Issue 1151 - Monday 24 February

rhifyn 1151 issue 1151

gair rhydd

24 chwefror 2020 24 feburary 2020

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Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus i bawb!

Happy St David’s Day to all our readers!

Strikes begin with Labour Leader speech

Charlotte King Sam Tilley

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n Thursday 20 February, University College Union (UCU) strike action commenced for the second time this academic year. The most recent bout of strike action sees UCU members, consisting of university lecturers and postgraduate students, striking for 14 days staggered over the next few weeks.

UCU hosted a strike rally in Alexandria Gardens behind Cardiff University Main Building on the first day of the strike action last week. At the strike rally, Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Party Leader, was in attendance and spoke to the crowd about the latest bout of industrial action and why he is supporting academic staff who have gone on strike this time around.

Corbyn spoke for just over five minutes at the rally before he continued on his tour of the flood-hit communities of South Wales. He made clear that “this dispute by the UCU has [his] full support because university and college lecturers had been very badly treated” and that “what we’ve seen over those few years has been an attack on wages and conditions and has damaged our whole higher education and further education sector.

“This dispute is about the need for decent pay and conditions and also about the need to protect pensions and to ensure that all new entrants to university and college employment have access to a decent pensions scheme and above all it’s about how we treat higher and further education workers across the UK. “We just fought the general election campaign with the determination to redistribute power and wealth and to give real opportunities all across the UK, the ability to go to university in England without debts of £60,000 and the ability to enjoy your time at university.”

He closed his message by noting that “we stand here in the tradition of many others demanding all of that and I am proud to give you that message and support on behalf of the Labour Party.”

Other speakers were also in attend-

ance, comprised of various UCU members and academic staff.

Following the strike rally last Thursday, Xpress Radio interviewed Andy Williams and Catherine Walsh, two UCU representatives and academic staff members at Cardiff University to speak about why UCU members have gone on strike for the third time in three years.

“We are facing a perfect storm of problems in a crisis-hit higher education sector in the UK”, Williams said.

Discussing pensions, Williams commented: “We are fighting for the right to retire with dignity”. Speaking about UCU’s other causes for the strike in protest against high workloads, casualisation, and the gender and ethnic pay gap, he also stated: “Not one of us doesn’t know someone who has left the [academic] profession entirely because of high workloads….and it’s a problem for students, being taught by these burned-out members of staff.”

Additionally, he stated that the casualisation of contracts is a “cancer” in the higher education sector with thousands of staff being employed on “insecure”, fixed-term contracts.

Talking about the success of UCU’s strike action, Walsh said that the previous strikes have been extremely successful, temporarily preventing changes to lecturer pension funds. But, this time, she admitted that the strikes are related to issues which “students are on the sharp end of.”

Williams also expressed that UCU members are not “doing this lightly”.

When asked about Students’ Union President Jackie Yip’s leaked email which stated that the current bout of strike action will prevent some students from being able to graduate at the end of this academic year and whether UCU can justify industrial action in light of this development, Williams said: “Strikes always have an effect on the people whose services are being disrupted by the strike action...If there were any other way we really wouldn’t be doing it. I’ve seen loads of colleagues in tears about the effects they’re having on students.”

Continued on page 4.

Araith Corbyn: Estynnodd arweinydd Llafur ei gefnogaeth i aelodau’r UCU. Tarddiad: Tim Marsh

Streic UCU: Corbyn yn annerch rali gan aelodau’r undeb

Llion Carbis

Pennaeth y Gymraeg

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oedd Jeremy Corbyn yn bresennol yn rali aelodau’r University and College Union wrth iddynt streicio am y drydedd

gwaith mewn tair blynedd. Mae’r streicio, a all arwain at Fawrth 13, yn ymwneud â sefydlogrwydd swyddi, cydraddoldeb, llwyth gwaith a thâl darlithwyr a staff academaidd. Yn ei araith, soniodd Corbyn am bwysigrwydd darlithwyr a’i wrthwynebiad

Gair Rhydd speaks LGBT+ History to Adrian Robson Month across and Huw Thomas Wales Aliraza Manji Head of Digital

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ast week, Gair Rhydd Politics spoke to Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council and the Labour Group, and Adrian Robson, Leader of the Conservative Group at Cardiff Council, about their roles in the Council and the importance of local democracy. Huw Thomas gives readers an insight into the work he has undertaken as Council Leader and his thoughts on the UCU strikes, whilst Adrian Robson discusses the Council’s White Paper on transport and changes he would like to see in Cardiff. Turn to page 12 to read the full interviews.

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Natalie Graham @Caerdydd Editor

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e are currently in the midst of LGBT+ History Month, a campaign which aims to educate society on the issues that the LGBT+ community continues to face. This week, @Caerdydd’s Natalie Graham gives an insight into the history of LGBT+ History Month and Wales’ LGBT+ community across the years. This year’s campaign is dedicated to journalist and LGBT+ activist Lyra McKee, killed in Northern Ireland last year. To find out more about the campaign, turn to page 26.

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i’r hyn mae e’n ystyried yn amodau gwaith gwael staff academaidd a defnydd cytundebau oriau sero gan brifysgolion y Deyrnas Unedig.

Ewch i dudalen 8 i ddarganfod rhagor am ymweliad Corbyn a’r diweddaraf am y streic.

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Cardiff Uni research smart cyber security Liv Davies Science Editor

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ardiff University’s School of Computer Science and Informatics has developed a system to detect cyber attacks on smart devices. It has currently been tested on the Amazon Echo and Apple TV with an accuracy rating of over 90%. As smart devices are becoming increasingly susceptible to cyber attacks and the risk of people losing information rises, could the University’s research be crucial in preventing further attacks? Read more about Cardiff University’s research on page 24.

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EDITORIAL

Gair Rhydd 2019/20 Coordinator Elaine Morgan

Editor-in-Chief Tomos Evans

Deputy Editors

Charlotte King Sam Tilley George Willoughby

News

Charlotte King Olly Davies Anna Dutton Zoe Kramer

Features

Mustakim Hasnath Sam Tilley

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com

A note from the Editor Nodyn gan y Golygydd The community Y difrod wedi after the storm Dennis

Taf-od

Llion Carbis Aled Biston Rhodri Davies Deio Jones

Politics

Lowri Pitcher Hallum Cowell Tom-Henry Jones Maisie Marston

Comment

Adam Clarke Harry Clarke-Ezzidio Kat Smith Tehreem Sultan

Column Road Indigo Jones

Advice

Molly Govus Rhiannon James

Satwik Speaks Satwik Shivoham

Science

Liv Davies Holly Giles

@Caerdydd

Tirion Davies Natalie Graham

Sport

Reece Chambers Olly Allen Ella Fenwick Luke Wakeling Tom Walker George Willoughby

Head of Digital Media Aliraza Manji

Social Media Manager Lottie Draycott

Digital Media Editors Sophia Grace Matt Hancock-Bruce Daniel O’Callaghan

Graphics Editor

Oli King

Copy Editors Boadicea Dowd Anurag Hegde

Write to the editor editor@gairrhydd.com

At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our responsibility to maintain the highest possible standards. We may occasionally make mistakes, however if you believe we have fallen below the standards we seek to uphold, please email editor@gairrhydd.com.

You can view our Ethical Policy Statement and Complaints Procedure at cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints.

Opinions expressed in editorials 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 power of community: The aftermath of Storm Dennis has broughtpeople together. Source: Tomos Evans

Cymuned yn cydweithio: Yn sgîl Storm Dennis daeth cymunedau ledled Cymru ynghyd. Tarddiad: Tomos Evans

Tomos Evans Editor-in-Chief

Tomos Evans Prif Olygydd

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ecent weeks have seen many parts of the UK left devastated by the impact of storms and floods.

Storm Dennis, which caused damage and devastation in parts of the UK just over a week ago, impacted upon the lives of many people all over the country, but particularly in South Wales.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has come under fire from some quarters in recent days for not visiting some of the areas worst affected by floods. However, the aftermath of Storm Dennis has seen communities right across South Wales, and indeed the United Kingdom as a whole, come together as part of the recovery effort.

The community spirit has always been particularly strong in the south Wales valleys, but the aftermath of Storm Dennis has seen communities pull together more than ever. Rugby clubs and churches all over South Wales opened their doors to provide shelter for those who had been advised to leave their homes.

Social media has been full of people sharing their stories of communities coming together in light of Storm Dennis.

Chief Inspector Amanda Thomas revealed on Twitter how she had spent her first annual leave day helping to clean up Crosskeys RFC to which Storm Dennis had caused

considerable damage.

A recent article by ITV Wales revealed the help that was provided by charities, such as toogoodtowaste, in assisting those whose homes had been hit by the adverse weather which Storm Dennis brought. The charity has been delivering second-hand furniture to anyone whose possessions were destroyed in the floods.

One of the worst affected towns in South Wales was Pontypridd. The constituency’s Assembly Member, Mick Antoniw, and MP Alex Davies-Jones, set up a crowdfunder to raise money to repair the damage caused. At the time of writing, the fund has raised over £16,000 from 554 supporters, greatly surpassing the £5,000 target.

The emergency services must also be commended for their swift response and the courage shown. In the aftermath of the storm, a major incident was declared in South Wales, with South Wales police leading a “multi-agency response”.

The response of communities right across South Wales to the challenging conditions caused by Storm Dennis has been phenomenal.

Undoubtedly, the damage caused by the storm has been extensive, and the recovery effort may take many months, if not years. But what the aftermath of Storm Dennis has shown is that the power of community is as strong as ever.

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ae wythnosau diweddar wedi gweld sawl rhan o’r Deyrnas Unedig yn derbyn llawer o ddifrod gan effaith stormydd a llifogydd.

