Retro - December 2009 by Taz Rosoman

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

Keep in the loop with Retro:

UWICSU - www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

•

EE FR

Retro

December 2009

December 2009 A UWIC Student’ Union Publication

Facebook - Search “Retro Newspaper”

•

Update on UWIC Name Change Full Story on Page 4

Illustration by Jack Bayliss

UWIC’s Cheerleaders Are Getting Their Kit Off for Charity

The White-Tie & Diamonds Christmas Party 2009

The Archers Angels have stripped off their kit for a naked calendar in order to raise funds for the charity ‘HELP for HEROES’.

UWIC Students Union hosts an exclusive red carpet and sophisticated event, a perfect way to celebrate the end of another amazing term at UWIC.

Page 7

Page 3

Twitter - www.twitter.com/uwicsu_retro

Retro

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroWelcomes Retro Contacts Retro Staff Editor - Terence Rosoman trosoman@uwic.ac.uk Assistant Editor - Gareth Dunt garethdunt@googlemail.com Music Editor - Jake May j.j.may@uwic.ac.uk Advertising - Gavin Rickard grickard@btconnect.com Retro Newspaper UWIC Students’ Union Western Avenue Cardiff, CF5 2YB Tel: 02920 416335 email: trosoman@uwic.ac.uk Web: www.uwicsu.co.uk Retro Content Statement Content printed in the Retro is not the opinion of the Students Union, but of the persons who submitted it.

UWICSU Staff Contact Details

Student President’s Welcome

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all UWIC Students formation on booking your delicious Christmas dinner at Centro and news on our end of term Christmas doo the [mistletoe and diamonds event] [insert event name]. With such an expensive time of year, many of you maybe feeling the financial pressures, so if you are struggling for cash then why not pop in to the office and speak to Ffion the membership services manager, to see if she can help you. Alternatively get on the SU website order your SID card and get some amazing discounts on your Christmas shopping. As always if you have any fundraising ideas/ events, issues or problems or just want a chat feel free to come see me, may even get a cheeky mince pie out of it! Enjoy the last couple of weeks of term, good luck in any exams and coursework and have a fabulous Christmas and fun filled New Year, stay safe and ill see you in 2010! R

By Claire Rafferty UWICSU President

OH MY! How quick has this term gone... and it’s the longest Aaaaggghhhhh! Oh well it means that the party season is upon us, which means we drink too much we eat too much and we definitely spend too much. This issue of the retro has everything you need to know about being a student at this festive time, there are tips on party season safety, security of your belongings and homes whilst away, as well as information on keeping your streets tidy before you depart. In addition we have included in-

Vice President’s Welcome

Students’ Union President Claire Rafferty crafferty@uwic.ac.uk Students’ Union Vice President Alex Hales ahales@uwic.ac.uk

Hales For Wales Never Fails

Athletic Union Officer Ian Campbell icampbell@uwic.ac.uk Events & Marketing Manager Gavin Rickard grickard@btconnect.com Events & Marketing Assistant Mallory Cottell mcottell@uwic.ac.uk Membership Services Manager Ffion Mainwaring fmainwaring@uwic.ac.uk Property Letting Manager Marc Morrish mmorrish@uwic.ac.uk Taffy’s Bar Manger Robert Caldwell rcaldwell@uwic.ac.uk The Loft Manager Steve Watkiss swatkiss@uwic.ac.uk Tommy’s Bar Manager Karl Price kprice@uwic.ac.uk UWICSU - Cynceod Campus Tel: 02920 416190 UWICSU - Llandaff Campus Tel: 02920 416335

By Alex Hales UWICSU Vice President

Hey there UWIC students… I’m back from the Cricket World Cup. The C word is banned at home until December 1st for me, so let’s get it going now! Where has this year gone?! This time a few months ago, the freshers will have been worrying about coming to uni, while the rest of you guys were itching to get back to your lovely friends. And now that’s nearly it - first term done and dusted! It’s time to begin wondering if you’ve been good enough to get a visit from Santa or whether it’ll be a big lump of coal landing in your stocking! And then there are New Years’ resolutions to be thinking of - if you like that sort of thing! I think mine will be to do my first bungee jump! Mad? Yes!

So how’s it going? As always, if you have anything you’d like to know or if there’s anything you’re having trouble with we’re happy to help – just pop in or give us a call. This month’s issue of the infamous Retro is full of what you usually expect plus one or two nice extras just for you! Watch out for the Student Safety Campaign Week coming up where we’ll be aiming to give you guys information to keep you safe and ready to party your hardest over the festive season! You’ll be seeing more of us from the Students’ Union around on the campuses over the next few weeks so don’t be shy about coming over to say hi or let us know your opinions on the way things are going! Also look out for free recycling bags we’re putting out for you to take back to your halls or houses! With the end of term coming up, I’m sure they’ll come in handy. See you soon! R

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

December 2009

RetroNews You’ve got new email By Joni Alexander

All UWIC students have a new inbox, and it’s much bigger and better.

FRIDAY 11TH DECEMBER Doors Open 6.00pm - 1.00am, Campus Centre UWIC Campus, Cyncoed

FEATURING SHOTGUN RULES RESIDENT DJ

ALSO: Ice Sculpture, Chocolate Fountain, Fire Breathers, Stilt Walkers, Jugglers Full Christmas Decor, Christmas Goodies and much much more...

UWIC Students Union hosts an exclusive red carpet and sophisticated event, a perfect way to celebrate the end of another amazing term at UWIC.

TICKETS ONLY £7.00 Including Booking OnlineFee

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday:

18th November 2009

Tickets are strictly limited and will only be available online at:

www.uwicsu.co.uk/christmas Dress Code: Gents - Shirt and Tie and Trousers. Ladies - Formal and Fabulous. Exclusive Premier Drinks Offers.

Microsoft Live@edu now hosts the email service, which means students have much more storage space. The best bit: Your email is for life. Once your studies end, you still have your email. For returning students, old UWIC email account will work until Christmas 2009. Students need to make sure any important emails are forwarded to the new live@edu account on or before this day. All old UWIC email accounts will be deleted. Until Christmas, please bear with the IT department as it upgrades this service. Many questions are answered within the new Learning Portal (portal.uwic.ac.uk/ units/lis/services/it_services/email/ studentemail/Pages/home.aspx). If you still need assistance, call the IT Help Desk at 02920 417000, or email the desk at isdhelpdesk@uwic.ac.uk. Check out the Learning Portal for guides on making the most of your email account: portal.uwic.ac.uk/units/lis/help_centre/Pages/guides.aspx • Configuring access to email on an iPhone or Windows mobile device. • Adding a personal email account to live@edu so you can read all your messages in one place. • Moving email from your old UWIC email account if you are a returning student.

Retro

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroNews

Chaplaincy Corner By Rev Paul Fitzgerald UWIC Chaplain

UWIC Name Change Update Illustration by Jack Bayliss

The Institute for Faith & Culture Political Placements The Institute runs programs for those of Christian faith that want to undertake a political placement. This is a long standing program that has placements for graduates in Westminster, the Scottish and European Parliaments and with leading UK Media organisations. It provides very ‘hands on’ training and

is about personal development and learning to integrate faith into contemporary culture. This is obviously a very high profile package of training runs for a year with very obvious benefits in terms of career opportunities. Although they only take a few people a year I am amazed that this very positive opportunity has not been applied for by anyone at UWIC. If you are graduating this year and want to know more please contact me (07917818524). Other faiths have similar programs and I will advertise them as they arise.

By Sam Williams

UWIC Christmas Carol Service UWICS Carol service this year will be in the Main Hall at Llandaff Campus rather than at the cathedral as there is building work happening there. The event is always warm, happy, cheerful, spiritual and FUN! There is a full choir

and professional singers this year and even our own Bishop! There is then a mince pie and mulled wine reception. The service begins at 10am on Friday 4th December (stick it in your diary!). This event is always very well supported and attracted hundreds of people and is a wonderful way to prepare for Christmas. Do please come along to this special, once a year event!

As reported in the last edition of Retro , UWIC was undertaking a consultation exercise with all stakeholders to get opinions and comments on the proposed change of name to Cardiff City University. A hefty response was received from UWIC students across the five schools, taken through the SU website, written feedback forms and forums held by the school reps. These responses were compiled into a report which was submitted to the Board of Governors so that they were aware of how the student body felt about the name change.

There were a number of key issues that stood out that students felt strongly about with regard to the name change, these were, The strong association this name has to Cardiff University and the worry that UWIC would then be compared and be seen as the lesser university. The loss of identity of UWIC, many students noted that UWIC has worked hard to establish itself; UWIC has a strong identity which students wouldn’t want to be lost in a name change. Students were worried about the obvious link to Cardiff City Football club, and the negative reputation that the football club has, and that this could be passed on to the university through association. Finally, there was significant apprehension among the student body about the amount of money this will cost for the rebranding of UWIC, it was strongly

stated that this money should be spent on other areas to benefit the learning and teaching of students through investing in facilities, materials and social spaces. The detailed responses from the consultation process held with students, staff and external stakeholders are currently being analysed and considered by the Board of Governors and we are still waiting for the final outcomes. There are still discussion taking place, to the outcome of UWIC’s name change consultation and further updates will be included in future editions of Retro and via the Students’ Union website. The Students union would like to say a big thank you to all the students who registered their views. This consultation exercise has shown that the voice of the students is seen as an important factor in UWIC’s decision making processes.

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

December 2009

RetroNews

The Llandaff Learning Centre is in for a big overhaul!

Prepare for the rain…and get on the Rider! By Menna Hawkins Travel Plan Assistant

How would you like to swap trudging through the puddles of Cardiff, soaked by cars and being frozen by the time you get to your lectures?

