gair rhydd 996

gair rhydd Monday February 4th 2013 | freeword – Est. 1972 | Issue 996

£845,951.43 The amount paid in library fines since 2010 Opinion discuss new resolutions for the upcoming semester

p10

Special feature on the Taf-od sy’n trafod United Nation’s Responsibility y Cyfrifiad a’r iaith to Protect p14-6 Gymraeg p26

2 / Editor’s Note

gr

For more gair rhydd articles and a look back at the back catalogue - go to cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/gairrhydd

News 4–8 Opinion 9–12 Politics 14–17 Science 20–21 Societies 22–23 Taf-Od 25–26 Puzzles 28 Listings 29 Sport 34–36

EDITOR Chris Williams CO-ORDINATOR Elaine Morgan CREATIVE DIRECTOR Luke Slade SUB-EDITOR Tom Parry-Jones NEWS Kendal Archer Tom Eden Anna Hickman Bethan Jones OPINION Alex Greig Alice Briggs Nick Evans

I

A note from the editor...

t was over four years ago now, but I still remember even the first time I came to Cardiff's open day. Even th finer details of the day - looking around a flat which would eventually become mine in first year and strolling up the stairs looking eagerly into a news room of a paper I couldn't pronounce.

The main thing I remember, though, was how many gigs I wanted to go to whilst I was here.

COLUMNIST Katire Bennett-Davies POLITICS Thom Hollick Rachel Lewis SCIENCE Rhiannon Davies Alexey Underwood SOCIETIES Vanessa Platt LISTINGS Lowri Martinson TAF-OD Tomos Lewis SPORT Ross Martinovic James Shapland GAIR RHYDD AND QUENCH MAGAZINE ARE PUBLISHED BY UNIVERSITY UNION $"3%*'' 1"3, 1-"$& $"3%*'' $' 2/ t REGISTERED AS A NEWSPAPER AT THE POST 0''*$& t ("*3 3):%% 3&4&37&4 5)& 3*()5 50 &%*5 "-- $0/53*#65*0/4 t 5)& 7*&84 EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE 0' 5)& 16#-*4)&34 t ("*3 3):%% *4 83*5TEN, DESIGNED, TYPESET AND OUTPUT BY STUDENTS OF CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

I looked at some of the posters of bands playing and wanted to see pretty much all of them.

On getting here, I managed to see all the bands I wanted to see - with Frank Turner and Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip playing solus within weeks of eachother - I was in my element.

Looking back through the pictures, I was an eager fresher with years ahead of me and not a care in the world - how time flies so quickly. In a blink it was third

year and I was handing my dissertation in and discussing future careers.

I guesss this kind of nostlagia is a common theme amongst final years at the moment. This term seems to be just that, the nostaligc one where you try desperately to keep hold of the freedom you had last term / year.

First years: remember that you're only a first year once! After this year it all gets more serious - essays matter and people start

discussing ‘dissertations’ with you and questioning what you're going to do with your degree...

Not fun. Not fun at all. They say it goes fast and you won't believe them, but it really does!

To the rest of you, I've been there and done that, keeping hold of those little, stupid memeories can only be a good thing - particularly if it means you can embarress your mates about awkward moments from first year.

Want to help make the paper? gair rhydd would like to thank the following for their articles and help in making this issue: Contributors Matt Harding, Katie Griffiths Megan Heffey, Georgia Hammer Beth Gregory, Harry Thompson Lauren Boyd, Bethan Jones-Arthur Alex Aloi, Azim Premji Gareth Dunn, Dan Browne Bex Dunn, Sana Abubaker David Mason, Peter Marshall Alice Tobin, Angharad Hywel Rhys Jones, Grace Foulds Jo Southerd Proof Readers Michael O’Connell-Davidson Jacob Dirnhuber Anne Porter Verona Ong

Date of next meeting: 4th February, fourth floor of the union: 5pm 11th February, fourth floor of the union: 5pm

Proofreaders wanted!

Got a keen eye for grammar?

Or just enjoy free pizza on Thursday nights?

Come up to the office every Thursday for free pizza and proofing.

Writers / contributors / producers / camera operators / editors Join in at any time by coming to our Monday evening meetings at 5pm in the Students' Union.

3

Monday February 4th 2012 | @mediacsu

News in brief

Words & Design by Liam McNeilly

Netherlands:

Beatrix, Queen of the Netherlands, has announced her forthcoming abdication to make way for her son. Beatrix is the third successive Dutch monarch to abdicate following her mother and grandmother. Her son & heir apparent, Prince Willem-Alexander will take the position on April 30, 33 years to the day since Beatrix became queen.

Mali: France has made a call for peace talks regarding the

on-going Mali conflict after French troops captured the city of Kindal, the final settlement that was held by Islamist militants, who had occupied regions in the north of the country. A spokesperson for the French foreign minister made the announcement calling for talks to be held between the Mali government and representatives from the rebel groups. 330 British troops have also been deployed to help train the Malian soldiers in the South, and fears have been raised that they could be there for over a year.

Brazil:

Fire ripped through the Kiss nightclub in southern Brazil killing 233 people. The majority of the victims were students, studying at Universities in the city of Santa Maria. In a week that the country was prepared to celebrate 500 days until they host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the president, Dilma Rousseff declared three days of national mourning.

France:DavidBeckhamhasmadeadramaticreturntoEuropeUSA: A State hearing in to

the Newtown school shootings has heard the majority of residents call for greater gun control in an attempt to stop any such tragedy occurring again. Debate has raged in America since gunman Adam Lanza shot dead 26 people in a Connecticut school in December of last year. The debate has seen some maintaining that their constitutional right to bear arms is justified. Others beleive that gun laws need to be stricter in order to combat America's problem with gun crime.

an football, signing a five month deal with French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.TheformerEnglandInternationalalsoannouncedthat the wages he will earn during his stay in Paris, believed to be ÂŁ150,000 a week, will be donated to a local childrens charity earning the 37-year old wide spread praise.

In this week’s issue...

Adam Curtis suggests 'cultural ignorance' amongst students in run up to Go Global

Opinion discusses the ethics of music piracy and the future of music downloads. p9

p24

A follow up on last weeks 'Spotted' controversy.

Politics looks at the case for humanitarian intervention in the Middle East and North Africa.

Toriadau Trinity Mirror yn fygythiad i ddeunydd Cymreig y wasg yng Nghymru

p8

p14-16

p25

4 / News

Students fined £845, 000: Where’s it all going?

Matt Harding News Writer The Cardiff University libraries have collected a massive £845,000 in fines in the past three years.

This news comes despite the amount of fines collected in the previous two years falling consecutively from £306,243.79 collected in 2009/10, to £293,694.81 in 2010/11 before taking a huge drop to £246.012.83 in the previous academic year.

The figure is so large it would require each person at Cardiff University having to spend £8 to cover the sum.

28, 931

is the total number of books and pamphlets that were made available to students from 2010-12 Statistics covering the previous two years show that Cardiff University spends the second smallest amount on books out of all Universities in the Russell group. The money being spent, however, has been increasing over this academic year with Cardiff currently standing as the second highest spender on books in 2012/13 with 9,089 items, of the Russell Group Universities, only Birmingham having bought more. However the numbers are still disproportionate to the near £850,000 collected.

The University has also revealed that the total number of people who did not receive library fines in the previous academic year was just 9,000 of the

University’s 30,000 students.

This statistic provides that over two thirds of all students contribute to the overall educational debt.

Collected fines are required to be spent within the ‘Information Services’ of the University, an area that covers a wide range of expenses including staff salaries, operational costs, new books and pamphlets, and the purchasing of computer equipment. In fact, the only requirement for the spending of the fines by the University libraries is the replacement of missing items.

The sheer volume of fines collected does not compensate for the University’s position on purchasing new books. With the Vice Chancellor recently putting a great amount of emphasis on Cardiff University’s position in the Russell Group, the leading research universities in the UK, the spend on physical books is expected to be higher.

£30

is the total amount a student can accumulate in fines before they are not allowed to graduate Beth Button, the Education and Academic Affairs officer for the Students’ Union has responded to the story by stating, “as far as we know, library fines are part of the libraries budgeted income, so that's why some goes on staff costs.”

She added, “library fines should not be expected or antici-

pated and any money the University makes in library fines should be reinvested into the student experience. On the flip side, many SU’s are currently lobbying to introduce fine caps and we have one already at £10.”

£246, 283 is the total amount of library fines collected in the academic year 2011/12 Further controversy has been raised in the threat that final year students will not receive their certificates if they owe educational debt, including library fines. A spokesperson for the University stated, “The University chases up unpaid debts and where they exceed £30, the student is unable to collect their award certificate, nor attend graduation.”

All facts considered, there is a significant disparity between the number of physical books and sources added to the University libraries and the fines collected.

Whilst fines are not expected, they are budgeted for, with the University taking a particularly strong stand on students approaching graduation with outstanding debt.

With £845,000 added to the information services budget over the past three years, it’s surprising that Cardiff University remains at the lower end of the Russell Group spend list. However an effort is being made to improve their position, with Cardiff Universities spend second for the first half of this academic year.

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5

News 4–8

Monday February 4th 2013 | @gairrhyddnews

Anxiety for healthcare Drop in Welsh students after reshuffle University applicants Katie Griffiths News Writer

Last week, the Board of Trustees announced a proposal for the reshuffling of the Union’s Elected Officers. This involves reducing the current eight people to a six person Students’ Union Officer team. Whilst the Board asserts that the new structure will provide more efficient decision making, the scrapping of the Heath Park Campus Officer position has been met with some opposition.

The new structure sees the responsibilities of the Heath Park Officer and Education & University Affairs Officer dispersed amongst the College of Physical Sciences, College of Arts, HUMS & Social Sciences and the College of Biomed and Life Sciences Officers. As far as the healthcare students are concerned, their representation now lies in the hands of the latter.

The scrapping of the Heath Park Officer position has been met with some opposition This focus on education and welfare within each college is seen by the current Heath Park Campus Officer as a positive transformation that will not negatively implicate the representation of the healthcare students.

However, the importance of the current officer to the campus has been expressed by those such as Medicine student Ellie Parker.

She stressed the role’s relevance stating, “the Heath based courses are so different to normal courses; we need to have a representative.”

However, the Officer change does not mean that the healthcare students will not be represented by the new Union team structure. The College of Biomed & Life Sciences will correspond with the schools currently relying on the Heath Park Officer for support services and academic and social welfare amongst other aspects of student life. The difference is that, whilst supporting the schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Nursery and Midwifery, the College will also be aiding the Psychology and Biosciences Schools. Rather than remaining specific to the Heath Park Campus therefore, the new Officer will be responsible for a wider student body.

The Heath Park Officer is responsible for communication

Anna Hickman News Editor

between the healthcare students, the Students’ Union and the University on behalf of the healthcare students.

With recent improvements including petitioning for a bus to go between the Heath and the Union, the position has previously aided the campus specifically.

Another Medic student emphasised “I really don’t think they should get rid of the role, it’s very important.”

However, the change has not been met with anxiety by all healthcare students. Emily Trew, a second year nursing student sees the benefits of focusing on individual schools rather than the campus, saying, “I think we will be better represented as it will be more specific to our course area rather than a campus area.”

There are also those who saw the role of Heath Park Campus Officer as ambiguous and welcomed the change and legitimisation of their representation.

Erin Gourley, a third year medicine student asserted this, saying, “the fact that the roles are more differentiated would definitely make me feel more represented and the title makes the role more obvious as "Heath Park Campus Officer" doesn’t really give you any information; it sounds like a great idea.”

Some students also expressed uncertainty regarding the current Officer’s role. Third year Medic Amrit Singh said, “being a third year, I’m still not too sure of the role of the Heath Park Campus Officer, so I am not entirely sure what the impact of the shuffle will be. However, I hope that the opinions of healthcare students

will still be represented.” Other healthcare students had similar responses, with one stating, “I don’t know what any of the officers do or who they are to be honest.”

The current Heath Park Officer, Hannah Pask, has commented on the reshuffle, reassuring students, “there has been a clause put into the job description of the Education and Welfare Officer to ensure a Union presence will remain at the Heath and continue to deal with the issues around studying on the seperate campus.

I think students are disgruntled because it looks like a massive change. It may look like my role is being lost, but in fact it is growing!”

There are also those who saw the role of Heath Park Officer as ambiguous and welcomed the change If the AGM cements the proposal, the Students’ Union will seek to continue the representation of these healthcare students sufficiently with education and welfare at the centre of improvement. However, whether the greater emphasis on integration rather than treating the Heath Park Campus as a separate entity is a negative or positive change remains to be seen.

The number of applications to Welsh universities has fallen by 2.1 per cent, bucking the overall trend from the rest of the UK which has seen a rise of 3.5 per cent in applications, according to UCAS. However, there has been a rise in those wanting to attend Welsh universities from outside Wales, offsetting the thirteen per cent increase in the number of Welsh students choosing to study outside of Wales.

These figures have dispelled fears over the Welsh government’s tuition fee policy for Welsh students that involved a ‘top-up’ contribution to tuition fees above £3,500 for Welsh students, even if they are not studying in Wales. With average tuition fees in England at £8,500, this means that for each Welsh student studying over the border, the Welsh government provides a £5,000 subsidy for them per year.

In 2012, more than 7,000 Welsh students chose to study outside of Wales – a thirteen per cent increase on the year before. As a result, the Welsh government paid £31 million in fees to universities in other parts of the UK. It is hoped that these figures would be offset by the number of students from outside Wales paying the full tuition fees of up to £9,000, charged by some universities, including Cardiff. Education experts were concerned that the £1.5 billion policy might not

be sustainable if fewer students came from outside Wales, paying the full fees.

However, the number of English students enrolling at universities in Wales in 2012 fell by nearly 17% compared to the previous year.

Shadow Education Minister Angela Burns has accused the Welsh government of “not doing the maths” following the latest figures. “If the greatest proportion of the decline in applications to Welsh universities is from fullfee paying English students, this makes it very difficult for the Welsh government to balance the books.”

According to calculations, it will take around 24,000 English learners studying in Wales to mitigate money spent on 16,000 Welsh undergraduates going the other way.

Deian Hopkin, a member of the High Education Commission UK stated: “I don’t think anyone can deny we’re moving into somewhat uncertain territory.”

“For a variety of reasons, applications to Wales and indeed, enrolments in Wales last year dropped faster than perhaps people had hoped.”

These latest figures from across the UK suggest that the downward trend has stopped but there are only limited signs of a return to a growth in applications.

6 / News

Snow causes disruptions to 39 exams Tom Eden News Editor Exam timetable changes brought about by the snow in Cardiff in January caused widespread anger and confusion for those affected.

On both January 18th and 22nd, it was announced via the University's Facebook and Twitter accounts that the 9:00am exams were to be delayed by half an hour. The decision was made by the University in an attempt to reduce the impact of the potential problems faced by students getting to their exams.

