DEALS • CAREERS GUIDANCE • ARTWORK • FEATURES • GIGS • REP DIRECTORY
Produced for students, by students • Issue 2 • Jan/Feb 2013
Food Fitness Festivals
I’m FREE
Jan/Feb2013
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2013, and the second edition of Forum! Everything you see inside this magazine has been produced by students in the Welsh Capital - a big thank you to everyone who’s been involved! Want to get involved? It’s not just articles we’re after; send us your photos, artwork, reviews or anything that takes your fancy! For your chance to feature in future issues or to learn more about how you can get involved please email us with a little about yourself: editor@forumcardiff.co.uk A special thank you to Tucker (Salisbury Road) & Costa Coffee (Park Place) where you can always find a copy of Forum.
4This month...
18Arts
7Music & Gigs
20Eat me
New Year happenings in Cardiff
Mr Scruff & your guide to gigs in the Welsh capital
10Fashion
Style in 2013 - the perfect excuse to fill your wardrobe
12Films
Cult classics and upcoming releases
14Punk Bikes
Selected stills from BLOCK film’s new creation
Local food reviews and Forum’s food blogger
22Paid to party
The perfect summer job?
24Careers
Top tips from Ernst & Young and local experts
28Deal with it
Forum visits Cardiff’s bespoke bicycle boutique
This months best student offers in Cardiff
16Housing
Rep Directory
Helpful hints from a local professional
Visit www.forumcardiff.co.uk for tickets to Cardiff’s clubs
www.forumcardiff.co.uk • twitter@forumcardiff • facebook.com/forummagcardiff
Introducing... Cardiff Mini Film Festival
On Sunday 3rd February 10 Feet Tall plays host to Bulldozer Films’ fifth mini film festival showcase. James Button, a previous festival winner, explains how “The Cardiff Mini Film Festival allows upcoming and aspiring film-makers to get their work seen by likeminded film lovers and critics and crucially, a chance for feedback and future collaboration”. Maybe you’ve got a trailer for a film or just an idea, this is your chance to tell everyone about it. Either present it to the audience or get networking in the breaks. The festival is the perfect place to find countless enthusiasts that want to get creative with other filmmakers around the Welsh capital. So, if you have a project that you are working on and would like to present to a welcoming audience with the potential for future collaborations then just email on filmsbulldozer@gmail.com. For more information go to www.cardiffminifilmfestival.co.uk
JH
Health Forum Tip #1 – Be More Active! New year, new you. Forum’s Of course, this is a no brainer. fitness expert is on hand to One habit of those who are already give you some top advice. You fit and healthy is their ability to stay in are all probably aware that motion. Try to inject each day with more regular exercise helps lower activity. If you have a car, you don’t really blood pressure, reduces the need it to get to town or go shopping if risk of some cancers, achieve it is 15/20 minutes away. Even a short weight loss, regulate mood walk will be sufficient. Ideally, you and provide many other health would want to add 40 minutes of benefits. So below, I have activity daily. listed a few tips to help in your quest to be fitter and healthier.
Tip #3 – Eat More Antioxidants When you exercise, your body breaks down and produces free radicals. By introducing fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, and pomegranate into your diet, they will help defend your body and allow it to repair.
Tip #4 – Strength Training By mentioning this, I don’t mean that you have to lift heavy. Lifting light weights with plenty of repetition will boost your metabolism. You don’t even have to lift weights. You can use your own body weight.
If you would like to know more health and fitness related tips, please check out my upcoming book at www.facebook.com/PPPBOOK. 4
Tip #2 – Reduce Sodium (Salt) Consumption A vast majority of the UK population consume too much salt which raises blood pressure. Funny thing is, you don’t have to add too much salt into your diet as 75% of sodium is already in the foods we eat such as breads and cereals.
Shiraz Yasin
Bonjour Baguette Fresh.Fast.Healthy Delicious bread baked FRESH every day for you to enjoy! tes t e u g Ba ken c i h C se Chine l Falafe
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16 Mackintosh Place, Roath, Cardiff, CF24 4RQ
10am - 5pm 11am - 4pm 02920 473030 5
Love a bargain… Every Day - £5 Lunch & Early Dinner Menu from 12pm – 6pm
Tuesdays - 2 for 1 on all our Stone Baked Pizzas Thursdays - Free Starter or Dessert with your Main Course Saturdays - 2 Courses for £10 between 5pm – 7pm Sunday Lunch - Roast Dinner, 2 Courses for £10 Sunday Evening - 2 Gourmet Beef or Grilled Chicken Burgers with Hand Cut Chips for £10 5pm – 9pm
We do NOT use microwaves and cook all your food fresh to order. Use your NUS Card at any time to receive Student only prices on some of our Drinks including Draught for £2.50 a pint, Spirits £2.20 & Wine £2. North Star Kitchen, Lounge & Courtyard 131 North Rd, Cardiff Twitter - @NorthstarCdf Tel: 029 20621736 www.northstarcardiff.com
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Fri 11th Jan THE ECHO AND THE ALWAYS NEOTROPICS & support 7pm-10pm *early show* £4 entry 5-piece indie synth pop group who grew from the ashes of Sleepy Panda Club. A sound which is both dark and sombre as well as bright and shiny pop, simple shoe-gazey indie melodies with layers of instruments Buffalo Bar 11 Windsor Place, Cardiff CF10 3BY Tues 15th Jan ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE feat. ELLIE MAKES MUSIC 8pm £2 entry A Hometown Heroes edition of 10 Feet Tall’s acoustic showcase with 4 great new live acts playing upstairs for only £2 – come support some new local acoustic singer-songwriter talent 10 Feet Tall 11a-12 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG Wed 16th Jan THE LOVELY WARS QUIET MARAUDER 8pm £3 entry Alternative pop led by former Pipettes singer Ani Saunders – expect catchy songs, a retro feel mixed with plenty of shiny pop, plus the crazy experimental lo-fi ravings of genius anti-folker Quiet Marauder. Buffalo 11 Windsor Place, Cardiff CF10 3BY Thurs 17th Jan WEAK(END) ARROWS & support 8pm £4 entry Another great local Hometown Heroes showcase including Weak(end) Arrows who play cheeky melodic alt indie rock influenced by Arctic Monkeys, The Editors, Cold War Kids, The Smiths. Undertone 12 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG Sat 19th Jan THE BLIMS & support 7pm-10pm £5 entry The Blims are an outstanding folk rock band with a wealth of original, quirky and catchy songs about life in Wales and travel overseas. Brought together by a passion for surfing and music, they’ll bring a smile to everyone’s faces! ‘Love Letter To Wales’ EP came out in November. http:// www.theblims.co.uk Buffalo 11 Windsor Place, Cardiff CF10 3BY
