: “In order to stitution, and hopes that the changes ney of having a proper parliament for Mrs Yates had been abused by her withdrew her complaint. She was claimed that he had had no intention sembly’s remit, says devolution need- ing on the other 57, with trainees be- It is believed that Melissa Mackenzie, Cheshire, admitted to manslaughter husband multiple times in the past, killed seven months later, on 18 July. to kill his wife, that he had ‘lost my strengthen accountability, and reduce would allow for the Welsh govern- Wales.” ing trained in local stores ready for who died in August 2011, would have of mother of two Barbara Yates, 49, ed to be “enhanced and restructured”. the scope for con ict between the ment to improve the quality of life for A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: the court heard. In 1987, she was ad- Mr Lloyd Jones informed the jury h e a d ’. “Decisions that a ect Wales should the opening of the new stores by both been held within the body compart- but denied murder. According to re- mitted to hospital a er Yates repeat- how Yates had driven up in his car at Mr Lloyd Jones continued to add: Welsh and UK Governments, there those living in Wales. “While we are pleased with the direc- supermarkets. ment of the car, subsequently avoiding ports, Yates approached an o cer in St be taken in Wales,” he said. e Welsh needs to be a change.” In response to the submission, Kirsty tion of travel from the Welsh Govern- edly punched her, tried to strangle her, the North Wales police tra c base at “ e issue is whether it was murder or government admitted for the rst time e Marks & Spencers store is set to the injuries which led to her death. Asaph, Denbighshire, saying: “I need and banged her head on a car dash- St Asaph, where he told a chief inspec- manslaughter. e defendant appar- e call for a reassessment of the Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal ment, this is very much a slow lane replace the Rhyl store, hopefully in- Coroner Mr Pritchard-Jones com- to hand myself in please, I have killed that in the future it would also like to scope of devolution comes a er the Democrats, questioned whether the approach that would still leave the board. Mrs Yates had also told her tor: “I need to hand myself in please, ently will be advancing a defence of see criminal justice devolved to Wales. creasing the pro t made. Applicants mented: “If I look at the last 12 months, my wife.” sister how her husband had locked her I have killed my wife. I have just had loss of control.” 2011 referendum on the assembly’s rst minister had the full backing of major levers of power at Westminster. cross over a vast range of backgrounds I have had four or ve road tra c cases e couple were married for 18 years Mr Jones emphasised that policing powers, which now allows them to the Labour party for the proposals: “It e question is not just of which pow- in a cupboard. In 2011, she was again enough. I have mental health issues. e trial continues. and criminal justice are now the only for the jobs, ranging from army com- that were entirely survivable if the peo- before she le him in 2009, and jurors taken to hospital a er Yates assaulted She is in the back of the car.” have primary lawmaking powers in is better late than never that the rst ers should be transferred to Wales, but manders to graduates. ple concerned had been wearing seat- heard how he had become jealous of main public services which are not 20 di erent areas of government in minister has nally caught up and when they should be transferred.” her, at one stage grabbing a hammer Home O ce pathologist Dr Brian devolved to Wales and that the situa- belts.” He concluded, “seatbelts do save her new life. Prosecutor Wyn Lloyd to hit her over the head. Rodgers came to the conclusion that Wales. However, Mr Jones stated that called for proper powers for our Na- lives”. tion is becoming harder to be able to he wanted to see extra powers being tional Assembly, but the question is, Colwyn Bay starts coastal program Rhyl schoolboy COLWYN BAY is set to receive a hit by car £6 million grant in order to start the PC denies rape accusations Man on beheading trial second phase of the coastal protection ON THE 19 February, a schoolboy program. was hit by a car at around 8:10am. is phase looks to bring in around e accident happened just past a ze- Suspended police o cer awaits trial a er denying assault charges Deyanov beheaded gran as she shopped in supermarket on holiday island 300,000 cubic metres of sand to raise bra crossing in a 20mph zone within by NICOLA HOBAN rape and two charges of indecent as- Mr. Walker stated that it was likely lice Federation’s Community Service the beach levels and placing rock at Rhyl. As witnesses heard screams, by NICOLA HOBAN e grandmother of ve was re- they say kill, ght, hit, pray.” Stating Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan. the bottom of sea defences. e initia- emergency services were called. With sault on a girl aged under 16 over ten that character witnesses would be Award in 2011 a er joining the force North Wales police o cer ac- years ago. called, including senior police o cers in 2003. Additionally he was nominat- peatedly stabbed and beheaded while that he had been using crack cocaine Prosecutor Angel Garcia Rodri- tive is designed to protect the whole of the boy trapped underneath the car man accused of decapitating cused of indecent assault and Acting as the defence lawyer, Nicho- and it would be appropriate if the trial ed for an all-Wales community award shopping in the popular resort of Los and LSD before his arrest, and had no guez said of the frenzied attack: “ e Colwyn Bay as well as the A55 express- elements of every emergency service a grandmother in Tenerife, 18 attempted rape of a child is to las Walker asked that the defendant be judge was from outside of the area. A for his work on the Llandudno Busi- Cristianos on May 13 2011. A er memory of living in Tenerife, Dey- accused approached Jennifer Mills- way and North Wales Coast Railway. appeared. Ago on trial in September. February, told a court he is an watching ‘tough’ CCTV footage of anov was asked if he knew he was on Westley, whom he did not know and e rst phase received a total of £4.9 released on the same bail conditions pre-trial review will be held in June ness Against Crime initiative. Fortunately, the boy escaped with A“angel of Jesus Christ” sent to create a PC Gary Donnelly, from Llandudno, as before. Mr Recorder Duncan Bould when the trial judge is known. In 2010 he gave First Minister Car- the attack, Deyanov said that it was “a the holiday island a er being brought who was shopping, attacking and million and began its work in Febru- minor injuries whilst police cordoned new Jerusalem. was a well-known face and recognised agreed to these terms, setting the date e Recorder told the defendant: “A wyn Jones a tour of his beat in Llan- montage, a lm” and stated that he did there from a psychiatric unit in Seville striking her repeatedly with a knife ary of 2011. e program is designed o the area to carry out further inves- Deyan Deyanov, 26, who lived with as a community beat o cer in the of the trial for 2 September. An agree- pre-trial review, which you must at- dudno a er he visited the town’s po- not recognise himself in the images. on the Spanish mainland, he said: “I in her back and neck until she was to reinforce the defences against the tigations into the accident. Any with his aunt in Flint during 2010, told the town, is currently suspended from the ment was also reached between Mr tend in relation to the preparation of lice station to meet the o cers. He claimed that the voices in his head have just found out.” completely decapitated.” e pros- ocean as beach levels are reducing information relating to the accident is Provincial Court in Santa Cruz de North Wales Police a er he was faced Walker, e Recorder, and Prosecutor the trial, will happen before the trial Donnelly has been suspended since had told him that he was “an angel of Diagnosed with acute paranoid ecution are asking for Deyanov to be making defences inadequate due to being urged to contact the police on Tenerife that he is haunted by voices with charges which date back to 2002. John Philpotts stating that arrange- judge before June 30. the allegations arose in October 2012. Jesus Christ who is going to create a schizophrenia, he additionally denied sentenced to 20 years in a psychiatric damage sustained during storms. 101, quoting P026275. in his head which tell him how to act, Appearing at Mold Crown Court ments should be made for a judge “In the meantime, you will be bailed new Jerusalem”. having lived in North Wales, where he unit. and denied murdering 60-year old eariler this week, Donnelly, 47, plead- from outside North Wales to conduct on the same three conditions.” Deyanov, who is homeless, claimed: was sectioned in the summer of 2010 Jennifer Mills-Westley. ed not guilty to a charge of attempted the trial. Donnelly won the North Wales Po- “ ey direct how I act, sometimes under the Mental Health Act at Ysbyty 10 Seren | December, 1991 POLITICS THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION A New Era Of Peace And Prosperity Dawns

Soviet T-80 tanks parked near Spassky Gate, an entrance to the Kremlin in Moscow’s Red Square a er the coup toppled Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev yesterday.

by CONOR SAVAGE e Soviet Union was formed a er holding democratic elections, which the terrifying peak of the Cold War. It that would harm this newfound era the October Revolution, otherwise the CPSU lost. is started a ‘war of saw the US and the USSR in a nuclear of peace. Whilst detailed statistics on he Union of Soviet Socialist known as the Bolshevik Revolution, laws’ with the Moscow Central Gov- stando over the presence of Soviet the USSR’s nuclear stockpile have been Republics, or USSR, has been which took place on the 7th of Novem- ernment, wherein the governments nuclear weapons in Cuba. Whilst we a closely guarded secret, an estimated formally dissolved today. e ber 1917 in Petrograd. is was led by of the constituent republics rejected do not have all the information behind 30,000 nuclear warheads are believed T26th of December 1991 will now go Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky and union-wide legislation where it con- the crisis, and we will not have it for to exist. So whilst the fear of state down in history. is has been done Pavel Dybenko. e military strength icted with local laws; they asserted decades – perhaps never, all we know which could have initiated nuclear war by the passing of a declaration by the of the Bolsheviks was forty thousand control over their economies and re- is that, thankfully, both sides stepped has now been removed, the threat that Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, men up against a Tsarist force of two fused to pay taxes to the Central Mos- back, and the world survived as a re- terrorist groups, or splinter groups the nal declaration it shall ever pass. thousand brave ghters, half of which cow Government. Last year also saw sult. e Soviet Union removed its nu- made up of elements of the now de- is declaration acknowledges the were soldiers of the women’s battal- the rise of Boris Yeltsin to the position clear missiles from Cuba, the United funct Red Army, using ‘lost’ nuclear independence of all een republics ion. ese individuals fought against of Chairman of the Presidium of the States withdrew certain missiles from weapons to further their goals and of the USSR following the creation of overwhelming odds, and held o until Supreme Soviet, with a 72% major- both Turkey and Italy, and both agreed hurt peaceful former adversaries of the ity. is took place even though Gor- that they would not invade Cuba Soviet Union that still exist. bachev pleaded with Russian Depu- without any direct provocation from President Yeltsin has already sent AN ESTIMATED 30,000 NUCLEAR WARHEADS ARE BELIEVED ties not to vote for him. Yeltsin had each other. Fidel Castro’s position was a letter to the United Nations stat- TO EXIST support from both democratic and strengthened as a result, but now that ing that the membership of the USSR conservative members of the Supreme his strongest ally has fallen, he may in the UN Security Council and all Soviet, who have sought power in the fear that his position is under threat, other UN bodies is going to be con- the Commonwealth of Independent deserting when defeat became a cer- developing political situation in the and the US may wish to settle an old tinued by the Russian Federation, with States. Yesterday, the Soviet President tainty. e Bolsheviks then overthrew country. A power struggle developed score. the support of the een republics of Mikhail Gorbachev resigned, declar- the Russian Provisional Government between the Russian Soviet Federa- e threat of nuclear war has now the Commonwealth of Independent ing his o ce extinct, and handed over and gave power to the local Soviets, tive Socialist Republic and the Soviet signi cantly decreased. e fear of States. is move will hopefully inte- the Soviet nuclear missile launching which are the legislative bodies within Union. is culminated in Yeltsin re- atomic annihilation, which has rested grate them into the international com- codes to the Russian President Boris Russia, and were dominated by Bol- munity to a level unthought of for the Yeltsin. Yesterday also saw the lower- sheviks. It wasn’t until a er the strug- Soviet Union. ing of the Soviet ag for the last time, gles of the Russian Civil War, which SO LET US LOOK FORWARD TO A NEW DAWN, ONE WHICH We can now look forward to a period at 7:32 P.M, from above the Kremlin, took place from 1917 to 1918, that HAS BEEN COMING FOR OVER 44 YEARS of peace and prosperity, and hugely and replaced with the Russian tricolor. the Soviet Union covered the entirety improved relations between Russia e dissolution of the world’s rst and of Russia. e USSR was formed with and the rest of the world. So let us look largest Communist state also marked the Treaty Of Creation of the USSR, on forward to a new dawn, one which has an end to the Cold War. is can be the 30th of December 1922, with the signing from the Communist Party on the minds of so many for so long, been coming for over 44 years. compared to the collapse of the Ro- uni cation of four di erent Eastern in a dramatic speech before the 28th has now been removed. However, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE man Empire, and the breakup of the European socialist states. Communist Party Congress. we must now face the threat that will BIGGEST POLITICAL EVENT British Empire, both in scale and the Six republics of the USSR were lost e Cuban Missile Crisis, which be posed by a failure to regulate the OF THE NINETIES? SEND YOUR impact it is going to have on the sur- last year, with Lithuania, Moldova, Es- took place from the 16th to the 28th USSR’s nuclear arsenal, so that they ANSWERS TO politics@seren. rounding world. tonia, Latvia, Armenia and Georgia all of October 1962, is seen by many as do not fall into the hands of those bangor.ac.uk 10 Seren | December, 1991 February, 2013 | Seren 11 POLITICS POLITICS THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION UK MEMBERSHIP OF THE EU A New Era Of Peace And Prosperity Dawns A Referendum Is Necessary To End e Debate

Soviet T-80 tanks parked near Spassky Gate, an entrance to the Kremlin in Moscow’s Red Square a er the An EU ag torn and burned in a protest performed across the ames from the Houses Of Parliament, coup toppled Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev yesterday. an example of growing euroscepticism within the UK.

by CONOR SAVAGE e Soviet Union was formed a er holding democratic elections, which the terrifying peak of the Cold War. It that would harm this newfound era by CONOR SAVAGE the next general election. e PM also tions for the three unions, which were and Denmark decided against joining tween the member states greatly. Also, the October Revolution, otherwise the CPSU lost. is started a ‘war of saw the US and the USSR in a nuclear of peace. Whilst detailed statistics on announced that the Conservatives will collectively referred to as the Euro- the currency. Since then, the failure of being a part of the EU has allowed us he Union of Soviet Socialist known as the Bolshevik Revolution, laws’ with the Moscow Central Gov- stando over the presence of Soviet the USSR’s nuclear stockpile have been he European Union is an eco- campaign on the side of retaining EU pean Communities, or EC. is is the many of the member states to stick to to in uence the decisions that go on Republics, or USSR, has been which took place on the 7th of Novem- ernment, wherein the governments nuclear weapons in Cuba. Whilst we a closely guarded secret, an estimated nomic and political union of membership, if a better settlement on true predecessor to the EU. It was in the criteria set by the EU triggered a within it, whereas if we were to leave, formally dissolved today. e ber 1917 in Petrograd. is was led by of the constituent republics rejected do not have all the information behind 30,000 nuclear warheads are believed 27 member states, across the membership can be gained. Members 1973, along with two other states, that major nancial crisis in 2011. is is our voice would not carry anywhere T26th of December 1991 will now go Tcontinent of Europe. It is seen by many Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky and union-wide legislation where it con- the crisis, and we will not have it for to exist. So whilst the fear of state of both the Labour Party and Liberal the UK joined the EC. e European one of the reasons why some in the UK near as much weight. down in history. is has been done Pavel Dybenko. e military strength icted with local laws; they asserted decades – perhaps never, all we know which could have initiated nuclear war as one of the greatest political achieve- Democrats are in support of a referen- Union was formally established when believe we should renounce our mem- e only way an end is going to come by the passing of a declaration by the of the Bolsheviks was forty thousand control over their economies and re- is that, thankfully, both sides stepped has now been removed, the threat that ments of all time, creating a democrat- dum, and both parties state that they the Maastricht Treaty was signed, and bership. Currently, we are in a political forth on the debate on UK membership Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, men up against a Tsarist force of two fused to pay taxes to the Central Mos- back, and the world survived as a re- terrorist groups, or splinter groups ic channel through which the nations will back the campaign to stay within came into force on the 1st of Novem- union with the majority of member within the EU is with a referendum; the nal declaration it shall ever pass. thousand brave ghters, half of which cow Government. Last year also saw sult. e Soviet Union removed its nu- made up of elements of the now de- of Europe can work together. To others the EU. So a referendum on UK member 1993. e treaty also expanded states whose currency is in direct com- the citizens of the UK must be given is declaration acknowledges the were soldiers of the women’s battal- the rise of Boris Yeltsin to the position clear missiles from Cuba, the United funct Red Army, using ‘lost’ nuclear the EU into new areas, introducing a petition with our own, which causes a the choice of whether they want to stay independence of all een republics ion. ese individuals fought against of Chairman of the Presidium of the States withdrew certain missiles from weapons to further their goals and THE FIRST STEP IN A TOTAL LOSS OF NATIONAL IDENTITY, common foreign and security policy, signi cant problem; any aid we pro- in or not. is will allow the decision of the USSR following the creation of overwhelming odds, and held o until Supreme Soviet, with a 72% major- both Turkey and Italy, and both agreed hurt peaceful former adversaries of the WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FEDERAL “UNITED and moved towards an EU coordinat- vide to the EU, by de nition, will help made a er the referendum to be justi- ity. is took place even though Gor- that they would not invade Cuba Soviet Union that still exist. ing policy on asylum, immigration, improve the Euro, and as a result, po- ed by the results of the referendum, bachev pleaded with Russian Depu- without any direct provocation from President Yeltsin has already sent STATES OF EUROPE” drugs and terrorism. EU citizenship tentially weaken the Pound. where anyone claiming that we should AN ESTIMATED 30,000 NUCLEAR WARHEADS ARE BELIEVED ties not to vote for him. Yeltsin had each other. Fidel Castro’s position was a letter to the United Nations stat- appeared for the rst time, which al- However, the EU has achieved its still leave or re-enter, can be quickly TO EXIST support from both democratic and strengthened as a result, but now that ing that the membership of the USSR though, it is seen as the rst step in a bership of the EU now looks extremely lowed free movement of people from original goal - to make another Euro- rebutted with the referendum results. conservative members of the Supreme his strongest ally has fallen, he may in the UN Security Council and all total loss of national identity, which likely, if a party is elected with a ma- member countries between the indi- pean war unthinkable. e idea that However if the UK does leave the EU, Soviet, who have sought power in the fear that his position is under threat, other UN bodies is going to be con- will eventually lead to a federal “Unit- jority. vidual member states. e UK opted a war could break out between any it must be seen as a non-reversible ac- the Commonwealth of Independent deserting when defeat became a cer- developing political situation in the and the US may wish to settle an old tinued by the Russian Federation, with ed States of Europe”, a term coined by e rst step in the creation of the out of two areas of the Maastricht of the member states of the EU is al- tion, the challenges that would have to States. Yesterday, the Soviet President tainty. e Bolsheviks then overthrew country. A power struggle developed score. the support of the een republics of Winston Churchill in the a ermath EU took place with the founding of the Treaty: the Schengen Agreement, as most unbelievable - to the point that be overcome to gain re-membership of Mikhail Gorbachev resigned, declar- the Russian Provisional Government between the Russian Soviet Federa- e threat of nuclear war has now the Commonwealth of Independent of the Second World War whilst on a European Coal and Steel Community we wished to control our borders and it is laughable. e EU has provided the EU are just too great. So whatever ing his o ce extinct, and handed over and gave power to the local Soviets, tive Socialist Republic and the Soviet signi cantly decreased. e fear of States. is move will hopefully inte- visit to the University of Zurich. So, in the a ermath of World War Two; it choice we make, we must be ready to the Soviet nuclear missile launching which are the legislative bodies within Union. is culminated in Yeltsin re- atomic annihilation, which has rested grate them into the international com- by de nition, it is a very divisive issue. had the starting goal of preventing any stick by it, and we must make the right codes to the Russian President Boris Russia, and were dominated by Bol- munity to a level unthought of for the is has been seen in UK politics re- further wars within Europe by pool- THE EU HAS ACHIEVED ITS ORIGINAL GOAL - TO MAKE choice for the UK, and not collapse to Yeltsin. Yesterday also saw the lower- sheviks. It wasn’t until a er the strug- Soviet Union. cently, as the UK Independence Party ing the national heavy industries of its external pressure if we do decide an ANOTHER EUROPEAN WAR UNTHINKABLE ing of the Soviet ag for the last time, gles of the Russian Civil War, which SO LET US LOOK FORWARD TO A NEW DAWN, ONE WHICH We can now look forward to a period (UKIP), founded on the central goal six member states. is was followed exit is best for us. So, if there is an EU at 7:32 P.M, from above the Kremlin, of getting the UK to leave the EU, is took place from 1917 to 1918, that HAS BEEN COMING FOR OVER 44 YEARS of peace and prosperity, and hugely in 1957 by the signing of the Treaty referendum, then make sure you un- and replaced with the Russian tricolor. the Soviet Union covered the entirety improved relations between Russia moving up the polls and even looks of Rome, which extended the Euro- derstand the weight of your decision e dissolution of the world’s rst and of Russia. e USSR was formed with and the rest of the world. So let us look like it may overtake the Liberal Demo- pean Coal and Steel Community, and manage our own immigration policies, a democratic channel through which before you vote. largest Communist state also marked the Treaty Of Creation of the USSR, on forward to a new dawn, one which has crats in the next general election as also created the European Economic and the Social Chapter of the treaty. any grievances between members can an end to the Cold War. is can be the 30th of December 1922, with the signing from the Communist Party on the minds of so many for so long, been coming for over 44 years. the third biggest party in the UK. is Community and the European Atomic e single European currency, the be worked out. e importance of this compared to the collapse of the Ro- threat from the far right has led PM uni cation of four di erent Eastern in a dramatic speech before the 28th has now been removed. However, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE Energy Community as two separate Euro, was adopted by eleven mem- must not be understated. e removal GOT YOUR OWN VIEWS ON man Empire, and the breakup of the European socialist states. Communist Party Congress. we must now face the threat that will BIGGEST POLITICAL EVENT David Cameron to announce that the unions. is treaty came into force ber states in 1999. Greece joined two of borders with the Schengen Agree- WHETHER OR NOT THE UK British Empire, both in scale and the Six republics of the USSR were lost e Cuban Missile Crisis, which be posed by a failure to regulate the OF THE NINETIES? SEND YOUR Conservatives will call a referendum in 1958. is was followed in 1967 years later due to criteria having to be ment, which we were allowed to be ex- SHOULD REMAIN A MEMBER OF impact it is going to have on the sur- last year, with Lithuania, Moldova, Es- took place from the 16th to the 28th USSR’s nuclear arsenal, so that they ANSWERS TO politics@seren. on the issue of EU membership, if they with the signing of the Merger Treaty, met – however many would now say empt from, brought people yet closer THE EU? SEND THEM TO politics@ rounding world. tonia, Latvia, Armenia and Georgia all of October 1962, is seen by many as do not fall into the hands of those bangor.ac.uk are elected to govern with a majority at which created a single set of institu- on spurious grounds. e UK, Sweden together and improved relationsbe- seren.bangor.ac.uk 12 Seren | February, 2013 ENVIRONMENT CONTROVERSIAL MARINE CONSERVATION ZONES

POPULATION ROSE FROM 5 TO 6 BILLION

by BROGAN FEASEY are here in the North, including the Welsh waters are special indeed, as protection has fallen short, still leav- n 2008 the Marine Conservation nearby Pu n Island and North East we are situated in an area where warm ing sensitive marine areas subject to Zone Project was set up by the Menai Strait but no more than 4 will southerly waters mix with nutrient unsustainable usage. Although sterner Joint Nature Conservation Com- actually be chosen. rich waters from the north support- restrictions will have obvious environ- mitteeI (JNCC) and Natural England As expected the project has been ing a diverse range of marine habi- mental bene ts, many, including the 60,000 (NE) with visions of an ecologically met by opposition from stakeholders, tats and species. Swathes of sea grass North Wales Wildlife Trust, feel that sound network of protected habitats in mainly shermen and tourism opera- beds and kelp forests provide food and completely excluding stakeholders the least socioeconomically damaging tors. Within the MCZ all shing, rec- shelter for invertebrates and small sh would mean undermining the philos- SQUARE MILES OF areas. reational activities and mooring will attracting vast sea bird colonies and ophy behind sustainable development In September 2012 the JNCC and NE be banned for anything up to 12 miles our most charismatic marine species and will only serve to o set, not eradi- BRAZILIAN were provided with a list of 127 UK out to sea, resulting in obvious com- including bottlenose dolphin, basking cate the problems marine ecosystems sites deemed suitable for Marine Con- plications for those whose livelihoods sharks, minke whale and even leather- face. Many are calling for policies fa- RAINFORESTS servation Zone (MCZ) status. By De- depend on access to our waters. With back turtles. It is therefore unsurpris- vouring mitigation or a more case by cember, rather disappointingly, only marine industries making an annual ing that 36% of Welsh territorial seas case approach to individual sites as a CUT DOWN 31 sites were put forward for public £2.5 billion contribution to the Welsh have already been designated Marine more appropriate means of controlling consultation which will remain open economy, it is a just cause for concern Protected Areas alongside 75% of the the situation, and will undoubtedly be until March 31st. 10 of the proposed but also highlights the importance of coastline. voicing their opinions throughout the sites are in Welsh waters, 6 of which sustainable practices if we wish to con- In many cases however, this level of coming weeks. tinue. RHINO

THE DUSKY SEASIDE POACHING SPARROW BECAME EXCITINCT TAKES A HIT by AVA GROSSMAN removal can be tracked. Finally, ec- he black market demand for toparasiticides are infused with the rhino horns is being targeted horn; these are not harmful to the rhi- with pink dyes, GPS trackers no and only live on the surface of the Tand an ectoparasiticide that is poi- horn but if ingested by humans they sonous to humans. With the increas- cause convulsions and severe nausea. ing demand for these precious horns, is is quite a drastic measure but the groups in South Africa are doing eve- group hopes to reduces demand and rything they can to protect this endan- educate people about the dangers of gered species. Rhino horns are worth rhino hunting. the same amount per ounce as gold - A lack of education about the biol- 1600 – 1800 American dollars, making ogy of rhino horn is another failing the illegal industry extremely a uent of cultures which use it. Rhino horns and tricky to deal with. In the last three are made of keratin; which is the same years over 400 rhinos have been killed, stu that human hair and nails are LESS THAN 500 and as this species, the black rhino, is made of. e reason for the demand is considered critically endangered with that the Chinese traditionally believe MEGAWATTS OF a population estimate of only 2000 in that rhino horns have medicinal and South Africa, this is of high concern. magical healing abilities. However, WIND POWER e anti-poaching group is using chemically, they could easily use their a three-part method, starting with a own hair or nails, as there is nothing device that infuses a dye into the rhi- special about rhino horns except the no horn, similar to the dyes used for rhinos themselves. ese methods are medicinal purposes, and that shows still in the testing phase but hopefully up on airport scanners. is means it will combat the problem and educa- that if the horn or powdered horn is tion those involved as to the precious- smuggled out of the country, it will be ness of rhinos and the futility of using stopped in the airport. e second step horns for magical or medicinal pur- is putting three GPS trackers in each poses. horn so that the location and time of 12 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 13 ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT Beware the CONTROVERSIAL MARINE PROPOSED DAM ON CHINAS Franken- sh by TOM VINCETT LAST PRISTINE RIVER AS PROCESSED beef eaters contin- CONSERVATION ZONES ue to ride out the horse meat furore, another food horror story develops in the US. is month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is close to approving AquaBounty’s genetically engineered salmon, the AquAd- vantage. e sh are capable of grow- POPULATION ing year-round as a result of adding a Chinook growth hormone gene to ROSE FROM an Atlantic salmon with the addition of ocean pout genes which enable extreme cold tolerance. is makes them 5 TO 6 a realistic candidate for land based growth pens thus avoiding the environmental impacts of current oating BILLION sea cage methods. Environmental- ists and consumers remained uncon- vinced and petitions against the sh are being submitted to the FDA. Killer whales by LAURA DOODY pheric emissions. most seismically active area, where 25% of the earth’s and 50% of China’s Around 5 million people are sup- large earthquakes occur approximate- animal species, over 7,000 plant spe- are here in the North, including the Welsh waters are special indeed, as protection has fallen short, still leav- he Salween River, known as the endangered? by BROGAN FEASEY ‘grand canyon of the east’, may ported by the Salween in its headwa- ly every 30 years. Concerns have been cies and 75 sh species, of which one n 2008 the Marine Conservation nearby Pu n Island and North East we are situated in an area where warm ing sensitive marine areas subject to by GEMMA SIMMONS soon be dammed for electric- ters in Tibet and ailand, and as it raised, following the Sichuan earth- third could be threatened. Develop- Zone Project was set up by the Menai Strait but no more than 4 will southerly waters mix with nutrient unsustainable usage. Although sterner A RECENT study on the Hebridean Tity generation. e proposed building ows 2,800km through China and to quake in 2008, which killed 80,000 ment would inevitably lead to road Joint Nature Conservation Com- actually be chosen. rich waters from the north support- restrictions will have obvious environ- orca pod, also known as the west coast of a series of dams on the last pristine its estuary in Burma, over 10 million people and may have been triggered construction with potential for severe mitteeI (JNCC) and Natural England As expected the project has been ing a diverse range of marine habi- mental bene ts, many, including the community, has revealed that the pod people depend upon it. Within China, by the Zipingpu dam reservoir. Land- ecological disturbance and increased met by opposition from stakeholders, tats and species. Swathes of sea grass North Wales Wildlife Trust, feel that river in China has met erce objec- has not produced any calves for over (NE) with visions of an ecologically accessibility for poachers. One par- 60,000 mainly shermen and tourism opera- beds and kelp forests provide food and completely excluding stakeholders tions from environmental groups and 20 years. e pod inhabits the waters sound network of protected habitats in ticular species, Dabry’s sturgeon, con- tors. Within the MCZ all shing, rec- shelter for invertebrates and small sh would mean undermining the philos- local people. Chinese Premier Wen Ji- o the west coast of the UK and Ire- the least socioeconomically damaging 50,000 PEOPLE FACE RELOCATION, MANY OF sidered a ‘living fossil’, is native only SQUARE MILES OF reational activities and mooring will attracting vast sea bird colonies and ophy behind sustainable development abao banned similar plans 8 years ago land and is made up of only nine indi- areas. to China and is prized as a national be banned for anything up to 12 miles our most charismatic marine species and will only serve to o set, not eradi- because of environmental concerns; WHOM BELONG TO ETHNIC MINORITIES viduals including four males and ve In September 2012 the JNCC and NE treasure. It is already critically endan- BRAZILIAN out to sea, resulting in obvious com- including bottlenose dolphin, basking cate the problems marine ecosystems however in January 2013 this ban was females. e loss of this pod would were provided with a list of 127 UK gered and may be forced to extinction plications for those whose livelihoods sharks, minke whale and even leather- face. Many are calling for policies fa- overturned. mean the loss of a signi cant evolu- sites deemed suitable for Marine Con- 50,000 people face relocation, many of slides are already common in the steep by dam projects. depend on access to our waters. With back turtles. It is therefore unsurpris- vouring mitigation or a more case by e Chinese government aims to re- tionary group as the pod have been RAINFORESTS servation Zone (MCZ) status. By De- whom belong to ethnic minorities. terrain, and these could become more China has been known to cut cor- marine industries making an annual ing that 36% of Welsh territorial seas case approach to individual sites as a duce their dependence upon coal by found to be more closely related to a cember, rather disappointingly, only International Rivers, based in Cali- frequent and severe. With these haz- ners environmentally due to the vast £2.5 billion contribution to the Welsh have already been designated Marine more appropriate means of controlling generating more hydroelectric power. group of Antarctic orca’s than other CUT DOWN 31 sites were put forward for public fornia, warns that the plans show Chi- ards dam failures are more likely and income from these projects and so economy, it is a just cause for concern Protected Areas alongside 75% of the the situation, and will undoubtedly be Sixty dam projects are planned on the orca found in Atlantic waters through consultation which will remain open na’s complete disregard for environ- could cause a domino e ect of fail- real environmental risks are associ- but also highlights the importance of coastline. voicing their opinions throughout the Salween and 2 other major rivers, the genetic analysis. Scientists say it is until March 31st. 10 of the proposed mental risks, including earthquakes ures and cause severe ooding down- ated with these projects. While China’s sustainable practices if we wish to con- In many cases however, this level of coming weeks. upper Yangtze and Mekong. Hydro- possible that we will see this commu- sites are in Welsh waters, 6 of which and landslides, global biodiversity and stream. carbon emissions would not increase, tinue. electric power is a renewable energy nity go extinct in our lifetime and their the millions of people dependent on it. Two proposed dams are within a it could be at the cost of an extremely source and produces less carbon di- conservation status remains critical. oxide than coal, thus reducing atmos- e Salween ows through China’s World Heritage Site, which is home to diverse ecosystem. RHINO FOOD FASHION by TASHA KEEN ly voluntary. People put in an hour or THE DUSKY SEASIDE POACHING onsumer voice and decisions two wherever they can in exchange for concerning ethical supplies, a certain amount of produce, keeping SPARROW BECAME waste economics and politics the food prices down and maintain- Care topics of growing importance. ing the community feel the company EXCITINCT TAKES A HIT ere is an emphasis on trying to re- is striving to achieve. gain control of supply chains back I, for one, am fed up of trundling into removal can be tracked. Finally, ec- by AVA GROSSMAN from the conglomerate corporations; a large supermarket and being sold toparasiticides are infused with the he black market demand for however people may feel lost in their what is obviously produce tailored for horn; these are not harmful to the rhi- rhino horns is being targeted search for an alternative, cost e ective, an age where cosmetics are the num- no and only live on the surface of the with pink dyes, GPS trackers accessible and simple way to ll their ber one priority. at produce reminds Tand an ectoparasiticide that is poi- horn but if ingested by humans they cupboards and stomachs. me of the waste, vanity and ignorance cause convulsions and severe nausea. sonous to humans. With the increas- e People's Supermarket is an ini- of this modern damaging culture of is is quite a drastic measure but the ing demand for these precious horns, tiative set up by Jimmy Doherty, a man living in excess. I want my produce to group hopes to reduces demand and groups in South Africa are doing eve- well known for publically taking on be real, to be economically and envi- educate people about the dangers of rything they can to protect this endan- the supermarkets and their methods. ronmentally produced. Market and rhino hunting. gered species. Rhino horns are worth e people's supermarket is sta ed by greengrocer shopping are one way Biofuel A lack of education about the biol- the same amount per ounce as gold - local people and, as far as possible is to actively combat this growing and 1600 – 1800 American dollars, making ogy of rhino horn is another failing ridiculous trend of breakthough the illegal industry extremely a uent of cultures which use it. Rhino horns PRODUCE TAILORED FOR AN vegetable "fashion", are made of keratin; which is the same by AL HULLEY and tricky to deal with. In the last three but with these local SCIENTISTS discovered that, if stu that human hair and nails are AGE WHERE COSMETICS ARE THE years over 400 rhinos have been killed, companies in stark grown at an angle, certain Willow va- made of. e reason for the demand is LESS THAN 500 and as this species, the black rhino, is NUMBER ONE PRIORITY decline it is becom- rieties possess a vefold sugar yield that the Chinese traditionally believe considered critically endangered with ing more and more because they produce an alternative that rhino horns have medicinal and a population estimate of only 2000 in lled with local produce. ey take addi cult to actively protest against the wood. Willow is currently used as a bi- MEGAWATTS OF magical healing abilities. However, South Africa, this is of high concern. vantage of the "Grey Market" of fruits conglomerate. Maybe it is the end of ofuel but these ndings will ultimately chemically, they could easily use their e anti-poaching group is using and vegetables by selling misshapen an era for the local run and owned reduce the impact of production be- WIND POWER own hair or nails, as there is nothing a three-part method, starting with a but perfectly edible produce, which green grocers and butcher, but maybe cause less pre-treatment will being special about rhino horns except the device that infuses a dye into the rhi- would be discarded by other larger su- initiatives like e Peoples Supermar- needed. e long term goal for experts rhinos themselves. ese methods are no horn, similar to the dyes used for permarkets. When food is reaching its ket can provide a new and improved is to produce individuals requiring still in the testing phase but hopefully medicinal purposes, and that shows use by date, it is removed from shelves alternative. no pre-treatment (which is one of the it will combat the problem and educa- up on airport scanners. is means and taken to " e People's Kitchen" to ey say you are what you eat, so put highest energy consuming steps in the tion those involved as to the precious- that if the horn or powdered horn is make their very own ready meals to your money where your mouth is, and practice). In hope of improving sus- ness of rhinos and the futility of using smuggled out of the country, it will be freeze and sell, reducing waste, food support something that has the poten- tainability and therefore reducing the horns for magical or medicinal pur- stopped in the airport. e second step miles and a multitude of other food tial to signi cantly change retail, with cultivation area, researchers will in- poses. is putting three GPS trackers in each related sins. e sta ng of the super- minimal changes to convenience and crease the land area available for food horn so that the location and time of market is the next marvel, as it is total- price. production. 14 Seren |February, 2013 SCIENCE Research at Bangor