Despite the good intention, both the timing and manner of the announcements were subject to criticism, as they were made only an hour before the exams were due to start and the usual channels of communication – text and email – were eschewed.

The University's policy to

leave the decision on whether to cancel or shift exams until one hour before its scheduled start, is in place to determine whether venues can be safely opened and if there are sufficient staff available to invigilate an examination.

Based on the published disruption to the transport in and around Cardiff, including the cancellation of the University Hall bus, the University deemed the half-hour delay appropriate.

In total, 39 exams were affected across the two days, and the main concern from students was the perceived poor communication from the University.

Speaking to Xpress Radio’s The Cardiff Gazette, Education Officer Beth Button said, “In some

situations, they [the University] didn’t have time to text in the morning or email, so the only updates students received were on Facebook and Twitter, which is unacceptable.”

A spokesperson for the University argued that the information was published via Twitter and Facebook because, “At the time, it was the most prompt method of reassuring students that examinations would take place notwithstanding the adverse weather conditions.”

One student even commented on one of the Facebook statuses asking whether this was ''the

worst frape ever.'' Another student claimed to have had the misfortune of reading the Facebook comment and turned up at 9:30am, only to find the exam had started half an hour previously.

The lack of co m m u n i c a tion seems to have spread not only between the University and its students, but also to exam invigilators, where there was apparent confusion over the genuine start time of exams.

Many universities in South Wales cancelled exams allto ge t h e r, an idea that seemed popular based on students' Facebook comments. Button disagreed, claiming it would be a “logistical nightmare,”

and stressed that the University would take any decision with the students safety at the forefront of their mind.

Many students informed the University that they were unable to attend their exams, and a spokesperson for the University advised that, “if they believe the snow adversely affected their performance in an examination, they should report it in writing to their academic school.” All decisions would “be taken on a caseby-case basis,” in accordance with the University’s policy on extenuating circumstances. Furthermore, Button added, “the Advice and Representation Centre here in the Students' Union will be more than happy to help students in any way that they can.”

For all your university news tune into Xpress Radio’s The Cardiff Gazette, with Lucy Barclay, Pete Robertson and Chris Browning. at 1:00pm on Mondays.

7

News 4–8

Monday February 4th 2013 | @gairrhyddnews

Students Chief Executive of Students ’ Union left out in honoured for the cold lifesaving rescue Megan Heffey News Writer

Students living in one of Cardiff University’s student residences have recently experienced a chilly start to 2013 without heat and hot water in a snowy January due to boiler failure.

Cardiff University’s Talybont Halls of Residence, comprised of several accommodation sites at North, South and Court, is one of the largest student residence complexes in the city and has been experiencing maintenance issues in the past few weeks.

January has seen Cardiff hit by heavy snow showers, leaving the city blanketed in icy cold conditions in which these maintenance issues can be dangerous.

A Cardiff University spokesperson has commented that this type of problem is not uncommon at this time of year. “With the size and complexity of the University's estate, it is not uncommon to have reports of problems with heating and hot water.

Obviously we rely on the residents to advise us of any difficulties as soon as possible.”

These problems have been exacerbated by the wintery conditions, but the spokesperson has confirmed that emergency measures are in place to deal with these problems as soon as they are brought to the attention of the residence managers. Initial repair efforts are made by “the handy persons on site” who act quickly to identify and rectify any problems reported.

For some students who may be spending their first winters away

from home, the lack of home comforts available to them could have been extremely distressing.

However, the Cardiff University spokesperson went on to confirm that these problems are resolved as quickly as possible where “in the worst case scenario and a boiler needs replacing, we aim to achieve this within 24/48 hours.”

Emergency measures are in place to deal with these problems Students have been assured that flats experiencing any problems with built in heating systems that cannot be resolved quickly will be provided with “additional heaters and alternative shower facilities.” Recognising the situations as being “inconvenient to residents” the spokesperson has acknowledged that students would be provided with “alternatives where needed and within reasonable time limits.”

With a further frosty snap which has been forecast for the beginning of February, students are reminded that “from Monday to Friday, any maintenance faults must be reported to your residence’s reception during office hours” and are further advised to contact and report any problems regarding maintenance of university residential properties outside normal office hours to University Security on (029) 2087 4444.

Kendal Archer News Editor Cardiff’s Chief Executive, Jason Dunlop, 40, saved a woman from imminent death in the floodwaters in Umberleigh. A Penarth RNLI volunteer, Mr Dunlop facilitated the rescue and aided the team by his role as a driver. His efforts will be recognised with the thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum.

Mr Dunlop made up part of the team on the shore, playing a vital role supporting the group of men on the boat throughout the rescue process. He braved the flooded roads to reach the launch site, and, once there, helped to make very important decisions with the team during the incident.

Vanessa Glover, 46, was saved from floodwaters in Umberleigh, Devon in the early hours of the morning on December 23rd.

Alongside Mr Dunlop, three members of the RNLI’s Flood Rescue Team, two of whom were volunteers, will also receive awards for their outstanding bravery and successful rescue.

Mrs Glover was swept from her car after powerful floodwaters forced the car off the road. Her seven-year-old son and husband were left clinging to the vehicle as she was dragged out into the water. She managed to cling on to a branch, which prevented her from being immediately swept away down the river.

Porthcawl RNLI volunteer and Boat Team Leader Paul Eastment, 46, helmsman Chris Missen, 25, and Crew Member Martin Blaker-Rowe, 33, all took to the water to save the terrified Mrs Glover.

The waters of the River Taw had risen to a incredible 3.5 metres above its normal height, and was moving at a rate of 12 knots.

Large quantities of debris were being carried in the floodwater, which posed an even greater threat to Mrs Glover.

The three men braved the

floodwaters in a modified Arancia rescue boat, with Chris Missen, 25, at the helm. The water was still rising as heavy rainfall continued and lighting was poor due to the time. A bridge downstream also posed a danger, as the flood waters were moving fast enough to force a boat beneath the bridge if the RNLI members lost control of the boat at any time.

Unfamiliar with the area, they braved the water as the rescue helicopter was over an hour away and initial rescue attempts had been unsuccessful.

Chris manoeuvred the boat

Mr Dunlop facilitated the rescue and aided the team by his role as a driver expertly, using only the light of the crew’s head torches and a small spotlight. He moved it downstream of Mrs Glover and managed to maintain a steady position, no small feat in the deteriorating and difficult conditions.

Martin and Paul reached over

and pulled Mrs Glover into the boat. She had been in the water for 50 minutes before they were able to rescue her. She expressed her gratitude, saying, “I want to thank you for your bravery, courage, determination, professionalism and commendable quality of character.” She added, ”I will hold you in my heart forever.

Thank you for saving my life.”

As a result of their outstanding bravery, Paul Eastment will be awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry, which is one of the institution’s highest accolades.

Both Martin Blaker- Rowe and Chris Missen will receive Bronze Medals for Gallantry.

Eastment said, “I was amazed and delighted, gobsmacked even, when I heard I’d been awarded an RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry. For our actions during this rescue to be recognised is the proudest moment of my career.

Most importantly for me was the recognition for the whole team – the risk to all of us was significant – and each member of the team was vital to the success of the rescue.” The RNLI members have been justly awarded for their bravery.

Check out gair rhydd next week for full, in depth analysis of the AGM, in association with the Cardiff Gazette, Xpress Radio and CUTV

8 / News

Spotted: controversy continues Georgia Hammer News Writer

Last week’s issue of gair rhydd investigated the expanding phenomenon that is “Spotted”, the latest university craze to hit our Facebook pages, and the resulting complaints that have been made to University officials. Speaking to students around Cardiff University it would certainly seem there are mixed views surrounding the matter - are Spotted pages truly a cause for concern?

Whilst most agreed the general idea is a “relatively harmless bit of fun,” as put by Sarah McAnallen, it is easy to see how the issue has the potential to escalate. She added, “I personally don’t really see much of a problem with it, but I guess it’s easy for it to get out of hand if it is not correctly monitored. I suppose you might feel differently if it were directed at you.”

is likely to be quite a concern, especially as underneath many of the posts people are identified by their peers. While there is no doubt that many of the posts are witty and of a nature that allows students to have a mutual laugh, as the number of likes grow, so do the problems associated with such pages.”

Rhys Thomas added, “It is difficult to fully guarantee the legitimacy of posts as the majority come from peers who are simply

constructing stories for point scoring and entertainment.”

A number of the posts have been seen to encourage the objectification of women in particular; posts commenting on individuals who have caught someone’s eye for one reason or another. Whilst some viewed this as a form of “flattery,” Alice Lawrence noted that “the crude nature of the majority of posts is far from flattering.”

Cardiff’s own “Spotted: Taly-

bont” is a growing phenomenon, receiving over 700 likes on Facebook since its creation on 20th January. Speaking to the creator behind the page, who wished not to be named, they were quick to defend it stating: “It was never my intention to harm or insult, merely to provide laughs.”

When asked about their reasoning for setting up the page they stated: “I had seen a lot of these Spotted pages cropping up throughout the last few months

It is easy to see how the issue has the potential to escalate Speaking to a Student Ambassador, the issue over personal attacks on individuals was raised: “Considering some of the Spotted pages have nearly 1000 likes and counting, the resulting embarrassment for a subject of a post

and found them utterly hilarious, providing they didn't go overboard. I created “Spotted: Talybont” with the foremost intention of creating cheap laughs, but I can't help but feel it's helped create a bit of a sense of community around the place too. I understand that a lot of the Spotted pages have the inclination to turn silly, resulting in personal and physical attacks. That was never my aim and - as far as I can see - something that's never been done.”

One of the major concerns over the pages is the lack of moderation, with each being set up by anonymous students, posts made public at each creator’s discretion. Yet it was reassuring to hear in this case action is being taken to ensure claims are made in good nature; “When something that I feel could actually upset a person, when it's malicious rather than joking or with humorous intent, it's not posted.”

Following last weeks gair rhydd article it was suggested they get in contact with the Students’ Union, “I've sent them a mail explaining that it was never my intention to harm or insult, merely to provide laughs and create friendships”.

Although currently waiting on a response from the Union they confirmed, “If they aren't happy then I'll take it down.”

Letters: The President Responds Sir, Subject: Elected officer ‘reshuffle’ and the opportunities it brings.

You may be aware that it is the intention of the Trustees of the Students’ Union to bring the size of the full time elected officer team in line with other Union's of our size and standing; from 8 to 7.

There are many ways in which this can be done and many opinions on the best way. ‘Reviews’ have been conducted before, mostly by officers themselves but have always compromised to the extent that nothing really improves for anyone.

It was my opinion that an independent third party with some knowledge of our Union would be best placed to consult with students and make insightful recommendations. That, they did.

The recommendations were supported in full by the entire Full Time Elected Officer team and will be coupled with fresh job descriptions for discussion and approval at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thurs-

gair rhydd and Quench

Monday January 28th 2013 | freeword – Est. 1972 | Issue 995

Sabbatical Reshuffle Gambling with the Union’s future?

Spotted: Gone

p5>>

Union ask Cardiff ‘Spotted:’ Facebook pages to close

p4>> On the other hand... discusses the implications of an EU referendum p12

Politics reports on the Liberal Democrat review of Trident replacements

p15

Brwydr rhwng Eos a’r BBC yn parhau p24

day 7th February.

The bulk of the recommendations centre around using the review as an opportunity to react to massive changes at the University. In the past year, the University has appointed an entire new senior leadership team and structure. We need to keep up.

Our 27 academic schools now report to three ‘colleges’, each headed up by a Pro Vice-Chancellor (the second highest rank in a University). If we elect a Vice President of the Union to represent each of these colleges, we will have a direct line to influence these senior staff members, a seat at the College Boards and a loud voice at the very top of the University.

We are here to represent all Cardiff students. Now’s our chance.

Proposed positions: Students' Union President; VP College of Physical Sciences for Education and Welfare; VP College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for Education and Welfare; VP College of Biomedical and Life Sciences for Education and Welfare; VP Sports and AU President; VP Societies and Campaigns; VP Student Media and Marketing.

Harry Newman Students’ Union President

Come to AGM to have your say and vote on the proposal. 6pm, 7th Feb, Great Hall.

9

Opinion 9-12

Monday February 4th 2013| @gairrhyddop

For & Against

The digital pirates of the Caribbean Antigua has requested the right to start a 'pirate' website without paying copyright charges. Harry Thompson and Beth Gregory question the ethics behind piracy and whether such trading should move towards legality.

T

For

he United States of America this week warned Antigua and Barbuda not to go ahead with its plans to create a 'piracy website', despite a ruling by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), stating that the two-island nation was within its rights to do so. Although strict public rhetoric in favour of free trade, the US created this situation by banning its citizens from using gambling websites based on the islands. This gave Antigua the right to suspend US intellectual property rights, something which according to the Americans amounts to 'governmentsanction piracy'.

There is a wider point as to whether the war against piracy can be won, or, indeed, if it even should be. Nick Bilton of The New York Times described attempts at stopping online piracy as “like playing the world's largest game of Whac-A-Mole,” a scramble to find illegal material and remove it piece-by-piece. When you consider that uploading a YouTube video takes minutes, and finding and requesting a YouTube video be removed can take weeks, you begin to realise the almost-painful futility of fighting online piracy. Many students will have firsthand experience about the ease of finding free versions of music or television programmes online, as a survey found that 70% of internet users found nothing wrong with internet piracy.

As well as being unavoidable,

internet piracy is also in many ways a good thing. A photo making the rounds on Facebook was captioned 'Respect your parents – they made it through school without Google or Wikipedia'.

Whilst both legal, Google is often the gateway to internet piracy, and Wikipedia espouses the principles of freedom of information that are so often cited by defenders of piracy. Despite being an obvious attempt at humour, the photo unknowingly makes a wider point. The internet has made education easier. Complete freedom of information, and all the benefits it brings, is synonymous with internet piracy. One cannot exist without the other. As soon as governments regulate the internet, they won't stop at television programmes and music. They'll ban the free distribution of anything that could otherwise make private companies a profit.

Internet access rates are rising fast in developing nations, opening up endless reams of information to those who would previously have seen a few textbooks with limited information as an absolute luxury. The number of people using the internet in Africa was 4.5 million in 2000, and is 167 million today. Freedom of information is primed to cause an educational revolution in areas that could never have dreamed of such opportunities in the past, and 'internet piracy' ('internet freedom'?) is a large part of that.

Let us not stop it just as it picks up speed. HT

M

“

The New York Times described attempts at stopping online piracy as “like playing the world's largest game of Whac-AMole”

Against

ost people will, at some point or another, have downloaded films or songs illegally, and as students, this seems pretty easily justified. Music fans living on a student budget are bound to be tempted by illegal downloading, especially when CD’s or MP3 downloads are often so expensive. However, although it seems like a tempting, and not to mention easy way to save money, artists that fans wish to listen to and support will often pay the price.

