rhifyn 1129 issue 1129
gair rhydd
4 chwefror 2019 4 february 2019
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Mountains of food waste at the Postgraduate Teaching Centre W
Making realistic resolutions by Emily Withers
ith January past us, our Advice desk cover how to set more realistic goals and resoultions heading into the new year, as many of us will have already failed the all or nothing approach to resolutions. 20
From nuclear mud to nuclear national parks by Matt Tomlin
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ith the recent dumping of ‘nuclear mud’ from the EDF Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset to Cardiff Bay, and new plans for nuclear power projects in North Wales, our News desk discuss the growing concerns over the Welsh nuclear situation. 3
Taking selfies at Auschwitz
by Karis Pearson
Straight into the bin: Aaron took as many sandwiches as he could to distribute to homeless people in Cardiff. Photo credit: Aaron Holdsworth by Jess Warren
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ood waste is a rife topic at Cardiff University currently, with a trial food waste scheme rolling out in Cartwright Court, one of Cardiff University’s halls of residence earlier this month on Wednesday, January 2, until Friday, April 12. A scheme pulled together by Nia Jones, Ethical and Environmental officer at Cardiff University Students’ Union (CUSU), the Residences Team, Students’ Union, and Biffa Waste Services. However, food waste does not just exist within the home. Earlier this month, Aaron Holdsworth, a visitor to the Postgraduate Teaching Centre, took to Twitter having discovered the Cafe in the building is throwing away approximately 40 pre-packaged sandwiches on a daily basis, when they close at 3.00pm due to the sell-by date. Aaron stated: “I asked a member of the staff if they were just being thrown away and she sort of giggled and said ‘yes’. So I asked if I could take some to give to homeless people on my way home. She asked another lady who I think was the manager and she said ‘yes, take as many as you like’. I could only fit a few in my rucksack.” The responsibility for the problem
caused some confusion online, as the Cafe engages in the ‘Proud to Serve’ partnership with Costa Coffee, that means all hot drinks are provided by Costa Coffee. However, the food, including sandwiches and cakes are sourced by Cardiff University. This means that the issue of food waste falls to the University and not Costa Coffee. When asked about the issue, a Cardiff University spokesperson said: “The University effectively manages stock across all of our food outlets in order to minimise levels of food waste. “For example, sandwich orders are adjusted on a daily basis by each unit to minimise waste. As a result, levels are relatively small in comparison to other local and national food outlets. “However, there are certain times of the academic year when it does prove difficult to manage. To ensure any food waste can be distributed to those who need it most we have been in contact with a number of food agencies and local charities. “As we have pockets of small food waste, the challenge remains to find a solution that makes it worthwhile for charities to collect and distribute in an effective and sustainable way.
“That’s why, as part of the University’s new and emerging Food Waste policy, we are actively examining the possibility of using apps like Too Good To Go and Wriggle to develop a solution. “We remain fully committed to finding a long-term and sustainable solution to our food waste.” Evidently, the Cafe in the Postgraduate Teaching Centre is one of these socalled “pockets of small food waste”, with seemingly poor management of fresh stock, resulting in an oversupply, and generating waste. Neither the University or Cafe staff were able to explain how long this amount of food waste has been generated for, and what was going to be done to directly solve the problem in this instance. Back in 2015, the ‘Waste Not Want Not’ volunteer project was set up in CUSU, where students could help redistribute foodstuffs from the Students’ Union and University catering outlets to local homelessness charities. This also included helping with the Cathays Community Fridge project based at Cathays Community Centre - a community fridge where surplus food is shared freely between people
in the community. However, Aaron’s discovery a few weeks ago came at a difficult point in the academic year, with very few students available to help re-distribute any surplus to those in need. Arguably, the unpredictability of student presence in early January is another potential cause of this food surplus. However, it does not excuse the disposal of such sandwiches into the bin, instead of to deserving homes. Throwing surplus food into the bin is a ridiculous waste of resources and causes further environmental damage than handing them out to those in need. Gair Rhydd also spoke to Nia Jones, Ethical and Environmental Campaign Officer in CUSU, about the issue of food waste, where she stated: “Food waste is an important waste stream to ensure that we get right, as it has a significant impact on our environment. “Food waste in the SU is currently disposed of sustainably and we are in the process of a food trial in Cartwright Court to extend this sustainability into residences. “Despite these things - there is always room to improve. If anyone would like to discuss the matter and its importance feel free to email me on
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ollowing on from a recent trip to Auschwitz, our Comment Columnist was shocked to find that many people were taking selfies at the concentration camp. This week she discusses the need people have to document their lives via social media. 14
Is it time to “tear down these tents”? by Lowri Pitcher
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s Kathryn Kelloway, Cardiff Conservative councillor has been suspended after demanding the tents housing many homeless people in Cardiff to be torn down, our newest addition to the Politics desk discusses the situation. 16
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EDITORIAL
Gair Rhydd 2018/19 Coordinator Elaine Morgan
Editor-in-Chief Jess Warren
Deputy Editors Silvia Martelli Reece Chambers Michael Ash
Head of Digital Media Michael Ash
News
Gee Harland Indigo Jones Emma Ogao Matt Tomlin
Campus Life Ashley Boyle Cerian Jones
Taf-od
Llion Carbis Tomos Evans
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word
the free
A letter from the editor
Stepping out of the winter blues Second-term is underway, here’s what you’ve missed
Comment
Alys Hewitt Hannah Newberry Emma Videan
Column Road Karis Pearson
Politics
Charlotte King Silvia Martelli Lowri Pitcher Sam Tilley
Advice
Ashavari Baral Katie Lewis
Saunders’ Corner
Sam Saunders
Science
Daniel Brown Jonathan Learmont
Sport
Reece Chambers Rosie Foley John Jones Laura Price Jack Vavasour George Willoughby
Social Media Editors Indigo Jones Giovanna Coi
Digital Media Editors Maisie Marston Jordan Parker Cadi Thomas
Copy Editors
Sofia Brizio Ilona Cabral Chris Colbourn Abi Dudbridge Elen Fflur Davies Gemma Hopley Steph Rowe
Write to the editor editor@gairrhydd.com
At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our responsibility to maintain the highest possible standards. We may occasionally make mistakes, however if you believe we have fallen below the standards we seek to uphold, please email editor@gairrhydd.com. You can view our Ethical Policy Statement and Complaints Procedure at cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints. Opinions expressed in editorials are not reflective of Cardiff Student Media, who act as the publisher of Gair Rhydd in legal terms, and should not be considered official communications or the organisation’s stance. Gair Rhydd is a Post Office registered newspaper.
Full steam ahead: We’ve got an exciting upcoming term, full of many events and brilliant stories. Source: Jon Tyson (via Unsplash) by Jess Warren
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elcome back to your last term of the academic year and an incoming term of excitement. I am going to skip the ‘Happy New Year’, as we have now progressed into February, after what felt like a never ending January. For all of you who have made it out of the examination and coursework deadline period, congratulations. That is one more chunk of your degree in the bag, and certainly a decrease in pressure for the coming weeks. This term certainly does hold some exciting weeks ahead, with the Students’ Union elections fast approaching (you have until Tuesday, February 5 to nominate yourself ), many careers events for those of you looking for internships and graduate jobs, and of course Welsh Varsity and the ability to win the Varsity Cup on home soil.
Thinking about the term ahead is both exciting and sombre as I recognise this is also my last term as Editor-inChief of Gair Rhydd. With that in mind, we’ve got some fantastic stories coming your way in the next few months, with a whole range of features to keep your eyes open for. This week, our News Desk are updating you on all the recent developments in the University and City that you might have missed over the Christmas break, with a new Chancellor of Cardiff University being announced and the University rising up the Stonewall rankings to become the highest ranked of all UK universities. Other recent changes to Cardiff are the sudden closure of Buffalo and imminent displacement of Gwdihw and the entirety of Guildford Crescent, both of which were announced during the Christmas break. With the ‘Save
Guilford Crescent’ March happening a few weeks ago, students and societies are working together to see how they can influence change. I suggest turning to page seven where our Campus Life Desk met with the societies teaming up to support independent businesses in the city. Following on from their meeting, they plan to expand to include more societies and students so they can have a bigger and better impact for these small businesses. If you were busy over the winter break binging on Netflix between assignments or to escape the hoards of family downstairs, then you may have seen Netflix’s latest release: Sex Education. Turning to page four, our News team have interviewed some of the Cardiff University music students involved in the production. On the same topic, our Comment Desk debate whether the need for shows such as
Sex Education are a signifier of the failing education system in schools to accomodate for queer sexualites and difference of sexual experience. A brilliant and interesting read that questions what more needs to be done when it comes to sex education. If you’re as glad as I am to see the back of January, mostly due to my failed attempt at new year’s resolutions - which lasted all of two weeks until my coursework was handed in - then the Advice Desk are discussing how to make realistic goals for the new year, and stepping away from an all or nothing approach to commitment. So for those of you who are going into your last term, or perhaps the last term of your first year, I wish you all of the luck in your forthcoming assessments and exams, and urge you to capitalise on and enjoy every monent the term throws at you.
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Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power Station: The deactivated power station is in the decomissioning process but could be home to a new reactor soon. Photo credit: William M. Connelly via Wikimedia Commons. duction, particularly in light of the decreasing costs of renewable energy. When Theresa May was asked about Wylfa Newydd following her meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister in January she did not present the idea of any government intervention. The PM stated that while the two had discussed the situation, the future of the Wylfa project was a “commercial decision” to be made by Hitachi. There is some consideration for the development of further renewable energy production in North Wales, particularly tidal. It is unknown whether arguments for such a move will become more relevant in light of the Wylfa Newydd delay. The acceleration of technology has been a frequently discussed issue with the development of large-scale nuclear reactor technologies such as those proposed for Wylfa Newydd. Critics of them have implied that by the time such developments are complete the nuclear technology implemented is no longer the most current and efficient available, thus making it hard for the nuclear market to keep up to speed with updates whilst remaining safe. Large-scale reactors have been prone to issues with getting such technology to function correctly, prompting some demand for
Hinkley Point B in Somerset: Where the mud being dumped in Cardiff Bay originated. Photo credit: Robin Somes via Wikimedia Commons.
smaller-scale reactors. Such demand has, however, been proposed to be catered to with potential for a government-backed small modular reactor in Trawsfynydd; the only nuclear power plant in Wales other than the old Wylfa plant. Based in the Snowdonia National Park, Trawsfynydd is no longer in operation and is the only nuclear plant in the UK to be based in-land next to a man-made lake. As part of a government-backed £200m investment into nuclear technology development in the UK, a £40m SMR research facility was announced in June 2018 for the Trawsfynydd site, with potential to bring in up to 600 jobs. Having met with potential international bidders for working on a small modular reactor at Trawsfynydd, UK Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said at the time that “It’s incredibly exciting what we’re putting in in terms of innovation and research but also working with sites which have a deep history of excellence in nuclear engineering such as we have here, is an ideal combination.” There have, meanwhile, been a number of environmental and health worries raised over the North Wales nuclear situation and its future. When Hitachi first began using its proposed site for Wylfa Newydd, Greenpeace launched a legal bid to try and prevent it from continuing. With regards Trawsfynydd, the sediment in the man-made lake has been made radioactive by the power station. There are also concerns over claims that some of the low-level nuclear waste from the plant could be buried on-site at Trawsfynydd following discussion in the House of Commons last year that national parks could not be ruled out as potential nuclear waste burial sites. It would seem that Wales is a centre for discussions over the production of nuclear energy and the concerns it has brought to communities and environmental campaigners. While the dumping of mud from Hinkley Point in Cardiff Bay has been well underway for some time now since the Welsh Assembly’s decision, the future of nuclear energy in North Wales is currently unclear, as is the future for any renewables in Wales.
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Cian Ciarán, keyboard player for the band Super Furry Animals, and prolific campaigner against the redistribution of this sediment to Cardiff Bay without adequate testing. He said that the Welsh Assembly’s vote against stopping the mud dumping was “no surprise and confirms the fact that people’s voices have not been heard over the issue. “Decisions were made before people’s concerns and adequate testing were taken into account and that’s disappointing and frustrating. “Our main objection against the nuclear mud dumping was that it had not been tested enough and if particles in the mud are dangerous and inhaled then that is a potentially significant dose of radiation involved, with people in Cardiff, Newport and Barry at risk.” Having been brought up in North Wales, Ciarán also commented on the developments of nuclear power in North Wales and nuclear’s influence on Wales as a country. He commented “Wanting to build more stations is ridiculous. It’s economically unjustified as renewables can employ more people and the UK government keeps causing more nuclear waste by building more power stations. The case in Wales is that nuclear issues keep being swept under the carpet or even under a national park.” Nuclear power in North Wales has had a tumultuous few months, with possible delays to the proposed Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station having been a concern prior to Hitachi’s announcement in January about postponing the project. The suspension of operations at the site for the foreseeable future has made uncertain the potential for the 9,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs which were predicted for the area as a result of the project. The decision to halt the development has been based on concerns over the cost of nuclear energy pro-
NEWS
urrently, there are two major issues surrounding nuclear energy in Wales. The first is the recent dumping of what campaigners have deemed ‘nuclear mud’ from the EDF Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset to Cardiff Bay. The second are the plans for new nuclear power projects in North Wales, including the recently delayed Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station on Anglesey; a project being managed by Japanese company Hitachi. The issue of nuclear power plants is mainly affiliated with the Westminster government as energy production is not a fully devolved power, while the dumping of mud from Somerset has been a focus of the Welsh Government, with the Welsh Assembly having voted against putting a stop to the dumping in early October 2018. The issue of ‘nuclear mud’ in Cardiff Bay has received backlash from many concerned over the environmental and health hazards. While the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station is constructed in Somerset, mud near to the old Hinkley power stations has had to be dredged to make way for the new construction. Over 20 Welsh businesses have been claimed to have had involvement in the removal of this mud from Somerset across the channel to Cardiff Bay; a decision made due to Cardiff Bay’s suitability for such redistribution. This mud has been deemed ‘nuclear mud’ by those in Cardiff against the idea, while EDF and the Welsh Government have claimed the mud is not radioactive by the standards of UK law, those concerned wanted the mud to have further testing to prove its safety as if, for example, a storm were to occur again on the scale of October’s Storm Callum then this could lead to unsafe mud being washed inland throughout Cardiff. Gair Rhydd got into contact with
NEWYDDION
Gair Rhydd interviewed a campaigner who was protesting the dumping of mud from Hinkley Point in Cardiff Bay, but what are the other issues with nuclear in Wales?
For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/news
From nuclear mud to nuclear national parks – the Welsh nuclear situation
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Your news desk Gee Harland Klaudia Jazwinska Emma Ogao Matt Tomlin Indigo Jones
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NEWS
A statue for Wales’ first black headteacher has been built in Cardiff by Taylor Willis
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statue to commemorate Wales’ first black headteacher, Betty Campbell, has been built in Cardiff. Betty Campbell was born into a working-class family. Her father was Jamaican and her mother was Welsh. Mrs Campbell grew up in Tiger Bay and went to work as a teacher in multi-racial areas of the city. Mrs Campbell taught at Mount Stuart in Butetown for 28 years, even after she was told as a student that this career was not achievable for her as a black woman. She will be celebrated for her hard work and determination against those who told her a working class, black female could not succeed. Betty Campbell always celebrated her nations multicultural heritage. She was on the race relations board, a governor for BBC wales and was a member of the Home Office’s race advisory. This was all whilst serving her educational roles as a teacher and headteacher. The school in Butetown has since been celebrated for the multicultural education it provides. Nelson Mandela even paid Betty a visit during his one visit to wales. The statue will be outside of Central Square next to Cardiff Central station, immortalising Betty after her death in 2017 at the age of 82.
She was told as a student that this career was not achievable for her as a black woman
Betty Campbell: A statue of the ex-teacher will be located outside of Central Square. Photo Credit: Parasol Media LTD
Cardiff University students star in new Netflix show, Sex Education
In the summer of 2018, Cardiff University’s music students starred in brand new Netflix show, Sex Education by Gee Harland
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he show follows an awkward high school student, played by Asa Butterfield (21), who despite his own lack of sexual experience, begins to offer sex therapy to fellow students. This is from the knowledge he had reluctantly gained from his mother, played by Gillian Anderson (50), who is a sex therapist in the show. The Netflix show has received high ratings and approvals, with many praising the show for normalizing and teaching young teens about sexual health. Sex Education covers many topics from LGBTQ+ lives, to abortion, the shows creator, Laurie Nunn, stated that she wanted “body positivity, sex positivity and feminism” to come through in the writing. The themes and educational aspects from the show, came from Nunn, writers and producers discussing “what information they would have liked to have seen on TV as teenagers”. So, even if sex education fails to be present in the education system, there is still a Netflix show about it, which has been praised for the educational aspects and normalization of sexual health topics. Grace Filmer (20) is one of the Cardiff University music students who participated in the filming of Sex Education in the summer of 2018. She explained that landing the position on the show was a “happy accident”, as the shows creators were emailing various music apartments
to find a choir that would be happy to be involved. Cardiff University’s operatic society, ran by Heather Fuller, were more than happy to film with Netflix in what became a paid role on the show, Sex Education. They were in two main scenes across the Netflix series, but were lucky enough to become extras next to their roles as choir singers in the show. Georgie Rose, another Cardiff University music student, stated: “Being an extra is a super cool way
Being an extra is a super cool way to earn more money if you’re a student, anyone can sign up to earn money if you’re a student, as anyone can sign up to the casting agency, and get sent opportunities for work local to them, and you can do as little or as much as you like” Filming took place across Wales, but the main scene that the operatic choir filmed, took place in a 6th form college in Caerlon. Grace explains that she has a “new appreciation for filming” after seeing first hand all the effort that goes into putting a show together. She said they were able to truly see the “magic of television” whilst being on set. Moreover,
Grace concludes the filming process by describing it as “manic, but such a joy to be a part of ”. Georgie Rose summarises her experience as: “It was hilarious and great fun. The days were long with often super early call times, but overall it was a great experience! I
It was hilarious and great fun. The days were long with often super early call times, but overall it was a great experience
Rose said: “My family think it’s cool, I dread to think whether they’ve actually watched the series though”. Some friends and family have even loved the show so much that they will not stop asking whether there will be a season two and whether the Cardiff students will be involved again. Grace Filmer states that we know as much as her, but she would love to be involved again if Netflix asked. If not, she will “cherish” the experience she had last summer and is happy she had the opportunity to do so. The show Sex Education is on Netflix now, we encourage all Cardiff University students to watch it in support of our operatic society here at Cardiff University.
met some super cool people, and obviously it was awesome to be doing something like that with all my pals”. Sex Education covers lots of important sexual topics, which could be considered quite indecorous, however the operatic society state they received a synopsis of the series before filming and had a vague idea of what the show was about. Grace Filmer stated that the show was making people aware of different sexual issues which people should be aware of and that younger people would not necessarily find in a newspaper or online. Friends and family of the Cardiff students involved have been very supportive, almost like ‘cheerleaders’ to the operatic society. Georgie
Gillian Anderson: sex therapist in the Netflix show. Jon Fingas (via Flickr)
Sex Education: The Operatic Society filming one of their main scenes. Photo Credit: Heather Fuller (via Twitter.com)
NEWYDDION
Cardiff University has ranked 11th top UK LGBT+ employers
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Baroness Randerson named Cardiff In Stonewall’s 2019 ranking of the UK’s top 100 LGBT+ employers, Cardiff University’s new Chancellor University placed 11th, three up from last year’s ranking of 14th. by Hallum Cowell
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by Matthew Jordan
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his ranking continues its streak as the top academic employer in the UK for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other queer members of staff. Recently recognised as a Stonewall Global Diversity Champion, the university also retained its Top Trans Employer status. Enfys, the LGBT+ network for university staff, was recognised by Stonewall as a Highly Commended Network Group. The list is based upon Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, a benchmarking test used to analyse LGBT+ inclusion. An evidence-backed submission is combined with feedback from employees, surveying their workplace experiences. Professor Colin Riordan, the University’s Vice Chancellor commented:
The success is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of many members of staff from across the University
Striving for diversity: Cardiff Uni is 11th in the UK’s top 100 LGBT+ employers. Photo Credit: Stock Catalog via Flickr.com “I am absolutely delighted we’ve risen to 11th place in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers survey. The success is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of many members of staff from across the University and a visible statement to prospective and current staff and students that LGBT+ equality really matters.”
