Freshers’ Issue 2007 OUT FOR SPORT CRIES INVESTMENT 8,000 1 1 Limited Limited STUDENTS n FLOODLIT n ASTRO TURF n sports n Gym TO: GRASS PITCH PITCH halls facilties urrent students in Bangor will al- seasons, with relegations and underachieve- Better facilities ty over the floodlit grass pitch. However, this success, but are again limited, with new ready be aware of how stretched ment being prominent throughout the pitch can only be used for match games and teams unable to break through due to short- The campaign for better sports facilities the University’s facilities are when leagues. It is easy to blame this on the lack training sessions therefore have to be held ages of space. around the University has been a central is- Cit comes to sports. Many University clubs of talent within the University, and lay the on the Astroturf – ironic really considering The Ffriddoedd Site expansion has lead sue over the last few years. The results of this are being constrained by the poor facilities responsibility at the hands of the club. But most match games are played in daylight. to a perfectly placed rugby field being sac- year’s Bangor Student Satisfaction Survey we are provided with, and the BUSA league the results of a recent survey has indicated rificed for new halls of residence, and any- show that student satisfaction with sports tables often tell a disappointing story regard- that the lack of facilities in the University is Spectators body wishing to play tennis in Bangor will facilities is down 14.2% compared with last ing Bangor University’s successes. Many having a detrimental effect on our teams and This also creates a big problem for those struggle due to the temporary loss of the year. It is the largest decrease of any area in traditional sports within the Athletic Un- their performances. that might want to watch these games. The tennis courts. The watersports clubs also fare the survey, and it is quite obvious why. There ion have suffered a streak of disappointing lengthy trip out of town often becomes too rather miserably, and while the construction are currently only two floodlit pitches, and much of a hassle for all but the most com- of new, modern residential accommodation teams such as rugby mitted spectators, which almost categorical- is taking place elsewhere on campus, they and football often have ly guarantees empty sidelines as our teams have to struggle on with a decrepit storage to travel out of town to play. In total, supporting just one of our field shed, with just one working lightbulb and a find suitable facilities. teams would mean a round trip of nearly 40 few pieces of rope that span the room. This is The rugby team in par- miles each season, and taking part in a team hardly the kind of facilities we would expect ticular have to travel to would mean travelling double the distance. from a university that is attracting increas- every training session The Astroturf pitch on the Ffriddoedd ing numbers of students based on its “ideal and every game. Poten- Site is floodlit, and (although in need of location for canoeing and kayaking” in “ad- tial team players that some maintenance) is a good facility to use. venture capital of the UK” to quote its own would make all the dif- But this means that it is jam packed at train- website. ference to some teams ing times throughout the week. The three are being held back by football teams, two hockey teams, lacrosse Some Progress the overly demand- team and many more who practise there The University has begun to make some ing commitment they (including the public groups entitled to use progress however. have to make. Football the facility) mean that usage of the pitch is teams fare slightly bet- extremely limited. New leagues (such as the Turn to page 3 ter, as they have priori- 7-a-side league) are proving to be a huge NEW SUPPLEMENT WIN!! GO! TEAM WIN!! TICKETS SOUNDCLASH Inside RETURNS This PUB GUIDE Issue 2 Seren - Freshers’ Issue 2007 indeed from the dou- features. The Freshers’ Issue in particular has CONTRIBUTORS ble-sided single page a lot of information for first timers at the that the students in University. For those interested in becoming the 1980s came to part of a club or society, we have a compre- Editor: Jack Peat expect. Further to hensive guide to taster sessions and trials. this, the real devel- In terms of drinking (which is the funda- opments within the mental cornerstone of any good Freshers Emma Dodd newspaper only seem Week) we have a pub guide to the good Emma Dixon to have gained pace places to drink in Bangor, and for those in the last few years. who want something a bit more fancy, Spencer George The paper is now rec- we have a restaurant guide as well. If Sophie D Lorme ognized as an essen- you turn to sections such as music, tial medium for the film and sports, there are also in- Dr Rashesh Mehta communication of troductions to what is available Rachel Eales University and local in Bangor. news to the students. Ian Davies More than this, it is Student Recruitment John Jackson the primary resource of experience for As well as reporting the Lee John Howson all students hoping news however, we do serve Alice Weston to follow a career as a key medium for all students in journalism, the wishing to write and be involved in Tom Hulme media, or even just the central media production. We Alex Farley wanting to include encourage all students with a slight some extra curricular interest in getting their name in Pete Banks activities on their CV. the paper to join our team and Laim Watson In light of this, there become part of an exciting could not be a better publication. Doing this could Kev Arloft time to write for the not be easier. We will have a Caroline Alverez paper. stall at Serendipity, Bangor’s freshers’ fair and we also Will Varley hold weekly meetings on Rebecca Hussey Introducing Seren a Wednesday at 5:15 in the Students’ Union. Amy Briscoe To all the new We have sub-editors Nathan Lee students at the Uni- that are contactable ear Reader. versity, let me take on the email ad- Proof reader: Carolan the time to introduce myself and our work dresses below, and you can Goggin Could I start by saying hello and at Seren. My name is Jack Peat, I am the contact them or myself at any Dwelcome to the new academic year from current editor of Seren for the forthcoming time if you have any queries myself and all of the members of the news- year. The newspaper publication is distrib- about the newspaper and Production Consultant: Dan paper. This year is slightly special in terms uted six times in the academic year: once in how to get involved in it. Freshers’ Week, then Hallowe’en, Christmas, But for now, all that Turner; Emma Dodd of the history of Seren, as it is our 25th year as the official English-language Newspaper Valentine’s Day, after Easter and at the end of I have to say is enjoy of the Students’ Union. Looking through the year. You can pick up a copy of each issue the paper and have a the archives at the original newspaper it re- in various places, including all Libraries and wonderful Freshers’ ally projects a sense of achievement. I write most Halls of Residence. Inside the newspa- Week. today in a 20-page spread, full colour news- per you can find topics such as all the latest paper, with a new supplement and a great news, sport, fashion, health, music and film, team of sub-editors. This is a stark difference as well as a new supplement with puzzles and NEWS & GENERAL If you have any other enquiries, questions or newspaper sub- missions, such as news and all other categories, please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below. Editor: Jack Peat get involved! [email protected] www.seren. Log onto bangor.ac.uk or join TRAVEL WEB Any stories from recent gap years, holidays or just weekends away For those interested in the more technical/ web based side Seren Facebookwill always be suitable for our pages. Travel is an exciting team of being in media, the website is certainly the place for you. the Group where you can swap stories, reminisce over your own times and With a newly developed website, being part of this team of- most importantly, write about your experiences in the paper. fers a unique opportunity to develop Seren’s web profile. Travel: Rachel Eales Web: Phil Rhymes [email protected] [email protected] FILM Any stories from recent films you have been to see, DVD’s you have watched or old classics you have recovered will be used in FEATURES the film section. The chance to meet with other film enthusiasts The Features section offers the chance to write about what you want is also possible as part of the film team to write. If you are unhappy about the way something is run locally or Film: Ian Davies nationally, features is where you can voice your opinion. [email protected] Features: Siobhan Holt [email protected] SPORT MUSIC If you are interested in Sport, this gives you the opportunity to report on both Any stories from recent bands you have seen or recent records the University teams and the local scene.