gair rhydd | freeword Cardiff ’s student weekly Issue 1063 gair rhyddy Monday 2nd November 2015 Also in this issue

Advice: Handling long-distance relationships at uni P9>>

Comment: The Germaine Greer Students protest as Cardiff debate P13>> University revealed to still invest £2 million in fossil fuels t
People and Planet members stage lie-down ‘oil spill’ protest outside SU t
Cardiff University has over £2 million of investments in fossil fuel companies t
Despite descrease of around £450,000 since last year, complete divesment unlikely

to sustainability at the highest level”, ground outside the Students’ Union EXCLUSIVE it is unlikely that it will completely and get covered in oil to encourage Pictured: Politics: Plaid Cymru Conference Anna Lewis & Joseph Atkinson divest from fossil fuels. students to sign their petition. People and They said: “We recognise that this The petition calls for the Uni- Planet protest review P19>> Freedom of Information is a complex issue but do not con- versity to “screen for and exclude outside the (FOI) request has revealed sider that University disinvestment the fossil fuel industry from their Students’ Union A that Cardiff University con- from the fossil fuel industry is the investment portfolio” and “immedi- (Photographer: tinues to hold over £2 million in in- solution.” ately freeze any new investments.” Joseph vestments in the fossil fuel industry The news comes despite a Student Instead, it was suggested that funds Atkinson) despite continued student protests. Senate motion that was passed last be transferred to lower risk, ethical Last year, the environmental so- November lobbying the University investments” within five years. ciety People and Planet showed to divest. The motion also specified During the protest, the petition that the University was investing that the Students’ Union should re- gained approximately 150 signa- £2,504,881 in nine corporations in quest quarterly updates of the Uni- tures. the oil and gas industries. versity’s investment folio and lobby In addition to the ‘oil spill’, People The FOI released by the University for student representation on Uni- and Planet will continue to lobby shows that now this figure has fallen versity investment committees. the University to stop its invest- by £459,030 to £2,045,851, a drop of In light of the figures released, a ments. This will include coinciding almost one fifth, emphasising the protest staged by People and Planet events with the upcoming COP21 University’s apparent commitment last Thursday has shown that stu- talks, which will be held in Paris to disinvesting from fossil fuels. dents are still committed to lobbying in December. According to Sean However, a Cardiff University the University to stop the invest- Langdon-Dark, the President of Car- Science: Is red meat really that spokesperson has stated that al- ments. Named the ‘oil spill’, the event diff’s People and Planet society, the Continued on though the University is “committed saw members of the society lie on the University should also make effort page 4 bad for you? P25>> 2 EDITORIAL

Gair Rhydd Coordinator Elaine Morgan Editor Joseph Atkinson Deputy Editor the free word Shanna Hamilton News Anna Lewis Confl ict at university Shanna Hamilton Joanna Beck With a number of contentious issues featuring in the paper this week, it Toby Holloway Advice just goes to show that students do still value free speech Gwen Williams ple, it currently holds shares worth It must be noted that a counter- dents DO actually hold opinions Comment Joseph Atkinson £139,073 in the supermarket chain petition arguing that Greer should and are not afraid/oppressive to- Em Gates Sainsburys, £379,327 in mobile com- not be prevented from lecturing at ward free speech as some people, Charley Griffiths his week we’ve re-explored munications giant Vodaphone, and the University is very nearly neck- including the well-known evolu- David Williams some issues that we looked at £407,141 in the recently scandal-hit and-neck with the original petition. tionary biologist Richard Dawkins. Tlast year, namely the Univer- bank HSBC. The Greer debate is certainly po- Even Edward Snowden has had his Columnist sity’s investments in the fossil fuel Personally, I don’t think that the larising and I personally am unsure say on the Greer issue, saying that Helena Hanson industries. While the University has University should be invested in of what I think. Greer is set to de- “An individual trying to limit speech opted to divest around £450,000 in an industry that is contributing to liver her lecture on women and at universities is interested in neither Politics the last year they still hold over £2 global climate change. As a research power in the 20th Century, and her university nor justice.” Carwyn Williams million in investments in oil and gas, institute dedicated to solving some problematic views of post-operative Another article in Comment this Luke Brett including the likes of oil giants Shell of the problems faced by human- transgender women seem unlikely to week argues that Welsh is not point- Sam Patterson and BP. kind, to invest more than £2 million come up in such a lecture. Surely she less from the point of view of a Welsh With People and Planet continu- of their general fund into the fossil should be allowed to speak on an is- language campaigner. The article is a Science ing to lobby against the University to fuel industry is dramatically contra- sue on which she is a leading figure very clear riposte to views put for- Maria Mellor divest fully, students are once again dictory. However, it is encouraging in the field of literature? ward in The Tab. A lot of articles Lizzie Harrett demonstrating the power of protest, that (a) they have recognised stu- However, on the other hand, of late have attempted to counter and the fact that they have managed dents’ concerns to an extent and (b) Greer’s now well-publicised views the views put forward on the online Societies to reduce the University’s invest- students continue to protest against pull no punches and clearly cause newspaper, and it just goes to show Aletheia Nutt ments in fossil fuels by about one perceived injustices. huge offence to many people; is it once again the multitude of views fifth is pretty encouraging. Another recent student dem- right that someone who causes of- that exist in the student sphere. Taf-Od In their statement to us the Uni- onstration has of course revolved fence so readily should be allowed So, three contentious issues that Carwyn Williams versity insists that they remain com- around feminist icon Germaine to transmit her views to a group of students are arguing over feature mitted to sustainability but believe Greer’s visit to Cardiff University impressionable students. in this week’s paper, and hopefully Park Life that complete disinvestment is not to give a guest lecture. At the time The Comment section this week you’ll have your own views on them Vacant necessarily the answer to the issues. of writing, Greer is still set to de- have presented a very well-balanced too. If so, please do get in touch with These revelations come from an liver the lecture and the University page arguing the fors and againsts our Comment section to have your Sport FOI regarding the University’s gen- is refusing to back down despite an of Germaine Greer visiting Cardiff say - if you can present your case for Jim Harris eral fund and the investments that it online petition led by the Students’ University. The debate has certainly an article effectively and with good James Lloyd holds. It’s interesting to look through Union’s Women’s Officer Rachael educated myself as to the multi- reason, then you can get your work Jason Roberts and see exactly where parts of our Melhuish garnering nearly 3,000 sig- tude of views held by students in published and have your own word Jamie Smith student loans are invested. For exam- natures. Cardiff and demonstrates that stu- on some huge topics. Social Media Editor Jack Boyce Thank you THIS WEEK IN HISTORY: To all the proofreaders who GAIR RHYDD 729 helped with this issue! 28/10/2002 Get involved Editorial conferences are Th is week we go back to a more brazen Gair on current politics. 20 per cent of Welsh each Monday at 5pm. Rhydd in 2002, who apparently “enjoyed the interviewees couldn’t name a single world Proofreading takes place at view” of the crowning of Miss Wales, a student leader, but in contrast 56 per cent could name 6pm on Thursdays in the media from our rival University of Glamorgan. fi ve characters in Eastenders, “making Peggy office during print weeks. Siemans Mobile were also a little more risqué 13 Mitchell more notorious with Saddam Hussein”. years ago, running the Urban Challenge to fi nd As a soap-lover myself, this is something I Write us a letter the most ‘up for it’ student, with competitions sympathise with – rumours of the return of [email protected] including ‘get your bra off ’ and ‘blind man’s Grant have me far more hooked than Cameron Tweet us buff ’. Apparently the winning campus would blundering over PMQs. @gairrhydd have the ‘best looking people and the best set Little world news made the cut in this issue, up campus’. other than a German man being eaten by an Th e Student’s Union’s very own Xpress Australian crocodile, and a bull escaping a radio station could boast about receiving ten livestock market in Flintshire and causing quite nominations for the Radio One National Student the scene. Radio awards, going on to later win seven. Th is Gair Rhydd also decided to make a scene was more gongs than any other station received with a garish two page spread advertising At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our in the country, and the team received their for contributors, including pictures of Alan responsibility to maintain the highest possible awards from the likes of Tim Westwood at a Partridge with an apparent ‘quote’: “Writing for standards. Sometimes, because of deadline pressures, we may make some mistakes. If you ceremony in London. I am somewhat jealous. gair rhydd? I’m all for it! It’s got to beat living believe we have fallen below the standards we Students were also up arms and demonstrating out your life as a criminal. I’m Alan Partridge.” seek to uphold, please email editor@gairrhydd. against the West taking action in Iraq. A week I’ve asked our editor to consider similar action, com. You can view our Ethical Policy of protest events fi nished with a rally in the but he politely declined. Statement and Complaints Procedure at cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints University’s Law building, with MP Jeremy Finally, it appears Welsh football was at a high Corbyn speaking, who, in a surprising turn of in October across many years, with the Sport Opinions expressed in editorials are not events, is now the Labour party leader. section celebrating a 2-1 win against former reflective of Cardiff Student Media, who act as According to a survey for Whitaker’s World Champions Italy. Let’s hope the trend the publisher of Gair Rhydd in legal terms, and should not be considered official communica- Almanac, Welsh people reportedly were more continues. tions or the organisation’s stance. Gair Rhydd clued up on the antics on Albert Square than - Shanna Hamilton is a Post Office registered newspaper. EDITORIAL 3 Campus in Brief

team of researchers from Cardiff Univer- Pictured: Jack Boyce sity’s School of Engineering are set to per- National International Th e A form the first major trial of automatically Chinese fl ag repairing concrete. The project, called ‘Materials A government-back report from Lord Mervyn China has fi nally ended its controversial one-child (Photographer: For Life’, is piloting three different concrete-heal- Davies has set a target for FTSE 100 (Finance policy, which has been in eff ect since 1979. Th e Xinhua Jeff rey Meyer) ing properties in real world situations for the first Times Stock Exchange) companies to have at least News Agency said that couples will now be allowed to time, in hopes that they can be incorporated into a third of boardroom position held by women by have two children to “improve the balanced develop- a single system to automatically repair concrete in 2020. While this target has been set, Nora Senior, ment of protection”, after concerns of an ageing popu- the built environment. It’s estimated that around the president of the British Chambers of Com- lation. Currently, 30 per cent of China’s population is £40 billion is spent a year on repairing and main- merce, has stated that there is no need for “over- over the age of 50. Th e one-child policy has undergone taining structures, with the majority of these be- bearing government regulation” to force that these a formal relaxation over the past two years, with certain ing made of concrete. The hope for the project is targets are met. Th e initial target of 25 per cent, couples allowed to have two children if one of the par- to develop a system that is embedded at the initial which was set back in 2011, has been succeeded – ents was an only child. Couples who violated the policy setting of concrete, which will then automatically doubling the amount of women on FTSE 100 com- were subject to a variety of punishments, including repair any damage it detects autonomously with- pany boards in four years. Lord Davies celebrated fi nes, loss of employments and even forced abortion. out the need for human intervention. the victory as a “near revolution, which has taken Following a no-confi dence vote, Moldova’s gov- Olympic boxer Fred Evans, of Cardiff, has been place in the boardroom and profound culture ernment has been dismissed by members of parlia- “A government- given a suspended jail term after hospitalising a change at the heart of British business”. ment amid a bank scandal. Many Moldovan citizens friend, despite a judge saying that he deserved to BBC Radio 4 Extra has surpassed 6 Music to are angry after the disappearance of more than £600 back report go to prison. Evans struck Michael Wilson, a good become the largest digital-only radio station, ac- million from Moldovan banks. Th is missing money is friend of his, at a pub in Gloucestershire. The inci- cording to latest listening fi gures from Rajar. Th e equivalent to an eighth of the country’s entire GDP, and from Lord dent hospitalised Wilson for four days with a bro- Radio 4 spin-off , which focuses on comedy and the value of the national currency, the Ieu, has rapidly Mervyn Davies ken jaw. Evans is the current Olympic silver medal drama programmes, has reported a rise of 12.6 per fallen. Calls for an early election have intensifi ed fol- holder at welterweight, and is preparing to train cent in listeners to hit 2.2 million. Despite this, 6 lowing months of large anti-corruption protests. Prime has set a for next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Evans Music also reported a record quarter, hitting a 6.5 Minister Valeriu Strelet has been forced out of offi ce “China has target for FTSE has been given a two-year sentence, suspended for per cent rise up to 2.18 million listeners. A total after only three months in charge, while former Prime finally two years, after Judge Jamie Tabor heard that the of 41.9 per cent of radio listening comes via the Minister Vlad Filat was detained earlier this month in 100 companies sentence would be “devastating” for the boxer’s digital platforms, with Ford Ennals, digital execu- connection with the bank fraud. ended its career. tive of Digital Radio UK, saying that these fi gures Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, has been to have at Professor Colin Riordan, President and Vice marked a “tipping point” for the consumption of named as the new Speaker of the US House of Rep- controversial least a third Chancellor of Cardiff University, has said that radio. resentatives. Although hesitant to run at fi rst, Ryan’s one-child the University is in prime position to be named TV programme Antiques Roadshow has found help in determining budget and tax policies in Con- of boardroom in the top 100 universities in the world in the QS the most valuable item in the shows 38-year his- gress garnered majority support from the Republicans policy, which position held World University rankings. Despite climbing the tory – which is worth more than £1 million. Th e to take over from previous Speaker John Boehner of has been in rankings in recent years, Cardiff University are item has been described as a “world famous piece Ohio. Ryan thanked Boehner for his work in the role, by women by still only 122nd in the world. Prof Riordan stated, owned by a sporting institution”, which was dis- calling him a “man of character”, before declaring that effect since “When I arrived here – and I picked up this senti- covered during fi lming at the Royal Hall in Har- Democrats and Republicans need to work together. 2020 ment from quite a few people – there was a sense rogate, Yorkshire. Th e item and its exact value will “We’re not settling scores, we’re wiping the slate clean”, 1979 ” that Wales ought to have a top 100 university.” not be revealed until the episode airs in April 2016. Ryan said. ” 4 NEWS

Editors: Anna Lewis Shanna Hamilton Joanna Beck Toby Holloway @GairRhyddNews [email protected] news gairrhydd.com/news Cont’d: Students protest at fossil fuel investment

to support COP21 to “do its part in Langdon-Dark also stated that the Ethical and Environmental Offi cer Group (£301,530), British Petro- helping lower global carbon emis- event was created to “raise awareness and People and Planet to make sure leum (£355,905), Royal Dutch Shell sions.” of the investments” and the on-going that their aims are achieved. Howev- (£331,225), Wood Group (£72,971), We’re A spokesperson for People and campaign. er, although Delaney acknowledged BHP Billiton (£250,099), Rio Tinto “ Continued Planet emphasised the need to pro- He said: “We’re running this cam- that the amount of money invested in (£228,509), Chevron (£266,489) and running this from front test by stating that: “Cardiff Univer- paign for the divestment of £2 mil- fossil fuels has decreased, “no discus- Total S.A. (£229,779). page sity invests £2 million in the fossil fuel lion, so that the University can send sions have taken place so far on why Defending these investments, a campaign industry while claiming to be a sus- a political, and in many ways ethical, there’s been a chance with the Uni- University spokesperson said: “Car- so the tainable university. message to the corporations in the versity”. diff University has robust systems in People and Planet treasurer Jack fossil fuel industry which it currently It was also confi rmed that the Stu- place to ensure that any investments University Pickering said: ”Fossil Fuel corpora- has fi nancial ties to. dents’ Union President and Vice Pres- are appropriate and advance our pur- can send tions have a long history of funding “We hope that Cardiff University ident Education both sit on the Policy pose to be a world-leading university. climate change denial and fi ghting will recognise the legitimacy of our & Resources Committee of the Uni- “Like most world-leading universi- a political sustainable energy as well as commit- campaign, and join the international versity that deals with investments. ties, Cardiff University collaborates ting human rights abuses. We think divestment movement.” Th e nine companies involved in with a number of public and private and ethical that in the run up to COP21, it’s time Talking to Gair Rhydd, VP Welfare the fossil fuels industries that Car- sector companies on a wide leading message to take them on directly and chal- Kate Delaney stated that the Students’ diff University has an investment researching projects, including in the lenge their legitimacy” Union will be working with both the in are: Tullow Oil (£9,344), BG fossil fuel industry.” ” NUS campaign to ban letting fees he Students’ Union has backed money in order to cover such costs. the week previously to fi ght against her and eight fellow fl atmates were Anna Lewis a campaign to scrap letting Welsh Assembly members are agency fees. During the protest, made to pay £80 each in order to take agency fees, amidst concerns also getting involved in the move- speakers also drew attention to the their accommodation off the market, Tabout the spiralling costs of accom- ment, and have agreed to visit student rising cost of rent after it was revealed equating to a sum of £720 from one “It’s a large modation. houses to assess concerns about poor that rent in Cardiff has increased by house alone. amount of Last week the Union posted a mes- standards and problems with mould 25 per cent in the last four years. However, she also stated that agen- sage on its website announcing that and vermin infestations. Cardiff University students have cy fees in other areas of the UK are money for NUS Wales President Beth Button is Th e AM members will visit Cathays also spoken out against the high agen- substantially higher, as her cousin was working to legally scrap letting agency and Roath on November 2nd. Th e cy fees demanded by companies, be- made to pay £310 in agency fees in someone on a fees. Th is involves amending upcom- Students’ Union are now asking for fore initial deposits are even agreed. Bournemouth. limited income ing housing legislation in the hope students experiencing housing issues Th ird year ENCAP student Sarah Other inquiries have found that that it will be accepted in the Welsh to volunteer their accommodation for Hazelwood said: “I think that consid- agency fees generally range between for almost Assembly Government. inspection. ering you already have to put a deposit £80 and £100, and are paid only a no customer To support Button, the Students’ If interested, email either Students’ down on one month’s rent and letting short time before a month’s rent is Union is conducting research into ac- Union VP Welfare at WPWelfare@ agencies fees, it is a large amount of then needed for deposit. service commodation issues faced by its stu- cardiff .ac.uk or Beth Button at Beth. money for someone on a limited in- According to the Guardian, ‘ad- dents. Th is involves asking students [email protected]. come for almost no customer service ministration’ costs for students can Sarah about agencies fees they have been Th e announcement follows after in return.” average up to £400 including fees for Hazelwood forced to pay in the past and whether both Cardiff students and members of A third-year Journalism student photocopying contracts and creating they have had resorted to borrowing the community marched in solidarity also explained to Gair Rhydd that inventories. ” University Hospital unit reopens after mother forced to give birth elsewhere ue to a clouse of the Neonatal terial infection on “poor infection con- He told Th e Mirror; “we had expe- Jaxon weighed only three pounds Joanna Beck unit in the University Hospital trol measures” and there were reports rienced amazing care from midwives and seven ounces when he was born Pictured: Dof Wales (UHW) Reann Jenkins that staff would change clothes in the and nurses in Cardiff for our other and has already undergone two opera- Univesity was forced to travel from Bridgend to toilets and that equipment was not be- children, so we knew we were in good tions on his spine and brain. He will Hospital Bristol to give birth to her baby boy, ing stored correctly. hands. now be transferred to Singleton Hos- of Wales Jaxon, who was born with Spina Bifi da Th e closure has led to Jaxon’s father, So when we were told by a consult- pital in Swansea so he can be closer to (Photographer: on the 3rd of October. It was not pos- Ryan James, having to travel 60 miles ant that there was an infection out- his parents. Anna Lewis) The“ Neonatal sible for her Caesarian section to be to visit his partner and new born son, break in the neonatal unit in Cardiff performed at the UHW due to the con- whilst also having to care for his seven and that it was currently closed, it did Unit was tinued closure of its Neonatal Intensive other children. It has been reported worry Reann quite a bit”. Care Unit and so Reann was taken to St that he has had to spend over £200 in Although the University Hospital closed in Michaels Hospital in Bristol, where she toll fees and the couple had to celebrate has now opened a temporary Neonatal August due to has had to stay for three weeks. their daughter’s birthday in the hospi- Unit to deal with cases such as this, it Th e Neonatal Unit was closed in tal. is not clear when the Neonatal centre the break out August due to the outbreak of an infec- Mr James’ had already experienced will resume full working capacity. A of an infection tion which aff ected 12 babies, meaning the healthcare that Th e University statement from the Hospital said that it was not possible for the hospital to Hospital of Wales could provide, and “admissions will be prioritised in part- which affected take any new admissions at the time so was confi dent when it was discov- nership with patients and clini-cal col- of baby Jaxon’s birth. Th e Cardiff and ered that his son would be born with leagues in the Neonatal Network across 12 babies Vale of Glamorgan Community Health Spina Difi da that he would get the care Wales” but it is not clear how many pa- ” Council blamed the spread of the bac- he needed. tients they will be able to admit. NEWS 5 Germaine Greer visit confi rmed despite protests

ermaine Greer will continue Originally, Greer stated on BBC’s Anna Lewis to give a guest lecture in Car- Newsnight that she would not visit Gdiff despite student protests, the University due to the “abuse” re- the University have confi rmed. ceived by Cardiff students. In a statement made to Gair Rhy- During the interview, Greer ex- dd, a University spokesperson con- plained: “I’m 76, I don’t want to go fi rmed that her lecture, titled ‘Wom- down there and be screamed at and en and Power: the lessons of the 20th have things thrown at me. Bugger it” Century’ will carry on as planned. However, the University have Th e announcement comes after talked to the academic after her tele- a petition campaigning against the vision appearance to ensure that the herself was accused of doing “silly has received nearly the same amount academic’s visit gained nearly 3,000 event will continue as planned. things”, of signatures as the originally cam- Pictured: “Melhuish, views in less than a week. Th e peti- In reaction to the news, Women’s Th e article continued: “We all did paign itself, states that “enough is Germaine who created tion was launched to draw attention Offi cer Rachael Melhuish stated that: silly things at her age and hopefully enough. Stop no platforming women Greer will give to Greer’s “transphobic” attitude to- “I’m disappointed that the University she’ll grow out of it but if anyone who only want to talk about women’s her lecture next the petition wards trans-gender women and to is still planning to hold the event, ever needed a good robust dose of rights and women’s lives.” month despite against Greer lobby the University to “prioritize particularly in the light of Greer’s re- Germaine Greer it is Ms Melhuish, In the petition, which was started the popularity the voices of the most vulnerable cent comments on trans people.” whose elders have been fi lling her by Diana Boston from Canada, also of student has since on their campuses, not invite speak- Despite this, she acknowledged head with rubbish.” continues: “Th is reactionary tactic petition ers who seek to further marginalize that the campaign has started valu- Greer’s controversial appearance of calling a woman a ‘transphobe’ is (Photographer: received them”. able debate and spread awareness of has received national media atten- no diff erent than calling someone a walnut whippet widespread Despite these claims, the Uni- issues such as transphobia. tion since the launch of the petition ‘commie’ in 1960’s America during via Flickr) versity said that they “respect” the Melhuish, who created the peti- and has been discussed within BBC the cold war. It’s a slur that contains criticism student-led petition but concluded tion against Greer has since received radio and newspaper publications no analysis, just an emotional re- from both that they must follow their “duties widespread criticism from both indi- including Th e Guardian, Th e Inde- sponse” in freedom of speech and equality viduals and the media, pendent and Th e Telegraph. Other responses against the origi- individuals and and diversity legislation and allow In an opinion piece written for the A counter-petition was also estab- nal movement to prevent Greer have event to take place in line with the Daily Mail, Melhuish’s campaign was lished in reaction against the origi- cited the importance of maintaining the media safeguards of our Freedom of Speech described as a “gobbledygook-laden nal campaign stating the importance free speech within universities in the ” Code.” plea”, whilst the Women’s Offi cer of Greer’s visit. Th e petition, which interest of promoting debate. Cardiff unmasked: capital’s strengths and weaknesses revealed

