Quench Magazine, Issue 195, December 2023

LEGACY Issue, no. 195, DECEMBER 2023

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20th Anniversary

Meet The Editors...

LEGACY Edition Isn’t it crazy how quickly two decades can pass by? Over the last twenty years, Quench Magazine has continued to evolve around a changing world. What was once seen as cutting-edge innovation and technology can now feel completely outdated, whilst some trends have left and returned to a style that’s fashionable for every student.

For this LEGACY edition, we’re celebrating Quench’s 20th anniversary, exploring the beauty of the past and the legacy this builds for us.

Working on the 20th-anniversary magazine whilst being twenty has encouraged me to do a lot of thinking about the importance of what legacy means to me. When I think of what I want my legacy to be, I find myself looking at the relationships I have with my family and friends, and what I admire most about them. It’s my Mother’s passion, my Sisters’ encouragement, my Nan’s charisma, my housemate’s thoughtfulness - everyone in my life makes each day feel like it has the potential to be the most perfect day in the world, and I hope to share an iota of their strengths in my on actions. Whilst it’s infamous that I’m not a sentimental person, to say the least, it’s the love which enamours all of these relationships which helps me navigate this issue’s theme. Because, quite frankly, what is the purpose of a legacy without it?

Although I certainly don’t have a concrete understanding of what my legacy is, working on this issue has taught me that that’s actually *completely* okay. Creating a legacy means being proud of your actions, building your future and creating an admirable reputation for yourself. My vision of a legacy may be completely different to your own, but that’s part of the beauty of it. Every person who has

created this anniversary edition of Quench has interpreted the theme in their own, unique understanding, which has helped in creating a magazine which is enriched with as many students from across Cardiff’s campus as possible.

Without sounding too boastful, this issue is one you don’t want to miss reading out on.

When studying Quench’s back catalogue from the last 20 years, it truly felt like a privilege to witness how art and culture have evolved since 2003. It feels even more exciting to imagine just how excruciatingly cringy it will feel to look back in twenty years at what we think is ‘cool’ today. No matter how you dress, what music you listen to, or what group of cool mates you hang out with, you’ll always cringe looking back. So enjoy this unique point in your life whilst it lasts, use it to learn something new about yourself and passionately throw yourself into what you do. Everything that you’re doing is building your legacy for the future, you might as well enjoy this time while it lasts.

I couldn’t be more proud of all the beautiful work which has gone into this exciting anniversary edition of Quench, I hope you all enjoy the vibrant writing and bold designs enriching each page. Thank you for being part of our magazine’s journey, here’s to another fabulous twenty years!

Alanya

Billy

Welcome to this special edition of Quench celebrating Legacy. Of course, the term often invokes celebrating the past – something we are keen to do this month as Quench enters a momentous anniversary, and so some of our diligent reporters have investigated the Quench of yesteryear. The topic also allows unto consider what kind of legacy we’re leaving, not just as writers of a magazine, but as students who can make a real difference to the university experience.

That was recently apparent at the Student’s Union Annual General Meeting, where students of all creeds, ages and opinions came together to shape their university.

It seems much of the media world today is pre-occupied with its own legacy. It’s been hard to move the last few weeks around Cardiff without seeing some sort of Doctor Who – no spoilers, but it seems this year’s specials have something to say about the spate of industries like Star Wars, Marvel and more too obsessed with the past to create anything new. This month in Quench, I’ve particularly enjoyed Emily

Clegg’s investigation of the legacy music industry, as it fits nicely adjacent to my dissertation-planning around vinyl records. Her investigation sparks a grim truth that with little new music promoted, there’ll be no big legacy acts to resell our albums back to us later on. I also enjoyed Georgiana Smith’s encapsulation of how the soundtrack of Back to The Future cements it’s positionas phenomenal film.

Also, I’m certainly thinking about what legacy my university years will have on my life as they come hurtling ever closer to an end. There are really few better ways of setting up a great foundation for your future than contributing, so if the exciting articles and inspiring artistry galvanise you, please don’t hesitate to get involved in Quench!

Lucia 20 years of Quench – quite crazy, isn’t it? And I think it is something we can all be incredibly proud of.

Our second Quench edition of the academic year is here!

And as 2023 is coming to an end, we have taken the chance to look back on what an incredible 20 years Quench has had, and the legacy of this amazing student-led magazine.

‘Legacy’ can take many forms and can mean very different things to different people. The Oxford English Dictionary defines legacy as ‘transitive. To give or leave a legacy’ – not exactly clear, is it? Which is why ‘legacy’ makes the perfect theme for this issue.

Throughout my three-year experience of writing and working for Quench, this is definitely one of my favourite editions so far – the theme of ‘legacy’ has allowed us to delve into so many aspects of life, including family heritage, cultural traditions, and many, many more long-lasting and impactful things. In these pages, you will encounter stories and articles that span the spectrum of human experience – stories of triumphs and challenges, written thoughts of perseverance and resilience, and reflections on the values that shape our collective identity. Each article, story, and photograph

contributes to the ongoing narrative of our shared history, reminding us that we are all keepers of the legacy we inherit and the legacy we build.

As students, we often focus on the present – assignments, coursework, exams, and the hustle and bustle of daily life.

But ‘legacy’ invites us to consider the lasting impression we create, both individually and collectively. It’s a theme that resonates with simplicity yet carries profound significance.

So, as we near the end of another amazing year, and are close to beginning a brand new one, let’s all take a deep breath and relax for a moment – it has been an incredible journey so far (you should be very proud of yourself no matter how your year has gone!), and your legacy is only just beginning. After all, every word you read, every thought you share, becomes a part of the legacy we create together.

I hope you enjoy this edition as much as we have enjoyed creating it :)

Meet The Team

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Meet The Meet The TeamMeet Team The Team Alanya Smith Editor-In-Chief

Angelina Mable Head of Social Media

Lucia Cubb Deputy Editor

Billy Edwards Deputy Editor

Mia Wilson Head of Design

Meet The Team

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Ella Collis Features

Izzy Walsh Features

Polly Brewster Music

AJ Lumley Music

Katie Storrie Literature

Annie Tallis Literature

Laura Schjoett Spotlight

Freya Johns Spotlight

Olivia Griffin Fashion

Bethan Gwynne Fashion

Ashley Thieme Film & TV

Tom Nicholson Film & TV

Meet The Team

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Sabine Wilson-Patrick

Food & Drink

Ellisse Heller Food & Drink

Tegan Davies Copy Editor

Kayleigh Lloyd Copy Editor

Niamh Roberts Culture

Julia Bottoms Culture

Nicole Saroglou Travel

Jasmine Dodd Travel

Maddie Balcombe Column

Beca Dalis Williams

Clebar

Beth Rocke Clebar

Meet The Team

Emily Williams Instagram Manager

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Eleanor Kay Twitter Manager

Imogen Edmonds Instagram Manager

Deputy Head of Design

Isla McCormack

Laura Nunez Photographer

Adam Breen Photographer

Jiacheng Liu Photographer

Mia Coley Page Designer

Eszter Gurbicz Page Designer

Elinor Pyman Illustrator

Alicia Yap Page Designer

design by: Mia Wilson photography by: Jiacheng Liu

front cover modelling by: Tom Hewitt front cover photography by: Mia Wilson

Features

LEAVING A

LEGACY

IN LIFE The word ‘legacy’ is perceived by many as meaning different things. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a legacy is ‘an amount of money or property left to someone in a will’; or a second definition states it as ‘a long-lasting impact of particular events, actions etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life’.

I personally relate more to the second meaning, as the first one defines legacy too simplistically and pragmatically for my liking. To me, legacy is about leaving a meaningful impact behind in his world, knowing that you have made a difference and you have a purpose in life. Legacy is something to be proud of, to celebrate and something that is unique to you. Nobody else can leave the exact same legacy as you. A legacy is something people will remember you for when you are gone.

Leaving a legacy is important to me, and to a lot of other people because it gives you a sense of purpose and fulfilment, it makes you feel like you were put on Earth for a reason. The point of creating a legacy is to leave it behind for future generations to appreciate and continue for years to come. For me, my friends and family are everything.

Creating a legacy that they will be proud of is the only thing that matters, I don’t care about what everyone else thinks about me.

Making a mark on the world when there are 8 billion people trying to do the same thing as you is a tough undertaking, to say the least. But, it is not as hard as we make it out to be.

I think some people can strive to leave the greatest legacy they can, and try to be the best versions of themselves every day in order to do so. Which is not sustainable in the long term. Stripping it back to the basics, it’s more about the little things we do in our everyday lives that can leave the most impact; the figurative imprints we leave in other people’s lives, even strangers. A simple act of kindness like smiling at a stranger or giving someone a compliment can leave a lifelong effect on people.

The only thing we can make sure of in life, when it comes to leaving a legacy, is that we make the people around us proud and we make ourselves proud. Leaving the world in a better place than when we entered it. words by: Ella Collis

9 To me, legacy is the enduring impact we leave behind in the world, something that outlives our physical presence and continues to influence and inspire others. It’s the mark we make on the sands of time, a testament to our values, actions, and the contributions we have made during our lifetime. I believe legacy cannot be recognised by anyone’s wealthiness or objective inheritances.

We are all surrounded by a cultural atmosphere of some form. The truth is, ‘legacy’ is something that is culturally constructed. Hence, we can’t escape from it, legacy is an unavoidable part of life. It has a positive vibration as well as a negative one.

As a person who grew up in Asia, there are a magnitude of legacy limitations. For one, adults are always keeping an eye on the behaviour of young people, so it is hard to make your own, unique mark on the world. Where I grew up, in Sri Lanka, society is multi-religious - all religious people are hard-core devotees. But, being an Atheist there is frowned upon. Leaving a religious legacy is of utmost importance to people.

“MY LEGACY IS A TAPESTRY WOVEN FROM MY ACTIONS” Another way to leave a lasting legacy in Sri Lanka is marriage, especially for girls. Many Sri Lankans want to preserve their ancestry, by giving birth to boys, which enhances the prestige of their family.They thoroughly believe that only males can carry the surname into the next generations. In certain families, children are not allowed to make choices for themselves. All decisions are made by the parents, due to the necessity of preserving familial norms and traditions. All kinds of traditions are created and driven by ancestors, which are preserved by future generations of the family. There are often people who challenge the norms: the rulebreakers of the family. But families are headstrong about upholding their sacred traditions for many generations to come. These traditions are often heavily underpinned by invisible political, social and cultural issues. As a result, new generations are forced to accept their ‘legacy’ as being the perpetuation of their family traditions. Even if they want to move away from tradition, and create a new legacy for themself in life.

Personally, my family norms are a bit different from those above. But we share the same views and values on entertainment scope, food choices, celebration of small things like birthdays, anniversaries etc. In my view, this is what legacy embodies.

In essence, my legacy is a tapestry woven from my actions, values, and the impact I have on the lives of those I touch.

It’s an ongoing journey to be the best version of myself and to leave a positive, lasting impression on the world. words by: Sasanka Withanage design by: Elinor Pyman

Features

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Features In July 2022, the Lionesses achieved England’s 56-year dream of bringing an international trophy home. This summer, they continued to break records by becoming the first English Football team to reach the World Cup Final since the Men’s England team in 1966. Achieving both these firsts in under a year has launched the Women’s England Team into the spotlight, achieving not only praise from their male counterparts and sports journalists but also recognition from sports media companies and important sponsors.

