In this week’s issue: What Cardiff students expect from the general election, the University threatening to prevent graduations, library cuts protests a success and the 2015 Sport survey results gair freewordrh ydd Monday February 16th 2015 | | Issue 1044

Y Plastered: Treatment’s drug problem • “Over half the people that walk through the doors have drugs with them” • Staff alleged to have been complicit in supply of drugs

opular house night “Treatment” bras or boxers so the majority get One worker confi rmed that during one found to be carrying substances EXCLUSIVE is the site of widespread illegal away with it,” they added.  ose who their induction they were “warned of will be “refused entry to the venue or Pictured: Alexander drug use, staff have claimed. spoke to Gair Rhydd did not believe a possibility of random searches by ejected and issued with an automat- Y Plas on a Norton PA number of current and former that enough was being done to stop security” as a consequence of past ic life ban”. club night. Venues employees have confi rmed drug use at the event and spoke to the incidents. It was claimed by the em- People found to be in possession (Photographer: to Gair Rhydd that the drugs being publication on condition of anonym- ployee that in the past “staff would of Class A substances face a prison Cardiff Students’ routinely used at the resident event ity. smuggle in bulk and then pass on to sentence of up to seven years.  ose Union) include Class A substances such as One employee claimed: “every time non-staff once past security.” involved in the supply of Class A sub- ecstasy and cocaine. I go to the toilet I see hordes of people  e scrutiny applied to Students’ stances face a maximum punishment One staff member stated that “over queuing for the privacy of cubicles [to Union staff has little eff ect on the of a life sentence. half the people that walk through take drugs]”. personal lives of employees. One  e seriousness of the situation the doors have drugs with them” but Yet the issue of drug usage is re- worker admitted to Gair Rhydd that was reiterated by another member of that only those “who have brought portedly not limited to those who they “regularly go to work stoned, as staff , who claimed that: “Everybody in a large amount for distribution or buy tickets; those behind the bar at do other people I’ve spoken to”. loves working Treatment.  e run- those who leave it in their wallet get the Students’ Union have also been  e event is hosted in Y Plas, the ning joke is all you have to do is serve caught”. alleged to be involved in the supply nightclub in Cardiff University Stu- water because everybody is fucked on Continued on “Nobody is ever going to check of drugs. dents Union.  e union said that any- stimulants.” page 4

“I am a test tube Catholic” Your guide to the Real Ale and Cider Festival “The cult of Beyoncé has gone too far” P13 >> P28 >> P15 >> THE FREE WORD EDITOR Michael O’Connell-Davidson GAIR RHYDD CO-ORDINATOR Elaine Morgan @gairrhydd is back NEWS Georgia Hamer Katie Evans Alexander Norton So let’s talk a little bit about social media Anna Lewis ne of the odd things about recent Gair Rhydd The gremlins who power Facebook have been been approved. Whether or not that’s upset anyone ADVICE history has been the loss of the @gairrhydd pretty diligent in making sure that, in tracking every or been a cause for concern to commenters (who, in Kirsty Fardell twitter handle. As with many societies and move you make, you see more of the stuff you want my experience, often forget why they had the urge to Obodies that are structured like societies, much of the to see. And so I’m constantly engaged by websites comment in the first place once they’ve hit ‘send’), it COMMENT culture and information is passed down by people with strong social media presences that draw me in sends the wrong message. Anne Porter that graduate to those who’re left behind. time after time. Without groups such as the Guard- I must confess that, at least in this regard, I’m a Gareth Evans Now and again, things get lost. And one of those ian’s social media team and people like the prolific- little concerned about social media. I’ve been on Olivier van den Bent-Kelly things, bizarrely, was our twitter account. It took Facebook poster and Vox editor Ezra Klein, I doubt the receiving end of some nasty shit on Twitter, years to get it back - probably over half the time I’d understand the world as well as I do. By the end and, bizarrely, Gamergate is somehow still ongoing COLUMNIST Twitter has been around -- but after a long saga of the year, I want our content to have that effect on and giving people grief. There seems to be no end Jason Roberts that involved calling previous sabbatical officers and Cardiff Uni students; I want our work on social me- to the ways you can insert vitriol into 140 charac- rooting through dust-caked archives, we’ve finally dia to help our readers understand Cardiff, and place ters, and I worry that I won’t be able to shield Maria POLITICS got back in. value on our content. and the others from responses that lack the restraint Carwyn Williams This problem is down to the fact that Gair Rhydd I think Jordan and Greg are doing a great job on one might show if they were responding in person. Lauren Boyd has never really had a permanent social media per- the website, and Maria’s work will give articles a lot Facebook, too, is unbearably personal; while it’s en- Rhiannon Tapp son. But things have changed since that account was more reach. Last week, prior to Maria’s joining the tertaining now, there’s nothing quite like receiving created, and now’s the time for us to make a start on team, the website had hits from more different com- a Facebook message that describes you or someone SCIENCE making your voices heard on Twitter and Facebook. puters than we print issues of this newspaper. Things you care about as an “ugly marxist.” Ugly, fine - but a Shanna Hamilton With that in mind, we’ve taken on a social media on our website are already being seen by more peo- marxist? That’s just rude. Meryon Roderick editor. Maria Mellor’s joined the team to try and give ple each week, and that’s only going to go up expo- But the rewards vastly outweigh the risks, and we our publication at large a unique voice that matches nentially with time. all know that. For those who keep themselves un- SOCIETIES that of our competitors, and, while we’re playing There’s some confusion surrounding whether or der control, we’ll always be around to have a debate Hannah Sterritt catch-up, I’m pretty sure we’ll be halfway there by not @gairrhyddnews or @gairrhydd is our main and explain ourselves. And for those that want to sit the time this goes to print. twitter account, and I can confirm that the main one back and enjoy what we can offer as a complement PARK LIFE I have long enjoyed USA Today mobile editor is @gairrhydd. The News guys do great work, but if to their News Feed, we’ll be there for you too. Tim Nagle Patty Michalski’s tweets. She tweets out the agenda you tweet @gairrhyddnews asking how to contribute I don’t think this publication has ever done social of their newsroom meeting every morning, and I or asking about editorial policy matters, you might media particularly well. News have done a fantastic TAF-OD think it’s a great look behind the scenes at what’s go- not get the response you want. I know we brought job with live events, and Sport have always done an Steffan Bryn Jones ing through the heads of the people that make the that problem onto ourselves by being idiots and los- amazing job tweeting out matches as they happen. Morgan Owen news each day. Equally, I’m incredibly proud of the ing access to @gairrhydd, but by sending things to But there’s been no strategy to tie it all together be- standard of discussion at our weekly editorial con- @gairrhydd, you’re making sure that relevant infor- fore now, and, as a result, we’ve never offered any- SPORT ferences, and it’s my hope that we’ll be able to take mation will be passed on to every section - not just thing comprehensive and coordinated outside of the David Hooson a leaf out of Michalski’s book and make things even News. odd one-off events. Rory Benson more transparent. While we invite people along each Twitter is also good for letting people speak back We’ve got the right team to change that, and Joe Atkinson week, I appreciate the difficulty some people have to us, and, to be blunt, Gair Rhydd has been a little we’ve already started. Drop us a like or a follow getting in at five on a Monday afternoon and com- bit insular in the past. I don’t believe that’s ever been and we’ll do what we can to convince you that we PRODUCTION EDITOR mitting that much time just to hearing what’s going intentionally the case. But our website comments deserve a place on your News Feed. I think, given Sum Sze Tam through our heads. haven’t been moderated and, as a result, have rarely time, you will. EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jack Boyce DIGITAL EDITORS Jordan Adams Gregory McChesney SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Maria Mellor A (second) short note on sources I wrote an article for Quench last year about the phe- upper management, given that our leader this week Manning has been treated terribly for revealing se- Want to join the team? nomenon of students and young people being told to and the article from the previous issue about the Taf crets I believe to be in the public interest, and the Editorial conferences are each be extra careful about the way they conduct them- concerned issues that were basically unknown to fact that Edward Snowden has not been pardoned is monday at 5PM. Proofreading selves on social media. It was entitled “The Apolo- everybody in positions of responsibility. Maybe I’m something I believe to be genuinely scandalous. takes place on Thursdays at getic Generation,” and much of what I included then wrong, but I’ve not really seen any evidence to the It leaves me quite scared that people seem to be 6PM in the media office during applies now. contrary. so coy about things they clearly think are amiss. De- print weeks. Still, I’ve grown up a little, and I’d hazard that I’ve Nobody wants to get the sack from their job, es- spite having more ways to air our views than ever become more of a journalist since then. And one pecially given that most people don’t work because before, we’ve started to become a society of bystand- Write us a letter thing I’ve noticed is that students today are terrified they want to, but because they have to (other than ers. And, while it’s not particularly eloquent of me to [email protected] to go on the record about anything. the sabbs, of course!). But why is whistleblowing say so, that fucking sucks. Tweet us: Our front page story is good (I was pleasantly sur- seen as such a bad thing? In the NHS, I’m inclined to One of Google’s senior executives, Vint Cerf, @gairrhydd prised to read an email in which our lawyer was quite understand why the management might be paranoid spoke to the Guardian today about a potential ‘for- Online at: pleased with it, and adding that it was a story worth about the things people write and say when they’re gotten century’ of key historical documents that will gairrhydd.com telling), but it’d be better if the students we spoke dealing with matters of patient confidentiality. But in be lost as technology progresses and things get left to would consent to letting us print their full names a bar? In a students’ union? behind. True, this is a concern, if only because it At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our responsibil- rather than just their first name and their degree. I’d be proud of any staff member who spoke out means future generations will understand us a little ity to maintain the highest possible standards. I guess I can understand why. Nobody wants their about problems that could draw the organisation less. Sometimes, because of deadline pressures, we may make some mistakes. If you believe name to appear in an article about Class A drug use. into disrepute. I spoke to a PR person a little while But Google has been one of the causes of this we have fallen below the standards we seek And I guess that same article coming up when some- ago, and, while we should be mortal enemies, they culture of paranoia. It seems now that the truth is to uphold, please email [email protected]. one searches your name on Google probably isn’t a said something that I quite admired. readily available, people have become incredibly You can view our Ethical Policy Statement and Complaints Procedure at good look either. But unless you’re involved in the That was that if there was a problem, they’d rather concerned about either erasing it (such as through cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints supply of narcotics and you’re on the run from the the press spoke about it as opposed to pretending that absurd “right to be forgotten” law) or pretending Opinions expressed in editorials are not reflective police, what does it matter? It’s not like the people there wasn’t one. At the end of the day, it’s in eve- it’s not there in the first place. of Cardiff Students’ Union, who act as the we spoke to said anything incriminating. Those who rybody’s best interests for problems to get fixed. So We have the means to be a more honest society. publisher of Gair Rhydd in legal terms, and should not be considered official communications did - the staff - asked for full anonymity, and right- why keep problems a secret? So why don’t we have the will? What happened to us or the organisation’s stance. Gair Rhydd is a post fully so. It would appear that the student staff at the We’re only now finding out about the sheer scale that telling the truth - loudly and publicly - became office registered newspaper. union don’t feel wholly comfortable speaking to the of tax evasion that was enabled by HSBC. Chelsea the last resort, as opposed to something admirable? Editorial 3 Campus In Brief

s a celebration of ‘Heart Month’, researchers Joe atkinson at Cardiff University swapped their white Pictured: lab coats for red ones in an effort to raise National International One of the alex Miller Amoney for the British Heart Foundation, while A BBC and Guardian-led investigation revealed a The Ukraine crisis took one step towards a peaceful many, many also hosting a day of fundraising. The BHF has sterling amount of tax-dodging by the Swiss branch of resolution as Russian president Vladimir Putin SU bars. provided more than £10m towards cardiovascular HSBC, with leaks revealing accounts containing up to announced a ceasefire in his countries conflict with (Photographer: research since 2007, with the money going £78billion worth of assets on which tax had not been the eastern European state. The move came after talks Greg towards ground-breaking research, including that paid. Reports documented the bank’s “aggressive” between Moscow and Kiev, along with German and McChesney) undertaken at the University. marketing of tax-avoidance schemes, with a number French head of states Angela Merkel and Francoise An unwillingness to pay for qualified architects of Conservative donors, peers, and Richmond Park Hollande. has led the University to launch a competition MP Zac Goldsmith being implicated in the scandal. Over in America, constant thorn in the side of to design the ‘Centre for Student Life’, a new The rights to screen three years of Premier League Fox News Jon Stewart announced that he will later development to Cardiff University Students’ football from mid-2016 were sold to Sky and BT for this year retire as presenter of the Daily Show after Union to be completed by 2020. Five entries will a total of £5.136bn, up 70% from the 2013-16 period. more than 15 years at the helm. Stewart, along with receive a prize of £5,000 to proceed to the second Lord Alan of Sugar, well known for his own lucrative contemporaries like Stephen Colbert and protégés stage, with the eventual winner gaining a building and extensive TV deal, also known as The Apprentice, such as Brit John Oliver have helped establish political commission. The final deadline for anyone hoping said that the sky-rocketing figures would be bad for satire in the mainstream US media. to have a long term legacy is is noon on 9th March. England’s football team, before comparing the deal to Apple CEO Steve Cook stunned the scientific Following last week’s revelations regarding food prune juice, a metaphor that I just don’t want to go community with his assertion that “sitting is the waste at ‘The Taf’, a Gair Rhydd investigation has into. new cancer”. Cook, who failed to produce a thesis revealed that there’s a lot more getting trashed On the election trail, the latest out-of-touch political or a single peer-reviewed paper to back this up, – including those in attendance at Y Plas club own-goal came courtesy of the Labour Party, who instead used the statement to promote his company’s night ‘Treatment’, with a number of current and came under fire after they introduced a pink ‘battle pointless Apple Watch that will supposedly prompt former staff suggesting that a majority of people van’ supposedly aimed at engaging with women its users into exercising if they’ve been dormant for in attendance indulge in illegal drugs. who didn’t vote in 2010. The bus, which will tour 70 more than an hour. Consumer rights group ‘Which?’ has issued a constituencies up and down the country, has been Creative genius Kanye West descended into self- damning verdict on Cardiff University’s tendency described as ‘patronising’, ‘sexist’, and a ‘Barbie bus’. parody as he pretended to storm the Grammy Awards to change course requirements and descriptions In good film news, The Grand Budapest Hotel, stage, provoking a déjà vu moment that harked back after student enrolment, raising questions over Boyhood and The Theory of Everything were big to his rant at Taylor Swift 2009 VMA awards. West, whether the institution has violated consumer winners at the BAFTAs, as lead actor in the latter film forgetting that the Grammys are even less reputable law. The report found that the University failed Eddie Redmayne picked up the best actor prize for his than the VMAs, claimed that Beyoncé should have to supply its students with enough information portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking. American picked up the best album gong after threatening to as to their options when substantial changes were Julianne Moore won the best actress award for her upstage a bewildered Beck who collected the award. made to the content of their courses. role in Still Alice, while Boyhood’s Richard Linklater As if the Eurovision Song Contest couldn’t get any Finally, love is in the air across Cardiff won best director. better, the Australians are now getting involved, with University campus - with Valentines’ Day having In bad film news, UK fans of awful big-screen the country entering for the first year in the event’s 60 been celebrated on Saturday, 14th February, ‘Y adaptions of terrible erotic fictional novels had a stellar year history. The more geographically-astute minded Plas’ was one of several locations to receive a week as Fifty Shades of Grey hit cinemas with a totally of readers may point out that Australia isn’t actually in temporary heart-themed makeover. Presumably predictable glut of unfavourable reviews. The film was Europe, and they would be correct in that assertion. the decor will be changed to reflect the inevitable released on the eve of Valentine’s Day, giving couples To be fair Cardiff-born Student Media Coordinator stifled resentments and marital discord set to the perfect reason not to go to the cinema and do Elaine Morgan was part of the French entry in 1996, follow. something actually romantic. so really, what’s the biggest scandal here? tweet us @gairrhyddnews email us [email protected] NEWS or visit us online at gairrhydd.com/news Cont: drug users seeking ‘Treatment’ Cardiff University Students’ Un- and estimated that “ninety percent of said. ion operates a strict zero-tolerance the people there are on drugs”. “As the hirer of the venue we are policy on illegal drugs and works in A third source, PhD student Joel, not involved in the creation or im- “Although conjunction with South Wales Police. believed that: “Most people, probably plementation of any drug prevention there are Continued However, this does not seem to nine in ten, take it in with them or policies.  is is taken care of by the from front have infl uenced the behaviour of at- bomb it just before they enter.  ere Students’ Union. “ people that page tendees. will be a small number of dealers in-  ey added: “We are confi dent don’t take “On the two occasions I’ve been to side but they usually get their stuff in that the allegations put forward will Treatment, drugs have been a given. themselves.” be thoroughly investigated and dealt them, for lots MDMA and cocaine seem to be the “Events like Treatment that charge with in the correct manner by the of people most popular choice on the night and you £30 for a ticket and nearly double S U.” that kind of are often smuggled into the venue,” the price for drinks in some ways en- However, the Students’ Union ad- second year student Tom told Gair courage people to take £10-20 worth mitted that there were no current music and Rhydd. of drugs and just order water,” the plans to investigate these claims, as drugs just go “Although there are people that original staff source suggested. nobody has complained to the man- don’t take them, for lots of people, ‘Treatment’, which acts as a pro- agement. together that kind of music and drugs just go moter for events at fi ve cities across “We would encourage anyone with together.” the UK, was quick to condemn any a complaint to contact a member of His comments were backed by fel- instances recreational drug taking. Students’ Union management so that low second-year reveller Lizzie, who “We wholeheartedly do not con- such allegations can be investigated ” suggested that “it’s very easy to get done the use of drugs at any of our properly and if found to be true, re- past” the on-the-door security checks events”, a ‘Treatment’ spokesperson solved swiftly,” the organisation

Hope not Hate stage silent demonstration Cardiff Uni students team up with the national campaign group to launch suff rage movement

Pictured: Students stage a silent demonstration outside Ciity Hall (photographer: Greg McChesney)

ardiff University students age students to use their vote, with cent revelation that Cardiff Universi- American civil rights activist, Carlos Katie Evans gathered outside City Hall last similar demonstrations being staged ty’s student population is the second Saavedra, whose campaigning in week in a silent demonstra- by university students across the UK. most powerful voting body of all UK the US led to improved rights for Ction to launch a ‘suff rage movement’  e event’s organiser and Hope universities, with the power to infl u- undocumented migrants under which hopes to rouse students into Not Hate campaigner,  omas God- ence the up-coming general election, Obama’s administration. Last week’s voting and make their voices heard in win, said: ‘Over 23,000 people have according to fi gures published by the demonstration marks the fi rst of the upcoming general election. fallen off the electoral register in Guardian. many actions organised by the Despite repeated claims of political Cardiff .  e majority of them are stu- Changes to electoral registration grassroots organisation set to take If we do not apathy among students, young peo- dents. mean that voters are no longer reg- place across Cardiff in the run-up to “ ple are mobilising to raise awareness ‘ is is the biggest act of disen- istered by household, but must now the general election. speak, others of the importance of voting in the franchisement in a generation, and it register individually. As a result, Cardiff University’s Students’ forthcoming election, with university comes ahead of the most important 14,000 students have dropped off the Union have themselves been pushing will do so for students across the UK working in and unpredictable general election of electoral register. voter registration among the student us collaboration with grassroots cam- our lifetime.’ Hope Not Hate (formerly Stop body, and will be hosting several Thomas paigners Hope Not Hate to highlight He added: ‘ is visual demonstra- the BNP) campaign against political upcoming events highlighting the the importance of voting. tion represents the beginning of a intolerance, staging and supporting issue, including a number of MP Godwin, Hope  e action took place on  ursday, new suff rage movement in Cardiff . grassroots movements ‘to build speakers from various political Not Hate February 12 to raise awareness of the Students are using radical new ini- community resilience against parties. 14,000 students who have dropped off tiatives to win back the vote. If we do extremism.’ Students are also now able to campaigner the electoral register in Cardiff alone not speak, others will do so for us.’ Earlier this month, the campaign register online to vote through the this year.  e group aims to encour-  e demonstration follows the re- group organised the visit of Union’s website. ” NEWS 5

