gair rhydd - Issue 987

gair rhydd Monday October 22nd 2012 | freeword – Est. 1972 | Issue 987

Use of external Welsh translators questioned over cost and quality p4 >> Politics look at the referendum on Scottish independence p12

Breast cancer research gets funding boost

p16

Cardiff men’s rugby team struggles p25

2 / Editor’s Note

gr EDITOR Chris Williams CO-ORDINATOR Elaine Morgan CREATIVE DIRECTOR Luke Slade SUB-EDITOR Tom Parry-Jones NEWS Kendal Archer Tom Eden Bethan Jones Anna Hickman OPINION Alice Briggs Nick Evans Alex Greig

Want to help make the paper?

Date of next meeting: 22nd October, 5pm, Aneuran Bevan Room (4th floor)

Proofreaders wanted!

Got a keen eye for grammar?

Or just enjoy free pizza on Thursday nights?

Come up to the office every Thursday for free pizza and proofing.

Writers / contributors / producers / camera operators / editors Join in at any time by coming to our Monday evening meetings at 5pm in the Students' Union.

COLUMNIST Liam McNeilly POLITICS Helen Louise Cox Thom Hollick SCIENCE Alexey Underwood Rhiannon Davies SOCIETIES Vanessa Platt LISTINGS vacant TAF-OD Tomos Lewis SPORT Rhys Clayton Viktor Tsvetanov James Shapland CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Hazelwood Suryatapa Mukherjee Catherine Ross Georgia Hamer Greg Landon Jamie Paddock Louice Tapper Jansson Harry Thompson Gareth Dunn Chris McSweeney David Mason Michael O'Connell-Davison Victoria Pease Chloe Peirce Emma Fox Ross Martinovic Kirsty Allen Edward Searle

PROOFREADERS Bonnie Brown Michael O'Connell-Davidson Alex Evans Jacob Dirnhuber

GAIR RHYDD AND QUENCH MAGAZINE ARE PUBLISHED BY UNIVERSITY UNION CARDIFF, PARK PLACE, CARDIFF CF10

ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE DESIGNED, TYPESET AND OUTPUT BY STUDENTS OF CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

Got an opinon?

Join the debate online www.cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/gairrhydd

A note from the editor...

B

efore the last issue of gair rhydd, I was getting ready for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

What was an offhand comment by me in a pub one night (“oh, we should all do the half marathon together”) turned into a serious challenge with all of us vying to be the first of the Sabbs to cross the finish line. Yet once we all started running, we forgot about the competition and it became more about each of us trying to overcome the challenge and reach the end – regardless of what position we came.

The office then became a bit of a mad house. People were stressed and coming and going as much as they possibly could.

Swn Festival is the one weekend of the year when CUTV, Xpress and Quench come together to run around Cardiff trying to get the best footage, the best interviews and the best sessions they possibly can.

But it’s not easy.

The logistical side of it alone is horrifying. They’ve been spending weeks and weeks on working through the places they’ll do sessions and on confirming bands to interview. Considering they’re not being paid to do it, their coverage is going to be impressive. gair rhydd, on the other hand, has been trying to stay focussed on this week's issue. It’s a corker.

It’s taken hours of hard work and a long night in the office, but 987 is here.

Of course, much like last week's front page, I’m expecting repercussions. So I want to clarify a few things: for one, we absolutely support the Welsh language and support the continued existence and improvement of facilitating it around the Union and University. Secondly, the article – while ostensibly about cost – is meant to actually question the way we go about getting documents in Welsh.

I believe that, as a Welsh university in the capital of Wales, we should have people there to write in Welsh, not to translate.

There are many people – much more intelligent than I – who can write coherently and competently in Welsh and English, and who would work for less money than we’re currently paying for external translators. These people could provide a consistently high quality of writing and be very beneficial to Welsh students.

That’s why we wrote the article and that’s the message we felt was worth highlighting.

3

Monday October 22nd 2012 | @mediacsu

World news Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has described the shooting in the head of Malala Yousafzai by a Taliban gunman for her campaign for girls’ education as ‘an attack on all civilised people’. She remains in a critical condition in the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham where there is a high police presence. AC

On October 16th, paintings

by Picasso, Matisse and Monet were stolen from a gallery in Rotterdam in what has been described as one of the most spectacular art heists of modern times. The thieves undertook the raid at the Kunsthal museum in the early hours of the morning; the police described it as a well-planned and bold operation. JB

A teacher in South Africa has been fined over £100 for squeezing 19 children into her Renault Clio while running a class trip to a local burger bar. After pulling her over, police discovered three youngsters on the front seat, ten in the back and six in the boot. JC

The world’s oldest man to father a child has had another at the grand old age of 96. Ramajit Raghav, who lives close to the Indian capital New Delhi, first became a father in 2010, when he was 94, and last week became a father for the second time, when his young wife gave birth to a boy. JB

Words by Jonathan Bailey, Jamie Crane and Anna-Katharina Caseldine

Tweets about the Cardiff Half Marathon

4 / News from << continued front page

Questions raised over external translation Anna Hickman News Editor

With the right to speak and read in one's own language being a human right, the importance of the Welsh language in Cardiff is massive. However, a gair rhydd investigation suggests there are better ways of facilitating the Welsh language.

Aberystwyth University, for exmaple, employs an in-house translation unit, as does Glamorgan University. When questioned on their procedures, they stated that they use internal officers, who are in charge of the majority of translations and combine this with other Welsh language initiatives to keep the cost down.

According to a gair rhydd investigation, Cardiff University spent £71,623.80 on Welsh translation services for the 2011/12 academic year. This is almost £15,000 less than was spent in the previous year, but still an increase on

the 2007/08 academic year, when £61,000 was spent on the service.

The figure also does not cover all of the translation costs, as academic schools must commission and pay for their own Welsh translations.

Cardiff University spent £71,623 on Welsh translation services for the academic year 2011/12 All translation requests at Cardiff University are sent to approved external suppliers who are members of the Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters, as opposed to in-house translation, a scheme which Cardiff University has never had.

When asked why the University chose to use an external

translation service as opposed to an in-house service, a University spokesperson said, “administration of the service, volume of work, the element of checking and proofreading and the turnaround times for urgent work are relevant factors”.

Owain Lewis, the previous Welsh Officer expressed concern about the Welsh translation service, stating, “the fact that... the majority of the University’s translations, are outsourced means that there is no consistent body providing services”.

A total of 1,293 students are registered with the University as fluent Welsh speakers; a further 1,195 consider themselves to be Welsh speakers but not fluent, and 6,417 students did not consider themselves to be Welsh speakers at all.

The most recent information shows that 393 Professional/Support Services staff are able to

speak Welsh. There are also 303 members of academic staff able to speak Welsh and 44 members of academic staff were teaching through the Medium of Welsh according to the Annual Report 2010/11.

The types of texts translated include the prospectuses, Open Day programmes, posters, Annual Review, ‘Blas’, and online content. The average costs for the services of an external translator is £77.00 per 1,000 words (plus VAT).

All Welsh universities are required to have a Welsh language scheme following the Welsh Language Act 1933, which stipulated that English and Welsh should be treated as equal in status.

Editor’s comment It is important to note that it is necessary for the University to have a Welsh translation service.

This article is not questioning this requirement, but drawing attention to the possibility that there could be a more financially beneficial way of translating the necessary material.

The Universities of Glamorgan and Aberystwyth employ in-house translation for this very reason: to keep costs down.

Having in-house translation would be a more effective way of monitoring quality and saving money; hopefully the University will work towards this in the future.

International students exploited for profit Bethan Jones News Editor

A recent BBC Wales investigation has uncovered evidence of Welsh university lecturers accepting below-average work from international students for financial reasons.

BBC Wales was told by an anonymous lecturer that the academic standards of some courses at universities in the UK have suffered in recent years because they are focussing more on attracting foreign students than on the quality of work submitted.

International students have always been an important source of income for British universities, due to the higher fees they pay.

In the 2010/11 academic year, a total of 48,580 international students were studying in the UK, generating 32% of universities’ fee income. Overall, foreign students are believed to contribute approximately £5 billion a year to the wider economy, including fees.

The anonymous lecturer claimed, “Everybody knows it’s going on – very few people are actually standing up and being counted.”

The lecturer, who chose to stay anonymous for fear of losing his job, also told BBC Wales that the exam elements of the postgraduate Masters of Business Administration (MBA) courses were being removed, with assessment entirely focussed on coursework.

The lecturer said that international students’ English language ability is so poor they often find

it “very, very difficult to pass examinations”.

With the MBA courses assessed entirely on coursework, he added that new, sophisticated plagiarism software would be useful to detect cheating. However, there is no guarantee that international students are not getting someone else to write their coursework for them.

He stated, “We should be focussing on quality and I would say that UK higher education has suffered significant reputational damage as a result of the recruitment policies by many universities”.

International students have always been an important source of income for British universities due to their higher fees After an initial delay, Welsh universities Cardiff, Aberystwyth, Swansea and Trinity St David have all now agreed to let BBC Wales News see examples of their MBA dissertations.

Twenty dissertations from Bangor University submitted by international students in the 2009/10 academic year, reviewed

by BBC Wales, were said to be “almost unintelligible” and included “grammatical errors”.

Professor Nick Bourne, former

law lecturer and ex-Welsh Conservative leader said, “There are pieces of work here which do not appear to be anywhere near the sort of level that a Masters qualification would require.”

“Universities are being turned into businesses rather than operating for public benefit ”

Clearly, this raises serious questions around the assessment

process of international students at UK universities. What assistance and supervision are foreign students receiving? But more importantly, how were these dissertations even passed in the first place?

Dr Edmund Schluessel, a teaching student in Cardiff University's School of Physics and Astronomy, as well as NUS International Students Officer for Wales, has spoken to gair rhydd concerning this matter. Dr Schluessel said, “I would not be surprised if university manage-

ments are pressurising lecturers to give some students preferential treatment. It’s a logical consequence of seeing students as sources of profit.

“If these allegations are substantiated, then they’re a devastating indictment of how universities are being turned into businesses rather than operating for public benefit.”

He added that these recent allegations are entirely representative of “how international students are being exploited by universities for quick profit”.

5

News 4-6

Monday October 22nd 2012 | @gairrhyddnews

Rate your lecturer Kendal Archer

News Editor Head of Student Media Chris Williams has designed a survey that will give students a chance to provide feedback on their lecturers.

When asked why the survey is being conducted, Williams said, “students are now paying £9,000 a year tuition fees and we want to make sure that they are getting value for money. We want to find out the best and worst lecturers and pass on our findings to the university”.

He added, “We hope that the University will act upon our findings by helping lecturers who do not score so highly improve their lecturing style, but also that those lecturers who are doing a really great job will get the praise they deserve”.

Yet the main aim of the survey is “about making sure that students get value for money. We all have expectations of lecturers.

They should should turn up on time, deliver informative and interesting lectures, and ultimately benefit students. This survey aims to find out who is and isn’t living up to expectations.”

Designed by a Sabbatical Officer, it is hoped that the survey will elicit more honest responses from students, as opposed to results from those surveys handed out in lectures at the end of term by the University itself.

Williams pointed out that “it has never been done before by gair rhydd. We all know that certain lecturers aren’t performing to a good enough standard or aren’t engaging enough. And whilst it may have always been

this way, the difference this year is that students are now paying £9,000 tuition fees and so I think it is even more important to make sure that they get value for money.”

Those with especially good lecturers are also encouraged to take part in the survey as a chance to reward lecturers who are not normally recognised for the quality of their teaching and their lectures.

Williams also said there should be no worry about libel or false information being printed in the paper.

He intends to research the responses given and to go to lectures to prove, either rightly or wrongly, the responses given.

Equally, the names of individual lecturers will not be printed without prior consent and dis-

cussions with the media board – as Williams is the only person who can see the results, the information is being treated very sensitively.

Results will be used for a gair

rhydd article, with all the information later being revealed to the University.

Cardiff University issues IMG rugby warning Chris Williams

Editor IMG rugby has been warned this week that they are not covered by the Union’s insurance and should not continue playing within their current structure.

Representatives from the Students’ Union went to the pitches on Wednesday to tell students that the University could not endorse the sport and that they were not insured were anything to happen to them. gair rhydd covered the controversial successes of the league last week (issue 986), prompting the union to step up their attempts to warn players of the dangers of their sport.

The statement claimed that “Cardiff University and Cardiff University Students’ Union do not and will not sanction any contact rugby activity outside the three established rugby clubs”, and was well received by most of the six teams preparing to play on Wednesday.

Yet while the information appeared to be well received, none of the teams involved stopped playing because of this.

Many players accepted and already understood the risks they were taking by playing IMG rugby and simply accepted them as risks they were willing to take. Speaking to gair rhydd, one player said that “if you get

injured, you go to hospital, get fixed up and come back – it’s like any other sport”, a view that was certainly not one that the union was trying to promote in talking to the rugby teams.

The Students’ Union and University still do not endorse or encourage anyone to play IMG rugby One Combined Services player said that they would, “rather be playing rugby without their backing than not at all”, a view that seemed almost universal across the three games being played at Blackweir.

In spite of the apathy from players and the fact that all teams who were spoken to continued to play, captains and players appear hopeful of resolving issues, with three teams confirming they would rather be backed by the AU and University. One of the newest teams – Earth – even said that “it would help to be funded for proper refs... the ref makes sure the game’s safe so no one gets injured”.

While the players were being encouraged not to play, some questioned what alternatives there were. The manager of the combined Physics and History team, Tom Thurstan questioned the AU’s statement from last

week's gair rhydd, “the statement from the AU saying that there were ample opportunities to play for the University teams is a joke. One of our best players, and probably one of the best players in the league, couldn't even get a game for the University 4ths last year.

“Where does that leave the players who are much worse than him? Without a chance.”

The Students’ Union and University still do not endorse or encourage anyone to play IMG rugby, but have expressed interest in trying to resolve the issue.

Students’ reaction to the shortcomings of IMG Becki Lutwyche Law 1st year

“The attitude of the IMG Netball teams is still far more welcoming than that of the official University society.”