Cafodd Storm Dennis, â achosodd difrod a dinistr mewn sawl rhan o’r DU ychydig dros wythnos yn ôl, effaith ddirfawr ar fywydau nifer o bobl dros y wlad, ond yn enwedig mewn rhannau o Dde Cymru.

Mae’r Prif Weinidog, Boris Johnson, wedi derbyn cryn feirniadaeth gan rai dros y dyddiau diwethaf wedi iddo beidio ag ymweld rhai o’r ardaloedd a gafodd eu heffeithio waethaf gan y llifogydd.

Ond, mae’r digwyddiadau wedi Storm Denis wedi gweld cymunedau reit ar draws Cymru yn dod ynghyd fel rhan o’r ymdrech i oresgyn effeithiau’r storm.

Mae’r ymdeimlad o gymuned o hyd wedi bod yn arbennig o gryf yng nghymoedd y De, ond mae sgil effeithiau Storm Dennis wedi gweld y cymunedau’n agosáu mwy nag erioed.

Agorodd glybiau rygbi ac eglwysi reit ar draws De Cymru eu drysau er mwyn darparu llety i’r rheiny a gafodd eu cynghori i adael eu tai.

Mae cyfryngau cymdeithasol wedi bod yn llawn o bobl yn rhannu eu straeon am sut ddaeth y gymuned at ei gilydd yn sgil y storm. Dywedod Chief Inspector Amanda Thomas ar Twitter ei bod wedi gwario ei diwrnod cyntaf o’i gwyliau

blynyddol yn cynorthwyo i lanhau Clwb Rygbi Crosskeys a dderbyniodd cryn dipyn o ddifrod o achos Storm Dennis.

Datgelodd erthygl ddiweddar gan ITV Cymru y cymorth a ddarparwyd gan elusennau, megis toogoodtowaste, wrth gynorthwyo y rhai a brofodd difrod i’w cartrefi wedi’r storm. Mae’r elusen wedi bod yn darparu dodrefn ail-law i unrhyw un a gollodd eu perchnogaeth yn y storm.

Un o’r trefi a gafodd ei heffeithio waethaf yn Ne Cymru oedd Pontypridd.

Gwnaeth Aelod Cynulliad yr etholaeth, Mick Antoniw, a’i Aelod Seneddol, Alex Davies-Jones greu cronfa er mwyn er mwyn codi arian i atgyweirio’r difrod a achoswyd. Wrth imi ysgrifennu hyn, mae’r gronfa wedi casglu dros £16,000 wrth 554 o gyfranwyr, ymhell dros y targed o £5,000.

Mae’n rhaid hefyd diolch i’r gwasanaethau brys am eu hymateb chwim ac am eu dewrder. Wedi’r storm i daro, arweiniodd Heddlu De Cymru ar ymateb aml-asiantaeth.

Mae ymateb cymunedau ar hyd a lled De Cymru i’r wedi bod yn wefreiddiol ac wir wedi atgyfnerthu’r angen i estyn llaw i gynorthwyo pan fo angen.

Heb os, mae’r difrod a achoswyd gan Storm Dennis wedi bod yn ddifrifol, ac efallai y gwnaiff hi gymryd misoedd, os nad blynyddoedd, i ddod drosto’n llwyr.

Ond, beth mae’r ymateb i Storm Dennis wedi profi yw bod pŵer cymuned mor gryf ag erioed.

Gair Rhydd speaks to Alex, a Cardiff University student who is currently in China about the Coronavirus outbreak and living in lockdown Mustakim Hasnath Features Editor

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Transmission: Coronavirus has swept across China the globe.

Source: Antojpr (via Wikimedia Commons) cure for it now - I don’t think that it’s going to do a lot of damage. From what I’ve heard people who have pre-existing medical conditions are the ones mainly at risk.

How do you think the Chinese government have dealt with this?

“So, I arrived on the 19th of January and by the 26th there were people with cameras monitoring where you had

“As I’ve already mentioned, I don’t really go out very much. I go running in the morning and even then, I wear a mask. So, I think I’m doing everything I can to not catch the disease. In Qingdao, there have been around 23 reported cases as we’re talking now which isn’t too bad considering how bad it has been across the year. I consider myself a healthy adult so even the chances of me catching it – even though there’s no

It’s definitely a very isolating experience...[I am] not only being physically isolated from the rest of the world, but also isolated from my loved ones.

From what I’ve heard people who have pre-existing medical conditions are the ones mainly at risk.

Alex, Cardiff University Student

A city on lockdown: Alex currently lives in Qingdao, a coastal city close to Hubei province. Source: Miyawaki kyoto (via Wikimedia Commons)

Alex, Cardiff University Student

travelled, whether it be on a motorway or even walking into a shop. You’d always have your temperature checked everywhere you go, and still do. I’d say the government here has definitely dealt with it efficiently. It’s not the first time something like this has happened, so the people almost know what to do.

With Wuhan on complete lockdown and other cities being very careful with any of the peoples’ movements, it’s clear to see a lot is being done to contain the virus as well as possible. I think, similarly, the UK government is doing the best it can considering what is happening. It evacuated Wuhan citizens as we know and from what I am aware, is working to evacuate others across China and around the world too.

I do think that the media should stop scaremongering. I appreciate that there is a concern for the virus, but there is no need to scare people into thinking it’s something which it is not.

I’ve read some articles lately, some of which have inferred that Chinese people are getting the virus because they’re not educated, which is ridiculous.

“My parents are really worried, as you’d expect them to be. But they’re

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

Are you afraid of catching the virus yourself?

also understanding that I need to do this properly and stay out here until the situation calms down. If I could I’d go back to my family I would do so straight away, but I can’t because of the risk of flying back. I think I am quite fortunate though because I have a family here in China who are looking after me and are extremely welcoming.”

The Wuhan Coronavirus death toll is now above 2,000. A graphic from WorldPop Project from January estimated how far COVID-19 might spread. The data is believed to be based on mobile phone and flight information of 60,000 of the five million residents who fled the outbreak of Coronavirus in Wuhan, which was then used by Southampton University to track the potential spread of the virus over the next three months.

Since our initial interview, Alex informed Gair Rhydd that after speaking to his family in the UK, an arrangement had been made for him to fly back to Heathrow Airport on Friday February 19.

He would then travel back to his home city of Southampton, where his family have booked an apartment for him to ‘self-quarantine’ and isolate himself for two weeks, avoiding any contact with other people to try and prevent any further spread of the virus.

On a government advice page, the British Embassy in Beijing advises that if a British citizen wants to leave China via commercial means, citizens will not be placed into quarantine.

It says, “people arriving from Wuhan and Hubei Province to the UK in the last 14 days should stay indoors and avoid contact with other people” and advises them to “call NHS 111 to inform health authorities of your recent visit to the area.” This applies to people who do not have symptoms of the virus.

Alex told Gair Rhydd, “I know that if I do display any symptoms after I arrive in Heathrow, they will probably quarantine me and try and protect those around me as best as possible. From what I’ve heard it sounds like they’re taking similar measures to how the Chinese are dealing with this by measuring your temperature after you arrive”.

Alex added, “I don’t think I’ll be putting people at risk when I travel on public transport because I don’t think I’m much of a risk anyway, coming from Qingdao and with the number of cases going down anyway. I’ll be wearing a

NEWS

s of last week, the death toll of the Wuhan Coronavirus rose above 2,000 worldwide. There are reportedly over 75,000 people infected with the virus, and the number of affected countries has reached 30.

However, the vast majority of cases remain within China, where the Chinese Government has been enforcing lockdown in some areas afflicted by the disease. Recently, Alex a Cardiff University student, who is currently living in China reached out to Gair Rhydd to tell his story of what it’s like living in China at the moment.

Alex currently works as an Au Pair, working across Beijing and Qingdao.

After arriving in China at the start of January, Alex has stayed with host families whilst teaching English. After already spending some of his year abroad in Mexico, he was planning to visit Germany in April. Alex was previously in Beijing and moved over to Qingdao with his current host family, who have a holiday home there, and has told Gair Rhydd about his experiences of being in a country in constant fear over the outbreak of Wuhan Coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19.

“I came to China at the start of January on my year abroad and am currently working as part of an Au Pair, teaching English and staying with a host family.

I spent one semester in Mexico and go to Germany in April. I was in Beijing and we moved south, over to Qingdao where I am at the moment as the family I am with have a holiday home here. We came over during the Spring Festival and stayed since then as the outbreak of the virus has become more widespread.

“I’m very fortunate to be with the family I am with. At the moment we are very largely confined and the only time I can go out is early in the mornings before eight o’clock. After that point, you have to come home because that’s when it becomes busy and people start coming out. It’s just a lot safer if you’re away from any contact with people.

You have to avoid most forms of public

transport, shopping malls etc. too.

“We got in Qingdao on January 19 and expected to be here for two weeks, but four weeks later it’s likely I’ll be here for a lot longer.

“I don’t know that many people who are in a similar situation to me. There are a few more Au Pairs in Beijing, but I’m very much on my own out here as far as being a Brit is concerned. I mean, Beijing is pretty bad at the moment; it’s a lot worse than here. You can’t go out at all and you have to stay indoors to protect yourself from the virus.

“As soon as we go outside, you must be sprayed with disinfectant, wash your hair and hands and everywhere on your clothes. My host father will always spray any food or shopping with disinfectant before we can eat it to make sure that there is definitely no risk of contamination. For me and my host father, it might not be that big of a risk, but [it] certainly [is] for my eight-year-old host brother and his grandparents who are in their 80s; their immune systems are a lot weaker. This makes them a lot more vulnerable.”