By Magda Osmond

The extension of the building starts in January and we’re sure that the new refurbishment will be a great enhancement. The extension will complement the original building and its 3 storey addition will be well-lit, with windows facing UWIC’s courtyard. The main concern of library and ISD staff was to design the space for students and

staff so it is a relaxing and calm place to study. Members of staff have been consulting with a wide range of users on the design and layout. The Learning Centre will have an entrance at either end. The new entrance will be through the sliding glass door to a lobby, leading to a staircase and a lift. Here you’ll find an L&IS information point as well as a self-service station. You can also stop to check your email on one of the email stations. The other entrance will stay where it is now, but once you walk through the door you’ll find yourself in a new, spacious room walled with information screens. This will be a social learning space where you can study individually or

in groups in a more relaxed atmosphere. The 24-hour access room will remain on the ground floor. The first floor will undergo a complete makeover and there will be more space for the Library collection – remember, the Llandaff and Colchester Avenue collections will be integrated. Four IT teaching rooms will be added and the present computer area modified. The support desk is moving to the other end of room, closer to the new extension. Comfy seating will be situated in the middle of the room, surrounded by desks with PCs, to make group studies easier. The second floor will change too; you’ll find PCs dotted around, as well as the rest of the book collection. This

floor of the new extension will have a training room for students and staff. You will find another information point and more PCs for searching the nearby Journal collection. When you get to the third floor of the new extension, you’ll discover Journal archive. Desks here are laid out to suit individual study; again, don’t forget the information point! The whole Learning Centre will have Wi-Fi accessibility. The idea behind the rework is that the ground floor will be lively and dynamic but the higher you go, the quieter it is, for relaxed and efficient learning. Watch this space for more details and pictures!

Our UWIC Rider bus pass gives you access to ALL the buses in Cardiff, at a fraction of the price you’d normally pay (less than £5 for the whole week compared to paying £3 per day on the buses)! You can jump on and off any Cardiff bus which means you can get around the whole City, from nipping into town, to going down the Bay for a swim in the International pool (or perhaps just grabbing some grub in a restaurant). You and your mates can use your passes to get all the way to Dinas Powys, Sully, Wenvoe and Penarth – so why not do a bit of exploring around your local area? The pass is £210 which sounds a lot in one go but will really save you in the long run as the pass is valid until the end of June 2010. You can use it over the weekends and during holidays so, for all you second and third years sticking around for New Year parties, it’s well worth the money. To get your bus pass, just bring (or send in) 2 passport size photos, money (we accept cash, card or cheque) and a completed application form which you can pick up on any reception to the Accommodation Office on the Cyncoed Campus. Contact Menna on 029 20416852 if you have any questions.

Retro

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroNews READ International

Help Solve Climate Crime

By Helena Bourke

Is your bedside table made out of books that you no longer need? Or your bed four foot higher than it used to be because there are so many textbooks hidden underneath? Don’t worry if they are covered in dust and tea stains, they can still be useful! READ International is a registered charity that works with universities all over the UK, collecting educational resources which can be sent to Tanzania and Uganda and aspiring to improve literacy worldwide. UWIC has recently joined the campaign with a volunteer lead Campus Book Drive. Along with fundraising events, there will be Drop Boxes scattered throughout campuses where you can donate any kind of book, the majority of which will be sent to East Africa. Those which aren’t quite suitable will be sold in order to raise funds for the cause; so really any contribution will be greatly appreciated. Volunteers are still more than welcome to join the UWIC strand as help is needed with fundraising, sorting and sending the mountains of books donated. So if you are interested, feel free to get in touch with the project leader at uwic@ readbookproject.org.uk for more details. The scheme doesn’t require full time slaving, as little as one hour a week can help; emptying Drop Boxes or even just making flapjacks for a Bake Sale. So bring your bed down a notch by ridding yourself of those textbooks and make it easier to climb into in those early hours after a long night of...mm...working.

WWF Cymru visited UWIC Cyncoed campus last month to promote their Climate Crime Scene Campaign. This year is the most important year ever for our climate with UN negotiations concluding in Copenhagen in December. As world leaders prepare to meet at the special summit to decide and agree upon a new global climate deal, WWF Cymru are campaigning for the Welsh Assembly Government and the UK Government, to

push for a 40 per cent reduction target in carbon emissions by 2020 at the conference. To raise awareness of this critical time for action on climate change WWF Cymru held a Climate Crime Scene road show at the University of Wales, Cardiff (UWIC) at 10am-4pm on Tuesday, 3rd November, at the new Campus Centre at Cyncoed. WWF Cymru set up the outline of a life-sized polar bear cordoned off with police tape to show to the dramatic and possible signs of things to come unless we

tackle climate change now. WWF Cymru invited students and supporters alike, to visit the Climate Crime Scene in order to see how climate change is threatening the future of the planet and could lead to the extinction of animals like the polar bear. WWF Cymru asked people to sign up to its postcard petition to demonstrate their support for a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions ask during the University road show. All signatures gained during the roadshow and via WWF-Cymru’s online sign-up

will be passed onto the Welsh Assembly Government’s Environment Minister Jane Davidson, who in turn will take our message and that of Welsh supporters to the UK Government and to the Copenhagen conference. To find out more about signing up to WWF-Cymru’s Climate Change postcard campaign please visit: www.wwf.org.uk/wales You can also contact WWFCymru’s Campaigns and Media officer Sarah Harris for further details. Email : harris@wwf.org.uk

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

December 2009

RetroNews

UWIC’s Cheerleaders Are Getting Their Kit Off for Charity By Claire Rafferty UWICSU President

The Archers Angels have stripped off their kit for a naked calendar in order to raise funds for the charity ‘HELP for HEROES’. This charity is a fantastic cause which

aims to raise money to support members of the armed forces who have been wounded in the service of their country. Its aim is to show these extraordinary young men and women that they are cared for by us. Over a million people have responded to this charity to date and millions of pounds have been raised to buy much needed services that will aid their recovery. The Archers Angels want to do their bit by raising money by selling their calendar. They have arranged

themselves in preferred months with strategically placed pom poms and props to get a different naked shot for each month. Hannah Snook commented “ The girls were nervously excited to do the shoot, but once all in place the girls loved it and had such a laugh, it’s a great cause and we are proud that we can contribute to this charity as a squad” If you would like to purchase a 2010 Naked Cheerleader Calendar to raise money for ‘Help for Heroes’, then email Louise

Ratcliffe at: L.V.Ratcliffe@uwic.ac.uk Each Calendar is £5.00 in which all the proceeds will go to charity.

Party Season Safety By Claire Rafferty UWICSU President

In this current party season, there will no doubt be a lot of alcohol involved a lot of parties and a lot of fun! Below are a few tips to keeping safe in Cardiff and making sure that your night ends as merry as it began. Before your night out:

• Get cash out in the day, the majority of student muggings happen at night at cash points. • Use registered taxis. 020920 (333333) (555555) (777777) • Arrive with friends, and make a pact to leave with them.

During your night:

Trust your instincts. • Speak up if you’re in an uncomfortable situation or make a scene if you feel unable to get out of a situation (get dramatic!) • Be aware of your friends; touch base with them throughout the night. Think before you drink. • Never leave your drink unattended • If someone offers to buy you a drink go with them to the bar. • If drugs or alcohol are involved, sexual assault is more likely to happen.

After your party:

Goodbye 2009...Hello 2010, And My Top 10 Most Exciting Films of Next Year By Adam Chubb

So as we approach the end of 2009, and as ever the film world throws up a number of high profile releases vying for Oscar glory, I look forward to what 2010 brings, both those big scale blockbusters and the smaller low profile films that creep up on us like this year’s District 9 and (500) Days of Summer... So with Oscar in mind I’d mark Clint Eastwood’s Invictus as both my number 10 and my tip for awards glory, following Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) and Francois Pienaar’s (Matt Damon) efforts to unite a country during the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa... Something highly unlikely to be troubling Oscar is the return of Freddy Krueger at 9, a reboot/remake/rehash of

the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, this piques my interest because of the involvement of William Earle Haley as Freddy, so good in Watchmen let’s hope he can bring the franchise scarily into the modern age... Number 8 presents us with a bit of an oddity, Jonah Hex, a blending of some of my favourite genre’s, a western with supernatural elements based of a comic book, and starring people of the moment Josh Brolin and the ever so slightly hot Megan Fox...what’s not to like! The latest Scott/Crowe team up comes crashing in at 7, this is their fourth collaboration and a new take on that classic tale Robin Hood, Crowe plays Hood and this promises to give us a more historical grounding, Gladiator in medieval England if you like... After the action spectacle of The Incredible Hulk director Louis Letterier takes on the Titans at my number 6, not the American Football team but the Godly behemoth’s of The Clash of the Titans that include Medusa, the Kraken, and judging by the trailer lots of giant scorpions, Avatar’s Sam Worthington stars as Perseus

while Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson square up as Thor and Hades... No list of exciting films would be complete without a Simon Peg/Nick Frost team up and 2010 brings us Paul, at 5, not a title that will likely have you too excited but when I say that it follows two comic-geeks across America accompanied by an alien, the titular Paul, voiced by none other than Seth Rogen, and with many of the other Apatow crew present, this could be THE comedy of next year... I had to include at least one animated film and, let’s be honest, what else other than Toy Story 3, at number 4, is going to be the best animation of next year, the gang all return in an effort to survive being dumped in a nursery after Andy leaves for college, but guess what, he takes Woody with him, expect a rescue mission...and a villainous Hedgehog voiced by Roger Moore! Robert Downey Jr. Makes his inevitable appearance at my number 3, Iron Man 2 may well have slipped in at the top spot yet the hype machine is rather quiet thus far, what we have seen looks great and with Mickey Rourke as Russian

Villain Whiplash and Scarlett Johanssen as The Black Cat expect anticipation to build up fast... Taking a break from Batman related stories Christopher Nolan is working hard on his next opus, Inception, given this is his follow up to The Dark Knight, he could be making a film about a carrot and I’d be excited. So far we know this is a psychological thriller set in the “sphere of the mind”, check out the trailer to whet your appetite and just look at the cast, DiCaprio, Cottilard, Gordon-Levitt, Paige, Watanabe, Murphy...excited yet? However at number one, for nostalgic reasons if nothing else, is Joe “Smokin’ Aces” Carnahan’s remake of The A-Team. The casting is inspired (just check out that photo!) and seeing Liam Neeson chomping on a cigar as Hannibal has tipped me into geek heaven. Add to that District 9’s Sharlto Copley as Murdock, Bradley Cooper as Face and UFC star “Rampage” Jackson as B.A. Oh and with some Jessica Biel to balance out all that testosterone, don’t you just love it when a plan comes together!

• Don’t leave on your own, no matter how long you have to wait for your friends! Attacks on students are likely to occur when they are walking at night on their own. • Don’t wander off to find a taxi, no matter how annoying, join the taxi queue and wait, that way they’ll be registered, and you wont be wandering around Cardiff. • Know your sexual limits; communicate them clearly with your partner by being direct. Make sure your partner knows exactly what you mean. • Be safe protect yourself and your partner and use a condom. Nobody wants an unwanted gift over Christmas. • Don’t drink and drive, it really isn’t worth a taxi fare! I know (from personal experience) that when your out, you’ve had a drink you feel invincible, you have the mid set that “It wont happen to me” but that’s such a school boy. Follow these tips and keep yourself safe and change your mind set to “it could happen, but it won’t” because you kept yourself safe. If you would like more information on staying safe in Cardiff, feel free to contact the Students Union. There are also personal alarms which are available from each campus at a mere £1. GET SMART STUDENTS, BE SAFE!

