DEALS • CAREERS GUIDANCE • ARTWORK • FEATURES • GIGS • REP DIRECTORY
Produced for students, by students • Issue 3 • March 2013
Eco villages Cocktails & Music
I’m FREE
Visit our website:
www.2let2.com or call: 02920 226 222 1 Beds Woodville rd Column rd Richmond rd
£410.00pcm £485.00pcm £495.00pcm
2 beds Column Rd Newport Rd Donald Street
£300.00ppcm £315.00pppm £315.00ppcm
3 beds Column Rd Daniel Street Inverness Place
£270.00ppcm £275.00ppcm £260.00ppcm
4 beds Thesiger Street Brithdir Street Albany Road Arran Street
£240.00ppcm £250.00ppcm £280.00ppcm £245.00ppcm
5 beds Richard Street Allensbank Rd Donald Street Woodville Rd Bedford Street
£260.00ppcm £245.00ppcm £260.00ppcm £250.00ppcm £260.00ppcm
6 beds Richmond Rd Richard street Miskin Street Woodville Rd Albany Rd
£250.00ppcm £250.00ppcm £290.00ppcm £275.00ppcm £265.00ppcm
7 beds Senghennydd Rd Woodville Rd Alfred street Diana street
£270.00ppcm £270.00ppcm £250.00ppcm £275.00ppcm
8 Beds Llandough street Merthyr street Malefant street
£275.00ppcm £275.00ppcm £280.00ppcm
9 Beds Harriet street Llantrisant street Cathays terrace
£290.00ppcm £295.00ppcm £300.00ppcm
10 Beds Minney street Harriet street Harriet street Wyeverne Rd
£300.00ppcm £295.00ppcm £300.00ppcm £300.00ppcm
100’s more properties available online!
March 2013 Hi! Welcome to the third edition of Forum! Everything you see inside 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
4The Pundit
Six nations predictions
6Julius Caesar
Act One gets the once over
8Dear Forum...
Reader rant: Go Green Garbage
19Eat me...
Insider tips on relocating overseas
24Art Forum
40Abandoned
Pack of Wolves art collective
28Fashion
Online niche fashion tips
32Future Living
The sweetest deals, just for you!
14Film
A look into Welsh eco villages
16To be Single... The dilemma of being a singleton
42Fed Up
What to do if you go off your degree
Forum samples the city’s cocktails
The Big Lebowski & Upcoming releases
Voluntary experiences at an abandoned children’s home
30Cocktails
9Forum Music
NME Awards, Listings, Statues of Us
38Get out!
Local reviews and the Forum food blogger
34Football
The sport we love to hate
36Housing
Top places to live in Cardiff
44Deal with it 46Credits
With thanks to all our contributors
Rep Directory
Visit www.forumcardiff.co.uk for tickets to Cardiff’s clubs
www.forumcardiff.co.uk • twitter@forumcardiff • facebook.com/forummagcardiff
The Pundit
Predictions for this year’s six nations
At the time of writing there have been two completed rounds of this year’s Six Nations. The table currently looks a lot different to what pre-tournament predictions would have suggested. Occupying top spot is England, being the only nation to return two wins from their first two games. Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Italy inhabit positions 2nd through to 5th all with 2 points from their win and a loss. Surprisingly it is the pre-tournament favourites France who hold the wooden spoon at the moment, getting off to a torrid start with two losses from their first two games. Ireland started this Six nations by bossing Wales all over the park taking a 30-3 lead into half time. The Irish talisman Brian O’Driscoll once again showed his class creating and scoring tries. However injuries I believe to have killed off any chance of an Irish championship win with influential players such as D’Arcy, Zebo and Sexton all out of the competition. Bizarrely Ireland have picked Paddy Jackson over the experienced O’Gara to start against Scotland which also seems a risky shout. 3rd I’m happy to see that Wales have learnt from their mistakes and have continued to pick Tipuric going into their game against Italy. Personally I’d like to see Warburton and Tipuric starting together on the flanks with Warburton taking over from Shingler (who is shit by the way). I think Wales can still challenge for this year’s competition but only if whoever James Hook has pissed off behind the scenes forgives him and Wales finally start him over Biggar, who apart from that chip last week has also been abysmal. 2nd The English are riding high at the moment and have got to be favourites. It is the depth of the squad which has really proved vital this year with England being able to call on mutants like Tuilagi and Lawes off the bench, not to mention the elusive Danny Care. Their final game in Wales should be a cracker. 1st The French have killed their hopes off by starting slowly against Italy. It’s actually quite disappointing as they played some attractive rugby in the autumn tests, with characters such as Michalak, Fofana and Picamole really shining. 4th The Scottish are the same old story. They have got some attractive runners in the form of Maitland, Visser and in particular Hogg, but there is no real playmaker. They just don’t have the strength or depth to compete in this competition. 5th Italy have already won me over by shocking the rugby world by turning over tournament favourites France at the Stadio Olympico. Everyone was hoping their form would continue into the Scotland game...but it didn’t and they got hammered…Last. 4
Ben Morrison
5
Julius Caesar
A Cardiff University Act One production Helly Wealleans
Friends, Romans, countrymen – lend me your ears. Act One’s annual Shakespearean celebration this year took shape in the form of Julius Caesar, a tale of political plotting, assassination and ultimate downfall. Although not the lightest or potentially most well known of Will’s plays, Caesar’s plight can still strike a chord of modern and relevant resonance, not least in light of recent changes to monarchical laws, and our participation in the EU. With his mixed gender cast, director Ben Atterbury put on a show both gripping and current, a production well suited to its site specific staging of City Hall’s Council Chambers.
The telling of Caesar’s betrayal by his best and closest friend would always have to be done elegantly, and I felt the cast rose admirably to the challenge. Ellen Green played her Brutus in such a way that the part could always have been written for a female actor. Her depiction of tormented decision making and a troubled conscience show a particular fragility, a delicacy which takes her to the edge as she talks with Caesar’s taunting ghost the night before her defeat at Philippi. Jess Hall as Caesar did not show the same womanly temperament, but was a power-house of authority with a decisiveness so blunt her hero’s death did nothing to dull sympathy for Green’s Brutus.
A couple more of Act One’s upcoming productions:
Particular depth and sensitivity was given to the performance by several supporting members of the cast, such as the soothsayer (Chris Paisey) whose refreshing physicality broke through the duly stiff and ordered movements of the politicians. Similarly, Brutus’ wife Portia (Emily Barnden) gave a performance of sincere maturity, the scenes between wife and wife gave a glimpse into an apparently honest, loving relationship.
Harrowdown Hill YMCA Theatre, 5th – 9th March Doors 7pm, £6 Concessions, £7 Standard Soon after the death of a top government weapons expert, a mysterious tape is unearthed. Is it an expose? A plea for help? Ten years after the invasion of Iraq, Act One presents an original devised piece exploring the human cost of secrecy and spin. Spring Awakening YMCA Theatre, 12th – 16th March Doors 7pm, £7 Concessions £8 Standard Spring Awakening follows the lives of 11 children in 1890s Germany where sex is taboo, Wendla, the young and innocent protagonist meets the headstrong and handsome Melchior, whilst Moritz, the insecure, troubled student finds his life turned upside down. A thrilling contrast of strict 19th century life with a soaring rock score, Spring Awakening is an honest and contemporary look at the complex relationship between parents and their children.
6
The cast overall projected a strong and purposeful mass, a group so confident in their roles that there were occasional moments of confusion as the action was pushed forward so quickly there was barely a chance to catch up. Mark Antony (Ali Baird) almost cheated himself of some of his most provocative lines through unfortunate positioning - an unavoidable issue when performing in the round – and Cassius’ (Bruno Chávez) balance between calm and maniacal was so strict he could find no middle ground between the two. Yet the production remained a full and rich representation of Rome’s political treachery, well transposed onto the world of today’s conniving and – pardon the pun – back-stabbing officials, as barbarous as the mob they attempt to subdue.
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
Dear Forum...
