Freshers’ Issue 2007 OUT FOR SPORT CRIES INVESTMENT

8,000 1 1 Limited Limited STUDENTS n FLOODLIT n ASTRO TURF n sports n Gym TO: GRASS PITCH PITCH halls facilties

urrent students in Bangor will al- seasons, with relegations and underachieve- Better facilities ty over the floodlit grass pitch. However, this success, but are again limited, with new ready be aware of how stretched ment being prominent throughout the pitch can only be used for match games and teams unable to break through due to short- The campaign for better sports facilities the University’s facilities are when leagues. It is easy to blame this on the lack training sessions therefore have to be held ages of space. around the University has been a central is- Cit comes to sports. Many University clubs of talent within the University, and lay the on the Astroturf – ironic really considering The Ffriddoedd Site expansion has lead sue over the last few years. The results of this are being constrained by the poor facilities responsibility at the hands of the club. But most match games are played in daylight. to a perfectly placed rugby field being sac- year’s Bangor Student Satisfaction Survey we are provided with, and the BUSA league the results of a recent survey has indicated rificed for new halls of residence, and any- show that student satisfaction with sports tables often tell a disappointing story regard- that the lack of facilities in the University is Spectators body wishing to play tennis in Bangor will facilities is down 14.2% compared with last ing Bangor University’s successes. Many having a detrimental effect on our teams and This also creates a big problem for those struggle due to the temporary loss of the year. It is the largest decrease of any area in traditional sports within the Athletic Un- their performances. that might want to watch these games. The tennis courts. The watersports clubs also fare the survey, and it is quite obvious why. There ion have suffered a streak of disappointing lengthy trip out of town often becomes too rather miserably, and while the construction are currently only two floodlit pitches, and much of a hassle for all but the most com- of new, modern residential accommodation teams such as rugby mitted spectators, which almost categorical- is taking place elsewhere on campus, they and football often have ly guarantees empty sidelines as our teams have to struggle on with a decrepit storage to travel out of town to play. In total, supporting just one of our field shed, with just one working lightbulb and a find suitable facilities. teams would mean a round trip of nearly 40 few pieces of rope that span the room. This is The rugby team in par- miles each season, and taking part in a team hardly the kind of facilities we would expect ticular have to travel to would mean travelling double the distance. from a university that is attracting increas- every training session The Astroturf pitch on the Ffriddoedd ing numbers of students based on its “ideal and every game. Poten- Site is floodlit, and (although in need of location for canoeing and kayaking” in “ad- tial team players that some maintenance) is a good facility to use. venture capital of the UK” to quote its own would make all the dif- But this means that it is jam packed at train- website. ference to some teams ing times throughout the week. The three are being held back by football teams, two hockey teams, lacrosse Some Progress the overly demand- team and many more who practise there The University has begun to make some ing commitment they (including the public groups entitled to use progress however. have to make. Football the facility) mean that usage of the pitch is teams fare slightly bet- extremely limited. New leagues (such as the Turn to page 3 ter, as they have priori- 7-a-side league) are proving to be a huge NEW SUPPLEMENT WIN!! GO! TEAM WIN!! TICKETS

SOUNDCLASH Inside RETURNS This PUB GUIDE Issue 2 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 indeed from the dou- features. The Freshers’ Issue in particular has CONTRIBUTORS ble-sided single page a lot of information for first timers at the that the students in University. For those interested in becoming the 1980s came to part of a club or society, we have a compre- Editor: Jack Peat expect. Further to hensive guide to taster sessions and trials. this, the real devel- In terms of drinking (which is the funda- opments within the mental cornerstone of any good Freshers Emma Dodd newspaper only seem Week) we have a pub guide to the good Emma Dixon to have gained pace places to drink in Bangor, and for those in the last few years. who want something a bit more fancy, Spencer George The paper is now rec- we have a restaurant guide as well. If Sophie D Lorme ognized as an essen- you turn to sections such as music, tial medium for the film and sports, there are also in- Dr Rashesh Mehta communication of troductions to what is available Rachel Eales University and local in Bangor. news to the students. Ian Davies More than this, it is Student Recruitment John Jackson the primary resource of experience for As well as reporting the Lee John Howson all students hoping news however, we do serve Alice Weston to follow a career as a key medium for all students in journalism, the wishing to write and be involved in Tom Hulme media, or even just the central media production. We Alex Farley wanting to include encourage all students with a slight some extra curricular interest in getting their name in Pete Banks activities on their CV. the paper to join our team and Laim Watson In light of this, there become part of an exciting could not be a better publication. Doing this could Kev Arloft time to write for the not be easier. We will have a Caroline Alverez paper. stall at Serendipity, Bangor’s freshers’ fair and we also Will Varley hold weekly meetings on Rebecca Hussey Introducing Seren a Wednesday at 5:15 in the Students’ Union. Amy Briscoe To all the new We have sub-editors Nathan Lee students at the Uni- that are contactable ear Reader. versity, let me take on the email ad- Proof reader: Carolan the time to introduce myself and our work dresses below, and you can Goggin Could I start by saying hello and at Seren. My name is Jack Peat, I am the contact them or myself at any welcomeD to the new academic year from current editor of Seren for the forthcoming time if you have any queries myself and all of the members of the news- year. The newspaper publication is distrib- about the newspaper and Production Consultant: Dan paper. This year is slightly special in terms uted six times in the academic year: once in how to get involved in it. Freshers’ Week, then Hallowe’en, Christmas, But for now, all that Turner; Emma Dodd of the history of Seren, as it is our 25th year as the official English-language Newspaper Valentine’s Day, after Easter and at the end of I have to say is enjoy of the Students’ Union. Looking through the year. You can pick up a copy of each issue the paper and have a the archives at the original newspaper it re- in various places, including all Libraries and wonderful Freshers’ ally projects a sense of achievement. I write most Halls of Residence. Inside the newspa- Week. today in a 20-page spread, full colour news- per you can find topics such as all the latest paper, with a new supplement and a great news, sport, fashion, health, music and film, team of sub-editors. This is a stark difference as well as a new supplement with puzzles and NEWS & GENERAL If you have any other enquiries, questions or newspaper sub- missions, such as news and all other categories, please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below. Editor: Jack Peat get involved! [email protected] www.seren. Log onto bangor.ac.uk or join TRAVEL WEB Any stories from recent gap years, holidays or just weekends away For those interested in the more technical/ web based side Seren Facebookwill always be suitable for our pages. Travel is an exciting team of being in media, the website is certainly the place for you. the Group where you can swap stories, reminisce over your own times and With a newly developed website, being part of this team of- most importantly, write about your experiences in the paper. fers a unique opportunity to develop Seren’s web profile. Travel: Rachel Eales Web: Phil Rhymes [email protected] [email protected] FILM Any stories from recent films you have been to see, DVD’s you have watched or old classics you have recovered will be used in FEATURES the film section. The chance to meet with other film enthusiasts The Features section offers the chance to write about what you want is also possible as part of the film team to write. If you are unhappy about the way something is run locally or Film: Ian Davies nationally, features is where you can voice your opinion. [email protected] Features: Siobhan Holt [email protected]

SPORT MUSIC If you are interested in Sport, this gives you the opportunity to report on both Any stories from recent bands you have seen or recent records the University teams and the local scene. Being part of this team enables you to you have bought will fit perfectly into this section. Being part watch selected teams and even participate in different sports. of the music team also gives you a chance to discuss views and opinions with other music enthusiasts. Sport: Will Varley Music: Emma Dixon [email protected] [email protected] Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 3 TREBORTH CENTURY PLANT GROWS SIX FOOT IN TWO DAYS reborth Gardens days here at Bangor. have been part of “I was completely dumb- Bangor University founded when I came back Tfor many years. Located a on Monday and saw it,” Dr short walk away from the Brown, curator of the Ban- main campus itself, it has gor University botanical gar- been a key resource for dens, said yesterday. “It had decades of students associ- grown 6ft [1.8m] in the two ated with forestry, and it has days I was away, smashing been equally important as a straight through the glass, place of peace and relaxa- which after 28 years watch- tion for all those wanting ing over it seemed a bit of a seeds, and the plant fulfils its short but sweet to get away from the city shock.” destiny. centre. Above this however, The news also sends a “It is rather sad. Already the leaves have the gardens themselves hold strong message to the Uni- started to shrivel, and eventually they will many wonders, and one re- versity, as the site was al- die completely, leaving only the flower stalk cent phenomenon has really most completely shut down - which is now as thick as my calf - which emphasised the treasures after concerns about rising could last for a few years but will eventually the gardens hold. maintenance and heating rot too,” he said. Agave Americana is rare- costs. Saved only by public “We will of course be saving the seed, and (From front page) ly found in this neck of the outcry, the garden is now we have a few small plants ready, so we will woods (excuse the pun!). understaffed and the site Amuch-needed revamp of the rowing shed a possibility, but again needed to be funded obviously be replacing it - but this time a lit- Known by most as the ‘Cen- was almost doomed to slip took place this summer, with the University from somewhere, and cannot be considered tle further from the glass.” tury plant’, it was once be- into disrepair. However, the investing £30-40,000 on replacing the deck- a long-term solution. Let’s just hope the re- This is joyful news for the gardens. Often lieved to only flower once plant that spends most of its ing to make the shed suitable for the club. sults of the Student Satisfaction Survey will secluded and hidden away, it has brought every one hundred years. When the plant life merely saving its energy couldn’t have Plans are also showing signs of progress in not just make the University realise that in- the attention of people for miles around, does decide to grace the land with its pres- picked a better time to awake. Its extremely the watersports storage shed. The University vestment in sport is long overdue, but spur who will surely praise the site on its beau- ence however, it does so with an almighty rare appearance has brought media atten- has recognized that the facilities are below them into taking action quickly. Watch this tifully preserved concentration of nature. push. In the case of the Treborth gardens, tion from around the country, and specialist par, and have agreed to relocate the shed. In space. Our congratulations go out to all those who it grew over six feet tall in just two days. interest from even further. The plant (even terms of the other facilities, a new group has have battled in the face of adversity, and re- Dr Brown personally transplanted the then though it doesn’t stick around for long) also been set up to develop a far-reaching Sports ally worked hard to make the gardens what Jack Peat kitchen window sill sized baby, probably attracts new species of wildlife to the gardens, Strategy for the University. Meeting on a they are. about five years old, into the university’s new adding and fuelling its already considerable regular basis, the group con- display of cacti and succulents in his student nature reserves. The new animals scatter the Nathan Lee sists of members of the Estates department, as well as the Maes Glas manager and our very own Athletic Union President, Frodo. Although there are no concrete plans thus far, the crea- BALL AND BUST tion of the group can be seen as t was quite a coup for the Summer Ball few were as unique as Java, offering dishes mer, is there enough custom for them both. a step in the right direction. to replace the standard burger vans and for worldly wise taste buds. Centrally lo- So the business no longer going to Java will It is to the floodlight situ- be catered for by Java Restaurant, offer- cated, Java always seemed to pull in a crowd be heading towards the other restaurants in Iing a more up market alternative to previous during the day and it begs the question, that Bangor and bar meals, which have always ation that we must approach first however. The distinct lack years. But four months on, Java restaurant is if Java, who seemed to have such a winning thrived amongst the student population, but of floodlit pitches is leading to no more. The area upstairs from Java Indus- combination of quality food and relaxed at- for many the chance to have something dif- considerable difficulties, and tries is no longer occupied and neither is the mosphere, couldn’t make it, then who can? ferent will be missed. the issue needs to be resolved special place that it held in our hearts. Noodle bars seem to be the new thing in soon. Temporary floodlights are Bangor has a few good restaurants, but Bangor, but with two opening in one sum- Caroline Alvarez SUMMER STORIES BANGOR SCIENTISTS SET TO BATTLE GLOBAL WARMING ceanographers from Bangor Uni- the amount of freshwater entering the Arctic YOU MIGHT HAVE versity are ready to set sail to the Ocean. We know that the extent of the polar Arctic in a world wide attempt to ice cover has shrunk dramatically in the past Olearn more about the causes and effects of 30 years.” MISSED global warming. Funded by the UK’s Natu- “The question is how will this affect the University name change Glanrafon hill was cordoned off for several for its survival. ral Environment Research Council, they will Atlantic circulation, which is a key determi- The University’s name has now minutes before access was restored. Holy Peace not holy War meet with scientists from UK, USA, Canada nate of our climate here in the UK.” changed from the University of Glyn no longer coming to We need to encourage Holy peace, and Russia and plan to make the journey to The rate of change in the Arctic has been 1Wales, Bangor to Bangor University. The Bangor not Holy war claims Dr Robert Pope, the Arctic on a Russian nuclear-powered ice very well publicized in the last few years, name change is part of a restructuring of the 2006 Big Brother star Glyn looks Senior Lecturer at the School of Theology & breaker which is set to cross the North Pole and the trip made by our own scienitists, University of Wales’ federal college system, like his plans to come to university are no Religious Studies at Bangor University. His this month. as well as scientists from University College and the name change shouldn’t have any di- longer going ahead. He received his A-level book, entitled Thoughts On Religion claims rect effect on students at all. results whilst in the house, and once he was that, “We will not get to grips with religious Prince Charles visits Uni out he made plans to study at our University extremists through demonising as unrea- Prince Charles recently made after taking a year out. Sources now report sonable and backward,” says Dr Pope. “In- a visit to the University to mark that he will no longer be coming to Bangor, stead, we must promote the idea of holy the100th anniversary of the laying of the although we don’t have a reason why he has peace which appears in all religion and try foundation stone of the Main Arts building. changed his mind. to ensure that those who profess the teach- The Prince said: “This is a university Teaching on a high ing on peace have a wider influence on the world stage.” which is proud of its history and has a long Recent national teaching surveys and distinguished academic record. show that Bangor is in the ‘Top Ten’ Rhys Ifans receives honor- “I am very pleased to be present here bracket for teaching levels, with 85% of stu- ary fellowship today as this particular milestone for this dents being satisfied with teaching standards. Rhys Ifans (from hits such as splendid building is reached.” Seven subject areas score satisfaction ratings Notting Hill) received a fellowship from Earthquake between 93-100%, scoring well above aver- the University this summer for services to An earthquake hit Bangor over age for satisfaction ratings across the survey. the film industry. Honorary Fellowships the summer. Measuring around 1.5 Particular areas of satisfaction were Music are the highest honour that the University Bangor Team Leader Dr Tom Rippeth London, Cambridge and Southampton, will on the Richter scale and causing minimal (scoring 100%), Sports Science, Modern can bestow and are awarded to people who commented on how “the Arctic is being contribute to the new series of ship based damage, no-one was hurt from the tremble, Languages, History, Law and Theology. have links with Wales or the University who hit hard by global warming. Whilst average measurements, taken across the Arctic but reports later suggested that the shake have made a significant mark in their chosen Minority language struggle temperatures globally have risen by less than Ocean, with satellite data to help improve could have been the result of a fighter jet Apparently it is difficult for an field. reaching super speeds off the coast. 1 degree Celcius, in the Arctic average tem- complex computer models and help identify author who writes in a minority Valley airport sets peratures have risen by 3 degrees Celcius, in the key processes which influence the Arctic Phonebox bomb language to concentrate solely on his or her sights far the past few decades.” Ocean and thus North Atlantic circulation. A bag filled with wires was found writing, as he or she is constantly conscious The newly constructed He continued to describe that “Whilst The full body of work involved in the project in the phonebox directly outside that writing in itself is a political act, accord- Valley airport in Anglesey is looking to new the Arctic Ocean is in nobody’s backyard actually involves people spanning over 60 Amser/ Time. The bag was apparently hold- ing to Xurxo Borrazás, a Galician novelist. routs after their initial success. Highland it plays a major role in determining our cli- nations, and will take over three years to ing a detonator and was left lying outside the According to the author, instead of concen- Airways started operating flights to Cardiff mate through its influence on major ocean complete. Union. Police were called and a bomb deto- trating on the literature, the author is con- a few months ago, and the success of the currents such as the Gulf Stream.” nator squad were called in to deal with what stantly asking how his or her work contrib- North Wales airport has opened up oppor- “Climate changes occurring there will Nathan Lee transpired to be a hoax. The area around utes towards their culture and the struggle tunities for routes to Dublin also. have a huge, but as yet unknown, impact on 4 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 THE BLUDGEONER GIRL POWER IN THE t strikes the Bludgeoner as very strange, 10 closely followed Humphrey the cat. The having the New Year start nine months trains run less late, you’re marginally less after everyone else, but then again, likely to die at the hands of breathtaking MIDDLE AGES Ithey’ve only just reached the millennium NHS bureaucracy and there’s at last peace f there’s one thing that ‘Sex and the City’ bands for most of their lives - but we should whether economic, for love, companionship in Ethiopia and things definitely aren’t that in the Middle East. Not to mention that has taught me, it’s that us girls are on top. be wary of holding too many misconcep- or pleasure. And, going by the cosmetic ad- bad here. No wonder no-one has any food Labour promised to squeeze 50% of young The twentieth century was vice that existed if they can’t even get the basics right, like people into higher education, higher edu- Ipacked with feminist crusaders in this period, what year it is. cation, higher education. Quite whether – opening with the Pankhursts middle aged this means half of everyone leaving school, and their militant suffrage cam- women need not or that you’ll get sawn in two upon arrival paigns and closing with the Spice have been grey!” no-one knows, but lecture theatres have Girls flaunting their short skirts We only have to undeniably swelled over the past decade and ‘Girl Power’ proclamations. look at Chau- with media studies luvvies, David Beck- From Betty Friedan, Germaine cer’s Wife of ham researchers and in our case at Bangor, Greer and bra-burning, to Mar- Bath for a prime psychologists. garet Thatcher, Sarah Jessica example of Dr Woody Allen once said that he didn’t Parker and lipstick lesbians, you Niebrzydowski’s want to be a member of a club that let him could be excused for think- powerful mid- join, but the Bludge is rather more dis- ing that feminism was largely a dle aged women, cerning in his tastes; he doesn’t want to be twentieth-century invention. Be- who despite hav- a member of a club that lets everyone else fore then women were chained ing had five hus- join. Has it worked, though? Was it a good to the cooker/stove/cooking bands, embarks idea? That’s anyone’s educated guess, but Anyway, here we are, plodding on into pot/fire for centuries, right? Not on one of the it’s definitely safe to say that there’s no such another fun-packed session at Hogwarts. according to Dr Sue Niebrzy- aforementioned thing as a graduate premium any longer, That’s plain old Hogwarts, mind, not the dowski, of Bangor University’s ‘package tours’ somewhat akin to McDonalds trying to University of Wales, Hogwarts as in days School of English. She proposes on a pilgrimage flog posh nosh, the Bludgeoner surmises. gone by. It makes the Bludgeoner chuckle that middle aged women in me- to Canterbury. Astonishingly, though, it’s almost time to hear on the grapevine of a student who dieval times actually exercised Women in me- once again to mouth the words to Auld complained about the University’s name huge amounts of independence dieval times Lang Syne and make some ribald resolu- change, saying that the current name had and power, making feminism a have been over- tion that takes fully three weeks to go tits been there for 120 years, why change it lot older than many of us think. looked for too up, like “I will not fail this year”, or “per- now? At which moment, it was pointed The history of the middle long, which is haps I’ll cut down on the drinking”. Maybe out to said classroom dunce that UCNW ages is traditionally preoccupied why Dr Niebrzy- the Bludgeoner would have been better tions about women’s lives in the past. morphed into UWB in the deepest mists with the kings of that time and their wars. dowski organised a three-day conference at off going to Hogwarts University – the “It’s true that most of the information of 1997. Historians of this period generally dismiss Bangor entitled ‘Medieval Women in their independent sector is flourishing and they we have is drawn from examples, whether Ah, 1997 – how civilisation has medieval women as having trivial histori- Third Age: Middle Age in the Middle Ages’, don’t just let anyone in, you do have to in art, literature or historical records, relat- bloomed since Maggie’s boys in blue were cal importance and there is little mention of from 12th-14th September 2007. The con- have a certain magic… ing to wealthier women, but women in their booted out of unlucky-for-some-Number- them in medieval history books. A.R. My- ‘middle age’ have far more power and inde- ference intended to “pose radical and pro- ers, who is a prominent historian of England pendence than we might imagine,” says Dr vocative questions about the way in which in the late middle ages, claims that: “Women Niebrzydowski. the middle-aged woman perceived herself of the upper classes who failed to find hus- Her research has received massive schol- and how she was perceived by others”. bands were prevented arly interest and is being funded by the “I was bowled over by the positive re- by the conventions of Royal Historical Society and the British sponse from contributors to the conference the time from seeking Academy. It has been drawn together from - this is certainly a growing area of inter- ‘gainful employment’, looking at art, literature, legal records and est - we have archaeologists, art historians, and there was often songs in order to build up a comprehensive historians, legal historians and literary crit- nothing for them view of middle aged women’s lives in medi- ics taking part - looking at everything from to do but to enter a eval times. some very bawdy women’s poetry, evidence nunnery”. However, “We find middle aged women running concerning middle aged women and their Dr Niebrzydowski’s priories, commissioning books, taking early sex lives, to the representation of middle research has uncov- package tours to visit the Holy Land on pil- aged women in law and their funeral cus- ered information on grimage and defending their property and toms.” Dr Niebrzydowski’s research will the contrary. “We as- property rights. By their middle age they be a valuable contribution to the study of sume that women in often had far greater freedom to speak their women’s history and will hopefully go some the past had little eco- minds. They could be more sexually liberat- way in helping to change the perception of nomic independence ed as there would be no child as evidence of medieval women. or social power and their fornication or adultery and if wealthy, that they were reliant they could enter the marriage market on Emma Dixon on fathers or hus- their own terms - and for their own reasons,