Becky Pickering Education 1st year

“These problems will put people off participating this year.”

Jacob Sanders

Accounting and Economics 1st year “Despite these issues, I think that the IMG is good at getting people playing sports.”

Michael O'ConnellDavidson News Writer

Oli Richards

Journalism, Media & Cultural Studies 1st year “I was surprised by how poor response to the games was.”

Dan Sweetman

City and Regional Planning “I think that [the IMG] was really well organised. I ran a 7-a-side team last year, and we got a referee every week.”

Ben Taylor

History 1st year

“The criticisms don’t bother me; before seeing this article, I didn’t even know what the IMG was.”

6 / News

10th Anniversary of Cardiff Half Sarah Hazelwood Sunday, October 14th marked the 2012 Lloyds TSB Half Marathon through Cardiff. This was the 10th anniversary of the event, organised by Run For Wales.

The new 13.1 mile course began at Cardiff Castle and was officially opened by Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson. It passed several Cardiff landmarks such as the Cardiff City Stadium, Roath Park, the Cardiff Bay Barrage, and ended at Cardiff City Hall. The course was changed from previous years in order to minimise the amount of disruption to the city.

The half marathon has always been run by amateur and elite athletes alike, growing in capacity remarkably over the last 10 years. In its first year in 2003, only 1,500 runners took part; however, by last year, the number of participants had risen to 15,000. This year, the Cardiff Half Marathon saw 18,000 people take part. Approximately 13,000 crossed the finish.

Lucy Garrett, a participant stated, "It was incredible, amazing, and the crowds kept me going throughout as they were so supportive".

Another participant, Meaghan Crancher, remarked, "I would definitely do it next year again,

it was so much fun and everyone was so enthusiastic".

The race is very beneficial to multiple charities; Barnardo's is the official charity partner of the event, but participants in the half marathon can run for any charity of their choice. Popular choices have been Age Cymru, Diabetes UK, Macmillan, and Action for Children. Breast Cancer Care had over 100 participants raising money in the race this year.

Last year, it was estimated that the half marathon raised about £1 million and was expected to ex-

“

Last year, it was estimated that the half marathon raised about £1 million and was expected to exceed that this year

ceed that this year. The race has benefitted over 800 charities in its history.

The event would not have been possible without the many volunteers who helped throughout the day.

The half marathon organiser Nigel Roberts, Chairman of Run For Wales, said the success of the new route this year could see Cardiff hosting even bigger international races. “It’s been absolutely amazing, I think the weather has really helped everybody out,” he said.

“It took just 11 minutes to get everybody through the start line, which shows the capacity and the potential for this race.

“Now onward and upwards, let’s look at getting the Commonwealth half marathon here, and also the World Championships.

“The potential is absolutely enormous and I think everybody has had a wonderful day.”

Trolley dumping to be tackled Anna Hickman News Editor

Supermarkets in Cardiff are facing tougher penalties as the local council introduces a £75 fine for every supermarket trolley abandoned throughout the city.

Councillors are attempting to rid Cardiff of hundreds of abandoned trolleys, some of which can be found miles from their original supermarket. The number has increased since the 5p charge for carrier bags was introduced last October.

The Welsh Retail Consortium has said the policy will penalise supermarkets under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environmental Act 2005 to help prevent a ‘rundown feeling’ in an area.

Cardiff Executive Member for the Environment, Cllr Ashley

Govier, said that abandoned trolleys are not only a litter nuisance, but they have also been damaging cars and, in some cases, even injuring children.

If you say this is the supermarkets' fault, you are blaming the victim. It's like saying shops cause shoplifting by having shelves of goods They also pose a risk to wildlife, and attract further littering and fly tipping in areas, as well as encouraging anti-social behaviour.

However, Mark Ross, director of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said, “if you say this is the supermarkets’ fault, you are blaming the victim. It's like saying shops cause shoplifting by having shelves of goods.

“A trolley can cost a retailer £150 to buy – they don't want them stolen. They often have deposit schemes or grids at car park exits to make it less likely they will be stolen. It is the people who steal trolleys and dump them who are to blame.”

It has not yet been revealed how supermarkets might tackle the problem.

FEED YOUR MIND STUDENT SPECIAL ANY LARGE CLASSICS OR FAVOURITES PIZZA

£4.99

*

Collection only Available until 5pm

Cardiff 02920 471 222 208 City Road CF24 3JG

papajohns.co.uk ‘Papa’ John Schnatter Schnatter, Founder of Papa John’s

*Add £2.50 for each Stuffed Crust pizza ordered. Classics or Favourites pizzas only.

Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid at participating stores only.

Terms and conditions apply. Ask in store for details. Offer valid until 31/10/2012.

7

Opinion 7 – 10

Monday October 22nd 2012 | @gairrhyddop

For & Against

The outcry for capital punishment

In the wake of the April Jones media outburst, public outcry for the return of the death pentalty has surged.

Suryatapa Mukherjee and Catherine Ross discuss the social, moral and financial implications of capital punishment.

C

For

apital punishment dictates that we should punish a criminal by killing them. This leaves us in a position no different than that of a murderer.

Except there is a difference. A criminal is not innocent; a victim is.

Conservative peer Lord Tebbit has said, “I have kept track year by year since the death penalty was suspended, then abolished, of the number of people who have been killed by persons previously convicted of homicide. It has averaged three people a year.

About 150 people were killed because their killers have been freed to kill again. Would our courts have sentenced to death three innocent people a year, year in year out? I doubt it.”

Sentencing an innocent person to death would be rare. The jury and the judge hold power of great consequence. It is too great a power to be utilised without considerable reason. Also, there are a number of protocols at every level of conviction that help an accused prove his innocence and escape punishment.

On the other hand, if a rightly accused criminal is subjected to a life sentence, he may harm other inmates, prison officials and, as is most prevalent, carry out further murders through the use of contacts outside prison.

Also, in a 'system' where several laws are imposed on all by

a few, inequitable application of laws is unavoidable. However, that hardly signifies that all laws should be suspended.

Though capital punishment has historically been expensive, there are several ways of administration. Efficiently implementing the cheapest method can take care of the problem. Moreover, expense of a punishment is of lesser significance than its necessity.

As for the question of capital punishment being an effective deterrent, it is true that people often do not think of punishment while committing a crime. But it really depends on the severity of the punishment. If we are told that, on missing the deadline for an assignment, we may be penalised a few marks, we will try to make the deadline. If we are told that on missing the deadline, we will be marked zero for the entire module, we will make the deadline.

Death is a terrible thing. It is the greatest fear of the human condition. People deserve second chances, but not all people. I feel it is fair that John Wayne Gacy was executed for 33 murders and Timothy McVeigh for 168. Capital punishment should be administered sparingly, only when it is absolutely necessary, but to rule it out would be disastrous. SM

M

“

The state executed only 13 people in 34 years but somehow racked up a confounding cost of over $4 billion, meaning each execution cost the taxpayer $300 million

Against

oral arguments against the death penalty are obvious and compelling; 'It is wrong to kill people' is a good start; 'Could you do it?' is better; 'Turn the other cheek' defines an entire faith, with nearly every other modern religion advocating similar views on forgiveness. These phrases are well-known to the point of being overused, but one of the most elementary and least examined reasons against the death penalty is simply its staggering cost.

The state of California was among many to reinstate the death penalty in the last century, doing so in 1978. Since then, the state has executed only 13 people in 34 years, but somehow racked up a confounding cost of over $4 billion, meaning each execution cost the taxpayer $300 million – money that could have been put into the police system to stop more murders, or into healthcare to prevent further deaths, or even university fees; instead it was wasted on one criminal.

Conversely, it only costs $50,000 a year in California to imprison a man, meaning the inmate would have to live for over 6,000 years to equalise the cost. The financial benefits (especially in times of austerity) of life imprisonments must be taken into account. Morality can and will be debated endlessly, with one side

never completely agreeing or acquiescing to the other. Cold hard financial facts, however, cannot be questioned. It is beneficial financially, as well as morally, to society not to execute murderers.

Moving into dangerous moral territory, since its reinstatement in 1978, the state of California has also exonerated three men after spending a collective 57 years behind bars, the pain and emotional suffering of these three men is unimaginable and completely undeserving. Imagine how terrifying years in prison would be with the grim spectre of death looming over you. The fact that over 140 people have been posthumously exonerated after being wrongly sentenced to death in the United States only adds gravitas to the arguments against the death penalty. Their lives cannot be brought back; if they had been sentenced to life in prison, they would at least get the chance to start again and rebuild.

In the wake of the horrific murder of five-year-old April Jones and two female police officers in Manchester, many of the British public have justly reacted with outrage and called for justice for their murderers, but justice and revenge do not equate to one another, their executions will not bring the dead back to life and could tragically be the end of another innocent person's life. CR

8 / Opinion

How detrimental is uni life to our health?

Opinion writer Georgia Hamer questions whether university lifestyle is affecting our health

I

t’s not difficult to see how the typical university lifestyle may begin to take its toll on your health.

Booze-fuelled nights out, succumbing to the temptations of takeaway food as you stagger home in the early hours, followed by crawling to 9am lectures: an all too familiar story. Of course I am generalising; however, as I sit writing this article opposite my flatmate (who lies face down on the kitchen table), occasionally managing a self-pitiful cry of "never again", I realise it is perhaps not a far cry from reality. While his claims that he is, in fact, ‘dying’ are perhaps a little dramatic, it does pose the question: to what extent is uni life harmful to our health?

I feel I speak for the majority when I say uni certainly tests your tolerance for alcohol; the infamous ‘Chunder Chart’ is becoming a prevalent feature of kitchen noticeboards across halls of residence, naming and shaming – or perhaps commending

– all those who couldn’t quite stomach their drink. The array of student nights at clubs, which offer cheap drinks, makes it all too easy to begin seeing ‘responsible drinking’ as anything that doesn’t lead to impromptu vomiting and passing out on your doorstep.

Striking the balance between your social life and work can prove a difficult task. Whether it is due to nights out or nights in studying for the more conscientious of students, regular sleeping patterns are a thing of the past; remaining awake in lectures is an exceedingly difficult task.

On top of this, there is the issue of maintaining a healthy diet.

Away from home, perhaps for the first time, it can be all too easy to opt for microwave ready meals, or perhaps even the more budget friendly 11p everyday value noodles – which I am in no way endorsing – once mum’s frozen homemade meals run dry. Takeaways, too, become an ever more appealing solution to avoid the hassle of food shopping or even

“

When you factor in the detrimental effects incurred at the weekly socials and fierce initiation processes, any positive health effects are arguably counterbalanced by the brutality of bizarre competitive drinking practices

tackling last week’s washingup. It is on this basis that media claims have been made stating the ‘freshman 15’, as it is known in the US, may be beginning to pose as much of a health risk to British students as it does to their American counterparts. The phenomenon refers to the 15 pounds freshers supposedly gain in their first year at university, and while, in reality, these claims are (in my mind, at any rate) sheer absurdities, it does remain a fairly alarming prospect.

There are ways to avoid piling on the pounds; sporting opportunities at university, particularly through the vast range of clubs, are readily available, although it seems that, when you factor in the detrimental effects incurred at the weekly socials and fierce initiation processes, any positive health effects are arguably counterbalanced by the brutality of bizarre competitive drinking practices. That being said, having heard tales from a recent Cardiff cricket social that saw freshers

forced to gorge on entire cucumbers to chants of ‘see that veg off’, I commend their efforts to promote a balanced, healthy way of life.

While, on the surface, uni lifestyle may seem a sure-fire ticket to liver failure, obesity and emotional meltdown, the reality is, thankfully, not quite so severe.

Despite the media depictions of students, particularly in recent reports on the Cardiff Carnage event, not every student night out is worthy of rivalling an episode of The Valleys. Though I do agree it is not always easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle at university on a student budget, with the average student loan unable to stretch to super foods or pricey gym memberships, it is possible to avoid the student clichés presented in the media without breaking the bank. With the number of uni graduates rising each year, there is surely hope for all our survivals. Only time will tell.

Stratos could be Greg Landon

Opinion Writer For me, the most telling images of Felix Baumgartner’s space jump were not the aerial shots of the balloon, or the moment he stepped off the platform; rather, they were the photos that showed various Red Bull logos and insignia down each side of his suit. The jump was, indeed, a memorable moment for both scientific and human progress, but above all, it was one of the most elaborate advertising campaigns in history. It is the pinnacle of Red Bull’s in-your-face sponsorships of sports and extreme physical events that include two Formula 1 teams, several professional football clubs worldwide, the Red Bull Rampage mountain bike competition and the X-Fighters motorcross tournaments. A world record adrenaline jump is the natural progression from these sponsorship deals, and a

perfect real world implementation of a slogan that promises to ‘give you wings’.

This isn’t an attack on Red Bull, who I actually admire for placing so much hype on such an original stunt that could have backfired horribly. Instead, I am trying to persuade those who think this was a great independent scientific moment for our generation to realise that it was a primarily commercial endeavour. For those wondering who funded Felix’s journey, it was chiefly Red Bull, with NASA only partly providing funding for the new and elaborate spacesuit that they will undoubtedly use in future missions.

And if you’re worried about US taxpayers' money being used on a jumped-up cliff dive, consider that NASA has had its budget cut for two consecutive years despite inflation. When governmentfunded agencies have their revenue cut, they traditionally turn

Opinion 7–10

Monday October 22nd 2012 | @gairrhyddop

9

Politicians’ pedalling power is too slow: it’s time to move up a gear Jamie Paddock

Opinion Writer We are in a time when roads are congested, poorly maintained and lack serious thought and funding. Highly placed government figures acknowledge the huge risks on our roads. Yet, as Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow told The Times last month, "why can we not adapt roadways for safe cycling?"

Thanks to London 2012, the UK has just started the long, arduous journey to reshaping its culture and roads. Economic truths for young people, in particular, have pushed students away from the car towards cheaper forms of transport. Cycling could only gain ground this year. How? It was thanks to the first British Tour de France win and a more than successful medal haul from London 2012. It's no wonder there's a surge in bicycle sales this summer.