Retro

December 2009

RetroNews The Culture Club By Gwen Fernandes

UWIC is very proudly a multicultural institution with over a thousand international students. It was over the summer months that 4 friends had an idea to set up a cultural society. But with a twist.

Time For The A Your Very Own Cut Out Jedward Chirstmas Party Hat!

S 1. Cut along dotted lines of Christmas Hat.

S 2. Cut out a long strip of paper, roughly about 40-50cm long.

Back

3. Sellotape or glue the ends of long strip of paper to the edges of the Christmas hat.

An initial idea brewed into a discussion and eventually culminated into a unique UWIC student society: The Culture Club (TCC). Very aware of the connotations of such a name, I hasten to write that it was chosen purely because it seemed the most succinct. Amusingly, say ‘The Culture Club’ anywhere on the top of D block and you’re sure to be met with a resounding chorus of Karma karma karma karma chameleon….But those singing nutters are for another day and another article. Jokes aside, The Culture Club has been incredibly well-received by students from every degree level and supported by the International Office, the University Chaplain, Rev. Paul Fitzpatrick (who is a member!) and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anthony Chapman. Currently there are 83 members representing 15 different countries including England and Wales. We are a purely student-run community and our aim is clear. The purpose of the club is to bring together likeminded individuals with the aim of making new friends, sharing cultural experiences and provide a student community of support and friendship. Having been at UWIC for the last 4 years, I have come to appreciate that our cultural diversity makes us an incredibly eclectic and versatile student society. This was the primary objective of TCC. To allow a broadening of the university experience by facilitating interactions between students who wouldn’t have met under ordinary circumstances. We aim to achieve this by holding events: music, dance, entertainment, cuisine, seminars, presentations on ‘Interesting Facts About My Country’, etc. The fact is that it is never easy for anybody, a home student or a non-home student to adjust to university life in a new country or away from home. In a sense, we are very lucky as Cardiff is dynamic and cosmopolitan itself. Being in a city and university with such a diverse student spectrum, we really believe that TCC will be able to provide a forum with one voice for students that may be going through very similar experiences. As with any student society, we need you and your ideas to keep evolving. It doesn’t matter where you come from or if you are a home or nonhome student. If you are interested in becoming a member of TCC and have ideas on cultural events, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at thecultureclub09@gmail.com. A formal TCC Panel will be established in the coming month too. If you’d like your society or nationality represented on the panel, we look forward to hearing from you.

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

4. Wear your Hat with Pride and wish everyone a Jedward Christmas!

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroNews

By Benjamin Parker

The lines are now closed, the votes have been counted and verified and the results are in: it’s time to put an end to The X Factor. Currently mid-series, ITV’s flagship reality show is once again entertaining and infuriating the British public. With new additions to the show’s basic concept – notably auditions in front of a large audience and a second, separate Sunday night results show – this year has shown a change in attitude towards the programme. For the first few weeks of this 6th series viewing figures were down on last year’s, demonstrating it is losing its ability to keep viewers simply because it’s The X Factor. Any problems with viewing figures have been well and truly rectified, however: on the November 1st the Sunday results show pulled in a record 14 million viewers. Surely not a surge in popularity? Everybody realising that the show’s unmissable? No, that is not the case. That particular show featured performances from 2008 X Factor graduates JLS – who have scored two number 1 singles and

E Factor? a number 1 album – and Bon Jovi. Easy to see why the Sunday shows, which always have live performances from big artists, can bring in the viewers – how many Bon Jovi fans would have tuned in to just see the remaining finalists? The term ‘talent show’ has always only been loosely applied to the X Factor, and the show’s decline has been marked by a move away from real talent, and instead to cheesy, tacky entertainment instead of finding someone with ‘the X factor’. A few of the contestants, such as Stacey Soloman, a goofy, chatty Essex girl and 18-year-old Newcastle lad Joe McElderry are genuinely talented singers and come across as nice people but star quality, the kind of stage presence that artists Michael Jackson brought, eludes them all. This breeds a cynicism towards the show, and we end up with the birth of demons such as ‘Jedward’ aka John and Edward Grimes, the freaky, static-haired twins from Ireland. While their continued run in the show, each week murdering classic songs whilst dancing/having

Retro Christmas Present 2009

seizures adds to its appeal it rather begs the question: should there be another series of The X Factor when each year the goal is churning out a money-making pop machine rather than a bona fide musical talent? The only undeniable good that comes out of The X Factor is the annual release of a song for charity. 2009 sees a cover of the 1995 Michael Jackson song ‘You Are Not Alone’. Both versions can get a little tedious so best advice is to get the original or just go without; but either way definitely donate some money to Great Ormond Street Hospital! Next Saturday night don’t sit in front of the television watching the those four gormless judges; go out and experience some real music and see what real musical talent is all about!

This Year Retro has given you, the reader, your very own Jedward Christmas Party Hat, in support with the Twin contestants on The X Factor, John & Edward.

December 2009

Homophobia Is Gay By Jake May

Gay: (adjective) old-fashioned happy (e.g. we had a gay old time down at the dance hall) and (adjective) homosexual (e.g. Mark knew he was gay by the time he was fourteen), or at least this is how Cambridge’s online dictionary defines the word. However, of the past few years, the term has taken on a different and frankly completely homophobic meaning, in which “gay” is referred to anything that is stupid, rubbish, or generally unacceptable. In an age where homophobia is seen as seriously as racism, it seems strange how such use of the word is seen socially acceptable. After all, no one would dream of using the word “black”, “Asian” or “Caucasian” at an instance when they find something displeasing. “Steve, it’s raining and really cold today”, bemoaned Richard. “That’s so Indian”, replied Steve in equally miserable tone. It simply wouldn’t continue, so why do we, as people, friends, peers, and workmates allow “gay” to be used in such a discriminatory and offensive manner? Put simply, we shouldn’t. But as an ex-user of the word in said manner, I know just how easy it is to not consider how offensive and hurtful it is to use it in that way. It breeds negative attitudes towards millions of people in the UK and around the world who are living a lifestyle that is completely acceptable and that in no way should be seen as “wrong”, “unnatural” nor frowned upon. So I urge you all to think before you speak, and hopefully you’ll come to the same conclusion that I did. Homophobia isn’t gay, it’s rubbish.

Retro

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroNews

Why People Boycott… Illustration by Mark O’Gorman

MEAT

Vegetarians to save the world! By Paul Sander

By Jake May

A recent study has shown the 3% of the British population has a completely vegetarian diet. Also, around 10% pescetarian – those who eat fish; including the likes of Alan Davies,

Leona Lewis, Johnny Marr, Damon Albarn, Russell Brand, and Sir Paul McCartney. That’s around 2 million people in Britain alone who will be tucking into their Christmas dinner this year without the typical turkey on their plates. Albert Einstein even turned to vegetarianism in the later years of his life - “I have always eaten animal flesh with a somewhat guilty conscience.” The

reasons that these people turn vegetarian is varied, many doing it for ethical reasons; refusing to fund and support the unnecessary slaughter of animals. Others do it for dietary reasons – a relatively new trend amongst many long-distance runners. And there are those who do it for environmental reasons, as summed up by Paul Sander below.

People have different reasons for not eating fish or meat, but the evidence is growing that one very good reason for eating very much less meat is that it will help the current environmental problem of global warming (there are other good environmental reasons for eating much less fish). Lord Stern, an eminent economist at the London School of Economics has recently argued that meat consumption makes a large and significant contribu-

tion to global warming through the methane that cattle and other animals produce. Methane is a much more powerful greenhouse gas than the more often talked about carbon dioxide. For example, livestock farming worldwide produces about 18% of our greenhouse gas emissions against just 13% from cars, trains, planes and boats. The whole process of rearing animals for meat, their slaughter and transport of the meat all have a significant greenhouse gas emission in addition to the methane the animals produce. Whilst recycling and using low energy light bulbs are small and important contributions to a more sustainable way of living, we could all make a bigger impact by eating less meat and by considering how we travel.

Looking for experience in the Media? Retro is on the hunt for new members to add to its creative team.

If you’re looking for a career in the media this opportunity should not be missed! Working for Retro will give you valuable experience with live briefs and real deadlines, and looks great on your CV. Work is taken on a brief by brief basis, so there is no pressure to work all term.

We currently have positions open for writers, photographers and illustrators. So if you’re interested in being a part of this exciting project please contact Retro Editor, Terence Rosoman. trosoman@uwic.ac.uk

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

December 2009

RetroNews

World AIDs Registering Day 2009 With A GP By UWIC Nursing Dept.

December 1st is nearly here and with it the next WORLD AIDS Day, look out for the display on your campus.

ple living with HIV in the UK , around 1500 are under 19 years old and experts believe that 30% of people with HIV do not know that they have the condition. In 2009 people often think that HIV is no longer a problem, but, since the beginning of the 21st century the number of people diagnosed with HIV has been increasing.

What is HIV?

How do you catch HIV?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a viral infection that damages the immune system of the infected person. Only people with HIV go on to develop AIDS.

What is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?

When the immune system of a person suffering with HIV is no longer able to cope, this is called AIDS or sometimes late-stage or advanced HIV infection. The infected person will start to suffer multiple illnesses and it is usually of these illnesses that they will eventually die.

Who catches HIV?

Anyone can catch HIV, Of the 80,000 peo-

HIV can be caught • From sexual intercourse and other sexual activity with an infected person, whether they know they have it or not. • Passed from mother to baby • From blood. • Sharing needles

How can you reduce your risk of becoming infected?

• Use a condom or dental dam correctly for all types of sexual activity • Use clean needles For more information look out for the display on your campus around the date of December 1st or see your campus nurse.

