gair rhydd - Issue 988

gair rhydd Monday October 29th 2012 | freeword - Est. 1972 | Issue 988

86

PEOPLE VOTED

‘YES’

and Quench

0.33%

OF TS STUDEN

VOTED

53

PEOPLE VOTED

‘NO’

Cardiff students vote ‘yes’ in referendum on whether the Union should fund students to go on NUS Demonstration

p6 >>

Union club nights in trouble as attendance falls p4-5 >>

Student loan spending: the practical reality p14

Science looks at the threat ‘tiger tourism’ p20 could pose

Sport review the Korfball Freshers’ p25 tournament

2 / Editor’s Note

gr

A note from the editor...

T

EDITOR Chris Williams CO-ORDINATOR Elaine Morgan CREATIVE DIRECTOR Luke Slade SUB-EDITOR Tom Parry-Jones NEWS Kendal Archer Tom Eden Bethan Jones Anna Hickman OPINION Alice Briggs Nick Evans Alex Greig COLUMNIST Katie Bennett POLITICS Thom Hollick Position vacant SCIENCE Alexey Underwood Rhiannon Davies SOCIETIES Vanessa Platt LISTINGS Lowri Martinson

Got an opinon?

Join the debate online

TAF-OD Tomos Lewis

www.cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/gairrhydd

SPORT Rhys Clayton Viktor Tsvetanov James Shapland

Student Media meetings

Contributors Chris McSweeney Jade Attwood Beth Gregory Francesca Blackham Clinton Koola Eliza Nicholas Michael O'Connell Davidson Catherine Ross Chloe Pierce Rachel Boarston Bethan Lyons Sarah Rowlands Rachel Victoria lewis Dan Hill Cerith Rhys Jones David Patterson David Mason Max Eshraghi Peter Marshall Suryatapa Mukherjee Alayla Castle-Herbert Angharad Hywel Dewi Preece Claire Blakeway Jamie Crane Greg Landon Steph Bird Emma Fox Sophie Jenkins Allie Brock Ross Martinovic Jon Morse Chris Watson Proof Readers Chloe Pierce, Catherine Ross, Marina Kaur-Channing, Shaina Mehra, Elise Smith, Catherine Todd, Anne Porter, Alice Tobin, Alex Evans, Emilia Jgnaciuk

Date of next meetings: Monday, October 29th, CF10, 5pm (1st floor of the SU) Monday, November 5th: Aneurin Bevan room, 5pm (4th floor of the SU) Monday, November 12th: Aneurin Bevan room, 5pm (4th floor of the SU)

he NUS demo 2012 is an interesting one. It's not the first time that Cardiff has decided to march in favour of something the NUS has decided on.

Just two years ago, I took to the streets with the rest of the coachfuls of students in opposition to the increase in fees, in spite of knowing that it wouldn't affect me. I was opposed to the whole idea of increased fees and what I saw as the 'selling-off' of our education.

It's with a slight sadness, however, that we're having to report this week on what could be seen as apathy towards the next NUS demo. Yet, at the same time, the article does make a good point – there is little clarity on what we will be marching for except for three 'buzzwords' that could describe anything.

It's a peculiar decision by the NUS and, on reading the original motion, a surprising one.

The motion looks militant – fighting for Willett's resignation and blockading the Department for Business, Innovation and Skill – yet the reality appears skewed from this, leaving me still questioning the purpose of the march.

But don't let this deter you from marching. While unfortunate and frustrating, it is something that students have voted for.

Of course, you can query how many people actually voted for it. Perhaps even query the money that we'll spend on doing it, yet, I feel this would be missing the point.

Everyone had the right to vote and everyone had the opportunity to agree or disagree with the statement provided on the ballot.

Just over 100 people decided to do just that, and while it could be said that this is not representative of the wider student population, the wider student population had the opportunity to vote.

It is perhaps because of their inaction that we will march in November.

But what must remain clear is this: as elected officers, we are all 100% behind the demonstration.

I'm also hopeful that Cardiff will be able to march for a reason that's Cardiff specific, not just for fuzzy buzzwords – something that's relevant and important to us.

Monday, November 19th: CF1o, 5pm (1st floor of the SU) Monday, November 26th: Aneurin Bevan room, 5pm (4th floor of the SU) Monday, December 3rd: Aneurin Bevan room 5pm (4th floor of the SU)

CORRECTION: In last week's issue (issue 987), we wrongly stated that Edmund Schluessel is a lecturer. He is, in fact, a PGCE student.

3

Monday October 29th 2012 | @mediacsu

World news Scottish brewery Brewmeister is claiming to have made the world’s strongest beer, named 'Armageddon'. One pint of the beer, made from crystal malt, wheat and flaked oats, contains 37 units of alcohol – twice the weekly recommended weekly intake for a man.

Aspiring rapper Ervin McKinness died last week in a car crash, shortly after tweeting “Drunk af going 120 drifting corners #f**kit YOLO”. The acronym YOLO comes from the Drake song “The Motto” and stands for “you only live once”.

The world’s biggest bra was put up for auction in support of a breast cancer charity last week. The bra, measuring an incredible 1,360B and covering an area the size of two tennis courts, was put up for auction on eBay, with a starting price of £500.

£2.5 million

Zookeepers in Milton Keynes gave visitors a fright last week by dressing the ring-tailed lemurs in Halloween masks. The lemurs were also fed pumpkin to encourage the spooky spirit.

The week in numbers

The cost of singer Adele’s new house in Brighton

The average Sean Connery Bond film made

$756 million

Psy's Gangnam Style video has amassed a total of

531,984,265 views

Words by Chloe Peirce, Cat Ross and Anne Porter

Want to help make the paper?

Politics Editor wanted!

If you've got an interest in politics and want to be one of two editors editing the section, send an email to editor@gairrhydd.com to register your interest.

4 / News from << continued front page

Union nights face Climax Promotions in Solus Kendal Archer News Editor On 13th November, Solus will be hosting a one-off night that will be organised by a company external to the Union.

The night will be provided by the Events Promotions Company, Climax, who will be hosting its famous club night, ‘Battle of the Unis’.

Union Development and Internal Affairs Officer, Kieran Ghandi explained, ‘We were approached

by Climax to hire our venue for this one off event and believe that there is no conflict of interest with our own commercial operations. Climax are a local based company and we prefer to work with local companies when the opportunity arises.’

Throughout the course of the night, Cardiff University, Glamorgan and Cardiff Metropolitan (formally UWIC) students will be pitted against each other in various friendly games. These will include gladiator style duels, sumo wrestling, mud wrestling and dance offs.

Yet there may be concerns about the fact that the Union ordinarily prides itself on its friendly welcoming atmosphere, and its provision of club nights the majority of those attending being Cardiff University Students.

The event in Solus could be seen as

potentially problematic as the night in question, ‘Battle of the Unis’, openly encourages interuniversity rivalry.

However, Ghandi said, “I’ve been to the ‘Battle of the Unis’ event in previous years and always had fun taking part on the night with Cardiff Met and Glamorgan.

There’s always been a real sense o f fun and participation, and the nights have always been

fantastic!”

Currently, there are only plans for the one externally provided event in Solus. However, with the unfortunate failure of nights such as ‘Ctrl-alt-del’ and ‘Revive’, the success of the night could determine whether or not the Union will host similar nights in the future.

Ghandi said, ‘We currently have no plans to change our existing strategy with regards to regular club nights, but are always open to consider other options in the future.’

Ctrl Alt Deleted Chris McSweeney News Writer The Student's Union has announced this week that Monday's alternative night, “Ctrl-AltDelete” is to be moved to The Lounge (the side room) due to failing attendance after just three weeks.

Even in spite of lowered drink prices, and a new policy of free entry before 11pm, the night failed to get the attendance necessary to sustain a profit.

Control of the night has been handed over to GrimSoc and AltSoc – two of Cardiff University’s

most prominent alternative music societies. So far, there seem to be no plans in place to replace “Ctrl-Alt-Delete” with a similar night in Solus.

Should the union choose to rebrand Monday nights at Solus, it will be the third time they have done so in a year - following the cancellation of “Fun Factory” after a twenty year tenure, and then its replacement, Club Night Exchange shortly afterwards.

A staff member at the Union said, “Basically we weren’t getting the numbers to justify keeping them open. The first nights open weren’t that successful, and

when a night starts losing money then rethinks are needed.”

T h e y added, “When a night stops being attended, there isn’t a definite reason for it. Maybe people prefer to go to town during the week, or maybe they didn’t want to go out after a heavy freshers. I don’t know anything at the moment about replacements, but it will be looked into why they didn’t succeed.”

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something different f r o m standard nights such as Comeplay and the Lash, and we’re really hoping in time we can build on this and be just as big as the other nights at the Union.”

While the future of Monday nights in Solus remains unclear, The Taf still hosts live acts most Mondays from 8pm.

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5

News 4-9

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddnews

major over haul Kissy doesn't Sell Out Jade Attwood News Writer

After endless advertising and promotion, Ministry of Sound’s Uni Trash takeover of Solus nightclub still failed to pull in students to what was promised to be one of the biggest nights of the year.

The Uni Trash tour, supported

by Ministry of Sound and sponsored by clothing brand Superdry, is in its second year after hosting over 150 successful events.

The company claims that its aim is to “Bring you the latest in credible clubbing,” and is “specifically for students.” Basing their nights in students’ unions and clubs around the country, Uni Trash now occupies several resident slots.

The first of the large-scale events, taking place in Liverpool club Bumper, sold out immediately and gave motivation for the company to further extend the franchise.

Earlier this year Ministry of

Sound collaborated with the “Icebreaker” tour, which featured some of the top names in the dance music scene, including Magnetic Man, Utah Saints and, Drumsound & Bassline Smith.

It was hosted by local Cardiff nightclub GLAM, to a welcoming crowd of students.

tised using Facebook, posters and promotional staff, but did not satisfy the tastes of Cardiff students with a poor turn out of only a handful of people.

The event at Solus was therefore hardly recognised by the

Uni trash did not satisfy the tastes of Cardiff students with a poor turnout of only a handful of people

company, and was not even mentioned on its Facebook feed. In contrast, all other Universities where the event had taken place posted photographs and videos from the nights, and were at least mentioned on the networking site Facebook.

Despite this, Ministry of Sound is set to return to Solus for two more Uni Trash nights in Solus on the November 12th and December 10th.

The latest “Big Band Tour”, however, is being hosted solely in Students’ Unions around the country. The tour includes nineteen dates in total and again boasts some of the biggest names in dance music, including Kissy Sell Out, Hadouken and Jakwob.

Uni Trash was adver-

Editor’s comment I think we can all agree that each of us have had an amazing night in Cardiff Students’ Union, whether fresher, second or third year.

Despite huge efforts from the Union, it seems that, as usual, Solus club nights on a Monday and Tuesday just aren't working.

Attendance this month has been below 100 people to Ctrl-Alt-Del and Revive, leaving Solus embarrassingly empty.

As a result, the Union have chosen to cancel these nights.

Instead, external promoters will now host club nights in the venue.

Although there may be potential for this to be profitable for the Union, as well as creating better club nights for Cardiff students, it does go against what the Union and its club nights are all about.

I sincerely hope that the Union's attempt to attract more students to alternative nights, except Wednesday’s Lash and Saturday’s Comeplay, are successful.

Bethan Jones

Impossible to “Revive” Chris McSweeney News Writer Alongside the announcement from the Union this week that Monday night’s “Ctrl-Alt-Delete” is to be moved from Solus to The Lounge, Tuesday night’s “Revive” has reportedly been cancelled and closed for good.

Similarly to “Ctrl-Alt-Del”, Revive had also experienced a poor turnout from students, and has had to be closed amid revenue losses.

After just three weeks the night has been axed by the Union Originally described by the Union as “a flashback to your early musical years”, the club night was originally set up to be a retro night, with a focus on 70s, 80s and 90s songs - in a bid to bridge the gap between Monday’s alternative night and Wednesday’s

more mainstream motif.

Quoted in the September 17th issue of gair rhydd, Union Development and Internal Affairs Officer Kieran Ghandi said “We’ve realised that new students’ retro is the early 90s so we hope that students will respond positively.

There’ll be really good drinks deals and offers – in honesty, it’s a bit of fun and a chance for people to have a bit of a dance to Michael Jackson or Tupac.”

Howeve r, after just three weeks the night has been axed by the Union, following a failure to generate a profit.

This comes even in spite of new deals on drinks, a renovated and rebranded

side room, and free entry before 11pm.

This cancellation, alongside the struggling “Ctrl Alt Del”, raises serious questions regarding the Union’s profitability on Monday and Tuesday nights. The

predecessor of “Revive”, “Boombox” met with a similar fate at the end of last year, as it too was given the chop by the Union.

Seemingly, constant rebranding is not enough to tempt students to the Union, and com-

peting with other club venues around town in the early half of the week is apparently an uphill struggle. Talks regarding the future of Solus continue.

6 / News

Cardiff votes yes for NUS #Demo12 lised society that education is a right”.

Cardiff Students’ Union will demonstrate in NUS Wales President Stephanie Lloyd said London after just 86 people voted in favour of on the result of the vote, “We’re thrilled Carthe Union facilitating sending people on the diff students have decided to get involved with demo - representing 0.33% of the University Demo 2012. The march on London is as imporpopulation. tant for students studying in Wales as it is for Unlike in 2010, however - where the aims to those across the border.” protest against the rise in student fees were The NUS website attempts to explain the very clear - the cause for this demonstration reason for the slogan ‘educate, employ, emremains somewhat unclear, something which power’. appears to have been reflected in the number In terms of education, the NUS claim that of votes cast, as just 139 students took to the the government has placed the opportuniballot box to register their opinion. ties that education provides under attack by On the 21st of November, students will “scrapping the EMA, slashing undergraduate march through the streets of London in order teaching funding, increasing tuition fees, introto make an impact for a cause the NUS have ducing draconian restrictions on international entitled: ‘educate, employ, empower’. students, cutting funding for post-graduate stuWhilst there was such a low turnout and no dents and hiking fees for adult learners looking quota that needed to be reached the tiny numto gain basic skills”. ber of yes votes was enough to enable CarFor employment, the NUS outlined how diff’s involvement in the protest. The Union youth unemployment has risen to one milis answerable to its students and therefore lion in the UK. The NUS claim that students bound by its democratic processes. should not have to ‘wait any longer’ for change, As a consequence, money which could which is why they should seek ‘empowerment’ benefit the Union in many other ways will be through this demonstration, instead of waiting spent on a coach from Cardiff to London, so for the next elections, and hold politicians restudents can protest on behalf of the Union sponsible. and its’ students, the majority of which, whilst With the subject matter being so vague, and they all had the opportunity, did not vote for it being difficult to define an aim of the prothis. test it could be seen as unnecessary or worse.

While it is evident that a lot of students It could even cause the NUS, the students and are dissatisfied with the government’s broken their universities to be portrayed in an unsapromises, and the fact that unemployment is voury light. at an all time high, the cause of this demonThe Cardiff Student Unions’ Welfare Officer stration seems to be extremely vague. One of said that, “I am delighted that Cardiff students the criticisms of the topic areas of ‘educate’ have voted to support the NUS National Demo. ‘employ’ and ‘empower’ is that they could I feel it is important the students continue to cover a very wide spectrum, and therefore fight the current governments disregard for such a protest has no direct focus or strong higher education, to show that current and fufoundation. ture politicians that prospects and opportuniOn the Facebook event page to vote for the ties for young people, needs to become a priorUnion’s involvement, one student agreed with ity. this sentiment, arguing, “This is just simply “The current government have a lot to ana mask for an anti-cuts march under the illuswer for. Many of them lied to our faces about sion that something will change. The slogan how they would vote on tuition fees, yet in the just points out three obvious things that stulast election, students showed the power that dents have always wanted. It doesn't refer to we have as a collective. anything that is happening to students, or po“I therefore feel that this national demo has tential students at the present time”. to be about restoring the value into education, There is, however, some strong support, so that the general public as well as politicians shown by another student counter-arguing on the voting event page; “I'm voting YES. A few 86 people see education as something to be treasured, as something that has the power to enrich and extremists...will do whatever they can to make voted yes, transform the lives of so many individuals and sure their own personal comfort is maintained for the duration of their stay at university; but representing communities.” the majority of students and lecturers want just 0.33% of Beth Gregory to ensure the education system is accessible the students of Cardiff to everyone because it is a principle of a civi-

7

News 4–9

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddnews

Brand new Ministry of Change Francesca Blackham News Writer

The Student Union’s brand new Ministry of Change began its new life this week with its first elections.

The by-elections, which took place between October 17th and October 19th, have successfully appointed two part-time officers, three forum chairs, seventeen change makers and a scrutiny

committee.

The two part-time officers 'roles were successfully filled by Apoorv Kumar Araya as Postgraduate Students’ Officer and Sophie Hayden as Students with Disabilities Officer. Both officers have been put in place to represent minority groups of students within the University.

Hundreds of students came to vote for the change makers in each of the three departments of

Community, Union and University.

Another element of the new Ministry is the Scrutiny Committee, which was filled despite a short delay by Ryan Hunter, Harriet Harper, James Lovell, Lizzie Roberts, Glenn Page, Ed Mason and Cindy Uong.

Formerly known as the Student Council, the new Ministry of change has been restructured to provide a more accessible and

democratic system that allows a wider demographic of students to get involved.

It is hoped that this new, streamlined system will create a more efficient way of dealing with the wide range of student issues that the Student Council used to tackle.

Election ballot balls-up Bethan Jones News Editor

Last weeks Ministry of Change elections saw a number of students running for positions within the Ministry’s Scrutiny Committee. However, towards the end of the voting period, it was discovered that a candidate was omitted from the ballot paper, and the elections were subsequently re-run.

Writing to gair rhydd, Steve Wilford, Membership Development and Democracy Manager for the Students’ Union said, “The omission was the result of an administrative error on the part of the elections team.”

