gair rhydd - Issue 899

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CARDIFF'S STUDENT WEEKLY

freeword - EST. 1972

ISSUE 899 JUNE 01 2009

WHY EUROPE CANCELLED? MATTERS Elections Special,

FESTIVAL IN STRUGGLE TO SECURE PLANNING PERMISSION - News, Page 3 Pages 14-16

OMFG! Emma Barlow News Editor The University’s Catholic chaplain has sparked controversy after claiming that homosexuals are the main perpetrators of child abuse within the Catholic Church.

Father John Owen made the comments live on BBC One’s The Big Questions on Sunday May 24, while reviewing the recent Ryan report.

The 2,565 page report revealed that sexual abuse was widespread in Irish Catholic industrial schools and orphanages run by the Church, and was compiled using testimony from former pupils, inmates and officials.

Father John, who as well as working at the University chaplaincy is also the communications officer for the archdiocese of Cardiff, was asked by the show’s presenter, Nicky Campbell, whether the church cared more about its own reputation than the welfare of children.

Father Owen replied: “These matters are so ghastly that people don’t want to look at them, and they can’t believe these things are taking place within the orbit of a Christian church - a perversion of Christianity.

“Let me tell you of course before you go too far, most of the offences are being

committed by homosexuals.”

The Students’ Union’s Education and Welfare Officer Nick Yates said: “The Students’ Union is utterly appalled at the comments of Father John Owen. He appears to be of the opinion that what the priests did is either somehow excused or explained by the sexuality that he prescribes to them.”

One panellist on the show, the writer and executive director of Amnesty International Ireland Colm O’Gorman, who has recently published a book about his abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest, was especially offended by the comments.

He said: “As a gay man I am not going to allow you to perpetrate that kind of lie.”

In response Father John asked O’Gorman to “be silent.”

Father John continued: “Stick to the facts: the vast majority of the abuse cases in the country – certainly in America - were not taken against what I would call children but 95% of the time taken against teenage boys, now what does that tell you?”

Radio talk-show presenter James O’Brian, who himself had been taught by monks in a Catholic school as a teenager, replied: “The monks who ended up facing criminal charges for abuse were paedophiles, not homosexuals and I find your attempted defence of these crimes repellent.” continued on page 5

IMAGE: BBC

University Chaplain argues on television broadcast that most paedophilia in the Church is ‘committed by homosexuals’

02 NEWS

gr FEATURES Robin Morgan is feeling cheap >>page 20

gairrhydd | NEWS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Talybronx

Bike thief floored by security staff in dramatic chase through Talybont halls of residence

DON'T MISS NEXT WEEK'S 900TH EDITION

OF GAIR RHYDD. WE SEE THE YEAR OFF IN

STYLE WITH SPECIAL FEATURES, AN ETHICAL SUPPLEMENT & MORE

MOST COMMENTED UPON ARTICLES AT GAIRRHYDD.COM: 1.

SAVING TESCO'S BACON - Eleanor Joslin

2.

LIBRARY GIRLS (LETTER) - Anon

3.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE (LETTER) - Colin James

4.

IPIRATE: THE AGE OF FREE MUSIC - Robin Morgan

5.

BNP CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS FOUND IN WALES - Emma Barlow

Residents living in Talybont North were shaken when two men entered the premises and stole students’ bikes.

The men were seen outside House V on the Talybont North complex examining the bikes at 10.30pm on Tuesday May 26.

An eyewitness told gair rhydd that the men looked ‘dodgy’ and she suspected that they were not university students.

After seeing the men ride away with two of the bikes, the eyewitness rang security to report the suspicious incident.

“When I rang up Cardiff security they said they were on the case and they’d just seen with the CCTV cameras the guys with the bikes.”

She later saw security guards catch one of the men outside Talybont South: “They tackled one of the guys with the bikes and took him down!”

Police arrived at the scene and eventually caught the second thief in Cathays.

Lacking sufficient evidence, the police were unable to detain the men, but questioned residents of Talybont North and South for eyewitnesses.

The anonymous eyewitness said that the event was “A little bit intimidating. But it was also quite exciting at the time.”

CHAINED UP: The area where one of the thieves was floored

Cardiff's Naked Bike Ride enters second year Emma Jones News Editor

NOW SHOWING AT

3 Weeks: The debut episode of a brand new drama series based on student life in Cathays.

GOT A STORY? CONTACT US NOW: NEWSDESK 07908 551922 NEWS@GAIRRHYDD.COM gair rhydd has been Cardiff University's independent student newspaper since 1972.

PHOTO: CHRIS LLOYD

Sarah Powell News Editor

Some naked cyclists on the bike ride last year

Cyclists are expected to gather in Cardiff on June 13 for the city’s second World Naked Bike Ride.

The bike ride is a protest against oil dependency and celebrates body freedom. The nakedness of riders is intended to show the vulnerability of riders on the road.

Nudity is not compulsory but organisers encourage participants to ride “as bare as they dare.”

Nick Wysoczanskyj, co-organiser of the Cardiff ride, said: "The World Naked Bike Ride is a colourful way in which to draw attention to the need to seriously address these [environmental] issues and work towards a sustainable future.

"What people really need to come to terms with is that we are trying to

save ourselves, hopefully while the world is still a place that you would want to live in."

The Cardiff ride will start in Cathays Park next to City Hall, travelling through the centre of Cardiff and down to the Bay, where cyclists will pause momentarily outside the Senedd before finishing the route in Sophia Gardens.

"Our leaders have shown time and again that, unless we demand real change, they will continue with their shortsighted policies," Nick added.

"The current economic crisis and the scandal surrounding MP's expenses have shown us that, unless our leaders believe that they will be called to account ... then no action will be taken."

This is the sixth annual World Naked Bike Ride, with thousands of people taking part across the globe.

NEWS 1 EDITORIAL & OPINION11 COLUMNIST 13 POLITICS 14 LETTERS 17 FEATURES 19 TAF-OD 22 SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT23 JOBS & MONEY 24 FIVE MINUTE FUN25 LISTINGS 26 SPORT 29

gairrhydd | NEWS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

A slimy spectre

NEWS 03

Eddie Izzard urges city to vote Ghostly white slug found in Cardiff is one of top ten new species in the world Eleanor Joslin News Editor The recently discovered Ghost Slug, found in the gardens of Cardiff, has achieved worldwide scientific recognition by becoming one of the top ten new species in the world.

With its ghostly white colouring and lack of eyes, the Ghost Slug certainly lives up to its name. The nocturnal carnivorous creature also has sharp bladed teeth with which it can easily devour earthworms.

Dr Bill Symondson, an ecologist at Cardiff University, said: “The lack of eyes and body colour could indicate the species evolved in a cave system.

It was probably introduced to Britain in plant pots, making it an ‘alien’ species, although we can’t be certain.”

Its scientific name, Selenochlamys ysbryda, partly means ghost in Welsh and this makes it the first animal to have Welsh in its scientific name.

Ben Rowson, a biologist at Cardiff’s National Museum, said: “Selenochlamys ysbryda seemed appropriate for this nocturnal hunter and indicates where it was first found.”

It was first spotted in Caerphilly in October 2006 and a year later another one was found by a gardener in Cardiff.

After these discoveries, biology experts at the Museum and at Cardiff University officially gave it the status of a new species last year and since then it has gained worldwide recogni-

tion from a panel of scientists based at Arizona University.

The International Institute for Species Exploration at the University have placed the slug alongside other newly discovered animals in its annual report, The State of Observed Species.

The smallest animal recently discovered has to be the Hippocampus satomiae, a seahorse found in Indonesia that is no bigger than the size of a petit pois.

A 380 million year old fossil, found in Australia, has been revealed to be the oldest known vertebrate that could

have given birth to live young and has been named Materpiscis atttenboroughi.

Quentin Wheeler, an entomologist and director of the International Institute at Arizona, said: “Most people do not realise just how incomplete our knowledge of Earth’s species is.”

Beach Break cancelled?

Emma Barlow News Editor Rumours of Beach Break’s cancellation are rife with some sources citing that planning permission for the site has been refused.

According to the website thisiscornwall.co.uk, the decision to refuse planning permission was made by the Central sub area committee last Wednesday May 27 despite the festival being granted its licence some weeks ago.

However, a source from one of the companies that organises Beach Break told gair rhydd that planning permission has not been refused. Although the planning committee has recommended refusal to the planning department, the department has not yet reached a decision.

Our source insisted that they are fully confident that the festival will go ahead as planned.

The festival is extremely popular among Cardiff students and approximately 10,000 tickets have been sold

to students from all over the UK. The festival takes place over three days starting on Tuesday 16 June and boasts a stellar line-up including The Zutons, Dizzee Rascal, and the Mystery Jets.

The festival is controversial with some residents of the area local to St Agnes, where the festival is set to take place.

Cornwall Council’s beach safety officer, in a statement read out at the meeting last Wednesday, said that beaches in the area were unfit for use by thousands of people and could result in serious accidents.

David Edmondson, development manager (central), said: “The impact on the road network, the ecology of the area and safety issues concerning the site location were the reason for the refusal.”

The organisers have been granted a licence, which is the most important document and was approved four weeks ago.

There are several meetings planned over the next few days to discuss the matter.

On Monday May 25, comedian Eddie Izzard took to the streets with long-time friend and former Cardiff University President Neil Kinnock to encourage citizens to vote.

Forty-seven-year-old pro-Europe Labour party member Izzard spent an hour and a half on Queen Street encouraging those passing to vote in the European elections on June 4.

Awaiting his arrival at the Aneurin Bevan statue was a crowd of banner waving Labour supporters and photographers.

Wearing a black jacket, jeans and worn out black leather boots, Izzard was a stark contrast against the New Labour campaigners around him dressed in suits and ties. Izzard was greeted by cheers and smiles.

Izzard proclaimed from his soapbox, which he called his stage, that “a lot of people are disgusted with politics at the moment, but I am encouraging people to vote.”

The comic attracted much attention and moments after starting to speak, a 19-year-old Grangetown man in the crowd shouted, “you’re off the telly! I’m Paul!” later adding, “he’s a legend!” whilst others pointed, whispered and took photos whilst passing.

Born in Yemen, Izzard moved to Neath, Port Talbot when he was five years old.

Another attack on Taff Trail A 43-year-old man was attacked during a cycle ride along the Taff Trail on Sunday May 24.

The cyclist was punched and had his bike stolen at around 3pm, whilst resting by the Blackweir Bridge.

Police are searching for a suspect who is described as black, around 30-years-old with a bald head.

This area of the Taff Trail, behind the Talybont student residences, is notorious for attacks.

Earlier this term a female student was also attacked whilst jogging on this section of the path.

Student Liason Officer, PC Bob Keohane urges students to avoid using this path at night.

04 NEWS

gairrhydd | NEWS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Vulcan 'could Cardiff postgrad students in easily be saved' European political first Charlotte Laken Reporter A leading architect has said that The Vulcan pub could be easily saved from demolition.

The space where the 152-year-old pub stands has been earmarked by the St. David’s 2 redevelopment scheme as the location for a 3,000 capacity car park.

However, Jonathan Adams, the architect behind the Wales Millennium Centre, has insisted that there is no reason for the Victorian bar to be knocked down.

Mr Adams said: “There are plenty of examples of buildings that were deemed worthy of being protected and being incorporated into the plans of new developments.� “Incorporating The Vulcan is perfectly doable. It just depends on the will to do it and people agreeing and understanding it is in everyone’s best interests to incorporate buildings that have some historic significance.�

He added: “It’s not an architectural masterpiece but it’s one of the last bits of Adamstown that was part of the history and growth of Cardiff. “It’s extraordinary how the city has been so willing to have bits of its historic fabric wiped out.�

Cardiff council deputy leader Neil McEvoy agreed the plans should be altered to save the bar, saying: “All the situation needs is a bit of imagination. There is so much will out there to make it happen.�

A petition to get the pub listed has so far been signed by more than 6,000 people, including celebrities such as James Dean Bradfield, Rhys Ifans, Neil Kinnock, and Howard Marks.

Emma Jones News Editor Three postgraduate students at Cardiff University have made Welsh political history by taking part in what is believed to be Wales’ and Europe’s first political ‘Twitterview.’ The trio, who are studying Broadcast Journalism, interviewed Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans on the public microblogging site, Twitter.

They have since carried out ‘Twitterviews’ with European election candidate Alan Butt Phillips (Liberal Democrat) and Welsh Labour candidate Lisa Stevens.

The most famous example of a ‘Twitterview’ is probably that of Senator John McCain by CNN’s George Stephanopoulos a few months ago.

The three students are responsible for setting up and running the Politics Cymru website on which they regularly blog and podcast about all things Welsh politics.

The boys prefer to remain anonymous, posting under the pseudonyms ‘Dewi Un’, ‘Dewi Dau’ and ‘Dewi Tri.’ Visit www.politicscymru.co.uk for the full 'Twitterviews' and more.

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NEWS 05

gairrhydd | NEWS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Chaplain incites wrath on BBC show continued from front page Father John insisted that he was not trying to justify the cases but was “trying to analyse what has taken place” and said: “It is to do with sexuality,” to which O’Gorman responded: “Paedophilia is paedophilia; it’s got nothing to do with adult sexual orientation.”

O’Gorman also highlighted that Father John’s comments were “of no comfort to the countless thousands of girls across the world who have been raped and abused by Catholic priests.”

Broadcaster Angela Rippon labelled the Father as being in denial. She also claimed that it was those like the University Chaplain who “personified the problem.”

But Father John admitted there was a problem: “The attitude is to sweep under the carpet and protect the institution, which is clearly wrong – absolutely wrong and cannot be defended by anyone. I’m not trying to defend it.”

Nick Yates added: “This type of

Chris Lloyd Investigations Editor

comment by individuals in positions of apparent authority propagates unfounded and deeply damaging rumour within society. The students of Cardiff University need to be assured that those in positions of trust and responsibility within the University are worthy of their position.

International discrimination Government introduce new requirements to monitor international students' attendance Adeniran Haastrup Reporter Lecturers at the University and College Union (UCU) conference starting in Bournemouth will debate whether or not to boycott the government's new requirement to report on the attendance of international students.

The requirement is part of the new points-based immigration system, which the government introduced earlier this year for non-EU staff and students in April as part of its drive to combat terrorism.

Students will have to carry biometric identity cards, while universities must monitor and report any unexplained absences to the Home Office.

The motion, which has already been tabled, calls for the “discriminatory” rules to be scrapped and argues that the requirement makes them “Home Office snoopers” which could damage the reputation of the UK to international students who contribute £8.5bn pounds to the UK economy annually.

Sally Hunt, the UCU General Secretary, said: "One of the more pernicious effects of this new system will

Eisteddfodd entertains

be to turn our members into an extra arm of the police force, placing monitoring and reporting responsibilities on to academic and support staff.

"It is vital that we build the campaign against the new points-based system, working with external organizations, sister unions and students."

Dominic Scott, Chief Executive of the UK Council for International Student Affairs, said: “Staff reporting on whether students attend lectures is less controversial and already mandatory in further education colleges, but any thought of staff reporting suspicions of breaching immigration laws is anathema. It undermines the trust and contact that is an essential part of academic life."

If the motion is passed, UCU officials would be asked to campaign to repeal the regulations for international students and staff.

Lecturers have been warned not to boycott the requirement as the law imposes a legal obligation on universities.

Ms Hunt said: “The Union's protection of members cannot extend to endorsing a breach of the law relating to the points-based system, or defending members who do so."

“I have written to the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro Vice-Chancellor for staff to inform them of the issue and we eagerly await their response.”

According to The Guardian last week, the Cardiff archdiocese subsequently sought to distance itself from the views Father John had expressed

during the interview, saying in a statement that his linking of abuse and homosexuality did not reflect the "consistent views" of the archdiocese of Cardiff.

At the time gair rhydd went to print Father John Owen was unavailable for comment.

The National Urdd Eisteddfod, Wales's cultural youth festival, took place in the main Donald Gordon Theatre at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. Between May 25 and 30, the festival attracted around 100,000 visitors and 15,000 competitors from across the world and also a significant S4C and BBC Radio Cymru live audience.