Cardiff University accused of ‘bad practice’ Which? survey criticises university’s course change policy ardiff University has been specifi cations were not clear and I what was advertised to students some modules had been changed Georgia identifi ed as a ‘bad practice’ was eventually told the last place on when they applied. without notice.  ere should be more Hamer university by a Which? the course had been given to someone A fi rst year Biomedical student accountability and a structure in The university Cinvestigation into course changes. else and that I would instead be put commented that they felt “let down” place for change of module content “  e higher education survey onto a preliminary course. by the department, adding: “they to ensure that students get what was also gathered information from 131 “After studying a year of Chemistry dramatically changed the structure they thought they were applying for. found to higher education providers about in prelim I was told in the fi rst week of the course after we had been  e £9000 a year tuition fees seem changes they make to courses once of lectures that the genetics course accepted onto the course and failed ludicrous when there is no fairness in use terms students have enrolled. It was found had changed to allow for students to notify anyone of the change.” the system.” that were that over half of the providers, who had not studied Chemistry “ e fact that it has been mis- In response to the report, a Cardiff considered by including Cardiff University, A-level. Many of the modules were sold and we are all paying £9,000 for University spokesperson said: “ e currently use contract terms or other the same as I had already studied on it makes me really think something Which? report raises some extremely Which? to be policies that enable them to change the prelim course and I felt as though should be done to make up for it.” important issues. As a University, unlawful courses after enrolment. I had wasted £9,000 and a year of my Students were off ered nothing we need time to refl ect and consider Cardiff was amongst three in life – something which a member of in the way of compensation and the report’s fi ndings in consultation ten universities surveyed that were staff in the department sarcastically questions have been raised as with our own legal advice. We can, considered to be bad practice.  e described as ‘funny’. to whether such practices by however, assure all our students that ” University was also found to use terms “ e content of the course was universities are in fact illegal, going we take the issues raised extremely that were considered by Which? to be completely diff erent from what any against consumer law. seriously.” unlawful and in contravention of the of us had signed up for and we were A close analysis of Cardiff “A number of new measures have Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts only made aware of this in the fi rst University’s policy by Which? found already been considered as a result Regulations 1999. lecture of the year.” what they labelled ‘unfair terms in of changes to the Quality Assurance Although it was acknowledged Last year the department relation to varying fees’. Agency for Higher Education code of that ‘universities sometimes do introduced a common fi rst year,  e report also concluded that practice that requires information in need to make changes to courses designed to give a ‘broad base of there was inadequate information the public domain about our courses that are justifi ed and fair’, the report knowledge’ and allow ‘those who are available to assess the right to make to be accurate and we are reviewing raised concerns that ‘at times this is not sure which degree scheme they other changes to courses. all our relevant policies in the light happening in a way that is detrimental would like to follow the option to  is information was not easy of new guidance for universities to students’. change at the end of the year’. to fi nd and it was highlighted that from the Competition and Markets A current second year Biomedical A number of students reported students are unaware of the potential Authority. student at Cardiff University that they were unaware of the changes that may be made to their “We have a series of robust described the amount of changes changes to their course until they courses. processes in place before any course to her course during her time at enrolled. A Cardiff student was cited changes can occur, and we do our university as “ridiculous”.  e department admitted that the as saying: “ e module content utmost to ensure that courses do What do  e student, who originally applied decision was ‘last-minute’ and the was advertised when I applied to not change without appropriate you think? to Cardiff University through clearing limited number of staff members university. Upon choosing [this and detailed discussions with the Have your to study Genetics, was denied a place and lecture theatres available to university], my decision was largely aff ected students.  ere will always say: news@ on to the course, as she did not have accommodate all the individual based on course content, so as you be exceptional circumstances that gairrhydd. an A-level in Chemistry. Bioscience subjects meant that the can imagine it was a kick in the arise but all mandatory or core com She commented: “ e course course delivered was diff erent to shins to fi nd that the content of modules are always prioritised.”

LGBT History Month: Question Time a success

ardiff University Students’ Un- “We had a very open discussion agreed to hold the fi rst regular “bi- Standard membership of the LGBT+ Alexander ion has continued to mark which enabled the people here to clar- caucus” in the near future in order to Association is free and can be obtained Norton LGBT History Month with a ify a lot of issues they might have felt further discuss and promote the inter- through the Cardiff University Stu- C‘Question Time’ style debate centred confused about,” he added. ests of the LGBT community at Cardiff dents’ Union website. around gay, bisexual and transgender He confi rmed that the meeting University. issues.  e annual observance was fi rst cel- ebrated in the United States in October Pictured: 1994, but is held every February in the  e panel fi elded UK. It has become a celebrated fi xture questions from in the Welsh capital, with the LGBT the audience fl ag once again being fl own above Car- (photographer: diff University’s Main Building. Greg McChesney) Events put on by the Students’ Un- The session ion include an Aromantic and Roman- “ th enabled us to tic Orientation Stall on 13 February and a Bi Poster Competition running speak about throughout the fi rst two weeks of the raising the month. Held for the second consecutive profile of year, the event was chaired by Christian groups who Webb and comprised a panel including are s ometimes LGBT+ Offi cer Sam Cook, Women’s Rep Cat Ross, Bi Rep Lisa Mitchell, forgotten Trans Rep Kevin Smyth and chair of about LGBT+ network staff , Karen Cooke. LGBT+ Offi cer Sam Cook told Gair Sam Cook, Rhydd that the session had “enabled LGBT+ Officer us to speak about raising the profi le of groups who are sometimes forgotten ” about by society. 6 NEWS

Police warn students over rise in bike theft Pictured: Bike racks outside the Arts and Social Sciences Library

olice have warned that an in- of the seventy bikes stolen were fas- occurred in student areas Cathays stress the importance of purchasing Anna Lewis creased number of bikes have tened using D-locks. and Roath. According to a second- a D-lock to secure bikes properly. been stolen on University Other factors leading to bikes be- year ENCAP student, their bike was These can be purchased for £17.50 campus,P with over 70 taken during ing taken include leaving them in taken after being left in a poorly lit from University Campus Security. the last academic year. unsafe locations and failing to lock area in Roath. Property can also be registered at “Talybont Figures reveal that University res- bicycles properly. She said: “My bike was taken after immobilise.com to help repatriate idence Talybont North saw the larg- According to the authorities, the not taking care to leave it in a secure stolen items. North saw est amount of thefts, with 17 bikes most commonly stolen bicycles area. It is a decision I regret since al- The police are offering numer- stolen from the area. High numbers consist of those of high value and though it did not have a high value, ous bike-marking events over the the largest were also stolen from Senghenydd that are easy to sell and transport. it had sentimental meaning to me.” next two months. For free bike Court, Park Place and Bute build- In order to reduce theft, authori- Other accounts include a second maintenance and security-marking, amount of ing, with seven taken from each ties advise students to leave bicycles year Biochemistry student whose go to either the Main Building on building. in well-lit areas near to other bikes. high-value mountain bike was stolen February 24th, Trevithick Building thefts, with Police explain that the biggest They should be locked fastening from their back garden in Cathays, on February 26th, Bute Building 17 bikes reason behind the thefts include the both the frame and wheels of the days after moving into his house. on March 3rd, Talybont Social on use of low quality cable locks to se- bike to a fixed cycle stand. Records show that 3,000 bikes have March 4th and Heath Campus on stolen cure bikes instead of D-locks. As a The news follows in the wake of been stolen in Cardiff from 2013-14. March 5th. All events take place be- safer mode to secure bikes, only two a string of bicycle thefts that have To prevent bike theft, authorities tween 11-2pm. ” Library protest success as council cuts axed 400 protestors gather outside Cardiff Central Library

ollowing the success of hun- describing it as a ‘Dickensian deci- for the next 12 months. However, local community. People have shown Anna Lewis dreds of protesters outside sion’ that would ‘make worse any di- they explained that ‘alterative’ meas- their passion for libraries with art- Cardiff Central Library, Car- visions in our society’. ures would have to be considered. work, music and all sorts of creative diffF Council has announced that it Expressing concerns over the li- The decision to axe budget cuts ideas. will axe its plans to cut funding to its brary closures, the author attributed was praised by Assembly Member “People feel so strongly about their seven libraries. his career to the use of his local li- Julie Morgan, who said: “the cam- local libraries and we are glad that The news follows after mass pro- brary as a child in Canton, Cardiff. paign has had huge support from the the libraries will stay open.” tests took place on Saturday, Feb- ‘Everyone should have access to ruary 7th with more than 400 stu- books and the internet. This is the dents and local residents attending kind of thing which holds us togeth- Pictured: to speak out against the proposed er as a society’, he said. Protesters outside cuts. During the event, participants Talking about the protest, Cardiff Cardiff Central held up posters and banners to voice student Jack Pickering explained that Library their anger over previous decisions he attended the event after finding (Photographer: Everyone to close libraries including Cathays the council plans for libraries in Car- Andrew Green) “ and Roath and convert Cardiff Cen- diff ‘inadequate’. should have tral library into office space. He said: “Being a student with mas- access to The grassroots protest also fea- sive access to books, and as someone tured prominent members of the who used libraries a lot when I was books and Welsh literature scene, including younger, I appreciate the need for the internet. National Poet of Wales Gwyneth them. They’re relatively inexpensive, Lewis, crime novelist Belinda Bauer and provide an essential and impor- This is the and novelist Francesca Rhydderch. tant tool for people without access to kind of thing The funding cuts received wider education in many cases.” attention after James Dean Brad- Mass petitions were also created which holds field, lead guitarist of the Manic in response to the cuts, with more us together Street Preachers, wrote a public let- than 2,500 people voting against the ter about the issue. In the letter, he closure of the library in Rhiwbina. as a society accused the council of turning the Three days after the protest took city into a ‘cultural wasteland’. place, the council ruling group an- International bestseller author nounced its decision to stop the ” Ken Follet also criticised the plans, planned closure of Cardiff libraries NEWS 7

Unable to graduate with library fines? Uni threaten students despite possible consumer law breach

inal year students have been re- A University spokesperson said: have now introduced an automated that Cardiff University students bor- Georgia ceiving emails threatening that “The University ensures that every alert system that informs students a row four to five times more items than Hamer they may be prevented from at- opportunity is given to students to few days before library books are due, in any other Welsh university. There tendingF their graduation if they do not clear educational debts. Library fines warning them that late returns will in- are more students, and we have more pay outstanding library fines, despite exceeding £30 are classed as an educa- cur a charge.” books available for students to borrow. warnings from the Office of Fair Trad- tional debt and if unresolved may re- Figures for 2011/2012 and “Fines are only incurred when li- ing (OFT) that such practices are in sult in a student being prevented from 2012/2013 revealed that between this brary books are returned after their breach of consumer law. graduating. Students are contacted a two year period Cardiff University due date; there is no need for any stu- Last year, the OFT wrote to more number of times to resolve any edu- libraries raked in £323,890 worth of dent to pay fines if they return – or re- than 170 UK universities and other cational liabilities that might result in library fines – a figure significantly new – their books on time. higher education groups, warning that this. higher than any other university in “Library staff will waive fines where halting graduations for debts such as “We appreciate that this is a con- Wales. there are genuine extenuating circum- library fees or accommodation debts cern for students and are doing eve- In response to these findings a stances such as sickness. The purpose could be illegal. This followed com- rything we can to ensure that they Cardiff University spokesperson said: of fines is to encourage books to be plaints by the National Union of Stu- don’t find themselves in a situation “The rate of fines is comparable to oth- returned on time so that as many stu- dents (NUS). where they are unable to graduate. We er Welsh universities; the difference is dents as possible can share them.” Despite this action almost a year ago, Cardiff University continues to threaten academic sanctions to en- Pictured: force non-tuition fee debt. An email sent to OFT said: ‘The OFT consider the final year students blanket of academic sanctions in such by a Cardiff instances, regardless of the circum- University library stances, could breach consumer pro- tection law. It is particularly concerned that some terms allow the university to impose sanctions on students even when they owe small amounts or a debt is disputed.’ ‘Preventing progression or gradua- “OFT tion not only affects students’ educa- tional experience but could also signif- considers icantly harm their future employment prospects and ability to pay off their that the debts.’ blanket of The NUS argued that the punish- ment was disproportionate to the of- academic fence and alternative actions, such as sanctions the limitation of the service related to the debt, were advocated as an alter- in such native punishment which bypasses il- legal activity. instances In an email sent by Cardiff Univer- [...] could sity libraries to final year students with outstanding fines above £10.00, it is breach stated that payment must be received consumer by 12th June 2015. If students fail to do so they are warned that their de- protection tails will be passed on to the finance department and ‘may be prevented law from graduating’. ” Blazing in Roath: Police uncover another cannabis factory

cannabis farm has been un- vices that there were no casualties Anna Lewis covered in the student area caused by the incident and that all Pictured: Roath, after fire services persons have been accounted for. Emergency Awere called to the property on Arran According to a third year student services at the Road. living in Roath, the discovery is a re- scene of the fire Four fire engines were called to flection of a growing drug problem on Arran Road the scene at 10am on Tuesday, Feb- in the area. ruary 10th after artificial lighting The discovery follows after Gair “The equipment used to grow the drugs Rhydd reported in December that allegedly started the blaze. three cannabis factories were uncov- discovery is Local residents reported smoke ered by police raids in close proxim- a reflection coming out of windows of the sec- ity to the Student’s Union. ond floor of the building. As a result, A drug factory was also discov- of a growing firemen were forced to break entry ered after a fire broke out on Crwys drug into the property to control the fire. Road in Cathays in November. According to eyewitnesses, police Authorities have linked the prev- problem in vans quickly arrived at the scene and alence of drug factories in Cathays were seen to remove the cannabis and Roath to the cheap cost of stu- the area plants and equipment used to grow dent accommodation, in addition to the drugs. minimal interference from landlords ” It has been confirmed by fire ser- and neighbouring students. Welcome to our Advice section, where we bring you tips for surviving Cardiff university life ADVICE email us: [email protected] Worried about completing your degree? Despite failing his degree, John Penketh created a successful business by using some of the university’s services

ike many of you I arrived in plete strangers to make sure tight Results came around I found that students or successful mentors, the John Penketh September of first year with production schedules were met was I’d failed the year. I had barely at- people you meet are full of great boxes in hand ready to make a huge adrenaline buzz. All the while tempted my dissertation and failed ideas and the courage to take them I had friends, Lsome new friends, study hard and I could see across the office to en- to arrive at several exams, so it forward. I am often calling up new “ become a ground-breaking mechan- gineering teams filling out identical wasn’t such a surprise. acquaintances to propose collabora- lecturers and ical engineer. report forms back to back and was This was the all-important red tion deals. even siblings First year was great, being eve- thankful for my narrow escape. flag that my family and tutors need- Even if you aren’t set on start- rything that university promises. The year out was incredible - so ed. I got directed to Student Support ing your own business, the kind of saying they Smashing things in labs, building much responsibility, and the recog- who provided me with a counselling skills and CV trophies you can pick too had racing cars and easy maths that I’d nition that went with it, gave me a service where for the first time I was up through Enterprise are the stuff more than covered at A level. buzz. I felt like I managed an entire able to chat about some of this stuff. employers are looking for. My latest faced similar With second year looming, the career in 12 months. Suddenly everyone wanted to know involvement saw me getting handed problems typical horror stories of rogue land- It was certainly one of the most what was up. I had friends, lectur- the keys to Enterprise’s Launch Box lords and terrible houses were rife influential years of my life. It opened ers and even siblings coming out as (the old IT Help Desk in the Stu- so I was keen to avoid the student my eyes to the unlimited potential having faced very similar feelings. dents’ Union) for the entirety of Re- rental sector if at all possible. I be- of being the ‘boss’ and the chilling Suddenly things didn’t seem quite so freshers’ Week in January to launch gan drawing up a pitch to my dad on warning of what it could be like to embarrassing and lonely. my new business and promising ” the viability of buying my own place be trapped in a desk job. I would I had to resit third year on medi- career. It is ‘My House Mate’ - Car- in Cathays. He agreed, so I found a definitely recommend a placement cal grounds, repeating the modules diff’s new ‘No Fees Letting Agent’. suitable house and two weeks before year to anyone who has the oppor- that I’d missed the previous year. I The idea came about from repeat- the start of my second year I became tunity. ticked along at half the workload edly hearing students ask each other a home owner. This lead to me be- The downside to such an excit- with full support from an awesome to recommend a good letting agent. coming a landlord by renting out the ing and rewarding year out is the set of friends. I had spare capac- The usual answer is one steering rooms to other students that had inevitable crash that occurs when ity to start thinking ahead to what people away from certain companies seen my advert online. you settle back into the audience of I’d like to do once I’d received my with horrific stories, but as I’d es- Second year ticked along nicely, a warm dark lecture theatre to learn low-classification degree. This made sentially been a landlord for the past with most of my time spent with my the intricacies of Advanced Differ- me realise that the only person who four years my answer was clear. It head stuck in Differential Calculus. ential Calculus. might employ me would likely be become an obvious path. Third year was to be a placement I just didn’t care about it any- myself. This was super frustrating To a landlord we offer an incred- year which is when things started to more. I’d seen where I thought that having witnessed first-hand many ible rate, and a personal, ‘switched unravel. kind of maths might get me. Besides, people with high-classification de- on’ management service that’ll keep I found myself with a local avia- I couldn’t understand it anymore. grees who were terrible at their jobs! them from being billed hundreds for tion plant accidentally on a man- Suddenly a missed lecture turned I got involved with Cardiff Uni- an electrician to change a light bulb. “I got involved agement internship rather than the into a fear of not having any idea versity Enterprise with a view to To a tenant we offer no agency fees, with Cardiff engineering one that I’d applied for what would be in the next lecture, so start my own business. I had no idea now and forever. Did you know that - just based on the way I’d written I’d skip that one too. I began to slack what, just that it would be my own. agency fees to tenants are outlawed Enterprise my C V. off entire weeks to sit in bed eating I attended nearly all the events they in Scotland? To give you an idea, for with a view to This is where I discovered my ice cream in my pants. If I spoke to put on, scooped some generous priz- an agent were to reference a tenant love for making sure other people anyone about this, they’d just criti- es for a couple of competitions and it costs between £1 and £20. So com- start my own get stuff done. Rushing around mil- cise me for being lazy. Without any- got a lot of free pizza along the way. I pare that to the letting agents charg- business lions of dollars worth of aircraft one to check up on me, this pretty learned so much about business but ing £100 for agency fees and you re- parts, making critical snap decisions much continued for the rest of the the most valuable part was the net- alise that they do rip you off. and persuading favours from com- year. work of people involved. Whether I’ve coupled this with a much

” Pictured: John Penketh with his business’s logo

What do you think? Visit My Have your House Mate say: advice@ at http:// gairrhydd. tinyurl.com/ com mpx9pra ADVICE 9

Continued more balanced landlord/tenant re- at www.facebook.com/MyHouse- from the lationship. We’re not, as can be MateCardiff, and find the tab to our Pictured: previous the case, entirely in the pocket of ‘refer your landlord’ scheme. If you Stairway in page >> the landlord. If any landlord ever refer My House Mate to your land- the Student reached the much feared ‘rogue’ lord and they agree to rent through Support Centre status and refused things like fix- us, you will receive a reward of cash (Photographer: ing your boiler quickly, we’d stand anywhere from £50-£300 for making Sum Sze Tam) up and ask, “Is this okay in your successful introductions. granny’s house?” - which is hard for So what’s my advice to anyone landlords to agree with. In the worst who’s interested? Firstly, speak up cases where landlords aren’t coop- about your problems. You’ll realise erative we’re prepared to risk our that you’re surrounded by people business relationships with them to who can and will help you. Secondly, ensure people are living comfortably if your degree is not working for you, and receiving their contractual en- remember that you can get so much titlements. Bad landlords aren’t the more out of uni than that roll of pa- “By referring kind of repeat business we want any- per at the end. Start using the wealth your landlord way. At the moment based on per- of support services while they’re still sonal referrals we’ve got a number of available to you. Lastly, if you’re not to My House student properties still available for happy with something make a point Mate you next year with ideal landlords who of changing it, whether it’s a career could earn a care about their tenants and know path, or agency fees. them by name. For more information on Student cash reward You can find out more by reach- Support’s services visit www.cardiff. ing us through our Facebook page ac.uk/studentsupport ” Looking for support with an eating disorder?