In order to support musicians, it is important to make the effort to buy their music. While it is true that some bands are filthy rich, many other talented musicians, particularly small, upcoming, hardworking bands, need this financial support in order to get off the ground. Any true music fan will want to support the bands they love listening to. Not only is avoiding piracy good for musicians, but it is also good for the consumer. More often than not, pirate copies aren’t going to be the best quality. Listening to quiet or crackly music because it’s been downloaded from a torrenting website is nowhere near as enjoyable as listening to a high-quality version, the way it was meant to be heard.

Of course, many musicians understand the appeal of illegal downloads, and will use this to their advantage, often giving out free downloads to fans. Some

artists (such as hip-hop collective Odd Future) don’t sell any records at all. Instead, they will make all of their music available for free download via websites such as Tumblr, making their money through selling merchandise in pop-up stores and online to a dedicated fan base, using a clever PR strategy. While not all bands can do this, it’s a unique, legal and free way to obtain music and still support those that can. So when you know you can get decent quality music, support the bands you enjoy, and still often get the music cheap or even free, why download illegally?

Even though it seems like most people download their music illegally, many others will agree that it’s better to invest in music. In fact there has been a rise of music fans investing in more traditional methods of music consumption.

It was stated at the beginning of the year that sales of Vinyl LP’s have grown for the fifth successive year, and in 2012 there was an increase in LP sales of 15.3% compared to 2011. It is clear that what music fans really want is solid, physical copies of music.

Fans want to purchase music and show support for the bands they love, not illegally download questionable quality music illegally, so that bands continually ? om suffer. BG on d.c i in yd op rrh an gai ot @ G on i in op

10 / Opinion Abrams' galatic monopoly Lauren Boyd Opinion Writer Whatever you think about JJ Abrams directing Star Wars Episode VII, at least George Lucas isn’t doing it. Even Lucas admits his dialogue is no good – Harrison Ford famously said to him “you can type this s***, George, but you sure can’t say it”. Lucas doesn’t like writing or directing anyway – he’s only interested in editing and special effects. If you let Lucas write and direct, Star Wars Episodes I–III happen.

Not only is JJ Abrams not George Lucas (although that is a pretty good start), chances are you like him: 91% of people on Rotten Tomatoes liked the version of Star Trek he directed. He also has a history of directing other good science-fiction such as Super 8 and Lost.

There are some things that can be expected from Star Wars VII. Firstly, that it won’t come out on time: Abrams’ films never do.

Secondly, it will probably have a female protagonist like the TV shows Felicity, Alias and Fringe, directed by Abrams. Lastly, it should be a spectacle because Abrams loves special effects (not as much as George Lucas, but nobody likes special effects as much as George Lucas). The main risk is that it turns into Star Wars Episode VII: Attack of the Lens Flare. He tends to use lens flares in every other scene, for no discernible reason.

Abrams admitted that he wasn’t that much of a Star Trek fan – he was more interested in Star Wars. This turned out to be a good thing though, because he made a Star Trek film that could be enjoyed by most people, even those who weren’t fans of the series. I don’t like the first Star Trek series, but I certainly enjoyed Abrams’ film.

This might make him a perfect choice if he could do Star Trek without even being a fan, imagine what he could do for Star Wars. At the same time, Super 8, a tribute to early Spielberg films, just isn’t as good a film as Star Trek.

Abrams will be working with the screenwriter Michael Arndt, who won an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine as well as writing Toy Story 3. At least the dialogue won’t be awful and it shouldn’t be like the other Star Wars films, which are all spectacle and no plot.

JJ Abrams will probably make a decent Star Wars film. My main issue is that if he’s directing Star Wars VII, he’s not directing Star Trek III.

New semester, new start

Opinion writer Bethan Jones-Arthur gives her opinion on New Year's resolutions and presents us with a few more realistic goals that she has set herself for this coming semester

I

do believe it's that time of year again... Hands up who's already given up on the gym? How many of us have exceeded our weekly takeaway limit already? Who tried to give up drinking, then remembered Lidl sells wine for under three quid?

I thought so.

Yup, 'tis the season of selfimprovement – or it is until everyone decides that 'love thyself' is a better philosophy to live by. I myself am guilty of making resolutions, and have been for a few years now.

When I was ten I resolved to get the boy in my class – who looked like Ash from Pokémon – to notice me (he didn't) When I was 10, I resolved to get the boy in my class - who looked like Ash from Pokémon - to notice me (he didn't); when I was 14, I tried to lose weight (I didn't), and when I was 16 I was deter-

mined to give up watching reality TV (I then discovered Hoarders and it's been my life ever since.

Seriously, it's the best show ever and makes you feel like the most organised person in the world). I gave it a miss in 2012, what with the imminent apocalypse and all that, but I've decided to jump back on the bandwagon for my first 'new year' in university. I tried to bypass all the typical resolutions and have really delved deep into my soul to find possibly life-changing new endeavours, so here they are: I will stop using film references to justify and/or help determine what I do in my everyday life.

From now on, it is unacceptable to use 'the limit does not exist' as the answer for every maths question. I am no longer allowed to give 'McLovin' as my name in Starbucks. I will, however, keep repeating the mantra "you is kind, you is smart, you is important" to myself in the mirror because it is a fantastic boost to my confidence. So there.

I will try to avoid adopting other people's accents during a conversa-

1

11

tion with them.

I think I get this from my grandfather and I swear I don't even do it on purpose, but if you expect me to listen to a Scouser for more than 30 seconds and not subconsciously imitate them, you are asking too much. (Other accents that have almost caused me to get beaten up: West Country, Texan, North Wales.)

I will finally accept that a onesie is not appropriate daywear in any situation.

Wearing an oversized babygro is apparently never 'adorable', 'sweet' or 'cute'. Who knew, right?!

All in all, I know these resolutions are ridiculous. But I personally believe all New Year's resolutions are ridiculous. Why wait til January 1st, or the first day of a new semester? If we want to change something about ourselves, we can. No one needs a set date - let's just do this at our own pace.

Confession: I might just be preaching this because I have broken all of my resolutions already. I'll start back next semester. Honest.

111

Unexpected item in bagging area Alex Aloi Opinion Writer Since coming to Cardiff to study, Tesco has proved to be a good source of bargains and cheap groceries, helping me stay well fed and within my measly university student budget. I imagine this is the case for many students at Cardiff. After all, having limited funds limits your options in terms of food. That, to me, is the scariest part of the revelation that horse meat was found in some Tesco hamburgers – many of my fellow classmates could being buying said hamburgers right now.

I'd like to think that, for a university student on a budget, I eat a fairly healthy diet. But the fact of the matter is that I just don't have the funds to go out to the local farmers market and triple check that everything I buy is 100 per cent organic. With large tuition and residence fees looming over my head and a limited supply of cash in my checking account, Tesco is often the best option for food. The supermarket is not only cheap, but convenient - there's a Tesco near University Hall on Albany road, one in the City Centre, and one not that far from Talybont. And while beggars can't exactly be choosers, I'd like to think that

if I'm going to get a beef hamburger from Tesco that it would be made of beef.

What really angers me is that this is clearly the case of a regulatory oversight. To be fair, authorities have repeatedly insisted that the burgers pose no real threat to our health. After all, horse meat is perfectly edible. More disturbing is the nagging question at the back of my mind: "what if it hadn't been horse meat?" I don't want to insight a panic with this article – if there were any other contaminants they most likely would have been found around the

same time as the horse meat was.

However, this event cannot help but shake my faith in the food system. I may be buying cheap food, but that doesn't mean that I don't care about my own personal health and well being.

I want to be able to trust the system. I want to believe that the companies and regulatory agencies have my back, and that I can buy whatever I can afford to buy.

And there is plenty going on to assuage my fears.

Te s c o

is pulling the burgers from its shelves and the plants responsible for making the patties are undergoing changes in management and instituting new methods for the detection of contaminants in their products.

Yet I cannot help but feel that some sort of breach of trust has been made. I was under no impression that I was buying the best of the best when it came to food. I knew that I was relying on Tesco because of prices and convenience. But I thought that I could at least count on the food I was buying to contain what was put on the label.

Ultimately, Tesco still undersells most other grocery stores which are accessible to students, so I don't expect myself or any other student to be starting a boycott anytime soon. As a university student, I need to save money where I can. I'm willing to bet that most students on this campus feel the same way. Still, maybe it's worth considering alternatives to Tesco and other bargain supermarkets if we run the risk of buying unsafe food.

When it comes down to it, the best response is to be a smart consumer and know what you’re buying and where it comes from.

Opinion 9–12

Monday February 4th 2013 | @gairrhyddop

11

Nightline...Lifeline

This week, Opinion writer Azim Premji interviews members of Cardiff University's Nightline and looks around their offices to find out who they are and what the people on the other end of the phone stand for

A

new year and a new start, this seems like a relevant time to discuss the various forms of support that the Union and University provide for its students. Support is wide-ranging, from careers fayres to the Advice and Representation Centre on the third floor of the Students' Union.

A service that provides for students that perhaps isn’t so visible is Nightline. If you’ve never heard of it, take your student card out of your purse/wallet and look just above your student id number, you’ll see a little logo that says ‘nightline’ and a cascading number.

Nightline is a UK-wide charity that started in the 70s and operates in many different universities across the UK. Explained most simply, it is a hotline that you can ring for any reason you feel is necessary, whether you feel as if you need someone to talk to as you walk home from town or if it’s to get the number of your nearest takeaway. Even if you feel like you need to talk to a stranger where a friend won’t do, they’re there for you.

Each university’s individual Nightline is run independently of the higher organisation, as long as it adheres to the charity’s five principles: it must be confidential, non-advisory, anonymous, non-judgemental and non-directive. Our Nightline, which is funded mainly by the SU (who the service would like to thank for being such a massive help and for helping with their rebranding), but it is also available to students of UWIC, Glamorgan and Royal Welsh College, and the service is currently trying to contact them to help contribute to the costs of operation.

The people who operate the phones from 8pm–8am every single night are there to listen to you, not to tell you what to do and not to judge you. Accord-

Nightline is a UK-wide charity that started in the 70s and operates in many different universities across the UK

ing to the representative I met, the service receives a lot of callers who phone in with a rant/issue that they’ve had pent up for too long and find it beneficial when the call-taker objectively summarises their problem in a calm and level-headed manner.

The service encourages ‘selfhelp’ not ‘forced help’.

Nightline believes one of its primary duties is acting as a ‘bridge’ for students entering an unfamiliar and often intimidating environment for the first time. Universities, because of their size and nature, lack the pastoral aspect that school and sixth forms often have and the support the SU offers for students who need that pastoral aspect is often seen as ‘counselling’. The fact is that a lot of students don’t need ‘counselling’, they just want someone to talk to. Another instance where Nightline acts as a ‘bridge’ is for international students who come from cultures where perhaps, drinking and partying (which, let’s face it, Cardiff does its fair share of) aren’t the norm and which those students may find intimidating.

Nightline categorises every call it gets in a variety of ways: listening, silent, male, female, etc. The most common type of call they receive are listening calls. The average call lasts 45 minutes, but can go on for up to three hours. Can you imagine sitting and just listening for three hours? I can barely tolerate my mother on the phone after five minutes, to listen to a complete

CALLING NIGHTLINE

stranger and empathise with them for three hours is selfless and noble.

The service receives, on average, four calls a night which may not seem like a lot, but when you consider the aforementioned length of calls, those four calls can be incredibly important for the individuals who feel the need to phone in. Unfortunately, the service does receive some ‘problem callers’. These are defined as callers who attempt to abuse either the call-taker or the system. Callers have been known to insult call-takers for no apparent reason and also to abuse the ‘listening-oriented nature’ of the service to tell call-takers potentially dark and or sexual fantasies. Nightline’s policy with ‘problem callers’ is to ask them to stop, initially. If they continue to be problematic, they are to be put on hold for two minutes and if, when the call-taker returns, they are still problematic, the call-taker is within their rights to hang up on them.

Nightline will only break its ‘anonymity’ and ‘confidentiality’ policies in two circumstances.

Firstly, if there is a threat of terrorism, the service is legally obliged to inform police as soon as possible. This is not the charity's choice, as it has been bound up in legislature with regards to terrorism, as has every citizen of the UK. Secondly, if there is an incident of ‘active’ child abuse, the service is morally obliged to inform police. ‘Active’ child abuse is defined as child abuse which is currently ongoing or

has occurred recently. If a caller mentions abuse which happened a long time ago, potentially in their childhood, the service will not contact authorities.

I’m aware that I have been portraying the service as dealing with dark and complex issues and they do but they do it so optimistically and in the most positive way possible. I met three levels of call-taker; a Newie (first year), an Oldie (second year or more) and a Board Member. The structure of Nightline in Cardiff is much like any other society, the board is internally elected at the end of every year and they have socials.

There was an evident feeling of closeness and family among the members of the team that I met, especially the most senior member, who evidently cared greatly about the staff. There’s definitely a hierarchical support network within Nightline, a new recruit will have to complete a full day’s training, including talks with representatives from LGBT+ and Mental Wealth and training in not just ‘having a chat’ on the phone, but actively listening to callers.

Nightline recruits twice a year, receiving 150 applicants on average but due to the distribution of resources and the effort of training, are only able to accept 40 new recruits each time.

The female to male ratio of new recruits is roughly 4:1 and Nightline is actively trying to recruit more male team members.

So if you’re considering joining Nightline and for whatever reason, whether it’s something you feel passionate about, you can see room for improving the service or if you’re looking for a way to boost your CV for potential employers, you will need to be a selfless and dedicated person to give up your time and energy for the good of others.

If you ever need Nightline, consider the advice I was given by one of its call-takers, ‘Never even consider that your call may be too big or too small, if you need us, we’re here for you.’

Never even consider that your call may be too big or too small, if you need us we’re here for you

12 / Columnist

by Katie Bennett-Davies

What a Cat-astrophe...

L

ast weekend I had an interesting time, and by interesting I mean expensive. I have a kitten named Didi, who is cute as a button and loyal as a dog.

My husband got her for me as a surprise birthday present, and we have been putty in her paws since the day she first set foot in our flat. Any pet owners among you will know that animals provide an endless supply of funny stories, just look at Marley and Me. If Didi had her own movie, last weekend would have been a great scene to add. Sadly, I don’t think I am about to make millions from a movie blockbuster about my kitten, at least she provided me with content for this week’s column I suppose.