The annual event gives Wales best young singers, musicians, actors, dancers, composers and poets the opportunity to perform on stage.

The Eisteddfod is one of Europe's largest youth festivals and has been held across different parts of Wales for the last 80 years.

06 NEWS

gairrhydd | NEWS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Auction items stolen from Ninian Park Fans steal memorabilia as Cardiff City FC move to new stadium Eleanor Joslin News Editor

Cardiff City fans stole items of memorabilia from their own club just days before they would have been put up for auction.

Over a dozen items, many of which were signs that were displayed across the club’s grounds at Ninian Park, were stolen during the final matches there before the club moves to their new Cardiff City Stadium.

Ian Bacon, an associate of the auctioneers, King Sturge Plant Machinery Ltd, said “We know from our experience of doing similar sales that sports fans are passionate people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a part of their club’s fabric.”

A spokesperson for King Sturge said that it was not surprising that some items had been taken before the online auction commenced on Friday May 22, but “a few more have gone than we would have thought.”

“It's disappointing that this has happened but to be fair, it's just one of those things. We're not appealing for fans to bring things back, as we accept they will be long gone by now."

Compared to the other items up for auction, the signs, one of which asked supporters to “please keep your match ticket with you”, were of relatively little importance.

Rather more conspicuous, Ninian

Park’s fittings such as the goalposts, the team dugout and the Omega constellation clock were auctioned online as planned and were bought by dedicated Cardiff City Football Club fans.

Bacon said: “This is a rare chance for football supporters to acquire a piece of their club’s history. It was an interesting and unusual sale which attracted an awful lot of interest from Cardiff fans not just in the UK but around the world.

“With 97,000 website hits and more than 500 active bidders, the passion of football supporters was clearly evident. Now hundreds of those fans have been able to acquire their very own unique memento of the club they love.”

After 99 years playing at Ninian Park, the club is moving grounds after they missed out of a play-off spot in the last few minutes of the season.

They plan to the start the next season in their stadium, complete with brand new club fittings.

The most expensive single item was the Omega clock, which sold for £2601 and the Family Stand End goalposts and netting went for £1300 while the Grange End goal sold to the same buyer for £1203.

Other memorabilia for sale included Manager Dave Jones’ red leather sofa, the home team players’ bath, the dugouts, corner flags, turnstiles, seats, the changing room signs and even the ground’s police cell doors.

Cardiff City's stadium at Ninian Park

Move away to earn some pay Daniella Graham Reporter

ISSUE

900

AN ETHICAL LIVING SUPPLEMENT, RETROSPECTIVE & SPECIAL FEATURES TO CELEBRATE 37 YEARS OF GAIR RHYDD

OUT NEXT MONDAY

In the middle of a recession, it is graduates looking for employment who are often most affected.

With recent figures suggesting there will be a 5% drop in jobs compared to last year for new graduates, the government is now urging graduates to avoid unemployment by working abroad.

The government’s advice, backed by the National Union of Students, is to beat the recession and gain valuable work experience either with an intern-

The advice will be handed out on ship or through volunteering. leaflets at universities across Universities Minister David Lamthe UK over the next coumy said internships can lead to a job ple of weeks. on your return to the UK: “If you get an internship, you are with a company acquiring skills that are attractive on a CV- and indeed, the company that you do it with might take you on.”

He also stressed the importance of volunteering as “always something that’s attractive to employers.”

Universities Minister David Lammy

Penny for your thoughts Jake Yorath Reporter A joint research project between Cardiff University and the University of Bristol has been granted £1.57 million from the Wellcome Trust.

The award has been given to Professors John Aggleton and John Pearce from Cardiff’s Department of Psychology and three professors from Bristol University’s Department of

Anatomy/MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity.

According to the University, the award, “continues a highly successful collaboration between these researchers”.

It will also provide funds for research into the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning specific types of memory; episodic memory, which is about recalling the events of your life, and recognition memory, which reminds you if you recall something, or if it is

new.

The team are hoping to further explore what we remember, and how that happens.

Dr Clea Warburton, part of the Bristol team, is keen to “provide a more accurate picture of the neurobiology of memory”.

Dr Aggleton said he was “extremely excited” to be given the grant, adding that he believed the two Universities would “deliver world-leading research.”

NEWS 07

gairrhydd | NEWS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2008

UNION WATCH Students save their university

Eleanor Joslin rounds up the week in student media

Student campaign rescues three departments from closure

LIVERPOOL A campaign led by students and staff at Liverpool University has saved three of their departments from closure.

After the Research Assessment Exercise was published, the results singled out three departments for closure due to their poor quality of research.

Alan Roberts, the University’s Policy and Communications Manager, described the commendable efforts of the Save Our Subjects campaign: “Students and staff used email, face-

book, face-to-face campaigning, letter writing and coordinated press releases to both local and national media.

“We contacted MPs, City Councillors, alumni and local community organisations, as well as bringing in academics from within the departments, across the institution and from the University and Colleges Union (UCU).”

The campaign raised enough awareness of the closure that it even went to the House of Commons.

Peter Kilfoyle, MP for Liverpool Walton, tabled a motion that condemned the planned closures of the departments in the House of Com-

mons.

After the widespread efforts of the students and staff of Liverpool University, and of the local MPs and the community, the University decided to reject the plans for closure.

Celebrating the success of the Save Our Subjects campaign, Roberts said: “Ultimately, the University listened to students, staff and other stakeholders and has set demanding recovery plans for the departments under threat.

“Importantly, we found that we did not disagree with the University’s overall aims; rather, we proposed alternative means to achieve them.”

Due to its success, the University

now has the opportunity to improve its quality of research in and is currently implementing various plans for recovery.

Sally Hunt, the UCU General Secretary, has praised the campaign: “No university can build and maintain an international reputation for excellence if it panics and starts axing departments every time it spots a short-term problem. The staff and students at Liverpool have run a brilliant campaign and we are delighted that the University has actually listened to what the academic community had to say Wes Streeting, NUS President,

my actions otherwise.”

After the emails were discovered, many fellow academics who had initially supported her wanted her to resign from the post and Lord Bragg, a Labour peer, condemned her behaviour as “disgraceful”.

In the emails, which were sent in April, Padel wrote: “Some [of my] supporters add that what he [Walcott] does for students can be found in a book called The Lecherous Professor, reporting one of his two recorded cases of sexual harassment and that Obama is rumoured to have turned him down for his inauguration poem because of the sexual record. But I don’t think that’s fair.”

Soon after this, excerpts from The Lecherous Professor were sent anonymously to up to 100 academics and The Independent also printed an article that criticised Walcott’s alleged behaviour. Interestingly, the article had been written by John Walsh, a close friend of Padel.

Initially, Padel denied her involvement in the smear campaign, and said: “It’s terrible, because it had nothing to do with me.”

As the smear campaign gained momentum, Walcott withdrew his candidacy for Professor of Poetry and blamed the “low and degrading attempt at character assassination”.

Defending the emails, which seem to have sparked the campaign, Padel said: “I was contacted by an Oxford student, who believed Mr Walcott’s relations with female students at universities was relevant to her university’s election of a professor.

“Because her concern seemed to be a part of the whole picture, I communicated it to two journalists. I would not have done so had I known of the anonymous mailing, or of any journalist intending to highlight this issue on its own.”

Since her forced resignation, Oxford University has revealed that a new election will be taking place to

find another professor.

E l o i s e Stonborough, O x f o r d U n i v e r s i t y ’s Poetry Society Secretary, commented on the incident surrounding the new Professor of Poetry: “I am sorry that the election came to this but given the circumstances I believe that Ruth Padel has taken the honourable course of action in resigning.

“I am glad that we now have an opportunity to learn from the mistakes made during this campaign and to

said: “It is great news that Liverpool University has decided not to axe these courses.”

He also had a word of warning for other Universities whose courses have been threatened with closure: “However, students and staff at universities across the country will remain vigilant about the threat of cuts.

“Universities must redouble their efforts to deal with the challenges posed by the current economic crisis constructively, and without putting educational standards at risk.”

Smeared career OXFORD CHERWELL

Having been named and shamed for her involvement in a smear campaign against her rival, Oxford University’s first female Professor of Poetry has had to resign after holding the position for only a week.

Ruth Padel has now admitted that she did send emails to two national newspapers that libelously accused Derek Walcott, a Nobel laureate, of sexual harassment.

Coincidentally, Walcott was a strong contender competing for the same position of Professor of Poetry at Oxford.

Maintaining that her emails contained information that was already public knowledge, she said: “I acted in complete good faith and would have been happy to lose to Derek, but I can see that people might interpret

Guilty of slander: Ruth Padel

conduct the new election in a manner fitting to the important position of the professor of poetry.”

08 NEWS Also in the news...

Daniella Graham Reporter

Big digger bidder

gairrhydd | NEWS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Swiss-swoo

A woman in New Zealand had a bit of a shock when she discovered her young daughter had bought an £8,000 digger on TradeMe, an online auction site.

Three-year-old Pipi Quinlan had made several bids on toy diggers, but her winning bid was on a real-life mechanical earthdigger.

Fortunately TradeMe reimbursed the seller’s costs and the digger was put back on sale. Pipi’s parents have since taken off all automatic log-ins and the computer is kept out of reach.

I-owe-ya

A man in Iowa has been charged with extortion after allegedly demanding that a stranger pay him $30 to give them back their lost mobile phone.

The victim of the alleged extortion flagged down an Iowa City police officer on their way to retrieve their phone, explaining that the accused had demanded payment in several conversations with the victim about returning the mobile phone.

The 38 year old man could face up to five years in prison and a $7,500 fine.

Tele-copter

Police in Brazil have arrested four people after discovering a plot to smuggle mobile phones into a high-security prison using a remotely-controlled model helicopter.

When police stopped a car near to the prison as part of a routine check, they found a model helicopter attached to a basket in the boot of the car.

Inside the basket were nine mobile phones wrapped in a disposable nappy.

The news comes just months after police foiled a similar plot to transport mobile phones over the prison wall using pigeons.

Charlotte Laken Reporter Switzerland is attempting to shake off its reputation as a tax-dodgers haven by rebranding itself through

an erotic calendar.

The 2010 calendar is the project of the Swiss Farmers' Union, and presents skimpily clad male farmers holding hoes or throwing around bales of hay with what appear to be cowbells stuffed into their underwear.

Tina Steinauer, who has been shooting the calendar at the village of Seegräben, near Zurich, said: “We want to show Switzerland in its best light, with the countryside and a bit of its culture.”

The culture in this case is the prac-

tice apparently known as lingerie farming, said to be very popular in the Swiss Alps.

In portraying the country as a land of hunky half-naked peasants with waxed chests and tight leather shorts, it is hoped that this new, more risqué image will challenge the stereotype of Switzerland as a boring nation compiled only of greedy bankers.

Indeed, Switzerland has had a particularly bad press recently, with Germany and the US criticising it for refusing to surrender the names of tax evasion suspects.

Relations with Berlin are especially fraught. Peer Steinbrück, the German Finance Minister, created controversy by saying that the Swiss were behaving like “Red Indians in flight from the US Cavalry”, a reference to the way that bankers have been resisting the opening of accounts.

A Swiss deputy then compared Mr Steinbrück to a Nazi. The German minister replied by apologising to Native Americans, but not to the Swiss.

Hundreds of models applied to the naughty farmers’ calendar, and the hopeful hunks are now down to the final two dozen.

With the intention of broadcasting Switzerland’s revolutionised identity, the calendar will – when it is finally complete – be exported. A member of the Swiss Farmers' Union added: “We will have to make sure that the German Finance Ministry gets one.”

Sue-per man Bad habits Adeniran Haastrup Reporter

The Guinness World Record holder for the most lawsuits, has ironically filed suit against the Guinness Book of World Records, seeking to prevent them from naming him as the holder of the dubious record.

Jonathan Lee-Riches, aka Irving Picard, filed his latest legal fight this week in the Richland office of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

He has previously sued George W. Bush, Perez Hilton, Britney Spears, The President of Iran, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party, Google, The Queen, The Magna-Carta, Nordic Gods, Black History Month, The Lincoln Memorial and the Eiffel Tower, among others.

He claims that the Guinness publication is planning to print false information about the number of lawsuits he has filed, which he claims number more than 4,000 worldwide.

He said: “I’ve filed so many lawsuits with my pen and right hand that I got arthritis in my fingers, numbness in my wrists, crooked fingers” and “I flush out more lawsuits than a sewer.”

Riches, who admits he suffers from mental health problems, is currently incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center Lexington, Kentucky for wire fraud. He may be released in 2012.

Robin Morgan Reporter Seventeen British men, aged between 18 and 65, stood in court last week dressed as nuns, accused of flashing but walked free after no one showed up to testify against them.

The men were on holiday on the Greek island of Crete when Police apprehended them in the early hours of Sunday morning for exposing themselves in public, and offending religious symbols.

They were taken into custody and appeared in court the following morning dressed in the same clothes as the night before a variety of nun’s costumes.

A police official said: “They were dressed like nuns, car- rying crosses, but wearing thongs under their skirts and showing people their bottoms and the rest."

However,

after no witnesses appeared to testify against the men, the charges were dropped and they walked free.

British tourists make up 15% of the 15 million who visit Greece every year, and have quickly established a reputation for lewd and drunken behaviour.

OPINION 11

gairrhydd | OPINION@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

freewords EDITORIAL

Est. 1972

Charlie Chaplin The Catholic Church does not have a reputation for its progressive attitudes towards sexuality. It has always struggled with the status of homosexuals within its ranks, guided by an indelible historical legacy.

But even when members of the Church cannot move on, the world around them does. The days when sodomy referred to any form of sexual perversion are far behind us. And in the 21st century, lumping together atypical sexualities as 'perversions' is utterly unacceptable. It takes a special kind of legacy to bring a man to draw a comparison between legitimate sexual orientation and sexual abuse.

Father John Owen's comments on BBC One's The Big Questions last week were based on false logic and misguided faith. His first mistake was to suppose that paedophilia is influenced by sexual orientation.

Yet paedophilia is a sexual orientation. To be a paedophile is to be sexually aroused by youth; not by gender. Paedophilia is akin to a sexual fetish, wherein the person requires the mental image of a child to achieve sexual gratification.

Paedophiles do not experience sexual desire for adults of either gender.

The statistics cited by Father Owen may therefore be explained by the environment in which male priests have operated, rather than by any preference on their part. Research suggests that it is accessibility, rather than the sex of the child, that is the determining factor in cases of paedophilia.

But these insights aside, Father Owen's fundamental misunderstanding of the motivation behind paedophilia is somewhat besides the point. It is his suggestion that one perversion of Christian law can be explained by another that is so outrageous.

Father Owen's attempts to create a link between homosexuality and priests who sexually abuse children are worse than misguided; they are plainly homophobic.

By creating a link between homosexuality and paedophilia, Father Owen is suggesting that homosexuality indicates a predilection for sexual abuse.

Explaining away paedophile priests as homosexuals is a pathetic way of dismissing an institutional problem. Father John Owen's comments must not go unnoticed: they were utterly unacceptable.

Editor Ben Bryant Deputy Editor Hazel Plush Co-ordinator Elaine Morgan Subeditor Jamie Thunder News Emma Barlow Emma Jones Sarah Powell Eleanor Joslin Editorial and Opinion

'What would Jesus do?'

Oliver Franklin lets the BNP have their say

T

his week you may have seen the sickening piece of hatred-inspiring lies that is the British National Party political broadcast. The BNP have been in the news a great deal this week as their campaign escalates in the run-up to the European elections.

Many fear that the current shambles in the House of Commons will lead to the BNP gaining even more ground on June 4. And rightly so: as the broadcast smugly points out, the BNP is the fastest-growing party in Britain. Even typing that makes me feel sick.

This week, the National Union of Journalists condemned a regional newspaper publisher, Newsquest, for publishing advertisements for the BNP. The NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear, said: "Newsquest should be ashamed of itself for taking money from an organisation that advocates racist policies that would directly discriminate against the communities these websites serve."

It is not for us to cast judgement The fact that the National Union of Journalists, advocates of free speech if ever they existed, would make such a statement is a testament to just how controversial the highly divisive party really is. This issue has been the subject of much debate.

