I first discovered Quench in my first year at university. I started writing for Quench then, and in my second year, I was the Literature Editor. Earlier this summer, I began my role as Editor-In-Chief. It has already been rewarding, even with its challenges, but, I am incredibly proud of the team and I cannot wait to see what we do throughout the year. Putting together a magazine is centred on collaboration; the positive energy that everyone is giving is incredibly inspiring. For me Quench is about bringing people together, learning new things, and meeting people who have similar interests. This is what I will remember when I reflect on my time at university, I will thank myself for discovering Quench, as it has connected me with so many creative and hardworking individuals.
Meet the Editors Katie DISCOVERY ISSUE 201
One of my biggest inspirations for this issue was the concept of embracing your inner curiosity, much like embracing the fearlessness we have as children. As we become adults, we are more susceptible to judgement; however, I think it can be incredibly healing to be inspired by our younger self. We took risks as children, even if it meant falling out of a tree or grazing our knees in the park, we were completely fearless of judgement. Discovery is all about taking new risks, and we should definitely embrace it. We will look back and remember how wholesome and nostalgic it was.
Whatever point of your degree you are currently in, I hope that after reading this issue, you feel inspired to discover more about yourself as an individual, as well as the amazing opportunities you can experience in and around Cardiff. I may be biased, having lived in Cardiff for nearly three years, but it has to be one of my favourite cities, and I hope you fall in love with it too. After reading this issue you will feel inspired to try something new, whether it is visiting a new book shop, trying a new dish or exploring a nearby town.
On behalf of the rest of the team at Quench, I hope you enjoy reading this first issue, and I look forwards to getting to know more of you over the academic year.
Lots of love,
This is why I chose -Discovery- as the first theme of Quench this year. It resonates with so many of you who are coming to Cardiff, whether you are a returning student or coming to the city for the first time. There is so much to discover when you enter a new chapter in your life, whether it is about yourself, or the surroundings you immerse yourself in. Cardiff is a beautiful city, from the parks, to the shops and its overall vibrancy. The start of a new academic year is a perfect time to take full advantage of trying new things and reinventing yourself to grow and develop as a person. By no means will this academic year be easy, and at times you will definitely feel overwhelmed, but, I highly encourage you to make an effort to discover new things, as your future self will thank you so much for it.
I’d like to introduce myself as Julia, one of Quench’s Deputy Editors alongside Olivia. This academic year, I am excited for Quench to continue its legacy of being a love letter to our student days.
Within each magical issue lies the tireless dedication of our student writers, editors, graphic designers and artists. For over two decades, Quench’s cultural relevancy has not strayed, for the publication perennially holds a finger over the pulse of Cardiff’s here and now. A true labour of love, Quench produces a collage of work from the cream of the student creatives crop.
This issue mines a rich seam of inspiration; the theme of Discovery is really pertinent to the start of a new semester, and the articles inside shine a light on new pathways to unexplored ideas, places, voices and experiences.
Discovery and variety is the essence of university life. This period in your life invites growth and change. Breaking through into a new space, unearthing something buried or catching a glimpse into what could be or what is not yet known - we are all in the process of exploring new worlds and selves. I hope this issue aids it’s reader on their journey of many discoveries, small or large.
This theme is particularly exciting given that this year, we have launched the all-new Pitch Submission Form for Contributors that allows our writers to submit their own original pitches. This initiative aims to diversify our oeuvre and expand the breadth of ideas we publish, discovering voices and stories that have previously been in the shadows.
Thank you to Quench for privileging me with this role - I am hungry to learn and grow as an editor, no doubt discovering new things about myself along the way.
Hello wonderful readers and welcome to issue 201! I am thrilled to introduce myself as one of the Deputy Editors this year. I have been a part of Quench since the beginning of my first year at Cardiff. I started my journey as a contributor, and last year I had the pleasure of being one of the Fashion Section Editors.
I can only describe this first issue - Discovery - as the perfect introduction to Quench Magazine. As the new academic year begins, we are bound to find ourselves discovering new places, new people and new parts of ourselves as we embark on a new chapter. Now that you have discovered the magazine, I would love to invite you to be part of Quench.
Change can be daunting, whether you’re a fresher or going into your fourth year of study, but it’s such an integral part of university life. Flipping through the pages of this issue, you’ll find a plethora of different articles to help ease the transition into the new semester – discover some of our favourite reading spots around Cardiff, have a lesson in cookery, uncover the truth behind the diamond industry and question whether freshers really is worth the hype. All of these articles (and many more) are waiting for you.
If you have a passion for creativity there is a place at Quench for you. If your medium is writing, photography or illustration (or all three), I hope that by discovering this issue, you feel inspired to join us.
Meet the team
Olivia Griffn Deputy Editor
Katie Storrie Editor-in-Chief
Julia Bottoms Deputy Editor
Harriet Ulett Head of Design
Eleri Watts Deputy Head of Design
Amy Davies Head of Social Media
Maya Jacob Fashion
Ella Simmons Features
Servaise Ratnayake Features
Bhamini Khandige Culture
Charlotte Hardie Watts Culture
Ella collis Column
Kira Sutton Film & TV
Rhiannon James Film & TV
Jenny Algieri Music
Jemima Lake Music
Sam Davies Literature Isabelle Chance Literature
Angelina Mable Fashion
Jessica Leigh Fotheringham Travel
Carolina Peret Travel
Poppy Adams Food & Drink
design by Harriet Ulett
Emily Cartwright Page Designer
Ellen Hollinghurt Food & Drink
Sabine Wilson-Patrick Love Tamsin Fraser Love
Tegan Davies Copy Editor
Bo Burt Copy Editor
Ola Rzeszut Page Designer
Alicia Yap Page Designer
Isobel Blunt Page Designer
Briana Ciobanu Page Designer
Isabella Walsh Page Designer
Amy Miller Page Designer
Page Designer
Olivia Nilsen
Thandi Nia Carklin Photographer
Jamia Hussain Photographer
Libbi Kettle Instagram Manager
Molly James Instagram Manager
Damilola Akinkunmi TikTok Manager
Alyssa Jeanes TikTok Manager
Amelia John X Manager
Alfie Bennett Beyond Social Media Manager
Llyr Eirug Head of Clebar
design by: Eleri Watts
models featured: Amelia Carlyle Quarm
Catlin Kemp
Ola Rzeszut
FRESHERS: IS it worth the hype?
It is a known fact that drinking dominates university life. The culture of going out each weekend is embedded into the way students live whilst at university. Wednesday night is ‘YOLO’ night, where Thursday 9am classes become obsolete. University is the time where if you are not going out you’re considered the odd one out. This whole experience is completely embodied and personified by freshers week.
Leading up to university we are all bombarded by the notifications advertising fresher events as alleged ‘crazy’ night outs. However, not all of us enjoy drinking most nights, it isn’t for everyone! The idea of stumbling into bed at three in the morning after figuring out how to get home from Chippy Lane is not something you want to do when you have first arrived at university. Some of you might enjoy the comfort of staying in your new home and exploring the city without your head pounding and the dried mascara smeared down your face. However, whatever you enjoy is absolutely fine, as long as you are being yourself!
As a second year student at Cardiff, going for pre-drinks at a friend’s flat or heading to the Taf before another night out with your trusty wristband in freshers week was fun, but admittedly also very overwhelming. I didn’t go out every night and I definitely do not regret buying any kind of wristband. Despite only going out when I felt comfortable, I still met amazing friends. I would always join in on their hungover coffee run the next morning with a grin on my face as I watched them regain the ability of human interaction.
Of course drinking culture in university can be fun, it is a ritual that spans across the country for a reason, a rite of passage if you will. However, where the misconception lies is that it is the only way to make friends. Don’t be alarmed, this is not the case.
So, if you’re sitting there thinking freshers’ week sounds a bit intimidating and that it is not for you, you’re not alone. Don’t pressure yourself into situations where you could feel uncomfortable. First year of university is probably going to be the time you have the most freedom; so enjoy it the way you want to! There are great ways to meet people away from alcohol. From the freshers’ fair, induction lessons and just going around your building to introduce yourself. Freshers’ is an amazing way to be social and meet new people, however, you will meet people throughout your entire degree!
So, is freshers worth the hype? Well, it just depends on the type of person you are. There isn’t a correct answer, meaning there is no expectation to fill. Freshers is made out to be something that is perfect, however, this isn’t reality and we don’t need to romanticise it. Social media often portrays a very different reality. Being comfortable in university is key to your happiness and stability, and if going out consistently in freshers week isn’t on your radar, there will definitely be people out there who feel the same as you.
Words by: Ella Simons
Design by: Izzy Blunt
TRYING TO AVOID BURNOUT AS A FRESHER
-A GUIDE
Going into my first year at university was overwhelming to say the least. A new room to decorate, friends to meet, and endless nights out. It’s no surprise that everything catches up with you.
However, if you’re anything like me you will be brought back to earth by your GP, informing you that you do not have tonsillitis but just a case of freshers flu. Burnout had begun…
Whilst coming to Cardiff was the best decision I could have made, looking back as a third year, I have a few tips to share that I would have benefited from as a fresher.