By Alex Hales

It’s at this time of year that most students, at some point, will fall foul to the dreaded flu. There are many types – from sniffles, coughs and colds, to fully blown ‘man flu’ (and actual flu of course)! Another worry is that the Swine Flu epidemic is still not quite over. And, as always, we should be really careful with Meningitis. This means that it is imperative for each and every one of us living away from home to be registered with a Doctor/GP practice in our areas. On every campus at UWIC there is access to the nurses from Student Services for advice, but for any treatment or medication you must be registered with a GP surgery in your catchment area. The GP on site CANNOT TREAT YOU IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED. So, “how do I register?” I hear you asking? For those living in the Roath/ Cathays area, you may be within the

This is a Public Health message for all students UWIC Nursing Dept

Have you had a full course of MMR vaccinations?

catchment area for Minster Road Surgery. It is located on Minster Road, off Newport Road. Students living in halls at Cyncoed are automatically eligible to register. For students not living in the catchment area or those not wishing to register there, you can email gprequestse@bscwales.nhs.uk with your full name, date of birth, previous address (home), current address (Cardiff ), and the name and address of your current GP if you have that information. If you are new to the UK then also include date of entry to the UK and country of birth. The centre will then reply with the address of the practice you are to be registered with and any further information you need. For help finding a GP local to your home see your campus nurse, or visit: www. nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/small/en/home/ localservices . All students at UWIC are encouraged to register, as soon as possible, with a local GP of their choice. Do have a look at the Student Services website where you can get lots of help and information: www.uwic.ac.uk/studentservices/ health

If you haven’t then you remain vulnerable to measles, mumps and rubella. So please check it out, and if you think you have missed a dose of MMR make an appointment with your GP practice. They can check for you and give the vaccine if you need it Measles is a highly contagious, potentially fatal disease. In a national outbreak in Wales in 2009 over 40 people were hospitalised. Mumps is also highly contagious and universities and colleges have experienced multiple outbreaks since 2004. Symptoms can include pain and swelling in the neck and testicles. Rubella (German measles) remains an important part of the vaccination to reduce the risk of rubella affecting unborn children. So if you think you need an MMR, don’t put it off. Sort out your immunisation and protect yourself today!

In association with:

Student Identification & Discount Card

•

SiD Sale starting in January 2010 For more information or to purchase a SID card please visit:

uwicsu.co.uk/sid

Stud & D ent Ide isco n unts tiﬁcati on N

ame D.O : Davi .B d Cou . : 20. Jones 01.9 rse: 0 Card Grap h Mem No.: 00 ic Com 001 mun be icat ion Exp rships: B

iry: 1

st Ju

A(Ho

ne 2

010

c t i fi

en t I dn t s n de u St u D i s c o &

ati

lea

it:

vis

, ion Un D ts’ 6X en d 3 u 2 St o CF IC ab ff, i W s l d U i r ta .uk to: d, Ca l de rd.co turn R ful e a ed For .sidc ase r nco y e w l C ww nd, p ntre, e ou If f pus C m Ca ID

th ut

dp car

ns)

Retro

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroCampus Centre

The Festive Season at Centro Bar Fancy a Christmas Dinner with your friends? Why not book a table in Centro? Contact the Students Union to book your table. Specify a date and time and how many people for, turn up at Centro and enjoy your Christmas dinner brought to you at your reserved table. To book, contact

Christmas Menu 2009 Traditional Roast Turkey

With Festive Trimmings and Gravy. Served with a selection of seasonal vegetables and potatoes

£3.75 per person Tuesday 1st Dec – Friday 11th Dec From 12.00pm - 4pm

Danielle on 02920416190 Or drop in to the office in the Campus Centre, Cyncoed.

Bookings Only Don’t be silly, this isn’t what you get, it’s just a picture!

8.00PM

X FACTOR THE RESULT 9.00PM

SUNDAY NIGHT MOVIE

tro n e

ar & éB Caf

nge Lou

FREE POPCORN (For Movie Goers Only)

ay0psm d s e - 8.3 Tu m 0 0 p 6.

centro Café Bar & Lounge

PIZZA &PINT £4.00 Pint: Choose from Fosters John Smiths, Strongbow or a Soft drink.

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

December 2009

RetroCreative Corner

Getting Creative at Cyncoed By Ben Liddle & Siobhan Tumelty

When most people think of Cyncoed Campus they think sport. There are some of the best training programs, facilities and recognition for athletes in Britain here, and everything on campus points it out, from the enormous gym facility to the plush trophy room, dominated by a ‘hall of fame’ style plaque. So you might be forgiven for thinking that Cyncoed is a dedicated space. A one trick pony. Maybe even obsessed with sport. But that isn’t the case. Over the last year and a half, a new course has begun that is spreading its way through Cyncoed. English and Creative Writing is a three year degree program for aspiring writers in many fields. There are poets, novelists, journalists and scriptwriters, all working eagerly away at Cyncoed. But more importantly, they’re building a community. On Wednesday, November 4th, the winner of Wales Book of the Year award 2009, Deborah Kay Davies, came along to the campus to deliver some

words of wisdom and read a few of her short works. This was part of the efforts of lecturer and published author Spencer Jordan, one of the driving forces behind the new creative writing magazine for UWIC, NEXUS. NEXUS is an e-zine designed to showcase the creative talents of UWIC students and allow them to have a say in what gets published. That’s not the only thing that’s going on either. There’s also Cardiff’s Calling, a new student magazine that’s being put together by Robert Taffurelli, lecturer in journalism, that aims to get students involved in the practice of journalism to help promote the university and provide information to current and potential students. Because it is endorsed and published by the university, Cardiff’s Calling will have high production values that may not have been available to many budding journalists previously studying at UWIC. This kind of experience, says Robert Taffurelli, is a must for any aspiring journalist. UWIC is building a community of free thought, expression and creativeness. We’re doing it now, and we’re doing it with the same vigour and drive as characterises our sports teams. Watch this space.

Creative Writing from Creative Writers United Nations By Anthony Cerrato Riches for richest Impoverish the poor Lift up the strongest The weak to the floor It takes all we are The innocence of our hearts A promise of change But things seem the same The same if not worse In a system perverse But why be a patron Of the corrupted foundations When freedom has gone From these United Nations

Greatness of Man By Anthony Cerrato I have weathered the storm, Of life’s metrological joke,

I have bathed in the waters, Of life’s stinking foot bath, I have swam in the ocean, Of life’s denial and betrayal, I have seen the face of faith, In the young and the frail, I have witnessed the beauty, Of those destined to fail, I have observed the courage, Of those no longer able, I have seen the face of God, In the greatness of man.

Lover’s Lament By Andrew Henderson Thunder kissed walls, Sweat soaked sheets. Sharp inspiration; flesh within flesh. Lust-struck lightning, forging into one. Bitter torrents. Just a dream.

Ignition By Anthony Cerrato Time cannot bind us, Hope will not find us, Seas will not drown us, Skies will not shake us, Ice cannot freeze us, Fire cannot Ignite us, No years can stop us, No heights can scare us, No distance can halt us, No barriers can block us, No hate can fault us, No fates can disrupt us, Three soldiers, united and strong, Proving out enemies wrong. If you have a poem or short story you would like to submit to Retro please email them to: trosoman@uwic.ac.uk Alternatively, if you are interested in writing for Retro please also contact the email address above.

Retro

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroMusic Retro Recommends... The Christmas List for People You Love By Jake May Retro Music Editor

Release of the Month: 14th December The Clash London Calling [30th Anniversary Edition] You might think that December must be a dry month for releases if an anniversary re-release is the best pick of the month. Well, you’d be right. December is indeed a very dry month for good music (see the opposite column for all the not-sogood music), but regardless of that, The Clash’s London Calling is a truly brilliant album, 30 years old or not. Its brilliance appreciated worldwide, the album has an almost unanimous score of 10/10 from all respected sources in the musical world. Buy this or suffer in an after-life of eternal hell (or continue with your insignificant and musically rubbish lives).

Other Recommended Releases around Christmas: 30th November Beans on Toast Standing on a Chair

(File next to: Frank Turner, Billy Bragg)

7th December Snoop Dogg Malice n Wonderland

(File next to: Dr Dre, 2Pac)

14th December Alicia Keys Element of Freedom

(File next to: Mary J. Blige, John Legend)

And courtesy of Wag: Our DnB & Electro Expert

23rd November Gridlok Void

(File next to: Dieselboy, Calyx)

Dom And Roland No Strings Attached

(File next to: Noisia, Gridlok)

UWIC Artist of the Month

Conek 4 Conek4 has been DJing for the best part of 12 years. He has regular slots at some of the coolest venues in Cardiff, including Ten Feet Tall, Buffalo Bar, and Clwb Ifor bach. He played his first live show at the age of 13. He is through to the finals of One Mission DJ competition. And best of all, Conek4 is UWIC student John Barr. Retro caught up with John to find out some more. First things first, how did you get into DJing? I got into DJing through my brother, who at the time loved what was the early dance scene of the early-mid 90’s. His enthusiasm for this new sound caught on instantly with me. I loved it, so I decided to take it to the next level and get a set of decks for Christmas in ‘97 and begin playing these new sounds myself. I got some vinyl from my mum with my decks, which started my vinyl addiction. Much of it was early hardcore from Holland and Scotland. Crazy, crazy stuff! Although I still appreciate it, I’m glad my tastes have developed. My first gig was when I was 13, by then I’d been DJing just under 3 years and was confident as I’d been an apprentice to the established names in my area and had learnt a lot. People were shocked to see a small 13 year old get behind the decks and play as good as any other who’d played there; I got a lot of praise and it was a great confidence booster. You seem to be most interested in Drum n Bass kinds of sounds. Presumably you didn’t get into this through hearing your Granddad play it around the wood fire on Christmas day. How did you get into more electro stuff? Yet again, through my brother. He’d been studying in Sussex at the time and came back with a DJ hype tape from New Year’s Eve ‘99... I’d never heard anything like it, I was gob smacked! It was amazing, plus a lot of the stuff I was playing then was losing its flare and becoming quite monotonous and formulated. Everyone in my family warmed to the sound as well, and I knew this was the direction I wanted my sound to go. It was tough as Northern Ireland has a poor drum and bass scene (even though drum and bass’ biggest producer hails from the country-re-calibre), but this wouldn’t stop me and my friends. I knew others would share my fondness of this sound, so if the clubs didn’t let us (in), the outdoors wouldn’t stop us. We started illegal raves and people started to take note and the response was amazing.

Bands and Solo Artists Wanted!

