gair rhydd - Issue 867 by Cardiff Student Media

gair

- E . 1972

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

VARSITY

T H E CITY

B-BOYS & B-G

IRLS

HIGH CONTRA

ALFIE ALLEN PLUS: EUAN FERGUS ON SAVE THE PO INT!

All the results from last week’s tournament p.40-48 PHOTO: Ed Salter

5 VICTIMS 5 ATTACKS 1 DAY Investigations continue into five street robberies which took place within 24 hours in the student areas of Cathays and Roath

THIS ISSUE ISSUE: breakdanci breakdancing high contrast save the point urban formality shoot

William Taylor News Editor Police in Cardiff are investigating five street robberies that took place within 24 hours in Cathays and Roath. robberies occured between 9pm and 1am on April 16 and 17. Attacks were made on both Lucas Street and Bruce Street. There were two further assults on Maindy Road and another between Crown Way and New Zealand Road. Three males have been arrested and bailed for further inquires. The victims of the attacks are all aged between 16 and 24 and three of them are students. Student Liaison Officer PC Bob Keohane was quick to emphasise that the attacks were not related to the victims being students. The two on Wednesday 16 took place in close proximity, within five minutes of each other, which has led PC Keohane to believe “there is information to suggest that the attacks came from the same group of youths”. However PC Keohane stressed that “crime was definitely going down in Cathays” and the recent spate of attacks was unusual for the area, which usually has low crime rates for street robbery. Victims of the attacks were all subject to alleged assault, two of which claim to have

been threatened with a knife. All of the victims had personal items including mobile phones and wallets stolen. Detective Inspector Chris Mullane, head of Cardiff Central CID, said: “I would like to reassure the community that Roath and Cathays are safe places, and patrols have also been increased in the area to provide extra reassurance.” Aline Ungewiss, a third-year Journalism student, was walking home on the evening of Wednesday 16 when she was stopped by the police who warned her and her boyfriend to look out for “a gang of young hooded males”. Since 2007, Special Police Constable Sam Tappenden has been heading up the Student Police Initiative, a group which the Police claim has helped in the overall reduction of crime in Cathays. Tappenden has offered advice to students who may be concerned following the recent assaults.

! "

$ " "! " "" %

e 4:

gair rhydd investigates student safety and reviews Cardiff’s crime statistics

SPORT/POLITICS/SCIENCE&ENVIRONMENT/LISTINGS/TV

02 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

NEWS

NEWS@gairrhydd.COM

this week in gair rhydd: Features: looks at the support on offer for grieving students

16 Politics: Elections special

for menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s varsity football

Sudoku

PHOTO: Ed Salter

Sport: Cardiff fans turn out in force

Go on... ease yourself into your Monday morning. You know what to do!

...FREE INSIDE YOUR gair rhydd

read more, interact with others and have your say at

www.gairrhydd.com

gair! " # $ $

APRIL.28.2008

NEWS

NEWS@gairrhydd.COM

Summer Ball acts revealed !

Corinne Rhoades News Editor Scouting For Girls will be headlining at this year’s Summer Ball, along with DJ sets from Zane Lowe and Pendulum. The line-up was released first via

$ or Girls ! Pendulum ! Zane Lowe

e-mail to cardiffuniversityballs.com subscribers before being announced at last week’s Varsity party. According to a spokesperson for the Students’ Union’s Entertainments Department, ticket sales saw a “big boost” after Easter, with an estimated 4,500 having been sold as of last

Wednesday April 23. The spokesperson said: “If we can reach 7,000 the ball could potentially be the biggest in the UK.” In the coming weeks, further features of the Summer Ball will be released via the cardiffuniversityballs.com website. But it is hoped that additional artists

Eggs-traordinary Oliver Lewis Reporter A Cardiff University student has beaten some of the country’s best quiz professionals in the BBC2 television show . Allyn Aaron and his friends Glen Hiscocks, Luke Aaron, Lucy Grainger, and Sean Joyce received a £20,000

prize after beating the professionals. The friends said they had been fans of the show for some time. They trained for the competition with large amounts of pub-quiz cramming over a two-week period. Allyn, who is in his final year of study at Cardiff, plans to use the money for travelling. Speaking after the quiz, he said: “I

watch Eggheads all the time, like a lot of students. “I don’t think any of us thought we could win so it was a complete shock,” he added. The Eggheads beaten by Allyn and the team consisted of winners of TV quizshow winners from Mastermind and Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

How to look good dressed Samantha Shillabeer News Editor Style guru Gok Wan is coming to Cardiff on a quest to find Britain’s best fashion icons. ! " # $ presenter of Channel 4’s to Look Good Naked is searching for people to star in his new television show in which he turns his attention to how to look sensational fully clothed. Every week Gok will be visiting a different UK city and choosing his top

‘fashionistas’ to strut their stuff on his travelling catwalk. He will then pick winners who will go on to battle it out in a grand final. His travels begin in Churchill Way, Cardiff, on Friday May 2, and he will then be moving on to Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Belfast. Gok said: “Anyone can enter…it’s not about designer fashion or expensive price tags, it’s all about individuality and not being afraid to stand out in a crowd.” Cardiff’s show will begin at midday and all entrants are required to bring photographic ID. For more information about the clothes show, visit www.channel4. co.uk/gokclothes.

and fairground rides will be among the entertainment announced. In addition, plans to change the layout of the ball are also currently taking place. A spokesperson said: “If it rains like it did last year, people shouldn’t get too wet.”

Feedback on the line-up and on the future of Wednesday nights in Solus is being encouraged at cardiffstudents. com. Tickets for the Summer Ball are currently on sale at the Union Box Office.

New Depths Welsh Dragon raised 3,500 metres below sea-level by University technician Jonathan Evans Reporter A Cardiff University ship technician has flown the flag for Wales not only thousands of miles from home, but two miles under the sea as well. Mr Leighton Rolley, who works for the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) used a robot to raise the biodegradable We l s h dragon 2 . 2 m (3,500 metres) below the surface near the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Mr Rolley normally operates the ISIS deep-sea robot to help scientists understand the Earth’s crust and gather rock samples. The event was witnessed by Dr Chris Macleod, from Cardiff

University’s School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, as part of a Cardiff University research project looking at plate tectonics around the islands. Mr Rolley said: “As the cruise was sponsored by Cardiff University it seemed a good idea at the time.” He added: “I don’t think many people will be bumping into the flag anytime soon.” Resea r c h carried out by M r Macleod and others on the RRS James Cook will help scientists to understand how the plate tectonics move. The ship has also been used to monitor climate change and has been described as the world’s most advanced ship of its kind.

04 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

NEWS

NEWS@gairrhydd.COM

Continued from page 1

PHOTO: Dave Green

CRIME SCENE

“At night I feel safe walking around most of the time. I don’t have a fear of being mugged but it has happened to two or three people I know.”

George Cumersdale Fourth year History and Philosophy (MA)

“I feel quite safe, although I know someone who got mugged by Senghenydd Bridge. I definitely wouldn’t walk home alone from a night out.”

Hannah Hopwood First year Welsh and Italian

of edu st cti ud on en in tb t ik hef es t

10 .6 r %

d ag rop ai in ns c t s ar tu cr de im nt e s

.4 %

Jeni Fisher investigates Cardiff students’ safety out in Cathays and Roath “During the day and at night I feel very safe walking around Cathays and Roath. There are no areas I would say are particularly risky.”

“I feel pretty safe and I wouldn’t avoid any specific parts of Cathays and Roath. I definitely feel safer here than when I go home to Malaysia.”

Alex Pryor Second year JOMEC

Justina Chen Third year Law

PHOTOS: Jeni Fisher

Your Uni: your words

How crimes against students compare in the city to offences in 2006

le ag ss ai off ns en t s ce tu s o de f nt the s ft

15 4

r bu ise rg in la stu ri d es en

tim vi c e

0. 8%

s of tud cr en im ts e ar

Cardiff crime in numbers

He said: “Try to stay in a group at night and be mindful of your surroundings. Don’t go down quiet alleyways and stick to main roads instead. “Also, keep your valuables hidden so as not to attract attention to yourself,” he added. Operation Maximum Impact, a three-month campaign to tackle every aspect of crime, finished in March. Speaking about the campaign, DI Mullane said: “The number of robberies in Cardiff has decreased by 39% thanks to Operation Maximum Impact, but we are obviously concerned about the spate of incidents that have occurred this week and we need the public’s help in catching those responsible. “Somebody knows who has committed these crimes and we would urge them to come forward,” he added. Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, Roath CID on 029 2052 7262, or Cardiff Central CID on 029 2052 7420.

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

NEWS

NEWS@gairrhydd.COM

PHOTO: Natalia Popova

Students campaign for increased security

Outraged students demand action from the University after months of unsuccessful campaigning against nightly noise levels at Senghennydd Court Emily Woodrow Reporter Ongoing nightly noise at Senghennydd Court has driven students to demand additional security. Members of the halls of residence have come together to sign a petition asking for the University to take action to reduce the noise levels. The petition, which was drawn up by International Journalism Postgraduate Rachel Curtis, was signed by 60 fellow residents and presented to John O’Connor, the Residences Manager at Senghennydd Court, last month. Ms Curtis has said that despite the petitions, numerous signatures, and

complaints about the noise dating back to Christmas, the request of an additional security guard patrolling the residence area overnight has been rejected. “John O’Connor claimed another security guard was ‘not feasible’,” Ms Curtis added. She explained that she continues to send e-mails about the noise back and forth between both Mr O’Connor and Head of Security at Senghenydd Court Tony Lewis, but is angered at their lack of help. She said: “I am woken up almost every night by people coming through the courtyard on their way home from a night out. It’s bad enough that the

windows are so thin, but with people wrestling each other on the ground and general drunken madness it’s impossible to sleep through it. “I appreciate that it’s just people having a good time but it’s so frustrating, especially when you have a busy day of work ahead of you and rely on a good night’s sleep,” she continued. Mr O’Connor advised Ms Curtis that during moments of intense noise, security should be contacted immediately and they would then deal with the problem. However, due to the distance that security is based from the main gates of Senghennydd Court, this is “not a viable option”, Ms Curtis added.

SVC celebrates most successful year to date

“There’s no point wasting my time and money calling security when noise occurs. I’ve already been woken up and by the time security gets there the people causing the noise have disappeared. “If a security guard was stationed by the gate even for just a few hours overnight, they would at least act as a deterrent for the noisy students,” she stressed. Ms Curtis and fellow Senghennydd Court residents were offered no reason as to why their request for additional security was not feasible, but were informed by Mr O’Connor that the only pro-active solution to the problem was to put up posters in the

Multiple drug dens uncovered in Cardiff Police raids in Cardiff discover four properties engaged in drug activity Abigail Whittaker News Editor

Abigail Whittaker News Editor Last Monday Cardiff University student volunteers celebrated their most successful year to date, with an awards ceremony held in the Glamorgan building. Dr Brian Gibbons, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, was in attendance at the presentation ceremony, which saw in excess of 60 student volunteers receiving certificates recognising their work in organising community projects. Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University Dr David Grant presented

the awards. With some 1,000 students dedicating their time to more than 40 projects across the city, Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC) is one of the largest student volunteering organisations in the UK. The organisation’s contribution to the local economy is estimated to be worth over £750,000. Addressing the volunteers at the event, Dr Gibbons said: “I am always amazed at the contribution which young volunteers make in Wales and with over 1,000 volunteers, SVC really is showing the way.” The ceremony was the culmination

of an impressive year for SVC, who became the first student volunteering organisation in the country to be recognised with the national Investing in Volunteers standard. In addition, Chair of the SVC Executive Committee Sam Smith was recently awarded the Young Leader prize at the Leading Wales Awards 2008. Following the presentations, Sam said: “I have been fortunate to work alongside a fantastic team and see first-hand some of the benefits the projects have had in the community of Cardiff.”

Halls reminding students to be considerate. Preeti Dahiya, another resident at Senghennydd Court, said: “The noise levels in this residence are above a peace-loving person’s tolerance, especially during the night time. “Despite numerable complaints and signing petitions to wake up the authorities, nothing has been done so far,” Dahiya concluded.

Four drug dens were recently discovered across Cardiff in just one day, with the total number of cannabis plants found topping 1,000. One property that officers raided contained plants at various stages of growth ranging from tiny sprouting shoots to mature 3ft-high plants. The growers had bypassed the electricity meter in order to tap into an endless supply of energy provided through a dozen power points. Forensic officers were called to photograph the evidence, before all plants and a vast array of technical equipment was bagged and removed from the scene. Watching the officers as they worked one neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We started to smell something strange in the past couple of days. We used to hear a humming sound coming from

the house in the nights and I did see someone delivering plant pots here. It all makes sense now.” Head of Intelligence in Cardiff, Detective Chief Inspector Alun Morgan, said the scene depicted at the house in question was similar to those being uncovered across Wales. He said: “These operations are run by organised crime gangs who can make a significant sum of money by exploiting communities.” In February gair rhydd exposed a major raid on a house in the Cathays area with more than 400 cannabis plants. DCI Morgan commented: “In Cardiff alone, we are recovering around one cannabis factory a week. We always take action swiftly to stop this activity.” Students who have any information or suspicions regarding drugs-related activity are advised to contact the South Wales Police on 02920 222111.

06 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

WORLD NEWS World News in brief Ruth Smith Reporter

Electri-flying

An aeroplane was struck by lightning recently, as it came down to land at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Jonathan Dean, a spokesperson for the airport, said that the Continental Express passenger plane had still managed to land safely without any injuries to those on-board. It is as yet unknown where exactly the lightning hit the plane.

Video lift-off

Footage of a man who was trapped in an elevator for 41 hours has emerged after nearly a decade. After being revealed by an article in The New Yorker, Nicholas White’s story has become an internet phenomenon. He was stuck in New York’s McGraw-Hill building after popping out of the office for a cigarette break. The video from October 1999 has already been viewed on YouTube in excess of 290,000 times. The reason behind the faulty elevator has never been explained.

Spiked vodka

A Russian man, intoxicated by vodka, failed to notice that he had a knife stuck in his back. A friend had stabbed Yuri Laylin, 53, as they were playing a version of Russian roulette, which involved players drinking vodka whilst darting around a blindfolded man with a knife. The alcohol had numbed Laylin’s feeling and he did not notice until he got home and his wife alerted him to the injury. Fortunately the knife missed all vital organs.

NEWS@gairrhydd.COM

Heavens above Priest’s balloon flight goes awry as he is blown off course and loses contact with officials eight hours in Eleanor Smith Reporter A Roman Catholic priest who used 1,000 helium balloons to try to break a flying record has gone missing off the southern coast of Brazil. Reverend Adelir Antonio de Carli lifted off from the port city of Paranagua on Sunday equipped with a parachute, thermal suit, satellite phone and GPS device. As an experienced skydiver, the priest wanted to break a 19-hour record for the longest period aloft with balloons. The adventurous flight was to raise money for a spiritual rest-stop for truckers in Paranagua. A video of the 41-year-old priest aired on Brazilian news showed him smiling while slipping into a flight

suit. He was then strapped to a seat attached to a huge column of green, red, white, and yellow balloons and soaring into the air amidst the cheers of a crowd. Reverend Carli was reported missing when he lost contact with port authority officials eight hours after he took off. In a mid-flight phone interview with Brazilian TV channel Globo, he said he was having difficulty operating his GPS device. Planes, helicopters and small fishing boats have been searching off the coast of Santa Catarina state where pieces of balloons were found on a beach. The priest was said to have reached an altitude of 20,000ft, then descended to 8,200ft for his planned flight to the city of Dourados. He was then blown off course by strong winds and when last contacted,

was floating 30 miles off the coast. Before losing contact, he said he had to land in the sea as he was “losing weight”. In January, the priest used the same mode of transport to fly over 70 miles in four hours between Parana and the nearby Argentinean city of San Antonio. It appears that the Reverend and other adventurers have used helium balloons to emulate Larry Walters, the American who in 1982 rose three miles above Los Angeles in a garden chair lifted by balloons. Parish treasurer Denise Gallas said: “We are absolutely confident he will be found alive and well, floating somewhere in the ocean.” She added: “He knew what he was doing and was fully prepared for any kind of mishap.”

US officials find Korean factor in Syrian reactor

Oliver Lewis Reporter North Korea stands accused of assisting Syria in building a nuclear reactor. Despite Syria’s repeated denial of the claims, several reports are surfacing from US officials concerning a possible nuclear connection between the two countries. The alleged findings from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) include a video, which supposedly documents North Korean nationals present in a Syrian reactor complex. Concerns have also been raised by claims that Syrian reactors bear striking similarities to their North Korean counterparts, providing possible proof of the “nuclear connection”.

The reports into the issue remain undisclosed and the White House has refused to comment on the story, which was leaked to the Washington Post recently. Secretary of Defence Robert Gates commented that information would be available “soon”, but did not provide any further details. Republican Congressman Pete Hoekstra, who attended the briefing where the CIA presented evidence to Congress, said there was “a serious proliferation issue, both for the Middle East and the countries that may be involved in Asia”. In the past, Syria’s UN ambassador Bashar Jaafari has denied the trade of nuclear technology. He said: “There was no Syria-North Korea co-operation whatsoever in

Syria. We deny these rumours.” The emergence of the story comes at the end of a two-day meeting regarding North Korea’s overdue publication of all its nuclear activity to the international community. However, North Korea has recently shown signs of co-operation with the international community; the precursor to this meeting in February last year was a notable landmark as the country promised to divulge the full extent of its nuclear programme and close its main reactor. The US has subsequently accused Pyongyang of missing the deadline. However, the Yongbyon nuclear reactor is reportedly being slowly moved towards decommissioning.

Cocks and robbers Emma Barlow Reporter Police have arrested 13 men accused of stealing men’s penises in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The men, all suspected sorcerers, have apparently been using black magic and witchcraft to steal or shrink the penises of local men. There are 14 victims to date, all of whom claim the sorcerers simply touched them to make their genitals shrink or disappear completely. Cases such as penis-snatching are not uncommon in West Africa where superstition and a belief in witchcraft are part of everyday life. The police are thought to have acted quickly in an effort to avoid repeating the events seen in Ghana a decade ago, when 12 suspected penis thieves were brutally beaten to death in violent attacks by large mobs of angry men. Kinshasa’s Police Chief said: “You just have to be accused of something like that, and people will come after you. We’ve had a number of attempted lynchings. “You see them covered in marks being beaten. I wish I could say it’s one big joke,” he added. But a Kinshasa resident said: “It’s real. Just yesterday here, there was man who was a victim. We saw it. What was left was tiny.” Some residents suspect that the nearby separatist sect from BasCongo is responsible for the attacks in revenge for a recent government crackdown on its members. Meanwhile, local radio stations are advising their listeners to beware of fellow passengers in communal taxis, especially those wearing gold rings.

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

EDITORIAL & OPINION

OPINION@gairrhydd.COM

Est. 1972

Local Elections You may recall in the student elections that some campaigners made promises about resolving issues with bad landlords and improving the police presence in Cathays. Students don’t actually have the power to change the laws relating to these issues, because we are ultimately limited to controlling our Students’ Union and the facilities it provides. We can only lobby the council to improve standards. In the upcoming local elections, however, the candidates that we vote in will have powers over education, transport, refuse, housing, council tax, planning, roads and social services, and will exert a much greater influence over policing and day-to-day city life than our student executive ever can. This is one reason why it is extremely important for the student body to vote in the local elections. Your choice of candidate will have an impact on a variety of issues that affect you, from dodgy paving, to refuse collection, to the pedestrianisation of the city centre. You may be surprised to learn that several students are also running for election this year and, as a result, they may be in a good position to reflect the needs and concerns of the student body. It is important, however, that you vote in the candidate that you believe would be best for the job and has the interests of the community at heart. With that in mind, take a few minutes of your time to read through the interviews with the various candidates on pages 14 and 15, and familiarise yourself with their policies. Then it’s only a matter of dropping into your local polling station and using your vote on May 1.

The future of our Students’ Union Rumours regarding the future of the Students’ Union are rife at present. gair rhydd would like to assure its readers that we are aware of the new plans for the Students’ Union and that a detailed examination of these plans will be appearing in gair rhydd very soon to dispell the rumours and assert the facts. gair rhydd would like to apologise for any offence caused by the image of a dissected Chinese flag that appeared on page 19 of issue 866. Editor Amy Harrison Deputy Editor Ben Bryant Co-ordinator Elaine Morgan News William Taylor Abigail Whittaker Samantha Shillabeer Corinne Rhoades Investigations Lee Macaulay Politics

Prison pedal power Sam Hubble has a revolutionary new idea to solve the energy crisis. It involves prisoners and bikes

hese days you can’t watch the news or read a paper without hearing about the environment and the effects energy production has on it. Global warming. Climate change. Depleting oil reserves. These are all key topics which come up time and again, and are often discussed by politicians who, let’s face it, are more concerned about promoting their image and winning voters than actually finding out about the facts and theories about the situation facing us. There are so many different views on this topic, and many people have opposing theories about what the best option for the future is. The only thing that everyone seems to agree on is that oil and gas is running out, fast. 20, 30, maybe 40 years is the accepted prediction of how long the reserves will last, so why does the Government continue to spend billions of pounds on finiteresource-fuelled power stations?

IMAGE: Dave Rogers

freewords

My suggestion is to give every prison inmate an exercise bike linked to the National Grid Next year, in Milford Haven, West Wales, a huge Liquid Petroleum Gas terminal and power station opens its doors. The gas, which comes all the way from the Arabic Gulf, is then distributed countrywide via a brand new pipeline which has been constructed. This is a huge, expensive project, which will only be viable in the short term while gas is still available. I understand the immediate need for power, but I simply cannot see why so much money is spent on new projects that use reserves which will very soon be unavailable. Surely anyone can see that more sustainable options should be considered? A depressing figure is that currently, only 4% of the UK’s electricity generation comes from renewable resources. Again, I realise that most ‘green’ sources are less efficient and are also costly, but we have to face the fact that at some point in the near future there just won’t be any more oil or gas to burn, so we may as well spend more on researching, improving and introducing more alternative sources now. The alternatives: solar? Not really

Tim Hewish Editorial and Opinion Chris Croissant Huw Davies Columnist Adam Millward Sport George Pawley Jack Zorab Stephen Florey Pete Dean Scott D’Arcy Listings Josie Allchin

Dan Jones Letters Emily Akers GRAB Tom Bentley Hannah Gurney Jobs and Money Jess Best Science & Environment Sophie Cole Features James Temperton Jenny WIlliams Emma Thomas

viable in the UK due to a lack of sunlight hours. Wind? Possibly the best option, although the ‘eyesore’ debate creates problems. Tidal? New technology creates more possibilities, such as the proposed Severn Barrage. Hydro?

Fear not, though, in an alcohol induced moment of clarity last week in the pub, my friends and I came up with a possibly ground-breaking, planetsaving solution: Prison Pedal Power. Bear with me; there are thousands of

Why does the Government continue to spend billions of pounds on finite-resource-fuelled power stations? This could work on a small scale, but the UK is fairly flat so not much power could be generated. Nuclear? Very efficient, but tricky waste disposal and poor public image.

Problem Page Ted Handsome Television TV Guy TV Mariam TV Tim TV Sarah Lonely Hearts Queenie Five Minute Fun Narelle Picture Editor Ed Salter Xpress Rachel McWhinney

Kate Warren Online Editor Paul Springett Tom Barnett Sub Editor Graeme Porteous Proof Readers Aisling Tempany Neil Fairbrother Andy Rennison Adam Millward Contributors Dave Green, Jonathan Evans, Emily Woodrow,

people serving their time behind bars, not really contributing to society. So my suggestion is to give every inmate an exercise bike, which is linked up to a dynamo, which in turn is linked to the Eleanor Smith, Emma Barlow, Oliver Lewis, Ruth Smith, Sam Hubble, Ted Shiress, Emma Davies, Aisling Tempany, Simon Lucey, Aimee Steen, James Hinks Aimen Chouchane Jake Yorath David Weston Nick Wright

National Grid. This could supply huge amounts of extra energy, reducing the burden on fossil fuels. Moreover, it could help reduce boredom in jails and increase inmates’ fitness levels. Another possibility is to stop sentencing people with timescales, but instead sentence them with a minimum amount of energy they have to produce. This could increase their motivation to pedal, which creates a reliable power source, as well as getting more prisoners out of jail, reducing congestion in UK jails. Obviously I haven’t considered the implications of having more criminals on the streets but I reckon if I skipped over this detail and proposed it to the Government they’d have to be stupid to turn it down – it’s flawless!