Music & Gigs
Fri 25th Jan WE ARE THE AFTERGLOW SAMBA LUCAS/DJs 8pm Huge line up of local alt bands – the full line up will be announced shortly but it looks like there’ll be 8 bands playing plus DJs to get your weekend off to a flying start! Check buffalocardiff.com for announcements. Undertone 12 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG
Sat 26th Jan – Gathered In Song, Diverse Music & Buffalo present: DAVID BAZAN (PEDRO THE LION) & support 7pm £8 adv For many years, David Bazan was the driving force behind acclaimed indie band Pedro the Lion, building a dedicated following and selling 100,000s of albums largely due to his extraordinary melodic sense and erudite, theologically-themed songs. Ditching the Pedro moniker he produced an incredible EP then album ‘Curse Your Branches’, and his new album ‘Strange Negotiations’ focuses on the accelerating American and global social fragmentation. This will be David’s first tour of Europe in a long time and he’ll be performing Pedro the Lion songs alongside his solo works. Buffalo 11 Windsor Place, Cardiff CF10 3BY Sun 27th Jan RUE ROYALE ROB LEAH / DUSTY CUT 8pm £5 entry Husband and wife song-writing team who started performing together 5 years ago. Hushed, evocative melodies, rich in sound and wide in scope – they’ve clocked up over 400 shows in the last 3 years and will continue to build their grassroots following as they tour across Europe. 10 Feet Tall 11a-12 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG
Wed 30th Jan – The Rudest Dudes In Town present: DIMENSIONS 8pm £4 entry Dimensions have handpicked some great noisy bands for their Hometown Heroes night – Hogslayer (ex-members of Zonderhoof/ Shaped By Fate), Culver (ex-Johnny Mental) and Brandyman including the wonderful DC Gates. Undertone 12 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG Sun 3rd Feb – Bulldozer Films presents : THE CARDIFF MINI FILM FESTIVAL SHOWCASE 6.30pm £3 entry Not quite a gig but something we think is really worth promoting! A showcase & networking event for mini films on a mini budget, showcase a project you’re working on for collaborators, network with film makers, actors and musicians, and hear from guest speakers from the industry. www.cardiffminifilmfestival.co.uk 10 Feet Tall 11a-12 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG
Mon 4th Feb PLAN B WITH LABRINTH & RUDIMENTAL 6.30pm £25.70 standing The singer/songwriter/actor/ film director from London returns to Cardiff for a one-off bumper gig with Labrinth and Rudimental. A bargain price for three of the U.K.s biggest acts. Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Mary Ann Street CF10 2EQ Sat 9th Feb PALOMA FAITH 6pm £19.50 Seated/Standing With a piercing voice singing along to blues-infused feel-good songs, Paloma Faith is easily compared to the likes of Amy Winehouse and Duffy. Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Mary Ann Street CF10 2EQ 25th Feb EXAMPLE 6.30pm £25 standing Another rapper hailing from London returns to Cardiff following a stand-out year, best to book tickets in advance for what will surely be a sell-out gig. Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Mary Ann Street CF10 2EQ
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University can often be about first times and this event was no exception. Having listened to Mr Scruff extensively this was not only the first time I’d seen him live but it was also a first visit to Clwb Ifor Bach, affectionately known to the locals as Welsh Club. Neither the music nor the venue disappointed; Mr Scruff serving up some seriously heavy beats with jazz influences. We are hearing jazz sampling more and more but Mr Scruff masters this more successfully than most in his sets. A lot of artists include jazz-flavoured trumpet and piano riffs in their work, but rarely do you get long sections of jazz solos. Admittedly, Mr Scruff backs these up with filthy bass lines, but this makes for a refreshing sound that’s also intoxicatingly addictive to dance to. You can hear signs of the artist’s other projects in his music, particularly that of styles associated with his Ninja Tune record label. The 5 hour DJ set did lack the novelty and virtuoso invention of his own work but I think this was probably for the best, as what he presented was very accessible. His name brings a large following, with a wide age range of punters at the venue. Mr Scruff is now famous for bringing a tea room with his own brand of tea to each gig. This might at first seem strange to the newcomer but believe me a cup is definitely satisfying and sorts you out nicely for the way home. Did I mention the bass lines? Well, Clwb Ifor Bach certainly deserves its reputation as despite being smaller than some other venues it definitely packs a punch. My ears were ringing a long time before I left and it definitely has an air of understated coolness, with its bare-brick walls and minimal decoration. Due to the gig taking place midweek and 9am lectures looming, I was unable to stick out the entire five hours of the set. Subsequently my only qualm with the evening would be that I couldn’t stick around long enough to catch Jack Pickering some of his signature tunes.