The Lionesses’ impact on women’s football has been unprecedented. Football Clubs such as Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have put more funding into their women’s teams including funding for junior teams to encourage more young girls to get into football. Major sports sponsors such as Nike have widened their range of female footballer jerseys available to buy in response to the Lionesses’ success. Sky Sports has even broadcast the Women’s Super League on Sky Sports Main Event for the 2023/24 season, a change which generations of female footballers have worked towards achieving. The Lionesses’ success in international competitions has been paramount to their success in inspiring a nation of young girls to not only play football, but to play more male-dominated sports.

However, major sports sponsors such as Nike have not recognised the full level of the Lionesses’ popularity. During the Women’s FIFA Football World Cup 2023, Mary Earps became the star of England’s World Cup campaign, yet Nike refused to sell her goalkeeper shirt despite hundreds of thousands of requests from fans. Nike’s refusal to sell Earps’ shirt highlights the ongoing struggle for women’s sports, particularly male-dominated sports, to gain serious and tangible recognition from sports sponsors. This same predicament has plagued women’s professional sports since the 1970s. Serena and Venus Williams both faced the same issue as the current England Women’s football team when they were rising star, facing racist and sexist discrimination from sponsors. However, the Williams sisters’ consistent victories through 3 decades of tennis helped to transform the Tennis industry, inspiring the current generation of female professional Tennis players including Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka. Nike’s refusal to sell Mary Earps’ goalkeeper shirt sets a dangerous precedent for other major sponsors to exhibit a sexist regime against women’s professional sports, setting back decades of activism.

Viewing figures for Women’s football have skyrocketed since the Women’s 2022 Euros and England’s historic win. The Women’s Euros final reached a global audience of over 50 million people, 20 million more viewers than the last Men’s Euros final. The 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup enticed even more viewers with a global audience of 1.12 billion across the entire tournament. As well as this, 2023 marked the first time the FIFA Women’s Football World Cup broke even, highlighting the extent to which women’s football has grown in popularity. The Lionesses’ legacy is not simply a triumph over media sexism but also a triumph for all female

athletes who have been disregarded for being “untalented”, “boring” or “not the same” since the 1970s. Chloe Kelly’s record-breaking penalty against Nigeria, which reached 66.6mph, further secures the Lionesses as the pinnacle team in Women’s football. Despite injuries from their top players, including Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby, the Lionesses dominated their competition throughout the tournament. This tournament also shed light on the extent of systematic sexism female athletes face day-to-day in their professional careers. Whilst collecting her medal for winning the World Cup, Spanish player Jenni Hermoso was kissed by a Spanish FIFA Official without consent. Most other women’s football teams condemned this behaviour, including the Lionesses, and showed solidarity to help support the Spanish team. The Lionesses have showcased the greatest talent of English football over the past year, breaking expectations not once, but twice to not only shatter the glass ceiling but to overcome expectations even the Men’s team have yet to achieve. Women’s football has benefited greatly from the masterclass presented by the Lionesses, inspiring an entire generation of children to play any and all sports they desire. words by: Katie Brosnan design by: Mia Coley

Column

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A LOVE LETTER To Quench

Long-standing Quench writer, Maddie Balcombe, takes the time to encompass her four years of experience in an endearing letter to the magazine for its 20th anniversary

Quench: a staple of my university experience, the gateway into my future career, and the student publication that everyone in Cardiff knows and loves.

Established in 2003, Quench is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. I have been involved with Quench for the last four years and feel privileged to have played such a small role in this amazing publication. My Quench journey began before I’d officially started my time as a Cardiff University student. I’d accepted my offer and enrolled, but there were still a few months to go until I’d make the move and transition into student life. As soon as Cardiff became a viable uni option for me, I started following Quench on social media. I was initially enticed by the aesthetics and design, but stayed for the exciting, relatable and sometimes ground-breaking content. I instantly knew that this was something that I wanted to get involved in.

I started university in September 2020, so the summer leading up to this was spent largely in lockdown. Perhaps it was just the COVID-induced boredom getting the better of me, but I couldn’t resist joining the contributors Facebook page. I discussed the fact that I wasn’t officially a student yet with the editor at the time, but she let me in regardless!

I admired the pitches from afar, excited for what was to come in September.

As you can imagine, when I moved to Cardiff and started living the uni life, I took every opportunity that Quench presented me with. I spent my first year as a contributing writer, picking up pitches from most of the publication’s sections. Prior to this, I was writing my own blog so I had some experience. But, Quench gave me confidence in my writing that I never had before. I thrived on this new challenge of writing to a deadline, responding to pitches that I wouldn’t have normally considered, and writing a variety of content for different sections. Towards the end of first year, I applied for a few committee positions, but every application was rejected.

For the first few months of my second year, I continued as a contributor. However, in November an opening for a Features Editor came up. Undeterred by previous rejections, I applied and was finally accepted! My time as a Features Editor led me to consider journalism as a potential career path. I fell in love with the process of developing and pitching ideas and editing articles, whilst continuing to develop my own writing.

Then, in my third year, I became Quench’s Deputy Editor in Chief. This was a role I had dreamt of and it was so rewarding. We built an amazing, close-knit team and produced content that everyone was extremely proud of. As my time as Deputy Editor drew to a close, so did my time as an undergraduate.

However, inspired by everything I’d learnt at Quench, I decided to continue my time at Cardiff and apply for a master’s in Magazine Journalism. Now I am officially a postgrad, training towards a career in the magazine industry. Without Quench, I never would’ve considered this as a possible career choice. I have learnt so much during my time on the Quench team. My writing style has improved, my confidence has grown and I have come to realise my passion for writing and creating content. On top of all of that, I have made friends for life and been able to become part of something that I am immensely proud of.

Thank you, Quench, for everything that you have given me.

Here’s to another successful 20 years! words by: Maddie Balcombe design by: Isla McCormack

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QUENCH GAVE ME CONFIDENCE IN MY WRITING THAT I NEVER HAD BEFORE.

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photography by: Jiacheng Liu

photography by: Laura Nunez

Film & TV

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THE CINEMATIC LEGACY OF SOUND TRACKS How Music Tranforms Movies

When pondering movies that have iconic music, just one sticks out: Back to the Future! Arguably the most popular film of the 80s, it may not hold that title without the legendary score of Alan Silvestri.

The original score begins slowly, creeping up on you; reaching a crescendo that fully immerses you in the adventures of Marty McFly and Doc Brown. The distinct score is present in all three films, enabling audiences to feel emotionally connected to the movie, as if they are coming home to an all too familiar place.

The film opens with The Power of Love by Huey Lewis & The News, which was written for Back to the Future.

A perfect form of synergy occurred where each significantly promoted the other, leading to commercial success for both. You cannot think of Marty skateboarding without hearing those timeless keyboard notes.

The film uses its music to engage audiences with the narrative. Think of the memorable scene of Marty’s impending doom as he slowly disappears. Only one thing can save him – Chuck Berry’s ‘Johnny B. Goode’! This classic creates an inside joke between the audience and Marty. We are the only ones aware of Chuck Berry’s future fame and how the ‘kids are gonna love it’, as uttered by Marty. The audience is experiencing the effects of time travel just like the protagonist.

The soundtrack of Back to the Future irrevocably contributed to its success. Combining familiar songs, newly written ones and the acclaimed original score ultimately led to a recipe for success that was bound to happen in every timeline! words by: Georgiana Smith design by: Mia Wilson photography By: Jiacheng Liu

I have never seen a film where the cinematic experience has not been enhanced by the music. Film scores uplift and intensify scenes, making them transcend from the screen and remain in our minds and hearts long after the credits have rolled. Film scores serve as much more than just background music. They are the emotional backbone of the movies.

A good score can immerse you in a film and make you truly feel the highs and lows the characters are facing.

The fear, the joy, the love. Film music acts as a guide for our emotions throughout the narrative of the film, allowing us to empathise on a deeper level with the characters we love so much.

There are many greats of modern film scoring: John Williams, John Barry, Alexandre Desplat, Randy Newman. Hanz Zimmer is another iconic composer whose work I admire. Having created some of the most iconic film scores of all time, Inception, Gladiator, Batman, The Lion King and many more, Zimmer has garnered himself twelve Academy Award nominations. Zimmer’s score for Christopher Nolan’s 2014 epic, Interstellar, is my personal favourite and is an outstanding example of a film’s score assisting in tone, world-building and emotional output.

The at-times eerie tone of the score perfectly coincides with the film’s existential tones, without ever feeling nihilistic or dull. The instantly recognizable track, ‘Cornfield Chase’, turns a relatively simplistic scene, of characters driving through a cornfield, into a beautiful and artistic representation of adventure and wonder. The captivating score beautifully pairs with the film’s stunning, grandiose visuals to help capture and enhance the film’s themes of sacrifice, loneliness, love and survival. All of these themes are portrayed more intensely by the assistance of the beautiful art form of film score. words By: Emily Clegg

Film & TV

Female Voyage To The Big Screen Women have played a crucial role in shaping the film industry, and their influence has grown over the years. From pioneering female directors who had to overcome the maledominated industry to contemporary filmmakers like Greta Gerwig, who achieved remarkable milestones, their journey has been marked by determination and talent.

In the early days of cinema, women faced significant challenges in entering the director’s chair. The film industry was largely male-dominated, and the idea of a woman directing a film was often met with scepticism. Despite these obstacles, several female directors have made their mark.

Women like Dorothy Arzner, who directed her first film, Ten Modern Commandments, in 1927, and Ida Lupino, who became known for her directorial work such as High Sierra (1941) in the 1940s, defied expectations and paved the way for future generations.

Moving forward in time, the industry saw the rise of Indian women directing. Mira Nair, known for her critically acclaimed film Salaam Bombay! (1988), received international recognition for her work. She continued to make provoking films like Monsoon Wedding (2001) and The Namesake (2006), highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of India on the global stage. Her success has served as an inspiration for aspiring female directors in India and around the world.

Deepa Mehta is another remarkable Indian director whose work has left an everlasting mark. Her “Elements Trilogy,” comprising of Fire (1996), Earth (1998), and Water (2005), addressed important social issues in India, including homosexuality and widowhood, and sparked both controversy and critical acclaim. Mehta’s bold storytelling and dedication to addressing taboo subjects challenged the norms of Indian cinema and effected for change.

Fast forward to the present, and we have Greta Gerwig, who is making history with her directorial achievements.

In 2017, Gerwig’s directorial debut, Lady Bird, received widespread acclaim and earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Director. Her ability to create visual experiences that resonate with audiences and critics alike is renowned.

What’s even more remarkable is her recent milestone of becoming the first solo female director to have a movie break

17 one billion dollars at the box office with Barbie (2023), raking in 1.442 billion USD. This achievement underscores the demand for diverse voices in cinema and highlights the immense talent that female directors bring to the industry. Also, Chloé Zhao, a Chinese filmmaker who has been awarded the Academy Awards for Best Director for Nomadland (2020) is a proud enrichment we have encountered in recent years.

They challenge social norms when their dimensions embrace controversial narratives. As we celebrate the achievements of these female directors, it is crucial to recognise the ongoing need for great representation and opportunities for women in the film industry.

The film industry has been shaped and enriched by the contributions of pioneering female directors. Their determination, creativity, and storytelling have paved the way for contemporary directors like Greta Gerwig, and Chloé Zhao who are breaking new ground and making history. As we look to the future, it is important to continue supporting and celebrating women in the film industry in order to ensure that their voices and stories continue to be heard on the big screen. words by: Sasanka Withanage design by: Mia Coley

Film & TV

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THE TIME CAPSULE OF TELEVISION

A Journey Through The Iconic TV Shows of Each Decade. words by: Ashley Thieme design by: Mia Wilson

There are many television shows that have stood the test of time for one reason or another.

