Gair Rhydd - Issue 1113 - 26th of February 2018

gair rhydd

gair rhydd | free word Cardiff’s student weekly newspaper Papur wythnosol myfyrwyr Caerdydd Issue 1113 | Rhifyn 1113 26th February 2018 | 26ain o Chwefror 2018

Cardiff Uni’s student paper | est . 1972

“Forced to fly-tip!”

Waste and Recycling feature p.8-11

Debate: Should work experience come before your degree? p.12

Campaign underway for Deputy Leader of Welsh Labour p.19

People’s opinion on the Student Elections p.31

Dathliadau Dydd Gwyl Dewi yng Nghaerdydd ac weddill Cymru t.33

Fadhila Al Dhahouri elected as SU President Lowest voting turnout in three years

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EXCLUSIVE George Cook

hat’s it, the Cardiff Students’ Union election week has come to an end and the posts for the 2018/19 roles have now been filled. This is the first time in ten years that all sabbatical and officer roles have been filled in one election, meaning this election cycle did have some positive outcomes.

Despite this, it was the lowest turnout in an SU election in 3 years. Last year, 6, 851 people voted in the elections with 6,555 and 6,231 votes being cast in the previous two elections.

This year only 6,205 votes were cast in the election. In this week’s Campus Life section, you can also read people’s opinions towards elections which does show some views that coincide with the decrease in votes cast.

Fadhila Al Dhahouri was named the new President of the Students’ Union beating Nicholas Fox to the position. This means that for the last four years the President of the SU has been female. Other results included Jake Smith being re-elected for VP Postgraduate, despite also standing to be Deputy Chair of the NUS; Henri Page being elected to the newly named Societies and Volunteering role; Amr Al Wishah being elected as VP Welfare

and Campaigns; Jackie Yip elected as VP Education; Georgie Haynes as VP Sport and AU President and Jen Kent elected as the new VP for Heath Park Campus.

The newly elected Officer roles included Martha Hughes as the newly elected Mature Students’ Officer; Julia Rooke as the International Students’ Officer; Joshua Lewis as the LGBT+ Officer; Hannah Ryan as the LGBT+ (Women’s) Officer; Hanin Abou Salem as the Women’s Officer; Dimitra Psychari as the Students’ with Disabilities Officer; Jacob Morris as the Welsh Language Officer; Orla Tarn as Mental Health Officer and Nia Jones as the Ethical and Environmental Officer.

They will start in their positions as the next academic year begins, and because there are no by-elections candidates will have even longer to implement their policies and ideas for the year ahead.

The newly elected, some re-elected, Sabbatical Officers will also earn a salary of around £20,000 while they are in office for a year. VP’s can then stand for re-election if they wish in their current roles or even run for the big job of Students’ Union President.

Election results and stats on page 4...

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EDITORIAL Gair Rhydd Coordinator Elaine Morgan Editor-in-Chief Liam Ketcher Deputy Editor George Cook News Emma Videan Rimante Bivainyte

the free word A Student Election and student waste

Waste and Recycling Feature Liam Ketcher Jessica Warrem

A run down of last week in Gair Rhydd

Comment George Cook Jessica Warren Meg Sharma Politics Conor Holohan Hannah Woodward Rhys Thomas Science Louange Lubangu Advice Lydia Caunce Accidental Advice Alice Dent Campus Life Laura Price Taf-od Elen Davies Osian Wyn Morgan Aled Huw Russell Sport Rich Jones Mark Wyatt Molly Ambler Reece Chambers Digital Media Editors Alice Dent Reece Chambers Cartoonist Louis Mertens Copy Editors Eva Kwatek Alys Hewitt Aditi Gupta Keiran Manetta-Jones Molly Jackson Write to the editor editor@gairrhydd.com

At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our responsibility to maintain the highest possible standards. Sometimes, because of deadline pressures, we may make some mistakes. If you believe we have fallen below the standards we seek to uphold, please email editor@gairrhydd.com.

You can view our Ethical Policy Statement and Complaints Procedure at cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints Opinions expressed in editorials are not reflective of Cardiff Student Media, who act as the publisher of Gair Rhydd in legal terms, and should not be considered official communications or the organisation’s stance. Gair Rhydd is a Post Office registered newspaper.

Liam Ketcher

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ast week was a long one for Gair Rhydd in the student media office. Student elections mostly dominated the week (results are listed on page four), along with a feature on recycling and waste in Cardiff which you can see from pages eight to eleven.

With only a few issues left as the editor of this paper, I really want to get in as much exciting and amazing content as possible, and I really think that we’ve done that with this issue.

After being inspired by fly-tippers on Fanny Street in Cathays and my housemate’s tweet to Cardiff Council, I knew that I wanted to research further into the underlying issues of the waste problem in Cathays. I’ve lived in Cathays for nearly two years now and it’s not a surprise to myself or any student that as lived here before at how much of a problem the mess on the streets is. With 218 respondents to our survey, we’ve collected good data, which helped us paint a picture on student’s opinions on the matter. We also had the chance to volunteer with Clean Up Cathays who do such an amazing job. This also was eye open-

ing and I seemed to notice more litter about the place rather than just ripped bin bags.

Please go ahead and read what we’ve discovered about the situation on waste and recycling in Cardiff. Hopefully there will be change soon, and please share with us your thoughts on the matter. I’d like to thank Jessica Warren, who I worked on this feature with. We’re are both very excited to hear what people have to say about our findings, and we hope that you agree that Cathays needs a good clean up.

Your new elected officers have now also been elected. After a long week of

campaigning from all candidates, I’d like to congratulate them all on a good campaign week. It was great to see so many out and about doing their best in spreading the word to vote and sharing their passions with all students across Cardiff University campus. But thankfully its over and it’s reading week, so therefore time to relax and slow down for a while. However, Gair Rhydd will not be taking a break and we will be back again next week.

With only so many left it’s hard to think that its close to the end, but we’re not there yet and we have a lot of content that we look forward to producing.

GOLYGYDDOL

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What’s occurring...?

27thFebruary-4th November-3rd December 26th March

Gair Rhydd meets: Andrew RT Davies Conor Holohan interviews the leader of the Welsh Conservatives

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air Rhydd spoke to Andrew RT Davies, Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Assembly, last week before Wednesday plenary.

The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives had, just the day before, stood with his Assembly colleagues in applause for Jack Sargeant’s maiden speech. Sargeant had just won the Alyn and Deeside by-election, the seat held by his late father Carl until his passing late last year.

‘It was a privilege to be able to stand and welcome Jack Sargeant into the chamber. Carl always sat on that front bench and we used to have a bit of banter together over the eleven years.’

‘It was a privilege to be able to stand and welcome Jack Sargeant into the chamber.’

There are four separate investigations into the events surrounding the passing of Carl Sargeant. Davies has recently been frustrated at the lack of meaningful answers to pertinent questions concerning Carl’s death. ‘With the enquiries that have been set up, everyone has the right to innocence until proven guilty.

That’s the cornerstone of the British judicial system, and the First Minister should enjoy that right the same as anyone else.’

‘Where I now struggle with many of the investigations that are going on is the ability to get some straightforward answers to some pretty basic questions.

In particular, with the first of the four reports that have been undertaken by the Permanent Secretary on the cabinet reshuffle’. Here Davies refers to an investigation into whether or not the Welsh Government’s intention to sack Sargeant from the frontbench over allegations of sexual misconduct was leaked to the press.’

‘That report has been concluded but it hasn’t seen the light of day. How can we have confi-

GRBIG T WEET 36%

degree

64%

work experience

We asked our readers, most of whom are students, whether they think a degree or work experience is more important.

dence in a system when we haven’t even seen the conclusions of that report, leave alone the methodology of how those conclusions have been arrived at?’

‘So I do have concerns over the transparency and the conduct of the Permanent Secretary’s inquiry. I asked for a meeting with the Permanent Secretary some three weeks ago now and I still haven’t had a reply from her yet on that which is unfortunate, but I will go on to continue to challenge to get to the truth of what happened around the time of the cabinet reshuffle, but more importantly about the atmosphere which existed at the time at the heart of government over many years of bullying and intimidation.

It has been identified, not by Conservative politicians, but by Cabinet Secretaries who have served on the fifth floor here in Ty Hywel.

You can’t have public life organised around a culture of bullying and intimidation.’

Davies is pragmatic in his approach to the lecturer strikes that are currently taking place in many Welsh and British universities. ‘There’s been a ballot so it’s not like the bad old days of the seventies and eighties which I recall.’

‘The universities themselves were informed of the potential disruption. Obviously any disruption is really regrettable, especially at a very, very delicate time for some of the students who are now coming to the tail end of many years of work. Finding a compromise and a way through has to be the best solution for all concerned here.’

‘The lecturers clearly believe that their pension rights have been eroded and the universities believe that to continue paying the pensions that they have to date will be a huge financial burden going forward that could jeopardise their viability and their ability to expand and create more places for students.’

‘A s with all these arguments there has to be a centre ground that people will have to coalesce around to find a solution. I want to find that

solution sooner rather than later and I hope that can be done, but I do regret that fact that students at a very delicate time in their academic studies are finding that their lecturing time and final preparations for their final exams are being disrupted.’

Gair Rhydd has many contributors and readers who are concerned about the state of free speech at universities. Cardiff University itself has not been exempt from national criticism for its standards of free speech. ‘Universities should be safe space for free speech, full stop.

It should really be a question that we should have to pose, but regrettably, we do have to pose it.’

‘We’re all relatively familiar with the images which came out of Jacob Rees-Mogg’s encounter, shall we say’.

Davies is of course talking about the pictures that emerged when a group of protesters crashed an event at which Jacob Rees-Mogg was speaking in UWE. ‘‘In a civilised society where you have plural-

‘You can’t have public life organised around a culture of bullying and intimidation.’ ity of opinion, that plurality of opinion should be enjoyed by all sections of that society. Universities are a hotbed of thought and engagement and, frankly, to see these types of actions where people are walking in on meetings with balaclavas on, sunglasses on, to hide their own identity and then cause mayhem is something

that is highly regrettable.’

‘The universities need to stamp on this and put a firm line down that says we are not endorsing any particular viewpoint, but one viewpoint we do endorse is a safe space for discussion, debate and challenge. It cannot be tolerated if people feel intimidated or that their views are suppressed, whatever part of the political spectrum they come from.’

Davies was the only mainstream party lead-

‘One viewpoint we do endorse is a safe space for discussion, debate and challenge.’ er outside of UKIP to campaign for Britain to leave the European Union in 2016.

He feels that the Welsh Assembly is out of touch in regards to the referendum result. ‘I get it. There are politicians who are fighting to re-run the European referendum. In particular, here in Wales, the detachment from the Assembly to the reality of the way the people voted is probably the most dramatic example of that. Politicians in this institution, by and large, want to remain in that single super-state of Europe.’

‘I want to see a good deal for Britain and a good deal for Europe, and I don’t believe that a good relationship is difficult.’

‘I think there are people trying to make it difficult for their own political ends, but I believe we can deliver the spirit of the Brexit referendum for the people of Wales and the people of the United Kingdom.’

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NEWS

news

#GRNews news@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/category/news

Elected Officers 2018/19 Students’ Union President - Fadhila Al Dhahouri VP Education - Jackie Yip VP Societies & Volunteering - Henri Page VP Welfare & Campaigns - Amr Alwishah VP Heath Park Campus - Jen Kent VP Postgraduate - Jake Smith (re-elected) VP Sport & AU President - Georgie Haynes Ethical and Enviromental Officer - Nia Jones Mental Health Officer - Orla Tarn Black and Ethnic Minorties Officer - Erin Joseph Mature Students Officer - Martha Hughes Welsh Language Officer Jacob Morris (re-elected) Students with Disabilities Officer Dimitra Psychari LGBT+ (Open) - Joshua Lewis (re-elected) LGBT+ (Women’s) - Hannah Ryan

Continued: Student Elections 2018

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he mood at the start of the week was one of optimism and excitement whilst also apprehension as people got into campaign mode. After Candidate Question Time in the previous week, candidates were now fully prepared for the week of elections with their slogans and banners at the ready.

Gair Rhydd interviewed some of the candidates who were standing for election on Monday 19th February and it was evident that many posts would produce very close results. At the start of the election week, there was also some controversy as one candidate for the VP Sport and AU President role, Callum Hindle, posted in a men’s Rugby group on social media soliciting support and denigrating an opponent.

Hindle wrote that “Addhyahan Gurung is also running for the position and would appreciate your votes too. One of us would be better to do the job than the female rowing President”.

This was done despite all candidates including Hindle having attended a compulsory meeting where this action was explicitly prohibited. In response to this incident the Students’ Union commented “We have been made aware of a Facebook message

referencing candidates for the role of VP Sports and Athletic Union President. We are currently investigating and talking to the candidates involved before considering further action”. Hindle also replied with a remorseful, lengthy statement “I have spoken with the SU regarding this misunderstanding and am awaiting the contact number of Georgie so that I can clear things up”, continuing, “under no circumstances was my comment intended to discredit Georgie’s ability but was simply to highlight to my rugby members that voting for one of their own would benefit the club if either one of us were successful”.

This is an action that seems to show that Hindle was trying to affect the outcome of the election by getting all of his club or team to vote for him. In the end, it mattered little, as Georgie came out on top for the position of VP Sport and AU President.

Despite this, it was an election week that was full of some great costumes and campaign slogans as candidates hoped to be successful in their campaigns. Cathays became decorated in banners and posters that were trying to grab our attention to vote for each candidate, as well as the candidates themselves running around

university buildings. After all this buzz and energy, the results were announced at 2pm on Saturday afternoon and after a long week of campaigning, I am sure that all candidates will be glad that it is over.

Gair Rhydd would like to thank all candidates for their decision to run in elections to represent the views of students, and also to congratulate the successful students who have been elected to the Sabbatical Officer and part-time officer roles for the 2018/19 academic year.

In the next issue, we will be interviewing the newly elected Sabbatical Officers so stay tuned to find out more about who will be representing you next year.

The newly elected, some re-elected, Sabbatical Officers will also earn a salary of around £20,000 while they are in office for a year. VP’s can then stand for re-election if they wish in their current roles or even run for the big job of Students’ Union President.

Womens Officer - Hanin Abou Salem International Students Officer - Julia Rooke

Voting Stats Number of voters 2018 - 6,205 Number of voters 2017 - 6,851 Number of voters 2016 - 6,555 Number of voters 2015 - 6,231 This is the first time in 10 years that all sabbatical and non sabbatical positions have been filled in an election.

NEWYDDION NATIONAL

Welsh businesses cutting the use of plastic Nicole Garcia Merida

Pictured: Plastic bottles.

Source: Thad Zajdowicz (Via Flickr)

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everal businesses in Wales are campaigning for the use of plastic water bottles to be reduced significantly. Plastic has become as ubiquitous to the ocean as islands, with a landfill twice the size of the state of Texas occupying the Pacific Ocean.

Even more alarmingly, according to a study conducted by Greenpeace 12.7 million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans each year in addition to the 165 million tons already in the sea. In fact, by 2050 plastic will actually outweigh fish. The day-today consumption of water bottles, which amounts to a £2.4 billion industry, has resulted in the mass pollution of oceans.

Bottled water has now become a huge industry, but plastic bottles inevitably end up in the sea as they are not biodegradable, as David Attenborough’s recent documentary Blue Planet II revealed.

Shops and restaurants across Newport are going to dot their doors with ‘Refill’ scheme stickers, meaning that they can refill anybody’s water containers for free. According to the organisation behind the campaign, if only 1 in 10 people refilled their water containers once a week, there’d be about 340 million less plastic bottles in circulation every single year.

After noticing several businesses in Bristol had the Refill Scheme’s blue drop on their window, the owners of Meat Bar and Grill in Newport decided to bring it to Wales as well.

The Whole Earth Deli, Rogue Fox, The Cellar Door and Holy Cheesus have joined them. Businesses in Monmouthshire, Torfaen, and Caerphilly are following their lead. Since the Refill Scheme launched in 2015, 1600 Refill stations have popped up across the UK. Their website has an option to register as a Refill station, so any business can sign up for it.

The Plastic Ocean Foundation presents the facts as they are — over the last ten years, humans have produced more plastics than the whole of the last century. Plastic contamination continues to grow exponentially to the point it threatens to outgrow the ocean’s native creatures, thousands of which are harmed by the growing presence of this pollutant in their home.

Plastic is cheap and durable, and a great deal of companies present images of glaciers and clear springs to further push the purity of their product, however it is these bodies of water that are threatened by their existence. Tap water in the UK and in the US is of a very high quality and not of a large difference to bottled water.

Sexual Assault scheme launches Rimante Bivainyte

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She did not get the proper support from student services at the time.

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new housing scheme has been given permission by Cardiff Council, hence Cadwyn Housing Association will create 14 homes in shipping containers on a Bute Street in Cardiff.

They will be placed on unused land where the former PDSA building was built.

The project is planned to include seven one-bedroom containers and seven two-bedroom containers as well as a warden’s office.

The containers will be used as a temporary accommodation while families wait for a more permanent housing solution or by homeless people who cannot afford other options.

Moreover, containers are thought to offer a chance to get on the housing market to householders that find

happened to me.’ A student noted that months that followed were dark regarding her turning to drugs to escape the trauma and ‘the flashbacks of resulting post-traumatic stress disorder’, moreover, the attendance and performance fallen from a first class to barely a pass. According to the student, the university’s new anonymous disclosure system – which is the only one of this kind in the UK that includes dedicated team of staff – would have prevented her fallen grades and a ‘drug escape’.

Since October last year appointed staff on the Disclosure Response Team is processing reports made to it of violence and abuse on and off campus, including any disclosure of sexual violence. Before the Disclosure Response Team was launched students had variety of options to report incidents of sexual violence such as academic staff, counselling and wellbeing services or Students’ Union, however, disclosures were not recorded in a systematic way, hence there was no accurate information. A female student pointed out that this kind of support would have saved her from a damage such as safety at the time. A director of student support and wellbeing, Ben Lewis said: ‘Cardiff University wants to deliver an exceptional student experience. We recognised we could things better in responding to this important issue. This project is about addressing concerns and ensuring our students get the support they need when they need it. Creating a new approach to supporting people who are victims of violence and abuse is important to us. e want our students to be safe and help those who, sadly, experience violence or abuse. It is part of our wider approach to student support, creating a safer campus community.’

Divestment: sit-in outside VC’s office

Shipping containers will be used as affordable homes Luca Peluzzi

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female student who was raped by her partner few weeks after starting Cardiff University several years ago has welcomed a new anonymous system by Cardiff University to report sexual violence and abuse. She stated that she did not get the proper support from student services at the time, hence she turned to drugs to erase her traumatic experience and fallen grades. A student recalled her experience by talking how she had gone away for a weekend with her partner who then raped her. She said that after the incident she was confused and did not know what to do as she was questioning if what took place was rape due to the fact that he was her partner. ‘It was not consensual, and I explicitly pleaded for him to stop – it was rape. That Monday I physically could not walk into my university building due to the panic attack and staggered in the park opposite. I called my mum, who instructed me to go to the student support centre immediately.’ A female student vaguely knew where the centre was due to the induction lectures, nonetheless, she did not want to ask for help, ‘it would mean divulging what had happened’. ‘That phenomenon of victim-blaming had been internalised in me and I wrongly blamed myself for what was someone else’s actions. Despite this I went in and asked for help looking catastrophic. They refused to see me as I had not had a GP yet but offered that if I waited four hours until drop-in someone could see me then.