egdjYanegZhZcih### THE RANT Spencer George tacks in London and Glasgow and further loss of British I6@:>I768@ oris Johnson lives in Iraq. is a Marmite If you’re an elderly person then you have to deal with IJ:H96N . politician. You the news of a potential pensions crisis. If you’re a young eitherB love him or hate person you’re either being told that you’re the cause of  FJ>O;GDB him. Many people love anarchy on our streets or that your successful exam re- his endearing, bumbling sults are the consequence of taking easier exams. And if -/(%ID&%/(%EB charm. Others hate him you’re a customer of Northern Rock, well the less said L>I=EG>O:H because he represents an about that the better.  Etonian pomposity as- What we need, even if momentarily, is to be freed I=:C### sociated with the upper from the shackles of melancholy and instead be remind- classes. Whether you love ed that life isn’t all doom and gloom. We need to be re-  or hate Boris Johnson, minded that we aren’t going to be mugged by a youth in a ;G::DA9H8=DDA one thing is for sure. He hoodie every time we walk down a high street after dark, 9>H8D"BJH>8;GDB brightens up politics. that we can eat a hamburger without needing to embark  This summer, Boris Johnson declared himself a con- on a carb free diet as recompense and that we can express I=:-%h6C9.%h servative candidate for the esteemed position of London our views freely without being censored by nonsensical &%/(%EBI>AAA6I: Mayor and I for one hope that the people of London give political correctness. Boris a chance to shine. Boris Johnson, the “Blonde Bombshell” of the politi- I do not live in London and rarely visit England’s capi- cal world, could be the person to emancipate us from this tal city so why should I care which candidate is victori- depression. Theatrical and clumsy he may be, but Boris ous? The answer is that the outcome mightn’t just affect has a deft way of communicating with people on a level London, this mayoral election might affect the whole of that they both understand and enjoy. His hap hazard and Britain. yet entertaining brand of politics endears him to those Think about it for a second. Britain is sad. Britain is from both the left and the right. depressed. You only have to pick up a paper or watch The man who once persuaded his Henley Constitu- the news to understand why Britain seems resigned to ents to vote Tory because it would “cause your wife to do nothing about this depression in which it finds itself. have bigger breasts” might just be able to make London LViZgaddHigZZi!7Vc\dg!AA*,&9H Over the summer months we’ve been overloaded with smile again. And we all know that smiling, like laughing, nothing but depressing and frightening news stories. is contagious. If London starts to smile then Britain will lll#i]ZlViZgadd^cc#Xd#j`IZa/%&')-(***'% We’ve had the re-emergence of foot and mouth, the start to smile. And after the last few years of despair I for murder of a young school boy in Liverpool, mass flood- one will be glad to smile again. ing across most of the country, attempted terrorist at- It’s not just London that needs Boris Johnson. Britain Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 5 NEED EXTRA CURRICULAR? Jamboree shows exactly why students should be looking to the Scouts o most, being a Scout conjures up of the Welsh Mountain Zoo, and eight times voluntary sector. The most popular projects about an experience they could never forget, and key contributors to the volunteering many rudimentary stereotypes of the size of Disneyland in California. There they volunteer to work on are those involv- about taking part in a global phenomenon programme. tying ropes, erecting tents and being were 40,000 scouts from nearly two hun- ing young people and children, with 35% of restricted to only the privileged few. Al- Teventually littered with badges. The naïve dred countries attending the jamboree, the Jack Peat general opinion isn’t completely misguided, equivalent of placing a temporary town the but if scouting was ever to be stereotyped, size of Durham or Merthyr Tydfil in Essex. Jamboree facts it should be under the friendly, well being The influx of people on the site meant that More than 12,000 volunteers good natured fun that they create, and the over a 10 day period, over 1.2 million meals will attend the Jamboree to powerful positive guide that it induces over were eaten and scouts consumed vast quan- the children that rely on this source every tities of food, such as 100,000 lbs of chicken, make these opportunities week. 16,000 bottles of ketchup and 800,000 eggs! happen. Scouting is a global movement, active in Equipment numbers also rocket, using 9,600 Over 1.2 million meals more than two hundred and sixteen coun- tables, 31,200 cooking utensils and 1,350 fi- will be eaten over a 10- tries and territories and has more than esta tents complete with 30,000 poles and day period, including: twenty eight million members worldwide. two million tent pegs! There could certainly not be any event that This may be all well and good, but why • 60 tons of apples expresses and promotes this more than the you may ask is there an article on Scouts • 133,334 heads of let- International Scouts Jamboree. Opened by in a student newspaper? In recent years tuce Prince William and the Duke of Kent on Sat- the number of children wanting to become • 567,812 litres of milk urday 28th July in Hylands Park Chelmsford, Scouts has increased significantly. How- it spans five hundred and seventy four acres ever, the increasing numbers of scouts has • 33,333 loaves of bread of woodland, grassland, lakes, ponds and not been paralleled by an increase in Scout • 100,000 lbs of chicken gardens surrounded by 9.5 km of fencing. leaders and Scout volunteers. To be a part of • 16,000 bottles of ketch- The park is six times the size of the Museum the Scouts as an adult does however provide up of Welsh life; five and a half times the size opportunities just a great as experiencing student volunteers involved in activities with though deep down, each activity promoted the journey as a child. The young people and 17.5% involved in activi- a well being and character building theme. • 800,000 carrots opportunities it presents ties with children. Each game was centred on team building Equipment: in terms of travel are sig- Scouting is one of the longest traditions and cooperating, each exercise taught inval- in the UK, and it is one that we all may have uable life insights and appreciation. For one • 9,600 tables and bench- nificant, and the skills it es provides you with as an done, or at least been given the opportunity hundred years scouting has been changing adult are endless, it is also to do. It is easy to assume that scouting is the world for the better, with projects occur- • 2,200 gas burners an invaluable addition on simply about outdoor skills and games, and ring all over the globe that tackle local issues • 31,200 cooking utensils your curriculum vitae. as a youngster it may be these exact incen- and make a difference in local communities. tives that enrol you into the scouting life. Examples include communicating with chil- • 5,600 mixing bowls In recent years more and • 1,350 fiesta tents com - more students have begun Today however, I write to you as an adult, dren about the dangers of HIV, re-educating to recognize the value of and I will explain what scouting is about child soldiers in Africa and raising money plete with 30,000 poles having some life experi- as a national and international movement. for homeless children around the world. and 2 million tent pegs ence on their CVs. The While I spent time at the International Scout If you ever see young yobs on the street, Jamboree, I was inspired by the spirit and and wonder how you can change a child’s Bangor Scouts and results of a 2003 survey Guides club (BUGS) will by Student Volunteering warmth that was characteristic of every sin- life in so many ways, think about applying to England shows the sheer gle group and nation that was there. Stand- become a leader. The opportunity to shape be at Serendipity with in- scale of volunteering un- ing in the centre of a global gathering, the a child’s life, to be a leader and a figure for formation on how to join dertaken by students. feeling that you were part of something so many to look up to is surely an exalted good was overwhelming and in many ways opportunity. But benefits and ‘do-gooding’ a Scouts/ Guides group. Every year students put www.undeb.bangor.ac.uk/ 3,459,653 hours of effort, humbling. Each group I approached talked aside, being part of the scouts is really all worth around £42 million enthusiastically about the projects they were about fun, and no matter what age you are, bugs into the economy, into the doing, the activities they took part in and this is an aspect anyone can enjoy! Student the people they had met. To them it was all candidates are seen as perfect candidates ur current Communications and spare time is given to people who may come started and have been given SU funding and help with any homesickness!” One way to Societies Officer, Carolan Goggin, in with problems they may be having.” Yet it now have a dark room in the SU basement.” really see what clubs and societies the SU CSO is one busy bee! She seems to be would seem that Carolan is no stranger to Carolan not only enjoys her role, but it ap- has on offer is to fly on down to Serendip- Oalways on the go, and if you wait outside her having a hectic and busy schedule. She was pears as though she loves Bangor too, “some ity. There you can not only pick up freebies office for a while you will see exactly what a member of the Music Society, treasurer for may say Bangor is claustrophobic but it’s not from local businesses but also browse and we mean. Carolan constantly has people fly- the Sailing Club and a member of Storm FM for me. I like the way you can walk down sign up to any societies that may take your CARO- ing in and out of her room! She kindly took when she studied at Bangor University. Now the street and know everyone. I enjoy the fancy. “Also,” Carolan adds, “going along is time out to explain to Seren why her job is that she has graduated she is helping and small-town feel that Bangor has.” Carolan the best way, because you get to chat to the so hectic. It seems to be because she has so encouraging others to do as she did and join really wants others to love UWB as much club organisers face to face.” The day is usu- LAN many different roles to fill. “My job entails in with as much as possible as well as en- as she does, and along with the rest of the ally a really good one, but mayhem for the looking after societies and the communica- couraging new societies. “We currently have SU team has created lots of events for eve- CSO as she has to organise all the clubs and tion of both Storm FM and Seren, creating thirty-five societies” she explains, “but if ryone to take part in during freshers week. societies. She has a difficult task ahead of her GOGGIN the SU website and also the newsletter, as anyone wants to start up a new one, they are So keep listening out for any events that being in charge of the whole event; but she well as sorting out the Union activities for more than welcome to. I will always try to are run because, as Carolan suggests, “it all does enjoy being in the hive of activity when Welcome Week. I also act as the deputy help. It only takes fifteen members to create helps to keep you busy and to make the most it all works. “It’s fantastic and I get a really president which basically means I do the a new society. That is what happened with of what the University has to offer. Getting nice feeling to see it all.” jobs that no one else wants to do! Then any the Photography Society. They have just re- stuck in and trying to get involved will also Siobhan Holt 6 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 Features AFTER THE BAN ello everyone, my name is Siobhan Seren investigates the effects of the smoking ban Catherine Holt and I am your new ntering a pub, club or bar in Bangor ally result in impotence.” So it seems that to I’m still just about a smoker, I’m certainly Features Editor. I am currently a is now a completely different expe- be on ‘top form’ the fags have got to go. not at my previous 30-a-day habit, which I Hthird year studying English Literature with rience to a few months ago. Now It’s now six months on and many are still definitely wouldn’t have achieved without English Language. I hope to do my best for Einstead of pure smoke you are bombarded braving the cold outdoors and enjoying their the smoking ban.” you this year and show you how there is in with the smell of pure sweat. Yet most seem quick smoke. In Bangor many of the local The government still has the problem fact lots to do in little Bangor, as well as high- to prefer this, as you can’t catch cancer, just a bars and pub owners haven’t noticed a real however that many smokers are reducing lighting important issues that will affect us bad stench instead! change as yet. According to Dean Ibbetson, the amount they smoke but not actually cut- all. If you are in a club or society and would Smoking has been a big part of our soci- the licensee of the Tap and Spile on Garth ting it out of their lives completely. So the like to write a feature on what you have been ety for decades and it seems that the ban Road, “The smoking ban hasn’t had a major NHS has introduced initiatives to help peo- up to, or have an opinion you want to ex- may be altering how we smoke; Seren affect but the weather could change all that. ple who want to stop entirely. They have cre- press on local or national issues, please feel thought it was about time to investigate and The true outcome will be after Christmas ated various support services that are open free to email me on the Features address. see if this was true. when it turns colder.” for anyone who wants to quit. Such as a stop Anyway, have a great Freshers’ Week and if The government originally brought in the However, Morag Pirie, a third year stu- smoking service where you are able to work you see me out and about – mine is a dry smoking ban because the public seemed not dent, says that even as an occasional smoker with a trained specialist or you can opt to Martini and lemonade! to care about the effects of passive smoking. she prefers the ban, “I think it’s great - even join a group for moral support. Another way Many ignored the warning that second hand is to take part in the together programme. smoke contains 4,000 chemicals, including This programme means that you can receive sixty-nine cancer-causing chemicals such emails, text messages, mail packs or even LANGUAGE DEATH as arsenic, benzene and formaldehyde. They phone calls on the best ways to fight your ur University is a melting pot of Three thousand of the worlds six to seven felt that facts like these were too important addiction. The best bit is that it is all free! culture. People from over seventy thousand languages are about to be lost. To to be simply ignored. The act was introduced Another method of quitting is to use nico- countries study in Bangor every put the issue into a bigger context great lit- and has banned smoking from virtually all tine gums or patches which are now avail- Oyear. Can you imagine the sheer amount erature of the world could be lost. Cynics enclosed public places and workplaces in able on prescription. of languages that are spoken as well as Eng- may argue, what is the value of a few books? Wales and now England. It seems as thought the government, lish and Welsh? I ask you another question, My retaliation would be writing in any form When Seren began to research this topic with the help of the NHS, are determined how many of these do you think are endan- is the preservation of language itself. Even Seren made some startling discovers and to reduce the amount of smokers. Whether gered? tales passed down through centuries orally found facts that aren’t mentioned that often. people quit smoking or not, the ban seems The concept of language death has prob- could hold new facts about science and Smoking not only causes cancer and heart to have been welcomed with open arms by ably never crossed your mind, indeed it only medicines on a practical level. Languages disease it can also affect your sex life. Many both smokers and non-smokers. As Joanne sprung to mine when I attended a lecture also hold information about human history. students don’t realise how much of an effect though I have smoked in the past, I never Cornes, a third year psychology student ex- on it by David Crystal. Did you know that However, the simple fact is most of these en- smoking can have on your ability to pull on liked to smoke indoors and much preferred plained, “I think it is definitely a positive Welsh would be a potential endangered dangered languages are written and can only a Friday night! to smoke outside so it suits me down to a move, as a non smoker it makes sitting in language if it wasn’t for the recent Welsh be passed on orally. For women, smoking can affect your skin, tee.” small bars a lot more comfortable.” Language Act introduced in 1993? It is only I hope I have enriched your mind today as any NHS smoking leaflet will tell you; it Caroline Holmes, a second year student because of this that English and Welsh are and made you think outside your cultural “ages and dulls the skin, causing wrinkles. It studying English Literature believes that For more information or advice, call the treated on equal terms. We have all heard of ‘box’. At the moment it stands that hun- also makes women store weight around their “the smoking ban is definitely a good thing, NHS smoking helpline on- endangered animals and now is the time for dreds of languages will not be passed onto waists and can increase the risk of cellulite. it’s only fair on the non-smokers as they’ve 0800 169 0169 7am-11pm language to be highlighted. the next generation of speakers. Language Smoking also causes stains on your teeth, been putting up with our smoke for so long daily This may seem like the passionate rant of interweaves the scientific and the technolog- smelly breath and lifeless, brittle hair.” As if now. I know my friends are glad about it be- or visit www.gosmokefree.co.uk a Linguistics Student but I hope I have made ical. Without retaining information about women haven’t got enough body hang-ups, cause it means I no longer burn them with it clear that this issue is closer to home than languages that are “dying” the world would smoking results in a few more. my cigarettes when drunkenly dancing!” All facts taken from NHS smokefree you think. Firstly, language holds the key be a very different place and that’s why I ar- For the guys, smoking can affect your She also explained to Seren how the smok- booklets, Jan 2007. Produced by the Dept. to understanding culture. Can you imagine gue for preservation. Tell your friends and performance in the bedroom department. ing ban has helped her personally, “ It’s also of Healt living in Britain with no records of English family about ‘Language Death’ because it is According to the NHS, “this is because when really helped me cut down, which I’ve been or the history of English left for people to awareness that will make people think, even you smoke, any erection you get is smaller, wanting to do for ages but always gave in know about us and how we lived? It may if it is only for a while. softer and less impressive than when you’re when I was out and drunk. I never personal- Siobhan Holt seem unrealistic and an unreal possibility Amy Briscoe smoke free. In the long run this can eventu- ly buy cigarettes now and I only smoke if one but it is a possibility all the same. of my friends gives me a cigarette. So while The Fat Cat Noodle One The Boatyard Inn Royal Tandoori Ristorante Pulcinella