Pictured: Eating Disorder “Eating Awareness Disorders Week banner Awareness Week runs fro 23rd-26th February with many events aiming to raise awareness ”

tudent Minds Cardiff is a student reach out to people to get involved. 25th February by Dr Menna Jones, a two facilitators. You do not need to Kirsty Fardell led service aiming to support  e fi rst of these events is ‘Sock It to clinical lead at SHED. Someone who be referred to the groups and there students with eating disorders. ED’ on 23rd February, an event giving has used the service will also be talk- is no pre-registration. You only have S ey hold weekly self-help support out 300 pairs of socks for free. In re- ing about their experience, so it is a to turn up.  ey meet twice a month groups run by fully trained student turn they want you to post a creative great opportunity for people to hear at Cardiff Minds on Newport Road. facilitators every  ursday with the photo with the socks to their twitter what it’s like to use the service and to Similarly during Eating Disorders aim to create a safe environment for or facebook. Pictures will be judged ask questions. Awareness Week they are running pro-recovery discussion. Anyone and the best will win prizes handed Alternatively, another eating dis- events to raise money for the char- who wants to attend is encouraged to out at their ‘Music Gig’ event on order support service is Beat.  ey ity that anyone can get involved in. bring friends or family along if they 26th February in  e Vulcan, which provide self help and support groups One way to raise money is for volun- don’t want to go alone, especially as will also include a raffl e and two con- for anyone suff ering from an eating teers to organise a day of wearing silly their support is key. fi rmed live acts.  ere is a dodgeball disorder in various stages of their ill- decorated socks and donating money.  ey also run regular events to tournament on the 24th February in ness or recovery, as well as support You can request a free fundraising raise awareness about mental health.  e Great Hall, with space for eight for carers, families and friends.  ey pack from their website for tips and Next week is Eating Disorders Aware- teams of fi ve or more players.  e give the opportunity to meet people advice on events you could organise. ness Week with many events through- Service for High Risk Eating Disor- in a similar situation and share expe- Visit their website at http://www.car- out the week to raise awareness and ders (SHED) are also giving a talk on riences, thoughts and successes with diff beat.moonfruit.com

Awareness week: ‘Sock it Awareness Week: Dodge- Awareness Week: Under- Awareness Week: Music to ED’ sock giveaway ball tournament standing eating disorders Gig talk 23rd February12-4pm 24th February 6.30-8.30pm 26th February 8-10.30pm Food Court, Second Floor, The Great Hall, Cardiff Stu- 25th February 6.15 - 7.30pm The Vulcan See all Cardiff Students’ Union dents’ Union Room 4J, Cardiff Students’ the events at Union http://tinyurl. com/opgobtl Cardiff Student Letting OWNED & RUN BY CARDIFF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION TEL: (029) 20781525 | www.cardiffstudentletting.com NO agency fees

cardiffstudentletting.com call US on 029 2078 1525 COMMENT 11 FOR & AGAINST Pictured: Seeing beyond our judgemental selves (via United Nations Development Programme, Flickr)

DISABILITY IN THE MEDIA Does the media accurately represent the disabled?

he media is one way in which a sympathetic way. It would appear hile some advocates may preconceptions about disability and FOR: we have become more informed Channel 4 has been a driving force draw our attention to the we hope that the attention around AGAINST: Sally West about living with a disability. behind the reform, having these shows positive advertisements the series will help stimulate debate Emily Jones T e more talked about the subject, has undoubtedly created a better un- Wand portrayals, such as celebrat- around some of the important is- the less taboo it becomes – therefore, derstanding of the troubles they face ing the 2012 Paralympians for their sues the programme touches on.” Yet by broadcasting these shows through in modern day society, and their posi- strength, I believe it is safe to say that the title itself, and arguably the pro- popular mediums like Channel 4 (in- tive attitudes is an inspiration to us people with disabilities are drastical- gramme content, unavoidably seems cluding their inadequately titled pro- all. eir participation in the media is ly underrepresented within the me- to suggest that those with disabilities gramme e Undateables) our un- conscious and allows them to explain dia. With the exception of Liz Carr are only worth the love of other ‘un- “Why has derstanding is subconsciously aided… their lives, detracting away from any playing the disabled character Clar- dateables’, therefore solidifying the surely this can only be a good thing? prior expectations we may have had. issa Mullery in Silent Witness, tele- preconception that those with dis- disability e Undateables somewhat de- Being able to say that disabled peo- vision dramas tend to shy away from abilities are somewhat unworthy of become stroys the invisible segregation that ple are fairly represented in the media incorporating strong and capable being treated as a complete equal exists between able-bodied people is a bold statement, perhaps one that disabled characters into the script. It within society. a ‘taboo’ and disabled people. As a population we are driving towards rather than is widely acknowledged that the me- As a student with a physical dis- subject that we are guilty of viewing disabled peo- having fully achieved it. We are a long dia, particularly television, struggles ability, I find myself infuriated by ple as incapable of having relation- way from truly representing the disa- with portraying disabled people in representations of disability in the we shy away ships, or any kind of sexual desires. We bled - there is no doubt about that - the mainstream. media that seem to denote 21st cen- patronise them without being aware, but we are taking small steps towards Why is this? Why has disability tury versions of ‘Victorian circus from and viewing them as non-sexual beings. doing so. Where is the proof for this? become a ‘taboo’ subject that we shy freak shows’, as the Sunday Mirror continue to is notion is trivialised in the show, Take the trial of Oscar Pistorius for away from and continue to stereo- so ferociously put it in their critique focusing on the individual rather than example. Was he aff orded any kind type? It may be the 21st century, but of the dating show; labelling it cheap stereotype? the impairment. of special treatment by the media in the fight for the fair and equal rep- and exploitative. I am inclined to e Undateables allows us to see terms of his disability? No, he wasn’t. resentation of disabled people is far agree. We need more strong disa- life through a diff erent perspective; no General public opinion focused on from over, and programmes such as bled characters to infiltrate our kind of impairment harms the human him being guilty of murder, regardless Channel 4’s ‘The Undateables’ really British dramas, we need more com- need to be loved. Viewers engage with of his disability and the possible as- aren’t helping the situation. The title mercials championing Paralympians ” “The the show’s participants on a humane sociated connotations of being physi- speaks for itself, let’s be honest; it is as warriors, we need more positive Undateables level; the show invokes a lot of nega- cally incapable of such a crime. Sym- laced with the underlying promise campaigning and public discussion tive and positive emotions. Negative pathy was in short supply. of a ‘snapshot’ into a world that the within the media to unshackle disa- somewhat because why should they in the fi rst In opposition to this view, people majority of us regard with a morbid bility from its chains as a ‘taboo’ and place have to resort to a television have labelled e Undateables as a curiosity yet know little about. It’s unpleasant concept. What we do not destroys show, but positive because there is em- “freak show”. As savvy, informed con- a title that invites us to view those need is titles of shows ridiculing dis- the invisible powerment in their freedom of choice, sumers of this media industry we live with physical and mental disabilities abled people for their illnesses and choosing to utilise the show for their in there is a conscious choice to how as different and ‘not like us’, immedi- reinforcing dominant ideologies. segregation relationship needs. It also challenges you receive this kind of media. e ately placing negative and discrimi- Negative stereotypes still exist in that exists the idea that disabled people are un- Undateables is somewhat alternative, natory connotations on those who the government today, with Lord der-represented in the media. but it is up to you how you read it. may look or act just a little bit differ- Freud commenting that disabled peo- between Channel 4 is one of the leading me- e way it is edited is endearing, in- ent from ourselves. ple are unworthy of the minimum dia outlets broadcasting shows of this formative and there is a real connec- And indeed, few television pro- wage. e media has the power to able-bodied type; their show “Born to Be Diff er- tion with its participants. ey are not grammes have generated so much change negative stereotypes such and disabled ent” fi lms families over the course of characters, it is real life. ey need to controversy from their title alone. as these through more extensive and a decade and gives an unsentimental be loved, they want relationships just As a dating show for people with positive representation, but it has a people insight to the struggles and joys of be- like everyone else, and I think it’s re- disabilities who are unlucky in love, lot of work to do if it’s going to rectify ing a parent to a disabled child. ese ally important for the media to portray Channel 4 maintain that; “The pro- the current misconceptions that exist ” people are often pitied, depicted in this feature. gramme title is intended to challenge around what it means to be disabled. tweet us @gairrhyddcomment email us [email protected] COMMENT or visit us online at gairrhydd.com/comment Does the Students’ Union neglect mental health? Tim Nagle on the SU’s failure to follow the Time to Change pledge with action

Pictured: Previous welfare officer Helen Dent signing the Time to Change Pledge Source: Cardiff University

n February the 5th the Stu- politically and within the health ser- During my few weeks on the psy- with friends who all knew there was Tim Nagle dents’ Union took part in a vices. chiatric ward I met some staff and something going on but felt uncom- National Voter Registration In the spirit of the Time to Change student nurses who I will never for- fortable talking about it. Oday. Another campaign was running campaign I feel it is important to talk get. I remember being encouraged There is a lot of great work done “Faraz did on the same day that I was expect- about my own experiences, Over the to get better and do what I wanted in Cardiff to raise mental health point out ing the Students’ Union to engage last ten years or so I have suffered to do with my life, something which awareness. Student Minds run cam- with. This was the #TimeToTalk cam- with episodes of depression. To cope may be easier or more challenging paigns and support groups to raise that on 18th paign organised by Time To Change, with my feelings I have isolated my- had I not lost my job and did not feel awareness of mental health in gen- February the a campaigned designed to encour- self, harmed myself physically and particularly confident. I remember eral, specifically eating disorders. Students’ age people to have a short conversa- started to drink heavily. In my first them fondly however as I am here ‘Eating Disorders Awareness Week’ tion about mental health in order to episode I did not seek support from now, doing what I want at university is coming soon with events across Union will be raise awareness and reduce stigma. anyone. I avoided my university ex- and have a restored confidence. I still the university. The Students’ Union involved with The Students’ Union have signed the ams and moved back in with my par- have periods where my mood is low, also runs ‘Mind Your Head’ week. Time To Change Pledge, the cur- ents. I lose all motivation, cannot sleep These are just two examples of events University rent VP Welfare made the point in My most recent episode occurred more than an hour or so for days on which raise awareness and provide Mental Health his manifesto that more needs to be around two years ago. I do not know end but I am much more aware of information to students about coping Day done to reduce stigma and increase what triggered it but it was almost the support available to me and how methods and support which is avail- support for those with mental health certainly linked to money worries, to access it. I am not afraid to go to able but this highly successful cam- problems as mental health difficul- being bored with the job I had at the my GP, my personal tutor, my wife paign feels like a missed opportunity. ties can affect everyone. Students time and, again, resorting to unhelp- or anyone else I think can help and When asked why the Students’ Un- who may be away from home for the ful coping methods such as alcohol I can talk to about what is happen- ion was not involved with this cam- ” first time, who may be struggling to or self-harm. These are unhelpful as ing and how I feel as after ten years paign, VP Welfare, Faraz Allaudin make friends, or are struggling with spending money on booze worsens of bottling things up and not talking said ‘we only learnt about the event their course may be more at risk. any financial concerns creating a I am aware of how much of a help it a day and a half before so we couldn’t Mental health issues are unavoid- downward spiral which it is hard to can be. plan anything big for it…I had been able. Since 2011 over 1700 mental escape from. It is however, easy to Since I have been at university I trying to meet the Time To Change health beds have closed and there see this now, the drinking blocked have not accessed any of the support coordinator since the beginning of have been closures in Wales due to out all the negatives I thought and services available to students but the year and had no prior informa- limited funds and a drive towards problems I felt too useless to solve. I made a point of finding out about tion’. SU Presient, Elliot Howells said more community care. A quick look felt in control, and felt a release (and them and how to access them should he was ‘unaware of the campaign on several political party websites a weird kind of pleasure) when harm- I need to. One student has said ‘Stu- even happening’ and Student With showed me differences which are ing myself. dent Support are fantastic…but stu- Disabilities Officer, Vidya Brainerd “Mental health striking. The Conservative party It reached a point where I lost dents should be able to feel they can said ‘I have been really busy organis- website made no reference specifi- all control. I was admitted to A&E talk about [mental health] with peers’ ing other events alongside my stud- issues are cally to mental health but linked the several times within a week having and this is an important point that ies and it just slipped my mind’. Faraz unavoidable. future of the NHS to the economy, overdosed. On the third visit to A&E the Time to Change campaign want- did point out that on 18th February welfare changes and efficiencies. The I was detained under the Mental ed to change. When we talk to each the Students’ Union will be involved Since 2011 Labour party promises to deliver real Health Act. other about our health it will almost with University Mental Health Day. increases in children’s mental health By the time I was sectioned I had always be about our physical health, The fact that the Students’ Union over 1700 services, to increase mental health developed a physical dependency on ‘I’ve got a cold’ or ‘I was being sick’. It missed the #TimeToTalk campaign, mental health training for health staff and teachers alcohol and was detoxed, a genuinely might be different though if someone wiping it off the agenda, is simply un- and to deliver a 28 day waiting time terrifying experience and one I nev- said ‘I wasn’t in yesterday because acceptable. Mental health issues are beds have for access to talking therapies. The er hope to repeat. I was given sup- my mood has been really low’, or ‘I of vital importance to society, and we Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru port to cope with cravings, prevent have bi-polar and have been through shouldn’t ignore them. A University closed both want a parity between physi- relapse and find other ways to cope a manic phase’. Why is it different? A has a responsibility to care for the cal health and mental health which with my own thoughts other than lack of understanding? A disbelief? mental health of its students – so it ” would involve huge culture shifts blocking them out with alcohol. Fear? Imagine living in a house or flat should fulfil it. tweet us @gairrhyddcomment email us [email protected] or visit us online at gairrhydd.com/comment comment 13

Zero Tolerance must be met with collective action The difficulty of tackling sexism in our SU

Pictured: Cardiff Students’ Union

fter a number of assaults in entails. constitutes harassment, preventative als to realise the seriousness of sexual emily Jones the Cathays area last week, For many students – ourselves in- measures and how to react should harassment. The lad culture that has sexual harassment has become cluded – we often do not realise that the situation arise. If the evidence dic- materialised is not acceptable; we Greg Aa hot button issue for Cardiff Univer- unwanted sexual attention in night- tates that young women are at greater need to change people’s perceptions mcchesney sity. Last week, Gair Rhydd reported clubs (the groping and ass-grabbing risk walking home after nights out, of women and respect, and the univer- two incidents of students being har- without consent, the uncomfortable the Union should perhaps consider sity can only do so much to encourage assed on their way home from ‘Y Plas’ bodily proximity and the cat-calling ) providing safe transit to these at-risk this. There is a myriad of measures we nightclub at the Students’ Union, and all constitute sexual harassment. The students. For societies, committees can take to control and eliminate the For an a further student being followed and fact that many forms of sexual harass- should attempt to curb any behav- cases of sexual harassment in the Stu- extended cat-called for an extended period ment have become naturalised within iour from their members that could dents’ Union, on the streets of Cardiff version of simply for being outdoors after dark. society only exacerbates the issue. be deemed as harassment, and if they or indeed any city in the UK. However this article, While Cardiff University takes an offi- While the Students’ Union can’t aren’t already, they should be actively in order to truly ‘nip it in the bud’, see our cial ‘zero tolerance’ approach to sexual necessarily police the entirety of their promoting a welcoming, safe environ- we need to inform children from a website harassment, it is very difficult to po- premises and Cathays, they can pro- ment, arguably the keystone of any young age of the unacceptable nature - www. lice; much of sexual harassment goes vide information and workshops re- society. of harassment of any type, something gairrhydd. unreported because many do not un- garding sexual harassment, inform- Despite all these possible measures, that begins long before we ever stroll com/ derstand what the term ‘harassment’ ing the student populace of what ultimately it is up to us as individu- through the doors of university. comment I am a test tube Catholic Being religious doesn’t contradict my support for IVF am a test tube baby. I was created means I fall out of line with Catholic olivier van in a petri dish in the middle of doctrine. It is an awkward situation. Pictured: den Bent- England in 1993 whilst my parents My issue with the Catholic stance The test tube baby Kelly Ilooked at me through a microscope. of this new development is that I ap- Source: Brendan According to them at least, I have preciate the extent to which couples Dolan-Gavitt, been able to produce some happiness want children. People struggle with Flickr to the extent that the exhausting pro- the inability to conceive, and IVF is cess was worth it. genuinely seen as a saving grace. It But the problem is that I am is a brutal process - something not Catholic - and that's where I be- highlighted enough. Months of injec- come an anomaly. I am a member of tions given on strict daily schedules, a a somewhat surreal group that are stream of appointments - it's a tough caught between two different worlds decision to commit to. Couples who that have totally opposing views on sign up to this treatment are hardly whether IVF is an ethical solution to the bearers of genetic manipulation couples that have difficulty conceiv- and abusers of medical ethics. I can ing. I know my parents struggled with hardly turn around to my parents and the decision to use IVF; from a faith criticise their decision. How could point of view, it’s an enormous faux I - someone created in a lab, be op- certain genetic diseases. A minority for my support - it is essential that pas. It's deemed by the Vatican as un- posed to it? To say I am against such group yes, but it will make an un- this is an option. No, I haven't had a natural and results in the termination forms of conceiving would be such founded difference to them. sit down chat with my parents so they of fertilised eggs. From a Catholic hypocrisy. But then isn't calling my- Am I pleased three person IVF can convey the emotions of the IVF standpoint, this is the termination of self a Catholic and advocating IVF a have been passed through parlia- journey, but isn't it justified that they a human life; something that does not contradiction too? ment? Absolutely. I know I'm at risk used available techniques to have sit easily with me. But I still see the This new form of IVF would en- of sounding like a GCSE answer to children? Having children is a right. passing of the three people IVF as a able approximately ten couples a year a question on ethics, but despite a And aside from it being my fun fact I fantastic step forward. However that to have children that are born free of slight Catholic guilt gnawing at me tell people, I'm hardly unnatural. Take the quiz for your chance to win a month’s rent for you and your housemates. Visit: hub.endsleigh.co.uk/housematequiz

