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ISSUE 750. November 17
FREE
November 17 2003
commemorative pul l-out
free word - EST. 1972
CARDIFF’S STUDENT WEEKLY
Page 1
EDITIONS OF
gair rhydd
After covering over 30 years, Cardiff students for gair
CARDIFFSTUDENTS.COM
rhydd is proud present some to of its best mom ents
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A
gair rhydd Editor
s the mainstream press has developed dent media has remained remarkab , stubehind, especially ly close in the media obsessed city of Cardiff. Cardiff hand-written magazine University first produced a in 1885, although newspaper was the first launched shortly after the start of the 20th Century. But it wasn’t until 1971 when our beloved first rolled off the gair rhydd press, would become a bright and over the next 32 years it light in the often dull world of student journalism . In the early 70’s free word boasted shoddy typewritten sheets, looking hand-drawn lines and hastily corrected copy. But with edge that has been this apparent shoddiness came an hard ics may have replaced to match since – quality graphline art diagrams, teur feel added to but the amathe sense that gair rhydd was strongly against the establishm ent. Early papers were remarkably political today’s offering – compared to one to vote Conservative front page leader urged students to protect their freedom. gair rhydd’s were The early also overt in their union. Editorials criticism of the would declare the Executive a disgrace, calling for the resignation of the president and senior members of the gest boycotts of the management. Others would sugnightclub or other union in the current climate these moves would services – ing. seem shockAs you look through this brief collection favourite front pages, of our it becomes clear has won so many national awards. This why gair rhydd in another nominatio has culminated n for Mirror best per this year. student newspaThe latest chapter launched earlier this in the gair rhydd’s history was year, with the introductio first regular magazine n of our segment. Advances gy have allowed in technologair rhydd to expand greater amount of content, and to allow to produce a ber of contributors a greater numto a glance at the efforts work for us than ever before. But of previous years suggests have a way to go before we still we can match the instincts of out predecesso campaigning This year’s gair rhydd rs has tried to return cal roots but has so to its critifar resisted the temptation out the big guns. to bring But expect fireworks as we try to live up later in the year to the high standards of gair rhydd.
Souvenir edition
Quench
By Tristan Thomas,
LEFT: The union president quits for the first time since Neil Kinnock (1980) RIGHT: For the first time in history a woman president is elected (1991) LEFT: gair rhydd bravely accuses two Sabb officers of abusing their positions (1983) RIGHT: The following week a front page apology grovels to avoid libel problems (1983) LEFT: Accusations are made against Exec members for wasting expenses (1998) RIGHT: We report on the shocking rape just metres from the union (2001)
We celebrate our 750th issue with a souvenir pull-out
Late licence jeopardised
UNION BARS HOURS FROM CLOSURE By Peter Bramwell News Editor
Cardiff magistrates cause needless havoc for union officials
LOCKED DOORS: Nearly a reality, say the union
THE STUDENTS’ UNION bars operation could have been only hours from closure, after a blunder from Cardiff magistrates nearly cost the late licence, gair rhydd has learned. Freshers’ Week 2003 could have been ruined by a bureaucratic error when union staff were falsely told that they did not have a late licence and were therefore ‘illegally’ operating Solus and the Taf past 11pm. gair rhydd can reveal however that the Union did have this right. To Cardiff students, unaware of the union’s plight, the early evening closure of the Taf on Thursday September 25 was due to ‘electrical problems’. But behind the scenes, union management were locked in emergency meetings with police, attempting to rescue the situation. Later described as “discrepancies in paperwork between the court, police and the union”, problems arose when a late licence application for the Graduate Centre was rejected by the Cardiff magistrates’ licensing panel. Union General Manager Jason Dunlop said, “We were worried by that stage. The situation looked serious as the court thought the union didn’t have a licence.
PINTS: at risk of becoming unavailable after 11pm
“We were faced with the prospect of closing the doors of the union at 11pm everyday for an indefinite period of time.” Eventually the decision was made to keep the union open after consulting some of the country’s top licensing solicitors to construct legal arguments. Mr Dunlop added, “We applied for some special orders of exemption for extended hours which covered us until the next court hearing in October. When we presented our case they came up with some more queries, so we reapplied until the last court hearing on November 4. This was where we received all of our licenses for the Taf, Seren Las, Solus and the Great Hall. “It’s my view that it’s a substantial benefit for the city of Cardiff for the Students’ Union to remain open. You then have the whole of the student population in one place. “From a crime and disorder strategy it is very much in the wider benefit of Cardiff. This is why we had the support from the police, as they understand that we do play a major role in supporting students when they come away from home for the first time. “I’m pleased because now we definitely know the licence is right. Even though it seems we have been through a lot, and a massive amount of work, it’s ended with a positive outcome.”