01248370445 166 High Street, Bangor, Gwyn- Garth Road, BANGOR, Gwyn- 111 High St, Restaurant Pier Promenade, 161 High Street, Bangor, Gwyn- edd, LL59 5HB edd, LL57 2SF Bangor. Garth Rd, edd, LL57 1NU Gwynedd. Bangor. Tel: 01248 354418 Tel: 01248 362462 LL57 1NS. Gwynedd. 10 am- 10 pm 01248 352519 LL57 2SW. Mon-Fr-12:30-15:00 18:00- 22:00 11am-11pm 01248 362807 Sat- 12:00-15:00 17:30-22:30 5:30pm- 11:30pm (not open Mondays) Doc Spot he Fat Cat is a student restaurant/ here are two noodle bars in Bangor. he Boatyard Inn is situated within he Indian restaurant is situated to- ituated down by the pier, Ristorante bar to a tee. It radiates intellectual so- One is situated in Upper Bangor the traditional pubs by the pier. The wards Weatherspoons in Lower Ban- Pulcinella is that rarity in Bangor: an phistication at a price that is afford- and one on the High Street in Lower place itself gives the impression that gor. It is quite small but you aren’t upmarket restaurant perfect for special Table but fair. The bar itself is surrounded by Tit should be an overly traditional, pie and Tcramped in any way. There are a few rows occasions. Serving up hearty Italian fare, TBangor. Although they are slightly different, S bookshelves and lined with wooden floor- they do have many similarities: chips kind of venue. It is actually really quite of booths that are quite personal, and there Pulcinella are certainly not mean with their ing. The drinks range from good cold lagers At first glance the menu looks too cheap stylish and classy. All the food is prepared are bigger tables depending on the amount portions. The restaurant has an extensive to a great cocktail list. The spirit shelf is also to be any good. You can expect to enjoy a from a well thought through menu and takes of people eating. The food is brought in a menu with all the familiar classics you’d ex- more than adequate and the bar staff are starter, main course and a drink for around the traditional approach, but done well. The traditional Indian way, each dish served pect from an Italian and they certainly don’t friendly and professional. ten pounds. However despite its rather mod- place itself is warm and homely and its ‘ship’ separately and placed around the table. The disappoint. Their dishes are well executed The restaurant has a good range of tradi- est prices, the food itself is actually really theme is in keeping with its location. It is also food is really quite good and the service is and satisfying. If you manage to finish your tionally British cuisine, as well as some aver- good. It is all served fresh and the service is out of the way so you don’t get the bustle and very personal. The price is modest and there main course, the desserts are to die for. age variants, such as curry and stir fries. The quick and helpful. noise from the centre of town. is no etiquette in terms of dress or attitude. The restaurant itself is light and airy with menu itself is quite basic as far as upper class If you ever need to enjoy a quick, but tasty The prices are far more like restaurant You can expect to eat well for around £15, a good atmosphere. You are asked to order restaurants go, and is more than suitable for lunch, these are the places to go. There are prices, rather than pub prices. You can ex- and this includes all the side dishes and ap- in advance if you are part of a big group, but lunch time snacks and meals. But if you are screens around the rooms and it is certainly pect to buy a starter, main, desert and a drink petisers. It is relaxed, but not sloppy, and Pulcinella cater for all group sizes. A slightly interested in dining in the evening, they of- a place where you could eat something hot, for around £20-£25. In the same light, don’t is therefore a good place to be with groups more expensive option, Pulcinella is worth ten have a good list of special courses. The by yourself in a short period of time. In the expect traditional pub portions, it is a restau- of friends. There is a bar with reasonably the extra pounds. Great for friends birthdays mains can range from good selections of lo- same manner though, the two places also rant and will therefore abide by the quality, priced draught beer and other cold drinks. or when the parentals have come to visit and cal meats to fish dishes, each prepared with make great evening dining for all us students not quantity motto. The Restaurant also offers a take away serv- want to treat you. delicate authenticity. Even though The Fat who like to eat good food for less. Anyone who enjoys a good pint of real ice, which is useful if your own attempt at Cat is a chain restaurant, there is a personal ale will also be in for a treat; the bar has a Indian doesn’t quite work out. feel to it. The specials menu is prepared in good selection of beers that fit nicely with the keeping with the district and is therefore homely/ traditional sense of the restaurant. unique and extremely tasty. Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 7 Do’s and Dont’s of Health eating healthily Healthy, Mediterranean Fish Soup The here are a lot of misconceptions we don’t know how long fruit or veg has Ingredients around food, especially with all the been sitting there. 12 large tomatoes/ 2 tins squashed tomatoes Great ‘new phase’ diets that hit our maga- 2 cloves Garlic Tzine stands weekly. So with a nutritionist in Eat more valuable protein products 2 onions Orme the family I thought I would pick her brains like fish, milk and other low fat milk Seasoning and reveal her wisdom to you. The first thing products. Eat less animal protein One large fish- e.g. mullet she wanted to go through was the ten golden 7like eggs and sausage meat which has a lot Fresh king prawns rules of food and healthy living: of fat and cholesterol. Lean meat is good. Orange Eat meat two or three times a week and A lot of variety, and not too much fish once or twice. Preparation of one thing (this mainly ap- Start by chopping the onions and garlic into small pieces. For those using fresh plies to unhealthier food choices) Drink water and no alcohol. That’s a tomatoes, start by peeling the skins by tipping them in threes into boiling hot 1 textbook answer and laughable for us water. Once they are peeled, cut them in half and scoop out the seeds, and Limit products with a lot of fat: cream, students, I won’t preach about alco- chop the remaining tomatoes into small segments. mayonnaise, chips, chocolate and ice- 8hol*. Everyday our body needs 1 ½ -2 litres Depending on the fish monger you may need to spend more time preparing the cream. No-one is saying to cut out of fluid: water, unsweetened tea, veg juice fish. Make sure it is fully skinned and free of bones first off, and then chop it 2completely; life would be no fun with no and diluted fruit juice. into small segments. treats, but all in moderation. Fat Small meals and snacks are better than Method gives you double three big meals. Large meals make Once you have prepared, heat a medium sized pan on the stove with a drop of oil. the calories com- you tired and are too much work for When hot, add the onions and garlic and toss until golden brown. Then add the to- ’d like to start this year with a warm pared to protein 9your digestion. Big gaps between meals are matoes, and season with herbs such as basil, thyme or saffron if you have a little more welcome to all the new students. Hope- and carbohy- also not a good idea as your performance money, as well as salt and pepper. Once this is all in, take the orange and grate some fully you will have got over the initial peel over the pan. Leave it to simmer for around 25-30 minutes. Ishock of being left to fend for yourself, and drates. You need level drops. The weak feeling can then make As soon as the tomatoes have had time to mix with the seasoning, add the fat in your diet you crave a sugar fix. It really doesn’t pay the best years of your lives begin here. fish. Leave them in the pan for around 5 minutes, and serve with fresh bread. but less of the to starve yourself. Between meals snack on Even though Bangor is small, fashion saturated fats. yoghurt, fruit, raw veg, milk and wholemeal Jack Peat counts wherever you are and it doesn’t pay cookies or wholemeal bread with a light top- to always follow the crowd. With seasoning you can use ping. These snacks will help balance your Denim is a trend that will forever be as many herbs as you like but sugar level. with us, so why not give your legs a splash be sparing with your salt. Too of colour and try coloured denim. Skinnies 3much salt is not good for your body. To create tasty cooking that Versatile savoury meal are here to stay for a little longer, so why keeps the nutrients in: don’t not get a coloured pair? Team this with an oversized top and with a cute button detail Eat fewer sweet things- if you eat too over-cook your vegetables, also Ingredients many sweet foods you usually ignore cook10 them in little water, the more water for example. If you’ve got the legs for skin- Two cups of rice ny jeans, a tight top isn’t essential, and bag- foods that your body needs. Also sweet you use washes the nutrients away. Keep Vegetables 4foods are particularly damaging to your your vegetables chunky rather than too fine. Bacon/ prawns/ tuna gy tops hide a multitude of sins. Or skinny teeth: after sweets chew sugar-free gum. And buy your vegetables the nearer you Flour jeans with a cute dress on top: casual but are to cook- Milk can be glamorised up for the night. Consume more wholemeal- eat more ing them. Butter On the note of dresses, ‘the ban- Cheese wholemeal bread, pasta, muesli (not deau’ made of linen and lace is gorgeous. the sugar or chocolate kind), rolled If you’ve got toned arms, this dress will 5oats like porridge and eat less white bread, There you go Preparation only enhance features of your upper half. rolls and pasta. Wholemeal foods are rich in folks the ten There is very little preparation involved. Depending on what ingredients you have Draw attention with a large pendant neck- fibre, which is important for the body for the golden rules chosen to use, you may need to chop things such as bacon and vegetables etc… lace - the high street shops are full of pretty following reasons: keeps you full for longer, of healthy eat- choices. Pieces of fruit from strawberry to helps your digestion, cleans your intestines, ing. I know at apple are very popular, but perhaps pick a Method more neutral style for the autumn. keeps your cholesterol down and has no university it’s Start by boiling the rice. While the rice is boiling you can prepare the contents. When calories. hard to make the rice is around 5 minutes from being done, start making a white sauce. Melt The shirt dress is a nice day-wear that the effort to cook proper meals, I too around 2 table spoons of butter in a pan, when it is fully liquefied, add small amounts can be worn on a night out with a belt to A lot of vegetables, potatoes and fruit. favour fast meals. But bear these points of flower until quite dry. Then start adding the milk until a thick sauce develops. If clinch your waist in and boost those wom- Fresh fruit and raw vegetables are the in mind and of course nobody follows you would prefer to use a cheese sauce, simply just add cheese towards the end. anly curves. White is summer’s freshest best. these to a tee. Also with the guaranteed When the rice and white sauce is finished, take a small dish and spread the rice over and most flattering colour, but white shoes 6-Choose pulses more often like lentils, increase of alcohol consumption it pays the bottom. Then layer the rest of the chosen ingredients over the rice, topped with are a no-no unless it’s fancy dress. Till the use these in the same way as other fibre to feed your body the vitamins and min- the white/ cheese sauce. Then sprinkle cheese over the top, or even crushed crisps. warmth fades wear white, and if you’ve Bake in the oven until golden brown. products but these have more vitamins and erals it needs. managed to bag a tan this summer it will minerals. make you look great. - Eat what’s in season, and not strawber- Sophie de l’Orme Hair after summer can become dry ries in January that come from far away. Jack Peat and lacking in vibrancy. Get a trim or - Frozen veg is also really good and complete new style to start the term. Use sometimes has more vitamins than fresh as a hair mask every now and again: wash your hair over the bath, put the mask on, wrap a towel round and leave the mask on for longer for extra silky locks. Why not try Scwarzkopf’s new Supersoft Smoothie with Dr. Rashesh Mehta range. They are offering some almost ed- Doc Spot ible combinations: [their Yogurt and Peach elcome to all existing and called awareness, which begins with the abil- If you have not been appreciative Remember, you are not in search of a Smoothies and Aloe Vera Smoothies are newly arrived students. Today ity to observe oneself. Observe how you are enough of someone who deserved apprecia- perfect relationship. You are merely striving just £2.09 each.] we shall learn the art of main- feeling and what makes you feel that way. Go tion and that person felt his/her efforts had for that sustained relationship, bringing bliss For a quick-to-go face, why not try a tainingW relationships. A relationship can be existentially a little deeper than the surface. gone unsung, you should wait for the next and stability. When circumstances disrupt bright red lip colour, curl your eyelashes, called stable once it is accurate. The word Explore the spring of your emotions. It was right moment to express support. If you the balance, you go to work once again to little mascara, ruffle hair and that should ‘accurate’ is derived from the Latin word once said, “When you are aware of your pain have been unduly harsh to someone and that restore the balance. You work hard at rela- look hot. For a lazy afternoon drink, avoid curare which means ‘to care for’. It follows and suffering, it helps you to develop your has brought an imbalance in a relationship, tionships because you love and you care. full black smoky eyes (reserved for Trash that you strive for accuracy in relationships capacity which allows you to relate to other you restore balance by making amends. An nights only). Use a shimmer eye-shadow with those you care about. people’s feelings and sufferings.” appropriate word or even a gesture can help to open up your eyes, then use black mas- Accurate relationships are caring rela- External sensitivity is the ability to you do the necessary. Actions, in fact speak cara to frame for Bambi gaze. For nights tionships. When you really care for someone, relate to other people’s feelings and suffer- louder than words. Tensions get diffused out try a dark black, dark blue or even pur- you are concerned about his/her feelings and ings. Can sensitivity be acquired? First, you and this is where patience comes to play. ple, plenty of kohl and mascara are essen- you behave, not in the most expedient way, have to get to know your internal organism Sometimes when the wound is fresh and you tial for that vampy ‘London look’ as Kate but in a way that your behaviour doesn’t dis- and the rainbow of emotions within you. try to heal it, you end up doing more harm Moss calls it. tress them. The first step is to realise that the Once you acquire the ability to watch your than good. Very often you will find that the That should be enough tips for now disturbance stems from the imbalance cre- emotions, not only will you sharpen your wounded like to be left alone. So, patiently, and I look forward to future nights out ated in your relationship with your dear one. instincts, you will benefit in myriad ways. you wait for your loved one to get ready for where I can suss out the new eye-candy Cultivating sensitivity to recognize there is External sensitivity also cannot be acquired the healing process. You withdraw a little and lovely ladies. an imbalance means you need to stand in directly. There is something else, which if we from the scene for you realise that any over- his/her shoes. You need to feel their heart allow to grow within us, often brings sensi- enthusiasm on your part could turn out to Sophie de l ‘Orme beat. To build accurate relationships, sensi- tivity as a by-product: that is kindness, the be counter-productive. When the right mo- tivity is essential. mother of several virtues. Once you cultivate ment clicks itself, you make your move; you Sensitivity has two aspects: internal kindness, many other virtues follow like hu- apply the balm of soothing words or act in a and external. Internal sensitivity can also be mility and sensitivity. manner that aids healing. 8 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 Travel ONION DOMES AND OVERNIGHT TRAINS Two Girls, Nine Countries and Five Weeks n the map it was a simple plan: draw buskers, to Prague’s magnificent gothic Cas- Bucharest. As capital cities go, Bucharest area around the a circle from Prague to Moscow, via tle, the oldest in Europe. is not the most exciting and sadly dictator, She vchenko Budapest and Bucharest and back But Prague is also known for its night life Nicolae Ceausescu knocked down some of University is Oto Prague via the Baltics and Poland. In and the self respecting students that we are, the city’s most beautiful architecture in the really nicely practice, it was ambitious: nine countries in we sampled a bit of that too. At fifty pence 1980s to make way for his huge Communist laid out and five weeks on a students’ budget and travel- a pint, you can’t go wrong with world class edifices. Many of the streets were being dug the decadent ling solely by public transport. For two third lager, which the Czechs themselves invented. up and a decision was reached to try and golden domes year Bangor students, this year’s summer Situated near Charles Bridge is the Karlovy find some of the real Romania. of St Michael’s trip away wasn’t relaxing, but it was certainly Lazne nightclub, complete with neon sign Another night train took us to the very M o n a s t e r y an exciting experience. claiming it to be “The Biggest Nightclub in north of the country, up near the Ukrainian are a fantastic Route taken by Emma Dodd and Rebecca Hussey Middle Europe”. Notice the inclusion of the border, to an area called Maramures. Every- sight to see. ent local spirits and a Lithuanian beer called Another day, another country word ‘Middle’! Five floors of banging music, one else on the train seemed to be locals and Travelling overland is a completely dif- ‘ H o r n’. and we moved on to Budapest. each with a different theme, ranging from farmers and we made friends with the fellow ferent experience to taking a flight and even Poland was our last new country and classic seventies and eighties, through to travellers in our compartment, despite the though we’ve both travelled further away, it we spent time in both Warsaw and Krakow. house. obvious language barrier, but got very little was in the Ukraine that we began to feel a The Old Town in Warsaw was completely Prague is a very accessible city and a great Moving south, our next main stop was sleep. We stayed on a small farm set in agri- very long way away from home. flattened in the Second World War, but has introduction to Eastern Europe. It has fairy- Vienna: a grandiose city with beautiful ar- cultural countryside, with a backdrop of the Another thirteen hour train ride took us been painstakingly rebuilt to look exactly as tale spires, cheap beer and budget airline chitecture and the Austrian atmosphere Carpathian Mountains and local people us- to Moscow. We passed over border control at it did before. Warsaw’s new town is in stark flights. What else could a student ask for?! of squeaky clean efficiency. Vienna sports ing horse drawn vehicles for their everyday four in the morning and we were sleeping in contrast with this, as it is home to some huge Basing ourselves in Stare Mesto, the area a wonderful café culture, coffee served on transportation. a carriage full of people on narrow shelves. skyscrapers and ultra modern buildings. We around the Old Town Square, we explored small silver trays and enough cakes to keep Our quest to find the real Romania Our bunks were about five feet off the floor. used Krakow as a base to go on day trips to all the classic sights, from the chiming of the even the sweetest of teeth happy for sev- achieved, our next task was to find our way We stood in Red Square with the famous on- the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz. The Astrological Clock, to Charles Bridge, com- eral weeks. Austria’s capital also has a large to Kiev. Travelling from capital city to capi- ion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral in front of Salt Mines, one hundred and thirty metres plete with its imposing statues and resident number of museums on offer, but the ulti- tal city is relatively easy, but finding our way us and Lenin’s Mausoleum to the right, not below the ground, are a warren of passage- mate has to be the fantastic Bel- from Maramures onto the direct line to Kiev believing that we’d made it this far. After a ways with many sculptures created by the vedere. The collection is housed was slightly more complicated. We took a three month process to obtain our visas and miners themselves and even a huge chapel, in an old palace, which is beauti- small local train over the border, where I endless hours of travelling, we’d made it to complete with salt chandeliers and salt relief ful, before you even look at the was taken into a side room and interrogated, Russia. paintings on the wall. The most surprising artwork and is set in manicured whilst my travelling companion, Rebecca, Both Moscow and St Petersburg are huge thing was that you can still get mobile phone gardens. The highlight for any art was waived through. Then we took a hot and have large metro systems, decorated un- signal down there! lover must be Gustav Klimt’s ‘The three hour bus journey, which stopped at Our trip encompassed one of the most Kiss’. Bigger and more passionate the worst toilet in Europe, to Mukacheve, Kiev is a large and interesting important sights in recent European history, in real life than any picture post- from where we could catch the overnight city, but a difficult destination Auschwitz or Oswiercim, as it is known to card can do credit to, ‘The Kiss’ is train to Kiev. On this train we had a private the Poles. We took a bus to the site, which a must see in Vienna. compartment with beds, and were brought for travellers. lies an hour and a half away from Krakow. Another day, another country clean sheets and soap. This felt like luxury, Preserved in order that we might learn les- and we moved on to Budapest. but Rebecca came down with a dose of food der Stalin in elaborate styles, from chande- sons from history, Auschwitz is the most Hungary’s capital city was once poisoning and spent most of the night be- liers to mosaics. This makes for a cheap and haunted place I’ve ever visited and the camp two cities, with Buda and Pest ing sick. relatively easy way to explore Europe’s largest has been maintained as a museum and me- divided by the mighty Danube Kiev is a large and interesting city, but a and fourth largest cities. Once again, a work- morial to those who died. Having travelled River. The two are now counted difficult destination for travellers. The infra- ing knowledge of Cyrillic comes in handy. around Eastern Europe, Auschwitz was a as one and views offered from structure for tourists isn’t really set up, with After the huge cities of Russia, Latvia and fitting place to contemplate the history and the connecting bridges are world hostels few and far between. People don’t Lithuania’s capitals, Riga and Vilnius respec- fates of so many of the people and countries class. Budapest even has its own seem to speak much English and even when tively, were lovely little retreats. Both sported we visited. parliament building modelled on you make an effort with the language, cus- pretty Old Towns with lots of little bars and Our final night train took us back to Westminster in London, but be- tomer service is hard to come by. On top of restaurants. We even headed to Majori, a Prague, where we relaxed for a few days, be- ing Eastern Europe, there are a this is the added complication of the Cyrillic beach town near Riga to try and top up our fore flying home. few more gothic spires added on alphabet. Street signs and shop signs are in tans. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t so for good measure. Cyrillic and my guide book map was in the good by the end of August, but Majori is a Our first night train took us Western alphabet. Trying to make the two nice day trip from Riga. In our two nights Emma Dodd St Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow through Transylvania and onto correlate was a nightmare. Despite this, the in Lithuania we managed to try six differ- A Capital Time In Estonia Venice On A

