Issue 1156 - Monday 19 October

rhifyn 1156 issue 1156

gair rhydd

19 Hydref 2020 19October2020

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Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972

Inside: Gair Rhydd looks at how students can help the homeless in Cardiff (page 16)

Cardiff could be the first airport to test for COVID-19

Tirion Davies

Editor-in-Chief

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ardiff Airport could become the first airport in the UK to offer passengers COVID-19 tests upon arrival, following an outbreak of COVID-19 at the airport over the summer.

Following the easing Following the easing of lockdown measures over the summer, and the re-opening of airports, many passengers decided to take advantage of the change in travel restrictions to fly from Cardiff Airport, and holiday in some of the countries added to the UK’s travel list.

However, soon after travel restrictions were eased, an outbreak of COVID-19 was detected on a flight returning to Cardiff from the Greek island Zante. The flight was said to be crowded, and some were alleged to have broken Welsh Government guidelines by foregoing face coverings on the flight.

Following the incident, the Minister for Health in Wales, Vaughan Gething, noted that mass testing was a consideration for future flights into Cardiff Airport.

At the time, Gething told BBC Radio Wales that he was considering the mass testing of passengers at Cardiff Airport. Gething expressed his interest in looking into the possibility of beginning a testing system at Cardiff Airport to combat any further outbreaks of the virus, though claimed at the time that the Welsh Government would need more time to plan for mass testing of the size needed for passengers.

Though he stated “it would add to the time it takes people to get through the airport” Gething also noted, “it could protect passengers, their families and communities in the best way”.

Thirty cases of COVID-19 have so far been reported at Cardiff Airport by travellers returning from Greece.

The Welsh Government introduced travel restrictions whereby travellers arriving specifically from Zante must quarantine for 14 days, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms, though Cardiff Airport

does not currently have a policy whereby all passengers must be tested when returning to Cardiff.

Travel company TUI has already begun offering passengers arriving into Cardiff from Zante COVID-19 tests; one given to passengers 48 hours after arrival, and another test to be given eight days later. TUI has since cancelled all holidays from Cardiff to the resort of Laganas, once it was clear that, as a resort which attracts party-goers, travellers were not following social distancing guidelines.

Cardiff Airport welcomed an influx of 1.6 million passengers in 2019, an increase by 7% on the previous year.

Although these figures have not, of course, been reached in 2020, there has been a recent rise in passengers choosing to travel from Cardiff Airport following the change in travel restrictions introduced by the UK and devolved governments.

COVID-19 is spread when social distancing measures are not adhered to, and when adequate face coverings are not worn. Crowded aircrafts can be a hotspot for a COVID-19 outbreak, as we have already seen at Cardiff and other airports across the UK, as large groups of people are crowded in a small space and are unable to continuously follow social distancing measures.

Though quarantining is still necessary when returning from certain countries (Italy was recently the latest country added to the list by the UK Government), a testing scheme at certain airports might help to identify risks, and help with the track and trace system across Wales.

As more people across the UK are being encouraged to book a COVID-19 test, and more facilities are making them readily available such as at Cardiff University - testing passengers returning to Cardiff could be the safest way forward.

Though there is no confirmation as of yet whether Cardiff will soon begin COVID-19 testing for all its passengers, there is a high likelyhood, given that travel company TUI offer testing to its passengers returning to Cardiff.

Cardiff University: Cardiff University has received backlash from some students following its handling of COVID-19 outbreaks in the Talybont Halls of Residences over the past few weeks. Credit: Scarlett Griffiths

COVID-19 hits Cardiff

Zoe Kramer

Head of News

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ess than a week into the Autumn term, Cardiff University students in Talybont and Senghennydd Halls of Residences have begun to feel the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have had to begin self-

isolating, after a mass spread of COVID-19 by new and returning students.

However, some students have stated the measures put in place by Cardiff University and their communication has been confusing, and many feel disappointed with the way the university has handled the outbreak in regards to testing. A Cardiff University spokesperson has stated: “we recognise this

is an extremely difficult, challenging, and stressful time for our students especially those who have symptoms.

We are working extremely closely with our partners, Cardiff and Vale Health Board, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Councils, and Public Health Wales”.

Turn to page 3 to read more about the outbreak in Talybont, and the response from Cardiff University.

Brexit deadline Mis Hanes Pobl The miners rapidly approaches Ddu yng Nghymru history forgot Morgan Perry Politics Editor

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s the deadline to reach an agreement on the UK’s future relationship with the European Union rapidly approaches, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a call with President of European Commissions, Ursula von de Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel ahead of the EU meeting on Wednesday.

Negotiations of a possible deal with the European Union intensify as the UK inches closer to its mid-October deadline.

To read more about the approaching Brexit Agreement negotiations with the EU, turn to page 11.

Nel Richards

Golygydd Cymraeg

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is Hydref yw mis Hanes Pob Ddu ar draws y byd, ac eleni yng Nghymru ceir ddathliadau i gydnabod pobl o dras Affricanaidd ac Affricanaidd-Caribiaidd fel rhan o hanes ddiwylliant lleol, cenedlaethol a byd-eang. Rhaglen addysgiadol sydd yn cael ei gyflwyno yn ystod mis Hydref. Nel Richards sydd yn trafod pwysigrwydd hanes pobl ddu, y pwysigrwydd i ni yng Nghymru, a pam dylen ni dathlu hanes pobl ddu yng Nghymru am fwy nag un fis y flwyddyn.

I ddarllen am y ddathliadau sy'n cymryd lle dros y mis nesaf, trowch i dudalen 9.

Fflur Trevor

@Caerdydd Editor

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oal mining was, for over 200 years, the biggest industry in Wales. 'Black gold' was a hot commodity across the world, and Wales - South Wales in particular was the main source of mining. Yet, in all that we learn about the coal mining industry in Wales, some crucial players have been forgotten in history. Black coal miners were integral to the mining industry in Wales for decades, and though little is known about the extent of the racial discrimation they faced, there is a need to remember their stories.

Read more about the stories of black miners on page 22.

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EDITORIAL

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.

Opinions expressed in editorials and opinion pieces 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.

THE TEAM Coordinator

Elaine Morgan

Editor-in-Chief Tirion Davies

Deputy Editors

Hallum Cowell Holly Giles Molly Govus

Head of Digital Media Tom Leaman

Head of Design

Lottie Draycott

Video Editors

Sophia Grace Scarlett Griffith Ellis Lloyd-Jones Daniel O’Callaghan

Graphics Editor

Ellie Hutchings

Copy Editors

Megan Newberry Amy Saunders Elle Speer

IN THIS ISSUE

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR What does it mean to be an adult in 2020?

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niversity lis the first step before your life as an adult begins for many students across the UK. It’s the first time students leave home and have to do their own washing and cooking, and have to make sure they’re home by a reasonable time. University for many is the time where you learn responsibilities, learn to encounter resistance, and begin to understand how to live life through trial and error.

Being at university, or leaving university doesn’t necessarily make you an adult, however. Technically speaking, in the UK, in the eyes of the law, 18-year-olds are classed as adults.

Forty years ago, the high majority of twenty-one-year-olds had a spouse and a home by the age many of us leave university.

These days, being a traditional ‘adult’ has taken an entirely different form.

The job market is a competitive place these days, buying your first home is near impossible for young adults, and the average age at marriage continues to rise to around 35 years.

According to psychology professor Apryl Alexander, who works at the University of Denver in the US, the scientific consensus is that brains do not fully develop until age 25. As adolescent brains continue to develop, there is a heightened vulnerability to reward, which often drives risky behaviour.

Scientific research from the

University of Denver notes that adolescents can “often recognise risks, but incomplete development of brain mechanisms related to modulation of impulsive behaviour reduces their tendency to heed those risks”.

For some, these ‘adult’ assumptions can damage their own view of themselves and make them feel as though they are failing because they are not adhering to the same narrative the adults around them have followed.

Social media is a perfectly crafted version of reality many middle-aged parents with jobs feel can be hard to achieve; it just isn’t real.

Being an ‘adult’ doesn’t mean what it used to mean. Achieving those quintessential milestones twenty years ago seemed easy; leaving university with a job offer these days feels like a miracle.

Some feel ‘adult’ by the time they leave school at age 16, and others don’t ever have the feeling. Social media can’t help, with its allure of the ‘perfect home’ and ‘perfect family’. It can be hard to see those images day-in and day-out and not feel as though you’ve fallen short.

There’s no right or wrong way of being an adult. However ill-prepared many feel, there’s no criteria for what you need to achieve in order to be considered a well-functioning adult.

You’re doing your best and that’s all you can do.

NEWS

COVID-19 hits Cardiff University (p.3)

Sut mae’n teimlo i fod yn oedolyn yn 2020?

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TAF-OD

Mis Hanes Pobl Ddu yn cael ei ddathlu yng Nghymru (t.8)

POLITICS

Brexit deadline rapidly approaches (p.11)

COMMENT

The route to increasing judicial diversity (p.14)

ADVICE

How to help the homeless as a student (p.16)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Two women win Nobel Prize for Chemistry (p.19)

@CAERDYDD

The black, Welsh miners history forgot (p.22)

SPORT

LeBron James’ legacy after his fourth title win (p.26)

Oedolyn: Does dim un ffordd ‘perffaith’ o fod yn oedolyn, er gall y byd dweud bod yna. Trio eich gorau yw’r peth pwysicach. Tarddiad: Josh Mazgelis (drwy Flickr)

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Adulthood: There’s no one way of being the perfect ‘adult’, though life may tell you otherwise. Trying you Source: Armonjones (via. Wikimedia Commons)

rifysgol yw’r cam cyntaf i nifer o fyfyrwyr ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig cyn i’w bywydau fel oedolion yn cychwyn.

I nifer, y tro cyntaf yw hi i fyfyrwyr gadael adref a gorfod glanhau a choginio ar ben eu hunain. Y cyfnod prifysgol yw’r tro cyntaf i nifer dysgu am gyfrifoldebau, a dechrau deall sut i fyw bywyd gan wneud gwallau a dysgu ohonyn nhw.

Nid yw bod yn y brifysgol, na gadael y brifysgol yn golygu eich bod yn oedolyn. Yn y Deyrnas Unedig, mae’r gyfraith yn ystyried pobl ifanc un deg wyth mlwydd oed yn oedolion. Dros bedwardeg flwyddyn yn ôl, roedd gan y rhan fwyaf o ifancwyr dau-ddeg-un mlwydd oed cartref a gŵr neu wraig.

Dyddiau yma, mae bod yn ‘oedolyn’ traddodiadol yn wahanol i’r ffordd yr oedd hi’n arfer fod. Mae derbyn swydd yn anodd erbyn hyn, mae prynu tŷ yn amhosibl i ifancwyr, ac mae’r oedran cyfartalog y mae nifer yn priodi yn codi i 35 oed.

Yn ôl Apryl Alexander, Athro Coleg o Brifysgol Denver, nid yw’r ymennydd yn datblygu’n llawn erbyn 25 oed. Wrth fod ymennydd y llanc yn datblygu, mae’r ymennydd yn agored i niwed, ac yn fwy tebygol o ddilyn ymddygiad peryglus.

Mae’r ymchwil gan Brifysgol Denver yn nodi bod llancwyr yn “aml yn gallu adnabod peryg” ond bod yr ymennydd sy’n datblygu yn

“lleihau eu tueddiad i adnabod y peryglon”.

Gall rhai myfyrwyr teimlo fel nad ydyn nhw’n barod i symud i ‘byd yr oedolion’ yn seiliedig ar dybiaeth o beth yw’r byd hynny. Rydym yn arfer i weld ffigurau o’r ‘oedolion’ tebygol, yn derbyn swyddi, yn priodi, ac yn fod yn ‘gyfrifol’.

I rai, gall y dybiaeth o’r byd yma effeithio ar eu barn o’u hunain a gwneud iddyn nhw deimlo fel eu bod yn ffaelu gan nad ydynt yn dilyn yr un adroddiant bod yr oedolion o’u cwmpas wedi dilyn.

Y cyfryngau cymdeithasol yw un o’r rhesymau pam bod nifer yn teimlo fel eu bod yn ffaelu. Mae cyfryngau cymdeithasol yn adeiladu’r bywyd perffaith, bywyd nad yw’n wir.

Nid yw bod yn ‘oedolyn’ yr hyn yr oedd hi’n arfer fod. Roedd cwblhau’r cerrig milltir o fod yn oedolyn yn hawdd dau ddeg mlynedd yn ôl; erbyn hyn, mae gadael y brifysgol gyda swydd yn wyrth.

Mae rhai’n cael y teimlad o fod yn ‘oedolyn’ wrth adael yr ysgol yn undeg-chwech oed, tra bod eraill yn meddwl nad yw’r teimlad o fod yn ‘oedolyn’ wir yn digwydd.

Er bod pawb yn teimlo’n anghyfforddus ac fel petai eu bod yn ffaelu, nid oes rhestr wirio o beth mae’n rhaid llwyddo er mwyn cael eich ystyried yn oedolyn perffaith.

Rydych yn trio’ch gorau, a dyna yw’r peth pwysicaf.

NODYN GAN Y GOLYGYDD

COVID-19 hits Cardiff

Cardiff University faces backlash over its response to COVID-19 testing

Cardiff University: Cardiff University has received backlash from some students following its handling of COVID-19 outbreaks in the Talybont Halls of Residences over the past few weeks. Credit: Scarlett Griffiths garding testing opportunities. taining the virus- surely a test should “Many of my friends from home be the first point of call, and at least at unis elsewhere could not get a test the students can understand they are even though they had symptoms. isolating for good reason.

“I don’t think there are many other “Information on what we can and ways they could have handled it differ- cannot do has been practically nonently. existent. I have had to spend five hours “Although I do think they should today just calling people to get my bahave carried out asymptomatic testing sic needs met and I have heard nothing of people on arrival and made it com- useful. pulsory rather than leaving it for a few She concludes that she feels “scared, weeks,” they added. un-cared for and disrespected.

Cardiff University has reported 55 “I also feel like I am being extorted new student cases as of the 13th of Oc- as I am paying a big fee to have the tober, and a total of 1651 students who ‘privilege’ to live here and my basic huhave been tested. man rights (being safe and clean) are Other parts of campus have been ex- not being met.” periencing the difficulties of lockdown A Cardiff University spokesperson as well. Aberdare Hall resident Leila has stated: “We recognise this is an Da Cunha Soares says she has been in extremely difficult, challenging, and lockdown since the 7th of October. stressful time for our students – espe“Despite this, there was no offer cially those who have symptoms. from the halls or university about help“We are working extremely closely ing us shop for necessities like soap or with our partners, Cardiff and the Vale antibacterial gel, checking we have Local Health Board, Cardiff and Vale everything we need, and to put our of Glamorgan Councils and Public minds at ease (or to at least remove Health Wales. some confusion about a serious mat“This has allowed a proactive apter). proach to be taken to testing where we “There was no offer or information have seen evidence of cases emerging. about sending a COVID-19 test to the “This has been focussed on Talybont individual who was showing symp- where we have seen a recent rise in toms- just to isolate. cases.

“I hope you can understand that this “Prompt and pre-emptive testing seems a very impractical way of con- has therefore taken place with the

deployment of a community nursing team from Cardiff and Vale LHB testing 600 symptomatic and asymptomatic students at Talybont South last weekend.

“From Monday an NHS Wales Mobile Unit has been in place. This is the first Testing Unit in the UK to be agreed solely for use by students.

“A walk-in local NHS Test Site is being built this week on Museum Avenue. This will increase capacity, once operational.”

In response to the issues in communication regarding isolation periods, the spokesperson stated, “Whilst we are unable to comment on individual cases, we are confident that our advice on self-isolation has been consistent throughout and in line with the latest Welsh Government advice.

“We would encourage all students to make sure they check for emails every day and visit the student intranet and Welsh Government website for the latest advice on self-isolation.

“We recognise that accessing food and clean laundry can prove especially difficult for those self-isolating in our residences.

“That’s why we have developed a new free laundry service and all students self-isolating in University Residences will receive £20 to spend with our student marketplace, so that they can obtain fresh food and other essentials.”

In terms of the future, many are hoping for changes from the University. “I hope they make the asymptomatic testing an opt out rather than an opt in and offer it more often than every 4 weeks,” one student suggests.

“I hope for the university to have someone quickly delivering tests to these houses in lockdown rather than trying to find some online or going outside to a test centre to do so,” another Talybont student adds.

Thomas concludes, “I feel safe in the fact that I am young and well during this pandemic and understand that any higher measures may begin to affect people’s mental health, careers and on a wider scale the countries already battered economy. But I worry for the vulnerable during this time where cases are increasing and yet we see no help for them.”

Cardiff University continues to ask that students follow Welsh Government guidelines, and ensures that testing will be available if students begin showing symptoms of COVID-19 during their time at university.

es available at two of Cardiff ’s three Welsh-medium secondary schools.

Currently, Ysgol Plasmawr, Ysgol Bro Edern, and Ysgol Glantaf are the only Welsh-medium secondary schools open in Cardiff, with Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg the only Welsh-medium school in neighbouring Vale of Glamorgan.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg reported that over 35 Welsh celebrities called on Cardiff Council to ensure that only Welsh-medium schools should be opened across the city over the next few years.

In a letter to the cabinet at Cardiff Council, the notable names stressed that Cardiff should be leading the way when it comes to increasing Welsh-medium provision, as a big

also a need for better Welsh language education in English-medium schools across Wales.

Schools across Wales will soon begin a new integrated approach to Welsh language teaching, encouraging an increase in opportunities for learners to “access Welsh-medium education through specific provision”.

Williams noted, “it’s not just a case of ensuring we have all Welsh-medium schools, we also need to improve the quality of Welsh education in our English-medium schools.

“The language shouldn’t be the preserve of just the children who go through the Welsh-medium sector; I believe the language is important for all children, and as we move to

Zoe Kramer

Head of News

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ess than a week into term, many Cardiff University students are already experiencing the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic, from continuous testing to self isolation and online classes. However, some argue that these measures have been implemented in ways that are confusing, ill-communicated, or simply inadequate.

Some students have stated they feel “disappointed” with responses they’ve received from the university regarding testing.

“My house was one of the first houses to have a case in Talybont South,” says Talybont resident, Jordana Thomas.

“We had no information from the university how this would work and what would happen for the rest of the house whilst one flat was positive. We had no contact about whether we need to self-isolate as we share the same hallways, stairwells and doors as well as passing members of that flat coming and going through the house.

“In the following days most of the house attended the university screening where slowly more people came back positive including two members of my flat.

“When we first went into isolation, we received no help or advice from the university, and we were really unsure as to how we would be allowed to do a range of things like take the bins out.

“We all then received swab tests from the NHS, where a large majority, including myself, came back positive contrary to the negative tests from the university.”

Thomas adds that “The fact that for almost ten days, we were all left in the dark on how we would be allowed to do basic tasks whilst in isolation made it a very stressful time alongside many of us being unwell due to the virus, it became difficult to want to focus on our studies especially as our modules begin setting hours of reading and prerecorded lectures to attend.”

However, others believe that the University is doing the best that it can under the circumstances.

“I think that their response has been good, in comparison to what I have heard from friends in halls at other unis,” said another student living at Talybont.

“Although I have not had any symptoms, there have been many emails re-

NEWS

YOUR NEWS DESK

Zoe Kramer

Luthien Evans

Sam Portillo

Dominic Williams news@gairrhydd.com

Welsh education gains support Tirion Davies

Editor-in-Chief

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ince the Welsh announced its initiative in 2017 to gain a million Welsh speakers by 2050, there has been a steady rise in children across Wales attending Welsh-medium education. A fourth Welsh-medium school is set to open within the next decade to cope with growing demand, and Ysgol Plasmawr is likely to receive an expansion within the next two years.

BBC Radio Cymru’s Manylu programme found that the number of applications for Year 7 pupils is currently higher in Cardiff than the plac-

city that could contribute to the national target of gaining a million Welsh speakers by 2050, and as the Welsh capital.

Gair Rhydd recently spoke to the Welsh Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams, about the changes which will be made to education in Wales over the next few years, in particular, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When asked whether the call for more Welsh-medium schools in Cardiff was feasible, Kirsty Williams told, “The Welsh Government has a target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050, and clearly education has a crucial role to play in achieving that target.

The Minister expressed there was

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our new curriculum, ensuring children are on a continuum of language learning, and that more of our children leave school, regardless of the medium of education they have received, with the ability to converse and work in both languages.”

Education plays a key role in the Welsh Government goal of a million Welsh speakers by the year 2050, with more children in Welsh schools.

With the support from the Welsh Minister for Education, opening more Welsh-medium schools in Cardiff, in addition to improving the Welsh language education of English-medium schools across Wales could set the Welsh Government in good stead if they want to achieve their 2050 goal.

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NEWS

Three due in court after protest Tirion Davies

Editor-in-Chief

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hree people are due in court following a protest in Cardiff against the local lockdown measures put in place to halt the spread of COVID-19.

Crowds were gathered in front of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Sunday October 11, calling for herd immunity and arguing that the local lockdown restrictions were unfair and unnecessary.

Speakers addressed crowds from the steps of the Welsh Parliament, arguing that COVID-19 is not to be feared, and that their “human rights were being endangered” by the introduction of the local local by the Welsh Government.

The event was organised by the Stand Up X Anti-lockdown Movement, which continued to hold further protests in several parts of the United Kingdom, including Nottingham, Sheffield and London to name but a few.

Stand Up UK has stated they “do not consent to the illegal and disproportionate COVID-19 measures”, and that social distancing measures infringed upon “public and private life”.

The Movement also expressed they feel the Track and Trace system created by UK Governments to analyse COVID-19 risk is “a total violation of personal privacy and freedom”, noting “It is a digital Gestapo”.

The Cardiff Bay protest follows Stand Up UK’s Cardiff protest in May, which was due to take place in Cardiff ’s Bute Park, but was quickly stopped by South Wales Police in the area.

Some bystanders at the Cardiff protest held placards claiming ‘COVID is a hoax’, while the majority forwent the social distancing measures and face coverings.

According to Welsh Government guidelines, the local lockdown in Cardiff prohibits mass gatherings and residents are unable to leave the county without a reasonable excuse, such as for work or education.

South Wales Police noted they had apprehended two men and a woman - who have since been reported for summons - after it was reported they had breached local lockdown restrictions by travelling into Cardiff without reasonable excuse.

South Wales Police noted in a statement that they had encouraged protesters to remain vigilant of lockdown rules, and expressed, “It is unacceptable and extremely disappointing that people have flouted the rules by travelling into Cardiff and gathering in large numbers”.