WIT
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within a 2 mile radius Minimum ÂŁ10 order for delivery
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Offer ends February 22nd 2014
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16/01/2012 15:43:10
Forum Fashion Esha Glen
It’s January, therefore time to get buying those staples that will last you for the year ahead, (or an excuse to anyway).
Firstly, red lips. Instant elegance. Can be worn day (for the brave) and night. Like most, I have been searching tirelessly to find that perfect shade of iconic rouge. I must admit I thought I was there with Topshop’s lip pencil in ‘Blaze’ - yes it’s a pencil but I find using a lip pencil all over the lip has much greater staying power, vibrancy and matte effect than any lipstick. Without sounding melodramatic, I do believe M.A.C’s retro matte lipstick in ‘Ruby Woo’ has changed my life. It produces a matte effect I believed no lipstick could ever do, plus the creamy texture prevents any dry lips - seems like a contradiction but trust me it works. Its colour is so bold and vibrant, with slight orange undertones making it stand out and become a bit more current. Its staying power is better than any Chanel lipstick I’ve encountered. It’s the kind of lipstick that will make a room stand silent at its sophistication, make women jealous of you and men want to be with you. Well done M.A.C, I salute you. Another thing I believe no woman can do without this year is statement jewellery, especially of the graphic floral variety. Nothing can glam up a plain white t-shirt or stripy top than a massive chunk of necklace round your neck - plus it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than buying numerous new outfits. These beauties from ASOS are utterly stunning, and can be worn dressed up with a show stopper dress, to day to day with a white t-shirt and jeans. So happy New Year! May it bring you beautiful purchases that will last you a lifetime.
And the clothing essentials.... Wet look leggings
Suitable for daytime shopping but also can be easily dressed up with a striking pair of heels. These Topshop leggings are just £18, look great on and the main bonus - sheer comfort.
Creepers (Budget style)
So you can’t afford the real deal? FAKE IT. Creepers are beginning to emerge everywhere in different colours/patterns/styles to suit all tastes. This pair is from River Island with a leopard print fronting…
The big jumper craze
…is going to continue through the beginning of the year with wintery months still ahead of us. Plain or patterned, there are plenty to choose from!
Stripe knitted jumper £35 Miss Selfridge
Burgundy jumper £19.99 New Look
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Patterned beanie hats
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Aztec Print On t-shirts, jumpers, hoodies – anything goes!
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Aztec panel hoodie £32 River Island
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Jessica Hallas 11
Two you may have missed:
Focusing on the love/hate relationship between a 15-year-old boy and 50-year-old man, Rushmore tells a story of obsession and the humiliation of adolescence, which funnily enough doesn’t end in the teen years. Max Fischer’s (Jason Schwartzman, above) life orbits around his scholarship at Rushmore Academy where he participates in every possible extra-curricular activity. His work suffers as a result and he is threatened with expulsion for his poor academic record. His friendship with rich industrialist and father of his fellow schoolmates Herman Blume
(Bill Murray, below), stems from Blume’s interest in Max’s multiple passions. Their mutual respect crumbles when Max meets Ms Cross (Olivia Williams), who teaches at Rushmore primary school. Max uses Blume as a go-between to express his affections for her but acting as messenger soon sends Blume down the same path as Max and a love-triangle is formed. A battle begins between the two men, spawning extremes such as Max filling Blume’s hotel room with bees and Blume running his car over Max’s bicycle. This humorous yet touching story is accompanied by a completely flawless soundtrack which helps to set the scene as these geeks fall in love but get nothing in return. The nice thing about this film is that the characters aren’t instructed to be quirky, but naturally are and the duo of Murray and Schwartzman as unlikely buddies is something to be celebrated. Director Wes Anderson pays extra attention to the fine details surrounding each character’s development. We watch as two people’s lives are derailed in the name of love when all they ever needed was each other’s friendship, a theme that many can relate to. Chloe Sideserf
Mars Attacks!