Pictured: Cardiff Bay (Photographer: Pete Birkinshaw via Flickr)

comprehensive study has been muters making up a third of the Welsh a decrease of 45.5 per cent - mean- drinkers is still relatively high. Th is Toby released detailing Cardiff ’s capital’s 200,000 strong workforce. ing that “people in Cardiff are almost is largely attributed to the city’s large Holloway A best and worst features. Cardiff unsurprisingly boasts a half as likely to be a victim of crime as student population, and is higher than Th e report, published by Cardiff higher ‘Gross Value Added’ (in lay- they were 10 years ago”. Th is is seen the Welsh average. Council, aimed to assess Cardiff ’s man’s terms; the amount each person as an important factor in determining Finally, Cardiff performed exceed- U potential to become “Europe’s most adds to the economy) than the rest of Cardiff ’s potential as a ‘liveable’ city, ingly well in arguably the most impor- There“ are “ liveable capital city”. It highlighted a Wales, though trails other UK cities with low crime rates contributing to tant indicator observed by the study: 60,000 citizens s range of socio-economic indicators in terms of average income. Th is is people’s general feeling of safety, and, happiness. Th e Welsh capital ranked including average wage, obesity levels something that the study said “must therefore, the population’s overall sixth in terms of satisfaction with in the Welsh p and happiness. be addressed” if it were to “deliver the happiness. quality of life out of Europe’s happiest t Cardiff performed well across many opportunities expected in a leading Th e study also highlighted the cities, and was beaten only by Scandi- capital among categories, especially concerning liveable city”. tourism industry as being of great navian cities and Amsterdam. It was the most o safety, resident happiness and its large Inequalities not only exist between importance to Wales’ capital, report- stated that 95 per cent of Cardiff ’s number of highly qualifi ed people. Cardiff and other UK cities, but also edly contributing more than £1bil- population were satisfi ed with their deprived 10 v However, the study also laid bare sev- within Cardiff itself. Th ere are 60,000 lion to Cardiff ’s economy in 2013. In quality of life, 8 per cent higher than per cent in n eral of the city’s less favourable attrib- citizens in the Welsh capital among the same year, Cardiff received over London. utes, such as the lingering inequalities the most deprived 10 per cent in 18 million visitors, with this num- Th e report concluded that: “Cardiff Wales, the vast s that exist between Cardiff ’s rich and Wales, the vast majority of which re- ber surely swelling due to the vast performed extremely well”, especially s poor. side in areas such as Splott, Ely and amount of rugby fans that attended where quality of life was concerned. majority of Cardiff ’s population is booming, Adamstown. Th is disparity in devel- World Cup games at the Millennium Th e study also declared that: “it is im- which reside in m with the report stating that the city’s opment is underlined by the fact that Stadium. portant that this success is built upon”, population expected to grow at a rate 48 per cent of children in Ely live in Th e report showed that Cardiff and with the number of promising areas such as t of 26 per cent between 2014 and 2034 low-income families, compared to is a relatively healthy city, with obe- projects planned for the city, it would Splott and Ely R - the highest in the UK. It was also only 3 per cent in wealthy Lisvane. sity levels well below Wales’ average, not be over-optimistic to assume that stated that: “each day 80,000 people According to the report, Cardiff though still slightly concerning. Th e Cardiff could claim the crown of “Eu- Adamstown M commute in to Cardiff from the sur- has experienced a substantial drop number of smokers in Cardiff is fall- rope’s most liveable city” in years to W rounding local authorities”, with com- in crime rates over the last decade - ing, however the number of binge come. ” O 6 NEWS Student found guilty of rape Man charged for sexual attack on fi rst year during Freshers’ 2014

keem Hassain, a 20-year-old Th e recent series of sex attacks, Joanna Beck student from Merthyr Tydfi l, which took place in Cardiff at the be- Pictured: Ahas been found guilty of rap- ginning of this academic year, show Cardiff Crown ing a fellow student. Cardiff Crown that one year on, women are still at Court Court heard how a young woman, serious risk of sexual attacks. A re- (Photographer: also 20, woke to fi nd a man she did cent summit regarding the attacks Along Tine not know having sex with her on her concluded that ‘Lad Culture’ was to Ago/Flickr) fi rst night of university last year. blame for the three separate incidents Th e trial, which began two weeks in Cardiff , one of which also allegedly ago, heard that upon arrest Hassain involved a male student. said to police “this can’t be right – I’m Sexual consent workshops are one doing Police Sciences”. Hassain’s de- of the ways that universities are try- fence council claimed that the sex had ing to put a stop to ‘Lad Culture’ and been consensual and that the woman make people aware of the bounda- was trying to “save her reputation” ries. Many universities are introduc- by saying she had been raped, even ing sexual consent lessons and sexual “The recent relating her attack to the comedy tel- consent workshops were made com- evision show ‘Th e Young Ones’. Her pulsory at both Oxford and Cam- series of sex fl atmate told a very diff erent story. bridge last year. Th is followed a report attacks, which “She looked like she had been cry- from the National Union of Students, ing and said a boy had come into which claimed that more than a third took place in her room and forced himself on her of female students had been inappro- Cardiff at the and when she told him to stop, he priately touched or groped. Cardiff wouldn’t. She didn’t know who it was. University Students’ Union have a beginning of She had been really drunk.” “zero tolerance to sexual harassment” Upon“ arrest Th e court heard how the woman but have not yet implemented con- this academic had only been at the University for sent lessons. Hassain said year, show a matter of hours, and had been get- Michael Jones, of the prosecution, to police ting to know some other students. explained to the court that Akeem that one-year- She had been drinking a lot when the Hassain “took advantage of a girl in a “this can’t be on women are attack took place and told the court vulnerable position. right – I’m that she had needed help to get back “Th e fact that a woman is intoxi- still at serious to her room. She described how she cated gives no one the right to take doing Police had told Hassain to stop, that he was advantage”. Sentencing will take place risk of rape hurting her and that she was bleed- in two weeks and Hassain’s request Sciences” ” ing. for bail until sentence was denied. ” Senate announce agenda for fi rst meeting of year t
Action sought over Welsh language ‘slander’ t
Support requested as students set for ‘National Day of Walk Out’

he Student Senate have an- ASSL Library and the Students’ Union guage speakers and the provision of international students studying in the Toby nounced the agenda for their up- building. support for Welsh speakers. Th is has UK. Th ese include the suggestion that Pictured: Holloway Tcoming meeting, which will take Th e motion called for the Students’ been a controversial point of discussion it is increasingly diffi cult for interna- Last Year’s place on Tuesday 3rd of November. Union to “lobby the university to in- recently, after online news medium tional students to study in the UK fol- Student Senate Th ey intend to raise a number of is- crease the provision of free water across ‘the Tab’ published articles dismissing lowing the recent introduction of new sues, including concerns about support the Cathays and Heath campuses”, not- the Welsh language as “pointless” and immigration laws. for student sex workers and interna- ing that “students should not have to Welsh language speakers as an “insig- Th e fourth issue to be raised in No- tional students. choose between staying hydrated to nifi cant minority”. vember’s meeting will concern the Th e fi rst item on Senate’s agenda concentrate on their work and aff ord- Welsh Language Offi cer Steff an Bryn decriminalisation of sex work, which, concerned the apparent lack of water ing another necessity”. has also been in the headlines for his according to the Senate, a number of fountains available across the Cathays Th e Senate’s second item will raise attempt to make his position full-time students are likely to carry out along- campus with the exception of Bute, the the issue of the rights of Welsh lan- and with salary. side their studies. Bryn requested that a letter be writ- Th is is apparently due to a number ten to Welsh First Minister Carywn of factors, including rise in living costs Jones and Welsh Language Commis- and tuition fees. Th e motion declares sioner Meri Hughes to ask what provi- their support for the “full decriminali- sions are made to protect Welsh speak- sation of sex work” across the UK, as ers against potentially off ensive articles, states that this would “ensure that sex such as those published by the Tab. workers feel able to report unsafe cli- He also asked that a statement be ents or violence at work without the Sex“ work is made on the Students’ Union website worry of criminal repercussions”. stating its support for Welsh language Finally, the agenda reiterated the de- apparently due speakers and that an application be sire for an increased number of grow- to a number launced for a meeting with the Univer- ing spaces around campus, as they be- sity’s Vice-Chancellor Colin Riordan. lieve these “provide substantial physical of figures, Th e third item on the Senate’s agenda and mental health benefi ts to students”. demanded the full support of the Stu- A previous motion was passed by the including the dents’ Union concerning a ‘National Students’ Union, however the agenda rise of living Day of Walk Out’ by Cardiff ’s interna- stated that a “lack of coordination has tional students. not brought this project to fruition”. costs and Th is action would take place on ‘In- Th e meeting will take place on the tuition fees ternational Students’ Day’ and would 3rd of November in the IV Lounge in contest the diffi culties faced by many the Heath campus. ” %""%"" !"$# "!"$# " % " $% " $

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Editor: Gwen Williams @GairRhyddAdv [email protected] advice gairrhydd.com/advice Refl ections on my time at uni: Why it was an invaluable experience

y time at uni fl ew by so of the whole experience. Without the forward to them. Th ey made me re- pointing interview. When I walked Kirsty Fardell quickly, yet it still feels like extra activities I wouldn’t be sat in the alise what I was actually looking for out of the room I was instantly set on Pictured: Myesterday. Th ose weeks with position I am currently in. from a job and taught me not to set- the job - all my experience had lent Main building, only nine hours of lectures to attend As soon as 2015 hit I was desper- tle for less. A couple of off ers came itself to a role like this despite never Cardiff seem so familiar yet such a world ately searching for a graduate job for for low paid roles without any room having considered it. I knew this was University away from my routine now. when I fi nished. Some of my friends for growth. In one interview, the job the perfect job for me and I wanted it. (Photographer: Everyone is guilty of wasting a lot of doing other degrees had found some- was completely diff erent to what they A couple more interviews followed Jeremy Segrott) valuable time at university and I was thing and were due to start as soon as had talked about on the phone. It was which all went really well. Th e room no diff erent. It seemed that the less they graduated. Th is defi nitely made a lot less money, not permanent and for growth with Teaching Personnel I had to do the less I did altogether. me panic. I accepted the fi rst off er I extremely boring. I pulled them up on was excellent, so I knew I had the Th en third year crept up on me and had, which was nothing that I ever all of those points and turned down prospect of a full career with them. I panicked about my prospects for imagined doing, but I soon found the role there and then as I knew I When the job off er came I was ecstat- the future – I suddenly realised that it diffi cult to imagine myself in that had been lied to which was never go- ic, I had landed myself this great job Looking back this comfortable, lazy bubble would role within a couple of months. I kept ing to be a good start to a job. that I was really keen for and would “ burst soon and the elements of the persevering with the job search, look- My boyfriend, a primary school mean I could stay living in Cardiff . now I am so real world would hit me like a tonne ing at all of my options and spend- teacher, suggested that I would be My days now are completely diff er- of bricks. I turned my spare time into ing hours on job websites trailing good at doing what his consultant at ent. I start work at 7.30am every day grateful that I something productive by becoming through looking for the perfect role. Teaching Personnel does. Th ey are an and fi nish at 5. I spend my time fi nd- stepped up in the fi rst editor of the Advice Section I had ideas of what I wanted to do, education agency that have kept him ing the perfect jobs in schools for so Looking back, for Gair Rhydd and threw myself into but my key motivation to fi nd a job in full time work for a couple of years, many people, setting them up from “ my final year, creating the weekly content. I took up was to stay in Cardiff . I am originally so he had a good idea of what they do. start to fi nish and making sure they I realise that I got the most netball and played every week, and from Essex but the thought of mov- I enquired about vacancies, and the are still enjoying their job at the end as if over night my valuable time be- ing back is not one I welcome. I had manager called me for a chat about of the week. the reason I out of it that came valued. I had more to do so I got grown to love the place that I came what sort of thing I was looking for. Looking back, I realise that the have this job, more done. to on a fl ipped-coin decision. It be- Th is happened just before my fi nal reason I have this job, which I love, I could and Looking back now I am so grateful came home and I knew I didn’t want exam at uni, so I was starting to lose is because of all the experience I have which I love, is now I am in a that I stepped up in my fi nal year, I to leave. Th e pressure was on to fi nd hope with the job search and began from university. In my interview my because of all got the most out of it that I could and something stable that would pay me looking for anything part time just to manager wanted to know everything position where now I am in a position where it has well enough to aff ord living under my keep me going. about my role as editor, my degree the experience it has clearly clearly all paid off . University is such own roof. I was invited in for an interview, content, and even what I did for fun. a great time to try new things and de- Quite a few job applications came but I didn’t go in thinking too much Everything you do at uni counts I have from all paid off velop yourself so that you are ready back with interviews – every one very of it. I felt relaxed but confi dent and towards something in your future, so university for this crazy real world, and only diff erent from the next, but with each just wanted to fi nd out more about it is defi nitely worth making the most ” now I can appreciate the true value my confi dence grew. I started to look the role in case it was another disap- of it. ” ADVICE 9

Long distance relationships: Making the journey worth it

Pictured: If you love each other, you can make it work (Source: stokpic. com)

hen starting university, with each other. Plus, it is always ex- other’s hair all of the time. You can each other, there is never any need to Charley many couples worry about citing to get something in the post go out with your friends and not feel worry. Griffiths Whow they will maintain a that isn’t a dodgy takeaway menu. guilty for leaving them at home; you Essentially, you know what is best “It does get long distance relationship. Maybe it’s When it’s time to make the trip to can throw yourself into your work for you. Each relationship is diff erent, because you didn’t get into the same visit your other half at their respec- with no distractions, or even little you just need to get into a routine. It easier over university, or you needed/wanted to tive home, driving isn’t always an op- things like watching what you want may seem hard at the beginning, but go to diff erent places for your specifi c tion for everyone. I would defi nitely to watch on TV. Th is then makes it does get easier over time, and af- time, and after degree. Perhaps the other has already recommend investing in a railcard to the time you do spend together even ter a while you will wonder why you a while you graduated, or simply chosen to stay cut the cost of train journeys. Book more special. Plus, you have more to were so worried in the fi rst place. If at home. Whatever the circumstanc- as far in advance as possible to save catch up on when you do see each you are reading this, and worried will wonder es, there are plenty of ways you can money. Th e same applies to coach other. Th ere may even be advantages about a new relationship that will be why you were make it work for the both of you. journeys. Alternatively, if you have you hadn’t even considered yet. If you long distance, all I can say is: give it a “It is also Th e most important thing to do friends who live in the same place as are in diff erent cities or universities, go. You don’t know until you try. so worried in when in this situation is to talk regu- your partner, see if you can lift share you get to experience what each loca- As a nervous fi rst year, I was ex- important to larly. We live in an age where tech- with them if they are visiting home tion has to off er. You can meet new tremely worried about how my re- the first place nology allows us to communicate for a weekend. friends in the form of their house- lationship and, living three hours remember easily with each other. Skype, Face- Th e important thing to remem- mates or course friends, or if you are and two train journeys apart, how that there are time, Snapchat, and social media in ber is that you should try and take fi nding that uni life is a bit too much, it would impact us. People told me general give us that ‘face to face’ ex- it in turns wherever possible when you have someone or somewhere to that long distance wouldn’t work and ” benefits to perience. Having said that, don’t for- it comes to visiting. Not only is this escape to for a little while. there are ‘plenty of new people at uni, long distance! get the obvious text or phone call. It fair money and time wise, but if one You may be bombarded with a fa- why stick with him?’ (Or even that doesn’t take long to drop a message person is always the one doing the miliar yet ridiculous argument: how we should break up now to save us It helps you in to check on how the other has travelling, it could potentially cause can you trust them? What if they the pain later. How rude.) been doing, and see how their day stress, un-enthusiasm or resentment, cheat? You would never know! Th ere Yet three years later, we are still go- become more has been. It’s a simple way to show and therefore a disagreement and un- are lots of new boys or girls at uni, ing strong, and love each other more independent that you care and despite the dis- necessary strain on your relationship. oh god their fl atmates are attrac- because of the investment and eff ort tance, they are never far from your Another thing to consider, is always tive… First things fi rst: stop think- we have jointly put in. Th e major- as you are not mind. knowing when the next visit will be. ing this, don’t do this to yourself. It ity of our relationship has been long in each other’s A simple phone call to hear each It can certainly help the wait go faster is unproductive, and will cause you distance. Of course there have been other’s voices can really make a bad if you have a date to look forward to. unnecessary stress and anxiety. Trust a few problems, but no relation- hair all of the day better. For the old romantics out It is also important to remember is important to establish in any re- ship, long distance or not, is perfect. there who want to get back to basics, that there are benefi ts to long dis- lationship. As blunt as this may be, In any relationship, if you love each time letter writing can be a really personal tance! It helps you become more if you cannot trust each other, long other, you make it work. It really is as ” and sweet way to keep in contact independent as you are not in each distance will never work. If you trust simple as that. over reading week. However you could module did you enjoy? What do you easily get a couple of weeks worth of 3. Dissertation think you will end up writing about? 5 ways reading done over a couple of days. Th is Can you make revision notes from means that you’re not under so much If you feel that other modules have the last five weeks ready for January? pressure when you go back. Equally, taken a front seat over the last fi ve The more you get done now, the less you can catch up on any reading that weeks, take a few days to concentrate preparation you have to do during to make the most of you weren’t able to do on time. solely on fi nishing off your reading and the Christmas holidays. planning where you are going with reading week 2. Formative essays your dissertation. You probably have 5. Be kind to yourself a second supervisiion meeting in the Reading week is a luxury only certain If you have the opportunity to do a couple of weeks after reading week, so Go out and have fun. Have a lie in. degree programmes get. Make the formative assignment, take advantage take this opportunity to prepare well Go for a meal. Head home for a most of it folks. of it. You don’t often get your work for it. couple of days for a bit of pampering. marked by a lecturer. Th is is a great You have a chance to recharge your 1. Read way to discover your strengths and 4. Exams and essays batteries and relax a bit. A break weaknesses early on so that you can from the stresses of uni is important Th at sounds really obvious but it’s improve and get a better grade in your Start thinking about summative too. It’s going to be a busy Christmas tempting to sit around and do nothing marked summative assignments. work. What weeks / topics in the break with January exams, so enjoy! 10 ADVICE What I did when I graduated...

