Christmas Issue 2006 UWBEEN AND GONE... THE END OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES, BANGOR or the majority of students, the fi rst they will have heard about the University of Wales, Bangor possibly changing its name will have been In This Issue..... Fthe email sent from the Registrar during November. The Registrar outlined the situation and encouraged comments and questions from the staff and students alike. ˜ The University has been considering a name change for a couple of years The Blugeoner now. The last academic year saw the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) assessing the University in its policies and procedures; a ˜ routine procedure which every university has to have undertaken. As a result Tales From The of a successful investigation, the University’s application to award Taught Queer Side and Research degrees has been approved. This is not strictly offi cial until the Privy Council approves the amendments required in the University’s charter. ˜ This process will not be complete before August 2007. News Subject to fi nal approval of DAPs (Degree Awarding Powers), the The preferred name within the University is ˜ From Bangor To “Bangor University” Bangor University has decided to progress with a name change. The preferred name within the University is “Bangor University”; one which the Registrar, in his ˜ email, highlights has been the colloquial term for several years. Though, The Rant another suggestion has been “University of North Wales, Bangor”. I believe it is safe for me to say that many students are unaware that the current(!) ˜ correct title for the University is the University of Wales, Bangor! This name Travel change is part of a restructuring of the University of Wales’ federal college system. The proposals project that by September 2007, the federal University ˜ of Wales will become a “confederal, non-membership organisation” Dr. New Year’s Nights David Roberts It is important that the change of name does not cause confusion and confl ict with other bodies and organisations. ˜ The application for Taught and Research Degree Awarding Powers can be The Great Orme viewed online at http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ar/ro/Docs1/DAPdocFinal.doc. It is highlighted in the Application for Taught and Research Degree Awarding ˜ Powers that Bangor has operated as an autonomous body as far as teaching, Music learning and research is concerned. The University of Wales’ institutional review by the QAA in 2004 resulted in a decision that “full responsibility for quality and standards should be devolved to the individual institutions”. ˜ The Adventures of The University was one of the three “founding colleges” of the University of Wales, and we were in agreement with the Sir David Williams Report Stuart Dent in 2002 which suggested that the federal college system be expanded and include all the institutions in Wales. However, due to the Cardiff University ˜ and the University of Wales College of Medicine merge, and subsequent Film withdrawal from the federal University of Wales, the “One Nation, One University” philosophy went out the window. ˜ So far, the Registrar has received a fair number of responses from staff One Minute Welsh and students regarding the change of name. The Vice-Chancellor of UWB has said that the approval of Degree Awarding Powers ‘marks another very ˜ signifi cant milestone in our history’. All in all, this is quite an exciting time Adventures From for UWB, whatever the outcome. Across The Pond Lexi Hindley ˜ Puzzles

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The Malibu winner www.seren.bangor.ac.uk 2 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 CONTRIBUTORS

Editor: Emma Dodd Dear Reader,

Rebecca Hussey Welcome to the Christmas edition of SEREN. I can’t believe Caroline Alvarez it’s this time of year already. The days are getting shorter Jennifer Stanley and SEREN is already on its third issue. Dr Rashesh Mehta Sophie de l’Orme In anticipation of Christmas, we’ve an extra page of reviews, Mark Hawkins this time its video games. There are also our regular review Sarah Donnelly sections to help you decide what to spend your money on Chris Thomson this Christmas. There’s also a special feature on New Year’s Caroline Alvarez Eve nights out across the UK. Lizzie Joyce Siobhan Catherine Holt So, in a month when girls in Bangor have been voted the Cat Prince ugliest in Britain, cheer up with SEREN. Claire Mann Rachel Eales There won’t be another issue of SEREN until February, but Lucy Digney keep up to date on our website at www.seren.bangor.ac.uk. Amy Garrett You can still send me your comments and submit articles to Spencer George [email protected] Jack Peat Ross Butler Good luck to everyone in their exams and have a very merry Lexi Hindley Christmas. Will Varley John Jackson Emma Sean Miller Luke Wilsher James Woolley Joe Penketh Stephen Clifford Loran Perkins Ian Davies David Eykelestam Natalie Pierce-Jones www.seren.bangor.ac.uk Phil Rhymes Amy Briscoe Megan Tapper Kelly Timmins Sean Clement James Honess Dave Moreton LETTER TO THE EDITOR Sam Mager Dear Editor

Sean Clement I was taken aback by the flagrant asininity of both these articles when I had read them. Let us take a look at ‘The Bludgeoner’ article first. Richard Bunn In the second paragraph he asserts that we live in a victim blame/culture. To back this up, he concocts a bizarre and abjectly fallacious example of bumping into someone in the street. All he achieves by this is subversion of his own point, since his proof of his Dion Jones assertion is simply absurd. In the following paragraph ‘The Bludgeoner’ asserts that we lack identity, then complains that we do not respect authority any more, his implication being that Emma Dixon we lack identity because we lack respect for authority. This is directly contradictory to his following paragraph, in which he belabours people for being bland and lacking individuality. Surely this IS conformism and the word ‘conformism’ implies adherence and acquiescence to some sort of authority? Authority is the antithesis of individuality, be it the social authority Alex Farley of cliques, or the more explicit authority of the government. The extremely indolent explanation for this, which is consonant with the anonymous author’s misanthropy is that it is simply Matt Williams human nature: a familiar excuse many counter-revolutionaries have taken in the past in order to justify their exploitation and oppression of people. It also appears to be a variation on the naturalistic fallacy propounded by the philosopher G.E. Sarah Allen Moore. I do concede though, that many humans DO lack individuality, but this is simply symptomatic of authority. The sad truth is that people are unable to take responsibility for Robert Mann themselves when they are being controlled by other people and are part of a hierarchy. Hierarchy, by definition, puts the onus on those in power to answer for problems in society. This appears to be a far more congenial and rational approach to take, rather than whining misanthropy and lazy conclusions. Kevin Smith In the second paragraph of ‘The Rant’ Spencer George attempts a witty trope by saying the Lib Dems’ policies are ‘wishy washy’ because their conference was held by the sea. I’m sure Phil England Spencer could just hear the cachinnations from the readers when he wrote that line, but all it really reveals is how shallow his analysis is. This is predictably followed up with a lazy comment on Charles Kennedy’s speech, where Spencer ignores the actual content and in a markedly tabloidesque way, comments on the emotion the speech aroused in him - boredom. Thomas Hecht Hitler was a good orator, would he be a good choice for Prime Minister were he British and alive now? I suppose so, if we go by the criteria Spencer goes by. Things appear to get a bit better when we see that Spencer actually had the requisite concentration span to actully listen to the Labour Party conference. However, one cannot avoid wincing with the conspicuous piece of sophistry when Spencer accuses Tony Blair of mendacity in Blair’s boasting of cutting crime, when Spencer confutes this with evidence that in his home constituency crime has actually risen. It does not take a genius to figure out that Blair was actually not referring to Spencer’s home constituency but overall U.K statistics. There’s more infantile missing of the point in Spencer’s paragraph about the Conservative Conference, so let us direct our attention to the summative paragraphs of the article. What Spencer bizarrely deduces from all this sloppy analysis is that we the people have to take responsibilities for ourselves. What he appears to expound is a lack of government intervention, which is ghoulishly redolent of what Margaret Thatcher expounded and put into practise and with such egregious consequences. Similar to ‘The Bludgeoner’, Spencer moans at people for not tackling problems. The problem Proof readers: is that the very presence of the government, the state, or capitalism takes power from the people. They destroy the chance at autonomy by fostering reliance and subservience. I can wholly sympathise with wanting to Sam Mager get rid of the government and make people more autonomous and responsible, but really, this can only come about when people finally come to the senses and see what is the problem Carolan Goggin - the state, capitalism, and authority that perforce creates oppression and erodes away the possibilities of self-sufficient human beings.

James Woolley, first year music student. Production Consultant: Dan PS There was a rather mortifying erratum in your interview with Anna Morris in the music section of the paper. ‘Bird’ is actually meant to be spelt ‘Byrd’, as in the Renaissance Turner composer William Byrd, a contemporary of Thomas Tallis. May I suggest that you get someone who actually knows about music to conduct your music interviews. Printed through www.quotemeprint.com 0845 1300 667 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 3 DID THEY JUMP OR MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE WERE THEY PUSHED? n the 6th of November, Jamie McIndo became the third NUS DRIFTS TO BANGOR hile working to clean the beach Wales President to have resigned O in Porth Nigel (commonly from the post without completing a known as Hell’s Mouth) a full year in office. This position entails W group of fourteen student volunteers being the public face of NUS Wales. from Bangor found something other than They are responsible for the promotion empty beer cans. Volunteer Becky Morris and upholding of NUS policy as well as came across a message in a bottle that had representing Welsh students to the assembly washed up on the shore. When the bottle and parliament. In a statement released by was opened the message was revealed as a the NUS website personal reasons were cited poem and drawing by a nine year old girl as being behind his resignation, but there from Cambridge. It may not have been a is a lot of speculation that this may not be As it is stated in the constitution NUS Wales heart-warming love story involving Kevin the full story. This resignation ensures that is supposed to ensure that they promote Costner, but Miss Morris was none the less for the third year in succession the NUS a culture and an environment that is safe touched by the message. She said that- “…it movement in Wales has been rendered and welcoming for all their members and was sweet that a child had put the effort into leaderless and the Deputy President, Becky guests. It also states that every student and writing such a nice message and sending it Church has to do the jobs of two people. student officer should have an equal chance out to sea.” Jamie McIndo’s presidency began with to be involved in the social and campaigning Volunteers sought to contact the girl who controversy, as his only opponent in the activities, based and most importantly in wrote the message, Lucy Schmidt, to give election stood down less than a week this context democratic aspect of NUS her the good news that her bottle had been beforehand. McIndo who was the former Wales. Therefore if Knight’s allegations are found. Though they were unable to speak President of UWIC’s Students’ Union and true then his bullying and victimisation are with her directly, her father, Mr Atkinson, was elected by just 22 votes out of the directly breaking the constitution. said she would be thrilled at the news. Mr 34 cast. Despite running unopposed he It is currently unclear as to who will be Atkinson asked that the bottle be thrown managed to gain 12 votes against him. running as the successor to Jamie McIndo, back into sea. Whilst the family comes from Prior to Jamie’s resignation, previous mainly due to the constitution, which Cambridge, the bottle was only thrown into NUS Wales president James Knight also prevents sabbatical officers from leaving the sea at Porthmadog, a mere five miles resigned and was replaced by Dylan their positions in order to take part in the along the coast from where it was found. Williams. However Knight was a lot forthcoming elections. However it is clear Student Volunteering Bangor Manager, more vocal about his reasons for leaving that whoever takes over the position will Andrew Wilson, obligingly threw the bottle than McIndo has been. His reasons for need to work in order to benefit NUS Wales, back into the Menai Straights. The question leaving included accusations of bullying rather than personal gain. The next President now is how far will it go before it is washed and victimisation because of his political must take heed from what has happened up on another beach? standpoint. Jamie McIndo is quoted as three times now in order to prevent such Student Volunteering Bangor are saying that “Politics does not have a place things happening for a fourth time. carrying out a series of beach cleans every in a job like this” This could be considered three weeks in an effort to tidy the stunning true, national politics should not really play coastline. Any further volunteers would be a part in NUS politics. A person’s political Cat Prince welcome, and are encouraged to sign up standpoint should not be used against them. in the SVB office in the Students’ Union. Who knows what else could wash up on our shores? VICTORY FOR DISABLED SVB volunteer Becky Morris with the found message STUDENTS Rachel Eales

YULEver heard the common phrase ‘Yule noTIDINGS roots in the earth. On a much more basic the Coven or family, lighting a candle in Tidings’? It refers to the pagan Sabbat level, just as the red berries of the holly tree the log to represent the increasing light, of Yule. This festival is traditionally are seen as symbolic of the fertility of the making a wish for the forthcoming season E st celebrated on the 21 of December (usually Goddess, the white berries of the mistletoe and eating the cake afterwards. Definitely a the day of the Winter Solstice), and hails the are, quite graphically and literally, associated tastier option! rebirth of the sun; the darkness of winter with that of the God. It is seen as lucky for This is traditionally a time to be spent is at its peak but this is the turning point lovers to kiss beneath this symbolic plant of with family and loved ones, and most when the days start becoming longer. Many fertility, but beware if it isn’t fertility that religions have celebrations around this time: Wiccans wake to greet the rising sun on this you’re after! Yule, Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa, to day, bringing evergreen decorations into the The pagan concept of a ‘Yule log’ has name but a few. It appears to be a natural home to remind them of the continuance also become quite widespread. It was part of human experience, regardless of of life even through the darkest periods, traditionally a log burned in honour of religion, to use this time to remember and and to look forward to the renewal of life the gods and to echo the brightness of the be thankful for those that we most cherish in the coming spring months. From this has returning sun, with the ashes scattered in life; the people who provide the light and sprung the idea of the Christmas tree and in the fields to ensure good crops in the warmth in the depth of our winter. decorations. forthcoming year. However, few people in Yule Tidings! Mistletoe was also commonly gathered at modern times have a fireplace in which to this time; it was seen as a magickal plant as burn a log, so many Wiccans now make it grows between the ground and sky, with cake representations, with each person in Rebecca E. Hussey BANGOR BONFIRE NIGHT BLAZE

