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When I sat down to write my second Deputy Editor’s letter, I found myself struggling to translate my thoughts into words on the page. I think this is due to the complexity of our theme for Issue 190: Place. For many years, the only place I had ever truly known was Leigh on Sea, the quaint seaside town in Essex where I was born and raised. Leigh has such a strong sense of community and pride, which is something that I have always admired about my hometown. However, as I stepped outside of this place and begun to explore more of the world on my own, I found myself feeling conflicted about my Essex roots. As a place, Essex has a reputation fraught with negative stereotypes. So, when I broadened my horizons and explored new places, I would often instinctively attempt to distance myself from Essex. However, as I’ve grown up, I’ve realised that to think of a place the way that I once thought about Essex is to undermine the intricacies of places and all that come with them. I’ve realised now that the sense of place that you create in the locations that you visit is far more important than anything else. I no longer view Essex as a place defined by stereotypes. I view it now as a place that will always be there for me. It is the place where my incredible family live, the place where my love for reading and writing developed, the place where I learnt to swim; to ride a bike; to drive a car, the place where I’ve laughed for hours on end with my friends, and the place that has shaped who I am today. The memories we make and the people we meet grow to define the places that we visit, and this is what makes ‘place’such a complex and deeply personal theme. Places differ for everyone. The Christmas holidays are now fast approaching, and I hope that you have managed to find your sense of place in Cardiff this term. Whether you’ve found it in your university bedroom or in the library, in a local café or on the YOLO dance floor, I hope that Cardiff and the memories that you’re making will always hold a special place in your heart. Please remember that there will always be a place for you in Quench. Happy holidays!
Maddie Deputy Editor
Welcome readers to the second edition of Quench! This edition marks the end of the first term of university and with that the end of 2022. With the theme of this edition being ‘place’, I hope that the last few months have been a time of finding your ‘place’, settling into or back into university life, making friends, joining societies and understanding yourself. When thinking about what ‘place’ means to me, especially at this time of year, I have been reminded of how big a year this has been for me. For those who don’t know me, I moved to Cardiff this summer from Brighton, which is around 200 miles away. I have completely uprooted my place and I am sure many of you have too to come to University. It is a huge achievement to come to university and maybe move away from home; so when evaluating the idea of place, remember your importance and your achievements in getting to your ‘place’ here today. I think it is also important to understand that ‘place’ is not static, despite how contradictory that sounds; place can be situational, individual and personal, it can change and adapt. A lot of the articles in this edition are as much about ‘place’ as they are about change, individuality and identity. This edition is a really special one to me, as it is all about the cosy vibes, with Christmas around the corner there is a lot of festive content alongside some very poignant and fascinating pieces. Whilst this might be a stressful time, with assignments and the daunting notion of a new year, I like to view the end of the year as a recalibration, getting ready for another year, new beginnings and maybe a few new year’s resolutions. It is also an important time for reflection and kindness to ourselves and others I hope you enjoy reading this edition, all of our writers, editors and designers have worked so hard to deliver this edition to your hands! To everyone who celebrates this festive season, have a lovely rest- and remember Quench makes for a great present if you’re stuck for ideas!
Molly Deputy Editor