The statement also told, “South Wales Police has strived to maintain a consistent policing style of engaging, explaining and encouraging, and enforcing as last resort where necessary, throughout this public health emergency”.

Following the event, there is an expectation that further inquiries will be made, and further action will likely be taken against other individuals when all evidence has been considered.

Though protests like these took place, the Welsh Government and South Wales Police are encouraging members of the public to continue to follow the guidelines put in place in areas such as Cardiff.

Cardiff Council’s fight against carbon emissions Dominic Williams News Editor

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ardiff Council has again taken another step in the fight for against gloabl warming and reducing carbon emissions by investing in an electric tractor.

The new 25G electric tractor is set to half the emissions of the work of a normal tractor. The tractor charges via a standard 3-pin plug, and will replace the diesel-run tractor that Meadow Management currently use.

This is in line with work done by Cardiff Council to reduce emissions, and the council is set to be one of the first local authorities in the UK to make the transition to electric tractors.

The new, lighter, and smaller equipment will allow the team to increase a collection of local provenance seeds from grasslands with high biodiversity value. The seeds are used to restore lower quality areas as part of the city’s ongoing pollinator project.

Cabinet Member for Culture and

Leisure Councillor Bradbury said: “Our forthcoming ‘One Planet’ strategy will set out in detail our plans to tackle the climate emergency, but in the meantime, work to continue reducing our carbon emissions is progressing across the council.’’

The Council has reduced emissions from its direct carbon footprint by 33.5% from 2015-2018. With Cardiff having aspirations to be a One Planet City by 2050, there has been a scope of changes, schemes, and developments to meet this target.

The Radyr Weir Hydro Scheme, a hydroelectric energy generation scheme that uses the water from the River Taff to produce electricity, is a scheme that has been up and running since 2016, and takes advantage of the water flowing through the River Taf and is then connected to the local distribution network.

The ‘’One planet’ strategy has outlined a number of ideas and schemes to try and meet this target which involves more heating schemes, green electricity, and increased tree cover.

A hydrophonics growing unit will be arranged in Bute Park using

Reducing carbon emissions: There are plans for Bute Park to become a “food park” where communities can grow food. Soure: Jeremy Segrott (via Wikimedia Commons) a shipping container with 3.5 acres removed from council venues. of food being grown. Furthermore, A cross-city train-tram service is Council-owned land will be made proposed as well as new park & ride available for community groups to facilities at junctions of the M4. grow food with the future possibility A further business case for a of a ‘’food park.’’ congestion charge in the city and Cardiff market will be revamped remodelling roads in the center into a sustainable and local food mar- to favour buses, cyclists, and peket, and all single-use plastics will be destrians has been introduced.

Johnson rejects Drakeford’s travel ban request

England-Wales travel: First Minister Drakeford asked that there be a stop to travel from high-risk English towns across the border to Wales. Source: CPMR Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (via Flickr) living in English coronavirus hotSam Portillo spots to protect less-infected areas News Editor in Wales, but to no avail.

The Welsh Government will now elsh First Minister Mark ban people from Tier 2 and Tier 3 Drakeford has again asked areas in England from travelling into the UK Government to Wales. The First Minister hoped PM impose travel restrictions on people Boris Johnson would impose such

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restrictions on high-risk areas in England, but the latter expressed a preference for an open and borderless UK. In a letter faxed to the Prime Minister on 13 October, Drakeford said that “the voluntary guidance approach has proved ineffective and firmer action is urgently required to keep the virus under control”, also calling for a COBRA meeting to discuss the introduction of a short “circuit-breaker” lockdown.

After entering the initial lockdown in cohesion with the other UK nations, Welsh Labour has consistently called for a more cooperative approach with Westminster.

The devolved administration in Wales has already placed seventeen counties into a state of local lockdown, affecting a majority of the population. Drakeford now worries that people from places such as Lancashire, Liverpool and Manchester, which have some of the highest coronavirus rates in the country, are carrying coronavirus across the border into Wales. People affected by local lockdowns in Wales are prohibited

from travelling outside their area except where absolutely necessary or for sentimental reasons. In England, however, even people living in Tier 3 areas - categorised as “very high risk” - are able to travel around the country.

In response to the First Minister’s second letter, Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson reiterated that “there are no physical borders between England and Wales”, arguing that pre-existing guidance does enough to halt the spread of the virus from highly-affected areas.

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Paul Davies meanwhile suggests that the devolved administration should curb the rise in COVID hospitalisations by resuming shielding.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has consistently called on the First Minister to stop waiting for Westminster to act and use devolved powers to protect Welsh interests.

“He can use the powers that he has to protect the people of Wales and he needs to do that now - he needs to stop considering what he’s going to do and actually do something.”

Campaign to reduce single-use plastic in Cardiff Zoe Kramer

Head of News

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he Refill Campaign is more accessible than ever with the launch of the new Refill app.

Cardiff users can now locate businesses willing to refill their water, coffee, groceries, and other supplies, all without single use plastics.

The Refill Campaign began in Bristol in 2015. It was pioneered by Natalie Fee, the founder of City-toSea, a non-profit organisation that aims to tackle plastic pollution at source. It was officially launched in Wales in 2018 and the Refill Cardiff Scheme, led by Cardiff Water Research Institute, began in November 2018.

Over 100 businesses in Cardiff have joined; partnered businesses range from local shops to large chains such as Costa and Morrisons.

While the COVID-19 pandemic

has halted many aspects of daily life, it is still very much possible to reduce plastic use, said local coordinator of Refill Cardiff Julia Terlet. “City-toSea recently created industry guidance on how to safely offer Water Refills and Contactless Coffee and are trying to reusables back on the menu. It is important to inform people that over 120 health scientists have stated reusables are safe as long as basic hygiene is followed i.e. wash your hands!

“There have been no cases of COVID-19 being transmitted through food or food packaging. Whilst noone can say it’s “impossible” (as it’s a new virus and everyone is uber cautious), even the FCA says “it’s very unlikely””.

The process of making daily changes in the interest of a greener future can be an overwhelming one, particularly when there are many causes being championed, ranging from purchasing electric vehicles to

water-saving shower heads to reducing meat consumption.

Terlet states, “We hear a lot about climate change and global warming, but environmental issues such as the depletion of natural resources and the loss of biodiversity, which are also exacerbated by our current lifestyles, are as important. These environmental issues cannot be addressed separately and require a holistic approach.

“Plastic pollution puts pressure on our ecosystems, from rivers to oceans, but also requires large amounts of water and energy for production. Being careful about recycling and littering is crucial - plastic items can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. We are using up natural resources to produce disposable plastic items, such as plastic bottles, when we have alternative options (in the UK there are zero-waste shops and clean tap water for refills).

Using reusables is an easy change

that many of us can make without disrupting our lifestyles.”

With the knowledge that the majority of climate change is based on the actions of large companies rather than individuals, many have lost hope that their choices can make a difference, particularly in the student age group.

Terlet responds “I would say do not underestimate the influence that you can have on other people.

The direct impact of your behaviour might be small but indirectly you can participate in bringing impactful collective change by starting conversations about these issues. Through history, progress often started with individuals getting together and questioning the status quo. The issue of plastic pollution was particularly brought to light by Blue Planet II and the reactions it created among the public later encouraged changes in policy regarding the use of single-use plastics.”

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month Find out more about our events at cardiffstudents.com

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TAF-OD

taf od

Barn y Bobol

Gyda chynnydd yn nifer achosion COVID-19 ynghyd â cyfyngiadau newydd, gan gynnwys cyfnod clo lleol yng Nghaerdydd, mae Taf-od yn gofyn ai myfyrwyr sydd ar bai am y gynydd yn nifer yr achosion yn ddiweddar.

Ai’r llywodraeth sydd i’w beio am y cyfyngiadau a’r profion positif?

Ydy hi’n anheg bod pobl ifanc yn derbyn yr holl bai am y canran uwch o COVID-19?

Dyma barnau Dafydd, Elen a Rhys.

Dafydd Lewis

Myfyriwr trydedd flwyddyn, Mathemateg Ni ellir gwadu effaith gweithredoedd myfyrwyr wrth i ail don COVID-19 dod i’r amlwg. Mae’n edrych fel bod cyfyngiadau gosodwyd gan y llywodraeth ddim yn gymwys i fyfyrwyr wrth iddynt torri rheol 6 a chymysgu tai. Mae’n dealladwy bod myfyrwyr yn methu eu ffrindiau dros yr haf estynedig rydym wedi cael, a bod llawer yn ysu i weld eu ffrindiau prifysgol eto. Ond mae llawer o’r wlad yn dilyn y rheolau gosodwyd, felly pam nad yw’r myfyrwyr yn gwneud eu rhan trwy eu dilyn hefyd.

Elen Hall Jones

Myfyrwraig ail flwyddyn, Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth Penderfyniad y Llywodraeth oedd danfon y myfyrwyr yn ôl i’r Brifysgol, felly nid yw’n deg i bwyntio bys at fyfyrwyr yn unig.

Mae’r tafarndai a siopau ar agor, felly mai’n anochel bod pobl mynd i gymryd mantais o hynny. Mae rhai yn dilyn y camau priodol er mwyn osgoi’r ail don o COVID-19, ond nid pawb. Rydym i gyd wedi cael canllawiau i ddilyn, felly mae i fyny i ni os ydym yn penderfynu eu dilyn a’i peidio.

Rhys Gittins

Myfyriwr trydydd flwyddyn, y Gyfraith a Gwleidyddiaeth Er nad oes modd gosod llwyr gyfrifoldeb ar ysgwyddau myfyrwyr dros y cynnydd diweddar mewn achosion Covid, mae’r cynnydd a welir ar gampysau brifysgolion yn destun o fawr bryder. Er bod y mwyafrif helaeth o fyfyrwyr yn cydymffurfio â chanllawiau’r Llywodraeth, nid ydyw hyn yn wir i bawb. Yr hyn sydd felly yn allweddol i’r garfan hynny o fyfyrwyr yw osgoi gosod eu hunain mewn sefyllfaoedd ble mae’r risg o ddal Covid yn uchel, camu i’r adwy gan gydnabod difrifoldeb y sefyllfa a chymryd cyfrifoldeb er mwyn llesteirio lledaeniad y firws hwn.

Pêl droed: Trafod perfformiad Cymru yn y gemau diweddaraf (tudalen 9)

NEWYDDION

Ail gyfnod clo Cenedlaethol ar y gorw-

Wrth i gyfyngiadau a rheoliadau tynhau, a fydd ail gyfnod glo i Gymru?

Alaw Fflur Jones

Golygydd Cymraeg

M

ewn datganiad yn niwedd mis Medi, esboniodd y Gweinidog Iechyd, Vaughan Gething, nad oedd cyfnod clo Cenedlaethol arall ar hyd Cymru ar fin digwydd, ond ei fod o ‘hyd yn bosib’.

Ond erbyn yr wythnos hyn, mae Vaughan Gething wedi newid ei gân yn llwyr.

Mae lefelau o heintusrwydd y coronaferiws wedi gwaethygu, ac felly fe’u rhybuddir o’r posibilrwydd o weithredu tuag at ail gyfnod clo cenedlaethol.

Dros yr wythnos diwetha, bu farw deg person arall o coronafeirws, gyda 727 yn ychwanegol yn derbyn profion positif, yn ôl ffigurau diweddaraf Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru.

Caerdydd ar hyn o’r bryd sy’n parhau i gael y canran uchaf o brofion positif ar draws Cymru. Mae’n tebygol y bydd fwy o ganlyniadau positif yn yr wythnosau nesaf.

Yn ystod cynhadledd i’r wasg ddydd Llun, esboniodd Vaughan Gething bod y mesurau sydd eisoes mewn grym ar hyn o bryd yn effeithiol, ond bod “pryderon na fydd rhain yn ddigonol yn ystod misoedd y gaeaf ac mae’n bosib y gwelwn sefyllfa debyg i’r hyn a oedd yn bodoli yn y gwanwyn ymhen pythefnos”.

Yn ôl y ffigyrau diweddaraf mae dros 100 achos o’r haint ymhob 100,000 o bobl yng Nghymru bellach ac mae’r nifer o farwolaethau COVID-19 wedi mwy na dyblu.

Gyda’r cynnydd cynyddol o heintusrwydd yng Nghymru, peri’r gofid mai clo cenedlaethol yw’r unig ateb er mwyn rhwystro’r lefelau o heintusrwydd rhag cynyddu ymhellach.

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi cymryd mesurau o wneud cyfyngiadau lleol, gyda’r nod o reoli’r feirws yn yr ardaloedd penodedig hynny, lle mae canrannau ar eu uchaf.

Ond er gwaethaf ei ymdrechion, nid oes tystiolaeth wyddonol ar ba mor effeithiol yw’r cloeon lleol ar hyn o bryd.

Ac mae’r amcangyfrifon mai dim ond un o bob pump sy’n cydymffurfio i’r cyngor o hunan-ynysu yn ofid mawr o ystyried bod lefelau’r feirws yn parhau i fod ar gynnydd.

Dywedodd Vaughan Gething nôl ym mis Medi, “Os ydym yn cyrraedd y pwynt ble mae gennym grŵp sylweddol o gyfyngiadau lleol mae angen i ni feddwl os oes angen cymryd agwedd ranbarthol neu os oes angen agwedd genedlaethol.”

Yng ngoleuni sefyllfa ofidus y coronafeirws yr wythnos hon, pwysleisia Vaughan Gething efallai fod angen newid yng nghyfyngiadau’r feirws.

Gan ystyried cyfyngiadau ‘at fesuriadau cenedlaethol’ unwaith eto. A

Cyfnod clo Cenedlaethol arall?: Mae yna sôn y bydd cyfnod clo Cenedlaethol arall yng Nghymru. Tarddiad: Sionk (drwy Wikimedia Commons) ninnau ar trothwy’r gaeaf, anogir i’r Cymry baratoi at y ‘gaeaf caled’ sydd o’m blaenau.

Pwysleisiodd Vaughan Gething, er nad yw’r flwyddyn wedi bod yn hawdd nid yw’r sefyllfa’n edrych yn ffafriol ar gyfer y gaeaf, dywedodd, “Mae’n feirws hynod heintus. I nifer bydd y symptomau yn ysgafn ond ry’n ni’n gwybod y bydd nifer angen triniaeth ysbyty ac yn drist iawn bydd rhai pobl yn marw.”

Felly, a’i ail gyfnod clo Cenedlaethol yw’r ateb i’r argyfwng yr ydym ynddi?

Tan fydd yna ddatganiad swyddogol am ail gyfnod clo Cenedlaethol, mae Llywdoraeth Cymru yn parhau i bwysleisio ar bawb i gydymffurfio at y canllawiau a’r rheolau presennol er mwyn cadw eich hunain, ffrindiau a’ch teuluoedd yn iach ac yn ddiogel.

Am fwy o wybodaeth am y canllawiau a’r rheolau presennol, ewch ar wefan Llywodraeth Cymru.

Johnson yn gwrthod cyfyngiadau teithio Cymru Alaw Fflur Jones

Golygydd Cymraeg

M

ae dyhead Prif Weinidog Cymru, Mark Drakeford i wahardd pobl rhag teithio o Loegr i ddod ar wyliau yng Nghymru wedi cael ei wrthod gan Brif Weinidog y DU, Boris Johnson. Ond, erbyn hyn, mae Drakeford wedi gweithredu tu hwnt i dumuniadau Johnson ac wedi gosod y cyfyngiadau.

Yn hytrach na gosod cyfyngiadau teithio ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig, ac yn benodol rhwng Cymru a Lloegr, apelio mae Johnson ar bobl i “i ddefnyddio’u synnwyr cyffredin” ac i ddilyn y rheolau iechyd a diogelwch sydd wedi cael

eu gosod er mwyn atal lledaeniad y coronaferiws.

Er gwaethaf llythyr o erfyniad gan Drakeford i wahardd teithiau diangen mewn ardaloedd ble mae cyfyngiadau lleol mewn grym. Nid yw Johnson yn gweld yr angen ar osod cyfyngiadau teithio rhwng Cymru a Lloegr.

Er nad yw Johnson o blaid gosod cyfyngiadau teithio ar hyn o bryd, dywedodd ei fod yn agored at gymryd camau pellach yn y dyfodol “os mae’n angenrheidiol”. Ond tan hynny, bwysleisir ar yr angen i bawb fod yn synhwyrol ac i ddilyn y gyfraith bresennol.

Dan reolau Llywodraeth Cymru, mae’n rhaid i drigolion sy’n byw dan gyfyngiadau lleol fel Caerdydd, gael “esgus rhesymol” i’w gadael, sy’n cyn-

Boris Johnson: Bu Prif Weinidog y DU yn gwrthod cyfyngiadau teithio COVID-19 rhwng Cymru a Lloegr.Tarddiad: Number 10 (trwy Flickr)

nwys teithio am resymau gwaith, addysgiadol neu ofal.

Golyga hyn nad oes modd i Gymry sydd yn byw dan gyfyngiadau lleol fynd ar wyliau a theithio yn ddiangen o’i cartrefi. Oherwydd yn unol â’r rheolau presennol yn Lloegr, mae hawl gan bobl dan gyfyngiadau lleol yn Lloegr fynd ar eu gwyliau, a hynny i Gymru os dymunent.

Ac yn sgil hynny, mae pryderon bod pobl mewn ardaloedd yn Lloegr ble mae lefelau uchel o heintusrwydd o’r feirws yn ymweld â Chymru. Er ei fod yn erbyn y gyfraith i bobl ymweld ag ardaloedd yng Nghymru ble mae yna gyfyngiadau lleol, nid oes cyfyngiant ar ymwelwyr i ymweld ag atyniadau twristiaeth Cymru mewn ardaloedd lle mae niferoedd o achosion y coronafeirws yn gymharol isel.

Mae’r cynnydd mewn ymwelwyr o Loegr yn peri gofid i’r Cymry wrth inni groesawi’r posibilrwydd o ail don. Alwyn Ellis, ffarmwr o Drawsfynydd sydd wedi siomi gan wrthwynebiad Johnson i osod cyfyngiadau teithio rhwng Cymru a Lloegr.

Da ni ar bigau’r drain fama, dwi’n nerfus ond yn nôl petrol i’r tractor oherwydd bod y siopia’ a ballu yn llawn gwyneba’ anghyfarwydd Mae’r ffaith bod cymaint yn medru teithio i Gymru am resymau hamdden yn ôl Alwyn Ellis ‘yn hollol ‘afresymol a di-angen!’

Da ni fel teulu wedi goro’ osgoi Eryri

a’u gyffinia’ yn llwyr, oherwydd mae’r niferoedd o ymwelwyr yno wir yn chwerthinllyd ac yn gneud i bobl leol fel finna’ boeni am ein llês.

Mae’r Aelod Seneddol, Ben Lake hefyd yn poeni am gynnydd mewn achosion yng Ngheredigion. Yn enwedig ar ôl i raglen ‘This Morning’ werthu Canolbarth Cymru, ac yn benodol Ceredigion fel lleoliad gwyliau diogel i deuluoedd dros yr hanner tymor.

Mae’r ffaith bod gan drigolion o Loegr yr hawl i ddod ar wyliau i Gymru, er gwaetha eu bod nhw’n byw mewn ardaloedd sydd dan gyfyngiadau clo lleol, yng ngheriau Ben Lake yn “eithriadol o siomedig”.

“Rydw i a fy nghydweithwyr ym Mhlaid Cymru wedi bod yn galw ers tro ar Lywodraeth y DU i gyfyngu ar hawl pobl i deithio i ardaloedd sydd â niferoedd isel o Covid-19, megis Ceredigion, er mwyn sicrhau diogelwch ein cymunedau, ac i warchod ein gwasanaeth iechyd.”

A ninnau ar drothwy y gaeaf, pwysleisia am yr angen dros gydweithrediad rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU, “er mwyn sicrhau nad oes unrhyw bwysau ychwanegol di-angen yn cael ei roi ar ein gwasanaeth iechyd lleol, gan gynnwys atal pobl rhag teithio am resymau hamdden o ardaloedd dan gyfyngiadau clo i ardaloedd fel Ceredigion.”

Er hyn, mae’r cyfyngiadau nawr yn ei le gan Drakeford.

TAF-OD

Pryd o Daf-od: Tom Moore Myfyriwr yn ei drydydd flwyddyn, Tom Moore, sy’n trafod Pryd o Daf-od yr wythnos hon.

Tom sy’n trafod gyda Gair Rhydd am y cyfnod clo, ei antur i’r byd cerddorol, a’i obeithion am ei Instagram cerddorol newydd, @TomMoore Music.

Fel mae nifer yn sôn, mae calon cerddorol cryf yng Nghymru!

peidio dyfalbarhau er fy lles i nawr.

Am y blynyddoedd canlynol, fe wnes i barhau i ganu a hynny oedd yr unig gerddoriaeth roeddwn i’n gwneud, nes haf 2016 lle penderfynais i ddechrau ddysgu’r gitâr i fy hun.

Ers bod yn ifanc roeddwn i eisiau dysgu, ond wnes i fyth gwneud e tan ychydig llai na phedair blynedd yn ôl nawr.

Yn ffodus, trwy ganu am flynyddoedd a dysgu bach o biano, roedd bach o theori cerddoriaeth gennyf, felly wnes i gymryd at y gitâr yn eithaf cyflym.

Mae’n rhaid i fi ddweud ei bod wedi bod yn fendith cael ffrindiau sydd yn ddawnus yn gerddorol, ac rydw i wedi cymryd mantais o hwn trwy ddefnyddio nhw fel seinfwrdd i’r caneuon dwi’n cyfro.

Dyma sut ddaeth @TomMooreMusic i fodoli.

Un diwrnod ar ôl creu dehongliad o gân o’r ffilm Mamma Mia, wnes i hala fideo o fy hun yn chwarae a chanu i un o fy ffrindiau dawnus.

Atebodd e gyda’r frawddeg, ‘Tom mae hon yn dda iawn, pam nag wyt ti’n postio fe ar dy instagram’ ac ar ôl hyn, es i ati i greu’r dudalen.

Wrth i fi gychwyn y dudalen, wnes i geisio postio dwy neu dair gwaith yr wythnos, a dechreuodd y dudalen dyfu.

Yn aml roedd pobl yn gofyn i mi

O

gyfro Gwilym i ysgrifennu a chynhyrchu caneuon fy hun, mae’n anodd peidio dweud fy mod wedi cael cyfnod clo a haf llwyddiannus.