t has been revealed that a blaze which using one jet hose reel as well as beaters. It is The cause of the fire according to the fire swept across St. Deiniol golf course in thought by the fire service that it was started service was food packaging having been left IBangor this Guy Fawkes’ night was not by youths playing with matches. No-one is too close to a gas cooker hob, though it has the result of official festivities but is thought thought to have been injured as a result of been alleged by residents of the halls that to have been deliberately started. the blaze due to its remote location. a label may have been stuck on one of the At 5:25pm on Sunday, 5th November, According to a golf course employee, the hobs by two of the residents there which fire crews were called to attend a fire which fire occurred close to the 12th fairway, but later caught fire. The door to the kitchen was rapidly consumed one hundred square no damage was caused to the course itself. then left open causing the smoke detectors ost of us have probably never Students with Disabilities Officer, Joe Butler metres of gorse. It could be seen prominently Much of the gorse destroyed was thought outside of the kitchen to be set off. Those thought about it, but there are has achieved the aim of removing one set of throughout Bangor in the dark, with there to have been scheduled for removal in the responsible were identified at the time by several ways to gain access to railings from outside of Amser/Time. Thus M being many sightings from the Ffriddoedd- near future. This area of the golf course is fire fighters and halls security. The university the Students’ Union building. For years providing far more convenient access for side of Bangor valley. However, many who very close to the Bryn Eithin student halls is unable to comment on the incident as these have involved negotiating steps or wheelchair bound students and visitors. saw the flames were likely to have thought it of residence. disciplinary action is currently being taken. one of the two sets of railings next to the The work was carried out by Estates, but the to be a controlled event given the time and In a separate unrelated incident, the fire The event was a rarity for the residents Amser/Time nightclub. How then are any Students’ Union was forced to finish the job date at which the blaze occurred. brigade were called out to another fire at of the halls, where reportedly no false alarms wheelchair bound students supposed to off with an angle grinder, since sharp and Fire-fighters battled the blaze for Bryn Eithin halls of residence at 3am the have occurred in over a year. enter the building? Through the basement dangerous edges were left. approximately three quarters of an hour and following Sunday. Two blocks of students and up in the lift – hardly ideal. Ross Butler were eventually able to extinguish the flames had to be evacuated as the fire was put out. After campaigning and petitioning, Caroline Alvarez 4 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 THE BLUDGEONER It frightens the Bludgeoner that it’s UWB ON THE WEB acceptable in Students’ Unions to ban whoever doesn’t agree with whichever hat does UWB look like on the web? Just a quick search for ‘University of Wales Bangor’ on Google reveals the usual web sites hacks are in power this week. Christians you’d be expecting; the main university web site, the Students Union web site and various departmental ones. We all know are against equal opportunities, or the Wwhat it’s like to be a student in Bangor, but what do prospective students and the rest of the world see of Bangor and the BNP are out to kill us all, so we’ll simply student way of life here? not let them into the building. Maybe , Students’ Union-types aren’t grown up www.bangor.ac.uk, or more www.bangoronline.net is a www.undeb.bangor.ac.uk or more commonly known to us as the place enough to be in charge of these things, commonly known to us as where we can site that if used by the student population where you enter the Seren competitions. that when a problem comes along they look at course details and all that jazz. of Bangor could be a rival to the intranet’s This web site however is a great resource debate board. I get the impression though This sight is clearly intended to inform the for any prospective student: come here to that Facebook and Myspace will still win outside onlooker or the current student This country prides itself on who the Students’ Union is run by, why oam Chomsky said that ‘freedom do anything from ordering a prospectus outright. Relatively new, and what appears they help run it and what they can give you. of speech is worthless without on a special sort of freedom, to a virtual tour of Bangor and a diary of to still be used mainly by the IT staff that Each area is covered, with a note from the freedom of offensive speech’, and whilst even student newspaper Welcome week. Probably used more by web created the site, it hosts message boards for N visitors and prospective students, this site discussions of any type and the availability relevant member of the Executive (head the Bludgeoner heartily agrees, or he’d be columnists hide behind trite shot included) and any more information, without a job. This country prides itself on should be of great use to current students to post reviews on the Internet. It does for example a list of clubs and societies are a special sort of freedom, but whilst people noms-de-plume. too. The schools have their own area on however seem to be a case of a web site that available in the ‘Societies’ page. Standing are busy harping on about it they turn the site where they have general course the designers are desperate for people to use. simply shut the door, close their eyes and committees are given precedence on the their backs whilst those very freedoms are information as well as guidance as to how As it explains on the home page, points are hope it goes away. home page. being eroded away. to complete your course well and do your rewarded for those who set up discussions In many ways the Bludgeoner is glad best. This can be used as a good reference or post reviews which can be exchanged for It is however, a shame that this website he resides in Bangor, where the religious is not updated more often. The news that it We live in a world where for what is expected of current students. a prize of some kind if you have the most types still walk the streets and people from Prospective students are given happy sunny points when a designer wants to give a prize. displays is often out of date and not changed you’re free to say whatever you the Israeli and Palestinian governments shots of the university and Bangor as well as Strange, huh? Get the impression someone regularly. Despite that, it is still a useful like, as long as it doesn’t upset are allowed to pop along and have a little an idyllic and very summery clue to what really wants you to use it? This site could resource. chat. This is a luxury, don’t underestimate student life can be like in Bangor. be a real asset to university life at Bangor, anyone. it - it might not be around for too long. if people wanted it to use it. Students love Bludge’s challenge to everyone, though, community sites like this, but sadly I don’t We live in a world where you’re free to is to live out what Chomsky said. There’s know of a single person who has ever heard say whatever you like, as long as it doesn’t no way we as apparently right-thinking of it. upset anyone. We sit under the illusion of folk can possibly be proud of ourselves or tolerance and practice anything but. Self- our quaint traditions of free speech when censorship is rife, people lose their jobs we can’t abide to listen to people who in France for blogging, get locked up in express that which we would spend our Austria for denying the Holocaust, or get whole lives fighting against. How can you sent to Guantanamo for being religious. even have an opinion when it hasn’t been This country prides itself on a special moulded in the furnace and put to the sort of freedom, whilst even student test? How can you stand up and pretend to newspaper columnists hide behind trite be free when others aren’t? noms-de-plume. You may think that this is hyperbole, It happens on our very own campuses ballyhoo or prevarication, but when you – we live in a time where the Government allow something small to happen you’re publishes guidelines advising Universities sowing the seeds for something big. to monitor Islamic groups for terrorist The case with UWB on the Internet is the case with most universities; they show you unrealistic pictures taken on the only sunny The Bludgeoner graduated from activity, where Christian Unions are day of the year. The sites are more than just informative, and even though they are probably aimed more at prospective students, they Oxford in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in banned from their Unions for being too whining misanthropy and lazy conclusions should be of great value to the current ones. Jennifer Stanley Christian. and enjoys classic Audrey Hepburn films. LLYS TRYFAN TO BITE THE DUST t has been announced that the Llys available rooms in halls will worse affect with a turf cutting ceremony taking place Despite the evident optimism during a meeting with the Deputy vice Tryfan hall of residence is to be vacated returning second year students, as they are on the 6th of November at the Rugby pitches surrounding these proposed developments, Chancellor of the University, along with Ifor demolition by the end of the current the lowest priority candidates. situated behind the Ffriddoedd site. The numerous parties connected to the the Director of University Estates, Mike academic year. The demolition of the Llys Tryfan University are mildly concerned about some Goodwin. As well as concerns expressed by University halls of residences like Llys building is part of the University’s two phase aspects of the new residences. Students’ the SU, the building of the new halls has also Tryfan were built in the 1960’s and 70’s Estates Strategy which will see all standard ...there will now be 135 less Union President, Sam Burnett has written been met with some low level opposition when the University experienced a sharp University accommodation phased out by rooms up for grabs for the a letter on behalf of the SU to the Senior from other groups. Local residents have rise in the amount of students coming to 2010. Other University accommodation Management team of the University in forced through changes to the plans because Bangor to study. The building, situated on scheduled to be demolished or sold off in 2007/08 academic year response to the University Estates Strategy. of the worries they had about the local area. the Ffriddoedd site, will be knocked down the estates strategy include Rathbone, JMJ, "Whilst it's very exciting that the University One of the halls has had to be moved back 4 over the course of 2007 to make way for the Emrys Evans, St Mary’s and the George rugby pitches will be home to the first new are investing in halls of residence in order metres, because someone was worried about building of a brand new hall, which is due Site. The proposed developments to the halls of residence in the University’s new to keep Bangor competitive, we do have the noise levels. Whatever the plans for new for completion by 2009. The demolition is University’s accommodation mean that accommodation plan. Phase two of the concerns about the lack of communal buildings, Bangor is certainly going to look set to pose a potential problem for students there will be around 500 new rooms ready strategy, which is the phasing out of all spaces outlined in the blueprints for the very different in 10 years' time. intending to return to halls, as there will for occupation by the beginning of the standard University accommodation, will new buildings as this could have a very Dion Jones now be 135 less rooms up for grabs for academic year in 2008. Work has already begin with the demolition of Llys Tryfan prominent social impact on new students." the 2007/08 academic year. The drop in begun on the first phase of the strategy, next year. Sam has expressed these concerns in person

Llys Tryfan on the Ffriddoedd Site; set to be demolished at the end of this academic year SerSerenen - Christmas Issue 2006 5 TALES FROM THE The Rant Christmas? B’ah Humbug! QUEER here are many things in life that enjoyable and a time for the family to want to purchase as gifts are either out of of year that brought a smile to my face. The annoy me. People who park in relax and spend time together. Nowadays stock or ridiculously over priced. DVDs whispering of “Holidays are coming” as Tdisabled spaces despite not having a nothing could be further from the truth. that you know will be sold at £1.99 in the the infamous Coca-Cola advert hit my TV SIDE disabled parking badge, Scottish MPs being Because of businesses vying for our well New Year sales are £20 in the run up to screen always seemed to spark into life what able to vote on legislation that only effects earned cash, Christmas appears on our high Christmas. little festive spirit was left inside of me. st Dec was World Aids Day. There’s England and arriving at the supermarket streets earlier each year. In my fi rst year in Then of course we have the Christmas However, this year the advert is no more. I been a bit of a debate on whether or to fi nd the chicken deli counter has closed. Bangor I remember complaining that one music. Noddy Holder yelling “IT’S was horrifi ed to read on a Bangor Blogger 1not I should be writing about this All of these things annoy me, but nothing supermarket was playing Christmas music CHRISTMAS!” may have been fun ten website that the advert is to be replaced. topic in this column. Why? I hear you ask. annoys me more than the Christmas in November. This year, my third in Bangor, years ago, but hearing it on the radio That’s it. For me this is the straw that It’s about World Aids Day and Aids is a gay period. That’s not to say I don’t like I was devastated to see one high street shop everyday is enough to drive you mad. has broke the camel’s (or should that be disease isn’t it? Actually, no it’s not. Christmas itself. I enjoy nothing more displaying Christmas decorations before There’s only one Christmas song that’s It is estimated that there are now around than sitting around the family table and Halloween. What’s worse, some shops have worth listening to and it’s not played nearly Then of course there’s the 63,500 people living with HIV in the UK. tucking into a succulent turkey with all the started their sales before Christmas instead often enough! Driving home for Christmas Around a third of these do not know their trimmings accompanied by a glass of cheap of after. by Chris Rea is an excellent song no matter mass panic of Christmas condition. Despite everything that we think white wine. Then of course there’s the mass panic what my housemates tell me! (The editor shopping. we know about it, new cases are still rising. It’s more the weeks running up to the This year, my third in would like to comment that Fairytale of In Wales, since 2000 there has been a 3 fold big day that really get on my nerves. When New York is in fact the only Christmas song reindeer’s?) back. I’ll be glad when the increase in new HIV+ diagnoses in men who you were younger Christmas was such an Bangor, I was devastated to see worth playing.) country returns to something resembling have sex with men. enjoyable time of the year. The Christmas one high street shop displaying We can’t even open our presents on normality after the New Year and we can Across the UK, 54% of new diagnoses of period started on the day you fi rst opened Christmas decorations before Christmas day without being hounded to all get on with our lives without the hassle HIV+ were in heterosexual people. There your advent calendar and ended on the recycle every last bit of wrapping paper, of buying presents, sending cards to people are cases of girls in Wales as young as 15 now day you returned to school after the New Halloween. minus the cello tape of course. Even those you really don’t want to send cards to living with HIV. This is a disease which is Year. There was the frenzied card giving at of Christmas shopping. Parents ramming of you reading this article that do enjoy and eating too much Christmas pudding. spread by unprotected sex. It doesn’t matter school, the singing of Christmas carols in into you with their prams; kids screaming Christmas fi nd it hard to fi nd time to do so Christmas, B’ah humbug! if you’re gay or straight. assembly and the mass hysteria amongst at the top of their voices; and elderly people with the horrendous amount of deadlines And HIV isn’t just a health issue; it’s youngsters about the new Wallace and queue jumping in an attempt to get in and we have to adhere to. also a social issue. A third of people in the Gromit fi lm being premiered on Christmas out of town as quickly as possible. If this Despite all my opinions of Christmas, UK living with HIV have lived in poverty. Eve. Christmas used to be exciting and wasn’t bad enough, many products you there was always one thing about this time Spencer George Crusaid, a charity which can provide some fi nancial support for HIV people, has reported a 33% rise in applications to their hardship fund because people living with HIV face diffi culties in supporting themselves. It’s also an economic issue. Since 1992, 1.3million new jobs worldwide every year have been lost because of the virus. Of course, that doesn’t mean that UWBPride ignored World Aids Day. With our support, a service was held in Bangor Cathedral in remembrance of everyone affected by HIV and Aids. With our prompting, Red Ribbons were on sale in the Students’ Union and we raised money for the Terrence Higgins Trust, one of the leading HIV+ support organisations in the country with events marking World Aids Day. And what’s the message behind all this? Sex is fun – but it’s also dangerous. So please, play safe and keep healthy.

Stephen Clifford

f you frequent the University’s Intranet Only 3-5% of epileptics have what is in a series of ‘Strobe-free’ nights to ensure The following nights will be strobe-free STROBE debate board, you might have noticed known as ‘photosensitive’ epilepsy, but it is epileptic students can enjoy the same nights from the New Year: Irecently some discussion about strobe more common in children and adolescents, out as everyone else, without worrying that lights used at Amser/Time and Academi. which puts Bangor students amongst those they could suffer from a seizure. The fi rst First Monday night in Time of the month FREE Several people pointed out that strobes most likely to suffer from this particular strobe-free Trash happened on November Second Wednesday in Academi are sometimes overused, which apart type of epilepsy. 29th, and we’re assured that many more Third Saturday in Academi from being quite annoying, is potentially The Students’ Union Executive seemed strobe-free nights in both Time and Fourth Friday in Time. TIME AND dangerous for anyone who suffers from to have taken notice of the potential health Academi will follow. epilepsy, as strobe lighting can sometimes risk, and although they haven’t banned That’s one night a week somewhere in the ACADEMI trigger a seizure. strobe lighting altogether, they have brought Loran Perkins two venues. 6 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 New Year’s Nights St Ives

he New Year’s Eve celebrations at St Ives happen every year and have a national reputation for being one of Decided what to do this new years eve? Well we’re here to help. the places to see in the New Year. The Millennium in St Ives was probably one of the best new years parties Seren have put together a compilation of students favourite TI have ever attended. Walking down from the top of the high street in my Grandpa Womble suit along with other family members, also dressed as Wombles, I realised that this was no ordinary fancy dress party. The places to go to make sure you see in 2007 with a bang! night was a long pub-crawl through the town passing Snow White and her Seven Dwarfs and avoiding the evil Darth Vader, it was clear that everyone was out for a good night. Stopping off at every other pub we made our way down to the harbour where live bands entertained the masses and fi reworks illuminated the sky. With a crowd of around 15,000 we danced until mid-night, everyone was then united in song, and Old Lang Syne echoed through Weymouth the streets, what a way to spend New Year! The whole experience was fantastic. We stayed in St Ives for 5 days and topped it off with a massive fancy dress street party. Anyone who enjoys a good night out and likes fancy dress; f you like dressing up in fancy dress and standing around getting drunk in the rain then Weymouth is the this is the only way for you to see place for you. Hundreds of thousands of people of all ages descend upon the small seaside town from Bristol, in the New Year! ILondon, Oxford and Southampton for high capers and shenanigans. Live bands, street performers and stalls line the streets and countless bars and pubs have beer tents, and classic Dave Moreton pub grub and roasts are offered. The best part for me is the fancy dress. My friends and I have gone as Jedi, Knights from Monty Python’s Holy Grail and as a brides maid, which was by far the best for free drinks, “You’re a very lovely looking Lady!” The fancy dress gives the whole night a surreal atmosphere and gives people even more of an excuse to be silly; not that you need one on New Year’s, my friend dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi chasing a confused and slightly scared guy dressed as Darth Maul. Hope Square, the opposite side of the Harbour to the main town or the Jubilee Clock on the Sea front are the places to be come the count-down where you can welcome in the New Year with more famous people than you’d ever normally meet, even if they are just extremely drunken Southerners in costume.

Luke Wilsher

Chester

hilst it may not be anywhere near the size of other cities such as Manchester or Birmingham, Chester has a lot to offer, boasting in excess of 50 pubs, clubs and bars. This is extremely Wimpressive considering the size of Chester’s city centre, and also means you have less distance to stumble before reaching your next destination. However you like to spend your New Year’s Eve, Chester has it all. If you like to just sit with a few friends and have a quiet chat, then pubs such as The Custom House Liverpool and The Shropshire Arms will provide that level of intimacy to see in the new year. However, if you are wanting a livelier night then trendy bars Amber Lounge and Revolution are a must, just don’t expect iverpool is an awesome city for a night out any night of the year, but give it an excuse for a to have much money left for takeaway afterwards. And fi nally, if you like your skirts short and your party and you’ll probably get one of the best nights out of your life. If you’re one for open air bouncers patience even shorter, then Brannigans or RB’s, Chester’s only proper club, should be your Lnew years eve celebrations, then Liverpool might not be the best place for it. At the moment priority. RB’s in particular is known for putting on several themed nights, and also has hosted guest DJs the majority of the city centre is rocking the whole building site look. However this year New and celebrity appearances, so just as long as you’ve had enough to drink beforehand, chances are you’ll Year's Eve fi reworks will highlight Liverpool’s historic Town Hall as an opener for Liverpool's 800th have a pretty good night. birthday year, and the fi reworks are always a spectacular sight. If a night out on the tiles is more your So it may not be massive, but it is perfectly formed. The fact that Chester has so many places crammed thing though then whatever you’re into there’s something for you. Chibuku has its annual fancy into such a small space just means less time out in the cold and more time partying. dress extravaganza and the music is basically anything that you can dance to. If you like your nights out extravagant, camp and crazy then one word should sort your new years: Garlands. If you spend Chris Thomson your Wednesday nights in Trash, then hit either the Krazyhouse or Le Bateau. The Krazyhouse has the cities most hardcore all-nighter (9pm-5am) and has 3 fl oors of alternative/indie/metal. If you don’t want a club then there’s a wealth of bars, from over-priced meat markets of Concert Square, to the super-cool but very hard to get into Heebie Jeebies, to the Tequila based messiness of Bar CaVa. Edinburgh Hogmanay Whatever you do, wherever you go, Liverpool will offer you an awesome night out, so if you’re up for it, mines a tequila in CaVa cheers… he ultimate way to celebrate New Year is at the Royal Bank Street Party in Edinburgh city centre. Live music is performed every year in open air from 10pm through to 1am, with an eclectic choice ranging from pop Sean Clement Tto rock and indie to traditional folk, making this event suitable for most. This year’s live performers include the Pet Shop Boys, Paulo Nutini, The Fratellis, Capercaillie and many more. I found the atmosphere to be friendly yet electric as the music brought Edinburgh’s streets alive with a mixture of traditional and contemporary dance. Being a tourist in this city gave the enthusiastic locals an opportunity to display their traditional dances and to teach those that were willing how it is done properly. At midnight the streets quieten for the offi cial count down to the New Year, spectacularly displayed with the 7 Hills Fireworks. No matter where you are standing the view of this spectacle can be seen for miles as fi reworks are launched from Edinburgh castle and 6 other hills surrounding the city. Edinburgh’s street party was certainly an exhilarating way to celebrate the fi nal night of the year a Birmingham defi nite recommendation if you are stuck for ideas

s Britain’s second largest city, Birmingham is often overlooked. Many think Kelly Timmins of it only in terms of the N.E.C, Balti curries and confused rock star Ozzy AOsbourne. In reality, Birmingham has more canals than Venice and boasts Nottingham just as many cafes, restaurants and fashionable bars. With the growing reputation of the city’s university, Birmingham has to suit the needs of all its residents – and that If you can get past its (undeserved!) reputation for gun crime and violence, Nottingham city centre it does! The bar of the moment is said to be ‘Sobar’, located in the Arcadian Centre. is a great place for you to celebrate New Year’s Eve. There’s defi nitely something for everyone. Actually a noodle bar with a late licence, its popularity stems from the dimly lit, ‘cave-like’ atmosphere. This, accompanied, with the chilled Jazz the resident DJs, For those fancying something a bit different to your standard New Year’s Eve, head to Rock City on makes it popular with both student and older generations alike. Talbot Street, for its New Year’s Eve special version of it’s popular ‘Distortion’ night, playing the best If you wish to swap ‘chilled-out’ for ‘absolutely bloody mental’, then the N.E.C ska, punk, hip hop, drum’n’bass, metal, emo & indie. is the place to be come December 31st. The almighty venue is hosting a 6pm til 8am party, featuring Rave-Head DJs ‘Slammin’ Vinyl’. Don’t forget the Glow Sticks. If you prefer to celebrate in style, try any of the smart bars in the Lace Market area, or the beautiful Tickets cost £35. For more information call 020 8363 5566. (but slightly overpriced!) Tantra on Victoria Street. For everything under one roof, try the Corner Alternatively, dye your hair black, wear a frilly shirt, rustle up a bit of eye make- House on Forman Street, or Oceana on Lower Parliament Street. Just steer clear of the chav-tastic up, pierce your lip, and go and watch Ramshackle vs ‘Panic! and Resurrection vs. nightclubs Ocean and The Works! For a bit of retro fun, Flares (Upper Parliament Street) and Refl ex Revolution at Birmingham Bar Academy, the best indie and alternative anthems . In (Market Street) will transport you back to the 70s or 80s, just beware of the people of your parents’ room 2 there will be the best rock n’ roll & electro sleaze with dj’s from death at the ages! disco & revolution & Coldrice vs. Bang! Bang! . Tickets cost £10 in advance. Whatever you’re looking for this New Year, Nottingham will have it! James Honess Loran Perkins Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 7 Health