Cardiff University has made the top 100 board for nine years straight. Last year’s ranking of 14th was itself a large improvement upon the previous year, where the university placed 23rd, for a jump of 9 places. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Holford hopes that the university’s rating will continue to grow: “De-
spite our excellent performance, we are not complacent. We continue to work hard to ensure all of our policies and practices are inclusive.” “Whilst it’s pleasing to see we’re so close to a top 10 position, wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could all work together and break in to the top 10 next year?”
Encouraging voices to be heard: Inquiry into racial harassment at Welsh universities
by Jess Warren
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ver the past two months, the Equality and Human Rights Commission have launched an inquiry into racial harassment in universities in Wales. The inquiry survey closes on Thursday, February 28th, and is open to students and staff directly affected by racial harassment, as well as students and staff who have witnessed and reported incidents of the same vein. Currently, the inquiry has received an array of responses, with Cardiff currently having the highest proportion of responses from Wales. With the inquiry still open, the Comission are calling for more people to come forward and re-
port their experiences. The large repsonse from Cardiff so far is likely due to population demographics of the capital city, having a higher population overall, and a more ethnically diverse population. The inquiry is looking for experiences between September 2015, and the present day, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission are specifically focussing on how the complaint of racial harassment was handled. This includes how accessible and available reporting an incident is, as well as how effective reporting it is felt to be. Where data suggests there is room for
Higher Education Inquiry: Racial harassment in higher education being looked into in Wales. Source: Bill Erickson (via Flickr)
improvement in the process of reporting incidents harassment, the inquiry will then look to make recommendations to universities across Wales, and the Welsh Government about how they can improve, set to come out in the Autumn of 2019. This inquiry has come about following the state of the nation report, Is Wales Fairer? 2018, which looked at how fair society is perceived to be, including education. It was in relation to this report that a closer look into the education sector was prompted, focussing on experiences of race at university. Gair Rhydd spoke with Kate Russell, who is leading the inquiry for Wales who added that the inquiry comes about because: “there has been evidence from universities and representative bodies where raising concerns over racial harassment has affected the staff and students who reported the incident, creating a range of consequences in many cases.” With situations like this occurring around the UK, the inquiry aims to shed light on any unfair treatment of students and staff alike who have felt their complaint was not dealt with appropriately. Kate was keen to express that: “the
main aim of the inquiry is to encourage voices to be heard”, and whilst all responses are confidential, the more detail you can provide about your experiences will help drive change, and generate positive data that can generate action. The bigger impact of this inquiry has seen greater engagement of BME university groups across Wales, with Kate meeting the Black Attainment Gap Group at Cardiff University surrounding the inquiry. If you would like to confidentially report an experience surrounding the management of a racial harassment complaint, you’re able to submit a response by scanning this QR code.
aroness Randerson has been named as Cardiff University’s new chancellor. Chancellor is the most senior role at the university and includes presiding over graduation ceremonies. Baroness Randerson is one of Wales’ longest serving politicians, having served for four decades. More recently was also introduced into the House of Lords in 2011, and held the post of under-secretary of state at the Wales office from 2012 to 2015. The Baroness also holds a degree in history from Bedford college and a PCGE from the institute of education both of which preside at London university. On her appointment Baroness Randerson said: “I will take up this role at a time of immense challenge for all UK universities and I commit myself to do all I can to represent the university, its students and staff, to the best of my ability”. The official inauguration was on the 30th of January 2019.
The New Chancellor: Keynote speaker at Wales Green Building Marketplace. Photo credit: RenewableUK Cymru via Flickr.com
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BYWYD CAMPWS
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Standing in SolidariTee with Refugees Alice Abrey talks about the importance of her work with SolidariTee by Alice Abrey
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olidariTee is an international student-led campaign that sells t-shirts and tote bags to raise money for refugee legal aid. The new team of reps at Cardiff University are encouraging you to buy a shirt and show
solidarity too! It is all too easy for our thoughts of the refugee crisis to fade away behind mounting work deadlines and the dwindling news coverage of asylum seekers. However, SolidariTee’s unique two-fold process of financially supporting legal aid NGOs on the ground as well as publicising the issues keeps conversations about refugees at the forefront of our minds and social consciences. As SolidariTee founder, Tiara Sahar Ataii observed during her work as a translator for legal aid NGOs in Greece, legal aid is the only way to get people out of
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CAMPUS LIFE
T-shirts that Talk: SolidariTee have sold 3,600 t-shirts for refugee legal aid. Source: SolidariTee.
Your campus life desk Ashley Boyle Cerian Jones
the ‘legal limbo’ that is often inevitable in temporary camps and is the only solution to the asylum process which can so easily end with deportation. As Head Rep of Cardiff SolidariTee, I’m excited to bring such an important campaign to the city. Our team of 15 enthusiastic student reps are spread across a range of schools in the University and will be selling t-shirts at a number of socials and events throughout the term. The sale of each £10 SolidariTee shirt is efficiently spent thanks to volunteer reps and minimal administration costs so as much profit can support the NGOs as possible. In the past two years, SolidariTee has raised nearly £48,000 and sold 3,600 t-shirts and 600 totes across the world. We are looking forward to contributing to SoldariTee’s growing success and impact, but we can’t do it without your support! Wearing a t-shirt may not seem like an act of activism but wearing a SolidariTee shirt carries the important message of the campaign wherever you go whilst also funding meaningful change. In Cardiff, we hope to get as many students as possible wearing their shirts and standing in solidarity. The 2018/19 campaign features two designs by the Sudanese artist, Dar Al Naim. Both designs feature a silhouette of a human intertwined with the sea in either a monochrome print or with teal highlights. Her striking illustrations evoke questions of perilous journeys, freedom, ‘faceless’ individuals and innocence, that encourage conversations about the work of SolidariTee and the plight of refugees. For more information about our work
Art for a cause: An example design. Source: SolidariTee. in Cardiff as well as SolidariTee in general, check out the SolidariTee Facebook page which is a hub of photograph campaigns and infographics tackling misinformation about refugees. The official launch of the Cardiff Team will also be featured there soon so be sure not to miss it! SolidariTee shows that activism is not limited to carrying banners and protesting, rather, small acts of solidarity, such as buying a t-shirt and wearing it proudly, can be as influential and supportive as larger actions. To show solidarity and buy a £10 shirt (S,M,L or XL) or to collaborate with the Cardiff team, contact me, Alice, at abreyae@cardiff.ac.uk.
The Sober Student Lifestyle
With fewer students drinking, there is more demand for non-alcoholic socials, societies, and culture at university by Rhiannon Humphreys
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his year, I’ve decided to give up drinking alcohol. It hasn’t been a dramatic change for me, really, as over the past term I’ve been drinking less and less. Statistics show that 18 to 24 year olds are drinking less than past generations. The Office for National Statistics stated that when they started measuring drinking habits in 2005, 66% of young people had had a drink in the previous week. By 2017, this had fallen to 53%. According to the National Union of Students (NUS) survey, almost a quarter of students believe there should be more social events at university that do not involve any drinking. Although it was a relatively easy change for me to make habitually, it wasn’t so easy socially. Drinking is still such an inherent part of university culture, nearly four in five students (79%) still believe that getting drunk is part of university culture. Deciding to abstain makes you stick out and strikes many people as odd, or boring, or a marker of a serious past alcohol problem. Of course, it often isn’t necessarily any of these things. Being marked as the “Serious Generation” might not be such a bad thing. I was a typical first year. Over the course of the year I became relatively heavily involved in the partying and drinking culture that seems to be a giv-
en, especially within societies and Student Union events. For a while, I had a lot of fun – everything was new and exciting, and I was so socially minded that I had little consideration for my wallet or my wellbeing. As the second term of first year developed, and with my mental health deteriorating, drinking became something that made me more depressed rather than helped me to loosen up and have fun. In fact, more often than not, I regretted the nights out the morning after, and spent hours over-analysing things that I had said, the way I’d acted, and what people thought of me, even if my behaviour had probably been fine. Going out and drinking became less and less appealing, as alcohol made me withdrawn, over-emotional and nervous, and furthermore, after starting antidepressant medication, I was no longer remembering most of the nights, which created further anxiety. Yet I kept forcing myself to go out and to try and have fun - but soon, after one messy night out too many, I reached my tipping point, and something in me clicked. Year 2 was approaching, and with it, October. I wanted to try giving up alcohol, and suddenly a legitimate reason to resist social pressure to drink appearing, glowing, in the form of Sober October. I decided to spend the month teetotal in aid of raising money for Macmillan
Cancer Research (and eventually raised £120). When asked why I wasn’t drinking, I had a cast iron, legitimate excuse, which encouraged people’s respect – not that I should have needed any excuse. Outside of October, it was less easy. I was frequently asked, with much concern, if I was okay and often repeatedly asked if I was sure I didn’t want a drink after saying no. Kind friends offered to buy me a drink, because they presumed the only reason I must not be drinking was because of financial difficulty. There seemed to be widespread confusion as to why I’d want to make such a choice. And lastly, there was my least favourite reaction to saying no, the one that stung the most: ‘Come on, don’t be boring’. Why was not drinking boring? Since when was a certain level of alcohol in my blood necessary in order to make me interesting? However, once I got the chance to really explain my reasoning to people I got a much more positive reaction than I expected. The change I’ve made has affected me incredibly positively already, and I’m no longer conscious of the ghost of a gin & tonic that I used to feel should be in my hand every time I went out. I’ve saved so much money by not drinking, meaning that I’m finally spending my money on eating properly, something that fell by the wayside in first year. Not
drinking has by no means stopped me going out – it just means that I remember all my nights and feel a lot calmer. Of course, different lifestyles suit different people, and other people’s drinking habits don’t bother me, but I am not alone in the way I felt about alcohol. Making this big positive choice for myself has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I’m so glad I had the courage to stick with it.
Drinking Culture: Sipping slipping? Source: Pawel Kadysz via Unsplash.
BYWYD CAMPWS 7 Societies Support Independent Businesses A Bedside visit from the It’s time to stand up for our local entrepreneurs by Cerian Jones Healthcare Drama Society
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ith the shocking overnight closing of Cardiff’s beloved bar Buffalo, and the threat of demolishing Guildford Crescent, some societies feel that it’s time to stand up for independent businesses and preserving Cardiff’s culture, saving jobs, and improving the local economy. Businesses in Cardiff often work closely with sports clubs and societies, offering venues and discounts. At a meeting last Sunday, committee members of various societies expressed an interest in supporting their local businesses. Representatives from the Live Music Society, the 30 Minute Society, the Film Society, Labour Students Society, the Medical Society, and the Hiking Society were all present. The group- who call themselves Cardiff Students for Independent Business (CSIB) - hopes to expand to include more societies
and students so they can have a bigger and better impact for these small businesses. The group met at The Bootlegger, an independent and alternative cocktail bar, where they put their heads together and thought of ways to support the businesses they care about through their respective societies. For now, the group is currently planning on building awareness and encouraging students and societies to choose independent venues for their events, such as Gwdihw Café Bar, Undertone, Clwb Ifor Bach, Tramshed, and The Moon- who are currently hosting Independent Venues week. The group have hopes of planning an Independent Bar Crawl, encouraging more societies to plan socials at these venues, and work with the Students’ Union to offer alternatives to the usual Freshers Week events. For those interested in non-alcoholic socials, Car-
Image Source: Stan Zurek via Wikimedia Commons
diff has a variety of independent cafés: Hoffi Coffi, The Early Bird, Milgi’s, Stag Coffee, and Kappuccinos can all be found right on the university’s doorstep here in Cathays, to say nothing of all the other amazing independent businesses scattered throughout the city. The Student’s Union already supports and houses some independent food services, but the members of CSIB Save our streets: The Guildford present feel that it’s not enough, and Crescent March. Source: Michael Ash are coming together to promote these businesses and the local people that run sen societies. Cardiff has so much to them. Many societies already include offer, with coffee shops and boutiques independent venues in their socials, hidden in winding arcades, art exhibthe live music society has had events at its and classes spanning from Roath to Gwdihw before, and the English Litera- Canton, Cardiff Castle’s underground ture Society organises monthly poetry cinema, and vintage clothes sales in readings at the Big Moose Coffee Co! Cathays Community Centre and CarMore can be done to work together diff City Hall. The opportunities are to improve both the thriving culture endless. It’s up to us, both as individuCardiff has to offer and enrich student’s als and members of our own societies experience at Cardiff within their cho- to do our part.
Image Source: Kevinquickle via Flickr
by Tirion Thomas
H
ealthcare Drama Society are about to put on our first ever musical! The cast have worked so hard since September and have been acting, singing and dancing three or four times a week to get ready for this performance! ‘A Bedside Story’ is a creative comedy parody adaptation of ‘West Side Story’ and explores a classic tale of forbidden love, sworn enemies, infections and bed pans. With a medicinal twist to your average sing song, this musical is overdosed with parodied pop songs, spoofed musical numbers and classic healthcare gags. So, leave your lanyards, scrap your stethoscopes and come along to our show. We have already sold out two nights and have limited tickets left for the 14th February 2019, so get yours now before they all go. We haven’t just been busy with rehearsing though. A big HDS event this year was Tour! In chilly December weather, the society had a weekend away in St David’s - not that the weather stopped a few of us from having a dip in the sea or a trip up a mountain. One of the real highlights of Tour was the Nativities, where 3 teams each put on their own nativity play with a few twists added by the judges there are only so many times when you’ll see King Herod having a rap battle with David Attenborough. HDS will definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY be having another trip away next year, which we all can’t wait for! As a society we have run a number of socials, from the Glee comedy club to fun nights out and from charity socials to drama workshops. HDS is also excited to announce that this year we are putting on a 2nd production, to be performed in May. East written by Steven Berkoff will be something completely different for our society. Berkoff’s writing and techniques are definitely out there; with elements of physical theatre and themes of sex and violence, this show is set to entertain and shock audiences. It is really great to see how far HDS have come since we started two years ago with only a handful of members. We had an amazing first year as a new society in which we performed our first ever show “And Then There Were None”. The show was a great success with a sellout performance and 5 star review. With both healthcare and non-healthcare students the society is growing and we are always looking for new people to join us. We welcome anyone regardless of your drama experience. Whether you are interested in: acting, writing, directing, backstage or technical theatre. Our society aims to give you the chance to meet people in a relaxed and friendly environment whilst developing your own dramatic skills. So if this sounds like a society for you then why not follow us on social media to find out more!
8
taf od
Barn y Bobol
Yn sgil sylwadau diweddar ynghylch digartrefedd yn y brifddinas, Taf-od sy’n holi rhai o fyfyrwyr Cymraeg Caerdydd am y sefyllfa gyfredol ar strydoedd Caerdydd.
Owain ap Myrddin
Myfyriwr blwyddyn gyntaf Cymraeg Fel myfyriwr blwyddyn gyntaf roeddwn i’n disgwyl sylwi ar lawer mwy o bobl digartref yma yng Nghaerdydd na sydd adra ar strydoedd Pwllheli. Credaf fod angen gwneud rhwybeth am y broblem ond nid wyf yn cytuno a sylwadau diweddar mai “rhwygo’r pebyll i lawr” yw’r ffordd i ddelio a’r broblem. Yn hytrach credaf fod rhaid i’r llywodraeth greu system i helpu’r bobl hyn i gael lloches a gwaith yn yr hir dymor.
Sara Dafydd
Myfyrwraig ail flwyddyn Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth Pwysleisiodd y sylwadau y dylid gwella delwedd y ddinas trwy ddinistrio’r pebyll, sy’n codi’r cwestiwn pa fath o ddelwedd rydym am gael i Gaerdydd? Y ffeithiau yw bod digartrefedd yn broblem enfawr yn y brifddinas. Mae pob myfyriwr wedi profi euogrwydd wrth droedio canol y ddinas a gweld torf o bobl mewn angen. Siom nad yw cynghorwyr Caerdydd yn defnyddio’u grym ar lawr y siambr wrth droedio ganol y ddinas a gweld torf o bobl mewn angen.
Gruff McVeigh
I gysylltu â ni, e-bostiwch tafod@gairrhydd.com Am fwy o gynnwys, ewch i gairrhydd.com/tafod
CYNGOR
Concro’r Ail Dymor gyda’r ‘5C’
gan Tomos Evans
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yma ni, felly, hanner ffordd drwy’r flwyddyn academaidd yn barod. Ble mae’r amser wedi mynd, dwedwch? Mae’r twrci wedi ei hen fwyta a’r coed wedi eu tynnu i lawr. Yr addunedau wedi eu gwneud (a’u torri?) a’r arholiadau wedi eu cwblhau. Mae’n siŵr eich bod i gyd yn falch o gael dychwelyd i fwrlwm y brifddinas wrth i’r brifysgol ail-ddechrau wedi’r gwyliau Nadolig. Ond sut mae goroesi’r ail dymor o’ch bywyd prifysgol? Dyma rai cynghorion i’ch helpu ar hyd y ffordd. Mewn gwirionedd, mae’n bosibl cwmpasu’r pethau pwysig mewn i bum ‘C’: cynlluniwch, cyfrannwch, cwblhewch, cymdeithaswch a chydbwyswch. Cynlluniwch yr hyn sy’n mynd ymlaen yn eich bywydau prysur yn y brifysgol. Erbyn yr ail dymor, rydych wedi setlo i mewn i’ch routine ac efallai bod gennych ddisgwyliadau uwch ohonoch chi’ch hun. Prynwch ddyddiadur er mwyn cofnodi pob cyfarfod, darlith a seminar sydd gennych i’w mynychu. Os nad yw hynny’n bosibl, gallwch ddefnyddio’r calendr yn eich ffonau symudol fel eich bod yn medru atgoffa’ch hun o unrhyw ddigwyddiadau sydd gennych ar unrhyw adeg o’r dydd. Cyfrannwch i wahanol agweddau o
Cyfri’r dyddiau: Dyfal donc yn yr ail dymor. (Tarddiad: Tomos Evans) fywyd y brifysgol. Boed hynny’n cyfrannu i amrywiol elfennau Cyfryngau Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Caerdydd, neu waith y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Mae cymaint o gyfleoedd i’w cael yn ystod eich cyfnod yn y brifysgol. Felly, dyna’i gyd sydd i’w wneud yw bachu pob cyfle a gwneud y mwyaf ohonynt! Cwblhewch eich gwaith prifysgol ar amser. Er ei bod hi’n anodd gwneud hynny ar adegau gyda llawer
o bwysau a straeniau arnoch, mae hi’n bwysig gwneud eich gorau er mwyn cael y graddau gorau a chyrraedd y nod. Cofiwch y dywediad Saesneg “work hard, play hard”. Cymdeithaswch gyda’ch cyd-fyfyrwyr. Os nad ydych eto’n aelod o unrhyw gymdeithas, nawr yw’r amser i wneud. Mae digon o amrywiaeth fel bod rhywbeth at ddant pawb. O’r Gym Gym i Gymdeithas Iolo, mae gennych ddigon o gyfleoedd i
gymdeithasu yn y Gymraeg hefyd. Er bod gwaith yn bwysig, cofiwch i neilltuo amser ichi gael cymdeithasu gyda’ch ffrindiau ac ymdrochi ym mwrlwm y brifddinas. A chyda hynny dawn at ein ‘C’ derfynol: cydbwyswch. Os fedrwch ddarganfod cydbwysedd rhwng yr holl elfennau uchod, mae’n siŵr y cewch ail dymor hynod lwyddiannus a llawn hwyl ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Pob lwc!