alvin Williams and Janet Mor- my career to go. I then realised that we are the bosses we can decide career? Gwen gan are the company directors there wasn’t much competition in when we work and make our hours Janet: Make sure you do lots of mar- Pictured: Williams Cof a small water cooler com- the water cooler industry but there fl exible. ket research before you start your All suited up pany in South Wales. Th ey explain was an increasing demand for the own business. You need to know (Photographer: how business is a great opportunity product. I decided to take a risk and Is there anything about your job everything there is to know about Flazingo regardless of your educational back- start my own company along with that you dislike? the product you’re off ering, includ- Photos) ground. my current business partner. Initially Calvin: Dealing with staff can be ing how you will initially fi nance the it was incredibly hard work but fi f- quite challenging sometimes, espe- business venture and whether there What are your roles in the com- teen years on, our business continues cially if you have known them for a is a gap in the market for it. Starting pany? to do well. long time. a business is incredibly hard work. “When my boss Calvin: As company directors, we Janet: I am not a fan of the account- You need to be dedicated as success are in charge of making decisions Why did you choose this career ancy side of the business. I much does not come overnight. It could decided to sell and organising the daily running of path? prefer dealing with customers on the take a few years before you really see his company the business, which includes setting Calvin: Although I had no qualifi ca- phone. We make sure that the service results. If you hit a rough patch, don’t out the rounds for the delivery driv- tions, business had always interested we provide is the best possible and give up. You will get back what you and move to ers, managing orders of products me. Coming from an agricultural it’s lovely to hear that our customers put into it eventually and more! Spain, I was from suppliers and customer orders background, I was heavily involved are satisfi ed with our work. and ensuring that there is cover in with the commercial side of things Did you consider any other career forced to think the event of staff illness. We are also from a young age. When I worked Describe a typical work day for paths? heavily involved in promoting and as a driver, my boss recognised that you? Calvin: Helping my father to run his about where expanding the business through sales I was a natural salesman and had a Calvin: I start work at around eight farm when I was young helped me I wanted my and also deal with a lot of the fi nance. business head on my shoulders. As a o’clock and prepare the driver’s develop skills that you don’t learn result, he off ered me an opportunity rounds for the following day. I then in the classroom. I was very good career to go In terms of your career path, how to show him that I could contribute arrange any special deliveries and at manual labour and used to work did you come to a decision to start to the running of the business. With cooler sanitation services. While for a building company as a weekend your own business? his guidance, I realised that I enjoyed I am in the offi ce, I answer the tel- and summer job during my time at Janet: After obtaining a business de- the management side of business far ephone, assist with offi ce work and school. I picked up many additional ” gree, I worked as a manager for vari- more. do a stock check in case any orders skills from that such as brick laying, ous local companies. When it came Janet: Th ere are lots of jobs in busi- need placing. plastering and carpentry therefore I to a time that I wanted to start a fam- ness out there and if you have the Usually in the afternoon, I am did consider a job in the trades. ily with my husband, it made sense initiative, you can create yourself a out of the offi ce either attending to Janet: No I always thought that busi- “The business to get involved in starting my own job by starting up a small company. It special deliveries that have come in ness was a wise option that would company so that I would be able to was an ideal career move for me due during the morning or promoting open many doors for me. world isn’t work from home. Th erefore I went to having small children. Running my the business to other companies. I easy and is into business with my friend who had own business gave me a chance to be am also the transport manager and What advice would you give your “Running initially suggested the idea. Fifteen a stay at home mother and work at am responsible for ensuring that our twenty year old self with hind- often harsh but years later, despite some set backs the same time. company vehicles are in good work- sight? my own due to the recession, I am proud that ing order by arranging that they are Calvin: Don’t be afraid to have a go it can allow business gave the business is still going strong. What do you like about your job? regularly serviced. because with hard work and deter- you to build Calvin: I left school at sixteen af- Calvin: Working for yourself can be Janet: I start work around the same mination, you can do anything you me a chance ter obtaining some O-Levels and I very rewarding. Each day is diff erent time. My role revolves around the want. Th e business world isn’t easy something to be a stay at worked for several diff erent com- in the business world. I get to meet a offi ce. I prepare delivery notes and and is often harsh but it can allow from nothing panies as a driver. Later on I began lot of diff erent types of people partic- invoices and am in charge of the ac- you to build something from noth- home mother working as a driver for a water cooler ularly when I am out promoting the countancy. I also assist in answering ing no matter what your educational no matter your company and worked my way up to business and selling products. Also, the telephone and arranging meet- background. and work at the position of manager. we are the bosses so are in control of ings with customers and suppliers. Janet: Grab every opportunity that educational the same time When my boss decided to sell his where the business is going and the comes your way as you will only background company and move to Spain, I was progression of our careers. Do you have any tips for a students regret the things that you didn’t do ” forced to think about where I wanted Janet: I agree with Calvin. Because that’s aspiring to go into the same when you were young. ” Photo: PersonalCreations.com >

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Editors: Em Gates Charley Griffiths David Williams @GairRhyddCom [email protected] comment gairrhydd.com/comment

Th e Welsh language is not “pointless” After one of the assistant editors of Th e Tab asked, “What is the fucking point?” of spending money to preserve the Welsh language, students voice their opposition t is with great regret that this com- and also mainland Europe, such as We feel that if they had been said in mentia, expands career potential and Dewi Alter ment piece must be written as a Switzerland, where one can see signs relation to Middle Eastern languages opens up cultural opportunities una- Pictured: Ireaction to the abhorrent behav- in German, French, Romansch and they would be have been dubbed in- vailable to non-speakers. We would ‘Voice for the Morgan iour, which many of you may have Italian, possibly even English. sulting, if not racist, and would have encourage anyone to learn as many Welsh’ Welsh Owen seen, by Oli Dugmore (assistant edi- But what really caused hurt was received instant condemnation by languages as possible. Oli Dugmore’s Language tor of the Tab) regarding an article on Dugmore’s caption for the article on the institution and would have made remarks are simply ignorant and ob- Protest at the the Welsh language. Facebook: ‘What is even the fucking headlines at BBC News, not just a noxious. Students’ Union Th e article in question, published point.’ The author of the comment comment piece in a student newspa- Finally, as Welsh speakers, we feel on October by the Tab, was simply explaining seems to forget in which country per. aggrieved by such comments. But 22nd the allocation of £1.8 million fund- he resides: Wales. A country which Th e replies, by Oli Dugmore quote: our grievance is also enhanced by the (Photographer: ing to Cardiff University to preserve has only one official language recog- ‘… the language is pointless. A bare complete absence of support from the Carwyn the Welsh language. Th is had some nised by law (The Welsh Language minority of people speak it, all of Student’s Union, which condemns Williams) students of Cardiff University stand- Act). That language is Welsh. There- whom also speak English.’ Firstly over any form of ethnic hatred (which ing mockingly beneath bilingual signs fore, one of ‘the points’ is to respect 21 per cent of the population are able could quite possibly in this instance “Over 21 per and questioning what the Welsh the law, and respect the language of to speak Welsh comfortably. Th is ac- be classed as racism), and also Cardiff meant. We would like to alert these this country, of which this city is the counts to over a fi fth; a large propor- University. Th is recent episode fur- cent of the students that the Welsh says the same capital. This city which has a vast tion of any population. ther reveals the urgent need for a full- “This reveals population are as the English, but in Welsh. Mean- number of Welsh speakers and many Dugmore then goes further and time Welsh language offi cer to protect ing the below is as the above but more people that understand it, and states that ‘Having two language [sic] speakers and ensure that our voices the urgent able to speak translated into the native language of that number is ever growing thanks instead of one is pointless’. Mr Dug- are heard on campus and to ensure need for a full Welsh - a large Wales, the oldest surviving language to the success of Welsh medium ed- more, more than half of the world’s that such unacceptable behaviour is of this country. Th e Welsh language ucation. population speak at least two lan- condemned. We have been exposed time Welsh proportion of was spoken before the Victorian era, Having off ended so many, a mem- guages. In no way is speaking mul- to this hatred as a result of the lack of before the Shakespearean era and ber of the Welsh language commu- tiple languages ‘pointless’: it boosts support for the Welsh language and Languge any population long before William the Conqueror nity attempted to alert the Tab, via brain power. Multilingualism stalls its speakers by the establishment. Th e officer arrived on these shores. Th ey have Facebook, of their error. In reply, we the progress of neuro-degenerative need has never been greater to have a ” similar signs all across the country, received further insulting comments. diseases such as Alzheimer’s and de- full time Welsh language offi cer. ” COMMENT 13

Pictured: Should Germaine Germaine Greer has caused a stir Greer come to Cardiff ? after saying transgender women are YES: Censorship does not ‘not women’ (Source: BBC inform public debate Newsnight) hen Dapper Laughs was Th en she went one step further, claim- Along with others who disagree with tant, but that just isn’t what happened. Eleanor banned from performing at ing that granting Greer the opportu- the ban for the same reasons, I’ve been So I raise Melhuish this: why not Prescott Wthe SU last year, I was one of nity to speak means Cardiff Univer- lumped in by Melhuish of striving to channel your opposition into promoting the majority of students who voted to sity is actually endorsing those views. “debate the validity of trans lives” (uhm, education around transgender rights? ban. I found his whole shtick lazily sexist Horseshit. Th is isn’t 1984 and ‘thought no) belonging to the “freeze peach bri- Th is would be useful to those who and like many others, was unimpressed crimes’ aren’t real. gade” and by Payton Quinn of not car- don’t have as sophisticated a grasp on the SU was off ering space for him to Now Greer’s views on transgender ing about trans people - ad hominem at the subject. We’re all ignorant of some- parade it in. It was only on refl ection, people are, in this writer’s opinion, ig- its baffl ing worst. A transgender man I thing, and without being transgender it’s whilst we were all still patting ourselves norant as well as utterly lacking in em- was debating with fl ew into a rage, told impossible to have an inherent under- on the back, that I wondered what we’d pathy and humanity. Awfully, views like me I was ignorant and should never call standing of those unique, varied experi- actually achieved. Greer’s play a role in implementing poli- myself an ally, basically for suggesting ences. Th e answer is I think, a whole lot cies denying transgender rights, when that if Greer’s expressed views were le- But sometimes potentially off ensive While Greer’s “Sadly, Cardiff’s of not much. Did we fi ght lad culture? the speaker holds a position of high gally defi ned as hate speech under UK questions need to be asked so that other “ SU has gained Well… we stopped one prat from having infl uence. But it’s total rubbish that al- law, she might have been arrested by people can learn, mainly in order to be views on an audience on one evening of his tour. lowing someone a platform to speak now for broadcasting them on national less off ensive. If people cut off conver- a bit of an Anyone who was going to see him prob- equates to endorsing their views. A uni- television. sation completely for fear of causing of- transgender ably saw him somewhere else anyway. versity has to off er an impartial, equal Overreactions aside; if we banned fence to a group - as is happening across people are, in anti-free spech Cardiff 1 – Sexists nil. At the very least platform because we include people of every speaker that some of the stu- university campuses in this country - no reputation in though, Dapper’s whole act was based all faiths and backgrounds. Th at’s just dent body disagreed with on some is- one benefi ts. In trying to be as inclusive my opinion, on lad culture, and that did rather con- how a university works. sue, who’d be left to talk here? Most of as possible you make the pool of people recent years... fl ict with the SU’s no-tolerance policy Walt Disney is believed to have been us have come to university to expand allowed to speak yet smaller and smaller. ignorant, if we it’s total on it. an anti-semite, but if he was does this our worldview, and banning speakers What this petition has done is bring banned every But sadly, Cardiff SU’s gained a bit of make fans of Disney then “by exten- – however problematic - is counterpro- transgender issues to the surface of dis- rubbish to say an ‘anti-free speech’ reputation in recent sion” endorsers of antisemitism? No, of ductive to that. cussion here at Cardiff . Melhuish try- speaker that years. If that sounds ridiculous, look course it doesn’t. But we can still fi ght Even if Greer was going to bring ing to no-platform Greer hasn’t really some of the that allowing again at Women’s Offi cer Rachael Mel- antisemitism more meaningfully than those views up, the Q&A would have worked – it doesn’t matter if she speaks someone to huish petitioning to cancel a Germaine if we were to ban Disney fi lms being stopped the exchange being one-sided. here or anywhere else. Her transphobia student body Greer lecture here because of her views, shown in the SU, just to point out we No one had to hear Greer speak, but has been broadcast nationally in the speak equates a story that blew up this week. object to it. Suggesting someone’s stance there will be people who were interest- process of trying to ban one unrelated disagreed with, to endorsing Greer’s off ence according to Melhu- on an issue taints every little thing asso- ed in what she was actually supposed to lecture. So don’t waste the opportunity who’d be left to ish is “misogynistic views towards trans ciated with them in some way is illogical talk about. Instead of exercising a right this exposure has given Cardiff Univer- their views women, including continually misgen- – but these are the same people imply- to protest, you’re calling for nobody to sity to raise transgender voices – we can talk here? dering trans women and denying the ing I’m transphobic for questioning the have a choice. Taking a stance against counter that sort of ignorance, and we ” existence of transphobia altogether.” point of a ban. hate speech where it occurs is impor- should. ” NO: Th e University shouldn’t be giving a platform to promote transphobic speakers ermaine Greer, writer and to high rates of homelessness and often platforming in this way would censor on marginalised students as a result of Emma so-called feminist, has hit the leaves trans women with few options and silence Greer, and is an aff ront to providing oppressive and harmful in- Tranter Gheadlines recently in a spec- besides sex work. free speech. Th is, frankly, is ridiculous dividuals with a platform. Th is is not tacular fashion. Not only does she have Suicide rates in the trans community – Greer is a well-known public fi gure the fi rst time student activists have a substantial record of transphobia and are shockingly high – one study found and respected academic, and whether protested against Germaine Greer out trans-misogyny, she’s also gone on this that 84 per cent of respondents had or not this talk goes ahead, she has the of concern for trans students – earlier week to belittle one of the biggest trans considered suicide and 35 per cent had reputation, audience and career his- this year a protest event was held in cases of recent times, Caitlyn Jenner. In attempted it. Trans women, particu- tory to access platforms that will reach Cambridge while she gave a talk at the order to show support and solidarity larly trans women of colour, also face an even wider audience. She has had Cambridge Union society. with trans people, I personally believe a horrifi c amount of physical violence, books and many articles published over Trans student activist Em Travis, the University should cancel the event. and often even murder – so much so the span of her career, and cancelling who helped organise this protest, said Women’s offi cer Racheal Melhu- that trans day of remembrance was cre- this would not even prevent her from “I wonder if those who dismiss TER- “Cancelling this ish, who created the online petition to ated as an annual event to remember all asserting her views elsewhere with a Fism [trans exclusionary radical femi- cancel the event which now has over the trans people murdered in the past much wider reach than this talk will nism] and other transmisogyny as a event would 2,600 signatures, told me: “Th e Uni- year. As if Greer’s presence in the uni- have. Th is is something often misun- mere diff erence of opinion, rather than not prevent her versity should not be giving a platform versity isn’t insulting enough to trans derstood about no-platforming – it is recognising it as violence, have ever “In order to someone who is so frequently and students, her talk is scheduled just two not about free speech, it is about the considered what it’s like to be part of from asserting explicitly transphobic. Greer is seen as days before this year’s day of remem- message inviting an individual with a community where a standard day her views to show a feminist icon but feminism that ex- brance, which is the cherry on top of harmful and oppressive views to this involves news of another murder or support and cludes trans women is not feminism. inappropriate cake. institution sends to the most marginal- suicide. I’m consistently astounded by elsewhere...this Th e harmful attitudes that Greer per- Th e presence of such a vocal ised students within the university. the incapability of free speech war- solidarity with petuates directly contribute to a culture transphobe has a great impact on the On many other occasions univer- riors to recognise that verbal bigotry is not about transgender where trans women face high levels of trans students at Cardiff . Nonbinary sities have not platformed harmful and physical violence, even when not censoring, violence and discrimination.” trans student James says “I was really speakers. Feminist writer Julie Bindel perpetuated by the same person, are people, I Th e oppression and violence that saddened to hear that my university is has been given refusal several times due two handles of the same knife.” Greer’s but about trans people face, particularly trans hosting Germaine Greer. Greer’s of- to her trans-misogyny and just last year views are not just an opinion, but a part the impact personally women, is by no means an exaggera- fensive views and policing of gender, here in Cardiff Dapper Laughs had a of a larger societal problem that causes believe the tion, as Greer suggested in her inter- and of womanhood in particular, are gig cancelled at the student union. Even a vast amount of violence against trans on students view with Newsnight when asked about completely at odds with the university’s the National Union of Students has a people. University the petition. But how does she know? zero tolerance policy for acts of dis- no-platform policy against a number If our University really are commit- as a result of should cancel As a white, middle-class academic, I crimination against minorities, includ- of organisations including the EDL and ted to their policies of support for trans providing Greer can imagine she has never received the ing LGBT+ people. Misgendering trans BNP. students, they would consider the mes- the event discrimination that trans people do on people like myself is, to quote Laverne Th ese incidents of no-platforming sage they send when paying a trans-mi- with a platform a daily business. Employment discrimi- Cox, an act of violence.” and protest are not about censoring sogynistic public fi gure to speak here, ” nation, a major issue is trans life, leads Many people are concerned that no- these individuals, but about the impact and cancel the talk. ” 14 COMMENT Traffic-free day gets green light

o you live in Cathays, Heath Cardiff’s attitude towards lowering cess and aim of decreasing the rates an aim to create ‘food-for-thought’ George or near the city centre? Are levels of air and noise pollution. of air pollution, maintaining and pro- about the harmful effects of pollution Caulton Dyou aware that you are inhal- Whilst air pollution rates are be- moting an eco-friendly society. rather than making the assumption ing carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide ing assessed as ‘moderate’, recent On September 20th 2015, Brussels that the rate of pollution in Cardiff and other hazardous air pollutants years have proven that the rates of Capitol region was entirely free of will never affect them. Many people every day? Do you drive your car noise and light pollution within Car- cars, between the hours of 9:30am- are quite ignorant to the impact of Whilst“ cars small distances on a daily basis? If so, diff City Centre have increased to a 7pm. Whilst cars were denied access, emissions in their busy day-to-day then you are potentially contribut- 75 per cent risk, which indeed advo- public transport, such as buses, were lives. are denied ing to the intoxication and pollution cates a cause for necessary action. still running in order to promote the Considering that many of the par- access, public of Cardiff’s landscape and fellow be- Councillor Richard Cook recent- use of these public facilities and to ticipating European cities are only ings. ly stated in an interview with ITV minimize the rates of pollution in- pursuing this day for 24 hours a year, transport is With this in mind, Cardiff City Wales that “vehicles would be pre- fusing the air. there can be no real reason why the still running Council have recently announced a vented from coming into the cen- Despite many citizens of Cardiff ‘traffic free’ day in Cardiff city centre ‘traffic free day’ throughout Cardiff tre of Cardiff, say perhaps from the and London finding the latest an- should have negative associations. in order to city centre one day a year in order to Taff past the Castle, up to the Civic nouncement ‘tedious’ and ‘frustrat- Instead, the fact that communities reduce the devastating impacts of air Centre. And those streets would be ing’, Cardiff Council hope that ‘Traf- are attempting to structure days in promote the pollution in the city. Knowing that given over to the citizens of Cardiff fic-Free days’ will encourage the use order to attempt to decrease the use of these tens of thousands of people die an- to enjoy.” of walking and cycling within the levels of pollution in city centres, nually due to the impacts of air pollu- On an international basis many cit- city centre to create an ever growing should, in itself, be welcomed, in an public facilities tion, Cardiff’s councillors possess the ies such as London, Paris and Brus- eco-friendly community. In addition attempt as it endeavours to become a hope that more cities will catch on to sels have all contributed to the suc- to this, the Council have adopted more eco-friendly society. ”

On the right track? Train services in Cardiff were criticised over the Rugby World Cup period, why is this still a major problem? o matter what team you may admitted that there was “severe ures which showed that violent crimes In 2010 six of the ten most over- Brett Jones have been supporting in this overcrowding” during the Rugby on trains had risen by 8 per cent and crowded train services in Britain were Pictured: Nyear’s Rugby World Cup you World Cup matches that were held sexual offences on trains had risen by thought to be run by FGW, the sec- Left: A were virtually guaranteed to have in Cardiff. In a statement they said, 25 per cent. These kind of crimes often ond most overcrowded of all was the Cardiff Bus been facing a bumpy ride. Even if your “Although we warned customers ser- occur on overcrowded trains because Swansea to London run. Since then (Photographer: team was not in the ‘Group of Death’ vices were likely to be very busy and of the increased chance for confusion things have been going in the right welshpete2007 you may still have had to go up against to travel early, the number of people and more of a chance for perpetrators direction, in 2013 only three of the via flickr the giants of New Zealand, France or wishing to travel is slightly higher to blend in with the crowd. most overcrowded journeys were run Right: A First Ireland. Whoever was your team you than predicted, and passenger num- To be fair, in a perverse kind of way by FGW and last year that figure was Great Western “Violent crimes knew that your journey was not going bers have been less evenly spread the sexual offence figures can be seen down to two. But after the misman- train service to be a straightforward one. throughout the day than we would as good news. It was thought that up agement of this year’s Rugby World (Photographer: on trains And if you were a fan travelling by normally expect.” But frankly that is to 90 per cent of such crimes on trains Cup I can only see that figure going Ian Britton) had risen by rail to the Millennium Stadium then dodging the issue. went unreported, if victims are feeling up. that might have been doubly true. ‘Severe overcrowding’ is another more confident in coming forward World Cup transport decisions get eight per cent Trips to and from Cardiff, for rugby way for FGW to say that they under- that is obviously to be welcomed. a lot of attention and companies tend and sexual fans, have been plagued by problems. estimated the number of people who The problem is that the companies to react quickly if they are getting a lot Social media has become a very wel- would be demanding their services. It who got the figures for the Rugby of negative attention, but once that offences on coming home for the complaints of is just another way for a business to World Cup so wrong are going to be attention goes away the impetus for those with a grievance, and the Rugby lay the blame of their own failings at in the position to make similar deci- a company to respond to that pres- trains had World Cup is no exception. There the feet of their customers. sions again, and we have no reason to sure also goes away. Unfortunately it risen by 25 per have even been photographs posted This is not simply a comfort issue think that they won’t get those deci- seems that the impetus is still on the online of passengers sleeping in the either; there is also a very clear safety sions just as pathetically wrong again. customer to keep up the pressure on cent luggage compartments of trains. aspect to all of this. Earlier this year And FGW doesn’t have a great track train companies if we want to see ” First Great Western (FGW) has British Transport Police released fig- record (pun unintended) in this area. them trying to do a good job. COMMENT 15 Veganism and vegetarianism: no laughing matter