Jon Harris Settor Tengey Ben Walker Charles Austin Roz Lambe Richard Williams Matt Cutler Jon-Paul Phillips Oliver Bennett James Perou

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

10 gairrhydd APRIL.28.2008

OPINION Cardiff, Disability and me Columnist Ted Shiress continues to push the boat out. This week he talks about sex ight, I’ll try to refrain from descending into total smut, but the subject of sexual frustration and how we with disabilities are equally in need has frequently been raised in this column. I feel I must say I no longer spy with my little eye something beginning with V! I found someone who I got on with and who understood me, and who let me have a little fun with her, should we say? I suppose the answers it gave me were: a) yes, I can satisfy a woman, and b) what the possible obstacles are and how they can be overcome. The majority of it provides no problem, although yeah, putting protection on is incredibly hard. With this you are left with two alternatives. Either, if you value your partner enough, trust her when she said she has taken the necessary medication, or ask her to put it on for you. The first alternative requires a lot of closeness and trust, the second requires you not to be so excited that you erupt at her very first touch. Bra-straps are also a bitch, but that is a problem all men suffer, and a kind partner will always be there to undo the accursed clip and allow you to pull it off and marvel at its contents. Then it is time for the rather intimate cuddling and kissing; again, the majority of the mechanics of this pose little problem. Where to put your arms is the only slight issue here; when lying side on it is rather easy for a poor-responsive arm to get trapped under her and go numb. The only solution here is to hurry up with the proceedings and pull her on top of you! After this, she will probably accept your difficulties moving and take full control of the action, which is theoretically no problem. The only issue here I found is that she sets the pace, not you, and if you are a beginner this might prove problematic. It is almost definite that your sensations are not synchronised and you will be a lot more sensitive, so when she gradually speeds up after a minute she will finish you, so to speak, and hear you announce in a slightly embarrassed manner: “That’s me done, love.” This, I suppose, can only be solved by a lot of love, affection, practice and communication. So, drugs last week, sex this week: what’s next? Pick up gair rhydd next week to find out!

OPINION@gairrhydd.COM

Drop the dead duck

Emma Davies believes that despite the end of Rubber Duck, there is still much that the Union can offer ubber Duck is dead. Back in its heyday, the Duck was among the hottest tickets for a Wednesday night. The music was cheesy, the costumes were often slutty and the rugby lads were always hammered, but it was fun (provided you were drunk). Halfway through this year, however, something changed. Rather than being rammed to the rafters, Rubber Duck would be half-empty. Instead of getting rather friendly with the people dancing around you – whether you liked it or not – you could manage an easy foot or two of distance between you. Half the bars would be shut and it was just, well, boring. The death knell had sounded and Rubber Duck was soon called off. Some people are taking this as a sign

Shall we be forced into the big bad world of ‘town’? that the Union is in dire straits. Is it all over for the humble den of student iniquity? Shall we be forced hence into the big bad world of ‘town’ when we might have to pay (whisper it) proper prices? Of course not. Our student loans wouldn’t stand for it. Yes, Rubber Duck is over; it is no more. But this

doesn’t mean that the Union is immediately going to crumble into ruins: it was only one club night, for God’s sake. It wasn’t the Holy Grail of drinking and dancing. It’s also interesting if you look at the other nights put on by the Union. Nights like Monday’s Fun Factory and Friday’s Access All Areas still seem to be drawing in the crowds. Granted they’re quiet – Factory in particular – until fairly late, but this is easily ascribable to the fact that people would rather drink at friends’ houses or in pubs around Cathays before heading out. And anyway, Skins is (or rather was) on until 11 on a Monday night, and who wants to go out before their weekly fix of highly unrealistic teen melodrama? It’s also a self-perpetuating thing: if

you know a club is going to be quiet until late, you don’t arrive until late. So nobody arrives until late, hence it’s never busy until about 12.30. When it’s free to get in, you care less how long you’re spending in there. Continuing even when the DJ looks like Eddie Izzard? Now that’s what I call survival. So why Rubber Duck yet none of the other nights? I reckon I can sum that up in one word: Oceana. Oh yes, that great glass monolith replacing the shell which once was Creation. With a student night on Wednesdays that c o s t s roughly the same for entry as Rubber Duck did but o ff e r i n g far more v a r i e t y, it blew the competition out of the water for a good old-fashioned night out along the “mainstream” lines. You want chart music? You got it. You want old-school cheese? You got that, too, and a light-up dancefloor. You want a

multitude of bars? They’re there to get lost in (I do). Basically, it offers everything that Rubber Duck did, but on a bigger, bet-

The Union won’t immediately crumble into ruins ter scale. It presented competition that Creation never threatened because, let’s face it, Creation was nasty and then some. The very thought of the place made my head hurt. But Oceana? I have to admit it: I actually quite like the place. There, I’ve said it...and now feel slightly tainted. In place of Rubber Duck, the Union seems to be launching a new night: Spin. Featuring a ‘drinking roulette’ game – which conjures up hideous mental images for me of a wheel choosing for you either black sambuca or red Aftershock – all I can say is that until I logged onto cardiffstudents.com to research this, I’d never heard of it. Maybe we should lay to rest the ghost of Union Wednesdays, and instead look to the future of Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. Rubber Duck is dead: long live the Union.

Forget me not Aisling Tempany looks at concerns over student ‘ghost towns’ and considers Cathay’s life over the summer ost people don’t really notice, but after exams are finished and July begins, Cathays is almost completely dead. I notice because I’m still here over the summer, when everyone goes back home to their rent-free parents. Cardiff won’t become studentfree. All the students away in Manchester, York, Bristol and wherever else will be back. But chances are, none of their families live in Cathays. So from Rhymney Street to Colum Road, Cardiff will be a ghost town. A while back, a lecturer told me about when he was an MA student living on Salisbury Road. During his summer he ended up looking after lots of cats, using up his little loan on Whiskas when he might have spent it on whisky. I asked how so many cats could be left. “Houses full of girls usually, and for some strange reason, Japanese boys. They get a cat between them, to play with and look after, but come the end

of the year, no one agrees on who takes it over the summer. So it ends up staying on its own, looking for somewhere else to go.” If you’ve got a pet in your shared house, think about that. Or, leave £50 with your nearest non-allergic MA student. Pubs in Cathays are dead too. That’s no bad thing, actually. The Flora is quite nice during summer, but not so great in the middle of term when some sports team get trashed and tie themselves to one another before they stumble into traffic. The only downside is that because they have no customers, they don’t need staff – so no summer work.

Where there’s a university there’s student housing I’m not looking forward to summer. I never like summer. I think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder for the time between June and Sep-

tember. So much of my life revolves around Cardiff University, the lectures, and writing in this paper. And then it all stops. There’s no one to speak to; everyone went home or is on some glamorous summer job that I’ve never found. The library’s open, thank God, and summer is a great time to get ready for next year’s work, but nothing for me will change the fact that it always seems a terribly lonely time of year. Governments and councils are trying to change these ‘ghost town’ images. I wonder: how exactly? Are they going to make students all spread around the city? Will Ely and Grangetown suddenly be improved/ destroyed (depending on your opinion) by an influx of second-years? Where there’s a university there’s student housing and a student neighbourhood, just like there’s a chav neighbourhood and a posh neighbourhood. Ghost towns will always exist in summer as a sign of who lives here. All of this seems perhaps more

TUMBLEWEED: found in Cathays prominent in Cardiff than in other places. This is probably due to the houses in Cathays: 3-4 bedroom terraces that no family could reasonably afford to buy or rent anymore. And with an ever-expanding university nearby, it all begins to make sense. Students can’t afford travel expenses; they’ll want to live near the university. Cathays was never really a grand area to live in, and the university has always been there. It has always been the obvious choice. The Heath and Whitchurch Road have a distinct student population too, but because they are largely medical students, they don’t disappear for months over the summer. Roath is gradually getting a student vibe but contains more flats, so it mainly has more postgraduates and mature students who live more private lives. One of the reasons the ghost towns become so prominent in the summer is the fact that they’re so teeming with life between September and June.

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

OPINION

L w r Mi L o D

OPINION@gairrhydd.COM

the...

...in the papers

Graduation trepidation I

t’s meant to be the pinnacle of a student’s time at university – at least the academic pinnacle – but the only thing that comes to my mind in the run-up to graduation is dread and a high degree of stress. All I’ve heard from former students who have undergone the ‘ordeal’ is bad things: we had to wait for ages; it was sweltering in the robes; I tripped up on the way to/back from the stage; or the photo made me end up looking like a five-year-old/fifty-year-old/an inmate with a day-pass from the asylum, to name just a few complaints. Then there’s all the obligatory pomp and graces that come with the ceremony, as if we’re attending a service put on by the Royal Family. The rehearsal before the real event – isn’t that what you do for weddings? The confusing performance of standing, sitting, standing, sitting on a different seat, etc, and not forgetting the all-essential ‘doffing’ to the VC – with your, pay attention, RIGHT hand. For the sake of having your name called out (I’ve also heard a lot of stories about interesting pronunciations of names) and receiving your award, by far an easier option would be to request it by post. Even better, put it online. I’ll download it in a few months when I need reminding what the last three years were about. Thanks very much. Of course, for the vast majority of us, this could never be the case because when it comes down to it, graduation ceremonies are not for us students; it’s for our families. Which is fair enough I guess; it’s a big adjustment for our relatives, us going to university, when during school and even college, they get fairly regular updates at parent/ teacher nights – in a sense graduation is probably the final and most grand ‘parent/teacher’ consultation of our lives. However, the matter of families only raises another issue. Each student is permitted two guests to the ceremony. This is all well and good if you come from a ‘traditional’ family with a mum and a dad, or two guardians who fill a similar role, but what of all the graduates (myself for one) whose parents have divorced and remarried. That’s not to even consider siblings or grandparents (I know my

The Guardian

GRADUATION: Is it really just about students dressing up in fancy-dress and throwing hats in the air? grandparents would love an invite, but it’s very unlikely I’ll be able to offer one). Of course, there are ‘extra places’ available, but the problem is I can’t guarantee anyone seats until the last minute. I don’t want the presentation of my degree to cause a family rift. I can just imagine it in a few years’ time at

I don’t want the presentation of my degree to cause a family rift. I can just imagine it in a few years’ time... “But you got to go to his graduation” some special occasion, like who gets to sit next to me at my wedding reception: “But you got to go to his graduation.” Surely a greater number of ceremonies could alleviate this short supply of high-demand places. If all this wasn’t enough to put anyone off graduation ceremonies for life,

That’ll be the day... I know it’s a little premature (hehe), but May 7 is National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. So how do you prevent teenagers getting pregnant? I guess the most obvious solution is to keep boys and girls apart, so per-

there’s more. The gear. Not only is it ideal for tripping you up, and generally making you look like a first-class plonker (well, at least I’m guaranteed a first in something!), you have to fork out the tidy sum of £37 for the privilege to hire it for the day from THE robe makers who according to their website have been established

haps (to be heinously chauvinistic) all the clothes shops should put on latenight sales and TV channels should replace usual schedules with 24-hour sports. Or maybe some ‘love police’ force where teenagers holding hands

since 1689 (talk about monopoly!) Then again, you could just buy the getup outright from a measly £262-£352. That way you can relive the day at home; at least that way all of your family and friends will be able to attend. On top of this, there are a wide range of costly ‘added extras’ aimed

are issued with an ASBO and kissers imprisoned for the night. The alternative step is dissuasion: allocate all teenagers with a ‘Vicky Pollard’ or handcuff them to one of those pretend babies which cries and

at the nostalgic relative market, from photographs to DVDs and the entrepreneurial University is even flogging ‘B&B’ accommodation in halls. It’d be an interesting exercise to find out just how much a student pays on average for their graduation day, I think it would be quite an eye-opener. I’ve already been warned by a number of previous year’s graduates that the degree-presenter annually begins with a joke about handshakes and nurses, so I haven’t even got the punchline of that gem to look forward to… Oh well, let’s not forget what graduation’s really all about: many congratulations on finishing your degrees, guys. But if you do see someone in the corner of the graduation ceremony contemplating the potential possibilities of suicide by mortar board, don’t rush over. I wouldn’t want you to mess up your hair for that all important photograph or, even worse, embarrass yourself by tripping over your robes.

needs its nappy changing. You have to wonder how today’s teens couldn’t know sex can result in a baby? Not with such extensive sex education provided by Hollyoaks and Jeremy Kyle.

welcome the housing minister’s decision to review laws surrounding student housing. Caroline Flint has announced she wishes to tackle the growing problem of ‘ghost towns’ during holidays. The National Union of Students has opposed the move, suggesting the review is victimizing students. The significant point which I think the NUS has overlooked is that while students are a part of the community, the vast majority are different from groups such as ‘young professionals and migrant workers’ in that student houses are only term-time dwellings. Having swathes of properties vacant for months, with houses separating the few remaining permanent residents, cannot be beneficial to any community; the situation needs reconsideration, perhaps with development of secure university-run accommodation. While it’s easy to play the ‘discrimination card’, sometimes the long-term advantages have to take precedent over short-term inconvenience.

The Times

nusually for me, I felt sorry for Oxford students last week. Continuing a process started last year, proctors (university officials) have used Facebook to detect ‘disorderly behaviour’ and have issued over £10,000 in fines (ranging from £40£500) for post-exam celebrations. The final-year celebration, known as ‘trashing’, includes students pummelling each other with eggs, flour, champagne, and recently, squid and catfood (!). While the following clean-up is not a job I’d envy, aren’t fines of up to £500 an overblown reaction to a food fight? I dread to think of the consequences if Cardiff University were to start looking for incriminating photographs… Surely a more appropriate punishment (if the University insisted upon recompense) would be some form of unique Oxford community service, where the perpetrators have to come back and clear up the following year’s ‘trashings’ – and if they don’t return, their degree gets revoked; now, doesn’t that sound like a much fairer system?

12 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

LETTERS

LETTERS@gairrhydd.COM

letters@gairrhydd.com

Graduation Retaliation Dear gair rhydd, I am writing in response to Piers Thompson’s rant about graduation in Issue 866. Mr. Thompson is, of course, completely justified in complaining about the University’s “assembly line” approach to Graduation Day, and is further justified in feeling outraged that students from the schools of medicine, pharmacy, chemistry and more should have to share one day. That’s a lot of students for one day. Mr. Thompson is, however, an absolute knob - sorry, snob - who holds the sadly prevailing view that those studying English Literature and other Arts & Humanities degrees are somehow ‘worth’ less than their medicinestudying counterparts. In what ways have you “contributed more to this university”, Mr. Thompson, and in what way do you “deserve more”? Your ego is startling. We could argue for days about what constitutes ‘contributing’ to this university, but I’m sure the hundreds (thousands?) of pro-active Arts & Humanities students would do that for me, were they not too busy running your societies, captain-

the

ing your sports teams, campaigning for your rights, running your students’ union (i.e. non-sabbs), editing your student newspaper and managing your student media. Everyone - medics and non-medics - contributes in different ways. What do you mean you’ve “contributed more”? Oh, financially. Of course. I’m sure you have paid more to attend this university than I have, simply because you’ve been here longer, but then you’ve got more for your money too. Using a similar argument to yours, I could claim I “deserve more” because I’ve paid significantly more money in proportion to what I’ve received from the university. I’m not complaining; I’m just stating a fact. If you want to play the ‘contributing to the university’ card, you might want to consider the value for money the university gets from we simple arts students, with merely our books and our lectures, in comparison to you oh-so-demanding medical students, with all the things you require the university to provide. Again, I’m not complaining, because I have nothing to complain about - and neither do you, Mr. Thompson. The ‘real’ vs. ‘Mickey Mouse’ degrees debate is one that will rage on for as long as you want it to - and clearly you want it to. But even if all students are equal but some students are more equal than others, why should it affect

graduation? It’s meant to be a time for communal as well as individual pride. At the end of the day, whatever day it is (and personally, I don’t care how many people graduate on the same day as me because I’m as proud of them as I am of myself), we’ve all finished university with a degree, and whether mine is less ‘useful’ affects me, not you. And what’s wrong with being a teacher anyway? Without education, how would you even get to medical school? Finally, I find it very, very sad when people feel the need to drop in the word “disabled” to describe a friend or relative when it isn’t even remotely necessary. Seriously, was there any need for that word in this list: “my grandparents, my step-families, my godfather and my disabled brother”? The university’s provisions for disabled guests on Graduation Day are, as far as you and I are aware, excellent. It’s a genuine shame that your brother will miss “the defining moment of your life”, but if I were him, I would question whether I wanted to attend the graduation of someone - even a relative - who used my disability for attention and undue sympathy to his incredibly minor cause (if being allowed only two guests can be called a cause). In short, get over yourself. Huw Davies

Dear gair rhydd, With regards to Piers Thompson’s letter in issue 866, I wonder what alternative arrangements he has to offer. I for one would be happy to bring my mother, my father, my grandparents, aunts, and uncles to my graduation, yet I realise that if everyone from my year of 300 brought more than 2 guests each (in my case 7), there would be nowhere in the university capable of housing everyone. As Piers notes, conditions are likely to be cramped enough as it is, so imagine if, instead of the current maximum of 900, the university suddenly had to house 2400 people in one place at one time. Maybe we should all just graduate in Cooper’s Field? As for the university trying to “usher through” several schools during one day, I for one will be thrilled to know that there is a time limit to the actual giving of the awards, and not a whole day of tedious pomp and ceremony. That way, I get to spend more time with the family who have been able to attend, rather than waiting for the crucial moment of handing over the degree and letting me get at the bar. Piers also complains about the “umpteen thousands of pounds worth of tuition fees” he has paid, and wonders why, in exchange for this, he is

This week has seen a great deal of debate online at www.gairrhydd.com. Here are some highlights from the forums:

New union club night launches · Issue 866, by Emma Barlow

Anon : Apr 24, 05:33 pm

I must say that I had the best Wednesday night I have ever had at the union after Varsity. The buzz and excitement following winning the game continued for those fortunate to get tickets. The spirit of the match pretty much made the night however there were several things I didn’t quite expect. I was quite surprised to find that the Great Hall had not been opened as part of the Varsity After Party which could of allowed a further 1500 students to come. The event was inevitably going to sell out, even without the union cutting entrance prices. An increased capacity for a one off event could have also helped provide further funds for the development of Solus. The amendments which have

been made so far are definitely a step in the right direction, however I expected at least a change in DJ for night to bring something fresh and innovative. Otherwise isn’t this again another Rubber Duck without the fancy dress? I’m sure that many students would agree with me that playing 2 songs 3 times and 4 others twice within a 3.5hour period (and I wasn’t in the main room all of the time!) is a bit much with the constant microphone conversation with individuals personally known to the DJ in the crowd, which had no general appeal except for the announcement of drinks offers. I was also surprised that the current no.1 selling single ‘American Boy’ the DJ ‘didn’t have’. I’ve seen him do far better performances, but based on last night, I can say without doubt my Mum could DJ better! loj94jdn : Apr 24, 06:48 pm In fairness if the Great Hall had been open you would not have filled it. Solus was bordering on being

packed but by no means was at completely full capacity. 1500 further students also found their way to other nights in town hence the reason there wasnt a queue of 1500 extra people outside!

Goodbye to the student ghost town · Issue 866, by Sian Symons Harding : Apr 22, 07:29 pm I may be being thick, but:“introducing new measures that would make it harder to rent family homes to students” = restricting supply = increased demand relative to supply = increased price = one more barrier preventing poorer

not getting a fabulous ceremony worthy of his talents. The simple answer, and one I am shocked a man of his intelligence has overlooked, is that in exchange for his tuition fees he has received...tuition! And the money has not been put aside to build a hall big enough for 2100 people so 300 medics can bring 2100 guests with them to an all-day graduation ceremony. Finally, even if I accepted all of Piers’ points so far, I would like to say that viciously attacking other people’s degrees to (tenuously) put forward his own point is a base and childish way of going about things. Not only are most of the gair rhydd’s most regular and interesting contributors “fruity little English literature” students, but to suggest that, because he is a medic, he has automatically contributed more to the university than they have is disgraceful. They may not have contributed as much money, but they probably haven’t used as many resources either and to my knowledge they haven’t dragged “the prestige of Cardiff University” through the mud with their bitter, vitriolic whinging and senseless derogatory comments against other groups of students. Harding Richards Third Year Medic

forum

students from coming to university Thomas Carroll : Apr 23, 02:28 am This is a joke, so what if Cathays becomes a ghost town during the summer? If you live there and you’re not a student what can you expect?? I reckon anyone who does live there all summer is probably glad of the peace and quiet. On top of that, spreading students around the city will only result in a whole lot more complaints about drunken/ noisy youths. If you’re a business you can hardly complain about the lack of trade you do during the summer because the students spend so much during the other 10 months to make up for it. I’d also not be surprised if any law barring students from renting certain houses would be deemed as a form of discrimination and thus illegal by the EU under the ECHR as a breach of human rights.

Got something you would like to say? Log on to gairrhydd.com or email letters@ gairrhydd.com

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

POLITICS

POLITICS@gairrhydd.COM

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2008 May 1 marks another year of local elections and your chance to vote for change in Cathays, so if you are fed up with parking permits, refuse collections, petty crime, uneven pavements or rubbish landlords then pop down to your polling station and put a cross in a box...

Why students should vote...

A brief background to the local elections

ou may have discovered pieces of cardboard dropping through your letterbox, which aren’t the usual student deals on take-away pizzas, Chinese or Indian cuisines. These bits of card are in fact your polling cards for the local elections, so before you throw them away or leave them to rot under the pile of junk mail every household builds up, take some time out to read gair rhydd’s guide to voting this May 1st In Wales there are =22 Country Council Chambers up for contest and there is a huge number of candidates to choose from this year: 3,260 in total with 1,264 seats available for the successful candidates to fill. Luckily for students living in Cathays we only have 18 candidates vying for the four seats in County Hall allocated for the area. Cathays is currently a Lib Dem stronghold, as is Cardiff Council more generally, controlling three out of the four seats. The make-up of the Council sees the Lib Dems with 32 seats, Labour on 27, Conservatives 10 and Plaid with the remaining four. Enough of statistics; you, the reader will be asking why should students vote on May 1st? In the first year you are all tucked up in the hubs of Talybont, Uni Hall or the equivalent; complete with car parking facilities, security guards, flat roads and refuse collections every week. However, when you choose your first flat with your friends, most often in Cathays, you will begin to realise that Cardiff has some cracks appearing when the sheen of University accommodation rubs off.

ay 1 holds political history for Labour, as it is Labour Day and coincidently the day Tony Blair (remember him?) came to power in 1997 promising Cool Britannia. However, fast forward 11 years to 2008 and this May 1 may prove to be something of a dark page in Labour’s history. They only control seven of the 22 Council Chambers throughout Wales, and its power base is crumbling in the former Labour stronghold that is the Welsh heartland. It would therefore only take a few lost seats in certain councils for them to relinquish power in local issues. The Conservatives need to build on the large number of seats they gained last year, and by current poll ratings are on for gains in England, but not Wales. However, turning ratings into actual voters is the biggest concern for any political party and the Tories must garner as much support as possible in order to show the public that they are worthy of governing the nation again - at least at a local level. The Liberal Democrats have very strong support in local councils, providing voters with a viable alternative to Labour and the Tories. General consensus seems to suggest that they have rewarded voters with a competent handling of local issues. This couldn’t be more prevalent in Cardiff where they control the largest

Council elections, it can argued, are more important than general elections because the everyday running of towns and villages are left to County Councils. So if you have a problem or wish to change your area for the better, your best bet is to vote for change by listening to what candidates in your area are saying they will do for you. Their policies won’t be overtly political or highbrow; they will focus on your local issues, which affect your day-to-day routine. The Council has powers over education, transport, refuse, housing, council tax, planning, roads and social services. Not all may apply to the tax dodging student, but personally I know car parking, road and pavement surfacing, rubbish refuse and crime are constant annoyances in my life in Cathays. So I would be interested if one candidate could understand and articulate my issues and hopefully do something about them. In Cathays we also have three students running for Council so this is an indication that we don’t just have to vote and merely look on from the sidelines – nothing is stopping you getting involved in your local community.

proportion of seats and have done for a long duration.