1990 Hubble Space Telescope placed into orbit around Earth 1991 Helen Sharman Plant breeding becomes the rst Brit in Asteroid passes close to Earth space can boost crop while Meteorite strikes Russia yields 1992 by ADAM MORRIS Urals, causing damage to 3,000 build- Russian winter. SELECTIVE breeding to improve n the night of last Friday, the ings and leaving over 1,000 injured. Russian politicians were quick to crop plants has been around for thou- The rst planet outside 15th of February, an asteroid e meteor, about the size of a bus respond, with President Vladimir Pu- sands of years, but it usually requires our solar system is dis- the size of an Olympic swim- and weighing 7,000 tonnes, caused a tin saying, “We need to think about testing a huge number of combina- covered mingO pool shot by us, travelling at 8 sonic boom as it passed at 33,000 mph how to help the people and do it im- tions, only 1% of which produce useful miles a second, and skirting just below through the atmosphere and shattered mediately”, and Deputy Prime Min- results. But a Nepalese study, involving the level of many television satellites. 18-32 miles above the ground. e re- ister Dmitry Rogozin stressing the Bangor researchers from the Centre 1993 NASA estimated that if asteroid DA14 sulting shock wave was as powerful as importance of developing protective for Advanced Research in Internation- had hit Earth, the resulting impact a nuclear bomb. interception weapons to control future al Agricultural Development (CAR- DNA is extracted from a would have been 1,000 times more Due to the di erence in speed be- events. IAD), has found a way of increasing T-Rex Fossil powerful than the bomb dropped on tween sound and light, the shattering But catastrophic as this event was, it that success y-fold by making fewer, Hiroshima. meteor could be seen before it was could have been worse. Vladimir Chu- more carefully selected combinations. ankfully, there was little chance of heard. Locals in Chelyabinsk reported prov of Greenpeace Russia thinks the Accelerating the crop-improvement 1994 that; the trajectory of the asteroid had seeing a ash of light, at one point risks of the region have been underes- process means crops can be bigger, been plotted soon a er it was spotted brighter than the sun, and rushing timated, pointing out that the meteor faster growing, and more disease re- The rst genetically by amateur astronomists, and found outside to investigate, but just a few hit only 60 miles from the nearby May- sistant faster than ever before, provid- modi ed food goes on to steer just clear of Earth. No need to minutes later the shockwave hit, shat- ak nuclear facility, which holds tons of ing some hope in food-shortage crises. sale send Bruce Willis up just yet, then. tering windows and causing many to weapons-grade plutonium. Just hours before the asteroid passed, be injured by the ying shards of glass a meteor streaked across the Russian and being exposed to the sub-zero Bilingualism 1995 and brain 30,000 year old cave art discovered in Chauvet, function France BEING able to speak two or more languages is known to boost many areas of brain function, but exactly how is uncertain. A new study involving Prof. 1996 Guillaume ierry from the School Dolly the sheep of Psychology aims to investigate the becomes the rst neural mechanisms underpinning mammal to be cloned these e ects. ierry found that, when toddlers were presented with word- picture pairs, bilingual toddlers paid more attention to unexpected com- 1997 binations than monolingual toddlers, Trust SSC jet thereby increasing integration of new powered car breaks the meanings into their language. sound barrier and sets the world land speed Illegal Badger record at 763 mph culling A STUDY involving Dr Paul Cross from Bangor’s SENRGY estimates that 1998 one in ten farmers in Wales illegally The accelerating killed badgers last year. Badger culling expansion of the Owl Monkeys and the Evolution of Love has become a hot topic in recent years, universe is pair have fewer babies than owl mon- It’s speculated that this pair-bonding with several attempts to introduce by ADAM MORRIS widespread culling by government and discovered, and dark alentines Day may have been keys in pairs which have never been for reproductive success might have farmer unions, despite considerable energy proposed as the and gone, but for owl mon- broken up. Males who have remained been the origin of love and society in scienti c evidence questioning their cause keys, love endures. Once owl with the same partner have, on aver- humans. Researcher Eduardo Fernan- e ectiveness on bovine TB. is evi- Vmonkeys in Central and South Ameri- age, 25% more o spring in ten years dez-Duque of the University of Penn- dence suggests that, in the absence of ca meet their partner, they pair for life, than those with multiple partners. sylvania thinks so; o cial culling, farmers are taking the having a baby once a year and never is strong pair-bonding is thought " ere's some consensus among an- 1999 process into their own hands; an ac- cheating or “divorcing”. But some- to help with rearing the young; males thropologists that pair-bonds must tion which could severely worsen the Skulls unearthed in times, lone adult owl monkeys who take on most of the childcare respon- have played an important role in the situation. e study used innovative Spain reveal that Nean- have yet to nd their partner will at- sibilities, and for them, a tightly mo- origin of human societies... Call it questioning methods to protect the derthals and humans tempt to break up established pairs, nogamous relationship ensures he can love, call it friendship, call it marriage, anonymity and safety of the farmers, coexisted in Europe for ghting viciously to drive one of the be sure of the o spring’s paternity. and there is something in our biology that and to encourage honest answers. Dr 6,000 years monkeys out. the females bene t from the extra help leads to this enduring, emotional bond Cross hopes these results will be taken But new research suggests that these provided by males. Considering this, it between two individuals that is wide- into consideration by policy makers monkeys who are forced to form a new makes sense that a weaker bond results spread among human societies." in lower reproductive success. and in the wider debate. FFILM DRAMA FILM

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PontioHysbys Chwef_13 259x340mm.indd 1 2013-02-15 10:25 AM 16 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 17 COMMENT COMMENT PAPAL PRINTER PRICES RESIGNATION Are we payingCAUSE too much for A printing STIR in the university? by SINNEAD TOWEY A4 sheet of paper, and 25p for a versities are just two of the many colour sheet of A4 paper. institutions that provide regular any of you will have no- This is signi cantly more expen- funding towards printing costs. BANGOR ticed the big change in sive than other universities such The University of Liverpool, was Mprinting that has hap- as Liverpool and She eld Hallam recently petitioned against the rise CALLING pened across the university this which only pay 4p for an A4 black in printing costs. Although unsuc- Ida is an international student month. All the old Lexmark and and white sheet and just 10p for an cessful in preventing the overall working in liasion with the interna- Xerox printers have been replaced A4 coloured page. price increase, the petition was tional o ce . Every issue she’ll write with new Sharp devices. Our neighbours Aberystwyth are successful in that each student was about her experiences in Bangor. One thing that hasn’t changed also paying a lot less, having to fork awarded with fty pounds worth of though is the prices we are out only 3p for a black and white printing credits, at the beginning by IDA VÄISÄNEN charged. This seems quite strange A4 page and 6p for an A4 coloured of each academic year. hen writing this column since it is unlikely the university is page. It’s not only the price that seems I have lived almost ve paying as much per page for the Not only are our prices a lot high- to have caused problems for the months on my own now. I’m Sharp printing as it did with the old er, we have less of an opportunity students. When asking people W to earn ourselves these credits. The what their views are on the print- capable of providing nourishment, system. clean clothes and clean shelter from As the prices stand, students of Psychology department provide ing costs, many people voiced their the dreadful Welsh weather for my- Bangor University appear to be SONA experiments in exchange for opinions on the overall service pro- self. Of course this wasn’t the case paying more for our prints, in com- printer credits, but this seems to be vided, here’s what some of the Ban- in the beginning. For the rst few parison to other Universities. We the only available option. gor students had to say… weeks I called home about anything now pay, 5p for a black and white Newcastle and Northumbria Uni- including, washing hiking trousers. It reminded me of when I was little and playing outside and calling Mom to come to window. Luckily I’m not the only caller, usually the rst people WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY... my fellow students turn to for guid- ance in everyday matters is their fam- by CONOR SAVAGE which puts further pressure on him within the role. tion, as one the holder continues until death; as a re- Pope Benedict XVI, whose birth name is Joseph sult the Pope’s decision to step down has been seen Megan Gardner ily. This has decreased now though. I “I think that it is too expensive, but luckily for me psychology students n the 11th of February 2013, history was Aloisius Ratzinger, was elected on the 19th of April by some critics as wrong. However, this is a small must say that I’ve felt pretty grown up have to participate in SONA experiments which provide me with printer made. For the rst time in over 600 years, 2005. He chose the name Benedict, as a sign of re- minority. e majority of critics see the Pope’s ac- for the past few weeks. Then the real- credits. I’ve therefore, never had to actually purchase any credits myself. I and only the h time ever, a papal resig- spect to Pope Benedict XV and Saint Benedict of tion as admirable and extremely digni ed, to take ity strikes again. do however, think the prices at the moment, are ridiculously overpriced.” nationO took place. As the Pope is the leader of the Nursia. In the lead up to the Papal election, Ratz- a step no Pope has done for 600 years, is without Near midnight. I’m reaching a mois- turiser from the bathroom shelf and a Holy Catholic Church, this resignation a ects its inger had stated on multiple occasions that he doubt a courageous move. bottle of nail polish remover falls on more than one billion members spread out across would like to retire to his home in the Bavarian His achievements are numerous. e work he has Bradd Farnsworth the oor. The cork breaks while fall- the planet, and as a result is the largest Christian village of Pentling and dedicate himself to writing done to improve inter-faith relations has been phe- “I think that if they’re going to raise the price of printing they need to ing and in the matter of nanosecond’s church on the planet. books. Ratzinger had hoped to retire peacefully and nomenal, in particular his work with Islam, which heavily improve the quality of the printing service. Quite often there is the oor is lled with blue liquid. The e Pope’s signi cant age, of 85 years, has led to said that: “At a certain point, I prayed to God ‘please stands as one of the biggest periods of advance- either no paper available, or the printer isn’t working. I think they also need smell is unspeakable. First I freeze, both his mind and body deteriorating to a point don’t do this to me’...Evidently, this time He didn’t ment between the two faiths, since the creation of to either provide more printers in all library’s or sort out a room which has a then manage save the rest of the liq- where he cannot perform his duties of Pope, to a listen to me”. So a lot of sympathy can be placed on the papacy. He has dealt e ectively with extremely ban on all sites, such as you tube or Facebook.” uid in the bottle. This doesn’t change high enough level, something which he readily ad- Ratzinger, he was placed in an impossible position, sensitive issues, which are both horrible for those FOR A4 FOR A4 the fact that now there is a puddle mits. ere have been numerous occasions where turn down the Papacy and be seen as a traitor to victimised and embarrassing for the church. Even Sean Allen God, or sacri ce his hard earned retirement and this resignation can be seen as an achievement, his B&W COLOUR of blue stu that smells dazedly like he has had to be rolled into church on a platform, “I don’t think there should be a raise in printing costs, as they are expensive 5p 25p continue working at a strenuous level, into his fore- lack of fear being, as I stated earlier, courageous. acetone, all over the bathroom oor. and also during his visits to foreign states a large enough already. More often than not, I have faced technical issue’s when seeable future. In terms of whether or not I agree with the Pope’s I manage to dry everything with hun- amount of rest periods have had to be factored in. printing, this has often left me wasting paper, money and time.” dreds of paper towels, but now there is obviously takes up a lot more time, meaning Whether or not the Pope should have resigned is decision? All I will say is I hope he enjoys his hard- BELIEVED PRINTER CREDITS are faded blue marks all over the that his schedule is more lled than it should be, an interesting question. Most people see the posi- earned retirement. SHOULD BE UNCHARGED place that won’t come o , no matter how much I scrub. Panic is building Rebecca Connolly up inside me. Neither soap or clean- 94% “I don’t agree with a rise in printing costs I think they’re high enough al- ing liquid help the situation. I feel the POLICE WARN OF FATAL ready. I also think it’s unreasonable to have a minimum limit, when usually I SAY THAT THEY THINK pressure of my phone in my pocket, don’t require anywhere near that amount.” and suddenly it’s a matter of pride. Do TUITION FEES SHOULD I dare to admit that I need some ad- BATCH OF ECSTACY Iain Detrey COVER THE COSTS vice? Sometimes we all have to con- “I have not yet used the University printers myself, I have my own printer, 66% cede our limits. by SINNEAD TOWEY topped the list for seizures of LSD, amphetamines and my printing costs are covered by student nance because of my dys- It’s around 2AM at home. Still Mom homas Jones, 19, from Llangefni, died on Sat- and ketamine. lexia. I like to know that they are there just in case, but I would have no idea isn’t angry at me for me waking her urday 2nd February after apparently taking Despite the sequence of fatal instances, the num- how to get money onto the system.” up. As a cleaner by profession, she Tthe drug known as green apples. Several oth- ber of people being admitted to hospital due to sub- knows just how important it is to get er teenagers have been hospitalised in the Bangor stance abuse is still growing. Maybe it is time to take the stains o as quickly as possible. and Anglesey area since the incident. other actions, looking more in depth as to why drug COUNCIL TENANTS ON ANGLESEY She advises me to use, ironically, the Several claims have been made by North Wales Po- abuse is so prominent in the area. It also leaves the nail polish remover to get rid of the lice to warn people of the deadly dispatch of tablets, question, are people being educated enough on drug FACE 5% RENT HIKE FROM THE FAT CATS stain, something that I never would known as “green apples” or “pink love.” abuse? By KEVIN GRIFFIN will see families pay an extra £250 on can probably tell, I hate it. To be fair, I have thought of myself. I think all of e drugs are said to have caused severe reactions Although University is classed as one of the most As a student, I hate seeing people annual bills. is £250 could easily be do not have much knowledge on how us students are somewhere, under- in some users, with some resulting to admission into “experimental” stages of life, and most cases have having to spend more money. Some- put to better use such as, oh I don’t our economy is actually doing, I’m neath the surface, still a kid turning intensive care. not involved students, it is important to stress that times, I just cannot comprehend the know, food maybe? £250 annually just going on what we have all been to Mom at a time of hardship. Calling Dr Linda Dykes, a consultant in emergency medi- these contaminated drugs are in the area, and that concept of raising rent for council may sound like a small amount to pay, told by the government. But that’s them across Europe to “come to win- cine at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, said: “In recent each time you take the substance, you are putting tenants when everyone is struggling but over the years, it adds up. ey for another issue. Back to the mat- dow for us.” weeks we have seen a number of people brought into your health - and even life - at a signi cant com- enough as it is. I can see the point, have also been sneakily increasing ter at hand, here’s a fun fact: 71% of Why not take a look at the Interna- hospital as emergency cases a er taking recreational promise. that maybe the council is losing out costs here and there over the reces- the 3,500 households a ected are on tional Student feature of this issue? drugs. Anyone who has any information about the use or on money, but with the salaries they sion period and if we compare these housing bene t, which shows they are Lots of interesting (and important!) ere has always been a strong drug community supply of any drugs especially that known as “green pay the high-end people working prices to ten years ago, it becomes unable to pay extortionate amounts as things there written in Nordic coin North Wales. In 2010, North Wales Police made apples” and “pink love” are encouraged to contact for the council, a simple 5% pay-cut evident that we are paying a lot more it is. Overall, my message to the coun- operation by Emma Åsberg and yours more than 13,400 drug busts in the area, nding the North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on would show how much they actually than we used to. All I picture are some cil: LEAVE IT OUT LADS! truly! more than 19kg of cocaine, 51,000 cannabis plants, 0800 555 111. care for the council. e 5% rent hike evil, shadowy silhouettes munching 12kg of heroin and 6,800 doses of Ecstasy. It also on some much needed cash. As you February, 2013 | Seren 17 COMMENT PRINTER PRICES

Are we payingCAUSE too much for A printing STIR in the university? by SINNEAD TOWEY A4 sheet of paper, and 25p for a versities are just two of the many colour sheet of A4 paper. institutions that provide regular any of you will have no- This is signi cantly more expen- funding towards printing costs. ticed the big change in sive than other universities such The University of Liverpool, was Mprinting that has hap- as Liverpool and She eld Hallam recently petitioned against the rise pened across the university this which only pay 4p for an A4 black in printing costs. Although unsuc- month. All the old Lexmark and and white sheet and just 10p for an cessful in preventing the overall Xerox printers have been replaced A4 coloured page. price increase, the petition was with new Sharp devices. Our neighbours Aberystwyth are successful in that each student was One thing that hasn’t changed also paying a lot less, having to fork awarded with fty pounds worth of though is the prices we are out only 3p for a black and white printing credits, at the beginning charged. This seems quite strange A4 page and 6p for an A4 coloured of each academic year. since it is unlikely the university is page. It’s not only the price that seems paying as much per page for the Not only are our prices a lot high- to have caused problems for the Sharp printing as it did with the old er, we have less of an opportunity students. When asking people system. to earn ourselves these credits. The what their views are on the print- As the prices stand, students of Psychology department provide ing costs, many people voiced their Bangor University appear to be SONA experiments in exchange for opinions on the overall service pro- paying more for our prints, in com- printer credits, but this seems to be vided, here’s what some of the Ban- parison to other Universities. We the only available option. gor students had to say… now pay, 5p for a black and white Newcastle and Northumbria Uni- WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY... Megan Gardner “I think that it is too expensive, but luckily for me psychology students have to participate in SONA experiments which provide me with printer credits. I’ve therefore, never had to actually purchase any credits myself. I do however, think the prices at the moment, are ridiculously overpriced.”

Bradd Farnsworth “I think that if they’re going to raise the price of printing they need to heavily improve the quality of the printing service. Quite often there is either no paper available, or the printer isn’t working. I think they also need to either provide more printers in all library’s or sort out a room which has a ban on all sites, such as you tube or Facebook.” FOR A4 FOR A4 Sean Allen B&W COLOUR “I don’t think there should be a raise in printing costs, as they are expensive 5p 25p enough already. More often than not, I have faced technical issue’s when printing, this has often left me wasting paper, money and time.” BELIEVED PRINTER CREDITS SHOULD BE UNCHARGED Rebecca Connolly 94% “I don’t agree with a rise in printing costs I think they’re high enough already. I also think it’s unreasonable to have a minimum limit, when usually I SAY THAT THEY THINK don’t require anywhere near that amount.” TUITION FEES SHOULD Iain Detrey “I have not yet used the University printers myself, I have my own printer, 66% COVER THE COSTS and my printing costs are covered by student nance because of my dys- lexia. I like to know that they are there just in case, but I would have no idea how to get money onto the system.” COUNCIL TENANTS ON ANGLESEY FACE 5% RENT HIKE FROM THE FAT CATS By KEVIN GRIFFIN will see families pay an extra £250 on can probably tell, I hate it. To be fair, I As a student, I hate seeing people annual bills. is £250 could easily be do not have much knowledge on how having to spend more money. Some- put to better use such as, oh I don’t our economy is actually doing, I’m times, I just cannot comprehend the know, food maybe? £250 annually just going on what we have all been concept of raising rent for council may sound like a small amount to pay, told by the government. But that’s tenants when everyone is struggling but over the years, it adds up. ey for another issue. Back to the mat- enough as it is. I can see the point, have also been sneakily increasing ter at hand, here’s a fun fact: 71% of that maybe the council is losing out costs here and there over the reces- the 3,500 households a ected are on on money, but with the salaries they sion period and if we compare these housing bene t, which shows they are pay the high-end people working prices to ten years ago, it becomes unable to pay extortionate amounts as for the council, a simple 5% pay-cut evident that we are paying a lot more it is. Overall, my message to the coun- would show how much they actually than we used to. All I picture are some cil: LEAVE IT OUT LADS! care for the council. e 5% rent hike evil, shadowy silhouettes munching on some much needed cash. As you 18 Seren | February, 2013 BANGOR UNIVERSITY INTERVIEW HEAD OF SECURITY

Tony Monument 7 years ago, Tony Monument took over as Head of Security at Bangor University, after holding many di erent roles within the profession. Under his leadership, the Bangor security team have developed a reputation for being friendly, approachable and extremely enthusiastic about their job. This month, Seren’s Editor, LJ, met up with him to discuss a wide range of security based topics, including lock out charges, Bangor friendliness and what really makes him get up in the morning.

by LJ TAYLOR lic sometimes to advise on security Gwynedd County Council. Ynys Mon rity, more than just door openers. student’s room and knocked on the within the university. council sometimes as well because We’re there for the students. We get door. The student had been feeling Your role is Head of Security, of some of the sites we have on An- real job satisfaction, a real buzz out rather poorly and hadn’t been ring- what exactly does that entail? How does the amount of security glesey. We work with the re service of helping people. One of the exam- ing home because his mobile phone at Bangor compare to other uni- and ambulance service. We have a ples of that would be, I heard of an was out of charge or out of credit. It entails quite a lot of things. I head versities? joint exercise with the police and re overseas student who had come to The security o cer said, “Look, use up the security team and the whole service and things. So yeah, we do Bangor and the airline had managed my phone, ring your mum just to say security operation, which covers the It’s about - if you work it on the work with external partners. to lose his baggage somewhere in everything’s okay”. He gave Mum a university 365 days a year, 7 days a amount of students we’re about transit. He was given a claims form call and not long after she rang secu- week, 24 hours a day. I’m responsi- right. What we’ve got is a university What is a typical 24 hours for a ble for a team of about 33/34 people with buildings scattered around - we member of security? WE’RE THERE FOR THE STUDENTS. WE GET REAL and we do all aspects of security, haven’t got the luxury of a campus JOB SATISFACTION, A REAL BUZZ OUT OF HELPING from opening up buildings to resi- based university. Some universi- One of my guys in a 24 hours would dential security where we’re up on ties that I’ve been to have a campus probably hold 3 or 4 di erent duties. PEOPLE the residential sites. We also man a where it’s a bit like an army camp, One would be to man the control control room, a dedicated control they have a big fence around and a room. In the control room he would from the carrier, from the airline, rity again to just say thanks. room that we’ve got in the Main Arts gate house. We have some unusual be answering phone calls, enquiries and he was having trouble lling the building. challenges at Bangor and I’m always and there’s a counter where he’d go form out. One of the security o cers The word ‘Security’ usually has up for a challenge. speak to people. He’d be monitoring took time out to sit down and help negative connotations. Do the I’ve also got a strategic role, where and responding to alarms, watching him ll the form out, took about an students see you as a threat? I look at the strategic side of secu- Do you work with any external cctv and monitoring the base of the hour or so. The student was able to cctv; he’d be directing, if you like, claim the maximum, I think that’s We’ve got our side of us where we SOME UNIVERSITIES I’VE BEEN TO HAVE A and prioritising calls as they come in £900. It’s just that feel good factor. have to do things like noise control. getting appropriate response. Every time that person comes in We’re not party poopers, but there CAMPUS WHERE IT’S A BIT LIKE AN ARMY BASE contact with security they are going are limits to noise and we’re always How do you think the Bangor to have a positive experience of it. sensible. If we can compromise by security team compare to other turning the music down or some- rity; planning operations and plan- partners? security teams? There was also a story about a par- thing, we will. What we nd is that ning training. I also run an advisory ent who rang up security and said most students respect that. They service where I meet sta , students, When I say partners, I mean, we Security at Bangor, we like to think that they hadn’t heard from their son respect the non heavy-handed ap- partners and members of the pub- tend to work with the police and of ourselves as more than just secu- in a few days. Security went up to the proach and we try and work with the February, 2013 | Seren 19

“MY PEOPLE DRIVE ME ON. I FEEL MOTIVATED BECAUSE I’VE GOT SUCH A GOOD GROUP OF PEOPLE. UNFORTUNATELY THROUGH MY ROLE I JUST DON’T COME INTO CONTACT WITH STUDENTS AS MUCH AS I’D LIKE TO.”

students. The word security conjures within them? the end of the day though, I guess THE up all sorts of ideas for some people; the Halls of Residence have put it in negative ideas. However, here at The lockout charges do not go back place to try and stop people doing it Bangor we’re really trying to turn to security. It’s residential and the because they can. SIX that around. And you know, some Halls of Residence are responsible What was your career path up to HAVE YOU EVER HAD THEY RESPECT THE NON HEAVY-HANDED this position? A NICKNAME? APPROACH AND WE TRY AND WORK WITH THE Not got one, that I know of... I’ve worked up from a security of- STUDENTS cer to an assistant supervisor, shift manager, acting head of security FAVOURITE MOVIE? of the stories we’ve got and some of for collecting the money. I believe it and for the last 7 years, I’ve actually the things we do with students; we’ll goes back into training the wardens. been Head of Security. Recently Argo. All time, 300. do anything we can for them. It is unpalatable that we have to do that and some of my team come What do you particularly enjoy FAVOURITE BAND? Do you have any concerns about back and say to me that when we’re about the role? Bruce Springsteen. Bitch Hill? trying to win hearts and minds it’s not good. The message that they do I enjoy the satisfaction of con- THREE ITEMS YOU’D TAKE Glanrafon Hill is an interesting one; give to students is that it’s not us. We stantly making Bangor a safer place ON A DESERT ISLAND? the problem is we have no sort of have to record all lockouts, not just for Bangor to be. Sometimes telling jurisdiction o campus. What we are for nancial reasons, but because stories is the best way of explaining A knife, re-lighting equip- doing is working very closely with we record all movements. So when how I feel. A few months ago there ment and a signalling kit. the police and we’ve got the univer- any person is working, I have a run- was a spate of crime in the area sity CBM [Community Beat Manag- ning log of what they are doing. At where older cars were being target- er]. I personally sat on the commit- any given time I could explain what ed. And I was very proud to be able CAN YOU SPELL THE FULL tees and groups where we’re trying my people are doing. to say that they came very close to VERSION OF LLANFAIRPG? to push the council to put cameras us; they came to Victoria Drive, Ffrid- on the hill. There is, believe it or not, Lock outs, believe it or not, take out doedd Road, but they never ever I can say it, not spell it. three cameras on the hill but ideally a lot of time. For example, those rst came onto university property. Now there’d be ve. One at the bottom, few weeks of term you could have I’ve got to put that down to the fact WHAT WOULD YOU WEAR one at the top. The one in the middle is actually a mobile camera but WE HAVE TO RECORD ALL LOCKOUTS, NOT JUST TO SEREN 90S NIGHT? I’ve managed to have it there for the FOR FINANCIAL REASONS, BUT BECAUSE WE Bruce Springsteen, in a last 18 months. I’m not saying that if the council had a major incident in RECORD ALL MOVEMENTS leather jacket one of the towns they wouldn’t take it away but up to date they haven’t. about 900 lockouts. If you say it’s ten that I’ve got guys out there that are been known to hound the police to ground motivate me as well. When And we have seen a lot of reduction minutes per lockout, but you spread proactive. In fact, I’ve had guys who get people brought to justice. I hear some of the stories, I have to in crime on the hill. that ten minutes out 900 times in have actually seen them and called laugh. You know, they were helping the rst weeks of term, it’s a lot of it into the police. But not once did The students - they’re pesky - but some Chinese students the other Every year there are numerous man hours in lockouts. I do know they come onto our sites. And I’ve they are just young people having day put oil in the car. As Head of complaints about the lockout the Halls of Residence do give some gotta put that down too - well, they the best time of their life. I want Security I could think, “Well, as they charges. What is security’s role grace in the rst couple of weeks. At probably do their own internal risk them to not just have the best edu- are there putting oil in a car they assessment and they have a think cation, but the best experience as aren’t actually patrolling are they?” about it and there’s just too many well. When we’re doing our little bit, But I’m a bit bigger than that. I think, guys here with yellow coats on so we feel like we’re playing a big role well yeah, it takes them 20 minutes TONY’S TOP TIPS FOR they think we can’t go on there. in the student experience. The stu- to put oil in the car. But in that 20 dent experience, it’s nothing new to minutes they are talking with the STAYING SAFE IN BANGOR What challenges do you face? us. We will push the boat out, we’ll students, building up a relationship go that much further and we’re al- with the students. So those students Communicating. We nd it’s not ways focused on it. can feel that these are good guys 1. Report anything suspicious that a student sees. It’s important to always easy to communicate with and if I do have a problem I can security and/or to the police. If you report it to us, we can report to our audience, our customers if you How safe is Bangor? speak to them. We’re not interrogat- like. That’s improving, I’ve got a re- police for you. ally good relationship with the team BANGOR’S A REALLY SAFE CITY. iT’S CLASSED AS 2. Keep your room locked. Opportunists are out there and they are at the students union. My challenge is de nitely communicating with ONE OF THE SAFTEST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY looking for an open door. Also, think about insurance. the students. The guys down on the 3. If you’re going out for the night and in a group, think about how ground have got a really good rap- port with the students, and we sort ing people. We might ask how are you’re getting home. Are you all coming home together? Is one of of foster this ethos that we want the Bangor’s a really safe city. It’s you? How’s Bangor? And from that you going to be walking home alone? A couple of quid for a taxi is students to be able to come to us. It classed as one of the safest cities in they might say, ‘well there’s this guy might be just to ask what taxi com- the country. At the same time, we following me’ and from that we can worth it. pany do you recommend? Where do have to be realistic and accept that take some details. We can pass it on. 4. Don’t leave your valuables on display. Rooms, cars, on your I get a good pizza? My car’s broken crime does happen everywhere. It might be something tiny, but this down, do you know where there’s a Because Bangor is such a close knit is another important role I have, col- body, windowsills. good garage? On top of all those, I and student-centred city, when we lating all these bits of information 5. Put the Bangor Uni security number in your mobile phone. You think I’ve been followed home. The do have an unfortunate incident, and I sort of put the jigsaw pieces more sinister type things. there could be misconceptions that back together. never know when you might need it. It is 24/7 and there’s noth- there’s crime out there. Of course ing that we can’t help you with. Give us a call and we will try our We’re there not just for that but there’s crime out there, but col- 9 times out of 10 its nothing, but we like to think we can help the stu- leagues at other universities report that one time you get something it best to help you. 01248 382795. If it’s from an internal line it’s 2795. dents with anything. They can come far more gures than I do. could be useful to myself or my col- Internally we’ve also got the equivalent of 999, which is 333. That to us and speak to us. The message leagues in the police. Intelligence, is we’re not party poopers and we’re What motivates you? it’s the tool of security. The more in- goes through to our control room and we’ve got what we call a Bat all for students coming in and hav- telligence you’ve got the better. phone cause it’s got a big hooter next to it. We prioritise any calls ing a good time. The thing that re- My people drive me on. I feel ally gets my goat, if you like, and this motivated because I’ve got such coming in from that one. may sound a bit daft. I hate when a good group of people. Unfortu- one of my students gets bullied, at- nately through my role, I just don’t tacked, assaulted; even if it’s in the come into contact with students as city, I really take it seriously. I’ve much as I’d like to. My people on the February,20 FEATURE 2013 | Seren Seren | February,FEATURE 201321 CHINESE NEW YEAR By EMMA ÅSBERG BANGORlong tables. Food - and lots of it - was tial arts and even some belly danc- tempting us from boxes at the back ing. The ra e prizes were handed eople in traditional out ts and of the room. out throughout the day, including a some in suits andMEETS ball gowns When the four WORLD elegantly dressed karaoke set and a Kindle Fire. Plined the entrance to PJ hall on hosts announced the beginning of This lunar year is the year of the the 2nd of February. After getting the Spring Festival Celebration, they snake, which recurs every twelfth one of the red tickets, we were all spoke in both Chinese and English, year. People born in the year of the given a piece of paper with beautiful although there couldn’t have been snake are believed to be intuitive, - but to us, unreadable - characters more than ten foreigners in the room. introspective, re ned, intelligent on it. We were told it was to enter the The Confucius Institute did a great and collected but can also be quite ra e, and a kind woman helped us job of organising the event, and after cunning and vicious. It is believed ll in our details in the right places. we (starving) were served some food, to be good luck to have a picture of Whilst waiting for the performances the performances followed each a snake in your home, as snakes are to start, people were chatting in other like a band of exotic pearls. We symbols of material wealth and luck, groups, mingling and enjoying the were treated to Tai Qi, lots of singing and snakes are therefore seen as very snacks and drinks set out on the and dancing, a comedy sketch, mar- good business partners. Chinese New Year: 好身体！Good health! (Pinyin: huo shēntǐ!) words and phrases! 为我们的友谊干杯！Cheers for our friendship! (Pinyin: wèi women de youyì gānbēi!)