ant to hear some anti- meat a day – which isn’t even two changed her life. more ease than a meat-based diet. I Daniel Heard vegan jokes? Of course slices of bacon - increased the chance “I’ve been a vegetarian for a couple also think that the stigma surrounding Pictured: Wyou do! “What do you call of developing colorectal cancer by 18 of years now and have recently made veganism is largely to do with a lack of Why is this a vegetarian who goes back to eat- per cent. In the UK, around six out a gradual transition to veganism. Per- education; people fear breaking away healthy way of ing meat?” “Someone who lost their of every 100 people get bowel cancer sonally, my decision to not eat meat from the diet they have been raised life the topic of veg-inity!” Haha! Hoho! Oh, brilliant, at some point in their lives. Meaning, and animal products rests predomi- on because they simply do not know such jokes? right? Hey, here’s another one - “How theoretically, if everyone had an extra nantly on ethical reasoning, though what else they can eat. I hope that (Photographer: many vegans does it take to change a 50g of bacon a day for the rest of their I like to think my dietary choices are the recent revelations concerning the Koloreak lightbulb?” “Two, one to change it and lives, then the risk would increase by both healthier and more environmen- negative impacts of meat consump- Salgai) “If these figures one to check for animal ingredients!” nearly 20 per cent to around seven in tally-friendly also. I frequently get tion make people think twice about are true, I mean, you couldn’t make these up! 100 people getting bowel cancer. And asked why I don’t eat meat, and it is a what they are consuming; if not for (Actually, someone with a terrible that’s almost as awful as some of the question I struggle to answer. It is not ethical reasons, for their own health especially in sense of humour did, but still.) Okay, anti-vegan jokes I found online. because I lack the passion to elaborate, and well-being.” Ditching meat one more! “Do you know that veg- If these fi gures are true, especially but rather because I dislike the way in Ditching meat and fi sh in favour “ the society etarians have a 20 per cent higher life in the society we live in today, then which I am made out to be the ‘odd’ of a vegetarian diet can even have a and fish in we live in expectancy?” No? Seriously, they do. how is there still so much stigma one, when in my mind I fi nd it hard to dramatic eff ect on the health of your And that’s no joke. In fact, both veg- around vegetarianism and veganism? believe that people can eat meat and heart. A recent study of 44,500 peo- favour of a today, then etarians and, perhaps more frequently, Vegetarian diets have been linked dairy products without some kind of ple in England and Scotland showed vegetarian diet why is there vegans, are the subject of ridicule on a to lower risks of several chronic dis- guilty conscience.” vegetarians were 32 per cent less likely daily basis, simply because they don’t eases, including high blood pressure, “Th ere are so many myths that sur- to die or need hospital treatment as a can even have still a stigma eat meat. Well, I wonder who the joke metabolic syndrome, diabetes and round vegan and vegetarianism, with result of heart disease. Incredible re- is on now… heart disease. An estimated three mil- ‘you can’t meet nutritional require- ally, that there remains so much of a a dramatic attactched to It has been revealed recently that lion Britons, around fi ve per cent, are ments’ being the most popular. If stigma around, what is, undoubtedly, effect on the veganism and processed meats - such as bacon, sau- vegetarian and never eat meat or fi sh, people took the time to research the a better way of living your life. Th ough sages and ham - cause cancer, accord- and to gain more of an insight, I spoke elements of a stable vegan diet they I’m not vegan or vegetarian, I fully health of your vegetarianism? ing to the World Health Organization. to Faith Clarke, a second year Journal- would discover that you can quite eas- understand the reasoning behind this heart In its report released in the last week, it ism student and vegetarian, about her ily encompass everything you need monumental decision. And that is no ” said that consuming 50g of processed experiences, and how, in eff ect, it has to be healthy - if anything, with a lot joke. ” Why are reading weeks exclusive to certain subjects? alling all students! No - calling additional two weeks off per year are levels: a student must do more than or not certain subjects are more enti- Joe Fletcher all students of the humani- surely unnecessary? ‘get by’ to be successful. Scribbling tled – or even more conducive – to a Cties? Or should I say, calling all I should add that I am a history down your friend’s answers at the reading week than others. students of very particular humani- student. Indeed, we history students last minute to avoid the reproach of Let’s take history as an example ties? Reading week is back. For many, do not have hordes of lectures to at- a teacher is no longer suffi cient. My once again. It is something which these last fi ve weeks have been noth- tend. Many of our hours are spent father used to remind me that, to an cannot possibly be learned in a class- ing short of torture, and a chance to working independently, and we won’t extent, I was at school to pass, not room for hours on end. A student is recuperate and catch-up will be swell. be hounded down if we don’t do the necessarily to learn. Th ough grading taught as much by the historians be- “The theory Reading week is a much-maligned necessary reading. After all, it’s im- is naturally still important at univer- hind library-books and journals, as that we “Many thus and often-mocked university tradi- possible to take attendance at private sity, work at this higher level is more they are by those they come face-to- believe that tion, whereby those students reading study-sessions. But come essay-time, about learning and bettering yourself. face with during the week. Lectures have fewer the most reading-intensive subjects, who has done the work, and who Th e theory that because we have and seminars provide a skeleton for a degree have two ‘reading’ weeks off a year to, hasn’t, will tell. fewer contact hours we have less independent research. Practical ap- contact hours well, read. However, without the sacred ‘con- work to do is completely invalid. I’d plication of the subject comes in writ- so have less programme Until the beginning of this academ- tact hours’, many thus believe that a bet with confi dence that a history stu- ing essays. Such a degree can there- in a humanity ic year, my own opinion on reading degree programme in a humanity in- dent who is fully-engaged with his/ fore probably aff ord two weeks ‘off ’ work to do is week was one of unfl inching opposi- volves less work than, say, a degree in her course works as hard as anyone during the academic year. Degrees involves less tion and scorn. Humanities students a science. In some ways this is true. (medics and dentists aside, perhaps). such as chemistry, wherein learning completely work have very few contact hours, which Th e amount of work a student must Once we view various degree- relies on experiments (i.e. lab-work) invalid leaves them lots of ‘free’ time in which do to get by is less. But university programmes on an equal-footing, the and more structured teaching, can- ” to work independently anyway, so an study is very diff erent from your A- other question that arises is whether not be so accommodating. ” 440#!"4'2)&%"&14 1"044464444644 4 "&2"4)"14$$4(%44 (% )# "45454(")4($3") (" 11')02((')1")04)""       THE GAIR RHYDD COLUMN 17 Just my type

Th ere are over 70,000 students across three universities in this capital city, and you’re still single?

he magnitude to which we now versity to pay for and a dishwasher that an eff ective medium to fi nd a partner sex stemming from apps like Tinder/ Helena are contingent upon technol- means you have to do your dishes by can be contested. Although some sug- Grindr will eventually eff ect our per- Pictured: Hanson Togy to provide us with things hand, then what? gest looking for a girlfriend on Tinder ceptions of making love and the con- Th ere are loads that previously we could acquire by Online dating is a remarkable way is similar to looking for Ralph Lauren cept all together could become vacant. of internet ourselves is astounding. You can get to get to know people you would per- in Primark, there are ever increasing In another, I think most probably if the dating sites your clothes online, you can get your haps never stumble across in your numbers of success stories. A friend of apps are allowing consenting, and in- out there groceries online, you can get your holi- regular life, or not have the confi dence mine attends regular dates with guys vulnerable adults to explore and have (Photographer: days online, you can get your computer to approach should your paths cross. from Tinder, and although is yet to fun, then that can’t really be such a bad Bixentro via online and now you can get a boyfriend It’s great that the stigma of online dat- fi nd Mr Right, she swears by it and has thing. Flickr) online. What a time to be alive. ing is retiring and that, as statistics made countless friends and has had an I think the only genuine pity with re- We can browse through hundreds of demonstrate, sites are producing and abundance of nice dinners. gard to dating sites and apps is that you thousands of prospective companions, developing successful relationships Tinder is, for the most part, a per- can quite literally chose exactly the type as one may browse packets of crisps in every day. To have another chance at haps more shallow way to fi nd a poten- of person you want to be with. Call me a store or consider variations of beers love in later life, if for whatever reason tial match. Generally, if you are attrac- archaic, but I think perhaps one of the at a bar. Just as a bartender will recom- you fi nd yourself alone, is brilliant. tive and a size eight, you’ll do ok, and best things about falling in love is that mend a beer based on your preferred Undoubtedly, the internet is not the everyone else just has to pick their best you just can’t chose who you fall in love colour, favoured body and individual most exotic nor glamourous way meet angle and hope for the best. Th at said, with, and learning perhaps that there is taste, dating sites can recommend you a partner, but if you fall in love, then it’s naive to suggest this is not the case someone for you, who wouldn’t neces- a lover based on similar preferences. the origin of the romance is absolutely in restaurants, at parties, in nightclubs sarily be perfect on paper. Market leader, Match.com commis- irrelevant. and so on. Th e best looking people get Th e beauty though maybe, within sioned a recent study that found that Th at said, online dating is not with- approached, get spotted, get a ‘right’ the rapidly expanding online dating the third most common way for cou- out fault. Apps like Tinder work pre- swipe and unfortunately such is life. industry, is that there are so many, ples to meet is online. Not only that, dominantly if you are good looking, or Although perhaps in the real world you it’s hard not to fi nd one to suit you. If one in six new marriages are now the desperate, whilst sites such as Match. have more than one static pose and 40 you’re good looking and are looking consequence of online dating sites. But com focus on your answers to bizarre words to sell yourself, but then again, for someone good looking, you can be why are they so popular, and who is us- questions like ‘which do you hate perhaps you don’t. confi dent in Tinder for like-minded ing them? most?’ Choose between; washing up/ Another of the upcoming dating- people. Like to read? Th e Telegraph Casual sex For younger people, opportunities children/Hitler/fat people/curry. giants is Grindr, a variation of Tinder and Th e Guardian have their own dat- “ to meet people and socialise are rife, Many are criticised, Tinder in par- with a sort of gay/bisexual spin. More ing websites. Th ere are tailored dating predates particularly living in a city that houses ticular, for encouraging people to use than any other dating site, Grindr by sites for numerous sexualities, unusual “Generally, three universities and over 70,000 stu- the app to indulge in one night stands reputation, generates the most sexual fetishes, women who want to date men Tinder by dents. We have clubs, bars, cafes, mu- and casual, meaningless sex. Surely we encounters. Perhaps it is a bizarre con- in uniform, men in uniform who want if you are decades, and seums, book stores, the Students Union can’t actually be blaming Tinder for cept, one that connects you with other someone to appreciate their uniform, attractive and even does speed dating (24th Novem- young people sleeping around. Casual people primarily for the purpose of and so on and so forth, and really, it’s when Tinder ber, 7-9pm if you fancy it), so if you re- sex predates Tinder by decades, and sex. Bringing two (or three?) complete brilliant. Maybe only time will tell the a size eight, vanishes into ally want to put yourself out there, you when Tinder vanishes into the abyss of strangers together, with potentially generational impact dating sites will you’ll do ok, have the opportunity to do so. abandoned social medias, the sex will nothing more in common than their have, and perhaps when we are all old the abyss of What about older people? When continue on. Perhaps the argument is sexuality, to make love to one another. and divorced and marrying for the and everyone all your friends are married and their that the app eff ortlessly enables artless Th at said, when our technology has ad- fourth time to someone we met online, abandoned friends are married and you’re thirty sexual encounters, but you only have to vanced so that we can stream hours of we will be eternally grateful for the op- else just has to social medias, years too old to get ID’d and your de- visit any club on a Friday night to wit- other people having sex in HD, it seems portunity to have been able to meet pick their best cision to move to rural North Wales ness exactly the same thing, only with only polite that we are then able to get such cool people. Perhaps statistics will the sex will is becoming increasingly regrettable, fewer potentials, an abundance of al- some of our own. increase and half or more marriages angle and hope continue on then what? When you’ve got a job that cohol, and a potentially more perilous Is this a problem? I don’t know. In will stem from the internet, and if this for the best entertains the hours between nine and outcome. one instance you could suggest that the means more people are fi nding love, ” fi ve and a dog to walk and a kid in uni- Whether or not apps like this are regularity of casual and meaningless then that can only be a good thing. ” 18 POLITICS

Editors: Carwyn Williams Luke Brett Sam Patterson @GairRhyddPol [email protected] politics gairrhydd.com/politics Tax credit changes to come But House of Lords role questioned

abour is falling apart as the defeated twice in the House of Lords cisions on tax and spending should gloat if the Chancellor made a U- Conor Blairites struggle to counte- on Monday evening. always fall upon elected officials who turn on the changes, Osborne is in Holohan Lnance a leadership committed The defeat of Osbourne’s propo- can be held accountable at elections. ‘listening mode’. He has, since the “He will set to senile, Michael Foot-era politics. sitions - by a majority of 17 - has David Cameron’s reaction to this, vote in the Lords, made clear that he Yet public discussions has been raised some serious constitutional is- it is being speculated, could be to will work to lessen the negative im- out these dominated by the Tories’ conten- sues about the relationship between flood the House of Lords with Con- pact of the reforms with ‘transitional changes to tious tax credit reforms. For the La- elected and unelected entities of our servative peers by appointment, as help’ for those affected. Speaking bour Party, the past few weeks have governing system. The upper cham- Downing Street have signalled a during questions to the Treasury, the tax credit been an optimum time to bury bad ber is composed of 249 Conservative review of the unelected House over the Chancellor said ‘we will continue news, as the tax credit row continues peers, 212 Labour, 111 Lib Dem, 177 ‘constitutional issues’. The Prime to reform tax credits and save the reforms in to overshadow their internal quarrel crossbenchers and 60 bishops and Minister’s spokesman has refused to money needed so that Britain lives his Autumn and commotion. other ‘experts’. All members of the rule out a drastic change in the po- within its means, while at the same The Conservatives are not with- house are not held accountable by litical composition of the Lords. time lessening the impact on fami- Statement out their own internal strife: multi- elections, but are peers until they Speaking about the constitutional lies during the transition’. at the end of ple Tory backbenchers and cabinet die. The composition of the Lords crisis beside the Thames, Mayor of He will set out these changes to ministers have found themselves dis- means that the Conservatives do not London Boris Johnson said it was the tax credit reforms in his Autumn November senting over Chancellor George Os- hold a majority there as they do in ‘wrong of the House of Lords to Statement at the end of November. borne’s cuts to the tax credit system, the Commons. That the unelected get in the way of the sovereign ex- Still, he pledges that ‘we are as de- which was invented by Conservative upper chamber is to the left of the pression of the will of Parliament’ termined as ever to have the low tax, Lord Howe, and introduced by Gor- incumbent government and House and said that the House was ‘in the low welfare, high wage economy that ” don Brown during the last Labour of Commons, who voted in favour of wrong’, as well as ‘in grave danger of Britain needs’. Bending on the is- government. Since then, tax credits the Chancellor’s changes. The Lord’s pushing its luck’. Finally, on the tax sue puts to bed some recent claims have become a subsidy to employers decision to overturn Osbourne’s tax credit reforms, Johnson expressed that the Conservative leadership is of the poor, allowing them to contin- credit reforms is of significance as it that he felt ‘corporations should be too presidential. An unnamed sen- ue paying workers low rates, whilst breaches the constitutional conven- paying people more’. Though the ior Tory MP told the BBC that ‘since “The defeat mugging the taxpayer to the tune of tion that the upper chamber cannot London Mayor does make a good they won a majority, the leadership £34 billion in the process. block changes to the law to do with point, the independent Institute for think they’re God’s gift to politics’. of Osborne’s Osborne’s cuts would help to find tax or public spending. Fiscal Studies have found that the A reform of the House of Lords £4.4 billion of the £14 billion he has The principle is considered by rise in the minimum wage - which is is long overdue - the proportion of propositions - pledged to cut from the annual wel- most to have been established in part of the ‘package’ containing the Liberal Democrat peers in compari- by a majority fare budget, but fiscal assessment of 1911, following peers’ decision to tax credit reforms - will not offset son to their mere eight seats in the the cuts has shown that 3.2 million block the Liberal Party’s ‘People’s poor households’ immediate losses, Commons is a blatant sign of this. of 17 - has low-paid families would lose £1,300 Budget’. The prominent and influen- and smaller businesses will struggle Some in Parliament would like the raised some a year on average. The tax credit tial eurosceptic Tory MP Jacob Rees- to employ due to the cost of doing second chamber to be subject to reforms have been of significant Mogg insists that the convention of so. elections, whilst others would like a serious concern to Members of Parliament ‘no taxation without representation’ Following the tax credit reforms’ complete abolition of the Lords. In across the parties, and now it would dates back to the 15th century. Re- defeats in the Lords, along with Con- voting against the will of our elected constitutional appear that the Chancellor will in- gardless of when the convention was servative MPs scrutiny and Shadow representatives, the House of Lords issues deed be making changes to his pro- conceived, it is at least 100 years old, Chancellor John McDonnell’s let- may have become the proverbial tur- ” posed Bill. This is in light of it being and is based on the core idea that de- ter to Osborne saying he would not keys voting for Christmas. Pictured: George Osborne is under pressure to change his plans (Photographer: mrgarethm via fl ickr) Th e House of Lords could face some tough reforms (Source: UK Parliament via fl ickr) POLITICS 19 Plaid Cymru feeling confi dent and aiming for government at Conference

he Plaid Cymru Conference this long prayed resurrection for the Liberal be ready for Plaid Cymru and a Leanne seen the light and turned their back on Brett Jones year has been a hopeful aff air, Democrats, or the last nail in a coffi n. Wood First Minister. Labour for good, while we are still wait- Pictured: Tbut more than that, it has had But for Plaid Cymru, May 2016 Liam Bowen, Chair of Cardiff Uni- ing for the people of Wales to see how Leanne Wood the sense of a group of people who seems to hold up more hope than for versity’s Plaid Cymru Society, described Labour has failed us, and will continue with the rest have found a direction. If there was one any of the other parties. Coming from the speeches as “powerful, charismatic to do so under the lackluster leadership of the Shadow message to take away from this year’s a historically low position of holding and tactful”. of Carwyn Jones.” Cabinet at their conference it was this: May 2016. only 11 Assembly seats, they’re coming But the society were also quick to But he was also keen to stress Plaid’s conference May 2016 is a date to put in your di- back before a much brighter back-drop urge a note of caution. Scotland has original ideas saying, “I was particularly (Photographer: ary if you’re going to be in Wales, or this time. Th e closer than expected often rushed where Wales has feared proud of Plaid Youth’s motions on a Keith Morris near it. On the 5th of May 2016 Wales Scottish Independence vote and the to tread, and nobody wants to be seen Youth Parliament for Wales and to end via Plaid Cymru will go to the polls again, and Plaid feel SNP virtual-annihilation of the other to be taking a good result in May for the stigma attached with mental health fl ickr) (left) and confi dent they’ll see an end to 17 years parties at the General Election, indi- granted, “One thing I think we, as - both of which were accepted by all.” local Plaid of Labour dominance. cates that there is a promising future young members of Plaid Cymru, were Looking ahead to next year, it’s clear Cymru Th e Welsh Assembly Elections next for nationalism. guilty of during the last General Elec- from Leanne Wood’s speech that La- candidate Glyn year will arrive at an intriguing time for And Plaid certainly doesn’t want to tion was to be too optimistic,” said bour’s ‘failed’ 17 years in government, Wise (right) all the main parties. For Labour, who hold the SNP at arm’s length. Plaid’s Liam Bowen about the SNP’s electoral and particularly the NHS in Wales, will have held the balance of power at the leader, Leanne Wood, appeared along- successes. be their fi ghting point. She urged voters Welsh Assembly since it was formed in side Nicola Sturgeon at the SNP confer- “Th e feeling within our society is to look again at Plaid, a party that off ers 1999, it will inevitably be read as an ap- ence in Aberdeen and Nicola Sturgeon that we need to be proud and support- the change that Wales needs. proval rating on Carwyn Jones and Jer- returned the favour in Aberystwyth ive of the SNP’s accomplishments (and What could be Plaid’s great chance emy Corbyn as the party tries to rebuild this October. we can’t wait to get out to Scotland is also its great challenge; it seeks to after this year’s defeat. Th e Conserva- Th ey both discussed the “good ideas” to help during the next referendum!). profi t from the victories of the SNP tives, it will be seen as an indicator of that the parties are putting forward, a But to remember that we are our own whilst forging an identity distinct from how their Westminster majority is be- complacent Labour party and a coun- Party. Wales is a totally diff erent animal the SNP, its campaign for May will be ing received further afi eld. It could be a try that’s ready for change, that could to Scotland. Th e Scottish people have informative to say the least. Draft Wales Bill could address constitutional matters, but has limited scope and removes powers he fi rst draft of the controversial cause a surge in Welsh nationalism, the draft Wales Bill provides and ‘Eng- tential to drastically alter the Welsh po- Adam Wales Bill was met with criticism and even went on to state the it treats lish veto’ over Welsh laws is nonsense. litical process. Muspratt Tafter it was unveiled by the gov- the Welsh like “second class citizens”. Th e fi rst minister is playing a danger- As outlined by Roger Scully, a profes- ernment last Tuesday. Dubbed by the His main concern with the Bill was its ous game by peddling this nationalistic sor at Cardiff University, the Bill would Welsh offi ce as a “radical package”, the inclusion of measures that allow English rhetoric”. allow the halting of fracking, control Bill proposes a number of powers to be ministers to veto on Welsh legislation, Andrew Davies, the Welsh Conserva- over the age of persons to vote, the handed to Wales, chiefl y; energy, trans- he also stated: “I can’t see how it could tive leader, also welcomed the draft and number of constituencies, the number port, and the running of the assembly. It possibly pass”. was critical of the stance taken by the of members running each constituency, also features a much expected reserved It was also made clear that only three fi rst minister. He said: “For the sake of and the system by which the Assembly powers model, which means that the bills would have been able to pass un- Wales, it’s absolutely crucial that La- is returned. Th is could mean that the Assembly will be able to legislate on an- der this Assembly had these laws been bour’s fi rst minister backs this draft Bill voting age could be lowered to 16 by the ything that is a devolved matter, rather enforced in 2011, and certainly not the and acknowledges the hugely positive 2021 Assembly election. than asking the Supreme Court all the changes on organ donation coming into benefi ts it will bring.” Perhaps the Bill can be seen as some- time. force in December. Similar sentiments Th e Bill has inevitably caused an what limited in scope and there is the “He will set out Of course some areas will be reserved were echoed by the leader of the Plaid eruption of partisanship from both argument to be made that any powers for Westminster, such as defence and Cymru, Leanne Wood, she said: “It only sides . While Stephen Crabb is dismiss- devolved to Scotland and Northern Ire- these changes foreign aff airs. Th e main issue with the implements a fraction of the issues al- ively labelling anyone critical of the bill land should also be devolved to Wales. to the tax current Assembly is that it can only ready agreed by all parties years ago. Ef- as an over zealous nationalist, the critics At the end of the day, given the make laws in a few areas which are spe- fectively, the bill as it stands, enshrines of the bill can be accused of unhelpful amount of vitriol the Bill has received credit reforms cifi cally coff ered to it. Th e Bill seeks to Wales’ status as a second-class nation in sabre rattling, particularly in relation to form the Welsh political class, it is high- address this by casting a wider net of the UK.” the language used by the fi rst minister in ly doubtful that it will become legisla- in his Autumn what powers are devolved. But, as po- In defence of the Bill on off er to which he reduces the bill as an attack by tion, certainly in its current incarnation. Statement licing and the legal system will not be Wales, Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb the English. Carwyn Jones’ talk of “con- Regardless, the outcome depends on devolved it seems this will make life dif- has stated that its defeat would be a stitutional crisis” is over emotional and the decisions made by the Welsh aff airs at the end of fi cult. “massive own goal” for Cardiff Bay disingenuous of what the Bill proposes. committee who will scrutinise the Bill November First minister Carwyn Jones was in- politicians. A spokesman for the Welsh Th e Bill would in actuality address many in November before it is introduced to censed by the Bill, stating that it would Secretary also said, “Th e accusation that constitutional matters and has the po- parliament in the New Year. ” 20 POLITICS Th e new “Special Relationship”

