Issue 1130, Monday February §§ by Cardiff Student Media

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gair rhydd

11 chwefror 2019 11 february 2019

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Mark Drakeford: rhaid “paratoi am ail refferendwm” I

Living more ecologically by Sam Saunders

t is widely recognised that climate change is upon us, and our columnist is a fim beliver that it is time for everyone to look at their own lives and consumption habits in order to reduce our impact on the planet, especially the Westerners that can choose to. 24

Cardiff Uni to develop NFL helmet padding by Jonathan Learmont

ardiff University have recieved £90,000 in funding to develop an elastic-based material called C3, which will be 3D printed into a structure usable in American Football helmets. The material enables more shock to be absorbed than the current foams normally used. 26

Should the SU support the ‘People’s Vote’? by Sam Tilley

Ail Refferendwm? Y Prif Weinidog, Mark Drakeford. Tarddiad: Cynhadledd Brexit CPMR ‘Cydweithrediad Ewropeaidd y tu hwnt i Brexit’ gan Tomos Evans

ae’r Prif Weinidog, Mark Drakeford wedi dweud ei bod hi’n “bwysig i ddechrau paratoi am ail refferendwm rhag ofn mai hwnna yw’r unig beth sy’ ‘da ni”. Mewn cyfweliad â Taf-od, dywedodd yr Aelod Cynulliad dros Orllewin Caerdydd fod dau bosibiliad i’w cael, gan gynnwys ail refferendwm. “Beth ‘yn ni’n dweud bob tro yw mae Mrs May’n gallu gwneud cytundeb gyda’r Undeb Ewropeaidd sy’n gwarchod yr economi a swyddi yma yng Nghymru. Pan mae’r posibiliad ‘na yn fyw ac yn y Tŷ Cyffredin, beth ‘yn ni’n dweud yw mae’n bwysig inni roi’r amser...i weld os mae’r Tŷ Cyffredin yn gallu cytuno ar fargen fel ‘na.” Ond, os nad oes cytundeb o’r fath

sy’n meddu ar gefnogaeth Tŷ’r Cyffredin, dywedodd Mr Drakeford, “Ar ddiwedd y dydd, os nad yw’r Tŷ Cyffredin yn gallu gwneud y penderfyniad, os ni jyst mewn sefyllfa lle does dim byd yn gallu [digwydd], yr unig ateb dw i’n gallu gweld fan hyn yw i fynd ‘nôl at y bobl a rhoi’r cwestiwn yn ôl iddyn nhw.” Ychydig dros wythnos yn ôl, gwnaeth y Cynulliad bleidleisio i ddechrau paratoadau am ail refferendwm ar Brexit o 37 i 14. Dywedodd Mark Drakeford, “Yn y Cynulliad...roedden ni’n dweud... os ar ddiwedd y dydd mai hwnna yw’r unig ffordd ymlaen, dydyn ni ddim eisiau bod mewn sefyllfa lle ‘dyn ni ddim yn gallu ‘neud hwnna achos ‘dyn ni ddim wedi paratoi i wneud e. ‘Yn ni jyst

yn mynd i redeg mas o amser.” Mae Brexit hefyd wedi bod yn ran o ystyriaethau Mark Drakeford wrth iddo fynd ati i ffurfio’i gabinet, gan greu rôl newydd ar gyfer y Gweinidog Materion Rhyngwladol, swydd sy’n cael ei chyflawni gan Eluned Morgan ynghyd â’i dyletswyddau fel Gweinidog y Gymraeg. Dywedodd Mr Drakeford “Y peth pwysig i fi yw, ar ôl Brexit, beth bynnag sy’n mynd i [ddigwydd], i Gymru dal i fod yn le ble ‘yn ni’n edrych allan i’r byd, ble ni’n rhoi neges i’r byd ein bod ni eisiau chwarae rôl yn beth sy’n mynd ymlaen yn rhyngwladol, i fod yn agored i bobl tramor i ddod yma i fod yn rhan o bethau ni’n ‘neud yma yng Nghymru, ac yng nghyd-destun Brexit, bydd rhaid

inni weithio’n galetach i wneud hwnna. Dyna pam oeddwn i eisiau cael rhywun yn y cabinet gyda’r cyfrifoldeb i wneud hynny.” Dywedodd Mr Drakeford ei fod yn awyddus i barhau i gydweithio gyda gwledydd yr Undeb Ewropeaidd yn dilyn Brexit. “Mae lot o bobl ledled Ewrop eisiau ni dal i weithio ‘da nhw ar ôl Brexit a roeddwn i eisiau cael rhywun gyda’r cyfrifoldebau i fwrw ‘mlaen gyda phethau fel ‘na ac Eluned, gyda’r profiadau mae hi wedi cael dros y blynyddoedd, roedd y gwaith jyst yn ffitio gyda beth oedd hi’n gallu gwneud a beth oedd hi’n awyddus i wneud hefyd.” 10

Let it fee: The banning of agency fees in Wales

by Indigo Jones

n the February, 4 2019 Cardiff University’s SU President, Fadhila A. Al Dhahouri, announced on Facebook that the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, confirmed that letting agency fees should be banned in the new academic year. According to the Students’ Union

website, “Cardiff University Students’ Union called upon Mr Drakeford to give an assurance that letting fees would be prohibited in Wales by September 2019, the start of the next academic year,” and he seemed incredibly hopeful at the idea. Dhahouri also stated that “We made it happen”, as members of the Students’

Union came together to share testimonies and personal stories on the matter to demonstrate their support. This includes Janet Williams, Amr Al Wishah (VP Welfare and Campaigns), Wiliam Rees, Iqra Babu and Jake Smith (VP Postgraduate Students). The above also played their part in organising the Governance of Wales Citizen’s Assembly,

which was held in partnership with Citizens’ Cymru Wales. The event hosted over 350 attendees who represented a variety of Wales’ different communities. When we spoke to the Students’ Union President, she stated she was “very proud of the fact we worked tirelessly over the last 3 months to put this event together”. 3

he Students’ Union, in it’s brief to “represent all students” is failing in that by endorsing a People’s Vote. Student Unions are allowed to endorse campaigns that affect “students as students”, but does Brexit easily fall into this category? 14

Cardiff University hosts WWF talk by Suzzanah Murphy

peaking about the recent work conducted by the WWF, TOny Juniper (CBE), environmentalist and writer held a talk in Cardiff University’s main building on the way that climate change is 3 affecting biodiversity and species extinction.

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

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com

A letter from the editor

Michael Ash

News

Gee Harland Indigo Jones Emma Ogao Matt Tomlin

Campus Life Ashley Boyle Cerian Jones

Taf-od

Llion Carbis Tomos Evans

word

the free

LGBT+ equality has a long way to go February is LGBT+ History Month, here’s why it’s still important

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.

Pride: Charging ridiculous prices for Pride excludes members of the community. Source: Tristan Billet (via Unsplash) by Jess Warren

ebruary is often seen as the month of love, but what about those that have to fight for the right to love. February is also LGBT+ History Month, and this week we have launched a Feature highlighting the effect that poor mental health has on this community, and how we can improve the situation. Mental health issues affect one in three people in the UK, at some point of their lives. However, when looking particularly at young people – as we are students – the issue is particularly niche. Across the LGBT+ youth, over half will attempt suicide, compared to 7% in the general youth population. Clearly there is an issue at hand. With this statistic in mind, we surveyed Cardiff University’s student LGBT+ population about their experiences of mental health, and desire to seek out

support. On page six and seven, you can read the full results of our research. The experiences of the LGBT+ community is something particularly close to my heart, and with three deaths within the LGBT+ student community in Cardiff last term, this is an issue that needs addressing. The question lies as to whether there is enough, targeted support for a niche and often vulnerable community. Facing oppression is a common feeling within the LGBT+ community, however this vulnerability can become multi-faceted when different minority groups intersect. For people seeking asylum in the UK based on their sexuality, part of the process involves ‘proving’ your sexuality. In Turkey, this has involved documenting a same-sex kiss as proof of sexuality, an abhorrently backwards demand. However, in the UK, ‘proof’ of sexuality can involve

attendance at LGBT+ targeted events. For some, this can be going to Pride events. Yet, just this week, Manchester Pride announced that their weekend tickets would be priced at over £70. A price defended by the organisers due to the ‘festival-style’ nature of the event. However, this price marks the inability of the LGBT+ event organisers to cater for the members of the community with a low, or even non-existent income. It’s almost impossible for asylum seekers to attend this event, with prices so high, creating an exclusionary space for LGBT+ celebration. In the past, this has happened in Cardiff, with Pride being held in the Principality Stadium, and ticket prices sky-rocketing, all for the ‘festival’ experience. But price is not the only issue surrounding accessibility. Pride Cymru have previously been criticised for their use of gender

segregated toilets at the very event that’s designed to celebrate LGBT+ difference, and support the transgender and non-binary community. It often seems to be the case that LGBT+ needs are overlooked, and you have to wonder why. If LGBT+ needs are being overlooked by those organising events specifically targeting and celebrating the community, it comes of no surprise that other, more general services struggle to cater for the specific needs of the community. Within our feature, we’ve looked at the provision of mental health services for the LGBT+ student community in Cardiff and why it is felt there is not enough support. With three deaths in the last term alone, this is a community crying out for mental health support. What needs to happen now is the provision of specific, LGBT+ focused help.

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by Indigo Jones

he elaborated that this pride stems from the impact the ban would have, which would not only effect Cardiff or it’s students, but everyone across Wales.

Fadhila also shared her own testimony with us, as she told her story as a student spending large sums of money on letting agent fees as well as deposits. She told us how she struggled to eat and begrudgingly lived on a diet of just rice, in order to afford the bills she was forced to pay.

That is the difference we could make, that the students could focus on their studies and education rather than making money When asked how this would impact Wales, Dhahouri replied,

The president of the UMCC (Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Caerdydd), Wiliam Rees, who was involved in the the Governance of Wales Citizen’s Assembly, and introduced the First Minister stated that he, “welcome[s] the First Minister’s commitment to ban these fees from the start of the next academic year, saving hundreds of pounds for students who will no longer be ripped off by agencies”. He went on to tell Gair Rhydd that “Having paid up to £400 pounds in fees myself, I feel happy and also relieved that I, or anyone else for that matter, won’t have to go through with this process again when looking for houses in future”. Mark Drakeford explained his reasoning for introducing the bill, “Fees charged by letting agents can be a significant barrier for tenants, especially students and those on lower incomes. This is why we’ve introduced a Bill, which will ban fees charged in the private rented sector and make things fairer for tenants. “

He continued by stating, “Under this Bill tenants will no longer be charged fees for basic things like signing a contract, renewing a tenancy or receiving an inventory […] I want renting to be a positive and widely accessible choice for people and this Bill will make sure the costs associated with renting are more

reasonable, affordable and clear”. This development has been long awaited as Scotland originally banned letting agency fees in 2012, meanwhile agency fees should be banned in England by June 2019. The First Minister told Gair Rhydd that “If this Bill passes through the Assembly, I am confident it

Drakeford says YES: This confirms the future of letting agency fees in Wales. Photo Credit: Fadhila A. Al Dhahouri via Facebook

hrough informing the audience of the aims and perspectives of the WWF, Tony Juniper discussed the impacts of environmental degradation, specifically, climate change, loss of biodiversity and species extinction. The urgency to manifest a sustainable future has increased drastically since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2018’s damning report, warning of the desperate strain on the planet’s climate and ecosystems following a preventable 1.5 degree Celsius rise in temperature. The WWF’s agenda has followed suit in paving the pathway towards a greener future. Despite highlighting vastly disastrous consequences of climate change, Juniper was quick to make the audience aware of the reversibility of these impacts and the action we can all take. A key window of opportunity was identified through the current ongoing Brexit negotiations, whereby the WWF is campaigning to make sustainability a key part of post-Brexit legislation. The UK is currently bidding to host the 2020 UN Climate Change summit, an international meeting aimed at setting emission-cutting commitments. Juniper pointed out the importance for environmental

charities and the public to utilise this important moment in history to put pressure on the UK government to prioritise sustainability. Both events have an opportunity to push Britain into being at the forefront for positive environmental action, which would lead the way for other countries across the globe to follow suit. As consensus has shifted, whereby sustainable development is no longer regarded a hindrance and rather a key component to long term economic growth, Juniper argues that governments have less reason to oppose adoption of a greener policy. This window of opportunity, along with the window of reversibility, is quickly approaching deeming our role as active citizens crucial. In response to a question about things we can do as individuals, Tony said “what about vegan meals two days a week.” In response to using social media as a tool for campaigning, it offers “an opportunity if we use it right” and “keep it true” In addition, we can increase our impact through engaging in environmental groups and charities, such as WWF and local grass roots movements, signing e-petitions calling for sustainable policy as well as raising awareness. He ended the talk by saying, “In the end, if we do manage to solve

these big problems, it’s because people cared.” Tony Juniper underlined the impactful role of writing to MPs and AMs to express concerns regarding environmental degradation. He argued that citizens have the power to demonstrate their opinions, thus impacting governmental agenda and formulating meaningful policy.

This is an important time for the environment, whether it’s enjoying and discussing the upcoming WWFNetflix collaboration, ‘Our Planet’ starring the fantastic David Attenborough, or becoming involved through organisations or writing to politicians. The talk emphasised that, collectively, we can make a difference.

To contact our news desk, drop us an email at news@gairrhydd.com

Tony Juniper, CBE, environmentalist and writer, held a talk at Cardiff University’s main building about the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) recent work

NEWS

Cardiff University’s WWF talk from Tony Juniper by Suzzanah Murphy

NEWYDDION

The SU President has welcomed the Welsh First Minister’s announcement to ban agency fees in Wales

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/news

Let it fee: The banning of agency fees in Wales

Your news desk

Tony Juniper: The environmentalist and writer spoke of us all having a role to play in making a greener planet. Photo Credit: Nia Jones

Gee Harland Klaudia Jazwinska Emma Ogao Matt Tomlin Indigo Jones

NEWS

elsh Imprisonment rates highest in Western Europe by Thomas Haddon

ccording to new research from Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre, Wales has the highest imprisonment rate across the whole of Western Europe. The study, which is the first of its kind, analyses Wales and England separately as opposed to earlier research which grouped the two nations together. England and Wales together have the highest imprisonment rate in Western Europe, but this new research singles out Wales as having far higher average custody rates across a number of categories. In 2017, there were 154 prisoners per 100,000 of the Welsh population compared to England’s 141 prisoners per 100,000 population. Wales has recorded a higher rate of imprisonment than England in every consecutive year from 20132017, despite having a lower reported crime rate than England in the same time period. An earlier report by the Wales Governance Centre from June 2018, highlighted a deterioration in Welsh prison conditions with the numbers of self-harm and prison assault reports increasing at a faster rate since 2010 than in English prisons. Furthermore, the study also revealed a high level of racial disproportionality in the Welsh prison system, with Black people being 4.5 times over-represented when examined, in relation to the 2011 Census Welsh population statistics. Dr Robert Jones, the report author for the study, concluded that these findings: “Undoubtedly calls into question the role being played by UK justice agencies in Wales as well as civil society organisations and academic researchers”. Jones added that: “It is hoped that the findings of this research will feed into the ongoing work of the Commission on Justice in Wales as well as further debates on criminal justice within the National Assembly for Wales”.

(Photo Credit: Jeff Clark, BLM, via Flickr.com)

Wales revealed to have highest anti-Semitic Google searches in UK

Anti-Semitic Google searches revealed to be higher in Wales than any part of the UK

by Thomas Badham

ales has been identified as the source of the highest number of anti-Semitic Google searches in the UK, according to a new report from the Community Security Trust (CST). The CST collected data from Google searches since 2004. Alarmingly, Wales is the area with the highest rate of anti-semitic Google searches by a significant margin, at 7.9% above the national average. This is followed by England at 1.9% above average, whilst figures for Northern Ireland and Scotland were both found to be below average. This report comes weeks after research published on Holocaust Memorial Day found one in 20 Brits deny the existence of the Holocaust. The CST’s study found that antisemitic searches peak on this day, with a 30% rise in searches for information on the Holocaust being a hoax each year. One fifth of the searches were for

Wales identified as having the highest anti-semitic google searches Photo Credit: (MadFishDigital via Flickr.com) negative stereotypes of Jewish people, whilst 10% of searches contained either violent language or portrayed violent intentions.

The most common antisemitic searches were for jokes, which accounted for almost half of all enquiries. Those searching for jokes were

also found to be one hundred times more likely to search for racist jokes using racist language. Though the study’s author, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, acknowledges that “it is impossible to know for sure” if searches are made by a people with antisemitic attitudes, it is apparent that Wales is disproportionately exhibiting these prejudices privately online. However, the presence of the far right has manifested itself in Wales offline. Last March the right-wing extremist group System Resistance Network claimed Cardiff as a ‘Nazi zone’ in graffiti featuring swastikas, leading to calls from Cardiff South and Penarth MP Stephen Doughty for the group to be banned. Referrals to the anti-extremism group ‘Prevent’ have risen by over a third in the last two years, but how effective these interventive measures prove remains to be seen.

Community action changes Cardiff Council development decision

Cardiff Council offers the land to the community as opposed to proceeding with commercial development

by Sion Ford

fter an online campaign organised by Green City Events, Cardiff Council announced their intent to offer the land to the community as opposed to proceeding with commercial development. The plot of land, on Railway Street in Splott, had been at the centre of this campaign following a four year effort by local environmental awareness organisation, Green City Events. Having sat unused since the completion of the rail improvement works, the site will now be used as the location for a community education centre, flexible office workspace for small businesses, and a community growing area among other things. Cardiff Council originally took the position that they would look to redevelop the former park, which was met with clear disappointment and frustration by the local community. Green City Events had held numerous consultations with residents, with their proposal offering one of Cardiff’s most deprived areas an opportunity to create a public space which will look to engage the community. An online petition was created shortly after the announcement of the Council’s original decision, which quickly gathered over 3,000 signatures. Rebecca Clark, a co-director of Green City Events and figurehead of this campaign, also confirmed that she had been in discussion with various members of

Splott Road Baptist Church. (Photo Credit:Derek Harper via Geograph.com) the Council to appeal the decision. The good news on the Council’s decision came just before Christmas, with the community venture receiving the green light to proceed with its lease arrangements and planning. Speaking on behalf of the campaign, Rebecca Clark thanked local councillors for their “support and actions to help take this project forward.” In terms of what happens next, the

Rebecca Clark thanked local councillors for their “support and actions to help take this project forward.”

community venture is now seeking to complete the necessary planning documentation and lease agreement with a view to beginning work on the land this year. Green City Events have asked for any local residents with skills that could be of assistance to get in touch to help bring this vision to life; any interested parties are advised to contact Rebecca Clark at becca@greencityevents.co.uk.

NEWYDDION

New Free Speech Guidelines issued for UK Universities

“Holding open, challenging debates rather than silencing the views of those we don’t agree with helps to build tolerance and address prejudice and discrimination” by Emma Ogao

he Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has unveiled new free speech guidelines for higher education institutions and student unions across the UK. This comes following concerns over censorship and bureaucracy on university campuses. Published in a 53-page document, the new guidelines detail the importance of protecting free speech as a legal requirement in universities, recommending that higher education institutions work to widen debate and encourage expression of views and opinion; including those that may “offend, shock, or disturb others”. David Isaac, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, says “the free expression

and exchange of different views without persecution or interference goes straight to the heart of our democracy and is a vital part of higher education”. “Holding open, challenging debates rather than silencing the views of those we don’t agree with helps to build tolerance and address prejudice and discrimination.” The report also addresses protests stating that peaceful protests, although a form of expression, should not be allowed to shut down debate or infringe on the rights of other students. In terms of controversial speakers, the new guidelines articulate that students possess the right to not invite controversial groups and organisations from speaking on their

university campus. However, prohibiting or banning these groups from speaking may now be against the law. This has raised the question - how do universities plan to deal with controversial speakers whilst protecting the student body from ‘hate speech’, harassment and discrimination?

Universities encouraged to encourage expression of all views, including those that may “offend, shock or disturb others”

A Cardiff University spokesperson

tells Gair Rhydd: “We have in place a robust Code of Practice which sets out the conduct required and which seeks to protect students and the wider university community as well as established processes and procedures for speaker bookings which seek to ensure both freedom of speech and dignity in the place of work and study.” “This means differing and often controversial views can be brought forward, listened to and challenged” “We take all reasonable steps to ensure that - within the law - freedom of speech is protected” To read more about the new free speech guidelines visit: https://www. g o v. u k / g o v e r n m e nt / n e w s / f re e speech-to-be-protected-at-university.

The guidelines come following concerns about censorship on university campuses Source: Luftphilia (via Flickr)

The expansion of Clwb Ifor Bach

Newport Charity hopes to raise money for new Severn Bridge Quids In Scheme by Christopher Colbourn

t the start of this year David Barnes, the owner of a Newport-based PR firm, decided to celebrate the lifting of the Severn Bridge toll, and contribute to a good cause at the same time. Mr. Barnes has started putting a pound of his savings into a pot every time he made the crossing, to be given to St David’s Hospice Care at the end of the year, and told the South Wales Argus: “I’ve lived within sight of the bridge for 30 years. I dread to think just how much I have spent on crossing.” Hoping to encourage others to do the same, he has started an initiative called ‘Quids In’, so that other people in the area- and especially business owners- who make the Severn crossing frequently, can ensure that their money goes to people who need it. The charity has been delivering ‘world-class care’ to people in and around Newport with potentially fatal illnesses for the past forty years, and hope that the public’s contributions will help them to keep doing so for many more. For a free collection box, visit St David’s Hospice Care in Malpas, Newport, or call 01633 851051.