Kathryn Miller
Go Green Garbage: Entering a warm, dimly-lit yurt located in the middle of Cardiff, the enthusiasm was high, believing we were about to participate in a riveting workshop regarding the current crisis of global warming. However, the circumstances were quite different. As part of the recent ‘Go Green Week’, established by Cardiff University, students were given the opportunity to engage in and discuss ideas in relation to climate change and sustainable living. The workshop was run by a knit-your-own-yogurt, eco-couple, who set up base for a week outside the students’ union. Although only a small handful of students were present, we clutched our mugs of tea close and began an interesting discussion regarding the current crisis facing us; global warming. With the average temperature of the Earth rising at an alarming rate, the necessity to reduce this significant rise is of great importance in our lives today to prevent future complications. The informative discussion soon transformed and our eco-couple began lecturing us about the negative impact we, as a population, are currently having on our planet today. Although totally in agreement with the cause this couple were fighting, the propositions imposed on us, in order to reduce our impact on the Earth, were far from reasonable. Such proposals included completely sustainable living; romantically I believe we would all love to live a sustainable life, but the practicalities associated with this are far from judicious. Encouraging society to reverse on what they have, to live with only ‘food, water, shelter and friends’ is entirely impractical. Rather than transforming our lives by such drastic measures, I believe every individual should be encouraged to take smaller steps, which may, as a whole, create a positive impact on the crisis at hand. I do not believe it is fitting to suggest that living as we did hundreds of years ago is a practical and logical solution to the current global warming crisis. As the workshop came to a close, feelings of helplessness and negativity regarding our impact on the planet, overcame a number of us. The eco-couple are fighting a good cause, although I believe they need to execute the issues at hand in a more logical and positive manner, allowing us to realise our personal impact on the planet and the responsibilities we have in order to maintain this beautiful planet.
Check out more opinions on Go Green over on page 32 8
Forum Music
The NME awards tour is astonishingly good value for money; Four good up-and coming live bands, each doing an hour long set for £18 quid. I’m not going to go on about the headliners Django Django, because I reviewed them two issues ago, and am probably far too emotionally attached by now…
NME Awards
The first band of the night was Peace, who did something pretty interesting with indie rock. They mixed melodic rock with darker grunge-y elements, sometimes sounding a lot like a new-age Nirvana, not a bad thing at all in my mind, especially when they let go for the solos. Peace are worth a listen, and definitely one to keep an eye on. Palma violets’ set was actually ruined by its fans who seemed to enjoy moshing more than the actual music. Fair play, if that’s what they want, but I thought their lyrics were a bit repetitive and their angry style got a bit wearing. They had a 60’s electric rock organ backing them, and I don’t think it really fitted with the rest of their style, which comes across as confused. Miles Kane was really a co-headliner for the night and the jump in quality of songs from the experienced singer was obvious and palpable in the crowd. Anthems like Inhaler and Come Closer really got the crowd going providing solid, accessible indie rock that really would be hard not to enjoy. Maybe he has an unfair advantage of having been around a lot longer than the others, but as a solo artist, he definitely has a great stage presence. One of the strangest things I’ve ever seen at a show happened at the NME tour; half the audience left before Django Django came on. I can understand that the aesthetic is wildly different between the headliners and the rest but it did nevertheless have an impact on the atmosphere in the venue. All in all though, the NME Awards was a great way to spend an evening, aside from the constant unnecessary moshing of the fans.
Jack Pickering
9
Gigs & Shows Fri 8th March ENEMIES/THE MILK RACE/ CROUPIER Fri 1st March ST DAVID’S DAY PARTY w/ MONKEY CHUCKLE 9pm £3 Celebrating the most Welsh of days the best way Gwdihw knows how...with an awesome funk band from Bristol! Featuring a three-piece horn section, Monkey Chuckle are set to perform their explosive brand of brass heavy funk for the first time at this venue. Xpress Radio’s DJ Resouling will finish the night behind the decks. Gwdihw 6 Guildford Crescent CF10 2HJ Fri 1st March RECLUSE NAVAJO / THE DECOY 7pm-10pm £3 entry Recluse are an alt rock band from South Wales. They released debut album ‘Crooked Heart’ through HabitFormed Records which was praised for its balance between classic & modern rock, full of riffs that are sometimes bluesy, often heavy and always noisy (in a good way). Buffalo 11 Windsor Place Cardiff CF10 3BY
7pm £5 adv Jealous Lovers and Negative Panda present Enemies, a post-rock band from Ireland, with support from local garage rockers The Milk Race and Croupier, another post-rock band from Ireland. Clwb Ifor Bach Sat 9th March CANCER BATS 7pm £10 Cancer Bats have come to destroy. Fuelled by a burning desire to rage harder, play louder and have more fun than any other band, Cancer Bats mix hardcore, southern metal and punk rock into a lethal rock and roll explosion. The Great Hall 2 Cardiff Students Union Park Place CF10 3QN
Mon 4th March Oxjam presents: FUNNY PEOPLE 8pm £3 Raising money for Oxjam at their monthly comedy night, wacky prizes to be won! 10 Feet Tall 11a-12 Church Street Cardiff CF10 1BG
Sun 10th March Gathered in Song presents: DAVE HARDING of RICHMOND FONTAINE 7pm £6 adv/£8 doors Dave Harding is best known as the bassist from critically acclaimed, genre defining alt country band Richmond Fontaine. His solo records are finely assembled picks of the best songs from his own pen over almost 20 years – Richmond Fontaine fans certainly won’t be disappointed and neither should anyone else who likes music by honest guys raised on punk, country, roots and rock’n’roll music of all kinds. 10 Feet Tall 11a-12 Church Street Cardiff CF10 1BG
Tues 5th March VAGABOND COMEDY 8pm £3 A hugely popular comedy night in Cardiff, guaranteed to tickle your funny bone like no one else. Every month Welsh Unsigned Stand-up winner Jordan Brookes brings us a variety of wonderful acts, from the experienced and world-weary, to the inexperienced and wide-eyed. Gwdihw 6 Guildford Crescent CF10 2HJ
Thurs 14th March THE BREUDDWYDION PROJECT ALBUM LAUNCH 8pm £TBC The Breuddwydion Project album is a charity album featuring a collection of Welsh bands. For the album launch a few of the contributors will be performing including The Poet and The People, Hud, Safari Gold and Clinigol. Gwdihw 6 Guildford Crescent CF10 2HJ
Thurs 7th March WILL AND THE PEOPLE 7pm £6 2012 saw Will and the People tour Cambodia, Holland, Vietnam, Singapore & Australia (twice!), and topped that off with a nomination for the ‘European Festival Anthem of the Summer’. They are back to UK shores in 2013 with a 7-date UK tour in March to coincide with the release of the much anticipated 2nd album ‘Friends’. Koko Gorillaz Glynrhonnda Street, CF24 4AP
Sun 17th March PARISO/DIREWOLVES/SVALBARD/ CULVER Negative Panda and friends present Pariso, a heavy post-hardcore band from London, with support from Direwolves, a heavy post-hardcore band from France, Svalbard, a heavy post-hardcore band from Bristol and Culver, a heavy posthardcore band from South Wales. (Maybe don’t come to this gig if you really hate post-hardcore bands...) The Moon Club Womanby Street CF10 1BR
10
Tues 19th March CARDIFF JAMNESTY 2013 7.30pm £3 Head down to Gwdihw and see some great new bands, all in aid of Amnesty International. Featuring five great local bands soon to be going places! Gwdihw 6 Guildford Crescent CF10 2HJ Thurs 21st March LAST MIC STANDING 8pm £2 Come along to Cardiff’s biggest open mic tournament and watch different acts compete in the quarter finals! Comedy, music & spoken word followed by On The Rocks til 4am! 10 Feet Tall 11a-12 Church Street Cardiff CF10 1BG Sun 24th March Stiff Promotions presents: JAZZ MORLEY 7.30pm £7 adv/£8 doors Part of a 40-date Spring tour ‘Love Me Not’ - haunting vocals, oozing with the pain of heartache and beautifully humble production makes Jazz’s records an enthralling listen. A storming live presence leaves no excuse to miss this! 10 Feet Tall 11a-12 Church Street Cardiff CF10 1BG Mon 25th March CUT RIBBONS HOLLAND / MY PET MONSTER 8pm £4 adv/£5 doors Latest Welsh exports Cut Ribbons are from Llanelli, they’ve released singles on Barely Legal and Kissability, played READING & LEEDS festivals, and supported the likes of The Joy Formidable and Dry The River. Buffalo 11 Windsor Place, Cardiff CF10 3BY Wed 27th March CWPWRDD NANSI 7:30pm £3 Cwpwrdd Nansi is a monthly folk night with the best of contemporary folk music from Wales and beyond. These will be very special evenings of music and song come feast your ears. Gwdihw 6 Guildford Crescent CF10 2HJ Fri 29th March HARLEM GLOBE TROTTERS “YOU WRITE THE RULES” WORLD TOUR 7.30pm from £12.50 seated The world famous Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2013 “You Write The Rules” World Tour to Cardiff this month, returning with a new team and brand new show. The team will be displaying their skills to audiences across the country and packing in plenty of fun for all the family along the way. Not strictly a gig, but one not to miss for certain! Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Mary Ann Street CF10 2EQ
OR
Jazz Morley
11
11
Statues of Us
Review: Josh Tyler Photos: Samuel Legge
London based funk rockers Statues of Us brought the fun to Cardiff’s Full Moon Club in late January this year. Despite a technical hitch depriving rhythm guitarist and singer Johny McKiernan of his instrument, the group delivered an exhilarating set of rap-rock entertainment. Ably assisted by rapping vocal partner Andy Frazer, Statues of Us play energetic hip-hop I’d highly recommend to fans of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and John Butler Trio. Dave Korosztos’ drumming and Al Langford on lead guitar showcase that this is a group of excellent musicians, performing catchy as hell, eclectic tunes with a refreshing honesty and energy. A highlight of the night saw the group joined by Bristol rapper Tommy and the Trouble, taking a lyrical exchange with Frazer from the stage to the floor.