I eFEEL all have our off days. I look in curvaceous andFAT beautiful by others. Why is it the mirror sometimes and I feel that stick thin and emaciated seems to equal Wthat burdensome feeling in the success, whilst voluptuous and womanly is pit of my stomach. It is the “I feel fat” feeling a failure? WHY SO S.A.D.? and as women we all feel it once in a while. In a society where the retail industry ost people appreciate the extra Seasonal Affective Disorder is caused would be to move within 30 degrees of the Magazines tell us it is our hormones and dominated image is important. A man has to hour they get in bed when the by the lack of light people are exposed to equator, around Southern Spain or Africa! this is true to an extent, but have women be tall and lean, a woman tall and slender. If clocks are put back in October, which changes the amount of chemicals However, that’s not always entirely practical and indeed men always felt inadequate you don’t tick all the boxes in some way you M but for many people it may not be so that are released within the brain. Light is and wouldn’t you miss Bangor just a little about their appearance? Is it a modern feel socially constricted. This is where the welcome. Between September and April it important to all living things, which is why bit? phenomenon spawned by the pressures pangs of inadequacy come in, the paranoia starts to get darker much earlier and there many animals hibernate during this time. of modern living and living up to social about your fi gure, which is perfectly OK but are several less hours of daylight, which can During a bright summer’s day the intensity expectation? you refuse to believe it. Variety is indeed the affect people and lead to the winter blues. of light that people are exposed to can be up If you look in any tabloid you will read spice of life and prejudice and discrimination Phil Rhymes Many people are aware of the term ‘winter to 100,000 Lux whereas artifi cial lighting the normal showbiz speculation of who’s got is everywhere. As human beings we have an blues’ but may not be aware that around indoors only emits an intensity of with whom and who’s getting married. The innate need to be accepted by our peers but 30% of the population of Britain suffer from 250-500 Lux. whiff of scandal exudes from between the at the same time we have to step back, stop this, medically known as Seasonal Affective One way that SAD can be treated leaves and so we read on and chances are you being paranoid and remember that thinking Disorder (SAD). SAD usually affects is by using light therapy. This will come to a page detailing who is the new outside the box is what future generations people between 20 and 40 and women are involves the sufferer sitting in front “fat” celebrity and who is ideally thin. For will remember us for. generally more vulnerable, however it is not of a specially designed light box for the past few months you may have noticed uncommon for children and adolescents to 1 or 2 hours a day which can emit up that Wales’ own Charlotte Church has been suffer. Even people that do not suffer from to 10,000 Lux, giving the body the the object of much criticism and praise. At Amy Briscoe SAD usually fi nd that they eat and sleep greater amount of light that it needs size twelve she is considered fat by some and more during the winter months and feel to release the necessary chemicals. unhappy during the duller weather. Light boxes are not available on the People fi nd during the winter months NHS and cost between £75 and £200, that they struggle to wake up and get however many companies do offer motivated in the mornings and fi nd a home trial service. Other that the themselves shattered in the evenings, yet use of a light box you can reduce the THE GREAT have problems getting to sleep. Having an effects of SAD in many natural ways. unsettled body clock and sleeping problems Even if you do not feel motivated are key symptoms of SAD alongside other to, it is always benefi cial to wake symptoms, such as having low self-esteem, up at a reasonable hour and get as lack of concentration, decreased libido much daylight as possible. It is also and lowered resistance to illnesses. Around important to eat well during the ORME 2% of SAD sufferers fi nd they have much winter months and many people fi nd stronger symptoms, which can be as that supplementing their diet with extreme as turning to drug or alcohol abuse vitamins (B12) also helps. Sophie talks health and beauty tips or feeling suicidal. The only true way to cure SAD embracing this trend, try cute 60’s black berets put at an angle. They are stylish, practical and hide a multitude of hair sins. Purple bags are hot right now. As they add a splash of colour to your outfi t and fi t the winter colour spectrum. If you want to add an air of sophistication to your look why not ditch the low cut tops and wear a sexy chiffon blouse. They’re cool, classy and with a hint of transparency. Making it a sexy alternative. ‘Less is more’. Hair this season is grungey with a centre parting. You want to look casually rumpled, DOCTalk face to faceSPOT – this is the simplest, back. The suppressed love on both sides got not bed hair. Blow-dry then put in some yet hardest step and you have to take the them back together. jumbo rollers, leave then tip your head initiative. Be prepared to solve things, Write a letter upside down and brush through. The result be positive in your mind and approach. If speaking seems diffi cult, try writing a gorgeous tresses. Initiate the talk by telling the person- “I letter. This is perhaps the most diffi cult of all. Or try a Bardot style this is half hair up have a problem and the only person who This is because your mind tells you that you and down. Tease some hair up, secure it with can help me is you”. Beware and do not say are right and the other person is wrong, thus nly a few weeks of term left, crazy a band, then wind some hair around the “I have a problem with you and I want to it is he/she who should actually apologise. how quick this term has gone. The band and fi x with kirby grips. Then bring discuss it”. The latter sets a pace for more However, you have decided to take the fi rst Ofestive season is almost upon us the rest of the hair round your shoulders arguments. Speak your heart out with this step, so you have to write this letter. While which means over-spending of what we have and pull a few strands loose around your person. Focus on problems rather than you do so you will notice spelling errors or left, excessive eating and drinking, as well as face. Simple, easy and sexy. actions, avoid getting personal and stay grammatical mistakes, else handwriting goes an overload of family time. All of this on top Don’t try too hard though. You don’t committed to the fact that you want to solve haywire. This happens because of confl ict in of having to revise as well. want to look like you spend an extensive this. Ensure you allow the other person to the mind, which says it wasn’t your fault and What’s in this season. Biker jackets keep amount of hours in the salon. Hair colour speak, and empathetically listen. If there is the heart, which says let’s solve this problem. them short and sweet, no long leather coats. should be rich, caramelised, it should blend criticism take it with an open mind. Keep But continue and ensure the letter reaches Accessorise with metallic’s. Keep it sparkly into your hair colour. Whether you are telling them you want to be friends again the person. Remember to write positive matched with quilted bags in ghetto gold. blonde, brunette or auburn. And remember isunderstandings and confl icts and that he/she is important. More often things and communicate your desire to get If you’re lucky enough to have a social dyed hair gets dry easily and can loose its are a part of life. The problem is than not this will solve the problem. Even back to the person. This act of will break circuit of fabulous Christmas parties, the shine. So invest in a deep cream conditioner, most of us avoid resolving them if you are not successful, at least you gave it the barriers. LBD (little black dress) is a timeless classic. M your best shot. Finally, a message to all my readers is let’s there are plenty on the market. Use it every and consequently they turn into an ego Spaghetti straps, chiffon layers or the latest few weeks to keep your hair looking shiny battle. In the process we miss the precious Make that call fi nd a reason to smile rather than fi nding strapless, teamed with glittery accessories and luscious. moments of love. Life is uncertain and there If you don’t fi nd enough courage to talk a reason to fi ght. Let’s understand that and shoes. is not time to waste on ego battle. Focus on face to face, fi nd out whether he/she has little getting into problems is very natural and Party season make-up. Smoky metallic Finally I want to wish you all a very a problem troubling you at this point. Try time. Repeat what has been described in the to do nothing about it is quite common. eyes, inky blacks, greys and blues all add a merry Christmas, enjoy your holidays and to recollect every incident with details; don’t fi rst technique. I share this heart touching However, to get the maximum out of your wide-eyed sparkle to your look, team with mistletoe kisses. Not forgetting to wish you hold back any emotions. Close your eyes and experience of a 38 year old professional. He life you have to grow out of your false ego lashings of mascara to fi nish off your sexy all a happy new year. party hard New Years ask yourself whether you want to resolve it. came to me with tears in his eyes. Initially, I and live with zeal and joy. Last advice; learn smouldering gaze. Eve and lets hope that 2007 is a fabulous Consider three things had no clue about what had happened, but to forgive and to forget. There is a new shimmer eye range from year. X x § Do you desire to solve the problem? then he told me he had not spoken to his For queries mail: health4u_ collection 2000, called ‘dazzle me’ they come § Do you need to let go of your ego? mum for 5 years as he had married against [email protected]. in a rainbow range of nine colours try a § Do you need to communicate freely his parents’ wishes. He got settled in another neutral sparkle or dare for a shot of colour. Sophie de l’Orme and openly with the person you have a city and had not met them since then. The At £2.99 a pot they are a bargain and could problem with? previous night he called his mum and spoke. Dr. Rashesh Mehta make a nice stocking fi ller. Three techniques can help people to After an emotion fi lled conversation his For casual wear hats are back. I am gladly resolve their confl icts. mum told him she loves him and wants him 8 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 Dublin’s Intoxicating Charm there’s plenty of budget accommodation in theatre posters of interest. Nights; well all Dublin. We stayed at the centrally located our nights were spent around Temple Bar. Travel Marlborough Hostel (70 for 3 nights) On our fi rst night we were recommended and with a combined train-ferry fare (£36 by a waiter to visit The Globe. If you ask return), the initial blow was a small one. the locals, it gets you a bit out of the touristy The hostel served its function; the rooms spots and they may point out places you weren’t anything special and neither was the wouldn’t normally see. It was quite trendy breakfast. It’s after the initial costs though and on our fi rst visit it was fairly busy and that your money tends to disappear and you fi lled with students, so going on a Thursday fi nd yourself scouring the streets for a bank. is quite a recommendation rather than I recommend that you either take all your at weekends. The weekend meant being euros with you or that you use AIB banks in squashed like a sardine and being come the daytime in case anything goes wrong. The onto by a lot of older German men (one Love In A Irish National Bank won’t give money at an looking remarkably like an older Sam ATM if you have an ‘English card’. Daytime; Burnett Union President). The Temple Bar well there are the usual places to visit, is lovely (was necessary to take a beer mat most popular probably being the Guinness or two) but it’s good to go somewhere the storehouse. This was quite expensive, even locals recommend. Dublin is a great student Cold Climate with the student discount it was still 9.50. getaway weekend. It is perhaps a little more However, it was really well done compared affordable if you have a job or perhaps to some rip-off places and you did get a free when your loan has just come in. It is very pint at the end of it. The best part by far was cold at the moment too, in fact a massive ublin: a sure place to fi nd students defi nitely the view from the top. It was dark temperature drop compared to Bangor, on an ‘academic’ budget break, by the time we got up there but the view was but as long as your wrap up warm you can Dstudents still hung over from a still great. Dublin Writers Museum makes admire the pretty Christmas lights. The only ferry trip they can’t remember and Germans an interesting morning. They give you those real downside to Dublin is that it’s more of who manage to be a journalist, salesman silly telephone-like speaking guides that did an experience than a photo-fest. and linguist all at the same time. Dublin nothing but make me want to laugh, but is a city full of alcohol and alcohol-related the displays are more factual and in-depth. surprises. I was incredibly wary of how I myself, not being the biggest literature Jen Stanley much money I was spending on this trip; my fan, found a fi rst edition of Bram Stoker’s loan depleting by the very second. However, Dracula and the early twentieth century Santas, saunas and spirits at Christmas town to visit is defi nitely Inari. It has everything that you would associate with Finland despite being in what feels like the middle of nowhere. The gift shops are stocked by the native Sami and are far more authentic than those found in Rovaniemi despite still being exspensive. Inari is also home to Europe’s 6th largest lake and has a diverse history that is interesting to explore, especially in the summer months when the sun barely sets. Christmas in Finland is a time of celebration and there is plenty of time for it as the offi cial season begins on the 19th of November. Joensuu (my place of study) saw song and dance in the Market square by the local school children and a special visit from the real Santa from ituated 20km inside the Arctic Circle, with a range of vodka cocktails available I Korvatunturi hill. So after having secretly in the small village of Jukkasjarvi, in couldn’t really say no. Even the glasses were photographed the Rovaniemi Santa despite SNorthern Lapland lies the ICE HOTEL. made of ice and once fi nished it would be the signs forbidding it, the genuine Santa Getting here in the heart of winter, is to say thrown away and another one carved. It made a special trip to Joensuu. This type the least, troublesome with buses and trains surely did warm me up inside! Many of the of event is national and is refreshing to coming once every blue moon. Though I rooms have been designed by international see, especially when the amount of light in was one of the lucky ones who made it and artists and their ideas have been sculptured the day is limited and getting motivated is lived to tell the tale! I started my travels from into ice. One of the ice suites was themed diffi cult. Currently the northern most areas Harnosand and travelled to Lulea. From around the solar system, with coloured of Finland are being plunged in to a time Lulea, I took a train to Kiruna. In the North lights shining through holes in the ice. This known as Kaamos when the sun fails to rise. of Sweden, darkness falls for approximately is where the King and Queen of Sweden apland or Lappi is Finland’s northern 16 charge to visit ‘Santa’ and the over- This time is made especially hard if like now 18 hours of the day. Thus most Swedes live slept when they visited. There were also most province with Rovaniemi, commercialisation really put me off and the snow hasn’t come. The snow provides their lives in complete darkness for the rooms with reindeers and guitars coming Lhome of ‘Santa Claus’ being the killed my image of Santa as a generous and a boost in light levels that really makes an majority of winter. The train was meant to out of the walls. In another room there was administrative centre. Rovaniemi is gentle old man. The saving grace was the impact on your mood through the day. take 5 hours; in reality it took 10, due to a sheet of ice, with a jagged hole cut through currently under development and as a post offi ce which straddles the artic circle Failing the presence of snow, Finland has a snow and various suicide attempts (darkness it, which you had to jump through in order result it is somewhat unremarkable as a and sells a range of tasteful postcards that, safety net in the form of saunas and alcohol. can do silly things to people!). It was bitterly to land safely on your ice block. That was town, following a common format of towns once posted will be stamped with the special Indeed saunas are such a way of life that they cold onboard the train. Struggling to wipe pretty awesome! However, for the poor throughout Finland. There are the typical artic circle post mark. There was even a have even been mobilised with troops in the condensation off the windows, all one students that we were, we slept in a simple Finnish characteristics of a developed region special post box to guarantee delivery for Finland’s military history. Finally the coffee could see for miles and miles, were endless ice room with a domed ceiling. There was an in the form of shopping centres and coffee Christmas which was a thoughtful touch. culture of the day time soon evolves in the rows of pine trees. But this journey, merely ice block on the fl oor, with a reindeer hide shops. Just a few km. north out of the centre After an hour there, most of which was spent evening to alcohol consumption in copious built up my anticipation about the Ice placed over the top. This would be our bed is the Santa Claus village and the only place calling family while stood on the artic circle, amounts. It is at these times when Finns Hotel which would be the culmination of for the night. Thank god for sleeping bags I in the world where you can cross the artic it really was enough and time to move on. I really shine as they transform into the most my trip. When we fi nally arrived, the sight thought. It was -5C that night. This is not a circle on a bus. The Santa Claus village is later found out the actual real Finnish Santa sociable culture I have encounted. was simply mesmerising. Never before have place for the faint hearted. It was super to very much like Alton Towers without the known as Joulupukki lives on the Finnish/ I seen anything so beautiful and full of be woken up with hot Lingonberry juice rides. If the cheesy music doesn’t drive Russian border on a hill called Korvatunturi. grandeur. It was an architectural wonder. and I have never enjoyed a Sauna so much. you mad then the extortionate prices in Rovaniemi is purely to keep tourists away Sean Miller The Ice Hotel is a unique place, as unlike Though sitting around with naked girls the gift shops will. A combination of the from the Russian border. A more satisfying any other ordinary hotel, this one melts – I didn’t know where to look! This is where every spring and a new one is built. Once English and Swedish character differs… The we were suited and booted in full snow Ice Hotel was like something out of Narnia, mobile outfi ts, Tor (my Swedish boyfriend) it was truly out of this world. So if you want Catch up with Lucy and I were free to walk around the hotel. to gain an Ice Hotel ‘diploma’ and a chance Most people see the Ice Hotel as simply a to travel to the ends of the earth then this is hotel, but in fact within this ice complex, the place for you. But the question remains, there is also an Ice Bar, an Ice Theatre and are you man enough? and Amy on Page 9 an Ice Chapel. I chose to visit the ice bar, Lizzie Joyce Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 9 FROM COSMIC KERRIE BANGOR Your horoscopes for December TO

