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CREDIT CRUNCH FREE-ZONE

ISSN 1755-7585 Issue No. 201 Freshers’ Issue 2008 BANGOR’S FIRST FRESHERS’ INSIDE: Freshers’ BALL IS FINALLY HERE! 08 pull-out his year will see the rst ever Freshers’ Ball at Bangor University and it’s going to be big! Organised guide byT your very own Students’ Union, Time and Academi will be as you’ve never seen them before. For this night only, the Union’s venues are going to be transformed! e SU are Safe-sex determined that attendees won’t feel that it’s simply ‘another’ night in Bangor and so they’ve pulled all the stops out to deck out special the venue with various themed areas… ey’ll be a vibrant and exciting Carni- val atmosphere in Academi and the adja- cent Cocktail Lounge. Bands abani and Bandabacana bands will keep you groov- ing away in Academi, supported by resi- Alcohol dent Racubah DJs, whilst Byd Mawr takes the lead on some funky global beats in the Cocktail Lounge. Adventure Time, the main arena, plays host to one of the most “hotly-tipped groups in Brit- ain”*, e Ryes, who have already attracted big name fans such as Jo Whiley and Alex Zane! Later on, Time will be going ‘Disco’ and taking us back to the days of tight jeans and big hair: Abba Gold will be taking cen- Loads tre stage! ese acts and more will be sup- ported by none other than resident DJ Karl- of new ton Rowley bringing you some of the best club anthems. e Curved Lounge is to be transformed columnists into the Dance Arena – a pulsating and en- ergetic space where dance and house music DJs will be the order of the night. UV lights and break-dancers included! Last, but not least, there is e Basement – the brand spanking new bar (see page 4 for more info on this particular venue) Music, fi lm which will be boasting ‘interactivity’ and other novelties and a chance to zone out from the crowds above. and book Dress code is smart-casual, so you’ll not have to blow all that loan money on a new reviews out t just yet. We’re told you can be as fancy as you want but if you’d rather just turn up in your jeans, then go for it. However, the rule of no sportswear does apply, so the Converse are going to have to stay at home. As for food, the Students’ Union is ... and tons promising us a vareity from pork loin baps to the usual burgers and chips for the less thing never seen before on this scale at Ban- of September and rumours are, they’re sell- gor students have never seen before and adventurous (vegetarian options too!). gor University. e process is rather com- ing out fast! ey’re available exclusively to Seren will be there reporting every detail! more ace One of the most interesting aspects of plex, but it’s nice to see the Union  nally Freshers until the 22nd of September and the Freshers’ Ball organisation this year is arriving in the 21st Century! then anyone can get their hands on them! the introduction of e-ticket buying, some- Tickets have been on sale since the 12th One thing’s for sure, it’ll be a night Ban- Patrick Stephens stuff NEUADD WILLIS STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Luxury student Our rooms are ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE booking up accommodation Just call into our offi ce opposite Lidl car park very fast... situated within or call us on: 01248 371450 (offi ce hours) or so don’t miss out! 07841 369249 (evenings and weekends). walking distance of You can also email us at: Bangor University [email protected] 2 Freshers’ Issue 2008 Editorial www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Greetings... Freshers’ Issue 2008 ello one and all, welcome to Seren’s Freshers’ Contributors: Hextravaganza! We have got Patrick Stephens ten tons of amazingness inside for Iain Dalton you all to absorb and appreciate. Emily Collins The main focus of this issue is to Mark Jessett really entice you to get involved with the making of this beautiful Liz Stephens newspaper… and I don’t just Joe Firth mean Freshers, all other years Tom Hecht are included in this appeal! I must John Jackson apologise for the usage of the Spencer George following rather trite phrase, but it is 4.30 am and we’ve not fi nished Rob Samuel the paper yet; Seren is run by Matt McCullagh students, for students and without Matt Ison students there is really nothing Tom Durkin to report. Basically, we need you, Lee Howson and it’ll cost you nothing. So, get involved! You’ve (hopefully) seen Robert Mann our Facebook profi le by now, we’re Alex Farley making it as easy as possible, you Helen Aldred don’t even have to log out of your Abbey-Jay Wilson favourite social networking site to get in touch with us! What more Proof reading: could you want?! Spencer George Alright, I’ll stop nagging you now; Tom Hecht I hope you’ve got the message. As you may have noticed on the front of this issue, Seren is offi cially a credit crunch free-zone. This ludicrous phrase has become the bain of my life (and probably yours) this summer and as such I’ve Suppliment made our sub-editors remove all mention of it from their articles. Hurrah! I’ve begun to notice that the phrase itself dedication: doesn’t actually mean anything anymore. Anyway, we students are used to living without our organic beef, so I’m sure we’ll survive. Next time it’s raining though remember: it’s because of the credit crunch. to Emma Dodd I fully expect you to be reading this from the comfort of your cosy new hall / house. If you’re a Fresher, then this paper has been hand delivered to you by those lovely Welcome Week volunteers, so when you see them make sure you clap. Could you imagine what your life would be like without them? You’d not have a Seren to read and you’d feel empty inside, I can promise you that much.

I’ve not really much else to say other than I hope Freshers’ Week is thoroughly enjoyed by all and I want to see you at our Serendipity stall... there are free sweets, so you’ve no excuse.

Much love, Jo Caulfi eld (the one on the right)

Seren is Bangor University’s monthy student newspaper. TEAM SEREN We have editorial independence from both Bangor BRINGING NEWS TO YOUR CRIB. University and Bangor Students’ Union. Seren is written Editor Jo Caulfi eld by students for students and we’d love you students to News Stephen Davies get involved! Features Bianca Murray Send an email to the editor ([email protected]. Music Emma Dixon ac.uk)or to a relevant sub-editor (sub-editor’s-title@ Film Mark Varley seren.bangor.ac.uk). The other option is to add us on Facebook and get in touch! Books Emma McColl Sports Will Varley The next issue of Seren goes to print on 23rd of October; Design Dan Turner the deadline for submissions is 20th October.

Much love, peace out. 3 Freshers’ Issue 08 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk NEWS Students’ Union logo gets an overhaul

his year sees the introduction of a new logo for our Students’ Union. After market research carried out before the summer Tbreak concluded that the ‘U’ logo was unpopular, it was clear a new design was needed. Seren spoke to Deputy President Spencer George and asked him what he thought the new logo could bring to the SU: “The new logo is one of a few communication tools at our disposal to help us deliver the message that we want to get across to students. The old logo was perceived by many as boring, bland and uninspiring. Instead we wanted a recognisable brand, one that students would immediately be able to identify as the students’ union logo. We also thought it was important that the logo represents democracy, equality and unity. We’ve worked on several designs over the last four months and after seeking student opinion, the ‘dragons’ tail’ option was by far and away the most popular choice.” He added, “We feel that the image is more powerful than the previous incarnation and we hope it will help us deliver a consistent message about why we exist, what we stand for and what we can provide for the students.” Companies and Organisations often re-brand to spruce up their image, which can become quickly outdated in a fast moving world. An old logo is the fashion equivalent to someone wearing platform boots today. Nevertheless, re-branding can be dangerous in the cut throat consumer world. Take a recent example of the ubiquitous social networking site Facebook. The company has launched a ‘new look layout’, yet there are already established groups opposing the changes. The group ‘One million against the new Facebook layout’ in fact has well over a million members. Yet there have been instances of successful new logos. The Conservative party scrapped it’s old torch logo in favour of a blue and green tree. Two years on and the party are in a far better position in the polls. Of course there may well have been other factors to explain their success, but that’s another story for another time... Here’s hoping then, that the new SU logo is the beginning of an exciting time for the union itself. Any queries about the use of the logo should be directed at members of the sabbatical team. Emma Dixon and Joe Firth All tap water in Bangor Holy war! deemed Bangor’s gay bishop row sparks controversy in the undrinkable Church of Wales ater in Bangor remains undrink- water quality sampling programme. is able this week a er a rise in bac- has prompted us to take this precautionary n openly gay clergyman could three-day lock-in (no, not that sort of lock large ri , highlighted during tensions at teria was detected at a treatment measure to protect public health. Extensive soon become Britain’s  rst openly in!) at our very own Cathedral. is meet- the recent Lambeth Conference in Can- Wplant. further water sampling is required, and so gay diocesan bishop and it’s hap- ing will see nominations for the position terbury. At the centre of the con ict has Apening here in Bangor. put forward in a secret ballot. ere are been the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Welsh Water has advised all residents in at this stage it is not known how long the North Wales to boil water prior to drinking boil water notice will be in force. Back in June, the See of Ban- Rowan Williams, however as or cooking with it. e company have also He also added: “We will be issuing let- gor was made vacant when the his authority does not extend said the advice is ters to customers Right Rev Anthony Crockett, beyond England, he would a “precautionary a ected by this boil died of cancer. A formal election have no power to stop the ap- measure” and that water notice. We for his replacement will take pointment of Dr John, whose the rise in bacteria will con rm when place in October and it seems nomination is opposed by detected at some of the boil water notice openly gay Dr Je rey John, the Anglican conservatives due to its water treatment has been li ed. We current Dean of St Albans, is in his written support of a new plants was not due apologise for incon- the running. Two years ago he scriptural understanding of to malfunction in venience caused, but celebrated a civil partnership homosexuality. equipment. e protecting public ceremony with another priest, e Church in Wales is no notice has been health is our highest the Rev Grant Holmes, however longer part of the Anglican issued to custom- priority.” both of them are celibate. Church in Britain and has a ers across Angle- e spokesman is news has not come with- tradition of liberal Catholi- sey and Gwynedd said the cause of the out retaliation. In the last few cism. Interestingly, the gov- including Bangor, increase in crypt- days, Canon Peter Jones, chan- erning body of the Church in Menai Bridge osporidium levels cellor of Bangor Cathedral, has Dr Jeffery John and Cannon Peter Jones Wales recently turned down a and Llanfairpwll- was not known at threatened to quit if Dr John is proposal for women bishops, gwyngyly. this time. Crypt- appointed Bishop of Bangor. but the Archbishop of Wales, is is not the ospiridium can He said: “I would be strongly opposed more than 40 members of the college, 12 Dr Barry Morgan, has said that if his fellow  rst time such an cause diarrhoea and to the appointment. I would consider my of whom are from Bangor, and each mem- bishops in Wales voted for a homosexual incident has oc- vomiting so all stu- position. Je rey John is a strong advo- ber can nominate as many candidates as priest to be a bishop, he would have no ob- curred and there dents are advised to cate of changing the Church’s traditional they wish. Dr John will not be nominated jections in principle. are concerns this follow Welsh Water’s teaching on homosexuality and I accept formally until the members are behind Could it be then that Bangor will play water problem will instructions until the teaching of Holy Scripture that homo- closed doors and the nominations are con- host to a full-on Anglican  ght? Watch this continue for sev- further notice. sexual acts are wrong.”  dential. space…! eral months. e appointment is not set in stone is comes at a time of heightened A spokesman for Welsh Water said: “An Patrick Stephens just yet however. Members of the college pressure in the Anglican Church. e Jo Caulfield increase in the levels of cryptosporidium of Bangor will soon meet at a highly secret subject of gay clergymen has caused a has been detected through our routine 4 Freshers’ Issue 2008 NEWS www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Emrys Evans has Nearly the Last never looked better! Choir standing! Local choir Ysgol Glanaethwy come 2nd place in national choir competition.

 er a nail biting nal on BBC panel (singing sensation Russell Watson, One’s Last Choir Standing, Sharon D Clarke, and Suzi Digby) selected members of Ysgol Glanaethwy Ysgol Glanaethwy from 60 choirs in the haveA become the pride of North Wales. national auditions and described their On Saturday 30th August, Cardi based performances as “full of energy, fun and group Only Men Aloud narrowly beat dazzling.” the Bangor choir to the crown of Last e choir returned to Bangor to a hero’s Choir Standing. Our welcome last week, boys and girls gave rous- despite not winning ing performances of Try the competition, a Little Tenderness and their home country All that Jazz from the remains proud. In musical Chicago.  e all another astounding Welsh nal was as tense achievement, the as they come, and made choir made history by performing Take quite brilliant television. at’s Shine at the Ysgol Glanaethwy has 2012 Olympics par- 250 members and was co ty at Buckingham founded eighteen years Palace. In an inter- ago by Ce n and Rhian view with a local Roberts. Speaking to the newspaper Heritage Daily Post Rhian Rob- minister Alun Ffred erts said “I am extremely n mid-August the last remnants of the entire Ffriddoedd Site. Rumours of its tion is a bad thing generally for the student Jones commented that the series had been proud of the choir to have got so far in the old Ffriddoedd Site halls were reopening had certainly been going around body, there can not be anyone who did not “a great showcase for Wales and Welsh tal- the competition; spirits are so high even nally brought down. Neuadd Em- the site over the years, scaring freshers feel that the demolition of Neuadd Emrys ent.” rysI Evans and Plas Gwyn had graced the and current students alike. Luxury in Plas Evans was overdue. though we lost. Obviously we are a bit dis- Despite having lost out in the  nal, its appointed, but it was fantastic.” site for over forty years but their time Gwyn was having a balcony for your room. And so, as the bulldozers pulled down clear that this choir has a very bright future e choir, made up of members from was now up, making way for the drastic in corridors, staircases and a confusing the  nal part of Neuadd Emrys Evans, a ahead of them, and all of us here at Seren changes to the site that some would sug- layout made the whole place appear more small crowd of onlookers gathered. ere Bangor, Caernarfon and Anglesey are wish them every success. gest are well overdue. prison like in its  nal years. were no tears or cheers, just the sound of unique in that they are one of the few Gone are the large kitchens, peeling Emrys Evans never fared much bet- the excavator making short work of the choirs le in the country that sing in Bianca Murray paint and shared bathroom. In their place, ter. Run down over its  nal years, time building. Within a year it will be hard to English and Welsh. e Last Choir Standing prefab structures that appear in weeks and certainly had taken its toll on the building. tell that the building ever existed. o er the luxuries of en-suite bathrooms. e dated feel of the rooms, bathrooms and Plas Gwyn was last habited in the aca- kitchens showed in comparison to the new demic year 2003-04, the place standing de- buildings. Whilst there are those who say Mark Jesset serted for four years, casting a shadow over that the loss of more shared accommoda- SEREN EXCLUSIVE: Carnage will hit Bangor on Tuesday 4th November 2008! Coming soon... The brand new