And, I have to say, initially, I agreed with them. However, the argument of an extremely opinionated friend put me back on the right path: the path that advocates free speech for all, even the foul wannabe Klan (Ku, not Wu-Tang) gathering that is the BNP. I mean, BNP leader Nick Clegg actually said “Admittedly, Adolf took it a bit far…”. You know you’re a racist when you’re on first name terms with Hitler. But that isn’t surprising considering he’s a holocaust denier.

The BNP political broadcast is so disgusting it’s almost entertaining, like the movie Saw. And, like those films, it just gets worse as it goes along.

In what is probably the most hilarious piece of hypocritical bigotry, the BNP cites the fight against the Nazi

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regime in WWII. Fitting reference, though used in the wrong context. It is ridiculous that a political party with the actual slogan “It’s not racism; it’s just common sense” is gaining political ground in what we all thought was a fair, free and diverse country.

Clearly not. People sometimes forget that the National Socialist Party was voted into power in Germany in 1933 in a democratic election. Hell, the US voted in George Bush twice. Look how that turned out.

Freedom of speech must be fought for even in the face of controversy It is easy to see why the NUJ responded in the way it did. Indeed, everyone with a smidgeon of decency is going out of their way to condemn the BNP, with even the Church of England this week urging Christians not to be swayed by the BNP’s exploitation of religious imagery (amazingly, one of the BNP’s primary slogans is ‘What would Jesus do?’) and to not vote for them. Thank God for that. If you haven’t seen the BNP broadcast, YouTube it, and prepare to be very angry.

And yet, controversial as it may Taf-od Dafydd Loughran Picture Editor Natalia Popova Online Editors Graeme Porteous Tom Barnett Proof Readers Neil Fairbrother Jamie Thunder Emma Jones Lucy Morgan Daniella Graham Contributors

seem, Newsquest were right to publish them. Their response to the criticism said it better than I ever could: "We accept advertisements that comply with the law and the code of advertising practice. We cannot selectively discriminate against legally constituted political parties standing in a public election. Indeed, we would say that, in doing so, we might be playing into the hands of those intolerant and anti-democratic forces that people condemn. It is for the electorate to cast judgment, not us."

Whoever wrote that press release deserves a medal. Newsquest hit the nail on the head. The earlier allusion to the Nazi regime was important. It is a trademark of dictatorial regimes that freedom of speech is suppressed and political opposition stifled. That is not how democracy works. Indeed, in this fair, democratic, and frankly pretty kick-ass country, that is not what we have fought for. Freedom of speech is not only necessary, but also fairly damn wonderful.

After all, yes, it may be freedom of speech that allows the BNP to spread their vile hate-mongering. But it is also freedom of speech that allows me to say that the BNP are foul, ignorant, racist scum who deserve to be culled like a Mexican pig herd. Freedom of speech is glorious. And the thing about it is, you can’t do it by halves. I think South Park summarised it best – either

Chris Lloyd Charlotte Laken Adeniran Haastrup Daniella Graham Robin Morgan Corey Shefman Navodita Pande Damian Fantato Thomas Carroll Michael Cove Susanna Byers Sara Orwig Paul Strollery Adam Horne

everything is ok, or nothing is.

As much as it pains me to say it, the BNP must be allowed to have their say. Yes, there are many who will be swayed by the BNP’s corrupt exploitation of their fears. Yes, they are gaining ground. But that does not mean that we should start going against our principles in panic. All we can do is condemn them, and try to educate those misguided enough to vote for them as to how wrong their policies are.

As much as it pains me to say it, the BNP must be allowed to have their say

I’m still a little ashamed for saying this; such is my hatred for the BNP. It’s tough, but it’s true. Newsquest are right. The right for freedom of speech is unquestionable, and as such it must be advocated, fought for even in the face of controversy. So let’s let the BNP have their say, and have faith enough to believe in the voting populace to keep the scumbags out.

So a little favour, not just for me, but for the name of equality and justice – please vote on June 4. Just not for the BNP.

Michael O'Brien Tom Store Chris Tarquini Tom Barr Address Cardiff University Students' Union, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3QN Web www.gairrhydd.com Email info@gairrhydd.com

Advertising 02920 781 474 Location 4th Floor Cardiff University Students’ Union Park Place Cardiff CF10 3QN News Desk 07908 551922

12 OPINION

Canuck in Cardiff

Corey Shefman defends tradition

gairrhydd | OPINION@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Turbine or not turbine?

Animals or energy? Emma Davies weighs it up

fuels will not appear overnight; they take millions of years to form, from what I remember of GCSE geography lessons.

According to some hasty research which I cobbled together, fossil fuels formed over 85% of the world’s energy sources in 2006. And world energy consumption is growing by around 2.3% each year. At risk of sounding like a dodgily-dubbed American teendrama: you do the math.

S

ome traditions are maintained only (or mainly) because people are too sentimental to move on. Earlier this year, I wrote about how our monarchy is one of those traditions that does little more than provide us with some stability and good feelings. Some traditions, however, are maintained because our ancestors got it right. Habeas corpus is one of those things; the tradition of alternating the continent that the UN Secretary General comes from is another.

Another tradition that ‘got it right’ is the annual seal hunt on Canada’s east coast and northern territories. As an international student, I don’t often see news about my country in the British press, but for the last few weeks, they have been reporting on the story that the European Parliament decided to (with limited exceptions for First Nations hunting) ban seal products produced through the hunt.

They did this not because of any scientific evidence that the hunt was cruel, but because Paul McCartney and others with far too much time on their hands decided that Newfoundland sealers were clubbing those cute seals to death for fun. Despite Canada’s protestations that this was not the case, the European Parliament decided that the pictures did look bad, and went ahead with the ban.

The facts, however, tell a different story. For one, those cute, snow-white seal cubs that you see in the environmental groups' promotional material?

Ya, they’re protected. Any hunter who kills a “whitecoat” is subject to severe penalties by the government.

What about the killing method, though? Surely hammering the seals to death with the traditional ‘Hakapik’ is cruel and sadistic! Wrong again.

According to every major veterinary study, including one commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund, the hakapik is more humane than a gun. In other words, the seals suffer less and are killed quicker. Pretty? Certainly not, but not only is it traditional, it works.

If the EU was going to ban the import of all animal products, that’s fine (though I imagine McDonalds would have something to say about it). But instead, they have banned a product which is not only more humane than the average beef slaughterhouse (read ‘Fast Food Nation’ if you don’t believe me), but a product which thousands of Canadians, Aboriginal and otherwise, rely on for their livelihood – for no reason besides sentiment.

This past week, Michäelle Jean, Canada’s Governor General (our head of state, the Queen’s representative to Canada) was photographed eating a raw seal heart at a traditional Inuit feast celebrating the 10th anniversary of the territory of Nunavut. Let’s hope this serves as a wake-up call for the European Community. Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past.

A wind farm has allegedly caused the deaths of more than 400 goats

I

n time, you can get used to anything. Bad smell? Give it a couple of minutes. It’s dark?

Your eyes will adjust. Background noise? In a few days you won’t hear it anymore. Unless you’re a Taiwanese goat. In that case, you might die, instead.

In Penghu, Taiwan, a farmer has complained that a wind farm close to his land has caused the death of more than 400 of his goats. Kuo Jing-Shan, whose farm is situated 40 metres from the eight turbines, believes that the deaths are directly linked to the turbines’ installation. Cause and effect – it’s a tricky bugger.

The Taiwanese Council of Agriculture has said that they suspect the goats died as a result of exhaustion; the noise of the turbines was preventing them from getting any rest. In retaliation, the company responsible,

Taipower, has offered to pay to relocate the farm elsewhere. The matter has yet to be fully investigated, if such a bizarre investigation is even possible.

Obviously this isn’t great news, for both the farmer and the dead goats.

While the offer to repatriate the remaining 250 or so goats is a nice gesture, it might also be a good idea to give some compensation for the rest – as a nice show of goodwill, if nothing else. It’s interesting to note, though, that Mr Kuo is the only farmer to report such deaths.

We need energy: it's a simple fact Bats, apparently, aren’t too keen on wind turbines, either. Sometimes they fly into the blades, because the chang-

es in pressure caused by the whirling air can impede their sonar detection of them. I’m blatantly going to hell for even suggesting it, but it does sound like it would make for quite an amusing sight. Please do note that I don’t generally find animal deaths amusing.

And now, I’m about to break what is most probably one of the cardinal rules of opinion writing; I’m going to take a U-turn in my argument. Because, despite all this, I do think that wind power is a necessary thing. Even if it does claim a few goats and bats along the way.

Fossil fuels are not going to last forever. That’s not an overreaching statement; if you only have a limited amount of something and you insist on using it all, you will eventually have none left. Even small children building houses from Duplo manage to figure out this concept. More fossil

Wind power may not be an ideal solution, but sooner or later we are going to need to rely a hell of a lot more heavily upon renewable energy sources. Hopefully that date will be much, much later, rather than sooner – ideally within none of our lifetimes – but it’s still an inevitability.

The usage of wind power doubled between 2005 and 2008, currently supplying about 1.5% of the world’s energy needs.

Wind, unlike fossil fuels, isn’t going away. We need energy: it’s a simple fact. Obviously sacrificing goats and bats to the God of Electricity isn’t ideal, but if it comes down to an either/or situation, which would you prefer? A few dead animals, or sitting in the cold, dark wastelands of an energy-free world? Okay, I might have exaggerated a little there for dramatic effect. I’d still stick with the animal sacrifice, mind.

Desperately seeking Susan

Adeniran Haastrup on why Boyle does have talent

A

n almost-47, going on 60, year-old eccentric woman from a collection of small villages in Scotland’s rendition of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ on Britain’s Got Talent propelled her into the global public consciousness.

With over 100 million views on YouTube, appearances on Larry King Live and Oprah, a parody in The Simpsons and on Jay Leno, Susan Boyle has become a cultural phenomenon.

Everyone keeps going on about how amazing her voice is, and how can it come from somebody who looks like she does. In getting through to the finals, Susan has shown the world that, contrary to perceived wisdom and popular belief, talent can exist without good looks.

Susan defies every convention of beauty in the modern media; she is

not thin, blonde or manicured. Her reception when she walked out on stage was such an exquisite example of the way in which we, as a society, vilify overweight people – projecting all sorts of negative assumptions on them because of their looks.

At a time of doom and gloom, she is a breath of fresh air The audience members' faces said it all: "She's ugly, so she must not be talented." She proved most doubters, myself included, that she wasn’t the train wreck we had eagerly anticipated, but actually had a good voice.

I am, however, going to be heretical and say she really isn’t that amazing; she is a talented singer but no where near as good as she is made out

to be (grounds for crucifixion, I know, but please keep reading). Listening to her voice, without taking into account who is singing, is not akin to hearing an angel. It wasn’t anywhere near that standard, and was merely good.

The reason Susan has been so successful is because of all the media exposure she has received; if she had conformed to the expectation of beauty then she probably would not have received it – she would have been just another contestant on a reality TV talent show, which isn’t very newsworthy.

However, Susan is a welcome phenomenon; at a time when there is so much doom and gloom, she is a breath of fresh air. Hers is a story of the underdog no one expected to succeed, who has proved us wrong; she dispelled our preconceptions and succeeded where we expected her to fail.

Therefore, although she is not an amazing singer, her talent is far greater; it is the talent to inspire people the world over and, even more, she is just the light relief the doctor ordered

COLUMNIST 13

gairrhydd | OPINION@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

FRANK IS OLI FRANKLIN. THE BOY THUNDER IS OFF SICK.

An Impossible Dream?

T

he last few weeks everybody has been going on about politics. The debates have been raging everywhere, about expenses and speakers, Europe and the BNP. It’s been pretty refreshing to see everyone so opinionated on the subject.

The Guardian this week has been running a series called ‘The New Politics’ in which they printed a variety of posts from their forums about the state of British politics and the direction which the country should take to move forward. Tellingly, not one of them was the same.

That’s the beauty of opinion, isn’t it?

No one has exactly the same one. The piece got me thinking, how would you please everyone? In this modern time and diverse culture, is there such thing as a utopia anymore? And if there were, what would it be?

Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine such a notion; so diverse is culture, so immensely populated is the planet that ticking everybody’s boxes would be unfeasible. So where would you start?

The debate rages: this corner wants a new written constitution akin to the system the USA, that one is harking for the removal of the Royal family. Some are clamoring for another attempt at Marxism; others think we should just give in and install Jeremy Clarkson as the new Prime Minister. Like I said, diverse.

Seemingly everybody is dissatisfied with the Labour party, and seemingly unfussed about the opposition – who in the expenses fiasco were just as bad.

Despite David Cameron’s admirable actions in the past week, he is still nowhere near the Barack Obama-esque hero this

W

country needs.

So who would lead us into this ‘New Politics’? Definitely not poor old Gareth Southgate, that’s for sure. Having given the subject much thought though, I would have Alan Hansen in charge of Defence. And who better than Carol Vorderman as Chancellor of the Exchequer? At least the sums would always be done right.

How would this new nation be run?

First of all, much to the BNP’s chagrin, there would be equality, freedom of speech – those we can keep, I feel.

The issues are not with our rights, after all, but with how those ‘right honourable’ morons mess about in their House.

David Cameron has promised ‘radical reform’. Wahey! Sounds good doesn’t it! Redistribution of power to the voting masses, I hear you say? Well, that sounds great!

Or does it? Now don’t get me wrong,

The dawn of a new kind of government...

I’m all for democracy, it’s wonderful. democratic system in which efficiency It’s not politics that gets me down, just and merit, not political ties, allowed enthe politicians. After all, what is it that try into government.

Imagine how much our image would politicians have in common? They all don’t know a bloody thing. The chan- improve with someone like Stephen cellor of the Exchequer took a degree in Fry as foreign secretary. Imagine David Law, not business. No wonder he’s so Attenborough overseeing education.

Actually, maybe not – he could be emabsolutely awful (Fact).

Which has me thinking, about this ployed to just narrate everything. In life. reform, this utopia. Maybe the comic Things would be a lot more epic, that’s thoughts on Carol Vorderman could be for sure.

A ‘New Politics’? You’ve got that on to something. What if – and it’s a big if – the country was run by the best peo- right. Take all the ex-Etonians and tell ple for the job?! Fancy that, if you will. them to stick to Law or bugger off to Business and Commerce secretary? fiddle expenses in the city. In this new Richard Branson seems pretty savvy at utopia, you won’t need a granddad in the House of Lords to get into Politics. that sort of thing.

Have a think about it. Leading sci- Think of it, and smile. It will be a greenentists could be in charge of energy and er, leaner, happier, more educated place the environment, enforcing legislation to live and frolic – because let’s face it, that would be beneficial to the field. It when was the last time you had a good would be like the free market system frolic? amalgamated onto a new, progressive

The Week in... AWESOME CARDIFF MARKET

As last week's gair rhydd reported, the upcoming St David’s 2 is a real threat to smaller shops and independent businesses in Cardiff.

Frankly, we don’t need it, given the hall of wonders that is Cardiff market. Cheaper and better than any local supermarket, I cannot over-hype how good it is. Last week, I bagged three massive (and

You know what grinds my Gears?

delicious) rump steaks for £3 each.

The veg is even cheaper. The selection is amazing, and everyone loves a bit of marketplace banter . Not only is it helping your pocket, but local businesses, and the environment. It’s a no brainer.

YES MAN

A severely underrated film, just released on DVD. Yes, Danny Wallace’s book is a

lot better, but you cannot watch this film and not end up feeling hugely positive and energetic. When it came out at the cinema, it really helped me out of a slump. Such is the positivity emanating from Jim Carey's aging smile. As a secondary to this, anything with Jim Carey.

What a hero.

SPOTIFY

Having recently been introduced

to this (in the gair rhydd office, no less) I have happily joined the wonderful and bountiful world of Spotify.

