!!WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SILLY AMOUNTS OF GIVEAWAYS!! SereYOUR English Language University Newspapern December 2005 UNIVERSITY OF WALES BANGOR SEREN:SAVE DEREK LOTS OF USEFUL STUFF FEATURED : PETITION AND THINGS ByHALLS JAMES AINSWORTH OF SHAME The halls situation has been noticeably worsening over the last three years and the signs are that further cut backs and significant increases in halls fees are to continue next year. While it is generally agreed that residents of the newer style halls, especially on the Ffridd Site, are relatively happy with their living conditions, there is a definite gulf of opinion when it comes to the satisfaction of the residents in the old style halls of the Ffridd Site, Rathbone and Normal Site. In recent weeks there have been major problems with a lack of running hot water for a period of five days and the yearly problem of leaking windows to name but a few. Without intentionally assuming a Ffriddoedd site-centric view, it is the Ffridd site that is CWB’s ‘flagship’ accommodation site. It is here that prospective students are bussed en masse for a brief glimpse into the living quarters of students. Parents and potential students alike are shown around the new style Ffridd site accommodation and led to believe that the room they are looking in is representative of ALL the university accommodation. Current students who open up their rooms for the visitors to look around are even told not to mention the “other older and unsightly accommodation” by the Marketing Department. Imagine the surprise when you arrive during Freshers Week and you step into the murky underworld of say, Emrys Evans for example, that you never knew existed from your previous visit. Rooms with just the one plug socket to cater for all your electrical needs, damp and fixtures and fittings that have been around for decades. Even some of the newer halls have problems that are neglected by maintenance staff even when several forms have been completed. On moving into Cefn-Y-Coed last year, a student was forewarned by the cleaner that their room has a terrible problem with condensation and that having the bed up against the wall may result in a build up of black residue. Advice was given to keep the bathroom fan on throughout the day to help clear the room. A representative of Greenberg Glass, >>>CONTINUES INSIDE: PAGE4>>> SPORT MUSIC FILMS OPINION INSIDEINSIDE :: BLAST FROM THE PAST HEALTH INTERVIEWS 2 December 2005 EDITOR’S BRIEF This issue was compiled by: SoDear here we are again-itsReader Christmas and with that, another issue of Seren. Its been a while since the Freshers Issue that went Editor - James Ainsworth down so well and now we come to this shiny and somewhat [email protected] packed Christmas Issue. Inside you will find recommendations for Christmas Gifts AND, if you thumb your way through to the centre Production and Graphics Editor - pages, YOU CAN WIN EVERYTHING YOU SEE to kick start your James Ainsworth Christmas holidays. As a special Christmas treat and by popular demand (one person) i have included a Christmas Special Thing Distribution, Advertising, Finance - of Aceness. The Christmas Sudoku was lovingly created by John Chris Snookes Jackson. Culture Editor - Chris Snookes Not only that, but this issue comes packed with approximately 83% more Student Relevance than the last issue. Features include Music Editors - Christopher Alcock the Seren Campaign to Save Derek and his ‘part of the furniture’ Burger van as well as coverage of several other & James Ainsworth local news pieces that are of relevance and importance to you the student in this University community. If you think we are still missing out on something that is of relevance to YOU the reader then you can still get involved with Films Editor - Michael Mooney SEREN. Simply e-mail me and let me know what area in which you would like to get involved. News Editor - Keely Austin For those of you going away from Bangor for the Christmas period enjoy the good sweet tap water of home-this is possibly the first time there have been more parasites elsewhere in Bangor otherCHRISTMAS than the Meat Market SUDOKU of Academi Welfare Editor- Helen Tonge on a Saturday night. Its been an interesting few months since the last issue and scanning the Chief Proof Readers-Lecsi Hindley Intranet debates board has highlighted some of the core issues that you C I TA M CRHS I TASM & John Jackson the student hold so close to your heart. The mysterious and wonderful Iosef M I SSMRHA I CT (Get in touch: YOUR Newspaper needs YOU!) and his musings on life may A C H T A I CMSRSH