“catchy as hell, eclectic tunes with a refreshing honesty and energy” Currently working on the recording of their debut album, Statues of Us played some newer songs such as “Whiskeybitch” and “The Sun Must Die”, whilst you could do much worse than heading over to iTunes to purchase older tunes “Shadow” and “Moving to LA”. Earlier on the night saw indie group The Shaws put on a great show of breezy pop, suited for Kings of Leon or Two Door Cinema Club enthusiasts, making for an excellent all round night, made even better by the free entry fee! Both bands were playing as part of The Moon Club on Womanby Street’s ‘Free for All’ Festival that saw 100 bands play throughout January, with no entry or ticket fees. The fantastic initiative split between the Full Moon bar and Moon Club showed a wonderful commitment to local music and proved a major success, helping to banish those post-Christmas blues.
13
One you may have missed:
The Big Lebowski When Jeffry Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), AKA “The Dude” has his identity mistaken for a millionaire by the same name, he returns home to find two thugs waiting to intimidate him into paying a debt he knows nothing about. During the attack they urinate on The Dude’s rug. Determined to get compensation, The Dude contacts millionaire Lebowski who offers him a job with a pay-off he can’t refuse. After botching the job The Dude and bowling buddy Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) find themselves drawn into a conflict between millionaires, feminists, porn tycoons, and German nihilists. When watching The Big Lebowski it’s hard to believe what a critical and commercial failure it was back in 1998. Grossing only $5.5m on its opening weekend, a low intake compared to more recent comedy successes like The Hangover which took in $45m. But it’s easy to see why this film has gathered such a massive cult following. With its own annual festival,
Lebowski Fest, in the US, Dudeism an online religion with over 130,000 members as well as the film being featured in Entertainment Weekly’s Funniest Movies of the Past 25 Years and Top 50 Cult Films lists, The Big Lebowski’s status as a cult favourite cannot be questioned. As a comedy The Big Lebowski sometimes feels familiar, but that’s only because many American comedies seem to be trying to replicate the themes that it uses, and like most attempts to replicate in the world of film, duplicates don’t do the original justice. Through its idiosyncratic characters, unconventional and artistic dream sequences, and brilliantly witty dialogue The Big Lebowski still manages to stand apart from past and contemporary films of the genre. My only regret when watching The Big Lebowski is that I watched it on my own. Like all good comedies, this film should be seen with a group of friends and maybe a pack of cold beers. So next time you fancy a night in, call some mates and fill up a cooler box because The Big Lebowski is one film that no comedy fan should miss.
Thomas Lindsey-Turner 14
Forum Film Coming this month JH
21 and Over - 29/03/2013
Identity Thief - 01/03/2013
The directing debut from the writers behind The Hangover follows a high-flying medical student as he decides to celebrate his twenty-first birthday the night before a major exam.
Identity Thief is director Seth Gordon’s follow up to the crime comedy Horrible Bosses. As before, he has employed a host of comedy talent including the likes of Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), the everreliable Jason Bateman and Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet. McCarthy stars as a criminal who steals Bateman’s identity and in doing so drags him into her chaotic life. Craig Mazin best known for writing The Hangover Part 2 provides the comedy, whilst his co-writer, Steve Conrad (The Pursuit of Happiness) keeps an eye on the drama.
York City (Russell Crowe), who hires the former to spy on his wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Wahlberg uncovers murky misdeeds in the mayor’s history resulting in an unexpected twist. Side Effects - 15/03/2013 Despite his own declaration that he’d given up filmmaking, director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven), returns once more with this thriller from Scott Z Burns (Contagion and The Informant!). Side Effects tells the tale of a woman, Emily (Rooney Mara), who turns to prescription meds to deal with her nerves over the imminent release of her husband (Channing Tatum) from prison. Emily’s psychiatrist (Jude Law) prescribes her a new wonder drug which has serious side effects – including propelling the plot of this psychological thriller into bloody territory.
The Croods - 22/03/2013 Nicholas Cage voices a caveman in the latest comedy animation from Dreamworks. Forced out of his home by an earthquake, Grug and his family ‘hit the road’ blissfully unaware to what lies ahead. On route they encounter an imaginative nomad (Ryan Reynolds) whose ambitious ways unsettle Grug. His daughter (Emma Stone), however, has other ideas about the attractive stranger. As is always the case with Dreamworks the witty undertones provide entertainment for all ages.
Broken City - 01/03/2013 Alan Hughes directs the first produced script by newcomer Brian Tucker, who tells of a police officer turned private investigator (Mark Wahlberg) and the mayor of New 1515
To Be Single Is... A power struggle. Admittedly there is a form of power struggle in any relationship, but when you have an established, connected, committed relationship, it tends to die down and you slot into a routine of who makes the decisions, who finishes the argument, who is the one to text first after. At least in my experience. I have friends who don’t see it this way at all and claim that when you are emotionally attached the games get 100% worse. I would argue that when you know someone, you know how they might respond and can cater to that. As a singleton you play in a whole different field; texting is a battle. The one who receives wins and the one consistently texting first loses. Obviously, you are ideally looking for equality in this but (speaking from a little bit of experience) when does that ever happen when you’re single?! There is always one person making just that little more effort and feeling the weaker and more abused for it. But it seems to me that there is a simple solution, if you can stick to it: don’t reply. Not straight away anyway. Match them at the pace they move at if it is at all possible to hold back. If they wait an hour, wait an hour. Or longer if you want to feel more power. If they leave it two days, do the same. It is the classic game of removing yourself from availability to create more interest. From my understanding, if you can stick to this, it works. I definitely haven’t always been able to stick to it, preferring to live in the land of imagining there are no games and people wouldn’t play them even if there were and ‘he must just be busy’ and ‘someone has to make an effort here’. Three weeks later you realise the delusional excuses you started making for him: ‘clearly he just hasn’t checked his phone’, ‘he’s been out all day’, ‘his fish must have died, he said it was on the way out’. And yes I can hear you now, these events do happen but when you’re interested in someone, you just reply, right?!
“Why all the games?”