On Sunday morning when we woke to find her crying and howling incessantly, we were like panicked parents of a new born child. After changing her water, giving her food and doing everything else we could think of, we did that stupid thing you always see on American sitcoms. We started talking to her, asking her to show us what she wanted. If a baby can’t, I have no idea how a kitten would show their owner what they wanted. What can I say? Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I decided it would be a good idea to seek advice so I turned to my parents, lifelong cat lovers and owners. Peculiarly, however, they didn’t answer the phone at ten to nine on a Sunday morning. Make of that what you will. I tried their mobile numbers, and for all of the times they’ve moaned about me not answering my phone, they didn’t flipping pick up the phone either. I was forced to turn to trusty Google in an attempt to learn to be a vet in a couple of minutes by typing in various combina-

tions of words. The problem was though that other than a lot of moaning, rolling around on the floor and a sore part on her tummy, Didi didn’t have any other symptoms, and all of the possible diagnoses included sickness, swollen stomach or a description of poop that didn’t match. Yup, checking for that one was a fun activity. In a moment of genius (read sarcasm) I decided to share my predicament with all of my Facebook friends in the hope that one of them might be able to save me an expensive trip to vets. In hindsight, I imagine most people didn’t want to read a description of my cat’s bowel movements that early in the day.

“

The moral of this tale of woe? When a cat is horny, you're going to know about it.

While I waited for cat lovers to share their wisdom on my wall, I continued to ring my parents. Finally they answered and confirmed what Paul and I had hoped to avoid – we had to take her to the vets. Sigh. If you have ever had pets you’ll know that it’s a costly enough affair going to vets, let alone when it’s out of hours. To make the whole thing seem more dramatic Didi provided a background soundtrack by continuing to cry in the most pathetic and heart wrenching tone.

I hoped the couple upstairs with the baby couldn’t hear her. When we rang the emergency vet they told us that at the very least we would need to pay £80 to bring her in. Ouch. Add to that £5 each way for the taxi. Now I was really praying there wasn’t something seriously wrong with my little ball of fluff. To my shame, I kept imaging awful scenarios in which

Didi

would have to undergo some long and, more importantly, expensive treatment. For all of her wonderful traits, my kitty can be pretty naughty. I’ve never seen a kitten who attempts to digest so many random and potentially harmful things, I signed up for a cat, not a Labrador!

Anyway, back to the story. By the time we found a vet and the taxi arrived we were getting pretty worried, if there was an obstruction then we needed to get her to the vet as soon as possible. Since I wasn’t dressed (don’t judge me, it was a Sunday), Paul- that’s my husband- took her on his own.

Unusually for Didi, she was completely quiet during the taxi ride, giving us all the more reason to worry. When the vet got her onto the table she was still completely silent and when being examined, not a peep. The cat seemed totally fine. Paul was feeling pretty stupid at this .point. When he explained how she was acting, the vet barely managed to stifle a laugh. Didi was absolutely fine, she was just on heat, that’s vet talk for saying she’s horny. That’s right, we paid £90 to find out our cat was trying to have sex. Great. The very worst that was wrong with her was cramps.

Keeping his head down, Paul paid the receptionist, and left as swiftly as he could.

I had a bit more sympathy for the cat, not the horny part, but having had period pains I could understand the whimpering. I made a joke about giving her a hot water bottle and some chocolate that didn’t even break a smirk on to Paul’s face. I think it’s safe to say the next time he hands money over to a vet it will be to get Didi spayed. While I write this she continues to howl in the hope of encountering a male lover.

So, what is the moral of this tale of woe? When a cat is horny, you’re going to know about it.

14 / Politics

Humanitarian intervention

I’m here, they’re there. The ‘Responsibil Gareth Dunn Politics Writer

Karim & Ghazi, Olive and Guzar.

Just names. Names from articles in the broadsheets, somewhere between the scratch-cards and the travel section. Correspondents, scouring war-torn lands for stories of great travesty and strife, either found these names, or decided they were appropriate. Karim & Ghazi; they sound Syrian. Olive? Central African.

Guzar? South Asian. Ideal. To the editor.

Names, maybe. Stories, yes.

Karim and Ghazi were being brutally tortured at the hands of Bashar al-Assad’s murderous regime in Syria. Olive was fleeing fighting, famine and rape in Eastern DR Congo. Guzar was killed by a band in Burma hell-bent on driving her kind from their village. Guzar was eighteen months old. Someone’s child, someone’s sister, someone’s granddaughter.

Just a name now?

The protocol establishes three pillars of action The ‘Responsibility to Protect’, commonlyreferredtoas‘R2P’,issimilarly more than a name. It is a set of principles, established in 2005 after adecadeofpoliticalwrangling.They guide our actions should a govern-

ment or organisation, anywhere in the world, trample the rights of their citizens.Inthecaseofatrocitiessuch as these, international condemnation and action is required. This applies to any attempt to enact suffering and to wilfully ignore or incite violence and oppression, whether it be mass atrocities, genocide, ethnic cleansing or persecution.

The protocol establishes three pillars of action. Firstly, the state in question has a responsibility to stop such acts, whether committed by themselves or a force within their territory. If the state fails to do this, the second pillar introduces the international community, who must help the state stop the acts. The third pillar is the last resort; the international community takes full responsibility of the situation, as the state has relinquished its sovereignty in protecting its people.

Sanctions may be the first line, arms and trade embargos, international organisation isolation, and military intervention a final port of call. In short, Protect. Assist. Act. Yet for Karim, for Ghazi, for Olive and for Guzar, no one has protected them. No one has assisted them. No one has acted.

Although, why should we care about such people and hold responsible for their protection?

Arguably the UK has enough issues of its own with economic crisis, welfare issues, and fragmenting political communities.

However we must remember

that our issues are a result of our Western consumer society.

Even in times of what we may term 'crisis', we still have a state that makes the best attempt to provide all citizens with shelter, money, food and a helping hand.

We have a nation that, if we are wronged, will stand up for us and make right.

Our cast of four simply does not have this. There are no mechanisms to stop Karim from being maimed, Ghazi from suffering unspeakable medieval torture.

There is no one stopping Olive from being raped, beaten and left for dead. There is no one to bring Guzar’s butchers to justice. If no one is standing up for them, surely we have a responsibility to appeal to reason and say that such a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life is unacceptable.

This is the principle argument for the ‘Responsibility to Protect’

as an overbearing stain on the conscience of humanity, heartbreakingly goes on.

Take yourself to a place far away, far from the home comforts of your life, a stocked fridge still filled with the shrapnel of the New Years’ spread. The peaceful silence of home, bursting at the seams with a hangover of Christmas gifts; a flat-screen television, a games console, a laptop.

Now turn yourself to the Turkish-Syrian border. No electricity. A ragged tent. A fleece and gale-force winds. Paltry rations.

Mortar fire is still raging over the border. It’s just you. Your family aren’t here. Go figure. Why should we intervene? You tell me.

who sought to overthrow it. As of January 2nd 2013, the United Nations estimates that the conflict’s death toll exceeds 60,000, a large proportion of this figure consisting of civilian deaths.

The unrest began on March 16th 2012, when 35 people demonstrating against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad and the Ba’ath Party were arrested. Several protestors in the southern cirt of Deraa were shot and killed by security forces on the same day. The security forces opened fire once again on March 27th, on protestors who were calling for an end to the emergency pow-

ers of the government that gave the regime the power to detain anyone without charge and hold them indefinitely.

Although the government lifted the emergency powers on the 21st of April, the Syrian security forces continued to fire upon protestors, who by now were calling for the regime to step down.

At least 75 people were killed in the immediate aftermath. The regime then proceeded to deploy its army to crush protests in key cities, including Banyas and Homs.

Nearly two years later, the violence is still going. Last month,

There are no mechanisms to stop Karim from being maimed, Ghazi from suffering unspeakable medieval torture regime. Sovereignty is a state’s and a state’s alone, their jurisdiction for their own affairs and peoples. Yet, if the international community deems that they are taking advantage of their sovereignty and acting inhumanely, the R2P protocol tells us that this state has relinquished its sovereignty. No state has a right to rule if it is persecuting its own people.

Muammar Gaddafi relinquished his sovereignty and so too has Bashar al-Assad. The list

Dan Browne Politics Writer

The Syrian uprising has been at the forefront of the international scene for almost two years. In March of 2011, the Syrian Ba’ath regime, headed by President Bashar al-Assad began a violent crackdown on protestors, who called for more economic prosperity, political freedom and civil liberties.

As violence against demonstrators intensified, the protests developed into a full-fledged civil war between the Ba’ath regime and the armed resistance

Politics 14-17

Monday February 4th 2013 | @gairrhyddpol

15

lity to Protect’ and why you should care Gareth Dunn Politics Writer

The Libyan Civil War, ravaging North Africa and redefining the Arab Spring throughout 2011, revealed a watershed moment in our understanding of the ‘Responsibility to Protect’, as well as the entire political makeup of the Middle East.

After the drama and suspense

British monitoring agency The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, as well as Syrian opposition forces claimed that militiamen loyal to the regime were responsible for the massacre of over 100 people in a farming village on the outskirts of Homs. Homs experienced another massacre in May 2012, in which UN monitors estimated that pro-regime militia forces were responsible for the deaths of another 108 people.

Such violence has led to relentless criticism from the international community. President Obama declared that Assad “has no right to lead Syria, and has

that unfolded a mere few hundred miles away in Tunis and Cairo, Libyans took to the streets after being ruled for decades under the iron fist of Colonel Gaddafi. Benghazi, long a bastion of anti-establishment sentiment, rose up first, only to be met with bloody oppression. Badya and Zintan, coastal municipalities, soon followed and received the same inhumane treatment. Plac-

ards, banners and shouts swiftly turned into petrol bombs, rifles and screams.

Late February saw a ‘day of rage’ inspired by the earlier uprisings across North Africa, cementing the rebel opposition as a real and potent threat to Gaddafi’s regime. Cities and towns were abandoned by the authorities, already overstretched through a lack of manpower, and the star and crescent of the old Kingdom of Libya’s flag scaled television towers, apartment blocks and minarets.

Early March saw a realisation of this threat on the part of Gaddafi and the established clique.

Pushing the National Transitional Council’s (NTC) rebel forces back deep into the deeply-scarred cities of Misrata and Benghazi. Gaddafi effectively declared his intent for mass murder once order was restored, forcing the international community into action.

By March 17th. the UN Security Council finally agreed on Resolution 1973, ordering a cessation to the violence, and the imposition of a ‘no-fly zone.’ Implemented by an international coalition and NATO, this stopped Gaddafi’s air force from carrying out systematic bombing of rebel districts.

This was not simply a 'turning point', the international community had finally stood up and takem responsibility. After weeks of desperate diplomatic negotiations, sanctions and warning, the tormented people of Libya were defended, those whose lives were considered worthless by their own nation.

After months of bombardment and logistical support for the rebels on the ground, by the summer, pro-Gaddafi forces were wilting, and after storming the Gaddafi compound in Central

Tripoli the NTC finally declared a general victory and began mopping up operations in various cities still infected with pockets of pro-Gaddafi supporters.

October 20th saw the fall of the last Gaddafi bastion, Sirte, where his body was unceremoniously and sickeningly dragged through the streets as a trophy of war. A monumental and inspiring example of civil resistance, lasting almost a year, ended in disturbing fashion.

Whilst the Arab Spring has shown the region and the wider world the potential of the human spirit, it has equally shown us the perils of instability and civil strife. Libya is still to purge the cancer of militias from its fabled cities and deserts, Egypt’s insti-

tutional stability and the conflict between theocracy and secularism rages on almost daily, and Syria continues to be plagued by Al-Assad’s deranged resistance, heralding a new and sickening slide into chemical warfare.

We must accept that these young, inexperienced democracies have much to learn, and so much more to achieve, and no modern democracy was ever without its problems, pitfalls and staggers. Human rights and the rule of the people was upheld in the face of tyranny, yet naturally, problems persist, problems that can be overcome if the international community maintains its dedication to Libya, and to the new Arab world.

Rome was not built in a day.

lost all legitimacy with his people and the international community”, accusing his regime of having “murdered hundreds of Syrian citizens, including women and children.”

Assad’s regime suggests that the question of an intervention for Syria falls under the United Nations’ principle of ‘Responsibility to Protect’, which dictates that a state has a responsibility to protect its population from mass atrocities, such as war crimes or crimes against humanity. Assad’s regime, as described, committed extensive violence to put down demonstrations. It also stands accused of committing torture against political prisoners. The regime’s abuses against its population, therefore, would necessitate a reaction from the United Nations.

However, the question of Syria has been one of the most controversialissuesontheinternationalagenda in recent times. In February 2012, Russia and China blocked a United NationsSecurityCouncilresolution that would have called for President Assad to step down. Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, argued that adopting such a resolution would violate Syria’s sovereignty, andwouldrisk“takingsidesinacivil war”, despite the fact a Russian ship transporting arms was intercepted believed to be en route to Syria.

Russia has declared it would veto any future resolution for a military intervention of Syria,

claiming that it would worsen the situation both in Syria and in the Middle Eastern region.

The wider international community reacted with disappointment at the inability to push through a resolution calling for Assad to step down, with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon calling the vote “a great disappointment.”

Issues persist in the ‘Syrian Question’, yet the international community’s resolve in ensuring a respect for human rights and the fundamental privileges of liberty and freedom must not waver.

In February 2012 Russia and China blocked a UN resolution that would have called for President Assad to step down Obama’s

denouncement

of

16 / Politics

What does R2P mean to us in the UK? Continued from overleaf

Bex Dunn

Politics Writer "The Responsibility to Protect is a concept whose time has come.

For too many millions of victims, it should have come much earlier" - Ban Ki-moon, SecretaryGeneral, United Nations.

Although it is rapidly becoming an international norm, Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is still a concept that is contested by many people. It is questioned at a domestic level by those who feel it is not our business to become involved in the affairs of other states and who feel we should prioritise our own citizens above everyone else. There are also questions relating to its effectiveness: when should we intervene?

Once the human rights violation has already occurred, for example in Srebrenica? Is it more important to assess the impact to

our country and not get involved if it is deemed too expensive for us, or is it more important to protect those whose human rights are being violated and who may be in danger from their own governments.

Undoubtedly there is an economic impact associated with a concept such as R2P, through the provision of troops, weapons, personnel and medical or humanitarian aid packages. We also put money, time and effort into sanctioning the offending states through arms embargos, patrolling no fly zones or preventing the importing and exporting of goods. The estimated cost of the operation in Libya is £212 million, which was carried out under the auspices of R2P. Although this seems a huge amount and is considered by some groups to be a waste, it is a fraction of what we spend each year in aid, which in turn constituted less than 0.56 per cent of our gross national income in 2011.

Every year we come across articles condemning our border control for admitting asylum seekers and refugees as they put too great a strain on our economy by ‘scrounging’ off our benefits system and ‘stealing’ jobs from British people. Yet do we not have a moral responsibility to provide these people with a place to live if it is unsafe for them in their own country?