Ers dechrau’r cyfnod clo dwi wedi bod wrthi yn creu cyfrif Instagram @TomMooreMusic ac fe ddechreuodd fel tudalen gallwn i rannu caneuon a ddysgais ar y gitâr i fy ffrindiau ac i’r gymuned gerddorol. Ond ers hynny, yn ffodus i mi, mae’r dudalen wedi tyfu’n fwy!

Dechreuodd fy ‘siwrne gerddorol’ pan oeddwn i’n ifanc, oherwydd rydw i wastad wedi mwynhau canu ac wastad wedi bod mewn corau.

Trwy gydol fymhlentyndod wnes i ddechrau cael gwersi piano am ychydig o flynyddoedd; ond yn anffodus, ar y pryd, nid oedd gennyf gariad at greu a deall cerddoriaeth sydd gennyf nawr ac felly wnes i roi’r gorau iddi.

Yn edrych ‘nôl nawr, dwi’n difaru

os oedd gennyf i gynlluniau i ysgrifennu cerddoriaeth fy hun; ac ar ôl sbel, fe wnes i ddechrau meddwl os oedd hi’n bosib i mi wneud hyn.

Dechreuais ysgrifennu lawr syniadau am benillion posib, gan ffocysu ar fy mhrofiadau personol (wnes i glywed rhywun enwog dweud hyn unwaith, felly wnes i gadw at hyn).

Ar ôl cwpwl o syniadau, gweles i gân yn dechrau ffurfio, ac mae’r gân honno bellach ar Spotify (Faith in my Fight).

Ar ôl imi berffeithio’r geiriau a gweithio ar y gerddoriaeth, fe wnes i benderfynu rhoi fersiwn syml ar fy nhudalen Instagram i weld beth oedd pobl yn meddwl; roedd yr adborth yn bositif iawn.

Yn dilyn y post, fe wnaeth un o fy

Wel, os mae rhywun yn cynnig botel am ddim, Champagne! Ond yn aml gai fy nal yn prynu unrhyw un o’r ddau.

2. Beth yw’r digwyddiad sy’n codi’r mwyaf o embaras arnat?

9. Beth oedd y diwrnod gorau iti ei gael erioed?

Dweud pwy oedd childhood crush fi yn y papur newydd.

Gorffennaf 1 2016 am rhesymau amlwg (Cymru vs Gwlad Belg)

3. Beth oedd dy air cyntaf?

10. Beth yw dy gas beth?

Ffansi peint?

Pobl sy’n gwisgo masgs yn anghywir (heb rhoi nhw dros y trwyn)

5. Beth fyddet ti’n ei archebu o’r bwyty Indiaidd lleol?

Mwy o foi bwyd Chinese os dwi’n dweud y gwir.

6. Pwy oeddet ti’n ffansio pan oeddet ti’n iau?

Princess Leia 7. Pwy yw dy hoff fand/artist?

Mellt neu Al Lewis Band, methu dewis rhwng y ddau. ‘Y Syched’ a ‘Pan fyddai yn Simbabwe’ yn wych!

Trafod gyda’r

taf-od

Alaw Fflur Jones

8. Prosecco neu champagne?

Fy enw i ydi Gwion Llwyd Jones, dwi’n dod o Borthmadog a dwi’n astudio Gwleidyddiaeth.

Y clasur, Tri Mis a Diwrnod gan Vanta, mwy na thebyg, am gân.

Aled Biston

Antur cerddorol: Dechreuodd Tom rhannu ei gerddoriaeth dros y cyfnod clo. Tarddiad: Vincent Lock (drwy Wikimedia Commons)

Gwion Llwyd Jones

4. Pe fyddet ti ar yr X-Factor, pa gân byddet ti’n ei chanu a pham?

EICH TÎM TAF-OD

Annell Dyfri

Yn Trafod gyda’r Taf-od wythnos yma mae...

1. Pwy wyt ti a beth wyt ti’n astudio?

ffrindie gynnig i’m helpu i gynhyrchu cân broffesiynol o’r gân i’w rhoi ar Spotify.

Trwy wneud hyn, fe wnes i weld bod diddordeb gennyf i gynhyrchu adref, ac felly dechreuais edrych am ‘Home Studio Kit’ a ffeindio un a oedd yn gweithio i fi.

Ers i mi brynu’r ‘kit’, rydw i wedi ysgrifennu a chynhyrchu dwy gân arall sef ‘Yellow Curtains’ a ‘Cerdded Lawr i’r Bae’ sydd yn gwneud yn dda hefyd. Erbyn hyn, mae gennyf ychydig o ganeuon yn y broses o gael eu cynhyrchu, felly cadwch lygaid ar fy Instagram @TomMooreMusic a fy Spotify neu other streaming services; Tom Moore am fwy o ganeuon gwreiddiol a fwy o cyfrau caneuon.

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Catrin Lewis Teithio tramor: Gwion ar ei joio ar ei wyliau tramor. Tarddiad: Gwion Llwyd Jones

11. Beth fyddet ti’n gwneud yn ystod dy noson ddelfrydol?

Nosweithiau orau erioed yw bod yn y CCS yn gwylio Cymru, felly y noson delfrydol byse neud hynny eto!

12. Pe taset ti’n gallu bod yn unrhyw anifail am ddiwrnod, pa un fyddet ti’n dewis, a pham?

Estrys, achos pam ddim.

13. Disgrifia dy hun mewn 3 gair.

Cymdeithasol, diog, Cymraeg!

14. Pwy fydd yn trafod ‘da’r Taf-od wythnos nesaf?

Lynn Morris

taf od Nel Richards

Teithio’r byd: Gwion ar ei wyliau (eto, boi lwcus!), ond tro ‘ma yn sefyll o flaen y Twr Pisa yn yr Eidal. Tarddiad: Gwion Llwyd Jones tafod@gairrhydd.com www.gairrhydd.com/tafod

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TAF-OD

NEWYDDION Canfyddiadau Comisiwn Dathlu Mis Hanes Pobl Ddu yng Nghymru Plaid Cymru i Na ddylen ni fod yn ddathlu Mis Hanes Pobl Ddu trwy’r flwyddyn? annibyniaeth Nel Richards yma yng Nghaerdydd.

Lara Evans

Cyfranwr Taf-od Lara Evans sy’n trafod canfyddiadau’r Comisiwn Plaid Cymru dros annibyniaeth. edi etholiad cyffredinol y DU ym mis Rhagfyr, dechreuodd comisiwn annibyniaeth ar ei waith ar gais Arweinydd Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.

Cafodd y Comisiwn ei sefydlu er mwyn archwilio i sut all y blaid baratoi at gynnal refferendwm ar annibyniaeth petai’r blaid yn ennill etholiad nesaf senedd Cymru.

Gwaith y comisiwn oedd archwilio a chynnig cymhellion ar sut fedrith Llywodraeth Cymru cynnal refferendwm ar annibyniaeth i Gymru, a phrif bwnc yr adroddiad yw’r camau nesaf sydd angen cael eu cymryd er mwyn dod yn wlad annibynnol lwyddiannus.

Mae’r camau yma yn cynnwys ymgeisio i fod yn aelod o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd, ymchwilio’r berthynas gydffederal gyda gweddill gwledydd y DU. Yn ogystal â hyn awgrymodd yr adroddiad o blaid newid dull gweithredu Llywodraeth Cymru a’r gwasanaeth sifil, a dangosodd yr adroddiad sut i fynd ati er mwyn llunio Cyfansoddiad i Gymru.

Cafodd yr argymhellion yma eu cynnig er mwyn gwella sefyllfa wleidyddol ac economaidd fel gwlad annibynnol.

Y brif ddadl yw, trwy sicrhau egwyddor o hunanbenderfyniaeth ym mhob maes o lywodraeth, fydd gan Gymru’r gallu i well adlewyrchu anghenion a dymuniadau Cymru a’i phobl.

Yn ogystal â hyn, trwy sicrhau rheolaeth dros bob maes, fydd gan lywodraeth Cymru mwy o gyfle i gynrychioli Cymru ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol, er enghraifft trwy ymgeisio i ddod yn aelod o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd a chynrychioli ei hun ynddi.

Yn ôl yr adroddiad, bydd archwilio perthynas gydffederal â Lloegr a’r Alban yn galluogi Cymru i fod yn wlad o’r un statws gall well amddiffyn anghenion pobl Cymru wrth weithio gyda’r ddwy wlad.

Yn sgîl yr egwyddor o hunanbenderfyniad ac annibyniaeth, bydd gwelliant yn dod i economi Cymru gan sicrhau rheolaeth lawn dros yr economi.

Bydd hynny’n cynnwys rheolaeth dros cyrrensi eu hunain, creu amodau gwell a chynnig cyfleoedd newydd i fusnesau Cymru.

Er bod yr adroddiad yn awgrymu bod Cymru annibynnol o dan yr amodau yma yn Gymru fwy llewyrchus, mae’r adroddiad wedi denu ambell feirniadaeth.

Un o brif awgrymiadau’r adroddiad oedd ymgeisio i ymuno a’r Undeb Ewropeaidd er i dros 52% o Gymru pleidleisio i adael yr UE yn refferendwm 2016.

Yn ogystal â hyn, mae materion llosg ar goll yn yr adroddiad megis pa gyrrensi mae’r blaid yn bwriadu cyflwyno fel cyrrensi Cymru.

Bydd darganfyddiadau’r comisiwn yn sicr o fod yn ganolog i bolisïau ac addewidion maniffesto’r blaid yn etholiad y Senedd 2021.

Bydd ymateb pobl Cymru i’r adroddiad yn siŵr o gael ei adlewyrchu yng nghanlyniadau’r etholiad. P etai’r blaid sefydlu Llywodraeth nesaf Cymru a refferendwm yn cael ei alw mae’n ymddangos fel bydd Cymru yn dod yn agosach at annibyniaeth nag erioed.

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Golygydd Cymraeg

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yma fis o ddathliadau i gydnabod y cyfraniadau a wneir gan bobl o dras Affricanaidd ac Affricanaidd-Caribïaidd i hanes a diwylliant lleol, cenedlaethol a byd-eang trwy gyflwyno rhaglen addysgiadol, ystod mis Hydref bob blwyddyn – oni ddylid dathlu’r cysyniad yma bob mis o’r flwyddyn?

Pam oes rhaid ond cadw’r trafodaeth i un mis y flwyddyn, os dylai bod y trafodaeth yn barhau trwy’r adeg?

Oes rheswm pam ein bod yn cadw Mis Hanes Pobl Ddu i ond un mis y flwyddyn, yn enwedig ar ôl haf diwethaf?

“Modd o atgoffa pobl dylsai hanes pobl ddu fod yn rhan o’r sgwrs trwy’r flwyddyn.”

Cyfle i ymgysylltu, addysgu a grymuso unigolion, grwpiau cymunedol a chymunedau ledled Cymru wrth gydnabod cyfraniadau y mae Diaspora Affrica wedi gwneud yn hanes datblygiad economaidd a diwylliannol Cymru yw’r mis hon.

Ond wrth gwrs, drwy’r flwyddyn gyfan, mae pwyslais ar bawb, i ddysgu am hanes Cymru, yn enwedig cyfraniadau y mae pobl du wedi gwneud i’r gymuned.

Emily Pemberton, Cymraes Garibïaidd sy’n astudio ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd sy’n rhannu ei phrofiadau ynglyn â’r mis yma, a chyfle i atgyfnerthu ei bwysigrwydd, yn enwedig

Beth mae Mis Hanes Pobl Ddu yn golygu i ti?

“Mae Mis Hanes Pobl Ddu yn gyfle i werthfawrogi cyfraniadau pobl du ar draws y canrifoedd ond i fi, dw i’n gweld y mis yma fel modd o atgoffa pobl dylsai hanes pobl ddu fod yn rhan o’r sgwrs trwy’r flwyddyn.

“Mae bodolaeth Mis Hanes Pobl Ddu yn y lle cyntaf yn cydnabod y ffaith bod cyfraniadau pobl Ddu yn aml yn cael ei anwybyddu, yn bwrpasol, ac mae angen tynnu sylw i’r arweinwyr, deallusion, gwleidyddion a ffigyrau eraill arwyddocaol du mae pobl ddylanwadol gwyn yn gwrthod trafod.

“Mae’n dod yn gliriach bob blwyddyn i fi dydy un mis ddim yn ddigon i ddathlu cyfraniadau pobl ddu i Gymru a Phrydain modern.

“Fel Cymraes Garibïaidd mae’n gyfle i fi gofio aberth fy nain a thaid, fel rhan o’r genhedlaeth Windrush, a’i chyfraniad nhw i’r Dociau, yn ogystal â Therfysgoedd Hil Caerdydd 1919, Y Cardiff 5, bywyd Betty Campbell, ac mae’r rhestr yn parhau.”

A’i addysg yw’r ffordd ymlaen o ran codi ymwybyddiaeth?

“Un peth dwi o hyd yn pwysleisio ydy’r ffaith ein bod ni’n addysgu pobl ifanc am derfysgoedd hil a mudiadau hawliau sifil yn America a De Affrica er mae’r un brwydrau wedi bod yn digwydd ym Mhrydain, yng Nghymru, ac yng Nghaerdydd hyd yn oed.

“Pam nad ydyn ni’n trafod y terfys-

Mis Hanes Pobl Ddu: Na ddylai bod dathliad o’r mis hon trwy’r flwyddyn?

Tarddiad: Katie Crampton (WMUK) (drwy Wikimedia Commons) goedd hil yn 1919, digwyddodd tua deg munud i ffwrdd o le dwi’n eistedd ac yn ysgrifennu hwn?

“Neu ydy rhai ffigyrau yn pryderi fydd cwestiynau yn codi ynghylch rôl Caerdydd a Chymru mewn materion hil os da ni’n dechrau bod yn onest am ein hanes?

“Gonestrywdd ydy’r peth pwysig.

Mae’n gyfrifoldeb ar bob un ohonom i fod yn rhan o’r sgwrs.

“Darllenwch lyfrau gan awduron du, gwyliwch raglennu/ffilmiau gan ysgrifenwyr du, fe wnewch chi gym-

ryd rhywbeth newydd o’r profiad neu edrych ar rywbeth mewn ffordd wahanol.”

Y mater yw bod unrhyw ddadl iawn am hanes du yn anochel yn golygu trafodaethau am rannau o orffennol Prydain - caethwasiaeth, imperialaeth, datblygu meddwl hiliol - sydd wedi cael eu brwsio o dan y carped hanesyddol ers amser maith. Sbarduno sylw, parch a chyfrifoldeb i gofio a dathlu cyfraniadau cymunedau yw’r mis hon, i gychwyn a pharhau gyda’r sgwrs; fod bywydau du o bwys.

Dyn Brasil yn pasio Prawf Dinasyddiaeth yn Gymraeg Catrin Lewis

Golygydd Cymraeg

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ae Mae Dr Rodolfo Piskorski, cyn myfyriwr Prifysgol Caerdydd sydd yn wreiddiol o Frasil, wedi darganfod mai ef yw’r person cyntaf i basio’r Prawf Dinasyddiaeth Brydeinig yn y Gymraeg.

Symudodd Rodolfo i Gaerdydd yn 2013 er mwyn astudio doethuriaeth yn y brifysgol a chychwynnodd ddysgu’r Gymraeg yn 2015.

Disgrifiodd y broses o ddysgu’r iaith yn un “cyffrous” a dywedodd ei fod wedi disgyn mewn cariad a Chymru a’i hiaith pan symudodd i’r wlad ac felly roedd dysgu’r iaith yn rhywbeth pwysig

iawn iddo.

Eglurodd y siaradwr Portiwgaledd pam y dewisodd gymryd y prawf drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg gan ddweud: “Mae’r prawf yn un gwirion, fel cwis tafarn, a tydi o ddim yn dy integreiddio di felly nes i feddwl ‘sut alla i wneud y broses yn fwy Cymreig?’ a rhoi sialens i fy hun i wneud o yn y Gymraeg”.

Aeth hefyd yn ei flaen i egluro mai Cymru yw’r unig ran o Brydain y mae wedi byw ynddi ac felly nid oedd dwywaith mai sefyll y prawf yn y Gymraeg oedd yr opsiwn gorau i Rodolfo.

Dywedodd bod y Gymraeg “yn ddiddorol iawn ac yn wahanol iawn i ieithoedd eraill” a’i fod “wastad wedi bod eisiau dysgu iaith

Hanes hanfodol: Dr Rodolfo Pikorski oedd un wnaeth llwyddo’r Prawf Dinasyddiaeth trwy’r Gymraeg. Tarddiad: Greg (trwy Wikimedia Commons)

o’r lle dw i’n byw ynddo fe.”

Roedd eisiau dangos bod mwy nag un ffordd o fod yn Brydeinig trwy ddysgu’r iaith Gymraeg.

Fodd bynnag, gan ei fod wedi cymryd y prawf drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg roedd yn rhaid iddo ddisgwyl wythnosau am ei ganlyniadau oherwydd ei fod yn cymryd amser i gyfieithu’r papur.

“Mae’r hawl yno, ac mae’n bwysig i ddefnyddio hawliau ieithyddol. Roeddwn i eisiau gwneud safiad a dangos bod gwahanol ffyrdd o fod yn Brydeiniwr.”

Agorodd Rodolfo gais Rhyddid Gwybodaeth er mwyn canfod os oedd rhywun wedi pasio’r prawf drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg a thrwy hynny daeth i wybod mai ef oedd y cyntaf.

Mae’n rhaid talu £50 i gymryd y prawf ond mae’r gost am y broses gyfan yn £1505.

Ar ôl derbyn cyngor gan un o’i ffrindiau Cymraeg, rhoddodd apêl ar y wefan Go Fund Me gan ei fod yn cael trafferth fforddio’r broses.

O fewn ychydig ddyddiau roedd bron a chyrraedd ei darged.

Disgrifiodd yr ymateb i’r apêl fel un “anhygoel” ac mae ei fam, sy’n byw yn Ne America, o’r un farn.

Disgynnodd hithau hefyd mewn cariad a’r iaith Gymraeg yn 1987 pan glywodd yr hwiangerdd Suo Gân sy’n cael ei chanu yn y ffilm Steven Spielberg, Empire of the Sun. Mae’r prawf yn cynnwys 24 o gwestiynau amlddewis ac yn cael ei wneud ar-lein.

Sefyllodd Rodolfo’r prawf mewn swyddfa yng Nghaerdydd ym mis Ionawr.

Dywedodd ei fod wedi dewis ceisio am statws dinasyddiaeth oherwydd ansicrwydd Brexit a’i fod yn gobeithio cwblhau’r broses cyn diwedd y cyfnod pontio.

Disgrifiodd Cymru fel lle croesawgar

a dywedodd ei fod yn teimlo fel bod croeso iddo yng Nghymru ers y diwrnod iddo symud i’r wlad.

Ar hyn o bryd mae’n gweithio fel athro Portiwgaledd ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd a dywedodd ei fod yn teimlo ei fod “wir wedi cael fy nghroesawu” gan y Cymry.

Dywedodd er bod sawl un yn edrych ar y Gymraeg fel hen iaith ei fod yn ei weld fel iaith cŵl ac ifanc a dywedodd mai dyma yw ei farn am ei brofiad y brifddinas hefyd.

Ond, nid Rodolfo yw’r unig un o wlad tramor sydd wedi dysgu Cymraeg ers fod yng Nghymru.

Ivorian Joseff Gnagbo, a wnaeth ffoi o’r Arfordir Ifori, yw un sydd erbyn hyn yn gweithio gyda Chymdeithas yr Iaith a’r Welsh Refugee Council i gynnig gwersi Gymraeg i 300 ceisiwr lloches a ffoadur.

Pan symudodd Ivorian i Gaerdydd fel ffoadur, dechreuodd dysgu Gymraeg yn ei amser hamdden, ac wnaeth mwynhau cymaint, yr oedd pawb yn awyddus i sicrhau y derbyniodd Ivorian fwy o wersi.

Erbyn hyn, mae Ivorian yn weithio fel athro a gofalydd, ac yn barhau i wirfoddoli gyda Chymdeithas yr Iaith yn aml. Mae ef hefyd yn cynnig gwersi hanner awr i ffoaduriaid sydd yn awyddus dysgu’r iaith.

I nifer, mae dysgu’r iaith Gymraeg yn fwy na dysgu iaith ychwanegol. Teimlai rhai bod dysgu’r iaith yn cynnig fwy o fewnwelediad i’r ffordd bod y cymdeithas yn gweithio yng Nghymru.

I ffoaduriaid a cheiswyr lloches, y Gymraeg yw eu ffordd o deimlo fel bod cyswllt rhyngddyn nhw a’r wlad y maent erbyn hyn yn byw ynddi.

Mae pobl fel Rodolfo ac Ivorian yn dangos pwysigrwydd yr iaith Gymraeg o fewn cymdeithasau ledled Cymru, ac yn dangos gwir bwysigrwydd yr iaith i hanes Cymru.

CHWARAEON

Hennessey yn llwyddo i guro capiau Southall

Wayne Hennessey yw nawr y gôl-geidwad sydd gyda’r mwyaf o gapiau dros Gymru Aled Biston

Pennaeth Cynnwys Cymraeg

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ewn gêm flêr a ddiflas yn erbyn Gweriniaeth Iwerddon, nid oedd llawer i gefnogwyr Cymru gweiddi amdani. Ond, un peth y gallent ddathlu yw Wayne Hennessey yn rhagori capiau Neville Southall gan ennill cap rhif 93.

Wayne Hennessey nawr, yw’r gôlgeidwad sydd gyda’r mwyaf o gapiau dros Gymru. Mae ei berfformiadau yn ddiweddar wedi bod yn allweddol i lwyddiant Cymru wrth gyrraedd yr Ewros yn 2016 ac Ewro 2021, ond sut yrfa ryngwladol mae’r cawr o Ynys Môn wedi cael.

Cafodd Hennessey ei gapio i Gymru ar lefel dan 17, 19 a 21, roedd ef hyd yn oed wedi sgorio cic rydd o 40 llath yn erbyn Twrci i’r tîm tan 21. Ar ôl creu argraff yn y timau ieuenctid, daeth ymddangosiad cyntaf Hennessey mewn gêm gyfeillgar 2-2 yn erbyn Seland Newydd yn 2007. Disodlodd Hennessey Danny Coyne fel y gôl-geidwad newydd, ac ers y gêm honno, wedi sefydlu ei hun fel prif gôl-geidwad Cymru.