Whether we watch them every autumn, every Christmas, or just every time we need a pick-meup, we all have that one show that we come back to time and time again. There mare shows that stare social issues and politics of the time in the eye, and there are some that are still making their mark decades on such as The Simpsons and Doctor Who. We’re going to start back in the 1950s which gave us six seasons of Adventures of Superman. This was the first television series to feature the timeless superhero and bring him off the comic book page and to the screen. This show is still watched by Superman fans all over the world as they learn more about the beginnings of The Man of Steel. Still the basis for some of the highest grossing movies and tv shows today, superheroes are among some of the best loved characters on our screens.

The swinging 60s showed audiences the wicked ways of The Addams Family, giving us characters that have been revived time and time again. There are three films from the 90s featuring the iconic characters, The Addams Family (1991), Addams Family Values (1993), and Addams Family Reunion (1998). The Addams Family Musical earned respect on Broadway and not to mention Wednesday, the Netflix original directed by Tim Burton, staring Jenna Ortega. The legacy the original television show has left is immense, appealing to every generation of fans that have come since.

Fawlty Towers truly defined television in the 70s for Britain.

The show only got two seasons, but you can always find repeats of this household staple on mainstream channels.

There is a long-standing loyalty to the show from its original fans alongside those who have been introduced to it by their parents and grandparents. The characters of this show stick in your mind after the episode, especially the character Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese, who’s sarcasm and perfect comedic timing enabled his connection with other cast members to shine.

UK television in the 80s was truly unmatched. With the likes of Blackadder, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, and Doctor Who on screens. In 1981, Only Fools and Horses took over screens, following brothers Del Boy and Rodney as they conducted a whole bunch of dodgy deals. Running for seven seasons this is absolute in any British household, and seeing Del Boy and Rodney costumes every year at Halloween is at this point something of a comfort. There is now even a musical to pay homage to the infamous television show.

Of course, there is only one show to mention when referring to the 90s. Friends. The show seems to get more and more relevant as I move through different stages of my life, as I am sure it does for many others. This was truly a defining show (however you feel about the laugh track) and changed the trajectory of sitcoms that were to follow. Following the friends through their mid-twenties became the blueprint for a great sitcom. How I Met Your Mother, Community, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia all followed on with this this format.

The 2000s blessed us with Gilmore Girls, an age defining show that saw Rory Gilmore experiencing the ups and downs of growing up with her mother, Lorelai. Running from 2000 to 2007 this really made a mark on the decade, starring the likes of Melissa McCarthy and Chad Michael Murray. Every time the leaves begin to fall from the trees there is nothing I would rather watch. There was a mini-series that followed in 2016, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, which cemented the legacy of the show and the fans that have stuck by the series in the years that followed.

In the 2010s there were, again, many shows that have left their mark, but I do think New Girl is an honourable mention.

The totally relatable show follows Jessica Day’s struggles of, again, mid-twenties, falling in love, and living with three men. Which is a struggle. It’s a real comfort show and watching Jess and Nick fall in love will make you giddy.

That brings us up to now. There is so much to choose from right now and it does feel like a new show drops every other day, but for me, the one that I will be thinking about in years to come is Ted Lasso. Jason Sudekis’ portrayal of Ted, a father coping with the breakdown of his marriage and moving to the other side of the world, is to be enamoured. The show deals with social issues faced by each individual player on the fictional football team, such as struggles with sexuality and encountering racism in football and communicates that with the audience.

Whether it was introduced to us by a friend, or we stumbled upon it which scrolling Netflix, these shows have made an impact on generations.

Music

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The Big (Re)Issue It seems in the music industry today reissues are more popular than ever before. It feels like every week some classic album re-release has been ‘re-imagined’ and managed to top the charts, and of course, make a nice sum of money.

The resurgence of vinyl collections has certainly played a part in the rise of album reissues with vinyls no longer collecting dust on your nan’s shelf and now being cool again, found in the Urban Outfitters homeware section of course.

With suburban indie kids hardly being able to introduce themselves without telling you they’ve just bought the limited edition only 100 made rainbow-splattered pressing of some Australian emo folk band you’ve never even heard of, it’s no wonder record labels are cashing in on the vinyl boom of the past few years. Re-releases, anniversary editions, deluxe editions, special pressings, remasterings, compilations.

It’s hard to keep up with this tsunami of releases and even harder to tell which ones are soulless cash grabs and which are authentic labours of love.

I do have slight concerns that the recent massive influx of album reissues is creating an increasingly more difficult landscape for new artists to rise to success in. If we’re all too busy bathing in the nostalgic comfort of album re-releases, will we pay any attention to innovative creatives on the rise?

Is celebrating the past going to stifle the future? With the album charts being dominated by big names singing slightly altered versions of songs we already know; it makes it all too easy for fresh musical voices to be drowned out. Exciting emerging talents are being bumped down chart positions so that legacy acts and studio executives can finance another Beverly Hills mansion with lazy re-releases. This outlook creates quite a bleak tone for the future of the music industry, unfortunately.

Whilst the greatness of classic albums can never be disputed, I’m not sure if re-releasing them every five years in shiny new colours adds to the legacy, and integrity more importantly, of these artists at all. With Oasis’ 25th Anniversary re-issue of The Masterplan set to get to number 1 on the album charts this week, album re-issues certainly aren’t going away anytime soon. I just hope that the industry takes some time to nurture and promote some new talent whilst still being able to acknowledge the defining projects that came beforehand.

Of course, I can’t talk about album reissues without mentioning everyone’s favourite capitalist pop star, Miss Taylor Swift. Ever since early 2021 Swift has been releasing ‘Taylor’s Versions’ album re-recordings of her extensive back catalogue. I genuinely do believe that the Taylor’s Version ‘project’ started with good intentions. How can I be mad at a woman in the industry reclaiming the rights to her work and not letting the male-dominated bosses own the art that she created? Whilst I agree with the initial motivation words by: Emily Clegg behind her re-recordings, I fear the latest ‘Taylor’s Versions’ design by: Mia Coley album reissues have turned more into expressions of the music industry’s corporate greed rather than a celebration of Taylor’s reclamation of her intellectual property. Taylor’s latest reissue ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ was accompanied by an overpriced merch collection featuring the likes of a £21 keyring and a £65 umbrella. As well as these merch monstrosities, the album was also released in a variety of different formats and pressings, encouraging die-hard Swifties to drain their bank accounts collecting vinyl pressings like they’re Pokémon cards. Of course, the album went to number 1 and undoubtedly made millions, confirming to industry bosses that music doesn’t need to be new or never heard before to top the charts. I can almost guarantee that Swift’s re-releases will continue to be hugely successful and consequently massive money-makers.

photography by: Laura Nunez

Music

21

Cardiff’s Iconic Venues

design by: Mia Wilson photography by: Laura Nunez

Clwb Ifor Bach

words by: Katherine Witts Clwb Ifor Bach, a three-story structure that was built in 1983, is regarded warmly by Welsh speakers across the country. Originally established as a membership club for the Welsh-speaking community in Cardiff, Clwb quickly became a hotspot for touring artists.

Owing to Clwb’s close links to its Welsh culture and language, the venue has hosted performances by some of the largest acts in Wales, notably The Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics, and Catfish and the Bottleman. Still, the location is essential to any artist tour. For instance, Coldplay, Don Broco, George Ezra, and The Strokes have all performed here.

Being a Welsh speaker, I used to look forward to the day when I could attend the venue for a concert or club night. By the time I was able to attend university, lockdown began to have a negative effect on Cardiff’s live music scene.

The rescheduling of bands and events caused financial difficulties for several grassroots establishments in Wales. Throughout the pandemic, the live music scene in Cardiff faced uncertainty about its future. However, Clwb survived this uncertain time and was able to open its doors back up to the public to share their love of music and the Welsh language.

Since its re-opening, I have been able to attend many nights out in Clwb and feel proud to speak Welsh. One of my favourite events was a Welsh club night in celebration of Tafwyl, a Welsh music festival.

Clwb remains one of Cardiff’s most historic and patriotic venues to date.

Cardiff Castle

words by: Kira Sutton Built in the late 11th century, Cardiff Castle has become a prominent part of Welsh culture and heritage. Recently, Cardiff Castle has become the host of some of the best music artists and festivals. With the castle being one of the most iconic Welsh landmarks, this location provides a unique and charming location for these artists to perform and attract an impressive crowd.

The Castle has been the host for many legendary concerts and artists such as Blondie, Lionel Richie, Catfish and the Bottlemen and many more. Tom Jones - who is widely considered a Welsh icon has performed many times in the Castle. Since 2018, Cardiff Castle has also been host of “Depot in the Castle” which is a one-day family festival which showcases some amazing artists such as Sting, Bastille and Madness. The festival also provides stunning local street food. The festival is in huge demand and sells out, as the extraordinary music, location and atmosphere combined make for an astounding event.

This summer, I had the unique opportunity to see Hozier perform live in the castle. Being from Wales, this concert especially stood out to me as I was able to watch one of my favourite artists in one of my favourite places. Not only was Hozier amazing during his performance, but the location definitely added to the sensational atmosphere.

Music

22 Super Furry Animals

I didn’t come to Cardiff until I was eighteen, but I felt I already knew it well. My Dad was born here, up near Heath, and from a young age he instilled in me a real sense of pride and love for this place, introducing me to the cultural artefacts that mapped out his experience of the city. One of these was a battered old copy of Phantom Power, Super Furry Animals’ sixth album. We’d drive around the Kentish countryside, rocking out to Golden Retriever, but in my head, I’d picture the landscape of my Dad’s childhood - the lake at Roath Park, the arcades, the trips out to the valleys. Super Furry Animals created a vision of Cardiff, and, although I didn’t know it at the time, it would be one which would later inspire me to leave everyone I knew and move here for university - maybe longer. It’s a controversial judgement, perhaps, but I think that Super Furry Animals are one of, if not the, most important groups to come out of South Wales in the last thirty years. They spearheaded the Cool Cymru movement in a way which refused to emulate the braggadocio (and often deeply misogynist) tendencies of English 90s indie, choosing instead to create sonic landscapes deeply embedded in South Wales’ industrial past, while simultaneously looking forward to a bright (sometimes frighteningly so) future. Their unique sound and tongue-in-cheek lyricism is something that’s always touched me, as has their unwavering commitment to social justice, be that through the anti-war hit ‘Piccolo Snare’ or the teeth-gnashingly anarchist ‘Man Don’t Give A Fuck’. Perhaps most significantly, they released (independently) the first Welsh language album to enter the top twenty on the UK Albums Chart, Mwng. Mwng is a masterpiece - I’m not much of a Welsh speaker, but the sculptural, evocative nature of this album feels so deeply South Walesian that even with no grasp of the language at all, you can understand how deeply the songs are a product of their environment. Mwng’s success has inspired generations of Welsh language artists since its release in 2000, and I think it will continue to do so for a very long time. words by: Polly Brewster

Stereophonics The Welsh rock group formed in the Cynon Valley; Stereophonics have undoubtedly left their mark on post-Britpop Britain. With their number-one single “Dakota” and eight UK number-one albums, they have reached global stardom without once forgetting their roots. Bassist Richard Jones told County Times in an interview that their 2015 album “Keep the Village Alive” is dedicated to Cwmaman, the village they grew up in. Whilst on the television programme Songbook in 2011, lead singer Kelly Jones explained that one of their most recognised songs “Local Boy in the Photograph” is a tribute to a local boy who committed suicide in Cwmaman.