nyone who has been, or knows any- Tallinn is often enjoyed by visi- one who might have been to Esto- tors from Helsinki or Stockholm, Budget nia 10 years ago would speak one who come here to enjoy the This is also (A water boat) cost six euros, and though it Aunanimous piece of advice- don’t go there. cheap beer and the lively atmos- a good way does get crowded, you can see a lot of the city The picture many would paint is an Eastern phere. There are old traditional of finding if you perch yourself at the edge. European country still struggling from its bars in the Old town, all that offer cheap and Beyond wandering the city, Venice has a communist past times and economic hard- good atmosphere and a friendly easy travel wide collection of churches, ranging from ship. A truth that for many post war years environment. The beer house i nsu r anc e ; the enormous St Marks Basilica to the little may have been accurate, today, it is almost is a particularly enjoyable place ten quid ex- unknown church off the shopping street. All the polar opposite . to go, with its own brewery at- tra and it’s all of these can be visited free of charge and each It is a phenomenon many contemporary tached to it, you can experiment included. shows a unique part of Venice’s religious and historians choose to indulge their time in. home-made ale in their overly A half an artistic history. The construction of St Marks What happens after communism? Which large sized mugs/ pitchers! The hour bus ride Basilica is a unique and awe-inspiring story, countries fair better than others? All of New Town is directly adjacent to out of Venice but equally enchanting is the experience which have different outcomes. However if the historic centre and this offers Rachel Eales in Venice took us to of finding a Titian masterpiece in a small you want to experience the living outcome more trendy, modern bars. a charming church in the middle of the city. of a country that has boomed, boomed and Eating is cheap also. You can s a student, you are bound by tradi- little camp- It’s not all art in Venice. For a change boomed once more after communism within eat well for around five to ten pounds. The tion to do everything (or as much as site where we rented a cabin for the week. of scenery, we headed to Lido for the day, the last decade, visit Estonia. cuisine varies like in the UK, and is not really you can) on the cheap. To some this It was little more than a soulless box, com- where the main attraction is the beaches. Ameans holidaying in main land Europe is out To all those geographical Jade Goodies centred around a national eating culture. plete with two beds and walls that were not Having not come prepared for this, half an out there Estonia is located at the very East- Getting to and from the capital is tricky, of the question. As long as you can rough it, sound proofed! But a fourteen euros a night hours sunbathing in my shorts had me cov- ern edge of Europe bordering Russia. Tallinn with direct flights only departing from Lon- you can travel I say. per person, I wasn’t expecting much more. ered in sand (not to mention sunburnt). (its capital) is located in the north facing don Gatwick. Easy Jet now operates daily Without padlocking my wallet, I man- A point to note would be that taking your Venice has the climate for a relaxing holi- Finnish capital Helsinki, and this was to be routs, but at rather awkward times. My ad- aged a week in Venice for about four hun- own tent would knock the price of accom- day (and the beaches if you come prepared) where I resided in my week’s visit. vice is to fly with Estonian Air, you can get a dred pounds in total (and this involved eat- modation down also. But as it stood a week and churches, art galleries and historical To describe the city of Tallinn in a nut- return to Estonia from around £150. As for ing out every night-not the cheapest way to in a cabin cost about a hundred pounds for buildings to satisfy the sightseer in you. shell, I would make comparisons with other accommodation, hotels are plentiful. Hostels do things). The basic, unavoidable expenses the two of us. Don’t eat out every night and avoid the ex- European cities such as Prague, Krakow or are harder to come by, but certainly not im- for my holiday came to about two hundred There are more than enough places to pensive tourist traps (A gondola ride will set Amsterdam. The city has a beautiful Old possible. Try to book in advance to save any pounds, not a lot really. Everything else was visit in Venice, though a liking of renais- you back eighty euros, and they’re not even Town, still in wonderful condition that hassle. an extra. sance art is useful if you don’t want to spend used by Venetians!) and Venice can become borders new multi-storey office blocks and Searching through budget airlines can a fortune. an enchanting cheap break. trendy bars. Drink is certainly the word Jack Peat bring a variety of good deals your way. The The Grand Canal is Venice’s equivalent of of the day when you’re in the centre, and prices vary according to supply and demand; Oxford Street. A single trip on a Vaporetto Rachel Eales even a matter of days can make a difference. Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 10 Star 2007

elcome to THE Bangor page as to which numeric order to are going, simply follow the num- Belle Vue Pub Crawl. To all those take depending on your destination. bers around. The pubs have been Waterloo Inn new to the place, this is Once you have decided where you chosen strategically, enabling you Wyour chance to expe- to experience the main rience what Bangor Rascals drinking parts of the has to offer on a night city. The Crawl should out. Along the way take around two hours you will encounter depending on your own different styles, tra- drinking times. Please ditions and altitudes, remember to drink re- leading you to one of sponsibly and above all the two main night- have a great night! clubs in Bangor. Each pub is numbered and there are explanations www.drinkaware. at the bottom of the co.uk/ Newly refurbished, the Waterloo Inn is per- The Belle Vue is a traditional pub, located in Up- fectly positioned halfway between the Octagon per Bangor. It has two rooms, the first equipped nightclub and Amser /Time. This pub is on a with a pool table and TVs, and the second with side street off the high street next to the Deiniol chairs and food. There is also a nice beer garden, Rascals is a three levelled Bar, with a pool table and table Centre. and good ales served at the bar. 1 football. The beer is extra cold and there are a good selec- 6 tion of cocktail-esque drinks. There is also a large screen for most sporting events. Varsity 5 2 7 Three Crowns

Varsity is a trendy bar located near the centre of town. It has two floors and two levels on the ground floor. It serves food, North Wales’ unique and only full drinks deals and Varsity cards time pub for gays, lesbians, bisexu- are available for extra discount. als and anyone who is ‘attitude free’ It also has a new pool table. Everyone welcome, now in our fifth successful year!

7 Black Bull Harp Inn 1 ST R ST 1 R (Lloyds) ST 2 R ST 6 R

The Harp Inn is a more tradi- 4 5 The local Lloyds bar is located tional, quieter pub. It serves good ST ST R R in an old chapel. With a good ale, as well as superb food. There selection of drinks at a more is a seperate games room upstairs, than reasonable price, and a full and it is a comfortable walk away 3 menu, the Black Bull is typical from the centre of town. 3 Fancy the challenge? Join the SerenST Team on RWednesday 26th September at the of most Lloyds bars. Belle Vue at 7.00pm and we’ll all do THE Pub Crawl together! Then check the pho- 4 tos out in Seren and on our Facebook group. Octagon Nightclub Crawl to Crawl to Time Time/ Amser Nightclub Octagon tart at the Belle Vue and then tart at the Three Crowns pub walk down to Rascals. Contin- near to the Octagon nightclub. ue walking down the same road After the first drink, head up Spast the train station. Turn left before Sto the High Street and call in at the the railway bridge. Have a drink in Waterloo Inn. Then head to the end The Harp (on your right), the Black of the road and take a left, hitting Bull (on your left) and then Varsity Varsity on your left. Continue up the (on your right). Take the same road road to The Black Bull (right) and and veer to the right onto the high- The Harp (left). Walk further down street. Once at the Deniol Centre, the road up to the railway bridge. take a right and enter The Waterloo Take a right there and up the hill. At KEY DEINIOL ROAD KEY LIBRARIESInn outside the entrance. Then head the top go RESIDENCESto the Belle Vue, and then 31 Brambell Numbers in italics indicate the principal location: Archive Serviceback onto 42 the high street, take the head back on yourself to Rascals for left to Octagon, but turn left into the the last drink. Amser/Time night- MENAI BRIDGE 32 Orton Deiniol Library 39 College Road Three Crowns for the last pre-night- club is two minutes walk from there, AWestbury Mount & Wolfson Library 33 Dobbie ACADEMIC Main Library 42 Neuadd John Morris-Jones 57 club drink. straight down the hill. B Craig Mair 34 Adeilad Alun Roberts Agricultural and Forest Sciences 37 Normal Site Library 11 Neuadd Rathbone 56 35 Memorial Biological Sciences 31, 32, 35, 35A Wolfson LibraryNumeric: A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Numeric: 7 6 5 4 3 1 2 NORMAL SITE 35a Adeilad W. Charles Evans Business and Regional Development 45, 48 Ffriddoedd Site 1 Padarn 36 Robinson Chemistry 34 OTHER SERVICES AND FACILITIES Bryn Dinas 23 2 Neuadd Seiriol 36a Porters / Enquiries Communication and Media 45a, 42, 58 Anglican Chaplaincy 63 Cefn-y-Coed 21 3 Neuadd Arfon 37 Thoday Department of Lifelong Learning 59 Argraffdy Menai 7 Elidir 19 4 Bistro2 38 Wheldon Education 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 BioComposites Centre 33 Llys Tryfan 27 5 George Building / Adeilad y George 39 Adeilad Deiniol English 42 Canolfan Bedwyr 46 Neuadd Emrys Evans 26 6 Eifionydd (Site Office) and Rhos 40 Students’ Union History and Welsh History 44 Centre for Arid Zone Studies 37 Neuadd Reichel 17 7Nantlle (Time/Amser & Student Services Centre) Informatics 60 Centre for Social Policy Research & Plas Gwyn 25 8Trefenai Institute of Environmental Science 36 Development 13 Site Reception 22 9 Cilgwyn COLLEGE ROAD Linguistics and English Language 42 CILT Cymru Bangor – Modern Languages Tegfan 24 Modern Languages 42 Regional Centre 42 (3rd floor) Y Borth 20 10 Gymnasium and Sports Hall 41 Adeilad Brigantia 1 & 2 Music 53 Dementia Services Development Centre 13 Y Glyder 22 11 Library 42 Main Building Nursing, Midwifery and Health Studies 30 IDB Ltd 61 12 Hiraethog 43 Penbre and Bryn Afon (also at Wrexham) Information Services (Library and Computing Normal Site 13 Ardudwy 44 Ogwen Psychology 38, 41, 54 Services) A, 11, 30, 39, 42, 60 Neuadd Arfon 3 14 Y Wern 45 Hen Goleg 45a Media Centre Ocean Sciences A, B Institute for Medical and Social Care Research 38 Neuadd Seiriol 2 15 Meirion Radiography Wrexham John Phillips Hall 58 Site Office 6 16 Dinas 46 Aethwy 47 Athrolys Social Sciences 42 Maes Glas (Sports Centre) 18 Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences 5 North Wales Research & Development Support St. Mary’s Site FFRIDDOEDD 48 Adeilad Hugh Owen 49 Alun Theology and Religious Studies 42 Services 13 Bryn Eithin 62 17 Neuadd Reichel Welsh 42 Powis Hall 42 St. Mary’s and Barlows 61 18 Maes Glas (Sports Centre) 50 Dyfrdwy 51 Eryri Prichard-Jones Hall 42 19 Elidir Printing and Binding Unit (Argraffdy Menai) 7 52 Môn ADMINISTRATION 20 Y Borth Academic Registry (Admissions and Student R. S. Thomas Centre (located in Main Library) 42 53 Music 21 Cefn y Coed Records) 42 Students’ Union 40 54 Lloyd Building 22 Glyder / Site Reception Conference Office 28 University Innovation Bangor 34 (9th floor) 54a Caederwen Villa 23 Bryn Dinas Development Trust 47 Welsh National Centre for Religious Education 15 55 Caederwen 24 Tegfan External Affairs 47 56 Neuadd Rathbone 25 Plas Gwyn / Bistro1 Estates Department 28 CATERING AND SOCIAL FACILITIES i University Reception Desk 26 Neuadd Emrys Evans 57 Neuadd John Morris Jones Finance Office 55 Bistro1 25 27 Llys Tryfan 58 Neuadd John Phillips Human Resources 43 Dylan’s Coffee Shop 42 P UWB Parking (Entry card required) 28 Ffriddoedd Bar Student Recruitment Unit 47 Ffriddoedd Bar 28 DEAN STREET P 28 Estates Department 59 Department of Lifelong Learning Residential Services 28 Bistro2 4 Public Pay and Display Parking 28 Croeso Welcome Bangor 60 School of Informatics Registrar 42 Oswald’s Restaurant and Conference Centre 29 29 Oswalds / Bryn Haul Occupational Health and Safety Unit 43 Terrace Bar 42 i ST. MARY’S Student Services Centre (Accommodation, Centre Students’ Union 40 FFRIDDOEDD ROAD 61 St. Mary’s – Main Building for Careers and Opportunities, Counsellors and 30 Fron Heulog 62 Bryn Eithin Welfare) 40 i Information correct at time of printing Translation Unit 46 Vice-Chancellor 42 Star 2007 11