Mae steil chwarae Hennessey yn un

Cymraeg yn y brifygol: Mae yna nifer o gyfleuoedd i glasfyfyrwyr eleni.

Tarddiad: Colin Smith (drwy Geograph) sydd yn ei alluogi o fod yn awdurdodol.

Defnyddia Hennessey ei daldra er mwyn hawlio unrhyw beli sydd yn dod mewn i’r bocs, yn ogystal â gwneud ei hun edrych yn fawr wrth arbed ergydiau y gwrthwynebwyr.Bydd ei giciau gôl fel arfer yn darganfod pen Kieffer Moore neu Gareth Bale, sydd yn gallu rheoli’r bêl yn dda. Mae ei gicio allan o law yn allweddol wrth i Gymru

wrthymosod hefyd, a mwy na’r arfer mae ciciau Hennessey yn darganfod asgellwyr cyflym Cymru.

Mae pwysigrwydd Hennessey i Gymru wedi ei danseilio dros y blynyddoedd. Ers sefydlu ei hun fel y prif golwr yn 2007 mae ef wedi creu argraff ar lefel clwb a rhyngwladol. Roedd Hennessey yn allweddol i dîm Wolves yn y flwyddyn roeddent wedi ennill

dyrchafiad i Uwch Gynghrair Lloegr.

Parhaodd ei lwyddiant yn yr Uwch Gynghrair wrth i Wolves osgoi darostyngiad nôl i’r Coca-Cola Chmapionsip (fel adnabyddir ar yr adeg hynny).

Roedd ei arbediadau ac arwain o’r cefn yn ymgyrchoedd EWRO 2016 a 2021 yn hanfodol wrth i Gymru cyrraedd y twrnament am y tro cyntaf yn ei hanes a dwywaith yn olynol.

Chwaraeodd ef pob un o’r 10 gêm grŵp, gan gadw 7 llechan lan gan gynnwys dau yn erbyn Gwlad Belg. Dyma pryd cafodd Hennessey ei gymeradwyo am ei berfformiadau i Gymru, a bod yn fur amddiffynnol cryf.

Er nad oedd ymgyrch Cymru i EWRO 2021 yn un o safon uchel, roedd perfformiad Hennessey yn y gêm grŵp olaf cyn bwysiced â goliau Ramsey ochr arall y cae. Roedd Hennessey wedi gwneud dau arbediad yn olynol pan oedd Cymru yn ennill 1-0, os roedd Cymru wedi ildio’r goliau â’r gêm wedi gorffen yn gyfartal, ni fydd Cymru wedi cyrraedd yr Ewros.

Bydd y wâl goch yn gobeithio gweld perfformiadau campus gan Hennessey yn y blynyddoedd i ddod, gan gynnyws yn yn sicr yn ystod y gemau EWRO 2021.

DIWYLLIANT

Ffioedd dysgu yn parhau’n uchel er gwaetha’r sefyllfa Annell Dyfri

Golygydd Taf-od

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yda’r byd ben ei waered a phawb wedi gorfod addasu eu dull o fyw a gweithio mewn cwta saith mis, mae nifer yn gofyn am ba mor hir y bydd hyn oll yn para. Ymhlith y rheini sydd wedi gorfod addasu fwyaf y mae myfyrwyr prifysgol. Gyda’r coronafeirws ar gynnydd mewn trefi a dinasoedd prifysgol led-led gwledydd Prydain, mae ystafelloedd gwely myfyrwyr wedi troi’n ddarlithfeydd dros dro yn sgil yr holl astudio ar lein.

Bellach mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r darlithoedd yn cael eu cynnal ar y we, ar blatfform Zoom neu Microsoft Teams.

Er hyn, mae llawer o’r myfyrwyr yn derbyn y darlithoedd ar ffurf recordiad blaenorol ac o ganlyniad nid yw’r ddarlith yn un fyw. Yn sgil hyn mae llawer iawn o fyfyrwyr ar eu colled wrth fethu ag ymateb yn uniongyrchol i’wtiwtoriaid ac wrth fethu’r cyfle i gyddrafod a chwestiynu’r hyn a gyflwynir.

Er gwaetha’r cyfyngiadau hyn, mae’r ffioedd y mae’r prifysgolion yn eu codi ar fyfyrwyr wedi aros yn ddigy-

Ffioedd dysgu prifysgol: Bydd ffioedd dysgu uchel yn barhau. Tarddiad: Raisin Finance Stock Images (drwy Flickr) fnewid. Nid yw’n syndod felly fod rhai myfyrwyr wedi rhannu eu rhwystredigaeth mewn protest ddiweddar ym Mae Caerdydd. Roedd y myfyrwyr a fynychodd y brotest yn ddug ac yn anfodlon iawn â’r sefyllfa bresennol ac yn teimlo bod prifysgolion yn annheg i ofyn i fyfyrwyr dalu’r un faint o ffioedd am ddarpariaeth israddol o bosib.

Myfyrwraig ail flwyddyn yn astudio’r cwrs Hanes Cymru ym Mhrifysgol Aberystwyth yw Megan Davies. Gyda Megan wedi ail ymgartrefu yn Aberyswyth, yn amlwg mae bywyd prifysgol yn wahanol iawn iddi hi a’I chydfyfyrwyr eleni. Nododd fod ei phrofiad yn

y brifysgol “wedi bod yn wahanol iawn eleni gan fod mwyafrif o’r dysgu yn digwydd ar lein. Mae teimlad cyffredinol nad yw werth yr un faint â dysgu wyneb yn wyneb ac felly rwy’n cwestiynu a yw werth £9000”.

Tra’n cydnabod y diffygion yn y drefn newydd eleni, rhaid derbyn fod y drefn honno wedi ei sefydlu er mwyn sicrhau diogelwch y myfyrwyr a’r gymuned ehangach yn y pen draw. Er bod eistedd mewn ystafell wely yn gwylio’r darlithoedd yn wahanol i’r norm (ac yn gallu bod yn brofiad syrffedus ar adegau), rhaid derbyn fod darlithwyr wedi

gorfod ymgymryd â’r her newydd hon gan addasu’n sydyn i’r normal newydd.

Y gwir amdani yw fod myfyrwyr a’u tiwtoriaid wedi gorfod addasu fel ei gilydd gan fanteisio ar y dechnoleg ddigidol i gynnal y broses ddysgu.

Fel un sydd wedi bod yn y brifysgol ers dwy flynedd bellach ac wedi cael y profiad o fynychu darlithoedd a seminarau ar gampws, mae newid i addysgu ar lein yn newid byd i Heledd Ainsworth sydd yn astudio Cymraeg a’r Gyfraith ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Er bod y sefyllfa yn wahanol, nododd ei bod “yn parhau i gael addysg gan ddarlithwyr o’r radd flaenaf, ac os rhywbeth yn cael fwy o gefnogaeth nag erioed am ei bod mor hawdd cysylltu â darlithwyr dros e-bost/Zoom yn hytrach na gorfod trefnu cyfarfod yn ystod eu horiau swyddfa”.

Rydym yn byw mewn byd rhyfedd.

Byd nad oedd yn bodoli o gwbl yr amser yma y llynedd. Does ond gobeithio y daw haul ar fryn yn fuan, fel y gallwn ddychwelyd at ryw fath o normalrwydd ond a fydd hefyd, o bosib, yn cynnwys rhai agweddau ar ein profiadau digidol diweddar. Onid dyna’r profiad prifysgol gorau erbyn hyn?

Coronafeirws i’w cynnwys yn Pobl y Cwm Aled Biston

Pennaeth Cynnwys Cymraeg

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ae hi wedi bod cwpwl o fisoedd ers i Pobol y Cwm ailgychwyn ffilmio, ac wrth i’r camerâu dychwelyd i Gwmderi, gwelwyd nifer o wahaniaethau i ffilmio arferol o ganlyniad i gyfyngiadau COVID-19. Cychwynnwyd ail-ffilmio ym mis Awst, ac yn ffodus i wneud wedi anghytundeb rhwng BBC Studios a BBC Cymru.

Mae llawer o bethau gwahanol wrth i gyfyngiadau achosi nifer o newidiadau. Cyn cychwyn ffilmio a cynhyrchu, mae angen i’r actorion gwneud colur

ei hun, yn hytrach na rhywun yn eu gneud drostynt. Mae angen iddynt hefyd gwisgo’i hun, yn lle cael eu gwisgo gan unrhyw staff ychwanegol, felly mae angen i’r actorion gwneud gwaith paratoi annibynnol o hyn ymlaen.

O ganlyniad i gyfyngiadau COVID-19, nid oes yna olygfeydd lle mae actorion yn agos i’w gilydd, mae pob un olygfa gydag actorion yn pellhau oddi ei gilydd. Mae hyn wedi dilyn at heriau wrth ffilmio, lle mae’r tîm cynhyrchu wedi gorfod darganfod ffyrdd o oresgyn yr heriau yma.

Mewn golygfa lle mae Jaclyn yn cusanu Garry Monk, defnyddiwyd dymi yn lle cymeriad Garry yn yr olygfa i oresgyn pellhau cymdeithasol. I fod yn

deg i’r tîm cynhyrchu, roedd y pontio rhwng cyfnewid o Garry Monk i’r dymi yn llyfn ac yn daclus, ac roedd llawer o wylwyr heb amau defnydd o ddymi.

Mae Pobol y Cwm yn defnyddio tueddiadau poblogaidd y cyfnod clo hefyd, megis Zoom. Gwelwyd priodas Britt a Colin yn defnyddio Zoom, gyda’r gweinidog a ffrindiau a theulu ar alwad Zoom yn gwylio’r briodas.

Ym mhenawdau eraill, mae Rhys a Luned ar alwad Zoom, ac mae Hywel ar Zoom hefyd.

Ond pam mae Pobol y Cwm wedi dewis cynnwys COVID-19 fel rhan o’r stori? Efallai bod tîm cynhyrchu Pobl y Cwm yn gweld hi’n anodd parhau gyda’r gyfres wrth i gymeriadau pellhau

oddi ei gilydd, bod hi’n anodd cynnal y ffilmio roeddent yn barod wedi paratoi wythnosau o flaen llaw.

Er bod Pobl y Cwm wedi dechrau cynnwys COVID-19 yn y gyfres, mae Rownd a Rownd wedi parhau i ffilmio heb gynnwys COVID-19 fel rhan o’r gyfres. Gwelir y cymeriadau yn yr ysgol, yn mynd i dafarndai a chymdeithasu yn tai ei gilydd, paradocs llwyr i strydoedd gwag Cwmderi yn Pobol y Cwm. Mae’r penderfyniad o gynnwys COVID-19 yn un beiddgar iawn, ac os mae’r cynhyrchwyr am gadw’r feirws tan ei fod wedi mynd, bydd COVID yng Nghwmderi am amser hir maen siŵr.

TAF-OD 9 Bywyd prifysgol yng nghyfnod coronafeirws Catrin Lewis

Golygydd Cymraeg

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rs y 14eg o Fedi, mae’r canllawiau coronafeirws diweddaraf yng Nghymru wedi golygu na all fwy na 6 o bobl gyfarfod y tu fewn. Yn ogystal mae’n rhaid i bawb sy’n cyfarfod fod yn perthyn i’r un aelwyd estynedig. Caiff hyd at 30 o bobl gyfarfod yn yr awyr agored cyn belled â’u bod yn cadw pellter cymdeithasol.

Daw’r newidiadau hyn yn dilyn cynnydd yn niferoedd coronafeirws yng Nghymru dros yr wythnosau diwethaf. Yn ystod y cyfnod rhwng y 12fed a 19eg o Fedi mae dros 1,200 o achosion newydd a 6 o farwolaethau wedi cael eu cofnodi.

Golyga hyn, wrth i fyfyrwyr o Gymru a thu hwnt ddychwelyd i’r brifysgol, bod yn rhaid iddynt baratoi at wythnos y glas gwahanol iawn i’r arfer.

Mae Prifysgol Caerdydd, ynghyd â sawl prifysgol arall, eisoes wedi cyhoeddi y bydd gweithgareddau wythnos y glas eleni yn cael eu gwasgaru dros gyfnod o sawl wythnos. Mae hyn er mwyn sicrhau y bydd y mwyaf posib o weithgareddau yn gallu mynd yn eu blaenau er gwaethaf y cyfyngiadau.

Mewn neges ar wefan y brifysgol nodwyd: “Rydym yn addasu ein mannau i fyfyrwyr, ein caffis a’n cyfleusterau chwaraeon yn unol â chanllawiau cadw pellter cymdeithasol fel y gallwch barhau i fwynhau profiadau bywyd campws.”

Fodd bynnag, er gwaethaf ymdrechion y brifysgol i geisio sicrhau bydd gweithgareddau wythnos y glas yn parhau, ni fydd posib i fyfyrwyr gael yr un profiadau â’r blynyddoedd blaenorol.

Mae clybiau nos a nosweithiau allan gyda chymdeithasau amrywiol wedi bod yn rhan annatod o fywyd prifysgol erioed.

Dyma oedd gan Ffion Evans, myfyrwraig ail flwyddyn o Brifysgol Caerdydd i’w ddweud am y cyfyngiadau newydd: “Bydd y profiad prifysgol yn un gwahanol iawn i ddarpar fyfyrwyr eleni ac mae’n siŵr o fod yn siom na fydd ganddynt yr un cyfleoedd a gawsom ni yn ystod wythnos y glas u fynd i glybiau a chymdeithasu er mwyn dod i adnabod myfyrwyr eraill”.

Pan ofynnwyd am ei phrofiadau personol hi gyda’r cyfyngiadau dywedodd: “Dw i’n byw mewn aelwyd o fwy na 6 o fyfyrwyr ac felly mae’n drafferth i wneud trefniadau. Nid oes modd i bawb fynd i fwyty neu dafarn gyda’i gilydd ac mae’n rhaid i bawb wahanu cyn mynd.”

Mae’r ansicrwydd ymysg myfyrwyr ynglŷn â beth fydd bywyd prifysgol yn edrych fel dros y flwyddyn academaidd nesaf yn amlwg. Fodd bynnag, nid oes dim ellir ei wneud ond disgwyl ac aros i weld sut bydd y sefyllfa yn datblygu dros yr wythnosau sydd i ddod.

Nid oes amheuaeth bod myfyrwyr, boed yn eu blwyddyn gyntaf neu yn eu trydedd flwyddyn, yn gobeithio cael dychwelyd i gymdeithasu ac i fyw bywyd coleg fel y norm yn fuan ond mae’n anhebygol mai dyna fydd realiti’r sefyllfa.

10

POLITICS

YOUR M4 becomes devolution flashpoint POLITICS DESK L Dewi Morris

Politics Editor

Hallum Cowell

Tom Kingsbury

ast year, Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford scrapped plans to build an M4 relief road after declaring a Climate Emergency.

However, the UK’s Internal Market Bill, could give UK Ministers powers to go ahead with plans for the six-lane motorway around Newport which would be in conflict with the Welsh Government’s decision.

In June, 2019, Mark Drakeford decided the M4 relief road would not go ahead. The plans were for a 14mile motorway which would have damaged the Gwent Levels, a diverse habitat and a site of special scientific interest.

The plans had an estimated cost of £1.6 billion. Drakeford rejected the plans because of this cost, and the financial uncertainty facing the Welsh Government especially considering austerity and Brexit.

However, the First Minister said that besides the cost, the plans would not have gone ahead due to the ecological damage the construction would have caused and since the Welsh Government had recently announced a Climate Emergency in April 2019.

Cancelling the plans attracted both harsh criticism and applause.

The scrapped plans went back on promises made in Welsh Labour’s 2016 manifesto, and criticism came from within the Welsh Labour party.

Newport’s Labour MS, Jayne Bryant said: “the decision condemns Newport to further decades of heavy congestion, idling traffic and toxic fumes”.

The-then Conservative Welsh Secretary, Alun Cairns, expressed his frustrations saying: “It appears that the First Minister thinks he knows better than the independent inquiry.”

An inquiry, led by planning expert, Mr Wadrup, concluded, “The scheme would not, to my mind, have any disproportionate adverse impacts.” However, Drakeford said that he believed the relief road would cause more damage to nature than could be outweighed by its benefits.

The decision was a huge win for environmentalists who congratulated the Welsh Government on the move.

Whatever opinions on the controversial M4 relief road may be, this recent argument, ignited by the threat of the UK Government going ahead with the relief road’s plan, is more about devolution and who should have the right to decide on the plan’s future.

The Internal Market Bill, while being a complicated document, in simple terms gives the UK Government power over trade within the UK which was previously overseen by the EU. It also gives Westminster spending powers within devolved nations.

The bill, if passed into law, would give Westminster unilateral control over trade and so could override de-

volved decisions such as the Welsh Government’s decision to ban nine types of single use plastics, as well as decisions relating to food standards, in addition to decisions linked to spending powers given to Westminster, such as on the Welsh Government’s decision to cancel the M4 relief road.

When asked whether Westminster will overrule the Welsh Government’s decision on the relief road, the Conservative Welsh Secretary, Simon Hart, told the BBC: “We never rule anything in or rule anything out”. He also said Westminster “probably could” go ahead with the plan, although “it would be com-

the other hand, 1,452,000 people were employed between June and August.

Additionally, the rate of working age people the Office for National Statistics deems “economically inactive” rose to 24.4% in Wales, compared to the UK rate of 20.8%. Between June and August this equates to 466,000 people “economically inactive”.

The whole of the UK is currently facing an economic slump with unemployment rising from 4.1% to 4.5% between June and August equating to an estimated 1.5 million people without a job.

Jonathan Athow, the Office of National Statistics’ deputy national statistician for economic statistics said they had found a “sharp increase” in people out of work or job hunting since March and that, “since the pandemic began… there are particular groups who seem to be most affected, young people in particular”.

Cardiff high street: During the pandemic may shops have been forced to close, contributing to the rise in unemployment. Source: Stephen Mckay (via. Geograph)

Sitting on the fence?: Last year, Mark Drakeford scrapped plans to build an M4 relief road after declaring a Climate Emergency. Source: Stuart Herbert (via. Flickr) plicated, it would be controversial and would require years probably of legal wrangling”.

The controversy comes down to the fact that areas such as building, planning, and transport are devolved, and the people of Wales have voted twice in favour of devolution.

Overriding the decision on the M4 relief road can be seen as a matter of principle and question of democracy.

When the Internal Market Bill was first published Mark Drakeford called the bill an “enormous power grab.”

Adam Price, leader of Plaid Cymru, tweeted: “History may remember this as the day devolution died.”

Welsh unemployment rises to 3.8% Hallum Cowell Head of Politics

Dewi Morris

Morgan Perry politics@gairrhydd.com

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ollowing the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of the second recession in as many decades, 3.8% of the Welsh population are now unemployed reports the Office for National Statistics. This is a sharp rise from the May to June figures which showed unemployment at 3.1%.

While Welsh unemployment was also at 3.8% in September 2019 the sharp increase of 0.7% has caused concern as it is twice the UK average for the same period. It is also important to note that these figures count workers who are furloughed as still employed.

In actual numbers these figures mean that between May and August 37,000 fewer people were employed and between March and May 57,000 people in Wales were unemployed. On

Neil McEvoy stages Senedd ammendment protest Hallum Cowell Head of Politics

T Neil McEvoy: Former;y a member of Plaid Cymru the MS for South Wales Central is now aiming to form his own party. Source: Plaid Cyrmu (via. Flickr)

he MS for South Wales Central Neil McEvoy held a protest during a Senedd debate on tackling racism and race inequality. The protest saw McEvoy place tape over this mouth upon which he had written “racism” and held a placard which read “gagged by a racist”.

The Senedd Member, formerly part of Plaid Cymru, submitted four amendments to the debate’s motion but had them all rejected by the presiding officer, Elin Jones.

McEvoy claims that his amendments were at “the very moment

withdrawn by the presiding officer”.

He also said that he was being denied his “democratic right” and that “as it stands now, a brown man with a voice and an opinion is not welcome by too many people in this building”.

Jones acknowledged the issue of amendments during the debate saying “As members know we are in extraordinary times of a hybrid Senedd [where MS contribute both online and in person], and I said on many occasions that I will proactively now be looking to select or not select amendments for the proper conduct of a hybrid Senedd.”

On McEvoy’s protest specifically Jones said it broke “I don’t know how many standing orders”, adding

that McEvoy should “ungag” himself and put down his “prop”. Later adding that “I offered you Neil McEvoy the opportunity to speak if you were to ungag yourself and put down your offensive prop. You chose not to do that”.

However, after McEvoy made objections off microphone he was allowed to contribute.

Since leaving Plaid Cymru in 2019 the MS has been attempting to create a new political party called the Welsh National Party (Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru in Welsh). The name however has been in limbo as the Electoral Commission consider a complaint from Plaid Cymru (Welsh Party in English) that the names are too similar.

GWLEIDYDDIAETH

11

Johnson speaks to EU as Brexit deadline approaches As the deadline to reach an agreement on the UK’s future relationship with the EU approaches, negotiations on a possible deal intensify Morgan Perry Politics Editor

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hursday, October 15 was not only Boris Johnson’s personal deadline on which to reach a deal, but also the date on which the European Council – comprised of the heads of state of member governments of the EU27 – met to discuss the ongoing negotiations.

As negotiators prepare to “enter the tunnel” – the final phase of intense negotiations during which, it is hoped, a deal will be reached – it has been reported that there are still a number of outstanding demands on the UK side which have not been resolved. The most notable of these is the issue of fisheries, and who has access to UK waters post-Brexit.

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, held a call with von der Leyen and Charles Michel, the European Council President, the night before the EU meeting, on Wednesday. It was reported that Mr Johnson was willing to extend the deadline that he had previously set for the middle of October, to account for the lack of movement from both sides.

“There are still differences, with fisheries being the starkest. We need to get substance settled and not having a common text to work from has made progress doubly difficult,” said a UK Government spokesperson.

The current negotiations are the second of two that have framed Britain’s thus-far lengthy departure from the Union.

The first set were to decide the legal texts which made up the Withdrawal Agreement, a first draft of which was reached in 2018. It took nearly 18 months, however, for the Withdrawal Agreement to be approved after then Prime Minister, Theresa May had issues getting the agreement through the House of

Commons.

It was passed by Johnson in January 2020 after securing a parliamentary majority at the 2019 General Election, paving the path for the UK to leave the bloc on January 31, 2020, after 47 years of membership.

Since March, however, the UK and the EU have been working together to decide the future trade and security relationship between the two parties.

