Issue 1170 - Monday 3 May 2021 by Cardiff Student Media

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rhifyn 1170 issue 1170

3 Mai 2021 3 May 2021

gair rhydd Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972

Inside: In light of recent events, Gair Rhydd examines how safe Cardiff really is for its female students (page 6) Cardiff and the Vale begin to vaccinate students Tirion Davies

Editor-in-Chief

ardiff and Vale Health Board has begun to vaccinate students and those in their twenties, with areas across Wales having a higher proportion of younger people vaccinated. Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in North Wales currently have a higher proportion of younger people who have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, than those who are older. Health Boards across Wales are beginning a “two-stream” process of vaccinations - with the Oxford vaccine being offered to older people between 30 and 49, and the Pfizer dose being given to 18 to 29-yearolds. This is following a review by the UK drugs regulator into the link between the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clots; the JVCI, the UK Government’s vaccine advisory group, recommended that 18 to 29-year-olds be given an alternate vaccine where possible. The MHRA, the UK’s medicine regulator, found that 79 people experienced blood clots after the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The clots occur most commonly in younger women, resulting in the MHRA ruling that 18 to 29 yearolds should be given the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine where possible. Cardiff and Vale Health Board have begun offering the jab to students and over-18s who have put themselves on the reserve list for the vaccine. Available on the Cardiff and Vale Health Board website, there is a Reserve Form available, whereby over 18s can put themselves forward for a vaccine ahead of time. It was initially believed that over 18s would begin getting a first dose of the vaccine in early Autumn, without the reserve list. A spokesperson for Cardiff and Vale Health Board told Wales Online that people would be allocated an appointment in chronological order if appointments are cancelled; many of those on the reserve list will be expected to attend a vaccination centre at short notice.

The spokesperson said of the reserve list, “Once details are entered individuals will be contacted in chronological order - oldest first when an appointment is available. “The oldest people on the reserve list will be offered appointments first but our leave nobody behind list will take priority”. As of April 29, Public Health Wales data shows that the number of 18-29 year-olds receiving a vaccine on a daily basis had grown significantly from the previous week. It is now believed, as reported by the BBC, that 23.1 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds have had a first dose of the vaccine, with the majority receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech. Public Health Wales announced on April 29 that 57.6 percent of the Welsh population has received the first dose of the vaccine, with 23.2 percent of the population now fully vaccinated. Wales currently resides as fifth in the list of the top 20 countries in the world to have offered at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to data obtained by the BBC. On the list, provided by Our World in Data, Wales lies higher than Scotland, England and Northern Ireland on the vaccination list. Cardiff and Vale Health Board is currently the health board with the lowest number of full vaccinations administered, although are beginning to increase the number of first-dose vaccinations amongst the younger population. Fiona Kinghorn, the executive director for public health at Cardiff and Vale UHB, told BBC Radio Wales that there was a concern over a rise of people not turning up to their appointments. On average, she said, around 8 percent of people were not turning up. Speaking with BBC Radio Wales last week, Ms Kinghorn said of the missed appointments, “It is a concern for us, and my key message is ‘please get your vaccine’ when you are offered. It is one of our key lines of defence”. Cardiff and Vale Health Board encourages students and over 18s to sign up to the reserve list, and ask that everyone attend their appointments when they become available.

Senedd Elections 2021: What should you know in order to help you to make an informed decision? Source: Adrian Platt (via geograph)

2021 Senedd Elections: What should you know? Dewi Morris

Politics Editor

has also cast a light onto the devolution process and the number of key areas such as Health and Education ruled from Cardiff Bay. This Senedd election is set to have a much greater prominence as COVID-19 has illustrated how politics in Wales differs from other UK nations. The past year has also raised the volume on the debate over the constitution, with Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Green Party, Propel, and Gwlad campaigning for Welsh independence.

Pubs begin to re- Ailagor sector lletygarwch Cymru open outdoors Iris Knapman Contributor

s of Monday 26 April, pubs and restaurants across Wales were able to re-open, with outdoor seating available for patrons. As Wales continues to see a drop in COVID-19 cases as we head into May, there is a hope that further plans to re-open hospitality will be able to go ahead. The Welsh Government is set to open pubs and restaurants with indoor availabilities from May 17. To read more about the easing of restrictions in Wales, including the next set of changes to be made, turn to page 3. 3

Alaw Fflur Jones Golygydd Taf-od

On the other hand, UKIP and the Abolish the Welsh Assembly party stand for just that – closing the Senedd. Labour have called for a reformed constitution which the Conservatives oppose. The Liberal Democrats campaign for a federal UK, while Reform UK want to change the way the First Minister is elected. To read more about the 2021 Senedd Elections, and to read the manifestos of all the Welsh 12 parties, turn to page 12.

Dorothy Hodgekin and the discovery of insulin Holly Giles

Head of Science & Technology

iabetes is a common condition that causes the level of sugar in the blood to become too high as the body is unable to process sugar in the diet. The possibility of smart insulin could not be achieved without the basic structure provided to us by Hodgekin and her team. It is due to her “determination” and “iron will” in the face of adversity that we are able to make the advances that we can see happening today To read more about Dorothy Hodgekin, her discovery of insulin, and her impact on the modern world, turn to page 25 25

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 Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo spark protest

ay 25 2021 will mark a year since the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died while under police custody in Minneapolis in the United States. Since the death of George Floyd, officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested and charged with murdering Floyd, with the trial ongoing. The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police officers in the US caused a global uproar, sparking a wide-scale change in the way we discuss race. Daunte Wright, an unarmed 20-year-old was shot dead by police on April 11 after a traffic stop. The officer mistakenly shot Wright with their gun, after mistaking the weapon for their taser. Brooklyn Center, a suburb of Minneapolis where Wright was killed, lies just 15 miles away from where George Floyd was killed in May 2020. The officer, Kim Potter, has since been charged with second-degree manslaughter following the incident. Adam Toledo, a 13-year-old unarmed Mexican American, was shot by police in Little Village, Chicago on March 29. His identity and age were revealed this month, along with body camera video footage of the incident, showing Toledo standing in front of the officer with his hands up. Toledo was with Ruben Romano, 21, who had been charged with several felonies, though video footage indicates that

Toledo stopped when he was asked by officers, and turned towards them with his hands raised before he was shot. Protests quickly erupted across several cities, including Minnesota, following the news of Wright and Toledo’s deaths. The protests across the US this month have been mainly peaceful. According to new data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (Acled), nearly all (93%) of Black Lives Matter protests have been peaceful across the world. Police in the US kills roughly 1,100 people each year, as reported by the Guardian, with a small proportion of those cases resulting in criminal prosecution for officers involved. According to research by Bowling Green State University, obtained by the Guardian, between 2005 and 2019 104 police officers were arrested for murder or manslaughter, though only 35 were convicted of a crime. There is, however, some good that has come from the summer protests. Officers involved in these incidents are now more likely to be charged and face reprimanding. Derek Chauvin’s trial is approaching its fourth week, and Kim Potter has been charged with second-degree manslaughter. It is a shame it has taken summer of protesting and media intrigue for changes to be made. However, for many, change is still needed, and urgently.

NEWS

COVID-19 cases continue to drop into May (p.3)

Marwolaethau Daunte Wright ac Adam Toledo

TAF-OD

Clybiau pel-droed Cymru i ddilyn esiampl Abertawe (t.8)

POLITICS

Senedd Elections 2021: what do you need to know? (p.12)

COMMENT

Why is there a lack of disability awareness at university? (p.18)

ADVICE

How to celebrate your graduation a pandemic (p.20)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Climate change has shifted Earth’s axis (p.23)

@CAERDYDD

World’s fastest seated zipline comes to South Wales (p.26)

SPORT

Gair Rhydd’s Olympics preview (p.28)

Gwneud pethau’n gwaeth: Mae marwolaethau Adam Toledo a Daunte Wright wedi achosi fwy o brotestiadau. Tarddiad: Andrew Ratto (drwy Wikimedia Commons)

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Further fuel to the fire: The deaths of Adam Toledo and Daunte Wright this month have caused further protests across America. Source: Andrew Ratto (via Wikimedia Commons)

rbyn Mai 25 2021, bydd flwyddyn wedi bod ers marwolaeth George Floyd, dyn du bu’n cael ei lofruddio gan yr heddlu yn Minneapolis yn America. Wedi marwolaeth George Floyd, dechreuodd trafodaeth dros America, ac yna’n rhyngwladol, am driniaeth yr heddlu o bobl o hiliau gwahanol. Ers marwolaeth George Floyd, mae’r dyn heddlu Derek Chauvin wedi’i arestio ac erbyn hyn yn wynebu achos o lofruddiaeth. Roedd marwolaethau Ahmaud Arbery a Breonna Taylor yn ogystal wedi achosi trafodaeth ryngwladol, a newid i’r ffordd ein bod yn drafod hil. Parhaodd y drafodaeth am driniaeth yr heddlu o bobl o hiliau wahanol hyd ddechrau’r flwyddyn hon, ond nid i’r un maint â dros yr Haf. Roedd hynny tan farwolaethau Daunte Wright ac Adam Toledo eleni. Bu farw Daunte Wright, dyn 20oed o ganlyniad o gael ei saethu ar Ebrill 11. Gwnaeth yr heddwas saethu Wright ar ddamwain, yn meddwl mai defnyddio tazer oedd hi. Mae’r heddwas Kim Potter erbyn hyn wedi’i arestio ac yn aros am achos llys am lofruddiaeth. Yr oedd Adam Toledo yn 13 pan fu farw ym mis Mawrth, wedi iddo gael ei saethu gan yr heddlu. Yn wreiddiol, nad oedd gwybodaeth am

Adam ar gael, ond erbyn mis Ebrill, daeth ei wybodaeth, a fideo o’r hyn digwyddodd iddo i’r amlwg. Yn y fideo, yr oedd Adam Toledo wedi stopio’r hyn oedd yn ei wneud wedi i’r heddlu gofyn iddo, ac fe wnaeth troi’n araf i wynebu’r heddlu. Erbyn iddo droi, yn dal ei dwylo uwchben ei ben, cafodd ei saethu. Dechreuodd protestio yn fuan wedi’r marwolaethau ledled yr Unol Daleithau. Mae’r protestiadau ar draws y wlad wedi bod yn heddychlon am y mwyafrif, gyda 93% o brotestiadau Black Lives Matter yn cael ei ddatgan yn heddychlon. Mae nifer wedi nodi eu bod yn teimlo anhapusrwydd i’r ffaith bod fwy o farwolaethau pobl o hiliau wahanol wedi digwydd o ganlyniad i’r heddlu. Ar ôl Haf o brotestiadau, mae’n siom anferthol gweld bod Daunte Wright ac Adam Toledo wedi’u lladd gan yr heddlu ac bod pethau fel hyn yn barhau i ddigwydd. Mae yna, yn ffodus, elfen o newyddion dda o brotestio’r Haf, wrth bod heddlu nawr fwy tebygol o gael eu harestio am lofruddio. Mae Derek Chauvin yng nghanol achos llys, ac mae Kim Potter yn disgwyl achos llys yn fuan. Mae’n siom bod rhaid protestio a derbyn diddordeb y cyfryngau i newid dechrau digwydd. Yn anffodus, mae dal angen ar fwy o newid i lawer

NODYN GAN Y GOLYGYDD

NEWS

COVID-19 cases down as May begins

Experts still advise precautionary measures to prevent the spread

reopening last year on July 13. At the time, the infection rate was 4.4 per 100,000 people, and the percentage of positive test results was 0.8%. Despite improvements since the winter period, these rates have still not gone as low as they were during last year’s reopening.

Zoe Kramer

Head of News

ales is showing a decrease in COVID-19 cases since the winter, with 12.9 cases per 100,000 people. This is down from 13.6 on Sunday. Cases in mid -February stood at 95 per 100,000 in some areas, which shows that significant improvement has been made since then. The benchmark for the percentage of positive test results to show an improvement was 5%, and this percentage has now fallen to 1.5%. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown that COVID-19 is no longer the leading cause of death in England and Wales. In terms of the vaccine, a reported 1,777,375 people have now received the first dose, with 689,534 of these having also received a second dose. In Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, all adults can now sign up for a reserve list to receive the first dose. These vaccinations will be allocated in chronological order. This reserve list will help to ensure that no vac-

Cases down: Wales has reported fewer cases, but precautionary measures should still be taken. Source: US Secretary of Defense (via Wikimedia Commons) cines are wasted due to time con- cial distancing, according to TAC. straints. “It is likely that future outbreaks Still, premature celebrations may will occur in children and young not be warranted, as experts are people who have more contacts and warning that a third wave of the have not yet been vaccinated,” said its virus during the summer is likely. report. While this third wave is not expect“In future it may be useful to set ed to be as severe as the previous out what level of virus transmission two, summer activities are urged to is acceptable if vaccinations are keepbe brought outdoors to curtail the ing hospitalisations and deaths low.” spread of COVID-19. Additionally, Many have compared the current it is important to continue to employ reopening of pubs and restaurants face coverings, hand hygiene, and so- for outdoor seating to the similar

It is likely that future outbreaks will occur in children and young people who have more contacts and have not yet been vaccinated. However, others have pointed out that there are other differences between now and last June, one being that hospitalisation rates are currently lower than they were then. Additionally, the first dose of the vaccine has been administered to over 1/3 of the population, whereas last summer, it had not yet been developed.

Restaurants and pubs able to open for outdoor seating Iris Knapman Contributor

s of Monday April 26, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and bars have re-opened for outdoor dining across the country. It has been described as a “welcome” step by both the Welsh Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, with Plaid Cymru asserting that it was due to the collective effort of the people of Wales” that created the circumstances in which businesses could begin reopening. The easing of lockdown restrictions on these services comes as a massive relief to many who had missed the joys of dining with friends and family due to COVID-19. While businesses in England had already opened their (figurative) doors to serve customers outside earlier this month, Welsh residents had to wait until now. Some took to social media to celebrate their first drink at the stroke of midnight. The Welsh rules dictate that up to

six people from six different households are able to gather at eateries. These new rules will allow friends from different households who have not seen each other for months to reunite. Not only is it a time of celebration for patrons, but for the businesses and their employees as well. Some businesses have been closed since before the Christmas lockdown. Nick Saunders, who directs a food and entertainment establishment in Cardiff, expressed it was “crucial” for his business to reopen to allow his furloughed staff to return to work. However, there are some businesses that fail to reap the benefits of outdoor dining, such as Elen Morris’s pub in Bala, Gwynedd. Her business would be operating at “triple the staff, and quarter of the capacity,” which she said would be unfortunately not “financially viable” until indoor dining continued. This cautious step towards business reopening has likely been an emotional time for many as we remember what we used to take for

Grabbing a pint: For the first time since lockdown, pubs and restaurants will be open for outdoor seating. Source: Kamal Hamid (via Flickr) granted before the initial lockdowns including undertaking a risk assessbegan. ment.” In addition to bars and restaurants, Wales residents will have to wait other outdoor attractions including until the 17th May to enjoy bars and zoos and theme parks also enjoy a restaurants indoors provided that grand post-lockdown re-opening. case rates continue to remain low. Organised events including wed- Currently the seven-day case rate is dings, funerals and sports activities the lowest it’s been since 3rd Sepmay be held outdoors with up to tember at 12.9 per 100,000 people. thirty people. Furthermore, protests While this leaves room for optimism, may continue, provided it is organ- it also depends on the outcome of the ised and carried out by “a responsible Welsh government election on the body with appropriate mitigations, 6th May.

Lockdown violators arrested in Swansea Luthien Evans News Editor

ith COVID-19 restrictions nationwide easing, some people are disobeying new lockdown regulations. Rules, as of week commencing April 26, including the fact that people can meet up with six people from different households outdoors. Previous lockdown easing and peoples’ actions has caused controversy around Wales. This is the case with the mistreatment of the Cardiff Bay area due to littering on the Senedd steps, which was brought into the limelight in recent weeks. Police have been active in Wales sorting out disruptive and COVID-19 rule breaking behaviour. On the weekend of April 24, South Wales police were seen patrolling the Swansea area, with a focus on the SA1 area. Of-

ficers were responding and patrolling the area due to reports of people ‘who had been drinking heavily and behaving in anti-social ways’. This resulted in the arrest of three people, as well as issuing five section 35 notices, in a bid to tackle certain anti-social behaviours. It has been confirmed that two of the arrests were due to suspicion of the possession of drugs with the intent to supply- the third arrest was due to suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. The five section 35 notices allows officers the powers to ‘exclude people from the area’. South Wales Police Superintendent Steve Jones has been quoted as saying: “It’s understandable that everyone is keen to make the most of the good weather. This isn’t a problem if people behave responsibly, sensibly, and are mindful of the Covid restrictions that are still in place. However, a minority

YOUR NEWS DESK

Zoe Kramer

Luthien Evans

Sam Portillo

Dominic Williams news@gairrhydd.com in the area.

This isn’t a problem if people behave responsibly, sensibly, and are mindful of the Covid restrictions that are still in place. Lockdown rules: It is allowed to meet up with six people outdoors, but not larger groups. Source: John Lord (via Geograph) were behaving in a way that was just Some of the areas being patrolled unpleasant for other people. Our of- were being seen as hotspots for large ficers were at these hotspots and kept congregations of crowds. This draws a close eye on these locations during similarities with the case in Cardiff their patrols. Those found commit- Bay, as large crowds have the potenting anti-social behaviour were dealt tial to mass litter. This was a common with accordingly.” theme of complaints from the locals

Similar instances have occurred in Llanelli and Burry Port over the same weekend. It has been reported that the Dyfed-Powys Police ‘confiscated 150 bottles and cans from underage drinkers’ in the area. As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, it is important to continue to socially distance and follow the new restrictions as they arise.

4 NEWS Grass fires started across South and West Wales Sam Portillo News Editor

early 80 grass fires were started deliberately across South and West Wales this weekend as regional Fire and Rescue services were inundated with over 500 calls from concerned witnesses. Some of the blazes required several days of work, with emergency services deploying helicopters to help tackle a particularly belligerent fire in Caerphilly county. “The majority of these incidents, unfortunately, have been recorded as deliberate,” said Dean Loader, the head of community safety for South Wales Fire and Rescue. “It seems that there’s a cultural issue. We’ve experienced these types of fires for many, many years now. We’ve got lots of educational programmes in place where we talk and discuss the issue in schools, but, yes – it’s a big problem for us.” More than 20 firefighters were deployed in Mynydd Cilgwyn near Caernarfon, with witnesses likening the size of the fire there to that of a “football pitch or two”. The resulting smoke could be seen over 20 miles away, as far as Anglessey. A group of people in Swansea appeared to deliberately set dry grass alight, resulting in a fire which took five response teams to extinguish. Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Andrew Morgan shared an image of a “substantial fire” that started on Monday evening in Mountain Ash. The fire then moved to the Miskin area of town while it was being contained. People living in nearby Machen were told to keep their home windows and doors closed to protect themselves and their property should the fire stray off course. Brad Owen, a resident of Mountain Ash, said the fires “seem to be getting bigger and more destructive” year on year. “The A4059 – which is the main link in and out of the Cynon Valley – had to be closed to allow the fire crews to deal with that overnight,” he explained. “The firefighters are going mountain from mountain when they could be out in the community doing normal callouts. “More needs to be done locally with awareness,” Brad suggests. A representative for the Fire Brigades Union called grass fires an “age old problem” and reassured the hardworking crews that the forecasted weather for the remainder of the week would help quash the blazes. “[They] will be pretty pleased to hear we’ve got some rain on the way,” she said. “I’ve been in the Fire and Rescue Service for over 27 years, and this was happening when I first joined – and it’s something we’ve had to deal with year after year.” The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have asked the public for any information that may help in identifying the culprits. Taking to Twitter, they said: “Our communities should be able to enjoy the natural beauty of Wales. A small minority are intent on damaging our landscape, killing wildlife and endangering the lives of residents and Firefighters. If you know the culprits call 101.”

Tourism sector given roadmap for reopening Zoe Kramer

Head of News

fter many months of uncertainty, the tourism sector in Wales has now been provided with a roadmap for an eventual reopening. First Minister Mark Drakeford announced last week that there will be a set of provisional dates for the tourism industry to gradually reopen. This comes after the reopening of travel on April 12. Since April 26, tourist attractions which are outdoors, such as the Welsh Mountain Zoo and Zip World have been able to reopen to visitors. As of May 3, visitors to Wales are able to join with Welsh households to form extended households, similar to extended households which have been formed in the past, prior to lockdown. The third and final tentative reopening date is May 17, which will allow for the rest of the tourist industry with shared facilities to reopen. This includes hostels and campsites. Indoor hospitality and entertainment is expected to open from this date as well, including cinemas and other indoor attractions. This means that

these businesses will be open in time for the spring bank holiday. These changes reportedly come after discussions with the COVID-19 Tourism Task Force, which have been advocating for the sector to reopen for some time. The Task Force warned of losses if the reopening dates were not parallel with England’s. A letter from the Task Force reads: “The data for Wales is showing hugely encouraging signs with cases falling to a low of 20 per 100,000 – the lowest number since our industry was open for business in September. “What hasn’t changed in recent weeks are the anxiety levels, mental health concerns and wellbeing issues of our owners, managers and of their staff, who are desperate for the surety of day-to-day living that a return to work provides. “While forced to close, and only around 30% of our businesses can open with outdoor hospitality, and while without the confirmation of additional financial support resources while shut, they also face making serious decisions about their and their workforces’ futures.” In response to the changes, Taskforce member Steve Hughson said: “Taking account of all the data, which is moving quickly, the Taskforce felt

Tourism: Attractions such as the Welsh Mountain Zoo have been given a timeline for reopening. Source: Jeff Buck (via Geograph) the time was right to move to indoor hospitality as soon as we could after an assessment of the impact of reopening outdoor hospitality,” he said. “We are delighted the First Minister has take scientific advice, looked at the data and moved quicker than the original time frame.” However, some have been critical of the process by which reopening is occurring. Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, said: “Whilst this is a welcome step on the road

to recovery, let’s not shy away from calling out reluctance by the Welsh Government to provide the business sector with a roadmap and alignment with England where 80% of our business comes from. “This is something the tourism and hospitality sector will not forget in a hurry,” he added. “A great degree of anxiety and confusion for many of our tourism and hospitality businesses has been caused unnecessarily right the way through this whole pandemic.”

UK Community Renewal Fund launched this month Dominic Williams News Editor

he UK Community Renewal Fund was launched this month, with a total of £220 million in funding available from the UK government for organisations around the country to apply for. The new funding will help communities overcome obstacles, develop skills, and create opportunities that will benefit the local economy. Cardiff Council will be the lead organisation in Cardiff in submitting the agreed-upon projects to the UK Government for approval. City councils, the voluntary and community sector, schools and colleges, and local companies are all eligible to apply for the fund. The winning bidders will be encouraged to draw on local expertise and insight, collaborate with long-term strategic strategies for local development, target the most vulnerable people,

promote community regeneration, and complement other national and local service provision. Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government said, ‘’Now is the right time to prepare for our national recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. We want people across all parts of the UK to see, feel, and experience the benefits as we bounce back and level up. Now we have left the European Union, the opportunities to deliver this ambition are in our own hands. Investment from EU Structural Funds will continue to be spent by local areas until 2023 and this government has committed to at least matching EU receipts through the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund.’’ The UK government has outlined a timeline for the Renewal Fund. On the 3rd of March 2021, the prospectus for the UK Community Renewal Fund was published by the UK government. The prospectus includes a list of priority locations and lead authorities in the United Kingdom.

Renewal Fund: £220 million will be available for community projects. Source: Tony Hisgett (via Wikimedia Commons) Then on the 18th of June 2021 The United Kingdom’s lead authorities will send a shortlist of project bids to the UK government for consideration. Then for late July the UK government will announce the recipients of the UK Community Renewal Fund’s active initiatives. The investment priorities of the

scheme are: Investment in skills, local business, communities, and employment. However, Projects that rely on the construction or refurbishment of houses, the acquisition of property, or the purchase of large pieces of equipment will not be sponsored because 90 percent of the fund is tax financed.