Yes, it is inhabited by Jonathan and his equally patronising friends (no, I will not be signing up to premium, for the last time), having infinite music on tap is nothing short of glorious. One question, Johnny – what constitutes a ‘sexy playlist’?

hat’s on your mind? Facebook so tentatively asks. Let me answer that for you: nobody cares. Am I wrong, or has social networking taken a massive turn for the worst recently due to the rise of that most mundane of procrastination aids: Twitter.

Twitter came along, with it’s stupid little blue bird, and said ‘Join me! I’m fashionable! Microblogging: the future of journalism!

Web 2.0! A revolution! Here’s a tweet for you: nobody gives a crap.

Facebook, get off that bandwagon before we all do.

All of a sudden, Facebook has turned from a ‘social networking tool’ (read: boredom stalling stalker aid) to its new, Twitter-esque format. Fine. Everyone loves a bit of status banter. But take away everything else from Facebook and what do you get? Twitter, the most mundane and awful invention in history, ever. Much as I like Stephen Fry, I don’t want to be informed every time he gets off the bloody toilet.

I don't want to know when Stephen Fry gets off the toilet Twitter is a joyless mass of poorly constructed half-sentences that is mostly an advert for how mundane the lifes of the twitees or twits or whatever they are called.

Oh, and another thing. Can you please stop taking these bloody quizzes on Facebook and publishing the results to everyone? I don’t care which university you should have gone to, or what your ideal holiday is, or however well you know such and such. Although it is hilarious when supposedly best friends get 3 out of 10 on each others tests. Here’s an idea, get down the Taf and have a chat rather than cocking about on Bejewelled Blitz.

14 POLITICS

gairrhydd | POLITICS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

EUROPEAN ELECTIONS

2009: THE VOTE MATTERS

Navodita Pande explores the facts and figures of the European Parliament and urges you to vote as the 2009 elections draw near

T

his Thursday, the polling stations will open for the 2009 European elections. Between June 4th and June 7th, Europe will go to the polls to decide upon the MEPs who will represent the views of millions of European citizens.

Britain, however, has traditionally been a very eurosceptic nation, often proven by the poor electoral turnouts and apathetic disregard for the entire process. A large part of this could well be put down to the fact that many of us know very little about the European parliament, and this year of course, may well simply prove the trend.

Many voters have already suggested that they might boycott the elections all together or vote for the minority parties. Anger at the expenses scandal has spilled over to apathy and distain for politicians. This may create a renewed interest in politics or have an adverse effect and allow for smaller, minority groups with often more extreme policies to gain votes.

These smaller parties often have more

success in mobilizing their supporters and these elections could prove to be an opening for the BNP to gain their first seat at the European Parliament.

Voting at the European elections is just as important as voting in local elections, and something we must take more seriously. Students particularly are guilty of glazing over the European elections, but we must be sure to use our democratic right to help shape a better, more equal future for all European citizens.

With a membership of 27 nations, the EU has come a long way from its beginnings. It has benefited a number of Europeans in a number of ways.

However, the debate as to whether Europe should have its own Constitution lingers on even today. The EU claims to be the transparent service provider to all its citizens with the following distinct features: The website of the European Union - (europa.eu) Makes one and a half million documents available to the public

You may not know, but...

- The EU remains the biggest donor of aid around the world - According to UKIP, the European Union costs taxpayers £118,000 per minute - EU regional aid has raised living standards in the poorest regions of Europe

Europe Direct contact centre answers your questions: 00 800 67891011 Europe Direct relays - over 400 EU Info Points across the EU European Union Documents access to internal documents upon request The European Ombudsman deals with complaints over EU administration.

An MEP (Member of European Parliament) is vested with a considerable amount of power and privilege needed for the formation of a European law. Therefore it becomes important to exercise your right to franchise and vote for your representative. More than 375 million European citizens are eligible to vote between 4-7 June for candidates running for 736 seats in the European Parliament. Even international students from countries that are members of the Commonwealth are eligible to vote. It is best to make an informed decision. So go right ahead and cast your ballot!

A SHORT HISTORY Historically, the Second World War and its aftermath led to the formation of the EU; with six founding members: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands all aiming to end bloody wars to secure lasting peace.

As the world was going through a phase of Cold War in the 1950s, what really spurred the EU enlargement and expansion were the following events: - Treaty of Rome signed in 1957 created the European Economic Community (EEC) or ‘common market’ - Cultural Revolution or the emergence of the ‘youth culture’ in the 1960s, especially with the popularity of The Beatles across the world - Denmark, Ireland and the Unit-

ed Kingdom joined the European Union on January 1, 1973 In 1979 European citizens could, for the first time, vote for the European Parliament directly. The 1980s saw a further expansion of the European Parliament with Greece becoming the 10th member in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The fall of the Berlin Wall made matters easier for the neighbouring countries.

Two main treaties that established the European Union as an upcoming force were the Maastricht Treaty in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. In 1995 three more member states joined; Austria, Finland and Sweden. Also, ‘schengen’ agreements were introduced that gradually allowed people to travel without having their passports checked at borders.

By the beginning of the 21st century, the EU was well established with 12 new members working for the freedom of movement of goods, services, people and money across borders; working to protect the environment; showing unity in matters of security and defence and facilitating communication across nations for educational and commercial purposes. The Euro is the currency for many Europeans.

The Treaty of Nice signed in 2003 and the Treaty of Lisbon (not yet in force) in 2007 have further helped to improve ties between the member states.

POLITICS 15

gairrhydd | POLITICS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Extreme Europe

Damian Fantato analyses the future of a European parliament dominated by the extreme side of the political spectrum

A

bout a week or so ago, Lord Tebbit, the former Conservative minister, declared that, in order to punish the three main parties for their recent sins, we must abandon them and turn to smaller parties in the upcoming European and local elections.

There needs to be a certain level of caution, however, when instructing the electorate to opt for the less mainstream option, particularly in the upcoming elections which are generally considered less important than, say, a general election.

European elections tend to bring out the extremist in people European elections tend to bring out the extremist in people who are normally quite tame. They are the forum where complicated topics such as immigration, national sovereignty, external relations and trade policy become key. Many people, justifiably, have fears relating to all of these areas, whilst many more are even more justified in not understanding the mechanisms behind the EU (which is not

renowned for communicating with its citizens), and thus boil it down to simple questions of ‘them’ and ‘us’.

In this climate, the extremist party reigns supreme. They are uniquely capable of mobilizing their membership, who feel more loyal to a party which they consider to be under threat from the mainstream majority and, over the next couple of weeks, there will be campaigns across Europe from anti-Islamists and separatists to nationalists and anti-Lisbon Treaty campaigners who seek to enter the European Parliament to bring it down from the inside.

Most MEPs are truly interested in making Europe a better place and holding the otherwise unelected EU to account. This is why many of them fear the election of extremists to their legislature who they fear will bring it into disrepute and hamper its workings. UKIP h a s

already got 9 MEPs and has gained a reputation as a party of ‘anti-EU ranters’ whose only contribution is to break up sessions of Parliament. The BNP is poised to win one seat, and has b e e n

teaming up with nationalists from countries such as Italy.

Admittedly the European Parliament hasn’t been known for being the most powerful legislature on the planet, but times are a-changing. Since it became a directly elected entity in 1979 it has been gradually increasing its powers and has been growing more willing to use them at the expense of the other, unelected, powers in the EU such as the Commission. There are plans in the pipeline to put an end to the excess (the European Parliament currently costs European taxpayers €200m a year) and the absenteeism (about 150 MEPs out of 785 never bother to turn up). For the record, Robert Kilroy Silk of UKIP was recently outed as one of the worst MEPs, taking time off from never turning up at Parliament to appear on I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! What is more, if Ireland passes the Lisbon Treaty in a second referendum, the Parliament will be handed a greater say over

matters of justice, immigration and foreign policy. The irony is, therefore, that if these extremists are elected, they will have greater powers than any of their mainstream rivals had.

The EU hasn't been known for being the most powerful legislature on the planet

We are all justified in being let down by our politicians of late, and are understandably unwilling to reward their behaviour with a vote, but let’s stop and think before ticking the box.

Let’s not punish politics. By electing extremists to the European Parliament we will be limiting its credibility indefinitely. We will be handing control of the Parliament over to those who would destroy it.

Even those who are against closer European integration must surely support what the Parliament stands for: democracy and accountability as concepts that transcend borders. This lies in stark contrast to the other European institutions such as the Commission. Lord Tebbit was right. We should all think twice before giving one of the mainstream parties a vote of confidence, but we should be careful who we vote for.

PROBLEM?: The rise of extremism

Alliances of the European Parliament MEPs make alliances with a host of different movements that share ideologies. Here is a breakdown on these key alliances: European People's PartyEuropean Democrats

This is the result of a merger between two parties: the European People's Party and the European Democrats.

This is a centre-right grouping and, at 288 MEPs, has had the majority in the European Parliament since the previous election. This is the group of the British Conservative Party, though they have made it their ambition to leave and form a different, more eurosceptic grouping.

European United Left-Nordic Green Left

This group is unique in that it is committed to Europe but seeks to completely change the structures of the EU. Their ideology has been described as 'eco-socialism' and 'communism'. It contains no British parties.

Independence/ Democracy The main eurosceptic (or 'eurorealist') party, having been formed in 2004.

It contains UKIP. MEPs have been gradually leaving the group, usually

because of scandal, leaving its number of MEPs at 21, down from 37.

European GreensEuropean Free Alliance A group formed in 1999 after a merger between the green parties of Europe and many parties from stateless nations. They include our Green Party, the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru. With 43 MEPs they are the fourth largest group in Parliament.

Party of European Socialists

The oldest group in the EP. Until 1999 they were the largest grouping, but are now the second largest group in the European Parliament and, as the name suggests, they are a centre-left grouping. They are the most pro-Europe grouping in the parliament and they contain the British Labour Party.

Union for Europe of Nations A grouping of national-conservatives who are against the EU. Until recently

it contained the centrist Irish party, Fianna Fail, who were considered the main driving force behind this group.

They left this year. With the likely departure of the Italian Lega Nord, the future of this group remains uncertain.

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Formed in 2004, this grouping contains the Lib Dems and, despite being the third largest group in the parliament, their predecessor formed a coalition with the EPP-ED after the 1999 elections and shared power with them.

16 POLITICS

gairrhydd | POLITICS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Who cares about Europe?

Why don't we seem to care about European elections? Is it just our fault, or does it go deeper? Thomas Carroll investigates

W

hat’s the point in voting?

It’s easy for me to come up with a list of reasons why someone should vote in national and local elections, but even as a politics student - and as someone who has voted in every election and the Lisbon Treaty referendum - I find it hard to motivate myself for the upcoming European elections.

For a start, it’s hard to see what difference my choice of MEP will make.

Most people can’t name the MEPs who represent them. To be honest I couldn’t myself until I did a quick Google search before starting to write this article.

The election will not signal the end of the current government

The election, contrary to what some people are saying, will not signal the end of the government if Labour lose

out to the Conservatives. In Britain this election will surely be dominated by the MP expenses scandal, with smaller parties such as the SNP, Plaid and BNP profiting over the larger parties who have disgraced themselves in Westminster. In Northern Ireland you’d be really lucky to hear any actual debate about European issues.

The campaign there is still largely rooted in the traditional struggle between unionists and nationalists with little significance being given to what might happen in Brussels and Strasbourg.

The European Parliament does however have an ever-increasing scope of power and legislates on areas such as health, transport, the environment, human rights, racism and crime. Whilst these may seem important issues, it’s blatantly easier to get students to the polling station if issues like tuition fees or the Iraq War are in the spotlight, but since nothing interesting seems to come out of Brussels, most students aren’t bothered.

Perhaps the media is slightly at fault as well. Brown and Cameron

are never out of the national news and even our local MP Jenny Wilmott pops into the news every so often. Our European representatives are a different story though. They rarely appear in the news. As I said, the fact that no one can name or recognise them is no surprise. Until the media start to focus seriously on European issues citizens are always going to be confused and misguided over what actually goes on in Brussels and this is consistently going to result in low turnout come election time.

pected, they lose a large chunk of their vote, then the Tories will be hailing June 4th as proof of the need to call an election. A quick read of the Conservative’s election leaflet shows that they are happy to use this election, not as a way of focusing on issues that the EU deals with, but as a point-scoring exercise prior to the next general election. If they really want to engage the public then all parties need to properly debate the European issues and

not turn this into a pre-Westminster warm up.

Ultimately though, these elections are important and everyone should make an effort to go out on June 4th and cast their vote. It really can make a difference. Despite popular belief, the European parliament is a very significant institution and our representatives there are doing a lot of hard work. It’s just a shame that no one has really bothered to tell the voters.

The European parliament is a very significant institution.

To a certain extent, political parties are themselves to blame. These elections, whether we like it or not, will be seen as an opinion poll on the current government. If Labour do well they will believe they can recover before the general election but if, as ex-

The inevitable rise of UKIP

It's time to make a stand on Europe. But who's going to take the reigns?

Michael Cove considers Britain's less than committed stance

T

he UK Independence Party is expected to do well in the upcoming European elections.

This can largely be attributed to the fact that fringe parties are benefiting from the recent MPs expenses scandals, but it would not have come as a great surprise even if the whole furore had never kicked off. Britain is, broadly speaking, a eurosceptic nation.

A survey in 2008 found that only 32% of people think that our membership of the EU is a good thing, which is below the EU-wide average.

Voter turnouts at European elections are even more dismal than those we manage to muster for our own general elections, with 38.5% taking part in 2004, which, though poor, is an improvement on the unspeakable 24% that surged to the polling stations in 1999.

As I said, this should not come as a surprise. The debate in this country has been dominated by anti-EU voices. There is, of course, much to criticise, such as the democratic deficit, or whether enlargement has gone too far. But that is not what people get when they turn on their tellies or pick up their papers. Instead, they are subjected to a relentless and one-sided stream of negativity. The Lib Dems

have consistently supported the EU, but they have mostly been a sidelined and insignificant participant. The real failure to redress the balance lies with

Labour. Tony Blair, at the height of his powers, could have unashamedly put the pro-EU case to the British people and tried to carry the public with him.

COMMITTED: Nigel Farage gets vocal

Blair – and Brown after him – instead chose to appease the tabloids and Britain continued to be the ‘awkward partner’ in Europe; demanding optouts and special treatment on issues like the Euro, with one foot in and one foot out. Thus, the issue was handed over without a fight to the fanatics and obsessives like UKIP. This has meant that rather than having a rational and intelligent discourse where we might have found some middle way between outright hostility to Europe and the equally unappealing scenario of a European super-state, the very name ‘E.U’ has become tarnished, and most people don’t want anything to do with it.

This is a shame, for a number of reasons. The benefits that we get from EU funding (Wales is an Objective One region) or co-operation on issues like terrorism and climate change are drowned out. Also overlooked is the fact that we have managed to stop France and Germany from trying to annihilate each other since the end of World War Two, and integration has certainly played a big part in this. Furthermore, with the rise of new powers like China, Britain is no longer a major player. A stronger, more united Europe might be a mechanism through which we could play a role in inter-

national affairs. If we were to withdraw completely from the EU, then it’s hard to see what influence Britain would have in the world. America is not interested in the ‘special relationship’ anymore - assuming it ever was - and is instead trying to re-build its ties with continental Europe after the fall out over Iraq.

The time when we will have to make a decision about the EU will soon be upon us The time when Britain will have to make a clear decision about the EU could soon be upon us. The Conservatives remain divided over the issue, which is why David Cameron has been almost completely silent about it since he became party leader. He has, however, promised to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and may be pressurised into consulting the British people about our membership of the EU itself. If this were to happen, then in the current climate there is only one way such a decision would go.

LETTERS 17

gairrhydd | LETTERS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

letters@gairrhydd.com Aborting Mis-Conceptions Dear gair rhydd, I write in response to Darryl Light's article in last week's issue.

The topic of contraception is confused, I believe, by an inappropriate definition of the word conception.

Biologically, conception is when egg meets sperm to form a human embryo, and is the moment when the DNA, gender, and other characteristics of that embryo are set. For the contraceptive industry, conception appears to be the moment when the human embryo implants in the mother's womb.

Therefore the contraception industry will define contraception as any agent that stops an embryo implanting in its mother's womb, while anyone who accepts the biological definition would have to define contraception as any agent which stops egg meeting sperm.