Pryd o Daf-od
Grace Davies Owen
Myfyriwr ail flwyddyn Bioleg
Yn dilyn sylw diweddar am bebyll y digartref ar strydoedd Caerdydd, bu ymateb chwyrn ar wefanau cymdeithasol. Rhaid cydnabod mai cartrefi yw’r pebyll, a phobl, nid ystadegau sy’n byw ynddyn nhw. Er hyn, credaf mai’r pwynt oedd y peryg y gall y pebyll wneud i ddelwedd ac economi’r ddinas ac mae’r pwynt yn un dilys. Fel rhywun sy’n gweithio mewn siop yn y dref mae pobl yn aml yn sôn ac yn cwyno am gymaint o bebyll sydd bellach ar y strydoedd.
Eich unig gyhoeddiad myfyrwyr wythnosol trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Sefydlwyd: 2003
Grace Davies Owen, myfyrwraig Cymdeithaseg yn y flwyddyn gyntaf, sy’n esbonio ei phenderfyniad i fynychu ei phrifysgol leol.
Fel un o ddinasyddion Caerdydd, bu’r penderfyniad i aros i fynychu’r brifysgol yn un anodd i’w wneud. Cefais drafferth ar benderfynu rhwng Prifysgol Bryste a Chaerdydd, gan fod y ddau mor wahanol ac yn cynnig profiadau hollol gyferbyniol. Cymerwyd misoedd i mi ddewis ar
ôl pwyso a mesur y ffactorau da a drwg am y ddau le - y penderfyniad mwya’ pwysig bu’n rhaid i mi ei wneud. Er hyn, penderfynais aros yng Nghaerdydd, fy ninas enedigol. Credaf fy mod wedi gwneud y penderfyniad gorau. Mi o’n i’n bendant o beidio a byw gartref, yn hytrach, roeddwn i’n gyffrous am y syniad o fyw mewn neuadd breswyl i gael blas o annibyniaeth, i gwrdd â phobl newydd ac i gael gofod personol fy hun. Er hyn, ar adegau mae e’n bosib cael gormod o ofod personol, sy’n gallu arwain at deimlo’n unig (er bod gen i ddigon o ffrindiau da). Trwy barhau i fyw ‘ma, dyw’r teimlad (o fod yn unig) ddim yn aros yn hir gan fod fy nheulu ond pymtheg munud lawr y rhewl. Pryd bynnag dwi’n teimlo’n unig, mae Dad neu Mam yn pigo fi lan a dwi’n aros
adref am y nos neu benwythnos. Mae hyn yn help mawr i mi, gan fy mod i’n berson sy’n llethu a phryderu yn hawdd. Roedd help fy rhieni yn gerfwedd nôl yn Nhachwedd pan es i adre’ am wythnos gyda thonsilitis a’r ‘freshers flu’! Mae fy nhgyfarwyddoldeb â Chaerdydd yn ddefnyddiol iawn. Er fy mod yn gweld rhai wynebau cyfarwydd, mae’n neis i gwrdd â chreu perthnasau newydd gyda phobl o leoedd gwahanol. Nid oeddwn yn gyfarwydd iawn â Cathays cyn cychwyn y brifysgol, felly mae hi ‘di bod yn ddefnyddiol i adnabod ardal arall o Gaerdydd ac ymweld â llefydd byddaf mwy na thebyg byth wedi ymweld cyn symud i’r brifysgol. Felly, mae mynychu’r brifysgol yma yn brofiad hollol wahanol wrth gymharu gyda mynychu’r ysgol uwchradd. Ar wahân i hynny, mae digonedd o
fuddiannau eraill. Mae fy rhieni yn golchi rhan fwyaf o’n nillad (diolch byth) sy’n arbed llawer o arian i mi. Gallaf ddefnyddio fy nghar weithiau er mwyn siopa am fwyd, sy’n arbed y daith hir yn cerdded nôl a ‘mlaen i Lidl. Rwyf yn medru cwrdd â ffrindiau’n hawdd pryd bynnag y dewn nhw adre’ o’r brifysgol, gan i mi ddal byw’n lleol. Ar ben hynny, mae’r siawns i barhau ag addysg yn rhannol yn y Gymraeg wedi bod yn fuddiol iawn i mi. Er i mi bryderu am golli fy Nghymraeg wrth adael ysgol uwchradd, a sgwrsio gyda ffrindiau prifysgol trwy’r Saesneg yn bennaf, rwyf nawr yn mynychu dwy seminar bob pythefnos yn y Gymraeg, sy’n destun balchder imi - y gallu i ymarfer yr iaith yn gyson, a bod yn rhan weithredol o’r gymuned o siaradwyr Cymraeg yn y brifysgol.
TAF-OD
CHWARAEON
9
Gobeithion i’r Crysau Cochion yn y Chwe Gwlad
gan Sion Ford
ddwn am ei weld ar y 23ain o Chwefror yng Nghaerdydd. Ymweliad â Chaeredin sy’n dilyn, a phrawf o gymeriad y ddau dîm. Bydd Murrayfield yn llawn emosiwn ac angerdd ar gyfer y gêm yma, prawf hollol wahanol i chwaraewyr Cymru o’i gymharu â’r gêm a welsom yng Nghaerdydd yn ystod yr Hydref. Os all Cymru drechu’r Saeson, credaf y byddant yn chwalu’r Albanwyr heb lawer o broblemau, ond os na yna bydd yr ornest yma’n fesur o gryfder cymeriad y garfan.
Heb amheuaeth, (gêm Iwerddon) fydd y prawf anoddaf i Gymru ac i Gatland.
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Y lleoliad tyngedfenol: Stadiwm y Principality, Caerdydd: cartref carfan rygbi Cymru. (Tarddiad: Tomos Evans)
edi hir ymaros, mae’r foment fawreddog wedi cyrraedd. Ydy, mae pencampwriaeth y Chwe Gwlad yn ôl. Yn dilyn ymweliad cychwynol â Ffrainc i gychwyn pencampwriaeth y Chwe Gwlad mewn gornest yn erbyn les Bleues, trip oddi cartref arall sydd i’w ddilyn, i Rufain ac at yr Eidalwyr. Serch gwelliant Benetton y tymor yma yn y Pro14, ar ôl canlyniadau’r
Hydref dylem weld buddugoliaeth gyfforddus yn erbyn wardiaid Connor O’Shea. Os gallan nhw gadw Michele Campagnaro yn iach ac os all Matteo Minzzoi ddangos ei ddoniau unwaith eto, gall y gêm brofi’n anghyfforddus. Yna mae’r gêm gartref gyntaf, ac un sy’n haeddiannol o’r achlysur, gornest yn erbyn Lloegr. Os nad yw’r gystadleuaeth ym Mharis yn achosi
Ni fydd unrhyw sylw’n cael ei dalu i sylwadau gwallgof Eddie Jones cyn i’r gêm ddigwydd... ond bydd digonedd o sylw ar ei ddewisiadau.
unrhyw drafferthion i Gymru, dyma fydd y prawf cyntaf o allu’r garfan i ennill y bencampwriaeth. Ni fydd unrhyw sylw’n cael ei dalu i sylwadau gwallgof Eddie Jones cyn i’r gêm ddigwydd, oni bai am y cyfryngau Saesneg, ond bydd digonedd o sylw ar ei ddewisiadau. Bydd Billy Vunipola yn ffigwr allweddol i Loegr, ond gan ystyried ei broblemau efo anafiadau’r tymor hwn, tybed os by-
Efallai taw gobaith ofer ydyw i ddymuno mai’r gêm olaf yn erbyn y Gwyddelod, ffefrynnau’r bencampwriaeth eleni, fydd yn penderfynu’r bencampwriaeth. Yn amlwg mae llwyth o glwydi i’w clirio cyn i Alun Wyn Jones a’i gydchwaraewyr gyrraedd y pwynt ‘na, ac Iwerddon bydd y prawf mwyaf. Gall y fantais o chwarae yng Nghaerdydd brofi’n allweddol i’r canlyniad, ond dychmygwch yr awyrgylch yn y brifddinas pe bai’r gêm yma’n penderfynu’r enillydd. Heb amheuaeth, dyma fydd y prawf anoddaf i Gymru ac i Gatland. Ond, wrth iddo gychwyn ar ei ymgyrch Cymreig olaf yn y Chwe Gwlad, ni fyddai’n dymuno unrhyw ddiweddglo arall.
Yn Trafod yr wythnos hon... Luned Mari Hunter 1. Pwy wyt ti a beth wyt ti’n astudio? Fy enw i yw Luned Mari Hunter a dwi’n astudio Hanes a Gwleidyddiaeth. 2. Beth yw’r peth gorau am astudio yng Nghaerdydd? Dinas braf a nights-out da! 3. Beth yw’r peth mwyaf afiach iti ei fwyta? Bwyta bwyd babi yn y crôl teulu. 4. Wyt ti’n berson bore neu berson nos? Person nos.
5. Beth yw dy hoff gan ar y funud? Anodd dewis un! 6. Pe baet yn ennill y Loteri, ar beth fyddet yn gwario dy enillion?
10. Beth yw dy hoff air yn y Gymraeg, a pham? Igam ogam oherwydd mae’n swnio’n dda. 11. Caps lock neu dim caps o gwbl?
Trafeilio.
Dim caps.
7. Tecstio neu siarad?
12. Pwy yw dy ysbrydoliaeth?
Siarad.
Fy rhieni.
8. Pwy fyddai’n dy chwarae chwarae mewn ffilm o dy fywyd? Emma Watson. 9. Cathod neu gwn? Y ddau.
13. Pe fyddet yn Brif Weinidog am y dydd, beth fyddet yn ei newid? Sortio allan Brexit.
14. Disgrifia dy hun mewn tri gair. Bywiog, cyfeillgar a hapus. 15. Pwy fydd yn ‘Trafod gyda’r Taf-od’ wythnos nesaf? Lara Evans.
Eich adran taf-od Llion Carbis Tomos Evans tafod@gairrhydd.com
Prize Draw! Monday 4 - Friday 8 February
To celebrate National Student Employment Week, Jobshop will be running a prize draw! To enter and be in with a chance of winning, come and visit us in the Skills Hub or find one of our reps around campus. We are open Monday - Friday, 11.00 - 14.00. 2nd floor, Students’ Union
029 2078 1535
Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk
Deaf Havana
Sleaford Mods
Suede
March/Mawrth
April/Ebrill
May/Mai
AJ Tracey
Sleaford Mods
08/03/19, £20 ADV
05/04/19, £19.50 ADV
Hollywood Undead
Stiff Little Fingers
The Good, the Bad & the Queen
June/Mehefin
09/03/19, £21 ADV
Deaf Havana
15/03/19, £18.50 ADV
Bedlam Presents: CruCast
29/03/19, from £17.50 ADV
13/04/19, £30 ADV
DMA’S
14/04/19, £18.50 ADV
Stefflon Don
18/04/19, £16 ADV
Suede
26/04/19, £37.50 ADV
04/05/19, £18 ADV
The Alarm
29/06/19, £27.50 ADV
SYLWADAU
To contact our comment desk, drop us an email at comment@gairrhydd.com
COMMENT
For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/comment
12
Your comment desk Alys Hewitt Hannah Newberry Emma Videan Columnist Karis Pearson
Sexualising a serial killer?
An astute observation of the killer’s manipulative charm, or a dangerous attempt to glorify him for the cinema screen? By Hannah Newberry he trailer for Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile has hit social media, and has been absolutely slammed by critics for not living up to its title. It is a chronic understatement to say that the heinous crimes of Ted Bundy have been undercut by the casting of Zac Efron, a man who our generation heavily affiliate with High School Musical. One of the first questions we have to ask is how representative of the movie is this one minute trailer? The most aggravating part of it was the lack of focus on Bundy’s general sociopathy, and a heavy emphasis on the viewpoint of his wife, Liz. This naturally tranforms this ‘wicked’ movie into a tale of love, gaslighting and Efron’s torso being flashed to the ladies in the front row seats with ambiguous dark lighting and sinister background music. Despite qualms about Efron’s cating, the movie will not shy away from the realitiy that Bundy is believed to have raped, murdered and dismembered over thirty women before his death. The reality is so shocking, that surely audience reviews and box office rankings are inevitably going to break 2019 records even without the (beautiful) addition of Lily Collins and the thoroughly accentuated romantic undercurrent that somewhat humanises a person that society justifiably detests? I concede partially to the argument that the movie is innovative, and in casting such a beguiling face, we slowly begin to appreciate how Bundy charmed the media with his physical appearance and allowed people to buy into the image of loyal, law-abiding, ambitious American citizen. Is this an important aspect of psychopathy that deserves its screen time or
T
Should horrors that depict real life occurrences earn screen time beyond a documentary? Source: Mark Foley (via Wikimedia Commons) is it a topic with which we must tread lightly and not seek to enforce another ‘innocent white man’ narrative? There are many factors that will timelessly unsettle psychology academics about Bundy: how he was revered in prison by many, how he married while on trial for the murder of a minor, and how groupies rooted for him to be freed even after he was declared guilty beyond all reasonable doubt. In some ways, his allure is what made him all the more horrifying. But are we thinking practically about the impact this has on our viewers? Is the huge Twitter reaction merely
an expected response to a movie that daringly embraces the charisma of a detested individual in coexistence with his sociopathy and not mutually exclusive to it, or is it a reflection of the few fans that watched the trailer with nothing more than sheer adoration and a disregard for what Bundy himself now represents? My conclusive answer will lie in the actual movie itself, and whether it offers us an interesting psychological platform on which we understand how someone as perilous as Bundy became so notorious. Even so, there is still an ongoing discussion regarding
whether we should leave his crimes behind us, to show respect to the victim’s families by rightfully keeping it away from Hollywood’s grasp. While I keep an open mind, there is still something rather disconcerting about this heightening of Bundy’s charm, and I hope it works as a sinister undertone rather than becoming so overpowering that he instead becomes a ‘misunderstood’ protagonist. However, those who regurgitate that ‘posthumous’ fame is exactly what Bundy strived for are exactly right. A real series of brutal murders and psychological torment reigned the streets of the US for years, and is a thirty year anniversary really reason enough for such a spectacle of remembrance? Even if the answer is yes, the way in which the story is developed so far, while extremely clever in gauging Bundy’s manipulative nature, is too keen to disregard the impact this will have on people who are willing to glorify his darker side for entertainment value. It was only last week that the family of James Bulger spoke out in horror when a movie made without their consent about the murder of their son won an Oscar. This is a chilling anecdote that demands we draw a line between popcorn-fuelled events and agonising loss that most of us thankfully have yet to endure. I currently have to scroll through Twitter and watch the same breed of girls who fawned over Tate in American Horror Story now explain how Bundy was a victim of circumstance because an opportunity to educate about the sociopathy that exists in these individuals descended into a confusing lovechild depicting traits of both romance and thriller. We could be better than this, but money talks.
We need local action to save the planet Join the effort to help ban single use plastic on Transport for Wales services
by Lydia Jackson ost days, news reports are published on the fragile state of our planet, as new risks are revealed and known risks are reiterated. There has been recent concern over the impact of plastic pollution, the temperature of oceans rising quicker than anticipated and the startling loss of biodiversity taking place the world over. Closer to home, in Wales, concerns have been raised over the dumping of nuclear waste from Hinkley power plant outside Cardiff and the removal of over 30,000 tonnes of waste threatening to pollute Swansea. With the environmental issues confronting us being so overwhelmingly large, it begs the question, what can we actually do to make a difference? Some believe that the answer lies in local action, and I tend to agree with them. If everyone across the globe acts locally to tackle issues that affect them, working together to provide informed solutions relevant to their community, a huge difference can be made. It is for this reason that I have decided to launch a campaign to ban single use plastics on Transport for Wales services.
M
Transport for Wales is run by the Welsh Government and provides rail services across the whole of the country. As part of its scheduled improvement plans it claims that stations and overhead wires will be powered by
We cannot wait for nation states to make a change. We don’t have the time. 100% renewable energy, with at least 50% sourced in Wales. I want the government to compliment this measure by also banning the sale of single-use plastics on their services in moves towards a plastic free Transport for Wales. Plastic pollution can now be found on every beach in the world and microplastics have been discovered deep in the Arctic ice. Each day, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic find their way
into our oceans and it is estimated that there may now be around 5.25 trillion macro and microplastic pieces floating in the open ocean, weighing up to 269,000 tonnes. According to Surfers Against Sewage, “In 1950, the world’s population of 2.5 billion produced 1.5 million tons of plastic; in 2016, a global population of more than 7 billion people produced over 320 million tons of plastic. This is set to double by 2034.” We cannot wait for nation states to make a change. We don’t have the time. The recent United Nations COP24 conference in Poland is evidence of this. It demonstrated that there are limitations to international cooperation because states such as Russia, Brazil and the United States do not want to see meaningful change and are disputing the scientific knowledge of the International Panel on Climate Change. At a time when we are already eating, drinking and breathing plastic and climate patterns are noticeably changing, this proves that international compromise is not going to go far enough in challenging environmental degradation and plastic pollution.
I believe that we all have a part to play in tackling this challenge. If you want to help me to make a difference, please like my Facebook page, Plastic Free Transport 4 Wales, and sign the related petition. The Welsh Assembly Petitions Committee has a strong reputation for carrying petitions through to bring about meaningful change, most notably the plastic bag charges.
Reducing widespread plastic pollution can start right here in Wales. Source: Jonathan Chng (via Unsplash)
Cervical smear tests can embarrassment kill?
by Angharad May ould you rather risk cancer or endure 30 seconds of discomfort? This is the trade-off women face when it comes to a medical examination which should not involve any such life-ordeath decision whatsoever. The 21st to 17th of January was Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, an awareness-raiser far less widely known than others, despite the efforts of celebrities such as Georgia May-Jagger, Rita Ora, Zoella, the Delevingne sisters and charities such as Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, which strives to ensure people know how cervical cancer can be prevented.
ence, I put off going for my own cervical screening for at least eight years, for all of the reasons above and more. I am forever grateful that one of my closest friends came with me and held my hand the whole way through after I finally plucked up the courage to go. Thankfully, my results were clear, but not everyone who puts off their test is so fortunate, with some facing heartbreaking ramifications.
W
Would you rather risk cancer or endure 30 seconds of discomfort? Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust released some perturbing statistics during this week. These revealed that nine women are diagnosed with and two women die from cervical cancer every day. 75% of these cases could be pre-
COLOFN
The stigma surrounding smear tests can have life-threatening ramifications. Source: Nephron (via Wikimedia Commons) vented by cervical screening, despite screening rates being at their lowest for twenty years. Cervical screening: even the term sounds off-putting, and ‘smear’ sounds even worse; but what is it? Registered females between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited for a cervical screening to check for cell changes or abnormalities on the cervix caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), that could lead to cancer. Around 25% ignore this invitation, aware that it is not one for a
party. The reasons behind why such a large percentage do not attend a smear need to be addressed. Feelings of embarrassment and body-consciousness, fear about being hurt, being put off by an intimate examination from a stranger, feeling vulnerable, fear of the unknown, fear of being judged for the appearance of ‘down there’ and fear of fears seeming trivial are just some of the reasons mentioned by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. From personal experi-
SmearForSmear strives to prevent us from dying of ignorance The #SmearForSmear campaign aims to tackle the decline in tests taken. By acknowledging the fact that they may be uncomfortable, in more ways than one, and offering advice, for example for women who have been though sexual abuse or have learning difficulties, #SmearForSmear strives to prevent us from dying of ignorance. Nothing is ever as bad as it seems, so I urge you to be brave and get screened. It could save your life.