ellow students, the wait is over… the ‘spirit’ of things...! Carnage UK is coming to Bangor e night will begin in Rascals, with and Seren, as per usual is bring- students packing the ra ers. e party Basement bar Fing you the details before anyone else! will then move to Varsity, Fat Cats, Yates’s We have  nally discovered when the and e Old Glan (Yellow) before hitting monster event will roll out across Ban- Time and Academi. Only time will tell gor, and the wait is not long! Both www. what Carnage has in store for us, but one brand new pub is opening in the where an overwhelming proportion of stu- the Basement and Academi have been fro- carnageuk.com and the o cial Facebook thing’s for certain – it’s going to be big. bottom of the Students’ Union. dents said that the Students’ Union lacked a zen despite the large investment made to the group will prepare you for what’s in store, e o cial t-shirts are on sale at Ras- As of Monday the 22nd Septem- daytime bar. Debbie Lacey, the venue’s bar venues. with all the latest information, direct from cals, Varsity or e Basement Bar, so get berA  e Basement will be open Monday manager said: “A er the catering depart- e Basement will have named brand Carnage UK. on it! - Friday 10am through until 1 am, oper- ment closed in August we decided that a spirits and lagers, including the introduc- For those not in the know, Carnage is Carnage UK supports DrinkAware. ating as a co ee bar/ pub. It will also be daytime bar/ co ee shop would  ll this void tion of Guinness extra cold, a range of cof- an enormous student fancy dress event co.uk, and operates a Be Safe: Stay Safe open as a third room for the Saturday and provide the students with a competi- fees, mu ns, and snacks and will be open where everyone buys a t-shirt that gains policy. For more information visit www. night as part of the ‘Academi Student tively priced, relaxing venue where they can to the student public from Fresher’s week, so you entry into all the venues including carnageuk.com. Saturdays’ from 9-2am. work, unwind and socialise with friends.” go and have a nose! the end venue. e t-shirt has all the rel- e decision to refurbish the old JOCKS Good news comes in the form of drinks Jo Caulfield evant information printed on it and also Liz Stevens bar was made a er receiving feedback from prices! Students will not be penalised by the includes some tasks for those getting into a survey carried out by the Students’ Union decision to improve the venues as prices in 5 Freshers’ Issue 08 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk NEWS The fi nal curtain for Here’s a few rather Theatr Gywnedd unusual stories from the summer that you may have missed... Tuesday, 22 July STICK-IT TO THE MAN A campaigner against Heathrow Airport’s third runway attempted to glue himself to Gordon Brown. Dan Glass, a member of the protest group Plane Stupid, covered his le hand in superglue prior to receiving an award from the prime minister. As the two went to shake hands, Mr Glass he stuck out his superglued hand and touched Mr Brown’s sleeve. Plane Stupid said Mr Glass’ hand was then  rmly glued to Mr Brown’s jacket, however Downing Street’s o cial response stated there had been “no stickiness of any signi cance”. Mr Glass said his organisation was attempting to make Mr Brown “stick to his environmental promises”.

Thursday 14th August  er over thirty years of entertain- played host to in recent months; award win- been unveiled to recreate eatr Gwynedd ing the communities of North ning comedian Brendon Burns, a Tarantino into a new multi million pound complex. THINK YOU’RE BAD AT EXAMS? Wales, one of the foremost thea- interpretation of Macbeth and a spectacular e project will be a joint endeavour be- Try this… Back in August the Times Higher Education Supplement published a Atre companies in the country will close its adaptation of oroughly Modern Millie by tween the University and eatr Gwynedd list of rather exceptional answers students gave in their end of year exams. Highlights doors to the public in October. Bangor University’s Student Operatic and Company; the announcement of plans to include an economics student at City University in London who attributed North- eatr Gwynedd and Company located Dramatic Association, it is hard to believe rebuild the Students Union building has ern Rock’s downfall to “laxative enforcement policies”. A University of Southampton beside the Student’s Union will cease to host that the company could be su ering any  - sparked discussion that eatr Gwynedd student concerned by global warming wrote: “Tackling climate change will require an performances from this autumn. e ven- nancial hardship. and the Students Union will be connected unprecedented response.” ue has played host to an eclectic mix of dra- But modern times and changes in the with the Main Arts building although plans It does get better: In literature, a Bath Spa University student wrote that Margaret ma, art, comedy, dance, cinema screening scale of performing have led to space con- have yet to be released to con rm or deny Atwood’s book e Handmaid’s Tale “shows how patriarchy treats women as escape of modern and foreign  lm, and of course strictions and limited the shows that can these rumours. goats.” And  nally, a personal favourite: an undergraduate concerned by the threat of SODA’s annual performance. However in showcase at eatr Gwynedd. e reopening of a bigger and better illness, wrote “Control of infectious diseases is very important in case an academic recent years,  nancial issues have led to eatre lecturer Gwen Ellis who has theatre will ultimately be a great asset to breaks out.” the decision to close the eatr Gwynedd worked with eatr Gwynedd since 1979 Bangor and the wider community; a larger You’ve got to admit, with answers like these, academics can be rather dangerous… Company with the loss of nine full time and told Seren “As a lecturer, I shall miss being performance space will imminently attract twenty casual jobs. able to rely on their expertise and friend- more performers to the town and give e- Since the late seventies eatr Gwynedd ship when a student asks for training on the atr Gwynedd a new lease of life. Chair- has lent itself to medium scale productions, technical aspects of theatre. It saddens me woman of the eatr Gwynedd Board writing workshops and theatre festivals. A deeply that Bangor will shortly have no the- commented that whilst the actual building recent article in the North Wales Chronicle atre and no cinema: apparently one of the will be closed for up to a year and a half, Friday 15th August commented the decision was due to “in- few, if not the only, university towns that of- the company would continue to perform in creased  nancial pressures.” Nevertheless fer no such facilities to their students. ” other locations around North Wales. when considering the number of very suc- Yet all is not lost for the prestigious Bianca Murray EVERY LITTLE HELPS cessful performances eatr Gwynedd has North Wales theatre company as plans have Here’s one for all you pedants out there… Tesco was forced to change the wording of signs on its fast-track checkouts to avoid a linguistic dispute. e supermarket has replaced “10 items or less” notices with signs saying “Up to 10 items”. Technically, “10 items or less” is grammatically incorrect. If you’re interested (or want to show o to Cheap and happy Bangor scores your mates), “Fewer” should be used when you can count the items individually e.g. “there are fewer coins in my wallet”. “Less” is correct when you cannot count the quan- tity, e.g. “I would like less tequila”. Not that we’re expecting you to utter those words highly in independent students polls any time this week… t appears that independent where even penny sweets appear to already overfl owing beer money jar or pollsters have much love for have price comparison sites? (Rumours recoiling in shock and seeking refuge IBangor University this month, that the web name Pik-N-MixCompare. in a nearby coffee bar, secluded from as Bangor has been ranked the com had been recently bought up the inebriated hordes around them. second cheapest place for students sadly could not be confi rmed as Seren Overall, Bangor scored a not-too- to live in the UK according to went to press). To test their reviewing shabby 23-out-of-30. independent university guide, acumen I donned an investigative Moreover, Push.co.uk allows former Friday 5th September Push.co.uk’s Cost of Living Index. cap, for purposes of authenticity you and current students to review Bangor Ipsos Mori’s National Student understand, and went a-snooping at University to fi ll in synopsis details Survey also saw Bangor record an and review Bangor University in TATS CRAZY! overall satisfaction rating of 86% a blog-centric manner, and if the A Westlife fan celebrated her 40th birthday by having a tattoo of the band across her th among students - the 11 highest BANGOR’S lurid, colourful and downright shoulders. Vicky Jones from Abercwmboi in the Cynon Valley spent 16 hours having score of UK Universities and Further wacky range of descriptions on the boys tattooed on her back. According to the BBC website, Vicki has seen over 300 Education Centres, placing Bangor the site are anything to go by it’s Westlife concerts and counts herself as their greatest fan. She said to BBC online: “My in the top 20 percent countrywide. SCORES ON an opportunity that many have The highest satisfaction scores jumped upon with an enthusiasm children reckon I’m crazy but the tattoos are fabulous. All my money goes on Westlife were gleaned from Finance and akin to a hyperactive toddler on a - about £4,000 a year. I must be their biggest fan.” Singers Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Accounting students and those THE DOORS: sugar-rush. It’s hard to imagine Mark Feehily and Kian Egan added their autographs two months ago. She then had studying Physical Geography and an Ipsos Mori survey concluding them inked over onto her back, underneath their portraits. Environmental Sciences - both that Bangor has a “tolerably funky departments earning themselves Student satisfaction: 86% night scene” or “an increasingly a 98% satisfaction rating. The bitchin’ psychology department”. University’s newest department, Booze index score: 5/5 More’s the pity, obviously, but that of Law, scored almost as Average price of a pint: £1.40 rest assured that the factual highly, obtaining a 92% satisfaction credentials of Push.co.uk are on- rating. Dr. David Roberts, University point as well. Not every statistical Registrar, attributed these profound their website. point was covered, but the range of successes to an acknowledgement on The fi rst thing chanced upon whilst information available was nothing the part of University departments to searching the University’s pages is the if not comprehensive. So there you ensure that student support was “a 5-star rating system measuring aspects have it. They’re good, almost too vitally important element” in enabling of university life from Welfare to the all- good. No shocking expose to report, a positive student experience. important booze index. Bangor scored and what’s worse, I’ve been forced to Good times all round. However, it was fi ve-out-of-fi ve on this crucial criteria return my cap to Claire’s Accessories. Push.co.uk’s status as an independent- (£1.40 as average pint price), which, yet-highly-informal university guide depending on alcoholic persuasion that had me really intrigued. Could will see Freshers either champing-at- Stephen Davies they be trusted, especially in an era the-bit, eyeing the pennies in their 6 Freshers’ Issue 2008 COMMENT www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Bringing you the best in news, views,

New columnist alert! Left Leanings Donation Not A socialist perspective Discrimination! from Iain Dalton by Emily Collins 17,500.  at’s probably the av- Of course, there are more students in calling on the Student erage debt for someone leaving Higher Education now than ever before, Union to organise a GBT Pride is Bangor Univer- university last year.  is year it but soon £25billion is going to be wasted referendum, which will sity’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual £will be even more. If you are a fresher on a new generation of nuclear weapons now take place, giving and Trans group. We stand for and reading this, I apologise for be- (and that’s just for the  rst phase!). It sim- every student in Ban- that is prepared to do this, but by build- Lthe rights of the whole of the LGBT ing so bleak, but it is the situation that ply cannot be argued that the money isn’t gor a vote on whether the union should ing campaigns in universities across the Students community here in Bangor: students face today and it’s time we did there. support the aims of the Campaign to country the Campaign to Defeat Fees is we hold regular meetings, events and something about it. Yet that’s exactly what those in charge Defeat Fees. e Campaign to Defeat building the embryo of what is needed. campaigns for LGBT students and Tuition (and now top-up) fees add to of the National Union of Students (NUS) Fees demands for the abolition of tuition e aforementioned referendum will have fun whilst doing it! that debt, over £3000 a year for many stu- -who are supposed to represent us - are fees, the scrapping of student debt and be taking place this October and adopt- At our weekly meetings we have dents. 2009 will be a year where fees are claiming. Whilst the President, Wes the introduction of a living grant for all ing the Campaign to Defeat Fees de- ‘Queer Guides’, who o er a con den- a big issue as the government will begin students. It also calls mands will commit the Student Union to tial, friendly service; they are available reviewing the cap of £3070 a year that is for the building of campaigning against fees. But this should to help any students with LGBT is- currently placed on undergraduate fees a mass campaign to only be the beginning. e Students’ Un- sues. Our monthly ‘attitude free’ night (the news is worse if you’re an interna- It is unrealistic to  ght for this using ion should also be campaigning on other – Fruit Salad – provides an amazing tional student or post graduate as you can the resources that issues that a ect students from day-to- night out and our campaigns are a be charged even more). expect students to NUS have to co-or- day. If your course faces cuts, if you face force to be reckoned with! How have we got to this situation dinate national and unfair charges in your halls of residence, Our  rst campaign of the year is from one where just over ten years ago we put up with living in local action. Not just the Student Union should be there back- ‘Donation Not Discrimination’. is didn’t have tuition fees? e assault on the a handful of activ- ing you up as a student, campaigning to is a countrywide campaign protesting living conditions of students began back poverty to get a ists in every univer- defend you and other students, drawing the National Blood Service’s (NBS) in the eighties where piece by piece the sity but hundreds of on the experience of other campaigns ban on Gay and Bisexual men donat- Tory government stripped away various higher education. students prepared to from around the country. ing blood. bene ts and grants students could claim  ght. Some may say If you want to get involved in the ref- If you’ve donated blood you will as a right. is process has continued un- this is impossible, but erendum campaign visit the Socialist Stu- know that you are asked a series of der the Labour government of Tony Blair, movements of this dents stall at Serendipity or e-mail s questions before they take the red stu and Gordon Brown looks set to carry on Streeting, talks of how he believes in free kind are exactly what have stopped cuts out of your vains. Our main problem is with the scheme. What remains of grants education, he hypocritically refuses to to universities in Greece and schools and that if you answer ‘yes’ to the question: and bursaries is only a pittance of what campaign for it saying it is unrealistic. colleges in Chile, as one of the campaign- Iain Dalton is a Student’s Union “Are you a man who has had anal or once existed and is now mostly means- Well Mr. Streeting, it is unrealistic to ers there said “We are realists, we demand Senator and the head of the oral sex with a man (even if you used tested (which in e ect means seemingly expect students to put up with living in the impossible.” Socialist Students Society. a condom)?” you will be banned from endless paperwork to  ll-in just to at- poverty to get a higher education. Last What we don’t have in this country giving blood, for life. is ban will not tempt to claim anything). year over 300 students signed a petition is a leadership of the student movement be li ed in any case, even if you walk in waving an ‘all-clear’ HIV test and wearing a chastity belt! e NBS wrote to me recently and informed me that in 2005 more than 2500 HIV infections were diagnosed There’s no such thing as a free lunch in gay or bisexual men; ‘the largest number reported since the start of the In view of the upcoming referendum on free university education, Stephen HIV epidemic’. ey said that this was ‘clear evidence’ that gay and bisexual Davies and Patrick Stephens analyse the other side of the argument men should be banned. It seems they forgot to mention that ooking back over our outline the problems university of it fi nancially. The outcome of the government believes these num- protracted Summer students face. But should they this, according to the NUS, is the bers are a result of their ‘safer sex’ cam- Lbreak, it’s clear that it be going further? Should we widening of a two-tier system paigns – meaning the high number of has been an eventful few be lobbying the Government to between well-off and under- diagnoses is likely to be because more months for the National Union scrap fees altogether? privileged students. people are coming forward to be test- of Students (NUS) which, The Broke and Broken report This needs to be addressed, ed, rather than because more gay and following recent elections, is the fi nal seal on NUS’ change as a student body what we bisexual men have HIV. ey also for- has shifted quickly back into of policy regarding fees. Until have to avoid is a class system got to explain why the other 70% of the action. recently, they have campaigned opening up within our own HIV-infected donors weren’t banned Recently inducted NUS for free education but it seems universities. Education should be for life. President Wes Streeting, the reality has dawned on them the pathway to a level playing LGBT Pride encourages the NBS in who took over from former that this is never going to work. fi eld, giving everyone the same their life-saving work; but we believe President Gemma Tumelty at the Every student would love a free opportunities regardless of their that discriminating against a group of beginning of July, has this month education and we can wax lyrical social background or personal society based on a stereotype is wrong. unveiled a new report, Broke about how much the war in Iraq fi nancial situation and if that Furthermore, the policy of the Nation- and Broken, which challenges is costing until we’re blue in the isn’t happening, something is al Blood Service reinforces the idea the Government’s approach to face, but the fact of the matter seriously wrong. that HIV/AIDS is a ‘gay disease’. the University funding system, is, the Government will continue Following the report’s Our campaign will be focused on something the NUS has been the war in Iraq and not spend publication Wes Streeting a long-standing critic of. The the money on educating their criticised Government plans to t i m e the NBS blood-drive on the 7th Oc- spent on an old, tober 2008 in Powys Hall. We urge all report focuses on realigning NUS’ population. It’s one of those sad review the cap on tuition fees policy on fees. They are now facts of life we have to accept. next year, likening such actions idealist dream is time wasted. eligible students to come and donate As students, we need something blood. If you are unable to donate for focusing on a campaign to keep However, before you brush to political parties “burying their prices down, rather than remove off the Socialist Students’ heads in the sand”. He continued, to bring to the table that has whatever reason, please come down substance and plausibility, our and support us. We will have an infor- the yearly charges completely. referendum as ridiculous, “We need to have a proper debate With the Socialist Students rumours are that Wes Streeting about a viable alternative to the focus should now be on realigning mation picket and a petition for you the injustices and ensuring we to sign, asking the NBS to reconsider referendum coming up soon, is himself will be coming to Bangor current system, which is creaking NUS’ stance on the matter of fees to fi ghts against it; so they must under the pressure of market aren’t in £28,000 worth of debt their ban. If you would like more infor- for the privilege. mation or to get involved, please email really as bad as the Left-wingers be taking it seriously. forces. We need to alleviate that [email protected]. make out? NUS are fi erce in The Broke and Broken report pressure, not exacerbate it by their fi ght against the raising of goes on to state that allocation of contemplating raising the fees Stephen Davies and university fees, and their recent bursaries and additional funding cap”. Emily Collins is campaign report - Broke & Broken (see of Government resources is often It is sensible for the NUS to Patrick Stephens o cer for LGBT pride. inset picture) goes a long way to not reaching those most in need change their stance, any more 7 Freshers’ Issue 08 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk COMMENT reviews and maybe even Tom Cruise! New columnist The World Of Clubs And Societies To Hell in a Handcart... alert! The media are forever highlighting society’s Life, the problems… We’re all going to die and it’s universe and going to be your fault somehow. whatsitsface