Turning ratings into actual voters is the biggest concern for any political parties The major concern is that most councils will have no overall majorities and it won’t be for a few weeks afterwards for the candidates elected to broker deals and coalitions on numerous issues, which sadly leaves the voters somewhat rudderless as our problems will continue to persist for the weeks to come. Age is also an issue for the council’s image this time around, having been accused of being an old gentleman’s meeting club. In 2004 Labour offered something called a ‘Golden Good-bye’, where long serving members would be encouraged to step down to let other demographics fill the role, be they women, minorities or younger people. Their reasons for doing so were primarily the fact that the average age of councillors was 61, with 40% over the age of 65. Only 79 members took up this offer, which cost the taxpayer £1.6m.

The problem lies in the fact that four years later the average age is still 61, with only 10% of councillors under the age of 44 and 3.3% are under 35. However, in gender terms the balance is slowly becoming more representative of the general population, as 22% of women hold council seats, which is up by 2%. The problem is that if the current trend stayed the same it would take almost 70 years for women to be equally represented at this level. In less social engineering terms, both the Lib Dems and the Tories are fielding 18-year-old candidates and there are 14 examples of married couples standing for election - and, notably, one pairing aren’t standing under the same political stripes (I don’t think many would want to live under that roof come elections time). There are also incidences of families sending out different generations to compete for your vote. The Conservative supporting family, for example, has three generations’ worth in political wards throughout Cardiff. So local politics has lots to offer the voters and gair rhydd urges you to go out and vote come May 1st. TH

Turn over for interviews with members of some of the key political parties standing in the elections >>>

14 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

POLITICS

POLITICS@gairrhydd.COM

Labour Josie Allchin quizzes two student hopefuls running for seats in Cathays: meet Michaela Neild and Steve Farringdon What made want you want to run in these elections? MN: Local politics is something that really appeals to me. I started off in local youth politics and got quite attached to do things locally, I really enjoy going back to the roots of things. SF: It’s also very rewarding, and you can actually see the results of your work. MN: Being a councillor also allows you to live in that particular community, which is a real advantage when you’re working to improve it. Do you think your age will be a help or a hindrance? MN: Well I was told that three quarters of the population of Cathays are students, and Labour are fielding three students so in a way we are reflecting that population which could be an advantage. How many members does the Labour society have at Cardiff? MN: Last year, there wasn’t a Labour Students Society at Cardiff, so compared to what it was, it’s huge. SF: We have around 37 members so far. And what kind of things do you get up to? SF: Well we generally meet most weeks, and we’ve been around the country attending lots of events. We also went to Westminster, the Labour Party Spring conference and the Labour Students conference as well. MN: Locally, we do campaigning but we try not to make it too much of a big commitment, especially for the people who don’t do politics because usually for them its more of a hobby or an interest. SF: It’s also only our first year as a society, so we’re just trying to find our feet really. What do you think draws students to supporting Labour? MN: Within the club, we’ve got a few people whose families are really involved in the party, a few that have joined through doing politics as an actual degree, and also a few who don’t do that kind of course but who are interested and really engaged with the party in general – which is what I find most interesting. SF: Within the club there are also a lot of people who realised that their values and ideals were the same as the Labour Party’s, and wanted to join because of that. I suppose we also have members who do it out of habit, passive members of the La-

bour Party I suppose, so there’s lots of ways into it really. Why do you think it’s important for students who vote Labour to join the student wing? MN: There are a lot of opportunities, and it’s nice to be part of a club where you can meet loads of people from different backgrounds, but you can politically identify with, and who have the same core values as you do.

Labour stands up for students and the Lib Dem council has been rubbish How is Cardiff Student Labour involved in the actual Labour Party? MN: Yeah we are a completely independent voice. For example, Labour students were completely against the war in Iraq, and we campaigned really hard against top-up fees SF: But being an independent unit can also be a positive thing as well, because Labour students have also spearheaded a lot good Labour campaigns, so it’s not all about attacking the government! What do you think of the supposed student apathy towards politics, especially local politics? MN: Well when you associate yourself with a certain party you will be labelled with their failures as much as their successes. But there has been a recent surge towards working in pressure groups and interest groups for certain causes – which you’ll find students would much rather get involved in. So in that respect, there is very little apathy. SF: I think also some parties are only just coming round to dealing with a lot of modern day issues, which may begin to attract more students. So lastly, why should we vote labour in the local elections? SF: Labour stands up for students, and the Lib Dem council has been rubbish, completely failing to represent anybody. We also want to focus on waste and recycling, as well as the state of Cathays as whole – roads and pavements for example. MN: Labour are “the change” in these local elections!

How many members do you normally have? It can vary depending on the time of year from about 5 to 15 members What other activities have you done in the past and will continue to do? A Welsh Assembly tour and to watch First Minister’s questions with Rhodri Morgan, which gave us a good insight into the daily working of the Assembly. We also have policy debates, which are chaired by various guests for example former AM’s. We also had the opportunity to hear and meet David Cameron down in the bay last Christmas, which was entertaining. It isn’t always about politics. We have had socials at Inncognito, bowling and pub quizzes. Have you ever joined up with your Labour or Lib Dem counter parts for debating? No, it has been talked about before to play a 5-a-side game, but sadly nothing has come from it. Do you have close ties with other Conservative Future (CF) branches without the UK? Yes, more so with Bristol, who have

hosted a number of events and we normally attend the Welsh Conservative conference each year, which incidentally is in Cardiff next year and will be a great prospect to talk to the leaders.

in Cardiff in the next 12 months? We have a stall at the Freshers’ Fayre, which produces interest and we look to build a base from there for new members.

Where can students interested in Conservatism, or who want to find out more about the student wing of the party, go for info? There are many routes. Firstly our Facebook group has regular updates of events and is a forum to chat with local like-minded people.

As an organisation CF has experienced some changes recently with the election of a new leader: can you tell us a bit more about that? Yes, Michael Rock was elected President of CF, I’ve found him to have great leadership potential to carry us forward. CF is also the largest political youth organisation, surpassing Labour and the Lib Dems, so it is an exciting time to be a part of that.

Conservative Future is also the largest political youth organisation surpassing Labour and the Lib Dems There is also an email and a web page, but we have socials every other Thursday, and events organised by central office. When someone stands for election we help with flyering and canvassing. What do you think is in store for CF

Do you think that CF can produce the next leaders of this country? Yeah, you can meet all the right people and build up contacts. You may get the opportunity to stand for council and gather supports, etc. It’s the first step on the ladder for most people. Moving on to the upcoming local elections, how do you think the Conservatives are going to fare? I think it is going to be limited, but hopefully better than last time. However, Cardiff isn’t the most Tory area; we have 10 seats on the council at present,

Green Party

Sophie Cole chats with John Cowie, the S Environment Officer, and his aspirations What inclined you to stand for the Green Party? I’m standing to be a paper candidate for the Cathays area; it is important that the Green Party have some sort of representation so people, especially students, know who they are and that they are active.

what their councillors can actually do for them. I think maybe if they were, and there was a student councillor, or someone of that age, they would be more likely to approach them than approach someone who lived in a posh, semi-detached house.

What do you offer as a younger candidate that an older candidate would not? I think as a younger candidate, particularly as a student, I offer, in a studentpopulated area, more interaction and greater empathy for student problems that need sorting out.

If I were elected councillor, I’d be keen to address the recycling with the Cathays area.

Do you think students will be more attracted to you as a ‘youthful figure’ and therefore more inclined to vote? I’d like to think so… I think a lot of students aren’t aware of the council elections and are also not well informed of

What would you offer, for students in particular, if you were voted in? If I was elected councillor, I’d be keen to address the recycling within the Cathays area. Obviously, as a Green Party

Candidate, I have a lot of green interests, particularly those which focus around students. The cycling facilities in Cardiff are nowhere near up to scratch, so I would look at increasing Cycle Lanes and places to put your bikes, as a councillor I would try to push these up the Council agenda. Also I am keen in making sure that Green Spaces are preserved. There has been a campaign recently around Bute Park and the fact that they want to build through-roads within it, I would do what I could to ensure that such developments would not take place in those sort of areas. Additionally, as a councillor, I would make sure that I respond accordingly to what constituents ask of me, particularly if students have problems with landlords and hous-

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

POLITICS

POLITICS@gairrhydd.COM

Liberal Democrats Simon Lucey speaks to Keith Clements of the Lib Dem Focus Team and asks what achievements they’ve completed this year in Cathays Do you think the local election result will reflect a pendulum swing in the mood of the public and perhaps it gives an indication of the future general election result? It is essential that we do well and continue on from the huge gains we made last year winning over 600 seats and it acts as a benchmark, it also shows the local feelings, not just national feeling.

We back weekly waste collection... and we are eager to sort out Cardiff’s extremely bad pavements Do you think voters in the local elections are testing the political water to see if you are worthy of governing the country again? I think it is more 50/50 between local and national issues, some will vote for particular issues say, on bin collection,

over the general beliefs of the party. Do you know any of the Conservative candidates standing in Cathay’s personally? I don’t personally no, but I believe we will be helping any Tory candidate who asks for our help. John Moorecraft usually keeps tabs on candidates whereabouts and informs us when and where help is needed. I do know however, Michael Banks, who is standing up at George Town this time around. How do you think Conservatism as a belief links and engages with students? I think it varies. Some have the beliefs already there, others aren’t necessarily interested in politics and won’t be fully engaged with a political doctrine. Why do you think students should vote Conservative on May 1? They should vote Conservative because we stand for local issues; such as opposing Labour’s ridiculous Post Office closures, we back weekly waste collection, not fortnightly and we are eager to sort out Cardiff’s extremely bad pavements and bumpy roads.

Students’ Union’s Ethical & s to stand in local elections How important do you think age is in the game of politics? It all depends on who’s voting. I guess I could be considered as inexperienced, but, I don’t think, particularly in councils, that it is so much about experience. It is more about how hard you are willing to work for your constituents and how well you relate to the people you are working for. Is there anything you would like to add to encourage students to, not only to vote, but vote for you? I would encourage students just to vote, generally, in the council elections because they do have an effect on the area that you live in, particularly if you get to know your councillors. I think they are an under-used re-

source; do get in touch with them, as they do respond, they are basically just waiting for people to inform them of what is wrong. I think it is important that good people are elected.

ing, then hopefully I’d be able to help out with these issues.

The streets of Cathays have a real problem with litter. How will the Lib-Dems improve this? We have already employed extra street cleaners to improve the situation, but we also want to focus on improving education. I know when I was a student I found it easy to forget there are people in Cathays who are not students. Also we want to improve the problem of rubbish being left out for too long by increasing awareness of when it will be collected by putting signs on lampposts around Cathays. What are the Lib-Dems going to do to help Cardiff students? The Lib-Dems are more sympathetic to students’ needs, than any other party. We have a lot of young people involved, for example two of our councillors already elected have come out of Cardiff University quite recently and a lot of our candidates are previous students, so they can sympathise with students. This is good because there is often tension between students and other residents over the previously mentioned rubbish issue. What we want to do is make sure that tension doesn’t boil over into making the council more anti-students and to start to discriminate against them. For example, with parking, a lot of people want students to have inferior rights over parking as they are around for less of the year. However, we think that you cannot discriminate against them and students and residents should have equal rights to parking, thus everyone’s parking should be inhibited equally. Students are notoriously lazy. How are you going to encourage them to recycle? That’s a good question. Possibly more education but as well as that we want to encourage them financially, as you have to pay for more bin bags if you produce un-recycled waste while in a Lib-Dem council (as opposed to a Labour one) you can get free recycling binliners thus encouraging people to recycle.

How do you plan to make Cardiff safer, especially the problem of vulnerable houses left empty over the summer months? Ultimately there is a limited input the council can have; obviously they can’t suddenly encourage the budget of police and put many more police on the beat. Obviously we are concerned about that but there are only a few things we can do.

I know when I was a student I found it easy to forget there are people in Cathays who are not students I wanted to find out more about the student wing of your party, what role do they play at moment? Basically we recruit people that have come into Cardiff University into the local party to get them involved and then we help campaigning within the party. This year has been quite an exciting year because we went to Huxtons for the leadership contest; we also had the Welsh Liberal-Democrat conference so quite a few of us went down for that. We also contribute to the debate on Lib-Dem policies, but our main role has been helping out with the Cardiff Council campaign this year. So how often does the student wing meet and how can students who are interested get involved? We don’t have regular formal meetings, but at the moment we converge on the constituency office on Woodville Road quite often, if anyone is interested in helping us out I would advise them to get in touch by email at liberaldems@ hotmail.com.

Use your vote Wednesday 1 May 2008

How do the Lib-Dems plan to make Cardiff a greener city? To start with we want to ensure Cathays is kept tidier. But we want to improve the party by looking at council buildings and staff and trying to improve their carbon foot print first. Also, we pride ourselves on supporting public transport and obviously we don’t want to make things unduly difficult for motorists, but if people have a second thought to get the bus we want to encourage that as much as possible. Also the changes on St. Mary’s Street have been quite a contentious issue, but we feel it is good to free space up for buses and make it safer for pedestrians. So finally why do the Lib-Dems deserve to win the election? I think basically we have the interest of all Cardiff residents at heart, including the students, more than other parties. For example Labour have a lot of power in South Wales and I think it has made them quite complacent. For instance, before the Lib-Dems took control of the council in 2004 the Labour councillors gave themselves a pay rise that was later deemed illegal and unjustifiably high by an independent watchdog. We, on the other hand, are not complacent as we have people’s interest at heart, as we don’t think we’ve got a right to govern, we are always thinking we’ve got this budget, what can we do with it to make life better for Cardiff residents, and if all that money can’t be put to good use we use it to make sure council tax stays down. Nationwide, the Liberal-Democrat councils have had the lowest council tax increases compared to councils run by other parties and independents, so that is something we are particularly proud of and want to maintain.

which we don’t want to see diminish come May 1.

16 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

FEATURES

FEATURES@gairrhydd.COM

You’re not alone

Losing someone you love is always going to be a painful experience, but for students away from home it can be particularly alienating. Aimee Steen looks at the support network available at Cardiff

ereavement is something that, sadly, affects us all at some time in our lives. There is never a good time to experience the loss of a loved one, but how does losing somebody affect students at university? A study at Kansas State University found that, at any point, over 25% of students were in their first year of grieving from the death of a family member, while nearly 30% were grieving for the loss of a friend. It’s shocking to realise just how many amongst the student population could be going through such a difficult time, while coping with the additional pressures of independent living and student life. Despite the portrayal of happy-go-lucky students often shown by the media, the reality of learning to live with others, manage money, keeping up with course work etc. can mean that University life isn’t as easy as some would have us believe. D.E. Balk, author of “Death Studies”, stated that “Grief can hinder students from resolving normal developmental tasks, such as forming autonomous lives, developing a clear sense of direction, and entering into lasting, intimate relationships.” This is one small indication of the difficulties that students can encounter. Studying, one of the largest parts of University life, can become a lot harder when your mind is elsewhere. People going through grief can often find it difficult to concentrate and focus on things which may previously have been of great importance, and as a consequence find it difficult to keep up with their work. Faye, 20, found this was a problem following the death of her grandfather: “I felt that I started to slip behind because the way my course is structured meant that if I was to miss one lecture, I would miss out on a whole topic.”

25% of students are in their first year of grieving the death of a family member When attending lectures, however, she found that they actually helped her to keep her mind occupied, giving her “something else to focus on, aside from what happened, for a couple of hours.” Though students try their best to cope, it can sometimes be the case that they do not realise until afterwards the negative effect that bereavement had on their studies. Several students have noted that though they did not feel at the time that there was any significant effect on their studies, with hindsight they found that course work and exam

results were lower than they would usually attain. Others, however, noted a direct impact. Chloe, 23, found her “exam results were definitely affected by bereavement…it happened so close to [her] exam date.” Regardless of whether the impact is noted or not, the fact remains that losing somebody can have a detrimental effect on studies, and little can be done to prevent such an occurrence.

Physical and psychological problems include eating and sleeping patterns Students often find that their social life is affected by bereavement. As the Cardiff student opposite describes, the inclination to go out and have fun can be replaced by a preference to be alone, or even a vague indifference. With an active social life being a central pillar to many a student existence, not wanting or feeling able to get involved in activities can leave people feeling even more isolated. Harry, 21, felt that due to losing a relative near the beginning of his course, he “missed out on the opportunity to make new friends” and “didn’t feel the same connection with [his] course members” as other people did. “I think that when someone close to you dies, you tend to gravitate towards people you have known longer and feel comfortable with, which isn’t really ideal for meeting new people at University,” he added, highlighting a problem that many grieving students suffer when they are away from home. Annie Blackburn, Deputy Head of Counselling at Cardiff University, explains how the feeling of isolation can be emphasised when, after the initial influx of support following a death, coping can still remain a struggle: “After several weeks when others who have been supportive are getting on with their lives, the bereaved person has the major task of finding a way of living without the dead person. They will often feel guilty and concerned that they would be burdening their friends if they keep talking about how they are really feeling. Bereaved students often feel like they should be OK after a few weeks and are surprised, distressed and guilty when this does not happen.” Health is yet another barrier that the bereaved often come up against, with the shock of losing somebody frequently triggering both physical and psychological problems. Changes in eating patterns, such as loss of ap-

petite or comfort eating, are common responses, as are altered sleeping patterns and exhaustion. One student became severely depressed following the suicide of a close friend, developing alopecia and, unable to cope, eventually leaving her course. Resulting problems can arise from attempts to control the emotions experienced throughout the grieving process, with some turning to drugs or alcohol to try and dull the pain and developing a reliance on substances. The university counselling service provides help to students dealing with bereavement- a total of 49 students used the service from 2006-2007 with the issue of bereavement. There is no way of telling whether this truly reflects the number of bereaved students at Cardiff University, yet there are cases of where it is not the immediate issue, but surfaces later as an issue still being processed. “The service offers bereaved students a place to talk about their feelings and talk through the issues that are important to them,” Annie describes.

“It provides an opportunity for the student to realise that all of the things they are feeling and thinking are a normal part of the grieving process. It is common for students to be hard on themselves and have expectations about how they should be reacting or functioning that are unrealistic.” The counselling service can also signpost students to relevant agencies where appropriate, and has a library including self-help books, which may be of use to students as a stand-alone resource or as an accompaniment to counselling. There is no question that experiencing bereavement while studying is not easy, but there are things that can be done to make things slightly easier. Informing the university of the situation is one practical move that is often useful; seemingly simple things like accepting any help that is offered, continuing to eat well and exercise, having realistic expectations of the time it takes to grieve, and being ready for any situations that may trigger memories of the event are all steps

that can be taken to make a tough time more bearable. Seeking help from a doctor or counsellor can be useful when there are difficulties in dealing with the grieving process, or if there are resulting health problems. For those supporting the bereaved, remember that you’re not superhuman, you shouldn’t feel that you should know automatically what to do. The most important thing is to let the person know that you are there for them, even if they need nothing in particular, and to try not to avoid the personAnnie suggests that “one of the most helpful things you can do when you first meet the bereaved person is simply to say how sorry you are.” For the rest of us, just realising how many students could be going through such a situation is hugely important it could happen to anybody, but an awareness of such circumstances may make all the difference to somebody in need of support.

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008 FEATURES@gairrhydd.COM

Coping with loss

FEATURES

One Cardiff student recounts a struggle with bereavement that began on her first day of University

n the 23rd September, 2006, at 11a.m., I was halfway towards starting my life as a university student. At 11:15a.m., I found out that my grandad had died. The day before, he’d collapsed. He went into hospital. His blood pressure was very low but the doctors told us he would be fine. We decided to leave on the Saturday as planned so that my mum could get back to him as soon as possible. Turned out that she couldn’t get back soon enough, and neither could I. The phone call we got an hour and a half into our journey telling us to turn around and get back home was the moment I knew, even though they didn’t say. On the September 24 we started our journey again, knowing that he would want us to carry on with our plans. Freshers’ week. I remember sitting on my bed, numb, in my new room, surrounded by all the things I’d packed and the remnants of the plans that went with them, thinking that it wasn’t supposed to happen like this. I remember pushing a trolley around Tesco feeling completely blank, not knowing what I was doing there or why,

It was probably the worst start to university I could have had The inconsiderate half of my flatmates made things worse. Arriving later than them I was automatically uninvolved, though I wasn’t inclined to be anyway. Despite telling them of my situation, they proceeded to make a difficult time even worse with their childish behaviour, the best of which were the frequent noisy 4am entrances, the worst trying to make me contribute to paying for the fire extinguisher they set off on the night I remained locked in my room, crying myself to sleep. After a few weeks I thought I was coping well. I was lucky enough to have some family in Cardiff that helped me out a lot, even though they were going through the same loss as me. Then came the panic attacks.

I didn’t know what they were, or where they’d come from, all I knew was that I couldn’t breathe and had to get out of whatever place I was in, be it the lecture theatre or elsewhere. This happened several times, each time getting worse. After a particularly bad incident, I ended up going to see a doctor in the university who was wholly unsympathetic, made me feel like an irrational hypochondriac, and ultimately made my situation worse. Fortunately, I went to see a better doctor several weeks later, and was diagnosed with panic attacks and acute anxiety.

I used to be happy to get involved - but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. I didn’t see the point All of the time that this was going on I was convinced that I should be coping, that I should be able to manage with what was going on, and that it was all happening out of the blue. What I didn’t realise was quite how much I had to deal with- living with people I didn’t get on with, being a long way from home, taking on a challenging degree, being independent, worrying about how the rest on my family back home was coping, all as well as dealing with the death of my grandad- and having never had quite so much to handle in one go, I couldn’t allow myself to accept that I just couldn’t cope. I didn’t inform my school of my situation, the reason being that I did not feel that I could approach my personal tutor. With hindsight perhaps I should have done, though at the time I did not feel that it was an option. Coming up to my exams, I became worse again. I couldn’t eat from the stress, eating less and less over the Christmas holidays until, by the time I returned in January, I was living on very little and had lost a great deal of weight. Through this time I did think about leaving, though I knew I’d feel worse and disappointed in myself if

I didn’t see my degree through, even during the more difficult times. My exam results were good enough, but only because I put myself under a huge amount of pressure to make sure that I did it. My new friends were as supportive as they could be, but my social life was definitely affected. I used to be someone who was always happy to see their friends, to go out and get involved- but I just felt like I couldn’t, I didn’t want to, didn’t see the point. I would often randomly start crying and be unable to explain why. I’m sure that they wanted to help but didn’t know what to do. During the second term I began to get a little better, though I didn’t fully improve until the whole year was over and I had a few months at home to get my head together. Suffering from bereavement, I really needed to have been around my family and friends, not trying to set up a whole new life. I don’t think I even started to deal with it properly until then, and I’m not sure that I completely have now, though I know it’s something that takes a lot of time. Things have been much better this year, and I’ve learnt to deal with things more constructively, though there is always the concern in the background that I might react to something as badly as I did then.

Suffering from bereavement, I really needed to be around my family and friends; not trying to set up a new life It was probably the worst start to university I could have had, and it’s a shame that I didn’t enjoy the first year as much as I could have done otherwise- but I’m making up for it now, and though I still miss my grandad every day, life has to go on, and I’m making the most of it.

Support Services: Student Support Centre - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 50 Park Place, Monday to Friday, 9.30am-4.30pm Nightline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 02920 22 39 93, 8pm-8am every weekday during term time Samaritans - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 08457 90 90 90, 24 hours a day

The Advice & Representation Centre offers confidential and non-judgemental advice from trained advisers. We are always available for a friendly chat and a sympathetic ear. We open weekdays, 9.30am- 4pm 3rd Floor in the SU Email: advice@cardiff.ac.uk

18 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT

SCIENCE@gairrhydd.COM

Does Wembley have the power to turn fans green?