In the case of pregnancy these two different events are actually separated by some days.

If one takes the biological definition of conception, then most forms of so-called contraception are better described as both contraception

and abortion, or else as abortion. This includes the birth control pill, the contraceptive jab, the emergency contraceptive pill, and the coil; all of which can stop embryos implanting in the womb should biological conception occur, thereby causing abortion.

The chances of biological conception depend on the method used. For example, the birth control pill considerably lowers the chance of biological conception (but does not eradicate it) while the so-called emergency contraceptive pill does not do so at all (because it is taken after biological conception). The only forms of contraception that stand up to the biological definition and don't prevent conceived embryos from implanting in the womb are any methods that are external and are designed to block sperm from entering the uterus (e.g. condoms), and Natural Family Planning. These are not totally effective at preventing pregnancy, thus abortion may result indirectly should the couple decide not to bring a conceived child to term.

This misuse of the word "conception" shows why the contraceptive industry (whose primary function is to make money) should not be allowed to advertise their products on TV. Unfortunately the NHS seems to

peddle the same mis-information, which I consider to be unfortunate given that they have a responsibility to educate the public about health matters as well as provide health care.

High Society

SU president probably wanted to enjoy their evening, I think we could probably have done without the speeches filled with injokes that we got. Or the vaguely sexist remarks about the Erasmus speeddating event ('if I'd known the ladies were going to look like that, I'd have gone!')

It was an ok night out, but not one of the highlights of the Union year.

Dear gair rhydd,

Anonymous

Anonymous

In regards to the Society Awards, which were reported on in the last issue - while they were a bit of a success, I think it's going a bit far to call it the 'biggest and best yet'. Sorry, but I had more fun last year.

True, the food was good, without last year's scramble for the buffet tables, and the guest speaker was interesting and funny. I can't even remember last year's (was there one?

Cannot be sure). But the actual award giving part of the evening seemed to drag on. Given that the entire evening was set to finish at 1am, it was probably not too much to ask that we'd be allowed more than under an hour on the dancefloor, which is what we got.

While I know the SPI officer and

Student Approval Dear gair rhydd, Regarding the article about lecturers inflating student's marks (gair rhydd 898), I would have hoped that this kind of article wouldn't appear in our student newspaper. Not that it was badly written, but because of what it's saying about us as students. The message driven into us by mainstream media, every time any kind of results come out, from the time we start school, is that we are just given easier and easier exams every year. It's not that we've gotten any smarter, or that our teaching is now better. No,

the Comments from the week’s news, opinion, features and sport at www.gairrhydd.com Cheese-y Hero Omar Little ------Justin joked about the situation and said: “The poor guy was just hungry; I think I ruined his day!”

Haha, what a funny joke! I bet you did ruin his day, it’s fortunate that the poor hungry fella, languishing in jail or carrying out menial community service, will no longer be making a dent in Tesco’s disgustingly bloated £3 BILLION annual profit thanks to Justin, the scummy grass and corporate shill. You have to laugh, eh?

A Tesco Worker ------Omar, as you have demonstrated quite well, you have no concept of the workings of large businesses. Although I’m sure you feel quite good about yourself putting forward an uninformed and naively left view, I think it is wise that I inform you as to the actual consequences of this man’s theft.

The store that he stole from was a ‘Tesco Express’. This particular form of Tesco stores do not pay a consistent wage to its employ-

ees. Instead they are given 15% bonuses based on performance in various criteria. One of the main criteria is that of loss and theft.

Because of this, the employees are directly affected by the theft and they lose out. This means that if the staff allow theft within their store then they lose the money and not Tesco.

What this means, Omar, is that Justin helped to gain the workers at Tesco their bonus. Most of these workers are students who don’t have two pennies to rub together and are working at these stores to fund themselves through university. The 15% extra which is allocated on a monthly basis makes a vast difference. But you go on and ‘fight the power’ or whatever it is you like to do.

Bubbles------I don’t think that Tesco Worker got the “Wire” reference. “I got the shot gun. You got the briefcase. It’s all in the game though right?”

I once stopped a robber at my old job by chasing him through the car park and apprehending him. I saved

my company about two and a half grand. They gave me a box of Celebrations, which was probably worse than nothing. I like Miniature Heroes.

At the same time they told me that I had taken a foolish risk and could have got myself stabbed. I would have, of course, received no sick pay.

From my training modules with the same company I learned that the vast majority of theft is perpetrated by employees. Therefore, your bonuses are principally an incentive for YOU not to steal. Dental students need not rugby tackle petty criminals into the tarmac. Although, I suppose it would be a shame to waste all those hours in the gym, what with IMG not running properly.

Furthermore, I strongly disagree with Tesco Metro selling bacon in the first place. Everyone should be vegetarian, unless they have an amino acid leak or something.

A Tesco Worker ------Bubbles, that story was greatly interesting. I trust your autobiography will be coming out soon?

Strange that you boast of your criminal tackling exploits but

because of course previous generations had it so much harder than we do.

Maybe our results have gotten higher because today's younger generation does barely anything apart from study. The number of people in their late teens and early twenties who are in full time employment has dropped sharply from a couple of decades ago.

Maybe there is some truth. Maybe some people are being passed when they shouldn't be (although considering the uproar about people being failed for Computer Science a couple of weeks ago, it's rather double standards to now complain that too many people do pass). But come on we study hard. Students don't spend all their time stumbling from the Woody to the Taf to Solus to Oceana.

Students do work hard, spending time in the library, trying to pass the exams they need in order to get a degree.

Lighten up on us, please. We get this constant dismissal from every supposed 'adult' in the country. At least, in gair rhydd, acknowledge that most students do deserve the degrees they finally achieve.

Jaime McCoy Second Year History Student

forum

then criticise others who do the same.

Obviously you don’t have a job in a local shop. If you did then you would appreciate how common theft is around Cathays. If any of you think that the average thief is stealing in order to obtain food then you are being incredibly naive. Do you honestly think that someone would steal large amounts of cheese for sustenance?

It is more common that they sell the cheese at local pubs and then use the profits to buy alcohol or drugs.

It was a ‘Tesco Express’, not a ‘Tesco Metro’.

Bubbles ------I assume that Tesco Metros sell bacon too. Is this loyalty to the cute little names for different sized shops conjured up by Mr Tesco not just a little absurd? I must admit though that you’re making me nostalgic for the day back at B&Q that we actually had a party because we became a “Miniwarehouse.” I have since forgotten what distinguishes a Miniwarehouse from a “Superstore” but have also made love,

read some books and gone on holidays.

Boast? Perhaps you were so bored by my story that you fell asleep instead of reading it. In life there are certain actions that we perform then later, upon reflection, view differently from how we viewed them at the time. I hope my short paragraph (I was conscious of being longwinded) demonstrated that this was one such action. At the time – morally justified act, minimally heroic, adrenaline rush. Later – unnecessary risk, banal service of miniwarehouse.

I am aware of the motivation for shoplifting. The criminal I caught certainly didn’t need to eat £2,500 worth of tiles. The Tesco shoplifter is not Aladdin. I would venture to say however, that to draw clear moral lines between the characters in this story is also naive. That is not to say that Mr Tesco is big and bad and the bloodied thief is a martyr for anticapitalism. Criticism is a broad term but I assume you meant that I was being disparaging towards the hero of our piece. He sounds quite witty in the article. I feel no malice towards him. I enjoyed the article. I have enjoyed our conversation.

FEATURES 19

gairrhydd | FEATURES@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

What lies beneath As the number of fatalities from tombstoning continues to rise, Susanna Byers questions why so many people still take the risk

W

hen I ever did anything wrong as a child my excuse was usually “SHE told me to do it!�, whilst directing a grubby finger towards my older sister who was smirking in the corner.

The response that inevitably followed from my angry mother was “If she told you to jump off a cliff would you do it?!� Of course, that was the point when, with a lowered head, I would murmur some non-descript reply and go reluctantly to my room.

What a silly idea, jumping off a cliff!

Or is it?

We have all done it, whether it is jumping off a tiny rock into a pool, jumping off a waterfall, or jumping off a huge cliff into the sea below.

When I last jumped into water off a slight height it never occurred to me that this could be known as a ‘sport’: it was just an impulsive thing.

However, this activity is now known as ‘tombstoning’. It has become an extreme sport for those who thrive on a love of adrenaline. Coastal lifeguards came up with the name as they believe it is a sure-fire way to die an early death.

People travel to tombstoning hotspots to jump from insane heights, all in the name of capturing a feeling that matches a sport like skydiving.

Tombstoning has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Several recent news stories have reported fatalities as a result of tombstoning. In 2006, a father of six from Merthyr Tydfil died jumping off a roof into the sea, and sadly died after landing on some rocks. On May 14th this year, a 17 year old died in South Tyneside after he jumped into shallow sea.

Coastal lifeguards believe it is a surefire way to die an early death Fatalities due to lack of knowledge of depths and what lies beneath the water are an increasingly common trait of ‘tombstoners’ who fail to realise the dangers of the sport.

Thomas Evans, a 3rd year Cardiff student, regularly goes tombtoning in Porthgain, Pembrokeshire, where he jumps off cliffs as high as 50 foot.

He said he knew it was safe: he had been snorkelling around the waters below and knew exactly what he was jumping into. When I asked if he would jump off a cliff without knowing how deep the water was or what was under the surface the reply was simple - “no, that would be silly�.

Anyone with common sense would surely agree with that sentiment. But when alcohol becomes involved, as it has been in several of the fatality cases, common sense is completely thrown out of the window.

In 2007 a 46-year-old man died in South Devon after taking a leap in the dark following a drinking session with friends. Several incidents of jumpers sustaining lesser injuries also occur, as second year student Nick Smallman explains. “When jumping into the sea you have to time it to land at the top of a swell so the depth of the water is greater. For the bigger jumps you have to point your toes or else you may break your feet.�

Lucinda Stewart, a second year Cardiff student, landed wrongly when tombstoning in the Amazon in South America. Luckily, she sustained no serious injuries but hitting the water at a bad angle meant that she got sucked under by the rivers current, having to be pulled out by friends before hitting the rapids that were fast approaching.

Despite her experience, she said she would happily go tombstoning again.

"So many people have died doing it, but then people have died crossing the road, so not that much difference you've got to live, and what's life without risks?"

"Despite nearly drowning (that was just bad luck) I still think it was a brilliant experience."

"There's that moment of weightlessness just before you hit the water that is amazing, and to pop up and realise that you’ve essentially just thrown yourself off a cliff and survived, you get this reckless sense of terrified freedom bubbling up inside you, you just have to do it again. And again..."

It seems that the casualties of tombstoning are those who don’t consider it as a real sport and consequently aren’t taking the necessary precautions.

After all, would you go skydiving without checking the parachute?

Would you go white water rafting without a life-jacket? Would you go climbing without checking your ropes?!

I’m thinking the answer to those questions would be a resounding “no�. So why on earth would anyone jump off a 50-foot cliff without checking the safety first? Some may call me a hypocrite: the last time I did a jump which could be classed as ‘tombstoning’, I did not check the waters below.

It was however, into perfectly clear water, the Mediterranean Sea, and it was probably off a jump of only 15 feet. Yet this self-justification does not condone my actions: whatever the height, from 5 to 100 feet, you should

TAKING THE PLUNGE: Would you take the risk? check safety before launching yourself off a cliff and hurtling into the air.

Tombstoning.com is a website for tombstoners to talk about the sport and give advice on how to keep it safe. The owners of the web domain, Dan Brown and Ben Norton, explain on the website their love of all things adventurous and outdoors.

It seems they are worried that the stories of injuries and deaths related to tombstoning are going to lead to a ban. They believe it is an activity that is a “well-planned and calculated extreme sport�.

Ben commented that “a jump can take a second, but the preparation can take hours.�

So when you are consciously off to go and tombstone, or are about to jump off a rock or a cliff, make sure you check the depths and terrain below the water surface you are jumping

into, check the tides, check the currents, jump with the correct technique and whatever you do, don’t drink and jump.

The next time you somehow find yourself on top of a cliff, and you feel that rising feeling to jump off, think twice before you give in to the impulse: it may mean the difference between fun and frolics or fractures and funerals.

s #HECK FOR HAZARDS IN THE WATER 2OCKS OR SUBMERGED OBJECTS UNDER THE SEA MAY NOT BE VISIBLE THROUGH THE SURFACE s #HECK THE DEPTH OF THE WATER 2E MEMBER TIDES CAN RISE OR FALL VERY QUICKLY n IT MAY START OFF DEEP ENOUGH BUT CAN QUICKLY BECOME SHALLOWER s !S A RULE OF THUMB A JUMP OF TEN METRES REQUIRES A DEPTH OF AT LEAST l VE METRES s .EVER JUMP WHILE UNDER THE INm U ENCE OF ALCOHOL DRUGS OR PEER PRES SURE s #ONSIDER THE RISK TO OTHERS #ONDI TIONS CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY n REMEMBER YOUNG PEOPLE COULD BE WATCHING AND ATTEMPT TO MIMIC THE ACTIVITY s #HECK FOR ACCESS )T MAY BE IMPOS SIBLE TO GET OUT OF THE WATER

20 FEATURES

gairrhydd | FEATURES@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Living life th

With our loans slowly running out and the recession still looming o Robin Morgan takes to the streets, attempting to live for free for a

F

ree hugs was a great campaign a few years ago which is now all over Youtube and the like. But what can you do with a hug? Bugger all. I’m planning to spend an entire day in Cardiff, aiming not to spend a single penny. Of course, I’m a clichéd student, and I love free stuff.

I’m not one of those people who sticks to a set spending amount each week. I tend to spend atrocious amounts of money on..."textbooks" Yep, that's right. But then I get extra shifts at work to pay it back off.

I’m not terrible with money. One of my friends at the moment is £900 in his overdraft, and last week thought it was a good idea to buy a rabbit.

That’s bad budgeting.

So I’m not doing this as some sort of political statement. Like most articles I write, it’s a distraction from revision. And that’s bad time management. But hell, if it means blagging some free stuff – and an excuse to use the word ‘blagging’ – I’m game. Bring the noise.

My friend bought a rabbit despite being £900 in debt. That's bad budgeting I wake up on Saturday morning feeling worse for wear. I’m not a doctor but I think it’s a hangover.

But no fry up for me, because I can’t spend any money! Damn you journalism. I do, however, have a free house and a fridge full of food that doesn’t belong to me. I’m sneaky.

Think James Bond, but obese. Sexy, right?

To quote the eternally brilliant Peep Show: stolen food tastes better as “the secret ingredient is crime.”

Wise words. It’s now roughly midday and although I crave sleep, for this bloody article I need to go out and about, so into town I trot.

It’s Saturday lunchtime, and it’s sunny as hell. Therefore, there’s the standard riot taking place inside Primark, everyone throwing clothes off the tables with disgust as the employees try to fold at double-speed.

I could literally watch people in that place for hours. You see the evolution of monkey to man just queuing in that awful place. It’s truly a church of sin. I didn’t venture in-

side, although they are practically giving their clothes away. I thought I should steer away from actual criminal behaviour.

Stolen food tastes better because "the secret ingredient is crime" Walking down Queen Street is currently a tricky task. I am, of course, talking about the minefield of charity workers that plan to batter my morality into submission. Today, however, I have an excuse. He spots me from a few yards away, and waves to me in that special way, so excited by the prospect of charity. He informs me his name is Steve, and without being able to think of anything witty such as “Fuck off, Steve”, I mutter some incoherent line about being late for work. Again, like James Bond. I turn around and he’s already talking to a group of girls. The slut.

But I’m still on £0.00 spent. Jackpot. I’m carrying on through town, and I’m given free samples of food from an unknown corporation. It tasted like death, but I don’t think you can send back free food. I’m far too British, I’d simply complain about it later.

I’ve got to be in work for 7pm tonight. I’d like to think I could get the train and hide from the ticketpolice, but any failure that would result me in ruining my successful day. So, I’ll walk. Once again, damn you journalism.