‘One member of staff protested and argued that ‘she clearly needs help’ – however this was not enough to break protocol. After being denied support I had the impression he university was not concerned with what

ON CAMPUS

difficult to afford a proper house.The developer stated in council papers: “The proposed refurbished modular container units offer an important opportunity to utilise prime development sites, in advance of more permanent forms of affordable residential development.

“Importantly, these modular units can be re-used when they are no longer required meaning they are versatile, low-cost, sustainable and beneficial to enable prompt delivery of affordable accommodation where in short supply.”

The plan details some of the features that the containers will have: they will be stacked two high with external staircases, varying in colours.

Solar panels will be put on the roofs, however, no parking is included.

Similar ideas to tackle homeless people and those in need have been already proposed in cities such as Bristol and Newport in recent years.

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George Cook

We’re here today because catastrophic climate change is now happening

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IN THE CITY

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ardiff University People and Planet Society, as part of their Fossil Free Campaign, staged a sit on Wednesday 21st February outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office with the aim of achieving divestment from fossil fuels within the next three years. After arriving with a cake for the Vice-Chancellor, Colin Riordan, they were told he was not in his office.

For the next couple of hours, they sat and played monopoly and then carried out a noise demonstration by playing whistles in the main building hall. As well as this, the group also unfurled a banner and read out a speech. “We’re here today because catastrophic climate change is now happening”, one of the protestors stated.

Cardiff University currently holds £10m of investments in four companies involved in fossil fuel

extraction (Royal Dutch Shell, BP, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton), which represents 4.5% of their total investment portfolio. Cardiff People and Planet has been campaigning for over three years for the university to divest by collecting over 1,200 student and 100 faculty signatures, organising creative actions and passing a motion at the Students’ Union AGM. Recently the Finance and Banking Committee recommended to stop investing in companies that generate more than 10% of their revenues from coal and tar sands. However, none of the companies that the university invests in fall into this category.

The group said “we will continue to engage in peaceful direct action until Cardiff University commit to divest fully within the next three years.”

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NEWS

CAMPUS

First week of strikes is kicking off

IN THE CITY

19-year-olds body found in Cardiff park

Police investigating the unexplained death Ryan Jones Matthews

T Emma Videan and Rimante Bivainyte

Pictured: First week of strikes (Source: Rimante Bivainyte)

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elsh universities are set to face two weeks of strikes after a row around pensions, which some say will shortchange them of £10,000.

Members of the UCU (University and College Union), which includes lecturers and other academic staff from four Welsh universities, started striking on an unprecedented scale from February 22.

The fierce debate comes in response to the proposals to remove the defined benefit element of the USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme), which, according to members of the Union, would lead to shortcomings of £10,000 per year in retirement, estimated to total over £200,000.

Members of staff from Bangor, Aberystwyth, University of Wales and Cardiff University recognized the potential disruption for student’s work, but UCU general secretary Sally Hunt argued: “Staff who have delivered the international excellence vice-chancellors use to justify their own lavish pay and perks are understandably angry at efforts to slash their pensions. They feel let down by leaders who seem to care more about defending their own perks than the rights of their staff.”

On the first day of strikes, Gair Rhydd’s Politics Editor Rhys Thomas attended the first rally of strikes where he had an opportunity to get a better look into the heart of strikes. Here, he was tweeting on Gair Rhydd Politics

ON CAMPUS

Tributes paid to Cardiff University lecturer

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outh Wales Police have confirmed that the staff member who died on Monday 19th February is lecturer Malcolm Anderson.Emergency services were called to the Cardiff Business School’s Aberconway building on Colum Drive in the morning, and he was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he sadly passed away at the age of 48.Dr Anderson was a lecturer in Accounting and a personal tutor who had been the recipient of several awards and commendations, including winning the Cardiff Business School Excellence in Feedback Award and a nomination for the Cardiff University Most Effective Teacher Award, both in 2013. He taught undergraduate and masters students.

Cardiff students and staff from both past and present took to Twitter to praise Dr Anderson. Elliot Pughsley tweeted that he was “Privileged to have been taught by him and incredibly thankful for ensuring I actually understood what he was teaching” and Rachel Williams called him “a brilliant man who touched so many lives”.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police announced that “His family have been informed. There are no suspicious circumstances. Anyone affected by this incident will be offered support from a range of professional University staff.

Twitter latest news about the rally. The first-year research student, Sarah Becker stated: ‘All sectors should have a decent pension’, one of the staff members said: ‘We are being driven out of a profession we love. If you take away a reasonable pension, people will be driven away from the profession.’ Lecturers who were from two different departments noted that ‘This is not just about pensions but the general running down and marketization of higher education, these cuts prevent what we love doing – teaching and research.’ One of the PhD students, Vlad Costin pointed out: ‘It’s all about the current students.

It will be worse for students in the future due to poorer working conditions’, while one of the lecturers said that ‘Law and Politics have been supporting staff on strike’ and added ‘no pressure has been applied to anyone regarding striking, it’s an individual choice.’

Earlier this week (19th February) Vice-Chancellor Colin Riordan sent an open letter to all students to inform them about this industrial action and let students know about active facilities of university during the strikes period. One of the main aspects that he mentioned was that staff ’s ‘priority during this time is to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum and the impact on students minimised.’ The strikes are planned to take place til the 16th of March.

NATIONAL

Emma Videan

Pictured: Location of the earthquake epicenter in South Wales

he body of a 19-year-old man, thought to have been homeless, has been found in Hamadryad Park, Cardiff Bay, South Wales Police have confirmed.

In a statement, a police spokeswoman said that the teenager’s family had been informed and a file was being prepared for HM Coroner. His body was found on February 13.

Lynda Thorne, Cardiff Council cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “This is a tragic loss of life and our condolences go to this young man’s family and friends at this difficult time. “He was known to our outreach and accommodation services and had received help on a number of occasions.“ We will work with our partners to investigate the circumstances surrounding this young man’s death to see what lessons can be learned. “I want to take this opportunity to say to rough sleepers, please don’t stay out – we have accommodation for you. Come in, work with us, and let us help you.”

Christopher Saintly, a volunteer with the group Left Alone Outside, who help to ensure that homeless people are kept warm and safe, said that the young man had been sleeping rough, but wasn’t sure for how long.He said: “It’s a sad state of affairs when someone’s ending to their life is either in a doorway or in a tent. It shouldn’t be happening. We are in 2018 and homelessness is growing by the day.”

According to The Wallich, a homeless charity with intervention teams based in Cardiff, Bridgend, Newport, and Swansea, the number of people they supported between November 2016 and October 2017 was 2,611 – a 36% increase on the previous 12 months.

The teenager’s death comes less than 4 months after the body of a 32-year-old woman, also believed to have been homeless, who was found in Alexandra Gardens.

Biggest earthquake in more than a century hits Wales

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n Saturday 17th February at 2.31pm the biggest earthquake in over 10 years in the UK and the biggest in Wales since 1906 hit at a magnitude of 4.4. The epicentre was in the village of Cwmllynfell in Neath Port Talbot, at a depth of 7.4km. This was comparably low compared to previous earthquakes in the UK, which are normally at around 15-20km deep.

The British Geological Survey said that this kind of event occurs every 3-5 years whereas 3,000 of these events occur globally each year. There were two aftershocks, at 3.09pm and 4.27pm.

The quake, estimated to have affected 10 million people, was felt over all of Wales, most of Western England and as far east as London. The southern edge of the Lake District also felt the earthquake. There have been no reports of serious damage or injuries.

The police received a high volume of calls relating to the tremor that was felt, which lead to the South Wales Police to tweet: ‘There has been a minor earthquake throughout South Wales….no need for you to contact the Emergency Services unless you have something to report ie:- injuries or damage. Hope this sets you minds at rest SWP”.

The tremors mean that play was held up at a football

match in Port Talbot and others reported sofas moving and houses shaking. Horses were panicked by the tremor but it was only for a short time period and so no true problems were caused.

Swansea

Cardiff

Providing a range of certified courses aimed at building your confidence and increasing your employability potential.

8 WASTE AND RECYCLING

feature

By Liam Ketcher and Jessica Warren #GRFeature features@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/category/news

Gair Rhydd Investigates: Waste and Recycling in Cardiff

Gair Rhydd launched a survey which gained 218 responses in a matter of days. From these results, we have analysed the data, and are presenting our key findings within this feature, alongside a Cardiff Volunteering project, and a response from Cardiff Council.

At Gair Rhydd, we believe that matters surrounding waste and re-

Students’ have a different living arrangement to a typical family, and would naturally produce more waste. cycling are important to the student population in Cardiff. At Gair Rhydd we believe that many waste and recycling schemes across the UK are designed with the typical family of four in mind. As a result, this is not an effective way of facilitating the demographic of students, many of whom live in shared houses, sometimes up

to 10 people. Clearly, this is a different living arrangement to a typical nuclear family, and would naturally produce more waste than what the council cater for. For example within a family, meals are typically shared, however university students tend to eat at different times of the day, cooking separate meals for each other. This often means that food packaging is more than doubled, and the quantity of weekly rubbish created is therefore higher.

Figure 1 demonstrates the misinformation surrounding students and their ability to recycle effectively.

Over 50% of students were misguided in believing that broken glass could be recycled, alongside plastic

bags at 46.8%. Polystyrene packaging had the least amount of people believing it could be recycled, however this was still at 22.2%. From this graph, we can conclude that students do not know enough about what items they can and cannot recycle, and more information is needed.

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Gair Rhydd launched a survey gaining 218 responses in a matter of days... We have analysed the data and are presenting our key findings within this feature.

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air Rhydd decided to investigate student knowledge and opinions surrounding waste and recycling. The idea was sparked by a tweet to Cardiff Council on the 1st of February. The tweet focused on fly-tipping on Fanny Street, Cathays, with the council confirming a clean-up, but we are yet to see any action on this promise. As a result,

GWASTRAFF AC AILGYLCHU

A

rranged by Cardiff Volunteering, Clean Up Cathays is a litter picking volunteer session which allows students to give a couple hours of their time to care for where they live. Gair Rhydd went along to join a team of enthusiastic students, Students’ Union staff and members of Cardiff Council. This is a great scheme showing that people do care about the community they live in, and actively engage in community changing projects. Liam Ketcher, Editor-in-chief, and Jessica Warren, Comment Editor and Ethical and Environmental Officer for the Students’ Union went along last week to see for themselves how students are helping clean up the University campus and Cathays area.

The group met outside the back of the Students’ Union on Senghennydd Road to distribute equipment: bin bags, litter pickers, gloves and high-visibility jackets to all volunteers.

Following on from a quick de-briefing about what not to pick up (needles, broken glass, dog foul and dead animals), the team of around 20 set off at 1:30pm, spreading out in pairs, in all directions to cover the biggest area possible in the hour-long volunteer session. We picked up a variety of items, with the most recurring ones being

9

Gair Rhydd join Clean Up Cathays

detailed in the infographic on the right-hand-side of the page.

On our return to the designated meeting point, all bags of rubbish were collated into a large pile, in preparation for being picked up by Cardiff Council later in the day. What was interesting about the

Clean Up Cathays project is that all rubbish collected is put into general

waste, even if it could be recycled.

Volunteers are not given the option to categorise waste by its capacity to be recycled, as the main aim is to clean the streets of Cathays, and use the hour time slot effectively.

Whilst this is a brilliant scheme, it only began at the

beginning of the last academic year, as a one-off volunteering project to engage students when they arrive at Cardiff University.

Instigated by previous SU President, Sophie Timbers, the project now operates on a termly basis. When speaking to some of the SU staff that were overseeing the scheme last week, they expressed the desire to make Clean Up Cathays a regular, weekly student volunteer project, alongside many of the other weekly projects they offer. With this hopefully starting in September, they hope that Cathays will be a cleaner place for us all to enjoy.

I’ve seen people chuck things out of windows... someone once threw a candle out of the first floor on Colum Road.

- Annie Granger, First Year Student.

I have really enjoyed joining Clean Up Cathays today. I think we all need to respect where we live.

- Caitlin Yih, Second Year Student.

When looking at Figure 2, there is a clear trend in students who rated the cleanliness of Cathays between 1 and 4. This means that 86.2% of all students surveyed believe that Cathays is dirty to some degree, with the majority rating it as ‘Quite Dirty’. The remaining 6 options only made up 13.8%, highlighting a clear trend in the belief that Cathays is a dirty part of Cardiff.

WASTE AND RECYCLING

Your waste, your problem!

Cardiff Council responds

I

t’s important to recognise that Cardiff Council are actively seeking to give students the correct information surrounding waste and recycling in Cardiff. The start of the academic year sees the highest level of engagement, with the Council attending Freshers’ Fairs and other events during the week. Students’ are delivered information packs through the door, with conversations being held on doorsteps, yet Figure 1 clearly demonstrates that students’ still do not know how to recycle properly.

Arguably, there is evidence to suggest these methods of engagement are not working very well.

A

lthough Gair Rhydd agree that every individual has to manage the amount of waste they are producing, there are some underlying issues with this statement. By highlighting the target group as landlords and students, Cardiff Council are failing to recognise that students’ will naturally produce more waste, as they often live in shared houses, sometimes with more than 10 people in a house. A house with this many people will generate higher amounts of rubbish than a typical family, yet Cardiff Council still supply them with the same number of bin bags.

T

his may have been the case in the past however, figure 3 shows an overwhelming majority opinion that there are not enough street bins in Cathays, with 74.2% believing so. From our experience of joining Clean Up Cathays last week, the majority of items picked up could have easily been placed in street bins, had they been in the nearby area. Items such as paper cups, takeaway cartons and plastic bottles are often used by people when walking down the street. Perhaps, an increased number of street bins would decrease the amount of littering on the streets of Cathays.

C

ardiff Council appear to be highlighting the difference in usage of ‘litter bins’ as opposed to ‘household waste bins’, suggesting that students’ would see street bins as an opportunity to dispose of large bags of rubbish. This behaviour may be a reaction to the allotted number of bin bags the Council will collect from each property on a weekly basis, however Gair Rhydd suggest that introducing more street bins would only reduce the amount of litter, rather than creating more of a problem.

There were four deep cleans in 2017 alone and the next one is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 16 this year.

Cllr Michael Michael

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Most of us want to live in a clean city and lots of people get out and do something about it too.

Cllr Michael Michael

he deep cleans are a brilliant initiative from Cardiff Council, as they remove debris from the streets in an organised manner, not offered by the weekly refuse collection. By doing so, the Council are recognising the need to clean Cathays, and are actively seeking methods to improve the neighbourhood.

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his is an important fact to consider when analysing the support given to students from the Council. It would be unfair to say that they are not dealing with problems surrounding waste management in Cathays. Yet, Gair Rhydd would argue that there is not enough being done at the moment to solve the problem and that Cardiff Council have found a method that subdues the problem, as opposed to tackling it head on.

T

his shows that people care about where they live, as they have engaged with over 4,000 students in a variety of outreach programmes.

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My message to students is simple, love where you live and do your bit to help us keep Cathays clean.

Cllr Michael Michael

ooking at figure 3, it is important to consider that only 77.3% of respondents live in Cathays, and as a result the ‘yes’ and ‘maybe’ answers could have been answered

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G

air Rhydd would argue that ‘littering’ is only a small part of a larger problem at hand within Cathays. Equating the impacts of littering to the impacts of drink driving is ridiculous, as they are completely different issues. Whilst we understand the need for a cultural shift in opinion, littering makes up a fraction of the issue at hand.

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Cardiff Council do an extensive amount of work to educate students about their waste Cllr Michael Michael

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by respondents both from Cathays and those not living in the area. This may have influenced the results, and means that the ‘no’ answer is more significant, as is likely to have come from

GWASTRAFF AC AILGYLCHU

Students’ Union President talks rubbish

With Hollie Cooke President of the Students’ Union e recognise that waste management is a big problem in Cathays and it is an issue which we regularly communicate with the Council about. In or-

W

Last year the Sabbatical Officer Team set up the Clean Up Cathays litter pick event which was all about students loving their community and showing they do care.

der to tackle some of the problems, last year the Sabbatical Officer Team set up the Clean Up Cathays. A litter pick event which was all about students loving their community and showing they do care. Due to the success of the campaign, our Cardiff Volunteering department are now running the sessions as a regular occurrence. In addition to this, we are also looking to roll out a larger educational campaign around waste management and loving your community. This campaign will be launched very soon, so keep a look out for it. With this campaign we want to help educate students living in the Cardiff community about the rules and

regulations governing waste, so that it is easier to underst and.

But we

What are students saying?

create an environment where students are proud to live.

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We recognise that waste management is a big problem in Cathays and it is an issue... hopefully we will create an environment where students are proud to live.

cil actively Cardiff Coun ze of my black reduced the si think it’s ey bin. While th cle, with colcy helping me re forced to e lections we ar fly tip.

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What’s Cooke-in?

11

also want to teach people the importance of loving your community. Following this, hopefully we will

Fines s f ront hould b e g g arde iven t o n r ipp e d and s. Food bin untidy g et sp the p a re ad a s g et ths . ll o ver

The lack of street bins are rather ineffective in a coastal city with a large number of seagulls. The main reason for the lack of cleanliness in Cathays is the lack of bins on many streets and the overnight ripping of bags by birds.

These comments were taken from the survey of 218 respondents, conducted

by Gair Rhydd.

F

igure 4 shows an overwhelming opinion that students don’t feel supported by the council when it comes to waste and recycling, as 63.3% of respondents voted ‘no’. Interestingly, 20.2% of respondents voted ‘maybe’, which demonstrates neither an agree-

F

rom our data collection, we have discovered that both the council and the residents’ of Cathays play a significant part in keeping the neighbourhood tidy. When looking at all of the data collected through a large survey, volunteer work, interviews and contacting Cardiff

Council, it is safe to say a wealth of information has been generated.

Gair Rhydd believes that it is important to understand the experience, and the very real situation for students, and their dealings with

Cardiff Council on the matter of waste and recycling. It is clear when looking at figure 3 that students feel the need for more street bins within Cathays.

This is backed up by 74.2% of students voting with this belief. Not only do students overwhelmingly want more street bins within the ward of Cathays, but the data gathered from joining Clean Up Cathays also supports this. From this volunteer project, we at Gair Rhydd noticed that much of the ‘litter’ in the area was made up of

ment or disagreement with the belief that Cardiff Council are supporting their student population enough. This non-committal answer suggests that Cardiff Council could be doing more to support waste and recycling within the student population.

What next?

items that could be placed in street bins, and if there had been more of them, perhaps the level of litter would be lower. Moving forward from this important revelation of opinions, Gair Rhydd is asking Cardiff Council to listen to their student population, as it makes up a large aspect of the overall Cathays population. Clearly more street bins are needed in Cathays.

From our data collection, we also found that students’ do not feel supported by Cardiff Council, and this did not come as a surprise to us. When we allowed respondents to offer their own opinions at the end of the survey, many felt that the council were not assisting them adequately, particularly

in the case of lost or broken bins as a result of vandalism, as well as bin bag delivery.

We would argue that littering doesn’t make up the bulk of the problem facing Cathays, and that there are deeper issues at hand. It would seem that better communication is needed between Cardiff Council and the student population, particularly on matters of fines and vandalism.

Our research shows that students living in Cathays have strong opinions surrounding the waste in their neighborhood. Students don’t believe Cardiff Council are supporting them enough, and as part of this, they want to see more street bins in Cathays.