Tudor Lane unveils new mural as part of redevelopment Dominic Williams News Editor

s part of a multi-million-pound redevelopment project for the wider region, a lesser-known lane in the city centre has been given a makeover. Tudor Lane, a small street in Riverside that runs parallel to Tudor Street and is home to a variety of workshops and small businesses, now has a vibrant and colourful new mural adorning the walls. Tudor Lane is benefiting from some environmental improvements of its own, beginning with the new artwork on the side of the former Cardiff Bus Transport Club, while work is underway to turn Tudor Street into an attractive and lively retail area through significant investment in commercial and environmental improvements. The mural was designed and painted by local artist Lowri Davies, whose in-

Redevelopment: Tudor Lane, pictured here in 2009, is seeing an extensive makeover. Source: Mick Lobb (via Wikimedia Commons) spiration came from the businesses within the lane. The colour palette is bright and echoes some of the colours used to improve buildings on Tudor Street. New signage at the intersections, bright and colourful lighting column banners, a one-way system, artwork on the back wall of the adjacent build-

ing, Litchfield Court, street lighting upgrades, and traffic calming measures are among the other improvements on Tudor Lane. A council spokesperson said: “The new mural and other environmental improvements have made such a difference to the appearance of Tudor Lane and we hope businesses and visitors

will see the benefit of these changes. The much-welcomed improvements will be completed at the end of this month and we hope that further funding can be secured in partnership with the businesses to provide additional improvements in the future.” Cardiff’s Tudor Street has benefitted from a multi-million-pound regeneration in 2021. The Council has received funding for the £1 million scheme from a regional partnership supported in part by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme. The scheme, which aims to help turn the shopping area into an exciting and lively place to visit, will include new shop fronts and external building improvements. The council will now match around £1.6 million in Welsh Government funding for the £3 million upgrades scheduled for 2021, which were gained through the Transforming Towns Funding for Green Infrastructure and Regeneration.

o t w o H e h T : e c n a Fin e d i u G ’ s t n e d u St

, s n a o l e h t n o n w o d s e w i o r l a s e r h t u b d Get n p a l e s t h gran e to you to ate l u b d a a l i r g t s ava o p r u o y e c n a s n e i i f d stu

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FEATURES

FEATURES How safe is Cardiff for women? In light of recent events and discussions on the safety of women, TEAM Gair Rhydd examines just how safe Cardiff is for its female students Disclaimer: This article covers sexual assault and subjects which some reads may find disturbing. If you have been affected by any of the topics in this article please don’t hesitate to contact student support on studentconnect@cardiff. ac.uk

Tehreem Sultan

Tom Kingsbury

Dominic Williams features@gairrhydd.com

Tirion Davies

Editor in Chief

n this month’s Feature, Gair Rhydd looks into the safety concerns many students have raised, in order to examine how safe Cardiff really is for its female students. A global discourse began in March 2021 surrounding the safety of women, after 33-year-old Sarah Everard went missing in South London. The 33-year-old marketing executive was walking to her home in Brixton when she was abducted. A Metropolitan Police Officer, Wayne Couzens, was arrested on March 9, a week after Sarah’s disappearance, in connection with her murder. On March 10, it was announced her remains had been found in a woodland in Ashford, Kent, and Couzens was charged with kidnapping and murder. The initial disappearance of Sarah Everard gained global interest, and soon her disappearance began a global discussion about the safety of women and accountability. For many women, Sarah Everard’s story sounded similar to experiences they themselves had faced; the biggest difference being that they made it home and lived

to tell the tale. Vigils for Everard were held all over the UK, including here in Cardiff. The events, organised by ‘Reclaim the Streets’, were cancelled and moved online, although the event on Clapham Common continued, with Metropolitan police officers breaking up the vigil by pulling women away from the memorial. Organisers of Reclaim the Night had said at the time that continuing with the vigils in person would have incurred a £20,000 fine, noting that perhaps instead of a vigil, being able to raise the same amount and donate it to a charity aiding women would be more beneficial. However, since Sarah Everard’s death, more and more concerning reports have begun to surface of incidents which have happened across Cardiff. Many women have noted incidents of men and students harassing them in public spaces, or attempting to sexually assault them. A report by the Guardian was released on March 10 2021, where it was found that 97% of young women aged 18-24 have experienced sexual harassment, with 80% of women of all ages noting they had been sexually harassed in a public space. The YouGov survey by UN Women of more than 1,000 women, indicated a general lack of faith had by women in the UK authorities’ ability to deal with sexual harassment incidents. 96% of respondents on the survey noted they had not reported the incidents, with

Safety on the streets: In recent months, concerns over the safety of women has increased, especially in Cardiff. Source: UN Women (via Flickr) 45% of those claiming they A poll by The Tab, which of sexual harassment. would not change this deci- asked 14,000 students in sion. Britain whether or not they We are looking Claire Barnett, Executive had been groped in clubs, at a situation where Director of UN Women UK shows that 91% of women younger women are noted to the Guardian fol- who answered said they had constantly modifylowing the survey, experienced sexual harassing their behaviour “This is a human rights ment and assault. in an attempt to crisis. It’s just not enough for The issue wasn’t exclusive avoid being objectius to keep saying ‘this is too to women, however. Overfied or attacked, difficult a problem for us to all, 82% of uni scholars, both and older women solve’ - it needs addressing male, and female, told the are reporting serinow. consent and sexual assault ous concerns about “We are looking at a situ- survey that they had experipersonal safety if ation where younger women enced groping, with 61% of they ever leave the are constantly modifying men noting they had experihouse in the dark their behaviour in an at- enced groping. - even during the tempt to avoid being objecIn the study, Cardiff Unidaytime in winter tified or attacked, and older versity was found to be the women are reporting seri- second-worst university in ous concerns about personal the UK for experiencing Claire Barnett safety if they ever leave the groping on a night out, with Executive Director house in the dark - even dur- 95% of students saying they of UN Women UK ing the daytime in winter”. had experienced some form

What kind of incidents have happened in Cardiff? Gair Rhydd speaks to residents and students affected by breach in safety in Cardiff over the past few months Disclaimer: This article covers sexual harassment and subjects which some reads may find disturbing. If you have been affected by any of the topics in this article please don’t hesitate to contact student support on studentconnect@cardiff. ac.uk

Sanatorium Park: After a report of sexual assault in Sanatorium Park in Cardiff, there have been concerns. Source: Cherrymushrooms (via Wikimedia Commons)

oncheh Habibiazad, an International Journalism Masters student at Cardiff University, warned female students of staying cautious throughout the city, after she and two friends were followed. Habibiazad took to Facebook’s popular group page ‘Overheard at Cardiff Uni’ to explain the incident, including a phone call she had been on with the police. The post, which includes a video of the offender shouting at

Ghoncheh Habibiazad and two friends, noted that they had been followed through the city centre after leaving Bute Park. While attempting to remain calm, Habibiazad called 999 and was quickly redirected to South Wales Police, where she had a lengthy conversation with the officer on the other line. The man was later taken by a police van to be questioned, but Ghoncheh Habibiazad warned of the dangers within the city. Despite being with two friends at the time of the incident, Habibiazad was visibly shaken in the video. A week prior to the incident experienced by Ghoncheh Habibiazad and her friends, a report surfaced on Facebook group ‘The Mill Residents’, a group for residents of the Mill area of Cardiff.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that she had been groped while walking her dog through busy fields one afternoon. She stated that as she began to phone the police, the man continued to follow her until she reached an opening, at the entrance of another estate. Anne Marie Davies, a parent who works at Cardiff University, responded to the report made to ‘The Mill Residences’ group, noting how the report made her worried for her daughter, who attended school in the area adjoining Sanatorium Park, where the incident is alleged to have occurred. Anne Marie Davies said, “To know that a person lies in wait in the middle of the day and then brazenly grabs a woman’s bottom in unacceptable. She was someone who sadly

was prepared with a rape alarm but too shocked to react. “[my daughter] feels lucky she wasn’t in those areas. I want my 12 year old daughter to be able to walk safely”. In response to the report, a protest was organised on Sunday April 18 to ‘Reclaim Sanatorium Park’. A socially-distanced sit-in was organised, to “protest recent incidents of sexual assault against women in the park”, with many noting their shock at an incident of the sort happening so obviously in the area which many believed to be safe. For many students in Cardiff, these reports have raised concerns about how safe the city really is for young women, especially now, when there is a dependency on being able to leave the house to walk.

CYNGOR

TikTok and the threat of April 24: Multiple videos began surfacing on TikTok claiming April 24 as “National Rape Day”, with allegations emerging soon after that male students at Cardiff University had began a group chat with the intention of preying on some female students. Source: Solen Feyissa (via Flickr)

Cardiff University and the threat of April 24 Disclaimer: This article covers sexual assault and subjects which some reads may find disturbing. If you have been affected by any of the topics in this article please don’t hesitate to contact student support on studentconnect@cardiff.ac.uk

Tirion Davies

Editor in Chief

series of videos began surfacing recently on popular social media platform TikTok, with users alleging that April 24 was being referred to as “National Rape Day” by many. The “hoax” began at the beginning of April. with users claiming April 24 was a date where sexual assault and rape would be legal for a day. Of course, this was not the case, however many were still convinced by the idea of it. The initial video, which has since been deleted from TikTok, showed a user referencing a 2019 Urban Dictionary definition of “National Rape Day”, claiming it to be April 24. Showing the Urban Dictionary definition, which has since been deleted from their website, caused numerous users on TikTok to believe the video was true. Urban Dictionary has not reported directly on the incident. According to CrowdTangle, more than 1,000 Facebook posts and over 50 Instagram post began emerging about “National Rape Day” soon after the video first appeared on TikTok, spreading the story further. A representative for TikTok reported to USA Today that the platform had “not found evidence” of

any videos discussing “National Rape Day” as genuine, although did note “our safety team is remaining vigilant and we will remove content that violates our policies”. The video was shared throughout TikTok, and with more and more users talking about the incident, it become more apparent. Although the initial videos discussing the intention behind the date have since been removed, as discussion continued surrounding the topic on the app, April 24 and its meaning began to get more traction. Just weeks before the date, TikTok users and women across the UK became aware of the threat April 24 might become for many. Many students at Cardiff University who used TikTok became aware of the videos and false news sources being shared on the platform, though no one was aware at the time of the threat these videos may pose to students at Cardiff University. Reports of the April 24 videos began circulating around universities, with male students at Cardiff University and University of Exeter allegedly creating group chats in which they discussed female students they could prey on. The group chats are said to discuss the legitimacy of the April 24 videos, with many claiming the group discusses female students. Some female students have reported they had been told by the University that during the investigation into the group chats, their names had been added to a “list”. Cardiff University Football Club heard of the rumours, and the discussion about Cardiff University students’ involvement in the incident, and began a service in which stu-

dents could contact the team to help them walk home on the evening of Saturday, April 24. Ben Marett, 22, posted in ‘Overheard at Cardiff University’ that Cardiff University Football Club would be wearing their trademark red quarter-zip fleeces, and walking around Cathays to ensure female students felt safe. Members of the Facebook group were asked to message a member of the team at any time through Saturday evening and early Sunday morning if they were in need of any assistance. Cardiff University responded to the alleged group chats, with a Cardiff University spokesperson noting, “We want to make it absolutely clear: we are taking these matters seriously. “We have passed this information to colleagues at South Wales Police and University security are also aware. “We take a zero-tolerance approach to violence and abuse, including threats of violence. “Anyone who is behaving in this way or supporting behaviour will be subject to disciplinary procedures.” Pro Vice-Chancellor Claire Morgan responded to the incident by noting that Bystander Training is available to students, with a focus on the impact of violence and abuse. It will provide students with safe ways of directly or indirectly intervening when witnesses abuse or violence. Cardiff University encourages that any student who knows of or they themselves are involved in the abhorrent messages as of late get in touch with the University so that a formal investigation can occur.

With the threat of April 24 and multiple reports of incidents in Cardiff over the past few weeks, how safe is Cardiff really for students and women? In a report by the Office of National Statistics for the year ending March 2020, unwanted sexual toucing was the most common type of sexual assault in 2020 in England and Wales. 1.8 percent of adults aged 16 to 74 years experienced sexual assault in 2020, with a total of 162,936 sexual offences recorded by the police in England and Wales by March 2020. Although figures have yet to be released for 2021, there is an expectation that the rate of sexual assault and harassment will rise again in England and Wales. There are parts of Cardiff which, unfortunately, remain notoriously

unsafe for students, including poorly-lit streets like Rhymney Street and Richmond Road. Things are beginning to change, however, with Cardiff University encouraging students to report any innapropriate behaviour, and with incidents raising awareness of the safety of women across the world. Despite the horrors of disappearances like Sarah Everard’s, it has begun a discourse within Cardiff of what is needed in order to help women feel safe around the city, with people more willing to help than ever before. For many, however, change is still needed, with further incidents around Cardiff being reported by women every day. Is Cardiff safe for women isn’t necessarily the question. Is anywhere safe for women in 2021?

Sexual harassment: In 2020, 1.8 percent of the population were said to have experienced sexual harassment. Source: Office for National Statistics

TAF-OD

taf od

Barn y Bobol

Yr wythnos hon, mae’r Cymry yn bleidleisio am ei Llywodraeth newydd am y tro cyntaf ym mhedwar blynedd. I nifer o fyfyrwyr, dyma’r tro cyntaf iddynt pleidleisio yn Etholiad Seneddol ers iddynt dechrau yn y brifysgol. Eleni, pedwar flynedd yn ddiweddarach, ac wedi i ni delio gyda pandemig, sut mae myfyrwyr a phobl ifanc yn teimlo am bleidleisio yn 2021?

Bethan Biston

Myfyriwr yr ail flwyddyn, Nyrsio Yn sicr mae’r etholiad hwn yn un sydd o ddiddordeb i bobl ifanc, gan fod pobl 16 ac 17 oed nawr gallu pleidleiso yn etholiadau Seneddol. Fi wir yn credu bydd y bobl ifanc yn newid y donfedd yn yr etholiad hwn, a gall Plaid Cymru ei ennill. Mae Plaid Cymru yn wych wrth gynnwys pobol ifanc mewn gwleidyddiaeth, ac mae eu haddewision i gaddo swyddi a chymorth inni yn un rheswm pam hoffwn eu gweld yn ennill yr etholiad ar Mai 6.

Tom Moore

Myfyriwr y drydydd flwyddyn, Ferylliaeth Heb amau Llafur dylai ennill yr etholiad ar Mai 6. Mae eu triniaeth o’r pandemig yng Nghymru wedi bod yn wych, a llawer gwell na Llywodraeth y DU. Gyda Drakeford a Llafur yn llywodraethu Cymru bydd y wlad yn well i ni fel pobl ifanc, ac mae’r genhedlaeth nesaf yn cael eu edrych ar ôl gyda’r cynllun ‘catchup’ addysgiadol newydd. Bydd fy mhleidlais i yn mynd i’r Blaid Lafur ar Mai 6 a dwi’n gobeithio pleidlais pawb arall hefyd.

Llyr Ellis

Myfyriwr y drydydd flwyddyn, Y Gyfraith Nid yw’n anodd gweld pam fod cefnogi sosialaeth wedi dod yn ffasiynol ymysg pobl ifanc y dyddiau yma. Ar bapur, mae sosialaeth yn cynnig y gorau o ddau fyd, cyfiawnder cymdeithasol a llewyrch economaidd. Ond, mae’n haws dweud na gwneud. Wrth bleidleisio’r flwyddyn hon, anghofiwch am stereoteip y ‘tory’ diegwyddor a gofynnwch beth mae Llafur wedi’i wneud i chi? Dwy flynedd ar hugain mewn pŵer a’r cwbl sydd gan Lafur i’w ddangos amdano yw amseroedd aros A&E uchel a safonau addysg gwarthus. Mae etholiad y Senedd mis nesaf yn gyfle i sicrhau’r newid sydd ei angen arnom ni fel cenedl.

Chwaraeon: Rob Page i gymryd dros rheolaeth o gemau Cymru EWRO 2021 (tudalen 10)

NEWYDDION

Ailagor y sector lletygarwch yng Nghymru

Mae nifer yn gofyn os ymgais i ennill yr etholiad gan Llafur yw’r ailagor Alaw Fflur Jones Golygydd Taf-od

ydd tafarndai, bwytai a chaffis Cymru yn cael ailagor dan do ar 17 Mai os fydd achosion y coronafeirws yn caniatáu. Mae Mark Drakeford, Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi y bydd modd i dafarndai, bwytai a chaffis, sydd heb gael agor dan do ers bron i chwe mis, ailagor yn llawn ar 17 Mai os ydy achosion coronafeirws yn parhau yn isel. Mae’r Prif Weinidog Mark Drakeford wedi cyhoeddi mai dyna’r bwriad, ond bydd hynny’n ddibynnol ar achosion Covid-19 a pa blaid sydd mewn pŵer yn dilyn etholiad Senedd Cymru ar 6 Mai. Yng nghynhadledd Llywodraeth Cymru ddydd Gwener, 30 Ebrill bydd Mark Drakeford hefyd yn cyhoeddi os fydd digwyddiadau dan do i blant a digwyddiadau dan do i hyd at 15 o oedolion yn cael ailddechrau ar 3 Mai, pythefnos yn gynt na’r dyddiad oedd wedi’i gyhoeddi’n wreiddiol. Yn ogystal, bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyhoeddi ei bwriad i ail agor sinemâu, theatrau ac amgueddfeydd ar 17 Mai. Ond pwysleisiodd Mark Drakeford mai pwy bynnag fydd yn llywodraethu wedi’r etholiad fydd yn cadarnhau’r dyddiadau hynny wedi i’r arolwg nesaf

gael ei gynnal ar 13 Mai. Ymgyrchu etholiadol Mark Drakeford bydd yn arwain y gynhadledd ddydd Gwener, gan gadarnhau canfyddiadau arolwg diweddaraf Llywodraeth Cymru o’r cyfyngiadau. Mae’r gwrthbleidiau wedi cyhuddo Mark Drakeford o ddefnyddio’r gynhadledd a’r cyhoeddiadau am lacio cyfyngiadau fel ffordd o ymgyrchu etholiadol. Cyhuddodd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig arweinydd Llafur Cymru o “ymgyrchu amlwg”, ac mae Plaid Cymru hefyd wedi dadlau ei bod yn “hollol anaddas” i’r gynhadledd gael ei defnyddio yn y fath ffordd. Mae’r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn glaw ar y Prif Swyddog Meddygol i gynnal y gynhadledd ddydd Gwener, er mwyn atal y Prif Weinidog rhag chwarae gemau gwleidyddol pellach mewn cyfnod etholiad. Ychwanegodd y Ceidwadwyr hefyd y dylai’r BBC ystyried a yw’n briodol i ddarlledu’r gynhadledd, o ystyried ei swyddogaeth fel darlledwyr gwasanaeth cyhoeddus. Ond mae corfforaeth y BBC wedi gwrthod apêl y Ceidwadwyr gan bwysleisio bod Mark Drakeford yn gweithredu wrth “rhoi gwybodaeth iechyd cyhoeddus allweddol i’n cynulleidfa heb gyfaddawdu ar ein dyletswydd i fod yn deg a diduedd”. Bydd yr etholiad yn effeithio ar ailagor tafarndai, bwytai a chaffis?

Agor y sector lletygarwch: A yw’r ailagor yn ymgais etholiadol gan Llafur? Tarddiad: Colin Smith (drwy geograph)

Er bod Mark Drakeford yn bwriadu ailagor tafarndai, bwytai a chaffis ar 17 Mai, mae hynny yn ddibynnol ar achosion Covid-19 a pa blaid fydd yn llywodraethu ar ôl etholiad Senedd Cymru, 6 Mai. Ond mae’r ddwy brif wrthblaid yng Nghymru wedi cyhoeddi mai 17 Mai fydd tafarndai, bwytai a chaffis yn ailagor dan do os mai nhw fydd mewn pŵer wedi’r etholiad hefyd. Pwysleisiodd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymreig y bydd perchnogion tafarndai a bwytai wrth eu bodd o gael ailagor dan do unwaith eto.

Dywedodd Plaid Cymru y byddan nhw’n rhoi mwy o gefnogaeth ariannol i’r sector lletygarwch os mai nhw fydd yn llywodraethu ar ôl yr etholiad, ac y byddan nhw’n ôl-ddyddio’r gefnogaeth ariannol i 26 Ebrill i’r busnesau sydd ddim yn gallu ymdopi’n ariannol gyda gweini yn yr awyr agored yn unig. Felly, yn dibynnu ar lefelau’r coronafeirws mae gobaith y bydd tafarndai, bwytai a chaffis yn ailagor dan do ar 17 Mai petai’r llywdoraeth yn cael ei lywodraethu gan un o’r prif bleidiau.ariannol bosib i bawb.

Clybiau pêl-droed Cymru i ddilyn esiampl Abertawe Catrin Lewis

Golygydd Taf-od

ae mwy o glybiau pêldroed wedi cyhoeddi y byddent yn ymuno â Abertawe drwy gymryd rhan mewn boicot cyfryngau cymdeithasol am wythnos o’r 30ain o Ebrill am 3 o’r gloch. Bydd y boicot yn dod i ben am 11:59 ar nos Lun y 3ydd o Fai. Pwrpas y boicot yw brwydro’r hiliaeth sy’n bodoli o fewn y byd pêl-droed. Mae’r Elyrch eisoes wedi cynnal boicot am wythnos ar yr 8fed o Ebrill. Daeth hyn ar ôl i’r trydydd aelod o glwb pêl-droed Abertawe dderbyn neges sarhaus ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol ers mis Chwefror.

Derbyniodd ymosodwr Abertawe, Jamal Lowe neges hiliol arlein ar ôl i’w dîm golli yn erbyn Birmingham yn y Bencampwriaeth. Rhannodd y neges hiliol ar Instagram gan ddweud “mae yna dwpsod gwirioneddol o gwmpas”. Ymysg y chwaraewyr eraill a dderbyniodd negeseuon hiliol mae Yan Dhanda a gafodd brofiad tebyg ar ôl i Manchester City ennill yr Elyrch a chafodd Ben Cabango ei dargedu tra ar ddyletswydd gyda charfan Cymru. Dywedodd clwb pêl-droed Abertawe eu bod “unwaith eto’n tristáu ac yn dychryn” o ganlyniad i’r neges sarhaus ddiweddaraf tuag at Lowe. Dywedodd llefarydd ar gyfer clwb pêl-droed Abertawe mai dyma’r trydydd tro mewn

Clwb pel-droed Abertawe: Bydd clybiau pel-droed Cymraeg yn ddilyn esiampl Abertawe. Tarddad: Jon Candy (trwy Flickr)

saith wythnos ble mae un o’n chwaraewyr wedi bod yn destun y fath negeseuon ffiaidd”. “Rydym yn parhau i alw ar holl gwmnïau’r cyfryngau cymdeithasol i fynd ymhellach i gael gwared ar y lefel ofnadwy yma o ymddygiad ar eu platfformau.” “Mae gan Jamal gefnogaeth lawn, ddiwyro pawb yn y clwb.” Galwodd y clwb ar berchnogion y cyfryngau cymdeithasol i wneud rhywbeth am y sefyllfa ac i ymateb i’r hiliaeth sy’n digwydd ar y platfformau. Mae Facebook, perchennog Instagram, ymysg y cwmnïoedd sydd wedi ymateb a dywedon nhw wrth adran chwaraeon BBC Cymru bod cyfrifon y rhai sydd wedi ysgrifennu’r negeseuon wedi cael eu dileu am dorri rheolau’r cyfrwng. Dywedodd Facebook eu bod yn “ymroddgar i wneud mwy” o ganlyniad i’r negeseuon at Cabango a’i gyd-chwaraewr Cymru, Rabbi Matondo ddiwedd Mawrth. Yn ogystal, dywedon nhw nad ydynt yn caniatáu ymosodiadau ar bobl ar sail hil, crefydd, cenedligrwydd a rhywioledd. Ymysg rheiny a gymerodd rhan yn y boicot ar yr 8fed o Ebrill oedd: - Holl aelodau’r tîm cyntaf; - Chwaraewyr proffesiynol dan23 a dan-19 academi’r clwb; - Tîm merched Abertawe; - Ymddiriedolaeth Gymunedol y

clwb; - Uwch swyddogion; a - Sianeli swyddogol yr Elyrch ar

cyfryngau cymdeithasol. Er nad oedd unrhyw beth yn cael ei rannu ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol yn ystod y cyfnod, roedd unrhyw newyddion swyddogol yn parhau i ymddangos ar wefan y clwb. Ar yr 30ain o Ebrill bydd mwy o glybiau yn ymuno ag Abertawe ac yn cymryd rhan yn y boicot. Ymysg y clybiau mae Cymdeithas Bêl-droed Lloegr, Uwch Gynghrair Lloegr, y Gynghrair Bêl-droed (EFL), Super League y Menywod, Pencampwriaeth y Menywod, Cymdeithas y Pêl-droedwyr Proffesiynol (PFA), Cymdeithas Rheolwyr y Gynghrair (LMA), PGMOL, Kick It Out, Women in Football a Chymdeithas y Cefnogwyr Pêldroed (FSA). Mae Birmingham a Glasgow Rangers hefyd wedi cynnal boicot yn erbyn hiliaeth. Mae’r boicot yn gam tuag at waredu hiliaeth o’r byd pêl-droed gan fod negeseuon sarhaus a hiliol yn parhau i ymddangos ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol yn aml. Er bod perchnogion y cyfryngau cymdeithasol wedi ymateb a cheisio rhwystro’r hiliaeth, nid oes gwir fodd dweud eto pa mor llwyddiannus bydd y cam ar gyfer brwydro yn erbyn hiliaeth yn y tymor hir.

TAF-OD

Pryd o Daf-od: Aled Biston Myfyriwr yn ei drydydd flwyddyn a pennaeth Taf-od, Aled Biston sydd yn pryd o dafod yr wythnos hon. Wedi iddo dreulio’r dwy flwyddyn diwethaf fel golygydd a wedyn pennaeth Taf-od a cynnal sioe radio chwaraeon, mae Aled yn edrych nôl ar ei amser gyda Gair Rhydd ac ar Xpress Radio gan gofio’r holl atgofion a’r ffrindiau mae ef wedi creu ar hyd y ffordd. ae hi wedi bod bron i ddwy flynedd ers i mi gychwyn ysgrifennu i Taf-od a chyflwyno sioe radio ar Xpress Radio, ac mae’n teimlo fel bod yr amser hynny wedi hedfan heibio. Nid oedd gennyf lawer o brofiad o gwbl yn un o’r meysydd hyn cyn i mi ddechrau eu gwneud, ac eithrio ysgrifennu i bapur newydd yr ysgol. Roedd cymryd cam i feysydd oedd yn ddiddordeb mawr i mi yn un cyffrous, ond mi oni’n nerfus ar yr un pryd. I ddweud y gwir roedd ymgeisio ar gyfer rôl Tafod yn rhywbeth munud olaf, roeddwn wedi ystyried ymgeisio ers rhai wythnosau ac ond ar y munud olaf nesi ymgeisio, ond sai’n difaru o gwbl. Roedd y profiad o ysgrifennu a golygu erthyglau yn wythnosol yn her i gychwyn, ond roedd tîm Taf-od yn dda

wrth gyd-weithio felly roedd y cyfrifoldebau yn cael eu rhannu allan yn deg. Nesi wir mwynhau cyd-weithio gyda phawb yn Tafod a thîm ehangach Gair Rhydd hefyd. Er nad oeddwn yn nabod pawb roeddent i gyd yn cynnig help llaw pan oedd angen, a dyna oedd yn ganolog i lwyddiant y papur mewn noson wobrwyo megis gwobrwyon SPA. Roedd cael fy mhenodi fel pennaeth Taf-od yn yr ail flwyddyn yn gam roeddwn yn edrych ymlaen ato. Wedi dod i’r arfer gyda golygu’r papur, cyfrannu mewn cyfarfodydd a pitcho erthyglau, roeddwn yn gwybod y drefn yn dda ac yn barod i arwain tîm. O ganlyniad i pandemig COVID-19, roedd y profiad lot yn wahanol na beth yr oeddwn yn disgwyl, ond dwi dal wedi eu mwynhau. Mae’r sgiliau wedi dwi wedi dysgu wrth olygu o adref a methu gweld fy nghydolygwyr wyneb yn wyneb wedi fy helpu, ac mae golygwyr eraill Taf-od wedi bod yn wych wrth pitcho syniadau ac ysgrifennu erthyglau. Heb amau, doeddwn i ddim yn meddwl bydden i wedi cyflwyno sioe radio yn ystod fy amser yn y brifysgol. Cyflwynwyd y syniad i mi gan fy ffrind Tom, oedd yn awyddus i’r ddau ohonom ni gychwyn sioe radio chwaraeon,

ac mae’r profiad o wneud wedi bod yn wych. Roedd eistedd yn y stiwdio yn deimlad proffesiynol iawn, a chredaf o ganlyniad bod ansawdd ein cynnwys yn well. Tom oedd yn cymryd rheolaeth o’r sioe gan reoli’r gerddoriaeth, sain a phethau felna. Chwarae teg iddo am wneud achos mae hi’n dasg anodd! Ond eto, roedd pandemig COVID-19 yn golygu nad oeddem yn gallu mynd i’r stiwdio i recordio. Felly o ganlyniad roeddem wedi troi’r sioe radio yn bodlediad ac yn parhau i wneud nawr. Roedd cael y cyfle i gyflwyno ar radio’r brifysgol wedi rhoi’r sail i ni wneud hyn, ac rydym yn ddiolchgar iawn bod ni

2. Beth yw’r digwyddiad sy’n codi’r mwyaf o embaras arnat? Baglu ar fy hyd wrth gerdded i fyny’r grisau yng nghanol sinema Pwllheli.