James Hinks look at how one of Britain’s biggest institutions, Wembley, is becoming a political platform for sustainable living

he typical student relishes in those moments where they are allowed to be ignorant and naïve. I mean, on a diet of Neighbours and How to Look Good Naked for current affairs, who needs to worry of the supposed wilting planet or those famished polar bears. Such topics can be expelled from thought and avoided among daily routine…or so you thought. With the green issue creeping up the agenda like the poison ivy does with the drainpipe you will, worryingly, be set to account these social issues on cultural platforms that you never expected. Cue James Hinks and the review of the worldwide wonder of Wembley. The old Wembley Stadium was an icon of Britain’s football success. It was a venue where Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup and where Wimbledon famously beat Liverpool in the FA cup final. The new stadium, however, does not hold any of these precious or familiar memories. It is an iconic symbol nevertheless. For Wembley is the first major stadium in the world that uses 100% renewable energy from the official supplier, N power. Nor does it stop there, Wembley

is infiltrated with other ‘green’ awareness promotions, like FA cup sponsors E-on. Conclusively, Wembley is striving to become a beacon of a ‘Greener’

This year’s FA Cup is attempting to engage the fans in a less passionate topic than football: global warming footballing future. This year’s FA cup sponsors E-on are attempting to engage the foot-

ball fans in a conceivably less passionate topic than football: global warming. Their sponsorship slogan is “Help us make the beautiful game greener”, with this they have implemented a Carbon ‘footyprint’ (goddit?) promotion. The scheme is attempting to reduce the carbon waste accumulated by football fans in this years’ FA cup. Unsurprisingly, this is the first national campaign of its kind. Carbon ‘footyprint’ has set up the ‘Green league’, where by teams are ranked on the level of their carbon awareness. It is considered that due to geographical placement, Newcastle fans are at the greatest disadvantage of the green-tinted premiership. It seems this is another league t h e y won’t win!

David James, goalkeeper for Portsmouth, is the face of this eco-sport campaign. In a recent interview with the BBC James proclaimed that “Car-

It is hoped that this campaign will help offset 45,000 tones of carbon dioxide in this year’s competition.

bon footprints don’t come much bigger than football’s”. Conveniently James’ team have reached the final of the FA Cup and it seems he is taking every opportunity to reinforce the potential positive effects this initiative could have. He said: “I think it’s a great way to get the environmental awareness message out to football fans. It shows that by making some very simple changes, fans can make a real difference.” Additionally this project offers free National Express coaches to all fans travelling to matches during the third round of the Cup. Policies like this will aid the Carbon ‘footyprint’ campaign. It is hoped this will help offset 45,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in this year’s competition. As E-on, Wembley and the legendary game itself try to persuade diehard football fans to start supporting ‘Green’, instead of red or blue. The new challenge may now be convincing the major football stars to give up their gas- guzzling sports cars and ‘hummers’ and reduce their unnecessarily large carbon footprint.

How to defeat the hangover

James Hinks reviews the science involved in intoxication and the dreaded hangover, and the possible ways to avoid their effects

s the end of the term approaches, the summer draws nearer and the evenings stay lighter for longer an increase in intoxicating nights can be expected. The season of the barbeque brings with it ‘Pimms O’Clock’ and the end of university means those celebratory shots. Enter the hangover. However hard students study, some will complete university more confused over one subject than they ever were initially. The hangover. Why do we get them, and, more importantly; how do we avoid them? Ironically as I write this I am suffering from a horrific hangover. I have slept all morning and, due to my lack of energy, I am creating all manner of methods to procrastinate from my work. Today is a write-off. The fact is we get hangovers for multiple reasons. Alcohol breaks glycogen stores into glucose which then exits our bodies in the form of urine. This causes mild hypoglycaemia, which explains any weakness or wobbliness’ you may feel. Also, the excess methanol in our gut takes a long time to break down into

a substance called formic acid, which is extremely poisonous and can cause the typical symptoms of hangovers.

There is a supplement in health food shops that aids hangovers Most influential over our hangovers is the fact that alcohol is diuretic. When alcohol arrives at the pituitary gland at the base of the brain it suppresses the production of vasopressin, which is a substance that keeps the body fluid balance. This results in the kidneys not being able to reabsorb water, therefore we urinate more. Additionally, the brain shrinks because water is taken from it to combat fluid shortage; this is what pulls on the tendons that give you that thumping headache. Although knowing this information does not help us to lose that dreaded hangover, it does provide us with a

basic idea of how to combat these symptoms. The tendon pulling can be eradicated easily by drinking more water. Make it juice and you solve the hypoglycaemia. The poisonous formic acid has a more bizarre and, right now for me, less appealing remedy; to drink more! The logic being that the enzymes will break down ethanol first and therefore the dissimulating of methanol will be a more gradual process easing the effect of the formic acid. There is a supplement in health food shops that aids the breaking down of ethanol and methanol called: N-acetyhcysteine. But I doubt anyone will go to that length just to enable a more productive day … There has never been a funded scientific experiment into finding a perfect hangover cure. There is a conspiracy that the government hinder this type of research for fear of the repercussions of a hangover cure pill. It would conceivably result in absolute drunken tyranny, especially in a nation labelled ‘Booze Britannia’, but, quite frankly, right now I need it.

gairrhydd

EBRILL.28.2008

TAF-OD

TAF-OD@gairrhydd.COM

Mentro i’r Wladfa Crôl Canton Cynhaliwyd Crôl Canton Mae Mentrau Iaith i’w cael ym mhob 2008 ddydd Sadwrn, cornel o Gymru bellach ond nawr mae un yn cael ei sefydlu ar ochr arall y byd! 19eg o Ebrill Gwilym Dwyfor Golygydd Taf-od

yddai arlwy Nadoligaidd S4/C ddim yn gyflawn heb rhyw chwe rhaglen wahanol am Batagonia! Yr un peth fydd yn mynd trwy fy meddwl i bob tro wrth wylio’r rhaglenni yma yw mai rhywbeth yn unigryw i’r genhedlaeth hyn yw’r Gymraeg yn y rhan bach rhyfeddol yma o’r Ariannin. Da iawn clywed felly bod rhywbeth yn cael ei wneud er mwyn hybu’r Gymraeg ymhlith yr ifanc yno. Oes, mae Menter Iaith yn cael ei sefydlu ym Mhatagonia. Mae Mentrau Iaith ar hyd a lled Cymru yn hybu defnydd o’r Gymraeg yn y gymdeithas, yn enwedig ymhlith yr ifanc. Rhan mawr o’u gwaith yw hybu dysgwyr i ddefnyddio’r Gymraeg a chynnig cyfleodd i’r ifanc ddefnyddio’r iaith y tu allan i sefydliadau addysgol. Wrth gwrs, mae llawer mwy na hynny i weithgarwch y mudiad, ond mae popeth y maent yn ei wneud er mwyn yr Iaith a’i pharhad. Yn ôl gwefan y mudiad, nod y

fenter newydd hon yw ‘dylanwadu ar bobl ifanc sy'n dysgu'r iaith i barhau i'w defnyddio ar ôl gadael ysgol’. Y ddau â’r dasg o gyflawni’r nod hwnnw fydd James Williams, o Gaerdydd, a Dyfed Siôn, o Aberaeron. Ar wefan Mentrau Iaith mae James Williams yn sôn ychydig am yr hyn y mae’n gobeithio ei wneud yno, "... union fel y mae'r Urdd a mentrau iaith yn ei gynnig yma, gweithgareddau fel chwaraeon, canu

a dawnsio er mwyn dod â phobl at ei gilydd yn gymdeithasol." Caiff y cynllun ei gefnogi gan yr Urdd, Cymdeithas Cymru Ariannin a'r Cyngor Prydeinig a’i noddi gan NosDa. Dim ond gobeithio y caiff y fenter gymaint o lwyddiant yn Ne America ag y mae rhai wedi’u cael yma yng Nghymru. Efallai wedyn y bydd y ddelwedd o Batagonia yn newid yn y blynyddoedd i ddod.

Capel Bethel yn Y Gaiman: Ond beth am agweddau eraill o’r diwylliant?

Gwilym Dwyfor Golygydd Taf-od

yma ddigwyddiad cyntaf y GymGym yn dilyn y Pasg eleni, a dyma ddigwyddiad blynyddol poblogaidd iawn. Yn wir, dyma un o’r crols gorau yn fy marn i. Does dim rhaid poeni am rhyw wisg ffansi arbenig, na chwaith, am ben mawr y diwrnod wedyn gan mai dydd Sul yw’r diwrnod hwnnw! Yn y Corporation yr oedd y daith yn dechrau am hanner awr wedi un, cyn stopio ym mhob tafarn ar y ffordd i ganol y ddinas wedyn i bob pwrpas! Yna gorffen y noson fel llawer i nos Sadwrn arall yng Nghlwb Ifor Bach i’r rhai oedd wedi goroesi diwrnod o yfed a mwynhau! Mae tai potas hen ffasiwn Treganna yn newid braf o fars trendi canol y ddinas a thafarndai sdiwdantaidd Cathays. Nid newid o ran awyrgylch yn unig, ond o safbwynt ariannol hefyd, yn sicr o’u cymharu a chanol y ddinas. Mae peint call am bris rhesymol yn gallu bod yn beth prin yng Nghaerdydd ar adegau, ond nid oedd hynny’n broblem ar yr

achlysur hwn. Mae hi fel diwrnod ffair yng Nghanton pan mae tîm pêl droed Caerdydd yn chwarae gartref a bydd unrhyw un fu ar y crôl y llynedd yn ogystal ag eleni wedi sylwi ar y gwahaniaeth. Doedd dim gêm gartref eleni felly roedd yr awyrgylch ychydig bach yn wahanol ond roedd hi’n dipyn haws dod o hyd i le i eistedd!

Mae tai potas hen ffasiwn Treganna yn newid braf o fars trendi canol y ddinas a thafarndai sdiwdantaidd Cathays

Mi fydd hi’n tawelu ar yr ochr gymdeithasol i fyfyrwyr Caerdydd dros y mis nesaf mae’n debyg dros gyfnod arholiadau ond cawsom ein dos yn o lew ar grôl Canton! Bydd digon i ddod yn ystod wythnos olaf y tymor, felly edrych ymlaen at hynny fydd hi nawr.

20 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

JOBS AND MONEY Graduate

ames Martin, 22, graduated with a BSC ECON ECONOMICS in 2007. He now works as a financial paraplanner What is your full job title? I’m a financial paraplanner, for Progressive Strategic Solutions. Where are you based? I’m based Gloucester.

Maisemore,

After university did you complete any further study/qualifications? No, I didn’t do any further study after my degree but I am doing financial exams at the moment as well as working. Briefly describe what your job involves e.g. day-to-day responsibilities. My responsibilities range from doing valuations, preparing and researching pensions and investments etc to admin tasks such as dealing with post. How did you apply for your job? Briefly describe any interview/assessment process that you went through. I originally applied by e-mail to the owner of Progressive Strategic Solutions by sending them my CV. Following this I attended a formal interview. What is the best/worst thing about your job? The best thing about the job is the pay, and having a regular income after living off a student budget. The worst part of the job is the stress of having to meet deadlines. What advice would you give to students thinking of entering a similar field? Make sure that the job is what you really want to do. You wont enjoy it otherwise. And learn to unwind. It’s important that you don’t take your work home with you!

Do you know anyone who has graduated recently and who wouldn’t mind answering a few questions about their new job? Get in touch at jobs@ gairrhydd.com

JOBS@gairrhydd.COM

Her Majesty’s Pleasure

Last term gair rhydd reported that prisoners had been getting student loans. Jess Best explains how they may have received three times more than originally thought

niversities Secretary John Denham has revealed that prisoners in the UK have received up to £730, 000 in student loans over the last decade; three times more than the government stated earlier in the year. In February it was reported that a loophole in the law had led to prisoners receiving £250, 000 in student loans and maintenance grants since 1998. These payments were halted immediately, but further investigations found the original estimate to be a third of the real amount.

John Denham said: “I will be considering the future management of financial support for offenders in higher education, based on recommendations from my department and the Ministry of Justice.”

“It’s madness to give them grants when they’re already been looked after at Her Majesty’s pleasure”

Prisoners in the UK have received up to £730, 000 in student loans over the last decade

He stressed that no rules had been broken as the loans had met the guidelines in force at the time of the payments. Around 590 prisoners study parttime courses while serving their sentences, with a smaller number studying on full-time schemes. Liberal Democrat universities spokesman Stephen Williams told the BBC in February: “Helping prisoners learn new skills is vital but it’s madness to give them student grants for food and rent when they’re already been looked after at Her Majesty’s pleasure.”

Although the most recent report shows that fewer prisoners had been given money than first thought, there is also a possibility that prisoners received loans between 1990 and 1998. 250 prisoners were estimated to have received student grants, but the new figures put this number at 154.

A Corporate Education Jess Best Jobs and Money Editor

higher level skills within the workforce but releasing it will require changes to the design, delivery and funding of learning to be more responsive to employer needs.”

usinesses will help to fund 20,000 university places as part of the government’s ongoing plans to improve people’s skills in the work place. Following complaints from employers that students are graduating from university without the skills they need in the job market, and increasing competition from countries like China and India, ministers have pledged to develop a “high skills economy”, with universities and businesses forging a closer relationship.

The 20,000 university places are likely to go to people already in work The 20,000 university places are likely to go to people already in work rather than the traditional sixth form student. The move follows announcements from companies including Tesco and McDonald’s that they will be running their own degree schemes, showing the lengths that businesses will go to to get

“Affording the private sector a major say in the curriculum today will mean less innovation for tomorrow”

McDonald’s is just one company already awarding its own qualifications. the graduates that they want. Companies who provide funding for the Employer Engagement scheme would have more say in the way university courses are designed to produce students with the specific skills set that they require. The programme is also asking higher education institutions to increase the number of work placements on degree schemes, and for companies to provide

sustained career advice throughout students’ study. The government says it aims to increase the number of workers with high level skills from 31% to 40% by 2020. £150 million will be invested over the next three years as the government continues to remodel the high education system. Higher education minister Bill Rammell said: “There is latent demand for

However, Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the University and College Union voiced concerns that corporate interests would begin to compromise the way universities run their degree schemes. “The most effective way for universities to contribute to our society and economy is by allowing them to retain their principle missions as places of research and scholarship,” she said. “Affording the private sector a major say in the curriculum today will mean less innovation and invention for tomorrow as university staff are forced to prioritise policy that focuses purely on the numbers game.”

Nursery Assistants Ref: 070 Private day care nursery for children aged 6 weeks - 5 years requires professional, patient and friendly staff to assist in the nursery, encourage learning, talk to parents and assist with feeds and changing. Driving licence an advantage, various shifts available. £5.52 p/h Helpline Advisor Ref: 067 National claims management company is looking for people to join its Cardiff team. You will be taking calls from customers with a diverse range of claims, so you will need to be able to be calm and empathetic at all times. You must have previous customer service experience. £11,700 pro rata Customer Service Officers Ref: 066 A major high street bank is looking for part time staff to perform a variety of customer service roles in their branches in Cardiff. You must have previous experience of providing excellent customer service, excellent communication skills and be able to work well as part of a team. £11,778 pro rata Tutors Ref: 064 A voluntary group that provides educational support for disadvantaged and underachieving groups of pupils is looking for tutors to support pupils learning in their homework clubs. You must have A-Levels, or equivalent, and either hold an undergraduate degree or be studying towards one. £7 p/h

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008 TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

HOT

May Day bank holiday! Yay!

!TELLY! Say Chris Peacock out loud

t has been over ten years since ITV1 deemed a US series good enough to air in a prime time slot instead of hiding it away late on a weekday evening; a fate that Dexter among others sadly suffered. Thank the gods that ITV1 has seen just how good Pushing Daisies is and given it prime position on a Saturday night for all to see. I challenge anyone not to fall for this darkly sweet show about “a touching lack of touching”. Pushing Daisies follows the romance between the temporarily deceased Chuck (Anna Friel) and the pie-maker, Ned, whose magic touch brought her back to life (Lee Pace). Romance is mixed in with the making of pie and the solving of crimes. Truly an original concept if ever I heard one. This can get confusing so let me explain... Ned is a pie-maker gifted with the unique power of returning a corpse to life with a single touch. However if that corpse should remain revived for over a minute another person will die instantly in their place. Only a second touch from Ned can kill them again forever and prevent an innocent death. Naturally Ned teams up with private investigator Emer-

son Cod (Chi McBride) to solve murders using their advantage of a one minute conversation with the deceased. Trouble comes when Ned revives his long lost childhood sweetheart Chuck and forgets to give her that vital second touch, leaving her alive and the funeral di-

SPORT So, farewell Ian Wright. The pocket-sized funster bade his farewells to his former employers, The Big British Castle, before trotting off to Sky One to host Gladiators. For any of you who are unaware, notoriously camp and silly game show, Gladiators has been revived for today’s televsion audience to admire. So the trite and somewhat irrational explanation he gave for his departure from Auntie Beeb becomes all the more confusing. The reasoning behind his departure was that he felt that he was not being taken seriously enough and that he was somewhat of a jester figure. Now, forgive me for being somewhat naive, but what the bloody hell is he precisely trying to say here. On the one hand he complains that he is not seen as a seri-

rector dead. While morally questionable it gives us the chance to watch a romance grow where the couple can never even hug. Well, certainly not without both of them properly beekeeper’s suited up. I’m sure by now you are eager to watch this novel, sweet gem of a show but if not I’ve

TELLY

NOT

Dancing round the Maypole

got a metaphor lined up for you. I apologise for it in advance. Pushing Daisies is like a good pie; though sweet at times it also has plenty of meat to it, can fill you up and make you warm inside. Unlike a pie Pushing Daisies has a good deal of dark humour to prevent the sweetness from being overpowering and a voiceover that steers clear of the pretentious delivery heard in shows like Desperate Housewives and the new Terminator series. Pushing Daisies is almost flawless in my eyes and I’m sure will be with us for many years to come. There’s a reason Pushing Daisies had the best ratings in the UK for the premiere of a US series since Friends crossed the pond. This show has everything; comedy, romance, drama, death, explosions, betrayal and at one point some singing. There would even be a car chase if ITV1 hadn’t skipped the second episode, saving it to air on its own later in the year. This is true TV indulgence but not one you should feel guilty for, it’s good for you! Clear your Saturday night schedule, grab a fork and dig in. I’ll warn you though; it’s terribly morish.

SOAPS

ous pundit, and yet on the other he joins the almost antithesis of serious punditry, a lighthearted knockabout family TV show. The relative brouhaha that has been kicked up following his departure seems to be a desperate attempt to legitimise a stepdown in prestigious programming. I really believe that he would have retained a lot more respect if he had simply admitted that it’s all about £££.

This week, Soaps has to be unanimously devoted to Hollyoaks, for the excitement reaches boiling point in a fantastic run of episodes! Louise, having been banged up in the old knick, is frantic for her safety and hopes Warren can find a solicitor to save her pretty little face. However, it’s not long before D.I. Tyler delivers the ultimate bombshell - old Lou is being charged with Sean’s murder! Warren then pays Zak a little visit in order to bribe him into retracting his statement, with a hefty cheque in tow! Elsewhere, Roger, being the slimy slug that he is, slithers his way back into the arms of Sarah. I swear that girl is becoming more delusional by the day, but then with her best friend and father whispering sweet nothings into each other’s ear at

every opportunity you can begin to understand why. This week however, it suprises me that she doesn’t even contemplate, let alone commit, suicide when she catches Zoe and Mike in a rather compromising position.... Then again maybe suicide is too normal a reaction for the disillusioned darling, as instead she goes and suggests a double date to her dad with Roger and Zoe! Hmm...the mind boggles!

FILM

THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, ITV1, FRIDAY I Another week and another horrible sequel is on the small screen. This third instalment of what was originally a great film gets so wrapped up in it’s own mythology I couldn’t help but sleep through the end. Please tell me you have something better to be doing.

SPIDER-MAN 2, FIVE, SUNDAY III Though not hitting the comedic heights of Spiderman’s third outing, here we have a solid enough superhero flick. While it has got the drama and special effects we have come to expect in the end it all falls a bit flat. It takes more than flashy set pieces to make a good film, I think I might go out and see Iron Man instead.

FUDGETUNNEL

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, BBC1, SUNDAY IIIII Hey this one isn’t a sequel! Good old fashioned action and adventure as we follow the now famous Indiana Jones on the trail of The Ark of the Covenant before those Nazi scum can get their hands on it. The upcoming fourth instalment has a lot to live up to, watch and see!

24 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

MONDAY American Flyers BBC1 11.45pm

Am I Normal? BBC2 9.00pm

BBC 1

BBC 2

Never to be Forgotten ITV1 1.55am

28th April Workers Memorial Day

Sex Change Soldier C4 1.25am

Animal Rescue Squad five 2.05pm

ITV 1

Channel 4

Five

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am Missing Live 10:00am Homes under the Hammer 11:00am To Buy or Not to Buy 11:45am Cash in the Attic 12:15pm Bargain Hunt

6:00am CBeebies 12:00pm The Daily Politics 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 11:15am ITV Wales News and Weather 11:20am This Morning 12:30pm Loose Women

6:10am Kids TV 7:00am Freshly Squeezed 7:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:00am Just Shoot Me 8:30am Frasier 9:00am Frasier 9:30am Will and Grace 10:00am The OC 10:50am Smallville: Superman the Early Years

6:00am Kids TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am Put Your Money Where Your House Is 12:00pm House Doctor 12:30pm Five News 12:45pm Law and Order: Criminal Intent

1:00pm BBC News and Weather 1:30pm Wales Today; Weather 1:45pm Doctors 2:15pm Out of the Blue 3:00pm BBC News and Weather 3:05pm CBBC

1:00pm Science Clips Investigates 1:10pm Science Clips Investigates 1:20pm Primary Geography 1:30pm World Championship Snooker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News and Weather 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Dickinson’s Real Deal 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

11:45am Designers Under Pressure 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm Great British Brands 12:50pm Man with the Gun 2:25pm A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 3:25pm Countdown

1:45pm Neighbours 2:15pm Home and Away 2:50pm Animal Rescue Squad 3:05pm Five News Update 3:10pm Mary Higgins Clark: The Cradle Will Fall

5:00pm Goldenballs

4:15pm Deal or No Deal 5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

5:00pm Five News 5:30pm Neighbours

6:00pm Wales Tonight 6:25pm Party Election Broadcast by Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales 6:30pm ITV Evening News and Weather 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm Coronation Street 8:00pm Wales This Week 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Taggart

6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm Channel 4 News 7:55pm 3 Minute Wonder: CCTV Nation 8:00pm Immigration: The Inconvenient Truth

6:00pm Home and Away 6:30pm Monkey Life 7:00pm Five News 7:30pm How Do They Do It? 8:00pm The Gadget Show

9:00pm A Time Team Special: The Lost Dock of Liverpool

9:00pm Paul Merton in China

5:15pm The Weakest Link

6:00pm BBC News 6:30pm Wales Today; Weather 6:55pm Party Election Broadcast by Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales 7:00pm The One Show 7:30pm Watchdog 7:57pm BBC News and Regional News 8:00pm EastEnders 8:30pm Panorama 9:00pm Waking the Dead

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Great British Menu 7:00pm World Championship Snooker 8:00pm University Challenge - the Professionals 8:30pm Wainwright’s Walks

10:00pm BBC Ten O’Clock News 10:25pm Regional News Programmes 10:35pm Meet the Immigrants

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

10:00pm News at Ten and Weather 10:35pm Pale Rider

10:00pm The Doctor Who Hears Voices

10:00pm Dom Joly’s Complainers

11:05pm Inside Sport 11:45pm American Flyers 1:35am Springwatch Weatherview 1:40am Sign Zone:Am I Normal? 2:40am Sign Zone:Extreme Dreams with Ben Fogle 3:10am Sign Zone:To Buy or Not to Buy

11:20pm Party Election Broadcast by Plaid Cymru 11:25pm A Study in Sherlock 12:10am World Championship Snooker Extra 2:00am Joins BBC News 4:00am GCSE Bitesize Revision

1:00am UEFA Champions League Weekly 1:30am Bad Manners Britain: Tonight 1:55am Never to be Forgotten 2:25am Loose Women 3:15am Make Me Perfect 4:00am ITV Nightscreen

11:20pm The Proposition 1:25am Sex Change Soldier 2:25am 3 Minute Wonder: The Best of FourDocs 2:30am The Diets That Time Forgot 3:30am Dispatches: The Mobile Phone Rip-Off

11:05pm The Big Bounce 12:35am NASCAR: The Sprint Cup 1:30am USPGA Golf 2:20am NHL Ice Hockey 5:10am House Doctor 5:35am Neighbours

9:00pm Am I Normal?