From starting out as a trio from Cwmaman to performing a two-night, sell-out gig at the Principality Stadium with Tom Jones, they have reached the pinnacle of Welsh music royalty. The group are currently on hiatus whilst frontman Kelly Jones is creating new music and touring with his new country-esque band Far From Saints, however we are promised something big from the Stereophonics in 2024/2025. words by: Molly James

Manic Street Preachers Spending half of my time in Blackwood growing up, the Manic Street Preachers were a band quite close to home.

My dad, a Valleys man, would always talk about their success – that and the notable fame of the Stereophonics, of which he was born and raised at the same time and town of the late Stuart Cable. Having a dad be so proud of his roots undeniably rubbed off on me – the spark ignited within me whenever any kind of Welsh talent is raised in conversation fuels me like nothing else truly can. Something about the Manics was always so special to me – maybe it’s because their music is more up my street, maybe it’s that punkish flair, or maybe it really is that indisputable talent they have when it comes to songwriting. The legacy of the band, especially Richey Edwards’ genius in the earlier stages, left a permanent Welsh imprint on the music industry. The Manics put Wales, specifically the more rural areas like Blackwood (which, at the time of the band’s formation, was suffering through the miners’ strike) on the map, and were essential to the Cool Cymru movement in the 90s, reviving the prominence of Welsh arts in the media and across the globe. Since their formation, the group (which met in a high school and later merged to become the same one attended by my brother, also a musician) have achieved stardom, winning countless NME awards, album of the year and best group at the Brit Awards twice, and headlined major festivals such as Reading and Glastonbury. With four UK number ones, a theme tune for the Welsh football team and a documentary under their belt too, the Manic Street Preachers Stamped Welsh culture into the roots of the punk scene in Britain, proving South-Walians indeed have A Design for Life unique to that of any other culture. words by: Tegan Davies

Bullet For My Valentine Over the past 20 years, South Wales’ metal scene has gained global recognition, and Bullet for My Valentine can be attributed to its success. The metalcore band, formed in Bridgend during 1998 originally started as a cover band for Metallica and Nirvana, under the name ‘Jeff Killed John’.

After signing a five-album record deal with Sony BMG, their first official release, a self-titled EP, was released in 2004. Between 2004 and 2020, Bullet for My Valentine has released seven studio albums and five EPs which has undoubtedly set the stage for other alternative music emerging in South Wales. After selling over 3 million albums worldwide, being named best British group at the Kerrang! Awards for three consecutive years, and headlining Download Festival, the band’s success can be deemed remarkable. Bullet for My Valentine’s legacy in metalcore’s evolution & South Wales’ music scene is a result of their strong determination in the earlier days of the band. For example, Matt Tuck, the frontman, claimed they rewrote lyrics and melodies up to five times for songs that weren’t strong enough, and had a goal to become a ‘world class rock act’. words by: Iylah Rouley design by: Angelina Mable photography by: Laura Nunez

photography by: Adam Breen

Literature

24

Writers That Sylvia Plath

Virginia Woolf

Sylvia Plath’s painful, yet candid writing resonates with all womenkind. Plath’s searing criticism of the patriarchy and heartbreaking frustrations of being a woman is still relevant today. Her influence on people throughout time has enhanced her significance as a writer.

Many believe feminism is no longer needed in modern society, yet this mindset fails to recognise the plight of women all over the world. Therefore, Plath’s writing remains a testament to the struggles of women then and now; ‘all is spoiled by the fact that I am a girl, a female always in danger of assault and battery,’ (The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath 1982). The ability to transform tragedy into something that women everywhere can relate to is distressing yet comforting. Her description of misogyny is also still relevant today; ‘womanhaters were like gods: invulnerable and chock-full of power…you could never catch one’ (The Bell Jar 1963).

Plath’s legacy is one that is overshadowed by her tragic ending, where she committed suicide at the age of 30.

Instead, we should focus on her brilliance. Plath’s talent to concisely articulate the woes of being a woman is impressive; ‘I want to be able to sleep in an open field, to travel west, to walk freely at night’ (The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath 1982).

It is important Plath is recognised for her bravery in criticising the institution she was captive in. Her legacy can teach future generations the excruciating effects of the patriarchy and the need for feminism in the modern day.

Virginia Woolf revolutionised the world of literature through her writing, fiction, and non-fiction alike. She acted as a notable feminist voice, whilst also highlighting the importance of the immaterial world over the physical. In ‘The Wave,” my favourite novel of all time, she writes. “I am not one and simple, but complex and many.” By the means of her signature soliloquy-style narrative Woolf manages to verbalise and immortalise on paper what it feels like to be a young woman in a nuanced and touching way. This is done indirectly through her fictional work and in fact in her feminist writing. Woolf demands for the financial independence of women in simple words, “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.” Looking past the historical importance of her statements as the time, she also offers an exploration of what it feels like to be a woman which transcends time and generations. Having ended her life on her own terms in 1941, to this day Wool’s writing still inspires many to live their most sentimental life and to embrace vulnerability. In short, in order to experience life to its fullest, it should and can be equally suffocating and exhilarating.

words by: Georgiana Smith

words by: Natalia Murcia

Literature

25

Hold a Legacy T. Llew Jones

Jeanette Winterson

T. Llew Jones was a remarkable Welsh Language Author.

His writing career was incredibly profound, and he became one of the most beloved writers of children’s books in Welsh.

He holds a significance to me because he is an author we all grew up with and the influence of his work has had a substantial impact on the Welsh Community.

A particular piece of work that has struck me the most is his piece on the Aberfan disaster. His words resonated deeply with the community. His poetic tribute stands as a beacon of hope for sustaining the importance of courage and dignity in challenging times. He displays the importance of resilience and bringing people together in a lot of his works.

T. Llew Jones’s storytelling continues to inspire many generations, incorporating both imagination and real history into the fabric of Welsh literature. It is incredibly important to be educated on people like T. Llew Jones as he is a representation of the voice of Welsh people. He is an advocate for the Welsh language and his work is known across the country. Every piece is deep and meaningful in ways that will always leave an important message.

Jeanette Winterson is a celebrated British author, where her outstanding legacy is important to all. Her candid exploration of identity, love, and faith, as well as her ability to weave her personal experience into her fiction is something that should be celebrated. Winterson has particularly left an enduring legacy on the LGBTQIA+ community. She has provided a strong representation of, challenging norms, embracing empathy, and amplifying queer voices.

One of her most notable works is “Oranges are not the only fruit”, it is an autobiographical novel that illustrates the life of Jeanette, and how she has learnt to turn against the conformity of religious indoctrination, through the discovery of her sexuality. The book highlights themes around, complex family relationships and same sex-relations. The novel itself provides an authentic representation of a young lesbian protagonist. The novel sparks conversations about LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance. I have also become fond of one of Winterson’s recent works, ’12 Bytes’. This is a book that delves into the thinking of AI. In the book, she questions the binary thinking of AI and how we should put this thinking into our own lives as well.

Jeanette Winterson’s legacy is incredibly important to many and will continue to be for future generations. She has a willingness to advocate and talk about important topics, especially in relation to the human experience.

words by: Grace Donovan

words by: Katie Storrie

design by: Lucia Cubb

Literature

26

Welsh Words Through Time: Exploring the Literary Heritage The oldest piece of Welsh literature is the Book of Aneurin.

It is believed to have been written originally between the 7th and 11th centuries and is the earliest surviving European literature after Latin and Greek. The surviving iterations are written in Middle Welsh and a modern reader would have trouble trying to make sense of it, however, within it is a reference to King Arthur. Arthurian legend is widespread and well known, featuring in many European literatures. Arthur features heavily in another piece of old Welsh prose in one of the 4 branches of the Mabinogi, Culhwch and Olwen. The Mabinogi is one of the most well-known Welsh prose stories which some believe may be rooted in a real history. It is also said to have inspired J R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion.

Poetry has been a crucial part of Welsh literature for all its existence, Y Gododdin (from the book of Aneurin) was itself a poem. Poets or rather Bards were paid professions for centuries known as Beirdd yr Uchelwyr. Gentry would pay poets to draft poems of praise, eulogies and to celebrate achievements such as the construction of a new house. It stems from a time when Welsh poets were the news tellers of the day, reciting rather than authoring their poems. In Welsh historically, a poem is said to be “sung” rather than written by a bard for this reason. Many of these “gentry poems” still survive. The bards would have to train for years to be paid for their work and every few decades an Eisteddfod would be held to discuss the poetic meters known as Cynghanedd.

Now in the modern day, we still hold a national Eisteddfod, albeit slightly altered. It has become the largest music and poetry festival in Europe held in a different area of Wales annually. One of the most famous modern poets produced

by Wales was Dylan Thomas, although he died young his poems such as Under Milk Wood and Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night live long in the memory of many, with Under Milk Wood being recorded and acted repeatedly. His words also made it into Interstellar.

One of Welsh literature’s largest legacies would be William Morgan’s work to translate the Bible in 1588. It led to the widespread use of the Welsh language in churches all over Wales and standardised the literary language. For these reasons, it is often cited as one of the main reasons for the survival of the Welsh language to the modern day and strict Welsh writing is still referred to as “Bible Welsh.” From then

on, Welsh literature was written according to the rules that were exhibited in his writing.

These are some of Wales’s longest-lasting literary legacies and by no means the only effect the literature has on us today. It would be impossible to compound all of them into this short piece and I hope that this gives a taste of the deeprooted history of Welsh literature and the legacies we still hold dear to this day. words by: Aeddon Felyn design by: Eszter Gurbicz

Fashion

27

Legend Dame Maggie Smith as Loewe’s Muse:

Discussing Ageism in the Modelling Industry Over the years, the modelling industry has been widely criticised for its perpetuation of ageism. The relentless emphasis on youth has marginalised older models, leading to a lack of representation for this demographic. Consequently, the industry has perpetuated unrealistic beauty standards, reinforcing the notion that ageing is undesirable. Despite this, there has been a recent shift towards inclusivity, with renowned fashion houses such as Loewe challenging traditional norms by embracing older models like Dame Maggie Smith.

The absence of older models in fashion is a poignant reflection of the pervasive ageism that permeates the industry. By challenging traditional beauty standards and embracing age diversity, the fashion world has the potential to redefine notions of beauty and inclusivity. The inclusion of older models not only enriches the industry but also sends a powerful message about embracing the beauty of ageing. It is through this shift that the fashion world can truly reflect the multifaceted nature of beauty and identity.

Despite the pervasive ageism in the fashion industry, a gradual shift towards inclusivity and diversity has emerged in recent years. Fashion brands and designers are increasingly recognising the beauty and elegance that older models bring to the runway, challenging the conventional standards of youth-centric beauty.

This shift is not only reshaping societal perceptions of ageing but also dismantling the ageist barriers that have long hindered the visibility of older models in the fashion sphere.

In a world captivated by youth, it’s time to illuminate the beauty of age and redefine the narrative of fashion.

Dame Maggie Smith, an iconic actress known for her roles in “Downton Abbey” and “Harry Potter,” has defied ageism in the modelling industry. At the age of 86, she became the face of Loewe’s Spring/Summer 2024 campaign, captivating audiences with her timeless elegance and poise.