sk any student what they think life wouldThe be like without the Internet before? Life At the end of last term I was faced Machinewith the difficult task of helping the chance to buy everything for next to nothing. It is a haven for vintage and their answer will be similar to asking what life would be like to organise a surprise party for a friend’s 21st and this would have been im- and designer junkies alike and you can even find this season’s high street without their mobile phone, or right hand. In truth, life wardrobes for a fraction of the price. I’m not ashamed to ad- Awithout the Internet is now simply unimaginable – we use it to mit that the dress I wore to last year’s Summer Ball was an eBay keep in touch with our friends (both real and virtual), for work, find and a serious bargain at only £14! Furthermore, Internet coursework, banking, shopping, downloading music, watching shopping doesn’t just save your purses; it also saves your feet. I’d television programmes…the Internet is our portal to the rest of recommend Tesco’s online service to anyone who will listen to the world, making it possible for a student from the tiny city of me for long enough as not only does it avoid walking from Mor- Bangor beat a Las Vegas millionaire at poker or slay a Japanese risons laden down with heavy shopping bags cutting your hands whiz-kid on World of Warcraft. It is now a vital component in our to ribbons, but it’s also much cheaper. It gives you the chance to lives and the proclivity of internet access around Bangor – broad- carefully review your weekly purchases rather than just making band in nearly every student home, wireless internet in most halls impulse buys and lets you avoid the cake aisle – a saviour for di- of residence and University computer rooms all over the city – eters too! I personally choose Internet grocery shopping though clearly reinforces this fact. because it allows me to argue with my boyfriend in the privacy A life without Internet is a life without Google. Imagine not possible without Facebook. Invitations were secretly sent out to everyone of my own home, rather than publicly shout at each other in being able to type in your desired word and receive thousands of results to on his friends list and the party was a huge success, with the birthday boy the aisles over whether Hovis is better than Warburton’s. Probably saved our choose from! Instead you’d be faced with the task of trawling through books completely clueless about the whole event. relationship. to find out what you want. Google is now our Yellow Pages, our thesauruses, But the Internet is not just useful for students’ playtime, it is also an es- But be warned as it is easy to get carried away with Internet shopping dictionaries and encyclopaedias. When was the last time you decided to sential work tool. Wikipedia has become a fundamental resource for anyone – simply clicking the mouse to buy goods is much more pain free than ac- rummage through the phone book for a number instead of quickly Googling wanting to know anything about, well, anything. As a history student, the in- tually handing over hard cash and this can lead to you buying much more it? Or chose to use a dictionary rather than spell checking your word? I bet ternet is vital for my research as it provides access to primary sources which than you usually would. An old housemate of mine was nicknamed ‘Circuits’ it was quite a long time ago. Internet search engines such as Google have would otherwise be near impossible to locate, and journal databases such as because of the abundance of electrical gadgets in his room purchased over replaced manual searches, saving an infinite amount of time and effort. JSTOR supply thousands of online essays on almost every subject. However, the Internet. Although I’m sure he found many uses for his spare monitors What about all those social networking sites? Websites such as mySpace, it is extremely important when using the internet to assist your work to avoid and DJ decks he was still quite upset when he totalled up his online spending Facebook and Bebo provide us all with the chance to socialise with minimum plagiarism. Submitting online essays or copying and pasting paragraphs into after three university years and it reached well over £1400. You have been effort while being subtly bombarded with countless amounts of advertise- your work and passing it off as your own will lead to severe consequences, warned. ments and band promotions. A quick look on mySpace and Facebook shows from receiving a zero for that module and having to re-sit it, to having your Then there are the hordes of multimedia entertainment available on the 3,266 members of the Bangor University mySpace network and 3,774 mem- whole degree taken off you. Lecturers are well trained in knowing whether or world wide web as access to games, music, films and television programmes bers of the Bangor University Facebook network, which demonstrates just not work is original and certainly take no prisoners on this matter. are now at our fingertips. Although it is a controversial issue, downloading how integral the Internet is to Bangor students’ social lives. I’m sure many of The Bangor library website is also a favourite for all students as it not only music is undoubtedly cheaper and easier than buying CDs. It also gives us you would have found it very difficult keeping in touch with each other over offers a comprehensive catalogue of all its material but also the access to music that would have been extremely difficult to find down the lo- the long summer without the aid chance to reserve and renew items without leaving the comfort cal record store. Online television is the perfect solution to us students who of such websites of your bedroom (or having to tackle that hill). I’m sure I’m not would never dream of being able to afford those costly Sky subscriptions, I and I can the only one who has narrowly avoided hefty fines by renewing even hear that there is some Japanese website that screens all of the English o n l y soon-to-be-overdue books online. There is also Bangor Black- Premiership games board, which lecturers use to display lecture notes. This makes live (although this it handy to catch up on any lectures you may have missed or not is without the Eng- quite focused your full attention on. It’s important to remember, lish commentary). though, that Blackboard is not a replacement for attending lectures, The Internet even and I’m certainly not advising you to miss them in place of catching gives us the chance up on notes online, especially as Blackboard is nowhere near used by to be media stars – all lecturers. YouTube makes the dreams of those who im- That brings us to every girl’s favourite pastime: shopping. We used to always wanted to be agine how comforting Facebook has been to be confined to trailing round our local stores, trying to get that perfect on television reality freshers worrying about making friends in the new semester. The ‘Off to outfit, that essential textbook or our weekly groceries whilst being seri- as a new online ce- Bangor Sept 07!’ Facebook group is currently up to 400 members and Tom ously limited to the choice available in our area. Anyone who has spent lebrity is born every- Potter, one of the officers of the group, has found it very helpful: “The group’s long enough in Bangor will know that its small selection of shops doesn’t day with the a simple definitely reassured me. It’s pure excitement, I’m nowhere near as daunted exactly offer the widest choice and we all know what that brings: hitting video upload. as I was in April when I had to choose the Uni”. Fellow officer, Elizabeth a club in your newly-purchased togs only to discover that someone else The Internet offers Mullins, believes that Facebook is great for new students because “you real- is wearing it. Or finding that the last available copy of your course book us everything and more. It is the antidote to students’ boredom, the answer ise everyone else is worrying about the same things as you are, from them is being sold at some extortionate price. Luckily, the Internet has massively to coursework difficulties, the key to monetary issues, the resolution to social discussing on the wall and discussion boards”. The group has even organised broadened our shopping horizons: Amazon is the saviour of students’ read- problems to the point where there doesn’t seem to be anything a quick click a night of drinking on the Saturday night of freshers’ week, which I’m sure ing list budgets as it offers an immense selection of textbooks at cut prices. of the mouse can’t solve. Technology saves us time and effort, making the will be an excellent introduction to Bangor life. Facebook has its other uses Plus, when you’ve finished your course the website provides the chance to Internet essential to us lazy students. as well; as why waste phone credit to organise a night out when you can just sell the books on and make back a bit of your cash. leave a quick message on someone’s wall instead? And what about the morn- The auction site and internet super-giant eBay offers us even further op- Emma Dixon ing after, laughing at the photos documenting the drunken antics of the night portunities to shelter our overdrafts from too much of a battering as it gives BANGOR UNIVERSITY - GREEN UP YOUR ACT! The top 10 ‘Green House’ facts on reen issues seem to be the top of everyone’s agenda these days. We’re recycling and the environment: all encouraged to recycle, use less electricity, open a green bank ac- count, throw green parties, and generally lead greener lives. UCAS (Source: The Green parent website). announcedG findings earlier this year that suggested that students who gradu- Each year in Britain, we throw away 28 million tonnes of rubbish from ated with the top degrees ended up working for companies with the best our homes. This weighs the same as three and a half million double decker policies on green issues. So what about universities? If students are becom- buses. A queue of buses that long would go around the world one and a 1half times. ing more conscious of the environment and making decisions about their careers with this in mind, surely A-level students applying to universities will You can make 20 cans out of recycled material with the same amount of also take this into consideration. energy it takes to make one new one. For the first time, The Green League – a league table of one hundred and 2The UK produces 420 million tonnes of solid waste every year. That’s the twenty universities throughout the UK - has been published by People and Planet in order to provide a transparent way to compare individual institu- weight of 5 cars for each person every year. We only recycle 11% of it. tions on their green practices. Easily available to prospective students, The 3Incinerating 10,000 tonnes of waste creates 1 job, landfill the same amount Green League is a way that universities can impress and attract new stu- dents,.So how does Bangor fair? Other offshoots of the University of Wales of waste creates 6 jobs, but recycling the same 10,000 tonnes creates 36 are up near the top, with Newport at number twenty two and Swansea at jobs. 4In just over a week, we produce enough rubbish to fill Wembley stadium. twenty seven. Bangor University shares position sixty with five other institutions. Ex- Over half of that waste can be recycled. (Source: DETR). actly halfway down the list of one hundred and twenty universities. “So we’re 5Every tonne of paper recycled saves 17 trees. mediocre, at least we’re not right at the bottom”, you could say and there are a few stars next to our name. Most notable is the star for ‘full time en- vironmental staff’. Let’s hope that those staff are given the support of the 6Every year in the UK we use 13 billion steel cans which if you placed them University in order to implement environmental changes to move us further up the table. After all, who aims for mediocrity in their university career? It’s end to end, would stretch to the moon - three times! (Source: Steel Can up to current and future students to demand better environmental standards Recycling Information Bureau). 7The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle is enough to power a from our University. So, as usual, it’s all about league tables. And surely this is one that Bangor light bulb for four hours. (Source www.practicalhelp.org.uk). should be trying to climb to the top of. After all, we offer Conservation de- 8Recycling one plastic bottle can save the same amount of energy needed grees and are set in rural North Wales with plenty of worthy countryside to conserve right on our doorstep. to power a 60-watt lightbulb for six hours. (Source: Recoup). 9 We use over six billion glass bottles and jars each year. It would take Emma Dodd you over three and a half thousand years to sing “Six Billion Green 10Bottles”! 12 Star 2007 PUZZLES, POSERS + PROBLEMS Win yourself a fantastic SEREN PINT GLASS (or 3!)!!! FACTive First, the hard part. Complete the X-Word, the Sudoku, or Both the Greek salad “Taramasalata” and the Turkish answer the questions - or you can do all three! Next, fill in football club “Galatasaray” have your name and Bangor Uni e-mail address and hand this the letter “a” as every other letter page in to reception at the Students’ Union. Alternatively, of their names. you can e-mail your answers to [email protected]. Compiled by John Jackson Winners, selected at random from correct entries, ac.uk. Koalas live almost entirely on ACROSS will be awarded by 30/10/07. eucalyptus leaves which are low in 1. Seren’s audience. 1. What name is given to a strip of land surrounded on 3 sides by water? protein, highly indigestible and toxic to 6. ___mail,___smoker,___letter? most other animals. itive 2. What type of vehicle is a Chinese 7. Deviant sexual practices! 1 inQUIZ junk? Koalas have a very low metabolic rate 8. Time Lord’s favourite flower. YOUR ANSWERS 2 3. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in and rest motionless for approximately 9. “Do, or do not, there is no try”.enCRYPTive X-Word 20 hours every day. 1. 1989 for his non-violent resistance to 10. Silent swan. 1 2 3 4 China? 12. Cipher. 2. 4. The larvae of which beetle feed on the 5 16. Dark brown pigment. excrement of mammals? 3 SERENoku 17. Plunder a firearm. 3. 6 7 5. Which Scottish football club is known 18. Swimming. 4. as the ‘Accies’? 9 7 2 DOWN 6. Which actor/comedian/broadcaster 5. 1 4 5 2 1. English Serens. 8 9 9 wrote the novel “Making History”? 2. Sounds like one should work 6. 7. What is the oppposite of the medical for a dead vase. 11 condition alkalosis? 6 2 8 3. Moose. 7. 8. Which actress played Cindy Beale in 10 11 9 Across 12 13 3 6 4. Latin American ‘pop’ dance. EastEnders? 8. 5. Helicopter maple. 14 15 9. Which Danish singer had a UK No1 9 2 4 7 1 6. Hard grey metal. 9. with “Saturday Night” in 1994? 11. Indian percussion. 16 17 10. What word describes the change 10. 1 5 13. Like Legolas. in state of a substance from a gas to a liquid? 14. Killer whale. 11. 11. What does a bibliophile collect? 1 6 8 15. Star Trek’s Deanna, not 18 12. Who didn’t begin life on Sesame the wooden horse venue. 12. Street, a)Big Bird, b)Kermit the Frog, c) 7 6 5 4 Cookie Monster, or d) Gonzo? Name:...... Bangor Uni E-mail:...... 8 5 7 Seren’s Radio Times Storm Forecast [email protected] Bangor’s Student Sound 87.7FM MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

