rhifyn 1177 issue 1177
29 tachwedd 2021 29 november 2021
gair rhydd
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Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972
Inside: Gair Rhydd takes an exclusive inside look at the recent COP26 summit in Glasgow (Page 26-27)
Gair Rhydd speaks to Steve Hannam - Author, Wrestler, Father Jack Robert Stacey Editor-in-Chief
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teve Hannam is a Harlow-based former semi-professional wrestler, author, actor and father, who has become a local advocate for children on the autistic spectrum. Now that his experiences with the ‘autistic shadow’ have been adapted to both stage and page, Gair Rhydd sat down with Hannam to discuss his varied career and plans following his 100th blog post. Steve Hannam is by no means an ‘ordinary father’. Just last month the former semi-professional wrestler, author, actor and father of two posted his 100 th consecutive post in celebration of eight years of the ‘Living with Luke’ blogs - a self-described “stream of conscious(ness)/train of thought/load of bollocks” that Hannam had been writing since mid-2013. The blogs follow Hannam’s experiences and personal struggles raising Luke, his 23-year-old son who was diagnosed with autism at an early age. Autism, or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (‘ASD’) refers to a broad, complex group of developmental disabilities which influence a person’s behaviour and interaction with others. According to the National Autistic Society (NAS), it is currently estimated that 700,000 people in the UK are on the autistic spectrum. Hannam’s intentions to write posts for ‘Living with Luke’ were always simple: the blogs provided him with a way to get his thoughts, feelings and uncertainties down on virtual paper. “It’s a very personal story to a lot of people,” he says. “It’s not your typical father-son relationship. It’s very much a different and challenging relationship at times.” Part of his usual writing process, Hannam explained, is to write each post in one sitting: “It’s very much a stream of consciousness thing. If I think I have something to write about, then I’ll usually write about it in one go and post it. It’s very rare that I’ll go back and edit what I’ve written.” This way, Hannam said that it’s important for him that the blogs to present an accurate representation of life as a parent of a child with autism. A key
part of this, he continued, involves him actively acknowledging and reflecting on his own occasional shortcomings as a parent. Hannam was conscious not to come across as a ‘perfect dad’ in his blogs. Instead, he admits that like other parents, “we all have our shortcomings and we all have our failings.” Growing up in the late seventies, Hannam said that he would often spend his time writing stories or ‘pretend wrestling’ with his brothers. Two activities would eventually dominate his life after leaving education and finding work as a so-called ‘blue coat entertainer’. During this time, Hannam spent a number of years working on the sidelines of semi-professional wrestling matches until, by chance, he was asked whether he would be interested in refereeing a match. “And that’s how it started,” Hannam explained. After acting as a referee, he spent some time on the road with a group of wrestlers where Hannam became familiar with wrestling himself. This experience turned out to be, as Hannam saw it, his ‘on the job training’ as an aspiring semi-professional wrestler. He quickly picked up ‘the basics’ of setting up a ring and began learning how to perform a variety of wrestling moves. To Hannam, this experience was his first ‘real’ chance to be a wrestler: “By the end of the week, bearing in mind it was only a five day tour, I had wrestled my first match. One of the guys who was wrestling had injured himself and, as I’d done a bit of refereeing for the shows, they said: ‘You’re on!’ So, yeah, I wrestled my first match a week after I started training and that was pretty insane and it was great, I absolutely loved it!” Hannam would continue wrestling for a while longer, competing at the Harlow ‘Wrestle Fest’ and several charity wrestling matches under the name ‘Danson Thunderbolt’ before eventually settling down to start a family. With his wrestling career on pause, Hannam and his wife had two sons, Jake and Luke. To read Jack's full interview with Steve Hannam on his experiences as an author, wrestler, and father, turn to page 3. 3
Priti Patel: The Home Secretary has proposed a new clause to the 'Nationality and Borders Bill', a clause that has recieved a mixed reception. Source: Number 10 (via Flickr)
Controversial clause added to borders bill
Luthien Evans Politics Editor
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ome Secretary, Priti Patel, has proposed a controversial addition to the 'Nationality and Borders Bill'. Under Clause 9 of the bill, ‘notice of decision to deprive a person of citizenship’ exempts the government from having to give notice to a citizen revoking citizenship if it is ‘not reasonably practicable’ to do so. Furthermore, the
government would not have to give warning if it was deemed to be in the interests of the public or for national security. Some critics have stated this would allow the Home Secretary to have ‘draconian’ levels of power. It has also been suggested that this will bring complications to cases that occurred prior to the clause being added to law, potentially damaging their ability to appeal their case. The director of Reprieve, an NGO fighting human rights abuses, discussed
the topic with The Guardian by stating: “This clause would give Priti Patel unprecedented power to remove your citizenship in secret, without even having to tell you, and effectively deny you an appeal. Under this regime, a person accused of speeding would be afforded more rights than someone at risk of being deprived of their British nationality.” To read Luthien's article detailing this significance of this new clause, turn to page 12.
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Growing concerns over Ghostbusters Afterlife COVID-19 'anti-vaxxers' "a feelgood continuation"
Will England speak up before Qatar World Cup?
Catarina Pinto Vicente
Sam Joseph
Comment Editor
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ith the pandemic, many countries were faced with the choice of making the vaccine mandatory – some have stressed its importance through laws or punishment, whereas others, like the UK, have given people the choice. It’s worth delving into whether this is a matter of free choice or one of protecting the community. Some have gone the way to make the vaccines mandatory, such as Turkmenistan and Indonesia. To read Catarina's full article on the ways that governments can deal with so-called 'anti-vaxxers', turn to page 17. 17
Annabelle Martin Contributor
Sport Editor
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his feelgood continuation of the iconic 80s film will appeal to fans of the original - and, with Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard costarring, brings in a new audience. Director Jason Reitman takes the reins from his father Ivan in this remake that not only shares DNA, but many sharp-witted links to the past. Like the original, there is a goofy tone, however this remake is less about special effects and more an entertaining demonstration of wit which can be inviting to both parents and their children. To read Annabelle's full review of Jason Reitman's 'Ghostbusters Afterlife', turn to page 22.
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fter a dominant 10-0 win against San Marino last week, England’s men’s football team secured a place at the 2022 World Cup. A flurry of goals, including a quartet from captain Harry Kane, allowed the Three Lions to seal an automatic qualification for next winter’s competition. But as England now shift their attention from preliminary stages to the tournament itself, the focus is now also on whether the players and the coaching staff will comment on the controversial decision to host the World Cup in Qatar. To read Sam's full article on the England football team's dilemma, turn to page 32.
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