In light of the oversights discovery, NUS Wales advised the Union to void all votes cast and start the election over. A later decision by the Deputy Returning Officer upheld this advice, and the second election closed on October 23.

The Scrutiny Committee’s role entails holding elected officers to account, as well as overseeing ongoing projects. They are part of the wider Ministry of Change,

the “dramatically transformed” Student Council, which is described as the “core of the Student Union's democratic structure.”

2012 is the first year it has operated under this name, and consists of forums of students with a variety of powers. This authority includes the ability to call referendums.

Cardiff University’s Students’ Union President, Harry Newman, has called the mistake “an honest one”, and said it was “rectified fast”.

He also added, “the nature of elections is such that at times like these, efficient and robust processes must be followed as people have a lot at stake. These processes were followed and we got a fair result; albeit late.”

Speaking about the effect on the Unions’ new Ministry, Newman said, “I don’t believe the rerunning of the elections will have any negative impact on the Ministry of Change whatsoever. The new structures for submitting ideas are really exciting and I am looking forward to seeing real change as a result of students’

original ideas.”

Another issue that affected voting for the position was a persistent technical fault with the online vote. Members of the student body complained on Twit-

ter that their account was not recognised by the Union website when they attempted to vote. No further faults with the vote have been found since closing.

Union Change Makers: James Rollinson, Matt Beckett, Jessica Hall, Sian Howson, Emma Carragher and Claire Travers

University Change Makers: Emma Carragher, Jessica Hall, Claire Travers, Tomas Evans, Seb Jones and Glenn Page

Community Change Makers: Claire Travers, Clare Good, Tomas Evans, Luyi Deng and Tara Bishop.

Sophie Hayden, the newly elected Students with Disabilities Officer, chats to Tom Eden Tom Eden

News Editor The role of Students With Disabilities Officer was vacated earlier this year after the previous Officer Paul Wilkinson stepped down. He had worked with Sophie, and noticing her passion for the work she did as a support worker over the past year, advised her to run in the election that followed. She did, and after a successful campaign was elected. As she sits before me in The Lounge in the Union, she is lively and keen to chat about her ideas and impress upon me how much she is looking forward to the role.

We begin with what her new

job will involve. Initially, Sophie tells me that she will be the first point of contact, for any questions, queries and in any case where a student who feels like discrimination has occurred, whether that be personally or as a result of a structural problem within the University. She talks animatedly and quickly moves on to what she hopes to achieve in her time in the post.

To label a person 'disabled' pigeonholes them

She regularly references a desire to create a better sense of community between students with disabilities. Citing the way

The winning change makers are as follows:

she believes the LGBT+ society has nurtured a noticeably good atmosphere, she feels that generating a good atmosphere will be beneficial to help students who may have found it hard to integrate. In addition to this, she identifies a lack of awareness about issues of disabilities, and she will work to raise universitywide awareness.

A points she raises passionately, and one she apparently discussed at length when campaigning, was that key to achieving equality was the removal of the term ‘disabled’ as a person’s defining feature, arguing that to label a person ‘disabled’ pigeonholes them.

She references her experience

of working as a support worker for over a year as both the inspiration for running, and why she feels she will excel in the role. As a support worker, she says she ‘has gained an insight into the difficulties some students face.’

Sophie has also made some good friends within the community, and sees this as an opportunity to help them further. As we say our goodbyes, she asks me if I could mention that she ‘was really excited’ about this opportunity.

Her prompt was not required, throughout the chat she spoke with a genuine enthusiasm, and I’m confident that it will show throughout her year as an elected officer, as she tried to make a positive change.

Sophie Hayden

Taking the label OFF disabled.

8 / News

IMG Football receives welcome changes Tom Eden News Editor

In the wake of serious concerns about the proposed format and organisation of the IMG Football league, IMG organisers, along with AU President Cari Davies, responded by setting up a meeting with team captains and vice captains.

The meeting was a welcome engagement, especially following the premature, and subsequently retracted, release of fixtures.

The proposed leagues would have been selected based upon last year’s results. Many teams expressed fears that this was an unfair method by which to group teams, due to the potential differences in players since the previous season.

The organisers consequently scrapped their initial plans, and

a meeting was scheduled, where a random draw would take place, as well as a restructuring of the league format, which would be used until Christmas.

The meeting itself proved to be a successful arena for the IMG organisers to address questions, worries and also to set out new rules. After several instances of teams having played friendlies on pitches that they were officially instructed not to use, causing friction between the Council and the IMG, organisers have introduced tough penalties on any teams failing to comply in the future.

Another new scheme was introduced to try and improve the refereeing standard. Prior to the winter break, each team will have one fixture-free Wednesday, when they will have to provide four people to referee the other

games. This simple, yet promising strategy aims to help stabilise this notoriously problematic area of the league in several ways.

Firstly, by only requiring four people per team to referee, at a time when they will not have a game, people who feel confident and keen to referee will presumably do the job, as opposed to begrudging subs. Secondly, by refereeing the whole game, it will reduce inconsistencies caused by different referees officiating each half. Furthermore, harsh penalties are to be handed out should designated referees fail to turn up.

The response to the meeting appeared to be largely positive; with praise for the way concerns appeared to be listened to and acted upon, as well as an apparently genuine desire from organisers to make the league work

well. Miss Davies, who played an important role in passing teams’ concerns and ideas on to IMG officials, said, “We know how important the IMG is to people, and therefore it is crucial that we [as organisers] take it seriously, and treat it as you would a professional league, to make it the best

it can be.” She acknowledged that the changes may take a few weeks to ‘bed in’, but the general mood of all the captains following the meeting was one of optimism, and an eagerness to put all the politics behind them, and play football.

First full-time gair rhydd Editor exposes Savile Clinton Koola News Writer

The sexual abuse allegations involving beloved TV presenter, British DJ and charity worker Jimmy Savile have been nothing less than controversial. Not long after his death, Newsnight, the BBC’s flagship and often hardhitting affairs show, started an investigation, though it was rapidly dropped.

Meirion Jones, who was the first paid Head of Student Media at Cardiff University, headed the investigation into the allegations.

However, the Newsnight special was cancelled by senior executives due to “editorial issues”.

Jones then approached Panorama, a rival BBC show, in order to investigate and shed some light into why the Newsnight special was cancelled.

Jimmy Savile rose to fame for his television show Jim’ll Fix It, which ran for 20 seasons, amassing more than 200 episodes in its 19 year run. The show was based around children writing into the show to ask for their wishes to be granted. It became a ratings hit and a family favourite broadcast.

The documentary features various women stating that Savile abused them when they were teenagers For his charitable work, Savile was knighted by the Queen.

This position is believed to have granted Savile the proximity to abuse hundreds of children.

After Savile’s death, Scotland Yard revealed that they had launched a formal investigation

pertaining to his involvement in allegations of child sex abuse.

The BBC has been criticised for turning a blind eye on the allegations surrounding Savile.

The UK’s most respected media organisation provided the premises where Savile would allegedly abuse children he met on his shows. The fact that the BBC scrapped the Newsnight special did not help the organisation.

On 3rd October 2012, the ITV

editor Peter Ribbon suddenly “went cold” on the story. Jones explained that he had warned the editor that if he shelved the story after all the preparations they had put into it, it would reflect badly on the BBC. He said that, “I was sure that

I was sure the story would come out one way or another and that, if it did, the BBC would be accused of a cover up documentary, “Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Savile”, kick started the whole Jimmy Savile furore. The documentary features various women stating that Savile abused them when they were teenagers.

Former colleagues said that Savile did not hide his interest in young girls from them, while another said that he had walked in on Savile kissing a teenage girl.

One woman stated that Savile had sexually abused her in 1970, when she was just 14. She had wanted to pursue legal action but was discouraged after being told that it would lead to a “media circus”.

Following the documentary, many people came forward and made fresh allegations stating that Savile had abused them on BBC premises.

On Panorama, Meirion Jones, who was Head of Student Media in 1980, stated that Newsnight

Mandarin mess-up for CPLAN Eliza Nicholas

the story would come out one way or another and that, if it did, the BBC would be accused of a cover up. In fact I wrote an email to Peter saying the “the story is strong enough” and the danger of not running it is “substantial damage to the BBC’s reputation”.

George Entwistle, Director General of the BBC, told a committee of MP’s on Tuesday that in retrospect he was surprised that the Newsnight investigation into Savile was dropped by Peter Ribbon and that “further investigation would have been appropriate”.

Like Meirion Jones said, one way or the other the story will come out, we just have to wait.

News Writer It has recently come to the attention of gair rhydd that some lectures and seminars in nonlanguage based courses may be taught in languages other than English.

A postgraduate student in the School of Planning and Geography claims to have attended a seminar taught entirely in Mandarin, presumably because this was the first language of the majority of the students attending.

An Economics student also reports that she was questioned as to whether the lesson should be in Mandarin or English.

Professor Kul Luintel, Acting Head of the Economics Department, states, “To my knowledge, no formal Economics teaching on any degree programme offered by Cardiff Business School has been offered in any language other than English or Welsh”.

This suggests that such occurrences are not University procedure, yet a Cardiff University spokesperson says: “During informal sessions, run in small groups, a few staff in some schools may communicate with individuals or small groups in the students’ first language if they feel it helps with their understanding of the subject during the early stages at University”.

However, an English Literature student at the University suggests: “British students should be able to apply to University without concern that they will be taught in a language they do not understand”.

Regardless of this debate, Professor Luintel clearly states that teaching is carried out in English or Welsh, adding “the School will take immediate action if it is presented with any evidence to the contrary, as this would be a clear breach of School policy”.

News 4-9

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddnews

9

Libraries show improvements after NSS Anna Hickman News Editor

In response to the National Student Survey (NSS) on Cardiff University’s library service, a new and easier printing system, clearer guidelines and improved searching facilities have been introduced.

There will also be a help session on October 31st where many of the libraries will be giving away goodies, demonstrating electronic services, organising special ‘themed’ book displays and quizzes. They will also be seeking feedback on the new services, and offering advice on any problems that students have.

The NSS revealed that students did not think that the University’s printing service was particularly good or efficient. As a result, new

multifunctional printers have been introduced within the library PC rooms, which provide printing, copying and scanning from a single device. They will also have double-sided printing as the default setting to save on paper, printing and energy costs.

This will also ease the cost of printing for students by 20 per cent.

The NSS revealed that students did not think that the University's printing service was particularly good or efficient The introduction of wireless printing options should give students the ability to print from

Ely hit and run tragedy Kendal Archer News Editor

On Friday 19th October, the suburb of Ely in Cardiff became the setting for what has been described as “the most horrendous incident.”

At approximately 15.30 on Friday afternoon, peak time for parents and children walking home from school, a white van, driven by a man later named as 31-year old Matthew Tvrdon, drove through Ely targeting innocent pedestrians.

The incident lasted 30 minutes, spanning around two miles, and left 13 injured, 7 of which were children, two in critical condition and one person dead.

Karina Menzies, a 31-year old mother of three, was walking two of her children home from school when the van started causing havoc through Ely. Reportedly, Ms Menzies reacted selflessly on seeing the vans crazed motives, pushing her children out of the way but getting hit herself, and tragically dying.

Eyewitnesses have described the incident as “chaotic”.

Reverend Jan Gould of Ely Church of the Resurrection, who held a special service on Sunday 21st, has said, “People here are numb at the moment and in shock - it's like a state of carnage.

Fortunately, despite its problems, Ely is a very close-knit community and people here are wonderful at pulling together and supporting each other.”

Tvrdon faces a total of 19 charges, including murder, 13 counts of attempted murder, four counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, and one charge of dangerous driving. The investigation is on going, but Tvrdon has been reprimanded to appear at Newport Crown Court for a plea hearing on 28 January 2013.

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, has said, "A tragic incident like this shows how fragile life is and how vulnerable we all are.”

laptops or home computers, and help tackle congestion at printers.

Beth Button, Education and University Affairs Officer, said: ‘the new facilities are a positive response to students’ feedback through channels such as the NSS; the new printers should alleviate the pressure on computers during busy periods as students are able to print wirelessly from home and then collect their lecture slides etc instantly when they get to the campus.’

Another issue highlighted by the survey was the search facilities at the libraries. A new ‘LibrarySearch’ service, part of Voyager, has been introduced and designed to provide a single starting point for searching and accessing the Library collections in both print and online form. It

has an easy to use search facility and quick access to online journal articles.

New printers should allieviate the pressure on computers during busy periods ‘LibrarySearch’ makes it easier to identify latest editions and eBooks, and for enables students to tag their favourite items so they can find them in the future.

Students can also add their own book reviews and read reviews by others.

Senghennydd Library has also been updated over the summer, with new group study rooms, PCs, plasma televisions and whiteboards. The library now

has more comfortable tables and chairs and laptop lockers.

Bute and Architecture Library has also improved its group study facilities with plasma screens and new, more comfortable study areas. The number of power sockets for laptop use has been increased and redecoration projects have refreshed the spaces throughout the library.

Wireless network points have been upgraded across a number of libraries, improving access and speed. Staff will also be on hand to help students register their devices to the wireless network.

To encourage students to contribute to the new ‘LibrarySearch’ book reviews, the libraries are running a competition this semester for the best book review.

The first prize is an iPad.

Safer city, safer students Bethan Jones News Editor

Cardiff Students’ Union Welfare and Community Officer, Megan David, has said that “a priority for the Students’ Union must be to promote road safety to students.”

This comes after two major road incidents that have occurred in the past two weeks in close proximity to the Students’ Union.

The first incident, involving a student, occurred on Colum Road. Reportedly, the student was crossing the road and was hit by a car. It is believed he broke his leg and collarbone.

It is so important that students are careful when walking and cycling around the city The second incident, which happened last Wednesday, involved another student who was cycling by the crossroads on Park Place. The student was in a headon collision with a car, and it is believed he suffered a broken back and facial injuries.

As most Cardiff University students will be aware, the crossroads by Park Place, as well as the length of Colum Road, are extremely busy areas for traffic: including cars, cyclists and pedestrians.

Megan David has commented: “As a university which is based in the centre of a busy city, it is so important that students are careful when walking and cycling.”

Megan David is currently in the process of creating a “Safer City” campaign. Working with the Cardiff police and council, as well as the other universities in Cardiff, the aim of the campaign is “to ensure the safety of students in the city with the aim of preventing more incidents like this occurring in the future.”

Both of these tragic incidents

prove how easy it is to get hurt on the road, especially in such a busy city like Cardiff.

With the backing of the Students' Union promoting increased safety of students on the roads, along with Megan David's upcoming "Safer City" campaign, students in Cardiff will hopefully be able to avoid accidents like this in the future.

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Opinion 11 - 15

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddop

For & Against

The advantages of being disadvantaged Michael O'Connell Davidson and Catherine Ross evaluate a recent report on social mobility, which suggested that pupils from poorer backgrounds should be guaranteed university interviews and granted lower grade requirements

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For

f we wish to equalise opportunities for all students and children across the UK, universities should offer pupils from poorer less advantaged backgrounds more opportunities and lower grade boundaries.

Is it unreasonable to ask students who have less time, less money and less opportunity to reach the same standards as those who attend Eton, like our current Prime Minister Mr David Cameron? Those with economic advantages certainly seem to do better because of it; 35% of our current government is made up from privately educated MP's, however only seven percent of the country are privately educated. These statistics prove that those born with a silver spoon in their mouth are more likely to succeed and prosper in life, so why not equalise the scales?

This would allow those from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain similar standing to students who most likely have additional funds for extra tutoring or books, or more time because they need not take on jobs to help support their families.

Alan Millburn, a former Labour Party MP states that “poor GCSE and A-Level results remain the biggest barrier to higher education.” This shows that lower grade boundaries for poorer students would definitively improve their chances of reaching higher education and therefore help break out of the cycle of poverty.

University Minister David Willetts agrees, saying institutions

should “seek to broaden access” and ensure talent is “not wasted” by unfairly comparing poorer students to privately educated or richer students, as it could mean talented pupils are lost in the system and unable to achieve their highest potential.

Why is it fair that students from vastly different backgrounds are all judged by the same standard that affects their entire future?

Why is it fair that 20 of the 645 MPs went to Eton and have little understanding of what it is like to be disadvantaged, but still decide the laws that affect everyone?

Liam Burns, the President of the National Students Union said “our own evidence suggests that those students from the poorest backgrounds are mostly likely to cite financial hardship as the biggest reason for dropping out,” reaffirming the idea that grades and testing should be more flexible for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Although the phrase “social engineering” has grown to have negative connotations, if the changes made are beneficial to society, engineering university places for talented and promising students will not be a bad thing.

Lord Alan Sugar achieved only one GCSE and has become one of the richest men in Britain, highlighting the faults in the systemif universities were to become more flexible in their approach they may find more Alan Sugars walking about their halls. CR

O

“

I have spoken to people that did everything they could in order to appear as poor as possible to receive the largest loan available.

Can you begin to imagine how people would react in response to the implementation of this policy?

Against

n the face of it, offering students from poor backgrounds automatic interviews and lower offers is an attractive idea, considering how much precedence is placed on ‘getting your foot in the door.’ An education is more than just a few books and a logical framework; for some, it’s a path to a better life.

However, Alan Milburn’s stance that “universities should redouble their efforts” to give places to all students with talent gives little credit to either students currently attending university, or to those universities that host them. I say that as a formerly homeless independent student: as far as demographics go, I was part of the vulnerable, with a disturbing amount of young adults in a similar position to me turning to drugs or prostitution.

This isn’t because such adolescents have a predisposition towards either activity, but because both the state and their parents failed them. Lowered entrance criteria are little more than a cold comfort when the reality is that the underprivileged are often dissuaded or outright prevented by circumstance from progressing their education beyond secondary school level.

But despite experiencing difficulty as a young adult, high entrance requirements did little to put me off of applying to university. In fact, they had rather the opposite effect, as the standard

demanded gave me something to aspire to. Considering where I could have ended up, having earned my place in fair competition is all the encouragement I need to complete my degree.