9. Beth oedd y diwrnod gorau iti ei gael erioed? Y diwrnod ges i tip gan Bryn Fon yn gwaith

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

Chips a naan bread

Catrin Lewis

10. Beth yw dy gas beth?

Tydi mam a dad ddim yn cofio!

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

Cocktails, karaoke a ‘Curley the Caterpillar’ (fersiwn Tesco) 12. Pe taset ti’n gallu bod yn unrhyw anifail am ddiwrnod, pa un fyddet ti’n dewis, a pham?

7. Pwy yw dy hoff fand/artist?

Giraffe- i gael gwybod sut beth ydi bod yn dal

Bryn Fon neu Alys Williams

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

taf od Nel Richards

Joio yng Nghaerdydd: Swyn a’i ffrindiau 13. Disgrifia dy hun mewn 3 yn joio’r cyfle i fynd gair. i’r pub rhwng cyfnoIfan y ffermwr oedd arfer bod ar dau clo. Tarddiad: rownd a rownd Bach, ginger, swnllyd Swyn Williams. 6. Pwy oeddet ti’n ffansio pan oeddet ti’n iau?

taf-od

Alaw Fflur Jones

Prosecco- erioed ‘di cael champagne

Static ar ddillad sy’n dod allan o’r tumble dryer

Jolene gan Dolly Parton

Trafod gyda’r

8. Prosecco neu champagne?

3. Beth oedd dy air cyntaf? 4. Pe fyddet ti ar yr X-Factor, pa gân byddet ti’n ei chanu a pham?

Aled Biston

Taro’r Pyst: Un o hoff atgofion Aled o’i amser yn gweithio i gyfryngau myfyriwr Cymraeg oedd ei bodlediad gyda’i ffrind Tom. Tarddiad: Aled Biston

Swyn Williams

Swyn dwi o Ben Llŷn a dwi’n astudio meddygaeth

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?

wedi cael y cyfleu. Dwi yn sicr wedi dysgu sgiliau newydd sydd wedi caniatáu i mi gael sail i yrfa yn newyddiaduraeth a chyflwyno. Dwi wir yn gobeithio erbyn blwyddyn nesaf bydd pethau yn dychwelyd i normalrwydd. Roedd y profiad o allu fod mewn stiwdio, neu swyddfa CSM yn golygu a thrafod yn brofiad nai byth anghofio, a dwi wedi creu ffrindiau mawr trwy wneud hynny. Os ydych chi ddim yn siŵr os dylech chi gwneud y cam i’r meysydd hyn, dwi wir yn awgrymu chi i wneud achos ei fod yn brofiad newch chi byth anghofio.

tafod@gairrhydd.com www.gairrhydd.com/tafod

10 TAF-OD Bae Caerdydd DIWYLLIANT yn rhoi Tîm pêl-droed yn creu cymuned diogel bariau o flaen Tîm pêl-droed Prifysgol Caerdydd yn helpu sicrhau diogelwch y Senedd Annell Dyfri Golygydd Taf-od

yda’r haul wedi bod yn tywynnu dros y brifddinas a rheol cyfyngiadau Llywodraeth Cymru o ‘aros adref ’ bellach yn angof, heidiodd cannoedd os nad miloedd i lawr i Fae Caerdydd i fwynhau yn yr heulwen. Ond, gyda’r tywydd ar ei orau, y dyddiau yn ymestyn, a bwytai gerllaw yn cynnig gwasanaethau ‘click and collect’ ar gyfer diodydd alcohol a ddi-alcohol, aeth pethau yn draed moch mwy nag unwaith. Er bod y rheol o ‘aros adref ’ bellach wedi’i ddiddymu, roedd y wlad dal yn ei ystyried i fod mewn cyfnod clo gyda rheolau llym yn parhau. Erbyn hyn roedd dim ond modd cwrdd gyda hyd at chwe pherson o ddwy aelwyd wahanol yn yr awyr agored oedd yn gyfreithiol, ond yn amlwg, anwybyddu canllawiau’r Llywodraeth gwnaeth y cannoedd o bobl i lawr ym Mae Caerdydd. Bu sawl llun anghredadwy yn y wasg yn adlewyrchu’r stad oedd yno – pawb a’u diod eu hun, yn ymgasglu fel ei bod hi’n nos Sadwrn olaf Eisteddfod yr Urdd. Roedd cerddoriaeth yn cael ei chwarae yn uchel a hyn oll yn eironig o flaen y Senedd. Dyma ergyd arall i Gymru, a hithau’n ceisio dod allan o dwll y feirws. Fel ymateb i’r ymddygiad annerbyniol ym Mae Caerdydd, ymatebodd y Prif Weinidog, Mark Drakeford, wrth nodi “Dyw’r pandemig heb fynd i ffwrdd. Rhaid cadw cyfraddau coronafeirws yn isel fel y gallwn barhau i lacio cyfyngiadau’. Wrth edrych yn ôl ar ddyddiau tywyll a phoenus y gaeaf, ychwanegodd y prif weinidog “Rydym wedi dod mor bell ers y gaeaf pan roedd cyfraddau’n eithriadol o uchel - does neb eisiau gweld yr aberthau hynny’n cael eu gwastraffu.’. Er bod yr heddlu wedi bod wrthi’n ceisio rheoli’r dorf, anos oedd eu gwaredu. Erbyn hyn does dim cyfle i unrhyw un ymlwybro lawr i risiau’r Senedd a mwynhau’r tywydd braf yna, a hyn er mwyn osgoi unrhyw ddigwyddiad tebyg ac er mwyn ceisio sicrhau nad oes lledaeniad pellach yn digwydd i’r feirws. Fel myfyrwraig sy’n byw yng Nghaerdydd, nododd Sali Wheway bod ymddygiad y grŵp o bobl yn ‘annerbyniol gan fod canran fechan o bobl wedi sicrhau nad oes mod di ganran fwy o bobl allu mwynhau i lawr ym Mae Caerdydd’. A hithau, fel nifer o fyfyrwyr, wedi cael blwyddyn dra gwahanol eleni yn sgil y coronafeirws, ychwanegodd, ‘mae’n rhwystredig gan ein bod mor agos rŵan i ddychwelyd at fywyd ychydig mwy normal, yn enwedig gyda’r brechlynnau yn cael eu dosbarthu’n llwyddiannus, ond siom yw gweld bod carfan o bobl yn arafu’r broses hyd yn oed yn fwy i lawr’. Does dim cadarnhad pryd fydd grisiau Senedd Cymru a’r ardal honno yn cael ei ail-agor, dim ond cadw at y rheolau ac aros yn eiddgar at gael dychwelyd i Fae Caerdydd.

Nel Richards

Golygydd Taf-od

n ddiweddar, cyhoeddwyd rhybuddion yng Nghaerdydd am duedd newydd sy’n teithio o amgylch y cyfryngau cymdeithasol gan labeli Ddydd Sadwrn, Ebrill 24ain yn ‘ddiwrnod treisio cenedlaethol’. Achosodd hyn bryder i bawb; pryder i bob unigolyn sy’n cerdded strydoedd y wlad, yn enwedig Caerdydd. Mae sïon ynglŷn â’r ‘digwyddiad’ erchyll yma wedi’u hanu o wefannau cymdeithasol, un megis tiktok. Mis yn ôl, bu protestiadau ‘Reclaim The Streets’, yn unol i bwysleisio bregusrwydd menywod wrth gerdded strydoedd ac i geisio’u wneud yn le mwy diogel, ond dim llawer sydd wedi newid ers hynny. Diogelu merched Fel ymateb i hwn, fe benderfynodd tîm pêl droed Prifysgol Caerdydd i weithredu fel hebryngwyr i unrhyw fyfyrwyr benywaidd a oedd yn rhy ofnus i gerdded adref y noson honno. Yn benderfynol o wneud rhywbeth i amddiffyn cyd-fyfyrwyr benywaidd pan wnaethant fynychu partïon ar y penwythnos, fe wnaeth capten y clwb, Ben Marret, myfyriwr 22 oed, gael help 20 o’i gyd-chwaraewyr pêl-droed i weithredu fel hebryngwyr i sicrhau bod menywod yn cyrraedd adref yn ddiogel. Ynghyd â’i ffrindiau, roedd myfyrwyr busnes ac adnoddau dynol yn

gweithredu gwasanaeth testun rhwng 9yh nos Sadwrn a 5yb fore Sul, lle gallai menywod ofyn am warchodwr - gan helpu 30 o fyfyrwyr i gyrraedd adref heb orfod poeni. Mae’r tîm nawr yn gobeithio ysbrydoli mwy o gymdeithasau chwaraeon ar draws prifysgolion eraill i’w dilyn. Enillodd y dynion ifanc ganmoliaeth gan lawer o bobl ac fe’u disgrifiwyd fel ‘angylion’, tra bod mam un myfyriwr yn ‘crio â hapusrwydd’ dros eu gweithred o garedigrwydd. Dafydd Sandall, 20, o dîm pêl dros y brifysgol oedd un o’r rhai a fu’n hebrwng merched adref y noson honno; dyma beth oedd ganddo i ddweud am ei weithredoedd; “Yn ôl sôn nath grŵp o fechgyn creu groupchat gyda enwau o ferched Caerdydd i dargedu dydd Sadwrn diwethaf felly ar ôl gweld y bygythiadau ffiaedd i ferched Caerdydd nos Sadwrn ar lein, fe benderfynno ni fel grŵp o fechgyn sy’n chwarae i dîm Pêl-droed Prifysgol Caerdydd wneud rhywbeth i helpu. “A mae’r ymateb di bod yn anhygoel. “Mae cannoedd o negeseuon, siwr a fod miloedd, wedi cael ei anfon i capten y clwb Ben a fi fy hun hyd yn oed wedi cael cwpl o negeseuon o ddiolch. “Roedd popeth trwy y Capten to sain siwr am faint yn union o ferched cafwyd eu hebrwng ond do roedd definitely llawer o ferched wedi cysylltu

Cerdded adref: Ar nos Sadwrn, Ebrill 24, yr oedd tîm pel-droed Prifysgol Caerdydd yn helpu merched i gerdded adref trwy strydoedd Cathays. Tarddiad: Colin Smith (drwy Wikimedia Commons) â ni er enghraifft nes i gerdded rhyw ferch o’r orsaf tren Cathays i ochr arall Cathays am iddi gysylltu â Ben yn gynharach yn y diwrnod.” Er na ddylem ni fod yn byw mewn cymdeithas ble mae merched yn gorfod gofyn i fechgyn i’w hebrwng nhw

adref. Edrychwn ar dîm pêl-droed y brifysgol gydag edmygedd wrth iddynt greu cymuned fwy diogel, gan sicrhau bod merched yn gallu cerdded o gwmpas heb deimlo lawer o fygythiad rhwng strydoedd y ddinas.

Rob Page i gymryd rheolaeth o gemau Cymru EWRO 2021 Aled Biston

Pennaeth Taf-od

edi penderfyniad gan Lys Ynadon Manceinion a Salford i gyhuddo Ryan Giggs o droseddu dwy fenyw, cyhoeddodd Cymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru (CBDC) bydd Rob Page yn cymryd rheolaeth o gemau Cymru yn dilyn at ac yn ystod EWRO 2021. Nid yw’n glir beth fydd CBDC yn gwneud ar ôl yr Ewros, ond am y tro Rob Page bydd yn cymryd yr awenau. Mae Page wedi bod yn actio fel rheolwr Cymru ers i gyhuddiadau yn erbyn Giggs amgylchu ym mis Tachwedd llynedd.

Cymerodd rheolaeth o gêm gyfeillgar yn erbyn yr Unol Daleithiau, cyn arwain Cymru i frig eu grŵp yn Gynghrair y Cenhedloedd UEFA, ac o ganlyniad dyrchafu i Gynghrair A. Gyda Giggs ar fechnïaeth estynedig, cymerodd Page rheolaeth o’i wlad wrth iddynt gychwyn eu hymgyrch i ennill lle yng Nghwpan y Byd 2022. Collodd i Wlad Belg ond wedi ennill yn gampus yn erbyn y Weriniaeth Tsiec, a churo Mecsico mewn gêm gyfeillgar hefyd. Mae perfformiadau Cymru o dan Page wedi cyplu gyda sefyllfa Ryan Giggs wedi dilyn at nifer o gefnogwyr Cymru cwestiynu pam nad ydy CBDC wedi cynnig y swydd hyfforddwr i Page yn barhaol? Mae un cefnogwr, Dafydd Lewis yn

EWRO 2021: Rob Page sydd i gymryd rheolaeth o gemau Cymru yn EWRO 2021. Tarddiad: Biser Todorov (via Wikimedia Commons)

credu y dylai’r penderfyniad cael ei wneud wedi perfformiad Cymru yn yr Ewros. “Yn amlwg nid yw’r sefyllfa yn ddelfrydol o gwbl, ond mae Page a’r garfan wedi gwneud yn dda i anwybyddu’r cyfryngau a gwneud eu swydd. Fi’n credu bydd y penderfyniad yn cael ei wneud ar ôl yr Ewros, wel dyna fi’n credu sydd dylai digwydd”. Ond mae Alaw Mair yn credu dylai Page cael y swydd yn barhaol nawr, “Mae’r hyn mae ef wedi gwneud yn anhygoel. I gymryd rheolaeth mewn sefyllfa mor anodd a gwneud mor dda, mae’n wych! Mae ei gyflawniadau hyd at hyn yn atebol i rai Chris Coleman dwi’n credu. Os nad yw CBDC yn cynnig y swydd iddo yn barhaol mae rhywbeth mawr o le.” Mae’n ddiddorol i feddwl beth fyddai sefyllfa Cymru os oedd Giggs wedi parhau yn y swydd. Nid oedd lawer o gefnogwyr yn hapus pan gynigwyd y swydd i Giggs nôl yn 2018, roeddent eisiau Osian Roberts i barhau gyda’r swydd dda roedd Coleman wedi gwneud. Ond er nad oedd pawb yn hapus gydag apwyntiad Giggs, roedd ef wedi parhau gyda gwaith da Coleman, ac o ganlyniad wedi ennill lle yn yr Ewros. Rhaid hefyd gofio bod Giggs wedi gwneud hyn pan nad oedd Bale yn chwarae i’w clwb ac roedd Joe Allen ac Aaron Ramsey yn dioddef anafiadau parhaol. Roedd y tri chwaraewr hyn yn ganolog i lwyddiant Cymru yn yr Ewros, a gyda chapten y garfan Ashley Williams yn ymddeol, roedd bwlch nid yn unig yn yr amddiffyn ond hefyd mewn ffigwr o reolwr ar y cae. Yr hyn roedd Giggs wedi etifeddu oedd chwaraewyr ifanc, ac roeddent wedi dod yn ganolog i steil chwarae Cymru. Roedd chwaraewyr fel Daniel James, Joe Rodon a Matt Smith wedi

chwarae’n dda i’w clybiau ac o ganlyniad wedi ennill lle yng ngharfan Cymru. Sgoriodd Dan James yn ei gêm gyntaf yn erbyn Slofacia, roedd Matt Smith wedi cychwyn gemau pwysig yn erbyn Croatia a Slofacia ac mae Joe Rodon wedi bod yn allweddol i amddiffyn Cymru. A pwy all anghofio Kieffer Moore, yr ymosodwr wnaeth dod allan o ddim byd sydd nawr yn brif ymosodwr Cymru ac yn sgorio goliau di-ri i CPD Dinas Caerdydd. Mae’r trawsnewidiad o garfan EWRO 2016 Cymru i fewnosod y chwaraewyr ifanc i’r garfan yn un sydd fel arfer yn anodd sicrhau ei fod yn llwyddiannus, ond diolch i system ieuenctid Cymru roedd y trawsnewidiad yn un fwy hawdd. Ac mae credyd i hyn yn mynd i Rob Page gan ei fod wedi chwarae rôl allweddol yn y system o dan reolaeth Osian Roberts. Nawr bod Page yn cymryd rheolaeth y tîm cyntaf, nid yw’n syndod ei fod yn nabod cryfderau a gwendidau’r chwaraewyr, ac o ganlyniad mae perfformiadau Cymru wedi bod o safon uwch. Bydd gan CBDC penderfyniad mawr ar eu dwylo pan fydd yr Ewros yn dod i ben. Pwy fydd yn cymryd yr awenau, Ryan Giggs neu Rob Page? Yn sicr mae Ryan Giggs wedi parhau gyda pherfformiadau campus Cymru dan reolaeth Chris Coleman, ac fe oedd wedi arwain Cymru at EWRO 2020. Ond mae Rob Page wedi cymryd rheolaeth o’r garfan mewn amgylchiadau anodd ac wedi gwneud yn dda iawn, ac o ganlyniad yn haeddiannol o gael y swydd yn barhaol. Beth bynnag, bydd yn digwydd bydd cefnogwyr Cymru wrth gefn ei reolwr trwy bob dim. Ond yn ystod helyntion Ryan Giggs bydd y Wal Goch yn edrych ymlaen at haf lle byddent yn gobeithio gall Cymru gwneud un yn well na’r haf bythgofiadwy yn Ffrainc.

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POLITICS

YOUR Senedd Election 2021: What do you need POLITICS to know to make an informed decision? DESK T Dewi Morris

Politics Editor

Hallum Cowell

his week, the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) will hold its sixth election. This election was always going to be interesting; after 22 years of devolution in Wales, and 22 years of Welsh Labour being in power, the Senedd’s achievements over the past two decades have been in the spotlight over the campaign. Wales’ response to the pandemic has also cast a light onto the devolution process and the number of key areas such as Health and Education ruled from Cardiff Bay. This Senedd election is set to have a much greater prominence as COVID-19 has illustrated how politics in Wales differs from other UK nations. The past year has also raised the volume on the debate over the constitution, with Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Green Party, Propel, and Gwlad campaigning for Welsh independence. On the other hand, UKIP and the Abolish the Welsh Assembly party stand for just that – closing the Senedd. Labour have called for

a reformed constitution which the Conservatives oppose. The Liberal Democrats campaign for a federal UK, while Reform UK want to change the way the First Minister is elected. Apart from independence, the continued response to the pandemic as well as COVID-19 recovery are major campaigning points. Whether Labour increase their seats, remain in power, or are challenged may become testament to whether the public agree with the Welsh Government’s cautious approach to restrictions. There will of course be other campaigning points too, over Brexit, the environment, housing, and other key areas. But first, how does a Senedd election work? On May 6, if you have registered you will have two votes, one constituency and one regional. In a general election you would have only one constituency vote, each constituency would elect one MP, making up the 650 MPs in the House of Commons. The Senedd has 60 members and Wales has 40 constituencies who each elect one MS. The remaining 20 MSs are elect-

Tom Kingsbury

ed by Wales’ five regions who each elect four MSs. Unlike the UK’s ‘first past the post’ vote, the regional vote works via an ‘additional member system’ which makes it easier for smaller parties to win a seat. 16 and 17-year-olds will also be able to vote for the first time in this year’s election. You’ll also be able to vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner election which is on the same day. Next, you’ll want to hear which parties you can vote for and what they stand for. Gair Rhydd has interviewed the candidates for Cardiff Central, an area dominated by the student vote, which you can read on pages 14 and 15. The election is likely to be a three-party race between Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru, and the Welsh Conservatives. The polls suggest Welsh Labour will win the most seats in this election but will fall short of the 30 seats needed for a majority. If this is true and Labour lose seats it may signal the end to Labour’s long standing stability in Wales. If Labour don’t win a majority it’s likely that they would be forced to form a coalition with Plaid Cymru as happened in 2007. However, Plaid Cymru’s leader Adam Price has ruled out a coalition with Labour if Plaid are the ‘junior party’. Both Plaid Cymru and the Con-

servatives have also ruled out a coalition together, making it less likely that the next government will not be led to some extent by Welsh Labour. The polls also show both Plaid and the Conservatives increasing their number of seats, and so both Adam Price and the Conservative’s leader Andrew RT Davies may threaten Drakeford in their own right, although it’s unlikely either party will overtake Labour for the most seats. The latest Welsh Political Barometer poll, published on April 22, gives the following predictions for the constituency and regional vote. The election is likely to be a three-party race between Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru, and the Welsh Conservatives. The polls suggest Welsh Labour will win the most seats in this election but will fall short of the 30 seats needed for a majority. Dewi Morris Politics Editor

Dewi Morris

Morgan Perry politics@gairrhydd.com

Dewi Morris

Politics Editor If these predictions are correct, the next Welsh Government will be made of only five parties: Labour with 26 seats, Plaid Cymru with 17, Conservatives with 14, Abolish the Assembly with two, and the Liberal Democrats with one. If these are correct, then no party will have a majority and a coalition would be most likely. So, what are the main parties promising? When it comes to COVID-19 recovery, one of the biggest challenges that will face the new Welsh Government, Welsh Labour’s manifesto promises to “invest heavily” and to “tackle the backlog of postponed treatments and operations caused by the pandemic to make sure no one is left behind.” Plaid Cymru are promising 4,000 new nurses, 1,000 new doctors and 1,000 new allied

The COVID-19 election: Elections in Wales and Scotland will take place on May 6, with issues such as COVID, Independence and the aftermath of Brexit likely to dominate the electoate’s intentions. Currently polling suggests that Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives will recieve an almost equal number of seats while Labour will fail to form a majority government in the Senedd. Source: Graphs created on Datawrapper.de using data from YouGov Welsh Political Barometer poll for ITV/ Cardiff University. Credit: Dewi Morris health professionals. The Conservatives are promising five new hospitals, 3,000 new nurses and 1,200 new doctors by 2026. Other key pledges for Welsh Labour include creating a “Young Persons Guarantee, giving everyone under 25 the offer of work, education, training, or self-employment”, setting a Real Living Wage higher than the National Living Wage for care workers and “extending entitlement as far as resources allow” for free school meals. Plaid Cymru have promised to seek “immediate devolution of power” over areas including broadcasting, welfare and railways which are currently controlled from Westminster, and a referendum on independence in the next 5 years. Similar to Labour, Plaid has also promised a Job Guarantee for everyone aged 16-24. Their manifesto also includes free school meals for all primary school children, free childcare for all children 24 months or older for 30 hours a week,

and a new railway along the west coast joining North and South Wales. The Welsh Conservatives have promised to deliver 5,000 more teachers, build 100,000 more houses, and build an M4 relief road. For the environment Welsh Labour are promising to create a national forest extending from North to South Wales, this would include 20 existing forests and would create 30 more. They have also promised 20,000 new “low-carbon” social homes to rent. Plaid Cymru’s approach promises to restore natural biodiversity by 2050, ban all non-essential single-use plastic in 2021, and ensure that Wales is carbon neutral and that all electricity is renewable by 2035. The Conservatives promise carbon net-zero by 2050, a ban on non-medical singleuse plastics and increasing penalties for fly-tipping. The Liberal Democrat’s manifesto promises a Real Living Wage for all care workers, increasing spending

on mental health to 13% of the NHS’ spending by 2028, and extending free school meals into school holidays. For the environment, they promise a ‘Green Homes Act’ to cut energy bills by £500 a year for energy-efficient homes, to introduce a minimum of 20% tree cover in urban areas and to build a floating offshore wind hub near Port Talbot. Abolish the Welsh Assembly focuses on

one issue, abolishing the Senedd so that every area including Health and Education in Wales is governed by Westminster rather than Welsh MSs. This year’s counting will take place during the daytime on May 7th. Unless one party wins 30 seats needed for a majority it is unlikely that we’ll know straight away which party or parties will run the next Welsh Government.