PICK OF THE DAY Sex Change Soldier, Ch4, 11.20pm Soulja Boy Off In This Hoe, Watch me Crank It, Watch me Roll, Watch me Crank Dat Soulja Boy,Then Super Man Dat Hoe - Now, Watch me You... (Crank Dat Soulja Boy) Now, Watch me You... (Crank Dat Soulja Boy) Now, Watch me You... (Crank Dat Soulja Boy) Now, Watch me You... (Crank Dat Soulja Boy) etc Now that we’ve all had a good dance and a nice relaxing sing song, lets get back to the serious issue of Capt Ian Hamilton who has made the rather wise decision to change into a lady. The show deals with the implications this has with his career in the army in other words he/she doesn’t have one anymore. I think this is a damn shame because a tranny in the army could only bring good things, it would do much in terms of PR i.e. The British Army are so tough they are turning their men into women to make things fair.

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

TUESDAY Stand By Your Man BBC1 12.30am

Mad Men BBC2 11.25pm

BBC 1

Teenage Kicks ITV1 11.10pm

BBC 2

6:10am Kids TV 7:00am Freshly Squeezed 7:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 7:55am Just Shoot Me 8:25am Frasier; Double Bill 9:30am Will and Grace 9:55am The OC 10:55am Smallville: Superman the Early Years 11:55am 3 Minute Wonder: Iraq and Me 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm A Brief History of Fun 12:55pm An American Guerrilla in the Philippines 2:55pm A Place in the Sun 3:25pm Countdown 4:15pm Deal or No Deal

6:00am Kids TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am Put Your Money Where Your House Is 12:00pm House Doctor 12:30pm Five News 12:45pm Law and Order: Criminal Intent

5:00pm Goldenballs

5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

5:00pm Five News 5:30pm Neighbours

6:00pm Wales Tonight 6:25pm Party Election Broadcast by the Welsh Labour Party 6:30pm ITV Evening News and Weather 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm UEFA Champions League Live: Manchester United v Barcelona

6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm Channel 4 News 7:55pm 3 Minute Wonder: The Gathering 8:00pm How to Look Good Naked

6:00pm Home and Away 6:30pm Zoo Days 7:00pm Five News 7:30pm Jaguar Adventure with Nigel Marven 8:00pm Egypt’s Lost Tomb: Revealed

9:00pm Embarrassing Bodies

9:00pm CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

10:00pm News at Ten and Weather 10:40pm Benidorm

10:00pm Michael Barrymore: What Really Happened

10:00pm CSI: Miami

11:10pm Teenage Kicks 11:40pm Dexter 12:40am Nightwatch with Steve Scott - Mystery 1:30am Nightwatch with Steve Scott - Crime 2:25am Loose Women

11:05pm Embarrassing Bodies 12:10am Dirty Sexy Money 1:10am PartyPoker.com Premier League Poker 2:05am FIA GT Championship 2:35am Bennetts British Superbike Championship

11:00pm Law and Order: Criminal Intent 12:00am The FBI Files 1:00am NBA Basketball 3:30am French Football 4:20am Football Italiano 5:10am House Doctor

1:00pm BBC News and Weather 1:30pm Wales Today; Weather 1:40pm Doctors 2:10pm Out of the Blue 2:35pm Real Rescues 3:05pm CBBC

1:00pm The Maths Channel 1:10pm Primary Geography 1:30pm Wildlife on Two 2:00pm am.pm 3:00pm World Championship Snooker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News and Weather 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Dickinson’s Real Deal 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

10:00pm BBC Ten O’Clock News 10:25pm Regional News Programmes 10:35pm The Recruit

10:00pm Later Live... Holland 10:30pm Newsnight

12:25am Weatherview 12:30am Stand By Your Man 1:00am Sign Zone:Tiger Spy in the Jungle 2:00am Sign Zone:Extreme Dreams with Ben Fogle 2:30am Sign Zone:To Buy or Not to Buy

11:20pm Party Election Broadcast by the Welsh Labour Party 11:25pm Mad Men 12:15am World Snooker Highlights 1:00am World Championship Snooker Extra 2:30am Joins BBC News

9:00pm The Age of Terror

with

Jools

The Wright Stuff five 10.30am Five

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 11:15am ITV Wales News and Weather 11:20am This Morning 12:30pm Loose Women

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Great British Menu 7:00pm World Championship Snooker

A Brief History of Fun C4 12.30pm Channel 4

6:00am CBeebies 7:00am CBBC 8:30am CBeebies 10:30am Let’s Write Poetry 10:50am Primary History 11:10am The Black Pharaohs 12:00pm The Daily Politics 12:30pm Working Lunch

6:00pm BBC News 6:30pm Wales Today; Weather 6:55pm Party Election Broadcast by the Welsh Labour Party 7:00pm The One Show 7:30pm EastEnders 8:00pm Holby City 9:00pm Waking the Dead

29th April International Dance Day

ITV

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am Missing Live 10:00am Homes under the Hammer 11:00am To Buy or Not to Buy 11:45am Cash in the Attic 12:15pm Bargain Hunt

5:15pm The Weakest Link

PICK OF THE DAY Missing Live, BBC1, 9.15am This is a ridiculous concept for a show. How can you possibly cover the real-time absence of an individual. ‘Well, we can report that he still isn’t here, as he hasn’t been for the remainder of the show. Report back to us in 15 minutes to check if they are still missing.’ Will the show go off the air if the person turns up, like some prodigal son? ‘Oh well, he’s turned up now, let’s pop along to the next grieving mob’. As it turns out, it’s neither live, nor as funny as my writing made it out to be. It consists of reconstructions of the effort to find missing persons and the eventual rejoicing that happens when they find someone. However, the whole fact that they have turned the emotional turmoil into prime time televisual entertainment, proves just how depressing a society we live in. At least with Crimewatch there is an opportunity to help the police in their enquiries, whereas this is just plain old sick voyeuristic filth. And I pissing love it.

1:45pm Neighbours 2:15pm Home and Away 2:50pm Rough Guide to Cities 3:05pm Five News Update 3:10pm Another Woman

26 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

TELLY

WEDNESDAY BBC Weather BBC1 10.33pm

BBC 1

Don’t Leave Me This Way BBC2 1.00pm BBC 2

Welsh In The West End ITV1 11.05pm ITV 1

Embarrassing Bodies C4 9.00pm

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

30th April Kirsten Dunst’s Birthday

Borrowed Hearts: a Holiday Romance five 3.10pm

Channel 4

Five

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am Missing Live 10:00am Homes under the Hammer 11:00am To Buy or Not to Buy 11:45am Cash in the Attic 12:15pm Bargain Hunt

6:00am CBeebies 10:30am A Picture of Britain 11:30am am.pm

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 11:15am ITV Wales News and Weather 11:20am This Morning 12:30pm Loose Women

6:10am Kids TV 7:00am Freshly Squeezed 7:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:00am Just Shoot Me 8:30am Frasier 8:55am Frasier 9:30am Will and Grace 9:55am The OC 10:55am Smallville: Superman the Early Years

6:00am Kids TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am Put Your Money Where Your House Is 12:00pm House Doctor 12:30pm Five News 12:45pm Law and Order: Criminal Intent

1:00pm BBC News and Weather 1:30pm Wales Today; Weather 1:40pm Doctors 2:10pm Out of the Blue 2:35pm Real Rescues 3:05pm CBBC

1:00pm Don’t Leave Me This Way 1:30pm Working Lunch 2:00pm World Championship Snooker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News and Weather 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Dickinson’s Real Deal 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

11:55am 3 Minute Wonder: My Music 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm In Your Dreams 12:45pm The Return of Frank James 2:25pm A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 3:25pm Countdown

1:45pm Neighbours 2:15pm Home and Away 2:50pm Animal Rescue Squad 3:10pm Borrowed Hearts: a Holiday Romance

5:00pm Goldenballs

4:15pm Deal or No Deal 5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

5:00pm Five News 5:30pm Neighbours

6:00pm Wales Tonight 6:30pm ITV Evening News and Weather 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm Coronation Street 8:00pm Madeleine, One Year On: Campaign for Change

6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm Channel 4 News 7:55pm 3 Minute Wonder: The Gathering 8:00pm Property Ladder

6:00pm Home and Away 6:30pm Zoo Days 7:00pm Five News 7:30pm It Pays to Watch 8:00pm Monster Moves

9:00pm Embarrassing Bodies

9:00pm Escape from Alcatraz: The True Story

5:15pm The Weakest Link

6:00pm BBC News 6:30pm Wales Today; Weather 7:00pm The One Show 7:30pm Street Doctor 7:57pm BBC News and Regional News 8:00pm Traffic Cops

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Great British Menu 7:00pm World Championship Snooker

9:00pm The Apprentice

9:00pm Dan Cruickshank’s Adventures in Architecture

10:00pm BBC Ten O’Clock News 10:25pm Regional News Programmes 10:27pm Wales Today; Weather 10:33pm BBC Weather

10:00pm The Apprentice: You’re Fired 10:30pm Newsnight

10:00pm News at Ten and Weather 10:35pm Welsh In The West End

10:00pm Desperate Housewives

10:00pm Fled

10:35pm The National Lottery Draws 10:45pm Comedy Sketchbook 11:30pm Extraordinary Rendition 12:50am Weatherview 12:55am Sign Zone:Seaside Rescue 1:25am Sign Zone:Meet the Immigrants

11:20pm World Snooker Highlights 12:10am World Championship Snooker Extra 2:00am Joins BBC News 4:00am GCSE Bitesize Revision

11:10pm Never To Be Forgotten 11:45pm Unsigned 12:15am Nightwatch with Steve Scott - Crime 1:05am Quincy, ME 2:00am Loose Women 2:50am The Jeremy Kyle Show

11:05pm Embarrassing Bodies 12:05am 4 Music:What About Me? 12:40am 4 Music:The Nokia Green Room 1:10am Bremner, Bird and Fortune 2:10am Late One Night 2:25am Stargate SG-1

12:00am PartyPoker.com European Open IV 1:30am Major League Baseball 4:20am Supercross World Championship 5:10am House Doctor 5:35am Neighbours

PICK OF THE DAY Everybody Loves Raymond, Channel 4, 7.30pm The UK hasn’t quite registered with the sheer brilliance of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ in contrast to the US who have embraced the show like a child with a grazed knee. This programme epitomizes the American sitcom; leaving the ‘Friends’ cast running in fear, ‘Frasier’ cowering in a dark corner and ‘Will & Grace’ looking over (both) their shoulders. If a TV show does indeed exist that can get you up at 7.30 each morning, this is most definitely it! Ray Romano is an exceptional lead with a great range of acting skills, and has a rather attractive wife to boot; that’s the opinion of Rasputin anyways. Ray Romano did the voice of the mammoth in Ice Age and that film made me chuckle once or twice so he should get credit for that too. Enjoy Everybody Loves Raymond with Crusty Nut Cornflakes, they’re cornflakes for adults.

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

THURSDAY The Invisibles BBC1 9.00pm

Heroes Unmasked BBC2 9.45pm

BBC 1

BBC 2

Sharp End ITV1 11.05pm

1st May May Day

My Name Is Earl C4 10.00pm

Terror in the Family five 3.15pm

ITV 1

Channel 4

Five

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am Missing Live 10:00am Homes under the Hammer 11:00am To Buy or Not to Buy 11:45am Cash in the Attic 12:15pm Bargain Hunt

6:00am CBeebies 12:00pm The Daily Politics 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 11:15am ITV Wales News and Weather 11:20am This Morning 12:30pm Loose Women

6:00am Kids TV 7:00am Freshly Squeezed 7:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:00am Just Shoot Me 8:30am Frasier 9:00am Frasier 9:30am Will and Grace 9:55am The OC 10:55am Smallville: Superman the Early Years

6:00am Kids TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am Put Your Money Where Your House Is 12:00pm House Doctor 12:30pm Five News 12:45pm Law and Order: Criminal Intent

1:00pm BBC News and Weather 1:30pm Wales Today; Weather 1:40pm Doctors 2:10pm Out of the Blue 2:35pm Real Rescues 3:05pm CBBC

1:00pm Open Gardens 1:30pm World Championship Snooker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News and Weather 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Dickinson’s Real Deal 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

11:55am 3 Minute Wonder: The Best of FourDocs 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm Checking Into History 12:55pm The Tall T 2:25pm A Place in the Sun: Home or Away

1:45pm Neighbours 2:15pm Home and Away 2:50pm Animal Rescue Squad 3:05pm Five News Update 3:15pm Terror in the Family

5:00pm Goldenballs

3:25pm Countdown 4:15pm Deal or No Deal 5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

5:00pm Five News Kaplinsky 5:30pm Neighbours

6:00pm Home and Away 6:30pm Zoo Days 7:00pm Five News with Natasha Kaplinsky 7:30pm Rough Guide to Bang for your Buck 8:00pm I Own Britain’s Best Home 9:00pm House

5:15pm The Weakest Link

with

Natasha

6:00pm BBC News 6:30pm Wales Today; Weather 7:00pm The One Show 7:30pm EastEnders 7:57pm BBC News and Regional News 8:00pm Holby Blue

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Great British Menu 7:00pm World Championship Snooker

6:00pm Wales Tonight 6:30pm ITV Evening News and Weather 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm Waterworld 8:00pm The Bill: Frontline: Shockwave

6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Hollyoaks 7:00pm Channel 4 News 7:55pm 3 Minute Wonder: The Gathering 8:00pm Come Dine with Me

9:00pm The Invisibles

9:00pm Heroes 9:45pm Heroes Unmasked

9:00pm Taggart

9:00pm Embarrassing Bodies

10:00pm BBC Ten O’Clock News 10:25pm Wales Today; Weather 10:33pm BBC Weather

10:00pm The Graham Norton Show 10:30pm Newsnight

10:00pm News at Ten and Weather 10:35pm A Very Exotic Vet

10:00pm My Name Is Earl 10:30pm Big Bang Theory

10:00pm Grey’s Anatomy

10:35pm Dragon’s Eye - Local Elections Special 11:05pm Question Time 12:05am Election Night 2008

11:20pm World Snooker Highlights 12:10am Panorama 12:40am Johnny’s New Kingdom 1:10am The Twenties in Colour: The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn 1:40am Bill Oddie’s Wild Side 2:10am Extreme Dreams with Ben Fogle

11:05pm Sharp End 11:35pm Unsigned 12:05am The Baron 12:55am UEFA Cup Highlights 1:50am Motorsport UK 2:15am Never to be Forgotten 2:45am Loose Women

11:00pm Embarrassing Bodies 12:05am 4 Music:Snowbombing Rocked By Xbox 12:35am 4 Music:Shockwaves NME Awards 2008: Big Gig 1:35am The Law of the Playground 2:05am King of the Hill

11:00pm A Girl’s Guide to 21st Century Sex 11:45pm Quiz Call 4:00am Football Argentina 4:20am Major League Soccer 4:45am Dutch Football 5:10am House Doctor

PICK OF THE DAY The Graham Norton Show, BBC2, 10.00pm Graham Norton seems to be everywhere these days with ‘I’ll Do Anything’ as well as this year’s Baftas under his pretty camp belt! On top of all this, the Irishman’s very own show is still going strong with celebs and frivolous games aplenty. However, I can’t help but notice the absence of a major participant in each episode...the lovable granny, Betty Hoskins! If anyone knows of her whereabouts please let me know, coz she sure ain’t where she should be! (She might be dead) Graham Norton isn’t actually the presenter’s real name, he was born Graham William Walker, but you can’t be camp with a name like that, thats a name for a man who bathes in porridge and runs marathons. There has been a bit of a backlash to the Nort recently, down to his over exposure and watered down humour, but he’s earning lots of cash.

28 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

FRIDAY Unlawful Entry BBC1 11.40pm

Initiation BBC2 1.25am

BBC 1

BBC 2

2nd May Polish Flag Day

Big Mac Fights Back ITV1 8.00pm

ITV 1

Embarrassing Bodies Final Descent C4 11.55am five 3.10pm

Channel 4

Five

6:00am Breakfast 9:15am Missing Live 10:00am Homes under the Hammer 11:00am To Buy or Not to Buy 11:45am Cash in the Attic 12:15pm Bargain Hunt

6:00am CBBC 10:00am In the Night Garden 10:30am Magic Key 10:45am The Way Things Work 11:00am The Way Things Work 11:15am Tales from Europe 11:30am Watch 11:45am Something Special 12:00pm The Daily Politics 12:30pm Working Lunch

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

6:00am Kid’s TV 7:00am Freshly Squeezed 7:30am US Sitcoms 9:55am Smallville 11:55am 3 Minute Wonder: Rivers of Blood 12:00pm News at Noon 12:30pm Proud Parents 12:45pm Young at Heart

6:00am Kid’s TV 9:00am The Wright Stuff 10:30am Trisha Goddard 11:30am Put Your Money Where Your House Is 12:00pm House Doctor 12:30pm Five News 12:45pm Law and Order: Criminal Intent

1:00pm BBC News and Weather 1:30pm Wales Today; Weather 1:40pm Doctors 2:10pm Out of the Blue 2:35pm Real Rescues 3:05pm CBBC

1:30pm World Championship Snooker

1:30pm ITV Lunchtime News and Weather 2:00pm 60 Minute Makeover 3:00pm Dickinson’s Real Deal 4:00pm Midsomer Murders

2:55pm A 100 Grand Place in the Sun 3:25pm Countdown 4:15pm Deal or No Deal

1:45pm Neighbours 2:15pm Home and Away 2:50pm Rough Guide to Beaches 3:05pm Five News Update 3:10pm Final Descent

5:00pm Goldenballs

5:00pm The Paul O’Grady Show

5:00pm Five News with Natasha Kaplinsky 5:30pm Neighbours

6:00pm Wales Tonight 6:30pm ITV Evening News and Weather 7:00pm Emmerdale 7:30pm Coronation Street 8:00pm Big Mac Fights Back: Tonight 8:30pm Coronation Street Family Album 9:00pm Benidorm 9:30pm Teenage Kicks 10:00pm Lethal Weapon 4

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 Zoo Days 7:00pm Five News with Natasha Kaplinsky 7:30pm Animal Rescue Squad 8:00pm The Sharkman

9:00pm Dirty Sexy Money

9:00pm NCIS

10:00pm Derren Brown: Trick or Treat 10:30pm Peep Show

10:00pm Shark

11:00pm The Late News and Weather 11:40pm Lethal Weapon 4 12:50am Gods and Generals 4:30am ITV Nightscreen 5:30am ITV Early Morning News

11:05pm Balls of Steel 11:55pm Embarrassing Bodies 12:55am Big Bang Theory 1:25am 4 Music 2:20am Afterworld 2:45am Goalissimo! 3:40am Trans World Sport 4:35am FIA GT Championship

11:00pm Law and Order: Special Victims Unit 12:00am Quiz Call 5:10am House Doctor 5:35am Neighbours

5:00pm Newsround 5:15pm The Weakest Link

6:00pm BBC News 7:00pm The One Show 7:30pm My Family 8:00pm EastEnders 8:30pm A Question of Sport

6:00pm Eggheads 6:30pm Great British Menu 7:00pm Scrum V Live

9:00pm Belonging 9:30pm Have I Got News for You 10:00pm BBC Ten O’Clock News 10:25pm Wales Today; Weather 10:33pm BBC Weather 10:35pm Friday Night with Jonathan Ross

9:00pm Living the Dream Revisited

11:35pm National Lottery EuroMillions Draw 11:40pm Unlawful Entry 1:25am Weatherview 1:30am Sign Zone:Dan Cruickshank’s Adventures in Architecture 2:30am Sign Zone:Natural World 3:20am Joins BBC News

11:00pm Newsnight Review 11:35pm Later... with Jools Holland 12:35am World Snooker Highlights 1:25am Initiation 2:55am Star Trek: The Next Generation 3:40am Star Trek: The Next Generation

10:00pm Sport Wales 10:30pm Newsnight

PICK OF THE DAY Shark, Five, 10.00pm Have you ever wondered what it would be like if House (of the Hugh Laurie variety) had decided to study Law instead of Medicine? Wonder no more as the US has given us Shark, the series about a defence attorney who solves the case in a questionable manner as his assistants watch on in awe at his brilliance. This is no cheap imitation though as James Woods takes the title role making it more of an expensive, well acted imitation. What could be wrong with that? In another thought Telly decided to think about other shark related TV shows. 1. Sharky and George, how can one forget this little classic from kids TV. Oh the joys of the theme tune “Sharky and George, the crime busters of the sea, Sharky and George, they solve any mystery! do dodo do do dodododododo!” 2. Jaws, okay admittedly its a movie not a TV show but its been on TV so much that it may as well be! Although despite the fact it has been on TV so much, I still have never been bored enought to sit and watch it.

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

SATURDAY I’d Do Anything BBC1 7.05pm

Dad’s Army BBC2 6.30am

BBC 1

BBC 2

Kids Do the Funniest Things ITV1 6.05pm ITV 1

3rd May World Press Freedom Day

Grand Designs Abroad C4 7.00pm

True CSI five11.45 pm

Channel 4

Five

6:00am Breakfast 10:00am Saturday Kitchen 11:30am Great British Menu 12:00pm BBC News; Weather 12:10pm Football Focus

6:00am CBeebies 7:00am CBBC 11:45am Sportsround 12:00pm Falcon Beach

6:00am CITV 10:25am Coronation Street Omnibus 12:15pm ITV News and Weather 12:20pm ITV Wales News and Weather 12:25pm The Crocodile Hunter Diaries

6:00am Kid’s TV 7:00am Goalissimo! 8:00am The Morning Line 8:55am T4:Beauty and the Geek 9:55am T4:The Nokia Green Room 10:25am T4:Shipwrecked 2008 11:30am T4:Shipwrecked 2008 12:00pm T4:Friends 12:30pm T4:Shipwrecked 2008

6:00am Sunrise 7:00am Kid’s TV 9:40am Mist: Sheepdog Tales 10:00am Football Italiano Highlights 10:30am Neighbours 12:40pm Breaking into Tesco

1:00pm World Championship Snooker 4:30pm Wales on Saturday

1:30pm The Surgery 1:50pm Sound 2:20pm World Snooker

1:25pm Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure 3:00pm Back to the Future Part III 4:00pm ITV Wales News and Weather 4:15pm ITV News and Weather 4:30pm Back to the Future Part III

1:00pm T4:Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious 2:00pm Channel 4 Racing 4:10pm Deal or No Deal 4:55pm Jamie at Home

1:40pm Seeing Double 3:30pm Walk, Don’t Run

5:20pm BBC News 5:40pm The Kids Are All Right

5:30pm Coast

5:35pm All New You’ve Been Framed!

5:30pm Come Dine with Me

5:35pm Anzio

6:20pm Doctor Who 7:05pm I’d Do Anything 8:05pm The National Lottery: 1 vs 100 8:55pm Casualty

6:30pm Dad’s Army 7:00pm World Snooker

6:05pm Kids Do the Funniest Things 7:05pm All Star Mr and Mrs 8:05pm Britain’s Got Talent

6:30pm Channel 4 News 7:00pm Grand Designs Abroad 8:00pm ER

7:40pm Five News and Sport 7:55pm NCIS 8:50pm NCIS

9:10pm Pushing Daisies

9:00pm Charlotte Gray

9:45pm CSI: NY

9:45pm Love Soup 10:00pm BBC News 10:30pm Match of the Day

10:00pm Have I Got a Little Bit More News for You 10:40pm Comedy Map of Britain

10:10pm The Matrix Revolutions: Special Introduction 10:15pm The Matrix Revolutions

11:50pm Halloween H20: 20 Years Later 1:10am Man Utd: Beyond the Promised Land 2:30am Friday Night with Jonathan Ross 3:30am Weatherview 3:35am Joins BBC News

11:40pm The Apprentice 12:40am The Apprentice: You’re Fired 1:15am Tape 2:35am Mad Men 3:25am Monk

11:15pm ITV News and Weather 11:30pm The Matrix Revolutions 12:55am Nightwatch with Steve Scott: Mystery 2:40am Splitting Heirs 4:05am ITV Nightscreen 5:30am ITV Early Morning News

PICK OF THE DAY Doctor Who, BBC1, 6:20pm Everyone seems to hate Tate as the new assistant but for me she shines in comparison to her predecessors. I could separate my memories of Billie singing annoyingly catchy and generally annoying pop hits from her new role as serious actress. And Freema? She was simply annoying and a terrible actress to boot. When the cast of Torchwood make you look bad it’s a sure sign you’re in trouble. For the first time I am enjoying Doctor Who and am dreading the return of the Doctor’s castoffs. For more Doctor themed love why not try these dead-good jokes: Doctor Doctor I swallowed a bone. Are you choking? No, I really did! - Doctor, doctor, I feel like a ten pound note. Go Shopping, the change will do you good. - Doctor, doctor, I keep thinking I’m a clock. OK, just relax. There’s no need to get yourself wound up. - Doctor, Doctor Can I have second opinion? Of course, come back tomorrow! - Doctor, Doctor my husband smells like fish. Poor Sole! Oh the japes are endless.