Firstly, drinking culture, at any university, is huge! It definitely consumes you during freshers. Everyone is overly excited for nights out and exploring the city, but it is no secret that you’ll feel worn down by the end.
To help avoid this, it’s important wwto find time for things other than late nights at Live Lounge. A great way to avoid burnout is by prioritising your health through exercise. Whether that be through joining a gym or a sports society, ensuring you have time for other activities is essential. However, if sports isn’t for you, there are an abundance of other societies that are also a great time filler – the cocktail society being one of my personal favourites!
As lectures and seminars begin, it is important to establish a routine and keep your schedule organised to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the university workload. You will also need to factor in time for socialising and relaxing, staying organised will make it seem less intimidating. One
way to help is through ‘Notion’, a great platform to keep all of your lecture notes together, with multiple features that benefit students. I also recommend keeping a diary (digital or not) to stay on track and remember important dates throughout the year.
Finally, a leading factor of burnout can come down to feelings of homesickness or imposter syndrome, which become difficult to shake. It’s tough moving away from what you find familiar, especially when the transition is to a big city like Cardiff. To counter these moments of worry, it’s important to surround yourself with people who can support you and check in with. You’ll meet some lifelong friends moving to uni, and trust me when I say, they’ll be a key part of relaxing into your new environment. Remember that burnout is normal but keep in mind that balance is achievable with some of these tips!
words by: Bo Burt design by: Izzy Blunt
Adulthood Unlocked: DiscoveringHow To ‘Adult’
For most people, moving to university is their first time living away from home, on their own, without their parents – I know it was for me. After the emotional, tear-filled goodbye and the excitement of leaving home has worn off, reality sets in and you realise, you’re in a strange place, with strange people, all on your own. Now, you’ve ‘unlocked’ adulthood, and are burdened with the responsibility of looking after yourself, cooking all of your meals, cleaning your accommodation, planning how you spend your money and your days. I know, It’s a lot. But, if you start with the basics, and build it up one step at a time, it’s not as daunting as it seems.
The first step of adulting is definitely learning how to cook for yourself. No more comfort meals cooked by your mum, you’re on your own. My tip is, if you haven’t already done this before coming to Uni, ask your mum, dad, parent or guardian for some of their staple recipes; meals that are simple, don’t require a lot of ingredients and include food that you like. Learn how to make these by heart, and then maybe try experimenting with other foods you like, adapting these recipes and creating new ones. Also, asking your flatmates or friends for their favourite recipes and cooking them together is a fun way to improve your cooking skills and make friends.
Unlocking the second level of adulthood involves the dreaded household chore, cleaning. I’ll let you in on a little secret: nobody wants to clean, but it’s something that we all have to do. Sometimes, cleaning can be therapeutic and satisfying once completed, knowing you have achieved something and made your room a nicer environment to live in. Buying cleaning products that smell nice will also encourage you to want to use them, shops like B&M and Savers are great places to get cheap cleaning products on a student budget. But please, do not be the flatmate who everyone hates and moans at because you never do your washing up or clean after you’ve cooked. Let’s be respectful, considerate and mindful of the people we live with.
Cracking the third level of adulting is going to require some time and patience, because this step involves finances, and the dreaded budgeting. While it is not an absolute necessity to budget as a university student, it makes everything less stressful if you know how much money you have to spend, what you need to spend it on like rent, bills and food. Then what you want to spend it on like clothes, going out to eat, going clubbing. You’ll thank me when you haven’t run out of your student loan by Christmas and you can still afford to go out with your friends. You can use programs like Excel and Google Sheets to visually present a budget, utilise savings accounts and put money away so you can’t spend it.
The last aspect of adulting I’m going to discuss, but by no means the least, is the planning it takes to balance your academic and social life at university. Organisation is a key skill that will come in handy when it comes to university life. It’s not easy trying to balance lectures, seminars, university readings, assignments, hanging out with your friends and time for yourself – but having the right tools to assist you is a start. One thing that I have found really useful is using a planner, whether that be a physical one or a digital/online version. It’s great to have one place to write everything down whether that be deadlines for assignments or dates for socials. In addition, productivity apps like Notion, which you can download on your phone and laptop, are great for organising your life in an aesthetically pleasing way. For me personally, when my life is organised and looks pretty, it encourages me to do it more.
All in all, adulting is hard, I’m not going to lie about that, but there are things you can do to make the transition from adolescence to adulthood a smoother process. I think going to university can make that transition into the real, adult world easier. However, do not be fooled, there are not only four levels of adulting to get through, I have only scraped the surface. In actuality, adulthood encompasses a multitude of other things, which you will learn along the way. But, becoming an adult doesn’t have to be scary; it’s an exciting, unexpected, nerve-wracking, roller coaster ride, and you never know what’s around the corner – and that’s all part of the experience! Life would be boring if we knew exactly how it was going to turn out.
What makes this life stage easier is going through it with your friends, because newsflash, you’re not alone, and everyone else your age (who you are surrounded by at university) is going through exactly the same thing. This is your time to figure out who you really are, without your parents or other adults telling you what you can and can’t do. So, embrace it. Embrace the unknown of it all and think of it as an opportunity, rediscover who the adult version of you is.
words by Ella Collis design by Harriet Ulett
Let’s Talk, Mag to Mag: Quench interviews Greybear Literature
While many ‘gap-yar’ students might travel to Bali to ‘find themselves’, third-year Cardiff University student Cameron Wagg instead ‘found himself’ struck by inspiration during his Summer 2024 trip to the island. Julia Bottoms of Quench Magazine talks to the 20-year-old English Literature student about Greybear Literature Magazine - his digital passion project devoted to celebrating the art of writing.
Why did you want to start a literary magazine?
Where did you get the idea from?
I went to Bali this June for a one-month internship. It is a cliché to say I found myself in Bali, but I totally did, and I met some amazing people both on and off the project. One of my friends had started his own business already, and it really inspired me to realise that anyone can take that step. To see all of this amazing artwork and talent in one place really inspired me to build something like that for myself.
How would you describe the vision and theme of the magazine?
While the theme will change every issue, I envision Greybear to be a blend of both fun and serious pieces. Every piece of work will be like that of a puzzle, making up the greater magazine.
What types of content do you plan to include?
The magazine is primarily geared toward fiction such as short stories, flash fiction and poems. However, we are also open to non-fiction essays and more journalistic pieces. We are focused solely on celebrating the art of writing!
Why did you decide on this name for your magazine?
Greybear Literature is named after my cat! Greybear is my favourite being in the whole world so it made sense for me to name this project after him as I love them both.
If you had to describe your cat as a literary character, who would it be?
Count Dracula with the way he bites me.
‘I just want to read something that makes me go “Wow!”’
So I’m assuming that you receive all kinds of submissions from self-proclaimed intellectuals, tortured poets, academic essayists or chronic over-writers that turn a short story into a 7-part novel series. What are your favourite kinds of submissions to receive?
As a reader, my guilty pleasure is fantasy. And anything dynamic. In my own writing I love playing with style, reading works that may not just be story-based. Ultimately, I want to read something that makes me just go ‘Wow!’.
Who are your favourite writers or literary inspirations?
I have recently fallen in love with Agustina Bazterrica’s works. Her writing can be so unashamedly horrific. I was so delightfully disturbed by Tender is the Flesh. To make someone feel so uncomfortable from words alone requires real talent. I aspire to make my readers feel that strongly.
How do you define success for this project?
The overarching aim is to be able to hold a physical copy. If it grew big enough to have its own website as well, I would be delighted!
If you could have any writer, living or deceased, contribute to your magazine, who would it be?
I would have to go with Margaret Atwood. I read The Penelopiad last week, and it quickly became a favourite. She has this ability to make the mundane seem so interesting.
You’re currently the Culture Director and Social Secretary for CUTV. From one student media outlet to another, what is the biggest lesson you have learnt in managing this publication as a student? Finding submissions! We have advertised widely online and received submissions from across the country, but it can be very difficult to get started. What has been submitted is really strong - we just need a higher quantity. Besides that I’ve really enjoyed what has been in the works so far.
Do you have any dream collaborative projects with other publications, societies or media outlets?
I would love to collaborate with any of the Student Media societies at Cardiff University, Greybear is always open to collaborations. I would also love to do a Pride-themed issue with CU Pride, and give a voice to my community.
Can you tell us a bit about the first issue?
I won’t give too much away, but it’s based around the concept of home. Home means so much more than four walls and a ceiling. But our featured writers will bring their own voices and unique spin on it.
How do I get involved if I want to contribute to the magazine?
You can find us over at @Greybearlit on both Instagram and Tiktok. There’s a link in the Instagram bio to submit your pieces.
words and design by: Julia Bottoms illustrations by: Olivia Nilsen
‘I have recently fallen in love with Agustina Bazterrica’s works. Her writing can be so unashamedly horrific.’