Mimi Green 16
Nevertheless, I can’t help but wonder…why all the games? Either you’re interested or you’re not, you’re up for dating or you’re not. Playing games does keep things interesting and I think it must be some innate animal instinct to not give everything away upfront, to be cautious and protect yourself. So in the world of the 21st century, with everything that is moving forwards, why are we still so backwards in the power struggle of singletons? A relentlessly confusing question but one that appears won’t change, so I reckon we get involved, play along and experiment; what’s the worst that can happen?! I’ll tell you next issue…
SIMPLY STUNNING N Joe’s Ice Cream Parlour NOW OP69EWellfield Road, Roath, Cardiff
Pop in and try our famous Vanilla ice cream. A secret recipe unchanged for 90 years !
Free home delivery
2-4-1 Main Meals
(Orders over £10)
20% off Main Meals Takeaway
(Dine in only, 11.30am-2.30pm)
offer
(Dine in only, after 5:30pm)
2-4-1 Mojito
Monday 129 Crwys Rd Cardiff CF24 4NG Available every Monday
Buy 2 main meals or more, get third one free! Free Home Delivery! (Min. order £12)
www.kasturicurry.co.uk
Tel: 02920233511
D
in D in e ea Mega Deal - £13.95 l Starter, Main, Rice, Naan & Side dish - Includes all seafood! s!
Special Meal - £10.95
Starter (exlcudes platters), Main meal, Side dish, Boiled or Pilau rice & Plain Naan (Exclides seafood, haryali chicken sizzling & mixed grill)
Mega Deal - £13.95
129 Crwys Rd Starter (excludes platters), Main,or Side dish, Boiled or Pilau rice & Plain Naan Buy 2 main meals Cardiff Deal more, get thirdTakeaway one Buy 2 main meals or more, get third free! Free home delivery! ) CF24 4NG free! Takeaway offer
Starter, Main, Rice, Naan & Side dish - Includes all seafood!
Special Deal - £10.95
(Min order £12
corkage - Bring your own beer and wine! Free Home Free Delivery! www.kasturicurry.co.uk (Min. order £12) Awarded Best Value Indian Restaurant D Tel: 02920233511
in South Wales Echoo Food and Drink Awards 2012 D in e ea Deal - £13.95www.kasturicurry.co.uk 129 Cwrys Rd, Cardiff,Mega CF24 4NG l Starter, Main, Side dish - Includes all seafood! s! BookRice, yourNaan table&now! 02920 233 511
Special Meal - £10.95
Forum Food
The Louis Restaurant
We’re in 2013 now - which would be a patronising and pointless opening four words for most, but this is Cardiff: a city where all years blend into one delicious play-doh and linear timescale means nothing. It’s all around you, from endlessly sprouting vintage fairs to new and entirely era-confused restaurants. Amongst this sea of twee, however, lies a genuine artefact of outmoded stubbornness, an eatery which spits in the face of kitsch retrosexuality and instead dreams a dream of times gone by. Specifically, 1986.
I speak of ‘The Louis Restaurant’, nestled halfway along St. Mary’s street like a decrepit sleeping dragon. Louis’ charm is apparent upon entrance, where nothing will greet you other than the clang of cutlery as one of three other diners notices a student has walked in. It’s at this point you’re best to avoid eye-contact, and instead take in the aesthetic of the ‘room’. Walls are adorned with fixtures unseen since the early 1990s, block lighting burns from above and tiles - which don’t look unlike asbestos – slather the ceiling. (If they were asbestos, though, that wouldn’t be a problem, since it’s a substance which only becomes toxic upon deterioration and, as I’ve said, this restaurant is immune to time’s withered claw.) Above all, however, perhaps the most thrilling aspect of the curious and challenging experience ‘Louis’ offers is its length. It appears, and I use that word quite deliberately, to extend forever. Now I haven’t nearly the chutzpah, but challenge any of you to see its back wall, let alone touch it. No man ever has, and no woman should be made to try alone.
“nestled halfway along St. Mary’s street like a decrepit sleeping dragon” It’s not all about length, however, for everything on the extensive menu is affordable - a point underlined by the ingenious psychological pricing strategy of printing all costs in terms of pennies. Sunday roasts for a fiver might seem steep to some, but when that’s written as ‘499p’ you hardly notice. All retailers can learn from this trick. What’s more, cute quirks run rife, with a nine item breakfast containing seven, and an interpretation of ‘americano’ involving just putting four shots of espresso in a glass. Such genuine, antique treats are hard to come by in Cardiff, which is why you must all go: to see, to dream, to believe. [The quality of the food needn’t be discussed, for it would blight an otherwise positive advert].
Guy Kelly
“Sunday roasts for a fiver might seem steep to some, but when that’s written as ‘499p’ you hardly notice.”
The Louis Restaurant, St Mary Street, 10am - 5pm 19
La Viva
JH, OR
Tucked away in the student suburb of Cathays, recently opened La Viva serves wholesome, healthy food throughout the day, catering for all budgets. Choose from a vast selection of cuisine ranging from breakfast right through to dinner. Why not pop by early doors for the best homemade pancakes in town to kick start the day. For the late risers a chicken and brie Panini will help see off even the heaviest of hangovers. As the sun sets La Viva transforms into the ideal dine-out experience emanating a warm and welcoming ambience. The dinner menu offers a plethora of continental and Middle Eastern dishes prepared fresh on the premises. Portions are generous but not overwhelming and a personal favourite has to be the Carbonara. To accompany your meal the bar is stocked with an array of tipples and the menu boasts a variety of house smoothies and milkshakes. So whether you’re just passing by or looking to treat yourselves, Forum strongly recommends this welcome addition to Cardiff’s culinary landscape. La Viva, Wyeverne Road, 8:30 - Midnight (Tues-Sat), 8:30 - 17:00 (Sun-Mon)
Ben Smith
Madeira
Madeira is an authentic Portuguese restaurant hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. This quaint eatery boasts a friendly and lively atmosphere which is complemented by Portuguese music. The restaurant is very popular and has received excellent reviews and in my mind it definitely lives up to its reputation. The staff are friendly, well-equipped and on hand to suggest recommendations. The kebabs are Madeira’s specialty and it is with this dish that Madeira offers something eye-catching and exciting.
Huge kebabs are brought out and hung from the ceiling above the table with melting garlic butter trickling down the chicken or lamb over the course of the meal, offering additional flavours. Our mains were accompanied by potatoes and battered cauliflower all of which left me very satisfied. However I would recommend asking for a sauce to accompany this main as it can be a little dry. I also tried the calamari and the spare ribs as starters and was particularly impressed by the latter. Plus they are very good value for money. Madeira may stretch the student budget but I feel given the unique experience it was well worth the money and I would strongly recommend anyone to visit. Madeira, Guilford Cresent 12:00–2:30 pm, 6:00–11:00 pm, Closed Sun
20
MEZZE
MOROCCAN TAGINES
25% OFF FOOD BILL with a valid student card Sunday – Thursday
LEBANESE GRILLS
2 for 1
on cocktails & mocktails with this ad
VEGETARIAN & VEGAN OPTIONS BELLY DANCER ON FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS
WWW.MEZZALUNACARDIFF.CO.UK 02920 472 772
WIN WIN WIN!
Forum have teamed up with Pop, Bubble, Rock! Cardiff’s no.1 Alternative & Pop Party is giving away a pair of tickets plus a load of silly goodies to one lucky reader... Just head to the Forum Cardiff facebook page and share this photo for your chance to win!
T
ld be his cou
you!
Om nom nom
Supertramp Sun Food
Forum’s resident student chef prepares another cheap and easy delicacy
This time of year is dreary. Everyone realises this, even those who actually liked Valentine’s Day instead of passing it by with vague disapproval or faked indifference. Now that all that can be seen on the horizon is the dubious promise of summer, it is more important than ever to give yourself something to look forward to. For me, as always, this comes in the form of food. This recipe ‘Salad’ is not like conventional salad. What it is, though, is a comforting, fragrant and balanced meal that works great as a side dish or for lunch, hot or cold, with a warming kick. What better to drive out those not-yet-summer blues than something unapologetically orange?