Student Finance’s bizarre method of assessing income (which is how universities currently assess the economic background of students) will mean that the benefits of this policy will be blunted, and possibly conferred to individuals who don’t necessarily need them.

I have spoken to people that did everything they could in order to appear as poor as possible to receive the largest loan available.

Can you imagine how people would react in response to the implementation of this policy?

In addition, British universities already face increasingly able competition abroad. Bullying them into altering their admissions criteria in the name of the common good will only make selecting students and outclassing fellow institutions harder.

Expected tariffs and grades set so that the university has an idea of what standard of education applicants have reached - and let’s not ignore that there’s hardly a shortage of places, considering this year’s drop in applications.

There are a series of problems that hamstring those with potential before they’re old enough to take their GSCEs, let alone fill out a UCAS application. If you want social equality in Britain, start by supporting children earlier so they can be readily expected to compete with peers from all backgrounds. MOCD

12 / Opinion

The changing style of the Turner prize

Luke Slade gives us a brief insight into Spartacus Chetwynd and the art of her performance pieces

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y now, I’ve managed to peer into the world of the new Turner Prize nominees, even if it is only through the pixels of the interweb, and I must say that I am at a loss.

One of our leading art critics, Adrian Searle, has said that this is one of the closest prizes to call, but that is not necessarily predicated on this year’s nominees being any good – but maybe this is a surface impression.

Now, I am not going to slate our YBAs (Young British Artists) because I think there is so much to be said for British art and the Turner Prize itself (one of my favourite artists, Grayson Perry, being a winner of said Prize in 2003), but my fear is that the movement of our modern art has simply abated.

There is a clear focus on performance and film this year, with only Paul Noble exhibiting more ‘traditional’ forms of art. But it is one artist that I find of most interest: Miss Spartacus Chetwynd.

Not the name she grew up with (which was Lali), but a reworking of an historic name and re-appropriating it with herself – and so begins the understanding of Chetwynd’s work.

Her name is analogous with her work. By this, I mean that her work is to enact moments from history in a whimsical and

what has been dubbed “deliberately amateurish” way and her name is an example of this. That said, however, in a recent interview, Chetwynd commented that this style was not conscious but

I am aware, however, that so far I haven’t mentioned the actual art: Chetwynd is a performance artist, and one with a team behind her. I must confess that I have only seen the full perfor-

surreal comedy duo The Mighty Boosh.

This is not to enter the ‘high’ and ‘low’ art debate, mainly because it is futile and unnecessary.

something that comes naturally; just as a craftsman would talk about their innate ability to carve or mould a material – this is what interests me about Chetwynd.

mance of one of the installations at the Tate at the moment and I cannot help but feel as though the style was ‘familiar’ in an odd way. That is, it reminds me of the

Chetwynd is never overt about the meaning behind her performances, but there is clearly a political element; an element that you see in many works of mod-

ern dramatists like Arthur Miller.

Reappropriation of history is not a new idea, but it is the form that Chetwynd adopts that draws an audience in.

The interaction between the performance and the audience places the history literally within our time and space, invading and permeating the modern day under the guise of something harmless and amateur while still appearing pagan and haunting. She draws attention to our involvement because it seems she wants to bring together the time-old tension between old and new.

Therefore I come back to the notion of the craftsman. Chetwynd is a dramatist who has been taken into the art world – but a master of her craft. I think this is grounded in where we are with contemporary art – in a world where an idea is art, the concept of ‘craft’ has become a new aesthetic.

Craft: it is easy to go down the damp and well-trodden path of “is this art?” But I think our concept of art has evolved enough now to not think of it in such destructive binary terms. The best way to think about Chetwynd’s performance pieces, it seems, is that the art world has welcomed them into their circle and therefore it belongs to that world – and a deserving place it has.

Cardiff Uni places importance on Chinese relations Alex Greig

Opinion Editor Cardiff university recently reported on the visit of multiple high profile educational figures from China to our city. The purpose of these visits was to establish and strengthen ties with the nation and their educational system. This is not to say that Cardiff doesn't already have high level links with China - our University's Honorary International Pro Chancellor is also President of Beijing Normal University, one of the leading higher education facilities in the country. However, the importance of international ties can never be underestimated.

Having spent over a month living, working and operating as a psuedo-denizen of Shanghai, I can safely say that the Chinese way of life far differentiates from our own. Not only this, but I personally visited one of the largest Universities in Shanghai (and there are a few) on a recruitment scheme, interviewing American students who had come to Chinese shores to study for the year.

These students were settling into a vastly different education

scheme to one which they were used to and excitedly told me of all the differences they'd already begun to notice between life in Chinese education and that of their homeland.

Granted the American scheme is not the same as our own, but it goes to show one very important fact: that we are able to learn much from different ways of educating and also from different ways of life. To not explore these would be idiotic - we would be left far less educated and world aware than it is possible to be.

There is no limit to how much we can learn and frankly, learning from other cultures is one of the most interesting ways of doing so.

Cardiff University's Vice Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan hopes that Cardiff students can soon be in that position: "We were particularly interested to explore how we can encourage more students from Cardiff to spend time in China as part of their studies."

If improvements in international relationships lead to such exciting possibilities as this (believe me, it would be exciting to study there) they are most certainly an important endeavour. It would

be a university experience where one would learn more than you can fathom.

The Vice Chancellor added that "our relationship with China is hugely important for us and for our aspirations to be a world-leading University." When it comes down to it, both parties are exploiting each other in order to move forward in the world of education, and I struggle to see how anyone could argue improvements in education is a bad thing. It is by studying what is good and bad with other systems that we are able to step back and consider the same about our own - it will allow us to see what we in Britain do in a whole new light.

Moreover, taking a step back from the educational front, befriending what is reckoned to be the world's next big superpower can only work in our favour.

Cardiff University has a positive approach to international relations Cardiff University has a positive approach to international relations. Over four years ago, the Confucius Institute was set up as part of the Centre for Lifelong learning. This institute, which

was created in association with Xiamen University, has been teaching students business and culture in Chinese language ever since. Perhaps even more importantly, the centre also runs taster sessions and classes for local primary and secondary school pupils - these links reach and aid far more than just University students. In a world where speaking English and Mandarin enables you to speak to over half the population of the earth, this is more important than ever before.

The Centre's new Dean used the recent Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival to announce new plans

for the institute. "The Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Moon Festival, because the moon is at its fullest, purest, and brightest on this Mid-Autumn day" said Chinese Academic Director, Dr Xueyi Zhu at the announcement.

"Chinese people always associate the bright and full moon with good things, such as reunion, harmony, fulfilment, togetherness, and wholeness." Hopefully this harmonic fulfilment is reflected in our developing relationship with Chinese Universities, as both parties continue to learn much from each other.

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddop

May refuses to bow to US pressure

Was Theresa May right in preventing the extradition of Gary McKinnon to the US for internet crimes he committed in the UK? Chloe Pierce investigates

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he extradition of computer hacker Gary McKinnon, has been halted this week by Home Secretary Theresa May on grounds that to extradite him to America would be an infringement of his human rights.

Gary McKinnon, then 36, was arrested in 2002 accused of hacking into high security US military computers from February 2001 until March the following year. He freely admitted to being guilty of these charges, claiming he was looking in the Pentagon’s database for information about UFOs that he believed the Americans had “suppressed.”

Unconvinced that his intentions were purely motivated by his search for extra-terrestrial life, the US government demanded McKinnon’s extradition so that they could trial the man who had allegedly hacked into 97 government computers, cost them $566,000 (£370,000) of damage and, it is worth mentioning, deeply embarrassed their security systems in the wake of 9/11.

One American official described McKinnon’s actions as "intentional and calculated to influence and affect the US government by intimidation and coercion."

In 2005, the extradition hearing began. McKinnon’s lawyers fought furiously against the American request, arguing that it is unjust for British citizens to be sent to the US for extradition when the extradition treaty between Britain and the US had not yet been signed by the latter country. Further weight was added to their appeal when, in 2008, McKinnon was diagnosed with depression and Asperger’s Syndrome by Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, an expert in Autism.

Extradition, his lawyers argued, could lead Mr McKinnon to be treated unfairly in court and to potentially commit suicide if incarcerated.

He freely admitted to being guilty of these charges, claiming he was looking in the Pentagon’s database for information about UFOs And so, for a shocking ten years, the “will they? Won’t they?” extradition drama has played out, the curtains to be drawn finally

by Theresa May, who last week, on the basis of the Human Rights Act, answered with a resounding “no”. On balance, I have to admit that I am glad of this. I’m not denying that what Gary McKinnon

did was wrong, nor am I asserting that he should not be punished for his misdeeds. But internet crime seems to find itself in a big legal grey area: McKinnon is a British citizen who committed a crime against the American Government on British soil.

Added to this is the fact that the US-UK extradition treaty seems to work more in the favour of the Americans: so where should he

And so, for a shocking ten years, the “will they? Won’t they?” extradition drama has played out face trial?

The US government has every right to demand Mr McKinnon’s extradition, but when this act poses a direct threat on the defendant’s life, the UK has an equal right to refuse it. The UK will put Gary McKinnon on trial and punish him for the crime that he has confessed to. Should the American courts do it, they would not gain back any of the money McKinnon cost them and they would not – as a direct result of the trail – have the networks that he tampered with fixed. They will simply have the pride of jailing him after the embarrassment he caused them.

Some have suggested that McKinnon was trying to intimidate the US government (an idea which for my part I do not hold, the defendant used his own personal email address during his hacking) but if this is found to be true, then any information, links or accomplices that McKinnon has would be passed on to the US government.

The reactions of the British and American officials have been markedly different: whilst many Tory loyalists have praised Theresa May for starting to equal our “special relationship” with America, the US Attorney General, Eric Holder, reportedly refused to take May’s calls on the weekend he discovered her decision, causing many to worry that the Americans have lost faith in Britain. Indeed, there is already evidence to suggest that the US is reducing the quality of information it sends to the UK and this is a real concern.

What is painfully obvious from this is that the US and UK governments need to re-evaluate their extradition and information laws to satisfy both parties involved. With the internet continually evolving, politicians need to evolve laws too, removing the grey areas from the legal system as much as possible, to stop another person’s life being put on hold for ten years.

Opinion 11-15

13

Stoptober: Week 3 Rachel Boraston

Opinion Writer After 3 weeks of attempting Stoptober, the month is coming to an end and so is the will to even contemplate refraining from smoking that cigarette.

My Stoptober housemate has gone through various cycles of emotion through the past month, frustration, elation, disappointment and despondency. So has she quit for good? No. We all know the devastating affects that smoking has on our health, our looks and even our ability to socialise, disappearing outside in all weathers to have one, so why do we continue? It sounds clichéd, but it’s for the comfort, and of course the grip of addiction. So to counter whatever it is that keeps its hold on me, I have come up with a list of tips for how to quit smoking that helped my flatmate on the smoke free weeks, days, hours: 1. Remember why you are doing it – whether it's because you struggle to run for the bus or because you are sick of smelling like an ashtray, we all have our individual reasons for doing something. Keep this in mind before you go cold turkey, and remind yourself of it every time you reach for the Marlboros.

2. Keep your hands busy – rolling cigarettes is quite therapeutic, smoking gives you something to do, so find something to fill that gap. Write, paint, type your lecture notes up, make your Grandma proud and learn to knit! Whatever it is, do it, it is most certainly going to be better for you than smoking!

3. Take it one day at a time.

You may slip up, you may have a cigarette one day when you get stressed out, but don’t let this deter you. Draw a line under it, step back and start again.

4. Two is better than one – not cigarettes, but quitting with a friend may help you to stay strong. Whether it’s that element of healthy competition, who can be smoke free for longer, or the support and companionship that will spur you on, get other people on board. You can chat, share tips and keep each other company when everyone else disappears off to the smoking area on a night out.

5. Drink more tea! Seriously.

Sit, have a chat with a friend, drink copious amounts of tea and take comfort in a warm drink on a cold day rather than standing out in the rain, miserably dragging on your soggy cigarette.

So, whether you have had a successful Stoptober, or need a bit more time to settle into a smoke free lifestyle, remember the benefits, remember these few tips, and remember it doesn’t have to be October to Stop! Good Luck!

14 / Opinion

Tricks for adults, treats for students

Bethan Lyons discusses whether clubs have adopted the Americanised Halloween in order to exploit students

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pparently Halloween starts at the beginning of September. Or so it would seem, as shop windows begin to submerge under the weight of tacky, glow in the dark merchandise.

The immense build up to the actual events of Halloween is regarded, by those with whom the novelty has worn off, as ridiculous. However the majority of students have embraced it with open arms. It is a prime example of Americanisation, alongside ‘Frat Parties’, which mimic American college socials; an excuse for students to be exploited by clubs and promoters, through events such as the infamous wet t-shirt competitions.

It is Halloween that provides the best excuse to dress provocatively Fancy dress is always a giggle, although it is Halloween that pro-

there is an equally amusing outfit, such as a ‘Cereal Killer’. Clubs have higher drinks prices due to the fact that they know people will pay them as they want the experience of a big event like Halloween, which is unfair on students and furt h e r stretches our poor finan-

vides the best excuse to dress provocatively. It holds the reputation as the one time of year where a splash of fake blood and horror make up allow for it to be acceptable for girls to look as slutty as possible.

It is near impossible to find a female Halloween outfit that does not expose flesh in a similar vein to a particularly classy female, such as Jordan. Half naked zombies that will undoubtedly roam Cardiff next week would have even less of a chance of survival under a genuine zombie attack due to the sheer amount of their skin on show.

Halloween is a fantastic night out regardless of the degrading costumes worn by some; for every horrendously exposing outfit

cial budgets.

Halloween is celebrated by most students through a night out, although most other generations generally despise Halloween, especially the elderly.

Trick or treating makes some older people feel uncomfortable in their own homes; at what other time of year is it viewed as acceptable to effectively beg to a stranger? If done in the right manner trick or treating is harmless, although there are always some who ruin it for others.

Trick or treating was an annual ritual when I was growing up, although there were always some houses we knew to avoid, such as the house with the slightly mental bloke who would throw apples at trick or treaters. It is also expensive for parents who feel obliged to dress up their children in Halloween costumes with new costumes having to be bought every year, with some parents wondering as to why Halloween is even celebrated in Britain.

Student loan spending: the practical reality

In light of a recent report that claims the average student will spend their loan in only 51 days, opinion writer Sarah Rowlands assesses her own spending splurges

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was the very end of September, the dawn of that governmentfunded spending binge proverbially known as Fresher’s Week, and thousands of students all over the country were, as they say, quids in. Even us old hand third (and above) years are prone to it; y’know, logging on to our online bank account, looking happily at the suddenly luxurious-seeming ‘amount available’ and wondering if indeed we might be able to afford to join the Caving Society this year after all.

For freshers - well, Mum and Dad might have wisely warned you that the plastic is a fairweather friend, but for those relishing the novelty of it still, may I take this opportunity to grimly warn you. New research

by VoucherCodes.co.uk claims that the average undergraduate will spend their student loans in 51 days (or by 20th November), with us in Wales hanging on longest, until 4th December.

Really? In my experience, it’s usually far sooner than that.

For, as always, the reality of life at uni sneaks up behind you and snatches the comfortable cushion of wonga out from under your cute little behind. Textbook lists, residence fees, rent,

have to concede your point but I am not alone, it would seem.

VoucherCodes.co.uk’s breakdown of student spending revealed that many students such as myself don’t easily break the habit of buying luxuries once away from home.

Many students such as myself don’t easily break the habit of buying luxuries once away from home

that dreaded heating bill, taxi fees, indulging in one too many of those Fresher’s nights out and that Domino’s you couldn’t quite resist when faced with an empty fridge. Whatever your particular vice, they all leave one more often than not sitting in paralysed shock before a computer screen that smugly spells out the exact cost of all your little ‘oh it can’t hurt’ moments, which reduces you to a lip-wobbling, tear-welling, ‘but-but-but’ stammering

mess (well, ok, maybe that one’s just me.)

How did we end up spending so much? I could speak of the fair few amusingly extravagant purchases made by friends and family, my personal favourite being the 50kg home gym set my older brother bought from Argos in town and then had to lug back to Harriet Street in the freezing rain. However, honesty demands that I point out my own shortcomings in the financial arena.

Why exactly did I think that spending that £10.95 in Lush was acceptable? Oh yeah –it was soand-so’s birthday. That £6.99 bottle of Chardonnay over the £2.35 cheap plonk? It’s surely justified, it’s Fairtrade! That 3-4-2 on hot chocolates in Whittard’s? Well, it is autumn, and it was on offer.

By now, you have probably gathered that I am a woman of expensive tastes, and deduced that this is where my problems with matters financial lie. I would

Their monthly figures – such as £67 a month on new clothes – may seem a little outlandish to some, but £66 p/m on alcohol is a figure some of us are probably no stranger to, nor is £55 on books (damn you Blackwells). For us Cardiffians, rent is probably not as expensive as the VoucherCodes. co.uk figure (£663 p/m) due to Cardiff having some of the lowest rent rates in the UK. Still, the combined expenses of life at uni are enough to set 75% of students across the nation, scrambling for any part-time work we can get, many of us having relied for far too long on the 'bank of mum and dad' to tide us over. I too hope soon to join the proud ranks of the workforce, and scrimp, and save – oh, and perhaps have a bit of cash left over for a celebratory Magic Wrap.

Opinion 11â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15

Monday 29th October 2012 | @gairrhyddop

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by Katie Bennett-Davies

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coffee, and based on how busy ow that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a paying interest on it... yet.

Having been around this very Costa is, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m alone. couple of weeks in to term, if block a couple of times, I am try- I love having coffee with friends, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re anything ing to be a lot more responsible drinking it while I study and in like I was last with my cash this year. I am reas- lectures, and the odd ÂŁ2 or ÂŁ3 year, then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve sured that this is possible by my doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem that much, but I already managed to burn a signif- friends who manage to balance realised how much they all add icant hole in your student loan. their bank account without be- up to when I was paying cash.