This groundbreaking collaboration not only celebrates Smith’s enduring beauty but also sends a powerful message about embracing diversity and challenging ageist stereotypes in fashion. The inclusion of Smith as Loewe’s muse marks a pivotal moment in the fashion world. By featuring an older model in a prominent campaign, Loewe has set a new standard for inclusivity and representation. This move not only resonates with audiences of all ages but also challenges the narrow definition of beauty perpetuated by the industry.

words by: Bethan Gwynne design by: Mia Wilson

Fashion

29

Katie Brosnan highlights society’s transition from 1990s modelling to the emergence of influencer culture, TikTok, and becoming an ‘it’ girl

Supermodel culture was born in the 1960s with Twiggy and boomed in the 1990s when icons such as Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista burst onto runways. Naomi Campbell made a name for herself for her iconic catwalk, even becoming one of Gianni Versace’s muses in his final collections. The 1990s birthed a new era of celebrity; supermodels became the ‘it’ girls. They dictated women’s fashion trends, made cameos in TV shows, and changed beauty standards for two entire decades. However, in the past decade, the modelling industry has changed drastically with the emergence of ‘influencers’ on Instagram and TikTok. Nepotism babies have also begun dominating runways, making the fashion industry congested by the same names as we saw in the 1990s, perhaps without the magic the original models had. This move from the icons who dominated runways in the 1990s, to the flurry of nepo-babies and social media influencers means the need for supermodels in today’s fashion culture is essentially obsolete.

Instagram and TikTok have changed how the fashion industry works almost entirely. Social media influencers over the past couple of years have proven that consumers want to find inspiration from people who are more ‘normal’ or relatable than supermodels. Influencers such as Emma Chamberlain have been able to build their careers on fashion collaborations, initially with fast-fashion brands but now with top luxury designers. Chamberlain has been the host of the Vogue Met Gala red-carpet show for three years, being dressed by Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton, proving how ‘Instagirls’ are now the new ‘it’ girls.

However, supermodels are still a prominent force in the fashion industry. Their social media presence is paramount to their success. The current top-earning model is Kendall Jenner, who has been in the spotlight for almost her entire life due to the Kar-Jenner family’s multimedia empire. Other top-earning models such as Bella and Gigi Hadid have also come from famous families, which raises the question as to how supermodels have become so lacklustre. The legacies of the 90s supermodels live on, even today with all of them reuniting to cover Vogue’s September 2023 issue. Yet, it could be said that the supermodels of today lack any sense of uniqueness that the originals emulated. The legacies of today’s supermodels will no doubt be influential when considering their impact on fashion culture with their use of social media, however, the reputation of the 90s supermodels overshadows them and shall continue to live on for generations. words by: Katie Brosnan design by: Isla McCormack

Legacy

30 The Guardian Student Media Awards:

Runner-Up - Magazine Of The Year Volume 2 Issue 20 February 2005

Q U E N C H

Q U E N C H

DIA N GUAR EN T ST UD ZIN E MAGA E OF TH YE AR

QUENCH.GAIRRHYDD.COM > VOL 4.50> MARCH 5 2007

INTERVIEWS - FASHION - GAY - TRAVEL - MUSIC - BOOKS - DIGITAL - FILM ARTS - FOOD - GOING OUT - TV - BLIND DATE - CULT CLASSICS 3 VO L. ISS UE 31 7 NOV. 20 05

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S A V E D B Y THE BELL

C U L T C L A S S I C S: F O U R P A G E S L A V I S H I N G S O M E L O N G O V E R D U E P R A I S E P L U S: I N T E R V I E W S W I T H STEREOPHONICS, KASABIAN AND JOHN BURTON RACE, TSUNAMI GIG, CARDIFF’S TOP 10 FILMS, B L O C P A R T Y A N D T E A M A M E R ICA: WORLD POLICE

IN T E R V I E W S - FA S H I O N - GA Y - TR A V E L -

BABIES: WHO'D HAVE 'EM?

25/02/09: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

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n Quench celebrates its 50th editio by giving you 50 extra-special features

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QUENCH TURNS 50

Magazine’s 20th Anniversary

FIGHTING TALK

L / EMMY THE GREAT / RANT! FASHION GET MESSY / RIOT GRRR NNA / THE RAKES / CHEGGERS FOOD FIGHT / MY LIFE WITH MADO YOUR

GUIDE

CARDIFTOF WELCOME TO THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

The

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TASTES LIKE THIS:

LATEST MUSIC, GOING OUT, FILM, FASHION, ARTS, TRAVEL, FOOD, GAY, BOOKS, PHOTOS, INTERVIEWS AND FEATURES

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LOOKING GOOD THIS SEASON GETTING STARTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY THE LATEST MUSIC A GUIDE TO CARDIFF

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HOW TO START A BAND

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FEATURES - FILM FASHION-TRAVEL - ARTS MUSIC - FOOD & DRINK BOOKS - PHOTOS - LGBT+

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Legacy

31

Quench

Croeso i Gaerdydd Features · Fashion & Beauty · Travel · LGBT+ Culture · Music · Film · Food & Drink

Quench Quench Quench ISSUE 137 - SEPTEMBER 2013

JANUARY 2016

February 2015

Issue 156

Issue 150

, se e th em N o w yo u do N ’t u yo w o N ge th e pa ow N oN th e lo wd y (p. 6) Nt ro ve rs th re e co

aLso in this issue: Does anyone care about awarD ceremonies anymore? (p.48)

SUMMER OF

Issue 124 | September 17th 2012

FESTIVALS

Long-term trips for shoestring traveLLers (p.32)

weird and wonderful

Less beano, more bug martini (p.16)

29

UNICORNS BOWIE ALT-J TY CELF

Features 5 | LGBT+ 8 | Columnist 9 | Fashion & Beauty 11 | Food & Drink 14 Photography 16 | Travel 18 | Culture 20 | Video Games 22 | Film 25 | Music 28

ISSUE 163 WOMANBY STREET WELSH GRIME STEWART FRANCIS THE AMAZONS MANGA

From originally being Gair Rhydd’s magazine, to becoming an independent publication, to being avaialble online and in print all around campus - it’s safe to say Quench has changed a fair amount over the last twenty years! In this special ‘Legacy’ themed issue we’ve spotlighted some of our favourite covers from the twenty different executive teams who have championed Quench Magazine since 2003.

Thank you to our readers, contributors, editors, designers, managers, illustrators and photographers who have allowed Quench to remain a creative, inclusive and diverse envionrment for students to express themselves and make a change on campus.

Special thanks to editors: Alex Macpherson, James Anthony, Will Dean, Sophie Robehmed, Ben Bryant, Hazel Plush, Simon Lucey, Dom Kehat, Gavin Jewkes, Jo Southern, Laura Evans, Michael O’Connell-Davidson, Sum Sze Tam, Emily Giblett, George Caulton, Rachel Jefferies, Nadine Pinnock, Andrea Gaini, Katie Huxtable, Jasmine Snow, Isabel Brewster, Alexa Price & Alanya Smith.

TŶ CELF X Q3 we collaborate with Q3 on our annual arts pullout Tŷ Celf

e utur The F od of Fo

New Year, s New Donation

Sitc Odd om’s Cou ples

ry niversa 15th An Pullout Special

PERIOD POVERTY an interview with the founder of the #EndPeriodPoverty campaign in Wales

COLLABORATION Issue, no. 193, MAY 2023

COMMUNITY Issue, no. 194, OCTOBER 2023

Edrychwn ni ar straeon tylwyth teg a hanes parc Bute

IDENTITY issue, no. 184, October 2021

HANES HYFRYD PARC BUTE

Unromantic Novels

MARCH 2020

MAGAZINE

ISSUE 171 | FEBRUARY 2019

Travel

32

words by: Georgiana Smith design by: Eszter Gurbicz Travel has immensely changed over the last 130 years. The invention of commercial air travel now means nearly anyone can find themselves sunbathing on a sandy beach or skiing through snowy mountains however, travel has always and still is defined by one’s class.

In the past, upper-class Victorians would flock to the beaches of Scarborough in North Yorkshire, attracting holidaymakers from all over the country as it was cemented as the place to be when summer came around. Contrastingly, a holiday in Scarborough today likely involves a static caravan and a cool dip in the North Sea.

As time marched on, a working-class holiday in the 30s was similar to an upper-class Victorian one, a seaside holiday.

I remember my Grandad recounting fond memories of pebbled beaches and chewy rock candy. Whilst the rich could now travel further afield with commercial air flights becoming popular in the 20s and 30s, known as the Golden Age of Flying, the working class remained on the brisk shores of home.

It was not until the 60s and 70s that air travel became affordable to the average person and Brits were entranced with one sunny spot in Southern Europe: Benidorm! Imagine sunburnt limbs, full English breakfasts and a pint in each hand and you have pretty much nailed the Benidorm holiday

experience. It is still the destination of choice for many looking for an all-inclusive budget holiday.

On the other hand, the modern-day rich tend to choose private jets and a beach hut in Bali. Whilst the rich can now travel anywhere, their accessibility contributes hugely to climate change, as air travel emits just under one billion tonnes of CO2 each year. Even though travel is more possible and accessible than ever, it simultaneously becomes more harmful. A consideration could be staying closer to home when planning our next holiday.

Travel

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We’ve all noticed the dramatic shift in what gives us travel Social media has already morphed the way in which inspiration. Since the popularisation of TikTok and Instagram we travel in recent decades. There is a potential for reels, consumers are starting to rely on trusted influencers influencers to promote the sustainable consumption of for travel tips and tricks, must-visit locations, and various travel and tourism, specifically through changing discourses recommendations. Consequently, the emergence and and educating consumers despite corporate influence. popularity of social media marketing has effectively changed Therefore, by promoting sustainable travel through social media, influencers develop a lasting legacy within the travel the face of the travel and tourism industry for good. industry.

Particularly considering influencer marketing, by influencers building trust with their followers, they can make their followers more confident to purchase a specific product that words by: Jasmine Dodd they’ve promoted. The Goat Agency, a global influencer design by: Mia Coley marketing agency, has found that 61% of consumers trust influencer recommendations, while only 38% trust brand-led content.

This greatly demonstrates how the rise in popularity of social media has changed how we plan and book our travel, as influencer-led content seems to overpower the once dominant travel agent format.

Whilst this gives more power to the consumer, social media marketing strategies mean that consumers are ultimately led by influencers as their new trusted middleman of hotel chains and airlines. Today, there are influencers for every travel characteristic, ranging from budget to luxury and many more.

In terms of the long-term legacy social media has on travel itself, a lot can be said for the fast growth of the affiliate marketing industry. Despite this, travel influencers can help improve the sustainability of the travel industry by reconditioning consumers’ awareness and knowledge of environmental preservation, travelling sustainably and protecting landmarks. With the right guidance, influencers can shape a more sustainable travel industry, leaving a long-lasting legacy of more sustainable travel. However, the bribing of commercial investment could dominate the virtual discourses of travel and further the poor consumption of travel goods.

illustration by: Elinor Pyman

A Review Of Giardini de Sorrento

CARRYING ON THE LEGACY

Food & Drink

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CI words by: Belle Lee design by: Alicia Yap illustration by: Alicia Yap

Food & Drink

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As someone who visited Rome last year and ate a fair share of authentic Italian cuisine, I would say that I am familiar with what good Italian food should look, and more importantly, taste like.

For mains, they offer a range of pizzas, pasta and a circulating specials menu. All the pizza bases are homemade following a family tradition passed down in the very heart of the Sorrentine Peninsula, which is truly apparent.