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Bow Down Bitches The cult of Beyoncé has gone too far s you may have heard, a cou- ering he’d have made thousands of Her backstory and persona are were branded HATERZ, even though Jason ple of weeks ago, Beyoncé haters look ostensibly foolish whilst undoubtedly part of what makes her that position has been solidified and Pictured: Roberts Giselle Knowles-Carter at- simultaneously highlighting his self- so conducive to deification. A young written about more extensively in Queen Bey Atended the Grammys. The whole perceived sense of genius. Regardless black girl from Houston who rose to the last few days. It later transpired overseeing her event looked pretty cool! There of his intentions, Kanye’s almost- become one of the most prominent that Beyoncé had asked the produc- subjects (that were celebrities and high-end drug intervention was pretty interesting, artists of the 21st Century, as well as ers of the show to perform the song, is, you and dealers everywhere, so I’m assum- not because it was the second time one of the most important contem- without consulting Ledisi. As John me) ing there would have been a load of he’d done it, but because it demon- porary feminist figures in modern Legend, who performed alongside fancy booze and canapés. On top strated the sort of slavish devotion society, is absolutely a story worth her, said, “You don’t really say no to of all the pricey food, drink and co- that Beyoncé inspires amongst her celebrating. The fact that she re- Beyoncé…” caine, LL Cool J was overseeing the faithful. mains so personable, charitable and In the past, Beyoncé has per- whole thing. What could possibly go Musicians have always attracted human after almost 20 years of ce- formed for Colonel Gaddafi’s fam- wrong? fanaticism of all kinds from Beatle- lebrity is even more so. But in recent ily, used animal fur in her clothing Well. Although she took home mania to Beliebers, and record la- years, her presence on Instagram line, and became embroiled in a three awards for Best Child, Best bels actively encourage it. It’s hardly and Twitter has inspired a level of controversy regarding the launch of Husband, and Best Friends (shared surprising; more obsessive oddballs adoration that now makes her im- a Beyoncé video game which was with the House of West-Kardashian) means more record sales, which mune from any sort of wrongdoing axed and left 70 people jobless over she was passed over for Album of the means more ivory backscratchers for or controversy. She’s not only im- Christmas. The thing is, these are Year in favour of Beck, a man famous all the execs on the board. This prob- mortal, she’s bulletproof too. pretty normal occurrences for celeb- for his unique brand of folk-rock as ably explains why more musicians Admittedly, Beyoncé tends not to rities as big as Beyoncé. Performing well as his uncanny resemblance to than ever are attempting to generate court too much controversy, which is for the family of a murderous dicta- delightful weirdo Wes Anderson. their own group of militant misfits actually pretty impressive consider- tor in return for exorbitant sums of This shouldn’t have been a big deal. through the power of social media. ing how much time she spends with money is a privilege that very few I mean, it wasn’t a total travesty; un- This is perhaps characterized best by Kanye. But she’s by no means spot- people on this earth get to enjoy, and like the Best Rap Album category, the screaming hordes that make up less. At the same Grammys where Beyoncé’s decision to perform is en- “They’ve which is so often a total shitshow. the prepubescent mass of Direction- she was snubbed in the eyes of some, tirely on her conscience. “It’s hardly Both were very good albums, it’s not ers and Beliebers. she closed the awards with a cover of And that’s why it’s dangerous to elevated her like one was absolutely vastly supe- But Beyoncé fans are an entirely Take My Hand Precious Lord, which deify her. Let’s not get misunder- surprising; rior to the other. different animal. With Beliebers and was featured in the recent Martin stood here: Beyoncé is a massively from Bey to But regardless of the quality of Directioners, there’s the thought that Luther King biopic Selma. important cultural figure who is en- Queen Bey; more obsessive the albums, it really wasn’t a big although they’re annoying, they’re Her performance was reasonable. tirely deserving of her huge fanbase oddballs means deal because it’s widely appreci- merely representative of teenagers But the soul singer Ledisi, who por- and her position as a role model to from Queen ated that pretty much nobody gives manipulated by the culture industry trayed Mahalia Jackson (who per- millions of young women, a position Bey to a more ivory a fuck about the Grammys. The into purchasing shitty music and the formed the original song) in the film, that she treats with an admirable backscratchers Simpsons knew this more than 20 associated fandoms that go with it. was sat in the audience. It appears amount of responsibility and pride. goddess to be years ago, and we know it now. All Beyoncé fans are different because she had not been asked to perform But by making her immortal, we’re for all the of us, except one man: KANYEE- they’ve elevated her from Bey to the song, despite having done so placing an unreasonable amount of worshipped ZUS KARDASHIAN NORTHWEST Queen Bey; from Queen Bey to a beautifully in the film. Of course, as pressure and responsibility on a sin- at the National execs on the THRONE. goddess to be worshipped at the Na- soon as Bey finished her final note, gle, fallible human being. Let’s start board It’s entirely possible that Kanye’s tional Church of Bey. Beyoncé has praise flooded in from all corners treating her like one. Because, if she Church of Bey been trolling us this whole time. I re- become an icon, in the very literal of the Internet. Those who initially ever falls from grace, it’s a long way ” ally wouldn’t put it past him, consid- sense of the world. objected to Bey’s version of the song down from heaven. ” tweet us @GairRhyddPol mail us [email protected] POLITICS or visit us online at gairrhydd.com/politics Want to evade tax? Bank with HSBC Tory peer at centre of banking scandal SBC actively aided some of eral million transactions (between James its wealthiest clients in evad- banks) are also in the documents I Pictured: Griffiths ing taxes on accounts worth transmitted.  ese fi gures could give HSBC Hmore than 100 billion euros, accord- an idea of what lies at the bottom of Credit: ing to leaked fi les fi nally brought to the iceberg.” Michael Fleshman light on Sunday.  e bank’s Swiss Falciani, who has been dubbed the department is revealed to have ad- “Snowden of tax evasion”, remains vised clients on how best to dodge wanted on data theft charges in Swit- local tax authorities through off shore zerland but is currently under the accounts, switching account holder protection of both French and Span- statuses, setting up hidden Swiss ac- ish authorities, who are refusing to counts and smuggling bricks of cash extradite him. in little used foreign currencies, HSBC have themselves admitted among other methods. to wrongdoing, saying in a statement  e revelations originate from that: “We acknowledge and are ac- whistleblower Herve Falciani, an IT countable for past compliance and worker who stole off ending data from control failures.”  ey also added that HSBC databases in 2007 and subse- their Swiss banking arm was not fully “It is the quently passed it to French authori- integrated into HSBC following its biggest ties whilst on the run. Falciani’s fi les 1999 purchase and that “signifi cantly have only recently been publicised lower” standards therefore persisted. banking leak however, through a collaboration  e bank is now “co-operating with of outlets including the Guardian, relevant authorities.” in history with Le Monde, BBC Panorama and the For the UK Parliament the scandal International Consortium of Inves- calls into question David Cameron’s over 30,000 tigative Journalists. It is the biggest 2010 appointment of Stephen Green, However, Labour Chairman of the important questions to answer.” accounts, banking leak in history with over now Lord Green, to the position of Public Accounts Committee, Mar- In a letter to the chairman of the 30,000 accounts from 203 countries Minister for Trade and Investment garet Hodge, who will be “launch- Treasury Select Committee, Labour some included, some belonging to interna- until 2013. He was one of HSBC’s ing an urgent inquiry into which we MP, John Mann asks for Lord Green “HSBC have tional criminals and other high risk most senior fi gures when the leaks [the PAC] will require HSBC to give to be recalled for questioning, so that belonging to individuals. originally occurred, serving as both evidence”, said of Lord Green: “Either he can “put the record straight.” Yet themselves international Yet Falciani himself asserts that chief executive then group chairman he didn’t know and he was asleep at when approached by BBC Panorama admitted to it is “only the tip of the iceberg.” In until his move to the House of Lords. the wheel, or he did know and he was Lord Green refused to give any expla- criminals an interview with Le Parisien the Speaking to the BBC, David Cam- therefore involved in dodgy tax prac- nations, saying: “As a matter of prin- wrongdoing, whistleblower said: “ ere’s more eron described Lord Green as an “ex- tices. Either way he was the man in ciple I will not comment on the busi- ” than what the journalists have. Sev- cellent minister” who “did a good job.” charge and I think he has got really ness of HSBC past or present.” ” ‘Inside the Commons’ gives insight into British democracy ichael Cockerell has been non-points to derail the Affordable Lauren Boyd granted unprecedented ac- Homes Act. More representation for Pictured: cess to the Commons for women would be great but I can’t Parliament Mthis documentary to the displeas- help but think that any woman who Credit: ure of some MPs who attempted to fails to get elected may have dodged Flavio Leone knock one of the cameras over. We a bullet on an individual level. should be glad that the filming was The only non-Caucasian to speak successful though. Although it’s very in the program so far is a black informative, it is also surprisingly woman who works in the commons full of interesting human stories and tearoom. Who does the commons The Telegraph even called it “the cater to then? David Cameron’s de- funniest comedy on TV.” scription of the commons as “half For parliament to be representa- like a museum, half like a church tive of the gender make up of soci- and half like a school” is telling. ety there would need to be 190 extra The commons, bogged down in ec- women MPs. Inside the Commons centric traditions, is the perfect en- excellently demonstrates that parlia- vironment for an ex private school ment requires the kind of cultural boy (it seems unfortunate that Cam- “The commons change that women could bring eron’s maths is so poor considering about. The environment is not all the amount his parents must have is half like a that welcoming for women MPs at spent on his Eton education). Inside museum, half the moment. Sarah Champion ex- the Commons presents some MPs pressed her disgust at the juvenile as caricatures of real people: Jacob outside an office for two whole days barrels of gunpowder. However the like a church jeering and cheering, which was Rees Mogg comes across as a carica- to secure time to debate in the Com- Commons needs some modernisa- described by many of the MPs inter- ture of a privately educated middle mons. tion. How many democracies don’t and half like a viewed as “political theatre”. Political aged man and, supposing Michael ‘Inside the Commons’ is worth a have a seat for all of their repre- school theatre seems to take precedence Fabricant loses the next election, he watch for the fascinating and often sentatives leaving them battling for over political substance in the com- could always make a living as a Bo- entertaining insight into Commons a seat at morning prayers? There’s a ‘Inside the David mons; a number of politicians are ris Johnson impersonator. Despite traditions. Most of these are harm- certain amount of incongruousness Commons’ shown in the program to take great this it’s hard to watch the program less, if you don’t count the costs of in trying to run a modern democ- airs on BBC 1 Cameron joy in their filibustering rather than without feeling some sympathy for the costume involved, such as the racy in the crumbling gothic Palace Tuesdays at 9, engaging in debate, smirking as MPs. Thomas Doherty made a deal yeomen still searching the under- of Westminster but steps are bring and available on ” they quote poetry or make verbose with two conservative MPs to camp ground tunnels of parliament for parliament up to date. iPlayer. POLITICS 17

Welsh Assembly Bill deemed unlawful he Supreme Court has ruled goes out to the victims and families in Wales despite it being announced seen more slowly if they need to at- Daniel Heard that the Assembly went out of asbestos disease who stood to that the £70m being made available tend A&E. e budget for Health and of its law-making remit with a benefi t. e decision places unac- to the Welsh Government by the UK Social Services in Wales in 2015-16 Tproposed Welsh Bill that would have ceptable restrictions on the ability of Government in 2015-16 would be al- will be £6.7bn – the highest it’s ever recovered costs from treating asbes- the Welsh Government to act in cas- located to the Welsh NHS. A study been. e Court has previously ruled tos-related diseases. e decision es such as this and undermines de- this month found that patients in in favour of the assembly on changes will likely mean that the Bill is not volution. It exposes the weaknesses Wales are waiting far longer for vital to local government by-laws and the allowed to become law. e judge- of the existing devolution settlement tests and life-saving treatment than re-establishment of the Agricultural ment will be seen as a further clarifi - and any further settlement must be those in England, where the NHS is Wages Board. A reform on Welsh cation of what laws AMs are able to based on giving the Assembly the run by the Coalition Government. powers is desperately needed, and make in the Senedd, solidifying what same powers as Scotland.” e Bill ey are also likely to have to wait cannot come soon enough, it would they can and cannot do. A majority was passed by the National Assem- longer for an ambulance, and will be seem. of judges at the Supreme Court ruled bly in 2013. that the Bill was specifi cally outside e Bill had been referred to the of the competence of the Assembly Supreme Court by the Welsh Gov- Pictured: concerning its role in organisation ernment in anticipation of a chal- Supreme Court and funding of the NHS. lenge from the insurance industry. Backbench Labour AM, Mick An- e Association of British Insurers toniw, proposed the Asbestos (Re- welcomed the judgement, saying the covery of Medical Costs) Bill in a bid Bill would have seen increased insur- to raise as much as £1m a year for ance premiums for Welsh businesses the Welsh NHS from employers, or but no extra compensation for mes- their insurers, for treatment costs, othelioma suff erers. Asbestos was The Asbestos and the devastating eff ects it can used extensively as a building mate- “ have. But after insurance industries rial in the 1950s and 1960, but was (Recovery expressed concerns, the bill was re- later found to cause several diseases ferred to the Supreme Court by the including asbestosis and mesothelio- of Medical Welsh Government. On Monday, it ma, an aggressive form of lung can- was announced that the bill is out- cer. It has been estimated that 5,000 Costs) Bill was side of the legislative competence deaths a year in the UK are caused by proposed in a of the Assembly. Mr Antoniw said, exposure to asbestos. “ e charges provided for by the Bill e Welsh Assembly has the pow- bid to raise as are to be imposed on compensators er to run local NHS services diff er- and insurers rather than patients and ently to the rest of the UK, however, much as £1m lack any direct or close connection the Supreme Court found it went too a year for the with the provision of Welsh NHS far by requiring insurers to pay for services. patient treatment that was outside Keep Updated: Welsh NHS “I am gutted that the Supreme the scope of the insurance policies. Follow us on Court have found in favour of insur- Labour is already on the backfoot Twitter ” ance company interests and my heart over appalling problems on its watch @GairRhyddPol A week in the Senedd with Carwyn Williams

ther austerity of 2.2% to the Welsh the First Minister reassuring him that Government’s budget, a disaster for this is a matter for local authorities to the people of Wales. Mr Jones dis- decide how many Welsh school plac- missed this criticism stating cuts from es they off er, but it would be of vital a future Conservative government importance to them not to weaken would be much worse. Welsh medium education. Health was a concern for the lead- er of the opposition as well as Kirsty Welsh Assembly beat Commons Williams, with Welsh NHS facing se- In their annual fi xture to commem- vere recruitment problems that led to orate the Wales vs. England Six Na- services being cut in a North Wales tions match, Welsh Assembly mem- hospital, with the First Minister pre- bers played the House of Commons dicting that services will resume from members, beating the commons 33- summer 2016, and that recruitment 12, with Andrew RT Davies encourag- is an issue for health boards to deal ing more AM’s to participate for next with, despite it being a widespread year’s event. First Minister’s Questions context of keeping the controversial problem. Plaid Cymru veteran Dafydd Elis- formula, Mr Jones however didn’t Smoking was certainly on the Renting at 16 and 17 omas started proceedings this seem convinced that fair funding was agenda in the chamber, with Labour A new Bill was introduced to the week, asking whether the First Minis- on its way to Wales, especially as we and Plaid members bringing up the Assembly last week, which would al- ter has had discussions with the Welsh must consider that the UK Labour topic. Members emphasized the need low 16 and 17 year old people to rent Secretary, regarding the proposed up- party also want to keep the formula. for more to be done to cut smoking a property for the fi rst time. e bill coming St David’s Day agreement for A successful St David’s Day agreement in Wales, especially as it has recently aims to simplify the renting process more powers. As well as confi rming for the First Minister would include emerged that Wales has one of the and give tenants better security. In he has had many discussions with the considering a reserved power model highest lung cancer rates in women another clause, it will be compulsory secretary, Mr Jones also agreed with for Wales, Wales’ under-funding be- across the European Union. e First to have a written contract for a ten- Elis- omas that equality with Scot- ing addressed, further fi scal devolu- Minister however could not give a ancy stating key information such as land on powers are now very impor- tion in some fi elds and for the Assem- date on when a smoking ban in cars rent. It is hoped the bill will receive tant, and emphasised that the same bly to control its own electoral system with children will be in place[but the Royal Assent by early next year. powers that were outlined for Scot- including the entrenchment of the Autumn has since been announced as land last month, should be proposed Assembly, so that Westminster could a target], and the government cannot Call for long-term NHS plan to Wales, but that we are far from an not get rid of the government. recommend the use of e-cigarettes, as A Plaid Cymru led debate last agreement on that situation. Leanne Wood queried Labour’s they have not been proven to be eff ec- Wednesday has called on the govern- Paul Davies mentioned the Barnett funding plans for the Assembly, stat- tive or safe. ment to look at a long term ten year formula, questioning how the minis- ing that even if Labour wins the up- Llyr Gruff ydd mentioned the topic workforce plan for the NHS in Wales, ter could ensure fair funding in the coming election, it would mean fur- of Welsh-medium education, with concentrating on further recruitment. 18 POLITICS