BANGOR Sagittarius (23rd November Scorpio (24th October – 22 ell I have become somewhat of an ice hockey fan since coming to – 21st December) November) Maine. Our team ‘Black Bears’ are top of the University League in appy birthday Saggy-hairy- eep an eye on your valuables. I know America which results in having a serious hardcore fan base here arse! Most of you are born in that doesn’t sound very festive, but just W be sure that whilst you’re out having a at the Uni. Last weekend we played our biggest rivals and had to camp out HDecember, so I hope you have (or K overnight to get a seat! It was FREEZING!! We ended up having ten people had) a wonderful time. Righto, now down good time you know where your wallet is. Don’t in a six man tent and were still shivering! The game was worth the wait, the to the forecast. It looks like there will be a burn yourself out either. I know you’ve got a atmosphere amongst the fans is amazing to see and they are so vicious with lot of changes for you this month, but you’ll lot of passion and probably love a good dance, their chants it’s hard not to get into it. Talking of cold weather its meant to probably fi nd that all very exciting! Keep but don’t over do it and end up passing out snow here soon, but us Brits have been repeatedly told that and still no snow your mind open, put your best foot forward (try not to trip!) and you’ll on the dance fl oor. Believe me, it’s not a good has come! It’s bitterly cold- and windy which as a girl is fretful when wearing be okay. Make some time for your family too. They miss you more than look! Especially if you happen to be wearing hair down and lip-gloss. I’ve had to trade lip-gloss for Chap Stick and don you realise. Surprise them all by going home or phoning up, it’ll be much a revealing elf outfi t! Imagine everybody in a rather fetching hat, glamour Maine is not! The Americans were not lying appreciated. Academi seeing your fl oozy or your tom-tom, especially if you’re wearing tights when we arrived and they asked if we had packed our thermal undies! It’s guys! It’s all about moderation this December (or, depending on your outlook, set to reach -20C in the depths of winter, suddenly makes Wales look like a Aries (21st March – 20th wearing a more fl attering outfi t!) tropical paradise! Amy, who’s in Oregon for her exchange is coming to Maine for April) Thanksgiving; I’m really excited to see a familiar face. We’re hiring a car t’s all looking good for you Aries, you Libra (24th September – 23rd and going skiing as well as going to experience ‘Black Friday’- it’s the biggest lucky sheep, if you keep your head up and plan for the future. Long journeys October) shopping day of the year here, basically most stores slash their prices by huge I isits and short trips make an appearance for are coming your way this December (and amounts on the Friday after thanksgiving and they open at 2am, apparently you in December, so make sure you’ve got it’s chaos, quite frankly after experiencing the Next shoe sale I’m ready I’m not just talking about the weekly trek to Octagon!) so be prepared to have to sit on Vyour bags packed. It’s also time for you to for anything, the women there are pure vicious! Off to Boston Christmas get closer to the people you care about. Stop being shopping at the beginning of December - can’t wait and I’ve been told to your arse for a bit and watch the world roll by. Try and keep the peace with your roomies indecisive about it and do it! Trust me; you’ll be glad track down the cheese cake factory, they supposedly make the best cheese you did. New friendships and even relationships cake in the world, so looking forward to that trip! and family by remaining calm and optimistic, because if you do, your Christmas will turn may come from your actions, which will make your out all white! (Ooh! Excuse the pun there, couldn’t resist!) Christmas right proper cosy indeed! Also, keep up with Christmas social events, Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and go to as many as you can. Dress up and have fun, for: “t’is the season to be Capricorn (22nd December jolly, tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-lah!” (Karaoke, anyone? Nah, didn’t think so!) Lucy x x x – 20th January) trangely, whilst Christmas time is Gemini (22nd May – 21st June) eace out man! It seems your mission usually associated with the family, it this December is to spread the love seems that Capricorns need a good S Gemini, and make group activities as time alone this December. It’s probably P harmonious as possible. It will be up to you to because they’ve been working so hard prevent arguments, and add a slice of humour during the build up to Christmas, that in every gin and tonic you serve. Reckon you’re they’ve knackered themselves out! So take up for the challenge? Well of course you are. a break from it all! Otherwise, your health With your innate charm, you could even calm will suffer. However, if a dreaded student down a raging hippopotamus; although I’m not bug has already got to, try to stay positive, it’ll be the best way to get rid of suggesting you go to Africa to do it! Just make it. And let’s face it, with all those presents to look forward to at the end of sure you spend your time with your friends and the month, there’s a lot to be happy about! family, and watch how their faces beam. Leo (24th July – 23rd Aquarius (21st January – 19th August) ADVENTURES ou are a good leader Leo, so use that February) FROM ability this December. Now I’m not ntertainment and recreation makes suggesting that you strut into Time a big appearance for you this month Y Aquarius, which is nice, being as it’s so ACROSS and order everybody to do the Macarena E (although I bet you’d like to!) but just that near to Christmas hey?! Hosting parties and THE POND you make sure things run smoothly this social functions will make you feel very happy December. A little authority goes a long way, indeed, especially if you designed some of the so stand your ground and make sure things decorations in your own quirky way! They are done properly. Spend some time with might even lead to a romantic attachment, you your parents too, if you can, and any children never know! Educational matters are also important, so whilst you’re busy in your family, for both will benefi t from your sunny disposition. enjoying the merriments, make sure you don’t neglect your work. Any kind t is sunny! Oh the joy. Finally, the sun has appeared in this god-forsaken deeds you do will be well remembered this month, so be generous and reap state. Unfortunately for me, I am stuck in the library, where I have been the rewards! Ifor the past 5 hours, trying to write an essay on dead whales. Yes, you did Virgo (24th August – 23rd read that right. This is the kind of thing that interests me, but apparently it is Cancer (22nd June – 23rd July) September) ou’ve always been a good listener Cancer, still not interesting enough to keep me from being horribly distracted every oh Virgo! Have I got some good news and it’s just as well, because a lot of your fi ve minutes. That is the problem with the library; lots of people for me to for you! If you’ve been fretting about friends are going to need a shoulder to gawk at. I specifi cally chose a table which would mean I was facing away from your future career, then December Y everyone, but still. There is a guy in front of me who is wearing skin tight O cry on this December. As for you, make sure is the month to sort it out. A connection your life remains as stable as possible. If you do leggings. So I will distract myself from the Lycra wonder, by recounting the will be made with an infl uential somebody, have a job, hold on to it, for now is not the time rather thrilling story of … yeah I don’t actually have any thrilling stories. who can help you get where you want to be. to be short of cash. (And we all know how hard it Very little is actually going on here. It is quiet. I am gloriously fl outing the Sound good? Then make sure you make the is to fi nd a job in Bangor!) Make sure everything ‘no eating in the library rule’ by munching on an apple muffi n. Muffi ns are most of the meeting! Don’t shy away from is in order; your work, your love life and your one of the most dangerous foods to eat in a library, and probably the worst the opportunity; embrace it head on! You fi nances, and that way Christmas 2006 will be as merry as can be. offender of the ‘no eating’ rule. Since you are allowed to bring in coffee (as have the capacity to be very successful in life, long is it is in a covered container, and not in the computer area) it seems so perhaps this Saturday, instead of drinking one to many pound pints fairly mean to me to ban food. Coffee without food is like sex without in Paddies, keep your wits about you, you never know who you might foreplay, still fun, but it doesn’t completely fi ll the need. Well, that depends meet… on the person I suppose… heh. Ok! Getting a little dirty here, so I will step Pisces (20th February – 20th away from the euphemism. Taurus (21st April – 21st March) So, I have a food danger scale for the library. At the bottom end of the May) mm, an interesting month this will scale, which I like to call, the Sneak n’ Safe foods, are boiled sweets. As long oney, money, money, must be be for you Pisces. Steps towards as no loud wrapper action is involved, then you should be fi ne. Almost funny Right? Well, perhaps if your career goals will be important, impossible to detect, and leave no discernable trace, the litter is also easy H you’re rich. But, if you’re not as will be your popularity. But that’s okay! to remove. Muffi ns are near the top of the scale, in the ban worthy food M careful Taurus, you might end up with Just buy your mates a few drinks down the section. Muffi ns, are not only cumbersome to carry as they are prone to only chocolate money this Christmas. pub that should sort out that matter straight squashing, but also have the curse of requiring a small tablecloth covering You’ll feel like splashing out on pub meals, away! As for your career, try not to burn your the surrounding 3 feet to prevent crumb dispersal. So yes, I am living on the new clothes and bottles of wine, especially bridges. Also, try to avoid confrontations. wild side, eating a muffi n. And that, my friends, is as about as exciting as it is if it’s to impress a certain somebody. But There are likely to be a few around you, but going to get today. Something interesting better happen tomorrow, or I may just make sure you don’t go overboard! be as friendly and as understanding as you can be, and any tensions are sure to have to start talking about plugs and sockets. And if you really can’t face the idea of not eating out, then try Varsity; you diffuse. Failing that, go and have a scone and cup of tea on the pier. Just because get two meals for a fi ver. (Hey, it beats beans on toast!) the people around you are stressed out, doesn’t mean you have to be too! Amy Garrett 10 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 VENEZIA IS THE NEW MILAN WORLD AIDS any would describe Milan, Paris or London as THE places to go and buy stylish clothes designed from scratch, but you don’t have Mto travel that far. Even here in North Wales, Deganwy to be precise, we have our own fashion designer, Marion Kennedy. Marion’s designs are stunningly beautiful. As you enter her boutique, Venezia on Station Road, he 1st of December was World AidsDAY Day. In Bangor Cathedral at 2pm2006 you are bombarded with elegant gowns, accessories and amazing jewellery. they held the World Aids Day service, which was presided over by She specialises in stunning evening and wedding dresses and colourful TThe Very Reverend Alun Hawkins, Dean of Bangor. The majority of corsets. Her jewellery is made in Ireland and starts at around £10. She also the service was done by Bangor University’s very own Dafydd Morris. Also provides student rates for her dresses and has both evening and party wear present from the church was Helen Lincoln, the Cathedral Verger. –so there is something for any occasion. Marion will design her dresses to The purpose of the service was to remember all those that are suffering your specifi cations and tastes and she truly believes in catering for the client. from HIV and Aids as well as all the people across the world that have died as “I try to get inside people and work out what makes them rock. Everyone is a result of HIV or Aids. The service, although a Christian service, was open to different and it’s their clothes that say who they are.” Marion sees clothes as a anyone who wanted to come no matter their sexuality, creed or religion. way of expressing the inner you better than you actually can and it is this that I must admit that I was pleased to see such a wide variety of people in the she tries to capture when she is designing dresses for her clients. cathedral for the service. There were members of UWB Pride showing their Her passion for clothes began at a young age. She used to make dresses support. Some of the staff of The Three Crowns were also present to show for her Sindy doll and sell them to the other girls in her class. Marion’s family their support. As well as several members of the Students’ Union including also ran a bridal shop in Kilkenny which provided valuable experience for the President, Sam Burnett. This goes to show that not only the University Marion. It was through her family’s business that she was able to include her community, but the wider Bangor community holds this issue close to their own designs into the collection. She then went on to study Fashion at the heart. Cork College of Design which she loved immensely. There she was allowed The service was very poignant, there were several readings, some from free reign to experiment with different colours and textures. the bible and a poem by Myra Brooks Welch. All to show that we should have Marion however has not only studied fashion but also history. She took a compassion and should not be intolerant or prejudiced against any person course here at University of Wales, Bangor in Medieval History. She believes just because they are suffering from HIV or Aids. it is her love of both that has inspired her, “my love of history has spilled out Every person attending the service was given a small candle before the into my love of fashion.” This love and mixture of history and fashion has service started. Which half way through the service we were asked to go down enabled her to design some stunning medieval wedding wear as well. in small groups and light from a main candle and given a chance to refl ect on Marion uses her own knowledge of running a business to help inspire the people suffering from this disease as we placed our candles on the altar. many young hopefuls. She even runs her own modelling agency as well as her The Cathedral was silent as every person attending went down and in shop in Deganwy. Marion helps to organise charity events and visits local silent refl ection lit their candle and placed it down, before returning to their schools as part of a programme run by Career Wales. She teaches children seats. around the age of eleven interview techniques that will help them in years The Dean gave us the Blessing and Sending Out. This concluded the to come. Marion believes that through this programme she is teaching the formal part of the service. However, that wasn’t the end of it. There was at children “how to work with people and not against them.” the back of the Cathedral near the main entrance several alms bowls for I asked Marion what top tips she would give any students at University donations to the Tyddyn Bach Trust, which is a respite centre for HIV/AIDS of Wales, Bangor, who are interested in a career in fashion. Her advice is “to suffers that is located in Penmaenmawr. As well as another chance to get a red never restrict your imagination-break the rules. Don’t listen to anyone who World Aids Day Ribbon. says you can’t put certain colours together because with design everything In summary the service was very moving and saddening. Because you had goes. Remember that the only person who ever stops you is you and always be no option but to think off all the people across the world that are suffering or true to yourself no matter what. “ have suffered and perished as a result of this horrifi c disease. However it goes to show that people do care and will stand against this disease. If you are interested in becoming a fashion designer then Marion suggests joining the Welsh Clothing and Textile Association. Call Adrian Clarke on Sam Mager 01286 830 102.

Siobhan Holt

Specialists in party dresses & Fashion designers ball gowns 141 Station Road Deganwy Conwy Tel. 07919676186 [email protected] ForFor a look thathatt speakspeakss louder Appointments at university than wordswords can be arranged Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 11 CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE ONE In conversation with Mark and Sarah MINUTE ‘Hey Mark, what are the things that get you in the mood… WELSH for CHRISTMAS?!’ ‘Well Sarah… Where should I begin? Mince pies, tinsel, Christmas trees, fairy lights, reindeer, Santa hats, stockings, snow, wrapping paper…’

‘Haven’t you forgotten ‘Oh yeah! Carols!’ something?’

‘I don’t know about you, Mark, but singing carols really puts me in the mood… for CHRISTMAS!’

‘So, Sarah, where can we sing carols in anticipation of this year’s Christmas?’

‘Really? What? When? Where? Who? How? Why?’

‘Well, Mark, haven’t you heard? The Christian Union are putting on a fabulous carol service at the Cathedral this year!’

‘Really, Mark! And it’s going to b even better than last year, when 450 people turned up and we watched the Simpsons!

It’s on Monday 11th December at 7:30 in Bangor Cathedral. It’ll be bilingual, of course, followed by a lovely spread of mince pies!’

‘Anything else I should know?’

‘Well, I’m glad you asked, Mark, because there will be a number of performances on top of the excitement of carol singing. We will hear from Revelation Rock Gospel Choir, JMJ Girl’s Choir and a harp duet. Is that enough for you?’

‘Hmmm… it seems like something’s missing…’

‘You’re right, Mark! The renowned public speaker, John Thomas, will be talking to us about the meaning of Christmas.’

‘The meaning of Christmas? What’s that, Sarah?’

‘Ah! Well, you’ll have to come along to fi nd out. Remember, Monday 11th December, 7:30 at the Cathedral. See you there!’