Of course there are arguments to suggest that this invitation could be exploited by those seeking to take advantage of our benefits system. But it would be hugely insensitive to the situation of many of these people to claim that they are all like this. Recently on Facebook there have been messages surfacing claiming that the elderly receive less in benefits than asylum seekers and immigrants. This attitude is clearly representative of a nationalist mind-set which prioritises the citizens of the home state above citizens of other states. The

source of this ignorance can be found on the BNP website comparing the weekly benefits of an elderly couple to that of a family of asylum seekers totally neglecting the fact that the family of asylum seekers is calculated based on four people and they gain just £28 more as a base benefit.

Although there is unquestionably an economic impact on Britain associated with R2P, it is difficult to argue that we should not engage in this policy when we consider it from a moral po-

sition. All humans are entitled to have their rights respected and as members of the same species, and as such we are obligated to assist those in need. Refusal to protect them lowers us to the same level as those rogue states responsible for their plight. In reality the economic impact is not even that great when we compare it to the vast levels of wastage in other areas of our economy so an opposition from an economic standpoint is resting on shaky foundations.

“Sorry the lifestyle you’ve ordered is out of stock” says proposed immigration campaign Sana Abubaker debates the Home Office’s proposed plans to curb immigration

H

ome Office ministers are considering the launch of a negative advertising campaign which aims to deter Bulgarians and Romanians from settling in the UK. The downsides of British life to be focused on are the rainy weather and the high levels of unemployment.

The government’s migration advisory committee stated that many Bulgarians and Romanians move to Britain because of its stronger economy, although figures show that youth unemployment has actually increased by 35 per cent.

However, many are concerned that spending millions of pounds on destroying Britain’s image is a chaotic move and the tagline that “Britain is a disgrace. Don’t come here, you’ll regret it” is embarrassing for the nation.

Youth unemployment has increased by 35 per cent Netmigrationremainsupwardof 200,000 despite the government's aim to reduce it to ‘tens of thousands’. For this reason, the campaign portrays a government with lack of control over borders, and a failing immigration policy.

“Britain is a disgrace. Don't come here, you'll regret it” Criticising the suggestions, Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee called the campaign “bordering on the farcical” and advertisements such as these in the past have had counterproductive effects.

As well as the use of these advertisements, ministers have also considered limiting public services for migrants, particularly welfare

“

The campaign ideas are bordering on farcical

benefits.

Concernsrevolvearoundthefact that the number of Romanians and Bulgarians entering the UK are estimated to rise due to the expiration of migration curbs imposed by the Labour government in 2005. The decision was encouraged by Home SecretaryTheresaMaywhobelieves that attempts to reduce net migrationare“notpossible”underEUlaw.

Despite the benefits of im-

migration, such as more skilled workers, some members of the public have demanded that control is restored over the UK border and the British labour market is protected.

Overall it appears that the government hasn't got a successful policy, and this campaign would simply alienate workers.

Politics 14-17

Monday Feburary 4th 2013 2013 || @gairrhyddpol @gairrhyddpol January 28th

17

480,000 will lose out from harsh disability cuts Cuts to incapacity benefits will affect the most vulnerable, reports Josie Copson

I

n the UK, 17 per cent of the population are disabled, a figure greater than that of ethnic minorities. They are an important part of society, who need to be supported with funding and care provided by the government. It is for this reason that the cuts to disability benefits have been a shock to the public.

However, when looking more closely at the finer details, this system seems to be in need of an in depth review, as 71 per cent of claims do not go through the proper checks and paperwork.

A famous example was the 'Wagner scandal' which emerged during the 2010 series of The X Factor. The singer was believed to be receiving £91.40 a week in incapacity benefits and had a further eligibility for housing benefits. His high-energy performances to a national audience might have suggested otherwise.

Although this is a rare exam-

ple of how the disability benefits system may have been misused, many people rely on them as a major source of income. Some have felt so strongly about the situation they have staged a protest. A survey by Disability Alliance revealed 9% of respondents claimed that losing their disability benefits “may make life not worth living.”

This month disability benefits have been a major talking point within the House of Commons, which has resulted in the 3.2 million people claiming disability benefits dropping dramatically by 333,000 no longer being eligible.

It is clear that this is a very sensitive subject for many and can affect many people's lives greatly.

Hopefully recent media coverage will be able to gain more recognition and allow for more informed decisions about what needs to happen.

AMs are overworked and underpaid

The political research charity, The Hansard Society's investigation into the Welsh Assembly has revealed AMs to be overworked and underpaid.

Two AMs had taken a £30,000 pay cut post-election, whilst another two AMs received £30,000 pay increases. The report further revealed hours of around 57 hours a week, not including travel, and the First Minister's questions to be a ‘pantomine of public consumption’

Cuts to incapacity benefits “make life not worth living”

The week in WAG

By Rhys Edwards

A levels to remain in Welsh schools

The Welsh Government this week has confirmed that no changes will be made to current key school qualifications. GCSE and A Level examinations will remain the main forms of assessment, in contrast to England who are phasing them out. The main changes to be made are the addition of two new maths related GCSEs, and a ‘more rigorous’ Welsh Baccalaureate

Presiding officer ‘too cosy’ with FM

Presiding Officer for the WG Rosemary Butler has laughed off accusations of having ‘too cosy’ relations with the First Minister.

The claim arose from Assembly Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies. The timing requirements for question submissions has now altered to 3 days for scrutiny

very efficient

‘Sophie is always

& helpful. when responding to our enquiries

is veryfriendly &

She is a great Alice, Miskin St asset to CPS Homes’

20 / Science

Alzheimer's jab candidate nears completion David Mason Science Writer

Ongoing research into a potential Alzheimer's disease (AD) vaccine has recently yielded very promising results.

A research team at UniversitĂŠ Laval, Canada, led by Dr Serge Rivest, working in collaboration with pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline, has made significant progress in the search for the first AD vaccine. The breakthrough was published earlier this month in an early online edition of the journal Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Regular injections eliminated up to 80% of senile plaques Alzheimer's disease affects the brain through production of the harmful molecule amyloid beta.

The central nervous system is unable to naturally destroy these molecules, which allows them to build up into senile plaques (extracellular deposits of amyloid in the grey matter of the brain and cause the onset of Alzheimer's.

This new development has identified a molecule, known as MPL, which enhances and stimulates the brain's immune cells, granting them a greater potential to resist or destroy these senile plaques.

Lab tests, performed on rats bred to display symptoms similar to AD, suggested that regular injections of MPL over a twelve week period eliminated up to 80% of senile plaques. Cognitive abilities were also noted to have significantly improved as a result of the treatment. The possiblity of either using regular injections of the molecule to slow the onset of AD or attempting to produce a vaccine for the disease is now open.

The results suggest the potential for development of a vaccine Though the exact science of the breakthrough is of little interest to most, the results suggest the potential for development of a vaccine. AD currently affects millions each year and has the potential, it is suggested, to affect 1 in 85 of us, worldwide, by

the year 2050.

The disease is one of the most expensive conditions for society Considering also that the degenerative disease is one of the most expensive conditions for society as a whole, in terms of both the money and the time required to provide necessary care, these results can be considered of great relevance to all.

Treatments have not previously been available, with current medication available focusing instead on slowing the progression of AD once

diagnosed. It is hoped that a preventative measure is a possibility within the near future.

The promising results were unexpected by even the researchers involved. "Our goal was to develop better treatment for Alzheimer's patients," Dr Rivest explained, adding, "with the discovery announced today, I think we're close to our objective."

Previous attempts to develop a vaccine have been unsuccessful, with some being found to

Previous attempts to develop a vaccine have been unsuccessful

Scientists test first operational Star Trek style tractor beam Peter Marshall Science Writer

Progress towards a technological utopia took an apparent leap with the invention of the tractor beam this month. Sci-fi fans may be rejoicing but, one must ask, when a fictional tool is reified, does it count as an invention?

Though not quite able to suck in spacecraft sized objects yet, the tractor beam, developed by Tomas Cizmar at the University of St Andrews, has successfully moved microscopic particles in both liquids and vacuums.

The tractor beam has moved particles in liquids and vacuums

cause major side effects such as swelling and inflammation of the brain.

It is hoped though that this new research will lead to the development of a safe vaccine.

Considerable further testing is required, and the team involved will continue lab tests. Further announcements are expected in the not-too-distant future.

In most cases, when an object is hit by something, it tends to move in the same direction as the thing or force that hit it. This

phenomenon usually applies to photons too, a stream of photons will usually exert a push on, rather than pull on, any object it impacts.

For light to attract objects, this effect would have to be reversed, and this is exactly what Cizmar has done. This may seem counter-intuitive, after all, how can a beam of photons hitting something draw it inwards, instead of pushing it further out in the direction of the beam?

Cizmar achieved this feat by utilising the inference patterns of reflected light beams. Given the right conditions and geometries, some particles will actually move in the opposite direction to a stream of photons hitting them.

Practically speaking, the tractor beam has a potential applica-

tion in medicine where it could help speed up diagnoses by isolating certain types of cells.

It could be of benefit to space research too, where it could be used as a method of collecting dust samples and the like.

The tractor beam has potential applications in medicine Unfortunately, due to the energy and heat transfer which occurs when the tractor beam is used on a macroscopic scale, the technology cannot be used on larger objects quite yet. Despite this, we are definitely looking at exciting times ahead indeed!

Science 20-21

Monday February 4th 2013 | @gairrhyddsci

21

Shakespeare's 154 sonnets live on in medium of DNA Alice Tobin Science Writer

Shakespeare’s famous poetry has been successfully encoded into a DNA molecule and back with 100% accuracy. This pioneering method could theoretically preserve huge hoards of digital data for thousands of years.

Crammed into a tiny speck of DNA no larger than a bit of dust are not only all of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets, but also a 26-second audio clip of Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, a copy of Watson and Crick’s paper on the structure of DNA and a photograph of the researchers’ laboratory.

If kept in cold, dry and dark conditions, DNA can last for millennia. For example, the DNA extracted from a 60,000-year-old mammoth can still be read now.

Unlike technology such as floppy disks or CDs, DNA will exist for

If kept in cold, dry and dark conditions, DNA can last for millennia

This artificial DNA isn’t the same as natural DNA. It is difficult to make long strands of DNA, so it was made as lots of little fragments of perfectly uniform lengths that were later joined up into one long sequence by the computer. Comparison of differently chopped up copies meant the DNA could still be read even if errors occurred. The DNA also lacked long repeats (e.g. TTTT), which can cause trouble with 100% accuracy.

as long as life itself, so future scientists should still be able to read it.

It is also extremely compact; just one gram of DNA can store the equivalent of three million CDs. DNA is nature’s file compressing system, and our DNA contains an entire set of instructions on how to make every cell in our body, despite its tiny size.

This makes it an ideal storage solution for companies such as CERN, who archive vast quantities of data.

Each megabyte cost $12,400 to write and a further $220 to read

It will become cost effective to store data for less than 50 years within the next decade

Led by Nick Goldman of the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), the research was based in Hinxton, near Cambridge. Using the four chemical ‘bases’ adenosine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and guanine (G), the scientists coded the data, made the DNA using standard lab machinery, and shipped it across from the USA to Europe to be ‘read’ back by a computer.

This when decoding the data. According to Goldman, this means that any future scientists who discover the DNA would be able to tell it was artificially designed.

What’s the catch? The price.

Described by Goldman as “breathtakingly expensive”, each megabyte cost $12,400 to write and a further $220 to read. But with DNA synthesis prices fall-

ing, he hopes that it will become cost effective to store data for less than 50 years within the next decade.

Just one gram of DNA can store the equivalent of three million CDs Shakespeare’s sonnets have already lasted over 400 years. In DNA they could last for millennia.

InSight: Keeping an eye on your city’s latest science news

Fossilised algae reveal history of climate change in western Antarctic Rhiannon Davies Science Editor

Research led by Cardiff University has shed light on the causes of increased temperatures in the western Antarctic Peninsula, one of the fastest warming regions on the planet and the fastest warming in the Southern Hemisphere.

The research, published in Nature Geoscience, traced the past movements of glacial ice into the ocean along the Peninsula, using microscopic marine algae fossils.

By analysing the fossils, the scientists were able to study variable climates

The fossils acted as a unique twelve thousand year record of the movements. By analysing the imprints on the fossils, the scientists were able to study the variable climates that existed in different eras on the western Antarctic.

The influx of ice altered the oxygen isotope ratio of the seawater The imprints were created whenever a large amount of glacial ice was discharged into the coastal ocean. This influx of ice into the water altered the oxygen isotope ratio of the seawater in which the marine algae, before

fossilisation, lived.

Isotopes of oxygen are simply different forms of oxygen that contain the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons. Depending on environmental conditions, the ratio of different oxygen isotopes can change, therefore by comparing the ratios of various isotopes within a sample, the climate at

the time of fossilisation can be inferred.

We must understand the patters of global warming throughout the past The ratio of oxygen isotopes in these fossils enabled scientists to infer what amount of glacial ice entered the coastal ocean at the time when that fossil was living, as the oxygen isotope ratio of ice derived from land is very distinctive.

The study revealed that the atmosphere had a more significant impact on warming in the late Holocene era (from 3500-200 years ago) than since or before

then. This warming took place in 400-500 year cycles and is linked to the increasing strength of El Niño, a climate pattern centred in the low latitude Pacific Ocean.

Dr Jennifer Pike, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences said, “the implications of our findings are that the modern observations of ocean-driven warming along the western Antarctic Peninsula need to be considered as part of a natural centennial timescale cycle of climate variability”.

In other words, to understand current trends in global warming, we must understand the patterns of global warming throughout the past. With this pioneering technique, Cardiff University researchers have brought us one step closer to doing so.

22 / Societies

Societies Officer attacks apathy in student community through Go Global Vanessa Platt Societies Editor

Societies Officer Adam Curtis expressed his concern about cultural ignorance amongst students through reluctance to engage with and so learn about cultures other thantheirown.Itissomethingwhich he hopes to change with the coming ofGoGlobal,theweek-longseriesof eventsculminatinginthere-vamped GoGlobal:‘TheShow’."Iliketothink of The Show as a showcase which displays as much of the spectrum of culture-basedtalentshereatCardiff as possible, to really show off what every international student can add to the University’s extra-curricular life," Adam explained to gair rhydd.

It is something which he believes is not fully explored by many students as the result of a fear of the ‘other’ and an apathy towards learning of different cultures.He was unwilling tomincewords:"Universityispossibly the only place you will ever be in your life, where there are such a disparate range of people representing

Adam urges students to take this great opportunity to explore other cultures different cultures, and so many will leave having taken no positive interest in the massive array of international

cultures around them – and that points to a disinterest in students of a Western background. So please get involved this year!"

Adam hopes that Go Global this year will contribute to combating this: "It is essentially a huge festival celebrating international cul-

tures," he said, "and I have twomainaims foritthis year – the first being to engage and educate the student community, and the second to demonstrate that Cardiff is genuinely open to and excited about its International community."The number of societies featured in the final

eventofTheShow(previouslyGlobal Village) is up on last year, reach-

aboutrecoupingmoneyafterUnion funding cuts, the event has been moved back to its old home in the Union’s Great Hall - but it will look sufficiently different, says Adam: "We’ve made it rather more formal than before – a real "show" which will be a central feel of the

whole e v e ning. The change in venue has significantlyreduced the ticket prices, which now stand at ing 18 and giving Adam the best of problems – working out how to fit them all into the evening! "We’ve asked everyone to keep their acts to a certain length!" added Adam with a smile.