Film & TV
THE UNVEILING OF IN FILM SELF-DISCOVERY
As the film comes to end and Ladybird achieves her dream of moving somewhere new for college, she begins to combine her two personas.
and self-identity are things we seek in everyday life, even in small decisions like
was one of the first movies I connected with, as Charlie’s friendships with Sam and Patrick allowed him to experience the vibrancy of life after being closed off by his trauma and insecurity. By the end of the film, Charlie grows emotionally from the trauma of losing his best friend and pushes himself outside his comfort zone by claiming his own desires. One of my favourite shows, BoJack Horseman, is about a washed-up sitcom actor struggling with addiction, depression, and his own personal failures. This show demonstrates how self-discovery is not linear, as BoJack spends much of the series seeking purpose through external validation from others. Eventually, he reaches self-acceptance as he owns up to his mistakes and faces the consequences, thus accepting who he truly is, including his flaws, while striving for better.
Words by: Monique Yabut
Ladybird, Gerwig’s 2017 film, showcases the teenage years of protagonist Christine as she completes high school and moves away to college. Referring to herself as Ladybird allows Christine to create a new identity that’s separate from her unwanted reality. She oscillates between who she wishes she was and who she actually is, with these differing versions of herself appearing throughout her relationships. The persona she presents to her peers and those she wishes to impress clashes with her familial identity and the tense relationship she shares with her mother. Unable to truly fit in with her friends and failing to understand her mother’s actions, Christine finds herself in an awkward limbo where every action feels untrue to her identity.
Her newfound appreciation of her family allows this crescendo of confusion to fade away, making way for a moment of self-discovery.
Words
by: Millie Higgins
The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows the narrative of Charlie, an adolescent introvert, as he struggles to assimilate into American high school.
Initially, Charlie embodies the traits of a wallflower, choosing to entertain his thoughts rather than actively engaging with the world around him. It is through his friendship with Patrick and Sam that Charlie begins the journey of self-discovery.
This meaningful connection encourages him to participate in life and experience the beauty of coming of age, all while learning to understand his identity.
He is introduced to an abundance of art, music, and literature that enrich his experience. A scene that particularly highlights this self-discovery is the tunnel scene, in which the group listens to David Bowie’s song Heroes. It advocates for freedom of expression and, in this moment, Charlie feels a newfound connection to his emotions, sense of self and friends.
Through self-discovery and help from those he loves, Charlie reshapes the wallflower persona and recognises the beautiful qualities he possesses. Ultimately, he finds the ‘love we deserve.’
Words by: Abigail Jeanes
Design by: Amy Miller
Captured in Wales: Discovering shooting locations in Wales
With a population of just over three million - around 5% of the total UK population - it’s easy to overlook Wales. However, when you consider the many high-budget TV productions under its belt such as Doctor Who (1963) and House of the Dragon (2022) choosing Wales for location shoots, this small country is a surprising powerhouse of media production.
After the release of Welsh-language TV channel S4C in 1982, Welsh media was brought to the forefront of British television, with long-form dramas and films being released continually on the channel. In 1995, a new policy to release at least two feature films per year allowed the channel to showcase independent Welsh films to the masses, creating a new wave of cult classics that remain staples of 90s British cinema. With the rise of Cool Britannia in England after the introduction of the New Labour government in 1997, Wales was close behind the trend with their own sub-genre of the movement: Cool Cymru. Cool Cymru embodied the optimism and patriotic nature of Cool Britannia from a Welsh perspective, with its own versions of Britpop via pioneers Cerys Matthews and Richey Edwards, alongside a rapidly growing film industry.
Notably, House of America (1997) and Twin Town (1998) showed satirical views on Welsh culture that had rarely been presented to a non-Welsh audience - both being released into the European festival circuit to high critical acclaim. The successes of both of these films, however, paled in comparison to Justin Kerrigan’s Human Traffic (1999), often cited as a Welsh response to Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting (1996). Set and filmed in Cardiff, the film follows a group of young party goers on a night out in the city, highlighting the booming rave culture and subsequent drug-taking that was rampant during the rise of New Labour. Human Traffic is the epitome of Cool Cymru; a hedonistic, witty and unabashedly frank portrayal of youth culture in Wales which remains a firm cult favourite among the student population. Personally, I don’t think there’s a better representation of life in Cardiff than Human Trafficthe memory of watching it with my friends in my first year of university will always be dear to me.
Of course, the film industry in Wales kept moving after the dissolution of Cool Cymru. Indie darlings such as Submarine (2011) and Pride (2013) were filmed in Swansea and Onllwyn respectively, once again bringing a cult audience to Welsh cinema. Submarine remains a firm favourite amongst the alternative scene due to a deeply atmospheric soundtrack by Alex Turner, who portrays Welsh coming-ofage to a masterful level. In contrast, Pride allowed for more queer British - but particularly Welsh - representation on the big screen, cementing it as a pioneer of LGBTQ+ cinema.
The modern age of high-budget, on-demand series has led to Wales frequently being used for location shoots. Most recently, House of the Dragon utilised the scenery of North Wales for its production, whereas Doctor Who has been a staple of Welsh television for decades; filming iconic scenes throughout Cardiff in the Bay area, Cardiff Castle and the National Museum. The intense fandom of Doctor Who has propelled Cardiff to a worldwide audience, which only proves to be more popular with the well-received release of its 14th season.
With all of this in mind, Wales does not seem to be slowing down in its rise to international notoriety. Its firm place within British cult cinema and recently high-budget television proves that this small country is a real force to be reckoned with.
words by: Tamsin Fraser design by: Katie Storrie
Discover Hidden Gems: Underrated Films You Should Watch
Netflix’s The Half of It is a romantic comedy that opens questions about the nature of love, friendship, sexuality, and identity. When Ellie Chu, a Chinese American teenager, is tasked with helping a fellow classmate woo the girl of his dreams, they form an unlikely friendship that disrupts Ellie’s small-town life. Alice Wu beautifully captures the different forms of love and the intricate nature of intergenerational relationships; all while being set in a town with a name like ‘Squahamish.’ With 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, I am still surprised at being the only person I know who has watched this movie. This movie had an ending I may have seen coming, but didn’t know I needed. The Half of It is proof that sometimes, the most rewarding love of all, is friendship. And that’s not even half of it… words by: Jessica Fotheringham
Velvet Goldmine depicts a glam rock star who fakes his own death in 1974 to escape the limelight. Ten years later, a journalist is put on the case to uncover the truth of his ‘death’. Inspired by the camp glamour of David Bowie, this film is a love letter to queerness in the 1970s/80s. Director Todd Haynes, who also directed Carol (2015), has compiled a beautifully melancholic story of a queer icon assimilated into a straight culture; a melting pot of desire, fantasy and science fiction goes a long way in this surreal drama!
Good Grief (2023) directed by Dan Levy tells the story of a journey through grief, love and loss. Three best friends try to cope together with the death of the protagonist’s late husband. Soul-searching in Paris, we watch the group regress into misunderstood versions of themselves. If you enjoyed One Day (2024), P.S. I Love You (2007) or About Time (2013) you’ll love Good Grief. words by: Hannah Coyle
A Dog’s Purpose (2017) is a heartwarming film directed by Lasse Hallström, based on W. Bruce Cameron’s novel. The story follows a dog named Bailey, who is reincarnated multiple times in different breeds and homes, each time learning new lessons about life, love, and loyalty. The central theme revolves around Bailey’s search for his ultimate purpose, which he finally discovers through a deep connection with his original owner, Ethan.
Despite its touching narrative, I believe A Dog’s Purpose is often underrated. Several critics dismissed it as overly sentimental and rudimentary, but personally I think they overlook the emotional depth of the story. The film captures the profound bond between humans and their pets, offering a perspective on how dogs enrich our lives, and this connection can be extended to the people that touch our lives in ways both fleeting and long-lasting. Its heartfelt portrayal of loyalty and second chances makes it a film that deserves more recognition for its uplifting and emotionally satisfying message.
words by: Rhiannon James
design by: Harriet Ulett
words by: Nyree McCann design by: Izzy Walsh
words by: Iylah Routley design by: Izzy Walsh
Lost Voices: The Discovery of Forgotten or Underrepresented Authors
Katherine Philips wrote under the name Orinda and explored the meaning of love, drawing lines between platonic and romantic, beautifully capturing the force of her female friendships and their strengths and impact on her mind, body and soul. Unfortunately, the power of her work has been lost in time, awaiting contemporary readers such as myself to rediscover and admire her boldness.
Philips adopted the discourse of her male contemporaries such as John Milton and John Donne, and their heroic style and agency into her own craft, promoting the importance of femininity and the individual human condition. The topics of her poetry still ring true to this day. Philips developed an individual theory of Neo-Platonism where there is a deep, almost misunderstood, connection between two worlds, the physical and the ethereal, that are united by love. This love, however, is so strong that the bond moves from the metaphorical to the physical; something so physically intangible seems to become possible in this bond Philips creates in her work: the closer you get to love the more tangible it is.
Philips’ work can be interpreted as queer because of the arguably blatant sapphic tones in poems such as ‘Friendship’, ‘To Mrs. Mary Aubrey at Parting’ and ‘To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship’ among many others. If you like reading very grandeur, ethereal and sensory poetry, Orinda is a great addition to your library. She pushes a narrative focus on sound and its effect on the body, creating an overwhelming listening experience. The combination of the physical and elusive subjects, such as Time and Fate, meet in one poem and one love.