Mark Hawkins and Sarah Donnelly 12 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 Want a member of the Seren team to come All I want for along to your society and write a piece about it? Christmas is... a Features goat? email: [email protected] tuck for what to buy that special someone this Christmas? How about a flock of sheep? will literally shorten her life span. In short, a S This year we’ll be splashing out more lack of affordable hygienic sanitary products than £8bn on Christmas presents - many Amnesty party for women’s rights! translates directly into issues of women’s of which will be buried at the back of the rights as well as women’s dignity. wardrobe or abandoned in charity shops a The open mike night organised by few months later. But the pressure to buy for n the 14th November Bangor Amnesty International was a big success. the sake of buying is driving more people to Student Amnesty hosted a party All the musicians that braved the stage had charity gift websites selling unusual presents in Jocks bar to raise money for fantastic voices and were wonderful to listen O to benefit the needy. the Dignity. Period! Campaign, to provide to. Alice, Frankie, Anna, Sian and Louis Oxfam hit the headlines last year with Zimbabwean women with affordable were amongst that talent that graced us their innovative Christmas present scheme sanitary products. with their songs which included their own that enabled people to send a goat, sheep In the UK women buy more than three material and acoustic covers from Norah or pig to Africa as a gift on someone else’s billion disposable sanitary products every Jones to Muse. DJ Mouse also provided behalf. This year it has extended, with you year. music entertainment between artists. now being able to buy a whole flock of It’s something we take for granted. But Jade Mutyora, the Amnesty International sheep or a herd of goats. Through Oxfam, millions of women in Zimbabwe go without student group secretary spoke of her one of the many charities that has launched these basic products. As a result many are delight at the outcome of the night. an ‘ethical gifts’ campaign, you can buy suffering from infection, depression and, “We raised loads of money for ACTSA amongst many things a goat for £24, kit out in some serious cases, infertility. There have (the coordinators of the Dignity.Period! a teacher for £25 or train a health worker also been examples of women being beaten campaign). As a Zimbabwean myself I was for £38. by their husbands who wrongly attribute especially touched by the amount of people This growing trend has been boosted their infection to infidelity. As Robert who came and donated, especially every by celebrity endorsements from everyone Mugabe’s leadership plunges Zimbabwe one of the incredibly talented performers from Alan Titchmarsh, who wants an acre deeper into crisis basic goods like sanitary who made it such a special night” of protected rainforest (£25), to the actress products are becoming a luxury item only Bangor Amnesty Student Group is a Emilia Fox, who has told ‘Good Gifts’ that available to the rich. new amnesty group that has been running she quite fancies a village library (£1,200). Thabita Khumalo, general secretary Bangor amnesty student group: Jade Mutyora (sec), Rikia Fayne (treasurer), Louis Kitchen for about year at the University. They aim New research by Oxfam predicts that the (Chair), David Lau (publicity), Alice Neal(pub), Sophie (events organiser), Emma (social to promote the general awareness of human ‘A lack of affordable amount spent on ‘ethical shopping’ this sec), Hayley Liston, Sarah Peploe, Hannah. rights by trying our best to keep you inform hygienic sanitary products Christmas is likely to rise to £361 million, of what’s going on in the world. In their growing by more than a third in one year translates directly into issues including the actors Anna Chancellor, the world’s highest inflation, now more own words they are ‘ordinary people from This morning agony aunt Denise Gillian Anderson, Prunella Scales and than 1,000%, have made the products across the world standing up for humanity of women’s rights as well as Robertson gave the BBC some of her Jeremy Irons. The campaign has been unaffordable to all but the elite. In a country and human rights, our purpose is to protect most valuable advice yet. “If you’re giving women’s dignity.’ named Dignity. Period!. where the minimum wage is Z$6m (£17.14) individuals wherever justice, fairness, a present to impress someone, like a man Zimbabwe already has the world’s lowest a month, the cost of a box of 20 tampons freedom and truth are denied’. in ardent pursuit of a woman, you’re more of the Women’s Advisory Council of the life expectancy for women, just 34, and is Z$3m; no woman is going to spend half If you would like to know more likely to give them Chanel No 5,” she says. Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Khumalo believes these unhygienic practices their earnings on tampons, especially when about Amnesty International, check “But if it’s someone you love very much, give and a mother of two, is a women’s right could make it drop to as low as 20 because most people can only afford to eat once out or to www.amnesty.org.uk her a goat.” campaigner. She began to campaign against infections will make them more vulnerable a day. Women are being forced to choose learn about the student group go to “If they don’t appreciate it, they’re a critical shortage of tampons and sanitary to HIV. between their own health and the survival www.undeb.bangor.ac.uk/ probably not worth giving a gift to anyway.” towels in Zimbabwe, one of the least talked The crisis began in 1999 when Johnson & of their family. amnesty. They also have a If you fancy the idea of purchasing an about and most severe side-effects for Johnson, the healthcare manufacturer, pulled It’s an issue which raises questions of ‘myspace’ page for you myspacers ethical gift this Christmas, visit The Good women of the country’s economic crisis. out of the country because of the worsening whether a woman is forced to stay away from out there! Her campaign has led to her being severely economic situation. Zimbabwe then had to work or school; whether she is putting her Gifts catalogue,a website which will link you mistreated in Zimbabwe. Now her cause import products from neighbouring South health at risk by picking up infections or, if to charities which run such schemes. has been taken up in Britain by celebrities Africa. But the collapse of the currency and she is HIV positive, whether those infections Claire Mann Claire Mann Fencing Canoe Polo Have a go! anoe Polo is Seren’s reporters have been out and about sampling the Union’s ould you like to write an article a fast paced more unusual sporting clubs on fencing? say the features Cand difficult Weditors… “SWORDS!” says sport that combines Women’s Rugby I, (translation: Yes, yes I would) so off I canoeing with trot to Normal Site (8-10 on Tuesdays & elements of various dropping said ball) followed Wednesdays and 2-4 on a Saturday) all ready other sports including by tactical and fitness training, to swashbuckle the night away. rugby and netball. and I found myself warming How was it I hear you cry? Well reader, The objective of the up and unexpectedly having it was great fun. Not only that, but it is very game is to paddle a great time. The team were easy to pick up. To start with you have to get the length of pool, very patient with the novice the posture, which leads to the enguarde passing a ball between in their midst, and took the stance, which theoretically, you can start your team mates time to explain strange and fencing from. However, it’s never that and scoring in your alien terms like “wing” and simple, as fencing is not just wildly flailing opponent’s goal at “forward” before putting me with a sword and hoping you hit something, the other end of the clashed against one another as the canoeists to play in the aforesaid ‘wing’ as that would be more than a little pool. One Thursday I went along to the capsized one another in their attempts to get position (which I discovered dangerous. To begin with, the ‘attacks’ you Canoe Polo practice session to see what it the ball. This was a far more exciting match involved running up and down use are fairly subtle and are no more than was all about. As soon as we arrived at the than the one I had participated in and I was the pitch all night!). a thrust or a lunge or a flick of the sword to pool we were separated into two groups, impressed at how skilled the canoeists had The team really took parry, but as you go up through the different the beginners and more experienced. The become at such an unknown sport. the time and effort to sword classes (there are three classes: foil, instructors quickly ushered us into our When I joined in with the game I include me and another new epee and sabre, each bigger than the last) canoes and into the water running us found Canoe Polo to be an extremely fun member. They were friendly, the attacks become quicker and more through the various safety procedures and if disorientating sport and the skill and approachable girls who created aggressive. Fencing is an all-round work out, assuring me since I hadn’t been in a canoe in commitment of the members of the club a welcoming atmosphere as the kit you wear is pretty thick and heavy years that it was just like riding a bike. was very impressive. Canoe Polo at this and made it very easy for (but what do you expect? You’re playing After this brief re-introduction to stage however is still quite unknown but even someone such as me to canoeing it was time for my first game of interest is growing every year. Bangor’s knew I’d identified the UWB Women’s with swords!) And it’s pretty mentally taxing attempt rugby! I’d thoroughly recommend Canoe Polo. I quickly realized I was out Canoe Polo club for example didn’t even Rugby lasses when I spotted a pair of as well, as you have to focus totally on your rugby for the exercise, as well as the social of my depth. The two teams sprung into have their own team last year; they trained knee-length stripy socks combined opponent’s move, for any slight shift that I element; as it was certainly a good workout might signal an attack or for any drop in action passing the ball between one another with another team in Holyhead. This year with shorts. In Bangor. In November. It (especially if you’re a ‘wing’!). whilst paddling up the pool at speed. I was however because of the growing interest in was a sure bet that it wasn’t just a whacky their guard that leaves them open. As this If you’re interested in joining the UWB left floundering at the other end of the pool the sport Bangor was able to form its own fashion statement. After some friendly was my first time, I got destroyed… sure Women’s Rugby team, they train every desperately attempting to paddle toward team and took out a loan in order to provide banter, the distribution of the club’s I could dodge some (being 6’ 3 gives you Tuesday and Friday evenings. Meet outside the action. Eventually I managed get over equipment. The Bangor Canoe Polo team November newsletter (very impressive) and legs long enough to dodge pretty much the Belle Vue pub in Upper Bangor at 6.20: to where the action was going on. I was would like to extend an invitation to their an introduction outside the Belle Vue, we anything) but everything else didn’t come as the session finishes at roughly 9pm. They thrown the ball a few times and attempted fellow students to come to their training commandeered a few of the girls’ cars and easily, but give it a few weeks and maybe it usually have matches on Sundays. You can to paddle and play throw but found for sessions and get involved. The sessions leave traveled en mass to the pitch on Anglesey. I will. Fencing takes place in Normal site gym contact the team via email if you have any the most part that I ended up capsizing. from the Students’ Union every Thursday at was going on my first rugby taster session. 1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8-10 more questions at [email protected] After the beginner’s session had finished 6 o’clock. Well, it was cold, and I know nothing and on Saturdays from 2-4. angor.ac.uk the more experienced members of the club whatsoever about rugby, so it all seemed had a game. The ball quickly flew from one somewhat daunting! We started with some Sean Clement Richard Bunn end of the pool to the other, canoes violently basic ball training (in my case, mostly Rebecca E. Hussey Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 13 Film Casino Royale ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ asino Royale has been the subject Bond is different to all the others. This leads Vesper, and Mads Mikkelsen, who proves to of much criticism since it was into the classy opening credits sequence be one of the best Bond villains ever as Le Cannounced that actor Daniel which do away with the usual dancing girls. Chiffre. Good performances come from Judi Craig would be the new 007. I was one After this, Bond goes from Madagascar, to Dench as M, Caterina Murino as the ill fated of those who were opposed to his casting the Bahamas and Miami, and onto Casino Solange and Jeffrey Wright as CIA operative and I was expecting this film to be a bitter Royale in Montenegro where he faces Le Felix Leiter. disappointment. But, rather than letting the Chiffre Mads Mikkelsen, a banker working Of course, it’s not just the actors that Bond series down he in fact turns out to be for a terrorist organisation. Accompanied by make this movie. The film is exceptionally one of the best things that ever happened the beautiful and watchful Vesper Lynd (Eva well scripted with Bond veterans Neil to it. Green) he must defeat Le Chiffre in a series Purvis and Robert Wade joined by Oscar First of all I will say that ‘Casino Royale’ is of tense poker games. Meanwhile, Bond falls winner Paul Haggis. And the action scenes very different to all the James Bond movies in love with Vesper. Eventually, Bond ends are extremely well done, both eye-popping that have preceded it. Unlike previous entries up in Venice where he has a run in with Le and realistic without any use of visual effects it isn’t just a popcorn action blockbuster, it Chiffre’s employers. like in previous movies. The highlight is is extremely classy. The action scenes are Everything in this movie works. The an attempt to stop a terrorist bombing at exhilarating just like in previous Bond performances are superb throughout with Miami airport. Even the poker scenes in this movies but they are also extremely stylish, Daniel Craig standing out by a mile. He film are tense and suspense filled. ‘Casino gritty and believable. The girls, whilst doesn’t just play James Bond, he is James Royale’ is definitely the best James Bond film gorgeous are also intelligent and are more Bond, albeit in a way he has never been seen ever and Daniel Craig does the most original than mere eye candy. And the one-liners are before. This Bond is brutal and tough but he and interesting portrayal of James Bond both inventive and stylish too. is also very human. In this film we see him ever. As someone who was opposed to this The film opens with a black-and-white bleed and in one scene he gets hospitalised. film it should really mean something when I sequence which shows Bond earning his 00 We even see him cry. Daniel Craig does tell you that you MUST see this movie. You status by carrying out an assassination on all this in a manner that is completely won’t be disappointed. a double agent who has been selling MI6 believable and at times moving. Other secrets. This sequence alone shows that this great performances include Eva Green as Robert Mann