s we all know, student easily the Daily Mail and by Joe Firth life can sometimes Express get away with hat was I going to say? Oh have its dull mo- headlines such as (and yes something about mem- Aments. Now Countdown is these are genuine ex- ory. I don’t know about you coming to the end of its life amples) “Now Gays Get Wbut I  nd this is an all too common oc- and the questions on  e Rights To Children” and currence in conversation. It also extends Weakest Link have become so “Migrants take ALL new to forgetting what I was thinking about hilst your degree is important, there is plenty to comple- painfully easy, even a 4 month jobs in Britain.” Casual much of the time, my thoughts becom- ment your academic studies here at Bangor University. It’s old child has an 80% chance xenophobia and preju- ing a collection of dead-end roads. Quite time to take on new challenges, try new things and most of getting them right, there dice adorn the Mail’s o en I’ll walk into a room, only to ut- Wimportantly have fun! seems to be little entertain- front pages on a regular terly forget why I had entered in the  rst Clubs & societies play a vital role in allowing you to get stuck ment of the indoor-daytime basis and no one seems to place. If somebody happens to be in the into the social scene and become involved with your Students’ Union. variety le . batter an eyelid. room at the time I’ll feign searching for Best of all every club & society is open to absolutely everyone; whether In the past, my solution To prevent these head- something if not I’ll dither in the door- an amateur photographer, pro cient actor, rugby veteran or climbing to this would have been: go lines from sending my way racking my pathetic excuse for a novice, there’ll be something that appeals. outside! Be free! Wander the blood pressure skywards, brain (sometimes I wonder if it’s any use streets of Bangor and talk to I’ve been devising a game having one at all). What do clubs do? people, like, in person! How- to amuse myself. It’s called Another case in point (more evidence Clubs are part of the Athletic Union; whether you’re looking to compete or take part ever, these days we all know ‘Become a Respectable for if I were ever to stand trial in some purely for recreational purposes, then you’ll  nd something to suit you! Many of our clubs what is likely to happen if Citizen’ and you should sort of amnesiacs court of law) refers to you step into the street… you try it. Here are the rules: compete regularly against other university teams on Wednesday a ernoons, whilst others Want to fi nd out more? packing for a holiday. I  nd no matter enjoy our unique location at the foot of Snowdonia National Park. Club activities provide will allegedly, most de nitely, next time you’re in the If you missed them at Serendipity, club and society de- how much preparation I procure some- social opportunities, a chance to meet new people and perhaps make friends for life. without a shadow of a doubt, vicinity of a newspaper tails (e-mail addresses and their websites) are listed on our thing is inevitably forgotten. Of course get stabbed. Not just once, but rack, glance at the front most things you can get by without, or What do societies do? website at: multiple times, in the neck, page of the Mail or the Ex- buy there, such as sun cream, a hat or So you’ve taken a fancy to some of the Athletic Union clubs but what about the non- in the face, in the le arm, in press and allow your head even moisturising lotion. However it’s sporty societies? Whilst the AU sets the sporting scene, there are over 35 societies at Ban- www.bangorstudents.com the face again, on the back of to explode with how truly a di erent story if you forget one of the gor o ering a wide-range of activities for you to get involved with. the knee and quite possibly, in outrageous society in essentials, the classic example being the the nose. at’s right folks, the A recent headline from the Daily Mail... need we say any more? this day and age is. en How to join a club or society? Alternatively, get in touch with the respective sabbatical passport (telling the check-in assistant ‘I modern world is nothing but choose an overused and don’t have it with me but I can tell you it Your  rst port of call, to  nd out more about each of them, will be Serendipity (our o cer… and scalding the faces of innocent children you’re a waste of space anyway? Crimes a haven of people with knives; seemingly meaningless is in the top drawer of my desk’, does not, freshers’ fair – see page 14 for more details). Be sure to have a good look around – you’ll be on a regular basis; but this doesn’t mean are committed all over the UK by seem- and they’re thrusting them in your general phrase to adequately express this indigna- in fact get you on the plane). able to sign up to and join various groups on the day (and get lots of freebies!). we all are. ingly respectable citizens on a daily basis, Clubs – Rob Samuel, AU President direction. tion. Something like “gone to the dogs!” or My most spectacular loss of memory Some of us are now approaching a stage but you wouldn’t know, because you aren’t e: [email protected] Well, that’s what you may be led to be- “never in my day!” will work  ne. Finally, occurred last year when I was convinced What if the society or club I want to join doesn’t in our lives where we can no longer be ac- told. e media prefer to inform us of all t: 01248 38 8003 lieve if you read tabloids such as the Daily take the headline and chosen axiom, put I’d lost my mobile phone. Such was the exist? curately described as a ‘youth’. I can’t say those youths who spend their time “stab- Mail every day. According to them, every- them together and announce your opinion conviction that I went out and bought a Pop in and see us! We’d love to help you set up a new club or society if the demand is however that this voyage into old(er) age bin up deez hoes. Bare sick and ting, brapp one is getting stabbed or mauled or eaten as loudly as possible in a public place. It’s new one, only to  nd I’d simply forgotten there. Societies – Tom Hecht, Societies & Events Offi cer makes me as brapp.” …or by 8 snakes on a twice-daily basis (usually what all the over 40s are doing these days, it was in a bag I’d been using all along. e: [email protected] sad as it used to. s o m e t h i n g at the hands of immigrants). ink back to ‘Everyone is getting I can’t help but hear. Impressively, I’ve also managed to leave t: 01248 38 8004 I’m quite glad like that any- how many times in the last month you’ve I’d like to end this article with my inspi- a card in a cash machine, yet the reper- to be too old to way. It seems heard of a stabbing somewhere; I’m imag- stabbed or mauled or ration for the above pastime and indeed, cussions were minimal as the next per- feel personally the ruling ining it’s quite a lot. Would it then surprise this article. A few months ago, whilst in a son handed it into the bank (some faith victimised by eaten by 8ft snakes classes need a you to know that, according to o cial sta- queue at Tesco, I overheard a 50-year-old restored in humanity momentarily). the institutional scapegoat and tistics, knife crime has actually fallen since man (Daily Mail in hand) ranting to his wife, Initially, I was under the impression ageism of soci- on a twice-daily basis anyone in the the mid-1990s? seemingly unaware of the exquisite irony that it was only myself who was uniquely ety. 13-19 bracket anks to the media obsession with (usually at the hands spouting from his mouth: “AM I READ- a icted by this apparently premature Yes there are  ts perfectly. knife crime, youths are to be approached ING RIGHT? 16,000 IMMIGRANTS onset of dementure. However, when problems and Ultimately, with enormous trepidation. ere’s story of immigrants)’ INTO BRITAIN EVERY MONTH? THIS I mentioned it to one or two friends (I yes some young fear sells news- upon story of older, more responsible citi- COUNTRY’S GONE TO RACK AND would’ve asked more but, well you can people do go o papers and zens getting battered in the street because RUIN! ANY MORE OF THIS DOROTHY, probably guess the reason why I hadn’t) the rails, but unless the Daily Mail give all headlines saying “Don’t Worry, e Youths they asked two youths not to stub their cig- AND WE’RE MOVING TO SPAIN!” I discovered that they too su ered from this scare mongering a rest, it’s going to Are O e Smack Sandwiches” aren’t arettes out in the face of a child, or some- a similar complex. I felt comforted yet get worse. For what would be the point in going to do the Mail’s pro t margins any thing equally horri c. is may well be also somehow robbed of this unique trying to better yourself if society thinks favours. What really surprises me is how Jo Caulfield true; some youths might be running riot anti-ability. On further thought however it simply led me to worry. If this is an epidemic of forgetfulness gripping our generation Does something really get your goat? Are you then what hope to we have for the fu- ture? What if some of us forget to drive o the right side of the road? It slips doctor’s constantly disillusioned with the life you lead? mind to put the patient under anaesthet- ic before an operation? Food rots in the Well then friend, Comment is the place for you.  elds as farmers don’t recall what to do with those big harvesting machines? We are always on the lookout for new articles and So, while I remember, do you suf- fer from a form of memory de ciency? columnists, so get in touch! There’s scope for I’d love to know, as if the results come back positive then we could be facing articles of any nature, from student issues to the catastrophe the likes climate change and terrorism can only dream of. And hell I wider perspective. Your paper needs you! Email: don’t want to be around to see it. Actu- ally, that reminds me, I keep meaning to [email protected] build an underground bunker. 8 Freshers’ Issue 2008 Features www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Hey, Hi and Hello There! Fancy a challenge? How about

Welcome to the totally volunteering in amazing features section of Seren, Bangor University’s Star Publication. I’m Bianca Kenya all summer... or most students the idea of taking said to be a carrier. It is o en the case in to the eyeballs while building a mud hut for the editor of features for this a gap year seems to be an integral these remote villages than eight or more a widow with  ve children. e really sur- coming year. As you can see part of student culture, however for children can be le behind to survive in a prising thing is that that simple mud hut is from this utterly fabulous Fthose not brave enough to spend twelve country with some of the harshest condi- expected to last for up to thirty years. Freshers Edition, Seren is a lot months in another country there is an al- tions on Earth. Diana and Sian have described their trip ternative. As well as caring for the orphans six as amazing and life changing. To experi- of fun to create and be a part Diana Miller and Sian Peacock, both hours a day; Diana and Sian also worked ence  rst hand what everyday life is like in a of; as well as producing an  rst year Social Work third world country awesome student newspaper, Welsh medium stu- has almost certainly we have socials which are always a good laugh, especially dents spent a month changed their per- of their summer work- spective about how the Arctic Roll Challenge! If you are interested in getting ing in an orphanage in our society lives. involved with Seren and writing for the features page email Kisumu Kenya. Dur- is trip will ulti- me at [email protected], or come along to ing their time there mately have encour- our weekly meetings: 5-6 Tuesdays in the SU committee they volunteered in aged them to strive an orphanage for chil- harder to gain their room. dren aged between degrees in social Looking forward to meeting and working with you! three months and six- work and continue teen years old. As well to provide this kind Bianca as this they helped in a of help and relief for community outreach those in need. It is a regeneration project refreshing change to in Kitale. see students sacri- As with any volun-  cing their time not teer project they had only for the bene t A quick word to raise funds; and in of others less for- true student style they tunate, but to raise took advantage of liv- money and travel ing in halls and did to Africa is nothing from Nightline washing up for the St. short of extraordi- Mary’s Site for a small nary. charge. is is a job I de nitely would not with a project in Kitale bringing vital as- e company they went with are called- elcome Back! sition, feeling homesick about leaving your have wanted, I’ve seen some of the strange sistance to this rural community in terms of Real Gap Experience, so Google them if you We hope you’ve had a good friends and making new ones. Were also concoctions they make up there! nutrition, living standards and sex advice. think this could be the trip for you! summer and are looking for- here if you want to tell us about the good e orphanage they volunteered in was is project proved to be the most fun and Wward to another (or a  rst) year at Bangor things that are happening. home to four sta and sixty children; most the most challenging for them, as you can Bianca Murray University. Nightline is always ready to listen. It of whom have lost their parents to AIDS; see from the picture, it looks like Diana and For those of you who don’t know what runs 8pm-8am every night through the one in eight of the population in Kenya is Sian thoroughly enjoyed being mucked up Nightline is, we are a con dential listening term (you can also ring us for a local pizza and information service run by the stu- delivery number if you like, we have all the dents here in Bangor. Any student can ring answers...) up, for really simple things like take-away One way to get involved in student life phone numbers, and taxi’s to more serious and make new friends could be to join issues you may want to discuss. Nightline. We are always looking for new Last year Nightline saw many changes, volunteers who are friendly, easy to talk and all of them for the better. We went to to and who are non-judgemental. Anyone the national nightline conference where can become a volunteer all you need to do we got new ideas about how to make this is come along to the Nightline stand at Ser- a better service and hopefully reach more endipity where you can get more informa- of you. We also hope that with the help of tion, talk to current volunteers and sign up our brand new committee we’ll be able to to our training weekends where you will achieve even more! Nightline is run by a learn everything you need to be a great dedicated committee and is only successful volunteer. because of its amazing volunteers. If this sounds like something you’d like If you’re a new student at Bangor Uni- to  nd out more about we would love to versity it can sometimes be a bumpy tran- see you at Serendipity.