Money is one of the biggest prob- ing a victim of fashion or a social Instead of buying coffee out, I lems we face as students. You get recluse. To help with my cash bought myself some nice coffee that big rush on loan day when health resolution, I asked some (this is one thing that does taste bad when you buy the cheapyour bank account is nice and frugal friends for advice.

FF #1 suggested I swap to the est), invested in a travel mug full. Some of my friends even celebrate â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;happy loan dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with a big value products on as many foods (only ÂŁ3 from Costa), and now purchase or a nice meal out. Bud- as possible at the supermarket, take my own coffee with me to geting feels like such a drag when since most of the time you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work in the library or to lectures so many great opportunities face taste the difference anyway. I did with me. It takes just as long, if you, such as cheap nights out one better and now shop at Lidl; not longer, to wait in line to be (hello, ÂŁ1 shots) and the student this worked out well, since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s served, and tastes so much betlock-in (donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind if I do have much closer to my house than ter than the stuff that comes out of the machine in the library. I 20% off at Cath Kidston). It is so Tesco.

FF #2 said to pay cash for ev- also stopped meeting friends for tempting to blow a load of cash in Hollister on a new coat â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we do erything. Doing this made me coffee in a coffee shop and inlive in Wales where it never stops much more aware of what I was stead invited them to my house. I raining â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with the false promise spending. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come home havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t completely stopped going to yourself that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll spend less from a shopping trip completely to coffee shops; I still go once or in future weeks to make up for unaware that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d spent ÂŁ100. Us- twice a week with friends or with it. Worst of all, Christmas is now ing a card, a lot of the time I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a society, but I try to view this as just around the corner. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get even look at the total or add up as a treat and not a daily ritual.

FF #3 is not actually my friend, me wrong, I really love Christ- I go along. When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m paying cash, mas, but when the end of term I get out as much as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d want to but the author of a blog I began is nearing and my bank account spend and if I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the cash reading over the summer. Mrs is looking pretty empty, I end up for something, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m aware that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Thrifty of www.athriftymrs. com has loads of great posts on paying for my Christmas presents going over budget.

One of my favourite things is how to get the most out of your on my overdraft â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not like Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m

money. One of her pieces of advice is to keep a spending diary detailing absolutely everything you spend your money on, even the smallest amount. This felt even more tedious and horrible than writing a budget. I have to say, though, it allowed me to see whether I was living within my means, by multiplying my spending for one month by the amount of months remaining before my next loan installment. It was not a big shock to find out that I wasa overspending. Thanks to my spending diary, however, I was able to see what I could cut out to get back on track. Bye bye, magazine subscription. Bye bye, regular shopping trips and online splurges â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just delete the email titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;MASSIVE SALE NOW ONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. No more delicious popcorn at the cinema, I cannot afford the calories anyway.

Last, but certainly not least, came the hardest piece of advice I received. The tough but wise FF #4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice was simply to develop discipline. If I really want to be free from debt and money worries, I need to develop the discipline to say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to buying that beautiful dress or going out for dinner with friends. It is

so hard to stay in when all your friends are going to the cinema, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found that once you say to a friend that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to cut back on your spending, a lot of people will agree they need to as well. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be happy to cook lunch together instead of going to a cafe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all students anyway.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure that I will carry on with my spending diary forever and a day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just until I get used to living within my means and develop some of that discipline FF #4 was talking about. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve already learnt a few tricks of the trade.

One Saturday, by chance, I was at the market fairly late in the trading day (around 4pm) and all of the food stalls began selling their fruit and vegetables really cheaply. I got two punnets of strawberries for ÂŁ1! As a massive fan of strawberries, this was perhaps a little too exciting for me...

When it comes to the end of the term and your overdraft limit has smacked you in the face, savour the small things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; like ÂŁ1 strawberries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; because, friends, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to afford!

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16/ Politics

MoJ attempts to distract from ministerial faux-pas Rachel Victoria Lewis reports on the speeches made this week by David Cameron and Theresa May on crime and justice, and asks: "why now?"

L

ast week was not a good news week for the coalition. There was confusion over the Government’s energy policies and new accusations of senior ministers being out of touch with the public, Friday afternoon must’ve seemed like a good day to bury bad news. Andrew Mitchell quietly announced his resignation in the hope that weekend news coverage of the scandal would be minimal. By Sunday, political communications were looking to move on, so journalists were offered a story in the form of David Cameron’s speech on crime and justice. With sound-bites ready before the speech had even been released, most articles published Monday morning included the same quotes: ‘hug a hoodie’, ‘tough but intelligent’ and ‘black or white’. The speech to the Centre for Social Justice had been long anticipated, and was clearly a contrived attempt to reset the news agenda for the week. Running alongside the crime and justice message, Home Secretary Theresa May delivered another statement about a new firearms offence of ‘possession with intent to traffic weapons’, even though its effectiveness had been previously questioned this year.

Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan did not acknowledge the speech as a ‘serious announcement’, highlighting that the government has created no new policies for crime and punishment in the last 29 months, and David Cameron has not explained how these new policies are going to be paid for. In reality, there have been cuts to police numbers and budgets, and judges have been circumscribed. The Ministry of Justice underwent a shift to the right in the reshuffle last month as Chris Grayling replaced Ken Clarke. One of Grayling’s first policy announcements was a call for more legal protection for householders who react

with force when confronted with burglars.

The real story is not about the crime and justice speech, devoid of any substance, but the fact that this message is to divert the focus from the Governmental fauxpas of last week. Cameron and May’s statements offered no new policy commitments; instead they covered initiatives already in action and policies which had

but nothing more profound that Steve at the pub would tell you if asked for his opinion. Many ideas (not policies) felt amateurish, and not based on genuine research.

One seemed to take inspiration from ‘The Sweeney’, suggesting a return to 'good old tough, no nonsense crime fight instead of that pesky bureaucracy'. Another idea felt a little dystopian, recommending that offenders are GPS

public services, Cameron’s key idea is payments to independent bodies in exchange for rehabilitation services in prisons.

However this raises questions of regulation and potential bias, Rhodri Davies, policy manager of the Charities Aid Foundation emphasised "ministers need to improve the way these contracts are designed so charities are not simply squeezed out in favour of

previously been ignored. Cameron framed the speech as revelatory and powerful when he talked about the coalition taking ‘bold, unprecedented action’ to crime but it was all hot air. He made generalisations about society, crime and young people

tagged and tracked, and prisoners are made useful by carrying out compulsory work.

The suggestion which Sadiq Khan seems to be questioning is how the ‘payment-by-results scheme’ is going to be funded.

In a bid to privatise yet more

large private sector providers".

Home Secretary Theresa May highlighted gun trafficking as a real issue that needs to be addressed in the UK, she told BBC Sunday Politics "those people supplying firearms are as guilty as the people using them". This

stories, but it is rare for gaffes and scandals like these to bring down governments Ultimately the next election result will hang upon the substance and effects of government policies. It will come down to the government's record on social reform, relations with Europe and the international community, and of course, the economy.

Ah yes, it may have been repeated ad infinitum, but the insistence that the success of eco-

nomic strategy means everything, rings true, again and again.

So is the Government having any success with "bringing the public finances under control"?

For so long now, the answer has been no, as borrowing has been increasing, and the economy has repeatedly been slipping in and out of recession. But that could all be about to change Just as we go to print, the latest GDP figures show a slight growth, up one per cent this quarter. Cou-

was a bizarre statement to make as the Home Office had already consulted on the issue and found that only around 20 offenders could be implicated each year by the new offence. The evidence on whether it would reduce firearms offences was ‘mixed’; any reduction in gun offences was likely to be temporary, with the gap in the market ‘likely to be filled by other individuals’. The Firearms Act is already successful in arresting offenders, with sentences from 10 years to life imprisonment.

There were some useful initiatives highlighted which will allow more public involvement in the crime and justice process, although these are already in action. A victims’ commissioner is going to be appointed to represent the voice of crime victims, and the Police and Crime Commissioner elections will be held on November 15th. The voting turnout may not be very high but the principle is very positive: more accountability for those in charge of policing. We will have the opportunity vote-in a representative for law and order, who will then set budgets and priorities, as well as hiring and firing.

Cameron also explained that crime doesn’t keep normal working hours and the justice system shouldn’t either; so courts will be open earlier, in the evenings and weekends, an idea that is already beginning to be implemented.

Overall these speeches on crime and justice message felt a little vacant, no doubt designed to distract the media away from other fiascos at the heart of Government, but in that sense they appear to have been successful.

David Cameron and his team can produce as many buzz-word laden speeches as they like, but if they fail to produce any sort of policy success, they can kiss goodbye to any hope of re-election in 2015.

A note from the Editor...

Last week was not a good week for the Conservative 'half' of the Coalition Government. The Andrew Mitchell saga finally reached the conclusion we all knew it would, and the George Osborne train ticket fiasco (Ticket-gate?) just became the cherry on the increasingly stale cake.

It is not at all surprising that both Theresa May and David Cameron called

emergency press conferences to highlight policies that aren't even new. It was simply a lastditch attempt to draw media attention away from the Tory-boy caricature being nurtured by the antics of Mitchell and Osborne, and back towards the traditional Conservative speciality of law and order policies.

The anti-Conservative elements of the media and opposition parties are obviously delighted at all these embarrassing

pled with this month's slight fall in unemployment, perhaps this is the first evidence of 'green shoots' If this growth is to last, then it must be built upon sustainable foundations. We will need to wait until the next quarter to see if this is the start of a genuine up-turn, or merely a three-month blip. If that is the case, then the Conservatives will find it difficult to persuade voters to continue to tolerate them. Thom Hollick

17

Politics 16–19

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddpol

Lebanon drawn further into Syrian conflict The Lebanese people have a history fraught with conflict. Now the civil war in Syria could force the re-opening of old wounds. Dan Hill reports

T

he people of Lebanon have battled through more than their fair share of troubles in recent times. For a country that has been plagued by civil war and scarred with numerous bombings and assassinations, the last four years have been comparatively peaceful. The explosion of a car bomb last Friday now threatens to shatter the stability of the region.

Among the 86 wounded and 8 dead was the country’s head of Internal Intelligence, General William al-Hassan, an outspoken and long-standing critic of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

His death has sparked divisions between Shia supporters of Assad’s government, and those who side with the rebels, mostly Sunnis. Within hours, the destabilising effect of the event was felt with rumours that Prime Minister Najib Mikati, a Sunni, would be forced to resign due to the inability of his predominantly proAssad Shia cabinet to respond to such a tragedy.

Thankfully, under the direction of Lebanon’s President Michel Suleiman, the Prime Minister’s resignation on Saturday was rejected. Leaving a political void when cracks are splintering through a nation would be irresponsible; submitting to the desires of whoever orchestrated the attack. However, there is still an urgent need for political change.

Violent scuffles between gunmen have already led to the death of 2 children. With anti-government protesters setting up roadblocks and exchanging gunfire across Beirut and Tripoli, people are angry, and the finger is pointed firmly at Syria.

The reasons for suspecting Damascus’ involvement in General Hassan’s assassination are common public knowledge. As well as being a leading Sunni figure in the Lebanon, Hassan also had strong links to the anti-Assad 14 March alliance, and the family of their leader, Saad Hariri, son of the assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In 2005, General Hassan led an investigation which implicated Damascus in his murder. These events then directly led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, ending a 29 year military presence.

Hassan was no ally of Syria; his position as an influential part of the anti-Assad movement and a voice for the Sunni community made him an excellent target to strike a blow to the opposition, bringing old tensions bubbling back to the surface. There is little doubt that the Assad government would benefit by exporting

its civil war to Lebanon, but it is still too early to know what involvement, if any, Syria has had in the explosion. It may be worth mentioning that both the Government in Damascus and the Shia organisation Hezbollah have condemned the bombing. Also worth mentioning is that this fact has understandably failed to placate the Lebanese.

Despite the possibility of further sectarian violence, the general population have no desire to return to the factional chaos that has marred so much of Lebanon’s past. The Lebanese army has been deployed in Beirut and Tripoli in a bid to calm tensions and keep the streets safe.

Military intervention has led to the horrific massacre of civilians and the deaths of thousands in neighbouring Syria. The Lebanese army, however, is respected and trusted. Over the years, they have often been a monitoring influence standing between the country’s rival political and religious factions. They have urged

“

Despite the possibility of further sectarian violence, the population have no desire to return to the factional chaos that has marred Lebanon’s past

politicians to use caution when expressing their thoughts on recent events, not wanting heated opinions to fuel the flames on the streets. The safety and interests of the people are at the front of their collective mind, exactly the attitude that is required of the country’s politicians if the Lebanese are to avoid being dragged into a conflict like that which rumbles on in the east.

The current Lebanese government remain under fire. Fouad Siniora, a prominent member of the Western-backed 14 March opposition noted on Friday that "The Lebanese people won't accept, after today, the continuation of the government of assassination". The risk is that with a largely pro-Assad cabinet, the anti-government protests being staged could evolve into a much more violent internal conflict.

Western politicians have warned against resignation and the creation of a political vacuum, but recognise the need for change to avert violence. With US

Ambassador Maura Connelly due to meet Lebanese politicians to discuss a possible new coalition, on Tuesday, a state department spokesperson noted the need for a coalition that responds directly to the needs of the people.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton held talks in Beirut with the Lebanese President and Prime Minister.

She emphasised the important role that robust state institutions, such as the army, will have over the coming days.

For now, the solidarity and unity demonstrated by the Lebanese army towards the unrest needs to be mirrored by the government.

Without a unified national stance, sectarian anger will only result in more deaths, and possibly even civil war. The re-organisation of the Lebanese Government needs to be timely and finely tuned, in order to calm a nation that has been deeply wounded by a bombing with severe political and emotional reverberations.

18/ Politics

More holiday homes pose challenges to local communities Politics writer Cerith Rhys Jones reports on the rise of holiday homes in North Wales, and the possible impact on the local economy

F

igures from the 2011 Census released last week show that Gwynedd, in North Wales, has more second homes per permanent resident than any other county in England in Wales.

While no previous figures are available for comparison, the revelation that 64 people have a second home in the North-West Wales county per 1,000 usual residents has been met with disdain in some quarters.

Organised interests including Plaid Cymru (The Party of Wales), the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society), and Cymuned, a pressure-group dedicated to protecting the welfare of Welsh communities, have all expressed concern at the figures released by the Office for National Statistics. It was found that other Welsh counties also had a high rate of second homes. Gwynedd’s neighbour to the north, Anglesey, had 41 per 1,000, while Pembrokeshire in the South West had 35 per 1,000, Ceredigion, Conwy, and Powys had 30, 28, and 20 per 1,000 respectively.

The Welsh Government was measured in its response to the figures, noting its opinion that that while second homes can have benefits for tourism and the local economy, they can also have adverse consequences in some parts of Wales.

One of those consequences, according to Cymdeithas yr Iaith

Gymraeg, is the decline of Welshspeaking communities. Toni Schiavone, from Cymdeithas, commented: "According to the last Census, there was a significant drop in the number of communities where over 70 per cent of the population speak Welsh.

We foresee that Welsh-speaking communities will decline further if we don’t see radical changes to the planning and economic system. [The Welsh Government] must safeguard the housing market for local people and ensure that planning policies give due regard to the implications of summer homes in communities, [in order to ensure the future of Welsh-speaking communities]".

Lib Dem AM for North Wales Aled Roberts struck a similar chord in his response to the findings, noting: "Gwynedd is a beautiful part of Wales and it is not surprising that many people want to have a second home in the county. However, I am very concerned that as more and more people move to the county, this pushes up the price of homes and makes it difficult for young people who live in the area to buy their first house. A balance is needed between providing affordable homes for local people and ensuring that Gwynedd can continue to attract the tourists that are so vital to the economy".

The figures show that 12,012 people own holiday homes in Gwynedd. Cymuned, the Welshcommunities pressure group, responded: "It is shocking to hear that Gwynedd has the highest

percentage of holiday homes in [England and Wales], and it is now clear that Gwynedd council must lead the way in dealing with this damaging problem by increasing council tax on holiday homes to 200 or 300 per cent, and by ring-fencing the extra income for affordable housing projects".

Increasing the rate of council tax on second homes is an idea supported by the leader of Plaid

Cymru, Leanne Wood, who represents the South Wales Central region, covering Cardiff.

The day after the figures were published, Ms Wood posted on twitter: "#Gwynedd is county with most holiday homes (Eng&Wal) Extra council tax needed on 2nd homes. #PartyOfWales #plaidcymru".

Indeed, the leader of Plaid Cymru on Gwynedd Council has

called on the Welsh Government to give his local authority, led by his party, the power to raise council tax on second homes by up to 200 per cent. It remains to be seen whether the Labour-led Welsh Government will adhere to his wishes, but the administration says that it is in the process of considering the statistics, "with regard to possible implications for government policy".

Picturesque: Gwynedd landscape

Andrew Mitchell finally resigns Tom Eden News Editor

More than five weeks after a confrontation with Downing Street police officers, Andrew Mitchell has resigned from his position as Chief Whip, saying that his position has become untenable.

The initial incident took place when police refused Mitchell passage as he tried to exit Downing Street through the main entrance.

The armed police officers on duty insisted that he obey the policy of leaving via the side exit, reserved for pedestrians. It is at this point that the facts become murky, with conflict between the official police report and Mitchell’s version of events. The police report states that ‘a man claiming to be the Chief Whip’, upon hearing that police were under instruction not to allow bicycles through the main gate responded by saying “Best

you learn your f**king place… you don’t run this f**king government… you’re f**king plebs.” In contrast, Mitchell has maintained that he ‘didn’t use the words attributed to [him]’, going so far as to deny that he even swore, although he later admitted to it.

The most worrying aspect is how this confrontation fits so neatly into the toxic narrative lingering around the Conservatives On one level, this is an argument over a man and his bicycle, which has had a vast amount of coverage for a story about a brief loss of temper. However, as gaffes and scandals go, this could be very

damaging to the Tories, despite Mitchell’s resignation. The fact that this incident has managed to generate so much attention from the media, and more importantly from the public, can be attributed to many things. By denying he called them, ‘plebs’, amongst other things, Mitchell is effectively accusing the police officers of lying.