After arrangements to host The Show at the New Theatre fell through due to concerns

£5 in advance or £6 on the door.’

There are currently 35 societies hosting events throughout the week, "a standard number for Go Global,"accordingtoAdam,"butthe final evening event has always

‘The Show’ will now be a more formal evening affair attracted the most interest, with many societies seeing it as their biggest event of the year." We all look forward to seeing this excitement put to genuine and lasting use in this year’s show.

The events during the week, running from 18th to 24th February, will include inter-faith events, tasting sessions, demonstrations and discussions around the University – but the first event of the festival is actually kicking off on Saturday 9th February when the Malaysian Society will put on their own 10th "Festival of Diversity" of Maharajalela: The Musical – "the greatest love story never told" at 7.30pm in St. David’s Hall, which is not to be missed for being early! On the contrary, it looks to be a fantastic introduction to the main week itself.

Do check out the trailer on YouTube and buy your ticket from www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/ English/Maharajalela-09/02/13/.

Tickets for The Show will be on sale soon.

23

Societies 22-23

Monday February 4th 2012 | @gairrhyddsoc

The Picture of Dorian Gray: The Musical

Societies editor Vanessa Platt speaks with Callum Nicholls on his production of Oscar Wilde’s infamous novel.

C

allum is currently studying his MMus in CompositionatCardiff, having graduated with his BMus here. In the midst of a busy period, he kindly took some time out of rehearsals to speak to gair rhydd about his adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s A Picture of Dorian Gray to the musical stage, which will be shown on the 22nd and 23rd February.

You’re one of Cardiff ’s home-grown talents Callum!

Tell us, what was the background to your adaptation of this book?

Well I’d read the book a few years ago as a Music undergrad at Cardiff, and it was around then that I begin considering, out of interest, how to adapt it into a musical. That was about two years ago, so things moved slowly but, after reading the novel several times and writing solidly for about five months, here I am today with the final musical – it seems rather a mad way to spend my summer to a lot of people! The novel is written very much like a play, with visually dramatic scenes, and putting that into stage musical form was a challenge that interested me. I am interested in musical compositionforfilmandprefercomposingclassical-stylescorestocontemporarymusic,sothisprojectisalong those lines which does, after all, suit theVictorian-erasettingofthenovel and the Romantic musical style of the period.

So how do you go about adapting a novel to the musi-

cal stage? Were any composers or playwrights you know particularly influential in how you did that?

Broadly speaking there are two kinds of ‘musical’: the more modern musical theatre productions of the West End - the Wicked’s and We Will Rock You’s of this world, and the traditional-style operettas or ‘light operas’ like Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Sweeney Todd. This musical will be of that last kind. So once I had the essential plot of Dorian Gray set out, I started constructing the score around it - the idea being to attach particular melodies or ‘leitmotifs’ to different characters which are reprised throughout the show as the plot develops to communicate something of them to the audience. It was something begun by GermancomposerRichardWagner.

Thatgivesthenarrativeacontinuity which helps it to link the different pieces together and flow during the two hours without much dialogue – there is about a 10-page script of spoken lines, whilst about 400 pages of orchestral score for about 30 songs! It was a compositional challenge!

Big influences for me were Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera and Steven Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, as both Lloyd WebberandSondheimusethe‘leitmotif’ technique. It’s part of keeping the illusion going through the music.

Most of the melodies in my Dorian Gray are (suitably!) dark and gothic – don’t expect many light-hearted

numbers!

There are undoubtedly fans of the book amongst our readers who would want to know – have you had to make many sacrifices of plot to adapt the novel?

Fittinganovel’splotintoamusical production – even a relatively short novel like this - does require having to make some changes and omissions, but I’ve tried to make them as judiciously as possible. The drama is understated and subtle at times, making it hard to render on stage without changes – so I’ve changed the death of one of the characters, for instance, a change which is better for the stage. Apart from a little condensing, and maybe a bit less blood (!), I’d say I stay pretty true to the novel.

Essentially, I think, the novel is about how you can cling to youth in your mind but not in your body, and a discussion of that superficiality – particularly in the moneyed upper classes at the time, of which Wilde was part of. He effectively scrutiniseshisownclass,sayingthat they are actually no better or worse than those beneath them on the social ladder, and under the superficial appearance is a different story altogether. I have kept the original language, however – I’m not one for modernising adaptations.

I must ask – have you found your Dorian Gray? That is quite a role to fill.

I have, yes – Tom Simm is our Dorian. He has a great tenor voice, andwe’rebasingtheDorian-culture

Societies editor role I'm sorry to have to say that this is my last week as Societies editor, after I received a paid job offer which is better experience for the career I am aiming for. I'm really sorry to have to leave, but

- sentiment aside - we are now looking to find my replacement!

The role would be excellent experience if you are at all considering a career in journalism and media and would

look great on your CV. Look out for an email about how to apply for the role, and please email societies@ gairrhydd. com with any questions in the meantime!

Best, Vanessa

aroundhispaintedportraitwhichhas been kindly and expertly produced

by Rosemary O’Reilly, to whom I’m really grateful. Andy Hawkins is LordHenry(hereallyenjoysplaying the villain I think, with his big bass voice!), and Mark Davies plays Basil Hallward,thepainteroftheportrait.

NatashaGadja,SeanCook,FloraMcDonald and Anna Crisp are the rest of the cast, and they’re all brilliant I’m so grateful to them all. You have to abandon all preconceived ideas ofyourcharacterswhenyou’recasting and start from scratch, but I’ve got a really strong cast here.

How are rehearsals going?

UpuntilnowI’vebeenrehearsing the 22-piece orchestra and the cast separately, but now we’re starting rehearsals together, which is excitingandchallenging,andI’mlooking forward to seeing it all come together and come alive on stage.

Ultimately I just hope audiences enjoy it. I’d like to show that the Music Department can turn out an original and successful production.

All the proceeds will go to a donation-runhospiceinmyhomecounty of Devon, which cared for both my grandfathers over the past two years before they passed away, and

I’ve dedicated the production to my family. So I’d obviously like to raise as much money as possible, as well as reward the cast with full houses!

Thanks must go to the Music Department, who’ve been really accommodating, and to the costume team from Glamorgan University.

The Picture of Dorian Gray: The Musical will be staged on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd February at the Concert Hall of the Music Department on Corbett Road. Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Tickets cost £5 or £3 for students, and can be purchased online at www. ticketsource.co.uk/ThePictureofDorianGray/Musical.FollowitonTwitter @DorianGMusical;oronFacebook by searching ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray – Musical’

Taf-Od 25–26

Dydd Llun Chwefror 4ydd 2013 | @taf_od

25

Y Cyfrifiad a'r iaith Gymraeg

Datgelodd y Cyfrifiad 2011 lawer am sefyllfa'r iaith Gymraeg yng Nghymru heddiw, Angharad Hywel sy'n adrodd

Y

m mis Rhagfyr llynedd, cyhoeddwyd fod niferoedd siaradwyr Cymraeg wedi lleihau yn sylweddol. Yn ôl canlyniadau Cyfrifiad 2011, gostyngodd canran siaradwyr yr iaith ar gyfartaledd o 20.8% o’r boblogaeth yn 2001, i 19% yn 2011; dirywiad o 20,000 o siaradwyr. Ddydd Mercher diwethaf, cyhoeddwyd dadansoddiad mwy manwl o ganlyniadau bob Ward yng Nghymru. Yr un darlun a gafwyd, gyda dirywiad ym mhob ardal oni bai am rhai wardiau yng Nghaerdydd a Sir Fynwy lle bu cynnydd yn niferoedd siaradwyr Cymraeg.

Llanrug yng Ngwynedd, gyda 88% o’r boblogaeth yn medru’r Gymraeg, yw’r ward Gymreiciaf yng Nghymru gyfan. I’r gwrthwyneb yn hollol yn Churchstoke ym Mhowys, dim ond 4.3% o boblogaeth y pentref, sydd ar y ffin â Lloegr, sydd yn siaradwyr Cymraeg.

Dirywiad yn siaradwyr Cymraeg y Fro Gymraeg - gorllewin a gogledd Cymru, sydd wedi peri fwyaf o ofid. Erbyn hyn mae’r Gymraeg yn iaith leiafrifol yng Ngheredigion a Sir Gaerfyrddin. Nid oes unrhyw Ward yn y

siroedd hyn gyda 70% neu fwy o siaradwyr Cymraeg. Cymunedau yng Ngwynedd a Môn yw’r unig rhai i gofnodi 70% neu fwy o siaradwyr Cymraeg. Cyhoeddwyd fod 49 Ward yn y siroedd hyn yn cyrraedd y nod, dirywiad unwaith eto o’r 59 a gofnodwyd yn 2001.

Yn amlwg, maent yn ganlyniadau digalon iawn i gefnogwyr y Gymraeg. Ond ni ddaeth y dirywiad yn syndod i nifer helaeth.

Dyma batrwm sydd wedi ei ailadrodd yn dilyn bob cyfrifiad, ac eithrio 2001, ar draws ail hanner yr ugeinfed ganrif. Ond er holl fuddsoddiadau ariannol a deddfwriaethol yn y Gymraeg, pam nad oes modd torri’r patrwm?

Yn 2003, nododd y llywodraeth gynlluniau i gynyddu niferoedd siaradwyr 5%, 26% o’r boblogaeth yn medru’r iaith, erbyn cyfrifiad 2011. Dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf mae’r llywodraeth wedi buddsoddi miliynau ar filiynau o bunnoedd yn y Gymraeg ym mhob ardal o Gymru. Ynghyd a chefnogi metrau iaith a chynlluniau ieithyddol amrywiol. Ym 2011 cyhoeddwyd Mesur y Gymraeg er mwyn cefnogi’r iaith ymhellach.

Yn dilyn y mesur bu newid yn fframwaith cyfreithiol ynghylch defnyddio’r Gymraeg wrth ddar-

paru gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Yn ogystal creuwyd swydd newydd Comisiynydd y Gymraeg er mwyn plismona fod cyrff cyhoeddus a chwmnïau preifat yn dilyn rheolau newydd y mesur. Gobeithiwyd byddai’r gwelliannau hyn yn hwb i’r iaith ac i niferoedd siaradwyr y Gymraeg. Ond yn amlwg, nid yw hynny’n wir. Oes angen i’r llywodraeth felly, ail-edrych ar bolisïau ieithyddol?

Nid y llywodraeth yn unig sydd yn pennu buddsoddiadau ariannol yn y Gymraeg, mae awdurdodau lleol hefyd yn gyfrifol am ariannu cynlluniau ieithyddol, megis mentrau iaith. O ganlyniad, mae amrywiaeth mawr yn narpariaeth ariannol y Gymraeg ar draws y wlad. Yn ddiweddar, ar y radio, crybwyllwyd na fydd Cyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin yn parhau i gyfrannu’n ariannol i’r Urdd na Metrau Iaith y Sir. Mudiadau sydd yn hanfodol yn hybu'r iaith.

Gyda thoriadau i gyllideb awdurdodau lleol, a fydd buddsoddiadau ariannol yn y Gymraeg yn cael ei gwthio i’r cefn?

Yn sgil cyhoeddi canlyniadau’r cyfrifiad, mae Cymdeithas yr Iaith wedi cynnal amryw o ralïau i gyhoeddi Maniffesto Byw; cynllun dros iaith, gwaith a chy-

muned. Gobaith y Gymdeithas ydy ysgogi trafodaeth gyhoeddus ledled cymunedau Cymru yngl n â’r blaenoriaethau i gynnal a datblygu’r Gymraeg ym mhob rhanbarth o Gymru. Yn y maniffesto, maent yn awgrymu ffyrdd o sicrhau dyfodol i’r iaith yn y cymunedau, megis awgrymiadau deddfwriaethol i wella addysg Gymraeg mewn ysgolion a sicrhau tai i Gymry Cymraeg yn enwedig yng nghadarnleoedd y Gymraeg. Dywed y Gymdeithas ar eu gwefan, eu bod yn credu ‘fod modd newid tynged y Gymraeg gydag ewyllys gwleidyddol ac ymgyrchu cadarnhaol a chyfranogol’. Bydd cynrychiolwyr o’r Gymdeithas yn cyfarfod â’r Prif Weinidog, Carwyn Jones ddydd Mercher 6 o Chwefror i drafod y mater ymhellach.

Nid oedd holl ganlyniadau Cyfrifiad 2011 yn ddigalon o safbwynt yr iaith Gymraeg. Bu cynnydd yn niferoedd siaradwyr Cymraeg mewn amryw o ardaloedd tu allan i gadarnleoedd yr iaith. Dim ond mewn wardiau yn Sir Fynwy a Chaerdydd bu cynnydd. Mae’r cynnydd yn yr ardaloedd hyn yn galonogol iawn, ond eto mae’n bwysig gofyn yw’r cynnydd hwn yn dod ar draul cadarnleoedd yr iaith?

Rhwng Cyfrifiad 2001 a 2011, cynyddodd niferoedd siaradwyr Cymraeg Caerdydd o 32,500 i 36,700. Mae canran siaradwyr wedi aros yn sefydlog, gan gynyddu o 11% i 11.1%. Mae hyn oherwydd bod cynnydd wedi bod ym mhoblogaeth y ddinas ar y cyfan. Wrth edrych ar ardaloedd penodol yn y ddinas, megis Cathays, bu cynnydd o 10.15% i 11.4% o’r boblogaeth yn medru’r Gymraeg. Ategir y canlyniadau hyn at y gred mai mudo torfol Cymry Cymraeg o gadarnleoedd y Gymraeg i’r Brifddinas sydd yn rhannol gyfrifol am gynnydd siaradwyr Cymraeg.

Mae’n bwysig parhau i fuddsoddi yn nyfodol yr iaith. Gyda chynnydd mewn ardaloedd anrhaddodiadol Gymreig, mae’n amlwg fod newid ar droed i’r Gymraeg. Gobaith y llywodraeth ac mae’n debyg holl siaradwyr Cymraeg, yw bydd canlyniadau Cyfrifiad 2021 yn fwy calonogol o safbwynt y Gymraeg. Ond gyda llywodraeth Prydain yn trafod peidio cynnal cyfrifiad arall oherwydd cost, a hwn oedd y cyfle olaf i gyfrifol niferoedd siaradwyr y Gymraeg?