Giardini di Sorrento is a quaint family-run Italian restaurant hidden in the bustle of City Road. Headed by Chef Giovanni Pane, this restaurant is all about family legacy and recreating recipes handed down for generations from their families in Sorrento.

Everything is homemade, fresh and made to order. Winning a myriad of awards, such as the 2019 Food Award Wales and being crowned the Best Italian Restaurant in 2018, it was safe to say I was expecting big things from this restaurant.

For pizza, I chose the Pizza Salame, a traditional pizza topped with their own homemade pizza sauce, mozzarella and Italian Salami. The base was phenomenal with the perfect level of cheese so as to not take away from the sharpness of the salami. You can clearly tell the chefs have a clear connection to the food they are creating.

They did not disappoint.

Upon entering, it feels like stepping into a square in Sorrento with a sweeping picturesque Italian landscape on one wall and fake vines and lemons peppered throughout. The staff were friendly and attentive, always conversing in Italian with each other, enhancing the authentic and warm ambience.

AO!

When typically dining Italian, wine is always the best choice. They have an extensive wine and cocktail list with familiar favourites like the Mojito and a Pornstar Martini but also some Italian favourites such as the Limoncello Spritz. However, if you do not feel like drinking, the Sorrentina mocktail is excellent. It is their personal take on ‘Sex on the Beach’ without the alcohol. This was refreshing and garnished with a fresh slice of orange in a beautifully ornate glass. While a slightly summery option, it comes highly recommended as a fresh boost on an autumnal day.

The Wild Boar Ravioli from the specials menu was a highlight of the meal. The mushrooms were cooked perfectly to retain some of that meaty texture and the Ragu di Bolognese had a full-bodied sauce and combined with a perfectly al dente pasta, it made for a unique culinary experience.

If you find yourself not too full after your deluge into Italian cuisine, I urge you to try to make room for dessert. The Cannoli Siciliani - a true Italian favourite - only comes recommended if you have a sweet tooth. The balance between the creamy ricotta, “infused with the flavour of Sorrento” and the chocolate can be slightly overpowering if sweetness is not entirely your thing.

However, you can not go to an authentic Italian restaurant and not order the traditional Tiramisu. Loosely translated to “pick-me-up” in Italian, this is the perfect way to end the meal. The coffee was present but not overpowering to the rest of the dish. It was sweet and creamy with the perfect level of alcohol. If you crave something more familiar, the cheesecake is your best option. The coulis was tart, however, when paired with the creamy texture of the cheesecake, it balanced out into the perfect dessert for an autumnal day.

However, the restaurant closes at three and reopens again at five. So, if you want an early dinner or late lunch, plan accordingly, check the website and book ahead.

Food & Drink

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Taste Of Home Lifeboat cake

Lifeboat cake has been a larger part of our family than any of us in it. If you ask me why lifeboat cake is called lifeboat

cake I couldn’t tell you, one story is that it lasts in the cupboard for a really long time and so when you have unexpected company it saves you at the last second just like a lifeboat. Christine is one of my Grandma’s oldest friends. They met while both of them were in the Army and continued to be friends when they became wives of officers. In 1976 my Grandpa left the Army for good so my mum and uncle didn’t have to go to boarding school but Christine and Rupert continued the Army life which meant my grandparents took in a lot of army brats during holidays including Christine and Rupert’s daughters - Mum assures me that Lifeboat cake was a big feature of these holidays.

It’s gone through all our lives and my most distinct memory is eating it while learning to ride my bike on an abandoned airfield near my grandparent’s house, and learning to make it to take to the beach to share with my cousins. words by: Poppy Adams

Welsh Cake

Beef Goulash

Back home there is a tattered handwritten cookbook,

Beef Goulash is a magnificent meal, and the national dish

They form a part of my first memories, as I “baked” with my mum as a toddler, sitting on the countertop, just eating the raisins out of the dough rather than doing any of the actual work. And it’s the simple things like baking these on my family bakestone, which constantly smells like the treats, or the original recipe page which supposedly “forgot” the sugar in the first writing, which makes this treat very special. The additional guarantee of a giant tub of freshly baked cakes on every visit to my grandparents just makes them perfect. It certainly connects my family when we’re apart, and unifies our differences, as we all recognise its superiority over every other Welsh cake.

The method and ingredients that we emulate, are in my Mamgu’s handwritten recipe book, but plenty of easy-tofollow recipes are just a Google away. The basis of any satisfying stew is meat stock, garlic, and onion. What gives goulash its memorable taste is the mound of paprika that goes into it. Another unforgettable ingredient is red pepper.

I’m not usually fond of peppers (due to their texture!), but as the Goulash is cooked in an oven for 1.5-2 hours, the pepper liquefies into the sauce, leaving just the delicious flavour. My Mamgu serves Goulash with roasted potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, giving a tongue-tantalising texture contrast.

For me, there’s nothing a Welsh cake can’t fix, and even if they’re burnt, they just remind me even more of my family.

This dish has become so iconic, that even the girls at the nail salon which my Mamgu and I are both clients of, have heard about it. It has become a tradition for us to tuck into this feed, which is perfect for Autumn/Winter, after our pamper.

words by: Ellen Hollinghurst

words by: Carys Williams

pages well-thumbed, and covered in stains, which holds between these raggedy pages, the holy grail of recipes.

Said recipe is my family’s revered recipe, first made by my nan, passed on to my mum and now recreated by me.

This, of course, is none other than the humble Welsh cake.

of Hungary. Although I don’t have any Hungarian heritage, it was introduced by my mother’s mother – my Mamgu.

There are various ways of making this stew, and now that it’s enjoyed across Europe, it’s also made with other meats, instead.

design by: Alicia Yap

Clebar

Y Gornel Ffasiwn

Mae’r syniad o etifeddiaeth i mi yn cyfeirio at y ffordd mae syniadau, atgofion a gwerthoedd yn cael ei phasio o genhedlaeth i genhedlaeth. Wrth feddwl am hyn yn nhermau ffasiwn, fe ddaeth y syniad o wisgoedd diwrnod Dydd Gŵyl Dewi i’m mhen. Yn amlwg mae Dydd Gŵyl Dewi yn ddiwrnod mae’r mwyafrif o’r Cymry wedi dathlu ac wedi gwisgo lan ac rwy’n credu bod bron pawb wedi canu’r can ‘Fe wisgwn gap a gwasgod, cap a gwasgod…. ar Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant!’ rhywbryd yn ystod ei oes!

39 Ydych chi’n sylwi fod rhai o’r hen ‘trends’ yn dechrau cael ailfywyd eto? Pa rai yn union sy’n gwneud ail ymddangosiad?

Beth sy’n hawlio ffasiwn aeafol eleni? Dewch gyda fi i ddarganfod!

Denim Dwbl Beth yw eich barn chi am ddenim dwbl? Pan dwi’n meddwl am hanes y denim dwbl, y ddelwedd sy’n dod i fy mhen ydy Britney Spears a Justin Timberlake yn 2001. Doeddwn i ddim yn ffan o’r steil yma, ond yn ddiweddar dwi wir yn hoff ohono. Yn bendant byddaf i’n gwisgo denim dwbl cyn hir!

Boots Cowboi Un ‘trend’ dwi ddim yn mynd yn ddiflas ohoni ydy’r boots cowboi. Roedden nhw mewn ffasiwn yn America yn y 60au ac yna eto ar ddechrau’r 2000au. Mae’r rhai lledr a rhai defnydd bellach yn ffasiynol.

Y Lliw coch

Yn draddodiadol mae Merched yn gwisgo gwisg gwerin sydd yn cynnwys pais, ffedog, a shôl coch. Mae’r bechgyn yn gwisgo cap a gwasgod gyda sanau hir ac esgidiau du.

Mae’r traddodiad yma yn un hen iawn ac mae gwisgoedd llawer wedi cael ei phasio lawer dros genhedloedd yn y teulu. Trwy basio lawr dillad mae’n uwcholeuo’r etifeddiaeth sydd wedi cael ei adael gan nad yw’r wisg wedi newid ac yn dal i gael ie wisgo gan y nifer heddiw.

Yn fy marn i, coch yw’r lliw ar gyfer ffasiwn y gaeaf yma.

Mae’r siaced ledr coch yn ôl yn ffasiwn! Brenin pop, Michael Jackson ei hun oedd wedi gwisgo un ar lwyfan dylanwadol yn gyntaf, yn ei fideo cerddoriaeth, ‘Thriller’. Mae coch yn cael ei weld fel lliw pwerus a ramantus. Mae llawer o bobl yn prynu bagiau lledr coch ail law.

Mae’r gwisgoedd yn cyfleu dathlu ac adfywio ac yn galluogi pobl i barhau dysgu o’r gorffennol a dathlu atgofion gan ein rai cyntaf. Maent hefyd yn symbol o gadw hanes.

Un ategolyn dwi newydd wneud yn siŵ r bod gen i ar gyfer ffasiwn y gaeaf ydy sgarff tenau. Dwi wedi gweld llawer wedi’u gwneud gyda llaw, rhai amryliw. Prynais un lliwgar gwlân sydd yn cyd-fynd gyda ffrog hir. Dwi hefyd yn edrych ymlaen at ei wisgo gyda jeans a bomber jacket. Mae’r trend yma yn dod o’r 70au ac roedden nhw’n cael eu galw yn ‘scarfties’ a oedd yn newid eich gwisg gyda mymryn o liw. Mae modd dod o hyd i sgarff o’r fath mewn siopau ail law yn barod ar gyfer y gaeaf.

Trwy wisgo dillad Dydd Gŵyl Dewi yn ysgol neu o fewn gymuned (neu hyd yn oed gwisg cenhinen ar eich dillad pob dydd), rydym yn cadw hanes ein diwylliant ac yn portreadu etifeddiaeth Cymraeg.

I mi, mae’r gwisgoedd yn symbol cryf o’n hunaniaeth Gymreig ac yn gyfle i bobl dangos ei ymdeimlad o fod yn Gymry. Yn holl bwysig, mae’r gwisgoedd yn symbol o’n balchder a chadw traddodiadau. Mae cadw’r etifeddiaeth Gymreig o ddathlu Dydd Gŵyl Dewi yn gadarnhaol i ddyfodol ein diwylliant ac ein hanes. Maent yn uwcholeuo angerdd ac yn adlewyrchu cefnogaeth i’r wlad.

Mae’n syndod i lawer fod etifeddiaeth un dyn wedi creu gwisg mor bwerus a bwysig I Gymry. Mae ei etifeddiaeth yn byw arno trwy’r wisg, y faner, gwisgo cenhinen a chennin Pedr a thrwy ddathlu ei ddiwrnod a balchder. ysgrifenwyd gan: Bethan Rocke

Sgarffiau tenau

Esgidiau Dolly a Mary Jane Dwi’n cofio pan oeddwn i’n ifanc roedd ‘dolly shoes’ yn ffasiwn ac roeddwn i’n gwisgo sanau gyda ffrils. Roedd ‘Mary Janes’ yn wreiddiol yn ffasiynol yn y 20au, yna roedden nhw wedi dod yn ôl yn y 60au. Roedden nhw yna yn boblogaidd yn y 2000au ond roedden nhw’n cael eu steilio gyda dillad ffurfiol. Efallai eich bod wedi sylwi arnyn nhw mewn ffilmiau fel Clueless a Mean Girls, gyda sanau gwyn uchel. Mae siopau’r stryd fawr fel Stradivarius a Zara bellach yn gwerthu nhw. ysgrifenwyd gan: Beca Dalis darluniwyd gan: Alanya Smith

Clebar

40

Traddodiadau’r Nadolig Heb os nac oni bai un o’r pethau mwyaf cyffredin ydy mynd i Winter Wonderland gyda fy ffrindiau a mwynhau’r bwyd a’r atyniadau sydd gyda nhw i gynnig. Rydym ni hefyd yn hoff o fynd i fwytai’r ddinas sydd â bwydlen Nadoligaidd.