Pictured: Not a Clegg to stand on Nick Clegg, Leader of the ccording to recent polls, Lib- government.’ He also appealed to the Liberal Democrats Michael eral Democrat leader Nick heartstrings of those in his ‘wonder- Arnott Clegg is in serious danger of ful constituency, in the most beautiful Alosing his constituency seat at the up- part of the north, southwest Sheffi eld.’ coming General Election, despite his Despite his party’s defence of the protests to the contrary. coalition deal, it is a bone of conten- One recent poll, carried out by tion for many of the electorate. Join- Survation for the trade union Unite, ing the Conservative Party on aus- had Clegg trailing in his Sheffi eld Hal- terity policies has caused the Liberal lam constituency by 10 percentage Democrat Party to lose much of its points.  ey had the Deputy Prime support; polls often show it as the Minister on 23 per cent, trailing La- fi fth placed party, with less than 10 bour on 33 per cent, and only nar- per cent of public support.  is has rowly ahead of the Conservatives, also refl ected badly on its leader, who who scored 22 per cent. may lose his constituency as a conse-  is was not the only poll to give quence. Clegg cause for concern. Also sug-  e student population is a de- gesting that he would face defeat was mographic that has felt the brunt of Lord Ashcroft’s poll, who gave Clegg Clegg’s coalition deal. Many have not 27 percent, behind Labour on 30 pe forgiven him for breaking his party’s cent, and ahead of the Tories on 19 pre-election promise to oppose tui- percent, UKIP on 13 per cent, and the tion fee rises, which trebled in 2012. Greens on 10 per cent.  is may cause him a headache in his  ese polls have failed to alarm constituency, where 17.3 per cent of party’s best known faces, such as istic. Clegg is likely to benefi t from “His tenure Clegg, at least outwardly, who de- the electorate are students. Danny Alexander, Vince Cable and the incumbency eff ect, where a sit- nounced the reliability of the Sur- Doubts about Clegg’s position Ed Davey said to be in the running. ting MP is favoured over challengers, as head of vation poll. Speaking on his LBC as an MP inevitably raise questions However, the current favourite to re- which has benefi tted the Lib Dems in the Liberal radio show, he called it ‘utter bilge’, about his status as leader of the Lib- place Clegg is Tim Farron, who until the past. “This may and questioned the involvement of eral Democrats. In reality, even if he recently served as President of the Because of this, he may hold his mark the Democrats the Unite union, which is a fi nancial holds his seat, his tenure as head of the party. constituency, but he is unlikely to backer of the Labour party. party appears to have run its course, Despite these recent polls in his keep the Lib Dem leadership and this beginning of appears to Clegg also defended his own with the party needing a change of constituency, Clegg should still man- may mark the beginning of the end the end for have run its record, which has come in constant approach to reverse its recent dismal age to retain his seat.  e Survation for his political career.  e Lib Dems criticism since the coalition came performance, as it braces itself for the poll failed to take into account the need to start again, and Farron, who his political course into power. Clegg argued that his par- loss of many of its 56 MPs. candidates or past voting intentions hasn’t been heavily involved in the career ty’s deal with the Conservatives ‘was  ere are many contenders wait- in its survey, and its verdict of a com- coalition, could be the ideal candidate ” the only way we could form a stable ing in the wings, with many of the fortable Labour win seems unreal- to replace Clegg. ” Labour to double paid paternity leave Business community question Labour’s policy abour have pledged to ex- that offering four weeks paid pater- birth. Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan Luke Brett tend paternity leave from two nity leave will see take-up increasing These proposals come after the tweeted ‘On what moral basis should weeks to four whilst increasing from 55 per cent to 70 per cent, if Liberal Democrats announced a new dads expect to be subsidised by Lthe amount paid per week to £260, this policy is enacted. new system of shared parental leave, everyone else?’ This challenges the up from £120, should they win the John Longworth, the director- which is due to come into force in idea that state intervention is neces- General Election in May. With the general of the British Chambers of April. As part of the parties mani- sary to support a particular group in deficit still a key issue in the run-up Commerce, said that “although well- festo, the Lib Dems are also offering society at the expense of everyone to the election, Labour defended this meaning, proposals such as this cre- a month’s worth of paternity leave else. increase in public spending, arguing ate very real costs for businesses, after a child’s birth on a “use it or Overall, Labour are pursuing that it would be funded by savings in which can in turn lead to reduced lose it” basis. more policies that they hope will as- tax credits. productivity, reduced growth and The Conservatives have respond- sist with the cost of living, despite Whilst being challenged about the fewer jobs.” ed by supporting greater flexibility opposition from the business com- damages that this policy could pose Additionally, John Allan, the na- in parental leave, arguing that all munity. With the general election to small businesses, Labour leader tional chairman of the Federation future spending policies in this em- coming up, the issue of employment Ed Miliband said it would be paid of Small Businesses, stated: “it’s im- ployment area required a “families and living standards will be high in for “by the government”, arguing the portant political parties understand test” in order to pass. the list of many topics for debate. current paternity system was “out- the practical implications of policy dated”, and that giving fathers an changes. “independent right” to a month off “The reality is that for small busi- Pictured: to care for their children would sup- nesses in particular, extending pa- Father and baby port around 400,000 families. ternity leave from two to four weeks Credit: Flickr; I “Britain succeeds when mod- makes it much more likely that they am Ming ern working families succeed. That will have to buy in replacement staff “Britain means giving dads, as well as mums, as they will struggle with absences.” succeeds the chance to spend more time at The Trade Union Council (TUC), home.” Miliband argued. however, have been campaigning for when modern However, after recent pressure increased paternity leave after high- from the business leaders on La- lighting in a 2011/12 study that only working bour’s economic credibility, pres- 1,650 out of 285,000 eligible men ac- sure increased after some commer- tually took the £136 statutory leave. families cial leaders challenged the policy, The TUC are of the opinion that succeed arguing the £150m cost of this would extra time spent by fathers at home equate to a business “tax”. would help breach the gender pay Ed Miliband This £150m figure comes from the gap (currently at 9.4 per cent), as Institute for Public Policy Research mothers would have greater free- ” think tank, which has estimated dom to get back to work after giving POLITICS 19 LSE: crowdsourcing a constitution he London School of Eco- elections, from values and rights to Carwyn nomics and Political Science Parliament. On their website, consti- Pictured: Williams last month launched a new tutionuk.com, people can make sug-  e Royal Family Tinnovative and exciting project, to gestions on what should be included. on the balcony crowdsource a written constitution To date, the most popular idea sug- of Buckingham for the UK in a year that is signifi cant gested by far is to have an elected Palace. for a number of reasons. Firstly, this head of state, which would in eff ect Below: David is an election year, and the incom- remove the monarchy. While this is Cameron and ing government, whatever shape it seen as a core democratic principle Nick Clegg might take, will have to address fur- to many, some could see this as sur- speaking at ther changes to how the UK is run prising as a ComRes survey in 2013 the National and answer questions on any kind showed 66 percent thought Britain is Assembly of of constitutional reform. Whether better off with a monarchy. Wales in Cardiff it’s reforming the House of Lords, or  is convention for a written con- Bay. discussing the future of devolution, stitution could therefore bring solu- the possibility of a EU referendum or tions that politicians could not, and simply deciding how the public can also demonstrates the diffi culties in hold their MPs to account, impor- agreeing on a constitution. tant decisions will have to be made.  e UK has never had and does not  e LSE believe that the status quo is have an actual written constitution, Despite this, no longer an option for our country, being the only state in the world other “ and change is needed in the form of a than New Zealand and Israel without many argue written constitution. one. Despite this, many argue a con- a constitution  is year also holds the anniver- stitution would hold the country back sary of a very important document when in talks such as with the EU, but would hold in British law-making history; Magna others see this as an advantage. the country Carta. While the majority of this Last month, the Institute for Welsh document is no longer law, a part of it Aff airs also launched a crowdfunded back when in actually is, and many wonder whether constitutional convention, focusing talks such as an 800 year old document should still primarily on Welsh issues, such as with the EU, be valid in a system that has changed how to improve the state of the econ- so much since then and developed omy and Wales’ future within the UK. but others into a democracy. Magna Carta has While these are important pieces see this as an had signifi cant infl uence on our laws of public research, it is also impor- and many other countries’ constitu- tant to remember that these will have Visit their advantage. tion. little eff ect on government, and real website: con- LSE’s convention is set out into ten change will only come with a drastic stitutionuk. ” key topic areas, from devolution to change in public opinion. com What do you expect from the General Election? his year, more parties than ever the seats they won in 2014 by-elections he general election is now only gration in many constituencies is go- David Hooson have a genuine chance of win- and could gain one or two more if they three months away, and I think ing to leave a cloud over our political Alex Stewart ning seats in the General Election target their campaign well, with Plaid a positive outcome of this elec- system for some time. At the moment, Tand, continuing with the theme begun facing a similar position in Wales. Ttion could be the mainstream parties it is diffi cult to see what is fear-mon- in 2010, the overall result is the most  e Green vote is much more thinly losing absolute power.  is may not gering, and what is real, but the gen- unpredictable in living memory. spread than that of UKIP, meaning they sound like a good thing, but with the eral xenophobic undertones are not Labour and the Conservatives cannot will struggle to capitalise on their gains rise of the Greens and UKIP, and the healthy for a system based on the in- be separated in the polls but the SNP’s in the polls, though Caroline Lucas is Lib Dems sticking around, there’s go- clusion of everyone. But this will pass. encroachment into Labour territory in likely to be returned to her seat. ing to be more competition in govern-  is election the issue is immigration, Scotland may play to the Tories’ advan- Amid the coalition-forming fever ment and voters will be able to hold next time the issue might be climate tage and nudge them into a plurality. that will ensue from the probable hung their MPs to account better with few- change.  e rise of the SNP is also likely to parliament, parties of all sizes could er ‘safe seats’. Whatever happens in three push the Liberal Democrats into fourth have an infl uence and I fear that UKIP ‘Bad’ things that are going to hap- months, it might be exciting and feel Let us know place at Westminster, with Nick Clegg’s may team up with Tory back benchers pen is a little more unpredictable, but like the most important thing in the what you think, party set to suff er major casualties. to form a right-wing stranglehold over the general belief is that the surge in world, but after the dust has settled, politics@ UKIP are on track to defend both of the next government. nationalism and the worry of immi- life carries on, for good, or for bad. gairrhydd.com

Kieran Lewis his week’s PMQs continued with posed, instead swiftly moving to other Despite personal criticism from the agenda, after Labour MP Glyn Prime a recent theme of tax avoidance, areas of policy such as unemployment Mr Cameron about the role of Davies criticised the Government for Minister’s Tin light of claims that have emerged and economic growth – again claiming trade unions in securing Miliband’s excessive GP waiting times. Cameron Questions about the use of Swiss bank accounts that Labour ‘could not talk about it’. leadership, the Labour leader seemed urged the NHS in Wales to reverse at HSBC and the role of political  is lack of response appeared to unfazed – equally describing Mr cuts it had made to improve access to donors. demonstrate an avoidance strategy. Cameron as a ‘dodgy Prime Minister GPs, which seemed to be an implicit Compared to recent debates, Ed Cameron kept referring to increases surrounded by dodgy donors’. attack on the Labour-run authority. Miliband appeared to take more of a in private sector employment, citing In a similar fashion to last week, Concerns surrounding party fi nance backseat role in allowing other Labour fi gures of two million supported both Government and Opposition and tax avoidance are going to be key MPs to mount pressure on the issue by anecdotes from individual continued to name and shame in election campaigns for both parties. of tax avoidance by repeating the Conservative MPs.  ese fi gures were individual donors embroiled in tax  e Conservatives seem to have same question, a tactic reminiscent of not challenged, despite a question avoidance claims, and after a while settled on their campaign messages the previous debate, where Miliband asked before PMQs relating to this seemed to become very pointless, and are using every opportunity to asked a specifi c question relating to Government fi gures being inaccurate. as both sides were left somewhat push these, while Labour needs to hedge funds. It seems that Cameron’s core election discredited. do more to defi ne their own, rather Even then, Mr Cameron seemed to messages will be safety and security, Criticism of management in the than highlighting specifi c issues with avoid directly answering the question backed up by claims such as these. Welsh NHS was brought back onto particular policies. Cardiff Nightline

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Pictured: Bristol Zoo comes “ ose otters did what?!” under fire for slew of animal deaths n anonymous whistle blower has pletely unforseeable” but the aggression Meryon revealed a slew of tragic mishaps of male Visayan warty pigs is well known. Roderick that occurred at Bristol Zoo dur- Will Travers OBE, president of the Born Aing December last year. Most shocking Free Foundation said that “Males of among these are the deaths of several many species are widely known to be a These critically endangered mammals that threat to infants, especially in captivity. “ some have attributed to negligence on It would appear that better understand- incidents just behalf of the zoo. ing of animals’ needs and behaviour may represent the e Visayan warty pig is extremely have prevented such a tragedy.” rare, thought to only exist in two popula- In the same month a golden lion tam- most shocking tions on the islands of Panay and Negros arin, a species of monkey of which there incident in a in the Philippines. eir rarity makes are only roughly 1000 left in the wild, recent raft of accurate estimates of numbers very dif- escaped its enclosure and leapt into the fi cult but the best guess is that there are otter pond where it became trapped in problems... about 200 of these pigs left in the wild. a drainage valve. e American otters Bristol Zoo was home to an adult female then proceeded to eat the tamarin, ap- warty pig called Manilla and mid way parently before any zoo staff could no- through 2014 she was joined by a male tice; when they did intervene it was too that Bristol Zoo is doing everything pos- It is a huge concern that such serious ” companion, named Elvis, in the hope late to save the monkey. sible to ensure that similar situations will incidents could have occurred at a UK that they would breed. ese tragedies only represent the not arise again in the future.” zoo and raises a question about what However, vets employed by the zoo most shocking incident in a recent raft However, Nicola O’Brien, director of zoos are for. If, as is often claimed, they failed to notice that Manilla had become of problems for Bristol Zoo. ese in- the Captive Animals’ Protection Society stand as bastions of wildlife conserva- pregnant. e whistle blower described cidents include 3 rainbow parakeets es- responded by saying, “To have so many tion then obviously something needs to what happened next: “On the day the caping through a hole in their enclosure, deaths and incidents occur so recently be done to ensure the safety of endan- Got a story female gave birth to piglets the male one of which remains missing and is cur- really does pose questions about the gered animals when they are kept in idea? Let immediately ate them all, and then also rently somewhere in the wider Bristol welfare of the animals kept at Bristol captivity. If instead, zoos exist solely as us know: attacked the mother by eating her rear area, and a monkey swimming the moat Zoo.” She added that there needs to be “a menageries to entertain the public then science@ end. She was so badly injured she had to surrounding its island and escaping into full, immediate investigation by the local it may be necessary to consider er they gairrhydd. be put down.” the zoo. Bristol Zoo responded to crit- council into the animal care protocols at have a future. com e zoo claims that this was “com- ics by saying that they are “are confi dent this zoo.”

Chernobyl nuclear fallout still proves significant threat Wildfires ravage local area and threaten to spread radiation further

he Chernobyl disaster of 1986, ions, then dead leaves return to the as strontium, plutonium and ameri- health consequences. e team, like Shanna which saw huge amounts of soil”, says Nikolaos Evangeliou of the cium will all be distributed uneven- others, have called for action to be Hamilton lethal radioactive caesium re- Norwegian Institute of Air Research. ly through the spread of wildfi res. taken before lives are aff ected. Keith Tleased into the atmosphere after the His team have been analysing fi res “ e internal dose from ingestion Baverstock, formally European head explosion of a reactor vessel, was the that have occurred in the area since can be signifi cant”, said Mousseau, of radiation protection at the World world’s worst nuclear accident. As 2002, studying satellite feeds and the with the potential to cause cancer Health Organization, agrees; “ ey decades have passed and radioactive measurements of radioactive caesium that is thought to have aff ected over have a very valid point. e lack of levels have diminished, a new threat still deposited in the area. In three 300 people directly as a result of the management of forests, the apparent- may mean the fallout will continue fi res alone, radiation spread across Chernobyl accident. ly slower decay of vegetation exposed for years to come – wildfi res are now Europe, into Italy, Turkey and even More worrying still, the research- to radiation, climate change leading spreading radiation from the site Scandinavia. In the latest research, ers have predicted the wildfi res in to drought and the expansion of for- much further than anticipated. published in Ecological Monographs the Exclusion Zone will continue ested areas all contribute to increas- On the 26th April 1986, an incident this month, Evangeliou and col- to ravage the area until a peak be- ing the risk of forest fi re and therefore occurred at the Chernobyl Power leagues have calculated future wild- tween 2023 and 2036, by which time further dispersal of long-lived radio- Plant in Ukraine that lives on in in- fi re frequency and intensity, and the the radiation may have noticeable active nuclides.” famy. A nuclear reactor received a results are concerning. catastrophically large surge of power Ian Fairlie, former head of the UK and the core exploded. It is an ac- government’s radiation risk commit- Pictured: cident only equalled in scale by the tee, did not down play his unease; Flames represent Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011. “ e simulation probably underesti- wild fi res, Yellow Huge quantities of radioactive cae- mates the potential risks.” e study areas have sium were released from the power suggests that radiation released from declared a state of plant, leading to the evacuation of wildfi res would give people nearby, emergency and 4800 square kilometres of heav- in the Ukranian capital Kiev, a dose green areas have In three ily contaminated land in Ukraine of 10 microsieverts – just 1 per cent surface deposits of “ and Belarus, dubbed the “Exclusion of the acceptable yearly average dose. caesium 137. fires alone, Zone”. 85 petabecquerels of radiation “ is is very small,” said co-author radiation spread across the area, and the latest Tim Mousseau of the University of spread across estimates predict between 2 and 8 South Carolina. “Should there be a Europe, into petabequerels still remain in the up- larger fi re, quite a bit more could end Italy, Turkey per soil surface nearly 30 years later. up on populated areas.” Forest fi res have been a concern of e potential risks may also be and even radiation scientists since the accident. larger because of the accumulation of Scandinavia In the abandoned forests of the “zone other types of radioactivity that may of alienation”, the offi cial term for the fi nd their way into the food chain. ” area, “trees pick up the radioactive Long-lived emitters of radiation such SCIENCE 23

Did a fecal transplant make a woman obese? ecal transplants obviously cap- volves taking fecal matter, or stool, responsible for the deaths of 177 pa- nors for fecal microbiota transplant, Shanna ture the public’s attention, in- from a healthy donor, and placing it tients in 2013 in Wales alone, with and we recommend selecting non- Hamilton cluding the entire Gair Rhydd into a patient, through a nasal tube the elderly and very young most at overweight donors.” “We’re Feditorial team when we first report- or enema. This is to replenish the risk. This study raises questions about questioning ed on the procedure in October. But microbial fauna of bacteria that usu- A fringe medical treatment with the role of bacteria in our gut and new concerns have been raised after ally live in a healthy gut, and remove significant “snicker factor”, fecal mat- how it might influence other organ whether a woman has become significantly any dangerous bacteria that have ter transplants are seen as a quick, systems, at a time when the Fecal there was overweight after receiving a dona- overpopulated and caused infection. inexpensive method with up to 90 Transplant Foundation describes the tion of stool. It has been successfully used to treat per cent effectiveness is treating the procedure as “a low-cost, low-risk, something A medical report published in the hospital infection caused by su- difficult hospital-acquired infection. highly effective treatment.” in the fecal Open Forum Infectious Diseases perbug Clostridium difficile, which A 32-year-old woman presented Dr Kelly said, “We’re question- transplant, highlights the previously healthy is notoriously difficult to cure. to medics in Newport Hospital, ing whether there was something in weight woman gaining over 40 C. difficile is a very serious infec- Rhode Island, with current C. diffi- the fecal transplant, where some of where pounds since the transplant, and she tion, with incidence on the rise due cile infections that were difficult to those ‘good’ bacteria we transferred some of apparently continues to gain weight to growing antibiotic resistance. treat. After several rounds of anti- may have had an impact on her me- at an accelerated rate. Symptoms include fever, severe diar- biotic treatment, the patient elected tabolism in a negative way.” those ‘good’ A fecal transplant procedure in- rhoea, and an inflamed colon. It was to have a fecal transplant. At her re- Careful study of faecal transplants bacteria we quest, the stool donor was chosen will advance knowledge about safe transferred to be her 16-year-old daughter, who manipulation of the gut microbiota. Pictured: at time of transplant weighed 140 Ultimately, of course, it is hoped that may have Fecal pounds. The daughter gained over faecal transplant studies will lead to had an transplants 30 pounds at a later date. identification of defined mixtures of impact on her have After 16 months, the woman re- beneficial bacteria that can be cul- successfully ceiving the transplant has gained 34 tured, manufactured, and adminis- metabolism treated the pounds, increasing her body mass tered to improve human health. in a negative hospital index from a healthy 26 to an obese In an editorial that followed the superbug 33. “She has continued to gain weight case study, Drs Weil and Hohmann way caused by despite efforts to diet and exercise of Massachusetts General Hospital Clostridium and at 36 months [post-transplant] say they hope this work “will inspire diffi cile her weight was 177 pounds,” paper further study of the mechanisms authors added. of metabolic effects of fecal mat- ” Although a case of correlation and ter transplant”, but that ultimately not clear causation, authors specu- it will “lead to identification of de- late there may be a link between the fined mixtures of beneficial bacteria transplant and weight gain: “This that can be cultured, manufactured case serves as a note of caution when and administered to improve human considering the use of non-ideal do- health.”