过年 the spring festival (pinyin: guònián) WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BE- 压岁钱 New Year money (pinyin: yāsuìqián) COMING AN EVER MORE IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL PART OF THE BANGOR STUDENT COM- red envelope (containing money, given to chil- MUNITY, EMMA AND IDA EXPLORE LIFE 红包 AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND dren)INTERVIEWS (pinyin: hóngbāo). WHAT IT MEANS TO STUDY HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY FROM HOME... 为你的建康干杯！Here’s to your health! (Pinyin: wèi nǐ de jiàn kāngSEREN gānbēi!) asked? UN-SHOCKING ONE WORLD DAY CULTURE SHOCKS THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE By EMMA ÅSBERG the habits; chippies, pub lunches, the (lack of) dress sense. And of course 1 in what people don't do here, that By IDA VÄISÄNEN ate students. e other acknowledged If you need someone to talk to, seek ulture shocks are rarely shocks, venues include the area around Varsity help on the following numbers: Whatcontrary tohas what peoplebeen usu- Swedish youths do: dinner parties t has come to Seren’s attention that and Yates. Cally assume. The shocking are so much more common, and not several international students have e International Student Sup- Student Counselling Service: 01248 aspects are in the little things. The seen as something only "grown-ups" faced racism. is has also been port is trying to prevent this by rais- 388520 things weyour hardly notice best when travel- do. Exercise, which is a natural part of acknowledgedI by the university’s In- ing awareness about the backgrounds International Students Support Ser- ling that make places feel di erent, most people's lives. "Fika", which is ternational Student Support. of the international students. is is vice: 01248 388430 in waysexperience we can't quite put our n- the traditionHarem of Baban, having Kurdistan, a cup of Iraqcof- Alan Edwards from International done, for example, through visits to UniversityYoanne, Security:Belgium 01248 382795 ger on. The comments passed casu- fee/tea and maybe something to eat, local schools. Children are then used International Student Support ally by friends or the way an advert is and1. Stathe mostof the commonuniversity way is very for help-peo- Students Welfare tells us that a few 1. e possibility to meet so many speci c cases of possible racist inci- to meeting people from di erent cul- o ce hours: 9.00 till 16.00 Monday to phrased - or howas adverts an get broad- pleful. toFacilities socialise. are exible and the li- people from Britain and all over the brary is great. dents are brought to the o ce’s atten- tures. An attempt to build bridges be- Friday.world. cast. Culture shocks usually come in But di erences also lie in values tween the local community and the e Hollaback! Gwynedd-website is the internationalform of contrasting values, not and2. Bangorbehaviour. is a Forsmall example, town so freshers I can’t tion each year, but it’s di cult to pin 2. e school itself. I don’t like the nd special meat or my favourite rice. down whether the reasons behind university and thereby prevent preju- dedicatedmodules or to the the way prevention they’re taught. of street It’s just di erent customs. are infamously lazy students as the Buying rst year books doesn't is countalso ditoward cult thesince - these incidents have been truly racist. diced behaviour is also carried out by violence.so di erent It’s than an inopportunity Belgium. for the A primestudent? example for me is my ex- there are no bigger bookshops. Find- ey might have occurred because of the newly started Inclusive Commu- victims of harassment to tell about perience in Australia - a country I had naling grade.books fromBut in the Sweden library everythingis also dif- the student’s skin color, or simply be- nity Working Group. their experiences and seek help. http:// imagined to be very similar to my counts, cult sometimes. and if you don't pass the rst cause they are university students or e prevention of further lamentable gwynedd.ihollaback.org/ home country, Sweden. I expected year, you won't get a loan for the sec- because they were in the wrong place incidents is being carried out by the Australia to be more gender equal ond. The loan also isn't decided by at the wrong time. International Support through rais- than what I found it to be. I was how much your parents earn - and since a university student is always EvenBy ROBYN though WYNN Edwards doesn’t ingfrom awareness Kaya Festival among and students perhaps aboutsome travelling with my partner and went classify racism as a serious is- thingsworkshops. such as street safety and report- camping a couple of times with his over 18, why should it? The ways that people socialise are also slightly dif- sue inhere Bangor are 12,000 – overall students it’s quieterat Ban- ing any incidents to the police. e (Australian) relatives. I am quite out- ferent here, in that it is more accept- comparedgor andto citiesover 100like nationalities,London or universityThe evening has aperformers police liaison are equallyo cer doorsy and used2 to putting up tents, able to hang out with people of the Manchesterbut unfortunately, - the incidents there where are whoas diverse; works with it includes the university Taza Mulenga, security helping with the lifting and carrying T team and is there to help any student of heavy things, nor am I averse to opposite sex, and if you're a couple, studentssome international have felt studentsthreatened who areget a Zambian student with a voice to What has been the girl might as well hang with her alwaysthrough taken their seriously. 3 or 4 years e school at Bangor gets requiringrival Adele’s it. performing solo. Then, using screwdrivers or other tools to boyfriend's male friends as his female inUniversity touch with without the university’s even speaking police part e ofInternational a very new Studentssound, Malawian Support set up camp or mend things. I am your worst acquaintances - as is the norm here. liaisonto a home o cer student. and the Similarly,Student Union there OJames ce is Nkhoma’salso working chilling together spoken with equally used to people assuming What I mean to say is that culture ifare students some needhome counselling. students who Help get is Studentword performance, Union and other entitled departments ‘Things that I am capable of these things and shocks rarely are shocking, because availablethrough theirand thedegree school course encourages without towardsYour Mother a zero Said’. tolerance We are policy also for lucky all treatingexperience me as an equal to men. But the biggest ones are always expect- studentssocialising to comewith forward. international stu- formsenough of to harassment, be treated towhether Shanti Shan-it be in Australia no-one expected me to ed. When you go to Asia for example, dents.Bangor’s small size can also be seen racial,ker’s classicalsexual or Indian homophobic. dance and, is foris help with anythingas anthat involved any as a disadvantage. It’s a close-knit com- carriedany Chinese out through students projects out there, such there as kind of labour, except maybe lighter you expect almost everything to be di erent. But close to home, the cul- munityInternational where the Student large amount Support of in-Of- specialmight betraining a little for slice the of university home, but sta in housework. This might be seen as a Illyas, France international ture shocks are in the little things. ternational ce presents students One World are Daymore Celebra- easily providednew, Welsh by hands.the Student That’s Union. just the All stu- of welcome break to many - and maybe noticedtions, culminating than in a larger in a Culturalcity. is Exhi- can thisdents! is done It is free,to assure so come that along!the students 1. is is the perfect environment for that's the way I should be looking at createbition conditionsin Powis Hallfor racistand an incidents. eclectic of Bangor University feel safe and that me to study. ere are fewer classes it - but student?I couldn't shake the feeling Samantha, China Accordingrange of acts to inShôn an evening Prebble concert. from help8th would March be available to those who than in France which means more of being patronised. I don't mean to the Students’ Union, there are a few need it. timeAlan to Edwards,do research. International e teachers Stu-are say that Australia is a sexist country, 1. e library is great. Much better With stands ranging from traditional 10am-4pm Powis Hall dents Welfare o cer acknowledged ‘hot spots’ around Ban- IfCultural you have Exhibitions faced any form of harass- also very welcoming which is not as but this is how I felt, coming from my than at home! Vietnamese to demonstrations of 2. e recycling is not very good. gor.international ese include sport the and surroundings arts, the ment,6:30pm- don’t late ignore PJ Hall it. Speak to some- usual in France. background and upbringing. of Bryn Eithin, a popular hall of resi- one! ere is help available for anyone 2. e rain. I also don’t get to speak Here in Wales, smaller things pro- Culture Exhibition promises to be English so o en with native speakers. denceworth among a visit. international We also have postgradu- a stand who needs it. You won’t be le alone. vide the culture shocks. They are in February, 2013 | Seren FEATURE 21 CHINESE NEW YEAR By EMMA ÅSBERG long tables. Food - and lots of it - was tial arts and even some belly danc- tempting us from boxes at the back ing. The ra e prizes were handed eople in traditional out ts and of the room. out throughout the day, including a some in suits and ball gowns When the four elegantly dressed karaoke set and a Kindle Fire. Plined the entrance to PJ hall on hosts announced the beginning of This lunar year is the year of the the 2nd of February. After getting the Spring Festival Celebration, they snake, which recurs every twelfth one of the red tickets, we were all spoke in both Chinese and English, year. People born in the year of the given a piece of paper with beautiful although there couldn’t have been snake are believed to be intuitive, - but to us, unreadable - characters more than ten foreigners in the room. introspective, re ned, intelligent on it. We were told it was to enter the The Confucius Institute did a great and collected but can also be quite ra e, and a kind woman helped us job of organising the event, and after cunning and vicious. It is believed ll in our details in the right places. we (starving) were served some food, to be good luck to have a picture of Whilst waiting for the performances the performances followed each a snake in your home, as snakes are to start, people were chatting in other like a band of exotic pearls. We symbols of material wealth and luck, groups, mingling and enjoying the were treated to Tai Qi, lots of singing and snakes are therefore seen as very snacks and drinks set out on the and dancing, a comedy sketch, mar- good business partners. Chinese New Year: 好身体！Good health! (Pinyin: huo shēntǐ!) words and phrases! 为我们的友谊干杯！Cheers for our friendship! (Pinyin: wèi women de youyì gānbēi!)

过年 the spring festival (pinyin: guònián) 压岁钱 New Year money (pinyin: yāsuìqián) 红包 red envelope (containing money, given to children) (pinyin: hóngbāo).

为你的建康干杯！Here’s to your health! (Pinyin: wèi nǐ de jiàn kāng gānbēi!) UN-SHOCKING CULTURE SHOCKS THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE By EMMA ÅSBERG the habits; chippies, pub lunches, the (lack of) dress sense. And of course By IDA VÄISÄNEN ate students. e other acknowledged If you need someone to talk to, seek ulture shocks are rarely shocks, in what people don't do here, that venues include the area around Varsity help on the following numbers: contrary to what people usu- Swedish youths do: dinner parties t has come to Seren’s attention that and Yates. Cally assume. The shocking are so much more common, and not several international students have e International Student Sup- Student Counselling Service: 01248 aspects are in the little things. The seen as something only "grown-ups" faced racism. is has also been port is trying to prevent this by rais- 388520 things we hardly notice when travel- do. Exercise, which is a natural part of acknowledgedI by the university’s In- ing awareness about the backgrounds International Students Support Ser- ling that make places feel di erent, most people's lives. "Fika", which is ternational Student Support. of the international students. is is vice: 01248 388430 in ways we can't quite put our n- the tradition of having a cup of cof- Alan Edwards from International done, for example, through visits to University Security: 01248 382795 ger on. The comments passed casu- fee/tea and maybe something to eat, Students Welfare tells us that a few local schools. Children are then used International Student Support ally by friends or the way an advert is and the most common way for peo- speci c cases of possible racist inci- to meeting people from di erent cul- o ce hours: 9.00 till 16.00 Monday to phrased - or how adverts get broad- ple to socialise. dents are brought to the o ce’s atten- tures. An attempt to build bridges be- Friday. cast. Culture shocks usually come in But di erences also lie in values tion each year, but it’s di cult to pin tween the local community and the e Hollaback! Gwynedd-website is the form of contrasting values, not and behaviour. For example, freshers down whether the reasons behind university and thereby prevent preju- dedicated to the prevention of street just di erent customs. are infamously lazy students as the these incidents have been truly racist. diced behaviour is also carried out by violence. It’s an opportunity for the A prime example for me is my ex- rst year doesn't count toward the - ey might have occurred because of the newly started Inclusive Commu- victims of harassment to tell about perience in Australia - a country I had nal grade. But in Sweden everything the student’s skin color, or simply be- nity Working Group. their experiences and seek help. http:// imagined to be very similar to my counts, and if you don't pass the rst cause they are university students or e prevention of further lamentable gwynedd.ihollaback.org/ home country, Sweden. I expected year, you won't get a loan for the sec- because they were in the wrong place incidents is being carried out by the Australia to be more gender equal ond. The loan also isn't decided by at the wrong time. International Support through rais- than what I found it to be. I was how much your parents earn - and Even though Edwards doesn’t ing awareness among students about travelling with my partner and went since a university student is always classify racism as a serious is- things such as street safety and report- camping a couple of times with his over 18, why should it? The ways that sue in Bangor – overall it’s quieter ing any incidents to the police. e (Australian) relatives. I am quite out- people socialise are also slightly dif- compared to cities like London or university has a police liaison o cer doorsy and used to putting up tents, ferent here, in that it is more accept- Manchester - the incidents where who works with the university security helping with the lifting and carrying able to hang out with people of the students have felt threatened are team and is there to help any student of heavy things, nor am I averse to opposite sex, and if you're a couple, always taken seriously. e school gets requiring it. using screwdrivers or other tools to the girl might as well hang with her in touch with the university’s police e International Students Support set up camp or mend things. I am boyfriend's male friends as his female liaison o cer and the Student Union O ce is also working together with equally used to people assuming acquaintances - as is the norm here. if students need counselling. Help is Student Union and other departments that I am capable of these things and What I mean to say is that culture available and the school encourages towards a zero tolerance policy for all treating me as an equal to men. But shocks rarely are shocking, because students to come forward. forms of harassment, whether it be in Australia no-one expected me to the biggest ones are always expect- Bangor’s small size can also be seen racial, sexual or homophobic. is is help with anything that involved any ed. When you go to Asia for example, as a disadvantage. It’s a close-knit com- carried out through projects such as kind of labour, except maybe lighter you expect almost everything to be munity where the large amount of in- special training for the university sta housework. This might be seen as a di erent. But close to home, the cul- ternational students are more easily provided by the Student Union. All of welcome break to many - and maybe ture shocks are in the little things. noticed than in a larger city. is can this is done to assure that the students that's the way I should be looking at create conditions for racist incidents. of Bangor University feel safe and that it - but I couldn't shake the feeling According to Shôn Prebble from help would be available to those who of being patronised. I don't mean to the Students’ Union, there are a few need it. Alan Edwards, International Stu- say that Australia is a sexist country, acknowledged ‘hot spots’ around Ban- If you have faced any form of harass- dents Welfare o cer but this is how I felt, coming from my gor. ese include the surroundings ment, don’t ignore it. Speak to some- background and upbringing. of Bryn Eithin, a popular hall of resi- one! ere is help available for anyone Here in Wales, smaller things pro- dence among international postgradu- who needs it. You won’t be le alone. vide the culture shocks. They are in 22 FEATURE Seren | February, 2013 SAMESEX MARRIAGE IN ENGLAND AND WALES A Step Forward

450species exhibit homosexuality in nature.

52%of people said marriages between homosexuals should be recognised.

2010is the year that Equal Love was established in the UK.

SUPPORTERS OF SAMESEX MARRIAGE GATHERED OUTSIDE THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT ON THE EVE OF THE SAMESEX MARRIAGE BILL VOTE.

by CONOR SAVAGE would be banned in law from o er- their partnership into a marriage, but of Sikh Organisations believes that the ing same-sex marriages. is seems they will not be obligated to do so. change would dilute the de nition of 68% he Marriage (Same Sex Cou- to be because the legislation will not e campaign for same-sex marriage marriage in religious scriptures. e of all marriages within ples) Bill has been voted in compel any religious institution to has been a long one, with many now Quakers have campaigned on the side favour this month with 400 perform same sex marriages, and as celebrating the rst step in seeing the in favour of same-sex marriage and the UK in 2010 were Tto 175, a majority of 225. PM David the Anglican Church had expressed change they have so long waited for. In will allow ceremonies to take place on civil, non-religous Cameron says he is proud that the love strong opposition to the change; a le- terms of reasoning for the change, they their premises. marriages. of a same-sex couple will now “count gal ban on them may be a way of pro- cite that the current system of civil In Northern Ireland, no current plans the same” as that of a heterosexual tecting them from any potential legal partnerships perpetuates the idea that have been drawn up to introduce any couple. is took place even though retribution. at, and an avoidance same-sex relationships are not as valid similar legislation, whereas the SNP almost half of Conservative MPs, 137 of a potential disestablishment of the as heterosexual relationships. is, as has stated that they will be introduc- of them, voted against the bill. is Anglican Church, as it would change stated above, is also joined by the issue ing a similar piece of legislation in the included two cabinet ministers, the their founding de nition of marriage, of legal rights not being the same for near future which will allow same-sex Environment Secretary Owen Pater- meaning that all of their founding laws civil partnerships and same-sex mar- marriage within Scotland. is legisla- son and Welsh Secretary David Jones. would have to be re-examined. e bill riage. e Liberal Democrats are cel- tion is receiving cross party support at is apparent show of indiscipline is also makes it unlawful for any minis- ebrating this legislation as a triumph Holyrood, the site of the Scottish Par- countries11 have made a result of MPs given a free vote on ter to perform a same-sex marriage if for the party, as they were the party liament, so it looks likely that it will be same-sex marriage this bill, meaning that they could vote the governing body of their religious who originally championed the plans. successful. Also, in a similar move to legal. whichever way they wanted without organisation has expressed their wish However, the religious bodies of the that performed in Westminster, Scot- fear of disobeying the party whips. to opt in to performing them. UK have, in the majority, stood against land’s First Minister Alex Salmond e bill was backed at second reading; A civil partnership is a legal relation- the changes. e Catholic Church rep- said that it would be a free vote on this means that whilst the majority ship exclusively for a same-sex couple resentative body within the UK doesn’t the bill, and that no religious institu- agrees to the principle of the bill, the that is distinct from marriage. It of- believe that the legislation should tion would be forced to hold same-sex legislation will now come under more fers the same legal treatment as mar- go through, as it would remove the marriages. detailed parliamentary scrutiny. With riage across a range of matters, such uniqueness of marriage between a man is change then seems to be the rst some fearing that once the bill enters as inheritance, pension provision, life and a woman. e Jewish community step, in what will be a long road in cre- the House of Lords, it will face signi - assurance, child maintenance, next is split on the issue, with the United ating equality between same-sex cou- 2005 cant opposition. of kin and immigration rights. Also Synagogues going against the change, ples and heterosexual couples. is the year civil partnerships became If it becomes law, the bill will allow whereas a civil partnership is an exclu- and the Liberal and Reform Syna- couples eligible for civil partnerships sively civil procedure, same-sex mar- gogues on the support side. e Mus- GOT YOUR OWN VIEWS ON legal within the UK. to get married, in both civil and reli- riage can be either a religious or civil lim Council of Great Britain has stood SAMESEX MARRIAGE? SEND gious ceremonies, as long as the reli- THEM TO [email protected]. procedure. If the bill becomes law, a against the proposals, believing that ac.uk gious institution gives its consent. e conversion process will be available to they are both unnecessary and unhelp- bill, however, speci es that the Church those in civil partnerships to convert ful. Lord Singh, head of the Network of England and Church of Wales February, 2013 | Seren FEATURE 23 Public Emma gives us Opinion an overview on her thoughts on same-sex “First of all I felt that the church’s position on same sex marriage relationships, never mind same sex marriages, was increasingly FEW things get me as riled up (and don’t forget being straight ing but beautiful? What if some- God forbid we subject our kids judgemental and not really in- as human rights - particularly the is included here) isn’t a choice one told you that it is traumatis- to this traumatic event. clusive in the way that I felt that right to love, and manifest that any more than being born with ing to children to explain that you I speak from experience when it should be” love. freckles - you can conceal them can now marry the person of your I say this: love is equal. We are all The marriage (same sex cou- with make-up, but in the end they dreams? And by the way, I know people in the end. It all boils down Rev. Andrew Marton ples) bill nally gives gay people always have and always will be people who have done this, and it to this. You can argue your points the opportunity to legally do just there. was about as traumatising as this: till the end of time, but in the end that, and I couldn’t be more for it. What if someone told you that “Child: Dad, why did that man we are all just people, and we all Marriage, commitment, and love your love was a sin? Have you ever kiss that man? want nothing more than to be should be options for everyone. taken abuse for holding your part- Dad: Because they love each loved and free. As was argued in the House of ner’s hand in the street or been other, just like your mum and I do. Commons, it is now (again, nally) called cheap or dirty because of Child: Oh. Can I have another accepted that sexual orientation something that should be noth- cookie?” “It is not possible to redefine marriage. Marriage is the union SOME OTHER MEMBERS OF SEREN SHARE THEIR POINTS between a man and a woman; has been historically; remains OF VIEW... so” Sir Roger Gale Conservative MP IT’S LIKE THEY’RE DICTATING EMOTION, AND THAT’S NOT AS LONG AS PEOPLE AREN’T HURTING ANYONE ELSE, LET SOMETHING A GOVERMENT SHOULD DICTATE THEM LIVE THEIR LIVES ZAKEE - CONTRIBUTOR BECKI - DEPUTY CONTENT EDITOR

IF ONE RIGHT IS ALLOCATED TO ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE, IT EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MARRY WHO THEY WANT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ANOTHER TO; EXCEPT FOR ANIMALS, THAT’S WEIRD WILL - ENVIRONMENT EDITOR BECCI - FILM EDITOR

“But also I regard marriage as an institution that has developed over many centuries, essentially for the provision of a warm and safe environment for the upbringing of children, which is clearly something that two same-sex partners can’t do” David Jones Welsh Secretary

“I’ll be voting for equal marriage for a very simple reason: I don’t think that the person you love should determine the rights PostSecret is a community art project which you have” encourages people to open up and share their It Gets Better is a community project designed Ed Miliband stories. This example displays the importance to help members of the LGBT society get through of marriage to this individual. troubling times of their life. For more visit www.postsecret.com For more information visit www.itgetsbetter.org SINCE 2005 “I’ve always been very clear on CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS this: love is the same, straight or gay, so the civil institution THERE HAVE BEEN should be the same too” IN THE UK 100’000 Nick Clegg 24 FEATURE Seren | February, 2013

THE LINK BETWEEN LOW FAMILY INCOME AND THE INABILITY TO OBTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF EDUCA TION IS GREATER IN ENGLAND AND WALES THAN IN ALMOST ANY OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRY, BUT YOU

by LAURA JONES HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE THIS CHANGE.

his month I was given the opportunity to meet with Teach First, and learnt about the amazing prospects that they are providing for students in Wales from 2013 onwards. Founded in 2002, Teach First is a charity that believes in Tequal opportunities being available for children everywhere, providing them with an excellent quality of teach- Sophie Gaston ing and education regardless of their social situation and domestic income. The charity not only provides a more positive future for children, but also gives graduates the chance to make a di erence. I could not be any Over 5,000 graduates have already become part of this scheme in England, and from 2013 they will be ex- more supportive panding to Wales, hoping to place 40 teachers in secondary schools throughout South Wales in September this year. By participating in this regime, you are abiding by the beliefs of Teach First that every person is entitled to a decent “of Teach First com- education and quality of life, and training to be able to provide your pupils with this fundamental right. ing to Wales, to ensure that people like me aren’t just What Teach First o ers you is hands- able work experience. on training to become a teacher, with one of the ‘lucky a two year Leadership Development Step 5 7th ones’ but that all programme, that follows this struc- You will return to the school in which The position Teach First was voted young people in ture: you have been placed, as an NQT into as part of The Times Top 100 my home country (Newly Quali ed Teacher), in order to Graduate Employers, positioning it Step 1 expand on the experience and skills as the highest ranking charity in the have equal access -The learning process begins with that you have already begun to de- history of the survey. to the support and their Summer Institute, where you velop. encouragement will gain experience in a school environment, identifying any particular Step 6 that I was indeed areas for personal development. You are able to also work upwards to- 400,000 lucky enough to wards achieving a Masters quali ca- The number of young people who receive. tion. If you choose to follow this op- Step 2 have been taught by Teach First Following this, your rst year of tional route, you will have a chance teachers in the past ten years. teaching will begin. As this is a new to improve the leadership skills you ” development in Wales, unfortunately have already developed. only opportunities within second- Gareth Jones ary schools will be available to be- After you have followed the two gin with this year. It is an incredibly year programme, you are able to go 2,520 hands-on way of entering the teach- in any direction that you wish, with The amount of teachers that Teach I had always wanting profession, but you will gain sup- teaching always being an available First has placed in schools with chal- ed to give teaching port from Teach First, your University option open for you. You will have lenging circumstances since 2002, “a go and Teach First training provider, and the school in contributed to the future of the chil- when the charity was rst founded. appeared to be an which you are placed, to ensure that dren you have already helped to ed- you are able to work to the best of ucate, and if you choose to continue If you are interested in this in- excellent route your ability and thoroughly enjoy the teaching as a career, will be able to credible post-graduate oppor- into the profes- experience. do so with these incredible values tunity, make sure to attend the sion... I’m delighted that are being represented by the event that Teach First are hold- Step 3 charity. ing on February 28th, at 6pm in that Teach First is During this rst year working in a Many graduates will nd them- the Weldon Building (Lecture expanding into school, you will be aiming to achieve selves leaving University asking the Theatre 1). Wales this year as your Post Graduate Certi cate in Ed- question “What am I able to change?” If, for whatever reason you are ucation (PGCE). – But it doesn’t have to be this way. unable to attend this presenta- there is a real need Your education and the time that you tion, you are also able to access to ensure young Step 4 have spent achieving your degree further information on Teach people in this re- During the summer between the rst are incredibly valuable, and you have First by their: gion have access to and second year of your programme, the power to make an impact on fu- Website - www.teach rst.org. you will have the chance to undergo ture generations. Choose to revolu- uk/graduates an excellent educa- a summer project – a ‘mini internship’ tionise. Or contact by email - tion, regardless of gkynaston@teach rst.org.uk that gives you a chance to gain valu- their background.” February, 2013 | Seren 25

DID THE 90S CALM RAG DOWN? This issue Seren’s Editor, LJ, sat down with RAG’s Rhodri to nd a little out about what RAG are up to, the upcoming RAG week and how it’s changed since the 90s. DID YOU KNOW THAT IN THE 80S FOR JUST £5 RAG WOULD KIDNAP A PERSON OF YOUR CHOICE. £10 FOR A LECTURER THEY WOULD PUT THEM IN A VAN AND DEPOSIT THEM SOMEWHERE IN ANGLESEY!

So what exactly is RAG? but not everyone necessarily wants So, the letter from Prince Wil- suggested donation to get in and on a student”, where people are eating It stands for raising and giving. We to work with the elderly or on certain liam? What was that all about? Tuesday we’re having a poker tourna- scorpions, we speak with health and raise money for two local and two events. They just want to help with a Well, SVB got the Queen’s award ment in Fat Cats which is £5 to get in. safety too. They are really good. Usu- national charities each year. This year one thing and with the Raggies they this year so we thought that as they On the Wednesday we’ve got leg ally if we go to them they nd a way our local charities are Ty Gobaith and can help as much, or as little as they want to live on Anglesey maybe Kate waxing again in Fat Cats. Thursday is of us doing it. Harry Potter week was Bangor Nightline. Our national chari- want, and still put it on their CV. They Middleton would want to come to pub quiz, it’s Big Bang themed. And quite a bit of paperwork, we had an ties are Dementia UK and Kids Can. don’t have to make a regular com- our fashion show. We wrote to the then on the Friday we’ve got a big owl and had to make sure it was okay. We just hold as many events as pos- mitment, but also it helps people do cast of Harry Potter, not really ex- Welsh cake sale ‘cause its St David’s sible to raise money for them. If other stu that they might not normally pecting anything, and we got so Day and then a social in the evening The 90s seemed to have quite an charities get in touch with us then we get the chance to do. many nice letters back and signed with some of the old Raggies that are e ect on RAG and how controver- try and hold one-o events for them. coming back. sial or outrageous it could be... We’ve got a committee of ten people I know that in ‘91 the pirate radio and if we need extra help with the THEY CAN HELP AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS THEY WANT, How far does RAG week go back? station went. Storm started out as a events we get Raggies involved. AND STILL PUT IT ON THEIR CV. I’m not sure. I know they used to do RAG pirate radio station, they used to The Raggies, we get them at Seren- a parade down Bangor High Street, have to travel around a lot to stop it dipity and we’ve got a massive data- back in the 70s and 80s. RAG used to being cut. That stopped in ‘91, I think base. They can help out as little or as stu . We made quite a bit of money go round and ask shops for sponsor- it was. much as they want. What’s been your greatest from an auction. So we thought if we ship and if the shop said no then they achievement this year? write to her, even if she doesn’t come got egged in the parade, and if they There’s obviously a lot more re- How do you decide charities? We got a letter from Prince William she might send something. We kind did give sponsorship then they got a straints now, then? In June, we open up voting so all the other day. [laughs] But yeah, we of didn’t expect anything then the safety sticker to put in the window. There are ways of kind of getting charities can contact us, local and were happy with Harry Potter week. other day we got a text from Helen around things. There was a uni at national. And then at the beginning Harry Potter week was amazing, es- (Student Volunteering Manager) say- Do you feel con dent RAG week the beginning of the year that did of the year we kind of put together a pecially the feast. We had the hall ing “come quickly”. I mean, it was a no is going to be a success? a Blind Date thing with a slightly list of all local and national charities from 6 o’clock and doors were open- but it was just nice that they wrote Most of our events are planned and controversial video. There’s ways of which goes round our mailing list ing at half 7, so we had an hour and a back. we have had quite a lot of interest getting around it, you can be as out- and we get all of our Raggies to vote. half to turn it into Hogwarts. We were We walked in and Helen had it on a so far. When it hits the 23rd Febru- right controversial as before. You’ve If its a close call, like this year it was panicking because we’re only a ten pillow, we had to open it with a let- ary we’ll probably be panicking a bit. got to think about what you’re do- between Asthma UK and Ten of Us. person committee but when we got ter opener. She’s probably going to We were going to do Jailbreak in RAG ing. I know on the website an old Quite a few people wanted to raise there the amount of people who had frame it! week then we realised that was a stu- member said that they used to paint money for them so we’re holding a turned up, that didn’t even have tick- pid idea, it’s a lot of work. With Jail- footprints up the chemistry tower. one o event. ets, and had just wanted to help set You’ve got RAG week coming up, break you’ve got to see how far you And they closed Anglesey. They put up...the hall was full of volunteers. It tell us about that? can get in 30 hours with no money. a sign at the bridge saying ‘Anglesey So RAG isn’t just a Bangor thing? was amazing. It’s the 23rd February to 2nd March. We thought we’d have to stay awake full’ and people actually believed it. I No, it’s across a number of univer- We thought there’d be about 6, and It’s starting o on the 23rd with Cu sities. In the summer, members from we’d know them all but it was just Couples, which is 12 hours being RAG all over the UK get together at full. Harry Potter week itself was just handcu ed to another person. Then THEY PUT A SIGN ON THE BRIDGE SAYING ‘ANGLESEY FULL’ a speci c university. This year it was an idea a member came up with last we’re going to have a scavenger hunt Loughborough and we had between year and we had no idea if it’d work, in the evening. We’ve had quite a AND PEOPLE ACTUALLY BELIEVED IT. 60 and 80 di erent representatives. if it was plausible and it just it hap- good turnout so far, quite a few peo- Charities go as well so they can pro- pened. ple seem interested. mote themselves and try and get Cu Couples is one of those that that long to monitor it and that think it was in the 60s or 70s. voted in. Is this something you’d consider quite a few Raggies do, it goes back would never happen in RAG week. I read in a magazine, there was carrying on next year? a long way. On the Sunday and The Durham Ducks, they can’t be something about pushing a pea up How long has RAG been going on It’s one of those events you don’t Wednesday we’re just having pub- called RAG anymore. It’s a great ex- Bitch Hill with your nose. There was in Bangor? want to overwhelm. It worked so licity days, I’m going to be out and ample of how controversial RAG is. also a bed walk to Liverpool. They Bangor seems to have gone back to well because it hadn’t happened for about! On Monday, it’s ‘I’m a student They did a prison break, but a real walked all the way to Liverpool with a at least the 50s. We found an article years; I know it had happened previ- get me out of here’ in Bar UNO. It’s one. They broke into a prison and hospital bed and then when they got online from the 30s but they didn’t ously, not with RAG but with some- a sponsorship event and we’re still stole the Warden’s chair, and left a to the radio tower the radio people seem to be raising money. It was one else. And it was a learning curve looking for people to take part. Some Dairy Milk tray on his desk. Then invited them up for a guest appear- more people going round and selling too, we’ve learnt quite a lot from people don’t like the idea of eating quite a few weeks later a load of pris- ance spontaneously, with the bed. rags, getting money that way. Harry Potter and there’s some stu bugs and holding giant snakes! oners escaped using the same way. we would de nitely do di erently. We’ve got a 9 foot python. And you HAVE ANY INTERESTING Why is it important to have some- We had a few issues with sound and can actually get scorpions that have Does health and safety ever STORIES ABOUT THE RAG thing like RAG? set up and stu but we’d know what been bred for eating, so we’re going cause an issue? OF THE PAST? LET US KNOW: A lot of people want to volunteer to change next time. to try and get some of them. It’s just If we’re holding an event like ‘I’m [email protected] 26 Seren | February, 2013 UNION SU SABBATICAL ELECTIONS With the Students’ Union elections coming up Seren thought it was important that us students knew exactly who wants to be representing us next academic year. That’s why we’ve asked all of the candidates to sum up their manifesto in one hundred words. PRESIDENT

TIMETABLE OF ALEX THOMSON ANTONY BUTCHER ELECTION DATES I WILL review every major decision OVER the past 8 months, I’ve been Friday 22 February that the University has recently un- working super hard to improve your Publicity Design deadline dertaken or is planning to; making time here in Bangor. Among other sure the impact on students will be things, I’ve secured investment into Wednesday 27 February a positive one. I will evaluate all as- disability access across the univer- Start of Campaigning pects of the SU, making sure that all sity, helped introduce a new module & parts of the union are working prop- evaluation system, and lobbied hard Question Time erly and e ciently, e.g. the Senate. over the new attendance monitoring I intend to create the post of Hous- system. But there’s still so much more Thursday 28 February ing rep, with advertising to make to do. For example, joint honours stu- Question Time sure there is awareness of this post. dents continue to su er problems, as To review the location of the current do postgraduates and international Monday 4 March temporary SU building, with the pos- students, and there are no standards Start of Voting sibility of moving it a more central for dissertation supervisors. If you location in lower Bangor vote for me, I’ll keep working hard to Wednesday 6 March An all-Wales University library card push on these issues, and more! 14:00 - Close of Voting Anonymous Student Union comment boxes. 16:00 - Announcement of result VP EDUCATION & WELFARE

MARTYN RHYS MONALISA NICOLA COREEN OFURE CURZEY TAYLOR ODIBO COOKE MOORE I’VE had an amazing time at Ban- I WANT to put students in the driv- I PLEDGE to: Fight Fees; improve I’M Nicci Cooke, 21 and studying AS A 3rd year Psychology student, gor, and have thoroughly enjoyed all ing seat, strap them in and keep Course Representative Programs; for my MSc in Consumer Psychol- Senior Course Rep, Head Peer Guide of it. Almost all of the highlights have them there for the entirety of the improve Student Safety and Sexual ogy with Business. I studied Psychol- and SVB volunteer I believe I have been when I’ve worked with students academic year. Ensuring the weight Health Support; enhance Student ogy here at undergraduate level and developed invaluable experience. If to run events, or solve a problem. I of student voices throughout the Employability, empower the ‘Stu- loved Bangor so much I never want- elected I will pledge to: Lobby the want to take the skills I have devel- year, to deliver improvements across dent-led’ Students Union; provide ed to leave! I’m passionate about university to provide podcasts of all oped to the next level while giving the board to suit and improve stu- Childcare Support - e.g. University helping others, and my main aim is lectures and seminars. Ensure the back to Bangor what it has given me. dent experience. To feel secure in crèche and schemes to support stud- for every student to get the most university has more required reading That’s why I’m running for Sabb, I moving from halls to the communi- ying parents; 24/7 Library Opening out of their university experience textbooks in the library and more e- want to help students get the most ty, knowing that they’ll get what they Hours during exam periods and gen- socially and academically. To achieve books. Create a campaign to improve out of their education, while stay- deserve; a decent standard of hous- erating funds for books that we nev- this I would ensure clear pathways to student awareness of Course Reps, to ing happy and healthy. I want to get ing. Access to and e ciency of er have enough of; make sure that help and advice for students (such ensure students know who they are, better feedback to students, run and services and resources by working no available Financial Support goes as Nightline, student counselling what they do and how they can be support more welfare campaigns, together, support and awareness of unused for students facing nancial services and students wardens) and contacted. Create more awareness and make sure students can develop needs and barriers by constant en- hardship; represent students from all work to support and improve these for the valuable welfare services the skills they need to go where they gagement. I want students to have a backgrounds and focus on the issues systems to give all students oppor- available. For experience, Dedication want to go! one-stop-shop for everything, every- that are important to them. tunity to enjoy all that Bangor has to and Passion Vote Coreen where. o er. February, 2013 | Seren 27 UNION MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

VP SPORT AND VP SOCIETIES AND HEALTHY LIVING COMMUNITY

EMYR NICOLA ANYA JAKE ASH BATH PYE BARTON MYATT KIERANS HI I’m Emyr Bath, currently VP SPORT is a passion of mine. As a HI, I’m running for VP Societies and I’M Jake, a 3rd year Law with Ac- HEY, I’m Ash current VP Societies & Sports and Healthy Living. The rea- current 3rd year SHES student, I have Community as I believe that I can re- counting and Finance student. I have Community. I’m re-standing because son I am re-standing is that I would had an amazing experience in a va- ally help you improve your student been volunteering on a weekly basis I made some promises last year, and I like to continue the progression and riety of sports in Bangor. As a club experience. I have spent my three with The Scout Association for nearly delivered, but I’m not done yet. improvements that have happened captain and BUCs o cer, my aca- years at Bangor being a course rep seven years. Through my roles, locally What I will do if am re-elected: Fa- this year. I started it, and I want to demic and personal experience has for School of Music, and as chair of regionally and nationally and my de- cilitate Training & Development for continue it. taught me how successful events the SSLC and last year was elected gree, I have gained a range of skills in Student Groups; Create Student Led My goals for next year include: Fur- and diverse executive roles enhance by the student body to become a Society and charity nance, manage- Community Activity; Membership ther enhancing the Student Experi- a dynamic and ambitious AU. From member of the Student Union Sen- ment and governance. I know that Development - Engaging students ence; Lobby for a dedicated member these roles I have great con dence ate. These positions have helped gaining strong community partner- from all demographics; Mixed Par- of sta to develop the intramural in being your Vice President (VP) for me to learn how to make sure we, as ships are very important with help- ticipation between Clubs & Societies; programme; Safety, developed and Sports and Healthy Living. students, can ful ll our potential during a society to succeed. Develop the Union’s Online Presence; tailored to suit the needs of clubs; I want to increase the number of ing our time at Bangor, ensuring that Society Marketing Workshops More NGB coaches for improved per- professional coaches, raise the IMB every student has the opportunity By joining a club or society you AS- For more information, you can formance; Launching an innovative pro le and pursue Involvement, En- to fully engage with our community, PIRE to do something, to get there keep up with me and my campaign; club accreditation scheme; My Expe- joyment, Progression, and Success. become e ective in their society and you have to APPLY yourself and then on Twitter @ashk90 or on Facebook rience will ensure greater improve- Aim High. Vote PYE! gain transferable skills. you hopefully ACHIEVE what you set http://www.facebook.com/voteash ment of our AU. out to do. I’ve got the experience to hit the Vote Bath for VP Sports. ground running! Vote Ash Kierans #1 VP Societies & Community

OFFICIAL PARTNER OF...