Ers fy mod i’n ifanc rydw i wedi bod yn mynd i Gei Newydd gyda fy nheulu a 18 ohonom ni yn aros mewn tŷ ger y môr.

Doeddwn i byth wedi bod yn ddigon dewr i redeg mewn i’r môr ar ddiwrnod calan, ond roedd fy ewythrod yn gwneud. Er dwi’n siŵr imi a fy nghyfnither rhedeg mewn yn ein dillad rhai diwrnodau cyn a gorfod mynd i’r tŷ i newid oherwydd roedden ni môr oer. Yna yn fy arddegau roedden ni’n mynd i Gaer ac yn mynd i’r rasys ceffylau ar ddiwrnod calan. Roeddwn i wir yn mwynhau hyn, a chael treulio amser gyda fy nghefndryd.

Cawsom genedl o genhedlaeth i genhedlaeth, ac anadlu ein hanes ni ein hunain.’ Mae’r geiriau yng ngherdd Etifeddiaeth gan Gerallt Lloyd Owen heb os yn diffinio pwysigrwydd ac ystyr y traddodiadau yr ydym wedi eu hetifeddu yn ein bywydau. Rydym yn eu hetifeddu, yn eu gweithredu ac yn llunio ein bywydau ar sail y traddodiadau yma. Mae llawer o draddodiadau gennym ni fel y Cymry – hynny yn amrywio o ardal i ardal, o deulu i deulu ac yn ein diffinio ni fel unigolion.

Mae Crôls y Gymgym yn enghraifft perffaith o draddodiadau sydd wedi aros o fewn y gymdeithas ers blynyddoedd.

Mae crôls penodol megis ‘Crôl teulu’, ‘Crôlig’, ‘Crôl dirgel’ yn draddodiadau blynyddol yn hanes y GymGymwyr yng Nghaerdydd, ac yn cael eu hystyried yn ddigwyddiadau angenrheidiol i’r aelodau oll!

Wrth i fy nghefndryd fynd yn hYn, dechreuodd pawb fynd allan gyda’i ffrindiau yn hytrach ‘na dod gyda’r teulu. Roeddwn i’n benderfynol nad oeddwn i am wneud hyn – ond pan droais yn 18 – lle roeddwn i ar noswyl blwyddyn newydd? Ie, gyda fy ffrindiau! Y ddwy flynyddoedd yn olynol aethom i Gaerdydd, ond eleni rydym ni am fynd i Lerpwl!

Credaf yn gryf bod bwyd a diod yn un o’r traddodiadau pwysicaf ymysg teuluoedd a chyfeillion i ddathlu digwyddiadau arbennig megis penblwyddi. Mae bwyd a diod yn esgus i ddod â phawb ynghyd i gymdeithasu ac yn gyfle i goginio ryseitiau gwahanol, blasu bwydydd newydd a chael amser da gyda’r rheiny sy’n agos at ein calonnau!

Traddodiad arall sydd gyda fy ffrindiau o adref ydy ar ddiwrnod San Steffan, mynd allan i Gaerfyrddin. Mae’n lyfli mynd nôl allan adref i weld pawb sydd wedi dod adref o’r Brifysgol.

Pe bawn i’n gorfod disgrifio adeg y Nadolig mewn un gair, byddwn yn defnyddio ‘traddodiadau’. Prynu pyjamas sy’n matsio, siopa yn y marchnadoedd Dolig, chwilio bargen tri am bris dau, mwynhau yn ‘Winter Wonderland’ gyda ffrindiau a gwylio clasuron o ffilmiau! Yn ein teulu ni er enghraifft, mae’n draddodiad i fwyta ‘buffet’ ar Noswyl Nadolig a chwrdd â ffrindiau teulu ac yfed mulled wine neu port. Mae’n draddodiad ar draws y wlad i’r rhan fwyaf ohonom adeg y Nadolig i gael cinio rhost a thwrci hefyd. Canu carolau i godi arian at elusennau, cyngherddau lu, canu calennig i ddathlu’r flwyddyn newydd neu hyd yn oed dipiau yn y môr – mae’r rhestr yn ddi-ddiwedd.

Dwi wir yn edrych ymlaen at wneud mwy o atgofion, ond dwi methu credu ein bod ni’n dod i ddiwedd 2023! ysgrifenwyd gan: Beca Dalis

Heb os nac oni bai, mi fyddai’n ddiflas iawn heb draddodiadau! ysgrifenwyd gan: Elan Jones darluniwyd gan: Alanya Smith

Clebar

41

Gad dy Glebar!

Beth yw dy enw?

Elain Owen

Ble byddwn ni’n debygol o ddod o hyd i ti ar nos sadwrn?

Clwb Ifor

Beth mae dy ffrindiau yn dy alw di?

Elaine

Beth yw dy hangover cure?

Mcdonalds!!

O ble wyt ti’n dod?

Caerfyrddin

Hoff beth am ddinas Caerdydd?

Bwrlwm y ddinas pan fod y rygbi mlan+Tafwyl

Tri gair i ddisgrfio dy hun?

Caredig, Hyderus, Brwdfrydig

Go-to drink Vodka+ Blackcurrant a Lemonade

Pa gwrs wyt ti’n atudio ac yma mha flwyddyn?

Rydw I ar hyn o bryd yn yr ail flwyddyn yn astudio Nyrsio Oedolion

Hoff beth am fod yn Gymraes?

Cerddoriaeth Cymraeg Tip i fyfyriwr blwyddyn gyntaf?

Joiwch ond peidwch gwario student finance chi i gyd!!

Un cyfrinach?

Fi’n nyrs, ond casau pobl yn chwydu!

Hoff gân?

Sneb fel ti gan Eden Arferiad gwael?

Colli popeth arnight out!

Pwy sydd angen cau eu celbar erbyn tro nesaf?

Cadi Williams ysgrifenwyd gan: Elain Owen darluniwyd gan: Alanya Smith

photography by: Laura Nunez

photography by: Jiacheng Liu

Spotlight

44

The Enduring Impact Navigating the Legacy of the AIDS Epidemic

Starting with the first recorded death of AIDS in 1982, the LGBTQIA+ community has struggled with the stigma that came around it from both within the community itself and also from heterosexual people. By “the end of 1984, the UK had recorded 108 cases of AIDS and 46 deaths” (Guy, 2022) which shows that although the number does not seem so high, there was a significant lack of information and awareness regarding the disease.

Throughout the years, in the UK, the AIDS crisis has moved forward from being a taboo subject, to now, where people have access to educational sources and more resources for the people affected by AIDS. Today there are even documentaries or series that portray the struggles of living with the disease. This has allowed the public to learn, empathise, and create a safer environment for the LGBTQIA+ community with less discrimination than in the past. Furthermore, people tend to pay more attention to sexual education, understanding its importance whilst learning how to prevent contracting AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections. The legacy of AIDS is a constant reminder of the value of education, acceptance and advocacy in creating a more inclusive society.

According to the Terrence Higgins Trust, in the UK today “97% of those diagnosed and on treatment in the UK are virally suppressed and can’t pass on HIV” (Terrence Higgins Trust, 2022) highlighting the improvements made to fight the disease. However, only “38% of Brits know that people living with HIV and on effective treatment can’t pass this virus on to partners” (Terrence Higgins Trust, 2022) as well as only 30% being comfortable with dating someone who has HIV and only 37% comfortable kissing them. This goes to show that although educational sources are easily accessible nowadays, there is still a lack of education on the topic.

A survey conducted by the National Aids Trust goes on to show that “only a third of respondents fully agreed they have sympathy for all people living with HIV, regardless of how they acquired it, and only a third said it would definitely not negatively impact their relationship with a family member if the person said they were living with HIV” (National Aids Trust, 2021).

Over time, public perception and understanding have improved, however, social rejection, shame, and discrimination still have a big impact on HIV patients and their mental health. Many avoid coming out with their diagnosis to friends and family as they fear that they will react based on outdated misinformation. In more recent years as a result of the AIDS crisis, LGBTQIA+ youth have had to grow up with a lack of role models both in the media and in day-to-day life, mostly because of heteronormativity and the way the society has portrayed the LGBTQIA+ community.

For many queer youth growing up, they have encountered many obstacles like identity development, as many of them discovered who they were later in life. This is due to the lack of representation in their life, creating an environment where knowledge of certain topics did not exist or was not allowed.

Alienation and isolation have contributed to the experiences of queer young people, partially down to the misinformation around the AIDS crisis. With a lack of role models and increased vulnerability, taking action against prejudice and stereotypes is all the more difficult. words by: Briana Ciobanu design by: Alanya Smith photography by: Adam Breen

Spotlight I attended a Christian primary school and a Catholic secondary school, with both having some impact on the way I viewed sexuality.

I am lucky to have grown up in a society that has plenty of access to educational resources and I was thus able to do my own research. Still, I went through many safeguarding measures to get the contraceptive pill, still hesitate before ticking the ‘bisexual’ box on a form, and sometimes feel that deep sense of shame when sex is brought up. words by: Tegan Davies

words by: Emily Clegg design by: Alicia Yap

My school only mentioned contraception to us in passing – emphasising ‘Be fruitful and multiply’- and of course no mention of sinful samesex relations, God forbid! They seemed to believe that if they told 14-year-olds to ‘wrap it before they tap it’ God would strike them down and condemn them to Hell.

Reflecting on the sex education I received at school, I feel a sense of disappointment when I realise how poor it was.

In Year 6, we were given the standard “talk”. Very basic, very heteronormative, and very confusing information about the biology of sex and puberty. The boys and girls were separated and told not to discuss with each other what we had been taught that day. That in itself made sexual health feel like a taboo topic from a young age. Instead of feeling educated, I left that lesson feeling uncertain.

When I’ve spoken to people who went to religious schools, they’ve stated there was often a forced sense of shame placed upon sex for anything but a reproductive purpose.

c a d e t

We learnt that it was unacceptable for women to have basic bodily autonomy. Any form of contraception was strictly forbidden, and the pill was a parasite that would destroy the image and likeness of God that you were created in. Instead, we were taught that the only acceptable way to prevent pregnancy was ‘natural planning’, and that this was the most effective way of planning against fertilisation.

Having attended both Catholic primary and high school I’ve always received minimal sex education. The legends I’ve heard from other people of science lessons putting condoms on cucumbers is something that I never experienced. Hailing from an area with some of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in the country, some education on contraception would have come in handy.

d u

Sex was something that occurred strictly after marriage, between a man and wife, for the sole purpose of procreation. Sex, and virginity, were sacred, and any action taken to dismiss this fact was a sin. As children of God, we were taught that we were not allowed to act on any ‘urges’ we may have – masturbation was borderline blasphemous.

l l y Une

I knew from a very young age that I was bisexual. I also knew that bisexuality, or having crushes on girls as well as boys, was not seen as a normal concept. I knew who I was and that I shouldn’t be too proud of it.

xua e S

45

Many teachers were openly anti-abortion, with my RE teacher, once stating that he wouldn’t let his 10-year-old daughter get an abortion even if she was sexually assaulted. There was a large culture of shame instilled into us throughout my secondary education, but this often backfired with my school having its fair share of teenage sex scandals and appearing in the news for having a ‘pupil sexting crisis’.