Photography by Jonas Smith

Your focus has mostly been on paying live, but recently you’ve started to make more of your own recorded material. How is that coming along? Yeah I’ve started producing in the last few months. I should have started along time ago but I’ve always been quite focused on DJing and the art of turntablism. It’s coming along nicely; I’ve an addictive personality so I tend not to do things in halves. I spend as much time learning things to help my skills and knowledge grow so I can produce to the best of my ability and live up to the benchmark set by Ireland’s other big producers’ calibre. I’d die a happy man if I could produce tunes half as good as his. But yeah at the minute I’ve a few dubstep pieces up and am currently working on some drum and bass stuff which hopefully will be finished by the end of winter. You can check the tracks on SoundCloud (at soundcloud.com/conek4). You recently won the first round of One Mission’s DJ Competition. How did that come about, how did that night go, and how confident are you going into the final? I don’t mind competitions but it can feel a bit like being in a goldfish bowl, though I thought it would do no harm. The other guys who I played with I have the utmost respect for; high quality DJs and producers - Maxx Roach and Kzss. It was a close call by the judges, but I won my heat. I was very pleased but the fun is mostly in meeting other people who like the same music and who helped ease the competition atmosphere by joking and talking about tracks. It was a pleasure - plus the guys at One Mission are always accommodating and very down to earth with a healthy enthusiasm for the scene. You go to University in Cardiff, but you are originally from Ireland. How do the two places compare in terms of music scenes, and how would you rate Cardiff’s electro scene as it is today? Yep I’m from Ireland, as anybody who has met me will tell you as they struggle to make out what I say. In terms of music scenes, Ireland’s is pretty poor for the average Dubstep/DnB lover, borderline awful. Other than the illegal raves we were doing, there wasn’t anything else for the drum and bass fan in the area/country. That was basically my main reason behind my move to Cardiff. Cardiff’s scene is amazing and is growing very quick; you have Bedlam, Aperture and Neuropol. Aperture (who I recently did a gig for) and Neuropol ,which both run weekly, are filled with residents who produce high quality tracks - and the DJs are very good; Dan Marshall, Magenta,

Each month Retro gives its students a chance to get acquainted with a band or artist from UWIC.

Lung, Kzss, Maxx Roach, Substance (Ali Davenport), Ransom, Mr Ben etc. The list is pretty long. You also have Cassette Quality who I have residency with; they put on good nights with healthy homegrown DJs like myself, Killer Tom etc. The main thing about Cardiff’s scene is it’s a community. Everyone is very close and it’s warming as an outsider to be welcomed by so many. It’s made Cardiff become my second home. Do you see DJing as a potential career, or is it more of a thing to do on the weekend for you? Yeah I’d love to, I hate work. I’m very lazy

UWIC LIfe Name: John Barr What course is it you study and what year are you on? I study English and Popular Culture and am in my 2nd year. How do you manage to juggle being so busy DJ wise, and still do well in your course?

So, are you in a band/artist? Are you a current student at UWIC? Do you want to be seen in 3,000 Retros distributed across Cardiff for UWIC Students? Of Course you do!

when it comes to employment and really my heart lies in music. Music for me is a way to vent all my emotions good or bad. I hope in the next few years to make it a full time career and be able to use my influences to make good music which others can enjoy. Overall I’d just be happy and content if people enjoy my sets and the music I produce. That would be better than any sum of money. To find out more about John, his work, and his weekly residences, head to his SoundCloud page at: soundcloud.com/conek4 Or search “Conke4” on Facebook.

(It’s) very hard sometimes, I just try and keep motivated. I DJ when I can and basically try and reach a good medium between the two, so neither has to suffer. What advice would you give to UWIC students looking to get into DJing? Get involved. Get in contact with anyone at One Mission and don’t be afraid to approach them; Cardiff’s scenes door will always be open. It’s down to you individually to make the effort and step up, it’s definitely worth it.

Then get in touch with our Music Editor Jake May and show your interest! j.j.may@uwic.ac.uk

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

December 2009

RetroMusic Music Reviews Photography by Paul Gregory at Lense Eyes

Engineers

Stornoway

(Single Review)

What Pushed Us Together By Rory Wilkinson

Swn Festival Three Days, One Paragraph By Jake May Music Editor Well that was a ruddy good weekend. As well as providing an insight to all of the up-and-coming bands form Wales and beyond, Swn also hosted a bucketful of already established and frankly awesome acts in various venues across the city. Girls more than adequately translated their critically appraised debut, ‘Album’, as well as including a cheeky cover of Daniel Johnston on the Friday night at Y Fuwch Goch. The Drums brilliant Cure-come-Beach Boys inspired surf-pop was well received

to a packed upstairs of Dempsey’s. Strange News from Another Star shouted and sweated their way through an energetic and thrilling set upstairs of The Model Inn. Buzz band Islet played an energetic and musically enviable set at Dempsey’s which will only help to increase the excitement of this four-some’s work. But the weekend was well and truly stolen by Wrexham based instrumental post-meets-math rock act Gallops. More incredible drumming and fantastically loud and beat-heavy music from one of the best live bands I have ever seen. Wish you went now? Only fools make the same mistake twice; buy a ticket next year!

Retro Recommends...

Unfaithful

By Rory Wilkinson

With comparisons being made to Spiritualized and My Bloody Valentine, I was very much looking forward to hearing this upcoming single ‘What Pushed Us Together’ from Engineers, mainly so as to knock it down a peg or two. In my eyes, the name Spiritualized should not be used lightly and they seem to sort of stand alone on a genre spanning pedestal. The thing is though, I can hear the similarities and what’s more, it’s good. This single of their second album titled ‘Three Fact Fader’ gives a teasing demonstration of what lies in store, and while in my opinion it doesn’t seem to be the greatest track off the album, it certainly manages to convey their talent for creating psychedelic chilled out music. The quality of the production is also worth mentioning as it gives a feeling that this would be a rather special band to see live. Engineers are touring throughout November and December which coincides with the release of ‘What Pushed Us Together’ on November 23rd. Definitely worth checking out this single along with the rest of their Grade songs at: myspace.com/ engineers0

2:1

Off the success and critical acclaim of their first single ‘Zorbing’, Stornoway have got every reason to feel positive about their latest release. It’s reflected in the music, with the two tracks ‘Unfaithful’ and ‘You Don’t Know Anything’ practically radiating happiness. Both tracks seem to perfectly capture the American folk feel, despite the band hailing from Oxford, with a lilting, uplifting grace. Picture a summer romance between Gomez and The Fleet Foxes and this is the product, a heavenly blend of acoustic guitar and strings and beautifully simplistic vocals and harmonies. Stornoway have just embarked on their first full tour around the UK and it seems almost guaranteed that this will slingshot them into the public eye. Watch out for this band all over the festival scene next year! www.myspace.com/ Grade stornoway

1st

If you fancy reviewing Music for Retro please get in contact with our Retro Music Editor, Jake May.

j.j.may@outlook.uwic.ac.uk

The Christmas List for People You Hate By Jake May Retro Music Editor

2nd November Bon Jovi Circle

(Dull repetitive rock pop)

9th November Robbie Williams Reality Killed the Video Star (Reunion pooping has-been)

16th November N-dubz Against All Odds

(Comically bad hip-hop)

Leona Lewis Echo

(More angering X-Factor tosh)

Compilation CD Best Rock Anthems Ever

(Most annoyingly over-played rock songs ever)

Ronan Keating Winter Songs

(Use to stock the fire this cold Winter!)

50 Cent Before I Self Destruct

(Self destroy, pretty please?)

Mariah Carey Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (All I want for Christmas is for you to go away)

23rd November Susan Boyle I Dreamed A Dream (Runner-up music)

30th November Westlife Where We Are

(Harmonic old-man band rubbishness)

Neil Diamond Cherry Cherry Christmas

(Bland, likely to annoy us all, covers)

Retro

December 2009

A word in your ear...

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

FOUR POLLUTED MINDS

By Gaz Dunt Art and Design Reporter

By Gaz Dunt Art and Design Reporter Here’s one for your diaries. The Polluted Minds show at TactileBOSCH is coming up on the 28th November and runs until the 5th December.

Welcome to the Art and Design section of Retro. Here you can find plenty of inspirational stuff to get your creative juices flowing. My name is Gareth Dunt. I’m the Assistant Editor and Design Reporter for Retro. I’m currently in my final year here at UWIC studying Graphic Communication. It’s been a great stay here and I’ve met some great people and furthermore some great artists! You will notice some adverts throughout this newspaper calling for contributions from students. It really is as easy as sending an email and getting involved – we will always have a role for you! As a creative person myself I’m always looking for designers and illustrators to submit artwork for the stories we cover each and every month. So if you want some real world experience give me a shout! I spend a lot of time looking for interesting things in the world of art and design. Some of which I put in Retro, but most end up on my design blog due to the sheer amount of it. I try my best to document cool things from all over the design world. From fashion to architecture, graphic design to photography - there’s something for everyone. So if you have 5 minutes and want to check out whats happening in the world of art and design, be sure to take a look at my design blog at -

The show features work from fellow students Bill Giles, Adam Travers, Richie Lee and Dave Hazelgrove. It’s going to be really great, I can promise that. I caught up with the lads in the illustration studio in Llandaff. They were working on a collaborative piece which looked insane. You can perve on more work

by resident Retro illustrator Bill Giles over the page in the Illustrator of the Month feature. You may also have seen artwork by Adam and Richie in previous editions of the newspaper. For those of you who want to delve deeper into the world of the artists, you can visit their website at co4project.co.uk There is an after show talk over in Milgi’s on the 1st December. Don’t just pencil it in your diaries - etch it! A big thank you to the guys for providing some fantastic artwork for Retro and good luck for the exhibition! You can trust Retro to cover the event as it unfolds!

MAPPING EXHIBITION

blackmaths.com And if you’re into Twitter, you can follow me by searching for blackmaths Furthermore if you have a question or would like to have a chat about anything featured in Retro, feel free to contact me on the email address below. I really like hearing from fellow students about news in the creative world. Better still if you have an event or exhibition you would like advertised here, just sling me an email and I’ll see what I can do! Thats what 4 illustrators from UWIC did and they have got themselves featured in the pages of Retro! See you around! garethdunt@googlemail.com

By Gaz Dunt Art and Design Reporter

Mapping, the stunning exhibition displaying the work of Anna Bush Crews, Rona Lee, Carol Jackman, Kathy Prendergast and Sophie Scalpelhorn recently opened at UWIC’s Howard Gardens campus. The works are based round the process of map generation. This has produced some truly fascinating pieces of creative communication. Mapping boasts a range of media from time pieces to sculpture. It was great to see a breadth of creative

Calling all UWIC Artists and Designers!

disciplines used to communicate a multitude of messages - something myself and all of you can admire I’m sure. One of the pieces that stood out was a small white sculpture, pictured above, by Rona Lee. I was fascinated by its structure and scale. A real eye opener. Furthermore it was great to see the level of detail all artists went into in their work. This coupled with fantastic craft skills and vision. It is a stong body of work from five passionate artists. The exhibition is over at Howard Gardens and runs until the 11th December. It is situated in the gallery space to the left of the front desk! I would really recommend going over and taking a look. It will appeal to a wide range of students due to its creative diversity.