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LViZgadd HigZZi! 7Vc\dg! AA*, &9H LViZgadd HigZZi! 7Vc\dg! AA*, &9H LViZgadd HigZZi! 7Vc\dg! AA*, &9H lll#i]ZlViZgadd^cc#Xd#j`IZa/%&')-(***'% lll#i]ZlViZgadd^cc#Xd#j`IZa/%&')-(***'% lll#i]ZlViZgadd^cc#Xd#j`IZa/%&')-(***'% The Defi nitive Freshers’ Guide 2008. Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 MEET THOSE LOVELY SABBATICAL OFFICERS OF YOURS Seren catches up with the SABB team to ask a few questions...

John Jackson Spencer George Rob Samuel Rhion Glyn Tom Hecht

Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: John Jackson Spencer George Rob Samuel Rhion Glyn Tom Hecht Age: Age: Age: Age: Age: 32 22 22 21 22 Union role: Union role: Union role: Union role: Union role: President Deputy President Athletic Union President Llywydd UMCB President Societies & Events Offi cer Describe yourself in 3 words: Describe yourself in 3 words: Describe yourself in 3 words: Describe yourself in 3 words: Describe yourself in 3 words: Able to count Competitive, Enthusiastic and (more Fun, enthusiastic and crazy Easy-going, approachable, helpful Love climbing mountains What’s your favourite thing often than not) Hungry... What’s your favourite thing What’s your favourite thing What’s your favourite thing about Bangor? What’s your favourite thing about Bangor? about Bangor? about Bangor? The scenery - even when the weath- about Bangor? The beautiful location. I love the fact The strong community spirit. We’ve got 3G! er’s bad (which obviously isn’t that The feeling that you’re part of a com- that you can get out in to the moun- Say you were invisible for the Say you were invisible for the often) the place looks fantastic. munity. That and the scones they sell tains so easily, or head to the beach day… what would you do? day… what would you do? Say you were invisible for the on the pier! at the drop of a hat. Also, you’ve got Rob a bank! Climb to the top of Top College Tower day… what would you do? Say you were invisible for the to love the community! If Seren were buying the and hoist a pirate fl ag (don’t tell any- What wouldn’t you do?! day… what would you do? Say you were invisible for the drinks, what would you have? one just incase the occasion arises :p) If Seren were buying the I would apply to go on Dragons Den day… what would you do? Expensive Cocktail please! Else, you’ll fi nd me in Alton Towers. drinks, what would you have? and attempt to sell the invention that Pull enough pranks and practical Finally…what are you most If Seren were buying the The cheapest one - I decide your made me invisible ... Theo and Debo- jokes in the SU to last a lifetime looking forward to this drinks, what would you have? budget! rah would defi nitely invest! If Seren were buying the academic year? Double Gon & Tinic please Finally…what are you most If Seren were buying the drinks, what would you have? Getting more UMCB members Finally…what are you most looking forward to this drinks, what would you have? I’m quite partial to Orange juice! involved in UMCB’s social and looking forward to this academic year? A cup of tea. Milk and two sugars Finally…what are you most political activities. academic year? Helping to run the Students’ Union please .... looking forward to this US Presidential Elections and with the other Sabbatical offi cers - Finally…what are you most academic year? Eurovision Song Contest 2009. Also, sounds corny but it’s true looking forward to this I’m really looking forward to trying to I’ve heard the Freshers’ Ball is going academic year? get more people involved in physical to be awesome... Without a shadow of a doubt it has activty and the Healthy Living/Go Out What is a Sabbatical Offi cer? to be the SVB SIN nights! They are and Get Active week I am planning for Five sabbatical offi cers are elected by a cross- always great fun and defi nitely one of the beginning of semester 2. Oh and I campus ballot every academic year to represent the best nights out in the academic can’t forget that important thing called the student body. They are paid, full-time offi cers of the Students’ Union who work 9-5 (mostly, but year! the Sports Strategy! some push the overtime - not getting paid extra for it, mind!), 5 days a week. Their roles are split into 4 main areas that consist of: direct representation of individuals, democratic representation, guiding the Union as a trustee, ...and now a quick word and working as an activist to help instigate change from your President to benefi t the student body.

ello everyone. Quite a bit’s with a beverage (tea, coffee, fruit juice other big sports news is that BUSA has its image. Also, the website will be Finally, happened over the summer – the or alcohol) whilst you wait for your merged with UCS to become BUCS; undergoing a huge transformation, if all that’s not enough for you, SVB HMenai Centre has more shops, undies to dry in our laundrette down acronyms galore, but essentially the probably its biggest ever – check it out (Student Volunteering) has brand new the High Street has fewer, planning the corridor! What more could you two big university sports associations at the start of the semester. projects and is growing from strength permissions have been granted for a want? Perhaps the following… are now one bigger one with a unifi ed Spencer (Deputy President) has to strength, Storm FM is preparing ten-pin bowling alley and yet more Tom (Societies & Events Offi cer) national voice. been coordinating all of our branding to go online in semester 2, and this accommodation, but Theatr Gwynedd has been working his socks off on this Rhion (President of UMCB - the Welsh and will also be launching ACT (the very newspaper has increased its page is soon to close its doors for the fi nal year’s Serendipity, which promises to Student’s Union), is concentrating on Advice Centre Team) which is a great count after its recent successes; we’ll time – most signifi cantly however, be as big and jam-packed as ever, but widening participation this year. UMCB new concept where student volunteers also be running ‘Give It A Go’ sessions for those of you who remember the he’s also been doubling his workload is hugely popular in the JMJ halls, but can assist in running awareness again so you can experience something institution that was Emrys Evans, it is with the addition of The Freshers’ Ball. we hope to broaden participation to campaigns throughout the year. without necessarily committing to do no more! Yes it’s joined the great halls- All our venues will be open together as many Welsh speakers as possible; And as for me, aside from being it all year – everything from horse- of-residence-graveyard in the sky. for one night only to host a huge event this also extends to any Welsh President I’ve taken over the role of riding to dodge-ball - watch out for the There’s no further information on the with a vast range of music, comedy learners and Rhion will be aiding the Education offi cer and so will be running timetable. future of the Students’ Union building. and entertainment. Llywelyn Society in running sessions the Course Reps system, as well as Good luck for the year, enjoy it, and Plans are at the development stage, Rob (AU President) is continuing our to aid learning in a more social, non- overseeing the implementation of the don’t forget, if you’d like to do what we’re but as far as a timetable of closure heavy involvement in the University’s classroom environment. brand new constitution and getting doing the elections aren’t that far off… is concerned, there isn’t one – yet. Sports Strategy, the main aims of Hopefully you’ve noticed our brand people onto exciting new committees, The structure will (barring accidents) which are the raising of the standard new logo. After researching opinions whilst also spearheading the new continue to stand for the entirety of of facilities, and the general increase on the old one towards the end of last initiative of the ‘walkabout’ – yes all JOHN JACKSON this academic year, and this includes in participation. There’s still a long year, we decided to ‘brand’ the Union 5 of us intend to be out and about Time and Academi. Oh, and we have way to go, but we have a loud and as a whole and we think you’ll fi nd that together as often as possible fi nding a brand spanking new pub down in the infl uential voice so let us know what whilst the old building looks a bit naff, out what you want and any issues you basement which means you can relax you think we should be saying. The we’ve done what we can to improve may have. Please do let us know. Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08

The Survival Guide

ell it seems you have arrived in or NUS card and quite possibly with your university life. right now (we’re on ably not see many of these people a er the one piece. Congratulations, and no student loan… could you imagine? 4. Having to deal with all this while an the Serendipity map guys, so there is no ex-  rst two weeks, there are always a few you celebrations. As you may have You’ll be given details of where and when enormous hangover pounds at the cuse! And we have sweets…). will grow to know and (with a bit of luck) Wheard, the  rst week of uni is supposed to to register by your school’s admin depart- inside of your skull. Our advice is to As you’ll be aware, alcohol is an inevita- love. You’ll also learn that Bangor is a small be the highlight of the year. ere’s all the ment, so that’s a good piece of paper to hang respond in the a rmative when ble part of student life, and this is especially place and that it’s very di cult to get lost non-stop partying, the meeting new people on to. e time you register will depend questioned and do your best not to true during Freshers’ Week. Most students here – at some point in the next week you’ll and the potential for copulation (see page 14 upon the initial letter of your surname. So us vomit. partake in such activities but (we have to have an epiphany and realise where all the for the de nitive guide to this…). lucky souls in the A-D bracket are stuck with Right, now on to the good stu ! All the say this bit) drinking in moderation is rec- roads meet each other; from there it really In order to maintain our reputation as registration at stupid o’clock in the morning, interesting Freshers’ Week activities are or- ommended. We don’t expect this is advice is plain sailing. a responsible publication,  rstly we need which is always a pleasure. e process it- ganised by your very own (and very lovely) you will heed, but never mind. Sharing a Despite all this, remember the most im- to talk you through the boring stu . Of- self is pretty painless, although you should Students’ Union, who do the utmost to en- few drinks with your new  atmates can be portant thing is to enjoy yourself. Don’t go  cially, the purpose of Freshers’ Week is to expect the following things to happen while sure you’ll not be short of entertainment. a great way to get to know each other and to the bookshop and buy the reading list get all you new students registered, sort out you’re there: One of the most popular events of Fresh- dispel the initial awkwardness; however as with the intention of  nishing them all be- timetables and make sure you all hear an 1. Being asked to join another queue for ers’ Week is Serendipity (the freshers’ fair). we know, too much alcohol and silly antics fore lectures start, that can wait; Freshers’ enthralling introductory talk by the head of no apparent reason is is the day when all the sports clubs can always lead to more awkwardness… so Week only comes around once a year, so get your school. Unfortunately, you do have to 2. Having to (probably blindly) sign a and societies gather in the Students’ Union do keep that one in mind. into it! go through with the registration and boring few documents here and there. building, to give you the opportunity to join During Freshers’ Week it is guaranteed talks, otherwise you may  nd yourself not 3. Sitting down to have a photo taken up. Obviously your  rst port of call will be that you will meet loads of new and exciting listed in course timetables, without a library that will haunt you for the entirety of the brilliant publication you are reading people. Although it is true that you’ll prob-

A note from Dwight McCarthy - Seren’s self-appointed Freshers Guru 'S Dear Freshers,

Welcome to Bangor! For the next three years this rain FRESHERS’ BINGO! soaked, seaside Welsh city will become your home. Get stuck to Being freshers your lovely clean, cosy and of course Get soaked by the fl oor in homely rooms will keep you happy and content for your the Bangor rain fi rst year. Time Hide in your Walk up Many of you will be away from home for the very fi rst time so it is expected of you to go nuts. Party as hard room from the (Glanrafon) as you can, don’t dream of actually doing anything cleaners ‘Bitch Hill’ worthwhile like making friends or taking in your Watch a soap Drink alcohol surroundings; just get drunk, forget those parents you omnibus before Midday once had and suck in the highlights of Bangor. Enjoy the Penny End up with a To help you enjoy this experience even further I have Whistle Man’s traffi c cone in included a Bangor Bingo card for you to cut out and tunes your fl at keep: see if you can witness or partake in some of Get hopelessly these deeply rooted Bangorian traditions. Go to a pound a lost on your pint night See you out there! way home

Sincerely, Do your fi rst independent Pull a minger Dwight supermarket shop

Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 BRINGS YOU:

By Matt McCullagh

It was Jonathan Davis of the nu-metal band ‘KoRn’ who sang ‘All Day I Dream About Sex’ back in 1996, but even he would admit he probably does not think about it as much as many of the students at university these days. Although I know no one goes to University just for sex, on a night out it is obvious many people have sex on the mind. And who can blame them? Bangor is full of very good looking people and I should know – Last year my mrs had a crush on two of the bar staff from Yellow last year (and she’s a picky beggar). Anyway, we can all agree sex is great, but just like everything else in life, good things never come free of trouble and it is sex which has caused students all over the world a major headache. By headache I don’t just mean waking up the next morning with a hangover and someone who doesn’t look half as good as they did the night before. We all know about them and hopefully we’re all conscious about them when we are trying to ‘pull’. By ‘them’ I mean Sexually Transmitted Infections (not diseases anymore apparently). STI’s are unpleasant and something which I hope we all wish to avoid. My job is to inform you all of the causes, symptoms, preventions and most importantly of all, the names. What a great way to start my fi nal year, couldn’t think of anything better to be honest. But hopefully, this may save you some pain. FACT: In the last 10 years, the number of Here’s some of the STI’s on offer: people infected with chlamydia has Syphilis Gonorrhoea HIV / AIDS increased - A Bacterial infection. - Infects the urethra, cervix, by 206% - Human Immunodefi ciency Virus rectum, mouth and throat. - The fi rst sign is a raised lump (HIV) is the fourth biggest killer or lesion usually found on or - Around half of all women with worldwide. near the genitals or anus which gonorrhoea don’t have any - It is an incurable sexually may then form a painless sore. symptoms. transmitted infection that can be Genital - Sores can take one to 12 passed during unprotected anal, - Men tend to have a white, yellow weeks to develop and may be vaginal and also oral sex, via or green discharge from the herpes followed by a general feeling of blood, semen and vaginal fl uids. urethra and pain on passing urine. being unwell. You may notice Chlamydia - Caused by the herpes simplex - A blood test (usually taken 1-3 white patches on your tongue or - Can lead to pelvic infl ammatory - The most common STI virus (HSV). months after the risk of infection on the roof of your mouth. disease in women if not treated. - Chlamydia affects 1 in 100 has been identifi ed) can detect the - First episode usually causes This can cause infertility and long- sexually active people under 25. presence of the virus. painful ulcers or sores in or around - Over time it can cause major term pelvic pain. the anus or genital area. health problems, such as - Up to 8 in 10 women with - HIV attacks the body’s immune - Men can develop painful damage to organs, bones and Chlamydia only have mild system and leaves those infected - May cause pain on passing urine erections and infections in the the nervous system. symptoms or none at all. susceptible to life-threatening and a stinging or tingling in the testicles and prostate gland, which conditions. anus or genital area. - Early syphilis can be cured with may cause infertility. - In women symptoms include: antibiotics, in tablet form or as lower abdominal pain; bleeding - AIDS is the latter stages of HIV - A number of people don’t have - Can be treated with antibiotics, an injection. after sex; bleeding between when the immune system has any symptoms or have sores that in tablet form or as an injection. periods; unusual vaginal stopped working. are not painful. discharge or pain when passing urine. - If you contract HIV, then - Cooling the area with ice or cold counselling, regular blood tests, water or bathing in a salt can - Symptoms in men include: and a daily cocktail of drugs, relieve symptoms. discharge from the penis and which work to slow the progress of pain on passing urine. - Treatment with antiviral drugs the virus and effectively manage reduces the severity and duration - Only half of all men with the condition, will unfortunately of symptoms. become a way of life. FACT: Chlamydia have symptoms. Around the world, 330 million MORE INFORMATION new cases of STDs * Gum Clinic - (Ysbyty Gwynedd) 01248 384 054 among young adults * Family Planning Clinic - Bangor (Sackville Rd, Bangor) 01248 351423 occur each * www.bangorstudents.com/advicecentre/health.asp year A few tips on safe gay / lesbian sex from LGBT: Girl-on-girl Boy-on-boy Lesbian & bisexual women should always Anal stimulation and penetration brings a use a dental dam (a square of latex or cling high risk of bacteria being transferred from fi lm – a cut open condom is perfect for this) anus to mouth, skin or genitals. A condom when performing oral sex, especially if they are should always be worn and a dental dam should menstruating. Sex toys should be thoroughly be used for anal stimulation to prevent the cleaned and protected with a condom. transmission of parasites. You should have regular cervical smears, even Using lubricant is advisable to reduce the if they you have not had sex with a man for a chances of rectal tearing and bleeding, but long time – or ever. Sex between women can always use a water-based one, such as ‘KY transmit HPV, a virus associated with cervical Jelly’. Other lubricants – like Vaseline - can cancer, so be safe & get tested. destroy the latex used in condoms and put you at risk. Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 SAFE SEX FOR DUMMIES