Wales heads to the polls. Source: Hywel72 (via.Wikimedia Commons)

GWLEIDYDDIAETH

Scottish Parliment Election 2021: SNP on Scottish Parliment track for another election victory predicted seat changes

Morgan Perry Politics Editor

t isn’t just Wales heading to the polls on Thursday, May 6. Scotland will also step up to the ballot box and elect candidates to sit in the sixth Scottish Parliament. The Scottish National Party (SNP) is currently in government and continues to lead in the most recent polls. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is hoping to remain SNP leader and First Minister into a third parliament. The party has been governing with a minority government – holding 61 of the 65 seats required for a majority – though has been receiving support from the Green Party, who are also pro-independence and have 5 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The Scottish Conservative Party is the second largest party in the Scottish Parliament and is currently led by, MP for Moray, Douglas Ross. He was elected to the role in August 2020, after running uncontested in the aftermath of former leader Jackson Carlaw’s resignation. Scottish Labour has not been without its leadership challenges, either. Former leader, Kezia Dugdale resigned in 2017, and was replaced by Richard Leonard. In January 2021, he resigned, and Anas Sawar was elected the new leader, less than three months before the election. After achieving close to 50 percent of the vote in the first Scottish Parliament in 1999, the party has a large amount of ground to make up, with 42 seats required for a majority. The race was further complicated in early April, with the announcement by former SNP First Minister, Alex Salmond, that he would be fielding candidates under his new party: Alba. The pro-independence party is seeking to create an independence supermajority by capitalising on regional seats that can’t be won by the SNP. They’ve already managed to win around two MPs at Westminster. Also new on the scene are the Reform Party – born out of the ashes of the Brexit Party – and, former Labour MP, George Galloway’s All for Unity Party, which opposes an independent Scotland. Like Alba, both are only competing for regional list seats. Scots are due to elect 129 MSPs at this election. And, in a similar way to Wales, Scotland uses a mix of constituency and regional ballots (the Additional Member System). There are a total of 8 Scottish regions, which contain 73 constituencies. Constituency seats are elected using First Past the Post (in the same way as a UK General Election). Seven MSPs are also elected per region, using a modified version of the D’Hondt method, which considers the number of seats a party has won at the constituency level. The result is near proportionality. Both prisoners serving sentences under 12 months, and foreign nations with the permanent right to remain in the UK will be able to vote for the first time at this election. 16 and 17-year-olds have been permitted to vote in regional elections since 2014. Despite the indpendence referedum in 2014, the issue of Scottish independence continues to rear its head. Alongside Alba’s promises for

SNP : 61 (-2)

Scottish Conservative: 24 (-7)

Scottish Parliment: Who sits in Holyrood’s debating chamber is set for a shake up this election with the Greens set to gain five seats and new Independence party Alba set to gain eight in the hopes of forming an “independence super majority“, the result is a UK without Scotland becoming ever more likely. Source: Colin (via. Wikimedia Commons) a pro-independence supermajority, the SNP has promised to hold a second referendum on Scotland’s membership of the UK, if it wins a majority. The latest poll on Scottish independence shows slipping support for breaking away from the Union; 44 percent of voters confirmed they would vote in favour, with 45 percent opposed and 11 percent undecided. Conservative leader, Ross also opposes a second referendum, and has encouraged voters to use their list vote to “avoid wasting any more time” on the issue. Sawar’s Labour has promised not to support a referendum in the next five years, though the Green Party are pro-independence. The Liberal Democrats will also oppose a second referendum. The SNP has even included independence as a key part of its postCOVID recovery and has promised to keep travel and public health restrictions in place for as long as possible. The Conservatives have promised to tackle the NHS backlog and will funnel £120m into ensuring that Scottish school pupils are able to catch up. Labour, meanwhile, emphasises recovery in their manifesto: jobs recovery, NHS recovery, education recovery, community recovery and climate recovery. The Liberal Democrats are in tune with Labour, who propose putting education first in Scotland’s postpandemic recovery. The Greens, meanwhile, have promised a public inquiry into the Scottish Government’s handling of the pandemic. Coronavirus has tested public health services across the UK. In addition to a four percent pay rise for NHS staff, the SNP has promised an increase in frontline spending of 20 percent to “support and renew” the NHS. More money is also pledged by

the Conservatives, increasing funding by at least £2bn by 2025/26. Mental health funding will also be increased to ten percent of the healthcare budget. Similar promises for mental health have come from the Green Party and Labour. The Liberal Democrats have promised to treat drug abuse as a health problem, rather than prosecuting those who fall victim to it. The pledge comes after Nicola Sturgeon said her party had “taken their eye off the ball” when it came to the country’s high rate of drug-related deaths. There was a scandal in Scotland over last year’s Highers results, leading to a vote of no confidence in Deputy First Minister and Minister for Education and Skills, John Swinney. In response, under an SNP government, all students will be provided with devices to allow them to get online, alongside free breakfast and lunch clubs for all primary-aged children (similar to plans promised by the Green Party). Pledging the same amount as the SNP, the Conservatives have promised £1bn to schools over the next five years, but – somewhat traditionally – will oppose the cancellation of any in-person exams. Labour will implement a minimum student income, and a re-sit guarantee for pupils whose assessments were affected by the pandemic. The Liberal Democrats will encourage outdoor learning, and play-based learning for children under seven, modelled on a successful Nordic model. The SNP continues to lead the polls at both the constituency and regional level. That said, the party’s lead at a constituency level does appear to have been impacted by the launch of Salmond’s Alba Party. The most recent poll has the SNP at 36 percent for the regional vote, down from between 45 and 50 per-

cent last summer. Alba, meanwhile, has polled as high as six percent in the most recent poll. The incumbent party maintains the lead at the top of the constituency ballot, too, with 45 percent in the latest poll. Labour is second, with 22 percent, Conservatives third with 20 percent. The Liberal Democrats and Green Party hold eight percent and four percent, respectively. In the same poll, the number of seats belonging to pro-independence parties outweigh that of prounionist parties, 62 percent to 38 percent. Despite criticism of her handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Nicola Sturgeon – and her party – remain popular. The post-COVID recovery is important to all of the main parties, and will obviously be important to Scots, too. The most recent polling shows that voters appear to trust the SNP enough to lead them out of the pandemic. The introduction of the Alba Party appears to have aided the SNP in its goal of Scottish independence, though some have been quick to criticise Salmond’s credentials in light of a recent sexual assault investigation. If Alba and the SNP win enough seats, independence will be hard for the UK Government to ignore. Both the Conservatives and Labour appear locked out of ruling majorities at Holyrood, with the latter’s performance reflecting generally lacklustre polling across the UK. Meanwhile many loyal Scottish Liberal Democrats – once an important part of Scottish politics – will be disappointed to see them failing to meet even double figures. Like in Wales, counting will not take place overnight, as is tradition. This means we’ll need to wait even longer to find out which parties will shape Scottish politics over the next five years.

Scottish Labour : 20 (-4)

Greens: 11 (+5)

Alba: 8 (+8)

Liberal Democrats: 5 (=)

Changes with 2016 Election. Poll by Panelbase for ScotGoesPop

POLITICS

Senedd Election 2021: Cardiff Central Candidates, in their own words Hallum Cowell Head of Politics

air Rhydd contacted each of the 11 candidates standing for Cardiff Central in the May 6 election. Each candidate was asked the same three questions, with an additional question tailored to them and their party, before being asked if they would like to add anything else. We have edited these interviews down as well as rephrased some sentences to allow each party to have an equal platform to speak to the electorate in the Cardiff Central Consituency. We have endeavoured to maintain the spirit and arguments each candidate gave. Regretably, due to the sapce available, some arguments and policies have been trimmed down. However, you can find the full transcript on our website. Some questions have also been altered to allow more space for the candidate’s answers,

but meaning of the question has been kept the same. Due to the busy shcedule of candidates these interviews have been conducted over a number of weeks, with the first taking place on April 9 and the final interview occuring on April 27. The interviews have been organised by constituencal vote share and then alphabetically where there is no data to draw from. Wales heads to the polls on May 6 with vote counting being delayed until May 7 as a result of COVID restrictions. For live election updates on May 7 you can follow Gair Rhydd’s Politics Twitter at https:// twitter.com/gairrhyddpol. You can find the full transcripts of each interview online at https://cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/gairrhydd/ where each candidate goes into more detail about why they feel you should cast your vote for them and their party, what they believe in and what they and their party pledge to those living in Wales.

Welsh Labour: Jenny Rathbone

•Why should Students vote for you in the upcoming election? I think Welsh Labour has got the experience and the radical solutions to the challenges ahead. Welsh Labour has pledged to all people under the age of 25 that we guarantee them a job, training or education. I have ten years’ experience, I don’t think this is the time to learn on the job.

Welsh Conservatives: Calum Davies

•Why should students vote for you in the upcoming election? As a young person I don’t feel that the Welsh Labour Government has worked for me at all. Our party would offer a partial refund on tuition fees. Although the Conservatives may not be the natural home for students, they’ll struggle to find in Cardiff Central a better champion then me. •The March Welsh Political Barometer shows a 2% gap between Labour and the Conservatives in Wales. Do you think this winning streak is at an end, and if so why? We know that voters are abandoning Labour because they are divorced from national values. We’re focused on the same priorities voters have; we’re focused on health, education and the economy. •Do you think that university students in Wales are being let down during the COVID-19 pandemic? I am really annoyed about how young people have been treated, you’re being restricted from living your best life during some pretty formative years. Add on to this paying full whack for an inferior service and unions voting to strike is basically a slap in the face to students. •Andrew RT Davies has been leader of the Welsh Conservatives again since January, do you think that this leadership change close to the election will hinder Conservative efforts? Not at all, Andrew is a charismatic known quantity, he’s experienced and he knows the game. Contrast his energy and personality to pretty drab Drakeford and a rather egotistical Adam Price.

Reform UK: Julian Bosley

Julian Bosley was one of two candidates who submitted written answers

•Why should Students vote for you in the upcoming election? Over 800,000 people have lost jobs in the past year, 54% of these have been among people aged 18 to 24. Reform UK will commit to never again having a full-scale lockdown. We will adopt an approach where data drives decision making to save lives, businesses and jobs.

•The March Welsh Political Barometer shows a 2% gap between Labour and the Conservatives in Wales do you think this winning streak is at an end, and if so why?

I don’t actually. I would be terrified if I thought people were going to put their trust in the Welsh Conservatives at this difficult time, given just how far they’ve moved to the right.

The current Welsh Labour party do not share the same values and beliefs as the party that parents and grandparents voted for. Reform UK candidates will be a diverse voice into the Senedd.

•Do you think that university students in Wales are being let down during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

I think all University students are having to make huge sacrifices to protect people. I have huge sympathy for students and the frustration they must be feeling to have all your lectures online is just not exactly the same as being in a tutorial where you can discuss things.

University Students have been let down, the standard of education has not been what students paid for, we believe students deserve some of their money back. Students’ opportunities for employment, to supplement income, has also been hit hard and they’ve been labeled super-spreaders.

•Drakeford announced he is stepping down after this election. Do you think that decision will help or hinder the Welsh Labour Party, and who do you think is likely to succeed him?

•The Reform Party talks a lot about wanting to reform councils and the Senedd but what would these reforms look like, what kind of changes does the party support?

He’s not stepping down any time soon. The next leader needs to be bilingual or have a good grasp of the Welsh language. As a feminist I hope it’ll be a woman, and their politics will also be important.

Cut the cost of local politics by having the number of local authorities and invest the money saved into freezing council tax is one of the main ones.

Plaid Cymru: Wil Rees

•Why should Students vote for you in the upcoming election? It’s really important that students do vote. I think I am the candidate best placed to know the wants and needs of all students across Cardiff. I’ve got a track record of having helped deliver positive change for students. Our most important policy, for me at least, is to tackle the climate crisis. •The March Welsh Political Barometer shows a 2% gap between Labour and the Conservatives in Wales do you think this winning streak is at an end, and if so why? I hope so, this is a campaign like no other, it’s a close three horse race between Labour, Tories and Plaid Cymru. The pandemic has shown that when Wales goes our own way, that we do better. •Do you think that university students in Wales are being let down during the COVID-19 Pandemic? I’m not really sure if anyone can deny that. I saw my final six months at university change beyond belief last year, it’s clear that students have been let down. I’d like to see all options considered to make sure students are getting what they paid for. Students’ mental health has also suffered hugly. •Do you feel that Adam Price’s pledge for an independence referendum in 5 years, should Plaid Cymru take the Senedd, do you think this pledge is attainable? A Plaid Cymru government would be a mandate to hold a independence referendum. If voters want that referendum vote for the only party offering it which is Plaid Cymru.

Abolish the Welsh Assembly: Munawar Mughal When offered an interview by Gair Rhydd, no response was received.

The Abolish the Welsh Assembly “statement of policy” reads as follows; “The main aspects of the policy are: Abolishing the Assembly/Senedd thereby removing a whole layer of politicians, 60 already in Cardiff Bay shortly to be raised to 90, and saving the £65+ million annually needed to support them • Giving tax powers back to Westminster, so we can’t be made to pay more tax in a Wales made so much poorer by devolution • Restoring one National Health Service, so patients in Wales can be treated equally to England, with shorter waiting times and better health outcomes • Allowing academies and free schools to set up in Wales to offer a better choice of schools, including the subjects taught and language used” A complete copy of the Policy Statement can be obtained and downloaded by clicking on the following link:”

Link provided: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YbvfkzlkTcPLlw081WtlUy3UlRiOwrDe/view “Our message is as clear as ever, abolish the Assembly and stop Wales from sleepwalking towards independence.”

GWLEIDYDDIAETH Liberal Democrat: Rodney Berman

•Why should students vote for you in the upcoming election?

Gwlad: Clem Thomas

Clem Thomas was one of two candidates who submitted written answers •Why should Students vote for you in the upcoming election?

I think we need somebody who is going to be a strong representative for Cardiff Central and I believe that’s what I can deliver. I believe I have the experience to help influence the Welsh government going forward in terms of how we can best put Wales back on its feet.

Students have more of stake than anyone in the prosperity of the Welsh economy over the coming decades. Gwlad is the only party that puts Wales first and understands that this means putting the Welsh economy first with sensible, tried-and-tested pro-business policies.

•The March Welsh Political Barometer shows a 2% gap between Labour and the Conservatives in Wales. Do you think this winning streak is at an end, and if so why?

•The March Welsh Political Barometer shows a 2% gap between Labour and the Conservatives in Wales do you think this winning streak is at an end, and if so why?

That’s a matter for the electors to decide. What the Welsh Liberal Democrats want to do in the next Senedd term is focuse on putting COVID recovery first.

Labour has never delivered for Wales and any flirtation with the Conservatives will end in disappointment. Wales’s winning streak will only start when it abandons these legacy parties.

•Do you think that university students in Wales are being let down during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

I think a lot of students feel they have paid a high amount in tuition fees and not seen value for money. One thing I do know is that Welsh students have benefited from grant funding support thanks to the Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Minister and we’d want to continue that.

Very much so, although we also think that the pandemic has exposed more fundamental weaknesses with the university system. We’d like to encourage entrepreneurship among young people. There are a number of policies in our Manifesto to help young people start their own businesses.

•Do you think that the pandemic has made the Welsh public more likely to vote for parties other than the big three (Labour, Tory, Plaid) and if so why?

•There are now three Pro-Welsh Independence Parties running in Cardiff Central, why should those in favour of an independent Wales vote for you over Plaid Cymru or Propel?

I think there’s quite an interesting dynamic to this election campaign and what I would say to people is we don’t have to go back to business as usual even if we come out of COVID.

It’s a good thing that there should be a lively debate over what sort of country an independent Wales should be. We encourage students to look at all three parties over a Unionist Party.

Green Party: Ceri Davies •Why should Students vote for you in the upcoming election? The Green Party lightly is really about where we think politics is going in Wales. The Green Party offers an awful lot of the things that I want from society. A standout one is removing fees. One thing I’d really like students to do is have a look at the manifestos to see where they fit politically. •The March Welsh Political Barometer shows a 2% gap between Labour and the Conservatives in Wales do you think this winning streak is at an end, and if so why? No, I think it will be some time before Wales won’t have Labour as a dominant party but I think that radicalism and the delivery aspect which Labour once had in many communities has gone. •Do you think that university students in Wales are being let down during the COVID-19 Pandemic? I think an awful lot of sectors are being let down during the pandemic and I do think that the university sector and students really have been. I think there has been a let down and a disparity about what’s being said at a political level to what’s actually happening on the delivery level.

Propel: Sajad (Dilan) Nazari •Why should Students vote for you in the upcoming election? The difference between Propel is we’re not one of the political parties that you would call the establishment, We are a new political party. we genuinely care about people. Another difference is that we believe in direct democracy which gives students the ability to express their ideas. •The March Welsh Political Barometer shows a 2% gap between Labour and the Conservatives in Wales do you think this winning streak is at an end, and if so why? Labour hasn’t done much for students, Labour was the party who introduced tuition fees. we in Propel believe in education. Parties in the Senedd are subject to corporate lobbying as well. •Do you think that university students in Wales are being let down during the COVID-19 Pandemic? We believe that the lockdown wasn’t done properly. the Welsh Government let students down. to be honest. because they were listening to their bosses in the corporations and the lobbyists in the Welsh Senedd. Cardiff University is a corporation, and so they have a heavy influence.

•UK Politics is often dominated by the two main parties. Is Welsh politics more equal between parties, could the Green Party gain the Senedd? Or is a coalition more likely?

• Both Propel and Plaid Cymru are seeking to give Wales Independence, but why should voters who want an independent Wales vote for Propel over the better polling Plaid Cymru?

I think Wales has a different dynamic to the UK, the national parties add a third dynamic, whoever is elected will look to support the next government but also look to deliver some of our aim.

There is a huge difference in terms of political philosophy. We believe in an independent, but decentralised system for Wales which would give power to the student communities.

Freedom Alliance: Thomas Joseph Franklin •Why should Students vote for you in the upcoming election? I decided to run because I’m rather concerned by the direction Wales UK is being taken in response to COVID. the lockdowns, has been in my opinion damaging for many people across society. In my opinion the cornerstone of society is absolute freedom of an individual within the law. •The March Welsh Political Barometer shows a 2% gap between Labour and the Conservatives in Wales do you think this winning streak is at an end, and if so why? I think it probably will end. I think this is a unique opportunity to shake up the political landscape and vote for parties who are promoting individual freedoms over parties who are pro-lockdown. •Do you think that university students in Wales are being let down during the COVID-19 Pandemic? I do think that students have been let down. Aside from education, social interaction has been non-existent pretty much. I know having grown up in central Cardiff and having frequented the nightlife there through my 20s, that social interaction is huge for students and it’s a big draw. •The Freedom Alliance upholds that people should “Make their own free and uncoerced medical choices“. What are the arguments for this? My take on it is your body, your choice. I think that we require informed consent where the risks and benefits of a particular treatment are given to decide what’s best for us in our given situation.

The Socialist Party of Great Britain: Brian Johnson When offered an interview by Gair Rhydd, no response was received.

The Socialist Party of Great Britain’s “Who are We” section reads as follows; The Socialist Party is like no other political party in Britain. It is made up of people who have joined together because we want to get rid of the profit system and establish real socialism. Our aim is to persuade others to become socialist and act for themselves, organizing democratically and without leaders, to bring about the kind of society that we advocate. We are solely concerned with building a movement of socialists for socialism. We are not a reformist party with a programme of policies to patch up capitalism. And under their Manifesto, they wrote: The Socialist Party has been unique in Britain throughout the twentieth century for: --Consistently advocating world socialism – a fully democratic society based upon co-operation and production for use. --Opposing every single war --Opposing every single government --Being a democratic and leaderless organization

16 POLITICS In other news Russia Tom Kingsbury

raises tensions with Ukraine

Politics Editor

The Electoral Commission is going to investigate the Conservative Party over the funding of renovations to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat. The renovations were originally paid for by an outside source, reports claim, though Johnson has now paid for it himself. Johnson’s former advisor Dominic Cummings has alleged that Johnson at one point was considering the “possibly illegal” case of donors paying for the works. Critics point out that such financial incentives could allow moneyed interests to influence the Prime Minister.

Elections are taking place in the Indian state of West Bengal, amid a coronavirus crisis in the country. Some have expressed concerns about further spread of the virus in polling queues, as India hit the world’s highest level of infections in a day on April 29, with 379,257 new cases. The official death toll in India is over 200,000, though the true number may be much higher.

nternational concern was drawn when warnings came that Russia had begun gathering tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine from mid-March. In total over one hundred thousand Russian troops were estimated by the EU to have gathered in Russian-annexed Crimea and around the eastern border of Ukraine. Nato’s Sectretary General Jens Stoltenberg described the activity as the “largest massing of Russian troops since the illegal annexation of Crimea”, calling it “unjustified and deeply concerning”. Russian defence Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that the military units were on exercise, and Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson of Russian President Vladimir Putin, described the troop movement as an “internal affair”, whilst also alleging Ukrainian “provocations”. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister told NATO Russia was “openly threatening Ukraine with war and destruction of our statehood”. Defence Minister Shoigu said he has now ordered troops back from the border, though he maintains the claim that they were on exercise, stating: “The troops have demonstrated their ability to provide a credible defence for the country”. He says he has ordered divisions to finish their activities by May 1. Over 13,000 people have been

US President Joe Biden has revealed his $4trillion (£2.9tn) spending plan, saying it is a “once in a generation investment in America itself ”. On his hundredth day in office, Biden proposed American Jobs and American Families plans, which would invest in jobs, education and social care. The spending would be funded by “corporate America and the wealthiest one percent”, by raising taxes for corporations and America’s highest earners. The Republican Party opposes the spending plan, and to get the plan through Congress Biden will need a united Democrat Party, which holds a narrow majority in both houses.

tence for fraud, a charge he says is politically motivated. The European Court of Human Rights argues the case against Navalny had violations of justice, and ruled that he should be freed as his life was in danger. Russia rejected the ruling and has not released Navalny. The Putin critic has ended his hunger strike 24 days after starting, having been urged by his doctors that he would risk imminent death if he did not end it. He said he has now been seen by civilian doctors, and that “given the progress and circumstances, I am ending my hunger strike”. A Russian prosecutor has ordered

Navalny’s anti corruption foundation network to cease all its activities nationwide. They are seeking to label the groups as ‘extremist’, which would mean the state could freeze the group’s bank accounts and jail its members. The prosecutor alleges that the network is trying to destabilise the state and is encouraging revolution. Navalny and his anti-corruption network have been increasing the pressure on Putin, with tens of thousands protesting Navalny’s arrest in February, and Navalny has uploaded a number of videos suggesting high levels of corruption by Putin and his inner circle.

Russian Soldiers: Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 was seen by NATO and the UN as an illegal action, and remains a source of tension in the region. Source: Marko Vucicevic (via. Wikimedia Commons)

Brazil cuts environment budget despite US summit pledge Alex Daud Briggs

The Brazilian Congress is investigating the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. President Jair Bolsonaro could be impeached by the inquiry, and could even face criminal charges. Brazil has recorded 14 million coronavirus cases and 391,000 deaths over the course of the pandemic. Bolsonaro stated that he was “not worried”, and has continued his opposition of lockdown measures, even seeking to cancel some of the preventative measures enacted by local authorities.

killed in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine since Russia began its annexation in 2014. Some analysts have suggested President Putin may have been testing Western world leaders, particularly US President Joe Biden, to gauge their reaction to more aggressive action. Another potential explanation for Russia’s troop movement is to act as a distraction from the pressure the Kremlin is facing from supporters of Putin critic Alexei Navalny ahead of September’s parliamentary elections. Thousands of people across Russia have joined protests despite a ban, with over 1,700 reportedly arrested. They are protesting in support of Navalny, who was detained in February. Navalny had just arrived back in Russia after recovering from being poisoned with Novichok nerve agent, which he alleges was ordered by Putin. The Kremlin denies any involvement in Navalny’s poisoning, and rejects the finding of multiple international experts that Novichok was used at all. This is despite Navalny tricking a state agent in December 2020 into revealing the existence of an operation to poison Navalny. Navalny went on hunger strike on March 31, seeking medical care from his own doctors, alleging that prison doctors had not given him adequate treatment. He was jailed back in February for violating the terms of a 2014 sen-

Contributor

razil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has approved of a 24% budget cut to the country’s environment ministry just one day after he promised to double it. During the USA-led online summit on climate change the president pledged that he would be doubling

the funding for the environment enforcement. This would be to further tackle deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, stating that he hoped to end illegal deforestation by 2030. Less than 24 hours later, these pledges did not appear during his signing of the budgetary cuts nor did any other proposals made regarding the environment by congress. “The gesture of giving a speech

A rainforst disapearing: The Amazon Rainforest is an important part of minimising the effects of climate change and has become a political hot topic as countries prepare to begin decarbonising Source: quapan (via. Flickr

yesterday isn’t enough, Brazil’s government needs to do its homework.” said Congressman Rodrigo Agostinho, leader of the environmental caucus in Congress. The Environment Minster Ricardo Salles has since requested for the economy ministry to review the numbers and fulfil the pledge made by the president to US President Joe Biden during the summit. This summit was organised by the United States government and it believed to be linked to the controversial agreement between the two countries. Brazil would receive financial aid from America in return for protecting the rainforest. The environmental budget for 2021 was 2.1bn reais (£280m) for its activities both in the country and internationally. A significant decrease from its previous year’s budget of 3bn reais in 2020. As a result of this bill, environmental protections in Brazil will be further been weakened as the government continues to spearhead the development of protected areas. Bolsonaro has been a controversial far right populist leader. In particular due to his support of large agriculture businesses, encouraging further development of the Amazon and bringing further restrictions to environmental protection. This has brought widespread condemnation of Bolsonaro’s government in promoting destruction of the rainforest. Following his election in 2018, the Amazon’s deforestation had been ‘the worst in 10 years’ according to the at the time Environmental Min-

ister Edson Duarte, which was followed in 2019 by a series of forest fires. Activist and indigenous tribes believe that not enough is being done to prevent damage to the rainforest or prevent illegal logging. For his part, Bolsonaro has responded to these continues criticisms buy simply denying that they are true. “We understand the importance of the Amazon for the world – but the Amazon is ours. There will not be any more of that sort of policy that we saw in the past that was terrible for everyone,” he said. “We preserve more [rainforest] than anyone. No country in the world has the moral right to talk about the Amazon. You destroyed your own ecosystems,” he said in 2019 accusing international press of smearing his image and fabricating data. Of course, he has provided no solid evidence to back up his claims. Many Brazilians and American activists have been opposed to climate summit agreement believing that it would condone and legitimise the Bolsonaro government’s destruction of the Amazon. Recently 35 celebrities including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and singer Katy Perry, wrote a joint letter to Biden asking him not to commit to any deal with Bolsonaro at the then upcoming conference. Soon after a document signed by more than 200 Brazilian groups was also sent to Biden declaring Bolsonaro to be the ‘enemy’ of the Amazon and that he lacked to legitimacy to truly represent Brazil.

The official podcast of Cardiff University Students’ Union. Find us on Anchor and Spotify: ‘Cardiff Students’. There’s always time for Clonc!