Potentially the most worrying aspect for the Tories going into the future is how this confrontation fits so neatly into the toxic narrative that lingers around the Conservative party. Since Cameron became leader, he has worked to de-stigmatise the Tory ‘brand’, trying to play down the idea that the Conservatives should seen as the party for the rich, or, in the words of the current home secretary Theresa May, as ‘the nasty party’.

Terms such as ‘compassionate Conservatives’ have been thrown around but as each week progress-

es; the mask appears to be increasingly slipping. Following a budget where they cut tax for those who earn the most and used the spectre of the deficit to cut public services, questions are growing about whom they stand up for. Are we really all in it together?

George Osborne’s Personal Assistant paid £189.50 so they could remain in first class The use of ‘plebs’, if true, is at the core of why this story has resonated so loudly in the public’s ears. The perception of ‘them and us’ has been amplified by what Mitchell has reportedly said, and his resignation coincided with the revelation that George Osborne was caught in a first class train car-

riage with only a standard ticket.

This further scandal surrounding an apparent sense of privilege was resolved in a less hostile manner, with Osborne’s Personal Assistant paying £189.50 so that they could remain in first class, according to a spokesperson for Virgin Trains.

Questions have been raised over the timing of Mitchell’s resignation, with suggestions that it was a blatant attempt to distract attention away from Osborne’s gaffe. It once again resembles something from The Thick Of It, and when politics imitates satire, the competence of the Government should be called into question.

Mitchell’s successor as Chief Whip is former Leader of the House Sir George Young, who like Cameron is another old Etonian.

Whilst the air of privilege remains, he is apparently a much calmer cyclist.

Politics 16–19

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddpol

19

The march for an alternative to austerity As 150,000 demonstrators descend on London to protest against Government spending cuts, David Patterson examines possible alternatives to the concensus

A

ccording to figures from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), around 150,000 people took part in an anti-austerity march in London last weekend. Although this number is a fall from the 250,000 demonstrators who took part in the anti-cuts riot in March 2011, it is still safe to say that this is an issue close to the nation’s heart.

In the wake of the government’s pledge to cut the welfare budget by £10 billion, the marches were well-attended, with campaigners commuting from across Great Britain to the capital. The TUC chartered several trains, including one from Cardiff, to carry as many people as possible to London.

The marches took place peacefully after police fears of violence. The route led all 150,000 campaigners along Victoria Embankment into the centre of Hyde Park for several speeches voicing concerns over the cuts to public spending. And who can blame them for protesting?

As the government force austerity on our economy, cutting welfare, arts funding and health and social care, millions can’t make ends meet without state benefits; to cap it all off, 2.5 million people are still out of work. Austerity isn’t working.

It would seem that we have little choice in this matter. All major political parties have made it clear that they are committed to reducing the budget deficit. As Conservative Business Minister, Michael Fallon reminded Parliament, it would be foolish to return to the excessive spending of the previous Labour government: “That’s what got us into this mess in the first place”.

Labour leader, Ed Miliband, has not defended his party against these remarks. In fact, he has become an advocate of austerity and was quick to remind

those at Hyde Park, that it had been made clear, no matter who “was in government[…], there would be some cuts.” What Mr Miliband has condemned is the way in which the government has been unfairly cutting taxes for millionaires and raising taxes for ordinary people. He suggests the government needs to focus austerity on those who have money.

Many continue to promote spending cuts as the only way to reduce the deficit, despite overwhelming evidence that they aren’t working A prime example: it has come to light this week that many large companies are still managing to avoid paying their corporation tax. The coffee chain Starbucks has paid a mere £8.6 million in tax in the last 14 years. Similarly, internet shopping giant, eBay, has only paid £1.2 million in the last tax year. Rather than cutting billions of pounds from the welfare benefit, perhaps the government should look at tightening up the corporation tax laws to increase tax revenues.

Despite this, many politicians continue to promote spending cuts as the only way to reduce the budget deficit. However, there does seem to be an overwhelming amount of evidence to show that these measures aren’t working.

The general secretary of TUC, Brendan Barber spoke at the end of the march in Hyde Park, using some devastating figures to justify his answer to Britain’s problems. “More than 2.5 million people are out of work[…] and wages have been falling every month for the last three years.”

These figures lie at the core of the TUC’s anti-austerity campaign, and when we see figures like these, it is difficult to find a

Protesters march down Victoria Embankment

“

In the wake of cuts to welfare of £10bn, the marches were well-attended with campaigners commuting from across Great Britain

justification for spending cuts.

But if excessive spending is just as damaging, what’s the alternative?

Phillip Coggan, writer with The Economist, has analysed the current situation in comparison to Margaret Thatcher’s austerity policies, concluding that broad, uninformed policies are not the way to deal with an economic downturn. Despite her best efforts, after Thatcher’s term in office, spending was still 5% higher than when she started. Cutting spending, it would appear, makes very little difference. Coggan has observed that, “net public sector investment has fallen from £51 billion to £22 billion”, and he suggests that “cutting capital spending is probably the worst thing you can do for the economy”.

What Coggan calls for is a more focused austerity policy: 'smart spending' if you like. There’s no

point cutting the welfare budget if you’re losing that amount of money through poorly defined tax laws for corporations.

So even though these antiausterity marches may not be the immediate answer to Britain’s problems, they have drawn further attention to the debate surrounding the government’s austerity policy. Excessive and fast spending cuts are clearly not working, but the root of our problems lie in the opposite; generous spending. It is clear that we need a balanced approach. The government needs to be more discerning in the way it makes cuts; investing in areas that will create jobs and tightening up on policies that leak potential revenue, like the corporation tax. This is bound to be more productive and more beneficial than taking away the average person’s right to welfare.

20 / Science

Is ‘tiger tourism’ a threat to the species?

Rhiannon Davies Science Editor

The threat posed to tigers has again hit the headlines this week after it emerged that there is yet another threat to their existence.

Tigers are simultaneously being targeted aggressively by poachers, and having their habitats disturbed by so-called ‘tiger tourism’. A recent case in the Supreme Court of India has ignited debate as to how best to balance the financial need for such tourism with the welfare of the tigers.

Gangs of poachers make a living by supplying the lucrative market in tiger parts. These parts are frequently sold on to producers of traditional local medicines in China and South-East Asia, where the demand for medicine containing tiger parts is reliably high, owing to a persistent and widespread belief in their supposed powerful healing properties. The species has notoriously suffered so severely at the hands of poachers that it remains at serious risk of dying out.

Supreme Court. Although the case is doomed to fail, they largely pursued it in order to force a national debate around this contentious issue within the conservationist movement.

The principal problem with tiger tourism is that the visitors want to be as close to the tigers as possible. This, coupled with the fact that providing such tourism is often one of the only sources of income for villagers, creates a perfect storm whereby fierce

animal-approach distances and crowding, and are important for tiger safety in the reserves. Tour operators also have a history of driving inappropriately as they compete aggressively for tips from wealthy middle-class domestic tourists.

However, the counter argument for increasing tourism is incredibly persuasive; while tourists undoubtedly cause problems, these can largely be alleviated.

On top of this is the simple fact

to help reintroduce tigers. In other states where there is less tiger tourism, there is, correspondingly, a higher incidence of tigers being killed by poachers.

Simply put, if tourism money is cut when an alternative source of funding is not available, poaching is bound to increase.

Conservationists also aim to create private conservation reserves, based on the model of reserve that currently exists in Africa, away from villages and

Although the case is doomed to fail, conservationists largely pursued it in order to force a national debate The tens of thousands of visitors that Indian tiger reserves receive have a great impact on conserving the tiger numbers and keeping poaching down.

However, conservationists are divided as to whether ‘tiger tourism’ ought to be encouraged or not. A group of Indian conservationists recently brought a case for a ban to the country’s

competition among rival tour operators for a relatively limited number of tourists (African parks frequently receive millions of visitors per year) combined with visitors who are willing to choose operators who break the rules for their custom, means that minimal-impact wildlifewatching protocols are frequently breached. These protocols aim to restrict vehicle speeds,

that neither tourists nor operators pose anywhere near the level of threat that poachers do.

Tourism revenue not only helps to fund anti-poaching patrols, but also compensates villagers for livestock killed by tigers (and so reduces the likelihood of tigers being killed by locals in order to protect their livestock).

One tour operator in Madhya Pradesh has even gone as far as

8–10 The average lifespan, in years, of a tiger in the wild

The average number of cubs a female tiger will have in the wild

Furthermore, this reliance on tourism is not specific to Indian tigers. Over 1,000 mammal species are on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. A recent analysis of the issue, led by Ralf C. Buckley, has suggested that many are heavily reliant on tourism funding to a degree that was previously unrecognised.

For over half of the red-listed mammal species with available data, at least 5 per cent of all wild animals rely on tourism revenue to survive. For one in five species – including rhinos, lions and elephants – that rises to at least 15 per cent of animals.

What is clear from these finding is that, while the tourist industries that build up around these animals are problematic, they are also essential for their continued protection and hence survival.

in kg, of a tiger in the wild

Estimated number of tigers in the wild in India in 2007

2–3

The simple fact is that neither tourists nor operators pose anywhere near the level of threat that poachers do

109–227 The weight range,

1,400

3 The number of sub-species of tiger already extinct

poachers.

The only apparent way that this can be done is using money garnered from the tiger tourism industry. The national parks that are currently the focus of legal action would need to remain open to tourists to generate cash flow, and with this conservationists could buy more land alongside rehabilitating and restocking the existing parks.

However, there is a universal anxiety around the current reliance on tourism money. In Madagascar, Nepal and Zimbabwe, where tourism collapsed following unrest, many threatened species suffered from a great increase in poaching. This reliance leaves tigers highly vulnerable to changes in the market for tourists.

3,500 Estimated number of tigers in the wild in India in 2002

7–9

Average length of a tiger, in feet, including the tail

Science 20–22

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddsci

21

Common Cold Centre makes discovery Michael O'ConnellDavidson

Science Writer As part of ongoing research into alternative medications, Cardiff University’s Common Cold Centre has arrived closer to a treatment for the common cold. Its findings, published in the peerreviewed journal Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative

Medicine, focus on the use of an American wildflower, the Echinacea.

By stimulating the body’s white blood cells, Echinacea boosts the immune system. According to the centre’s website, it “could in theory abort a common cold infection”, as well as “prevent the development of symptoms”.

Though the wildflower can

provoke a dangerous allergic reaction when given to children under 12, those involved in the research were all over the age of 18.

Participants showed no adverse effect when supplied with the treatment, which was concluded to have “highly significant” benefits by researchers.

The study showed that those supplied with 'Echinaforce', a form of the herbal extract, recovered significantly faster than those who were provided with a placebo. The group provided with Echinaforce were also seen to suffer fewer bouts of illness overall, an improvement described by researchers as “borderline significant”.

Roland Schoop, a researcher for Bioforce and one of the study’s authors, said that he was “amazed” by findings, which saw episodes of recurring infection drop by 59 per cent. Bioforce itself is the British arm of A.Vogel, a company that partially funded the study.

The group provided with Echinaforce recovered significantly faster Previous studies have often only shown limited promise, and experts in the field have disputed the herbal extract’s effectiveness.

Research undertaken in 2010 by the American College of Physicians concluded that Echinacea

The echinacea flower in the wild “did not make a difference” when treating sickness. However, those who disputed the college's findings included Graham Keen, who, as executive director for the Health Food Manufacturers' Association, commented that there was a “strong history supporting the health properties of Echinacea”. A number of other studies have come to similarly positive conclusions, with the University of Connecticut publishing similar results in 2007.

Other alternative medications investigated by the Common Cold Centre include zinc, menthol and garlic. Though used worldwide, alternative medicines are especially popular in Europe, with usage estimates falling between 40 and 70 per cent of the population in some cases. This exciting research further cements the Common Cold Centre's reputation as a producer of vital research in this field.

Black hole lasers come a step closer David Mason

Science Writer A team of scientists in Edinburgh, led by Daniele Faccio, are working on creating a new type of laser, made from an artificial black hole. They are attempting to prove that, despite the name, black holes actually emit a small amount of light.

Stephen Hawking was the first to suggest that black holes emit a faint glow, now known as ‘Hawking radiation’. It was suggested that this radiation is present at the event horizon of a black hole – that is, the edge point of a black hole at which gravitational pull prevents light from beyond from reaching an observer.

According to quantum theory, a vacuum, such as that of space, is not totally empty. Rather, it contains pairs of particles and their ‘antimatter’ counterparts.

Under normal circumstances, these pairs will mutually annihilate. In the presence of a black hole, however, it is theoretically possible for one of the pair to become sucked in, while the other

escapes. It is suggested that this results in the faint emission of Hawking radiation.

tions, is impossible. The team, therefore, are merely simulating the event horizon of a black hole,

Creating an actual black hole, even under laboratory condi-

through the use of lasers.

Two separate pulses of laser

light are fired through glass, the second being slowed by the refractive effects of the first. As the second pulse is never able to catch the first, it creates an event horizon from the point of view of the second pulse. While the team have detected excess photons being emitted from their event horizon, other physicists refute the claim that this is evidence of Hawking radiation, due to the artificiality of the event horizon.

Regardless, it is hoped that the artificial event horizon could have further practical purposes, such as the ability to create lasers. Conventional lasers build their beams through bouncing light back and forth between two mirrors, releasing a focused beam of light. It is suggested that bouncing light instead between the event horizons of black holes and their theoretical counterparts – white holes – amplifying the theoretical Hawking radiation would form laser light that is easier to detect. At this point, however, nothing is very certain in a scientific field that proves

near impossible to accurately measure.

A white hole, though yet to be detected, would allow photons to approach but not enter. By sending their artificial event horizon – two pulses of light in quick succession – through an artificial diamond, it is hoped that Faccio’s team can simulate a white hole within a black hole and create the desired laser effect. They have already succeeded in creating the white hole half of the laser and are currently aiming to complete their research with the ultimate aim of proving or disproving the presence of Hawking radiation.

The team’s research is due to be published in in the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity. It is hoped that their research will not only ascertain the existence of Hawking radiation, but also lead to the creation of something of genuine practical use.

22 / Science

Earth-like planet found close to Earth Max Eshraghi

Science Writer Scientists have discovered a planet with properties similar to those of Earth just 4.3 light years away – in astronomical terms, right next door. Its mass is similar to that of our own planet and it orbits the nearest star to the Sun, Alpha Centauri B, once every 3.2 days at a distance of 6 million kilometres. This short distance means that the surface is too hot for water or life because

the planet’s molten surface is estimated to stew at a smouldering 1,500°C. However, the team of Geneva Observatory scientists who identified the planet claim their success in identifying such a small object paves the way to more important and exciting discoveries later.

The study was published in the journal Nature and demonstrates the technical advances made in exoplanet research. Exoplanets

are planets that exist outside our own Solar System and have long been objects of interest for researchers. Since 1995, 750 exoplanets have been discovered and another 2,300 sightings are still pending confirmation. However, none of them have been Earthsized – until now – and to date, none have been found within the habitable area around a star, a place that astronomers call the ‘Goldilocks Zone’. Neither too hot nor too cold, this is the zone

where life might exist. “Statistical studies of exoplanets suggest that low-mass planets are preferentially formed in multi-planetary systems”, it is written in the research paper. “There is therefore a high probability that other planets orbit Alpha Centauri B, perhaps in its habitable zone.”

Dr. Stéphane Udry of the Geneva Observatory hopes they will soon be able to identify other planets nearby where conditions would be right for life.

“The possibility of detecting an Earth-like planet in the habitable zone of this star system is good”, he said, speaking about his team’s chances of making such a discovery. “This is the first planet with a mass similar to Earth ever found around a star like the Sun”, he added.

Dual moon theory is put to the test

Revolutionary astronomical findings are, of course, also made closer to home. Science writer Peter Marshall reviews a fascinating theory proposed over a year ago that is still polarising opinion within the scientific community and is finally set to be tested by NASA

A

theory published last year in Nature has challenged the orthodox accounts of the Moon’s formative stages. Although the Moon’s origins are still poorly understood and are much debated, there are a number of prevailing views that try to explain its formation and appearance, in particular the markedly different landscapes of its near and far sides.

Most theories concede that, after colliding with a Mars-sized protoplanet – an event often called ‘The Big Splat’ – debris from a then-young Earth was flung into space, the largest piece of which became the Moon.

However, the new theory suggested by Erik Asphaug and Martin Jutzi, of the University of California at the time of the study, proposed that the Moon did not quickly engulf or gravitationally eject all of the smaller pieces,

as is generally believed. Instead, Asphaug and Jutzi believe that one piece survived, at least for a while, as a second moon.

Why is the far side of the Moon so mountainous and the near side so flat?

Existing in a gravitational safe-zone most likely within the Moon's own orbit, either 60° in front or 60° behind it, this second moon would have survived for tens of millions of years before tidal forces exerted by Earth forced it and its better known cousin further and further out until, eventually, the Sun's gravitational pull upset their carefully balanced orbital dynamics.

At this point, the two moons would have collided, albeit at a relatively slow speed of 2.4 kilometres per second. Such a com-

paratively gentle collision may explain the long-standing astronomical puzzle known as the lunar dichotomy: why is the far side of the Moon so mountainous whilst the near so side flat?

As Asphaug explains: “By definition, a big collision occurs only on one side... and unless it globally melts the planet, it creates an asymmetry.”

Asphaug and Jutzi hope that NASA’s recently launched GRAIL mission, aimed at obtaining a detailed understanding of the Moon's structure, will provide further evidence for their claims.

If, as they predicted, it is proven that the magma ocean thought to have been underlying the Moon's surface at the time of the collision has been redistributed to the near side of the moon, then their second moon theory may emerge as a real possibility.

Magnetic nanoparticles destroy cancer cells Suryatapa Mukherjee

Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.

