Gair Rhydd - Issue 854 by Cardiff Student Media

RAG WEEK 2007 - RAG WEEK 2007 - RAG WEEK 2007

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ISSUE 854 NOVEMBER 12 2007 CARDIFF’S STUDENT WEEKLY free word - EST. 1972

INSIDE...NEWS/JOBS&MONEY/FEATURES/TAF-OD/OPINION

MOVING ON UP

Abigail Whittaker News Editor Cardiff University has broken into the top 100 of elite universities in the world. Figures published in the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) last Thursday reveal that Cardiff has soared 42 places since last year and now takes 99th position in the rankings. As a result, it has also risen six places to take the 19th spot in the equivalent UK statistics. The breakthrough adds to the recent success of the University in many areas, including its association with Professor Sir Martin Evans of the School of Biosciences who was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine. The world league table, which is considered to be one of the most respected in higher education, is compiled largely on responses from a

survey of thousands of international experts who are questioned about which universities are the most respected in their field, amongst other factors. Dr David Grant, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, said: “The University’s continued rise in the THES international rankings reflects the success of all staff in pursuing our vision of being a world-leading university. “What is particularly pleasing about this study is that it is based heavily on the opinions of international academic experts in all fields, indicating high regard around the world for Cardiff University’s research, teaching and innovation.” Securing a place in the top 100, the University’s highest ever position, comes after a year of high achievement with some 37,000 applications for undergraduate degree schemes maintaining Cardiff’s popularity as the eighth most sought-after UK university

to study at. The last year has also seen a record level of new research funding with awards totalling in excess of £110 million. Emphasis has also been put on investment in teaching and research facilities; £21 million was spent on a new School of Optometry. Dr Grant continued: “This rating is further confirmation that in Cardiff University, Wales has an internationally-recognised institution that it can be truly proud of.” Speaking last week, Jonny Cox, President of the Students’ Union, was keen to emphasise the achievement. He said: “The University maintains its ability to become a world leading university. To enter the top 100 is a big step in the right direction and a step closer to achieving this ambitious status. “It provides great benefits for our graduates as Cardiff University degrees

start to get recognition on the world stage,” he added. Last year 41 European universities featured in the top 100, but this year that figure has dropped to 35. 19 UK universities have secured places, with Cardiff being the only Welsh university. The top 10 of the world rankings is dominated by the US, but four UK universities have obtained places. Oxford and Cambridge share second position, and Imperial College London and University College London are fifth and ninth respectively. Emily Issacs, a final year Sociology student, was among the first to hear the news. She said: “I feel very privileged to attend Cardiff University and I am not surprised how well we have done in the rankings because it is a fantastic university.”

THIS ISSUE:

exclusive vintage fashion shoot behind the scenes at the Golden Joystick Awards red carpet interviews from the London FIlm Festival introducing Gotye

...all this and more inside

SPORT/POLITICS/SCIENCE&ENVIRONMENT/LISTINGS/TV

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NOVEMBER.12.2007

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WEEK: A guide

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NOVEMBER.12.2007 NEWS@gairrhydd.COM

Cardiff entrepreneur scores Abigail Whittaker News Editor Eighteen months after setting up his own business, a Cardiff University graduate is celebrating success as start up business of the year. James Taylor, a 24-year-old psychology graduate, founded the company SportStars Wales with the support of an entrepreneurship scholarship from the Knowledge Exploitation Fund. The company offer sports coaching across 15 different sports for children outside term-time, and also provide cover for teachers during time set aside for their planning, preparation and assessment work. SportStars were also awarded the Community Impact Award for their contribution towards tackling obesity in children through physical activity. James Taylor said: “I feel so proud. I wanted to show that you can go out there and grow a highly successful business making lots of money while doing

JAMES TAYLOR: Sports star

something extremely positive within the community at the same time.” The judging panel, which included Mark Webb, presenter of Channel 4’s Risking It All, commented: “SportStars proved it was entirely possible to start and run an ethically sound, community-minded business while remaining unapologetically focused on revenues and profit.” James is expected to be presenting a series of special seminars at Cardiff University soon to reveal how he made his entrepreneurial debut. Dr Catherine Bushell, Entrepreneurship Officer at Cardiff University said: “It will be great to be able to welcome James back to act as a mentor and share his success and enthusiasm with other young people thinking of embarking on a business venture.” Marking Enterprise Week this week Cardiff University will see the launch of a business idea challenge, with the opportunity to win up to £1000 in a Dragons’ Den style challenge, that is hoped to encourage other young entrepreneurs.

charting new Evans Almighty Marketing territory in Cardiff Nobel Prize winning professor is now tipped to scoop this year’s ‘Great Briton’s’ Award

Daniel Madden Reporter Students with career aspirations in marketing are being offered the services of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), which has recently set up a new chapter in Cardiff. The CIM is a high profile national association and its members include high-standing professionals from all marketing-related industries. For a yearly membership fee of £5, access is available to a wide range of events that aim to provide an interesting insight into 21st Century marketing. Chris Long, Joint Chair of the CIM Cardiff Chapter, said: “The student chapter does this by organising both

interactive and inspiring events by professionals and entrepreneurs in an attempt to convey applicable marketing practices that are occurring in business today.” The CIM is run by a committee of 12 students from its host university, representing areas such as finance, marketing, events and sponsorship. These positions are passed over democratically to other members each year. But Chris Long argues that CIM involvement is invaluable to a graduate C.V. He said: “Due to it being run by students, we see the CIM Cardiff student chapter as bridging the gap between university and the exciting and rapid life of the 21st century marketing industry.”

Drinks calculator SIR MARTIN: A Great Briton?

Steph Cockroft Reporter It has been revealed that Cardiff University Professor, Sir Martin Evans FRS, is one of the leading contestants for the 2007 Morgan Stanley ‘Great Briton’s’ award. Described as the ‘father of stem cell research’, he was recently awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine for a ‘series of ground-breaking discoveries concerning embryonic stems cells and DNA recombination in mammals’. To commemorate his achievements further, The Daily Telegraph recommended him for the Science and Inno-

vation Category owing to his excellent achievements in this field. This category is one of seven that constitutes the ‘Great Briton’s’ awards. A panel of judges will whittle down the public’s nominations to a shortlist of three with the winner being announced in January. Sir Martin Evans was the first scientist to identify embryonic stem cell research. His discoveries are now being applied in virtually all areas of biomedicine, including the development of therapies against diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Sir Martin admits: “It is a boyhood dream come true.”

Cardiff students will now be able to calculate how many units of alcohol they drink on an average night out. A new mobile phone alcohol unit calculator was launched on November 5 to raise awareness of student alcohol consumption. The new mobile phone unit calculator links onto the ‘Drinkaware Trust’ website, where information about the amount of units in certain drinks is given. The ‘Know What’s In It’ campaign is set to run across the UK, in 15 Student Unions during November. Student bars will have information about beer, wine, and other drinks on their beer mats. Posters will also be used to draw at-

tention to drinking responsibly. Stephanie Harvey, a second year sociology student said: “I doubt it will work, most students don’t care about the amount of units they drink.”

PHOTO: Ed Salter

Lisa Evans Reporter

NEWS Memorial concert

Saeed Ibrahim Reporter Two Cardiff University graduates killed in a Thailand plane crash will be remembered in a memorial gig next month. The concert, which will take place at Clwb Ifor Bach, will remember the couple Alex Collins and Bethan Jones, who became friends while studying at Cardiff University. The 22-year-old victims died three months into a round-theworld trip after their budget flight skidded off the runway and burst into flames at Phuket airport. Friends of the pair have organised the gig, which will take place at 6.15pm on November 25 with tickets priced at £7. All proceeds from the ticket sales will be put towards the specialist burns unit at Morriston Hospital, Swansea and the Headway charity to help people suffering from brain injury.

Nightline gets a new number Gemma Batstone Reporter Nightline, the helpline for students, now has a new number. Run by students for students, nightline aims to provide a free, confidential service. This year the charity organisation has been updated due to a huge rise in the amount of student volunteers. A volunteer said: “Nightline provides you with a range of skills that are valuable in everyday life as well as working towards future employment opportunities.” A committee member added: “Nightline are always on the lookout for new recruits so if you think you are a good listener and are available for a couple of nights each semester all you have to do is turn up to one of the regular training sessions.” Nightline is open between 8pm and 8am on 02920 870555. Alternatively drop into their headquarters at 148 Colum Road or visit www.cardiffnightline. com.

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NEWS

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Thou shalt not go to the ball Alison Battisby Reporter Around 250 Cambridge University students have been left disappointed after their prestigious May ball was cancelled. The event, which usually takes place every two years, was called off after student organisers got lower grades than predicted. Peterhouse College has been told it will be allowed to host the ball every three years instead, in an attempt to boost the students’ results. The May balls, held in June, are an

Oxbridge tradition to mark the end of the academic year. They usually involve months of planning by the student organisers, and ticket prices are well over £100. Ben Fisher, Head of the Junior Common Room at Peterhouse, justified the decision. He said: “I don’t think it’s intended as a punishment for the rest of the people. The student organisers didn’t have much sleep and had to put so much into it.” There are hopes that a group of graduates will be able to take over the organisation of the balls in the future.

Cardiff Uni runs UK’s largest community relations scheme Corinne Rhoades News Editor Cardiff University has vowed to improve community relations as part of the biggest initiative of its kind ever to be launched in the UK. Along with University of Glamorgan,

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, Techniquest, and BBC Wales, Cardiff will lead the way for Welsh universities beginning to work more closely with the public. The scheme will become Wales’ only beacon for Public Engagement and make up a total of six beacons to be set up across the UK. First Minister Rhodri Morgan

Self help group reinstated Josie Allchin Reporter The Cardiff Self Help Group, for those suffering with eating disorders, has been reestablished. According to the group, there is a lack of support and professional specialist treatment facilities in South Wales, which is why it has made a return. Run by two women who themselves have recovered from eating disorders, the group aims to provide a non-judgemental environment and positive atmosphere where the emphasis is placed on the possibility of

recovery, and that it is achievable to all. A good response has been generated by the group’s return, thought to be due to its positive support programme. It is an opportunity for sufferers to talk about their issues and experiences, while being safe in the knowledge that the problem is not always food-orientated. The group meets at the University Health Centre every Monday from 6pm - 7pm. Anyone over the age of 18 has been welcomed, along with those who are over 16, as long as a carer is present.

said: “Wales is gaining a reputation as a world-class ‘research hub’ with a wealth of very exciting research being undertaken at Welsh universities which is relevant to our everyday lives.” As a result, the beacon for Wales has been set up to improve understanding, increase support and encourage the public to challenge research done in universities.

Four public engagement projects are to be piloted in Wales, with subjects such as health and well-being, climate and sustainability, and Welsh identity to be covered. Professor Ken Woodhouse, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Engagement at Cardiff University, and the lead partner in the beacon for Wales was eager to stress the importance of public involvement.

He said: “We are keen to see public engagement activities such as debates, dialogues or exhibitions, media appearances or outreach work become as much of a priority for university staff as the more traditional roles.”

University applications soar

Melissa Moore Reporter A rise in applications for UK universities is the result of an influx in the number of applications from overseas, recent figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) have revealed. In comparison, the number of submissions from UK students has fallen. The October deadline for courses

in medicine, dentistry, the veterinary sciences and for Oxbridge has provided an early indicator of the demography of students expected for next year’s intake. They illustrate that the total number of applications has risen by 0.9%, but closer inspection reveals a 0.1% drop in applications from UK residents and a 5.2% increase in that of foreign students. However, Anthony McClaren, Chief Executive of UCAS, warns that these figures are only a snapshot, and the application process has still not reached its final deadline.

He said: “It is important to remember that we are still in the application cycle so any data is of limited predictive value.” Some see the overall rise in applications as a key indication that despite recent criticism of top-up fees, the majority of students have not been deterred. It is certainly encouraging for the education minister, Bill Rammell, who remarked upon this ‘very positive trend’, arguing that the government’s finance package for students was promoting more to head into Higher Education.

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

NEWS

NEWS@gairrhydd.COM

Students save the day

Your words:

Students’ opinions voiced “I don’t think the scheme is a good idea. I wouldn’t feel comfortable being treated by a Cardiff University Medic student. Personally I would prefer someone with more experience.” Masood Almohri, Business and Finance foundation course

“It offers the medics good experience, and in an emergency someone is better than no one. But knowing some of my fellow medics, I wouldn’t feel too comfortable being helped solely by them so I think I’d prefer a paramedic.” Helen Jones, 2nd year Medic

Emily Woodrow Reporter Cardiff University medical students are set to become 999 responders. Medical students will be on call to offer assistance to people suffering from cardiac arrests. The new scheme, to be introduced this week, means medical students will be the first responders to 999 calls in areas of Cardiff. Some 30 students from Cardiff University have been trained by the Welsh Ambulance Service on how to

carry out basic life-saving skills, how to recognise cardiac conditions, and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. The first responder society was set up by fifth year students Huw Williams and Rhian Davies in order to help the ambulance service deal with patients. Already made up of 300 medical student volunteers, the scheme is intended to offer profitable first hand experience to those trained. Huw said, “All medical students want to help the community around them, but a lot of us are also aware that within a year we will be practis-

ing somewhere in Wales, and this experience will be invaluable.’’ It is hoped that other medical schools in Wales and England will adopt the Medics First Responder Scheme, so that more students can get the chance to deal with real cardiac arrests. Tony Rossetti, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s first responder officer for South East Wales, said: ‘’This will give them great experience and it will make a difference to a lot of people’s lives in the area.’’

Faye Brannen, 1st year Law student

“If adequate training is given and the students are deemed competent then it’s a good idea. It means there are more people around to help in those situations.” Matthew Huckle, 2nd year Journalism student

PHOTOS: Chris Lloyd

MEDICS: The student survival kit

“If the Medics were fully trained I wouldn’t have a problem with it. It gives them really good experience for their future career and valid training in the field of medicine. It also frees up ambulances to deal with other emergencies.”

VOX POP: Emily Woodrow

A word from the Advice Centre... Who are you living with next year? Where are you living? Such questions are going to be echoing around the University over the next few months. Don’t panic, there is a surplus of housing in Cardiff and great houses become available throughout the year. All the good houses are not gone by Christmas – far from it.

Don’t feel rushed into anything especially when it comes to choosing who to live with for another year. This is particularly important if you are a fresher and only just beginning to really get to know who your friends are, as opposed to the flux of Facebook friends you added during Freshers’

week. When you do decide to view properties always go in a group and agree on a set of minimum standards. Remember once you have signed for a property you are legally bound to it. It is important not to hand over any money or sign any contracts until you

are certain. The advisers at the Advice & Representation Centre are available to offer you housing advice whenever you need it. We also check contracts and offer appointments with a local solicitor on a fortnightly basis in the Union.

The Advice & Representation Centre is located on the 3rd floor of the Students’ Union. A drop-in service operates between 9.30am and 4pm.

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WORLD NEWS World News in brief Ruth Smith Reporter

NEWS@gairrhydd.COM

Separation Success

Over the limit? Doctors work through the night to detach a two-

year-old Indian girl from her ‘undeveloped twin’ Navodita Pande Reporter

It has been observed that new drink driving rules, which may come into effect in Ireland, could force priests over the limit. Particularly in rural areas, priests have to drive to several churches and back again on Sundays. Eucharist takes place during the service, and altar wine is consumed, which Catholics believe to become the blood of Jesus Christ. The prepared wine should be drunk, as throwing it away would be blasphemous.

Tuxedo trek

Two men dressed in tuxedos have successfully completed a charity expedition from Hong Kong to London. The trek totalled 6,000 miles and resulted in Briton, Heath Buck and American, Doug Campbell, travelling though 19 countries in four months. The pair met in a Hong Kong bar and came up with the idea to raise money for local problems that they encountered on their way, including helping sex slaves in Nepal. The tuxedos were made in Thailand from resilient fabrics especially for the journey.

Honouring the Olympics

To commemorate the Beijing Olympic Games a recent report revealed that nearly 3,500 children have been named ‘Aoyun’, which means ‘Olympics’. These 3,491 people were mostly born in the year 2000 – when Beijing was bidding to host the 2008 Games. It has also been discovered that more than 4,000 Chinese have their name referring to the Beijing Games’ mascots - the ‘Five Friendlies’. These names are: Bei Bei; Jing Jing; Huan Huan; Ying Ying; and Ni Ni. This translates as ‘Beijing welcomes you’.

Surgery on an Indian girl born with four arms and four legs has been successful, it was revealed last week. A team of doctors from the southern city of Bangalore operated for 27 hours in order to separate two-year-old Lakshmi Tatma from ‘her undeveloped twin’. Lakshmi was born conjoined at her spinal column and kidney to her headless ‘twin’. Dr Sharan Patil, the doctor leading the operation, said: “Lakshmi is stable and sound. She is safe and doing

well.” He added: “The villagers and some of her relatives were not so keen about going ahead with the surgery but the parents were looking to the future and they were very keen and motivated to have medical intervention.” Dr Patil claims that as soon as he heard about this little girl’s rare situation, along with her parents’ inability to afford surgery, he immediately rushed to see her. He commented: “It was appalling to find her with an infected sore and suffering from continuous fever without any medical help.” He gathered a team of surgeons who last week began working on her surgery in shifts.

Google mobile to be launched Oliver Lewis Reporter The world’s most popular search engine may soon see the launch of a Google Phone, amidst widespread speculation. Since rumours of the iPhone surfaced in late 2005, Google has encouraged mobile phone software which would allow a multitude of applications to be created by mobile phone companies. It’s still a mystery as to whether the Google Phone will come into existence. But Andy Rubin, Google’s director of mobile platforms, said: “This is going to bring the Internet into cell phones in a very cool way”. This is fuelling the rumours that Google has teamed up with four of the largest mobile manufacturers in the world: Samsung, HTC, Motorola and LG. In addition to this, the first phones using Google’s so-called ‘software stack’ could be on sale in the UK by early 2008. Like other divisions of Google, such as GMail and Google Video, the new software would be offered free of charge, leading to a price war between handset manufacturers which would drive down prices for the consumer. Google’s latest move is another step towards becoming a household name in multimedia and communication. They will also rival Microsoft in the computing market, who have been criticised as having an ‘unfair monopoly’. The announcement from the California based firm is said to be their

most interesting development since the $1.65 billion acquisition of You tube, the social video-sharing site, in 2006. But the news has come as a disappointment to some in the industry who were expecting a prodigal Google Phone to be unveiled. Eric Schmidt, Google’s chief executive and chairman, continued to shrug off rumours that plans for a Google Phone may be in the works. He said: “Today’s announcement is more ambitious than any single Google Phone that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks.”

They were apparently prepared for a continuous operation lasting up to 40 hours. The survival rate of conjoined twins is usually no higher than 25% percent, but can be as low as a one in 20 success rate. However, Dr Patil claims he is ‘optimistic’ about the girl’s future. Conjoined twins occur once in about every 200,000 births, originating from a single fertilised egg so they are mostly of the same sex and are identical. Historically, medical records for the last 500 years indicate that 600 conjoined twins have survived - more than 70% of these being female twins.

LAKSHMI TATMA: No longer a twin

Trapped in Gaza

Melissa Moore Reporter Students from Gaza studying abroad have found themselves trapped in the city. Those who returned to the area in the summer discovered that the Palestinian Islamist faction, Hamas, had apprehended control of the Gaza strip. Shortly after the seize, neighbouring Israel blocked passages out of the region pronouncing it a ‘hostile entity’. The Israeli government had provided for some of the 6,400 Palestinians waiting for permission to leave, to depart via the Erez border, from there access could be gained to the Tel Aviv airport in Israel. Another route was then provided for the Nitzana crossing into Egypt via bus, but this only allowed a restricted number of 550 people to leave in no more than four separate journeys. Only 80 students managed to gain

access, and the crossings stopped in September. As a result, approximately 670 students in the vicinity, who study in universities across the globe, have not yet been able to return to their respective universities to continue with their courses, and many now fear for the security of their places. The spokesperson for the Israeli foreign ministry, Mark Regev, claimed a solution was being sought. He added: “We want them to go and study and help build a better future for the Palestinians.” Gisha, a human rights group in Israel has helped garner a second petition by students to the Israeli Supreme Court, in order to gain authorisation to pass through the Gaza borders. The first petition was rejected on September 17, as the court claimed the bus routes provided to Jordan and Egypt would continue. Results of the second petition are expected this week.

OCTOBER.22.2007 FEATURES@gairrhydd.COM

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FEATURES

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NOVEMBER.12.2007

POLITICS

POLITICS@gairrhydd.COM

Like Husband, Like Wife? Jarek Dabek Political Correspondent

ast week, Argentina woke up with its first elected female President. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who won with a clear majority of more than 40% of the vote, will now take oath as President of Argentina on December 10 2007 from her husband Nestor Kirchner of all people. “We have won by a large margin,” she said in her first reaction late Sunday. “This, far from placing us in some position of privilege, places us in a position of greater responsibility and obligations,” she added. Official results confirmed on Mon-

day her large win over Christian Liberal Elisa Carrio and centrist Roberto Lavagna. Cristina called her victory a triumph for all Argentines and addressing supporters at her campaign headquarters in a hotel in Buenos Aires, she urged the whole of society to work together.

PM Kirchner will now take an oath from, and be sworn in by, her husband, who is the President “A country,” she said, “cannot be built by a government alone.” She has a daunting task ahead of her, primarily tackling crime, inflation and poverty in the nation. Considering Argentina is going through one of the worst energy crises in the middle of one of the worst winters in the last 100 years, the government is going to have to step up its efforts to solve this crisis immediately. Polls, however, suggest that almost half of the population believes President Kirchner is doing a good job. Mrs Kirchner will hopefully follow suit. Some people also have their concerns about democracies taking the dynastic path of governance. It is quite a valid concern, as it questions the very notion of ‘democracy’

as it was framed in Lincoln’s famous words “...of the people, by the people, for the people..”. In the US you have the Bush family, the Clinton’s and the Kennedy’s; in Poland the PM and President being brothers is a set precedent, but this calls for yet another deeper look into what politics really is. Does politics boil down to mere governance of the nation or is it another reflection of what the electorate is? Does an election not exhibit the strength and maturity of the nation as a whole? Is it not the nation’s responsibility to elect a candidate based on the candidate’s own credentials? Does it not bring into question the whole system of polling? Questions which just blur the current vision of politics right now, notably style over substance. For Cristina, however, there couldn’t have been a better time to prove her opponents wrong, and right the growing number of wrongs in the country. In her husband’s tenure as President, people have been dealing with the problem of nepotism and corruption.

In fact only on Monday the economy minister resigned after an investigation was ordered into the discovery of $64,000 (£31,000) in cash in the toilet in her office. She denied any wrongdoing. On the other hand, many factors seem to be siding up with Mrs Kirchner. The lack of a strong and united opposition may be a good enough green

pasture for her to move right ahead with her agenda. Also, with GDP growth and public investment on the increase since 2001, Mrs Kirchner has ample opportunity with this economic leverage to surpass her husband’s time in rule. Her own work ahead would be enough to silence the critics, opposition and electorate alike.

Some people also have their concerns about democracies taking the dynastic path of governance

Pakistan under General Terror Navodita Pande Political Correspondent

fter recently declaring martial law, a general turmoil has spread across Pakistan. This official response to this action was in answer to alleged “rising Islamic extremism”, with the President and head of the armed forces, Pervez Musharraf, declaring on November 3 the highest state of emergency and suspending the consitution. While the Western press has defined it to be more like the ‘second coup’ of Musharraf and that it is an illegal way of keeping office as the president of a country. It was not the first time the current president of Pakistan used this method to retain power. In 1999, Musharraf had seized power in the country after a bloodless coup d’etat. This time, however, the takover was preceded by a general election, though this election was not ratified by Pakistan’s Supreme Court and was strongly opposed by the Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. As a result he was later dismissed from his office by Musharraf, having first delcared martial law, granting him the extra powers. The catalyst, and some argue the pretext, for this second development was the suicide bomb attack on

STATESMAN

GENERAL

TYRANT

Benazir Bhuttos, the former prime minister, having recently returned to Pakistan after her eight-year exile. The attack on her convoy killed 139 of her supporters (covered in the gair rhydd two weeks previous).

whole country. Not persuaded by the international community, nor the voices from his own public demanding peace and return of democratic rule, Musharraf decided to take ultimate dicatorial measures to handle the situation in the country and remain in power. As the situation in Pakistan develops, more reports of the detainment of judges, civilians and other acts of totalitarian rule are emerging daily. Among those detained by the police were Javed Hashmi, the acting president of the party; the cricket starturned politician Imran Khan who has fled into finding; Asthma Jehangir, chairman of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Twinned with all this, there are also reports from Islamabad that military force has been used against protesting masses.

It was not the first time the current President of Pakistan used this method to retain power The outcome of such bloody attacks was vast turmoil across the

With the heavy handed acts by the President, any plans to revoke his rule seem unrealistic The general picture of the situation inside the country does not look promising for the Pakistanis. The hope for a peaceful end diminishes when it is

reported that 90,000 government soldiers were sent to Wiziristan (near the Afghan border) and engaging in brutal fights resulting in many casualties. The prospect for establishing a stable democractic rule in Pakistan takes yet another turn when a likely alternative is in cahoots with islamic fundamentalism, with rising antiWestern rhetoric and actions. However, with the current restrictions and heavy handed acts by the President. any plans to revoke his psuedo-democratic rule in Pakistan seem rather unrealistic. The declaration of martial law has has been deemed an embarrasment of the US and British goverrnments. Last week. Condolezza Rice along with the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, publicly urged the Pakistani President not to take any extra-constitutional measures to handle the situation in the country. However, this along with other demands on Pakistan aimed at peacekeeping, have been ignored by the Pakistani leader, a result that will obviously weaken Pakistan’s position on the international political arena. Still, a nuclear-armed Pakistan is an ally in the fight against terrorism, and remains an important country to the whole of the West, and as such will be carefully observed - especially by the US.

OCTOBER.22.2007 FEATURES@gairrhydd.COM

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FEATURES

10 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

SCIENCE@gairrhydd.COM

Is ‘green fashion’ really green?

Science and Environment questions the high street’s ability to fulfil its ethical and environmental pledges Sophie Cole Science and Environment Editor

ecent journalist investigations have increased the focus upon highstreet labels and their faithfulness to certain commitments. Last week revealed Gap, the high street fashion brand, use child labour. Despite the label’s pledge to an Ethical Trading Initiative, the discovery of a 10 year old boy working without pay for four months shows a lack of control from the company to instigate the initiative’s guidelines. An earlier investigation in June placed Sir Philip Green, director of TopShop, in similar hot waters. An undercover journalist revealed Mauritius factory conditions, producing garments for the store, to be failing to

People Tree Steph Cockroft and Shazia Khawaja Environment Correspondents

air trade fashion label People Tree, was founded by Safia Minney in 1992, originating in Japan it was brought to the UK by 2001. By 2006 it had a concession in TopShop’s Oxford Circus branch and today is available nationwide in over 60 shops as well as being widely available online. People Tree’s main aims are to ‘promote natural and organic farming’ by avoiding the use of harmful substances, protecting water supplies and recycling their materials wherever possible. The focus is largely on People Tree’s work with other fair trade organisations such as Assissi Garments which provide the organic cotton. They also support the development of natural dyes made from local materials which are free from toxic chemicals, for example by using natural pesticides containing a mixture of chilli, garlic and soap to guard crops. As an organisation People Tree are

It continues to juxtapose right and wrong by presenting garments on plastic hangers often recognised as pioneers of ‘green fashion’ having inspired other brands with similar eco-policies, with Minney herself being recognised by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship as one of the world’s most “outstanding social entrepreneurs”. Although People Tree’s mission

maintain ethical trading standards. Cardiff was the first capital to achieve the title of ‘Fair Trade City’. Nonetheless, Queen Street houses these high street names that have come into question. With ‘fair trade capital’ and ‘Gap uses child labour’ existing within one city; Cardiff’s title suddenly becomes redundant. The inability to fulfil ethical responsibilities and uphold such titles questions the ambiguity of other commitments. Is eco-fashion really as green as we, the consumers, are made to believe? The term ‘eco-fashion’ has been coined to refer to fashionable and stylish clothing that has been manufactured using environmentally friendly processes; Eco fashion clothing can use recycled materials such as ecofleece produced from recycled plastic bottles. Eco fashion is a notion that is tintstatement states that care is taken ‘to protect the environment in production, packaging and transportation of products’, ultimately there are no guarantees, these processes are not detailed- nowhere does People Tree explain how. A People Tree cardigan purchased in TopShop will undoubtedly be hung on the same plastic hanger as the rest of the stock and be handed over in the same plastic bags. Therefore, can it justifiable to spend £249 on a cardigan or £100 on a pair of jeans? Particularly when H&M have started to offer a range of ‘organic jeans’ priced at £34.99. It begs the question: are People Tree and other ‘environmentally friendly’ fashion labels simply capitalising on the fact that it has become trendy to be green in order to turn a profit? Furthermore, with costs being so high is the impact of their brand as large as it would be if the products were more affordable? Earlier this year Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m not a Plastic Bag” tote had people queuing outside her London store at 2am and sold out within minutes after pictures of Lily Allen and Keira Knightley were seen carrying them. When the same bag went on sale in Taiwan Hindmarch received criticism after fights, stampedes, and litter were all products of the event. It seems obvious that green fashion brands have a strong presence not only on the high street but also with public consciousness due to the influence of celebrity culture. It cannot be a bad thing that workers in poorer countries who in the past had been exploited are being paid more for their labour or that the textile industry is taking more care over their use of biodegradable and recyclable materials. However, it remains to be seen whether this is only passing trend or a lasting change in the way we think about the clothes we wear.