COMMENT

the Class of 2021: we There a lack of disability YOUR To will be together again awareness at university COMMENT DESK I W Molly Govus

Head of Comment

Molly Govus

Sian Hopkins

Cerys Ann Jones

Izzy Morgan comment@gairrhydd.com

wish I could tell you the moment it hit me. It was probably when I was sitting by my desk at home, staring blankly into a ‘You Will Join The Meeting When The Host Lets You In’ notice-box with a loading circle spinning around aimlessly beneath it. Is there really any point in trying? That’s kind of how I felt - stuck in a loop, an endless cycle, but never really getting anywhere. This is how my final year of University has felt. It’s a huge shame, but no one saw it coming. No one could ever predict the impact Coronavirus has had. Just over a year ago, I feel ashamed to admit, my flatmate and I had come whooping into the house with a bottle of wine, celebrating having a couple of weeks off of work. God, how I wish now that it really were just a couple of weeks off. Who were we to know? I try not to attach any guilt to it. I have an Instagram post of my last night out in Live Lounge - as childish as it sounds, I long to travel back to that night. To breathe the air just a little longer, to savour the vodka lemonade for another second, to walk back out to the dance floor to ‘Mr Brightside’ just one more time. If you think about it too much, it’s actually quite depressing. And that is exactly what it is - we have been through more than we could ever imagine as a society. It is okay to describe the situation as it is, because it’s utterly heartbreaking. I had high aspirations for my final year. Getting my head down, achieving above and beyond, getting my daily iced latte from the John Percival building, not caring about the money draining out of my pocket. I’ve done my best given the circumstances, but there will always be the nagging feeling that I could have done more. I’ve learnt to make peace with this, but it’s taken longer than I care to admit. We forget how much we have until it’s gone. It’s an extremely cheesy line, but one that resonates with us as students now, more than ever. The simple pleasures of sitting in a lecture hall with other people has become a distant fantasy, and I’m sure I’m not the first one to say that I miss it. I miss the closeness, the buzz,

Source: @baim (via. Unsplash)

hilst COVID-19 and the fluctuating lockdown restrictions have caused problems and a disturbed university experience for all students, those who have access to the disability and dyslexia service or get a DSA (disability student allowance) have suffered more than usual. As a neurodivergent student who has dyslexia, I found studying a degree that predominantly relies on good writing structure and grammar a challenge, but I have received support from study skills and enjoyed my degree throughout my university experience. However, at the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have witnessed a large shift in the support that is available for students in their individual schools. I cannot speak on behalf of all students who identify as disabled or have a learning difficulty, because my experience has been centred entirely around access to my academic school, yet I believe there is a common correlation throughout the university, in terms of training and support that disabled students lack from their individual departments. Before the pandemic, part of the equipment I received as a student with learning difficulties, involved a microphone and battery pack, to be able to record my lectures in case I could not keep up. This school in particular did not use the technology of recording lectures and posting on Panopto until after work moved online and they were required to pre-record. Although I struggled to sit through hours of lectures without being distracted, the in-person teaching gave me little distractions and the ability to listen back in case I missed important information. The move to online teaching, therefore, gave me and all the other students in my school access to lectures that we could replay, slow down, or speed up depending on our note-taking. However, seminars are much more difficult. I understand that there is little that can be done to get around these issues, especially in the peak of the pandemic, but as a disabled student, I know the support and access I am supposed to receive has deteriorated greatly with little solution or compromise. Unfortunately, my recent experi-

ences within the disability services and office management at my school have not filled me with much hope that this is the case. After an issue regarding a cover sheet on three of my assessments last term, not making my disabilities clear, led to inappropriate and unhelpful feedback from the markers in regards to my writing. Whilst this is now in the process of being resolved, it took a lot of emails, phone calls and asking for advice from external services to raise the issue. Not only was this stressful and demoralising as a disabled student, it made me angry for all other students with a learning difficulty who may receive similar feedback and not know how to access help or support to move forward. Speaking from my experience, I found my recent feedback comments tended to place emphasis on where I had made a grammatical mistake or even suggested that the work appeared ‘rushed’. To hear this, as a dyslexic student whose essay takes at least two weeks to write, not even including planning, is quite a punch in the stomach. My reaction was immediately upset and then anger; all it felt these comments were doing was pointing out my learning difficulties and differences to how the lecturer would write the essay instead. As my brain connectivity and chemical balances are different to someone neurotypical, it makes no sense that any feedback should contain comparisons or suggestions to how someone who is neurotypical would write the same essay. A better system regarding the training and teaching of tutors and module leaders, who will inevitably mark a neurodivergent student’s work, should be installed, with the help of the Disability and Dyslexia service. This means that in situations that involve unhelpful feedback or an apparent outlier mark for a disabled student, there is a process to teach how these criticisms come across for learning difficulties and the discriminatory undertone they set in demotivating disabled students. I am aware that I will not be the only student who has experienced difficulties due to my disabilities, but it is important to recognise that Cardiff University and the schools within it have a duty to all students to get their money’s worth of an education, and to be treated with the respect we deserve.

In a statement disseminated on Crosby’s social media platforms, she wrote the following, with reference to the ‘Be Kind’ campaign that was prompted by Flack’s death: “At a time when the broadcast and media world were backing a policy of ‘be kind’, Channel 5 and Crackit decided to commission this one-hour special on ‘rubber lip Charlotte’ (their words not mine)”. The celebrity has publicly discussed her difficulty with her self-image, and has transparently shared with her audience the cosmetic procedures in which she has received, thereby making the dissection of Crosby’s surgery needless and unnecessary. Her statement followed: “Their ‘experts’ dissected my ‘plastic face’ with disgust, discussing my fluctuating weight (with images), and then

decided to flash up the worst troll comments from the past five years”. The TV personality has publicly stated that her physical appearance impacts her self-confidence, and subsequently, her mental health. In a previous interview conducted with Heat Magazine regarding her nose surgery, she stated: “I do think [my nose] caused a lack of confidence, and you always compare yourself to other people who are on TV as well”. Therefore, Channel 5 should have better considered the implications of a programme of such negative nature on a mentally vulnerable young woman. Crosby’s statement continued: “Dealing with trolls is one thing, you ignore, you block but where are we as a society, when the trolls are the mainstream TV channels?”, she followed: “Will they now take responsibility for my dip in mental health and plummet-

ed self-esteem? Do they take responsibility for the resulting press from the show, again discussing how ‘shocking’ my face is?” Being a celebrity in the public domain does not warrant such a public form of humility. The media should function to entertain, but not at the expense of the mental health of a human being. Such an established broadcaster could have employed the hour of airtime utilised to dissect the image of an innocent celebrity, to educate their audience about issues of importance, such as mental health. This creates a poor reputation for a previously reputable broadcasting body, thereby setting a substandard example for their impressionable audience. Additional regulations should be added to Ofcom’s policy to ensure that such output is not legally acceptable.

the gossip. As much as we may moan about the walk to lectures, it is times like these I will treasure the most in the future. Bleary-eyed, bag-heavy, desperately searching for what room I’m in; I had a purpose. I had a place to be, and I had work to do. But then, sitting in my childhood bedroom staring at a Zoom link, 211 miles away from Cardiff, I felt lost. Reflecting on the past year, I definitely put up a front in the face of the changes ahead of me and my peers. I answered questions of how my lockdown was effortlessly, as though it were a question of what cereal I have in the morning. I didn’t attach meaning to it; I floated aimlessly, without purpose, like the dreaded Zoom loading icon. I did not allow myself to feel anything towards COVID-19. I didn’t want to give it that power. But, really, all I’ve ever wanted to do since is speak out about just how awful it has been. It has been hard, and I’ve only just started allowing myself to feel anything towards the situation. Floods of emotion, bottled up tight - because I fear if I open the lid, I’ll never be able to close it again. And, you know, that’s perfectly okay. It has been a year of intense learning and growth. It has been hard. It has been heavy. It has been upsetting. These are the facts. Allow yourself to feel these things. I have learnt so much about myself just by stopping and realising, and taking notice of how I feel. We have gained compassion, patience and resilience. These are life skills that will never leave us, long after COVID-19 has. What is important will remain. Soon, I promise, we will be back to our old ways on the dance floor, and we can all look back at this year with drinks in our hands, and a little more love in our hearts.

Sian Hopkins

Comment Editor

The implications of Channel 5’s new immoral TV show Cerys Ann Jones Comment Editor

hannel 5 have received considerable backlash encompassing last Thursday’s episode of ‘Celebrities: What Happened to Your Face’ consequent to condemnation from its recent subject, Charlotte Crosby. The programme was disseminated despite the subject’s team contacting Channel 5, warning that its content may have detrimental mental health implications. Subsequent to the abundance of criticism regarding the circulation of the program, Channel 5 has stopped streaming the episode that was deemed “immoral” by Crosby. In a statement, the broadcaster apologised for “any upset caused”.

The apology issued by both Channel 5 and the programme’s producers, Crackit Productions, stated that they “take duty of care very seriously”, a statement in direct contradiction to the actions of producing such harmful content. They followed: “While we acknowledge that the programme was Ofcom compliant, we have taken on board Charlotte’s feedback and removed the episode from our streaming platform My5”, an inadequate response as the damage had already been implicated. Crosby has yet to respond to the removal of the programme. The programme precedes the increased focus upon mental health within the entertainment industry, following the death of Caroline Flack by suicide at the hands of the scrutinising British media.

SYLWADAU

The Oscars 2021: Content warning: contains discussion of sexual harrassment and assault the good, the bad and the ugly Sophia Grace

‘National Rape Day 2021’: what went wrong on April 24th? Contributor

Shivika Singh Contributor

n the 24th of April, Cardiff University students took to the streets to accompany female students home from their night out after reports of a ‘national rape day’ went viral. Recently there had been talks of the 24th of April being a day in which men would be able to sexually assault women without any repercussions. This hoax was labelled ‘national rape day’, rumours of this date were reportedly started through TikTok. In the past there have been similar reports of hoaxes related to ‘rape day’ but the date was a new factor and the fear and worry surrounding the public recently. In light of the recent death of 33 year old marketing executive Sarah Everard who was last seen on the 3rd of March walking home alone, this hoax sparked even more concern for women’s safety. Women have also felt that they cannot trust the police as Sarah Everard’s alleged attacker was a policeman, furthermore the violence at the vigil was instigated by the police. Allegations came out after group chat messages from students at Cardiff University and Exeter University were reportedly released and believed to have included the names of over 100 girls who were targets. Cardiff University reported the claims to South Wales Police and to the University Security. Although a Cardiff University student felt that this wasn’t enough so in order to provide some peace of mind he asked his football team for help. The team posted in ‘Overheard at Cardiff ’ to let everyone know that they would be chaperoning anyone who felt uncomfortable walking home alone on Saturday 24th April. Ben Marett 22, told LadBible, ‘[I thought] since I’m staying in on Saturday why don’t I get a few of the boys from the football club to help me’. The boys walked around in their red football fleeces so they could easily be spotted and identified as Cardiff students.

We need men to stand with us: We need men to stand with us on this situation, not against us. Source: Alec Perkins (via. Wikimedia Commons) Making sure young women get home safely has become more prominent since the unfortunate death of Sarah Everard, who was walking home in the evening the last time she was seen. Her disappearance and death sparked huge outrage from the public who were concerned about safety when walking home late at night. Often there is an implication that what a woman wears, how she behaves or what time she walks home has an affect on her safety, with 97% of women reporting sexual assault it is clear that this is an issue of growing concern and a result of men’s decisions rather than a womans. After protests and a vigil for the late Sarah Everard that turned violent, women have felt unsafe, especially around men in the evenings. Often women text each other to let their friends know that they have got home safely after a night out, however not everyone feels safe enough to make their own way home. The reports of sexual assault on women in unlit areas late at night, spark a very real fear.

Since the recent events with regards to disappearance, sexual assault and violence towards women, lots of people have wanted to help make a difference. Most people sign petitions or write to their local MP, however this group of university students took matters into their own hands and actively made a difference. It was reported that the football team, composed of 20 men, chaperoned around 30 students safely home. Lots of the students who were chaperoned messaged the boys later to thank them for their kindness and for getting them home safely. This initiative has only included one Cardiff University football team so far but the team captain Ben Marret claimed that other individuals had reached out to him to offer their support. However, for the first night Ben wanted to make sure he could trust everyone and therefore he stuck only to football team members. Nevertheless, this service has definitely encouraged men to look out for women and perhaps other clubs

or universities can take this idea and put it into practise themselves. It is great to see that young men want to make a difference, to make women feel safe and to spread the message that solidarity in the face of tragedy and fear is so important in society. It is terrifying that women feel that they cannot even trust the police when it comes to a situation like this therefore it is nice to see the comradery from the football team who are all of the same or similar age to the other university students they are helping. Although this is a great service and idea it goes without saying that we shouldn’t have to have a service like this in our society but the sad reality is that women don’t feel safe. This does however look like a step in the right direction for safety and respect for women from young men and it helps to build a bridge between the women who might feel unsafe and men who are willing to look out for them. It puts trust back into men and makes women feel safer around them.

What’s happening in the Welsh election? Snowdon’s alter-ego makes a comeback Catarina Vicente Contributor

enned Cymru was founded in 1999 and consists of 60 members who represent the different Welsh parties. As of this year, the biggest parties, Labour, Plaid Cymru and Conservatives make up the majority of the seats. Other parties, such as Gwlad, Liberal Democrats, Propel, Reform UK and UKIP, Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party and the Green Party also being represented. With the most seats in the Sennedd, Labour is set to win the majority in this seat’s elections – which it has maintained since the Senned’s foundation. Although, the polls have been particularly volatile this year, with the smaller parties being key

players in their fight to earn even a few seats. This year’s election will be especially important as the voting age has been decreased, allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote, one of the biggest changes to the Welsh democratic process in decades. As Llywydd of the Assembly, Elin Jones, comments: “Today we have witnessed a monumental step forward on a historic day for Wales’ democratic process.” Furthermore, this will be the first time the Welsh public has had a chance to speak on who they want to represent them in Cardiff Bay since the start of COVID-19 and the Brexit vote. As of now, Labour is ahead, with Plaid Cymru and the Conservative party behind. The Welsh election is set to take place on the 6th of May.

Molly Govus

Head of Comment

tanding at 1085m (3560 feet) tall, Wales’ highest mountain dominates the skyline of North West Wales. Park authorities have been considering the motion of naming the beloved mountain only by its Welsh name. The motion was brought forward by a Gwynedd councillor, John Pughe Roberts, who asked that Snowdonia National Park Authorities refer to Snowdon only as Yr Wyddfa, and Snowdonia as Eryi. According to a quiz provided by the BBC, there have been mixed responses in response to the proposal. A task group has also been put in place to consider the proposal, as stated by the park authority. Roberts, the man behind the mo-

tion, stated: ‘If you lose the old names, you lose the heritage, you lose all things that lie behind that name. If you lose the name, you lose an imporant part of the history of the area’. The park authority has also released a hstorical reason behind the name. Yr Wyddfa (Urr-ooi-th-va) means ‘grave’; according to myth, the giant, Rhita Gawr, was buring on the mountain after a battle with King Arthur. Roberts also made the point of using our friends down-under as an example. Australians now refer to the previous Ayers Rock as Uluru. Ffred Ffransis, part of the Welsh Language Society, sums up the whole concept with a brilliant quote: “Not only is Snowdon ‘Yr Wyddfa’, but our country is ‘Cymru’ (land of the comrades) not ‘Wales’ (land of the outsiders)”.

he 93rd Academy Award aired on Sunday, April 25 in an unusual format. After months of delay, the highly televised Oscars were finally hosted in a socially distanced format. The producers earlier promised that this year’s award show would be like a movie and following that, the show was delivered in a movie style production lead by director Steven Soderbergh. The Oscars 2021 also moved out of their usual venue, The Dolby Theatre, and were hosted in the historic Union Station in Los Angeles. However, none of that could save this year’s event from turning in the lowest rated telecast in the show’s history. The prestigious award show could only draw an average of 9.8 million viewers for ABC. This marks to 58 percent below the ratings from previous year’s show. It is noteworthy that last year’s Oscars was itself the lowest rated event with only 23.6 million viewers. A massive TV rating slide has hit the award shows since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Golden Globe Awards and the Grammy Awards also experienced massive audience decreases of more than 50 percent in comparison to last year. Many films nominated for Oscars 2021 were not very well known to the audiences. Although it was revolutionary in terms of female nominated films and more representation of people o colour, it could not grow very popular among the general audiences. It was also impacted by Hollywood holding back almost all the major films with hopes of releasing them in late 2021 and 2022. This significantly contributed to less known films being nominated for awards. The Oscars proceeded without a host. The Hollywood award shows are known for an element of humour and sarcasm. However, this event lacked that for the major part as the introductions were earnest and not typically hilarious and ironic. Changes were made this year in the sequence of presenting the awards. The best picture award that is typically the last trophy to be given out was this time before the lead actors an actresses categories. However, a major disappointment hit when the late actor Chadwick Boseman was not honoured with the best actor award for his performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. However, this edition of Oscars was historic in rewarding female talent. As director Chloé Zhao won the director trophy for her work in “Nomadland’, she became first woman of colour, second female director and first woman of Asian descent to win this trophy. ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ hair and makeup artists Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson were the first black women to win in that category, while the film’s 89-year-old costume designer, Ann Roth, became the oldest female Oscar winner in history. Minari actress, Yuh-Jung Youn’s onscreen arrival to receive the best actress award, immediately sent a jolt of humour and charisma in the serious hall. She made the most out of her historic moment and delivered a hilarious yet heart-warming speech.

ADVICE

YOUR How to reflect on this academic year How can you use what you have learnt as a student to improve yourself? ADVICE DESK A Vicky Witts

Head of Advice

Vicky Witts

Megan Evans advice@gairrhydd.com

How to celebrate your graduation? Vicky Witts

Head of Advice

raduation for many final year students is a time for celebration after years of hard work towards their degree. However, for the second consecutive year at Cardiff University, graduation ceremonies have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is therefore important to learn ways that you can hold celebrations yourself. Hold your own ceremony If you still want a more traditional ceremony to celebrate, you could choose to purchase your own gown and take pictures with your family members and friends, depending on the restrictions at the time, and pretend that the event is still going ahead. If you are looking for inspiration for this, it may be worth looking on social media. Treat yourself Whilst those around you may be very proud of your graduation, you should also take some time to feel proud and treat yourself. Whether it is buying yourself something that you have wanted for a long time, or taking yourself out for lunch, having a moment to acknowledge your successes is important. Celebrate together Graduation does not have to be a solo celebration, and celebrating with other friends that you may have who also have graduated, may make your celebrations feel more official, and give you all a moment to look back and be proud of where you got to.

s the 2020-21 academic year comes to an end, many of us will be looking forward to a break from university work over the summer. Whilst in can be easy to completely switch-off from all university-based activities as soon as you have taken your last exam or ignore past essay results because they did not go as planned, taking the time to reflect about what you have done and learnt over the course of the year can be a great way to improve yourself and your mindset for next year. There needs to be some kind of reflection in order to further better your work in the future. Read academic feedback Whilst thinking about exams and results should not take over the whole of your summer break, taking a short amount of time to re-read your most recent work feedback can help you to make a plan in order to improve your grades for next year if that is something that you feel you want to achieve. Although the topics that you learnt this year may not continue into next year, looking at feedback on your work which is specifically targeted on more generally essay writing or revision features can help you. Feedback can help you in writing an action plan about the features of your work that you may need to

practice and focus on more deeply, which can ultimately help you to feel more prepared for the following year. Consider your social actions Reflecting on the past academic year does not have to be solely focused on your academic work however, as this may not be a point that you feel that you need to improve upon, and instead you may feel like there are areas which you could improve upon in your social life. This may be that you feel that you want to take a more active role in your university by joining a society, or simply that you want to have more discussions with people that you may never have spoken to on your course. Setting out these intentions over the summer can help you to ensure that you make the most of all of the social aspects that being a university student offers. Alternatively, if you are graduating this year, considering the social skills and achievements that you have done over the year can help to give you confidence in regard to socialising, and may also may you feel a sense of pride for what you have achieved in your time as a student. This may be particularly useful if you are feeling worried about your life after university, as taking a moment to appreciate the fact that you were able to be social and make friends in a situation as daunting as coming to university shows that you are capable of managing stressful social situations.

That’s always a good thing to be able to add to your CV! Employers love it! If you were a part of a club or society over the last year, you could also use this time to reflect on what skills this may have given you for the future. If you’re planning on joining a society next year, think about what you’d like to gain from it, in order to plan for the future. How to keep positive If the last year did not go as planned for you, as may be the case

for many students this year with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, thinking about it as a whole may make you feel more stressed than fulfilled. Although dwelling on negative aspects of your time at university will not help your mental health, acknowledging that you made it successfully through the academic year despite any difficulties that you faced, should reassure you that you can handle any student hardships. See? It’s easier than it seems!

Learning to reflect: Summer can be the best time to reflect on what you have learnt throughout the year so far. Source: Mohamed Hassan (via pixabay)

How can spring cleaning help mental health? Megan Evans Advice Editor

pring cleaning is something that we have become accustomed to as a society, to declutter unwanted and invaluable items. It is also extremely beneficial for those who have added amounts of stress, as when stress starts to take over the brain, the rest of the body starts to feel those subsequent effects. Research suggests that the physical methodologies of cleaning, from moving, to vacuuming produces endorphins to reduce stress levels, and also further inhibits the ability to sleep, which also improves your overall mood. Chester County Hospital found that around 78% of people find it stressful to deal with clutter, and 54% feel emotions of an overwhelming nature. If we all take the time to look at how much stuff we actually own, it is increasing so much. A wardrobe with more than 30 outfits worth, is such a huge increase from those in the 1930s who only acquired 9 outfits worth of clothes. How much do we really need to keep? Do we need to have a different pair of shoes for every day of the month? Do we really need a draw of paperwork, which can easily be stored online via a hard drive? Not only does cluttering cause unnecessary damage, more than you may realise, can also lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. Managing your possessions, whether that be your book collec-

Getting organised: 78% of people find it stressful to deal with clutter, and 58% feel emotions of an overwhelming nature. Source: b&m stores (via Flickr)

tion, makeup stash, video games, or just general clutter accumulated within the draws of your bedroom. Some helpful tips to get you started can be as simple as: Organise piles of things you want to keep, things that you potentially want but might not necessarily need, things that you don’t need and can be donated, whether that be to a charity shop or a shelter. Remove everything from one place (can be a shelf, or a draw) and only put back things that you want to keep. This is also a great way to reorganise and make your space feel a bit more organised, so you can visually see everything you have, and can rearrange in the most manage-

able way. If there’s things that you haven’t used in some time, maybe now is the time to consider it’s worth amongst your possessions. Be realistic about clutter that holds memories. We all have things that people may not consider important, but to others can host a whole abundance of emotions. Try to limit those to an amount that is viable. Buy organisation on a budget. Places such as Home Bargains, Wilkos, or even Facebook Marketplace have so many cheap alternatives for organisation. If you find it difficult to get rid of things, maybe invest in some storage that can home all the things you

want, and make it look tidier whilst doing so. Put out of season clothing in a separate location. We spend so much unnecessary time trying to find things to wear, and we can reduce the stress by only having items out on show that we need to grab quickly, especially when in a rush. This means, as it is approaching the summer months, storing away all winter clothes, shoes and wooly jumpers (unless absolutely necessary). Also, next time you go shopping, take note of the things you are drawn to, and limit what you buy. I always find I approach similar items and items that I already own. By actually getting out everything you have, you can see everything and then take measures to make sure you don’t end up going down a path of overspending and bringing more stuff in that you don’t need. I always use Post It Notes on my way, to make notes that are important. They can be used when you make piles of items you don’t need, and vice versa. Ultimately, maintaining an organised lifestyle is primarily down to self-discipline and learning how to cut anything that is not needed out of your life. Whilst this may be difficult at first as it is easy to become attached to what you own, and even more tempting to purchase things on an impulse, once you have taken control of some of the smaller aspects of your life such as by doing a simple spring clean, it is likely that your environment will be less stressful. This in turn is a great step to taking control of your mental health.

21 COLUMN

Megan Evans

MEGAN’S MUSINGS

Sexual Liberation from a Women’s Perspective: There are still issues that assume women need to fulfil this role, and how opinions need to change. Source: unkown (via Raw Pixel)

here is this overarching question that we need to heavily consider when discussing the qualities that woman has fought for and obtained over the past coming decades. One of those that is discreet and hardly discussed is sexual liberation. We as empowered woman of the twenty first century, need to whip the old labels certified by men as sexual objects that need to be gazed at and looked at through a magnifying glass. We are much more than the sexy lingerie, a pretty face and the contrast the masculinity. Also, even though women, are more generally less likely to express their sexual desires and numbers to a man, does not mean we do not have these urges? I would like to delve into some of my experiences as a woman and adolescent. As I began to see my changing body, I felt some sense of discomfort. Some of my peers had embraced their femininity and felt like, what I thought was the best version of themselves. And the boys LOVED them. Whilst they got the satisfaction from the boys in my school group, I could not feel more disgusted and ashamed. I just didn’t feel feminine enough with my petite breasts, half formed bum, a stomach that would bloat no matter what I ate and a face that I thought was not as memorable as some of the other girls that I would constantly compare to. As well as this, whilst I heard whispers

in the corners of the classroom of who has ‘done bits’ with who, I still did not know what pleased me. I was still coming to terms with my body and my mind, and I wanted to hold on to my childhood and not move forward with what I had to experience in the present day, which was how do I pursue a man? How do I get him to look at me, when there are so many other girls in the room that could be asserting a different form of sexology? How do I feel like a feminist but also challenge the roles that have been fixated by this term?