Beth mae'r holl rifoedd hyn yn ei olygu? Gerallt Rhys Jones sy'n trafod y ffigyrau

P

“

Bydd dipyn mwy o ganolbwyntio ar 'safonau' o ddarpariaeth Cymraeg yn y sector gyhoeddus yn y blynyddoedd i ddod

eth digon geeky a diflas mae trin a trafod ystadegau wedi cael ei weld erioed. Yn amlach na pheidio mae’r arfer ond yn cael cael ei wneud gan anoracs ac academyddion, gyda pobl ‘cyffredin’ yn malio dim amdanynt.

Ond os oes gennych owns o ddiddordeb neu bryder am yr iaith Gymraeg, mae llawer o ffigyrau diweddar yn peintio darlun eitha du, ond nid yn llwyr anobeithiol, o’i dyfodol – yn enwedig ymysg ein cenhedlaeth ni o fyfyrwyr.

Ar yr olwg gyntaf, nid yw canlyniadau Cyfrifiad 2011 yn rhy ysgytwol - 1.7% yn llai o siaradwyr Cymraeg dros 10 mlynedd.

Dim yn newyddion da, wrth reswm – ond ‘dim ond’ 20,000 yn llai mewn niferoedd, o 582,000 i 562,000. ‘Ydych chi’n gallu siarad Cymraeg’ yn hytrach na ‘Ydych chi yn siarad Cymraeg’ a gafodd ei ofyn hefyd – nid yw’n ddarlun clir chwaith o siaradwyr o ddyddi-ddydd.

Roedd dipyn o gwymp i’w weld yn siroedd Caerfyrddin a

Cheredigon, ond cwymp o raddfa dipyn uwch a welir wrth edrych yn fanylach ym mhatrwm siaradwyr yn y grwpiau oedran. Yn 2001 roedd 43.7% o blant 10-14 oed yn gallu siarad yr iaith – o’r un genhedlaeth (oedolion 20-24 oed) yn 2011, dim ond 17.6% oedd yn gallu ei siarad, dros chwarter yn llai – dipyn mwy o gwymp na’r 1.7% yn gyffredinol! Mae syniad rhieni o ‘allu’ plant i siarad iaith sy’n cael ei ddysgu yn yr ysgol yn gallu bod yn gyfrifol i raddau am y newid, ond yn sicr ddim yn gyfan gwbl.

Efallai bod yr atebion gyda penderfyniadau myfyrwyr. Yn draddodiadol, mae dipyn o raddedigion newydd o brifysgolion Cymru (y grwp oedran dan sylw) yn gadael y wlad ar ôl graddio – 35% rhwng 2003 a 2007, gyda dim ond 6% yn gadael Lloegr yn yr un cyfnod – a hwnnw yn benderfyniad yn aml yn ymwneud â swyddi gwell ac enillion uwch. Yn fwy diweddar, yn mae ffigyrau o 2012 yn dangos 7,000 o fyfyrwyr yn gadael Cymru i fynd i astudio i gychwyn, cynnydd o 13% o’r flwyddyn gynt. Does dim bai o gwbl

ar ddarpar-fyfyrwyr a graddedigion sy’n gadael – mae byw yn gyfforddus yn dod o flaen byw yn Gymraeg i’r rhan helaeth os yw’r dewis amlwg i’w gael.

Ond mae dipyn mwy all y Llywodraeth wneud i alluogi graddedigion uchelgeisiol Cymru fyw yn Gymraeg a byw yn gyfforddus hefyd wrth aros yn y wlad. Gyda datblygiadau diweddar o ran lle y Gymraeg mewn cymdeithas sifil, a twf y diwydiant cyfryngau Cymraeg, mae sawl ardal lle mae cynnydd nodweddiadol wedi ei weld yn nifer y siaradwyr. Yn Grangetown a Canton yma yng Nghaerdydd (cartref y ‘cyfryngis’) roedd 4% yn fwy o siaradwyr dros 10 mlynedd. Draw yng Ngwynedd, yn rhai o bentrefi cymudol (commuter) Caernarfon – Clynnog Fawr a Waunfawr – roedd 7% a 5% yn fwy yn gallu siarad Cymraeg.

Bydd dipyn mwy o ganolbwyntio ar ‘safonau’ o ddarpariaeth Cymraeg yn y sector gyhoeddus yn y blynyddoedd i ddod, ond hyn a hyn all y Cymry ifanc ddibynnu ar y sector honno gyda

llai o swyddi o achos y toriadau cenedlaethol ar hyn o bryd, toriadau sydd hefyd yn cael effaith ar y diwydiant cyfryngau Cymraeg.

Dim ond trwy hybu datblygu sector breifat gref lle gall ‘economi Gymreig’ o bwys ffynnu y gellir gwrthdroi’r dirywiad amlwg yn ein cenhedlaeth ni. Fel arall all neb weld unrhyw fai ar Gymry ifanc sy’n gadael eu cymunedau, neu adael Cymru yn gyfan gwbl ar ôl graddio.

Ar nodyn anoracaidd i orffen felly, os na fydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn cael eu gafael ar bwerau trethiannol, yn enwedig ar y dreth fusnes a’r dreth gorfforaeth, er mwyn gwneud Cymru yn wlad mwy apelgar i ddechrau a datblygu busnes ynddi - a chymryd y Gymraeg o ddifrif ym mhob maes deddfu – dros y ddeng mlynedd nesaf, dal i ddisgyn wnaiff niferoedd siaradwyr Cymraeg. Yr unig wir obaith fyddai’r Alban yn pleidleisio o blaid annibyniaeth yn 2014 a gorfodi newid cyfansoddiadol ar gyfer Cymru a Lloegr. Cawn weld.

26 / Taf-Od

Toriadau Trinity Mirror yn fygythiad i ddeunydd Cymreig y wasg yng Nghymru Tomos Lewis Golygydd Taf-od

Mae penderfyniad Trinity Mirror i rannu cynnwys ar hyd ei gwahanol bapurau newydd a chreu’r cynnwys hyn o ganolfan yn Lerpwl yn fygythiad i ddeunydd Cymreig y buasai’n arferol yn y papurau, medd prif ohebydd y Western Mail, Martin Shipton.

Yn ôl Shipton, sydd hefyd yn gynrychiolydd Undeb Newyddiadurwyr Cenedlaethol (NUJ), bydd cynnwys yn newid i fod yn fwy generig a fwy Prydeinig yn gyffredinol ar draws y papurau Cymreig sydd yn eiddo Trinity Mirror, fel y Daily Post, South Wales Echo a’r Western Mail.

Ymysg cynlluniau Trinity Mirror y mae canoli adnoddau a chael gwared a 4 swydd yn y Daily Post yng ngogledd Cymru a 16 o swyddi o fewn Media Wales yn ne Cymru. Mae’n debyg fod penderfyniad Trinity Mirror i wneud y newidiadau hyn yn dod oherwydd newid tuag at y platfform digidol ac i ffwrdd o’r wasg

brint traddodiadol. Fe ddwedodd Cyfarwyddwr Golygyddol Trinity Mirror, Neil Benson, fod y dull newydd maent yn ei gymryd yn feiddgar a llawn dychymyg ag yn rhan o gyfuno’r gorau o’i newyddiaduraeth ranbarthol a chenedlaethol.

Mae’r cwmni yn debyg o gael gwared ar 92 o swyddi ond yn y proses, creu 52 swyddi o bobl yng Nghymru a Lloegr.

Mae cynlluniau Trinity Mirror yn barod yn achosi

pryder ymysg gwleidyddion Cymru, sydd yn poeni fod

y newidiadau hyn am effeithio democratiaeth a hunaniaeth Cymru. Fe ddywedodd aelod cyn-

ulliad y Blaid Lafur, Ken Skates fod “papurau fel y Western Mail yn rhan o wead Cymru ac mae erydu araf y platfform pwysig hwn ar gyfer newyddiaduraeth benodedig Gymreig yn ofid i ni gyd”.

Rhannodd Suzy Davies o’r Ceidwadwyr ei bryderon, wrth iddi

ddadlau fod gan y newidiadau mae Trinity Mirror yn ei wneud “oblygiadau difrifol i’r modd mae creu deddfau yn y Cynulliad yn cael ei adrodd ac mae’n bygwth creu diffyg democrataidd.”

Mynegodd Alun Ffred Jones o Blaid Cymru hefyd ei bryder ar yr effaith caiff y toriadau ar ddemocratiaeth yng Nghymru wrth bwysleisio ar y rôl holl bw-

ysig mae newyddiaduraeth yn ei gael ar ddemocratiaeth gwlad. Yn ogystal â hyn, pryderai fod y cynnydd mewn cynnwys fwy ‘Prydeinig’ a chyffredin am anwybyddu fod materion wedi eu datganoli yng Nghymru. “Os bydd erthygl ar iechyd yn cael ei hysgrifennu yn Lloegr, a fydd yn ystyried y ffaith fod cyfrifoldeb dros y GIG wedi ei ddatganoli i Gymru? Nid yw hyn yn gwneud synnwyr o gwbl, ac eithrio, efallai, i gyfrifyddion y cwmnïau cyfryngau enfawr nad ydynt yn deall dim am y diwydiant papurau newydd lleol ac nad oes ganddynt ddiddordeb o gwbl yn ei amddiffyn.”

Mae’r cyfryngau yng Nghymru wedi bod yn dioddef gyda niferoedd o doriadau’n ddiweddar, gyda Media Wales yn barod wedi torri 36 o swyddi yn 2011 a S4C wedi dioddef toriadau yn eu cyllideb sydd wedi ei gorfodi i ddiswyddo nifer o staff. Mae’r toriadau, yn enwedig yn y wasg brint yn ganlyniad o ddigideiddio’r wasg a’r symud o bapurau newydd i gynnwys ar-lein, sy’n chwarae rôl gynyddol yn y wasg. Mae hyn yn si r o gael effaith ar fyfyrwyr sy’n gobeithio mynd i’r busnes cyfryngau, wrth i nifer o swyddi ar gael yn y diwydiant leihau, a’r gofynion am arbenigwyr ar-lein gynyddu.

Ffilm ddogfen Gymraeg wedi’i enwebu am wobr ryngwladol Tomos Lewis Golygydd Taf-od

O taf D

Wythnos diwethaf cafodd ffilm ddogfen S4C, ‘Fy Chwaer a Fi’ ei enwebu am wobr yn y New York Festivals Awards. Roedd y rhaglen ddogfen, oedd yn rhan

o gyfres ‘O’r Galon’ yn dilyn bywydau Catherine a Kirstie Field, efeilliaid deunaw oed o Gymru, sy’n dioddef o gyflwr niwrolegol unigryw sydd wedi eu parlysu a dwyn eu gallu i siarad.

Fe wariodd y cynhyrchwr a chyfarwyddwr, Mei Williams,

dros ddwy flynedd yn ffilmio’r merched, a oedd yn cyfathrebu gydag ef a’r gynulleidfa yn defnyddio peiriant arbennig. Fe ddywedodd, “Rydym i gyd yn hynod falch fod ‘Fy Chwaer a Fi’, wedi cael cydnabyddiaeth ar lefel ryngwladol.O ‘nabod y teulu

yn dda, dydi hi’n fawr o syndod bod eu hysbryd a’u dewrder wedi cael argraff gref ar bobl tu hwnt i Gymru hefyd. Yn wyneb salwch difrifol mae Catherine a Kirstie yn ysbrydoliaeth i ni gyd.”

Mae’r New York Festivals Awards yn gwobrwyo’r goreuon

o raglenni a ffilmiau’r byd teledu yn fyd-eang. Bydd yr enillwyr yn cael eu cyhoeddi mewn seremoni yn Las Vegas ar y 9fed o Ebrill.

Straeon OD o bob rhan o’r byd... Merch yn brwydro i gadw'i enw...

W

ythnos diwethaf, fe enillodd merch 15 oed o Wlad yr Iâ achos llys i gadw ei enw ei hun.

Yn wreiddiol, penderfynodd bwyllgor y bydd Blaer Bjarkordottir yn gorfod newid ei enw oherwydd nad oedd ar restr o enwau swyddogol y wlad.

Bwriad y rhestr, sy’n cynnwys 1,712 o enwau gwrywaidd a 1,853 o enwau benywaidd yw sicrhau bod enwau yn ffitio rheolau gramadegol iaith y wlad a hefyd i wneud yn si r fod plant ddim

yn cael enwau sy’n achosi embaras. Er bod enwau megis Elvis ar y rhestr, nid oedd Blaer yn cael ei dderbyn, ond penderfynodd y ferch a’i mam i fynd a’r achos i lys, a ddyfarnodd y bydd hi’n cael defnyddio’r enw ar ffurflenni swyddogol o hyn ymlaen.

Nid Gwlad yr Iâ yw’r unig wlad i gael rhestr o enwau gymeradwyedig, gyda Denmarc a’r Almaen gyda systemau tebyg. Yn amlwg, nid oed gan Brydain nag America reolau o’r fath, sy’n amlwg o weld enwau fel Blue Ivy (Plentyn Beyoncé) ag Apple (Gwyneth Paltrow) yn cael ei derbyn fel yr arferol.

Yn y cyfamser yn Florida, cerddodd Nik Wallenda a’r hyd raff 200 o droedfeddi yn yr awyr - heb harnes. Mewn gwyntoedd cryf, llwydodd Wallenda i orffen

y sialens mewn chwarter awr.

Daeth Wallenda i lygaid y cyfryngau blwyddyn diwethaf pan gerddodd ar hyd rhaff dros y Niagara Falls.

helpful, quick effective. hassle free,

‘I found the Maintenance Team very

&

Jessica, Emerald St

It was all we had to do was make sure we were there for our appointment. Communication was easy over email and telephone.

Now everything’s sorted.’

28 / Puzzles

Sudoku INTERMEDIATE

Kakuro Fill in the grid so that each run of squares adds up to the total in the box above or to the left. Use only numbers 1–9 and never use a number more than once per run (a number may recur in the same row, in a separate run).

CHALLENGING

Rhys’ Riddles Steve has been given another riddle by Leather Sherlock Holmes. Using the first 20 letters of the alphabet, Steve has 2 rows with 3 missing letters in each. Fill in the blanks. __ __ __ H I K L M N T __ __ __ G J O P Q R S

Last week's riddle answer: You can cross out any number of nuggets in the right column except 3 by using boxes of 6s and 9s. You can also add 20 to any crossed-out number and cross that number out. So cross out everything in column two which is 26 or higher. Finally, by the same logic you can add 20 to the crossed-out numbers in column 2 and thereby cross out everything in column one that is 46 or higher. The largest number left is 43.

29

Monday the 4th of Febuary | @mediacsu

Listings Feb 4th10th

Cinema

Music

Les Miserables

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

A ground-breaking film adaptation of the global hit stage musical, with an all-star cast singing their parts live. After serving a long prison sentence for a petty crime, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) becomes a noble force for good.

But he reckons without Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe), the policeman who pursues him obsessively for breaking his parole. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of French revolutionary history, Victor Hugo's classic 1862 novel has been adapted for stage and screen many times.