FANCY DRESS, BANGOR HIGH STREET 10% OFF ONLY VALID UNTIL 28TH FEB. 28.02.13 28 Seren | February, 2013 SOCIETIES Society Snippets Snapped out PhotoSoc were one of many non- AU societies to take part in Varsity this year. They were all around Ab- erystwyth taking pictures of all our sports men and women capturing both agony and glory.

On the 28th of February, Seren asks you to don the costumes of ARABIAN NIGHTS your favourite 90s person or character and get down to Academi for a By LAURA JONES incredible performance as Shah- The production was put together play as a whole. night you’ll never forget. Tickets are razad, despite su ering from illness beautifully with: lighting; the use of It was altogether well-received by on sale for £3 (or £4 on the door) at etween the 8th and the 10th that day. This was further comple- choreography; costumes; and props the audience, and the amount of various places around Bangor. This of February, JP Theatre was mented by a truly dedicated cast, such as puppets and masks all work- hard work and perseverance that all is a big night of the year for Seren Btransformed by BEDS for their and an altogether great team of di- ing together to evoke a feeling of au- those involved endured over the past and your support is much appreci- interpretation of Dominic Cooke’s rectors. Special recognition must be thenticity which complemented the ve months was evident to all those ated! ‘Arabian Nights’. The story unfolds given to the directors for the angle plot. All of these technical additions present. I would de nitely recom- as a series of tales delivered by the in which they chose to represent the incorporated to the stunning pro- mend that people go and see any fu- heroic Shahrazad (Bee Hoy) to the story. They integrated the separate duction that was represented by all ture productions given by BEDS, you malevolent King Shahrayar (Callum storylines in such a way that made of those involved in the production, will de nitely not be disappointed. Dancing Lewis), following his heartbreak. The the play enthralling and mesmeris- and contributed to the success of the King opts to behead each woman he ing, completely complementing the Scot-free! marries after spending the night with original context. them, not valuing their lives but in- Other cast members were integrat- BU dance participated in a com- stead satisfying his need for personal ed into the piece through the stories petition in Edinburgh on the 16th grati cation and revenge. that were told, providing a range of and 17th of February. After a long The play is split into a series of short performances including comedic journey there and back, they were stories which convey messages of elements, as well as following more thrilled with their performance morality, and altogether provide a serious storylines. The use of dance and member Tim Patten said, ‘I’ve motive for the King to keep his new greatly contributed to the artistry absolutely loved doing something wife, Shahrazad, alive. By using her that was evident within the play, with I never thought I would do, even if gift of storytelling, Shahrazad at- Aimée J. Boyd choreographing Erica we didn’t win!’ tempts to change the malicious ways Taylor’s belly dancing performance of the King and become a heroine for as Marjanah. This was a creative ad- all those women she is saving from dition used by the directors, along- Males such a treacherous fate. side many other techniques applied One of the e ects used to bring the stories to life needed! The lead actress, Bee Hoy, gave an within the play. BU Music Society are looking for more males voices to contrubute to their choir. You will have the opportunity to sing in a large choir with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Come along to the Music depart- n Christmas day 1985, the rst for the charitable cause. Whether rolling. can start earning for them and their ment at 7:30 on a Tuesday eveniing Comic Relief show was broad- if it’s selling cakes, painting faces, Thanks to Ash Kierans, we have al- families. to get involved. Ocast from a refugee camp in performing or just asking people for ready secured the selling of Red Nos- If you want to get involved, please the Sudan, on Noel Edmunds Late their spare change – there’s some- es on University premises, including email amnesty@bangorstudents. Breakfast show. Founded by actor thing for everyone. in Academi, Bar Uno and Ffridd Shop, com and we’ll email you soon about and comedian Lenny Henry and The problem sometimes with big allowing people to publicly show an information session we’ll be run- TV Editor comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis, things like this, is that people just their support. ning where we can discuss who can the rst ever show raised £15 mil- don’t know what’s going on with The money raised really does make do what and when! lion, with the help of celebrities and other societies, and sometimes 2 an impact. Comic Relief strives to And we don’t just societies and wanted! comedians such as Rowan Atkinson, amazing events get double booked. help a world recover from poverty; clubs, standalone students, academ- EVER fancied yourself as one of Gri Rhys Jones, Rik Mayall, and Mel This is why Bangor Amnesty wants to feed the hungry, house the home- ics, sta ; anyone can get involved Seren’s Sub Editors? There is an Smith. to create a program for the week, so less and give hope to those who are and come along! opening currently available for TV Since its ground-breaking begins, there is a one-stop-shop for every- destitute. editor. If you are a big TV lover and the charitable cause has raised well- thing happening from Monday 11th £1 will give a child in Uganda the want experience of working within over £80million, and this year Bangor March to the great nale of Red Nose chance to have a malaria test, pro- a newspaper, this might be perfect Amnesty Student Society thinks that Day on Friday 15th. viding a life-saving diagnosis. for you. If you fancy a go, you can ei- Bangor Students’ Union with Bangor So if you have a great idea but no- £100 will help a child in the UK, ther register your interest with LJ at University, and all our student clubs one to do it with, or if you and some who has su ered abuse and ne- [email protected] or come and societies, can make a huge con- friends want to do something but glect, receive life-changing ther- to our weekly meeting at 6pm, at tribution to the year’s total. haven’t got an idea, why don’t you apy. the SU. With 104 societies and 59 sports get in-touch! We can give you some £1,000 will enable 5 women liv- clubs, we reckon that we can all par- great ideas, or take you and your ide- ing in poverty in South Africa to ticipate in something to raise money as to a larger group and get things get basic business training so they February, 2013 | Seren 29

This Issue, Seren’s own daring duo tackle indoor climbing and attempt to keep up on a Music Society social.

Our main aim is to have fun, so we don’t audition and don’t have a minimum standard

Themed, as many of the best pub he Music Society is one of the crawl nights out are, as ‘Song Titles’, I longest running societies at decided to enact a two-pronged ap- TBangor University and one Ro- proach. In my best gear I decided to go byn has been a vague part of since as a Sultan of Swing, paying homage to 1st year. the Dire Straits, but also to be the Genie They run a weekly choir and or- in a Bottle when doing the all-impor- chestra for over 100 members’ as tant drinking. However I was upstaged part of their key duties.’ Another by both Tammy, whose minimalist cos- unusual thing about this music tume consisting of just face paint to count musical bars rest with the society in comparison to oth- the eyelids was inspired and James, the best of them, but I couldn’t count the ers like it in other universities, seemingly random monkey represent- number of bars, the amount of shots the society is run entirely by students at ing all those mammals from the Discov- or units of alcohol they consumed be- Bangor University; ‘both the choir and ery Channel. Some people were more tween them as we circulated Bangor. I orchestra are conducted by students.’ inventive with tting their songs to guess what they say about musicians Having participated in many of their non-costumes. We had Johnny insisting is true; work hard, party harder. I can parties attended by both music and non that he was ‘Johnny be Good’ and one only urge you, if you see them out, join music students, I unwittingly agreed to individual whose lack of time to shower them for a round. And if you sing in the come out with them on one of the so- when coming to the social from training shower, go along to a choir rehearsal on cial events run by Social Secretary Jo made her ‘Smells like Team Spirit’. I’d just a Tuesday night, it’s just the same, just Arvanitis. say smelly, but credit where credit’s due with more people and without the wa- for inventiveness. ter! It was the aforementioned drinking part which I wasn’t so good at. I can

ext on our list of societies that Pippa always pictures’ to have a look at some of the other climb- agreed and started to make my way up. wanted to try was Bangor University Moun- ers and the centre itself – something I soon regret- What came next was perhaps the most Ntaineering Society, famed for their lively so- ted after the fth time of having to watch a child heart-stopping moment of my time as cials and ‘have-a-go’ attitude. less than half my age scale a wall that I would be a Society Girl so far. I let go of the wall, Having already attempted paintballing, canoe terri ed to climb after a year of practice. Swallow- expecting to be automatically lowered polo and cheerleading, (among others) and sur- ing my pride however, and triple-checking with my by the belay, but what I didn’t realise vived all of them (mostly intact), I couldn’t help but belayer that the rope holding me was indeed tied was that the machine takes a second feel that perhaps I shouldn’t push my luck where tight enough, I began on a 3c wall, which just so to adjust to your weight and lower you climbing was concerned, but as usual my curios- happens to be one of the easiest. Much to my sur- slowly, leaving me for a second falling ity - and peer pressure - won out. The Society meet prise, after the initial fright, I soon began to enjoy through the air pondering as to why I on Tuesday nights and Sunday during the day to go it and the fear of looking down started to be out- had insisted to LJ that I was ‘up for an- climbing – indoors if the infamous Welsh weather weighed by the thrill of wanting to reach the top. ything’ and picturing the look on my is living up to its reputation and outdoors if the That’s where the issue came however, as once you mum’s face when I told her that I had weather is good. They also hold regular trips to the reach the top, you have to come down. Leaning broken yet another bone. After what Lake District and other climbing locations, as well back on my harness, I was told to let go of the wall, felt like forever, however, the belay as their annual trip to a particularly climbing-friend- to which I responded with the insistence that I was caught me and I was lowered safely ly foreign location. quite happy just to stay up there for a while and ad- to the ground. Contrary to what you might think, to go climbing mire the view rather than let go of the hold to which Not only does Beacon house a with the club you don’t need any previous experi- I was so ercely grasping. After some gentle coax- number of climbing walls, but it is ence or knowledge, you just need enthusiasm! On ing and some encouraging words though, I eventu- also great for bouldering, where no this particular day the club had chosen to go to ally let go and bounced my way back down the wall, harness is required and you climb Beacon, one of the best indoor centres around with which in the end was almost as fun as climbing it. up a short height with the focus on scarily high walls and even scarier routes to follow, Having attempted a 4a and a 4b wall (I feel I was the route you take and your tech- but whatever your ability, you are in safe hands as getting cocky by this point), it was suggested that I nique. Whatever your skill though, many of the members are veteran climbers and try an auto-belay, where instead of a person hold- you are sure to love climbing and eager to pass on their knowledge. Having arrived, ing the rope that supports you, it is done automati- feel instantly welcome in the up- I once again used the pretence cally by a machine. Naive as I was, and perhaps a beat and lively club, so give it a of ‘taking bit giddy from the success of my previous climbs, I go and have some fun!

You don’t need any previous knowledge or experience - just enthusiasm! 30 Seren | February, 2013 FOOD FOOD OF THE 90S by JOE RUSSELL – unfathomably impractical old’s atulence. We used to now – crammed into a small have turkey dinosaurs at the efore I start, I’m going dining room, eating very sim- swimming baths, showering to insert a necessary ca- ple but comforting food; roast them with so much salt that Bveat into the context of beef, cooked to buggery but my palate has craved salt ever this article; I haven’t a bloody just how an eight-year-old since. Perverse attachment to clue what to write. I absolutely likes it with satisfyingly more- that saline taste lingers on to dread this issue of Seren; I ish Yorkshire puddings. We the point of obsession, almost. loved the 90s, they were the had these strange, roast pota- formative and best years of toes that weren’t emblazoned But for every avour I retain my life so far, but the food? with smiley faces, and there with fondness, there are sever- The food just wasn’t very wasn’t a green vegetable in al distinguishably awful ts of good. Being asked to write an sight. gustation that a ict my hap- article about a decade whose I remember visiting my piness even now. Those ani- gastronomic features were lit- gran’s house in Rotherham seed Black Jack sweets, with tered with the heavy, clawing and eating bowl after bowl their infuriatingly sticky wrap- debris of turkey dinosaurs and of vegetable soup. I’ve tried, pings, seemed like a great idea pop tarts left me feeling de- endlessly, to recreate the taste in the 90s. But the anise expe- cidedly apathetic. rience is repellent to me now; fennel. A DECADE WHOSE GASTRONOMIC FEATURES Those sponge pud- WERE LITTERED WITH THE HEAVY, CLAWING dings from school DEBRIS OF TURKEY DINOSAURS lunchtimes, dense and heavy were only edible because of the vat The 90s was the decade that myself but it’s a feckless task; of custard that accompanied brought us Michelin stars; in liquid gold isn’t easy to come them, give me a sugar rush 1993, Pierre Ko mann’s res- by, but my 90s was swimming just thinking about them. taurant La Tante Claire herald- in it. Panda Pops were never a ed a new chapter in Britain’s I associate some of my best favourite of mine, but neither prandial culture. Ko man’s memories with food; the boy were Fruit Shoots; they always achievement was quickly who inexplicably ran straight seemed to taste a little bit like matched by both Nico Lad- into a set of patio windows? It cardboard and if I’m honest, enis and Marco Pierre White was at his house that I ate co- I’m not entirely sure they con- in 1995. Journalist Simon Jen- pious quantities of hot dogs, stitute as a 90s drink. I think kins, in 1993, called the dec- fresh from the tin. The brine they were a new-fangled ad- ade “a golden age of the table.” that clung onto the frank- dition that snuck its way into These tables were replete with furter’s slippery exterior used the recesses of my childhood opulent dishes – pig’s trotter to soak the bun a little bit, but mind. stu ed with morels and sweetbreads – I ASSOCIATE SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES WITH and desserts like pis- FOOD tachio sou é, not the empty calories and avour not as much as my indefensi- Little of this food merits devoid breadcrumbed chick- ble squeeze of brown sauce. gastronomic credit – it was en pieces of my childhood. by BECKI WATSON I can’t stand the stu now; all invariably rubbish – and When I look back to my 90s, maybe it was too much of a while I’m not a fan of the hack- there was nary a cépes risotto good thing? neyed claim that Freddos now School discos were a highlight of the 90s primary school experience, largely in sight. Instead, I joyfully con- The son of one of my mum’s cost 65p, spending some time thanks to the range of snacks on o er, which seems to have been the same in tended with turkey dinosaurs friends, who in turn became reminiscing about the food every school across the country. While certainly not great quality, the value of and Skips; to dib dabs and one of my very best friends, and drink of the 90s has been school disco food lies in its nostalgia; it includes such classics as Flying Saucers, dish after dish of experimental used to fart while we were cathartic; it’s made me realise Space Raiders, and the legendary Freddo Bars, which as well as being delicious, tubby toasts. I’m sure Jenkins’ eating dinner. It became a so- how great my childhood was, are a vital indicator of the state of the UK economy (65p, seriously?!). Even now, table was very di erent to cial expectancy and the smell and how happy I am I don’t one sip of Panda Pop takes me back to my old school hall, in my lilac pedal the ones I experienced in my resonates to this day; I su er have to eat some of it any pushers, dancing to C’est La Vie and Tragedy. childhood. I recall with great from infrequent bouts of nau- more. fondness Sunday dinners at sea whenever I anticipate the my nan’s house, fteen of us musky odour of a nine-year-

by MATT JACKSON cup that could only be described as being similar to a ginger basket that you would he Garden Hotel, Bangor, is a small expect to be in a traditional desert. It took hotel and Chinese restaurant near me a good few seconds to decide that my Tthe train station. Well, I say small, cups were indeed edible (okay, so some- Restaurant Review but it was actually deceptively big and one else ordered one nearby and took a de nitely inside and made me think of the bite into the bugger). TARDIS, only a Chinese restaurant as op- For our main course, this time, I took the posed to a police-box-come-spaceship. cop out option – a special curry, why? Well, My rst impressions are that it was a nice there was so much choice that I decided place, though paying £3.60 for a bottle of to take a punt at something that was a beer did make me feel a little bit let down, mixture of stu . It was pretty good, a tra- mainly because I prefer my beer in pints. ditional meal choice with a traditional rice Never the less we took our substantial side. Yeah, rice! table for two which probably could have The other meal was tofu; apparently it housed a group of 10. The rst thing I was good but I’m not a fan of tofu, and noticed when we were handed the menu its squishy texture didn’t change this. The was the huge amount of choice. I not only Garden surprised me with its extensive felt slightly confused as to what to order, selection of not just vegetarian meals but but almost overwhelmed by possibilities. vegan options, too. I decided to try the Garden Special Cups, The meal was quite good, and we did mainly because I was curious as to what both order desserts. It set us back about was special about these cups, and my part- £55 which compared to other outlets in ner the vegetable soup (clichéd right?). Bangor could seem a tad steep; however, I was informed that the soup was good; I have seen much dearer. The important THE GARDEN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT, well it’s soup, it’s always soup, right? It’s a thing is that everyone left with a smile on 01248 362189, LL57 1DQ, BANGOR student diet staple. Out came what looked their face having enjoyed their meal. like a mini stir-fry type thing in a small 7/10 30 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 31 FOOD FOOD FOOD OF THE 90S RECIPE OF THE ISSUE by JOE RUSSELL – unfathomably impractical old’s atulence. We used to now – crammed into a small have turkey dinosaurs at the efore I start, I’m going dining room, eating very sim- swimming baths, showering to insert a necessary ca- ple but comforting food; roast them with so much salt that Bveat into the context of beef, cooked to buggery but my palate has craved salt ever this article; I haven’t a bloody just how an eight-year-old since. Perverse attachment to clue what to write. I absolutely likes it with satisfyingly more- that saline taste lingers on to dread this issue of Seren; I ish Yorkshire puddings. We the point of obsession, almost. loved the 90s, they were the had these strange, roast pota- formative and best years of toes that weren’t emblazoned But for every avour I retain my life so far, but the food? with smiley faces, and there with fondness, there are sever- The food just wasn’t very wasn’t a green vegetable in al distinguishably awful ts of good. Being asked to write an sight. gustation that a ict my hap- article about a decade whose I remember visiting my piness even now. Those ani- gastronomic features were lit- gran’s house in Rotherham seed Black Jack sweets, with tered with the heavy, clawing and eating bowl after bowl their infuriatingly sticky wrap- debris of turkey dinosaurs and of vegetable soup. I’ve tried, pings, seemed like a great idea pop tarts left me feeling de- endlessly, to recreate the taste in the 90s. But the anise expe- cidedly apathetic. rience is repellent to me now; fennel. A DECADE WHOSE GASTRONOMIC FEATURES Those sponge pud- WERE LITTERED WITH THE HEAVY, CLAWING dings from school DEBRIS OF TURKEY DINOSAURS lunchtimes, dense and heavy were only ed- IT’S a wee bit nippy outside and the walk home from lectures and seminars can be a wearisome Tarka dal is made up of two separate entities; the dal refers to the yellow split lentil, while the ible because of the vat exercise of tired steps accompanied by tasking sni s. At times like this, being greeted by a pallid tarka is the blend of hot oil, spices and occasionally onions that goes into it at the end. The 90s was the decade that myself but it’s a feckless task; of custard that accompanied bowl of noodles isn’t an attractive proposition. Instead, inspire your nose by the scent of these Serve with a few chapattis to mop up the dal. brought us Michelin stars; in liquid gold isn’t easy to come them, give me a sugar rush hot, spicy dishes. To drink, try Magners’ pear and ginger cider, available from B&M’s for £1.59 a bottle (500ml). The 1993, Pierre Ko mann’s res- by, but my 90s was swimming just thinking about them. This is an inexpensive and wholesome meal. Be resourceful and use whatever spices you have warming ginger will complement the spice, while the sweetness of the pear will contrast the hot taurant La Tante Claire herald- in it. Panda Pops were never a and think will work; the ones listed are a guideline, though I would recommend getting some chilli. ed a new chapter in Britain’s I associate some of my best favourite of mine, but neither turmeric and mustard seeds for the Tarka dal. prandial culture. Ko man’s memories with food; the boy were Fruit Shoots; they always achievement was quickly who inexplicably ran straight seemed to taste a little bit like matched by both Nico Lad- into a set of patio windows? It cardboard and if I’m honest, enis and Marco Pierre White was at his house that I ate co- I’m not entirely sure they con- in 1995. Journalist Simon Jen- pious quantities of hot dogs, stitute as a 90s drink. I think kins, in 1993, called the dec- fresh from the tin. The brine they were a new-fangled ad- ade “a golden age of the table.” that clung onto the frank- dition that snuck its way into These tables were replete with furter’s slippery exterior used the recesses of my childhood opulent dishes – pig’s trotter to soak the bun a little bit, but mind. stu ed with morels and sweetbreads – I ASSOCIATE SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES WITH and desserts like pis- FOOD tachio sou é, not the empty calories and avour not as much as my indefensi- Little of this food merits devoid breadcrumbed chick- ble squeeze of brown sauce. gastronomic credit – it was en pieces of my childhood. by BECKI WATSON I can’t stand the stu now; all invariably rubbish – and When I look back to my 90s, maybe it was too much of a while I’m not a fan of the hack- there was nary a cépes risotto good thing? neyed claim that Freddos now School discos were a highlight of the 90s primary school experience, largely in sight. Instead, I joyfully con- The son of one of my mum’s cost 65p, spending some time thanks to the range of snacks on o er, which seems to have been the same in tended with turkey dinosaurs friends, who in turn became reminiscing about the food tandoori chicken tarka dal every school across the country. While certainly not great quality, the value of and Skips; to dib dabs and one of my very best friends, and drink of the 90s has been school disco food lies in its nostalgia; it includes such classics as Flying Saucers, dish after dish of experimental used to fart while we were cathartic; it’s made me realise Space Raiders, and the legendary Freddo Bars, which as well as being delicious, tubby toasts. I’m sure Jenkins’ eating dinner. It became a so- how great my childhood was, ingredients method ingredients method are a vital indicator of the state of the UK economy (65p, seriously?!). Even now, table was very di erent to cial expectancy and the smell and how happy I am I don’t one sip of Panda Pop takes me back to my old school hall, in my lilac pedal the ones I experienced in my resonates to this day; I su er have to eat some of it any Combine the lemon juice and paprika in a • 400g yellow split lentils (available from Bring to the boil in 2 litres of water. Take care • 1.5kg chicken thighs (take the skins o ) pushers, dancing to C’est La Vie and Tragedy. childhood. I recall with great from infrequent bouts of nau- more. bowl. Make three incisions in the chicken pieces Morrisons and very cheap) to skim o any scum that rises to the top. • 1 lemon fondness Sunday dinners at sea whenever I anticipate the and mix them in. Set aside for ve minutes. • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed Add the garlic, turmeric, chillies and a pinch • 4tbsp paprika my nan’s house, fteen of us musky odour of a nine-year- To the yogurt, add the garlic, cumin, ginger, ga- • 1tbsp ground ginger of salt to the pan. Turn the heat down to its • Vegetable oil ram masala, turmeric and salt. Cover and place in • 1tbsp ground cumin lowest setting, lid slightly ajar, and cook for at • 500ml plain yogurt cup that could only be described as being the fridge for at least half an hour (ideally over- • 1tbsp turmeric least an hour and a half. The nal consistency by MATT JACKSON • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed night). • 1tbsp mustard seeds should be reminiscent of a thick, winter soup. similar to a ginger basket that you would • 1tbsp ground cumin expect to be in a traditional desert. It took To cook, heat your grill and place the chicken • 1 onion, peeled and nely diced Stir it occasionally to make sure it isn’t catch- he Garden Hotel, Bangor, is a small • 1tbsp ground ginger onto a rack over a lined baking tray. Brush the • 2 red chillies, nely chopped and de- ing at the bottom. hotel and Chinese restaurant near me a good few seconds to decide that my • 1tbsp garam masala cups were indeed edible (okay, so some- grill with a little oil and cook for 8 minutes each seeded For the Tarka, heat the oil in a pan and add Tthe train station. Well, I say small, • 1tbsp turmeric side. • Fresh coriander (dried is ne) the mustard seeds. Once they’ve started to Restaurant Review but it was actually deceptively big and one else ordered one nearby and took a • Salt bite into the bugger). They should be charred and running with clear • 2tbsp vegetable oil (any avourless oil pop, add the diced onion and cumin. Cook for de nitely inside and made me think of the juices when prodded with a skewer. will work) a few minutes until the onions lose their harsh, TARDIS, only a Chinese restaurant as op- For our main course, this time, I took the cop out option – a special curry, why? Well, Season with a squeeze of lemon and pinch of • Salt raw texture. Combine with the cooked dal and posed to a police-box-come-spaceship. salt. stir in a big handful of chopped coriander. My rst impressions are that it was a nice there was so much choice that I decided place, though paying £3.60 for a bottle of to take a punt at something that was a beer did make me feel a little bit let down, mixture of stu . It was pretty good, a tra- mainly because I prefer my beer in pints. ditional meal choice with a traditional rice ingredients Never the less we took our substantial side. Yeah, rice! • 4 carrots, peeled and • 1 lime table for two which probably could have The other meal was tofu; apparently it halved lengthways • 1tbsp turmeric housed a group of 10. The rst thing I was good but I’m not a fan of tofu, and • 4 parsnips, peeled and • 1tbsp garam masala noticed when we were handed the menu its squishy texture didn’t change this. The halved lengthways • 50ml olive oil was the huge amount of choice. I not only Garden surprised me with its extensive • 2tbsps honey • Salt felt slightly confused as to what to order, selection of not just vegetarian meals but but almost overwhelmed by possibilities. vegan options, too. I decided to try the Garden Special Cups, The meal was quite good, and we did method mainly because I was curious as to what both order desserts. It set us back about was special about these cups, and my part- £55 which compared to other outlets in Heat the oven to 200c. Put the car- lime, the spices and salt. Mix well and ner the vegetable soup (clichéd right?). Bangor could seem a tad steep; however, rots and parsnips in a roasting tray roast for forty minutes, turning after I was informed that the soup was good; I have seen much dearer. The important (one large enough so they’re not twenty. well it’s soup, it’s always soup, right? It’s a thing is that everyone left with a smile on crammed and have room to roast, Coat the vegetables with honey THE GARDEN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT, not stew). and cook for a further ten minutes, or 01248 362189, LL57 1DQ, BANGOR student diet staple. Out came what looked their face having enjoyed their meal. indian spiced roast vegetables like a mini stir-fry type thing in a small 7/10 Add the oil, the juice of half the until the vegetables are soft. 32 Seren | February, 2013 TV IN BRIEF October 19th! AFTER a lengthy hiatus and a pre- miere date pushed back by four months, Community has nally re- turned to our screens. Despite the uncertainty from the network, the show is back to its wacky ways with a Hunger Games themed episode, proving that October 19th isn’t just a date, but a state of mind. Zombie Hoax HOUSE OF CARDS VIEWERS in Montana were shocked earlier this month when a news all at once, rather than on a weekly by Kate Mara, is a reporter for The Underwood, whilst never seen as a broadcast was interrupted to report by CONOR SAVAGE basis. This has allowed people to turn Washington Herald. Desperate for a caring act, is put into a new light by on ‘dead bodies rising from their into overnight fans by watching the break, she makes a deal with Frank an end of series revelation. graves’. The prank was caused by ouse of Cards is a political series in a very short time period. for insider information. Her charac- After watching the series, I hope hackers breaking into the Montana drama based around Frank The series begins when the newly ter shifts from being innocent, to an that it is renewed. It takes ideas from Television Network’s emergency HUnderwood, a manipulative elected President reneges on his individual who is almost a diluted the original series, and there are two alert system. The network was keen US Congressman played by Kevin promise of making Underwood the mirror of Underwood’s manipula- other series they could pull ideas to stress that there was no actual Spacey, using those around him to Secretary of State for the new US tive ways. Underwood’s wife, played from, so extra material is not lack- zombie apocalypse. further his own political ambitions in a modern day game of thrones. It government. This sets in motion both cold-heartedly by Robin Wright, is a ing. However, whether or not this is based on the original series of the Underwood’s desire for revenge and highlight of the cast. Their relation- happens will rest heavily on the suc- same name, which unlike the new his more vicious political ambition. ship is described by Frank, in that he cess of this new release format, and series, was set in the British politi- Kevin Spacey leads an amazing loves her as, “a shark loves blood”, a whether it contends with traditional Paxman cal world. House of Cards is the rst cast, who seem to naturally work very tting description. Corey Stoll TV release methods. Nevertheless, Net ix exclusive TV series; it was en- well together. This may have been a puts in a standout performance as House of Cards is a sharp political the bully? tirely nanced by Net ix, was only result of David Fincher, the series di- US representative Peter Russo, who is drama, a true tribute to the original released on their site, and released rector, getting all of his casting rst plagued by his own alcoholism and series, and deserves all of its success. JEREMY Paxman landed in hot choices. Zoe Barnes, who is played drug abuse. His push to recovery by water by being accused of bullying a contestant on University Chal- lenge. Tom Tyszczuk Smith from UCL answered incorrectly in their match against Bangor, to which Paxman responded incredulously. Paxman’s actions have been described as ‘rude’ and ‘nasty’ but a BBC spokesperson responded, ‘Viewers and contestants alike know what to expect from the host.’ Demotion at BBC The BBC’s head of news Helen Broaden has been removed from her post and placed as Head of Radio. Broaden has stepped aside from her role following the Savile incidents, for which the BBC was heavily criticised. She is replaced by ex-Labour UTOPIA minister James Purnell. by STEFAN WILSON favour, as you can really empathise Neil Maskell’s (The Football Factory) about your eyes, then I recommend with their characters. The rst epi- Arby. A psychologically damaged you look away, but lets just say it in- fter running for 6 weeks, Chan- sode begins with a group of comic child turned hit-man, the viewer can volves, fresh chilli, sand, bleach and nel 4’s new conspiracy-thriller book enthusiasts who meet on an see his scarred past through his stut- a spoon. Acame to a sharp and bewil- online forum discussing the myste- tering, panting demeanor. Utopia is a masterpiece; it’s won- Good Life dering end on Tuesday night. After rious ‘Utopia Experiments’ graphic However, even after garnering derfully lmed, cleverly written and a roller-coaster of violence, betrayal, novel. These ordinary people’s lives positive reviews, Utopia has not not afraid to shirk away from contro- star dies revenge and one of of the most awk- then take a sharp turn for the worse been without criticism and controversy. It doesn’t come without fault ward sex scenes in television history as the conspiracy surrounding the versy. With the Sandy Hook shoot- though. Some of the acting is weak Richard Briars, star of such sit-coms and the credits rolled, I was left un- comic develops around them. ing in the United States not long out and at some points the violence as The Good Life and Monarch of the sure of what I’d just watched. From Critics, both professional and arm- of the news, the decision to include seems over the top and unnecessary. Glen, has passed away. The 79-year the pen of Dennis Kelly (Pulling), chair, have ocked to praise Utopia. a graphic school shooting scene But at the end of the day, these mi- old, who’s varied career also included Utopia plays on the viewer’s para- Its cinematography is beautiful, uti- within the series was one that took nor factors don’t detract from what voice acting for children’s television, noia of a dystopian, not-so-distant lising the bright graphic novel style great bravery and guts. Saying that, is a simply stunning piece of televi- su ered from emphysema and died future, in a similar vein to Charlie to wonderful e ect. Bright yellow is this shocking scene was completely sion. Also boasting Black Mirror, the peacefully in his sleep. Tributes from Brooker’s Black Mirror. Not boasting a a common theme, with everything integral to the plot and I could not broadcasting power of Channel 4 the entertainment world have been star studded cast (although there are from lighting to seemingly insigni - see a way that the story could devel- de nitely looks bright for the pre- ooding in, naming him as a ‘national recognisable faces in Nathan Stew- cant objects background objects, col- op without it. Also included within sent and probably for the near future treasure’. art-Jarrett (Mis ts) and Adeel Akhtar oured yellow. One character that has the series is a particularly shocking as well. (Four Lions)) actually plays in Utopia’s attracted much positive attention is torture scene. If you are squeamish 32 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 33 TV TV IN BRIEF Ross and Rachel: The Ultimate 90s Couple October by BECKI WATSON Rachel became more focused and Rachel is not complete without the mature, and Ross nally moved on series nale, where Rachel is about 19th! ne of the most iconic shows from his ( rst) divorce. to move to Paris. Ross’ panicked dash of the 90s, and arguably of all But it was not to last, as the sweet- to the airport and heartbreak as AFTER a lengthy hiatus and a pre- OAmerican TV, is Friends. From hearts broke up in circumstances Rachel left enthralled over miere date pushed back by four bad spray tans to pivoting couches, that still cause arguments between 54 million viewers, and months, Community has nally re- it kept us laughing all through the fans to this day. When Ross’ jeal- one of the most touch- turned to our screens. Despite the decade. But one of the most impor- ousy over Rachel’s co-worker Mark ing moments of the uncertainty from the network, the tant parts of this incredible show causes a massive argument, Rachel entire series came show is back to its wacky ways with for many viewers, and one of the says that they should ‘take a break’. with Rachel’s return: a Hunger Games themed episode, mainplot lines of the whole series, Ross takes this as con rmation that ‘I got o the plane!’ proving that October 19th isn’t just a was the relationship between Ross they’ve broken up, and sleeps with Despite their ups date, but a state of mind. and Rachel. In a show lled with re- another woman. When Rachel nds and downs, Ross lationship drama and hook-ups, this out, she is heartbroken, claiming and Rachel proved couple stood out as the most memo- Ross had cheated on her as they had that they were rable, despite only actually being to- never o cially broken up (leading made to be together for a year. So what is it that to the ‘We were on a break!’ gag that gether, and will Zombie makes these two so special? runs the length of the series), and become one In the very rst episode, the charac- the couple are ended, seemingly for of the most 9 Hoax ters didn’t seem to t together. There good. well-loved TV was Ross, Monica’s older brother, million HOUSE OF CARDS But, as it’s TV, nothing is perma- couples, VIEWERS in Montana were shocked a palaeontologist and depressed nent, and Ross and Rachel recover not only people watched the rst earlier this month when a news from his divorce, and spoiled, shel- all at once, rather than on a weekly by Kate Mara, is a reporter for The Underwood, whilst never seen as a their close friendship, and even of the pre-watershed lesbian kiss broadcast was interrupted to report by CONOR SAVAGE tered Rachel, who had abandoned basis. This has allowed people to turn Washington Herald. Desperate for a caring act, is put into a new light by though they have many other part- 90s, on ‘dead bodies rising from their her ancé at the altar and was in on Brookside in 1994 into overnight fans by watching the break, she makes a deal with Frank an end of series revelation. ners throughout the series, their but of graves’. The prank was caused by ouse of Cards is a political the real world for the rst time. But series in a very short time period. for insider information. Her charac- After watching the series, I hope relationship stays a main plot point all time. hackers breaking into the Montana drama based around Frank the chemistry between them was Underwood, a manipulative The series begins when the newly ter shifts from being innocent, to an that it is renewed. It takes ideas from for several series, and they almost Television Network’s emergency H soon apparent, and after Chandler renew their romance several times, elected President reneges on his individual who is almost a diluted the original series, and there are two alert system. The network was keen US Congressman played by Kevin accidentally lets slip that Ross is in promise of making Underwood the mirror of Underwood’s manipula- other series they could pull ideas even sleeping together and having a to stress that there was no actual Spacey, using those around him to love with Rachel, the couple nally Secretary of State for the new US tive ways. Underwood’s wife, played from, so extra material is not lack- daughter. And, even though it’s not zombie apocalypse. further his own political ambitions got together. As their relationship ing. However, whether or not this technically 90s, the story of Ross and in a modern day game of thrones. It government. This sets in motion both cold-heartedly by Robin Wright, is a progressed, they grew as characters; is based on the original series of the Underwood’s desire for revenge and highlight of the cast. Their relation- happens will rest heavily on the suc- same name, which unlike the new his more vicious political ambition. ship is described by Frank, in that he cess of this new release format, and series, was set in the British politi- Kevin Spacey leads an amazing loves her as, “a shark loves blood”, a whether it contends with traditional Paxman cal world. House of Cards is the rst cast, who seem to naturally work very tting description. Corey Stoll TV release methods. Nevertheless, Net ix exclusive TV series; it was en- well together. This may have been a puts in a standout performance as House of Cards is a sharp political Becki the bully? tirely nanced by Net ix, was only result of David Fincher, the series di- US representative Peter Russo, who is drama, a true tribute to the original recommends released on their site, and released rector, getting all of his casting rst plagued by his own alcoholism and series, and deserves all of its success. JEREMY Paxman landed in hot choices. Zoe Barnes, who is played drug abuse. His push to recovery by water by being accused of bullying 3000 a contestant on University Chal- complaints about Brass lenge. Tom Tyszczuk Smith from UCL RECOMMENDS: 90s TV From the opening notes of the the world exclaiming, ‘Eat my shorts!’ Eye’s pedophile spoof epi- answered incorrectly in their match theme tune, to the nal pages of the Its wide variety of humour, cuttingly against Bangor, to which Paxman It was the time of Tamagotchis, Pokemon, scrunchies and the Back- sode, the most in OFCOM end credits, The Simpsons is a truly accurate satire of American culture, responded incredulously. Paxman’s street Boys, but it was also an era of some pretty great TV. In celebration iconic programme. Even though the and huge range of hilarious charac- history actions have been described as ‘rude’ of Seren’s long-awaited 90s Night, the Seren team are here to share their rst episode aired in 1989, it was ters in the town of Spring eld kept and ‘nasty’ but a BBC spokesperson favourite programmes of the all time greatest decade! during the 90s that Homer, Marge, us laughing throughout the 90s responded, ‘Viewers and contestants Bart, Lisa and Maggie rose to me- and will surely continue to do so for alike know what to expect from the teoric fame, being broadcasted to many more years to come. host.’ Sophie recommends over 100 countries, and kids all of Demotion Matt at BBC recommends