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FILM IN BANGOR Film ello to all the new students, and However, Theatr Gwynedd (next to the those on a budget. Make sure you check out welcome back everyone else! Here Students’ Union) do show the occasional the latest deals so you can get the most for on the film side of things, we’re film. If you are more of a foreign film buff your money. Hcarrying on with what seems to be a pretty (and more power to you), they tend to show Independent DVD rental is a bit of a Cinema decent formula (well, I never had any com- a wide variety of arthouse and the more tricky one. Situated at the end of the high plaints last year). So, our aim is to continue commercial film. Student price is £4.50 and street are Bargain Booze and Dominic’s. to bring you a variety of film and DVD re- early booking is encouraged, especially since Both rent DVDs out at affordable prices, WIN! Tickets views, along with some editorial views on you save about 50p. and may well be worth a trip out, especially the film landscape of today. if you just fancy stretching your legs! Now, I realise that films are probably the DVD As for purchasing, you can go to HMV, last thing on your mind, freshers. But as is But the cinema is not for everyone; some- Woolworths and WHSmiths. Cob Records the case with any new place you go to, it is times a DVD can be the perfect solution to and Summit Games have a fairly decent se- 9 7 2 worth having a bit of knowledge on your side a free couple of hours, or just a fun night in lection of second hand discs, so be sure to in case of a boring/free/wasteful evening or with your mates. The JCR at your halls of look around! 1 4 5 2 day that you have at your disposal! Bangor residence should have a decent range of films Have a great Freshers’ Week, and a suc- is not exactly a huge, bustling metropolis of which can be booked out after a deposit for cessful year! 6 2 8 artful exuberance, but there are simple ways the night. But if their range just isn’t enough, of catching up on the latest films. Blockbuster on Caernarfon Road has all the latest films in to rent. It is free to join, but Ian Davies 3 6 CINEMA the prices can be a bit expensive especially to 9 2 4 7 1 Alas, Bangor’s only “proper” cinema was n addition to our feature on entertain- Ghostbuster.) knocked down just over a year ago, so if ment in and around Bangor, Cineworld Email your answer to [email protected]. 1 5 a night at the pictures is your plan for the Llandudno Junction have kindly donat- ac.uk. The closing date is 5th October, with evening, find someone who drives, or hop Ied a pair of passes for you to enjoy any film the winner being announced on the website 1 6 8 on a train to Llandudno Junction. There you you wish. and contacted via email. will find the Cineworld multiplex, which is To win the pair, all you have to do is an- Good luck! 7 6 5 4 about a three minute walk from the station. swer this tricksy question: Parking is usually worry free, and you will Who plays Seth Rogen’s father in the find a selection of the latest major films for summer hit Knocked Up? (Hint: Intelligent 8 5 7 your viewing pleasure. NUS price is £4.90, with tickets on Bargain Tuesday a decent £4. If you are likely to be an avid cinema goer, it is worth getting an Unlimited Card, priced at £11.99 per month. And when I say unlim- ited, I mean UNLIMITED! Unfortunately, THE APATOW that might mean a trip to Chester to actually apply for one, but check if your local Cine- world sells them next time you are home. EFFECT he odds are that most of you will have seen the sublime Knocked Up by now, which is probably my favourite film Tof the year so far. And as I stated in my Sum- SUMMER ROUNDUP mer Roundup, I honestly feel that the film ’m not sure what to make of this year’s ably reached new levels of absurdity, the dislike this even more, there was plenty cements Apatow’s status as a genuine talent, summer season. On the one hand, there chemistry between the cast kept things flow- for those of us who have enjoyed Bourne’s and any projects with his name attached are was plenty to see, perhaps too much. But ing along smoothly, and created one of the search for his identity thus far. Easily the sure to be, at the very least, entertaining. A Ihow much of it was actually worth seeing in more fun experiences at the multiplex this best trilogy closer of the year. cursory look at his filmography highlights the end? I saw just about every major release, summer. some of the fantastic projects he has been thanks to too much free time and a general Knocked Up involved with, almost a grail of pop culture weakness to anything that the marketing ex- Transformers 1 excellence. But where should you start with perts managed to make look remotely enjoy- 3 I can’t think his output? able. So here are the five films that made this N o t h i n g of another Freaks and Geeks is one of those oft-la- silly season bearable: about this film film of recent mented cancelled-before-its-time television should have times which shows from the turn of the century. And that Surf’s Up worked. From has managed is not an over-statement in any way, shape 5 toy license, to to pack as or form. Freaks is one of the smartest high Most of us casting, to di- much heart, school comedies of recent times, and as is which was quite frankly terrible. Next year balked at the rection to the warmth and the case with a lot of Apatow’s writing, full however, we get to see Seth Rogen and James prospect of a bloody script! good feeling of believable characters, camaraderie and Franco (both Freaks and Geeks alumni) team wisecracking, But when into a film, heart. The show focuses on the Weir family, up for the stoner comedy The Pineapple Ex- surfing pen- a film just whilst simul- and their respective children’s experiences in press which sees a dealer and his main cus- guin, and in plainly revels t a n e o u s l y school amongst the titular freaks and geeks. tomer go on the run after witnessing a mur- many respects in its own idi- grossing us Its 1980s setting is captured remarkably well, der. Apatow is producing that, along with another ani- ocy, how can out and hav- and never descends into parody at any time. romantic comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall mated talking you not help ing us falling The show only lasted 18 episodes, but it is (starring Russell Brand! Eek!) animal movie but be enter- about on the probably one of the most well-developed That was an all-too-brief run through, full stop. That’s tained? Oh, and robots fighting is a pretty floor laughing. Apatow’s follow-up toThe 40 canons in recent times. Smarting from the granted. But hopefully you have some a shame, be- awesome sight in any scenario. Year Old Virgin cements his status as your failure of the show, Apatow followed it up idea just how crucial Judd Apatow is to cause this was go to man for comedy today (check out the with Undeclared, taking some of the cast film comedy at this moment in time. I a witty, smart feature nearby on his career so far) and has members from Freaks and placing them in honestly do think he has yet to make and incredibly funny film, thanks mainly The Bourne created a film for the ages. a modern day college situation. The show his masterpiece, but after Knocked Up, to the documentary approach used. We will 2 Ultimatum fared even worse than Freaks, with only 15 I don’t think it will be that long a wait. all probably get a little sick of Shia Lebouef Compiling the list, I just couldn’t help but out of the 17 produced episodes making it before long (he appears twice on this list), There were far think how disappointing a lot of the rest of on air in America. Ian Davies so enjoy one of his funnier moments voic- too many three- the films were. Of course, we should know So, despite television treating the Apatow ing Cody. quels this year better seeing as it’s, well, summer. But I would produced shows like a disease, the film world for my liking. rather have a year just showing Knocked Up has been far kinder to him so far. We can Ocean’s 13 And although repeatedly rather than having to endure thank him for the brilliance that is Anchor- 4 this is the sec- dross like Evan Almighty or Rush Hour 3 man and Talladega Nights, having played an 01248 For my sins, I do not think there has been ond one to again. But awards season is just around the active part in getting those films made. And one bad film in this trilogy. For a fun, jovial appear on the corner, and it looks to be a promising crop. of course, in no way can you ignore The 40 362121 and just plain cool caper, you cannot beat list, it fully de- My tip for awards glory next year? Eastern Year Old Virgin, which I honestly feel gets 8yh-8yb : 8pm-8am the Ocean films. Whilst the disguises prob- serves its place Promises, which re-teams Viggo Mortensen funnier with every viewing. He has a knack on there. Paul and the always fascinating David Cronen- for developing talent, as we’ve seen with Ste- Greengrass’ di- berg. Email me with what you are looking ve Carell (who was best known before then rection is noth- forward to over the coming year, and I’ll try for his Daily Show appearances and the only nawddgwasanaeth gwybodaeth nos a gwrando ing but confident, exciting and assured, and to put up a chart. And as always, e-mail me funny 90 seconds of Bruce Almighty) and Matt Damon has never looked better in the with your cinema and DVD reviews! now Seth Rogen, who is set to be huge. To role that has made him an action superstar. date, his only real misfire both creatively and Whilst those who disliked the non-stop commercially is his screenplay for Fun With nightlisteningline & information service camera motion of Supremacy will probably Ian Davies Dick and Jane, the 2005 Jim Carrey remake 14 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 The Go! Team: Proof of Youth he Go! Team certainly have a busy Team have reached their goal and the album month this September as not only is is a celebration of this. In political terms, the band releasing their new album, Thunder Lighting Strike was their electoral Music TProof Of Youth, but they are also set to rock campaign whereas Proof Of Youth is their universities down to their foundations by first political broadcast in power. This clearly headlining this year’s NME Freshers’ Tour makes Universal Speech the band’s inaugural Behind the scenes: which hits Bangor on Tuesday 2nd October. address and with it’s principle message being The Go! Team are notorious for making irre- “shake your body to the ground” then some- sistible music that you simply cannot refuse one should definitely make Ninja president. With DJ Grimlock to dance to and as their last album, Thun- Quickly. ’m the Head DJ at Bangor’s premier (well, with Time and Academi covering a wide festi- der Lightning However, The Go! THE SCENE IS NOT DEAD! only) indie night, Trash, in Academi, range of music in clubs. Trash is obviously vals! I’m Strike, heavily Team also demon- which is held at the Students’ Union bar my favourite, but apart from that I do enjoy rather featured in the strate a more tender Ion Wednesday nights. I play anything that the raves organised by French Mike at Hen- enjoying soundtrack of side on this album, will make you dance: indie to emo, new rave dre Hall and Time is always good fun on a the electro my first year, I with songs such as to grunge - you name it, we’ll probably play Monday; nice and cheap with cheesy music at the mo- am intrigued ‘My World’ and ‘I it. I would like to think that I keep all the aplenty. There’s something quite satisfying ment so this as to wheth- Never Needed It Now indie people in Bangor dancing, and count- about hearing 500 people all chanting along year I promise to play lots of bass with er Proof Of So Much’ showing the ing down to the next Trash. I’d like to think to the Baywatch theme... beat. You can also expect to hear the great Youth can do fragility of the band I play some things that people haven’t heard It’s a shame we don’t get many live acts lyrics of The Cure, Stone Roses, Rolling the same in and the sensitivity that before that they really enjoy, as often after here. I think the main problem is money. In stones, Oasis and other oldies besides, songs my third. is present after all the songs I get people coming to me asking for my first year I went to see Goldie Lookin’ that you’ll drunkenly sway along to leaning By simply fanfares and handclaps the band and name of the song. Chain which was well worth watching as it against your mates shoulder! looking at the track listing it is clear that die down. The latter is juxtaposed with the I’m into all sorts, I’m just a music fan. I was such a cross between a comedy act and a My new music recommendations have to Proof Of Youth is much more politicised than explosive ‘Flashlight Fight’ which aggres- enjoy indie and electro primarily but I do fairly competent hip hop group! And anyone be Crystal Castles, you should also be the band’s previous offerings. Opening track sively commands you to get up now and listen to a fair bit of hip hop, drum and bass who went couldn’t forget the time Towers of on the look out for Late of the Pier, I saw and first single from the album Grip Like a displays the bands ferocity. This makesProof and metal! On my mp3 player right now London came on stage and five minutes in, them at Leeds and they just blew me away. Vice has clear feminist sentiments, with lyr- Of Youth a very varied album. Although it is I’ve got things like Dr. Dre, Klaxons, Stone the lead singer broke his leg by climbing on The Bumblebeez are good for a bit of funk ics proclaiming: “It’s a woman’s world…girls undeniable that The Go! Team’s main aim Roses, Pendulum, Deftones, and a whole lot the scaffolding. A little known secret is that electro as is Chromeo. But I think the biggest are you with us?” which make the inevitable is to make us dance, this album has proven more besides! despite all of the band’s bravado, it was still recommendation I can give is The Teenagers, Le Tigre comparisons overtly obvious. Sec- that there is more to them than just a quick I come from Manchester where there is his mum who came to pick him up.... their remix of Simian Mobile Disco’s ‘It’s The ond track Doing It Right (the Ladyflash of stint in the disco. Despite wishing to prove to a huge music scene so it’s not really fair to This year I’m looking forward to play- Beat’ has been my biggest summer song. the album) is a perfect display of what The us their youth, The Go! Team have actually compare it to Bangor. Despite its size, there ing to a new crowd of people, to getting my Emma Dixon Go! Team do best: celebrating for no reason shown us their maturity whilst still main- is a very lively and varied music scene here degree (hopefully) and some more summer whilst having the utmost of confidence in taining their original charm. themselves. Proof Of Youth is an album of Emma Dixon Kanye West – Graduation an assertive and established band – The Go! anye West is no chump. An accom- a school musical and, dare I say it, smacks plished producer before he became of Live8. You can’t help but cringe as Martin Wheatus Take an artist, Kanye achieved his cur- croons “Baby do you remember when / Fire- rentK status as ‘the face of hip-hop’ through works at Lake Michigan / Maybe we could Bangor By Storm a knowledge and awareness of the music start again.” Or perhaps just forget the whole industry which is second to none. And a idea, eh guys? Lyrically, it seems the same very year the organisers of the Sum- low sunglasses, to the ‘percussionist’ with televised rant about the shortcomings of things are continuing to get Kanye’s goat. mer Ball face the difficult task of find- his weird hair and pineapple-playing antics. the American president. But mostly it’s the Both ‘Stronger’ and ‘Everything I Am’ are ing acts that are within the budget, The banter he provided us with had just as Elikely to please, and willing to play the mod- little sanity as his appearance, as Brendan in- music thing. Graduation, West’s third album, sticks-and-stones retorts to West’s “haters”. is riddled with futuristic synthesizers and The album’s more poignant moments in- est venue of Bangor University, which, let’s formed us that he had degrees and PhDs in retro 80s flamboyance, and fits in nicely with clude ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’, which revisits face it, hardly has the coolest of reputations. almost any subject that you could name; and what is considered ‘cool’ these days. New the subject of West’s faith, and the unwhole- This summer’s Ball in particular had a lot to that he had a lot in common with us Welsh, single ‘Stronger’ epitomises this new brand some distractions that compromise that make up for as 2006 left a shameful legacy in as he had Irish relatives. He performed for of ‘synth-hop’, sampling electro-Godfathers faith. No prizes for guessing the inspiration the form of a no-show from Fatman Scoop us a very random B-side from long ago, and Daft Punk. Sure, Busta Rhymes first sampled of ‘Drunk’ and ‘Hot Girls’, which finds Kanye and a performance from one-hit wonders regularly requested whisky throughout the the French duo in 2006 on ‘Touch It’, but it at his scornful best. Bodyrockers, and instead needed to match- session, all of which made me think that would appear that anything Busta can do, “This is my dissertation” exclaims Kanye up to two years ago when the mighty Super- Brendan had, well, kind of lost it. Despite grass left the University reeling with wonder this he was very funny and friendly, speaking Kanye can do quite a lot better. in opener ‘Good Morning’. If this is the case, But the highlight may be ‘Flashing Lights’, over their extensive catalogue of crowd- to everyone in the room individually with a Graduation is blessed with a whole host he might have made an excellent Bangor Peer a laid back, stripped back, synth and strings friendly hits. distinct lack of ‘celebrity’ air about him. He of releasable material, and the ‘skits’ which Guide, because once again Kanye has passed call and response, over which West and guest So what was the organisers’ answer? The spoke about the band with a certain sense of have irritatingly blighted Kanye’s previous with flying colours. With ‘College Dropout’, vocalist Dwele’s vocal styles are contrasted once credible mod/ska/indie group who are pride in his voice, and was particularly en- records have been omitted this time around. ‘Late Registration’, and ‘Graduation’ out of just as effectively. Even an unwelcome intru- now more likely to ‘grace’ the cover of OK thusiastic to talk about the current line-up, ‘Champion’ and ‘Good Life’ are at once clas- the way, we now eagerly await ‘Unemploy- sion by a yodelling Chris Martin can’t detract magazine than NME, The Ordinary Boys; which includes females and, unfortunately, sical and original songs. ‘Barry Bonds’ is a ment’. Sorry, couldn’t resist that one. from the quality of this album. The Coldplay Green Dayz, a wittily named Green Day no longer features that man who plays the dark delight and features the filthiest (and frontman’s tinkling of the ivories in ‘Home- Alex Farley tribute band; and Wheatus. Yes, that’s right, pineapple. therefore the best) bass line on the album. coming’ sounds like the closing number of that band who did that song about that film Wheatus delivered a great set. They were and then they did that cover of that song fully aware that everyone was there to hear from the 80’s which wasn’t as good. Bet you them play ‘Teenage Dirtbag’, as they teased Newton Faulkner - Hand Built By Robots thought they’d long gone. But no, this sum- the crowd several times with the opening mer they came back and played the Bangor bars of the song. Despite not being given his summer’s most-played hit is the first to admit that sequenc- Summer Ball, ready to once again turn us all the headline slot, Wheatus gave a memo- fifth track on the long haired guitar- ers and digital reverb plugins into Teenage Dirtbags. Not only was I lucky rable show and certainly earned their huge ist, Newton Faulkner’s new album, have got so much better re- enough to catch them play at the ball, but applause. I’m sure that anyone who hears THand Built By Robots. Finally, something cently, however, they really also to sit in on an interview and live acous- ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ will now instantly think of has replaced Maroon 5 and the Kooks as the don’t need to be used on mel- tic performance from Brendan B Brown, the the Summer Ball and be flooded with great sound of summer! low tracks such as this. In my lead singer of the band, for Bangor’s Storm Bangor memories, so well done to the or- Faulkner seemed to appear on the scene opinion artists such as New- FM. ganisers of 2007, you have been forgiven for just after this year’s awesome, exceptionally ton Faulkner shouldn’t need One of the most memorable features of Fatman Scoop! muddy Glastonbury festival. And rightly so: any ‘extra bits’ such as drum Wheatus has to be their eccentric appear- at first sight you would expect some ‘hippi- machines to make an album Emma Dixon ance, from the lead singer’s trademark yel- fied’ tunes, but his playing really is outstand- stand out. Sadly, maybe it says ing. I was lucky enough to see him play live a something about today’s pop few years ago at an acoustic gig. When I saw culture that these tools, along the album was out I have to admit I did go with nauseating reverb and out and buy it straight away. At first listening phasing effects, are needed in I did find it fairly appealing. However, the order to make an artist suc- original charm that attracted me to the mu- cessful and able to compete in sic of Faulkner and the magic of his acoustic the mainstream. gigs doesn’t really follow through onto disc. However, as an album Newton Faulkner is an incredibly talent- it really is pulled together ed musician, and one of the really exciting by the formidable talent of things is his acoustic material. It just blows Faulkner and that does (all the mind away and doesn’t sound feasible said and done) shine through. from one single musician. If you are ever With an exceptional album of lucky enough to hear ‘Teardrop’ live then well tied-together tunes what you really are in for a treat, but unfortunate- can we expect from Newton ly this just doesn’t seem to carry through Faulkner in the future? onto the album. It’s a shame that Brightside Records and the producer decided to put some truly awful computerised drum beat Pete Banks over the top of almost every track. I am the Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 15

Live music THE SCENE IS returnsNOT to the DEAD! Union this year Do you remember the days when you had to prospect of decent bands coming to hum- we have the NME Freshers’ Tour visiting And if you’re not satisfied with bag- come travel a few hours away to places like Man- ble Bangor for only £5 a ticket there was a Bangor University on October 2nd, just ging two of the best British bands around This is the year live music in Bangor, chester and Birmingham just to be able to distinct lack of actual people turning up to a week into the new term. Indie fans with today, the Ents team have truly outdone nay the whole of North Wales, gets a rugby see a few decent live bands once in a while? watch them. The gigs failed to break even lots of dancing energy will be grateful that themselves with the booking of none other distance kick in the right direction. Just re- This was the case for students in Bangor and the future of live music in Bangor be- comes in the form of The Go! Team and Op- than the American indie darlings We Are member, if you want it to keep this way then for the most part of the last academic year, came a bleak prospect. As much as we al- erator Please. The prospect of a tour as big Scientists (Nov 29th). Imagine someone we all need to support these gigs and buy with the only exceptions being the strong ways want to blame the University for these as NME is really quite exciting, and Bangor telling you a year ago that they would play the tickets. I can confidently say on behalf Summer Ball line-up of Wheatus and The Shortcomings though, it was often down to seems to be a rather strange choice amongst Bangor. You’d say that they were completely of past and present students, these opportu- Ordinary Boys. Years before that, the only the student’s interest and it was by all means the other, more high profile, universities. mad and you couldn’t be friends with them nities don’t come often, and if we want them sniff we got off any real music was national our own fault. The scope of interest, how- So how do they top that one off? Radio 1 anymore, nothing personal. Maybe you’d back, we had better make the most of it. Be- stars Goldie Lookin Chain’ and pop solo ever, does seem to have taken a turn for favourites The Pigeon Detectives play Ban- still say that today, but you just need to go to sides, how often are you going to get quality revival Rachel Stevens... many would have the best. Nights such as Trash have become gor November 9th, just a month apart. The www.wearescientists.com to see for yourself bands right on your own doorstep? just gone without thanks all the same! a huge hit over the last year, and the gen- Leeds lads have charmed us all with their that it’s absolutely true. These giants of rock Lee John Howson It has been speculated that the reason eral sweep of interest towards indie has also high profile album Wait for me. Described n roll will undoubtedly be able to leave their for this lack of bands coming our way was seemed to blow our way. as being one of the best crowd pleasers of mark on the Bangor scene for quite some largely due to the failings of ‘Trash Live’ the Although, as those with their ears to the 21st Century they a renowned for lit- time, and are a sure sign of big things to year before last. This was a fortnightly event the ground will know, this year is about to erally blowing the roof off any venue they where up-and-coming bands just starting become a very different story altogether. To enter. to make a name for themselves would play start proceedings off in style at Bangor’s TIME venue. Even with the Mr Scruff The Go! Team Pigeon We Are Leo from Detectives The Streets Scientists

THIS YEAR’S FESTIVALS erformance-wise, the highlight of there was a great drum and bass tent which you reactions are too slow? Well we invented the Fresh Prince by crawling into their tents up and a person was pulling a sledge quite the festival for me was Interpol. They me and my mates went to for a bit of a rave new, more manly ways of playing, the details and doing them a rendition. To my dying casually that seemed to be filled with toilet opened with ‘Pioneer to the Falls’ up one night. Whilst we were happily raving of which I can’t quite go into here. After we day I will always remember one guy passed paper....On closer inspection we realised it whichP actually made me shed a tear. I like to away the power cut out across the red camp- got bored of that we ended singing the ob- out in his tent waking up to a bunch of 20 was a guy totally mummified in toilet paper, think it was due to the beauty of Paul Banks’ site, cutting the music. Disaster? Never! Some ligatory drunk version of ‘Bohemian Rhap- people crowded round him singing Fresh singing muffled songs to himself....An inter- voice but it might just have been the copi- ingenious person inspiringly bought out a sody’, which actually prompted a crowd. We Prince, with him obviously recovering from esting weekend to say the least. ous amounts of alcohol I had consumed by game of ‘Twister’, but after only two minutes craved more music so some bright spark something screaming, “Get away, arghhh, that time. we realised we were all too drunk for it, so started playing ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ stop it!” Tom Hulme Outside the main arena there was much instead out came the drink shocking game. theme tune – Huzzah! A karaoke was born! The randomness didn’t stop there as on more fun to be had as in the red campsite You know the ones where it shocks you if This prompted us to enlighten others with the last day, while clearing my tent, I looked