Another underrepresented/forgotten author, whom I greatly admire, is Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Not only was she a fabulous author but also a lecturer and advocate for social reform in the United States. Gilman’s work and views promote woman suffrage, and the professionalisation of domestic work, while highlighting the societal experiences of people of colour, immigrants and people with disabilities. Her semi-autobiographical short story ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ is a perfect example of Gilman’s work. From the delicately poignant pacing to the increasingly daunting language, the author presents a woman’s experience through her descent into madness as a result of patriarchal constraints. The subject and the reader become one through the epistolary format of Gilman’s writing fully immersing you as a reader into the allegorical portrayal of female repression. This piece is a brilliant work that surpasses the boundaries of 19th century literature, allowing modern audiences an insight into contemporary perceptions of mental illness, specifically in women. If you enjoyed works such as The Handmaid’s Tale by Margret Atwood or Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen, you will definitely like this one! As a bonus, Gilman also has another wonderful short story called ‘Herland’ which is about three students that go on an expedition to uncharted land rumoured to only be populated by a society of women. The story highlights a spectrum of attitudes towards women through the three male expeditors, emphasising how a 19th century society does not allow women to access their full potential but deems them only as child-bearers and domestic labourers.
Lastly, another great piece of writing is A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. The play is about a man named Walter Lee Young who has a dream to move his family out of their tiny apartment in Southside Chicago. His fantasies of money in his pockets seem to be a possibility, along with their hope for freedom, dignity and ease. This play highlights the experiences of Black Americans portrayed through stark realism, entangled with the perplexities of character, gender, and societal expectations from three varying generations. Hansberry creates such complexity and emotion inside the tiny apartment that, at points in the play, seem to burst open the metaphorical windows and doors of reality. This forces audiences to face the truth of the accumulated fears and passions of people that most contemporary audiences refuse to understand or acknowledge.
This classic carries important messages through the characters as the play confronts the truth to emphasise that Black people have inner lives and are a part of the great human continuum. Hansberry portrays a matriarch’s obligation to her family’s survival, preserving the knowledge of the women who came before her. The playwright juxtaposes this tone with the persisting masculine energy of Walter who is smothered by the society around him and his sister; a proud young woman who represents the future of Black Pride and the Black Power Movement.
This play highlights an underrepresented American dream. If you enjoy exploring complex familial relationships, like in A Streetcar Named Desire or The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, or perhaps the deep-rooted ambitions of men like in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, this is the perfect play to add to your Must Read!
Words by Hannah Coyle
Designed by Eleri Watts
photography by: Thandi Carklin
Uncovering Your Favourite Bookstores and Reading Sports in Cardiff
If you’re looking for a place where literally every space possible is filled with a book, Troutmark Books is the place to go. Nestle‘d into Castle Arcade, the storefront boasts beautifully displayed tomes of all colours, shapes, sizes, and ages. Inside, there’s something for everyone. From classics to children’s books, romance to sci-fi, you’ll surely find something to read. And, if you’re not into books, upstairs there’s a whole floor of comics, sports annuals, memorabilia, and more. Everything is easy to find at Troutmark as it’s all visibly displayed – so while it may feel overwhelming being surrounded wall-to-wall by books, there’s probably a sign right next to you telling you where to go. To make this place even better, most of their books are second-hand which means they’re eco-friendly and cheaper than newly printed novels. They also carry rare editions for those of you who collect (or just want to look at cool, old books). Being so tucked away means not many students know about Troutmark, but it’s a prime location to pick up a new read and head over to Coffee Barker to dig in with a latte, or to take the opportunity to mooch through some of the other independent businesses nearby. Troutmark is open 10am-5pm every day except Sunday so if you’re free after lectures, definitely check it out.
Words by Ava Hicks
Second-Hand Book Stores
I have found books in the cracks of bustling cities. Page-turners, otherwise unnoticed, have found home in adoring hands that treasure their beaten covers and cracked spines. As cringe as it may sound, I judge the exterior of a book like the exterior of a human being - wrinkles, the sign of a lifetime of smiling and laughing, so akin to the ghost of a once dogeared page, a dried tear stain or a pen line. This is why I find the most joy in shopping for books in second-hand stores.
Don’t get me wrong, Waterstones does hate to see me coming (and my bank account equally shudders the moment I step through the door) but there’s something so eerily intimate about buying a once-loved book. Feeling the connection, not only with the book’s world and its characters but with the fingertips that once traced each letter, tells you so much more about the story itself and allows you to ponder an entirely different imagination’s point of view. Be it a morning in Oxfam on St Mary’s Street, or an afternoon spent scouring the outer streets of Cathays for a pre-loved gem, my go-to for the best reading experience is the vintage, donated treasures Cardiff has to offer. When I open up a book, an old stamp or even a love letter scribbled across the title page is exactly what draws me to a story, much more than any blurb or cover design ever could.
So my advice, the next time you’re looking to discover a fictional world in the city of Cardiff, is to take the word of your fellow Welsh residents. Look for that condolence note on the first page, read why, in another lifetime, this book was once perfect for someone else. You might find that it now could be perfect for you.
(P.S. Physically – the Castle grounds. If you want a physical reading place.)
Words by Tegan Davies
Designed by Eleri Watts
Troutmark Books’
photography by: Jamia Hussain
Diamonds aren’t Forever: Unveiling The Dark Secrets of The Jewellery Industry
Kelly Framel says ‘jewellery adds richness, another layer in the storytelling’, but just how deep does the story you’re telling go? Looking past the shiny exterior of the jewellery industry unveils a much darker side of sourcing metals and gemstones.
Diamonds are at the core of the jewellery industry, symbolising greatness, wealth, and a measure of one’s love for their partner. Controversy is also at the core of diamonds with the notorious issue of conflict or blood diamonds. Blood diamonds are mined in war zones and sold to warlord activities, finance insurgencies, and military rebellions against legitimate governments. Civil wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been partly funded by the trade in blood diamonds. Simply put, purchasing them is leading to severe human rights abuse. In 2003, an initiative was established which aims to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds, ensuring that diamond purchases do not fund violence. Failure to address issues surrounding child labour, worker exploitation, and environmental harm has diminished the initiative’s success in reducing the flow of conflict diamonds.
Increased awareness of blood diamonds has built demand for ethical and sustainable practices in the jewellery industry such as lab-grown diamonds. These are diamonds that are chemically identical to natural diamonds but produced in a laboratory setting. They act as an alternative to natural diamonds without directly funding unethical practices and human rights abuse while maintaining the same look and elegance. While lab-grown diamonds address the unethical nature of blood diamonds, the latter has not been fully eradicated in the market and remains popular among buyers.
Conflict diamonds aren’t the only bloody things in the jewellery industry. The appeal and exploitation of rare gemstones have been a further source of political conflict, particularly during the era of the British Raj from 1858 to 1947 when the British colonised South Asia. The British monarchy acquired the infamous Kohinoor diamond and the other Crown Jewels during their rule over the Indian subcontinent. An exploration into the story of the jewels uncovers a tale of rape, brutal
exploitation, and the original looting of the Crown Jewels. The Kohinoor diamond is a ‘lightning rod for resentment of colonial loot and a symbol of what the British took from India’. Queen Elizabeth II’s death came with social media’s pleas for the diamond to be returned to India.
A spokesperson for India’s current political party claimed if the Queen Consort wore the Kohinoor during King Charles’ coronation, it would ‘bring back painful memories of the colonial past’.
In 1849, Maharaja Duleep Singh, who was merely 11 years old (and unable to comprehend what he was doing), signed the Treaty of Lahore, which signed over his kingdom of Punjab to the East India Company and the Kohinoor to Queen Victoria. Upon reaching England, the 105-carat diamond was put on display at the Great Exhibition of 1951. Historians argue the display of the diamond made it a ‘unique icon’ and the ‘gem of gems’. The conscious highlighting of the Kohinoor established the diamond being viewed as a symbol of imperial pillage and plunder as well as a ‘totemic expression of all the violence, dispossession, hardship and depredations that the expansionist, ruthless empire visited upon its colonies’. The Kohinoor’s curators in England have called it a ‘symbol of conquest’ which is void of sympathy surrounding the savage rule of the British in South Asia. In the words of Indian activist Shashi Tharoor, ‘it’s a bit rich to oppress, enslave, kill, torture, maim people for 200 years and then celebrate the fact that they are democratic at the end of it’. Through the period of the British colonial rule, India’s share of the global economy shrunk from 27% to less than 2%, meaning that the Kohinoor is a brutal depiction and reminder of the destruction of the Indian subcontinent at the hands of the British, yet it still serves as a tourist attraction in London.
While outwardly alluring, the lesser-known details surrounding the jewellery industry are hidden from most. To truly unveil the dark sides of the industry, it’s imperative to not be distracted by the shiny exterior. Rather than adding richness to storytelling, jewellery comes with a history of savagery.