This social movement has been changing and challenging normal codes of behaviour since the 1960s from acceptance of sex to pornography This social movement has been changing and challenging normal codes of behaviour since the 1960s, from acceptance of sex outside marriage, normalising the use of pornography and masturbation to embracing all forms of sexuality whether that is pans, trans, bisexuality, lesbian, the popular culture of media, magazines, films and novels are transgressing our womanhood and

freedom to express our identities. The Western culture was so heavily dominated by this revolution, and it reimagined what was previously implemented from the ‘Victorian morality’, where women had to remain pure and virginial as this was extremely important for reputation. Sexual liberation for women is often hindered due to contraception, which became a massive phenomenon in the sixties, which meant it was easier for sex and stopping early pregnancies and smaller families, instead of the traditional larger ones. Freud’s studies also became largely recognised during this period, and was taught that normal human behaviour was motivated by the unconscious drives, which is primarily the libido, in relation to sexual drives, and became the building blocks to a much more self-accepting society which allows us to pursue whatever we wish to endure; whether that be a same sex relationship, open sexual relationships and experimentation. It became liberating for a woman to ‘own’ her sexual identity and not be labelled as ‘promiscuous’ or a ‘prostitute’, as opposed to men doing the same thing. A leap in women’s sexual identities and behaviour during today’s society can be summed up in a recent book that has swept our generation by storm. Florence Given’s ‘Women Don’t Owe You Pretty’, sets the tone for future generations as a bible for young

and older women galore, as a method to challenge old stereotypes that have oh so forcefully been imposed, and to appreciate the person you are regardless of race, social class, body type, sexual orientation. This rejection of authority and values that our ancestors brought into the home can be challenged within this book such as gender bias, morality, selfcriticism and generalisation within feminism.

Women should not be ashamed of the way they act, and this revelation is a fundamental right. The whole meaning of intimacy has been reformed and is constantly changing even to this day. It was once something that bore life, became a much more leisurely activity. We have now discovered terms such as hedonistic sexuality, which means to pursue in sexual acts and interlinking with enjoyment and gratification. We can contribute to many debates, particularly those involving men that we can celebrate this change for women to finally feel this easement of talking openly about sex, even though there are still stig-

matisms reflecting the opposite. There are still issues that assume that this movement means that women, need to fulfil this role of actively seeking this improvement. Hedonistic sexuality advances men as well as women, so deep consideration needs to be applied to this from both sides. This movement should therefore not discriminate women who still want to keep it private, as sex is still a personal and private experience that does not need to be plastered all over banners. The basis of this article is to show how I have changed and thought through some of many qualities that are categorised under ‘sexual liberation’ as a key term. Women should not be ashamed of the way they act, and this revelation is recognising that it is a fundamental human right to decide who, when, why and how we have sex [with], and we should never have to live in fear anymore of the repercussions of our actions. We should have the right to express our views without being shamed and embarrassed to do so. I should be able to walk freely, wearing what I please and not feel intimidated and sexualised. The 98% of women who claim to be sexually assaulted is an appalling figure, that we must teach the future generations to not follow suit. There needs to be a method to conduct ourselves better, but also a method of understanding from those who don’t, to know what it feels like.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY New genes identified which help fight COVID-19 infection and determine severity of symptoms

YOUR SCIENCE DESK C

Holly Giles

Head of Science & Technology

Holly Giles

Rowenna Hoskin

Mili Jayadeep

OVID-19 has dominated every headline and new story of our lives for the past twelve months, but it has also transformed the scientific community with thousands of researchers turning their attention to COVID-19 in order to better understand the virus. One of the many fields affected by COVID-19 is the field of genetics with researchers trying to identify genes involved in infection. This has now been realised with scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys identifying a set of human genes that fight the viruses behind COVID-19 infection. Lead Author of the study, and Professor and Director for the Immunity and Pathogenesis Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys, Dr Sumit K Chanada explained the importance of this research: “We wanted to gain a better understanding of the cellular response to SARS-CoV-2, including what drives a strong or weak response to infection. We’ve gained new in-sights into how the virus exploits the human cells it invades, but we are still searching for its Achilles heel so that we can develop optimal antivirals”. It was observed early on in the pandemic that a weak immune response to infection, led to more severe cases of COVID-19 so increased understanding of the factors determining this response will help scientists predict individuals likely to be most affected by the infection. The immune response centers around interferons which trigger genes, called interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), which fight infection by producing proteins which prevent certain actions being completed by the virus. We’ve gained new insights into how te virus exploits the human cells it invades, but we are still searching for its Achilles heel so that we can develop optimal antivirals” Dr Sumit K Chandra

Lead Author

Jack Robert Stacey

Explaining their research, Chanda said: “We found that 65 ISGs con-

science@gairrhydd.com

Interferons: The research looks at interferon-stumulated genes which control the virus’ ability to replicate, with one gene decreasing COVID-19 replication by 53%. Source: unknown (via State of Reform) trolled SARA-CoV-2 infection, including some that inhibited the virus’ ability to enter cells, some that suppressed manufacture of the RNA that is the virus’ lifeblood, and a cluster of genes that inhibited assembly of the virus. What was also of great interest was the fact that some of the ISGs exhibited control across unrelated viruses, such as seasonal flu, West Nile and HIV, which leads to AIDS.” This was echoed by first author of the study, Dr Laura Martin-Sancho, who said: “We identified eight ISGs that inhibited both SARS-CoV-1 and CoV2 replication in the subcellular compartment responsible for protein packaging, suggesting this vulnerable site could be exploited to clear viral infection. This is important information, but we still need to learn more about the biology of the virus and investigate if genetic variability within these ISGs correlates with COVID-19 severity”. One of the key genes identified

in the study is BST2 which was described in the article as “a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 replication” where expression of this gene reduced viral replication by 53% and reduced viral release by 74%. This shows the importance of these genes in controlling viral behaviours and in reducing the virus’ ability to replicate in the body. This finding has been supported by other studies which have shown the importance of interferons through studying people with interferon protein deficiencies (which occur through genetic mutations). They found that 3.5% of individuals with severe COVID-19 studied had these deficiencies, showing the importance of interferons in the immune response to infection. The research by Chanda and colleagues is far from complete with the researchers planning to next look at the evolving variants of COVID-19 and how the identified ISGs interact with these new mutations. The researchers explained that they have already starting gathering variants

for laboratory investigation and plan to start tests soon. Despite case numbers decreasing due to the roll-out of vaccines, Chanda explains why the research is still relevant and needed: “It’s vitally important that we don’t take our foot off the pedal of basic research efforts now that vaccines are helping control the pandemic. We’ve come so far so fast because of investment in fundamental research at Sanford Burnham Prebys and elsewhere, and our continued efforts will be especially important when, not if, another viral outbreak occurs”. It is hoped that this research could increase understanding of how the body naturally fights infection and to identify novel drug targets to increase clinicians arsenal of tools in patients needing intervention to fight the infection more efficiently. This work by Chanda et al marks another step of increased understanding about the virus behind COVID-19 and another advance in our methods to control it.

Cardiff University survey shows 28% of people think the government has clear plan to tackle climate change Shivika Singh Contributor

n a survey carried out by Ipsos MORI in partnership with Cardiff University Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), it was found that only a minority of British people think the UK government has a clear plan to tackle climate change. According to this survey, only three in 10 Britons (28%) agree the government has a clear plan for how it can work with business and the general public to tackle climate change. This poll was conducted to mark Earth Day 2021 and included 1000 adults in the survey. It asked to what extent people agreed with the statement that the UK government has a clear plan for how the

government, businesses and people are going to work together to tackle climate change. 28% agreed with the statement, while 33% disagreed. Furthermore, 69% said that the government would be failing the people of Britain if it does not act now to combat climate change, with only 10% of people disagreeing with this statement, highlighting the importance of climate change to the general public. Other important findings from the survey include: 74% said businesses must act now to avoid failing their customers and employers, and 73% said individuals would be failing future generations if they do not act now to combat climate change. On economic recovery from COVID-19, opinion was split; around a third (35%) agreed the government should not prioritise tackling climate change, while a similar

proportion disagreed (38%). This survey becomes more important in view of the recent government announcement that details its intention to speed up restrictions in carbon emissions by 78 percent, by the year 2035. According to a statement given by Professor Whitmarsh, Director of CAST and an environment psychologist, at the University of Bath: “These new survey findings highlight that the COVID-19 pandemic has not dented public concern about climate change, and that there is a strong belief that responsibility for tackling climate change is shared by everyone in society.” The survey also suggested that Britons want to continue with certain habits learned during the pandemic as 36%agreed that they are most likely to do what they can to avoid throwing

away food more often and 32% agreed that they would buy things that they really need rather than shopping for fun. If this comes to fruition this could change the highstreet by redefining people’s shopping habits. A large majority of Britons say they understand what action they need to take to play their part in the fight against climate change (71%). Kelly Beaver, Managing Director of Ipsos MORI Public Affairs, reflected on this finding: “Although many Britons say they understand what actions they need to take to tackle climate change, they tend to focus on lower impact actions rather than more significant lifestyle changes. “Nevertheless, there is a willingness to change certain behaviours that will make a difference, and the strong sense of responsibility individuals feel

they have – along with business – to combat climate change suggests they will be receptive to government steps to reduce the UK’s greenhouse emissions.” It is not clear what the outcome of this survey will be but it highlights the importance of climate change to the general public and the need for clearer communication about plans to tackle this problem. These new survey findings highlight that the COVID-19 pandemic has not dented public concern about climate change” Professor Whitmash

Director of Cardiff University Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations

GWYDDONIAETH A THECHNOLEG

Women with higher body fat may have more protection from heart disease Climate change Mili Jayadeep Science Editor

eart disease is a huge contributor to death in the UK and across the world. It can develop over time due to a number of risk factors such as leading an unhealthy lifestyle, having diabetes and can also be associated with obesity. A new study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles Health Sciences report data showing lower heart disease risk in women with higher levels of body fat. It is well known that high levels of fitness, which includes men and women with higher muscle mass have superior cardiovascular health. However, it was shown according to the data collected from this study that a sex difference in better cardiovascular fitness was seen when comparing women and men with higher body fat percentage. National health survey data was analysed and evaluated by the researchers over 15 years, which showed that in deaths related to heart disease was 42% lower in women with high muscle and fat percentage compared to those with low muscle and body fat content. This advantage was not seen in women with high muscle mass and low body fat content. This

difference in risk was not as significant in males as it was in females. Also, males with a higher muscle mass and lower body fat was favoured in terms of risk reduction. These findings presented by these researchers can be surprising to many, which may seem paradoxical to the obesity problem. It is well known that obesity is becoming an increasing problem in the western world. According to the NHS, 1 in 4 adults in the UK are considered obese. It is a problem that is also known to be associated with the prevalence of many chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. Yet this study shows that women with higher body fat may have a lowered risk of heart disease. This could be owing to a number of factors, For instance, the fat distribution differences between men and women could affect cardiovascular disease risk. Women tend to carry fat in the leg and gluteal region whereas men carrying a high fat percentage tend to carry the fat in the abdominal region. Research shows that fat in the gluteofemoral region, more common in women may have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease. Also, the fat cell biological activity is shown to be different in

has shifted the Earth’s axis, suggests new study Rowenna Hoskin Science Editor

R Surprising findings: The relationship between body fat and heart disease may be more complex than first thought. Free Photos (via Pixabay)

men and women due to hormonal differences, which may account for the difference in protection. A hormone known as leptin responsible for appetite control may also play a role in the sex differences seen. The findings from this study can be important in approaching cardiovascular disease treatment. The previous ongoing guidance for reducing disease risk is focused on promoting weight loss. Yet, this study highlights

the importance of other existing factors and the complex interactions of different cell types, hormones and metabolic factors that can contribute to disease risk. Perhaps the best strategy for reducing disease risk would be to increase muscle mass and account for sex differences in both men and women. Further research is necessary to determine how this can be implemented for patients as a practical treatment strategy.

Researchers reveal the positive effects of exercise on synaptic plasticity and memory Alex Brown Contributor

e’ve all been lectured to about the many benefits of sport and exercise; it helps with weight loss, joint mobility, can increase your energy levels, and has multiple mental health benefits. Exercise seems to be the fool proof way to lead a healthier and happier lifestyle, and now has also been implicated in improving our memory. Researchers from the University of Geneva have shown that following a short, intense exercise session, memory improves, and new motor skills can be acquired. Immediately following exercise, it is common to experience feelings of happiness. This is due to endocannabinoids, which are small molecules produced by the body during exertion. They circulate through our blood and cross the blood-brain barrier, where they bind to specialised receptors and trigger the euphoric feelings. Additionally, endocannabinoids bind to receptors in the hippocampus, the main brain structure implicated in memory, which led research lead Kinga Igloi to believe there was a link between sport and memory. To understand the effect of sport on motor learning, researchers evaluated memory test performances of 15 young and healthy men, who were non-athletes. The group of men was split into 3 with each group having to complete different volumes of exercise; one group did 30 minutes of moderate cycling, another 15 minutes of intensive cycling at 80% of maximum heart rate, and a final group that did not exercise. The memory exercise included a series of four dots, which would intermittently change into a star. Each time a dot changed into a star the participants had to press the corresponding button

Exercising the body and mind: Scientists have shown that short, intense exercise sessions can directly improve memory and the development of new motor skills. Source: Gabin_Vallet (via Pixabay) as quickly as possible. Blanca Marin Bosch, one of the researchers explained the experiment. “It followed a predefined and repeated sequence in order to precisely evaluate how movements were learnt. This is very similar to what we do when, for example, we learn to type on a keyboard as quickly as possible. After an intensive sports session, the performance was much better.” As well as promising results from the memory tests, researchers also observed changes in the activation of brain structures using MRI, as well as evaluating endocannabinoid levels with blood tests. Functional MRI analysis found that the faster the individual in the memory test, the more the hippocampus and caudate nucleus (brain structure involved in motor response) were activated. Blood test results were also encouraging; higher endocannabi-

noid levels followed intense physical effort, leading to better brain activation and better performance. Endocannabinoids are involved in neuronal connections, and therefore act on long-term potentiation, which is the mechanism for optimal memory consolidation. A previous study by the same research team, similarly demonstrated the positive effect of exercise on memory, however instead focused on associative memory. Conversely, these previous findings indicated that moderate intensity exercise produced the best results. Collectively, the findings from both studies indicate that not all forms of memory use the same mechanisms, and that not all sports intensities will have the same effects. However, it is important to note that in all cases exercise improves memory more than no movement.

In providing key neuroscientific data, studies such as these offer new strategies for memory improvement and preservation. Exercise is an easy to implement, minimally invasive and inexpensive method, and has many potential uses. “For example, would it be useful to schedule a sports activity at the end of a school morning to consolidate memory and improve learning?” Kinga Igloi wonders. Additionally, the neuroscientists are exploring memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s, and how exercise could aid its prevention. People as young as 25 may experience subtle memory problems characterised by hippocampus overactivation. These deficits could be precursors to Alzheimer’s and the authors are currently evaluating the extent to which exercise could help to compensate for these.

Word of the week: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

• MRI machines use a strong magnetic force and radio waves to create images of the inside of the human body • They allow visualisation of structures in the body and are frequently used in research due to their safety • It is estimated that 30 million MRIs are performed in America each year. This figure is growing every year

esearch has shown that the melting of glaciers caused by the heating of the planet has resulted in the Earth’s axis of rotation shifting from its axis of rotation in 1990s. Earth’s north and south poles are the point where its axis of rotation intersects the surface, but it is not fixed. The axis is caused by the changes in how the Earth’s mass is distributed, which consequently causes the poles to move. In the past, the only natural factors like ocean currents and the convection of hot rock in the Earth’s core effected the drifting position of the poles. According to new research, the loss of billions of tonnes of ice a year into the oceans resulting from climate change has caused the poles to move in new directions since the 1990s. In 1995, scientists found that the direction of polar drift changed from southward to eastward and that the average speed of drift from 1995 to 2020 was 17 times faster than from 1981 to 1995. Since 1980, the poles’ position has shifted around 4 metres in distance. “The accelerated decline [in water stored on land] resulting from glacial ice melting is the main driver of the rapid polar drift after the 1990s,” concluded the team, led by Shanshan Deng, from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research at the Chinese Academy of Science. Gravity data from the Grace satellite, launched in 2002, had been used to link glacial melting to pole movements in 2005 and 2012, following an increase in ice loss. Deng’s research breaks new ground as it links to before the satellite was launched; it shows that human activities have been shifting the poles since the 1990s. The research showed that most of this shift was due to glacial losses, but Deng’s research suggests that the pumping up of groundwater may have also contributed. Groundwater is stored beneath the land but humans pump it up for drinking water and agriculture. After this, most of it flows out to sea, redistributing its weight around the world. In the past 50 years, humanity has removed 18tn tonnes of water from underground reservoirs without it being replaced. Vincent Humphrey, from the University of Zurich who was not involved in the research, says that the new study demonstrates the effect human activities have had on the redistribution of huge amounts of water around the planet: “It tells you how strong this mass change is –it’s so big that it can change the axis of the Earth.” This movement is not large enough to affect daily life, but it could change the length of a day – even if it is only by milliseconds. Some scientists argue that the scale of this impact means that the Anthropocene, a new ecological epoch – must be declared. Human activity has physically altered not only the life and landscape of the planet, but the physics of the planet itself.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Amazon to fuse

augmented-reality and haircare with

new London salon Omo Ifabua Contributor

fter opening a ‘till-less supermarket’ in London, just last month, it is somewhat unsurprising that Amazon will be launching its own salon in the capital. However, this hairdressing experience promises to be like no other, featuring augmented reality consultations and the latest “point-and-learn” technology. John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK Country Manager, has said, “We want this unique venue to bring us one step closer to customers and it will be a place where we can collaborate with the industry and test new technologies”. If customers are curious about what a hair-dye may look like on them, but are not ready to take the risk, AR tech will allow them to experiment with different virtual hair colours before receiving treatment. The salon also boasts in-store entertainment, using Fire tablets for each client at their very own styling station. Elena Lavagni, the owner of Neville Hair & Beauty, will be leading Amazon Salon in providing clients with fantastic hair care services, whilst trialling cutting edge equipment. Lavagni has worked in the business for over 40 years, pleasing top clientele at Paris Fashion Week and the Cannes Film Festival. From cut and blow dry, to balayage and braids, her creative team of experts will be central to “bringing this salon to life”. For those wondering what else this new salon has to offer, Amazon will also let customers shop for hair products in store. Unlike the Amazon Go supermarket, the salon will use “pointand-learn” technology, where shoppers can simply point their finger at a product they are interested in and receive all the information about it, on a display shelf. To take this a step further, customers can then scan the product’s QR code and purchase it using their online Amazon account. However, Gene Marks, Small Business Strategy writer for Forbes Magazine, warns that small businesses should keep updated on Amazon’s venture into the hair world. He suggests that “Amazon is testing technology that will likely spread across your industry and you’re going to want to be ahead of that curve, not behind it”. Amazon state that their new salon is part of its mission to support the professional beauty industry, especially after the recent launch of the Amazon Professional Beauty Store on its UK website. This store gives hair and beauty professionals access to over ten thousand products and also offers business discounts and perks, such as fast delivery and no ‘minimum order quotas’. Sadly, the Amazon Salon will only be open to existing Amazon employees, however, bookings are expected to open for the general public in the coming few weeks. At present, there are no other plans for additional locations, so expect the new Brushfield Street store to be booked and busy for the near future. We have designed this salon for customers to come and experience some of the best technology, haircare products and stylists in the industry” John Boumphrey Manager at Amazon UK

The International Olympic Committee announces first-ever virtual sporting competition Jack Robert Stacey Technology Editor

s the first-ever “Olympiclicensed event for physical and non-physical virtual sports”, the 2021 ‘Olympic Virtual Series’ (also referred to as ‘OVS’) aims to bring the internationally-renowned competition back the world stage and is scheduled to run later this year between May 13th and June 23rd. With the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games remaining postponed due to the impact of COVID-19, the series has partnered with a range of prominent video-game publishers and International Sports Federations to bring the competition online to “enthusiasts all around the world”. According to a statement released by the International Olympic Committee, the inaugural Olympic Virtual Series will allow participants to compete across five different virtual or ‘simulated’ sporting events, currently set to include baseball, cycling, rowing, sailing and motorsport – Many of which have proven to be popular and highly anticipated Olympic events when held in real-life. A new, unique Olympic Digital Experience... [with] aims to grow direct engagement with new audiences in the field of virtual sports” Thomas Bach President of the International Olympic Committee

In support of the Olympic Virtual Series, the International Olympic Committee has formed close partnerships with several prominent video-game publishers, such as Konami Digital Entertainment and Polyphony Digital. Video-games companies will actually play a critical role in the competition, hosting these afore-

A new kind of competition: The ‘Olympic Virtual Series’ will see participants compete across five different simulated sporting events. Credit: The International Olympic Committee.

mentioned virtual sporting events through titles like eBaseball Powerful Pro Baseball 2020 (Konami) and Gran Turismo (Polyphony). David Lappartient, current Chair of IOC’s Esports and Gaming Liaison Group (or ‘ELG’), expressed his appreciation towards of “a number of” International Sports Federations for assisting in “the launch of the first-ever Olympic Virtual series” later this year. With the continued impact of COVID-19 on worldwide sporting competitions, Lappartient maintained that “the OVS is an exciting step forward for the virtual sports world” and, if the event proves to be successful, could represent a significant development for the modern “Olympic Movement”. As one of the key focuses of the Olympic Virtual Series, the competition will invite a range of competitors from around the world to take part in all five of virtual events safely “from home or their training facilities”. The International Olympic Committee have highlighted their intentions to use the event as a means

to reach a large, primarily younger audience in order to better promote inclusive participation in both physical and non-physical sports. With the widespread international interest created by the announcement of the Olympic Virtual Series, other prominent sporting organisations have also “confirmed their excitement and commitment to exploring inclusion in future editions of the OVS”. If the online event proves to be successful, the International Olympic Committee may begin working alongside the likes of FIFA, the International Tennis Federation, and World Taekwondo to bring simulated versions of these sports into worldwide the competition. Viewers will be able to experience the alternative competition online via the Official Olympic channel, where the series intends to promote participation in these sports and “generate excitement in the build-up to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020”. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, described the Virtual Series as “a new, unique Olympic Digital Expe-

rience” that, with the Tokyo Olympics being postponed due to the impact of COVID-19, “aims to grow direct engagement with new audiences in the field of virtual sports”. As a former Olympian himself, Bach highlighted that, as part of its “special focus on youth”, the newly announced Virtual Series “encourages sports participation and promotes the Olympic values” to a worldwide audience. Despite the pressures of COVID-19 on holding these largescale international events, the Olympic Virtual Series represents a significant opportunity to combine this world-renowned sporting organisation with the rising popularity of esports. It encourages sports participation and promotes the Olympic values, with a special focus on youth” Thomas Bach President of the International Olympic Committee

Met Office set to begin contruction of a new climate supercomputer with partners Microsoft Jack Robert Stacey Technology Editor

ollowing its new “multimillionpound agreement with Microsoft”, the Met Office have announced that the two organisations will begin the construction of a new world-leading supercomputer capable of predicting significant future changes in the UK’s weather and climate. As part of the Government’s pledge £1.2 billion back in 2020, this development is also set to bring lucrative employment and apprenticeship opportunities to the proposed site in the South West of the UK. According to a recent statement released by the Met Office on Earth Day, this partnership between the Met Office and Microsoft will utilise the resources of both organisations in order to create the world’s single most advanced weather and climatefocused supercomputer – Current predictions estimate that it may be over two times as powerful as other UK-based supercomputers and, as such, would be ranked within the top 25 supercomputers in the world.

The vast amounts of data generated by the supercomputer will be able to predict the impacts of climate change more accurately on areas around the whole of the UK, allowing the Met Office to issue warnings against a variety of weather conditions, including storms, snow and flooding. Clare Barclay, the Chief Executive Officer at Microsoft UK, spoke on the importance of this partnership in increasing our understanding of the impacts of climate change and explained that: To make progress with the ecological challenges we face requires innovation, technology and partnerships.” Charles Hoskinson CEO of IHOK and Co-Founder of Etherium

“To make progress with the ecological challenges we face requires innovation, technology and partnerships.”

Continuing in reference to Microsoft UK’s planned cooperation alongside the Met Office, Barclay highlighted on the new possibilities that the new climate supercomputer represents: “The potential of the deep expertise, data gathering capacity and historical archive of the Met Office, combined with the sheer scale and power of supercomputing on Microsoft Azure will mean we can improve forecasting, help tackle climate change and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of climate science for decades to come.” As part of their overarching engagement with ‘Net Zero’ and other environmentally-friendly practices, the Met Office (along with Microsoft and the UK Government) have also committed to powering the new supercomputer solely through renewable energy sources. Providing that this is achieved with a high degree of efficiency, experts predict that this could potentially save around 7,415 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide from being released over the machine’s first year of operation.

Professor Penny Endersby, the Chief Executive of the Met Office and a former scientist with 25 years of experience at the Ministry of Defence, maintains that this new supercomputer will maintain the UK’s status “at the forefront of environmental modelling and high performance computing”: “This investment by the UK government is a great vote of confidence in the Met Office’s world-leading status as a provider of weather and climate science and services as well as in our national commitment to build a more resilient world in a changing climate, helping build back greener across the UK and beyond.” Although construction has not yet begun, this joint venture between the Met Office and Microsoft is expected to be completed and fully operational by Summer 2022. With the severity of the UK’s weather and climate increasing rapidly, this new supercomputer will prove to be an essential way for us to gather vast amounts of data and, as such, will help us better prepare against the impacts of climate change.