Science Writer Scientists from South Korea’s Yonsei University have formulated a new method of destroying cancer cells, according to research published recently in Nature Materials.

The researchers used antibodies to guide iron nanoparticles into cancer cells. When exposed to a magnetic field, the nanoparticles moved inside the cells, causing the cells to self-destruct.

This method has been successfully tested on a culture of bowel cancer cells. In less than 24 hours, more than half of the cells exposed to the magnetic field were destroyed.

The treatment works by activating a process inside the cancer cells called apoptosis. Apoptosis is a cellular function that serves to destroy old, faulty or infected cells. Once a cell activates apoptosis, it breaks itself down and is

then consumed by immune cells.

However, in cancer, this process fails. This leads to an uncontrollable spread of cancer cells.

In less than 24 hours, more than half of the cells were destroyed The antibody–nanoparticle complexes bind to certain endogenous receptors within the cancer cells. The magnetic field causes the iron nanoparticles to cluster, which causes the clumping together of the receptors they are bound to, triggering apoptosis.

No form of treatment is applicable to all types of cancer and many are fraught with risks of deadly side-effects. This method of using nanoparticles is not an exception to the rule, and is only a preliminary experiment. The

research has a long way to go before this formula can be tested in vivo on human cancer cells.

One concern about the new treatment is the lack of selectivity – it is not certain that the nanoparticles can be directed precisely into the cancer cells and not healthy ones.

For example, when the experiment was carried out with zebra fish, a kink developed in the fish’s tail where healthy cells were inadvertently terminated, demonstrating the current nonselectivity of the treatment.

It is too early to predict the ways in which this technology can be successfully harnessed.

Nevertheless, it is a huge breakthrough in the field of biological science, and is yet another ingenious example of how cells can be manipulated to achieve seemingly endless medical goals.

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Do you love the location of your home?

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Do you enjoy living in your home?

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Is there anything that could be done to improve your house and persuade you to stay?

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34 Woodville Road www.cpshomes.co.uk

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agency fees!

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24 / Societies

Howard League check out HMP Cardiff ’s new restaurant Alayla Castle-Herbert

Societies Writer Branching out from the success of the first Clink restaurant at HMP High Down in Surrey, The Clink opened its doors at Cardiff Prison to members of the public in September.

Operating in partnership with HMP Cardiff, the Clink charity aims to reduce re-offending rates by encouraging rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners into society once they have served their time. Through their work in the restaurant, prisoners gain nationally recognised City & Guilds NVQ qualifications and have help towards finding employment within the Welsh catering industry. In fact, Antonio Carluccio, the chief ambassador of the High Down Clink, who has opened over 60 restaurants across the UK, was so impressed with the standard of the food and skill of the staff that he has already hired one of the graduates to work in his own restaurants.

‘Real’ work in prisons and

Through their work in the restaurant, prisoners gain nationally recognised City & Guilds NVQ qualifications the promotion of rehabilitative initiatives are some of the main goals of the Howard League for Penal Reform, so the Cardiff Howard League Committee went to see what all the fuss was about.

The restaurant itself is right

Monday October 29th Chess Society meeting, 5–7pm, Main Building, Room 1.25. Our regular Monday meeting, all abilities welcome as usual!

Come and enjoy some friendly games of chess & some good chats in the pub afterwards.

our President and I opted for.

The other committee members selected the chicken balotine and the slow roasted lamb shank.

When our food arrived, it was delicious, served in generous portions and also impressively presented.

Despite being rather full, we decided to have dessert, choosing homemade sorbet and a celebration of Welsh apples – the trio of apple desserts. Again, the presentation was of an excellent standard and the dessert was very tasty. I imagine we would have been able to enjoy it even more if we hadn't been quite so full from our main meals!

The price of the mains ranged from £8.95 to £11.50, with desserts starting at £4.75 – prices admittedly beyond most students' everyday budgets. Outside the student sphere, however, the prices are not noteworthy, being no different to any other restaurant of a similar calibre. In fact, I would venture that given the exceptional standard of food, it was actually comparatively good value. Currently, the restaurant is not fitted up to accept card payments. It will be shortly, but do remember to take some cash just in case.

The committee thoroughly enjoyed their lunch at Clink

HMP Cardiff and will certainly be heading back. While the opportunity to eat at a restaurant in a prison is certainly a unique one, and people may visit for the novelty value, they will stay for the wonderful food and great service. One of Cardiff Howard League’s plans is to visit Clink again in the academic year as a

Wednesday, October 31st

Thursday, November 1st

Friday, November 2nd

Traffic Society is hosting

Windband's first

African Caribbean

'Womp' Launch Night Free

lunchtime concert of

Society's 'Socaerobics'

Party with One Mission

the year! 1–2pm, Music

class – a combination of

Cooking Society –

and Dutty Moonshine at

Department's University

the energetic rhythms of

Pumpkin carving! Come

The Moon Club, Womanby

Concert Hall, including

Soca music and aerobics –

with your pumpkin and

Street, 10pm–3am. A

other groups and artists

dance yourself into shape!

get some inspiration for

night of great music with

from the Music Society.

5:30–6:30pm, Gareth

your seasonal decorations

everything from electro

Should be a great

Edwards Room, Students'

– or show us how it's

swing to jungle!

performance!

Union!

in the city centre, tucked away just behind Queen Street station.

It is situated in one of the old prison visiting centres, and from the outside doesn't look pretentious. Having read some of the experiences of individuals visiting the restaurant at HMP High Down, we were expecting metal detectors and searches at

the doors, but it was remarkably casual and open. Although it is recommended that you book a place, there were a few available tables, in an establishment that boasts seating for 96 people.

The interior was unexpectedly luxurious and very comfortable, with leather seats and glasspanelled walls, accompanied by soft mood lighting.

Our waiter was very polite and friendly, insisting that we treat ourselves when we were indecisive about whether to get dessert. The three-course menu was ambitious, offering a variety of meat dishes for the main, ranging from breaded chicken balotine with confit leg, to fillet of haddock with a carrot and coriander rice cake and a soy, spring onion, lime and sesame dressing. There were also vegetarian options, including the creamy chestnut risotto, which

Tuesday, October 30th

done! 6–8pm, Nelson Mandela Room, Students' Union.

Image courtesy of The Clink© 2011 group society event.

Check them out on Facebook at: facebook.com/ CardiffUniversityHowardLeague and on CampusGroups at: groups.cardiffstudents.com/ howardleague/home/

Left: Members of the Howard League for Penal Reform Committee at the Societies Fayre this year.

Societies 24–25

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddsoc

25

Duke of Edinburgh Society HistorySoc’s ‘Toga Toga @ Tiger Tiger’ Skills Day event draws record numbers

Alayla Castle-Herbert

Societies Writer A big thank you to those who came to the Skills Day – we walked up Garth Hill and it was a great success! This was an experience in which new members could learn some essential navigational skills using maps, compasses and bearings.

The Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Bay could be seen from the top of Garth And it didn’t stop there – society members even cooked a "delicious" pasta dish on camping Trangias and enjoyed a chocolate cake to celebrate one of our new members' 23rd birthday – a happy belated birthday to Becky! Who ever said trekking wasn’t fun?

The other members assured me that "despite a few blisters", they had

"a great time meeting new members and exploring a new area". One of the committee members enthusiastically pointed out that the Cardiff Millennium Stadium and Bay could be seen from the top of Garth.

I hope to enjoy more trips like these throughout the year as they show that being part of the Duke of Edinburgh

ABACUS is the Association of British and Chinese University Students.

As a society, it's our mission to share the rich and diverse Far Eastern culture with everyone, regardless of background or ethnicity.

Society is not just about achieving an award (not to mention meeting the Duke of Edinburgh), it also creates a fun and lively environment to meet new people.

T

he event on Monday, October 15th had over 200 attendees – a feat of organisation and advertising for any society. HistorySoc President Gareth Dunn had this to say: "We had 220 people turn up, the biggest social we have ever had and, I believe, Humanities in general has ever had.

We had not just

As a part of the network of ABACUS societies in universities around the UK, members will have the opportunity to meet likeminded people all across the country.

Historians but a good share of the Humanities in there too. It was a great chance for freshers to get to know their fellow first-years as well as the HistorySoc committee and their contemporaries in the years above them. There was drama and incest aplenty, and the Facebook statuses were particularly glowing.

HistorySoc is just like any other society at the University – looking to put on a bit of a show for our members (historians and humanities students) as best we can. If you charge a membership fee, you have to provide a service and Toga Toga @ Tiger Tiger, hopefully, has shown that we can deliver. 220 people from all years really is a fantastic turnout and means we, the committee, really don't have to put in too much legwork once we get to event night, because our members carry it for us. We're looking forward to carrying on this incredible start into our even bigger Christmas social!"

26 / Taf-Od Talent Cymraeg unwaith eto'n serennu’n ystod G yl S n Angharad Hywel Taf-od

Penwythnos diwethaf cynhaliwyd gw l gerddorol S n yma yng Nghaerdydd dros 4 diwrnod, ar 16 llwyfan gwahanol ar draws y ddinas. Dyma chweched flwyddyn S n, sydd wedi’i ymrwymo i gefnogi cerddoriaeth o Gymru a thu hwnt. Roedd lond lle o dalent Cymraeg i’w weld eleni.

Yn Dempseys nos Iau, roedd Tom ap Dan yn canu. Swynwyd y dorf gan ei fath o arbennig o fl s gwerinol, ac roedd naws ei gerddoriaeth yn wych ar gyfer y lleoliad. Ar yr un pryd, yn nhafarn O’Neills roedd Eilir Pierce, Trwbador, Yr Angen a Swnami yn chwarae. Cafwyd set fywiog unwaith eto gan Swnami, un o fandiau byw gorau’r SRG. Dechrau gwych i’r penwythnos cerddorol.

Nos Wener, roedd amryw o gigs o amgylch y ddinas. Yn gyntaf roedd Nebula, band ifanc o Abertawe ac enillwyr Brwydr y Bandiau C2 2012, ym mar Buffalo.

Er nad oedd yr ystafell y llawn, daliwyd sylw’r gynulleidfa gyda’u caneuon melodig a bachog. Mae ganddynt ddyfodol disglair o’u blaenau. Dilynwyd Nebula gan Y Bandana. Wedi haf prysur yn gigio ar draws y wlad, daeth llu o bobl i’w cefnogi. Dyma’r tro cyntaf i’r band beidio chwarae ca-

neuon oddi ar eu halbwm cyntaf, ac yn wir roedd yn llwyddiant.

Maent wedi datblygu s n aeddfed, sy'n parhau i fod yn egnïol a hwyl. Daeth y noson i ben yn Buffalo gyda set gan The Earth; band gyda s n MAWR. Byddai werth i unrhyw un sy’n hoff o unrhyw fath o gerddoriaeth gael cip wrandawiad arnynt.

Sen Segur oedd prif atyniad O’neills nos Wener. Mae’r band wedi bod yn gigio’n gyson dros y misoedd diwethaf, gyda set ar lwyfan S n yng ng yl y Dyn Gwyrdd a thaith Nyth yn ddiweddar.

Roedd y dorf wrth eu bodd efo’u s n seicadelig, ac roedd siom fawr pan ddaeth eu set i ben. Ond lwcus i ni, cafwyd encore gyda cyfyr o ‘Ofn C n’ gan Ffa Coffi

Pawb. Mae Sen Segur yn fand gwych i’w gweld yn fyw, ac yn un o uchafbwyntiau’r penwythnos i mi.

Ymlwybrwyd draw i Undertone i orffen y noson. Lleoliad tan ddaearol addas ar gyfer set electronig/dubstep Ifan Dafydd.

Parhawyd y dawnsio tan oriau mân y bora.

Roedd lond lle o dalent Cymraeg i'w weld eleni Gwdih oedd prif leoliad nos Sadwrn ar gyfer cerddoriaeth Cymraeg, gyda llwyfan wedi’i drefnu gan Nyth. Cafwyd perfformiadau gan Rene Griffiths, Huw M, Casi Wyn, Lleuwen,

Candelas, Osian Howells, We Are Animal a Hud. Roedd y lle’n orlawn i glywed Casi Wyn. Swynwyd y dorf gyda’i llais melfedaidd a’i chaneuon sydd yn swnio fel clasuron yn barod. Candelas oedd uchafbwynt arall i’r noson, ac yn wir y penwythnos cyfan i mi. Roedd eu set yn fywiog, gyda chaneuon bachog dros ben; mae Anifail wedi bod yn sownd yn fy mhen ers dyddiau. Mae dyfodiad Osian Williams o du ôl y drymiau i flaen y llwyfan wedi bod yn llwyddiannus iawn; hoeliodd sylw’r gynulleidfa efo’i antics llwyfan.

Cafwyd set fywiog arall gan We Are Animal, gyda’r band a’r dorf chwysu yng ngwres o’r llwyfan.

Daeth y noson i ben gyda set gan Hud, oedd yn lansio eu EP new-

ydd ‘Stuntman’. Dydy colli’r Creision o’u henw heb amharu dim arnynt; roedd eu set yn dynn ac yn llawn caneuon egnïol. Lansiad cofiadwy i’w EP newydd.

Roedd llwyfan Nyth yn wych, a phawb yn amlwg wedi mwynhau yn arw. Yr unig feirniadaeth sydd gen i, ydy efallai nad oedd Gwdih ddigon mawr ar gyfer yr holl bobl ddaeth i’r gig. Er hynny roedd yno awyrgylch penigamp.

Yn wir, roedd chweched yl S n yn llwyddiannus iawn.

Dyma’r flwyddyn gyntaf i mi fynychu’r yl, ond nid hon fydd yr olaf. Mae g yl s n wedi llwyddo i’m swyno.

Rapiwr Cymraeg i ymddangos ar lwyfan y MOBOs Tomos Lewis Golygydd Taf-od

O taf D

Bydd cerddor o Gymru, Ed Holden, sy’n perfformio o dan yr enw Mr Phormula yn creu hanes mis nesaf wrth iddo ymddangos ar lwyfan y “Music of Black Origin Awards” a rapio yn yr iaith Gymraeg, y person cyntaf erioed i wneud hyn ar lwyfan y MOBOs. Mae’r seremoni’n cael ei gynnal yn Lerpwl ar y 3ydd o Dachwedd, lle bydd Mr Phormula, yn wreiddiol o Sir Fôn ond nawr yn byw yn Llanfrothen, yng Ngw-

ynedd, yn cymryd y llwyfan gyda pherfformwyr eraill a gymerodd ran yn ‘Rap Britannia’, rhaglen ddogfen ar gyfer Radio 1Xtra. Ffocws y rhaglen oedd rapwyr wedi ei seilio tu allan i Lundain, yn cynnwys Mr Phormula a rapwyr o dde Cymru, Flow Dem, ymysg nifer o rapwyr arall o bob cwr o Brydain. Bydd y rapwyr yn dod at ei gilydd i berfformio “UKRA” (The UK Rap Anthem) ar lwyfan y MOBOs, cân a ysgrifennwyd gan y rapwyr a gymerodd ran yn y ddogfen. Bydd hanes yn cael ei greu pan fu i’r gân gyrraedd rhan

Mr Phormula, sy’n rapio ei ran ef yn ddwyieithog.

Mae Holden, oedd perfformio fel aelod o’r gr p ‘Genod Droog’ yn y gorffennol, nawr yn teithio’r wlad yn gigio yn defnyddio’i lysenw Mr Phormula. Yn ogystal â hyn, mae’n rhedeg stiwdio recordio y mae wedi ei enwi’n ‘Studio Panad’. Er bod yr enw’n awgrymu cryn ddiogi, mae’n amlwg fod Mr Phormula wedi bod yn brysur iawn ac mae’n si r y bydd llawer mwy o waith yn hedfan tuag ato yn dilyn ei ymddangosiad ar lwyfan mor fawr â’r MOBOs.

Straeon OD o bob rhan o'r byd... Wythnos yma, ffyrdd ryfedd iawn o golli ffônau symudol...

F

e roddodd dyfarnwr ym Mharagwai gerdyn coch i 36 o chwaraewyr pêldroed mewn gêm gynghrair ieuenctid wedi i’r ddau dîm gychwyn ymladd ar hyd y cae. Cafodd pob chwaraewr a phob eilydd ei yrru oddi ar y maes gan y dyfarnwr oedd, erbyn i’r ymladd orffen, wedi gadael y cae i’r diogelwch o’i ystafell newid. Er nad oedd y dyfarnwr na’i lumanwyr wedi gweld yr holl ymladd oherwydd

eu bod wedi dianc yn gynnar, penderfynodd y swyddogion i roi cerdyn coch i holl chwaraewyr y ddau dîm. Does neb yn sicr sut y gwneith y timau chwarae ei gemau nesaf oherwydd bydd y chwaraewyr wedi ei gwahardd. Mae sôn eu bod angen chwaraewyr gymaint, eu bod yn cysidro cynnig cytundeb i Emile Heskey... Annhebyg iawn.

Yn y cyfamser, mae dyn ym Mosnia wedi cael ei arestio wedi iddo ddwyn pont haearn er mwyn ei gwerthu fel metel sgrap.

Cafodd y bont, oedd yn wreiddiol dros 12 metr o hyd ei ddarganfod mewn dau ddarn yng ngardd t ’r dyn wedi ei gyhuddo.

Mae cwmni yswiriant ffonau symudol wedi cyhoeddi rhestr o’r hawliadau yswiriant rhyfedda maent wedi ei dderbyn. Ymysg yr hawliadau, oedd dyn oedd wedi colli ei Iphone ym mhen ôl buwch, dynes oedd wedi pobi ei ffôn mewn cacen a chwpl oedd yn honedig wedi colli ffôn symudol oddi ar ochr llong wrth geisio ail-greu golygfa o’r ffilm

‘Titanic’. Daeth hawliad arall gan ddynes oedd yn honni bod ei ffôn wedi cael ei ddwyn o’i llaw gan wylan tra oedd yn cerdded ei chi ar hyd traeth Ynys y Bari. Mae’n debyg mai ond ar ôl y ‘chip’ oedd y wylan...