The BBC’s head of news Helen PERHAPS not quite what you’d ex- creation of 90s icon Bridget Jones, Broaden has been removed from her pect to be a top show of the 90s, but but also inspired a whole generation post and placed as Head of Radio. the 1995 release of the BBC’s Pride of women (and men!) to reassert 12 Broaden has stepped aside from her and Prejudice and it’s now infamous their love of Austen at Darcy Week- WHEN David Crane and Marta rope and America. Of course, as with total number of house- role following the Savile incidents, Kau man sat down to develop the any production, changes during de- ‘lake scene’ unleashed one of the ends and Pride and Prejudice balls in mates in the rst ever series for which the BBC was heavily criti- biggest cultural phenomena of the an era when Tarantino and Nirvana sitcom Insomnia Café in 1993, I high- velopment are inevitable. However, cised. She is replaced by ex-Labour UTOPIA ly doubt they knew just how iconic a after multiple screen re-writes, two of Big Brother, broadcast in decade: Darcymania. The appeal of reigned. That’s quite a legacy for one minister James Purnell. a brooding Colin Firth and all those wet shirt! show it would become. Not only did name changes and many other ed- the Netherlands in 1999 by STEFAN WILSON favour, as you can really empathise Neil Maskell’s (The Football Factory) about your eyes, then I recommend petticoats not only in uenced the the nale pull on the heart-strings of its, F.R.I.E.N.D.S was on its way to be- with their characters. The rst epi- Arby. A psychologically damaged you look away, but lets just say it in- 51.1 million American viewers, but come one of the most fabled shows fter running for 6 weeks, Chan- sode begins with a group of comic child turned hit-man, the viewer can volves, fresh chilli, sand, bleach and even nearly a decade later, it is one of the 90s. nel 4’s new conspiracy-thriller book enthusiasts who meet on an see his scarred past through his stut- a spoon. Tom of the most renowned shows in Eu- Acame to a sharp and bewil- online forum discussing the myste- tering, panting demeanor. Utopia is a masterpiece; it’s won- recommends Good Life dering end on Tuesday night. After rious ‘Utopia Experiments’ graphic However, even after garnering derfully lmed, cleverly written and a roller-coaster of violence, betrayal, novel. These ordinary people’s lives positive reviews, Utopia has not not afraid to shirk away from contro- Joe star dies revenge and one of of the most awk- then take a sharp turn for the worse been without criticism and controversy. It doesn’t come without fault recommends ward sex scenes in television history as the conspiracy surrounding the versy. With the Sandy Hook shoot- though. Some of the acting is weak Richard Briars, star of such sit-coms and the credits rolled, I was left un- comic develops around them. ing in the United States not long out and at some points the violence as The Good Life and Monarch of the sure of what I’d just watched. From Critics, both professional and arm- of the news, the decision to include seems over the top and unnecessary. CREATED by satirist Chris Morris, a depravity supermarket, where bad Glen, has passed away. The 79-year the pen of Dennis Kelly (Pulling), chair, have ocked to praise Utopia. a graphic school shooting scene But at the end of the day, these mi- Brass Eye was one of the most subver- is free, and society foots the bill’, paro- old, who’s varied career also included Utopia plays on the viewer’s para- Its cinematography is beautiful, uti- within the series was one that took nor factors don’t detract from what sive and challenging comedy shows dying the kind of ridiculous language voice acting for children’s television, noia of a dystopian, not-so-distant lising the bright graphic novel style great bravery and guts. Saying that, is a simply stunning piece of televi- THE Fresh Prince is what many 90s Fresh Prince without any problems. of the 90s. Fierce and provocative, it that the media is prone to using. Like su ered from emphysema and died future, in a similar vein to Charlie to wonderful e ect. Bright yellow is this shocking scene was completely sion. Also boasting Black Mirror, the kids used as a role model of cool: However, it wasn’t just Will Smith’s satirised sensationalist and paranoid a lot of good comedy, much of Brass peacefully in his sleep. Tributes from Brooker’s Black Mirror. Not boasting a a common theme, with everything integral to the plot and I could not broadcasting power of Channel 4 the crazy multi coloured jackets, the cool that guaranteed the show a 5 media reactions to social issues, with Eye’s humour is underpinned with se- the entertainment world have been star studded cast (although there are from lighting to seemingly insigni - see a way that the story could devel- de nitely looks bright for the pre- lingo, such as that of calling people place in the hearts of 90s kids, there top prize winners of each episode dealing with a di erent rious points about society, and both ooding in, naming him as a ‘national recognisable faces in Nathan Stew- cant objects background objects, col- op without it. Also included within sent and probably for the near future by the rst letter of their name, and, was also the dancing from Carlton. theme. The show’s writing is surreal, the jokes and the serious bits are still Who Wants to be a treasure’. art-Jarrett (Mis ts) and Adeel Akhtar oured yellow. One character that has the series is a particularly shocking as well. of course, the theme song. Any 90s I will be mightily disappointed if I with absurd lines like ‘for the kids, it’s relevant today. (Four Lions)) actually plays in Utopia’s attracted much positive attention is torture scene. If you are squeamish kid is able to recite the theme to the don’t see that at 90s night! Peace out. Millionaire? 34 Seren | February, 2013 FILM

talgia. The interesting use of slave trade, but I beg to dif- formance with his rant of black By AILISH ROSE the soundtrack, camera shots fer. Although there were many slaves’ ‘natural subservience’, us- and blood- bath nale (or gen- laughs, certain horri c scenes ing an absurd scienti c theory he D may be silent, but eral abundance of blood splat- (all I’ll say is: dogs) had me on and the skull of a dead black this poignant yet hi- ter) were a joy to experience the verge of tears, with the way man. Some have said that when Tlarious blood-bath of a once again, as it had been a thousands of black Americans Candie cuts his hand in the movie has Tarantino screaming while since I’d seen a Tarantino were treated being shown to scene and proceeds to man- back into Hollywood. Django lm (in the cinema, anyway). audiences so up-front and real- handle one of his slave girls, it Unchained is set in the deep Some have criticised the lm’s istically. was completely o -script, with South of America in 1858, and spaghetti western genre for The lead Jamie Foxx was ter- DiCaprio accidently cutting stars Jamie Foxx as Django; a trivialising the horrors of the ri c throughout, a great casting himself on a smashed glass and black slave man whose goal choice for the strong, silent type staying in character. Of course, is to rescue his wife from the of Django. But the scene-stealer Tarantino was keen to get this renowned plantation Candy- had to be Christoph Waltz; Dr into the movie, for the sake of land. He is rescued by a strange Schulz delivers some fantastic realism. German dentist-come-bounty quick witted and absurd lines Other great characters were hunter Dr King Schultz (Chris- that had the other characters the strong and beautiful Kerry toph Waltz) and they team up struggling to keep up. Washington as Django’s wife to go on a bloody quest of kill- Leonardo DiCaprio e ortlessly Broomhilda and Samuel L Jack- ing criminals for money, ending brings to life the horrifyingly son as the hilarious but fright- up at the Mississippi planta- racist and wealth-obsessed ening Stephen. So make sure tion, owned by the terrifying plantation owner of the Deep you see this lm! It will have you Mr. Calvin Candie (Leonardo South. Just his facial expres- laughing, crying and thanking DiCaprio). sions and body language made God for the genius of Taran- The rst thing that hit me me wince. He tops o his per- tino. about this movie was its nos- 34 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 35 FILM FILM

exist in a digitised binary world between games through Game by ALI BRABBS – don’t be mistaken into think- Central station. ing that they remain two-dimen- Ralph, disheartened with his alt Disney Animation sional. predictable life, seeks to become Studio’s sixth comput- The lm takes place in an ar- something more than a ‘bad guy’. Wer-animated picture cade, not unlike the kind you’d It is only when he enlists the help Wreck-It Ralph can easily be mis- see in Tron, and centres on resi- of Vanellope von Schweetz (co- taken for a Pixar lm. The feature dent ‘bad guy’ Ralph (John C. medienne Sarah Silverman) from embraces the torch passed down Reilly), who proceeds with his the kart racing game Sugar Rush, by that studio’s rst feature, Toy tedious existence of wrecking herself an outcast as a glitch Story, in seeking to tell a story the building in his game. His an- in her game, that his fortune about the everyday inanimate. tagonist, ironically the hero, Fix- changes and they both attempt It’s almost a natural progression it-Felix Jr. (Jack McBrayer) persists to restore balance in the game- for 21st Century children, teen- on xing his damage, controlled world by thwarting King Candy agers and adults that the toys of by an external (Alan Tudyk). By JOE KEEP today are very much that of the user. When Game references, ranging from by THOMAS BICKERDIKE By SOPHIE SMITH by BECCI JAMESON the arcade Sonic to Metal Gear Solid, are virtual. But even though these The contrast of old and new references. closes, the littered right from the start and Goodfellas, 1990 The Lion King, 1994 Shallow Grave, 1995 Shawshank Redemption, 1994 characters features a lot in the game-world: If this lm is anything to go by, non-player for any avid gamer, geeky smirks where retro stalwart Qbert is left Pixar might be seeing some true characters will be shared throughout. “THREE Decades of Life in the Ma a”. IT’S safe to say that, like so many other IN our very own Danny Boyle’s directo- ANDY Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, homeless at the hands of new competition from their origin come to life Even without an encyclopedic Goodfellas tells the real life story of the 90’s kids, Disney dominated my child- rial debut, three friends nd their new the world’s most imaginative and polite trendy rst person shooters like studio. Fans have been waiting – travelling knowledge of game canon, the rise and fall of Henry Hill in the world of hood, and among those lms will always atmate has overdosed and left them convict ever to have graced the silver Hero’s Duty (Clearly alluding to for the best videogame lm to plot and characters are strong organized crime. At a young age, he runs be The Lion King. Disney’s re-working of a suitcase full of cash. A story of tested screen. Shawshank Redemption follows THAT game franchise) and the come – it looks like the wait is enough to make this incredibly errands for a family of mobsters; as he Hamlet, complete with an Oscar winning friendships, starring a ridiculously young Andy, backed up by Red (Morgan Free- very traditional setting of the ar- over, albeit sugar coated. engaging, and the voice work is gets older, he progresses up the hierar- soundtrack by Elton John, follows Simba, Ewan McGregor and Christopher Eccles- man), as he attempts to escape prison cade contrasts with modern con- carefully handled and manages chy. Adapted from the book Wiseguy by a young prince trying to escape the guilt ton, they decide to keep the money but after being incarcerated despite claims sole game aesthetics. This not to overcrowd the presence of Nicholas Pileggi, it is brilliantly directed of ‘causing’ his father’s death, to battle to now have to get rid of the ever-decaying of innocence. Both Robbins and Freeman theme, however, isn’t the characters. by Martin Scorsese and is reminiscent to reclaim his throne from his nefarious un- body. It’s dark, gritty and gives me a warm put in fantastic performances with sup- explored explicitly, some of his early Italian-American mob cle Scar. Famous for one of the saddest feeling inside. There’s one moment were porting actors providing nicely to the feel probably to avoid any lm Mean Streets. It features an Oscar- deaths in cinema history, and one that Eccleston knocks the body’s teeth out of the lm. This is a gem of the 90s, with further Toy S t o r y winning performance from Joe Pesci as still manages to make me tear up. The with a hammer which was when I realised great acting coupled with a meaningful the psychotic, yet funny, Tommy De Vito. Lion King is easily Disney’s best lm to I was way too young to be watching this storyline driven by purpose and under- “What do you mean funny, funny how? date and no true 90’s childhood was com- brilliant and disturbing lm. I turned out tones of justice and perseverance, Shaw- How am I funny?” plete without it. just ne... shank Redemption is a must watch lm.

By BECCI JAMESON talgia. The interesting use of slave trade, but I beg to dif- formance with his rant of black By AILISH ROSE the soundtrack, camera shots fer. Although there were many slaves’ ‘natural subservience’, us- and blood- bath nale (or gen- laughs, certain horri c scenes ing an absurd scienti c theory he D may be silent, but eral abundance of blood splat- (all I’ll say is: dogs) had me on and the skull of a dead black this poignant yet hi- ter) were a joy to experience the verge of tears, with the way man. Some have said that when Tlarious blood-bath of a once again, as it had been a thousands of black Americans Candie cuts his hand in the movie has Tarantino screaming while since I’d seen a Tarantino were treated being shown to scene and proceeds to man- back into Hollywood. Django lm (in the cinema, anyway). audiences so up-front and real- handle one of his slave girls, it Unchained is set in the deep Some have criticised the lm’s istically. was completely o -script, with South of America in 1858, and spaghetti western genre for The lead Jamie Foxx was ter- DiCaprio accidently cutting Iron Man 3 Kick-Ass 2 stars Jamie Foxx as Django; a trivialising the horrors of the ri c throughout, a great casting himself on a smashed glass and 3rd May 28th June CHLOE Grace Moretz returns as Hit Girl in this sequel, which follows Kick-Ass (Aaron Johnson) as black slave man whose goal choice for the strong, silent type staying in character. Of course, WE dive into our 2013 superhero movies with Iron Man 3. Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role is to rescue his wife from the as Tony Stark, out to nd the people who ruined his life and take down the deadliest villain he’s he joins with a group of regular people who have been similarly inspired to don costumes and ght of Django. But the scene-stealer Tarantino was keen to get this faced yet: The Mandarin. The lm also stars Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, and Don Cheadle. crime. Meanwhile, villain Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) is putting together a revenge plot. renowned plantation Candy- had to be Christoph Waltz; Dr into the movie, for the sake of land. He is rescued by a strange Schulz delivers some fantastic realism. German dentist-come-bounty quick witted and absurd lines Other great characters were hunter Dr King Schultz (Chris- that had the other characters the strong and beautiful Kerry toph Waltz) and they team up struggling to keep up. Washington as Django’s wife to go on a bloody quest of kill- Leonardo DiCaprio e ortlessly Broomhilda and Samuel L Jack- ing criminals for money, ending brings to life the horrifyingly son as the hilarious but fright- up at the Mississippi planta- racist and wealth-obsessed ening Stephen. So make sure tion, owned by the terrifying plantation owner of the Deep you see this lm! It will have you Mr. Calvin Candie (Leonardo South. Just his facial expres- laughing, crying and thanking DiCaprio). sions and body language made God for the genius of Taran- The rst thing that hit me me wince. He tops o his per- tino. Man of Steel Thor: The Dark World about this movie was its nos- 14th June 8th November ZACK Snyder’s Man of Steel plots yet another origin story. Superman, played by Henry Cavill, THE action picks up after the events in The Avengers and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) must ght against is adopted on Earth and grows up to discover and use his powers to protect the world that he an evil race led by an angry and powerful elf king, who wants to destroy the world. With Anthony loves. Christopher Nolan worked as executive producer on the lm, which suggests this Super- Hopkins, Idris Elba, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston and Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) as the man movie won’t be what we are expecting. villainous Malekith. 36 Seren | February, 2013 GAMES Game Bits Playstation 4 details NEW rumours are emerging that the PS4 will be released in November at the price of £279 or £299, depending on which version you get. The source also suggested that you will be remotely able to control the next generation console from your tablet or smartphone. Lastly, it is rumoured that every console will be equipped with ‘Playstation Eye’, a feature that allows users to watch their online friends play games throughout the dashboard, even if they don’t have the game themselves. Far Cry gets

new patch By JOE KEEP seeing the Marker let chaos engulf movement or ring, being sorted by the player. The weapon creation/ FREEROAM shooter Far Cry 3 has all those who come into contact completely. Also, with the motion upgrading systems are also mas- had a new patch released which ights icker, silence reigns with it. Having witnessed his wife, capturing, Visceral Games have sively improved, linking even more adds various new features and tight- supreme, a glimmer of move- Nicole, commit suicide in the origi- managed to capture the sheer ha- to a survival horror game as, instead ens up many existing ones. Gamers Lment in your peripheral vision, nal game and numerous other al- tred that the player and Isaac feel to- of the use of credit and a store, the will obtain a new di culty mode, but not enough to convince you an- lies and friends ripped to pieces wards the necromorphs. The game- player now creates weapons from master di culty, the ability to reset ything was actually there. Footsteps by the necromorphs, Isaac seeks play is ampli ed by the inclusion of resources collected throughout outposts in single player and various and howls echo from far o corri- to completely rid the galaxy of the co-op campaign, a development of the game in a similar style to that multiplayer rm-ups and tweaks. The dors, but carried by the eerie echo Marker’s presence by travelling to the online multiplayer introduced of a Skyrim smithing. The game is master di culty will make the wild- of an abandoned section of ship. As where the nal Marker can be lo- in Dead Space 2. The co-op allows completed through the gorgeous life impossibly hard to hunt and will you progress by the single beam of cated. Isaac nds himself ung back for simple drop-in drop-out game environments with wide open areas make pirates outrageously aggres- light spluttering from your weapon, into the middle of an all-out war on play allowing for both players to progressing into a vast nothingness sive. After obtaining positive reviews which is near empty on the ammo the planet Tau Volantis as the hu- progress on a single player save, and with intrinsic artwork littering the on release, these new changes will side, you hear the frenzied scuttling. man colonisers uncover one of the invite friends to join at any particu- horizon juxtaposed against the tight surely only keep the masses happy. Then… Boom! Before you know it last Markers. With this new planet lar section without the need to cre- and dark inside living quarters and the serrated edge of a necromorph comes new challenges in the form ate a new save from the beginning so forth. blade is pushed through your ster- of crazed humans, intent on stop- of the story line. The progression of Overall, Dead Space 3 is a fantas- num. This is the terror and suspense ping you in your mission to destroy the story is somewhat di erent to tic game and the logical addition Destiny not evoked within Dead Space 3, crafted the marker, but, also the develop- other games though, incorporat- to the franchise. For any thinking of over two prior games and built on in ment of the necromorphs is obvious ing some heavy action based plots overlooking this game without play- this third instalment to scare even as old enemies seem even harder in the opening two chapters, but ing it, I am telling you, it is de nitely expected the most stalwart of gamers among to kill and new forms being found returning to the survival thriller worth a play. After that, you will be us. within the opening chapters. encountered in the previous two hooked by the immersive storyline this year After the events aboard the The gameplay is fantastic, with games and adored by the fans. The evident throughout. One last point- Ishimura and the Sprawl, Isaac issues from the rst two games, switch in game styles seems seam- er though, cut o all their limbs! EXPECTANT gamers have been Clarke is rightly mentally scarred; namely in the sticking during less, enhancing the experience felt dealt a disappointing blow after Ac- tivision announce that Bungie’s new game, Destiny, will not be released in 2013. This comes after Bungie release new screenshots and information detailing the world that the player will nd themselves in. Billed as a ‘shared-world’ shooter, players assume the role of guardians in the by LJ TAYLOR Crash Bandicoot was you’d nd yourself in scuba diving last safe city on Earth. This latest an- one of those games that gear or running towards the screen nouncement is particularly a blow af- efore Naughty Dog stole my kids (and their parents) could pick up as you try to escape a dinosaur on a ter consumers were expecting a late heart with the beautiful collec- pretty easily. Jumping, spinning and rampage. 2013 release for the current gen, but Btion of pixels that is Unchart- collecting apples was very similar to All in all the Crash Bandicoot games it seems that Destiny will now be a ed’s Nathan Drake, there was Crash the way the classics like Sonic and were amazing; they were everything next-gen title. Bandicoot. Mario were played but somehow my tiny child self needed in a video Crash, a denim-wearing Bandicoot there was a lot more to Crash. The game. It was when Naughty from the ctitious Wumpa Islands in story was much more important. Dog sold the rights and Trav- Vita price Southern Australia, headed up the One of the best things about the eller’s Tales ended up having must-have game of the 90s. It was a Crash Bandicoot franchise (before to make the series into a free- Playstation exclusive that took the it made its way onto Playstation 2) roaming multiplatformed shadow cut console by storm, with people una- was that it had so much replay value. of Crash’s past. Crash Bandicoot was AFTER a disappointing launch and ble to get enough of the Bandicoot’s Despite the big bucks in the gaming one of those characters that needed a distinct lack of sales in comparison exploits. Smashing crates, collecting world these days, one of the things to stay on the Playstation. The sec- to Nintendo’s handheld e ort, the apples and ghting o all manner of developers trip up the most on is ond he arrived on the Playstation DS, Song are now slashing their pric- creatures that the evil Dr Neo Cortex replay value. With Crash it is impos- 2 (as well as X Box and GameCube) es for the PS Vita in Japan to 24,980 threw at him, Crash Bandicoot so- sible to complete one level in one he was ruined. Somehow freeroam- yen (£172) or 29980 yen (£206) for lidi ed his place in the memories of go; there’s always an extra crystal ing didn’t work for the Bandicoot, he the 3G model. This is a surprise after many a 90s kid. or a time challenge to complete, needed restrictions. only last week, rumours were sug- The games were simple, the fa- each adding a new dimension to the Whether we’ll see another attempt gesting that a new PS Vita was set to voured platform style of the era, stage. to bring Crash back or whether they be announced with a HDMI port and which took the player through an Variation is something that Crash will leave him in the retro archives I USB. However, with the price being array of themed levels around the Bandicoot always gave us. One level suppose is yet to be seen. All I know cut in Japan, Sony seem to be cutting Wumpa Islands, the Warp Room you were following a linear path, is that Crash Bandicoot and his Na- their losses with their less than suc- or even back in time (Crash Bandi- avoiding the peculiar villains and tive American protector mask will go cessful handheld endeavour. coot: Warped). Incorporating the exploding boxes as you search for down in video game history with the simple features of a platform game, the crystals. Then the next minute, greats. 36 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 37 GAMES GADGETS Game Bits Tiny Tech Playstation Goal line tech 4 details In the upcoming 2014 World NEW rumours are emerging that Cup, FIFA have decided to utilise the PS4 will be released in November goal line technology in order to de- at the price of £279 or £299, depend- termine whether balls have crossed ing on which version you get. The the line. With the Euros of 2012 us- source also suggested that you will ing the Goalref and Hawkeye as a tri- be remotely able to control the next al run, the decision now falls to Sepp generation console from your tablet Blatter and the other FIFA members or smartphone. Lastly, it is rumoured on which one they implement as that every console will be equipped the o cial assistance to the referee with ‘Playstation Eye’, a feature that in giving goals. Both have provided allows users to watch their online concrete evidence, however, the friends play games throughout the way in which they provide the evi- dashboard, even if they don’t have dence is a completely di erent way; the game themselves. Goalref uses magnetic references to track the ball whereas Hawkeye uti- lises cameras. Far Cry gets Is Titan new patch By JOE KEEP seeing the Marker let chaos engulf movement or ring, being sorted by the player. The weapon creation/ FREEROAM shooter Far Cry 3 has all those who come into contact completely. Also, with the motion upgrading systems are also mas- unstoppable? had a new patch released which ights icker, silence reigns with it. Having witnessed his wife, capturing, Visceral Games have sively improved, linking even more adds various new features and tight- supreme, a glimmer of move- Nicole, commit suicide in the origi- managed to capture the sheer ha- to a survival horror game as, instead Nvidia are set to release a brand ens up many existing ones. Gamers ment in your peripheral vision, nal game and numerous other al- tred that the player and Isaac feel to- of the use of credit and a store, the L new GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) will obtain a new di culty mode, but not enough to convince you an- lies and friends ripped to pieces wards the necromorphs. The game- player now creates weapons from which is looking to be unbeatable. master di culty, the ability to reset ything was actually there. Footsteps by the necromorphs, Isaac seeks play is ampli ed by the inclusion of resources collected throughout With massive progress across the outposts in single player and various and howls echo from far o corri- to completely rid the galaxy of the co-op campaign, a development of the game in a similar style to that board, the Titan is set to double multiplayer rm-ups and tweaks. The dors, but carried by the eerie echo Marker’s presence by travelling to the online multiplayer introduced of a Skyrim smithing. The game is the performance of the already top master di culty will make the wild- of an abandoned section of ship. As where the nal Marker can be lo- in Dead Space 2. The co-op allows completed through the gorgeous spec Nvidia GPU. This breaks from life impossibly hard to hunt and will you progress by the single beam of cated. Isaac nds himself ung back for simple drop-in drop-out game environments with wide open areas Nvidia’s normal plan to produce in- make pirates outrageously aggres- light spluttering from your weapon, into the middle of an all-out war on play allowing for both players to progressing into a vast nothingness which is near empty on the ammo the planet Tau Volantis as the hu- progress on a single player save, and with intrinsic artwork littering the cremental and small upgrades year sive. After obtaining positive reviews has the Nexus 4 fared? the more advanced they become, the odd 69p here and there, I soon side, you hear the frenzied scuttling. man colonisers uncover one of the invite friends to join at any particu- horizon juxtaposed against the tight By TOM DAVIES on year. This can be put down to the on release, these new changes will I was attracted mainly by the stun- the less wear they seem to attract. built a good collection. The abil- Then… Boom! Before you know it last Markers. With this new planet lar section without the need to cre- and dark inside living quarters and introduction of smaller brands of surely only keep the masses happy. ning design, which unlike its rivals The iPhone 5 aluminium design has ity to use widgets has been the real the serrated edge of a necromorph comes new challenges in the form ate a new save from the beginning so forth. G and Google’s Nexus 4 was re- GPU, such as that of Falcon North- features no physical home button caused many headaches, with some game-changer for me; it’s revolu- blade is pushed through your ster- of crazed humans, intent on stop- of the story line. The progression of Overall, Dead Space 3 is a fantas- leased in November of last year, west Tiki, who are producing GDUs on its face; instead this function is handsets covered with marks and tionised the way I use my phone. It’s num. This is the terror and suspense ping you in your mission to destroy the story is somewhat di erent to tic game and the logical addition Lpromising a revolution in pric- equal to, if not better than that of shifted onto the screen, which is blemishes from the box. de nitely a learning curve, but after Destiny not evoked within Dead Space 3, crafted the marker, but, also the develop- other games though, incorporat- to the franchise. For any thinking of ing for top-end smartphones; the Nvidia in recent outings. something I’ll come to. Size-wise, it’s The camera isn’t as impressive as a few months of playing and tinker- over two prior games and built on in ment of the necromorphs is obvious ing some heavy action based plots overlooking this game without play- base 8gb model starts at only £239. similar to the Galaxy S3, and only a competing handsets. It features a ing, I’ve made my phone my own, as this third instalment to scare even as old enemies seem even harder in the opening two chapters, but ing it, I am telling you, it is de nitely Compare this to Apple’s iPhone 5, tad thicker than the incredibly svelte perfectly adequate 8 megapixel but opposed to a slight variation of how, expected the most stalwart of gamers among to kill and new forms being found returning to the survival thriller worth a play. After that, you will be that starts from a princely £529, and iPhone 5. The rear of the Nexus 4 is the lens lets it down, and it doesn’t say, Apple, think a phone should be Posters in us. within the opening chapters. encountered in the previous two hooked by the immersive storyline you begin to get the picture. Running the real party piece, which like the feature any of the wizardry of the used. After the events aboard the The gameplay is fantastic, with games and adored by the fans. The evident throughout. One last point- the ‘vanilla’ version of Google’s Latest this year iPhone 4 is glass. Underneath the Nokia Lumia 920, which is by far the I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ishimura and the Sprawl, Isaac issues from the rst two games, switch in game styles seems seam- er though, cut o all their limbs! OS, Jelly Bean 4.2, the Nexus o ers surface of the glass LG have milled best currently available. This is a mi- the Nexus 4 to anyone, especially motion EXPECTANT gamers have been Clarke is rightly mentally scarred; namely in the sticking during less, enhancing the experience felt consumers an opportunity to buy dealt a disappointing blow after Ac- slight notches, and when the light nor gripe though, for the most part it given the entry price. If you like, it into the Android ecosystem with- The new Star Trek lm, Into Dark- tivision announce that Bungie’s new catches these notches the glass ap- o ers a decent snapping experience. is the iPhone of the Android world, out the bloatware and delayed ness, is sporting a state of the art game, Destiny, will not be released pears to have a diamond-like shim- The Jelly Bean OS is the star of the combining fantastic design, incred- updates that you would nd with lm poster. Moving away from the in 2013. This comes after Bungie mer. It sounds tacky, but its de nitely show for me personally. Coming ible speed and a user friendly expe- a competitor like the Samsung standard static poster, Star Trek is release new screenshots and infor- something that needs to be seen from the uncustomisable, walled rience. Only time will tell as to con- Galaxy S3. The specs are market- moving towards the moving poster, mation detailing the world that the to be appreciated. Classy? Perhaps. garden of iOS, Android is a breath tinuing success in my pocket but to leading as of now; 2GB of RAM, a o ering snippets of the lm along- player will nd themselves in. Billed 90s Disco? De nitely. However, four of fresh air. I was apprehensive as to those considering either the jump 1.5Ghz quad-core processor and side a bit of the behind the scenes as a ‘shared-world’ shooter, players months in the handset is beginning how much of a step up it would be, from an iPhone or to a smartphone, a 4.7 inch display (retina level, for footage as well. The snippets o er assume the role of guardians in the to show a bit of wear and tear, which particularly given that I would be for- there is no better phone out there to by LJ TAYLOR Crash Bandicoot was you’d nd yourself in scuba diving those that buy into the marketing) elements of the movie to show how last safe city on Earth. This latest an- is understandable given the ham- feiting all of the apps that I’d previ- choose currently than the Nexus 4. one of those games that gear or running towards the screen ensure the Nexus’ top-end creden- the movie may play out without of- nouncement is particularly a blow af- mering it gets, but this isn’t some- ously bought from Apple’s app store. efore Naughty Dog stole my kids (and their parents) could pick up as you try to escape a dinosaur on a tials. I love shiny things, so buying fering a de nitive plot line to the ter consumers were expecting a late thing I experienced with the iPhone The vast majority of apps on iOS are heart with the beautiful collec- pretty easily. Jumping, spinning and rampage. into the dream was a no brainer movie. 2013 release for the current gen, but tion of pixels that is Unchart- collecting apples was very similar to All in all the Crash Bandicoot games for me - but four months on, how 4S. This seems to be a trend with the available on the Google Play store B current crop of smartphones though; though, and with apps only costing it seems that Destiny will now be a ed’s Nathan Drake, there was Crash the way the classics like Sonic and were amazing; they were everything next-gen title. Bandicoot. Mario were played but somehow my tiny child self needed in a video New Nvidia Crash, a denim-wearing Bandicoot there was a lot more to Crash. The game. It was when Naughty from the ctitious Wumpa Islands in story was much more important. Dog sold the rights and Trav- Vita price Southern Australia, headed up the One of the best things about the eller’s Tales ended up having CPU must-have game of the 90s. It was a Crash Bandicoot franchise (before to make the series into a free- Nvidia’s latest CPU (Computer Pro- Playstation exclusive that took the it made its way onto Playstation 2) roaming multiplatformed shadow cessing Unit) comes a mere month cut console by storm, with people una- was that it had so much replay value. of Crash’s past. Crash Bandicoot was after their last entry into the mar- AFTER a disappointing launch and ble to get enough of the Bandicoot’s Despite the big bucks in the gaming one of those characters that needed ket. The new CPU sports a quad a distinct lack of sales in comparison exploits. Smashing crates, collecting world these days, one of the things to stay on the Playstation. The sec- core processor, but, is designed to to Nintendo’s handheld e ort, the apples and ghting o all manner of developers trip up the most on is ond he arrived on the Playstation 90s as technology began its spring be integrated into smartphones DS, Song are now slashing their pric- creatures that the evil Dr Neo Cortex replay value. With Crash it is impos- 2 (as well as X Box and GameCube) and tablets. Nvidia says this is the es for the PS Vita in Japan to 24,980 by KEVIN GRIFFIN forward. threw at him, Crash Bandicoot so- sible to complete one level in one he was ruined. Somehow freeroam- The downside to this brilliant piece “highest-performance CPU core on yen (£172) or 29980 yen (£206) for go; there’s always an extra crystal ing didn’t work for the Bandicoot, he the market”. With the massive burst lidi ed his place in the memories of here was once a time that a of technology is the fact that you the 3G model. This is a surprise after or a time challenge to complete, needed restrictions. of activity from Nvidia in recent many a 90s kid. webcam had to be purchased could not hear what they were say- only last week, rumours were sug- each adding a new dimension to the Whether we’ll see another attempt months, could we see a resurgence The games were simple, the fa- separately. In 1994, a simple ing and were limited to typing on an gesting that a new PS Vita was set to voured platform style of the era, stage. to bring Crash back or whether they T of the once dominant computer graduate research project turned instant messaging program. It makes be announced with a HDMI port and Variation is something that Crash will leave him in the retro archives I powering giant, or is this merely a which took the player through an into a revolution for video chat. Even me appreciate the laptop I own; no USB. However, with the price being Bandicoot always gave us. One level suppose is yet to be seen. All I know urry of activity to ensure they aren’t array of themed levels around the though you had to purchase this matter how rubbish it is, it still allows cut in Japan, Sony seem to be cutting you were following a linear path, is that Crash Bandicoot and his Na- forgotten in the tides of change be- Wumpa Islands, the Warp Room separately, it allowed you to talk to me to have a video conversation their losses with their less than suc- avoiding the peculiar villains and tive American protector mask will go ing experienced in the computing or even back in time (Crash Bandi- someone far away and be able to with people as if we were in the same cessful handheld endeavour. exploding boxes as you search for down in video game history with the world? coot: Warped). Incorporating the see them. This was a big deal in the room. simple features of a platform game, the crystals. Then the next minute, greats. 38 Seren | February, 2013 MUSIC THE SEREN RATING