10:45pm Law and Order

11:10pm Boy A 1:10am The Shape of Things 2:50am Friday Night In 3:00am Seance on a Wet Afternoon 5:10am 3 Minute Wonder: Preparing for the Worst 5:15am Countdown

11:45pm True CSI 12:45am Quiz Call 5:10am Wildlife SOS 5:35am Wildlife SOS

30 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

TELLY

TELEVISION@gairrhydd.COM

SUNDAY Keeping Up Appearances BBC1 4:50pm

Film To Be Announced BBC2 5.55pm

BBC 1

BBC 2

Beat the Star ITV1 6:20pm

ITV 1

4th May China Youth Day

Hostage C4 11.00pm

Channel 4

Consenting Adults five 10.40pm

Five

6:00am Breakfast 7:45am MotoGP: Shanghai 9:00am The Andrew Marr Show 10:00am Sunday Life 11:00am Countryfile 12:00pm The Politics Show

6:00am CBeebies 7:00am CBBC: 9:35am Match of the Day 11:00am Something for the Weekend 12:30pm Premiership Rugby

6:00am The Sunday Programme 7:25am CITV 10:10am Soccer Sunday 10:35am Custer of the West

6:00am The Hoobs 6:50am Trans World Sport 7:45am The British Formula 3 International Series 8:15am The Shooting Party 8:45am T4:Shipwrecked 2008 9:20am T4:Hollyoaks Omnibus 11:50am T4:Shipwrecked 2008

6:00amKids TV 10:00am The Gadget Show 11:00am Kathryn Tickell’s Northumbria 11:50am I Love You, I Love You Not

1:00pm EastEnders 2:55pm Madeline 4:20pm ‘Allo ‘Allo! 4:50pm Keeping Up Appearances

1:00pm Badminton Horse Trials 3:00pm World Snooker

1:05pm ITV News and Weather 1:15pm ITV Wales News and Weather 1:20pm Britain’s Got Talent 2:20pm Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 4:20pm Pushing Daisies

1:25pm T4:The Nokia Green Room 2:00pm Channel 4 Racing 4:15pm The Simpsons 4:50pm Time Team

1:30pm Football Italiano 4:20pm Escape from Alcatraz: The True Story

5:20pm Points of View 5:35pm Songs of Praise

5:55pm Film To Be Announced

5:20pm Down to Earth 5:50pm ITV Wales News and Weather

5:45pm Scrapheap Challenge

5:20pm Five News and Sport 5:35pm Spider-Man 2

6:10pm BBC News; Regional News; 6:20pm Wales Today; Weather 6:30pm BBC News; Regional News; 6:35pm Seaside Rescue 7:05pm I’d Do Anything Results 7:35pm My Family 8:05pm Raiders of the Lost Ark

6:00pm Young Musician of the Year 7:00pm The Birth Of Israel 8:00pm World Snooker

6:05pm ITV News and Weather 6:20pm Beat the Star 7:35pm Coronation Street 8:05pm Flood

6:45pm Channel 4 News 7:00pm Bremner, Bird and Fortune 8:00pm Bear Grylls: Born Survivor

8:05pm The Bridges of Madison County

9:00pm Grand Designs Live

10:00pm BBC News; Weather 10:20pm Match of the Day 2

11:10pm Dragonfly 12:45am The Sky at Night 1:05am Weatherview 1:10am Sign Zone:Watchdog 1:40am Sign Zone:Holby City 2:40am Sign Zone:The Age of Terror 3:40am Sign Zone:Ben Fogle’s Extreme

10:05pm Headcases 10:35pm ITV News and Weather 10:50pm Liza Minnelli: The South Bank Show 11:00pm The Ipcress File

11:50pm Championship Goals

PICK OF THE DAY Bear Grylls: Born Survivor, C4, 8.00pm “Hi, i’m Bear Grylls and today I’ll be showing you how to survive in some of the world’s most extreme environments. I’m in the urban dystopia of Cathays, Cardiff. In an environment like this everything is out to get you. Food is scarce and the driving rain and gale force wind will impair your ability to forage for nutrients. Now, here’s a trick I learned in the army for when you are after any protein you can get, find a dazed masculine human lying on the street, maually stimulate him and swallow what comes out; you have no idea how many times that little SAS trick has saved my life. Once you have found food you will need to find shelter and warmth, trek due east across the arid Richmond Road and you will find yourself in the region of Roath, known for its poisonous rats. Here you will find the Mecca for all explorers trying to survive in the region, the 24hr Spar. Curl up by the baked beans and get valuable rest.”

10:00pm Hostage

10:40pm Consenting Adults

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

FIVE MINUTE FUN

FMF@gairrhydd.COM

found on facebook Housemate done something stupid?

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

Across

Down

8. Fraught with extreme danger (4) 9. In a harmful manner (10) 10. Speech-giver (6) 11. Discharge (8) 12. Leg joint (4) 13. Dries up (10) 17. Sicknesses (4) 18. Not sharp (5) 19. Within (4) 20. People who perform risky stunts (10) 22. Accomplished (4) 23. In a peaceful manner (8) 27. Frozen north (6) 28. Neurotic (10) 29. Three squared (4)

1. A fragrant oil used in perfumes and insect repellent (10) 2. Found on birds (8) 3. Astonishing (10) 4. Look amorously (4) 5. Pocketbook (4) 6. Sacred text of Zoroastrianism (6) 7. A range of male singing (4) 14. Nymph (5) 15. Repugnant (10) 16. Not contractions (10) 19. Immodest (8) 21. A good look (6) 24. Baking appliance (4) 25. Pelvic bones (4) 26. Anglo-Saxon slave (4)

competition crossword

Sudok leaves u fo page 2 r

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 is 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 wordsearch 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.

34 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

LISTINGS

LISTINGS@gairrhydd.COM

This Week: Those beat-freakin drum ‘n’ base maniacs Pend

MUSIC MONDAY YELPS @ BARFLY - A big mixed bag of Retro punk and modish rock’n’roll from this softly psychedelic band. 8pm. Check Venue for prices. ACID MOTHERS+RUINS+MAKOTO KAWABATA @ THE POINT - Japanese band Acid Mothers are heavy-psych, trance-blown power jammers with a distinctive 70s psychedelic sound that is loud, heavy and fast. Blimey. 7.30pm. £8. TUESDAY DAN LE SAC VS. SCROOBIUS PIP @ BARFLY - Hip-hop/electro duo whose name has been on the tip of everyone’s tongues since the release of their 2007 single Thou Shalt Always. 7.30pm. £10. THE AUTOMATIC+VIVA MACHINE+ATTACK! ATTACK! @ THE POINT - Oh no, what’s that coming over the hill... 7.30pm. £11. WEDNESDAY MATCHBOX 20 @ CIA - US indie rockers who are already a big hit on the other side of the pond. 7pm. £25. MARTI PELO @ ST. DAVIDS HALL - The face of Wet Wet Wet comes to please the lives of many middle aged women. 7.30pm. THURSDAY THE STOPMOTION MEN @ BARFLY - An intriguing musical concept if there ever was - rock band who play music inspired by film. 7.30pm. £5. THE BLACK LIPS @ THE POINT - Formed in 2000 by a group of teenage friends, The Black Lips quickly became one of the Atlanta underground’s most talked about bands. 7.30pm. £11.50/£9.50 adv. FRIDAY THE FAMILY PRESENTS: WHITE TRASH AMBITION+FROMMARS @ TOMMY’S BAR - Big riffing, sharp tongued trailer park rock ‘n’ roll and spiky, dazzlingly inventive pop-rock from these two bands, respectively. SATURDAY MYSTERY JETS @ CLWB IFOR BACH - Meh, you’ve probably heard of them. 7.30pm. ZOMBIE-ZOMBIE @ 10 FEET TALL - Acquired taste, but rather interesting. Horror, in musical form. 7.30pm. £4. SUNDAY LATE OF THE PIER @ BARFLY - Explosive indie-dance fourpiece. Endorsed by Radio 1’s Annie Mac. Must be alright then. 7.30pm. Check venue for prices.

COMEDY MONDAY WHY DOES SNOOP DOGG NEED AN UMBRELLA? (See Wednesday) TUESDAY COMEDY CLUB @ CF10 - HORNE AND CORDEN – IS THIS FUNNY? An exclusive chance to see the stars of Gavin and Stacey – Matthew Horne and James Corden – try and test out material for their new TV show. With support from Nick Mohammed and Jack Whitehall. 8pm. £6 NUS. WEDNESDAY FOR DRIZZLE MANIZZLE. THURSDAY I met my mate’s dad the other day. He said, “What do you do then mate?”, and I said, “I’m a student”. Out of politeness I asked, “So what do you do?”, and he replied, “Oh, I’m in oil.” I said, “What are you, a sardine?” FRIDAY MARK OLVER, DALISO CHAPONDA, JOHNNY CANDON, JASON ROUSE @ JONGLEURS - Daliso is a versatile comedian equally comfortable talking politics, romance, filth or religion. As such, he has performed in such diverse venues as churches, casinos, strip clubs and sports bars. Johnny Candon - Irish comic (aaaah!) who is also quite daft in his interpretation of the world, and apparently his feet stink! Great! Mark Olver - Stand up comedian and compere at Jester Club and Bristol Comedy Pub. 8pm. £8 all tickets. SATURDAY MARK OLVER, DALISO CHAPONDA, JOHNNY CANDON, JASON ROUSE @ JONGLEURS. 8pm. £8 all tickets. SUNDAY SIMON AMSTELL @ ST DAVID’S HALL - Former C4 Popworld presenter, host of The Morning After Show and Mardi Gras comedy competition finalist. Currently presenting BBC2’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks. For ticket info contact venue.

THEATRE

MONDAY EUROBEAT: ALMOST EU CENTRE - Join the cheering, flag-w ten countries compete live on st tering glamour-fest of satin and s on your mobile phone and decide 8:30pm. £23 - £15. Showing unt TUESDAY 3D ZUFALL @ CHAPTER language plays by Alastair Sill, Lle £6/£4. Showing until 30th April WEDNESDAY UTAH BLUE: SHERM of the play by Dic Edwards. Con only. 8pm. £8/£6. FRIDAY BBC NATIONAL ORCHEST - A programme of works by Bartók No 1) and Beethoven (Symphony stead. Contact venue for ticket in SATURDAY ORCHESTRA CONCER NATIONAL OPERA @ ST. DAVID’S sings. Contact venue for ticket in SUNDAY VIVA LA DIVA @ CIA - So secretly enjoyable, musical of so ‘jazz hands’. I assume. £65/£45/ look, its Simon Amstell.

Act One Vs. LMS: Charity Open Mic Night CF10 28/04/08 ◆ 7.00pm. ◆ £5 on the door. LMS President Aimen Chouchane Recommends

his Monday Act One and the Live Music Society will be showcasing their talent in order to raise money for Cancer Research. Act One will kick off the evening in style with their performance of ‘100 Lunches’, directed by Chris Tongue. The society will be providing an hour taster of the show, which consists of a series of comedy sketches which play out over numerous restaurant lunches. Playwright Chuck Reynolds is asked to help write a play for his sole critic Charity Starr and romance blossoms between the pair. Expect crazy waiters, explosive hilarity and non-stop fun! Next to take to the stage will be LMS favourites and Battle of the Bands 2008 winners Zenyth, performing an exclusive ‘unplugged’ set. The band are due to play this year’s Summer Ball after a storming display at the Grand Final in Solus last month and will be looking to show everyone why they are considered one of Cardiff’s top talents. Once Zenyth have played the audience will be invited to join in the fun, with the event becoming an ‘open mic’. Audience participation

on the night is what it’s all about, with anyone willing to perform a song, a sketch, a poem or anything else that comes to mind being actively encouraged to do so. From solo performances to full-blown bands, all are welcome! For more information please don’t hesitate to contact either society by email (socialsec@act01.co.uk / lmscardiff@hotmail.com). The night gets under way at 7 p.m. and early attendance is advised since seating is limited to 100 for the duration of the play, although further places will be available from around 8.30p.m. onwards. Those attending will be asked to make a £5 donation on the door, with all profits from the night going to charity. Charlotte Strange, one of the event’s organizers and social secretary of Act One is excited about the event. “I’m really hoping for an awesome turn out. We are being really ambitious with our donation target, but it promises to be an entertaining night, the standard of talent is so high. I hope lots of people come to show their support for this fab cause.”

Students’ Union, Park Place, 02920 387421 www.cardiffstudents.com ◆ Med Club, Neuadd Meirionydd, Heath Park 02920 744948 ◆ Clwb Ifor Bach (The Wels 02920 399939 www.clubmetropolitan.com ◆ Dempseys, Castle Street 02920 252024 ◆ Iotas, 7 Mill Lane 02920 225592 ◆ Incognito, Park Place 02920 412 www.cafejazzcardiff.com ◆ The Riverbank Hotel, Despenser Street www.riverbankjazz.co.uk ◆ St. David’s Hall, The Hayes 02920 878444 www.stdavidshallcardif uk ◆ The New Theatre, Park Place 02920 878889 www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk ◆ The Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road 02920 646900 www.shermanthea Stadium Can’t miss it. www.millenniumstadium.com ◆ The Point, Cardiff Bay, 029 2046 0873 www.thepointcardiffbay.com ◆ Tommy’s Bar, Howard Gardens (off

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

LISTINGS

LISTINGS@gairrhydd.COM

dulum come to town, as does the stars of TV’s ‘Gavin & Stacey’

E & ARTS

UROVISION @ WALES MILLENNIUM waving, clapper-clacking crowds as tage for the golden trophy in a glitshiny white teeth. Text in your vote e the winner every night! 5:30pm & til 3rd May. R ARTS CENTRE - Three new Welsh eucu Sion and Joanna Davies. 8pm.

MAN CYMRU - A new co-production ntains strong language - over 16s

TRA OF WALES @ ST. DAVID’S HALL k (Divertimento and Violin Concerto y No 7). Or listen to death metal innfo. RT SERIES: ORCHESTRA OF WELSH S HALL - It ‘ain’t over ‘till the fat lady nfo. ounds like a very camp, but probably ome kind. Life affirming and full of /£27.50. Check venue for times. Oh

GOING OUT MONDAY FUN FACTORY @ SOLUS, SU - Cardiff’s own alternative mu-

sic night. Also features DJing by Oddsoc and bands put on by LMS. 10pm - 2am. Free entry with NUS. £3 otherwise. TIGER TIGER - The end of the academic year is approaching fast so make the most of Tiger whilst you’ve still got the chance. LIVE MUSIC @ 10 FEET TALL - Outside promoters pushing new live local acts. 8pm. Free.

TUESDAY

10 FEET TALL - 8pm-11pm Live Bands/Outside promoters followed by Disco Dirt‚ Electro Breaks, 70’s Funk, Reggae and Disco cheese. Popcorn, Shots, Drinks promo’s. 11pm-4am. £3.

WEDNESDAY XFM SOUTH WALES & 10 FEET TALL PRESENTS UPLOADED LIVE - 3 Floors of Live Bands/DJ’s/Drinks offers/Giveaways/Badges.8PM-4am. FREE!! OCEANA-WAH! Standard. THURSDAY PHILHARMONIC - Can BOUNCE @ WALKABOUT FRIDAY HOT SOURCE @ 10 FEET TALL‚ Classic Funk, Future Jazz, Roots, Motown, Disco and the best new releases. Expect the finest: Ami Winehouse/Mark Ronson/ Grand Master Flash/Stevie Wonder. Free before 11. 11pm-4am £tbc. SATURDAY THE ME AND YOU CLUB @ 10 FEET TALL - “An unruly Rock n Roll Party”. Straight ahead, upfront good time indie rock & pop, new music and classic alternative tunes. 11pm-4am. £tbc SUNDAY JUST CHILL!

SOCIETIES MONDAY ACT ONE VS. LMS: CHARITY OPEN MIC NIGHT @ CF10 Musical fun all in the name of chaity. See below bitches. THURSDAY LGBT SOCIETIES MAY GAY BALL @ PULSE - Tickets are £15, which includes food, jazz band, a magician and drag act. Tickets are available by emailing LGBT@Cardiff.ac.uk or via facebook. SATURDAY WINDBAND SOCIETY CONCERT @ HIGHFIELDS CHURCH, MONTHERMA ROAD - The Wind Band Society presents the City of Cardiff Concert Band in their final concert of the academic year. The programme will include Welsh Rhapsody and Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite. 7.30pm. £5 adults, £3 NUS are available on the door.

Oi! Listings needs YOU... Does your club or society have future events that need publicising? If the answer is “yes”, then the lovely people at Listings can help. Simply email us the details of your event, and we’ll dedicate this column to letting the world know about it. LISTINGS@gairrhydd.COM

Pendulum Great Hall 01/05/08 ◆ Contact venue for ticket details Ruth Smith Recommends

“B

ut tonight, on this small planet, we’re going to rock civilisation...” Indeed civilisation will be rocked at Pendulum’s gig on Thursday. The drum and bass legends are probably most well known for their 2005 single ‘Slam’, although their current song ‘Granite’ has hit number 29 in last week’s Top 40 Dance Singles. ‘Propane Nightmares’ is also getting a large amount of coverage, having been released on Monday. The band originally came from Perth, Australia, until when, in 2003, the six members relocated to the United Kingdom. Two years later, they released their debut album, ‘Hold Your Colour’, which has become one of the best selling drum and bass albums released of all time, well received particularly in both the UK and Australia. After being very successful with the album, being featured regularly on BBC Radio 1 and having remixed for well established bands such as The Progidy, the band finally decided to play live performances in 2005. Pendulum’s music is well known for its heavy beats coupled

with low, humming baselines. The band is made up of six members, who have said that: ‘We want our music to be an escape. While technology continues to constantly advance production techniques and (arguably) sound quality, something has been lost in the process - that original sense of self-escape, the idea of leaving yourself open to experience something you don’t necessarily find in every-day life… we spend nearly every waking moment trying to create music that takes you out of this universe - for ourselves and anyone else who wants to listen.’ Pendulum’s second album, ‘In Silico’, is due to be released in May. The band is also set to play at the University’s Summer Ball on 13th June – so make sure you get your tickets and check them out, especially as their gig this week has already sold out.

sh Club), 11 Womanby Street 02920 232199 www.clwb.net ◆ Barfly, Kingsway, Tickets: 08709070999 www.barflyclub.com/cardiff ◆ Metros, Bakers Row 2190 ◆ Liquid, St. Mary Street 02920645464 ◆ The Philharmonic, 76-77 St. Mary Street 02920 230678 ◆ Café Jazz, 21 St. Mary Street 02920 387026 ff.co.uk ◆ Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton 02920 304400 www.chapter.org ◆ Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay 0870 0402000 www.wmc.org. atre.co.uk ◆ The Glee Club, Mermaid Quay 0870 2415093 www.glee.co.uk ◆ Cardiff International Arena, Mary Ann Street 02920 224488 ◆ The Millennium Newport Road) 02920 416192 ◆

36 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

XPRESS RADIO

monday 28th

tuesday 29th

9am-11am Sarah and Phil 9am-11am Just the two of 11am-1pm Shaz and Hanus with Alexis and Emma nah are the Angry Mob 11am-1pm The Wade and 1pm-2.30pm The Stark Morrissey Takeover and Moo Show 1pm-2.30pm The Great 2.30pm-4pm Sam and Greg Al and Steve 2.30pm-4pm Rach in the Afternoon 4pm-6pm For Your Ears Only with Rich and Gwil 4pm-6pm Faces For Radio 6pm-7.30pm Things Fall Apart 6pm-7.30pm Spotlight 7.30pm-8.30pm 7.30pm-9pm The Bronze Glitches and Prose 9pm-11pm Balthazar! 8.30pm-9.30pm Urban Science 11pm-12am Trash De Luxe 9.30pm-11pm Roots Chariot 12am-1am Roadtrip 10.30pm-12am One Buk $how 1am-2am On the Decks 12am Xpress Jukebox 2am Xpress Jukebox

STUDIO@xpressradio.CO.UK

wednesday 30th 9am-11am Chit Chat with Carly 11am-1pm A Cup of Tea and a Biscuit with Lucy 1pm-2.30pm The Weekly with Mike Thomas 2.30pm-4pm TNT 4pm-5.15pm Kate and Paul do the Sports Show 5.15pm-6pm Back of the Net 6pm-7pm [Insert Pun Here] 7pm-8pm Methu Dawnsio 8pm-9.30pm The Exhibition 9.30pm-11pm Weekday Warmup 11pm-12.30am Funktionality vs. Comatose 2am - Xpress Jukebox

xpress radio chart

thursday 1st

friday 2nd

saturday 3rd

sunday 4th

9am-11am The Kat and Ash Show 11am-1pm The Grapevine with Hannah and Soph 1pm-2.30pm The Oli and Stefano Show 2.30pm-4pm Hits and Giggles with Claire and Louise 4pm-5.30pm Loud Noises 5.30pm-6pm Xpress Debate 6pm-7.30pm Transmission 7.30pm-9pm Xposed 9pm-10.30pm Signals Over the Air 10.30pm-12am Thrift Store Show 12am-1am Thursday Night Lights 1am Xpress Jukebox

9am-11am We Love Fridays with Char 11am-1pm Suz and Nic’s Pic and Mix 1pm-2.30pm Ciao Bella with Amy Aiello 2.30pm-4pm 3 Men in a Room 4pm-6pm Girls on Top with Han and Jess 6pm-7.30pm Girls, Uninterrupted 7.30pm-9pm The Takeover 9pm-11pm The Plastics 11pm-2am Live from AAA 2am Xpress Jukebox

10am-10.30am Saturday Morning Speech: The Culture Show 10.30am-11am Saturday Morning Speech: Upbeat Quiz 11am-12pm Saturday Morning Speech: Soapbox 12pm-2pm The Jack and Tom Delusion 2pm-4pm Jazz Society 4pm-5pm Classical Show 5pm-6pm Filmage Hour 6pm-7pm Heads in the Clouds 7pm-8.30pm Radio Fun, Yeah? 8.30pm-10pm Saturday Night Therapy 10pm-12am A DnB Spectrum 12am-2am JJ’s Lounge 2am Xpress Jukebox

10am-12pm Living for the Weekend with Matt and Carrian 12pm-2pm Get Roasted with Flic and Lucie 2pm-2.30pm eXposure 2.30pm-3.30pm Rock Solubalization 3.30pm-5pm Root Blue 5pm-7pm Jordi and Alec Show 7pm-8.30pm Dig Le Muzika 8.30pm-10pm The Classroom 10pm-12am Starfish and Coffee 12am Xpress Jukebox

mainstream show of the week:

the ollie and stefano show Listen in as the ultimate duo take you through your Thursday lunchtimes from 1pm till 2.30pm, giving you the latest film reviews, random facts, funny quotes and stupid banter! As well as the Ollie and Stefano Retake competition, the show packs a punch each week as various celebrities pop round to record a few exclusive quotes and drink a cool glass of OJ!

thursday: 1pm til 2.30pm

gig of the week

the black lips thursday may 1 the point £9.50 The Point, one of the best venues in Cardiff, plays host to the raucous, energetic and downright brawny The Black Lips this Thursday. Do not confuse this Atlanta-based quartet with the quintet from Florida, Black Kids, as I’ve been doing for the past three months. Thinking I was going to be treated to a remix of ‘I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend’, I was (not unpleasantly) surprised to hear loud, melodious rock blare out of my meagre laptop speakers. But before we get carried away singing their praises, let’s not forget tonight’s sup-

port act, newly formed Cardiff songsters The Muscle Club. Having played their first gig little more than three months ago, this band have played an impressive number of gigs around Cardiff, supporting the likes of Future of the Left and Slow Club. Their songs are light and energetic and they should provide the perfect support for the heavier, somewhat more menacing headliners The Black Lips. One thing that strikes me about The Black Lips is that they seem to do whatever the fuck they want without giving two hoots about what anyone thinks. The Point has amazing acoustics and I can’t think of a better venue for The Black Lips to fill your head with reverberating guitars and slightly dark vocals. Plus, Cardiff hosts the first UK date for the band so it’s sure to be an energetic and memorable performance. RM

1. LCD Soundsystem Time To Get Away 2. Foals - Cassius 3. Tiny Masters of Today Hologram World 4. These New Puritans Elvis 5. Los Campesinos! - Broken Heart Beats Sound Like Breat Beats 6. Mystery Jets - Young Love (shoes remix) 7. The Teenagers - Love No 8. Johnny Foreigner Some Party Scenes 9. Art Brut - Pump Up the Volume 10. Late of the Pier - The Bears Are Coming

specialist show of the week:

The Beat It! music quiz Tune in as Rhys Phillips challenges two students each week to go head to head and test their musical knowledge. It‘s kind of a pub quiz meets Never Mind the Buzzcocks meets Counterpoint.. if you can imagine such a thing! The Beat It! final is being recorded in front of a live audience at The Taf on Thursday May 1st from 6:30-7pm. Entry is free with your NUS card.

saturday: 10.30am til 11am

38 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

PROBLEM PAGE

From the Desk of

TEd

PROBLEMPAGE@gairrhydd.COM

e m so

d n Ha

He’s a ruddy good lad.