12

COMMENT

comment

#GRComment comment@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/category/comment

What matters more, your degree or work experience?

Rachael Hutchings Work Experience:

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Work experience is more likely to provide you with a wider range of strengths than your degree.

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George Cook Degree:

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t would be an extremely naïve to say that my degree qualification doesn’t matter at all, because that evidently isn’t true. I worked extremely hard to get onto my course, and I am safe in the knowledge that I truly have applied myself over the last three years to produce a result I am worthy of. It is clear, however, that in this day and age, job prospects and future careers and trades are becoming ever more competitive. It is a constant worry amongst myself and my peers that we will not be able to rely on our degree alone to secure us the careers we dream about.

This has resonated with me more than ever recently, as my time at University is rapidly coming to an end, which has left me extremely frightened and stressed out. I’m a Journalism and Media student, meaning that experience in relevant fields are principally essential to achieve any paid, full-time

O

ur degrees are something we are having to pay an increasing amount for, and that are under a seemingly never-ending amount of disruption-and they are also what matters the most for our future careers and opportunities. Getting a degree provides young people with a qualification that can kickstart their career and also give them a sense of independence for those who live away from home.

The difference between getting a 2:1 or a 2:2 can be the difference between a graduate job or further education as a postgraduate- a degree can literally determine your future. Furthermore, it’s something that you have spent three years of your life working towards so even if it doesn’t matter for your job, it will probably matter greatly to you personally.

You’d have invested a great deal of

3/4

Three quarters of graduates now achieve a first or a 2:1.

£46k

Medicine had the highest average salary at £46,000.

40%

Graduates from Russell Group unis earn 40% more than grads from other unis.

work, or one must rely on unpaid internships or the occasional opportunity to contribute in order to get their foot in the door.

The last month or so has seen me furiously scrolling through endless graduate schemes and job listings, all of which on the face of it require a lot more from me than merely a nice 2:1 and a substantial set of references.

Many vacancies are only available to people with prior experience, and in my view, this is due to the vast amount of graduates there are.

Companies and organisations are battling to employ the most capable and dexterous candidates; it is a dogeat-dog career path and having a degree nowadays just proves you are one of many. It is important that you have talents and experiences that will benefit you and help you stand out amongst a very large crowd. It is ex-

tremely lucky that at University I’ve constantly been provided with chances to develop myself in different ways. For example, my involvement with student media and my committee role on the Journalism Society, as well as holding down a part-time retail job the entire time. It’s a busy life, and I’m constantly exhausted, but it’s what is necessary.

Furthermore, a work experience opportunity is likely to provide you with a wider range of strengths than your degree. In my experience, my university course is essentially an identical affair for all involved. Aside from module choices in years two and three, assessment criteria and what it takes to actually pass and succeed in your classes are exactly the same, and this doesn’t gear you towards different paths you may find yourself following. You learn more about these niche concepts present in your modules, but broader and

more general workplace skills get overlooked.

Work experience placements, volunteering, and part-time jobs alike allow you to have better access to networking, provide you with an understanding of how to delegate and prioritise responsibilities and roles and creates a more comprehensive responsiveness to the requirements of the working environment. For myself personally, I found I felt more appreciated and noticed for my participation and work.

As I mentioned before, I’m not trying to take away the hard graft and satisfaction that comes with carrying out a degree, because I am no stranger to this. I simply feel that your education is just one factor that employers are interested in, and it is wise to substantiate all aspects of yourself in order to achieve the best future results.

time, effort and money into your degree, studying hard and often being very stressed. So to argue that your degree doesn’t matter would undermine the effort you’d have invested over those years previously. Many people go to university to study something they are passionate about, and this passion translates itself into the levels of care and ownership we feel towards our education.

Whilst work experience can offer you an insight into a career you are interested in and also gain you valuable contacts, you are unlikely to get that job in the future without a good standard degree qualification. Furthermore, if this degree qualification was a first then you would be a unique individual signalling strong academic prowess in comparison to many others. And this is something that you may not achieve whilst balancing work experience alongside your de-

gree.

Many careers require a degree in order to get a job in that field. With so many people undertaking undergraduate and now even postgraduate study, the importance of getting a first has massively increased. Even though a 2:1 alongside some work experience will put you in good stead for a future career, the academic skills you will have demonstrated by achieving a first will be more significant and extensive.

However, it should be acknowledged that some careers do require some form of previous experience. Journalism and medicine are among those that often stipulate the importance of having previous experience before applying for roles. This gives students, as prospective employees, some background and idea of what the role may entail and what it requires.

But what these professions also often require is a degree that gives you the knowledge and intelligence to excel in whatever field it may be. To be a journalist you need some understanding of how the industry works and to be able to write effectively, and to be a doctor you need to know about biology amongst a number of other things that I know little about.

Whilst you can become a journalist without a degree, it is something that will demonstrate your intelligence and ability to write, even if that degree is not related to the media industry.

Ultimately, a degree clearly demonstrates how intelligent or how hard you have worked within a given field, more so than any amount of work experience.

Whilst the latter is important, a degree can open opportunities that work experience often does not.

Pictured: As graduate positions become mopre competitive, how important is a degree?

Source: paseidon (Via Pixabay).

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A degree clearly demonstrates how intelligent or how hard you have worked within a given field, more so than any amount of work experience.

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1.84m

In 2015-2016, there were 1.84 million students from the UK.

SYLWADAU

13

CARDIFF

Is Cardiff doing enough for Refugees?

George Caulton

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These centres of sanctuary also provide refugees with a place of safety and advice while they attempt to resettle in Cardiff

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ince the early 1950s, Cardiff has been home to hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. Having accommodated the needs of refugees from Somalia, Vietnam and Uganda in the 1980s, it has also been a temporary sanctuary of safety for refugees of a Chinese descent for over 100 hundred years.

In 2018, however, the situation has exacerbated. In 2015, David Cameron, and the members of the Home Office, claimed that the UK would allow 20,000 Syrians to resettle in various counties in the UK in response to the pressures of NGOs and petitions.

In comparison with other areas of the UK, Cardiff, and South Wales in general, have an expanding MENA refugee community, yet their voices remain absent from government documents, media and academia.

Many stories about the journeys of refugees have been repeated and portrayed throughout the media, yet there is hardly any discussion about the treatment of refugees as they enter the UK. Whilst on the one hand, the British government have rehomed thousands of vulnerable refugees, they have also neglected and isolated large groups of people who have been expected to integrate successfully into British culture without any aid or help.

Many of the asylum seekers and refugees are not allowed to work, or are unable to find work, for one of two reasons. These reasons include, but are not limited to, the strict laws

which do not permit them to do so, and the fact that there are still cases of social discrimination and prejudice against this minority group. For somebody who has sought asylum in

the UK, they are only authorised to receive around £5.20 each day by the government.

The Press Association conducted a study in 2016 which highlighted that approximately 1 in 322 people in Cardiff have either claimed asylum or refuge, making Cardiff one of the most densely populated centres of refuge in the UK. There are many local community and student groups who volunteer to better the current situation faced by many refugees in Cardiff. As several refugees are not able to speak or communicate in English, groups such as STAR (Stu-

dent Action for Refugees), Oasis Cardiff and the Trinity Centre each provide facilities to teach refugees some basic English. These centres of sanctuary also provide refugees and

asylum seekers with a place of safety and advice whilst they attempt to resettle in Cardiff.

Many of these organisations and volunteer groups are entirely separate from any government branch.

This inevitably has substantial social consequences. These organisations are solely reliant on donations, grants and volunteers who are passionate about the cause and are willing to give their time to help. Further social consequences, which have been identified by several refugees in Wales, include an increase in mental health issues, language barriers and

leading an extremely poor quality of life due to the little money that is given to them. Whilst the government are helping to accommodate refugees in the UK by rehoming them, they still remain voiceless and isolated from British culture.

In a conference entitled ‘Migrant Voice’ in London, one refugee from Syria, who knows lives in the UK, claimed: “You cannot just bring people here and then leave them. You cannot just bring in 20,000 Syrians if you will not address the situation of the Syrians who are already here. The government talks as though they want to help but they are not helping those that are here - people are still being detained, threatened with deportation, even though everyone knows the situation in Syria”. The government have a duty and a responsibility to cater for the needs of all refugees in the UK, and at the moment, they are failing to do so.

There are several ways that students at Cardiff can actively help refugees. Whether you want to help refugees and asylum seekers to develop their English skills, or are even able to offer an hour each week to advise them on certain social issues, there are plenty of outlets that are in need of dedicated volunteers. Located on Newport Road, student volunteer society STAR is a great place to start, yet if you fancy getting out of the uni bubble, a full list of voluntary opportunities is available on the Welsh Refugee Council’s website.

Pictured: The refugee crisis was at it’s height in 2015 but is still ongoing 3 years later.

Source: Ggia (Via Wikimedia Commons)

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Why are we so cold towards the Winter Olympics?

Jamie Morse

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There are Winter Olympics events that offer us amazing spectacles of bravery

T

he notion that the UK as a country holds a particular apathy towards the Winter Olympics is not a controversial statement. Whilst we don’t actively hate the Winter Olympics, the question poses as to whether we watch it ourselves. Yes, we hope our athletes do well, yet the Winter Olympics simply don’t capture us as a public to the same degree as their warm weather counterpart. We don’t win enough at the Winter Olympics. We’re a country that comes to a standstill under amounts of snow that the Winter Olympic titans of Norway and Canada take as a part of their average day.

The Winter Olympics just aren’t our scene - so do they matter at all?

Olympic season is a time of appreciation and reverence for our national athletes, it’s a common sight during the Summer Games to see us as a nation clinging to our sofas, desperate to see every second of Mo Farah’s next goal medal success. Despite our dismissive attitude towards the Winter Olympics, I don’t believe this translates to anything other than support and respect for our athletes

in attendance.

Jenny Jones, Eve Muirhead, Lizzy Yarnold. These are not just names we half-heartedly recall from the nightly news, they are competitors we acknowledge as great athletes.

We can remember what medals they won and in which sports they won them. Simply put, we give any athlete that wins us a medal at the Winter Olympics the same level of celebrity as we do our Summer Olympics achievers – even though as a country, we could take or leave the events themselves.

So this must be about success then, surely? In the Summer Olympics of 2016 we won sixty seven medals across the board. In the 2012 Winter Olympics we won four. You do remember where those inter games were held right? I’m sure didn’t. It was Sochi.

So that’s it then. Despite all the spirit of sportsmanship and polite competition which we attach to the games, the bottom line is this - if you don’t win, we won’t remember you.

I think this a huge flaw in the way we view the games. Ideally the

Olympics should be an event of mutual appreciation among nations.

In the same way we swoon at Usain Bolt’s continued brilliance on the world stage, so too should we treat ourselves to the amazing performances of athletes worldwide on unique Winter Olympics events such as Snowboarding and Alpine Skiing.

Indeed we’ll surely be confronted with something we inherently enjoy – high stakes action. There are Win-

ter Olympics events that offer us amazing spectacles of bravery. Who doesn’t quiver slightly when watching someone attempt Ski Jumping.

In the Winter Olympics we watch athletes hurtling down bobsled lanes, slaloming down treacherous inclines, and soaring through the air gracefully. There is so much to love at the Winter Olympic games, if only we could get over our apathy and our unwavering national pride.

Pictured: Are the Winter Olympics as important as the Olympics? Source: Alex Berger (Via Flickr)

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14 COMMENT

Sarah Harris

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Having dangerous weapons available so freely is clearly doing more harm than good.

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Gun control needs to start with cultural amendment

ust over a year ago, I recall overhearing my mother on the phone to my grandmother. From the gasps and sighs that came out of my mother’s mouth, I could tell something bad had happened. Later, when I went on to ask her what had happened, she told me that a distant relative in America had come home to find her young son lying on the floor, dead, with a gun in his hand.

It seemed clear that the young boy had found his parents gun in their personal possessions and whilst playing with it, had accidentally taken his own life.

A study done between 2012 and 2014, found that an estimated 5790 children in the States have had to receive emergency medical treatment each year due to gun related injuries. Out of those 5790, nearly 1300 of those children sadly lose their lives.

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution reads, ‘a wellregulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.’ However, if this amendment were to in fact be infringed, perhaps those 5790 children who end up in hospital every year due to gun injuries would be alive.

The right to bear arms has become so ingrained within American society, that taking it away is guaranteed to cause riots and possibly even armed conflict.

However, having such dangerous weapons available so freely is clearly doing more harm than good. In August 2015, The Washington Post reported that there was an average of one mass shooting in America every day. Would this still happen if guns weren’t easily available to the public? It’s understandable that people felt the need to keep guns in their homes in order to protect themselves.However with technology being so advanced and home security being better than ever, why do people still feel the need to have such risky items in their house?

Usually after a mass shooting, such as the one that just took place in Florida, citizens spark outrage and demand for

stricter gun control laws, yet this reaction only lasts temporarily until the next unfortunate incident. However, as the frequency of mass shootings and gun related injuries increases, people are becoming more concerned about the impact the weapons industry is having on society.

Perhaps a way to target this issue is to be stricter with gun control laws. If Americans feel that they need to own a gun in order to protect themselves, they should have to prove to authorities that they are in imminent danger or threat.

Guns should also be banned in houses with children as it’s already been proven that this can have fatal results.

Another way the US could tackle the

issue could be by dramatically reducing the number of guns that are being manufactured. The weapons industry is one of the largest industries in the world and the National Rifle Association (NRA) is one of the US government’s largest funding sources. Therefore, politicians are less inclined to ban the right to store guns in the home.

People should be able to feel safe in their home and out in public too, however it’s clear that having guns freely available to carry the opposite effect. If people carry on putting pressure on the government to resolve the issue, instead of only talking about it after an event has already taken place, something will actually change.

Pictured: The recent school shooting in the US is just one of the many that enforce the need for gun control. Source: Louie Shaull (Via Flickr)

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Concert tickets are fuel for celebrity greed Meg Sharma

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When tickets start at £80 and range up to over £700 each for front row ‘V.I.P.s’, the show is completely unaffordable and inaccessible

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ith concert tickets costing an increasingly dubious amount, are celebrities exploiting their fans for money? There is no doubt that a concert is a costly process, with staff to pay, as well as extravagant staging and production to make the concert a show, but how important is this? Should celebrities take a pay cut to make tickets cheaper or are these prices justifiable?

Any celebrity who is doing world tours should be able to provide tickets within a reasonable price range for their fans, and should be able to compromise with a pay cut, or take away from the high production value of the show and cost of the tour.

While fire effects, confetti and balloons, dancers and exciting staging give a show the ‘wow’ factor, fans are paying to see the artists, not the fancy production they source to one up their competition.

Adding these effects make the show more dynamic, but they aren’t necessary for putting on a great performance, and if the artists think they should be used they should be willing to pay for them out of pocket, or lose some. They could also cut back on hotels, crew costs, or even costumes rather than adding cost onto fans tickets.

A majority of pop stars charge

from roughly £60 up to £200 for concert tickets, with the highest value offering the best seats. They are among the A-list celebrities who are worth over 50 million USD, and regularly put on world tours, selling out stadiums and arenas; Forbes estimate a revenue of 4 million USD per concert from ticket sales alone for these artists, with added revenue from advertisements or collaborations with companies and merchandise.

This isn’t all profit for the artist; they are taxed, and tickets pay for

travel, staff, security and venue hire, dancers and a whole spectrum of staging effects - things that make the show impressive and dazzling, but these costs shouldn’t be paid for via tickets.

Taylor Swift is one of the worst; she puts on high production shows, with costume changes, staging effects, and even ‘interactive’ lanyards and wristbands to make the show an ‘intimate and personal experience for everyone’ but is that even possible when some fans pay an excessive amount of money to watch a screen

as they could only afford the cheapest seats in the back of a stadium?

This is only made worse when Swift’s main audience is comprised of young and impressionable fans, and parents are forced to pick between spending weeks worth of wages to get the tickets for a concert.

When tickets start at £80 and range up to over £700 each for front row ‘V.I.P.s’, the show is completely unaffordable and inaccessible for fans who ‘mean so much to the artist’. Additionally, when fans compete to be the biggest fan, they may feel obliged to spend more on tickets.

Artists like Taylor Swift would be nothing without their fans support.

As established artists for over a decade, they rely on fans support by buying their music coming to tours and engaging with the artist, in order to remain popular and relevant.

Artists should give back to fans and show their appreciation by offering affordable tickets, rather than charging £700 for the privilege of being near the stage.

At the end of the day, artists will charge and take the profit as long as there is high demand, but if they really cared about their fans, they wouldn’t charge excessive amounts for tours, but surely they’re putting that extra profit to good use, right?

Pictured: Taylor Swift charges £700 for the privilege of being near her. Source: makailya willaims (Via Flickr)

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SYLWADAU

15

Can we right past wrongs?

Brendan Cox steps down from charity positions

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ollowing recent sexual assault allegations, Brendan cox has stepped down from positions of influence in the two charities he created in memory of his late wife. The late Mrs Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed by a right wing extremist during the EU referendum campaign, in June 2016. Determined to honour his wife’s legacy he set up the ‘More In Common’, (a community group) and the Jo Cox Foundation. However, in light of recent events, he has quit these charities in order to take responsibility

for his actions.

Whilst refusing to admit to the sexual assault allegations placed against him regarding an incident with a woman at Harvard University, Brendon acknowledges ‘inappropriate behaviour’ whilst working for Save the Children. The inappropriate sexual behaviour is said to have happened while his wife was still alive, leading some to question whether his intentions were pure when he set up the charities.

The charity confirmed that the allegations of said ‘inappropriate’ be-

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In an attempt for self improvement and growth a person can aim to change their ways, but must have the right intentions.

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Martha Hughes

I

haviours was being investigated and Brendan Cox had been suspended whilst investigations were under way.

However, he resigned before the disciplinary process could have been continued. The father of two stated that he has ‘made mistakes’ in the past, and publicly apologised for any upset or offence caused by his behaviour, but later added that the current depictions of his actions were a ‘massive exaggeration’. His family continues to stand behind him as a devoted father and loving family member.

One thing that remained unclear is the nature and exact details of Brendan Cox’s ‘mistakes’. There has been no clarity or specificity in any of his public addresses and apologies which leads one to wonder what exactly the ‘inappropriate behaviour’ is and whether leaving the charities is a warranted response or and overreaction.

A more pressing issue is the question of whether one right balances out a wrong. We can all understand that the feeling of guilt and remorse after a wrong doing could motivate a desire to do good and to ‘make up’ for what had been done. However, can a good action really subtract from a bad one?

The truth is that morality is not merely a transactional process. It does

not work by mathematical equations where by one bad action can be cancelled out by one good action. If we were view morality in this way, then it would be okay for one to continuously commit heinous crimes as long as the next day the same person was to save many starving orphans and build prosthetic legs for disabled puppies. Because of the nature of morality and the nature of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ it is certainly possible to make up for wrong doings but in order to do this effectively, much more than just isolated action is needed.

In an attempt for self-improvement and growth a person can aim to change their ways and through their actions genuinely improve, but the key factor must be the intention behind the actions. If quitting positions of public influence in his charities was genuinely a move motivated by the intention to take time to claim responsibility for any alleged wrongdoing, then it was a brave and reflective decision.

If the move was motivated by a desire to ‘appease the public’ and shift discussion then although the action in itself was good, it does nothing to make him a more moral person. As to whether or not Brendan Cox’s actions are sincere, only time and a lack of repetition of his ‘mistakes’ will tell.