Si:Su

Sally Taylor Environment Correspondent

rendsetters out there will be well aware that eco-friendly is the fashion fiend’s new best friend. Nowadays clothes aren’t just about making your friends green with envy – they can help make our world a greener place. ‘Green’ brands are popping up more and more, aiming to persuade shoppers to be more aware of the impact on our

Si:Su, helps the environment....In terms of the bigger picture, it makes a lot of sense environment that that “must-have” shopping must actually be having. Fair trade policies, farming without pesticides, biodegradable substances and recycling are all on the agenda – but just how green are they really? If you’ve been into Topshop recently you may have noticed a brand called ‘People Tree’. Stylish and sustainable, they have been stocked in the high street giant since March 2006. They offer a fair price, design and technical assistance, and invest in local social welfare and environmental projects in the producer countries. However, you may well be buying a fair trade tee, but no doubt it comes on a plastic hanger and in a plastic bag. Also, how do said tee’s get to Topshop? How do they get to the UK? In a big, polluting van or plane, most likely – good in principle, but maybe not entirely ‘green’ after all? Si:Su, based in Cardiff, operate a more home-grown approach, using a mixture of recycled fabrics and vintage materials. They produce eco-friendly products using all-sustainable materials. Strong concerns are consumer

ing the industry’s spotlight green. It has even moved to the forefront of many highstreet shoppers’ minds, post the departing comments of Jane Shepherdson, the influential TopShop brand director: “We should always question if something is very, very cheap and think that if you, the consumer, aren’t paying for it, then someone, somewhere down the line, is paying”. However, these significant voices present a danger, as they have the power to associate ‘organic’, ‘fair trade’ and ‘green’ as one dimensionally right and world saving. The high street, and its attempt to infuse eco-fashion-however small a percent of floor space it covers in seasonal collections-should be applauded, as it does more than offer the public ‘green fashion’, it contributes to a continually evolving mindset of environmental awareness. Nonetheless, it fails to endorse its concepts of

good equals green, as it continues to juxtapose right and wrong: presenting garments on plastic hangers and giving purchased items in plastic bags. Eco-fashion encourages an intellectual awareness of the planet’s need for sustainability; however, it can be seen to thrive on the consumer’s unaware ignorance that does not question companies’ ability/reluctance to fulfil the green values of eco-fashion. In essence, the notion fails through its ironic lack of environmentallyfriendly processes. Transportation, machinery and packaging are all factors that hinder the success of the term ‘eco fashion’, the three case studies below examine the successes and failings of different green fashion lines, covering both a national and local scale they explore their contributions to eco-fashion and their commitment to ensuring their products are green, from start to finish.

wastage and the effects of the textile industry on the environment. Recycling is big news at Si:Su, and, when you think about it, is probably the simplest way to a greener wardrobe It’s like buying locally-grown strawberries at an organic farmer’s market, rather than buying those flown thousands of miles from Kenya. Buying from local, sustainable brands, like Si:Su, helps the environment and cuts out the carbon used for transport. In terms of the bigger picture, it makes a lot of sense. We’re not trying to say you shouldn’t buy ‘green’. Buying any fair trade clothing is always going to help. But how about starting on a smaller scale? Shipping cotton from Africa has a carbon cost, even if it is fairly traded. This way you can look good and save the planet – now that’s value for money.

have all been used. In fact following the successful launch of its 100% organic lining in spring, H&M has introduced their “organic cotton” for this autumn too. The Organic collection, which is on sale in all departments in all H&M stores, includes everything from underwear to outer garments but the packaging still includes the use of plastic hangers. Besides, the labour laws are most often flouted when it comes down to organic cottons as the manufacturing takes place in most developing countries like India where most labourers are either not paid well or paid a meagre sum. Ethically, the purpose of conservation and environmentallyfriendliness is lost! The transportation continues to be the same as used for all other non-green products. The modes of transport in the manufacturing process and other retail purposes still continue to use fuel that is non-environment-friendly. The huge number of polythene bags that are used in stores such as H&M and New Look are enough to create waste material that is non-biodegradable.

Organic Cotton Navodita Pande Environment Correspondent

rganics is a brand-buzz that’s fast becoming a catchphrase with most high-street fashion labels but do the prodtioand manufacturing processes reflect such green initiatives? London Fashion Week had “a catwalk show with a conscience” this year as most models wore clothes made out of recycled material. Materials like car seats, bicycle inner tubes and fireman’s trousers were used to create products to woo a huge set of customers who set their eyes on environmentally-friendly clothes. “People are becoming more and more environmentally aware,” said Cyndi Rhodes of green group AntiApathy, which works with firm Terra Plana to create “eco-shoes”. Terra Plana’s brand, Worn Again, now uses discarded and discontinued stock to create its range of high-fashion shows. Prison blankets, military jackets, jeans, shirts and car seat leather

Prison blankets, military jackets and car seat leather have all been used Hence the fact remains that methods involved in the manufacturing, processing and sale of such products remain as un-ethical and non-ecofriendly. Real effort needs to be harnessed in the direction of not just making eco-fashion a promo-tactic or a publicity gimmick but to actualise it in the manufacturing processes and methods of each industry and company. Despite the fashion industry having given a boost to the go-green campaign, the effort needs to be actualised in the context of practices within the brands concerned.

OCTOBER.22.2007 FEATURES@gairrhydd.COM

gairrhydd

FEATURES

Come and see us on the ground floor of the Students’ Union. New jobs always available.

029 Flyering Team Members Cardiff £5.60 Ongoing

031 Flyering & Promotion Staff Cardiff £6 Ongoing

Music promotion company require staff to promote artists around the local area. You must be confident, a great communicator and most importantly, honest and reliable! Evening and possible Saturday daytime hours available

City centre bar/live music venue is looking for reliable and trustworthy individuals to promote their live events. You will be handing out flyers after gigs, club nights and various other events in Cardiff. The majority of this work will be at night time.

Not yet registered with the Jobshop? If you would like to receive free regular updates about great part-time job opportunities within the University, Students’ Union and outside, please come and see us. You can find us on the ground floor of the Students’ Union and we are open between 10am-4pm Monday-Friday.

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

JOBS & MONEY

JOBS@gairrhydd.COM

Balls to A-levels Anna Milewski Jobs & Money Reporter

lans to phase out the renowned A-level and GCSE qualifications in favour of vocational diplomas may cause the biggest shake up in secondary education in fifty years. First announced in 2005, the ‘continental-style’ diplomas are set to be gradually embedded into the exam system. Beginning in September 2008, the first five – construction and the built environment, creative and media, engineering, information technology and society, and health and developmentwill be introduced into schools and colleges across the country. The new qualifications have been launched by the Labour Schools Secretary Ed Balls, who envisages the diplomas as becoming ‘the qualification of choice for young people’. The move marks a massive U-turn in government policy as Tony Blair and successive Education Ministers had promised that A-levels and GCSEs were here to stay. The diplomas have been launched as a vocational alternative to A-levels. In contrast to apprenticeships, they will not predominantly be work based but will encompass both theoretical and practical learning and, unlike A-levels, students will also be examined in a basic skills element of English, Maths and IT. An intermediate level diploma is expected to be the equivalent of six A*-C grades at GCSE, while an advanced level diploma will equal three A-levels. The move is intended to equip students with a broader mix of skills and knowledge which is seen as more suited to modern business, reflecting the view

“Diplomas will provide the missing link – creating the mix of vocational and academic education which we’ve lacked for so long” ED BALLS: Calling for the introduction of diplomas in secondary education to replace A-levels and GCSE’S. of employers. It is also intended to bridge the gap between vocational courses and academic subjects, thus ending the longheld view that vocational courses are inferior to those of an academic nature. Fourteen diplomas had already been announced in areas spanning everything from engineering and construction to hair and beauty, and Mr Balls has recently launched three more ‘subject based’ diplomas in science, languages and humanities, elevating the total to seventeen. All of these should be in effect by 2013. Asked whether GCSE’s and A-levels

would survive, Mr Balls stated: “While I have rejected the call for A-levels to be abolished now, I believe that diplomas could emerge as the jewel of our education system.” However, not everyone has shared such a favourable view of the reforms. Shadow Schools Secretary, Michael Gove has lashed out at Mr Balls accusing him of side-stepping the topical issues of under-achievement and the ‘dumbing down’ of A-levels. In an interview Gove ranted, “While he draws up fantasy qualifications for 2011, one in five school leavers still can’t read, write or count properly.”

Make Your Mark Graduate A G national campaign designed to show young people how to turn their business ideas into reality is coming to Cardiff this week as part of National Enterprise Week. From the 12th-16th November, events from various companies are being run throughout the campus in an effort to encourage young people aged between 14 and 30 to be more enterprising, whether it be an idea for a new organisation, a social or environmental enterprise or implementing an innovative idea in the work place. The organisers hope that the week will show how these skills can be applied practically to business ideas, but also help to cultivate a general enterprising approach to life. Previous students from Cardiff university who have taken advantage of the events on offer in National Enterprise Week have gone on to develop their own fashion lines, children’s sport development companies, and ethical confectionary outlets. To register for any of the Cardiff events go to www.cf.ac.uk/racdv/ students/student-enterprise/

Make Your Mark Challenge, Monday 12th Nov in Seminar Room 1, Trethithick Building from 10am-4pm. Teams of 6 will be given a design challenge on the day of the event. Each team will pitch their idea at the end of the day to go through to the national competition in the hope of winning £3000 in funding. Be Inspired! Tuesday 13th Nov in the Wallace Lecture Theatre, Main Building, 6pm. James Taylour, Cardiff graduate and founder of the award winning sports training programme Sports Star will be talking about his experience of making an idea into a reality. Speed Networking, Thursday 15th November, 7pm, CF10. A chance to meet other students and discuss your enterprising ideas. Students will score each other and the idea with the most points will win a prize.

areth Blake graduated with a Bsc Computer Science in 2005. He now runs his own ethical confectionary company in Cardiff.

What is your job title? I get the pleasure of naming myself the head chocolatier for my company Hipo Hyfryd. How were the knowledge and skills you gained at University of use to you in your business? Basic HTML skills developed during my degree were useful in developing the web site. Mainly I

He went on to state: “diplomas were supposed to be about improving vocational education, not undermining academic excellence”. Another former chief inspector of schools has also criticised the diplomas as being far too broad in scope. Fears have also surfaced regarding how well promoted the reforms have been within the job sector, with reports that many companies are completely unaware of what’s going on. Mr Balls is being criticised for not making enough effort to educate employers and universities about the implications of the reforms, which could gained the knowledge that a 9-5 job was definitely not for me and that I needed to do something that would allow me to constantly learn and develop. What does your job involve, e.g. your day to day responsibilities? My days vary immensely. One day I may spend programming my website, another may be spent researching new recipes and developing my chocolatier skills. Some days are spent working on designs and promotional material that are tailor-made for each shop I supply. What made you decide to start up your own business? Briefly describe the process you went through to get the business off the ground. I am a very independent person that does things the way I want . Sadly in this age of control freak bosses there was no room for me. I discovered both a love of chocolate and a huge gap in the market for ethically produced products so I pounced. The business was set up very slowly over a period of 3 years. During this time I studied a way of making dairy-free truffles that maintained their creamyness. I studied the market and searched

result in the diplomas not being recognised as proper qualifications. Former editor of the Financial Times, Mr Lambert said: “The default position for people of this generation is that smart children go on to academia and less smart ones go to vocations, which is a serious concern”. He also stressed the importance of universities accepting people with “appropriate specialised diplomas.” He said higher education institutions will have a key part to play in the recognition of the academic quality of diplomas, otherwise they will sink back into the discourse of inferiority, becoming second-class qualifications. However, the move does show elements of promise, especially in terms of its potential to produce individuals directly from secondary education that will already have some experience of the demands of a working environment. This, it is hoped, will prove attractive to the prospective employer. As the education secretary Alan Johnson outlined : “With fewer low-skilled jobs, we need more high skilled young people. Diplomas will provide the missing link – creating the mix of vocational and academic education which we’ve lacked for so long”. This will hopefully have positive implications for the job market, with some businesses seeing the diplomas as inspirational. The director general of the CBI, Richard Lambert said: “Prospective employers are hoping they will inspire students to develop the specialised skills companies want, as well as the basic literacy and numeracy skills needed to succeed in both work and life”. With last weeks announcement that the school leaving age is to be raised to 18, the education system as we know it could soon be a thing of the past.

for funding. Eventually I applied for the KEF Entrepreneurship Scholarship fund through the University, which generously funded my living expenses for 10 months and Design Wales helped pay for the rebranding of my fledgling company. Now I am expanding and growing as fast as I can. Hopefully I will be employing people within 6-12 months. What is the best/worst thing about the work you do and running your own business? The best thing is being able to control my day to day life and developing an environmentally friendly business. The worst thing is the solitary nature of working alone. Once I start employing though I am sure the worst thing will then be having to be 100% responsible for every decision made. What advice would you give to students thinking of starting their own business? Seek funding everywhere and never feel stupid for asking advice. Develop slowly as mistakes made in the early stages do not effect you greatly but if you develop rapidly and make mistakes at a later stage then it will cost you financially and may damage your reputation.

14 gairrhydd

TACHWEDD.12.2007

TAF-OD

TAF-OD@gairrhydd.COM

Y Ddawns Ryng-Golegol Un o uchafbwyntiau’r tymor cyntaf bob blwyddyn, i fyfyrwyr Caerdydd fel gweddill myfyrwyr Cymru, yw’r ddawns ryng-golegol yn Aberystwyth. Dyma ychydig o hanes y ddawns eleni. Ffion James Golygydd Taf-od

edi hen aros, daeth penwythnos y ddawns ryng-golegol i ddiddanu’r cannoedd o fyfyrwyr meddwol yn Aberystwyth. Digon cyfleus i fyfyrwyr Aber, ond ddim mor gyfleus i fyfyrwyr Bangor, Caerfyrddin, Abertawe a Chaerdydd. Felly, doedd dim amdani ond teithio i fyny i Aberystwyth ar nos Wener, Tachwedd yr 2il. Gadawodd dau fws a bws mini o Brifysgol Caerdydd, a bws arall o UWIC, gan gynnig dros 150 o fyfyrwyr ychwanegol i strydoedd Aberystwyth. Bu’n siwrne eithaf difyr i nifer… cyrhaeddodd y bws mini mewn llai na dwy awr (y gyrrwr yn goryrru!), y bysiau mawr mewn tua tair awr… a bws UWIC mewn pum awr (y ‘sat-nav’ gafodd fai!). Gallwch gredu felly fod myfyrwyr UWIC wedi cael ychydig o ffwdan dros y penwythnos gan fod pawb yn tynnu eu coes. Noson eithaf sobor gafodd criw UWIC, gan mai cyrraedd am 11:30 y.h fu eu hanes! Ond ta waeth am hynny, roedd y tafarndai ger y lli yn llawn dop, gyda hen ffrindiau’n cofleidio ac yn hel atgofion. ‘Noson fach dawal’ oedd y nos Wener i fod, ond yn groes i’r graen aeth popeth. A dweud y gwir, efallai y gallwn fentro dweud fod y nos Wener yn well o ran sbort na’r nos Sadwrn? Noson o anturio ar hyd a lled Aber ydoedd, gan ymweld â’r hen dafarndai adnabyddus, megis Y Llew Du a Downies.Wrth gerdded i mewn i ambell dafarn, camu yn

ôl allan oedd yr unig ddewis, gan fod criw Bangor yno, a heb air o gelwydd, roedd arogl JMJ (neuaddau preswyl eu prifysgol) yn llenwi’r lle! I ni, pobl y ddinas, ychydig bach yn gyfyng oedd tafarndai Aberystwyth, gydag ambell un yn teimlo braidd yn glawstroffobig! Wrth ‘sgwennu am y penwythnos, mae’n debyg mai’r peth mwyaf blaengar yn fy meddwl yw’r cyffro o weld crysau-t rhyng-golegol y colegau eraill. Eleni, roedd Prifysgol Caerdydd yn y ‘royal blue’a ‘bottle green’ oedd Caerfyrddin. Doedd neb yn siw^ r iawn beth oedd ar grysau-t UWIC ond mae’n saff dweud mai glas golau oedd eu lliw! Stori arall oedd crysau-t Aberystwyth. Yn y prifysgolion eraill, mae pawb yn gwisgo’r un crys-t, ond wrth gwrs, mae’n rhaid i Aberystwyth fod yn wahanol oherwydd eu bod nhw’n wahanol i bawb arall mae’n debyg! Mewn criwiau bychan mae Aberystwyth yn trefnu eu crysau-t, ac felly mae gan bob gr^ wp o ffrindiau grys gwahanol, gan gyflwyno degau o wahanol fathau o grysau-t, gan greu môr o liwiau yn y strydoedd. Bu nifer ohonom yn trafod hyn dros y penwythnos, a daethom i’r casgliad mai diffyg undod yw’r rheswm am hyn. Yn wahanol i’r prifysgolion eraill, doedden nhw ddim i weld yn cymysgu rhyw lawer gyda myfyrwyr nad oedd yn eu grwpiau penodol nhw. Peth arall fu’n ein diddanu oedd yr hwyl o gael chwilio am gamgymeriadau ar y crysau-t. Diolch byth, roedd yr argraffwyr wedi gwneud joban eithaf handi ar ein crysau-t ni, ond nid dyma’r gwir am bawb! Roedd rhai o’r camgymeriadau yn chwerthinl-

lyd, gydag ambell i gollnod yn y lle anghywir, geiriau wedi eu sillafu yn anghywir, ac ambell gynghanedd ddim yn gweithio! I’r anffodusion, llawr y gampfa oedd eu llety am y nos Wener. Ond i

Wrth gerdded i mewn i ambell dafarn, camu yn ôl allan oedd yr unig ddewis... roedd arogl JMJ yn llenwi’r lle! eraill, t^y neu fflat eu ffrindiau yn Aberystwyth oedd eu lle. Dim cwsg oedd hanes pobl y gampfa, a rhyw bedair awr o gwsg oedd hanes eraill. Heb os, doedd hyn yn gwneud dim ffafrau â ni, gan ein bod ni yn mynd i fod yn effro am oriau maith! Erbyn canol y prynhawn, roedd rhai yn teimlo fel ‘bechdan’ neu ‘gadach, ond cafodd digon o pro-pluses a red bulls eu clecio, ac roedd pawb yn teimlo’n grêt. Wedi cinio go fawr i leinio’r stumog mewn llefydd tebyg i Wetherspoons a Varsity, roedd pawb yn barod am dipyn o sesh! Wrth gerdded ar hyd strydoedd Aberystwyth, cafodd pobl y ddinas eu syfrdanu gan y siopau oedd yno. Nid yn unig siopau fel ‘Boots’ ond siopau megis ‘Laura Ashley’ oedd yn codi aeliau. Pwy feddylia fod Aberystwyth mor ‘up there’? Roedd y gig yn cael ei chynnal

yn yr Undeb yn Aberystwyth, gydag enwogion y byd cerddorol yma yng Nghymru yn camu i’r llwyfan. Ymhlith yr enwogion roedd grwpiau newydd megis ‘Yr Ods’. Braf oedd gweld grwpiau newydd yn ennyn diddordeb y gynulleidfa. Plant Duw, Fflur Dafydd, Derwyddon Dr Gonzo a Sibrydion oedd yr enwau mwyaf adnabyddus ar y noson. Sioe a hanner a gafwyd, gyda nifer yn cwyno fod eu mwstashis yn chwysu wrth iddynt ddawnsio’n wallgof! Mae penwythnosau fel hyn wastad yn gystadleuol, a doedd y penwythnos yma yn ddim eithriad. Cafodd y canlynol eu cadarnhau - yng Nghaerdydd mae’r dawnswyr gorau, yn Aberystwyth mae’r myfyrwyr mwyaf swnllyd ac uchel eu cloch, yng Nghaerfyrddin mae’r bobl sidet yn byw, ac ym Mangor mae’r bobl ‘boring’(a drewllyd!). Fel y dywed yr englyn ar ein crysau-t ni eleni, ’-Bangor? Un bôr ydi o beunydd’ Wedi gweld diwedd y gig, cyfoglyd oedd nifer wrth iddynt feddwl am y siwrne yn ôl i Gaerdydd. Ac yng ngwir ystyr y gair, cyfoglyd fu’r daith, gyda chwd mewn bagiau plastig, y ffordd o Builth i Gaerdydd yn droellog, ac arogl cwrw ar anadl y meddwon yn llenwi’r lle. Profiad campus fu penwythnos y ddawns Ryng-golegol, a gobeithiwn y bydd yr Eisteddfod Ryng-golegol (a fydd yn cael ei chynnal ym mis Mawrth) yn llawn cystal!

Cefnogi’r Brifwyl

oedd y penwythnos ddim drosodd i bawb yn dilyn yr ymweliad ag Aberystwyth. Roedd gan aelodau blinedig Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal un peth pwysig arall i’w wneud ar y nos Sul. Cymryd rhan mewn cyngerdd oedd y peth hwnnw, yng Nghapel Minny Street, i godi arian tuag at Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Caerdydd yn 2008. Trefnwyd y noson gan Bwyllgor Apêl Parc y Rhath, Y Mynydd Bychan, Llwynfedw, Gabalfa a’r Waun Ddyfal. Agorwyd yr arlwy gyda’r côr llawn ar y llwyfan yn canu tair cân, ac yna cafwyd cyfraniadau gan unigolion. Perfformiwyd unawdau gan Elliw Mai ac Anni Lly ^n ac unawdau offerynol gan

Endaf Morgan ar y piano, Huw Morgan ar y soddgrwth a Steffan Watkins ar y Trwmped. Hefyd, cafwyd perfformiadau gan y parti marched, y pedwarawd cerdd dant ac ensemble lleisiol. Yna, dychwelodd y côr llawn i’r set fawr i gloi’r noson. O ystyried fod pawb wedi blino, a’r ffaith nad oedd llawer o siâp ar y côr yn yr ymarfer byr cyn y cyngerdd, aeth pob dim yn wyrthiol! Yn sicr, roedd y gynulleidfa wedi mwynhau, ac yn hynod ddiolchgar am ei’n cyfraniad. Hwn oedd cyngerdd cyntaf yr aelwyd a pha achlysur gwell ar ei gyfer? Bydd yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yma yn y Brifddinas y flwyddyn nesaf ac mae’n bwysig ein bod ni fel myfyriwyr sy’n preswylio yma am ran helaeth o’r flwyddyn yn cefnogi’r ymgyrch hel arian. Efallai ein bod ni yn fyfyriwyr tlawd, ond gallwn gefnogi trwy ganu!

Gwilym Dwyfor Golygydd Taf-od

oedd hi’n daith dair awr yn ôl o Aberystwyth i’r griw’r GymGym ar nos Sadwrn y Rhyng-gol. Manteisiodd pawb call ar y cyfle i geisio cael ychydig o gwsg ond penderfynodd criw bach ohonym ddechrau dweud jôcs gwael, cyn troi wedyn at ddyfeisio rhai gwreiddiol ar y patrwm ‘Be’ ti’n galw...’. Ymddiheuriadau i’r rhai oedd yn ceisio cysgu, fydd mwy na thebyg wedi hen syrffedu ar eu clywed, ond dyma ddetholiad o’r goreuon! 1. Be’ ti’n galw dyn sy’n hoffi tynnu lluniau o lobsgows?...Stewart! 2. Be’ ti’n galw dynes sydd wastad yn cymryd y clod i gyd?...Gloria! 3. Be’ ti’n galw dyn sy’n ceisio perswadio clawdd?...Tydwal! 4. Be’ ti’n galw dynes sy’n sefyll ar y traeth yn disgwyl y llanw?... Morfydd! 5. Be’ ti’n galw dyn a aeth ar ei wyliau i’r Mediterranean, ond a ddaeth yn ôl heb liw haul?... Medwyn!... A be’ am ei chwaer?... Medwen! 6. Be’ ti’n galw dyn sy’n trin gwallt?... Bob!

Gyda Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Caerdydd, 2008 yn agosau, mae’r ymgyrch i gasglu arian bellach ar ei hanterth Gwilym Dwyfor Golygydd Taf-od

Hiwmor Ar Y Daith Adref

7. Be’ ti’n galw dynes gyda phroblem gamblo?... Beti!

8. Be’ ti’n galw dyn sy’n diflasu’n hawdd?... Larry! 9. Be’ ti’n galw dynes sydd ddim yn hoffi ‘facial hair’?... Natasha!

Dwi ‘di clywed Sibrydion: Mei Gwynedd yn diddanu’r dorf yn Aber

Ma’ Ifan ‘ma: Y prifleisydd yn ystod set Derwyddon Dr Gonzo

10. Be’ ti’n galw dyn sy’n gwneud tyllau drwy’r adeg?... Pierce! Efallai nad oedd rhain wrth fodd y cysgaduriaid ar y bws ond hedfanodd y daith heibio i’r criw bach o ddigrifwyr yn y tu blaen! Mae’n debyg fod gan y rhan fwyaf ohonych jôcs gwell na’r rhain, felly cofiwch bod croeso i unrhyw un gyfrannu unrhyw beth i Taf-od, boed yn jôc neu’n rhywbeth ac iddo fwy o sylwedd. Dewch ataf i neu Ffion yn uniongyrchol neu defnyddiwch y cyfeiriad e-bost sydd ar dop y dudalen.

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NOVEMBER.12.2007

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CARDIFF’S BEAUTIFUL BRAIN:

Miss China - UK

Always alert for some fascinating news about the student body, Features Editor Emma Thomas sends Ning Li to find out where Miss China-UK is hiding in the science labs of Cardiff University

est-tubes, exams and whitecoats are all as much a part of Miss China-UK’s life as mascara, swimsuits and catwalks. 21 year-old Lin Peng, is in her final year at Cardiff University, hoping to become a motorengine designer. Behind the science-lab goggles this student has an alter-ego, the pageantcrown wearing model. Following a catalogue of modelling contracts since the age of 14, Lin was positioned among the top ten models in China in 2001. She has won a collection of competitions, including being given the title of ‘Most popular model’ in the Guang Xi province of China in 2005, finalist of the ‘Miss World’ competition held in Portugal earlier this year, and most prestigiously being crowned ‘Miss China in the UK 2007’. Despite such successes in the modelling industry, Lin has chosen to pursue further education at Cardiff University. The lists of achievements and admiration from fellow Chinese students still fail to change Lin’s relaxed personality. Ning Li, an International Journalism student, catches up with her to find out why she made the decisions which she claims changed her life. Tell us about your exciting victory to the crown of Miss China this summer. I saw the advertisement on a Chinese magazine about a Miss China contest in the UK this summer. It didn’t draw my attention initially, and then when the summer moved on I was quite concerned about one of my exam results so I decided to do something to take my nerves away. That’s basically why I booked my name for the context. I sent in my CV with some photos and after a while the hosting company in London told me that I will go to the final in Glasgow directly! We received one week’s training there before the final, which was on July 5. I was lucky that everything went my way on that day. The clothes were spot-on, the judges were fair and even all the high heels were at the same height, which was very important for a model. It was hard but I wasn’t nervous at all. I received the Miss China crown and a trophy at the end as well as a chance to compete with other

models Miss

from Europe in a

company in China to become their contracted model. My province’s TV station also asked me to act in their TV dramas in the same year. At that stage, I knew I would go to the UK to study in high school so turning those offers down seemed natural. I know that I could always do some modelling when coming back to China for school breaks. How do you enjoy being a student? Any regrets about not extending your modelling career? No regrets at all. I like what I study, but not some teachers (laugh). Although I rarely had any interests in Economies in A-level, I really enjoy the rest of my subjects both in high school and university level.