Are we living in a post-truth age?
A new survey surrounding Holocaust remembrance reflects a worrying trend towards denial and rejection of the facts of history.
by Alys Hewitt
A
recent poll commissioned by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has revealed that one in twenty British respondents do not believe the Holocaust happened, with 8% claiming that the scale of its devastation has been exaggerated. This reflects the findings of a similar survey by CNN published late last year, in which a third of Europeans polled stated they knew little to nothing about the Holocaust. The figures are a stark reminder of our need to continue reiterating the horrors of history. It is an age-old assertion that remembering the trauma of the past helps prevent it from happening again, but one which nonetheless carries a lot of weight; education remains a powerful antidote to ignorance and denial, and it is vital that we continue to disseminate the truths and experiences of victims of the Holocaust and other examples of brutality. Whilst the respondents of both polls might not be actively and vehemently denying the events of the Holocaust or spreading hateful rhetoric, their lack of knowledge suggests the normalisation of and easy manipulation towards more concerning retellings of the past. They indicate a growing sentiment not only of ignorance but of an outright rejection of the truth. Terms such as ‘post-truth’ have cast an unshakeable shadow over conver-
to deny and contest it, re-writing history to legitimise their own views and deny the pain of others to fuel renewed prejudice and division. In a digital age, social media is yet another tool which allows a lingering culture of Holocaust denial, anti-Semitism and other examples of hateful rhetoric to surface and gain traction, even if only in limited circles. We must not let these views win.
Holocaust denial: a disturbing force in a post-truth landscape. Source: Dnalor_01 (via Wikimedia Commons) sations regarding politics, the media and citizenship in recent years, everrelevant in the context of an era where social media dominates, politicians are elected on the foundation of lessthan-truths and voters are increasingly rejecting the views of ‘experts’ (see: Brexit). Being constantly and relentlessly immersed in information, much of the time it is easier to cling on to our own view of the world rather than adopting an informed stance which considers all points of view. And in an over-saturated media landscape, it is also increasingly difficult to separate plain fact from plain fiction.
Yet what is most disturbing about the revelations of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is that information about the Holocaust is hardly inaccessible, and it is hardly an obscure event confined to the dusty cabinets of history. We are taught extensively of its impact, in spheres from education to popular culture, and it is widely regarded as one of history’s most devastating genocides. Its impact is ingrained into our collective consciousness, shrouded in shame and loss. It has been immortalised in photographs, monuments, museums and written accounts, yet people continue
There is a danger to the denial of truth, even if it only takes place on the fringes There is a danger to the denial of fact, even if it only takes place on the fringes of popular thought: as Yale professor Timothy Snyder has asserted, “to abandon facts is to abandon freedom”. From the Holocaust to climate change, denying facts discards responsibility, accountability and understanding of the complexity of our world. We must engage, with both the past and the present, to see the truth. How else are we to move forward otherwise?
13
Do we need a reappraisal of the job application process?
Without the appropriate skills required for interviews and tests, graduates can find it difficult to progress in the job market by Boadicea Dowd
A
n increasing number of school-leavers are choosing the university path, which means it is becoming harder to achieve an edge when applying to internships or graduate-level jobs. Many are spreading themselves thin when it comes to extracurricular activities alongside their degree, whether it be joining sports teams, learning languages or supporting themselves through parttime jobs. And yet many employers will only consider students if they can do all of this and maintain a 2:1. Even after achieving this, many fall short when it comes to job applications. An increase in online applications and use of personality quizzes or scenario tests means that a lot of people are rejected before they even meet the employer. Although this means that companies can skim through applications quicker, it reduces the personal aspect of the hiring process and it can create false impressions of the applicants to employers. All the extra effort is lost to an algorithm. Unfortunately, as there will always be a high demand for jobs, especially those available to students or graduates, employers are able to test people however they wish. In some respects, if you fail a personality quiz at least you know sooner that you are not eligible for the job, rather than having to anxiously wait to hear a response. The issue is that you have already submitted a long application which is simply wasted. Companies should be encouraged to revise how they organise aspects of their application. As a second-year student hoping to get a summer internship, I find it tiring to constantly apply to jobs only to get a basic rejection with no personalised feedback. Understandably, many companies do not have the time to offer lengthy feedback, but all those rejected need to know the main reason they were not successful in order to help them develop. We students are not in the bargaining seat, so we just have to endure whatever gruelling application process employers choose. There are ways to make it easier though. After attending a sponsored university workshop on video interviews, it did not appear as daunting as it initially sounds. Cardiff University offers many services aiding career development, ranging from improving your CV, practicing interviews or arranging local work experience. Make it a new term’s resolution to attend just one of these, because it will help you remain confident in applications, no matter how overwhelming they might seem.
Karis Pearson
COLUMN
COLUMN 14
ROAD
Is it respectful to take a selfie at Auschwitz? Source: maxipixel.net
Has our culture of visual documentation gone too far? O
ur desire to visually record every aspect of our lives has become disturbingly normal in the Instagram obsessed society in which we live. Whether you personally feel the need to snap every somewhat-significant moment of your day, or if you roll your eyes at the socalled narcissism of those who do, it is undeniable that taking photos has become a primary focus at birthdays, on holidays or even during a visit to our local coffee shop.
Taking photos at an event has become as important as the event itself This photography phenomenon has not been accepted in all public arenas, with Beyoncé banning cameras at her concerts and places of interest like London’s Westminster Abbey and Rome’s Sistine Chapel also saying no to photographers. However, there are places where taking photos is not specifically disallowed, but where we should perhaps consider for ourselves whether it is the most appropriate action to take. This week I ask, has our culture of visual documentation gone too far? A lot of us take photos for memories. I myself took plenty of photos during a recent trip to Poland, photos which if I am honest will likely sit
on my camera roll for many months to come. I cannot be alone here, continually taking photos which remain clogged among the many megabytes of stuff on my phone, and yet I don’t stop, most of us don’t. We think we need photos to remember our experiences. That walk in Bute Park on a rare sunny day in January, that cake our housemate made us for our 21st birthday. When we encounter something we want to remember, we snap it, freezing the moment forever. Those of us with the inclination might even send it off to FreePrints (the 21st century Kodak), so we can hold our memory on a piece of glossy photo paper, tack it on our wall to look at from time to time, remembering. However, research indicates that remembering through visual documentation may not be as effective as we think. Undertaken by Dr Linda Henkel of Fairfield University, Connecticut, this research found evidence when we take photos of objects we may be less likely to remember them as they really were. This phenomenon is known as the ‘photo-taking impairment effect’, and suggests that taking photos of moments might in fact distort and impair our memories of them. The additional fact that the sheer number of photos we collate on our digital devices is so immense most of us do not take the time to properly engage with them, only exacerbates this impairment. While taking photos gives us the physical memory of a moment or an object. truly giving the moment itself
our fullest attention would likely allow us to foster a potentially far fuller and richer memory, more meaningful that a photo of a half baked one, surely? Approaching life through the lens of a camera is not how most of us want to live, but still it happens so often. When at a music concert or on a night out you look around and see people around you who are filming every second, not bothering to be fully present because they’ll have the footage forever, even if they never look at it again. However, visually documenting a music concert is in a wholly different arena to photo-
Approaching life through the lens of a camera is not an enriching way to create memories graphing a site where mass atrocities occurred against the human race. While in Poland, I visited the Auschwitz concentration camp, and was shocked at the number of people who stood around selfies or brazenly posing in front of the historic camp gates for photos. If you haven’t been, the gates as you enter the camp read ‘Arbeit macht frei’, translating to ‘Work sets you free’. Unlike those who were persecuted during the Holocaust, those of us who visit Auschwitz are able to move freely as
and where we like, exercising basic freedoms that those who were cruelly persecuted during the Holocaust were strictly denied. By taking a photo of our experience and posting it online, we forget to remember how fortunate we are to live in a world where we are free to do so. When we find ourselves in a place with such a deep and troubling history, or a place with religious or cultural significance for a group to which we do not belong, we might wish to photograph it, aware that it is something very different and keen to keep the memory. Photography allows the atrocities occurring in far-away lands to be bought to our screens, bringing political struggles and human rights abuses to the attention of foreign civilians. These photos can be a key to our understanding the past and bettering ourselves from it. However, when in these such scenarios, is the fact taking a photo comes to the forefront of our thoughts a sign of our desire for historical justice, or a reflection of an ignorant society? While investigating how far some of us have gone on the quest to digitally document our lives, I came across a blog whose name makes me nauseous. Tindercaust, is a blog housing a collection of photos and selfies of people at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial, a memorial to the approximately 3 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. We live in a world where people visit Holocaust memorials and take selfies which they upload to Tinder, I suspect, not as an act of respect, but to give their profile a bit of oomph.
I am not presuming to know why each individual may want to take a photo at any given time. It is not my place to decide whether someones desire to photograph themselves at Auschwitz or the Holocaust Memorial is a narcissistic act for social media or a meaningful reminder of what they witnessed. All I know for sure is watching visitors take smiling selfies, in front of a pile of weathered belongings stolen from victims be-
If you really need a selfie to respect and remember the dead, then by all fore they were led to their death, just didn’t quite sit right with me. So, when visiting a memorial or a site where of mass execution, take it all in, learn from what you are fortunate enough to bare witness to, but consider that taking a selfie or even a picture, may not be necessary. A selfie, defined as “a photo one has taken of oneself ”, puts us at the centre of an image, or a memory. When visiting somewhere like Auschwitz I feel we should put ourselves and our egos aside, to remember those who suffered without the freedoms we enjoy. But if you really need a selfie to respect and remember the 1.3 million who suffered and died within Auschwitz’s walls, then by all means, snap away.
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What would you do if you ran the University? Speak Week is your opportunity for your voice to be heard. We want your thoughts and feedback of being a student at Cardiff University. Find us around campus between 4th-8th February and fill out a Speak Week card or submit your feedback online.
POLITICS
POLITICS
To contact our politics desk, drop us an email at politics@gairrhydd.com
For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/politics
GWLEIDYDDIAETH
18
Your politics desk Charlotte King Silvia Martelli Lowri Pitcher Sam Tilley
Is it time to “tear down these tents?” Tents donated to the homeless have caused controversy
by Lowri Pitcher
Shelter and protection: Tents for the rough sleepers pitched on Queen Street. Credits: Lowri Pitcher
Q
ueen Street, the main shopping street in Cardiff, has seen a rising number of tents lined up in front of stores. The shelters have been donated by charities to homeless people in an attempt to provide some form of shelter and protection, yet causing controversies among shoppers and local business owners. Kathryn Kelloway, a Cardiff Conservative councillor, urged the leader of Cardiff Council, Huw Thomas, to “tear down these tents.” On January 25, she was suspended for her comments and later reinstated on January 29. Although the Conservative group distances themselves from Ms Kelloway’s statement, a spokeswoman said: “The tents must be removed as they
deter rough sleepers from seeking safe accommodation and affects the reputation of the city centre.” Similarly, the Labour cabinet member for Housing & Communities, Lynda Thorne, expressed that tents are “putting rough sleepers at risk. They [the homeless] are disengaging with services and many [are] missing vital health appointments.” Both Ms Thorne and Ms Kelloway have said that there is sufficient space in hostels to accommodate rough sleepers. Two men who are currently sleeping in tents, Brummy and Smithy, explained why they choose the tents over support centres such as the Huggard, YMCA and The Wallich. Both claimed that there is no space for them in hostels because they are neither drug addicts nor alcoholics, and
they are relatively healthy; therefore, they are not considered vulnerable and have only been offered floorspace at the Huggard. Brummy explains that his possessions and money were stolen when he took up the offer of floorspace, whereas he has never been robbed in his tent. Both express that they are on the waiting list for housing but they have no idea how long they will have to wait before their wish becomes a reality. The tents have also caused issues for local businesses. On January 12, Bigmoose Coffee Co on Frederick Street made the decision to close temporarily. The company released a statement on Facebook stating: “The actions of a few people have affected and have the potential to affect many others, due to a number of tents being put up
outside our premises, members of our teams are now feeling intimidated.” Another local business owner, Mr Evans, who runs a fruit and vegetable stand says that the tents are not a welcome sight for tourists and have a negative impact on staff morale. Locals, business owners and the homeless themselves all agree that the council must react to the rising number of rough sleepers, but what is Cardiff Council doing? The Council’s Homeless Strategy 2018-2022 sets out their aim ‘to work with our partners to prevent homelessness, providing the right support at the right time to meet the housing needs of our citizens.’ Their aims include providing high quality housing advice services and preventing homelessness. Time will tell whether their aims materialise.
Welsh to be taught as a first language in English medium schools
by Hefin Rees Edwards
T
he Welsh Government recently announced plans to introduce the teaching of Welsh as a first language in English medium schools. This is part of a wider set of reforms aimed at boosting the skillset and attainment of pupils in Wales. They are set to be introduced along with the new curriculum in 2022. This is partly in response to the growing calls to address the poor uptake of Welsh by pupils in English medium schools and to the ‘One Language for All’ report issued in 2013 by Professor Sioned Davies, which highlighted the falling standards and attainment in Welsh second language teaching and how urgent action was needed to reverse current trends. The proposals are also meant to aid the Welsh Government to reach its target of a million Welsh speakers by the year 2050. Education Minister, Kirsty Williams AM, claimed that “removing the term ‘Welsh Sec-
ond Language’ is vital if we are to achieve the goal of a million Welsh speakers.” There have been concerns raised with this latest announcement. Some have noted how the introduction of Welsh as a first language may not help improve Wales’ already poor educational record. The lack of Welsh language teachers is also another issue which could put strain on the educational needs of children in Wales, as recent statistics show that only 34% of teachers who are registered with the Education Workforce Council Wales are Welsh speakers and not necessarily qualified to teach Welsh. The real challenge comes at the secondary school level, where the lack of staff is most notable and where the process of integrating Welsh as a first language may be more difficult. The approach would be to embed Welsh across all of the curriculum and ultimately abolish the Welsh second language GCSE qualification
and have all students study Welsh as a first language. The National Association of Headteachers Cymru, National Education Union Cymru and Association of School and College Leaders Cymru have all supported the plan, on the condition that more funding is allocated to the provision of the new curriculum. The Welsh Government have responded by announcing that £24 million will be invested in teachers and training in order to reflect the changes being made in English medium education. Neil Butler of NASUWT welcomed the increase in funding but said “there are questions about whether it will be sustained” or instead be a “short-term shot in the arm.” Overall there is agreement that the sentiment behind the change is good, but the practicality of the policy is still in doubt. However the Welsh Government has felt that now is the time for action, heeding warnings by the likes of Professor Davies
that Welsh Second Language is at the “eleventh hour.” More details on exactly how the money will be spent and what type of training and provision teachers can be expected to receive are to be announced by the Welsh Government in the foreseeable future.
The Welsh Language
3.099 million Population of Wales
700,000+ All UK Welsh speakers
562,016 Welsh speakers in Wales
POLITICS
POLITICS
To contact our politics desk, drop us an email at politics@gairrhydd.com
For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/politics
GWLEIDYDDIAETH
16
Your politics desk Charlotte King Silvia Martelli Lowri Pitcher Sam Tilley
Is it time to “tear down these tents?” Tents donated to the homeless have caused controversy
by Lowri Pitcher
Shelter and protection: Tents for the rough sleepers pitched on Queen Street. Credits: Lowri Pitcher
Q
ueen Street, the main shopping street in Cardiff, has seen a rising number of tents lined up in front of stores. The shelters have been donated by charities to homeless people in an attempt to provide some form of shelter and protection, yet causing controversies among shoppers and local business owners. Kathryn Kelloway, a Cardiff Conservative councillor, urged the leader of Cardiff Council, Huw Thomas, to “tear down these tents.” On January 25, she was suspended for her comments and later reinstated on January 29. Although the Conservative group distances themselves from Ms Kelloway’s statement, a spokeswoman said: “The tents must be removed as they
deter rough sleepers from seeking safe accommodation and affects the reputation of the city centre.” Similarly, the Labour cabinet member for Housing & Communities, Lynda Thorne, expressed that tents are “putting rough sleepers at risk. They [the homeless] are disengaging with services and many [are] missing vital health appointments.” Both Ms Thorne and Ms Kelloway have said that there is sufficient space in hostels to accommodate rough sleepers. Two men who are currently sleeping in tents, Brummy and Smithy, explained why they choose the tents over support centres such as the Huggard, YMCA and The Wallich. Both claimed that there is no space for them in hostels because they are neither drug addicts nor alcoholics, and
they are relatively healthy; therefore, they are not considered vulnerable and have only been offered floorspace at the Huggard. Brummy explains that his possessions and money were stolen when he took up the offer of floorspace, whereas he has never been robbed in his tent. Both express that they are on the waiting list for housing but they have no idea how long they will have to wait before their wish becomes a reality. The tents have also caused issues for local businesses. On January 12, Bigmoose Coffee Co on Frederick Street made the decision to close temporarily. The company released a statement on Facebook stating: “The actions of a few people have affected and have the potential to affect many others, due to a number of tents being put up
outside our premises, members of our teams are now feeling intimidated.” Another local business owner, Mr Evans, who runs a fruit and vegetable stand says that the tents are not a welcome sight for tourists and have a negative impact on staff morale. Locals, business owners and the homeless themselves all agree that the council must react to the rising number of rough sleepers, but what is Cardiff Council doing? The Council’s Homeless Strategy 2018-2022 sets out their aim ‘to work with our partners to prevent homelessness, providing the right support at the right time to meet the housing needs of our citizens.’ Their aims include providing high quality housing advice services and preventing homelessness. Time will tell whether their aims materialise.
Welsh to be taught as a first language in English medium schools
by Hefin Rees Edwards
T
he Welsh Government recently announced plans to introduce the teaching of Welsh as a first language in English medium schools. This is part of a wider set of reforms aimed at boosting the skillset and attainment of pupils in Wales. They are set to be introduced along with the new curriculum in 2022. This is partly in response to the growing calls to address the poor uptake of Welsh by pupils in English medium schools and to the ‘One Language for All’ report issued in 2013 by Professor Sioned Davies, which highlighted the falling standards and attainment in Welsh second language teaching and how urgent action was needed to reverse current trends. The proposals are also meant to aid the Welsh Government to reach its target of a million Welsh speakers by the year 2050. Education Minister, Kirsty Williams AM, claimed that “removing the term ‘Welsh Sec-
ond Language’ is vital if we are to achieve the goal of a million Welsh speakers.” There have been concerns raised with this latest announcement. Some have noted how the introduction of Welsh as a first language may not help improve Wales’ already poor educational record. The lack of Welsh language teachers is also another issue which could put strain on the educational needs of children in Wales, as recent statistics show that only 34% of teachers who are registered with the Education Workforce Council Wales are Welsh speakers and not necessarily qualified to teach Welsh. The real challenge comes at the secondary school level, where the lack of staff is most notable and where the process of integrating Welsh as a first language may be more difficult. The approach would be to embed Welsh across all of the curriculum and ultimately abolish the Welsh second language GCSE qualification
and have all students study Welsh as a first language. The National Association of Headteachers Cymru, National Education Union Cymru and Association of School and College Leaders Cymru have all supported the plan, on the condition that more funding is allocated to the provision of the new curriculum. The Welsh Government have responded by announcing that £24 million will be invested in teachers and training in order to reflect the changes being made in English medium education. Neil Butler of NASUWT welcomed the increase in funding but said “there are questions about whether it will be sustained” or instead be a “short-term shot in the arm.” Overall there is agreement that the sentiment behind the change is good, but the practicality of the policy is still in doubt. However the Welsh Government has felt that now is the time for action, heeding warnings by the likes of Professor Davies
that Welsh Second Language is at the “eleventh hour.” More details on exactly how the money will be spent and what type of training and provision teachers can be expected to receive are to be announced by the Welsh Government in the foreseeable future.