• •
•
Ingredients: 1 butternut squash, cubed 6 shallots, peeled and halved 2-3 garlic cloves, peeled Small sprig of rosemary Olive oil Half tbsp. brown sugar 1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely diced 1 can of chickpeas, drained White wine vinegar Salt and pepper Feta cheese
Preheat oven to 160. Place the squash, shallots, cloves of garlic and rosemary in a roasting tray and drizzle with olive oil. Season and roast for 20 mins. Take out of the oven and add the chilli, chickpeas, wine vinegar and brown sugar, sprinkled over the vegetables evenly. Return to the oven for 10 mins, or until the edges of the squash brown slightly. Serve with crumbled feta cheese tossed through, and remove the rosemary (and the garlic if you want)
Mango Tapas Bar
Mediterranean and Mexican might seem like an odd combination but Mango on Cathays Terrace does it well.
Alexandra Warren
Amy Murnan
The restaurant also offers a long list of cocktails ranging from the classic Long Island Iced Tea to some I’d never heard of. I had a cranberry and amaretto long drink which was sweet, flavoursome and fulfilled all my desires as it came with an umbrella.
The décor is colourful and homely, with rag rugs, cushions and fairy lights and the walls are hung with Mexican paraphernalia from sombreros to castanets. The menu offers a range of main courses but also tapas and large platters to share. On most dishes you can choose your preferred meat and level of spice and there are plenty of appetising options for vegetarians. Although service was perhaps a little slow, the food more than made up for it. My vegetarian fajita came beautifully presented with little dishes of smooth guacamole, grated cheese, salsa, sour cream and beans on a square plate. The wraps were warm and soft and, after attempting to assemble the fajita and not drop it all over myself, tasted really rather great. My friend’s chicken came topped with salsa and cheese accompanied with Mexican rice and a salad garnish.
Full after the wholesome main course we declined desserts although the cakes did look delicious. With a good atmosphere, good home-made food and good prices, Mango is definitely worth a visit.
Visit Mango on Cathays Terrace, 15% Student Discount with valid NUS card 23
24
Art Forum
The Pack of Wolves are a collective made up of artists from across the UK. The members are not bound by discipline or geography but by a respect for one another’s artistic practice, ambition and boundless imagination. The indulgence in artistic endeavours can often be a solitary pursuit but by working together, sharing skills, ideas, and critical insights the Pack of Wolves support one another in the delivery of wild and wondrous events. This might include grandiose or grotesque puppet shows or perhaps intimate exhibitions of one. The Pack of Wolves will inspire and delight in equal measures.
You can view the latest exhibition curated by Cardiff Illustration student Layla Holzer, at Milkwood Gallery, Roath from 27th February until 9th March. There will also be an evening of puppet shows and live music in the gallery on the 2 March from 6.00pm. www.packofwolves. org
27
Forum Fashion Apart from magazines, the internet has become the only really good source to find great fashion inspiration. High street shops are all well and good, but inevitably their main aim is to rid you of all your money on products good and bad. Even Topshop, the so called forward thinking unique fashion centre of the UK (I love them, I cannot imagine life without them, the majority of my wardrobe has come from them), however there’s always that slightly dubious, dare I say slightly chavvy line that fills me with disappointment. I get they are trying to cater for everyone and increase their already copious profits, but I can’t help feeling they’ve sold out a little. Only inspirational life changing clothes please. So, for me the only reliable source of fashion advice (despite fab student magazines obviously!) is the internet, particularly blogs.
My first point of call is lookbook.nu. The idea behind it is a worldwide fashion blog where anyone can upload looks and other users can ‘hype’ them and comment. You can see men and women’s fashions from California, Barcelona, Bulgaria, Switzerland etc. Despite some of the women being sickeningly thin, it’s a great place to see how other people wear items you may have, or just to get a gist of what’s trending at the moment. The great thing about this website is the range. Every genre of current fashion is styled and uploaded, ready for your viewing pleasure.
There are two blogs I visit constantly. Firstly, cherryhealey.com. You may have seen her on BBC documentaries, and as well as being a generally brilliant person, she also in my opinion has great fashion sense. If I had to describe it, it’s simple but sometimes quirky, think Whistles or French Connection with a bit more vamp. Her Fashion Maths blogs are truly inspirational. Some recent posts by her include a brilliant fluffy angora jumper with a crisp white shirt and chunky necklace, some fabulously colourful lycra leggings, and a patterned jumpsuit style trouser and top, which seems like it shouldn’t work being so bold, but it really does on her (check it out really, great stuff).
Esha Glen
The second of my favourite blogs is ashleyringmybell.blogspot.co.uk. You might have seen her in Secret Diary of a Call Girl or more recently the American show Revenge. Her style I’d say is London girl meets glamour. She can rock a pair of high-tops yet still ooze sophistication and high fashion. She’s a fan of a good strappy heel (which is bang on trend right now), as well as a good chunky necklace and stripy top. She actually introduced me to MAC’s ruby woo lipstick I raved about in last month’s column as well as a pair of plain (but necessary!) black ankle boots from Topshop a few years ago - for this I will always be in her debt.
If you have time, check these sites out. Reading them may well make you feel the need to buy something new immediately, but give in, it’s what a student loan is for. If you can’t afford to, just scrimp on food like I do.
Living in a city, we are all aware how easy it is to pop in to town to fulfil our fashion needs; however have you ever wanted to venture out your style and be a little different from the high street crowd? The answer is staring you right in the face; there are many up and coming labels which will exceed further with support, on top of this you get great value for new clothes if you’re a little low on the dollar! Honour Over Glory Established in 2009 Honour Over Glory provides new styles and items throughout all the seasons. From jackets and shorts to vests, sunglasses and beanie hats; Honour Over Glory always has attire to fit in with the latest trends. This brand is spreading fast with pop up stalls at many festivals throughout last summer including Slam Dunk. www.honouroverglory.com Valencourt Independent Street wear. Bands such as Bastille, Clement Marfo and the Frontline, and Deaf Havana are known to wear Valencourt’s apparel. Visit: www.valencourtapparel.com to discover further…
And there are always the local businesses…
Why not also check out... shop.cupcakecutiesapparel.com/shop smallvictory.bigcartel.com stores.ebay.co.uk/Sky-Blue-Vintage-Clothing
Jessica Hallas
Hobo’s Cardiff: Located 26 High Street Arcade, CF10 1BB - Independent business selling vintage fashion. A Vintage Affair: Located Morgan Arcade, Cardiff. Mojo King: Main store located on Wellfield Rd, Roath CF24 3PB & recently opened stall in Cardiff Fashion Quarter, Womanby St, Cardiff- with an affordable Mod/Retro range.
Cocktail Reviews The Forum team have been “working hard” looking for the best cocktails around town... It’s not all fun and games!
10 Feet Tall
Akin to its sister bars Buffalo and the recently opened Fire Island, 10 Feet Tall entertains that modern yet cosy vibe that so many other venues fail to achieve. Located on Church Street in the heart of the city it provides the perfect setting to wind down with a few after work, lay the foundations for the night ahead or go the whole hog and party into the early hours. All of which are nicely accompanied by a cheeky cocktail (or two). With a vast selection to choose from, we put ourselves in the capable hands of bartender Jo, who rustled up some of her favourites. First up for those that ‘like em sweet’, The Manhatten. The fiery base of Sweet Vermouth, Makers Mark bourbon and Maraschino liqueur is enough to tickle anyone’s throat. Throw in some Angostura bitters and a pinch of orange garnish and the initial kick is beautifully complemented with a zesty after taste. Next, the staff favourite, the Vintage Collins. This mix of ground cucumber, Elderflower liqueur, Hendricks gin and ginger beer, topped off with a shot of lemon juice, had me longing for the summer months. Last but certainly not least the Mint Julep. Served in its very own metallic tankard the Julep is made with plenty of TLC with fresh mint carried by gom syrup and churned in plenty of crushed ice, infusing the Woodford reserve. Definitely one to try for yourselves. Both 10 Feet Tall and Buffalo offer 241 cocktails from 5-10pm Mon-Thurs, 5-11pm on Fridays and Sundays all day.