audi Arabia is one of the richest origin. There is no formal written Sam countries in the middle east, it penal code in Saudi Arabia, and Patterson Sis the world’s largest oil export- judges are able to try people under Pictured: er, and it is the largest consumer of incredibly vague charges such as Foreign UK manufactured arms and military “trying to distort the reputation of Secretary Philip equipment. It was revealed back in the kingdom”, or “breaking allegiance Hammond with June that the desert Kingdom was with the ruler”. Miscarriages of jus- Saudi Minister secretly aided by the UK in its 2013 tice are absolutely routine; defend- of Foreign election to the United Nations Hu- ants are often held for months with- Aff airs Adel man Rights Council. Despite having out charge, and children can be tried bin Ahmed ascended to the UNHRC, Saudi Ara- as adults if they show visible signs of Al-Jubeir in “Saudi Ara- bia’s human rights record is deplor- puberty. London, 26 able, and in response to heavy criti- So why is it, in light of all this, August 2015. bia is the cism of this special relationship from that the UK aided Saudi Arabia in (Photo: Foreign single largest both the opposition and from within joining the United Nations Human Offi ce via the party, the UK has scrapped a £5.9 Rights Council? This is exactly what Flickr) customer of million contract intended to provide Jon Snow asked Cameron six times the UK arms training programs for prisons within before he received an answer in an the authoritarian kingdom. incredibly awkward C4 interview: industry The story of Ali Mohammad Ba- “It’s because we receive from them qir al-Nimr has received worldwide important intelligence and secu- instead, to the Saudi-allied Yemeni said: “an alarming change in the way publicity. Arrested for taking part in rity information that keeps us safe.” government. This effectively means, Saudi Arabia is discussed in Britain” protests in 2012, then 17, Ali faces - Cameron. This is to some extent that Saudi Arabia will be investi- has taken place in the last few weeks. “This effec- ” beading and then crucifixion (in that true; the UK does receive intelli- gating Saudi Arabia’s human rights “One recent example of this mutual order). Whilst Ali’s situation war- gence gathered by Saudi sources. abuses. respect being breached was when tively means, rants serious discussion indeed, it But this is not the only reason for The government has just scrapped Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Oppo- must be remembered that he is one our special relationship with this au- a £5.9 million prison consultancy sition, claimed that he had convinced that Saudi of many in a country that executes thoritarian regime, nor is it the most contract with the Saudi regime. Prime Minister David Cameron to Arabia will be one person every other day for acts important reason for this relation- Jeremy Corbyn wrote to the Prime cancel a prison consultancy contract which are not even considered crim- ship. Saudi Arabia is the single larg- Minister urging him to cancel the with Saudi Arabia worth £5.9m.” investigating inal in Western Europe, such as blas- est customer of the UK arms indus- deal because of the sentencing of He flatly denied the import of criti- Saudi Arabia’s phemy and sorcery. try, and the payment for billions of Ali Mohammad Baqir al-Nimr. The cisms of his regime’s human rights Even when discussing the death pounds worth of equipwment and ve- government provided no expla- abuses, saying: “If the extensive trade human rights penalty, we run the risk of trivial- hicles is made in the form of crude oil, nation for the scrapping of the links between the two countries are ising the contemptible breadth of up to hundreds of thousands of bar- deal, but it would be naive to as- going to be subordinate to certain abuse The“ desert Saudi Arabia’s seemingly unending rels of which are delivered to Britain sume that Corbyn’s protest was the political ideologies, then this vital Kingdom was human rights abuses. Women are every single day. only factor. Criticism of Cameron’s commercial exchange is going to be ” unable to drive, they require the per- British made Tornado GR4 and relationship with the Saudis has at risk.” “We want this relationship secretly aided mission of a male relative when try- Typhoon aircraft have played a major been mounting recently within the to continue but we will not be lec- ing to obtain a passport, marrying, role in the Saudi led bombing cam- conservative party as well as outside, tured to by anyone. Hasty decisions by the UK travelling or applying for work/edu- paign in Yemen, an on-going conflict attempts to cancel the contract by prompted by short-term gains of- in its 2013 cation. Migrant workers, 9 million of with Iranian funded Houthi rebels. justice secretary Michael Gove had ten do more harm than good in the whom constitute more than half of The Saudi bombing campaign has previously been resisted by Cameron longer term.” election to the the countries workforce, are routine- caused at least 2,300 civilian causali- and Phillip Hammond, the foreign Criticism of our government’s re- ly exploited and abused. Wages are ties in the last six months; Amnesty secretary. lationship with the Saudis, and of United Na- retained and working/living condi- International has urged the British Despite the fact that criticism their human rights abuses, are clearly tions Human tions are inexcusable given the exor- government to investigate whether of the government’s relationship beginning to bother the Saudi Arabi- bitant wealth of many of the compa- or not weapons and vehicles sup- with the Saudis is not exclusively an government. In the C4 interview Rights Council nies they labour for. Physical abuse plied to the Saudis have been used the pre-occupation of the opposi- with Jon Snow, Cameron said that and forced confinement are regular to kill civilians. Saudi Arabia used its tion, the Saudi ambassador to the he would “look for an opportunity” occurrences, and the workers are of- position on the UNHRC to block a UK, Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Ab- to raise the issue of Ali Mohammad ten the victims of racist abuse, being UN investigation into possible war dulaziz, lashed out against Corbyn Baqir al-Nimr. As of yet, no such at- ” largely of African, and South-Asian crimes, delegating the responsibility in a Daily Telegraph column. He tempt on his part has been made. MPs vote against removal of ‘tampon tax’

affa Cafes and pitta bread are code deems them basic necessities. However, MPs voted against the Labour MP Stella Creasy went Luke Brett exempt from Value Added Tax VAT is 20 per cent on luxury items removal of VAT on Tampons and semi-viral when confronting veteran Pictured: J(VAT) all together, as the tax such as a watch or a car, and five per other sanitary products, by 305 to Tory MP Bill Cash over the issue in Should cent on items recognised as between 287 votes. HMRC defended the tax, parliament, after he did not use the tampons be necessary and luxury, applying tam- arguing it was the lowest in the EU term ‘sanitary towels and tampons’ exclusive of pons and sanitary products. under EU law. rather saying “these products”. VAT? Due to this, there has been outrage The Prime Minister’s official 11 Tory Ministers showed they and a campaign to abolish the tam- spokeswoman said: “The Govern- were prepared to vote with Labour pon tax all together, eventually being ment sympathises with the issue to end tax, therefore putting pres- debated and voted on in the Com- here and understands the concerns sure on David Cameron and his slim mons earlier this week after 250,000 that are being expressed.” Commons majority to back the re- people signed a petition calling on When in government, Labour moval of the levy. the government to axe the tax. slashed the rate from 17.5 per cent, The tax has been lauded and The petition on change.org had imposed in the 1970s, to five per mocked with a large social media the message: “We need to know why cent. Although, they were prevented campaign calling for sanitary prod- the Government still taxes sanitary from lowering the VAT on the prod- ucts to be freed from VAT. Clearly “Campaign- products on luxurious grounds, but uct any further by EU rules. the item is not a luxury, therefore EU not helicopters, the maintenance of Conservative Treasury minister, law should be reformed to progress ers argued our private jets, or crocodile steaks.” David Gauke, has stated that the from its definition of ‘luxury’. There women could Campaigners argued women government will attempt to nego- is evident inequality with men’s ra- could save up to £922, based on an tiate changes on this policy when zors being tax exempt, whilst sani- save up to average of women spending £18, 450 Britain renegotiates its membership tary products are still taxed – as £922 on sanitary products over the course with the EU ahead of a 2017 refer- soon as the sanitary tax is put in the of their lifetime. endum. dust bin of history the better. ” POLITICS 21

Tensions increase between Israel and Palestine he seemingly permanent con- and rocks which they feared would Rhys Thomas fl ict between Israel and Pales- be used against Israeli worship- Ttine took a turn for the worse pers who would be visiting the site last month when Israel, East Jerusa- for New Year. Th e fi rst violent clash lem, the Gaza Strip and the occupied came on the day after, with police West Bank saw fatal clashes and in- and Palestinian protestors clashing. creased tensions in what is arguably Th ese battles continued and Israel re- the worst outbreak of violence be- sponded with preventative measures tween Israelis and Palestinians since such as an increased police presence the Gaza War last year. Th e discon- on the Mount and increasing the tent started when a rumour spread penalty for stone-throwing, which is in Palestinian circles that hard-right the favoured mode of attack for many Jewish religious extremists were protestors. Several on each side were pushing for a rule change in who wounded. could access the Temple Mount in What followed this was an even Jerusalem (important for being the more serious spike in violence. A third most holy site in Islam and the series of Arab on Israeli ‘lone wolf’ holiest in Judaism) - the rule was that stabbings (together with shootings anyone could visit, but only Muslims and running over with vehicles) over fada meaning ‘uprising’ in English Mount to keep the peace, although were allowed to pray there as Jewish the past several weeks have taken - specifi cally a Palestinian upris- this was rejected outright by the Is- Pictured: “Many have law (supported by the Chief Rabbin- place across Israel in several ma- ing against Israel. Th e First Intifada raelis. US Secretary of State John Th ere have called this ate of Israel) had prohibited access for jor conurbations such as Tel Aviv started in 1987 and lasted until 1993, Kerry has stepped in to try and fi nd been hopes of Jews. Th e Israeli Government denied and Petah Tivka with men, women the Second from 2000 to 2005. Th ese a solution meeting with both Israeli peace in the outburst of that any changes were occurring, but and children all being targets. Th is uprisings can take many forms, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu region for years, this was not enough to satisfy many hasn’t come without Israeli reprisals violence is a constant throughout in Germany and Palestinian Author- this boy was violence the angry Palestinians who have a deep - Israeli forces have shot dead sev- them all, with thousands of lives be- ity President Mahmoud Abbas in in a ‘Freedom ‘Third Intifada’ distrust of the Israeli State. eral suspected attackers, with some ing lost in both Intifadas. Whether or Jordan. Kerry’s seemingly sensible for Palestine’ When the Israeli Defence ministry debate centring on if those shot were not this turns into a full-blown inti- idea of installing cameras at the com- demonstration - Intifada banned the Mourabitat (an Islam- actually attackers or not. In addition, fada remains to be seen, but it will pound to monitor behaviour drew in Cardiff meaning ist protest group which Israel says rockets have been fi red at Israel from require some tact from the Israeli scorn from both sides, especially the (Photographer: is violent) from Temple Mount, the Gaza with the Israeli Defence Force Government to try and stop further Palestinian side. Nothing is simple Walt Jabsco via ‘uprising’ in Palestinians saw this as confi rmation then bombing Hamas sites in Gaza as escalation. in the Middle East, especially when Flickr) of their fears. In the lead up to Rosh retaliation. Th ere is no doubting that Th ere have been international at- both leaders have poked the beehive English. Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Israeli tensions are rising. tempts to stop the violence, includ- with their rhetoric and neither truly police led a raid on the site and dis- Many have called this outburst of ing a proposal by the French to sta- seem to want or expect a two-state ” covered a stash of assorted bombs violence the ‘Th ird Intifada’ - Inti- tion international forces on Temple solution anytime soon. Genocide in Myanmar?

n assessment by Yale Univer- Th e government of Myanmar – who Rory Wade sity Law School as part of an are being accused of committing and Ainvestigation by Al Jazeera has encouraging acts of violence against uncovered “strong evidence” of a geno- them – denies their very existence, cide coordinated by the Myanmar gov- prohibiting the use of their name and ernment against the Rohingya people. pressuring foreign offi cials to not even Th e Rohingya are a Muslim minority utter the word Rohingya. According originally from Bangladesh who have to the Burmese President Th ein Sein, resided in Myanmar for generations – “Th ere are no Rohingya in Burma”. yet the government has rendered them It’s statements like this that are – ac- stateless since 1982 and considers cording to University of London pro- press buses were organised to take expansion in the Buddhist majority them to be “illegal immigrants”. Th is fessor Penny Green, the director of the Rakhine Buddhists from outlying areas Myanmar. Both Wirathu and the 969 Pictured: means they will be denied the right to International State Crime Initiative to take part in the aggression. Meals Movement encourage boycotting of Rohingya “Seeing no vote in the General Election on No- - “part of a genocidal process”. “Presi- were provided – it had to be paid by Muslim-run shops and the support Muslims fl eeing vember the 8th. According to Amnesty dent Th ein Sein is prepared to use hate somebody.” of legislation proposed by President violence and place for International, the Rohingya are often speech for the government’s own ends, Th e Al Jazeera investigation also Th ein Sein that would send Rohingya persecution in them selves described as “one of the world’s most and that is to marginalize, segregate, uncovered a military document that to another country. Myanmar . persecuted minorities”. and diminish the Muslim population uses hate speech to spread fear among As Myanmar’s fi rst properly con- (Photographer: in the newly According to Tun Khin, the Bur- inside Burma” she added. recruits that the Myanmarese are “in tested election takes place on the 8th Mathias Eick) democratic mese Rohingya Organisation Presi- Green’s International State Crime danger of being devoured by Muslims”. of November, it is hoped that the sta- dent – “Because of that law [the 1982 Initiative believe the government to Th e investigation also alleges that the tus of the Rohingya would be a topic country, many citizenship law], today more than 1.3 have been behind the 2012 Rakkhine government pays Buddhist monks to discussed by opposition leader Aung million Rohingya are not citizens of State Riots – in which violence erupt- stir hatred to provoke further ethnic San Suu Kyi. However her NLD Party Rohingya are Burma and are denied the right to have ed between the Muslim and Buddhist tension and to work for pro-govern- has no Muslim candidates and her si- now fleeing to food, denied the right to have medical residents after a reported rape on a ment organisations. lence over their plight is alleged to be treatment, denied the right to have Buddhist woman by Rohingyans led One monk who is prominent in the due to her needing the support of the other South- movement, denied the right to have to the killing of ten Muslims by Bud- anti-Rohingya movement is Ashin majority Bamar ethnic group. Seeing East Asian children, denied the right to have edu- dhists, resulting in 88 deaths on both Wirathu – dubbed ‘Th e Face of Bud- no place for them selves in the newly cation and it leads to state-sponsored sides and more than 90,000 being dis- dhist Terror’ by TIME Magazine in democratic country, many Rohingya countries violence against them, and burning placed. 2013. He leads the 969 Movement, an are now fl eeing to other South-East down their houses and pushing them “It wasn’t communal violence,” said anti-Muslim nationalist movement Asian countries on boats – risking ” to the camps.” Green. “It was planned violence. Ex- opposed to what they see as Islam’s their lives for the hope of a better life. 22 SCIENCE

Editors: Maria Mellor Lizzie Harrett @GairRhyddSci [email protected] science gairrhydd.com/science Birth order found not to aff ect personality Malcolm in the Middle can no longer blame his siblings

ike to blame your problems on laxed outlook on life, a result of an Bradley being the middle child in your easy and non pressured upbringing. Pictured: Walker Lfamily? Too bad. Recent stud- The study links back to the lives of Th ese siblings ies have concluded that birth order early humans, suggesting that older have nothing has little to do with personality traits siblings who are physically dominant to worry about and behaviour. over their younger siblings would - birth order The study carried out by the Na- develop to be more dominant, and does not aff ect tional Academy of Sciences used therefore less cooperative. personality sample groups from the UK, Ger- The 2015 study however used a (Photographer: many and the USA in order to see much larger sample group to test Patrick via whether the birth order of siblings whether birth order affected person- Flickr) affected their emotional stability, ality size and the conclusion was that “Adler’s study confidence and overall personality. it did not, the results and findings of While previous studies saw a corre- the study were different on a family concluded that lation between birth order and con- to family basis. The study concluded first-borns fidence, new findings suggest that that: “birth order does not seem to older children are less likely to be be an important consideration for were more more responsible as studies suggest, understanding either the develop- and younger children are less likely ment of personality traits or the privileged. to be more confident and sociable. development of intelligence in the However, this Adler’s study concluded that first- between-family context.” borns were more privileged. Howev- The study did however show a was counter- er, this was counterbalanced with an decline in IQ from first child to last balanced with increased burden. This was why he child. In most cases there was an av- concluded that birth order changes erage decrease of 1.5 IQ points for an increased the development and growth of our each increase of birth order position. personality, as the first born would The correlation however is only mild, burden be more likely to be neurotic and as only 6 out of 10 older siblings had of the study showed that it was ap- such as Adler and Sulloway, both of paranoid, as opposed to the young- a higher IQ than their closest sibling. propriate to compare with former which argued that personality traits ” est sibling’s more laid out and re- The ‘replicated finding’ of this part studies in the field by psychologists were affected by birth order. NASA announce their plans for Mars We could soon see humans being sent to the Red Planet

he recent discovery of water excitement unravelling before our pass a critical design review, making craft to dock and form rendez-vous Sophie on Mars and the release of eyes. NASA has just announced that it the most powerful rocket capable points. Th ese will be crucial in future Pictured: Young Tthe fi lm, ‘Th e Martian’, are not its Space Launch System (SLS) has of launching humans ever built. Mars missions; points between Earth Th e iconic the only examples of Mars-related completed all the necessary steps to To explain how this relates to Mars, and Mars will allow rockets to refuel logo of the NASA has a three-stage plan that and to handle cargo. By dragging the space-exploring they hope will ultimately transport asteroid through space, scientists organisation humans to Mars and have them stay will be better able to deem ways to (Photographer: there for several years. Th e fi rst stage move extensive loads of cargo be- Bill Dickinson) of this plan (Earth Reliant) is mostly tween Earth and Mars through the research and building necessary re- data they will gather from this initial sources. Th is includes building rock- relocation. Th is mission is called the ets and ensuring the human body can Asteroid Redirect Mission and it is sustain long periods of time in space. planned to start in the 2020s. Th e second stage (Proving Ground) Th e third stage (Earth Independent) is rather exciting in its own right. is most familiar thanks to science fi c- NASA plans to fi nd a small aster- tion: getting people to Mars. NASA “Once there, oid, or take a part of a larger aster- plans to send people to live on Mars these people oid, and drag it into cis-lunar space for years at a time in the 2030s. Once (the area of space around the moon). there, these people will work to har- will work Th e purpose of this is to utilise re- vest Martian resources to create fuel, sources from the asteroid, including water, oxygen and building materi- to harvest fi nding out about its internal struc- als. Th ey will also conduct research Martian ture. Some asteroids may contain to fi nd out about the planet, studying resources astronauts can use to ob- the climate and history of the planet resources to tain breathable air, fuel, and possi- amongst other things. create fuel, bly even 3D printing. Finding these Th e SLS is the fi rst vehicle that has resources may also provide ways to ever been designed to meet the chal- water, oxygen stop us relying on Earth, thus making lenges of travelling the full distance space missions more autonomous. to Mars while transporting people. It and building It would also provide a platform to is set for its fi rst journey to the skies materials develop technology (sensor systems in the testing stage in 2018 – defi - in particular) that will allow space- nitely something to keep an eye on. ” SCIENCE 23 Processed meat classed as top carcinogen

Pictured: Left: Hotdogs (Photographer: Chris H) Right: Cigarette (Photographer: Raul Lieberwirth)

easting on bacon butties and nard Stewart who oversaw the com- processed meat consumption. Th is aff airs accuses the IARC of manipu- Karla ham sandwiches is offi cially mittee responsible for the report. puts processed meats in the same lating the results: “Th ey tortured the Pequenino Funhealthy. A new report by the IARC’s conclusion is the result of riskgroup as tobacco smoke, arsenic data to ensure a specifi c outcome. For every and alcohol. However, the risk is not Yet, Professor Bernard Stewart him- “ World Health Organisation’s (WHO) the work of two dozen specialists, International Agency for Research on from ten diff erent countries that the same. Tobacco causes 1 million of self says that eliminating all red meat 50 grams of Cancer (IARC) identifi es processed went through more than 800 scien- deaths per year, alcohol consumption is not in question: “No-one’s propos- meats as top carcinogens, ranking tifi c articles about the connection 600,0000 and air pollution 200,000. ing that we ban bacon, put warnings processed them with arsenic and tobacco. In between meat and various types of “It’s also important to put the can- on hot dogs or take beef off the BBQ.” meat ingested other words, these meat products are cancer. cer risks associated with red and In fact, the recent WHO review is considered likely to produce tumours Eating too much red meat in gen- processed meat into context in terms not saying anything new, but gives daily, the risk because of their connection with the eral was also proven dangerous. of other preventable cancer causes,” strong evidence that consuming red of developing rise of bowel cancer. Having a lot of beef or pork was de- warns Kathy Chapman, a member of or processed meat in the long-term Examples of processed meat in- termined as being probably carcino- Australia’s Cancer Council. Th e nu- increases the risk of cancer. cancer rises clude bacon, ham, sausages, canned genic to humans, increasing the risk trition expert believes that instead of Back in 2009 the charity World meats and hot dogs. In essence, the pancreatic and prostate cancer. avoiding meat completely, “An over- Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) was 18 per cent all meat transformed to boost fl a- For every 50 grams of processed all healthy lifestyle, including diet, already making headlines for asking vour and preservation time through meat ingested daily, the risk of de- is important to reduce your cancer parents to stop feeding their chil- smoking, salting or curing. veloping bowel cancer rises 18 per risk.” dren salami and ham because of re- ” Th e investigation looked at diff er- cent, according to the press release. Not everyone agrees that pro- searched that connected processed ent diets and populations. “It is one Th at’s around three slices of bacon or cessed meat is bad. According to meat to bowel cancer. Th us, accord- of the most complex assessments of ham. Furthermore, the Global Bur- the North American Meat Institute, ing to Professor Stewart: “Th e fi nd- the medical and scientifi c literature den of Disease organisation states avoiding these products defi es com- ings provide a new degree of certain- ever undertaken concerning a partic- that every year 34,000 cancer-related mon sense. Betsy Booren, the in- ty for health authorities who produce ular cancer risk,” says Professor Ber- deaths are attributed to excessive stitute’s vice-president of scientifi c evidence-based dietary guidelines.”