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/news

Life in lockdown

NEWYDDION

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Your news desk Charlotte King Olly Davies Anna Dutton Zoe Kramer

4 NEWS

Strikes begin with Labour Leader speech

Wales to charge 50p per alcohol unit from March 2 Olly Davies News Editor

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n March 2, 2020, the Welsh Government is set to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) wherein retailers must charge at least 50p per unit of alcohol. It has been nicknamed the ‘Strongbow Tax’ because it will most heavily affect strong but inexpensive beer and ciders.

The pricing works by creating a baseline below which no alcoholic drink can be sold. The baseline price will depend upon the number of units in the drink. Under the new regulations, a bottle of wine containing ten units will now cost a minimum of £5.

The aim of the measure is to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed in Wales. Currently, around one in every 20 deaths, or 1,500 per year, are related to alcohol, and roughly 10% of those in hospitals in Wales are reportedly dependent on alcohol. Moreover, alcohol-related incidents put extra strain on emergency services and local councils.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that increasing alcohol tax is one of the most cost-effective measures to reduce alcohol consumption by at least 10%. This move is also supported by Public Health England.

MUP has been in place in Scotland since May 2018, and whilst the measures have been successful there at reducing alcohol consumption, there is concern about the impact MUP might have on low-income families in Wales as there is arguably a potential for the measure to increase economic disparity throughout the country.

Speaking to Cardiff University students, the MUP has received a mixed reception. The ‘Strongbow Tax’ will affect cheap drinks, often popular amongst students, such as Frosty Jacks and Knight Rider.

Some have said they can see the benefits of “discouraging drinking very heavily at an early age” and believe it will help to “cull pre-drinking before very boozy socials”.

Other students disagree with the introduction of the MUP, however. One second year student at Cardiff University said “I cannot see the point in it.

Those who have a problem will find a way to drink, the money doesn’t matter.

“All this will do is raise the prices of alcohol across the board and students will turn to even more creative ways to get intoxicated.”

The potential price raise was also a concern for other students. Now in his third year at Cardiff University, Eddie Latter suggested “it will knock on to all booze prices...Why would you sell something good for the same price?”

Corin Scott, another third year student, said: “For students, [MUP] is not ideal because it makes [alcohol] more expensive. But, for people with a genuine drinking problem it could be beneficial, although they might just move onto something more dangerous”.

Only time will tell what the consequences of the ‘Strongbow Tax’ will be. It is hoped they will be beneficial, but will students be left to feel the pinch?

Jeremy Corbyn visited Cathays Park campus to speak to students about the ongoing UCU strike action Charlotte King Sam Tilley Continued from front page.

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illiams continued, “That said, there have been concerns raised about students not graduating and the possibility of further disruption. If there is no resolution to this dispute, if the employers and ViceChancellors do not table a reasonable resolution...all that stuff might happen.

We’re being re-balloted after this if there is no resolution to the strike.

“We have to be ready for an escalation of these strikes further and if the strike escalates, then it’s going to have further effects on students and that’s really regrettable, but it’s a potential fact.”

Walsh also commented: “It’s not in my power to say whether or not [students] graduate. Dealing with mitigation is very much on University management. It’s beyond my gift to say who graduates and who doesn’t.

“Exam boards are beyond my control...It is the University management, it is their responsibility to first off respond with an offer...and it is their responsibility to decide what happens with their programmes.”

At the strike rally, Gair Rhydd spoke to Joe, a postgraduate student and UCU member taking part in this round of strike action, who encouraged students to put pressure on the University to offer them financial compensation.

Joe told Gair Rhydd that whatever impact the UCU strikes have on students is “the University’s responsibility”.

Speaking about the plight of postgraduate students, he said that PhD students specifically do a lot of unpaid work in their own time.

“As I look into the future, I see that early career researchers...are mostly on

For the many, for the UCU: Corbyn condemns the treatment of university lecturers. Source: Tim Marsh

temporary, precarious contracts which are low paid, and it doesn’t fill me with hope for my future.”

Much has also been made over the past week of the SU’s role in supporting both the UCU strike action and the students affected. Back in November, a motion was put forward and subsequently passed, mandating the SU and the Sabbatical Officers to “stand in solidarity with UCU and publish a public statement of support for 2018/19 action, before the 25th November.” However, there have been concerns amongst certain groups of students about whether or not the SU should repeat this stance for the current batch of strikes. In order to either mandate the SU to issue a public statement for this round of strikes, or to overturn the original motion, an emergency general meeting (EGM) has to be called.

There are three main methods available to try and call an EGM, but the method that James Wallice, President of Cardiff University Conservative Society, has invoked requires him to gain 500 signatures on an online petition in

the space of a week. Speaking to Gair Rhydd, Wallice explained his reasons for demanding this action: “It is important that students have a say in whether they support it...it’s important to remember that the issues and the impacts of the strike action will be much greater than it was first time round so it’s only fair that students have another say on the matter.” Support for the online petition has not been universal however; Cardiff Labour Students’ President Leo Holmes argued that “personally I don’t support it because I don’t think that we need another debate on this, as clearly a democratic decision was made at the AGM to support the strike action and I don’t think we need to go back to it again.”

Last week, Cardiff University ViceChancellor, Colin Riordan, addressed students to discuss the impacts of strike action, potential effects on graduation, and how students can receive compensation at a Q&A event hosted by the Students’ Union.

Opening up the event, Riordan made it clear that “I personally, and the Uni-

versity, fully respect the right of staff to take industrial action” and stressed that the current dispute between UCU and UK universities is “by the far most complicated” he had encountered.

Regarding how Cardiff University plans to reinvest money saved from the strikes, Riordan said that firstly, money saved will be used to pay any compensation required, and then funds left over will be given to the Schools they originally came from to be dispersed however they wish. On the topic of graduation, he also commented: “At this stage, we’re expecting all of our students to graduate as planned. What you do is hope for the best and plan for the worst.” It was again acknowledged, however, that if the UCU Strike action is extended beyond the current 14 day period, problems will arise.

The University’s Head of Registry also stated that “If you are dissatisfied… you need to submit a complaint” via the new complaints process set up specifically for strike-related complaints.

However, the speaker stressed that the University feels a financial remedy is only one possible outcome of the compensation process since ‘50% of tuition fees are spent on things outside of direct teaching’, such as building costs and support services which continue to be available throughout the strike period. Additionally, the University is only accepting complaints regarding strike action which occurred during the current academic year; they are not acknowledging complaints referencing the strike action which occurred in 2018, stating “matters in relation to that have been closed.”

Riordan also released an open letter last Thursday in which he wrote “my intention is to ensure that all students will be able to meet their learning outcomes and will be able to graduate as expected.

That is and will remain my priority.”

Postgraduate study zone “closed permanently” The University and Students’ Union are working to create the Cardiff International Study Centre on the fourth floor of the SU

Tomos Evans Editor-in-Chief

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t has recently been announced that the Postgraduate Study Zone has been “closed permanently” as part of a joint initiative between Cardiff University and Study Group to create an International Study Centre on the fourth floor of the Students’ Union.

The designated study area for postgraduate students was situated on the third floor of the Students’ Union building.

A spokesperson for Cardiff University said: “The Students’ Union is supporting the University partnership with Study Group and the establishment of the Cardiff University International Study Centre. This will open during September 2020 and will be situated on the fourth floor of the Students’ Union. The Students’ Union is replacing the lost fourth floor space by building new rooms in the current third floor space which has necessitated the closure of the Postgraduate Study Zone.”

Janet Williams, a postgraduate student who studies LLM Law (Canon), told Gair Rhydd that she was “horrified” when she first heard the news of the Postgraduate Study Zone’s closure.

Whilst she fully supports the crea-

tion of Cardiff University’s new International Student Centre, Janet said of the Postgraduate Study Zone, “that’s one place I use a lot, or used a lot, due to the fact that I do quite a few things in the Students’ Union for students and that is my one place I can go, retreat to and do my work.”

The Postgraduate Study Zone comprised of both quiet working spaces as well as rooms suitable for social study and group discussions.

The University has offered a list of alternative study spaces that are available to students. A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “Postgraduate students may use any of the libraries on campus.”

The University recommends the following study spaces in particular for use by postgraduate students: the Guest Study Centre in the Guest Building (open 9-5 Monday-Friday); Science Library (open 8:45-9:30 Monday-Friday; 10-5:30 Saturday-Sunday); Arts and Social Studies Library (ASSL) (open 24 hours); IT Suite and Breakout space, Doctoral Academy; Y Plas, Students’ Union; Julian Hodge Study Zone (open 9-9 Monday-Friday; 10-5 Saturday-Sunday).

However, speaking on the ASSL in particular, Janet said, “I prefer not to study there if I don’t have to. I don’t

find it congenial to my work. If it’s really really busy, it’s so distracting and when you’re doing postgraduate work, obviously, you’re going into things a lot more, so you need that little bit of extra space.”

The spokesperson for Cardiff University added: “The University Library Service is working closely with the Students’ Union to investigate improvements or changes that might be required for these spaces to meet the research and study needs of Postgraduate Students.”

Nick Fox, VP Postgraduate at Cardiff University Students’ Union, told Gair Rhydd that “the floor plan [for the third floor] is ever so slightly bigger. It gives us an opportunity for investment in things like studios, dance studios.”

He continued, “it’s relatively exciting in terms of the opportunities that we get that we can’t do on the fourth floor that we can here”.

Nick added, “We’re now in a position where working with the University to find other suitable locations is now a priority for me personally as a Postgrad Officer.”

Gair Rhydd understands that more study spaces will be provided as part of the University’s new Centre for Student Life, which is currently under construction.