Kama Lounge Associating affordable Asian cuisine with tasty cocktails is not an idea you see often, but Kama Lounge ties the two together rather nicely. Situated on Woodville Road right in the heart of Cardiff’s student area, the restaurant provides several ways to enjoy the warming, friendly atmosphere. Whether you visit Kama for dinner and drinks or just a quick cocktail or three, the helpful staff will whip you up any number of exciting cocktails in no time. Selecting the Kilt, a gin based drink finished with pineapple juice; I was pleased by the generous measures of alcohol and the fresh, vibrant colour definitely caused a stir when brought over to our table. Another notable entry on the menu should go to the Trevor Nelson, laced with Blue Curacao, one of my favourite spirits, with its striking blue tinge adding charm to any drink. Kama Lounge has great value drink offers to match their competitive dining options. A 2 for £5 offer on cocktails runs daily, as well as their ‘Mojito Mondays’, where this signature drink is 2 for 1. You’d be hard pressed to find a deal this good in town or anywhere else in Cathays. 30
Lab 22 Upon entering Lab 22 you are immediately enveloped in a secret world unknown to those walking past or into the popular bakery that resides below this classy cocktail lounge. Combining bare brick walls with a sleek white bar and tables, Lab 22 aims to edify its guests with inspiring quotes from past literary masters in tandem with its slogan ‘Learn, Achieve, Believe’. The venue prides itself with having among the finest mixologists in the city and our visit seemed to contain no exceptions. Serving over 100 different cocktails from classics to the ultra-modern, my favourite came laced with a wallop of Asian flavours, the Oriental Kiss. Containing Thai basil, lemongrass, ginger and wasabi, a sip instantly gave the pleasing sensation of a Thai curry with none of the heaviness but all the fresh vibrant taste. A notable mention should be given to my partner’s personal favourite, the Crème de Brulee. Topped with parma violet flavoured Violetta foam and mixed with vanilla vodka and sugar, our barman finished the drink with a blast from a blowtorch that caramelised the foam making it look as good as it tasted. Lab 22 may not be the kindest to your wallet but the welcoming staff, delightful drinks and charming decor make it value for money and well worth a visit.
Or why not try... Peppermint - Mill Lane Salt Bar - Mermaid Quay Mezza Luna - City Road 31 31
Living in The Future Eco villages - What can students do? Chloe Sideserf
Sprinkled over a lush green landscape in the countryside of Pembrokeshire, you will find unique eco-houses of oak, cobwood and straw-insulated turf roofs built by their own residents. This beautiful, completely au-natural, eco-village has been named Lammas and is the focus of the short film by Helen Iles, ‘Living In The Future’. The collection of people who have set up their livelihoods in this rural dwelling are setting a fine example of what our local and national authorities should be providing. With a conquest of sustainable low impact living and the task to provide three quarters of its inhabitants food, water and energy from its own land comes struggle, as the film reveals. Troubles have come from the Pembrokeshire County Council issuing summons due to breaching building regulations such as fire hazard safety and unauthorised outside lavatories. In much of the film we watch as residents including Paul Wimbush talk about the ebbs and flows of low-impact living and the decisions they made when leaving their former lives to creating Lammas. Even when they speak of the hardship and pressures, provoked by the council as well as community living, every Lammas neighbour embodies an ongoing optimism and a perpetual passion for what they have achieved and will go on to achieve. To refer back to the title of the film, ‘Living In the Future’, climate change will affect how we live our lives in the future and with such frightening statistics accumulating in front of us, it’s hard to ignore. Helen Iles’ film does not preach or push its viewers to change but allows us to glimpse into an alternative way of living which is environmentally sustainable and exposes the realism behind it. You could take a few messages away from this film, depending on how you’re already choosing to live your life, but from my viewing experience and opportunity to meet some of the residents at a Q + A screening I felt inspired and warmhearted. The film captures some beautiful moments as the villagers come together for their first Lammas wedding, children pick the fruits from the seeds their parents once planted and the accomplishment of setting up the scaffolding of your own abode. Lammas village does not wish to stand alone so if you want to be illuminated on the matter at hand I think this film does it perfectly. 32
“they were surprised by the lifestyles of higher educated students and said that all anyone needs is food, shelter, water and warmth”
Help save the planet in three easy steps...
After being kindly invited to attend the screening of ‘Living In The Future’ at Chapter Arts Cinema I thought it only right to dedicate this article to a few of the issues raised in the film. From Monday 11th February 2013 - Saturday 16th February 2013 Cardiff University had its very own ‘Go Green Week’ featuring workshops on sustainable living and climate change, tea parties, pledge trees, poetry and film viewings taking place in a yurt outside the students union as well as a “Come Veg With Me” evening at Embassy Cafe. From speaking with the couple who were running the sessions, as well as living in said yurt, they made the statement that they were surprised by the lifestyles of higher educated students and said that all anyone needs is food, shelter, water and warmth. I know very few people who voluntarily live this way but there are of course a plethora of basic ways that we as students can help, to your right are some suggestions from The Pledge Tree at Go Green Week >>>>>>>>>
Turning Off Electrical Items Rather than sending your laptop or computer to sleep, shut it down. Switch off plugs at the socket and to be even greener, unplug the socket. A television on standby will eat up 80% of the power it consumes when switched on Reduced General Energy Consumption Use low energy lightbulbs and only turn lights on at dusk. Try to wear jumpers instead of turning up the heating (as I know many students anyway do due to expensive bills). Heavier curtains will help to not let as much heat escape Eco-Laundry Try to hang out your clothes to dry rather than using a tumble dryer as it produces three times the amount of C02 a washer does. Use a low temperature wash cycle
33
Football
The most popular, most hated game. Football is a very popular sport. Most European countries share a national obsession with “the beautiful game”. An estimated 715 million people watched the 2006 World Cup final. But football has a problem, a flaw that is causing so many to despise the game and those that play it. The problem? Its own popularity. As I write this I am checking social media and all manner of sports websites going manic after a busy Saturday of football. However being a fan of the game myself, I ignore the pages of complaints, the disillusioned traditionalists and disinterested onlookers who either don’t get what all the fuss is about or simply hate the game for what it has become. Recently, Carlos Tevez’s went viral, revealing that he was being paid over £400,000 per month after deducting tax. Wayne Rooney earns a reported £120,000 a week while David Beckham managed to make ends meet on almost a million pounds a month at LA Galaxy. Ridiculous? Even hardcore fans of the game think so but there is no way out. What’s more is the higher the wages get, the more our newspapers seem to be filled with scandals ranging from infidelity to alleged racist abuse.
Dom Booth
This is not to mention football hooliganism, still a notable problem in this country. In the 2010/11 season the FA and Home Office boasted that arrests made at football stadiums had fallen 24% and to “a record low”. However, this glosses over the fact that total arrests reached a staggering 3,089. Compare that to the minimal problems and arrests made at major rugby and cricket games and that figure looks ludicrously big. Parents are bound to begin persuading their children towards following other sports.
“David Beckham managed to make ends meet on almost a million pounds a month” Ok, so Beckham is not a great example of a footballer being overpaid and behaving badly. But he is an overpaid footballer. Many football journalists defend their sport by pointing us towards the charitable work done by the likes of Rio Ferdinand. They blame the clubs for overpaying their players. But who is really to blame? Fans themselves spend millions every year on TV subscriptions, tickets and merchandise which all makes its way back to the clubs. Teams then splash cash at marquee players; which in turn attracts fans to the stadium in a vicious spending circle. It needs to stop but it won’t as football is so popular and it entertains so many.
So have I presented to you a problem with no solution? Does it even matter that football can’t win more fans when it is so popular anyway? Maybe – but the money merry-go-round the sport has become can be brought to a halt. It would take a simple regulation from the FA but we all know how likely that’ll happen. The beautiful game isn’t perfect. But then that would be asking too much.