Ted Handsome’s Reasons I Like China An Occasional Series

I know that it is ‘trendy’ and ‘cool’ for all you hairy-arsed liberal peaceniks to bang on about the human rights abuses in Tibet, but have any of you actually given a thought to China’s other history? All you Che Guevara pin badge-wearing hypocrites hop on the Dalai Lama’s bandwagon just because he said ‘Being nice is good’ and ‘Being mean is nasty’ all the time living in a 1000 room palace. So China, here’s to you!

No. 1 - Paper Money

Like it or loathe it, monetarism is a central aspect to any civilised society. Whereas in earlier societies money was represented by a hefty token whether it be a crudely rendered coin or animal bones. This was all well and good when the only financial transactions were to do with buying hunks of cow meat and woad. It simply would not be the done thing to enter a branch of Dixons and empty a burlap sack of oddly-sized metai tokens in order to purchase a toaster. Paper money revolutionised monetarism simply because it allowed large amounts of money to be transported easily and with undue fuss. Plus, you try slipping a groat into a stripper’s bra without causing a mishap.

No. 2 - Kung Fu

Martial arts have never been more popular, and possibly the most well known of all of them is Kung Fu. Popularised in the 1970s with such luminaries as Bruce Lee representing Chinese philosophies and Chinese national pride, the steely determination of the Shaolin Monks has ensured the lasting legacy that Chinese society has left on the wider world. One only has to look at the fascination that Wu-tang clan has with Kung Fu to show the impact that Kung Fu has caused. And in their own immortal words. ‘Wu Tang Clan ain’t nuttin ta fuck wit.’ Word.

No. 3 Confucius

For a long time, Confucius has been a byword for deep thinking and philosophising. However, very few people are actually aware of his teachings. Confucius taught a mixture of ritualism and the pursuit of goodness. Confucius argued that governance should be based on leading by virtue, rather than by seeking to punish those who have broken the law. This is based on the fact that if an individual breaks the law, they are more concerned with the punishment at hand, rather than the shame that they should feel. Perhaps Confucius’ most lasting impact is his early articulation of the golden rule. ‘What one does not wish for oneself, one ought not to do to anyone else; what one recognises as desirable for oneself, one ought to be willing to grant to others’. So there.

A letter about the old Varsity Dear Ted, Hurrah! Praise be! Our lads done good! I assume that you, like every other individual with a decent dollop of academic pride, were there cheering our boys on to a historic victory against the drooling troglodytes that make up the Swansea mob. Seeing them pour out of the train station like a sea of unwashed lumpen oafs, made me want to vomit all over my boating shoes. Seriously, the cheek of these degenerate plebians roaming all over our fair city, polluting our bars and nightclubs, communicating solely in low grunts really made me question our reasoning behind the whole affair. Of course, we need opposition to roundly trounce year

after year, but why does it have to be Swansea? Yours Rory Undergraduate Roath Rory, Oh Christ, is it that time of the year again? The year in which suddenly, everybody develops a sudden affinity with their seat of higher learning, despite complaining about tuition fees, library fines and exam timetables for the remainder of their time spent here. I’m not one for bannerwaving and enforced fun, and so I feel right royally hacked off that a bunch of idiots which are painted of face and short of anything better to do (isn’t it essay time?) are trying to

force me to regress into an atavistic beast yelling at anything different to me. I’m sure that the individuals involved in kicking the ball/running with the ball were all jolly pleased with their efforts on the pitch, and I’m sure we’ll all hear about it for the next 10 years when they are toiling away in middle management and hating their lives. I hope this helps. Yours, Ted

A letter about a Monster Dear Ted, Brain fried tonight through misuse/ Through misuse, through misuse/ You can’t avoid static abuse/ Abuse, abuse/Without these pills you’re let loose/You’re let loose, you’re let loose/Take off, get out, no excuse/No excuse, no excuse/ What’s that coming over the hill/ Is it a monster? Is it a monster?/ What’s that coming over the hill/ Is it a monster? Is it a monster?/ What’s that coming over the hill/ Is it a monster? Is it a monster?/ What’s that coming over the hill?/ Confused, mind bruised, it seeps out/It seeps out, it seeps out/Face down, home town looks so grey/ Looks so grey, looks so grey/Convexed you bend, twist and shout/

Twist and shout, twist and shout/ Stand up brush off get moving/Get moving, get moving/What’s that coming over the hill/ Is it a monster? Is it a monster?/What’s that coming over the hill/Is it a monster? Is it a monster?/What’s that coming over the hill/Is it a monster? Is it a monster?/What’s that coming over the hill?/Face down, home town, face down, home town/Face down, home town, it looks so grey/ Face down, home town, face down, home town/Face down, home town, it looks so grey / Face down, home town, face down, home town/Face down, home town, it looks so grey /What’s that coming over the hill/ Is it a monster? Is it a monster?/ What’s that coming over the hill/

Is it a monster? Is it a monster?/ What’s that coming over the hill/ Is it a monster? Is it a monster?/ What’s that coming over the hill?/ Yours, A. Utomatic Cowbridge Mr. Utomatic There is no such thing as monsters. Seriously, you are a grown man, what is wrong with you? I strongly suggest that you reassess your life situation. Much Love, Ted

Dear lovely reader, This week, I have mainly been househunting. You see, following a slight misunderstanding with a neighbour (let’s just say that I had no idea a Jack Russell could a) ﬂy that far, and b) bleed that much) I have been on the search for a new property to call home. Unfortunately for me, this means that I have to deal with that most toxic of personalities; the Estate Agent. Respledent in their cheap suit, complete with giant tie knot and Division 2 footballer haircut. Reeking of cheap cologne, the imbecile drags me around various dives and crack dens, trying to convince me that the rat that just ran across my leg adds to the charm of the property. In short, I don’t really see the point in the continued existence of these primped and preening idiots. Please still let me buy a house. TH xxx

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

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!

A Speed Date

fan of The Matrix? Then you will absolutely love the adrenaline rush you’ll experience from the new hit film SPEED RACER.

From writers/directors/producers Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creators of the groundbreaking “The Matrix” trilogy, and producer Joel Silver comes the live-action, highoctane family adventure “Speed Racer.” Hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition, Speed Racer is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolised—the legendary Rex Racer, whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill. “Speed Racer” stars Emile Hirsch as Speed, Christina Ricci as Speed’s girlfriend Trixie, Matthew Fox as the mysteriously masked Racer X, and Oscar winner Susan Sarandon and John Goodman as Mom and Pops Racer. This film will hit cinema screens on May 9th and we have 2 pairs of tickets to the preview screening on May 7th to give away. All you have to do to win is answer the question above and email your name and address to the email above. Q: Speed Racer, the main character Speed of the new live-action adventure from the Wachowski brothers, is played by this acclaimed star of Into the Wild. Who is he? A: Keanu Reeves B: Emile Hirsch C: Patrick Dempsey

40 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

Varsity Shield Results

Cardiff retain the Welsh Varsity Shield after a resounding 18 - 3 defeat of fierce local rivals Swansea University LADIES’ BADMINTON MEN’S BADMINTON LADIES’ BASKETBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL CRICKET LADIES’ FENCING MEN’S FENCING LADIES’ FOOTBALL MEN’S FOOTBALL GOLF LADIES’ HOCKEY MEN’S HOCKEY LACROSSE NETBALL ROWING FRESHERS RUGBY LADIES’ RUGBY MEN’S RUGBY LADIES’ SQUASH MEN’S SQUASH LADIES’ TENNIS MEN’S TENNIS

CARDIFF.......................................8 CARDIFF.......................................6 CARDIFF.....................................91 CARDIFF.....................................93 CARDIFF...........................142 for 3 CARDIFF...................................114 CARDIFF...................................135 CARDIFF.......................................4 CARDIFF.......................................3 CARDIFF.......................................3 CARDIFF.......................................5 CARDIFF.......................................6 CARDIFF.....................................15 CARDIFF.....................................69 CARDIFF.......................................2 CARDIFF.......................................5 CARDIFF.....................................76 CARDIFF.....................................19 CARDIFF.......................................0 CARDIFF.......................................5 CARDIFF.......................................8 CARDIFF.......................................7

SWANSEA.......................................0 SWANSEA.......................................2 SWANSEA.....................................19 SWANSEA.....................................88 SWANSEA...........................141 for 8 SWANSEA...................................122 SWANSEA.....................................93 SWANSEA.......................................3 SWANSEA.......................................0 SWANSEA.......................................3 SWANSEA.......................................0 SWANSEA.......................................1 SWANSEA.......................................4 SWANSEA.....................................21 SWANSEA.......................................0 SWANSEA.......................................6 SWANSEA.......................................0 SWANSEA.......................................9 SWANSEA.......................................4 SWANSEA.......................................0 SWANSEA.......................................2 SWANSEA.......................................3

Scoreboard Banter

“More STDs than GCSEs, that’s what Swansea’s got” “Aled im pregnant!”

“Swansea... because I couldn’t get into a real uni”

“Give me an E, give me an E, give me a U what do you get? Into Swansea Uni”

“Any anti-social behaviour will result in admission into Swansea Uni”

“I took a dump on Mumbles pier”

“Cardiff Uni RFC... for when your (sic) not good enough to play for UWIC”

350 texts were sent to Varsity’s official commentary team, Xpress Radio. Please note: The rest of the Swansea banter was poor and not deemed worthy of printing.

APRIL.28.2008 SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

gairrhydd

SPORT

PHOTOS: ED SALTER, DAVE GREEN, JAKE YORATH

42 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

THE WORD ON... ...how the Cardiff - Swansea Varsity measures up to its rivals talent-finding pedestal. The very fact that the fixture has produced the international talents of Alun Wynn Jones and Dwayne Peel just proves the opportunities that are available to the players gracing the field. Moreover, the very fact that rumours concerning Swansea’s likely recruitment of Llanelli Scarlet’s Rhys Priestland found their way into pre-match circulations is as bolder statement of the event’s scale and importance as one could possibly hope for.

Let us not forget that the Welsh Varsity has borne witness to some of Wales’ finest

David Weston Sports Reporter

he concept of inter-university rivalry is by no means a recent development, and the annual opportunity for local one-upmanship is an occasion relished by many a student. Steeped in tradition, the notion of ‘Varsity’ within Britain has its roots buried within Oxbridge history, most notably with regards to the annual boat race between the two founding universities. Officially, the first boat race was held in 1829 and won, incidentally, by Oxford. Now, almost 280 years later, this coveted title is as dynamically contested as ever. However, throw into the mix some lucrative sponsorship, a quarter of a million riverside spectators and an estimated 120 million watching on television worldwide: it isn’t difficult to see just how far the race has progressed. But is this something of an anomaly? When you consider the general popularity of rowing, it is an unlikely sporting contender for such high viewing numbers. Perhaps this is truly testament to the stigma we attach to tradition, because

under no other circumstances would a boat-race between the same two teams, year-in year out, be able to attract such a substantial crowd. I mean, I can scarcely conceive of a crowd as much as 1/100th - of the size scaling the length of the Taf to catch a glimpse of the Cardiff-Swansea rendition. No, today’s university Varsities are, with no disrespect to any of the other contested sports, really all about the rugby match. And to be fair, why wouldn’t it be? Surely the vast majority of people who do tune in to watch England’s finest do battle once a year watch the boat-race purely out of tradition, a loose affiliation with a particular side or sheer boredom. With no disrespect intended towards the rowing supporters, it can hardly hold itself in the same esteem as a passionate and nail-biting affair in the same way rugby can, which ultimately is better suited for annually settling an inter-city rivalry. Although the Welsh Varsity cannot boast of the same 136 year history as the Oxbridge equivalent, this has certainly not detracted from the standard of sporting ability annually showcased. Let us not forget that the Welsh Varsity has bonre witness to some of Wales’

finest. Few other British Varsity events have as an impressive reading list of names who have turned professional on the back of scintillating individual performances, surely putting the Welsh contest on something of an ability

Whilst numerically paling in comparison to the five-figure attendances involved in some American College Varsities, the popularity of the Welsh Varsity is doubtless one of the more popular British counterparts. The very fact that last year’s game was shown on national television and attracted over 5,200 spectators on the day is testimony to the progress the Welsh Varsity has achieved. What’s more, the very fact that the match received television coverage places the Cardiff-Swansea duel on a plateau shared with only two other British Varsities. Yet, even in my three years here, this is not the only progress that has been made. You need look no further than the change of venue from Bridgend, back to Cardiff Arms Park, for proof of the significant strides being

taken in the event’s development. Due the event’s ever-increasing popularity, the stadium’s superior capacity is ideal to cater for the growing number of student and public spectators. With all this taken into account and the previous year’s success (in all regards but the result) still lingering in the memory, expectations for this year were just as high, if not higher. To be fair to the organisers, this year’s Varsity, although not without its faults, should be described as a success. Organising an event of this scale is no doubt a difficult task and one can only speculate on the problems that may have occurred at other Varsities in Britain. Doubtless this year’s attendance figures would have been easy-listening for the event organisers, with the spectator total almost two thousand larger than that of the previous year which just adds weight to the Welsh Varsity’s claim as one of the most successful events of its kind across Britain. The only area in which the Welsh Varsity can really be challenged it seems is with regards to its costs. Whilst £8 for a ticket hardly breaks the bank it is still £8 more than the equivalent fixture between the sporting university powerhouses of Bath and Loughborough would cost. Yet with all the proceeds from the match going to the Welsh Charitable Trust even this is a difficult toss to argue. All in all it seems as if the Welsh Varsity has as almost as much to worry about with regards to its competitors as the first XV do about Swansea and with the ironing-out of a few organisational creases the future for next year’s encounter is looking especially bright.

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

SPORT

PHOTO: DAVE GREEN

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

Swans six as parrots Cardiff Men’s 6 v 1 Swansea Men’s Oarsome Nick Wright Rowing Reporter BOTH THE Cardiff men’s and women’s crews ensured that Cardiff got off to a winning start in the 2008 Varsity fixture. The Welsh Boat Race 2008 provided a stage for both universities to showcase their months of hard training and for Cardiff, unbeaten to date in this event, an opportunity to further their dominance on the water. The race, which has been going from strength to strength, was shortened this year to 2000 metres in order to tie in with the summer regatta season. The women’s race, which was started by ex-Cardiff student and ex-Olympic oarsman Pete Gardner, kicked off the day’s proceedings and proved an exciting, close encounter. Cardiff started aggressively and opened up a comfortable advantage over their rivals. As the tiring crews approached the last bend of the course, much to the excitement of the supporters lining the overlooking bridge, Swansea started to push up on Cardiff and close the lead. However it was too little too late as Cardiff kept their cool to finish strongly and win by a length and a half. The men’s race then followed and Cardiff men’s 8 exploded off the start to leave Swansea rowing in their wake from then on. An unfortunate mistake from the Swansea 2 man allowed Cardiff to extend their lead which ultimately proved too much for Swansea to come back from. Captain of Men’s Rowing, Gareth Crossley commented that the men “were confident going into the race and once we had clear water there was absolutely no way they were coming back.”

Swansea broken

Settor Tengey Tennis Reporter

CARDIFF Men’s 1sts .................. 7 SWANSEA Men’s 1sts ................ 3 AFTER A disappointing season in the league, Cardiff Men’s Tennis First Team had a point to prove in the annual Varsity match against Swansea, and they showed their intent from the start. Alex Gardner was the first victorious player, dominating his opponent from start to finish with near flawless tennis. With a balance of consistent baseline play combined with calculated aggression, Gardner was a class above his Swansea opponent, and eased to victory 6 - 1, 6 - 1. Men’s second team captain Pete James was the next victor for Cardiff, winning 6 - 4, 6 - 1. Although James was slow to find his form in the first set, he stepped up his game in the second and was a convincing winner. A stylish second set performance from James saw him outclass his opponent with a string of winners. Although Cardiff’s Andy Ratcliffe eventually lost his singles match, he was unquestionably involved in the match of the day. Ratcliffe was struggling with injury throughout the match, but was able to dominate his

opponent in the first set, with impressive attacking tennis. Unfortunately for Ratcliffe, his injury worsened, and after losing the second set comfortably, it seemed he would be forced to retire. This was not the case however, and Ratcliffe fought his way to a final set tie-break. Having saved a number of match points with gutsy tennis, Ratcliffe eventually lost the tie-break, although his resilience was highly admirable. Captain Settor Tengey was last on court and took the advantage in his match early, using his impressive forehand to dominate his opponent, eventually winning a tense game to clinch the first set 6 - 4. The second set was more comfortable for Tengey, whose patient yet uncompromising style saw him clinch the second set 6 - 1. With Cardiff already assured of victory after the singles matches, the doubles matches were incidental. The team of Ratcliffe and James eased past their opponents, while Tengey and Gardner were unfortunate to lose their matches. This did not take the gloss off an impressive 7 - 3 victory for Cardiff however, with things looking up for next season. “We’ve had a tough season, and it was pleasing to put on a performance for the supporters who stuck by us” commented captain Tengey.

Fenced off

FENCING: Slashing good fun

Jon Harris Fencing Reporter VARSITY IS always the most keenly anticipated fencing match of the year and Cardiff were looking to improve on their narrow 10 point victory of Swansea at the beginning of the BUSA season. Foil was the first weapon of the day and Andrew McLeod got Cardiff of to a good start winning the opening bout 5 - 0. Unfortunately the following bouts were characterized by scrappy fencing from the home side. Easy points were missed and two yellow cards were handed out, one for an unintentional elbow to the head dealt by Cardiff’s Peter Russel. Despite this, the superior skill of the Cardiff team showed through and the home side managed to retain their

lead throughout. Sabre was up next which has been Cardiff’s strongest weapon throughout the BUSA season. Not taking it lying down Swansea put up a surprisingly staunch resistance and Cardiff’s usual onslaught was stopped in its tracks. Things looked especially bleak when McLeod suffered from equipment problems and Swansea edged into the lead. Fortunately all three sabreurs kept their nerve to regain the points and together with the foil score Cardiff were solidly ahead. Going into the final weapon, Epee, the home team needed only 13 points out of the maximum 45 to secure the victory. This was easily accomplished leaving the last half hour of the day little more of a formality before the celebrations.

44 gairrhydd APRIL.28.2008

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

Ben Walker Cricket Reporter CARDIFF Men’s 1sts ........... 142-3 SWANSEA Men’s 1sts ......... 141-8 *Cardiff win by 7 wickets CARDIFF’S CRICKETERS got their season off to a great start with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Swansea in the annual Varsity game. On a cloudy day Cardiff captain Ben Orr won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bowl first. His decision was vindicated immediately as opening bowlers Peter Exley and Ben Walker both picked up a wicket each to leave Swansea struggling at 23-2. Orr and Adam Bennett came on and kept it tight with Orr also managing to pick up a wicket as Swansea laboured to 54-3 at the half-way stage. A smart bit of fielding by John Mills left Swansea deep in trouble at 68-4 and while Swansea did manage to up the scoring rate from here on in they kept losing wickets regularly. Debutant Josh Bess was the pick of the bowlers,

bowling with good pace on a slow track, and finishing up with 3-26 as Swansea could only finish on 141-8 from their 40 overs. Cardiff’s reply got off to a poor start when opener Justin Yau was caught in the gully for five attempting to guide the ball down to third man. This brought Mills to the crease and he looked in great nick, scoring 22 at a run a ball before pulling a long hop straight to mid-wicket. This left Cardiff at 46-2 and with plenty of work still to do, but Dean Cox and Bess forged a partnership of 73 to take the game away from Swansea. Cardiff were in sight of victory as Cox ground out 27 before getting bowled to leave the score at 119-3. Matt Jones was the next batsmen in and he and Bess eased Cardiff to a sevenwicket victory with just under ten overs to spare. Jones made 13 not out and Bess finished unbeaten on 58 as Cardiff cantered to victory. Bess’s 58 came off 63 balls and included 10 fours. Cardiff can look back on a job well done and will look to keep up this form as they look to start their league title defence with a victory against Bath next weekend.

PHOTO: JAKE YORATH

Simply the Bess

RUGBY: Brutal

Hot mint Charles Austin Badminton Reporter CARDIFF Men’s 1sts .................. 6 SWANSEA Men’s 1sts ................ 2

Swans Culled Roz Lambe Ladies Rugby Reporter CARDIFF Ladies’ 1sts .............. 76 SWANSEA Ladies’ 1sts .............. 0 CARDIFF LADIES’ replicated their success of last year’s Varsity by scoring an impressive 12 tries on their way to victory against rivals Swansea. The win also represented Cardiff’s advance into the final of the Welsh Cup. Perfect playing conditions enabled the home side to immediately take possession and move into Swansea’s territory. Following a try attempt by scrum half Ceri Hill in the right hand corner, winger Anwen Harry touched down on the opposite side of the park. This took the score to 5-0 after just 5 minutes and set the standard for the rest of the match. The next score came from Becky Blakeway after Cardiff won a Swansea scrum.

The ball was recycled to the number 8 who smashed her way through the visitor’s defending line, adding another 5 points to the score. The remainder of the half saw some good interlinking play by Cardiff, resulting in tries by centre Roz Lambe, hooker Kerry Boxall and flanker Claire Molloy, all three of which were converted by Molloy. The score upon the half-time whistle was 36-0 to the home side. In the second half, Cardiff continued to dominate play with flanker Louise Steel scoring the first of six tries. The next try came following a clean catch from the re-start, with Jess Bain proceeding to offload to Steel, then Blakeway and finally Hill, who scored beneath the posts. Swansea attempted to fight back, but after a crippling tackle by centre Simone Shepherd, the ball was scooped up Holly Morris who sprinted to score her first try for Cardiff. With 15 minutes to go, a further 3 tries were scored by Molloy and fly half Kat Lenan, cementing a 76-0 victory.

THE ATMOSPHERE was heated inside Talybont Sports Hall with the old rivals matching up yet again. The Cardiff team was eager for success, none more so than rookie Matt Phillips. On his Varsity match debut, some feared that the pressure of the occasion would get the better of the newcomer, but minds were quickly put to rest. Confident throughout, the fresher made short work of his singles matches. Simon Broomfield also was on good form taking both of his matches, while the girls were also heating up as Iris Koh and team captain Rachel Nurse took all four singles. The team could smell success and now it was the chance of the doubles pairs to take to the court. Austin and Houdmont took one of their two matches giving the opportunity for Warraner and Ewins to seal the victory for the Men. After this, resistance was weak; the Girls’ doubles was of a first rate standard, as sterling performances put the girls 6 - 0 up. The final match rested on the shoulders of Weir and Parker. Parker, representing Cardiff for the last time, needed to leave on a high. The match was fantastic, a real epic to leave on.