Alternative Study spaces Guest Study Centre in the Guest Building (open 9-5 Monday-Friday)

Science Library (open 8:45-9:30 Monday-Friday; 10-5:30 Saturday-Sunday) Arts and Social Studies Library (ASSL) (open 24 hours)

IT Suite and Breakout space, Doctoral Academy Y Plas, Students’ Union Julian Hodge Study Zone (open 9-9 MondayFriday; 10-5 SaturdaySunday)

NEWYDDION 5

Speak Week 2020 has biggest response ever At 3,858 responses, it received the highest number of cards since the event began. Here are the results compared to last year’s:

Zoe Kramer News Editor

S

peak Week took place last week from the February 3 to February 7. Speak Week is organized by the Students’ Union and the Student Representative team as an opportunity for students to fill out cards giving feedback and suggestions as to how they would like to see the University improve.

This year, there were a total of 3,858 cards filled out, which is the highest number in Speak Week history. This number is up from 3,813 last year. Of the three colleges, the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences (BLS) had the most responses at 1,233, followed

by Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) with 1,101 and Physical Sciences and Engineering (PSE) with 986.

Undergraduate students had the highest number of responses at 3,073, followed by Postgraduate (Taught) at 445 and Postgraduate (Research) at 211.

The 2019 results showed that most comments were regarding facilities, followed by academic concerns, other, services, and social life. Facilities concerns included comments regarding maintenance difficulties in accommodations as well as more dining options on campus. Several comments pointed to a lack of study space in the libraries.

Other suggestions included more recycling bins around campus as well as

food donation bins.

Last year’s comments regarding academic concerns included requests for a sliding scale for late work rather than zero tolerance, as well as more consistency in marking. Additional requests were made for all lectures to be recorded on Panopto, and for lecturers and personal tutors to be more available for meetings. Students also highlighted the difficulties of proving extenuating circumstances when it comes to missing exams and essay deadlines.

The “other” category included a wide array of topics. Some students requested better awareness of what the university has to offer, including the Languages for All programme and mental health services, as well as better promotion of SU events. Other students requested student support services for BAME students as well as more awareness of institutional racism within the university, as well as sensitivity training for lecturers in terms of misgendering students. Other concerns included the ability of the SU to pay its employees a living wage, as well as more services being free to students based on their tuition, such as free printing.

In terms of the “social” category, students requested a shared calendar for society events to make them easier to keep track of. Other societies concerns included the tier system possibly being elitist, and that certain societies were too expensive to join. Students also

requested a greater variety of music in the SU as well as more sober nights.

As a result of last year’s comments, several changes were made around the University. The ASSL extended its opening hours to 24 hours a day, Wi-Fi coverage has been improved, University catering can be paid for by card, and exam timetables are now published two weeks earlier than they were previously.

Speaking about the importance of Speak Week, Tomos Evans, SU Vice President Education, said “From an officer point of view, Speak Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to gain a much clearer understanding of the day to day issues and opinions that students have.

Going into Speak Week, there were a few topics that we were looking to get specific data on so that we could build a better case to the University for areas that needed improvement. Some areas of focus were around Student Accommodation, Sporting Provisions and Student Safety, and we hope that the finalised data gives us a better understanding of these topics.”

Even though Speak Week 2020 is over, there are still ways to have your voice heard.

Visit the Student Voice team on the 3rd floor of the SU, or email Tomos Evans, VP Education to arrange a meeting and discuss ideas. If you want to help out with Speak Week next year, you can also become a Student Rep.

Speak Week 2020 Total number of cards: 3858 AHSS: 1101 BLS: 1233 PSE: 986

On an unrelated note...

Fuel prices have increased, pushing UK inflation to a six month high

U

K inflation rose, in January, to a six month high as a result of increasing fuel and housing prices.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) used to measure inflation has risen from 1.3% to 1.8%. The increase still remains below the Bank of England target of 2% inflation, so is unlikely to affect the Bank’s position on interest rates.

Unspecified: 474 Joint: 64 Undergraduate: 3073 Postgraduate (Taught): 445 Postgraduate (Research): 211 Unspecified: 129

New report suggests BAME people feel a sense of belonging in Wales

Fuel prices increase.

Source: 3844328 (via Pixabay)

The BRIT Awards 2020: A night to celebrating the British music scene

T

he BRIT Awards took place last week, marking the 40th birthday of the awards and celebrating the successes of the British music scene.

The event took place in the O2 Arena in London with some of the winners including Lewis Capaldi, Stormzy, and Billie Eilish. It was hosted by British comedian Jack Whitehall, with the evening showcasing a range of pop music talent.

This comes despite perceieved changes in attitude post-Brexit

Sam Portillo Contributor

A

2018/19 report published by Welsh charity EYST, reveals the experience of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people living in Wales at a time when racism and foreign relations are in the national limelight. The charity surveyed BAME residents in 20 different Welsh local authority areas, as part of the All Wales Survey for Ethnic Minority People, whose answers suggest there is much to be done in achieving racial equality.

According to the survey, most BAME people in Wales “strongly” feel a part of their local community and believe that people from different backgrounds have good relations with each other. Despite the sense of belonging, almost half, 44%, of respondents reported feeling “unwelcomed” by a person of another background and 52% reported having experienced racial or religious abuse, showing that racism is still an issue affecting ethnic minorities in Wales.

It seems a contradiction that 80% of respondents say they feel safe in their local community. This suggests that racism is not a prominent issue in the wider community, but one where the perpetrators are a minority themselves.

EYST recommend that the Welsh Government safeguards funding for community spaces such as libraries, leisure centres and community cen-

tres, in order to maintain local cohesion and give residents the opportunity to socialise and make friends.

They also suggest that community policing levels should be maintained or even increased so as to nurture feelings of safety.

The number of BAME people working in the police force also must improve, it is reported. Currently, ethnic minorities are under-represented in the criminal justice system.

The report also suggests that police in Wales should adopt a preventative approach to hate crime as opposed to a reactive one. EYST hope that the

idea of a diverse Wales can be fostered through school education and public campaigns, which could reduce the prevalence of racist attitudes and therefore crimes.

Institutional racism refers to the subtle discrimination pervading society, as opposed to individual racism which is more overt and readily condemned.

The report also discussed the existence of institutional racism in Wales which is indicated by the racial wealth gap, the lack of BAME individuals in senior positions, the disproportionate number of BAME people in the

Belonging: BAME people in Wales feel a sense of belonging, report suggests. Source: National Assembly for Wales (via Flickr)

prison system, and other measurable variables. It follows that the social and professional opportunities offered to BAME people are hindered by embedded racism. In the survey, 60% of respondents felt that ethnic minorities were treated unfairly in the workplace.

Tackling institutional racism may be the largest obstacle in reaching racial equality. EYST recommends that Welsh companies adopt “name-blind recruitment” as standard practice, whereby employers must assess candidates on their credentials without a name which might carry racial connotations.

The report suggests that “unconscious bias training” should be made compulsory for those in senior positions in the public and private sectors, especially for those who are involved in the recruitment process. EYST also advocates for the continuation of apprenticeship and placement programmes which boost the number of young BAME people in skilled work.

In facing a sweeping issue, the Welsh Government should create a strategy for quantifying progress.

Aforementioned variables such as BAME poverty levels, under-representation in senior positions and over-representation in prisons could be used to gauge whether the country is becoming more inclusive and fairer for all.

Ultimately, any numbers are indications at best for what is a complex and immeasurable problem.

Lewis Capaldi: A 2020 winner Source: Justin Higuchi (via Flickr)

A giant lizard helps raise money for Australian bushfire relief programmes

A

n Argentinian Tegu lizard called Winston is using his claws to create artwork to help with the relief aid for the Australian bushfires. His owner, Sarah Curry, is a graphic designer from Michigan and has been selling Winston’s artwork at auction. The money raised is used to help with the bushfire relief programmes. Winston creates smaller prints which

Melbourne coastal road post-fire. Source: proestategroup (via Needpix)

Jake Bugg

February/ Chwefror

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Forgotten Lands

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All tickets subject to booking fee. Codir ffi archebu ar bob tocyn. | cardiffboxoffice.com | cardiffstudents.com/boxoffice

MONDAY MAYHEM

TWOS DAY’S TAF

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8

taf od

Barn y Bobol

Gyda Dydd Gwyl Dewi ar y gorwel, fe wnaeth Taf-od ofyn i fyfyrwyr Caerdydd os y dylai’r 1af o Fawrth fod yn ŵyl y banc?

Myfyrwraig blwyddyn gyntaf, Y Gyfraith a’r Gymraeg

Y cwestiwn yw beth fyddai’n hybu Cymreictod orau; plant adref neu yn yr ysgolion yn eu dillad Cymreig ac yn cymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau sy’n hybu eu Cymreictod? A fyddai’r rhan fwyaf o blant Cymru fel arall ar yr Xbox drwy’r dydd? O bosib byddai hybu Dydd Gŵyl Dewi’n fwy effeithiol heb ddiwrnod i ffwrdd ac yn rhoi’r cyfle i fwy siarad Cymraeg, er bod diwrnod ychwanegol o wyliau yn swnio’n ffafriol!

Sara Dafydd

Myfyrwraig trydedd flwyddyn, Cymraeg a Newyddiaduraeth Yn syml- na ddylai.

Roedd dathlu Dydd Gŵyl Dewi, boed yn yr ysgol neu’r gweithle yn sicrhau addysg a dathliad am yr ŵyl.

Fyddai’r wyl yn mynd yn angof petai yn ddiwrnod arall o wyliau banc cyffredinol! Mae’n hynod bwysig i’r Cymry ddeall ystyr y pethau bychain yn ogystal a’i ddathlu.