34
1 Bed Flat Pen Y Lan Road Claude Road
£450 PCM £425 PCM
2 Bed Flats Colum Road Severn Road Lee Close Pen Y Lan Road Claude Road
£275 p/room £300 p/room £300 p/room £250 p/room £290 p/room
3 Bed Flats Waterloo Road Crwys Road Cyncoed Road Ninian Road Colum Road
£250 p/room £250 p/room £270 p/room £270 p/room £270 p/room
4 Bed Houses North Road Lochaber Street Elm Street Albany Road Treharris Street
£260 p/room £260 p/room £250 p/room £260 p/room £225 p/room
5 Bed Houses Cefn Coed Crescent Thesiger Street Monthermer Road Moy Road Richmond Road
£320 p/room £260 p/room £240 p/room £255 p/room £280 p/room
6 Bed Houses Crwys Road Mackintosh Place Rhymney Street Miskin Street Richmond Road
£250 p/room £250 p/room £290 p/room £310 p/room £270 p/room
7 Bed Houses Ceyln Avenue Mackintosh Place Hirwain Street
£280 p/room £250 p/room £285 p/room
8 Bed Houses Merthyr Street Rhymney Street Pen Y Lan Road
£280 p/room £280 p/room £250 p/room
“At Albany Property Services we aim to offer an outstanding professional service to all our clients. We do this by understanding our clients and offering our experience in order to help your individual needs in the property market. We have a combined experience of over 20 years in the property industry giving you a professional opinion every time. We offer a wide range of services to make any property transaction as smooth and as stress free as possible for our clients.”
www.albanyproperties.co.uk info@albanyproperties.co.uk
The best places to live in Cardiff
According to Charlie
With the academic year racing by towards the summer, it’s time – if you haven’t already - to make that all important decision: where to live next year? But everyone has different interests and needs which inform their decision. With this in mind, here’s a quick guide to the best places to live in Cardiff, whatever your priorities.
Sports Fans For sports fans, there are two ideal places to be: one for those who watch, and another for those who do. If you’re a spectator, of course you want to be as close to town as possible to get to the stadiums and pubs and cheer on the pros. But the complete fan should consider living a bit further afield; Maindy may seem a little distant from university and town, but its facilities are worth it. Maindy Centre has an indoor pool and cycle track and is also close to Cardiff University’s gym at Talybont and the 3G pitch located there. Make use of all of these and the trek to town will become a 10 minute jog, while a new P.B. on long jump should be enough to get you to the Cardiff Devils’ ice-hockey games down in the bay.
Foodies If food is your thing, you may be tempted by the allures of either Crwys or Woodville Road (Venus Kebabs is a personal favourite). However, the ultimate hotspot for quality and quantity is the area around Salisbury Road with its range of options for eating out: including Mexican, Arabian, Chinese, Cantonese, Indian, American, Kebabs, and a choice of ‘greasy spoon’ cafes. This is also a great place to live if you like cooking at home as its within a five minute walk of both an Indian and a Continental supermarket and there’s a Chinese mini-market on Salisbury Road itself. With such variety, it’s not surprising that users of a popular housing website rated Salisbury road’s shops a 9/10.
36
Shopaholics No prizes for guessing this one: the shopaholic needs to be as close to town as possible. But it’s not all that simple. The true shopping pro will have noticed the lack of charity shops in town – what are you supposed to do for fancy dress? To get the right balance, I suggest somewhere on Richmond Road. This puts you in the middle of an almost straight line between town and Albany road; perfect for every guest on that ‘Dress as an OAP because I’ve turned 21’ Facebook event.
Culture Lovers Unfortunately, Cardiff’s cultural experiences are spread pretty widely across the city, making it hard to choose one opportune location. Choose City Road, for instance, and you will be near to the wonderful The Gate Arts Centre, but there’s no disguising the fact that the next nearest ‘must see’ sight is the toilets of the Ernest Willows. Of course, you can always get your culture fix between lectures at the Cardiff Museum just up the road from Cardiff University‘s Students Union, but is that enough? If not, extreme measures may be necessary. Perhaps you should brave the distant wilds of Canton for the privelige of living near to Chapter Arts Centre which houses theatre, independent films, an art gallery and a cafe which has mastered that most precious of art forms: the cooking of a great steak.
Young Professionals
(A.K.A. The graduates who actually got jobs!) For these lucky few, the Hayes apartments are the holy grail and, apparently, not as loud as expected considering their position in the very centre of town. It seems that it doesn’t get much better than this; a survey found that the city centre, with a satisfaction rating of 82% from its residents, is the most popular area to live in Cardiff.
There are some great places to live in Cardiff, but make sure you shop around for the perfect house. Some good sites to get you started are: www.2let2.com, www.accommodationforstudents.com, and www.cardiffdigs.co.uk.
Charlie Withers
37
Dreams of living abroad?
First hand tips on setting you up with your perfect abode Laura McLean
As we’re in the depths of winter and a triple-dip recession no less, it’s easy to dream of moving abroad and heading for an adventure in the sun. For many students who are contemplating taking a gap year or not quite ready to battle for serious jobs in this country, the prospect of teaching English as a foreign language is very inviting. Indeed, throughout the last few years of the economic downturn, English language teaching has been one of the few sectors to experience growth. With there being TEFL and CELTA courses in abundance it’s quite easy to find one to fit in with your current schedule so that you’re qualified by the summertime. However, before you get all excited and start hunting the shops for bikinis and suntan lotion it’s advisable to start planning the practicalities of it - like, where am I going to live?
38
I undertook a TEFL Scotland course of 110 hours and with my degree in English Literature I found it relatively easy to find work in Italy. Here are a few tips that I’ve learned whilst living abroad which I want to share with you so that you don’t make similar mistakes to me!
Save up before you leave. I would recommend £1,500 to £2,000. You’ll be surprised how difficult it can be to find a fully furnished flat and how expensive it can be to purchase the essentials abroad. Try not to use an estate agent. Unlike in the UK, estate agents will charge quite a substantial fee if you rent a flat through them. In Italy and many other European countries, it is customary for you to pay one month’s deposit, one month’s rent and the equivalent of at least one month’s rent as an estate agent fee. Check out flat sharing websites such as easyroommate.com, which has listings in 37 different countries. This way you can find a room to rent cheaply and without using an estate agent. Unless you’re a lawyer, think how difficult it is to understand legal documents in your own language. If you can, ask the school you’ll be working for, the estate agent if you have chosen to go down that route or a friend, to fully translate the contract for you. You’ll be surprised what is hidden in the small print. No matter how nervous you are about being lost in translation opt to share a flat with someone who doesn’t speak English and is preferably fluent in the language of the country you’re moving to. If you’re moving abroad to teach or work in an English speaking environment then you’ll struggle to learn the foreign language, just living with a non-English speaker will force you to make an effort to practice and can help you meet other foreign friends too - you’ll be speaking the language in no time! Try to find a flat where bills are included. Gas and electricity bills can be astronomical abroad; if you find a flat where bills are included you’ll have no nasty surprises like my bill for 890 euro.
Living abroad is a fantastic mind opening experience that you’ll never forget. However, it can be incredibly stressful trying to deal with the practicalities. If you follow these tips I guarantee you will find it so much easier. Good luck!
39 39
Abandoned Children A voluntary experience that changed my life Joshua James
In 2007 the BBC documentary Bulgaria’s Abandoned Children revealed the heart-aching story of how Bulgaria’s abandoned children were being treated in institutions across the country. The documentary resulted in public outcry. The shocking footage of neglect and poor well being of the children prompted the question of how this could be happening to children in a country that had just been accepted as a member of the European Union. Bulgaria has more institutionalised mentally and physically disabled children than anywhere else in Europe. Following from this documented horror The Bulgarian Abandoned Children’s Trust (TBACT) was set up. TBACT is a charity that aims to bring about change for disabled and vulnerable children in Bulgaria – to ensure all children can grow up in the loving protection of a family home away from a world of neglect.