Designs By: Alicia
Illustrations By: Alicia
Words By: Bhamini Khandige
FROM BACKSTAGE Discovering What Goes on Behind the Scenes During Fashion Week
Fashion Week is often viewed through the lens of the runway glitz and glamour. However, the essence of these high-stakes events truly lies behind the scenes. With cameras being focused on the excitement of the new designs, the dedication that can transform a collection of clothes into a breathtaking show can be forgotten. To celebrate the spring-summer collections, we will uncover the backstage magic of Fashion Week.
While the designer is responsible for the new designs, the wardrobe department works tediously to curate looks from the designer’s vision. Stylists, collection coordinators, and model dressers prepare and manage outfits seconds before models hit the floor. Stylists work hand in hand with the designer and select everything from clothing to jewellery. Before the looks hit the catwalk, stylists also make sure of the overall atmosphere of a collection and its portrayal on the runway. A fashion show isn’t only the clothes; the way they are walked in and the lighting or the set decor are all part of the designer’s vision. They often create a big board, known as the Run of Show, which contains every look numbered with the assigned model and how they will be styled the day of the show with hair, makeup and accessories. This is a vital element of the backstage area as it is the point of reference for all departments.
Product sourcing is also an important role in the stylist’s job. They have a network of brands they work closely with. With the help of the PR department, finding and borrowing accessories is essential. After the show, they must return the items safely and in pristine condition to keep a trusting relationship with retailers. This is where the collection coordinators come in. They manage the logistical side of the thousands of garments and accessories. From organising clothing racks to timing the models, their role is to make sure everything is in the right place at the right time. Model dressers rely on the board to make sure the models are dressed in the correct looks. This role isn’t as easy as it sounds, it requires focus and speedy work. Being a dresser requires a certain amount of knowledge of different fabrics as well, on what could damage the seams, hemming skirts at the last minute, steaming items or fixing a broken zipper seconds before show time.
A great example of this last season’s demonstration of great expertise in the backstages of Fashion Week was the Ralph Lauren show in September in New York. The show portrayed Lauren’s classic American style. The Hamptons show fed the public with an equestrian seaside feel. The wardrobe team helped his vision come to life from Lauren’s notes of wanting to reference some of his family memories in the Hamptons.
The hair and makeup department has a bigger commitment than most people expect. In the fast-evolving world we live in, beauty trends are as quickly found as gone. This is why the hair and makeup team have a crucial role of constantly keeping up with trends and renewing their artistry. A daring makeup look or a new take on a classic hairstyle can promote a designer’s collection over the media.
During the Maison Margiela spring-summer 2024 show, the incredible collaboration between John Galliano and Pat McGrath gave the world a surreal porcelain doll makeup look. The makeup went viral and led to mass attention for both brands.
The creative side of fashion design and runway is only one half of a label’s duties. PR teams are the bridge between the designers and the outside world during Fashion Week. Planning guest lists, seating charts, media relations, and social media are only a few of the day-to-day activities for the public relations department. The sheer enthusiasm to work for some of the biggest names in the fashion industry is enough for some people to volunteer and work long hours without pay. They often assist where needed, help with setups and breakdowns of show spaces and help with guests and goodie bags. Maeve Downing started her path in the Fashion world by volunteering at the Vancouver Kids Fashion Week in 2017. Since then, she started modelling and designing. She is a great example of determination and hard work that can lead you to your dreams!
words by: Charlotte Hardie design by: Alicia
photography by: Thandi Carklin
photography by: Jamia Hussain
DISCOVERY THROUGH TRAVEL AND HOW IT TRANSFORMS YOU
From the second I was old enough to fly, my parents put me on a plane. Travel has been my whole life; it has shaped me into the person I am today. I often struggle to find ways to identify how travel has changed me, as it is so deeply woven into my identity, that it may be easier to find ways it hasn’t. From moving around every couple of years, visiting my home countr
y, to vacations with family and volunteering, every trip is like a little mosaic tile that comes together to make the bigger picture of me. I carry every lesson and story with me to every new place I go.
As I grew older, there was one lesson that stuck with me: independence.
Moving to University can be a harrowing time for some. Packing your belongings and loading them into the car or train with your parents or siblings in tow, arriving and shopping for the necessities and unpacking your new little life and saying your goodbyes.
Now imagine doing that on your own and across international lines. That was the reality I faced my first year. Moving alone to a country I’d never even visited, with two suitcases in hand and hoping that I’d find my way. There were nights where I’d crash into my double bed and cry because I just wished I had my parents there with me to help me open a bank account or go to IKEA. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the luxury of having them there; my dad is a pilot in Africa and couldn’t take time off to move his daughter into uni and my mum was full-time taking care of our sick dog.
So, the day after my 20th birthday my mum dropped me off at the airport and wished me good luck. I crossed security, sat at my gate, boarded my flight and found my way to Stansted.
Every step of the way, every minor accomplishment, made me so proud. I was doing it all by myself. I had watched my parents do this several times from the side lines, but this time it was my turn to pick up my life and start anew.
My mother moved to Seoul in 2001, when English was not widely spoken in South Korea and she herself spoke neither English nor Korean.
She left the only life she had ever known for a country she knew little to nothing about. I watched her pack up our house all by herself in Singapore, while my father started a new job in the United Arab Emirates, and moved herself and I to a country she had never been to and a culture she had never experienced.
I watched my mother do this a dozen times over and now, as an adult, I can fully appreciate the strength, resilience and independence she had.
To travel somewhere new for the first time and know that regardless of what you encounter, that is your new home, is a scary experience.
I learned a lot about independence and self-reliance, not from solo travel, but from travelling with my mother. I’ve never met anyone like her. So now, every trip, every move, every misstep or issue, I think of her and how I watched her accomplish so much independently.
I remember that she raised me and that the fire that lives in her, lives in me too. I approach life with that mentality. Daniela raised me, she taught me how to take care of myself no matter the circumstance, I will make it through this.
Travel has taught me a lot, but travelling with my mother has taught me what’s most important: independence.
Words by: Jessica Fotheringham Design by: Amy Miller
Wales Uncovered: Discovery of Hidden Gems
For me, Jackson’s Bay in Barry is one of Wales’ must-see hidden gems. This peaceful and secluded cove is a lovely place to enjoy some well-deserved relaxation after the pressure of exam season. The bay’s relaxed atmosphere is also a beautiful find amidst the lively touristy area of Barry, renowned for being the filming location for Gavin and Stacey. My housemates and I discovered this hidden gem during a flat picnic trip to the beach to celebrate finishing our first year. We got the direct train to Barry Island from Cardiff Central, which takes up to half an hour, and then walked along the Whitmore Coast to the tucked-away beach. We spent the day swimming in the clear water, sunbathing and playing card games. It was a lovely trip to connect and unwind after our hectic assignment deadlines and is one of my favourite memories during my first year at University.
words by: Alyssa Jeanes
design by: Olivia Griffin
Just a 40-minute drive from Cardiff lies the luscious green grass of Porthkerry Country Park. This gorgeous open space has multiple walking paths and opens up onto Porthkerry Beach. I spent the day soaking up the sun with friends after needing to get out of Cardiff. We were the only ones on the beach, which was a peaceful change from the likes of Barry Island. Not only is Porthkerry Country Park a welcoming space for humans, but it is also completely dog friendly. Mrs. Marco’s Café offers a broad range of ice cream, coffee, panini, and cold drinks, and even has a dog menu. Furthermore, the café, park, and beach are all overlooked by the stunning Porthkerry Viaduct. While I travelled there by car, it is accessible by taking a train to Rhoose followed by a bus ride and a short walk. I would highly recommend paying it a visit with your friends and family, or even for a quiet day by yourself.
words
by: Jessica Fotheringham
I have got 3 tips for you...
1. Your freezer is your best friend. Bread is lovely, but when you’re one person trying to eat an 800g loaf before it goes green, it’s really quite a feat. And who has enough time to cook for themselves every single night? Not me, and my life revolves around cooking. I will make one or two things a week and portion them up to freeze, reheating at will.
2. If you’re still splitting up things in your house, take the top shelf of the fridge and the cupboards that aren’t next to the ovens or part of the sink. The fridge shelf is so that if any of your housemates have anything go off on their shelf or split open, your food won’t be affected. Cupboards next to ovens get hotter than ones that don’t, and your food will go off quicker. The cupboards that are part of the sink will be damper and risk a leak all of which can make you things go mouldy.
3. Some cuts of meat are so much cheaper than others. Chicken thighs vs chicken breast are night and day. I buy skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs and it costs practically a third of the same amount of chicken breasts. The less the meat is processed, the cheaper it will be.
words by: Poppy Adams
Handling the kitchen is a stressful task at university, however, throwing in the fact that you are sharing the kitchen with complete strangers makes it ten times harder. What I’ve learnt over the years is that your best bet is to create order within your own area and utilise every inch of space you have. By giving your pots and pans a dedicated position in your cup- board and stacking your cups and plates safely, to get the most out of your vertical space, it generates a little haven for you within a nightmare of a kitch- en. Plus, it makes the kitchen navigable after a late night out for those grilled cheeses.