No, Vladimir Putin doesn’t have autism esults from a Pentagon think for reform in how the condition is Brain scans aren’t actually involved Clearly this report is essentially Shanna tank appear to suggest that diagnosed because not everyone can in the normal diagnosis of Asperger’s grounded in quick sand. It uses un- Hamilton Vladimir Putin, President of have Asperger’s. As of 2013, the di- so it’s unclear why she feels she needs supported methodology to reach RRussia, has Asperger’s syndrome. agnosis of Asperger’s in the fi fth edi- one to back up her work. It could be fairly outlandish results. But there’s Many news outlets clung to this sen- tion of the Diagnostic and Statistical because MPA isn’t supported by peer another question: why does this news sational news, playing on the fairly Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) reviewed literature or reproducible even matter? It might be in the public rational public fear that the man in has been replaced by “autism spec- results meaning that being an expert interest to know if Putin was a psy- charge of the second largest nuclear trum disorder on a severity scale”. in MPA is much like being an expert chopath or suff ered from psychotic arsenal in the world has a neurologi- is move was designed to avoid a in astrology. She also compared Pu- episodes considering his access to cal disorder. perceived lumping together of people tin’s psychology to that of a lizard, powerful weapons and his control Considering how often the term is with serious neurological disorders stating “they patrol their borders and over a major economy but the stig- thrown around, a lot of people would and people who are just socially anx- if an alien enters, lunge refl exively”. ma that the media places on mental struggle to give you a proper defi ni- ious. e DSM defi nitely doesn’t defi ne health has made a spurious diagnosis tion. Asperger’s is mostly character- But could Putin have Asperger’s Asperger’s as acting like a reptile. of a low severity autistic disorder into ized by impairment in a suff erer’s syndrome? e answer is probably Even people working with Con- pervasive international news. A di- social interaction which is usually not. e think tank in question, the nors have come out to dispute the re- agnosis of a neurological disorder can caused by highly repetitive patterns US Naval War College (USNWC), ports. An expert she hired called Dr only be made by trained professionals of behaviour, activities and interests. based its reports on the work of Bren- Stephen Porges went as far as to say who have extended contact with an “Connors Unlike most autism spectrum disor- da Connors, a self-dubbed “move- “You don’t diagnose based on vide- individual; a pseudoscientist watch- claims that ders there is no clinically signifi cant ment pattern analysis (MPA)” expert. otapes.” He views the reports more as ing short video clips can’t make any Putin’s delay in cognitive development or Her method involves watching vid- a way to ensure diplomatic meetings kind of meaningful reading of anoth- any general delay in language. Being eos of an individual with the sound with Putin are as effi cient as possible. er person’s personality. Is Vladimir “neurological intensely preoccupied with a narrow removed and trying to spot patterns He asserts that Putin displays “little Putin autistic? Almost defi nitely not. development subject area; often using an unneces- in their facial expressions and move- asocial qualities” which may mean But even if he is, why do we care? was sary number of words to communi- ment. You then watch the same vid- that meeting him in smaller settings cate a point; poor speech intonation eos with the sound put back in and rather than large diplomatic meetings significantly and physical clumsiness are also typi- try to apply the patterns you’ve spot- would lead to more productive nego- Pictured: interrupted cal of the condition but don’t neces- ted to their speech. As you can see, tiations. is pragmatic interpreta- Vladimir in infancy” sarily lead to a diagnosis. it’s incredibly scientifi c. tion is far from the one that the media Putin, Does that sound like somebody you Connors claims that Putin’s “neu- has portrayed and just as far from the President of and that he know? It does to me and probably rological development was signifi - outlandish claims made by Brenda Russia. “carries a does to everyone else which is why cantly interrupted in infancy” and Connors. A man who described him- neurological diagnosis of Asperger’s is a conten- that he “carries a neurological ab- self as a “consultant” on the report, abnormality” tious topic in the discussion of men- normality”. She tempers these fairly Dr A omas Pezzella, chose not to tal health. Between 2006 and 2008 re- precise and involved diagnoses by describe his own contribution to the ported cases of Asperger’s syndrome saying that it’s impossible to confi rm research, saying instead: “Brenda did ” increased by 20%. is lead to a call her suspicions without a brain scan. most of the work.” Heath

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Woman cured of rare disease by freak genetic phenomenon ‘Rare genetic event’ first of its kind in the world

enetic instability and a rare of moving into the blood to attack a of bricks builds up one of your chro- experiment of nature”, that provides Shanna process of DNA rearrange- bacterial invader. mosomes, a structure containing the evidence that this process of chromo- Hamilton ment has spontaneously Dr Phil Murphy, an immunologist specifi c instructions of DNA. Each some shattering and rebuilding “may “The disease Gcured a woman of an inherited im- at the National Institute of Health’s brick of the tower corresponds to a result in clinical benefi t, in particu- is extremely mune disorder, over 30 years after Clinical Centre, has long been inter- gene in your DNA, with one of these lar, cure of an inherited disease”. e she was born with the condition. ested in WHIM syndrome, trying to bricks coding for CXCR4. Occasion- hope is that chromothripsis may be rare, thought In 1964, reports in e New Eng- improve our understanding and po- ally, this tower of bricks shatters exploited, with clinical applications to affect only land Journal of Medicine described a tentially fi nd a drug to stop the action – the chromosome falls apart dur- downstream in transplantation and 60 people in 9 year old girl who suff ered recurring of a faulty CXCR4 receptor. He was ing cell replication. e tower then gene therapy. bacterial infections, and presented obviously intrigued when in 2013, a reassembles, but with the building Dr Murphy said, “It is really kind the world... with unusually low levels of white woman was concerned about her two blocks in a diff erent order. Normally, of remarkable, she started out as this blood cells that were so sorely need- daughters having inherited the dis- the cells die because of the damage, very unlucky girl and ended up win- ed to fi ght off the barrage of microbes ease. or in a disordered state, contribute to ning the lottery by having this incred- attacking her body. is patient was It was uncovered that this woman cancer. ibly rare event, the only one reported ” the fi rst ever WHIM patient to be di- was the original WHIM patient from But in the case of this WHIM pa- in the world to date.” agnosed, and now at the age of 59, by 1964, who has passed the genetic tient, during rebuilding of the blocks, a rare genetic event, has been cured. disorder onto her two daughters, one copy of CXCR4 didn’t reassem- WHIM syndrome is a genetically who are now in their early 20s. Both ble and wasn’t incorporated – the inherited disorder, the name an ac- daughters suff er the classic symp- mutant copy that caused her disease. ronym for some of the horrible dis- toms, including uncontrollable warts, is occurred in a blood stem cell, a ease manifestations. W stands for and analysis of their DNA showed specialist type of cell that then rep- warts, caused by the Human Papil- they both had a mutation in CXCR4. licated to replenish her body with loma Virus (HPV), which are often What was most puzzling to Dr healthy white blood cells lacking a uncontrollable, untreatable and may Murphy was the health of the moth- mutation, eff ectively curing the con- even progress to cancer. H stands for er. “When we asked a simple question dition. hypogammaglobulinemia, a mouth- – ‘How was she doing?’ – she said she In Dr Murphy’s paper, published ful of a term to describe a type of was fi ne. At this point we got very, in scientifi c journal Cell, the team immune defi ciency. I stands for in- very interested.” describe this as an “unprecedented fections, which suff erers have fre- e woman reported that all quently. Finally, the M stands for through her childhood and early myelokathexis, a disorder of the adulthood she suff ered awful infec- Pictured: white blood cells that was seen as the tions, often requiring hospitalization, Header: DNA fi rst presentation in the woman now and had hands constantly covered Chromosomes cured 20 years later. in warts. However, by the age of 38, e disease is extremely rare, all of these warts had spontaneously Above: e warts thought to aff ect only 60 people in cleared and her health dramatically caused by the the world, and although suff erers improved. Frequent infections were genetic disease normally survive well into adulthood, now a thing of the past, although WHIM. they can suff er tremendous scarring, doctors said the chances of a cure hearing loss, side eff ects from infec- were “astronomically low”. Left: e tion and the constant risk of con- Looking more closely at her DNA, mechanism for tracting cancer from HPV. Dr Murphy and his team were very Chromothripsis A particular gene was linked to surprised to fi nd that the white blood WHIM in 2003 by geneticist George cells were 164 genes shorter than “... she said Diaz – CXCR4. is codes for a re- they were supposed to be. ey no she was ceptor, a cell surface protein used by longer contained a faulty CXCR4 white blood cells to detect chemical code, although other cell types in the fine. At this messengers. A healthy person has body carried it. e only logical ex- point we got two normal copies of CXCR4, but planation seems to be down to a rare very, very WHIM patients have one normal genetic phenomenon that was only and one abnormal copy. is abnor- discovered 4 years ago – a process interested mal copy means the receptor doesn’t called chromothripsis. work properly, with white blood cells Imagine a tower of lego bricks, ” sticking to the bone marrow instead each diff erently coloured. is tower tweet us @gairrhyddsoc email us [email protected] SOCIETIES or visit us online at gairrhydd.com/ culture and diversity held each year to only £3 so signup today if you in the Great Hall. Tickets start at have yet to get involved. The socie- Barney’s Note £3 and go up to £4 after two weeks. ties are always ready to accept new More information is available on the members. website but buy fast as the event sold Get in touch if there is anything out last year! you need from me, either drop me Hi there everyone! Now begins many haven’t mentioned them enough al- In other news, the Guild of Soci- an email on VPSocieties@cardiff. societies’ preparation for our big ready! And the big news: Go Global eties at the last count now has over ac.uk or pop in to the third floor events in March, the Fringe Festival tickets are going on sale on Monday! 8250 unique members which has of the Students’ Union. I am always , between 16th-22nd March, and Go For those of you that don’t know, Go been quietly rising since the Refresh- here to help you get involved! Until Global on the 21st March, in case I Global is an INCREDIBLE festival of ers Fair. The joining price has fallen next time, much love – Barney.

Moctezuma Nosebleed 7.30pm - 10pm See article CF10 18th February 7.30pm - 21st February What’s On 10pm Saturday 21st February

ursday 19th February BR AW L Monday 16th February 7pm - 9pm All Day Boardgaming Michael Griffi ths Building Lecture Student Enterprise 9.30am - 10pm Student Enterprise  e a t r e Business Planning Process Room 4J, Students’ Union Ignite 6pm - 8pm 5th - 22nd February Art Society Room 4J, Students’ Union Sports and Exercise Medicine Cardiff University Conference Centre Oil Pastels and Watercolour! Get Stuck In to SEM. USEMS 8pm - 10pm Expression Practical Conference 2015 LGBT+ History Month: Bi Poster Room 4H, Students’ Union Fitness 21st February 10am - 22nd February Competition 6pm – 7.15pm 5pm 3rd - 17th February Wednesday 18th February 4A/B, Students’ Union Michael Griffi ths Building, Heath Park Campus Student Advice Skills Development Service Student Minds Student Advice Drop In Short Course in Personal Eating Disorder Support Group Broadway Dance Society Noon - 2pm Eff ectiveness 6.15pm – 7.15pm Dance Competition! Meeting Rooms close to the IV 2pm - 4pm Room 4F, Students’ Union 11.30am - 4pm Lounge, Heath Park Y Plas Global Health Student Network LGBT+ History Month: Slam Student Minds We Have A Drug Problem! 7pm – 10.45pm MedSoc Supporting the Supporters: Part 2 Universities Allied for Essential Shot in the Dark, City Road MedSoc Preclinical Ball 6pm - 8pm Medicines Cardiff Launch 7pm - 1am Room 3A, Students’ Union 5.30pm - 8pm Friday 20th February  e Vale Resort Small Chemistry Lecture  eatre, Maths Society Main Building Student Volunteering Sunday 22nd February MathSoc go Bowling! Cardiff SVC Ball 7.30pm – 10.15pm Women’s Association 7pm - 1am Optometry Society Hollywood Bowl, Cardiff Bay History of Abortion Rights Talk  e Angel Hotel, Cardiff . OPSOC House Cup Have an 6pm - 8pm 10am - 6pm event Student Scout and Guide Society Room 4G, Students’ Union Expression Talybont Sports Centre you want SSAGS does Robot Wars Trip to see ‘What the Body Does Not covered? 7.30pm - 10pm Graduate Centre Remember’ RAG Email: Chinese New Year Party 7.30pm – 9.30pm Garden Makeover at Local Homeless societies@ Tuesday 17th February 7pm - 11pm Wales Millennium Centre Shelter gairrhydd. Graduate Centre Noon - 2pm com Dermatology Society Comedy Society Meet in SVC, Second Floor Students’ Welcome Evening Act One SKIP Comedy Night Union

Heath RAG is back for 2015, loads of Krispy Kreme Sale with the Dermatology Waxing Session with Cardiff Marrow healthcare students will be working Society 18th February 1.15pm – 1.30pm with our clubs and societies to raise 16th February noon - 2pm Cochrane Library money for some amazing charities. IV Lounge Our charities for this year are 24 Hour Cyclathon Anthony Nolan, SKIP, St Jermones, Put your Elected Offi cers in a bath of 19th February 8am - 20th February and the rest of the money will go to beans 8am the offi cial Cardiff RAG. 16th February noon - 2pm Concourse and Cochrane Library IV Lounge What’s On for Heath RAG Week: Heath Park Games Healthcare Music Society and SKIP Pub 21st February 9am - 5pm Wear red for RAG day Quiz Talybont Sports Hall 16th February 9am - 5pm 16th February 7.30pm – 9.30pm Across the Whole Heath Park Heath Sports and Social Club #HeathRAG Campus

sure that their own tongue, blood or Ask them to rest and apply a cold vomit does not choke them. As soon compress to the injury (use ice in a as possible, call 999, or get someone glove, frozen peas in a tea towel or Student First Aid else to do it. anything like that. Be creative!) Assist ould you know how to your house party. Luckily, they’re still You’re pre-drinking one evening the person to rest on their side with The Red save a life? Learning just breathing. What do you do? Put them with your friends, dancing around their head tilted back. If they become Cross Group these two skills could in the recovery position! Move them your fl at. One of your friends slips on drowsy or the situation deteriorates, makeW all the diff erence. onto their side and tilt their head a patch of spilt drink and falls over, call 999 or get someone else to do it. Your best friend is unconscious, back. Putting them in this position hitting their head, hard, on the fl oor. NEVER give them a paracetamol or fl at on their back, in the middle of helps them keep breathing by making What do you do? other pain relief. SOCIETIES 27 Ornithological Society A new opportunity to spread your wings

n 2014 the Cardiff University any financial support to new socie- Lorna Ornithological Society (CUOS) ties in their first year and the cost Pictured: Baggett was hatched. The society had of minibus fuel was higher than we Crested partridge/ Ialready been running for a number anticipated. However, the Society is troll bird of years unofficially, with the sup- still in its infancy and there is plenty Photographer: port of founder and expert birder of room to grow! Our aims for next Laura Sargent Dr Rob Thomas, but became official term are to elect a new committee in September 2014. The activities in and to recruit some more members. our society are focused around the Our society welcomes anyone, no study and appreciation of birds, with matter your experience- from those events that aim to educate and en- who are just starting out, to fully- rich our understanding of birds and fledged twitchers. their fascinating behaviours. CUOS We are also planning some trips is an opportunity to meet with peo- and events for the upcoming weeks ple who have similar interests and to and months, including a talk from get involved in the conservation and a representative of the British Trust support of a group of species that for Ornithology (BTO) on Thursday many people love. 19th February and a Society trip on Unfortunately our Society missed the 15th March (destination to be the chance to be represented at the confirmed). Further events to watch Freshers Fair in September, however out for are a bird ringing demonstra- we had a very successful stall at the tion by a qualified bird ringer and a Refreshers Fair, which was a brilliant talk from the well-known Welsh tel- opportunity to advertise our society evision wildlife presenter Iolo Wil- and attract new members. If we were liams. If you would like any more to start the society again we would information on any of our activities, also ask for a small membership fee please visit our page on the Students’ from the beginning, as unfortunately Union website or visit our Facebook the Students Union does not give page.

4G, Forth Floor of the Union Dermatology Society Careers 7pm 17th February Give It a Go Creative Writing Michael Griffi ths Building LT 6.45pm 17th February Meet at front of Students’ Union Give it a Go Basketball 2pm 21st February Give It a Go Anime Screening Heath Sports Hall 7pm 20th February Large Shandon Lecture  eatre, Main Give It a Go Medics Hockey Building 4pm 22nd February Talybont AstroTurf Music, Dance & Performance Learn a Language Give it a Go Slash Hip Hop 7pm 16th February Give It a Go Conversation Classes: Catalan CF10, Students’ Union 1.30pm 18th February  e Lodge. Y Plas Give it a Go Dance-Sport - Salsa 6pm ought, Culture & Faith - Latin & Ballroom 7.30pm - Technique Class 9pm Give it a Go Model UN 17th February 6pm 17th February Great Hall, Students’ Union Students Union Room 4H

Get some Skills Socialist Meet & Greet Con- 7pm 17th February Listening & Awareness Students Union Room TBC 2pm 17th February Give it a Go Jiu Jitsu Room 2, CSEV, Students’ Union Give it a Go Debating All events must be signed up for in 6pm 16th February 7pm 19th February advance. To sign up and for more Talybont Dojo Time Management Cafe in Bute Building information, go to cardiff students.com/ 2pm 19th February giveitago. Give it a Go Volleyball Room 4i, Students’ Union Welfare & Volunteering 6.30pm 17th February Try a Sport Talybont Sports Centre Leadership Give it a Go Feed the Homeless 2.30pm, 19th February 3pm 18th February Give it a Go Skiing Be Creative! Room 2, CSEV, Students’ Union Beneath the Queen Street railway bridge on 5.15pm 16th February Newport Road. Meet at back of Students’ Union Give It a Go Sci-Fi Assertiveness 6.45pm 16th February 10am, 20th February Garden Makeover at Local Homeless Shelter Give it a Go Snow Boarding Meet at front of Students’ Union Room 4i, Students’ Union 12pm 22nd February 5.15pm 16th February Meet in SVC, Second Floor Students’ Meet at back of Students’ Union Give It a Go Anime Workshop Heath Park Union 6pm 17th February 28 SOCIETIES

e Gair Rhydd Guide to the 2015 Real Ale

he Cardiff University Real Ale thing for everyone, whether you’re commemorative festival pint glass and and Cider Festival & Cider Society is hosting their into something fruity such as a Kop- a programme. Bring your pint glass annual Real Ale & Cider Festival parberg cider, or a stout such as Guin- back on the second day to get dis- Ton  ursday 19th and Friday 20th Feb- ness.  e bar staff know their stuff and counted entry! Alternatively, there is ruary in the Great Hall.  ey promise can recommend what you might like if a special bundle which includes entry to provide the biggest selection of ales you’re a complete novice, alternatively and 6 tokens for a tenner. Additional and ciders in Cardiff , possibly in all of if you consider yourself something of tokens will cost £1.60 each, with 1 to- Wales for these two days. a connoisseur then you’ll be in your ken getting you half a pint of any ale or Although you won’t fi nd your usu- element. cider, and 2 tokens getting you a glass al Taf tipple here, there will be some- Entry is just £3 which includes a of mead or wine. Bargain! REAL ALES Brewery Name Style ABV Brewery Name Style ABV

Pipes Smoked Lager Smoked Lager 5.4% Saltaire Triple Chocoholic Triple Chocolate Stout 4.8%

Pipes Altbeer German Beer 5.0% Skinners Heligan Honey Bitter w/ Honey 4.0%

Celt Amarillo Pale Ale 4.1% Titanic Mild Mild 3.5%

Celt Oak King Weissbier 6.3% Titanic Iceberg Wheat Beer 4.1%

Celt Home of the Fruitcakes Fruit Saison 6.0% Redwillow Sleepless Amber Ale 5.4%

Otley 06 Porter Porter 6.6% Waen Pampelmousse APA 4.2%

Otley 09 Blonde Pale Ale 4.8% Waen Chili Plum Porter Pale Ale 4.8% Treacle & Blackberry Otley Saison Obscura Saison 5.5% Waen Alright Treacle 5.5% Stout Otley O-Rosie Bitter 4.3% Waen Mystery beer! ? ? Bristol Beer Factory Sunrise Golden Ale 4.4%

Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout Milk Stout 4.5% ese aren’t the only breweries in attendence. e following will be arriving with surprise brews that’ll Conwy Rampart Brown Ale 4.5% PLUS: be announced on Wednesday. Conwy Welsh Pride Bitter 4.3% • Brecon • Kite • Crafty Devil • Mad Dog Dark Star American Pale Ale APA 4.7% • Great Heck • Untappd Dark Star Winter Meltdown Pale Ale 5.0% • Heart of Wales • Tiny Rebel • Pixie Spring • Tudor Exmoor Ales Exmoor Beast Strong Porter 6.6% Exmoor Ales Exmoor Ale Best Bitter 3.8% CIDERS Gloucester Festive Spice Winter Ale 4.9% Here’s a list of wholesalers and the ciders they’ll bringing to the Gloucester Mariner Pale Ale 4.4% festival. All ciders are ABV 4-7.5%. Mauldons Black Adder Stout 5.3% Hallam

Oakham Inferno Pale Ale 4.0% Allen dry Allen medium

Oakham Citra Best Bitter 4.2% Cider by Rosie sweet Honey Pot medium

Orkney Dragonhead Stout 4.0% Hecks sweet Hecks dry

Orkney Red MacGregor Ruby Ale 4.0% Hecks medium Hecks perry

Purple Moose Dark Side of the Moose Dark Ale 4.6% Dorset Nectar dry Dorset Nectar medium

Purple Moose Snowdonia Ale Pale Ale 3.6% Dorset Nectar sweet Border Orchards medium

RCH Hewish IPA IPA 3.6% Celtic Marches (Lily the Pink) medium Celtic Marches (Thundering Molly) medium

Saltaire Cascade Pale Ale APA 4.8% Dan Y Graig (Whisky Cask) other Dan Y Graig (Llantillo) dry

Saltaire Hazelnut Coffee Porter Light Porter 4.6% Apple Country sweet Butford Organics sweet SOCIETIES 29

Entertainment Recommendations

We spoke to a few of the festival organisers, Alex Evans & Gareth Dumper, to THURSDAY FRIDAY get their recommendations on which ales and ciders to have a try of over the two days of the festival. Prepare to acquaint yourself with a few of the more 8-8.45pm 8-8.45pm characterful beverages on off er: Damn em Skeletons Atticus Atlas 9-9.45pm 9-9.45pm ALES Starling Radicals Animal Brothers (via Alex Evans) 10-10.45pm 10-10.45pm Nowhere Boy Life in Cold Climates Otley O9 Blonde - 4.8% A delicious pale ale. Very fruity and lightly spiced with subtle fl avours of cumin, coriander, and orange peel. Not dissimilar to Hoegaarden (and it actually used to be called O-Garden), but far, far superior.