The transition period – the period in which the UK has time to negotiate a trade and security deal with its European neighbours – will end on December 31, 2020.

Therefore, from January 1, 2021, if the two countries are unable to secure a deal, the UK assumes thirdcountry status. This leaves the UK in the same position as countries like the United States, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, none of whom have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU, and Great Britain will begin trading under (less favourable) World Trade Organisation rules.

Several weeks ago, Johnson said it was “up to the EU” to finalise the trade deal between the two.

In response, the European Commission President, von der Leyen said: “Overall, where there is a will there is a way, so I think we should intensify the negotiations because it is worth working hard on it.”

At the end of the ninth round of negotiations at the beginning of October, the UK’s Chief Negotiator, Lord David Frost, said there was “very little time to resolve the issues”, whilst his European counterpart, Michel Barnier, claimed there were “persistent serious divergences”.

There continues to exist issues around state aid – money the government can provide to failing businesses – and, as mentioned, fisheries. Fisheries count for just 0.12% of the UK’s gross domestic product.

The key players in the Brexit negotiations.

Boris Johnson Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission

Ursula von der Leyen: The President of the European Commission is leading EU talks with the UK on a future relationship after Brexit. Source: European Parliament (via Flickr) The remaining issues were compounded by the Government’s passing of the Internal Market Bill in the House of Commons, to which some on the European side have expressed concern. The Union has even gone as far to launch (separate) legal proceedings against the UK in the event that it reneges on its treaty obligations set out in the Withdrawal Agreement.

“They’ve done a deal with Canada of a kind that we want, why shouldn’t they do it with us?” added Mr Johnson.

They’ve done a deal with Canada of a kind that we want, why shouldn’t they do it with us?

Boris Johonson UK Prime Minsiter

Boris Johnson: The Prime Minister was a key member of the Vote Leave team during the 2016 referendum. Source: UK Parliament (via. Flickr)

The EU-Canada FTA took more than seven years to negotiate, and still requires further ratification from regional and national European parliaments. After dragging its feet over the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK has given the EU just nine months.

Ahead of his call with European officials, Johnson was reportedly told by Lord Frost that a deal with the European Union was still entirely possible, and it has been suggested that this may be achieved by the next EU summit on November 15.

It is the French Government that has reportedly been a blocker over the agreement on fisheries.

The Guardian reported last week that the French EU Affairs Minister has warned President Emmanuel

Macron that the status quo must be maintained between Britain and its neighbours. French fishermen in the north of France rely on access to British waters, where they’ve fished for decades.

In Germany, meanwhile, Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested that the EU must get “realistic” in its negotiations, adding that any deal must be “in British interests as well as the interests of the 27-member EU”.

Indeed, it was on Thursday that EU leaders discussed the ongoing negotiations with Michel Barnier.

The deadline to agree a deal is rapidly approaching, and concessions appear to have already been made.

The UK has reportedly agreed to a review mechanism to oversee state aid, something that will be administered by an independent regulator.

A deal, of course, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and the economic fallout of Brexit, is – in some ways – in the UK’s interest more than the EU. Boris Johnson, however, will likely still face a number of challenges.

The tough final stages of the talks came in the same week that a poll reported all-time high support for Scottish independence, and as First Minister Mark Drakeford sought to restrict travel to Wales from virushit areas of England.

The clock is ticking for both Mr Johnson and the EU, as they find themselves in the most fragile section of the final stages of negotiations.

After Johnson and other Brexiteers previously promised a close relationship with Brussels, it is the next few weeks that will set out the UK’s future relationship with its closest neighbours for the foreseeable future.

Stephen Barclay UK Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union

Michel Barnier EU Cheif Negotiator

David Frost UK Chief Brexit Negotiator Source from top to bottom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (via. WikiMedia Commons) Sandro Halank (via. WikiMedia Commons) Number 10 (via. Flickr) Martin Kraft (via. WikiMedia Commons) Number 10 (via.Flickr)

12 POLITICS In other news Armenia and Azerbaijan historic conflict reignites Tom Kingsbury Politics Editor

Voting in New Zealand’s delayed election ends on Saturday. Kiwis have been heading to the polls over the last two weeks, after early voting started on October 3. Incumbent Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern leads the polls, and have been doing so with more than 50% of the vote since March. The country’s strong response to COVID-19 is likely to be one of the key factors in Ardern’s electoral success. The Labour Party are currently in coalition with the New Zealand First, alongside a confidence and supply agreement with the Greens. Proportional representation makes coalition governments more likely, though Labour looks set to win this election.

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n historic conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh has reignited. Military clashes have continued despite a ceasefire agreed on Saturday October 10.

The region is internationally recognised as an Azeri territory, but its

population is made up of and governed by a majority ethnically Armenian population.

In the late 1980s a bloody conflict took place between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, which was settled only when a ceasefire was agreed in 1994. Despite efforts by international organisations, a peace agreement has never been reached between the two states.

Since the truce, Nagorno-Karabakh has been governed by a separatist

Nagorno-Karabakh’s defence army: The region between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been a source of conflict for some decades now. Source: David Stanley (via. Flickr)

The Taliban are carrying out an assault in Helmand province, Afghanistan, seeking to compromise the strategically important city Lashkar Gah. The fighting has been ongoing for a number of days, as Afghan forces defend Helmand province’s capital from the assault with the backing of US airstrikes. An estimated 35,000 people have been displaced by the conflict, as the United Nations and humanitarian organisations express concerns about civilian safety.

The government of Thailand has banned gatherings as protests continue in the country. Pro-democracy activists have been campaigning against the nation’s monarchy.

Protests have been a part of life for many in Thailand since a military coup d’etat in 2014 and controversial elections which maintained the incumbent government in 2019.

The Thai government claims that protesters have caused “chaos and incitement of conflict and public disorder” although reportssuggest that most of the demonstrations have been peaceful.

But according to the Armenian defence ministry, Azeri forces launched an attack five minutes after the ceasefire was meant to be in effect, with ethnic Armenian forces responding.

Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said on the other hand that Armenia was “blatantly violating the ceasefire regime”.

The truce is seemingly crumbling, with the Armenian Foreign Minister calling it “extremely fragile”.

Concerns have been raised regarding the implications of the conflict not only for the people of NagornoKarabakh, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, but also the wider region and political relationships in the caucuses.

Azerbaijan has strong relations with Turkey, and Armenia with Russia, though Russia is taking a more neutral stance. Iran also borders both countries, and had offered to broker peace talks between the two.

Though the ceasefire is still formally in effect, and a number of parties desire peace in the region, the reignited conflict seems to be heading away from Saturday’s agreement.

Political chaos erupts in Kyrgyzstan after election Tom Kingsbury Politics Editor

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state of emergency has been called as political chaos unfolds in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan. Protesters have clashed with police, stormed parliament, and freed politicians from jail. One person has died and more than 1,200 have been injured.

A recent election result has been annulled and Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister resigned, as mob rule spreads.

Instability reigns currently, in the country which overthrew two previous presidents, in the 2005 Tulip Revolution and 2010 April Revolution.

On October 4, an election was held in Kyrgyzstan. The result was a resounding win for incumbent President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

However, widespread allegations of mass vote rigging undermined the legitimacy of the election in many people’s eyes. International monitors said claims of vote rigging were “credible”.

Out of the 16 parties contesting the

election, only four were said to have passed the electoral threshold to enter parliament. Three of the four have ties to President Jeenbekov.

The day after the election, 12 opposition parties made a joint declaration that they would not recognise the results of the vote.

Following this, protests began near the parliamentary buildings in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek. The protests were peaceful, but a smaller group broke into the parliamentary building, known as the White House.

In response to this police began dispersing crowds, using water cannons, tear gas and stun grenades.

Protesters also released prisoners, including ex-president Almazbek Atambayev, who was jailed for corruption offenses, and Sadyr Japarov, a nationalist politician charged with taking a government official hostage.

Following the protests electoral authorities annulled the election result.

Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister quit the position, and Sadyr Japarov, who was freed from prison by protesters, was appointed PM. A power vacuum began, as mob

Ala-Too square in Bishkek: Kyrgyzstan has undergone an extended period of political unrest including two revolutions. Source: Vmenkov (via.

WikiMedia Commons)

rule spread; groups of people began entering government offices and appointing their leaders into official positions, forcing government representatives to resign.

In many cases the individual would be replaced soon after by another person, backed by an even bigger group of people.

A state of emergency was called, enforcing a curfew and travel restrictions, as well as allowing the army to deploy soldiers in Bishkek. The state of emergency is in place officially until October 21.

Rival protesters are clashing with each other and the police, each backing different political leaders.

One of President Jeenbekov’s political adversaries, ex-PM Atambayev, has been rearrested after being freed, and Jeenbekov refused to approve the appointment of Sadyr Japarov as PM, asking parliament to vote again.

“If things continue like now, we will never reach a consensus”, said Taalay Nasirdinov, a member of the Reform Party. “I am scared of the worst-case scenario – a civil war. I am worried that we may lose our country.”

Texas sticks to one ballot drop off point per county Hallum Cowell Head of Politics

Last week, the Greek neo-Nazi political party Golden Dawn, was found guilty of operating as a criminal organisation. Golden Dawn entered mainstream Greek politics after Greece’s financial crisis in 2009. In 2012, the party won 7% of Greece’s vote and after the 2015 Greek election, Golden Dawn was the third largest party in the Greek parliament. The party’s leader and founder Nikos Mihaloliakos was sentenced to 13 years in prison for running a criminal organisation linked to hate crimes. Six other party leaders including the MEP Ioannis Lagos were also convicted. Police found Nazi flags at the houses of members, and a total of 68 Golden Dawn members were put on trial.

self-declared republic, which has been controlled by ethnic Armenians and is backed by the Armenian government.

Despite this, the region is internationally recognised as a territory of Azerbaijan, after being declared so by the Soviet Union in the 1920s. In the late 1980s, Nagorno-Karabakh voted to become part of Armenia, sparking the six-year conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The reignition of the conflict was once again related to Nagorno-Karabakh. After fighting began anew nearly 500 people have reportedly been killed, more than 60 of which are civilians. Around 70,000 people have also been displaced by the conflict.

Both Azerbaijan and Armenia invoked martial law in some areas, as fighting spread beyond NagornoKarabakh. A missile reportedly struck a residential area in Azerbaijan’s second largest city Ganja. Armenia has denied responsibility for the attack.

On Saturday, a truce – brokered by Russia – was declared after 10 hours of negotiations.

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new decision from the American Appeals Court has upheld Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to limit mail in ballot drop boxes to one per country. The decision was ruled on Monday, October 12, by judges all appointed by incumbent President Donald Trump.

In the US electoral system voters can post in their votes through the postal service or deliver the letter to a drop in box within their county.

Governor Abbot had made the directive that only one drop off point would be opened per state on October 5, however, after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an emergency motion on Saturday, October 10, the decision was taken to court By limiting the number of drop off points to one per county voters will

have to travel large distances to cast their votes this way. For example, if you live in the outer areas of Harris County in Texas, the county which contains state capital Houston, you will have to travel up to 47 miles.

Harris County is a huge county, clocking in at nearly 2,000 square miles with a population of roughly 2.4 million eligible voters.

Abbott argues that the restrictions are needed to prevent voter fraud although critics argue that this type of fraud is very rare. Texas restricts mail in ballots to people who are over 65, have a disability or will be outside of the US during the election period. Ironically, these groups of people are often those who find it the most difficult to travel long distances.

As the election draws nearer Texas is, somewhat surprisingly, swinging to the Democrats with polling as of October 14 showing the Republicans holding 51% of the vote share

and the Democrats on 48.1%.

This election is shaping up to be mired by controversy and legal debate as arguments over the eligibil-

ity of mail in ballots, with President Trump especially questioning their validity, could lead to election night becoming election months.

Greg Abbott: The Govenor of Texas has been clear that we wants to limit ballot drop off points to prevent voter fraud. Source: Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas (via. WikiMedia Commons)

14

COMMENT

YOUR The importance of Welsh history COMMENT Where is the balanced education system in Wales?

DESK Tirion Davies

Editor-in-Chief

L

Molly Govus

Sian Hopkins

Cerys Ann Jones

Izzy Morgan

earning about the history of Wales is a difficult discussion to have, some think.

There’s an expectation that if you’re from Wales, you should know everything about it, its culture and its past. That’s not always true, however.

Some of us are lucky. Gaining an education through the medium of Welsh gave me the opportunity to learn about the history of Wales in a more in-depth way than many of my peers who didn’t receive a Welsh-language education. Even from a young age, I was taught about the Welsh Not, a device used in the Victorian era to discourage children from speaking Welsh.

If you were caught speaking Welsh, you were made to wear a piece of wood bearing ‘WN’ on a piece of string around your neck, and the last person wearing it at the end of the day would receive a punishment.

I remember being taken to St Fagans, the Welsh Museum of Culture near Cardiff as a child, and was taught about history, almost as if I was walking right through it.

My year seven history lessons involved learning about Llywelyn Fawr, the great Prince of Wales, and his wife Siwan.

Their story of adultery and intrigue was immortalised in author Saunders Lewis’ play, Siwan, which I later studied at A-Level.

Their story was fascinating to me as an 11-year-old, and I remembered it all the way up to A-Level when it was retold to me before I started studying the play.

Owain Glyndwr, the unlikely and wealthy leader of the 13th century Welsh Revolution was the subject of my GCSE coursework, for which I (thankfully) gained an A*.

He was the son of a Welshman who died early in Glyndwr’s life, and was raised by an English stepfather and was one of few Welshmen who was educated.

Though his involvement in the revolution, filled with peasants who had no rights, his story and its folklore is told forever in Welshlanguage schools.

The history of Llywelyn Ein Llyw

Olaf (Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, technically), the last Prince of Wales who was betrayed by his men and handed over to the English King John, was told to me countless times.

The date of his death, 11 December 1282, is burned into my brain from a poem I was taught at GCSE, and the history of his infant daughter Gwenllian is one I think about a lot.

Tryweryn was first introduced to me when I was in year five.

I was taught about the drowning of the Welsh town for a reservoir for Liverpool as an exercise, where half of us were to argue why it seemed an injustice, and the other half to argue why Liverpool deserved water. It was fascinating, and I immediately went home to tell my parents.

What I realised, however, was that the history that I’d learned in school wasn’t necessarily the same history everyone learned. My Dad, for example, didn’t know half the things that I’d been taught by age 11.

My Mam did, though. I wondered why that was, and then when I would speak to friends from English-language schools in Wales when I would go to swimming, or karate, or acting classes, I realised there was a clear difference between the Welsh history I was taught, and

the history they were taught.

The biggest difference being, I was taught Welsh history.

Aberfan is a good example, I suppose. Though it’s not too fair to say that children from English-speaking schools in South Wales were not taught about Aberfan.

As many of us have families from neighbouring valleys who remembered the incident as it happened, or would have to travel past the cemetery and would hear the story, there are many in Wales who were unaware of Aberfan’s history.

Netflix’s hit show The Crown showed the Aberfan disaster during its most recent series. For many, especially for those outside of Wales, it was the first time they’d heard of the incident.

But even for some in Wales, who had never been told the story in their Welsh or history class, watching the traumatic event happen on their television screen would have been a startling reminder that often, Welsh history gets overlooked.

It isn’t intentional, I don’t think.

But children who grew up in the same village as I did but who went through a slightly differing education system, didn’t get half the amount of history I got.

I am so proud of my Welsh heritage, and a big part of that is because of my knowledge of Welsh history

and culture.

What happens if we don’t teach the people of Wales about their own history? I’ve named but a few events in Welsh history – half of it doesn’t even reach the tip of the iceberg – but why is it that only less than half of us get the full picture?

Welsh-medium education is often considered the ‘other’ when it comes to education in Wales, but in the instance of Welsh history, Welsh language education is stellar in teaching children about their heritage and about the past.

There’s always something new to learn about when it comes to Wales, but the language and the history shouldn’t be the preserve of the children who go through Welsh-medium education.

There should be a balanced education system whereby children across Wales receive the same historical education. It can often feel like Welsh speakers and Englishspeaking Welsh nationals are different from one another – this shouldn’t be the case when it comes to history in particular.

Being Welsh and living in Wales is more than just about living here.

There needs to be an understanding of the rich history Wales has.

There’s a reason why we all make such a big fuss about being from here!

Learning Welsh history: Being educated on your heritage is important.

Source: Jaggery (via Geograph)

comment@gairrhydd.com

The route to increasing judicial diversity

Tehreem Sultan Features Editor

R

enowned as the major decision maker of legal issues and the constitution in the UK, the Supreme Court plays a vital role in the development of various areas of law. As the final court of appeal, its main focus lies in cases holding high public and constitutional value, while individual judges of the Court can add their own dissenting and assenting perspectives to the various cases. As the current President of the Supreme Court, Lord Reed recently expressed his wishes, in an interview with BBC News, for his successor to be of an ethnic background, to promote

equality and support diversity. As a leader in the common law world, Lord Reed became President after Lady Hale resigned in January 2020.

There remains a lack of diversity in the legal sector, and the controversial blame of systemic racism continues.

The statistics indicating lack of Queen’s Counsel (QC’s) in the profession from ethnic backgrounds, and the routinely under-represented women in this sector are evident of these claims. Moreover these barriers are known to incriminate and dissuade aspiring solicitors and barristers from the BAME and LGBTQ+ community. According to the annual reports produced by the judiciary, in the Courts women represent 32% of all judges, while Black, Asian

and minority ethnic individuals represent only 8% of court judges. While the representation also considerably varies in different regions, Wales was pointed out for having the lowest representation of BAME individuals.

Events such as the recent investigation launched on Alexandra Wilson, a black junior criminal barrister who was mistaken in the courts for a defendant on numerous occasions, further demonstrates the lack of representation in the profession. The HMCTS apologised for the “totally unacceptable behavior”, and as the Ex President of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale stated, “The judiciary needs to be more diverse so that the public feel those on the bench are genuinely ‘our judges’ rather than

“beings from another planet”. Lady Hale has worked effortlessly for an end to gender discrimination and an equal pay in the legal profession, for greater accessibility and transparency of the legal system.

Over the years various organisations have established numerous efforts for assisting to nurture and assist individuals aiming to enter the legal profession.

The recent initiative ‘Bridging the Bar’ which aims to allow greater access to opportunities for disadvantaged groups indicates that there seems to be hope for change through strengthening diversity. Representation is foundational in framing the culture needed to drive diversity, and as the charity organisation, Justice, states in their diversity

report, that a cultural change needs to be embedded. Diversity is integral as always and it is important that individuals in leadership positions commit to transform the judicial system, making efforts to increase inclusion.

As Lord Reed directs the diversity issue in his interview, he wishes a judge from an ethnic minority background will be appointed before his retirement.

He states in his interview that the lack of diversity amongst the 12 Supreme Court judges is a situation “which cannot be allowed to become shameful if it persists”.

Moreover, in order to administer and deliver justice, the Court shall better reflect the population of the nation it serves.

SYLWADAU

15

Should the Welsh travel ban have happened sooner?

More needs to be done for the Some may argue that it is too late, whilst others attest the need for openness arts industry Cerys Jones

Comment Editor

F

ollowing the implementation of local lockdown restrictions across 16 Welsh counties, the Welsh Government has announced possible plans to ban travelling to Wales from areas in the UK highly contaminated with COVID-19, which poses the question of whether the consideration of a travel ban should have happened sooner.

The Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford, stated that the government is seeking to introduce the restrictions and guidelines by 6pm on Friday 16, providing that the Prime Minister does not implement measures to the same effect prior. The decision is designed consequent to a surge in Coronavirus infections derived from hotspot countries within the UK. Drakeford stated: “Evidence from public health professionals suggests Coronavirus is moving from East to West across the UK and across Wales”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, the Welsh Minister stated that restrictions were “likely” to apply to Northern Ireland, citizens living in tier two and tier three areas of England, and the Scottish Central belt.

The UK government deemed Drakeford’s decision to be “disappointing”, contrasting with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who said that she fully supported the Welsh government’s decision in a tweet which states: “Fully support @fmwales on this.

These public health decisions, and nothing to do with constitutional or political debates. @scotgov will also take whatever action we consider necessary to control COVID”.

She also said that she would write to Boris Johnson seeking urgent discussions regarding UK-wide travel restrictions and called for a “sensible agreement” between the four nations.

With the emergence of October half-term fast approaching, citizens nationwide are being encouraged to prearrange staycation holidays, thus increasing the possibility of a surge in COVID-19 infections.

Before the Welsh Governments implementation of a travel ban, Simon Calder, a highly regarded travel expert and current senior travel editor for The Independent newspaper has be-

come subject to scrutiny following his appearance on the ITV’s This Morning, where he advised viewers to visit mid-Wales during the forthcoming half-term, despite there being 16 surrounding areas under local lockdown restrictions.

During his segment with hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, where he discussed concerns encompassing cancelled trips and alternative holiday destinations within the UK, he stated: “My absolute top tip, you could stop off in the lovely town of Machynlleth… of course you can go to Aberystwyth and all the resorts, Barmouth and Harlech all the way round to lovely Pwllheli”.

Many viewers voiced their criticisms and concerns to the UK’s media and communications regulator, Ofcom, and on social media platforms regarding the advice provided. Twitter user, @ MorganCymraes expressed her frustrations through tweeting: “So fed up with Cymru being treated like a playground for English tourists”.

The councillor of Powys County, Mike Williams, expressed that the virus was largely controlled during the COVID-19 pandemic consequent to the “common sense” exercised by the citizens of Machynlleth. Statistics state that the infection rate in Powys was 401.7 per 100,000 of the population, whilst 1,468.1 were recorded in Rhondda Cynon Taf, a county in which local lockdown restrictions have had to be placed.

Since the broadcast of the segment on the renowned British daytime television programme, Calder has received a torrent of abusive comments who disagreed with the endorsement.

In response to the backlash received, the travel writer utilised his column in The Independent where he stated that he understood “deep concern of any community that is fearful of outsiders spreading the vile virus”, but stated also that there is a “tourism economy to support”. Calder clarified that he intended to inspire those with the desire to travel responsibly as he expressed that it is an area within the UK that is “rich in wonder”, which would therefore support local businesses in turn.