World final context. The Europe final was held in Portugal but unfortunately I came a little short. It must be hard to make the right decision between a potential supermodel career and being an ordinary university student, how did you reach your decision? I always knew that modelling is only a hobby of mine and education is the key. They say modelling is only a very short career, which I think is a reality. My family has always been on my side. They have always supported whatever I do. So giving up my modelling career was not really a hard decision.

“I always know that modelling is only a hobby of mine and education is the key” Have you ever been offered a bigtime modelling contract? If so, how did it feel to turn it down? Big-time? I am not so sure with this term. But I have turned down a couple of offers. As a 15-year old, I was asked by the biggest modelling

What subject do you study now? Why did you choose it? I am studying Mechanical Engineering. Maybe A-level subjects such as Mathematics and ICT got me into it. I was actually quite good at humanity subjects as a kid, but to me science is more practical. With my Chinese language ability hugely fading away, I can never become good in humanity subjects again!

ite city? Why? Cambridge is my all-time favourite. It was the first city I lived in the UK and I spent a year there. I know it’s all about your first impression but punting on the river Cam is amazing.

“I don’t think size 0 is a bad thing. It defines a healthy living attitude”. How do you compare your teenage life in the UK with growing-up in China? When I was growing up in China, the only thing in my mind was studying. I didn’t have too much social life other than shopping with my mum. In the UK, I feel that my life is more dimensioned. There is more time and freedom for me and I am able to manage my own life better. Fashion-wise, what is your taste?

You have travelled around the UK and Europe, so what’s your favour-

In 10-year’s time, how do you picture yourself and your life? I hope I will get a solid job in the UK and have my parents coming over here to live with me. My mum has been to the UK before and she loves this country. Perhaps I will have a family by then and have kids. The invisible pressure inside me, always tells me that I need to achieve something. I have to have successes. Any kind of failure will not be acceptable.

In the UK, there is a debate on size 0 in fashion industry. What’s your opinion of it? Do you think being thin is crucial to women’s look? I don’t think size 0 is a bad thing. It defines a healthy living attitude. TV cameras make people look fatter than they actually are, therefore being a model means you have to be slim to reduce this forced error. A lot of size 0 models I know live very healthily, so I can’t see anything wrong in that. As for the latter question, I think for a girl being skinny can be pretty, but it’s not the crucial point.

How does Cardiff and the university appeal to you? What are your favourite and least favourite bits? I love Cardiff! It’s a capital city but not as busy as London. It’s very good for student life. My department is highly-ranked in the UK. All the professors are well-qualified. And my tutor is so nice to me. There are also so many Chinese people here and we get on great. Rubber Duck has to be my favourite in Cardiff! As for the least favourite, what else, I just cannot take British food! Where is the direction of your future career? Apart from modelling. I would love to become an enginedesigner for motorcars or aircrafts. Also, I am interested in maintenances and logistics of engineering. I know it sounds boring, but sometimes boredom can enrich your life, can’t it?

Do you still try to get involved with modelling in your spare time? TVB (a Hong Kong-based global television network) called me earlier this month to ask me if I am interested in their Miss World contest, but I said no. The reason is that the contest is in November this year and it will clash with my studies. To prepare for the contest requires so much dieting and excises, which I won’t manage during university terms. But I do modelling for the Chinese Society in Cardiff University and we are now working on next year’s Chinese New Year Gala, in which a fashion show will be featured and I will be in.

To me, good models need to adapt to their clothes. As a model, you need to use your understanding to perform what you wear in the best possible way. So good models should not be picky on clothes. I don’t follow fashion that much. I don’t even go shopping often. So to answer your question, I don’t have a particular fashion taste, unfortunately.

What is your ideal first date? We would have known each other for some time so nobody was nervous. We would go to a quiet French restaurant, drink white wine and eat sea food. It would be nice if he ate a lot so that he wouldn’t notice I ate a lot too! (laugh)

Brad Pitt or Colin Farrell? Why? Perhaps neither of them. He needs to be mature and considerate. Not too much muscle but not too skinny. Somewhere in between I suppose. I don’t mind if he is not handsome, but he’d better not talk too much. I can’t take a chatter-box.

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NOVEMBER.12.2007

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FIGHTING THE HANDS OF TIM

As the new generation of young adults postpones the threat of ageing rites of passage Emma Thomas finds out why careers, homes and children are all things of the future

ortgage rejections, around-the-world tickets and the eternal student life, are all factors pushing our generation into recess. As the chance of migrating from the student lifestyle to being official members of adulthood gets harder, it seems we’re simple resonant to failure, unwilling to make the jump. Can we be labeled the lazy generation, pampered with student loans who shirk responsibility at all costs, or is the new world order making it impossible to fit the entry requirements of adulthood? Recent property research by Moneyexperts.com, estimates that Mortgage rejections are up by 6%. This statistic equates to 738,000 British people being rejecting in the last six months. Mortgages lent for home purchases have dropped by 11% this year.

Dangling off the ladder

These stricter lending conditions mean that graduates wishing to climb onto the bottom of the property ladder are cannot compete with the property price inflation. Moneysuppermarket. com has found that mortgage applicants

aged between 25 and 34 were worst affected. Around four per cent of people in this age bracket have had an application turned down, equating to around 382,000 young mortgage applicants this year. Prospects do not look good for our generation. The home buying market is a hostile environment. Whilst mortgage lenders will happily permit a mortgage five times a potential buyer’s salary. It seems graduate salaries cannot even reach the modest end of the property market. No surprise then, that since March this year, the percentage of people classed as a ‘first time buyer’ has also dropped by 20%. Sean Gardner, Chief Executive of MoneyExpert.com, said: “Life is tough at the moment if you’re applying for

Can we be labeled the lazy generation, pampered with student loans who shirk responsibility at all costs?

a mortgage. ment is far the summer need to be

The financial environmore stringent than in of last year and people prepared for rejection.”

Landlords win monopoly game Such problems within the property market have been attributed to the buy-to-let industry. In essence, wealthy landlords monopolize local property purchases, meaning demand for properties exceeds supply, driving the prices up further more. An age of SYFs Money is not the only central factor in our desire to push back the hands of time. Rejection of traditional gender roles is also leading us to delay the measures of adulthood. I am a SYF; I fit into the stereotype of a single young female featured in popular discourse. Is this role media lead through the glamourisation of single icons within popular culture? Did I watch too much Sex in the City? Or am I the product of a grass-roots phenomenon. Essentially, what I am asking is: whether my kind is an example of American cultural imperialism or are we the triumph of planetary feminism? All factors considered, including my overdraft status and the glass ceiling I will no doubt relentlessly bang my head against throughout my career… the answer is neither. The globalisation of my new-age species, (and for that matter all the young men reading this who are refusing to formulate their life into the primitive huntergatherer), the SYF is a consequence of a series of demographic and economic shifts that are pointing much of the world towards t h i s r e a l i t y, coined the ‘New Wo r l d Order ’. The New World Order T h i s world order is manifesting itself in three trends, which we as children of the 80s are likely to follow. Firstly, we don’t want to be parents. If,

as most popular television tells us, we are supposed to have endless supplies of money, remain in the perfect figure and inhabit our chosen fashionable wine bar until two hours before we return to work in our high-flying position (I am exhausted simply writing this). Then where, when and how do children fit into this idealist checklist for a successful graduate? In Spain, the average age of women who have their first child birth has risen to nearly 30, which appears to be a world record.

Since March this year, the percentage of people classed as a ‘first time buyer’ has also dropped by 20 per cent Ikea Culture Marriage is unfashionable, idealism conditions us to want the perfect partner, and the disposable Ikea society we live in encourages us to bin faulty goods. Why bother to repair, when we can easily get a replacement? I’m not just talking about kettles; this philosophy now regulates our love lives. According to the United Nations’ world fertility report, the worldwide median age of marriage for women is up two years, from 21.2 in the 1970s to 23.2 today. In the developed countries, such as the UK, the rise has been considerably steeper – from 22.0 to 26.1, as pressures to succeed in other areas of modern life are prioritised. In Asia and Eastern Europe the transformation has been abrupt. In today’s Hungary, for instance, 30% of women in their early thirties are single, compared with six per cent of their mothers’ generation at the same age. In South Korea, 40% of 30-year-olds are single, compared with 14% only 20 years ago. Power Thirsty The second factor in the story of the ‘New World Order’ is that our thirsty generation doesn’t want jobs, we want careers. The necessity of earning your degree, masters or PhD is adding in excess of three years to our education. Meaning we postpone life in the real world for longer, the Van Wilder effect! The majority of university students are female in Britain; this trend is similar in the United States, France, Germany, Norway and Australia. The gender gap is narrowing in more traditional countries such as China, Japan and South Korea, where young women are being given more open opportunities for higher education. As a consequence,

the fact that educated women are staying single is unsurprising. Women with degrees have always been more likely to marry late, if they marry at all. Education, Education, Education Understandably, the ability to be economically independent has eradicated one of the traditional reasons why women needed to marry in a patriarchal society. In Britain, close to a third of 30-year-old universityeducated women are unmarried. Now the financially independent SYFs who make up what The Economist calls the “Bridget Jones economy”, named, of course, after the book and movie heroine who is perhaps the most famous SYF of all, are the marketing target or big-ticket in-

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ME: THE NEW WORLD ORDER

Case Study: Pete Anning As we are enjoying a prolonged youth, Pete Anning, a 2nd year Earth Sciences student, tells us why he is proud to postpone.

dustries. In 2003 the Diamond Trading Company introduced the ‘right-hand ring’ – a diamond ring for women with no desire for marriage but who are longing for a rock. Women who want to flash a bit of bling without compromising their new world order ideals. Cash for the Carbon Footprint The privilege to spend our disposable income on ourselves relates to the third new world order trend, travel. I didn’t take a gap year; clearly, I wasn’t upper-middle class enough to realise that it is foolish to come to university at the age of 18 and expect to be a ‘fully rounded’ person. Fear not for my less-than whole spirit, as since I made this error I have added another three continents to my visited list. Our

generation’s independence is dramatically revolutionising the travel industry, especially in Asia, where four out of every 10 trips are taken by women.

Our generation’s independence is dramatically revolutionising the travel industry The new world order is shaking the patterns of life for young people in post-communist Europe. In the era, distant to our generation but easily categorised as before the fall of the Berlin Wall, traditional rites of passage were

the only routes to independence. Marriage was the only way to get a property, and contraception was limited. With such barriers lifted we are joining our continental friends in the pushing back of traditional measures of growing up. New order Goes Global Japan is a typical case study of the rise of the New Girl Order. Until the 1980s, the dominant image of the Japanese woman was of the housewife who doted on her husband and children. While this archetype still exists, as it does more commonly among older generations in the UK, the 1990s witnessed the spread of SYF to Japan. Between 1994 and 2004, the number of Japanese women aged 25 to 29 who were

unmarried soared from 40% to 54%. The case of Japan explains how all the demographic factors combine to force our generation to push back time. Due to Tokyo’s expensive housing market, many single women still lived with their parents, leading a prominent sociologist to brand them as “parasite singles”. The derogatory term came into common use. Many young women printed business cards bearing their proud new title. It is easy for us to sit and critique this phenomenon on the other side of the world, yet the same pattern is happening in our generation of British youths. Admittedly perhaps without the business cards!

o, am I really shirking my responsibility to the future of the human race by not getting a job, finding a wife and having 2.4 children? Well I think that may be an extreme way of looking at it but it does bring up the question of when exactly am I going to grow up and get on with my life. From my pointof-view going to university and getting qualified is part of my life and I don’t look at it as putting things off. I am currently on a four-year MESci course, this means that I still have another three years to go until I graduate. If you add the fact that I did a gap year that’s five and I may possibly do a three-year PhD. That is a long time and if I complete a PhD I will be well into my late twenties before I’m finally done with educating myself. I’m guessing I probably won’t want to get married or buy a house straight away after that either, so I could be thirty-five before I think about settling down. Having said that, my reasons for doing all that aren’t because I don’t want to grow up; at the end of the day I want to qualify with a good degree so that I can go out and get a good (i.e. well paid) job. A PhD seems a valuable asset in my field, so if I decide to do that then it’s for the benefit of my future life, not because I’m running away from it. I can’t deny that my uni course sure beats doing a 40-hour week as a builders labourer but then I don’t want to be a builder. When I have to work full-time in my chosen career I won’t mind; hopefully I’ll enjoy it, I think I will, because I enjoy my course. As for the whole concept of marriage and children, admittedly I can’t think of anything further away on the horizon, but this is because I’m still young and not because I’m putting it off to doss about. Anyway, all the things you experience help you pass on advice to your children, right? So if I go out and live my life it should help me be a better parent if I decide to have kids some day. At the end of the day the job that I want involves me going to university to get qualified, and fortunately this is turning out to be a fantastic experience and I’m having a brilliant time, so I guess it’s all working out fine. Equally I couldn’t see myself deciding that I needed to get married or have kids if I wasn’t at university. I don’t exactly see the two things as opposites, this is just the point I’m at in my life.

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NOVEMBER.12.2007

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A GIFT FROM THE HEART

As Cardiff students pump through the heart of the union to donate blood in exchange for a chocolate biscuit or three, Emma Thomas gets the facts on why blood donation is so important

onating just one pint of blood can save up to three lives. Blood stock supplies have received mostly donations of O positive and A positive, yet there are another six blood groups which are in short supply of donations. Your blood type is dependant on the antigens on the surface of your red blood cells, the specific type which you have is genetically inherited. Yet, we are all individuals in this sense; only identical twins will possess the same antigens. The type of blood you have is also likely to be affected by your race and origin, for example nearly all South American Indians are group O, whilst most Norwegians are group A. The Genetic Split Even within the UK we can no longer deny the North vs. South divide, apparently its genetic. People whose ancestors are from the north of the UK are blood group O due to the invasions of the Vikings, whereas those descendent of the south have mostly blood group A, a development of a number of southern European invasions. In the ABO system of blood categories; Blood group A has A antigens on their blood cells, group B has B antigens and group AB has both types of antigens. However group O has neither type. Due to the antibodies present in blood cells, giving a patient the opposite blood type to themselves could be fatal. To confuse matters even further than the alphabetically categories, negative and positive divisions of above blood groups also exist, A+, B- etc. It is estimated that 84% of us have Rh positive blood (a protein in the blood) whilst the other 16% have Rh negative…and never the two ends shall meet. Many young people do not know what blood group they belong to, it is probably that you will be the same as either on of your parents, yet with all things genetic its never quiet that simple.

The Ageless Donor Almost anyone between the ages of 17 and 60 can become a new blood donor. Exceptions are made on conditions of ill health . If you have recently travelled to areas of the world affected by diseases such as Malaria you must inform the nurses when go attend a blood donation session. On each occasion that you give blood it is standard procedure that you will have to answer questions regarding your sex life and drug habits, this is to ensure that it is safe for your blood to be donated. Regular donors who are still in good health can continue to donate up to the age of 70. Let’s face it by the time we reach that ripe old age we’ll still be drawn to the appeal of a free tea and biscuits session.

The UK can no longer deny the North vs. South divide, apparently its genetic It is easy to overlook the more heart-felt (no pun intended) reasons for giving blood. It gives a sense of satisfaction; you have given something very personal to yourself in order to help an anonymous patient in need of your blood. Giving half an hour of your time you can save someone else’s life. These sentiments were in plentiful amounts in Cardiff Students’ Union Great Hall last week, where students could give blood in their free time between lectures. Katie Long is a second year Medi cine student, she doesn’t think students have any excuse not to donate blood,

the union last week, she is a 1st year Biochemistry student, she thinks giving blood is a way to help the community: “I’d like to know that there would be blood available for my famshould happen to them”.

Sources Pumping Dry Last year the National blood service collected 2.1 million donations from about 1.6 million donors. Whilst this seems to be a lot of blood, the nation could be much more generous. These statistics show that only 4% of the population are donating, with the average donor giving blood two or three times a year. That means that if all of the British population donated each year the NHS would have a supply of 52 and a half million donations a year. This would effectively relieve the shortage which is currently putting the pressure on the National Blood Service.

Last year the National blood service collected 2.1 million donations from 1.6 million donors

The Heart-Felt Benefits

Sarah Joyce gave blood in

ily and friends if anything

Giving a patient a blood transfusion with the wrong blood type to themselves could be fatal

but that they should take the chance to get their fix of biscuits and feel good factor. “It’s not a big deal, it doesn’t take too long, but it can make a big difference to someone”.

You have to answer questions regarding your sex life and drug habits, to ensure that it is safe for your blood to be donated

Having given blood myself several times, I really can’t understand the justification for holding back your vital life sources. By giving blood, you potentially save someone else’s life, or even your own someday. Your body regenerates your own blood within hours. In fact, we all have about 5 billion red blood cells in every litre of our blood. Which means you have on average 25 billion red cells running around inside you, although 25 million (or 0.1%) of them die every day. That works out at roughly 300 a second, so it’s quite unlikely you’re going to run out of them! For more information on giving blood or to register as a blood donor, visit www.blood.co.uk.

Hamish Thompson made his donation with confidence, he is a 1st year Geology student, he thinks giving blood is a way we can all help prepare for NHS emergencies; “I’ve given blood a few times before, I’d like to think if I ever needed blood there would be enough for me”.

THE BLOODY TRUTH The National Blood Service is also involved in research into the safety of blood and new ways to save lives. To book a donor appointment you can call the National Blood service hot line: 0845 7 711 711. Before each donation a drop of blooding will be taken from your finger to check that you are not anaemic and that your blood’s iron content is sufficient to give blood. Each donation lasts on average 10 minutes as the nurses takes one pint of blood using a needle into a vein in your arm.

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World Diabetes Day With World Diabetes Day falling this Thursday, Sally Taylor takes a look at the ticking time bomb that could strike the next generation of twenty-somethings

iabetes. With the recent media furore surrounding child obesity and its link to the disease, you’re sure to have heard the word being thrown around the news recently. But is it all just media scaremongering, or is diabetes as serious as we’re told? What are the symptoms – and the consequences – of something being described as at “epidemic proportions” among children? World Diabetes Day on November 14 aims to provide some answers and raise some awareness. While we’re all used to hearing how unhealthy children are nowadays, it is no joke that diabetes is going to have serious and unavoidable implications on future generations. The “epidemic” has already begun. More than 200 children a day are diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is all about insulin, a hormone that regulates the blood’s g l u c o s e (sugar) level and helps convert it into energy. The disease comes in two types, handily known as “Type 1” and “Type 2”. While you have to be born with Type 1, Type 2 is the result of poor diet and not enough exercise. With Type 1 the body does not produce insulin; with Type 2 it either doesn’t produce enough or the cells ignore the insulin that’s there. Glucose can build up in the bloodstream and potentially cause serious damage to many parts of the body. If diabetes is suspected, tested for, and diagnosed when symptoms first start appearing, other more serious symptoms of advanced diabetes can be prevented or have their onset significantly delayed. There is currently no cure, but most people with diabetes can lead active, healthy lives by keeping their insulin levels closer to normal, exercising regularly, maintaining their weight and eating a balanced diet. This sounds such a simple strategy, yet it is so often lacking in children’s lifestyles today. Diabetes is one of the most common childhood diseases, striking at any age. Until 1997 Type 2 was so rare in children that it was known as “adultonset diabetes”, usually diagnosed in adults in their 40’s. Yet just 10 years later it is this type that has reached “epidemic proportions” among children. As we see a rise in childhood obesity, there has been a rise in Type 2 diabetes. With Type 1, if you don’t take care of yourself, you feel the effects

immediately and you may end up in hospital that same day. But the scary thing about Type 2 is that it lies in waiting. It can take 10 or 15 years to manifest, and then shows serious effects. Complications of Type 2 diabetes include heart disease, amputation, nerve damage, kidney damage and blindness. Previously you would get Type 2 at about 45 years old, and problems would then start to arise when you were 55 to 60 – hence the common stereotype of diabetes as a disease most affecting the elderly. Yet contracting Type 2 at the age of just 10, as we have begun to see in recent years, means you will start to show symptoms aged 20 to 25 - the prime years for child

UK are now overweight or obese, and estimates that the number of overweight and obese children in Europe will top 26 million within four years. The research showed that about 58,000 British children have impaired glucose tolerance, an early sign of an increased risk of diabetes. However, there have been difficulties in calculating the scale of health problems. Most children and their parents are unaware of the risks. As explained previously, in most cases symptoms will not be apparent for a number

bearing and career development.

years. Those who have Type 2 diabetes will not yet know it, and by the time they do, it will hit hard. Diabetes is different for children. While adults can be told to change their diet, exercise, and check their blood sugar levels, it is harder to know if children understand the seriousness of the disease. The daily life of the child and their family is disrupted by the need to monitor blood glucose levels, take medication, and balance the effects of activity and food. In adolescents the need for calculated control can clash spectacularly with the teenage desire for independence, with emotional and psychological pressure

Looking at it this way, it is easier to understand why this is such a serious problem. The social repercussions are mindboggling; our health care system will be overwhelmed. A survey published in The Independent last year showed that, for the first time, there are signs of Type 2 diabetes in 4000 children in the UK, with researchers warning it could strike 60,000 youngsters in the near future. Alongside this the number of obese children has been increasing, exacerbating the problem of the known link between obesity and diabetes. The fat that we eat acts like a roadblock to insulin, making it harder for cells to use glucose as energy for the body. The unused glucose accumulates in the bloodstream and leads to insulin resistance, a condition that increases the chances of developing both diabetes and heart disease. Due to something as simple and as changeable as diet, our current generation of children may be one of the first not to outlive their parents. Those closest to the child – family, school staff, family doctor – must be aware of the signs. The study calculated that 28 per cent of boys and 36 per cent of girls in the

o f

The symptoms to look out for Ignoring (or not recognizing) the symptoms of diabetes can lead to long-term serious health risks and complications. Some of the common ‘early warning’ signs of diabetes are: Excessive thirst, often the first symptom of diabetes, (unrelated to exercise, hot weather, or short-term illness).

28 per cent of boys and 36 per cent of girls in the UK are now overweight or obese added to further health risks. The campaign on November 14 aims to raise awareness of the rising prevalence of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. On the day itself over 100 monuments worldwide will be lit up in blue as “Beacons of Hope” for the 246 million people living with diabetes worldwide, including City Hall here in Cardiff. When over 50% of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented, the potential deaths of thousands of children can be prevented with a good diet and plenty of exercise. On November 14 please remember, no child should die of this disease.

Excessive hunger (you know you’ve eaten “enough” but are still hungry all the time). Frequent urination (often causing you to wake up repeatedly during the night). Tiredness and fatigue (enough to make you fall asleep unexpectedly after meals), one of the most common symptoms of diabetes. Rapid and/or sudden weight loss. However there are other ‘minor’ symptoms of diabetes that often go unrecognized, resulting in some of the following symptoms: Blurred vision (diabetes can lead to sight degeneration and eventual blindness). Numbness and/or tingling in the hands and feet (due to nerve damage in the extremities). Slow healing of minor scratches and wounds (impaired immune system function). Dry or itchy skin (circulation and proper sweat gland function can be affected).

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EDITORIAL & OPINION

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freewords Est. 1972

Cardiff University # 99 With around 37,000 students applying to enrol at Cardiff University, Cardiff’s popularity cannot be questioned. The news this week that Cardiff University has been ranked 99th in the world by the Times Higher Education Supplement, reveals the high regard that international experts have for our Univeristy. As the University prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2008, this dramatic rise through the rankings is fantastic news. But it is not just the University that stands to gain as Cardiff receives this global recognition. If Cardiff is successful in maintaining these high standards it will have a positive impact on Cardiff students and graduates.

RAG Week In spite of its fundraising successes in previous years, RAG Week in Cardiff has not yet reached its full potential. In 2006/7 Loughborough students raised an amazing £693,398.20 through their RAG events. Perhaps benefitting from the campus set-up, RAG in Loughborough engages en-masse with its students. In recent years, Cardiff’s RAG has failed to fully engage with the student populace. But this year’s RAG week will hopefully see a much more engaged student body. This week, RAG is completely taking over the Students’ Union. By day the sabbatical officers will be used, abused and publicly embarassed to raise money. By night the regular club nights are being re-branded with charity themes. Already this year RAG have raised £2,150 which will be donated to various local and national charities, but the prominence of RAG this week will hopefully create more money for charity.

CUTV Since Monday night’s lauch CUTV has been well recieved by students. The web based TV station has had well over a thousand hits in its first five days and feedback has been positive showing students’ engagement with this new branch of student media. New content is being added as it is made so make sure you keep heading back to watch the latest shows. For those of you who haven’t logged on yet, check it out at www.cardiffunion.tv. Editor Amy Harrison Deputy Editor Ben Bryant Co-ordinator Elaine Morgan News William Taylor Abigail Whittaker Samantha Shillabeer Corinne Rhoades Investigations Lee Macaulay

Abortion Debate

When is a foetus a baby? At what point is a woman’s right to abort impeded by the law? And why are men invariably the decision makers? Lucy Thackray explores

alls to reduce the legal limit for having an abortion from 24 weeks to 20 are being debated furiously in the media this week. Both sides – abortion support organisations such as Marie Stopes and reduction campaigners such as Professor Stuart Campbellgive a strong case, but there are several holes in the pro-reduction argument. Hysterical talk of ‘murdering babies’ can surely only be concealing the shaky reasons Campbell has for wanting the limit reduced. The thinking behind describing the unborn foetus as a ‘baby’ is that it could conceivably survive if born at around 23 weeks (no information is given as to how lengthy or comfortable a survival that might be), but the persistent and melodramatic use of ‘murder’ is inexcusable. Campbell paints a grotesque picture of women using the abortion option as a nifty form of late contraception, merrily creating and destroying potential lives as part of their busy, hedonistic lifestyles. As a young, non-religious female, I can safely say no woman who has ever even considered abortion would see it in such a trivial light.

Only a heartless or ignorant person would deny women the choice Termination, especially so late in pregnancy, is an absolutely last resort, and the tiny percentage of women who opt for one when approaching the limit are surely in extreme and distressing circumstances. These decisions deserve discretion and support, rather than this sickeningly backwards witch-hunt. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams declares that this concept of abortion as a ‘last resort’ is diminishing, resulting in what he perceives as ‘too many’ abortions, due to a fairly nonchalant attitude towards it. This statement has a touch of hilarity, as surely the Church can only be for or against termination of pregnancy. If there are simply too many, what figure would lessen their objection to this ‘murder’ in the womb? Many secular campaigners feel that there has been a shocking increase in the number of abortions and that an unnecessary number are taking place. However, surely a closer look at the ac-

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cessibility and discussion of contraception would be another way to approach the issue, as would an improvement in the general standard of sex education in this country. Until a child is born many feel that pregnancy is about the woman’s physical and mental wellbeing, and if a woman feels so desperately that a pregnancy should not continue, only a heartless or ignorant person would deny them that choice. Significantly, I have yet to see a female supporting the reduction in the abortion limit appearing in the media. Instead, a gaggle of stuffy men in suits, wholly unconnected with the emotional and personal side of the debate, continue to whip the public into a frenzy, often using the term ‘ethical’ (by which they usually mean ‘religious’) to push their argument along. I can only assume these campaigners have some sort of bizarre image of pregnancy as a glowing spiritual time

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when the woman feels an early bond with the fully-formed cherub inside them, and to violate this idyllic scene would be deemed monstrous. The sad reality is that for a lonely woman enduring unplanned pregnancy, the emotional duress, coupled with any other social and personal factors in their decision-making process, could under extreme circumstances lead them to a balanced decision to end their

Images of foetal movement are greatly misused pregnancy. Why is it for Campbell or Williams to decide how a woman sees the biological process going on inside her? The images of foetal movement provoke a momentary feeling of shock, but could be said to be grossly manipulated and misused in this difficult debate. They Evans, Navodita Pande, Ruth Smith, Ted Shiress, Melissa Moore, Roz Lambe, Tom Nicholas, Jake Yorath, Natalia Popova, Richard Williams, Saeed Ibrahim, Gemma Batstone, Emily Woodrow, Oliver Lewis, Jarek Dabek,

ABORTION LIMIT: who decides? have been produced only to scare those sitting on the fence into declaring themselves anti-abortionists, when in reality foetal movement could not be less relevant to the discussion of a woman’s right to determine her own future. My feeling is this: if a person is firmly against something, they will not participate in it, and die happy in the knowledge that they adhered to their beliefs. It does not follow that they should have the authority to remove the rights of someone with conflicting opinions. Abortion isn’t merely a female issue, but this is especially true in the case of prominent males striving to alter a law, that will never personally affect them. If anti-abortion organisations are set on seeing the current limit changed, they will have to come up with a more solid case and not one founded on moral assumptions about the motives of young women and irrelevant foetal images which play on emotion and obscure reason.