Pictured: It isn’t just processed meats (Designed by Karla Pequenino)

“It is one of the most complex assessments of the medical and scientific literature undertaken concerning a particular cancer risk Bernard Stewart ” 24 SCIENCE Th e aftermath of the Ebola epidemic With Pauline Caff erkey relapsing and reports of ‘post-Ebola syndrome’, is the threat of the virus truly eradicated?

ast year Ebola was big news, here right? more apparent, thanks to patient- ing as we already knew that Ebola can Shanna and for good reason. Th e epi- Th at is, until reports of Pauline monitoring in survivor clinics, how- persist in other tissues such as the eye, Pictured: Hamilton Ldemic in west Africa saw 11,312 Caff erky, the Scottish nurse who con- ever, that the after-eff ects are far more the placenta and the central nervous An Ebola people killed. Poor infection control, tracted Ebola while selfl essly helping than just psychological. system. Although the risk of transmis- treatment healthcare facilities and certain cul- suff erers in west Africa splashed across “Post-Ebola syndrome” is a new sion is much lower from these sites, in Guinea tural practices in developing countries the headlines this month. She had phenomenon being reported by clin- this persistence of the virus may play (Photographer: meant the virus raged across the con- been readmitted to an isolation unit ics to describe the myriad of symp- a role in the reported ‘post-Ebola syn- UNMEER via tinent, with the media quick to scare- at the Royal Free Hospital in London toms seen in those who managed to drome’, as well as Caff erky’s diagnosis Flickr) monger. after suff ering an apparent relapse. Ac- fend off the infection. Th ese ailments of meningitis – an infl ammation of the I wrote about this last year – that cording to her doctor, Michael Jacobs: include chronic headaches, crippling membranes that cover the spinal cord. while serious and often fatal, we were “Pauline has become unwell by menin- joint pain, even blindness. According What is surprising, and particularly all highly unlikely to catch it here in gitis caused by the Ebola virus.” to Dr Moses, clinical director of the worrying for countries who are fi nally Cardiff , and no, that student who left However, don’t panic. “But to very Ebola Treatment Centre in Monrovia, ‘disease-free’, is that experts believe Flux in an ambulance did not vacate clear about this,” Jacobs added, “she Liberia, “Once cured, patients began that at least 20 cases of Ebola have “ the building “because she had Ebola.” hasn’t been re-infected with the Ebola to develop symptoms, such as joint been the result of sexual transmission, But to be very I don’t like to say I told you so, but virus. Th is is the original Ebola virus pain, dizziness, blurred vision, lack of with one of these cases offi cially con- clear about only one case of Ebola was reported that she had many months ago, which ability to concentrate; sometimes so fi rmed. in the UK, with the West relatively has been lying inside the brain, rep- bad patients have diffi culty returning “Th is new research shows that Ebola this, she unscathed. However, what is the af- licating at a very low level probably, to work. virus can persist in the semen and be hasn’t been termath of this deadly disease for the and has now reemerged to cause this Since such a long list of health is- transmitted sexually many months 17,145 other infected people who sur- clinical illness of meningitis. And this sues have been reported, some are after the original infection has disap- re-infected vived the illness? Is the epidemic really is obviously a serious thing.” unconvinced that the Ebola virus is to peared,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, Direc- over? It was easy to forget about the dev- blame. “Many of the symptoms being tor of the UK research council, the with the Ebola I quoted Cardiff lecturer and Guard- astation Ebola caused once the dust reported by survivors are non-specifi c Wellcome Trust. “Th e fact that there virus ian writer Dean Burnett last year, on began to settle, but is the case of Paul- and could be due to consequences of has so far been only one isolated [of- his poignant remark: “If you go by the ine Caff erky and her relapse an isolat- Ebola virus disease or other diseases,” fi cial] report of this type of infection media coverage, the worst thing about ed incident? How are Ebola survivors according to Michael Sneller, a re- suggests that this kind of transmission it is that it might end up aff ecting the faring across the rest of the world? searcher of infectious disease at the US may be rare, but it highlights just how ” UK, US or similarly developed wealthy Many thousands of those who bat- National Institute of Health (NIH). He much we still don’t understand about nations. And we can’t have that now tled through infection have tried to points out that some symptoms, such the Ebola virus, infection and recov- can we?” It is truly a shame that in re- resume normal lives, but remain trau- as anorexia and insomnia, could be ery.” cent months, global media no longer matised, shunned by their societies down to post-traumatic stress disor- He also warned, “It also reminds us seemed concerned with the devasta- through fear and sometimes, missing der and others could be down to more that the Ebola epidemic could be far tion Ebola has caused in African coun- the majority of their family members, common west African diseases - ma- from over. With more than 17,000 Eb- tries – it’s not hot news, we’re all safe lost to the disease. It is becoming far laria, for example. ola survivors, it’s possible that further To tackle the question of whether cases of delayed transmission and late Ebola’s damaging eff ects linger long af- complications will occur.” ter initial infection, a study by the NIH It is also worth pointing out that at in collaboration with Liberia’s Minis- the latest WHO meeting convened to try of Health is asking 1,500 patients at review the disease spread, the com- survivor clinics about their symptoms mittee advised that the “Ebola virus and collect vital physical samples – disease outbreak continues to con- blood, stool etc. Launched in the sum- stitute a Public Health Emergency of “With more mer, the PREVAIL study will also track International Concern.” Moving into survivors to see if they are immune to the unknown territory after infection, than 17,000 any possible future Ebola outbreaks, with reports of ‘post-Ebola syndrome’ Ebola and also if they transmit the virus at and concerns of sexual transmission, any point to close contacts. the epidemic, and the danger for those survivors, it’s What we do know about Ebola, in West Africa, is far from over. possible that however, is that the virus can remain Jeremy Farrar added, “We must re- in the sperm of males and be sexually main vigilant and continue to monitor further cases transmitted for up to nine months af- the long-term health of survivors so ter initial infection. In one study of 93 that any new infections can be iden- of delayed male survivors in Sierra Leone, one of tifi ed quickly and measures put in transmission the worst-hit countries in the epidem- place to prevent further cases.” Ebola ic, around half still had Ebola RNA is still big news for the brutally dam- and late (similar to DNA, but single stranded) aged west Africa and its 17,000 survi- complications in their semen. After nine months, vors, even if it isn’t on our front pages. the virus still appeared to remain in a Pauline Caff erky’s unfortunate turn for will occur quarter of these men. the worse reminds us that there is yet Th is was not particularly surpris- more to come. ” SCIENCE 25 Th e addictive properties of cheese

Why your cheddar cravings Pictured: Sweet dreams are made of may not be mild cheese (Photographer: n light of recent news that has everyone, regardless of whether they Skånska Ma- Lisa Carr emerged claiming that processed experience symptoms of ‘food addic- tupplevelser) Ifoods cause cancer, a University tion.’” of Michigan study has found that As well as being both fatty and processed foods are highly addic- processed, cheese contains a chemi- tive. A complete lose-lose situation, cal called casein, a protein that is really. found in all milk products. Cheese Th e ‘Yale Food Addiction’ scale contains casein in much higher was used to create a list of the most quantities than normal milk prod- addictive foods in the world, with ucts. To produce one kilogram of fi ve hundred students submitted en- cheese, around ten litres of milk is tries of what they felt they were ad- used, and the whey product that is dicted to. Topping the list was pizza, used to produce the hard cheese is while some may attribute its addic- also casein. So you really get a big “Cheese tiveness to its outright deliciousness, casein kick from a lump of cheese. researchers claim they have found a When cheese is digested in our interacts science-based reason behind why we bodies, casein is broken down into become addicted to some foods over a bunch of opiates called casomor- with opoid others, and that cheese is the true phins. Multiple studies in the past receptors in addictive substance. have shown that casomorphins in- “In the UK we Processing is the key behind the teract with opoid receptors in the the brain, addiction: highly processed food brain, triggering reward responses collectively triggering such as chips, crisps and cheese are that lead to addiction, much in the consume highly addictive whereas unpro- same way as drugs. reward cessed foods such as salmon and In the UK, 98 per cent of house- 700,000 brown rice are certainly not what holds regularly buy cheese, and we responses we turn to when we need to satisfy collectively consume 700,000 tonnes tonnes of that lead to cravings. Moreover, all these foods of cheese yearly in restaurants, home cheese yearly contain fat. Erica Schulte, one of and food processing. Th is equates to addiction the study’s authors, told website around 10kg per person per year, in restaurants Mic.com: “Fat seemed to be equally though I’m sure most of us agree our ” predictive of problematic eating for personal fi gure far surpasses that. ” Research uncovers the specifi c smell of human death eath has a specific smell: a Th e fi ndings could be incredibly ers have been able to scientifi cally You may think that the smell of Maria Mellor cocktail of chemicals that useful in the fi eld of forensics, as a distinguish between the smell of dead death is a slightly weird topic to focus Pictured: Dthe ingredients which have synthetic smell could be used to train human bodies and dead animal bod- your research on, but there has been Th e chemical been uncovered by a new study. Re- dogs to be able to more accurately ies. Th is discovery could be especially a lot of new fi ndings surrounding the smell of death searchers have been able to isolate the fi nd human bodies, or even to devel- useful in natural disasters to help re- topic in recent news. For example, buried six feet cause of the particular scent of hu- op electronic devices to seek out the cover the dead quickly and help fami- a paper co-authored by research- underground man death, which may lead to excit- scent for use in police work. lies grieve. ers from the University of Kent and (Photographer: ing possibilities in the future. Th is is the fi rst time that research- Six dead human bodies and 26 Arkansas Tech University found evi- Dixie animal bodies were studied over dence that both humans and animals Lawrence) six months as they decayed, and re- perceive the scent given off by dead searchers studied the exact chemicals bodies as threatening, triggering a emitted from each one. Th ey were fi ght-or-fl ight response. able to distinguish specifi c chemical “It is hard to think of a scent as markers from the human bodies that frightening” said co-authors Dr. Ar- were not found from the decaying naud Wisman and Dr. Ilan Shrira. bodies of mice, moles, rabbits, turtles Th ey found that the smell given off by or even pigs, which are often used in decaying tissue acts as a “chemosen- decomposition experiments for their sory warning signal” that “mobilises similarity to humans. Never before protective responses to deal with rel- have pig bodies been studied along- evant threats.” side human bodies in the same condi- A series of four experiments were tions and even though they have the conducted where participants were same microbes in their guts, the same exposed, either knowingly or un- percentage of body fat, and similar knowingly to the smell, and their re- “A synthetic hair as people, there were still several actions were compared to when they distinct diff erences. were smelling other scents such as smell could be However, there was one problem ammonia and water. used to train with the study - they examined in- Research regarding dead bodies, dividual isolated body parts rather both human and animal, is ongoing as dogs to be than whole bodies, meaning that the forensic science aims to improve and chemical make-up of a whole body get more accurate. Th ere are projects able to more decaying could be diff erent. such as the Body Farm in Tennessee, accurately find Th e team noted in their paper that where donated bodies are left in dif- “further research in the fi eld with full ferent conditions and studied to see human bodies bodies has to corroborate these re- how they decompose, allowing us sults and search for one or more hu- to gain an ever-more useful under- ” man specifi c markers.” standing of how tissue breaks down. 26 SOCIETIES

Editor: Aletheia Nutt @GairRhyddSoc [email protected] societies gairrhydd.com/societies Hannah’s note: NUS Zones Conference i everyone, I hope you’ve had because this is where the value of stu- Union in Cardiff as we have already im- Hannah a great week. As ever, the past dent opportunities in University Edu- plemented a lot of the ideas discussed. Sterritt Hweek in Societies has been pret- cation, or rather, why being in clubs and In other news the current total of so- VP Societies ty hectic! Last week I spent two days at societies will transform your University ciety members (as of Th ursday evening) the NUS Zones conference for Union experience is discussed and celebrated, stands at a massive 7,346! Th is is fan- Development. In case you aren’t aware, something I feel strongly about. tastic and I hope the numbers will keep NUS stands for the National Union of Whilst at the conference I spent a increasing over the term ahead. Students and are known for the NUS lot of time discussing the big issues As ever, if you have anything that extra discount cards and national cam- that currently face Cardiff students and you need my help with or any ideas for paigns on behalf of students, among sharing best practise between unions. change please come and speak to me other things. I decided to attend the It’s very promising to see that we are or drop me an email at VPSocieties@ Union Development Zone conference very forward thinking as a Students’ cardiff .ac.uk. Red Cross Society nominated for humanitarian prize

he Cardiff University Red they’ve achieved. Zoe Cross Group (CURCG) has Th ere are four award categories: Hall Tachieved some great things fi rst aid, fundraising, community ac- since it began last year. We won Best tion and volunteering. Whilst we at Newcomer Society 2014, and earlier CURCG aim to help students in all of this year we received some amazing these areas, we have been shortlisted news – we’ve been shortlisted for a in particular for the fi rst aid category. National Humanitarian Citizenship Last year we ran our unique tailor- Award. made Freshers’ Aid Give it a Go ses- Th e Humanitarian Citizenship sion in September which was hugely Awards night is an event held annu- successful, where we taught some of ally by the British Red Cross celebrat- the most common basic skills uni- ing the extraordinary things ordinary versity students are likely to face like young people do. It’s easy to forget cooking burns, taking care of a drunk that whilst most of the volunteers in friend and just for good measure, the UK are adults, there are still 7,000 some CPR too. You never know when – we hope to do the same this year, to tell them about the humanitarian young volunteers who make a diff er- it will come in handy! so if you want your society to learn side of things like what you can do Pictured: ence in other people’s lives every day. We also designed lessons for the some free basic fi rst aid, get in touch to help (even if you think you can’t), Cardiff Th is award celebrates these young Baking and Film societies and taught with us! As well as teaching them the what it means to give fi rst aid and a University Red people aged 25 and under and what them skills that they wanted to learn physical skills of fi rst aid we also tried little something called the bystander Cross Group eff ect which basically means people with their Best don’t want to get involved in some- Newcomer thing when other people are nearby. Society award We want the students of Cardiff Uni- (left) and at versity to be prepared for the worst, Freshers’ fair and IF the worst happens to be con- 2015 (above) fi dent enough to help, even if it just “We want means calling 999; it really can save the students lives. Th e award ceremony takes place at of Cardiff the Palace of Westminster on Novem- ber 24th and we feel incredibly lucky University to and grateful for this opportunity to be prepared represent our Group at this event. Our President, Habbas Al-Ashaab, for the and myself, Zoe Hall (secretary), will worst, and be attending along with other young volunteers from around the country IF the worst – including friends from Stirling Uni- versity Red Cross Group who have happens to been nominated for the volunteering be confident category. When opportunities like these enough to arise, it makes me appreciate how good being part of a society at uni- help. versity is and how important it is get ” out there in the world. SOCIETIES 27 Cardiff University Howard League

s the oldest UK prison reform able to grant wider access to litera- positions. For others it is an oppor- ple of all walks of life in the types of Esme charity, founded in 1866, the ture for prisoners is fantastic news. tunity to engage with a topic of inter- socials we hold. Trice AHoward League for Penal The Howard League also works est and indulge that guilty pleasure I have taken over the society for Reform has taken some incredible to raise the profile of the issues it we all have; everyone is fascinated by this year whilst it is inactive, and will steps towards improving our prison addresses. Prison reforms and the crime. be the President next year, but we system. It takes its name from John overall success of our prison system The Howard League Society has still need to find people to fill the po- Howard, one of the earliest prison can often fall into a group of social run for three years previously but sitions of Finance Officer, Secretary reformers, and works independently policies that are underestimated in unfortunately could not be run this and Vice President. Students who of government support – without importance or neglected. In con- year due to too few people willing are interested, who would like to be charitable donations and member- temporary society, with more young to take committee positions. It will members but not necessarily with a ships, its vital endeavours would be people than ever attending higher be up and running for the academ- committee position, or for anyone impossible. It does, however, run education, most of us will have a ic year 2016-17 provided there is who is simply keen to learn more alongside parliament, the media, political view on at least one topic. enough interest. Alongside the perks can visit our Facebook page – Car- members of the criminal justice sys- With everyone at university over the listed above, we will also be running diff University Howard League. To- tem and students to help enforce voting age, it is necessary to fully un- events. We hope to attract guest wards the end of semester two I will “We are change for more effective sentencing derstand the implications of voting speakers from the Welsh Assembly be speaking to students enrolled on and – ultimately – safer communi- for a particular party, which intrin- to discuss their attitudes towards the degree programmes mentioned welcoming ties. sically involves understanding and prisons and policy, screen films, earlier to remind them that the so- suggestions One of its most recent success holding an opinion on the policies run trips to Howard League confer- ciety will be returning, and we will stories was enabling prisoners to re- they seek to implement. ences in London, organise visits to be at the Societies’ Fair in September and new ceive books from their families once For students at Cardiff University The Clink - the restaurant in Car- for the Howard League’s 150th an- again. Previously classed as a ‘luxury who are enrolled in Social Sciences diff Prison – hold talks from other niversary. members, item’, they were banned from care or Humanities degree programmes, prolific speakers and set up student We are welcoming suggestions even though packages and prisoners had to rely engaging with the Howard League discussion groups to explore ideas and new members, even though we upon prison libraries. These are not Society can impart valuable debat- around penal reform. We will also be are not a formal society for the time we are not always well-stocked or accessible, ing skills, provide the opportunity embracing the other key element to a being, because we are still looking and prisoners enrolled on educa- to socialise with like-minded people, university society which is of course to run events like the trip to The a formal tional courses during their sentence and grant experience useful for pro- socials. Students from all subject Clink independently. Please do get society may require certain reading materi- fessions in social work, policing, the disciplines will be welcome to these in touch if you have any questions or als, so that the Howard League was criminal justice system and political and we will try to accommodate peo- are interested. ” Take part in the international community with AIESEC Society

IESEC is the world’s larg- is present in over 126 countries and positions in HR, fi nance, marketing positive impact on our members and Maria est youth-run, non-political, territories with more than 70,000 and sales routes and participate in on society. In fact, our new mem- Urquiaga Anot-for-profi t organisation. young, inspired and passionate mem- diff erent programmes and projects bers this year will be attending their It is a brilliant ‘AIESEC’ is a French acronym for bers. AIESEC aims to achieve piece within the society while studying at fi rst national conference in Leeds at “ “Association Internationale des Etu- and fulfi lment of humankind’s po- university. Students are also given the end of the month to gain more opportunity diants en Sciences Economiques et tential through international volun- a chance to attend AIESEC confer- knowledge on AIESEC, world issues for our Commerciales” which means “Inter- teering exchanges and professional ences nationally and internation- and leadership. national Association of Students in internships, developing responsible ally where they can meet members If you believe you can change the members and Economic and Commercial Sciences” and compassionate global leaders. across the AIESEC network and im- world, want to meet like-minded in- – we no longer use the acronym and Our society is formally known as prove their leadership, interpersonal dividuals or simply want to gain rel- for interested are currently known as AIESEC. AIESEC in Cardiff and represents and communication skills. All of the evant work experience, come to one students Th e organisation was founded af- the organisation in Wales, since it is opportunities in AIESEC not only of our local committee meetings! ter the Second World War in order currently the only local chapter in the enhance your CV, but also give you You can fi nd out more at aiesec.co.uk to gain to prevent future generations from country. However, AIESEC UK has great memories shared with good about the opportunities we off er. Ad- suff ering a similar tragedy. In 1948, a 22 local chapters across major cit- friends. ditionally, please email us at cardiff @ invaluable group of young people decided that ies in the UK, including Manchester, We believe that being a part of aiesec.co.uk to get involved in our so- personal and encouraging and spreading cross-cul- Bristol, Leeds and Edinburgh. the global community, developing ciety or to ask any questions regard- tural understanding is the best way to It is a brilliant opportunity for our professional skills, increasing cross- ing AIESEC and our programmes. professional create a better world for all of us. To- members and for interested students cultural awareness, providing op- You may even be able to attend our day, AIESEC is even more developed to gain invaluable personal and pro- portunities to volunteer and explore next national conference in Febru- experience than it was expected to be when it fessional experience. Th e students the world, encouraging compassion ary. We look forward to hearing from was founded and it is still growing. It have chances to take management and promoting peace will create a you! ” Pictured: A group of AIESEC members at an event 28 SOCIETIES

Cardiff Volunteering goes Blind Bowling

ast Th ursday Cardiff Volunteer- liquid reaches an optimum level, and a later we were on our way again. to remember, but a special commen- Rachel ing teamed up with the Royal device that vibrates a certain number Upon arrival, we mixed the teams dation goes to Simranjit Cheema for Jones LNational Institute of Blind People of times to let you know whether you up and made all the students wear a her fantastic interpersonal skills with “Our first ever (RNIB) to host a Blind Bowling Give are holding a £5, £10, £20 or £50 note! variety of specially adapted glasses that the clients. Our fi rst ever ‘Volunteer It A Go event. Th e evening started at RNIB staff then gave us a lesson in simulated various sight-loss condi- of the Week’ award goes to Andreas ‘Volunteer RNIB’s offi ces where students met up ‘sighted guiding’ which enabled stu- tions while attempting to play a game Charalambous who showed excep- with some lovely people with a range dents to assist those with visual impair- of bowling. It really didn’t matter what tional kindness and empathy to Sarah of the Week’ of visual impairments (and their guide ments as we all walked over to Super- the ultimate scores were, or who won and gave her assistance throughout the award goes dogs) who explained their respective bowl for a game of bowling. On route on each lane, because everyone had a evening – she was very grateful and we conditions and how they cope with to the bowling one of our students dis- brilliant time! It was so successful that were very impressed – well done An- to Andreas them. covered fi rsthand the joys of owning a we intend to do it all again in the not- dreas, you did yourself, Cardiff Volun- We were shown some intriguing guide dog, when James (the dog, NOT too-distant future so be sure to book teering and the University proud! Stay Charalambous devices that made life easier and safer the student) decided he needed to re- your space on the next one! tuned for more information about an – including a gadget that sits on a cup lieve himself of a rather heavy load! Ten All the students were brilliant, and exciting new project we are developing and makes a noise when the level of minutes and three poop scoop bags helped give the RNIB clients a night with the RNIB. ” Pictured: Andreas the ‘Volunteer of the Week’ (left) and RNIB clients and Cardiff Volunteers (right)

Profi led: Th e Ahlul Bayt Society

ardiff Ahlul Bayt Society is a paign. We set up a collection point in next few weeks near the SU! We try to Bayt Society have grown to cherish. Akeel family of students aiming to the SU as well as going around Taly- spread kindness and generosity through We also have great socials, like mini Bhamani Cspread the message of kindness bont with the collection bin, and with this, which we learned from Hussain – golf, bowling, annual dinners… And “Who doesn’t and humanity. We take our inspiration all your help, we managed to collect a member of the Ahlul Bayt – a man our next planned social is a trip to see from the teachings of the ‘Ahlul Bayt,’ 40.4kg of food for Cardiff food-bank in who still inspires us everyday through the beautiful waterfalls at Brecon Bea- love free hot which is an arabic word, referring to the under a week! With this huge success his sacrifi ce over 1,400 years ago, so we cons on Saturday November 21st! Our chocolate on Prophet and his holy family. and great appreciation from the food- try to promote his message and spread society is growing every year, and we We believe justice to be a key part of bank, we will be bringing the campaign awareness in this way. would love for anyone to come along to a cold winters Islam, and the main way we look to bet- back to life this November during in- Th rough our weekly gatherings every our events and get involved and make ter society is through charity work. In terfaith week, so be sure to come along Th ursday, where we have book circles a diff erence. Whether it’s charity work morning? the words of Ali – the grandson of the and donate any food items to people to learn about new Islamic teachings you’re interested in, if you want to fi nd Prophet, “Man is either your brother in that need it more! followed by prayers read together to en- out more about the Ahlul Bayt, or even faith or your equal in humanity”. Who doesn’t love free hot choco- hance spirituality, the society not only just want to meet new people and take If you noticed our big yellow bins late on a cold winters morning? Th en acts as a platform for people to better part in our socials, be sure to like our ” around the university last year, it was Absoc, like last year, will be setting up ourselves religiously, but also creates a Facebook page: Cardiff Absoc, to keep of course, our ‘Hungry for Justice’ cam- a free hot chocolate stand within the group of friends that many in the Ahlul up to date!