The Welsh Language
3.099 million Population of Wales
700,000+ All UK Welsh speakers
562,016 Welsh speakers in Wales
GWLEIDYDDIAETH 17
What is happening with Brexit?
December 10th May postpones the meaningful vote on her Withdrawal Agreement.
December 11th Enough Conservative MPs formally call for a vote of no-confidence in the Prime Minister for such a ballot to take place. Theresa May wins this vote 200-119 meaning she cannot be challenged for another year. January 14th An exchange of letters between the EU and the UK are published in which they promise to try their upmost to prevent the ‘backstop’ from ever being used. It isn’t enough, however, to convince Conservative MPs to back the deal. January 16th Theresa May survives the vote of no-confidence in her government by 325 - 306, largely thanks to the support of the DUP.
Early February The UK is continuing to try and remove the Irish ‘backstop’ from the Withdrawal Agreement. However, the EU and Ireland have given no indication that they are prepared to do this. Late February It is around this time that Theresa May will have to put her Withdrawal Agreement back to the House of Commons, regardless of whether or not there are any changes. It is possible that, if she also loses this vote, that there could be a third or a fourth attempt but it is unlikely that this could happen before March 29th.
January 8th MPs vote to prevent the government from raising any new taxes following a no-deal Brexit. This is the first real attempt to oppose a no-deal Brexit by Parliament. January 15th MPs overwhelming reject Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement by a margin of 230 - the biggest defeat in modern British parliamentary history. With 118 Conservative MPs rebelling, it also marked one of the biggest government rebellions of modern times. Following the historic loss, Jeremy Corbyn tabled a vote of no-confidence in the government. January 29th Two votes were passed in the House of Commons: One was designed to reject a no-deal scenario and the other accepted the Withdrawal Agreement if the Irish ‘backstop’ was removed. c.February 13th Theresa May has promised to come back to the Commons on this date to inform MPs how the renegotiations have gone. c.February 14th MPs may get another chance to try and take control of the Brexit process on this date.
Early March The European Union has to agree to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement before March 29th but, under law, they cannot vote to do so before the Agreement has passed the House of Commons
March 29th - The UK leaves the EU No-Deal Brexit
This is the scenario preferred by leading Conservative Brexiteers, who include amongst their ranks Boris Johnson, Iain Duncan Smith and Jacob Rees-Mogg. It would see the UK leave the EU without a deal and, according to it’s proponents, without having to pay the EU the 39 million pound ‘divorce bill’. ‘No-deal’ is also the legal default scenario if Theresa May cannot get her Withdrawal Agreement through the House of Commons. A number of Conservative MPs, amongst them Nick Boles, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston, has indicated that they would quit the Conservative Party if this became official government policy. In addition to these, government ministers, including Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clarke, have told aides that they too would consider their position in government if no-deal was to occur.
Withdrawal Agreement
Despite MPs overwhelmingly rejecting Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement on January 15th, some in government believe that the number that voted against it will decrease as March 29th creeps closer. Either way, government ministers have been very vocal in claiming that the only sure-fire way to avoid a no-deal is to back the Withdrawal Agreement. The Withdrawal Agreement details the terms of the exit of the UK from the European Union and contains the ‘divorce bill’ of 39 million pounds, confirmation of the UK exiting a number of European agencies and the much-talked about Irish ‘backstop’. The mechanism of the ‘backstop’ is only to be used if the UK and the EU cannot agree on the new relationship before the end of the transition period. It would keep the whole of the UK in a customs union until a relationship has been agreed.
Extend Article 50
This is what a number of Labour and Conservative MPs are pushing for as they believe that there is not enough time for the UK to prepare for a no-deal scenario. Labour MP Yvette Cooper tried to force the government to commit to an extension of Article 50 last week but her amendment was voted down by a margin of 23 largely thanks to a group of Labour rebels. She wanted to push the UK’s leaving date back until at least October in order to get more time to either renegogiate the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement or prepare for a no-deal exit. Supporters of the People’s Vote campaign are hoping for an extension of Article 50 in order to legislate for a second referendum. As it currently stands, there is not enough support for eitehr although the closer March 29th comes, the more likely it is for Remain-backing government ministers to break ranks and openly support an extension.
How is Wales preparing for no deal?
by Hallum Cowell
T
he Welsh Government has published a website called ‘Preparing Wales’ detailing what it believes will happen if there is a no deal Brexit. The government stated that “as it has become clearer a no deal outcome is a real possibility”, they have decided to actively increase “preparations to safeguard the interests of Wales and its people.” The website has a number of sections ranging from the economy to the environment. The one that most impacts students is the Education and Skills section. Key elements of this segment are that the Welsh Government is “working closely with the education sector to assess and mitigate the potential impact of a no deal Brexit” and that “further education institutions should not face any immediate impacts.” The article also mentions the impact of the loss of EU funding. “We have made it clear that the EU funding which many of our colleges have benefited from must be replaced in full after the UK leaves the EU.” Wales benefits from the European Social Fund which invests in jobs and education: EU money has supported 72,700 people find work and 234,335 people to gain qualifications between 2007 and 2013. EU funds have also contributed to the Cardiff University Brain Research and Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) of which £4.6m of the £16.2m cost came from the EU.
We’re at real risk of a no deal by accident Current EU budgets which will run until 2020 include contributions of £27.7m into tourist attraction destinations, £24.8m into entrepreneurship support and £75.9m into the Wales business fight. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to EU funding in Wales which will have to be replaced, possibly last minute, when the UK leaves the EU on the March 29. There is also a section on students from the EU stating that “from March 30th 2018, EU citizens and their families can apply for the Home Office’s Settled Statues scheme. This will enable them to continue to live and work in Wales following Brexit.” In addition, the page claims that “EU nationals that intend to study in Wales for the academic year 2019-20 will be eligible to pay the same tuition fees as Welsh students and will be eligible to receive loans or grants from Student Finance Wales. Students will be eligible to receive support until they finish their course.” In the event of no deal, situations may change especially in the education and immigration sectors. The Welsh government has made it clear that the consequences would be disastrous for the country.
18
POLITICS
What they have said...
“We will not allow a Vietnam in Latin America. If the US intends to intervene against us they will get a Vietnam worse than they could have imagined. We do not allow violence. We are a peaceful people. I ask that Venezuela be respected and I ask for the support of the people of the US so there isn’t a new Vietnam, least of all here in our America.” Nicolas Maduro 30/01/19 Venezuela’s embattled President responds threatingly to the US’ recognition of his opposition as the country’s true leader.
“It’s as if we’re back under the Vichy regime [the Nazi-collaborationist regime of the 1940s]. You’re presumed to be a résistant so we throw you in prison. Wake up! Wake up, colleagues! … The day you have a different government in power – a far-right government – and you’re in opposition, you’ll see that it’s pure madness to vote for this text.” Charles de Courson 31/01/19 A French politician from the UDI party discusses the ban on wearing masks during protests and €13, 000 fine if caught sporting one.
“I think God calls all of us to fill different roles at different times and I think that He wanted Donald Trump to become president. That’s why he’s there and I think he has done a tremendous job in supporting a lot of the things that people of faith really care about.” Sarah Huckabee Sanders 30/01/19 The White House Press Secretary discusses how Donald Trump is in office because God chose him.
Cardiff University law student becomes a candidate for the next Assembly elections
by Callum Sloper
A
student from Cardiff University has been selected by the Welsh Conservative Party as their candidate for Cardiff North in the next Welsh Assembly elections. The 2nd year law student and previous Big Brother contestant, Joel Williams, secured the nomination at the end of November 2018 and recently launched his election campaign on January 26. Williams commenced his campaign by heading out into his constituency to speak to residents, starting in Rhiwbina. He has also been taking his campaign to social media, using his Twitter account to convey some of his key messages. Williams is an ardent supporter of the proposed M4 Relief Road, stating it is more necessary than ever before, whilst also expressing support for housing the homeless who are currently living on Cardiff ’s
streets. Williams took a year out of his studies in 2017 after being elected as a councillor for the Pontprennau & Old St Mellons ward on Cardiff City Council. He also recently spoke publicly at the Students’ Union AGM against the controversial ‘Protecting our Palestinian and Jewish Students’ motion, where he joined with the Jewish Society in arguing that the motion would have created hostility towards Jewish & Israeli students. The Welsh Assembly, which Williams is hoping to gain a seat in, is made up of 60 elected Assembly Members who control devolved areas of policy such as education, the NHS and transport. He will need to overturn a Labour majority of 3,667 votes to win in the next Welsh Assembly elections, which will take place on Thursday 6th May 2021. Although the bulk of Cardiff University is in the neighbouring constituency of Cardiff Central, an estimated 8,268 students live in Cardiff North where the Heath Park Campus is based. This means that there is a potential for the student vote to play an important role in Williams’ bid to become an Assembly Member in 2021. Students are more commonly seen as left-wing when it comes to voting, with student support for Jeremy Corbyn & The Labour Party surging in the 2017 general election, so it will be interesting to see if Williams is able to win student backing under the Conservative banner.
Williams told Gair Rhydd that part of his plan to appeal to students includes “a commitment to work with employers to enhance post-grad opportunities”. He also expressed that he will be “working pragmatically with businesses to highlight the benefits of Cardiff as an employment destination, thereby creating skilled jobs and sustained employment”. Williams’ offer to students is likely to chime better with final year and postgraduate students who are facing the prospect of entering the job market, although he also hopes to swing younger voters through his existing media profile. Williams made his debut in 2015 when he entered the Big
Brother House by telling the world: “I would love to be Prime Minister, and yes, I do think it’s achievable”, giving a small insight into what was to come. He became the bookies’ favourite to win the final, before finishing as runner-up and returning to Cardiff to begin his studies as well as his political career. With the 2021 Assembly Elections a few years away yet, Joel Williams has realistically just begun his political journey. It will be a long time before we see whether his campaign efforts will realise his hopes of becoming the AM for Cardiff North. Will he be able to overturn the Labour majority and ‘turn Cardiff North blue’? Only time will tell.
Winston: Williams hit the streets with his trusty mascot to begin his campaign. Credits: Joel Williams.
Are we entering an era of self-interest politics? The abandonment of the new Domestic Abuse Bill has some questioning whether
by Charlotte King
T
he political deadlock arising from the Brexit negotiations and the ever-mounting tension among – not only between – parties has recently raised the question of whether we are living in a climate where our elected officials are working in the national interest, or if in fact we have entered an era of self-interest politics following negotiations over the newly drafted Domestic Abuse Bill, dubbed by the Government as ‘the most comprehensive package ever to tackle domestic abuse’. The draft unveils plans which include formally introducing a government definition of domestic abuse incorporating economic, manipulative and non-physical abuse and supporting more victims giving evidence of abuse in criminal courts through new, special measures. However, the bill has since been dropped, because
65%
of people living in Northern Ireland do not think abortion should be a crime
of, according to the Cabinet Office, ‘potential for the legislation to cause problems for the DUP’. One measure within this bill would have given Westminster jurisdiction over abortion laws in Northern Ireland – some are sceptical this may be the reason that the newly drafted bill is no longer being pursued. Labour MP Stella Creasy also proposed an additional amendment to the drafted bill to which she claims the scope was limited, preventing her reforms from being enacted. In lieu of these developments, it begs the question of whether the Government is acting in the national interest or in selfinterest? Northern Ireland’s abortion laws are strict, permitting abortion only in cases wherein there is serious danger to the mother’s life; it is not permitted following rape, incest, nor if the foetus will not survive outside of the womb. Following relaxation on abor-
80%
of people living in Northern Ireland think women should have the choice in cases of rape and incest
tion laws in the Republic of Ireland, it has come to light that many Northern Irish citizens are keen to see their abortion laws relaxed too, however the DUP do not support relaxing abortion legislation. In the recent vote of confidence in the Government, Theresa May emerged victorious by a mere 19 votes – these votes were mainly comprised of the 10 DUP MPs whose party props up the current government through ensuring it has a majority. Hence, some question whether the newly drafted Domestic Abuse Bill was dropped out of fears of angering the DUP and threatening the Government’s majority at a time wherein fears of a general election loom around every corner. Creasy argues just that, stating that the Government ‘cares more about the DUP than domestic violence’. This is echoed by fellow Labour MP Jess Phillips, who states that the Government’s actions ‘undermine the
73%
of people living in Northern Ireland think women should have the choice in cases of fatal foetal abnormality
safety of victims from across the UK’. Creasy goes on to argue that this is proof of the Government’s ‘[desperation] to cling to power’. In response to these comments, the Home Office stated, ‘the Government has been clear that as abortion is devolved in Northern Ireland, any question of reform to law or policy is one for a devolved Executive and Assembly to debate and discuss’ and ‘there has been no change in the territorial application of the Bill’. Taking this into consideration, in lieu of Brexit and amounting political tension, are we entering an era of self-interested politics and do the Government’s actions indicate a prioritisation of the DUP over the people’s interests to ensure it retains its majority? Or is the Government justified in dropping the bill since abortion is a devolved issue and are they acting in the national interest by respecting devolved powers?
75%
of people in England, Scotland and Wales think Westminster should have jurisdiction over NI abortion laws
GWLEIDYDDIAETH 19
The European refugee crisis: protagonists, failures and controversies Where are we now?
“The refugee crisis” is one of those phrases that constantly makes headlines, especially in the case of Europe. For the past three years, the crisis has been given extensive coverage, with both sides of the debate being well-documented. One side claims that the EU is not doing enough, whereas the other believes that the refugee intake should be substantially reduced. Yet, it is increasingly challenging to establish who the crisis actually relates to: is it the refugees or the countries that receive them?
by Silvia Martelli
M
ore than three years after the biggest influx of refugees coming into Europe since the Second World War, tensions between EU states over how to handle immigration remain high. A number of recent high-profile cases exemplify this. The latest one involves a non-profit organization’s ship, Sea-Watch 3, and the 47 migrants it saved from an inflatable vessel 45 miles from Tripoli, Libya. After being stuck in the Mediterranean for 12 days, on January 30 it was finally given permission to dock in Italy, following a deal with seven other EU countries on dividing up and taking in the refugees. Similarly, earlier in January, Sea-Watch and Sea-Eye - two vessels carrying 49 migrants in total - were left drifting in the sea for almost 20 days. The long odyssey ended in Malta, from where migrants were then relocated in eight different EU countries. In both cases, Italy was put under a strain, being one of the most popular destinations of immigration routes. In an attempt to enhance cooperation from other EU countries, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy and Minister of the Interior, far-right Matteo Salvini, has decided to close Italian ports to non-Italian rescue vessels, a strategy he compared to the strict Australian ‘noway’ immigration policy. The approach has been harshly criticised and repeatedly defined ‘inhuman’ by international organizations. Concerns remain high as, although the death toll on the central Mediterranean route to Italy has fallen in the past year, the number of those drowning as a proportion of arrivals has risen sharply according to the International Organisation for Migration. The European refugee crisis The so called ‘European refugee cri-
sis’ has been one of the most prominent topics over the past years, generating mixed responses across the continent. A peak was registered in 2015-2016 when, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), around 1.5m people reached European shores, undertaking treacherous journeys from African and Middle-Eastern countries torn apart by wars and persecutions. Throughout the following year, more than 180,000 people risked their lives trying to reach the continent by sea, 3,000 of which died or went missing in the desperate journey. This was the highest recorded number of unsuccessful arrivals in the Mediterranean, with the crossing becoming deadlier every year. The number dropped again in 2018, at around 108,000. The significant drop in the number of people claiming asylum in Europe is associated with a few factors, such as the 2016 EU deal with Turkey, intended to limit the influx of irregular migrants entering the EU through Turkey; new border fences in the Balkans; the 2017 deal between Italy and Libya (which Amnesty International defined as ‘dodgy’) whereby the former would work with the latter’s military and border control forces to stem the influx of illegal migrants, preventing them from reaching Europe. The resolutions follow two decades of increasingly-militarised external frontiers in response to the coming down of borders within Europe in the 1990s, which granted EU citizens free movement. According to Amnesty International, between 2007 and 2013, the EU spent an estimated €700m on reception conditions for refugees, a small fraction of the €2bn spent on surveillance systems, fences and patrols on land or at sea. In theory, refugees should be exempt from these controls
The Mediterranean route: Refugees jumping off a sinking vessel. Source: Wikimedia Commons as, under the international law, they have the right to cross borders seeking asylum. But in reality, the EU has tried to obstruct this and border defences have only exacerbated the problem they purport to solve by pushing irregular migrants to take more dangerous routes, such as relying on people smugglers. This has in turn pushed Europe to crack down even harder on unwanted immigration, striking deals to block people-trafficking routes. Anti-immigration sentiments across the continent Throughout the crisis, Spain, Greece and mainly Italy have taken the majority of the strain because of their geographical position on the Mediterranean Sea and of the Dublin Regulation, the EU law according to which asylum seekers must lodge their applications in the country of first entry. In 2017, Italy took in 67% of the arrivals in Europe, Greece 17% and Spain 16%. Yet, the spread of anti-immigration sentiment
across the continent is not only visible in the far-right League Party in Italy, but also in the populist Freedom Party in Austria and the right-wing Alternative for Germany party in Germany. All three have kept immigration firmly at the top of the political agenda. The African ‘silent refugee crisis’ Whilst issues involving refugees and asylum seekers headed to developed countries have attracted the most attention in the media, the refugee crisis occurring in Africa has been heavily underplayed. According to UNHCR, Africa is now home to more refugees than any region of the world, with the sub-Saharan region hosting more than one-fourth of the world’s 68.5 million people forcibly displaced within or beyond their country’s borders. Yet, some African states are adopting pioneering solutions. Examples are Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, three East African countries whose average GDP is about 20 times less than Eu-
Figures for 2017
Arrivals
178,500 in 2017 369,300 in 2016 1,015,500 in 2015 28,349 212
119,369 2,873
29,718 54
Dead and Missing 3,139 in 2017 5,096 in 2016 3,771 in 2015
rope’s. Collectively, they host about 2.8 million refugees, more than the total that arrived in all of the 28 EU member states during 2015-2016. Each of them has adopted schemes that allow economic participation which, as research has shown, have benefited the development of the nation. Can Europe learn from Africa? The movement towards Europe continues to take a devastating toll on human life, and risks have not ended once in the continent: irregular immigrants have reported numerous types of abuse, including being pushed back across borders. With so many lives at risk, rescue-at-sea operations and feasible alternatives to dangerous irregular journeys must remain a priority. Those arriving in Europe - especially unaccompanied children and survivors of violences - must receive adequate assistance, speedy relocation and economic inclusion. Africa may offer some inspiration.