Retro want to hear from you!

If you fancy featuring as the next Retro Artist/Designer of the Month, submit an article or advertise an exhibition please get in touch with our Art & Design editor -

UWIC Students’Union listens to Nation Radio - 106.8 & 107.3 FM, www.nationwales.com

Gareth Dunt garethdunt@googlemail.com

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

Bill Giles Hello! First things first lets get some background info on you. Where do you hail from? What college did you attend? And what course are you currently studying here at UWIC? I really wish I had some exciting stories, but it’s all relatively normal. I grew up on the other side of the bridge in Bristol, and studied Art, Photography and English at the Sir Bernard Lovell Sixth form. I then came directly from there and was accepted onto the BA Illustration course here at UWIC. I’m now in my third and final year, and seem to be constantly working.

Who are your current art and design heroes? Who do you look to for inspiration? This is where that old cliché of ‘there’s too many to name’ comes into play, but in this case it really is true. There is a few I immediately think of. Firstly, Eduardo Bertone, an illustrator based in Spain, he’s been an inspiration of mine from a fairly young age when I was first discovering art. A more recent one would be the likes of Drew Millward. I actually had the good fortune to spend a day with Drew recently, which turned out to be a very inspirational visit, one which I will always remember. A few others would be Luke Drozd, Mr Gauky, Godmachine, Nate Van Dyke, as well as Travis Millard. I can also spend hours trawling through gigposters.com

What inspires your work? Blood? Guts? Zombies? I would say my inspiration comes mainly from conversations around me, little ideas that seem to be rattling around in my head constantly, as well as exaggeration of the human form. There are some fantastic characters wandering around in day-to-day life which are great to work into my illustrations. Working alongside other illustrators and artists is another huge factor, I find this works extremely well. I’ve actually recently embarked on a four-way collaborative exhibition with three fellow illustrators here at UWIC. Feel free to check out what its all about at co4project.co.uk

UWIC Students’Union listens to Nation Radio - 106.8 & 107.3 FM, www.nationwales.com

December 2009

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about starting an art and design degree course? Any words of wisdom? I think the only piece of advice I could offer would be to ensure that your heart is in it. Whatever you want to take on, make sure its a passion that you can’t imagine being without. I wouldn’t advise people to start a course having any doubts, you should know its what you want to do and know you’re going to enjoy the challenge. Apart from that, ensure you approach it open mindedly and enjoy it as much as you can. You can see more of Bill’s work at billgilesillustration.co.uk

Retro

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

cineworld

RetroFilm Reviews

cinemas

Disney’s: A Christmas Carol

By Adam Chubb Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes Director: Robert Zemeckis Writer(s): Robert Zemeckis Cinematography: Robert Presley Original Score: Alan Silvestri Running Time: 96 Mins.

The term “visionary filmmaker” is one that is bandied around a lot, but I would argue if any director can fit that particular description it would be Robert Zemeckis, long has he pushed cinematic boundaries of both story and technique, bringing us films as diverse yet as original as Back to the Future, Cast Away, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Forrest Gump.

All contain, apart from anything else, a technical advancement of some sort and while there is nothing new as such on this take of Dickens’ classic tale it simply forges ahead with the motion-capture technique’s he has pioneered since the technologically great, but otherwise poor, Polar Express, followed by the much better and more “adult” Beowulf, and now this latest attempt at refining the technique and ironing out past issues. So to turn a critical eye on Robert Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol (under the moniker of Disney, which mean’s very little given Disney’s welcome turn to dark matter), there are two things to consider, firstly does this address the problems many (including myself ) have with the whole mo-cap technique, and the “dead eyes” condition, and secondly is it actually a worthy adaptation that offers something new to the tale? Well the answer to the mo-cap problem is an unfortunate yes and no, the dead eyes look really is something that seems impossible to get over, not so much in Scrooge who I’ll come to in a minute, but more with the characters played by Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth and

Jennifer’s Body By Adam Chubb Starring: Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, Adam Brody Director: Karyn Kusama Writer: Diablo Cody Cinematography: M. David Mullen Original Score: Stephen Barton, Theodore Shapiro Running Time: 102 Mins. That Jennifer’s Body is from the writer of Juno at first seemed like a big ploy to get the oh-so-cool kids that would have thrived off that film’s hip, and deeply over-rated, scripting in at any cost, but I knew thought I knew better, I thought the similarities would be nonexistent in terms of both tone and execution.

How wrong I was, this could basically be called “Juno-The Dark Year”, with Mamma Mia and Mean Girls Amanda Seyfried standing in for Ellen Paige, which to be honest gives it one up on Juno from the off, given Paige’s irritating delivery of the supposedly cleverly ironic lines. But let’s be honest this film isn’t about Amanda Seyfried, just look at the poster! So yes, what of the much maligned (by critics at least) Megan Fox, well she looks as damn hot as you would expect and is given ample opportunity to show off her “talents” but what of any actual talent, well, she is clever and for that you have to give it to her. Playing off the dumb beauty tag she seems to have adopted since starring in the Transformers franchise and never likely to win any awards, she at least plays to

Gary Oldman, all looking like strange waxy versions of themselves, never “real” enough to convince as actual people yet stuck in between in a place that makes them not quite cartoon and exaggerated enough. Carrey, though, in all 7 of his roles including Scrooge at various ages and the three ghosts, overcomes all issues by making his characters real unique creations, it would be a fool to expect Carrey couldn’t do this and given his acting ability extending beyond mere facial movement he allows his body to exaggerate so that he becomes what mo-cap should really be used to create. A way whereby an actor can fully become a character by acting through voice, appearance and movement in the extrovert way we know Carrey is more than capable of. Gary Oldman achieves this to some extent in his Ghost of Marley but the uninspired humble portrayal of a portly Bob Cratchit made me long for Kermit the Frog in The Muppets Christmas Carol! If the whole film existed using more exaggerated design of that used for Scrooge there would have been no problems on that front, so halfway

her strengths, ironic knowingness is her game and in that field she runs amok. Bouncing between good-looking but emotionally weak school hottie and evil spawn of Satan, Fox exudes charm and hits all the right notes, coming across as creepy when needed and delivering Diablo Cody’s lines pitch perfect. So a revelation to be sure and thankfully worthy of more than just being oggled! Seyfried compliments Fox well and as a pairing they are hugely watchable, playing of one-another strengths and weaknesses, but what lets them down IS the script. Cody desperately wants to

there at least! It is a telling sign that Monster House (produced by Zemeckis) was the best use of the technique so far however on this occasion setting the tone somewhere between Beowulf’s darkness and Polar Express festive spirit was a good idea. So what of the beloved tale itself, seen so many times only a hermit would not know the story, and if this is anyone’s first foray into the world of Dickens’ they are really in for a treat. Much of the dialogue is pulled directly from the novel and it is a deeply faithful adaptation, the portrayal of London on show is as sumptuous as anyone who has seen the scenery in Zemeckis past two films would expect. Brought scarily to life at times it is in these scenes that the 3D aspect is at its best, the camera swooping above rooftops and under gutters, if you could class a cinema experience as a rollercoaster ride, this is it. Though that in itself presents a slight problem, as the story builds through the ghostly encounters the need for an all action ending was apparently sought meaning we have a breakneck race through the streets of London as a be the female Tarantino, borrowing from a horror film here, referencing a teen film there, snatching dialogue from this, and echoing something that happened then, it all becomes rather tiresome and fits together so incoherently it frankly seems messy and undisciplined, simply highlighting the fact that Cody has no original ideas of her own. In its attempt to prove cool and trendy it feels overly knowing, to self-aware of its reverential nature and all too proud of its postmodern structure and style, this kind of self-awareness can work a dream, Kevin Williamson knows this all too well. And horror is a fine genre to work within but you need focus, something Jennifer’s Body doesnt have and come the finale I had a yearning for Williamson’s The Faculty which this seems to rip the whole final third from, albeit with much less impact. Fox has said she is proud to be in a film written by a woman, directed by a woman and

shrunken Scrooge is chased by the horses of Hell and the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. Not quite what Dickens’ had in mind when he wrote the finale I expect! So while it does offer a showcase for the technology it feels slightly out of place where a more intimate encounter (like that in A Muppet Christmas Carol) would have been more welcome, given Carrey’s fantastic performance.

Verdict

Robert Zemeckis A Christmas Carol is worthy adaptation that lend’s itself to the mo-cap technique well, with Carrey’s Scrooge and the Ghosts being great cinematic creations, though the urge to strive for “realism” in other aspects and an out-of-place breakneck finale let it down slightly, that said I doubt this year will see a better festive offering!

Grade

2:2

starring two strong female leads, this really stands for nothing as there is no message about female strength in here, or any message of any sort, only that all the male characters are pushover’s or Devilworshippers, characterisation needs to be a little deeper to mean something beyond being weak willed, and the made up slang just made me think Cody was craving her youth again, at least in a film like Brick it had a purpose and place, with this and Juno it is simply grating.

Verdict

Coming as something of a shock, Megan Fox CAN act and is self-aware enough to carry of the rather scatter-shot dialogue of writer Diablo Cody, but it is in Jennifer’s Body’s script that the film falls apart. Trying far too hard to be hip and trendy it fails miserably, leaving the great fun performances to carry you through a film far too self-aware for its own good. Grade

3rd

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

December 2009

RetroTake-A-Break Retro’s Crossword 1

Do you have a question for Aunty Archer? Please email fmainwaring@uwic.ac.uk

Hello, it sounds like you’re having a tough time at the moment, but don’t worry. You may be surprised to hear that as many as 1 in 4 people suffer with feelings like these at one point or another. We have a brilliant Student Services team at UWIC. They offer a free and confidential counselling service and will do as much to find out the root of the problem as well as working as hard as they can to get you feeling back to your old self! To contact them you should ring 02920 41 6170. Alternatively e-mail them at: studentservices@uwic.ac.uk Aunty Archer

Dear Aunty Archer, My flat mates and course friends are all talking about searching for a house to live in for next year. I have two groups of friends and they have both asked me to share a house with them! I’ve not known either of the groups long enough to be able to decide who I’d want to live with when I leave halls. I’m

starting to get worried now, as if I don’t decide soon I might get left behind, without anyone to live with! Emily Hi Emily, Don’t panic! There’s plenty of time to decide who you want to live with and where! Every year students tend to think that all the good houses are snapped up straight after Xmas, with students ending up signing a contract with people that they haven’t got to know properly yet. Tell your friends that you need more time to think about who you are going to live with next year, and that there’s no rush in signing up to a house – there’s more than enough houses for everyone, so take your time. Aunty Archer

Hi Ali, We’ve all been in this situation before! Anyone that knows you will understand that students don’t have much money so anything that you do spend must have been thought out carefully. You could plan out how much money you do have to spend on presents and split it between each person. You could make up a larger present with a few little gifts. Depending on how much time you have you could make presents for people. This shows people that you really do care, and as they say it’s the thought that counts. Hope this helps! Aunty Archer

Plum of the Month

ick r r o C e v Da od y his go Sent in b y. avid Kell friend D

If you have a picture of UWIC Plum then we want to know! You can either email your pictures to the Retro editor: trosoman@uwic.ac.uk. Or you could upload your picture to our facebook group. Search for Retro Newspaper.