Within the column, Calder made evident that Wales’s main international tourism website, VisitWales.com, prominently featured mid-Wales on its

Molly Govus

Comment Editor

F

Welsh beauty: The stunning aesthetics of Wales seem appealing, but at what cost? Source: Pxfuel homepage, thus utilising the website as a scapegoat for the backlash that he is receiving. This Morning is a more influential and far-reaching platform, which would therefore impact the nation on a greater scale in comparison to the VisitWales.com’s website by portraying Wales as a desirable and accessible tourist destination on national TV. First minister Mark Drakeford has previously written to the British Prime Minister on two occasions regarding implementing legislation to prevent people in lock-down with high levels of transmission from visiting Wales on holiday. He stated: “As we act to prevent people who live in hotspots in Wales from travelling to England, and taking the risk of the virus with them, so the Prime Minister ought to do the same to prevent people from English hotspots from travelling elsewhere, because of the risk that that undoubtedly poses”.

However, the British government repeatedly refused to do so. Boris Johnson stated in a succeeding interview that he does intend to restrict the travel of people living in high-risk English regions.

When asked if any steps would be taken to prevent those living in areas under lockdown in England from travelling to areas of Wales which are not under visitation restrictions, the Minister of Economy and Transport, Ken Skates, said that there were no plans to do so. He stated that it was a fine balancing act to maintain economic activity whilst also protecting the public. He

stated: “It’s vitally important if anyone decides to come to Wales on holiday or for a visit that they do so in a safe way”.

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, explained that COVID-19 had “grown significantly” in Wales over the previous month and that new measures are needed to prevent an increase in infections when hospitals are “very close to being overrun”.

Scotland has implemented tighter restrictions, meaning that licensed premises such as pubs and restaurants in the central belt will have to close until 25 October. Unnecessary travel is not permitted, and citizens are being asked about public transport when possible. This decision illuminates that the health of the Scottish population is being prioritised over economic gain and recovery, posing the question of whether local lockdowns in Wales is an adequate method of containing the virus. The Coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly altered the social, economic, and political landscape causing people to react in an emotional manner.

A clearer strategy is needed to assist the nation in trying to navigate through a period of such uncertainty.

Confusion has occurred within the UK consequent to the four nations being governed by different bodies. Closer communication among the countries would provide consistency, thus increasing the population’s trust in t government’s leadership.

The Welsh borders ought The Government was right to close the border to remain open for all Anonymous Contributor

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he question of whether Wales should have closed their borders to the rest of the UK sooner hinges on one question: if Wales was an independent nation would people from high COVID-19 R-rate areas be allowed to enter the country?

Judging by the response of nearly every other nation on Earth, including the wider UK, the answer is a solid no.

The precedent has been clearly set

by Westminster and other governments that a valid tactic to stopping the spread of this pandemic is to restrict the movement of people.

Several counties in the UK already restrict the movement of people, Cardiff is a key example where you cannot enter or leave apart from school, work,

sentimental or medical reasons.

The reality of the situation is that we are in a second wave of COVID-19 and the response to that unfortunate reality has to be more drastic measures.

Stopping people traveling from highly infected areas to Wales, to anywhere outside of their community, seems like a no brainer, right? And it certainly should have been implemented sooner.

The Welsh government were right to ignore Boris Johnson’s argument that people should use their “common sense”, if the state of the modern world has taught us anything it’s that while most people do possess this nebulous “common sense” there are those that don’t.

It only takes a couple hundred people wanting to go take a walk in the Welsh countryside to start another outbreak and prolong this dire situation.

Sarah Bosley Contributor

A

s the pandemic continues its destruction across the world, the government here in the UK are trying their best to contain and reduce the numbers of cases rising.

There have been several changes to the lockdown rules in most cities lately, and they were very clear at the start of COVID-19, but now the rules appear to be a little jaded. The Welsh minister, Mark Drakeford, has now confirmed that as of Friday, Wales will be closed to visitors that live in COVID-19 hotspots, mainly Liverpool and Northern areas.

But, in my opinion, I don’t believe that this will make any difference to the numbers of cases, particularly due to the fact that if you don’t live

in a COVID-19 hotspot you’re free to visit.

I don’t understand this logic. The tourism industry is already struggling as people are not traveling or taking holidays, so why not let people come from around the UK? With half term just around the corner, surely it would be in the interest of the Welsh tourist industry and it would certainly help the economy that has taken a huge bashing.

I think that as long as visitors to Wales are not suffering from any symptoms of the virus, not been in contact with anyone with it and they follow the social distancing rules and precautions then I cannot see a problem.

Obviously, I don’t want to see the figures in Wales rise but I strongly believe that the borders should remain open.

ollowing the Coronavirus pandemic, the Office for National Statistics has announced that the arts and entertainment sector has been worst hit. This follows with 25% of businesses not trading during this period, and 41% have seen turnover fall by half.

In the last decade, the Conservative government’s financial support for the arts has dropped by 35%. It is now more than ever that these sectors need funding, in order to keep culture alive within our society.

In order to respond to this challenge, institutions such as music venues and museums have been forced to accept less funding in an attempt to adapt to life during COVID-19.

Despite this, due to enforced closures around the UK and social distancing measures, these institutions have been left high and dry whilst remaining in an impossible and difficult economic position.

What is inevitable, and disappointingly sad, is that creative workers may very well be joining the growing group of the unemployed this autumn. The anger-filled question is: could this have been avoided?

Despite the Arts Council England being responsible for distributing a contribution of £500 million to support museums, theatres, music and comedy venues, the future still looks bleak. Chief Executive of the council, Darren Hanley, confessed in his blog that ‘this money, significant as it is, will be nowhere near enough to support organisations to emerge from the crisis unchanged’.

Ultimately, the reality is this: the industry is running out of time. Some could argue that irreversible damage has already been done, and I would whole-heartedly agree.

It seems that there is no light at the end of the tunnel for those who actually create the arts. The furlough scheme is coming to an end this month, and as is the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Around 80% of people working in the arts and wider creative industries work on a self-employed basis.

Those in work, such as in places like the South Bank Centre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, have already opened formal redundancy procedures. The arts are based, and grow, thanks to freelancers. Where is their support?

A government partner campaign has recently resurfaced over social media in the last week, depicting a ballet dancer tying her shoes, with the caption: ‘Fatima’s next job could be in cyber...she just doesn’t know it yet’.

Critics of the campaign have states that it ‘pretty much sums up what this (government) thinks of the arts’.

Whether it was a mistake or poorlytimed, the advert brings embarrassment for the government due to the fact that it came on the same day that the DCMS (Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport) released details of their £257 million funding agreement.

We must bare in mind where our entertainment came from over the start of lockdown. How did we stay occupied? How did we remain inspired?

We watched plays that were broadcasted live, we listened to music, we watched films and TV. The arts sector are owed more now than ever, and it’s about time we realised that.

16

ADVICE

YOUR How to help the homeless in Cardiff What can you do as a student to help the homeless population living on the streets?

ADVICE DESK H Vicky Witts

Head of Advice

Vicky Witts

Megan Evans advice@gairrhydd.com

Spending time at home with your friends Megan Evans Advice Editor

C

ardiff is in a local lockdown.

As the ‘rule of six’ persists in Cardiff, what is there to do with your housemates when you’re all bored?

Have a cocktail night There’s nothing better than spending less money and making your own cocktails with Tesco’s finest vodka with cranberry and orange juice, with the money in your bank account safe and sound. Get your housemates together and spend the night making delicious cocktails!

Cook a house meal A stressful day is always made better when you have a nice dinner waiting for you, What’s even better is having a house meal such as a roast, enchiladas, chilli, or spaghetti bolognese that you can all enjoy together. There are lots of dishes that you can bulk make, and it is so much cheaper than buying masses of ingredients separately.

Have a film night Whilst cinemas have reopened, the social distancing rules still apply, and it is hard to get everyone out at the same time. Why not get cozy on your sofa, and get Netflix or Amazon Prime up, as there are so many films to choose from. You can even marathon a series together on one free evening?

Try a spa night With regard to self-care and destressing after university, it can also be fun to attempt a spa night. You don’t even need to do it like the movies, just grab some inexpensive products from Home Bargains and host a makeshift ‘spa’.

omelessness throughout Cardiff as well as much of the rest of the UK, has constantly been a problem, with local charities and councils often struggling to find solutions to the large numbers of homeless people living on the streets. In Cardiff alone the Welsh government estimated that there were around 100 people sleeping on the streets throughout 2019.

With many people having been asked to donate clothing, food, or some of their time to volunteering before, whether at work or school, it may seem like individual contributions will not help to fight current problems with homelessness in the UK. However, whilst long-term studies such as those soon to be held

by Cardiff University which may be able to change the state of homelessness on a large scale, there are small actions that you can do to contribute to positive change for those who are homeless Volunteering and societies Volunteering is one of the most common and well-known methods for helping to fight homelessness, and it is particularly useful if you know that you want to be direct with your actions but may not know where to start.

Volunteering for specific charities such as The Wallich or Shelter Cymru can also teach you the best and

most effective ways to help someone who is homeless so that your contributions will have a more positive and long term impact.

Charities such as these often have volunteer application forms on their websites, so it is a relatively simple process if this is your desired method for taking action against homelessness.

Acting as a volunteer is not solely linked to large time commitments with big charities however, as there are many societies and organisations within universities which aim to act against homelessness and are more considerate of a student’s schedule.

For example, at Cardiff University there are groups such as the Help for Homeless society, Waste Not Want Not project and Periods in Poverty project as well as many others, which offer various volunteering and fundraising opportunities throughout the year that are specifically focused on Cardiff ’s issues with homelessness.

Donating food or clothing to charities If you feel that you would like to contribute to the fight against homelessness but without the time commitment of volunteering, donating food or clothing to charity collections may be a suitable course of action.

Such contributions not only prevent waste created from throwing away unwanted clothes, but also can help those without the funds or access to purchase food, especially as the coronavirus pandemic has led

to shortages on some food products which may have made people more reluctant to donate.

Donating food or clothing is also not a difficult course of action as there are often donation points within local supermarkets, or charities such as Huggard who detail on their website how you can donate products such as clothes to those in need.

Taking time to talk Although it may seem a daunting idea, taking the time to stop and speak to someone who is homeless, even if it is just about their day, may have a positive impact on their mental wellbeing.

On their website, The Big Issue notes that the “long hours of loneliness, isolation and sleep deprivation” associated with being homeless can put a huge strain on someone’s mental wellbeing.

With the added fears and distancing measures created by the coronavirus pandemic, many people may be less likely to stop and chat with someone who is homeless.

Therefore, by simply stopping to talk socially distanced to someone in need, you may be relieving some of the strain on their mental health that could have been caused by living on the streets throughout the pandemic.

Homelessness in Cardiff: It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to helping the homeless in Cardiff, especially as a student without too much money to spare. Source: Hywel72 (via Wikimedia Commons)

How to be more sustainable with shopping Megan Evans Advice Editor

S

ustainable shopping is becoming a lot more popular, especially within the 2020 climate of COVID-19, Greta Thurnberg and her incredible preaches, a lot of influencers promoting the use of brands that are much more ethical and eco-friendly, and students using the likes of Depop and Vinted to discard pre-loved clothing.

There are so many little ways that you can actively be sustainable, and not just by using less plastic and buying second hand products.

As Cardiff is such a big city, there are lots of little gems that you may have missed whilst walking towards big chain companies, or because you aren’t actively looking to be as sustainable as you can be.

It is crucial, in this era to be a lot more eco conscious of our climate, as study from ‘A new textiles economy: Redesigning fashion’s future’ show that the textiles industry is the third biggest pollutant in the world, and half of fast fashion is disposed within a year of it being sold.

Sustainable shopping isn’t just about shopping for clothes There are lots of little shops in Cardiff where you can buy goods such as flour, seeds, and cooking materials , such as Ripple, which is Cardiff ’s first zero waste shop, based on Albany Road.

Not only are these sources from within the Wales borders, there are also from ethical companies that will actively pay workers higher than the national average, which is incredible for a company, particularly an independent one, to do so willingly.

You can even grab sustainable al-

Sustainable clothing: Your guide to shopping sustainably as a student. Source: markusspiske (via Needpix.com) ternatives for shampoo and conditioners there as well, not just food.

EKOLOGI is another place that sells whole food refills and tea, and is good if you want to buy sustainable produce, at a decent price.

As students, it is a bit pricey to always be as sustainable as possible, but little methods to be better is never as hard as it seems.

ALWAYS remember to bring bags Tote bags are one of the top essentials to bring when doing a heavy food shop. I have one in my bag at all times, so that I don’t need to pay for the 10p plastic bags, which are usually discarded around Cardiff, and unrecyclable.

Make sure you make use of bringing this around, as even this helps make you more sustainable, without even realising.

Second hand clothing As a student, there seems to be a culture based around going out and

wearing new outfits a week, particularly with the SU nights out.

Now that option is not available, why not try and buy clothes from shops such as Flamingo’s in Capitol Shopping, which regularly hosts a £20 a kilo sale.

There are some gems that you can find, varying from denim jackets, jumpers to oversized T-shirts.

Sobeys within the heart of Cardiff ’s Arcades are also a great shop for some delicate and interesting pieces you won’t find as easily online.

Instead of gravitating towards online giants such as Boohoo, ASOS and PrettyLittleThing, which contributes to fast fashion, utilize the smaller brands and sustainable companies that need the money a lot more so than the bigger brands.

Charity shopping is also perfect for the student budget and extremely ethical.

Not only can you buy second hand

clothing, you can also get books, films, homeware and shoes.

You are grabbing a bargain and donating to charity at the same time.

Farmers Markets In the centre of town, there are lots of little stores within Cardiff Central Market, a Victorian indoor market in the Castle Quarter which hosts a wide range of fresh fruit and veg, textiles products and cards galore.

Using the markets instead of using Sainsburys for example, is also sustainable as this is allowing locals to keep their jobs, and they’re sourced within much of Wales, so helping to build a repertoire of the Welsh culture and independent brands, instead of the domination of larger ones.

EatingGreen There are lots of places that are now vegan and veggie friendly, which is contributing to this sustainable way of shopping as well as eating. Some examples include Anna Loka on Albany Road, Greazy Vegan and Simply V in the Castle Arcades, Atma on Church Street and The Moo’s on Whitchurch Road.

Not only is shopping vital, but encouraging Community Hubs within Cardiff is so important to the overall sustainability of Cardiff.

The Sustainability Cardiff Map shows all the volunteering, renewable energy platforms and discussion groups to attend.

The Council also has a map that has services such as libraries and recycling facilities.

You can even refill your water bottle using Refill Cardiff, so you can refill your bottle whilst you are on the go without having to go through the efforts of buying water from a plastic bottle whilst out.

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

YOUR E-cigarette use decreased in teenagers analysed by Cardiff University shows teenage use of SCIENCE Survey e-cigarettes have decreased but tobacco use remains unchanged DESK Holly Giles

Head of Science and Technology

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Holly Giles

Rowenna Hoskin

Mili Jayadeep

Jack Robert Stacey science@gairrhydd.com

ublic attitudes towards smoking have varied over the past hundred years, with the 1930s to 1950s showing a powerful advert of “healthy cigarette” brands prescribed by doctors, to now when tobacco use is a known risk factor for lung cancer.

Over time more information about the dangers of tobacco have led people away from cigarettes and into the world of e-cigarettes and vaping.

E-cigarettes officially came to market in 2007 but have become more widely known in recent years through the appearance of vaping shops on every town corner. They have been met with mixed reviews including media outcry about a lack of legislation and some people have claimed they are as dangerous as tobacco.

Others are worried that e-cigarettes could be a gateway drug introducing people to smoking safely, before they then go on to tobacco.

Cardiff University have analysed smoking behaviour in 11-16 year olds in data collected as part of the School Health Research Network’s Student 2019 Health and Wellbeing survey.

This is an annual survey which collects results from over 100,00 secondary school students regarding their physical and mental health.

When looking at the results it showed that 22% of teenagers reported having tried an e-cigarette and current e-cigarette use (defined as weekly or more) was 2.5%, a decline from 3.3% in 2017. Experimentation with e-cigarettes is far more common than tobacco with 22% and 11% having experimented with them respectively.

Whilst e-cigarette use may have gone down in this time, the same cannot be said of tobacco with 4% of teenagers regularly smoking each week, which is the same level as reported in 2013.

Dr Nicholas Page, from the Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement, said: “While our findings show a small decline in youth smoking experimentation form 2017, the percentage of regular smokers has remained unchanged since 2013. As we’ve seen in previous years, the numbers of young people using tobacco increased with age and were higher among young people from

Is this the end of smoking?: Survey shows that whilst e-cigarette use has fallen, smoking tobacco has remained unchanged since 2013. Source: TBEC Review (via Wikimedia Commons) less affluent families - showing the substantial inequalities in smoking uptake”.

The numbers of children smoking in this study is particularly concerning as starting at such a young age increases the risk of lifelong addiction. This was explained by the CEO of Ash Wales, Suzanne Cass: “Sadly, smoking is a lifelong addiction that all too often begins in childhood and we know from our own research that 81% of adult smokers in Wales were 18 or under when they had their first cigarette”.

The report also showed a change in public perception of smoking with a higher percentage of youth now thinking that e-cigarettes and tobacco are equally damaging to health, and fewer now score smoking as worse than vaping. This increase in understanding of the dangers of vaping is a big change since e-cigarettes were first introduced to the market.

Dr Page also suggested this change may be due to the media outbreak caused by vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) which was dominating headlines during the time the surveys were collected.

EVALI was termed by the Centres

for Disease Control and Prevention as a newly identified lung disease linked to vaping and e-cigarette use.

At its peak in 2019, hospitals across America saw increases in hospital admissions of previously healthy people complaining of shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and fever. It is still not completely known what causes EVALI, but in most cases was due to use of e-cigarettes containing a compound called THC which is a chemical derived from marijuana.

“It is important to place this change in the contact of when our data were collected” explained Page. “While we don’t know whether this had an impact, EVALI has been associated with a similar change in harm perception among adult smokers in England. It remains to be seen whether this continues to be the case in future surveys”.

Despite changes in smoking prevalence across the UK, tobacco use still remains a leading cause of death and disability with smoking being responsible for an estimated 90% of lung cancer cases. This equates to more than 78,000 deaths each year due to smoking, with many more living with a reduced quality of life.

Smoking affects the lungs by directly exposing them to chemicals, including known carcinogens. Affects of smoke of the lungs include a reduced number and activity of cilia in the lungs which work to clean out mucus, destruction of alveoli (the air sacs where gas exchange occurs) and a build up of mucus leading to irritation and coughing. This reduction in air flow can also have impacts elsewhere as oxygen transport to key organs is affected.

Smoking behaviour is controlled so heavily by public attitudes and social norms that it will be interesting to see if these trends continue over time.

Whilst vaping and e-cigarette use is on the up, it looks like it will take more than alternatives to reduce tobacco use in young people.

Sadly, smoking is a lifelong addiction that all too often begins in childhood ... 81% of adult smokers in Wales were 18 or under when they had their first cigarette”

Suzanne Cass CEO Ash Wales

Hope for plastic waste with new enzyme ‘cocktail’ Lucy Palin

Contributor

T

hroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the urgency of the climate crisis has seemingly been lost amongst more pressing matters with Greta Thunberg’s pleas for ‘panic’ becoming a distant memory.

However, according to the data provider Statista, in the UK alone 2.26m Mt of plastic packaging waste was generated in 2017, and whilst there has been an increase in the recycling rate of plastic waste over the last decade, the highest recorded rate was still only 46%.

During lockdown, community interest company Everyday Plastic conducted a survey that found that households threw out an average of 128 items of plastic a week during lockdown, up from 99 items in surveys conducted pre-lockdown.

To counteract these findings the trans-Atlantic team that engineered PETase, an enzyme that breaks down PET, have combined a second enzyme to increase the speed of the breakdown of plastic. PET is the most common thermoplastic, making up products such as clothing, carpets and single use drinks bottles. On its own it can take hundreds of years to break down, but PETase can shorten this time to just days.

Science Daily details the findings of the research from the University of Portsmouth, explaining that: ‘Simply mixing PETase with MHETase doubled the speed of PET breakdown and engineering a connection between the two enzymes to create a ‘super-enzyme’ increased this activity by a further three times.’

This offers an opportunity to recycle plastic indefinitely as the combined enzymes digest the plastic, returning it to its original building blocks. This would not only reduce plastic pollution but reduce the greenhouses gasses driving climate change. The original PETase discovery was the first hope for a solution to the increasing global plastic

problem, but on its own was not fast enough to destroy the amount of waste PET on the planet.

The study was published in the journal of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and headed

by Dr Gregg Beckham, Senior Research Fellow at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the US, and Professor John McGeehan, Director of the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI) at the University of Portsmouth.

Professor McGeehan said the study was born from Dr Beckham and himself “chatting about how PETase attacks the surface of the plastics and MHETase chops things up further, so it seemed natural to

see if we could use them together, mimicking what happens in nature.”

The study was not only a collaboration of enzymes, but a collaboration of hard work on both sides of the Atlantic. Junior Author Rosie Graham, a joint Portsmouth CEI-NREL PhD student said: “It’s a really great opportunity to learn and grow as part of this UKUSA collaboration and even more so to contribute another piece of the story on using enzymes to tackle some of our most polluting plastics.”

This finding adds another weapon to our arsenal in the fight against plastic and in a post COVID-19 world it will be more important than ever.

GWYDDONIAETH A THECHNOLEG

19

Combined treatments to improve bone infection Breath test to Mili Jayadeep

Science Editor

P

atients with fractures may require an implant to improve stability and to promote the healing process. However, implants can result in bone infections. This is known as osteomyelitis and in this context, it refers to a development following implantation. If the infection worsens, it could ultimately lead to failure of the implant.

The patient may then require an implant replacement and if left untreated, it can lead to chronic infection. This outcome is very challenging as once the bacteria spreads to the body, it can become fatal to the patient.

Staphylococcus Aureus (S. Aureus) is a known bacterium responsible for the majority of bone infections caused by implants. Often, antibiotic treatment may be required for prolonged periods, increasing the potential for bacteria developing antibiotic resistance. Although there is a widespread search in the scientific community for new antibiotics, a new approach altogether may

be required.

In a recent study, Kanazawa University researchers have found a combined treatment that includes antibiotics and stem cells that could improve the outcomes for patients with osteomyelitis. The antibiotic’s effect on a stem cell type known as mesenchymal stem cells was investigated. The results of the study are outlined as a scientific report in the journal, Nature.

Mesenchymal stem cells are found in bone marrow and adipose tissue i.e fat cells. These cells were found to have antimicrobial potential. This means that harnessing its properties can help fight bone infections that can develop following implantation. The co-author of the study, Tamon Kabata says: “Adipose-derived stem cells, or ADSCs, have the distinct advantage of being abundant in subcutaneous adipose tissues and can thus be easily harvested…The goal of our study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of ADSCs in combination with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in an animal model of implant-related bone infection.”