Pictured: Members of Ahlul Bayt Society. November/Tachwedd Scouting For Girls Stiff Little Fingers 12/12/15, £22.50 ADV 28/02/16, £18.50 ADV

The Staves Ash Richard Hawley 03/11/15, £15 ADV 14/12/15, £17 ADV 28/02/16, £25 ADV Everything Everything 07/11/15, £17.50 ADV January/Ionawr March/Mawrth Foals The Temperance Movement Theory Of A Deadman 08/11/15 - SOLD OUT 26/01/16, £14 ADV 03/03/16, £15 ADV

Slaves Machine Head 15/11/15 - SOLD OUT Coheed & Cambria & Glassjaw 31/01/16, £27.50 ADV 10/03/16, £26 ADV Treatment Presents: The Stranglers Annie Mac February/Chwefror 18/03/16, £26 ADV 20/11/15, from £18.50 ADV Boyce Avenue Neck Deep 19/03/16, £25 ADV Public Service Broadcasting 05/02/16, £13.50 ADV 26/11/15, £20 ADV Wolf Alice KERRANG! Tour 2016 Andy C All Night 24/03/16, £17 ADV 27/11/15, £13 ADV ft. Sum 41 & more 11/02/16, £18.50 ADV April/Ebrill Marina And The Diamonds Gabrielle Aplin 28/11/15 - SOLD OUT 12/02/16, £16.50 ADV Funeral For A Friend 05/04/16- SOLD OUT Happy Mondays 29/11/15, £28.50 ADV Bowling For Soup 14/02/16, £20 ADV Funeral For A Friend 06/04/16- SOLD OUT December/Rhagfyr Fun Lovin' Criminals 18/02/16, £23.50 ADV PVRIS 08/04/16, £12 ADV The Story So Far 01/12/15, £14 ADV City and Colour 19/02/16 - SOLD OUT Kodaline 03/12/15 - SOLD OUT

All tickets subject to booking fee CARDIFFBOXOFFICE.COM @CARDIFFUNION CARDIFFBOXOFFICE Codir ffi archebu ar bob tocyn Annual General Meeting Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol

Thursday 12th November OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS DOORS 17:30, THE GREAT HALL

SUBMIT MOTIONS TO [email protected] BY 12PM WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER

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Business to be transacted: ratification of minutes of the previous meeting; receiving the report of the Trustees on the Union’s activities since the previous meeting; receiving the accounts of the Union for the previous financial year; approving the list of affiliations of the Union; open questions to the Trustees by the Student Members; and any motions submitted by members. PARK LIFE 31

Editor: Vacant @HeathParkCSU [email protected] park life gairrhydd.com/park-life Katey’s note Representing you at the NUS

ello! I hope you are well and I know that many of you may think placement. Furthermore, I started the Katey you enjoyed the Halloween that these issues aren’t really relevant conversation on how to provide more Pictured: Beggan Hcelebrations over the weekend! to healthcare students but in actual opportunities for students to engage Far left: NUS VP Heath As Hannah Sterritt said earlier in fact they are. Healthcare-based stu- with activities outside of their courses. National Park the paper we attended the NUS Zones dents often need greater support from Th ese are just two of the many reasons President conference for Union Development their Students’ Union to help them get why it is so crucial that healthcare Megan Dunn at last week. Whilst there we shared ideas involved with democracy and student- based students get involved with their the NUS Zones and attended workshops on greater lib- led activities. You need support so Students’ Unions. Conference eration in sport, the impact of compe- that you can be informed about deci- Whilst at the NUS Zones conference (Photographer: tition and how to create wider democ- sions that have huge potential to ef- I decided to run for a National Zone NUS) racy engagement. fect how you study or where you go on Executive position in order to highlight the struggles healthcare based students face when it comes to Union engage- ment. Unfortunately, I was unsuccess- ful in this election, however it raised The“ new some important questions and got people at a national level talking about members of the issues that eff ect healthcare student the Heath Park participation. From this I plan to work with NUS over the rest of the year in exec have order to try and address some of these who has won a position, I look forward now been issues. to working with you over the next year. Elsewhere, exciting times are ahead! Th e exec are here to help me run events confirmed. Th e Medics’ Varsity tickets will be on and activities for all Heath students. sale very soon along with the support- If there is anything you would like us Congratulations ers’ packs. If you haven’t already been to discuss and get involved with then to everyone added to the Facebook group make please do not hesitate to contact us. sure you do add yourself! I’m in the offi ce all week this week who has won a Finally, the new members of the and as always please come and see me Heath Park exec have now been con- if you have any issues that you would position! fi rmed. Congratulations to everyone like my help with. ” Inspiring the future of healthcare Get involved with the ‘Who’s in Health’ volunteer campaign

knew I wanted to be a doctor from with the campaign, which sees vari- the individual groups of children. For sage may have been lost as I paled in Katey a relatively young age. With the ous volunteers from throughout the the uninitiated I will make clear that comparison to the wow factor of my Pictured: Beggan I exception of a brief detour to do healthcare sector go into primary the average nine year-old is incred- stethoscope, a feeling I defi nitely em- Th e Schools of an English degree instead- and even schools and talk about their jobs. ibly inquisitive, occasionally bold and pathised with. Although I now ap- Medicine and earlier than that when I fancied my- From medical lecturers, to humble always hilarious. Th ese ones were no preciate its practicality, there is a part Biomedical self a budding vet - medicine and medical students, physiotherapists exception. of me that will probably never stop Sciences at the other healthcare sciences were and the Dean of the Medical School As well as sharing our enthusiasm, being excited by the fact that I get to the Heath known pathways to me. However, for himself, we all went with the aim of the campaign also aimed to show the “play” with stethoscopes on a near- (Photographer: many children in Wales, this level of sharing some of our passion for the connection between the subjects that daily basis. Anna Lewis) certainty is impossible to attain. Af- things that we do. the pupils were learning at school and Th e children’s enthusiasm boosted ter all, it’s hard to dream of being an Attempting to wrangle a group their application in the real world. my own and made me feel that little occupational therapist if you’ve never of incredibly excited eight and nine Teaching them to take their own puls- bit more inspired as I made my way heard of them, let alone met one in year-olds is no mean feat, but it was es and multiplying by twos and fours back to placement. I’d like to imagine person. a wonderful experience all around. was an easy connection to make, as that given a few more years, I may Which is where the ‘Who’s In Equipped with anatomy fl ashcards, well as emphasising the importance one day meet one of these endlessly- Health’ national campaign draws its a stethoscope and pen torch, as well of good literacy when communicat- enthusiastic children again- and they inspiration. A few weeks ago I was as some colouring sheets, I rotated ing with patients and colleagues. Th at might have their own stethoscope by privileged enough to get involved around the class and spoke to each of said, I feel as though some of my mes- then. 32 PARK LIFE What’s on at the Heath? With the new Students’ Union Hub opened at the Heath Park campus, we look at what’s going on over the next few weeks

he newly-refurbished Students’ and how you want to engage with us. bus tour of the city. Student Advice when you are here help make your Neil Union in the IV Lounge is open Ask what we can do for you. now have two drop-in days here on Students’ Union into something that is Pictured: Alexander Tin all of its big-desk glory from Th e SU staff that have so far visited Monday and Wednesday from 10am relevant and useful to you. Th e University Heath Park 9am to 5pm weekdays. Th e reason are already implementing new proce- to 2pm so students can call in here At the Heath SU we already off er Hospital of co-ordinator we have such a huge desk is for visit- dures that will make students’ lives a instead of having to travel into town. the full range of services we do at Park Wales at the ing services that come from Park Place bit easier at the Heath. Volunteering Th e Skills Development Service has Place (including Jobshop, Lettings and Heath campus SU. Everyday a service is at the Heath are looking to get better healthcare been here every week trying to publi- Student Advice) but with staff visiting (Photographer: to better understand and engage with volunteering placements for Heath cise their Heath-based courses to eve- from the services and together with Anna Lewis) students. students. Finance are here with their ryone in the IV Lounge. Every service your help, we can tailor the Heath SU Th e other reason the desk is so big own stall twice a month selling NUS here has either taken surveys or talked to be of maximum eff ectiveness and is for you to come in, sit and chat with cards so you don’t have to travel to directly with students and made plans assistance to you. us. Tell us and the visiting staff what Park Place. Give it a Go found out to act on feedback from the data re- Below is a rota on when the Park it’s like to be a student at the Heath. about the March nurse intake and ceived. Th e visiting services also bring Place staff and Elected Offi cers will be Tell the services what you want here will greet next year’s fresher’s with a up freebies so come and get some and visiting. Come pop in for a chat.

Week one: Commencing Monday 2nd November Week two: Commencing Monday 9th November Monday Advice (Drop in) / Cardiff Volunteering Monday Advice (Drop in) / Cardiff Volunteering “Every service Tuesday Activities (AU) Tuesday Jobshop here has Wednesday Advice (Drop in) Wednesday Advice (Drop in) either taken Th ursday Elected Offi cer / Finance Th ursday Elected Offi cer / Finance Friday Lettings Friday Skills Development Service surveys or talked directly with students Week three: Commencing Monday 16th November Week four: Commencing Monday 23rd November and made Monday Advice (Drop in) / Cardiff Volunteering Monday Advice (Drop in) / Cardiff Volunteering plans to act Tuesday Activities (Societies) Tuesday Activities (Give it a Go) on feedback Wednesday Advice (Drop in) Wednesday Advice (Drop in) from the data Th ursday Elected Offi cer / Finance / Student Voice Th ursday Elected Offi cer received. Friday IT Shop / Commercial Friday Jobshop ” Annual General Meeting Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol

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BUCS Results: Wednesday 28th October

Presented by: H/A Sport Cardiff Team Opposition Result W/L/D A Badminton Mens 1st Imperial College London 1st 5-3 L

A Badminton Womens 1st Bristol 1st 5-3 L

A Football Mens 1st St Mark & St John 1st 1-3 W

H Football Womens 1st Cardiff 2nds 8-0 W

H Football Mens 2nd Bournemouth 3rd 4-2 W

H Football Mens 3rd (Medics) Swansea 4th 1-0 W

H Football Mens 4th Bournemouth 2nd 2-3 L

H Football Mens 5th Southampton Solent 2nd 2-3 L

A Rugby Union Mens 1st USW 1st 13-7 L

A Rugby Union Mens 2nd (Medics) Queen Mary 1st 44-31 L

H Rugby Union Mens 3rd USW 2nd 12-15 L

H Rugby Union Mens 4th (Medics) USW 3rd 24-24 D

H Rugby Union Womens 1st Bath 1st 30-7 W

H Lacrosse Womens 1st Exeter 1st 9-15 L

A Lacrosse Womens 2nd Bath 2nd 26-1 L

A Lacrosse Mens 1st Exeter 1st 16-1 L

H Lacrosse Mens 2nd Aberystwyth 1st 0-20 L

H Table Tennis Womens 1st Exeter 1st 3-2 W

A Table Tennis Womens 2nd Bournemouth 1st 5-0 L

A Table Tennis Mens 2nd Southampton Solent 1st 11-6 W

A Tennis Mens 1st Brighton 2nd 2-10 W

A Tennis Womens 1st Royal Holloway 1st 8-4 L

H Tennis Womens 2nd Cardiff Met 2nd 6-6 D

H Netball Womens 1st Cardiff Met 1st 46-43 W

A Netball Womens 2nd Exeter 2nd 37-29 L

A Netball Womens 3rd (Medics) Winchester 2nd 25-53 W

A Netball Womens 5th Winchester 3rd 12-48 W

A Hockey Mens 1st Kings College 1st 6-0 W

A Hockey Womens 1st Oxford Brookes 1st 0-4 W

A Hockey Womens 2nd (Medics) Brunel 1st 0-7 W

H Hockey Mens 5th UWE 4th 12-0 W

H Basketball Mens 1st Bournemouth 1st 57-67 L

H Basketball Womens 1st UWE 1st 60-52 W

Wins Draws Losses 16 2 16 36 SPORT Cont’d: City attendances down despite solid start

controversial decision of changing Slade insisted that the only way to Cardiff ’s home colours to red as part boost the gate was by continuing to Pictured: of a commercial rebranding of the win games. Undoubtedly, more sup- Th e attendance club, you sense that a level of animos- porters will return if Cardiff can con- for Cardiff ’s Continued ity between Tan and supporters has jure up a credible case for promotion. win over from back not ceased to exist. He has certainly Rightly or wrongly, that is what hap- Huddersfi eld page not been forgiven for meddling with pens in modern day football. in September. tradition. At the moment, though, the jury (Photographer: To a certain extent, this may have of supporters refraining from attend- Jon Candy) resulted in supporters boycotting the ing are not convinced by the evidence stadium. Whether such a boycott will presented to them. When you con- cause Tan to lose much sleep is debat- sider that Cardiff City’s season me- able; the multi-millionaire has plenty andered out into another campaign of cash but it is hard to imagine him of mediocrity after a similarly strong wanting to bail the Bluebirds out if start by Slade last season, you can un- the attendance predicament leads to derstand the scepticism amongst cer- serious fi nancial implications. tain sections of the fanbase. Ticket prices, on the other hand, It is worth noting that the Mid- could be a factor. Th e least expensive dlesbrough match took place on a “It is likely to adult ticket is £16 whilst the most Tuesday night - meaning a lengthy be a while costly one is priced at £32. Putting trip from Teesside when many fans that into context, the BBC’s Price of were likely to have work the next The“ average before we see Football investigation found that the day. Meanwhile, the Wolverhampton of whom may not have even turned prising the majority of the club’s reve- average cost of the most expensive Wanderers fi xture was also broadcast up to some of the matches this cam- nue anyway, it seems the real concern attendance the Cardiff City ticket on the day is £36.79. So the live on Sky Sports - potentially lead- paign. is having enough backing to spur the at the ground price of watching the Bluebirds is ing to many opting to watch the game Admittedly, the club has acknowl- players on to a successful season as Stadium as full rather reasonable when compared to at home or in the local pub. edged that the problem is exacerbat- opposed to compensating for the £48 is, less than as it has been the division’s other sides. Nevertheless, even if that was the ing by introducing an interesting new million spent on the construction of 14,500 - Th erefore, the question of why case, it seems unrealistic to think initiative for their two home games the stadium. for Wales’ there are more vacant seats than fi lled that those spectators watching on TV against Reading and Burnley this Even with this enterprising off er for below half the home Euro ones prevails. Following the Middles- would have made a substantial diff er- month. Th ose with season tickets are the November games, however, it is brough fi xture, which was watched by ence to the numbers at the stadium. allowed to bring under-16s to these likely to be a while before we see the capacity of the 2016 qualifiers 13,371 - the lowest crowd at a league And the attendance fi gures are some- two games for free in an attempt to Cardiff City Stadium anywhere near stadium game since the Bluebirds moved to what obscure as they always include enhance the oscillating attendances. as full as it has been for Wales’ home ” the Cardiff City Stadium in 2009, all season-ticket holders - a number With sponsorship and media com- Euro 2016 qualifi ers. ” Basketball: Men’s fi rst team falter at home against Bournemouth Cardiff University...... 57 guards into taking poor shots and may be tough to avoid three defeats and maintain the defensive intensity Bournemouth University...... 67 when the horn sounded for halftime, in three weeks. Nevertheless, there they showed in the second quarter, Cardiff left the court with a 34-32 were positives to take from the game, they should stand a chance to return ardiff fell to their second con- lead. and if Cardiff can avoid early fouls to winning ways. Jason secutive defeat last Wednes- But the lead wasn’t to last long, as Roberts Cday, losing to Bournemouth Bournemouth came back out with 57-67 in a frustrating matchup in their forwards well rested and once Pictured: which the hosts struggled for consist- again drawing Cardiff into fouls. With Th e basketball ency all afternoon. Bournemouth able to reset defensive- team in action Th e game began with the Cardiff ly after their free throws, the Cardiff during April’s big men attempting to trap their op- off ense struggled to thrive without Varsity fi xture ponents with double teams, but they the fast-break opportunities that had with Swansea fell into foul trouble early, and allowed been so abundant in the fi rst half. At (Photographer: “If Cardiff can the visitors to get to the line early and the end of the quarter, all their good Taliesin often. With Cardiff forced into early work in the previous period had been Coombes) avoid early changes, the Bournemouth forwards undone, and they were left with a 38- fouls and began to gain a rebounding advantage 50 defi cit to overcome. and continued to draw fouls, widen- Unfortunately, the fourth quarter maintain the ing the gap on the scoreboard. Th e continued in the same manner, with defensive Cardiff off ense began to show signs Bournemouth getting the ball in- of life towards the end of the quarter, side almost at will and continuing to intensity they connecting on a gorgeous alley-oop, draw fouls, growing their lead to 16 but at the close of the fi rst period points. With time running out, Car- showed in the score stood at 9-25, leaving them diff moved into a full court press to the second much to do before half-time. try and force more turnovers that had Th e second quarter began more kick-started their off ense in the sec- quarter, they brightly, with several steals leading ond half. Th ey also began to shoot should stand to easy fast-break points and a 15-4 more threes, but although a couple run which brought Cardiff right found the net, it wasn’t enough as a chance back into the game. Fewer fouls kept Bournemouth closed out the game Bournemouth away from the line and out comfortably, the ten point defi cit to return to dried up the source of their scoring. a fair refl ection on the balance of play. winning ways. Looking to create off ense while their Th e loss puts Cardiff at 1-2 for the big men were resting, intense Cardiff season, and with an away trip to di- ” pressure forced the Bournemouth vision leaders Plymouth up next, it SPORT 37 Cheating in sport: Is there light at the end of the tunnel? In the wake of Valentino Rossi’s controversial kick on Marc Marquez, Dan Heard assesses the diff erent types of cheating in sport and if it will ever end