Taf-Od 26–27

Dydd Llun 29ain Hydref 2012 | @taf_od

27

Lance Armstrong, chwaraeon a chyffuriau Dewi Preece sy'n trafod gwahardd Armstrong o seiclo ac effaith cyffuriau ar chwaraeon yn gyffredinol

D

ros yr haf, cawsom ni fel Cymry a Phrydeinwyr ein diddanu â rhai o ddigwyddiadau chwaraeon mwya’r byd. Cafodd y Gemau Olympaidd a Pharalympaidd eu cynnal yn hynod lwyddiannus o dan ein trwynau; fe gynhaliwyd pencampwriaeth Criced 20/20 y byd yn fendigedig yn Sri Lanka, yn ogystal â Chwpan Ryder bythgofiadwy yn Chicago.

Ag eto, ymysg dechreuad gwych i dymhorau’r uwch-gynghrair Barclays, a’r pencampwriaethau rygbi, penawdau siomedig sydd yn dal i honni ein sylw. Ac yn ddiweddar, un dyn sydd ar flaen tafod pob newyddiadurwr chwaraeon.

Lance Armstrong.

Pan ymddeolodd yn 2010, credai llawer ei fod yn un o athletwyr gorau'r oes Mae gyrfa Armstrong yn un anghredadwy. O fod yn bencampwr treiathlon dan 19 pan ond yn 16, fe gafodd ddechreuad hynod lewyrchus i’w yrfa. Pan oedd yn 25, ac yn enw cyfarwydd iawn, ac yn sicr yn un o’r goreuon o fewn y byd seiclo, fe ddarganfyddwyd fod ganddo gancr o’r drydedd radd, a ledodd o’i geilliau, i’w ysgyfaint, i’w afu a’i ymennydd. Wedi llawdriniaeth a chemotherapi brys, fe glywodd Armstrong fod ganddo ond 40 a chant o siawns o fyw.

Anodd credu ar ôl yr ystadegau hynny ei fod wedi llwyddo ennill y Tour de France saith mlynedd yn olynol rhwng 1999-2005! Yn ogystal, fe sefydlodd Armstrong yr elusen byd eang Livestrong, elusen sydd wedi codi dros $400 miliwn i ddarparu cymorth i gleifion cancr.

Ond yn anffodus, bu Armstrong yn denu penawdau negyddol yn ystod ei holl yrfa. Er i newyddiadurwyr ffocysu am flynyddoedd ar ei broblemau priodasol, bu penawdau mwy difrifol yn sefydlu dan draed; cyhuddiadau difrifol o gamddefnyddio cyffuriau yn ystod ei yrfa seiclo.Ers y cychwyn cyntaf, fe wrthododd Armstrong y cyhuddiadau, gan bleidio ei ddiniweidrwydd i’r byd seiclo.

Er y cwestiynau profoclyd, a’r ardaloedd cymylog ag amgylchai Armstrong, roedd yn dal i fod yn un o ffigurau mwyaf poblogaidd ac ysbrydoledig y byd. Pan ymddeolodd yn 2010, credai llawer ei fod yn un o athletwyr gorau’r oes, yn rhannu’r un golau a’r goreuon megis Muhammad Ali. Ond o fewn yr wythnosau diwethaf,

“

Mae gyrfa Armstrong yn un anghredadwy.

O fod yn bencampwr treiathlon dan 19 pan ond yn 16, fe gafodd ddechreuad hynod lewyrchus i’w yrfa

rydym yn gweld enw Armstrong yn cael ei chwalu’n deilchion yn y cyfryngau o flaen ein llygaid.

Ers i’r USADA (US AntiDoping-Agency) godi achos swyddogol yn erbyn Armstrong ym Mehefin 2012, mae tomen o dystiolaeth wedi dod i’r amlwg.

Tystiolaeth ag estynnai o brofion meddygol, i ddatganiadau personol gan ei gyn-gyd-seiclwyr. Fe gyhuddai Armstrong o fod yn un o ffigurau blaenllaw rwydwaith mwyaf proffesiynol, mwyaf soffistigedig a mwyaf llwyddiannus o gamddefnyddio cyffuriau a welir mewn unrhyw chwaraeon.

Yn barod, mae Armstrong wedi colli ei saith bencampwriaeth Tour de France¸ derbyn gwaharddiad gweddill oes o’r byd seiclo, colli llawer o’i noddwyr proffesiynol, ac wedi berwi gwaed miliynau o’i ddilynwyr, ei noddwyr a’i ffrindiau. Geiriau diweddaraf pennaeth Yr Undeb Rhyngwladol Seiclo; ‘Armstrong has no place in cycling. He deserves to be forgotten.’ Ond anodd bydd anghofio'r cwymp mwyaf mewn cof o ‘Hero to Zero’. Ond rhaid ystyried am funud, a yw Armstrong wedi derbyn triniaeth lem? Wedi’r cyfan, nid ef yw’r cyntaf, ac yn sicr nid yr olaf i gamddefnyddio cyffuriau yn y byd chwaraeon. Nid oes angen edrych yn ddwfn i ganfod enwau byd-enwog sydd â hanes o gymryd cyffuriau;

Cymerwch Andre Agassi er enghraifft. Profodd Agassi yn bositif i gymryd cyffuriau yn ystod y flwyddyn ble saethodd o fod yn rhif 141 yn y byd i rif 7. Osgôdd unrhyw gosb am iddo ddweud mai ‘damwain’ ydoedd. Fe aeth ymlaen i fod yn un o fawrion y maes, ag ennill 8 grand slam.

Marion Jones. Un o enwogion byd athletau’r menywod. Fe enillodd 5 medal yn Sydney, a phum medal aur i gyd. Erbyn 2007 fe gyffesodd i gamddefnyddio cyffuriau. Ei chosb oedd colli’r medalau, a dwy flynedd o waharddiad.

Dim ond dwy flynedd.

Yn y gystadleuaeth100m yng Ngemau Olympaidd Llundain, roedd dau gystadleuwr yn rhannu’r profiad o brofi’n bositif am gyffuriau yn ystod eu gyrfaoedd. Dwayne Chambers, un o athletwyr mwyaf adnabyddus Prydain. Yn 2004, fe dderbyniodd 2 flynedd o waharddiad am brofi’n bositif am gyffuriau anghyfreithlon. Fe brofwyd Gatlin yn euog ar ddau achlysur yn ei yrfa, ac wedi derbyn dros 5 mlynedd o waharddiad. Ond eto, cafodd ef y cyfle i ennill medal yng ngemau Olympaidd Llundain.

Mae pob chwaraeon unigol yn gwynebu’r un her yngl n â chyffuriau anghyfreithlon. Maent yn bodoli, mae hynny’n ffaith, ac maent angen cael eu rhwystro.

Ond eto, pam fod rhai chwaraeon yn delio’n well nag eraill? Pam nad oes cysondeb ar draws pob maes? Nid wyf am eiliad yn credu bod Armstrong wedi cael triniaeth lem, ond eto, pam ddylai athletwyr megis Gatlin gael cyfle ar ôl cyfle i ennill gwobr fwyaf anrhydeddus y byd, ag eraill yn cael gwaharddiad bywyd.

Yn anffodus, bu Armstrong yn denu penawdau negyddol yn ystod ei holl yrfa Twyll yw twyll, ym mha bynnag faes, ac yn sicr nid oes lle iddo yn y maes chwaraeon, maes ysbrydoledig i filiynau o bobl.

Rydym yn byw mewn oes ble mae plant yn edrych ar enwogion chwaraeon ac yn eu hedmygu, ac yn dilyn eu hesiamplau. Gobeithiaf y bydd yr achos yn erbyn Armstrong yn agoriad llygaid i lawer o Fyrdd Rheoli chwaraeon, ac yn eu sbarduno i osod fframwaith pendant, a llym i ddelio a’r unigolion hynny nad ydynt yn deall ystyr y term ‘chwarae teg’.

28 / Puzzles

Sudoku Easy

Wordsearch

CHALLENGING

Rhysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Riddles Steve has 25 horses. When they race, each horse runs at a different, constant pace. A horse will always run at the same pace no matter how many times it races.

Steve wants you to figure out which his 3 fastest horses are. You are allowed to race at most 5 horses at a time. You don't have a stopwatch so all you can learn from each race is which order the horses finish in.

What is the least number of races you can conduct to figure out which of Steve's 3 horses are fastest?

For a detailed steveriddle5

Easy

CHALLENGING

explanation

go

here:

tinyurl.com/

Last weeks riddle answer: Gill shook hands with 4 people. Since everyone told you a different number, the numbers of hands shaken must be: 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0 (4 couples and Gill). Using logic, 8 must be paired with 0, 7 with 1, 6 with 2, and 5 with 3. Leaving Gill on 4 hand shakes.

Listings 28–29

Monday October 29th 2012 | @mediacsu

29

Listings Music Live Music Monday at the Taf, Oct 29th, 8pm– 1am.

Shinedown – Cardiff Students' Union, £15 3Oh3! – Cardiff Students' Union, £13.50

Theatre Sherman Theatre – L.O.V.E L.O.V.E has been described as 'an immoderate ménage à trois with a hint of the Shirley Bassey'. Three lovers, recalling Shakespeare, the 'dark lady' and 'the lovely boy', perfom the Sonnets, bringing forth the passion beneath the elegant verse. L.O.V.E is a highly charged classic that helped to define the phrase 'physical theatre'.

Cinema Chapter Arts Centre £3 Advanced Student Ticket On the Road An all-star cast bring Jack Kerouac's classic beat generation novel of crosscountry adventuring to the screen.

Clubs Wednesday – The Lash presents Twighlash Solus 10pm–1am Comeplay has been the biggest student night in Cardiff for eight years and is known for having the biggest tunes across three rooms, competitions, prizes, and bumping into everyone you know at uni.

Killing them Softly A thriller set in post-hurricane New Orleans, tells of a city caught in the midst of a recession-induced crime wave

29th – 4th October

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32 / Sport

“Banned for life” continued from the back page Evidence from these athletes, especially the in-depth book of Tyler Hamilton explaining the process of drug consumption, scarily clarifies how Armstrong was the leader of the largest drug ring ever, forcing team-mates to pursue success through enhancement.

In the wake of these results, and the confirmation by his team mates, that forced the International Cycling Union (UCI) to strip his seven Tour de France titles, and he must refund around £2.4m in prize money. He also is banned for life from professional cycling by the UCI, and may still yet be hit again, with sponsors and competitions demanding repayment of bonuses and appearence fees. This is the beginning of the end to the Armstrong brand.

UCI president Pat McQuaid stated, "Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling. He deserves to

be forgotten."

It’s a damning time for the sport of cycling, and the series of events will leave a lasting dent in the reputation and trust.

Once again, cycling must fight against speculation over drug use, and this will lead to more of an audience turning their heads with the assumption that we are in an age of dirty winning.

However, cheating is apparent in all sports. Cycling has to evolve to expose the competitors who go against the strict guidelines, rather than sweep it under the rug, which is common in many other sports. Drug users are being exposed, even if it takes years after the event. Britain enjoyed a golden summer of cycling. This is the legacy cycling needs to work on. As Mark Cavendish stated, “cycling is 'the cleanest sport'”.

That said, more is required to build the weakened reputation of this apparently drug-addled sport.

The week that was Rhys Clayton

Sport Editor The football price charts made interesting reading last week.

Sometimes it's true what they say, any PR is good PR. And that's proved the case with the most expensive pie in football – the £4 Kidderminster monster. Stories about the hefty concoction of meat and gravy have hit the national press. The caterer defended his homemade pie, though, saying he's just trying to earn his club a crust.

The survey also highlighted that there are good clubs out there. As much as I despise Wigan Athletic for stealing Roberto Martínez from Swansea four seasons ago, to survive in the Premier League for so long with such cheap ticket prices and a small budget is hugely commendable. Their chairman, Dave Whelan, might rub a lot of people up the wrong way, but I respect him a lot for having an opinion when many others shy away from having any say whatsoever. Any chairman who actually loves his club, and more importantly, respects the fans, will get a thumbs up from me. £4 is also the price of a programme at Leeds United. My best friend has the displeasure of being a Leeds fan. I've read some of those programmes. It's worth ev-

ery penny, purely for Ken Bates' vitriolic programme notes. Why he's not in comedy, I'll never know. Is there anyone out there he hasn't offended? I'm not complaining, though; all other programme notes I've ever read have been ridiculously banal garbage.

Keep up the good work, Ken. What's not so funny is the Leeds fans running on the pitch to assault Chris Kirkland. I was a little let down, though. When I first found out about the fan "punching" the goalkeeper, I was hoping for an actual punch. If you’re going to get a life ban, actually earn

it. The fan merely pushed him in the face. Kirkland went down like a sack of spuds. That said, Kirkland is possibly the most brittle footballer in history.

The vagabond has been sent down for four months. Perhaps a more useful punishment would have been to have the entire Sheffield Wednesday team take shooting practice at him until he learns his lesson.

Students have ball at Freshers’ Korfball Sports writer Claire Blakeway tells all as korfball play host to the Freshers tournament

“

The tournament was eventually won

by Southampton Spartans, who occupied the top two places

When I first came to university, I was completely unaware of what the game korfball involved.

In case you've never heard of it before (and I pity you if you haven't), korfball is a court-based ball sport, with similar skills to both basketball and netball, played indoor or outdoor; it is the world's only truly mixed team sport. The court is split into two halves, each team will have two of each gender in each half.

Korfball is becoming increasingly popular throughout Europe and across British universities.

This year has seen a marked increase in students joining the Cardiff club, with over seventy students turning up to the first taster session. With Cardiff entering the Welsh national league, there is sure to be stiff competition between students to get into the four university teams.

Cardiff recently played host to 14 teams from around the UK in the Korfball Freshers Tournament, from as far away as East Anglia and Birmingham. Each hybrid team consisted of experienced and new players. For most freshers, it was their first opportunity to play competitively

for their university and many gave outstanding performances including Claire Blakeway, who gave a shooting masterclass to finish joint-top scorer with five goals, alongside James Wilcox.

The tournament was eventually won by Southampton Spartans who occupied the top two places.

Cardiff 2 just missed out on the final, but achieved third place with a 2–1 win over GK Raptors thanks to some great coaching from Maria Clements and Dave 'Superman' Haddock.

There were also some good performances from the other four Cardiff teams, who finished 7th, 11th, 13th and 14th. There were many impressive performances from new players during the day, including Mike 'Brummy' Koppel, who ran rings around Welsh international Will Hayward in his team's 5–2 defeat against Raptors.

Other stand-out players included Karim 'Not James Bond' Weber for his great enthusiasm to help his team, and Alana 'Taxi Driver' Loughnane, whose great collect-

ing ability was instrumental in her team's success.

To celebrate the tournament, freshers from all the teams gathered at the SU, where everyone got totally gazeboed while dressed as various characters from the circus. The best dressed person of the evening was Owen 'Town Planner' Horrell, who went all-out with a traditional clown outfit. We would like to thank Hannah Stocker and Sarah Goring for organising such a brilliant night out.

A massive thank you to all the Cardiff players who participated throughout the day and especially to Grace McKay and all the students who refereed and helped organise such a successful day. The three University teams will be competing in the Welsh Korfball League, while the first team will be competing in the Oxford, Wales and West Regional League and BUCS. If you are interested in trying korfball, come along to our training sessions on Wednesday nights, 18:30–20:30, at Talybont Sports Centre. The first two sessions are completely free.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sport 32–36

Monday October 29th 2012 | @gairrhyddsport

Frank you for the good times Jamie Crane

Sport Writer “What else can he do unless he jumps out of the air like Felix the Austrian spaceman?”

That is what Irish jockey Tom Queally said after riding legendary racehorse Frankel to victory in last weekend’s Ascot races. After his length-and-three-quarters triumph, Frankel has been retired, boasting an incredible unbeaten career record of 14 races, prompting many to label him as the greatest racehorse ever to have lived.

At such short odds, neither bookmaker or punter really profited from any of Frankel's victories Not many would argue. With a career earnings total of nearly £3 million, Frankel has destroyed any competition that has dared to share the same track. The British thoroughbred has been dubbed ‘Usain Colt’ by some, in reference to the human 100m world record holder, but who this comparison compliments is questionable. With an average top speed of 43mph, Frankel is nearly twice as quick as the iconic Jamaican sprinter, but there are clear similarities between the two.

Frankel, trained by inspirational, cancer-suffering Sir Henry Cecil, has propelled horse racing right into the public eye and attendances at race meetings have risen accordingly. Like Bolt, Frankel has dragged his sport to a whole new level of popularity and become a household name, with his unbeaten streak bringing interest from an entirely different crowd.

With a sold-out, 32,000-capacity at Ascot, the stage was set for Frankel to bow out in style, but at first it appeared that the fairy-tale ending that everyone was craving might not be on the cards.

The going was described as "soft, heavy in places" due to the torrential rain that had fallen overnight in Berkshire – a surface far from ideal for Frankel, whose previous best performances had come on firmer grounds. The 2/11 odds-on favourite was slow out of the stalls, but no one could spoil his day. As the horses rounded the bend, his class showed and he overtook eventual runner-up Cirrus Des Aigles to power to victory. An almighty roar from the captivated crowd consumed Frankel and Queally as the winning pair passed the post – a cheer containing a mixture of relief, astonishment and a sense of realisation that they had just witnessed history.

"You never see an F1 car win on anything but tarmac, but for him to win on ground like that shows how special he is,” commented Queally, who admitted that the rest of his jockeying career may well be an anti-climax after having the privilege to ride Frankel in all 14 of his races.

At such short odds, neither bookmaker nor punter really profited from any of Frankel’s victories, with a mere £5.96 return for anyone who backed the wonder horse in all 14 races with a £1 bet.

But the appeal of Frankel has always been about much more than just money. Spectators flocked to Ascot to see a champion; a pure champion, whose name will be forever etched into the sport’s history.