“Don’t run, we are your friends.” The message plays out across the intercoms as alien invaders storm New York’s streets. Tom Jones escapes Las Vegas in a private jet, whilst a group of rednecks defend their caravan, determined that the Martians “aren’t getting the TV”. To call Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! surreal is an understatement. Based on the 1962 trading card game of the same name, this American science fiction film uses black comedy and political satire to parody the science fiction genre, resulting in an hour and forty five minutes of bizarre hilarity. Alien flying saucers have been seen coming from Mars and humanity welcomes the discovery of extra-terrestrial life, assuming the Martians are peaceful. Using this to their advantage the Martians begin a full scale invasion. As humanity struggles to survive, a few unlikely characters find the key to Earth’s salvation in the most unexpected of places. What really makes Mars Attacks! shine is its cast. President James Dale (Jack Nicholson) struggles to swing the situation to his political advantage as America crumbles around him. Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan) and Nathalie Lake (Sarah Jessica Parker) play the star-crossed lovers trapped aboard the alien mothership. Whilst Tom Jones (played by himself) helps Barbara Land, (Annette Bening) a recovering alcoholic turned hippie and Byron Williams, (Jim Brown) a former world champion boxer escape Las Vegas in a private jet. Michael J. Fox, Natalie Portman and Danny Devito perform excellently as well. If the cast wasn’t enough, Mars Attacks! has aged very well. Released in 1996, its special effects do at first glance look a little ropey, however the beauty of Mars Attacks! is that it doesn’t take itself seriously. Through its comic nuances it pokes fun at both the sci-fi genre and itself. It’s so easy to get lost in the bizarre comic nature of the film that the old special effects quickly become part of the fun. Mars Attacks! is light-hearted comedy at its best and with a fantastic supporting cast is well worth a watch, plus, it’s refreshing to go back to a time when Tim Burton didn’t Thomas Lindsey-Turner cast Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in every movie.
Coming up this month...
Les Miserables 11/01/2013 With an all-star cast including Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway to name but a few, this British musical drama film adaptation of the 1862 Victor Hugo novel tells the story of a former
prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman) who becomes mayor of a French town. Valjean breaks his parole and vows to start an honest life under a new identity whilst prison guard Javert (Crowe) swears he will bring him to justice. An expression of wider antagonisms that were played out in the French revolution of the 18th century, Les Miserables has already been nominated for four Golden globe awards. Gangster Squad 11/01/2013 Set in 1940s/50s Los Angeles, Gangster Squad is the story of LAPD detectives in their quest to eradicate crime from the streets of LA. Featuring Sean Penn as Brooklyn born mob king Mickey Cohen and the charming Ryan Gosling as Detective Jerry Wooters, be prepared for a fast paced all guns blazing tale of corruption, full to the brim with bravado and more one-liners than you can shake a shotgun at.
Lincoln 25/01/2013 This biopic of the infamous American president sees director Stephen Spielberg focus on the closing months of the American civil war which also proved to be the last few months of Abraham Lincoln’s life. With Daniel Day Lewis coming out of retirement to play the title role, he is aptly supported by Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field as the film recounts Lincoln’s efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution for the abolition of slavery. A story that remains as evocative today as it was then- Lincoln is this month’s must see. JH
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Skid Vicious Punk Bikes, pedals and fixed gear culture in Cardiff
During the last ten years, cycling in the UK has increased by 12%. This huge surge of cyclists has affected cities up and down the country, including Cardiff. Not only has this upsurge shown a greater amount of people getting on their bikes to get around, but it has also mothered a cycling culture: fixed gear. You may have seen some of these bikes around Cardiff; they essentially are a velodrome track bike adapted for the road. You only have one gear and no ability to coast. When the back wheel turns, the pedals turn. Favoured by New York couriers for their simplicity and ease of use, fixed gears, or ‘fixies’ have quickly spread across the pond, being found in London, Bristol and now Cardiff. Why the fuss though? Fixed gear riders rely on the speed and ability of their riding, rather than the gears on their bike to get around, with the single gear providing a gear low enough for medium hills, but high enough for the flats of the city. Yes, it may seem strange to some to choose to ride a bicycle because of ideologies, but many do it to oppose the cluttered world we live in. That and because it looks pretty cool. Now, to Punk Bikes. Providing a cycling service in Cardiff, Punk Bikes is a custom bike builder and repairer. Owner and founder Marchin Wojciechowski provides full bike restoration and repairs, with custom builds and paintjobs offered as well. Located on Bedford Street, Punk Bikes is perfectly located to supply the city’s growing demand for bikes and the renovated workshop 14
is an Aladdin’s cave of frames, wheels and parts. ‘If I have an interest in it, I do it’ says Marchin, speaking whilst surrounded by glistening frames and his own hand built bicycle. All across the workshop are repaired cabinets and shelves, restored by Marchin himself.
The workshop’s walls are decorated with murals and paintings by Cardiff’s Touch of Colour, with painters Mark and John designing pieces for the Punk Bikes workshop that are visually striking. Marchin is very much into the habit of ‘re-cycling’ with all the bikes built coming from frames that were unused or unloved.
In the days of a £1000 bike being normal, Punk Bikes offers a service that is more obtainable to those who perhaps want to try cycling, but don’t fancy jumping into the plunge pool that is buying a new bike. Newer bikes very often miss out on the character of older ones, and the frames in the racks around the workshop are all different, each one crying out for an owner. Marchin’s bikes are also displayed in the Cardiff Fashion Quarter on Womanby Street alongside vintage clothes and handmade jewellery. Punk Bikes offer their own hand built fixed gears, but why are these one-geared bikes better suited to the city than any other? For one, they take a lot less to maintain. No gears mean no grinding, no cogs slipping or jumping gears. Two, because of the lack of gears, there is no escape for your legs; you either carry on or get off. Incidentally, coming back down hills riders are forced to pedal at great speeds, which many argue improves the suppleness and fluidity of the rider’s legs. There are of course counter arguments, with many people saying that fixed gear bikes put undue stress upon a rider’s knees, and that the lack of a freewheel hinders one on a downhill section. These all pale into comparison, because the reason many people ride these types of bicycles is through a small form of rebellion. Who needs gears anyway? Their popularity has grown
incredibly, with films such as Premium Rush, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, increasing the exposure of fixed gear riding. But it’s not just about the cycling itself; the community surrounding fixed gear riding is much more important.