PHOTO: JAMES PEROU

Cardiff win hoop-la Scott D’Arcy Sports Editor CARDIFF Men’s 1sts ................ 84 SWANSEA Men’s 1sts .............. 79 CRICKET: Textbook

All’s well for Maxwell

deficit. Swansea’s Bramble stepped up to try and rescue the game for the away side as he slammed the ball into the net, shaking the frame to such an extent that he received a talking to by a hardworking referee. The powerful Swansea captain was effectively neutralised in the defensive zone, however, by the equal in stature Ben Hughes who put in a colossal performance to be Cardiff’s top scorer with 21 points. Swansea managed to close the gap but, despite outscoring the home team 26 points to 20, the visitors fell just short and the final buzzer signalled an 84 – 79 Cardiff victory.

PHOTO: DAVE GREEN

a free kick outside of the Swansea penalty area was despatched beautifully by Jen Fildes. At 3 – 3, the game was delicately poised either way, the CARDIFF Ladies’ 1sts ................ 4 crowd were becoming involved in the game which resulted in the Swansea SWANSEA Ladies’ 1sts .............. 3 coach being sent away from the field by the referee for abusive behaviour. IN AN INTENSE Varsity match, Cardiff started to believe they could Cardiff battled it out with rivals win, having been behind constantly Swansea securing a well deserved all game and finally took the lead with 10 minutes remaining. 4 - 3 victory. A strong determined run from Alex The game started at a fast pace with Swansea grabbing an early lead with Joannides through the Swansea dea well placed free kick just outside the fence, she found herself one-on-one box, but Cardiff hit back with a 30- with the ‘keeper, putting a low shot yard stormer from midfielder Emma into the bottom corner. But with just Maxwell. Swansea went in front again two minutes remaining, a Swansea through an undeserved goal, but with striker raced passed the defence, only a through ball from Maxwell, centre to find her shot being saved by Cardiff midfielder Sammy Burdus ran into the ‘keeper Ruth Daley to the relief of the space and bagged another equalising Cardiff players and fans. The final whistle blew, with Cardiff winning goal passed the ‘keepers’ hands. With Swansea leading 3 - 2 at half an enthralling game to keeping their time, Cardiff needed a big second half unbeaten Varsity streak going. Next performance. Playing flowing football game is a Welsh Cup Final fixture and pressuring the Swansea defence, against Swansea in Aberystwyth. Richard Williams Sports Reporter

A LARGE CROWD had gathered in Talybont Sports Hall, complete with the Cardiff cheerleaders and a DJ set in the corner, for the hotly anticipated Varsity Basketball game against Swansea. Last season Cardiff defeated their rivals in a convincing display, and the same was expected this year as the team remained relatively unchanged. The game started at a phenomenal pace with both teams trading baskets. Swansea inched ahead at the start of a low scoring first quarter, but Cardiff took the ascendancy towards the end, as the partisan crowd attempted to out-shout the noisy minority of Swansea fans. The Tigers then stepped it up a gear in the second quarter with some quick passing around the key, which proved too much for an increasingly frustrated Swansea side. An excellent inverted pass by Matt Garton found Duncan Pitt underneath the net, who netted with a tidy lay-up. The home side looked in control throughout, although they struggled to contain Swansea Captain Gee-Vaughn Bramble, who dominated the offensive and defensive rebounds and scored 39 points, half of Swansea’s overall total. Cardiff in comparison spread the scoring around and the team’s cohesion was perhaps the deciding factor.

At the half-way point the Tigers had a lead of nine points. After the restart, Cardiff maintained their momentum and some good defensive blocking by Nick Parnell prevented Swansea from closing the gap. The passing and movement proved too much for the away side and the Cardiff players found space to drive to the basket unchallenged. A precise cross-court pass by Pitt found Garton in space to slip inside and finish with a delicate lay-up to the delight of the increasingly raucous Cardiff support. The final quarter proved to be even more exciting, with the Swansea crowd shouting ever louder despite an 11-point

BASKETBALL: Swish

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008 SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

TAM-Tastic PHOTO: DAVE GREEN

Matt Cutler Quench Sports Editor

CARDIFF Ladies’ 1sts ................ 5 SWANSEA Ladies’ 1sts .............. 0

HOCKEY: Swan killers

BRACES FROM Amy McGowan and Bethan Stephens, and a stunning display from Tamara Fateh gave Cardiff Ladies an easy victory over Varsity rivals Swansea. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Fateh gave an instrumental midfield performance which left a sorry Swansea side at the wrong end of the 5 - 0 drubbing. Both sets of fans were in predictably high spirits at Talybont and the Cardiff contingent were rewarded with a decisive performance from the former England representative. Captain Lizzie Hawes was quick to single out Fateh for her outstanding

performances this season. She said “Tamara deserves sports woman of the year. She performs week in, week out.” Cardiff dominated the early exchanges but found it difficult to convert the pressure into a goal. On 10 minutes, Fateh was tripped in the D with the Swansea player lucky to remain on the pitch. But on the half hour mark Cardiff eventually took the lead through McGowan’s smart finish. It was more of the same after the break and Swansea were finding it difficult to get out of their own half. Seven minutes into the second half, McGowan ran down the left beating two Swansea defenders before slotting into the bottom-right. Defensive midfielders Natalie Blythe and Sophie Blair were industrious throughout, and it was Blair who had her cross-shot converted by Bethan Stephens to make it 3 - 0.

SPORT Fateh went on an amazing run which provided McGowan with the opportunity for a hat-trick, but the Cardiff forward was denied by a sharp save from the Swansea ‘keeper. Stephens got her second with an almost carbon copy of her first before a scrambled fifth ended the rout. Five minutes before the end the two referees bizarrely stopped proceedings and ordered both sets of fans away from the touchline. But there was still time for Hawes to get her first action of the game with the last hit of the match, diving down to her right to keep a deserved clean-sheet. Speaking after the game, Hawes said: “Swansea have never threatened us although it was a shock only to be 1 - 0 up at half time. The support was absolutely awesome and very much appreciated, the best Varsity I’ve ever played in.” PHOTO: JAKE YORATH

Evens Jon-Paul Phillips Golf Reporter

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY Golf team retained the Varsity trophy when they were held to a 3 - 3 draw at Radyr by their Swansea counterparts. A bright but breezy day greeted the players who teed it up, and Cardiff seemed to get off to a good start when first out Ryan Greaney took an early lead over his opponent. However, his advantage did not last and he was pipped at the last, losing one down. Looking to address the deficit, Cardiff Captain Ben Martin then took to the fairways. The great form he has shown throughout the year did not desert him, and after racing to five under through 11 holes a superb 8 & 7 victory was recorded. First year Oliver Stevens and Cardiff veteran Chris Orr both struggled to get the better of their opponents. After a tight game Stevens narrowly lost at the last, while final year Orr succumbed at the 16th, losing 3 & 2. Better news came on the course from Gareth Higton, who has been in tremendous form of late and reeled off three birdies in four holes on the back nine to ease to a 4 & 3 victory. His team mate Dave Thomas, who incidentally will face Higton in the final of the University Championships next week, also notched up a point for Cardiff. All square through ten, Thomas racked up three birdies in succession from the 13th to close the game out 3 & 2. On completion of his round, skipper Martin was philosophical. He said: “Obviously I’m a little disappointed at today’s result as we really would like to have won, but I’m glad that we retained the trophy. “As far as this season goes, I’ve had a great captaincy and with this being my last year, I just hope the team can continue to flourish and build on what is already a very impressive squad.” Despite losing out on a place in the play-offs earlier in the season, the team will look for one last triumph when they arrive in Germany in the summer to compete in the World Student Match Play Championship.

FRESHERS: Kick in the teeth

Oliver Bennett Sailing Reporter AS WITH most sports, the Sailing club, not to be outdone by their land based cousins, invited Swansea Sailing club to Cardiff Bay. We fleet raced with the teams being spread across three different classes of dinghy. Swansea arrived at the bay with obvious intent, suited and booted and with a desire to train before racing. Though Cardiff were not taking it quite

so seriously the team all sailed very well and beat Swansea. Our Magno and Firefly racers were considerably faster than the Swansea counterparts and beat them in all three races. The buzz racing was much closer; Oliver Bennett and Eleanor Assinder managed to win the first two but lost the third due to a capsize. Overall Cardiff had a strong victory; a fleet racing win was especially pleasing because the squad spend more time team racing, the opposite being true for Swansea. SAILING: Caution to the wind

‘Diff chop Swans

Kick Crusher Richard Williams Sports Reporter CARDIFF Freshers’ 1sts ............. 5 SWANSEA Freshers’ 1sts ........... 6 A DRAMATIC finish at Llanrumney ensured that it was Swansea who won the inaugural freshers’ Varsity rugby match. In what was a low scoring affair, both sides displayed a strong defensive ethic which greatly limited attacking opportunities. Only Cardiff’s Adam Evans crossed the whitewash in the game, but it was a brace of Swansea penalties that sank Cardiff and gave Swansea the bragging rights. The game kicked off thirty minutes late in perfect conditions. The sun bathed down on the pitch, and lit up a game that began at a fast pace and remained so for the majority of the first half. Both Cardiff and Swansea spread the ball around and used the backs to their full ability; Cardiff wing Danial Hay displayed on a number of occasions his elusive pace and dancing feet in attack. Cardiff were set upon by a strong Swansea attack, and spent a long period of time midway through the first half camped on their line. They needed their

well organised defence to act sharp on a number of occasions to hold Swansea from scoring. Swansea eventually broke the deadlock with a penalty half way through the half. However, the lead did not last long. After defending for so long, Cardiff breached the Swansea defence and, from a move on the right hand side, flanker Evans crossed to the left of the posts after working well to find a gap in the defensive line. The only try of the game was, however, not converted, though Cardiff were not to know the significance of the miss at the time as they went into half-time 5 - 3 up. The second half was largely an arm wrestle; both teams seemed to have tired following a powerful defensive display in warm conditions. A Swansea penalty from just inside the Cardiff half was missed as the visitors searched for a way back into the game. The final ten minutes, with both teams turning on the flair and the urgency, was never likely to remain scoreless. Unfortunately for the sizeable Cardiff following who had travelled to Llanrumney, it was Swansea who eventually scored. A last minute penalty, the last kick of the game, was given for interference, and slotted over to give Swansea the jubilation of Varsity victory, and Cardiff the heartbreak of a devastating defeat.

46 gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008

SPORT

SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

Cardiff 19 v 9 Swansea...the vitals PHOTO: ED SALTER

Tackles Made: Dan Franks 12 Tom Evans 11 Aaron Fowler 11 Mike Winter 10 Mike Schropfer 10

Assistant Coach: Edd Hampson “Our patience was key as we had to go long phases without the ball, and we took our chances when they were on offer”

PHOTO: ED SALTER

Star Man: Jack Beaman “The pack were tremendous; they repelled them time and time again and we got penalties out of them because that. I’ve got the pack to thank to be honest”

Ball Carries: Aaron Fowler 8 Emyr James 7 Dan Franks7 Aled Mason 6 Tom Cooper 5

Cardiff Captain: Aled Mason “I remember the fans singing ‘You’re not winning anymore’, and when there are five minutes to go there’s nothing better to hear”

Swans stuffed by in-form Cardiff Dan Jones Football Reporter

chest and finish well on the turn into the bottom corner. It could have been two before half time when Connor almost got on the end of a great cross from Hogan. The second half started well and a decent Swansea team looked short of ideas against the ever more comfortable Cardiff. Stairmand did well to weave his way through the Swansea back line only to misjudge his cross to Cinicola who volleyed over. The result was put beyond doubt though soon after when a pass from Jarvis was cutely flicked on by lone striker Kwame Asare to release manof-the-match Connor who knocked the ball between two defenders and sprinted through to finish well under pressure from the on-rushing ‘keeper and chasing defender. From here on it was a case of closing the game out for Cardiff which they did brilliantly with the midfield and defence maintaining their concentration well throughout. A good crowd at Llanrumney thoroughly enjoyed an excellent Cardiff performance.

FOOTBALL: Merked

PHOTO: JAKE YORATH

ON A GLORIOUS afternoon, Cardiff were looking for a second consecutive victory over their South Wales rivals after a 4 - 0 demolition of a weak Swansea side last time around. The game started in tight fashion with both teams feeling each other out; neither wanting to give the other side any chance of making early progress. Cardiff had been forced into a personnel change to the team that beat Glamorgan in the Welsh Cup the previous week with Adam Cochoran filling in at left back for the missing Adam Wise. The first 20 minutes was an edgy midfield affair with only Cardiff showing any signs of attacking flair with an early break down the right from Captain Andre Stairmand. Despite this, the first shot came from Swansea, albeit a loose long range shot posing no problems for the goalkeeper Rich Jefferies. Cardiff came close soon after when a corner found the unmarked Jack Jarvis

only for his show to be saved well by the Swansea ‘keeper. A moment of controversy livened up the first half when the outstanding Dom Connor smashed a far post volley in the bottom corner only to find that the referee’s whistle had already gone for a foul seconds earlier on Cardiff right winger Shaun Hogan. From this point, Cardiff began to turn the screw on their opposition and a goal looked likely, with Swansea’s efforts being reduced to another wayward long range effort. The pressure of not making their later domination count seemed to take its toll on Hogan who was booked for descent. More pressure from Cardiff saw another break down the right flank started by the impressive Hogan who set free Connor who, leaving the Swansea left back in his wake, found James Cinicola with a cross, but his shot narrowly missed the top left corner. The first goal of the game came from yet another Cardiff attack down the right wing as Cinicola crossed the ball to Hogan who showed excellent composure to bring the ball down on his

gairrhydd

APRIL.28.2008 SPORT@gairrhydd.COM

Cardiff XV Player Ratings by Jack Zorab

Replacements Joe Caunt 55mins (Griffiths) 7 Tom Penry-Ellis 60mins (Franks) 6 Ian Newbury 70mins (Hopper) 6 Phil Sales 70mins (Cassidy) 6

Wing Jack Beaman kicks 14 points as Cardiff see off Swansea in the Varsity showcase

Cardiff University XV Swansea University XV

BEAMAN: Perfect 14

Jack Zorab Sports Editor THE UNEXPECTED became reality at the Arms Park on Wednesday night, as Cardiff battled to a glorious 19 – 9 win to close the 2008 Varsity series in emphatic fashion. Swansea started the match the better and the wider. They tested Cardiff down the left wing in the opening minutes and only great cover tackling by Doug McNichol and Tom Cooper stopped Swansea crossing the whitewash. In halting Swansea’s early raids, Cardiff gave away a couple of penalties that the men in white duly converted via their full-back Warren Davis. The reds hadn’t found their quite found their feet yet. Cardiff’s first menacing attack came in the form of a strong run from McNichol, which sliced open Swansea’s defence around the scrum but he was caught agonisingly short and Swansea escaped. Swansea then brought their big forward runners into the game in the form of No.8 Dan West and lock Dan Lloyd-Jones, who made incisive bursts but didn’t seek to off-load the ball with the required urgency of a Varsity clash and Cardiff managed to haul them down. When Swansea’s fly-

19 9

PHOTO: ED SALTER

15. Doug McNichol Excelled and perplexed in equal measure. Cut fine lines in attack but at times looked shaky when Swansea turned the full-back. Kicked well. 7 14. Jack Beaman Nerveless when he put the tee down and made the most of any ball that came his way. A crucial performance. 8 13. Harri Wynn-Morgan A fine game from the big man. Along with Cooper they shut down Swansea’s big runners in mid-field. His pass to put Hopper away en route to Cardiff’s first try was a classy act. 8 12. Tom Cooper Set the tone for Cardiff in defence as he has done all season. Knocking players back and harassing at the break-down. 7 11. Myles Hopper Didn’t get as much ball as he would have liked but challenged well for it under the high ball and his cool head set-up McNichol for the match’s only try. 6 10. Michael Schropfer He fizzed and sparked Cardiff’s backline into action but his kicking out of hand gave Swansea’s fullback too many chances to run. 6 9. Gareth Williams His battle with his opposite man Luke Hopper was the fiercest matchup of the night. Neither backed down but Williams stepped up a little higher. 8 1. Aled Mason (c) Got better and better as the match went on. Covered every blade on the pitch - twice. 8 2. Aaron Fowler Responsible for keeping the pace of the game high which tired Swansea’s larger forwards out. Exemplory lineout throwing. 8 3. Andrew Cassidy Tackled very well and was strong in every facet of the game. 8 4. Tom Evans Part of an efficient lineout and played like a back rower in defence. 7 5. Rhodri Grirriths The big lock played himself into the ground and then some. When he came off after 55 minutes for Joe Caunt he had given everything. 7 6. Mike Winter Played the openside’s role from No.6 and linked up well with James to carry on Cardiff’s attacks. Real aggression when he came into contact. 7 7. Daniel Franks Did a lot of the unseen work in the rucks and mauls. Always there to slow the ball down when Swansea gained momentum and was everywhere in general. 8 8. Emyr James Dynamic ball carrying from the Rumney man. Attacked the fringes with real pace and always stepped the first man. 7

Beam Me Up

half Rob Bevans slid through a nasty bouncing kick, McNichol’s mis-field led to a five-metre scrum that fully put Rob Sidoli’s defensive system to the test. Swansea have forged many Varsity wins and whole seasons in fact by frequently scoring from such positions and when their pick-and-drives were cut down first by Rhodri Griffiths then Michael Winter, Dan Franks, Tom Evans et al, Swansea were lost for ideas. Eventually their scrum-half Luke Hopper had no more options but to hurl the ball out to his backs but Tom Cooper and company were waiting to pounce. Swansea duly lost control of the ball and their grip on the first half. If the game was up for grabs after Swansea’s failure to score despite throwing all their worth into the effort, Cardiff still had to prove it to themselves. This confidence boost came in the form of a Jack Beaman penalty; 15 metres in from the right hand-touch line and about 40 metres from the sticks. It was no easy task but he struck it well and it flew through the oncoming darkness giving Cardiff their first points in a Varsity fixture since Tom Eastham slotted the final kick in 2006. With this kick the pressure visibly lifted off the whole team, Beaman took

every high-five going and Cardiff had the swagger back in their game. From the kick-off Emyr James charged up the pitch off-loading to his pack around him and Cardiff attacked every gap Swansea offered up to them. It wasn’t long before Cardiff’s momentum led to game-breaking moment of the match; The referee awarded Cardiff a penalty in the centre of the paddock and Aaron Fowler tapped and went and before Swansea had time to re-organise their defence. Cardiff recycled quickly and Mike Schrophfer flew the ball out to HarriWynn Morgan who rolled the ball through his hands to find Myles Hopper in open space. The blonde winger took the ball up and found McNichol haring up on the inside of him to crash over and cue delirium in the North Stand. Beaman knocked over the follow up and then put another penalty away before the half-time whistle and Swansea leapt at the chance to get down the tunnel and re-group. The restart could have signalled Swansea re-gaining a grip on the match but Cardiff and captain Aled Mason in particular weren’t having a bit of it. The skipper retained the kick-off himself, took two tackles and off-loaded round the back to Mike Winter who spread the

SPORT Swansea XV Player Ratings by Nick Park 15. Warren Davis His kicking skills were tremendous, securing valuable points for Swansea 7 14. Christian Evans Precise catching and ran with the ball when given the chance 5 13. Sam Soul Came into the game in the second half, displaying potential 5 12. Mike Gubb A real handful for Cardiff in attack and tackled perfectly 8 11. Dan Hutchins Good wing play and close to scoring a try near the beginning 6 10. Rob Bevans (c) He made things happen, storming through and linking up 7 9. Luke Hopper Fired-up from the whistle, took part in everything Swansea achieved 7 1. Rhys John Performed well in the rucks and did not tire once 6 2. David Littlehills Taken off early, never really having time to excel 5 3. Carl Ackland Always seen battling in every bit of forward play 6 4. Dan Lloyd Jones He was mentally strong and fierce in the tackle 7 5. Lloyd Bickle Outstanding going forwards, powering through at every opportunity 7 6. Steve Chappell Figured very rarely, resulting in being replaced early on 4 7. Dan Apsee Eager to be involved in every piece of action, tackling hard also 6 8. Dan West Ran fast with the ball, setting up rucks and mauls on numerous occasions 7

ball out wide and Cardiff were on the front foot again. Although Swansea pegged Cardiff back to 13 - 9 with a penalty, Beaman came into his own as he slotted every three points going in the second half while his counter-part with the boot missed at crucial times for Swansea. Because of this, Swansea were forced to keep the ball in hand more and try to run over Cardiff’s defence. This meant much of Cardiff’s work in the second period was in defence as Swansea kept the ball well but lacked ideas with it in hand. Cardiff still had to put their bodies in the places that hurt the most in order to stop Swansea. They also took every chance to relieve the pressure on themselves. No break out was more important than when Cooper fed Morgan and the outside centre charged up-field before finding Hopper and the match from then on looked out of reach for Swansea. Their last foray into Cardiff territory from the constantly dangerous Davis could have yielded a consolation score but like other attacks on the day Swansea let it fizzle out and a knock-on led to the ref blowing up for Cardiff’s third Varsity Rugby victory since its conception in 1987.

Sport 14 gairrhydd

INSIDE: All the Varsity coverage, includingFEATURES@ analysis of the .COM gairrhydd Rugby fixture and words from some of the key players

PHOTO: ED SALTER

FEATURES

OCTOBER.22.2007

PHOTO: DAVE GREEN

gairrhydd

DEFENDERS

OF THE SHIELD PHOTO: ED SALTER

VARSITY SHIELD OVERALL RESULT: CARDIFF 18 - 3 SWANSEA

-GAIR RHYDD AND QUENCH MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY UNIVERSITY UNION CARDIFF, PARK PLACE, CARDIFF CF10 3QN

George Pawley Sports Editor CARDIFF UNIVERSITY raised the Varsity Shield once again last Wednesday, with a convincing 17 1/2 – 3 1/2 victory over Swansea across the sporting disciplines. The win included an impressive 19 – 9 victory in the showpiece rugby fixture at Cardiff Arms Park in front of a 7,000-strong crowd. Despite being the underdogs, Cardiff produced a titanic performance to see off the old enemy. Full-back Doug McNichol ran in the game’s only try and Jack Beaman kicked a perfect 14 points to put the cherry on-top of a dominant day for the Reds. Even before Varsity day had dawned, Cardiff had marched into a three-point lead, courtesy of the Cricket and Men’s and Women’s Rowing clubs who had

played their fixtures last weekend. This trend continued on a glorious afternoon at Llanrumney, where Cardiff’s footballers picked up a point each, Women’s Rugby were rampant in a 76 – 0 win and Lacrosse crushed the Swans 15 - 4. Over at Talybont, both Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams picked up wins, Netball triumphed by nearly 50 points, and Men’s Basketball won a tense encounter 93 – 88. The half point was shared with Swansea in the Golf, in a 3 – 3 tie at Radyr. The evening’s events rounded off a great day for Cardiff, much to the delight of AU President Ben Turner, who said: “It was only possible for me to catch a small amount of each game and what I saw made me proud to be associated with Cardiff. “The dedication and loyalty of the crowds was quality and the rugby topped off a great day for everyone.”

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 S-LEE-ZE GETS WOOD n RENNISON TAKES GIRLS ON POLITE DATES n BUTTONS’ GINGER BRETHREN STREAKER MAKES FUTURE PRESIDENT PROUD n HARRISON HAS A ‘GLOW’ AFTER VARSITY SUN n WINTON AND KILROY CATCH SAME RAYS n NOT ENOUGH DEAD ANIMALS FOR HANDSOME n ‘MR CARDIFF UNIVERSITY’ RETURNS TO A GR OVATION n PAWLEY FILES COLUMN, LETS IN 7, HOLDS SPORT TOGETHER n D’ARCY: DRUGS MULE? n DEANO NOT MISSED n JACK WRITES CHAPTER 2 IN FOOD SAGA: ‘SCRAPS OF THE CORPIES’ n READ IT n TEAR IT UP nDONE