Hallam (Cont’d) Waen Chilli Plum Porter - 6.1% An unusual dark beer, rich and smooth, which really is made with chilli and plums! A Butford Organics perry Cotswolds (Sweet Cheeks) sweet strange combination, but one that actually works amazingly well. Cotswolds (No Brainer) medium Double Vision sweet Oakham Inferno - 4% Double Vision perry Troggi sweet Another light, fruity pale ale. A regular at our festival for years, this beer is always popular, and always sells out fast. Very easy to drink. Troggi perry Severnsider perry Saltaire Hazelnut Coff ee Porter - 4.6% Severnsider sweet Rosies Triple D sweet A smooth, dark red porter, infused with ground coff ee and hazelnut syrup. First appeared at our 2013 festival, and been a fi rm favourite ever since.

PIPES Smoked Lager - 5.4% Gwatkins A traditional Bavarian-style Rauchbier, made with malt smoked over an open fl ame. Has a delicious smoky fl avour, unique to this style of beer. Stoke Red sweet Yarlington Mill medium

Golden Valley medium Pyder perry Purple Moose Dark Side of the Moose - 4.6% A delicious dark ale, with a rich, smooth fl avour. Served at our festival for as long as Farmhouse Cyder perry anyone can remember, this is one of our favourite beers.

Exmoor Beast - 6.6% Blaengawny One of the strongest beers at the festival, this beer really lives up to its name! A powerful dark beer, this one is certain to sell out fast - get there on the ursday if you want to try National Treasure sweet Blindfold medium it! Heartbreaker dry Celt Home of the Fruitcakes - 6.0% A bit of a mystery (none of us have tried it yet!), this beer is brewed by two of the most Gwynt y Ddraig exciting names in brewing, Celt and Brewdog. Made with frankly ridiculous quantities of strawberries and raspberries, this beer is extremely light and fruity - deceptively so, Black Dragon medium Celtic Warrior sweet considering its strength. Likely to sell out fast, so recommended to come on ursday if you want to try it. Dog Dancer medium Autumn Magic sweet

Scrumpy Cider medium Haymaker medium Waen Pampelmoose - 4.2% A particularly fi ne APA (American Pale Ale), really easy to drink, and popular with Ancient Warrior dry Welsh Warrior medium everybody - regardless of their taste in beer.

Two Trees Perry perry Pyder perry

Fiery Fox medium Farmer’s Pride medium CIDERS (via Gareth Dumper) Happy Daze medium Happy Daze (10 Litre) medium If you’re after something sweet try Gwynt y Ddraig’ s Autumn Magic (4.0%), a farm- house cider mixed with blackberrys for an exceptionally fruity taste, think of Koppaberg, but with a more robust fl avour.

If you prefer the drier ciders then have a look at the Blaengawny Heartbreaker (6.0%) a more traditional cider with a smooth fi nish, and little bit of bite.

For those looking for a middle ground why not try gwatkins award winning Yarlington mill (7.5%) farmhouse medium cider. But be warned this is a fairly strong cider so be careful not to overdo it.

Finally, if you enjoy a good perry (a cider made using pears instead of apples, and usually very sweet), try some of the Trogi Perry (6.5%), a tart and aromatic perry, that doesn’t overpower with sweetness. 30 SOCIETIES

Pictured: Moctezuma Act One Nosebleed Poster present original Expressionist play lanover Hall will be hosting a larities between quotidian life and Rachel different kind of production cult like behaviour as a vicious re- Phillips to the usual children’s shows action to bureaucracy and modern Land pottery classes. Moctezuma day scapegoatism. His inspirations Nosebleed, presented by Cardiff include Beckett, Berkhoff, Artaud University’s Act One Society, is set and Jairry. The lay includes dance, to open there next week. It is the choreographed by Xpression dance premiere of a new work by Bruno member Lucy Spain, and is set in a Leon Chavez, who has already had minimalistic space. two plays performed by the society This play has been in rehearsals – however, this is his first long term since October, with the cast of nine project. just about confident on their (very) In this Expressionist play, inject- wordy parts. Moctezuma Nosebleed For more ed with Absurdist humour, a girl will run from the 18th-21st of Feb- information finds comfort in a room with a bare ruary at Llanover Hall in Canton. visit http:// lightbulb and three young business Tickets cost £6 for students and the www.cardif- women flee comfort in the act of doors will open at 7pm. The perfor- fstudents.com/ ritual violence. Bruno says his in- mance will include strobe lighting activities/soci- tentions were to highlight the simi- and scenes of violence. ety/actone/

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VISIT HTTP://TINYURL.COM/TYCELF FOR MORE INFORMATION DEADLINE : 25TH≈ FEBRUARY February March April KERRANG! Tour 2015 Stiff Little Fingers Lower Than Atlantis 13/02/15, £16.50 ADV 08/03/15, £18.50 ADV 09/04/15, £12 ADV

Enter Shikari The Stranglers Limehouse Lizzy vs 17/02/15 - SOLD OUT 10/03/15, £23 ADV Livewire AC/DC 17/04/15, £20 ADV Chelsea Grin Sleaford Mods 17/02/15, £10 ADV 10/03/15, £10 ADV May Halestorm The Jesus And Mary Hoobastank 13/03/15, £15 ADV Chain 15/05/15, £22 ADV 27/02/15, £25 ADV Four Year Strong 24/03/15, £14 ADV Treatment presents... Ten Walls Live 27/02/15, £18.50

@CARDIFFUNION CARDIFFBOXOFFICE CARDIFFBOXOFFICE.COM | All tickets subject to booking fee >hero>anyone can be a Wednesday 22nd April Cardiff University v Swansea University

#teamcardiff in association with welshvarsity.com SPORT 33

BUCS results: Wednesday 11th February

H/A Sport Team Opposition Result W/L/D Presented by: H Tennis Cardiff University women’s 2nd Aberystwyth University women’s 1st 4-8 L

H Lacrosse Cardiff University women’s 2nd Cardiff Met University women’s 1st 3-26 L

H Football Cardiff University men’s 5th Aberystwyth University men’s 2nd 0-1 L

H Rugby Union Cardiff University women’s 1st University of Bristol women’s 1st 7-34 L

H Rugby Union Cardiff University men’s 3rd Hartpury College men’s 3rd 5-28 L

H Football Cardiff University women’s 2nd University of Southampton women’s 2nd 8-0 W

H Rugby Union Cardiff University men’s 5th Aberystwyth University men’s 2nd 26-11 W

H Rugby Union Cardiff University men’s 6th Bath Spa University men’s 1st 65-10 W

H Squash Cardiff University men’s 1st Cardiff University men’s 2nd 5-0 W/L

H Netball Cardiff University women’s 5th Swansea University women’s 3rd 44-18 W

H Basketball Cardiff University men’s 2nd Cardiff University men’s 1st 40-47 W/L

H Netball Cardiff University women’s 4th (Medics) Cardiff Met University women’s 3rd 43-37 W

H Hockey Cardiff University women’s 4th Swansea University women’s 2nd 12-0 W

H Hockey Cardiff University women’s 1st Oxford University men’s 1st 4-1 W

H Hockey Cardiff University women’s 3rd (Medics) Cardiff University women’s 2nd 2-0 W/L University of South Wales, Pontypridd & H Lacrosse Cardiff University men’s 2nd 9-8 W Cardiff men’s 1st A Lacrosse Cardiff University women’s 1st University of Bath women’s 2nd 16-1 W

A Rugby Union Cardiff University men’s 1st University of Exeter men’s 1st 20-45 L

A Football Cardiff University men’s 7th University of Exeter men’s 5th 3-2 W

A Tennis Cardiff University men’s 2nd Cardiff Met University men’s 3rd 8-4 W

A Football Cardiff University men’s 4th Cardiff Met University men’s 4th 1-2 L

A Basketball Cardiff University men’s 1st Cardiff University men’s 2nd 47-40 W/L

A Hockey Cardiff University women’s 2nd Cardiff University women’s 3rd (Medics) 0-2 W/L

A Squash Cardiff University men’s 2nd Cardiff University men’s 1st 0-5 W/L

A Tennis Cardiff University men’s 1st University of the West of England men’s 1st 8-4 W

Pictured: The members of Trampoline Club CUTC jumping for joy ardiff University Trampoline day for Emma Wallce in the roulette Eloise Brian Club once again scored highly synchro. at their latest competition in Bucknell combined with CCambridge, competing against two teammates Cerys Erwood, Jess other universities including Cardiff Handley and Laura Westacott to Met and the University of South take the silver medal in the team Wales. competition, arguably the blue An excellent weekend of travelling ribband event of the competition. and competing was capped off with  is result was a representation of four medals for the team at the Cardiff ’s fantastic strength-in-depth, prestigious Cambridge Open. which was clearly among the best at members.  e competition day weekend, followed by their very In the women’s SUTL 5, Cardiff the competition. was action-packed with excellently own competition, the Dragon Cup, took two medals, with Michelle  e Cardiff team was 15-strong in executed routines, along with some the following week.  e trampoline Bicknell claiming the silver and total, with strong performances all crashes and plenty of team support club will be aiming to continue this backing that performance up Charley round. Making the 400-mile round and laughter. year’s success at two of their most Bull achieved a bronze.  ere was trip to Cambridge also highlighted Next up for Cardiff is the BUCS important competitions over the another individual medal later in the the dedication of all of the team Championships this coming course of February and March. 34 SPORT Head injuries back on the agenda he fallout from Wales’ opening Joe Atkinson Pictured: Six Nations defeat to bitter North during rivals England rumbles on, in the game in Tparticular the controversy surrounding question the failure of the Welsh to bring off George North, who was knocked out 60 minutes into the 16-21 defeat at the Millennium Stadium. North, a key fi gure in Warren Gatland’s squad for the series, appeared to be rendered momentarily unconscious after a clash of heads with teammate Richard Hibbard while the pair tackled England’s Mike Brown close to the Welsh try-line. However the WRFU’s medical staff failed to recognise that North had been knocked out, with television pictures quite clearly showing the Wales wing’s body go limp in the moments following the collision with Hibbard.  e implications of any head injuries have been well documented recently, following controversy in football over Tottenham Hotspur’s decision not to substitute goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after a similar injury, and North was have been accused of carelessness in reporting such incidents to the match Hamilton in the Science section of “...television immediately pulled out of this gone terms of failure to protect their players. offi cials to allow players who suff er Gair Rhydd issue 1040 explains the weekend’s game with Scotland. It must be pointed out though that such injuries to be taken off as soon as implications in detail. pictures  e seriousness of head injuries North was KO’d for a matter of seconds they are injured. As well as the medical team Warren quite clearly in sport is perfectly exemplifi ed by before returning to his feet apparently A concussion can lead to the brain Gatland himself has come under fi re the tragic case of Australian cricketer unaff ected. taking in less blood and oxygen vital to in some bizarre theories claiming [showed] the Phillip Hughes, who died in November  is incident highlights how quickly its continuing function, while multiple that he left North on the fi eld in the Wales wing’s after being struck on the head by a a player can be knocked unconscious concussions can be potentially fatal full knowledge that his player could body go limp... cricket ball which bypassed his helmet’s and get straight back up without any – North earlier in the match suff ered potentially be suff ering concussion. defences. exterior evidence to suggest injury. an accidental boot to the head, but  is of course is unlikely and an Wales’ medical staff has come under  ere have been suggestions that the was fortunately not knocked out in unhelpful accusation in what is a ” scrutiny in light of these events, and video referee should be responsible for this instance. An article by Shanna contentious and delicate subject. Pictured: Cardiff’s women Women’s rugby fall to compete for a Bristol at home line-out Cardiff...... 7 Once the second half started Bristol...... 34 and a few positions were shuffled up, things went slightly downhill ast Wednesday, Cardiff’s for Cardiff. Bristol were consistent Kelli-Jo women’s rugby team took on in exploiting their weaknesses and Davies the tough challenge of facing causing gaps in the defence. This LBristol women’s formidable side. then allowed Bristol to score three After the last encounter with Bristol, more tries, two of which were which ended in a 17-17 tie, Cardiff converted. were pumped for a home tie. Throughout the rest of the second Cardiff started off well, holding half, Bristol kept putting Cardiff their defence and attacking when in under pressure, causing unforced possession of the ball. They were put errors and turnovers at the rucks. CARDIFF: M under pressure by Bristol, especially During the second half, Rosie O’Sullivan, H when passing the ball out to the Harris, Laura Ann Waddilove and Brench-Jones, wings. Emily Houghton were put on for H Hearle, E Bristol played very well from the Beth Stafford, Nicola Earl and Kasia Davis, N Earl, K outset, with their attack as strong Davies. davies, A Stean, as their defence. The two sides were For about 10 minutes, Cardiff had N Harrison, matching one another at the rucks a great spell of play, which lead to A White, C and scrums, with Cardiff winning Houghton scoring Cardiff’s only try, Butler, H Cox, the lineouts generally. with Elinor Davis converting. But L Cooper, It took about 25 minutes of unfortunately Cardiff let that great A Fleming, deadlock for anyone to get on the play fall, letting Bristol score another J Benton, B scoreboard. It was Bristol’s number try. Bristol’s number 13 proved to be Stafford (C), 13 who managed to break through the star of the day, scoring most of K Davies, A the defence and outrun the Cardiff their tries by breaking through the Berry, R Harris, girls to score the first of Bristol’s Cardiff defence. C Francis, tries, which was then converted. Despite losing the game, Cardiff L Sutton, E Just before the end of the first half, played well and learnt where their Houghton, L Abigail Berry came on for Cardiff in weaknesses lie. They now have a Waddilove, M place of Anna White, who had taken well-deserved break until they play Compton a knock to the head. Plymouth in March. SPORT 35

Sport’s Pitch: Friday night games Following scenes of violence in Cardiff city centre after the opening game of this year’s Six Nations, we look at the case for and against Friday night matches

e have all heard the phrase Something about Friday nights therefore, the violence associated enjoyable atmosphere.” Jamie Smith ‘football is a gentlemen’s just makes a game’s atmosphere with alcohol, making it almost certain Unlike Corbett, Cantillon does not Wales’ game played by hooligans, extra special. Perhaps the bright and that the levels of fan intoxication are believe the Friday night matches are remaining Wrugby is a hooligan’s game played by beaming fl oodlights are the ‘secret much higher for Friday night games. tenable. He asks “is it worth putting gentlemen’. According to that script, ingredient’. Perhaps it is the cold Wales is currently the only one innocent supporters in danger due to Six Nations rugby is angelic and football satanic. temperatures. Add to that the fact of the Six Nations that can host a small percentage of idiots who can’t fixtures:  e former is the master, the latter that most people have fi nished work games on Friday nights. England, behave on a Friday night?” the apprentice when it comes to and are excited by the prospect of an Ireland, Scotland, Italy and France Nevertheless, while the timing of moral discipline. enthralling weekend of rugby, and have all cited administrative and the match tends to be diff erent on a February But that script might need revising you have the recipe for a thrilling safety reasons that make Friday night Saturday and Sunday, police patrols 28th, 17:00 as Wales’ opening Six Nations Friday night of action. matches unrealistic and inconvenient. are still going to be needed, queues encounter against England was Encouragingly, South Wales Indeed, the WRU might now want to are still highly probable, and public Stade de somewhat tainted by the violent Police have revealed that there follow suit and argue safety reasons transport is still likely to be aff ected France behaviour of some supporters in was no increase in the number of as justifi cation for no Friday night regardless of what day the match Cardiff city centre throughout the incidents reported than at any other matches. takes place on. Additionally, alcohol France v afternoon and into the evening. international fi xture in the past.  e temptation to do so is clear can still be purchased in and around Wales With the match not beginning Natty Corbett, a History student at when you consider the police patrols the stadium both before and after until 8.05pm and pubs open as early Cardiff and an avid rugby supporter, they had to employ, the queues that kick off . as midday, there was more than believes that the Friday night matches built up on the M4 between Magor Ultimately, nobody wants a repeat March 14th, enough time for excessive alcohol should continue: “I’d say the vast and High Cross in Newport, and the of the chaos.  e health and safety 14:30 consumption – and many fans majority of supporters from both disruption that was caused to public of fans should always be prioritised, seized this opportunity. Reports sides are just having a good time. transport. especially when there are considerable Millennium of fans brawling in toilets, bottles It’s a very small minority that bring It subsequently seems more logical numbers of children attending the Stadium being thrown inside the stadium, bad press on the others. If properly to schedule games for the weekend matches. Whether this constitutes a Wales v “Something and intoxicated supporters behaving managed, the games and the rivalry and to exclude Friday nights – a complete eradication of Friday night moronically in general were aplenty are great”. view held by Gair Rhydd Cardiff matches is questionable. Ireland about Friday the next day. On the other hand, it is worth Blues columnist Michael Cantillon. A more conservative approach, nights just  e substantial amount of litter remembering that there were Cantillon was in the city centre, close in which increased safety measures makes a that remained on the city centre’s presumably a number of incidents to the Millennium Stadium during and police patrols are implemented, March 21st, game’s streets, and the bloodied faces of some that did not get reported to the and after the Six Nations opener. might be more reasonable. After all, 12:30 fans, served as poignant reminders of police, meaning that the level of Although he did not observe a ban on all Friday night games would Stadio atmosphere the pejorative scenes. While rugby’s violence retains a level of obscurity. any disorder, Cantillon was ready be extremely unfair on those well- extra special reputation is still just about intact, the Furthermore, the usually earlier to criticise the reported incidents, behaved supporters who just want to Olimpico damage was suffi cient to raise doubts kick off on Saturdays and Sundays commenting that “the behaviour is a enjoy the match and the phenomenal Italy v Wales over the scheduling of matches on certainly reduces the time available disgrace and unacceptable, especially atmosphere that the excitement of ” Friday nights. for supporters to spend in pubs and, within rugby, a sport renowned for its Friday night matches can provide. 36 SPORT