40
I volunteered with TBACT for two weeks over the Christmas Holidays and can honestly say it was a life changing experience. TBACT offers the opportunity to volunteer in a couple of schemes. Firstly, volunteers can work to provide voluntary care to children in the institutions. This experience would involve working with babies, toddlers and slightly older children that suffer from a range of disabilities. As a volunteer you would be involved in the caring of the child from day to day, making sure they are fed, cleaned and dressed, whilst organising activities and play sessions for the children to enjoy. Secondly, TBACT offer voluntary positions within small group homes. This is the scheme I chose to participate in. Here volunteers work within a number of care homes for children with physical or mental disabilities who have all suffered the damaging effects of growing up in institutional care. I worked in a home of eight children that were aged between 4 and 18; however age and group size can vary from home to home. The environment in the home was a positive much-needed improvement from that seen in the 2007 documentary; however it was evident to me that there were simply not enough staff to look after the children. It is the case in Bulgaria that working with disabled people of any kind holds a heavy stigma. Carer positions in the homes are very poorly paid, meaning that Bulgarian people are not financially motivated to work within the homes. The children often lack a much needed level of interaction as there is simply not enough staff to engage with all the children. Through participating as a volunteer it was clear to see just how much an extra set of hands can help with some of the daily routine tasks. I was able to offer extensive support to the staff as well as enabling the children to interact and enjoy their days through organised activities and play sessions as well as some task-centred support to children individually.
Bulgaria has more institutionalised mentally and physically disabled children than anywhere else in Europe.
I chose to volunteer on my own. This was a daunting thought at the time I booked my ights, I was going to a country where I knew no one and did not speak the language. However as soon as I begun the volunteering I realised just how amazing the experience was, the children were great and the work was very rewarding. On my second week of volunteering a couple from the UK joined me. It was great to have even more help with the children and gave me a chance to meet and interact with people with that had the same interests in charity work. I really want to encourage people that have a real interest in helping to improve disadvantaged children’s lives to volunteer with TBACT; it really is such an amazing opportunity to develop as a person whilst supplying an invaluable provision of care to children who really do need it.
If you are interested in volunteering with TBACT take a look at their website: www.tbact.org
41 41
So what do you do when you don’t like your degree anymore? Amber Luscombe talks about her process of changing career direction
KEEP CALM AND
READ THIS 42
42
Even starting to apply for jobs when you enjoy the degree you’ve spent 3 years lovingly working at is daunting, and when it’s in a completely different sector it’s terrifying! As a third year nearing the end of my degree, the first step was to finally face up to the fact I was enjoying my degree less and less and I really needed to do something about it instead of worrying and doing nothing.
Googling the predicament was my initial foray into this problem and the subsequent repetitive advice was to look at your hobbies, which I’m sure many (myself included) reply instantly with ‘I don’t have any hobbies!’. Undiscouraged, the first thing I did was to analyse which parts of my degree I enjoy and research the careers which involve it. At the same time Forum was developing and immediately I wanted to help with the logo, post sketching ideas whilst in a lecture. I was given the opportunity to help with the logo and both experiences were steps towards my potential career path.
Next I contacted the Cardiff University Careers Service; an extensive service to provide support and guidance to both those who know what they want to do, and those who don’t. I booked my first appointment and went with little idea about my future career and no CV to match. They have now become an amazing resource, the careers advisor not only helped with potential career options, advice on covering letters and type of CV to write was given too.
As I was changing career paths (and if you are too) the educational background, work experience and employment may not be relevant, therefore it’s useful to write a ‘skills’ CV, focusing on the skills and personal attributes which can transfer across to any new job. Additionally, I was invited to write some sample job applications and bring them with my CV to be reviewed again and again – another immensely useful service.
I was also advised on how to get relevant work experience through contacting Go Wales, a company aiming to help students get good quality, beneficial work ‘tasters’, and I am now on a work taster (after a few rejections) with Total Students. It is difficult to fit in a 9-5 working day once a week, but it is vital to prove to employers that you are sure this is the right career for you and you enjoy working within that environment. Additionally, it is necessary for the experience I have gained and the confidence to apply for jobs in this sector. Job applications are all about how you can apply your experiences to fit their criteria, and relevant work experience is indispensable for that.
So as a student who is well on my way to applying for jobs and graduation (!), I wish you all the best in applying for a career post-university whether in your current degree discipline or not.
Amber Luscombe
43 43
Deal with it Cardiff’s sweetest deals just for you. Want to see your deal here? Email us: advertising@forumcardiff.co.uk
Open 5pm - 11pm every day
TROY
Charcoal Grill Mezze Bar & Restaurant 10% ur off yo this h it bill w ert! adv
troy.indd 1
One of the top 5 kebabs in the UK! - The Times 192 City Road, Cardiff
Balti King
22/02/2013 15:43:41
Indian takeaway
20% student discount Valid on collection only
10% discount on delivery 029 2023 1871 107 Woodville Road, Cardiff
Winner of the best Indian Restaurant of the Year 2012!
MOWGLI’S
INDIAN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
Sunday Night Special 5 Course Set Meal - £14.95pp
151 Crwys Road, Cardiff, CF24 4NH
For special offers visit our website! 02920 344 511 www.mowglis.co.uk 02920 343 705 15% student discount with this voucher, dine in and takeaway!
8:30 - Midnight (Tues-Sat), 8:30 - 17:00 (Sun-Mon) 97 - 99 Wyeverne Road, Cathays, Cardiff
Thanks for reaading, see you in April! Editors: Joe Hobbins, Owen Reeves & Paul Thompson Design: PT, Amber Luscombe Events: Dotty Baker Hassan Contributors: Dom Booth, Esha Glen, Mimi Green, Jessica Hallas, JH, Joshua James, Guy Kelly, Thomas Lindsey-Turner, Amber Luscombe, Laura McLean, Kathryn Miller, Ben Morrison, Amy Murnan, Jack Pickering, OR, Chloe Sideserf, Ben Smith, Josh Tyler, Alexandra Warren, Helly Wealleans, Charlie Wither Photography and Artwork: OR, Pack of Wolves, Samuel Legge All artwork, photographs and editorials remain the property of the author/s. 46
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
P O P B
, , E L B B U
! K C O R F F I D CAR
...AT ROOM 1: POP/PUNK/PARTY
EVERY FRIDAY
ROOM 2: rAVE/rOCK/riot
ALL TIME LOW / R KELLY / ALL AMERICAN REJECTS BEASTIE BOYS / BEYONCE / TAYLOR SWIFT / BILLY TALENT KATY PERRY / THE BLACKOUT / DON BROCO FALL OUT BOY / WEEZER / MCFLY / FOUR YEAR STRONG GASLIGHT ANTHEM / JIMMY EAT WORLD / BRAND NEW KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES / ...AND LOADS MORE!
PARKWAY DRIVE / A DAY TO REMEMBER / SKRILLEX ALEXISONFIRE / ENTER SHIKARI / PENDULUM CANCER BATS / NETSKY / EVERY TIME I DIE / YOUR DEMISE BRUTALITY WILL PREVAIL / BRING ME THE HORIZON UNDEROATH / ARCHITECTS / DEAF HAVANA / GALLOWS OFWGKTA / LIMP BIZKIT / RUSKO / ...AND LOADS MORE!
EVERY FRIDAY 10PM - 4AM £3 GUESTLIST / £5 ON THE DOOR AT THE BUNKER, CARDIFF 60-61 ST MARY STREET, CF10 1FE
WOOD ST
CARDIFF CENTRAL
ST. MARY ST
PBR
GUEST DJS FREE ICE CREAM RAD VISUALS CONFETTI BUBBLES AWESOME PRIZES
£1.50 £1.50 £2.00 £2.80 £3.00 £5.00
SHOTS BEER BUBBLEBOMBS DBL VOD + MIX BOOZE SLUSHIES PBROCKTAIL BUCKETS!
+ 10-11PM POWER HOUR! f PBR CARDIFF
47 @POPBUBBLEROCK
arch M g n i h c Laun
March Fri 1st Luke Brown Acoustic singer song-writer Sat 2nd Nia Thomas Singer song-writer Fri 8th Jazz on the Covers Original Jazz duo Sat 9th Hoodoo Wells Acoustic blues Fri 15th Ethan Crosse Acoustic singer song-writer Jazz blues Sat 16th Erin Mai 2-4-1 on vodka slush puppies from 7:30pm Tel: 029 2064 1137 www.cafe37cardiff.co.uk 48
Follow us for exclusive offers and news! Twitter @Cafe37 Facebook.com/ cafe37cardiff