CYNGOR
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ADVICE
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20
Make realistic New Years resolutions by Emily Withers
Achieve your goals this year
W
ith (not so dry) January coming to a close and February looming over us, it’s easy to forget that less than a month ago, we sprung into the new year convinced that we would achieve our ambitious resolutions and become new people in 2019. For most of us, those high hopes were crushed a few days into the month, when we realised that we are the same flawed individuals that we were in December. Here are some ways that you can set realistic resolutions to stick to in February. Firstly, make any new goals realistic. This may mean starting small, and splitting your new goal into segments. If you want to save money, start with saving a small amount each week. If you want to start looking after your nutrition, start by eating your 5-a-day and drinking more water. Small steps towards your new resolution will help you realise that you can succeed in the changes you want to make and that your goals are realistic. Another important part of sticking to your resolutions is to reduce the pressure you put on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, and you will break your resolutions from time to time. This is only a problem if you let these minor slip-ups affect you. It does not matter if you eat one takeaway and break your diet. It does not matter if you neglect your reading for one week. By allowing yourself to make small mistakes without punishing yourself, you will be motivated to get back on track go-
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail: Plan out methodically how you are going to achieve your objectives. Source: Isaac Smith (via Unsplash)
ing forward. A really effective way to stay motivated is to track your progress. This can be done in a multitude of wayschoose what you feel comfortable with. Maybe you could make a wall chart or poster to track how many days you have stuck to your resolution, or you could list all of your university work for the month and tick it off as you complete it. Whichever method you choose to use, make sure that your tracking is visible and rewarding. This will ensure that you
have a visual reminder of your progress daily, and that you feel a sense of accomplishment which will help keep you motivated. But what should your resolution be? To decide the best goal for you to work towards in the new semester, ask yourself what is important to you, and which areas of your life you would like to improve. If you are a big spender, maybe you can make your own lunch each day instead of spending money on a meal deal. If you often turn up to seminars
unprepared, you could make it your goal to complete the essential reading for each session. If you spend your evenings watching Netflix in your room, resolve to spend one night a week with your flatmates. Whichever aspect of your life you choose to work on, make your resolution something which you truly believe will be achievable, and which will have a positive impact on you. So, grab a pen and paper and get planning your 2019 (realistic) resolutions.
Putting your wellbeing first in 2019
by Iona Middleton
L
Your advice desk Ashavari Baral Katie Lewis Columnist Sam Saunders
adies and Gentlemen, 2019 is the year of self-love. It’s time to allow ourselves to be a little bit selfish and put ourselves first. The world can be unkind and intimidating but there are ways to deal with whatever life throws at you by looking at the world differently. What might originally seem like a bad day can be turned around with some positive thinking and looking at the bigger picture. A great way to find positivity in daily life is to wake up and consider what you are grateful for. Whether it was the delicious lunch you ate yesterday or bumping into your friend unexpectedly; enjoy the little things. There are small details in everyday life that make it a bit more enjoyable. A way to solidify these thoughts is by keeping a journal; somewhere you can share all the good parts of your day and reflect on them at a later date too. Journals or writing a blog can be an effective way to express your feelings and help your mental health too. Spending time with yourself gives you the opportunity to escape from the outside world every now and again and focus on what’s important to you, giving you clarity for the other aspects in your life. For your own well-being it’s important to surround yourself with kind-
hearted people who want the best for you. In 2019, focus on eliminating negative people. This may seem harsh but if your ‘friends’ are upsetting you by degrading you, then they are not worth having around and you are sure to find better friends elsewhere. Toxic relationships with anyone, whether it be your best friend from school or your significant other, this year? They have got to go. If you find yourself walking on eggshells, being lied to or emotionally blackmailed; walk away. Leaving these situations is often easier said than done but your friends and family will be there to support you and help your well-being. Do not shy away from talking to loved ones, regardless of the situation. The next thing to tackle is bad habits. Habits are usually caused by stress or boredom and can be in the shape of overeating, overspending or wasting time looking at your mobile phone. Create alternative ways to deal with stress or boredom, such as considering how you manage your time or keeping yourself busy instead of sitting at home doing nothing. Instead of worrying about eliminating your bad habit, think about replacing it. To replace a bad habit, you need to identify it. Consider when the habit happens and what environment you
You should go and love yourself. Source : Cerys Lowe (via Unsplash) are in. Instead of chewing your nails or pulling your hair when you are stressed, find a new and healthy coping mechanism. 2019 can be your year. It’s vital to understand how important you are, even if you do not see it yourself. Compliment yourself daily and appreciate the beauty in the world. Value good friendships by putting time and effort into
them. Forget about empty words and meaningless relationships. Surround yourself with people who you can laugh with but can also talk about your aspirations with, without being worried what they will think. Do not allow negative thoughts to cloud your brain. Think positively, enjoy life’s quirks and work on yourself; put yourself first this 2019, you deserve it.
CYNGOR
How to stay motivated during university by Sai
Find your drive this semester
21
Start to think about housing
A
t university, you can often find yourself thinking “What’s the point of all of this?” Sometimes you can’t pick the modules you want, while others can turn out to be quite the opposite of what you expected. But you don’t have to grit your teeth through the three years you signed up for. Personally, I think my subject has plenty of room for improvement, therefore I have decided to find various ways to keep myself motivated. The one thing that has really helped me is organisation, because writing down every little task down can help you visualise your goals. If everything is attempted in small steps, for example, a certain day being reserved for one specific reading task, it can make you feel as if you completed something. Whilst an essay can seem like a huge feat, looking for three sources a day is quite manageable. It’s also helpful to record your goals a booklet or a diary in a nice environment (like a tidy room). Make a note of your lectures and other university classes so you have a clear timetable and know when you have free time and you can also make space in your diary for social events. You can also organise your work by keeping different modules separate in your folders by using paper separators. A helpful way to stay on top of things is to write things down and maybe set alarms to ensure you have designated time to read over your university work. But if everything overwhelms you, there are plenty of people to help you
Photo credit: Katie Lewis by Katie Lewis
T Keep hustling: Don’t give up on yourself . Source : Wes Hicks (via Unplash) cope, especially during exam times. My personal tutor was always very happy when I went to see her and had advice for pretty much everything, including mental health issues which would obviously dampen my motivation at university. Even your lecturers are probably less scary than they might seem and have experience with students being a bit lost, and I bothered mine after pretty much every lecture with something or the other. I can assure you most of them don’t
mind being asked for help. If that’s not to your liking, there is also always the student representative system. You probably had a shout-out or email going around where a student has said you could go to them for help. As a student representative myself, I can assure you we mean it. As the role does require a bit of work, we have become quite good at organising commitments, and are here to help you throughout your studies. In your down time, concentrate
on other things and don’t get overwhelmed by your to-do list. This way, when you do work hard you will feel productive and motivated to do more. If you find yourself struggling with deadlines and juggling your readings, write down a list of priorities and work through them methodically. Try to mix work and play and don’t take on more than you can handle. Chances are that your course will become more interesting as you progress, so just keep going, time will fly.
How to make the most out of your student experience
by Katie Lewis
T
here are so many opportunities for you to make your mark whilst at Cardiff University, that it seems a waste not to take them. If you’re in your last year, you might think that it’s too late for you to get involved in university activities, but far from it. There is a whole host of opportunities to improve your employability whilst you’re still a student, and here are just a few of them. Firstly, a great way to gain work experience that won’t jeopardise your study time is to take advantage of the universities volunteering projects. There are a variety of volunteering opportunities including policing (Police Student Volunteers), looking after animals (Puppy Power or Petting Zoo) and supporting the elderly who suffer with dementia (Side by Side). There are also many volunteering opportunities in schools and after school clubs, which are perfect if you are striving for a PGCE or any other teaching qualification. Most of the projects run all throughout the year, and you can join at any time. So, if you want to enhance your CV whilst gaining new skills and experience, look at the Cardiff Volunteering page on the Students Union website for more information. Are you passionate about social issues? If you are, did you know you
could possibly start your own campaign by talking to a campaigns officer? Or, if there is an existing campaign that is close to your heart, you can volunteer to help with events to raise awareness of issues including mental health and gender equality. You can contact different campaign officers through the Students Union website and join campaigning events such as Mind your Head week and Stand with LGBT+. Campaigning for a cause would make an impressive addition to your CV as well as making for a very rewarding extra-curricular activity. If you’re going to be enrolled at university for another academic year, it’s not too late to get involved in the 2019 Spring Elections. This is the perfect opportunity for those of you who feel that you can have a positive impact on the lives of other students at Cardiff University. However, you will have to act fast to apply in time to become either a full-time elected officer or a campaign officer. Nominations for these positions close at noon on the 5th of February, so apply quickly for your chance to be elected for the following academic year. Likewise, if you simply want to be more involved in the politics of the student officer elections, voting opens on the 25th of February, so be sure to research the
Leave your mark: Take advantage of the opportunities you have whilst at university and get involved. Source: Gair Rhydd candidates and cast your vote. Take advantage of the democracy of the Students Union elections and help to influence positive change in the student community. If you have an entrepreneurial streak, or have business idea, you should take advantage of the support that Enterprise provides for students. Not only do they support students with their ideas, but they also help them to become more employable people and encourage creativity and innovation. Enterprise are running events throughout the rest of the year, starting with introductory meetings
and following with more in-depth lessons about the start-up process with guest lectures from experienced entrepreneurs. For a full line up of the events that Enterprise are offering, check the Students Union website or pop into the office on the 2nd floor of the SU. So, if you find yourself with some free time this semester, instead of starting a new Netflix series, why not sign up for an extra-curricular activity. Whether you dedicate 2 or 20 hours a week, you can graduate knowing that you left a positive impact on the university and the students in it.
here are plenty of student letting agencies in Cardiff, with lots of different types of properties, so don’t panic if you haven’t signed a contract yet. Look into what the different companies or private landlords offer and make sure you check online reviews. One of the best ways to learn about different agencies is by talking to other students who have experienced student housing before. You have probably heard some nightmare housing stories, but there are also lots of reputable companies offering a good standard of housing. Make sure you’re realistic when you’re on a house hunt. The chances are your budget isn’t going to get you your dream house, so be prepared to make sacrifices and prioritise what you need most from the house. If you’re a large group, you might want to prioritise communal space and look for a larger kitchen with enough storage and cooking space for everyone. Some student houses have bigger gardens, if you want to throw society parties, and some houses have ensuite bathrooms if you’re not up for sharing. There’s nothing wrong with viewing multiple properties until you find what suits you and your housemates, so don’t rush into signing a contract. Make sure when you’re on a house viewing you look out for things such as mould and damp, dodgy windows or doors and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The house must provide you with a good standard of living so don’t cut corners when it comes to basic safety. Also, I’d advise you to really think about who you want to spend your tenancy with. Although you might get along with certain people, can you imagine living with them 24/7? If you haven’t found anyone you’d like to move in with- don’t stress- you have plenty of time to sort things out. Give It A Go have organised Flatmate Speed Dating on the 7th February which is a great opportunity to find your new housemates. This event will also give you the chance to speak to the Housing Action committee, who can discuss the ins and outs of moving into a student house. Don’t be afraid to ask the letting agent questions about anything you are uncertain of. Check with them that your deposit is protected by a legal protection scheme and thoroughly read through any documentation you sign like your tenancy agreement. If you decide on a house but are unsure of any terms of the tenancy contract, you can get it checked for free through Student Advice, who work independently to letting agencies. Happy house hunting.
22
COLUMN
Saunders’ Corner Sam Saunders
Volunteering, Jobs and Internships
The actual pub where I worked - Image Credit: David Anstiss via geograph.org.uk
Image Credit: Visions Service Adventures (via Flickr)
N
ow, I know it seems a long time ago, but Happy New Year! I hope that all of Gair Rhydd’s readers had a happy Christmas, a relaxing break and that any exams and assignments you had went as well as possible. Now that’s out of the way, I’ll talk a little bit about what I want to do with my column for the rest of the issues this year. Just before and over Christmas, I realised that I could enjoy writing these columns a lot more with a slightly different remit, one that is focused on stories and personal experience, rather than a specific advice angle. Also, it’s always been important for me to produce something that piques the curiosity of our readers and that you all find enlightening, so I hope that this will allow me to do that. Along this theme, I’d like to talk about worthwhile ways of spending your summer. Such as internships, part-time jobs and volunteering projects, because the former two have been incredibly valuable to me, and because a lot of the application deadlines are in the coming weeks. I’ll admit that I wasn’t so proactive after my first year at Cardiff. In fact, I lived off the last part of my student loan over that summer (along with free food from my parents), basically sitting around on my arse, playing video games and living what I thought was my best life. Of course, this all came to an end in September, upon which I realised that it hadn’t been a terribly brilliant idea after all.
I’d essentially wasted three months of my life, despite the numerous good times I’d had, and I reflected afterwards that I should have kept my mind better occupied. Therefore, the next summer I got a part-time job in a country pub around fifteen minutes from where I lived. As many students will already know, the benefits of such a role are numerous: some money to go on holiday, a way of making new friends and keeping yourself occupied, as well as an opportunity to develop skills such as customer service or how to pour the perfect pint. Parttime jobs are also very handy for examples in strength-based interviews for master’s programmes or graduate jobs, as you’re likely to have worked in a team or experienced some form of challenge in these roles. Examples
Therefore, the next summer I got a part-time job in a country pub around fifteen minutes me
I could use from my job both came on the same day; the pub hosted a wedding, which was a challenge as we essentially had all the people we would have had on a busy lunch or dinner shift (typically two or three
hours in length) for a whole day’s trading. I also had to work with more people than usual to cope with the amount of people, in other words, as part of a team. Finally, customerfacing jobs will help develop your interpersonal skills (being friendly, outgoing and easy to talk to) which will always be useful, no matter the career you choose to pursue. The following year, I decided that it would be a good idea to get a taste of the professional world by doing an internship, which would also allow me to decide whether a corporate career would be something which I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. There are a huge range of internships available, both paid and unpaid (angry reacts only), so there’s no limit to what you could choose to do, whether you want to try accountancy or journalism, for example. This is both good and bad, as the vast array of choices means you will certainly be able to find something that you find interesting, but it can be daunting to know where to start. I’d recommend two methods. Firstly, websites, such as TargetJobs, that list the different internships available and group them by industry are really useful in narrowing down your options, and potentially opening your eyes to some possibilities you might not have considered. Secondly, there are job fairs that take place every year; the next one is on the 8th of February in the Great Hall in the SU that is specifically focused on In-
Image Credit: James Broad (via Flickr) ternships, Work Experience and Vol- certain company or career would be unteering opportunities. I can’t think for you. For example, the pressures of many better places to start. of producing stories for the daily ediMy internship, at Admiral here in tion of a newspaper might be someCardiff, was incredibly useful and thing that you thrive on, or an aspect informative to me. It allowed me to that you dislike, meaning that more earn more money than I could have of a flexible role, at an online news in a part-time job over the summer website, for example, could be for as well as giving me invaluable ex- you. perience in a professional environFinally, we have volunteering opment. Most importantly, it made me portunities, many of which are availrealise that I would like to work in able through Cardiff University’s this area in my future career and that Global Opportunities programme, I could thrive in a financial services which currently offers volunteering company. projects in countries such as Vietnam, Fiji and Thailand. Whilst I’ve not experienced one of these, I can say that living abroad was an incredible impactful experience for me. It blew my mind to see a completely different culture in India, and feeling part of a country and city in France last year really was unforgettable. Like the other options that I’ve mentioned, volunteering is a great way to spend your summer, and provide you with something to talk about in interviews, as well as offering you the chance to develop skills that you couldn’t in an office, a pub or a lecIt also opened my eyes to the vast ture theatre. For more information array of potential career paths with- about this, visit the Global Opporin a large company, as I had no idea tunities page on the Cardiff Intranet. what internal audit or compliance As always, thank you for reading were until I worked at Admiral. Of this, I hope that my personal expericourse, this won’t be the case for eve- ences will encourage some of you to ryone, and, on the contrary, intern- think about how you can spend your ships are a really good way of trying summer, and I hope that you have something out for short period of excellent experiences as a result! time, in which you can find out if a Have a great week guys.
Finally, customerfacing jobs will help develop your interpersonal skills (being friendly, outgoing and easy to talk to) will always be useful
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GWYDDONIAETH
For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/science
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Critically endangered shark seen off Welsh Coast The Angelshark is now classified as “critically endangered” and the UK has afforded full protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
Discovery: Thought only to be spotted around the canary islands, a rare species of angelshark was spotted off the coast of wales. Source: Nick Long (Wikimedia Commons) by Nia Jones
To contact our science desk, drop us an email at science@gairrhydd.com
SCIENCE
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Your science desk Danny Brown Jonathan Learmont
nce a prize catch in the 1970s and 1980s before it became a protected species, recent sightings of a rare species of Angelshark have been made off Cardigan Bay, in the Bristol Channel and north of Holyhead. To protect the species off the Welsh coast, the Angel Shark Project: Wales was launched in 2018 to continue to protect one of the world’s rarest shark species through Fisher engagement, historical research and citizen science. Dive for Angels events at possible habitats are currently in the works to try and seek out the species in its natural habitat and foster a greater understanding of its ecology. Along with this direct evidence, roadshows have
been established to gather historical pictures and memories of the species. The roadshow is travelling the length and breadth of Wales, with the nearest event in Swansea on February 15 and 16 at the National Waterfront Museum highlighting the key role local knowledge from members of the public has in the advancement of science. The Angelshark was once so abundant throughout the eastern North Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the species Squatina squatina was named the ‘Common Angelshark’. Half of the 23 species of Angelshark are now listed in a threat category by the IUCN Red List, with most of the others lacking enough data to be assessed properly. Scientists have been collecting tissue samples from the species to conduct ge-
netic testing on the population dynamics within the only known established habitat – the Canary Islands. Following DNA and whole genome sequencing in a 2017 study, results revealed an exceptionally low genetic diversity which has implications for the survival of species, highlighting is highly vulnerable state.
Results revealed low genetic diversity which has implications for survival
The large, flat bodied shark was once common along the Atlantic coast of the UK. Following widespread decline over the past 100 years, sightings of this rare species have recently increased around the Welsh coast giving conservationists hope for the future. It’s exact habitat, however, is still unknown. Understanding how this species uses the Welsh coast alongside it’s only current stronghold, the Canary Islands, could be key in understanding more about this rare species and saving a vital lineage in evolutionary history. The species is regarded as being particularly precious as it is found at the end of a distinct branch of the tree of life, an evolutionary model which shows the relationship between different biological groups.
Cardiff professor awarded Eddington Medal
Bernard Schutz is this years winner of the Royal Astronomical Society’s award for outstanding work in theoretical astronomy by Danny Brown
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Cardiff physics professor, Bernard Schutz, is set to receive the Eddington Medal from the Royal Astronomers Society for an “investigation of outstanding merit in theoretical astrophysics”. Schutz is being awarded for his 1986 paper which showed how the detection of gravitational waves could be used to determine the Hubble constant to an incredibly high degree of accuracy, a value which is necessary to be able to calculate the age of the universe.
Gravitational waves were a prediction of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, they are created by massive bodies (such as
The study has offered new insight into biology behind ADHD
black holes or neutron stars) orbiting each other, spiralling closer and closer until they coalesced. The orbiting bodies create gravitational waves in the fabric of space-time, which were successfully detected in 2015 through the international experiments LIGO and Virgo. Schutz theorised that through detecting gravitational waves we could measure the distance to the source of the waves, and we could point telescopes in the direction of the galaxy where the waves were originating and measure the speed at which its moving away from us. With this combina-
tion of knowledge, the expansion rate of the universe can be calculated to an incredibly high degree of accuracy. The expansion rate of the universe is a “number that astronomers prize, it’s one of the hardest numbers to measure, but we have this new way of doing it now with gravitational waves”. Using Schutz’s method will make it possible to obtain a value of Hubble’s constant to 3% accuracy. Schutz’s name will now be listed alongside the previous winners of this medal, such as Stephen Hawking, Roger Penrose and Georges Lemaître.