With a more than successful medal haul from London 2012, it's no wonder there's a surge in bicycle sales this summer However, our air of optimism has faded. Safety on our roads has not improved despite an increase in cycling. 88 cyclists have been killed so far this year, and 19,000 were killed or injured last year.

It is clear that something more serious has to be done to protect not just cyclists, but all road users. Politicians, meanwhile, exacerbate already hostile attitudes towards cyclists. Boris Johnson

lazily quoted a falsehood from a public meeting – that 62% of accidents involving cyclists were due to them breaking the law – back in May with a recent admission of its falsehood. This kind of laziness shows what politicians like the most: political spin. Students know well enough that politicians don’t say what they really think.

cycle lanes remain out of date and worn out. It's the same story around the country. Poor layout means that cars regularly drive into cycle lanes. On the Jubilee bank holiday, in the week before my final A-level exams, I broke my wrist after a serious fall due to this reason. Poorly planned infrastructure is clearly causing dangerous driving.

serious cycle lanes for commuters around Cathays. Between the main campus and the city centre, there is a long cycle lane, but it cuts out into a car park and ends on the wrong side of the road when going towards the shops.

In the city centre, there are posts to lock your bikes securely. Bike facilities are plentiful around the city. Maindy Velodrome, Bute

Some promises are being met with action by our politicians. Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond launched a new THINK! campaign on September 20th, calling on "drivers and cyclists to stay safe this autumn by looking out for each other". This seems sensible enough, but it was quiet, unheard of and not highly publicised. Similarly, it detracts from the concrete issues – road infrastructure. The problem:

Cardiff is no different. For a fresher, the streets of a new city are always going to be daunting.

However, cycling infrastructure is just as dangerous here as it is anywhere else. For instance, the roads in Cathays feel poorly maintained. Between the Blackweir pub and the Humanities junction, the lanes are rough, bumpy and disconcerting. Bute Park is well looked after and safe. However, the problem is that there are no

Park and the city centre prove this. Nevertheless, the roads are the most vital way of making cycling safe, and in turn, make cycling more popular.

The problem is there are no serious cycle lanes for commuters around Cathays

paign groups and the AA all highlight issues of safety, funding and planning. Despite their work, politicians in the UK are not devoted to what is, admittedly, long complex reform. Boris Johnson told the London Assembly that educating HGV drivers was the main answer to cycle accidents.

However, it was improving the infrastructure in Denmark and the Netherlands that made cycling not just safer, but more accessible to a range of people.

Are politicians doing enough to create and implement reforms that work? The shadow transport secretary, Maria Eagle, pledged to the Labour Party conference in early October that cycling would be a "genuine priority" within transport policy. In this sense, both parties have consensus and seem serious to an extent. However, the issues have been in the pipeline for years.

It's up to us to take it up as a serious political priority: just get on yer bikes. It may even make the economy productive again.

With more cyclists on the road than ever, it’s time to be heard.

A protest in London is only the beginning. As with the Tour de France, victory doesn't come overnight. A political 'tour de force' takes time and effort to shape. But why don't we? Improving our roads has economic, social and political benefits. We have to show that we are ready to widen our roads and widen our awareness of each other on the road. If we don't, we all suffer when politicians let us down.

Charities, newspapers, cam-

the greatest publicity stunt of all time to the private sector to subsidise new projects.

The jump also shattered YouTube’s record for viewings of a live broadcast with 8 million viewers Red Bull are notoriously strict about releasing financial records, so it is almost impossible to determine how much the entire Stratos project cost, although NBC reports that plans for a 2008 jump remarkably similar (yet far less commercial) than Baumgartner’s, cost at least $20 million. So the key question seems to be, was the massive investment worth it? The answer appears to be a resounding 'yes'. The Red Bull Stratos Facebook page has over 700,000 ‘likes’, while the Tele-

graph reports “more than 3 million tweets were sent about the jump”. With hundreds of thousands of people actively talking about the stunt, the massive expenditure seems justified, as does Forbes' headline: “Red Bull Stratos Worth Tens Of Millions Of Dollars In Global Exposure”.

Aside from exploding on social networking sites, the jump also shattered YouTube’s record for viewings of a live broadcast with 8 million – equivalent to almost the entire population of London watching the same event at the same time. It may have cost Red Bull an arm and leg, but the Austrian firm are used to such expenses, with a reported 35 cents of every dollar made being spent on marketing.

The immediate sales generated by the space jump, along with the solidification of the company’s ‘extreme’ reputation, appear to make Red Bull’s investment in

Baumgartner worthwhile. Also, few would dispute the collective sense of pride we showed during this particular world record.

The Red Bull Stratos project will not only propel the name Felix Baumgartner into pub quizzes for eternity, it will also kick-start a new wave of publicity and profits for the company that made the whole event possible. Bottom line – it was worth it, both in commercial and social terms.

Everyone has an opinion. Email us your ideas at opinion@ gairrhydd.com

#redbullsratos

10 / Opinion

Unpaid internships: a market of exploitation

Louice Tapper Jansson discusses whether paid and unpaid internships will pave the way to better earnings. Is it fair that some people simply can't afford to do unpaid internships? Does this lead to the wealthy getting the upper hand?

Y

outh unemployment is on the rise, which makes the debate on internships incredibly topical at the moment. Unpaid internship placements allow people with limited experience to 'get their foot in the door' of the labour market.

On the other hand, it contributes to the ever-increasing debt burden of young people, without perhaps adding as much to their credibility or skills as paid internships would. Ed Howker, who writes for The Guardian, states that there is a generation of young people in Britain who are eager to work and contribute to society. The issue, however, is to find an employer who is willing to pay a graduate.

Unpaid internships have both advantages and disadvantages.

This is clear when going through interns’ experiences on the website Interns Anonymous. Many stories reveal that employers often exploit their interns and do not acknowledge them for their work. The purpose of an internship should be to learn how a profession works in practice.

Some interns are coerced into tasks that paid employees are expected to do.

A recent study from Inspiring Interns suggests that graduates who have had an unpaid internship usually get a higher wage when going into full-time

work. According to their study, someone who is lacking experience would be paid £1,500 less.

Employers value graduates with knowledge of the business. Some people argue that the wage difference is unfair to those who may not be able to afford to take an unpaid internship.

Graduates from wealthy backgrounds can often afford to do unpaid work experience for a longer period of time, since their families are able to support them.

Howker seems to believe that, because of this, only those born into privilege are likely to do an internship. The less advantaged, on the other hand, are forced into workfare schemes that they have to do for free. The question is whether only financially secure people would consider working for free.

Some interns are coerced into tasks that paid employees are expected to do

Having a privileged background does not automatically mean that you will get an internship or experience more easily.

Nor does it guarantee a higher paycheck in the future. A salary is supposed to be based on a candidate’s experience, education and other qualifications. To reward a graduate with more experience could be justified, al-

though it would mean that graduates are paid differently. One has to consider what it would cost for an employer to train an inexperienced person.

It is, of course, easier to work for free for a longer period of time if your parents can supply your income, but the claim that only wealthy people are doing unpaid internships may not be accurate. Some would probably deem practical experience as valuable enough to temporarily have a tougher standard of living. However, paying all interns, if only a small amount, could increase the candidate’s motivation to work hard and do well.

If one were to believe the study mentioned earlier, work experience will always benefit one’s career. Most importantly, the degree will become more valuable.

Many students seem to be aware of this. Libby Page, The Huffington Post's student journalist, explains the problem is that some are concerned with how they are expected to work for free after graduation when they will not have a student loan to support them.

Taking on an unpaid internship can be a double-edged sword.

You could end up at a company where you could gain experience and establish a useful contact network, which could be invaluable in itself. However, some companies systematically use unpaid interns to do the dirty or

heavy work, without any interest in helping the interns gain useful knowledge or proper experience.

A lot seems to be up to chance – if you are lucky, your unpaid internship can give you amazing career opportunities and valuable experience. If you are unlucky, you will be used, demeaned, back at square one and left with nothing but an empty bank account.

I believe the discussion concerning unpaid internships should not be concentrated on wage differences between graduates with experience and those without. Instead, focus should be on why so many young people are exploited. Students and graduates work hard to gain experience but find out that this could be difficult to achieve as an intern at a magazine or at a com-

munications bureau. For this reason, and also due to the different experiences, to base a salary on internship might not be justified.

Although skills should be valued and awarded, one must admit that they are very hard to measure.

A good solution might be to combine internships with university education, hence, to make it a part of a degree rather than complimentary. Employers must realise the benefits of paying interns. According to Canadian Career Edge Organization, to compensate an intern would give the company a better reputation. The employer could also expect a better result.

Opinion 7-11

Monday 22nd October 2012 | @gairrhyddop

T

11

by Liam McNeilly

he Conservative Party Conference took place last week, and the issue of equal marriage once again saw the party split. While David Cameron and many others in the Cabinet have announced their full support for equal marriage, many in the party remain opposed. As such, a nearby fringe event was organised by those on the right of the party.

The anti-equality group ‘Coalition For Marriage’ hosted the rally, calling on the government to back down on its marriage equality promise. Around 400 people attended the event to hear speeches from David Burrowes MP, former Conservative politician Ann Widdecombe and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey. While all voiced their strong opposition to gay marriage, it was the former Archbishop whose comments caused the most controversy.

The Church has certainly been the most vocal and adamant opponent to the government’s proposed legislation, which would extend full marriage rights to same-sex couples. It is important to point out that his opinion is not necessarily representative of the Christian faith as a whole. In fact it frustrates me when those religious conservatives who

voice their homophobic opposition are presented as the voice for all of faith.

His comments were seen by many as shocking and inappropriate. The leader of the Church of England from 1991 to 2002 compared the criticism of those opposed to equal marriage to the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany.

“Let us remember the Jews in Nazi Germany. What started against them was when they were called names. And that was the first stage towards that totalitarian state. We have to resist them,” he claimed.

Whether you consider that a wild over-exaggeration, or entirely insulting (I sway toward the latter), it also ignores one glaringly obvious irony: the Nazi persecution of gay men and women during the Holocaust.

Members of the Church have no right to impose their own viewpoint on the laws regarding marriage As such, his comments were completely out of place, and little short of an insult to history.

He was, of course, making the comments in reference to Nick

Twitter

Clegg’s suggestion that those in opposition to gay marriage are bigoted. Unfortunately, when those who position themselves as leaders of the counter-movement use such misguided language, it’s difficult to sympathise with them.

But it is not only this language that irritates me. I find his point of view wholly irrelevant to the issue at hand. When this government first revealed its plans to open up marriage to same-sex couples, I recall one MP tweeting that the views of the Church of England were as relevant as those of the British Florist Association.

Despite the casual delivery of the point, it most certainly stands up. Members of the Church, or any other organisation have no right whatsoever to impose their own viewpoint on the laws regarding marriage.

And it is only a viewpoint.

Marriage dates back long before the time of modern religion. It has evolved over time and has since been adopted by various faiths. In the United Kingdom, no religion has a right to claim marriage as its own and the state maintains control of this institution. Various religious groups are then licensed to conduct marriages on its behalf in line with their own traditions, values and beliefs.

There is no proposal in place

that would enforce anything upon on these religious groups.

It will not infringe on their

It also ignores one glaringly obvious irony: the Nazi persecution of gay men and women during the Holocaust rights to conduct marriages in a way they see fit. It is quite simply the state doing what is seen as necessary to ensure that all citizens are equal in the eyes of the law, by entitling them to civil marriages. This is similar to the way in which non-religious heterosexual couples may choose to have their marriage recognised currently, in a way completely free of religious influence or obligations.

There is also the argument, that even without the influence of religion, marriage is a relationship reserved for one man and one woman, and has always been so. That may be so, but it hasn’t stopped marriage from evolving in other ways. For instance, rather ironically, Hen-

ry VIII established the Church of England largely due to his desire to redefine marriage and divorce his then-wife, Catherine of Aragon. In many parts of the world, marriage has been restricted to people of the same race, or same religion, yet we now accept that this cannot be the case in a modern democracy. Similarly, it now has to be the correct step to follow countries such as South Africa, Canada, and Spain and allow marriage to evolve further by opening it up to all, regardless of sexuality.

When put like that, it seems such a simple and logical piece of legislation in a country where religion and the law are meant to remain separate. Yet the oppositional stances of certain factions who use religion as the foundation of their argument continue to poison the air around an accurately informed debate on the issue.

12 / Politics

The road to 2014 starts here...

Harry Thompson

Politics Reporter Could the United Kingdom be about to undergo its biggest constitutional shift since the birth of the Irish Free State in 1922? Was the 15th October 2012 the start of a series of events that will undo the Acts of Union 1707, arguably the most important pieces of legislation in the uniting of the United Kingdom?

If Alex Salmond has anything to say about it, the answer to both these questions is a resounding 'yes'. The significance of the 15th October 2012 is that it was the day David Cameron flew to Edinburgh to sign an agreement on the proposed referendum on Scottish independence. The Scottish National Party have dubbed this the 'Edinburgh Agreement', and it makes provisions for powers to be passed to the Scottish Parliament for the legislation on a single-question referendum on Scottish independence in the autumn of 2014.

There was controversy as to when the referendum would be held, with Salmond favouring a later referendum to give him time to win over the Scottish people. It seems Mr Salmond successfully negotiated this, but Mr Cameron won on the issue of whether there should be one or two questions in the referendum. Opinion polls currently show that the Scottish people are against independence but favour more powers being transferred to the Scottish Par-

liament, a so-called 'Devolutionmax', or 'Independence-Lite' option. A two-question referendum could have given Mr Salmond's party a consolation prize if full independence failed. On this issue Mr Cameron got his way, so Mr Salmond will have to fight for full independence or the status quo will continue.

He has a lot stacked against him. For one thing, the entire British political establishment will throw the kitchen sink at preserving the union. Ed Miliband has positioned Labour on the unionist side, possibly influenced by the fact that 41 Labour MPs have their constituencies in Scotland, as opposed to just one Conservative MP. David Cameron, leader of the Conservative and Unionist party, promised to make a 'very positive

case' for the union. For what it's worth, Nick Clegg has also put himself on the side of the union (but then again, he once put himself on the side of students, and look what happened there).