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Lloyd, Chris Orr. Address University Union, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3QN Web www. gairrhydd. com Email gairrhydd@gairrhydd.com Advertising 02920 781 474 Location 4th Floor Students’ Union

22 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

OPINION

OPINION@gairrhydd.COM

Down with the cliche

Che Guevara is one of the most iconic symbols in recent history. Yet he was a murderous dictator. Jamie Thunder wants his trendy following to end

h, the 21st century and its ironic veneration of dictators. Try to think of some. Go on. Who’ve you got? Hitler? Stalin? That bloke from Turkmenistan who created a national Melon Day? Okay, perhaps not him, but the chances are you missed out one of the most currently celebrated and revered characters from any regime of the past 100 years. You’ll have heard of him. You might have a t-shirt with Alberto Korda’s iconic photo of his windswept, handsome face gazing out heroically into the middle distance, or know someone who wears a beret in his honour. He’s remarkably popular amongst students, particularly for his revolutionary, communist and anti-American stance. He’s Che Guevara, and he’s become the world’s first rock star murderous-righthand-man-of-a-dictator. You see, it seems that the usual moral standards fail to apply when it comes to everyone’s favourite Cuban revolutionary. Someone who publicly reveres Hitler or Pol Pot would be rightly seen with contempt by the vast majority of society (remember Prince Harry’s Nazi costume?) but, in a remarkable display of fuzzy logic, Guevara is held up as an example to any would-be communist firebrands as a courageous, inspiring and, above all admirable leader against the satanic forces of KKKapitalism and America. The reality is that he personally oversaw the trial and execution of hundreds of political opponents following the Cuban revolution, but this is conveniently glossed over by his legions of fans. In the four decades since his death, the myth of Che has been endlessly perpetuated and, in a piece of sublime irony, entire businesses enterprises have sprung up from his likeness. Smirnoff,

CHE GUEVARA: contemplating his next victim owned by the multinational Diageo, used his image in a 2000 advertising campaign. Brand Guevara’s continuing power was shown just last week, when a lock of hair cut from his corpse was auctioned off for almost £60,000. Truly, it’s what he would have wanted.

Even the university is getting in on the act. Earlier today I passed the back of the Student Union to see an advertisement for a poster sale. Some sample posters were outside and one was no other than Che Guevara on a red background (he’s Communist, see?). If

this were not enough, just a couple of weeks ago Cardiff Socialist Society advertised a discussion about his life and times. There really seems to be no end to the adulation. So given that he’s a murderer, why is “The Butcher of la Cabana”, the man

who condemned hundreds to death for simply disagreeing with his beliefs, deemed worthy of such idolatry? The answer is depressingly simple: ignorance. Left-wing sympathisers who are searching for a figurehead, someone to cling to, have a ready-made hero in Che. Their common-or-garden confused, vaguely anti-capitalist ideology often leads directly to Guevara.The mere mention of him will go some way towards legitimising their arguments and sloganeering. Whilst this is by no means true of all or even the majority of Socialists/Communists, far too many appear to be under the horrendously misguided assumption that in all cases anti-American is good no matter what. Of course, not everyone who sports his image is making a political statement. More often than not, people simply think it looks cool and represents hazy, comfy, corporate notions of rebellion and fighting the system, maaan. They’re not. They’re trendy losers who eat at McDonald’s and watch MTV, oblivious to the irony that eats at their souls, slowly sucking the life from them until they’re nothing more than vacuous, hollow shells and deserve nothing more than loathing. By claiming to be a supporter of Che Guevara (or just ignorantly wearing the t-shirt) you’re not being ‘edgy’, you’re not being a ‘revolutionary’ and you’re not being a socialist. You’re being a fool and demonstrating your inability to look beyond the soundbites. So donate that t-shirt to charity, burn that absurd beret and tear down that poster. Otherwise you’re demonstrating your support for a murderer and leading figure in a dictatorship, and that’s really not cool, yeah?

Cardiff, disability and me

Ted Shiress enjoys the booze and the partying, but wonders about the sex

ver since I planted this column firmly in the gair rhydd’s opinion spot I have received nothing but ejaculations of praise, so I decided to make this week’s orgasm of opinion somewhat more intimate than usual. Ok, enough of the cheesy Carry On-esque double entendre; student culture, what does it consist of? Well, most would answer something along the lines of drinking, partying and sex. However, what if you have a physical disadvantage that perhaps marks you out and makes you look somewhat different? A good personality can assure you that you will not be short of friends, drinks and parties but as for sex, that is a different matter. Unlike men, women have two

hormones; and to put it crudely, one says ‘yes’, one says ‘no’. Therefore, a good personality cannot in itself get you a sexual partner; you need to be physically attractive enough to turn them on and outweigh the ‘no’ hormone, otherwise you are just good friends. I admit a condition such as Cerebral Palsy, which I have, could be seen by some as unattractive, or at least not what women look for. I consider myself to be interested in maintaining a good appearance when I go out. Plus, I have never been told I am lacking in humour, charm or confidence. Yet, I still, like other young men with noticeable physical difficulties, feel I am not achieving all I am capable of. Clubbing is one of the issues that exasperates me and, as with other people with disabilities, it is the

most frustrating. Basically, a guy in a club wearing decent clothes is going to get a flirt from a female at the very least, possibly a kiss or even more!

Student culture consists of drinking, partying and sex. However, what if you have a physical disadvantage? However, if he has a disability he gets nothing but awkward and disapproving stares. The very few times I have danced with women, it was meant in a playful childlike manner, as if to cheer me up! I am told by many friends about

this so called ‘right girl’ and I am sure she is out there and when we meet we will instantly fall deeply in love and spend our time having the most passionate sex. By the time we meet she will be experienced enough to see sexual attractiveness even beyond a disability. However, what if people with disabilities want some casual fun in the meantime?? Where can they go? Being single supposedly has its advantages, but we seem to miss out! For me, and many other perfectly mature young adults with disabilities, when sex enters the conversational pool, it is always the moment I digress to the stance of a fifteen-year-old, I go very quiet and cross my legs. I know this is n.ot due to immaturity: I would not be on the union executive and writing this weekly column if that were

the case! So why is this? I suggest it is because, like Cathays, young women are not very accessible for those with disabilities! Before closing this column, I would like to reiterate my point made in the second paragraph about women needing to be attracted. I am not pushing the view at all that women are all socially prejudiced and cannot see behind someone’s impairment. On the contrary, my closest friend here is female and she, and many others, address me just like any other person who they respect, admire and who they genuinely feel close to. I am not saying it is totally one-sided either, I have myself rejected girls due to having severe learning difficulties. The problem goes beneath their views and is more a matter of biology influenced by opinion.

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

OPINION

OPINION@gairrhydd.COM

Think green

Carrot Top

Are you doing your bit? Surely recycling your Lidl bags justifies a flight to Thailand in Ginger people: unique? freakish? or just wrong? the summer? Jesse Scharf doesn’t think so Allison Battisby explores

ven George Bush has woken up and smelled the (now cold and stale) coffee. According to our finest scientists, stupidest politicians and smelliest tree huggers the shit has hit the fan and is rapidly coming our way. When it comes to climate change the only question left is ‘what are we going to do about it?’ Which is why, for me pages 17-23 of a previous gair ryhdd were gave me a feeling of despair well beyond my usual Tuesday morning hangover. I began my journey by learning on page 17 that Al Gore had been awarded a Nobel Peace prize for his work in raising environmental awareness. While I don’t doubt that he helped a lot of people understand the massive dangers of global warming it did start me thinking about the standard of the debate about the environment we have.

The food we eat and the gas we use to heat our homes releases carbon dioxide Is the environmental high ground really being held by a man who was the vice president of the most polluting nation on earth for eight years? A man clearly too busy not doing Clinton’s dry cleaning to ask him to act on a threat considered ‘greater than mass terrorism’ by the UK chief science advisor.

ILLUSTRATION: Kevin Lewis I cannot quite picture him running around the White House turning off the lights and convincing the secret service to cycle to work. More likely he ate free lunches at expensive hotels, paid for him by oil company lobbyists, before returning home to his 20 room mansion and a carbon footprint the size of Cathays. Next up page 18 and 19 with a lovely picture of our blue and beautiful planet. Ahhh…mother earth, surely a nice story about the value of our only home and what we must do to preserve it. Instead I read a nice article about gap years and potential pitfall of overseas volunteering, with some helpful advice on how not to further destroy poor countries. Now I enjoy a bit of backpacking as much as the next Hooray-Henry, skipping off to save the world with a spot of English teaching in Mongolia, but I don’t kid myself that flying is anything but a rich persons luxury that creates a huge amount of CO2. Way more than you could ever hope to save by reusing your Lidl bags (but more of that later). The food we eat and the gas we use to heat our home releases carbon but that’s life. People have to eat. Flying to India for a summer of Delhi belly doesn’t enter the books as a basic human right though. Pictures of breast examination techniques on page 20 were a significant improvement. However such pleasure was short, as it was the article on page 22 ‘Don’t think you can make a difference…? Think again’ that really got me. I hoped for a solid argument explaining that as each of us contributes to the problem we must each take responsi-

bility for the solution. Instead I found a whole page devoted to how plastic bags were ruining our planet. Clearly we use them in obscene quantities and it is hardly a spanner in the works of global capitalism to stop. But like Gore and Gap years I couldn’t help but think: is this where we are at?

The debate desperately needs to progress. Recycling a few cans does not make you eco friendly A recent article in The Guardian newspaper identified that each return flight to Australia, no doubt carrying a few backpackers from Cardiff, has a climate change impact the same as 730,000 plastic bags, and that my friend, is the same as 4,371 years of your average plastic bags consumption. So you say ‘I’ll stop using plastic bags (easy), save some CO2 (eco-friendly), then blow my carbon wad on visiting the Neighbours set down under (fun).’ Well you better start now because those are some pretty big numbers. Flicking back to the breast exam pictures I couldn’t help but feel depressed. All the science says we need to make drastic cuts to our CO2 emissions (90% apparently) but at the moment are stuck with informative documentaries made by polluting hypocrites. David Cameron appears on the box cycling

arrot top, ginger-minger, and Ron Weasley are just some of the names I have had to put up with over the years. Whether it is harmless banter from friends, mockery in the media or random shouting in the street, (yes that has actually happened to me) it can all be quite uncomfortable. In fact for years now redheads have often been outcast in our society. Take for example in Victorian times where redheads were made to sit at the back of the classroom at school, along with left handed people There are some interesting beliefs about redheads, a common stereotype being that they have fiery temperaments. During the Middle Ages, red was seen as the devil’s colour, marking exaggerated sexual desire and wickedness. Some red heads were classed as witches and outcast from their villages. There is even a notion that redheads are untrustworthy and this prejudice can be traced back to biblical times, where Judas is rumoured to have been ginger. Although I have had various comments made about the colour of my hair, I count myself lucky as some fellow redheads can have a miserable life. There have been countless hate crimes against us, whether it be bullying at school, sexual harassment at work, or a man who was even stabbed for being ginger. It seems to be the only form of racism that people can actually get away with. Unfortunately the UK Commission for Racial Equality does not monitor cases of discrimination against redheads. The recent news that some Neanderthals may have been redheads probably won’t help matters. European research scientists looked at DNA samples from two Neanderthal specimens and found a gene that affects the body’s production of melanin. This results in red hair, pale skin, and a life of mocking and ridicule. Although, in Neanderthals there was probably a whole spectrum of hair colour, including brunettes and blondes, it is the red heads who will to work (apparently) and people think the revolution has just been televised. It has not. The debate desperately needs to progress. We need to start letting people know that recycling a few cans does not make you eco-friendly if you’re in the habit of taking the Easyjet to Madrid for a weekend bender. Be honest with yourself about the way you live your life. Some people may stick their middle finger up at the environment but for those that pretend to care let’s stop tinkering. Yes we need to do the little things but we also need to do the big ones even if they’re a bit harder. The

be taunted with the cave man or ape jokes. Can’t wait for those. Surely it is a good thing that some of the first humans in Britain were red heads though. At least we didn’t invade from Scandinavia and savage all the natives! I know that red heads aren’t the only hair colour that gets mistreatment. The theory of the dumb blonde has escalated over the years, so much so that you can buy posters crammed with 101 jokes, or t-shirts with the slogan “I’m blonde, give me a break”.

There have been countless hate crimes against us However, this popular culture stereotype just isn’t the same as the ginger-minger. It is a lot more acceptable, and does not seem to be as controversial. Thousands of people dye their hair blonde, but let’s be honest, the only time people dye it ginger is by a horrible mistake in timing with the hair dye. Being the dumb blonde is also played up to. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson have made millions from playing this character, to win over the public’s affection. Brunettes can’t go unmentioned either, as they are classed as boring. But calling someone a “plain Jane” does not have the same ring as calling someone a “ginger minger”. Being ginger isn’t all that bad. On the plus side, I do get complemented for having an individual hair colour. There are many successful red heads over the world, Nicole Kidman, Paddy Ashdown, and Oliver Cromwell to name a few. Personally I see red heads as unique and distinctive. Rumour has it red heads are dying out, so I am going to embrace my hair colour and not be ashamed of it. The Neanderthals disappeared from Earth over 24,000 years ago when, theorists say, the modern human out-competed them with “better brains” and more sophisticated tools. Better brains? Well carrot tops are green, not red, Einstein!

people who pollute the most are the richest and while you might be well into overdraft number three, look around your room. Laptop, TV, wardrobe full of new clothes? Where did you go on holiday last year? The good news is that it doesn’t mean the end of fun. Speak to those that have done a bit of hitchhiking or chugged through Europe on a train and they will tell you, the journey’s the best bit. Ever tried lighting up a ‘special’ cigarette in an airport? Flying is dull. So you’ve splashed the cash for a bag for life and took the bus once, good for you, now do something that really matters, you might enjoy yourself.

24 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

LETTERS

LETTERS@gairrhydd.COM

letters@gairrhydd.com Welcome and croeso to gair rhydd’s letters page, the place for students to have their say about the things they care about. So, if you have an opinion on any topic we would love to hear from you..whether it be a student issue, in the news, or one of your own. Contact us at letters@gairrhydd. com or you can voice your opinions on specific articles at gairrhydd.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Dear gair rhydd, I am responding to a letter published in issue 852 ‘Bouncing Bonkers’. I am one of the ‘bouncers’ that work at the Students Union and thought I should write in, in defence of myself and my collegues. The incident that the writer has described has been portrayed in a very negative view of ourselves which simply isnt the case. Firstly I was the ‘bouncer’ who had the megaphone and I uttered no such words to the students that the writer has described,I take my job as a professional very seriously and I conduct myself in a very professional mannor accordingly,and shouting rude comments at students isnt something that I do. Secondly I can understand the students’ frustration at having to wait out in the rain while the building was being checked,but we were out in the rain aswell trying to find out ourselves what was going on. The students need to realise that even though the firemen had given the all clear,we have to wait for instruction from the Union manager that is on duty at the time regarding wether he is happy that there is no risk to the students from re-entering the building before anyone can re-enter.

Now, not in relation to the letter, how many students have actually taken the time to talk to us? We are doormen, not ‘bouncers’, unfortunatly the word bouncer is going to be around for a long time to come, due to the negative way that doorman used to conduct themselves years ago before the industry was cleaned up.We are genuinley nice people and have a hard job to do. Have you ever thought how much we risk by doing our jobs? What happens when there are 5 people wanting to hurt you, who has to go into the middle of it? Us. Who has to stop dangerous people entering the premises so that good people can have a good night? Us. It is a very dangerous profession and a very thankless profession aswell. Many doormen are killed and injured every month just for doing their job and trying to help people. We have had a lot of positive feedback from the students about how we conduct ourselves and I for one am extremely pleased about that, it shows that we are doing a good job and not being portrayed as ‘bouncers’ from the old days, but when people are quick to judge us as ‘baby eaters’ just because they have had a negative experience with us (majority of the time when they have to be ejected from the premises for doing something wrong-it always seems to be our fault then) it annoys me as we are nothing like that. Here’s a suggestion that I’ll run pass

oh my god some of the outfits in rubber duck last week were shit scary

why did the non-ginsters sandwiches in the shop go? love tom xxx

shushhhhh

je voudrais un petit velo vert

you are so bitt-a up yours to you all a bbq? in november? whaaaat? pineapple pizzas apple bobbing: you think it wouldn’t be fun, but ir really is. it really is. i met the guy from beduoin soundclash arghhhhhhhh

why are jacket potatoes called jacket potatoes? answer me gair rhydd... i’m a firestarter, twisted firestarter... i love fireworks and fire and guy fawkes ahh the fence, the cripples natural enemy, love love love peter.ledge. peter=ledge = LOL = hahahahahahaaa

ext: 07964308150

Bounce-Off!

the bosses, how about doing an article about the new security company, interview a few of us so that students know who we are and feel easier to approach us. One of the security team

A Liberal Respone.. Dear gair rhydd, I read with interest Tim Hewish’s response (issue 852) to Lucie Apampa’s article, “You Gotta Have Faith” (issue 851). In it, he said he wanted to “keep [the] liberals in check”. Allow me to return the favour. Broad-sweeping attacks on anyone who dares to question the right of people to indoctrinate children in school is unfair. One can’t randomly accuse Richard Dawkins of being the leader of a ‘cult of scientific Nazism’ - though support for that utterly bizarre claim was, of course, strangely lacking. It’s ironic that liberals are accused of being intolerant and spewing anger, as that is the exact impression that I got from the opposition. Keeping religion out of schools and teaching religious education in schools are not contradictory positions, and indeed the article actually supported both these positions. And I also wish to apologise to any science students (and, indeed, anyone with a basic understanding of science) for the letter’s regurgitation of the creationist classic that ‘evolution is a theory and not a fact’. This seems to believe that scientific theories are the random guesses of people who’ve had one too many pints at the Taf. Edward Mason

Go Team-CUTV! Dear gair rhydd, I just wanted to write in to say how excited I am about the launch of CUTV [last Monday]! The team at CUTV are fantastic and really welcoming, the projects themselves are fun, and its a great opportunity to be able to use top-of-the-range

Letter of the week Faithful Me Dear gair rhydd I would like to respond to the issues raised by Lucie Apampa’s article, “You gotta have faith?” (issue 851). I absolutely love your publication and look forward to reading it each week, because I’m a bit of a geek like that! As a Christian I’m really impressed by the articles you include on religion as they are usually really interesting and enter all sides of each discussion in a very intelligent way. However I was really disappointed with the inclusion of this article, not because of its content but because of the blatant prejudice and hostility towards all people who have a faith or belief in God. gair rhydd stands for “free words” and so my free words are these. I agree that dividing schools according to religion is an odd concept and will only breed ill will between races. However the teaching of the foundations of each faith in R.E. classes promoted understanding, accepting and peace between cultures. It only makes sense to me then that the teaching of creationism is included in science classes along with all the other “theories” about the origins of the world. I study Earth Sciences and so understand Darwin’s theory fully, that although many people take it as fact, it is not flawless. I’m still trying to make up my mind between literal creationism and evolution, the reason I’m not hung up on the issue though is because either way, I know that God, the “intelligent designer” set it all up. This is where I’m going to start sounding like a crazy person so bear with me! Lucie described God as, “a grand designer whom we should all fear yet only encounter in death.” Part of being a Christian, in fact the main point of it, is that we have a relationship with Christ, who is God. It sounds odd to those who haven’t experienced it but people can recognise equipment to promote our university and bring its media section into the 21st century! I am really looking forward to this project expanding beyond the university TV screens and the internet page, to a wider audience and really inspiring people to choose our iniversity for its fabulous opportunites and resources. I just want to encourage everyone

God communicating with them in all sorts of ways, including through the study of the “good book” which we believe to be God inspired. It’s just that it’s at death that we meet Him either to spend eternity with Him in heaven, or to part company with Him forever and go to the other place. The reason we fear Him is because He’s humungous! I mean He made the universe, how huge must he be?! Yet he loves us, provides for us and withholds the punishment we deserve for our foolishness. It’s not that we’re “ashamed” to be thought of as descendents of monkeys, just confused! I believe that as humans we have souls, it’s what makes us us, and apes don’t, so where did that kick in? Also it is depressing to think that we’re all completely accidental and had things taken another turn we’d all be neanderthalensis. Without a creator forming us, life had no purpose – ouch! Even evolution tells us that Homo sapiens all descend from one source, “mitochondrial Eve”. I mean it’s in the title! We’re all from one women, Eve, that just makes sense! The bit about God creating in 6 days, well, He is God, big enough to make a whole universe, why can’t He do it in a week? The point of having God in the equation is that He’s far too vast for us to ever understand; otherwise He wouldn’t be worth knowing. Therefore I find it immensely easier to believe that the world could be created, in 6 days or through a chain reaction of events known as evolution, either way, but by God rather than suddenly from nothing. The alarming fact that only 45% of Americans believe all this surprises me! We’re not going same way, we used to be that way until we got uncomfortable with the thought there’s something bigger than ourselves out there that we’ll never understand it. Everyone should be free to make up their minds on the matter and part of this process is to teach every angle of it. Thank you for letting me waffle on, you’ll be happy to hear I have to leave for a lecture now! Catherine Leech to get involved, bring ideas and help out, to really get a great start continuing on successfully and keep the ball rolling for years to come, creating an established television channel that is really accessible for students! Good luck everyone on the teams and keep up the hard work! Member of the CUTV Team

Apologies... gair rhydd Sport would like to apologise to Hartpury College for the inaccuracies in the ‘The Word On…’ article appearing on page 39 of the gair rhydd edition no. 851. Any offence caused was un-intentional; the article was written with the intention of highlighting Hartpury’s formidable sporting reputation and how it has been achieved. The gair rhydd would like to retract the inaccuracies of the article that paint an incorrect and unfair picture of Hartpury College as an academic institution. Last week’s feature ‘Rise Against Racism Week 2007’ was accompanied by a photo collage which intended to reflect the diverse student populace at Cardiff University. Apologies for any embarrasment caused to Joanna Kinross whose photograph was accidently taken from file and used in this feature.

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

OPINION

OPINION@gairrhydd.COM

the...

LLw

r o D

Globetrotting grads

...in the papers

Independent

his week you might want to take a seat before you read on because I’ve decided I’m happy about something that’s going on in the world. Well, sort of. The University of Surrey is in the preliminary stages of creating “globalised” degree schemes in which graduates will move between participating institutions around the world, provisionally in the US, China, and other Asian countries. Last week, the first step towards an “international institution” was made as a partnership was struck with Dongbei University of Finance and Economics (DUFE). Vice chancellor of the University of Surrey, Christopher Snowden, explained: “We are aiming over the next 10 years to develop Surrey into an international brand with several institutes around the world... This wouldn’t necessarily suit all students, but they will be given the option...They can tailor it to do a full year or just a semester.” Of course, the concept of institutions forging mutually beneficial relationships and student exchange programmes is by no means groundbreaking, but I would argue that Surrey is taking this tradition to a more sophisticated level. It is one of the great quandaries that the majority of students will encounter in their final years of education: to travel or not to travel? This bug to see new places can bite before their time at university (gap year), during (sandwich/exchange year), or following (um, trying-to-avoid-settling-down year?), but whenever it does strike, you can be sure of certain problems. Firstly, and predominantly, MONEY. Unfortunately, it’s pretty integral to this travelling lark, and whether you have to take on five jobs, seek out employment that involves travel or pull out all the stops to persuade Mummy and Daddy to rent out the East wing of the house for corporate soirees to fund your trip, you are going to have to work for the cash. Clearly, being granted a place at the “international institute” is not going to mean an end to travel costs and living accommodation around the globe, but I would hope that subsidies, or at least recommended affordable op-

EARTH UNIVERSITY: Do students really want to have the whole world in their hands? tions, will be made readily available. Secondly, perhaps slightly less significant, is deciding upon with whom to make that ‘trip of a lifetime’. Many a close friendship has crumbled as a result of embarking on a journey together, which one could argue is the most stressful experience two or more people can undertake short of sharing a bedroom with someone who isn’t your partner – or perhaps is. Having to make do with finding new friends amongst fellow students ensures you avoid this conundrum, and beyond having your

It is one of the great quandaries, which many students will encounter... to travel or not to travel? degree in common, the fact that you’re away from home may help galvanise friendship bonds more quickly. Schemes such as this also offer a ray of light in the current gloom of UK foreign languages. According to the Liberal Democrats, figures suggest that ‘fewer than half of English school pupils are taking a modern European language at GCSE’, which indicates just

That’ll be the day... I don’t like Mickey Mouse. There, I’ve said it. I will be prepared to be assassinated by devout Disney aficionados on November 18, as this is Mickey Mouse Day. There’s just something about him.

as dire a scenario – if not worse – for languages outside of Europe, despite the growing industrial power of states such as China and India. Global degree schemes will encourage the learning of new languages, which can only be a positive development, both for the individual and international trade. Although the concept of integrating university degrees with the learning of other cultures’ systems of education, business and general ways of life seems a flawless proposition, there are inevitably considerations.

His blatant addiction to helium. His superiority complex, no doubt borne out of the fact that he was ‘the original’ – or as I have to come call it, (knew that Psychology A-level would come in useful one day) ‘first child’ syn-

Last week there was media coverage of the murdered 21-year-old student Meredith Kercher, who was on an exchange programme in Perugia. Ignoring the facts of this specific case, combined with previous publicity of student deaths abroad (Virginia Tech, Thailand etc.) questions of safety over whether students should be encouraged to leave British borders may be raised.

drome. His ceaseless cheerfulness and his ability to send packing the woes of the world with a merry whistle. Give me cynical Donald Duck or dim but contented Goofy any day of the week. Let’s not forget that when it comes

Of course, this is a non-argument, as ‘bad things’ can happen to ‘good people’ in any country – and in fact, some might suggest that the UK is one of the least safe. More difficult to ignore is the issue of the effects that frequent relocation may have on a graduate’s study. With the government considering legislation to prevent students moving schools once they have reached a certain stage in their GCSEs, due to adverse consequences on academic performance, one can only postulate about the results of country-hopping during your degree. But, we mustn’t forget, as Snowden points out, that Surrey students will be able to ‘tailor’ the scheme to suit individual needs; no one will be forced to spend each semester at an alternative university. Impossible to overlook is my jealousy that the notion of ‘international institutes’ wasn’t thought up and put into place ten years ago, so that I might have taken advantage of one. Still, I guess Cardiff University has got the Scholar Ship [the ocean-going campus], hasn’t it? Yay?

down to it, Mickey Mouse is nothing but a rodent. And only two words come to mind when I think of rodents. Pest. Control. Mousetrap, anyone?

he Government has decided that the solution to an ailing education system is to turn dictator. In the Queen’s speech last week, it was announced that, by 2015, the school leaving age will rise from 16 to 18. Failure to comply with this legislation will result in teens (a convenient anagram of the problematic NEETS – those who are not in education employment or training – which the law intends to aid) will face on the spot fines of £50 or £200 court fees. According to the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the bill is a step towards achieving ‘worldclass levels of skills…and dramatic improvements to individual life chances’. Personally, I struggle to see the benefit. In my experience, the decision to engage or disengage with education occurs much earlier than the age of 16. Surely it would be a lot more effective to improve the existing education system as opposed to imposing two extra years on those who, for the most part, will only resent the obligation.

The Telegraph

report by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has reached a number of worrying conclusions. Firstly, a high number of students are ‘earning less than their debts’, with a large percentage working in low-level jobs such as bars after graduation. Secondly, approximately one in five graduates will be unemployed at some stage in the immediate years following their degree. And thirdly, there is still a substantial divide between the earnings of male and female graduates. BUT three and half years after finishing degrees, 74% of UK graduates are in full time jobs, with 48% ‘fairly satisfied’. Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell stated that 85% of graduates are satisfied with their career so far. So, what to make of this hotchpotch of statistics? The answer is what we all already know. Sadly, a degree, by itself, isn’t going to get you where you want in life; gender equality is still evading the workplace and statistics are slippery little devils to get to grips with. On the plus side… On the plus side… Well, I’ll have to run a survey and get back to you on that.

