Gair o Ddiolch

We asked this year’s team to bid their goodbyes to Quench 22/23, and here’s what they had to say..

What a journey these last 12 months have been. I can’t believe we’re here, and the very end! Everyone who has worked on Quench this year deserves a round of applause. My team have been the very backbone of every page published, posted, and printed - diolch guys, I can’t tell you how dear you all are to me, good luck to you all. I’d like to say the biggest thank you to Elaine at CSM for having my back and for sorting any issues we had this year, it’s been a pleasure to work with you. I can’t wait to check in and see what direction next year’s team take this fantastic publication. Every issue just got better and better, da iawn Quench 22/23 - until next time!

Alexa Price, Editor-in-Chief

I never thought I’d be a columnist. Writing out my opinions and experiences for others to read sounded to me like a mild form of social suicide. But once I knew I wanted to be a part of the Quench team, I realised a column was exactly what I needed, even if the task terrified me. To be given the time and platform to articulate and publish your thoughts is a wonderful experience, and I’ll envy whoever takes the plunge to write a column next year. Many thanks to Alexa Price and the rest of the team, I hope you all remember me in your super yachts and mansions in twenty years time.

Charlotte Harris, Columnist

It’s safe to say that editing the Music section this academic year has been challenging, but so rewarding. Being able to provide contributors the opportunities to write about the things they love most is such a great feeling, and I am definitely going to miss it. Myself and everyone at Quench could not have gotten through this year without the support from Alexa, Molly and Maddie; they’ve done such a brilliant job! I highly recommend putting yourself forward for an editorial position for this upcoming year – I promise you won’t regret it.

Rhiannon Farr, Music Editor

I first started writing for Quench in my second year, eager to participate after being stuck in countless lockdowns. I felt a huge sense of achievement as my first article was published, and continued to write throughout my second year, with topics varying from low-waisted jeans to advice for first year students. I then applied for the social media team in my final year and became the Twitter Manager for Quench. The transferable skills I have learnt from being a part of Quench have benefited me immensely. My favourite part of this experience has been all the lovely people I have met and worked with. It’s funny how a magazine can mean so much to you, but I will truly miss it.

Grace Dawson, Twitter Manager

Dwi methu credu bod y cyfnod academaidd yma o Quench wedi dod i ben! Dwi wir wedi mwynhau ysgrifennu am unrhyw beth dan haul sydd o ddiddordeb imi ac i ddarllenwyr Clebar. Credaf ei fod yn hollbwysig fod yr iaith Gymraeg yn rhan o’r cylchgrawn, gan ein bod ni’n fyfyrwyr ym mhrifddinas Cymru! Mae’r cyfle i gwrdd â phobl sydd hefyd yn mwynhau bod yn greadigol a gallu rhannu syniadau, wir wedi bod yn werthfawr. Dwi’n edrych ymlaen at allu ysgrifennu i Clebar eto. Ymunwch gyda ni tro nesaf!

Beca Williams, Golygydd Clebar

If anyone is thinking of applying for editor, I’d say go for it! Like any job it can be stressful at times but it’s most often rewarding. I think the contributors make the experience; you inspire them and they inspire you. Their fabulous writing is what will make Quench so memorable.

Rume Otuguor, Features Editor

I have absolutely loved the opportunity to be head of socials for Quench. I’ve learnt so much and made such wonderful friends. The thing I’ve enjoyed the most is planning a grid theme for each issue and working with a lovely team of Girls (and the socials). Big thanks to Alexa for always being so positive and a GREAT Editor-In-Chief!!