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Cardiff researchers find insight into aggressive breast cancers
by Danny Brown
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ardiff University scientists at the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute (ECSCRI) have found a protein which drives aggressive strains of breast cancer and can be targeted to develop newer and more effective treatments. The research team at ECSCRI investigated the protein called LYN, which is responsible for keeping cells alive and allows them to divide and it was discovered that, in aggressive strains of breast cancer cells, LYN wasn’t properly controlled. This allows the cancerous cells to aggressively grow, spread and invade the neighbouring tissue. The team found that in some forms of triple negative breast cancer cells associated with the BRCA1 gene mutation, the LYN protein could be turned on, increasing the cancer cell survival as a result of the loss of BRCA1. Under experimental conditions, the research team found that they were able to alter and interfere with the LYN protein functions, killing the cells with the BRCA1 mutation. Triple negative breast cancer cells are cells that have none of the receptors for the any of the three bodily
chemicals: oestrogen, progesterone or the HER-2/neu gene. This means that targeted hormone treatment can’t be used to fight these types of breast cancer cells. Other treatment is still available, such as chemotherapy, but doctors still are not too sure what makes triple negative cancer cells grow and spread. The investigation into the LYN protein could reveal this and could also lead to better future treatments.
Investigating the LYN protein could lead to better cancer treatments BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes which produce proteins that suppress tumour growth. They also have a part to play in the stability of each cells genetic stability as they help repair damaged DNA. Mutations in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes could mean that the proteins produced do not function properly, leading to an increased chance of
Genetics: 150 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the UK every day, with 23% of cases being reported as preventable. Source: Skeeze (via pixabay) damaged DNA not getting repaired and, hence, cancer growth. Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes most notably increase the chances of developing breast or
ovarian cancer. Professor Matt Smalley, researcher at ECSCRI, said: “In the future, we could potentially identify patients that have increased levels of LYN or a
BRCA1 gene mutation, and design their breast cancer therapy to suit their type of cancer. We could target LYN to improve therapy options for aggressive breast cancer”.
“Everything is melting everywhere”
Melting glaciers reveal land previously covered for 40,000 years by Milo Moran
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lobal warming and climate change are real and caused by numerous contributing human factors, including the greenhouse effect. As discussed in previous articles, we are nearing
the point of no return with respects to the global average temperature. The global environmental effects of global warming are becoming more and more apparent. Evidence from a recent study shows that the glaciers are melting
at an unprecedented rate, exposing areas of land which have been covered by ice for the last 40,000 years. Glaciers advance south as summers get colder, and recede north as summers get warmer, making them one of the most reliable ways of
measuring the year-on-year change in temperature. The Arctic feels the effects of cooling and warming faster than the rest of the globe, meaning that glaciers are feeling not a 1°C but a 3°C increase.
Glaciers are melting at an unprecedented rate
Global warming: The Arctic Ocean could be totally free of ice at least once a decade, coral reefs would decline by more than 99%, and sea levels could rise up to 2 metres on average. Source: Wikimedia Commons
New research, carried out by the University of Colorado Boulder, has been using carbon dating to find the age of plants at the edges of ice caps. The plants have been newly exposed by the melting ice caps on Canada’s Baffin Island, which means that the radioactive carbon in their cells was absorbed from the atmosphere before they were frozen. The carbon dating gives an age of these plants of around 40,000 years, suggesting that the ice which has recently melted has been there for the same length of time. This figure, 40,000 years, was consistent across 30 different ice caps on Baffin Island. Normally, scientists would expect different regions and altitudes to provide dif-
ferent plant ages, as higher altitudes keep their ice longer. The fact that the numbers are the same across the board suggests that the Arctic is experiencing its warmest century in 115,000 years. Climate scientist Simon Pendleton, the lead author of the study, said “everything is melting everywhere now.” The heat-trapping greenhouse effect means that, since the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century, the planet’s temperature has risen by about 1°C. This sounds low, but the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report showed that the 1°C rise can be linked to the recent increase in extreme weather, such as the Beast from the East and the severe tropical storms in Central and North America. If the temperature rises by another degree, the Arctic Ocean could be totally free of ice at least once a decade, coral reefs would decline by more than 99%, and sea levels could rise up to 2 metres on average. Scientist estimate that if the amount of greenhouse gas being released into the atmosphere is not curbed within 12 years, we will reach an irreversible “tipping point”. Professor Michael Mann describes this as a “minefield” - even if temperature rise is halted at 1.5°C, we cannot predict exactly what will happen to the ecosystem.
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Italy
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Italy will have to take grit and determination into this year’s competition if they are to avoid another winless Six Nations campaign.
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taly, who have struggled mightily in recent tournaments, will be looking to at least go one better than their winless showing last year. There are no expectations for this Italian side to challenge for the Six Nations title. This comes from the fact that Italy have lost their previous 17 Championship games, so at this current juncture, an upset win might be the only thing at stake, and pride of course. If Italy were to lose their opening match, which is a trip to Murrayfield to face Scotland, then they would achieve the title of having the worst Championship run in history with 18-straight defeats. Clearly not a desirable record to have, so you would like to think the Italian players will be giving everything they have against Gregor Townsend’s
Fixtures side. As mentioned earlier, Italy will begin their Six Nations against Scotland, and if their previous encounter in last year’s competition was anything to go by, then we should be in for a pulsating match. Scotland had the boot of Greg Laidlaw to thank who sealed the victory with a precise kick in the dying embers of a tightly contested game in Rome. Conor O’Shea’s men will then have back-to-back home matches at the Stadio Olimpico, as they host Wales, and then defending champions Ireland. It does not get any easier either. Italy then travel to Twickenham to face a resurgent England under the stewardship of Eddie Jones. In the fifth and final round of fixtures, Italy have a home tie against France. Looking at the squad, O’Shea has
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England
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The Six Nations will see the return of both Vunipola brothers and Joe Launchbury, offering serious power going forward.
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With Wales having arguably one of the more favourable fixture schedules in this championship, it will be up to their players to deliver on the pitch just as they had done in the autumn international series.
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his time last year England were preparing for what many thought would be a third successful Six Nations under Eddie Jones, having lost only one game in the previous two years. They won their first two games only to lose their final three. Since then Eddie Jones’ side have lost a series in South Africa, only to recover to win three of their four Autumn Internationals, almost beating World Champions New Zealand. This came following a series of injuries to key players. England appears to be back to their best, the only real test of their form will come in this year’s Six Nations as they travel away to both Cardiff and Dublin. Eddie Jones has named a strong squad prior to the last Six Nations before the World Cup. England will face Ireland without regular co-captain
Wales
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ince his appointment by the WRU in 2007, Warren Gatland has guided Wales to three Six Nations titles, including two grand slams. However, this will be the New Zealander’s final championship as Head Coach before he leaves at the end of 2019. Gatland’s first five games as Wales’ Head Coach saw him lead his side to a Six Nations grand slam and he will be hoping to finish his Six Nations career in Wales with similar success. Wales come into this Six Nations campaign with some good form under their belt after a record-breaking Autumn International series. A fairly newlook Wales side completed their first ever clean sweep in an autumn series with four wins, including South Africa and Scotland. Above all, Wales showcased their recent progress with their first win over Australia in over 10 years. A slender win of 9-6 over the Wallabies might not have been entertaining viewing for
Scotland
by George Willoughby placed his trust in representatives from Pro-14 side Benetton, with 18 players being selected from the team based in Treviso. Italy’s chances have been bolstered by returning forward Maxime Mbanda, and also the experience of Sergio Parisse and Leonardo Ghiraldini should bode well moving forward. But some absentees would have frustrated the Italy head coach. Gloucester’s Jake Polledri and Zebre’s Matteo Minozzi will both miss out due to injury. Synonymous with Italy’s play, is their inability to maintain the required intensity for the duration of the match. Previously, Italy have been in some great positions, sometimes winning ones, but past the 60-minute mark they show their deficiencies. The heightened pressures of a Six Nations environment make the task
of winning rugby matches even more challenging. This makes it imperative for this Italy squad to remain competitive right up until the final whistle. This is when you question whether they have the strength in depth to be able to make the required rotations without falling short at the end. Granted, Italy are not as blessed when it comes to the resources at their disposal compared to the squads of Ireland, England and Wales. However, where they may lack in individual ability, teamwork can drag any team over the line, and I am sure head coach Conor O’Shea will be making that the focal point in his preparation. Italy may not be in contender discussions, but they should not need any motivations to defy the odds and lay to rest their dire Six Nations form.
Edinburgh February 2nd
Wales
Rome February 9th
Ireland
Rome February 24th
Wales
Cardiff March 11th
England London March 16th
Fixtures by Jack Vavasour
Dylan Hartley, which will allow for Jamie George to start at least the first few games. Jones himself has stated that this is probably the strongest squad he has named to date and it seems hard to argue with him. Manu Tuilagi showed how much he had been missed when he made a brief cameo against Australia in the autumn, drawing numerous defenders and proving just how much danger he poses to the opposition. England, in the Six Nations, must not get bogged down by just relying on big runners. Recently, England have played some wonderful rugby and with players such as Henry Slade and Elliot Daly you don’t need to revert to a closed game. These are players who often glide through matches, creating opportunities for those around them,
with the added power of big runners supporting them. Jack Nowell must be the most unlucky player in the World, not only has he been overlooked criminally throughout his career in favour of quicker wingers, but now Jones is joking about making him play at 7. Nowell seems to play out of his skin whenever the opportunity arises, he went on a Lions tour and fought his way onto the Test match bench. This raises the question why he isn’t starting week in week out for England? Admittedly the rise of Jonny May has been phenomenal, however, a player of Nowell’s class, especially defensively, currently offers far more than players such as Ashton and Cokanasiga. Elsewhere in the squad, Dan Robson earns a well-deserved call-up
Ireland
and is set to make his debut off the bench against Ireland. Jack Clifford and Ollie Devoto, who both appeared to be part of Jones’ plans in 2016, are back after difficulties with injuries and form. Elsewhere in the backrow Mark Wilson will be looking to further nail down his position in the side following a strong autumn. Jones’ selection will determine the kind of game he wishes to play, many have suggested going for a full heavyweight attack, which would require playing both Vunipola and Nathan Hughes in the back-row, with Ben Te’o partnering Tuilagi in the centres. This would crush the Irish defence, however, England should look to outplay the Irish as they have the talent within the squad to do that and should not just be reliant on size.
Dublin February 2nd
France
London February 10th
Wales
Cardiff February 23rd
Italy
London March 9th
Scotland London March 16th
Fixtures by Reece Chambers those inside the Principality Stadium, but it certainly showcased their ability to get over the finishing line. Ahead of most Six Nations championships, predictions and previews are often decided by a quick look at the fixture list to see who poses the home advantage in crucial matches. For Wales, the fixture list may only show two home games, but they are arguably the two toughest games – England (matchday three) and Ireland (matchday five). The home advantage Wales possess in Cardiff cannot be overlooked given the atmosphere generated by a passionate home crowd. Of course, English and Irish supporters will travel in big numbers to the Welsh capital, but Wales’ home support gives them significant hope. Nevertheless, Wales’ home fixtures will only live up to their full potential if they start their campaign well. Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones leads his side out in the Six Nations for the first time
in a number of years since the retirement of former captain Sam Warburton. The second row Welshman is due to be one of the most influential parts of Wales’ team as senior players will look to lead from the front. The 33-year-old showed no signs of slowing up in the autumn internationals with a number of impressive performances. Fellow senior pro within the team, Jonathan Davies, will be just as important for Wales as they look to build on the expansive attacking strategy present in the Autumn Internationals. The Scarlets centre has been a lynchpin in Wales’ side over recent years with a contribution of 70 points over his 67-game international career. If the 30-year-old can replicate some of his previous success in the Six Nations, then Wales will be hopeful of pushing title favourites Ireland all the way. Preparations ahead of the championships have been thwarted by numer-
ous injuries to key players in the Welsh squad. Most recently, full-back Leigh Halfpenny was ruled out for the opening weekend against France – having suffered with concussion since November. Injury concerns to Scott Williams and Liam Williams furthers Wales’ injury predicament in the backs with full-back options scarce. First choice scrum half, Gareth Davies, is also an injury doubt ahead of the start of the campaign. For Wales, injury concerns could dictate how successful they are likely to be in this year’s Six Nations. Their strength and depth is far from that of Ireland and England which leaves them lower down the pecking order in pre-tournament predictions. However, if injury worries are to subside after the first two matches and Wales beat both France and Italy, they could be in with a good chance of success ahead of three challenging matches.
France
Paris February 1st
Italy
Rome February 9th
England
Cardiff February 23rd
Scotland Edinburgh March 9th
Ireland
Cardiff March 16th
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CHWARAEON
To contact our sport desk, drop us an email at sport@gairrhydd.com
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As predicted, France have named a powerful forward group, Guilhem Guirado will captain again and will be hoping to improve on a disappointing autumn series.
France
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t’s French rugby that has dominated European competition in recent times with Toulon having won the Champions Cup three years in a row from 2013-2015. Furthermore, a French side has contested the final every year since 2013. Yet France have not won the Six Nations since 2010, following this they have experienced a succession of disappointing results, including the wooden spoon in 2013. Last years chances were tainted by the sacking of coach Guy Noves in the build-up to the competition, Jacques Brunel stepping in to replace him. France began last year’s tournament by almost beating eventual Grand Slam Champions Ireland, only to be foiled by a Johnny Sexton drop goal in the dying seconds of the match. It was further ruined by several players, including Teddy Thomas who had scored three tries in
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Ireland have to deliver good performances to beat all those teams apart from Italy.
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he Six Nations sees the start of a big year for Irish rugby. They are going into the Guinness Six Nations as defending Grand Slam champions with a large expectancy of delivering at the World Cup in Japan. They are arguably the best team in the world right now., with recently having won Coach, Team and Player of the year. Ireland are the team to beat. With it being announced that Schmidt will be stepping down as head coach after the World Cup, he will want to go out on high. Since Schmidt has been Head Coach of Ireland, he has brought them three titles and many memorable wins. Ireland continued their unbeaten form throughout the autumn internationals, the most momentous win being against New Zealand, 16-9. However, their two biggest threats in the Six Nations will come from two of the
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They have become a team that would be foolish to underestimate; a team that nobody wants to play.
by Jack Vavasour with wrecking ball, Mathieu Bastareaud. Maxime Medard also looks a frightful prospect as he has been on phenomenal form for Toulouse and has propelled them into the semi-finals of the Champions Cup. If used correctly, France's pack could destroy oppositions and everyone knows that the forwards win rugby matches and the backs just decide by how many. No other nation can quite match the sheer power that France currently possess. France’s forwards must offer a solid platform from which Camille Lopez can then unleash the speed and attacking prowess of his backline. France, in order to win, must find consistency within their squad. With too many changes to the squad in recent times this is what they lack can be seen as a result of why they are failing to win matches.
This Six Nations, they certainly possess the players to launch a serious challenge for the title. With Wales and Scotland at home, they should look to win all games in Paris. Travelling away to Ireland and England will be difficult, however, France are a sleeping giant of rugby and Brunel just needs to discover how to wake this powerful force. There certainly can be a strong buzz around the potential of this side and, as a nation who notoriously perform well at World Cups, this would be just about perfect timing for France to begin to perform in the build-up to Japan. Consistency is key, and when key players return they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with. Never underestimate the danger that this attacking outfit possess, let’s hope we are treated to the famous French flair this year.
Wales
Paris February 1st
England
London February 10th
Scotland
Paris February 23rd
Ireland
Dublin March 10th
Italy
Rome March 16th
Fixtures by Rosie Foley
home nations. Beginning with their first game, England. England will be looking to redeem themselves from last year’s loss, 15-24, in the home of Irish rugby, the Aviva. Ireland then travel to Murrayfield to face Scotland. After the break they face Italy in Stadio Olimpico and then host France, with a quick turnaround finishing up in Wales which is predicted to be the deciding match. Wales are deemed to be dangerous and Ireland’s biggest challenge. Former Irish International, Shane Horgan spoke on Virgin Media Sport and made the statement that Ireland need to play their best in all their fixtures, otherwise it could be a tough eight weeks. "England are going to be chomping at the bit and they have moved their game on over the autumn series. If Ireland don’t deliver a good perfor-
Scotland hilst securing a hard-fought victory over Argentina on their last outing, Gregor Townsend’s side were too often left rueing their missed chances as they lost out to both Wales and South Africa in a November of mixed fortunes. A lengthy injury list, featuring powerhouses John Barclay, Alex Dunbar and Richie Gray, has since only complicated matters. It would be foolish to write the Scots off however, particularly with the nation’s club sides currently flying high in their respective Pro14 Conferences, and qualifying for the Champions Cup quarter-finals. All but nine of Townsend’s original 39-man squad represent these two sides, and they will undoubtedly be keen to transfer their club form to the intense arena of the Six Nations. Among them is the talismanic Stuart Hogg, who has stressed the importance of being clinical in attack.
Fixtures
France’s opening two matches, being banned after a night out in Edinburgh following their defeat to Scotland. This year Brunel has named a strong squad for the final Six Nations before the World Cup in Japan. Thomas has missed out due to injury, this will be a massive blow for the French side who are often reliant on tries from the dangerous Racing 92 winger. His pace and power are evidenced in every try he scores and France will be desperate to find another outlet to power them towards a successful tournament. Wesley Fofana returns and will be a welcome addition to the squad, he is a player who combines power, speed and flair to offer a fearful prospect for opposition defences. He will be looking to leave his mark on his final Six Nations following a career plagued with injuries. He is likely to be paired in the centre
Ireland
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mance there, they are in trouble and the same against France.’ Horgan knows that this year is going to be a physically tough campaign for Ireland. Even though Ireland have a good squad depth, several players will have to power through and play on. "Just because we had a phenomenal year last year, doesn’t mean it will be a breeze with back-to-back Grand Slams. They aren’t done very often for a reason." "We have a big portfolio of players that can slot in and out pretty easily. But the bulk of the team will be asked to back up on a couple of occasions, and it is difficult." With having experienced players like Peter O’Mahony, Rory Best, Keith Earls and Connor Murray to lead the team, they also have youthful talent with the likes of James Ryan, Jordan
Lamour and Gary Ringrose in the squad. Although, the key player everyone will be looking out for is Johnny Sexton. Being named World Player of the Year says it all. There was a worry over if he would be back for the Six Nations opener as he has been struggling with a knee injury, but Leinster boss Leo Cullen is confident he will be ready. Young Joey Carberry is looking to be a good replacement for Sexton. Sadly significant ball carrier Tadgh Beirne has been ruled out of the first two rounds of the competition with a knee injury allowing Quinn Roux to get the call up. Ireland have got a tough Six Nations campaign ahead of them and not the ideal team set up leading into it, but they should be able to prove why they are able to retain their spot in the top three of World Rugby’s ranking.