14 gairrhydd

OCTOBER.22.2007

FEATURES

FEATURES@gairrhydd.COM

’

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007 TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

HOT

!TELLY!

TELLY NOT

Splitting Opinion Like the Letter N

US TV: Sadly the UK simply cannot compete with the US when it comes to making quality TV. Just look at Lost and Heroes. They can even improve UK shows like The Office. God bless America!

FILMS ENDURING LOVE, C4, MONDAY

A pre-Bond Daniel Craig gets stalked by Rhys Ifans after trying to stop a balloon from crashing. A twisty thriller that sadly peaks too early. ALIEN, FILM4, FRIDAY In this true classic Sigourney Weaver fights a rampaging alien aboard a mining ship after responding to a distress call. Alien is must see filled with genuine frights and plenty of suspense provided by the always fun countdown to self-destruct. SCENES OF A SEXUAL NATURE, BBC1, SATURDAY Surprising little sex or nudity in this film revolving around seven couples spending an afternoon in Hampstead Heath. While the different stories vary in quality there should be a story everyone can relate to. Dialogue heavy; certainly not for the action junkie.

adies and Gents, another installment of I’m a D-list celebrity...Get me on the cover of The Sun! has arrived. I bet you are well excited, I’m not but that’s cause I’m really cool and I’d rather be watching The Mighty Boosh. Yeah I’m scene, wanna fight about it?! Anyway before I start laying into the ‘celebrities’ rumoured to be appearing on the show I must comment on the presenters. Ant and Dec have returned obviously, they have to pay their bills just like the rest of us kids. They probably need something to live for as well. It’s not been quite the same since the Byker Grove days. On a more excting note the once sexual Emma Griffiths and Matt from Busted are presenting the ITV2 show. They are engaged don’t you know? So hopefully there will be a nice bit of tension as the programme progresses. I figure Emma will realise that Matt has gotten quite chubs and is a hindrance to humankind. This might seem a harsh assesment but did you hear his last single. Classic case of ear rape. So that could be a laugh and a half. The bulk of the show however will be the worst form of self promotion known to man. A bunch of randoms who have had at least one mention in Heat will grace our screens day after day attempting, and largely failing, to present themselves as decent members of society. This would be almost acceptable if it had not provided a launch pad for the hell that is Jordan/Katie/ whatever she calls herself

this weekend and Peter ‘have you been Tango’ed’ Andre. Those rumoured to be in attendance this year are Right Said Fred, you know the two bald guys who sang I’m Too Sexy. They are in their fifties. It’s really sad. Plus Janice Dickinson, Prince Andrew’s ex and Star Wars ‘star’ Koo Stark and the bitchy one off The Apprentice, Katie Hopkins. Trying to simultaneously fulfil the roles of silicon enhanced Jordan and the shower loving Myleene will be Gemma Atkinson off Hollyoaks and former girlfriend of Cristiano Ronaldo. Expect pervy camerawork. There is a whole bunch of other people appearing who are supposed to be famous but are clearly not. Paris Hilton i s supposed to be giving it a go. We all know this will not be occuring. I mean, can you really imagine daddy’s little

girl eating a crocodile penis? Well if it was anyone else we probably couldn’t, but since we’ve seen her eating pretty much everything else it doesn’t exactly stress out the imagination. Telly is quite interested in the prospect of seeing Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McClaren making an appearance. After the exploits of John Lydon some years ago how much will old Malc attempt to ape the behaviour of his fellow punk? By the way, remember Gianni off Eastenders? Yep thats right Marc Bannerman is gonna be jungling it up, awesome, bet he’ll be mouthy. Now I’m not sure how the show is going to work this year. With Ant & Dec presenting would you phone in? Would Ofcom allow it? We here at Telly really despise those smug Geordies, and find it difficult to believe they are so squeaky as to only have that telephone scandal to their name, Twats.

ADVERTS

Fudge Tunnel

“Traditionally cured Scottish Gravalax Salmon with creamy mustard and dill sauce, hand prepared Turkey with brayburn apple and sage stuffing wrapped in maple cured bacon, Lincolnshire red cabbage with apple and cranberries slow braised in red wine and tawny port sauce, golden roast parsnips coated with wild flower honey and whole grain mustard dressing, conisseur christmas pudding packed with plump sultanas and steeped in cauvasier congac, this is not just christmas food, this is not just M&S christmas food, this is the sale of a perfect yet unnattainable middle class bourgeoise lifestyle to make you consume, in the vain hope that you can have the perfect postcard christmas”

US TV Without Writers: Last Monday the Writer’s Guild of America went on strike meaning soon scripts will run out and US TV will be nothing more than reality TV and re-runs. Take that America, no Casualty for you!

SOAPS

STOP THE PRESSES! There is a new pet in the ‘Enders! Roxy has got a puppy and its called Albert OBV. I know everyone has been missing the animal presence ever since Wellard disappeared. Did he get kidnapped or run over? Either way he’s been replaced by a youngier sexier model. Its the cutest puppy in the world. In more yawny news, the Vic is invaded by thugs cause thats what thugs do: invade bankrupt small businesses. This leads to Honey going into labour and no one knows if the baby is going to die. If it dies, she will become the new lil Mo and if not she will be boring and written out. It’s a lose-lose situation I feel. In the lesser soaps aka everything else there is a fire, someone gets arrested and a nice love triangle. You clever tv readers can work out which one goes where. It’s not that I’m lazy, it’s just I don’t care.

Serious Cat

Soil forms the pedosphere: the interface between the lithosphere (rocky part of the planet) and the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere (collectively simplified to “above ground”). Soil is a three phase system composed of various combinations of naturally-derived solids including fine to coarse-grained rocks and minerals, organic matter, ice, weathered rock and precipitates, liquids primarily water solutions.

28 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

MONDAY Homes Under The Mastermind Hammer BBC2 7.30pm BBC1 10.00am BBC 1

Star Bites ITV1 1.00am

BBC 2

ITV 1

12th November Naomi Wolf’s Birthday

How To Marry A Millionaire C4 1.30pm

Human Guinea Pigs five 11.05pm

Channel 4

Five

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am To Buy or Not to Buy 10:00am Homes under the Hammer 11:00am Open House 11:30am Bargain Hunt 12:15pm Cash in the Attic

6:00am CBBC 10:50am Primary History 11:10am Primary Geography 11:30am Hands Up! 11:45am Watch 12:00pm What the Victorians Did for Us 12:30pm Working Lunch

6:00am GMTV Newshour 6:58am GMTV Today 8:35am LK Today 9:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30am This Morning 11:10am ITV News Headlines 11:15am ITV Wales News and Weather 11:20am This Morning 12:30pm Loose Women

6:00am Kids TV 7:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:00am Just Shoot Me 8:30am Will and Grace 9:00am Frasier 9:30am Vocation, Vocation, Vocation 10:00am Educational TV 11:30am Day I Got The Sack 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm Room for Improvement

6:00am Kids TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am five news 12:00pm Home and Away 12:30pm Joey

1:00pm BBC News; Weather 1:30pm Regional News and Weather 1:40pm Neighbours 2:05pm Doctors 2:35pm Diagnosis Murder 3:20pm BBC News and Weather 3:25pm CBBC

1:00pm Educational TV 1:20pm Emotional Literacy 1:30pm Open Gardens 2:00pm Animal Park: Wild in Africa 2:45pm Escape to the Country 3:45pm Flog It! 4:30pm Food Poker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Rosemary Shrager’s School for Cooks 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

1:05pm 3 Minute Wonder: 25 Years On 1:15pm Monte Walsh 3:25pm Countdown 4:15pm Deal or No Deal

1:00pm Joey 1:30pm Monkey Life 1:55pm Silencing Mary 3:40pm five news update 3:50pm Jane Doe: Eye of the Beholder

5:25pm Newsround 5:35pm Neighbours

5:15pm The Weakest Link

5:00pm The Great Pretender

5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

5:30pm five news

6:00pm BBC News and Weather 6:30pm Wales Today; Weather 7:00pm The One Show 7:30pm Helicopter Heroes 8:00pm EastEnders 8:30pm Panorama

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 7:00pm Colin Jackson: Strictly Men Dancing 7:30pm Mastermind 8:00pm Autumnwatch

6:00pm Wales Tonight 6:30pm ITV Evening News 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm Coronation Street 8:00pm Wales This Week 8:30pm Coronation Street

6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm Channel 4 News 7:55pm 3 Minute Wonder: Rory Peck Awards 2007 8:00pm Dispatches

6:00pm Home and Away 6:30pm Penguin Adventure with Nigel Marven 7:00pm five news 7:30pm Human Guinea Pigs 8:00pm The Gadget Show

9:00pm Doc Martin

9:00pm Deep Water

9:00pm Street Crime Live

10:00pm Commando: On the Front Line 10:30pm ITV News

10:50pm The Football Factory

10:00pm Interview with a Cannibal

11:05pm The Food Show 11:40pm The Guest List 12:05am Tonight 12:30am Great Welsh Roads 12:55am Al Murray’s Happy Hour 1:55am Star Bites 2:00am UEFA Champions League

12:30am Sophie Scholl: the Final Days 2:40am Unreported World 3:05am Dispatches: How to Get Ahead in Africa 4:00am Express Yourself 4:15am Express Yourself 4:30am Express Yourself

11:05pm Gothika 1:00am NASCAR Nextel Cup 1:25am NFL 5:10am Seniors Golf

9:00pm Heroes and Villains 9:00pm Dragons’ Den

10:00pm BBC News; Regional News; Weather 10:25pm Regional News and Weather 10:35pm Live at the Apollo 11:20pm Inside Sport 12:00am Out of Bounds 1:30am Weatherview 1:35am Celebrity Scissorhands 2:35am Sign Zone: The Money Programme

10:00pm Have I Got News for You 10:30pm Newsnight

11:20pm The Money Programme 11:50pm This World 12:20am Royal Television Society Huw Weldon Memorial Lecture 2007 1:00am Joins BBC News 24 2:00am Vocational Bitesize

PICK OF THE DAY Colin Jackson: Strictly Men Dancing , BBC2 Wales, 7.00pm What’s on TV describe this as a ‘one off documentary in which the Olympic athlete looks at male dance in Wales’. I describe it as a laugh. Can you imagine a bunch of rough as fuck rugby lads doing the chacha with Mr Jackson? AMAZING! This show really does have the potential to be ace. Colin Jackson had better present the entire show dressed in some ridiculous ballgroom gear. I can appreciate a man in a skin tight bright yellow number with more than enough sequins. Better yet I want the rugby lads in brightly coloured skin tight v necks... oh wait I can see that if I pop down to Oceana on a Monday. Speaking of pop wouldn’t it be great if Colin Jackson released a covers album? It would be well good, he would get to wear all the sequins in the world. Like a camper Mark Ronson plus he has a lovely smile. It really reaches the eyes.

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

TUESDAY Neighbours BBC1 1.40pm

The 800 Million Pound Rail Station BBC2 10.00pm

BBC 1

Wales Tonight ITV1 6.00pm

BBC 2

ITV 1

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am To Buy or Not to Buy 10:00am Homes Under the Hammer 10:30am Open House 11:30am Bargain Hunt 12:15pm Cash in the Attic

6:00am CBBC 12:00pm The Daily Politics 12:30pm Working Lunch

1:00pm BBC News; Weather 1:30pm Wales Today; Weather 1:40pm Neighbours 2:05pm Doctors 2:35pm Diagnosis Murder 3:20pm BBC News and Weather 3:25pm CBBC

1:00pm Shakespeare: The Animated Tales 1:30pm Hands on Nature 2:00pm am.pm 3:00pm Dirty Rotten Cheater 3:45pm Flog It! 4:30pm Food Poker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Rosemary Shrager’s School for Cooks 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

5:25pm Newsround 5:35pm Neighbours

5:15pm The Weakest Link

6:00pm BBC News and Weather 6:30pm Wales Today; Weather 7:00pm The One Show 7:30pm EastEnders 8:00pm Holby City

13th November Phone Dictionary Day

Water Stories C4 1.30pm

Urban Legends five 12.00am

Channel 4

Five

6:00am Kids TV 7:00am Freshly Squeezed 7:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:00am Just Shoot Me 8:30am Will and Grace 9:00am Frasier 9:30am Vocation, Vocation, Vocation 10:00am Teen Tycoons 10:30am Tricky Business Two 11:00am Trouble Online 11:30am Tricky Business 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm Room for Improvement 1:30pm Water Stories 1:40pm When Eight Bells Toll 3:25pm Countdown 4:15pm Deal or No Deal

6:00am TKids TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am five news 12:00pm Home and Away 12:30pm Cooking the Books

5:00pm The Great Pretender

5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

5:30pm five news

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 7:00pm Dragons’ Den 8:00pm Autumnwatch

6:00pm Wales Tonight 6:30pm ITV Evening News 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm The Ferret 8:00pm Trinny and Susannah Undress the Nation

6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm Channel 4 News 7:55pm The Political Slot 8:00pm Property Ladder

6:00pm Home and Away 6:30pm Cooking the Books 7:00pm five news 7:30pm Massive Engines 8:00pm Jonestown Cult Suicides: The True Story

9:00pm Spooks

9:00pm Classical Star

9:00pm I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

9:00pm Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares

9:00pm CSI: Miami

10:00pm BBC News; Regional News; Weather 10:25pm Wales Today; Weather 10:35pm Week In, Week Out

10:00pm The Eight Hundred Million Pound Railway Station 10:30pm Newsnight

10:00pm Summer of Noise 10:30pm ITV News

10:00pm Brat Daughters

10:00pm CSI: NY

11:05pm Imagine... Louise Bourgeois: Spiderwoman 11:55pm Film 2007 with Jonathan Ross 12:25am Ash Wednesday 1:55am Weatherview 2:00am Celebrity Scissorhands

11:20pm Long Way Down 12:20am Joins BBC News 24 2:00am Curriculum Bites: Science 1114 4:00am Making Sense of Health

11:05pm The King’s Cross Fire: National Disaster 12:05am ITV Play: Make Your Play 4:10am Quincy, ME 5:00am ITV Nightscreen 5:30am ITV Early Morning News

11:05pm Autopsy: Emergency Room 12:10am Bluespoker.com Grosvenor UK Poker Tour 1:10am Red Bull Air Race 1:55am KOTV 2:25am FIVB Beach Volleyball 3:20am Adrenalin Rush

PICK OF THE DAY Trinny and Susannah: Undress The Nation, ITV1, 8.00pm Fun fact for you TV readers (All seven of you) Trinny ‘no-boobs’ last name is Woodall and Susannah ‘many-boobs’ is Constantine. Not really that much of a fun fact but what you gonna do? And I know there is going to be some smart alec who knew that already, well there is a Blue Peter badge winging its way through the post for you. Anyhoo in this week’s episode, the two ladies spy eye men’s shopping habits before creating a Male Dress Code and holding a men-only shopping day in a top London department store *cough* New Look *cough*. I can almost guarantee I’ll be sitting on the sofa screaming at no boob while she turns all the men into polo shirt and cords wearing dickheads. No offence if this is your garm of choice but serious you look like a twat and everyone and I mean EVERYONE is whispering about you behind your back.

Camp:

Mums

and

1:00pm Zoo Days 1:25pm Rescuers: Stories of Courage Two Women 3:35pm five news update 3:45pm Suburban Madness

11:00pm Law and Order: Special Victims Unit 12:00am Urban Legends 12:30am The X Games 1:15am NBA Basketball 4:00am Football Italiano 5:10am French Football Le

30 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

TELLY

WEDNESDAY Helicopter Heroes BBC1 7.30pm

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

14th November Travis Barker’s Birthday

Dirty Rotten Cheater I’m a Celebrity... get Freshly Squeezed BBC2 2.00pm Me Out Of Here! C4 7.00am ITV1 9.00pm

BBC 1

BBC 2

ITV 1

Channel 4

Pleasure for Sale Five 11.00pm

Five

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am To Buy or Not to Buy 10:00am Homes Under the Hammer 11:00am Open House 11:30am Bargain Hunt 12:15pm Cash in the Attic

6:00am CBBC 10:30am Coast 10:40am Family Xchange 11:30am am.pm

6:00am Kids TV 7:00am Freshly Squeezed 7:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:00am Just Shoot Me 8:30am Will and Grace 9:00am Frasier 9:30am Vocation, Vocation, Vocation 10:00am Education TV 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm Room for Improvement

6:00am Kids TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am five news 12:00pm Home and Away 12:30pm Cooking the Books

1:00pm BBC News; Weather 1:40pm Neighbours 2:05pm Doctors 2:35pm Diagnosis Murder 3:20pm BBC News and Weather 3:25pm CBBC

1:00pm See Hear 1:30pm Working Lunch 2:00pm Dirty Rotten Cheater 2:45pm Escape to the Country 3:45pm Flog It! 4:30pm Food Poker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Rosemary Shrager’s School For Cooks 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

1:30pm How Clean Is Your House? 2:05pm Waterloo Road 3:25pm Countdown 4:15pm Deal or No Deal

1:00pm Zoo Days 1:30pm Russell Grant’s Postcards 1:45pm The Deliverance of Elaine 3:30pm five news update 3:40pm The Promise

5:35pm Neighbours

5:15pm The Weakest Link

5:00pm The Great Pretender

5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

5:30pm five news

6:00pm BBC News and Weather 6:30pm Wales Today; Weather 7:00pm The One Show 7:30pm Helicopter Heroes 8:00pm Watchdog 8:30pm The Enforcers

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 7:00pm Top Gear 8:00pm Autumnwatch

6:00pm Wales Tonight 6:30pm ITV Evening News 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm Coronation Street 8:00pm The Bill: Moving Target (Part 1)

6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm Channel 4 News 7:55pm The Political Slot 8:00pm How to Look Good Naked

6:00pm Home and Away 6:30pm Cooking the Books 7:00pm five news 7:30pm Binge Britain: Diet Doctors Specials 8:00pm Diet Doctors: Inside & Out

9:00pm The Nature of Britain 9:50pm The Nature of Britain Where You Are

9:00pm Heroes 9:45pm Heroes Unmasked

9:00pm I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

9:00pm Secret Millionaire

9:00pm Half Past Dead

10:00pm BBC News; Regional News; 10:35pm The National Lottery Draws 10:40pm Baddiel and the Missing Nazi Billions

10:00pm The Eight Hundred Million Pound Railway Station 10:30pm Newsnight

10:00pm Coronation Street: The Wedding Special 10:30pm ITV News

10:00pm Love Trap

11:30pm Rob Roy 1:40am Weatherview 1:45am Celebrity Scissorhands 2:45am Sign Zone:Antiques Roadshow 3:45am Sign Zone: Michael Palin’s New Europe 4:45am Joins BBC News 24

11:20pm Man Stroke Woman 11:50pm Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe 12:20am Joins BBC News 24 2:00am Making Sense of Health 4:00am Making Sense of Health 4:40am Science in Action

11:05pm The 55-Year-Old Commando 12:05am ITV Play: Make Your Play 4:05am The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:00am ITV Nightscreen 5:30am ITV Early Morning News

11:05pm Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares 12:10am Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip 1:10am Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip 2:10am King of the Hill 2:35am The Delinquents 4:25am Headland 5:15am Countdown

PICK OF THE DAY Baddiel and the Missing Nazi Billions, BBC1, 10.40pm The title of this documentary is confusing, it seems to imply that David Baddiel has stolen money from the Nazis. Nothing could be further from the truth. Telly would not want to be accused of encouraging any such rumours. In fact, this show charts Baddiel’s journeying around the world to speak to fellow Jews who, like his family, had money and property taken from them by the Third Reich. Guess how much money is estimated to have been taken from the Jews by the Nazis? $150bn! David examines whether Jews should try to recoup the money, or whether that would just play into the hands of anti-semites and the stereotypes they aim to perpetuate. Telly imagines this show will be thought provoking and have lots of shots of David Baddiel looking away from the camera into the distance. “Football’s Coming Home!!!”

11:00pm Pleasure for Sale 12:00am Winning Poker with Jesse May 1:05am NHL Ice Hockey 3:40am Race and Rally UK 4:05am Motorsport Mundial 4:30am Football Argentina

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

THURSDAY Dragon’s Eye BBC1 10.35pm

Never Mind Buzzcocks BBC2 9.00pm

BBC 1

15th November America Recycles Day

the Burn Hollywood Burn The Political Slot ITV1 11.05pm C4 7.55pm

BBC 2

ITV 1

Channel 4

A Girl’s Guide to 21st Century Sex Five 11.10pm Five

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am To Buy or Not to Buy 10:00am Homes Under the Hammer 11:00am Open House 11:30am Bargain Hunt 12:15pm Cash in the Attic

6:00am Balamory 6:20am CBBC 10:50am Primary Geography 11:10am Look and Read 11:30am Coal Stories 12:00pm The Daily Politics 12:30pm Working Lunch

6:00amKids TV 7:00am Freshly Squeezed 7:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 7:55am Just Shoot Me 8:25am Will and Grace 9:00am Frasier 9:30am Educational TV 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm Room for Improvement

6:00am The Save-Ums! 6:10am Kids TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am five news 12:00pm Home and Away 12:30pm Cooking the Books

1:00pm BBC News; Weather 1:30pm Wales Today; Weather 1:40pm Neighbours 2:05pm Doctors 2:35pm Diagnosis Murder 3:20pm BBC News and Weather 3:25pm CBBC

1:00pm Animal Park 1:30pm Hands on Nature 2:00pm Dirty Rotten Cheater 2:45pm Escape to the Country 3:45pm Flog It! 4:30pm Food Poker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Rosemary Shrager’s School For Cooks 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

1:35pm Great British Brands 1:50pm The Titfield Thunderbolt 3:25pm Countdown 4:15pm Deal or No Deal

1:00pm Zoo Days 1:35pm The Ascent 3:35pm five news update 3:40pm When Time Expires

5:35pm Neighbours

5:15pm The Weakest Link

5:00pm The Great Pretender

5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

5:30pm five news

6:00pm BBC News and Weather 6:30pm Wales Today; Weather 7:00pm The One Show 7:30pm EastEnders 8:00pm Waterloo Road

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 7:00pm Porridge 7:30pm Jamie and Derek’s Welsh Weekends 8:00pm Autumnwatch 9:00pm Never Mind the Buzzcocks 9:30pm Lead Balloon

6:00pm Wales Tonight 6:30pm ITV Evening News 7:00pm Emmerdale 8:00pm I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm Channel 4 News 7:55pm The Political Slot 8:00pm River Cottage: Gone Fishing

6:00pm Home and Away 6:30pm Cooking the Books 7:00pm five news 7:30pm Massive Machines 8:00pm The Seven Deadly Sins of Property Developing

9:00pm Sold

9:00pm The Mummy Diaries

9:00pm The Hotel Inspector

10:00pm BBC News; Regional News; Weather 10:25pm Wales Today; Weather 10:35pm Dragon’s Eye

10:00pm Sport Wales 10:30pm Newsnight

10:00pm I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 10:30pm ITV News

10:00pm Without a Trace

10:00pm Californication 10:40pm 30 Rock

11:05pm Question Time 12:05am This Week 12:50am Holiday Weather 12:55am Celebrity Scissorhands 1:55am Sign Zone:Nureyev: From Russia with Love 3:25am Sign Zone:Great

11:20pm The Graham Norton Show 11:50pm Heroes 12:35am Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe 1:05am Joins BBC News 24 2:00am GCSE Bitesize Revision: French 1 4:00am GCSE Bitesize

11:05pm Burn Hollywood Burn 11:35pm Waterfront 12:05am ITV Play: Make Your Play 4:05am The Jeremy Kyle Show 5:00am ITV Nightscreen 5:30am ITV Early Morning News

11:00pm Shameless 12:05am 4 Music:Sugababes Video Exclusive 12:10am Coming Up: Brussels 12:40am 4 Music:Dubplate Drama 1:10am Guru 4:10am Home Road Movies

11:10pm A Girl’s Guide to 21st Century Sex 12:00am Quiz Call 4:00am Dutch Football 5:10am Football Argentina - Highlights

9:00pm The Street

PICK OF THE DAY Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe, BBC2, 12.35am Guardian columnist Charlie Brooker takes an irreverent yet frank look at TV, with his “I’ll tell it as I see it “style”. The man is indeed a god amongst men and a great inspiration to our humble section. Expect observational comedy and some fairly blue language, with a measured dose of serious content. Brooker does guides to things like television news or a career in television wiping away the cliches and telling it like it cunting well is. This very conveniently brings me on to danger wanking. An acquaintance of mine was telling me about it this week and I simply have to share. Basically, you wank yourself off in a location where there is a high chance of being caught, the challenge is to finish off before one of your parents walks in. So next time you’re in your Gran’s living room alone and bored, and she’s gone to make tea...

32 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

FRIDAY Children in Need A Passion For Plants 2007 BBC2 8.00pm BBC1 7.00pm BBC 1

BBC 2

16th November International Day for Tolerance

Midsomer Murders ITV1 4.00pm

ITV 1

50 Greatest Comedy Revenge of the MidSketches dle-Aged Woman C4 9.00pm Five 3.40pm Channel 4

Five

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am To Buy or Not to Buy 10:00am Homes Under the Hammer 11:00am Open House 11:30am Bargain Hunt 12:15pm Cash in the Attic

6:00am CBBC 10:15am Educational TV 11:30am Coal Stories 12:00pm The Daily Politics 12:30pm Working Lunch

6:00am GMTV Newshour 6:58am GMTV Today 8:35am Entertainment Today 9:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 10:30am This Morning 11:10am ITV News Headlines 11:15am ITV Wales News and Weather 11:20am This Morning 12:30pm Loose Women

6:05am Kids TV 7:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:00am Just Shoot Me 8:30am Will and Grace 9:30am Vocation, Vocation, Vocation 10:00am Live Now Pay Later 11:00am Trouble Online 11:30am Tricky Business 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm Room for Improvement

6:00am Kids TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am five news 12:00pm Home and Away 12:30pm Cooking the Books

1:00pm BBC News; Weather 1:40pm Neighbours 2:05pm Doctors 2:35pm Diagnosis Murder 3:20pm BBC News and Weather 3:25pm CBBC

1:30pm Hands on Nature 2:00pm Dirty Rotten Cheater 2:45pm Escape to the Country 3:45pm Flog It! 4:30pm Food Poker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Rosemary Shrager’s School For Cooks 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

1:00pm Channel 4 Racing Cheltenham 3:25pm Countdown 4:15pm Deal or No Deal

1:00pm Zoo Days 1:30pm Russell Grant’s Postcards 1:45pm Dancing at the Harvest Moon 3:30pm five news update 3:40pm Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman

5:00pm Trapped 5:25pm Newsround 5:35pm Neighbours

5:15pm The Weakest Link

5:00pm The Great Pretender

5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

6:00pm BBC News and Weather 6:30pm Wales Today; Weather 7:00pm Children in Need 2007

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Strictly Come Dancing 7:00pm Run on the Bank: Penalty Pain 7:30pm Edwardians in Colour 8:00pm A Passion for Plants 8:30pm Gardeners’ World Specials

6:00pm Wales Tonight 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm Coronation Street 8:00pm Thin Blue Line: Tonight 8:30pm The Queen: 60 Years of Marriage

6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm Channel 4 News 7:35pm Unreported World 8:00pm A Place in the Sun: Home or Away

6:00pm Home and Away 6:30pm Cooking the Books 7:00pm five news 7:30pm Will Work for Nuts 8:00pm Nick Baker’s Weird Creatures

9:00pm The Tudors

9:00pm I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 10:00pm Coronation Street: The Webster Family Album 10:30pm ITV News

9:00pm 50 Greatest Comedy Sketches

9:00pm NCIS

11:05pm Barry Island 11:35pm Numb3rs 12:20am ITV Play: Make Your Play 4:15am Karen Sisco 5:00am ITV Nightscreen 5:30am ITV Early Morning News

12:10am 4 Music 3:05am Goalissimo! 4:00am Phones4U Urban Beach Tour 4:25am Trans World Sport 5:20am Countdown

from

5:30pm five news

10:00pm BBC News; Regional News; Weather 10:25pm Wales Today; Weather 10:35pm Children in Need 2007

10:00pm QI 10:30pm Newsnight

2:00am Weatherview 2:05am Sign Zone:Top Gear 3:05am Sign Zone:You Can’t Fire Me I’m Famous 3:50am Sign Zone:Kitchen Criminals 4:20am Sign Zone:Kitchen Criminals 4:50am Joins BBC News 24 4:30am Joins BBC News 24

11:00pm Newsnight Review 11:35pm Later...with Jools Holland 12:35am Blast 12:45am Match of the Day 1:15am Quatermass II 2:35am Star Trek: The Next Generation 3:20am Star Trek: The Next Generation

PICK OF THE DAY Children in Need 2007, BBC1, 7.00pm As far as lengthy fundraising evenings of entertainment go, Children in Need has never quite lived up to Comic Relief in my opinion. Much as I love Terry Wogan; I prefer my guilt trip delivered by comedians who cushion the blow and help me ignore the real issues at hand. This is not to take anything away from Children in Need, though, as they have a fair few treats lined up for us. For a start Boyzone will be reuniting and performing live, which is great for fans but not so great for the rest of us. It doesn’t stop there! Lee from Any Dream Will Do will also perform with 700 children and Peter Davidson will reprise his role of The Doctor opposite David Tennant. The BBC do seem keen on recycling don’t they?