But no version is better loved than the stage musical, which continues to break records in its 27th year.

Plan B

Theatre The New Theatre Driving Miss Daisy Tuesday 5 - Saturday 9 February 2013 Stalls from £14.50 £3.50 off for students

Clubs Solus Comeplay, every Saturday £4 advance tickets

6:30

t studen and ties proper ting coun

more choice from Cardiff’s biggest letting agent. less time searching, more time playing £550.00 pcm

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1 Bed

Property Code

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Colum Road, Cathays

SS2568

£300.00

Penylan Road, Roath

SS3020

£350.00

Richmond Square, Roath

SS4795

£550.00

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SS4798

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SS1994

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SP1070

£1,120.00

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£1,140.00

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SS3924

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SP1267

£1,000.00

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SS3323

£1,250.00

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£1,350.00

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£1,350.00

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2 Beds

Richmond Square

Roath

Enjoy utimate city living in this brand new stylish city apartment

Ferriers Court

Roath

Newly refurbished, spacious and modern two bed with parking. . .

Minny Street

Cathays

Well finished 3 bedroom apartment in ideal student location.

3 Beds

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Roath

Ideal for students as well as professionals working in the city.

Monthermer Road

Cathays

5 Double rooms with large kitchen, lounge and close to amenities.

Woodville Road

Cathays

Newly refurbished 6 bedroom property in the heart of Cathays.

5 Beds

1a Mundy Place, Cathays, Cardiff C24 4BZ email: lettings@keylet.co.uk t: 02920 388 399 f: 02920 376 922

£1960.00 pcm

Woodvile Road

7

Keylet Professional/Student

Cathays

High standard, laminate flooring.

Great location - a viewing must!

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Download from the Apple store search for ‘Keylet’

£1680.00pcm pcm £1680.00

Mundy Place Northcote Street

Cathays Roath

Recently refurbished with a large lounge & fitted kitchen

6+ Beds

£1,400.00 No

Connaught Road, Roath

SS2997

6 £1,500.00

Northcote Street, Roath

SS2503

6 £1,680.00

Woodville Road, Cathays

SS3501

6 £1,740.00

Woodville Road, Cathays

SS3911

6 £1,860.00

Woodville Road, Cathays

SS3521

7 £1,960.00

Colum Road, Cathays

SS2618

7 £2,030.00

Flora Street, Cathays

SS4914

8 £2,080.00

Bedford Street, Roath

SS2912

8 £2,320.00

Gordon Road, Roath

SS3997

9 £2,400.00

Glynrhondda Street, Cathays

SS1635

11 £2,750.00

*All HMO properties licensed with Cardiff Council

34 / Sport

Round-up

Team Talk: EarthSoc

Sport editor Ross Martinovic talks IMG Football with EarthSoc goalkeeper Jon Morse For two years, EarthSoc were practically invincible in IMG Football. They won two consecutive titles, going undefeated in the process, and their formidable attack shredded many a fearful defence.

The reigning champions, however, find themselves in an unfamiliar position this season.

Premiership qualification is uncertain after two consecutive losses at the start of the season, including a shock 2–1 defeat to an unfancied Computer Science outfit.

Still, their form picked up in the second half of the semester and they now sit two points from a Premiership place with three Phase 1 games to play.

Yes, we had a lot of new faces coming into the team following the departure of five key players.

For a while, it was looking like we were going to have to recruit a lot of freshers, which would have made it quite difficult to find the quality of player needed for the Premiership since most good footballers, go to play for the uni in their first year.

When it became apparent that KLAW weren't going to be fielding a team, then we got in touch.

Andy Samuel came in up front and has been playing well, Finn

How do you think the season is going so far?

The season started very poorly, but thankfully we've started to get back to winning ways. We entered the first game against Computer Science with completely the wrong attitude. I think someone may have even mentioned 10–0 during warm up. We took the lead and thought more goals would come, so decided to make some changes and give new lads a chance. In hindsight, we should have only done this once we were a few goals to the good, but since we had lost five starting players from the previous year, we needed to have a look at as many players as possible. That defeat hit us hard. We hadn't lost since 2010 and had a goal difference of over 100 since our last defeat. I think complacency had become a real issue. The lads were very down after that one.

Hill has come into midfield and has been solid. Tommy Coles is a really good IMG player – unfortunately, we only get about 20 minutes out of him before he's spent. KLAW’s captain Tom Keohane plays the odd game and we

EarthSoc were unbeaten for two years, but lost two on the bounce at the start of this season. Has there been a big upheaval in the squad?

do play better when we've got him.

Any potential stars in the team? Who have been your standouts?

Jim Vibert, a new player this year, has come in and really impressed me, as has our new centre-back Dan Cipriani (yes, that's his real name). For me, though, the two standout players have been Joe Peskett, who I would say is easily the best left-back in IMG – his work rate is exceptional; the ground he covers is second-to-

none.

The other has been Jono Watson. Our captain, Tom Mahon, stopped playing after the first game, we waited a while to see if he was keen to come back but he's plagued by injuries and

didn't want to risk getting another. Once we knew he wasn't coming back it was an easy decision for me to make Jono captain. He leads by example, gets stuck in and works hard, as well as being able to produce some brilliant skill.

Who have been your toughest opponents this year? Who do you think will go on and be in contention for the Premiership this year?

Roath Park Rangers have been our strongest opposition. They

are a team that knows how to play IMG football and will be in contention for the Prem. Having reffed FC Euros, I'd have to say they look strong contenders, too.

CARBS will be up there as ever.

What's the social scene been like this campaign?

By EarthSoc standards, we had a pretty tame first term, except for our initiation which nearly saw off a few lads. I think we bought about £180 of spirits and drank it all, needless to say not many made it out and only one or two managed to stay out for long.

This term we've got some big nights out lined up, which will test everyone's livers again. Our Social Sec, Oli Collins, is probably the most likely to be taken home early – he just doesn’t know how to pace himself and always ends up a mess, but that’s exactly what Social Secs should be doing so he's doing a great job.

What do you think of the organisation of IMG this year?

Has it improved at all?

I've been really impressed. Cari [Davies, AU President] has made a real effort with IMG and it’s made things better. A few of us got together last year to discuss improvements and one thing that’s been put into place is the ref system. It’s meant that you don’t always get a sub that doesn't know how to play football let alone ref a game. I would like to see more captains and senior players doing the reffing, though, as I think some teams have been sending weak lads who get bullied by the seasoned IMG players and end up not making decisions that the older lads would make.

There has been talk of changing the three-tier system to a four-tier system after Phase 1 – I don’t think this should happen as it would mean we only get six games in Phase 2, whereas with the three-tier system we would get eight games (nine in the Prem), which is much better value for money considering that we pay £250 a season to play.

Group C Group A

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

1

0

23

22

1 2

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

1

Roath Park Rangers

8

6

2

0

11

20

Pharm A.C.

8

7

0

1

19

21

2

Psycho Athletico

8

4

2

2

11

14

CARBS FC

8

6

2

0

26

20

3

Cardiff Uni IMG 1st

8

4

1

3

20

13

EarthSoc

6

4

0

2

16

12

Group B

1

FC Euros

8

7

2

Momed AFC

7

5

1

1

15

16

3

SOCSI

7

5

0

2

33

15

3

Law A

8

4

1

3

10

13

4

4

AFC Dentistry

6

4

0

2

14

12

4

Cardiff Mets

8

3

1

4

8

10

5

CHAOS FC

6

3

2

1

-1

11

5

1st XI

7

4

0

3

8

12

5

Inter Menan

7

3

1

3

6

10

6

Engin Loco FC

5

3

1

1

8

10

6

Law B

6

1

2

3

-6

5

6

JOMEC FC

8

3

1

4

-17

10

7

C-PLAN AFC

7

2

2

3

4

8

7

Chemistry FC

6

1

1

4

-6

4

7

History AFC

7

3

0

4

-3

9

8

Computer Science FC

8

1

1

6

-24

4

8

Cardiff Uni IMG 2nd

7

1

1

5

-28

4

8

Gym Gym

8

1

2

5

-28

5

9

OPSOC

7

1

1

5

-35

4

9

Too Big To Fail

8

0

0

8

-53

0

9

Time Team

8

1

0

7

-21

3

10

Engin Automotive FC

7

0

2

5

-10

2

35

Sport 34–36

Monday February 4th 2013 | @gairrhyddsport

The Tip-Off: ENCAP Netball In the first of our Tip-Off series, Ross Martinovic speaks to ENCAP captain Amalie Smith If one was asked to select a standout team from the IMG Netball competition this year, it would be difficult to look past ENCAP. The 'A' squad, skippered by goal attack Amalie Smith, have swept away all before them this season, winning all of their games and racking up a remarkable goal difference of +118 in qualifying for the Premier League in Phase 2.

The ENCAP 'B' squad have been in outstanding form as well, also holding a 100 per cent record heading into the second phase.

Their success is particularly noteworthy given the relatively small size of the department, and the girls will head into the Premier League as hot favourites alongside the traditional powerhouses of Law and CARBS.

committed, fit girls, and we have a lot of choice in terms of picking teams. This does come in handy if any players are unavailable, as we know that we'll always be

commitment of all the girls at training, and their willingness to work hard at fitness, skills, game strategies and set plays. All the girls are so good at working as a

and they're always so rewarding to play against, not to mention a lot of fun! We've joined up to play friendlies, but we're looking forward to the real challenge in Phase 2.

The IMG competitions are well-known for some pretty lively social scenes. What's it like for ENCAP? Any amusing stories to tell?

Socials are pretty lively, yes! Especially after a big win, the girls are great fun and are always up for a good time. I've seen some of the best fancy dress ever in the past year-and-a-half (mostly courtesy of our Social Sec, Freya Kendall). There are always great stories the next day and even a few broken bones! We're lucky to have such great sponsors in Lava Lounge, Revolution and The Lash, who give us great deals for our socials.

You've had seven wins from seven this season with a goal difference of +118 – things don't really get much better than that! How pleased are you personally with the season so far?

The season has got off to a better start than I ever expected and I'm so impressed with how both teams have performed so far. We lost a number of good third year players at the end of last year, but the new players have really stepped up to the plate and done us proud. All the girls are really committed to the game and keen to play well and to win! Hopefully, it will continue into Phase 2!

ENCAP 'B' are also enjoying a fantastic season, winning all seven of their games. You clearly have a very strong squad – has this competition for places contributed to the 'A' and 'B' teams being as successful as they have been?

Well, it's definitely helped! We do have a great squad of keen, Group A

year. The new talent has been amazing this year, though, particularly Sarah Poole who came to us from Pharmacy Netball with an amazing goal average,

P

W

D

CARBS A

7

6

Law A

6

6

Cardiff Uni IMG A

6

Law B

6

able to put out a strong team. It also gives us an opportunity to try out different arrangements and strategies with different girls to see what works best.

and Polly Holmes, who is one of the best centres we've ever had.

All the girls have done ENCAP proud so far this season, though, and I'd list them all if I could.

With so many good players it must be difficult to single out individuals, but which girls would you say have been your star performers this year?

It's pretty difficult to pick anyone in particular, especially since our squad has grown so much this

ENCAP also had a great season last year and did not lose a game in Phase 2 after Christmas. This success is fairly remarkable for a comparatively small department – what would you say your secret is?

I think it's down to the fantastic

L

Pts

0

1

0

0

4

0

4

0

team – everyone contributes different ideas that could improve our performance and are equally willing to try out new strategies.

With Phase 2 now upon us, which other teams are you looking at as being in contention for the Premier League this year along with yourselves?

The Law girls always provide us with good competition – they've got a great squad again

Group B

P

W

D

L

Pts

Group C

P

W

D

L

Pts

18

ENCAP A

7

7

0

0

21

ENCAP B

7

7

0

0

18

Psychology A

7

5

0

2

15

Pharmacy A

7

5

0

2

2

12

Cardiff Medics A

7

4

0

3

12

CARBS B

7

4

0

2

12

Cardiff Uni B

7

4

0

3

12

Chemistry

7

4

What have you thought of the organisation of IMG this year?

Is there anything that you would like to see improved?

Things have improved a lot since last year, but obviously there are still improvements to be made. In IMG, we have to do a lot of the organisation ourselves in terms of booking courts, sorting sponsorship and finance, rearranging matches and finding umpires, although the umpires we did have did a sterling job and hopefully they'll have an easier job this season! Laura Butcher also ran a great session to improve everyone's understanding of the game and to improve the confidence of those who hope to umpire in future seasons. Hopefully, this will make the whole league much more organised, accessible and professional in Phase 2 this term.

Group D

P

W

D

L

Pts

21

Gym Gym

6

4

0

2

12

15

Cardiff Dental

6

3

0

3

9

3

12

Pharmacy B

6

3

0

3

9

0

3

12

HistorySoc

6

2

0

4

6

Engin Loco

7

2

0

5

6

URNU

7

2

1

4

7

OPSOC

7

2

0

5

12

EarthSoc

7

2

0

5

6

SOCSI B

7

2

1

4

7

Bioscience

7

2

0

5

6

Engin Auto

6

1

0

5

3

SOCSI A

7

1

0

6

3

Follow all IMG Football and Netball news, fixtures and results in Sport.

High-flying ENCAP netball in this week's The Tip-Off << page 35

cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk /gairrhydd

Sport Monday February 4th 2013 | Issue 996

Team Cardiff back in action

Sport editor James Shapland sums up the first fixtures of the new year for Team Cardiff

T

his week saw the return of BUCS action for Team Cardiff after the Christmas break.

Recent inclement weather has seen postponements and cancellations, which has unfortunately gone on to affect several sports again this week.

With Varsity just round the corner, Cardiff will be looking to

build up some good form, and the women’s basketball team lodged a superb victory, conquering rivals Swansea by 83 points to 45.

The men’s lacrosse team also enjoyed a local derby win over Cardiff Met, keeping a clean sheet and scoring 10 goals. The mixed golf team, however, will not take the bragging rights as they were soundly beaten at Glamorgan by 5.5 to 0.5.

Team Talk: Focus on IMG side EarthSoc << page 34

Cardiff men’s table tennis breezed past relegation-threat-

The men's lacrosse team enjoyed a local derby win over Cardiff Met, winning 10–0 ened Exeter with a 17–0 win, closing the gap on the league’s

top team, Southampton. The women’s tennis team also boosted their promotion prospects with a 10–2 win over Exeter’s 2nd team. The ladies are now level on points with Bath 2nds at the top of the Western Conference 1A. Elsewhere, Women’s badminton suffered an away defeat at Exeter, leaving them precariously placed second-bottom just above Southampton. The men

managed a hard fought 4–4 draw with top of the table Bath who lead the pack by an impressive eight points. And finally, Cardiff women’s footballers continue to sit precariously above the relegation zone after a 4–3 loss at Plymouth.

The Tip-Off: Sport speaks to ENCAP netball << page 35