Liam Gallagher by TOM DAVIES underpinned by drummer Dwayne Christie’s industrial hammering. Lead Wildlife tackle the Seren Six “I suppose I do get sad, but y love a air with Wildlife single ‘Born To Ruin’ is primal and not for too long. I just look began when I was given a passionate, a tribute to the heart, and more... Mbootleg copy of Arcade Fire’s aiming for epic and sailing straight in the mirror and go, ‘What Suburbs before its release. I quite past. Fans of Editors’ rst album will After allowing Seren to have the UK Have you ever had nicknames? a good-looking fuck you happily bopped along for a good nd much to like here, but where EXCLUSIVE rst listen and review of are.” month or so before it was pointed Tom Smith tends to bore, Dean Pov- their second album, we got the op- Diva, Mocha, Shark Eyes, The Mutant, out to me that half the songs on the insky howls and drives each song. portunity to sit down and have a chat Tornado Tim album weren’t actually Arcade Fire, ‘One For The Body’ could grace with our favourite Canadians! sparking a deep investigation (ie. the main stage of any major festival Who, in your eyes, is the most in- Madonna Google) into the origin of the majes- (particularly in an age where Rihan- What is Wildlife’s Favourite Film? uential British artist of the last 50 “I am my own experiment. I tic songs on that album. For some- na may headline Glasto), combining years? (Major bonus points for not one who considers himself to be a Wildlife’s strengths into one single The Big Lebowski Beatles) am my own work of art.” bit of a dab hand when it comes to track. The climactic chant of “One for music... well, it was a bit embarrass- the body/one for the mind” is perfec- Favourite Band? Dervid Browie? ing. However, in my ignorance I had tion. The production is top-notch; Kurt stumbled upon Strike Hard, Young Di- however, this is to be expected when Iron Maiden Have you got plans to tour in the amond, Wildlife’s debut. Before read- Gus van Go and Peter Katis, who pro- UK in 2013? Cobain ing the rest of this review, go buy it. duced Interpol and The National are What would you come to Seren's Now. Please, it’s brilliant. behind it, an in uence that can be 90s Fancy Dress Night as? No solid plans other than I hope so! I'm “Rather be dead than cool.” I couldn’t quite believe that whilst seen on ‘Don’t Fear’. ‘Lightning Tent’ puling for the fall. Or autumn. music-lovers in the UK were being is my personal favourite, with the Lisa "left-eye" Lopez bombarded with the peak of X-Fac- refrain of “You can rely on me/I will What things could you absolutely, Jarvis tor, there was this band in Canada always let you down” bringing the Can you spell the full version of 100%, not be without on tour? making fantastic music that no- album to a wonderful crescendo. Llanfair PG? one would probably hear on these Ironically, for an album that is all Shoes, toothbrush, headphones, in- Cocker shores. I set o on a valiant crusade about the heart being the central Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. I copied and struments, a warm coat and gasoline. “If I do become a sex to introduce this band to people via force that drives us on, this album’s pasted that. Welsh is Crrrrrrrazy! And music in the van. my Storm FM show, which, unfortu- heart is worn dramatically on its symbol I’ll be overcoming nately, only my girlfriend and a cou- sleeve. There are hopes for a UK tour What three things would you take Finally, what 5 tracks would you my natural disabilities - I’m ple of mates listened to. By the by, it later this year, which cannot come to a desert island? pick for the Seren Spotify playlist? lanky, with bad eyesight. In was a bit of a failure. Which brings soon enough; Wildlife gracing these me to On The Heart. The Ontario alt- shores would be a pleasure. Forget A teleportation device, a time machine, ‘Modern Love’ - David Bowie, reality I look more like an rock ve-piece, or ‘weapon-rock’ as Bi y, forget Johnny Marr: this is best and a genie. Those things always turn ‘Bring it On Home’ - Sam Cooke, ugly girl.” they like, have delivered a concept new release of 2013 so far. out for the better and you never have ‘Wildest Moments’ - Jessie Ware, album about the heart. A bold state- to learn any lessons from using them... ‘You Got It’ - Roy Orbison, ment - done wrong, it’d be a shock- but for real I would probably say my ‘I'll Believe in Anything’- Wolf Parade er. But each song, from opener ‘If It girlfriend (not really a "thing" but...), Breaks’ to album closer ‘Two Hearts my glasses and a surfboard. I always Victoria Race’, is superb. Sweeping Bruce- wanted to surf and I think they're hard esque choruses are delivered amidst to make. I refuse to say record player. I Beckham a shimmering lead performance, hate when people say that. “I like a man who can be a real friend, has a good sense of humor, a good BRITPOP's LEGACY pair of shoes and a healthy Music in the 90s was a freaky ol’ that Noel is a Poet and Liam is a town gold card.” thing. It will be overwhelmingly re- crier.” Come 2005, Noel Gallagher was membered in the UK for the emer- stating how he found Pete to be “a gence of Britpop and the impact it sweet kid”. Britpop created an endur- would have on future music. The Blur/ ing legacy; the very notion of an un- Robbie Oasis rivalry dominated the decade; derground music scene seems rather with the now rather stately Noel Gal- absurd now, this highlighted by the lagher wishing that Damon Albarn meteoric rise to prominence of The Williams and Alex James would “catch Aids Vaccines and Palma Violets. Once “Don’t throw me teddy- and die”. They didn’t - but it would upon a time, Kaiser Chiefs were an bears, I’m 23! I’m a man! probably happen before either of the unknown Blur-ish band from Leeds Gallaghers showed any remorse for that no one had heard of called Run- Throw me condoms or their actions in that decade. ston Parva: they’re currently touring money! Paper, not coins” The 90s produced some crack- their Souvenir greatest hits album. ing bands aside from Blur and Oasis But for every Libertines that Britpop though - an oft forgotten fact. Suede, spawned, there is an Athlete, a Snow Pulp, Manic Street Preachers, The Patrol, a Coldplay. The brilliant bal- Britney Spears Verve, Elastica and co. regularly dom- ladry of ‘Wonderwall’ can be heard “Just because I look sexy on inated the charts. Musically, there in just about every mid-paced British isn’t really a de ning label that can be song, rinsed to the point of repeti- the cover of Rolling Stone used, but the lyrics and songwriting tion. The sick irony is that the major- doesn’t mean I’m naughty.” themes were so ostentatiously Brit- ity of these bands are million times ish. A youthful, starry-eyed Pete Do- more successful than a lot of really herty was caught on camera queuing good Britpop bands of the time, bor- for Oasis’ Be Here Now album, and ing the masses to music-zombism, was quoted as saying “Yeah, well, I afraid of anything out of the comfort subscribe to the Umberto Eco view zone of Radio 1. 38 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 39 MUSIC MUSIC by BEN DICKINSON THE SEREN RATING he word that immediately springs to mind when consider- C’est magni que! The champagne and caviar Ting Pure Love's debut is... under- of musical expression. whelming. They perhaps shot their bolt a touch early in the run up to the A consistently good release. Shows ashes of album's release, having arguably re- brilliance but ultimately falls short. leased the only truly good songs as Good but undercooked. A bit more time singles. Tracks like the superb ‘Hand- could have worked wonders. some Devil's Club’ (a homage to The Possibly has a good track or two... but the Smiths song ‘Handsome Devil’) work concept is awed. well, the guitar ri s mixing with a vocal line eerily reminiscent of Morris- Not even worth illegally downloading. Radio sey. Liam static has more purpose. ‘Bury My Bones’ earns a gold star for being the deepest song on the Gallagher by TOM DAVIES underpinned by drummer Dwayne album, the sentiment that Frank Christie’s industrial hammering. Lead Wildlife tackle the Seren Six Carter was growing frustrated in his “I suppose I do get sad, but y love a air with Wildlife single ‘Born To Ruin’ is primal and old band Gallows running strongly not for too long. I just look began when I was given a passionate, a tribute to the heart, throughout the lyrics. It's a shame bootleg copy of Arcade Fire’s and more... FLASHBACK that the majority of the songs that ll M aiming for epic and sailing straight or meticulously arranged pieces, but in the mirror and go, ‘What Suburbs before its release. I quite After allowing Seren to have the UK Have you ever had nicknames? by TOM EMLYN WILLIAMS the album would struggle to stand past. Fans of Editors’ rst album will rather songs that suit their rawness happily bopped along for a good EXCLUSIVE rst listen and review of alone, as the talent possessed by important thing that I have to say on that. The album as a whole is a touch a good-looking fuck you nd much to like here, but where well. This is also a strong album lyri- month or so before it was pointed their second album, we got the op- Diva, Mocha, Shark Eyes, The Mutant, reak-folk, or psych-folk, was Carter and Carroll is evidently strong. this album and indeed on the band mediocre but don't let that dissuade are.” Tom Smith tends to bore, Dean Pov- cally, with the track ‘Roy Rogers’ be- out to me that half the songs on the portunity to sit down and have a chat Tornado Tim one of the more unusual genres Carter impresses by showing that of Pure Love as a whole is this: on an you. See them live and decide. insky howls and drives each song. ing especially surreal, with lines like album weren’t actually Arcade Fire, ‘One For The Body’ could grace with our favourite Canadians! Fthat emerged at the end of the he is more than an angry shouting album of 11 songs only 4 are truly ’’I asked Roy Rogers would he lend me sparking a deep investigation (ie. Who, in your eyes, is the most in- 1960s. Dr Strangely Strange, along front man, and does possess the abil- good. But this doesn’t really matter the main stage of any major festival my horse/and he said/yes of course/I Google) into the origin of the majes- What is Wildlife’s Favourite Film? uential British artist of the last 50 with Comus and the Incredible String ity to sing melodically and with ac- - Pure Love are, I believe, a live band Madonna (particularly in an age where Rihan- can lend you my horse/and galloping tic songs on that album. For some- years? (Major bonus points for not Band, are one of the more bizarre tual musical merit. Perhaps the most and an utterly tremendous one at “I am my own experiment. I na may headline Glasto), combining heroically over the plain you know that one who considers himself to be a Wildlife’s strengths into one single The Big Lebowski Beatles) bands within this category, and Kip of am my own work of art.” bit of a dab hand when it comes to the Serenes, their 1969 debut album, I was never seen again’’ displaying track. The climactic chant of “One for a bizarre stream-of-consciousness, music... well, it was a bit embarrass- the body/one for the mind” is perfec- Favourite Band? Dervid Browie? captures the period very well. The ing. However, in my ignorance I had band were a group of bohemians surrealistic approach to lyrics. The tion. The production is top-notch; band’s sense of humour is also im- stumbled upon Strike Hard, Young Di- Iron Maiden Have you got plans to tour in the from Dublin, and the pastoral mood Kurt however, this is to be expected when portant to the feel of the record, amond, Wildlife’s debut. Before read- UK in 2013? of the album captures a quintessen- Gus van Go and Peter Katis, who pro- and this is apparent both in the lyr- ing the rest of this review, go buy it. What would you come to Seren's tially Irish sense of romanticism. Cobain duced Interpol and The National are ics and the music. Literary in uences Now. Please, it’s brilliant. 90s Fancy Dress Night as? No solid plans other than I hope so! I'm It’s an entirely acoustic sound, behind it, an in uence that can be are also at work here, mainly James “Rather be dead than cool.” I couldn’t quite believe that whilst puling for the fall. Or autumn. apart from a few moments featuring seen on ‘Don’t Fear’. ‘Lightning Tent’ Joyce, who contributes lyrics on two music-lovers in the UK were being Lisa "left-eye" Lopez organs. The musicianship is slightly is my personal favourite, with the songs. Not that he was aware of this, bombarded with the peak of X-Fac- What things could you absolutely, dodgy, with recorders and man- refrain of “You can rely on me/I will having been dead for 28 years when tor, there was this band in Canada Can you spell the full version of 100%, not be without on tour? dolins that cheerfully play slightly ment at Occy (sorry, PeeP) on a Satur- professional, harking back to a more always let you down” bringing the the record was made. This album is by TOM DAVIES Jarvis making fantastic music that no- Llanfair PG? out of tune but this only adds to day night, where the pints they’d be a uent time for guitar music. album to a wonderful crescendo. fairly underrated and obscure, and one would probably hear on these Shoes, toothbrush, headphones, in- the charm and strange atmosphere chucking would at least be cheaper A short encore culminated with a Ironically, for an album that is all people who enjoy the more strange ere at Seren we like Jake Bugg. Cocker shores. I set o on a valiant crusade Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. I copied and struments, a warm coat and gasoline. of the record. It also dismisses any than Academy’s in ated gig prices. cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison about the heart being the central and colourful side of folk music could Avid readers of these music “If I do become a sex to introduce this band to people via force that drives us on, this album’s pasted that. Welsh is Crrrrrrrazy! And music in the van. preconceptions a listener may have pages will remember we gave For those devoted music lovers in the Blues’. Aside from the crowd, this was of progressive or psychedelic folk - do a lot worse than this artful journey H my Storm FM show, which, unfortu- crowd, Jake was a treat, moving from the only real downer of the set - fans heart is worn dramatically on its through Irish weirdness. his debut album 5 Serens back in Oc- symbol I’ll be overcoming nately, only my girlfriend and a cou- sleeve. There are hopes for a UK tour What three things would you take Finally, what 5 tracks would you these are not virtuoso performances, tober, and it sounds as good now as song-to-song with the re nement of of the Cash biopic Walk The Line may my natural disabilities - I’m ple of mates listened to. By the by, it later this year, which cannot come to a desert island? pick for the Seren Spotify playlist? it did then. It seems that it isn’t just a far more experienced artist, and the remember June’s description of the lanky, with bad eyesight. In was a bit of a failure. Which brings soon enough; Wildlife gracing these Seren that likes Jake Bugg though - buzz around this particular 18 year Man in Black as “steady like a train, me to On The Heart. The Ontario alt- shores would be a pleasure. Forget A teleportation device, a time machine, ‘Modern Love’ - David Bowie, it’s everybody. This can probably be old is more than justi ed. His live sharp like a razor”. Bugg’s delivery of reality I look more like an rock ve-piece, or ‘weapon-rock’ as Bi y, forget Johnny Marr: this is best and a genie. Those things always turn ‘Bring it On Home’ - Sam Cooke, attributed more to the sycophantic show takes the majority of his album the song is neither, and lacks Cash’s ugly girl.” they like, have delivered a concept new release of 2013 so far. out for the better and you never have ‘Wildest Moments’ - Jessie Ware, overplay of ‘Lightning Bolt’ by Radio and improves it immeasurably, which deep southern baritone and snarling album about the heart. A bold state- to learn any lessons from using them... ‘You Got It’ - Roy Orbison, 1 than the universal appeal of his al- is no mean feat given its quality. The enunciation. The strength of Bugg’s ment - done wrong, it’d be a shock- but for real I would probably say my ‘I'll Believe in Anything’- Wolf Parade bum, and this in turn has generated show opener ‘Fire’ bene ts from the own material would close any set er. But each song, from opener ‘If It girlfriend (not really a "thing" but...), an... interesting following at his live removal of the post-production re- well; the cover is unnecessary. As Breaks’ to album closer ‘Two Hearts my glasses and a surfboard. I always shows. cord crackle and iPhone recording. with his debut album, what strikes Victoria Race’, is superb. Sweeping Bruce- wanted to surf and I think they're hard I’m not quite sure what the crowd The live performance of ‘Ballad of Mr most about Jake Bugg is the maturity esque choruses are delivered amidst to make. I refuse to say record player. I at the Manchester Academy was Jones’ features a sublime guitar solo of his music, and this was only more Beckham a shimmering lead performance, hate when people say that. by TOM DAVIES they’ve carved their own distinct expecting; half of those attending that isn’t present on the album, with evident at the Academy: the future is “I like a man who can be sound which is no mean feat. There would have found more entertain- Bugg stretching the clean, bluesy bright for this young star. ad Excuses are a local 4-piece is loads of variation going on here tone of his Stratocaster like a true a real friend, has a good hailing from the not too distant too - ‘Cease Hate and Violence’ is clas- sense of humor, a good Holyhead, Anglesey. Recorded sic rock at its best, whereas ‘Fifth Sea- by MATT JACKSON tions that the band have changed, BRITPOP's LEGACY B and almost echoes the album as a pair of shoes and a healthy at the Y Gelfa studio in our very own son’ is like My Chemical Romance’s Music in the 90s was a freaky ol’ that Noel is a Poet and Liam is a town Bangor, Press Start is a bloody good ‘Helena’ without the eyeliner, greasy uneral for a Friend’s latest o er- whole. Being around three minutes gold card.” thing. It will be overwhelmingly re- crier.” Come 2005, Noel Gallagher was start for a band that are still at the fringes and melodrama. ‘Disorien- ing Conduit is their rst since long, it’s also the perfect time to suit membered in the UK for the emer- stating how he found Pete to be “a very start of their musical path. tated’ is the pick of the bunch here F2011 and is also their rst al- airplay. Whilst the album is strong, I’d gence of Britpop and the impact it sweet kid”. Britpop created an endur- Opening with ‘Funky Song’, the though; fans of R.E.M.’s Reckoning will bum with former Rise to Remains say that it at times can come across would have on future music. The Blur/ ing legacy; the very notion of an un- band’s enthusiasm for what they do nd much to like here, with the song drummer Pat Lundy, who replaced as a bit samey. Less strong and me- Robbie Oasis rivalry dominated the decade; derground music scene seems rather is immediately evident. The in uence showcasing frontman Dave Parry’s Ryan Richards behind the kit. While lodic than some of their o erings, with the now rather stately Noel Gal- absurd now, this highlighted by the of early Red Hot Chili’s is evident, full vocal range. at times it seems like a typical and a lot of the songs seemingly merge Williams lagher wishing that Damon Albarn meteoric rise to prominence of The with guitarist CombiChris Markwell, Epic artwork aside, this is a really quintessential teenage angst driven into one with the occasional di er- and Alex James would “catch Aids Vaccines and Palma Violets. Once ence, such as ‘Nails’ and ‘Sun-less’ .It “Don’t throw me teddy- a decorated Bangor University Alum- good debut EP that dispels the un- album, Conduit sometimes feels as and die”. They didn’t - but it would upon a time, Kaiser Chiefs were an ni, sounding a tad like John Frusci- fortunate belief that local bands, though the band have radio play and starts o strong and promising, but bears, I’m 23! I’m a man! probably happen before either of the unknown Blur-ish band from Leeds ante. The band list their in uences as are for the most part, a bit rubbish. radio coverage in mind. doesn’t really live up to the platform that no one had heard of called Run- Throw me condoms or Gallaghers showed any remorse for Black Sabbath, Metallica, Coldplay (... The local music scene in this part of Whilst they’ve still been producing it builds for itself. their actions in that decade. ston Parva: they’re currently touring only the drummer apparently) and Wales gets a fair bit of stick, but it content recently, it’s been a good All in all, I’d say it’s a good showing money! Paper, not coins” The 90s produced some crack- their Souvenir greatest hits album. the aforementioned RHCP. To say Bad goes to show it’s not for lack of tal- while since we’ve heard much about from Funeral for a Friend, considering bands aside from Blur and Oasis But for every Libertines that Britpop Excuses are a pastiche of these acts ent. They’ll be playing the next Bar the Welsh 5 piece. This album seems ing they’ve been a band that have, though - an oft forgotten fact. Suede, spawned, there is an Athlete, a Snow would be a disservice to their work Uno band night on the 7th March, rawer than some of their more recent to most people, been on the back Britney Spears Pulp, Manic Street Preachers, The Patrol, a Coldplay. The brilliant bal- though, and despite picking up on and I implore you to check them out. o erings, and many fans and critics burner for a good few years now. Verve, Elastica and co. regularly dom- ladry of ‘Wonderwall’ can be heard the occasional hint here and there, Bad Excuses bring the funk! have said that it shows FFaF trying to It’s a strong album; maybe not quite “Just because I look sexy on inated the charts. Musically, there in just about every mid-paced British get back to their roots. A particularly strong enough to get themselves isn’t really a de ning label that can be song, rinsed to the point of repeti- stand-out song for me is the track back to where they once were, but the cover of Rolling Stone used, but the lyrics and songwriting tion. The sick irony is that the major- ‘Nails’. It’s less screamo than the other songs such as ‘Spine’, and title track doesn’t mean I’m naughty.” themes were so ostentatiously Brit- ity of these bands are million times tracks, and I could imagine it receiv- ‘Conduit’ have good, strong guitar ish. A youthful, starry-eyed Pete Do- more successful than a lot of really ing airplay on BBC Radio 1, as well driven melodies as well as a solid herty was caught on camera queuing good Britpop bands of the time, bor- as the more typical Kerrang-like sta- percussion. for Oasis’ Be Here Now album, and ing the masses to music-zombism, tions. It’s lyrically indicative: “I'm nev- was quoted as saying “Yeah, well, I afraid of anything out of the comfort er going to change/ I'm never going to subscribe to the Umberto Eco view zone of Radio 1. change a thing” challenges sugges- 40 Seren | February, 2013 FASHION

London Fashion Week 2013 Imagine that we’re in a pub in It’s that time of year again, the time Topshop has created a new height of when the busy streets of London are fashion, one which is accessible to“ Manchester, it’s the early ‘90s, lled with style, the week when the the majority of people. High street top names in fashion assemble in the fashion has taken over the catwalk Britpop is cool and the girls want capital to show their new collections as many celebs were spotted attend- at Somerset House. This year, London ing the Topshop show, such as Olivia to be like Justine from Elastica Fashion week is even bigger with col- Palermo, Louis Tomlinson, Pixie Gel- ” lections from the most relevant and dof and Demi Lovato. The Topshop Hannah Murray, Creative Direc- popular designers of 2013. This week show revealed that the “Grunge” tor of Topshop ,London is de nitely at the height style is back, making a return to the of fashion, as collections from the 90s with leather, oversized jackets likes of Henry Holland, Louise Gray, and sweatshirts. Cara Delevigne was Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood and spotted on the catwalk wearing an Topshop grace the catwalk. London ankle length fur coat and PVC skirt Fashion Week 2013 has been revolu- completing the out t making her tionary so far; it has seen the death looks grunge club ready. Keep an eye of traditional catwalk shows, only ac- out for more collections as the week cessible to a small elite group of peo- progresses at www.londonfashion- ple and the rise of a ordable fashion. week.co.uk Student Style Spotted Get the look This section is dedicated to the fashionistas of Cara Delevigne is one of the freshest faces Bangor University; it includes two of the most on the fashion front after becoming the face Katy Holland inspirational out ts found on students in Bangor. of Burberry in 2012. When she’s not strut- Studying Psychology Think you can beat these out ts? Watch out for ting her stu on the catwalk, she is often the Seren style squad who will be popping up photographed in student friendly out ts. around Bangor in the next few weeks ready to High street brands have similar items seen Bag: £14.99 photograph the most stylish students! on Cara available in store or online: H&M

Stephanie Atherton Studying History Cardigan: £12.99 New Look Biker Boots: £39.99 New Look

Leather Jacket: £29.99 H&M

Jeans: £38 Topshop

Top tip of the issue Glam up one of your old jumpers by adding a shirt Vest top: £2.99 underneath instantly New Look creating a more sophisticated look 40 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 41 FASHION FASHION

Student Style et out your double den- which The Spice Girls were in- this decade with the “Grunge ims, oversized sweaters, volved, the 90s was a decade of Look”, adopted by many Brits; Gripped jeans, track jack- great change. Fashion played a this look was encouraged by the Spotted Get the look ets, backward caps and crop key part as the decade advanced. British Skater subculture, new This section is dedicated to the fashionistas of Cara Delevigne is one of the freshest faces tops, because on February 28th, It saw a continuation of trends wave and heavy metal fashion. Bangor University; it includes two of the most on the fashion front after becoming the face Seren’s 90s night is back! The 90s such as neon colours, denim Perhaps one of the most memo- Katy Holland inspirational out ts found on students in Bangor. of Burberry in 2012. When she’s not strut- was a decade of leisurely and at- shirts, black leather jackets and rable trends of the 1990s was the Studying Psychology Think you can beat these out ts? Watch out for ting her stu on the catwalk, she is often tainable fashion, and not only is babydoll dresses, seen in the fashion inspired by Manchester’s the Seren style squad who will be popping up photographed in student friendly out ts. it Seren’s 90s night, but 90s fash- 1980s. However in the late 1990s Britpop bands such as The Stone around Bangor in the next few weeks ready to High street brands have similar items seen Bag: £14.99 ion is making a comeback this the world of fashion was over- Roses, Oasis and Blur. Such styles photograph the most stylish students! on Cara available in store or online: H&M season, so take inspiration from taken by new trends like capri included the popularity of the this page and be prepared for pants, miniskirts, ared pants Union Jack motif, famously worn your 90s fashion x. and low- waisted jeans, inspired by the Spice Girls’ Geri Halliwell, Stephanie Atherton From Harry Potter to Westlife, by the designs of the late Alex- and denim jackets. Studying History the death of Princess Diana to ander McQueen. Flannel also Cardigan: £12.99 a mass feminist movement in became hugely popular during New Look Biker Boots: £39.99 New Look 90s Style Picks

Sweatshirt: £22.99 New Look (Men) Sweat- shirt: £30 Topshop Leather Jacket: £29.99 H&M Shirt: £85 Jeans: £38 Topman Topshop These 90s inspired creep- ers are a must have this sea- Top tip of the issue son. Now available for just £15 (£13.50 with Student Glam up one of your old Discount) at New Look in jumpers by adding a shirt Vest top: £2.99 black and other colours underneath instantly New Look Neon Crop creating a more skirt: top: £10 sophisticated look £7.99 Topshop 90s Must Have H&M 42 Seren | February, 2013 BOOKS SEREN’S TOP FIVE BOOKS OF THE 90’S

GOOSEBUMPS ANGELA’S ASHES HIS DARK MATERIALS BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY HARRY POTTER 19921997 1996 19952000 1996 19972007 Becci Jameson: Sophie Smith: Dhan Panesar: Becki Watson: LJ Taylor:

any children enjoy a night cCourt’s bestselling mem- ullman’smultiverse-span- elen Fielding’s novel Bridget o 90s booklist is complete time story, but there are oir is an absorbing, un- ning fantasy romp has been Jones’ Diary came out in without the book series Msome you can’t read af- Mcomfortable and often Phailed as everything from H1996, and perfectly captured Nthat de ned a generation: ter 4pm. In this list are the Goose- shocking depiction of his early “one of the most important chil- what it meant to be a single wom- Harry Potter. The Philosopher’s bumps series which delighted in life growing up in Ireland during dren’s novels of the past 70 years” an at the end of the 20th century. Stone came out in 1997, and the terrifying its readers with creepy the Great Depression, graphically to “the stu of nightmares, worthy It’s honest about o ce and career series became a worldwide sensa- goings-on and things that go bringing to life the horrors of ex- of a bon re”. It’s a story of enlight- politics, upfront about modern re- tion, leaving millions of children bump in the night. One of my fa- treme poverty de rigueur of “the enment and adventure, beginning lationships, deals frankly with the (and adults) longing for the release vourites was the ghost of a dinner miserable Irish Catholic childhood”. in an alternate Oxford, where hu- social trends of the time, has a bril- of the next installment. Although lady turned cannibal named Susan Yet he writes with innocence, human souls manifest as anthropo- liantly relatable protagonist, and, the series became darker as it Chopman, who brandished a meat mour and compassion with no morphic animals, a coming-of-age on top of all that, is laugh out loud progressed and its audience grew cleaver and was summoned by trace of self-pity, despite the fre- journey of two children, in pos- funny. Plus, Bridget studied at Ban- older, the early books whisked us standing on your tiptoes and say- quent tragedy, paying homage to session of a knife that can carve gor! Though I don’t know if that’s away into the magical world of ing “Chop Suey” three times in a the struggles of his mother which doorways into other worlds, and such a stunning endorsement of Hogwarts, complete with owls de- row. R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps was is powerfully evocative in its child- a device capable of truthfully an- our uni… Nevertheless, the tale livering the post, teachers turning almost my gateway drug to much like simplicity. With faint echoes swering any question. Revolving of Bridget’s struggle through life into cats, and Bertie Bott’s Every harder horror now. I owe them so of Joyce that create a sharp social around a strange mix of theology is hilarious and true to reality, and Flavour Beans. Harry Potter was the much. commentary, it’s a novel which and science, it’s sure to broaden should have a place on every wom- epitome of 90s children’s literature, forces you to pause for thought. the horizons of any reader. an’s bookshelf. and will surely become an all time classic. BOOK OF THE MONTH:

LES MISERABLES

RECOMMENDED for: READERS MAY LIKE: BOOKS VS KINDLE Fans of Dickens, Gaskell and Hawthorne Hardtimes Shirley, War and Peace

By KRISTELL GRAINGER authors come to light, and the privacy it ena- By SOPHIE SMITH the life long struggle of Jean Valjean to escape eemingly trivial, the current book vs Kin- bles means that you can dare to read Mills and nless you’ve been living under a rock his past and live life as a good man, evocatively dle debate is actually causing quite a stir; Boon or even Fifty Shades, in public, without for the past month or so, you’ll be well depicting the eternal struggle for morality to Sat least for those of us who read – a lot. being judged. That has to be a bonus! Uaware of the phenomenal success of the survive and ourish amongst the great adversi- But which is superior? But I guess for me, it’s not always about big screen adaptation of Schönberg’s musical ty of the extreme poverty and corruption of the Though I’d probably agree with Stephen Fry the story in the book, it’s the book itself that Les Misérables. The franchise just keeps getting 19th century. In the intertwining plots he takes that books are no more threatened by the Kin- counts. I like feeling the paper in my hands bigger, with hordes of fans ocking to buy the a turbulent ride through French history, from dle than stairs by elevators, as a book end I and the sharp smell of a new novel, or my fa- soundtracks, t shirts and assorted other para- the eve of the battle of Waterloo to the 1832 can’t help but remain worried. Looking back at vourite, the musky scent of an old tome. It’s phernalia, but just how many have or will try to student rebellion, creating a vast array of char- technological advances we often see how the about all the senses, not just imagination. read the original source material? acters from the tragic Fantine, idealistic Marius onset of new products causes the collapse of And there is no use in pretending that the It’s certainly no mean feat. At over 1,200 pages and the despicable Thénardiers, who you can the former. So could the Kindle signify the fall Kindle can live up to the excitement of build- it’s one of the longest novels ever written, with both love and love to hate. of the book? ing you own library, especially if the library in sometimes extensive digressions designed to Though it may initially seem daunting, the There are many things about the Kindle question is something out of Downton Abbey. display Victor Hugo’s encyclopaedic knowl- novel is brilliantly compelling; with its scope that make it worthwhile. Certainly its size and Perhaps it’s old-fashioned, but having a book edge or argue moral points. Yet despite this, and variety of subject matter, from romance to weight are very important; with the Kindle, by your side just feels right; it’s not cool and the plain language and intricate detail used to prostitution to redemption, it o ers something you can carry hundreds of books around in clinical, but warm and inviting. And I think depict a panorama of Parisian life makes the for everyone, and is a must read for any devo- your bag without having the issue of space whilst there are people who are passionate novel an epic in every sense of the word. tee of the ever expanding franchise. and bulk, something which will certainly ben- about books like me, Stephen Fry is right. If In an almost Dickensian fashion, Hugo follows e t me on my year abroad. It also helps self- the stairs are stoic enough to remain, the book published or overlooked but very talented de nitely is! 42 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 43 BOOKS ARTS AND CULTURE SEREN’S TOP FIVE BOOKS OF THE 90’S MUSING THE 90s... IN ESSENCE OF THE SEREN 90s NIGHT, HERE IS A GUIDE TO THE MUSEUMS OF ‘90s BRITAIN...BY AN ANTIQUE THAT SUR- VIVES FROM THE DECADE. A STUDY revealed that the 1990s were a healthy time for museums in the UK. Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993) was perfect publicity for The Natural History Museum’s dinosaur- infested ‘Blue Zone’ and all the unforgettable hype that accompanied the development of the Millennium Dome was a ne advert for sightseeing around Britain. The Natural History Museum became o cially so-called as of 1992. Prior to then, its name was the ‘British Museum (Natural History)’, although it had disa liated from the British Museum way back in 1963.

GOOSEBUMPS ANGELA’S ASHES HIS DARK MATERIALS BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY HARRY POTTER 19921997 1996 19952000 1996 19972007 Becci Jameson: Sophie Smith: Dhan Panesar: Becki Watson: LJ Taylor: any children enjoy a night cCourt’s bestselling mem- ullman’smultiverse-span- elen Fielding’s novel Bridget o 90s booklist is complete time story, but there are oir is an absorbing, un- ning fantasy romp has been Jones’ Diary came out in without the book series Msome you can’t read af- Mcomfortable and often Phailed as everything from H1996, and perfectly captured Nthat de ned a generation: ter 4pm. In this list are the Goose- shocking depiction of his early “one of the most important chil- what it meant to be a single wom- Harry Potter. The Philosopher’s bumps series which delighted in life growing up in Ireland during dren’s novels of the past 70 years” an at the end of the 20th century. Stone came out in 1997, and the terrifying its readers with creepy the Great Depression, graphically to “the stu of nightmares, worthy It’s honest about o ce and career series became a worldwide sensa- goings-on and things that go bringing to life the horrors of ex- of a bon re”. It’s a story of enlight- politics, upfront about modern re- tion, leaving millions of children bump in the night. One of my fa- treme poverty de rigueur of “the enment and adventure, beginning lationships, deals frankly with the (and adults) longing for the release vourites was the ghost of a dinner miserable Irish Catholic childhood”. in an alternate Oxford, where hu- social trends of the time, has a bril- of the next installment. Although lady turned cannibal named Susan Yet he writes with innocence, human souls manifest as anthropo- liantly relatable protagonist, and, the series became darker as it Chopman, who brandished a meat mour and compassion with no morphic animals, a coming-of-age on top of all that, is laugh out loud progressed and its audience grew cleaver and was summoned by trace of self-pity, despite the fre- journey of two children, in pos- funny. Plus, Bridget studied at Ban- older, the early books whisked us standing on your tiptoes and say- quent tragedy, paying homage to session of a knife that can carve gor! Though I don’t know if that’s away into the magical world of ing “Chop Suey” three times in a the struggles of his mother which doorways into other worlds, and such a stunning endorsement of Hogwarts, complete with owls de- row. R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps was is powerfully evocative in its child- a device capable of truthfully an- our uni… Nevertheless, the tale livering the post, teachers turning almost my gateway drug to much like simplicity. With faint echoes swering any question. Revolving of Bridget’s struggle through life into cats, and Bertie Bott’s Every harder horror now. I owe them so of Joyce that create a sharp social around a strange mix of theology is hilarious and true to reality, and Flavour Beans. Harry Potter was the much. commentary, it’s a novel which and science, it’s sure to broaden should have a place on every wom- epitome of 90s children’s literature, forces you to pause for thought. the horizons of any reader. an’s bookshelf. and will surely become an all time classic. BOOK OF Exhibit 1: Plenty to see xtensive research shows that Brits and housed 1.45 million artefacts (mind that geek- there were 2.86 million science and seums of ’98 with 8.86 million photogra- tourists to Britain enjoyed a treat in the sickle!) and archaeology museums boast- industry-related exhibits to behold and phy-related exhibit objects on display. E‘90s. ed 23.16 million pieces. Historians were numismatists (coin geeks) enjoyed 2.16 Transport fanatics had no excuse for be- THE MONTH: The museums in this decade were rich in treated to 1.09 million military exhibits be- million objects of interest on show. ing bored in 1998, either. The transport artefacts and display objects. By 1998, mu- fore the Imperial War Museum expanded, The galleries in the Britain of 1998 dis- museums of this year housed 3.87 indi- seums in Britain boasted a whopping to- gaining a base in Manchester in 2002. played 4.03 million ne art pieces and vidual display items and the London Trans- tal of 170.89 million individual exhibition Geologists and geographers enjoyed their haberdashery counterparts (i.e. tex- port Museum opened its ‘Depot’ branch at pieces (sic!). Of this total, over half were 7.19 million artefacts (stone me!) and aca- tile museums) boasted 2.05 million cos- Acton in 1999. held by museums of natural history and demics were kept busy with 9.39 million tume and fabric exhibits. biological interest; they boasted 92.76 mil- archives to read! Photography –the art and the science- lion exhibits between them. 1998 was a good year to be a science was to be found alive and well in the mu- LES MISERABLES In 1998, agriculture museums in Britain Exhibit 2: RECOMMENDED for: READERS MAY LIKE: BOOKS VS KINDLE Exhibit 3: Fans of Dickens, Gaskell and Hawthorne Hardtimes Shirley, War and Peace Millenium Dome Big for old By KRISTELL GRAINGER authors come to light, and the privacy it ena- By SOPHIE SMITH the life long struggle of Jean Valjean to escape eemingly trivial, the current book vs Kin- bles means that you can dare to read Mills and appreciation his past and live life as a good man, evocatively dle debate is actually causing quite a stir; Boon or even Fifty Shades, in public, without useums in Britain enjoyed immodest nless you’ve been living under a rock he 1990s Museum scene enjoyed an af- its screenings for Blackadder: Back and Forth. depicting the eternal struggle for morality to at least for those of us who read – a lot. being judged. That has to be a bonus! funding at a time of economic stabil- for the past month or so, you’ll be well S uent time of funding and governmental The Dome plan was hatched in the 1990s by survive and ourish amongst the great adversi- But which is superior? But I guess for me, it’s not always about ity, a far cry from the austerity that The aware of the phenomenal success of the support (oh, to be back in the prosperous John Major’s Tory cabinet and inherited and M U Arts are su ering today. big screen adaptation of Schönberg’s musical ty of the extreme poverty and corruption of the Though I’d probably agree with Stephen Fry the story in the book, it’s the book itself that T ‘boom’ years). completed by the incoming New Labour coun- 19th century. In the intertwining plots he takes that books are no more threatened by the Kin- counts. I like feeling the paper in my hands In the session that spanned from 1998 to Les Misérables. The franchise just keeps getting The Millennium Dome -aka ‘The Dome’- en- terpart in 1997. a turbulent ride through French history, from dle than stairs by elevators, as a book end I and the sharp smell of a new novel, or my fa- bigger, with hordes of fans ocking to buy the dured a pregnancy spanning much of the ‘90s, The hype about the Millennium Dome project 1999, museums and galleries enjoyed over 6 the eve of the battle of Waterloo to the 1832 can’t help but remain worried. Looking back at vourite, the musky scent of an old tome. It’s soundtracks, t shirts and assorted other para- was completed in 1999 and nally opened on climaxed in 1999 but had remained unbeliev- million pounds of public funding: A total of student rebellion, creating a vast array of char- technological advances we often see how the about all the senses, not just imagination. phernalia, but just how many have or will try to the 1st January 2000. ably high prior to this. acters from the tragic Fantine, idealistic Marius onset of new products causes the collapse of And there is no use in pretending that the £607.1 million donated from central govern- read the original source material? It was the home of a walk-in, plastic body that In 1999, the year before the Dome’s long- and the despicable Thénardiers, who you can the former. So could the Kindle signify the fall Kindle can live up to the excitement of build- ment, local government and the National Lot- It’s certainly no mean feat. At over 1,200 pages showed visitors how the human body works. awaited, highly-anticipated opening, The both love and love to hate. of the book? ing you own library, especially if the library in tery. it’s one of the longest novels ever written, with Outside of it, there were touch screens which, Times had a daily feature about the Dome and Though it may initially seem daunting, the There are many things about the Kindle question is something out of Downton Abbey. sometimes extensive digressions designed to when pressed, told you a ‘body fact’ such as “It its progress. A portion of six million pounds would be novel is brilliantly compelling; with its scope that make it worthwhile. Certainly its size and Perhaps it’s old-fashioned, but having a book display Victor Hugo’s encyclopaedic knowl- takes 34 muscles to give somebody a kiss”. The project was a source of much derision in invaluable help to smaller museums hoping and variety of subject matter, from romance to weight are very important; with the Kindle, by your side just feels right; it’s not cool and edge or argue moral points. Yet despite this, Upstairs, there were interactive displays that the late ‘90s. prostitution to redemption, it o ers something you can carry hundreds of books around in clinical, but warm and inviting. And I think to expand and, although a mere drop in the the plain language and intricate detail used to explained voice recording (sound recording However, writing as someone who actually for everyone, and is a must read for any devo- your bag without having the issue of space whilst there are people who are passionate ocean for some larger museums, it would still depict a panorama of Parisian life makes the had been developed in the outgoing century). visited it, I can tell you this was undeserved and tee of the ever expanding franchise. and bulk, something which will certainly ben- about books like me, Stephen Fry is right. If be a useful grant for at least keeping these larg- novel an epic in every sense of the word. Acrobats and trapeze artists almost stole the it was a genuinely inspiring and educational e t me on my year abroad. It also helps self- the stairs are stoic enough to remain, the book In an almost Dickensian fashion, Hugo follows show but the Dome’s pièce de la résistance was touristic experience. er ones open. published or overlooked but very talented de nitely is! 12 CREATIVE Seren | February, 2013

Art by Jonathan Spencer

Every Shadow is of the Sun The Sel sh People

Every shadow is of the sun. Gently opening the morning curtains A buzzard, spinning in the eddies, Another bath, another path Haunts a birdlike piece of ground, Another moan, another phone Where dandelions shake. Through the modern mayhem bright A mile away, on the world’s skirts, 9 AM appears again Nightmare machines quiver unseen, And the earth is scarred by the shapes of On a moon-washed avenue. men. Silver bullet pistol shots - Whirlpool chasms scream aloud - Victoria Warren Aled Meredith Every shadow is of the sun. Winding brous. The lighthouse-keeper’s yellow dog Barks at his re ection, I love you because you love me, And the spectres in the fog. Your golden hair ashing. They speak Morse code, and come Bonsai universe, swirling green, To beg his pardon, and to ask In the violence of the night. Why the ghost-moon wastes his wax. Another day, another way. Every shadow is of the sun. The violent bloom that burns my mask Turn the deadwood doorknob. Rips my shape from end to end And paints my likeness on the grass. Down the nylon street, That steals the essence of trees Pebble dashed shanty rockets. Light-locks the staring homes In the dandelion meadow, Aled Meredith Aled Meredith And paints a pattern on the world’s bones. The sun yawns bright and yellow.