“Who needs gears anyway?” So try it, visit Punk Bikes, give a fixed gear a go and join the communities across the globe that come together over a love of a bicycle. The best thing about any bicycle is the freedom it gives you, and the different perspective that it gives you in contrast to that of a car or a bus. Even on the cloudiest of days, you get an intimate knowledge of what you are cycling through, be it the city or the country. Fixed gear bikes give you a pride in what you ride, and a different attitude to road users. As soon as you start riding, you appreciate what cyclists go through every day. If you want to meet new people, get to know the area you live in and exercise at the same time, then a fixed gear could be the perfect bicycle for you. It is also something you could be proud of, and be a part of group of people who take pride in who they are too.
‘If I have an interest in it, I do it’
- Marchin Wojciechowski, Owner
Article & Photography - Jack Evans
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Helpful Housing Hints vol. ii With Kash, from 2Let2
There is no reason to be scared. When it comes to student housing, horror is often the overriding feeling once the initial buzz of choosing your housemates wears off. Pub conversations, student newspapers and magazine articles frequently report tales of housing woe. But while bad news always makes for better stories, it doesn’t always reflect the real picture.
Most students end up with good accommodation, with only minor problems that are usually swiftly dealt with. However stories of letting agents who are polite and helpful, answer queries promptly and deal with problems efficiently rarely make front page news. Heated discussions down the pub about good letting agents are rare, not because there aren’t any but because “Mine’s pretty good actually” isn’t nearly as fun as having a good old moan.
Out with old in with the new Over the last few years there has been a steady increase in high end properties. The days of old student digs are out with newly renovated properties boasting modern décor and all the luxury extras. Students can now expect to see modern features such as wall mounted TVs and top quality kitchens and bathrooms without compromising on bedroom space or the much loved lounge area.
2let2 cardiff letting agents
Pop in to the office for a chat: 93 Wyeverne Road, Cathays, Cardiff CF24 4BG or log on to: www.2let2.com to see how we can help you or you can always give us a call: 02920 226 222 16
Companies like 2let2 are leading the way in combining luxury and affordability all under the same roof. Why not pop into the office to discuss how we can help find the right property to match your budget. We are members of ALMA, a Cardiff council endorsed local association of letting agents who have made it one of their main goals to improve and promote letting practice in Cardiff. Rest assured ALMA agents are given strict criteria and will look to not only provide you with a great property but great after care as well. So make sure you look out for the ALMA badge next time you are on a house viewing, we always advise that you go for an agency which is established and belongs to a regulatory body... and here at 2let2 we are just that.
Forum Housing Our top picks!
10 bed house
• £3000.00 pcm • Wyeverne Road This is a brand new property built in the summer of 2012. The property is finished to a very high standard and comprises of a beautiful open plan lounge and kitchen, 2 shower rooms, a bathroom and 2 separate toilets. This property benefits from a garden area and an out house with an american fridge freezer.
8 bed house
• £2320.00 pcm • Moy Road Amazing 8 bed house, fully renovated to a very high standard in 2010. Consists of 8 spacious double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, designer lights and brand new furniture. Kitchen and lounge with large corner sofa, 50”plasma TV, kitchen with all top of the range appliances. 1 ground floor shower room, first floor main bathroom and an ensuite shower room.
6 bed house
• £1500.00 pcm • Rhymney Street Brand new 6 bedroom house located in the heart of Cathays, the property has been renovated in 2010 and has 6 double bedrooms all with laminate wood flooring, cat 5 internet and brand new furniture. There is 2 main complete bathrooms and 1 separate toilet, the main feature of this property is it’s gigantic lounge kitchen which is very rare in these types of properties. The lounge and kitchen includes a wall mounted 42”plasma screen TV, brand new IKEA sofas, all modern fitted units and worktops and all appliances included.
4 bed house • £1040.00 pcm
• Hazeldene Avenue Stunning four bed house comprising of four double bedrooms all fully furnished. Extremely large kitchen area including a large dining facility, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge freezer and gas cooker. There is a brand new 1st floor bathroom with electric shower and also large area with laminate wood flooring with brand new sofas.
3 bed house
• £950.00pcm • Rhymney Street Newly refurbished house in great location close to Gassy Jacks and the SU. This property has a beautiful kitchen and benefits from a private garden perfect for the summer months. The property has a separate lounge and kitchen and 3 large fully furnished double bedrooms as well as a beautiful modern shower room on the 1st floor.
To book a viewing of any of these properties, or to see more awesome places: call 02920 226 222 or have a look at www.2let2.com 17
We are BLOCK; Two Cardiff students whose debut short film DIFF aims to capture Cardiff in a way that reflects its character as a young & compact city. The film was created using a stop-motion technique, using over 10,000 photos taken with a standard DSLR camera. The photos were individually processed to achieve the tiltshift ‘miniaturisation’ effect before being assembled as film clips. Over a period of several months we endeavoured to capture a wide range of shots; from the suburbs through the city centre to Cardiff Bay, not just focusing on the landmarks but also the places that form part of peoples’ day-to-day life in Cardiff. You can view our film on Forum’s website www.forumcardiff.co.uk
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Art Forum
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Restaurant Minuet Serving home cooked Italian food since 1986
I first visited this quaint little hidden gem with a few friends after a recommendation from a friend of a friend. Restaurant Minuet is located directly in the Castle Arcade opposite Cardiff Castle in the city centre and I would never have noticed this modest and cosy restaurant if it had not been pointed out to me.