Flushed Away ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ‘Flushed Away’ is the eleventh computer- animated film to be released in the UK this year but it is the first and only one to be made in the UK by a British animation company, in this case, Aardman, best know for their clay-mation characters, Wallace & Gromit. This is Aardman’s first foray into computer animation and it manages to keep everything great about clay-mation, whilst being a much bigger scale project. For anyone who doubted whether Aardman could work their magic with computer animation this film proves them wrong, maintaining Aardman’s high standards and keeping their trademark snappy humour and good scripting. ‘Flushed Away’ tells the story of Roddy (Hugh Jackman), a lonely pet rat living in Jackass Number luxury whose life is turned upside down by Borat the arrival of sewer-rat Sid (Shane Richie) Two ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ in his home. Roddy’s scheme to rid himself any of us considered ‘Jackass’ to of Sid leads to him being flushed down the be well and truly over with the toilet and into the sewer world beneath. In his attempt to get home he meets Rita (Kate Make the Torture Stop release of ‘Jackass The Movie’, agshemash! Here a come film review M Winslet), captain of the boat The Jammy some four years ago. Johnny Knoxville to you! Ok, let us leave the comedy Dodger and gets involved in a plot by The had moved into acting, Bam Margera and mimicking of a central-Asian nitwit aw was a well-crafted horror mystery, whatsoever to a hypocritical old pervert J Toad (Ian McKellen) to wipe out the rat some of the regulars had ‘Viva La Bam’, to the man who does it best: Sacha Baron Saw II’s MTV too-many-cameramen- with a pathetic, flawed desire for self- population. While all this is going on his whilst Steve-O and Chris Pontius had their Cohen. In his second feature outing spoil-the-editing-process undermined preservation). outlook on life changes and he begins to S own brand of wildlife study in ‘Wildboyz’. following the regrettable ‘Ali G Indahouse’, any hint of plot, and if ‘Saw III’ serves any To put it briefly, the Jigsaw killer should feel more at home in the sewer than at his But here they are again, ready to put Baron Cohen brings another of his comic purpose, let it be a warning: make the not become the bogeyman of the 21st luxury home. their safety and well-being on the line in creations to the screen in ‘Borat’. A riotously torture pornography stop. Horror shouldn’t century. He has neither the charm nor The animation is superb capturing the exchange for our raucous laughter. funny mixture of bigotry, buffoonery and be about how many gallons of blood you the identity to become a pop culture icon. trademark Aardman clay-mation look but To put it bluntly, if you hated the TV bad taste. can fit into every shot; it’s about what you Indeed, maybe horror has eaten itself, its on a much larger scale than in their previous show, or the first film that took their stunts Where Ali G failed back in 2002 by taking don’t see. Implication over exposition, if smile both gleaming and desensitised as it animation efforts. With the exception of to extremes, stay well away from this follow the Staines legend out of his usual chat show you like. There are no less than three further feasts on its body, no longer caring about the opening which moves far too quickly up. Time has not mellowed the ‘Jackass’ set-up, Borat succeeds by retaining the ‘Saw’ sequels planned for every Halloween, how it’s perceived as long as, at worst, it to really get to know Roddy prior to being crew one bit, and you will want to look away formula that made the show so ridiculously which means that by 2010, if the public manages to repel. flushed away, the script is excellent, packed from the screen on numerous occasions! hilarious: making real people look silly. keep showing their money at the box office, This year’s ‘Hostel’ is allegedly based full of witty humour. The same can be Highlights include a mechanical rodeo, a What little plot the movie has (Borat sent cinemagoers will simply not be satisfied on a true story of a now-obsolete website said for the voice cast which, in addition puppet show, and a terrorist sketch that just to the ‘US and A’ to learn cultural lessons with the horror genre unless there is a where life has a price and no value, but the to the aforementioned names, also features gets funnier and funnier the longer it goes for Kazakhstan government) is made up glorified shot of a jaw being ripped off every execution of the films chilling concept is Jean Reno, Bill Nighy and Andy Serkis. on. And that is all the detail about the film for by the amount of gut-busting laughs. As few minutes or some such like. Moreover, not exactly an exercise in subtlety. The fact The film is extremely clever and inventive that you are getting out of me. Borat, a naive journalist with tremendously the horror genre will be redefined for that it has been banned in certain countries with the entire rat city and everything in I suppose we could criticise the film for backward views on matters of sex, religion generations to come as ‘revulsion’ not ‘fear’. merely highlights its unsavoury amount of it being made up of day to day items, e.g. a lack of originality, some of the stunts do and race, makes his way across the US, his John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween’ is a explicit violence rather than any intellectual food whisks as motor vehicles. The film feel like rehashes from earlier years. But confrontations with the American public, masterclass in implied terror and gave birth or indeed fear-inducing merit. With every also has some very entertaining musical when your chest is caving in from laughing cannot help but entertain. to the modern “slasher movie”; spawning popular horror film now seemingly upping numbers, and lots of clever pop culture so hard, sometimes it isn’t always such a bad We get anti-semitic jokes, naked men the ‘Friday The 13th’ series and acting as the its on-screen violence quota, will we now see references. Despite this being a kids’ film thing. Some others have criticised the film wrestling, a bear in an ice cream van and bible of ‘Scream’. Even supposing the former every entry into the genre veer towards an there is also some subtle adult humour. Of for being more of a ‘best of’ from all of the so much more it would be rude to spoil is now a tacky irrelevance (though there was exploitative cop-out, favouring sensational all the computer-animated movies released shows that have since come out of ‘Jackass’, your fun. Some conservatives have decried a certain ethereal presence to Jason) and the display over artistic value? With ‘Hostel: this year ‘Flushed Away’ is definitely one of but I feel that this keeps the format fresh. the film as offensive and crude, but Baron latter is a black comedy (though there was a Part 2’ scheduled for release in Spring 2007, the most entertaining and best made, and I The guys have ‘matured’ in some sense from Cohen is revealing that racial bigotry and certain ethereal presence to Ghostface plus here’s hoping for twitching curtains instead definitely recommend this for viewing. the start of the millennium, and the film is deep-rooted sexist beliefs can still be found the added thrill of guessing whodunit), both of yet more actors in an abattoir. all the better for it. It is not the funniest film not only in Borat’s fictional portrayal have a sense of fun and their own absurdity of the year (that goes to ‘Borat’ or ‘Talladega ‘Kazakhstan’ but in the very real United Robert Mann as well as cheap but effective jump scares. Nights’) but the humour never fails to miss States of America. By now, the ‘Saw’ series is neither fun nor Kevin Smith the mark. scary (and there is no appealing presence Ian Davies David Eykelestam 14 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 Music Ten Second Rule; The Long Blondes - Someone to Drive You Home Mephs; Nuggie and hose of you who are previously Arlene Dahl/I just want to be your sweetheart’. aware of The Long Blondes’ talents This is also reflected in the style of the band, Tmight know that ‘Someone To Drive particularly the leading lady Kate Jackson the Lawbreakers; You Home’, the debut long player from the who is surely a star in the making as she Sheffield boy-girl quintet, has taken three is the one responsible for the luminous years to arrive - a very long time in the leggings and leopard-print neck scarves 20ft Ninja @ Academi fickle world of music (just imagine how filling girlies’ stockings this Christmas. many Steel City nightclubs those Arctic Musically, she demonstrates all the cocksure Monkeys scamps could get thrown out of swagger of Jarvis (‘Giddy Stratospheres’) in that time!) By showing patience and combined with the big-sister-knows-best 14/11/06 meticulousness that is uncharacteristic maturity of Morrissey (‘Heaven Help The o, it’s not just the thing of legend, it Hives’ ‘Hate To Say I Told You So’ that for modern times, The Long Blondes New Girl’). Add a dash of Debbie Harry really does exist! Live music does whips the crowd into a frenzy and leads have chosen quality over prolificacy and sex appeal (‘Weekend Without Makeup’) Damien Rice - 9 exist in Bangor! Deprived of such to the evening’s first mosh pit. By the end N produced an album that is sure to inspire a and even the boys may find her charms too a necessity/luxury (delete as appropriate) of the set, everyone knows they have seen generation of lovelorn girls whilst filling the much to resist. t has now been three years since the for so long, the crowd slowly begins to much more than they bargained for and are dance floors at your local indie shindig. The Long Blondes are a band sure to endearingly raw sound of Rice’s 2 swell, and the atmosphere in Academi suitably appreciative of the band’s efforts. Indeed, it is rejection of modern warm the cold, lonely nights. Young indie Imillion selling debut album, ‘O’, was is surprisingly bustling considering that After an evening packed with top-notch characteristics that make The Long scenesters and old romantics alike will find unleashed upon the world. Obviously, ‘9’ three quarters of the line-up are Bangor- music, Bangor’s hottest property takes to the Blondes so unique – they hark back to ‘Someone To Drive You Home’ the perfect has a lot to live up to, and I was somewhat based acts. This could, in part, be due to stage. After a ubiquitous ‘What Is Punk?’ times when actresses were true heroines winter companion. worried when I realised that the first single the excellent planning and organisation poster campaign, 20ft Ninja have ensured – voluptuous and sexy yet ever the victim from the album, ‘9 crimes’, happened also of BIFSA (Bangor International Forestry that even if you haven’t heard their music, Emma Dixon and to the dangerously handsome hero, as to be the first track (usually the sign of an Students’ Association) whom the event was you at least know who they are. Fortunately, encapsulated in the opening track, ‘Lust In Alex Farley album with only one or two decent songs on run by. the band has the substance to accompany The Movies’- ‘Edie Sedgwick/Anna Karina/ it). Thankfully, this couldn’t be further from First up on the bill is Ten Second Rule. the style and prove a fitting climax to the the truth with ‘9’. Their pack of faithful cheerleaders at the night’s proceedings. If Mephs were the In fact, ‘9 crimes’, isn’t even the best front are soon joined by several others slightly more commercial side of punk, then track on the album. Track 3, ‘Elephant’, who seem genuinely interested in their 20ft Ninja are the edgier, more traditional is reminiscent of Radiohead at their best, indie-punk mix. Think Nine Black Alps side. Influences from bands such as Bad whilst you can probably expect to hear fronted by Johnny Rotten and you’re in the Religion and Pennywise are rife, with James ‘Rootless Tree’ on the OC soundtrack in the right ballpark. TSR perform a solid set and Barnes’ unpolished vocals complementing near future; this latter track being a good frontman James Duffy seems in his element his frantic punk riffs perfectly. Martyn candidate for a future single despite the strutting about the stage with all the pomp Griffith and Adam Crowe, on bass and expletive-laden chorus with its repetitive and attitude of someone who’s already been drums respectively, are also on hand to make use of Gordon Ramsay’s favourite word there and done it all. sure that the group’s rhythm section remains beginning with ‘f’. Before you ask, no, it’s The second band up is Mephs, who raise tight while not losing any of its rawness. It is not a song about food. the evening’s proverbial bar even higher. Barnes’ exuberance as a frontman, however, The ballads are still here, though I Their energetic brand of punk rock really that really makes the band stand out, “I’m wouldn’t say that the melodies are as hits home with the ever-growing crowd, and getting sweaty!” he screams just before haunting and melancholy as they were on O, the end of each song is met with increasing launching into another frenzied number. but that’s not to say that the quality isn’t still amounts of whistles and cheers. This is And so is the crowd. Watching 20ft Ninja there. ‘Grey Room’ is an example of such a more than a simple punk band, however, as is a tiring experience; the energy of the band ballad, sounding as if it belongs somewhere lead guitarist Gwyn lays down lick after lick is projected straight onto all those watching, on a David Gray album (I’m sure there’s a over rhythm guitarist and lead singer Jess’ and they lap up every second of it. The band pun on the word grey in there somewhere). tight guitar work. Mephs are a warning to rattles through tracks such as ‘Change’ and Rice is a refreshingly honest lyricist as well the headliners; they’re going to have to go ‘So Much More’ before coming to, what The Long Blondes - Photo taken by Stephen Burch. as a keen observationalist, able to capture some way to top this. must be said, a rather premature end. [email protected] the emotions common to us all, though The penultimate band on the night Despite this, they, along with all the the overall feel of this album does seem to are Sheffield indie rockers Nuggie and the bands tonight have put on an excellent Oasis - Stop The The Who - Endless capture a rather different emotion to the Lawbreakers. Maybe it’s the thick Yorkshire display of proper live music for people to Clocks Wire lugubriousness of ‘O’. ‘9’ has an altogether accent but an Arctic Monkeys influence is have a good time to. Well done BIFSA; more upbeat attitude about it and as a result more than evident here as the band plays here’s to many more nights of this calibre in t’s love them/loathe them time again – his year has undoubtedly been the the choruses are catchier, the lyrics are more their first couple of songs to a dubious the future, and this is proof that live music Oasis have a new CD out. They’ve finally year of The Who. They headlined T confident and the album is more likely to audience. However, like the bands before in Bangor does exist, you just have to be released their greatest hits and on it are in the park, toured sold out venues experience mainstream success. them, NATL soon win over any doubters prepared to look for it. I T 18 songs spanning two discs, which springs across the UK and were the top billing at It’s evident that Rice has thought long and and everyone seems to welcome a slight forth the question: does including 18 songs the BBC Electric Proms. All of this has hard about this album and hasn’t just rattled change of pace from the previous frenetic Chris Thomson stretch Oasis’ back catalogue, or is that not culminated in the release of their first album off a clone of his previous, there being signs punk offerings. This is short-lived however, enough to do it credit? Of course as is usual in 24 years, ‘Endless wire’. This “Mini rock that he has pushed his boundaries here, as as they break into a spot-on cover of The with Oasis, the answer depends entirely on opera” (Pete Townsend) offers everything shown by the unrefined grunge-rock sound your view of the Gallagher brothers and you would expect from a ‘Who’ album. of ‘Me, My Yoke & I’, a departure from his whether they’re worth the fuss that has been There are risqué lyrics, excellent guitar solos usual softness. It’s also worth noting that the impossible to avoid since ‘Definitely Maybe’, and there is raw emotion throughout. raw sound here is the intentional creation of arguably the best album to come out of Roger Daltrey’s voice has aged like a atmosphere rather than the sound of a debut British music in the 90s. fine wine and he has adapted his voice to artist on a shoestring budget in a basement It also depends on whether you’re willing fit the style of the album perfectly. Pete recording studio, marking the difference to ignore the fact that Noel Gallagher is (by Townsend mirrors Daltrey’s voice with some between the two albums. If ‘O’ was an his own admission) a 100% non-original understated yet excellent guitar solos. unrefined ore of talent, then ‘9’ is a polished songwriter (try listening to The La’s ‘Clean The pace and tempo of the album is gemstone of sonorous quality. Prophet’ after ‘The Importance of Being excellent and the blend of the songs makes Ross Butler Idle’ - you’ll think it’s on repeat), are more for great listening. For example the album concerned about listening to songs that kicks off with a quirky little number called don’t push the envelope but still sound great ‘Fragments’, is followed by a slow acoustic after all that inevitable airplay, and don’t song, ‘A man in a purple dress’ which is mind daft lyrics. then proceeded by the much faster ‘Mike ‘Definitely Maybe’ and ‘(What’s the post theme’. Story?) Morning Glory’ are well represented, In an era where the music scene is and the best of the rest (probably less than dominated by generic and repetitive rock one whole album’s worth if truth be told) bands, ‘Endless Wire’ comes as a breath of is unfortunately also included to remind us fresh air and further proves why The Who how almost every band has to fall from grace will go down in history as one of the greatest eventually. It isn’t Shhhiiite, as Liam would rock bands ever. say, but perhaps if the clocks were to stop, Buy this album now or at the very least 20ft Ninja: (l-r) James Barnes, Adam Crowe, Martyn Griffith people might think ‘Whatever went wrong?’ make sure you’ve put it on your list to Santa! Music Editor - Chris Thomson. Joe Penketh Spencer George [email protected] Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 15 Eragon ate November sees the release of Along the way you will need to make use the-game-of-the-film-of-the-book of your skills in hand-to hand combat, LEragon on all consoles as well as both to block as well as to deliver attacks, the PC approximately one month ahead along with your trusty bow. Additionally of the release of the film. Fans of the book however, as a dragon rider you have certain Video Games by Christopher Paolini will be eager to get magical powers at your disposal such as their hands on the game in the hopes of a Jedi-style force push, magical arrows Canis Canem Edit getting some insight into the forthcoming (useful for obliterating crowds of enemies) anis Canem Edit is the latest, highly very much given the feeling of climbing the film no doubt, not to mention getting as well as the ability to throw fireballs. “Yes” controversial, release from Rockstar social ladder as Jimmy attempts to earn the to take the role of the lead character. For you say, “but what about the dragons? Isn’t Games, the company who brought respect of the various groups around the those unfamiliar with the story, Eragon is a Eragon supposed to be a dragon rider?” C us such games the Grand Theft Auto series school, though beware – an action which fifteen year old boy who discovers a dragon’s Don’t worry, this hasn’t been forgotten. At and Manhunt. Unsuccessful attempts have gains Jimmy popularity with one faction egg and is subsequently taken under the strategic points throughout various levels been made both in the UK and the US to will often have an impact on his credibility wing of a former dragon-rider, named you can summon Eragon’s dragon Sephira ban the game from the shelves, though it with the others! Brom, disguised as a storyteller. He teaches to devastate armies, destroy bridges and should be noted that these attempts were The elegant feel and scale of the school Eragon the ways of the dragon-rider and smash through towers. In other levels you in both cases made prior to the release of environment give you the feeling that raises him to become a worthy opponent take flight, riding on Sephira’s back raining the game, and are probably due to the fact you are a non-magical Harry Potter with to Galbortrix’s regime and his minions. He down arrows on your enemies and using that the game was released with the title attitude as you navigate the trials and accompanies Eragon through the game as an Sephira’s tail as a whip. The gameplay feels Pro Evolution Bully in the US, and thus, has been assumed tribulations of modern school life whilst artificially-controlled character, helping you natural, taking very little time to pick up to glamorise bullying. To the contrary, you the attention to detail is superb - from to dispatch the dragon-rider’s numerous whilst you are helped through the earlier Soccer 6 play the role of 15 year-old Jimmy Hopkins, the individually named pupils around the foes. Complete the game and you’ll unlock levels of the game by tips and subtle hints any self-professed football a schoolboy sent to board in the grandiose school, each with their own personality, a co-operative mode which will allow one from your companion, Brom. For fans of fanatics would confess to the Bullworth Academy, a school where the to the Halloween decorations which go up player to play as Eragon and the other to fantasy fiction such as the LotR series or the sport being the single most term “survival of fittest” very much applies around the school in October. Best of all is play as Brom. Though key events from Chronicles of Narnia this game is likely to M important thing in their lives. Often it and in which it is not only the goings on of probably the humour which is present in the film are captured in the game, largely appeal, allowing you to immerse yourself can have an unparalleled ability to bring the students but those of the teachers which almost every aspect of the game whether it knowledge of the storyline seems to be in a magical make-believe world which is out both emotion and energy. Football might be described as questionable. Whilst be in the script, or the tasks you carry out, assumed here. The game feels somewhat likely to keep your mind occupied and your can be intoxicating, having the power to Jimmy’s moral compass may not quite point Canis Canem Edit is a game with its tongue similar to the last major fantasy film tie- thumbs limber over the Christmas period in dominate the proceedings of every day north, a large part of the game will depend firmly in its cheek. Bored back home over in, the Chronicles of Narnia, as you roam the absence of essays. life. Think about it, if they aren’t watching on how the gamer chooses to play, and the Christmas holidays? Go back to class through medieval styled castles, villages football, they’re playing it and if they’re missions will often involve standing up to with Canis Canem Edit, this time it’s your and rugged scenery. Similarly to Narnia and not playing it they’re talking about it. If the school bullies or protecting the Nerds turn to rule the school. Lord of the Rings, you battle for the freedom Ross Butler they aren’t engaged in any the above then (one of six factions along with the Preppies, of the people of Alagaësia, a land ruled by they’re playing a simulated version of it on Bullies, Jocks, Greasers and Townies) of the a tyrannical wizard known as Galbortrix. a console. school. Depending on the choices you make Ross Butler That said, how does PES6 justify its in the game, you are likely to fall into one thirty-pound price tag? Well, on the pitch, the afore-mentioned cliques and you are Tony Hawk’s Project 8 the details have been refined, creating a llie. Fakie. Stalefish. Impossible. Do 360 suggested a fresher, more fluid approach game with a very different feel to PES5. these words mean anything to you? to the genre that looked promising. The Never before has the beautiful game been Impossible applies to everyone I version I played on the PS2 however has simulated with such fluidity as in PES6. O Improvements in passing mean that weighty guess, but if you know what the rest mean, barely evolved from the game I played five odds are you are either a skater, or a fan years ago. The game looks very similar to passes and crosses can now be accomplished of the long running Tony Hawk’s game previous editions of Tony Hawk’s and the with ease, turning long-passing into an art series. It has been a constant best seller on old skating through solid objects bugs and form. The depth of ability to manipulate most platforms and led the way in terms clipping problems are still evident. A quick and control the ball here is unrivalled by any of extreme sports games, not to mention a glance at the features lost compared to the of PES6’s competitors. With the addition of rash of imitations since. Tony still prevails 360 version (namely online multiplayer, lay-offs and flick-ons the movement of the however, and he’s back to sign you up to create a skater and you can only choose from ball feels natural whilst you have an array of Project 8. THREE characters) suggests that this was tricks at your disposal in order to prevent What is Project 8? In the context of the rushed out of the door for the Christmas the ball from being intercepted including game, it’s a new crew Tony is putting together market, rather than offer a great experience shimmies, stop-overs, drag-backs and back- to impress the skating world with their skills. for those who have stuck by the franchise all heels. You choose your skater and make your way Shooting has also been improved and this time. through the game, impressing people with similar to moves made in PES3, PES6 has On a positive note, it doesn’t take long to your tricks, earning sponsors, getting your looked again at the technique adopted when immerse yourself in the game and you will name known and making your way through handling shots. Gone is the irritable first be attempting some of the challenges for the ranking in order to secure your place on touch or awkwardness that plagued PES6’s however long it takes to get that Professional Project 8. Along the way, various in-game predecessors. Greater consideration must rating! The brand new feature Project 8 characters will ask you to help them out be given prior to striking the ball since the introduces is the “Nail the Trick” mode. with their problems (a guy dressed as a bear distance of the ball from the player’s foot, By performing an Ollie and clicking on needs you to rip down posters using your the approach angle and preferred foot of the analogue sticks, you will go into slow wallride trick so he can make money to go the player will all alter the effectiveness of motion and control the angle of the board, to dance school.... right). Your sponsors your shot. Noticeable improvements include performing as many tricks as possible with will be keeping an eye on your progress, so taking into account players’ physiques. GearsSony exec said in the run up to the Ofhave I felt so completelyWar immersed into a maximum precision. The added layer of you have to earn Stokens along the way in Winning the ball is no longer just the PS3’s launch this month that “the game world. It’s frightening, it’s grand, you control enhances the pure addictive nature order to buy new equipment in the store placement of a well-timed tackle but a battle next generation doesn’t start until can die at pretty much every corner, but of going after that high score combo. For fans of strength and tenacity ensuring the value of A and as per usual, you pick up skater points we say it does.” Epic Games, with Gears of you wouldn’t want to miss the experience of skating, there are plenty of extra skating to increase your skills. The game also boasts stronger players such as Hargreaves, Guttso War have delivered the biggest “f*** you” for anything! The one button cover system videos to unlock featuring the skater’s real- a STELLAR supporting cast with the likes or Heinze as well as defensive players such imaginable to said executive. can be the difference between life and death, life counterparts. The soundtracks in Tony of Rodney Mullen, Bam Margera and the as Vieira, Terry or Ferdinand. Importantly, Okay, maybe not the biggest imaginable, especially on the harder modes. This is NOT Hawk’s games are always excellent, and this god that is Jason Lee (he was a professional such contests of strength are no longer but Gears just feels so great to play, and a game where you can expect to stand still is no exception with tracks from Nine Inch skater before Mallrats y’know.) under such frustrating referee scrutiny as in so much fun that you will wonder why and blast everything in sight. Within minutes Nails, Joy Division, Sonic Youth and the I might as well say that I’m not a huge fan PES5 which mean that tackles can begin to the hell this had not come out far sooner. of your first play, you will be desperately Klaxons all providing a great background to of the Tony Hawk’s games, this is the first fly at a heart-pounding rate though be aware The story is not the most original, you are scanning for that piece of cover that will your mad skills. one I’ve played since Tony Hawk’s 2 on my that whilst referees might be lenient to the Marcus Fenix (voiced by John DiMaggio, give you the advantage. It also heavily old, beloved Sega Dreamcast. As that was a odd nudge, the carding system is much more Futurama’s Bender), mankind’s last hope promotes playing with friends. I have played consistent. Flying dangerous tackles will fair few years ago, I was interested to see how Ian Davies from being wiped out by the Locust hordes through the single player campaign with my the series had evolved. A demo on the XBox result in a red card as well as taking the last who emerged from underground on the housemate, and a friend 70 miles away over man, eliminating the most annoying bug in planet Sera some seventeen years ago on Xbox Live, and it really does enhance the previous instalments. “Emergence Day”. Leading a group of gameplay. The multiplayer mode of four on Overall PES6 is a fantastic game though ragtag, incredibly masculine military men, four squad based deathmatches also proves not without disappointment. The on-pitch you must deploy the “Resonator” that maps to be highly addictive. There’s nothing features provide a beautifully smooth the Locust’s tunnels in order to wipe them more satisfying in the game than taking simulation of football whilst the off-pitch down that final opponent with a precise out once and for all. features can be found somewhat lacking. headshot. Or perhaps slicing them in half I want to get my problems with the Why release PES Management when they with the chainsaw that is attached to your game out of the way. The story is pretty all be included in one package? Such a gun. Oh. Yes. inconsequential, you learn most of it from move could bury the PES’s rival FIFA With these elements, we have had our the manual and the website! Some elements series, creating the perfect football game. first real glimpse of what the next generation are completely devoid of originality (some Unfortunately for this reason, the best of consoles should be all about. Stuff Blu- night time creatures are heavily influenced football game on the market can’t help but Ray, it is all about gameplay, which Gears of by Pitch Black’s aliens) and it is too short. leave a bittersweet aftertaste. War provides by the barrel load. That said, Gears of War is still the best game of the year by a bloody mile. Phil England Not since a little played game called Ian Davies Panzer Dragoon Saga on the Sega Saturn 16 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 Books Editor - Loran Perkins TOP AUTHOR LECTURES [email protected] AT THE UNIVERSITY t was with some enthusiasm that a wide- they’ve almost been forgotten about, so that age range of people congregated in the reader gets the feeling that events have IBangor University’s Main Arts Lecture come full circle. Mick Foley - Theatre to listen to a special guest lecture Such narrative devices are deeply on both the art and science of writing by engrained throughout Pullman’s novels - for children’s author and honorary fellow of example in Lord Asriel’s battle against The Tietam the university, Philip Pullman. I was twelve Authority which represents (amongst other when I was given a copy of Northern Lights things) the struggle for knowledge (notice by Philip Pullman. It instantly became one how Lord Asriel’s army consists largely of Brown of my favourites, and I could tell from the scholars and scientists), so that they may hose of you who are, or have been, size of the gathering that there were plenty become free-thinkers, in charge of their own wrestling fans will recognise the of others who felt similarly. Some sat actions rather than remaining ignorant in Tname of the author immediately. No reading copies of the afore-mentioned book blindly following the rules set down by the it isn’t mistake, the man sometimes known whilst waiting for the lecture to begin. Such church of Pullman’s story. as Cactus Jack has written a novel, although was the extent of the crowd that an overfl ow The lecture was punctuated by a number you certainly don’t have to be a wrestling room had to be commandeered in order of artworks used as aids to help convey fan to enjoy this book. “Tietam Brown” that those who could not fi t into the lecture the points made by the author along with is a touching tale of growth at the age of theatre could watch via a projector. a breadth of knowledge which can only seventeen, written in fi rst person through In the succeeding years after Northern come from someone who is an enthusiastic the eyes of Andy (short for Antietam) Lights was released, the second and third reader themselves. The author was certainly Brown. The story begins when Andy’s part of the His Dark Materials trilogy generous with his time, not only allowing a father, also called Antietam, lends Andy would follow, catapulting Pullman to a Q & A session at the end of the lecture but his car to take a beautiful girl on a date. level of success experienced by relatively few taking the time to sign books which fans had As the story progresses we learn more and Bremner, Bird children’s authors. A number of his works, brought along with them. more about Andy’s troubled childhood, his including the famous trilogy, have been One audience member asked about Peter Kay estranged and slightly eccentric father and and Fortune - adapted for the stage, and the fi rst fi lm from the signifi cance of Dust (sic) in the His his interesting past, and the turbulence of the His Dark Materials trilogy, Northern Dark Materials trilogy to which Pullman - The Sound young love. You Are Here Lights (or The Golden Compass as it is replied that initially Dust was something I was quite surprised that a man who f you’re of the opinion that your iPod known the States), is scheduled for release at he thought of to instil wonderment in the wears a leotard and entertains the world Shuffl e is more reliable at making some point in 2007, featuring such stars of reader, but which then became a metaphor of Laughter by jumping off cages could come up with decisions than some of today’s senior I the silver-screen as Nicole Kidman. for something which was rich enough for a story quite like this. Although some parts government ministers, then I’ve got just the rom various conversations with The title chosen for the lecture was him to draw upon throughout the rest of the of this book are not for lovers of violence, book for you. Written as a joint effort by ‘Strangeness and Charm’ in a double- trilogy. In the trilogy, Dust is the term used people, it seems that Peter Kay’s most parts are written with a sly smile, a the stars of the satirical TV show, Bremner, stand-up comedy is something of an entendre, referring not only to two qualities to describe fi ctional subatomic particles F good sense of humour and a clever way Bird and Fortune, this witty and informative present in Pullman’s writing, but to two which have developed consciousness over acquired taste (my lovely Northern friend of touching raw emotion. This book will book exposes many of the facts that various still maintains that Southerners ‘just don’t fl avours of quarks - quarks being one of the time. It is attracted to adults because they make you laugh, it will make you cry and authorities would rather not share with the types of subatomic particle found within the have life experience, and it is this which get it, Loran’.) it is almost certain to make you grimace, voting public. It’s all about being able to As a Peter Kay fan, I’m perhaps a little nucleus of an atom, for all the non-particle builds the consciousness and character of but then I doubt you’ll read another book trust people, you see, and reading books physicists out there. Before you begin to a human being. It has been speculated that biased, but I can honestly say that “The quite like it. I was shocked in a pleasant way like this tends to diminish confi dence in the Sound of Laughter” is the single most wonder why a children’s author might more will be learnt about this mysterious after fi nishing this book, that such a good powers-that-be. lecture on subatomic particles, I should substance in Pullman’s forthcoming book hilarious book I’ve read so far this year. writer could come out of an industry like A series of topical chapters interspersed Beginning with Peter’s fi rst driving explain that he was speaking metaphorically entitled, The Book of Dust. wrestling. It just goes to show that you really with facts, fi gures spoof interviews and in reference to the fundamental particles of Fans of His Dark Materials will be glad to lesson, the book looks back on key events in can’t judge a book by its cover. cartoons, this book manages to be both his childhood, such as playing the Cowardly narrative, beyond the level of the sentencing hear that the character of Lyra will return in Sarah Allen entertaining and educational. From the and language. He was referring to a level the book which is intended as a collection of Lion in a school production of the Wizard “Iraq Quiz” to the connections between Of Oz, but focuses mainly on his teenage of concepts which one must fi rst have a short stories about the secondary characters Tony Blair’s inner circle, from foreign grasp of before being able to understand from the trilogy. Pullman has stated in the years, and the many jobs he had before Premier League players to a profi le of he fi nally found his vocation in stand-up certain abstractions in language at all. As an past that Lyra and Will will not appear Kyrgyzstan, you’ll be amused and shocked example, the author gave the question; “how together in any story from the Book of Dust, comedy. Take it from me, the man has at the revelations from three of the most worked literally everywhere. From a factory, far have you got with your work”? though he hasn’t mentioned whether or famous faces in political satire. What really Now, the work being referred to here not Will shall reappear at all. Lyra’s story is to a petrol station, to a wholesalers (where adds value to this book is the knowledge he was caught up in an armed siege, believe need not necessarily involve travelling any thought to be a continuation of her life after that the material is not made up but instead distance, however we still understand what the events of the trilogy, a story which began it or not!) has been collected from conversations with Whether or not you like his stand-up it means to get “far” with it. This is because in the book Lyra’s Oxford. politicians, academics, journalists and we have an instinctive understanding of Overall, the event was a great success with might impact on whether or not you enjoy supported by a team of researchers. this book, as most of his stand-up material motion and associate progress as regards those in attendance gaining an interesting With so many sources of information motion with travelling a certain distance. insight into the method behind Pullman’s is based on his life experiences and the antics available to us today, it’s books like this of his mad mother and ‘nana’. If we can associate travelling a distance with craft as well as the strangeness and charm which help us to remain cautious about what progress then when we speak of progress of Pullman’s writing, not to mention the Whilst Kay’s writing might not be JK we are presented with from the authorities Rowling standard, it’s an essential read for as regards work, we can understand the inspiration to write. That’s one article down, and the media. Instantly appealing to fans of concept of “getting somewhere” with our now to make a start on that novel… fans of his, and I’d highly recommend it Private Eye or Have I Got News For You, this to people who aren’t so keen. There’s an work. He went on to explain how, on a book reminds us that we are very rarely given larger scale, these associations could be anecdote in this book for every occasion, the chance to obtain a balanced perspective and everyone will be able to fi nd something leveraged to convey meaning to the reader Ross Butler on events. You are Here allows the reader a through thematic double-entendres and the in it to relate to. Give it a go, it might just broader outlook; did you know, for example, surprise you. use of motifs which he likes to commence that since the end of the Second World War, with and then pick up on later just when And now dear reader, please excuse me, the US has spent over $19 trillion (that’s it’s spittiiiiiiiiiing! right, trillion) on defence? Loran Perkins It’s all about trust. Matt Williams An Interview with Kit Downes angor’s very own Kit Downes, a 2nd Kit: Well, it’s been my hobby since I was Kit: It’s looking like August 2008, but year English student has secured about 7, although my parents have said I was even now, my priority is writing the sequel, Bhimself a two-book publishing deal writing things before that. My fi rst story was but I’m still waiting for inspiration to with Walker Books. Seren’s Loran Perkins one I ripped off from a cowboy fi lm I’d seen strike! met him to fi nd out how he got the deal, the week before, and I’ve just kept it up from Loran: Don’t you fi nd it hard to fi t your what inspires him, and how he manages to there really! writing in with your Uni work? fi t his writing in around his coursework! Loran: Can you describe the book for Kit: It’s not a problem really, writing is Loran: So Kit, fi rst of all, tell us what our readers? fun, so I don’t really connect it with Uni made you decide to try and get your book Kit: At the moment, it’s called “The work. In fact, it motivates me to fi nish my published? Rainbow Carpet”, but we think that’s assignments, I always think ‘come on, if you Kit: Mostly, my parents encouraged me. going to change before the book is actually fi nish this, you can write a few pages before I fi nished the book 9 months ago, and they published. It’s a children’s book, set in the you go to bed.’ kept badgering me to try and fi nd an agent. magical city of Azamed. Each year, the city Loran: Finally, what advice would you So eventually, I gave in and surfed the net. I holds the greatest magic carpet race in the give to aspiring writers? found an article advising aspiring authors, world, and the story follows two contestants Kit: Firstly, write what comes naturally, and followed the tips on there. I found who get their magic carpet sabotaged by don’t try and force it. When it comes to Rosemary Canter at Peter Frazer Dunlop, their rivals. Then, Arabian Nights style, they publishing, keep trying. Don’t take rejection and she negotiated me a two-book deal with have a day and a night to get a new carpet, personally, most successful authors have Walker Books. and get back in the race. drawers of unpublished material. Finally, Philip Pullman lectured at the University in November Loran: Excellent! So, what inspired you Loran: Sounds exciting! When can we make every word count! to write in the fi rst place? expect to see it in the shops? Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 17 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