Someone once said that the most expensive gift you can receive is free alcohol If you've never walked down Bute Street going towards the Bay, it’s because its nickname is ‘Rape Street’. So you’d normally avoid that one. But I’m a genius. A collection of rude-bois approach me in the distance (what is the collective noun for rude-bois? An intimidation?

A Blazin’ Squad?) and I instantly think of a strategy. I’ve got my iPod earphones in. They think I’m listening to music. Oh no, I’ve paused the song. I can hear everything you

EMPTY: a sadder sight than a man alone with a kebab say, my friends. I walk past them, all proud with my idea, only to hear “Oh boys it’s Harry Potter”. Fuck.

I couldn’t be too mad though, it was a literary reference. I was impressed. But I digress. I still haven’t spent any money, or been mugged.

It’s been a good day. I get to work

to actually earn some money, so it’s not just been a free day, it’s been a... better-than-free day! Yeah!

Usually in work, I constantly pilfer food from the kitchen, but today required a more strategic form of theft. Opposite my place of work is Gourmet Burger Kitchen,

a well-known establishment with great food. I aimed to work my social magic and leave there with free food. With the help of my boss, it worked.

I strolled in, taking off my sunglasses - which, it turned out is not so suave when they're prescription,

FEATURES 21

gairrhydd | FEATURES@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

he free way

ominously above our heads, is it possible to live like we used to? whole day and night... and I have to fumble around in my bag for my usual pair. Good start. I then produced the holy grail of persuasion - free tickets to a comedy club. Turns out my boss wanted a burger too, so he supplied a worker with a night out, who in turn gave us a burger. Between us. God bless the world of business.

Working is always fun for me,

It tasted like death, but I don't think you can send back free food I work on a bar and wear glasses.

Therefore, on average, I get a "Harry Potter/Stephen Merchant/Proclaismers/Specsavers" comment with every other customer. I get tipped about once every twenty. But hey, I'm not spending any money, so I can't really complain.

A night out would be the most difficult part of living a completely free day - unless you're royalty or have been on Youtube or something.

It's the joys of working in a bar. Although I didn't steal any alcohol.

Promise.

After work is the immortal staff drinks. Free staff drinks. Free.

Someone once said that the most expensive gift you can receive is free alcohol. I know what they mean.

It’s into the early hours of the morning now, I think I’ve more or less had a free day. But I’m also being dragged to Buffalo Bar, which I think is fair to say is the opposite of ‘free’. Luckily, I’m able to sneak in without mortgaging my house for the entrance fee. By ‘sneak in’, I of course mean that someone offered to pay for me.

If there’s anything in the world that can blag me a free pint, it’s a lie about birthdays. I go up to the bar.

“It’s my birthday”, I say. “That’s nice", the attractive barmaid replies, walking off. I feel like a dick. Standard club experience to be honest.

It wasn’t a proper day out in Cardiff, I’ll give you that. But it seems to be fairly easy to get a free pint in most places, a meal less so – but you can always complain about your food and try and get it free that way.

Or get some contacts in the places you tend to go, knowing someone who works in your favourite bar is a great investment. Failing that, befriend a rich older gentleman and he’ll pay for everything. Foolproof.

FreE-for-alL Wallet feeling a bit light? Fear not. Here's the pick of Cardiff's freebies...

Postgrad centre films Free films on the big screen in the postgrad lounge every Saturday. Not a postgrad? Don't worry. The key to sneaking in is all in your confident strut past the sign-in security desk. And yes: 'Stolen' films feel better too.

Cardiff National Museum Free admission to the huge art galleries, as well as event, and a new Darwin exhibit to celebrate the bicentenary of his birth. There's even a gift shop selling Horrible History books if you simply had to spend some money.

Christian generosity After a heavy night at Come Play, the free water and hot drinks provided by local Christians are always greatly appreciated. During the day they occasionally provide hot dogs of admittedly questionable taste but hey, it's free.

Roath Park Lake I know! Free! Free to walk to the park! Genius. But the prices to row on Roath Park Lake are so small, it's basically free. Definitely a post-exam spot, even if you just want to go race the rowing boats and the duckshaped paddle boats. Battle of the titans.

22 TAF-OD

gairrhydd | TAFOD@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Bywyd Trydanol Ydach chi erioed wedi trio byw heb drydan? Fedra i, Sara Orwig, ddeutha chi rwan, dydio ddim yn hwyl

B

ywyd Trydanol Ydach chi erioed wedi trio byw heb drydan? Fedra i, Sara Orwig, ddeutha chi rwan, dydio ddim yn hwyl. Y peth cyntaf ddylswn i ddeud ydi nad dewis gneud hyn nesi – yn sydyn, fore(ish) ddydd Llun, wrth imi drio berwi'r tegell i neud paned i helpu'r pen mawr, ping! Ta ta trydan. Tydi pen mawr heb banad, heb Facebook, heb deledu rybish ddim yn brofiad faswn i'n ei argymell. Poenus. Poenus dros ben.

Efallai nad ydych chi'n gweld be sydd mor ddrwg am fyw heb drydan.

I fod yn onest, doeddwn i heb sylwi cymaint o bethau dwi'n eu cymryd yn ganiataol sy'n ddibynnol ar drydan. Digon hawdd fyddai byw heb deledu a chyfrifiadur, ond beth am y gawod, y popdy a'r boilar? Roeddwn i wedi syrffedu cymaint, fe nesi feddwl llnau'r gegin, ond allwn i ddim – doedd na'm d r poeth! Ac wrth drio ffonio o gwmpas i drio trwsio'r peth, dyma fy ffôn i'n rhedag allan o fatri.

Nid bo'r ffôn wedi bod yn rhyw lawer o help beth bynnag, a hithau'n yl y banc. Doedd na'm byd i neud ond eistedd o gwmpas yn gwneud dim. Wel, hynny a troi fyny wrth ddrws ffrind ac ymbil a gawn i gawod ac eistedd o flaen y teledu am ychydig funudau.

Un peth da a ddaeth o'r noson hon, sef y noson orau o gwsg a gefais i ers amser maith, heb rhyw raglen rybish ar y cyfrifiadur fel y Si Hei Lwli. Fe aeth fy housemate i weld ffilm, ond ar ôl gweld Tormented, fe ddaeth hi'n ôl i d tywyll – ddim y peth calla!

Ar ôl dau ddiwrnod heb drydan, fe wnes i sylweddoli faint dwi'n dibynnu arno fo. Bob tro dwi'n bored, off a fi ar Facebook. Os dwi am eistedd yn y stafell ffrynt, mlaen â'r teledu. Roedd bron pob un o'n hobis i'n dibynnu ar drydan. Ie, dwi'n gwbod y gallwn i fod wedi darllen, ond tydi darllen efo pen mawr ddim yn gweithio yn fy mhrofiad i, beth bynnag. Ar ôl dwy frawddeg, dwi'n anghofio'n lân beth sydd wedi digwydd, ac mae'n wyrth os dwi'n ei gwneud hi'n bellach na'r dudalen gyntaf. I fod yn deg, ar yr ail ddiwrnod, fe wnes i ddarllen eitha dipyn o I'm Not Stiller... ynghyd a thri cylchgrawn seleb. Gesi edrychiad od iawn gan y boi yn y siop; "Tri cylchgrawn a pasty caws a nionyn? Slob" (dim popdy, ddim coginio. Ond lot fawr o take-away.) Ond gyda gweddill fy hobis, rydw i'n hollol ddibynnol ar drydan. Meddyliwch, heb gyflenwad trydan, ni fyddai'r geiriau hyn wedi cyrraedd 'gair rhydd' – siom enbyd ichi gyd, dwi'n siwr.

Oherwydd yr holl ddiffyg-trydan hyn, fe ddechreuais i feddwl am be fyswn i'n ei wneud hebddo. Dwi'n trio gwneud be fedrai i leihau fy ôltroed carbon, sef sawl tunnell o gar-

bon diocsid yr ydw i'n ei gynhyrchu bob blwyddyn. Ar ôl cael y trydan yn ôl, fe es i arlein i gyfrifo fy ôl-troed carbon. Fe ddysgais ei fod yn cael ei effeithio gan nifer o bethau; sawl person sy'n rhannu'r t , faint o egni mae'r t 'n ei ddefnyddio, pa fath o drafnidiaeth rydych chi'n ei ddefnyddio. Mae hedfan yn cael effaith mawr ar faint ôl-troed carbon; mae hi'n llawer gwell

defnyddio trên neu gwch. Doeddwn i heb sylweddoli cymaint mae beth yr ydym ni'n ei brynu'n effeithio'r ôltroed carbon. Llysiau neu ffrwythau lleol, organig a thymhorol heb packaging sydd orau, ac mae hi hefyd o fantais i fod yn lysieuol neu'n fegan.

Mae yna nifer o bethau hawdd y gallai pawb ei wneud er mwyn lleihau eu ôl-troed carbon. Dylsem ni ailgyl-

chu a chompostio popeth y gallwn, a pheidio gadael pethau ar standby – oeddech chi'n gwybod fod teledu ar standby yn defnyddio 75% o'r egni a fyddai os fyddai ar yn iawn? Meddyliwch pa mor hawdd yw hi i safio cymaint o egni! Hefyd, dylsem ni beidio prynu pethau os nad ydym ni wir ei hangen nhw... efallai nid y peth hawsaf i'r rhai ohonnom ni sy'n or-hoff

o Topshop neu'r teclyn ddiweddaraf!

I fod yn deg, dwi'n credu fod y llywodraeth yn bod braidd yn uchelgeisiol, yn disgwyl i unigolion leihau eu hôl-troed carbon ei hunain. Fe wnai roi fy hun fel esiampl; dwi'n lysieuol, yn ceisio prynu cynyrch lleol a thymhorol ac yn ailgylchu popeth allai. Dwi'm yn gyrru, felly'n defnyddio trafnidiaeth cyhoeddus neu'n cerdded, ond fy mod i wedi hedfan i Belfast eleni. Dwi hefyd yn ceisio peidio prynu pethau nad oes arnai eu hangen. Ar ôl hyn i gyd, fy ôl-troed carbon i yw 3.26. Doedd y rhif hwn ddim yn golygu llawer imi chwaith.

Cyfartaledd y byd yw 4, ond cyfartaledd gwledydd diwydiannol yw 11 – dyw hi ddim yn llawer o sypreis mai'r U.D.A. yw un o'r gwledydd gwaethaf yn y byd. Y cyfartaledd ym Mhrydain yw 9.80, felly mae'n ymddangos fy mod i'n gwneud yn iawn gyda fy 3.26! Ond, er mwyn brwydro cynhesu byd-eang, mae disgwyl inni leihau ôltroed carbon pawb yn y byd i 2! I fod yn onest, dwi'm yn siwr iawn bod hyn yn bosib heb lawer iawn o help gan y llywodraeth. Neu'r trydan yn diffodd unwaith ac am byth... Gobeithio na ddeith hi i hynnu!

gairrhydd | SCIENCE@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT 23

Saving face

Priya Raj talks about the hidden dangers of cosmetics Cosmetics — make up, creams, fragrances — have been around for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian and Roman women famously caked on lead-based foundation. (Lead is a metal capable of causing nerve, muscle and organ damage.) But surely lead-laden cosmetics have been phased out along with lead-lined water pipes?

Not necessarily.

Today, the Food and Drug Association (FDA) oversees the multi-billiondollar-a-year cosmetics industry but it lacks the power to approve products or ingredients before they hit store shelves, even though their contents have been shown to enter the body.

According to the United States FDA, a cosmetic is anything used for "cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance."

In the EU, the regulatory framework is provided by the Cosmetics Directive. One of the main objectives of the Cosmetics Directive is to give clear guidance on what requirements a safe cosmetic product should fulfil in order to freely circulate within the EU, without pre-market authorisation. The Cosmetics Directive aims to guarantee the safety of cosmetic products for human use. This safety relates to composition, packaging and information and it falls totally under the responsibility of the producer or the importer into the EU who is responsible for the marketing liability.

It is thought that the average consumer uses about 10 cosmetic products every day, including makeup, soap, shampoo, lotion, hair gel and cologne. As a result, people are exposed to roughly 126 different chemicals daily, many of which haven't been thoroughly tested.

The skin is the body's largest organ and its shield against the surrounding environment. But it is a porous protector, allowing some substances in and others—most notably moisture—out.

Some compounds that are applied to the skin's surface can be absorbed into the body, including the estimated four pounds (1.8 kilograms) of lipstick an average lipstick-wearer consumes in a lifetime, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit public interest organization based in Washington, D.C. With advancements in chemistry over the past century, ingredients in cosmetics have become increasingly complex and cutting-edge. There is, however, no need for some potentially harmful chemicals now in cosmetics to be in the mix: specifically formaldehyde (a known carcinogen that's used as a preservative) and 1,4-dioxane (an industrial solvent or foaming agent that is a suspected carcinogen).

1,4-dioxane present in liquid soap and bubble bath, is generated through a process called ethoxylation, in which ethylene oxide, a known breast carcinogen, is added to other chemicals

to make them less harsh. This process creates 1,4-dioxane.

It's worth being aware that other ingredients present in cosmetics may be benign in one state but toxic in others. For example, titanium dioxide (a naturally occurring mineral often used as a pigment or thickener) is considered to be safe when put into a viscous mixture, such as in sunscreen or toothpaste. However, in powder form, such as in mineral make up powders, it can cause cancer when inhaled, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Lead can still be found in a range of cosmetic products Nail polish and household cleaners contain another chemical, phthalates, which recently have acquired negative press due to their link with health issues. They are present in cosmetics to hold colour and scents. Originally developed in the 1920s, phthalates help make plastics, including food containers and baby bottles, more pliable. One of the ways that phthalates interfere with reproductive functioning is by reducing the levels of sex hormones, which are critical for development and functioning of the sex organs. Additional research suggests that these same mechanisms may link phthalates to breast cancer. Phthalates have also been shown to cause prolif-

eration of breast tumour cells and renders anti-oestrogen treatments, such as tamoxifen, less effective against tumours. Earlier this year in America, Congress banned their use in certain toys due to increasing evidence that they disrupt hormonal regulation, particularly in boys, leading to reproductive disorders.

Lead can be found in a range of cosmetic products including sunscreens, foundation, nail colours, lipsticks and whitening toothpaste. Several ingredients derived from plant sources, such as cottonseed oils and rice derivatives, may contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

The main concerns lie in that lead is a proven neurotoxin – linked to learning, language and behavioural problems. It has also been linked to miscarriage, reduced fertility in men and women, hormonal changes, menstrual irregularities and delays in puberty onset in girls. At puberty, boys' developing testes may be particularly vulnerable to lead. Pregnant women and young children are also vulnerable because lead crosses the placenta and may enter the fetal brain.

The main component of skin-lightening creams, Hydroquinone works by decreasing the production of melatonin pigments in the skin. Because the chemical lightens skin by reducing melatonin, it simultaneously increases exposure to UVA and UVB rays deep in the skin. This increases skin cancer risks due to UV exposure, in addition to the carcinogenic effects

of the chemical itself. The chemical is allowed in personal care products in the United States in concentrations up to 2 percent. Although banned in the European Union, a UK news report found that products containing hydroquinone were relatively easy to procure.

People are exposed to roughly 126 different chemicals daily Nitrosamines are a potential impurity present in nearly all kinds of personal care product including mascara and concealer. They are created in cosmetics when nitrates and various amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) are in favourable conditions to combine. Specifically, nitrosamines form when certain proteins, such as diethanolamine (DEA) or triethanolamine (TEA), are used in the same products as preservatives that can break down into nitrates. As these various compounds break down over time, they can recombine into nitrosamines. Both DEA and TEA are common additives used to adjust the pH or act as wetting agents.

Numerous studies and databases link nitrosamines to cancer. They are listed as possible human carcinogens by the US Environmental Protection

Agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the US National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens and the California EPA Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects.

Parabens are several distinct chemicals with a similar molecular structure. Four of these occur frequently in cosmetics: ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben.

They appear mostly in personal care products that contain significant amounts of water, such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions and facial and shower cleansers and scrubs. It is thought parabens are linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and skin irritation.

One of the greatest concerns is that parabens are known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity. Parabens mimic estrogen by binding to oestrogen receptors on cells. They also increase the expression of genes usually regulated by estradiol.