GWYDDONIAETH A THECHNOLEG

Scientists of the past & future: May 2021

Dorothy Hodgekin and the discovery of the structure of insulin

Looking back on the work of the Nobel Prize winner and the way her research is being built upon today for future diabetic treatments

Holly Giles

Head of Science & Technology

iabetes is a common condition that causes the level of sugar in the blood to become too high as the body is unable to process sugar in the diet. Individuals with this condition are either not able to make any insulin (type 1) or cannot make enough insulin or the insulin it does make is unable to work properly (type 2). Insulin is the hormone which processes sugar in the diet, meaning this cannot be controlled and blood glucose levels keep rising and can lead to a condition called hyperglycaemia. Whilst this is a lifelong condition, affected individuals are able to keep their condition under control by taking measured amounts of artificial insulin. This builds on the work of key chemist Dorothy Hodegkin who was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for solving the anatomic structure of molecules using X-ray crystallography. Dorothy Hodegkin (born in 1910) was always interested in chemistry and was accepted to study it at the University of Oxford in 1928. During this course she used X-r ay crystallography which is used to determine the anatomic structure of a crystal by shining X-rays onto different points of the molecule and using the diffractions of the rays which bounce off to calculate its structure. After graduating she went on to establish an X-ray laboratory at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, where she began her work on insulin. This was always her focus but in 1939 it was put to one side when she was asked by her colleagues at Oxford to determine the structure of penicillin. Over the course of the following 6 years she completed this task and had described the arrangement of the atoms in the molecule in 3D. Hodgkin recognised this research as a vital war effort to enable antibiotics to become more efficient. This was revolutionary at the time as the largest molecule to ever be determined using this technique and led to Hodgekin being elected to the Royal Society in 1947. In the mid 1950s Hodgekin discovered the structure of vitamin B12, which led to her winning the Nobel Prize in 1964. She was then made a member of the Order of Merit, Britain’s highest honor for achievement in science, the arts and public life. She continued working on insulin, which required more ad-

Dorothy Hodgekin facts: Margaret Thatcher was one of her students when she was teaching at Oxford University . It took 34 years from her starting work on insulin to finding its structure She was the Chancellor for the University of Bristol from 1970-1988 She married Thomas Hodgekin and have three sons and three grandchildren together

Hope for diabetics: Currently diabetics have to monitor blood glucose and inject themselves with insulin but this research may make that a thing of the past. Source: Jack Sem (via Flickr) vanced techniques in order to deduce its structure, but was able to complete this goal in 1969 when she and a team of researchers revealed insulin’s structure. Despite this glowing portfoShe radiated love: for chemistry, her family, her friends, her students, her crystals and her college… Her love was combined with a brilliant mind and an iron will to success, regardless of her frail and later severely crippled body. There was magic about her person.” Max Perutz

Collaborator with Hodegkin

lio, Hodegkin overcame her own challenges being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis aged 28. Describing the initial symptoms of her condition she said: “I found I had great difficulty and pain in getting up and dressing. Every joint in my body seemed to be affected”. This pain continued to the point where she was forced to wear slippers as her ankles were so swollen. Despite this pain and difficulty moving she continued her work which required meticulous movements, even having her laboratory modified to enable her to continue her work. Hodgkin was dedicated to the pursuit of research and her work is still used by researchers today. At her memorial service, her long-time collaborator and colleague, Max Perutz said of her: “She radiated love: for chemistry,

her family, her friends, her students, her crystals and her college… Her love was combined with a brilliant mind and an iron will to success, regardless of her frail and later severely crippled body. There was magic about her person”. There is currently no cure for type 1 diabetes and most patients manage by calculating the amount of sugar consumed and injecting the required dose of insulin into their bodies. Research is ongoing to try and make this process less invasive of patients and one such effort is the use of glucose-responsive insulin which is able to turn on when it’s needed and turn off when it’s not, allowing patients to take a daily pill that could adapt to their needs. Whilst this may sound like the stuff of science fiction, research for this is ongoing. It is hoped that when blood glucose levels are low, a binding element prevents the insulin from working. As glucose levels rise, the binding element is degraded, freeing insulin to work and lower glucose levels to normal. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), a type 1 diabetes charity and funder of diabetes research, is currently investigating this idea by funding nine projects across the world which are all working towards this goal. One of these projects is based in the UK, at the University of Birmingham, where they are developing the capsule material for the insulin to go in. The project is described by JDRF as “a bit like a bath bomb in water, (that) would break up in the presence of high glucose levels, releasing the pockets of insulin”.

Explaining the challenges of the project, Lead Researcher Dr John Fossey, said: “Glucose is one of many sugars. It’s very easy to make a molecule that recognises any sugar, but very difficult to make one that can differentiate between two different types of sugar, such as glucose and fructose”. Fossey continued: “The next big challenge for our team… is to exploit the glucose sensitivity we have discovered and take the glucose sensing technology to the next level in terms of insulin delivery. It’s perhaps ten years away, but we hope our work will translate to clinical use to manage insulin levels for people with diabetes, particularly children”. The possibility of smart insulin could not be achieved without the basic structure provided to us by Hodgekin and her team. It is due to her “determination” and “iron will” in the face of adversity that we are able to make the advances that we can see happening today. The next big challenge for our team… is to exploit the glucose sensitivity we have discovered and take the glucose sensing technology to the next level in terms of insulin delivery. It’s perhaps ten years away, but we hope our work will translate to clinical use to manage insulin levels for people with diabetes

Dr John Fossey Professor Synthetic Chemistry, University of Birmingham

Hodgekin’s meetings in 1946 with various countries led to the foundation of the International Union of Crystallography Hodegkin was born in Cairo and was brought up in Sudan before coming to England as a child She remains the only British woman scientist to have won a Nobel prize She was also active in various political causes, most notably the Pugwash campaign against nuclear weapons on whose behalf she travelled all over the world She was the first woman to receive maternity pay at Oxford University She was nominated for a Nobel prize 8 times for physics and 24 times for chemistry between 1950 and 1964

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World’s fastest seated zipline comes to South Wales YOUR Former Welsh coal mine becomes outdoor adventure location under regeneration @CAERDYDD DESK Z Fflur Trevor

@Caerdydd Editor

Natalie Graham

Fflur Trevor caerdydd@gairrhydd.com

ip World has launched the world’s fastest seated zipline in Rhigos, South Wales. It is the first to be situated in South Wales, located in the Rhigos mountain range that overlooks beautiful Welsh landscapes including the Brecon Beacons. The zipline will be in Tower Colliery, a former coal mine. The new Zip World Tower is the result of transformation of the Tower Colliery coal mine into a spectacular adventure location. Prior to its closure in 2008, it was the oldest continuously working deep coal mine in the UK. Since its closure, the colliery was in dire condition, but hopes were lifted when in 2019 planes were approved for the site to become a site for Zip World. The aim was to create an outdoor adventure location to preserve the site’s mining heritage and legacy. Sean Taylor, who founded the company Zip World said, “From slate caverns to quarry carting, Wales is home to some of the world’s best outdoor adventure destinations. “It’s been a challenging time for the tourism sector over the past year but with the opening of Zip World Tower, we feel like it will only go from strength to strength.”

It is officially the worlds fastest seated zipline, which can get speeds of up to 70mph, with 4 parallel lines in two separate zip zones. The new zipline, fittingly named Phoenix, was given its name to symbolised the resurrection of the site rising from the ashes. Sean Taylor commented, “We have proven experience of preserving and regenerating iconic sites and as a passionate Welshman, I couldn’t think of a better location than the South Wales Valleys to create a new legacy and grow our brand outside of North Wales for the first time. “We’ve been overjoyed with the amazing reception from the local community and businesses, who we can’t thank enough for their continuing support. We feel at home already.” Former coal miners Anthony Green and Jason Donovan were the first to ride the new zip line. Anthony Green commented, “I’ll be there on the opening day as I did a zip wire in Costa Rica last year and can’t wait to see how the Phoenix lives up to that… “I have some wonderful memories of the Tower Colliery. Starting as a mining craft apprentice in 1981” The Zip World Tower opened in the Rhigos Mountains on April 22 and is expected to be a tourist hotspot as COVID-19 restrictions ease. As well as a tourism boost for

South Wales, the company hopes it will create new jobs for people within the region and predict 100,000 visitors in the first year of its operation. Tyronne O’Sullivan, the Tower Colliery Chairman said: “It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to usher in a new chapter in the Tower story, in a way that captures

the industrial history of the site and gives the local community a boost too. “We were really impressed with how Zip World reinvented a slate quarry into a thriving tourist attraction at the Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales and couldn’t think of a better way to sustain the legacy of this iconic site.”

Tower Colliery: Built in the Rhigos Mountains, the Tower Colliery Zip World zipline is the world’s fastest seated zipline. Source: FruitMonkey (via Wikimedia Commons)

Outdoor No Ice Caps No Cardiff: The Welsh Climate Emergency climate change and its impact on Hospitality re- Natalie Graham the public, has released a study inHead of @Caerdydd dicating Newport and Gwent could opens in Wales also be underwater by 2050. Climate ou may have noticed whilst Central however has admitted the Natalie Graham

Head of @Caerdydd

e have emerged tentatively from a harsh winter of Lockdown, somewhat Vitamin D deficient and craving social contact. Although there lies ahead an uncertain period of international travel and vaccine passports, outdoor hospitality is back! Demand for hospitality has been high, leaving few reservation availabilities. Gair Rhydd has found the best bars, pubs and restaurants in Cardiff still taking walk ins. A Cardiff staple, Juno Lounge located on Wellfield Road has reopened. The rooftop terrace is the ideal suntrap for food or drinks. The restaurant is only offering walk-ins so there is no need to worry about booking. Juno Lounge is open from 9am-10pm daily. Corporation Yard hidden behind The Corporation pub in Canton has become a hidden gem of Cardiff. The Yard is full of independent local traders offering alfresco dining, including street food, coffee, craft beer and cocktails. Corporation Yard is also home to Indie Superstore market every weekend, offering vintage clothes, records and arts and crafts. The Street Food Market is open Thursday to Sunday 4pm10:30pm. Depot is back with a large outdoor space clad with colourful bunting and umbrellas. Street Food Social begins starts again from this week, which encompasses seven of South Wales best independent street food vendors. Events will be held in 3 hour sessions.

walking around the City the subtle appearance of art clad walls. From a distance the ocean scenes are reminiscent of seaside holidays and childhood trips to the aquarium. However the message is far more foreboding. Over the last week, 9 murals created by Extinction Rebellion Cardiff Arts have appeared around Cardiff. Strategically painted in areas that they claim ‘in the best case scenario with the Government doing their most will be flooded from 2030’. These areas include; Butetown, Grangetown, Riverside, and Canton. Current and future generations could experience profound geophysical changes to the Cardiff we know today, putting integral parts of Welsh culture and infrastructure at risk. Demanding society to react decisively. An article written for ‘AFALLEN’ suggests that although flooding and wildfires pose a distinct threat to Welsh communities, it is in fact coastal flooding intensified by rising sea levels that will deal the fatal blow. Data published October 2019, in ‘Nature Communications’ convey in graphic detail the future of Welsh coastal cities, and the need for its serious consideration by the Welsh government, local government and communities. It is predicted that by 2050 a vast majority of Cardiff ’s urban area could fall victim to annual coastal flooding. Cultural staples such as Cardiff Castle, the National Assembly, Sophia Gardens, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama are all at risk. The Bay and areas of West Cardiff which include Bute Park, as well as areas of East Cardiff such as Roath could face a potential flooding crisis. Even those who are

Extinction Rebellion: An Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Cardiff in 2019. Source: Haydn Blackey (via Flickr) nestled in the safety of landlocked areas will be effected by secondary problems. Nationally important infrastructure such as electricity substations, rail and road infrastructure are at risk. Next to Extinction Rebellion’s vibrant paintings of coral reef adorned sea beds is a hard hitting message, ‘Cardiff is the 6th most at risk city in the world from ocean based flooding’. This ranking comes as part of a study by Nestpick funded research, Cardiff is one of only two European cities in the top ten most at risk cities from global warming. Climate Central have claimed by 2050 sea-level rises will mean areas currently home to 300 million people will on average flood once a year, previous estimates had put that figure at about 80 million. Omer Kucukdere, CEO at Nestpick was quoted in Wales Online stating, “Governments need to be aware of potential changes coming so that they can mitigate damage. Proper funding into infrastructure and safeguarding would help to ensure that these cities stay ahead of climate-related problems, and ensure the livelihood of these urban

centres for future generations.” A Cardiff Council spokesman responded; “Residents can be reassured that Cardiff Council is currently working with Welsh Government to reinforce its coastal defences so they are able to deal with predicted rises in sea levels caused by the climate emergency…The city is built around three rivers which flow into the second-highest tidal estuary in the world. It has always been at risk of flooding and our civil contingencies risk register recognises it as the main risk to the city. That’s why it’s absolutely critical that any new flood defences are designed to offset any rise in sea levels. Climate change and its effects carry a serious threat to people across the globe, which is why this council and Welsh Government declared a Climate Emergency last year. The council is currently developing a one planet policy to help tackle climate change with the aim of making our city carbon neutral in the future”. Cardiff is not the only area of South Wales at risk. Climate Central, an NGO of consisting of leading scientists and journalists, researching

predictions include ‘some error’. It says: “These maps incorporate big datasets, which always include some error. These maps should be regarded as screening tools to identify places that may require deeper investigation of risk…These maps incorporate big datasets, which always include some error. These maps should be regarded as screening tools to identify places that may require deeper investigation of risk… global-scale datasets for elevation, tides and coastal flood likelihoods and imperfect data is used”. As part of the Welsh Governments plans to combat rising sea levels, details have been revealed for a coastal defence scheme which will potentially be built at the mouth of the Rhymney River. This comes as the Severn estuary has eroded parts of the current defences amidst the growing risk of flooding due to climate change. The coastal defence scheme is in the early stages of the planning process however the environmental impact assessment has stated defences are dangerously eroded. JBA consulting have outlined why Cardiff needs a coastal defence scheme in a report, which is part of the request for an environmental impact assessment. Wales Online have quoted the consultants on their verdict; “With sea levels predicted to rise in the future due to climate change, there is a significant risk of a breach in the defences leading to erosion and widespread flooding of critical transport, waste management and energy infrastructure located immediately landward of the defences, and extensive residential and commercial areas in the hinterland”.

Get outside, get active and get mindful this Spring cardiffstudents.com/wellbeing/yourstep

SPORT

YOUR Gair Rhydd’s Olympics preview up on five years since the last Olympic games, we take a look at the best SPORT Coming medal hopes for Team GB and the Welsh athletes that could make the podium DESK Ella Fenwick Sport Editor

Freddie Bennett Sport Editor

W Tom Walker

Freddie Bennett

Ella Fenwick

Ben Lovell-Smith sport@gairrhydd.com

ith less than a hundred days to go, the athletes and fans are on the home straight for the rearranged Tokyo Olympics. After being postponed last year due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the entirety of the sporting world, fans and athletes alike have been put on hold for an extra year for their dose of Olympic sport. Despite the event being hosted a year later, the 2020 branding will continue as the international multisport event is set to run from July 23 to August 8 in Tokyo and showcase the talents of over 11,000 athletes from more than 200 different countries. All 339 medal events will be hosted throughout the capital for the 33 sports, but things might look a little different to how they did before. Officials recently announced that international spectators will not be welcome to attend the event and all teams will adhere to the strict guidelines, with competitors to undergo regular testing and checks but none of this has come as a surprise for the “new” normal. The clock is ticking and with the selection process well underway Team GB are building up their team ready for the road to Tokyo. After winning 67 medals in the Rio 2016 Olympics, Team GB remains motivated to achieve even bigger successes in the upcoming games. The milestones do not stop there for

Japan National Stadium: Source: Arne Müseler (via Wikimedia Commons)

Team GB as for the first time in history they are set to take more female athletes to an Olympics than male athletes as part of the planned 350 athlete team. All this in mind, there is a lot of action to look for in Team GB over the duration of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but here are some of our picks to look forward to.

Events to watch

Team GB have many exciting prospects on the horizon for the games this summer but one sport in particular to watch the team thrive in is swimming. Two-time world champion, world record holder and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist, Adam Peaty is definitely a talent to be looking out for at the poolside this Olympics. Not just in the freestyle 100m event but alongside the Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay where the team secured their Olympic place after winning gold in the 2019 World Aquatics Championships. The team includes double silver Olympic medallist Duncan Scott and world medallists James Wilby and Luke Greenbank who will be hoping to make their mark at their Olympic debut. With this sheer amount of talent in one team they can only hope but find themselves at the top spot of the podium this summer. This year there will be some new and very niche events making their debut onto the Olympic scene. One athlete on Team GB to look out for in particular is Shauna Coxsey. Titled as Britain’s most successful climber it will be exciting to see what the twotime bouldering World Cup winner will bring to the table in the new sport climbing event. Dynamic duo Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre will be ones to look out for in the sailing at the Women’s 470. With two gold medals from the previous Olympics and a silver from 2012 under her belt, Mills is on her way to becoming the most successful female Olympic sailor of all time. McIntyre will be making her debut at the games in the upcoming months, but will not be shy to rise up to the challenge. The pair have already claimed silver in the 2017 470 World Championships and the top prize at the 2019 Hempel World Cup series, so it is clear to see that these two will not be ones to disappoint. A whole new generation remains hopeful to get their spot on Team GB

Third times a charm: Jade Jones will be looking to add a third gold medal in this years games. Source: Andy Miah (via Flickr)

to prove their talents at Tokyo. One to keep an eye out for is Amy Hunt in the Women’s 200m sprint after she broke both the U18s and U20s record last year. This reigning European Junior champion is waiting on the opportunity to make her debut. An old favourite who we will hopefully see running on our screens again is four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah as he begins his quest to bring home another medal from the Tokyo Games. After Farah won Djbouti half marathon with a time of 63:07:04 in early March, it is safe to say that Farah will not be bringing anything else but his A game to Team GB.

Welsh athletes to watch

After finishing with 10 medals, their highest medal haul, at Rio 2016, Team GB’s Welsh athletes will be looking to bring home more Gold, Silver and Bronze. As the countdown commences to Tokyo 2021, here is a rundown of the key Welsh names to look out for in Team GB. No list of successful Welsh athletes can be made without giving mention to Taekwondo star Jade Jones. After winning gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016, she is an athlete who needs no introduction. She could break history in Tokyo by being the first British woman to win the top prize at three consecutive games. Another star to look out for this year is veteran cyclist Geraint Thomas. The welsh cycling legend has previously earned the gold medal at Beijing 2008 as well as in London 2012 in the team pursuit event. Since this early success he has

moved to road cycling and won the Tour de France three years ago. This year he could be back for Team GB and will be hoping to earn more Olympic success in Tokyo. In the Boxing, Lauren Price is the one to watch for Team GB’s Welsh athletes. This country’s first female boxing world champion and former footballer for Wales is currently the world number one and will be hoping to bring home the gold medal in her first games this year. If she can get past the qualifying event in June this exciting boxing star could be set for big things in Tokyo. There are some exciting new prospects rising through the ranks of Welsh athletes who could become Olympians this year. Eighteen year old swimmer Matt Richards will be looking for medals this year. He has recently proved himself on the senior scene by competing in the International Swimming League in Budapest in November 2020. Another exciting talent in Taekwondo is twenty one year-old Lauren Williams who will be looking to add more medals to her current European championship crown. This year’s games look set to be an exciting event for the Welsh athletes in Team GB. With plenty of talent across all manner of events these athletes will be hoping to succeed and bring back plenty of medals. Having reached the ten medal mark in the last Olympic games, there is every possibility that these exciting prospects could bring home many more.

The Gair Rhydd Sport team details the Olympic events they are most looking forward Ben Lovell-Smith Sport Editor

fter the cancellation of the 2019-2020 World Sevens series due to the coronavirus pandemic, the outrageous skill and speed of the players within the seven a side code have been severely lacking from the YouTube and Instagram feeds in which they so belong. I am therefore most looking forward to the resumption of rugby sevens competition at the Olympics in July. With the Lions tour taking place within the same month, and the comparable Team GB sevens team competing in Tokyo, July will be a feast of synthesized home nations rugby teams competing at the same time!

Tom Walker

Freddie Bennett

Head of Sport

Sport Editor

he event I am most looking forward to in this year’s Tokyo Games is the gymnastics. This is not a sport I know a great deal about but the grace and elegance of the incredible feats of athleticism always draw me in. The Olympics is a great way to become interested in different sports and I will certainly be watching the gymnastics this year. Later this month sees the European Gymnastics championship in Basel and hopefully Team GB’s big names such as Max Whitlock MBE and Alice Kinsella can bring home some medals before heading out to Tokyo.

N “Handball!!” Source: Tom Page (via Wikimedia Commons)

othing depicts the Olympics more to me personally than scrolling through the BBC red button feature looking for the most obscure sport on their vast lists of events. However, one I have found hard to pip is that of Handball. It is truly an enthrilling and fascinaitng sport and one I have never, and honestly probably will never, explore outside of the Olympic cycle, but all the same enjoy it endlessy. Growing up watching football makes the sheer concept rather confusing to me, but rarely do I find myself looking up the rules because well, why ruin the suprise? Handball season is here!

Ella Fenwick Sport Editor

fter following the journey of lots of the new fresh talent displayed by the Team GB boxers, it is safe to say that I am most looking forward to seeing their successes at the Tokyo Games. With the women’s boxing industry booming, it will be exciting to see lots of the female athletes finally achieve their dream of debuting at the olympics. Currently sitting at number one and about to make her Olympic debut is Lauren Price, I personally think it would be great to see her get on the podium and finally add an Olympic medal to her collection.

CHWARAEON

Gair Rhydd’s Euro 2020 preview

We analyse how the home nations may shape up and look at some key players to watch Tom Walker

Head of Sport

Adam Brown Sport Editor

he idea of playing the European Championships in different countries across the continent seemed, and still does, like an interesting variation on the existing format that often places huge economic burdens on those hosting, and although provides the opportunity to reap the benefits of the thriving footballing traveling industry, quite regularly leaves those less affluent countries worse off. But as we find ourselves slowly but unsurely navigating the way out of a devastating pandemic, the thought of hosting the upcoming festival of football in a sole location seems like the sensible thing to do, leaving the country hopping format for a time whereby all those involved can experience it fully. However, UEFA have decided to press on with their original idea regardless, with a few host venues announcing the possibility of hosting small numbers of fans in their stadiums, including London, where the final and semi-finals are set to take place. The Euros does not quite encapsulate the excitement and vibrance of the World Cup, but as we reach almost three years from the last international tournament and have had our international quota fulfilled by the Nations League, it is most certainly welcomed. For our final issue of the year, we give you our, albeit premature, Euro 2020 preview, by first exploring the home nations and exploring some players to keep an eye on throughout.

Wales

It is hard to fathom that it is coming up on five years that Wales took the 2016 Euros by storm, going all the way to the semi-finals of the tournament, only to be beaten by eventual champions Portugal. Many of the same group will undoubtably be in this coming squad, headed by Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey who will both need to produce similar performances for Wales to reach comparable heights. The weight on their back may not be as heavy, with the likes of Dan James, Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson emerging to lift some of the pressure on the attacking front. Defensively the team looks in good

shape too, only conceding seven goals in their last 11 matches. Three at the back has been the most common formation rolled out by Wales, with Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham and James Lawrence making up the backline in the most recent World Cup qualifiers. However, you would expect Ben Davies and the experience he provides to be a shoe in on the left of the three, with potentially Ethan Ampadu dropping in as the central option if the plan is to control possession a bit more. Central midfield is where Wales are lacking the most, especially as Ramsey is better utilised further up the pitch. What remains of Joe Allen after several injuries could be an option, so too will Joe Morrel and the previously mentioned Ampadu. It is certainly Wales’ weakest link which is by no means an insult as Ampadu and Morrel certainly possess plenty of quality, but as we saw against Belgium just will not be enough against those bigger nations. Wales begin their campaign against Switzerland, followed by Turkey and then a final group stage match to come against Italy. Italy often fluctuates between international tournaments and unfortunately for Wales, the Azzurri currently find themselves on an upward trajectory under Roberto Mancini. Switzerland will go into the tournament off some impressive performances against Europe’s elite in the most recent Nations League, but along with Turkey, will be seen as beatable by this Wales side.

England

The 2018 World Cup will forever leave lasting memories on those supporting the team in much the same way Wales fans will remember 2016. It was a special time for English football, and probably a much needed one after repeated cycles of hope and disappointment that fans had been so accustomed to.

Eyes on the prize Source: Marco Verch Photography (via Flickr) Where maybe expectations were at the lowest heading into an international tournament in 2018, they look to be back to their notoriously lofty heights this time around. With the current pool of English talent seemingly endless, Manager Gareth Southgate will be subject to some serious selection headaches prior to their first game against Croatia on June 13. Phill Foden, Mason Mount, Bukayo Saka and James Maddison have been fabulous so far this season, but realistically there will not be space for all of them in the squad. Similarly, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, and following a remarkable resurgence, Jesse Lingard, will all be in consideration for those coveted attacking positions in the starting 11. The team certainly has the quality to go far this time around, and this squad certainly seems more of a cohesive unit compared to the England sides of yesteryear. However, if the Three Lions are to top their group, a last-16 opponent of Portugal, Germany, France would await: a far from ideal route to the Wembley finale. Attempts to invalidate England’s World Cup run were based on the fact they did not beat anyone of pedigree, but a triumphal campaign in this year’s Euros would put all those arguments to rest and solidify them as one of the world’s best.

Players to watch:

Stardom Source: Sandro Halank (via Flickr)

As the season progresses, more and more players are beginning to stand out, increasing the likelihood of providing major impacts for their country come Euros kick off. Here are my list of players to watch out for this summer.

Kylian Mbappé

With great confidence, I believe Mbappé is once again going to be of great service to France during these European Championships. Mbappé presented his extraordinary talent at the World Cup in Russia back in 2018 at only the raw age of 19. Since then, Mbappé has not stopped progressing since then, claiming domestic silverware for his club Paris-Saint Germian, and almost clinching the Champions League trophy last year. Mbappé is currently displaying a great season for PSG, racking up 33 goals and 10 assists in just 40 games at the time of writing, with that only to go up as the season draws to a close. I can speak with strong belief that Kylian Mbappé will carry this great run of form onto the European stage this summer and take France deep into the competition.

Rúben Dias

Another player on my radar is Portuguese and Manchester City defender Rúben Dias. Dias hit the ground running when he joined the Manchester giants in the summer of 2020. His impact is reflected in City’s impressive goals against record, with the team only conceding 23 goals in the league at the time of writing. He has given the much-needed anchor to City’s defence after the departure of club legend Vincent Kompany. Not only has he displayed incredible individual performances, but he has also brought out the best in teammates, in particular defensive partner John Stones. Dias will undoubtedly make up an integral part of this strong Portugal team as they look to retain their crown.