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Mon to Sat, 11am-4.30pm Closed on Sundays and Bank holidays - Castle Arcade
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Freshly cooked and reasonably priced for their portions, the pasta dishes we ordered were cooked to perfection. In addition to the fast and friendly service, Restaurant Minuet charms you further with its selection of relaxing classical music in the background - absolutely brilliant for a lunch date after a long line of lectures and seminars. If your taste buds did not get enough enthrallment or if you are simply feeling toothy for sugar, try their lovely selection of homemade desserts – they are not displayed on the menu however so you could be in for a bit of a suprise. Being an exceptionally meticulous eater, I would rate this place a four out of five (a point off for the early closing time) and I would definitely suggest everyone to try this place when you are in Cardiff (even if you are not a big pizza or pasta lover). Best of all, with the city filled with generic Italian chains, Restaurant Minuet will make you never want to visit any of these larger restaurant chains again. Ever.
Super TrampEasy-peasy
Forum’s resident food collumnist Super Tramp It doesn’t really make sense for thousands of people to vow to lose weight in January, but nevertheless it happens. Whether you are one of those people or you’re simply feeling more ‘turkey’ than ‘spring chicken’, eating healthily is not a particularly appetising prospect on a frosty evening. It is possibly the most difficult time of the year to attempt it – you might have exams, coursework deadlines, a cold house, or just a cold. But it needn’t be that way. All you need is a little reworking of the term ‘comfort food’. Turn your Shepherd’s Pie into a lentil or Quorn version – it still tastes the same. Swap your Galaxy for Options Hot Chocolate (add milk to make it creamy). Making little adjustments like this can make a huge difference to your diet, and once you get used to wholemeal/low fat alternatives it really doesn’t matter that you used to swear by whole milk or real butter. My favourite comfort food is soup. Armed with a hand-blender there is no reason not to make it yourself – chuck it in a pot, walk away, come back and it’s done. It’s a great way for disguising those less appealing but vitamin-packed vegetables, too. And it’s cheap.
returns with another student friendly delicacy Pea and Pesto Soup (serves 2) 250g frozen peas 2 medium potatoes, diced but unpeeled 500ml vegetable or chicken stock 2 tbsp pesto Salt and pepper Parmesan (optional) Put the peas, potatoes and stock in a pot and bring to the boil. Don’t peel the potatoes as it makes no difference to the soup once blended, but it does mean you’ve kept the most nutritious part of the potato – the skin. Simmer for 10 mins Using either a hand-blender or liquidiser, blend until smooth. Stir in the pesto, season and pour into bowls and top with cheese.
Article & Photography - Amy Murnan Check out more student friendly recipes at trampstudent.wordpress.com
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Kama lounging Situated on Woodville Road in the heart of Cathays, Kama lounge is a chic café cum eatery offering a diverse selection of beverages and food at very reasonable prices. A spacious but cosy venue, the restaurant is adorned with a mixture of vintage and modern décor appropriating the oriental experience. Whilst perusing the menu we ordered a couple of White Russians from The Classics cocktail list at two for a fiver, hardly a manly drink I know but they were good all the same. If cocktails aren’t your tipple then you can choose from a whole host of world beers or even just a hot drink. Diners can create their own dish choosing from a variety of sides including noodles and veg, a selection of meats, fish or vegetarian options and your very own sauce to top it off, starting at just £4.95. Not one for decision making I opted for the Katsu rice set box, a generous serving of marinated chicken in seasoned breadcrumbs served with rice, Katsu-curry sauce and a hint of pickled ginger and fresh coriander to round off. They say all good things come to those who wait but within a matter of minutes my dish arrived, beautifully presented and bursting with flavour. My partner sampled the Schezuan noodle box, a traditional spicy Chinese dish with tender strips of beef complemented by peppercorns and a medley of fresh veg. With both dishes at £5.95 we agreed we would be returning very soon. Whether in a large group or on a romantic evening for two, Kama lounge provides an authentic and friendly atmosphere that’s often difficult to find in the depths of Cathays. JH Open 7 days a week, 11.30am-11.30pm Woodville Rd, Cathays
Tuck in at Tucker
If you are looking for somewhere to chill out and have a coffee, or perhaps a quiet spot to grab some lunch then I would recommend Tucker on Salisbury Road. Tucker boasts a warm and friendly atmosphere and a decent lunch menu. It is relaxed and informal; a nice place to drop in to meet friends, nurse a hangover, or even get on with some work. The staff are very friendly and the prices are reasonable. Tucker offers a decent breakfast menu ranging from a Full English to a Fish Finger Bap. The lunch menu is excellent and I would recommend the Chicken BBQ Burger or the Spicy Chicken Burger. It is probably worth getting a ‘Mug of Fries’ with the burgers to make it a more filling lunch. The wraps are also worth trying and whilst the vegetarian options seemed a little limiting, the vegetable lasagne looked delicious. Tucker is also fully licensed and serves alcohol, providing a nice alternative to a pub. If you are just looking for a coffee then a vanilla latte is a must try. Tucker is a great place to reunite with friends due to its proximity to town and relaxed atmosphere and it is possible to hire out the café for small parties and socials. For students that regularly venture down Salisbury Road and indeed to those who don’t, I would highly recommend popping in at Tucker for a bite and a drink. Ben Smith
Mon-Fri: 08:00 – 18:00 - Sat: 10:00 – 18:00 - Sun: Closed - Salisbury Rd, Cathays
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The ultimate student summer job Jessica Tuke
Looking for a summer job to keep your parents off your back? Don’t fancy spending your summer stuck inside a shop/pub/restaurant? Then why not spend it travelling around the UK, attending some of the country’s largest festivals, for free? (Well almost). No major festival could function without the help of the staff and volunteers, who help ensure the events run smoothly. From stewards to medical staff, even charity fundraisers, there are so many opportunities for you to get involved. You can work for a wage, or a free ticket, and most companies will put you up in staff camping with clean(er) toilets and hot showers. Living the life of luxury!