Unfortunately, despite known associations and directives, a problem lies in the regulation of enforcements within the cosmetic industry. For example, in the US it is the FDA’s Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act which is meant to ensure cosmetics do not contain toxic or contaminated ingredients or provide false or incomplete label information. However, cosmetics do not have to be approved by the FDA before they hit stores or the Internet.

In the UK, the Competent Authority (the Department of Trade and Industry) oversees the implementation and enforcement of the Cosmetics Directive, but has no control over inmarket surveillance activity, which is instead devolved to over 200 trading standards departments based within local government. The Department of Trade and Industry does not specify the scale or nature of the in market surveillance undertaken by the trading standards departments and does not collect information on the number of checks, or the results. It is thought that the level of surveillance is probably much lower than in most other European countries.

Clearly, this poses a potential problem in that many harmful substances in certain beauty products may go unnoticed. The EU is, however, far ahead, the US having banned more than 1,000 products in cosmetics whereas the FDA has only banned eight to date.

People around the world are beginning to acknowledge that public awareness of cosmetic constituents needs to be raised. There are several companies that are campaigning for safer cosmetics. In the mean time, the best advice is stick to fragrance-free cosmetics with short lists of ingredients.

24 JOBS & MONEY

gairrhydd | JOBS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Time to leave the country...

With the economy in turmoil, the government is suggesting we travel abroad to improve our CV. Paul Stollery looks at the options that are available to us

W

ith the dreaded recession rearing its ugly head at every turn, the government is suggesting that graduates should consider working or volunteering abroad to boost their CV. It is now estimated that there may be up to 21,000 more graduates unable to find work come summer 2009.

But can leaving the UK really improve your job prospects back home, or is this just wishful thinking from the government?

Understandably, having experience in a specific trade or profession in other cultures can add another dimension to your CV. Further still, even if this is not something specifically desired by your potential employers, it could certainly be enough to make your CV stand out from a mile-high stack of applications.

However, if you do seek the adventure of working in a foreign country, there are several factors you will need to consider.

Firstly, you will require work permit in most countries outside the EU, this may seem obvious to some, but bear in mind any work - even cash in hand - could land you in a hot water with the local authorities. If you intend on staying within the EU, however, you will not require a work permit, as there is free movement of labour. This

TIME FOR A CHANGE: Could be worse right also extends into Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

There are many websites that offer you the chance of work experience in other countries – be a journalist

in Ghana, a vet in South Africa, etc.

However, despite being legal and perfectly legitimate, these websites will often ask for an extortionate amount of money in return for these opportu-

nities.

It is often a lot cheaper to organize these trips yourself. Considering that many companies in less affluent countries are often under-funded and

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struggling for staff (although, admittedly that’s common place in the UK too), many of them are more than eager to take on people on unpaid work placements.

For example, in the UK, work experience placements on national newspapers are like gold dust, with the application processes often being as rigorous as applying for a full time job. However, in poorer countries such as India, a quick email including your CV is often enough to secure a stint on a national publication.

Whilst flicking through a leaflet published by the Foreign Office, we also stumbled upon a rather more exciting opportunity – apparently MI6 are recruiting. Yes, that’s right, with little more than a 2:2 and an ‘interest in global politics’, you could find yourself working for her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Amazingly, these opportunities can be anything from a couple of weeks to three years working abroad. Although, we will mention, discretion is ‘critical’, apparently if they find you talking about your application with your mates in the Taf, your application will be terminated.

So, if you find yourself struggling for work this summer, consider a work placement abroad, volunteering in a developing country, or perhaps, just perhaps, you could be James Bond.

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FIVE MINUTE FUN 25

gairrhydd | FMF@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

found on facebook Housemate done something stupid?

sudoku.

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

EASY

Quick Crossword Across

Down

1. Inability to understand language (7) 5. Beginning (7) 9. Relative size (9) 10. Normal (5) 11. Overshadow (7) 12. Dapple (7) 13. Blind (9) 15. Unsound (5) 17. Trench (5) 19. Depravity (9) 22. Emotionally hardened (7) 25. Without ceasing (7) 26. Base 8 (5) 27. Intoxicate (9) 28. Paddle-wheeler (7) 29. Not brothers (7)

1. Without direction (7) 2. The most memorable part (9) 3. A small piece of scrap (7) 4. Entertainment (9) 5. Nerds (5) 6. French for "New" (7) 7. Reeked (5) 8. Prominent (7) 14. Aliens (9) 16. Hinder (9) 17. Physicians (7) 18. Thug (7) 20. Guts (7) 21. Female imperial ruler (7) 23. Willowy (5) 24. To scour (5)

Send more oddities!

MEDIUM

HARD

26 LISTINGS The Listings Top Five... ...detox diamonds!

As the academic year is brought to a depressing, yet exciting, close, our bodies are beginning to feel the strain. If it’s not exam exhaustion, it’s most likely to be post-assessment celebrations. The following five will see you prepared for the aftermath of your alcohol abuse: 1. Get your five-a-day Stocking up on fresh fruit and veg will see your body returned to its former glory once again. By consuming a range of colourful produce you will be revitalising your system with the essential vitamins and minerals it oh-so-desperately needs.

2. Sleep A more appealing detox trick – sleep off the night before by staying in for a few extra hours the next day. Ignore the chimes of Cardiff's city clock and dream away your afternoon.

3. Drink water Rehydrate your body by drinking at least two litres of water every day after your nights of debauchery cramming.

gairrhydd | LISTINGS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Monday 1st June

BOYZONE + EOGHAN QUIGG @ C.I.A 'You love them for a reason', 'No matter what'...so don't miss out on Keith, Mikey, Ronan, Shane and Stephen's return to the spotlight where you will undoubtedly be able to sing along to the soundtrack of your teenage years. Supported by the cheeky XFactor finalist of 2008, Eoghan Quigg.

7.30pm, £32.50 10 FEET LIVE @ TEN FEET TALL A showcase of the best local bands and Welsh talent.

7.30pm, free HATCHAM SOCIAL @ BARFLY Some upbeat, choppy, post-punk inspired guitar pop takes to the stage tonight for all those head-bopping enthusiasts.

7.30pm, £5 FUN FACTORY @ SOLUS, SU 3 rooms full of your mates, with the best of alternative, indie, rock, hip hop, breaks and drum 'n' bass...all for free! Can this really be the Union?!

9pm - 2am, Free DIGITAL @ OCEANA Go for a swim in the ocean for guaranteed drunken dancing...and maybe a half-time, in-house hot dog.

9pm - 3am, £3.50 NUS

Tuesday 2nd June

DYLAN THOMAS & FRIENDS: PHILIP MADOC @ THE NEW THEATRE Ideal if you fancy a bit of culture tonight.

Respected TV actor from the Ronnie Corbett show, Philip Madoc, reads works by Dylan Thomas and other Welsh poets, including Gwyn Thomas.

7.30pm, £17 - 7.50 DRAW ME STORIES + PICTURE BOOKS IN THE WINTER + PORT ERIN + ELEPHANT + SOLDIER @ CLWB IFOR BACH A mish-mash of a line up, featuring the Bath based Port Erin. Energetic, fun and fronted by the wildly enigmatic Ruben Tyghe, they take their inspiration from the like of Bjork, Marvin Gaye and Elbow.

7.30pm, £4 BADDIES @ BARFLY These 4 lads are on a mission to make you listen. Formed from the ashes of previous bands in and around Send and Essex, their sound flits between Talking Heads and Queens of the Stone Age. 7pm, contact venue for prices CRYTACIZE + JESUS H FOXX @ BUFFALO BAR A 'pavement-tinged' take on real indie tonight, with an alterative rock 3-piece, and a band featuring 2 dummers and a glockenspiel.

7.30pm, £5

Wednesday 3rd June

JOHN WESLEY HARDING @ THE GLOBE Erudite acoustic pop songs from the gifted and highly acclaimed singer-songwriter. If you've not yet discovered the gem that is the Globe, tonight is the ideal opportunity.

7.30pm, £8 SHOTGUN RULES @ VODKA REVOLUTION Celebrate the end of exams with a classy cocktail...or a lethal line of multicoloured, multiflavoured shots of vodka, followed by dance floor mayhem and a dirty kebab.

9pm, £2 NO WAVE WEDNESDAY @ BUFFALO BAR Dance floor fun awaits your arrival at Buffalo, with resident DJs spinning out top tunes from every genre, including post-punk, new wave, glam, punk and Italo disco.

8pm - 3am, free LISTEN UP!: RESIDENT DJS @ CLWB IFOR BACH The place to go if you're feeling indecisive.

Indie, new releases, motown and funk spread across 3 floors so you can pick 'n' mix your way through the night.

10pm, £3 - 2 SIERRA ALPHA @ BARFLY Feel good, energetic pop and rock songs make the swirling melodies and soaring choruses of Sierra Alpha massively addictive and will have you jumping up and down long after the end of their set.

7.30pm, £5

4. Exercise Hiking, brisk walking or running each day will shift that beer gut and extra few chins. Do it with a friend to make the time pass quicker and feel the emancipation of the great outdoors become one with your inner self.

5. Take a probiotic Yoghurt drinks packed with stomachfriendly bacteria will restore it from an alcohol intolerant environment to a more pleasant pH balance.

Students’ Union, Park Place, 02920 387421 www.cardiffstudents.com ◆ Med Club, Neuadd Meirionydd, Heath Park 02920 744948 ◆ Clwb Ifor Bach ros, Bakers Row 02920 399939 www.clubmetropolitan.com ◆ Dempseys, Castle Street 02920 252024 ◆ Move, 7 Mill Lane 02920 225592 ◆ Jazz, 21 St. Mary Street 02920 387026 www.cafejazzcardiff.com ◆ The Riverbank Hotel, Despenser Street www.riverbankjazz.co.uk ◆ St. David’s Hall, Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay 0870 0402000 www.wmc.org.uk ◆ The New Theatre, Park Place 02920 878889 www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk ◆ The Cardiff International Arena, Mary Ann Street 02920 224488 ◆ The Millennium Stadium Can’t miss it. www.millenniumstadium.com ◆ Tiger Tiger

LISTINGS 27

gairrhydd | LISTINGS@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

Thursday 4th June

BETHAN ELFYN’S D.I.S.C.O BISCUITS @ BUFFALO BAR Yet another night full to the brim of vintage tunes hand-picked for your delectable delight, courtesy of Radio 1 supremo Ms. Bethan Elfyn 8pm – 3am, free GENERAL FIASCO @ BARFLY Derry three-piece General Fiasco headline tonight at Barfly. Take full advantage of their Indie rock sound and Irish charm whilst drinking yourself under the table.

7.30pm, £6 BOUNCE @ WALKABOUT Release your inner five year old and get bopping to Walkies’ classic playlist. Wave the academic year goodbye as you hop along with the rest of Cardiff’s student populace.

9pm - 3am, £3 ON THE ROCKS @ 10 FEET TALL Meet and greet rock’s finest as 10 Feet Tall’s celebrity cardboard cut outs will provide for many a photo opportunity. Two-forone cocktails and tunes from Bowie, Blondie and The Beatles will secure the brilliance to be had at this Thursday club night.

10pm – 3am, free before midnight CYNT @ CLWB IFOR BACH Electro, House and Glitch all under one roof! Oh how we love Welsh club!

7.30pm, £6

Friday

5th June BIG CITY BEATS vs. CHROME KIDS @ GLO BAR Chrome Kids take on Glo Bar's 'Big City Beats' to bring you a massive first party with some favourite DJs. Two rooms of Dubstep, Reggae, Electro, Baltimore, Fidget featuring Troublemaker, Akira Kiteshi, local legends Monkey & Stagga, Kaptain & Tommyb. Check out www.chromekids.com 9pm - 3am, £5 MR. HUDSON + MPHO + ALAN POWNALL @ BARFLY The distinctive sounds of soul-searcher Alan Pownall and r’n’b/ hip-hop hybridist Mr. Hudson will reign supreme at Bar to the fly this evening.

7.30pm, £8.50 MISTY’S BIG ADVENTURE + THE BRIAN JACKET LETDOWN + MJ HIBBETT @ BUFFALO A trio of alternative acts descend on Barfly tonight to satisfy even the most mammoth of appetites.

7.30pm, £6 KING CREOSOTE @ THE GLOBE An electronic/acoustic folk master, hailing from Fife, prepares to wow you with his rhythmical talents. With tickets at £11 a pop, he must be good.

7.30pm, £11 LUSH: MINISTRY OF SOUND HOUSEXY TOUR @ SOLUS, SU What more could you ask for to officially end your exams, but with a mass night of unadultered debauchery courtesy of the Union. Bless their little hearts.

9pm – 2am, £3.50

Saturday 6th June

HOSPITALITY CARDIFF @ GREAT HALL, SU In what must be the most awaited collaboration of the year, Aperture teams up with Hospitality to bring you two whole rooms of drum and bass anthems.

9pm, £15 COME PLAY @ SOLUS, SU If that’s not your sort of thing, look elsewhere in the Union where resident Saturday night Come Play will be entertaining the masses.

9pm – 2am, £3.50 MAHJONGG + HYENER + DIRTY ELECTRIC @ CLWB IFOR BACH Expect decibel-defying levels from this tripod of acts – ear plugs optional.

8pm, £7 PICK 'N’ MIX @ BUFFALO Tommy B, Antsman and Tom Nelson, among others, take to the decks as they promise to offer you some of the finest in club night mixes.

8pm – 4am, free before 11pm/£3 thereafter MISS KITTY AND MARCIA @ MINSKY’S BAR A slightly different night out that will leave you gagging for more. Cross-dressing acts Miss Kitty and Marcia provide the laughs and get the evening going in a way only they know how...drag-stylee.

10pm, £3

Sunday 7th June

F*CK LONDON + CASSETTE QUALITY @ BUFFALO BAR Sundays are no longer a quiet night in, for Buffalo has saved the day with an impressive club night and competitive drink prices, all amidst the sophisticated decor of the bar that is becoming more popular by the day.

8pm – 3am, free LIGHTS. ACTION! + TELEGRAPH @ BARFLY Pop-rock band Telegraph and Emo-comeIndie-come-Rock act Lights.Action! prepare to rock your world. No excuse to not attend when the Sabbath day’s entertainment opportunities are limited.

7.30pm, £5 I AM HOPE @ BARFLY What’s more, four-piece I am Hope, will also be on hand to deliver the audiences with some of the finest musical wizardry.

8pm, £4 10 FOOT CWTCH @ 10 FEET TALL Laugh away what’s left of the exam period with presenter Rowan Liggett, a host of funnymen and booze-tastic prizes aplenty. If you've never ventured to 10 Feet Tall on a Sunday then you don't know what you're missing out on!

8pm – 3am, £3

(The Welsh Club), 11 Womanby Street 02920 232199 www.clwb.net ◆ Barfly, Kingsway, Tickets: 08709070999 www.barflyclub.com/cardiff ◆ MetIncognito, Park Place 02920 412190 ◆ Liquid, St. Mary Street 02920645464 ◆ The Philharmonic, 76-77 St. Mary Street 02920 230678 ◆ Café The Hayes 02920 878444 www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk ◆ Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton 02920 304400 www.chapter.org ◆ Wales Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road 02920 646900 www.shermantheatre.co.uk ◆ The Glee Club, Mermaid Quay 0870 2415093 www.glee.co.uk ◆ Greyfriar's Road 02920 391944 www.tigertiger.co.uk ◆ Tommy’s Bar, Howard Gardens (off Newport Road) 02920 416192 ◆

SPORT 29

gairrhydd | SPORT@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

THE WORD ON...

...Newcastle's fall from grace as Premier League relegation sinks in Richard Williams Sports Editor WHERE DID it all go wrong? That is the sole question that Newcastle fans have no doubt asked themselves over the past week, following their relegation from the Premier League.

The 1-0 loss to Aston Villa signalled the end of five seasons' worth of disappointment for Black and White fans, initiated by the sacking of Sir Bobby Robson after he was sacked for finishing 5th and failing to qualify for the Champions League. After the season Newcastle have just had, how the Geordie fans could only dream of such ‘failure’.