Myfyrwraig trydedd flwyddyn y Gyfraith a’r Gymraeg Fe ddylai Dydd Gŵyl Dewi fod yn Ŵyl y Banc yma yng Nghymru, gan ei fod yn ddiwrnod i ddathlu ein straeon, ein traddodiadau a’n diwylliant yma yng Nghymru. Mae gwyliau Iwerddon, yr Alban a Lloegr wedi eu cynnwys yn awtomatig yng nghalendr fy ffôn, felly onid ddylai ein gwyliau ni fod yn rhan o’r calendr cenedlaethol? Gwisg genhinen yn dy gap, a gwisg hi ar ŵyl y banc!

Llion Carbis Aled Biston Rhodri Davies Deio Jones tafod@gairrhydd.com

Corbyn yn areithio yn rali aelodau’r UCU Roedd arweinydd y Blaid Lafur yn annerch torf yn rali’r University and College Union ym mharc Cathays

Llion Carbis

A

r fore gwlyb 20 Chwefror yng ngerddi Alexandra ym Mharc Cathays, roedd arweinydd y Blaid Lafur, Jeremy Corbyn, yn cefnogi rali aelodau UCU Prifysgol Caerdydd sy’n streicio am y trydydd tro mewn tair blynedd.

Mae’r UCU wedi trefnu pedair wythnos o streicio a all bara hyd at 13 Mawrth wrth i frwydr yr undeb dros bensiynau ac amodau gweithio gwell barhau.

Mae aelodau’r UCU wedi bod ac yn parhau i streicio dros eu sefydlogrwydd swyddi, cydraddoldeb, llwyth gwaith a thâl.

Yn dilyn y cyfnod diwethaf o streicio ar ddiwedd mis Tachwedd a dechrau Rhagfyr 2019, fe gyflwynodd Universities and Colleges Employers Association eu ‘cynnig olaf’ i’r UCU. Cafodd y cynnig ei wrthod gan yr undeb, gan arwain at y cyfnod diweddaraf o streicio.

O flaen torf sylweddol ym Mharc Cathays, dywedodd Corbyn ei fod yn cefnogi streic a sefyllfa’r UCU yn llawn.

“Mae gan anghydfod diwydiannol yr UCU fy nghefnogaeth lawn oherwydd mae darlithwyr prifysgolion a cholegau yn cael eu trin yn wael.”

Soniodd Mr Corbyn am y gostyngiadau sydd wedi bod yn nhâl staff acade-

maidd ym Mhrifysgolion ledled y DU ynghyd â phwysleisio ei wrthwynebiad i ddefnydd cytundebau oriau sero.

“Dros y blynyddoedd, rydym wedi gweld ymosodiadau ar gyflogau ac amodau [staff academaidd], sydd wedi niweidio’r sector addysg bellach. Hefyd, mae’r gyfran o wariant prifysgolion ar dâl [staff ] wrth gymharu â phopeth arall wedi gostwng yn ddifrifol.”

“Doeddwn i byth yn credu y byddaf yn gweld y diwrnod ymhle bod y rhai sy’n gweithio ac yn dysgu ar lefel uchel yn gweithio, i bob pwrpas, ar gytundebau oriau sero.”

Mewn paratoad ar gyfer y cyfnod presennol o streicio, dywedodd y brifysgol, mewn datganiad ar ei gwefan, mai “blaenoriaeth rhif un y brifysgol yw cefnogi ein myfyrwyr trwy’r cyfnod o streicio”. Mae’r brifysgol hefyd yn erfyn ar yr UCU i weithio yn adeiladol mewn trafodaethau er mwyn osgoi rhagor o streicio.

Yn gwylio Mr Corbyn yn annerch y dorf oedd myfyriwr PhD Prifysgol Caerdydd o’r enw Joe, a soniodd wrth Taf-od am ei rhesymau dros streicio.

“Nid yw fy nyfodol i yn edrych yn wych. Mae myfyrwyr PhD yn treulio llawer o’i hamser personol yn gwneud gwaith nad ydynt yn cael eu talu am.”

“Mae’r bobl sydd wedi bod yn neud PhD yn y blynyddoedd diweddar,

Araith Corbyn: Estynnodd arweinydd Llafur ei gefnogaeth i aelodau’r UCU. Tarddiad: Tim Marsh maent yn bennaf ar gytundebau dros dro, yn bennaf ar gytundebau ansicr ac yn bennaf yn derbyn tal isel. Dyw e [y sefyllfa] ddim yn fy llenwi â gobaith, a dyna pam fy mod yn cefnogi’r streicio.”

Dyma’r trydydd tymor mae’r streicio yn effeithio ar fyfyrwyr trydedd flwyddyn Prifysgol Caerdydd. Dywedodd un ohonynt, Meleri Williams, wrth Taf-od.

“Dw i’n credu bod e’n [y streicio] beth gwael i ni fel myfyrwyr, yn enwedig fel

myfyrwyr trydedd flwyddyn, sy’n ceisio cwblhau traethodau hir. Mae’r streicio yn ein hatal ni rhag cael gohebiaeth gyda thiwtoriaid personol a darlithwyr.

Mae’n peri pryder wrth i ni golli rhannau allweddol o fodiwlau sy’n ein rhwystro rhag eu gorffen yn gyflawn.”

Dywedodd llefarydd ar ran yr UCU: “Mae’r gefnogaeth gan fyfyrwyr ar linellau piced, trwy gyfryngau cymdeithasol ac ar gampws rhwng y streicio wedi bod yn rhyfeddol, ac ychydig yn llethol.”

DIWYLLIANT

Gwobrau’r Selar yn llwyddiant i Gwylim

Gwilym yn cipio tair gwobr mewn dwy noson llawn cerddoriaeth a dathlu Aled Biston Golygydd Taf-od

Nest Jenkins

Eich hadran taf-od

NEWYDDION

Pennaeth y Gymraeg

Gwenllian Evans

Yr unig gyhoeddiad myfyrwyr wythnosol trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg.

Sefydlwyd: 2003 Am fwy o gynnwys, ewch i gairrhydd.com/tafod

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r nosweithiau’r 14 a 15 o Chwefror, cafodd Gwobrau’r Selar eu cynnal yn Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Aberystwyth. Gwelwyd amrywiaeth o gerddoriaeth dros y ddwy noson, a nifer o wobrau ar gael i’r band gorau, artistiaid unigol a hefyd digwyddiadau gwahanol. Gwilym oedd prif enillwyr y noson, gan gymryd tair gwobr, gan ategu at y pump enillwyd gan y band o Wynedd a Môn llynedd.

Gwilym a Fleur De Lys oedd prif fandiau’r noson gyntaf, ond roedd yna hefyd berfformiadau cyffrous gan artistiaid ifanc y sîn Gymraeg- Elis Derby, Lewys a Dienw. Gwelodd nos Sadwrn amryw o genres yn cymryd i’r llwyfan hefyd. Los Blancos oedd yn cloi’r noson gyda’i halbwm newydd, gyda pherfformiadau gan Eädyth, Papur Wal, enillwyr y wobr ‘Band newydd Gorau’ elen, Kim Hon a hefyd y grŵp hip-hop o Gaernarfon, 3 Hwr Doeth.

Roedd 13 gwobr ar gael i’w hennill yn Selar eleni, ac un ohonynt oedd ‘Artist Unigol Gorau’. Ar ôl blwyddyn hynod

o lwyddiannus a welodd dau sengl yn cael eu rhyddau, a’i albwm newydd ‘3’, Elis Derby enillodd y wobr. Dywedodd ef. ‘O ystyried fy mod wedi enwebu am yr un wobr a Rhys Gwynfor yn ogystal â Mared Williams, roeddwn ddim yn gwybod beth i ddisgwyl. Ond, dwi’n hynod falch o gael ennill y wobr ‘Artist Unigol Gorau’, yn enwedig ar ôl lot o gigio ac ysgrifennu cynnyrch yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf ’.

Unwaith eto, Gwilym oedd prif enillwyr y noson, gan ennill y gwobrau ‘Cân Orau’ am ‘Neidia’, ‘Fideo Gorau’ am ‘Gwalia’ ac wrth gwrs y wobr am y ‘Band Gorau’. Dywedodd prif gitarydd y band, Llew Glyn. ‘Mae ennill tair Gwobr Selar eleni, a ‘Band Gorau’ yn un o rheini, yn deimlad grêt. Mae’n braf iawn cael cydnabyddiaeth am y gwaith called dani’n roi mewn i’r band.

Gafon ni flwyddyn anhygoel llynedd, felly mae’r gwobrau yma yn coroni’r cyfan.’ Tybed a fydd y band yn ennill mwy o wobrau blwyddyn nesaf?

O ran digwyddiadau a hyrwyddwyr, Tafwyl oedd enillydd ‘Digwyddiad Byw Gorau’, a Clwb Ifor Bach cafodd eu henwi’n ‘Hyrwyddwr Annibynnol Gorau’. Trwy gydol 2019, cynhaliwyd nifer o gigiau gan Clwb Ifor Bach a

Gwobrau Gwylim: Ifan Pritchard a gweddill y band yn derbyn eu gwobr. Tarddiad: Kirsty Lewis oedd yn cynnwys nifer o artistiaid gwahanol. Roedd 3 Hwr Doeth, Gwilym, Mr. a nifer o artistiaid eraill wedi chwarae yn y clwb yn y brifddinas, a denu nifer o bobl. Yn ogystal, mae Clwb Ifor Bach yn cynnal gig ‘Dydd Miwsig Cymru’ pob blwyddyn, sydd yn cynnwys amryw o artistiaid mewn dathliad cerddoriaeth Gymreig.

Dyma’r wythfed flwyddyn i’r Gwobrau cael eu cynnal, ac mae trefnydd Gwobrau’r Selar eleni, Owain Schiavone, wedi mwynhau gweld y dig-

wyddiad yn datblygu. Ar wefan ‘Y Selar’ dywedodd ef. ‘Mae wedi bod yn ddifyr gwylio’r shifft yn y sîn gydag artistiaid newydd yn creu argraff bob blwyddyn, a’r amrywiaeth sydd gennym yn ehangu’n gyson. Gobeithio fod y digwyddiad yn cynnig llwyfan addas i hynny mewn sawl ffordd.”