The effects of Scottish independence would be felt further than just in Scotland. For example, it could herald a new age of Conservative government. If Scotland had been independent three years ago, the Conservatives would have won a majority in the House of Commons.

There is also a growing view in Wales that Scottish independence would demand massive reforms to the way Wales is governed. The voice of the Celtic nations would be even smaller without Scotland fighting their corner.

W e l s h First Minister Carwyn Jones has suggested that the House o f

Lords should be replaced by an American-style Senate, with equal representation for all nations of the UK. The Welsh public, in the event of an independent Scotland, would also like to see more powers transferred from London to Wales. A recent opinion poll found that in the event of Scotland voting for independence, 10 per cent of Welsh people would favour independence for Wales, and a further 32 per cent would favour the transfer of more powers to the Welsh Government/Assembly. Only 30 per cent stated they would want to retain the existing settlement.

There is also the issue of whether Scotland could afford independence. A long-running argument between proponents and opponents of Scottish ind e p e n d e n ce is whether or not Scotland currently pays its way in the UK. Nationalists argue that Scotland,

when oil revenues are taken into account, contributes much more than it costs, however Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, stated that 90 per cent of Scottish people are currently a net drain on the UK. In reality, Scotland is close to breaking even in its finances, and is one of the wealthiest regions of the UK. Whether or not it spends more than it brings in is not a suitable measure of whether it could 'survive' as an independent country. After all, most major Western economies do not currently have a balanced budget.

Whether Scotland could or could not balance its budget is, in the long run, probably irrelevant to the question of an independent Scotland. Upon choosing independence, Scotland is gone.

It will not, even if its secession is mishandled, want to suffer the indignity of returning to the UK it chose to leave. Scotland could therefore be a template for other nations to leave the UK, including Wales, whose people would become increasingly politically marginalised. On the other hand, Scotland looks likely to vote no to independence. This could take the issue off the agenda for a generation. However Scotland votes, it certainly seems like the Edinburgh Agreement is set to be extremely significant for the future of the entire United Kingdom.

The shock will stretch far further than just Scotland.

instability of the European markets, but a deeply rooted cultural divide partially exacerbated by the current crisis.

Nevertheless, panicked suggestions of a Yugoslavia-type split would be unfounded. Europe has moved on from the dark days of zero-tolerance of any dissidence; to some extent it is now encouraged, albeit within the democratic framework.

A week has passed since the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the highest honourable acknowledgment for work towards the pacification and unification of humankind, in

recognition of Europe’s transformation: from being a continent of war to becoming an exporter of peace. Now, it seems, the process has come full-circle, this time however, without the violence. Whilst the independence of regions throughout Europe will pose expansive problems for the continent and the world as a whole, and only add to economic volatility, it shows that the European project is not a closed book; everyone is heard, no matter the consequences. The question is however, is this a price Europe and her stakeholders are willing to pay?

Continent of peace... ...but unravelling at the seams With growing separatist movements across Europe, Politics reporter Gareth Dunn looks at the implications for member states.

A

fiscal crisis, not just across Europe but around the world, leaves countless ripples; social unrest (as in Spain, Greece etc.), fragmenting welfare states (the UK, USA, France etc.) crippling unemployment and extreme demands of thrift dominating every newspaper editorial across the continent. The same happened in the 30’s, and then again after the war and in 1992; in each case demanding a bold, radical response. Jump to the ‘World’ Section of your favourite daily, and you will read an even greater epic being acted out; the collapse of political Europe.

In the space of one single week, three of the most critical autonomous regions of Europe started digging their trenches in the fight for further segmentation of the Old World; Flanders in Belgium, Scotland in the UK, and Catalonia in Spain; two of which drive

the economy of their host nations. In the Low Countries, the Flemish nationalist NVA party of Bart de Wever monopolised local elections, laying down the gauntlet and platform for a probable Flemish presidency of Belgium in 2014. In Barcelona, 1.5m Catalonians took to the streets to demand greater fiscal and political autonomy from Madrid in the lead-up to regional elections in November. Meanwhile in the UK, Prime Minister Cameron and First Minister Salmond signed the Edinburgh Agreement, outlining plans for a Scottish Independence referendum in the Autumn of 2014.

While the concept of a Republic of Flanders, a Kingdom of Catalonia and a United Kingdom of Scotland might not be the most hotly contested issue at your dinner table, its effects will not simply stop when you disembark from your ferry to Antwerp or your cruise into Barcelona.

Outright independence would

demand a complete overhaul of European Union membership, affecting the British stipend into the Union’s kitty. In Belgium, the probable inclusion of Brussels into the new Flemish state would cut straight to the beating heart of political Europe.

Scottish independence would initiate intense negotiations between Holyrood and Westminster regarding division of natural and practical resources, not to mention the Armed Forces and the services we take for grantedthe Post Office, buses, state pensions, all public amenities. With host-nations desperate for unity, hanging by a thread to economic recovery, and the EU as a whole praying for fiscal stability, comments such as those of Oriol Pujol, the Catalonian Convergence Party’s General Secretary stating :“If we exhaust all legal routes to get a referendum we won't stop” suggest that these pushes for independence are not simply a reactionary by-product of the

Politics 12-14

Monday October 22nd 2012 | @gairrhyddpol

13

Calls for a rethink on illegal drugs policy Politics writer Chris McSweeney looks into a recent report on drug use in the UK

A

report published by independent think tank the UK Drug Policy Commission has called for reforms to legislation on illegal drugs. The report, entitled “A Fresh Approach to Drugs” recommends a rethink of the stance on minor drugs offences, as the report estimates tackling illicit drug use costs the public £3bn each year.

The 158 page report, submitted to the Home Office on October 14th examines the current state of UK Drug Policy, questioning the success of the Government’s strategy on drugs, stating “The way the UK makes and implements drug policy may mean policy is not cost effective and does not fully address the problem.”

The report suggests reform to current legislation which harshly penalises those caught in possession of drugs, arguing that “for most people, illicit drug use is something that happens in their teenage years or young adulthood. As they grow up they stop using, largely without any problems.”

The research was supported by data gained during their six year study, which estimates that there are 379,000 drug users in the UK – 9 in every 1000 people, on average. This average rises dramatically in the 24-35 age group, going up to 17 in every 1000.

There are 379,000 drug users in the UK - 9 in every 1000 people on average and rises dramatically in the 24-35 age group This profoundly brings the effectiveness of policing drugs into question, as in spite of this enormous figure, there are only 42,000 prosecutions for drug offences a year. The report explains; “With some 42,000 people in England & Wales sentenced annually for drug possession offences and about 160,000 given cannabis warnings, this amounts to a lot of time and money for police, prosecution and courts.”

Besides this, the report argues a more lenient approach on the penalties for drug users – for civic as well as economic reasons. Arguing that while no illegal drug should be in any way legalised, the report suggests that individuals who behave responsibly shouldn’t be targeted for prosecution, while on the other hand it outlines a new stance on handling “problem drug users”. It urges criminal justice to be more focused on recovery rather than punishment, as well as “tackling

“

Studies have shown that the majority of drug users are happy, healthy young people who do not succumb to addiction

stigma towards people with drugs problems and their families, with the aim of encouraging social reintegration.”

Objectively, the report argues that “debates about drug policy need agreement on goals, which can be hard, but also more realism about what will achieve those goals effectively.” In short, the report makes the realist statement that drug use in the UK is common, and this cannot be stopped, although this might not necessarily be a disaster for society.

Increasingly, studies have shown that the majority of drug users are happy, healthy young people, who do not succumb to excess or addiction, and prohibition in the past has never conclusively proved to be a good public policy. It is possible that criminalising ordinary citizens because of their tendency to engage in drug use might create more problems than it solves, particularly in an age of economic recession.

However, the dangers of drug use and the social problems it causes internationally are not ignored. Most notably, it mentions that in Mexico, between January and September of 2011, nearly 13,000 people were killed by organised crime, funded by the sale of cocaine and crystal meth

This is not the first time that official reports favourable of a change in drug policy have been ignored

This was yet another contribution to a political culture that ostracises rational, evidenced argument in the drugs debate, very often because politicians are afraid to waver on the “tough on drugs” platform that so many are elected on. Therefore, in the current political climate, it could be argued that it is highly unlikely the drugs debate can come anywhere close to fair and balanced – and certainly not while harsh stigma against drugs and drug users from a political system that will not listen remains constant.

In spite of seemingly sound arguments, however, the report has been ignored by the Home Office so far – a spokesperson stating “While the Government welcomes the UKDPC’s contribution to the drugs debate, we remain confident that our ambitious approach to tackling drugs outlined in our drugs strategy – is the right one.”

This is not the first time that official reports favourable of a change in drug policy have been ignored. Professor David Nutt, Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs was sacked in 2009 for suggesting that government policy on drugs was too harsh.

“A Fresh Approach to Drugs” is the final report of the UKDPC, which intends to end its six year investigation into UK Drug Culture this December. The investigation was funded over the years primarily by The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Home Office and the Scottish Drugs Recovery Consortium.

The full report is available online at www.ukdpc.org.uk.

to the American and European market. Conversely, government intervention into the drug trade could, in theory severely harm organised crime, the same way that Al Capone’s empire crumbled at the end of prohibition.

Government intervention in the drug trade could, in theory severely harm organised crime

14/ Politics

Chinese telecoms firms pose threat to US security Suryatapa Mukherjee

Politics Writer

An American congressional panel has reported, based on investigations by the US intelligence, that the Chinese telecom firms Huawei and ZTE pose a security threat to the US. After a yearlong investigation, the Committee rests its conclusions that the aforementioned companies may not be 'free of state influence.'

The firms are among the world’s biggest makers of networking equipment and are looking to broaden their market in the US economy. The US report said that government computer systems should not include components from them, since they may pose an espionage risk.

The Chinese commerce ministry has vehemently rejected the accusations.

"I hope the United States will abandon the practice of discrimination against Chinese companies, act on the open principles of cooperation to earnestly create a fair and equitable market environment for the businesses of the two countries, and promote the smooth development of Sino-US bilateral economic and trade cooperation," stated Shen Danyang, a spokesman for China's Commerce Ministry.

The ministry has further warned that such accusations could hurt the relations between the two countries.

There is no doubt that the recent claims will serve as fodder for the US Presidential election debates where China has long

been used a ploy to demonstrate a stronger stance by the candidates on economic issues.

In the 2012 American election, both President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney have pledged to heighten the pressure on China.

Romney has promised that on his first day in office he will issue an executive order branding China ‘a currency manipulator’, possibly triggering a trade war. On 17 September, the Obama administration filed an unfair trade case at the World Trade Organization against alleged Chinese subsidies of auto parts exports.

Trade action is a political play that allows a candidate to stand

Turkish-Syrian relations

up against foreigners who are not part of the electorate while exhibiting concern about the economy and its victims, the voters.

Huawei has been founded by Ren Zhengfei who is an ex-officer in China's People's Liberation Army where his job included the engineering of devices meant for espionage. ZTE was founded by a group of state-owned enterprises.

Huawei has already been blacklisted by Australia and may be followed by Canada on the grounds of national security.

In the UK, intelligence and security committee chairman Sir Malcolm Rifkind has confirmed that they are "reviewing

the whole presence of Huawei in regard to our critical national infrastructure and whether that should give rise for concern".

"If the UK takes the same stance as the US, and I would be surprised if they did, there will be all kinds of consequences," said Bengt Nordström, chief executive of telecoms consultancy Northstream. "It would mean that you need to agree on terms for de-commissioning, find a replacement vendor, tear out the old equipment, install the new.

It's a complicated costly exercise that will delay whatever plans they have. There is an impact for the major infrastructure projects in the UK."

However, there has never been any concrete evidence that proves ulterior motives of Huawei and ZTE. The US congressional panel is going to review the controversial report, yet again.

China's Ministry of Commerce said that the findings amounted to "groundless accusations based on subjective suspicions."

Huawei spokesman William Plummer said the panel's recommendations would set a "monstrous, market-distorting, tradedistorting policy precedent that could be used in other markets against American companies."

"They are the first Chinese company to present a viable, sustainable competitive threat to what has long been perceived as America's core competitive advantage, which is innovation and high technology," said David Wolf, a technology marketing consultant in Beijing. "No matter what firm stepped into that, it would be caught in the barbed wire."

China’s rising economic growth has stood to be a major concern for American citizens, with China being accountable for 40% of the US trade deficit.

Though unproved, the AUS report has the potential to harm Huawei and ZTE’s future business ventures with American companies. "This has the potential to cut both ways," said Charles Maynard, senior managing director of Business Development Asia. "If you want American companies to be welcome in China, you need to be making them welcome in the US"

Politics world Thom Hollick, Politics Editor

After several cross-border incidents, Turkey bans Syrian aircraft from its territory Julia Gillard strikes back at her opponent Tony Abbott, labeling him a misogynist

Austrailian PM hits back UN experts claim that the M23 rebels in the DR Congo are effectively being led by the Rwandan Defence minister

UN report on DRC rebellion

hello, have we met?

Our e fave YouTub rdiff a is the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;C â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ;) g n o S Bus

/'-$ $!# ,' + 1 $$' *'% '-* & / '' .!$$ ' ' ! **!. !& '-* & / '% !& ,*- +,- &, +,1$ /!,

* ! * / , / , * * &', +-* ! !, / + , * + *+ (!*!, , +% $$ ' -* *+ '& ' $+ '* , , , , %(, 1'- !& -, , &#+ ,' . *1'& / ' * . , * !& & % '-, ,' + -+ 3 !, / + * $$1 ((* ! , . & +( #!& ,' '-* $'. $1 *! & + , '. + ! & , 1 * $! , , , , !* $!%!, !,!'& , + !*,+ / &, '/& +,'*%

Our 2013/14 housing lists are out 1 st Nov. Re your int gister cpshomeerest at s.c signupo.uk/

Free stuff!

Serious bit!