At the end of the day, teenagers are always going to be having sex. Why my school didn’t want to educate us on safe sex, contraception, and LGBT+ relations I will never know, but at least I can recite the 10 commandments.

I learned the most important things I know about sex from the internet.

Growing up with social media, I was introduced to YouTubers such as Hannah Witton, who is a sex educator. From such people I learned that sex is so much more than just biology; I taught myself about things like consent, and self-confidence, eventually deconstructing the stigma I felt around sex. However, this should all be taught in schools from the get-go, to circumvent misinformation and myths that are commonly encountered. words by: Maddie McCabe-Smith

Spotlight

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WHAT THE HIPPIES DID FOR OUR SEX LIVES It is strange to think about what things would have been like today if sex had never been widely de-scandalised in the West. Living in a society that is currently so saturated by sex, it is hard to imagine that if it hadn’t happened in the 1960s, it wouldn’t have happened shortly thereafter.

Today, we have a wealth of contraception and sex education resources at our fingertips, as well as widespread sexual health testing services. Let’s embrace the freedom of choice that these give us. The freedom to be as sexually liberal or conservative as we choose. The freedom to love who we want. The freedom to not judge and not be judged. Most importantly, the freedom to have safe, satisfying, and consensual sex. That is if we even want to.

The swinging 60s saw second-wave feminism, the dawn of pop music and the militant rise of miniskirts. This era created liberation from the rigid norms that existed in the preceding decades. Sex went from being something talked about in Alongside, and intertwined with second-wave feminism and hushed tones, if at all, to being an open topic of conversation the gay liberation movement, the 60s and 70s saw a slow but for many. Notions of pre-marital sex went from scandalised important change in perspectives towards sexuality which to mainstream. Pop culture also played a significant part in had been looming since the first half of the century. With new the movement, pushing the boundaries of society through intellectual developments shining a light on the actuality of artistic license. sexual behaviours as well words by Natalia Murcia Cencerrado as the so-called “counterculMany believe that the true ture” movement, the sexual catalyst for the Sexual Revrevolution gained rapid moolution was the contracepmentum. Activists at the time tive pill, which allowed single questioned their own parents’ women to enjoy sex with a upheld ideals about marriage, much lower risk of pregnancy. courtship, cohabitation and This newfound bodily autondivorce which felt restrictive omy meant that women were and unnatural. Instead, they able to have sex like men had demanded dialogue about long since been doing; withsex which was not only more out risking the stigma of single open but also more focused motherhood. The idea of sex on pleasure rather than for the sake of female pleasshame. ure, and not just baby-making, was radical in itself. Of On these grounds, sociecourse, older conservatives ty has come a long way and were fearful of these changthe concept of sex has now es, which would discourage been normalised, or at least society’s need for marriage less widely stigmatised. As a and devalue traditional family result, people are now more structures. sexually empowered without

being morally condemned It all sounds empowering, yet by their peers. What in earliwhat were the downsides of er decades were considered sexual liberation? It wasn’t temptations or ‘sins’ like not all flower power and music marrying, getting a divorce, festivals. A decline in commitdating someone of the same ment, a rise in sexual health words by Laura Wallace Schjoett sex or even women having issues, and what all eventualled to the bittersweet hook-up culture, and often exploitative multiple partners, are now everyday occurrences. pornography industry of today.

If you woke up one day in a world where the sexual revoluThe parallels between then and now are numerous. Skirt tion (and the other movements leading up to it) had never lengths are rising again, freedom is the word on everyone’s happened, as a woman specifically you would have zero tongue, and music is still king. But maybe as much as we agency over your sexuality. Most likely you would refrain have something to learn from the hippies about free love, from having sex until you got married, which would naturally we could also turn our eyes to the eras that came before. be followed by intercourse for the sole purpose of procreSure, we don’t want slut shaming, fewer social rights, and ation. In a contemporary world full of young activists conembarrassment surrounding sex. Yet maybe it wouldn’t be demning climate change, misogyny, racism, etc, sometimes so bad to reinforce some courtship and patience in mod- we forget to step back and look at the freedom we have now, ern society. Maybe we have grown to expect sex a little too that our grandparents would have dreamed of. When you quickly and freely, sometimes at the expense of boundaries are born in a world where sexual freedom is an established and feelings. human right, we must not forget that there are always faces behind social change. design by: Mia Wilson photography by: Adam Breen

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Living to Leave a Green Legacy Our planet is in trouble. As the world enters a growing state of climate crisis and emergency, this sense of urgency to help the planet dominates much of the media. Climate activists like Greta Thunberg organise worldwide protests such as Fridays for Future. Known more commonly as ‘School Strike for Climate’ in the summer of 2018, this saw some 4 million students in 150 countries skipping school to demand political action against the climate crisis. As a result of this and the protests of the following summer (which coincidentally coincided with Greta’s graduation), a climate emergency was declared across the globe, including the United Kingdom. Scotland first declared a climate emergency at the SNP conference on 28th April 2019; the Welsh Government, as well as Parliament, followed suit the next day. Using a different platform entirely, Sir David Attenborough has advocated for restoring planetary biodiversity through television broadcasting since 1979. In recent years, programmes such as Planet Earth (2006) and Our Planet (2019-) have spotlighted the inner workings of animals and other wildlife around the globe. Giving access to such a widespread audience has given an insight into the harsh realities of climate change, especially in recent years, raising awareness of what is at stake for us.

Organisations such as Just Stop Oil (Founded 2022) serve as a current example of climate activism. Very prominent in the media, the group uses civil resistance to spread their message, often disrupting social events such as political speeches or more recently, halting a performance of Les Misérables at London’s Sondheim Theatre on October 5th, 2023. Many of these protests have captured the attention of university students. With the mainstream media often focusing on the controversial methods utilised to raise awareness for the climate crisis; this detracts from the reasoning behind protests like Just Stop Oil. Through the use of derogatory headlines such as ‘Named and pictured: The Just Stop Oil students trashing your uni campuses this week’ (From The Tab), the media strips away the urgency for climate action through negative representation. Although the organisation uses what on the surface may look like extreme methods of spreading awareness to the world, the message should not be downplayed by the media.

As students, we can change our habits and lead a more sustainable life. With many sustainable alternatives such as reusable cups dominating our campus cafes, we are beginning to learn to live more sustainably as students. As Wales is already 3rd in the world for recycling, shops like the Zero Waste Shop, Ripple, on Albany Road in Roath have been popping up all over the city. The rise of ‘Zero Waste’ shops dotted across the country is seeing a surge in customers wanting to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

As a serial shopper myself, I find that more sustainable alternatives to the leading fast fashion brands, such as Shein and PrettyLittleThing, are the key to a greener closet.

My three go-to alternatives are: 1) Vinted – An app where you can buy or sell preloved clothing. Not only is this a greener option, but it means that you can pocket some extra cash while you do it. You can also find your favourite brands for a fraction of the price.

2) eBay – like Vinted, you can buy and sell preloved garments. Promoted more recently by the hit reality TV show Love Island, the company is hoping to reduce items ending up in landfill, for example.

3) Charity Shopping – Another well-known option for sustainable shopping, Charity shopping allows you to purchase items while donating to charity simultaneously.

Not only are you making your closet more sustainable, but you are also helping those in need through donating. My favourite spot for Charity shopping is the shops along Albany Road, as you are always sure to find a bargain!

With the increase in demand for materials higher than ever before with the rise of technology, the need to shop more sustainably is a constant concern among climate activists.

With the use of the media and better sustainable resources, companies such as hospitality are striving for a better way to manage their business more sustainably. As a student community, we have the time now to make the changes to leave a green legacy, not just in the University but for many generations to come. words by: Amelia Wollacott design by: Lucia Cubb

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Rec ogn is i n g The

Lega m s i l cy Of C o lo n i a y In T r u t h e 21st C e n

Culture One of the issues that frequently come up when speaking about culture is colonialism and the lasting mark it has left over the world. From shaping popular culture to establishing the current world order, colonialism continues to have a far-reaching impact on how we look at one another and ourselves. Towards the end of the Twentieth century, the legacy of colonialism has endured through neocolonialism.

Colonialism has been an impetus to cultural exchange whilst also being directly attributable to the loss of many cultural identities. For example, one of the cultural products of colonisation is the popularity of tea. Quite unsurprisingly, England is far from being the only land that appreciates a good cup of tea. Originating in China, tea was brought to the West via British colonies that established exploitative plantations in the nineteenth century. They appropriated ceremonial tea traditions from the Far East, exporting tea from their plantations to various other parts of the world.

Tea then started to become a symbol of ‘Britishness’, not only popular among the upper classes, but it also spread to people across all social circles.

As well as tea, cricket can be seen as another product of colonialism that was promoted among Britain’s colonies. To the British, it had been a part of cultural identity. Eventually, this became one of the biggest sports in the British commonwealth, but its colonial past cannot be overlooked.

Reframing Picton Project And Rediscovering The Past Following the Black Lives Matter movement and the tearing down of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol, the National Museum of Wales has revised the museum’s presentation of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton by ‘reframing’ his legacy as Governor of Trinidad. The exhibition purports to capture the truth behind his colonial legacy by emphasising his role as the orchestrator of colonial violence within the institution of slavery.

While this marks a welcome change, this in itself is simply not enough. Many historical figures are celebrated today for their contributions to the British Empire - but they have done so through the work of people being exploited. Thus, in order to truly understand their legacy and impact on the 21st century, their actions must be recontextualised. One of the biggest symbols of imperialism from the bygone era is the British Monarchy. It not only serves to legitimise the horrors committed by the British Empire but also continues to actively benefit from it. Despite its now being reduced to a shell of its past, its role has to be carefully reconsidered.

Neocolonialism And The ‘Other’ Systemic inequalities and racism through repression and myth-building are just a few of the consequences of Western Colonialism. Through indoctrination of its own people, the imperialist belief of superiority over the ‘other’ has perpetuated racial prejudice and kept alive colonial ways of thinking through neocolonialism.

49 The alienation of the colonised ‘other’ is outlined by Frantz Fanon in his famous book Black Faces, While Masks: “I am talking about millions of men whom they have knowingly instilled with fear and a complex of inferiority, whom they have infused with despair and trained to tremble, to kneel and behave like flunkeys.” (A. Césaire, Discourse on Colonialism).

Tremors of these can still be felt through a neocolonial mindset fuelled by a colonial nostalgia and the tensions surrounding France and the Françafrique in which French language and culture were promoted in African countries like Morocco and Algeria.

Furthermore, in the context of the East, colonial ideas continue to be reinforced through orientalism. Much of history had been perceived by the West which projects an exoticised ‘other’ and a limited level of awareness about their subjects, often presenting a simplistic view thereof.

Reclaiming Pre-colonial Legacies And The Way Forward Thus, in order to better vindicate and challenge our colonial past, postcolonial studies must have enhanced cultural visibility within education and society. Former colonies can reclaim their pre-colonial heritage and former glory by recontextualising their colonial narratives on the world stage. Former colonial powers should claim responsibility by returning the looted relics to help those countries recover at the very least the parts of their cultures that have been lost to the institution of imperialism. Despite these potentially subversive suggestions, any resistance to this initiative undermines any international efforts to human rights. words by: Ahanaf Taskin Ar-Rafee design by: Alanya Smith photography by: Adam Breen

photography by: Adam Breen

photography by: Jiacheng Liu

Tan tro nesaf.