Severn Bridge sparks inspiration for Newport charity. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

After 35 years, Clwb Ifor Bach has decided to expand its venue by Indigo Jones

n Tuesday the 5th of February, the well-known Welsh music venue in the heart of Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach, held a Redevelopment Public Consultation to discuss the future expansion of the location. Their website exclaims, “For 35 years, Clwb Ifor Bach has brought the world’s artists to Wales – and Welsh artists to the world. Bands like Super Furry Animals and Stereophonics started small here and went on to make it big everywhere.”

The music venues decision to expand after their 35 years on Womanby Street, couldn’t have come at a better time. With the recent closure of Buffalo, and with the impending closure of Gwdihw, it’s given hope for music lovers of all ages that the Cardiff music scene and independent music venues are still thriving. The public consultation event held last Tuesday, invited a variety of fans of the venue to weigh in on their opinions on the expansion and to discuss what will we developed.

Their Facebook event stated, We’re planning to take over the building next to ours and join it with our existing venue to create a venue fit for the 21st century”. Although, it isn’t clear when the expansion will commence, the planning and designing of the venue has began with the help of The Arts Council of Wales, who provided the necessary funding and support to start their development. The popular venue will help empha-

size the need for Welsh music in their “historic Womanby Street location”, whilst simultaneously reconstructing Cardiff music scene as they can hold bigger events for more party-goers. The venue itself stated, “It will play a critical role in making Cardiff an internationally-recognised music city, the capital of a country that’s synonymous with song”. For more information on Clwb Ifor Bach, you can watch CUTV’s video on the club from last year.

Clwb Ifor Bach in its historic location. Source: Welshleprechaun (via Wikimedia commons)

ARCHWILIO

LGBT+ Mental Health Gair Rhydd collaborate with Stand With LGBT+ to shed light on the issue

86.8% NO YES MAYBE Have you ever sought out mental health support related to your sexual or gender identity?

air Rhydd surveyed the LGBT+ student population in Cardiff University, and received 53 responses. From this, some shocking data has appeared. When asked whether our respondents thought there is a link between being LGBT+ and mental health problems, 72.9% agreed. When asked whether being LGBT+ had specifically had a negative impact on their own mental health, 60% agreed. However, a quarter of the people surveyed were unsure whether their sexuality and gender identity had directly impacted their mental state, suggesting that it must have had some level of impact, for them to confidently say ‘no’. Therefore, there is a clear correlation between identifying as LGBT+

To contact our features desk, drop us an email at features@gairrhydd.com

FEATURE

Gair Rhydd conducted a survey on LGBT+ mental health. We recieved 53 responses from Cardiff University’s LGBT+ student population and the data has been presented in this Feature.

Feature this week by Jess Warren & Hannah Ryan

60%

of LGBT+ students felt their sexual and gender identity had affected their mental health

and suffering from poor mental health. The perception of a link between being LGBT+ and mental health problems was higher than the individual experiences, suggesting that a wide portion of the community are aware that poor mental health is common amongst the LGBT+ population. When asked whether respondents felt their gender and sexual identity altered their experience of mental health problems compared to their heterosexual, cis-gender peers, 54.7% agreed. This suggests that being LGBT+ can create a unique set of mental health experiences, different from the average population. Our data concludes that identifying as LGBT+ has had a notable negative impact on the mental health of the students at Cardiff University.

hen respondents were asked if ever they had sought out mental health support related to their sexual and gender identity, 86.8% said they had not. This strongly suggests that there is a stigma around seeking mental health support, as respondents shied away from searching for professional help. For those that had sought help at University, respondents felt it was “generally unhelpful”, and that there were “not enough counselling sessions”. When asked

whether the support available is suitable, 54.7% said it was not, with 39.6% unsure about the suitability. This overwhelmingly suggests that the LGBT+ student population at Cardiff University do not view the University support services as appropriate for their needs. Therefore, we can conclude that students at Cardiff University feel that there is not enough appropriate support for those that identify as LGBT+ and are struggling with their mental health.

“We need to destigmatise mental health talk in the LGBT+ community”

by Hannah Ryan

hen we discuss mental health at university, we often forget to consider the need for specific support for particular groups of people. We discuss the fact that people are struggling, we talk about the way in which university can serve as a hostile environment in which one’s mental health can rapidly deteriorate – yet we rarely tend to acknowledge the fact that, often, specific communities are more likely to suffer with their mental health than others. Far too frequently, we fail to discuss the issue of increased mental health afflictions within the LGBT+ community, we refuse to truly grapple with the reality of the way in which those that identify as LGBT+

are faced with far more hurdles than their heterosexual peers at university – and, of course, in life -, and we allow a collective silence to form when we approach this conversation. Although I first came out to my family and friends more than six years ago now, and have thus had a significant amount of time to consider and contemplate my identity, this does not mean that I have not experienced difficulties with my mental health as a result of my own queerness. Internalised homophobia can be a wretched thing and only in my second year at university did I finally become comfortable with referring to myself as a lesbian. Only, years after I had begun to accept my sexuality, was I able to dissociate this

particular term with the stigmas that came with it – which I had carried over, largely, from the schoolyard and which had accompanied me well into the beginning of my early adulthood. It was not only the outward homophobic comments that would lead to a breakdown with regards to my mental stability but my own, seemingly inescapable association of gayness with tragedy and self-hatred. This, in fact, is the first time I have truly put into words – or admitted aloud to anyone that was not a close friend – just how much my sexuality has impacted the state of my mental health and just how much it continues to permeate most of my life. This, then, is an attempt in itself to destigmatise in myself the refusal

to acknowledge the connection between difficulties in mental health and identifying as LGBT+. I hope that with reading this, for any of you that may be members of the LGBT+ community, you feel some relief in knowing that you are not alone in your struggle with the relationship between your mental state and your identity. Nor are you alone in perhaps not acknowledging or discussing the matter – this is from my heart to yours, we are united wherever we struggle.

ARCHWILIO

Gair Rhydd interview Rainbow Bridge We spoke to Alice Lobb, LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Project Coordinator at Rainbow Bridge, about LGBT+ mental health

by Jess Warren Do you feel that being LGBT+ does raise the chancers of suffering with one’s mental health? “Yes, I do agree with that statement particularly, because there is a lot of biased prejudice that is still underlying in today’s society. I think it’s important to note that although we have made positive steps for the LGBT+ community, there are still stigmas attached to this group, and that stigma can run through in someone’s life and trigger an onset of mental health issues. Because of this, I do think it’s a very important issue that needs addressing.” When working for Rainbow Bridge, have you experienced any firsthand accounts of a correlation between mental health afflictions and being LGBT+? “Yes, so with Rainbow Bridge we’re a domestic abuse service. What we’re recognising is whether the mental health issue has occurred because of prejudice from a young age. It also can be triggered from being in an abusive relationship, which can trigger an onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We also know that the LGBT+ community are at a much higher risk of experiencing domestic abuse in general, because there’s a lot of unique characteristics, which can flow through for the LGBT+ community.”

abuse within the family home, and if that’s something that someone is experiencing when they’re growing up, it’s likely to trigger some mental health issues for that individual. We know that domestic abuse in the family home is even bigger in the transgender community as well. It’s important to be aware of that.” It seems that wrapped up in that, is an idea of vulnerability? “Yes, completely. If the abuse is happening in the family home as a result of revealing your sexuality or gender identity, you could then be isolated from the family, which is then a massive social support group that you’ve lost. If you go into a first-time relationship in the LGBT+ community, which we know is where people are most vulnerable to experiencing domestic abuse as well, you’ve then lost a massive support network to go to as well. Say you move to University for example, and gotten into a first-time relationship, and joined the LGBT+ community in that sense and felt comfortable, and then experience domestic abuse, there’s a lot of issues and isolation that can occur.” From that isolation, have you ever found that mental health issues are created? “Yeah, it almost seems inevitable; within domestic abuse, we know that there’s a lot of manipulation and coercion. If someone is being put down, manipulated and isolated away, it’s only natural for that to have an impact on their mental health.” Why do you think mental health afflictions are more common in the LGBT+ population?

How does mental health and domestic abuse intertwine within the LGBT+ population? “I think there’s definitely a link there, because domestic abuse can be traumatising for anyone, let alone someone that is in a community where there is additional barriers and additional stigma taking place. By raising awareness of these issues, this is the only way we’re really going to be able to support them and tackle the core of the problem.” What have you seen in your line of work? “Within cases of domestic violence, the main thing is PTSD and the onset, and the trigger that can come from sexual violence. Especially domestic

“I do think it is because of the stigma and the discrimination that can run through for the LGBT+ community. I was doing an exercise the other day, and I asked individuals to call out derogatory terms for the LGBT+ community and then I asked them to call out derogatory terms for heterosexual couples only, and they couldn’t think of any in comparison. It’s only natural that this abuse is going to affect that community, and often it’s based on claims with no factual evidence.” Do you think it then affects the individual’s self-perception? “Yeah, and then there is the issue of internalised homophobia, which is the result of experiencing homophobia and hate crime about the community whilst growing up. This can also be an onset for perpetrating abuse onto your partner as well. You internalise that

*data taken from Stonewall (2012, 2015, 2017)

50% 23%

of young trans people attempt suicide

of LGB young people attempt suicide

abuse and use your partner as an outlet, as such.” What solutions do you think will be most effective in tackling the problem of mental health? “I think it’s just a matter of awareness raising, even though the LGBT+ community has made so many positive steps, we’ve got a really long way to go to be fully inclusive. I know that in the next academic year, they’re adding in LGBT+ sex education and healthy relationships into the secondary school curriculum. That’ll be a positive step.” “It’s also a matter of appropriately challenging, whenever we can. A lot of the time, people have an unconscious bias, and some people might not even be aware of it. If we can raise that to people’s attention, sometimes someone might not realise they’re speaking to someone in a derogatory way. By raising it with them, they might realise they need to make a change.” What is the difference between appropriate and inappropriate challenges to someone saying something homophobic? “If someone said something derogatory, if it’s an inappropriate challenge, you could be getting defensive or getting argumentative with that person. You want to appropriately challenge someone, and question them on it. Say something such as “okay, I hear what you’re saying, but I wonder where you get the fact for that?” You can see what more detail comes out of the abuse, until the point where they question the evidence base for this themselves.” “It can be frustrating when you see and hear homophobic comments around you. However, appropriate challenges question the lack of fact behind the statement, as they’re just assumptions.”

the time, if someone is disabled, there is an assumption that they don’t have a sexuality and they don’t have a sex life. But they do, and they can be LGBT+ as well, so we should be aware of this.” So, this might work for people entering the educations system now, but what can we do for people out of the education system already? “I suppose actively campaigning within the community and raising awareness. There’s a few things happening in Cardiff during this LGBT+ history month. There’s always different ways that we can campaign as there’s always something in the media. Then it becomes a case of appropriately challenging these homophobic views in the best way we can.” How do you think universities should handle the subject of LGBT+ metal health? “Rainbow Bridge is putting on a focus group this month to capture the experiences of the LGBT+ community, and we’re getting input from the LGBT+ community on how we can promote best practise within our organisation. For Universities, it may be worth putting together a focus group about how they can implement best practise, and hear it from the individuals themselves, and what they think is the best thing to do for their mental health. I would make that recommendation for Universities to do.” “Cardiff University is a big University, I think more could be done to expand support services to each campus, which might help address some of the issues. It is particularly tricky as a large University, but getting the focus group will help gain some direction into the services needed and wanted by the community.”

Is this a topic that the government should be placing more emphasis and a focus on?

In an ideal scenario, what support would be offered for LGBT+ people suffering from poor mental health in Cardiff?

“Definitely, I think that relationship education should be taught from a young age, and we need to be aware of healthy relationships, and I think we should be aware of different types of relationships as well. By raising awareness of LGBT+ relationships from a young age, this can improve the experiences for people that feel they should stay ‘closeted’. It’ll help improve and reduce the stigma.” “This also includes special educational needs schools as well. Just because you have a learning difficulty doesn’t mean you’re not LGBT+ and that’s widely overlooked within society, as it’s two minority groups that people don’t realise intersect. A lot of

“I would like to see a shorter waiting list, and I’d like to see more LGBT+ specific support organisations that focus on the specific issues facing the LGBT+ community, as well as more mental health organisations focussing on the needs of the LGBT+ community.” “There’s also a need for more unique projects. Big charities can grow a unique project, with specific support for LGBT+ people. This helps to raise awareness over pronouns, misgendering someone and dead-naming someone, all things that larger organisations may not be aware of. In sum, I’d like to see more niche services such as Rainbow Bridge.”

7% of young people have attempted suicide

56% 3 students of LGB young people have self-harmed

*If you have been affected by any of the information and issues covered in this feature, help is avaliable via the Student Support Service provided by Cardiff University, located on 50 Park Place, with further information avaliable via the Student Intranet.

from Cardiff University’s LGBT+ community committed suicide between 2017-2018

What support would you like to see implemented? “Additional mental health support within universities specifically for those identifying as LGBT+. For example, support group sessions.” “Bespoke services that specialise in gender identity and sexuality. It’s hard to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, and is very difficult when they don’t understand how you’re feeling or how discovering yourself can impact your well being.” “LGBT+ targeted clinics and campaigns to tackle the sense of shame and alienation that we carry through from adolescence. As well as an open conversation about learning to conduct healthier relationships with fellow LGBT+ people.” “More open counselling sessions, and a dedicated LGBT+ counsellor.” “I think there are enough services, but often there is not enough awareness of the services and there is no specific support offered for LGBT+ folk.” “Mental health professionals with experience or training in specific LGBT+ issues.” “More work to support trans individuals as their community is shown to suffer most when it comes to mental heath problems and harassment. There needs to be more mental health resources available to children coming to terms with their sexuality as well.” “Counselling that is clearly LGBT+ friendly needs to be available with much shorter waiting lists. Counsellors and supports staff must be well educated on LGBT+ issues, and particularly trans issues.” “More workshops and engagement with us discussing mental health related things as a social action project focussing particularly on trans issues.” *quotes taken from Gair Rhydd’s survey

BYWYD CAMPWS

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/campuslife

The #RefillRevolution floods the City of Cardiff

Refill Cardiff has made waves helping city-goers stay hydrated whilst caring for the environment by Ashley Boyle

air Rhydd interviewed Ben Beylard and Arthur Hajaali, two PhD students who are the lead coordinators for Refill Cardiff, an organisation committed to reducing plastic, focussing on single use bottles. To do this, they approach local businesses and ask for them to sign up to the #RefillRevolution, which allows anyone with a bottle to fill it up with tap water, reducing the amount of unnecessary plastic waste. Following their Cardiff launch in November, Ben, Arthur and their team of volunteers have had an additional 65 companies sign up to Refill, meaning there’s now a total of 115 Refill stations throughout Cardiff to choose from as well as the further 14,000 drinking locations nationwide. If each one of these stations was used once a day for a year, it would stop four million plastic bottles being made, demonstrating the impact this scheme has on the environment. In order to see all of the Refill locations available, users should download the app, which is available on iOS and

Android devices. The app displays a map of Cardiff, showing all the Refill water taps ready to fill up your bottle when on the go in Cardiff. Most recently, the cruelty free brand Lush on Queen Street signed up, as well as several Cardiff University locations. The University recently stated that they are in the process of phasing out the use of single-use plastic, in particular plastic bottles, as well as improving recycling facilities. They also shared that in the last academic year, the number of water bottles purchased for catering and hospitality purposes dropped by over 25%, 22,320 more that the previous year. As well as building up station numbers, Ben and Arthur want to help spread awareness of the effects our current plastic usage is having on the

planet. One of their main objectives is to help educate children about the issue, encouraging activities and discussions at schools, demonstrating that whilst there is a need for plastic, there is also a need for it to be recycled. When asked about why this is important to students, Arthur explained that “we are the generation that have understood that having a high consumption of plastic is destroying our planet. I feel we are more aware compared to our parents”. He expresses how although this is a small change, it is still a change, nonetheless. “This small action will not revolutionise the industry. The industry is not going to say ‘okay, they’re good people’. They don’t care. So, what we need to do is change people’s mindsets for them to consume less and for them to change their way of living, and

that’s why education is so important. If you start at the root and make children understand that, they tell their parents and it snowballs”. He compared this change to the more recent reuse of plastic bags and conversion to paper straws, but also mentioned that the plastic straw industry is far smaller than that of the plastic bottle. Ben, however, stated that whilst not enough is currently being done to tackle the problem, it is getting there. “It’s not there yet. Little by little as the mentality changes, as with the straws. It will take a lot of time as people need to realise the problem themselves”. Arthur also says in particular how Cardiff has changed quite fast, commending the recently established business Ripple, a shop which encourages customers to use their own containers when buying goods to reduce waste. If you would like to learn more about what Refill do or would like to get involved by volunteering, you can contact the team via social media at @ RefillCardiff or email at refillcardiff@ gmail.com.

Your University, Your Opinion

Statistics show more students are getting involved with Speak Week by Cerian Jones

To contact our campus life desk, drop us an email at campuslife@gairrhydd.com

CAMPUS LIFE

Your campus life desk Ashley Boyle Cerian Jones

ardiff University Student’s Union advocates for Student Voice campaigns and one of the most important events they hold annually is Speak Week. From the week commencing February 4 (last week) you should have seen stalls throughout the Student’s Union and around campus. Each stall was stacked with blue cards on which you could anonymously submit your biggest complaints and best suggestions to improve your experience as a student at Cardiff University (you could

Your voice: Speak Week stalls were set up throughout campus (Photo Credit: Cerian Jones) also submit ideas online). Campaigns like this remind us that we, as students, do have a voice and can make a change and ask us what we would do if we ran the University. Jackie Yip, your VP Education, compiles together all the data from the survey and creates a large folder

Speak Week: banner of logo in Eglish and Welsh (Credit: CUSU website) with every single suggestion included. She uses this data to back up her suggestions in meetings and make a positive change that students themselves have said they wish to see. The report is the proof she needs as VP Education to make a positive impact to the way we are taught, assessed, and treated as students. The report from last year is available on the CUSU website if you are interested to know the statistics thus far. In Speak Week 2018, over 3,425 responses from students were collected (graph: right), Yip hopes these figures will continue to rise in future years. In previous years, suggestions have helped Cardiff University on a lot of improvements: ASSL opening hours were extended to 24 hours, Wi-Fi coverage around campus has been improved, and card payments for University catering became available around campus. The data collected has also helped to inform ongoing projects like Hidden course costs project, and many more. If you missed it you can always talk to your Student Reps about suggestions you may have, speak to the Student Voice team on the 3rd floor of the Students’ Union, or even email Jackie Yip at VPEducation@cardiff. ac.uk if you have any ideas. The increase in student participa-

tion over the years is clear, with speak week providing an amazing way to get students more involved in improving their experience, from requesting more plug points in the library to longer holidays. Any suggestion is a valid one (within reason). Yip aims to get every student writing at least one suggestion each in the future, this way, future Vice Presidents can make the change knowing exactly what the students want and have the proof to back it up.

Getting involved in the Student Union’s campaigns, especially those that set out to improve the student experience, is important to student wellbeing, and encourages us to make a difference and possibly run for a role within the union. Just as the new semester kicks off, we will be the ones critiquing how the University is run. At the end of the day this is our University and we are the paying customers, we deserve for our voices to be heard and listened to.

Speak Week: Graph showing growth in student involvement with Speak Week (Credit: Speak Week Record 2018)

BYWYD CAMPWS

Cardiff’s Karate Club - One of the oldest in the UK Periods In Gair Rhydd’s Advice Columnist, Sam Saunders, talks to Campus Life about the benefits of Karate Poverty by Sam Saunders

ello all, I’m Sam Saunders, the Treasurer of Cardiff University Karate Club. I’m currently a 2nd Kyu (that’s two belts below black) and I’ve been doing karate since I was around 6 or 7 years old. I’ve been at the club for three of the four years I’ve been studying at Cardiff and it’s been a blast; everyone is incredibly friendly, and we get a variety of new faces every year, whether that’s complete beginners or students who’ve done karate before. It’s important to note that we don’t have any defined style of karate as a club and that our four student instructors all come from different backgrounds, so that everyone feels welcome. Having been formed in 1965, the club is one of the oldest in the UK, and our activities take the form of training sessions and socials. Training

is on every Tuesday and Saturday in the SU, and we focus on Kion (basics), Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring) as well as some practical self-defence work. Training in karate is worthwhile, as it teaches discipline, self-control and gives you a chance to switch off from the outside world, as well as improving fitness. Socially, we almost always head to the Taf for a drink after a training session, and we aim to organise a social every two weeks, as well as at least two non-alcoholic socials per term, such as cinema or bowling trips. There is the chance for competing for the University at the club, as we take part in BUCS in Sheffield every February and Welsh Varsity in April, with further competition opportunities dependent on student interest. Competitions are a huge part of what makes karate a rewarding experience,

Image Source: Stan Zurek via Wikimedia Commons

as you can test yourself against the best students from around the country, so there will be a focus on these in certain training sessions, as well as an emphasis on fitness. We have also attended Bunkai seminars held by Iain Abernathy, and are planning to attend another in March, and have successfully organised charity events such as our Pink Belt Session last semester, which raised money for Cancer Research UK. As I mentioned at the start, we’re an extremely open club and we want to welcome as many new members as possible, including Erasmus and postgraduate students. We offer two different membership options: a standard club membership that costs £10 and allows you to train, and an option to buy a licence as well for an additional £10, which is obligatory if you want to

compete for the club and the University. For more information about the club, you can visit our page on the SU website, email us at karate@cardiff. ac.uk or like/message the Facebook page to keep up with some more regular updates. Your first session is free, so there’s an incentive to come along! I hope to see some more new faces soon.