Here at Seren, we like to Look out promote ethical brands. The Seren guide to for Seren’s stall at Serendipity - we’ve So here’s some info on One got a year’s supply Condom, a company whose putting a condom of condoms up for grabs. Come and profi ts help fund HIV / AIDS get your hands on correctly: on some! projects in Africa Global Ethics, the organisation those affected by HIV / AIDS, behind the ethical water brand including children orphaned by One, has launched a new line the diseases. of ethical condoms, the fi rst of All One condoms come in its kind in round foil the UK. w r a p p e r s All profi ts and are from the packaged in One condom a silver tin for range go to discretion. funding HIV There are and AIDS 120 funky projects in foil wrapper Africa. This d e s i g n s e n a b l e s to choose users to feel from (we good in more ways than one; personally like the cockerel whilst they have fun and keep design with the slogan ‘One for STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 safe in the bedroom, they will the early riser’). be keeping Africa safe too. One condoms can be bought Rip the packet Pinch the air out of All profi ts go towards helping as a pack of three in a reusable carefully, making sure the top of the condom, Roll the condom all raise awareness and addressing silver tin from Co-Op, most there are no tears in this reduces the the way down to the the problems associated with NUS shops (hopefully at the HIV and AIDS in Africa via Bangor SU shop soon!) and will the condom itself chance of it ripping or base of the penis charity partners. So money you retail for £1.98. sliding off spend on One Condoms helps Visit: www.onedifference org. to run support programmes for

It’s all very well knowing how to have safe sex, but what if you’ve no one to do it with? Luckily, we can help there too... Here’s some chat-up lines recommended by our lovely Facebook friends. Good luck! Shellie Hamlet Jamie Blacker Dan Williams Katy Sandford Matt McCullagh

Bloke holds out his “Are you made “Hi, I’m Mr. “Do you like arm and says: by Gillette? Right. Some- Wales then? “Do you fancy “Feel that, it’s ‘Cause you’re one said you I’ve got a me?” boyfriend the best a man were looking humpback at material” can get” for me?” mine” Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08

82 83 84 85 81 86 87 80 88 SERENDIPITY 2008 79 89 AU CLUBS SOCIETIES

American Football 100 Amnesty (BASS) 20a Law 12a Archery 98 Anglican 9a Malaysian 3b Athletics 101 Arcanii (English Literarture) 18a Music 7a Badminton 70a Archaeology 18b Operatic and Dramatic (SODA) 3a Basketball (Men's) 89 Art 17b People & Planet 11a Basketball (Women's) 88 Catholic 9b Photography 35 Body Building 74a Chinese 7b Pride (LGBT) 36 72 Canoe 112 Christian Union 8b Research Students (RSF) 12b 78 Canoe Polo 108 Duke of Edinburgh 2a Rostra (Amateur Dramatic) 1b Cheerleading 71a Earth Religions 8a Seren 77 71 Climbing (BUMS) 111 Endeavour (Ocean Sciences) 13a (English Language Newspaper) 53 73 Dance 71b English Dramatic (BEDS) 17a Socialist Students 19a Fencing 97 Fair Trade 11b Speculative Analysis 19b 70 Football (Men's) 86 Film Foundation (BUFFS) 6b Stage Crew 1a Football (Women's) 87 Forestry (BIFSA) 13b Storm FM 56 Gaelic Football (Men's) 80 Geographical 14a Students with Disabilities 37 Gaelic Football (Women's) 81 Guides & Scouts (BUGS) 106 Treborth Action Group (STAG) 20b 74 Golf 96 Herpetological 41 Wargaming & Roleplaying 76 Gymnastics 74b Islamic 6a (BWRPS) 93 69 Hockey (Men's) 85 Japanese 2b Zoological 14b 75 Hockey (Women's) 84 Junior Common Rooms (JCRs) 54 86 Judo 94 Ki-Aikido 95 67 Mountain Biking 73a 99 98 64 Mountain Walking (UMWC) 107 65 66 Netball 75a 97 Octopush 109 96 Orienteering 70b Riding 65a 95 Rowing 110 Rugby League 83 94 56 Rugby Union (Men's) 99 55 Rugby Union (Women's) 79 57 Sailing 104 58 Snooker & Pool 65b 54 Snowsports (BUSC) 114 59 Sub Aqua 105 93 53 Surf (BUST) 113 Swimming 73b 92 52 Table Tennis 75b 60 51 Tennis 102 91 101 100 Trampoline (BUTS) 72a 102 50 Ultimate Frisbee 103 90 103 Volleyball (Eagles) 72b 61 49 62 104 48 63 105 47 106 EXTERNAL 46 45 Anglesey County Council Leisure Department 66 Antena 25 Arriva Bangor 33 Bangor Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses 4 35 Barclays Bank 29 44 107 British Red Cross 50b 34 Carlton North Wales 28 43 26 27 28 29 30 CCUSA 68 108 Christians in Sport 64b 33 Chubbs Cabs Ltd 32 42 Conservative Future 39 21 22 23 24 25 109 STUDENTS’ UNION Consumer Direct Wales 50a 32 41 Debenhams 22 16 17 18 19 20 15 Epilepsy Wales 47a 40 110 Centre for Careers and Opportunities 60a Family Planning Clinic 48b 31 Chaplaincies 46b Gecko Clothing 67 39 Dyslexia Unit 47b 10 11 12 13 14 111 Gwynedd Recycling 23 ELCOS 46a HMV 61 5 6 7 8 9 38 Library Services 60b JJB 34 112 Maes Glas 69 Lidl 24 Student Servcies 45 37 Moelyci Environmental 1 2 3 4 36 Centre 64a 113 National Blood Service 63 NUS Wales 58a 114 Orange 30 UNIVERSITY Routledge 62 RSPB Cymru 68 SORTED 115 Advice Centre 49 Stop Smoking Wales 48a Nightline 52a Subway 55 RAG 52b The National Trust 27 Students’ Union 59 Traveline Wales 31 Wales University Offi cer 115 Student Volunteering Bangor 51 UMCB (Welsh Students' Union) 57 Training Corps 43

Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08

The rules to survive the adventure: • You must be in the chosen pub by the time stated on the map • Collect a SEREN sticker upon your entry into the Belle Vue • Follow the arrows around the map to your next establishment • You are expected to stick to the times on the map • You are expected to have at least one drink (doesn’t have to be alcoholic) in each establishment. • You are expected to love Seren after you have a wonderful night out with us!

Belle Vue 7pm Time 10.20pm

Rascals 7.40pm

Yellow 9.20pm

Varsity 8.50pm

Wetherspoons 8.20pm

Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 Freshers 08 16 Freshers’ Issue 2008 ADVERT www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Rydym yn cael parti mawr i ddathlu agoriad

Penwythnos cyfan o gerddoriaeth, gweithgareddau, bwyd a diod gwych a mwy na 21 awr o adloniant, DJs a bandiau byw!!!

Dydd Gwener 10 – Dydd Sul 12 Hydref 2008 Dydd Gwener 3yp – 1yb Dechrau gyda nifer o artistiaid acwstig byw chilled ac yna DJs R&B a dawns

Dydd Sadwrn 1yp- 1yb Dechrau am 1yp, bandiau byw, DJs a Gemau, 6yp ymlaen – Roc a metel

Dydd Sul 2yp – 12yb

Dechrau hamddenol i’r diwrnod ac yna noson o ganeuon cawslyd i chi gael ysgwyd eich tinau!!

Bydd hefyd twrnameintiau gemau, felly dechreuwch gasglu eich timau ar gyfer Jenga, Connect 4, Twister a Milk the Cow nawr!!!!

Cewch hefyd 2 gwrw am bris un, cynigion arbennig ar fwyd, rhoddion a llawer iawn mwy……!

Ewch i fewnrwyd Bangor i lawr lwytho tocynnau a chynigion arbennig

Bar UNO, Safle Ffriddoedd, Ffordd Ffriddoedd, Bangor.

To celebrate the opening of we're throwing a big party!

A whole weekend jam packed with Music, Activities, Great Food and Drink with over 21 hours of entertainment, LIVE DJ's & Bands!!!

Friday10th – Sunday 12th October 2008 Friday 3pm - 1am

Starting with a line up of chilled LIVE acoustic artists followed by R&B and dance DJ's

Saturday 1pm - 1am

Starting at 1pm LIVE Bands, DJ's & Games, 6pm onwards Rock & Metal

Sunday 2pm - 12am

A mellow start to the day, followed by a night of extremely cheezzee tunes to shake what Your mamma gave ya'!!

There will also be Giant Games tournaments, so, get your Jenga, Connect 4, Twister and Milk the Cow teams together now!!!!

There will also be 2-4-1 offers on beer, food offers, freebies and much, much more……!

Check out the Bangor intranet for downloadable vouchers and promotions

Bar UNO, Ffriddoedd Site, Ffriddoedd Road, Bangor. 17 Freshers’ Issue 08 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk HELLO!

’ll start by joining the countless masses of people to say a big WELCOME TO IBANGOR! This here page is devoted to Storm 87.7FM, and I am Matt Ison, Station Manager of said institution. SVB would like to welcome all our existing members back to Bangor this Some of you may already be clued up month and extend a special welcome to all the Freshers! If you’re new to about Storm FM and its role in Bangor, but Bangor University or returning and you’d like to know more about our many to sum up for everyone, Storm is a radio volunteering opportunities then come along to one of our two information station run BY students FOR students! Last sessions on 30th September and 2nd October in our Project Room, Ground year we won a Bronze Student Radio Award Floor, Students’ Union. for Best Outside Broadcast. At present, Storm is one of only a handful of student You can get more information about the sessions and all our volunteering radio stations with a full-time FM licence. opportunities for this year at Serendipity. Come and see us at our stand and As if that distinction were not enough, we keep and eye on our website for a full list of exciting roles to get your teeth will very shortly be going online as well, so into www.bangorstudents.com EVERYONE will be able to hear us. The High Sheriffs Award for Volunteering You may think that to be a part of Storm, If you are a student involved in volunteering projects through Student you will be expected to have an on-air role. Volunteering Bangor this year, you are invited to apply for the High Sheriffs This is not true, as there are a number of other roles within the station. You Award for Student Volunteering. This recently established award has been can take an active role in production, marketing, IT-based assistance or news deveoped to recognise and fi nancially support worthwhile voluntary work in gathering. In short, your time as a part of Storm is exactly what you make of the Community. A small cash fund will be awarded to the recipient with a it! We even have an awards ceremony at the end of the year to congratulate large cash sum paid to the project. you for the good work! There are two types of categories for nomination: You will see a Storm stall at Serendipity this year, and if you are the social type, 1] Individual Volunteer you will see us hosting quizzes and the much-loved Pound Party in Varsity on 2] Group of Volunteers or Volunteering Project Thursday nights. On that note, I will close by once again saying welcome to Bangor and that I look forward to meeting you at Serendipity! Application forms and rules of the scheme are available from Helen Munro in the Student Volunteering Offi ce, 3rd Floor, Students’ Union. Best wishes, Nomination forms must be received by November 14th 2008. Matt and the Storm FM Committee

SVB EventsSerendipity Calendar Fair (SVB, Nightline 24th and and RAG stands) What’s on Storm? 25th Sept Information Sessions, 6pm, SVB 30th Sept and Project Room, Students’ Union. ALL THINGS 2nd Oct Beach Clean, 10am – 4pm 4th Oct Children’s Tent, Botanical Beats NICE… 5th Oct The following takes place 14th October RAGs ‘Big Boosh SIN Night’ between 9pm and 11pm every Friday on Storm 87.7FM… Sugar and Spice is the fi rst time Storm has ever had a sequel. At the end of last year, we had a cliff- hanger, where presenter David Pallant regenerated in true sci-fi style into a woman. This year, Zara Swanton steps into his size 8s to join veteran Jack Green for more of the same thrills and spills. I know this is a cliché, but I could talk in clichés until the cows come home. Each week, there will be a brand new quiz (which is defi nitely not ripped off from Would I Lie to You?!) , and many of the same tried and tested features from the No Added Sugar show, such as the Threesome (don’t ask, just tune in!) and the return of the great E-Bay Bonanza.

ALSO PLAYING The SU Show – Weekdays 1-2pm: catch up with Sabbs in their daily shows.