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Cash and Traffic Management
CTM supply traffic marshals and ticket scanners to events such as V-Festival, Glade and Global Gathering. In return for working 4 shifts, you will get a free ticket to the festival, as well as earning a competitive wage. http://www.cashandtrafficmanagement.com
Festival Medical services
FMS is a charitable trust that provides doctors, nurses and other trained medical personnel for music festivals including Glastonbury and Reading festivals. This is a particularly good opportunity for all you medical students, trainee nurses and those of you who have recognised first aid qualifications. FMS not only recruits staff to work in the medical tents, they also look for volunteer stewards and campsite crew as well as first aid staff to assist the stage safety crew. Register online now. http://www.festival-medical.com/
Festaff
Festaff offers a wide range of onsite roles, from stewarding or litter picking to bar work and ticket scanning. They provide all staff with a free ticket in return for two shifts. Shift patterns are arranged to allow you to work with friends and to enjoy as much of the festival as possible. They have not yet started recruiting for 2013, but sign-up now for their newsletter or join their Facebook group to beat the rush. http://www.festaff.co.uk/
S TIP P TO ALL! Y’
Festival Republic
Partnered with Live Nation, FR is one of the largest festival coordinators in the country, behind events such as Leeds, Download and Glastonbury. This is a great company to contact if you fancy working behind the scenes, in areas such as backstage production, artist liaison or artist riders. Jobs with FR are fully paid, but you should be prepared to work shifts in excess of 12hours per day. These positions are highly sought after, so if you’re interested, make sure you check the Live Nation careers page regularly, or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. http://www.festivalrepublic.com/ http://www.livenationentertainmentcareers.co.uk http://www.facebook.com/FestivalRepublic?fref=ts
Oxfam
Oxfam provides volunteer stewards for festivals, including Bestival, Boomtown and Latitude. In return, Oxfam receives charitable donations from the organisers. There are a variety of roles available from checking tickets to monitoring stage crowds. Oxfam do not pay their volunteers, but you will be provided with a free ticket in return for working 3 shifts. Applications open in March 2013. http://www.oxfam.org.uk/Stewarding
Serious Stages
Looking for something a little more hands on? Serious works closely with some of the largest organisers, providing and assembling stages, sound and lighting equipment for all the major festivals. These jobs are fully paid, but you should expect to work long hours, particularly before and after the events. www.stages.co.uk info@stages.co.uk
Plan Early
With festival popularity on the up, competition is fierce. If you want to work, for money or your ticket, getting in your application early will give you a much better chance of being accepted.
If there is a festival you particularly want to work at, it is always worth emailing them directly. A lot of jobs go unadvertised.
Ask
If you are at a festival and you see someone doing a job you like the look of, ask them who they work for and how they got it. Most people on site are friendly and will give you advice. 23
Make your cover letter count Any good employer is looking to find someone extra special and as a job seeker you must remember that. When two CVs are very similar and an employer is finding it hard to differentiate, they will often use the quality of the cover letter to decide. In order to make sure it is INCREDIBLE follow these steps
Make it Personal Find out the recruiter’s full name. Use the internet to do your research on Google or LinkedIn. Phone them and ask the receptionist if you must. But most definitely find it and use it. Show Kindness This is a good opportunity to build rapport and the best way to finish this letter is to leave them with the feeling that they ‘like’ you, so wish them all the best with this piece of recruitment. Good manners go a long way. Tell them why they should pick YOU Make it very clear why you are suitable but don’t just tell them you think you are, tell them WHY you are. Pick out the three main attributes that are most important for this role and give one short and sharp example for each. Tell them why you picked THEM Make sure you tell them what it is about their company that excites and inspires you. Check out their news pages, research new projects; find out how the directors started the company. Then tell them what it is about the job that excites and inspires you. Make them feel special. Show passion This is your opportunity to really tell them how much you want it. Why say: ‘I would like the opportunity to meet with you’ when you can change the word ‘like’ to ‘love’. It’s so simple but doesn’t that sound more ‘passionate’? Well I think so, but it is your cover letter so you have to use language that is real for you.