Pictured: After stepping down from his positions, Cox has not addressed what the allegations are. Source Garry Knight (Via Flickr)

Is reality TV ‘too attractive’?

t’s very little wonder that ITV’s newest show ‘Survival of the Fittest’ has been coined the winter ‘Love Island’; a hoard of bronzed young men and women, wearing skimpy swimwear, abs all round and endless romance dramas.

As someone who barely watched ‘Love Island’ anyway, it is becoming hard to tell one person apart from another from these reality shows.

All contestants seem to possess a generic form of physical ‘attractiveness’ which has become embedded in this genre of television. This has led to many viewers questioning as to if reality TV has become too ‘attractive’.

There is an ongoing argument for introducing a wider variety of body types, ages and backgrounds to television as this would make these types of shows more relatable and representative for a diverse audience.

Particularly for younger people, it is important to convey the message that anyone can ‘find love’ and be successful without all looking the same. The ‘body positivity’ movement argues that media perpetuates an image of young, slim, white, ablebodied people as the visual goal for us all to strive for.

This idea can be extremely damaging to the mental and physical wellbeing of children, teens and young

people who may look up to reality stars, seemingly ‘normal people’ who find fame and fortune on TV. Shows such as Love Island have churned out many ‘celebs’, often fitting this description of young and slim. This does send a skewed message that it is mainly ‘attractive’ young people who can find success in media and in life.

However, these types of shows do cater for a specific audience and therefore, may only be representative of that societal group. If these shows were to replace all participants with people who do not fit conventional beauty standards, this would not necessarily achieve positive change.

In addition, shows such as ‘Survival of the Fittest’ require a level of physical fitness to complete challenges and remain a contestant. It could even be argued that some of these people, despite their rippling abs, are not even to be automatically deemed ‘attractive’; some have unpleasant personalities and the attractiveness of muscles is surely subjective anyway?

I do consider the word ‘attractive’ to be widely subjective to each individual as what one person finds attractive may be unattractive to the next.

In defense of reality television, there has recently been more varie-

Pictured: Is reality TV only for conventionally attractive people?

ty; particularly dating shows such as ‘Naked Attraction’ and ‘First Dates’.

These programmes have featured men and women of varying ages, body types, ethnicities and backgrounds.

‘First Dates’ has become popular and widely acclaimed, providing a refreshing take on dating shows with its simple yet effective layout that seems honest, genuine and more reflective of real life. I feel that this change does symbolise a positive move of television looking to become more inclusive and representative.

The question is, is this stream of

‘attractive’ young people consistently featuring on reality TV genuinely causing any negative impact in the real world? Is it truly making other young people question their own attractiveness and worth or are we taking it all too seriously?

Essentially, it would be wrong to argue that these shows can’t showcase generically attractive people.

But we do have a right to ask for more variety on our screens and to feel more widely represented in the genre of ‘reality’consequences by withdrawing them from a system that cushions the fall with a new identity each time they reoffend.

‘‘

This does send a skewed message that it is mainly ‘attractive’ young people who can find success in media and in life.

‘‘

Ezinwa Awogu

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UNSAFE SPACE

17

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Companies must show they are ‘too big to fail’ in the fight against censors

Harry Heath

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Scaring companies into withdrawing funding by threat of negative publicity and boycotting is the destruction of alternative ideas by economic means.

F

irst, go to the Daily Mail website and take a screenshot of an advert next to their content. Next, tweet the screenshot to the advertiser with a polite and friendly message to let them know where their advert is appearing. Finally, tag @StopFundingHate so your progress can be tracked.

Yes, it’s that simple. That’s all you need to do to support the Stop Funding Hate cause, which is: “taking on the divisive hate campaigns of the Sun, Daily Mail and Daily Express by persuading advertisers to pull their support.”

It is key to establish that pressure groups are a vital part in any functioning democracy and under capitalism, it is up to the consumer to decide whether or not they care where companies choose to advertise. But Stop Funding Hate are an objectionable group in two ways, and these two ways can be separated into the means they employ and ends they desire.

Starting with the means, on the face of it Stop Funding Hate’s motives seem reasonable; you don’t need me to draw your attention to the scaremongering, scapegoating and dogwhistling of the right-wing tabloids.

A campaign against bigoted stains on public life is something we can all get behind, right? Who would fund hate, after all?

Well according to this pressure group, nearly all of us are guilty of that charge. Yes, simply by shopping with or using the services of firms who advertise in The Sun, the Mail and the Express, we are inadvertently promoting the bile of Murdoch, Dacre and the rest of them. This lobby

are so determined to eradicate hate that they are even willing to take the blame for its existence – pretty masochistic I know. But this is an ideological tool, by claiming that we are all complicit in creating hatred in the press, they are diverting attention from what they should be doing, which is arguing with the parts of the printed media that they disagree with.

The selection of this approach is one of both idleness and cowardice. If you blame people for buying a newspaper and ensuring its existence, then you needn’t go to the worry of arguing with what’s inside it. If you blame Center Parcs for having one of their adverts positioned next to a homophobic column, then you don’t need the intellectual courage to argue against the homophobia espoused.

Rather than having the argument about views with their political opponents, Stop Funding Hate go after the companies, mounting campaigns against the supermarkets, retail stores and service providers. They attempt to smear businesses and damage them by association with the papers they advertise in; we must understand that targeting the advertisers is oh so easy and wins no battles.

Then we have the end goals of the group, which let’s face it are deeply political. Lacking the power to crush the right-wing press as they no doubt would if they could, they seek to build a long road to a climate where companies don’t advertise in certain papers meaning they fall commercially. It is ridiculous to believe that this is anything other than censorship. Scaring companies into withdrawing funding

by threat of negative publicity and boycotting is the destruction of alternative ideas by economic means.

To believe that because one does not buy or agree with The Sun, the Mail or the Express means one should not be concerned with this kind of intolerance is to miss the point gravely; for the battle is much larger.

It is worrying that so-called liberals believe they can attempt to eradicate certain views without realising that they themselves may one day be on the other end of the censor’s red pen.

Most depressingly though is that of late we have witnessed large companies bowing to the pressure of what is surely a minute yet vocal mob of Twitter totalitarians, appearing to confirm George Orwell’s observation that “the sinister fact about literary censorship in England is that it is largely voluntary. Unpopular ideas can be silenced, and inconvenient facts kept dark, without any need for any official ban.”

In 2016, Stop Funding Hate claimed a victory after the Danish toy company Lego ended their partnership of advertising and promotional giveaways with the Daily Mail.

According to reports from major broadsheets, this came after parent Bob Jones wrote to Lego complaining that the paper “creates distrust of foreigners” and “blames immigrants for everything”. I can understand that a letter from a concerned parent would carry a lot of weight, if we were discussing the risk assessment of a school trip. But since we are discussing the marketing of a multinational toy giant, I understand less so.

As well argued as I’m sure Mr

Jones’ letter was, it makes one wonder how little action it would take for a major company to withdraw their adverts from a publication.

What about those who advertise in the Guardian which has hosted the Soviet-supporting Labour press secretary Seamus Milne? And if we are doing politics, why not music?

I wonder if companies may stop partnerships with papers who give platforms to musicians whose lyrics reference drug use or misogyny – where are the companies’ regards for family values in these cases?

Of course, that would be ridiculous. Because, as Benjamin Franklin put it “if all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.” Censorship is no more legitimate because it comes from the authoritarian left than the authoritarian right, these are opposite sides of the same coin with more in common with each other than with the genuinely liberal mainstream. Ultimately, the decisions in these cases lie with the companies who must decide whether they are to prioritise their commercial interests or the demands of online mobs and totalitarian pressure groups such as Stop Funding Hate.

Stop Funding Hate’s website features a list of approved, ‘Ethical Advertisers’. Unfortunately, this is a misnomer for ‘Cowardly Advertisers’ – companies who allow groups of self-righteous bullies to triumph over their duty to their consumer bases and even themselves. In this battle it is branded ‘unethical’ to stand up to attacks on liberty.

Pictured: The Sun, the moon and the stars.

Source: Daily Mail: m.p.3 (Via Flickr).

‘‘

18 POLITICS

politics

#GRPolitics politics@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/category/poltics

The road to Brexit

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It has taken May quite some time to stop locking her ministers away whenever possible.

‘‘

Rhys Thomas

I

t has been said by every player concerned. The Brexiteers, the EU negotiators and senior officials, the remainers and the Labour Party.

It has been the most argued point perhaps since June 24, 2016: The government must provide more clarity on its Brexit ambitions.

The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said he was having ‘problems understanding the UK’s position’ after the most recent round of Brexit talks. Last week the German Chancellor said she was ‘curious’ about the Prime Minister’s aims regarding Brexit having only just held a meeting with her. Yet again we come away from a significant meeting between our Prime Minister and a top European figure with absolutely nothing of substance on this issue which we have but 13 months to resolve. How can the sunlit uplands of a global Britain be reached if we do not know where they lay?

To remedy this continuous barrage of criticism, Number 10 is being forced to drop empty platitudes and nothing-announcements (the phrase ‘closest possible trading arrangement’ comes to mind).

They were finally, nearly 10 months after Article 50 was triggered, forced to clarify their position on the Customs Union. Now, the PM and some of her top ministers are making a series of speeches designed to clarify the ‘Road to Brexit’.

It has taken Theresa May quite some time to stop locking her ministers away whenever possible, a tactic that Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill helped her lose the election with. She should have realised after the 2017 election that she alone cannot be the face of the government or Brexit, because she does not have the power over her government nor the desire for Brexit.

So now, in an effort to silence the

disquiet over ambiguity on the biggest constitutional issue of our time, the PM has called for backup in a bayonet charge of clarity and optimism.

Over the top, Boris and David!

One high ranking cabinet member who will not be making a speech in this six volume sensation is the Remain-backing Philip Hammond, who has earned a reputation for blowing raspberries about Brexit.

The Chancellor has been shut away in the pantry like an energetic dog at a dinner party, occasionally yapping and scratching the door in the daily press. Old habits die hard, and some Tories are frustrated that May is still employing this and many other tactics that were used when Timothy and Hill were still at Number 10.

Number 10 has realised, however, that when Boris Johnson is locked away in such a fashion, he tends to curl up a rather large mess in the newspapers for the PM to clean up.

Johnson loves the lights, and the lights love him, so it’s in May’s best interest to work with him rather than to make an enemy of a formidable potential adversary.

Boris is determined to be front and centre on Brexit, so it’s at least damage control for May to allow him to be there on her terms, on her side.

We may be on the road to Brexit, but can May reach those sunlit uplands with so many backseat drivers?

The Foreign Secretary thinks we’re heading for global glory, the Chancellor thinks where we’re going will be glum and gloomy.

Will she be forced again, as she has before, to pull over and deliver some roadside corporal punishment to her boisterous ministers? Or, when she stops at the services for a pasty, will one of her passengers slip into the driver’s seat, ruffle his blond locks and drive the car into the distance, leaving her behind?

Pictured: UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson Source: Andrew Parsons (Via Flickr)

The fight over Europe’s Presidency E uropean Union politics is complex at the best of times, and the Spitzenkandidaten is no different. It is the process by which the President of the European Commission is chosen, but is not formally enshrined in any EU treaty. It was first used in 2014 in an effort to democratise the process of selecting the Commission President.

This is done by linking the selection of a new Commission President to EU Parliament elections, giving the Presidential gig to a representative of the party grouping with the most seats.

The two largest groupings are the centre-right European People’s Party and the centre-left Socialists and Democrats which the British Labour Party are members of.

The original change came with the

the Treaty of Lisbon, (which came into effect December 2009) changing the official wording regarding the Commission President, which stated that the European Council should take “into account the elections to the European Parliament” and then “propose to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission”. This isn’t legally binding, but was enough for the Parliament and the groups within it to start preparing.

The idea behind Spitzenkandidaten was to give EU Parliamentary elections a higher profile and to democratise the bloc.

General dissatisfaction with the EU had led to a low voter turnout in EU elections (only 43.24% voted across the 28 nations in 2009), with ‘fringe’ parties of left and right such

as Syriza in Greece and the Front National in France benefitting.

In 2014, Presidential debates were held and candidates travelled across the EU to campaign for parties within their pan-EU grouping, and there were even campaign battle buses.

Despite this turnout actually dipped, albeit marginally.

There has been much debate over the state of European democracy. Current Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is staunchly in favour of the Spitzenkandidaten process and restated his support this year – not surprising considering he enjoys his current position because of it. French President Emmanuel Macron opposes it, arguing that it gives too much influence to little-known yet powerful EU-wide groupings which trump the power of

elected national governments within the European Council (which had traditionally had the task of selecting the Commission President). Macron has instead urged the EU to democratise by endorsing transnational lists, with voters across the bloc being able to vote for these candidates and not just vote for their own domestic national MEPs, but this measure was recently rejected by the European Parliament. For his part, Juncker wants to merge the posts of Commission and Council Presidents together to create a more recognisable and powerful figure to head the EU.The Spitzenkandidaten is safe enough for now, but how it develops in future will be a good indicator of the direction in which the EU is heading, and who calls the shots in Brussels.

‘‘

There has been much debate over the state of European democracy.

‘‘

Conor Holohan

GWLEIDYDDIAETH 19 WALES

Harris vs Morgan

Campaign underway for Deputy of the Labour Party in Wales

‘‘

Gaining the support of trade unionists will be vital to secure victory.

T

he campaign to elect the newly created position of Deputy Leader of the Welsh Labour Party kicked off last week, as two candidates were confirmed as having enough nominations to be put on the ballot. Party rules require that the position be filled by a women, in order to secure gender parity at the top of Wales’s governing party.

Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris and Cardiff North AM Julie Morgan will go head to head over the next few weeks in order to win the votes of party members, trade unionists and elected officials, before a winner is announced at Welsh Labour’s spring conference in Llandudno on the 21st of April.

Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris and Cardiff North AM Julie Morgan will go head to head Despite the reservations of some party members and senior officals, the post will not be elected on a “one member – one vote” basis. Instead, following a decision taken by the

party’s national executive committee last year, an electoral college system will be used, with three sections comprising Labour Party members, members of affiliate trade unions and AMs, MPs and MEPs each getting an equal say.

Defending the system, Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones said: “Welsh Labour is at its best and its boldest when it harnesses the support, ideas and enthusiasm of all those who share our values and ideals. The electoral college has helped us do just that, bringing together as it does all those with a stake in our Party and our country.”

Harris, only elected as an MP 3 years ago, is thought to be the frontrunner, standing on a platform of being a strong campaigner, having lead numerous national campaigns such as: to reduce fixed term betting odds and to scrap child burial fees. Furthermore, she’s won the support of 31 Welsh Labour AMs, MPs and MEPs, dwarfing the 20 supporting Morgan.

According to Jeremy Miles AM, many are backing Harris, because “she’s a real example of how Welsh Labour is standing up for Wales not only in the

Assembly, but in Westminster too.”

Party rules require that the position be filled by a women, in order to sequre gender parity Morgan is countering that narrative by emphasising her experience not only as an AM, but also as an MP and Councillor. Senior frontbencher Mark Drakeford AM is supporting Morgan’s campaign, stating Morgan is “uniquely qualified” for the post.

Cllr Debbie Wilcox, the leader of Newport Council who was intending to stand herself but failed to get the required level of support for nomination, has come out in support of Morgan, signalling that Morgan’s previous experience as a Councillor is perhaps bringing in more highprofile support to her campaign.

Evidently, given the nature of the electoral college system used to elect the Deputy Leader, gaining the support of trade unionists will be vital to secure victory. Morgan has won the endorsement of Wales’s largest trade union UNISON, with Dan Beard,

Chair of UNISON Cymru saying, “We want our political leaders to be principled campaigners who stand up for working class people. Julie Morgan fits that to a T.” Despite this Harris has fought back by succeeding to gain endorsements from USDAW, ASLEF and Community trade unions. USDAW General Secretary John Hannet said the union was supporting Harris because she’s been “at the forefront of the state pension inequality campaign in Parliament, working with USDAW to tackle the unjust increase in the state pension age that discriminates against women workers born in the 1950s.”

We want our political leaders to be principled campaigners who stand up for working class people. Julie Morgan fits that to a T.

‘‘

Welsh Labour is at its best and its boldest when it harnessess the support, ideas and enthusiasm of all those who share our values and ideals.

Frist Minister, Carwyn Jones

‘‘

William Jac Rees

With two months to go until the result, this race may well go down to the wire as both candidates seek to garner as much support as possible, and we find out who will be the first ever deputy leader of Welsh Labour.

‘‘

Brexit to banish heart of Welsh Industry T

Hannah Woodward

‘‘

The vote made by Wales was to leave.

he industrial sector has been at the heart of Wales since the Industrial Revolution began during the 19th Century. The origins of post- industrial Welsh society are once again at risk, this time from the perils of Brexit. Carwyn Jones has warned that the Welsh steel industry would be “wiped out” if Britain left the European single market and signed a free trade agreement with China.

Later stating that a fresh deal with New Zealand including agriculture could badly hit its farmers.

The Welsh Minister made these comments after the Assembly launched their trade paper claiming that a hard Brexit would have a severe, negative impact on the country’s economy. The report, which is supported by an economic impact analysis from Cardiff Business School, claims that crashing out of the EU on to World Trade Organisation rules would result in the Welsh economy to shrink by between 8 and 10%, equivalent to £1,500-£2,000 per person in Wales.

The report concluded that the best way to protect the Welsh nation from a Tory led ‘Hard Brexit’, would be retaining full access to the European single market and membership of the customs union, saying that tariffs would particularly hit the automotive, chemicals,

steel and electrical engineering industries.

Theresa May is ignoring the severe consequences of a hard Brexit and jet setting to China to discuss the possibility of an “ambitious” post-Brexit deal with the president, Xi Jinping. The Welsh Government is asking for a much closer relationship with the EU, in a post Brexit society. Jones warned: “A free trade deal with China that allows free flow of steel would kill off our steel industry.” Which is exactly why the first minister is calling for a “sensible Brexit”. Reflecting on the Brexit vote Jones stated that he “never accepted the vote was for the hardest Brexit”, saying that was only the view of fundamentalists.

“I think people voted for a Brexit that works for the UK; that means a soft Brexit,” he said, arguing that meant full participation in the sin-

gle market and staying inside the customs union. He later claimed that voters had used the EU referendum to make a statement about David Cameron, immigration and globalisation. “No one talked about the single market. No one mentioned the customs union to me,” he said, arguing that no one voted to lose their job.

The Welsh trade paper outlines how the Government plan to protect the Welsh economy from Brexit, and calls for no new barriers to the 61% of identifiable Welsh goods exports that go to the EU and for the UK government to consult extensively with the devolved administrations. Jones argued that Welsh exports were worth £14.6bn each year. “As our trade paper highlights, moving to WTO rules and the imposition of tariffs could have a catastrophic impact on our lamb

sector and on the Welsh shellfish industry, which currently exports around 90% of their produce to the EU,” he said.

“These hard facts underline what is at stake if the UK government fails to get the right deal for the UK or we crash out of the EU without one.” Jones made clear that he disagreed with May’s claim that no deal was better than a bad deal. “Ministers in London have yet to show us any evidence of the benefits of leaving the single market and the customs union or how new trade deals would replace the benefits of access to the EU. In fact, UK government documents that have come to light this week chime with our own analysis of a post-Brexit economy.”