With just over a month to go, the team gives their predictions for who will win Tom Walker

Head of Sport

n what could be their last international game with Cristano Ronaldo, Portugal have amassed the strongest squad the 36-year-old has ever played with. Bernado Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix can help carry the attacking load with CR7, whilst Fernando Santos will ensure the team maintains a disciplined backline. Navigating their way out of the group of death will be an accomplishment, and a route to the final cannot get much tougher than Group F companions Germany and France. A Portugal victory would make it back-toback European titles, the only team to do so other than Spain.

Dominic Williams

Adam Brown

News Editor

Sport Editor

ue to such a strong, wellrounded array of players, I believe France will come out on top in the upcoming European Championships. As displayed in the World Cup back in 2018, France put on a ruthless display produced by incredible talent. From goalkeeper, all the way up to the strikers, I am sure France will arrive this summer fully loaded. Players including Presnel Kimpembe and Raphaël Varane provide incredible strength and depth in the defence, floods of creation in midfield with players such as Paul Pogba, and finally the lighting quick Kylian Mbappé. The options for France are endless.

CR7 Source: Анна Нэсси (via Wikimedia Commons)

t’s a real possibility that England will win the Euros this summer, with the squad potentially being better than the one that reached the World Cup semifinal. This season, John Stones has had a career revival, putting him back in contention with likes of Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker. Mason Mount, Declan Rice, Phill Foden, and Bukayo Saka, for example, have all had strong individual seasons and will hopefully help England win the 2021 Euros. During the group stage, England should seek vengeance on Croatia, and if all goes well, Harry Kane will be lifting the trophy in July.

Lions Watch

he ‘greatest touring rugby team in the world’ will jet off to South Africa this summer as a British and Irish Lions squad look to repeat the glory of 1997 and defeat the world champion Springboks on home soil. With the Six Nations long gone now and domestic competitions reaching their conclusions, players are running out of opportunities to make an impression on Lions coach Warren Gatland ahead of the squad announcement on May 6th. The first match is to take place on 26th June against Japan at Murrayfield, before flying to South Africa, with the first test against the Springboks kicking off on 24th July. Gatland’s coaching lineup will be: Gregor Townsend, Robin McBryde, Steve Tandy and Neil Jenkins. A lineup which very much reflects the trends of success within the latest Six Nations Championship, however each coach’s position is merited. Townsend’s Scotland team were not far away from their highest tournament finish in years, a result which was undoubtedly formed by the synergy between Tandy and Townsend as coaches. Both Townsend and Jenkins bring experience of winning as players in South Africa in 1997 and will look to impart similar success onto the squad. Jenkins worked successfully with Gatland and McBryde over 13 years within the Wales setup, winning three Grand Slams (2008, 2012 and 2019) and a Six Nations Championship (2013). For these coaches to deliver a tour victory it would be all the more remarkable given the circumstances. Just 36 players can be selected for the squad, due to coronavirus requirements, 5 less than on the previous tour. With just one less fixture scheduled than 2017, all test matches taking place at altitude, and the fact that South African opposition are regarded as some of the most abrasive opponents in world rugby, extra emphasis will be placed on injury and fatigue throughout the tour. It is therefore likely that the 36 selected will not be the only figures to don the red jersey this summer. There is also the complication of the dispute between the Lions and the English based players representatives Premier Rugby Limited about when English based players, including the likes of Dan Biggar and Stuart Hogg, will be released to join up with the touring party. The Premiership Final is scheduled to take place on 26th June, the same date as the match against Japan. The fact that it is to go ahead has not always been a foregone conclusion, due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, and there is still some doubt about where it will be held. Players who took part in the Six Nations expressed the difficulties they faced within the ‘bubbles’ which they had to endure in order to compete safely and it is likely that the touring party will experience similar conditions. But so will South Africa, the Springboks have not played together since the Rugby World Cup Final in November 2019, and a number of their key players also play in the Gallagher Premiership. They will be as much of an unknown quantity as the Lions XV will be on matchday. Clearly the circumstances make this a totally unprecedented Lions Tour, but this does not make it any less exciting. As former Lions forwards coach Jim Telfer said before the first test in 1997, playing for the Lions is the Everest of rugby. A select few will get the chance to reach Everest this summer, and it will once again take place against the world champion Springboks.

Reporting by Ben Lovell-Smith

SPORT

CCFC Column European Super League: Can football recover?

hen I last wrote here, Cardiff were well in the midst of the infamously cliché, but seemingly accurate, ‘new manager bounce’, with a playoff spot well on the cards after an impressive run of results. However, the Bluebirds have been dragged down to reality through the following months, leaving them way off the points total needed to be in the playoff spaces. As the Championship season draws to a close, Cardiff will miss the chance to right the wrongs of last year’s playoff disappointment. Mick McCarthy’s men only have themselves to blame however, only picking up two wins in the whole of March and April. In that 11-game span, there have been some particularly concerning results and performances, with the 5-0 loss against relegation threatened Sheffield Wednesday. “It was a humbling experience, that’s for sure.” McCarthy said post game. “They were considerably better than us... It was the worst performance since I have been here, and I would imagine it was the best Sheffield Wednesday performance all season. The loss brought about something of a reaction, albeit in an uninspiring manor, that included three draws and a win against bottom of the table Wycombe Wanderers. Kieffer Moore has been one gleaming light in a rather bleak period and season in general for the club. The Welshman has proved to be an absolute steal, with his 20 league goals accounting for 33% of the teams collective goals and putting him fourth on the Championships top scorers list. “He’s been terrific. When he has not scored, he’s been on the pitch nearly every minute of every game, so the shift he puts in every week is amazing.” His boss said on Moore’s season. “He knows we haven’t got a direct replacement; he’s going to play all the games. But he does not take his foot off the gas, he keeps going.” The 28-year-old heads into this summer’s European Championships on hot form and one coach Rob Page will be hoping he can replicate, and maybe even better playing alongside more established talent like Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale. The game against Wycombe also featured something of a rarity for Cardiff fans with the inclusion of 18-year-old Rubin Colwill in the starting line-up. “It’s lovely to be able to bring him in, especially when they’re as talented, gifted and capable as he is.” Said McCarthy on Colwill. “I thought he had a very, very good debut and started the game really well. There’s things he can improve on, but he’ll be a squad member next season.” This must be somewhat refreshing for the Cardiff faithful who have been starved of seeing academy talent during the Neil Harris and Neil Warnock eras. Although the game from Cardiff’s perspective meant very little, coming up against a team fighting for their lives would have been a great experience for Colwill, and will undoubtedly make him a little wiser heading into the next campaign. This year will have been a bitter pill to swallow for many involved with the club, especially the fans. Coming into the season following a great 2019/20 play-offs display, expectations were high for the 2020-21 season. Unfortunately it has not worked out as all parties would have hoped. At times the football has been incredibly tedious, and despite a few bright periods, overall has left much to be desired.

Reporting by Tom Walker

For now, the dust seems to have settled on the European Super League, so with that in mind we explore how the concept came to be and why it warranted the reaction it recieved Adam Brown Sport Editor

n Sunday, April 18 an announcement was made that would shake the world of football like it had never been before. Conversation arose that there was going to be a brand-new Super League formed with involvement from the most “competitive” clubs around Europe. There were a total of six English Premier League sides that had initial involvement this included Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. There was also going to be involvement from teams competing in leagues around Europe including Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona from the La Liga. Italian clubs including Juventus and the pairing on Milan sides were also said to be getting involved. There were prompt announcements that no German side would have any involvement within the Super League. Real Madrid President, Florentino Pérez was appointed as the first chairman of the organisation and insinuated that this fanatical league would help football in achieving great things , and even stated that the organisation was born “to save football”. There was also involvement from the likes of Juventus Chairman, Andrea Agnelli, who was a “chief architect” within the movement of the European Super League. Uproar was generated from the likes of Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, both of whom played for Manchester United and Liverpool sides who they had spent a huge portion of their career with, building a legacy and history of the club. The idea of the Super League and its purely financial motives that would destroy the game they

have loved their entire lives hit a very sensitive nerve in the pair. Neville quickly displayed his outrage on a heated live interview later on that Sunday evening. “I’m absolutely disgusted”, Neville said. Especially referring to the two English powerhouse sides, Liverpool and Manchester, quickly interlinking the irony of Liverpool’s famous saying, ‘You’ll never walk alone”, which looked like that’s exactly what the club was doing to its passionate and loyal fans. Neville continued, “It’s pure greed, they’re imposters”. Could be said to have been a bit of a fiery shot at the “Big 6” owners, insinuating that the owners only see these legendary clubs as easy meal tickets, and have no interest in the roots and history of football, past and present. The following fixtures that were scheduled within 48 hours of the infuriating announcement took quite the turn as fans began to queue up to protest and vent outside of stadiums, making a stance of how they felt about the matter. Chelsea’s home fixture against Brighton was bombarded by fans at the entrance of the stadium making it near impossible for players to arrive on time for the game. Within four days, all six premier league sides had withdrawn from the European Super League. Shortly followed by clubs whose owners were involved giving what radiated a halfhearted excuse of an apology and continued to act oblivious to what they had agreed to do with the clubs that are loved and followed by so many. Fans found these statements and apologies rather transparent and are currently still pledging their beliefs that a change is well overdue for those in higher power of the mentioned Premier League clubs. A question most wanted answered,

Masterminds: Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez, was set to be chairman of the new league Source: Marc (via Flickr) was that if this league were to go ahead, what would happen to football? Would there be consequences to those involved? There was a sharp reaction when the news broke, with sanctions being actively put in place to possibly “expel” clubs from the current league campaigns. Even suspend or axe the Champions League fixtures and further stop players who represent the indicated clubs to play for their national country in upcoming events such as the European Championships and World Cup. Looking at the other half of football, there would be large effects on those smaller sides who were not allied with the Super League. There would be less money coming into the clubs due to the lack of “big names” in the premier league, playing at their stadiums. There would be less competition and excitement, as everyone loves to see the underdog challenge the giants, and

on occasion come away with a victory. Not all the clubs that were initially involved in the Super League are competitive. If it is factored around recent success, as we are living in the now, then aren’t the likes of Leicester City worthy of a mention. This whole saga leaves the world of football turned on its head. The idea of a make-believe league where there is endless money involved by completely discarding large footballing occasions where two huge sides will meet once a year if us fans are lucky. No competition, no relegation, no pressure, no consequence. Fans are still filled with rage, eager for change. They want owners with self-centred intentions out of the game for good. A strong quantity has lost trust in their beloved club, where legacy is damaged. Question is, can that trust and legacy be rebuilt?

New look cricket County Championship season gets underway

The Oval: Home ground of Surrey. Source: John Sutton (via. Geograph).

Freddie Bennett Sport Editor

s county cricket returns to the field, we take a look at how the teams are getting on in this new look county cricket championship. Warwickshire are looking strong in group one while Hampshire and Lancashire look solid in groups two and three. This year’s tweaked County Championship structure sees the teams split

into three groups of six with results taken from last year’s Bob Willis Trophy and 2019 County Championship results determining which group each team is placed. While the divisions were regionally based last year due to the pandemic, this year things are once again a little different. Within the groups each side plays each other twice for a total of ten matches. This will come to a head in late September when two teams will battle it out for the Bob Willis

Trophy. Though Nottinghamshire are placed bottom of group one after zero wins, their promising young batsman Haseeb Hameed is looking strong after scoring two centuries in a nail-biting draw against Worcestershire. For any England cricket fans out there, this is a promising sign as Hameed is an exciting prospect who could push for selection once more. Elsewhere in division one, England World cup winner Mark Wood is set to make his return for county side Durham in the four-day game for the first time in three years. With Wood pushing for test selection, this is a great opportunity for him to pick up some wickets before the home test summer. In group two Hampshire have got off to a solid start to this season’s County Championship. But after a tense draw against Gloucestershire with Josh Shaw and Dominic Goodman hanging on to save the game for Gloucestershire in game three, there is competition at the top of the second division table. The Bristol based side will be hoping to track down Hampshire and get through to the first division after this promising start with two wins . Elsewhere in the group, things have not got off to a great start for Surrey. With their star- studded lineup including England internationals Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes as

well as Sam and Tom Curran, one expects they will bounce back at some stage. The top end of group three is a tense affair with Lancashire and Yorkshire in the running. In game three for Lancashire, young legspinner Matt Parkinson gave the England selectors something to think about after he spun his side to an innings victory against Kent. With England not set on their current spin attack, Parkinson will definitely be asking questions of selectors, especially with his unorthodox wrist spin style which we do not get to see too much of in England. Meanwhile at the bottom end of the table, Glamorgan are yet to pick up a win. However, with Australia international Marnus Labuschagne making his return things could be looking up for the side from Sophia Gardens. Having joined the side in 2019, Labuschagne has got an average of over 65 in the County Championship. This is the sort of batting Glamorgan need to get themselves out of trouble in group three. In all it looks like the County Cricket championship has got off to a very positive start with some great cricket and tense endings being frequent across the divisions. Hopefully this can continue into the summer as more county games go the distance with a range of county and international pros on show.

CHWARAEON 31 How a new style of documentary revived the sports genre Team Talk Why has this new fly-on-the-wall format of sports documentary propelled them into a golden age

Plenty more dances I am afraid Mike: Documentaries like The Last Dance will undoubtedly continue to plant themselves onto our streaming sites. Source: Mccarmona23 (via Flickr)

Dominic Williams News Editor

ithin the past few years, a new breed of sports documentaries has sprung up among streaming platforms everywhere that has been able to capture the public’s attention like the genre never has before. Drive to Survive, Last Chance U, The Last Dance and the All or Nothing series following sports like Formula One, basketball, and American football, as well as following the journey of many different college athletes. A main factor in these documentaries have been the access that streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and HBO has led to an insight

into some of the most competitive sports in the world and pulled the curtain back in many instances. The documentary The Last Dance follows Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls as they prepared to challenge for their sixth NBA championship in eight seasons in 1997-98. The Last Dance is split into 10 episodes and provides the audience with previous context around Bulls teams of the past and the iconic Michael Jordan with each episode focusing on a certain part of his journey. The narrative structure of the documentary makes it a great watch for die hard NBA fans as well as novices to the sport. It was released over the course of the first lockdown here in the UK where in general people’s use of streaming services skyrocketed and for many was a welcome diver-

sion during the pandemic. Not only this but, major league teams, such as the Chicago Bulls, have decades of game and behindthe-scenes video, some of which hasn’t been seen since the day of the match. The archive is a massive and untapped resource, peppered with unseen glimpses of off-guard moments, confrontations, and celebrations. It provides the ideal opportunity for clubs, leagues, and colleges to bolster their brand and promote their respective sports. Similarly, the Drive to Survive series which focuses on Formula One is now onto its third season and is another brilliant example of the recent success in this fly on the wall format of the genre. Formula One is one of the most lucrative sports in the world, and Netflix provides the

chance for avid fans to feel even more involved. The Drive to Survive series leans upon exclusive interviews with the drivers themselves, team principles and accredited journalists. Netflix also goes behind the scenes of the driver’s life’s providing never seen access for fans and essentially breaking the fourth wall between the fans and the sport. Amazon Prime have also had success with the ‘All or Nothing’ series with them following teams such as Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund. These are all massive European football clubs with massive fan bases; therefore, it is easy to see why the series is so lucrative. Not only do you have fans of the clubs watching this, but you get a large concentration of football fans to catch a glimpse of the everyday running of the football clubs, a particularly interesting phenomenon given recent instances. Subscription television services have aided in expanding the audience for sports documentaries and stimulating investment in new films. Changes in consumer viewing habits, especially the desire for more episodic content rather than single, feature-length items, have also played a role. Jordan was initially drawn to the concept of The Last Dance because of exactly this. The epic scope of his story could not have been captured in an 80-minute documentary. By splicing it into a series of mini stories, it was able to not only get the star on board, but also deliver the story in a way that all audiences could get attached and invested into. Seeing the success it has on raising the global stock of sports, teams and franchises, others will undoubtedly carry and evolve this trend into the coming years.

Another England victory surfaces a larger issue with women’s rugby Tom Walker

Head of Sport

he women’s Six Nations championship came to a head on Saturday, April 24th, with England taking the crown over France in what ended up being a nervy 10-6 affair at Twickenham Stoop. The 2021 title makes that three Six Nations championships in a row for the Red Roses. “It doesn’t need to be big flamboyant score lines every week.” England captain Emily Scarratt. “The defence was unreal and we had to dig in. I could have made it easier with a couple of penalties in the first half, but I’m really proud of the effort and the desire to not let them over the try line was superb.” It was a scoreless first half up until the very final moments when Poppy Cleall broke away from a scrum to bring England to within metres of the try line, and then picked up the ball and dove over to put England up by seven as they headed into the break. France fly-half Caroline Drouin kicked Les Blues back into contention, but a late penalty from the England skipper put England back in front where they eventually navigated their way to victory. The new format of the women’s tournament gave life to this exciting finish, putting everything on the line heading into finals day. The adjusted format and April window, away from

the men’s tournament, was created due to the pandemic and has raised some questions about the future of the women’s game. Although only set to be a one off, it has highlighted the huge discrepancy between England and France, and then the rest of those in the Six Nations in investment into women’s Test sides. Hosting the Six Nations in the month of April is undoubtedly a positive move. Instead of clashing with the men’s tournament like previous years, it gave the women’s game its own spotlight resulting in greater coverage and more conversation around it. What it does mean however is that each team plays less games than a traditional league format, something detrimental to Wales, Scotland, Italy and Ireland who need as many games as possible. From a commercial point of view, a finals day is logical, having all games spread out across the day with huge game having significance on the standings. But for the development of the teams within it, more test match experience is invaluable and maybe dilutes the tradition and history of playing I the illustrious Six Nations. For the parties taking this forward, it has to be about finding a balance between the two. Under new coach Warren Abrahams, Wales had a Six Nations outing to forget, finishing bottom of Pool B with no wins and a -98 points differential in two games. In their finals day match against Scotland, they put up a better display by scoring 23

Twickenham Stoop: Home of England women’s rugby team, the Red Roses. Source: Alex McGregor (via Wikimedia Commons) points in a narrow five point margin loss to Scotland. It is hard to point the finger at the players and coaching staff for these results, as the majority of players balance Test and club rugby and training with full-time work as they are still considered amateur rugby players. Wales skipper Siwan Lillicrap gave a good insight into the struggles of the current situation: “We’ve got girls travelling from north Wales, north of England, getting home early hours of the morning and getting up for work the next day. That is the life of a Welsh Women’s rugby player.

The WRU has stressed that their aim is to make the women’s game professional at some point in time, and contracts are widely felt to be something which could transform the fortunes of Wales Women, allowing them to participate in training camps prior to tournaments which would undoubtedly raise the quality of the team. The womens game has made strides in the last decade, but its important the game continues to be developed through more funding and compensation for the players who are doing their all to play the game they love.

his week’s Team Talk will be taking a look at Cardiff City Ladies FC. Originally founded in 1975 and previously known as Llanederyn FC after competing in a local charity match this team is anything but shy in rebranding. Changing names and club colours throughout the years, the team eventually affiliated with the professional men’s club at Cardiff City and stuck to it, making them the team we know them as today. Cardiff City Ladies play in the Welsh Premier Women’s Football League (WPWL), after joining for the 2012-13 season, which they won on goal difference after beating Wrexham Ladies 5-2. Beating reigning champions Cardiff Met Ladies with a superior goal difference for the first time 57 points also earning them qualification to the UEFA Women’s Champions League for 2013-14. However the European dream was not quite meant to be as they lost all three matches in the qualifying rounds. Unfortunately, the team had lost their initial spark and they struggled to find their way back to the top of the table. Eventually things began to shift again for the team, comfortably winning third places for the next five seasons in the WPWL. Even though Cardiff City Ladies have not dominated the league in their time of playing in the WPWL, they have been more than capable of doing so in the Welsh Women’s Cup, known as the most successful club to have competed, winning the title a mere 11 times. Last year however the league felt the toll of the pandemic and the 2019-2020 season was suspended indefinitely and was deemed complete in May, rewarding Cardiff City Ladies with third place. Player, Alana Murphy was also awarded the Golden Boot after scoring ten goals in ten games. A new season, a new manager. In July the team was appointed with new manager James Fishlock who is set to coach Cardiff City Ladies to success while working alongside assistant manager Charlotte Preen and Jess Walkley . The 2020-21 season started out with some more promising outcomes, after the team played in the first televised women’s domestic match in Wales against Swansea City in September. Sadly, with the last season cut short, the five new signings welcomed to the team did not get to assist the team to victory but with the 2020-21 season well underway it is clear to see the club have made the right call. Since then the team have continued to thrive in their games, playing extremely well and are currently fighting to move their way up the league. After a 1-6 win to Swansea City Ladies last week however it looks like the team has hit another bump in the road for the home stretch of the season. They are currently sitting third in the table narrowly behind Cardiff Met and Swansea Ladies. In the Vitality Women’s FA Cup however it has been a different story for Cardiff City Ladies this time round after a 1-0 defeat by Oxford Women United in the second round. Despite this setback, hopefully it has given Cardiff City Ladies the drive they needed to turn it all around by the end of the season and finally get another chance at the UEFA championships they have all been wishing for.

Reporting by Ella Fenwick

Olympic Games preview:

The events that you should look out for in Tokyo this summer page 28

SPORT CHWARAEON Lions Tour 2021 preview: A tour like no other? RUGBY UNION

Ben Lovell-Smith Sport Editor

very four years the question persists, are the Lions still the same touring side as they once were? With the increasing financialisation and politicisation of the rugby sphere and the compounding restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, perhaps the answer is now no. Gatland has a huge task this summer, fighting against large organisations and the effects of a worldwide pandemic mean that the fiercest opposition for this tour is not just the World Champion Springboks. The show must go on, however, the Lions in South Africa is always special. Continued on page 29

England and Wales Euro 2020 Preview FOOTBALL

Tom Walker

Head of Sport

Return to Arms: A new look outfit will greet supporters when they return to the Cardiff Arms Park. Source: Colin Smith (via WikiMedia Commons)

Cardiff Blues go back to blue and black in bold rebranding venture Ben Lovell-Smith Sport Editor

he Welsh regions have always had to deal with a certain feeling of illegitimacy within Wales, and the Cardiff Blues have been no exception. Afterall, the regional system was born out of financial motivations which consequented from the professionalisation of the sport in 1995 and the new system marked the abandonment of historically significant rivalries and especially symbolic club symbols which had pervaded Welsh society for over 100 years. The announcement that the Cardiff Blues will be called Cardiff Rugby from the 2021/22 season has been viewed as a step towards restoring those affiliations. At the beginning of the 2003–04 season, Welsh rugby moved away from the traditional Welsh league pyramid, featuring nine individual professional clubs, to create the Welsh regions. It was felt that the Welsh Rugby Union could not financially support so many clubs and so an amalgama-

tion of these teams would be the best way forward. Originally the Cardiff Blues were simply the old Cardiff RFC under a new name. However, following the collapse of the Celtic Warriors region at the end of the 2003/04 season, Pontypridd RFC were absorbed into the Cardiff Blues region. For this reason it had been argued that Cardiff Blues should drop the “Cardiff ” from their name and cease to play in light blue, in order to mark the severance of ties with Cardiff RFC and a new beginning in collaboration with Pontypridd. 18 years have passed since the region’s formation and identity troubles have continued to hamper the ‘Blues’. The awkwardness of the name has led to fans occasionally chanting ‘Cardiff ’, whilst the ever politically correct BBC have always used the ‘Blues’ monika. It has not been beneficial for the region, both on the field and off it. The announcement of the new name ‘Cardiff Rugby’ feels like a move long overdue for the region. A boost in self-assurance and confidence was exactly what was needed, and blue and black is unapologetically back in vogue.

Ultimately, as a rugby club who play their home matches in Cardiff, Cardiff Rugby Club is all the Blues have ever been. After much deliberation and discussion with supporters groups, WRU stakeholders, Cardiff Athletic Club and sponsors, it was decided that rebranding was the way forward. The blue and black strip holds historical significance, having been worn by former greats such as Gerald Davies, Barry John, Gareth Edwards and current head coach Dai Young. Whilst, ‘Cardiff ’ is a fantastic worldwide rugby brand and the city is home to a burgeoning financial services industry, making the name viable in a marketing sense. The decision is clearly a winner in nearly all respects, but most crucially financially. Regional responsibilities for the Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, South Powys and the city of Cardiff will continue as usual within the current regional development pathway and the club remains associated with the Welsh Premiership sides Pontypridd RFC, Merthyr RFC and the Cardiff RFC. The Region will also maintain its

fabulous relationship with Cardiff University which has been so beneficial for both parties in recent times. Club stalwarts Ellis Jenkins, Hallam Amos and Lloyd Williams have all undertaken study at the University. The relationship has been particularly beneficial for the Cardiff University Men’s Rugby Club. Speaking in December, CURFC Chairman Ed Thompson emphasised the importance of the relationship. “Before coronavirus restrictions came in we had a big connection with them, having played at the Arms Park a number of times, some of us trained with them a couple of times when they were numbers down through injuries. It was a great experience because you get to see how a pro rugby player goes about their training. “Last year we also had their coach come in a couple of times to help us with our lineouts, they’re heavily involved and I think it is a great connection we have with them.” Hopefully the symbiosis can continue when the complications of the pandemic finally fade into the past. A new beginning is what we all need right now.

For more breaking sports news, visit www.gairhydd.com/sport

he ripple effects of the European Super League, and the compounding absence of fans within stadiums, have reduced football to its most sorry state in recent times. However, as the club season draws to a close, the rearranged 2020 European Champions offers an albeit temporary escape from the frustrations of the politics of club football. In our preview of the tournament, we look at how both Wales and England shape up heading into the tournament and give our predictions for who will take home the trophy. Continued on page 29

European Super League: How the drama unfolded FOOTBALL

Adam Brown Sport Editor

he announcement of the establishment of a European Super League by twelve of Europe’s top football clubs was met with severe hostility within the English club game. It was felt that the ploy was just further extension of the trending exploitation of football by big businessmen, meanwhile clubs further down the pyramid still struggle to exist. The national community came together to demonstrate their opposition and the plan was foiled. Is this the end of it? Or will the bad guys strike again? Continued on page 30