'- * $!# $1 ,' !& , , 1'-* &, '* & $'* /!$$ +''& +# / , * 1'- / &, ,' +, 1 !& 1'-* '-+ '* $ , & 0, 1 * 1'- * & , +-* 1 , & '-$ ' /!, $(!& & / 1 &', !. '-* '-$ / +, 1 '* + '-$ / ' )-!2 ,*1

'* ('( & + -+

'( 1'- $!# , $''# ' '-* & / ' ! $$ &&'-& !& $',+ %'* !,+ & ' + + , 1 * -& '$ + +' '& , '* , ,' $!# '-* ''# ( ,' , !*+, ! + '& &1 !. / 1+ & /!, *!+,% + "-+, *'-& , '*& * 1'- & . * #&'/ / , &, + $. + /!$$ ($ &&!&

facebook.com/CPSHomes

www.cpshomes.co.uk

16 / Science

Cardiff researchers awarded large grants for breast cancer research

Anaesthetic found in deadly snake venom Tom Parry-Jones

David Mason

Sub-editor

Science Writer

Cardiff University, home to the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, has long been at the forefront of understanding the role that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play in various cancers.

Dr Matt Smalley heads a team that researches breast cancer, focusing primarily on the development and removal of CSCs. These cells are believed to be responsible for the growth and spread of cancers, and hence are classified as ‘tumorigenic’. Like normal stem cells, CSCs are unspecialised and hence are able to develop into a variety of cell types. Due to their self-renewing nature, it is theorised that conventional therapies targeting the bulk of tumour cells may still allow the remaining CSCs to regrow the tumour, whilst therapies targeting CSCs specifically could cause the tumour to shrink and die.

The Breast Cancer Campaign has awarded funding to Dr Smalley to research the role of the protein Lyn kinase, a ‘molecular switch’ in both normal and triple negative breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancer is a highly aggressive condition, in which the present cancer cells test negative for three key hormone receptors: estrogen, progesterone and HER2. Testing positive for any one of these may mean that the cancer growth is supported by these hormones, and could therefore be treated through hormonal therapy.

Every 10 minitues, one person in the UK is diagnosed with breast cancer

Althogh breast cancer can run in families, fewer than 10% of cases are caused by genetic factors

However, a triple negative breast cancer is not responsive to most conventional therapies. It is hoped that further research into therapies specifically targeted at CSCs may provide the possibility of treatment for such cancers.

Dr Smalley has suggested an initial research possibility: “We think that high activity of Lyn kinase in cells in the normal breast creates the conditions for them to become triple negative tumours.” He claims also that this may make this situation “a candidate for rationally designed targeted therapies.” This research is expected to consider the role that Lyn kinase plays in regulating normal and cancerous breast cells, opening up new potential treatments previously unavailable for this tumour type.

Dr Lisa Wilde, Director of Research at the Breast Cancer Campaign, commented: “It is very important that we make more effective treatments that target breast cancer in multiple ways, particularly for patients who have aggressive types of breast cancer,” and Of all

those diagnosed every year, 300 are male

Over 12,000 people die from breast cancer in the UK every year

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Wales

No definitive link between stress and breast cancer has been found

More people are being diagnosed but survival rates are improving

[hormonal therapy] are exquisitely sensitive to TRAIL,” Dr Clarkson has stated. The research now aims to focus on the potential implications for testing this treatment in vivo on long term tumours inside the body.

Further funding has also been awarded to Dr Clarkson’s lab independently by Cancer Research Wales to further investigate the potential of combining c-FLIP and TRAIL. This project is carried out in collaboration with Dr Andrew Westwell and Dr Andrea Brancale of the School of Pharmacy, and aims to develop a drug that will inhibit c-FLIP. Once cFLIP is inhibited, it is suggested that the efficiency of TRAIL as a treatment in breast cancer patients could be greatly improved.

Dr Lee Campbell of Cancer Research Wales describes this as an exciting project and says, “The targeting of c-FLIP within these cells provides a new approach to the treatment of difficult breast cancers. We very much look forward to the design and generation of inhibitors that can be taken forward for pre-clinical and clinical evaluation.”

This research funding will provide the potential to continue the investigations of both research groups, considering potential therapies relating to both CSCs and TRAIL. Though the funding itself is welcome and extensive, particular importance must be placed upon the sources of these awards; Cardiff University is once again proving to be a key centre for research and development, supported by both national An and international research estimated organisations. It is hoped 550,000 people that ongoing investigation living in the UK into these areas will prohave been vide alternative therapies diagnosed with and treatments for breast breast cancer patients.

furthermore that “[Breast Cancer] Campaign is proud to be funding this crucial work.”

Dr Richard Clarkson has also been awarded funding by the Breast Cancer Campaign. He is regarded as a leading research figure at Cardiff University, and leads a team interested in how the removal and reorganisation of cells within mammary tissues may play a role in the development of breast cancer. His research has revolved around investigating the potential for destruction of tumours focused around a single CSC, through the ligand protein TRAIL, a molecule that induces the process of cell death. To prevent destruction of healthy mammary tissues alongside cancerous ones, Dr Clarkson is investigating the potential for selective cell destruction.

Through combining the application of TRAIL with the inhibition of a suppressor gene known as c-FLIP in mammary tissues, only cancerous cells are destroyed, sparing healthy tissues.

It is theorised that Dr Clarkson’s studies might further the development of a new anti-cancer agent based around TRAIL for patients who have suffered a relapse or have become resistant to anti-hormonal therapy. “Our preliminary laboratory studies suggest that breast tumour cells that have acquired resistance to

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35

cancer

French scientists have found a potential replacement for morphine as a painkiller in the venom of the black mamba snake, says a report in scientific journal Nature.

Morphine is a powerful analgesic often used in the treatment of both acute and chronic severe pain, and can also be used to relieve addictions to opiate drugs such as heroin.

However, it also has some severe side effects, including nausea, headaches, muscle twitches and constipation, as well as being fairly addictive in itself.

It is these reasons that make the discovery of so-called mambalgins in black mamba venom so important.

The analgesic effect of mambalgins is applied via a different metabolic pathway to opiates like morphine, and tests have shown that this will avoid opiates’ trademark side effects.

Although the initial tests were performed on mice, subsequent tests showed similar effects on human tissue. However, since live human testing has yet to be carried out, it remains to be seen whether unique side effects will manifest.

The researchers remain mystified as to the reason why mamba venom contains such a powerful analgesic, which was discovered after tests on the venom of 50 species of snake. The next step will be for the scientists to test the mambalgins on larger animals. It is hoped that this could ultimately lead to the development of a painkiller fit for medical use. Dr Eric Lingueglia, from the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology near Nice, added that pain mechanisms are very similar in mice and people. As such, there is great optimism about the likely success of further research.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Dr Roger Knaggs profferred a cautionary note, however, stating that mambalgins fucntioned via injections into the spine and hence would need "significant development" before they could be used in people.

Science 16-17

Monday October 15th 2012 | @gairrhyddsci

MIT pioneer toxic gas detecting pencil Michael O'Connell Davidson Science Writer

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new pencilshaped device to detect poisonous gases. The device can be used to draw lines of sensors onto special paper impregnated with gold electrodes, the electrical activity of which changes upon detection of harmful gaseous substances.

Using a mass of compressed carbon nanotubes as a pencil lead replacement, the device will provide a safe alternative to current technology; existing gas detection solutions include use of a substance that is considered harmful to the human nervous system, making it inappropriate for civilian use.

The gold electrodes printed onto the paper allow an electrical current to be applied throughout its surface. The lines of electroconductive carbon nanotube drawn onto the paper change their electrical resistance in response to the air molecules they interact with, which affects the electrical current being applied

across the paper. By looking out for certain changes in current, the presence of specific dangerous gases can be detected.

This research was funded by the US Army, and comes as part of a long line of similar MIT and military research initiatives. For example, in 2008, the institution used carbon nanotubes to detect the nerve agent sarin. However, the new technology also has a number of potential applications within civilian sectors, with project researcher Dr Katherine Mirica claiming that "these sensors might ultimately find applications in the food industry, healthcare and homeland security".

Despite the unusual-sounding design, current methods of detecting poisonous gas are even less elegant in comparison. At present, the US Army uses a series of chemically treated paper strips attached to combat suits; these change colour when exposed to harmful substances. By comparison, the technology utilised by the new pencil device has the potential to provide a greater amount of information – by altering the composition of the nanotube lead, it can be utilised

to alert users to a wider range of hazardous substances.

The device’s familiar design will allow deployment with minimal training. This technology is likely to have implications for counter-terrorism efforts where nerve gases could threaten military operatives and civilians both at home and abroad.

While dispersing harmful biological agents requires a great degree of equipment and expertise, bioterrorism has, of course, occurred in the past. For example, in 1995, Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo (now Aleph) released the aforementioned gaseous nerve agent sarin into the Tokyo subway system. The attack lead to the deaths of 13 civilians, and affected close to 1,000 more.

This news follows a series of concerns about Syria and its chemical weapons program. US troops are currently training local forces in Jordanw to better defend against such attacks, after fears that consequences of Syria’s continuing civil war may spill across the border and affect regional stability.

Martian meteorite provides tantalising clues Chloe Peirce Science Writer

A Martian rock estimated to have travelled through space for over 700,000 years before colliding into Earth has been providing scientists with fascinating new clues about the properties of the Red Planet.

Scientists are always interested in new opportunities to send themselves into space, but once in a while they are fortunate enough to have a piece of space come to them. One such occurrence took place on July 18th 2011, when residents of the Moroccan village of Tissint, after which the meteorite is now named, witnessed a meteorite from Mars crashing into their local desert.

Tissint is a shergottite-type meteorite,

named as such because it is composed of volcanic, or igneous rock, much like the Shergotty meteorite that fell in 1865. It is thought to have been torn from the surface of Mars by an asteroid collision nearly 700,000 years ago.

Once in a while, scientists are fortunate enough to have a piece of space come to them The meteorite has been praised for being “fresh” by researchers due to its lack of earthly contamination. As University of Alberta researcher Chris Herd explained, "Cracks and fissures within the rock were sealed instantly by the heat [after the asteroid collision], trapping components of Mars' atmosphere inside”. For almost 14 months now, an international team of scientists representing many institutions across the globe have been analysing what researcher Hasnaa Chennaoui Aoudjehane of Casablan-

ca’s Hassan II University calls its “chemical signature”, with incredible results.

The meteorite contains many elements that could not have come from the Earth’s surface.

One of these elements is cerium, a metal that is found naturally on the Martian surface in high quantities. Caroline Smith, curator of meteorites at London’s Natural History Museum, is one of many scientists to speculate that Tissint’s cerium content is “because of the weathering process you get at the near surface of Mars… water, or fluids, have picked up the cerium and gone into gaps in the rock”.

Although they cannot provide a specific date, researchers can confirm that the weathering process took place before the rock was detached from Mars’s surface, suggesting that water has been present on the surface of Mars in the last few hundred million years.

While this is a huge development in the research of the Red Planet, Smith was eager to stress that this is no indication of any previous or current life forms on Mars. However, it is worth bearing in mind that this is only the beginning, and there is much promise that much more exciting research may soon be on its way.

17

Red Bull Stratos project offers scientific value Alexey Underwood

Science Editor On October 15th 2012, Felix Baumgartner captured the imaginations of millions of streaming video and television viewers across the globe by jumping out of a capsule suspended 128,100 feet above the Earth by a heliumfilled balloon, breaking the sound barrier and three world records on his way back down to ground level.

There was far more to the stunt than an impressive display of courage and marketing bravado. It is hoped that the Mach 1.24 freefall and the research underpinning it will leave far more of

a legacy than the highest number of streaming YouTube viewers. If the Red Bull Stratos scientists behind the jump are to be believed, there are considerable scientific rewards to be reaped from their project.

Their claims must, of course, be taken with a pinch of salt – after all, the entire project has been extremely PR-intense since its conception. It could be worth questioning the true extent the Stratos project’s actual scientific offerings – only time will tell whether the collected data will actually be of any use to the scientific community.

Baumgartner’s David Clarke Co. pressurised suit features cutting-edge technology that improves mobility and visibility. It could yet serve as a prototype for the next generation of full-pressure suits.

The effects of supersonic speed on the human body will be studied in order to improve the safety for space professionals and space tourists.

11 talks will be presented at the 2013 Aerospace Medical Association meeting detailing the findings of the Stratos project.

Data captured will be shared with government programs and commercial spaceflight companies.

Red Bull’s R&D will aid development of ‘personal protective ensemble’ space suits, which feature a parachute rig and advanced life support system.

Spacecraft escape and stratospheric safety procedures will be improved thanks to the data collected.

As a result of Stratos, advanced in-suit physiological monitoring systems have been developed.

Procedures have been developed and refined for initial treatment of exposure to pressure loss at high altitude.

Baumgartner’s prototype Velocity Sports Equipment parachute is guaranteed to work at altitudes more than four times higher than any other existing parachutes.

18 / Societies

Can’t see the Society you want to see? Then create it!

1) There are several different types of societies: t t t t t t t t

It is worth thinking about where your idea for a society could fit in within these categories. It will show the Guild processing your application that serious thought has gone into your idea and that you are likely to have the motivation to make it work in practice.

Activity and Appreciation e.g. Duke of Edinburgh, Real-Ale Society Course Based e.g. Law, Psychology Society Cultural and International e.g. Islamic Society, Malaysian Society Discussion, Campaign and Awareness e.g. Amnesty International, UNICEF Heath Based e.g. MedSoc, Mental Wealth Ideological and Political e.g. Christian Union, Labour Students Performance and Artistic e.g. Photography Society, Broadway Dance Student-Led Services e.g. Nightline, ‘Raise And Give’

2) Fill in the application form available from http:// groups.cardiffstudents. com/societies/createa-society/ (scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the ‘Creating New Societies’ document link). This proves that you can fulfil the requirements required by the Guild.

You can also email Emma McKeogh, our Societies Coordinator, at mckeoghe@cardiff. ac.uk, who will be able to answer any queries and guide you through the process, or you can pop up & see her on the 3rd floor of the Union!