Image Source: Kevinquickle via Flickr

by Ashley Boyle

s a young woman, the thought of not being able to access sanitary products is something I hope never to experience. And yet here in the UK, 1 in 10 girls can’t afford to buy menstrual products according to Plan International UK and 40% of girls in the UK have had to use just toilet roll because the price of tampons and pads are too expensive. These are just some of the reasons why Cardiff’s Periods in Poverty project wants to raise awareness. We spoke to Beth Griffiths, Periods in Poverty’s media coordinator, about what the project does, what they want to achieve and how others can help. The campaign, run and coordinated entirely by students, helps to raise awareness of period poverty by campaigning and fundraising throughout the year. They work alongside lots of charities including Llamau, a homeless charity based in Cardiff and several domestic violence refuges. One of the main ways they encourage others to help is through their collection bins. Students and members of the public are encouraged to donate sanitary and hygiene products into one of the three bins currently on campus, currently situated in the main reception of the Students’ Union, The Heath Campus Students’ Union and Chapter Arts Centre. One of the main points Beth mentioned was how we feel that period poverty is a distant problem, one not associated with the UK. “In society, it’s not realised how widespread period poverty actually is. People think it’s something far removed and quite shocking when in actual fact, a lot of people in Cardiff do suffer with period poverty and there may even be some people in our own University. I think it’s important to raise awareness of this issue which I think quite often gets side-lined and not made aware of enough”. She explains how over the last year more awareness has been raised. “Tampon and period companies themselves have raised awareness producing campaigns on International Women’s Day where for every hashtag or tampon bought, they donated money and period products to those in period poverty”. However, one resolution to the problem would be to remove the tax on menstrual products, says Beth, which is where the Government need to step in. Tesco have currently removed the ‘tampon tax’ from it’s sanitary products but more has to be done to make products accessible to all. The Periods in Poverty campaign have achieved a lot since it was founded two years ago. They have had several fundraisers including their Gala and Periods and Party events and have gradually increased their intake of sanitary products along the way, with the last count reaching nearly 4,000. In the near future, the Periods in Poverty team hope to have the funds to purchase more bins so they can collect more products across the campus. As media coordinator, Beth hopes to increase their media presence by starting a blog, where she hopes volunteers will regularly write for. If anyone would like to get involved with the Periods in Poverty campaign, you can sign up on the SU website or message their social media platforms.

taf od

Y Digwyddiadur ma cewch restr o’r holl ddig-

NEWYDDION

wyddiadau sy’n cymryd lle dros yr wythnos nesaf sy’n berthnasol i fyfyrwyr Cymraeg Caerdydd. Nos Wener, 22 Chwefror - Gig Twrw yng Nghlwb Ifor Bach gyda’r Cledrau yn perfformio. Mae’r band indie-roc yn dychwelyd i Glwb Ifor Bach fis yma. Dechrau am 7:30. Dydd Sadwrn, 23 Chwefror - Gêm Rygbi Cymru vs. Lloegr. Er mwyn cadw eu gobeithion o ennill y bencampwriaeth yn fyw, bydd Cymru yn gobeithio am fuddugoliaeth yn un o ornestau mwyaf tyngedfenol y twrnament. Tybed a fydd y ffaith iddi fod yn gêm gartref yn Stadiwm y Principality o fudd i Gymru wrth i’r crysau cochion herio’r crysau gwynion? Os oes gennych unrhyw ddigwyddiadau yr hoffech chi eu hysbysebu yn y Digwyddiadur, cysylltwch â tafod@gairrhydd.com.

Cornel CMCC leni mae Cyfryngau Myfyrwyr

Cymraeg Caerdydd yn profi eu blwyddyn lawn gyntaf gydag adran Gymraeg ym mhob rhan o Gyfryngau Myfyrwyr Caerdydd sef Clebar yn Quench, adrannau Cymraeg CUTV ac Xpress Radio ynghyd â’r Taf-od o fewn Gair Rhydd. Xpress Radio Eleni, mae gan Xpress fwy o raglenni Cymraeg nag erioed o’r blaen. Dyma beth sydd gan wrandawyr ffyddlon Xpress i edrych ymlaen ato o ran y cynnwys Cymraeg yr wythnos hon. Dydd Llun, 20:00-21:00 Gwyneb Radio Dydd Mawrth, 7:30-10:00 Crac y Wawr Dydd Mawrth, 19:00-20:00 Cicio Sodle’ Dydd Iau, 19:00-20:00 Gwylio Gwleidyddiaeth Dydd Gwener, 18:00-19:00 Y Tri Gŵr Ffôl Dydd Sadwrn, 18:00-19:00 Malu ar yr Awyr Dydd Sul, 20:00-21:00 Lawr yn y Ddinas Ddydd Gwener diwethaf, bu rhaglenni a cherddoriaeth Cymraeg drwy’r dydd ar Xpress Radio i nodi Dydd Miwsig Cymru. Gallwch wrando ar arlwy arbennig Xpress Radio o’r takeover ar Mixcloud Xpress Radio Cymraeg. CUTV Mae fideo Cymraeg arall wedi ei ryddhau gan adran Gymraeg CUTV er mwyn dathlu Dydd Miwsig Cymru. Medrwch wylio’r fideo drwy dudalen Facebook Cardiff Union TV. Cadwch lygad allan am fideo Cymraeg nesaf CUTV. Am holl newyddion diweddaraf CMCC, dilynwch @CMCC ar Drydar neu ‘Cyfryngau Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Caerdydd - CMCC’ ar Facebook.

Eich unig gyhoeddiad myfyrwyr wythnosol trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Sefydlwyd: 2003 I gysylltu â ni, e-bostiwch tafod@gairrhydd.com Am fwy o gynnwys, ewch i gairrhydd.com/tafod

Mark Drakeford

Taf-od sy’n trafod gyda’r Prif Weinidog Wedi’i barhau o’r dudalen flaen gan Tomos Evans

ae Mark Drakeford dal yn gymharol newydd i’w swydd fel Prif Weinidog Cymru gan gymryd yr awenau wedi i Carwyn Jones ymddiswyddo fis Rhagfyr y llynedd ar ôl naw mlynedd wrth y llyw. Ond, yn ôl Mr Drakeford, nid er ei lles ei hun y gwnaeth e benderfynu sefyll fel ymgeisydd yn yr etholiad am yr arweinyddiaeth. “Fel dw i wedi dweud bob tro, doedden i ddim eisiau treial bod yn Brif Weinidog am resymau personol. Dw i wedi bod yn lwcus dros ben dros y blynyddoedd. Dw i wedi gweithio yn swyddfa’r Prif Weinidog gyda Rhodri Morgan, dw i wedi bod yn y Llywodraeth yma fel gweinidog dros iechyd a chyllid. Nid am resymau personol oedd e, ond beth oedden i’n meddwl oedd fod pwy bynnag a oedd mynd i ddod yn Brif Weinidog yn mynd i wynebu sialensiau mawr ar ôl Brexit.” Yn ôl ymchwil a gynhaliwyd gan Ysgol Economeg Llundain, gwnaeth 64% o bobl ifanc rhwng 16 a 24

Fel dw i wedi dweud bob tro, doedden i ddim eisiau treial bod yn Brif Weinidog am resymau personol. oed bleidleisio yn y refferendwm ar aelodaeth y Deyrnas Unedig o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd, canran uwch na mewn unrhyw bleidlais genedlaethol am yr ugain mlynedd cyn hynny. Yn ddiweddar, mae ymgais wedi bod i gynyddu ymwybyddiaeth pobl ifanc o’r system wleidyddol yng Nghymru, ac annog mwy ohononynt i bleidleisio, drwy sefydlu Senedd Ieuenctid. Mae’r Llywodraeth yn ystyried gostwng yr oedran pleidleisio i 16 er mwyn annog mwy o bobl ifanc i gymryd rhan yn y broses ddemocrataidd. Cynigiwyd y syniad mewn adroddiad gan Laura McAllister o Ganolfan Llywodraethiant Cymru. Dywedodd Mark Drakeford, “Ni wedi dweud yn barod ein bod ni’n mynd i roi bil o flaen y Cynulliad

cyn y Gwanwyn, os allwn ni, a mae hwnna’n mynd i newid lot o bethau yn y maes democrataidd, sut ‘yn ni’n defnyddio’r posibiliadau newydd sy’ ‘da ni i dynnu pobl i mewn i’r bywyd gwleidyddol yma. Un o’r pethau ‘yn ni’n mynd i wneud yw rhoi’r oedran lle mae pobl yn gallu pleidleisio lawr i 16.” Bwriad arall sydd gan y Llywodraeth fel rhan o’r newidiadau arfaethedig yw i ehangu’r nifer o bobl yng Nghymru sy’n gymwys i bleidleisio mewn etholiadau. Dywedodd Mr Drakeford, “Ni’n mynd i roi’r hawl i bleidleisio i unrhyw berson sy’n byw ac yn gweithio yma yng Nghymru – o ble [bynnag] maen nhw’n dod yn y wlad, dros y byd, os maen nhw yma ac maen nhw’n rhan o’r cymunedau dros Gymru, ‘yn ni eisiau rhoi’r hawl iddyn nhw i fod yn rhan o’r broses ddemocrataidd hefyd.” Yn dilyn cyhoeddiad papur gwyn y Llywodraeth ar addysg yng Nghymru, mae cryn ymateb wedi bod i’r cynlluniau. Ond, mae’r Prif Weinidog o’r farn y bydd y newidiadau o gymorth wrth geisio cyrraedd targed y Llywodraeth o filiwn o siaradwyr Cymraeg erbyn 2050. Dywedodd, “Mae’r targed yn un uchelgeisiol, wrth gwrs, ond dros y Cynulliad dw i’n meddwl, dros y

pleidiau bron i gyd, ni’n cytuno â’r uchelgais ‘na.” Fel rhan o’r cynlluniau, caiff disgyblion eu dysgu mewn un ffrwd yn hytrach na ffrydiau Cymraeg iaith gyntaf ac ail iaith. Dywedodd Mr Drakeford, “Y ffordd ‘yn ni wedi ‘neud e o’r blaen, ni wedi bod yn llwyddiannus dros ben i dyfu pobl, nifer o bobl, sy’n cael addysg trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg ond ni’n gwybod ‘dyn ni ddim wedi llwyddo i droi pobl mas yn hyderus i siarad Cymraeg sydd wedi cael addysg Gymraeg ail iaith - dydy e jyst ddim wedi gweithio.”

‘Dyn ni ddim wedi llwyddo i droi pobl mas yn hyderus i siarad Cymraeg sydd wedi cael addysg...ail iaith. Felly, wrth i gyfnod gwleidyddol newydd gychwyn yng Nghymru, mae gan y Prif Weinidog nifer o obeithion am ddyfodol y wlad. Ond, gyda heriau megis ansicrwydd Brexit ar y gorwel, mae sialens o’i flaen.

Barn y bobl: ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ neu ‘Cofiwch y Brenin’? Yn dilyn fandaliaeth ar wal Tryweryn gyda’r gair ‘ELVIS’ wedi ei baentio dros y gofeb, Taf-od sy’n gofyn i fyfyrwyr Cymraeg Caerdydd beth ddylid ei wneud i osgoi digwyddiad o’r fath yn y dyfodol.

Sara Dafydd

Lisa Hughes

Myfyrwraig ail flwyddyn Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth

Myfyrwraig ail flwyddyn Gwleidyddiaeth

Siom enfawr oedd gweld y gair ELVIS wedi paentio ar wal Dryweryn ddydd Sul diwethaf. Roedd meddwl bod rhywun wedi sathru ar ddarn o’n hanes yn fy nghorddi’n llwyr. Ond yr hyn wnaeth godi fy nghalon oedd troi at wefannau cymdeithasol a gweld ymateb pobl ifanc. Er nad oedd ein cenhedlaeth ni yn rhan o drychineb Tryweryn roedd y fandaliaeth yn adfywiad o gof cenedl, ac roedd y to iau yn barod i’w warchod. Felly er gwaetha’r ormes, fyddai Meic Stephens yn falch o genhedlaeth sydd mor barod i wneud safiad dros hanes Cymru.

Nid yw’n syndod bod fandaliaeth ar wal eiconig ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ wedi corddi’r gymdeithas Gymreig, gyda rhai hyd yn oed yn galw am ei wneud yn gofgolofn nodedig, hanesyddol. Ond i mi, er gwaethaf tristwch y fandaliaeth, mae’r ail-beintio a’r ail-frwydro yn rhan o neges yr holl beth. Wedi’r cwbl, wrth barhau i frwydro dros ein Cymreictod, mae gwydnwch y Cymry yn parhau ac rydym felly yn parhau i gynnal côf byw o Dryweryn.

Meg Dafydd

Myfyrwraig ail flwyddyn Y Cyfryngau, Newyddiaduraeth a Diwylliant Teimlais siom enfawr wrth weld fandaliaeth wal eiconig Tryweryn. Trist nad yw pobl yn deall pwysigrwydd y geiriau ar gyfer hanes gwleidyddol Cymru wrth gofio am bentref gafodd ei boddi er mwyn cyflenwi dwr i Loegr. Yn amlwg, doedd dim ystyriaeth o ddiwylliant Cymreig wrth ddinistrio’r wal gan ddangos nad oes digon o bobl yn ymwybodol o arwyddocad y wal. Yn sicr mae’r digwyddiad yn dangos fod angen addysgu mwy o bobl am hanes Cymreig.

NEWYDDION

gan Jacob Morris

ae’n un o glybiau mwyaf eiconig Cymru sydd wedi denu cenedlaethau o Gymry Cymraeg y brifddinas ers 1983, ond mae Clwb Ifor Bach ar fin derbyn gweddnewidiad. Tafliad carreg o furiau’r castell mae Clwb yn un o gonglfeini sîn gerddorol Caerdydd, a ddydd Mawrth diwethaf cyhoeddwyd cynlluniau am estyniad newydd. Bwriad Clwb Ifor Bach yw ‘creu lleoliad sy’n addas ar gyfer yr 21ain ganrif ’ gyda’r adeilad presennol yn uno gyda’r adeilad drws nesaf i hawlio dau lwyfan newydd. Datblygiad yn ôl Guto Brychan, prif weithredwr Clwb fydd yn creu llwybrau i bobl sydd efo ddiddordeb mewn gweithio yn y diwydiant cerddoriaeth. O wythnos i wythnos mae’r clwb aml-lawr dan ei sang, gyda channoedd yn mentro trwy’r drysau ac yn dawnsio hyd yr oriau mân. Mynegodd Gareth Potter “Mae angen o ar Clwb i fod yn onest...mae’r ciw lawr y stryd...mae’r clwb yn llawn dop bob nos Sadwrn a’r gobaith fydd yr estyniad yn mynd i’r afael â’r broblem hon.” Daw’r cyhoeddiad mewn cyfnod ansicr i ddyfodol cerddoriaeth Gymraeg fyw yn y brifddinas. Nid nepell o Stryd Womanby mae Cilgant Guildford, sy’n gartref i far Gwdihŵ ac yn wynebu’r bygythiad o orfod cau ei ddrysau. Cafwyd ymateb chwyrn gan y cyhoedd i benderfyniad y landlord i ddymchwel adeiladau’r stryd ac i godi maes parcio. Rai wythnosau yn ôl fe orymdeithiodd dros fil o ymgyrchwyr ar hyd strydoedd Caerdydd, a bellach mae’r ddeiseb sy’n galw ar y landlord i wyrdroi ei benderfyniad wedi cyrraedd dros ugain mil o lofnodau. Ac nid yw Clwb Ifor Bach yn ddiarth i’r fath sefyllfa, yn 2017 fe ddaeth ansicrwydd tebyg i’w ddyfodol o achos i lefelau sŵn hyd oriau hwyr y nos, testun a

TAF-OD

Clwb Ifor...Mawr?

O Glwb Ifor Bach i Glwb Ifor Mawr: Clwb Ifor Bach yn ei ffurf bresennol. Tarddiad: Tomos Evans. ddenodd ymyrraeth gan Aelodau Cynulliad.

Daw’r cyhoeddiad mewn cyfnod ansicr i ddyfodol cerddoriaeth Gymraeg fyw yn y brifddinas. Mewn datganiad gan Glwb Ifor Bach dywed fod yr estyniad ond

yn bosibl wedi i Gyngor Caerdydd gamu i’r adwy a chytuno i gaffael â’r adeilad drws nesaf. Nid oedd y Cyngor yn fodlon i ddatgelu’r swm a fuddsoddwyd, ond bod bwriad ganddyn nhw i brydlesu’r adeilad i Glwb yn y tymor hir. Cred Huw Thomas, arweinydd Cyngor Caerdydd y gall y gwaith o ehangu gyfrannu’n helaeth at arlwy ddiwylliannol y brifddinas. Dywedodd ‘Nid yn unig yw’r lleoliadau hyn yn denu ymwelwyr, cynnal swyddi a denu pobl i’r ddinas, mae ganddyn nhw hefyd bwysigrwydd hanesyddol’ ac mai bwriad y cyngor yw i ‘amddiffyn y sîn gerddoriaeth fyw ar Stryd Womanby’.

Ond beth yw barn artistiaid y sîn gerddoriaeth Gymraeg? Croesawu’r penderfyniad mae Rhys Dafis, fe ddywedodd wrth Taf-od “bydd e’n braf gweld Clwb yn ymestyn er mwyn gallu cynnal gigs mwy yna.” Ychwanegodd Ifan Prys “Does ond angen gweld y ciw ar nos Sadwrn i brofi poblogrwydd y sefydliad, gyda phobl yn aml yn ciwio dros awr er mwyn mwynhau un o brif nosweithiau’r clwb - Dirty Pop.” Ond, fe fynnodd y dylai’r estyniad roi pob hwb a help i fandiau Cymraeg allu chwarae’n fyw o flaen torfeydd am flynyddoedd i ddod.” Yn gyrchfan i nifer o fyfyrwyr, mae’r cynlluniau yn

taro tant gyda Llywydd y Gym Gym, Nest Jenkins. Dywedodd, “gyda nifer ohonom wedi treulio sawl noson fythgofiadwy yn y clwb eiconig hwn, fe fydda i a nifer o Gymry eraill wrth ein boddau yn cael mwy o le i ddawnsio! Ond, beth am addewid am fwy o gerddoriaeth Gymraeg neu nosweithiau Cymreig wrth lunio [cynlluniau] cyffrous?” Gyda’r cynlluniau newydd ar y gweill, amser a ddengys os fydd gan Glwb Ifor Bach fwy o bwyslais ar gerddoriaeth Gymraeg. Er efallai iddo golli ei fwriad gwreiddiol byddai colli ei fodolaeth yn gyfan gwbl yn ergyd i’r brifddinas ac i Gymru gyfan.

bryd na Chaerdydd i glywed cerddoriaeth gyfoes, gyffrous yn cael ei pherfformio, ac felly mae’r ffaith ein bod ni’n dathlu Dydd Miwsig Cymru yn hynod o arwyddocaol ac yn rhywbeth y dylem ni ymfalchïo ynddo. Heb os, mae hi’n ddiwrnod sy’n cynnig cyfle i wella ein hymwybyddiaeth ni o gerddoriaeth Gymraeg ac yn agoriad llygad i’r rhai ohonom ni sydd o’r farn nad yw cerddoriaeth Gymraeg cystal â cherddoriaeth Saesneg. Fel person sydd yn gwrando ar gerddoriaeth trwy’r dydd, bob dydd, mae rhaid i fi gyfaddef nad ydw i yn gwrando ar ddigon o gerddo-

riaeth Gymraeg (oni bai am yr hen glasuron). Felly, i rywun fel fi, mae Dydd Miwsig Cymru yn gyfle i ddod i wybod am yr hyn sydd ar gael ym myd cerddoriaeth Gymraeg heddiw. Gobeithio ichi gymeryd y cyfle i fynd i glywed, i wylio ac i ddathlu cerddoriaeth ein gwlad. Ni’r Cymry sy’n gyfrifol am sicrhau fod cerddoriaeth Gymraeg yn derbyn y clod a’r platfform haeddiannol ledled y wlad a thu hwnt. Ac yn dilyn Dydd Miwsig Cymru, parhewch i wrando drwy gydol y flwyddyn! Beth am osod sialens i’ch hun a gwrando ar gerddoriaeth Gymraeg yn unig? Creu rhestr chwarae o

ganeuon Cymraeg? Gwrando ar fandiau a chantorion newydd, neu hyd yn oed yr hen glasuron? Ymfalchïwch, mwynhewch, ac ymunwch yn y dathliadau. Mae’n addo i fod yn gyfnod cofiadwy a chyffrous! Dilynwch Dydd Miwsig Cymru ar Facebook a Twitter. Ymunwch â’r sgwrs trwy ddefnyddio’r hashnod #dyddmiwsigcymru.

Pryd o Daf-od

Gwen Shenton Gwen Shenton, myfyrwraig Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth yn ei thrydedd blwyddyn a dirprwy arweinyddes Côr Aelwyd y Waunddyfal, sy’n esbonio pwysigrwydd Dydd Miwsig Cymru i gerddoriaeth Gymraeg.