Roedd Gwobrau’r Selar eleni eto yn llwyddiant ysgubol. Gyda nifer o fandiau newydd a chyffrous ar y sîn Gymraeg. Diddorol fydd gweld pwy fydd yn cipio gwobrau flwyddyn nesaf?

TAF-OD

Galw am gael adolygu yn y Gymraeg ar wefan TripAdvisor

Ennillwyr Newyddiaduraeth Gymraeg Orau - Gwobrau SPA Cymru 2019

Pryd o Daf-od

Sara James sy’n trafod ei phenderfyniad o aberthu bwyta cig wedi gwylio rhaglen ddogfen ar Netflix.

T

rwy fy mywyd, rydw i wedi bod yn hoff iawn o fwyta cig, ac roedd y syniad o droi’n llysieuwr yn troi arnaf. Bwyta heb gig?

Amhosib. Sut mae rhywun yn byw heb chicken nuggets?!

Ers imi wylio rhaglen ddogfen ar Netflix, mae fy safbwyntiau ar gig

Trafod gyda’r

taf-od 1. Pwy wyt ti a beth wyt ti’n astudio?

Cai Jones ydw i a dw i’n astudio Pensaernïaeth.

Nest Jenkins Cyfrannydd

wedi newid yn llwyr. Er mai rhaglen wedi’i hanelu’n bennaf at athletwyr yw ‘The Game Changers’, roedd fy nhad, sydd erbyn hyn wedi- fwy neu lai- troi’n fegan, yn awyddus imi wylio’r rhaglen hon.

Er bod fy nhad wedi newid ei ffordd o fwyta am y rheswm ei fod yn hyfforddi at gyflawni’r ‘Iron Man’ ym Mis Medi, roedd ef am i mi a fy Mam wylio’r rhaglen, ac i feddwl am ein hiechyd yn fwy.

Yn wir, roedd yr ystadegau a ffeithiau wedi fy syfrdanu i ddweud y gwir, a chodi bach o ofn arnaf. Gan fy mod i wedi gwylio’r rhaglen yn wreiddiol wythnos cyn y Nadolig, doeddwn ni ddim am newid y ffordd o fwyta bryd hynny. Byddai’r boen o ddim cael ‘pigs in blankets’ a thwrci’n ormod!

Mis Ionawr. Roeddwn i’n benderfynol o osgoi cig cymaint ag oeddw i’n gallu, ceisio troi’n llysieuwr, yn araf bach ‘phase it in’ fel petai. Ond wrth imi ddeffro’r prynhawn hwnnw yn difaru’r coctêls niferus, ges i gig eidion! Aduniad blwyddyn newydd wedi’i fethu o fewn oriau cyntaf 2020.

Serch hynny, dyma fi’n cychwyn ar ‘trend’ newydd o’r enw ‘veggie febie’ ar y cyntaf o Chwefror, ar y cyd

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

Cai Jones

8. Prosecco neu champagne?

Pam? Prosecco.. llawer rhatach.

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

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

Crio ar noson allan.

Cymru 3 - 1 Gwlad Belg.

3. Beth oedd dy air cyntaf?

10. Beth yw dy gas beth?

Golau.

Pobol yn bwyta heb gau eu cegau.

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

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

Fresh Prince of Bel Air, am fy mod i’n gwybod y geiriau i gyd.

Mynd i Ibiza hefo’r hogia’.

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

Chicken Tikka gyda Pilau Rice.

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

Cai a Cai: Yr hogiau’n wên i gyd.

Tarddiad: Cai Jones

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

Gwylan-Fôr, er mwyn cael bwyd am ddim.

13. Disgrifia dy hun mewn 3 gair.

Selena Gomez.

Uffar o foi.

7. Pwy yw dy hoff fand/artist?

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

Rubber Band.

gyda thri o’m ffrindiau, mae’r siwrne lysieuol wedi bod yn haws gyda’n gilydd. (Diweddariad- un wedi methu tuag wythnos i mewn) Hyd yn hyn, mae’r siwrne yma wedi bod yn haws na beth oeddwn ni’n wreiddiol yn meddwl. Cyn imi ddechrau bod yn llysieuwr, roeddwn i’n poeni ychydig am y prinder o ddewis byddai gen i pan fyddaf yn siopa neu’n mynd allan i fwyta. Ond i’r gwrthwyneb i hynny, mae’r dewis yn eang. Ond imi dalu ychydig mwy o sylw ar y pecynnau, i wneud yn siŵr ei fod yn cael ei nodi os yw’r bwyd / eitemau’n cynnwys cig. Gan amlaf rydw i’n bwyta selsig neu fyrgyrs Linda McCartney, Quorn neu rai fegan weithiau hefyd. Yr unig beth negyddol allai ddweud rydw i wedi sylwi bod yr eitemau yma ychydig yn ddrytach na’r eitemau cig, ond serch hynny maent yn plesio’r stumog yn ogystal!

Felly, wrth imi adlewyrchu ar fy mhrofiadau hyd yn hyn, mae bod yn llysieuwr wedi bod yn un yn sicr i’w gofio. Cefais syndod yn fy hun, fy mod i’n gallu ymdopi heb fwyta cig.

Heb os, mi fyddai’n bendant yn cadw rhai o’r newidiadau yma megis selsig

Llew Williams.

Celtiaid Caernarfon: Mae Cai yn hoff o chwarae pêl-fasged. Tarddiad: Cai Jones

a’r ‘chicken nuggets’ Quorn. Serch hynny, rydw i wedi gweld eisiau cig eidion gyda fy nghinio dydd Sul, ac rydw i’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at gael powlen fawr o gig eidion ar Fawrth y cyntaf!

Yn sicr byddaf yn ystyried newid i fod yn llysieuwr yn y dyfodol, ond rydw i’n teimlo fel rydw i rywsut wedi gwneud bach o wahaniaeth i’r amgylchedd a fy iechyd wrth wneud ‘Veggie Febie’.

Caru ffrwythau: Hanfod fod yn llysieuwr. Tarddiad: Free Photos (drwy Pixabay)

M

ae’n wlad i mi ac mae’n wlad i tithau. O gopa’r Wyddfa i lawr i’w thra-

ethau..

Fel rhestrodd Dafydd Iwan yn ei gân, mae digon o atyniadau i ddenu ymwelwyr i Gymru fach. Ond, ni soniodd am y modd y gallwn droi’n feirniaid craff a gadael adolygiad ar TripAdvisor wedi’n hymweliad. Ydy wir, dyma wefan sy’n rhan o’n hail natur bellach wrth ymchwilio, profi a gwerthfawrogi unrhyw leoliad ar hyd a lled y wlad.

Gwerthfawrogi ei brofiad ym mwyty’r Whitehall ger Pwllheli oedd bwriad Sion Meredith o Aberystwyth fis Rhagfyr y llynedd.

Gan gofio bod Mr Meredith ei hun yn siaradwr Cymraeg iaith gyntaf, a bod Pwllheli, tref glan môr ym Mhen Llyn, yn gartref i 81% o siaradwyr Cymraeg, does dim dwywaith nad profiad Cymreig a brofodd y diwrnod hwnnw. Cam naturiol ydoedd i Mr Meredith ysgrifennu adolygiad ar wefan TripAdvisor yn y Gymraeg.

Yn ryfeddol, derbyniodd ymateb yn Swedeg, ar ôl i TripAdvisor, gwefan sy’n honni i fod yn “blatfform teithio mwya’r byd”, fethu ag adnabod y Gymraeg. Ar ôl i Mr Meredith gwyno, ymatebodd llefarydd ar ran y wefan gan ddweud nad oes modd ysgrifennu adolygiadau yn y Gymraeg ar hyn o bryd. Dywedodd eu bod yn “continuously exploring opportunities to expand the number of languages we are able to support on our sites.”

Onid yw’n hurt nad yw’r iaith sydd ar arwyddion y lleoliad, ar wefusau’r staff a’r ymwelwyr yn cael ei chydnabod gan blatfform o’r fath?

Busnesau bach yng Nghymru sydd yn Gymreig eu naws ac yn falch o’m Cymreictod sy’n cael eu tanselio.

Nid problem newydd yw’r diffyg Cymraeg. Gwelir cwynion yn dyddio’n ôl mor bell â 2014 ar fforwm TripAdvisor ar-lein. Rhaid i ni’r Cymry blygu i iaith arall er mwyn cyfrannu at y wefan; boed hynny’n Dwrceg, Pwyleg, Slofac neu fel yr arfer, yn Saesneg. Er hyn, mae’r ffrae ddiweddar wedi esgor ar weithredu. Creodd Mr Bryn Howell-Pryce ddeiseb ar Change.org gan ddweud; “TripAdvisor needs to recognise the vibrancy of Welsh and the strong desire of many people in Wales to communicate in their first language.” Ar hyn o bryd, mae 243 o bobl wedi arwyddo, gyda sefydlydd y ddeiseb yn gobeithio cyrraedd 500 o enwau.

Trwy ddefnyddio’r iaith ar blatfformau rhyngwladol, hysbysu cwmniau mawr o’n bodolaeth a thrwy wneud safiadau bach fel hyn y mae modd i ennyn statws i’r Gymraeg fel iaith broffesiynol. Wrth i’r iaith gael ei hanwybyddu a’i gwawdio, pa obaith sydd inni gyrraedd y miliwn ymhen deg ar hugain mlynedd?