Time and time again evidence is presented that Brexit is detrimental to the Welsh economy and society, and the Brexit process is suicidal for Wales. Whilst the vote made by Wales was to leave, it is important to recognise that this vote was not a vote for a hard Brexit, in fact the terms and conditions of the Brexit process were non – existent. It is time for May and her Merry Men to stop blindly leading Britain towards uncertainty, but rather a future where Wales and the United Kingdom have prosperity, which is inside the Single Marke t .

Pictured: Pro EU Sign Source: Ed Everett (Via Flickr)

‘‘

20 POLITICS

Survivors rally after Florida shooting Silvia Martelli

‘‘

Following the massacre, Trump did not speak publicly about the event for twenty hours.

A

week ago, the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school (Parkland, Florida) were preparing for their final exams, practicing with their sport teams and attending drama club rehearsals.

Today, they are mourning their fourteen fellow students and three teachers killed in the mass shooting that occured in the school on February 14. The attack caused by an expelled former student, Nikolas Cruz, who also injured fourteen people, was the deadliest school massacre in the US since 2012.

The survivors of the latest shooting are now adjusting to life in an unexpected role, fighting against policy makers in a push for stricter gun control laws. They have expressed their determination to make the latest shooting a turning point in the US gun debate, taking part in an emotional rally in Fort Lauderdale, nearby Parkland. “Now is the time for action, for power and strength,” one of the students stated. The teenagers, together with families and politicians, also plan to take the streets of Washington on March 24, in a March for Our Lives rally.

The demand is that children and their lives “become a priority” to US lawmakers, to whom the students chant ‘shame on you’. “We are losing

our lives while the adults are playing around,” survivor Cameron Kasky said.

Following the massacre, Trump did not speak publicly about the event for twenty hours. Finally, in a sevenminute speech that greeted the nation at 8 a.m. on Thursday, he claimed that there were “So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed” and that “Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!”. He also blamed the FBI for missing tip on the shooter because ‘caught up’ in its ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump made no reference to guns nor to the A-15 assault rifle used by Nikolas Cruz, instead emphasizing the need for Americans to report “mentally disturbed” individuals to the authorities. Similarly, in November, after a gunman had attacked a church in Texas, he claimed that it was not “a guns situation” but rather one of “a mental health problem at the highest level.”

Over the years, the President’s views on gun control have shifted to the right: in the 1990s and early 2000s, he expressed support for a ban on ‘assault weapons’, praising Barack Obama in 2012 for his call for more

Pictured: A message of support from California Source: Fabrice Florin (Via Flickr)

firearm regulation (following the school shooting in Connecticut). By the time he announced his presidential candidacy in 2015, he was however advocating that any addition regulation was a violation of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects citizens’ right to keep and bear arms. Last year, he fiercely stated that he would “never, ever infringe” on such right, backed by his endorsement of the National Rifle Association in May 2016. Furthermore,

early in his presidency, he approved the removal of the Obama’s regulation intended to prevent people with mental disabilities from buying guns.

Following the shooting and heavy criticism of many young Americans, but not only, Trump has been in talks with Republican senator Cornyn and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy about a bill aimed at strengthening report of crimes that could ban people from buying a firearm. The bill has not been passed by Congress yet.

‘‘

New dawn for the Rainbow Nation?

Marie-Claire Alfonso

‘‘

Attitudes surrounding the former President are mixed in South Africa.

O

n Wednesday the 14th of February, the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, resigned.

Jacob Zuma had been president of South Africa since 2009, his move to finally step down ends a nine-year presidency.

His time as president of South Africa has been controversial, Zuma often being the subject of stories surrounding scandal and corruption. He has been nicknamed the ‘Teflon President’ thanks to his ability to survive these allegations of scandal and evade opposition parties’ efforts to remove him from power.

Jacob Zuma started his political career as an anti-apartheid activist having been imprisoned with Nelson Mandela in 1963, and was largely respected in South Africa. He has been a member of the African National Congress since he was 17. However, he ended his career last week at the age of 75 on a negative note after a vote of no-confidence from his own party demanded his resignation as president.

The most recent scandal surrounding Jacob Zuma surrounded allegations of a close and corrupt relationship with the Gupta family, accusations have been made that the Gupta family had even interfered in ministerial appointments. The Indian-born Gupta family’s primary business is in computers, but also have interests in mining, air travel, ener-

gy, media and technology; their net worth is not known but it is assumed by most media outlets that they are extremely wealthy. w In May 2017, thousands of emails were leaked to the press reportedly exposing the close relations between Zuma, his allies and the three Gupta brothers, suggesting that they hosted cabinet ministers and directors of state-owned companies on luxury trips to their home in Dubai.

In 2014 Jacob Zuma was also the subject of scandal as it was ruled that the President had used extortionate amounts of taxpayers’ money to upgrade his homestead in Nkandla.

Jacob Zuma had also been involved in various scandals prior to his time in office, including being acquitted of charges of raping a younger woman who was HIV positive. He caused a fair amount of controversy after stating that after the sexual encounter he took a shower, as he thought this would help prevent him from getting AIDs. Having also faced 783 allegations of corruption relating to arms deals made in the 1990s, a court challenge is currently underway to reinstate these allegations of corruption which were dropped shortly before Zuma won the 2009 elections.

Despite these scandals and allegations of corruption, attitudes surrounding the former President are mixed in South Africa. Amongst

Pictured: South Africa’s future and past.

Ramaphosa and Zuma in happier times.

Source: GovernmentZA (Via Flickr)

many South Africans he was viewed, and still is by some, as the “people’s president” – a populist politician, who was charming and charismatic.

The ANC however was losing overall support in South Africa and in December was replaced as party leader

by Cyril Ramaphosa. After refusing to quit for almost three months despite pressure from his party, Zuma finally stood down following the motion of

no-confidence.

Ramaphosa, 65, is now the new president of South Africa and in his first major speech on Friday he promised to fight to “turn the tide of corruption in our public institutions”. It has been reported that Ramaphosa is ready to organise a cabinet reshuffle, and is expected to purge the cabinet of ministers tainted by allegations of corruption.

‘‘

NEWS

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22 SCIENCE

science

#GRScience science@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/category/science

Happy lab animals means better science

By allowing lab rodents to have more space, they are more likely to co-operate in experiments

Charlotte King

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They’re giving us the best they can. So we should be doing the best we can.

R

ecent scientific research suggests that enriching laboratory enclosures could improve the quality of scientific results. There has been a long-standing consensus to standardise enclosures for lab rodents, by limiting the number of variables in their environment. Therefore, until recently all laboratories have prioritised small, cheap and sterile enclosures.

This was to ensure that studies involving lab animals are as reproducible as possible, maximising the legitimacy and accuracy of results.

Today many lab animals live in shoebox-sized cages. Each enclosure is overcrowded to maximise the number of tests being conducted, meaning these animals are often unable to even stand upright. Recent research conducted by the University of Michigan however suggests that whilst living in these barren-style enclosures, lab animals experience stress which may lead to inaccurate test results. Studies suggest that, on average, out of the 9 drugs which test successfully on lab rodents, only 1 of those 9 succeeds in human trials.

Joseph Garner, who runs a laboratory in California, says: “we’re trying

to control these animals so much, they’re no longer useful”. He is one of the many scientists who is advocating that happy lab animals are better for science. At the University of Michigan researchers are beginning to provide lab rodents with enriched enclosures, filled with toys and space to explore, because it is believed that when they live a better life they make better research models and produce more accurate test results. Therefore, there is a rising number of scientists who are encouraging more spacious, less crowded enclosures to stimulate the brain.

There is evidence to support this movement. In 1947, Donald Hebb discovered that his rats who were allowed free rein at home were better at learning than rodents in a laboratory setting. This was one of the first indicators that enriching the environment for lab animals could provide better test results. Since then, researchers in Australia have found that when in enclosures with ropes, toys and ladders, rodents are slower at developing a Huntington-like disease. Research has also proven that when lab animals live with mazes and wooden blocks,

the sensory regions in their brains grow larger than if they did not have these enriched enclosures. Moreover, enrichment may also reduce the likelihood of these rodents suffering epilepsy, addictions and multiple sclerosis. Some scientists are arguing these benefits will lead to more accurate scientific results and conclusions because the animals can cooperate better within the studies.

However, other scientists argue that enriching enclosures to provide these animals with comforts will compromise scientific study. Jonathan Godbout, a neuroscientist at Ohio State University, says there is “nothing natural” about these enriched environments and they make it more difficult to reproduce studies as it is hard to replicate the exact surroundings. Therefore, it is more challenging to ensure if results are accurate. There are also concerns regarding budgeting – enriching enclosures is costlier than using the standardised cages. Godbout fears that this will use up money which could otherwise be spent on animal testing, therefore scientists will be unable to produce as many results.

However, research has proven that

lab animals live mentally complex lives, and experience a range of emotions just like us. Their reaction to stress parallel the human reaction to stress, wherein it can boost the risk of cancer and other illnesses. Scientists are therefore arguing that these similarities suggest a need to treat these animals more like humans to gather more accurate results, which could better translate to human health. Neuroscientist Anthony Hannan says that by allowing lab animals to live better lives, “less research could be done, but it would be better research”.

It is evident there is a growing movement forming which promotes the enrichment of the lives for lab animals. In the early 2000s, only a handful of academics were discussing the benefits of enriching enclosures. Fastforward to 2016, however, and over 160 academic papers were published on animal enrichment. Whilst the proposal may be more costly than current methods of care, more and more scientists are advocating that happier lab animals are better for science. Lofgren sums it up as “they’re giving us the best they can. So we should be doing the best we can”.

Pictured: Lab rats allowed to roam in freedom yield better results Source: arleeknes (Via Pixabay)

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GWYDDONIAETH

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Woodpeckers and the NFL: an unlikely relationship Luca Peluzzi

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Woodpeckers move their head at speeds up to 13 to 15 miles per hour and on average peck around 12,000 times a day

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oodpeckers peck their beaks into trees for several reasons: to snack on insects that have pierced under the bark, to excavate deep cavities in trees where they can nest in or to create holes in tree trunks to secretly reserve acorns. But they do it at an insane speed. The 1200–1400 G force of each peck can be 20 times greater than what would normally cause a concussion in human beings.

Woodpeckers move their head at speeds up to 13 to 15 miles per hour and on average peck around 12,000 times a day, with their neck muscles and cranial bone structures protecting them.

The fact that most woodpeckers aren’t regularly knocking themselves out has led to investigating how woodpecker heads work to design new football helmets and protections that can prevent brain damages. A new study conducted on woodpecker brain tissue raises the possibility that the birds suffer from the pecks.

Even if behaviourally they could seem healthy, their brains could have been damaged, as the inside protein accumulations show.

George Farah, a neurobiologist at Boston University extracted 10 woodpecker brains and sectioned them into brain slice, using five red-winged blackbirds, that do not

hammer their heads against trees, as control samples. Farah stained the tissue with molecules of silver, an element that ties with high specificity to a protein called tau. This protein is normally contained in nerve cells, but after an injury it changes its form and cluster in toxic accumulation.

In human brains, these tau toxic aggregations suggest the presence of the chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease that involves aggression, memory loss, confusion and depression, and it can eventually lead to dementia. Autopsies of former NFL players have found that those who suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy symptoms also had significant build-ups of tau protein in their brains.

While none of the red-winged blackbirds showed tau accumulation, eight of the ten woodpeckers did, Farah and his colleagues Peter Cummings and Don Siwek wrote in an article published in the journal PLOS One. However, it doesn’t mean the woodpeckers are brain-damaged.

It’s not clear how much tau can be accumulated in a woodpecker brain before the bird starts behaving abnormally or if the tau presence is a sign of good adaptation. In fact, tau in woodpecker brains could be an adaptation for dealing with trauma

or the birds could have developed ways of dissolving excess accumulations of the protein. Further study is needed, even because woodpeckers brains are smaller and significantly different from human ones and this can change many mechanisms. The former have a hyoid bone that wraps around the skull which may act as a seatbelt for the skull, and they are in tighter spaces inside the skull and do

not move around as much as the human brain does in our skull.

A better understanding of woodpecker brains could help to figure out how other head-banging animals protect themselves from brain trauma and perhaps improve the protection of vulnerable National Football League or other sports players.

Pictured: Research on woodpeckers might be the key to avoiding concussion in contact sports Source: KeithJJ (Via Pixabay)

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Split ends? You need more gluten Research reveals insight into how to keep those tresses healthy

Ilona Cabral

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Despite these initially promising results, some are calling for further testing

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recent study by the School of Food Science and Technology at Jiangnan University has found a rather unexpected use for the meat substitute, wheat flour. Findings published in the study have revealed that a protein found in wheat flour could be a possible cure for split ends.

The human hair is composed by fibrous proteins called keratin and are held together by proteins called disulphide bridges. In soft, healthy hair these bridges link between the keratin proteins and hold the hair’s outer surface together. However, due to the daily wear and tear of life, these bonds can become fragile. Excessive exposure to UV light, over application of damaging products like bleaches, dyes and styling tools such as straighteners breakdown the disulphide bridges and can make hair brittle.

Scientists have experimented widely with plant and animal proteins which could replace broken bonds in hair keratin but, until now, have been unable to find a substance which matches the pH of hair keratin. It is a difficult goal to achieve, as proteins exist in nature at a pH where they are neutral in charge, and this has to match the pH of keratin, in

order to be effective in ‘curing’ split ends.

In this recent study scientists believe that they have been able to overcome this pH problem. Soaking the gluten from the Wheat flour in

a solution of water and Alcalase, an enzyme that helps breakdown proteins, reduces the gluten to its base peptides. EDDAC is then added, which raises the isoelectric point of the peptides to match the keratin pH

in hair. Researchers then observed the results by applying the solution mixed with shampoo to freshly trimmed hair samples.

Research methods used in the study included running a comb

through treated hair samples and measuring the friction as a gage for the degree of hair damage. According to the report in Royal Society Open Science, findings showed that application of the shampoo contain-

ing gluten resulted in 21 percent less friction in dry hair and 50 percent less in wet hair.

The effect of the mixture was also noted by viewing treated samples under scanning electron microscopes and findings showed that newly formed bonds could be seen in gluten shampoo treated samples – the hair appeared smoother and healthier.

Despite these initially promising results, some are calling for further testing. Sarah Miller, a dermatologist who studies hair at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, states that statistical analyses are “inadequate” and that the study omits key details, such as, what type of hair was tested and how consistency was enforced throughout the study.

However, she maintains that “If properly conducted and controlled … this research can be of great benefit to consumers in ensuring that they are purchasing products that are scientifically proven to perform as advertised.”

More testing is definitely required before this product would potentially become available to consumers but, for now, the researchers are confident that we are all one step close to perfect tresses.

Pictured: Gluten contains a protein that can help ‘cure’ split ends Source: Jo_ Johnston(Via Pixabay)

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ADVICE

26

advice

#GRAdvice advice@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/category/advice

How to ace an interview

Guy Reynolds

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You’ll make a better impression and put yourself in better stead.

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nterviews can be scary. You’re going in front of a complete and utter stranger and doing your best to convince them to give you a job. However, they don’t need to be scary, and if you follow these tips, you’ll find interviews far easier. First impressions are very important in an interview. Different articles give different figures, but I think we can all agree that it doesn’t take very long to form a first impression of someone, and, a lot like Tinder, first impressions are based on your appearance. Thankfully, you don’t need to be a supermodel to do well in interviews, merely present yourself well. Wearing nice clean formal clothes and making sure your hair is in order will do wonders for your chances in interviews. Posture and carriage are also an important, yet overlooked, part of your first impression. If you walk into an interview with a straight back, shoulders square, head held high, and ready

to make some good eye-contact you’re going to find that you make a far better first impression, putting yourself in a stronger position to ace the interview.

Standing tall doesn’t only make you look more confident for a good first impression either. By adopting good posture, you will feel more confident, and that confidence will be noticed by whoever is interviewing you. Just make sure you don’t overdo it - there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance.

Good posture isn’t the only little trick you can use to make yourself more selfassured and better equipped to ace an interview. Chewing gum beforehand is a brilliant way to calm yourself down, as your lower brain will associate the chewing motion with that of eating, and our brains are hardwired to associate eating with being safe and calm. Again, don’t over do it, if you turn up to the interview with a bargain bucket of KFC and start

eating away, you’ll likely be disappointed but some discreet chewing gum may be able to help calm those pre-interview jitters.

Don’t treat an interview like an exam You will obviously want to do your homework on the company and be prepared to detail why you are the best candidate for the job – what you and only you can offer to the company/organisation – but you do not want to prepare a speech, you are not Aragorn outside the Black Gates, after all. Humour aside, rehearsed speeches are often obvious, unless you happen to be Viggo Mortensen, which is highly unlikely. Not only do you want to come across as authentic and natural in your interview, many

top employers looking for the very best for their companies, are fond of using curve-ball questions in their interviews; “Describe the colour yellow” and “How many basketballs could you fit on a bus?” are both commonplace examples. These questions are designed to throw a candidate, and if you’re just reeling off a rehearsed speech, questions like these are more than likely to shatter your façade and leave you reeling. This brings me onto my final point - be yourself. I am aware that that is trite and cliché, but it is a valid point. Don’t treat an interview like an exam; sitting still, facing the front, just answering question after question in a near-frenzy. You are being employed as a person, most likely as a member of a team, and employers want to see that side of you as well. Express your personality and show them how normal you can be - maybe even crack a joke or two, but try to keep it clean.

Pictured: Interview prep.

Source: freephotos (Via Pixabay).

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CYNGOR

T

he initial months and weeks after University can feel like entering a great unknown: you’ve been in a stint of education for well over a decade and it has come to an end. You’ve no longer got a framework of lectures, seminars, and deadlines to structure your week and there is no, or little, loan left to live on. This is the time you supposedly enter the ‘real’ world, but it need not be a time for worry.

There are several options available to each graduate as they, cliché as it may sound, commence the rest of their life.

Perhaps you have enjoyed the world of academia and wish it to continue, the field you seek to enter demands further qualifications, or you just want to bide your time and contemplate what it is you really want to do. If this is the case, Post-Graduate study may be for you. A Master’s degree can be a useful transitional year

as you expand, or refine, the breadth of knowledge acquired during your undergraduate study. A masters can help differentiate you from the sea of other graduates looking for potential employment, as it demonstrates a greater academic ability and the degrees are typically widely applicable, so you’re not trapped by the chosen topic. Further than the master’s is the PhD. It would seem generally advisable that this is for those that have a firm idea of what they want to do and where the utility in the degree will lie; it’s an option that requires a lot of time and toil, lest we forget money, but it can be the steppingstone to a very fruitful career.

Having had enough of formal education, you may seek to straightaway enter the job market and find a graduate job. This can be the start of your world as a career-driven professional and thus the degree you just earned might come in handy. There’s

a good chance the first graduate job you land won’t be the one of your dreams, but in entering the labyrinthine job market it can be necessary to suffer a little for the future – plus it might allow you to decide a field is one you definitely don’t want to be in. If a profession requires you to develop a specific set of skills, work-experience may be a sensible option. It can both help to further differentiate you from other graduates who don’t possess the necessary experience for a certain industry, and bolster even more that ever-important CV. If all of this sounds frightfully mundane to you, like a hell on earth which you wish would never come, then fear not because the option of travelling or a gap year may appeal more to you. You are still a young human being bursting with vitality – one would hope – and you needn’t be tied down just yet. However idealistic it may sound to some, travel-

ling the globe and venturing into cultural unknowns can be a necessary means of discovering what it is you actually want to do, or just an end in itself as an experience that will shape who you are for the better. These are the years of your life in which you can afford to be experimental in your endeavours and there be still time on the horizon for that profitable career – not that the latter can’t stem from the former.