Gracie Richards, Head of Social Media

I joined Quench in quite an unusual way, working as Deputy Editor in my first, and only year at Cardiff whilst studying for my Master’s Degree. Having a larger role in a publication I had never even written for was daunting. Coming from being the Arts Editor at the newspaper at the University of Sussex, my alma mater, it was great to work exclusively with content surrounding arts and culture, especially in such a beautifully crafted paper. Quench has been the perfect accompaniment to my Master’s and has really given me the whole Cardiff experience. The end of this year marks my final months in university, and in education, which is a daunting but exciting time! I’ve said it many times, but thank you to the whole team for all your hard work and for making me feel so welcome. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Molly Openshaw, Deputy Editor

Receiving that first email from Alexa in June of 2022 saying that I had gotten the job as Literature Section Editor honestly seems like a lifetime ago – and it’s been such an amazing year since. Editing the first print issue, #189 ‘INDEPENDENCE’, seemed quite surreal – that may sound a bit silly to most, but it was my first editorial role and being in charge of a magazine section was remarkable. These last few months as an editor have been great, and I can honestly say I’ve learnt so much. From pitching to editing, publishing and even contributing, so much has happened, and I’m quite sad that this role is coming to an end. Including all of the lovely people I have met on the team, I know that I am going away with a great sense of achievement and an amazing experience to look back on in the future.

Lucia Cubb, Literature Editor

My year on Spotlight has been amazing. I’ve got to meet and work with some fantastic people, write about topics I never thought I would and experience a lot of talent, as well as some fascinating perspectives. I didn’t know what to expect, with the magazine having changed a lot over COVID, but I’m incredibly glad to have been part of it. I’m sure that it’s made me a better writer, but it’s also made me explore some things about myself that I would have never considered otherwise and I’m so thankful for that.

Dominic Bramley-Carr, Spotlight Editor

Quench has been an integral part to my three years at Cardiff University, and something that I feel proud to have been a small part of. After spending my first year responding to every pitch that I could get my hands on as a contributing writer, I became Features Editor in my second year, a role which, whilst challenging at times, was extremely rewarding. Then, in third year, I began my current role as Deputy Editor. Watching Quench flourish over these three years has been incredible, and I am so grateful for the opportunities that it has given me. Thanks to my involvement in Quench, I’ve made amazing friends; my confidence, pitching skills, and writing styles have developed; and I am taking steps to pursue a future career within the magazine industry. So, it’s safe to say that my time at university would not have been the same without Quench!

Maddie Balcombe, Deputy Editor

After three years with the magazine, I can’t believe that this is my final print issue of Quench! I began as a contributor in my first year, moved on to Instagram co-manager in my second, and food & travel editor in my third. I remember submitting the first article that I had ever written to the travel section in November 2020 and I felt so nervous that what I had written wasn’t ‘right’; now, many articles later, I feel much more confident about my work and can only thank Quench for the invaluable experience and confidence boost it has given me. With the return of post-pandemic normality, it has been lovely having face-to-face meetings and socials with the very special and talented Quench team this year. I wish all the team, and all you readers, the very best in whatever is to come – hwyl am nawr!

Eve Davies, Food & Drink and Travel Editor

Being a part of Quench for the past 3 years has possibly been the most rewarding part of my Cardiff University experience. From contributing, to editing, proofreading, interviewing and reviewing, I have gained and developed skills that I have been able to bring into my work outside of university life. From getting to meet and write about some of my favourite artists to meeting other contributors, there are too many highlights at Quench to name. But most importantly I have been able to meet and work with some insanely talented, kind and creative people, who I know thanks to their hard work and care will go on to achieve incredible things. Joining Quench back in my second year of University, during the middle of a pandemic, truly is one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I will forever be grateful to everyone involved.

Rubie Barker, Copy Editor

It has been a mad few years at Cardiff and things have been unusual. It’s been a challenge to have a social life and join societies. Instead of sitting like a lemon I chose Quench because it gave me something constructive to do. Quench was one thing that I have loved most about my university experience. I just really enjoy creative things and I loved having the opportunity to express that creativity and contribute to something big. I’ve written a few poems and got to design the pages for them and be creative to the max. It’s been cool creating other people’s pages and picking graphics and designs that really resonate with what the author had written.

Haris Hussnain, Page Designer

Photography: Constance Cua