Robson’s sacking, with great hindsight, was the beginning of the end for Newcastle. Since Sir Bobby left St James’ Park, six managers have tried, but failed, to meet the expectations of the self-styled ‘best fans in football’.

Graeme Souness, Glenn Roeder, Sam Allardyce, Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear and fan’s favourite Alan Shearer have watched on from the dugout as numerous under achievements disheartened the legions of faithful Newcastle supporters.

Sir Bobby Robson's sacking was the beginning of the end Since Robson was sacked, Newcastle have only finished in the top ten once, in the 2005/06 season under the management of Roeder, who lifted the side from 15th place in February following the departure of Souness.

Managerial failures may be the main reason why Newcastle have plummeted to the Championship, but seldom does one bullet end a war.

NEWCASTLE TILL THEY DIE: But how long will the loyalty last? league. Relegation from the Premier League can go one of three ways; an instant return, a season of stagnation and mediocrity or, ultimately, implosion and successive relegations.

What is important is that the club appoint the right manager, keep the right players and make the best choices in their summer recruitment.

The manager to do that may be Alan Shearer. Then again, it may not be. Shearer took over the poisoned chalice at the helm of Newcastle with eight games to go, winning just once and drawing twice.

The club’s former number nine spoke of wholesale changes being required if the club’s recent failures are to be banished to memory, but with just eight games under his belt, his managerial ability remains to be tested.

Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s passionate, but ultimately lacklustre owner, has refused to be drawn on the future of Shearer, but he may as well bite the bullet, appease the baying fans.

Appointing Shearer on the rumoured four-year contract that has apparently been offered, (such is the lack of quality managers that would take up the post, particularly now the club are no longer a sleeping giant in the Premier League), may be the only fathomable option left for Ashley.

Poor recruitment, ownership problems, management disputes and overpaid players have blighted the Newcastle cause in recent times.

Since the club’s relegation, it has surfaced that 15 of Newcastle’s first team squad earn over £60,000 a week, amassing in around £46.8m a season being paid out to 15 underperforming players in a largely underachieving squad.

Damien Duff, Obafemi Martins, Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutiérrez, to name just four, are quality players but for some inexplicable reason have struggled to find any sort of form in a Black and White shirt.

Coloccini, who was once one of the most highly rated defenders in Europe, represented a pub side player at Villa Park, faltering three times in as many minutes at the start of the first half.

The majority of Newcastle’s first team are likely to depart over the summer, with the exception of Steve Harper, Shola Ameobi, plus the majority of the club’s academy graduates and both Habib Beye and Damien Duff, who have already pledged their allegiance to Championship football, albeit likely to be on a vastly reduced wage.

A significant squad turnover is unlikely to be the best preparation for entry into a deceptively difficult

Ashley could be the one man that Newcastle fans blame for their club’s failure to survive in the top flight. The mistakes are too evident to be ignored.

Sacking Sam Allardyce, appointing Kevin Keegan, then replacing him with Joe Kinnear, whose last management job was five years ago were huge mistakes and turned the football club into a joke in football circles.

The appointment of Dennis Wise as Executive Director of Football was a huge mistake. Wise, brought in solely for recruitment whilst undoubtedly overseeing the majority of football affairs, undeniably undermined Kevin Keegan and unsettled Newcastle fans.

The appointment of Dennis Wise was a huge mistake The fans called for Wise's sacking, believing that the 'Cockney Mafia' at the club, which also included Mike Ashley and Vice President Tony

Martinez, were ruining their club rather than rescuing it.

Martinez and Wise have now departed the club and Ashley, despite his best efforts, remains in charge of one of football’s greatest falls from grace since Leeds went from being 90 minutes from a Champions' League final to entering Yeovil, Swindon and Walsall into their sat nav system.

However the summer months are filled in Newcastle, once the season begins at the start of August, the Newcastle fans will struggle to fathom that their club are languishing in the second tier of English football, whilst supposedly smaller clubs like Hull, Stoke and Burnley are competing above them.

The “best fans in football” will stick with their club, but for how long can they stomach the average football, below average management and downright abhorrent ownership of a club that should unquestionably be competing as one of England’s representatives in Europe?

As the saying goes, the bigger they come, the harder they fall. Newcastle’s fall has been due for a number of seasons, but their passionate fans would have never believed it would be this hard to take.

SHEARER: Could be the future of Newcastle as well as the past

30 SPORT

gairrhydd | SPORT@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

TOP FIVE...

SPORT COMMENT

Lions in limbo?

Josh Pettitt Sports Editor

IN A week where Newcastle United sunk in a quagmire of their own delusion, guided by the untrained amateur hands of Alan Shearer, rugby’s last institution of amateurism departs for the harshest rugby climate on the planet.

The continued success of the Lions tradition undoubtedly rests in the hands of Paul O’Connell and his men.

If we look beyond the fond nostalgia for tours past and the rugby elite’s gloating self-satisfaction with the values that the tour represents, there is the pessimistic voice of reason that breathes doubt into one of rugby’s proudest traditions.

However, this Lions tour, more than any other, demands the players’ and managements’ total commitment to the outmoded values of amateurism, or so the early words from the training camps suggest. The players are being encouraged to look past the professional buzz words of teamwork and cohesion, laboriously rolled out to describe the commitments the players have made to a set of values, and instead discover a more simple remedy; genuine friendship.

Although the Lions are planning to

meet fire with fire up front, selecting the brutish Nathan Hines and the freakish Andrew Sheridan to compete with South Africa’s circus animals Bakkies Botha and Schalk Burger, they have committed to the belief that the most hallowed tradition of the amateur era can weather the storm of professionalism.

Surely if the Lions are to beat the most professional and ruthless Test team currently stalking the world of rugby, they should meet fire with fire; practising, training, planning and preparing even more professionally than the Sprinboks.

But this template has already been tried and failed by Sir Clive Woodward, the consummate professional when it comes to coaching and preparing teams.

This Lions tour is a clash of cultures and values. The Lions are evidently short of world-beaters to match the likes of Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies and Bryan Habana, so amateurism must triumph where professionalism has failed before it. The selection of Ian McGeechan (the most professional amateur there is) is clearly the perfect compromise.

Or perhaps the management selection is far less complicated than we imagined? The Lions have followed the familiar pattern of behaviour that

all struggling teams pursue; simply turning to heroes of past success for more of the same. Shearer’s recent failures do not bode well for the Lions. Even the finest thoroughbred will fail under the whip of an eager novice.

So the Lions must combine an ardent professionalism with enthusiastic amateurism if they are to win on South African soil; a difficult balance to get right. But it should be. The Lions is the ultimate honour, rugby’s

Everest. The harshest heights require the most torrid struggle and if successful, the greatest reward. So the Lions must take every edge they can, professional or amateur.

In a week where Warren 'Mind Games' Gatland has vowed to keep schtum, perhaps we should keep a lid on the voices of doubt that threaten to cripple the most important tour of all, and simply embrace one of the greatest traditions of rugby while we still can.

AFTER SECURING promotion to the Premier League on Monday, Burnley’s fans may have had time to celebrate but the backroom staff at the club are unlikely to have been afforded such luxuries.

Under manager Owen Coyle they have had an unbelievable season, beating the likes of Fulham, Tottenham and Arsenal in the League Cup.

However, what lies ahead is likely to be much tougher yet. Burnley are capable of surviving if players and manager alike learn from the mistakes made by previous clubs who have failed to impress themselves upon the might of the top flight.

The board’s first job will be to ensure that charismatic manager Coyle remains at the helm next season after rumours linking him with the vacancy at Celtic.

Despite denying these rumours,

GOING UP: Burnley celebrate their playoff success

Premier League Promotions

1.

Nottingham Forest won promotion in 93/94, and the following season they finished third, winning UEFA Cup qualification largely thanks to the goals of Stan Collymore.

2.

Following promotion, Ipswich shocked everyone and finished fifth, five points above Chelsea and reaching Europe for the first time since 1982.

3.

Burning desire Adam Horne Sports Writer

TOP FIVE...

LION SUCCESS: The '97 tour embodied amateur team spirit

Coyle is likely to be extremely tempted if offered the job and a shot at Champions' League management. His departure could spell trouble for Burnley if the club's hierarchy is altered.

The second task awaiting the club will be in the transfer market. Buying the correct players will be absolutely key for Coyle, and he must ensure he doesn’t get carried away by his no doubt larger than usual transfer kitty.

He will need to be smarter than cash happy Roy Keane at Sunderland, and Phil ‘Mr. inconsistent’ Brown at Hull, who appears to be having his beard trimmed at the same barber's as Rafa Benitez nowadays.

Roy Keane spent large amounts of money that weren’t justified by results, while Brown invested in Jimmy Bullard, a player riddled with more injuries than Ledley King, and loaned the unimpressive Manucho from Manchester United.

If Coyle can lure a tried

and trusted striker who has Premier League experience, as was the case with James Beattie at Stoke, as well as strengthening his defensive options, then Burnley may just make it in the big league.

When coupled with the fact that the Scotsman has already undone Premier League opposition this season then his squad can go into next term with the confidence needed to achieve at the highest level.

Fans can also take confidence from this season’s survival of both Hull and, in particular, Stoke, who under Tony Pulis and with the help of Rory Delap have literally thrown their way to Premier League survival.

Should Coyle stay, and make the correct moves in the transfer market, then Burnley have a strong chance of muscling in on the Premier League party. I do fear, however, for Wolves, who, under the guidance of Mick McCarthy, should be worried by his previous stint in the Premiership in 2005/06.

So for any Burnley fans that may be worried about their fortunes next year, spare a thought or two for their West Midlands rivals.

Sunderland finished 7th, their best finish for years, powered by 30-goal Kevin Phillips, who topped the scorer's chart.

4.

Leicester, under the brilliant Martin O'Neill, survived in 96/97, finishing 9th, winning the Coca-Cola Cup and entering Europe.

5.

In 2006, Reading shone in the Premier League, including a 6-0 thrashing of West Ham and finished 7th. They were relegated the following season.

SPORT 31

gairrhydd | SPORT@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY JUNE 01 2009

IMG ROUNDUP Michael O'Brien Sports Writer

MOMED 3 - 1 AFC History

PHOTO: TOM STORE

MOMED AND History took to the field on Wednesday in a bid to be crowned champions of the IMG Premiership tournament.

History were deemed favourites going into the match after an impressive unbeaten season in the IMG. However, they faced an in-form MOMED side that had gone 6 games undefeated in the run up to the final.

The game started much as expected with both teams playing at a furious pace, but it was MOMED who broke the deadlock in just under 15 minutes after a lengthy spell of possession.

Matt Haggerty gave them the lead with a long range effort that evaded the History keeper and gave the boys in black and blue a crucial early goal.

History responded well and hit back 10 minutes later, levelling the score at 1-1 after a low driven cross was eventually bundled over the line by an onrush of forwards.

Alastair Dewar pulled off a fantastic save in the MOMED goal to keep the score level only minutes after History’s initial equaliser, providing a vital boost to the MOMED team.

MOMED regained control of the game and were creating more chances than their opponents.

Midway through the half, their efforts were rewarded with a penalty after a professional foul by a History defender on goal scorer Matt Haggerty

inside the area.

Captain Bob Hodson calmly stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to give MOMED the advantage once again.

The remainder of the half saw MOMED dominate, creating a number of chances before John Dovey scored MOMED’s third goal of the game 5 minutes before half time.

After controlling the ball beautifully with his chest he sent a stunning strike into the corner of the net leaving the History keeper rooted to the spot.

The sides went into the break at 3 -1, a score line that remained for the rest of the game. History controlled most of the second half, creating a number of chances, but they simply could not penetrate the solid MOMED defence.

Testament to the stout defending was Anthony Corradi who cleared the ball off the line midway through the second half to preserve MOMED’s two goal advantage.

History did come close late on but only managed to find the crossbar as MOMED soaked up the pressure until the final whistle.

At 3-1 MOMED ran out as deserved champions. It was an intense match but on the day they proved too much for History and were thoroughly worthy to be crowned IMG champions for the first time.

With a strong squad lined-up for next year, MOMED are already looking to their title defence next season.

IMG: Walk in the park

PHOTO: TOM STORE

MOMED seal place in History

MOMED: Going down in History

EURO-millions

Chris Tarquini Sports Writer

FC Euros 3 - 2 KLAW THE LAST matches before the Easter Break included the final of the lower league cup and included an impressive KLAW side taking on surprise finalists FC EUROS. Literally tens of committed fans came to Pontcanna to witness sporting history and see who would be crowned IMG Lower Cup Champions of 2009.

Pre-match talk saw some inspirational comments from EUROS team motivator Bradbury and kick-off was followed by a flurry of KLAW attacks being repelled by Sam Gillard and Sam Leach in the centre of defence.

It was EUROS who had the first real chance when winger Scott Scrivens strolled down the wing and unleashed a stinging shot that KLAW keeper Jon Burgess pushed to safety, bringing an end to FC EUROS attacks for almost an hour.

The remainder of the first half consisted of constant KLAW pressure as cross after cross came agonizingly close to connecting with the KLAW attack, but a combination of a well organised back four and the ever dependable Martin Paton in goal kept the scores level at the break.

The second half started in much the same fashion until a rare EUROS counter attack saw in-form star David

Oliete beat the keeper with a solid strike from thirty five yards.

The goal forced KLAW to attack, but left them dangerously stretched in defence and vulnerable to counter attacks, which gave Scott Scrivens an opportunity to put the game to bed.

Fifteen minutes from time a through ball saw Scrivens race down the wing to tee up a shot before lacing it into the top corner from the edge of the box.

A determined EUROS sat back and defended their two goal advantage and even the addition of KLAW topscorer James Oakley was not enough to break the deadlock until the dying minutes.

Scrappy play in the EUROS penalty area led to KLAW scraping a goal back but it was to prove only a consolation. At the final whistle the pitch was invaded by over ten EUROS fans wanting to congratulate their victorious team.

Despite KLAW clearly dominating the match, EUROS employed counter-attacks with precision and scored two goals that could arguably be in contention for goals of the season.

From being the whipping boys of Group C to the winner of the Lower League Cup the turnaround in EUROS’ season has been impressive and definitely something the players will want to take into next season.

IMG; EUR not singing any KLAW

Sport gairrhydd

INSIDE: IMG football final, Sport Comment and The Word On Newcastle United's relegation to football's second tier

THE EX FACTOR

Tom Barr Cricket Reporter CARDIFF ALMOST pulled off a victory against a struggling Exeter attack but fell to defeat by three wickets.

Cardiff were late arriving in Exeter for their final BUCS game of the season due to the game being switched from Llanrumney at the eleventh hour,

and as a result discovered that Exeter had claimed the toss and had decided to bowl first.

This looked like an excellent decision after 13 overs as Cardiff were struggling horribly at 8 for 2, thanks to some excellent bowling from Stevens and Shepherd.

Tom Nevin and Chris Plowman pulled Cardiff back into the game with good knocks, and they were backed up by Tim Rowson and War-

wick Symcox.

Batting was not easy on the bouncy track, and this was proved by the fact that no batsmen went on to make the crucial big score. The tail offered little and Cardiff were bowled out in the final over for 143.

In reply, Exeter’s openers came out full of confidence, keen to reach the under-par total as quickly as possible, but this confidence was misplaced as opening bowlers Tom Barr and Pe-

ter Le Hegarat each claimed an early wicket and consistently beat the bat.

The aggressive Le Hegarat also struck one of the openers in the throat and another batsman on the elbow.

Unfortunately, Matt Bennett suffered an injury to his side in his first over after replacing Le Hegarat, so captain Symcox turned to his spin attack of Shreenivas Raju and Chris Plowman.

The spin twins suffocated the previously positive Exeter batsmen and

both returned superb figures from their respective 10 overs; Raju taking 1-19 and Plowman 2-5 with 7 maidens.

Tom Nevin then took the wicket of Exeter’s most dangerous looking player with a superb return catch and Barr returned to claim another wicket, leaving Exeter struggling at 120-7.

However, there was to be no dream finish for Cardiff as Exeter calmly saw off the remaining runs with overs to spare.

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