Ménage a Trois – Sundays 7-8:30pm: fun and frolics with Matt, Will and Rob

Music Team Show – Fridays 7-9pm: Find out what’s hot and what’s not with the Horn and co 18 Freshers’ Issue 2008 Music www.seren.bangor.ac.uk New columnist elcome Seren readers old and new. Some of you more Wattentive ones may recognise alert! my name, as this is my second year now as music editor (they still can’t get rid of me). You can expect some changes this year though, for example we have two new columnists in the hat better place to start a series of classic album reviews, than at the epicentre of Britpop? shape of Tom Durkin: Classic Album Radiohead’s third album Ok Computer, added a whole new dimension to the already revolutionary Reviewer Extraordinaire, and Lee Wmovement. Howson: New Music Blog Man. With the Recorded in 1996 and released in 1997, the album gained much acclaim from both critics and the public rest of the pages I endeavour to bring alike. To this day, many name the album as Radiohead’s best work, while others dub it “A landmark in you the pick of the month’s albums as musical history.” well as the occasional band interview. But what is it about this album that embeds it so deeply into the history of music? Well it is a huge I hope you enjoy it, if you don’t then amount of different things, ranging from Thom Yorke’s almost angelic voice, to the sheer density and depth feel free to let me know by emailing of the sound. me: [email protected], you Funnily enough, singer Yorke claimed that this was exactly what he wanted, a dense and full sound. At can also email me any reviews to this the time of recording, he and the rest of the band strayed away from their raw, sandpaper like Brit pop address. roots that we hear on previous albums like “The Bends,” and had delved into dark and mysterious styles of music, mainly that of Jazz. To hear this depth and infl uence you need look no further than the opening track, “Airbag.” The Emma Dixon combination of Greenwood’s wailing guitar mixed with the modern sounding electronic drums and unorthodox bass guitar patterns instantly sets the standard for this groundbreaking album, even before Yorke has entered the mix. Yorke’s vocals and lyrics in Ok Computer are some of the most profound of his career. Many have pointed out that the lyrics are bound by images of travel and transport, but Yorke modestly shrugged off Glasvegas - Glasvegas this compliment as, “A happy accident”. Radiohead’s Ok Computer is just one of the albums from their powerful back catalogue of music that n an indie world full of new rave slow, atmospheric build ups climaxing should be in everyone’s music collection. It was revolutionary, unique and cutting edge. The freshness can and Topman boy bands, Glasvegas with anthemic choruses that it is still be acknowledged today, some ten years after its original release. In particular, Karma Police and No really stand out from the pack. impossible to ignore. Although it is I Surprises stand out as “The Hits,” but the quality goes far deeper than just these two songs. They deliver such a classic sound initially the epic noise that Glasvegas packed full of emotions that their have created which grabs the listeners are immediately transported listener’s attention, the band have Tom Durkin back to the early 90s. With their ensured a vast degree of substance music referencing the likes of My behind said noise with poignant and Bloody Valentine, The Jesus and Mary emotional lyrics, all sung in James Chain and even a hint of Manic Street Allan’s uncompromisingly distinctive Preachers, Glasvegas are a nostalgic Scottish accent. Subsequently, blast of fresh air. Their self-titled Glasvegas promises to be an album debut album has been released under that will resonate far from the Scottish the spotlight of an enormous amount highlands and is an indicator of great of hype, producing the inevitable things to come for the band. Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night question: does it live up to this? It is fair to say that the album lives up to all expectations. It is so packed full of Emma Dixon

Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

ff the back of two excellent singles (Paris and Jump in the Pool), Friendly Fires would seem to be perfect candidates for at least a Ohalf decent debut album. Unfortunately this is not the case. For a start, there is not a huge amount of new material for their fans to discover due to the inclusion of the aforementioned singles as well as three tracks from their Cross The Line EP and Photobooth EP (Strobe, On Board and Photobooth). This wouldn’t be a problem if the other fi ve album tracks were any good but they simply appear to serve as little more than cheesy space fi llers. The Friendly Fires formula is simple: strong bass line and an abundance of percussion all knitted together with Ed Macfarlane’s whiney vocals. It is a formula that works beautifully on a couple of the songs, but fails miserably elsewhere as many of the unremarkable tracks appear shapeless due to relentless percussion drowning out clichéd and dull lyrics. It all sounds more Rio than Paris. Either way, it’s time to leave the country.

E.D.

he dust has yet to settle on left off last time: soulful, atmospheric in a more amorous mood, swooning Kings of Leon’s acclaimed 2007 and epic; the perfect soundtrack to and sweet-talking its way into your Trelease, Because of the Times, the rocky, southern US landscape thoughts the way it no doubt has done yet less than eighteen months on, where the boys were raised. These to many a Tennessee belle. Elsewhere, the brothers Followill are back with songs rival Bruce Springsteen for all- new single Sex on Fire does exactly Only by the Night, their fourth album American authenticity. Perhaps it is a what it says on the tin. It swaggers of a young and impressively prolifi c lack of experimentation that prevents along at pace, oozing machismo, career. This album’s proximity to its this album from surpassing previous befi tting a band on top of their game. predecessor can be gauged in style as efforts, but this is what Kings of Leon “We’re still the greatest” declares well as timing. Tracks like Closer, the do best, and if it ain’t broke, don’t frontman Caleb. Amen to that. album opener, Manhattan and Notion throw in an electro-funk refrain to fi x fi nd the band continuing where they it. Use Somebody fi nds the siblings Alex Farley

Genod Droog - Ni Oedd Y Genod Droog Welsh band you say? That Genod Droog pull it off. This pick ‘n’ which just about ensure that the rap?! Now before you start mix approach to genres makes Ni album has some form of cohesion. It Abracing yourself for any GLC Oedd Y Genod Droog a carnival of is with these trademarks that Genod throwbacks, let me tell you a little bit an album, predominantly featuring Droog will always stand out from the more about Genod Droog (Bad Girls music that would soundtrack a night Welsh music scene, as they have to anyone not familiar with the Welsh of mental dreams following too much unfortunately resolved to split in language). The band formed in 2005 cheese. Although I don’t quite think it November. You can however catch and has since been a fi rm favourite was cheese that fuelled Genod Droog one of the band’s rappers, Ed Holden on the Welsh music scene after their to produce such an album which (under the pseudonym Mr Phormula), fi rst gig in Bangor’s very own Railway swings wildly from the saucy tones of at Hendre’s Big Party V on the 27th Institute. Their style of music is Candy Jones, to the bass intense peak September. individual to the point of insanity: of Creu Terfysg down to the dreamy mixing hip-hop, dance, funk and climax of Breuddwyd Oer. Heavily Welsh folk with French electro pop is punctuating the 11 tracks are Genod E.D. after all no mean feat, but somehow Droog’s trademark rap and electro, 19 Freshers’ Issue 08 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Music New columnist alert! A Chat With...

uring the summer Seren was lucky enough to catch up with Pip Brown, aka Ladyhawke, prior to her sold out gig at the Hoxton Bar & Grill in London. Expecting Dthe intimidating big-haired 80’s goddess that is depicted in her videos, we were surprised to instead meet a very shy, modest and polite girl who mumbled her way through the interview. Despite this her live set was fantastic as the Ladyhawke alter- ego took over enabling Pip to deliver her kitsch lyrics with strong vocals. Her album, obots Made Me Do It is a blog, a fanzine, a gig night and ‘Ladyhawke’, comes out at the end of the month and it is an accomplished effort from now a column - all springing from the overactive mind an obviously talented artist. It strongly evokes the spirits of pop artists gone by, but still Rof Lee Howson. Through this Lee provides his readers manages to sound modern and innovative, making it the perfect album to dance around with all the latest news - primarily on music but occasionally your bedroom to while still looking cool. With ‘Ladyhawke’, Pip has created a gorgeously branchiung out to fi lms, books, art, events...whatever takes his fancy really. nostalgic record that will remain fresh for years to come.

Seren: Your artist name, success something you want? sound? Best of Summer 2008 ‘Ladyhawke’, is quite unusual, Pip: I want the music part and the Pip: I’m not really down with where does it come from? playing part, but I fi nd the rest what’s going on in music. I spend o perhaps you spent your holidays with your head down trying to ressurect Pip: I named myself after the of it quite diffi cult. Often after a so much time on my own music your bank account balance back to the world of the living by holding down a dull Summer job. Maybe you did the opposite and went on some far fl ung movie (Ladyhawke is a 1985 show instead of hanging out I’ll that I don’t really pay much S adventure abroad. Or maybe you did the sensible thing and went to every decent fantasy fi lm starring Matthew just want to go to bed and I’ll have attention to what else is going music festival you could buy or blag your way into. If you did the latter then you Broderick and Michelle Pfeiffer) people texting me saying, “Where on. I do really like MGMT though; probably don’t need to know how brilliant the following bands are, but for those Seren: So is Ladyhawke an alter- are you?” I just can’t deal with Electric Feel is my favourite song who need to be refreshed on what bands you should catch up on are heres a brief ego for you? everything after a show. at the moment rundown... Pip: Yes, I get quite scared going Seren: Do you ever worry that this Seren: So you’ve got your album up on stage as I’m not used to success will be short-lived? coming out in September. going up in front of so many Pip: I think that’s probably the Pip: Yeah September 22nd, I’ve Bloc Party - people. Ladyhawke gives me an way it goes nowadays. It depends got another single coming out in Late Of The Pier - excuse to do that. I’m quite a shy though on how you measure the summer, which is going to be Intimacy person naturally and Ladyhawke is success, whether or not you fi nd called Dusk Till Dawn. Fantasy Black a complete opposite to that. chart success important. To me, Seren: So what do you think the his album came as a surprise release via the net last month Seren: You’re set to play a sold I think as long as I keep making future holds for you? Channel T(cd release in October) and saw a out gig tonight. songs and albums that I’m proud Pip: Just really a lot of touring, I’m promising return to form by Bloc Party Pip: Yeah I only just found out of I’ll always be happy because going back to Australia and New he illegitimate children of Queen after the critical lack of enthusiasm about that! there’ll always be people out there Zealand for another tour. and Klaxons some might say, and for their second full-length effort last Seren: How does that feel? that’ll like it. Seren: Are you big over there? Tsome might be correct. Their debut year. It’s an album that is playful and Pip: I’m pretty shocked! It’s Seren: Despite being hailed as a Pip: I guess it’s similar to over album is quick to charm the ears with its serious in equal measure, pushing exciting though. ‘new artist’, your music is actually here. People in Australia know abundant hooks and spacey overblown some boundaries as well as showing Seren: You also get a lot of airplay, quite dated and vintage sounding, who I am because I’ve just been sounds. It’s a refreshing listen in a time that they still have the guitar band when the musical enviroment can feel it’s as though you’ve suddenly do you fi nd that ironic? in the music business for so long. dynamic that they are revered for. a bit stagnant sometimes. Well at least A grower perhaps but ultimately a burst onto the scene – did you Pip: I want it to be a nod to all I fi nd it the most exciting touring it will hold you over till the return of Mr strong return to form. anticipate any of it? the people I am infl uenced by but in New Zealand though with my Jamie Reynolds and co. Pip: It’s all come as quite a shock I think when people listen to the fellow New Zealanders. After that to me. I think it’s down to the fact album as a whole they will see I’ll be writing my second album that I have a lot of people around that there’s much more to it than in the new year…writing, touring, Noah & The me, helping and supporting me. just an ‘80’s revival’. writing, touring and then holiday! Johnny Foreigner The strength of the songs though Seren: Do you see yourself as a Whale - - Waited Up Til It is ultimately what is important. pioneer? Do you know of any other Emma Dixon Seren: Being a shy person, is the artists championing this ‘revival’ Peaceful, The Was Light World Lays Me ne of my records of the year Down so far, this three-piece from o matter how saccharine sweet OBirmingham already have you might fi nd self-proclaimed a steady following thanks to their N“song of the summer” Five energetic music (and even more Years Time, it will leave you whistling energetive live shows). If you are a along long after the initial sugar rush fan of bands like Los Campesinos! dissapaites. This album also has deeper and You Say Party! We Say Die! but and darker themes than the sunny prefer your guitars louder and spikier exterior of the lush folk arrangements then this is the band for you. suggests. Uplifting and fragile in equal parts, it is a thoroughly worthwhile listen.

here are loads more bands that have made my Summer and I highly Trecommend you check out the following:

Cats In Paris - Courtcase 2000 www.myspace.com/catsinparis

Errors - It’s Not Something But It’s Like Whatever www.myspace.com/weareerrors

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Vinyl “7) www.myspace.com/passionpitjams Lee, x. 20 Freshers’ Issue 2008 Film www.seren.bangor.ac.uk elcome to the essential lm sec- The Final Act tion of Seren. With  eatr Gwyn- quick mention here regarding edd sadly closing down it’s going  eatr Gwynedd’s closure.  e thea- Summer Movies Round Up Wto be hard to recommend lms many people Cheers, tre is o ering you the chance to choose Athe last two lm screenings on Sunday 28th might not be able to watch. However, along ummer 2008 provided us with little to no with new releases, I will include alternate September, three days prior to its closure. Send your lm suggestions to post@theatregwynedd. sunshine, so it was just as well that the cinemas features and a closer look at DVD releases MARK co.uk. It will be a great way to relax a er an awe- had almost too much on offer to compensate to cover for the lack of cinemas in Bangor. S some fresher’s week. Email me with your reviews and suggestions VARLEY for the miserable weather. Unfortunately the summer to [email protected] blockbusters were a mixed bag and weren’t a match to last year’s selection which saw The Simpson’s big Pineapple Express * * * screen debut, Bruce Willis doing what he does best in Die Hard 4 and the amazing The Bourne Ultimatum. There were many disappointing releases this summer (Speed Racer, The Incredible Hulk, even Indiana Jones) but success came from a little robot called Wall.E.