Within the fridge and freezer, deploying a similar vertical strategy helps more than you would think. By reusing plastic food containers as mini drawers, you create stackable food dividers which allow you to see what you have to minimise food wastage. Within the freezer, I highly recommend using reus- able food pouches instead of Tupperware because you can freeze your leftovers flat and free up so much space. I would also recommend using ice cube trays to freeze leftover condiments, purees and sauces, like pesto, curry paste or harissa. Not only does it prevent mould, but allows you to portion out the product and throw it into any meal you make next.
words by: Ellen Hollingshurst design by: Ola Rzeszut illustrations by: Olivia Nilsen
Discovering Your
Harissa Spiced Beans
Ingredients
- Splash of olive oil - 2 Garlic cloves (or garlic granules for those lazy days) - 1/2 Small red onion - 4 Mushrooms - 1/2 Bell pepper - 1 Tomato - A handful of spinach - 1 tsp Harissa paste (adjust to your spice level) - 2 tsp Tomato puree - 1/2 Can of beans, I used mixed beans (but chickpeas also work great) - Season to your taste with paprika, chilli flakes, dried mint, salt, and pepper - Greek yoghurt and feta cheese to serve -Fresh dill to garnish
This is a simple, quick, and hearty meal with a kick – a comforting dinner after a long day of lectures, and one that will your flat mates! Feel free to use hatever vegetables you prefer and omit the feta and yogurt to be vegan friendly.
Method:
Crush and dice the garlic and onion. low-medium heat, stirring intermitently whilst you chop the other vegetables. Gradually add the vegetables and continue to stir. Stir in harissa paste and tomato puree. including the water/vinaigrette. Chop the spinach, add, and allow to simmer.
Serve as desired, I recommend a dollop of Greek yogurt sprinkled with mint and feta cheese.
words by: Isabella Liddle
Take off the heat and mix in your cream cheese.
Method:
Chop up your chicken into small chunks or strips.
On a separate chopping board, chop up your pepper, on ion, and garlic.
Drizzle a pan with some olive oil, and on a medium-heat add your chicken. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
While the chicken is cooking, in a separate pan, drizzle some olive oile and on a medium-high heat, add your pep per, onion and garlic with some salt and pepper. Cook this until the vegetables are soft (10 minutes).
Once everything has cooked, combine the vegetables and chicken into the pan, and add the fajita seasoning mix. Cook this for 5 minutes on a low-medium heat until everything is combined.
Ingredients
- 100g Chicken breast (or 100g halloumi for a vegetarian twist)
- 60g Penne Pasta - 1 red bell pepper
- 1 red onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 packet of fajita seasoning
- 100g Cream cheese
- 50g Cheddar cheese, grated (optional)
- Salt and Pepper
‘ Inner Remy’
Disney Style Ratatouille
Watching the Disney classic “Ratatouille” as a kid, I always wanted to try the signature dish. And while my version may not be authentically French, it embodies the very definition of comfort. Super easy, and cheap, creating 4 servings for lunches, dinners, and stocking up the freezer.
Method:
Cut the aubergine and courgette into 1cm slices, add to a bowl, salt, and leave while you make the sauce.
Dice the onion and garlic, add to a saucepan with salt, pepper, and oil. Cook on a medium heat to soften (5 minutes).
Dice the bell pepper, then add to the pan and continue to cook with half the stock. Cook down until most of the stock has evaporated.
Add the mixed herbs, tomato puree, remaining stock, and tinned tomatoes. Stir and continue to cook until thickened (30 minutes).
Meanwhile, pat dry, then fry the aubergine and courgettes in a frying pan with a little oil, until coloured. Remove and set aside.
Slice the tomatoes into 0.5cm slices.
Preheat the oven to 180°C fan, add the sauce to a baking tray, and top with the aubergines, i, and tomatoes in rows. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the tomatoes are blistering.
Ingredients:
-1 Aubergine
-1 Courgette - 1 Onion -4 Garlic cloves - 2 Bell peppers - 3 Tomatoes -1 Stock cube (300ml) - 1 Tin of tomatoes -3 tbsp mixed herbs - 1 tbsp tomato puree - Salt & pepper -Oil to cook with
words by: Ellen Hollingshurst (@a_bakingmess)
page design and illustration by: Olivia Nilsen
Bydd eich cyfnod yn y Brifysgol yn un bythgofiadwy, felly beth am wneud y gorau o’r cyfnod, a defnyddio’ch Cymraeg gyda balchder a manteisio ar gyfleoedd i ddatblygu’ch hunaniaeth Gymreig. Wrth edrych yn ôl ar fy nghyfnod yn y Brifysgol hyd yn hyn, gallaf ddweud fy mod wedi llwyddo i fanteisio ar amrywiaeth o gyfleoedd i ddatblygu fy hunaniaeth Gymreig personol. Gyda chriw newydd o las-fyfyrwyr yn prysur gyrraedd eu lletyau ac yn darganfod eu criw o ffrindiau newydd, hoffwn bwysleisio’r pwysigrwydd i fanteisio ar y cyfleoedd yma. Heb os nac oni bai canolbwynt fy mhrofiad i o fod yn fyfyriwr Cymraeg yw’r profiadau a gefais wrth ymuno â Chymdeithas Gymraeg y Brifysgol – Y Gym Gym. Er bod nifer o las-fyfyrwyr Cymraeg yn tueddu i ddewis Cwrt Senghennydd fel llety, lle came cyfle i gwrdd â nifer o las-fyfyrwyr eraill, mae’r Gym Gym yn cynnig cyfleoedd i gwrdd â phobl newydd o bob blwyddyn yn y Brifysgol sydd yn aelodau ohoni. Fel aelod o’r Gymdeithas cefais y cyfle i gymdeithasu’n Gymraeg ac i fwynhau drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Yn sicr, rhoddodd y Gym Gym gyfle i mi ymuno â chymuned Gymraeg y Brifysgol yn hawdd gan wneud i mi deimlo’n gyfforddus wrth setlo mewn yn yr wythnosau cyntaf i fywyd Prifysgol.
Yn ogystal â nosweithiau allan wrth fod yn aelod o’r Gym Gym cefais y cyfle i fynychu’r Eisteddfod Rhyng-golegol. Nid yn unig roedd y cyfle i fynychu’r Eisteddfod yn gyfle i mi allu cwrdd a chymdeithasu gyda phobl ifanc eraill o Brifysgolion gwahanol ar draws Cymru, roedd hefyd yn gyfle i mi allu profi diwylliant Cymreig wrth brofi undod y gymdeithas tra’n cystadlu’n frwd yn erbyn y Prifysgolion eraill. Yn sicr, caiff yr elfen o undod ei bwysleisio yn y Gym Gym gyda chyfleoedd i ymuno â thîmau chwaraeon y Gymdeithas, megis y tîm rygbi, pêl-droed a phêl-rwyd, yn cynnig cyfle i aelodau’r gymdeithas fagu hyder a phrofi undod tîm yn ogystal a chefnogaeth eu cyd-aelodau oddi ar y cae. Yn bendant ymuno â Chymdeithas Gymraeg y Brifysgol ydi un o’r prif ffyrdd i unrhyw fyfyriwr ddatblygu ei hunianaeth Cymreig yn ystod y Brifysgol. Yn ogystal â’r Gym Gym, cefais nifer o brofiadau gwych fel aelod o Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal. Wrth fod yn aelod o Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal, sy’n cystadlu yn flynyddol yn yr Eisteddfod yr Urdd, roeddwn eto’n manteisio ar gyfleoedd i gymdeithasu yn y Gymraeg wrth fynychu ymarferion wythnosol a nosweithiau amrywiol oedd yn cael eu trefnu ar ein cyfer. Profodd Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal yn gyfle gwych i mi ddatblygu fy hunaniaeth Gymreig wrth gystadlu, nid yn unig yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd ond hefyd yng nghystadleuaeth Côr Cymru. Drwy fod yn aelod o Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal rwyf hefyd wedi cael profiadau anhygoel megis canu yn seremoni ffarwelio y cyn Brif Weinidog, Mark Drakeford, ac yn ddiweddar yng Nghanolfan y Mileniwm i ddathlu cyfeillgarwch rhwng Cymru a Birmingham, Alabama. Yn sicr mae Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal yn chwa o awyr iach yn y Birfysgol, gan ei bod yn cynnig cyfleoedd i gymysgu gyda chyd-fyfyrwyr, heb yr angen i fynychu unrhyw dafarn – oni bai eoch bod yn teimlo’n sychedig ar ôl yr ymarfer!
Manteisio ar y cyfleoedd i ddatblybu’ch hunaniaeth Gymreig yn y Brifysgol
Efallai y byddwch ar adegau yn teimlo bod yna bwysau i yfed yn y Brifysgol. Os ydych yn teimlo felly, yn ffodus i chi cynnigia’r brifysgol nifer o ddewisiadau amgen a fydd yn medru llenwi’r bwlch heb yr angen i wneud hynny. Wrth astudio Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth mantais i mi oedd yr amryw gyfleoedd o fewn fy nghwrs i ddefnyddio’r Gymraeg.