“

Frankel has propelled horse racing right into the public eye and attendances at race meetings have risen accordingly

The (almost) Unbeatable...

Greg Landon

Sport Writer The New Zealand All Blacks fell an agonising one game short of equalling the record for most consecutive Test match wins amongst top-tier nations following an 18–18 draw with Australia in Brisbane last weekend.

It may have been a scrappy affair, but the match had an incredible finish, with the Wallabies driving to their opponents’ 22 at the start of injury-time, only to concede a penalty. This led to the Kiwis keeping the ball alive for four minutes, gaining 60 metres in the process, before Dan Carter put his drop goal effort a yard wide to end the game in a stalemate.

The draw clearly favoured the hosts, who not only denied their trans-Tasman rivals a piece of rugby history, but went some way to relieving pressure on themselves and under-fire coach

Robbie Deans.

It is a fairly incredible result, given the dominance displayed

by New Zealand in the last two years, the recent off-field distractions within the Wallabies camp, and the fact that superstars such as Will Genia and David Pocock were out through injury.

Had New Zealand won, their match to move to 18 consecutive wins – and break the record currently shared by the 1969 All Blacks and 1998 South African Springboks – would have been against Scotland, a game in which there seems only one realistic result (with all due respect to Scottish fans).

The match-up between the two highest-ranked teams in the world surprisingly produced no tries, and an equally surprising amount of mistakes. Both teams lost three of their own line-outs, the Kiwis missed a whopping 14 tackles, and Australia conceded

We all hate Leeds scum?

Steph Bird

an incredible 16 penalties.

The game capped off a gruelling eight-month period for Southern Hemisphere players which included the Super 15, summer internationals, and the inaugural Rugby Championship, which may help explain the error strewn nature of the match.

However, the general lack of precision from both sides will give hope to other nations that both teams, and especially the All Blacks, are not as unassailable as previously thought. Wales in particular will view New Zealand’s line-out and Australia’s scrum as areas to target when they meet next month.

In-keeping with the spirit of New Zealand’s incredible run that almost etched their name in the record books, here are my events that would have changed history had they won when it mattered most:

So what happens now? Frankel’s owner, Prince Khalid Abdullah, has confirmed that he will be retired to stud, where he will be sent mares from all around the world to breed with. Frankel will begin the process in February, and according to Grimthorpe “could be covering three mares a day, or even four at peak times”.

The owners of the mares will be praying that any foals produced from the sessions will be blessed with some sort of resemblance to the one-of-a-kind racehorse, as they will be stumping up £100,000 a session. With Frankel expected to be introduced to 100 females a year, he could bring his owners an annual income of £10m, and over £100m in his lifetime.

After three unbeaten years of complete dominance, I think it’s fair to say that Frankel has well deserved his new playboy lifestyle.

Top 3 Sporting Nearlies 1) Prior to Euro 92, Gary Lineker had scored 48 goals for England, just one short of Bobby Charlton’s record of 49. Lineker had a golden chance to equal the record from the penalty spot in a pre-tournament friendly, but missed. He then failed to score throughout the tournament itself, and would end his career still one behind Charlton.

2) In the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final, South Africa needed to score just one run off four balls to beat Australia. An infamous run-out on the next delivery resulted in the Australians progressing to the final, thus allowing them to begin a streak of three consecutive World Cup victories.

3) The New England Patriots ended the 2007 NFL season undefeated and had a chance to become the league’s second ever ‘perfect’ team. They lost Super Bowl XLII 17–14 to the New York Giants in one of the biggest upsets in American football history.

33

Sport Writer For those of you who do not follow football, a Leeds United ‘supporter’ assaulted Chris Kirkland, the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, following Leeds' equaliser in the 1–1 draw at Hillsborough on Friday evening.

There is no argument that his actions were absurd and thoughtless, but one fan’s actions should not tarnish the reputation of all the club’s supporters. Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones' statement that all Leeds fans should be banned from attending away matches is ridiculous. He continued to say, "They [Leeds fans] are vile animals", insulting many supporters who follow the team week in, week out.

Being a Leeds fan myself, I have travelled to both home and away games. I can say I’ve never had any problems and I would be annoyed to be banned due to one individual. I am sure the football fans among you would agree with this, had your club been involved.

The ‘supporter’, Aaron Cawley, has been sentenced to four months in prison and has a lifetime ban from Leeds United’s ground, Elland Road. It is quite clear that the ‘supporter’ in question is nothing more than a hooligan and not a true representative of our fan base.

Similar events have occurred at Celtic and Sunderland, highlighting the poor behaviour of some football fans in Great Britain. This is something that really needs to be changed. Thankfully, such incidents are a rarity; when we see a minority spoil it for the majority of genuine supporters.

I can understand Jones' reaction, but his comments came across unfair and understandably angered many Leeds fans.

Sadly, I cannot see this being the end of football hooliganism and I sympathise with the next football club whose name gets dragged through the mud. Then again, let's hope it is. Then maybe the constant messages of ‘dirty Leeds’ may stop. OK, maybe not...

34 / Sport

Cardiff Ladies teach Oxford a lesson Sport writer Emma Fox reports on a second consecutive victory for Cardiff ladies away at Oxford

A

fter last week's victory over UCL, Cardiff were determined to come out with another win. However, in what seems to be becoming an unhealthy trend with away games, Cardiff took the first 10 minutes to get organised. A sleepy and quiet defence meant Oxford came straight through the back line to score a try. Cardiff managed to put some points on the board when Oxford were punished for ill discipline, and Claire Molloy kicked a penalty cleanly over the posts to make the score 7–3. Both teams showed grit and determination, the forwards working hard on both sides with counter rucks and steals occurring at almost every breakdown.

A quick turnover to Oxford saw them run in another try, leaving Cardiff ladies lagging with a score of 12–3.

After last week's victory over UCL, Cardiff were determined to come out with another win It looked like the perfect start for Oxford, but Cardiff’s confidence was not dented. After pinning the home side in their own half for quite some time, Cardiff were awarded a penalty five metres from the try line, and Tash Doyle smashed through Oxford’s defence to score. Converted by Molloy, Cardiff crept up the scoreboard, the score now 12–10 to Oxford. Oxford were not about to let Cardiff close in on them, however, and with a strong

backs move, they scored a try out wide to make the half-time score 17–10.

Cardiff gained momentum in the second half, and with Oxford again giving away another penalty, Molloy put boot to ball to move Cardiff up the pitch. Cardiff secured the ball at the fivemetre line-out and drove Oxford

back, allowing Doyle to peel off and once again shove her way over the try line, the score now 17–15. The try seemed to give Cardiff the lift they needed, and from there on out, their attacks looked much more promising. In her last ever BUCS game of her six-year rugby career at Cardiff Uni, Molloy intercepted a loopy

pass from Oxford’s scrum-half off their line-out, and with no-one at home to defend, she easily ran in a try under the posts. Converting her own try, she put Cardiff ahead at 22–17.

Oxford came back strongly in the last 20 minutes; the Cardiff defence had to work incredibly hard to keep the home side at bay.

Despite a few breaks, some great cover tackles from Cardiff meant Oxford were denied a try. A very close and hard-fought game resulted in Cardiff Ladies coming away with another win, the final score 22–17.

Trampolining spring into action for charity Sophie Jenkins

Sport Writer On October 6th, the Trampoline Club held its annual charity bounce, which allows any Cardiff University student to try trampolining under the supervision of qualified coaches in return for a donation to charity.

This year’s charity was Rebounders, a charity-run trampolining centre in Cardiff that specialises in rebound therapy for children and adults with special needs and learning difficulties.

While the event is well-established and normally takes place towards the end of the academic year, the decision was made to move it to early October this year, so that potential new members could have a go at trampolining before committing to joining the club.

At 10:00 am, the bounce began, with newcomers and returning members alike taking to Talybont

Sports Centre to try their hand at the sport.

The event had a fun yet relaxed atmosphere, with people coming and going over the six-hour duration of the event. In particular, the final hour of the event was especially busy, with the edges of the trampolines lined with people ready to give trampolining a go, and a lengthy list of names of the students who signed up to take part in the event.

The event’s fun atmosphere was no doubt helped by the fact that many returning members were bouncing for the first time after what was for some a lengthy summer period away from the trampolines. Qualified coaches were also present to help those who had not been trampolining before, or those who were finding their feet again after a long break.

The event was a success for both the charity and the club,

with £110.50 being raised through a combination of donations and a cake sale, which featured a variety of home-made and shopbought cakes donated by committee members.

There were also a considerable number of attendees becoming members of the club after the event, with several now attending training sessions on a regular basis.

The charity bounce marks the beginning of what looks set to be a highly successful year for the club, with several new members joining, and a sizeable number preparing to compete at the first competition of the year in Bristol next month.

Other future events include planned trips to universities such as Bath, and a proposed joint competition hosted by Cardiff, Cardiff Met and Glamorgan Universities, which is in its early planning stages.

Sport 32–36

Monday October 22nd 2012 | @gairrhyddsport

Rolling in the Derby Allie Brock

Sport Writer One of the benefits of living in Cardiff is the wealth of sport on offer. As well as mainstream sports like rugby, football and cricket, there's always a chance to check out some of the more diverse, including roller derby.

Roller what?

Roller derby! Roller derby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, and yet most people's response when it's mentioned is, 'so is there a ball?'

Roller derby is a full-contact sport played on skates on an oval track. It's based around a series of two-minute 'jams' between two teams. The objectives of roller derby are relatively simple; each team fields a single, point-scoring skater (jammer) whose goal is to lap as many opposing skaters as they can. The remaining skaters (blockers) who aren't scoring points work both on offense and defense at the same time to block the opposing jammer and clear a path for their own jammer.

Roller derby is one of the fastestgrowing sports in the UK Well-played roller derby requires agility, strength, speed, control, peripheral vision, communication, and teamwork.

Although it originated in the USA, roller derby is now played worldwide, and new leagues are being formed on a daily basis.

In Cardiff, we're lucky to have a

league that is taking the UK by storm, the Tiger Bay Brawlers.

The Brawlers formed in April 2010, and since then have seen a fairly rapid rise through the UK and European ranks. They currently sit 13th in Europe, and

have earned themselves a stellar reputation in the UK roller derby community.

They've achieved a number of firsts for both Wales and the UK, including most recently being accepted as an apprentice league in the WFTDA, the worldwide governing body for roller derby. This acceptance is a testament to the commitment of every member of the league.

Jo Thomas, a third-year Adult

Nursing student, has skated with Tiger Bay Brawlers since the league formed over two years ago: "I fell in love with roller derby the first time I strapped on a a pair of skates and teetered my way precariously around a sports

hall in Grangetown.

"As someone who had never been very interested in competitive sports in the past, it was quite a shock to become a convert so quickly!

"At the time I joined, roller derby was just starting to really take off in the UK. I remember going to London and watching my first ever bout; the atmosphere was amazing and I couldn't wait for the day when I would be able to

compete myself!

"Balancing my studies and my training (and all the extra offskate fitness I need to do in order to keep pushing myself as a derby athlete) can be challenging at times, but I don't regret a single second of it. I've made some amazing friends through the sport, and being part of such a diverse and driven group of people is a real honour!"

The Tiger Bay Brawlers' next home game in December is going to be a true test of the league's strength and ability as they take on Glasgow Roller Derby, who are currently third in Europe in an event not to be missed. Last year, the Brawlers travelled to Scotland to face Glasgow, and were beaten by 168–58 – their biggest loss in their inaugural year. This time, they have home advantage, but it's still going to be one of the toughest bouts the Brawlers' A team has ever had to face. Though they've progressed a lot since then, undoubtedly their opponents will have too, so the home team are predicting a tough game, which is going to make it all the more exciting.

Tickets will be available soon, and you can keep up to date with your local roller derby heroes on Twitter (@tigerbaybrawler) and Facebook (http://www.facebook. com/TigerBayBrawler).

Men’s 1st XV kick start against Swansea Ross Martinovic

Sport Writer Cardiff University 1st XV are off the mark in BUCS Premier League South A after a convincing 22–10 victory against Varsity rivals Swansea University at Llanrumney.

After crushing 54–5 and 53–18 defeats by Bath and Exeter respectively in his side’s first two matches, Cardiff Director of Rugby Martyn Fowler opted to call on his big names in an attempt to arrest the alarming slide.

Elliot Jones (Neath RFC), Jamie Thomas, Ross Wardle (both Bedwas RFC) and Max Woodward (Cardiff RFC) were all recalled to the starting line-up having not played any part against Exeter.

And the shake-up paid dividends for Fowler as Cardiff dominated from the outset.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium in the first period as the hosts, through the fearsome carrying of number eight Thomas and lock Nic Huntley, battered away up front but were denied by some staunch Swansea defence.

In fact, the contest remained scoreless until the 31st minute, when a well-worked Cardiff lineout caught their opponents napping.

Rhys Luckwell gathered Tom Palmer’s short throw and weaved his way through the Swansea pack before returning the ball to Palmer, who touched down in the corner for the only score of the half.

Cardiff University 1st XV are off the mark in BUCS Premier League South The match was halted for over 20 minutes at the start of the second half as prop James Pearce was stretchered off with a concerning neck injury.

After play was restarted, Swansea’s Josh Hammett slotted a 25-metre penalty that was immediately cancelled out by Matt Purssell.

Cardiff then burst into a 12-point lead on 52 minutes, when

Woodward went over for his side’s second try.

Rhys Howells made the initial penetration with a darting run up the left touchline. His offload failed to find the supporting Wardle, but the Cardiff skipper hacked on as he and Woodward chased.

A covering Swansea defender appeared to have the situation under control, but a cruel bounce of the ball took it away from him and straight into the path of Woodward, who had the simple task of diving on the ball for the score. Purssell added the conversion.

The visitors’ response was swift, however, as fullback Jackson Szabo, Swansea’s standout player and a menace in broken field, sliced through Cardiff on the short side after their pack had worked some useful field position. Hammett converted to reduce the deficit to five points once again.

But Cardiff sealed a muchneeded victory as the clock ticked into the final quarter when War-

dle powered over for their third try of the afternoon, improved by Purssell.

After crushing defeats by Bath and Exeter in his side's first two matches, Cardiff Director of Rugby Martyn Fowler opted to call on his big names From a line-out inside the away side’s half, the hosts tapped the ball down and crashed up the middle.

The next phase saw the ball flash wide to fullback Jones, whose neat footwork and offload created the space for imposing centre Wardle to storm over from 15 metres out.

35

EarthSoc suffer first defeat in two years Jon Morse Sport Writer

COMSC provided the biggest shock of the first round of IMG games when they beat EarthSoc 2–1 in a game in which EarthSoc would rue many missed chances.

EarthSoc began the defence of their back-to-back Premiership titles thinking it was a guaranteed three points and that they would continue their two-year unbeaten run in IMG. However, COMSC were not reading from the same script.

The game began with EarthSoc asserting their dominance by keeping the ball for long spells and forcing the COMSC 'keeper into some fine saves on numerous occasions. The pressure finally told when EarthSoc's Finn Hill was brought down in the box, with the resulting penalty slotted by Rowan Snell.

COMSC remained on the back foot, but kept themselves in the game through very wellorganised defending and some great saves from their secondchoice 'keeper Kiran Smith.

EarthSoc could have been three or four goals up before the end of the first half.

At half time, EarthSoc made a few changes, confident that there were many more goals to come.

Captain Tom Mahon substituted himself off and put pint-sized Tomos Foulkes, who'd been really impressive at right-back in the first half, in goal. COMSC took advantage of this on the hour mark, when the ball fell to James White wide on the right about 30 yards out. He made an attempt at a long pass, but instead of finding his striker, the ball sailed over the EarthSoc keeper's head and into the net.

This unexpected goal spurred EarthSoc into renewing their attacking efforts. Jono Watson proved to be a real thorn in COMSC's side and nearly scored and assisted a number of efforts, only to be thwarted by stand-in keeper Smith.

EarthSoc conceded a free-kick at 85 minutes near the edge of their box. The ball struck COMSC's substitute striker Jiff Ferguson in the side of the head and somehow found its way into the back of the EarthSoc net.

EarthSoc poured everything forward, but five minutes was not enough time for them to find an equaliser. The final whistle blew shortly after, leaving EarthSoc stunned and COMSC celebrating their biggest scalp in their entire IMG history.

Sport

Cardiff University rugby report <<Page 34

Armstrong’s career all fiction?

Chris Watson

Sport Writer In the midst of the largest doping scandal in cycling and perhaps sporting history, one of the most iconic and respected sporting heroes has been not only stripped of his seven Tour de France medals, but Lance Armstrong has been left bare of all dignity and respect, with his life being ridiculed to fiction.

Although the case is still much debated, some individuals have

taken a cruel effort to highlight their opinion in a derogatory turn of events. A Glasgow bookshop has taken an amusing mode to present their views, by classifying Armstrong’s memoirs, ‘Every Second Counts’, under Fiction. Tony Pollard, a university lecturer, captured the hilarity, and the satirical image has since gone viral, attracting attention globally, perhaps conveying the shared opinion of the masses. Although this is a light hearted and

witty expression, and may seem unscathed on the case itself, the story shines light on the most important, and only aspect left on Armstrong’s arsenal: the public audience.

It has come to light that the ‘unbelievable’ career of the veteran has been grounded on the bases of drug enhancement. It’s a sad, sad state of affairs. The legend has become a man condemned as a secretive fraud, shattering the face of cycling. His inspirational

status is diminished, and we will never know the full extent to how much drugs aided his career.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) have fought a long and arduous battle against Armstrong, with the cyclist finally giving in on the contest. A curious aciton for a man famed for his fighting qualities.

In an extraordinary turn of events, eleven other ex-teammates have come forward, rounding on their once untouchable

leader, and have spoken the truth, thus that the then US postal service team ran "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme the sport has ever seen" according to USADA reports.

Continued on page 32>>

After two years undefeated, Earth lose to COMSC in the first games of the IMG season p35 >>