The scientists initially studied the

effect of the antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, on ADSCs and found their method to be successful with no adverse consequences on the structural properties or the functional abilities of the stem cells.

Following this, they studied antimicrobial properties of the antibiotic-laden ADSCs in vitro, i.e in a test tube. The antimicrobial activity of these stem cells were proven effective against S. aureus.

To propagate their findings, the researchers trialled this approach using rats as their animal model. Rats are used in a major number of scientific experiments owing to their resemblance to humans in genetic, biological and behavioural features. The experiment involved introducing implants laden with S. aureus bacterium. As expected, the rats developed infections seven days post-surgery. The rats were divided into four groups to test their approach as follows; One group received ADSCs treated with ciprofloxacin, another with ADSCs only, the third group with ciprofloxacin alone and the last group received no treatment. Out of these groups, the findings demonstrated that the group receiving ciprofloxacin-laden

ADSCs showed the most effective posttreatment outcome.

The researchers used micro-CT, a 3D imaging technique, to observe the effect on the bones of these rats. The treatment group receiving ADSCs loaded with ciprofloxacin showed reduced bone degradation that is otherwise associated with an escalating bone infection. This suggested improved bone health and greater stability of the implant. Kabata describes: “These are striking results that show how ADSCs can efficiently be loaded with antibiotics to exert a strong antimicrobial effect. Our findings suggest a potential novel therapy for implantassociated osteomyelitis, for which conventional treatment with only antibiotics is usually insufficient,” Further study is required to confirm the effectiveness of this particular approach. Despite this, scientists are optimistic for the future treatment of bone infections as this method has the potential to improve osteomyelitis outcomes for patients who have poor prognosis with conventional treatment using antibiotics alone.

Two women win Nobel Prize in Chemistry Rowenna Hoskin Science Editor

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or the first time in its 119 yearhistory, two women have won the Nobel prize for chemistry. This takes the number of women to have ever won the Nobel prize from five to seven; a sharp contrast to the 112 men who have won the prize over the years.

Professor Emmanuelle Charpentier and Professor Jennifer Doudna won the 2020 Nobel prize for their work in developing a method for genome editing.

The committee called their discovery of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique “one of gene technology’s sharpest tools.” These “genetic scissors” have won the two women an equal share in the ten million Swedish kronor (£866,000) prize money.

The Nobel committee outlined the process in which this editing technique works: “using these [scissors], researchers can change the DNA of animals, plants and microorganisms with extremely high precision,” said the Nobel committee.

“This technology has had a revolutionary impact on the life sciences, is contributing to new cancer therapies and may make the dream of inherited diseases come true.”

The CRISPR/Cas9 genome technique is based on creating proteins that match the DNA where a “cut” is going to be made. It has complementary nucleobases to the gene in the DNA strand, allowing for a very precise cut.

This allows researchers to insert, repair, or edit a gene effectively as the DNA doesn’t recognise the change as damage but as a legitimate edit which is replicated by the cells during the cells cycle.

“There is enormous power in this genetic tool, which affects us all,” said Claes Gustafsson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for chemistry.

“It has not only revolutionised basic

science, but also resulted in innovative crops and will lead to ground-breaking new medical treatments,” he added.

The discovery of CRISPR/Cas9 came about by accident: Professor Charpentier was studying the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes when she discovered a previously unknown molecule, tracrRNA, in the bacteria. She found that this molecule was part of an ancient immune system, CRISPR/Cas, which disarms viruses by severing their DNA. “Charpentier published her discovery in 2011. The same year, she initiated a collaboration with Jennifer Doudna, an experienced biochemist with vast knowledge of RNA,” the committee reported.

“Together, they succeeded in recreat-

ing the bacteria’s genetic scissors in a test tube and simplifying the scissors’ molecular components so they were easier to use,” it added.

“In an epoch-making experiment, they then reprogrammed the genetic scissors. In their natural form, the scissors recognise DNA from viruses, but Charpentier and Doudna proved that they could be controlled so that they can cut any DNA molecule at a predetermined site.”

“Where the DNA is cut, it is then easy to rewrite the code of life,” the Nobel committee added.

These genetic scissors were discovered in 2012, and the tool has contributed to an enormous amount of research.

As a result of their findings, areas like medicine have progressed significantly; clinical trials of new cancer therapies are in progress, and the dream of being able to “cure inherited diseases is about to come true” concluded the committee.

This is not only important clinically but their findings are also being used to develop crops that can withstand mould, pests and drought - aspects that could save the population from future famines caused by climate change.

This scientific discovery has done more than simply win the two women prize money, this discovery has revolutionised science and paved the way for scientists of the future.

Nobel win makes history: This takes the total number of women who have ever won a Nobel prize from five to seven. Source: Adam Baker (via Flickr)

Word of the week: Gene • • • •

Genes are sections of DNA that are inherited Some genes act as instructions to make proteins but they can have a variety of functions Genes vary in size from a few hundred DNA bases to more than 2 million bases The Human Genome Project has worked to determine the sequence of the human genome and identify its genes

detect head & neck cancer Jess Dickens

Contributor

H

ead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the 7th most common cancer globally with 600,000 new cases diagnosed each year. It develops from the squamous cells in the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, and throat. HNSCC is not typically an inherited disease. It is also known that tobacco use and alcohol consumption are significant risk factors.

Recently, an increasing incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated HNSCC has emerged within the younger population.

Currently, symptom based NHSCC detection methods are used to diagnose patients. Often when detectable symptoms occur the stage of HNSCC has already advanced, therefore a detection method that provides accurate, early-stage testing for head and neck cancer would be highly valued.

However, Flinders University scientists may have found a solution to this problem through the development of a promising, non-invasive and accurate breath test that analyses breath profiles to determine patients with and without head and neck cancer.

The findings published in the British Journal of Cancer outlines a new method of diagnosis is a rapid and inexpensive early-stage test for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and could be developed as a diagnostic method for other diseases.

The Australian study used a selected ion flow-tube mass spectrometer to analyse breaths of 181 patients with suspected early-stage HNSCC before any treatment. This measured the volatile organic compounds of the patient’s breath profiles, as these provide biomarkers of cancer detection.

Using statistical modelling of the breath profiles, the researchers were able to differentiate between cancer and control (benign disease) patients, with an average sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 86% respectively.

Studying tissue types in this research enabled diagnosis. Future prospects of these findings are in clinical settings. This was explained by the co-lead author Dr Nuwan Dharmawardana, “With these strong results, we hope to trial the method in primary care settings, such as GP clinics, to further develop its use in early-stage screening for HNSCC in the community”.

As current diagnosis methods need to be carried out in specialist clinics, a breath test could potentially alleviate pressure from these healthcare resources.

This method of diagnosis could improve the ability to identify earlystage HNSCC, provide better prognosis and reduce patient morbidity.

A significant success of this study is to make progress in developing the use of mass spectrometry technology to analyse a patient’s breath as a ground breaking, quick and non-invasive technique in diagnosis of cancer.

This study may pave the way for future clinical practice in cancer diagnosis, which with further research can improve patient outcomes.

20

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Edinburgh University discovers new toothless dinosaur

Researchers unearthed well-preserved skeletons of the new species in the Gobi desert Mia Becker-Hansen Contributor

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esearchers from Edinburgh University recently unearthed multiple well-preserved skeletons of the new species, named Oksoko avarsan, in the Mongolian region of the Gobi Desert.

According to the study, the skeletons are said to date back to the Late Cretaceous period (up to onehundred million years ago), the last of all the dinosaur periods, which ended in their extinction. Though dinosaurs dominated the era, at this time many modern mammals made their first appearance and species such as snakes and lizards developed distinct characteristics that are still seen today.

The remains found were that of four juveniles resting together, suggesting that the species were social in their youth and roamed in groups.

By modeling the skeleton, researchers predict that the two-meter long feathered dinosaur stood at around half the height of an adult human, and had a large toothless beak similar to that of a modern-day parrot. It is hard to know exactly what these dinosaurs would have looked like, but with the work of artist Michael W. Skrepnick, we can now picture the creatures much more easily.

Unlike their close relatives the three-fingered oviraptor, Oksoka aversan only has two digits on its

arm; the discovery could aid in explaining how animals lose digits through evolution over time.

The oviraptors family moved on two legs, and its large hard beak allowed it to crush food and other objects for consumption (such as hard fruits, eggs and possibly also shellfish). In fact, the name oviraptor comes from the Latin for ‘egg taker’ or ‘egg thief ’.

The finding of the adaptation could imply that the dinosaurs could also alter their diet and lifestyles to allow the species to spread and diversify during the period. The arms and hands evolved as they moved to new geographic areas, including the site of discovery, and also what is now North America.

The loss of the third finger through evolution appears gradual, with it first reducing in size before disappearing altogether. The reasoning behind this adaptation remains unclear, but it is believed to have possibly been related to a change in diet or foraging style.

The leader of the study, Dr Gregory Funston, remarks: “[The Oksoko aversan’s] two-fingered hand prompted us to look at the way the hand and forelimb changed throughout the evolution of oviraptors—which hadn’t been studied before. This revealed some unexpected trends that are a key piece in the puzzle of why oviraptors were so diverse before the extinction that killed the dinosaurs.”.

The study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, was funded by The Royal Society and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada. It also involved researchers from the University of

understanding. Fortunately in 2003, the Canadian scientist Paul Herbert released a study from his research on moths - in his own garden. From this experiment, he identified 200 closely related species by using the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), which is identifiable in all aerobic life. This discovery was revolutionary and meant that species could be differentiated by a short genetic sequence - serving as a DNA barcode. Furthermore, an equivalent section of DNA could be used to identify and differentiate between plants and fungi.

Although this discovery meant that millions of species could now be identified relatively cheaply, he

was accused of being a ‘creationist’ and his work was met with a lot of criticism. Despite this, over the last 17 years, DNA barcoding has become a mainstream practise and Herbert has been awarded the Midori Prize for his contribution.

Most recently, DNA barcoding has been used to track the illegal trade in wildlife and plants. It is so specific, that it has been used to identify and uncover the sale of endangered sharks being used in the food industry. It has also been used to uncover new species within a previously determined animal which was taxonomically similar but could be separated with DNA barcoding. This means that even

New dinosaurs: Researchers predict the dinosaurs were two-metres long, had feathers and a large toothless beak like a parrot. Credit: Michael W. Skrepnick Alberta and Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum in Canada, Hokkaido University in Japan, and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

This finding is not only important for archeologists but, as highlighted

by Funston, it may change current mechanisms used to explain the evolution of the hand and forelimb, meaning the excavation may have repercussions outside the field of archeology.

DNA barcoding helping scientists discover new species Lottie Ennis Contributor

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he sixth mass extinction of life is taking place on Earth right now. Species are becoming extinct before we can discover them, as a result, currently only 2 million have been identified out of an estimated 8.7 million. The complexity and depth of species research means that a massive proportion of species have become extinct without our noticing, and detailed species knowledge is often lost when the scientist dies.

Until recently, this loss and lack of knowledge impeded taxonomic

amongst the species we already know, there could be minute differences which mean that an entirely separate species within a previously known species.

Currently, Herbert is focusing on the creation of a global biosurveillance system using his barcoding system. His goal is to continuously monitor the planet and check the health of global ecosystems as it happens. A network of satellites, underwater drones and DNA sequencers would patrol Earth and alert scientists to new changes, intercept new diseases and highlight any harmful human activity. The estimated cost would be about $1bn over 20 years according to Her-

bert. The benefits of something like this would be huge, as well as monitoring biodiversity loss, there are potential discoveries waiting in medicine, agriculture, food and engineering. Ultimately, this research could culminate in a smartphone attachment which would be able to identify any piece of organic material on Earth.

This would mean that the monitoring of biodiversity would become a part of our everyday life and society. Which could be vital in raising awareness about the state of the planet and reminding people that extinction is a result of human activity.

Cardiff tech makes post-lockdown employment resurgence Jack Robert Stacey Technology Editor

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n spite of rising uncertainty around employment, a recent review commissioned by the Government’s Digital Economy Council (GDEC) has found that technology companies are currently employing up to 21% of Cardiff ’s working population.

Tech Nation, a networking company specialising in UK-based tech entrepreneurship, has compiled data that presents a strong recovery in Cardiff ’s tech companies following the initial outbreak of COVID-19.

Comprising data collected across all of Wales, the recent analysis highlights a nationwide trend in tech-based employment as many companies seek to continue active operation remotely. After healthcare, the technology sector has the

UK’s second largest number of open employment positions.

Additionally, Adzuna, a searchengine employment website that operates the Government’s ‘Find a Job’ service, maintains that Wales has seen a ballooning demand for highlyskilled workers. As workers with previous technology-based experience are still encouraged to move to Wales for employment, the total number of Cardiff residents employed in digital tech has increased by 20% since 2019.

In support of this analysis, Adzuna contends that, at the start of 2020, digital tech companies were advertising 150,000 positions. Although vacancies rose after the commencement of lockdown, 90,000 jobs had become available by August which retains the UK’s status as a leader within the European tech sector.

President of Microsoft Western Europe and the former CEO of Mi-

crosoft’s UK-based division, Cindy Rose OBE, praised the tech sector for “leading the way” in “UK’s post-Covid economic recovery with a boom in technology related hiring and jobs.”

With reference to the current situation, Rose stressed: “highlights the critical need for everyone – industry and government – to find ways to address the digital skills gap that existed before Covid but has only worsened since. Our collective commitment to close the skills gap will help ensure inclusive economic growth and opportunity for everyone.”

Tech Nation’s study recognises that, in the early 21st century, the Welsh technology sector saw unprecedented levels of industry growth and, over time, began to shape Cardiff into a uniquely diverse city with an “impressive quality of life for tech professionals.” The Welsh Government, aware of the opportunities that Cardiff-based tech companies

represent, have worked with educational institutions to further close the country’s digital skills gap.

In the past few years, employment opportunities have changed drastically across cities in the UK which, with the consistent growth in digital tech companies, saw ‘Software Developer’ rise to become one of the most desirable positions, after frontline health and social care roles.

Also, an increasing number of nontech businesses are becoming integrated with online services, such as Tesco who announced 16,000 new positions for its online delivery division.

Simon Hart, the Secretary of State for Wales, highlighted that: “the digital sector is an increasingly important part of the Welsh economy and the rapid growth of many digital businesses across the country has created thousands of skilled jobs.”

Speaking about the resurgence of

job opportunities within the country, Hart continued: “Wales’ tech businesses will now play a crucial role in our economic recovery from the pandemic and we will continue to support the sector’s growth in Wales.”

Even after the UK entered lockdown, Cardiff remains to be a uniquely resilient business environment which if current industry trends persist into 2021, will continue to foster up-and-coming start-up companies and employ tech professionals across South-East Wales.

The digital sector is an increasingly important part of the Welsh economy Simon Hart Secretary of State

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22

@CAERDYDD

YOUR The black miners history forgot about @CAERDYDD The stories of the black miners in the Welsh collieries we were never taught about DESK Fflur Trevor

@Caerdydd Editor

I

Natalie Graham

Fflur Trevor caerdydd@gairrhydd.com

n approximately 200 years of Welsh Coal mining, black miners played an integral role in the industry. Yet, their stories are rarely told.

Since the start of the Industrial Revolution to the closure of the last coal mine in tower Colliery, Hirwaun in 2008, Welsh coal played a vital part in the UK economy and industry.

Welsh coal Welsh coal was black gold to mine owners. Rich in coal deposit, it burned for longer, and was a hot commodity. Thus, coal mining was paramount during the expansion of the British Empire and (literally) fuelled globalisation.

Because coal was in such high demand, more and more workers were needed.

The rise of the Welsh coal industry seemed unstoppable and by 1874, 16.5m tons were produced, with a quarter of that figure exported.

By the height of the Industrial Revolution, coal mines in South Wales became popular, with many travelling from all over the United Kingdom for work.

During the mine closures of the 1980s and 1990s, hundreds upon thousands lost their jobs.

We know many of their stories.

But there are some which got lost in history.

Black miners in Wales

Historian Norma Gregory, who has been researching into the topic believes that there were about 200 black miners who worked in the country since the 1800s. However, initially she was told that there were no black miners in Welsh Collieries, which highlights the invisibility the black miners faced as their experiences have not been shared.

She added, “Hopefully it will give them inspiration to ask questions and not necessarily believe everything you read or are taught at school,” Nathan Blake documentary On Monday, 5 October, a documentary was aired on BBC One Wales, presented by former Wales international footballer, Nathan Blake. Like many around him Blake, was astounded by how little he knew about the history of the black miners and their contribution to South Wales’ mining pits.

Nathan Blake said, “It’s about understanding how we are in a minority; how black people have been made to accept racism as everyday life if they wanted to get on in life” Blake discovered that his grandfather became a miner after moving to Cardiff from Africa.

In his documentary he attempts to trace down black miners and talk to them about their experiences and society’s discriminatory attitude towards minorities at the time, which was dismissed as “banter” he says.

Unfortunately, Blake has experienced racism throughout his life too, and said the discourse between

himself and the miners was something he could empathise with and “really relate too”.

He added, “I’m a very proud Welshman - wearing red for my country I’ve shown that Wales isn’t made up of just one colour,” Legacy of the black miners Unfortunately, little is known about the black miners of Wales.

Moreover, the extent of racial discrimination they faced, and the actual number of black miners remains uncertain.

Arguably, Wales and coal are synonymous.

We are taught that our coal mining industry is an integral part of our national identity just like our language and culture.

kicked us in the head while we were lying on floor.

“You have destroyed us… The empty pubs you see aren’t a sign it’s working.

The people that don’t come out aren’t staying at home. They are at house parties with 30/40 of their friends”.

Events professionals have joined forces to highlight the urgent support needed to pull the events sector out of the unforgiving grip of COVID-19 restrictions.

The pandemic has seen the swift demise of live music and events have been postponed since March, stripping creatives of stability, income and mental health.

For many venues, live music gigs have been postponed until 2021, with the expectation being that the effects of the pandemic will last for a long while to come.

Wales is one of many countries around the globe taking part in the #WeMakeEvents campaign which aims to highlight the importance of the events sector.

The response from the arts Artist Nathan Wyburn has unveiled a huge collage of a digital Welsh flag in Cardiff Bay depicting 500 faces of people working in the events industry in Wales, commemorating the campaign.

With the industry teetering on the edge of the abyss and local lockdowns enforced in Cardiff and the surrounding area, it has become impossible to predict when employees can return to work.

Back in April, prominent creative figures in the UK including Johnny Marr and Nick Cave warned of the UK being reduced to a “cultural wasteland”, unless the Government stepped up and provided financial support for culture and events industries. The Government solution?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has stated

that struggling musicians and creative’s in the arts sector should retrain and find new jobs as a result of the pandemic. Recently, a study conducted by the Musicians Union, found that a third of musicians could leave the industry due to financial losses brought on by the pandemic.

With 70% of musicians currently doing less than a quarter of their regular work, and the optimism is mirrored with 87% of musicians believing they will financially struggle once the furlough scheme ends this month, and 88% believing that the UK governments hasn’t done enough to support the music industry through the pandemic.

What about Cardiff’s live music venues?

Over the last year the future of Cardiff’s live music scene has been balancing on a knifes edge, with such closures of Gwdihw and possible closures of 10 Feet Tall and Tramshed; it has still managed to survive.

However the Cardiff Music Board, which was set up in the wake of the ‘Save Womanby Street’ campaign, has still issued a warning of “serious consequences” for Cardiff’s live music landscape and the thousands of people the sector employs, if financial support is not made available.

Guto Brychan; Chief Executive at Clwb Ifor Bach, recently spoke to Wales Online about the dire impact COVID-19 has had and continues to have on the live music industry; “Since the beginning of lockdown we have been unable to trade. Live music and club events -our core activities- are not allowed and currently there is no indication of when they will resume…

“Ours was a viable industry before lockdown, one that made a substantial contribution to the UK economy.

With many of us having generations of male ancestors working and sometimes tragically losing their lives down the pits.

However, behind this patriotic illusion lies the untold stories of black miners in Wales, which is rarely spoken about in our communities or schools.

But, this narrative is changing, as Wales, and we are beginning to acknowledge and understand the Welsh history of minorities, and arguably becoming more inclusive as a result.

Welsh national identity is fuelled by stories of the pits; next time we’ll remember those forgotten names.

Nathan Blake’s documentary is available to watch on BBC IPlayer.

Seating on Castle Street gets removed The fallout of the pandemic on the events industry Tirion Davies

Editor-in-Chief

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he seating on Castle Quarter in the centre of Cardiff is being slowly removed by Cardiff Council, with the expectation that the seating will be gone before Monday, October 19.

With fewer customers using the seating as the temperature drops, workers have already begun the process of removing tables and chairs, though it’s currently unclear as to whether Castle Street will open to cars again.

As lockdown measures began to ease in June, the road closures for buses and cars began, to ensure that Cardiff residents who were visiting Cardiff were able to successfully socially distance. Before the pandemic began, Cardiff Council were working towards reducing traffic on Castle Street; due to Cardiff Council’s vow to reduce carbon emissions, many have called for Castle Street to open as a Christmas Market over the coming months, and to continue with the traffic restrictions.

It would be possible to open Castle Street to buses and taxis, and to further charge drivers of private vehicles to use the road, as in compliance with making the street a Clean Air Zone.

Despite the developments, changes will unlikely be introduced to Castle Street while lockdown measures continue to tighten in Cardiff.

For now, re-opening Castle Street to traffic is dependant on whether it is possible to continue to socially distance without the need to use the main road as additional walking space for pedestrians.

Natalie Graham

Head of @Caerdydd

S

eptember September 24th saw the introduction of a 10PM curfew, in line with English restrictions for pubs, cafes and restaurants in Wales.

The sale of alcohol from off-licences and supermarkets after 10PM is also banned. This most recent round of restrictions came in as a desperate attempt to curtail the rising COVID infection rate in Wales, 17 areas in the country are currently subjected to local lockdown restrictions.

The imposed curfew has led to the closing of numerous pubs and clubs, one of the first to accept the inevitable closure was Clwb Ifor Bach and Mary’s cabaret cocktail bar on St Mary Street have also taken the decision to close.

Meanwhile, the [House of Commons] Parliamentary bar embraced exemption from the curfew.

What about Wales?