10:00pm Law and Order

11:00pm Angelo’s 11:30pm Valley of the Sex Dolls 12:00am Quiz Call 5:10am Wildlife SOS 5:35am Wildlife SOS

gairrhydd NOVEMBER.12.2007

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

17th November International Students Day!

SATURDAY Scenes of a Sexual The Culture Show Nature BBC2 7.00pm BBC 10.50pm BBC 1

BBC 2

All Star Family Time Team Fortunes C4 4.35pm ITV1 8.10pm ITV 1

Channel 4

The Gadget Show Five 10.00am

Five

6:00am Breakfast 10:00am Saturday Kitchen 11:30am Rachel’s Favourite Food for Living 12:00pm BBC News; Weather 12:10pm Football Focus

6:00am CBBC 11:45am Sportsround 12:00pm Animal Park 12:45pm Now, Voyager

6:00am CITV 11:20am ITV News and Weather 11:25am ITV Wales News and Weather 11:30am Saturday Cooks

6:05am Kids TV 8:50am T4:One Tree Hill 9:50am T4:Friends 10:20am T4:Friends 10:55am T4:Mobileact Unsigned 12:00pm Transmission With T-Mobile 12:30pm T4:Friends

6:00am Kids TV 10:00am The Gadget Show 11:00am Football Italiano Highlights 11:35am 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain

1:00pm Darts 4:30pm My Family

2:40pm Film 2007 with Jonathan Ross 3:10pm Legend 4:30pm BBC SWITCHFalcon Beach

1:00pm Bond Season:Diamonds Are Forever 3:15pm Grand Slam of Darts

1:00pm T4:Charmed 2:00pm Channel 4 Racing 4:00pm Location, Location, Location 4:35pm Time Team

1:10pm Columbo: The Most Dangerous Match 2:40pm Domino Day 2007 3:40pm The Naked Spur

5:00pm Outtake TV 5:30pm BBC News 5:50pm Strictly Come Dancing

5:15pm BBC SWITCHSound 5:50pm What the Papers Say

5:10pm ITV Wales News and Weather 5:25pm ITV News and Weather 5:40pm You’ve Been Framed!

5:40pm Codex

5:30pm Juggernaut

7:05pm Robin Hood 7:50pm The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins 8:40pm Casualty

6:00pm Paul Merton’s Silent Clowns 7:00pm The Culture Show 7:50pm Who Do You Think You Are? 8:50pm Have I Got a Little Bit More News for You

6:40pm The X Factor 8:10pm All Star Family Fortunes 8:55pm The X Factor Results

6:30pm Channel 4 News 7:15pm Deal or No Deal 8:00pm Not Forgotten

7:30pm five news and sport 7:40pm NCIS 8:35pm NCIS

9:30pm The Omid Djalili Show

9:30pm Donnie Darko

9:30pm I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

9:00pm Downfall

9:30pm CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

10:00pm BBC News; Weather 10:20pm Match of the Day 10:50pm Scenes of a Sexual Nature

12:20am That’s Carry On 1:50am Weatherview 1:55am Joins BBC News 24

10:30pm Parkinson

11:15pm The Tudors 12:10am Heaven 1:45am The Culture Show 2:35am Warm water under a Red Bridge

11:30pm ITV Weekend News and Weather 11:45pm TV’s Naughtiest Blunders 12:10am ITV Play: Make Your Play 4:10am Antiques Auction 4:35am Antiques Auction 5:00am ITV Nightscreen 5:30am ITV Early Morning News

PICK OF THE DAY The X Factor, ITV1, 6.40pm 2007 is my first year watching X Factor, and only because Kimberley from my secondary school was competing and doing well before being voted out in the first live show. I may be biased but she surely should have lasted longer than she did, there are some appalling finalists this year. Having sat through the auditions to the live shows I find myself strangely compelled to keep watching, often more out of morbid fascination than any musical enjoyment. The oddly close brother and sister duo are certainly an act to watch. I do love my sister but this pair are plain uncomfortable to watch, while the smug if talented Rhydian will bring fresh hatred into your life. While fun to watch X Factor falls short of great musical entertainment.

10:30pm Law and Order: SVU

11:55pm 4 Music:World Music Awards 2007 1:40am Ripley’s Game 3:35am 4 Music:Dubplate Drama 4:00am King of the Hill 4:25am Full Metal Challenge 5:25am Countdown

11:30pm Criminal Minds 12:30am Quiz Call 5:05am Nick’s Quest 5:35am Nick’s Quest

34 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

SUNDAY

18th November Peter Schmeichel’s Birthday

Jersey Girl BBC1 11.20pm

Not Forgotten C4 6.30pm

Bulgaria’s Lost Motorsport UK Children ITV1 1.15am BBC2 10.00pm

BBC 1

Channel 4

Beyond the Break five 11.30am

BBC 2

ITV 1

6:00am Breakfast 9:00am The Andrew Marr Show 10:00am The Big Questions 11:00am Countryfile 12:00pm The Politics Show

6:00am Kids TV 7:20am Pinky and the Brain 7:45am Even Stevens 8:05am The Basil Brush Show 8:30am The Fairly Odd Parents 9:30am Hedz 10:00am Something for the Weekend 11:30am How to Murder Your Wife

6:00am The Sunday Programme 7:00am CITV 9:25am Sunday Edition 10:20am Soccer Sunday 11:00am CITV 11:55am ITV News and Weather 12:05pm ITV Wales News and Weather 12:10pm Free Willy

6:10am The Hoobs 6:35am The Hoobs 7:00am Trans World Sport 7:55am World Cup Skiing 8:50am T4:The OC 9:55am T4:Hollyoaks Omnibus 12:25pm T4:Friends

6:00am Kids TV 10:00am Hannah Montana 10:30am Hannah Montana 11:00am 8 Simple Rules 11:30am Beyond the Break 12:00pm Wild Events 12:30pm Cattle Drive

1:00pm ‘Allo ‘Allo! 1:35pm Cash in the Attic 2:20pm Car Booty 2:50pm Diagnosis Murder 3:35pm EastEnders

1:30pm World Darts

2:10pm The X Factor 3:40pm The X Factor Results 4:15pm Grand Slam of Darts

1:00pm Channel 4 Racing 3:30pm T4:Mobileact Unsigned 4:30pm T4:The Simpsons

2:00pm A Passage to India

5:00pm Lifeline 5:10pm Points of View 5:25pm Songs of Praise 6:00pm Robin Hood 6:45pm Strictly Come Dancing Results Show 7:30pm BBC News; Regional News; Weather 8:00pm Antiques Roadshow

5:20pm Coast 5:30pm Secret Wilderness Japan

5:00pm T4:The Simpsons 5:30pm Scrapheap Challenge

5:00pm Matilda

6:30pm Not Forgotten 7:30pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Wife Swap

6:50pm five news and sport 7:05pm See No Evil, Hear No Evil

9:00pm Cranford

9:00pm Long Way Down

9:00pm 21 Grams

9:00pm Spider-Man

10:00pm BBC News; Weather 10:15pm The Blair Years

10:00pm Children

11:20pm Jersey Girl 12:55am Weatherview 1:00am Sign Zone:Watchdog 1:30am Sign Zone:Holby City 2:30am Sign Zone:Heroes and Villains 3:30am Sign Zone:The Nature of Britain

11:30pm Graham Norton Uncut 12:15am Heroes 1:00am Resting Place 2:35am Joins BBC News 24

11:20pm The 77-Year-Old Sex Therapist 12:25am Bluesqpoker.com Grosvenor UK Poker Tour 1:30am Swades 4:50am 3 Minute Wonder: Are You Sitting Comfortably? 4:55am King of the Hill

11:25pm Disorderly Conduct 12:25am Natural Born Racers 12:55am The X Games 1:15am NFL 5:10am The X Games

6:10pm The Nature of Britain 7:00pm Clash of the Worlds 8:00pm Top Gear

Bulgaria’s

Abandoned

6:00pm The Unforgettable... Diana Dors 6:25pm ITV Wales News and Weather 6:40pm ITV News and Weather 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm Coronation Street 8:00pm Heartbeat 9:00pm I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Five

10:00pm Kenny Everett: Licence to Laugh

11:00pm ITV Weekend News and Weather 11:15pm Love Child 12:15am Grand Slam of Darts 1:15am Motorsport UK 1:45am Raising Cain 3:15am The Jeremy Kyle Show

PICK OF THE DAY Top Gear, BBC2, 8.00pm I know absolutely nothing about cars, in fact all I can tell you about my own is that she is green and called Bessie. Because of this there once was a time when I thought Top Gear was a boring and pointless show about cars, but that is now in the distant past. Admittedly, Jeremy Clarkson can be annoyingly arrogant and the witty banter sometimes comes across a bit scripted but as it is genuinely funny it can be excused. No other programme will show you three men trying to drive across Africa in the pretence of showing which car is superior. Top Gear is by far the best show you can be watching on a Sunday evening within the confines of terrestrial TV, Heartbeat aside of course.

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

FIVE MINUTE FUN

FMF@gairrhydd.COM

found on facebook

SUDOKU

Housemate done something stupid?

1. Log on to the book of face 2. Join the group ‘Found on Facebook’ 3. Upload embarrassing photos 4. Pick up gair rhydd on Monday and laugh

Send more oddities!

COMPETITION CROSSWORD Across

Down

1 Smell (6) 4 An erosive process (8) 10 The same (9) 11 Provide (5) 12 Fasten (5) 13 Awe (9) 14 Victory (7) 16 Podium (4) 19 A Hebrew month (4) 21 Entry (7) 24 Stalemates (9) 25 Horned animal (5) 26 Desert “trees” (5) 27 Without ceasing (9) 28 Crazed (8) 29 Remained (6)

1 Frypans (8) 2 Powered by batteries (8) 3 Nab (5) 5 Dearest (7) 6 As reported by (9) 7 Chant (6) 8 State of anxiety (6) 9 Char (6) 15 An award (9) 17 Treat (8) 18 Accompanied (8) 20 Get (7) 21 Bug (6) 22 Derived meaning (6) 23 Lung, breast or colon ______ (6) 25 Adjust again (5)

Exercise your mind...

WINonal ers ng p A aini tr sion ses

Then exercise your body at

Put your entries in the competitio

n box outside gair rhydd

Every week gair rhydd will be giving away a gym package to one lucky entrant who correctly completes the competition crossword, courtesy of Dave’s Gym.

Every winner will receive a free personal training session with one of our qualified instructors. This can be a gym workout, weight-training, boxing or Thai Boxing session. You will also receive a personalised gym programme and a free guest pass so you can come back for another workout or try one of our studio classes: choose from HipHop, Khai Bo, Bodypump and many more. This prize is worth approximately £35! Conditions: Use of any of our facilities are subject to our terms and conditions and at the user’s own risk. An appointment must be made for the session. Prize must be claimed within four weeks of notification. It is not exchangeable for cash and is not transferable to any other party. Dave’s Gym: Tel: 029 2046 0232 E.mail: enquiries@daves-gym.co.uk Web: www.daves-gym.co.uk

NAME.... EMAIL....

How to enter: Simply complete the crossword opposite and drop it into the crossword competition box outside the gair rhydd office on the 4th floor of the Students’ Union. The first correct entrant to be plucked from the box every week will win the Dave’s Gym package.

36 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

LISTINGS

LISTINGS@gairrhydd.COM

This Week: Listings pushes the boat out and actually changes - we’ve gone red for RAG week all in rently the RAIDS officer for Cardiff Uni’s Raising and Giving society (RAG). My job in the society is to organise fundraising events and activities in order for RAG to raise money for loads of different charities, In the past RAG has held many successful events such as speed dating, bake sales and you

his week sees the return of the one and only almighty RAG week - a week of fundraising events taking place around Cardiff Uni, all in the name of charity. So, Listings has made it their business to tell you what’s going on and where. To help, we’ve enlisted the help of an unsuspecting RAG committee member to tell us more... Hi, my name is Danni and I’m cur-

may have seen us in Cardiff city centre with buckets and tins collecting money from passers by. All of these events helped RAG raise a total of £17,500 for a diverse range of charities and causes which have helped benefit loads

of people. So hopefully you have noticed that it’s RAG week this week, throughout which we’ll be holding loads of events in the union. It all kicks off with the launch party at the aptly named ‘Fundraising Factory’ at Solus. Expect to see us all waving our collection buckets around and generally having fun! On Tuesday there’s the opportunity to pie the current sabbatical officers at the front of the union, all in the name charity! We’re sure they won’t mind... Then you’ll be seeing us all on the union steps before Rubber Duck, so have all your spare change out ready. Thursday’s event will see RAG members dressing up as highway men and holding you up on the steps until you give us a generous donation! Friday involves wearing Red for RAG (our signiture colour for RAG) and donating 50p. There will also be a bake sale where you can donate any amount of money for a yummy cake, and throughout the day one member of the sab team will be locked in a box until

they can raise enough money to be released. Bear in mind that they’ll only have a laptop, mobile phone and a toilet card, which they’ll have to bargain for! Then in the evening you’ll be seeing

Foo Fighters Live @ CIA Tue 13th Nov

SOLD OUT Listings Editor Dan Jones recommends

ince forming in 1994, Foo Fighters have moved far beyond their initial label as a vehicle for Nirvana’s Dave Grohl after the death of his immortal band mate Kurt Cobane. Going almost unnoticed by Nirvana fans throughout his four years as the band’s drummer, Grohl had gradually built up an impressice portfolio of his own songs but has been quoted saying he was too nervous to approach the band with his own stuff, being all too aware of the stigma attached to being a rock band’s drummer, i.e. they’re mental and have no talent other than hitting stuff very hard with sticks. However, it turned out that old Grohly had a bit of a talent for writing the odd rock tune, and with the exception of one other person contributing some guitar rifts, Dave played every note and sang every vocal on Foo Fighters first, self-titled album in 1995. Not wanting Foo Fighters to become a oneman band, and to ultimately avoid seeming like a ‘barry no mates’ after the break-up of Nirvana, Grohl set about stealing people from bands I’ve never heard of. Having heard

COMING UP Bill Bailey

us in Access All Areas, which is Charity Shop themed. So off you go and raid the charity shops to find a stunning outfit to wear on the night. Then to end the week we’ll be holding ‘Charioke’ - karioke, but for charity! We’ll also be drawing the prize winner from a raffle from which you could win an amazing flatscreen TV! All of the money raised will go towards Children In Need, which is actually happening during RAG week. As I’m sure you all know, Children In Need raises money for children accross the world who desparately need our help. The other recipient of all your generous donations will be Tenovus, the cancer charity based in Wales, dedicated to helping those suffering and recovering from cancer. So come on down, join in the fun and help to raise loads of money for these charities. If you like the sound of RAG and what we do, then don’t be afriad to sign up and become a fully-fledged member!

through the grapevine about the disbanding of Seattle-based ‘emocore’ band Sunny Day Real Estate, Grohl drafted in the bass player, Nate Mendel, and drummer, William Goldsmith. The former is still a member to this day, with Goldsmith leaving in 1997 after losing a ‘beard-off’ with Grohl. Pat Smear, who was an “unofficial member” of Nirvana, was added as a second guitarist, completing the band. The Foo Fighters undertook their first major tour in the spring of 1995, opening for Mike Watt. Unsurprisingly for a rock band, between then and now Foo Fighters have had more comings and goings than Twice As Nice on a bank holiday weekend. I don’t know if that’s actually true, I heard it from a mate, alright? Foo Fighters first full-band album, The Colour And The Shape, was released in 1996 and spawned such hits as ‘Monkey Wrench’ and ‘My Hero’. The band soon became famous for their aggressive, layered guitar and edgy, shouty vocals which was to prove the voice of a generation for late 90’s teen America. Foo Fighters are at home in the biggest venues where highly charged, light-speed paced tracks such as ‘Best of You’ and their latest track ‘The Pretender’ really come into their own. Grohl often leads the listener softly into their songs with some slow vocals and pulsating bassy guitar until the band explodes into life, forcing your head back from the speakers in awe of their powerful and emotive music. Foo Fighters are one of the live bands to see before you die, or before the band themselves get too old to keep on doing what they do. Dave Grohl must be at least 72 by now so take your chances while you can.

Amy Winehouse @ CIA, 28th Nov... Foo Fighters @ CIA, 13th Nov... The Madness of King George II @ Chapter Arts Centre, 13th - 17th Nov... Bill Bailey @ CIA, 21st - 25th Nov...Kanye West @ CIA, 27th Nov... Rhianna @ CIA, 19th Dec...

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

LISTINGS

LISTINGS@gairrhydd.COM

the name of charity. Check below for everything that’s going on...

Monday... 12/11

Tuesday... 13/11

Wednesday... 14/11 Thursday... 15/11

Fun - Draising Factory @ Solus, SU Cardiff’s own alternative music night with a twist as RAG week begins... Also features DJing by Oddsoc and bands put on by LMS, this week - First Among Equals. 10pm - 2am. Free entry with NUS. £3 otherwise. The Lochdown @ Buffalo Presents... Live Drum & Bass. Breaks and Beats 8pm. £4 Grouper @ Buffalo One woman act who creates music with tape loops, layered vocals and a guitar. 8pm. £5. The Kissaway Trail + The Autumn + Febria @ Barfly Euphoric and evocative, listening to the Kissaway Trail is an intoxicating experience. The majority of the 11 tracks on their self-titled debut album are sweeping epics of immense ambition and scope, and their music soars, filled with majestic guitar lines. 7.30pm. £6. The Bluetones + Recreation + The Runners @The Point Brit-pop legends hit The Point. 7.30pm. £11.

Planet Rock @ Clwb Ifor Bach The one and only rock request night, originating from a Cardiff music society way back. You ask, and they play the rock, metal and goth classics. You can also request via MySpace.com/planet_ rock_club. 9pm - 2pm. £3. Forecast: Forecast DJ’s @ Buffalo Bar Indie and rock musical sensibilities played in layed back surroundings. FutureSounds Presents - Nina Hynes and The Husbands + Looker + Little My @ Buffalo Nina Hynes is a a very original performer using a line 6 pedal to layer samples and sounds around her voice and songs. She has toured in Europe, USA and Mexico, and did extremely well in a recent Hotrpress Readers ‘Best Irish Female’ poll. 8pm - 3am. £4. A Toy Epic @ Sherman (Showing untill 17th Nov.) A touching drama of childhood, friendship and coming of age in a seaside town of North Wales. 7.30pm. £14/£12. RAG Week - Pie the execs on the union steps! keep your eyes peeled for more details...

Rubber Duck @ Solus, SU Dressed up clubbing for jocks and pretend jocks. Look out for that crazy RAG bunch... 10pm. £3. Popscene @ Clwb Ifor Bach Three floors of great music, including breaks, beats, blues, rock and indie. 10pm - 3am. £4.50/£3 before 11pm. Eat The DJ @ Buffalo Bar Free entry. What more can we say? 9pm - 3am. Glo Jam @ Glo Bar A night of dance, breaks and beats an’ all that jazz... 9pm - late. £3. Classical Guitar Recital: Antonis Hatzinikolaou @ The Welsh College of Music and Drama A Greek classical guitarist and former student of the Royal Academy of Music. 7.30pm. £6/£4. Live 2007: Heaven And Hell + Lamb Of God + Iced Earth @ CIA From what I can tell this is one night of almighty noise - heavy metal all the way. £29.50 adv.

Pick Of The Day

50 Cent @ CIA Eminem’s first discovery has turned out to be a US rapper of huge talent. Cent’s smooth and melodic vocal style (with a hint of gravel) flows over some funky r’n’b backing tracks and has proven a hit both sides of the Atlantic. Debut album Get Rich Or Die Trying was an immediately massive success, and his newest offering, The Massecre, lived up to expectations and the hype that came with it. If you have tickets, this is going to be quite some show. His real name is Curtis James Jackson, don’t you know. Check venue for details.

Friday... 16/11 Access all Areas @ Solus SU More unadulterated fun at the union, and another way to make people drunk. Promises the best alternative music and beats for you to boogie to. 10pm - 2am. £3.50 / £3 adv. The Dudes Abide: Resident DJs @ Clwb Ifor Bach Funky tunes downstairs at our favourite alternative club. 10:30pm - 2:30am. £4.00/£3.50. Piano Recital: Leon McCawley @ The Welsh College Of Music And Drama Since winning the Leeds Piano Competition, Leon McCawley has gained an International reputation performing with major orchestras worldwide. 1.05pm. £4-£2.

7 Seconds Of Love + May Contain Nuts @ Barfly The brain of ‘Rathergood’ Joel Veitch combines with a ska punk band to create this in-your-face rock-out life act. They have been spreading their infectious, all original groove around London for several months now and it’s catching on.

Pick Of The Day

Sean Percival, Kojo (2), Brendan Dempsey, Mark Walker @ Jongluers Mark Walker - This colourful enigmatic nomad was born in Ireland. He then moved to the north of England where he was last seen fronting a pub rock band by night, and working as a pebble dasher by day in Grimsby. He now finds himself living in London and working the comedy circuit. Confused? Well not as much as he is! Mark is both physically and vocally dynamic with his performance in which he combines life with surrealism to become a living embodiment of his own daydreams.

Pick Of The Day

Foo Fighters + Serj Tankian @ CIA With several hits under their collective belts, the grunge rock quartet known as the Foo Fighters have been long established in the world of rock. Their career has seen them go from being ‘the band with the guy who used to be in Nirvana’ to being one of the first names on the tongue of anyone making a list of the most prolific and influential bands in rock music today, with a score of memorable songs and legendary performances to their name. This should be awesome... SOLD OUT.

Saturday...

17/11

Come Play @ Solus, SU Union-run night of rock, pop, dance and general debauchery. Party tunes in the main room and Traffic DJing in the side room. 10pm. £3.50. Clwb Cariad: Resident DJs @ Clwb Ifor Bach Contemporary Welsh sounds on all three floors. 10pm - 3am. £5.00/£4.00. Biffy Clyro + Blood Red Shoes + The Matches @ Cardiff SU Biffy Clyro - Quite possibly one of the most exciting bands in Britain, Scots trio Simon Neil (guitar/ vocals), Ben Johnston (drums/vocals) and James Johnston (bass/vocals) combine moments of extreme aggression with achingly tender guitar pickings and passionately lovelorn lyricism. £14. Wildplum Live -Barfly Rocks: Illegal Amigos + The Quails @ Barfly Illegal Amigos - Energetic punk rock outfit from Swansea, South Wales who have previously supported such bands as UK Subs and the Bloodhound Gang. 7pm-2am. £5 on door/£4 with flyer

Pick Of The Day

The Four Tops + The Temptations @ CIA The Four Tops have been wowing audiences with their infectious blend of pure vocal power and sweet harmonies since 1954. Since their first hit, Baby I Need Your Loving, in 1964 they have had a string of hits including Reach Out, I’ll Be There, Standing In The Shadows Of Love, Walk Away Renee, and Loco In Acapulco amongst others. In 1989 they were inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame and are still bringing their melodious soul to enthuse crowds the world over. £32.50 in advance.

Pick Of The Day

Paul Merton: Paul Merton’s Silent Clowns @ St. Davids Hall Paul introduces a selection of clips from stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Roscoe Arbuckle and Charley Chase followed by a complete showing of a silent comedy masterpiece. He has a dry wit and a talent for bizarre but hilarious trains of thought. Best known for his TV appearances as a team captain on the topical news show, ‘Have I Got News For You’, and as the presenter of ‘Room 101’ Check venue for ticket info.

Sunday...

18/11

Open Mic @ Buffalo Live acoustic acts, songwriters, bands and performers every week. Upstairs. Steve Hawkins Honkytonk @ New Dock Tavern 8.30pm. Free. Pram + Ipso Facto + The New Tea Party @ Clwb Ifor Bach Pram - Kooky melodies and richly layered instrumentation from these experimental Birmingham songsmiths headed by one of the best voices out there. Kaliber 44 + Numer Raz + DJ Bart @ The Point Kaliber 44 - A Polish hip-hop outfit inspired by ragga music. Uh? 7.30pm. £10. Resurrected: Ian Cognito, Guest Comedians @ O’Neils Ian Cognito has been compared to Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks and Gerry Sadowitz. Winner of the Time Out Stand Up Comedy Performance Award 1999. He has been excluded from many venues because of his onstage antics. 8.30pm. £5.

Pick Of The Day

I Created Disco Tour: Calvin Harris + The Mitchell Brothers @ Cardiff SU Calvin Harris - Deep electro disco from Scottish one-man studio Calvin Harris. With support slots for Faithless and production deals for Kylie under his belt, Calvin Harris is this year’s ‘one to watch’. The Mitchell Brothers - Hip-hop duo who had the distinction of being the first band to be signed to Mike ‘The Streets’ Skinner’s record label, The Beats. £14.

Baitshop @ Barfly Student clubnight at Cardiff’s most renowned alternative music venue. Playing your usual mix of rock, indie and dance. 10.30pm. £3/£2 with nus. The Breakfast Club @ Buffalo Club night upstairs in this trendy bar. Hard-core party people only... 8pm-3am.£3.

Enrique Iglesias @ CIA No longer just Julio’s son, Enrique is fast becoming a successful worldwide recording artist in his own right. Already the biggest-selling artist singing in his native tongue ever, Enrique’s English language version of ‘Hero’ has given him a number one across the globe, and his smooth pop balladry and handsome features look set to earn him a host of fans. Box Of Thumbs + Jonah (2) + Caught Red Handed + Loci @ Buffalo Bar Loci - wield music writhing with energy and intent. Aggressive alternative rock offset by dreamy shoegazing; a sound that ambushes the listener with both brute force and siren-like seduction.

Pick Of The Day

The Hollies @ St David’d Hall

Whilst singer Carl Wayne is sadly no longer with the group (he passed away peacefully in his sleep in 2004), the familiar line-up of Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliot, Ray Stiles, and Ian Parker (plus new singer Peter Howarth and guitarist Steve Lauri) continue to present a dazzling show, featuring favourite songs and that trademark Hollies sound. Perhaps best known for their number two hit ‘He Aint’ Heavy, He’s My Brother’. Contact venue for more ticket info.

Venues...

Students’ Union, Park Place, 02920 387421 www.cardiffstudents.com Med Club, Neuadd Meirionydd, Heath Park 02920 744948 Clwb Ifor Bach (The Welsh Club), 11 Womanby Street 02920 232199 www.clwb.net Barfly, Kingsway, Tickets: 08709070999 www.barflyclub.com/cardiff Metros, Bakers Row 02920 399939 www.clubmetropolitan.com Dempseys, Castle Street 02920 252024 Iotas, 7 Mill Lane 02920 225592 Incognito, Park Place 02920 412190 Liquid, St. Mary Street 02920645464 The Philharmonic, 76-77 St. Mary Street 02920 230678 Café Jazz, 21 St. Mary Street 02920 387026 www.cafejazzcardiff.com The Riverbank Hotel, Despenser Street www.riverbankjazz.co.uk St. David’s Hall, The Hayes 02920 878444 www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton 02920 304400 www.chapter.org Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay 0870 0402000 www.wmc.org.uk The New Theatre, Park Place 02920 878889 www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk The Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road 02920 646900 www.shermantheatre.co.uk The Glee Club, Mermaid Quay 0870 2415093 www.glee.co.uk Cardiff International Arena, Mary Ann Street 02920 224488 The Millennium Stadium Can’t miss it. www.millenniumstadium.com The Point, Cardiff Bay, 029 2046 0873. www.thepointcardiffbay.com

14 gairrhydd

FEATURES

OCTOBER.22.2007 FEATURES@gairrhydd.COM

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

PROBLEM PAGE

PROBLEMPAGE@gairrhydd.COM

From the Desk of

TEd

e m so

d n Ha

He’s a ruddy good lad.