- Tom Emlyn Williams Darkened camp res wail - The wasteland Tear your paper mask in two. In the neon lampshade glow, The wasteland is busy with death, You swerve through rework gardens. whilst chaos lled canisters rain down upon Nails peel another clementine, us. Leaving none for the sel sh people. None of us dare utter a single breath, - Tom Emlyn Williams whilst mud and blood are splattered among us. So many of us here have been shot through the head. Jaccy Gas- George Player Now there corpses bathe on the brambles Aled Meredith coyne along us. The battle elds like a sea of endless dead, Its as if the rest of the world seems to have forgotten us. - By Ben Lyte See more students work online!

Captain America – one of the in the late 50’s, Marvel began rst patriotically themed super- to take interest in superheroes THE HISTORY OF heroes. again. Whilst this issue was a huge This led to the creation of The success, interest in superhero Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spider- In 1939, publisher Martin comics declined in post-war Man, Iron Man, X-Men, and Goodman formed Timely America, leading Timely to Daredevil, attaining a reputa- Publications, who produced expand their genre to horror, tion for focusing on characteri- Marvel Comics No.1, the rst westerns, and crime comics. sation more than other comic cartoon under the Marvel The Marvel brand was formed book brands. umbrella. The issue was a suc- in 1961 when the company The company continued to excess, eventually selling over produced Journey into Mystery pand during the 1970’s, pulling 900,000 copies. No.61, a science ction anthol- ahead of rival DC Comics, and The company expanded, ogy using Marvel as the brand hosting their own comic book hiring their rst editor, Joe name. In the wake of DC Com- convention in 1975. Simon, and the team created ics success of revamping comics The comic book boom of the 12 CREATIVE Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren CREATIVE 13

THE POP ART MOVEMENT Art by Jonathan Spencer Using bold colours and iconic imagery, Pop art has become one of the most famous art movements of all time. Tom Haynes investigates its origins.

Every Shadow is of the Sun The Sel sh People he term “Pop art” was rst movement was also emerging came the most famous faces of art pioneer. Born in 1928, he fo- able to re-produce his images at coined in the mid-1950s to in America, with artists such as the pop art movement. cused on portraying mass media a rapid pace , which could then Every shadow is of the sun. Gently opening the morning curtains Tdescribe a group of young Jasper Johns also incorporating Lichtenstein rst began creat- and consumer goods in his work, be sold as products themselves. A buzzard, spinning in the eddies, Another bath, another path British artists, including Richard commercial elements in their ing pop paintings in 1961. His for example the Campbell’s Soup During his lifetime, Warhol also Haunts a birdlike piece of ground, Another moan, another phone Hamilton, and Lawrence Alloway, creations. Particularly in uential work was often based on comic Tin, and Coca-Cola prints. His use ventured into lm-making, fash- Where dandelions shake. Through the modern mayhem bright who were inspired by popular was Robert Rauschenberg, who strips and advertising imagery, of garish colours, repetition, and ion designing, and publishing. A mile away, on the world’s skirts, 9 AM appears again imagery such as advertising, combined bizarre objects such as painted in a detached, ironic simpli ed imagery re ected the The work of both artists has Nightmare machines quiver unseen, And the earth is scarred by the shapes of On a moon-washed avenue. movies, and comic strips in their a stu ed goat and a tyre (Mono- way re ecting the hollow nature way in which products were ad- seen long lasting acclaim, with men. Silver bullet pistol shots - work. Rejecting traditional mod- gram), to make a work of art. of consumerism. His work went vertised at the time. their styles still being replicated Whirlpool chasms scream aloud - ernist, and abstract values, their This incorporation of everyday on to receive huge acclaim, and A keen businessman, Warhol in classrooms, art studies, cin- Victoria Warren Aled Meredith Every shadow is of the sun. Winding brous. art was characterised by hard objects in art paved the way for Lichtenstein became the rst transformed his art into a suc- emas, and music videos to the The lighthouse-keeper’s yellow dog lines and bold colours. iconic artists such as Roy Lichten- American to exhibit at the Tate. cessful business enterprise. Us- present day, signifying their en- Barks at his re ection, I love you because you love me, Around this time, a similar stein and Andy Warhol, who be- Andy Warhol was another Pop ing mechanical printing, he was during commercial appeal. And the spectres in the fog. Your golden hair ashing. They speak Morse code, and come Bonsai universe, swirling green, To beg his pardon, and to ask In the violence of the night. Why the ghost-moon wastes his wax. Interview with Bev Dunne Another day, another way. our art often captures the I am inspired by many artists, the paint and to give form. here. I love their weather twist- Every shadow is of the sun. Welsh landscape. What is it and quite a few have had an In terms of your creative ed shapes and how they cling The violent bloom that burns my mask Turn the deadwood doorknob. about this environment that so tenaciously to life in spite of Rips my shape from end to end Y enduring impact on me. No- process, how do you go from inspires you? And paints my likeness on the grass. Down the nylon street, tably Peter Lanyon, who used transforming an idea into a such adverse conditions. I am That steals the essence of trees Pebble dashed shanty rockets. I love the diversity within the his response to the landscape completed image? also beginning to create some Light-locks the staring homes In the dandelion meadow, Welsh landscape, particularly & mythology to produce en- I use a combination of meth- textile pieces. As well as paint, I Aled Meredith Aled Meredith And paints a pattern on the world’s bones. The sun yawns bright and yellow. where I live here in Croesor. The ergetic abstract paintings and ods in creating my work. I will love working with bre and par- mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, recently Barbara Rae’s use of observe and make sketches ticularly love freehand machine - Tom Emlyn Williams Darkened camp res wail - elds, trees and slate all inspire, colour has excited me. Locally from life, photographs and embroidery, which a ords the The wasteland Tear your paper mask in two. as does the history and mythol- I love the work of Jan Gardner, memory. Much of my work is same freedom of gesture that In the neon lampshade glow, ogy that is also embedded in Maria Hayes & Eleanor Brooks, based on my emotional re- paint has. The pieces are experi- The wasteland is busy with death, You swerve through rework gardens. the land. I also live only 8 miles amongst many others. sponse to the landscape and for mental at this stage, but I hope to whilst chaos lled canisters rain down upon Nails peel another clementine, from the sea, which has heavily put the results up on my website us. Many of your works feature that I rely on memory. I like the soon. Leaving none for the sel sh people. in uenced my work in the past. vivid colours. Which materi- idea of how my memory dis- None of us dare utter a single breath, - Tom Emlyn Williams What or who else do you feel Finally, what advice would whilst mud and blood are splattered among als do you most like to use in torts what I have observed. you give to aspiring artists? us. inspires you as an artist, and your work, and why? What are you currently work- why? The only advice I would give to So many of us here have been shot through I primarily use acrylic paints in ing on, and as an artist, what aspiring artists would be to fol- the head. Obviously the landscape in- my work. They are fast drying would you like to achieve in the low your heart and do what you Jaccy Gas- Now there corpses bathe on the brambles spires me as does the spirit of which suits me as I work fairly future? Aled Meredith George Player along us. love doing, don’t be afraid to ex- coyne the place…the underlying en- quickly and like to build up lay- I am currently working on an- periment and most of all, have The battle elds like a sea of endless dead, ergy of the land. Also the his- other ‘tree’ painting. I am fasci- Its as if the rest of the world seems to have for- ers of paint and then rub them fun. tory, how the land has been o . I will also use pastels, ink nated by the hawthorn trees that gotten us. grow on the mountain slopes - By Ben Lyte See more students work online! shaped by humans in the past. and charcoal to make marks in

Captain America – one of the in the late 50’s, Marvel began 1990s saw a boom for Marvel, grossing over $1.5 billion at the box New X-Men. It marks a new phase THE HISTORY OF rst patriotically themed super- to take interest in superheroes launching Spider-Man 2099, and o ce, becoming the third highest in a global empire that has enter- heroes. again. expanding their brand to trading lm of all time. They also took ad- tained audiences for decades, and Whilst this issue was a huge This led to the creation of The cards, and other merchandise. vantage of the rapidly expanding will continue to do so in decades to success, interest in superhero Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spider- Marvel su ered a major blow in digital market, giving readers the come. In 1939, publisher Martin comics declined in post-war Man, Iron Man, X-Men, and Goodman formed Timely 1992 however, when seven of its opportunity to access digital edi- America, leading Timely to Daredevil, attaining a reputa- major artists, including Todd Mcfar- tions of over 2500 comics, for an an- Publications, who produced expand their genre to horror, tion for focusing on characteri- Marvel Comics No.1, the rst lene (Spider-Man), and Jim Lee (X- nual subscription fee. westerns, and crime comics. sation more than other comic Men), left to form a new company The company was purchased cartoon under the Marvel The Marvel brand was formed book brands. umbrella. The issue was a suc- – Image Comics. by Walt Disney in 2009 for $4 bil- in 1961 when the company The company continued to ex- Although the comic industry had lion, and in October 2012 they an- cess, eventually selling over produced Journey into Mystery pand during the 1970’s, pulling 900,000 copies. slumped by the millennium, Marvel nounced that many of their main No.61, a science ction anthol- ahead of rival DC Comics, and stayed a oat by diversifying their titles would be relaunched, and The company expanded, ogy using Marvel as the brand hosting their own comic book hiring their rst editor, Joe o erings to lm-franchises, such as re-titled with new creative teams name. In the wake of DC Com- convention in 1975. X-Men, and the Avengers, the latter such as Uncanny Avengers, and All Simon, and the team created ics success of revamping comics The comic book boom of the INTERVIEW Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren Ali’s Advice

FACES OF BANGOR A&A Ana & Ali scale Bangor’s cobble- THEY’RE JUST NOT Any topics you’d like stone and monochrome streets covered? to bring Proust Qstnr inspired ///////////// Email us at questions to some of the larger ///////////// figures in town. THAT SPECIAL. ///////////// [email protected] PROF ALAN BADDELEY’S Ever felt like somebody was better than you? MODEL OF HUMAN WORK- INTELLIGENCE ING MEMORY IS A SEMINAL Today we almost too readily throw others on pedestals and harm our self-es- It can be a great jealousy-inducing event when some- GUIDE TO MEMORY RE- teem unnecessarily. So in this article, I’m going to try and tackle an issue called body who appears smart nds the same tasks that we SEARCH AND APPLICATION. have grind through a total doddle; those who might Sublimation, a subtle process that inhabits us all at some point. cram just hours before the exam, or grasp di cult ideas instantly. Don’t take it to heart. HE REMAINS Now, ‘Sublime’ is used to describe anything so great and beautiful that it is above any attempt to reproduce, or even fully understand it. Things like Beauty THE FLAWS ONE OF THE M- So this person might be better than you at a speci c sub- in nature, Architecture, Works of Art, Double Rainbows, etc. Essentially anything ject. Look at the bigger picture of their mind. E.g. What’s OST INFLUENTI- that can be appreciated. So ‘Sublimation’ would be a nice scienti c sounding their social behaviour like? What’s their memory like? word which would mean to ‘put something on a pedestal’. Which is all good How emotionally stable are they? What about their per- AL FIGURES IN and well, but I think today we sublimate humans more than anything, and we sonality? How happy do they seem? Never isolate one instantly (and often unconsciously) compare ourselves to eachother. Where quality somebody else has, or base jealousy on it. Look PROFESSOR PSYCHOLOGY at the big picture, and notice how they average out to a does that leave our self-esteem? Usually not in a great state. So I propose the TODAY. beginning of a cure – Desublimation. Pulling things o pedestals. human being just like you. SEE THE METHOD ALAN Something is sublimated in our minds out of two reasons B A D D E L E Y Life experiences shape our mind, making certain process- An inability to see; the aws, the e ort, a method of imitation. by ANASTASIA ELIZAROVA AND ALI focused more on a detailed account train for generalisation, or it may be Your most treasured posession? It seems rare. es unconscious, thus providing those who seem more in- KESHTMAND of individual components. And that’s that it just doesn’t generalise. Yet, it is telligent with a result faster than you. So you technically important too; it’s just slightly dif- just a big issue at the moment; there I don’t know, I’m not really into pos- can’t see their method. But it doesn’t mean much, since How does it make you feel that Thus it makes sense that to desublimate we have to reason with one or some of you have your advantages in other elds too, you just ferent emphasis. - No, I think a lot of are a lot of companies, particularly in sessions much. I’m terrible to buy the following: might not know where yet. Explore learning techniques every A-Level and university people are interested in application, the US, that are exploiting the idea presents for. I mean, I treasure peo- Psychology student has studied See the aws and put the right e ort in (note that time =/= e ort), and but for 30 years of my life I worked and selling systems, but the evidence ple, and I like the house I live in. In you’ll nd your way. your work? at a medical research council, ap- is still out. fact, we have two houses; spoilt! But See the e ort and failure involved plied psychology unit, so it was our otherwise, no. I mean I miss not hav- See their method Amazed. I used to wonder why so job to link psychology theory to ap- How much of your own model ing a hi- set and not having a televi- For rare things - Make them common many people were interested in what plication (on the) outside. So just as have you implemented in your sion, but…no, I don’t know. I was doing, to be honest. When I’d I explained, my interest in short term understanding of memory? Don’t understand completely yet? Check the applied examples of the most SKILLS set out, I assumed that as an aca- memory came from a task I was as- What is your fondest memory of popular situations that I come across. Desublimation is all about realising that demic that I’d nd a little niche that signed to try and look at the e cien- I think all of it. In the sense that, I the 90s? nobody is particularly special for HAVING something (yes, you can OWN quali- Yes, it seems anybody who has any type of skill is usually I worked in and that a few other peo- cy of telephone lines. I used memory think about my own WM as equiva- sublimated somehow. “Wow, I could never do that”, “Oh ties). Of course, paradoxically, we are all also unique individuals (since no other man I wish I had skills like that”. Thoughts which then lead ple worked in, but it just seemed to as a way into that and found some- lent to what I’m studying. In terms The 90s? Gosh, that’s quite recent. A person on earth has the exact combination of qualities that we do), but nothing keep going. So no, I’m very pleased, to low-self-esteem. Well… thing very interesting. So I’m a great of attempting to improve my work- year in California, the Centre for Ad- is out of reach. Get your self-esteem up you lovely, priceless person. somewhat surprised. believer in attempting to combine. I ing memory, no I haven’t attempted vanced Studies in the Behavioural THE FLAWS [Do you think that search for trying think I’ve been lucky in that during to do that other than by strategies. Sciences at Stanford; where I started to nd a greater application paid o , Keep in mind that you can’t see the aws since you aren’t my lifetime it’s been possible to be Realising that my memory for names writing the book on working memo- a part of that skill family. If somebody paints and you with this in mind?] Yes, I think it did. In both a theoretical experimental psy- is not very good and writing them ry, “Thought and Action”. It’s a won- LEAGUES aren’t already familiar with the fundamentals, you won’t terms of generality, there’s real temp- chologist and also to tackle applied down, things like that. But I haven’t derful place, up on the hill above the Romantic interests perceived to be out of one’s league are easily the quickest thing to notice where their values, perspective, colour, foreshort- tation within psychology to nd an real world problems. It may well not attempted to expand it. campus. It has 40 people; they’re all be put on pedestals. It’s di cult when all you can see is a beautiful person and a fantas- ening, etc. fails. If somebody plays piano, you might not experimental paradigm that works continue to be the case. I don’t know, there for a year, and all you have to tic personality. “I’m not special enough for them”, “But they’re so interesting! I’m such a pick up on all the notes they miss or replace, or drop out and stay within it, so you end up do- but anyway, it suited me. What is your greatest fear? promise to do is to have lunch with bore”. And other thoughts that reduce self-esteem. Well... of meter. This applies to any skill. You have to understand ing experiments on experiments on everyone else, and they had a terri c THE FLAWS that nobody is the perfect embodiment of that skill, and experiments. Trying to apply it pulls Have you ever found any relia- I don’t know… I tend not to dwell on cook. You give one talk about your that the more you study the skill, the more you will see you away from that, and makes sure ble method of increasing work- my fears but... I suppose a trivial fear area and attend other people’s talks. Visualise your interest taking huge, uncomfortable, smelly dumps. Imagine them wak- these aws. Keep this assumption, and nobody is a special cupcake anymore that, you know, you’re thinking about ing memory span? is that - because I’ve continued to be That was splendid. I got started on ing up in the morning with terrible skin and having to put on makeup before they go out. If it’s a guy, imagine them working on their hair for hours to try and keep up their how general it is, and if we can ask the in science - to keep going in science, my book, but I didn’t nish it. That’s question in a di erent way? Because appearances. Imagine them crying about their weight, imagine them as spoilt brats SEE THE EFFORT / FAILURE There are certainly claims that you can when I thought I was just boring eve- a pretty good memory. But also some with terrible personalities. Basically, see this person as what they are, just another hu- no experiment is going to allow only reliably increase working memory ryone. I like to tell anecdotes about rather dramatic memories were a single interpretation, so you have to man. When you start to acknowledge everything that you don’t usually consider in Part of the beauty of honing a skill is making it look ef- (WM). And it’s certainly the case that experiences, but I’m very aware of there, because the 9/11 incident hap- everyday interaction, the illusion of perfection dies down (with enough practice and fortless. But if you were shown videos of a guitarist sitting use multiple ways of asking the same you increase performance on these dotages and anecdotage and a fear pened while I was there. So that’s awareness). for hours a day practising scales against a metronome, or question, and try to make sure that complex tasks, and that it general- of living in the past. At the moment not so pleasant, but very interesting. a painter scrapping 20 easels of crap, it would take the it operates outside the laboratory. ises to similar complex tasks. What’s it’s not very threatening. But, at some That’s that. MAKE THEM COMMON magic away. Realise the amount of e ort they put in and That’s partly why it’s been robust, not clear is how general the e ect point in time things are going to give The Universe doesn’t favour you that much to put the only person perfectly suitable to how welcoming they are of failure, and you’ll realise that because I’ve kept a fairly low level of is. It’s not been demonstrated that it out, and I’m just very pleased it’s not you in a small University in a small city in a tiny portion of Wales in a small corner of the the right practice and mistake acceptance is all anything complexity, in order to make it appli- impacts on academic performance. It happened yet. UK in a spec of the entire world right in front of you. Not to say they CAN’T be perfectly takes. cable. Of course, other people have may be that you may need to actually suited. February, 2013 | Seren Ali’s Advice

THEY’RE JUST NOT Any topics you’d like covered? ///////////// ///////////// Email us at THAT SPECIAL. ///////////// [email protected] Ever felt like somebody was better than you? INTELLIGENCE Today we almost too readily throw others on pedestals and harm our self-es- It can be a great jealousy-inducing event when some- teem unnecessarily. So in this article, I’m going to try and tackle an issue called body who appears smart nds the same tasks that we have grind through a total doddle; those who might Sublimation, a subtle process that inhabits us all at some point. cram just hours before the exam, or grasp di cult ideas instantly. Don’t take it to heart. Now, ‘Sublime’ is used to describe anything so great and beautiful that it is above any attempt to reproduce, or even fully understand it. Things like Beauty THE FLAWS So this person might be better than you at a speci c sub- in nature, Architecture, Works of Art, Double Rainbows, etc. Essentially anything ject. Look at the bigger picture of their mind. E.g. What’s that can be appreciated. So ‘Sublimation’ would be a nice scienti c sounding their social behaviour like? What’s their memory like? word which would mean to ‘put something on a pedestal’. Which is all good How emotionally stable are they? What about their per- and well, but I think today we sublimate humans more than anything, and we sonality? How happy do they seem? Never isolate one instantly (and often unconsciously) compare ourselves to eachother. Where quality somebody else has, or base jealousy on it. Look does that leave our self-esteem? Usually not in a great state. So I propose the at the big picture, and notice how they average out to a beginning of a cure – Desublimation. Pulling things o pedestals. human being just like you. SEE THE METHOD Something is sublimated in our minds out of two reasons An inability to see; the aws, the e ort, a method of imitation. Life experiences shape our mind, making certain process- es unconscious, thus providing those who seem more in- It seems rare. telligent with a result faster than you. So you technically can’t see their method. But it doesn’t mean much, since Thus it makes sense that to desublimate we have to reason with one or some of you have your advantages in other elds too, you just the following: might not know where yet. Explore learning techniques See the aws and put the right e ort in (note that time =/= e ort), and See the e ort and failure involved you’ll nd your way. See their method For rare things - Make them common Don’t understand completely yet? Check the applied examples of the most SKILLS popular situations that I come across. Desublimation is all about realising that nobody is particularly special for HAVING something (yes, you can OWN quali- Yes, it seems anybody who has any type of skill is usually sublimated somehow. “Wow, I could never do that”, “Oh ties). Of course, paradoxically, we are all also unique individuals (since no other man I wish I had skills like that”. Thoughts which then lead person on earth has the exact combination of qualities that we do), but nothing to low-self-esteem. Well… is out of reach. Get your self-esteem up you lovely, priceless person. THE FLAWS Keep in mind that you can’t see the aws since you aren’t a part of that skill family. If somebody paints and you LEAGUES aren’t already familiar with the fundamentals, you won’t Romantic interests perceived to be out of one’s league are easily the quickest thing to notice where their values, perspective, colour, foreshort- be put on pedestals. It’s di cult when all you can see is a beautiful person and a fantas- ening, etc. fails. If somebody plays piano, you might not tic personality. “I’m not special enough for them”, “But they’re so interesting! I’m such a pick up on all the notes they miss or replace, or drop out bore”. And other thoughts that reduce self-esteem. Well... of meter. This applies to any skill. You have to understand that nobody is the perfect embodiment of that skill, and THE FLAWS that the more you study the skill, the more you will see Visualise your interest taking huge, uncomfortable, smelly dumps. Imagine them wak- these aws. Keep this assumption, and nobody is a spe- ing up in the morning with terrible skin and having to put on makeup before they go cial cupcake anymore out. If it’s a guy, imagine them working on their hair for hours to try and keep up their appearances. Imagine them crying about their weight, imagine them as spoilt brats SEE THE EFFORT / FAILURE with terrible personalities. Basically, see this person as what they are, just another human. When you start to acknowledge everything that you don’t usually consider in Part of the beauty of honing a skill is making it look ef- everyday interaction, the illusion of perfection dies down (with enough practice and fortless. But if you were shown videos of a guitarist sitting awareness). for hours a day practising scales against a metronome, or a painter scrapping 20 easels of crap, it would take the MAKE THEM COMMON magic away. Realise the amount of e ort they put in and The Universe doesn’t favour you that much to put the only person perfectly suitable to how welcoming they are of failure, and you’ll realise that you in a small University in a small city in a tiny portion of Wales in a small corner of the the right practice and mistake acceptance is all anything UK in a spec of the entire world right in front of you. Not to say they CAN’T be perfectly takes. suited. 48 BREAKTIME Seren | February, 2013

THE SEREN CROSSWORD

1 Across 2 3. A teenage wizard’s owl 3 5. Band that began in the 90’s that are now Down 4 one of the UK’s top exports 1. Everyone’s favourite toy cowboy (5) 2. Computer operating system that appeared in the 5 6 7 7. Insanely intelligent child with a lab (6) 9. Cartoon babies (7) 90’s (7) 4. Oh, here it goes! (3) 8 13. Sitcom that began in the 90’s about 6. Teenage witch (7) 9 some pals (7) 8. Sometimes mighty morphin’ (7) 10 11 15. Blue hedgehog with pace (5) 10. Creepy book series (10) 12 19. Fresh area of California (3,3) 20. This saved numerous high school stu- 11. E-pet that didn’t clean up after itself (10) dents (4) 12. Craze consisting of plastic disks (4) 13 14 21. Girl band symbol of 90’s Britain (5,5) 14. Cartoon ______(7) 15 16 22. Baby Justin Timberlake and his boyz (5) 16. Channel de ned by its garish orange (11) 23. Board game with a twist (7) 17. Gotta catch ‘em all (7) 17 18. Mary Kate and Ashley (5) 18 19. Tony ____. Charismatic Prime Minister (5)

20 21

This is the Puzzler. Keep looking for him in the issue. If you nd 4 PICS 22 him in every issue, tell us and you have a chance at a prize! 1 WORD SUDOKU 23 Across Down 3 A teenage wizard's owl (6) 1 Everyone's favourite toy cowboy 5 Band that began in the 90's (5) that are nowEASY one of Britain's 2 ComputerHARD operating system that best exports (4) appeared in the 90's (7) 7 Insanely intelligent child with 4 Oh, here it goes! (3) a lab (6) Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.33) 6 TeenagePuzzle witch 1 (Medium, (7) difficulty rating 0.53) 9 Cartoon babies (7) 8 Sometimes mighty morphin' (7) 13 Sitcom that began in the 90's 10 Creepy book series (10) about some4 pals (7) 3 11 e-pet7 that 5didn't clean up3 after7 15 ____ the hedgehog (5) itself (10) 19 Fresh area of5 California6 (3,3)4 2 12 3Craze consisting of plastic disks5 1 20 this saved numerous high (4) school students (4) 14 Cartoon ______(7) 21 Girl band symbol7 of 90's 16 Channel1 defined7 by its garish 9 6 5 Britain (5,5) orange 22 Baby Justin Timberlake7 and1 his 17 Gotta9 catch 'em all! (7) 9 3 4 6 boyz (5) 18 Mary Kate and Ashley (5) 23 Board game3 with9 a twist (7) 19 7Tony4 ____, 1charismatic4 prime 9 5 minister (5) 8 5 2 8 6 2 4 ______

1 2 1 8 9 2

3 5 8 7 6 5 8 A E T M I D Y A 2 9 5 1 7 9 W T C B L F O S

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Wed Feb 20 02:50:12 2013 GMT. Enjoy! Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Wed Feb 20 02:50:46 2013 GMT. Enjoy! 48 BREAKTIME Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 49 TRAVEL Tenerife: Bang Teide

THE SEREN CROSSWORD

1 Across 2 3. A teenage wizard’s owl 3 5. Band that began in the 90’s that are now Down 4 one of the UK’s top exports 1. Everyone’s favourite toy cowboy (5) 2. Computer operating system that appeared in the 5 6 7 7. Insanely intelligent child with a lab (6) travelling around, seeing far more of of La Gomera; although some friends only being built within the last 5 years to spend as we wished so we made the 9. Cartoon babies (7) 90’s (7) by WILLIAM JOHNSON 4. Oh, here it goes! (3) this beautiful island than I would have went a little green, I spent the journey and a fraction of the population of most of the free bar, swimming pool 8 13. Sitcom that began in the 90’s about enerife is a popular Canary Is- if I had been simply holidaying. At the watching dolphins play in the wake of Tenerife, the environment and ways and beautiful weather while we could. 6. Teenage witch (7) centre of the island is Mount Teide, the boat and admiring the island we of life seem relatively unspoiled. We e water table in Tenerife is contami- 9 some pals (7) land holiday hotspot and the perfect getaway. Get an all- an active volcano reaching a height of had just le . Once on La Gomera, the visited a forest while on the island in nated with seawater so you can’t drink 15. Blue hedgehog with pace (5) 8. Sometimes mighty morphin’ (7) 10 11 Tinclusive hotel with a pool and you’ll 10,000 feet, over 3 times the height of stark contrasts between these islands which all the trees were connected via from the taps, but with an open bar 10. Creepy book series (10) Snowdon. With a cable car to the top, became apparent. Tenerife’s huge tour- underground, meaning they can share and a big bottle of water for less than 12 19. Fresh area of California (3,3) be all set. However, there is far more it is well worth the time and euros to ism appeal has brought in huge eco- nutrients and food to aid the growth a euro, there wasn’t much call for that. 20. This saved numerous high school stu- 11. E-pet that didn’t clean up after itself (10) to this island than sunning, eating 12. Craze consisting of plastic disks (4) and drinking all day. We went with travel to the top of the island for some nomic wealth, but has become tainted of smaller trees. It had an almost cin- For anyone thinking of visiting, there dents (4) astounding views. by European tastes and pollution, ematic, Avatar feeling to the whole is far more to this island than beaches 13 14 the university to study the ecology, 21. Girl band symbol of 90’s Britain (5,5) 14. Cartoon ______(7) geography and history of the island. Early one morning, we hopped on a while La Gomera is comparatively un- place. and cheap drinks, so get out there and 15 16 In our time there, we spent our days ferry and made our way to the island touched. With its main road network Our last day in Tenerife was our own experience it. 22. Baby Justin Timberlake and his boyz (5) 16. Channel de ned by its garish orange (11) 23. Board game with a twist (7) 17. Gotta catch ‘em all (7) 17 18. Mary Kate and Ashley (5) 18 19. Tony ____. Charismatic Prime Minister (5) Memoirs of a child 19

20 21 traveller This is the Puzzler. Tom looks back at his childhood Disneyworld visit Keep looking for him in the issue. If you nd 4 PICS tries with stereotypical scenes recre- 22 by THOMAS BICKERDIKE him in every issue, ated in miniature with hundreds and tell us and you have a rowing up in the 90s, there hundreds of singing dolls. To a small chance at a prize! 1 WORD were very few places you want- child it was rather magical…although 23 ed to go to on holiday, apart the thought of the ride getting stuck SUDOKU Gfrom the good old-fashioned amuse- and being trapped in the dark with the Across Down ment park. dolls singing ‘It’s a small world a er all’ 3 A teenage wizard's owl (6) 1 Everyone's favourite toy cowboy In the nineties, when I was only 5, my over and over again is pretty terrifying! 5 Band that began in the 90's (5) family and I went on holiday to Flori- My memories of the other parks are that are nowEASY one of Britain's 2 ComputerHARD operating system that da. We were visiting my aunt and un- less clear. Epcot included Spaceship best exports (4) appeared in the 90's (7) cle but there was only one place I really Earth, a giant geodesic sphere. It was 7 Insanely intelligent child with 4 Oh, here it goes! (3) wanted to go to – Walt Disney World. all very futuristic and inventive, but a lab (6) 6 Teenage witch (7) At the time, the resort had only three the main question on my mind was Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.33) Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.53) theme parks – the Magic Kingdom, why all this stu was happening in 9 Cartoon babies (7) 8 Sometimes mighty morphin' (7) Epcot and Disney’s MGM Studios. 13 Sitcom that began in the 90's 10 Creepy book series (10) what appeared to be a gigantic golf e resort had also just celebrated its’ ball. However, the single most exciting about some4 pals (7) 3 11 e-pet7 that 5didn't clean up3 after7 twentieth birthday. e Magic King- 15 ____ the hedgehog (5) itself (10) moment of the holiday was at MGM dom was dedicated to a variety of fairy studios when Buzz Lightyear, one of 19 Fresh area of5 California6 (3,3)4 2 12 3Craze consisting of plastic disks5 1 tales and Disney characters who wan- my childhood heroes, appeared over 20 this saved numerous high (4) dered around the park amiably hug- the top of a gate at the beginning of a school students (4) 14 Cartoon ______(7) ging star-struck children and signing 7 1 7 9 6 5 parade. is led to an almost inhuman 21 Girl band symbol of 90's 16 Channel defined by its garish autograph books for them. e famous level of excitement. Britain (5,5) orange Cinderella Castle served as an impres- e Disney holiday was certainly one 22 Baby Justin Timberlake7 and1 his 17 Gotta9 catch 'em all! (7) 9 3 4 6 sive central attraction, particularly of my most memorable, but I’m not boyz (5) 18 Mary Kate and Ashley (5) during the nighttime reworks display. sure if I would go back. Not because it’s 23 Board game3 with9 a twist (7) 19 7Tony4 ____, 1charismatic4 prime 9 5 ere was also a selection of magical expensive or because I didn’t enjoy it… minister (5) (at least to a 5-year-old) rides includ- but because I don’t think that it would ing one called Splash Mountain, a log have the same magic as it did when I 8 5 2 8 6 2 4 ______ ume ride which concluded with a 52- was a child. I worry that if I went back foot drop at 40mph. My overwhelming I’d notice that the characters in the 1 2 1 8 9 2 memory of Splash Mountain is based park were just actors with xed smiles. on an “attractive” photograph of my And that the hour long queues would sister and me, standing in the rain at 3 5 8 7 6 5 8 A E T M I D Y A not be worth the minute long rides at the foot of the ride, each wearing a the ends of them. And that sharing shapeless waterproof poncho and de- a row of plane seats with a massive 2 9 5 1 7 9 W T C B L F O S vouring a turkey leg. And, of course, stu ed Mickey Mouse toy would seem there is the ‘It’s A Small World’ ride, more of a da nuisance than the per- a boat ride through di erent coun- fect end to an adventure. Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Wed Feb 20 02:50:12 2013 GMT. Enjoy! Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Wed Feb 20 02:50:46 2013 GMT. Enjoy! 50 Seren | February, 2013 SPORT