The Mayor of Bangor has put forward the idea that each student at the university should pay £1 towards the upkeep of Bangor City’s Christmas lights. We went out and asked you what you thought.

Becca Barrow - Adam Prescott – Emily Marsh - Matt Smith - Business Studies Environmental Criminology “I don’t mind, as long as it’s everyone who’s paying, Molecular Biology “That’s ridiculous. I don’t really care if we have “I think it’s stupid. Will the locals get charged too, or Planning and Management it’s ok. We live here, and work here, so I think we should Christmas lights or not. Were there even any up last is it just the students? I didn’t notice the lights last year.” year?” “That’s bull. Why should the students pay for lights pay. It’s only a pound.” that the Mayor wants? We won’t even be here over Christmas” PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD SHE’S STILL DIRTY...

.M. Synge’s Playboy of the Western hundreds and setting it in the sixties. This McAnespie’s performance didn’t have an World has always been a controversial made the play more relatable to a modern element of temptation to it hence a major Jplay. Upon it fi rst production it even audience: something that many directors point in the storyline was missed due to the caused a riot. This was because its content have been doing in recent years (the most over exaggeration that McAnespie brought was considered to be derogatory to the Irish famous example being Baz Lurhman’s to the part. This was made most prevalent people, depicting them as harbourers of Romeo and Juliet). when Chrissy is literally being fought over criminals. These days Playboy has become Love/Madness themselves had a lot by the two women. I found it hard to believe known as Synge’s masterpiece, showing us of variation in their quality acting. Jack that Widow Quinn was any temptation to a population that due to their repetitive McGaeshann’s performance of Chrissy was Chrissy. lifestyles are desperately interested in well rounded, entering the play as a nervous Chrissy’s supposed victim, Old Mahon another style of living. On Wednesday young man frightened to tell his story to the was also well acted. Ben Gaule was 25th of October the Love/Madness theatre people of the village. He creates this image convincing in his portrayal of the seedy, company brought their own Version of nicely. Upon his fi rst entrance into the pub eccentric Old Mahon. Even though his Playboy to Theatr Gwynedd, only the (that is the set throughout the play) he is part is fairly minor his entrance throws he celebrates her fi rst wedding anniversary this week, but last Thursday night’s Back reaction was quite different to that of the nervous, deliberately avoiding eye contact the villagers world into disarray and the to Basics concert at the MEN proved Christina Aguilera is still as sexy, outrageous and fi rst production. with the locals and curling up next to the fi re audience can’t help but feel empathy for him Sdownright Dirrty as ever. One of the fi rst things that the audience in an effort to make himself small enough since he is turned upon by every character in At the concert Christina wowed fans with tracks from her latest album, Back to Basics, has to deal with is Playboy being a to not be noticed. It is this nervousness the play even though we never really know along with deliciously revamped performances of her old hits such as a reggae inspired colloquially Irish play. Synge’s intent when that the villagers are fi rst intrigued by, since if he has done anything wrong (since we are version of “What a Girl Wants” and a riotous, brassy, jazz performance of “Dirrty”. he was writing the play was to show the they have never seen anyone act like this only told of him by Chrissy an extremely Her fabulously tight, revealing and glamorous costumes, designed by Roberto Cavalli, Irish people in their entire down to earth, before being in a small village where crime unreliable character). When he enters the were perfect for the Christina Aguilera we all know and love – risqué and daring. The stage bawdy, actuality. This meant that each would be virtually unknown. However as play he seems genuinely angry and shocked set changed as many times as her outfi ts, from a 1920s-style jazz bar with Christina lay across character in the play spoke with a broad the play progresses Chrissy realises that his at his son’s betrayal, throwing his arms into a piano to an awe-inspiring retro circus with fi re breathers, clowns, trapeze artists and even Irish accent. At the beginning of the play deeds have turned him into something of the air as though he is beseeching God as to a man on stilts. this was a diffi cult thing to deal with. This a celebrity and works this to his advantage, why he has done this to him. Even at the end Christina made breath taking entrances to each performance, whether she was rising from is because your average person hasn’t heard elaborating on his deeds more and more. of the play when he has been “killed” twice below stage on a Carousel horse, strutting down white steps in death-defying heels or tied to such strong Irish accents before, so for the The best scene in the play being Chrissy’s by Chrissy his desire to protect his son from a glittering sword throwers board. Her show-stopping vocals were incredible live, this along fi rst ten minutes of the play the audience are re-telling of his tale to Widow Quinn and these now disillusioned people is obvious with her amazing band and dance routines made for a night her adoring fans, I being one, trying to adjust themselves to this foreign two other local women. He uses exaggerated and his welcoming Chrissy to come home would never forget. accent and as a consequence anyone who movements and speaks with a prolifi c with him is very heart warming. Raucously seductive performances of “Moulin Rouge” and “Nasty Naughty Boy” is unfamiliar with the play beforehand authority even getting up onto a chair Playboy of the Western World is an entertained the audience with sexy, colourful outfi ts as tantalising as the lyrics themselves. may struggle to follow it in these crucial (giving him a higher status than the rest of interesting play and Love/Madness do an Such ballads as her new release “Hurt”, the touching song dedicated to her Mom, “Oh early scenes. This said you have to respect the cast) to show how he delivered his fi nal intriguing, fairly accurate version of the Mother” and the Christina classic “Beautiful” were all reminders of the bombshell’s more a company that produce something as blow, while Widow Quinn and the others Synge masterwork. The issues that it raises vulnerable, softer side. authentic to the original as this production swoon at his feet. of a people obsessed with celebrity are more She may be a happily married woman, but Christina defi ed the media accusations that is. Speaking to Jack McGaeshann (the actor In contrast to Jack McGaeshann’s relevant than ever today and with some she has gone from “Dirrty to Demure”, her power drenched and soulful voice belting out the who played Chrissy Mahon) after the play he performance there was Lucia McAnespie’s slight alterations in the cast, Love/Madness lyrics: commented that apparently this had been a Widow Quinn, which I found to be the will have an excellent play on their hands. “I still got the nasty in me, still got that Dirrty degree, If you want some more sexy, still very pressing concern, with the actors going largest downfall of the play. Her performance A sterling effort, one which is well worth a got that freak in me!” as far as toning down their accent for the run was very loud and obnoxious. Widow Quinn viewing. The concert was unlike anything I have ever seen before; undeniable proof that the of the play in Wales. and Margaret Flaherty are supposed to be platinum blonde sexpot is here to stay and boy, does she know how to deliver! The company do however try to bring the the two major temptations to Chrissy in Richard Bunn play into a more modern context. Taking it the play. Placing him in a dilemma between from its original setting of early nineteen whether he should choose one or the other. Megan Tapper 18 Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 The prize puzzles this issue are the Christmas Wordoku and the UZZLEs, Crossword (bottom-left). osers & E-mail your answers to [email protected] or cut them out and hand them in at the Students’ Union reception, marked “Seren”. roblems Don’t forget to put your name, tel no. and Uni e-mail address with your P completed entry! Winners will be selected at random from the correct inQUIZitive CHESS entries and prizes will be awarded by 31/01/07. 1. The robin is a member of which Black to play and family of birds? checkmate in 3 moves. Panto Anagrams Wordoku “CHRISTMAS” 2. In which ocean is Christmas Island? Taken from an actual game between Jim Grange & Richard Morrow from 1 KID NOT 3. What is a manger? Bangor Chess Club Championship. M H S 4. Who is Doctor Who’s companion in Contact Jim - [email protected] TWITCHING this year’s Christmas special? 2 SOME HOT OGRE H R I 5. In which year was Queen Elizabeth 3 II’s Christmas speech fi rst broadcast HA BOVINELY A I M S on TV? BATTIER 6. The Christmas rose can be either of which 2 colours? FATHEADS T S 7. Which screen comedian died on 4 FEW WITHDRAWN Christmas Day in 1977? HEAVEN SENT I S C R A 8. Who controlled Jerusalem from 1099AD to 1187AD? SODS C M 9. Who had consecutive Christmas 5 SAD ACHING ILL No.1s in the UK chart in 1996, 1997 M T A C & 1998? PAID MAD MAN 10. In which year were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action fi gures the A I H No.1 selling Christmas toy? A. E. C S I PRIZE IMAGEinative Same rules as number Sudoku, CROSSWORD but the letters from “CHRISTMAS” are in place of the numbers 1 to 9. ACROSS:- C. 1 Archaic affi rmation (3) Note though that there are 2 ‘S’s! 3 A teleost fi sh (3) 4 Folding under, stitching EXPOSEitive down (3) H. last issue:- H L A O L W E N E 6 Thirty Romans over 18! (3) B. G. F. O N E L A E L H W Wordoku W E L H E N L O A 8 Command logical “Halloween” arrangement (5) L H N E O E W A L answers E L W N H A E L O 9 Put one in to interrupt (3) D. E A O W L L N E H N E L A W O H L E 10 US protected (7) A W E L N H O E L L O H E E L A W N 12 JFK New York or CDG DOWN:- C O N T R O L S Paris (7) O E E O T 2 Ostentatious (11) FACTive A P R E S A F T E R PRIZE- 13 TESSA & PEP’s The standard litter for a female K. B S S P U U replacement (3) 3 On the outside (3) S T A B A S K S CROSSWORD armadillo is quadruplets of the E T answers 14 Newton’s fruity revelation 4 Exclusively believe same sex. I T C H T I M E J. L H S S G E and 15 down’s downfall (5) in ancestral genetic ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ E V I C T T I L L S David Cameron MP, the leader of D L A A O 16 Revenue in a large transmission (11) the British Conservative Party, is L E O N A R D O container (3) 5 US undertaker (9)

a descendent (through his paternal this issue:- 17 Remove the entrails (3) Checkmate!