Le Pub; a bar and music venue in Newport meticulously constructed an open letter to Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford. The letter fights for the withdrawal of the 10PM curfew, in light of the irreversible damage it is doing to the events industry.

In response to the cold shoulder the events sector is currently being given, Le Pub manager Sam Dabb wrote; “Bands given a starting point to jump into huge worldwide musical careers from…[sic] A social hub that has saved lives purely by existing, relationships and marriages begun.

“Children that wouldn’t exist if their parents hadn’t met at our bar…And you have killed it. It’s done. Without funding, in a month we’ll be bankrupt… With no scientific basis you

Big Pit: The colliery in Blaenavon was the last of the South Wales mines to close in 2008. Credit: Tirion Davies

“It will be again when this crisis is over- we just need adequate support to survive in the interim…

“Without it we risk irreparable damage to our cultural landscape; tens of thousands of jobs will be lost, artists and performers will leave the industry and we will lose the venues and festivals that have staged our events for generations”.

Clwb Ifor Bach had a brief reopening, evolving into a pub once restrictions were initially relaxed.

Alas the enforcement of the 10PM curfew, has made reopening unsustainable and unviable.

Chair of the Cardiff Music Board, council leader Cllr Huw Thomas stated to Wales Online; “Venues are willing to play their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

“But with live music events still not permitted in Wales, new rules limiting opening hours, and the forthcoming end of the UK Government furlough scheme, there is a very real risk some live music venues, and the jobs they provide could disappear with serious consequences for the city’s economy, opportunities for talent and the for the future of live music in Cardiff….

“It’s really important to emphasise that this is not just about culture or entertainment.

“This is about real jobs, real people and real economic impact”.

Last month the Welsh Government launched the ‘Cultural Recovery Fund’, music venues, recording and rehearsal studios, heritage organisations and historic attractions, in addition to accredited museums and archive services, libraries, events and their technical support suppliers, independent cinemas and the publishing sector able to bid for a share of £18.5 million.

Only time will tell if the Government has gone far enough.

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24

SPORT

YOUR How a fourth ring affects LeBron’s legacy We explore Lebron’s career up until this point and analyse his place in NBA history SPORT DESK D Tom Walker

Head of Sport

Tom Walker

Freddie Bennett

uring the LA Lakers winning ceremony following their game six close out win against the Miami Heat, LeBron James received his fourth finals Most Valuable Player to go alongside his fourth NBA championship.

In his acceptance speech he made one thing very clear: “I want my damn respect”.

This is LeBron’s 17th year in the league, and he is about to enter his 18th still being widely recognised as the best player in the world. But for some, and obviously LeBron feels it too, this is not enough.

James was drafted straight out of high school at the age of 18 by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. There had never been this much spotlight on a high school player before, with Sports Illustrated running a front page feature labelling LeBron ‘The Chosen One’ back in 2002.

The focus only increased when James took the rise to superstardom, winning Rookie of the Year in 2003, becoming an All Star the following year and in 2006 finishing second in overall NBA MVP Award voting to Steve Nash.

His first stint at Cleveland did not bring too much joy in terms of championships. A trip to the finals in 2007 was the closest he got, but the much-experienced San Antonio Spurs team dealt with James and co pretty easily. The remaining years were met with disappointment, putting increased emphasis on LeBron’s 2010 free agency decision.

His choice proved to be a fruitful one, teaming up with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami to reach four NBA finals and win two championships. Leaving Cleveland made James one of the most hated sportsmen on the planet but turned him into the killer he would channel on multiple occasions during his later career.

Following the four years in South Beach, LeBron opted to go back to Cleveland and promised he would not leave until he brought a Championship to the city. Of course the Cavalier fans opened him back with open arms, but this time LeBron was there by choice, not obligated to by the drafting system. He went about crafting the team to a championship calibre, demanding the organisation trade for All Star Kevin Love to partner alongside himself and the incredibly talented Kyrie Irving.

This team was special, but there was something just as intriguing

happening in San Francisco with the Golden State Warriors. The two teams would meet in the NBA finals over the next four years.

The Warriors would take the first in 2015, beating an injury stricken Cavalier team in six games. 2016 proved to be one of the most remarkable seasons in NBA history, with the Cavaliers coming back from 3-1 down in the series to win 4-3, a feat never achieved before in finals history.

For whatever happens during the remainder of his career, 2016 might go down as The King’s greatest achievement. James brought an end to Cleveland’s 52-year title drought, averaging a stat line of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game throughout the run. Just incredible.

The Warriors came back and retooled, adding MVP Kevin Durant to their already star-studded line up to assemble one of the best rosters ever to exist. This, alongside the departure of co-star Kyrie Irving, made 2017 and 2018 too much of an ask for James, but his work in Cleveland was done. He had provided what he had promised, and it was time for a new challenge.

It was a year to forget in 2018-19, with injuries hampering any chance of James’ record eight finals appear-

Ella Fenwick

Ben Lovell-Smith sport@gairrhydd.com

James 23: Witnessing greatness: The late Kobe Bryant and Lebron going head to head back in 2016. Soure: Erik Drost (via. Flickr)

ances continuing. The acquisition of Anthony Davis from New Orleans, and several NBA veterans meant the Lakers were ready to challenge again in 2019-20.

By the end of 2019, the Lakers were the best team in the Western conference, with LeBron and Davis working brilliantly alongside each other. But then 2020 hit. The passing of Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter completely shook the basketball world to its core.

It was only a few days before that LeBron had passed his good friend on the all-time scorers list, where the two shared a beautiful moment courtside, images of which will feature heavily in basketball minds forever.

Following the tragedy came the coronavirus pandemic, in which the NBA elected to play out the season in a Disney resort in Orlando.

Far from normal conditions did not phase King James, who proceeded to charge through the playoffs, only losing three games up until the finals whereby he faced his old team Miami.

It was a tough series, Miami were a brilliantly well drilled team, with star Jimmy Butler doing everything in his power to stop Lebron and co winning the Lakers 17th championship. But despite his best efforts, it seemed destined for the Lakers to secure this one, which they did, blowing out Miami in the closing game six with a monster 28-point performance by James.

The greatest of all-time argument is boring. Everyone has their own opinions, that’s fine, but like James said, “I want my damn respect”.

What he has done for the league, organisations, players, and social justice movements is unmatched and should be credited correctly.

For all the Last Dance documentary might have done for Jordan’s legacy, and that justification those who watched him at the time might have felt for him getting his just rewards, nothing compares to appreciating greatness in the moment.

We need to stop reducing these players’ careers to how they compare with others, take solace in the fact we get to witness these athletes execute their craft to the highest level, and give them their respect whilst they are doing so.

With that said, whether it’s number one, two or three, LeBron James will go down as one of the greatest NBA players of all-time, that’s not up for debate.

Is football jeopardizing its own popularity?

Freddie Bennett Sport Editor

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he image of football has changed somewhat in the last few weeks with the implementation of the new handball rule, as well as the introduction of pay per view games.

With a large outcry over these changes from fans and pundits alike, one could ask: is football jeopardizing its own popularity?

At the beginning of this season, the Premier League tightened its regulations on what constitutes a handball. The rule now takes away the element of intent from a hand-

ball which means that the ball only needs to strike the player on the arm for a penalty to be given.

Unsurprisingly, this change has seen a large outcry from the football community as football is a fastpaced game and sometimes it is clear that a defender may not mean to have touched the ball with his or her hand.

Therefore, removing the element of intent from this rule will really penalize something that often cannot be controlled.

Rather than tightening these rules one cannot help but think that the commonsense approach should prevail. In this sense, if it looks to be that a player has intentionally

got in the way of the ball using an arm, then that should be classed as a handball.

It will be interesting how long this rule change can last before it is weakened.

The other major change was the decision to air games for those matches not shown on any of the broadcasters as pay per view.

On Friday, October 9, Premier League clubs voted 19-1 in favour of moving games that are not already shown live on BT Sport or Sky Sports to the Box Office services of those channels for £14.95 per game.

Understandably, this vote has seen quite the backlash.

To many this is a strange move

by the Premier League as these are times when thousands of people are losing their jobs and struggling more generally and in a financial sense.

Yet, the top tier of English Football looks to be exploiting this for the purposes of making money and taking advantage of these fans.

This shift to pay per view also looks to increase the gap between the team and the supporter.

If it were clear that the money was well utilized at grassroots level and such then there might be more of an understanding from the fans.

However, the worry is that all this money will fall back into the hands of the big teams and their owners,

and will not be put back into the game at a lower level.

If this were to happen then it could cause profound damage to the image of football on a long term basis.

This move would treat the loyal supporters as a commodity that can be exploited and monetized to no end, as opposed to serving the fans and improving the product for them.

The Premier League has an incredible product with billions of followers, yet if the game continues to serve the large teams and their owners as opposed to the supporter, its reputation could quickly become tainted.

CHWARAEON 25 Gerwyn Price becomes world darts number two CARDIFF BLUES COLUMN Olly Allen Contributor

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he temperatures are falling, and darts’ very own Iceman is coming to the fore. Cardiff-born Gerwyn Price is on a hot streak of four titles in four weeks, moving up to second in the world rankings in the process.

The first two of those wins came in consecutive days in mid-September in events 17 and 18 of the Pro Tour Players Championships.

The first final was particularly entertaining, as Price defeated Devon Petersen 8-7, despite finding himself 7-4 down in the game. Petersen, who had earlier thrashed world number one Michael van Gerwen 6-0, missed four match darts to allow the Welshman to take the contest to a 15th deciding leg.

Once there, Price was clinical and decided it with 14 darts to achieve his first Players Championship since February.

He did not have to wait long for the next one, claiming victory again 24 hours later, this time beating Krzysz-

Gerywn Price: The new world number two is the highest ranked Welsh darts player on the globe. Source: Sven Mandel (via WikiMedia Commons)

tof Ratajski in the final. It was enough to ensure he topped the Autumn Series Order of Merit.

But the best was yet to come from the Iceman, as he travelled to Salzburg for the World Series of Darts Finals and once again came out on top via a series of thrilling encounters. A win over Vincent van der Voort (6-3) was followed by victory against world number six Nathan Aspinall (10-9).

Number two seed Peter Wright was next to be knocked out (11-6) in a semifinal of the highest quality as both men averaged over 100 across the game.

The final against world number five Rob Cross was equally breath-taking, as Price trailed 8-4 but turned it around to win 11-9, hitting tops to complete a superb victory and claim the £70,000 prize.

Heading into this year’s World Grand Prix, Price had only gone beyond the second round of the tournament once before – a quarter-final appearance in 2018. However, he defeated Jermaine Wattimena and Kim Huybrechts without dropping a set, before beating Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-1 to become the only seed in the final four. That victory was clinched by a magnificent 164 checkout.

His semi-final against Dave Chisnall became an instant classic as Price took a 3-1 lead but let his opponent back in the game to force a decider. The Welshman then survived three match darts before finishing with his favourite dou-

ble 12 to cap an astonishing tie.

In comparison, the final against debutant Dirk van Duijvenbode was a much more straightforward affair as he won 5-2, claiming victory with a 102 checkout. Now only van Gerwen stands above him in the rankings.

Price’s success of the last month means he has now won 22 of his last 23 games, only losing to Devon Petersen in the European Tour. It is a remarkable record.

“I wouldn’t say I’m the best player in the world now, but I believe that my A-game is better than anybody else’s,” Price said after winning the World Series. “That’s all that matters, I’m confident with my own game.”

“I’m playing well, practicing well and giving 100 percent every single time.

Whoever is going to beat me is going to have to play really well and take their chances, because if not then I will.”

The Iceman now has one eye on the winter’s World Darts Championship that is the calendar’s showpiece event, admitting that the Alexandra Palace trophy is “the one I want”. Win that, and he may even become world number one.

Price made it all the way to the semifinal in the last edition, before losing 6-3 to eventual champion Peter Wright.

With the Grand Slam of Darts also coming up, a competition which Price has won in the previous two years, he is certainly the one to watch in the next couple of months.

Wave after wave: Surfing and coronavirus at Cardiff Ben Lovell-Smith Sport Editor

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ith a stunning coastline that covers 1,370 miles and absorbs the brunt of Atlantic waves, Wales is a hotspot for surf.

Boasting a number of unique spots, which pack a punch, but are nowhere near as busy as traditional surf spots in Devon and Cornwall.

Though the water can be cold in winter, sometimes reaching temperatures of just eight degrees, it is possible to surf all year round.

This is thanks to strong groundswells and wind swells that collect through both the Bristol Channel and the Irish Sea from the middle of the Atlantic.

However, between May and October the surf is much less consistent, so Welsh surfers must rely on apps such as Magic Seaweed which provide information such as wind conditions and wave height and power.

Just 40 minutes West from Cardiff, Porthcawl offers the best opportunity for Cardiff students to surf. With excellent surf found at Rest Bay, Coney Beach, Trecco Bay and furthest west at Sker Beach. Porthcawl is one of the most popular spots for Welsh surfers.

The waves very rarely get huge here as the bay has such a shallow basin and the tidal range of the Severn Estuary sucks a lot of the power from the swell.

However this does not stop sharp peaks on good days, with waves forming at more than 6ft tall. Though best found at mid-high tide.

It is great for beginners too, two surf schools, Porthcawl Surf School and Cressey’s Surf Academy, are based here.

Porthcawl is also the base for one of the UK’s oldest surf clubs. Founded in 1969, the Welsh Coast Surf Club (WCSC) is an inclusive surf club, which welcomes members of all ages and abilities.

Surfing in Wales: Owing to the wide array of beaches in Wales the surfing community has thrived for decades.

Source: Simon Wood (via. Flickr) WCSC boasts a number of elite surfers, who have represented Wales in European and Welsh Championships. Including, Greg Owen and James Thomas.

The club also organises at least three contests a year, the Tsunami Cup, Welsh Inter Clubs and a tournament exclusively for WCSC members.

Further afield, Swansea and Pembrokeshire collect fantastic swells too.

Llangennith, Mumbles and Whitesands are all well known hotspots.

There are also great spots all the way up to the midriff and north of Wales for those who enjoy a road trip.

Cardiff student George Staff, from Devon, has been surfing for the last 8 years, with the benefit of local beaches to hone his craft on. “I just find it really relaxing, as cliche as it sounds, it’s more of a lifestyle for me and I can’t ever see myself giving it up”.

In these times of isolation and restriction, we could all do with a bit of

fun and relaxation to ease the mind.

He also highlights the friendly environment and good community that is felt between surfers. ‘It’s a great community sport, surfers are really friendly so you never really get any dodgy or distasteful people’.

George organises the beginners’ trips for Cardiff University’s Surf Society. The lockdown in Cardiff has had a detrimental effect, with the surf outside of Glamorgan county, it is impossible to catch a wave under the current restrictions.

However, George is hopeful that he will be able to begin organising trips in the new year.

In the meantime the surf society has been reduced to social events in the park, far away from the buzz of the ocean.

Once restrictions are lifted, you can be sure George won’t be the only one in Wales to be heading straight for the surf.

“It’s a great community sport, surfers are really friendly so you never really get any dodgy or distasteful people” George Staff Cardiff University student and surfer

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t is fair to say the start of the 2020/21 campaign has not been ideal for the Bluebirds. Neil Harris’ side have picked up four points from a possible 12, as well as crashing out of the EFL cup at the start of September to Northampton Town.

The story behind Cardiff ’s late playoff push last season was their impressive home form, picking up 10 points from 15 in their last five home games to secure their fifth placed finish. However, the two losses to Sheffield Wednesday and Reading at the Cardiff City Stadium so far campaign would contradict that narrative.

Their only win so far came against playoff contenders Nottingham Forest. The impressive 2-0 away victory was made even more special for the Cardiff faithful as it saw new signing Kieffer Moore bag both goals.

The Welsh international was the Bluebirds’ marquee signing of the summer transfer window, coming from Wigan for a reported two-million pounds. The signing of Moore initially added a bit more depth to the striker position, but with the shock departure of fan favourite Callum Patterson to Sheffield Wednesday as well as Danny Ward leaving for Huddersfield, it now looks far from it.

Two nice loan additions have been Jordi Osei-Tutu from Arsenal, and Sheyi Ojo from Liverpool. In the most recent outing against Blackburn, the two were arguably Cardiff ’s best players. Osei-Tutu offered a threat going forward from right back, whilst Ojo demonstrated some good bursts of pace with the ball and had some decent attempts at goal.

Cardiff still have until October 16th to bring in new players from other domestic teams, with the international window closing on the 5th.

They may consider another creative presence in midfield, as despite all the wonders Lee Tomlin produced in their playoff finish last campaign, fitness continues to be a problem for the 31 year-old, with former Aston Villa, now free agent Jota, reported as a potential target.

Alex Smithies has further demonstrated why the club elected to let go of Neil Ethridge in the summer, as Smithies continues to show what an excellent keeper he is. The Englishman particularly stood out in the Blackburn tie, showcasing his elite shot stopping on a number of occasions, helping Cardiff hang on for the 0-0 draw.

With the international break ongoing, Harris will hope to return back to Championship action with a fully fit squad. Joe Ralls, Josh Murphy and Joe Bennett, all regular fixtures in the Cardiff match day squad were unavailable for their last fixture against Blackburn, so the return of those three will bring a smile to the manager’s face as he plans ahead for the condensed season ahead.

The Bluebirds return to action on October 18th against Preston. This kickstarts an extremely busy end to the month, whereby they play five games in just 13 days.

It’s a tough schedule for Cardiff, but one Neil Harris and his side are not unfamiliar to. The harsh nature of the Championship means momentum is key and is something Cardiff do not have right now. Harris will be hoping the international break gives his team the chance to reset, overcoming the tricky start they have put themselves in so far.

Reporting by Tom Walker

LeBron James’ legacy:

How his fourth title affects how we remember James’ career page 24

SPORT CHWARAEON CCFC Column: Tough

start, transfer window and attacking woes

RUGBY

Tom Walker

Head of Sport

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he start of Cardiff City’s 2020/21 campaign has not been plain sailing. Loses to Sheffield Wednesday and Reading in the league and a disappointing EFL exit the Northampton Town. It has not all been bad news, with new signing Kieffer Moore and loan additions Jordi Osei-Tutu from Arsenal and Sheyi Ojo from Liverpool showing glimpses of promise. The international break gives us a chance to sit back and review their start to the season and what to expect in the coming autumn period.

Continued on page 25

Is football jeopardising its own popularity?

FOOTBALL

Freddie Bennett Sport Editor

Captain Fantastic: Tom Dodwell celebrating a goal for Cardiff. Credit: Smif Sports Photograhpy

Tom Dodwell: “I am excited to see what we can do in the near future” Tom Walker

Head of Sport

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ardiff University men’s hockey has been one of the few lucky teams that have been able to return to sporting action.

They are currently competing in the English Hockey League Western Conference where they have faced some stiff opposition so far.

Their most recent match, in which could well be considered a local derby, Cardiff travelled across the River Severn to face Bristol University.

The game was level at 2-2 heading into the final minutes, before two late Bristol goals sent Cardiff home with a demoralising 4-2 defeat.

This season has not started off too well for Cardiff, losing all three of their first fixtures.

But unlike many of the teams they are competing against in their conference, Cardiff have had to overcome many hurdles to even get to this point.

I spoke to Cardiff University Men’s 1’s Captain Tom Dodwell about the team’s preseason, start

to the campaign and what to expect going forward.

“The team and I are very proud to be representing Cardiff, as we have done for many years, and to be one of the only teams playing at the moment makes it even more special.” Dodwell explained.

“It is a shame there are no spectators at the moment as the support does make a huge difference when we play.”

Where the level of play is so unforgiving, Cardiff ’s preseason was not as plain sailing as they would have expected heading into such a competitive league. “We were only able to start preseason in the second week of September”, only two weeks prior to the season’s opener, Dodwell said.

The implementation of coronavirus precautions also made preseason tougher than usual; “we were only allowed 30 on the pitch at a time and had to constantly test temperatures, amongst other things such as not touching the balls with our hands.”

Although these procedures would have affected many teams across the country, its possible they are felt a lot harder when you are

trying to integrate a new set of first team players: “It is hard when the team changes completely each year and therefore the team chemistry on the pitch must be rebuilt all over again.

As you mentioned, in a year like this it is even harder since team bonding off the pitch is difficult to obtain due to social distancing.”

Despite the far from ideal start, the captain felt optimistic heading into the season. “I did not know what to expect with the whole COVID-19 situation, but normally I would expect us to be near the top of the table come the end of the season.” Dodwell explained, “I have a lot of belief in the talent we have here at Cardiff, and I hope to prove this in the coming games.”

As previously mentioned, Cardiff have started the season with three defeats from three, with a concerning goal difference of minus eight, leaving them bottom of the conference.

However, Dodwell has seen positive aspects of his team’s performances in those first three fixtures: “The team is continuing to play and progress together, building up our chemistry which is obviously

really crucial for results to turn around.”

Dodwell said. “In two of our three matches we have been a goal up before going on to lose, so we are focusing on retaining our lead and building on it rather than conceding on the other end.

“It is only a matter of time before we start winning and we need to think that heading into every game.

“We know we are a lot better than our current results show and I am excited to see what we can do in the near future.”

There is clearly frustration by the way this season has begun, but that is no fault on Dodwell or the team.

The frustration is channelled from a will to do better, a failure to meet expectations.

Results will start to turn for Cardiff - there is no doubt about that.

It is just about sticking with it and learning from this rough period.

“It is a long season, and it is still early days.” Dodwell concludes, “We have more than enough time to get our season back on track as long as we kick into gear now.

“We will take each game at a time and try to get as many wins as we can and see where that takes us.”

For more breaking sports news, visit www.gairhydd.com/sport

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n recent weeks the image of football and the reputation of the Premier League have taken quite a hit as rule changes and developments in broadcasting contracts mean that fans are becoming more marginalised than ever.

The introduction of the new handball rule which takes away the element of intent and will therefore penalize accidents has seen an outcry from fans and pundits alike. Though, add to this the decision to bring many Premier League games to pay per view television and one is left with an image which will take a while to be restored.

Continued on page 24

Wave after wave: Surfing and coronavirus at Cardiff Surfing

Ben Lovell-Smith Sport Editor

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oasting a vast coastline and taking the brunt of the Atlantic, Wales is prime surfing territory.

However, the sport is barely recognised in the national context despite having produced a number of elite level surfers as well as a plethora of casuals who ride the waves on the regular. Among those are George Staff and the Cardiff Surf Society, who reap benefits of relaxation and fulfillment out on the Welsh beaches.

Continued on page 25