Rydym yn ffodus iawn yng Nghymru bod gennym ni wledd o gerddoriaeth Gymraeg o bob math i’w mwynhau. Dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf does dim amheuaeth fod y sîn gerddorol Gymraeg wedi ffynnu, gyda nifer o fandiau a chantorion newydd, modern yn serennu ar lwyfannau cenedlaethol. Yn sicr, mae rhaid inni ganmol y rhai sydd yn gweithio yn ddi-dor i sicrhau fod cerddoriaeth Gymraeg yn cael platfform, ac yn ei phortreadu fel rhywbeth sydd yn werthfawr, nid yn unig i’r diwylliant ond i’r iaith Gymraeg hefyd. Does dim lle gwell i fod ar hyn o

Eich adran taf-od Llion Carbis Tomos Evans tafod@gairrhydd.com

TAF OD

Am fwy o gynnwys, ewch i gairrhydd.com/tafod

CHWARAEON

gan Llion Carbis

Cyfnod hollbwysig i’r adar gleision

el rheol, mae diwedd y ffenestr drosglwyddo yn cynnig cyfle defnyddiol, amserol i asesu busnes a dadansoddi gobeithion clybiau am weddill y tymor. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’r wythnosau diwethaf wedi bod yn llwyr arferol i Gaerdydd yn dilyn y tristwch a ddaeth yn sgil marwolaeth ei hymosodwr newydd, Emiliano Sala. Ond ychydig wythnosau yn ôl, ar ôl llwyddo i arwyddo Oumar Niasse ar fenthyg o Everton, cyn torri record clwb i brynu’r ymosodwr Emiliano Sala o Nantes, roedd cryn optimistiaeth a chyffro am obeithion yr Adar Gleision o aros yn uwch gynghrair Lloegr. Serch hynny, ar 21 Ionawr, cafwyd newyddion hynod drist wrth i’r awyren a oedd yn cludo Sala o Nantes i Gaerdydd ddiflannu oddi ar y radar. Bellach, dros bythefnos yn ddiweddarach, mae’r

Nyth yr Adar Gleision: Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd. Tarddiad: Llion Carbis. awyren wedi’i lleoli a chorff Sala wedi’i adfer o’r gweddillion. Heb os, mae’r wythnosau diwethaf wedi bod yn andros o heriol i bawb sy’n gysylltiedig â’r clwb. Mae teuluoedd Sala a’r peilot David Ibbotson, ynghyd â chefnogwyr Caerdydd, Nantes a’r gymuned bêldroed ehangach wedi profi tristwch a cholled ddigynsail yn dilyn y drychineb annychmygadwy. Anodd ydyw i brosesu’r hyn sydd wedi digwydd dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, ac mae galar cefnogwyr ledled y byd wedi bod yn deimladwy yn sgil y drychineb, gyda sawl teyrnged a munud o dawelwch yn cael eu cynnal mewn undod â Sala a Ibboston. Yn anffodus, yn unol â natur bywyd, mae pêl-droed yn parhau, ac mae’r chwaraewyr a’r cefnogwyr wedi uno

o dan y weledigaeth i lwyddo er cof am Sala. Mewn amgylchiadau llwyr drychinebus, ac mewn amodau heriol i chwarae, mae gan Gaerdydd reswm arall i frwydro eleni, fel dywed yr hashnod, #ForSala. Yn wir, roedd emosiwn a thrymder y dorf yn ganfyddadwy yn y fuddugoliaeth o 2-0 yn erbyn Bournemouth y penwythnos diwethaf. Ond, yn yr un modd, cafodd gallu pêl-droed i uno ac ysbrydoli ei gyfleu’n glir, wrth i gefnogwyr Caerdydd dalu teyrnged i’r ymosodwr ni chawsant y cyfle i weld yn chwarae. Yn ei ymddangosiadau cyntaf i Gaerdydd, mae Niasse wedi perfformio’n ganmoladwy, ac ymddengys ei fod yn chwaraewr sy’n cydfynd ag arddull chwarae mwy traddodiadol ac uniongyrchol Neil Warnock. Mae Niasse wedi sgorio deuddeg gôl

yn Uwch Gynghrair Lloegr gyda Hull City ac Everton, a hanfodol ydyw ei fod yn dangos y ddawn i sgorio er mwyn gwireddu uchelgais Caerdydd o aros yn y gynghrair. Er bod y penderfyniad i arwyddo Leandro Bacuna o Reading yn edrych fel un anysbrydoledig, mae ganddo brofiad helaeth o chwarae yn Uwch Gynghrair Lloegr gydag Aston Villa. Yn bwysicach fyth, mae Bacuna yn cynnig hyblygrwydd tactegol am ei fod yn gyfforddus yn chwarae fel y cefnwr de, neu yng nghanol cae, sy’n sicrhau dyfnder allweddol i garfan Warnock. Yn gyfredol, mae Caerdydd yn parhau i breswylio yn y tri olaf, ond dim ond pum pwynt sy’n eu gwahanu â Brighton yn y trydydd safle ar ddeg. Yn ychwanegol, maent wedi ennill mwy o gemau na’ Fulham, Huddersfield a Southampton,

ac yn gydradd â Newcastle a Burnley ar chwe buddugoliaeth, dangosydd clir o’u gallu i fod yn gystadleuol yn y gynghrair. Mae Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd wedi profi i fod yn rhan annatod o lwyddiant yr Adar Gleision eleni, gyda phum allan o chwe buddugoliaeth tîm Warnock yn cael eu cipio yn y stadiwm. Fodd bynnag, dim ond un gêm maent wedi ennill oddi cartre’ y tymor yma, buddugoliaeth o 0-1 yn erbyn Caerlŷr ar ddechrau mis Tachwedd. Bydd gallu Caerdydd i gynnal ei record ffafriol mewn gemau cartre’, ynghyd â gwella ansawdd eu perfformiadau a chanlyniadau oddi cartre’ yn debygol o fod yn hollbwysig i aros yn y Gynghrair am dymor arall. Er bod yr her yn anodd ei gorchfygu, mae gan Gaerdydd ysbryd diflino, a chymhelliant arbennig i ddathlu bywyd Sala ac i barhau yn ei enw ef.

Yn Trafod yr wythnos hon... Lara Evans 1. Pwy wyt ti a beth wyt ti’n astudio?

3. Beth yw dy gas atgof?

Lara Evans a dw i’n astudio Cymraeg a Gwleidyddiaeth.

Mae gymaint i ddewis o ond cwympo o flaen cynulleidfa tra ar lwyfan yn un o’r gwaetha.

2. Pam dewis astudio yng Nghaerdydd?

4. Canu unawd neu ganu mewn côr?

Mae bywyd wastad yn brysur ac yn ddiddorol yng Nghaerdydd a ma Clwb Ifor Bach yma.

Dw i methu canu o gwbl felly canu mewn côr.

Eich adran taf-od Llion Carbis Tomos Evans tafod@gairrhydd.com

5. Beth fyddai ar dy playlist Dydd Miwsig Cymru? Lot o ganeuon Gwilym, Fleur De Lys ac Yws Gwynedd.

6. Pe bai gennyt TARDIS, i ba gyfnod y byddet yn mynd? Well da fi deithio i’r dyfodol na’r gorffennol. 7. Starter neu boten? Poten. 8. Pa deitl fyddet ti’n ei roi i ffilm o dy fywyd? Joio byw. 9. Criced neu golff? Rygbi’n well na’r ddau ond criced.

10. Beth fyddai dy swydd ddelfrydol? Professional gin taster. 11. Pa syniad fyddet ti’n cynnig ar Dragon’s Den? Gin sy’n newid lliw yn dibynnu ar sut ti’n teimlo. 12. Pwy yw dy ysbrydoliaeth? Fy ysbrydoliaeth i yw mamgu a thad-cu. 13. Pe fyddet yn Brif Weinidog am y dydd, beth fyddet yn ei newid? Trio newid rhai o agweddau tuag at Gymru a’r Gymraeg.

14. Disgrifia dy hun mewn tri gair. Hapus, siaradus, cyfeillgar. 15. Pwy fydd yn ‘Trafod gyda’r Taf-od’ wythnos nesaf? Lowri Bellis.

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COMMENT

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Your comment desk Alys Hewitt Hannah Newberry Emma Videan Columnist Karis Pearson

Should the Student Senate be endorsing the People’s Vote? Despite the SU needing to ‘represent all students’, they are now endorsing the People’s Vote, which may not indicate the desires of all students.

By Sam Tilley

n December 11, the Student Senate voted on a motion put forward by Julia Rooke, the SU International Officer, that officially endorsed the People’s Vote campaign. As an organisation that is meant to represent all students and, during General Elections, is nominally politically neutral, why isn’t this the case for Brexit? It is important to note that this article is not meant to be a dismissal of either a People’s Vote or a no-deal Brexit scenario, instead it will be arguing that our Students’ Union is failing in its brief to “represent all students” by endorsing a People’s Vote, or at least in the way that this decision was reached. Yes, under current laws, Student Unions are allowed to officially endorse campaigns that affect “students as students”. Whilst this is undeniably the case when campaigning against tuition fees or other clear-cut ‘student’ issues, Brexit, as has often been the case over the past few years, does not easily fall into any category. Whilst it is of course of the uptmost importance that the rights and status of EU students are upheld, advocating a People’s Vote is both a step too far at a time when divisions in society are more open than any time in our lifetimes and counterproductive The reaction has understandably been varied. We reached out to all four Cardiff University political societies and Julia Rooke, the International Officer who submitted the original

Is aligning itself with the People’s Vote campaign a step too far for the Student Senate? Source: Ilovetheeu (via Wikimedia Commons) motion, for comment and received replies from Cardiff University Conservatives, the Labour Students Society and Plaid Ifanc Prifysgol Caerdydd. William Rees, Plaid Ifanc Prifysgol Caerdydd Chair, stated that “Plaid Ifanc are extremely glad to see the SU take a stand and formally support the People’s Vote campaign. Brexit will harm the ability of young people in Wales to work, live, travel and study in Europe”. Similarly, Hannah McCarthy, the Chair of Labour Student’s Society, told Gair Rhydd that “Many students at the university won’t have had the chance to vote in the initial referendum in 2016 and should now have their voices

heard. Leaving the EU will deeply affect our generation for years to come, and so the SU should support us in our fight towards a more secure future.” Taking a polar opposite approach was Callum Sloper, Chair of Cardiff University Conservative Society, who argued against the role that the Student Senate played, by saying: “The Student Senate is made up from a tiny fraction of the wider student base and so should have sought to give all students the chance to voice their opinion via a referendum before making such a divisive political statement like this.” The real danger here is if the Students’ Union will be openly “lobbying”

using SU funds - as they did back in September - during a time when the SU is facing a dire financial situation. Comments on the official SU Facebook page are undoubtedly skewed towards anger with commentators describing the move as “outrageous” and drawing comparisons to earlier this year when SU funds were used to transport students down to antiBrexit protests. This is again a very dangerous precedent to set, especially with budgets across the board being stretched to the absolute limit. The timing of the announcement has also caused consternation amongst students who have noted that the information was released whilst the majority of students were off on their Winter Break using a democratic body that arguably is not well-publicised within the main student population. Why, if the SU were always going to back a People’s Vote, was this decision not open for the student population to vote on via referendum. There is clear anger at how both the 2016 Referendum and the subsequent negotiations have been carried out and this anger is not unfounded. But, with a mere three months before Britain is legally going to leave the EU, was backing a People’s Vote the most productive way for the SU to guarantee the rights of EU students, and the future of academic schemes? I think not. The Cardiff University Liberal Democrat Society and Julia Rooke, SU International Officer, were both unable to be reached for comment.

Victory for Veganuary

With more restaurants than ever serving vegan options, being a vegan student isn’t so hard after all by Jack Hudson

019’s Veganuary has been the most successful since the charity, which offers advice and encouragement for people to go vegan for January, began in 2014. This year, 250,000 people signed up to the campaign, equal to the number that took part in all previous years put together. Full statistics are yet to be released for 2019, but in 2018 18-24 year olds were one of the biggest demographics that took part in the campaign. The success of the campaign is likely helped by the fact that it is in January, when many have a desire to make a change in their life. Some have criticised veganuary as a fad and questioned the value of going vegan for only one month. However, the charity encourages people to stay vegan permanently, and supports people in going vegan throughout the year. In 2018, 62% of participants remained vegan. Giving people the opportunity to try veganism for a month leads to many discovering for themselves that

being vegan is easier than they thought it would be, and helps them learn about all the great options available. The most important success of Veganuary is that it increases the number of vegans in the UK permanently.

Over 250,000 people officially signed up to Veganuary this yearSource: Anna Pelzer (via Unsplash) Another benefit of Veganuary is that many companies have introduced new vegan options. Most of these are chains that have restaurants in Cardiff. TGI Fridays introduced a new ‘bleeding’ vegan burger, Frankie and Benny’s added more than 20 vegan options, Pieminister brought out a vegan pie,

Zizzi’s added a rainbow vegan pizza to its already impressive vegan menu and Pizza Hut introduced a jackfruit vegan pizza (though this became unavailable in the Queen street store midway through January, and has not yet been added to the menu full-time). McDonald’s introduced a veggie wrap which is vegan (though Cardiff students looking for better McDonald’s-style vegan options should visit the Greazy Veganwhich offers proper burgers like the Big Moc!) This adds to many new options that were added throughout 2018 (including new options in supermarkets, and new vegan restaurants and cafes), and means we have now reached a point where the majority of Cardiff restaurants have good vegan options. This is important in making it easier for students to be vegan, as it removes any worries about being able to eat in places their meat-eating friends like to eat. Cardiff student Iona Frenguelli went vegan for Veganuary last year and has remained vegan; “I wasn’t sure I would

pull it off but over a year later I don’t think I’ll ever go back!” She believes being vegan is good for students as it can mean cheaper options. Although some see veganism as expensive, “in reality you don’t need to have avocados or chia seeds with every meal to be a healthy vegan”. Tim Cooper has gone vegan for Veganuary this year, and said “Your options are much more limited as a vegan, however I do feel better about myself ”. He believes veganism can be a time consuming thing for students to undertake, but the planning needed does mean you eat “better and healthier”. Vegan options had been on the rise throughout 2018, and this Veganuary seems to have completed a cultural shift; veganism is now a lot more mainstream than it was a few years ago. It’s now easier to be vegan than ever before, and there’s no need to wait until next January if you want to make a better choice for your health, the environment and animal welfare!

COLOFN

Knife ASBOs: Standardised Marginalisation?

Javid’s backing of ‘knife ASBOs’ embodies our solemn disregard for the destitute neighbourhoods where knife crime breeds

by Hannah Newberry

his week, knife crime prevention orders have been deliberated on TV, and it’s safe to say that it is one of the most socially unjust and nonsensical debates that I have seen this year. Sajid Javid’s idea that ‘knife ASBOs’ are pragmatic is a thorough endorsement of criminalising children that lack the education to process their emotions effectively in relation to crime and disregards the reasons why knife crime breeds so eminently in Britain. It’s well known that knife crime is often committed not by people who intend to harm with malicious thought and intent, but by vulnerable youths who have not had access to any form of educational deterrent. They are often raised in hostile environments, where crime and violence sit at the apex of home life, and are not offered alternative methods of exertion, nor an opportunity to understand the legal redress that would follow. Research concurs that knife crime often stems from neighbourhoods where people who feel disenfran-

chised reside, and so heavily depend on self-taught methods of coping with anger. Javid’s idea fails to ameliorate the issue, and adds fuel to the fire by legally marginalising neighbourhoods that already exacerbate high levels of crime for this very reason. Targeting children in this policy was a point for discussion, and while I do not deny that it’s important to intervene with people at a young age as they can be easily influenced, this approach is nothing if not malignant. None of our twelve-year-old selves would make consistently rational decisions, and any of us would rather be educated rather than have a constant reminder that we are further outcast from ‘normal’ society. Javid’s argument is conclusive proof that our politicians are extremely emotionally detached from problems that hit the working class the hardest. Proposed tactics involved curfews and disbarring potential ‘gang’ meetings. This fails to countermand the problem as the youth justice system is already tyrannical in Britain; we simply fail to be concerned enough to push for better educa-

Sajid Javid sees knife ASBOs as ‘pragmatic’. Source: ProfImages (via Flickr)

tion and less marginalisation in an inclusive and non-judgmental environment where violence and crime are not deemed the norm. Labour MPs delivered credible arguments that these policies are completely

disproportionate and legislation that seeks to undermine the ‘reasonable doubt’ that police require could lead to youths who live in poorer environments being criminalised for even possessing weapons

out of fear for their personal safety. If the government dedicated more of their time looking at other policies that aggravate the knife crime epidemic, such as de-industrialisation and slating of the school curriculum (for example, art classes that encourage expression), we may not even have to consider more rigid solutions. ASBOs are the only publicised tactic possible where we admit no fault of our own for people who are victims of corrupt politics and circumstance. Tackle affordable housing and the underfunded school curriculum before you start asking why kids with convoluted emotional issues are lashing out instead of resolving their problems healthily and legally. This in no way intends to lessen the legal implications for people who believe that knife crime is morally and socially acceptable, but there are logical ways to address this issue without breeding further marginalisation and thus endorsing a hateful systematic cycle. If we want to dismantle knife crime, let’s stop endorsing the cultural and economic hardships that make violence seem like a perfect solution.

“Shame on you Warwick”

After finally announcing that so-called ‘rape chat’ students will not returning to University, was it all too little, too late? by Iona Middleton

n 2018, screenshots of a Warwick University group chat were publicised and investigated. Upon inspection, racial slurs such as ‘love Hitler, hate n****s’, and jokes about sexual assault, for example ‘What do we do with girls? RAAAAAAAAAPE’ were discovered. The University acted quickly, issuing one man with a lifetime ban from campus, two ten-year bans and various other disciplinary processes.

Warwick University’s incapability of being part of the solution has caused them a hugely negative media storm They published a statement expressing their anger over the incident. They stated that they “are committed to ensuring a working and learning environment in which all University members are treated fairly and with dignity and respect, and where bullying and harassment are not tolerated”. However, in the most recent updates to the story, there were reports that two of the students would be re-

turning this September. However, after uproar from the student population and a stream of online anger, using #ShameOnYouWarwick, the University Vice Chancellor announced that neither student would be returning. It is often believed that if you are not part of a solution, you are part of a problem. There is no longer neutrality in this world. Warwick University’s incapability of being part of the solution has caused them a hugely negative media storm. Not only did the suggestion of an early re-acceptance of these men imply that their education is more important than another students’ safety, it also sent a clear message: if you are wealthy, white and male, you can get away with almost anything. The decision to exclude the boys from the University campus in 2018 was the correct thing to do. This language is indicative of their capabilities and possibly their intent in the future. When a person has such obviously cruel intentions, it baffles me that they would be allowed to roam a University campus so freely. While the University has claimed to be listening to the voices of the students, many have claimed that the decision to not return to Warwick was likely a decision made by the men rather than staff. It seems as though even a discussion of their early return is completely un-

young people that rape culture is developing in educational institutions, where the only concern should be teaching and learning. By showing any sympathy to these men and considering their return, Warwick University also shows sympathy to their opinions and beliefs. Their words needed to be

A person’s education should never be compromised because they feel unsafe on their own campus

Warwick students at the ‘Reclaim our University protest’ Source: Stefano Dunne (The Boar) reasonable and has caused a feeling of anger and injustice from students who want to feel safe on their own campus. Hundreds of students marched at the ‘Reclaim Our University’ march, which called for a lifelong ban for the men involved and an official inquiry into the University’s handling of the complaints. Their reaction seems absolutely neces-

sary. While the official statements continue to state that they understand and are listening to the opinions of students, recent activity suggests that Warwick needs to improve their ‘listening’ for the welfare of the students. It could easily be argued that weakness in fulfilling punishments for speech that supports rape adds to a growing concern among

reprimanded and a full punishment served to show others that what they did was wrong. How can we prevent these incidents from happening if there appears to be no consequences? Warwick University has a duty to its students, past, present and future. It has a reputation to uphold. A reputation which is currently in the process of being seriously tarnished. A person’s education should never be compromised because they do not feel safe on their own campus. Warwick University’s recent attitude has been weak, dishonourable and shameful.

COMMENT

Big business: all in the balance? by Matt Tomlin

any of you will have heard recently about the plans to demolish Guildford Crescent, a historic 1860s street in Cardiff city centre, which is home to three successful, local independent businesses: Madeira, Thai House and Gwdihw. If demolished, the land of Guildford Crescent is expected to be redeveloped into either more upmarket student accommodation, a car park or outlets for more modern chains. These expectations of potential demolition are a reflection of the changes which have occurred in Cardiff over recent years, and Gair Rhydd has covered the likes of gentrification and the expansion of substance-deprived big business developments in Cardiff on several occasions in recent months. When I helped Gair Rhydd interview people on the Save Guildford Crescent march in January, something which was mentioned to me was how big business, high street chains in particular, were coming into Cardiff, providing little substance to the Cardiff community and helping to drive out small independent businesses. This wasn’t said to me in a way which was disapproving of big businesses and chains, however. People at the march thought that a lot of the developments in Cardiff city centre, and also in Cardiff Bay, were a good thing, but that this should not be coming at the expense of local businesses such as those on Guildford Crescent. With the three business outlets on Guildford Crescent now closed, and a three-month wait until a decision is made on whether the council and Cadw will move to protect the historic buildings, we have plenty of time to consider what sort of city centre and what sort of retail sector we want in Cardiff. And the comments which I just mentioned implied a balance as being what people want most. People like chains and the brands they offer. We wouldn’t shop in chains if we didn’t like the familiarity of the product or service offered. However, we do not want a manufactured, uniform city centre experience wherever we go and we do not want this for others or for future generations. What is needed is the protection of our historic buildings and improved financial backing from the government and local councils for small, independent businesses, while keeping a degree of big business chains in our city centres. The likelihood that such a balance would be supported by those at the top varies depending on the party in power, which is a topic I will not go into in this article. What I wanted to say was that there is no salience for a black-and-white view of how our city centre experience should be. Combining the presence of chains and fancy developments with the protection and preservation of more traditional smaller, independent businesses is wanted by the public. Time will reveal whether such a stance is taken by those in power, and the challenges our city centre may face in implementing such a balance.