Of course, there are innumerable many more options, but these are the prominent few available to most students. Life after university need not be a looming void to fear; it should be seen as the expanse in which all you’ve acquired through a long schooling can be put to good use – whatever avenue it is you eventually choose.

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A masters degree can be a useful transitional year

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Harry Dixon

How to deal with life after Uni

27

Pictured: People celecrating the beginning of the end Source: greymatters (Via Pixabay)

Tricks for being more sociable in your house Maisie Williams

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Invite them from time to time to come along

M

oving into your new student house at the beginning of the new school year can be an exciting time for many students. For some it offers even more freedoms and independence than student halls previously had, and it can be easy to start looking forward to living alongside your friends, as opposed to the students you may have randomly been assigned to live with in first year. However, once settled into your new student house and the new semester it can be easy to start feeling isolated and lonely. Suddenly you realise that your friends/housemates have their own private lives and commitments such as parttime work, studies and extra-curricular activities. So, what can you do to maintain your friendships and remain sociable whilst living in student housing? Here are some tips: Start a house group chat: Whether its Facebook or WhatsApp you may have started one of these already in order to sort out the boring process of securing a house. However, using this to allow your housemates to know what you’re up to can help you plan activities to do together.

Let your housemates know what

you’re up to from time to time and invite them to come along if they wish. This way nobody in the house feels excluded.

Leave your bedroom door open: Having your bedroom door open allows housemates to see that you’re present and is a welcoming signal for them to come and enter. By giving up a slice of your privacy for a time indicates to others that you are open for them to enter your personal space to chat, rather than shutting yourself off from the rest of your housemates. I might not be that they don’t want to see you they may just think you don’t want to see them, so this is an easy way to clear any confusion.

Make Plans together: If you know that a special day/event is coming up plan something with your housemates to celebrate together. This can mean doing something simple like going out for food/drinks to celebrate someone’s birthday, or celebrat-

If you know a special day is coming up plan something with your housemates

ing a public/national holiday.

Important dates like this can be a good excuse to bring all housemates together.

Spend time in communal areas of your house: Spending your free time in the communal parts of your student house, such as the kitchen or living room area, allows you to interact and bond with your fellow housemates without either of you intruding into each other’s personal spaces.

It also allows for you to spend time in each other’s company whilst doing mundane everyday things, such as watching television or making food.

Find common interests you can explore together: Discover what hobbies and interests your other housemates have. By finding common ground it can make

it easier to find activities you spend your time doing together, such as watching your favourite TV shows, going to the cinema to watch the movie you’ve all been waiting to see or even going to a concert together. This way activities you may have done alone become shared and it’s a simple way of bonding and getting to know your housemates better.

Introduce your housemates to your friends: Not every student ends up moving in with their closest friends at university for a multitude of reasons. If your friends don’t live with you invite them round to meet your housemates. By doing this everyone can get to know one another, meaning that when plans come up it can be much easier to invite your housemates along.

Pictured: Friends Source: stocksnap (Via pixabay)

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ADVICE

28

Sarah Harris

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Always useful to have a dozen options within a 5-minute walk

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Lydia Caunce

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Sweating out all the alcohol will make you feel better

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hen I decided to choose on a place to live, that happened to be on Salisbury Road (aka Student central), I didn’t consider how noisy it would be. The noise usually doesn’t stop till 3AM pretty much every night of the week and having a room on the ground floor means I’m pretty used to hearing drunken ramblings outside my window, and even jumping out of my skin when the occasional fool decides it would be funny to start banging on it. It’s something that I should have probably expected when I chose a place just seconds away from Gassy Jacks and Koko’s, but over the last few months I’ve slowly figured out ways to get over the disadvantages of living in Cathays.

If you’re struggling to get any sleep because of noisy neighbours, I would suggest purchasing a fan. Even though it’s reaching minus temperatures outside, I sleep with my fan on full pretty much every night to mask out the drunken conversations of every passer-by. Not only will this aid you in noise control, it’s also pretty useful when your house is boiling and you’re running out of layers of clothing to take off. If things are still too noisy, talk to your neighbours. If

Living in Cathays rying about pissing off your neighbours, then you shouldn’t because as I said, they are probably students too and are most likely used to it. If you’re still not sure then the best thing to do is go on over to their house with a huge smile on your face and warn them about your plans (and hey, you can even invite them if you’re planning a full-on rager).

One of the worst things about living in Cathays is dealing with the mess. If you’ve ever walked through any road in Cathays after garbage collection day, you’ll know the streets are littered with junk and smell awful

too. You have to be really careful with waste disposal laws in the area, or you’ll get landed with a fine without even knowing it. Last year, my house almost got fined on 2 separate occasions as we didn’t know we were allowed to leave bin bags on the street and we put out the wrong coloured bag once. Check online for the laws on your street and if you still aren’t sure, call the council to see what the deal is.

However, living in Cathays also has its advantages, the main being all the great takeaways. It’s always useful to have about a dozen different options

within a 5-minute walking distance, especially after a night out. It also helps that pretty much everything from gyms to libraries and cinemas are within a mile radius, and the area is usually always busy, so you don’t need to worry about walking home alone in the dark.

Cathays is an entity that can’t be compared to anywhere else, whilst it may be messy and loud its the heart and centre of the Cardiff University student universe, and despite all it’s negative attributes you can’t help but love it.

Cathays for life.

Pictured: Colum Road, Cathays Source: Gair Rhydd

Not only will this help you with noise control but it’s also pretty useful they’re living in Cathays it’s also very likely that they’re students too, so would understand how it feels to be sleep deprived because of noise and hopefully they make a change.

If alternatively, you are considering throwing a house party and are wor-

F

How to deal with a hangover

or most a Thursday can be seen as quite a struggle. One too many VKs and a late night on a Wednesday is a student’s kryptonite, however this isn’t something that needs to ruin the day after the night before. If you don’t waste the day following a few of these tips may help you on your road to recovery.

Whilst after a night out the last thing you want to be doing is pouring yourself a glass of water, you will surely thank yourself in the morning. Having a glass of water by your side to down as you wake up will instantly make you feel

better, and start to slowly cure the raging headache that’s beginning to take over your life. It’s simple, cheap, and effective so there’s no excuse not to, and you’re already waking up with a fighting chance of making it to your lectures.

Another way to help this is by making sure you get up at a reasonable hour. Waking up at 1pm is already a bad start. If you make a conscious effort to wake up and get going with your day you’ll start to feel better before you know it.

Productivity is key. Lying in bed may sound like a great option, but you’re not going to thank yourself

a few hours later. Get up out of bed, even if it is just to move to the couch for a while. This is the most important step as without it you’ll never be able to complete the other steps.

Once you’ve gotten yourself out of bed, make sure you have shower.

Make a conscious effort to wake up and get going with your day Having a shower is an underrated step. Whilst this does sound like a simple task, we’ve all fallen victim to festering away in bed after a heavy night out. A hot shower is the best cure and will wash away the sins of the night before- sadly it will not reimburse your bank account.

Always eat a hearty breakfast and have a good strong coffee. It will start to settle the stomach, or sober you up if you had a really wild night, and is generally a good way to start a day anyway. A full English in Cafe 37 is something no one can resist, however it is always possible to cook yourself a health-

ier equivalent. Either way, make sure you eat and start your day the right way.

Something that nobody wants to hear is ‘going to the gym will help’, but it does. Sweating out all the alcohol is something that you will feel significantly better for afterwards, and is a brilliant way to be productive if you’ve been blessed with having the day off uni. Getting out of the house and getting some much needed fresh air is always going to help, and even if you don’t really want to do it, you will thank yourself later. If the gym just isn’t for you, or you’re still on shaky grounds about whether or not you’ll throw up, maybe just go for a walk instead. With places like Bute and Roath around the corner, going for a stroll may be the best bet.

While a hangover isn’t ideal, just remember it isn’t the end of the world. It’s something as students most of us deal with and complaining the whole day that you’re ‘so hungover’ is going to get you nowhere. So suck it up, and get on with the day. If the worst comes to the worst hair of the dog may be the only answer.

Pictured: Kermit on a heavy night.

Source: sole treadmill (Via Pixabay)

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column

ACCIDENTAL ADVICE

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#AccidentalAdvice @xxalice gairrhydd.com/category/advicecolumn

The good, the bad and the ugly Friendships and the loneliness epidemic

Alice Dent

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I assure you that there are so many people with similar mind-sets to you at university

I

’ve had my fair share of unusual encounters at university. Having dropped out of my first degree in February 2015, I made the decision to move back into halls of residence when started again in September.

Doing Fresher’s Week in halls for the second year in a row was an experience in itself- one that I wouldn’t necessarily recommend to anyone.

Fresher’s is surreal; the evident lies that are told around the table in ‘Never Have I Ever’, the extortionate wristbands and ice breaker events, the awkward introductions in the corridors with your parents. The first time around you get swept away with it all, but the second time you just feel like a bit of an OAP. I distinctly remember a girl saying to me during my second Fresher’s week: “I’ve heard of this really cool club called Glam.” I feigned a smile and tried my best not to visually express what I was thinking, “what on earth am I doing here?”

One thing I did learn during my extended Fresher’s escapade is that there is no guessing who you will be placed in a flat with, and often it is luck of the draw. University is one of the only times in your life where you’ll be placed with a group of random people and be expected to play happy families. To my knowledge, Cardiff University does not allocate housing based on common interests like other institutions do, and instead randomly places students in shared flats and houses, letting the leash free and leaving them to navigate themselves. This has its benefits, of course. Halls is a great way to meet people that you ordinar-

ily never would; people of different backgrounds and cultures. My flatmate in my first (first) year was Malaysian; I am embarrassed to admit that I lacked much knowledge about her country or her culture when we first met. She is now one of my best friends, and I learn more and more from her every day. However, there is also a dark side of shared living.

Have you ever heard the phrase “you don’t really know someone until you live with them”? This is something that I’ve unfortunately learnt to be true, and have stories about flatmates that would make your toes curl. However, overall, my experience of shared housing was positive, and I was usually housed with at least one person who had similar interests to me. But what do you do if you’re finding it difficult to integrate with the people around you? What if you haven’t found ‘your people’ yet?

Loneliness at university is a bigger issue than some may think. With the Lash full the brim on a Wednesday night and with hordes of students walking the streets of Cathays, it can be difficult to imagine that there are many around us who are feeling isolated. It can be extremely easy to pop on your rose-tinted spectacles or your tunnel vision glasses and presume everyone is having as much fun as you are; but there will undoubtedly be some who, through no fault of their own, still haven’t settled at Cardiff University. The Jo Cox Loneliness Commission report, released in late 2017, proved that it is not just the elderly who experience these anxieties. In fact, it found that over 9 million adults in Britain are lonely.

There has even been an appointed Minister for Loneliness who has been tasked to tackle what is now a social epidemic. Loneliness can and does affect us all at some point in our lives, but it can be difficult to spot in other people. It’s not just the quiet girl in your flat who locks herself in her room who could be feeling alone, as those with the biggest smiles and loudest laughs could be simply putting on a brave face. It is important to be considerate of everyone you are living and studying with, and you should make an effort to keep an eye out for them, especially those who choose not to get involved with the social side of university life. All of us suffer from homesickness now and again, but if you are repeatedly noticing that someone is isolating themselves from the rest of the house, make sure you do your best to look after them, and speak to the Wellbeing and Counselling Service if you’re worried. There is also lots of help and guidance on the Student Intranet, so make sure you search your query there.

If you’re struggling to find friends, there is lots that can be done. I can categorically assure you that there will be so many people with similar mind-sets to you at university, and loads who would love to meet you.

For starters, there is society for even the most niche of interests, and there is no better time than the present to join. It is a common worry that once you get past Fresher’s Week your friendship group is locked into place and you will never meet anyone new.

However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. I have met some of

my best friends in second and third year – some in the most random of places. Friendship groups grow and evolve over time and there is always room for one more. Meeting new people will take some action on your part, of course. I completely get that attending a meeting or a taster session for a society is extremely daunting, but the benefits you will gain will make it all worth it. I have been a part of Student Media since my first year and I still remember my first ever meeting- I was absolutely terrified! But you should bite the bullet and try your best; you won’t regret it!

If starting a new society is out of the question, set yourself some smaller goals instead. Work out why you aren’t clicking with the people around you, and try your best to overcome your differences. For example, if you aren’t a big party-goer like the rest of your flat, suggest that a couple of you go for a meal or perhaps have a quiet drink at the pub.

Try and voice your worries with the people around you, as it is possible that they may not have even noticed that you feel isolated.

Most of all, know that there are certainly like-minded people around, and those who would be more than happy to get to know you. It can be very easy to assume that everyone at university is of a similar ilk. However, I can vouch as a two-time-Fresher that there is no one-size-fits-all, there are so many different kinds of people at university, and there are certainly people out there for you.

However, if in doubt, contact Nightline on 02920 870555 or search the Student Intranet for help.

Pictured: Find friends Source: rawpixel (Via Pixabay)

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CAMPUS LIFE

campus life

Sunday 4th March - 11:59pm

The end of ticket sales for Jailbreak 18

Thursday 8th March - Afternoon Safety briefing for participating teams

#GRCampusLife campus.life@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/category/campuslife

Kelly Marlowe

E

very year Cardiff Volunteering host their annual Jailbreak fundraiser, this year it is taking place between the 9th to 11th March.

Teams of between 2-4 people have to get as far away from Cardiff Students’ Union as possible and back again in 52 hours.

But here’s the catch; teams can’t spend any of their own money on transport.

Teams can raise money for Cardiff Volunteering as well as their chosen charity, society, association or AU club of choice!

There are loads of prizes to be won along the way, including prizes for furthest distance travelled (within the 52 hours) and back again, fancy dress, most money raised and loads of text challenges which are sent throughout the 52 hours. Some of the prizes won last year were white water rafting for a team, dinner for a team in a city centre restaurant and free haircuts for a year.

Last years’ winners, Team YOLO, made it to Cyprus and they made it back with only 5 minutes left on the clock, thanks to a flat tyre on their bus from London to Cardiff - it was a tense afternoon at the Basecamp office in the SU!

Another Team, Team Lost, made it to Benidorm and made the most of their 52 hours.

We especially liked their recreation of a James Bond movie scene with one team member braving the freezing sea water in order to capture the shot. Team Lost were so engaged, they managed to win over 10 separate prizes while hitting the minimum fundraising target too!

Some students like to get involved with Jailbreak in other ways, if traveling without money isn’t their thing.

Students can promote Jailbreak or become a Basecamp volunteer. Basecamp volunteers take shifts during the 52 hours within the SU. They track and record team progress, send out text challenges, assist the teams if needed and help to keep them safe. It is great fun and a great way to gain volunteering experience.

We are still looking for Basecamp volunteers so if you’re interested please check out the Jailbreak18 webpage on the SU website for more information, or email Volunteering@ Cardiff.ac.uk If you have any questions about Jailbreak, pop into the volunteering office within the Skills Hub, on the 2nd floor of the SU or send us an email.

Tickets can be bought on the Students’ Union website and ticket sales end on 2nd March at 23:59.

Pictured: Jailbreak logo Source: Cardiff Student Union

‘‘

Team YOLO made it back from Cyprus with only 5 minutes left

‘‘

30

BYWYD CAMPWS

31

Your say on elections...

I find that they turn people you could have liked into really annoying characters that you can’t get away from as the posters are plastered on every wall. Yes, they are important to facilitate change, but often there’s only one candidate running for a position or standing again and it feels like voting is pointless. I feel like the Union could do more to promote the importance of the roles well before campaign week. If I wasn’t part of CSM, I wouldn’t know what the roles really did as I’d only see the banners pleading for votes. I’m much more inclined to vote because of a stupid pun than because I know what I’m voting for.

Michael Ash

‘‘

I couldn’t really care less, once elected these representatives can hardly be

I think the way campaigns week is run turns elections into a popularity contest, especially for positions in societies and sports. It shouldnt be about who’s got the craziest costume on and can pester as many students in lectures, but about the changes they actually want to make. Also, manifestos aren’t achievable, leaving candidates to promise a fantasy they’ll never be able to see through. The SU should stop candidates from putting anything on that isn’t actually possible.

Meg Sharma

They are in office for such a short time that I feel they don’t have time to make any real change.

I think elections are a brilliant chance to get involved in the Student Union. Not only can you chose the candidates and their policies that suit you, but you can also run in elections and gain incredible experience you wouldn’t have been able to gain otherwise.

I have learnt so much about how to create change in the union since I was elected in last year’s bye-elections as Ethical and Environmental Officer.

Jess Warren

I think there should be more criticism and scrutiny of the actual manifestos as more often than not there is limited thought on this.

These ideas should be the reason why we elect people. There should be a greater focus on the initiatives opposed to just pressuring people to vote for you for a gimmick.

‘‘

‘‘

Ryan Beckerleg

‘‘

held accountable for their actions and commitments to pledges.

Aled Russell

I think that if people feel passionately and want to run for roles to improve the university it’s brilliant. But I don’t agree with the constant, disruptive and in your face promotion of peoples’ slogans and campaigns. A more serious and political tone would suit these campaigns as opposed to the sports like competitiveness shown in the recent elections. There needs to be more formal question and answer sessions instead of high-fives and glowsticks in the Union on a Wednesday club night.

Lydia Caunce

I think these elections are important, in that it’s a chance to vote for the people who will make the changes in the university that you want to see. However I feel the elections as they are are more of a popularity contest and who has the best slogan as opposed to whose ideals and proposals are the best.

I think they need to be less gimmicky for them to be taken more seriously. People don’t see them as being important or necessary because they’re being harassed by people in fancy dress and spandex.

Manjeevan Kaur

Laura Price

Although they’re over the top and in your face, they are important as it does have an effect on the union and your time at university. I don’t think they’re very good on the basis that its a popularity vote and most don’t vote based on peoples manifestos. But its a chance to make the changes you want to see.

Liam Ketcher

‘‘Even though I’m leaving, I’ll still care about Cardiff University.

‘‘

George Cook

32

TAF-OD

ENNILLWYR NEWYDDIADURAETH IAITH GYMRAEG GORAU YNG NGHYMRU 2017

taf-od

@cmccaerdydd | #GRTafod tafod@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/category/tafod

Elfed yn ymprydio i ddatganoli darlledu M

ae ymgyrch cymdeithas yr iaith i ddatganoli darlledu i Gymru wedi ysgogi ffarmwr ifanc o Drawsfynydd i ymprydio am wythnos gyfan. Mae wedi addo byw ar ddŵr tap yn unig er mwyn pwyso ar lywodraeth San Steffan i ddatganoli grymoedd darlledu i Fae Caerdydd. Nod yr ymgyrch yw sicrhau fydd dyfodol pendant gan ein hunig sianel deledu Cymraeg S4/C, sefydlu papur Dyddiol Cymraeg yn ogystal ag ymestyn amrywiaeth gorsafoedd radio. Cawson gyfle i gyfweld ag Elfed ar ddechrau ei ympryd i’w holi beth yn union yw diben ei ymgyrch.

1) Pam wyt wedi penderfynu ‘ymprydio’ fel dull gweithredu?

Achos dwi di cael llond bol o’r sefyllfa yma mae Cymru ynddo, a’r ffordd oeddwn i’n gweld gwneud ympryd yn syniad fysa’n ysgwyd y dyfroedd.