7 Putting uphill (9) grandmother) of King William IV.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ra1 = Black#3

18 A lyric poem not Kb1 = White 11 Very mature person (3) Adam Hargreaves, the son of Ra5+! = Black#2

outstanding (3)

the children’s author Roger Xmas No.1s Kxa2 = White 19 A needle pulling thread (3) 15 The day before (3) Hargreaves, was the inspiration for Which artist(es) had the Qxa2!! = Black#1

the Mr Men series of books after following Xmas No.1 hits? are: moves 3 The : CHESS

1 2 3 4 5 having asked his father what a 1. Mad World in 2003? Valentine. Dickie

12. Harris; Rolf 11. M; Boney 10.

tickle looked like. Aloud; Girls

9. Stevens; Shakin’ 8. Richard; Cliff 7. 2. Mull of Kintyre in 1977? Slade;

6 7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Kidman; Williams/Nicole Robbie 5.

3. Stay Another Day in Jackson;

Michael Michael 4. 17; East 3. The maternal grandfather of McCartney/Wings;

Paul Paul 2. Jules; Andrews/Gary Michael

7 8 Neighbours actress & singer Holly 1994? 1.

: Valance was the fi rst cousin of the 4. Earth Song in 1995? No.1s__ Xmas

late comedian Benny Hill. Lamp. Aladdin and his Magic Magic his and Aladdin 5.

9 5. Somethin’ Stupid in 2001? Dwarves; Seven the

Snow White and and White Snow 4.

6. Merry Xmas Everybody in Thieves; Forty the and Baba Ali Ali 3. Goose; Mother 2. Whittington; Dick

10 11 1.

:

1973? Anagrams Panto

Sylvester. K. Frosties);

Tony the Tiger (Kellogg’s (Kellogg’s Tiger the Tony J. 7. Mistletoe & Wine in 1988? Grover; Super

H. Helper; Little Santa’s G. Pingu; F.

8. Merry Christmas Every- Grouch;

Oscar the the Oscar E. Pew; le Pepe D. Squarepants;

Spongebob Spongebob C. Snagglepuss; B. Eeyore; 12 one in 1985? A.

:

9. Sound of the Under- IMAGEinative

13 1990.

10.

ground in 2002? “Goodbye”; & Much” “Too 1”, Become “2 -

Spice Girls Girls Spice 9.

10. Mary’s Boy Child in Crusades; the of knights Christian 8. Chaplin; Charlie 7. white; & Pink 6.

14 15 1957;

5. Tate; Catherine 4.

1978? trough; feeding Animal

3. 2; are there - c Pacifi & Indian 2. Thrush; 1.

: 16 11. Two Little Boys in 1969? inQUIZitive 12. The Christmas Alphabet 17 18 19 in 1955?! Compiled by John Jackson Seren - Christmas Issue 2006 19 The prize puzzles this issue are the Christmas Wordoku and the Crossword (bottom-left). E-mail your answers to [email protected] or cut them out and hand them in at the Students’ Union reception, marked “Seren”. Sport Don’t forget to put your name, tel no. and Uni e-mail address with your completed entry! Winners will be selected at random from the correct Night Training Deserves Floodlights entries and prizes will be awarded by 31/01/07. Rugby League raining on a muddy, waterlogged, wanting to see certain games to get there. need to be improved, with the help of the unlit and almost unplayable sports The lack of facilities also has an unbarring Athletic Union president and other bodies Tpitch is an obvious hindrance to effect on the team’s performance so far, of the university. any sports team, but this is exactly what both the BUSA league and the local leagues It is also encouraging to see the community Heroes Brave key University teams have had to deal with show a decline in standards, and upon other yearn for the facilities also, they have M H S from the beginning of the semester. The reasons, a lack of adequate training facilities benefi ted from the facilities at Treborth ever decaying conditions at the Treborth seems to be at blame for the slip. already, but an expansion in the area would in Defeat site have been an inconvenience that the The Water sports teams are also struggling make a great difference to the sporting H R I sports teams have had to put up with ever with a lack of facilities. The development activities and the yield of talented athletes. since the closure of the Ffridd site pitch. The of this area is certainly a long- term goal, Assembly Minister Alan Pugh said that he A I M S Ffridd pitch was a decent pitch, equipped however with the increase in water sports was pleased to see this level of cooperation with fl oodlights and a comfortable distance teams within Bangor this may become a between local authorities, the sports council from the University. The new pitch has pressing issue before long. for Wales and other stakeholders on a project T S none of these characteristics, and is not It is encouraging however to see some that encourages increased participation only encumbering our teams, but it is also action taking place, which, although in its in sport and physical activity through the I S C R A shouting a nonchalant and naïve attitude early stages, shows signs of improvement in provision of improved athletic facilities: from what should be a concerned university sports facilities around Bangor. Innovative in line with the aims of climbing higher. and local council. plans to upgrade the facilities at the Treborth Hopefully the combination of community C M From the start of the semester, Bangor Athletics track were discussed during a visit authorities and the university will increase University sports teams have been hampered on 22nd September with the Welsh Assembly the chances of new development in and M T A C by the distinct lack of athletic facilities in Government’s Minister for Culture, Welsh around Bangor. and around the Bangor area. The teams Language and Sports, Alun Pugh AM. The prospect of improving sporting ability mainly affected are the Rugby Union clubs “We want to provide a prestige facility that in Bangor, assisting University sporting A I H and the Rugby League club, as well as the will raise confi dence and aspiration, not success, and increasing opportunities for Football Clubs, as they relied on the Ffridd only of our elite athletes, but for all the all who are interested in sport will surely C S I site for training purposes and as a host community who could benefi t from greater be a key impetus behind the proposed to other regional universities. The pitch participation in sport” said Meri Huws, Pro- developments. But as the rainiest months conditions at the Treborth site seem trivial Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wales, yet to come, the Bangor teams will surely compared to its inconvenient distance from Bangor. The University Estates department suffer as the local administration delegates Bangor, which relies on the assumption that is also aware that we have fallen behind in chat over what might be done. there is enough transport within the clubs, our prevision for sport, and are developing and makes it extremely diffi cult for anybody a talk group that will look into the areas that Sports teams raise cash for angor University rugby league team The visitors simply had no answer to Encouraging EXPOSEitive narrowly lost 32-20 after playing Bangor’s forward power; continuing the Children In Need last issue:- Btheir hearts out against Manchester hard work from the Man Met game. Tries hildren in Need has for many years Met. came from Joe Smith-2, Rich Smith-2, H L A O L W E N E signs from the boasted original and barmy cash In an emphatic match, Bangor, having been Ian Skinner-1, Charlie Parker-1, plus a O N E L A E L H W raising techniques. This year, once unable to fi eld a team the previous week, memorable individual effort from Chris C W E L H E N L O A again, Bangor became one of many centres were desperately unlucky not to have won Hilderbrand in which the winger evaded L H N E O E W A L involved in the fundraising effort. For many after controlling for large periods of the three defenders to score under the posts. E L W N H A E L O Athletics team sports teams around Bangor this became an game showing aggression in attack and Unfortunately the game was called to a halt E A O W L L N E H opportunity to help the cause, and have a determination in defence. with 15 minutes to play, due to an injury, N E L A W O H L E great time doing it. From the kick-off Bangor used their strong with Bangor looking likely to hit a half A W E L N H O E L The Trampoline squad decided that they running forwards to drive up fi eld, with century. Cheshire’s only try came in the L O H E E L A W N would play their part by bouncing from 9 Danny Wright and Richard Smith providing fi rst half after Bangor defended against a in the morning to 9 at night. They had two the charges. Sleek handling set up John sequence of 16 tackles. trampolines out, one was a ‘normal’ bed and PRIZE- Wilkins for a deserved try, but two tries from Captain James Fleming called for his players the other was a ‘continuous’ bed, as in the Manchester put Bangor behind at half time. to "stand and be counted" and he was not trampoline never stopped moving all day CROSSWORD In a see-saw match in which either team disappointed. answers as before one person could stop bouncing could have won, Bangor scored further Bangor University 24-28 Manchester and get off the next person had to get on tries with excellent solo efforts by Captain, University. and start. The vast majority of the clubs James Fleming, and centre Tom Bradfi eld. Bangor failed to recover from a disastrous members joined the effort, already raising A delicate kick by centre Will Varley set up start in which they conceded two tries in the £200 and counting. The money came from winger, Ben, for Bangor’s fourth score before opening minutes. sponsorship and also from donations made this issue:- two late tries by Manchester sealed victory However once composed, Bangor showed by people using the Maes Glas sports centre.

afterCheckmate! some rare miss-tackles by Bangor. the grit and determination that was Congratulations to them on their original

Black#3 = Ra1 = "ItBlack#3 was an excellent team performance by the expected of them. They out muscled the White = Kb1 = White and productive fundraising appeal.

lads today with the new players taking well Manchester players but the visitor’s skill Black#2 = Ra5+! = Black#2 Another charity appeal taking place in a

to the game," said Fleming afterwards. out wide was superb, with experienced half

White = Kxa2 = White short while is the Sub Aqua team’s swim

Black#1 = Qxa2!! = BangorBlack#1 showed throughout the game why backs and centres linking up well; making across the Menai Straights. The swim has

The 3 moves are: moves 3 theyThe were deserved champions last year, up for their forwards’ failure to do so in the been delayed until the 3rd December due to

: withCHESS some hard hitting defence. Man of middle of the pitch. bad weather, and will be safely supervised as

Dickie Valentine. theDickie Match, Charlie Parker led the tackle Yet again Bangor were unlucky not to have the team has rafts and other such facilities

12. Harris; Rolf 11. M; Boney 10.

Girls Aloud; Aloud; countGirls and Brett Chandler’s covering tackle won the game; with ill discipline costing

9. Stevens; Shakin’ 8. Richard; Cliff 7. Slade; Slade; espite recent criticism of the Snowdonia marathon in 2 hours and 51 that will be monitoring the swim closely.

after a 95 metre chase were the highlights Manchester late on as they battled hard th rd

6. Kidman; Williams/Nicole Robbie 5. Jackson; Jackson; Treborth training facilities, it does minutes, fi nishing an overall 5 (3 senior They will attempt to swim from St. Georges

as Bangor refused to let the game slip. The to keep their lead. With more new players Michael Michael 4. 17; East 3.

McCartney/Wings; McCartney/Wings; seem to be excelling in one area. male), and ran a series of 5 races over the Pier in Menai Bridge across to Normal Site,

Paul Paul 2. Jules; Andrews/Gary Michael infl1. ux of new players has enabled the team taking to the game, the rugby league team D

The Athletics pitch at Treborth boasts summer where he came fi rst in the overall there a 12 people swimming and so they

:

Xmas No.1s__ toXmas continue with Ian Skinner, Ben Richards, has strength in numbers, which was looking some of the best facilities around, and this standings. hope to raise a fair bit of money.

TomLamp. Bradfi eld, Tom Hughes, Danny Wright, unlikely only a few weeks ago. has been subsequently rubbing off on our Most impressively however is the University The Archery club was 1 of many more clubs Aladdin and his Magic Magic his and Aladdin 5.

the Seven Dwarves; Dwarves; Seven Mattthe Davies, Phil Holland and Josh Cutting After Manchester’s opening tries, Bangor Athletics team, and more to the point, our team’s involvement in all these races. Most of and societies assisting the Children in Need

Snow White and and White Snow 4.

Baba and the Forty Thieves; Thieves; Forty the and allBaba playing well. came into their own with Man of the Match

Ali Ali 3. Goose; Mother 2. Whittington; Dick 1. athletics members. the events were done with a team of runners foundation, participating in a 12 hour shoot.

Club Captain Michael Bailey was encouraged Welshman Tom Hughes scoring the fi rst

: Panto Anagrams Panto Rob Samuel is part of the Athletics team from the Uni, who are all also achieving Congratulations to all clubs involved in the

by the team performance, "It’s great to see hat-trick in Bangor’s rugby league history, Sylvester. K.

Frosties); Frosties); that uses the Treborth site to train on notable results. In the North Wales cross fundraising activities.

Tony the Tiger (Kellogg’s (Kellogg’s Tiger the Tony J.

Super Grover; Grover; theSuper number of new players enjoying playing and in only his second game for the club! Tuesdays and Thursdays. But only after country league the women’s team are doing The men’s Football 2nd team are doing

H. Helper; Little Santa’s G. Pingu; F.

Grouch; theGrouch; sport." Ian Skinner scored Bangor’s other try, running seriously for 1 to 2 years. Rob has especially well. They are 3rd in their respective remarkably well, with the other two teams

Oscar the the Oscar E. Pew; le Pepe D.

Squarepants; WithSquarepants; MMU Cheshire visiting next, Bangor racing under the posts from 50 metres after begun to build up a very impressive record cross country league, and the male’s team winning only one game between them. The Spongebob Spongebob C. Snagglepuss; B. Eeyore;

willA. be looking for the win that their a perfect training ground move involving in the North Wales region, achieving some are 8th in theirs. It is also rather inspiring second team have won 5 games out of six,

:

teamworkIMAGEinative deserves. If anyone is interested Danny Wright. 1990. very brilliant results in various recent local to see how the team is actively encouraging and hold a comfortable position at the top

in joining the team, then all are welcome. Andy Skinner, Mark Burrett, Olly Rowley st

10. - “2 Become 1”, “Too Much” & “Goodbye”; “Goodbye”; & Much” “Too 1”, Become “2 - races. He has achieved the 1 position in the all ranges of athlete, and are taking teams to of the table. The fi rst team has been subject

Training is on a Sunday at Maes Glas and Ben Richards played well in their fi rst Spice Girls Girls Spice 9.

Christian knights of the Crusades; Crusades; the of knights Christian Anglesey 10k race, coming in at 33 minutes many races no matter how they do. The club to many injuries, and as they take priority

8. Chaplin; Charlie 7. white; & Pink 6.

1957; football1957; pitch at 2-4pm and Tuesdays at games for the club, with the team feeling and 34 seconds, and achieving another 1st caters for all abilities and has recruited and over the other two teams, if they are in need

5. Tate; Catherine 4.

Animal feeding trough; trough; feeding BangorAnimal Rugby club (meeting outside the confi dent going into the last few matches in the David Lloyd 10k in Ellesmere Port, created a vibrant athletic team because of of players, it is to the 2nd and the 3rd teams

3. 2; are there - c Pacifi & Indian 2. Thrush;

Students’1. Union at 6:15pm). For any other before Christmas. showing an impressively consistent time their enthusiastic outlook. Congratulations that they look. Fortunately this doesn’t seem :

detailsinQUIZitive please ring 07984110974. of 33 minutes and 27 seconds. He has to both Rob and the Athletics team for their to have disturbed their season thus far, and Bangor University 38-6 MMU Cheshire also run many local marathons, doing the recent performances. they are looking to be the team with the Bangor recorded an excellent fi rst win to the Match Reports by Compiled by John Jackson biggest chance of winning a medal as the season against a spirited MMU Cheshire. Will Varley Sports Editor: Jack Peat fi rst half of the season comes to a close. WH Smith Advert