Climate change denial: is it time to call it quits?

by George Blake

ast week temperatures in Midwest USA plummeted. Across the Midwest 30 daily record lows were broken and four locations tied or set all-time record lows, many areas colder than Antarctica. Such low temperatures provided a perfect opportunity for climate change deniers to once again cast doubt on whether climate change is truly occurring. Donald Trump, a pillar of climate change denial, tweeted “windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees [Fahrenheit], the coldest ever recorded” adding “What the hell is going on with Global Warming? Please come back fast, we need you!”. Firstly, windchill temperatures did not reach record lows. The record low recorded in the Midwest is -70F. However, ignoring this, there is no question the Midwest was very (very) cold. So, does Trump have a point? Do these extreme conditions provide evidence that global warming is floundering? It is important to distinguish between global warming and climate change. Global warming refers to the long-term increasing trend in mean global temperature since 1880. Climate change refers to changes in global climate associated with increasing global temperatures. The impact of climate change is not solely higher temperatures. The brutal cold snap that impacted the Midwest relates to a breakdown in

the polar vortex. The polar vortex is a huge gyre of air that forms and circulates over the Arctic each winter (high in the stratosphere); it is this gyre of air that keeps cold polar air over the Arctic. Occasionally this vortex breaks down allowing icy polar air to spread beyond the polar regions (thought to have occurred on the 3rd January). This cold air can then distort the jet stream- another major air current, although much lower in the atmosphere meaning it can impact weather conditions seen at the surface, causing it bulge further southwards. It is this distortion that ultimately allowed cold air to reach the Midwest. It is thought that the frequency of such events will increase with global warming. This is due to Arctic temperatures rising faster than the global average, meaning the temperature gradient between the poles and equator will decrease. This reduction slows the flow of the jet stream allowing cold polar air to penetrate beyond polar regions with greater ease. Cold winter periods provide no scientific basis that global warming is not happening, a fact backed by one of Trump’s own agencies (NOAA). While global warming is universally accepted as genuine within the scientific community, certain media outlets still (especially in the USA) provide a platform for climate change deniers under the premise of impartiality. In 2011, the BBC Trust (then the cor-

poration’s regulator), deemed that the weight of evidence supporting global warming no longer justifies equal spacing being given to the opponents of the debate. Yet somehow, they conclude these sceptics should still be heard, a rather contradictory position. Climate change deniers argue that under the basis of free speech they must be heard. British philosopher and political economist Stuart Mill’s justification of free speech recognises that even untrue opinions are valuable in society’s pursuit of more truth. Deniers of climate change are not striving for truth, they are aiming to produce doubt. The implications of climate change will primarily harm

Deniers of climate change are not striving for truth, they are aiming to produce doubt future generations and those in developing countries. Hence, in terms of global justice, is it acceptable for these views to still be widely discussed. Returning to Donald Trump, he is only able to dismiss the findings of the global scientific community and

Freezing temperatures in Ohio this month. Source: Sharon (via Flickr) remain a respected figure so long as (arguably somewhat limited) public support allows it. There is a problem if members of the US electorate are being misinformed on the climate change debate due to news impartiality. Trump is not an idiot, he knows climate change is real, he is in fact clever enough to be effectively exploiting the ignorance of his electorate in order to push his own agenda. If scientific fact is not communicated efficiently and climate change deniers are continued to be given a platform, it may be this ignorance that will ultimately limit the progress we can make regarding climate change.

Sex education - could we use reform?

Is the new Netflix series engaging because of its entertainment value or because it discusses a plethora of sexual issues that schools ignore? by Kate Waldock

that students are so desperate for advice about normal things that every teenager goes through, that they are willing to pay money for it. Simple problems such as the way a naked body looks in comparison to what you see in porn are incredibly common, yet routinely overlooked by schools. Alternative ways to address these issues have been shown perfectly by this wonderfully funny portrayal of teenage life, as viewers watch girls and boys alike ask the awkward Otis why their body looks a certain way or does a certain thing.

etflix’s ‘Sex Education’ is funny, informative, and critically acclaimed. It follows the story of a young teenager called Otis whose mother is a sex therapist. He becomes enlisted by resident bad girl Maeve to educate school students about sex for money. It was actually filmed not far from Cardiff University; the main school building being an old University of South Wales campus. The show does a brilliant job of reflecting teenagers’ worries about sex, and maturely and humorously explains sex in an educational way that is accessible to teenagers across the world. But why is it that Netflix has to be a young person’s teacher when it comes to the sensitive topic of sex? Despite the fact that the UK is more open than ever about sex education, the habits of the Victorian Era remain, where sex is a taboo topic, and abstinence in teens is encouraged. Of course, abstinence isn’t, and has rarely ever been, the reality, as ‘Sex Education’ demonstrates. In mine and other students’ experiences, schools tend to focus on protection. For young girls this involves learning about various forms of contraception, including con-

Isn’t it the job of our teachers to be answering these questions? Source: Jonathan Rolande (via Flickr) doms, dental dams and hormone contraceptives. For boys the focus was almost entirely on condoms, with perhaps a brief conversation about the contraception women take. Despite improvements in laws for sex education, schools still have the final say on the quality of education children are receiving. Netflix’s ‘Sex Education’ delves into topics such as sexuality without any censorship - a massively significant step in the right direction to normalising different sexualities. The

show has received acclaim for its portrayal of a queer black boy navigating through his school life, while his family are religious, which is just one example of the niche situations the show interacts with that can hit home for some viewers when our education system could not. It is a series that speaks to a minority that has been left out of history and education for so long. The Netflix show itself underlines the lack of sex education students receive through the very premise

Why is it that Netflix has to be a young person’s teacher when it comes to sex?

It’s certainly a step in the right direction that we have such a show on a massive platform, but it does present the fact that schools should and can do so much better to help teenagers through one of the most complicated and yet common topics in life.

Karis Pearson

COLUMNROAD

COLUMN 17

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture (via Flickr)

Could more labels help us live better? T he first health warning label was bought to cigarette packets in 1965, reading in small font on the side of the pack, ‘Caution: Cigarette Smoking May Be Hazardous to Your Health’. Nowadays, cigarette boxes are plastered with pictures of cancerous lungs black with tar, a set of rotting teeth and even a child wearing an oxygen mask alongside the text ‘your smoke harms your children’. It has become understood that a clear health warning should be given to cigarette consumers, due to the dangers associated with the product.

We should extend health risk warnings to all products which can cause harm Why then, does our society not extend these same health risks to all products which harm not just us individuals, but continue to harm our environment. Environmental awareness campaigns are everywhere. Last week, environmental campaigner Tony Juniper visited Cardiff University and voiced the need for imminent action to help tackle the threats facing our Earth. He discussed how depleting biodiversity coupled with climate change makes the need for action a desperate state of affairs. Among the many points he made, was the need for people to eat less meat to lower carbon emissions. The carbon footprint of the livestock industry is immense and also highly damaging to wild areas, with

agriculture being the leading cause of the current mass extinction of wildlife. Research published in the journal Science found that if we stopped consuming meat and dairy, our use of global farmland could be reduced by more than 75% - an area the equivalent to the size of the European Union, the US, China and Australia combined. A 1992 EU directive requires all appliances to be labelled with an energy efficiency rating from A to G, with fridge freezers given an extra three ratings up to A+++. There is a certain irony in that when purchasing a fridge freezer, we’re given plentiful information on its impact and efficiency, but when it comes to filling it with food, the labels are severely lacking. If you buy an A+++ grade fridge but then fill it with steak, do not kid yourself, your carbon footprint is through the roof. Nevertheless, the labels on household appliances have proved effective in their goal to help reduce emissions, with 98% of all fridge freezers classified as A++ or A+++ as of last year. Labelling food products – particularly meat and dairy – with an environmental efficiency rating, indicating the products which are ‘good’ and those which are ‘bad’ for the planet, could help us make better environmental choices. Eating ethically and environmentally is not as simple as just going vegan, I understand this. Plenty of vegan food products have been flown in from abroad, are packaged in plastic and contain high-impact ingredients like palm oil. Products fitting this description, vegan or not, should be subject to a sustainability classification, but it goes without saying that a plant-based food product is still the eco-friendlier choice. For those who are not willing to give up meat and dairy just yet (or

ever), creating a distinction between good and bad farming practice on food labelling could still positively impact consumer behaviour. In a recently published Guardian article, Springwatch presenter Chris Packham put forward an argument that if the graphic images on cigarettes were replicated on meat and dairy products, showing the conditions in which animals are reared, it would help ‘good’ farmers be distinguished from “factory farmed rubbish”. I couldn’t agree more. Ethically, killing and abusing animals for food does not sit right with me, but I understand that the practice cannot and will not change overnight. However, if consumers have even an ounce of empathy, then when faced with a picture of a pig housed in a dark cramped factory farm (who will never see daylight until the day of its death) versus a pig given space to roam outdoors and a somewhat higher quality of life, they will choose the second one.

Pictures of dead pigs might put people off buying harmful processed meats Packham’s proposition of graphic labels on our food would help omnivorous consumers make more sustainable choices and give farmers placing higher value on animal welfare some recognition. My only fear is that labelling meat products with pictures of happy farm animals would aid the justification of meat eating, which for the sake of our health, the well-being

of our environment and the wellbeing of animals, is not something I believe should be endorsed. From a health perspective, red and processed meat, including products like beef burgers, pose a high risk to our health and should be more strictly labelled. Given the strong scientific link between red meat and heart disease, introducing labels which educate consumers on the risks of these food products doesn’t seem like an extreme move to tackle the issue. Educating consumers on the health risk of smoking through graphic images and blunt truths is deemed necessary, so why is merely including the nutritional information on our food considered enough? Labelling products with their health risks could help mobilise people into making more conscious choices when it comes to buying a variety of products and of this the government must take note. The environmental impact of the fast fashion industry came to the forefront of environmental conversations after Stacey Dooley’s recent investigative documentary, Fashion’s Dirty Secrets hit out screens. Textile dyeing, a common practice in fast fashion, is second only to agriculture as the leading cause of pollution to the Earth’s fresh water. The toxic chemicals used in the fastfashion industry are released into rivers and have very real-life health and environmental impacts on people in developing countries (where the majority of this industry is located). The health implications of fast fashion exceed our expectations, as do the environmental. That polyester shirt you love so much is actually anything but harmless. When washed, polyester garments shed microfibres which contribute to the growing concentration of plastic in our oceans. These plastics are then consumed

by numerous marine creatures and later by us, humans. Clothes should be labelled to tell consumers not only how efficiently they were produced, but also their expected longevity and their associated polluting impacts. In Dooley’s documentary, Primark

Clothes should be labelled with their associated polluting impacts were one of many clothing retailers who refused to speak with her about the environmental impact of their cheap clothes. These big companies do not want their practices to become common knowledge to consumers. Pubic knowledge of environmental degradation is bad for business but regardless of pressures from big business, governments must intervene to make consumers aware of their exploitations, for the sake of the planet. While it is partly our own responsibility to educate ourselves on what we are buying before we make our consumer choices, the government could help steer consumers in the right direction by introducing a labelling system on necessary products. Big business leaders are unlikely to put the planet before profit, hence more frequent health and environmental labelling on consumer products can only come from the government. Ultimately, our consumer habits will not change quickly enough to effectively combat the problems our earth is currently facing, unless guided by some kind of incentive.

POLITICS For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/politics

GWLEIDYDDIAETH

The centre strikes back

Talks are now underway to establish a new centre party by Sam Tilley

t can be argued that ever since the Liberal Democrats elected to go into coalition with David Cameron’s Conservatives in 2010, Britain has been lacking a strong, centrist political force. The advent of Jeremy Corbyn and the pressure placed upon Theresa May by both the right of her own party and UKIP have further exacerbated this problem, driving Labour back into the leftist zone not occupied since the years of Tony Blair and the Conservatives away from the liberalisation that the coalition forced them to adopt. As of last week, talks have begun anew in order to change this. Sir Vince Cable, the current leader of the Liberal Democrats, revealed on last Sunday’s Andrew Marr Show that up to twenty Labour MPs were willing to break from their party in order to form a new centrist opposition to a no-deal Brexit. They would, he continued, be bolstered by a smaller number of discontented Conservatives in order to form a cross-party consensus that would be able to have a strong force in Parliament, unconstrained by the uncompromising leaderships of both parties. In addition to this, it would allow current Lib Dem MPs to shed the arguably-still toxic brand that has hung around the neck of the party ever since their catastrophic electoral defeat in 2015. There have been attempts to form a centrist party before. In 1981, in an eerily similar situation to today, a

group of four moderate Labour MPs broke from the party describing the then-leadership as “Trotskyist” and as steering the party towards an unelectable left-wing platform. Despite a much-publicised launch, and an electoral pact with the Liberal Party, the newly-christened SDP failed to live up to the promise of its conception and later formally merged with the Liberals to form the Liberal Democrats shortly before the demise of Margaret Thatcher. As there are still a number of parliamentarians who remember the failure of the SDP to break the two-party deadlock that characterises British politics, there has been understandable trepidation when it comes to re-treading that same path. Despite this, there are still a number of prominent Labour MPs who have been linked to a mass defection in either the days before or immediately following Brexit. These include leading People’s Vote campaigner Chuka Umunna, former Shadow Chancellor Chris Leslie and, as recently as last week, 2016 leadership candidate Owen Smith, MP for Pontypridd. Speaking on BBC Radio 5, when questioned about whether he would ever consider quitting Labour, he gave the somewhat non-committal answer; “I think it’s something that I and a lot of other people are considering”. The major bone of discontent comes from the Labour leadership’s position on Brexit; a substantial number of Remain-backing MPs are increasingly

On the Move?: Chuka Umunna is thought to be one of the Labour MPs ready to join any potential new party. Source: Wikimedia Commons finding themselves unable to wholeheartedly throw themselves behind a policy that they believe will leave their constituents worse off. From the Conservative perspective, there are also a sizable number of complaints from the liberal side of the party that governmental policy is being dictated by the hardline Brexiteer group known as the ERG. Supporters of a second referendum, including former Attorney General Dominic Grieve and Anna Soubry, are becoming increasingly concerned over the prospect of a nodeal Brexit, believing that the ERG is driving the government towards a no-deal policy. A number of these MPs have also previously indicated that if Boris Johnson, a prominent backer of the no-deal scenario, be-

came leader, they would resign the party whip; effectively quitting the party. How this prospective new party would function is believed to be something that is still up for debate. For his part, Cable believes that there would be no formal party establishment, instead all of the breakaway MPs would sit as a centrist group in the Commons which would be nominally led by Cable himself. Others have indicated that any new group would have to be led by a neutral leader and not be controlled by an existing party structure. Either way, it appears that the way forward for those disillusioned with their own parties is no less clear than where they stand now.

POLITICS

To contact our politics desk, drop us an email at politics@gairrhydd.com

Welsh Government under fire from ex-Minister

Your politics desk Charlotte King Silvia Martelli Lowri Pitcher Sam Tilley

Redundant Minister surprisingly argues against the current administration

by Maisie Marston

abour AM Alun Davies has recently been critical of the Welsh Government’s actions, expressing that he wanted to “support a radical, reforming government”. He stated that he wanted the government to “have a courage to do what is right and proper, not simply do what is easy”. Davies was particularly concerned about the fate of the proposed Welsh Language Bill. The bill was meant to be a reformative piece of legislation to support Labour’s pledge to create a million Welsh speakers by 2050, but a recent announcement confirmed that the bill was to be dropped. Whilst many believed that it would consolidate the foundations for policy concerning the Welsh language, others believed that it would have weakened its protection. On the BBC’s Sunday Supplement, Davies said he was “profoundly disappointed” by the announcement, advocating that the structure needed to change in order to promote the use of the Welsh

language. The Labour AM may have a point. Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price has also been critical of the government, asking if Wales “needs a captain and needs a game plan” as he feels that it is driven by outside forces. This was with reference to projects like the tidal lagoon in Swansea which was previously dismissed by the UK government for being too costly, and the M4 relief road which may still be cancelled by First Minister Mark Drakeford. The First Minister disagrees, saying that it is nonsensical “to repeat the sort of canards that the rightwing press in London put about… Wales being somewhere where projects go to die” arguing that “people will see the investments that we are making in public facilities, in transport infrastructure, in a £5 billion rail franchise, in a new convention centre that will bring activity to Wales from other parts of the UK”. The ongoing M4 relief road debate has been seen as a shortcoming of the Welsh government with a total

A voice for change: Alun Davies has called on the Welsh Government to do more. Source: Wikimedia Commons

spend of £44m so far. The project may see the construction of the ‘black route’; a 14-mile road running south of Newport. Over £11m of this figure has been spent on the inquiry alone. However, there still remains uncertainty that the road will be approved. The decision has now exchanged hands from previous first minister Carwyn Jones to

incumbent Mark Drakeford who will be deciding whether to execute the road in spite of opposition. However, change in favour of students is in the pipeline. During an event hosted by Cardiff University Students’ Union and Citizens’ Cymru on the February 4, Mark Drakeford committed to banning letting agency fees by September 2019. These fees are all too familiar to students, costing hundreds of pounds to sign a tenancy agreement. The Assembly heard evidence from students who have had to make sacrifices as a consequence of the fees, and it was acknowledged that all tenants from diverse backgrounds are unfairly affected. This ban has already taken place in Scotland in 2012, and are plans for the policy to come into force in England from June 2019. Some say it is legislation like this that justifies the support for the role of the Senedd. However, it seems that the Welsh Government will have to do a lot more in order to satisfy its biggest critics.

GWLEIDYDDIAETH 19

Outrage over accusation that NGOs are lying over Yemen In Protest: NGOs and the British public alike are unhappy with the comments made by Jones. Source: Alisdare Hickson (via Flickr)

Is the British Government partly responsible for civilian deaths in Yemen?

by Charlotte King

raham Jones, Labour MP and chief gatekeeper to the UK’s arms control regime, has recently found himself in hot water with some questioning his claim to neutrality following accusations that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are “grossly inaccurate” in their reporting on the number of civilian casualties in the Yemeni Civil War, prompting an angry response from NGOs based in Yemen. The Yemeni Civil War began in 2015, rooted in the Arab Spring wherein authoritarian president Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced to hand his leadership role over to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. Hadi was unable to secure stability in Yemen and, in 2014, Houthi Shia Muslim rebels exploited this weakness, resulting in dramatic conflict. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia – backed by the West – began to airstrike Houthi controlled areas with the intention to restore Hadi’s government. The Saudi-led coalition uses weapons traded by the West, including the UK, to fight the rebels.

Jones is a Labour MP and chair of the House of Commons committees on arms export controls – the CAEC. When discussing recent NGO reports on the number of civilian casualties in the Yemeni Civil War, he stated: “There is a gross exaggeration by NGOs as to what has happened”. The Labour MP argues that NGOs are overstating the number of civilian deaths caused by Saudi Arabian air strikes in their reports, causing them to be wildly inaccurate. Jones believes that they are ignorant of the fact that Houthi rebels are using civilians as human shields in the conflict and is adamant that NGOs should do more to distinguish between deaths arising through the use of Houthi human shields and those caused by Saudi-led coalition airstrikes. Jones further went on to condemn NGOs for not supporting the sale of British arms to Saudi Arabia, a key player in the civil war, saying “it’s disgraceful how NGOs and loony left-wing organisations have refused to back the UN’s unanimous position” and “the problems in Yemen

are not an airstrike problem” but rather economic mismanagement and political instability. The targeted NGOs are furious about Jones’ comments, condemning his statements and arguing that views such as these belittle the fatal consequences of Western-funded airstrikes and absolve the British Government of any responsibility for deaths caused by Western weapons in Saudi Arabian airstrikes. Pressure has recently been mounting on the CAEC to tighten regulations on arms exports stemming from a report by Control Arms UK on British arms trading in 2017. The report states that, since 2017, over 80% of the 29.3 million civilians living in Yemen need urgent humanitarian assistance and over 50% are in dire need of food. Regarding British arms exports, their data showed that the British government authorised over 18,000 deliveries of arms – unspecified in quantity and value – to Saudi Arabia to be used in the civil war. A report by Acled also states that since the war’s conception, over 57,000 people have died from not only airstrikes but disease

and starvation, among other causes. Control Arms UK has since challenged the CAEC to make urgent changes to reduce the impact of UKmanufactured weapons in Yemen, preventing further civilian casualties, stating there is a dire need for greater regulation, transparency and compliance. British arms exports to Saudi Arabia are arguably a cause for concern. In 2016, discussions emerged over launching an investigation into alleged Saudi Arabian war crimes, since British law states it cannot sell weapons to countries wherein there is a risk these weapons may be used in “serious violations of international humanitarian law”, but to no avail. Moreover, with Brexit fast approaching and arms exports remaining a promising site for international trade, it is doubtful we will see much tightening on exports any time soon. However, NGOs remain furious at Graham Jones for his undoubtedly biased comments on the Yemeni Civil War and it appears they will continue to pressure the CAEC to make changes to British arms exports.

Immigration Bill returns to Parliament for second reading

The government is facing increasing pressure from ministers and NGOs to relax rules for reunions in the proposed immigration bill by Hallum Cowell

he Immigration and Social Security Coordination bill went through a second reading in the House of Commons last week. The main purpose of this bill is that it ends free movement following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union. A second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the bill and then vote on whether it should continue on its legislative journey to become law. The bill passed this stage with 297 MPs voting for and 234 voting against the bill with 115 abstentions. This bill was primarily supported by the Government and opposed by all the opposition parties bar the DUP despite earlier Labour attempts to abstain fully. According to the draft text of the bill, its primary function is to “end the EU’s rules on free movement of persons into the UK and make EEA (European Economic Area) and Swiss nationals and their family members subject to UK immigra-

tion controls. This means they will require permission to enter and remain in the UK. Without the Bill, EEA and Swiss nationals would be able to continue to live and work in the UK in accordance with retained EU law on free movement of people”. This means that people living in the United Kingdom or who have emigrated to the United Kingdom from the European Union are now subject to the same checks and laws as those migrating from non-European Union nations. This also means that upon the completion of Brexit, citizens of the EEA and Switzerland (but not Irish citizens) will have to apply for a new immigration status. The deadline to apply for this change will be June 30th 2021 if a deal with the European Union is reached or December 31st 2020 in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The government has also come under fire recently over their family reunion policy. The current law allows adult refugees to apply for a

marriage or civil partnership and for dependent children under 18 years old to join them in the UK. However, the law does not allow any other family to join them nor does it allow children who are alone in the UK to have family reunite with them. Oxfam said, “children are still being forced to grow up alone, young women are stranded in war zones and elderly parents are being left to fend for themselves”. When the bill was being debated, many Members of Parliament brought up this issue including Afzal Khan, the Shadow Immigration Minister, who said, “We find the bill a missed opportunity to address the moral and humanitarian failures of this Tory government towards refugees and asylum seekers”. In response, the Home Secretary Sajid Javid said “[it was] right that we constantly review the rules to make sure that they continue to be fair at all times”. The government has given special treatment to Irish citizens saying

that “since the 1920s British and Irish citizens have enjoyed a ‘special status’ in each other’s states, distinct from that later enjoyed as a consequence of EU citizenship”. The Good Friday Agreement would also have undoubtedly contributed to this decision.