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army * * * *

omehow Seth Rogen is currently one leading Ted to Saul.  us, if they are to avoid but not enough to carry the lm on their of the most popular comedy stars in being killed by Ted, they must go on the run own. Whilst the lm isn’t incredibly funny, Hollywood. Personally I can’t really and they soon nd themselves in the mid- however, the script is actually pretty clever at Sunderstand why this is the case, as I nd his dle of a war between Ted and his rival Asian times, and lm fans will notice a number of low brow, lowest common denominator drug lords. Along the way they learn lessons movie references.  ere are a lot of profani- brand of humour to be extremely unfunny about what is important in life and discover ties and explicit references though so if you (mostly) and think past lms such as last what true friendship really is. are easily o ended you should give this lm a year’s ‘Knocked Up’ are highly overrated. So, What makes ‘Pineapple Express’ bet- miss. On the acting front, the performances imagine my joy when I saw the extremely ter than Rogen’s other recent e orts (in this are pretty convincing with Seth Rogen suit- unpromising trailer for his latest lm, ‘Pine- critic’s opinion at least) is that there is a dis- ing his role well. Whilst his performance is apple Express’, a lm which I could tell would tinctly di erent focus to the lm. Whereas essentially the same as in every other lm be extremely unsophisticated without even ‘Knocked Up’ and ‘Superbad’ were clearly sex he has done it is a role which he performs isionary director Guillermo Del Toro’s sequel was a far actually seeing the lm, and which actually comedies, this lm instead goes the route of in a believable manner. James Franco, play- more confi dent and polished affair than its predecessor, looked like it could be even less funny than action comedy, with the action thriller angle ing against type, is also well cast, and the Vprobably due to the critical success of his Spanish fantasy previous e orts by the star. Surprisingly, giving this lm an edge that makes it pretty interactions between him and Rogen are the Pan’s Labyrinth. His keen eye and imagination run riot in the however, it actually isn’t half bad, and is enjoyable. As an action thriller it is pretty de- source of most of the lm’s successful gags. fi lm’s superb action sequences, particularly the set pieces much better than it appeared in the trailer. cent which is why the lm is better than I ex- Gary Cole is also quite strong in his standard involving fl esh eating tooth fairies that wonderfully splat on Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) is a slacker pected it would be. However, while the lm bad guy role, the type of role which he tends the lens when Hellboy fi res his gun at them. The story and feel who works as process server, a job which does deliver in the action department with a to play very well. Overall, ‘Pineapple Express’ for tension and suspense are greater in The Dark Knight, but he enjoys because it allows him to spend his number of action sequences including a car is an action comedy that works better as an Hellboy 2 was far more entertaining. says slacking o and smoking marijuana. He chase and several shootouts, the humour is action thriller than as a comedy for the most gets his marijuana from supplier Saul Silver still severely lacking for the most part. I ad- part. It is quite an enjoyable lm but only (James Franco), who has just provided him mit that there is an audience that will nd true Seth Rogen fans will nd it to be hilari- Wall.E * * * * * with Pineapple Express, the rarest form of this lm to be hilarious as was indicated by ously funny and no doubt those people will weed around. When Dale witnesses a mur- the laughter from the teenagers who were in appreciate this lm an awful lot more than der committed by major drug dealer Ted the same screening as me, but personally I I did. Jones (Gary Cole), he accidentally drops his found much of the humour to be pretty  at roach of Pineapple Express, inadvertently and unfunny.  ere are a few decent laughs Robert Mann Cinema – The Cure for the Winter Blues

ell, summer is over and what out October 24th, and co-stars Tea starring in video game adaptation a summer it has been for Leoni and Greg Kinnear. Max Payne (November 14th) and Wmovie fans. Now that you’re Also on offer for comedy fans are Jason Statham sequel Transporter 3 all back at university, you will no the Coen Brothers directed comedy (December 5th). ixar’s eighth animation was a masterpiece and by far the doubt be wondering what cinematic thriller Burn After Reading (October As for everyone else, science best fi lm of the summer. In terms of animation, Pixar have treats await you over the remainder 17th) starring George Clooney, fi ction fans can look forward to the Pset a benchmark that is going to hard to surpass. The of the year, and despite a number of Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, lone sci-fi movie of the season, The visually breathtaking opening forty minutes which charts Wall major blockbusters being postponed Tilda Swinton and Brad Pitt. Festive Day the Earth Stood Still out on E’s time alone on a desolate Earth are fl awless, both funny till next year due to the writers strike, comedy Four Christmases (November December 12th. The fi lm stars Keanu and moving. The ingenious design of Wall E made his every the fi nal part of 2008 looks promising 28th) starring Vince Vaughn and Reeves and Jennifer Connelly and is movement and facial expressions convey every human emotion for movie fans. Reese Witherspoon, and last, but not a remake of the classic 50s movie Comedy fi ends can look forward least, is Jim Carrey’s latest, Yes Man of the same name. Horror fans can seamlessly. to getting their funny bones tickled (December 26th). look forward to the latest instalment with new movies from several of the It isn’t all comedy though as in the Saw franchise with Saw V in The Dark Knight * * * most prominent comedy stars from there is lots on offer for action and cinemas on October 24th, as well both here in the UK and across the thriller fans also. The big one that as Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have pond. September sees the release everyone will be seeing is undoubtedly Eyes) latest, Mirrors (October 3rd) of two American comedies that have the latest 007 fl ick Quantum of and the Cloverfi eld-like zombie fi lm already proven highly successful Solace which sees Daniel Craig play Quarantine (November 14th). stateside. On September 12 comes James Bond once again. The latest For fantasy fans who are Pineapple Express, a stoner action instalment in the Bond franchise is disappointed by the postponement comedy starring Seth Rogen of directed by Finding Neverland’s Marc of the latest of Harry Potter movie Knocked Up fame (see review above). Forster and hits cinema screens on to next summer, there are a couple The following week (September 19) October 31st. Also in store for action/ of fi lms to choose from. These are sees the release of Tropic Thunder thriller fans are the Ridley Scott Walden Media’s latest offering City of starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black and directed Body of Lies (November Ember (October 10th) and Brendan Robert Downey Jr in what looks to be 21st) which stars Leonardo DiCaprio Fraser’s third 2008 release Inkheart one of the funniest movies of the year, and Russell Crowe, and Eagle Eye (December 12th). For animation telling the story of a group of actors (October 17th), the new fi lm from fans there is DreamWorks’ latest hristopher Nolan’s Batman sequel was for the most out to fi lm the most realistic war Disturbia director D.J.Caruso, which production Madagascar: Escape 2 part impressive but ultimately disappointing. Heath movie ever, only to fi nd themselves stars Shia Labeouf and Michelle Africa (December 5th) and also the CLedger’s brilliantly macabre performance was its in the middle of a real war. Monaghan. Also released are Paul W.S. independently produced Igor (October saving grace, as was the great supporting cast, notably In October, the British stars will Anderson’s Death Race (September 10th), the tale of a servant to a mad from Gary Oldman and Aron Ekart as Harvey Dent whose get a chance to shine with the release 26th) starring Jason Statham, scientist who dream of becoming a alter ego Two Face was gruesomely brought to life. The fi lm of Simon Pegg’s latest offering kidnap thriller Taken (September mad scientist himself. These fi lms and suffered from a curious lack of fun, over seriousness and a How to Lose Friends and Alienate 26th) starring Liam Neeson, and many more await over the remainder plodding fi nal forty fi ve minutes. It did boast an awesome People on October 3rd, which co- Famke Janssen, Robert De Niro and of the year, making the cinema the car, truck, batmobile chase in the middle though. stars Kirsten Dunst. Ricky Gervais’s Al Pacino cop thriller Righteous Kill perfect cure for the winter blues. fantasy comedy Ghost Town comes (September 26th), Mark Wahlberg Robert Mann Mark Varley 21 Freshers’ Issue 08 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk BOOKS Cat’s Classics REVIEWS Jane Eyre rson, attempted murder and mad A note from the him, she can’t women in attics, Jane Eyre is not a Morality Tale help think- book for the faint hearted. Books Editor AMany people remember Jane Eyre as by Sylvia ing about this being a novel you were forced to read at elcome to the all es- man every school by their English teacher. Having sential books page, Brownrigg second of been put o by the long winded language well we know that’s the day, this o you ever think about when you wonderful, they harbour the belief that this book can Wan over statement. but its still will meet the one, your true love, p assionate bear no real relation to today’s society, yet good to know the best new books the one that will sweep you o man who nothing could be further from the truth. out, the favourite old classics and you’reD feet and onto his white horse? How could save Stripped bare Jane Eyre is a passion- di erent features on the best of… about if you meet him one day, out of the her from ate love story combined with elements genres and any interesting news blue and you know he’s the one for you, he the dregs of of adventure and thriller.  e relation- focusing on the world of books. is the one, but there’s a problem, you’re al- her boring ship between Jane and Mr Rochester is Get in touch with your reviews ready married to the guy you thought was marriage. He could be the man who could a classic tale of a young, naïve girl falling or suggestions! books@seren. the one, the guy who already has swept you even take her to the countries and amaz- for an older man.  e beginning of the bangor.ac.uk o you’re feet onto his white horse. Pan ing breaks that were promised to her by novel follows the pair falling in love up Emma knew the second that she met Richard he her husband. But will she run o into the until their marriage; however a revelation was her true love. However, being married sunset with this almost perfect man, or will at the wedding ceremony shatters Jane’s for ve years to man who rapidly changed she remember that she loves her husband happiness. from the strong prince charming that res- more than anything else.  is modern day  e rest of the novel is spent following cued her from her dull and depressing life, romance focuses on the everyday bitterness Jane’s journey from her escape from Mr to a stressed out father of two, who has to of the modern marriage, the baggage you Rochester and sleeping rough in a forest, deal with constant rumour of unemploy- have to deal with becoming the second wife through living under an assumed identity The E-Book, soon ment and the outrageous demands of an ex and the cold hearted divorces that occur all to nearly marrying a man who turns out wife, the one that Pan “stole” him from, Pan around us. to be her cousin then nally inheriting a desires a break and that’s when she meets (Picador RRP £7.99) small fortune. to be hitting your Richard. As she begins to fall in love with Although it could be possible to leave Jane’s story here, rich but with the pros- and black men, the train is stopped and pect of a loveless marriage to St John Riv- Scottsboro by the girls make a run for it, but there luck ers, the love story of the novel demands bedroom fl oor. Ellen Feldman turns when they are caught by local farm- closure. A er hearing voices calling her ers demanding to know what happened on through the night Jane returns to  orn- veryone is used to going into the device and up an estimated £300 for the the train and the cry of rape is said faster eld, Mr Rochester’s home, to nd it a nearest Waterstones or W H Smiths new one coming out next year, which Sony his is the amazing tale of the trail than you can think, this is the beginning of burnt out shell. She learns that there had and picking up the latest Maeve are claiming will hold up to 1000 books, you that changed the thoughts, opinions the Scottsboro trail, where eight men are been a re which had engulfed  orn eld EBinchy or Je ery Deaver novel, and whether should hope it’s the real thing.  e catch is and culture ideas of America, based Ton the true events of the Alabama trail in wrongly imprisoned for a crime they did and whilst endeavouring to save his wife, it’s the hard back or pa- simple; you buy it and not commit. A er the long trails and retri- the mad woman in the attic, Mr Roches- per backed version, it’s then download all of 1931; Scottsboro is a gripping story that is als of this injustice, the novel focuses on the ter had fallen through the roof and was still a book. So what your desired books set through various points of view of those lives of those involved, from the leading now blinded and has had his hand ampu- actually happens when from the internet, who were involved in this historical journalist covering the case, to the girls and tated. Jane returns to Mr Rochester’s side you read it, it goes into no doubt at a high event.  e novel their surrounding lives when the lies begin but will she be able to love him despite his the book shelf? Or un- price, then delete begins with the to unfold around them.  e arguments are new deformity? der the bed (well we are them when you are infamous girls fought and lives are destroyed in the ght Despite being written over 160 years students!)? nished. But there are Victoria Price for all of America to discover the truth be- ago, Jane Eyre well deserves a read, or Well, now there’s a still some questions and Ruby Bates hind the stories and what really did happen even a re read if you were one of the un- new book-like toy on we have, what hap- aboard a train on the train that was stopped at Scottsboro. fortunate people who had any love for this the market, the Sony pens when you drop looking for  is gripping novel not only shows us all genre of literature beaten out of you at Reader. A new elec- it in the bath? Or sit some work, of the di erent sides, from the guilty to the school. Underneath the complicated dia- tronic device that al- on it and break it? It’s however events liars and all of those who are caught in the logue is a good old fashioned love story lows you to store up to not as reliable as the turn for the middle, it also shows the loneliness, the that wouldn’t be out of place in a modern 160 books at one time. well loved book, but worse when guilt and the desire for the truth.  is heart day lm. But is this new gadget it’s still a small and a ght breaks warming and captivating book is a must a fad or the real thing? funky toy to show o out between read for all. (Picador RRP £7.99) For £199 for the basic with. some white

Now everyone has their own favourite book, it could be To Kill A Mockingbird or even Harry Potter, but the course you take will also have their favourite books for you to read. Here are some of the books recommended for a few of the courses here at Bangor University: Journalism or English Literature: Psychology Creative Studies: The Norton Anthologies, vol 1&2 Psychology: an introduction John Pilger Tell Me No Lies he two different volumes of the Anthologies are the by Nicky Hayes and Sue Orrell essential books for anyone who is attending an English Tliterature course within the university. Within the fi rst This book is a his excellent and two weeks the students are told to try and get these books helpful guide to have insightful book contains as they contain nearly all of the close to hand for a Tover 20 of the most work that you will be studying in basic understanding gripping journalistic pieces the course. of Psychology as a from different parts of the The fi rst of the two volumes whole. Psychology: world and different parts of is more focused on all of the pre An Introduction gives history, which you would not 19th century work that you will you the basics for the have seen in the papers or need to cover, this includes the general course and heard about in the news. works of Shakespeare, who you although it is not as Containing moving pieces are likely to study at one point in advanced as most from such great journalists each year. psychology books, like Paul Foot, who reveals The second of the to volumes it still is able to help the truth about the great has slightly wider range of you with your studies, Lockerbie disaster, Martha literature for you to get your mind your case work and Gelhorn, who writes an around, including all of the pre your general day intensely moving piece about the death camp at Victorian literature you will need to study, and there is even to day class topics. Dachau. This book will help anyone doing a journalist a little bit of early 20th literature to brighten your day. An Perfect for the basic based subject or anyone who wants to know what was essential for those studying English literature. knowledge you will need for your course. never reported to the public. (Vintage RRP 8.99) 22 Freshers’ Issue 2008 What’s on? www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Now you’re here you’ll want something to do. Here’s a cut-out-and-stick-on-the-fridge guide to the next month of Bangor madness! DATE TIME WHAT WHERE

Crazy Sports Ffriddoedd Site 2-5 pm Sun 21st Sept afternoon tennis courts 9 pm Welcome party Time nightclub

Mon 22nd Sept 9 pm 60s, 70s and 80s night Academi nightclub

7 pm John Jackson’s pub quiz Basement Bar, SU Tues 23rd Sept 9 pm Fruit Salad (LGBT night) Academi nighclub

11 am - 3 pm Serendipity Students’ Union

Lecture room 2, Main 6 pm What is Socialism? debate Arts Weds 24th Sept Main Arts Lecture 7 pm Showing of Atonement Theatre

9 pm TRASH’s triumphant return Academi nightclub

11 am - 3 pm Serendipity Students’ Union

Lecture room 2, Main 6 pm What is Socialism? debate Arts Thurs 25th Sept Showing of Harry Potter and the Main Arts Lecture 7 pm Order of the Phoenix Theatre

9 pm Athletic Union night Academi nightclub

Fri 26th Sept 7 pm Queer Guide sessions Rascals and Normal Site

Skerries pub (on the high 4 pm LGBT BBQ street)

Sat 27th Sept 12am to 2pm Fair Trade Society Picnic The Cathedral grounds

Student Saturday Party: 9 pm Academi nightclub The BIG One

Sun 28th Sept 7 pm Theatr Gwynedd’s final film showings Theatr Gwynedd

th Seren’s first meeting (come along and Students’ Union meeting Tues 30 Sept 5 pm write for us you lot!) room

Starting at the Belle st SEREN ALCOHOL Weds 1 Oct 7 pm Vue, bring your maps ADVENTURE! along!