11 13

14 15

30 32

Across 1. Fortunately (7) 4. Sensational novel (7) 8. Measure of the warmth or coldness (11) 12. Score (4) 13. Paint unskilfully (4) 14. Insanely (5) 15. Jams tight (6) 17. 8th letter of the Greek alphabet (4) 22. Bring into existence (4)

23. Grasp (5) 24. Sudden assault (4) 25. Chambers (5) 28. Bother (6) 30. Doughnut shaped roll (5) 32. Deep wound (4) 34. Crack (4) 35. Inflammation of the tonsils (11) 38. Not at Work (3,4) 39. Incomplete

Down 1. Exoress mirth (5) 2. Bottom of ship’s hull (4) 3. Cut off (3) 5. Covering for the head (3) 6. Thin rope (4) 7. Dutch Painter (9) 8. Story (4) 9. Periods of history (4) 10. Supporter (4) 11. Overhanging lower edge of a roof (4) 14. Untidy (5) 16. Sleep images (5) 18. Groups of animals

(5) 19. Misunderstanding (9) 20. Masculine pronoun (3) 21. Pertaining to punishment (5) 26. Expel (4) 27. Worn by women in India (4) 28. Hades (4) 29. Optical device (4) 31. Prickly (5) 33. Grasp (4) 34. River sediment (4) 36. Posed (3) 37. Class (3)

Answers:

Retrodoku Easy:

5 8 4 2 8 9 6 4 5 3 7 8 9 1 7 2 5 1 2 6 8 8 7 5 9 6 4 8 th’s This mon onth is M e th Plum of

Aunty Archer, can you help? I’m so skint and with Christmas coming up I’m too strapped for cash to buy anyone anything nice! I’m worried people will be disappointed and that I’ll look silly Christmas morning! Any ideas? Ali

Across - 1. Luckily, 4. Shocker, 8. Temperature, 12. Goal, 13. Daub, 14. Madly, 15. Wedges, 17. Theta, 22. Make, 23. Seize, 24. Raid, 25. Rooms, 28. Hassle, 30. Bagel, 32. Gash, 34. Snap, 35. Tonsillitis, 38. Offduty, 39 Sketchy. Down - 1. Laugh, 2. Keel, 3. Lop, 5. Hat, 6. Cord, 7. Rembrandt, 8. Tale, 9. Eras, 10. Ally, 11. Eave, 14. Messy, 16. Dreams, 18. Herds, 19. Imbroglio, 20. Him, 21. Penal, 26. Oust, 27. Sari, 28. Hell, 29. Lens, 31. Spiky, 33. Hold, 34. Sllt, 36. Sat, 37. Ilk.

Dear Aunty Archer, I’m really struggling to cope. I can’t be bothered to do anything, even go out with my best friends. My uni work is starting to fall behind but I don’t really care. My friends are worried about me as I’m not myself. I don’t want to be a burden on them. I almost feel like quitting uni. Do you have any advice for me? Anonymous

Hard:

5 3 7 8 1 9 9 8 3

9 7 1 7 9

8 7

1 3 6

Medium:

4 5 7 3 5 4

9 5 4 8 2 6 8 5

7 1 5 6 5 7

2 6 2 7 4

Evil:

4 8 2 1 3

8 1 5 7

4 9

7 1 2

8 7 5 6 2 3

1 4 9 3 7

9 8 EVIL! 5 6

1 6 3 5 7

4 1

Retro

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroBUCS Fixtures & Results

British Universities & Colleges Sport

November 2009 UWIC BUCS Results 4th Nov

11th Nov

Badminton l (W2A)

2 - 6 UWE 1 (A)

6 - 2 Solent 1 (H)

Badminton W (Prem)

3 - 5 Bath 1 (H)

3 - 5 Cambridge 1 (A)

Basketball M (W2B)

74 - 37 Cardiff 2 (H)

Newport 1 (A)

Basketball W1 (Prem)

106 - 29 Brighton 1 (H)

72 - 49 London Met1 (A)

Basketball W2 (W2A)

44 - 42 Solent 1 (H)

60 - 45 Glos 1 (A)

Football M1 (W2B)

2 - 0 UWIC 2 (A)

2 - 3 Glamorgan 1 (A)

Football M2 (W2B)

0 - 2 UWIC 1 (H)

0 - 1 Medics 1 (A)

Football M3 (W3B)

0 - 4 Aber 1 (A)

Football W1 (Prem)

6 - 1 Bath 1 (H)

Football W2 (W1A)

December 2009 UWIC BUCS Fixtures

18th Nov

25th Nov

2nd Dec

Badminton l (W2A)

Glos 1 (A)

Soton 2 (A)

Badminton W (Prem)

London Met 1 (A)

Bath 1 (A)

Basketball M (W2B)

Bristol 1 (H)

Basketball W1 (Prem)

Portsmouth 1 (H)

Basketball W2 (W2A)

UWE 1 (H)

Aber 1 (H)

Football M1 (W2B)

Medics 1 (H)

Hartpury 2 (A)

Medics 1 (A)

Football M2 (W2B)

Hartpury 2 (H)

Gloucester 2 (A)

2 - 1 Swansea 2 (A)

Hartpury 3 (A)

Football M3 (W3B)

Cardiff 2 (H)

Trinity 1 (H)

4 - 0 Brighton 1 (A)

2 - 1 Portsmouth 1 (H)

Football W1 (Prem)

Brunel 1 (A)

Hertford 1 (A)

Bath 1 (A)

5 - 0 Exeter 1 (A)

5 - 0 Southampton 1 (H)

Bristol 1 (H)

Football W2 (W1A)

Marjons 1 (H)

Exeter 1 (A)

Golf (Prem S)

3 - 3 Bo’mouth 1 (A)

Bath 1 (H)

Hockey M1 (W2B)

7 -1 Medics 1 (H)

3 - 2 Bristol 2 (A)

11 - 0 Swansea 2 (H)

Hockey M1 (W2B)

Swansea 1 (H)

Bath 4 (A)

Hockey M2 (W3B)

3 - 0 Aber 1 (H)

3 - 3 Cardiff 4 (A)

3 - 4 RAC 1 (A)

Hockey M2 (W3B)

Glos 2 (H)

Cardiff 3 (H)

Hockey W1 (Prem)

3 - 1Cambridge 1 (H)

1 - 2 Exeter 1 (A)

3 - 0 Bath 1 (H)

Hockey W1 (Prem)

Bristol 1 (A)

Oxford 1 (H)

Hockey W2 (W 2B)

Cardiff 3 (A)

0 - 3 Bath 3 (A)

10 - 0 Glam 2 (A)

Hockey W2 (W 2B)

Glam 1 (A)

Swansea 1 (H)Med-

Hockey W3 (W3B)

1 - 1 Bristol 4 (A)

6 - 1 RAC 1 (H)

Hockey W3 (W3B)

Glos 2 (A)

ics 1 (A)

9 - 7 Swansea 1 (A)

Lacrosse (W1A)

Bristol 2 (A)

Exeter 2 (H)

Bath 2 (A)

Bristol 1 (H)

Lacrosse (W1A)

4 - 4 Exeter 1 (H)

96 - 57 Oxford 1 (A)

9th Dec

Aberystwyth 1 (H) Bristol 1 (H)

Golf (Prem S)

Cambridge 1 (A)

Netball 1 (Prem)

30 - 23 Bristol 1 (A)

36 - 48 Brunel 1 (H)

63 - 20 Cardiff 1 (H)

Netball 1 (Prem)

Bath 1 (A)

UWE 1 (A)

Netball 2 (W2B)

50 - 22 Glamorgan 1 (H)

49 - 28 Medics 1 (H)

40 - 32 Cardiff 3 (A)

Netball 2 (W2B)

Bristol 2 (H)

UWIC 3 (H)

Netball 3 (W2B)

44 - 19 Medics 1 (H)

27 - 22 Bristol 2 (A)

44 - 29 Trinity 1 (A)

Netball 3 (W2B)

Swansea 1 (H)

UWIC 2 (A)

Netball 4 (W3B)

33 - 16 Swansea 2 (H)

31 - 36 Glos 2 (H)

Netball 4 (W3B)

Aber 1 (A)

Newport 1 (A)

Rugby Union M1 (Prem A)

44 - 6 Bath 1 (A)

19 - 13 Swansea 1 (H)

Rugby Union M1 (Prem A)

Hartpury 1 (H)

St Mary’s 1 (A)

Rugby Union M2 (Prem B)

17 - 0 Ox Brookes 1 (H)

30 - 18 Medics 1 (H)

Rugby Union M2 (Prem B)

Hartpury 2 (A)

Rugby Union M3 (W1A)

26 - 11 RAC 1 (H)

15 - 46 Glamorgan 1 (A)

Rugby Union M3 (W1A)

Hartpury 3 (H)

UWIC 4 (A)

Exeter 2 (H)

Rugby Union M4 (W1A)

14 - 50 Gloucester 1 (H)

3 - 19 Hartpury 3 (A)

Rugby Union M4 (W1A)

Exeter 2 (H)

UWIC 3 (H)

RAC 1 (A)

Rugby Union W (Prem)

26 - 10 Exeter 1 (A)

27 - 5 Brunel 1 (H)

Marjons 1 (A)

Rugby Union W (Prem)

Oxford 1 (A)

Exeter 1 (H)

Rugby League (Premier S)

26 - 22 Oxford 1 (H)