with contributions from... well have to become a permanant fixture of Seren and there are several SH RCSASMTH I Dixxy, Huw Pritchards, Andrew Val- worthy and jovial petitions doing the rounds. The student voice is screaming entine, Lots of biscuits, Michael O’ to be heard! I T C MR A I T SCHMRS Rourke, Adam Isbell, R, Frankie, - HR MHS TR I SA C Gen-, The MOT Computer Centre. Thanks to everyone who signed up at Serendipity and those who have followed up their interest and contributed to this issue of Seren. Its been a S SI SMRHT SC I A long and stressful Semester for many people so take time to relax and enjoy A S HT A I SCSMR *ALL WRITERS CREDITED IN the festive period. I hope you all have a peaceful and Happy Christmas. ARTICLES* I CMA S I SCMA RHTS The Editor Question Answers STUDENTS UNION DEINIOL ROAD by John JacksonBANGOR GWYNEDD LL57 2TH Tel: (01248) 388017 “The world is so often “With a cheer of no small cruelly robbed from delight, the children enter “Surprise league leaders, GENUINE musical and sit cross legged at Mike’s Bites FC are talent at the cost of the feet of Patrick, who in proving to be a fan’s mediocrity and samey turn closes his book and favourite as they remain commercial fodder that places it on the table. He unbeaten, even in the gains big bucks backing, takes a medicinal sip from face of University team just because it can be his brandy before leaning opposition.” packaged as a lifestyle forward and regaling the to the highly marketable Page 19 fruit of his loins with his impressionable sheep of tale.” the World.” Page 6 Page 13 NEWS December 2005 3 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM? By CHRIS BRYAN On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day University Press Officer, Elinor By MICHAEL MOONEY The rays of sunshine suddenly burst through “respect of the eleventh month in 1918 the German Elis-Williams commented, “The the clouds as men and women from all services people Armistice came into effect, signalling the University marks Remembrance Day and walks of life laid their wreaths out of who end of the Great War. The war to end all and Remembrance Sunday annually. respect for those who have served and died have given wars had left nearly eight million people Unfortunately high winds made it in battles around the world. Bangor UOTC up their lives a n d dead, wounded or missing. At this time, unsafe to place a flag at half mast on stood to attention watching with quiet respect suffered for the society we have today”. on this date, every year, a two-minute the University flagpole on Friday this as the Remembrance service took place All the officer cadets understood that it silence is held to remember not just those year- but it was raised (to half mast ) outside Caernarfon Cenotaph. Then when the was not just about a single war, but all wars who died during this war, but all those on Saturday and remained there for service ended and the sun returned behind the including the current situation in Iraq. who have died in conflict. This year saw Remembrance Sunday. The Ddraig clouds the officer cadets moved to the right the 60th anniversary of the end of the Goch (Red Dragon) was flown at half and marched around the Castle, giving an When asked if enough was done to remember, Second World War. This year it is more mast on the Memorial Arch on Sunday. eyes right to the mayor, then finally and most Elizabeth Horsley said “People’s lives are important then ever to remember, as soon too busy to bother remembering; instead The University marks the two minutes importantly gave an eyes right to the Cenotaph. WW1 will cease to exist in living memory. they spend their time studying celebrities, silence in any official meetings or Only ten British servicemen who fought The green blur of the UOTC was just one where they should be celebrating those with committees that are taking place. It in WW1 are still alive. Their average age group out of many who had turned up to true heart”. The question of whether we do remains at the discretion of individual is 109. This year, the University forgot. pay their respects to those whom they owe enough to remember is often discussed, but lecturers and office staff to mark the so much. Heath Craster described how the “even if all three hundred and sixty five days Armistice day was not mentioned on the silence in any individual lecture or office. “laying of the wreaths reinforced the idea of of the year were dedicated to those who died it intranet, there was no whisper of a two- why [they] were there”. The setting down of still would not be enough to honour someone minute silence.