Manteisais ar y cyfleoedd i fagu profiad gwaith drwy ymgeisio i fod yn wirfoddolwr ar gyfer yr amryw gymdeithasau cyfryngau a ddarpara ‘Cyfryngau Myfyrwyr Caerdydd’. Wedi bod yn olygydd i yn yr ail flwyddyn, manteisiais ar gyfleoedd i greu erthyglau diddorol ac amrywiol i fy nghyd-fyfyrwyr ar draws y Brifysgol. Cefais hefyd y cyfle i gwrdd â phobl newydd a sefydlu cysylltiadau gyda phobl amrywiol. Cofiwch hefyd bod yna nifer o gyfleoedd i gymdeithasu yn y Gymraeg o fewn eich hysgolion, megis Clwb y Mynydd Bychan i fyfyrwyr Gofal Iechyd a Chymdeithas Iolo i fyfyrwyr Ysgol y Gymraeg, yn ogystal ac unrhywun arall sy’n ymddiddori ym mywyd Cymraeg y Brifysgol.
Yn bendant, mae’n amlwg fod yna nifer helaeth o gyfleoedd i ddatblygu eich hunaniaeth Gymreig yn y Brifysgol. Wrth edrych yn ôl ar fy nghyfnod fel glas-fyfyriwr, ac fel myfyriwr yn yr ail flwyddyn y llynedd, gallaf ddweud fy mod yn ddiolchgar i’r cymdeithasau Cymraeg sydd ar gael yn y Brifysgol am gynnig cymaint o gyfleoedd i mi allu cymdeithasu, cwrdd â phobl newydd, magu profiad gwaith a mwynhau drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Yn bendant, cymdeithasu o’r math yma wnaeth fy helpu i setlo mewn a mwynhau bywyd Prifysgol, felly peidiwch a gadael i’r cyfle eich pasio chi. Manteisiwch ar y cyfleoedd!
words by: Llŷr Eirug design by: Julia Bottoms
design by: Emily Cartwright
photography by: Jamia Hussain
Dating in the digital age
It’s 11.54 on a Tuesday night in late February. The soulless glare of the Hinge app illuminates your pallid and slightly cold face, flicking swiftly through the minimal summations of people’ sonalities in less than 100 words. One catches your eye.
Ooh, okay. 21, lovely. A third year Cardiff university student. Stunning. Definitely a questionable dress sense but at least his face is tolerable. He likes hiking, pizza and Netflix, what could possibly go wrong?
‘Moved from Tinder to Hinge hunting for some loose minge.’
Right. That would be the kicker.
You have 6 minutes to use your last two likes, not on loose minge guy (retch) but on someone passably attractive with at least one viable personality trait. Aha. A spark of hope. 19, University student, works in childcare. Okay, they may be the dodgiest photos to ever have been taken in the history of amateur photography, but at least they’re not cropped to deceive you which member of the friend groups profile you’re looking at. Spoiler, it’s never the one you pray it is. But he has lovely eyes, and a kind smile. The cheekbones sharp enough to kill and the halo of golden hair are good additions to the ensemble. The cherry on top is the final photo, of him in a racing car. Epic. You smile, and proceed to drop the most sleep deprived, lacklustre game anyone has ever dropped.
‘Can I be your wag? Xx’
Would you believe me if I told you that was the guy who met your parents and buys you flowers every month? and patiently listens to your brother natter about Minecraft? Not to mention your dad’s attempt to get him drunk on your birthday. Although not an enthralling, gripping beginning, that is a relatively common theme of story genre in the realm of modern dating in an increasingly digitised world. Hinge, Tinder, Bumble, all variations of a similar formula littered across the app store, promising things that are statistically probable but vary on the worst component balancing on their success.
The art of human communication.
The formula of the classic dating app cuts to the chase the most gruelling aspect of meeting someone classically, giving the first date a much easier feel. Age, education, stance on drugs, relationships, sex, employment status. And of course, whether you find them attractive or not. Done correctly, this can minimise the amount of small talk required on a first date, with the prerequisites covered by your selection on the dating app. By streamlining the matchmaking process, the digital age has increased the efficiency of early dating stages by tenfold. Gone are the days of drunkenly meeting a man in a bar and going on a date only to realise his view of a personality is a liking of drum and bass, bucket hats, a cheeky ‘Chicken Lads’ after a night out, and selling weed, yet the latter is framed as an ‘Entrepreneurial scheme’. No shame in that, we’ve all been there. Maybe more than once, statistically speaking.
And, at its core, what is finding someone you’re compatible with if not discovering their attributes and deciding whether they would be a viable romantic partner based on that assimilated informa tion?
However, the romanticism of love is quite diminished due to this newfound pathway to dating. The average day of a university student hunting for love is seeing TikTok’s of couples Halloween cos tumes and wedding dresses themed by Lana del Rey songs, seeing a cute man in a lecture only to discover he has an insufferable personality and probably hates women. To go out, only to be felt up in YOLO and asked in a haze of alcohol and slurred speech, ‘You’re well fit, can I have your snap babes?’
Where are the well-dressed men I see on Instagram? The men I see in romcoms? The men who gush about their girlfriends on TikTok? All I have is Rupert who is ‘looking for loose minge’. Where are the stories of our parents’ romances? Chance meetings in bars, dancing to New Order, and tearing apart your suitcase to find the bar receipt with her phone number scribbled on the back? I would be inclined to argue that in this day and age, variety is the name of the game. Shameless confidence and ‘big bollocks’ if you will. Dating apps can be helpful, giving you more opportunities to meet people and practise the art of easygoing early dating stages, cutting out the drug dealers and the strange men with a liking to Andrew Tate and the manosphere. Additionally, it gives romance much lower stakes than meeting someone organically, thanks to unmatch functions and the reduced likelihood of being in similar social circles.
However, if you’re in a library, and there’s a boy holding a book you like, or a man on a bench behind you in Bute Park talking about something you’re knowledgeable about, go for it. With the ballsy confidence of the irresistible person that you wish to be possessing you wholly. Because with the increasing commerciality and menu-esque nature of modern dating, the occasional organic pick up is healthy, genuine and usually appreciated by the recipient who is statistically probable to also be the hapless victim of the horrifying Tinder algorithm. By using an artful mix of dating apps, social media platforms, and organic sightings of attractive prospects, your skill as a modern digital age dater can become worldly wise and well-practised at a newfound rate. Especially since, even though we all want to have a meet-cute, statistically you’re more likely to meet your future husband on Hinge and not anywhere else. Because whether you swipe right or spot him holding your favourite book, in the end, it’s all about taking the chance and working forward from there. You really can go from ‘Can I be your wag?’ to your dad pouring him
Words
by Tamsin Fraser
Designed by Eleri Watts
words by: Becca Watson design by: Eleri Watts
Cardiff’s Lens into the Global Arts Scheme
Cardiff holds the discovery of art and culture at its core, not only through its position as the capital of Welsh art and culture, but also via the city’s connection to the global, multicultural art network. As a result, Cardiff acts as a portal through which we can discover works of art from different perspectives, both closer to home and from all across the world.
Perhaps one of the most striking examples of Cardiff’s dedication to the global art network is Artes Mundi, an organisation based in the National Museum of Wales. Artes Mundi’s website states that one of its main aims is to allow audiences to ‘develop a greater understanding of ourselves, of others, and of the relations between familiar and distant cultures’ through visual art exhibitions. Discovery is a central feature of their mission. In order to understand this intriguing organisation more fully, I decided to explore the work of their most recent biennial prize winner on their website.
Taloi Havini, prize-winner of AM10, is quoted on the Artes Mundi website as she comments on her work and its focus on the treatment of the landscape and indigenous people of Bougainville; ‘It means a lot to me that my people’s Indigenous ancestral stories [… may allow] Welsh and wider audiences [… to] find some connection to histories of extraction and the ongoing struggle for cultural, environmental and political self-determination that I speak to in Bougainville.’ Havini’s piece Habitat explores the effect of copper mining on Bougainville and whilst I was not able to see the exhibition in person, my online research gave me a sense of the immersive impact of cinematography combined with archival footage. My exploration of Artes Mundi’s work made it clear that their assertion of ‘the capacity of visual art to communicate across boundaries’ is a testament to the fact that we should never underestimate the importance of art.
“Cardiff acts as a portal through which we can discover works of art from different perspectives”
Furthermore, in planning my trip to the museum, I made sure to book tickets to the ‘Art of the Selfie’. This exhibition focused on self-portraits, arguably the original ‘selfie’, and how they are tied to identity and emotion due to the inherently self-reflective nature of the form. To pursue my visit, I made my way to the exhibition room. Upon opening the door, I was greeted by the vivid colours and emotional intensity of Van Gogh’s Portrait of the Artist (1887), on loan from Paris, hanging on the opposite wall. The accompanying description comments on the serious expression of the artist, as he concentrates on painting his own likeness through a mirror.
Amongst the other impressive works on display, I was drawn particularly to Anya Paintsil’s self-portrait entitled Blod. The piece evokes the significance of her Welsh-Ghanaian identity and experience growing up in Wales as a person of colour. Indeed, the self-portraits make the exhibition a valuable means through which to discover global identities and experiences.