14 - 18 Loughborough 2 (A)

18 - 26 Northampton (A)

Rugby League (Premier S)

Exeter 1 (H)

Nottingham 1 (A)

Squash 1 (W1A)

4 - 1 Exeter 1 (H)

4 - 1 Southampton 1 (A)

3 - 2 UWE 1 (A)

Squash 1 (W1A)

Bristol 2 (H)

Bath 1 (A)

Squash 2 (W2B)

5 - 0 Medics 1 (A)

3 - 2 Glamorgan 1 (H)

2 - 3 Glam 1 (A)

Squash 2 (W2B)

Aber 1 (A)

Glamorgan 2 (H)

Squash W 1 (Prem)

4 - 0 Bath 2 (H)

4 - 0 Southampton 1 (A)

4 - 0 Glamorgan 1 (H)

Squash W 1 (Prem)

Gloucester 1 (A)

UWE 1 (H)

Tennis M1 (W1A)

3 - 7 Bath 2 (A)

4 - 6 Bo’mouth 2 (H)

Exeter 1 (A)

Tennis M1 (W1A)

UWE 1 (H)

Bristol 2 (A)

Tennis M2 (W2B)

8 - 2 Cardiff 2 (H)

Gloucester 1 (A)

Tennis M2 (W2B)

Cardiff 1 (A)

Aber 1 (H)

Tennis W (W1A)

Swansea 1 (H)

4 - 6 Bristol 1 (A)

Tennis W (W1A)

Gloucester 1 (H)

Bath 2 (A)

4 - 6 Exeter 2 (A)

10 - 10 UWE 1 (A)

Volleyball M (W2A)

Volleyball W (W2A)

(H) - Home (A) - Away Red - Conference Cup

13th Jan

Bristol 1 (H) Cardiff 1 (A)

Oxford (H)

Exeter 1 (H)

For more BUCS fixtures & results www.bucs.org.uk

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroBUCS Photography

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/au/gallery Photography by Kieran McManus

Photography by Kieran McManus

Photography by Carl Sutherwood

Photography by Kieran McManus

Retro

December 2009

RetroSport

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

Retro

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

December 2009

RetroSport

2009/10 – A wake-up call… We got back to winning ways with a home victory over much-improved Brixton Topcats and in spells the fight that once was so boastfully evident in preseason starts to show its head on occasion. Nottingham Wildcats surprise win over Sheffield Hatters has certainly opened the season up, but Leeds has pegged everyone to early Championship leading status. We now must control the controllables, look after our business and ensure that we do not do anything to steer us away from our aspirations. If you want to follow our fixtures, check where we are the league then just go to www.uwicarchers.com to track our progress, and find out more about the Archers players personally. I would like to say a BIG “THANKS” to Hannah and the Archers Angels for their input on game day. The Archers cheerleaders are really starting to find their rhythm and in the last game versus Brixton their impact on the crowd could really be felt – thanks ladies! Make sure you don’t miss the last home game of 2009. We welcome Sevenoaks Suns to the Archers Arena on the 12th December, Tip-Off is at 4p.m. and all students and staff are free…bring a friend! See you at the Archers Arena – make some noise!!

By Damian Jennings UWIC Archers Head Coach

Now, as I have said before being runner’s up in everything National League one year gives you no automatic rights to win something the following year. As you know 2009-10 started well with 3 wins, and some dramatic over-hauls such as old rivals Team Northumbria whom we trounced 89-38 in the Archers Arena. Since then I think we began to hit cruise control for a little too long, and although it’s too easy to use words like complacency, something was not quite clicking. We went onto to play Leeds Carnegie away and had our first wake-up call. The bigger budget Carnegie programme beat us by 4pts, 66-62. We were slighty dumbfounded and knew we had to raise our game even further. Everyone in the Archers camp took this loss very personally, and although much of it cannot be explained…in the sense that our lack of grip on the game felt so surreal; the actual stats sold the truth and none of us want to go through that experience again.

Keep up to date with UWIC Archers at: www.uwicarchers.co.uk

UWIC Touch Rugby day in aid of Cancer Research By Claire Rafferty UWICSU President

Sunday 25th October saw the 7-a-side Touch Rugby tournament taking place on the Astro at Cyncoed campus. Five teams in total turned out to play various rounds of twenty minute games. The Fresher Rugby boys (in some beautifully colourful attire, as well as some additional facial hair) made up two of the teams, the Archer’s Angels Cheerleading girls put down their pom poms for the chance at some sporting action on the pitch, the UWIC 1st XV Rugby guys made up a team, and the ever-dedicated SU guys and girls made up a team with one ringer pinched

Athletic Union Memberships onsale now!

from the freshers! The event was all about making money for Cancer Research UK. A grand total of £70 was made. A great effort by all involved. Sam Russell (a UWIC student) from Red Bull kindly sponsored the day providing copious amounts of the drink to help us get through the day fighting hard for every try scored! This was accompanied by music to keep us motivated when the weather turned a little damp, and also some of the most amazing all-weather bean bags I have ever seen! A big thank you to all who took part in supporting this event and charity. Congratulations to the fresher team who took victory over the other teams in winning the tournament, you all must feel very proud.

l In order to represent the university at UWIC you will need to purchase an Athletic Union Membership.

l This year the AU Membership is £15.00 plus individual club Membership fees.

UWIC Men’s Football

By Alex McInch

A new season is well underway and potentially a new era of men’s football at UWIC. The summer saw a swift transition in personnel. A new managment team has been put in place spearheaded by Masters student Christian Edwards, a seasoned professional with some 400 football league appearances and Full International honours under his belt, the pinnacle of his career making some 60+ Premier League Appearances for Nottingham Forest in the late 90’s. Assisting him is fellow Masters student Alex McInch, who needs no introduction! Both men are hoping to be at UWIC for the long haul and are focussing their attentions on a change in culture both on and off the field, with the aim being to get the club functioning as a professional outfit. BUCS commenced on the 14th October, and now, after several weeks in to the season, our three teams are starting to consolidate and reach some consistency. Our 1st’s and 2nd’s are 2nd and 3rd respectively in the same league with our 3rds still waiting for that elusive first win. Results aside, the club is potentially at its strongest for some years, with some early signs of excellent application and team work amongst all three of our teams. Promotion would be nice this season but consolidation is the key at this early stage. In the Welsh National League Division 2 however, the picture is looking a little brighter. The archermen are currently lying 7th in the table after the usual early losses due to lack of playing staff, due to the start of the season being in early August, sometime before our young scholars embark on their academic journey. That said, a string of excellent results has reshaped the table with there still being an outside chance of promotion. The top two teams can go up this year but throwing caution to the wind, stability in the key for the time being for the football club.

l Purchase online now at:

www.uwicsu.co.uk

Retro

December 2009

www.uwicsu.co.uk/retro

RetroSport

UWIC Women’s Rugby, Season So Far Photography by Kieran McManus

Scholar Of The Month Francis Baker Athletics Name: Francis Baker

Daley Thompson / Dean Macey

Sport: Athletics Position Decathlon/ Indoor Heptahlon Sporting Achievements? Great Britain u23 Captain England senior Captain AAA Indoor Heptahlon u23 Champion BUCS Decathlon Champion BUCS indoor Long Jump Champion Course of Study? BSC (hons) Sports Coaching When did you first start playing your sport and how long have you been involved? Started running at 6 so been doing it for 16 years. Who is your biggest sporting influence?

What does an average week of training consist of? At the moment i do: 3 Weights sessions 2 Running sessions 2 Core sessions 1 Plyometrics Do you have any pre-game rituals? just getting fired up ready to compete. How do you find balancing your sport and studies together here at UWIC? Good because of the support from the lecturers allow me to balance my sport and studies. What are you’re hopes for the future after your time at UWIC? Become a teacher or a coach and to compete for Great Britain in a major competitions.

By Kylie Wilson 21st October 2009

UWIC 61 v Chichester 0 The seven time winners of the championship trophy have a new look squad this season, with over half the team made up of fresher’s. However, this did not stop their wining ways, with a competent display in their opening fixture. Newcomers to the squad who had excellent debuts were Larissa Muldoon, Olivia Robinson and Alix Taylor. Old heads proved valuable in keeping the scoreboard ticking over, with Captain Lisa Newton and Vicky Owens linking well with 10 Yazmin Leung to get UWIC on the front foot. While head coach Dr. Kylie Wilson was pleased with the win, she commented that “we did not really play our attacking structures very well, which caused us to play off slow ball. We will have to work hard to put that right for next week”. 28th October 2009

UWIC 56 v Oxford 0 An impressive set-piece display from Katie Hutchins and Jo Clarke established

a great platform for Welsh International 10 Mared Evans to ignite an exciting back-line. A much improved attacking display saw UWIC dominate both possession and territory. Kiri Bennett and Levi Hallett were excellent in both attack and defence, with fresher Alix Taylor working well from full-back. Substitutes Abbey Constable and Naomi Jones made a big impact in the loose, with Welsh International and UWIC captain Lisa Newton [7] making way in the second half for Tash Summerall, whose performance cemented her place in next weeks fixture. 4th November 2009

UWIC 26 v Exeter 10 This fixture was billed as the squads toughest fixture of the league, with Exeter pushing UWIC close 2 years previous at the semi-final stage of the championship. A strong UWIC side battled hard for this victory and showed great composure under pressure. Stand-out performances came from UWIC prop Lowri Harries, back row Sioned Harries and scrum-half Yazmin Leung, all Welsh U20 squad members. The first try was awarded to L. Harries who finished a great team move after some excellent support play from

UWIC Archers News Inside Read up on the latest news from the UWIC Archers Basketball Camp

Page 23

Kiri Bennett and Kate Newton. Mared Evans, always the attacking threat, had a brace of tries while the last came from an excellent chip and chase from Leung, who also successfully converted 3 of the 4 tries. New faces in the squad who made progress in this game were Emma Harvey and Krissie Harpur. 11th November 2009

UWIC 26 v Brunel 5 UWIC fielded a new squad, with 12 fresher’s starting the game. Despite their relative inexperience, there was a real intent to play structured tempo rugby which lead to an early opening score for winger Becki Thomas after an impressive backline sequence. Strong running with ball in hand came from second row Olivia Robinson and fullback Larissa Muldoon, with much improved work in the tight from Samantha Heathcote and Katie Wysocki-Jones. Try scores Kiri Bennett, Abbey Constable and a second from Thomas ensured the victory and an unbeaten record un BUCS for the last 4 years.