gairrhydd 5
NEWS
DECEMBER.04.2006 NEWS@gairrhydd.COM
Cardiff’s first gay speed dating Bar Icon to host the first gay and lesbain speed dating nights Natalie Parkinson Reporter CARDIFF’S FIRST gay speed dating service is being set up to enhance the quality of socialising in a safe and controlled setting. The founder of the feature night, ‘The One and Only Mankind’, Clare Galen-Bisping was inspired to do this for the gay community after her friend spoke of the difficulties of meeting someone other than in the context of the club or internet. This turning point was also stimulated by a near attack, when previously meeting somebody. Galen-Bisping said: “He looked on the internet and ended up with nothing but people who were not who they said they were.” This predominant feature of concern for safety when meeting new people is an extremely good reason for holding an event of this type,
BAKER: Not just beautiful hair
Corrine Rhoades Reporter FORMER DR.WHO star Tom Baker has lent his voice to a revamped edition of “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks. The new version of the smash 60’s song is to be released as a download-only track for BT’s ‘Text Aid’ campaign. Baker’s vocal tones, used by BT earlier this year in their textto-landline service, are expected to read out text greetings again this Christmas. Text messages sent to landlines will be read out by the Little Britain narrator who said: “It’s rather like being Santa Claus, delivering all your festive greetings – I only wish I could hear what I’m saying!” BT’s campaign has brought back Baker in a bid to raise money for the homeless charity Shelter, who said they were grateful for the support this Christmas. Tom’s cover of You Really Got Me is expected to help raise £100,000 for the charity and was produced by Dr. Who fan Mark Murphy. The IT consultant, who dubbed BT’s Text service “sheer genius”, set up a Tom Baker fansite earlier this year. He said: “His voice is remarkable, so I just had to showcase it on my fansite – which then led to the creation of Tom Bakareoke!”
Mobile hackers
whether gay or straight. Cardiff will finally be able to catch up with the likes of London and Manchester, holding two nights a month aside for the regular meet up in order for each sex to take advantage of this opportunity. The first event will take place at Bar Icon on Charles Street on January 11 at 7.30pm, with the first night for women starting on January 25, 7.30pm. Gareth Hill, the President of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender society said: “From the perspective of meeting people in a safer environment as opposed to meeting people on the internet where its rampant to lie about one’s identity and you have the ability to meet people in a safe and established place, I’m all for it. “It’s an easier way to talk to people than in clubs; it’s nice that there is another venue for people of the gay community to meet.”
WAITING: To find your perfect partner?
Exeter uni student dies following society pub-crawl Alicia Whitthread Reporter BINGE DRINKING is being blamed for the death of an 18-year-old Exeter University Student. Gavin Britton was found dead on Tuesday morning at 8pm still wearing a black wig and fancy dress outfit after a Golf society pub-crawl. A post-mortem is still to be carried out but it is believed he died from alcohol poisoning, and the death has been described by a police source as ‘not suspicious’. Tests are being carried out to determine how much alcohol was in his system. Mr. Britton had his own MySpace web page containing five pictures of him drinking shots and drinking wine from the bottle. His motto was: “If
MOBILE PHONE: Is yours safe?
PHOTO: JAMES PEROU
Kinky Dr.Who lends voice to text-aid
PHOTO: EXETER UNI
you’re not living on the edge then you’re taking up too much space.” Friend Gareth Evans wrote on a website of tributes to Gavin: “On Monday he went on a Golf Soc social, and in true Gavin style, got absolutely ratted.” Police are still waiting for friends to come forward about where Gavin was on Monday before being found near the Phoenix arts centre in Exeter city centre the following morning. Gavin’s parents were travelling from their home in Hampshire to identify his body where an inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned. Gavin had turned 18 just four months ago before leaving home in Barton-on-Sea to study for a degree in Business and Economics.
Det Sgt Leon Lazarczyk said: “It is every parent’s worst nightmare. This is a terrible tragedy and so much worse with Christmas being just round the corner.” One source said: “Most of us enjoy a drink. You could call it binge drinking culture, but I don’t think we’re any different from other people our age… it’s just a bit of fun.” NUS vice president Veronica King, who is in charge of students’ welfare, said: “I cannot comment on this case but the issue of binge drinking is very serious”. Binge drinking affects people in society of all ages and the NUS are ‘working to raise awareness of the dangers.’
POLICE ARE warning students this week to be wary of the latest mobile phone scam. Con artists are calling mobile phone owners claiming that they are mobile phone network engineers or that they are calling to check their mobile phone lines. Then they ask the users to type in a number onto their phone, so that the con artists then have access to the user’s SIM card and make calls at the user’s expense. If mobile phone owners are targeted by these people, they should end the call immediately without pressing any numbers. Police are urging people to pass this information on to family and friends to help stop this crime.
New clinic to help victims of abuse
CARDIFF HAS received a £70,000 Home Office grant in order to build a new specialist facility to aid victims of sexual violence. The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) will be a ‘one-stop location’ for victims, where they can receive both medical examination and psychological support. The city has been keen acquire a SARC for some time, and this successful outcome is the result of a coordinated venture between the Cardiff Women’s Safety Unit, South Wales Police (Public Protection) and the Cardiff Local Health Board. At this moment, there are 15 SARCs throughout England and Wales, and this figure is scheduled to have doubled by April 2008. The provisional target date for the opening of the Cardiff Centre is currently early-mid 2007. Jan Pickles OBE of Cardiff Women’s Safety Unit commented: “Sexual violence and abuse are some of the most damaging crimes, and the standard of care and support a victim receives after an attack can be vital to their long-term recovery. “The Cardiff SARC will mean that victims of sexual assault will receive immediate medical help and counselling, in a safe and secure environment.”