Efallai mai dyma’n cyfle ni i roi adolygiad gwael i TripAdvisor eu hunain.

taf od

Sara James

9

10 TAF-OD

Paratoadau Cymru ar gyfer Ewro 2020

CHWARAEON

Cymro yn cipio buddugoliaeth yn Sweden

Llion Carbis

Elfyn Evans yn ennill am y tro cyntaf ers Rali Cymru GB yn 2017

Pennaeth y Gymraeg

A

r 12 Mehefin 2020, bydd pencampwriaeth yr Ewros yn dechrau gyda Chymru yn chwarae yn y gystadleuaeth am dim ond yr ail dro yn ein hanes. Yn ychwanegol, dyma’r tro gyntaf bydd Cymru yn cystadlu mewn dwy bencampwriaeth Ewropeaidd yn olynol – tipyn o gamp wrth ystyried roedd bwlch o 58 mlynedd rhwng ymddangosiad Cymru yng Nghwpan y Byd yn 1958 a Chymru yn cyrraedd rownd gynderfynol Ewro 2016.

Mewn paratoad ar gyfer y gystadleuaeth, mae Cymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru wedi cyhoeddi bydd tîm Ryan Giggs yn herio’r Iseldiroedd wythnos cyn i Gymru dechrau eu hymgyrch Ewro 2020 yn erbyn y Swistir ym Maku. Bydd Cymru yn hedfan i Rotterdam er mwyn wynebu’r Iseldiroedd ar Ddydd Sadwrn, 6 Mehefin.

Mae’r ornest yn erbyn yr Iseldiroedd ar ddechrau Mehefin yn dynodi’r cyfle olaf i chwaraewyr Ryan Giggs serennu cyn i’r bencampwriaeth ddechrau, gyda Chymru yn wynebu’r Swistir, Twrci a’r Eidal yng ngrŵp A Ewro 2020.

Roedd garfan Cymru yn edrych yn wahanol iawn y tro diwethaf i Gymru herio’r Iseldiroedd. Yn ddiddorol, y tro diwethaf i’r ddwy dîm chwarae oedd mis Tachwedd 2015, ond rhai misoedd cyn i Gymru greu hanes yn Ffrainc yn yr Ewros.

Ar yr achlysur hynny, dechreuodd chwaraewyr megis Andy King, Joe Ledley a James Chester dros Gymru – chwaraewyr sy’n annhebygol iawn o gynrychioli Cymru yn Ewro 2020 eleni. Cwpl o goliau gan Arjen Robben oedd y cyfraniad tyngedfennol yn 2015, gyda’r Iseldiroedd yn curo Cymru 2-3 yn Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd. Joe Ledley ac Emyr Huws oedd wedi sgorio i Gymru, ac mae Huws wedi bod yn trafod ei uchelgais o ddychwelyd i chwarae ar y maes rhyngwladol. Dywedodd Huws mewn cyfweliad gyda Sgorio, “Fi’n desperate i chwarae i Gymru a rhoi’r crys coch nol arno a bod yn rhan o’r garfan; mae’n meddwl lot i fi. Ond, mae rhaid i fi ffocysu ar beth sy’n digwydd gyda Ipswich, chwarae’n dda, chwarae’n gyson; a gobeithio bod pethau yn cwympo mewn i le yn y dyfodol.”

Mae carfan Ryan Giggs yn debygol o edrych yn dra gwahanol eleni wrth gymharu â charfan Chris Coleman yn 2016. Yn ystod ei yrfa fel hyfforddwr y tîm cenedlaethol, mae Giggs wedi ymddiried yn fawr yn ei chwaraewyr ifanc ac mae disgwyl bydd nifer o sêr ifanc Cymru yn chwarae rôl allweddol yr haf yma. Ond, gyda digon o bêl-droed i’w chwarae cyn diwedd y tymor, mae digon o amser i chwaraewyr dangos eu doniau a pherswadio Giggs i’eu cynnwys yn y garfan.

Cyffro Ewro 2020: Mae disgwyliadau’r Cymry yn cynyddu wrth edrych ymlaen at yr haf. Tarddiad: Llion Carbis

Aled Biston Golygydd Taf-od

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ae Elfyn Evans wedi ennill cam Sweden ym Mhencampwriaeth Rali’r Byd. Fe yw y Cymro cyntaf i wneud. Mae Evans a’i gyd-yrrwr Scott Martin wedi arwain y rali dros 4 diwrnod o’r dechrau i’r diwedd, ac maen nhw nawr ar frig y Bencampwriaeth ar ôl 13 rownd. Fe wnaeth Ott Tanak, y gyrrwr sydd yn ceisio amddiffyn y Bencampwriaeth, orffen 12.7 eiliad tu ôl i Evans. Dyma’r ail dro mae Evans wedi cipio’r safle gyntaf yn ei yrfa, y tro cyntaf oedd ennill yn Rali Cymru GB nol yn 2017.

Mae’r gŵr o Ddolgellau yn fab i enillydd Pencampwriaeth Rali Prydain 1996, Gwyndaf Evans, ac yn obeithiol o ennill pencampwriaeth eleni ar ôl dechreuad gwych yn Sweden. Dywedodd ef mewn cyfweliad â Chwaraeon Radio Cymru ‘Ma’ hi ‘di bod y cychwyn gorau i’r tymor dwi erioed wedi cael, ac rydym yn awyddus dros ben i gadw’r canlyniadau yma i fynd a thrio gwella pob rali’.

Ar ei orau: Elfyn Evans wrth in ralio gyda’i cyd-yrrwr, Scott Martin. Tarddiad: Free Photos (drwy Pixabay) Ond mae Evans yn gwybod bod y gystadleuaeth yn anodd a bod cipio’r Bencampwriaeth mynd i fod yn gamp anodd i’w chyflawni, ‘Da ni’n gwybod bod y gystadleuaeth yn gryf dros ben a bod pawb yn gwthio i drio ennill, bydd rhaid i ni weithio’n galed’.

Yn ogystal ag ennill y Rali yn Sweden, mae Evans wedi camu i frig gynghrair pwyntiau y WRC am y tro gyntaf yn ei yrfa. Mae ef a’i dîm

wedi bod yn gweithio’n galed dros yr wythnosau diwethaf i sicrhau eu bod nhw’n barod ar gyfer y tymor Rali.

Dywedodd Evans wrth Chwaraeon Radio Cymru, ei fod yn braf bod ar y podiwm ar ôl yr holl waith caled.

‘Mae o’n braf ben i gael buddugoliaeth arall o’r diwedd yn y byd ralio… mae bod nôl ar ben y podiwm yn deimlad braf ’.

Yn ei yrfa, mae Evans wedi bod yn

anlwcus. Ar nifer o adegau, mae ef wedi dod yn agos at ennill nifer o ralïau yn ystod pencampwriaeth. Yn 2017, roedd Evans wedi ailymuno â Thîm Rali M-Sport World er mwyn gyrru’r car DMACK. Yn ystod yr adeg hon, fe ddaeth yn 6ed yn Monte Carlo, gan recordio’r amser gorau am ddwy cam. Fe wnaeth ef wedyn ailadrodd hyn yn Sweden ond roedd perfformiadau gwael yn Mecsico a Corsica yn golygu bod ond blaenllaw o 11 eiliad ganddo. Yn y bumed cam yn Yr Ariannin, roedd Evans wedi elwa o gamgymeriadau gan yrwyr eraill, ond ar ail ddiwrnod y cam roedd Evans gorfod delio das problemau olwynion. Yn y cam olaf, roedd rhaid iddo gamu nol er lles y tîm o ganlyniad i un o’i gyd-gyrrwyr anafu.

Gobeithio yn 2020 bydd lwc yn dod i Elfyn Evans, a bod y canlyniadau yn dilyn tuedd y fuddugoliaeth yn Sweden. Tybed a fydd y gŵr o Ddolgellau gallu bod yn seren y byd Rali, a dilyn llwybr ei dad gan ennill Pencampwriaeth Rali? Os mae ei berfformiad yn Sweden yn enghraifft o beth sydd i ddod, maen siwr o fod yn debygol.

Prif Gynghrair Dartiau’n dod i Gaerdydd

Bu’r Motorpoint Arena yng Ngherdydd yn gartref i’r goreuon am y noson Deio Jones Golygydd Taf-od

N

os Iau, 20 Chwefror, daeth y Prif Gynghrair Dartiau ar eu taith i Gaerdydd.

Ymysg y chwaraewyr oedd Michael Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Glen Durrant, Gerwyn Price, Daryl Gurney, Nathan Aspinall, Michael Smith, Jonny Clayton, Rob Cross a Peter Wright.

Glen Durrant oedd seren y noson

Siomedigaeth mwyaf y noson oedd diwedd rhediad ddidrech Michael Van Gerwen wrth iddo gyrraedd y prif dabl wrth guro Gary Anderson 7-4. Dywedodd wrth SkySports y byddai’n hapus yn gorffen ymysg yr wyth uchaf.

Siomedigaeth mwyaf y noson oedd diwedd rhediad ddidrech Michael Van Gerwen, wrth iddo golli i Nathan Aspinall. Curodd Aspinall 7-5 yn dim ond ei drydydd gem yn yr Uwch-Gynghrair.

Dywedodd Aspinall wrth BBC Sports “To produce my best performance so far this year against the world number one means a lot, and to get two points and a great win against obviously the best player in the world.”

Ennillodd y pencampwr byd Peter ‘Snake-bite’ Wright ei gêm gyntaf o’r tymor yn erbyn Rob Cross gyda 7-5.

Roedd gan Wright gyfartaledd taflu o 101.