Octopushing their way to the top Bangor move past Varsity defeat to focus on Nationals

by MATTHEW COX of you), Underwater Hockey is played the popularity of the sport,” says the return match. nament. with two teams of 5 or 6, with a lead Bangor captain. “But if that does hap- is is the second time in ve years Nevertheless, the club has worked nderwater Hockey may be one puck that sinks to the bottom and pen, I really will miss describing the that Bangor has hosted the tourna- hard to pull a number of di erent ele- of the most niche sports Ban- trough-like goals that the puck must sport to strangers in an overcompli- ment; those players who remember ments together to organize the tourna- gor University’s AU has to of- be “pushed” into. Each player is cated way, because that’s how I get my the 2009 incarnation were more than ment - from medals, to accomodation Ufer, but don’t let this hidden gem’s lack equipped with mask, snorkel, ippers kicks.” happy to recommend Bangor as hosts for well over 100 students, and the of mainstream coverage fool you; the and a stick of 5 or 6 inches to manoeu- e Bangor University team has once again, in no small part because a er-party to take place at Embassy. sport has a dedicated player base, as vre the puck. Games typically last be- spent the last few weeks travelling all the pool that will be used is perfect for Witnessing the 2009 tournament is will be seen on March 9th when more tween 10 and 20 minutes, depending over; in early February, a long trip to Octopush. e leisure centre at Llan- part of what inspired yours truly to than a dozen University teams from on tournament rules. As mentioned, Aberdeen for the annual Gowland dudno, next to eatr Clwyd, has a play, and tournament organizer Chy as far a eld as Aberdeen and Plym- the sport does have a dedicated base Cup, and more recently the Varsity 2m x 2m pool, which will comfortably Allison is hoping this will be repeat- outh descend on Bangor for this year’s of players at student level, ensuring the tournament. ough Bangor were support two games at once. A large ed this year. “ e Octopush Club is “Octopush” – as the sport is informally national tournament is a competitive unsuccessful, the experience against a seating area for each team to make honored to host it this year,” she said. known - Student Nationals. a air every year. team that trains more o en will prove use of between games is also avail- “Hopefully we can show some of our For those of you who don’t know “I’m really excited for nationals be- invaluable for the tournament. Aber- able, meaning that logistically Bangor proud Welsh culture, and help our (and I’ll be honest, this will be most cause hopefully it’s going to increase ystwyth will be at the Nationals for a makes an excellent host for the tour- own club to improve and grow.” Netball shoots to win Women’s rst team claims victory against Aber in close fought match Aber Captain praises Bangor’s sportsmanship

by JOE KEEP both sets of fans cheered out for their of errors and fouls. Despite this, Ban- lead of twenty eight to twenty ve crowned victors of the game. Cheers respective teams. As the quarter un- gor remained resilient, making some goals backed up the amazing play uti- went up as the score was thirty nine to e women’s rsts for netball folded, both teams began to settle into impressive moves around the court lised by Bangor. An intense nal quar- thirty two to Bangor. proved to be a crucial area for Bangor’s their natural game. However, this did keeping Aber at bay. With the score ter was at hand to decide the victors of As the teams commiserated varsity hopes. Having brought a three leave the rst half very open with end line at twenty points to eighteen in this titanic clash. each other and congratulated each point de cit and making early losses, to end play and a multitude of goals favour of Aber, Bangor were going to As the fourth and nal quar- other on the game, the Bangor captain the tide was pushing in Bangor’s fa- coming as an e ect. With the clos- have to dig deep to overcome a strong ter was started, it was clear to see that commented that it was a ‘hard battle, vour, and a victory here would see that ing of the quarter seeing the goals at Aber side in the third quarter. the aim of the game was similar to that but, it came down to the second half continue. Coming into the game o nine apiece, the real game was about e third quarter seemed to of the rst; score more goals than the where they proved to be stronger than the back of a comprehensive win over to break out as the players cast o their be the battle of the defences of both opposition. With the signs of tiredness Aber’. e Aber captain praised the Edge Hill seconds, Bangor were red pre-game tensions. e ve minute teams, with the lowest scoring quarter becoming apparent, both sets of play- game as it was ‘a lot cleaner than last up and more than ready to take on the interlude allowed for the players to of the match. Aber looked to shut out ers started making silly mistakes and year’ and went on to give individual Aber team. However, a loss by Bangor collect their thoughts and come out Bangor and keep a greater lead over the game fell onto those who could dig praise the Bangor’s GA, Kathryn women’s seconds in the match before- strong for the second quarter. them. Bangor seemed to have other deeper than the others. Aber pressed Hughes, before summarising that it hand had shown the di erence in class e second quarter showed plans, playing out strong from the hard on Bangor, with Bangor putting was a ‘good rivalry, made better by the was minimal, if not non-existent. both sides step up their game and with back and using fast plays in order to in a ne defensive play. As the nal game being cleaner than prior games.’ As the rst quarter got un- the home support, Aber were red up counter Aber swi ly and make them whistle went everyone turned to the derway, the tension was palpable as and pressed Bangor into making a lot pay for pushing up too far. A Bangor scoreboard, eager to see their team February, 2013 | Seren 51 SPORT A tough battle Aber took all of the Rugby Union matches

by NICOLA HOBAN “Bangor put in a good e ort”. Whilst Aberystwyth have three female berystwyth University were vic- rugby union teams to dra from which torious against the Bangor Rug- allowed them to have a team of twenty- by Union teams this weekend two players, Bangor’s thirteen players Aat Varsity, winning both the men’s and fought back hard, despite having what women’s games, despite the best e orts some supporters described as a biased from Bangor players. referee. Bangor team-mate Beth Rim- Despite the Aberystwyth women’s

THERE WERE A LOT OF HIGH TACKLES AND RULES BROKEN BY ABERYSTWYTH

rugby union team being short a kicker, mer, who was on the sidelines a er hav- meaning that they elected to pass up the ing su ered an injury prior to Varsity, opportunity of a conversion, the team said how the referee was ‘biased’, add- managed to beat Bangor 15 -7, and Aber- ing: “ ere were a lot of high tackles and ystwyth supporter Emily Ling said: “I’m rules broken by Aberystwyth during the pretty happy with the Aberystwyth team. game, but the ref didn’t call it.” ey played well.” Supporters from both universities In spite of the defeat however, the Ban- witnessed how one Aberystwyth player gor Women’s Rugby Union team kept grabbed a Bangor player by the neck and their spirits up, and Captain and Vice threw her to the ground, and another Captain Iona Todd and Gabriella Szaro- Bangor player received an injury to the wicz said of the match: "We played like head, with no consequences from the a team today, which is what we wanted. referee. Many supporters additionally We improved upon the things that we overheard the referee coaching the Ab- wanted to improve on: our defence, our erystwyth team throughout the match. attacking, talking, communicating. We e Aberystwyth versus Bangor Men’s played together as a team and we did Rugby Union match appeared to be a against twenty-two Aberystwyth play- “It was a hard battle. It was an away was much better in the second half of the actually play well. ere was a good at- fairer game, with the Bangor players go- ers to their een, Bangor lost the game game, and we were trying to make his- game. Aberystwyth are a good team”. mosphere.” ing into the game determined and con - with a disappointing score of 12 – 0. tory attempting to win, but it was always Bangor supporter Josephine Holman dent and played well. However, playing Bangor Men's Rugby Union Team Cap- going to be di cult to beat Aberystwyth. agreed with this viewpoint, adding: tain Danny Steadman, said of the match: We started the game slow, but defence High ying Ultimate by HARRIET WELLER sees Bash Jelen, Lewis Fear and a score of 14-10 in a game where Andrei Mandzuk take on the rst to 15 wins. A er a very tense he pressure was on down role of handlers who stepped point, the game nished 15-10 to at the Ultimate Frisbee up brilliantly to feed the disc to Bangor who had dominated all pitch on Saturday, with the other players. Bangor con - game. TAberystwyth ahead in the var- dently came out with their clas- Aber’s social sec Bethan Mc- sity scoreboards, Bangor needed sic strong zone defence, which Curl put their loss down to “a all the points they could get. caused Aber a few problems, few unlucky drops that Bangor Women’s Captain Ava Gross- not giving them a lot of oppor- capitalized man commented that “this tunities to get the disc down on”, but as the nature of the should be an easy match, we’re the pitch. e rst point of the sport dictates, Aber weren’t bit- gonna win, match was scored by Bangor’s ter about their loss and acknowl- we win every year!” She ex- James Cant, which set the edged that Bangor were a faster,

THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY MATCH, WE’RE GONNA WIN, WE WIN EVERY YEAR

plained that the 12 man team theme for the next 90 minutes stronger team. “We’re hopeful would be trying out a new for- as they stormed to a 6 point gap about our chances in other com- mation and in half an hour. As the game de- petitions, we’ve had a strong that this was “practice for re- veloped, Bangor dominated pos- intake of freshers this year that gionals as this is the team we are session and points continued to have picked it up really well.” taking”. Team Captain Ash Bros- y in from Cameron Burgess, Despite having its di culties nan also commented that “we’ve Captain Ash Brosnan, and a that outdoor ultimate is played never lost varsity outdoors” and dedicated layout by John As- on grass and this year the club he expected the team to do well cro saw him take a nasty blow has only been granted one ses- as they had a particularly strong to the shoulder and a very well sion a week on the Astroturf, the o ence. Even Aber players on deserved point for Bangor. Aber dedication and skill of the play- the side line predicted a tough responded by defying the slight ers has led to yet another suc- game but that ultimately Bangor wind to show some skilful up cessful year at varsity. It’s safe to would win, and both teams were discs which led to Wilf Davies say that the traditional chants of looking forward to the prear- giving them their rst point. “at least we won the Frisbee” will ranged friendly a er the match. As the game continued Aber live on in 2013 and hopefully Bangor ultimate Frisbee got came back in a full force leading many years a er. o to a ying start, as they clev- to some nice interceptions and erly opted to keep possession of threatened to take the game with the disc, their new formation 52 Seren | February, 2013 SPORT

Bangor Men’s Football triumph over Aber by MATT JACKSON on the team sheet, no one will be sur- celebrating what looked like the deci- er, the Bangor support was evident as the crowd, hitting politics editor, Con- prised that Bangor put out a strong sive moment of the game, despite it he was swamped by fans showing what nor Savage, in the face. Luckily, he was, angor Men’s First Team Football team. being slightly against the run of play. it means to get one up over Aber. on the whole, uninjured. Apart from took the Varsity match in Aber- Bangor nally took the lead on the A er the match, goalscorer George A er the goal, the game became fair- that, the end-to-end football was the ystwyth with a 2-0 victory over ly end-to-end. ere were several oc- highlight of the rst half a er the goal. Bthe home team. An early goal from casions where both teams came close, In the 70th minute, the match Varsity debutant George Townsend IT’S MY FIRST VARSITY, YEAH, IT WAS GOOD notably Bangor who were through on seemed to pick up its pace, continu- created a fairly tense and passionate TO GET A GOAL BUT IT WAS A TENSE 70 BEFORE goal a few times failing to bury the ing the end-to-end football and gen- 40 minutes of football before Bangor end result. One notable incident came erated what looked like a Bangor win, doubled the lead. CHRISSY SCORED from a corner where the Bangor for- a er the ball was once again put past Early on in the game we saw tackles wards looked sure to score, only for the Aber keeper. What followed was a ying in and passions soaring high the crowd to witness the ball go sailing frantic 20 minutes from Aber as they as both teams wanted to notch up 29th minute when Townsend came Townsend said “It’s my rst Varsity, over the bar. looked to try and draw back the de cit that all important win for their team from the le to chip the ball over the yeah, it was good to get a goal but it With passions ying high, the match and net what could only be a consola- in the overall standings as well as the keeper. e pitch was then inundated was a tense 70 before Chrissy scored to did see a major incident when a stray tion goal. bragging rights over their opponents. with subs, players, and the crowd alike, make it 2”. When speaking to the scor- clearance saw the ball hurtle towards Whilst the Aber team had a few shocks

Bangor badminton net the result by EMMA ASBERG on the men's teams, including pulled comment. e major problem was the clude a cover over the tennis/netball e captain of the men's rst team, hamstrings, a bad shoulder, bad ankles scoring system, which some players courts to ensure that they are usable Matt Riley, and the captain of the he nal score for the badminton and cramps. Since most of last year's said calls for an independent judge. At all year round, new gym and changing women's rst team Abbie Cooper, on Saturday was 5-3 to Bangor players graduated, the majority of Sat- the moment, the players themselves areas. ere will also be a new aero- both call out to students to come and Men's rst team, 6-2 to men's urday's players were new to the teams, keep track of the score - a system that bics studio, a café, and the main sports try badminton. e training sessions Tsecond, and the women lost 6-2 to Ab- and had never been to Varsity before. works fairly well, but is the source of hall oor will be replaced. e project are Tuesdays at Maes Glas from 7-10 erystwyth. Team captain Abbie Cooper says she occasional disagreements between is planned to start in August with the and ursdays at Normal Site Gym Matt Riley, captain of the men's rst struggled to pull together a team, and players. installation of the Airdome over the from 8-10. So for a workout and some team, said he was very proud of every- is the only one who had been to Var- Matt Riley is not looking forward tennis courts, and will take roughly 12 fun, why not try it? You might be the one, and thanked his players for their sity before. to the redevelopment of Maes Glas in months to nish, according to Maes next star of the team! "terri c e ort". ere was a healthy competition 2014 - he worries it will detract even Glas website. If you want to follow It was a tough but rewarding day between the teams according to the more people from coming to the train- the project, you can visit www.maes- for all the teams, with many injuries players, with the occasional snide ing sessions. e redevelopments in- glas2014.bangor.ac.uk. 52 Seren | February, 2013 February, 2013 | Seren 53 SPORT SPORT Varsity in brief Making a splash

BANGOR Swim team put in a co- mendable performance in against Aberystwyth at Varsity. e scoreline simply didn’t show the spirit put in by the Bangor team who were not only outnumbered by their Aber counterparts but they had to outswim them. ey each swam roughly 900m. Close-call for the BULC Hit for six! THE cricket team su ered an unfortu- Bangor Men’s Football triumph over Aber Match reaches a thrilling conclusion in extra time nate loss at the hands of Aberystwyth. A er keeping the home team to a fairly by MATT JACKSON on the team sheet, no one will be sur- celebrating what looked like the deci- er, the Bangor support was evident as the crowd, hitting politics editor, Con- BULC are really stepping it up with the feBRAry campaign low 101 the visitors were a er 102 to prised that Bangor put out a strong sive moment of the game, despite it he was swamped by fans showing what nor Savage, in the face. Luckily, he was, win across the 10 overs. Sadly Bangor angor Men’s First Team Football team. being slightly against the run of play. it means to get one up over Aber. on the whole, uninjured. Apart from fell short. However both opening bats- took the Varsity match in Aber- Bangor nally took the lead on the A er the match, goalscorer George A er the goal, the game became fair- that, the end-to-end football was the by LAURA JONES back to 4-4, and then 6-6. e Bangor lidity of the nal goal, but eventually of. ey fought hard to the very end of men were taken for golden ducks. ystwyth with a 2-0 victory over ly end-to-end. ere were several oc- highlight of the rst half a er the goal. team achieved an incredible retaliation the referees decided that the Aber goal the game, giving an incredible perfor- Bthe home team. An early goal from his year’s Varsity was host to a very quickly following the immediate would stand. Despite this disappoint- mance. casions where both teams came close, In the 70th minute, the match Varsity debutant George Townsend IT’S MY FIRST VARSITY, YEAH, IT WAS GOOD notably Bangor who were through on seemed to pick up its pace, continu- tight, hard-fought match be- e BULC are widely acknowledged created a fairly tense and passionate goal a few times failing to bury the ing the end-to-end football and gen- tween Bangor and Aberyst- IT WAS A CONTROVERSIAL END TO THE GAME, WITH within the University for the excel- TO GET A GOAL BUT IT WAS A TENSE 70 BEFORE Twyth’s women’s lacrosse teams. e 40 minutes of football before Bangor end result. One notable incident came erated what looked like a Bangor win, DIFFERING VIEWS ON THE VALIDITY OF THE FINAL GOAL lent work that they do for charities, doubled the lead. CHRISSY SCORED from a corner where the Bangor for- a er the ball was once again put past match ended as a draw at 6-6 but showing that they constantly deliver Loss of Early on in the game we saw tackles wards looked sure to score, only for the Aber keeper. What followed was a both teams sought out a winner, and on and o the pitch. ey have previ- ying in and passions soaring high the crowd to witness the ball go sailing frantic 20 minutes from Aber as they so extra time began. With eight extra Aber lead, showing the strength of ment, all of the players contributed to ously contributed to Movember, and form as both teams wanted to notch up 29th minute when Townsend came Townsend said “It’s my rst Varsity, over the bar. looked to try and draw back the de cit minutes being allowed in an attempt to the Women’s BULC that is evident in the power of Bangor’s team, with So- are currently helping with fundraising that all important win for their team from the le to chip the ball over the yeah, it was good to get a goal but it With passions ying high, the match and net what could only be a consola- gain the eventual result of a 7th goal, it the league. Bangor dominated the last phie Bounford proving to be one of the for feBRAry, making an outstanding in the overall standings as well as the keeper. e pitch was then inundated was a tense 70 before Chrissy scored to did see a major incident when a stray tion goal. was Aber who were the ones to strike minutes of the game with 4 shots on exceptional players within the club. £264.43 already for the charity with BANGOR Women’s football team suf- bragging rights over their opponents. with subs, players, and the crowd alike, make it 2”. When speaking to the scor- clearance saw the ball hurtle towards lucky and nish the game at 7-6. target, but they were saved by a strong It was an emotional and unfortunate their Cake Sale. Make sure to show fered defeat to Aberystwyth with a 3-0 Whilst the Aber team had a few shocks Aber dominated the rst half with Aber goalie. loss for women’s lacrosse, but their your support for this team by attend- loss. Despite having a seminal match some excellent attacks going into half- It was a controversial end to the performance was something that each ing forthcoming matches, their per- the week a er many spectators were time at 4-2. However, in the second game, with di ering views on the va- Bangor student can de nitely be proud formance standard is not to be missed. expecting the BUWFC team to nd half Bangor managed a great come- the xture a walk in the park.

Valiant Bangor narrowly edged out Aber fault Bangor Men’s Hockey team played two matches in a day

by JOE KEEP was time to get the match underway. they clearly felt decisions were always men to run Bangor ragged. Bangor re- BANGOR University’s tennis team As the rst half got under- against them. mained strong at the back though, still notched up an impressive win against As Varsity was drawing to a close, the way, Bangor took the game to Aber e second half saw Bangor o ering little attacking runs, however, Aberystwyth that will, in future, only scores sat at a precarious een to ten putting them under immense pressure adopt a more conservative style of play none of these produced clear chances. spur one of Varsity’s biggest rivalries. in Aberystwyth’s favour, Bangor had throughout the opening minutes, cre- with energy levels dropping, however, As the game pulled into the nal 5 Both captains took to Facebook pre- to win the majority of the remaining ating a signi cant amount of chances, this proved fruitful as Aber pushed minutes, it looked as though the game Varsity to intimidate the opposition events. With three events looking to with Aber’s defence being put to the for the killer ball. Bangor were able to would play out into a draw, Aber had but only Bangor walked away victori- be leaning Bangor’s way men’s rsts for sword only a fantastic display by the launch quick counter attacks and put other plans though. With the push and ous. hockey wanted to add their names to Aber keeper kept things level. As play the pressure on Aber to cause them se- causing of another foul, a short corner the successful teams, and also complete was produced, from which they scored a whitewash across hockey. However, THE SECOND HALF SAW BANGOR ADOPT A a cracking goal, which sealed the game having played a home game to Chester for Aber. New to at 11:00 that morning and driving to MORE CONSERVATIVE STYLE OF PLAY As both teams congratulated Aber in order to compete, the Bangor each other, it was clear to see Bangor’s Bangor badminton net the result lads had lost the upper hand. went on, it was clear Bangor’s early rious issues, leading to the concession disappointment a er a ne display Varsity by EMMA ASBERG on the men's teams, including pulled comment. e major problem was the clude a cover over the tennis/netball e captain of the men's rst team, As the team began to arrive, pressure was playing on energy levels of multiple fouls. From the resulting considering the circumstances sur- hamstrings, a bad shoulder, bad ankles scoring system, which some players courts to ensure that they are usable Matt Riley, and the captain of the Aber showed a slight bit of impatience as silly fouls were given and the warn- short corners Bangor looked lethal lin- rounding the game. Maybe if those A 2-0 victory saw Bangor University’s he nal score for the badminton and cramps. Since most of last year's said calls for an independent judge. At all year round, new gym and changing women's rst team Abbie Cooper, with Bangor being late despite the ing card was produced on numerous ing up chance a er chance until they circumstances hadn’t been there, the paintball team welcomed into the Var- on Saturday was 5-3 to Bangor players graduated, the majority of Sat- the moment, the players themselves areas. ere will also be a new aero- both call out to students to come and drive down and gave them minimal occasions. Aber were able to utilise were nally rewarded with the equal- outcome could have been in Bangor’s sity circuit with a bang. Up against a Men's rst team, 6-2 to men's urday's players were new to the teams, keep track of the score - a system that bics studio, a café, and the main sports try badminton. e training sessions warm up time, no more than ten min- the short corners to great e ect and iser. Li ed by a second wind, Bangor favour. It is still clear to see that one more competative Aberystwyth side it Tsecond, and the women lost 6-2 to Ab- utes. is would have been ok had all and had never been to Varsity before. works fairly well, but is the source of hall oor will be replaced. e project are Tuesdays at Maes Glas from 7-10 managed to pile on the upset as they again took the game to Aber, however, ref clearly favoured Aber as he gave the seemed like an uphill struggle but they erystwyth. Team captain Abbie Cooper says she occasional disagreements between is planned to start in August with the and ursdays at Normal Site Gym the team arrived at the same time, but, claimed the rst goal shortly a er a silly challenges and dubious re ng goal and penalty shot before them be- overcame the home side. Matt Riley, captain of the men's rst struggled to pull together a team, and players. installation of the Airdome over the from 8-10. So for a workout and some with multiple cars carrying Bangor, decision to disallow a goal to Aber was led to ared tempers until one Ban- ing overturned. Also, through the way team, said he was very proud of every- is the only one who had been to Var- Matt Riley is not looking forward tennis courts, and will take roughly 12 fun, why not try it? You might be the the team arrived in dribs and drabs, made. is was followed by a decision gor player was sin binned. is was in which he interacted with the Bangor one, and thanked his players for their sity before. to the redevelopment of Maes Glas in months to nish, according to Maes next star of the team! giving the last group of players two to disallow a penalty shot to Aber. As compounded by an injury sustained and Aber players, he approached the "terri c e ort". ere was a healthy competition 2014 - he worries it will detract even Glas website. If you want to follow to three minutes of preparation time! the rst half drew to a close, the frus- by a holding Bangor player. It was Bangor players a lot more aggressively. It was a tough but rewarding day between the teams according to the more people from coming to the train- the project, you can visit www.maes- With a whole Bangor team present, it tration was evident within Bangor as here Aber pushed, utilising their extra for all the teams, with many injuries players, with the occasional snide ing sessions. e redevelopments in- glas2014.bangor.ac.uk. Bangor vs Aber football page 52 SPORT Tense nish for Men’s Basketball Last few moments crucial for the success of the Badgers

Intense atmosphere inspires both teams to a great performance

by LAURA JONES and free-throws, proving their ability to perform to a high standard despite er a forty minute chase up the pressure of the situation. the leaderboard by Aberyst- Altogether, the determination from wyth, Bangor emerged victori- the Bangor team to beat their main ri- Aous with a 49-46 result. As described val was evident, with Bigley acknowl- by Bangor’s Captain Matthew Bigley, edging that they were “the strong- the Badgers’ team performance was est team we have come across this “nothing short of heroic”, with each year, very physical and tough to play of the players “diving for every loose against.” Players gave their all on the ball.” e tension was high throughout court, with the amount of e ort and the game, with the constant fast pace passion they gave being undoubtable contributing to a neck-to-neck con- to all those lucky enough to observe test. e atmosphere and support from such a per- the crowd for formance. both Aber- THE STRONGEST TEAM WE HAVE COME ACROSS Personi- THIS YEAR. ystwyth and ed by the Bangor was Captain, the powerful, with everyone engaging team’s performance and the atmos- with the game and spurring on the phere in the Sports Hall was ampli ed players to win. by the pressure and excitement evoked In the rst quarter, Bangor gained an by Varsity, with the games always be- immediate lead of 18-10, dominating ing hard-fought and considered as a the home team. Despite a good perfor- battle between the two Universities mance from Aber, who put in a solid to come out on top. e performance e ort and almost managed to match given by our Men’s Basketball team Bangor’s score, they were unable to was exceptional, completely re ecting meet the standard that was set by the their pride at the chance to represent Badgers. e eventual score was in- Bangor University. An excellent team, credibly close, with the last six seconds and de nitely one to follow through- being absolutely crucial for the success out the remainder of their season this of our team. e anticipation amongst semester. the supporters in the Sports Hall was high, due to there being a mere 3 points between the two teams by the end of the game. However, Bangor pulled through with consistant baskets Struggle for possession of the ball, following Bangor basket. Hockey secured Bangor’s rst win of the day Aber fans chorus of we hate Bangor was silenced e men’s seconds only get to face each other yearly by HARRIET WELLER & as it quickly became apparent that half an hour in saw Gary O’Donohue ght with possession rapidly switch- viving a post win pile on, a match re- KAYLEIGH REID Hockey rivalries were strong between take the rst goal of the day. ing between both sides, but the match port came from the very jubilant Ban- the teams. Aber made a con dent pre e support from the Bangor crowds was relatively slow paced as penalties gor centre back, Jonathon Boardman. match prediction that they would win grew as the second half commenced, seemed to be the order of the day. By He said that it was the ‘best they had Bangor’s Men’s Hockey 2nd team 2/3- 1, and that they would be victori- with even the SU president Anthony 12:03 Bangor had pushed ahead and ever played defensively’ and they had managed to get Varsity o to a ying ous in every Hockey match, clearly un- Butcher turning up to cheer them a goal from nowhere came from Mo- shown good team cohesion, award- start ensuring a 3 – 1 victory over Ab- derestimating Bangor’s Hockey ability. on. ey were in for a treat as just 10 hamed Imrad Ali. Bangor strove hard ing goalie John Williams, ‘Man of the erystwyth. It was sure to be an excit- Bangor got o to a cracking start as minutes in Bangor stormed even fur- to maintain their lead and successfully Match’. Spirits were high and across ing match right from the o set as both the rst half saw them proving their ther ahead with a second goal coming kept a strong wall of defence leading the campus both universities were teams predicted a tight game. Aber strong defence making multiple saves. again from O’Donohue. ere was no to them bringing home the rst win of hyped up, ensuring a sure excitement and Bangor clash but once a year due is was all to a chorus from the Aber time for celebration though as just a the day. lled day ahead. to being in separate BUCS leagues and fans chanting ‘we hate Bangor’ but they minute later Aber nally picked up is set the hockey standard for the both had secured top places in their were soon silenced as, a er managing the pace as Ed Whittaker scored their day as Bangor took two more wins leagues so stakes were high. Tensions to keep good possession of the ball, rst goal. Both teams put in a solid from both women’s teams. A er sur- were high as the warm ups began, Bangor vs Aber football page 52 SPORT Tense nish for Men’s Basketball Last few moments crucial for the success of the Badgers

Intense atmosphere inspires both teams to a great performance by LAURA JONES and free-throws, proving their ability to perform to a high standard despite er a forty minute chase up the pressure of the situation. the leaderboard by Aberyst- Altogether, the determination from wyth, Bangor emerged victori- the Bangor team to beat their main ri- Aous with a 49-46 result. As described val was evident, with Bigley acknowl- by Bangor’s Captain Matthew Bigley, edging that they were “the strong- the Badgers’ team performance was est team we have come across this “nothing short of heroic”, with each year, very physical and tough to play of the players “diving for every loose against.” Players gave their all on the ball.” e tension was high throughout court, with the amount of e ort and the game, with the constant fast pace passion they gave being undoubtable contributing to a neck-to-neck con- to all those lucky enough to observe test. e atmosphere and support from such a per- the crowd for formance. both Aber- THE STRONGEST TEAM WE HAVE COME ACROSS Personi- THIS YEAR. ystwyth and ed by the Bangor was Captain, the powerful, with everyone engaging team’s performance and the atmos- with the game and spurring on the phere in the Sports Hall was ampli ed players to win. by the pressure and excitement evoked In the rst quarter, Bangor gained an by Varsity, with the games always be- immediate lead of 18-10, dominating ing hard-fought and considered as a the home team. Despite a good perfor- battle between the two Universities mance from Aber, who put in a solid to come out on top. e performance e ort and almost managed to match given by our Men’s Basketball team Bangor’s score, they were unable to was exceptional, completely re ecting meet the standard that was set by the their pride at the chance to represent Badgers. e eventual score was in- Bangor University. An excellent team, credibly close, with the last six seconds and de nitely one to follow through- being absolutely crucial for the success out the remainder of their season this of our team. e anticipation amongst semester. the supporters in the Sports Hall was high, due to there being a mere 3 points between the two teams by the end of the game. However, Bangor pulled through with consistant baskets Struggle for possession of the ball, following Bangor basket. Hockey secured Bangor’s rst win of the day Aber fans chorus of we hate Bangor was silenced e men’s seconds only get to face each other yearly by HARRIET WELLER & as it quickly became apparent that half an hour in saw Gary O’Donohue ght with possession rapidly switch- viving a post win pile on, a match re- KAYLEIGH REID Hockey rivalries were strong between take the rst goal of the day. ing between both sides, but the match port came from the very jubilant Ban- the teams. Aber made a con dent pre e support from the Bangor crowds was relatively slow paced as penalties gor centre back, Jonathon Boardman. match prediction that they would win grew as the second half commenced, seemed to be the order of the day. By He said that it was the ‘best they had Bangor’s Men’s Hockey 2nd team 2/3- 1, and that they would be victori- with even the SU president Anthony 12:03 Bangor had pushed ahead and ever played defensively’ and they had managed to get Varsity o to a ying ous in every Hockey match, clearly un- Butcher turning up to cheer them a goal from nowhere came from Mo- shown good team cohesion, award- start ensuring a 3 – 1 victory over Ab- derestimating Bangor’s Hockey ability. on. ey were in for a treat as just 10 hamed Imrad Ali. Bangor strove hard ing goalie John Williams, ‘Man of the erystwyth. It was sure to be an excit- Bangor got o to a cracking start as minutes in Bangor stormed even fur- to maintain their lead and successfully Match’. Spirits were high and across ing match right from the o set as both the rst half saw them proving their ther ahead with a second goal coming kept a strong wall of defence leading the campus both universities were teams predicted a tight game. Aber strong defence making multiple saves. again from O’Donohue. ere was no to them bringing home the rst win of hyped up, ensuring a sure excitement and Bangor clash but once a year due is was all to a chorus from the Aber time for celebration though as just a the day. lled day ahead. to being in separate BUCS leagues and fans chanting ‘we hate Bangor’ but they minute later Aber nally picked up is set the hockey standard for the both had secured top places in their were soon silenced as, a er managing the pace as Ed Whittaker scored their day as Bangor took two more wins leagues so stakes were high. Tensions to keep good possession of the ball, rst goal. Both teams put in a solid from both women’s teams. A er sur- were high as the warm ups began, Seren Sports The 1st XI of the 90s? Top team of the 90s revealed? A lookback at the Golden Era

Kevin Gri n here are countless sporting phies, most notably with PSV Ein- icons that have become known dhoven, Manchester United, Lazio, Tthrough football in the 90s. AC Milan and Ajax. Taking the typical 4-4-2 formation, Centre back – Alessandro Nesta this is what many people consider to won the World Cup. Says it all really. be the greatest 1st XI of the 90s: In 2006, he was part of the Italian Goalkeeper – As a player, Peter squad to beat the French in Ger- Schmeichel was iconic in the eyes many. As well as this, he proved his of a Manchester United fan. Making worth at club level by winning hon- 292 appearances for the Red Devils ours with Lazio and AC Milan. as well as scoring one goal for them! Right back – Cafu is without a In the eyes of a neutral fan, he was, doubt one of the most in uential is and always will be respected as right backs to have graced the eld. a goalkeeper. He achieved many With multiple international awards honours in his footballing career. with Brazil and a great amount won He won his most notable honours at club level, it would be easy to call with the clubs Brøndby, Manchester him the best right back of the 90s. United, Sporting CP, Aston Villa and He won honours at club level with for his country of Denmark (Euros Sao Paolo, Zaragoza, Palmeiras, 1992). Roma and AC Milan. Left Back – Paolo Maldini should Left wing – Jari Litmanen was ex- be known by every Italian and AC tremely successful in his games for Milan fan alive. Having stayed there Ajax and Liverpool. He won all of his for his whole career, he made 902 honours with MyPa, Ajax, Liverpool appearances and scored 33 goals in and HJK. He made 179 appearances all competitions. He also had some for Ajax and scored a brilliant 96 success in the international team as goals for them, which also resulted they did well in international com- in him winning Finnish player of the petitions, though they did not win year 9 times in 11 years. anything. Central mid eld – Having spent Centre back – Jaap Stam is known his whole career in Germany, Mat- in this country for the games he thias Sammer was an incredible played for Manchester United. He mid elder. He was successful at was a well-travelled veteran who both club and international level. was a rock in the central defensive He won the Euros of 1996 with position. The most appearances he Germany and honours at the clubs made for one club was 80 with Man- Dynamo Dresden, VfB Stuttgart and chester United. He won many tro- Borussia Dortmund. He is seen as a

legend in Germany, especially as he ours at club level and has been one honours with Cruzeiro, PSV, Barce- did not play his football in any other of Portugal’s most notable players. lona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and country. He has won trophies with Sporting with Corinthians. At international Attacking mid eld – The name CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid and In- level, he won two World Cups (1994, Zinedine Zidane is known by every- ternazionale. He has always shown 2002), Copa America (1997, 1999) one, even if they pay no attention to himself to be loyal not matter what and the FIFA Confederations Cup football. He has honours with Giron- club he has played for. He has made (1997). dins Bordeaux, Juventus and Real over 100 appearances for all four Centre forward – Gabriel Batis- Madrid at club level. He has won clubs he has played for. tuta has had success at both club both the Euros (2000) and the World Striker – The most proli c striker and international levels. At club Cup (1998) with France. He ended of his time, Ronaldo was the 90s ver- level, he has won honours with Boca his career with a shocking headbutt sion of our Lionel Messi. In his whole Juniors, Fiorentina and Roma. At that saw him sent o in the 2006 career, both international and at international level, he has won the World Cup nal against Italy. club level, he has made 482 appear- Copa America (1991, 1993) and the Right wing – Luis Figo, a Portu- ances and has scored an astonishing FIFA Confederations Cup (1992). guese veteran, has won many hon- 342 goals. At club level, he achieved

1993 • 1993