England
Dublin February 2nd
Scotland Edinburgh February 9th
Italy
Rome February 24th
France
Dublin March 10th
Wales
Cardiff March 16th
Fixtures by John Jones
With Hogg just one part of a backline that also features the likes of Sean Maitland, Huw Jones and Tommy Seymour, Scotland should, on paper, have no trouble with taking their chances. However, as has become apparent in recent tournaments, Scotland’s fortunes will rest largely on the half-back duo of Greg Laidlaw and Finn Russell. Whilst Laidlaw – with over 600 points for his country – has long been a figure of reliance, Russell’s all-round game has come on leaps and bounds since his move to Racing 92 last year. Even with the golden boots of the illustrious Dan Carter to fill, Russell has impressed in France with his sharp decision-making and swift passing game often the difference. Scotland can only hope that he brings this good form to these championships. First up for the Scots is Italy at Murrayfield, in a fixture that they have not lost since 2015. However, whilst the Italians have
developed a reputation as the competition’s also-rans, a shaky last-gasp 2927 comeback in Rome last year will sit fresh in the mind, and Scotland cannot afford to be complacent. That said, an opening day clash against the rank outsiders at home seems unlikely to produce anything other than a home victory. Ireland's visit a week later, however, will provide the fiercest test for the defences of Fortress Murrayfield. Not only are Joe Schmidt’s side Scotland’s Pool A opponents in Japan, but also the clear championship favourites, with their eyes surely set on securing consecutive Grand Slams. Whilst a Hogg-inspired performance earned Scotland a stunning opening-day victory in this fixture two years ago, Ireland’s flawless autumn campaign proved the level they are now competing at, and they will justifiably fancy their chances. Elsewhere, Gregor Townsend’s men
will be relishing the opportunity to show up Eddie Jones’ England side for the second year running in March’s Calcutta Cup clash, whilst a trip to Paris is sure to be a hard-fought affair. Furthermore, although defeated in their last two trips to the Welsh capital, a return to Murrayfield could swing the contest against Warren Gatland’s side in Scotland’s favour, as it did in 2017, when the home team ran out as 29-13 winners. Whilst these games against England, Wales and France could really go either way, it is clear that Scotland will play a pivotal role in deciding the tournament’s outcome. They have become a team that would be foolish to underestimate; a team that nobody wants to play. With any expectations largely placed on their opponents, Scotland have the opportunity to spring a few more surprises, and send a confident message to their World Cup opponents.
Italy
Edinburgh February 2nd
Ireland
Edinburgh February 9th
France
Paris February 23rd
Wales
Edinburgh March 9th
England London March 16th
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SPORT
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Djokovic and Osaka taste Australian Open success
Grand Slam Performance: Source: Rexness (via Flickr) by Emily Salley
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anding back-to-back grand slams, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka showcased their dominance in Australia, hinting at what’s in store for tennis in 2019. One of tennis’ biggest headlines came just before the Australian open began as Britain’s Andy Murray admitted, in an emotional press conference, that his first-round match against Roberto Bautista Agut could be his last. The Scotsman, who said he would love to retire after Wimbledon, has been suffering from a long-standing hip injury which caused him to miss most of the 2018 season. World No. 23, Bautista defeated Murray in a hard-fought battle lasting four hours and nine minutes. Despite a fightback from Murray in the third and fourth sets, the Spaniard prevailed to win 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(4), 6-2. Lots of other big names lost out on making it through the earlier rounds. The biggest shock perhaps came with Federer’s exit from the Open in the Round of 16, to Greece’s Tsitsipas. The twenty-year-old was the youngest male singles competitor but his glory run was ended when he
was defeated convincingly by Nadal in the semis. Novak Djokovic cruised through the opening rounds, sweeping the likes of Nishikori and Tsonga aside to move into the final, having only lost two sets along the way. Meanwhile in the women’s singles, number one seed Simona Halep lost in the fourth round to Serena Williams, who after an even match, was knocked out of the quarters by Karolina Pliskova. Osaka was the one to end Pliskova’s run, beating her in three sets, only to make it to the final where she faced another one of Czech’s top players. This was Petra Kvitová’s return to a grand slam final for the first time in five years after a knife attack in December 2016 at her home in the Czech Republic threatened to put an end to her tennis career. The two-time Wimbledon champion suffered injuries to her left hand which left her side-lined for six months. However, the Czech’s comeback story is still in the making as a dramatic final saw Osaka win 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-4. Winning the first set 7-6, Osaka remained on top in the second to reach a 5-3 lead but failed to materialise on
this, throwing away three championship points as Kvitova broke the Japanese’s serve to win the second set. Winning three consecutive games in the final set, Osaka should have had the championship in the bag but a resilient Kvitova stood in her way, almost breaking back at 3-3. However, Osaka held firm to secure the victory, triumphing in the final set 6-4. This time last year Osaka was relatively unknown within the tennis public sphere, yet to win a WTA title and 72nd in the world rankings. After winning the US Open in September 2018, in one of tennis’ most controversial finals when Serena Williams was met with ridicule and criticism for her angry outburst at umpire Carlos Ramos. Osaka went on to win the Open in straight sets but unfortunately her athleticism was overshadowed by the storm of controversy triggered by Williams. Adding the Australian Open crown to her list of achievements, the Japanese is now No. 1, the first Asian player to top the rankings and only the fifth women to win backto-back grand slam championships; Jennifer Capriati was the last to do so on 2001.
Fast forward to the next day as Melbourne Park hosted a clash between two of male tennis’ most familiar faces. Novak Djokovic, current world No. 1 and seven-time Australian Open champion, pitted against Rafael Nadal, number 2 seed with seventeen grand slam titles to his name. The Spaniard, 32, has been unlucky when it comes to Australian Open finals, winning just one from five with his only victory against Federer in 2009. Nadal failed to reverse this as Djokovic, 31, showcased his superiority by claiming the title in three straight sets, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 hitting eight aces and making only nine unforced errors compared to Nadal’s 28 in a clinical Djokovic display. Winning 40 out of 50 first serves, he defeated Nadal in a short two hours and four minutes, making it the Serb’s biggest margin victory in a grand slam final. The former champion was not short of praise for Djokovic, saying “The way he played was unbelievable”. The Serbian is now only two grand slam titles behind Nadal, with his sights set on passing Roger Federer’s
tally of 20 majors as Djokovic claimed it was a motivating factor and that he wanted to improve his game so he could “have a shot at eventually getting closer to Roger’s record.” Like Naomi Osaka, the transformation of Djokovic from January 2018 is remarkable. Knocked out of last season’s Australian Open by unseeded Chung Hyeon in the last 16 and facing elbow surgery, it is a testament of how driven Djokovic was to make a comeback to topflight tennis. The 31-year-old’s successful Australian Open campaign ensured back-to-back grand slam wins after he defeated world No.3, Juan del Potro, in September’s US Open. Whilst the Australian Open might have been the final curtain for one of Britain’s best ever sportsmen, it also reassured us of Djokovic’s dominance in the World No. 1 position. Also, Japan’s rising star Osaka proved she was more than a one hit wonder. Will she be able to continue her winning form? That reamins in the balance, but there is no doubting that if she maintians this current level of play, she will be anew force to be reckoned with in female tennis.
Wales women looking for Six Nations redemption by Rosie Foley
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ales want to prove that they are here to play. They must win games during this Six Nations to show that not only are they are making progress but women’s rugby in Wales is progressing to keep up with the likes of England. Wales faced Ireland in a pre-Six Nations friendly on the 20th of January where they lost 29-19. Despite the loss, they showed promise in the second half as they gained the lead, 19-15, but they could not hold onto it. Nevertheless, it sets Wales in good stead for the upcoming tournament. Head Coach, Rowland Phillips was pleased with the result. ‘Sunday’s match against Ireland
Women was a very positive exercise as part of our Six Nations preparation.’ ‘It was good to remind ourselves of the intensity of international rugby, especially in the contact area, and was excellent hit-out for all involved.’ With only winning one game last year against Scotland, Wales finished bottom of the table. However, their performance during the autumn internationals showed much improvement, coming away with two wins against Hong Kong and South Africa. Phillips is hoping that the wins during the autumn will bring better results this year. ‘It’s pretty clear that we stepped things up in the autumn and made
significant progress against quality teams.’ ‘We need to now win games and get that winning mentality’ said Phillips. The squad has a mixture of experience and youthful talent. There are 6 un-capped players named in the squad; Molly Kelly (RGC), Brea Leung (RGC), Bethan Davies (RGC), Niamh Terry (Ospreys), Caitlin Lewis (Scarlets) and Alex Callender (Scarlets). Despite Alex, Molly and Niamh being 18 and Caitlin having just turned 19, the inexperience of the youth does not phase Phillips. ‘We had a young squad in the autumn with three 17-year-olds who
were in the squad because they are very, very good player.’ A strong addition to the squad is 48 times capped, Elinor Snowsill. Snowsill, who was not included in the autumn international squad, commented on how Wales have beaten all the teams individually, but they have not been consistent. ‘It’s about putting all those wins in together and winning in a row so that we can actually get a good standing in the tournament’. Wales’ first game is away to France and Phil lips does not want to repeat the failure they made against Ireland. ‘We failed to capitalise on pressure we put on Ireland and gave away penalties at key mo
ments. We can’t afford to do that when we come up against France.’ Before returning to the Wales, they then go on to challenge Italy. After the break, Wales face the newly awarded professional women’s team, England. The Welsh side will be hoping that the home crowd will bring extra support they need in what could be their toughest match of the campaign. Following this the team travel up to Scotland, where they wish to do the same as last year and come away with a win before a trip to Ireland. Both home games and their opening game against France will be shown on S4C, with home games being played in Cardiff Arm’s Park.
CHWARAEON
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BUCS Highlights
A round-up of Cardiff University’s sporting action from the latest BUCS Wednesday of the season
Cardiff 4-2 Imperial Men's Tennis
by Erik Wilson
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The winning team: Source: Cardiff University Golf Club
Cardiff 4-1 UWE Golf
by Rob Highton
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ardiff University Golf Club played their first match of 2019 at home, Radyr Golf Club, on Wednesday 30th January. Carrying on their great run of league form which has seen them lose only 1 game out of 6 so far this season.
With the game hanging in the balance President Rob Highton was able to secure the victory Entering the second half of the season with both teams vying for promotion, a victory for either side would prove pivotal to the state of the top of the league. Knowing this, Cardiff sent out a strong
line up in pursuit of the three points. First out for Cardiff was Dan King who returned a 4&3 victory after a clinical display, however the visitors too gained an early point despite Amy Boote’s best efforts. The middle matches proved crucial for Cardiff as captain and ex-captain duo of Sam Jones and Georges Neill returned with 3&1 and 2up victories respectively. However UWE were able to score a win over in the final pairing with Iestyn Harries’ five birdies proving insufficient. With the game in the balance, President Rob Highton was able to secure the victory with a 4&3 win in the final match. This win puts Cardiff fully in the race for promotion with only four games to go. Next week sees them take on Varsity rivals Swansea away from home, where they will be hoping to continue their strong vein of form and possibly go top of the league.
ollowing on from Cardiff University Tennis Club's tight draw with Exeter on 23rd January guarunteeing their place in the league, the team's approach to this match was more relaxed than normal. Number one Rob Knight was unable to play, and number two Aydin Caglayan had a very last-minute illness, so the match fell to fresher Tom Davenport and Tom Fenton. The Toms produced a very impressive display in their doubles winning 7-5 6-1. Sadly, last year’s 1st and 2nd team captains lost to a very strong number one pairing from Imperial. Dom Pearson put in a very respectable performance against a former world ranked player, losing a close 6-4 6-2, and
showed that his new single handed backhand is up to scratch. Tom Fenton played some of the best tennis of his life to swiftly move 3-0 up against imperials newest exchange student, but sadly couldn’t keep it going, and went on to lose after a very tight first set. Andy Gorvin got into a mammoth match against Imperials number 3, and eventually lost 11-9 in the third set tie brake after some very questionable line calls at some important moments. Tom Davenport continued his stellar form after winning his singles match very comfortably, and extending his winning run to 12 matches in a row. Despite losing 4-2, we put in a very good performance considering we were missing many of our players. A consolation for the team is retaining their safe spot in the league.
Cardiff 5-1 Cardiff Met Women's Tennis
by Rebecca Astill
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he Women’s Second Team faced Cardiff Met’s Seconds on Wednesday 30th January at House of Sport. A 5-1 resounding win secured their position as second in the Western 2B league, behind Cardiff Firsts. The doubles were played first, with Cardiff winning one and losing one, going into the singles at 1-1. These were good results considering that a different team was put out from normal, and the doubles partners having not played together before. The first doubles was 6-4 6-3, a
close loss for a new partnership. The seconds doubles was a good 6-2 6-3 win. It was evident that the team had come back from Christmas lacking in match fitness and still rusty. However everyone played well and found themselves warmed up for a clean sweep in the singles. Next were the singles. The first singles match was won quickly with an easy 6-1 6-2 win. This was soon followed by 6-4 6-3 and 7-5 6-1 wins. The final match had less pressure as Cardiff had already clenched the win. It was close, but ended in a 7-4 6-4 win. All round a big win for Cardiff Seconds over local rivals.
by Emily Salley
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ardiff, fourth in the table, and Hertfordshire, in third, came into Wednesday 30th January’s match knowing they were safe from relegation but both teams demonstrated they were eager to grab an extra three points and distance themselves from the bottom of the League. The home side conceded several corners in the opening minutes, but Hertfordshire failed to materialise on these opportunities, with Cardiff ’s defence reacting quickly to clear the ball and extinguish any attacking threat from the opposing team. Emily Haywood, Cardiff ’s keeper, was particularly effective at coming off her line to claim the ball from the away side. Cardiff generated the first real chance of the match as Charlotte
Taylor played a clever through ball in behind the visitor’s defence, creating a one-on-one between Llywela Edwards and the keeper. With a good first touch, Edward’s shot travelled just wide of the right post. Play opened up after twenty minutes as Herts maintained possession in the midfield. A carefully threaded pass found the opposition’s striker who timed her run to perfection and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. Cardiff reacted positively as Katie Davies and Llywela Edwards linked up nicely on the right wing. Edwards whipped in a cross which fell to Charlotte Taylor on the edge of the box. Taylor placed the ball into the top right-hand corner of the Hertfordshire goal with a powerful left-footed shot, leaving the keeper with no
chance. Cardiff stayed on top for the remainder of the half, threatening to break through the Herts’ defence but failing to create any clear-cut chances. The start of the second half saw a change in formation for the visitors and more dominance in possession as a result. With gaps beginning to form in Cardiff ’s midfield, Herts’ precise passing made life difficult for the home team, as they struggled to control the game. At 60 minutes the score-line became 2-1, after a nicely worked series of passing, a Hertfordshire midfielder weaved through Cardiff ’s defensive line, finding the bottom corner with a well-placed strike. Hertfordshire’s final goal came from a long-range shot which, despite an assured start, troubled Cardiff keeper, Emily Haywood, causing her to fumble the ball, allow-
Best of the Rest Men's rugby
Cardiff 1s 28-24 USW 5s Men's football
Cardiff 3s 8-1 Aberystwyth 1s Men's waterpolo
Cardiff 1s 12-12 Oxford 1s
Fixtures Women's rugby
Cardiff 1s Sussex 1s
Men's hockey
Cardiff 1s Imperial 1s
Cardiff 1-3 Hertfordshire Women's football
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ing it to trickle over the line. Despite a determined performance from Cardiff 1sts, Hertfordshire were more offensive in their style of play, allowing them to create more goalscoring opportunities. However, Cardiff can take positives away from the match, improving on their 5-0 defeat from their previous meeting. The home side’s defence remained resilient throughout, blocking a number of attempts on goal, as centre back Mollie Craig received player of the match for her brilliant defensive performance. Cardiff take on neighbours and top of the table Cardiff Met. 1st on Wednesday 6th Febuary at home in the last league game of another successful season for CULF 1st which sees them remain in the Premier South Division for another year.
Women's basketball
Cardiff 1s Bournemouth
Your sport desk Reece Chambers Rosie Foley John Jones Jack Vavasour George Willoughby Laura Price sport@gairrhydd.com
sport
chwaraeon
Six Nations Preview Page 28+29
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BUCS Highlights Page 31
In remembrance: Cardiff City fans pay respect to Emiliano Sala (Source: Dennis Kallner via Flickr)
Cardiff City continue Sala tributes
Flowers left outside the Cardiff City Stadium as the offical inquiry is called off by John Jones
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ributes continue to be made to missing footballer Emiliano Sala after a plane carrying him disappeared over the English Channel two weeks ago. The new Cardiff City signing, along with pilot David Ibbotson, was flying to the Welsh capital from Nantes - where he had earlier said goodbye to his former teammates - when the aircraft vanished from radar on the evening of 21st January. A search and rescue operation covering roughly 1,700 square miles was immediately launched, but was called off after three days after no trace of the aircraft or its occupants was found, with Chief Officer of the Channel Islands Air Search John Fitzgerald claiming that there was “no hope” of finding either men alive. However, a private search has now been undertaken by Sala’s family, after over €300,000 was raised through online crowdfunding. Significant donations were made by Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan, PSG star Kylian Mbappe and Sala’s compatriot Gonzalo Higuain. Numerous tributes have been made
to Sala right across a stunned footballing community, with fans and players alike showing their support through social media, whilst City fans have laid a carpet of flowers outside the club’s stadium, alongside a touching banner referring to Sala as ‘our beautiful Bluebird’. As news of the plane’s disappearance broke, Cardiff City CEO Ken Choo spoke of Sala’s excitement to join the club during an in-house interview. “We really feel sad to hear of this news because we met such a great person. We’d like to reach out to the family because it’s a very tough time.”
“He was so happy to join Cardiff City. You could see from his face that he is so so happy to be here” A numb Neil Warnock, Sala’s new manager, also spoke of his shock and sadness at a press conference. “I’ve been in football management
for 40 years, and it’s been by far the most difficult week in my career, by an absolute mile” said the Cardiff boss. “It’s probably hit me harder than anyone else, as I’ve met the lad and talked to him for the last six to eight weeks.” “Football is important, relegation and things are important, but in the context of life, it just opens everybody’s eyes, whether you are involved with Cardiff or any of the families.” Warnock is absolutely right - in times of tragedy, football and its politics should obviously take a back seat. The squad has, understandably, been traumatised by the tragic events, with many seeking assistance from mental health professionals since Sala’s disappearance. Whilst Warnock’s care and consideration of his players’ wellbeing has been admirable, he too has received support from the League Manager’s Association, revealing that he had considered his future as Cardiff manager and asking, simply, “who motivates the motivator?” Losing games is one thing, but los-
ing a squad member, no matter how new, is incredibly difficult to even comprehend. As well, lifting a team and community numbed by loss is a mammoth task indeed. It must also be recognised that Sala became City’s record signing for a reason. With 13 goals in all competitions this season, the 28-year old sat only behind Mbappe and Nicolas Pepe as Ligue 1’s third highest goalscorer, and it was hoped that a prolific striker would improve the Bluebird’s measly fortunes in front of goal. Such clinical finishing was again missing from Cardiff ’s game as they took on Arsenal last week, in what could have been Sala’s debut for the club. Despite dominating the first half and grabbing a poignant late goal through Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, earlier strikes from Arsenal saw the Bluebirds succumb to a 2-1 defeat. Luckily, as was the case with Leicester earlier in the season, Cardiff have an outstanding set of supporters that lifted the team and stayed long after the final whistle at the Emirates.
Six Nations Preview by Reece Chambers
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reland will be looking to continue their scintillating form from last year and come into this year’s Six Nations as favourites to retain their title. What makes this year’s Six Nations most interesting is the fact that the World Cup is looming just around the corner. Japan 2019 will be in the mind of players and coaches throughout the Six Nations and it may just have an impact on decisions made during the championship. The intensity and competitive nature of the Six Nations is unrivalled in any other rugby union competition and supporters across all of the six nations should be treated to another tournament full of entertainment. Ahead of a tournament that is on the eve of a World Cup, it might well be impossible to give an accurate prediction of the final standings by March 16. Read: Pages 28+29