Your DIY Society Guide NB

The Spring semester deadline for New Society applications is 21st January 2013

Words by Vanessa Platt

Monday October Tuesday, 22nd - Art Society's October 23rd -

3) Once you have submitted your application, it will be presented to all the different societies in the 7 different forums for discussion. This is to ensure that no current societies cover your aims and objectives. After all the forums, a final decision will be reached on your affiliation by the Societies Officer with their Societies Executives, ensuring that the society is legal, ethical and adheres to the Cardiff Students’ Union Constitution.

4) If your idea is similar to that of an existing Society, then Emma and Adam are there to help you to come to a collaborative agreement with the Society, to the benefit of both of you and to the Union Office, where Emma is working on the admin to keep all the societies running smoothly. Our societies tally keeps increasing, but our Union staff numbers do not, so they have to cope with any rises as best they can.

Wednesday, October 24th - Kenyan Society has

Thursday, October 25th - Debating Society's

Friday, October 26th - Capoeira Society's Friday training,

arranged a Go Karting

debate training evening in

7.30 - 9.30pm, Talybont

session on life drawing,

Earth Spirituality Circle

race with theTeamSport

the Humanities Cafe in the

Sports Centre. Beginners

7.15 - 9pm, in the Aneurin

Group discussion into the

Go Karting Cardiff. 8.30

ENCAP building, 7 - 9pm.

always welcome! Wear

Bevan Room on the 4th

Wheel of the Year, how the

- 10.30pm and it will cost

They meet every Thursday

comfortable clothing and

floor of the Student's

seasons change within the

£18. Please make your

for

indoor shoes or barefoot.

Union. Cost is £1 for

British Isles. 7.30 - 10pm,

payments to any one of the

debate

Cost £4 per class for

members, £2 for non-

Rona Griffiths Room,

committee members as it

training.

students.

members.

Students' Union 4th floor.

operates on a first come first served basis.

Monday October 22nd 2012 | @gairrhyddsoc

Societies Fayres Competition

O

n the mornings of the Societies Fayres, Societies Officer Adam Curtis delivered a letter to every society occupying a stall that day. The letter informed each society of the new Societies Fayre Competition in which they were automatically taking part by being there – a new initiative of Adam’s to encourage committees to ‘get engaged’ with all the students who walk through the doors of the Great Hall - all of them prospective members. The prize, the letter detailed, was £75 + £50 of Taf vouchers. Adam then sent in a Mystery Shopper to judge for the most enthusiastic, helpful & engaging stall on each day. “The Fayres cost us as a Union £3000 to put on,’ Adam told gair rhydd, ‘and I wanted to see societies really making the most of their stall fee, which we charge primarily to reimburse us for the initial outlay.’ Do you hope it will be something that next year’s Societies Officer will put on? ‘I hope so!’, says Adam, ‘Join-ups were up by 25% on last year’s tally, so the evidence suggests that we, as a Union, were successful this year, although I did notice that some of my letters were not read by societies until the end of the day!’ Their loss, it would seem, unless they were doing well enough without the encouragement contained in the letter.

Although some societies target themselves at a specific group, like the diverse range of

International societies at Cardiff University, there is no reason why these should be any less engaged with the general student population, as they offer as many opportunities to those who do not know much about them as to those who know everything. This year, congratulations must go to Brass Band and Debating Society for winning the prize on their respective days of the Fayre.

A Mystery Shopper judged the most enthusiastic, helpful & engaging stall on each day.

The Debating Society commented on their success, their Publicity Officer Kathryn Lane saying "The Debating Society was delighted to receive the award for the Societies Fayres Competition. We are thrilled with the number of members we have recruited and we welcome them all to our weekly meetings.

Our winnings will be going towards sending our members off to represent us in debating competitions all around the country within the next year!

We would advise next years societies to get baking cakes and making goody bags!

19

Societies 18-19

Spanish & Italian Society photo competition launched Bethan Jones Societies Writer It's time to get snaphappy for our first monthly photo competition!

We want all you keen photographers out there to take one photograph based on the theme 'Spain in the Summertime', and send it in to morganbr@cardiff. ac.uk Please include your name, year of study and a caption to describe your image.

The deadline is the 28th October, and the winner will be announced on the 1st November. The winning photo will be featured in gair rhydd and will also be used as the cover photo on our Facebook page for the month.

Good luck!

Bellringing Society Cardiff Students Bellringing Society (CSBS) is a group of students who partake in the change-ringing of church bells. They meet on a Thursday evening at 7.30pm for regular practice nights at St.John's church in Cardiff City Centre.

20 / Taf-Od Pwerau newydd y senedd yn gwynebu'r her gyntaf Cerith Rhys Jones Taf-od

O taf D

Pan basiwyd Bil Llywodraeth Leol (Is-ddeddfau) (Cymru) fis Gorffennaf, disgwyliwyd mai’r bil fyddai Deddf gyntaf y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol dan ei phwerau ehangach wedi llwyddiant y refferendwm ar gymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y sefydliad fis Mawrth 2011.

Pwrpas y ddeddf fydd i symleiddio’r ffordd y gwneir isddeddfau yng Nghymru; i bob bwrpas, byddai’n rhoi’r hawl i awdurdodau lleol greu is-ddeddfau parthed pethau megis cyfleusterau cyhoeddus fel tai bach, a pharlyrau tat io. Dan y ddeddf, ni fyddai disgwyl i awdurdodau leol dderbyn cydsyniad gweinidogion Llywodraeth Cymru cyn creu’r is-ddeddfau.

Ond yn ôl Twrnai Cyffredinol Lloegr a Chymru, byddai hyn hefyd yn gwaredu ar un o bwerau Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru gan fod ganddo ef hefyd yr hawl i gydsynio i is-ddeddfau lleol ac y mae hynny, dadleua’r Twrnai Cyffredinol, gam y tu hwnt i delerau Deddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006.

Dadl Comisiwn y Cynulliad yw nad yw’r bil yn torri telerau datganoli, fel y cyfryw; hynny yw, bod hawl yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol i gydsynio i is-ddeddfau lleol yn ddyddio cyn i ddatganoli gychwyn, ei bod, i bob pwrpas, yn ddarfodedig.

Yn wahanol i’r Comisiwn, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn derbyn fod y Bil yn gwaredu ar un o bwerau’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol, ond bod y weithred honno o waredu ar un o bwerau Gweinidogion y Goron yn ‘achlysurol’ yn unig.

Yn ysgrifennu ar gyfer Click on Wales, sef blog y Sefydliad Materion Cymreig, meddai Manon George, sy’n ymgeisydd PhD yng Nghanolfan Llywodraethiant Cymru ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd:‘Dadleuwyd ystyr ‘achlysurol’ am gyfnod dra hir yn y llys. Er enghraifft, synfyfyriodd yr Arglwydd Carnwath ynghylch

ai ‘canlyniad naturiol’ o waredu ar swyddogaeth y Gweinidogion Cymreig fyddai gwaredu ar swyddogaeth yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol. Yn wahanol, lled-awgrymodd yr Arglwydd Hope y gallai gosod gwelliannau yn Atodleni’r Bil, yn hytrach nag ar wyneb y Bil, awgrymu bod y darpariaethau yn achlysurol i brif ddarpariaethau’r Bil. Wrth ddilyn trywydd y farn hon, wrth osod gwaredu ar bwerau’r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yn Atodlen 2 y Bil, gallai fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ei wneud

penderfyniad cyn y Nadolig.

Os byddant yn penderfynu o blaid y Twrnai Cyffredinol, yna bydd yn rhaid i’r Cynulliad ailystyried rhannau’r Bil yr ystyrir yn anghyfreithlon – testun embaras fyddai hynny i Lywodraeth Cymru, wrth reswm – cyn i’r Bil dderbyn Cydsyniad Brenhinol a dod yn Ddeddf Gwlad. Ond, os bydd y Goruchaf Lys yn penderfynu o blaid Llywodraeth Cymru a Chomisiwn y Cynulliad, yna fe fydd y Bil yn derbyn Cydsyniad Brenhinol a dod yn Ddeddf Gw-

Cynulliad.

Mae’r bil hwn yn perthyn i statws y Gymraeg a’r Saesneg a’u defnydd yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol; byddai’r bil, fel deddf, yn sefydlu statws cyfreithiol y ddwy iaith. Pasiwyd y bil, sy’n ‘hanesyddol’ yn ôl Llywydd y Cynulliad Rosemary Butler, yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf ond medd Swyddfa Cymru fod y bil y tu hwnt i bwerau’r Cynulliad gan ei fod yn delio â’r Saeseg.

Pwerau i ddeddfu ynghylch y Gymraeg yn unig sydd gan

yn glir ei fod ond yn achlysurol i waredu ar bwerau’r Gweinidogion Cymreig.’

Nid yw’r naill ochr na’r llall yn gallu cytuno a yw gwaredu ar bwerau Gweinidogion y Goron yn ‘achlysurol’ i’r Bil ai peidio felly o’r herwydd, mae’r mater yn awr dan ystyriaeth y Gorchuchaf Lys yn Llundain; disgwylir y bydd y pum barnwr dan arweiniad yr Arglwydd Neuberger sy’n ffurfio’r Goruchaf Lys yn cyhoeddi eu

lad yn syth. Yn yr achos hwnnw, ymyrraeth y Twrnai Cyffredinol fyddai testun embaras Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol.

Nid hwn yw’r unig fil o Fae Caerdydd sydd wedi derbyn her gan San Steffan; mae Swyddfa Cymru wedi penderfynu gofyn wrth y Twrnai Cyffredinol i ystyried a yw Bil Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru (Ieithoedd Swyddogol) Cymru o fewn cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y

Gynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru dan Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006, medd Swyddfa Cymru.

Ond, mae’n debyg mai gwrthddadl Comisiwn y Cynulliad a Llywodraeth Cymru fydd bod deddfu ynghylch y Saesneg eto yn achlysurol i ddeddfu ynghylch y Gymraeg.

Esboniodd Marie Navarro, sy’n arbenigwraig yn y maes, wrth BBC Radio Wales bod y gyfundrefn ddatganoli yn gymysglyd

tu hwnt. Dywedodd bod yna restr o’r pethau y gall y Cynulliad ddeddfu arnyn nhw, ond mae yna eithriadau i’r pethau hynny, ac yn wir, eithriadau i’r eithriadau. I ychwanegu at hynny, meddai fod geiriad yr eithriadau yn anghlir.

Galwodd am greu system o bwerau wedi eu cadw’n ôl, fel yn yr Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon. Dan y fath system, mi fyddai’n glir pa bethau sydd dal dan awdurdod llywodraeth ganolig a wedyn, mi fyddai gan y sefydliad datganoledig yr hawl i ddeddfu ar bopeth arall.

Dywedodd Rhodri Glyn Thomas AC, llefarydd Plaid Cymru ar lywodraeth leol:“Cred Plaid Cymru mai’r ffordd i ddatrys anghydfod fel hyn fuasai symud at fodel o Bwerau a Gedwir yn Ôl lle rhagdybir fod popeth wedi ei ddatganoli , ond am ddyrnaid o eithriadau. Buasai hyn yn diffinio yn glir gyfrifoldebau’r Cynulliad a buasai’n rhoi terfyn ar y gwrthdaro di-fudd hwn. Buaswn yn disgwyl i rôl Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru fynd yn llai pwysig eto trwy’r broses hon, a fyddai yn gwella mwy ar wneud penderfyniadau yng Nghymru.”

Nid yw’n glir pa gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol sydd gan y syniad hwn, ond y mae’n amlwg bod gan Lywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol sialensau i’w hwynebu ynghylch pwerau Bae Caerdydd.

Disgwylir penderfyniad y Twrnai Cyffredinol parthed a fydd yn gofyn wrth y Goruchaf Lys i ystyried cyfreithlonrwyd y Bil Ieithoedd Swyddogol erbyn diwedd mis Hydref, a disgwylir penderfyniad y Goruchaf Lys parthed y Bil Is-ddeddfau Awdurdodau Lleol yn fuan wedi hynny.

Y mae hefyd yn bosibl y bydd bil arfaethedig parthed cydsyniad tybiedig i roi organnau yn wynebu her gyfreithiol gan Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol, sydd wedi rhybuddio Llywodraeth Cymru y gallai rhannau o’r bil arfaethedig fod tu hwnt i bwerau’r Cynulliad.

Cawn weld a fydd y Cynulliad yn bwrw ati p’un bynnag.

Straeon OD o bob rhan o'r byd... Wythnos yma, tîm pêl-droed yn cael ei noddi gan buteindai...

M

ae dyn yn America wedi cael ei arestio ar ôl iddo gael ei ddal yn cael rhyw gyda soffa ar ochr stryd. Cafodd ei weld gan heddwas tra yr oedd yng nghanol cael ei foment rhamantus gyda'r soffa oedd yn amlwg yn ddiamddiffyn. Mae'n debyg y bod yna siawns y bydd y dyn yn gwynebu amser yn y carchar ac iawndal o £7,000. Mae'n anhebyg y bydd

yn cael croeso mawr yn DFS yn y dyfodol.

Mewn newyddion rhyfedd arall, mae tîm pêl-droed o Groeg wedi cael ei gwahardd o wisgo ei cit oherwydd mai ei noddwyr yw dau buteindy lleol. Gyda timau yn ymdrechu i aros mewn bodolaeth oherwydd diffyg arian, penderfynodd Voukefalas Larissa i droi at ei puteindai lleol, Villa Erotica a Soula's House of History. Mae'r tîm wedi derbyn dros £800 gan un puteindy ac yn dadlau fod cael eu noddi gan buteindai ddim gwaha-

nol i cael eu noddi gan gwmniau betio sy'n hybu gamblo. Raid gofyn faint o werth mae'r puteindai hyn yn gael o noddi'r tîm, allai

ddim credu fod chwaraewyr tîmau eraill yn edrych ar y crysau a meddwl, "dyna 'dwi angen, ymweld â puteindy..."