he events of the 2015 Ma- stacles, the importance of prepara- harder than the others? Had he devel- and other insiders didn’t really know Dan Heard laysian Grand Prix between tion and practice, and the courtesy oped physiological and psychological him, because he didn’t want anybody Pictured: TValentino Rossi and Marc and class we call good sportsman- advantages that placed him head and to know him. Giggs, meanwhile, the Left to right: Marquez have left a bitter taste in ship. But the fi eld, court, track, cir- shoulders above the rest? No, it was most decorated player in English Valentino the mouths of MotoGP fans. Th e cuit, pool or roadway can also culti- down to drugs and deception. Footballing history, conducted an Rossi, Tom crash on lap thirteen between Rossi vate vice, when results become more His years on the bike are now, and eight year aff air with the wife of his Williams, Lance and Marquez is the culmination of a important than virtue, when winning always will be, characterised by fraud own brother. His family-man image Armstrong and weekend of tension between the pair. becomes more important than win- and lies, but in the end, the only un- was further in tatters when he later Tiger Woods Th is followed the Italian’s scathing ning fairly. remarkable thing about Armstrong’s lost a £150,000 legal battle to hush (Photographers remarks about what he perceived as Remember when Harlequins otherwise remarkable career was that up an aff air with a glamour model, left to right: Fiat underhand tactics by Marquez in the wing Tom Williams chewed on a he took drugs. Perhaps most telling with such sordid claims making the Yamaha Team, previous race in Australia to help his fake blood capsule to feign injury? is the fact that when Armstrong was former BBC Sports Personality of the Charlie, cas_ks Spanish compatriot Jorge Lorenzo to Remember when Formula 1 driver stripped of his titles, the race organ- Year a laughing-stock. Yet he later and Keith win the title. Nelson Piquet Jr. was told to crash isers chose not to award the winners capped an unlikely comeback by tak- Allinson, all via No one was quite sure as to what into a wall by his own team princi- titles to any of his rivals. How far ing caretaker-charge of Manchester Flickr) his endgame really was here, nor are pal? High-profi le cases of cheating would they have needed to go down United. He retains his hero status we really any the wiser. Rossi, who and gamesmanship have dominated the race standings to fi nd a rider who amongst the fans he played in front on numerous occasions has accused the back pages, not only recently was clean, given that so many of the of during his entire career to this day. Marquez of trying to help Lorenzo with the likes of Rossi and Marquez, top riders were using performance Whether we like it or not, cheat- claim the 2015 World Champion- but in years gone by. Exactly why do enhancing substances? ing has become an irreversible condi- ship, appeared to kick Marquez as competitors feel compelled to seek Away from cheating to win tro- tion of modern sports, both on and the pair battled for third place. Mar- an unfair advantage? Sports history phies and plaudits, there is the phe- off the fi eld of play. Moreover, the quez crashed as a result and was is littered with cheating scandals and nomenon of stars “playing away”, as very future of sport will most likely forced to retire, with Rossi subse- there are probably hundreds more it were, notably and most infamously now be determined by defi nitions, quently penalised after the incident that went undetected. It’s almost in- within recent memory, Tiger Woods standards, policies and enforcement was reviewed by race offi cials. After evitable that sooner or later people and Ryan Giggs. When Woods fi - - or the lack thereof. At present, im- the race, Rossi’s post-match com- will cheat, because when you put nally fell from his pedestal, with the balanced incentives seem to favour “Sports history ments didn’t exactly cover him in money, fame, and glory on the line car crash, the angry wife, the link to the continued erosion of fairness glory either: ‘Unfortunately, I lose a there will always be the temptation a controversial sports doctor, and, in sport. On the fi eld, the fi nancial is littered lot of time with Marc and in turn 14 I to ‘bend the rules’ and gain an upper of course, the tales of countless ex- and other benefi ts of gaining com- with cheating tried to go wide to get a better line to hand against our opponents. tramarital aff airs, it was one of the petitive advantage via enhancement “Whether we make him slow because he just rides When it was announced that Lance greatest recorded drops in popular- techniques are signifi cant- while the like it or not, scandals to cause me some problems.” Armstrong had been stripped of his ity of any non-political fi gure. Given benefi ts of catching cheaters are not. and there Sport, at every level, is supposed seven Tour de France titles, the im- Woods’s impenetrable mask of per- Off the fi eld remains an entirely dif- cheating has to be a training ground for virtue, mediate public response was mixed fection, and the hints of trouble from ferent story. Catching cheaters also become an are probably to mould the character of athletes, at best. How was it at the start of his one strange glimpse behind it, the carries the threat of economic and coaches and supporters so that they career that a relatively unknown rid- revelations were inevitable and very, reputational harm if the perpetra- irreversible hundreds more may learn lessons that can help them er was beating the whole of the EPO very costly. tors happen to be big stars, such as that went to achieve off -the-fi eld as much as on (recombinant erythropoietin, the He had always been the “bionic those I’ve referred too, and no doubt condition of it. In few other venues are people able most infamous of the performance- man” in terms of personality, con- countless more. Th is ultimately begs modern sports undetected to learn as eff ectively the good habits enhancing drugs, now known to have trolling to a fault and controlled to a a disheartening question: has fairness of perseverance through diffi culties, been used by Armstrong) genera- fault, particularly in the world of pro become impossible in modern-day ” teamwork, striving to overcome ob- tion? Was it that Armstrong trained golf, where even fellow professionals sport? ” 38 SPORT Coach’s Corner: Stuart Read

his week in Coach’s Corner, ble next Varsity! Mark Wyatt Mark Wyatt spoke to Stuart TRead: Team Principal for the Great idea! What for you is the best Cardiff University Sailing Club. He thing about being Team Principal gave us an insight into the upcoming and leading others? season, this week’s BUSA competition, It’s a massive privilege being Principal. Varsity 2016 and what it’s like being in It’s an addition to my role at the Union the team. as Activities Safety Coordinator and the job was something that the club First up, what are your goals for the needed but didn’t have at that time and year ahead? so I took on that role. I’ve learned an We want to have another successful awful lot from that role as well. What year in the club – success doesn’t al- has been fantastic about it though is ways mean winning though. We have that it is a student run club and from a a great committee and want the club healthy and safety perspective it’s great to run very smoothly and very safely at to see young people being so aware the end of the day. We are hosting the during their sessions of the important BUCS Fleet Event for the fi rst time this safety measures. Giving students the year - this is the fi rst time that it’s out- confi dence and experience to deliver side of Portsmouth and will be based the sessions to their members is great at Cardiff Bay at our brand new centre. to oversee also. We’re very excited for this and our goal is to settle down into our new home at How well have you been able to add Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, grow and de- the Freshers into the team, is it easy velop our club as a result of this. or diffi cult? “We have From my point of view, all sports So how did you perform last year should be encouraging new members great on-site and how will you build on that? of all abilities into clubs, from grass support and Last year we did relatively well and roots all the way to top level compe- being a great piece for the University were runners up for the Welsh Yacht- the team ended up going to France to tition. A sport such as sailing, you do to refl ect on in terms of accomplish- ing Association’s Club of the Year Pictured: facilities so compete in the World Tournament get a lot of new people come who al- ments. In terms of our performance, and that was fantastic. It showed the Boats wait at our coaches which is fantastic, representing Wales. ready have a great sailing background, we have some high calibre universi- dedication as well as the growth and the start line at Moving to the new club is going to be which is great for the club as they can ties like Portsmouth and Southamp- development of the club recently. Th is BUSA and members a huge positive as it is a purpose built come into the team in fi rst year, which ton who always perform well. Yet it is was down to Emily Wiltshire and her (Photographer: club so our students have more of an means by third year we are smashing home territory so we know where all of committee in securing £23,000 worth BUSA) can get some opportunity to grow and develop their Swansea, we’re winning BUCS and the obstacles are and we will defi nitely of funding that goes into training, de- invaluable skills and abilities. We have great on- that’s a real great benefi t! Th ose who use that to our advantage. velopment and purchasing equipment, site support and facilities and also our haven’t sailed before, the club are really which all develops the club to where it experiences coaches and members can get some good at getting individuals up to a high Th e Sailing Club is known for be- is now. invaluable experience from people standard because racing is an element ing a real social hub for members. around them. of sailing that appeals to many and it’s Are socials integral in a sport such Okay, what’s your favourite place to a team sport so it’s inclusive, lots of as sailing so that the team is working sail? ” Swansea won the sailing Varsity last people want to give it a go! well on and off the water? Well this is probably the funniest part year, how confi dent are you that Absolutely, I don’t personally partake of the story, I don’t sail. I’m Principal the title can come back to the right As you mentioned Cardiff are host- in the socials – as a student many years of the Club but the only Principal in hands this year? ing the Fleet Racing Championships ago I got involved in many and I totally Wales that can’t actually sail a boat… Well as an Athletic Union we are always this year, can you tell us some more believe that student interaction and Still, I enjoy being on the boats and I’ll disappointed when our teams lose, but about the competition and how do being part of them is good – it builds a go with Cardiff Bay! we’re here to support them and make you think Cardiff will fare at the bond with your peers. When you join a sure that they win next time. We did event? club, you are a member and that’s basi- What’s your favourite boat class? bring home the cup and the shield so It’s a huge event, we’re bringing in quite cally it. However when you’re out on a Powerboat! Anything fast and adrena- I’m very happy with that. Th e sailing a few universities from across the UK, boat, you have to rely on other people line fi lled then I’ll love it! had a good attempt at ticking their box including Edinburgh and all the teams to ensure you’re not going to get hurt though. It was a new facility and the from along the South Coast where sail- and to rely on your team to know that Biggest sailing infl uence? For“ those who equipment was slightly challenging, ing is very dominant. With the new fa- there is safety and rescue there for you Has to be Blackbeard the Pirate! the weather was diffi cult to manage cility it’s going to really help us, bring- at all times. So I think socials haven’t sailed also, so it was a great new experience ing in a lot of equipment – we have 12 are so important for team bonding, the What is your favourite sport (not before, the “We can exploit for our members to experience. Th is new rescue boats for example. With all only thing I’d say is as long as it’s all in sailing!)? them and year there will be a lot more of us who this, you need a lot of staff to support line with the Student Union behaviour Outdoor sports are what I live for, club are really took part before and so that will assist it and these people are all coming from policy then we’re happy with whatever climbing, kayaking or mountain biking cause some us greatly! Furthermore, because we’re the club. Th ey’re all volunteers too so they do. are my favourite! good at getting trouble next hosting the BUCS Fleet this year it will they won’t get paid and they all put a individuals to a act as a great test - we can get a feel for lot of time and eff ort into this as it is What has been your personal high- Finally, what is your best memory of Varsity! how Swansea are competing and iden- their passion. Th is is all hugely posi- light being with the Cardiff Sailing sailing? high standard. tify their weaknesses early on. Th en we tive for Welsh sailing and will be a big Team? Kayaking down waterfalls in the south ” can exploit them and cause some trou- milestone for the club, as well as also Two years ago we were shortlisted and of France. ” It is not a bold statement to say that this section of the fixture list with Cardiff Arms Park this weekend, for will undoubtedly be looking to put Harry Elliott all Cardiff Blues fans, or any fans of four straight losses, but crucially the first time since 6th September. on a show for the Arms Park return. sporting teams for that matter, want with improving performances on The reigning league Champions, One win out of five going into the Cardiff Blues their side to win every single game each occasion. Glasgow Warriors, await Danny tie against Zebre may not have been Columnist they play. This is never possible Eight, five, eight, and seven – the Wilson’s side, and should prove the best of starts to the campaign, though. When your team does not number of points the Blues lost by on tricky opposition as the Blues look but it must be seen in context. win, you need to be as objective as their travels to the ‘Emerald Isle’, thus to get their campaign back on track . Away trips to the Irish provinces are humanly possible and have a sense of securing the Blues some valuable Glasgow boasts much of the Scotland hard enough, but when they come perspective. bonus points, the next best remedy side from this year’s World Cup in successively that compounds the That is the order of the day/week to losing. Before last weekend, The their ranks - all of whom should be task further. The Blues are still giving for Blues supporters. The Blues have Blues had the joint most bonus back in Pro12 action, however, Blues away too many points, but signs of just endured a run of four successive points in the Pro 12 – accounting for have quality of their own returning. improvement are there for all to see. away games against each Irish half of their points tally. Wales captain Sam Warburton, Wilson is laying the foundations at province. Danny Wilson and his men After Saturday’s trip to Italian Gareth Anscombe and others should The Arms Park, let’s give him time have surfaced on the other side of outfit Zebre, the Blues return to The be back from World Cup duty and to finish the project. SPORT 39 Sport Spotlight: Cheerleading Th is week in Sport Spotlight, Gair Rhydd Sport sent James Lloyd to fi nd out more about the Cardiff Snakecharmers om-poms, cheesy pop songs catching in a cradle - I think that is the James Lloyd and skimpy outfi ts. Th at’s how right terminology. My group quickly PI imagined cheerleading. How debriefed me and soon enough I was wrong could I be?! partaking in my fi rst stunt. I had to When it was announced that we lift a fl yer called Eleri by the bum. So, would be doing cheerleading as this rather politely, I placed my hands at week’s sport spotlight I immediately the top of her legs. I did not want to jumped at the chance. Being on the cause off ence. Swiftly, I was told to American Football team I thought “not be shy” by Coach Carly. I took that it would be nice to see what the a big gulp and confi dently lifted Eleri Snakecharmers get up to and check by the bum and hoisted her in the air. out what is widely perceived as an Boy, I felt like a right legend. ‘airey-fairy’ dance sport. Actually, I was a little embarrassed “If one of the Th e day soon arrived. I was going as we continued to do these stunts. to train with the Snakecharmers I was having a lot of fun with the flyers falls, - what a dream. I was put into the endless ass grabs but felt a lot of it’s going to “Venom” group, a level three team pressure as I continually cradled Eleri who were last year crowned national after her stunt. Ok, so we weren’t hurt - I can champions. Th is group are the creme doing any of the complex stuff see why it is de la creme of Cardiff cheerleading. like some of the others, but it was I was super nervous as I stuttered terrifying to know that if something ranked as one into the gymnasium. Rather kindly, I went wrong, the consequences would was introduced and was made to feel be huge. Each time Eleri made it of the most very welcome. We began to warm up safely to the ground, I breathed a dangerous with a brief jog followed by intense huge sigh of relief. stretching. I was utterly gobsmacked Th is is where my admiration for enjoyed this one a little too much, but Coach Carly had asked me if I Pictured: sports. at how fl exible some of them were. cheerleading took a massive boost. it looks pretty cool when everyone is wanted to see any demonstrations, I attempted to make friends and After seeing the odd fall in other in a line and doing it in sync. I proceeded by saying ‘yes’. I stood Above: Th e sought out George, aka Diff ey who groups I winced and winced. In all I quickly swapped groups to back and watched Venom do their Snakecharm- made me feel very welcome along seriousness, if one of the fl yers falls, have another go at lifting/stunting thing. In awe, I was pretty taken ers in action at ” Varsity 2015. with the other only boy, Seb. it’s going to hurt - I can see why it is - remembering the fi rst rule of aback. Some of the fl ips, tricks and We split into groups of fi ve and ranked as one of the most dangerous cheering, which is “DON’T BE SHY”. somersaults were outstanding and (Photogra- began to do stunts. Th at’s right stunts. sports. Th ese guys are seriously I was still a little tentative about bum to them it was pretty standard stuff . pher: Taliesin Unbelievable, I can barely do a roley- ballsy. I asked if people do get hurt, in grappling, but ‘when in Rome’, as they To the non cheerleader like me, I was Coombes) poley, let alone stunts. Luckily I was which, among some of the responses say. I was a new man; I gracefully amazed at how elegant and precise Left: Georgina doing the basic stuff like backing and were “a couple of bloody noses” and (well maybe not so) grabbed my fl yers some of the tricks were and the little Cassar in “blows to the face”. Scary - and that’s bum and threw her up. I was loving margin for error. Th is didn’t faze the Venom only in training. life, really having a great time - my cheeries who continued to shock me training. After a short drinks break we moved grin beaming from ear to ear. with their incredible routine. on to more individual routines such Now, get a grip Lloyd, enough Ultimately, cheerleading is friendly, as cart wheels, roley-poleys and kicks. of bums. Th e session eased out at a welcoming and a lot of fun. Th e girls, Having learned the cart wheel on the nice serene pace, as we moved onto Seb and Diff ey made it an awesome beach in Salcombe over the summer perfecting tumbles and splats. I experience for me, despite my nerves. I was keen to show off my skills. It did not enjoy splats so much. Th ey I was made to feel at home and felt turns out I wasn’t very good, so we looked really painful, as you jump, that I’d learned so much in such little continued to refi ne my technique. you somersault forward and land in time. Cheerleading is not pom-poms Next we tried some roley-poleys, an awkward position. Th e girls, who and dance routines, but dangerous which I probably haven’t done since were naturals, completed it with a jumps, heart-racing tricks and endless “I however was I was fi ve years old and in primary sense of elegance. I however was like ass grabs - it is certainly not for the like a boozed school - they are certainly a lot harder a boozed up baby giraff e. Legs going faint hearted. I would encourage than I remember! Being a kicker on all over the place, I was probably anyone to watch cheerleading fi rst up baby giraffe. the American Football team, I was lucky not to do any damage. Next up hand, especially the Snakecharmers keen to do some of these leg drills. we tried this backward fl ip (which I and see the thrills of what it has to Legs going all Seb, who may I add is unbelievable at think is called a fl ick) with a roller as off er. Th e cheeries are incredible; over the place, cheering, demonstrated his fl exibility. an aid. Now, you had to gain enough mentally and physically. To have the He leaped in the air and did the splits, momentum to rock the roller back nerve to be tossed in the air and do a I was probably landing perfectly. I was told to give and then gracefully land with your trick is pretty mental - these guys are lucky not to do it a go but decided I wasn’t fl exible arms and control your feet. A couple serious athletes. It is something that I enough. So, we did this warm up drill of girls demonstrated and I was pretty would love to do again, so for that, I any damage. for legs, where you stick your arms impressed. So I gave it a quick go am very thankful to the Charmers for out as a ‘T’ and lifted your leg (eight and nearly snapped my back in half their kindness and words of advice, I times on each side). Apparently I - certainly enough cheer for one day. hope I did you proud! ” Th e Bluebirds currently sit just a hand- rigid 4-4-2; something that Slade quite being whipped in from the wing from his strength to provide inter-play with Shaun Davey ful of points shy of the play-off places, obviously prefers and something that Craig Noone, to no prevail. Before last Ameobi, thus freeing him up in his but a dismal bore draw in the Severn- is proving to not bring enough goals to weekend, it was 6 hours since a Cardiff more natural wide position. Th e Car- Cardiff City side derby against Bristol City last the side. player put the ball in the back of the diff back room staff might also what to Columnist week raised further questions about Something pointed out in last week’s net, so what options does Slade have at think about investment in January as Russell Slade’s ambitions and tactical column was the Bluebird’s defensive his disposal to change that? it’s clear reinforcements are needed, awareness. solidarity and this again was evident; Cardiff certainly need creativity up especially if Slade and co are to raise Slade went with the same team but there is cause for some concern. front and more creativity in midfi eld. the supporter’s hope that a top-six fi n- that narrowly beat Middlesbrough on David Marshall kept his side in the Sammy Ameobi missed a sitter against ish is a realistic goal. If he fails, then 20th October, but after his side huff ed game as he put in yet another man of Bristol City from two yards’ out, and Cardiff ’s lack of attacking threat will and puff ed to fi nd a goal, the failings the match display with some world- question marks still arise over what eventually make a promotion push ex- in front of goal seem to highlight class saves. However what Cardiff re- the on-loan forward’s best position ac- tremely diffi cult. Th is weekend, Cardiff that tactically, something needs to be ally lack, is pace up front - a striker tually is. Th ere is a call from the fans to welcome Reading to the CCS: a side changed. Th e squad look like they lack that plays off the shoulder of the last adopt a 4-3-3 formation to allow Ma- who beat Cardiff during an FA cup 4th the fundamental ability to play in a defender. Numerous times, balls were son to operate more centrally, using Round tie in January earlier this year. Editors: Jim Harris James Lloyd Jason Roberts Jamie Smith @GairRhyddSport [email protected] sport gairrhydd.com/sport November sport in Cardiff

Th ursday 5th November WWE LIVE Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, 19:45 WWE returns to Cardiff with huge names like Th e Big Show, Kane and Ric Flair all in action! Friday 6th-Sunday 8th November 2015 BUCS/BUSA Fleet Championships Cardiff Bay Th e annual student sailing championships comes to Cardiff Bay for a weekend of intense competition on the high seas. Saturday 7th November Football: Cardiff City vs Reading Cardiff City Stadium, 15:00 Saturday 7th November Rugby: Cardiff Blues vs Glasgow Warriors BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, 15:00 Pro12 rugby returns to Cardiff as the Blues take on last year’s champions Glasgow. Friday 13th November Football: Wales vs Th e Netherlands Cardiff City Stadium, 19:45 Wales welcome the Dutch to Cardiff in this warm up to Euro 2016. Th is will be a stern test for Chris Cole- man’s side ahead of next year’s competition. Saturday 28th November Football: Cardiff City vs Burnley Cardiff City Stadium, 15:00

Also in this week’s Cardiff City attendance falls Gair Rhydd Sport over 50 per cent below capacity As attendances at the Cardiff City Stadium continue to fl uctuate, we explore why some Bluebirds supporters are reluctant to fi ll the empty seats

minded style. Based on the display relegation zone, Cardiff might have Jamie Smith against Bristol City, they might have counted themselves lucky to escape Pictured: Sport Spotlight: We check out a point. Whilst Cardiff were defen- with a point as The Robins struck Th e Cardiff City ithin touching distance of sively well-organised, they lacked the woodwork twice in the second Stadium. which Cheerleading P39>> the play-offs, in a higher creativity when going forward and half and forced David Marshall into opened in 2009. Wleague position than this were guilty of giving possession away several vital stops. (Photographer: time last season and enjoying a vast- carelessly. However, this is primarily a results Jon Candy) ly improved home record, just why Far from a positive advertisement business and Cardiff have lost just the Cardiff City Stadium remains so for Championship football, Sky may two out of their first 13 fixtures. Fur- sparsely populated is a perplexing have regretted broadcasting what thermore, in seven league fixtures at concept for some. was ultimately a match that failed to home, only Hull City have left with The average attendance at the live up to its billing as the Severn- three points so Slade seems to have ground is, disappointingly, less than side derby with a real deficiency in addressed one particular area of 14,500 - below half the capacity of intensity and a lack of fierceness for weakness from last season at least. the stadium. a local derby. Of course, they will need to have So why are Russell Slade’s men not Perhaps the most frustrating as- done more than simply stay in touch attracting more supporters? Well, pect of the lacklustre performance come May but, for now, Cardiff find numerous factors could potentially was that it was such a contrast to themselves in a promising position be contributing to the array of empty the showing against Middlesbrough. - even if that has not always been seats; starting with Slade himself. Slade’s men had looked energetic matched by aesthetic performances. The former Leyton Orient manag- and well-disciplined against last Alternatively, Vincent Tan could er has still not convinced a large con- year’s play-off finalists. But, com- be the main culprit behind the vac- Coach’s Corner: Stuart Read of tingency of supporters critical of his ing up against a newly-promoted uousness of the ground. Although Continued on supposedly negative and defence- Bristol City side, hovering above the the Malaysian owner reversed his page 36 the sailing club P38>>