Cardiff MADE is a gallery in Roath, just a short walk away from the university, which allows a similar sense of cultural and artistic discovery through their support of over 200 local artists, including fine art graduates, specialising in a variety of mediums including painting, pottery, and art installations. The depiction of the experiences of fellow students from both Wales and the rest of the globe creates a meaningful show of culture. Their latest exhibition, Unwanted Flesh by art graduate Delphi Campbell, opens at the end of September and displays the artist’s experience and confrontation of ‘the narrative of living in an othered body’ as a result of her experience of chronic illness.
Another art exhibition in Cardiff rebelling against differentiation is Ismail and Hasson’s My City My Shirt, located in Cardiff Bay and accompanied by a renowned piece of street art of the same name in Butetown. These pieces of art promote the multicultural nature of Cardiff City Football Club, as well as of the city as a whole, rallying against the idea that people of colour cannot wear the Cardiff City football shirt. Ismail presents the reclamation of the shirt as a symbolic call for the celebration of the multiculturality of Cardiff in the face of intolerance, perfectly encapsulating the power of visual art to allow for discovery, connection, and the celebration of diversity in the city of Cardiff. words by: Isabella Liddle
Julia Bottoms
“The self-portraits make the exhibition a valuable means through which to discover global identities and experiences”
Cardiff after hours: Yolo and Cardiff Nightlife
The city of Cardiff is renowned not only for its rich history and vibrant cultural scene but also for its nightlife. From bustling pubs and stylish bars to pulsating nightclubs, Cardiff comes alive after dark. For students, the nightlife in Cardiff can be an essential part of the university experience. Here’s a deep dive into Cardiff’s after-hours scene and why Cardiff nightlife is loved by locals and visitors alike (all tested out and approved by yours truly!).
YOLO Wednesday, at Cardiff University’s Students’ Union nightclub, has earned its reputation as the go-to student night. With free entry before 10 PM, YOLO is a mid-week escape, attracting students from across the city. Known for its themed nights, affordable drinks, and a mix of chart-toppers, hip-hop, and throwback hits, YOLO boasts a carefree atmosphere perfect for letting loose. The weekly event fosters a diverse and energetic crowd, making it a must for anyone looking to experience Cardiff’s vibrant student nightlife. The club also offers 4 for £10 VKs and in 2023 it even got its own VK vending machine!
While YOLO is a major draw, Cardiff’s nightlife doesn’t end there - the city offers a broad spectrum of after-hours entertainment for those seeking different vibes. Cardiff’s Live Lounge and their £1 pizzas are legendary! The city offers something for everyone—from traditional pubs like The Goat Major and The City Arms to cutting-edge nightclubs such as Circuit and Clwb Ifor Bach.
Whether you’re into indie music, live performances, or mainstream beats, Cardiff has a place for you. Lined with pubs, bars, and clubs, St. Mary Street is the epicenter of Cardiff’s nightlife, where you’ll find some of the most famous venues in the city. Popular spots like Walkabout and O’Neill’s attract large crowds throughout the week. Nearby, Mill Lane offers a slightly more sophisticated nightlife scene, with cocktail bars and lounges, perfect for those looking for a more relaxed vibe.
If you’re looking for something more alternative, Clwb Ifor Bach on Womanby Street is the place to be. Known for its eclectic mix of live bands and themed DJ nights, Clwb Ifor Bach attracts music lovers who prefer indie, rock, and electronic sounds. It’s a hub for Cardiff’s underground music scene and a must-visit for anyone who enjoys a less commercial nightlife experience. For those who prefer a mainstream clubbing experience, Circuit,
“Cardiff’s after hours scene is dynamic, diverse and welcoming”
multiple rooms, each with different music ranging from EDM to R&B to pop. With its impressive light shows and a large dance floor, Circuit is where you go for a more vibrant and energetic night out.
In Cardiff, you can start your night with a quiet pint at one of the city’s many historic pubs, dance the night away at YOLO or Circuit, and finish off with some late-night food from one of the city’s numerous takeaways. Speaking of food, Cardiff’s after-hours dining scene is just as exciting. Once the clubs close, crowds flock on Caroline Street (affectionately known as ‘Chippy Lane’) for greasy, latenight comfort food. From kebabs to pizza, Cardiff’s street food scene has something for any craving, ensuring that no night ends without a delicious bite. Alternatively, after YOLO you can find multiple top food spots to satisfy your needs on Salisbury Road in Cathays.
One of the standout aspects of Cardiff nightlife is its commitment to safety and inclusivity. The city has worked hard to make sure that the nightlife is safe for everyone, with a heavy presence of security and services like the Help Points on St. Mary Street. Cardiff is also known for its LGBTQ+ friendly venues, with bars like The Golden Cross and Mary’s offering inclusive, welcoming environments for all. Cardiff’s after-hours scene is dynamic, diverse, and welcoming. From the iconic YOLO student nights at the Students’ Union to the more refined cocktail bars and historic pubs, Cardiff has something to offer for everyone. Whether you’re a student looking to dance the night away or a visitor wanting to explore the vibrant bar scene, Cardiff’s nightlife won’t disappoint. So, next time you find yourself in Cardiff after dark, remember - you only live once, but Cardiff’s nightlife will always let you live it to the fullest.
words
by: Camille Valere design by: Ola Rzeszut
photography by: Jamia Hussain
Beyond 46
Sasha Nugara: The Cardiff Grads Journey to The Times and Beyond
In the cutthroat world of property journalism, Cardiff Alumni Sasha Nugara is already making her mark.
After graduating in 2021 with a BA in English Literature, Nugara joined The Times as an apprentice in 2021, immediately showcasing her talent for storytelling. Thanks to her evocative first person travel piece on Sri Lanka, Nugara earned a finalist nomination for the TravMedia Awards’ Rising Star of the Year 2024. Her journey from literature graduate to acclaimed reporter reflects her passion for writing and keen interest in the ever evolving industry landscape – Nugara is certainly one to watch.
Nugara’s life at University
“I studied English Literature, and I enjoyed my degree but I didn’t have a passion like other people.”
“I always enjoyed reading and watching the news and many of my peers were part of student journalism, so I thought I would have a go at writing an article for Quench.”
“I had to comment on the facebook group and grab the article I wanted as fast as I could, it was always a race to secure the pitches” she laughed. I assured her that this is still often the case.
How did your involvement with Quench shape your path into journalism?
“The first article I wrote for Quench was a vintage clothing piece, but I also started a food blog called ‘Sascha’s Snacks’ to continue building my portfolio.”
“In 2020, I became one of the Food and Drinks editors for Quench, and started an Instagram account alongside my blog.”
“It taught me so much”, she is quick to remind me. “It was a safe space to experiment with my writing style, and there were no deadlines!”
“I built up roughly 2,000 followers, most of whom were in the Cardiff foodie scene. I have a lot of respect for influencers now, it’s surprisingly hard work growing your account and learning how to take aesthetic photos.”
How did your university experience prepare you for your career in journalism?
“Studying English Literature was a great way for me to become a better writer. You have to be critical of your own work, and learn to take others’ criticism. Journalism can be a savage industry.”
“Seminars are strangely similar to a pitch meeting. Having to share your own opinion in a room full of people who may disagree with you (and aren’t afraid to tell you) has proved to be a good foundation.”
Nugara’s route into the journalism industry
Nugara’s route into the journalism industry was by no means easy; “It feels like the wild-west out there”, she explains. However, she shares how she got her role as a Times apprentice.
“I found a job on the facebook group ‘Freelancing for Journalists’, which was actually an apprenticeship at The Sun. I clicked on the link which took me to a page where The Times were advertising a similar role, but didn’t seem to be advertised on other job hunting sites. It was an intense application process with many, many stages.”
How many people were accepted as part of the programme?
“Six of us started the scheme, at the end of the scheme there were only three of us left!”
As part of her apprenticeship, Nugara was enrolled on an NCTJ qualification run by News Associates.
“No newspaper will hire a candidate who isn’t willing to sit this qualification. I was lucky, The Times funded my qualification.”
During her apprenticeship, Nugara was put on three different desks in her London office and to conclude her qualification, she was sent to Bristol for three months to try her hand at local news reporting.
Nugara has recently been placed on the property desk at The Times.
“They put me on the property desk and it really did turn into more of a personal role for me.”
“I get the opportunity to travel the country viewing beautiful properties, writing feature pieces and personal stories.”
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your journalism career?
“Reminding yourself not to compare yourself to other people. Being a young woman in a room full of older men makes you feel like you constantly have to prove yourself. Going into this world is challenging.”
What are some of the proudest achievements in your career so far?
Nugara’s proudest achievement so far was the time she spent on the travel desk at The Times.
“My father is from Sri Lanka, and unfortunately has Alzheimer’s. When I was an apprentice, I pitched the idea of travelling to Sri Lanka and recreating his old photos and memories. I spent two weeks travelling Sri Lanka with a guide and I found so much of my dad there. It really was special.”
“I ended up writing a double page spread which was printed in The Times. It was a really massive thing.”