Taf-Od 20-21

Dydd Llun 22ain Hydref 2012 | @taf_od

21

Perfformiad rhagorol Bale yn achub Cymru a suddo'r Albanwyr Owain Brown Taf-od

O ganlyniad dechrau siomedig Cymru a’r Alban i gemau rhagbrofol Cwpan y Byd, nid yn unig buasai rhywbeth ond byddigoliaeth yn difrodi gobeithion Cymru a’r Alban o gyrraedd y gemau ym Mrasil yn 2014, ond buasai swyddi y ddau reolwr, Chris Coleman a Craig Levin hefyd yn y fantol.

Tra oedd Cymru yn rhoid cyflau i Ben Davies y cefnwr chwith anmhrofiadol o Abertawe i gynrychioli ei wlad am y tro cyntaf, roedd yr Albanwyr yn croesawu yn ol dau o’i chwaraewyr mwyaf adnabyddus a galluog; capten y tîm, Darren Fletcher, a Steven Fletcher; ymosodwr Sunderland a chafodd ei enwi fel chwaraewr y mis Uwchgyngrhair Lloegr mis Medi, yn dilyn dechrau disglair i’w dymor.

Dechreuodd Cymru’r gem yn llawn hyder, wrth i seren y tim, yr asgwellwr Gareth Bale gynnig am gôl gyda foli o bellder a fethodd i drafferthu Alan McGreggor yng ngol yr Alban, ond roedd yn ddigon o arwydd i’r cefnogwyr bod y tîm yn barod i ymosod yr Albanwyr. Ychydig funudau wedyn, derbyniodd Bale y bel unwaith eto yn dilyn pas hir Chris Gunter, a roedd ond ychydig fodfeddau o rhoi Cymru ar y blaen pan wibiodd ei ergydiad o gwmpas y postyn pellaf.

Wrth i’r Alban ddod yn fwy cyfforddus ar y bel, roedd bylchau yn cael ei creu yn eu hamddiffyn.

Gyda’r cefnwyr Hutton a Fox yn ymuno a’r chwarae yn ochr Cym-

ru o’r cae, daeth Cymru’n agos i’w cosbi ac oni bai am ymyrraeth Gary Caldwell a lwyddodd i atal canolwr Lerpwl, Joe Allen yn arwrol yn dilyn gwaith da Aaron Ramsey. Serch amddiffyn cryf Caldwell, mi oedd bron ar fai am

benio’r bel heibio’r postyn tra oedd y cefnogwyr ar ymylon ei seti yn barod i ddathlu. Yna, ar ol y cic gôl ddilynol, neidiodd Steven Fletcher yn uwch na capten newydd Cymru, Ashley Williams i benio’r bêl ymlaen i’r bwlch tu

croesiad Fox i’r cwrt cosbi. Ychydig funudau wedyn, gwibiodd Bale lawr yr asgell dde, cyn iddo ddarganfod Ramsey yn rhydd yn y cwrt cosbi, ond tarodd yntau’r bel dros y traws.

Ar ddechrau’ ail hanner, roedd

adael Cymru fynd gôl ar y blaen.

Yn dilyn cyfnod o basio deniadol gan yr Albanwyr, cafodd ei bas wallus ei ryng-gipio gan Gunter ar ochr dde’r cae cyn iddo eto ddarganfod Bale a wibiodd heibio David Fox cyn croesi’r bel yn berffaith i rhif naw Cymru, Steve Morrison ond gwastraffodd ef gyfle euraidd, wrth iddo

ôl i amddiffyn Cymru, lle gasglodd seren West Brom, James Morrisson y bel cyn iddo dawelu llafarganu’r stand Canton drwy roi’r Alban ar y blaen wrth iddo osod y bel yn daclus yn isel yn nghornel chwith gôl Lewis Price.

Roedd bron i’r Alban sgorio eto, ond ni chafodd Steven Fletcher gysylltiad digon cryf yn dilyn

llai o gyfleoedd i’r ddau dîm, ond ar ol pas gwych Ben Davies, fe ddylsai Ramsey wedi dod a Cymru’n gyfartal, wrth iddo fethu taro’r targed er nad oedd pwysau arno o gwbwl gan amddiffyn yr Alban. Aeth pethau bron o ddrwg i waeth i Gymru, pan ddarganfyddodd peniad Fletcher gefn y rhwyd, ond dynododd y llimanwr

bod y gôl yn anghyfreithlon gan fod y bêl wedi gadael y maes chwarae wrth i’r eilydd Charlie Adam groesi tuag at Fletcher.

Yn dilyn nifer o benderfyniadau cynhennus gan y dyfarnwr yn cynnwys nifer o droseddi na chafodd eu cosbi, ennillodd Gareth Bale gic o’r smotyn i’r cochion yn yr wythdegfed munud, ar ol i ymosodwr Wigan, Shaun Maloney i’w faglu yn y cwrt cosbi. Ar ol y cic o’r smotyn dilynol, roedd Cymru’n gyfartal wrth i Gareth Bale sgorio ei wythfed gôl i’w wlad.

Nid oedd angen disgwyl llawer iawn am ei nawfed. Gyda’r dorf yn rhuo’r cochion ymlaen, carlamodd Bale o ganol y cae, i galon amddiffyn yr Albanwyr, heibio Charlie Adam a crymanodd y bêl yn rymus i ornel uchaf y rhwyd. Heb os, un o goliau gorau gan unrhyw un yn y crys coch mewn degawd neu fwy. Roedd yr ergyd anhygoel yn ddigon i sicrhau triphwynt amhrisiadwy i Coleman a Chymru, a creoedd obaith newydd ar gyfer gweddill yr ymgyrch.

Yn anffodus i Coleman a'i dîm, ni barhaodd y gobaith hyn yn hir, wedi taith hynod siomedig i Zagreb wythnos yn ddiweddarach, pan gollodd y cochion a ddwy gôl i ddim, yn erbyn carfan gryf a phrofiadol Croatia.

Gyda Cymru'n anhebygol iawn o gyrraedd Cwpan y Byd 2014, mae'n bosib iawn na fydd gyrfa Chris Coleman fel hyfforddwr ei wlad yn un hir iawn.

sudoku.

CHALLENGING

INTERMEDIATE

Steve and his wife Gill organise a dinner party. He invites four other husband-wife couples. Steve and Gill don't necessarily know everyone they invited. Once everyone is at the party, the people who don't know each other yet shake hands with each other. You can assume that everyone knows their own wife/husband, and that no-one shakes their own hand.

After this happens, Steve asks each person (except for himself) how many people they shook hands with.

Everybody tells you a different number.

23

Puzzles 23

Monday October 22nd 2012 | @mediacsu

word wheels.

How many words of three or more letters, each including the letter at the centre of the wheel, can you make from this diagram?

D T I A

U C R

P T

E

E

L

A

O I

E V

R

Rhysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; riddles.

answers.

How many people did Gill shake hands with?

go to tinyurl.com/ceaqv4k for detailed explanation The weights should be 1, 3, 9, and 27 lbs.

INTERMEDIATE

CHALLENGING

Last week's answer

Sport 25–28

Monday October 22nd 2012 | @gairrhyddsport

25

Cardiff Ladies off to a flyer Emma Fox

Sport Writer The Cardiff ladies rugby team got their season off to a great start with a convincing win over UCL. After a loss to Glamorgan on their debut, Cardiff Ladies were determined to lift spirits and get a win this week against UCL. Having just come up to the Premiership this season, UCL were an unknown for Cardiff, and after a long coach journey, the game began. With Cardiff playing against strong winds in the first half, kicks were falling short of touch, and with a weighty pack against our relatively light one, scrums were proving challenging. A quick tap penalty from UCL and sleepy Cardiff defence meant an unconverted try from UCL to make the score 5–0. Conceding this try was the wake-up call Cardiff needed.

They tightened their defence and UCL were getting pushed back in their attack. Finally, Cardiff got a break; after several incidents, UCL were identified as offside which meant a quick penalty, from which a great carry from forwards including Harriet Cox and Anna White. Claire Molloy was looking very dangerous constantly making breaks, it was only a matter of time before a try came, and with a great supporting run from Alice Stean off her shoulder, that it did. With the high winds, the conversion was narrowly missed, making the score an even 5–5.

UCL came back strong and, despite some great cover tackles from the likes of Alice Stean and Becky Boot, Cardiff once again

conceded an unconverted try, making the score 10–5.

Again, Cardiff retaliated with

scrum. However, this didn’t seem to faze Cardiff, as they stormed forward with several great carries

into the second half, the forwards sucked in the UCL defence with strong carries, and Molloy again

some slick backline moves and strong running from the likes of Holly Hearle, Karen Davies and Blanche Lumb. The problem was lying in the breakdown, where UCL were repeatedly diving off their feet and not rolling away, making it difficult to get quick ball away. Cardiff were putting some great width on the ball, meaning that wingers Bridget Taylor and Elisa Crombie were able to make some good ground.

An injury meant a substitution for Cardiff and a reshuffle of the

from the forwards leading to captain Kiri Shuttleworth shoving her way over the line. Converted

by Claire Molloy, this meant Cardiff crept ahead 12–10.

With Alice Stean opening up gaps, Molloy’s magic feet meant she made a 50 metre break to run in another try, making the halftime score 19–10.

At the start of the second half, UCL looked tired and slightly demoralised. Cardiff, on the other hand, were determined to put more points on the board. Early

used her quick feet and strength to break through and score and convert a try. UCL spent a lot of time in their own half, and Cardiff again came at them with a superb support run from Holly Hearle at 13, she crashed over the line. Another converted try for Cardiff and they were running away with it at 33–10.

Another break from Awen Prysor saw her fend off several UCL defenders, and from this Cardiff kept gaining momentum.

Once again, UCL were creating a

messy breakdown and were penalised, leading to penalty kick at goal from Molloy to take the score to 36–10.

From this point, Cardiff dominated the game; UCL made breaks at times, but some great cover tackles and defensive organisation held them back. Despite being a smaller pack, Cardiff were holding their own in the scrums and now even winning the opposition’s ball at times. UCL did not do themselves any favours with their poor discipline at the breakdown compromising the flow of the game, and they conceded another couple of penalties, which Molloy – working with the wind in the second half – easily put into touch. Moving up the pitch, Cardiff were convinced they had a try after a great carry over the line from Beth Stafford, but it was called as held up. The subsequent 5m scrum resulted in a quick feed from scrum-half Emma Fox to fly-half Alice Stean, who created a gap for Molloy to slip through and score once again. She once again successfully converted making the score 43–10. UCL couldn’t seem to come back from this and, despite hovering around the try line, some strong defence from a weary Cardiff meant they were denied.

It was a promising performance from Cardiff Ladies, in which some freshers played their first ever game of rugby. The performance bodes well for the team’s aim to remain in the Premiership South league this session and finish in the top four.

Men's 1st XV suffer second straight heavy loss Ross Martinovic

Sport Writer Cardiff University 1st XV’s miserable start to the BUCS Premier League South A season continued after their under-strength side was swept away 53–18 by the University of Exeter at Llanrumney.

Cardiff’s Director of Rugby Martyn Fowler admitted to gair rhydd a fortnight ago that he expected a tough first semester, with his squad’s goal being to win as many home games as possible in an attempt to retain their Premier A status.

But after an equally demoralising 54–5 defeat at the University of Bath in the opening fixture of the campaign, this is not the kind of start that the Welshman would have wanted his charges to make on their own patch.

The writing was on the wall almost from the off as Exeter, playing with an almighty tailwind in

the first half, stormed to a 17–0 lead in as many minutes.

Lock Ben King opened the scoring in the seventh minute, crashing over from close range after the visitors had stretched Cardiff by shifting the ball from side to side from a lineout.Ali Chisholm added the conversion.

This is not the kind of start Martyn Fowler would have wanted his charges to make on their own patch Connor Hartley doubled his side’s try tally on the quarterhour mark, as the giant centre sliced through a disorganised Cardiff kick chase to break free and touch down.

And Hartley was the architect for Exeter’s third just two min-

utes later, as he pierced the heart of the hosts’ defence from a midfield scrum, with the ball being spun left to release Exeter Chiefs Academy winger Aron Struminski in the corner.

Cardiff, missing a number of key players, were shell-shocked, but a penalty courtesy of some fine work on the floor by captain Rhys Luckwell allowed the Welshmen to gain a foothold in the game.

The home side racked up the phases from the resulting lineout in the Exeter 22 and seemed set to score when an overlap developed on the left wing, only for the offside Rob Coote to slap the ball out of the air and receive a yellow card for his troubles.

Cardiff were not to be denied for long, however, as centre Ian Herriott ran a superb angle a minute later to glide through underneath the posts, with Matt Purssell slotting the conversion.

Purssell then traded penalties with Chisholm as Exeter maintained their 10-point advantage, before Cardiff prop Aled Rees saw yellow three minutes before the break for repeated infringements.

The hosts began the second period brightly and reduced the arrears through a second Purssell penalty, but they could not make further inroads into the deficit as Exeter streaked away.

Struminski bagged his second five-pointer as he finished off a sizeable overlap on the left wing, with Chisholm converting expertly into the wind.

Fullback Chisholm then released centre Toby Bain up the same touchline for his side’s fifth try, despite more than a hint of a knock-on when fielding the initial clearance kick.

Cardiff’s luck on the day was summed up when, just as they seemed certain to claw a score

back with the ball being spread wide metres from the line, Exeter replacement winger Tom Hockedy intercepted a wayward pass to race the length of the field and dive over in the shadow of the posts.

Matters went from bad to worse for the home side as visiting skipper Bertie Haskins scored Exeter’s seventh of the afternoon, with a host of players queuing up to claim the try after fine hands on the short side.

Dynamic prop Haskins then set Chisholm away on the right wing after a sublime arcing run and backhand offload, before Rhys Howells registered a consolation score for Cardiff on the final whistle after weaving his way through a tight space out wide.

26 / Sport

Heineken Cup kicks off Greg Landon reviews the first round of Heineken Cup fixtures and picks out the ones to watch for the Lions tour this summer.