Aimee Bateman In her career, Aimee has worked for some of the largest recruitment companies in the world (Hays PL and Robert Half International) before setting up her own consultancy. She has helped thousands of people get their dream jobs through her blog Careercake.com and has appeared as the ‘Recruitment Expert’ on BBC 1 and BBC 3. She produces career advice for Jobsite UK and Totaljobs.com and has just written her first book ‘The Guide to Getting Hired!’. 24
To be paid or unpaid? That is the question It is true an internship in the sector you wish to work can be a great way of gaining the skills needed to enter the job market after graduation. However, the employment market is tough and there are not enough paid placements for the numbers in and leaving University. Consequently, many students look for and take opportunities that are unpaid, particularly in many of the creative and political sectors. .
“But when does valuable work experience become exploitative?” The National Council for Work Experience has produced the guidelines to help you decide whether an unpaid internship is worth your while:
• •
•
•
Discuss the purpose of the internship and clarify expectations from the start. Is the placement valuable – does it give insight into a particular industry? Will it improve certain skills or clarify career aspirations? Discuss the possibilities of any future paid work with the employer, pointing out the skills that you have gained during the internship. Re-consider the value of the internship if it ceases to supply useful contacts and training opportunities (if you are on an unpaid internship, you should be able to leave at any time).
Source: www.targetjobs.co.uk
You should be aware of your rights. Advice and guidance is available from groups such as Interns Anonymous, Intern Aware, Graduate Fog and Internocracy. There is also guidance through National Minimum Wage legislation (although this is often confusing so use pressure groups for clarification). There are a number of schemes available that can provide flexible and useful career-related work experience: • The GO Wales Taster programme (www.gowales.co.uk) places students and graduates into local smaller businesses for periods no more than 2 weeks in length. There is no contract as such and the “place” is free to leave. GO Wales Tasters are available in all universities across Wales. • Cardiff University has set up the First Steps work experience programme. Similar to GO Wales, First Steps organises local, short-term work experience schemes. It is definitely worth visiting your careers service and finding out what they have to offer. There is little support for funding however some universities may provide some funding to assist students on unpaid internships. There is no doubt that internships are essential for students and graduates to develop the skills required for job success. However, you need to ensure you make the most of such opportunities; you need to know your rights and avoid being exploited by pitiless organisations. The Cardiff Award is an employability award that encourages students to undertake work experience & get involved in extra-curricular activities, then recognises & rewards students for their efforts giving them the confidence & skills to be successful in the world of work. Kathryn Foot, Cardiff Award Manager, Careers and Employability, Cardiff University
© Ernst & Young 2012. All ri
Psychometric Testing
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Practice, practice, practice throughout all your time at university. Make sure that you are using the internet and the practice tests that the university careers service provide.
Interview Tips
- Make sure you research the company before the interview. - Know your strengths and the application form that you have submitted. - Think about whether you would hire yourself if you were the interviewer. - Make sure you are showing commercial awareness around your chosen industry. - Think about how you would add value to the role and let the employer know. - Think of a few questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview to show your interest. - Plan your travel time!
Example Interview Q’s
- Do you like to be stretched out of your comfort zone? - Do obstacles distract you when you are working towards a goal?
07/09/2012 How to show c�mercial awareness
17:20
What is it - “The ability to understand how organisations work, the issues they face and the role of people within them”.
How to Improve it
Financial Times - Provides detail BBC News - Easy read over lunch Sky News Iphone App - Read it on the go Metro - Read it on the train Google - Never to be underestimated
Student Question: “When filling out an application form for a graduate scheme and they ask a question relating to your extra-curricular activities, how much detail should I go into about my sporting interests. Should I mainly refer to those extra-curricular activities that indicate academic success?” If you have involvement in any extracurricular activities then make sure you are writing everything down in the application form and fully explaining the activities you partake in, make sure you are focusing on any responsibility you might have in respect of them eg: organising team socials or sporting events. The main thing to focus on within the application form is any strengths you have which are shown through these activities, ensure you are referring to both academic and non-academic activities. If it is just interests as opposed to activities then note them in your interests but don’t focus too heavily on them. Look online at www.ey.com/uk/careers for further information on our opportunities
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Deal with it Cardiff’s sweetest deals just for you. Want to see your deal here? Email us: advertising@forumcardiff.co.uk
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Thanks for reaading, see you in March! Editors: Joe Hobbins, Owen Reeves & Paul Thompson Design: PT Events: Dotty Baker Hassan Contributors: Aimee Bateman, Jack Evans, Kathryn Foot, Esha Glen, Jiah Goh, Jessica Hallas, JH, Thomas Lindsey-Turner, Amy Murnan, Jack Pickering, OR, Chloe Sideserf, Ben Smith, Jessica Tuke, Shiraz Yasin Photography and Artwork: JH, James Keith-Daniel (facebook.com/ ArtJamesKeithDaniel), BLOCK Film All artwork, photographs and editorials remain the property of the original author/s. 30
FORUM MAGAZINE 5 Senghennydd Place, Cardiff CF24 4AF www.forumcardiff.co.uk Enquiries: 07798720317 editor@forumcardiff.co.uk Advertising: 07745223855 advertising@forumcardiff.co.uk Rep directory: repdirectory@forumcardiff.co.uk
© Ernst & Young 2012. All rights reserved.
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How can I go further, faster?
If you’ve got the drive and ambition to ask, then come and talk to us. Our clients demand people with exceptional skills and knowledge to help them make vital business decisions. That’s why we provide worldclass mentoring, training and professional qualifications to take you from strength to strength. Start a career that goes further, faster: ey.com/uk/careers
07/09/2012 17:20
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