Sziget Festival Godiva Festival Coventry WIN!!! ust imagine the scene: a world class mu- kinis and shorts and lots of suntan cream. hose of you who are familiar with on - us looking for Heidi in different loca- such grand festivals as Glastonbury tions until when we did finally discover her sic festival held annually on an island on Within minutes of entering the festival site 2 tickets to The GO the Danube with bands such as The Kill- the heavens opened and we were blessed may believe a small, simple town at the beer stand The Enemy had stopped Tlike Coventry could hardly compete with its playing. ersJ and The Chemical Brothers headlining. with good old festival weather. We managed Team! This is Budapest’s very own Sziget festival. to get some free rain ponchos, which we put glory, but you’d be wrong. Sort of. We had more luck watching the Super Just answer the follow- A week long festival, Sziget plays host to on over our bikinis and continued partying. With free entry and bands such as The Furry Animals and this is where the aged ing question: top international acts as well as world music We saw some great music throughout the Human League and The Cribs headlining raver comes into the story. The crowd was greats such as Tinariwen and Manu Chau. day, including Tinariwen and Ska Cubano you can see why us Cov locals rush to Godi- getting a bit rough so he offered to hoist me My friend and I came upon the festival al- on the World Music Stage. My friend was va Festival every summer. onto his back out of harm’s way. As I was What is the Welsh name most accidentally, whilst travelling around really pleased to see some Roma Gypsy mu- Clutching my Sainsbury’s bag full of al- struggling to grip his sweaty, heavily tat- for Time Club? Eastern Europe, but found that many of sic at the stage dedicated completely to this cohol (mostly Lambrini as I’m a classy girl) tooed shoulders my bag fell off my shoulder I made my way through the commotion: and somehow attached itself to a passing Email answers to: our fellow travellers were making their way genre. The evening, however culminated in [email protected]. there. So we decided to treat ourselves to a performances by Damon Albarn’s latest ven- emo kids putting tents up, chavs watching hippy who was quickly disappearing into the day ticket. Being British, the concept of a ture, The Good, The Bad and The Queen, as the emos and waiting patiently for a fight, crowd, you can imagine the stress I was in. ac.uk sunny festival on the continent, away from well as the Chemical Brothers. The latter put a sofa, a shoe, a topless aged raver guy who To sum up though, I did get my bag back, Blighty where the rain is often a major fac- on an amazing performance and light show would later be giving me a piggy back whilst the raver got more sweaty, I weed behind a tor, was appealing and we donned our bi- - well worth the twenty pounds we spent on with every step I sank a little deeper into the tree, it was still daylight, a guy saw me and a day ticket. mud. laughed at me, he was carrying a bag of or- Sziget has a really relaxed atmosphere My sister being a big fan of The Enemy anges...? I got called a ‘lambrini girl’ by some and manages to draw in great acts. The per- made sure we got a good position in their sleazy men and then a ‘slag’ when I ignored fect festival for anyone who fancies a sum- tent. But when they started playing our them, and I didn’t get to see The Human mer festival away from home, the tickets are friend Heidi, who had been late meeting us, League or The Cribs because we went on the cheaper and easier to get hold of than most sent a text demanding that we should come wrong day. British festivals and camping tickets are also and meet her by the skate park. When we got Alice Weston available. there she was no where to be seen, but by then we had recieved another text telling us Emma Dodd to meet her by the ice cream van. So it went 16 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 SOUNDCLASH RETURNS WITH PROMISES OF A BIGGER AND BETTER SHOW n a town such as Bangor, nights out can This time the team are armed with experi- easily slip into a rather monotonous and ence, know-how, and enough quirky extras predictable pattern. The few clubs that to make you feel drunk and happy before the Iare on offer often feature similar DJ’s, who set even starts. play similar music, and on the big nights The UK summer has been by all means, throughout the week you can guarantee what terrible. With barely a weeks worth of sun- kind of music will be played before you get shine, I know I certainly feel like we have out. The people at Malibu Soundclash have missed the whole season out. This night ra- ingeniously thought of a way of curving this diates summer, and along with it brings the problem. The music is not autonomously feel-good atmosphere that we all associate dictated by the DJ’s as we’ve come to expect with a good summer party. Above this, it is in the clubs of Bangor, the music is dictated something different. The night may have a by us, the audience. lot to live up to, but in my experience, with what it has to offer, you cannot really go far wrong. On the night, the only itinerary that History is required is a summery outfit and a posi- tive attitude. With all this on top of what the The concept of a Soundclash was invented night itself has to offer, you really are in for in Jamaica, and originally clashed different a great night. Reggae sounds, placing one DJ on one side of the room and the another on the opposite side. The DJ that won was the one who could Jack Peat it over crushed ice. My previous perceptions Malibu team was also around, and the fact prospect ‘Irish riverdance’.. stir up the most noise. Today, you expect a of it being a rather childish drink really got that I walked home at the end of the night, similar concept, where there will be two sets shot out of the window. The new promotion wearing a red straw hat and feeling my pock- of decks on the stage, at the east and west This year is sophisticated, refreshing and really 21st ets bustling with free merchandise really Cocktail recipes side. East will compete against West, play- century. It certainly isn’t a drink you would sums up what you can come to expect. ing Indie and alternative music up against From my Ibiza experience I was certainly use to get silly drunk, but a drink that is per- My second experience was a few weeks encouraged by what we are set to see. The fect for relaxing and drink- ago in the birthplace of every infamous club ing responsibly. ever, Ibiza. The previous tour had long since finished, giving the DJ’s and organisers time to recover and reflect over the pros and cons. Soundclash This time the tour is heading out with a years experience, certain tweaks and a lot of I have been lucky enough additions. The private party was based in the to experience the Soundclash hills of Ibiza, behind the pool of the Malibu on twice over the last year or mansion looking over the scenic towns of so. The first was at our own the Spanish island. Having already spent the University last year, on the day sat by the pool, relaxing and drinking Soundclash’s initial tour of cool cocktails, I was ready for a night of en- UK universities. Reflecting ergetic partying! The two DJ’s lined up with with the DJ’s recently, they sets that soon divided the group, with MC described their night at Ban- Kosha overlooking and entertaining. The gor as ‘the best on the tour’ team of three have history spanning over 5 and were ready to express years, but the recent tour really seemed to their enthusiasm for their have solidified the group and it showed as night here this time round. the set ran smoothly through the night. They On the night, I was unsure of played the now slightly dated (but ever still what the event entailed, and popular) classics such as ‘Mr Brightside’ on entered the club expecting an the alternative side, and ‘Put your hands up average night. I was soon en- Malibu and music genres such as Hip Hop and R n B. ticed however, Cranberry: DJ DUB and DJ Rob Breezy represent each the need for Take a slim glass and fill side, and play only the music that the crowd such crowd with ice. Pour a generous is respondent to. Malibu’s involvement stems participation portion of Malibu over the from a six million pounds investment into in the Clash ice, add the cranberry and NUS activity, and is part of a big push to really adds to squeeze in a fresh lime. promote Malibu as a drink to be enjoyed by the personal Garnish with lime on the young adults. The Caribbean white rum with e x p e r i e n c e side. coconut is served really well over ice with a of the night. mixer. Personally, I was never a big Malibu If you hear a CATCH IT drinker, but after two days of experimenting song you like, with mixers, the drink really opened my eyes it really feels THIS YEAR: and educated me in the real ways to drink like your duty the Caribbean delicacy. Mixers such as cran- and obligation 05/10/2007 berry over ice, with a squeeze of fresh lime to absolutely is incredibly refreshing and easy to drink. nuts, just so for Detroit’ on the other. The new hits were first tour was good, but in many ways it was AMSER/ TIME Pineapple juice is also a great way to drink the DJ’s can respond to your reaction. The displayed also, including a much praised an experiment, a tester, to taste the water.

St. David’s Retail Park Tel: 01248 361 071 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 17 DJ ROB BREEZY NEW EXTREME SPORTS fter DJing for years around Newcas- After a residency at Southern Hospitality SOUNDCLASH RETURNS tle and then Leeds, Rob’s move to he became a founding member of now in- London saw him taking up a posi- famous Hip Hop Karaoke London, a night IN BANGOR o I’m sat on MSN one day and one of produce huge Ation in the vanguard of the legendary Fat Lace which remains one of the capital’s most en- my friends came on and told me she amounts of collective. Alongside holding down nights at tertaining and critically acclaimed events. wants to set up a kite sports club. Now power which The End, SI’ve seen pictures of this new extreme sport can be used to The Elbow WITH PROMISES OF A and I was really keen to try it out and she in- propel partici- Room and formed me we were going to have a meeting pants along at others, Rob in the next few days and from that Bangor high speed, or was also a University Kite Club was born. Somewhere lift them into chief con- in between there and now I managed to be the air. tributor to BIGGER AND BETTER SHOW appointed acting secretary and then at the There are the noto- first AGM got voted in as secretary. The in- five main dis- rious Fat n a town such as Bangor, nights out can This time the team are armed with experi- famous ‘kiting bug’ had well and truly bitten ciplines: Lace fan- easily slip into a rather monotonous and ence, know-how, and enough quirky extras me. Recrea- zine. Then predictable pattern. The few clubs that to make you feel drunk and happy before the “So what is kiting?” I hear you cry. Well, tional: usually alongside Iare on offer often feature similar DJ’s, who set even starts. traction kite sports have seen a rapid growth being pulled DJ Yoda amount of time we have been set up and we play similar music, and on the big nights The UK summer has been by all means, over the last few years, and Bangor is one along the beach on your feet (and occasion- and James have a range of kiters from all disciplines and throughout the week you can guarantee what terrible. With barely a weeks worth of sun- of the best places to be if you’re interested ally face!) by using the power of the kite, and L e b e n s , levels. We normally have a weekly social and kind of music will be played before you get shine, I know I certainly feel like we have in getting into it, or are already heavily in- jumping using the lift of the kite to get floaty Rob was this year we are hoping to have a few ses- out. The people at Malibu Soundclash have missed the whole season out. This night ra- volved. With so many good locations within jumps. made a sions where we have guest speakers coming ingeniously thought of a way of curving this diates summer, and along with it brings the a short travelling distance, such as Llanddo- Kite buggying: using a ‘buggy’ with three r e s i d e n t to talk to us. The club at the moment has one problem. The music is not autonomously feel-good atmosphere that we all associate na and Rhosneigr on Anglesey, alongside the wheels and steered with the flyers feet, bug- at classic qualified instructor with another two of us dictated by the DJ’s as we’ve come to expect with a good summer party. Above this, it is mainland spots such as Penmaenmawr and gies can be used to go as fast as 40mph, or do m i d w e e k hoping to become instructors over the sum- in the clubs of Bangor, the music is dictated something different. The night may have a Black Rock Sands down near Porthmadog, big jumps and tricks both on the ground and club Spread mer. We also have links with Turbulence by us, the audience. lot to live up to, but in my experience, with every wind direction and kite sport is catered in the air such as 360s. Love. Kite Shop in Llandudno Junction who can what it has to offer, you cannot really go far for. Traction Kites vary in size between 1m² Kite land boarding: In land boarding a provide us with instructors and kit both for wrong. On the night, the only itinerary that and 16m² of surface area, they can therefore flyer stands on an all terrain board (think the club and for members. We are hoping to History is required is a summery outfit and a posi- skateboard with huge wheels!) and the user be able to organise club kiting at least once a tive attitude. With all this on top of what the is able to pull off various tricks and jumps week, but hopefully this will become more The concept of a Soundclash was invented night itself has to offer, you really are in for including board offs, grabs and rotations frequent. This does however depend on in Jamaica, and originally clashed different a great night. such as 360s. MC KOSHA weather conditions. Reggae sounds, placing one DJ on one side worked from the Kite surfing: combining the concepts of a We have had two taster sessions so far, of the room and the another on the opposite crowd’s reaction, variety of water sports and kite sports. Kite Jack Peat which have gone very well and have both side. The DJ that won was the one who could and had author- surfing involves using a wake board sized it over crushed ice. My previous perceptions Malibu team was also around, and the fact prospect ‘Irish riverdance’.. been in fantastic weather. We have our in- stir up the most noise. Today, you expect a MCKOSHA started ity over which DJ board with fins, using the power of the kite of it being a rather childish drink really got that I walked home at the end of the night, structor here as well as a few more being similar concept, where there will be two sets as a dancer in his played when. He to propel the flyer along in a way similar to shot out of the window. The new promotion wearing a red straw hat and feeling my pock- This year currently trained up and he will teach people of decks on the stage, at the east and west Cocktail recipes early youth, but also MCed over that of a windsurfer. Experienced kite surf- is sophisticated, refreshing and really 21st ets bustling with free merchandise really the basics of how to fly a kite and it’s a chance side. East will compete against West, play- went into MCing some songs, add- ers can jump up to 30ft in the air and land century. It certainly isn’t a drink you would sums up what you can come to expect. From my Ibiza experience I was certainly for prospective members to talk to other kit- ing Indie and alternative music up against at around the age ing quirky extras smoothly afterwards, kicking up spray from use to get silly drunk, but a drink that is per- My second experience was a few weeks encouraged by what we are set to see. The ers and see kiting in action. It is also a chance of fourteen. He where he could. their board, due of their speed. fect for relaxing and drink- ago in the birthplace of every infamous club for current kiters to meet and talk and try released his first In the same Snow kiting: using the power of a kite and ing responsibly. ever, Ibiza. The previous tour had long since each others kit as well as helping each other CD aged fifteen breath however, skis or a snowboard, flyers can use a trac- finished, giving the DJ’s and organisers time out. Now all that’s left to say is if you like and performed he was extremely tion kite to ride to the backcountry slopes to recover and reflect over the pros and cons. the sound of this new extreme sport come Soundclash at his first night- professional, and and access the ‘off the trail areas’, or use This time the tour is heading out with a and see us at Serendipity or email us and we club at nineteen years of experi- the kite to float off mountains and hills for years experience, certain tweaks and a lot of will do our best to get you out on the beach I have been lucky enough in Camden. He is ence have taught hang times of more than a minute, not for additions. The private party was based in the and flying. to experience the Soundclash hills of Ibiza, behind the pool of the Malibu now part of the him how to do the faint hearted or inexperienced flyers and on twice over the last year or mansion looking over the scenic towns of company, South- the job well. We snowboarders. so. The first was at our own the Spanish island. Having already spent the ern Hospitality, soon started to So what about the club? Well we are al- Liam Watson and University last year, on the day sat by the pool, relaxing and drinking which hosts club see what a big ready quite a large club, considering the Kev Arlott Soundclash’s initial tour of cool cocktails, I was ready for a night of en- nights and has its presence he had UK universities. Reflecting ergetic partying! The two DJ’s lined up with own radio station. on stage once the with the DJ’s recently, they sets that soon divided the group, with MC At Soundclash he night got going. described their night at Ban- Kosha overlooking and entertaining. The was the man keep- Charismatic and UNIVERSITY CHALLENGED gor as ‘the best on the tour’ team of three have history spanning over 5 ing the DJs in or- cool, he really and were ready to express years, but the recent tour really seemed to der and the crowd was the icing on n Friday 15th June 2007, a their enthusiasm for their have solidified the group and it showed as entertained. As the cake. motley gang of travelling night here this time round. the set ran smoothly through the night. They the presenter, he trivia-searchers left the sum- On the night, I was unsure of Omer-filled environs of Bangor for the played the now slightly dated (but ever still what the event entailed, and popular) classics such as ‘Mr Brightside’ on sunnier climes of Manchester! entered the club expecting an the alternative side, and ‘Put your hands up After weeks of swotting up on average night. I was soon en- the names of the natural satellites of Malibu and DJ DUB Uranus, the life and times of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and the candidates music genres such as Hip Hop and R n B. ticed however, ailing from deep- Cranberry: for the Seven Wonders of the Mod- DJ DUB and DJ Rob Breezy represent each the need for est, darkest South Take a slim glass and fill ern World, Bangor’s University Chal- side, and play only the music that the crowd such crowd London, Dub has with ice. Pour a generous lenge team were ready and rearing to is respondent to. Malibu’s involvement stems participation Hbeen on the London DJ portion of Malibu over the go; “Bangor Saville” (team captain), from a six million pounds investment into in the Clash scene for over a decade, ice, add the cranberry and “Bangor Dodd” (the esteemed former NUS activity, and is part of a big push to really adds to rocking venues all over squeeze in a fresh lime. editor of this publication), “Bangor promote Malibu as a drink to be enjoyed by the personal the big smoke, the rest of Garnish with lime on the Gilbert” and “Bangor Ryan” were a young adults. The Caribbean white rum with e x p e r i e n c e the UK and beyond. He side. train journey away from their ‘Starter coconut is served really well over ice with a of the night. also heads up at Ruby Lo For Ten’. mixer. Personally, I was never a big Malibu If you hear a W1- whilst also a resident CATCH IT A battle against Edinburgh en- drinker, but after two days of experimenting song you like, at Off da Rocks, London’s sued with Bangor losing out on King with mixers, the drink really opened my eyes it really feels premier old skool hip hop unmistakeable soundtrack to Hitchcock’s that the theme tune to the 1990s sci-fi series THIS YEAR: Midas, albedo (look it up!) and ‘Thatcher: and educated me in the real ways to drink like your duty night. ‘Psycho’! But the worst thing was that they Quantum Leap was the 1970s detective dra- The Musical’, but successfully answering the Caribbean delicacy. Mixers such as cran- and obligation Having worked along- TOLD THEM THE ANSWER so that it ma The Rockford Files) they would have had 05/10/2007 on Freudian slips, electric light bulbs and berry over ice, with a squeeze of fresh lime to absolutely side DJ luminaries such would fit in with the editing! that chance! The guys did well though – the Michael Owen. is incredibly refreshing and easy to drink. nuts, just so AMSER/ TIME as DJ Skully, DJ Pogo and Bangor continued to throw in the odd first time Bangor has reached the TV stages for Detroit’ on the other. The new hits were first tour was good, but in many ways it was However, it all went spectacularly pear- Pineapple juice is also a great way to drink the DJ’s can respond to your reaction. The DJ Yoda, his sets are a starter answer, post-cock-up, but lost their since 2004 and only the third time in the his- displayed also, including a much praised an experiment, a tester, to taste the water. shaped when whichever member of the pro- dizzying blend of musical flow again when Jeremy Paxman decided to tory of the show. duction team controlling the music round styles. A classic hip hop DJ complain about his spotlight flashing. Un- But I still believe that the most disap- played the tracks in the wrong order! The in every sense, Dub’s sets fortunately, even astronomical conjunctions pointing thing about the whole adventure faux pas might have been overlooked had it weave their way from Ste- and Oscar Wilde’s cigarette-smoking habits was that the team’s reserve member was not not been for all four of Edinburgh’s team not vie Wonder to The Nep- couldn’t save the day for our team. The con- actually required! Not that I was for a single having the foggiest idea about the replace- tunes, Prince to Timber- test ended on a respectable 105 vs 130, but second wishing any illness upon the other ment round’s starter - Bernard Hermann’s land and Dizzee Rascal to Scotland had out-answered Wales. four, but to hear the fantastic tones of voice- Louis Armstrong - a roller As Mr Paxman rightly said, over man Roger Tilling exclaiming “Bangor coaster ride through every “Bad luck, Bangor. You never Hussey!” was an opportunity missed. Hours genre of music, all mixed really got the chance to show us of endless amusement in my head! God bless up in his own inimitable what you were made of, I think.” your family surname, Rebecca…x style. Maybe if the Granada produc- John Jackson tion team had pulled their fin- ger out (and not tried to claim 18 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 BOOKS Atonement: Ian McEwan Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: J K Rowling ere we go again – yet another book Atonement’s plot, however, is so engaging his summer saw the publication of Joanne Rowling hinted at in television in- that has received the Hollywood that it is bound to keep cinema audiences the much anticipated final volume terviews had everybody speculating. I per- treatment. The film adaptation of gripped. McEwan weaves disaster and sor- in the Harry Potter series: Harry sonally believe that her hints were slightly HAtonement looms, setting critics’ tongues row into the story at every page, but as this TPotter and the Deathly Hallows. The usual misleading and found the ending on the wagging with praise and Oscar nomination is often shown through the innocent eyes of media frenzy which we have come to expect disappointing side. And as for the epilogue, rumours for Keira Knightley circulating. It is Briony he maintains a degree of subtlety, en- in connection with the Harry Potter series it was completely unnecessary. Sometimes it no secret that McEwan’s Atonement is a mas- suring a light and sometimes amusing read. ensued, as children and die-hard fans alike is better for an author to leave things unsaid, terpiece with its vivid descriptions, interest- Rape, war, death, guilt and depression are queued outside bookshops, eagerly awaiting allowing her audience to complete the pic- ing characters and an extremely engaging so liberal that there isn’t one character who their copies. ture themselves. Rowling instead hammered plot; although this doesn’t make it an obvious doesn’t receive a heavy dose of suffering, but Those readers who have stuck with the home the point in a highly predictable fash- choice for the silver screen. Many aspects of McEwan manipulates this to demonstrate boy wizard from the beginning have seen ion. In this way, the final instalment reverted the book are Hollywood friendly – pictures the strength of the human character. the ways in which he has grown and ma- to the children’s book style of the first. It was of Knightley in Cecilia’s green dress have Ian McEwan lacks the pretension of many tured throughout the series. Rowling’s audi- incongruous to the rest of the book and un- already been circulated, prompting nods of his contemporaries and rightly deserves ence has grown older, as Harry Potter has dermined her evolved style. of approval from fashionistas everywhere. his place amongst the great modern writers. grown and the final book is far more adult On the other hand, many fans of Harry Also the breathtaking descriptions of Robbie As a book, Atonement is a faultless piece of in comparison to the first instalment, Harry Potter are more than happy with the series, Turner on the battlefield are begging for an work which is now unfortunately doomed Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, which which has been the biggest event in publish- adaptation: there were hundreds in the field to be overshadowed by the film. Hopefully was very much a children’s book. ing history since…well ever! now, all making for the woods on the far side. enough people will not choose to ignore the The ending has always been a closely At the shrill whine of the bomb everyone book in place of the film and it will get the guarded secret, though suggestions from Caroline Alvarez cowered on the ground. recognition it deserves. However, it is McEwan’s use of language that makes this book special, which will be Emma Dixon Half of a Yellow Sun: Chimamanda lost in the film. Through Briony Tallis, the book’s protagonist, McEwan explores the Ngozi Adichie theme of writing and what it takes to be himamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest great political change. successful in this field. Briony’s ambition is novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, has just The book is incredibly clever in the way to write, particularly in the style of her idol won the Orange Broadband Prize for that the events slowly change the characters Virginia Woolf whom McEwan is clearly in- Cfiction and quite deservedly so. Adichie fol- until they are almost unrecognisable from spired by. It is this insight into Briony’s mind lows in a long tradition of Nigerian writers, those introduced at the beginning. Written that makes the book so engaging – her whole most notable of which is Chinua Achebe, with such subtlety that the eventual tragedy life is lived out on Atonement’s pages which who set his 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart in comes upon you unexpectedly. The title, is haunted by the events of one summer’s Nsukka, also one of the settings utilised by Half of a Yellow Sun, refers to the symbol day in 1934. McEwan perfectly encapsulates Adichie in Half of a Yellow Sun. at the centre of the Biafran flag and Adichie Briony’s thoughts with fascinating accu- Set during the fight for Biafran inde- looks carefully at the idea of being Biafran racy – from a curious thirteen-year-old to pendence from Nigeria, Adichie draws her and at being Nigerian and the difference be- a reflective seventy-seven-year-old. For me, individual characters vividly and carefully tween the two. Other themes include class, Atonement is at its most interesting when weaves their lives around each other. And race, love and war. describing Briony’s Woolf-esque musings what different characters they are: from Half of a Yellow Sun is a good read for an- on life: “She raised one hand and flexed its Ugwu, a young houseboy; to his master, the yone interested in politics, history or simply fingers and wondered, as she had sometimes professor; Olanna, the professor’s mistress; a fascinating novel. It deserves any accolade before, how this thing, this machine for grip- and Richard, an Englishman who becomes you wish to throw at it. ping, this fleshy spider on the end of her arm, entangled with the family. Adichie shows re- came to be hers, entirely at her command.” markable insight into their lives at a time of Emma Dodd the muse