D

espite pre-season boycott threats from English and French sides, the 2012–13 Heineken Cup started last weekend, with an entertaining mix of low scoring dogfights, 60-point try fests, and everything in-between.

Of course, with next year’s Lions tour of Australia looming, the tournament takes on added significance for English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh players looking to stake their claim for a red jersey.

The traditionally physical and disciplined defences of some of the world’s biggest clubs were on show, although fans will be encouraged by the amount of attacking enterprise and five-pointers generally seen.

No team implemented this combination better than Saracens, who demolished last season’s surprise semi-finalists Edinburgh 45–0 at a worryingly empty Murrayfield. Due to a great effort by the tight-five, Lions hopefuls in the backline, such as Chris Ashton were able to show great attacking intent in the five-try hammering.

Heineken Cup kicked off with a mix of low scoring dogfights and 60-point try fests Sadly, attacking intent was not a phrase applicable to defending champions Leinster in their victory over Exeter. As the 9–6 scoreline indicates, Leinster’s big names failed to make much of an impact. Both Jonny Sexton

and Brian O’Driscoll provided little direction or initiative in the backs, while the pack was often beaten backwards by Exeter’s relatively inexperienced forwards.

Of the Welsh sides, only the Ospreys enjoyed victory due to a solid performance against Treviso It was a poor weekend for Irish sides, as Munster were undone

by Racing Metro in a very muddy Paris, thanks largely to former Bath and England fly-half Olly Barkley.

Of the Welsh sides, only the Ospreys enjoyed victory, due to a solid performance at home against Treviso. Dan Biggar was excellent, and the Swansea side seem to have found a very exciting replacement for Shane Williams in Eli Walker.

That said, the young Welsh winger who really stood out at the weekend was Cardiff’s Alex Cuthbert, who scored a hat-trick in the Blues’ losing effort away to Sale. A six-try thriller, the match showcased the talents of multiple Lions hopefuls, and ended 34–33 to the home side, despite Leigh Halfpenny’s flawless goalkicking. Sale’s Scottish pair of Richie Gray and Richie Vernon were at their usual best, while replacement Danny Cipriani produced a sublime attacking cameo.

Elsewhere, the Scarlets’ exciting backs were starved of opportunities by a classy Clermont, and lost 49–16 away from home.

As mentioned, this year’s tournament will help Warren Gatland decide on his squad for next

year’s Lions tour; and given that, here is my provisional Lions XV: 1) Joe Marler – Only has three caps, but at 22 is constantly improving. With Gethin Jenkins struggling to make Toulon’s 1st XV and Cian Healy struggling for form, he could be the surprise inclusion.

2) Ross Ford – Was part of Edinburgh’s horror show, but the 53-cap veteran rarely puts a foot wrong.

3) Adam Jones – The biggest mistake of 2009 was starting Phil Vickery ahead of him, and he will almost certainly start at tighthead.

4) Richie Gray – The 6ft 10in man-mountain has to be a ‘lock’ for a starting berth.

5) Luke Charteris – Brilliant at the World Cup, and is churning out great performances for Perpignan.

6) Sean O’Brien – Vicious ballcarrier who will help give the required physical edge.

7) Sam Warburton (c) – Wise head on young shoulders, also brilliant at the breakdown.

8) Jamie Heaslip – Another great ball-carrier and equally excellent in the tackle.

9) Mike Phillips – Danny Care would provide more of a spark, but Phillips’ composure and experience are just invaluable.

10) Rhys Priestland – The most open of all starting jobs with at least five names in the mix. Needs defensive work, but his attacking skills seal it for me.

11) Alex Cuthbert – Has had a freakish start to the year in all competitions for Cardiff.

12) Jamie Roberts – He and BOD worked brilliantly last time out, expect the same.

13) Brian O’Driscoll – Is there a more experienced winner in the Northern Hemisphere?

14) Tommy Bowe – Almost impossible to choose between him and George North. The way Ulster struggled when he left the field sums it up.

15) Leigh Halfpenny – Built

like the Hulk, and can kick 50m+ goals. Enough said.

Females and football: breaking the taboo Kirsty Allen

Sport Writer Football is predominantly a male sport: fact. But you can’t deny that, while female supporters are a minority, we do exist.

It amazes me how much stick I receive simply because I like football. From being called a 'lesbian' to being called a 'boy', I’ve heard it all. The truth is, though, I don’t see the problem with a female liking football. It is an interest, a hobby and, above anything, it’s a passion, and why should women be deprived of that in any sport?

I have always been surrounded by a family of football fans, so I guess it came as no surprise that I was bound to be exposed to it.

My dad chose to support Liverpool FC when he was nine (a suc-

cessful and winning side then, even if they aren’t so much now) despite his family supporting our local team. Seeing his passion for them influenced me; He is the biggest reason why I love football.

While women can cook, they can also chant the football songs and even explain the offside rule Dad always prayed he’d have a son – a little boy to pass his football enthusiasm on to. Little did he know that he’d have three girls.

Fortunately, one of them turned out to be the ‘son he never had’ who happens to love ‘the beautiful game’. What’s more is that this

is a perfect example that even my own dad has a particular (and rather negative) view about football and females. However, the perfect example of why sexism shouldn’t be so prominent in football was when I went to watch Liverpool at their home ground for the first time. Standing in the Kop at Anfield bellowing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at the top of my voice along with thousands of other fans gave me the biggest adrenaline rush I’ve experienced to date. This has nothing to do with gender, but it has something to do with passion for football and your team.

It is not considered to be ‘normal’ in our society for a woman to want to go to the pub and watch a game of football, let alone enjoy the experience. In general, it

is perceived that women despise football, when truthfully everyone gets behind the team when football symbolises Great Britain.

I’ve concluded that if you’re female and you like football then you break the ultimate stereotype. But with the likes of Hope Powell and Karen Brady representing the women of football at managerial level, surely the female fans can represent females and football as one. While women can cook, clean, bear children and work, we can also chant the football songs, know the difference between a player and the referee, and even explain the offside rule.

Sport 25–28

Monday October 15th 2012 | @gairrhyddsport

27

Sabbatical officers over the finish line Athletics club success Chris Williams

Editor It was the best marathon I’ve run in the three years I’ve done it.

The past few years have been really tough, but this year I had the team up against me and, in fact, that the course was a lot nicer than previous years.

Last year, there was a debilitating two-mile stretch up and down an A-road, it hurt seeing people running next to you in the opposite direction two miles ahead of you. But this one was so nice – aside from a few steep hills and a painful final few miles, it was so much better than last year.

Running across the barrage had to be a highlight. The weather was perfect for running – warm, but still crisp enough that you didn’t start sweating as soon as you started a gentle jog.

Like many people afterwards, we ached and felt disgusting for a few days The barrage was also the best part as it was where the crowds started thinning out. When you cross the line at the beginning of any marathon you instantly begin dodging the slower ones and weaving in and around those who aren’t running your pace.

Needless to say, this is very difficult, tiring and makes for a slow few miles.

At mile four – the barrage – you’re surrounded by people pretty much running your pace.

Of course, there are always one or two people who start to slow and you need to pass, but it’s nothing like the first couple of

miles. Beyond that, it became a lot easier.

Running past my house and down my road at mile seven was pretty important. Unlike some of the other full-time officers, I have to run with music that has a beat.

The better and more consistent the beat, the more likely I am to stick to the pace I’d set myself.

Mile seven was where the beat changed. My hour-long playlist ended and I had to suffer through a few minutes without music. It sounds odd, but that sort of thing can throw you off. In fact, it was the change of song that made me mess up my race last year.

But mile seven came and went, my music stopped and started again and I was fine. By this point I was running between 9'24" and 9'28" miles.

The final few miles were tough, but they always are. The crowds push you through, though. It doesn’t matter how far around you are, if there’s someone clapping or cheering, it pushes you that extra few metres and makes you go the extra distance.

It was a solid race and I was so thankful to cross the finish line at 2:04:44.

What I didn’t see where I was, though, was an injured Cari Davies – running her heart out until the fourth mile before injuring herself. She valiantly soldiered on until the end, though, and deserves massive credit for it.

Adam also confessed before the race that he looked “like an ostrich” when running. He claimed that “people literally stop and stare to watch the stupidly tall man bound down the road” and that was a sight I was frustrated to miss.

Tom Parry-Jones

Megan was one of the only ones who seemed to have trained beforehand and it seemed to pay off. Kieran was intensely using his vaseline before the race began and he seemed to have a good race. As with everyone it was tough, but he managed to see the lighter side of it... as per.

Hannah smashed it and Harry’s hidden athletic talents didn’t surprise anyone.

Beth spoke to me afterwards about the race. She was tired – as we all were – and suffering with hurt knees and the rest of it, but she was the one who suggested EDS (Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome) as the charity we run for, having known someone afflicted by

it. “Hannah’s so chuffed that she was being thought about by us and that we’re fundraising for her”, she said. It was something I hadn’t thought of and it particularly resonated as she carried on, “it’s important that everyone knows we’re still fundraising and people can still raise money for her”. A true sentiment that put it all into perspective.

Like many people afterwards, we ached and felt disgusting for a few days, but that pain was only temporary.

For those affected by the charity we ran for and the charities everyone else ran for, their pain could last so much longer than ours.

The Cardiff half: a grand day out Sport writer Edward Searle describes his experience as a volunteer for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

Getting up at 6am is tough. For a fresher, it’s a nightmare. On a Sunday, it’s unthinkable. Yet, it is the best thing I have ever done.

On Sunday October 14th, I braved the cold and the darkness to go and volunteer at the Cardiff Half Marathon. I was stationed relatively behind the scenes in the baggage area; my role was similar to that of a baggage handler at an airport – take the bagpack from the runner at the start of the race, place in numerical order and then, once the race had finished, hand them their bag back. A job far from the glamour of a front-line water station, but a necessity nonetheless.

I wasn’t lucky enough to be on the course itself, to cheer the runners on, but I still met them; witnessing their pre-race anxiety as I helped with their equipment; watching the way

they geared themselves up; their pre-race routines, their rituals and superstitions. One flustered man, who’d lost his race number, his iPod, his keys and his safety pins, was matched by those of meticulous preparations; elitist tracksuits, energy drinks, fitness supplements and a support team of family and friends.

There were those who were taking it seriously, fighting for the quickest time, checking their stopwatch to make sure it was fully functional. Then there were those who were there for the life experience, those running for many great charities, and then there were those changing their own lifestyle; the race epitomising their fight against weight, drink or smoking.

The pre-race chatter revealed to me that this was not so much a simple half marathon for some

people, not just 13.1 miles, but an act of change, dedication and hope. The bitterness of my early start had now left me, and was replaced by a pre-race buzz and thrill that was completely unexpected, especially as I wasn’t even running!

The last chime of 9 o’clock started the race, and from then on the tannoy system kept me informed. I experienced the excitement of broken records, the worry of announcements for medics, and the humbling stories of so many as they stumbled or sprinted over the line.

As they returned to the tent, I was amazed at the transformation of these figures. Pre-race nerves had been replaced completely. As I handed them back their belongings, I felt their emotions; some were in disbelief at the time they’d run, some were

simply disappointed, a few heartbroken. Some were still alive with adrenaline, hugging anyone in their sight; others were in serious pain, discomforted by injury, destroyed by pure exhaustion or dehydration. I witnessed the jubilance and awkwardness as husbands returned before their wives, and as wives returned before their husbands.

This was a day fuelled by emotion; a day I was proud to be a part of. I felt inspired. I’ve always wondered what interested people in long-distance running, what made them trudge over boggy fields, through the snow, the rain and the wind. I can only imagine the feeling of crossing the line, but if it is anything close to what I experienced the other side of the barrier last Sunday, I’m sure it is worth every drop of blood, sweat and tears.

Sub-editor Cardiff University Athletics Club’s season started with a bang on Sunday, October 14th, when around 20 of their members competed in the Cardiff Half Marathon.

As a local race, the Cardiff Half Marathon, which featured more than 18,000 entrants, is one of the major events in the club’s calendar. It took place on a new 13.1km course that took in most of the most prominent Cardiff sights.

The Athletics Club’s social secretary, Rhys Annett, particularly appreciated the route, saying, “The course was great, mostly flat, and the weather was perfect.

I would definitely recommend this race to anybody, I actually enjoyed myself!”

A number of the club’s athletes were running their first half marathon, and many ran times better than they had expected, including Antonio Cirillo: “I ran 1:26:28, which is a few minutes faster than I was hoping for, so I was really happy with it.”

Lizzie Hunt was equally pleased with her time of 1:44:47, despite spending a short time with the St John’s Ambulance crew afterwards, and wholeheartedly recommends anyone to take up running. “Training for this (having never run a year ago) has been so good,” she said, “not just for my fitness but it gives you something to work towards!”

Richard Edwards recorded the fastest time out of all of the club’s entrants in the half marathon, crossing the line in 1:14:40, while Owen Haswell came first out of all the under-20s in the race, finishing in 1:17:52.

Haswell said after the race, “I ran 77 minutes after aiming for sub-80 minutes, so I’m really pleased to get that! The Cardiff Half is definitely worth doing, you get to see all the sites and on a pretty fast course, definitely a good one for a PB!” Following the half marathon, the Athletics Club’s calendar continues to fill up, with a number of fixtures in the Gwent CrossCountry League on the horizon, beginning with a meet in Bridgend on Sunday, October 21st.

However, the biggest events this year will be the three BUCS events after the Christmas break.

The club has seen a surge in membership this year, with about 240 members signing up at the Athletic Union Freshers’ Fayre.

If you wish to sign up, you can do so at groups.cardiffstudents. com.

Heineken Cup opening fixtures reviewed <<Page 26

Union Sabbs take on the Cardiff Half Marathon

Sport Cari Davies 2:58:43 Adam Curtis 2:31:43 Harry Newman 2:30:57

Hannah Pask 2:26:08

Megan David 2:26:23

Beth Button Chris Williams

2:26:05

2:04:44 Kieran Gandhi 2:13:45

<< Page 27 Our eight sabbatical officers run the half for charity with Chris Williams crossing the line first, in an epic battle of the sabbs