EU migration to the UK In June 2017, EU net migration to the UK was at it lowest since 2012, rising slightly in 2018 Between June 2017 and 2018, EU migration added 74,000 citizens to the UK’s population The most common reason for EU migration to the UK is

employment

“Tear down these tents” Councillor reinstated by the Conservatives

by Jack Hudson

athryn Kelloway, a Councillor for Cyncoed, was suspended after a tweet calling on the Labour leader of Cardiff Council Huw Thomas to “come to Queen Street” and “tear down” tents if he sought ‘safety’ and a ‘better image’ for the city centre. The tweet was accompanied by an image of Councillor Kelloway stood in front of tents on Queen Street. Three days after her suspension, Kelloway was reinstated by the Cardiff Conservative Group which said that while her comments “did not meet universal approval” they are in line with the views of the Council that tents should be removed as they mean rough sleepers do not seek “safe accommodation” and affect the city centre’s reputation. Many have condemned Kelloway’s reinstitution. She has stood by her comments and offered no apology. A Liberal Democrat Councillor for Cyncoed said the Conservatives showed no concern about the “inhuman” and “appalling” comments. Many on social media have called the decision “disgusting”. Since the original tweet, Councillor Kelloway has argued that she was drawing attention to an important issue. She argues that there is enough indoor accommodation offered to the homeless in Cardiff, such as hostel places and floor sleeping spaces offered by homeless charities. However, many homeless people have concerns about these services, stating that they are robbed and offered drugs when sharing indoor spaces. There have also been cases of violence, which is why many feel safer on the streets. Addiction and mental health issues can also be a barrier to homeless people being able to access accommodation services. Labour Councillor Lynda Thorne, the Cabinet member for Housing and Communities does agree that charities giving out tents are “putting the homeless at risk” and says they would be better off on floor space in a hostel.

This is not about victim blaming. It is about helping. Leanne Wood, former leader of Plaid Cymru, has condemned both Kelloway and Thorne’s comments arguing that hostels are “not suitable for everyone” and tents “can mean the difference between life and death.” There is unanimous agreement that rough sleeping must be brought to an end, but this controversy has revealed impassioned disagreements about how this should be achieved. Kelloway will now continue in her role as Councillor and claims that: “I stand by what I said” and “Now we can focus on the issue [homelessness].”

POLITICS

What they have said...

How the world sees the Venezuela Crisis UK joins US and others to endorse Guaidó as interim President

by Lowri Pitcher

W “I’ve been wondering what that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely.” Donald Tusk 06/02/19 The European Council President speaking in Brussels after discussions with Irish PM, Leo Varadkar. Tusk condemns those who campaigned for Brexit without considering the difficulties it would create.

“We must choose between greatness or gridlock, results or resistance, vision or vengeance, incredible progress or pointless destruction. Tonight, I ask you to choose greatness.” Donald Trump 06/02/19 Donald Trump calls for unity and cooperation during his State of the Union address.

“It is true...there have been priests and even bishops who have [treated nuns as sex slaves]. I think it is still going on because something does not stop just because you have become aware of it. We have been working on this for a long time. Should more be done? Yes. Do we have the will.? Yes.” Pope Francis 06/02/19 The Pope addresses sexual abuse and slavery problems within the Church for the first time following long-running allegations, specifically abuse within the Community of St Jean in France.

ith an estimated 1.7m percent annual hyperinflation, three million displaced nationals and a reported 87% of the 32 million population living below the poverty line; it is clear to see that the socialist utopia promoted by Hugo Chavez and succeeded by Nicolás Maduro has not transpired. When Nicolás Maduro won a second term in government in May 2018, there were widespread protests and claims that he rigged the election and therefore should no longer govern. Many believe that Juan Guaidó, President of the National Assembly, should step into Maduro’s footprints. Guaidó himself has said that he looks forward to having “free and fair elections as soon as possible in order to restore democracy to Venezuela.” However, whilst the long process to oust Maduro has gotten underway, millions of Venezuelans are desperately suffering under economic collapse and civil unrest. On January 26, the UK called for Maduro to hold legitimate elections within 8 days and when he failed to do so, Theresa May’s spokesman said that “We [UK] fully support the democratically elected National Assembly with Juan Guaidó as its president.” The UK, US, Spain, France, Germany and the Lima Group (consisting of 14 countries such as Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Peru) and many other countries all support Guaidó as President. President Trump has announced sanctions against Venezuela’s state-owned oil company

PDVSA which will deprive Maduro of much needed funds. In response, Maduro initially announced that he was breaking all diplomatic ties with the US although he later recanted when it became clear the US had no intention to comply. To the contrary, Russia and China back Maduro, with Russia most explicitly voicing its discontent at the prospect of losing him as a valued ally in the region. In response to Jeremy Hunt, the UK’s Foreign Secretary’s tweet of support for Guaidó, the account for the Russian Embassy in the UK tweeted: “Disappointed with the position of the UK which has chosen to violate international law.” Russia has previously disap-

proved of western intervention in foreign issues, though it is believed that Putin has ordered the deployment of 400 troops from a private military to protect Russian assets in Venezuela. Globalisation has allowed countries to invest and trade with one another, which has lead to codependent economies. When one country suffers, others will want to resolve the problem quickly to protect their own interests. Russia and China are owed more than $120 billion by Venezuela, which is often paid for in oil, and both countries have forged close ties with President Maduro, so naturally they want to secure their diplomatic and economic ties.

The future of both Venezuela’s government and civilian population is unclear. Maduro has ignored international calls for his resignation, he has threatened to imprison Guaidó and has rejected humanitarian aid convoys. However, those hoping for a return to peace in Venezuela should not lose hope. It sits upon the largest proven oil reserves in the world, it has an educated and relatively young workforce which could be economically active given the opportunity. Growing support from the international community could eventually topple Maduro and the dictatorial government of this fragile state leading to fair and free elections in the not-so distant future.

Divided Support: Clear East / West divide in support for Maduro and Guaidó

Activists tortured in Saudi Arabia

MPs discover inhuman treatment of female supporters of human rights by Luke Wakeling

audi Arabia is said to be progressing from its deeply, conservative roots into a more modernised state. Yet, despite successful reforms such as the lifting of the ban on female drivers, increasing the number of women in the workforce and allowing women to attend sports stadiums; the state is still failing women and is continuing to be accused of consistently abusing human rights. The 2030 vision of Saudi Arabia does little to address this. The three main pillars of the Saudi 2030 vision promises to diversify its economy through global investment, to become a global centre of trade connecting Asia, Africa and Europe, and that the country will be the centre of the Islamic world. Despite this promising program set to reform the country, the overarching problems of human rights and gender inequality still persist in Saudi Arabia, a prime example being the 15 women’s rights activists that were arrested last May for being critical of the government. These activists were strong supporters of women’s right to drive; a ban which was lifted in 2018. Indeed, three British MPs have recently found that activists have

Reality Check: Is Saudi Arabia’s commitment to progress genuine? Source: Wikimedia Commons been kept in conditions that meet the threshold for torture under both Sharia and International law. This includes sexual harassment, threats of rape, sleep deprivation, assault, death threats, and solitary confinement. Another example of Saudi Arabia’s failure to progress is a lack of religious tolerance. Rahaf Mohammed

al-Qunun, an 18-year-old Saudi Arabian woman, recently escaped from her family to fly to Canada after being granted asylum status. She says she fears for her life if she returned to her home country, as renouncing Islam is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia. Qunun’s comments expressed that she just “wanted to be free” as she “can’t

study and work” in her own country. Other Saudi Arabian laws remain fundamentally patriarchal; for example, under the ‘male governance system’ a Saudi woman requires a male relative’s approval before applying for a passport, travelling, studying abroad and getting married. Another issue that discredits the 2030 program is the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition air strike and bombing of Yemen has caused a war induced famine, where millions have died from malnutrition, disease and poor health. Two million children are severely malnourished and two-thirds of the population are food-insecure; it is, according to the UN, the worst ever man-made humanitarian disaster. Yet, for all the promise of economic reforms, Saudi Arabia are doing little about the catastrophe it contributed to. It is true that Saudi Arabia has made some advances towards gender equality and economic diversity. However, this cannot distract the world from the atrocities that still persist in the totalitarian state. It can be argued that a lot more strides forward still need to be made before Saudi Arabia can be applauded for its social and democratic progress.

MONDAY 11TH FEBRUARY STAND WITH LGBT+ AWARENESS DAY LOOK OUT FOR STALLS IN THE STUDENTS’ UNION AND ACROSS CAMPUS!

TUESDAY 12TH FEBRUARY STAND WITH LGBT+ AWARENESS DAY AT THE HEATH FIND US IN THE IV LOUNGE AT THE HEATH CAMPUS, COME AND GET INVOLVED!

WEDNESDAY 13TH FEBRUARY XPRESS RADIO TAKEOVER HANNAH, YOUR LGBT+ WOMEN’S OFFICER WILL BE DISCUSSING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND THE LGBT+ COMMUNITY WITH VARIOUS GUESTS AND SPEAKERS.

THURSDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 17:00-19:00 Y PLAS, STUDENTS’ UNION:

PANEL DISCUSSION: MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN THE LGBT+ COMMUNITY

CHAIRED BY YOUR VP SOCIETIES & VOLUNTEERING, WITH SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS FROM VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS.

FRIDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 19:00 ROOM 4J, STUDENTS’ UNION:

LGBT+ CELEBRATION: JOURNEY TOWARDS A BRIGHTER PATH A CHANCE TO RELAX AND CELEBRATE! REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

MONDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 17:00 – 19:00, VJ GALLERY, MAIN BUILDING:

NEW SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS LAUNCH EVENT

JOIN THE STUDENT SUPPORT AND WELLBEING TEAM TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE NEW AND EXISTING SUPPORT OPTIONS AVAILABLE SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBT+, AND ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED AND WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE. REFRESHMENTS AND FREE WRISTBANDS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

VISIT OUR WEBPAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION: CARDIFFSTUDENTS.COM/ STANDWITHLGBTPLUS

CYNGOR

To contact our advice desk, drop us an email at advice@gairrhydd.com

ADVICE

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/advice

How to have a healthy relationship in university Your relationship is what you make of it

by Molly Govus

by Ashavari Baral

Your advice desk Ashavari Baral Katie Lewis Columnist Sam Saunders

Obviously, tensions will run high and arguments will arise. Jealousy will ensue from insecurities, arguments will be heightened by distance and stress – these are all very normal things in small quantities. These issues can become abusive and toxic if they become out of proportion and

niversity is a time where our lives get twisted upside down – for better or for worse. Getting pulled away from the comforts of our childhood home and thrown into a new environment will inevitably put strain on friendships and relationships. Having survived a long-distance relationship whilst at university, I am here to tell you that there is a way you can maintain your relationship healthily. Losing my boyfriend when he left for university was my biggest fear. I had heard the fresher’s horror stories, the shocking statistics - I let them all fill the ever-growing bubble of doubt that was growing in my head. All I could think was, what if this happens to me? I cannot stress enough how important communication is between you and your partner before you/they go to university. Meet for a coffee or go to their house and have that horribly awkward ‘what are we’ and ‘where are we’ chat. You need it. Get those gritty worries and doubts all out on the table and open for display or they will arise later in the year when it is too late to fix. Talking about your worries to your partner is a pro-active way of dealing with the transgression which will take place when someone leaves for university. The alternative is letting them fester and bottling them up and that is never a good idea. Take control, be brave, and talk. The mental health of you and your partner must come first when at university. If you cannot help yourself then you cannot expect yourself to

o back to that feeling. That feeling you get when the boy/girl you fancy finally has the courage to ask you on a date or rather go back to the feeling where YOU muster up the courage to ask your crush out. How does that feel? Fantastic doesn’t it? When they say yes, you feel like you could conquer the world. That 30 seconds of courage can give you a high that lasts the entire week. But what happens when we say goodbye and go home. We get nervous. We wait anxiously for a text or a phone call. That feeling of anxiety and nervousness is more common than you know. You constantly think to yourself ‘Have I done enough?’, ‘will they change their mind when we meet in that setting?’ or the big one ‘are they going to cancel on me?’ The answer is never clear. But here’s a tip from me to you. Take that jump. The reason they said yes to you in the first place is because they’re interested. On a first date it’s good to be calm and collected. Nobody expects you to ooze confidence but don’t come over-prepared, this isn’t an interview. Dates are supposed to be spontaneous and romantic, that cannot happen if you are rehearsing

‘You can always be there for each other without it becoming toxic and unhealthy’ Get involved in a good thing. Source: Oziel Gomez (via Unsplash) be able to help someone else. You know what they say about the oxygen masks on planes? It’s a good life lesson. University is a huge change and that brings about great stress to both parties and ensuring that you support the other person during this time is vital. Stress is inevitable – they will miss home, they will feel lonely, they will feel stressed with the new hurdle of workload. Just let them know that you are there for them. To make this very clear, support does not mean that you sacrifice your own well being for theirs. Support can be anything from a reassuring, ‘I love you’, listening to them about their day, a phone call or sending them a cute paragraph. It is important to be able to empathise without becoming reli-

ant on each other for advice. You can always be there for each other without it becoming toxic and unhealthy. Freshers week, on both parts, was difficult for me in my relationship. Texts go sparse and conversation runs dry whilst the other person tries their best to fit into university life, especially in the first 2/3 weeks with all that’s going on. It’s important to note that this doesn’t just have to be in Fresher’s week, this can be at any point in the year. It is important to recognise that this space and compromise is essential for personal growth. As much as you may be part of a couple, you are also your own individual person and settling into university at whatever stage is your journey, but make sure you support your partner.

that is when these problems become warning signs. If the jealousy is consistent and the arguments become a daily occurrence, it’s time to sit back and think about whether you are the happiest you could be in this relationship. Don’t lower your standards for anyone, even if you love them. As much as it is easy for me to sit here and give advice on relationships at university, there really is no set ‘how-to’ or example. Your relationship is what you make of it; at the end of the day, only you understand your partner and how you both work as a couple. There is no perfect university relationship. We all have problems, arguments and little blips in the road that damage our idea of that picturesque relationship. Work together, speak out, have trust and have faith. It will all be okay in the end, I promise.

First Date Jitters

every word you say in your head. That being said, be chivalrous and respectful. A first date will go incredibly well if you show off your best manners. Even the smallest things count, like how you treat your waiter or how often you ask your date questions about them. A good icebreaker is to ask if they’ve ever had a pet, they have to love animals right? Your mutual love for furry creatures will make sparks fly for sure. Another charmer is to appreciate what they do. When they speak to you about their hobbies and aspirations, ask follow up questions. People like it if you are genuinely interested in them as people and what they are fond of. Even if you aren’t that interested in what they do it is a really good tip to be supportive of them. This will make you come across as encouraging, and I personally find that an extremely attractive quality in a partner. Hopefully, they will ask you questions about your dreams too, so be open with your answers. People can sense passion. As obvious as it is, don’t speak about yourself so much. On a first date try and keep conversations light but meaningful. Another obvious no-no is constantly checking your phone, speak-

First impressions count. Source: Huy Phan (via Unsplash)

ing about your past relationships and being degrading. Most importantly, don’t stress. What’s the worst that can happen? The date can go badly and will turn into a learning lesson. First dates may seem daunting, but you will get through it and hopefully feel more

at ease with your partner as the date progresses. Remember, first impressions count but don’t let the tension eat you up. If you really goof up on a first date, you can always ask for a re-do. Be yourself and the rest will work out A-okay.

CYNGOR

Feeling lonely this Valentines Day?

It’s okay, you’re far from alone

by Gareth Axenderrie

and ‘£1 Lunch’ offered every week by Cardiff University Chaplaincy. I promise you, if you open yourself up ever so

solation can leave us feeling pretty hopeless around the time of Valentine’s Day. Where there aren’t photos of couples seemingly in love, there are posts of singletons publicising their friendship groups as more than adequate replacements for candlelit dinners or sessions of Netflix and Chill. If you’re currently going through a period of feeling a little lonely, it can become rather overwhelming. Firstly, let’s add a little perspective to this time of year. While healthy relationships are brilliant and should be celebrated, Valentine’s Day has become a cash grab for those looking to make a quick and easy buck from society’s over willingness to conform. In truth, it’s no more sacred than any other day of the year. Secondly, there is one thing far worse than not being in a relationship, and that’s being in an unhealthy one. If you are finding yourself longing for that feeling of being wanted, consider that it’s often a blessing to only have to look out for number one. If you are unable to shake off the Valentine’s blues however, its important to realise you are far from alone. According to research by British Red Cross and Co-Op, over nine million people in he UK (a fifth of the population) admit to being lonely more often than not. Perhaps more surprising are the statistics for British students. In 2017, a global report by multinational corporation Sodexo, found that 46% of UK students admit to loneliness during their time at university. This number

‘If you really do feel yourself struggling and in need of some innediate support, give Cardiff Nightline a call’ slightly, there are endless possibilities to make connections out there. If you really do feel yourself struggling and in need of some immediate support, give Cardiff Nightline a call. The 8pm to 8am anonymous phone line connects you with somebody willing to listen to you at any time of the night. If you find yourself void of a friendly voice, it can be a lifesaver.

46% Everyone is in the same boat. Source: Franciso Moreno (via Unsplash) compares to a global average of 32%, and possibly contributes to the fact that 37% of British students consider dropping out of university at some point, the highest figure of any country. A feeling of loneliness may not be pleasant, but if you are feeling it, you are far from an anomaly regardless of what façades like social media are telling you.

If this realisation hasn’t exactly comforted you, then be assured that here in Cardiff there are countless things you can do to counteract those feelings of isolation. The first step is not isolating yourself further. If your primary source of interaction isn’t fruitful right now (say housemates for example) then don’t close yourself off from other avenues.

If you’ve not yet managed to find your niche, rest assured, there’s a community of 30,000 other Cardiff students out there. There are friends and networks out there for everybody, and with over 200 societies, perhaps now is the time to take the jump into something you’ve fancied but put off so far? Beyond that, there are additional services like the brilliant ‘Drop-in Café’

of UK students admit to feeling lonely during university Finally, just remember that that majority of people are kind and you’re never that far from a friendly smile, chat or embrace. Many of us feel lonely at some point. It’s normal, and it will improve.

Galentine’s Day

Reclaiming Valentine’s day by celebrating friendship by Charlotte Raymond

t’s February, so that can only mean one thing… Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, a day notoriously dreaded by singletons everywhere and a day in which us singleton’s dedicate to celebrating our true patron saint – Bridget Jones. Well not any more… move over Valentine’s day… it’s all about Galentine’s Day. Since February 14th is all about love – why is there this idea that you must be in a relationship in order to celebrate those you love most? Your best friends are there with you in the good times and the bad, they see you at your best and your worst, so why not turn it into a day celebrating the fact you have each other. The idea of “Galentine’s Day” is becoming increasingly popular with single girls up and down the country choosing to not spend the day dwelling on the fact that they don’t have a partner to celebrate with and instead choosing to spend the day with their girlfriends. So what can you do to celebrate this?

Firstly, why not just keep it simple by sending your friends a “Galentine’s Day” card (and yes they do exist) especially if you have to keep to a tight budget. You send birthday cards and Christmas cards to your friends, so why not send a Galentine’s card to your friends as a way of showing your appreciation, because it’s the thought that counts – right? Another option is to plan a date night with your friends. If you feel like you need to have a date on Valentine’s Day, then why not make plans and ask your friends out on a date. Possibly a spot of afternoon tea in town or for those of you who like to drink, why not ask your girlfriends out on a date for cocktails. There are many different cocktail bars in Cardiff which are suited for all different tastes and bank balances. Yet if you would rather have a much more chilled night that doesn’t involve drinking cocktails with the possibility of ending up in Live Lounge, why not organise a girls night in – grab the face masks, dig out the rom-coms and consume

Why should boys have all the fun? Source: rawpixel (via Unsplash) your body weight in chocolate and ice cream. However you decide to spend Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day, make sure you spend it doing something that you enjoy. Whether that be spend-

ing it with a partner or spending it with your friends, it is important to remember that there is no reason to feel lonely especially if you’re single. There are plenty of things you can do, whatever your budget. So

put down your phones, stop scrolling through endless dating apps and start enjoying the company of those around you – time to do the things you love, with the people you love – whoever they may be.

COLUMN

Saunders’ Corner Sam Saunders

All the small things...