2) Beth wyt ti’n bwriadu cyflawni drwy hyn? Neu’n hytrach, beth wyt ti’n rhagweld bydd canlyniad yr ymgyrch?

Datganoli darlledu a’r ffi-drwydded dwi’n gweld yn y dyfodol er mwyn inni gael persbectif Cymreig, democrataidd clir yng Nghymru, cael golwg dyfnach ym mhroblemau Cymru a chreu mwy o sianeli / cyfleoedd i’r Iaith Gymraeg.

3) Fyddech chi’n pwyso ar

Yn y llun: Elfed yn dal arwydd i gefnogi ei ymgyrch i ddatganoli darlledu (Tarddiad: Cymdeithas yr Iaith drwy

eraill i ddilyn ac i ymuno mewn ymgyrch o’r fath?

Fyny iddyn nhw’n gyfan gwbl, os maent yn teimlo’n gryf am fater, dwi’n annog iddynt wneud, ond iddynt edrych gyda’r doctor gynta’ 4) Oes unrhyw bryderon gennyt ynglŷn ag effeithiau ymprydio i’th iechyd?

Does gynnai ddim llawer o bryder am hynny, dwi’n benderfynol i newid y drefn, beth bynnag fydd yn digwydd.

5) Beth wyt ti’n mynd i golli

fwyaf yn ystod yr wythnos?

Dwi’n colli bob math o fwyd, o siocled i’r uwd dwi’n cal yn fora, ond mae’r amcan dwi’n trio’i gyrraedd yn cadw fi fynd!

6) Ydych chi wedi derbyn lawer o gefnogaeth?

Dwi wedi derbyn andros o lawer o gefnogaeth, gan lawer iawn o bobl a mudiadau.

7) Sut y gall pobl fynd ati i dy gefnogi?

Gall bobl gefnogi drwy yrru Llythyrau i’r AS/ AC , ymwrthod a’r drwydded Deledu a hefyd ymuno

am 12:00 ar y 27ain o Chwefror o flaen y Senedd gyda sosban a llwy bren i wneud digon o sw’n i ddangos bod ni isio llais!

Denwyd cryn sylw i’w ymgyrch yn y wasg drwy ymddangos yn y Mirror gan ei osod ar lwyfan cenedlaethol, a chafodd ganmoliaeth lu dros wefannau cymdeithasol. Amser a ddengys pîn ai y caiff safiad Elfed yr effaith a obeithiwyd, ond does dim amheuaeth fod ei weithred wedi tynnu sylw at ddyfodol darlledu yng Nghymru.

‘‘

Dwi di cael llond bol o’r sefyllfa, a’r ffordd oeddwn i’n gweld gwneud ympryd yn syniad fysa’n ysgwyd y dyfroedd.

Barn y bobl: Dydd Gŵyl Dewi

‘‘

Jacob Morris

Gyda gŵyl cenedlaethol Cymru ychydig o ddyddiau i ffwrdd, sut fydd myfyrwyr Caerdydd yn dathlu’r dydd, ac a ydynt yn credu fod digon yn cael ei wneud i ddathlu’r dydd yng Nghymru?

Esyllt Lewis

Lisa Hughes

Nest Jenkins

Tomos Evans

Jacob Morris

Myfyrwraig drydedd flwyddyn Cymraeg ac Athroniaeth

Myfyrwraig flwyddyn gyntaf Gwleidyddiaeth a Ffrangeg

Myfyrwraig flwyddyn gyntaf Cymraeg a’r Gyfraith

Myfyriwr flwyddyn gyntaf Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth

Myfyriwr flwyddyn gyntaf Cymraeg a Gwleidyddiaeth

Mae dydd Gwyl Dewi yn ddiwrnod arbennig am ei fod yn adeg i ddathlu Cymreictod pan fo’r tywydd yn dechrau gwella am y gorau. Mae’n dynodi dechrau’r gwanwyn a bywyd newydd. Un diwrnod o’r flwyddyn lle mae’n dderbyniol i ymhyfrydu ym mhob cliché - bwyta cawl a pice ar y mân, dawnsio mewn twmpath, gwisgo cenin pedr neu genhinen a chanu calon lân.

Yn sicr fel myfyrwyr sy’n astudio ym mhrifddinas Cymru mae dyletswydd mawr arnom ni i wneud mwy i hyrwyddo’r ŵyl. Beth am addurno adeiladau’r brifysgol fel Undeb y myfyrwyr gyda baneri Cymru ac ati? Neu beth am gynnal noson o ganu a gwisgo gwisg ffansi Cymreig i ddathlu?

Dwi’n credu bod angen mwy o ddathliadau anffurfiol i ddathlu Dydd Gwyl Dewi. Er bod y Coleg Cymraeg yn cynnig cawl i ginio, dylid cael gweithgaredd gyda’r nos – rhywbeth fel noson gwisg draddodiadol neu dwmpath efallai!

Byddaf yn mynychu digwyddiad yn y Senedd, cyn cael ychydig o gawl Mamgu - ‘sdim byd gwell! Weithiau mae’n hawdd anghofio gwneud rhywbeth i ddathlu’r diwrnod yn ystod prysurdeb ein bywyd bob dydd ond mae’n bwysig ymdrechu i gofio dydd sydd mor bwysig i ni fel Cymry. Byddem yn cefnogi gwneud Dydd Gŵyl Dewi yn ddydd o wyliau cenedlaethol.

Ond, trwy ganolbwyntio’n benodol ar ddiwrnodau unigol, hawdd iawn fyddai anghofio ein dyletswyddau yn ystod gweddill y flwyddyn hefyd.”

Fydd noson Cawl a Chân yn yr Undeb yn fodd o hwyluso’r ŵyl.

Rhaid fydd gwisgo’r wisg draddodiadol, cyd-ganu clasuron Cymraeg ac wrth gwrs sicrhau cyflenwad digonol o win!

TAF-OD

33

Digon o ddathlu i Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi?

Yn y llun: Cenin pedr, un o symbolau arwyddocaol Cymru (Tarddiad: Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd)

B

eth fyddech chi’n ei wneud i ddathlu gŵyl genedlaethol ein gwlad ddydd Iau? Efallai ymunwch chi â gorymdaith, neu cael cawl Cymreig i de? Efallai mai dydd Gŵyl Dewi fydd uchafbwynt eich blwyddyn, neu o bosib fyddech chi’n cario ‘mlaen gyda’ch dydd fel y byddech chi gydag unrhyw ddydd arall, heb adael i’r ffaith mai hwnnw yw diwrnod nawddsant Cymru darfu ar eich rŵtin dyddiol? Beth bynnag y byddech chi’n ei wneud i ddathlu’r dydd, nid yw’n rhy annheg imi honni nad oes digon yn cael ei wneud i ddathlu Dydd Gŵyl Dewi yn flynyddol ar Fawrth y 1af.

Efallai fy mod yn gwbl anghywir ond efallai fod ryw ddathliadau cuddion yn cymryd lle ar hyd a lled Cymru ar Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi, ac nad ydwyf wedi sylwi arnynt. Efallai ei fod yn ddydd lle mae pob Cymro a Chymraes yn siarad Cymraeg o wawr tan fachlud yr haul, ac yn treulio’r dydd yn stwffio eu bolâu gyda bara brith a chacenni cri, cyn dod â’r dydd i ben

gyda glasiad o Benderyn i esmwytho’r gwddf ar ôl 24 awr o floeddio canu Calon Lan ac Yma o Hyd. Neu, efallai fy mod i’n iawn. Efallai neith dydd Iau deimlo fel unrhyw ddydd Iau arall, ac mai ryw fân ddathliadau o gwmpas y lle fydd unig ddylanwad yr ŵyl ar Gymru. Yn sicr, dyma’m profiad i o Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi. Y llynedd, es i ar orymdaith o amgylch canol dinas Caerdydd, lle roedd ryw 500 o bobl yno fyswn i’n tybio. Mae’n swnio fel lot, ond i feddwl fod Caerdydd yn ddinas o ryw 500,000, mae rhywun yn sylweddoli mai ôl bach y mae’r orymdaith yn ei chael ar y ddinas.

Un ddadl ymysg llawer o Gymry, yw y dylai’r dydd fod yn ddydd o wyliau cenedlaethol, ac y byddai cynnig diwrnod o orffwys o’r gwaith a’r ysgol yn fodd inni hybu a dathlu Dydd Gŵyl Dewi ymhellach. Rwy’n cytuno’n llwyr, a theimlad fod yna gymaint yn fwy y gallwn ei wneud i ddathlu’r dydd. Pam ddim cynnig gostyngiadau ar brisoedd mynediad

ein cestyll a’n atyniadau cenedlaethol, a threfnu gigs a dathliadau ar hyd y wlad yn ystod y dydd? Pam nad anelu’n uchel yn hytrach na threfnu gorymdaith wrth wybod yn iawn fod y rhan helaeth o’r plant yn yr ysgol a’u rhieni yn eu gwaith?

Wrth gymharu gyda dylanwad byd-eang Diwrnod Sant Padrig, a’r dathliadau mawrion a chynhelir ar ddiwrnodau cenedlaethol gwledydd eraill megis Ffrainc a’r Swistir, rhaid imi gyfaddef fod dathliadau’r Cymry ar gyfer eu gŵyl genedlaethol yn gymharol bitw a siomedig. Mae’n hen bryd inni gymryd y dydd o ddifrif, a’i thrin fel gŵyl genedlaethol ein gwlad, nid fel ryw esgus i werthu cacenni cri am hanner pris a chynnal ryw fân ddathliadau er mwyn ceisio teimlo ychydig mwy o Gymreictod na’r diwrnod arferol.

Yn amserol iawn, yn Stomp Ysgol y Gymraeg yr wythnos diwethaf, clywais fod dyfyniad enwog Dewi Sant, ‘gwnewch y pethau bychain’, yn gyfieithiad anghywir, ac mai ‘peidiwch

â gwneud y pethau bychain, ond gwnewch y pethau mawrion’ oedd y dyfyniad yn y testun gwreiddiol! Dwn i’m os yw’r ffaith honno’n wir neu beidio, ond yn sicr mae yna ychydig o wirionedd iddi.

Felly beth am i ni benodi’r 1af o Fawrth, nid fel diwrnod i wisgo cenhinen bedr a bwyta bara brith, ond fel diwrnod i wneud y pethau mawrion. Diwrnod o wyliau cenedlaethol inni allu dathlu’n Cymreictod law yn llaw gyda’n teuluoedd a’n ffrindiau.

Diwrnod inni drefnu gigs ym mhob cornel o Gymru, ac i orymdeithio ar hyd pob stryd o Fynwy i Fôn. Beth am inni ddefnyddio’n diwrnod cenedlaethol fel cyfle i roi Cymru ar y map, i fynnu cael ein cydnabod a’n clywed, ac i ddathlu’r Cymreictod sydd yn ein huno fel gwlad.

Mae gennych 364 diwrnod bob blwyddyn i wneud y pethau bychain, felly ddydd Iau, pan ddeffrowch i ŵyl genedlaethol ein gwlad, ‘peidiwch â gwneud y pethau bychain, gwnewch y pethau mawrion’!

‘‘

Beth am i ni benodi’r 1af o Fawrth fel diwrnod i wneud y pethau mawrion

‘‘

Osian Wyn Morgan

Yn Trafod yr wythnos hon...

Ilan Hedd Jones 1. Pwy wyt ti, pa flwyddyn Prifysgol a beth wyt ti’n astudio?

Ilan Hedd, blwyddyn gyntaf yn astudio gwyddorau Biolegol.

2. Beth yw’r peth gorau rwyt ti’n ei goginio?

Lasagne porc - er nad ydy pob ymgais yn llwyddiannus!

3. Beth yw dy hoff ffrwyth?

eithaf limited ar y funud!

6. Te neu goffi?

Tê.

11. Beth sy’n mynd dan dy groen di?

Anhrefnusrwydd.

7. Beth yw dy hoff siocled?

12. Pa ddigwyddiad gododd y fwyaf o embaras arnat ti erioed?

Creme Egg ac After Eights!

Mae’r rhestr yn hirfaith, ac yn llawer rhy hir i’w gynnwys yma!

8. Pwy fyddet ti’n ei wahodd i dy bryd fwyd delfrydol?

13. Beth yw dy hoff ddilledyn?

16. Pêl droed neu rygbi?

Chwarae pêl droed, gwylio rygbi.

17. Pe bai ti’n gallu bod yn rhywun arall am ddiwrnod, pwy fyddai ef/hi?

Elon Musk.

18. Cwrs cyntaf, prif gwrs a phwdin - beth fyddai’r dewis?

Cwrs cynta’ - rhywbeth fishy, prif gwrs - cinio Nadolig mam, pwdin - profiteroles-

Grawnwin.

Elon Musk, Barack Obama, ac Ellen DeGeneres.

Esgidiau - dyma rywbeth arall y byddwn yn gwario fy enillion loteri arnynt!

4. Beth yw’r ffilm orau i ti ei gweld erioed?

9. Pe byddet ti’n ennill y loteri, beth fyddai’r peth cyntaf i ti brynu?

14. Lagyr neu seidr?

19. Ar dy ddiwrnod olaf ar y blaned, beth fyddet ti’n ei wneud?

Seidr.

Dreifio.

15. Pe byddet ti ar ynys ac yn cael mynd a thri pheth yn unig, beth fydden nhw?

20. Pwy fydd yn Trafod gyda’r Taf-od Wythnos nesaf?

Bwyd, dŵr a gwely.

Mali Davies.

Dwi’n mwynhau ffilmiau Jason Bourne, ac wedi gwylio The Hunger Games lawer tro!

5. Pe byddet ti’n anifail, pa anifail byddet ti a pham?

Dolphin - oherwydd bod fy sgiliau nofio i yn

Ceir, ceir a mwy o geir!

10. Pa air wyt ti’n ei ddefnyddio amlaf?

Wel dwi literally yn iwsho ‘literally’ ymhob brawddeg deud y gwir...

Astroid Boyz

Dodie

The Rend Collective

March/Mawrth Treatment Presents: Hannah Wants 02/03/18, from £20 ADV Waterparks 08/03/18, £15 ADV Skid Row 15/03/18, £25 ADV The Wombats 16/03/18 - SOLD OUT/ WEDI GWERTHU ALLAN Dodie 28/03/18, £18 ADV Astroid Boys 30/03/18, £12 ADV

Super Hans 31/03/18, £16 ADV

April/Ebrill Andrew W.K. 13/04/18, £20 ADV Bedlam Presents: David Rodigan 27/04/18, £15.50 ADV

May/Mai Jungle 05/05/18, £22 ADV The Rend Collective 10/05/18, £18 ADV

Machine Head 14/05/18, £27.50 ADV Lucy Spraggan 20/05/18, £18 ADV

FIVE MINUTE FUN

FIVE MINUTE FUN

35

medium / canolig

hard / anodd

easy / hawdd

medium / canolig easy / hawdd

Last Week’s Answers

Sudoku

35

hard / anodd

The Codeword is back this week, replacing our regular Cardiff Crossword!

N

These are tricksy puzzles which were first used during WWII to communicate information undetected. That was a complete lie, we have no idea if they were used for real codes, but one can dream...

Cardiff Codeword

Fill in the grid with the letters A-Z. Each number corresponds to one letter. We’ve decoded a few letters to get you started!

Hitori is a simple puzzle! Eliminate numbers so that there are no duplicates in any row or column. No eliminated numbers can be touching adjacently and the white squares must be contiguous.

S

Hitori

O

Quick Maths

Word Wheel Using the central letter, find as many 4+ letter words as you can. Each letter can be used only once.

Can you find the 9 letter conundrum?

Clue: Spineful

Here are a couple of brainteasers to give your maths mind a little run-out.

Can you solve them?

START

START

10

24

HALF IT

x3

x5 +11

÷8

+9

√x

-4

x3

x10 +20

10%of

ONE THIRD

-5

x4

x50

50%of

-2

Answers will be printed in next week’s issue! Keep your eye out, and tweet us @gairrhydd to let us know if you have got it all right!

Got a type of puzzle you want to hear in Gair Rhydd next week? Let us know!

We are always keen to try new ideas.

WELSH WORD OF THE WEEK

AILGYLCHU

RECYCLE

4-letter: Bare, Bear, Beat, Beet, Belt, Beta, Brat, Verb 5-letter: Beret, Breve, Brave, Bleat, Blart, Rebar, Rebel, Table 6-letter: Barter, Berate, Beater, Belter, Treble, 9-letter: VERTEBRAL

36 SPORT

Exclusive: Interview with Wales U20 star Max Llewellyn

Son of former Wales captain Gareth Llewellyn speaks to Gair Rhydd Sport

‘‘

I’d hope to say that I have a good brand of rugby, especially coming from Glantaf, where they try to express a good brand of rugby.

Max Llewellyn

D

uring a period of transition for Wales, a new star is threatening to flourish Traditionally, Wales is recognised as a country that has a unique ability to produce centres of exceptional calibre. Indeed, the likes of Ray Gravell, Gareth Thomos and Jamie Roberts have succeeded to make a purposeful impact to Welsh rugby, and on the periphery of the Blues’ first-team, there’s another star who’s beginning to attain publicity.

During Wales’ under-20 game against England in the Six Nations, Max Llewellyn was introduced to international rugby for the first time in his career. Without question, it was a significant moment for a youngster who has started his career in a meaningful fashion. Despite the fact that he’s only 19, Llewellyn has represented the Blues’ senior side against reputable teams such as the Ospreys, London Irish and Leicester Tigers, and he’s eager to attain more experience before the season concludes.

Literally, Max is a giant, who flaunts a towering presence with his height 6’4. Contrary to expectations, Llewellyn is endowed with superb technical ability and a natural flair to play expansive rugby.

His upbringing was invaluable while considering that his Father is Gareth Llewellyn, Wales’ former captain who attained 92 caps during his career.

One can assume that the knowledge that Max has at his disposal has been instrumental in his quest to become an established star.

On the pitch, Max is highly regarded for his valuable communication skills and his creative influence that can create purposeful scoring opportunities. Such attributes explain why the Blues have been eager to utilise Llewellyn this season.

Off the pitch, Max is a sensible and balanced individual, who discussed rugby with an innate passion. I had the pleasure of interviewing Max, and

I discussed his achievements to date.

Llion: Firstly, congratulations on earning your first cap for Wales’ under-20 team. How was the experience of wearing the iconic red shirt for the first time in a competitive game?

Max: Well, I’ve got to be completely honest. Before the game, I was just trying to stay calm and focused, and think of it as just another game. But, it really hit me after the game, it was fairly surreal that I put on the red shirt.

The Welsh red shirt, and that I represented my country, which was a big thing for me.

Llion: In addition to your experiences on the international stage, you’ve represented the Blues against teams such as the Ospreys, London Irish and Leicester Tigers. Are you happy with your career as a Cardiff player so far?

Max: I’m extremely happy so far, if a year back I was thinking that I’d be representing the Blues at senior level, I would’ve been over the moon.

So, for me to be able to do that, getting 40 minutes of the bench – I never thought I would be getting that. I’m really happy, and it’s a good motivational factor for me going forward.

Llion: For those who haven’t had the pleasure of watching you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?

Max: I’d hope to say that I have a good brand of rugby, especially coming from Glantaf, where they try to express a good brand of rugby with off-loads and stuff like that. I hope that I’ve kept the skill that they developed with me and hopefully I can take that into games, wherever I go.