Ted Handsome’s Dogs In Snoods Discuss The Trident Missle System An Occasional Series

Let’s face it kids - Politics is boring. Everything to do with politics is so far removed from anybody’s idea of fun that middle aged men are forced to play tennis in suits in order to appeal to some imaginary ‘yoof’ demographic. Meanwhile the majority of the country are too busy inhaling calories and voting on Celebrity X Dance Vote Factor that nothing short of a full scale nuclear attack would awake them from their stupor. Therefore, I have decided to take this matter into my own hands. I will make politics accessible to the common man through the most universal medium known to man; a dog in a snood.

No. 1 - ‘Rover’ ‘The principle of operation is based on maintaining deterrent effect by always having at least one submarine at sea, and was designed for the Cold War period. One submarine is normally undergoing maintenance and the remaining two are in port or on training exercises. The missiles were “detargetted” in 1994 in time for the maiden voyage of the first Vanguard class SSBN.’

No. 2 - ‘Scruffy’ ‘The Trident system received significant opposition during its development. The most visible opposition has stemmed from the more general use of nuclear weapons, and also from Trident’s status under international law. Trident is also seen by some, such as the Scottish National Party, as a sticking point in relations between the Scottish Parliament and Westminster, since the submarines which carry the missiles are based at HMNB Clyde in Scotland, but controlled by the Ministry of Defence, in London.’

No. 3 - ‘Charlie’ ‘The British replacement of Trident is a proposal to replace the existing Trident weapons system based on four Vanguard class submarines each armed with 16 Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The government has begun planning a new submarine-based system but there is some opposition to this proposal, including from those who want to take the opportunity for full nuclear disarmament. There is also some controversy over the legality of Trident. Proposals to replace the Trident system were passed by the House of Commons by a majority of 248 on the 14 March 2007.’

A letter about revenge Dear Ted, Having finally seemed to settle in to University life, I thought that I could get down to enjoying life and getting on with my degree at last. However, my next door neighbour in my Halls corridor has hastily managed to arrange a room swap with a nefarious individual who appears to be entirely nocturnal. He plays loud abrasive music, and has visitors at all times of the day. This obnoxious lifestyle is having a detrimental effect upon my health and work rate. Do you have any advice for me? Yours, Laura Gangrene Cher Laura, You sound like a sweet and pleasant girl. This simply will not do. The only sort of language that these absolute asshats speak is petty sabotage.

The following ideas are merely ideas and have never ever been used to devastatingly hilarious consequences by yours truly. Hypothetically it is always very funny to purchase a job lot of shrimp, prawns and other assorted shellfish and hide them about your errant flatmate’s room. Places I would suggest if I had ever done this before would be, behind radiators, and inside curtains. Next a more petty individual than I would suggest sprinkling watercress seeds liberally over the carpet of your flatmate before then leaving a bucket of water precariously perched within his dewllings. This is amusing for several different reasons. The first being that the fact that when the bucket of water is disrupted, it is entirely the fault of your flatmate, and so he cannot be angry at you. The second being the simple fact that

carpets take chuffing ages to dry, leaving a damp, warm environment for watercress to grow. From what i have heard, the best time to do this, is either just before the Christmas break or over Easter. Both of these timeframes allow for significant growth of said cress, thus rendering the carpet unusable, allegedly. Alternatively, you could actually act like a mature, reasonable adult, and merely discuss your problems with your neighbour. Unfortunately that is only one step away from being both a Frenchman and a Communist, and for that reason you are not to be trusted. Yours, Ted

A letter about strapping a pair on Dear Ted, The other day, I decided to take a stroll down Queen Street in order to peruse the many retail opportunities available to a young lad with disposable income. However, I was soon ambushed by an army of various clipboard wielding nightmares, all bent on disrupting my day as much as possible. What do you suggest I do to avoid further nastiness of this manner? Yours Tom Apparatus James, Dealing with the various goons that inhabit Queen Street is something that you will merely have to get used to if you will insist on still living here. That said, I have developed a few clever little tactics to avoid being assaulted by panhandlers campaigning for Save The Rainforest Whales

From Nuclear Proliferation. Wearing earphones is a carte blanche to act like a total twat in front of all and sundry. People assume that if you are wearing earphones that you clearly cannot be bothered, as nobody is that rude to wake you from your Slow Jamz induced walking coma. A second and slightly more honest way of avoiding these charity muggers is the time-honoured technique of looking slightly sheepish and shrugging your shoulders. This gives the impression that you’d absolutely love to be able to help the ailing charity worker but some unseen, unknown force is dragging you away from their clipboard and fluroescent smock. This is usually perfectly acceptable behaviour under normal circumstances, but it seems that Queen Street charity workers have mutated into a new form. These chaps and chapettes

will purposefully pick you out and sidle up you you, wearing their wacky hat and multicoloured gloves. They ask you questions about your life and smile and bat their eyelids. This completely spins you out of control, because the charity workers that you have been used to are usually old biddies hawking some dementia thing which really you could not give 2 tin shits about. These guys are young and fresh faced and draw you in by acting quite normal. HOWEVER do not be fooled! They all want to waste your money on some single cause which is really only important to them. In this case, a fist to the face is the only reasonable resonse. Yours Ted

In mathematics, the gonality of an algebraic curve C is defined as the lowest degree of a rational map from C to the projective line, which is not constant. In more algebraic terms, if C is defined over the field K and K(C) denotes the function field of C, then the gonality is the minimum value taken by the degrees of field extensions K(C)/K(f) of the function field over its subfields generated by single functions The gonality is 1 precisely for curves of genus 0. It is 2 just for the hyperelliptic curves, including elliptic curves. For genus g ≥ 3 it is no longer the case that the genus determines the gonality. The gonality of the generic curve of genus g isoad of gruff londoners yelling incomprehensibly at each other is entertainment. TH xxx

40 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

LONELY HEARTS

QUEENIE@gairrhydd.COM

lonely hearts Queenie

k my desperate darlings, here’s the thing: I have a fetish. I’ve been meaning to spill these beans to you for some time, but my deep-rooted insecurities and unrelenting palm sweat have prevented me writing it all down. But now that my throne has been firmly handcuffed to the floor, the time seems right to admit an unholy obsession, that until now was hidden in the darkest depths of my a-hole. I freaking love pick ‘n’ mix. There it is, I said it, I confess! I desire nothing more than to be fiddling myself silly in a bathtub full of candy. I moisten up something awful whenever strolling past Woolworths. Even right this very moment I am wearing underwear weaved entirely of strawberry laces. Surely, you must be thinking, there is no need for me to tell you these ugly yet fascinating details. But recent weeks have had me thinking. You, my devoted kin, have undoubtedly noticed that among the many boinkless riddles and unruptured hymens on this page, there have been barely any pleas for fetish friendship.

with... the queen of your heart Desperately seeking...

When the succulent egg that is Lonely Hearts was fertilised some moons ago, expectations were high that these columns would be rife with sadists, masochists and fascists. With one hand down my pants I looked forward to all the perverted pastimes that would be coming to light – those who foam for badgers, those who gush over golf clubs, those who ogle bid-up TV all night long. Yet I feel this great institution has let itself down thus far. Though an undercurrent of sexual erring does simmer over there on the right, mere hints of deformed debauchery are insufficient. I beg of you all, let your strangest inclines dominate your every moment. Love Yorkshire terriers slathered in ketchup? Use not this page to pussyfoot around the truth with some half-baked allusion: ‘I like dogs – as pets of course. I like condiments also.’ Instead, unleash the deviant! Thusly: ‘I want you, me, your northern pooch and a bottle of Heinz’s finest red, and I want these things all night long for my four-factor fuck fantasy!’ Keep faith with me when Queenie says: it’ll set you free.

Let Quench introduce you to the love of your life

SLIGHTLY UNHINGED Psychopathic, bearded stalinist romanian red bull addict seeks ginger undergrad for fun, good times, martial arts and stabbing. (Queenie slightly edited, because even I have standards) HINGED ON SUCCESS Celtic rock band seeks audience for shows. Tickets for anyone who wants them. Get in touch c/o Queenie. STILL NOT A GRADUATE RV a.k.a VP isn’t picky anymore. It changes every week don’t you know? High School Musical is still a must though. (Queenie - unfortunately) LM SEEKS SHARP OBJECT Required to deflate massive ego. All offers via rhydd, Xpress gair rhydd Radio or CUTV depending on where the media whore is. SEARCHING FOR A FISHERMAN’S FRIEND CJ is looking to find a

I’M SORRY PF We should never have fought. Please come back. It was silly of me to say that.

catch who looks like a cross between a ballerina and a fish. Answers to the name, “Old Gregg”. Last seen by Solus bar. V. desperate to find you.

METRO GIRL AM seeks long lost love from Metros last year. The night we spent was the best of my life but I awoke the next morning to a headache and an empty bed. Sorry I broke your door getting out. Call me please.

MEN ON ADVENTURE IN THE NORTH JUST DOESN’T CARE ANYMORE You mean nothing to me anymore and I’ve moved on. Please don’t text me anymore, the regular Thursday requests are starting to bore me. I’m with someone else up here now. WERE YOU IN LIQUID ON THURSDAY 1 NOVEMBER Searching for anyone that may have made genital/ manual or oral contact with AM that night. You may think you are safe but chances are you’re a ticking time bomb. Make your way to Heath Hospital ASAP. (Queenie This one is obviously wrong. The GUM Clinic’s at the Royal Infirmary!)

PEDANT SEEKS MISSTAKES (sic) EVERYWHERE Looking for someone as eagle-eyed as me to take long lazy days checking the paper for grammatical mistakes and subjective errors.

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ONE OF OUR LOVELY LONELY HEARTS? E-mail queenie@gairrhydd.com for the thrill of your tiny little student lives (or just 12–or–so drinks in Solus and some embarrassing sexy time in Uni Hall)

Cut out and keep chat up line: Number 58 It’s Rubber Duck and you’ve got your eye on a piece of totty in Solus but you don’t know what to say. That’s where Queenie’s going to help you out with that important first impression. So get ready for my weekly dose of chat up lines that will not fail. Now go get that boy/girl or girl/boy.

Queenie says...

“

I like my women like I like my books. Old and with broken spines.

”

That’s a sure fire Solus hit don’t you know? I’ve seen it work many a time. From a restraining order’s distance. blinddate@gairrhydd.com

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

GRAB!

COMPETITIONS@gairrhydd.COM

WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN!

Pull the Pin

tereophonics are one of the UK’s biggest and best bands and they are playing live, here in Cardiff, at the CIA on 18th,19th, 20th November.

The first two dates are sold out, due to phenomenal demand they have scheduled a third date to the Welsh leg of their UK Tour. Talking about the tour, to promote their new album ‘Pull the Pin’, Kelly Jones said “We want to give our fans a taste of the new album and an idea of how exciting our show will be”. “It’s going to be rocking. See you in November!” “We can’t wait for the tour,” adds Richard. “The set list is going to be great new songs from the album and old favourites.” The Album, ‘Pull the Pin’ written by Kelly Jones and produced by Kelly and Jim Lowe, boasts 12 new tracks and is a rock record of epic proportions. Mixed by Spike Stent, it looks set to be one of the definitive albums of their incredible ten-year career. To purchase tickets please call Cardiff Box Office 02920224488. To celebrate their homecoming, Gair Rhydd has teamed up with Cardiff International Arena to offer 5 lucky readers a chance to win a pair of tickets each to the 20th November show. To enter, answer the following question and email your name and address to the email above: Which of these songs is not by the Stereophonics? a) Superman b) Have a nice day c) Bad Day

Access This

riday nights out couldn’t get any better, Access All Areas in Solus offers you amazing music, a lively student atmosphere and also a chance to throw some serious moves on the dance floor.

The Klaxons, Stereophonics and Franz Ferdinand are just a few of the bands you’ll hear in AAA, giving an indie edge to your student social life. There’s also some awesome dance music, such as Calvin Harris and The Gossip which will get you spinning. AAA, in conjunction with Xpress Radio, will certainly rock your Friday nights from now on. Access All Areas is also becoming a societies night, so it would be an awesome night to hold any socials on as the music is enjoyed by such a large variety of people. We have a pair of tickets to give away, so you and one of your mates could be in with the chance of getting down on the solus dance floor for free. All you have to do to win is answer this question and email your name and address to the email address above: What is The Klaxons’ latest album called? a) Myths Of The Near Future b) Favourite Worst Nightmare c) Panic Prevention

WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN

42 gairrhydd NOVEMBER.12.2007

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

The IMG Roundup SOCSI ruin the sound of Music Ioan Whittick IMG Reporter

SOCSI 2 - 1 Music Buteys

Football Tables

PENALTY: Buteyfull tum, and a lapse in concentration from the Buteys’ players resulted in the ball falling to a SOCSI striker just outside the 6 yard box. Neatly slotting the ball into the bottom corner, the striker ensured SOCSI’s comeback. From that point onwards, SOCSI tried their best to keep the ball and frustrate the Buteys. But the Buteys remained resilient and linked up beautifully a couple of times in the last 10 minutes to force corners. Despite rapidly closing the opposi-

Tom Gibby IMG Reporter Cardiff Crusaders 5 - 2 Chemsoc CARDIFF CRUSADERS battled away to record an impressive victory over an in-form Chemsoc. The game started at a fast pace, with Chemsoc applying pressure to the Crusaders’ defence early on. But the fixture had drama written all over it when they took an early lead against Chemsoc: a team that, prior to the match, were hot on the heels of CARBS in group C. A sweetly hit cross from right back Freddy Xue Haibin managed to find its way to Joe Searson, who scored with an easy but well-executed tap in. Chemsoc, still in shock from Searson’s right foot, were given little time to regroup.

IMG Football Results Wednesday 7th November Group A SOCSI 2 - 1 Music Buteys Gym Gym 9 - 0 AFC Cathays H. Dragons 3 - 4 Economics Group B Mini Street Elite 5 - 2 R. Ale Madrid AFC History 4 - 1 Law B Butthead FC 3 - 0 Inter Me-Nan Group C Japsoc 2 - 5 Blazin’ Business Psycho Athletico 1 - 3 CARBS Chemsoc 2 - 5 Cardiff Crusaders

great run from Joe Searson was neatly finished. A strong Morgan-and-Bourne defensive combination allowed Andrew Hughes to play a choice through-ball for the in-form winger, who ran at goal and slotted in Crusaders’ fourth. The second half saw a spirited Chemsoc retaliation rewarded with the game’s second penalty. Blasted into the top corner, the strike gave Chemsoc hope, and reiterated the strong halftime words spoken by Chemsoc captain Adam Thompson. However, Cardiff Crusaders were quick to protect their lead and responded by bringing fresher Amin Elkhawad onto the pitch. A lofted through-ball was taken well by the new signing, before he turned and toe-poked a chipped shot into the back of the net. But Chemsoc were resilient and, after a run of corners, their persistence was rewarded with a consolation goal. Chemsoc’s deserved goal arrived after a header from their left back, fol-

IMG Netball Results Saturday 3rd November

Diff

Pts

Gym Gym

Economics

SOCSI

-4

Havana Dragons

Music Buteys

-8

AFC Cathays

-20

GROUP B

IMG FOOTBALL P

Diff

Pts

Butthead FC

AFC History

Mini Street Elite

Inter Me-Nan

Real Ale Madrid

-8

Law B

-8

GROUP C

IMG FOOTBALL

tion down, and desperately attempting to get the ball forward, the Buteys could just not get the equaliser. The score finished 2-1 to SOCSI in what was a tight affair. Having recorded their first win of the season, SOCSI will want to carry this form into their next game against Havana Dragons on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Music Buteys, who have been an impressive addition to IMG so far this year, take on AFC Cathays.

Diff

Pts

CARBS

ChemSoc

Cardiff Crusadors

Psycho Athletico

-2

Blazin’ Business

-5

Japsoc

-9

GROUP D

IMG FOOTBALL

Diff

Pts

Engin Locomotive

J-Unit

Pharm AC

Uni Hallstars

-1

Earth Soc

-17

Optometry

-21

GROUP E

IMG FOOTBALL

Chemsoc crushed by the Crusaders A superb forward run by Crusaders left back Andrew Hughes was finished with a pearler from all of 45 yards. A shell-shocked Chemsoc immediately responded, with an impressive run from captain Adam Thompson helping to rally the troops. For about 15 minutes, this call was heard as they executed the type of football that had helped to outdo Pyscho Athletico in the previous fixture. The Crusaders’ defence reacted well, and the team were soon rewarded with a third goal after a neat display of onetouch football from central midfielder Edward Bright. Captain Tom Gibby made a good run, before a neat one-two pass between himself and Bright tore open the midfield. The move released Gibby into the box, and seemed too much for Chemsoc, whose attempt to intercept the ball resulted in a penalty being awarded. The Crusaders’ captain stood up and safely converted the spot-kick. With half-time looming, another

GROUP A

IMG FOOTBALL

PHOTO: DAVE GREEN

IN A GAME ridden with controversy, SOCSI came from behind to take all three points in what proved to be a very tight game. The newly established Buteys went into the game knowing that it would be tough. Indeed, SOCSI started well, hitting the post twice early on in the game. However, the Buteys were not without their chances, firing in a few long range shots. They kept up this pressure, constantly winning the midfield battle and frustrating the SOCSI strikers with some solid defending. Towards the end of the first half, the Buteys finally made their possession count. A surge down the left wing and some great link-up play released Chris Watkins to run goalwards inside the 18 yard box. Watkins beat one defender, but was then knocked to the floor and subsequently awarded a penalty. Ed Osbourn stepped forward, placing the ball neatly in the bottom right hand corner: 1-0 to the Buteys. Following the goal, SOCSI were

clearly frustrated, but the Buteys continued to harass them in midfield. There were even more chances at each end, but both goalkeepers were playing very well. The Buteys’ keeper Clyde Darrell, in particular, continuously rose to claim every available ball. Then came the most controversial decision possible: the referee blew three times for half-time, only to be mobbed by a crowd of SOCSI players, following which, he changed his mind and awarded a penalty to SOCSI. Much to the dismay of the Buteys’ players, the last kick of the half was a penalty which was scored to make the half-time score 1-1. As the second half unravelled, SOCSI had the wind in their sails and continued to put pressure on the Buteys’ defence. Playing constant long balls over the top, SOSCI ensured that every defender had to work hard in the air. Life was also made difficult for the Buteys’ midfield, with SOSCI winning every ball in the air and sending it straight back towards their oppositions’ area. The Buteys were doing their best to create chances but the SOCSI defence was too strong. As the last 20 minutes of the game approached, SOCSI had the momen-

lowing a luxurious corner. A number of decent chances had passed before the goal, one of which was a fine dipping shot. But the Crusader keeper Rik Lindsay saved well, a save that would have had Peter Schmeichel taking notes even in the season of ’93. With four minutes on the clock, Crusaders played out the time until the final whistle assured them of the 3 points that they had craved all game. Despite dropping their first points of the season, Chemsoc’s position at second place means that they are far from being out of contention for the Group C title. After a disappointing defeat to Japsoc in the previous week, the Cardiff Crusaders have reignited their desire to be a force in the group. But they will certainly need to reproduce this performance if they are to hold their own in what is unfolding as a very challenging group.

IMG Netball Results Wednesday 7th November

Diff

Pts

Law A

MOMED

Engin Automotive

-3

Engin Numatics

-10

SAWSA

-4

JOMEC

-6

Netball Tables GROUP A

IMG NETBALL

Diff

Pts

Law A

SOCSI B

CARBS B

Gym Gym

-16

Engin Automotive

-36

Biology

-36

GROUP B

IMG NETBALL P

Diff

Pts

CARBS A

Economics B

Law B

-5

Cardiff Uni IWC B

-10

Engin Numatics

-31

Optometry

-75

GROUP C

IMG NETBALL P

Diff

Pts

Economics A

Engin Locomotive

Pharmacy A

English B

-55

Newspaper Journos

-56

Pharmacy B

-56

GROUP D

IMG NETBALL

Group D Earth Soc 1 - 0 Uni Hallstars Optometry 0 - 5 Engin Loco Pharm AC 1 - 1 J-Unit Group E Engin Automotive 3 - 1 SAWSA Engin Numatic 1 - 5 MOMED Law A 5 - 1 JOMEC

Law A 11 - 1 Engin Automotive Optometry 1 - 37 CARBS A Engin Numatics 4 - 2 Law B Pharmacy A 20 - 1 N. Journos Psychology 1- 20 Medics A J-Unit 2 - 22 Cardiff IMG B

Pharmacy B 6 - 7 English B Psychology 2 - 25 Cardiff IMG A English A 16 - 3 J-Unit Gym Gym 10 - 1 Engin Auto Cardiff IWC B 20 - 0 Optometry SOCSI A 12 - 5 SAWSA Cardiff IWC A 8 - 12 Medics A Economics B 14 - 4 Law B Law A 21 - 0 Biology CARBS A 23 - 1 Engin Numatics

Diff

Pts

Cardiff Uni IMG A

Medics A

Dentistry

Christian Union A

Cardiff Uni IWC A

-21

Psychology

-48

GROUP E

IMG NETBALL P

Diff

Pts

SOCSI A

Cardiff Uni IMG B

English A

Medics B

-11

SAWSA

-13

J-Unit

-40

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

Buttons Babble

The IMG Roundup Biology taken down by Law Joanna Curley IMG Reporter Law A 22 - 0 Biology

TWO WEEKS into my position as the freshly elected IMG Chair and I’m immensely happy about how things are going. I hope that the captains and team members will all agree that real progress has been made with the organisation and running of the current IMG program. There are only two games remaining in Phase 1 of the leagues. Thanks to many high scoring battles and some surprise performances from new and improved teams, the competition for the Premiership places is fierce! Admittedly, there are still many areas that need addressing. Everyone involved in both IMG Football and Netball (and many from outside it) will have heard of numerous refereeing problems and mass brawls both on and off the pitch. Refereeing and discipline are the two areas that concern me the most. I shouldn’t have to remind eve-

ryone that the AU takes discipline very seriously and that abusive or violent behaviour is not tolerated. With regards to refereeing, getting more referees trained to a high standard is a priority of mine. A training day is being organised very soon for Football referees, as is the advanced Netball refereeing course. On a more positive note, I’m pleased to announce that the IMG Touch Rugby program is beginning soon. There will a Touch Rugby Tournament later this month and I urge teams and individuals who are interested in getting involved to pop into the AU office and speak to myself or Ben Turner. Alternatively email me at IMG@cardiff.ac.uk. More information will be available soon so keep a look out! With the new addition of IMG Touch Rugby and an IMG Dodgeball tournament in the pipeline the new ‘orange tinted’ IMG is set for brighter things.

ness clicked up through the gears and, with only seconds of the half left, they scored a deserved third. With Blazin’ Business already thinking about the tougher challenges to come later this season, they decided to ring the changes at half-time, with five new players entering the fray. As a result of the substitutions, the second half was a more open affair with chances at both ends. However, it was Blazin’ Business that remained in control of the match. Midway through the half, some heavy pressure from Blazin’ Business resulted in a corner. As the ball broke to the edge of the box, it was met by Mark Taylor who demonstrated perfect technique to smash the ball into the bottom corner.

The chances continued to come at both ends and it was Japsoc who scored next to keep their slim hopes of gaining something from the match alive. Their lone striker was put through one-onone and applied a neat finish, clipping the ball over the top of the oncoming keeper. With time running out and the result now looking beyond doubt, it was fitting that Blazin’ Business had the final word. The ball was played up to Shane Morris, who jinxed one way, and clipped the ball the other, leaving the defender for dead. He then applied a cracking finish across the keeper to give Blazin’ Business a fifth goal to crown an impressive performance.

Gravity, evolution, Karl Marx

Not as many as we would have

If you could have a su-

and...The Mighty Ducks, as

had if we’d have taken the

perhero in your team,

only they rival our team spirit.

name ‘Butthead Midwifery’

who would it be?

at the start of the year.

Probably Tommy the Green

MITRE: They make netballs?

PHOTO: NATALIA POPOVA

DESPITE A spirited attempt, newly formed Biology failed to resist a highly impressive Law A side. Law A stood as unbeaten this season and held a fierce reputation to boot. However, Biology had been making a steady improvement in the run-up to the fixture, and were enthusiastic when they took to the court. Biology took the first centre pass but this advantage was swiftly intercepted by the opposition, who took the ball up the other end and scored what was to be the first of many goals. This set the scene for the rest of the first half, where, in spite of some spir-

ited resistance from the Biology players, notably goal defence Laura Biscoe, Law went on to score a further fifteen goals. At half-time, the Biology team made several substitutions in an attempt to make a mark on the scoreboard. The result was a great improvement, with Biology having far more possession of the ball and several opportunities to score. But Biology were ultimately outplayed by the Law girls, who worked brilliantly as a team and rarely missed a shot at goal. The final score of 22-0 did not really reflect the effort of the Biology team, who at least deserved to record some points. But this has clearly not dampened their spirit, and they’re determined to win their remaining matches.

Blazin’ Business too hot for Japsoc Tom Keil IMG Reporter Blazin’ Business 5 - 2 Japsoc BLAZIN’ BUSINESS hit five goals with a confident performance against a dejected Japsoc side. After a disappointing start to the season, newly formed Blazin’ Business , led by Italian rock Nicolo Licata at the heart of their defence, set the pitch alight against Japsoc. Following claims that earlier performances have been affected by severe hangovers, Blazin’ Business sobered up to turn in a performance worthy of a top league side. The game opened with some solid

pressure from Blazin’ Business, with notable performances in midfield especially, which soon impacted the game. Alex Skerton was the one to break the deadlock with a cooly taken finish. With confidence rippling through the side after the goal, Blazin’ Business began to show the sublime skill and talent that they possess throughout their squad. They moved the ball around freely, leaving Japsoc chasing shadows. Just five minutes later, Blazin’ Business hit again. A quality cross was struck across the box and again, Alex Skerten was on hand to provide the finish. The strike doubled his account for both the match and Blazin’ Business’s lead. With Blazin’ Business’s defence

looking impregnable during the early stages of the match, a goal for Japsoc seemed extremely unlikely. However, Japsoc did begin to apply slightly more pressure than previously. Their first shot on target was a bullet fired from the edge of the area towards the bottom corner. The strike forced debutant Ben Warrington to pull off an early contender for save of the season. But following this, Japsoc did score courtesy of a screamer at the edge of the area, which hauled themselves back into the game. In truth, though, despite the game becoming slightly scrappier as the half wore on, Blazin’ Business were always in control and an equalizer for Japsoc never seemed likely. As half-time drew near, Blazin’ Busi-

IMG SNAPS: Butthead FC Funniest story from

BUTTHEAD: Trained midwives?

Team Honours:

Jolly well thank you.

The Nobel Prize... for sexy football?

Most frequent goalscorer?

Oh, and Aled did a goal.

Did you say own goals? Bliss.

How’s your season going?

Who are your main rivals?

Ranger - Dragonzord was pretty

a team social?

If your team was an ani-

sweet, and we don’t have any-

Hard to say - granny bingo,

mal, what would it be?

one in our team with a ponytail.

ginger vomit, Laurence and

Probably a panda-bird:

Vaughny’s inability to down

unique and compelling.

drinks... nah, it’s definitely

What’s your team ethos? “Passion doesn’t just happen.

when we caught Ben Richards

Best team talk?

You make it grow.” - Tommy

breast feeding Little Jonezy.

“I wouldn’t feel any remorse in

Green Ranger (season 2: 5)

actually killing them.” - Nathan

Do you have a team chant?

Collicott on CARBS last season.

Who embodies this? Tommy Green Ranger

PUT YOUR TEAM IN THE SPOTLIGHT... E-mail us at sport@gairrhydd.com

44 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

THE WORD ON... ...professional sport being dragged through the mire, again Matt Cutler Quench Sports Editor

EVERYONE LIKES a look back over their shoulder to the good old days when sport was pure, and I’m not different. There was a time when gracious gentlemen with moustaches as wide as coathangers would play, and subsequently jest, with their opponents over a few social beverages. And still be home in time for dinner. Those were the glorious times. Nowadays, complications of money, advertising and corporate issues have come to the fore, making sport a side-issue rather than the central nucleus that it deserves to be.