Friday 3rd Oct 9 pm The Freshers’ Ball!” Students’ Union Building

th Main Arts Lecture Mon 6 Oct 7:15 Pride GM and mini pub crawl Theatre 23 Freshers’ Issue 08 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Sport Discover Snowdonia

As Bangor is situated on the northern fringes of the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, we’ve included a brief guide to some of the best places to visit. All photos for this page were taken by Mark Varley except the backgroud image which was taken by Flickr user Eifi on (http://www.fl ickr.com/photos/eifi on/)

Aber Falls Lake Idwal Betws-y-Coed

he beautiful setting of Aber Falls wm Idwal (Idwal Valley) featuring Lake Idwal is a terrifi c introduction to the more etws-y-Coed is a major visitor attraction in Snowdonia provides one of the most pleasant adventurous walker looking to explore further into Snowdonia. Although a generally accessible by both car and bus. Situated approx. 18 miles from Tof short walks in Snowdonia. Cstraight forward walk if keeping to the path, there is something here for walkers of BBangor along the A5 or A470 if approaching from the north Situated close to Bangor, slightly inland all abilities and experience. through the Conwy Valley, the picturesque village, deep in Gwydyr from the village of Abergwyngregyn, Leave Bangor and head off the A55 at Junction 11 towards Bethesda and along the Forest Park, provides scenic walks and opportunities for mountain the falls cannot be easier to fi nd. Head A5. Continue on this road into Snowdonia until you come to a car park, refreshments and biking too. There are numerous cafes and outdoor wear shops as east along the A55 and exit at junction Lake Ogwen roughly four miles from Bethesda. The car park is pay and display but long well as hotels with bars and restaurants. Two main walks that lead 13 (approx. 4 miles from Bangor) and before and after there are places to park along the road, free of charge. from Betws take you around the Afon Conwy and also towards a follow the signs for Aber Falls where From the main car park at Ogwen and until reaching Lake Idwal, the well maintained disused miner’s bridge along a forest board walk (pictured below). the walk begins ¾ mile along the road. rocky path is relatively fl at which enables you to fully take in the mighty surroundings. The fi rst walk leads around Betws Golf Club, following the river, There is ample pay and display parking Rising up from Lake Ogwen is the impressive Pen yr Ole Wen and, as you begin the walk, and this gentle scenic walk will only take about 30-40 minutes to available for two pounds. the intimidating mass of rock that is Tryfan (915m) lies immediately ahead (pictured complete. There are many opportunities to park and as the river Leading towards the spectacular 200ft below). On Tryfan’s summit stand Adam and Eve. They are the names given to the two runs through the heart of Betws, walks along the river are easy to waterfall (pictured below) you will fi rst vertical slabs, each roughly six feet in height and a metre or so apart. If you consider fi nd. On entering Betws from the west (along the A5) there will be a venture through a riverside woodland yourself to be the adventurous type then Tryfan is only truly scaled if you leap from one bridge that crosses the river with a fi sh and chip shop on the corner. path then along a wide gravelled track to the other- not for the faint hearted! Once the path leads to Lake Idwal you can either By crossing and parking on the other side, head along the river within a scenic steep-sided valley. The continue left or right around the lake. To the left are the commanding Idwal Slabs which towards the new forest board walk (this will be signposted prior) and gentle three mile walk is suitable for prove to be very popular with rock climbers. The landscape was shaped by glaciers during then the riverside path will eventually lead to the miner’s bridge. all and there is also an alternate route the last Ice Age over 11,000 years ago and the smooth high rising slabs are regarded as Fast fl owing water from the Afon Llugwy (‘afon’ being the Welsh through woodland which runs almost being one of the fi nest examples of glacial landforms in Britain. for ‘river’) ensures a dramatic backdrop from the sloping bridge as adjacent to the main track. However Looking towards the cliffs of the valley headwall lies Devil’s Kitchen. You can either the busy river bustles its way down from the mountains near Capel there is always a chance to head further opt to continue walking around the river, keeping to the path, or continue up towards Curig. off into the wilderness! Devil’s Kitchen over its mass of dark, imposing rocks that lie directly in your path. Leading Further on from the bridge (a few miles so probably best On your return from the waterfall up and away to the left of the valley headwall, the path will take you to the summit of accessible by car back along the A5) is Swallow Falls. Although there are views of the coast and the Devil’s Kitchen and ahead will lie Llyn-y-Cwn (a small lake but from here the views are reachable on foot from the miner’s bridge, there is parking available Isle of Anglesey is clear to be seen. For simply spectacular). There are ways back down other than the way you came but it’s best at the Falls with the adjacent Swallow Falls Hotel able to provide refreshments there is a pub in Aber and to study a map or guide fi rst if you are going to attempt a more challenging descent. parking, food and drink. Entrance to the falls is only a small charge a café for that much needed cup of tea! However for everyone the walk around Lake Idwal is relatively simple and roughly three and the mass of fast fl owing water provides a stunning sight from For those of you looking for your fi rst miles from start to fi nish. The views are excellent and there is public transport to Ogwen the many viewing posts (pictured above).There is something for taste of what Snowdonia has to offer so explore Snowdonia for yourself! The University’s Mountain Walking Club visit a part of everyone at Betws-y-Coed and with so much on offer you can visit then Aber Falls will provide the perfect Snowdonia every Saturday and welcome walkers of all abilities so why not pay their stall time and time again. introduction. a visit this serendipity to fi nd out more!

I’m Will Varley and I am the sports editor for Seren. Introducing... Bangor City F.C. There’s always a warm welcome at the Farrar Road Stadium – home of Bangor City Football Hi’d like to welcome everybody Club.Playing in the Principality League of Wales, City is one of the most successful, and best to Bangor and hope you are all supported, sides in Welsh football. Current Welsh Cup holders, City is just embarking on the Isettling in. If over the course new season’s campaign, and under the shrewd management of City legend Neville Powell, of the year you’d like to see news we are sure to be there or thereabouts come next spring. City has a great history, having about your sports team or personal won our national league twice, and with cup honours aplenty. We also have a proud European achievements to be included in the record – playing in various competitions over eight seasons – and recently campaigns have paper then I’d like to hear from you! I’m always looking for articles, match taken us to Latvia and, just a few months ago, Denmark in the UEFA Cup. Look out for more reports, stories and sports pictures European adventures at the end of this season! The future is also exciting as we are gearing for the paper so please don’t hesitate up for a move to a new out-of town stadium at Nantporth on the Holyhead Road. Look out for to write in and I’ll do my best to exciting players in City colours such as goal-hungry strikers Chris Sharp (son of Scotland and ensure that as many of your articles Everton legend Graeme) and Les Davies (The Runaway Truck) and classy defender Michael as possible are included in each Johnston (winner of City Player of the Year award last season) issue. FANCY A GAME? Please email me either at sport@ If you would a trial to play for City, we have a successful reserves side which offers seren.bangor.ac.uk or [email protected]. Also opportunities to up-and-coming players. Contact manager Mark Poole on 07738218722 or if you have any ideas about any other sports related articles that you’d like to write about then please let me know! e-mail [email protected]

Interested in playing sport?Not sure which one to choose? Then come along to one of these events: SERENDIPITY AU TASTER SESSIONS Each of the AU clubs have a stall at Serendipity this year, so There are loads of AU taster sessions on offer this year, details there’s no excuse not to find the one you’re looking for. See the are available on the Students’ Union website, or at Serendipity map on page 14! www.bangorstudents.com/au  Exploring Snowdonia  Bangor FC’s Free Match  Rowing  Dance Club SPORT  Fixture List WELCOME TO SPORT IN BANGOR o, it’s the new university year, and the start of the new sporting season for all universities throughout the UK. Once again Wednesday afternoons OCTOBER FIXTURES Swill see all our sports teams in action. So, with this in mind, if you’re Tuesday 14.10.08 not playing in any of the teams why not show your support for your fellow Club Opposition Time Venue students’ by going to watch a University game! Your support would be welcome by any of the clubs and you are sure to have some fun along the way! It would Men's Basketball Keele 1st 20:00 Normal Site be great for you to get a bunch of friends together and get behind the teams. Wednesday 15.10.08 Cheer a team on to push for that last gasp try or encourage a team to score Club Opposition Time Venue that injury time winner! You guys can be the difference between winning and Men's Badminton Chester (Chester) 13:00 Maes Glas losing. So if you’ve got a few hours to spare on a Wednesday afternoon why Men's Badminton 2nd Salford 2nd 15:00 Maes Glas not get behind our teams and cheer them on to victory! See the table below for more information and where and when our teams are playing for the next few Men's Fencing Newcastle 1st 14:00 Normal Site weeks. Women's Fencing Keele 1st 14:00 Normal Site Women's Football Chester (Chester) 14:00 Treborth Playing Fields Rob Samuel, Men's Hockey Man Met 1st 14:00 Maes Glas AU President Rugby League MMU Cheshire 1st 14:00 Treborth Playing Fields Men's Rugby Union MMU Cheshire 1st 14:00 Treborth Playing Fields Tuesday 21.10.08 Club Opposition Time Venue Row, row, row your boat! Women's Basketball Lancaster 1st 18:00 Normal Site Wednesday 22.10.08 Club Opposition Time Venue Men's Fencing 2nd Liverpool 1st 14:00 Maes Glas Men's Football 1st Lancaster 2nd 14:00 Treborth Playing Fields Men's Football 2nd Bolton 2nd 14:00 Treborth Playing Fields Women's Hockey 1st Liverpool Hope 1st 14:00 Maes Glas Women's Hockey 2nd Edge Hill 2nd 15:30 Maes Glas Netball Liverpool Hope 1st 14:00 Maes Glas Wednesday 29.10.08 Club Oppostion Time Venue Men's Fencing Manchester Men 1st 14:00 Maes Glas Men's Football 1st Cumbria 1st 14:00 Treborth Playing Fields Women's Football Chester (Chester) 14:00 Treborth Playing Fields Men's Rugby Union Chester (Chester) 2nds 14:00 Treborth Playing Fields Men's Hockey Lancaster 3rd 14:00 Maes Glas

“Spirit of the AU 2007/2008” Bangor University Dance Club inning this award was the We’ll have a stall at Serendipity in perfect way to end what has Welcome Week so if you want to ith six medals in total, this year’s own safety launch to aid with training.  e highlight for all was arguably the Wbeen the best year yet for fi nd out more then feel free to come Bangor University Dance! along, pick up a timetable and ask GB Olympic rowing squad be- Circuit training takes place every Tues- weekend in Strathclyde, Scotland for the We hope that this year is going to questions! All abilities are welcome came the most successful in over day and  ursday evenings at normal site BUSA regatta.  e club arrived on the Fri- be even better still, kicking off with so whether you’re a budding Ginger W100 years and nished top in the medal table gym and are designed to improve stamina, day, staying for three nights, entering 7 crews a performance at the Fairtrade Picnic, Rogers or just want to have some for the regatta.  e Shunyi Olympic Rowing- tness and strength, all of which are essential in total for the 2K course.  e club put up a Saturday 27th September, and the fun dancing like nobody’s watching, Canoeing Park may be a far cry from our for the sport. gutsy performance and managed crews from Freshers’ Ball, Friday 3rd October! If we want to see you! Taster classes very own Menai Straits but the idea is the Finally, ergos.  ese are advised to be all categories getting through their heats. you want to see what we’re about then will be going on throughout Week 1; same. done at least once a week and vary in length Although we were unable to go any further, make sure you come down to one of beginning Monday 29th September, Bangor University Rowing Club takes and aim.  ey are done in a gym environ- the weekend was thoroughly enjoyed by all these events and see if you think you and then normal classes will begin the advantage of the Straits between the Menai ment and ideally with a couple of others. involved. have what it takes to be a BU Dancer! following week, Monday 6th October. We offer classes in Ballet, Tap, All classes will be held in Time/Amser suspension bridge and Bangor pier giving Training is, however not in vain as the With an active training and racing sched- Modern, Contemporary, Street Dance, (enter through the Curved Lounge). the University a 3.5 mile stretch of tidal wa- University races at national level through ule, the members enjoy regular socials in Irish, Break, and the new addition to ter to train on. BUSA and the ARA (Amateur Rowing As- Paddies pub (the club’s sponsor) every Tues- our timetable, Latin and Ballroom! Abby Jay-Wilson Last year, the club had over 60 members sociation). We attend all the major student day and  ursday a er circuit sessions from ranging from complete novices right through regattas through BUSA, competing against 9pm, and the club are usually found gracing to experienced oarsmen. As well as this, the the likes of Oxbridge and Durham.  is year Academi with their presence most Saturday club opens its doors to anyone, whether they the club moves up a gear and has entered nights! want to compete, recreationally row or sim- into the BUR (British University Rowing)  e club’s introductions last year had ply come along to circuit sessions for general league which is a new idea for this year. It the theme of ‘Pimps and Hoes’ which had tness.  e set up of the club enables you to aims to reduce the cost of racing and make all members, old and new, dressed in quite take part in as much or as little as you like. competing more even through the addition frankly, out ts we hope were a one o !  is Rowing, as a sport, encompasses all major of leagues with the incentive of promotion. event was one of three major socials the club muscle groups with no impact hence reduc- As well as this, the club competes at regional enjoys each year, the other two being the ing the risk of injury to a minimum. It is a and national level, attending the prestigious Christmas dinner and the end of year Pimms highly sociable sport which introduces you Head of the River races through central Lon- Party. to a network of others who share the same don and regional regattas such as Chester. Remember, with the club you can do as goal and work together, experiencing all the  is year the club will be defending its status much or as little as you like, so whether you highs and lows, as a team.  e calming e ect of the regatta’s Victor Ludora a er one of the were inspired by this year’s Olympics to don of being on the water and exercise can both most productive outings of last season.  e some lycra, or you just fancy a row when the be a welcome relief to the stresses of Univer- Women’s Novice 8+ stole victory by a fair sun is shining and come to our legendary so- sity life. way with the Men’s S3 4+ also following suit. cials, get in touch!  e club trains hard in three di erent ar- As well as this, a scratch Men’s S3 2x came For more information on the club, from eas; water sessions, circuit training and ergs. runners up, losing by just a canvas a er nev- joining to training schedules, check out  e water sessions are, as the name suggests, er sculled together before. www.undeb.bangor.ac.uk/rowing or come training in the boats.  ese are held at the A er the success of the previous regatta along and see us at Serendipity.  e club will University’s very own boat house nestled in the club entered into the Northwich regatta also be holding taster sessions throughout the banks of the Menai near Normal site, hoping to continue the winning habit.  e Fresher’s week so come down to the boat and take place three times a week.  ese ses- women took the title in the Novice 4+ earn- house and see what we are all about. sions are focused on technique in the boat, ing themselves some well deserved ARA set pieces and working together as a team. points.  e men also crossed the nish line Helen Aldred  e club owns a range of boats consisting ahead to win the S3 8+ earning the club their of eights, fours and doubles, along with our second success of the day.