Gair Rhydd Sport Survey 2015 Sport Editor Rory Benson reveals the results of our recent survey, which asked AU members about the time and money they spent on university sport

surveyed taking part in university years who won’t play in their sport’s players do not think that sport gets in sharing a tipple in Koko Gorilaz. sport in order to compete. is is Varsity match. the way of their studies. Overall, AU members and IMG Pictured: actually the least important reason e survey also asked AU members is is an interesting statistic when players alike disagree that sport gets Cardiff fans for students to get involved with whether they believed initiations coupled with the amount of people in the way of their studies, even celebrate at last Continued university sport, with 92% joining are a good idea. e AU does not who miss lectures/seminars for sport though individuals from both sets year’s Varisty from back sports teams to keep fi t. endorse initiaions whatsoever, but as, although 38% of members admit of players have admitted to missing Photograph: page e reason most people joined a 80% of students who are part of the to missing lectures, only 21% believe seminars/lectures in order to turn out Taliesin sports team was in order to socialise. AU believe they are a good idea. that their studies are aff ected. for their teams. Coombes 98% of AU members joined their Even more members of the Athletic e hours spent on sport per week sports team to socialise, but these Union agree that YOLO should be varies from sport to sport as one fi gures may hold more truth for dumped and reverted back to the might expect. Rugby players spend second and third years, rather than Lash. 97% of AU members voiced up to 16 hours a week training and freshers. disapproval at the rebreanding, playing, whereas ice-hockey can only For example, as a fresh-faced yet the renaming of the night was take up 2 hours per week. teenager I came to Cardiff University undertaken to try to attract more e amount of time club members “Down with a passion for football and cricket sports clubs. is again is an example spend at socials also depends on the and a desire to better myself on both of the AU not making decisions based sport. Most footballers attend socials with YOLO. fi elds. I joined both clubs in order to on the students, but rather what the weekly; almost all the cricketers who Bring back fi ght for a position and push myself few who hold power within it believe took the survey attend socials every to the highest level I could possibly the students want. three weeks; with athletics club the Lash.” I found myself compete at. However, after a football e important question to tackle members attending sporadically with “ trial dominated by politics and now is whether the Athletic Union is some going every week and others rejoining the hierarchy, my competitive edge had doing enough to help Cardiffi ans fi nd monthly. club because been blunted. the balance between sport and the In fact, only 4.1% of AU members 96.9% I made friends with most of the rest of their student lives. never attend their club socials and of the mates I cricket club members and despite e survey asked Cardiff only 8.1% of players rarely attend had made, not representing the fi rst team on a few University’s sportsmen and socials. It is unsurprising therefore, occassions, I found myself rejoining sportswomen whether they belileved that 98% AU members play university Average time dedicated to because of my the club because of the mates I had that sport got in the way of their sport to socialise. desire to play made, not because of my desire to studies. Even some IMG teams hold their sport per week cricket play cricket. Despite 38% of AU members own socials, with SocSci regularly is is typical of at least my friends, missing lectures and/or seminars visiting Varsity after matches and ” but arguably most second and third to play their sport, the majority of CUCCFC players occassionally Rowing - 17.5 hours Agree Medics rugby - 15.5 hours American Football - 13.5 hours Disagree 62.5% 86.5% 80.0% Athletics - 12.5 hours Lacrosse - 11.5 hours

Do you miss lectures/seminars Do you miss lectures/seminars “Initiations are a good idea.” Kayaking - 7 hours to participate in club events? to participate in IMG games? SPORT 37

The final question the survey posed teams, nor do they provide refereees membership compared to an AU to AU members was whether they or umpires. This is down to the clubs club such as the Cardiff Cobras, believed that they paid too much to we play for and, in turn, we have to whose rookies have to pay £85 for participate in sport at university. pay them to organise club services. the season. This is obviously much Interestingly, only 36% of AU Of course clubs can be granted cheaper, however the organisation members believe they spend too funding by the university, with of IMG (football at least) leaves “I pay too much on university sport. This is gold tier clubs receiving 125% of much to be desired. Often pitches much to very surprising, considering the their income and silver tier clubs are called off prior to games being do sport at average student spends £39.66 to receiving 100%. Bronze tier clubs played, leading to confusion and 67.8% university” join their club, as well as the £15 AU however only receive only 75% of postponing of the matches to the fee and any additional equipment. their total income. next Sunday. Overall, the average student would Therefore big clubs which the In addition to this, most IMG spend £218.39 in total on equipment AU perceives as more important teams buy their own kits, with one and membership to the AU and are more or less guaranteed to team spending £100 per person on sport club.Despite the extortionate be financially fine, whereas the a full strip. Although £100 is one of prices, 64% of players don’t think smaller, ‘less important’ clubs the most expensive kit, the average Despite the they pay too much at university. The receive less money. This means price of equipment for an IMG “ question now however is why? more money has to come from the team is £45 per player. extortionate Obviously players are passionate pocket of the player of the obscure So, in order to play university prices, 64% of about their chosen sport and are sport, rather than the legions of sport, the average player will pay “Sport at willing to spend their pocket money rugby players graduating from £218.39, but if you want to save University gets players don’t on a new cricket bat or a new kayak, Cardiff University. money and play an IMG sport, the in the way of think they pay but these pieces of equipment are From the stance of a Bronze average player will only have to 79.2% my studies” not bought through the university. tier club member, this adds to the fork out around £55. Maybe now too much at The AU fee goes straight to the belief that sport is too expensive at these figures are published, more university university, but what does it buy for University. sportsmen and sportswomen will the players? The university doesn’t The average IMG player agree that they pay too much to ” organise fixtures or transport for the however, only spends £9.23 on club participate in sport at university. Pictured: Cheerleaders prior to the Varsity rugby match Photograph: Taliesin Coombes

A deeper look at socials e fi ndings of the survey with weekly basis, with the fi gure dropping fi t’ (91.5%) and ‘to compete’ (77.8%) . regard to the popularity of socials are to 23.6% and 24.3% for fortnightly e popularity of socials among striking but perhaps not surprising, and monthly respectively. In contrast, the survey respondents perhaps with team meetings ranked as by a minority of 4.1% claim to never goes some way to explaining the far the most popular reason for attened socials and a further 8.1% overwhelmingly positive response being involved in sport at university, attend rarely. to the statement ‘Down with YOLO. and with most respondents often is backs up the fact that more Bring back the Lash.” is year’s dedicating time not only to training, respondents asserted that they did rebranding of the Union’s Wednesday but also to socialising. sport at university for the social night has evidently not proved e data revelas that 39.8% of aspect (97.8% agreed with this), at all popular with social-crazed respondents attend team socials on a compared to the reasons of ‘to keep sportspeople.

This year’s “ % of respondents rebranding of the Union’s Wednesday night has 97.8% 91.5% 77.8% evidently not 39.8% said “Every Week” 23.6% said “Fortnightly” 24.3% said “Monthly” 8.1% said “Rarely” 4.1% said “Never” proved at all popular “I take part in university sport to “I take part in sport at university “I take part in university sport to “How often do you attend club socials?” ” socialise.” to keep fit.” compete.” 38 SPORT

Exclusive interview: Chris Coleman The Wales national football Pictured: Left: Chris manager talks team Coleman. Below: Wales spirit, Gareth Bale, stars Hal Robson-Kanu, Aaron Ramsey Euro 2016 and beyond and Gareth Bale EXCLUSIVE hris Coleman stands on the games for them, even though they verge of leading the Welsh are at home, as we intend to give Dan Heard National Football Team to the everything. They have two wins out CEuropean Championships in France of their last three games, so they next year. Appointed in January ought to be a very tough side to 2012, the former Fulham player and beat. We have only lost one of our manager has led Wales to their best last nine games, and are unbeaten start to a qualifying campaign in so far in our group, but whereas we over 20 years. With an upcoming drew against Bosnia and Belgium, fixture against Group B leaders Israel have taken maximum points. Israel next month, I caught up with It will be a tough encounter, but one him at a Q&A session organised by in which we’ll look to continue our “Belgium will Gôl Football Centre in Cardiff: good form. be the fancied And after that is the all important team of Wales have some huge games home game against Belgium, who course. They coming up in their European you fought so well against to claim Championship qualifiers, starting a point back in November. They could well be with Israel on March 28th. How have outstanding players in their in France on will you look to maintain the side, how tough will it be to match, they have great players and leaders there has been no news on him excellent momentum shown in the or even better your performance all over the pitch; from Courtois in or James Chester at Hull. Chester merit if you first three games? in Brussels? goal, to players like Kompany and came in for the last few games and look at their Israel are a very good side- they Belgium will be the fancied team of Vertonghen in defence. But having was outstanding, he really was, and team play Belgium three days later in course. They could well be in France said that, we have our own leader in Collins will hopefully be fit enough Jerusalem after we play them in on merit if you look at their team and Ashley Williams, a player who has to be part of the squad. Haifa. Those are two very tough how well they have done. As you say, really grown into the role of captain. I played with some great defenders in And Sam Vokes of course is back ” my time, and Ashley is up there with to full fitness with Burnley. Will the best of them. It will be tough, of he be part of your plans? course, but then again, so was the It would be great to get the big game in Brussels. We came through man back, as he played such a big that with a point and a clean sheet, role in getting Burnley back into but we’re not going to get ahead of the Premier League. I know he will ourselves. be dying to get back out there, he works so hard in training and will be In the past, you haven’t had the desperate to pull on the shirt again. best of luck with injuries and To be playing week in, week out at withdrawals from squads. How the top level is important, plus we good was it then to have a near have another option up front after It would be fully-fit squad to choose from over we lost Simon Church to an injury in “great to get the past few games, and are there the last game. He links up well with any players you are concerned Gareth Bale, and is a big target man [Sam Vokes] about, fitness-wise? to have up front. back [...] He It was great to have such a strong team available for our first three Speaking of Gareth Bale, do you links up well qualifying games; it’s always good personally think the criticism with Gareth to have your best players available. he has been subject to recently, Bale, and is a It has been tricky in the past to particularly after Real Madrid’s get everyone fit and together, but 4-0 defeat to Atletico, will affect big target man hopefully we can get a good team his confidence or performance? to have up together for the next few games. No, absolutely not. The criticism James Collins has had his injury won’t affect Baley; he isn’t that type front problems at West Ham lately, but of lad - he won’t let things get to him. Michael Wales’ 16-21 Six Nations defeat to back to the Blues for their Pro12 native has featured in 20 appearances has praised his apparent “hard-work”. ” Cantillon England at the Millennium Stadium fi xture against Munster in Cork. so far this campaign, more than any  e Blues also exited the was a painful result for Warren Interestingly Gareth Anscombe, other Blues player. LV=Cup in the last week, with a Gatland’s squad, which included despite being absent from the 23- Director of Rugby Mark Hammett comprehensive, record breaking, 9-43 three Blues players. Of the three, man squad for the Scotland game has commented, “Macauley is a real leader home defeat to the Leicester Tigers. none showed up to the required level not been released back to Cardiff and with heart. He’s an intelligent guy and Hammett’s team selection was thus with Gethin Jenkins part of a scrum so must be performing the 24th man has made a big impression again this called into question, but his response eviscerated all day by the English, function. season.” In addition, Alex Cuthbert was that the tournament had only Alex Cuthbert once again a non-entity Elsewhere, Blues forward Macauley who has been a peripheral fi gure ever been viewed as a “development on the wing, and Sam Warburton Cook has signed a two-year contract for a while now, putting in distinctly competition”. Finally, tickets for the uncharacteristically quiet both at the extension to remain at the club until average performances for both the Blues’ Challenge Cup quarter-fi nal breakdown and in possession. 2018 at least. Cook can play at lock or Blues and Wales, whilst also having with Newport have gone on sale, with Despite this, Gatland has kept faith back-row and at just 23 years old is turned down a new dual contract to the game confi rmed as a 12.45pm with the trio, though Cory Allen and viewed as an exciting prospect for the remain at the club recently, has been kick off on Saturday 4th April, live on Kristian Dacey have been released future. In fact, the 6’4” Church Village defended by Hammett this week, who BT Sport. SPORT 39

He is the most expensive player in the 3G - artificial. Yes, it wasn’t what world, and one of the best, playing we were used to and it did have Pos. Team Played Points Pictured: for the best team. He is a strong lad, an effect on both teams I felt, as it and a strong character. He’s proved caused us both some problems. We 1. Israel 3 9 Above: time and time again how good he is. went behind, but as I say, with the Wales players He is an important part of both Real’s confidence in the team, we dug in 2. Wales 4 8 celebrate team and ours, and you see how well and came back to win it. I personally their win over he links up with Ronaldo. The fans think the pitch at the Cardiff City 3. Cyprus 4 6 Cyprus. love him, but because Madrid have Stadium is one of the best we have 4. Belgium 3 5 a bad result, all players get criticised played on, it’s fantastic. We’ve got Below: after a bad result. They’re still top of an excellent record there, and after 5. Bosnia-Herzegovina 4 2 Coleman La Liga, and while it was a defeat, the previous game we really put in watches from they’ll bounce back from it, as will some brilliant performances against 6. Andorra 4 0 the sidelines Baley. He is too good a player not Bosnia and Cyprus on a fantastic too. pitch to take four points. time. I’m lucky to have such a good team behind me, with Osian, (current How important is he to the team Do you have any friendly matches Fulham manager) Kit Symons as my as a whole? Do the other players lined up? After the Israel game, assistant, my goalkeeping coach have to adapt and play around Wales do not play again until the Martyn Margetson, and an excellent him, and does this affect the team next qualifier in June. team of physios and my medical spirit? There is the possibility of a staff. I couldn’t ask for better people The team doesn’t play around friendly being arranged between around me. Gareth, just like he doesn’t play us and Northern Ireland, it’s in the his own way and not be part of the pipeline, but again it will all depend Finally, what would it mean to you team. There is just the team. Yes, he on the fitness and availability of the to lead Wales to their first major The criticism is an integral part of the team, but players - both our players and theirs. tournament since the World Cup “won’t affect so is Ashley Williams, so is Aaron It will be good to see who we can in 1958? Ramsey. You can’t build a team, get together in the squad, as match I don’t really think of myself as the Baley; he isn’t let alone an international team, fitness is key, it’s vital with the next first to do everything. We’ve come that kind of around one player. The spirit in the game a while away. Nothing has been very close in the past; I mean look camp is the best it has ever been, confirmed as of yet with the FAW, at the team under Mark Hughes lad - he won’t the best I have ever seen it. Baley but like I say, it’s a possibility. ten years ago. Great players, a great let things get is a big part of that, as the younger run of games and wins, but they to him. He players look up to him and he is a How important is it to have didn’t get there. That hurt to see, With this model professional. We play with a someone like Osian Roberts, a to witness, because there were such “ is the most confidence that perhaps wasn’t there Welsh speaker, not only as part of a good crop of players, like Ryan group we have expensive a year ago, we play to win, and fight your backroom staff, but working Giggs and John Hartson, and that now though, all game, as our fans have seen in the with the younger players? was their best chance to play at a player in the qualifiers. Osian is a great guy to have around. tournament. With this group we they have both world, and one He is very important to the team, have now though, they have both youth and of the best, Going back to the first game of the as, like you say, the younger players youth and experience on their side at experience on group, away to Andorra, the pitch really benefit from his coaching and the same time. I never got the chance playing in the was the subject of controversy. his experience. He was here before I to play at a tournament as a player, their side at best team Did this affect the way you played? arrived, and was very important in but it’s something I want to achieve the same time Against Andorra, there was a lot helping me settle in and understand as a manager, now that we have this of fuss around the pitch, which was the dynamics of our squad at the great opportunity. ” It has been a problematic fi rst few Mix these in with upcoming Sheffi eld Wednesday, the team was employed by Slade, the team were Jack Boyce” months in charge for Russell Slade home fi xtures against clubs such as applauded for their hard-working lucky to gain a point that they really at Cardiff City, and fans will be Blackburn and Wolves, who are both display and an impressive debut from didn’t deserve. hoping that February is the month in the near vicinity of Cardiff ’ in the new signing Eoin Doyle, who looks After this fortunate draw against where he is fi nally able to turn the Championship table, City fans can a promising strike partner for top Brighton, Slade asserted in the post- fortunes of the Bluebirds around. have room for optimism in terms of scorer Kenwyne Jones. match press conference that the After a string of defeats against highly the club’s chances of starting a good Youngster and fellow new arrival minimum expectation given before fancied promotion-chasing outfi ts in run of form that could carry them Conor McAlaney also showed fl ashes the start of the season of achieving Norwich City, Middlesbrough and back into the top half of the table. of potential in the Wednesday draw, at least a playoff position is now Derby County in January, this month However, in spite of this upcoming but the Bluebirds returned to their “unlikely”, and it would be diffi cult sees Cardiff face off against clubs run of fi xtures that look considerably home ground with a woeful display to disagree with him. In lieu of this, near the other end of the table, with less intense than the fi xtures City against Brighton and Hove Albion. Slade now needs to win back the away fi xtures at struggling Wigan faced in January, Cardiff have been With only one shot on target the respect of the fans by leading the club and Huddersfi eld both looking like underwhelming in their fi rst two whole game and fans continuing to to a respectable position in the league winnable games. fi xtures of February. After a trip to voice anger about the style of play table. tweet us @gairrhyddsport email us [email protected] SPORT or visit us online at gairrhydd.com/sport

Gair Rhydd Sport Survey 2015 Our investigation looks into the student sport experience at Cardiff University, featuring questions about time and money, as well as a potential return to the Lash EXCLUSIVE survey undertaken by Gair joined their specific team. to. Although most of the surveyed different sports clubs completed Rhydd Sport has investigated After a week, 176 people students were part of one sports the survey and, despite not having Photograph: Rory Benson how much time and money completed the survey, with 143 club, there were some exceptions. a representative from every sport Taliesin Joe Atkinson ACardiff students spend on the sports (or 81%) being part of the Athletic Out of 141 members of the AU, in the AU (which is comprised of 64 Coombes they play. Union. This is a very large majority there were 173 club memberships, clubs), the 141 people spread over David Hooson The questionnaire asked Cardiff of the student body, showing just with 24 students taking part in two 39 sports can be used as a fairly University students how much time how important university sport is to or more sport societies. This again accurate representation of Cardiff they dedicate to both training and Cardiff scholars. shows how much sport means University’s athletic body. playing their sport each week, as In addition to this, everyone to a large proportion of Cardiff The survey has also revealed why well as how much they have spent who took the survey was asked University students. Cardiff students get involved in Continued on on membership and kit since they which sports clubs they belonged All together, members of 39 university sports, with 78% of those pages 36-37

Sport’s Pitch: Friday night games Exclusive interview: Chris Coleman Reaction to George North KO P35>> P38-39>> P34>>