A few issues spring to mind. Premiership matches kicking off at 3 o’clock on a Saturday as has been the footballing norm for decades? Think again: TV stations have the rights to matches and thus dictate that not only are they not to be played at 3 o’clock, neither are they going to be on a Saturday. Over the Atlantic it’s even worse. Watching American Football is like being dump tackled by a 20 stone mammoth with no protective gear on. In 2007, thirty seconds o f advertising time cost $2.6 million. Unsurprising

then, that dollar signs were flashing in the eyes of TV controllers. As such, every five minutes there is an advertising break. The Superbowl is the pinnacle of the American sporting calendar, and attracts nearly 90 million viewers. They aren’t tuning in to watch adverts, they want to see seem sport. Particularly, sports fans who want to dabble in something unfamiliar are going to be put off by annoying and tedious coverage. Unfortunately, the trend of advertising infiltrating and spoiling sports coverage has sailed the Atlantic and crashed onto our TV screens. Kind of like a 21st century Titanic in reverse. Motor racing fans will remem-

ber the shambolic coverage of the San Marino Grand Prix by ITV two years ago. With three laps to go and world champion Michael Schumacher vying for victory against his young rival Fernando Alonso, producers cut away to an advertising break. Mark Whittell, a spokesman for ITV Sport, argued that the channel were “obliged to include five commercial breaks during a race”.

The question is should sport be allowed to be under the control of big business? It was later justified by ITV that fans had an obligation to advertisers as they are the “people that keep things like Formula One on television”. Whether fans would be satisfied in paying their dues to their corporate overlords by missing the end of the race to watch a beer advert they’d seen a million times before I’m not so sure. For anyone about to swear allegiance to the sporting puritans such as myself, the best is yet to come. Twenty20 cricket has exploded over the past couple of years and the success of the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa only a couple of months ago. The most recent jumping on the popularity bandwagon has been in the form of the Indian Cricket League. Indeed, attracting more people to the beautiful game of gentlemen is surely a good thing. On the surface yes, but the corporate involvement with the League is beyond anything that has ever graced the game of cricket before. The ICL has been made by a TV station. Infuriated by constantly losing out

on the rights to show cricket on his station, Himanshu Mody, business head of ICL and Zee’s sports channels, had to “create his own content”. Zee had seen that cricket in India generates nearly 10 billion rupees-a-year, and losing out on rights had rendered them unable to have a slice of the cricketing pie. Zee TV has created a league based on the franchised clubs of football leagues of Europe. This basically means that the TV company dicatates everything. The League will initially comprise of six teams to be expanded to 16 in three years. Of course, Zee makes the teams. There is no local club to support, rather teams will be snapped up to the highest bidder and have that name splashed across their team shirts. The ICL has already signed a number of major players but is yet to reveal their names. Not only is Indian legend Kapil Dev the chairman, but former West Indies captain Brian Lara and exPakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq will play. Great players past their best, it can be argued, joining the rebel league for the big bucks on offer. It seems that even the players are blinded by the golden riches on offer. The question is should sport be al-

It’s a fine line, but it seems to me that the pendulum is swinging far too much towards the former. Fans should be thankful to the advertisers and corporate money which helps run sport. However, whether they have an ‘obligation’ to them is another matter. Indeed in the 21st century it seems that sport cannot run without the money invested in it. Neither can the investors into sports coverage forget that without the existence of sport, their bank balances would deplete. A balance needs to be struck so that sports fans don’t get frustrated by the apparent selling out of sport. So next time that beer advert comes on, think it is worth sitting through it for a hundredth time just for the sake of being able to watch your team from the comfort of your own home. When the cold pint is thrust into your face seconds before the final whistle, be very angry. But when the beer company creates a league, it’s time to get down to the brewery and make a stand. Preferably without a pint in hand.

In the 21st century it seems that sport cannot run without the money invested in it lowed to be under the control of big business? Or should fans be thankful that corporations fund the television coverage? After all we ungratefully forget this when watching in the comfort of our own home for a fraction of the price it would cost to watch live.

Scott D’Arcy watches Joe Calzaghe battle his way to victory over Mikkel Kessler at the Millennium Stadium JOE CALZAGHE became a worthy and deserving undisputed World Champion after his unanimous decisive victory over Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler in the early hours last weekend. The atmosphere was nothing short of electric inside the Millennium Stadium, although the undercard fights had been slightly dull. The only other highlight was Enzo Maccarinelli, who dominated his opponent and won by knockout in the fourth round. It was a great night for the Calzaghe gym all round as all their fighters emerged victorious but it was clear that the crowd’s focus was solely on the headliner. Up until the tenth fight

on the bill there seemed to be more fans by the bar than in their seats and the atmosphere was stale. But when the eleventh and final bout of the night was awaiting its competitors, all 55,000 pairs of eyes were glued to the ring. After all the hype and posturing, the fight started at a swift pace. Both fighters were clearly looking to get a feel for one another quickly. Kessler seemed to be picking his punches carefully and going for the knockout blow, but Calzaghe was more patient and, although he took a few painful blows, he managed to duck and weave enough to avoid serious damage. He stood toeto-toe with the massive Dane and out-

boxed him with scoring punches rather than relying on power. That Calzaghe was always coming forward and attacking that meant he was so far ahead on the judges’ scorecards. The feeling of joy was widespread but it was mixed with a more intangible sense of relief for the Welsh hero. He is a champion because he has gone 44 fights unbeaten, defending the WBO title for ten years and now adding the WBC and WBA belts to his collection, making him the undisputed super-middleweight king. He is a World Champion because he transcends national boundaries. On my left sat a Welshman and on my right a Scotsman both screaming ‘Come on

Joe’ like their lives depended on it. At the end even the Danish fans stood to applaud him after he dethroned their hero. The only doubters of Calzaghe will be in the USA, although the fight had been scheduled for a late start to pander to US television audiences. They would have seen Calzaghe look slightly slower than he had been in the Lacy fight, perhaps because of his persistent hand injury or maybe his age. There were a few occasions when he wanted to open up on the backpeddling Dane but could not pin him down. Nevertheless, he was still too fast for his opponent who only managed to hit Calzaghe infrequently, even

if they rocked the Welshman a little. Finally boxing has put on an event to rival other big sporting occasions. The drama and brutality of Sunday’s fight would perhaps be reminiscent of an Ancient Roman gladiatorial contest in the Colosseum. The fact that the fight went the distance and was in the balance throughout meant that £55, albeit for a cheap seat view, was more than worth it. Now fans can look forward to the “super-fight” between Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather in December, while they wait for Calzaghe to step up to light heavyweight and arrange a match-up with Bernard Hopkins.

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

Swansea put to the sword Chris Markall Fencing Reporter CARDIFF Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1sts .............. 128 SWANSEA Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1sts ............ 118

LACROSSE: Human fly swatters

Not crosse Liz Vernon Lacrosse Reporter CARDIFF LADIESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lacrosse has had a very positive start to the season, having won all their BUSA games so far, and continued on their winning streak at the South West tournament last Saturday in Bath. Cardiff played Abergavenny in the first match and took a strong lead after a good passing sequence from midfielder Sue Chandler, driving the ball into attack. Accurate takes and shooting by Sarah Crowley ensured Cardiff had a strong lead in the first half, resulting in Cardiff winning 7 - 1. Tensions rose when Cardiff stepped onto the pitch to play Sheeps, Leeks and Lax, a team consisting of previous Cardiff Lacrosse and UWIC players. Communication was stepped up in defence as they were forced to up their game due to the equal number of shots carried out by both teams. A draw at half time resulted in dangerous checks being carried out by both teams in the panic to uphold the lead. Strong catches by Alex Lodge on the draws gave Cardiff the upperhand in the second half, resulting in a close win of 4 -3 to Cardiff. Fresher Emily Winkworth kept Cheltenham on their toes in straight attack, and continued consistent play by Cardiff resulted in the final score of 3 -2 in the third game. Complacency may have come about amongst Cardiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s players as Bath dominated the fourth match. The attempt to tighten body marking and block their drives to goal could not prevent a 5 - 1 loss. Reliably strong play by captain Lizzie Vernon helped secure a win for Cardiff in the semi finals against Cardiff Lacrosse Club, with freshers Amanda Callaghan and Chaz Ewen increasing their game play and confidence. With Cardiff facing Bath once again in the final they knew exactly what they were up against and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold back in their aggressive marking and strong defence around the fan. With an equal hold of 2 - 2 at half time, Cardiff pushed the score up to 4 -2 quickly in the second half. Cardiff were kept on their toes right until the end, especially Cardiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keeper and man of the match, Tiree Atkinson, who was faced with continued attempts by Bath to score, but managed to block and save them all. Bathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s captain could not believe it was the same team they had played in the previous round, and Vernon added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very impressed with the hard work put in by all the girls today. We hope to build on this and maintain this standard throughout the season.â&#x20AC;?

HAVING BEEN defeated the last four years running in the BUSA league and Varsity, old rivals Swansea arrived in Talybont eager to give the Cardiff team a taste of their own medicine. The events unfolded differently to how they would have hoped however. Up first was sabre. Despite concerns of top sabreur Chris Markallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health, he performed commendably, with newcomer Tom Powell and team captain Jon Harris following suite. Once again Cardiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top-notch sabre team brought the university into a comfortable lead, with all but one bouts in Cardiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favour. The score after the sabre stood Cardiff 45 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 Swansea. Next was the foil. With the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two top foilists still out due to injury, an inexperienced but promising Ga-

reth Crowther stepped up to fight. Crowtherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inexperience, despite fighting well, gave much needed points to a Swansea desperate to reduce the deficit. Harris fenced well to reclaim lost points, and newcomer Tom Goble surprisingly did not loose a bout. However, even in the face of our best efforts, Swansea pulled ahead to win the foil. With Cardiff still in the lead overall, the first epee bout was called. With Rob Prior and Chris Markall on usual winning form, Cardiff looked set to win the match. However, Swansea soon began to reply to Cardiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dominance. They crept back into the lead with a few wins, and a spectacular 12 point run against usually dependable Cardiff newcomer Luis Santos put Swansea in a threatening position. It was, as so often, once again up to Prior to secure victory in Cardiff. And of course he stood up. Lunging, poking, jabbing and generally landing points in whatever fashion he could muster, Prior once again guided the team to victory. SWORDS: Pointy

Ex stifle Cardiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title challenge Roz Lambe Rugby Reporter CARDIFF Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1sts ................ 5 EXETER Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1sts ............... 14 HAVING SECURED a comfortable win in their previous fixture, Cardiff Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rugby experienced only their second defeat of the season away to Exeter. Despite the pressure surrounding the match against perhaps the hardest team in the league, Cardiff came out strong, forcing a scrum in Exeterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 22. A hard drive saw the ball passed out to Kat Lenan who dummied brilliantly then sped through the gap, only to be stopped short of the line with a penalty subsequently being awarded to Exeter in the following play. This allowed the home side to gain possession at the lineout but, despite being awarded another penalty, they failed to enter into Cardiff territory. A great catch by Anwen Harry after a tactical kick allowed the visitors to return to Exeterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s half. Clever interplay by the backs saw another break by Lenan, but skilful forward play by Exeter repeatedly saw the ball turned over, allowing the backs to run at the Cardiff defensive line. Good tackling by Meg Burton and Fran Acuna stopped Exeterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advances and allowed Cardiff to regain possession at the scrum. More excellent passing between Lenan and Simone Shepherd saw Cardiff move forward and gain a penalty just outside Exeterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 22. Scrum half Ceri Hill took a quick penalty and made some good ground but Exeter were awarded possession at the lineout. Cardiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defensive line held strong against repeated attempts by the Exeter backs to break through, and for the remainder of the half, there was nothing separating the two sides. A well placed penalty kick by Shep-

herd secured the lineout, which was expertly executed by Kerry Boxall and well taken by Anna Soryal. This resulted in a number of breaks by captain Jess Bain, moving Cardiff back into Exeterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s half. However, this was short lived as a long kick by the Exeter fly half switched the play from one end of the pitch to the other, a move which ultimately saw the home side finally break the Cardiff defensive line with only 2 mins remaining before half time. After the interval, Cardiff were forced to defend on the try line as Exeter moved forward through numerous

scrums and lineouts. Eventually Lenan cleared the line with a good kick, relieving the pressure on the home team. Possession shifted back and forth between the two sides but it was Cardiff who managed to secure the ball with excellent rucking by the pack. Skilful passing and good support play resulted in the ball moving from one side of the pitch to the other, allowing winger Anwen Harry to dodge a number of Exeter players and go over for the try, with the conversion narrowly missing. This left the score at 7 - 5 to Exeter and for the majority of the time left,

Cardiff were dominant. They remained in Exeterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s half, launching a number of strong attacks and moving ever closer to the try line. Despite this encouraging play, Exeter managed to turn over the ball and with only minutes to go, scored another converted try. This cemented the score at 14 - 5 although Cardiff were in possession up until the final whistle, they could not score again. This result has put pressure on Cardiff to up their performance if they want to remain in the chase for the league.

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14 gairrhydd

gairrhydd

Sport FEATURES

OCTOBER.22.2007

INSIDE: Sport selling out, Calzaghe’s reign continues & reports from BUSA and IMG

FEATURES@gairrhydd.COM

Medics take the points in a tight encounter

BATTLE FOR CARDIFF Jack Zorab Sports Editor CARDIFF Medics’ 2nds ............ 25 CARDIFF Men’s 3rds ................ 12 IT WAS another derby day in Cardiff as the University 3rd team contested a fiery encounter with the Medics’ 2nd’s on Wednesday. It was an important match for two teams placed so precariously in Western 2B, and it showed amongst the players as the first half’s nervous mistakes were replaced late on by some heated physical debate, and the tackles were

monstrous throughout. The Medics’ started the faster of the two teams when the Fly-half Owain Wallis-James fed his hard running centres into mid-field and down to the University’s twenty-two. For eight minutes the Medics’ besieged Cardiff’s line but desperate tackling around the fringes from James Benjamin-Price and company forced numerous mistakes from the Medics’ and they had to make do with a solitary penalty from the boot of their fly-half. Once the 3rds did get their hands on the ball though, they replied with interest. The scrum-half Dave Lewis kicked superbly for the corners and from a catch and drive line-out the tight-head prop Joe Webb crashed over in the cor-

ner for the opening try. After the grunt though, came the type of fluid game that can only develop between two teams accustomed to throwing the ball around. The Medics’ full-back Nick Mowbray and his opposite man Peter Anning carried the ball into the heart of their opposition’s defence particularly forcefully as the game opened up. Their endeavour allowed the wingers outside them to influence the game more and more and one such move run from Mowbray allowed the Medics’ charged up winger Peter Scott the space to swerve past a couple of defenders and dive into the corner. Wallis-James converted from the touch-line and followed it up soon with another penalty

to leave the score 13 - 5 at half time. The 3rds started the 2nd half with a little more dare and pace in their game than they had the first and after fifteen minutes of both sides knocking lumps out of each other they got their reward. Anning sidestepped Mowbray and launched himself up-field, and from the ensuing ruck reserve scrum-half William Dirk-Biest darted clear of the tacklers and scored under the sticks. At 13 - 12 the game was anyone’s and both sides upped the intensity. The 3rd’s were running the ball from everywhere and had a few more passes gone to hand they could have taken the lead. Their mistakes were forced though as more big tackles from centres Gareth Jones and Olli Etahevol, who no doubt

were encouraged by the leadership of Tom Cope, pressurised them to distraction. One mistake resulted in a pop pass being intercepted by Wallis-James, who ran in un-opposed to score the crucial try. Another try followed when Scott received a great pass from flanker Owain Fisher to round his man and bag his second of the game. The 3rds didn’t cave in though and thwarted Scott from grabbing his hattrick in the last minutes as he had eyes only for the line. Both sides showed more than enough application and skill to stay up this season and with any luck in their upcoming fixtures’ they will meet each other again in February with just the bragging rights at stake.

GAIR RHYDD AND QUENCH MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY UNIVERSITY UNION CARDIFF, PARK PLACE, CARDIFF CF10 3QN REGISTERED AS A NEWSPAPER AT THE POST OFFICE GAIR RHYDD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EDIT ALL CONTRIBUTIONS THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHERS THE GAIR RHYDD IS WRITTEN, DESIGNED, TYPESET AND OUTPUT BY STUDENTS OF CARDIFF UNIVERSITY n QUENCH AMY HARRISON = FIT n GR AMY HARRISON = GOOD PERSONALITY n DEAN - PRIMORDIAL DWARF? n AISLING - STEALING BLUE BOX n LEE UPSET AISLING - BAD n NEWS: GULLIBLE n WHO THE FRIG IS WILL DER BIEST? n POLITICS ED: DAILY MAIL READER? n GI QUENCH - OXYMORON n CAN’T WE HAVE SEPARATE SOCIALS? n SAM’S DEBIT CARD NUMBER IS 6759 0848 1139 5524 n LEE, GO INVESTIGATE GETTING SOME NEW PROOF READERS n NEWS GIRLS ARE ON TO YOU PAWLEY n TV G - A PHOTOGENIC GUY n CAN’T SPELL THOUGH n STRIIIIIIIIIIKER n

46 gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

Council approval for Cobras George Pawley Sports Editor

CARDIFF’S AMERICAN Football team, the Cobras, secured a much desired boost to their playing roster at the first AU Council of this academic term, as their quota of associate members was maintained as ten for one more year. The motion was approved by a majority of the AU Council, and will allow ten American Football players from other Universities to represent

the Cardiff Cobras in their fixtures this season, four more associate members than is usually allowed by University policy. The club has a history of being allowed an extra quota of players from different academic institutions (but within a certain catchment area) due to the nature of the sport, which requires a large roster to cover injuries and to complete the three necessary teams in an American Football squad. Some delegates, including SU President Jonny Cox, did question the need for the extra four members, based

Just Jarvis Greg Swatkins Football Reporter

CARDIFF Men’s 1sts .................. 1 BRISTOL Men’s 2nds ................. 0

season. The compromise reached was that after this year, the American Football squad would cease to be allowed this concession; a downscaling accepted by the Cobras’ representatives due to the incremental nature of the change. Cobras Vice President Steffan Powell was content with the passing of his clubs’ motion, commenting: “We are very pleased that the players who have contributed so much to our club are being allowed to finish their university career playing for the Cobras. “We have received a lot of support

from other AU clubs and the Council itself, and we are thankful that they have understood our situation and approved our motion.” Other matters discussed at the Council included a statement of its purpose, made by AU Vice-President Scott Piggott, and issues relating to the AU Auction later this month. AU President Ben Turner was keen to emphasise the importance of the AU Council, saying: “It’s a good forum to express ideas for the continual progression of sport at Cardiff University.”

Bath Drained

CARDIFF 1STS 8 BATH 1STS Tom Nicholas Hockey Reporter

PHOTO: JAKE YORATH

DESPITE BATH being without a win this season, this game certainly wasn’t going to be a case of Cardiff just turning up - a quality performance was required. Cardiff started well and put pressure on the West Country team early, but the attack was unable to make a break through. It was not until over midway through the half that Cardiff got the lead. Intricate hockey down the right side extended into the D and a pass across the face of the goal found Martin White at the back post to finish. Shortly after White bagged another after deflecting a penalty corner move into the roof of the net; yet more evidence of how clinical Cardiff’s set plays have been this year. It remained 2 - 0 until half time, but the story could have been different; too many Cardiff opportunities seemed to go begging. Bath on the other hand

had a number of penalty corners which could have damaged Cardiff but the defence more than adequately dealt with the force coming at them. Cardiff came out with a look of determination and confidence and their hockey matched straight from the whistle. After 10 minutes of the restart James Gough was able to accurately send home a rebound from another short corner to make it 3 - 0. It seemed the home team were on a roll, and their forth goal was particularly pleasing to the eye. Tom Nicholas picked up the ball in the middle of the park before playing a series of onetwos with White to eliminate defender after defender, and once in the D one more slip pass meant that White had a hat trick and finished the move, which simply bordered on arrogant. Nicholas soon found himself on the score sheet too, when fresher Felix Hibiscus forced the ‘keeper into going to ground and unselfishly slipped the ball to Nicholas, who had the easiest of finishes. Kieren Zeale then made it 6 - 0

PHOTO: CHRIS LLOYD

WITH A perfect start to their season so far, Cardiff 1sts were eager to maintain their number one spot with a victory over bottom-of-thetable Bristol 2nds. Cardiff started well, passing the ball confidently through the midfield and creating a number of early chances, with Bristol offering very little in return. Then in the 10th minute the ball was passed swiftly inside to Jack Jarvis, and with acres of space and an undeniable thirst for goal there was only one thing on his mind. Picking his spot with “Ginola-esque” precision, Jarvis curled the ball just inside the right post leaving the keeper at full stretch but with no chance of the save. Awoken by Jarvis’s goal, Bristol began to see more of the ball, and with Cardiff’s play becoming increasingly careless, it was apparent that one goal may not be enough. However, despite the onslaught of Bristol’s unimaginative long balls, central defenders Adam Wise and Lloyd Jenkins remained ever alert to kill off

any chances of an equaliser before half time. Creative runs from James Ford on the right and the skills of Shaun Prince were other highlights of a generally scrappy first half. With the second half under way, it was obvious to see that both teams were up for the battle as the game was becoming more and more physical. Important tackles from Jenkins and Ford continued to frustrate the Bristol attack. Out on the left wing, James Clifford and Andrew Cocoran were proving to be a constant threat; Clifford’s shotcross midway through the second half nearly snuck under the cross bar and forced the keeper to turn it over. Cardiff continued to push and a deflected shot by Matthew Jones saw the keeper make a good reaction save down to his right. With both teams struggling to retain possession, the last few minutes were tense and Bristol persisted to create chances. Wise, who had taken a nasty injury in the first minute of the game, raced back to thwart one last Bristol attack. To Cardiff’s delight, the final whistle followed and the three points were sealed. Speaking after the match, Captain Andre Stairmand explained: “Although not our best performance, we battled well and made sure we came away with the win”.

on worries that Cardiff’s own students may see their opportunities to play limited due to the calibre of the associate members. Five of the players have represented the Great Britain Bulldogs, a university allstar team, while two have played for Great Britain Youth. However, these concerns were appeased after consideration that the additional four players had previously represented the Cobras, therefore had contributed to kits, transport needs and also had to pay supplementary membership fees, and would also be ineligible to play for Cardiff after this

when he was on the end of another pass from Hibiscus. Cardiff continued to show no mercy as they continued to push forward and Nicholas got his second after rebounding from the initial strike from Jamie Whining. As Bath committed more men forward in search of a consolation they were reward with a number of penalty corners, but the wise head of Dai McGahon commanded the defence who seemed unphased by the pressure. Cardiff’s next goal in fact came from a fast breakout from a Bath corner. Once regaining possession Henry Cole sent the ball hard up to the forward Zeale, who returned the favour to his team-mate Hibiscus. Zeale slapped hard to the youngster who slotted a well deserved goal. The score finished at 8 - 0 and this convincing win firmly cements Cardiff’s position at the top of the league, as the team prove to go from strength to strength.

gairrhydd

NOVEMBER.12.2007

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM GOLF: Walk

Cardiff crash Richard Williams Sports Reporter

CARDIFF Men’s 1sts ................ 14 BRISTOL Men’s 1sts ................ 22

Kick in the Buck teeth ON A blustery day at Radyr Golf Club, Cardiff Golf 1st Team continued their impressive run of form with a 4 - 2 victory over Buckinghamshire Chilterns. Early on the match was close, with little to choose between the two teams. Dave Thomas led from the front, taking four out of the first five holes. However, Captain Ben Martin and first year addition Oliver Stevens both trailed by three in the opening stages. Thomas got the points on the board for Cardiff early on with a comprehensive 9 & 7 victory. Ryan Greaney continued to sip from the fountain of youth, winning 2&1. Martin staged a strong comeback to also win 2 & 1. Stevens also refused to concede defeat and turned his match around, winning

2UP and sealing the points for Cardiff 1sts. After a three match unbeaten run, the result leaves Cardiff in a strong position with a crunch tie away to World Match play rivals Exeter next week. Cardiff University 2nd Team were also in action at Radyr. After a very close game where a number of games went down the last hole, Glamorgan beat Cardiff 3.5 - 2.5. In a game which could have gone either way against strong opposition, Gareth Rees, in his debut match, put in an impressive win with a 7 & 5 victory for Cardiff. Niall Allen continued his rich vein of form to provide an important ½ point for the team, but, unfortunately, it was not enough on the day. With many important fixtures remaining, Cardiff 2nds hope they can put this result behind them and have a strong finish to the season.

A DOMINANT pack laid the foundations for Bristol at Llanrumney as Cardiff were left rooted to the bottom of BUSA South A. The gulf between the two teams became more apparent as the game progressed, with Bristol displaying some excellent flowing passing in attack to stretch the Cardiff defence on numerous occasions. Coach Martyn Fowler said the Cardiff side, were a ‘team full of freshers’, and the lack of experience was noticeable at times throughout the game, as a much more vocal Bristol dictated the game. Fowler said that his Cardiff side were ‘fighting for survival’ and that the match between the bottom two was a must-win in the aforementioned fight. Bristol kicked off the game, but it was Cardiff who took the lead after just four minutes, Jack Beaman slotting over the first of his three penalties. With their pack beginning to gain the upper hand, the Bristol backs were allowed space and time to exhibit their

expansive attacking skills, stretching the Cardiff defence with a number of passing sequences spanning the width of the pitch. Bristol missed with a penalty after six minutes, but 15 minutes into the game they scored the first of their three tries. A dominant period from the Bristol front-row gave space for their right centre to weave from left to right in the Cardiff twenty-two, and after a couple of phases, the centre cut through the defensive line and touched down to the right of the posts. With the conversion successful, Cardiff trailed 7 - 3. The score-line quickly increased in Bristol’s favour, as Cardiff’s handling errors presented their opponents with large pockets of possession, enabling Bristol to drive the ruck forward and plant the ball over the Cardiff line. Again converted, Cardiff trailed 14 - 3. The teams traded penalties late on, putting the score at 17 - 6 at half time. Cardiff gave little sign of resistance to the Bristol efforts, and their inexperienced was overshadowed by a much more confident Bristol, who played with a strong team ethic throughout. An early Cardiff penalty in the second half was curled in by Beaman to narrow the score to 17 - 9, but the second half, as with the first, belonged to Bristol. In the final twenty, their tack-

PHOTO: ED SALTER

Chris Orr Golf Reporter

ling was worthy of the points alone, stifling everything Cardiff could throw at them, and their kicking killed any chance of Cardiff making an unlikely comeback. A 62nd minute Bristol try, the best of the game, laid Cardiff’s hopes to rest. A brilliant drive forward from the Bristol ruck was finished off with a sublime break from the ruck and a try five metres in from touch to the jubilation of both team-mates and supporters, despite the conversion being far too short. With Bristol content to see out the remainder of the game, Cardiff struggled to gain any territory, but they still found space to score a consolation try five minutes from time. The ball shifted through the backs to Tom Cooper in the left channel, slipping a ball out left to Aaron Fowler, who deceived the two Bristol defenders by side-stepping both and calmly grounding. With the conversion missed wide of the left upright, the match ended a disappointing 14 - 22. With the effort on show from Bristol, their rivals at the foot of the table, Cardiff’s hopes of survival have been dealt a real blow. The kicking game was impressive in patches, but the lack of experience was a major factor in the defeat, which will leave Cardiff with some work to do in order to avoid relegation.

RUGBY: Egg Hunt

Matt’s Gymtastic George Pawley Sports Editor

GYM: ‘ll Fix It For You

CARDIFF GYMNAST Matthew Maletroit was a major winner at the recent Southern Region Gymnastics Championships, claiming six medals, including gold in the parallel bars discipline.

In addition to his gold, Law student Maletroit took silver on the rings, pommels and vault, and won bronze on the floor and high bars. These six medals were enough to secure second position in the overall standings at the Championships. Reviewing his performance, Maletroit said: “My routines went well; I knew I had a good medal position on parallel bars as soon as I land-

ed my dismount, however, my rings routine did not get as high a score as I would have liked.” “The competition was a good success, winning medals on each piece of apparatus. I’m pleased my overall points reached the 60 point mark which I was aiming for. This shows that I am right on track for competitions coming after Christmas including the London Open and the BUSA championships.”