Living more ecologically

ith concerns over climate change and the environment becoming more important and politically charged than ever before, I think it is time for everyone to look at their own lives and consumption habits in order to reduce our impact on the planet. Now, I’m not going to say that everyone should immediately become vegetarian or vegan, because I think there needs to be a recognition that this change, much like our transition from fossil fuels to nuclear and renewable sources of energy, will take a significant amount of time. Although changing societal norms and our way of life will be a painful process, we’ll have to in order to safeguard the planet for future generations. Therefore, this article will focus on some small changes that you can make to your life to reduce your environmental impact, without becoming a full-on eco warrior overnight. First of all, we’ll start with diet. I’ll be blunt, one of the most effective ways of reducing your environmental impact is to cut down on meat, in particular red meats. A 2017 study found that JBS, Cargill and Tyson, the top three meat firms, emitted more greenhouse gases in 2016 than the whole of France. In addition to this, meat production uses a huge amount of water, with beef the largest consumer at 15,415 litres per kg, whereas chicken used less than a third of that. This is still inferior to both vegetables (322 litres per kg) and fruit (962 litres per kg), however, nuts use 9,063 litres per kg, so don’t look to those for salvation. It’s

difficult to pin down the exact percentage of greenhouse gas emissions that meat production is responsible for, due to differences in measuring it and the complications in drawing together figures from agriculture, transport and direct animal methane. However, a study by Friends of the Earth Europe from 2014 estimated the percentage to be between 6 and 32; clearly a significant part of global emissions. Furthermore, greenhouse gas emissions from beef production were revealed to be higher than those of chicken meat & eggs, sheep, goats, buffalo milk &

Plastic is one of the most versatile materials we have ever invented as a species, that’s why it’s so widely used meat and pigmeat production combined, so it’s clear that avoiding beef in particular is a great way to reduce your footprint. Unfortunately, cow’s milk is also a huge emitter, so switching to a dairy free alternative would be a good step and as one kilo of cheese uses around 10 litres of milk, that’s another one to cut out. Your own health should also be a concern, as eating more than 70g of red and/or processed meat a day (a quarter-pounder is 78g on average) has been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer, so that’s worth bearing in mind.

Images (clockwise from left): Plastic waste washed up on a beach in Norway (Credit: Bo Eide via Flickr), Steak (Credit: Taryn via Flickr), Reusable Coffee Cup (Credit: Jess Warren)

As for me, I’ll be honest, the health benefits of eating fewer portions of red meat was what first prompted me to think about cutting down on my intake, to the extent where I was actually shocked at the amount of red meat my family eats when I was at home. I’m aiming to only eat two or three portions of fish or chicken a week as well, as I’ve found that substituting things like vegetarian pies or sausages into my diet, and vegetable stews, soups and pasta bakes are a great way of making a filling meal without eating meat. I must admit, I think that those Quorn steaks are pretty disgusting, and it’s going to take me quite a while before I would be ready to give up cow’s milk and cheese. The main problem with it all is that I’ve grown up eating and cooking with milk and cheese, so it’s incredibly hard to give them up, not to mention the fact that the northern European diet is very dairy heavy. As I’ve said, it’ll be gradual. Now, for some slightly less quantitative arguments about plastic. Plastic, as has often been mentioned, is one of the most versatile materials we have ever invented as a species, that’s why it is so widely used. However, it does have the disadvantage/ advantage of being incredibly difficult to break down, which is good for packaging but awful if it finds its way into the natural ecosystem. My tip for avoiding unnecessary plastic waste is not to avoid plastic completely, as that would be impractical and probably rather unhealthy if you’re eating raw fish and raw meat. Instead, take a little more time in the shop and check the label of a product

to see if the packaging can be recycled or use the website https://www. recyclenow.com/ for more specific information on what can and can’t be recycled in Cardiff. Another simple question to ask yourself, is, do you really need a separate plastic bag for your one red pepper in Lidl? Wouldn’t it be simpler to bring along a plastic bag that you already have and reuse that? Or get a paper one? That’s a piece of plastic that doesn’t need to be used and won’t be choking an unfortunate sea creature. Other simple ways of avoiding unnecessary waste are to use a reusable plastic or metal water bottle when

The production of a cotton-tote bag emits over 100 times more CO2 than that of a standard plastic bag out and about, as well as taking a reusable coffee cup to your favourite outlet to avoid the use of a paper cup. I have to give credit to the university here, because they’ve introduced a standard size in a lot of their cafes, as well as offering a free drink when you buy a Cardiff University branded cup and further discounts for continued use. Much like you can only buy beer in pints and spirits in 25ml or 50ml increments in bars, there should be a standard legal measurement that represents small, medium and large

in all coffee shops, so that consumers can buy one keep cup that is usable in every chain, as that’s something that I’m not sure works as well as it could. Another good way of reusing containers is to head to Ripple Living on Albany Road, as you can use your existing receptacles to stock up on products like basil and coriander, often for a fraction of the price that you would pay for a brand-new container full of spices. Finally, there is the debate over whether it is better for the environment to use a cotton-tote or plastic bag when you go shopping, which is actually far from simple. It’s commendable that plastic bag use has dropped among major UK retailers by 85% since 2015 (when the 5p charge was introduced in England) and fewer plastic bags have been found on European beaches, so it is clearly working. The issue with cotton-tote bags is that as cotton uses a lot of water when it’s being grown, a study in 2011 found that the production of a cotton-tote bag emits over 100 times more CO2 than that of a standard plastic bag. Therefore, my advice is simple; if you buy a plastic bag, make sure you don’t throw it away and ensure you reuse it, and if you buy a cotton-tote bag, just be aware that you’re going to have to use it a lot to make it a sustainable exercise. Thanks for reading as always guys, I hope you’ve enjoyed this column, and that it makes you think a bit more critically about your own habits and how you could change them to show some love to our lil blue marble.

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Cardiff Uni wins £90,000 to develop NFL helmet padding Using an elastic -based material aims to reduce concussion risk

by Jonathan Learmont

ith the revelation that a record 291 concussions were reported during the 2017/18 NFL season, the search for ways to make American football safer has been brought into focus. Spawned from the NFL’s $60 million ‘Engineering Roadmap’ investment strategy, the HeadHealthTECH Challenge awards prizes for innovations that help to achieve this goal. Research and development of an elastic based material called C3 has seen Cardiff University receive £90,000 of funding, with the aim of 3D printing it into a structure usable in American football helmets. Unlike the foams normally used for helmets, C3 is formed from a polymer-based powder that is fused into shape with a laser. This is then arranged into a multi layered structure which is designed to stiffen as the collision force increases, meaning energy is absorbed in a way current helmets are not designed for. Dr Peter Theobald, one of the project leaders and a Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University’s School of Engineering, said “The problem with American football at the minute is that the helmets are tailored towards the high energy impacts but not the low impact ones”. 3D printing allows Dr Theobald and his team to develop a structure of C3 that is potentially ideal for all types of impacts present in American football at a lower cost than using traditional methods. The award of funding makes them the first non-US team to win money directly from the NFL’s HeadHealthTECH Challenge. Historically, American football helmets have primarily been designed to protect players against catastrophic injuries such as skull fractures. But research in recent years correlating higher rates of the neurodegenerative disease known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy,

Impact: A 3D printed C3 structure aims to reduce the force of collisions on the brain. Source: PxHere or CTE, with repeated head injuries in contact sports has highlighted the potentially long-term damage of

Historically helmets have primarily been designed to prevent catastrophic injuries

even minor concussions. Symptoms of CTE occur years after the initial injury and include erratic behaviour, thinking problems, depression and memory loss. The disease has also been linked with cases of dementia later on. It is still not well established whether the risk of CTE can be increased by a single powerful impact as much as a series of impacts over time. Recognition of CTE and concussions is also problematic. CTE can currently only be diagnosed with certainty through autopsy, but a

Your science desk Danny Brown Jonathan Learmont

Disease: Repeated concussions have been correlated with degenerative condition CTE . Source: Wikimedia Commons

brain scan that highlights tau, a signature protein of CTE, has been developed for this purpose. This method was confirmed as the first to identify CTE in a living person successfully in 2017 after the passing of ex-NFL player Fred McNeill. Technology funded by the NFL which spots minute protein biomarkers in the blood that increase after concussion is also being tested, with the aim of being able to formally establish the severity of a concussion in under an hour. The NFL’s push for scientific innovation to improve safety is already having positive effects. Since 2018 almost three quarters of players are using the latest helmets, as opposed to less than half in 2017. Concussion rates have fallen by 24% in a year. Yet due to concerns that players may adopt tactics that increase helmet to helmet contact as perceived safety rises, the ‘helmet rule’ has been introduced which imposes strict penalties on players lowering their heads to initiate contact. Concerns about concussion have also opened up the discussion in rugby regarding headgear that aims to reduce collision impact, as scrumcaps are not designed for this purpose. A better understanding of concussion might fundamentally change how contact sports are played in order to keep athletes safe from disease later on, but some may fear new rules that could be introduced would harm their sport in other ways.

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Layered cocktails inspire new male birth control Nanoparticle injections could be used for temporary contraceptive

by Holly Giles

e all know that part of the appeal of a cocktail is the fancy glass, the little umbrella and the coloured layers, but this week scientists in China have used this image as the inspiration for a new male birth control strategy. Currently for men there are only short-term and long-term contraceptives in the form of condoms and vasectomy respectively. But condoms can fail, and many men are deterred from the alternative by the permanency of surgery. Lead researcher Professor Xiaolei Wang and his colleagues at Nanchang University wanted to change this; their vision is to provide medium-term, reversible coverage for between 2 and 20 weeks. This comes after the discovery that the longterm use of female birth control pills can increase the likelihood of side effects such as blood clots and breast

Their vision is to provide reversible coverage for 2 to 20 weeks

cancer. The unusual idea behind this new method could be the answer to current contraceptive issues.

If these methods are refined, lives can be saved as well as hospital resources.

Researchers are now hoping to work on humans in the near future Wang’s team performed a series of trials on rats where four consecutive layers were injected into the vas deferens, the duct through which sperm travels from the testicle to the urethra: a hydrogel to form a physical barrier to sperm; gold nanoparticles; EDTA which breaks down the hydrogel and kills sperm; and another layer of gold nanoparticles. This cocktail of chemicals blocks the vas deferens and prevents sperm being released. Upon exposure to infrared light the layers mix and dissolve, reversing the effect. Data released from the study looks very promising, as a group of rats were allowed to mate for a couple of months after injection and none of them became pregnant. The subjects

by Danny Brown

A Mixed: When the layers of the injection are exposed to infrared heat, the contraceptive mixes and dissolves. Source: Pexels were then exposed to near-infrared light for a few minutes and allowed to mate for a further few months, when pregnancy rates returned to normal. Now the researchers are scaling up the study to other animals, while hoping to work on humans in the near future. There are still some concerns about the safety of the approach. It is unknown how long the contraception would last for humans or whether the build-up of blocked

sperm would cause inflammation or injury. Also, it is not well understood how the vas deferens would react to the chemicals. Evidently studies focusing on these potential risks are needed before this kind of injection can become a widespread procedure, but it is a great example of how scientists can be inspired by the world around them. Whether it works or not, it certainly brings a new meaning to the phrase “going out for cocktails”.

Four-billion-year-old Earth rock found in lunar sample

by Milo Moran

e don’t know where the Moon came from. For all of human history, people have been able to look up at the night sky and see it. The Moon is intrinsically part of our story as a species: it has been personified as a deity by many prehistoric cultures, and to this day we see the face of the so called ‘Man in the Moon’. However, we are still unsure of its origin. The three main theories are called

Fission, Capture and Giant Impact. Fission is the now discredited belief that the Earth was once larger, but some of its mass was broken off and formed the Moon. Capture suggests that the Moon formed somewhere else in space and was passing by when the Earth’s gravity caught hold of it and pulled it into orbit. Giant Impact, the most popular theory, says that the Earth was once smaller until a body the size of Mars collided with us. Some of this debris joined the Earth,

Extraterrestrial: Earth rock was found in a similar sample returned from Apollo 14. Source: Flickr

Cardiff Uni researchers develop new AI diagnosis method

while some formed the Moon. This collision tilted the Earth’s axis, causing the seasons. Finding data about the Earth and Moon from such a long time ago is difficult, but the Center for Lunar Science and Exploration have announced

Finding data about the Earth and Moon from such a long time ago is difficult that some rocks on the Moon originated on Earth. A lunar rock obtained by astronauts from Apollo 14 has been identified as coming from Earth about 4 billion years ago, during the Hadean eon. At this time, the Earth’s atmosphere was thinner, making it easier for comet or asteroid impacts to dislodge rocks from the planet. The Moon was also three times closer to us than it is now, making eclipses more common and increasing the likelihood that rocks jettisoned from the Earth would land there. This has provided a terrifying in-

sight into the early Earth: this rock was formed 20 kilometres beneath the surface, yet the impact events of the Hadean eon were so strong they blasted it out of the ground, and it ended up on the Moon. Asteroid impacts at the time have left craters thousands of kilometres in diameter. The Hadean eon is named after Hades, the Greek mythological hell: with a toxic and volatile atmosphere of hydrogen, methane, and ammonia, high levels of radioactive elements, and extremely high volcanic activity it’s easy to see why. A high number of collisions in the Hadean eon is evidenced, not just on

It was formed 20km beneath the surface and blasted out of the ground the Earth and Moon, but on other solar system bodies. The more we learn about this period of history, the closer we get to discovering the origin of our lunar companion.

recent paper published by researchers at Cardiff University details how artificial intelligence and machine learning can give highly accurate and reliable prognoses for patients with cardiovascular diseases. The team used an artificial intelligence technique to assess the possible future risks of a cardiovascular event in over 3800 cardiovascular patients over a 10 year period. At the moment, in this evidencebased era of medicine, the use of statistics is crucial in estimating the severity and risks of diseases.

“AI promises new ways

of interrogating data and the likelihood of more reliable classification of risk” This has normally been done by clinicians and statisticians, by manually developing highly complex equations. Using the artificial intelligence techniques detailed in the research paper reveals hidden or complex associations in the data. Professor Craig Currie, one of the co-authors of the study, has said: “If we can refine these methods, they will allow us to determine much earlier those people who require preventative measures. This will extend people’s lives and conserve NHS resources. “Although we already have reliable methods of forecasting people according to their degree of risk of serious heart events, artificial intelligence promises new ways of interrogating data and the likelihood of more reliable classification of risk”. The research team used a technique known as genetic programming (GP) – it’s inspired by the evolution of nature, through which, computer programmes are encoded as a set of genes which are then iteratively changed. There are several significant benefits to using GP, instead of manually developing an algorithm. One of the more important ones being that there Is less chance for human error or bias, while also allowing for the environmental conditions to be changed at the same time.

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Blues inconsistency causes concern

by Sion Ford

hat would the assessment of the Cardiff Blues’ season be at this point in the year? As we move past the halfway stage of this season, the Blues currently sit in fifth position in their Pro14 conference table and have been soundly escorted out of contention for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup - how does this measure up with the expectations for the year? Well, if we’re being frank, then there cannot really be too many disappointed faces among the Blues’ fanbase with how things have gone. Though it might be a cliché that gets rolled out in these circumstances, a new coach will always take time to bed into a new club, and as such you can pretty much write off the first year as a learning curve. So far this season we’ve seen John Mulvihill’s way of playing start to take root among the squad, and there have been more than a few glimpses of what this team could be capable of, given time. We’ve also seen some worrying regressions that have blighted the development of this squad and its new identity on the field. Take, for example, the group stage game against Glasgow in October - following an emphatic win out in Lyon, a strong performance at home would have seen the Blues in a commanding position as far as Europe is concerned. Having lost that in a feeble manner, the Blues’ return to the top table of European club rugby looks to have been a very short-lived one. As for the league, an objective for the Blues' season would have been to once again qualify for the Champions Cup; perhaps even pushing for a play-off spot would have been on the agenda. A quick look at the Blues’ domestic results, though, make for less inspiring reading. A healthy 37-0 win against Zebre was followed by a 40-15 thumping at the hands of the Glasgow Warriors; an exasperating 16-12 loss at Ulster was followed by an equally frustrating 19-16 win over the Dragons; a surprise 34-5 win over the Scarlets in Llanelli gave way to a disappointing 20-11 slump to the Ospreys. It is a case of stating the obvious, but the lack of consistency is maddening. But, also, to be expected. The Blues’ last two results suggest a step in a more solid direction, though. Seeing off a Lyon team in their final European game would have given the squad a confidence boost, but perhaps a turgid 8-7 win over Connacht will have done more for their spirits. Grinding out a win against conference and European place rivals, as well as scoring with two men off the park, teaches you a lot more about the character and resilience of a squad than a bonuspoint win against French passengers. While the Six Nations rages, the Blues will have to wait until the 16th of February before they take to the field again. Awaiting them is the Scottish side we should all now be all too familiar with, the Glasgow Warriors.

Brady claims record sixth Super Bowl

A defensive masterclass secures Tom Brady and the Patriots another Super Bowl title

by Jack Vavasour

hen considering the greatest sportsmen of all time, there is no question that Tom Brady and the way he has built up the New England Patriot dynasty, will be mentioned in the discussion. Brady, at the age of 41, won his record breaking sixth Super Bowl. This means that Brady, as an individual, has more Super Bowl wins than any team ever, with the Pittsburgh Steelers also on six. This is a phenomenal achievement and one that is unlikely to ever be matched. As Super Bowl LIII rolled around, many questioned whether Brady and his receiving corps would be good enough to out manoeuvre the impressive Los Angeles Rams. The Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta hosted the spectacle. Many were expecting a huge score with both sides ranking amongst the leagues best offensives teams. In the end, defence was the word of the day as play after play was disrupted and broken up by countless outstanding defensive plays. The final score was the lowest in Super Bowl history, leading to the question about how an offensive player managed to come away with the prestigious MVP award. Admittedly, Julian Edelman was phenomenal.

He changed the game with several catches but more importantly, his yards after the catch were unmatched. Brady, as always, looked calm and kept control over the game, eventually closing it off with a precise pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski allowing rookie running back Sony Michel to find the end zone. His opposite number, Jared Goff, looked the opposite. All game he struggled to connect with his extremely talented set of wide receivers who, for most of the season, dominated opposing teams secondaries. As well, the New England run defence smothered the excellent pairing of Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson who only mustered 55 rushing yards for the game. The 24-year old did have a slight resurgence in the second half finding success targeting former Patriot receiver Brandin Cooks. But, an interception by cornerback Stephon Gilmore late in the fourth-quarter sealed the victory for the Patriots. Eventually, following a half-time show from Maroon 5 which divided opinion to say the least, the Patriots came out on top in a 13-3 victory. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady had earned the Patriots their 6th title, and despite the win, will return with a fresh determination to challenge for yet another Super Bowl. If they reach it again, then there is

Super Bowl Champion: Source: Keith Allison (via Flickr)

no-one who would be willing to bet against them adding to their collection of rings. On the losing side, this will be a huge learning curve. The Rams are at the opposite end of the career spectrum with coach Sean McVay only 33 years of age and Jared Goff is still very new to the National Football League environment. Having performed so well during the regular season, it was a shame to see one of the league's most electric offensives crumble, but the sky is the limit for this Rams side. They have so much talent both

offensively and defensively, and a promising young coach who unfortunately came up against a superior opposition that had significantly more experience in play-off football. The Rams need to take the positives from their impressive 13-3 season, and also their defensive efforts to restrict a high-octane Patriot offence to just 13 points. As long as they can keep the squad together and make the necessary additions then there is no reason as to why they won't be challenging for Super Bowl glory once again.

ECBs radical new plan from 2020 ECB plans to cut women’s amateur teams but CULCC Captain believes it will hinder progress

by Rosie Foley

ew plans from the ECB has meant speculation over the number of teams cut from the women’s top-level domestic cricket; from 35 to ten teams. Although, they do this with the intention to increase the number of women paid to play from 22 to at least 120 from 2020. ECB’s intentions are to modernise the structure of the women’s amateur game and to introduce a 50-over and Twenty20 competition with 10

They will not be announcing anything until later this year after they have had talks with the counties. teams. For the 2019 season which starts in

May, there are six teams in the T20 Kia Super League who earn a small amount. Whereas the 35 sides competing in the county championship, 50-over competition and the county T20 cup will not get paid. The ECB’s rejuvenation of the leagues would bring payment for English women so that it mirrors the Australian set up, where around 130 players are paid professionals or semi-professional, with hopes that from 2020 the women’s game would be elevated by a £1.2 billion broadcasting deal that would run provisionally until 2024. However, this proposal of ten elite teams could be interpreted as the Super League teams plus four regional sides. This proposal could feature the ten top counties, or ten regional teams, bringing a collaboration of the best players from several counties. Although, there is worry about what this means for the counties not involved in this competition, possibly a focus on age-group and academy cricket.

Lydia Clements, Captain of Cardiff University Ladies Cricket Club acknowledges that the ECB are trying to help growth towards the professional game but thinks that decreasing teams will do the opposite. Clements believes that there is still a lot to do until the women’s game can reach the heights of the men’s. ‘We appreciate that the ECB are planning to create more profession-

'There's still a long way to go to reach th saem profile as the men's.' al contracts for women, but taking away teams isn’t going to help grow the women’s game.’ ‘There’s still a long way to go to reach the same profile as the men’s. The next stage would be for it to be introduced into the commonwealth

games in 2022 in Birmingham.’ Although, Clement notes that England’s win in the world cup in 2017, under Heather Knight, Cardiff University alumni, has brought a significant growth to the sport not only nationwide but also for the university team. ‘England’s win in the world cup and their success under Heather Knight, women’s cricket has helped the game so much. There’s more funding and initiatives than there has ever been.’ ‘Last season CULCC saw our biggest season since Heather Knight played for us. We returned to the outdoor league after five years and nearly doubled our membership.’ However, the club is still struggling for numbers and Clements believes in the short term that the cut in the women’s teams will cause a ‘backlash’, but hopes that in the future it will increase the number of players getting payed to play the sport they love. Time will only tell as to what decision the ECB make and how it will effect the future of women's cricket.