Llion: You referenced Glantaf there, and certainly, Welsh rugby supporters are aware of Glantaf ’s ability to create household names such as Jamie Roberts, Rhys Patchell, Jamie and Nicky Robinson, do you consider these players as inspirations and are you confident of emulating their success?

Max: Most definitely, the most recent one is Rhys Patchell. I know Patchell fairly well, he coaches my brother at CRICC on Sundays. He’s the most recent one to go through the system, for me it’s trying to mimic him, trying to take the same steps, the same pathways. He is a big motivator for me.

Llion: To increase the attention you’ve been receiving, the Wales Online published an article about your career to date and your prospects as a Blues player. Does such attention make you proud?

Max: It definitely does. I first saw it yesterday, in training, the first thing I did was have a bit of a smile and a bit of a laugh to myself, as I never thought I’d be getting this attention. It does make me fairly proud that I’m getting this attention.

Llion: Your father is Gareth Llewellyn, a giant in the world of rugby, he was Wales’ former captain, and he attained 92 caps in his career. Has his experience and knowledge of the game assisted you in your development as a player?

Max: Most definitely. The experience he’s had, of being coached by

some of the world-class coaches – I’d say Steve Hansen – he’s passed that down to me. That’s helped me develop a tactical mind frame, which gives me one step ahead of the other players, which can be key, especially at my level now.

Llion: When you were younger, was there any player in particular that you idolised or looked to emulate?

Max: My first one, obviously, was Shane Williams. I idolised him for his speed and that, but once I started growing up, I think about 13 I was way taller than him already, so that kind of went out of the window. The next one was Sonny Bill [Williams], obviously his size and skillset, which I try to emulate really.

Llion: Lastly, you’ve had such an exciting start to your career, what are your hopes for the remainder of 2018?

Max: The main hope is to try and keep performing well, and that will then create opportunities for me, and then I hope I can play well to take them. Also, I’d love to be a contender for the first-team for the Blues, that’s one of my key aspirations in life. If I can make it like that, then it should all go well.

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The main hope is to try and keep performing well, and that will then create opportunities for me.

Max Llewellyn

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Llion Carbis

Pictured: Top: Wales U20 line up for the national anthem in their Six Nations opener against Scotland. (via Scrum V, BBC iPlayer) Bottom: Max Llewellyn (middle left) alongside teammates. (via Twitter)

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CHWARAEON

37

Opinion: Premier League teams return to

European dominance

Have Premier League teams finally returned to the biggest stage of all?

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Some of Europe’s best defenders have also found it hard to contain the Premier League’s greatest attacking players.

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helsea’s famous 2012 Champions League Final win over Bayern Munich was the last time a Premier League side lifted club football’s most prestigious trophy. However, with five Premier League sides still possibly making it to the quarter-finals, the Premier League is well and truly back on the biggest stage of all.

Whilst Messi and Ronaldo are two of the greatest players of all time, Premier League players have set the standard this season. Harry Kane, Mohammad Salah and Sergio Aguero are Europe’s leading goal-scorers in all competitions – with 33, 30 and 29 goals respectively.

Therefore, we must attribute some of the dominance of the Premier League in Europe to the fine form of the three aforementioned forwards.

In spectacular form throughout the Premier League season, all three forwards have taken their scoring boots into the Champions League.

And, just as many Premier League defenders have discovered, some of Europe’s best defenders have also found it hard to contain the Premier League’s greatest attacking players.

Whether they can take their form all the way into the final remains to be seen, but their impact on Europe has been just as devastating as their destruction of the Premier League.

It is often said that behind every great player is a great manager and that is certainly true with some of the world’s greatest managers gracing the Premier League. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard illustrated this on BT

Sport:

“It’s the speed in which these teams are attacking, defenders just can’t cope.

They have managers who put confidence into attacking players, who give them freedom.”

With the likes of Klopp, Guardiola and Pochettino giving their players freedom to play expansive football, the football can be great to watch.

Perhaps words fail to do such freeflowing football justice but Liverpool’s 5-0 win at Porto and Manchester City’s 4-0 win at Basel illustrates part of their formidable attacking strength.

Tottenham, though, signify something slightly different to Liverpool and Manchester City. In coming from 2-0 down away to Juventus to draw 2-2, they illustrated a grit and determination that makes the Premier League such a compelling league.

Whilst Spurs will now be favourites heading back to Wembley, it would be incredibly “Spursy” (and perhaps not surprising based on track record) of them to ruin such a courageous comeback in Turin.

Historical mishaps aside, Tottenham’s transformation in Europe this season is very impressive. With victories over Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, they finished top of their group. Pochettino looks to have found the perfect balance of attack and defence but the clock is rapidly ticking before trophy-less Spurs become the nearly men. That said, Spurs will fancy their

chances of advancing through to the last 8, with 2 away goals to hold on to at Wembley.

Although their trip to Camp Nou will be incredibly tough, Chelsea, too, should take credit for their Champions League performances in the first leg. Barcelona brought a new style of football to Stamford Bridge, one that perhaps shows their evolution. Chelsea’s discipline slipped once during the whole game, and the chance that fell to Messi was never going to be missed.

All in all, though, the diligence of Chelsea and limiting Chelsea to just one goal against the Catalan giants shows progression.

Going to the Camp Nou and having to score is an almighty task, but it is one that Chelsea have successfully completed before.

In Seville, Manchester United held on for a 0-0 draw. Another demonstration from David De Gea as to why he is the world’s best goalkeeper kept United in the driving seat for the return leg at Old Trafford.

In summary, Premier League teams have proved that they have

the ability to outscore, fight back and defend superbly against Europe’s top clubs. The last eight may well include five teams from the Premier League, if Chelsea can pull off a miracle. But, with the way that the Premier League is returning to form in Europe, you cannot rule that out.

One may look to the record spending of the Premier League to account for such increase in performances in Europe. Indeed, the introduction of top stars has come at a top price, but that isn’t something we should bemoan.

The return of English teams to the top of the European ladder should, instead, be treated as a signpost for the global progression of the Premier League. In a competition that rewards astute tactics and courageous attacking play, Premier League clubs are collectively leading the way in one of the most competitive knockout rounds in recent years.

Pictured: Didier Drogba wins the Champions League for Chelsea. (via Flickr).

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One may look to the record spending of the Premier League toaccount for such increase in performances in Europe.

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Reece Chambers

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38 SPORT

BUCS Highlights

CULRFC knocked out of Cup by Cambridge Molly Ambler

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fter a long away trip on Wednesday, CULRFC were ready to face Cambridge in the quarter finals of the cup.

Cardiff were yet to play in the cup due to a series of walkovers against the London School of Economics and Political Science and Canterbury Christ Church University, making the trip to Cambridge their first game in the cup.

Cardiff came into this game as the underdogs but were ready to give it their all. Cambridge have had some impressive results in the cup beating Bournemouth 114-0 but the Car-

diff girls were hoping to give them a much closer game.

The girls started strongly with some excellent carries by the forwards. Cambridge put up a fight as the girls were in their 22 for a large portion of the game but Cambridge managed to draw first blood scoring through the Cardiff defence.

Although the girls made some excellent tackles in an attempt to stop Cambridge from breaking through the defence.

The Cardiff girls made some massive carries from both the forwards and the backs but little errors crept

into the game which denied Cardiff the scores they deserved. Cardiff were putting in some good runs from the forwards and the backs working as a team.

The forwards were putting in a good game with strong carries allowing the backs to spread the ball out wide and use the space down the wing.

There was a good level of possession throughout the game, with the girls making Cambridge work for the tries they scored, however, the amount of turnovers conceded at the breakdown lead to Cambridge being

allowed to score, something which will need to be improved upon in the run up to Varsity. There were definitely other areas to improve upon as the Cardiff team made some handling errors that cost them the scores they deserved. There were elements of the defence that were lacking which allowed Cambridge to gain ground and ultimately gain scores from these. The final score was 68-0, giving Cambridge a place in the semi-finals of the cup, but the score line does not reflect the determination of the girls to play until the last whistle and give it their all.

Three medals for Team Cardiff at BUCS Nationals Rich Jones

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ardiff came away with three medals from a hectic weekend at the BUCS Nationals.

Competing in six of the eight sports taking place across the UK’s largest multi-sport event in Sheffield, their main success came in the rifle.

Dean Bale won gold as he prepares to represent England in the upcoming Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, whilst team-mate Jessica Powell claimed silver in the women’s event.

First year student Heulwen Hill secured an excellent bronze medal in the foil event of the women’s fencing

as Costanza Peretti just missed out in fifth place.

After being eliminated early on, Weronika Kozuch also went on to finish third in the women’s foil plate.

There were plenty of solid performances in the athletics, but unfortunately no medals with Nathan Gardner coming closest with a fourth placed finish in the pole vault.

Elianne Mahay-Goodrich and Georgia Pickles made the finals in the women’s shot put and long jump respectively, plus Lauren Cooper reached the 3000m final and James Griffiths finished eight in the men’s 60m final.

In the pool, Dan Davies finished eight in the men’s 200m individual

medley and Henry Bland came ninth in the men’s 50m butterfly.

Boxing: Two golds for Cardiff at BUCS Championships Rich Jones

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ardiff University Amateur Boxing Club secured two gold medals at the recent BUCS Championships.

Zara Siddique secured victory in the Light Flyweight Female 0-5 bouts category with an excellent performance.

And Ben Whitworth, a Cardiff Met student who fights for Cardiff University due to their lack of boxing club, also earnt the top prize in the Heavyweight Male 11-20 bouts category.

There were also impressive showings from Brad Meddings and Ellis Cummins, with Meddings winning the Light Heavyweight quarter-final only to lose

Keiran ManettaJones Cardiff Blues Columnist

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a split decision in the semi-final whilst Cummins won the Welterweight Class B quarter-final before having to withdraw from the semi-final due to prior commitments.

Proud coach Jimmi Sandham said: “This year’s BUCS was exciting, and a great reflection of how Cardiff University ABC is thriving.

“We entered more boxers than ever before and all our boxers showed exceptional skill and courage. I can’t wait for next year!”

Cardiff University ABC will showcase their talent as they host their popular annual show at Y Plas on March 9.

ince Sam Warburton OBE is about to head into his testimonial year at the Cardiff Blues, I thought I should take the time to write a bit about his undoubtedly successful career at both international and club level which has spanned a decade.

Warburton hasn’t seen any game time this season as he decided to take some time out to recover from a lengthy list of recurring injuries. After returning from another successful British and Irish Lions tour, this time in New Zealand, Sam made the decision to have “a full MOT” as he called it after a few training sessions back at the Blues.

After a seemingly unhampered surgery on his neck and another on his right knee, Warburton is very much looking forward to getting back on the field after being granted a testimonial season by the WRU and Cardiff Blues.

Not many players have the chance to experience such an honour in their careers, but compared to all his other achievements, a testimonial year seemed to be a certainty at some point for Wales’ most capped captain.

Only a handful of players a year are granted a testimonial year, which serves as recognition of their outstanding performance and service to their

Pictured: Top: Athletics track at the BUCS Nationals in Sheffield (via CardiffUniSport) Bottom: Gold medalist Zara Siddique (via Cardiff Uni ABC)

club and the game as a whole.

Sam Warburton has proven to be one of the best and most influential players of his generation with team mates and even rivals showering him with praise at every encounter. He will definitely go down in history as one of the greatest British and welsh players to ever sport the jersey, even if he retires next season.

After remaining undefeated as the captain of two Lions tours against Australia and New Zealand he was awarded an OBE in the honours list of 2017, for his service to rugby. As he heads into his 10th year of club rugby

with the Cardiff Blues at the tender age of 29, we can only hope that he recovers to full fitness and finds his world class form for next season and the world cup.

On the international front, Gareth Anscombe has really hit his stride and proved that he can perform on the international stage. Anscombe really had a point to prove starting at fullback against England but managed to stay composed and have a stellar performance especially after moving to fly half in the second half and scoring the only points, hopefully this was not just a one-off performance.

CHWARAEON

BUCS Highlights

39

Best of Social Media

Cont’: Potential promotion for CURFC portunity for the students, rugby club, Students’ Union and University.

“The University aims to provide a broad range of playing opportunities for the sports club. We work closely with the Students’ Union to provide these opportunities.

“Super League rugby is at the top of the playing pyramid for the game in the higher education sector and we would support the Rugby club in their ambitions to get promoted and take part within the confines of having the sustainable budget and workforce required to do so.”

Great to see Wales international @JNavidi at the fortress supporting the Cobras today! Good luck for the rest of the 6 Nations! @CardiffCobras

Last-gasp win keeps Cobras season alive

Pictured: Top: Cardiff prepare for a scrum in their recent fixture with Swansea (via XO Photo) Bottom: Cobras running back Ross Ludlow (27) celebrates a TD (via Tallboy Images)

Michael Ash Cardiff City Columnist

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ate drama kept Cardiff Cobras’ playoff hopes alive as they edged Exeter 20-15 last Sunday.

They appeared to have slipped to another late defeat in a mirror image of their opening day defeat at the hands of the Demons back in October.

But they dug deep to string together a remarkable 65-yard touchdown drive which required just two plays when they got the ball back in the final minute.

Touchdowns from Jak Canham and Max McNeil-Smith ensured they held a narrow lead for the majority of the game.

Yet Exeter powered over the line with just a minute and a half remaining leaving the Cobras staring defeat in the face.

Undeterred by Exeter’s late score, quarterback Max Milburn found McNeil-Smith who hauled in a superb diving catch on the 25-yard line.

And the very next play saw Milburn connect with Canham over the middle of the field for the game-winning touchdown which sparked jubilant scenes.

The result kept their play-off hopes alive, and they built on the victory with an encouraging performance despite a narrow defeat at the hands of UWE on Wednesday.

The Bullets were firm favourites in the re-arranged game after winning the first

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econd place. A resurgent Cardiff have nipped in front of Aston Villa and secured their position for another week.

Since their 2-1 loss to QPR at the turn of the year, the Bluebirds have been undefeated in the Championship, winning five of their seven games and look as focused on reclaiming their Premier League status as they ever have.

After their win against Middlesbrough and the hard-fought 1-0 midweek victory over Ipswich Town, Cardiff have put the pressure back on league leaders Wolves, who dropped points in a dramatic finish at the Molineux.

fixture 38-16 and thrashing Plymouth 54-0 four days earlier to leapfrog them at the top of the standings.

Yet the Cobras put up a brave fight before eventually falling just short as UWE sealed the divisional crown.

After conceding a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, the Cobras defence responded well to shut down their opponents before Ross Ludlow raced away for a touchdown of their own early in the second quarter.

However, UWE threw a touchdown right on the stroke of half-time to give them a 14-6 lead – and a nervy, physical game ended with a scoreless second half.

Facing their third game in the space of a week, the Cobras were due to head to bottom of the table Solent Redhawks on Sunday knowing a victory would keep their hopes of reaching the play-offs alive, providing either Reading or Canterbury suffered defeat on the final day of the regular season.

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Congratulations @cardiffalumni @sarahhoefflin on winning gold in the women’s ski slopestyle @pyeongchang2018! @CardiffUniSport

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The @FAWFutsal Final went to extra time but a strike from @CHugh311 was enough to win it for us and make us Champions for the third time. @CdfUniFutsal

A dominant first-half display from Ipswich frustrated the visitors, but a clumsy Kenneth Zohore eventually found the net after completely missing the ball for what would have been a spectacular volley.

It was by no means a pretty spectacle, but the determination of the Cardiff players was evident, particularly in the second half when £5m January signing Gary Madine entered the fray. It was he who nodded down for Zohore’s eventual goal and opened up the game for Cardiff.

It’s a time of real excitement for the Bluebirds’ fans after a disastrous winter spell, only a frustrating FA Cup defeat to Manchester City could have put a damp-

ener on the club’s spirit this calendar year, and manager Neil Warnock will be hoping to keep this momentum going as the teams head into the business end of the season.

Promotion once again dangles temptingly in front of Cardiff City, much like it did in the Autumn months. Only the commitment of the players will determine the outcome of their campaign, and as yet, they cannot be faulted. Time and time again they have produced results when called upon, the injury crisis of the winter the only inhibitor of their season’s focus.

The fate of their season hangs on the outcome of the weekend’s derby with Bristol City. The result could be a catalyst for

future triumph or complacency could get the better of the squad.

It will be interesting to see how Warnock handles the upcoming fixtures, with a month of lower-table opposition to face, including three relegation candidates: Barnsley, Birmingham, and Burton. These should be relatively easy points for Cardiff, with an away fixture at Derby looking to be the only challenge during March, and they will be hoping for maximum marks.

It’s hustling time for the team situated in the bustling Welsh capital, and to not capitalise on a plethora of points this month will be nothing short of a disappointment for the Bluebirds.

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Rich Jones

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avies continued: “There are a lot of things behind the scenes that need to be put in place for us to go in there and make it sustainable.

“I think that is the appetite of the University, but it’s about putting that into an action plan and into a performance package.

“Putting things in place to progress further like we already have this year would be a bit of fun and something we’d look forward to doing.”

Whilst there would undoubtedly be obstacles which would need to be overcome, Cardiff University Head of Sport Stuart Vanstone insists they will look to support the rugby club in their endeavours.

In a statement to Gair Rhydd Sport, Vanstone stated: “The rugby club have had a very successful season at all levels so far and potential promotion to Super League rugby provides an exciting op-

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Rich Jones

40

SPORT

sport

@gairrhyddsport | #GRSport sport@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/category/sport

Opinion: English teams set for return to European dominance - Page 37

Hectic week for play-off chasing Cobras - Page 39

Title-winning Cardiff set for play-offs, but is promotion to BUCS Super Rugby on the cards?

EXCLUSIVE Rich Jones

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ardiff University Director of Rugby Alun Wyn Davies insists they could compete in the BUCS Super Rugby – but question marks remain over whether they would accept promotion to the showpiece competition.

After sealing the BUCS South A title, they will now enter the playoffs knowing success would give them the option to be promoted to the top tier of University rugby.

Gair Rhydd Sport understands discussions are already underway behind the scenes regarding the logistics of such a move and whether the University would facilitate the extra funding required.

Now in its second season, BUCS Super Rugby has become the flagship competition in University sport and has received extensive media coverage.

But with the WRU not recognising University rugby as a pathway to the professional game and therefore not offering the same funding as the RFU, the position of Cardiff University is complicated.

Their neighbours, Cardiff Met, were one of the founder members of the league two years ago and remain involved despite not receiving WRU funding.

Davies admits his side would love to test themselves against the top

teams in the country – although he knows it will require careful planning behind the scenes to enable them to accept promotion should they progress through the play-offs.

Davies said: “If we win the playoffs then we have the decision to make then – do we want to go up to Super Rugby?

“That would come down to us having conversations with the University itself to find out what the appetite is for us to be there.

“It’s a good headache to have I guess, and it shows what a successful season it’s been for the club to date.

“Super Rugby is growing into a fantastic league now, certainly from

a performance perspective.

“Unfortunately the WRU don’t see University rugby as a performance pathway, but the RFU do and they really support their clubs financially.

“It would be great to be in a position where people support the programme and we grow it externally with funding and sponsors.

“We were in this competition three years ago and we finished third. They’ve just put a shiny new name on it, and although it’s a tough competition we’re more than capable of competing at that level.

Pictured: Cardiff take a line-out in their recent win over Swansea Credit: Xander Opoku Facebook.com/ TheOriginal XOPhoto

Continued on p39