Academic books

Second hand books

New books

CDs 43 Holyhead Rd DVDs Bangor, LL57 2EU 01248 362072 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 19 AU TASTER SESSIONS

CLUB DAY + DATE TIME VENUE CLUB DAY + DATE TIME VENUE Archery Wednesday 26/9 8 – 10pm Normal Sp. Hall Ki-Aikido Wednesday 26/9 8 – 10pm Normal Gym 2 Friday 28/9 8 – 10pm Normal Sp. Hall Friday 28/9 8 – 10pm Normal Gym 2 Sunday 30/9 9am – 12pm Normal Sp. Hall Sunday 30/9 10– 12pm Normal Gym 2 Athletics Thursday 27/9 6 – 7:30pm Treborth Track Lacrosse Thursday 27/9 5 – 7pm Synthetic Saturday 29/9 10 -12pm Synthetic Badminton Saturday 29/9 2 - 4pm Normal Sp. Hall Sunday 30/9 2 – 5pm Main Hall Mountain Walking Saturday 29/9 9.30 – Meet at S.U 30 mins before (UMWC) Sunday 30/9 5.30pm Men’s Basket- Saturday 29/9 1 – 3pm Main Hall ball Saturday 29/9 3 - 5pm Main Hall Netball Friday 28/9 2 – 4pm Main Hall Women’s Bas- Octopush Sunday 30/9 7 - 9pm Bangor Swimming Pool ketball Riding Saturday 29/9 10 - 2pm Snowdonia Equestrian Centre BUMS (Climb- Sunday 30/9 10am - 5pm Meet at S.U 30 mins before, as trans- ing) port is provided Rowing Friday 28/9 11 - 12.30 Nantporth Rowing Sheds 2 - 3.30pm Canoe Saturday 29/9 9am - 11.30am Meet at S.U at start time Saturday 29/9 11 -12.30 12am - 2.30pm 2 - 3.30pm 3pm - 5pm Sunday 30/9 11 - 12.30 Sunday 30/9 9am - 11.30 2 - 3.30pm 12 - 2.30pm 3 - 5.30pm Meet at S.U 30 mins before Rugby League Sunday 30/9 4 - 6pm Treborth Canoe Polo Saturday 29/9 11am onwards Men’s Rugby Friday 28/9 2 – 4pm Treborth Sunday 30/9 11am onwards Sunday 30/9 12 - 2pm Fencing Tuesday 25/9 8 – 10pm Normal Gym 1 Wednesday 26/9 8 – 10pm Normal Gym 1 Women’s Rugby Friday 28/9 12 - 2pm Treborth Saturday 29/9 2 – 4pm Normal Gym 1 Saturday 29/9 1 - 5om Football Men TBC TBC TBC Sailing Saturday 29/9 12 onwards Meet at Morrisons 30 mins be- Football Wom- Saturday 29/9 12 – 2pm Synthetic Sunday 30/9 fore en Snooker and Pool Sunday 30/9 7 onwards The Menai Pub Golf Friday 28/9 3 - 4pm Treborth Driving Range Sub Aqua Thursday 27/9 TBC TBC Gymnastics Monday 24/9 8 – 10pm Gymnastics Hall Thursday 27/9 6 – 8pm Gymnastics Hall Surf Sunday 30/9 10 - 5pm Meet at S.U 30 mins before Saturday 29/9 3 – 5pm Gymnastics Hall

Hockey Men Thursday 27/9 1 - 3pm Synthetic Swimming Sunday 30/9 7 - 8pm Bangor Pool Friday28/9 2 - 4pm Synthetic Touch Rugby Wednesday 26/9 3 - 5pm Synthetic Hockey Wom- Friday 28/9 12 -2pm Synthetic Friday 28/9 9 - 10pm en Saturday 29/9 2 -5pm Synthetic Sunday 30/9 12 -2pm Synthetic Trampolining Wednesday 26/9 8 - 10pm New Hall Thursday 27/9 2 - 4pm Judo Tuesday 2/9 8 – 10pm Normal Gym 2 Sunday 30/9 2 - 5pm Thursday 27/9 8 – 10pm Normal Gym 2 Ultimate Frisbee Friday 28/9 2 -4pm Syntheitc Sunday 30/9 2 -5pm

Saturday 13th October Monday 15th Thursday 4th Study skills: Free October October Get off to a good start this year with Contemporary Dance: £2 this study skills session which includes Put on your dancing shoes and dance the Tuesday 16th Welsh Taster Sessions: Free such classics as how to write an essay, contemporary with the Dance club. October Personal safety: free Thought about giving Welsh a whirl? Try taking effective notes and other things Meet outside Students’ Union 5:00pm More than your average ‘Don’t walk before you buy with a free taster class in you thought you knew but you don’t. home in the dark’ lecture, this session basic Welsh from the School of Lifelong SU Committee room- 11:00am offers practical information and tips Learning. If you like it the semester- long Sunday 3rd on keeping you and your property safe course is only a tenner- bargain! November whilst at Uni and involves tons of handy Hen Goleg 6:00 pm Fencing: £3 Sunday 28th Try your hand at having a sword about information you never knew. October with last years AU club of the year, the Students Union Committee Room 6pm Monday 22nd Treborth Botanical Gar- swashbuckling fencing club. Plan ahead, dens: free October start growing your pencil moustache Climbing: £2 Help to keep our gorgeous botanic atleast a fortnight in advance. A qualified instructor will teach you the gardens in good nick by joining in with Meet outside SU: 12:45pm basics and give you the confidence to this work party. Including a guided tour Monday 12th climb to dizzy heights. of the gardens with curator Nigel Brown November Street dance: £2 Maes Glas: 8pm and a mushroom forage, the day ends with a nice picnic on the lawn Spin your head and shake your booty Coban Coffi: 6pm Sunday 11th with the Dance club. November Meet outside SU 5pm Wargames and Roleplay- Sunday 18th ing: £2 Monday 5th Friday 30th November Ever wondered what on earth wargames November Self defence: £3 November British sign language: £5 and roleplaying were all about? A Bangor City FC: tbc This session does exactly what it says on Carol Fielding leads an introduction to combination of strategy and imagination, Show a bit of support for our local lads by the tin! This class, lead by Gaz Stalman the basics of this fascinating language. table- top wargames and roleplaying going to watch them play against Llange- (who has 20 years experience in martial Learn the BSL alphabet and how to make are best experienced first hand. If you fni. Scarves, pies and air horn recom- arts) will be an active class on how to basic initial contact with other BSL haven’t got the stomach for wargames at mended but not compulsory. Post- match protect and defend yourself from attack. least stay for some Sunday lunch in the rioting is distinctly frowned upon. This session is for all fitness levels and users. curved lounge. SU committee Room 2;30- 4:30 Bangor City ground, Farrar Road genders. Curved lounge 12 pm Amser/ Time 1- 3 pm 20 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 Comprehensive guide to sports and sports Sport facilities in Bangor THE GREAT MAES GLAS

Tel: (01248) 382571. OUTDOORS [email protected] Although Bangor provides many outdoor walking club, sailing club and others. Our The new sports hall has four badminton and large screen MTV; six treadmills; eight activities, it really takes pride in and advan- location near water also provides useful courts; a volleyball court; a netball court; a concept 2 rowers; two recumberant bikes; tage of, its beautifully scenic location. Many resources to up and coming clubs such as basketball court and five-a-side courts; in- six upright bikes; four steppers; six cross clubs in the AU are centred around outdoor Canoe polo, Canoe club and rowing clubs. door bowls facilities; and cricket. A balcony trainers; squash courts: The Sports Centre activities, and often take a more relaxed The nearby beaches also play a vital role in is available for spectators. has four squash courts, one of which has view on the competitive side of been a club. some club activities. The highly popular surf Weights Room a glass back wall with a seated viewing Their efforts are by no means constrained team and newly formed kite team both use With a great view of the mountains and gallery. by the local surroundings however. You the beach facilities for their clubs. As well as more than 100,000 worth of new equip- Climbing Wall will find that most of the initial tours are to this, there is a windsurfing club and Ultimate ment Maes Glas offers you fitness training A Livingstone wall; ten top ropes give the Welsh surroundings, but as time passes Frisbee club, that are known to make full use second to none. Maes Glas now has two access to over 30 routes from ‘DIFF’ to by, trips further away are commonplace in of the great outdoors. All the outdoor sports Facilities in Maes Glas include the follow- fitness rooms for weights and cardio- 7C, on panelled walls from off vertical to these types of teams. BUMS (the Mountain- available will be at Serendipity and details of ing: vascular training. The weights room has super steep. Well featured bouldering wall eering club) often takes (at least) an annual how to join can be found at these stalls. a large selection of the latest Powersport provides endless scope for problems of all excursion, and this is true of the Mountain Main Sports Hall equipment including two multigyms. There difficulty above crash mats. The main sports hall contains six badmin- is also a large free weights section includ- ton courts; two volleyball courts; basketball ing a ‘Smiths’ machine. The room has air Multi Purpose Gymnastics courts; one netball court; a indoor hockey conditioning and large screen MTV. Hall court; and a five-a-side court. There is also Maes Glas has a purpose built gymnasium, provision for table tennis; archery; and Cardio Vascular Room with sprung floor and foam pits. It is an trampolining. This hall has a sprung floor The CV Room has a large selection of ideal training area for the sport with equip- and a balcony is available for spectators. equipment including rowers, cycles and steppers. The room has air conditioning ment of a high standard. New Sports Hall TREBORTH

pitches. ards with facilities and equipment available The pitches are of a high standard and can for all events. It is suitable for be adapted to junior pitches. practice and competition for all levels of

abilities. he University’s Treborth site is lo- Pavillion The pavillion offers large changing facili- The main site is around fifteen minutes UNORTHODOX MATCHDAYS cated next to the Menai Straits on the ties and an enclosed viewing area. walk from Bangor. Head towards the Menai outskirts of Bangor. The site has the Bridge along Holyhead Road and it is on Tfollowing facilities: Athletics track your right around half way down. Situated at the Treborth playing fields, it is a joint use facility with the Gwynedd local Sport Fields authority and opened in 1996. It has an Four full size football pitches; and two rugby eight lane track, built to the highest stand- NORMAL SITE

any of you who like your foot- chime in, insulting every opposition player ball may have been rather disap- that comes within twenty feet. As the first Bangor sports teams use this site for the Aikido, Judo, Karate, Fencing, Thai Kick pointed when your course led you goal is scored, an uproar from the spectators, training purposes listed below. boxing and Tae-Kwon-Do. toM the bleak wilderness of North Wales. The and suddenly you’re the biggest fan in the Treborth is around 20-30 minutes walk closest premiership sides being Liverpool, ground. Each move from then on is an ago- Sports Hall outside Bangor. Walk to the Menia Bridge Everton and Manchester United, an average nising letdown or a gleeful relief. Your bum Four badminton courts; volleyball; netball; along Holyhead Road. Once at the bridge, game will take at least 2 hours to get to. But rests on the edge of your seat each time they basketball; and five-a-side courts; cricket, take the left turn immediately before it and from past experience, I can personally tell reach the oppositions penalty area. As the These outstanding facilities are used by continue along the road for around five ultimate frisbee; and archery. you that you should not be despondent to first half comes to a close, you take a breath, the School of Education from 9.00am to minutes. hopes of live football this year. and leave for the terrace bar to enjoy a half 6.00pm each day and available for recrea- 2 Gymnasia Imagine it’s a Saturday afternoon. You time beer and discuss events so far. tion each evening and at weekends. Many Used for martial arts clubs, including Ki- Will Varley have had a hard week at university, and After a good 15 minutes Banta, your take topped it off with a heavy night on the Fri- your seats for the second half, yet it is not day. As you rouse from your bed in the early like the first as you are suddenly involved. hours of the afternoon, your head still fuzzy Your seats are so close to the playing field and your room clogged with smells of lager, that you feel a part of the game, you’ve be- cigarettes and kebabs, you long for the re- come the twelfth man and you’re shouting or current students at Bangor Univer- teams during his spare time, “I was a member freshing country breeze. As you set off with and screaming to urge you’re team on. As sity, the name Frodo does not conjure of the canoe club in my first year and part of a group of friends, you talk and laugh about the players get tired and the tackles become up images of a hobbit running bare- the men’s rugby union for three years.” Seren last nights events. The fresh air is soothing, sloppy, more cards are brandished, until the Ffoot around Mordor. wanted to know what his top tips would be and the walk is short as you enter the stadi- referee snaps, and sends a player for an early However for those new to Bangor Uni- to new students joining this September. “Get um to be greeted with traditional match day bath. To the local fans this is like meat being versity, Frodo is not a hobbit but the nick- involved and try something new. Sports smells of burgers and cheap cigarettes. You thrown into the tigers den, as abuse is hurled name of our current Athletic Union Presi- clubs are a great way to meet new people, take a seat on the wooden benched terrace, down the tunnel. You’ve been lucky enough dent, Andrew Redfearn. As Frodo embarks keep fit and enjoy a healthy social life. There and await for the match to start as you read to place yourself next to the real mouth of on his second year as AU President, Seren will probably be no other time in your life through the cheap match day programme. the crowd, and every so often he pops a felt it was time to ask what direction he was that you have so many sports to choose from As the players enter the field, you hear the corker of a line. The whole terrace goes up in hoping to take this year, “I’m looking for- at such a cheap price, so make the most of cheering and jostling of the 300 spectators laughter and applaud, and the jokes go up in ward to working with the University to de- what we have to offer!” he explains. around you. The first half is a flurry of half quality from there on. velop a sports strategy to really take us for- It seems as though Frodo will be on a well” he adds. So maybe there is an element decent moves and the odd piece of trickery. The game finishes half an hour earlier ward!” He explains, “as well as working more quest this academic year and one that he of truth in his nickname… he will go that The crowd responds to the plays every move, than the English fixtures, giving you enough closely with BUSA now that I am one of their is passionate about, “after years of playing extra mile for the little people! always pinpointing one individual from the time to get back into the pub and watch the student directors.” university sport, I wanted to make a differ- Siobhan Holt start. As the usually chants are blasted from full time scores come in. Like many students, Frodo has joined ence for those who took the time to play as the regulars ‘Hey, Donkey!!’, or ‘Gypo, get Jack Peat your hair cut!!’ the lads around you start to