Smith and Warner to play big part in Ashes series

With the return of Steve Smith and David Warner, we look ahead to see how important they will be for Australia in 2019 by Jack Vavasour

n March 2018, it was discovered that Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft had been involved in a ball tampering scandal which would end with the two former cricketers receiving a one year cricketing ban in Australia. Smith was the number one Test batsman at the time and with an average of 61.37 in Test cricket, he was looking to become the greatest of his generation. His statistics at the highest level are unmatched, with 23 centuries from just 64 matches. Not only was the scandal detrimental to cricket for the illegality of such actions within the laws of cricket, but also because it saw a true great taken away from the spotlight in the prime of his career. Since then, Virat Kohli has risen past Smith in the rankings, though Smith remains fourth in the world despite having not played in almost a year. Warner too, remains sixth. As their bans near their end, it becomes increasingly difficult not to look towards the Ashes and wonder in what capacity they will be involved. Since their bans, Australia have struggled massively in the Test arena, having lost series to both Pakistan and India. Their bowling has looked

impressive, with Pat Cummins tearing teams apart as he goes in search of being one of the quickest to accumulate 100 Test wickets. Yet Australia have failed dismally with the bat; noone has filled the huge gap left by both Smith and Warner. At the top of the order, Australia haven’t managed to find suitable openers, and patience hasn’t been their strong suit. Joe Burns did make a century in their latest Test against Sri Lanka, but you do have to wonder how these batsmen would fare against a bowler of James Anderson’s quality. Admittedly, Australia have thrashed Sri Lanka, just like England, and that was away from home. Now England are struggling against the West Indies, success against Sri Lanka is nothing to go on at the moment. Kurtis Patterson impressed batting at six for Australia, scoring a maiden century in only his second Test. Smith will presumably slot straight back into the side at number four prior to the Ashes, and England will be aware of his talent regardless of how long of a break he has had. Warner will also cause the England bowlers some sleepless nights, as his aggressive style and tempo are unmatched.

Both players offer stability for Australia, and with the way the Australian bowlers are performing, they look to be a side to fear. It seems unlikely that Smith will return to the captaincy after such a scandal, and Tim Paine looks likely to keep the position for the foreseeable future. This is purely down to the fact that there is no-one else. Paine, himself, has stated the importance of these players going into an Ashes series, and if England can play as well as they did last summer against India then Australia are going to need their best players available to face them. In truth, this could be one of the most exciting Ashes series in living memory. Both sides will be hungry to prove a point, both have a positive outlook on the way they play their cricket. Hopefully, with the return of Warner and Smith, Australia will drop this ‘nice guy’ disguise they have been putting on and really put England to the sword. England will be raring to go after humiliating themselves in the West Indies, and have some seriously aggressive cricketers. If Keaton Jennings is selected against Australia’s pace attack then they will be licking their lips at some of the easiest prey

they have had in a long time. We want the ball swinging, batsmen forced to buckle down in a war of attrition between bowler and bat. Smith vs Anderson, Cummins vs Root, these will be the battles for the ages.

Ready to return: Source: David Molloy Photography (via Flickr)

Swansea City in turmoil

Chairman Huw Jenkins resigns after miserable transfer window by John Jones

wansea City’s turbulent off-field fortunes were compounded last weekend as Chairman Huw Jenkins resigned after sustained criticism and protestations from the club’s fanbase. Jenkins, 55, held his position for 17 years, overseeing the club’s triumphant rise from the bottom of the Football League to the Premier League and Europa League qualification, but had increasingly come under fire for poor decision-making surrounding recruitment. Calls for Jenkins’ resignation intensified following the Swans’ relegation from the Premier League last season, and gained further traction throughout a dire January transfer window, in which no players were added to Graham Potter’s threadbare squad. Fans made their feelings towards Jenkins and the club’s owners known at Swansea’s 2-0 league defeat to Bristol City through a series of impassioned chants, which included, simply, “we want Jenkins out”. This pressure was clearly effective as, just hours later, Jenkins issued a statement to the BBC announcing that he was to step down from his post. "It comes with great sadness, but I feel I’ve been left with little or no option [but]

to leave my position” he said. "Swansea City has been a massive part of my life from a very young age. I have been very fortunate to fulfil my childhood dreams over the last 17 years or so providing direction and leadership at the club whilst moving through the football leagues and competing in the Premier League for seven seasons”. "Gradually, [however], over the last few seasons, my role as chairman providing such leadership and direction has been eroded away”. "Finally I can sit back no longer and hide behind my position and stay true to myself and my beliefs”. Later, Swansea City released their own statement, claiming that Jenkins’ resignation would allow the club to “draw a line under a difficult period in [its] history”. "Everybody connected with the club appreciates what Huw has done for the club… and there can be no doubting his passion and devotion” the statement read. "However, it has reached a stage where the way Swansea City has been run on a day-to-day basis has to change”. “There can be no disguising the fact that recruitment has been extremely disappointing for the past several transfer windows. It has left the club in a weakened position where strong action had to be taken

to rectify the situation”. Swansea’s current turmoil is in stark contrast to the club’s heady days in the Premier League, when their off-field strategy was envied by many, and complemented by exciting football under Brendan Rogers and Michael Laudrup. Whilst restructuring and increased frugality were to always be inevitable ramifications of the Swans’ relegation to the Championship, such processes have clearly gone too far, with the club’s approach to transfers now bordering on farcical. Last summer’s window saw 13 players leave the Liberty Stadium in either permanent or loan deals, with star performers Lukasz Fabianski and Alfie Mawson returning to the top flight with West Ham and Fulham, whilst club legends Leon Britton and Angel Rangel also departed, leading to a reliance on youth. Whilst they could not have expected much, Swansea fans became further incensed at the shambolic scenes in last month’s window, which culminated in a manic deadline day. With no new arrivals, three Swans players secured late loan moves, with midfielder Tom Carroll, winger Jefferson Montero and striker Wilfried Bony leaving for Aston Villa, West Brom and Qatari outfit Al-Arabi respectively.

However, it could have been worse for Swansea, as the club managed to keep hold of Leroy Fer, heavily linked with Villa, whilst Daniel James’ move to high-flying Leeds United collapsed at the 11th hour. Whilst Graham Potter will be grateful to have James and Fer in his squad, both will have been affected by the events of the window, with the former left out of his side’s weekend clash at Ashton Gate after what he called a “tough few days”. More pressingly, for a club that may have hoped to regain their Premier League status at the first attempt to be prepared to let five first-team players leave is simply baffling – serious change is needed. In their statement, Swansea expressed hope that Jenkins’ resignation would mark an “opportunity to rejuvenate and move forward with a strong decision-making process”, and announced that the search for a new “leader of football operations” was underway. This is certainly positive rhetoric,but whether it will be enough to turn around the club’s miserable fortunes is questionable. With inactive and unpopular American owners, unsettled players and knowledge of an impending wage crisis following the return of loaned players, the trouble may not quite be over yet at the Liberty Stadium.

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Lewes FC lead the way in bid for equal prize money in football

A new-look Bluebirds by George Willoughby

ardiff City recorded an impressive and timely victory over Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. Defending your home ground is imperative for survival, and Neil Warnock’s men stepped up with a disciplined, assured and controlled performance. It was an emotionally charged night with it being the first home game since Emiliano Sala tragically disappeared off radar back in late January. It has to be said that the Cardiff supporters were superb both on and off the pitch. There was a brilliant mosaic before kick-off which covered a stand with Argentine blue and white and Sala’s name in gold. A fitting testament that matched the excellent performance on the pitch. Some noticeable talking points from Saturday was the standard of defending by Cardiff, and also an attacking front three which was extremely effective in breaking down a talented Bournemouth defence. Warnock shaped up with new signing Oumar Niasse through the middle, as well as Bobby Reid and Callum Paterson providing some width. It was a trio that looked as if they had been playing together for years. It was clear that Niasse would exploit his pace in the channels and he gave Nathan Aké a torrid time. What worked so well is that going forward, Cardiff were able to combine the pace of Niasse and Reid to great effect. It was a breath of fresh air compared to previous performances where the Bluebirds have lacked impetuous and speed on the break. I believe that Warnock, and Cardiff fans are aware that they aren’t going to control games so being clinical on the counter-attack is of the upmost importance. Without a doubt, if Niasse, Reid and Paterson can replicate Saturday’s performance, then for sure they will cause a lot of problems for other Premier League defences. Furthermore, with Paterson remaining in the starting eleven, they always have the option of going slightly more direct if they are required to do so. Paterson may not be a prolific goal-scorer, but he is very effective at what he does and provides a useful alternative on the attacking front. Up next for Cardiff is another relegation six-pointer with a trip to the St. Mary’s to face a resurgent Southampton. The Saints have strung together a sequence of good results to pull themselves out of the drop zone, so avoiding defeat will go a long way in keeping Cardiff within touching distance of safety. The Bluebirds now have the tools to be dangerous on the break and this has to be the focal point for future encounters. With just Paterson spearheading the attack, it was too slow and comfortable to defend. Competent defences won’t have a problem dealing with the long-ball, which is why having pace is so important. Against Bournemouth, the only real criticism of Cardiff’s performance was that they were slightly wasteful in the final third. They were fortunate to come up against a Cherries team that were far from their best. The Bluebirds need to be more ruthless in-front of goal so they don’t come to rue missed chances when the final whistle sounds.

The winning women's team of the FA Cup receive less than 1% of their male counterparts

by Reece Chambers

ewes FC have submitted an open letter to the Football Association for an explanation surrounding the disparity between prize money in the male and female formats of the FA Cup. Back in 2017, Lewes FC became the first professional or semi-professional football club to pay their male and female teams the same salaries. Branded as 'Equality FC' on the Club's official website, Lewes FC are the only women's team to be paid the same amount as their male counterparts. In their latest bid to level out the inequalities between male and female sport, the East Sussex football club have written an open letter to the FA Board. To accompany the lengthy letter that addresses FA Chairman Greg Clarke and his Board of Directors, Lewes FC attached a YouTube video titled 'FACupPrizeGap' which comprises of Lewes Women FC midfielder Shannon Moloney highlighting the disparities between financial rewards in male and female sport.

Throughout the open letter, Lewes FC's Board of Directors show a clear frustration with the astronomical gap between prize money in the FA Cup. As shown below, the FA Cup appears to be one of the most unfairly rewarding sporting competitions.

This year, the total FA Cup prize fund for men’s teams is a hefty £30.25 million whilst the total FA Cup prize fund for women’s teams is a mere £250,000. Therefore, the total prize money for women is less than 1 per cent of the total prize money for men. In what is undoubtedly Britain's most popular sport with over 11 million frequent players, the FA has a social responsibility to encourage gender equality on and off the football pitch. As a result, with the women's FA Cup winners rewarded with less than 1 per cent of their male counterparts, there are real and serious questions that must be answered with regard to the Football Association's rewarding structure. One of the most interesting points that Lewes FC raise is the comparison of the FA Cup to Wimbledon - one of Tennis' prestigious four grand slams which distributes prize money equally between the male and female competitors. The world-famous tennis tournament rewards all competitors equally, with £17m allocated to male players and £17m to female players. Given such equality and consideration to the distribution of financial rewards in the biggest tennis tournament in the United Kingdom, football's equivalent - the FA Cup - appears to be far behind other leading sporting tournaments up and down the country. The Football Association has undergone major structural changes in recent years since former FA chiefs, in 2017, called on the UK government to review the structure of the organisation. Such structural changes within the FA have since seen relative progress in the game - including the establishment of three positions within the FA board for female members. As a result, there must be considera-

Celebrations: players celebrated after taking the lead Source: Milmascaras (via Pixabay) tion from Lewes FC and other advocates of women in football that there is in fact change being made by the FA. Most importantly, though, such drastic change to football's leading governing body in the United Kingdom will not be able to change overnight. Instead, patience and time need to be given to those in charge to create positive change in the women's game. Lewes FC are right, the FA have far to go to ensure that the women are fairly rewarded in football. However, it must be remember how far the women's game has come in such a short period of time and such radical change so soon would not be healthy for the game. It was only in 2011 that the Women's Super League was officially introduced on British shores. Furthermore, compared to the men's game which boasts 92 professional teams in it's four-tier pyramid, the women's game holds just

22 clubs across two divisions. Considering such disparity in the size and history of men and women's football, there is likely to be an imbalance in the levels of prize money allocated by the FA. However, what must be done, as brilliantly advocated by Lewes FC in their open letter, is a continued effort to host an FA Cup that rewards based on performance rather than gender. The very fact that women are rewarded with less than 1% of the prize money that men are in the FA Cup shows that there are still significant changes that need to be made. Lewes FC's open letter to the FA Board is yet to receive a response as of February 7 - but an inevitable reply from the governing body will be likely to create more food for thought in the ongoing debate surrounding gender equality in football.

One to watch: Chris Mepham

The 21-year-old signed for Premier League side AFC Bournemouth earlier this year by George Willoughby

n the latest instalment of our one to watch segment, we look at the promising youngster Chris Mepham who recently earned himself a move to Premier League outfit A.F.C Bournemouth. Mepham is amongst a plethora of young Welsh stars who are standing out not only in the English Football Leagues but are also featuring in Ryan Giggs’s national team selection plans.

Chris Mepham, who is a 21-year old defender, initially was a product of the Chelsea academy. Upon his release, who was picked up by Championship side Brentford and this is where he began to showcase his potential. Injuries to senior defenders paved the way for Mepham to have a clear run of his games. He undoubtedly became the Bees’ first choice defender, and his impressive performances caught the eye of Eddie Howe securing himself a £12

million switch to the Cherries. Bournemouth seems a good fit for Mepham who will be hoping to make a claim for regular football, especially when Eddie Howe is no stranger to including young talent in his starting eleven. This is why we have seen the emergence of Ryan Fraser who is having a fantastic season, also Nathan Aké and fellow countryman David Brooks have become two of Bournemouth’s most consistent performers.

For the most part, Mepham is still very inexperienced as he only recorded 43 appearances at Brentford before making the step up to the top-tier of English football. Easing his way into the first-team action will be the correct thing to do, as the heightened intensity of Premier League football is like no other. He will have to adjust, but there is no doubting the abundance of potential Chris Mepham has, and I am sure we will be talking about him a lot more in the coming years.

CHWARAEON

To contact our sport desk, drop us an email at sport@gairrhydd.c

BUCS Highlights

A round-up of Cardiff University’s sporting action from the latest BUCS Wednesday of the season

Cardiff 1s 17 - 0 Sussex 1s

Cardiff 20 - 14 Loughborough

Women's rugby

by Rosie Foley

ardiff travelled far for their cup match this Wednesday, February 6. Arriving late was not the best start for them but that didn’t matter. Sussex started the game dominantly with big attacks and quick defence keeping Cardiff on their toes. Despite this 15 minutes into the first half, captain for this match Ceri Edwards slipped through their defence. Leading to the first points scored of the match. Cardiff again were on the attack, as they had a defensive line out on Sussex’s 10m line. Sussex attempted a kick but it went nowhere and was caught by Cardiff and scored by Rosie Foley with the conversion by Ceri Edwards. Taking the score at the end of the first half to 13-0 to Cardiff. The majority of the second half was

Men's rugby

by Laura Price

spent in Sussex’s half with Cardiff clinical errors preventing them from scoring tries. 10 minutes in Patricia Booth scored the only points the second half would see. Cardiff continued to dominate the game keeping the pressure on Sussex and the game in the opposition’s half. The game ended 17-0 seeing Cardiff firsts claim another three points keeping them firmly at the top of the table. With some great rugby played by the whole team, Forward of the match went to second row, Julia Rooke for some great attacking lines and Back of the match went to fly half, Beth Lewis. The girls will play USW in the quarter finals of the cup in 2 weeks. Next week, Wednesday February 13, they will play in BUCS league, at home to Bath.

ednesday February 6 saw a massive game for Cardiff University Rugby Club first team, taking on the notoriously strong Loughborough first team. Before Wednesday the team started two points behind Loughborough in the league so the team were out for the win from the outset. The game got off to a quick start, the first try coming from Cardiff in the twelfth minute. Cardiff began piling on the pressure, an attacking line out opening up the field for several phases of attack. Loughborough, however, came prepared, dealing with one attack after another repelling nearly all of Cardiff ’s advances until the 34th minute. A superb offload from Owen Davies led to a score from Alex Everett to take the score to 14 – 0. Loughborough replied with equal pressure

A superb offload from owen Davies led to a score from Alex Everett slipping through Cardiff ’s defence to score a try just before the end of the first half. Cardiff started slowly in the second half al-

Wednesday winners: Source: Cardiff University Ladies Rugby Club

lowing Loughborough to gain territory. Despite this Cardiff ’s defence remained solid and managed to stop Loughborough from crossing

A nail biting close followed, Cardiff hung onto their lead with a big defensive effort the line. Loughborough’s continual pressure went without reward and in the 71st minute Cardiff were awarded a penalty taken by Owen Williams, to take Cardiff 20 – 7 up. Loughborough knew they had ground to cover if they were to come back into the game and put in an immense effort to score a try with five minutes to go taking the game to 20 – 14. A nail biting close to the game followed, Cardiff hung onto their lead with a big defensive effort to finish victorious with a final score of 20 – 14. This is a great win for the club and their first against Loughborough in Super League history. The team now sit eighth in the BUCS Super League, one point above Loughborough. Next Wednesday, February 13 the team will face Bath’s first team away chasing another three points.

Cardiff 1s 5 - 1 Swansea by Rob Highton

ardiff University Golf Club played their seventh league fixture of the season away at Swansea 2nd’s seaside home of Pennard Golf Club on Wednesday and came away with a resounding win. Heading in to the match Cardiff topped the league and knew that an away victory would keep them in that position and a win offered a chance to inflict a home and away double league over their varsity rivals. On a typically windswept afternoon at the links course, Welsh International Bethan Morris once

Best of the Rest

Mixed golf

again led the team out and convincingly landed an 8&6 victory. Ex Pennard member Iestyn Harries quickly made it 2-0 to the visitors with his 2nd away win of the season. The experienced pairing of Captain Sam Jones and Ex-Captain Georges Neill then claimed victories of 1UP and 4&2 respectively to make it 4-0. With the game beyond Swansea’s reach, fresher Amy Boote added Cardiff ’s last victory with a clinical display. However Cardiff couldn’t make it a full house of victories, despite Isabel Marin's best efforts which left the score 5-1.

Men's basketball

Cardiff 89-74 LSB 1s

The result keeps Cardiff firmly at the top of the league table with a one point advantage. Unfortunately Aberystwyth have forefeited their fixture with cardiff next week, leaving no option but for the cardiff side to automatically pick up three more points. This means Cardiff will next play a crunch tie away to Bath in two weeks time on Wednesday 20th February as we see the league drawing to its conclusion. Cardiff will be raring to go when they face Bath who sit just 3 points below them in the table.

Netball

Cardiff 6s 48-20

Cardiff Met 6s

This week's winners: Source: Cardiff University Golf Club

Women's fencing

Cardiff 131-89 Bath 1s

Your sport desk Reece Chambers Rosie Foley John Jones Jack Vavasour George Willoughby Laura Price sport@gairrhydd.com

sport

chwaraeon

Cardiff City Column - Page 29

BUCS Highlights Page 31

Welsh Varsity: Cardiff University students enjoying Welsh Varsity in the Liberty Stadium. Source: Cardiff University Students’ Union

Cardiff set to host Welsh Varsity

Cardiff will welcome fierce rivals Swansea to the Welsh capital on April 10 by George Willougbhy

elsh Varsity is coming back to Cardiff with the announcement coming at the end of January. Last time out, Cardiff came away winners of the Varsity Shield with a 27-16 win over Swansea on opposition soil. The Cardiff rugby team added further glory with victory at the Liberty stadium meaning the Varsity Cup would also be returning to the capital. Varsity is an important and exciting time for all those involved, which is why we have been speaking to Cardiff ’s Sports Vice President and Athletic’s Union President Georgie Haynes on all things Varsity. “Varsity will be taking place on Wednesday 10 April in venues all across the city throughout the day. The day will finish with both the men’s and ladies’ rugby matches in the Principality Stadium. The first official event will be

Rowing, which takes place on Saturday 6 on the River Taff.” “Varsity is the highlight of their competitive season, so success

For all of the Cardiff teams competing, it is a big occasion, one that they will not want to end in defeat on home turf would mean a huge amount!” As a city, Cardiff has so many fantastic venues for sport. This goes for the players, and also the fans who can play a huge part in spurring the home side onto victory. “The fans coming to support both Universities will be able to spectate in some of the best sporting venues Wales has to offer.

For Cardiff, the home advantage will boost their confidence going into game day, and I’m sure all our teams will rise to the occasion!” Varsity is a festival of sport, and the spectators play an important part just as the players do in making the event into the amazing spectacle that it always is. Georgie gave us the best way for Cardiff students to show their support. “Ticket information will be released the week of the 11 February, so keep an eye out on the Cardiff Students social media for any announcements! We will be using the hashtags #TeamCardiff and #WelshVarsity, so people can follow those too.” Whilst there is a rivalry between the two Universities, which has its benefits from a sporting perspective, Varsity is a celebration. A celebration of the highly talented athletes and sporting ability

on show. Spectators and competitors alike, Cardiff will ensure to be the perfect host. “We will be looking to put on a fantastic event for both competitors and spectators this year. “Whilst we welcome the competitive nature of Varsity, we hope that both sides are respectful towards each other regardless of results, and enjoy all the daytime activities the event has to offer.” Even with Varsity commencing in early April, the excitement and anticipation has been building ever since the date was announced. Without a doubt, achieving Varsity success will be targeted by most, if not all of the Cardiff and Swansea clubs. Will Swansea be able to redeem themselves from last year’s disappointment? Or will Cardiff defend their title? The countdown to Welsh Varsity has begun.

Swansea City in turmoil after resignation by John Jones