Hefyd, llwyddodd y Cymro Gerwyn Price i sicrhau gêm gyfartal yn erbyn Daryl Gurney yn ei ymddangosiad cyntaf nol yng Nghymru ers cael ei wobrwyo’n bencampwr Grand Slam

Dartiau’n y ‘Diff: Yr Uwch Gynghrair yn ôl yn ei darddle. Tarddiad: Bastian drwy flickr Dartiau. Dywedodd Price wrth BBC Sport Wales, “It was a great atmosphere, as it always is in Cardiff and I think that puts that little bit extra pressure on myself to try and perform and win. I tried a little bit too hard today, if I had gone 4-3 up I probably could have won that game.” Mae Price wedi sgorio’n gyfartal ym mhob gêm o’r tymor hyd yn hyn (wedi chwarae 3).

Er gêm cyfartal, mae Price wedi cael un buddugoliaeth diweddar wrth i

gynlluniau ar gyfer creu ‘ystafell ymarfer’ yn ei ardd gefn gael eu pasio. Yn ôl Jeffrey Smith, roedd y gwaith adeiladu wedi creu £5000 o ddifrod i wal a oedd yn ‘ddebygol iawn o ddisgyn’. Dywedodd Price fod y honiadau yn “Garbage”. Dywedodd Smith bod ei fam yn “crio’n ddyddiol” oherwydd gweithrediadau ei chymydog. Dywedodd Smith hefyd wrth y BBC fod Price yn dangos “total disregard” tuag at dŷ ei fam ac wedi gorfod byw hefo Price yn “yfed yn

hwyr”.

Dechreuodd yr Uwch Gynghrair Dartiau yn 2005 ar Sky Sports. Mae’r gynghrair nawr yn chwarae’n wythnosol o Chwefror at Fai, er iddo ddechrau’n gystadleuaeth pythefnos.

Noddir y gystadleuaeth gan UNIBET. Rhoddir £855,000 i’r ennillydd ar hyn o bryd, ond mae’r wobr yn codi bob blwyddyn. Tybed a ddeith Price o’r patrwm gemau cyfartal mae o i weld yn sownd ynddi ar hyn o bryd?

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

POLITICS

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/politics

GWLEIDYDDIAETH

12

Your politics desk Lowri Pitcher Hallum Cowell Tom-Henry Jones Maisie Marston

Gair Rhydd Interviews: Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council

Thomas spoke to Gair Rhydd about his projects, priorities and political discourse Aliraza Manji Head of Digital Media

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air Rhydd spoke to Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council and the Labour Group. Cllr Thomas was elected as Leader of the Council in May 2017 and has served as a Labour Councillor for Splott since 2012.

During his time in office, he has worked as the Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture and has since worked to push through various reforms, including that of education, new house-building projects and currently, his transport and environment plans.

You have represented your ward of Splott since 2012. What is it about this role that you enjoy most of all?

As a local Councillor, there is a huge amount of variety. You do not know what issues you will be dealing with from one week to the next. You are very much on the coalface; so, the issues are immediate, people are ringing you. Myself and two ward colleagues in Splott hold three surgeries a month, we live in the community, our mobile phones and addresses are on the public domain so we are in a lot of contact. Areas like Splott are probably the biggest areas of deprivation in Wales and there are some really challenging issues; housing, poverty and people unable to get work. There is frustration I have to say because sometimes I am unable to help simply because the way the system is designed and particularly, now we are into the tenth year of public-sector austerity. The funding that councils had to make a difference ten years ago does not exist anymore.

There is frustration I have to say because sometimes I am unable to help simply because the way the system is designed

Huw Thomas

You were elected Leader of the Council in May 2017. As a Councillor and Leader, what has been your greatest achievement to date?

How long have you got? There are a number of things that I am really proud of and there a number of things that are a work in progress and I am looking forward to seeing through. I’ll start with education.

We are in the process of delivering the single biggest investment into our schools that this city has ever seen, a figure of about £450 million is what we are committing. I talked earlier about seeing the country as too unequal, well I see the shortest way out of poverty is a good education. That’s why we are spending millions on raising the standards of education in the city and we want to make sure that every school is a good school. So, we will have more green rated schools in Cardiff now than there ever have been.

Huw Thomas: The Leader of Cardiff Council has been in his post since 2017.

Source: Cardiff Council (via Twitter)

That is what I am most proud of, but there is so much more going on.

We have a program to build council houses; it is the first time we have built council houses on this scale since the 1980s. By 2022, we will have delivered over 1,000 council homes to people in Cardiff with a plan for a 1,000 after that. There are the changes we are bringing into the transport system with the first cycleways that this city has ever seen.

We have our events program, we held the Champions League final in 2017, for a city the size of Cardiff; that is remarkable!

ambition, for 20 years. We see the effect of that in the gridlock, we see it in our streets, the poor air quality and the fact that public transport is not up to scratch.

What we have put forward in this transport vision is a plan to transform it. It involves building a Cardiff Crossrail stretching from the north west corner of the city through the city centre down into the docks and out eastwards towards Newport. It involves linking up the Circle Line and the City Line with a connection in Radyr. It aims to increase the frequency of the train services, building new train stations as well.

A new network of bus routes looking to provide cheaper bus alternatives, completing the network of cycle highways which we are in the process of building now. Key to delivery will be the funding. One of the things which was announced was the idea of a congestion charge.

We are not wedded to the congestion charge necessarily, but it is one of the options we have to look at in order to fund a programme that is going to cost between one and two billion pounds.

Why is local democracy still important?

You cannot get more local for decision making than local government. When a library closes, or a leisure centre, it is the local council that locks the door. You are dealing with issues that fundamentally affect the quality of life. Things that people enjoy. It is an unappreciated fact that so much of what concerns people is delivered by local government. You’ll hear MPs and AMs talk and engage on those issues, but actually, it is local government delivering those services. I think it is fundamentally important for people to have a say in how those services that matter the most to them are delivered. That is why local democracy is so important.

What are your thoughts on the University College Union (UCU) strikes and should students be compensated for any teaching time lost?

I always think no one goes on strike because they want to go on strike. They go on strike because they’re at the end of their tether in terms of the issue they’re calling for.

My solidarity is with those people on strike and I have a great deal of sympathy for those students who have also missed out on teaching. I would ask that universities, Cardiff University and the others, to engage with the issues that UCU are raising because that’s the quickest way you can get people back in the classroom teaching.

On a broader point, where we’ve ended up with the marketisation of further education I think is a real issue. I was fortunate to study music.

Now that was 15 years ago, I’m not sure I would confidently be making that decision if I was 17/18 now that it costs £9,000 a year for the privilege. I think that’s a loss because what it means is that, particularly with a humanities degree, there’s only people who can afford it who are confident of a career path going into it, so that marketisation of higher education I think needs to be reversed if not by this government than by a future government.

What are your thoughts on the transport White Paper? Do you believe that it can feasibly be achievedwithin the £2bn budget laid out?

I think it is deliverable. We would not have put it forward if it was not, but it hinges on a partnership working; it hinges on frank honest conversation with the Welsh Government, with partners in neighbouring authorities as well and with the public. Cardiff has not had a transport vision of this scale, of this level of

Should student landlords be held more accountable? What actions have Cardiff Council taken in combatting them?

Absolutely, they should be held more accountable and there are a series of council departments that can assist in this, particularly private sector housing. If your accommodation is substandard, I would encourage you to get in touch with the council and we’ll try and work with you to address those issues. I

know that the local Councillors who represent, in particular Cathays and Plasnwydd, deal with student issues daily so they understand these issues very well and are very effective at helping them. Contact details for all those individuals are also on the council website. But that comes back to why local democracy is important, because you are electing the people who work on your behalf to sort these isssues out.

What are your thoughts on the Labour General Election cfampaign? Why did Labour end up with such a bad result?

I guess I can only share my own experience, which was predominantly canvassing in Cardiff. Now Cardiff is not representative of Wales. 60% of Cardiff voted to remain in the referendum vote. There was a significant degree of concern that I picked up about our position over Brexit, there was also, I’m sorry to say, a real concern over the leadership. Now that clearly had been coloured by four years of media portrayal of Jeremy Corbyn, but that was an image we couldn’t get away from. People would say, given the choice, between Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson, they would choose Boris Johnson and I think that hurt us as well.

There was a significant degree of concern that I picked up about our position over Brexit.

Huw Thomas

In the spirit of unity can you name an example of when you had to work with an opposistion Councillor and why?

Yes. One of the features of local government, kind of reflecting Select Committees in Parliament, is Scrutiny Committees and these are done on a cross-party basis. So, before I became Leader, I sat on a Select Committee with Conservatives, with Liberal Democrats and you’re scrutinising the policies the administration is putting forward. I did that for a number of years, enjoyed it and it worked well.

I think there are really good, strong, interpersonal relationships between lots of Councillors from different parties and I think there is so much negativity now in discourse, it’s almost like you have to hate people from other parties, if not, then you’re maybe too close to them and I don’t accept that.

I’ve met both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats that I would go have a drink with down the pub after the Council meeting. There are examples but I’m also very passionate about delivering our Labour agenda for the people of Cardiff and if they try to stop that then I’ll drive it through.

GWLEIDYDDIAETH 13

Adrian Robson, Leader of the Conservative Group at Cardiff Council

Councillor Robson spoke about transport, landords and the environment easier for people to use.

Aliraza Manji Head of Digital

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air Rhydd spoke to Adrian Robson, Leader of the Conservative Group on Cardiff Council. Cllr Robson was re-elected as Leader of the Conservative Group in May 2019 and has served as Conservative Councillor for Rhiwbina since 2004. During his time in office, he has worked on committees scrutinising the work of the Council. Currently, he sits on the Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee, Glamorgan Archives Joint Committee, and the Public Protection Committee.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself before you became a Councillor?

I’ve always had an interest in politics, right from a very young age, an awareness of it. I moved around the country, I was brought up in Watford originally lived on the Wirral for a while, went to university at Aberystwyth which many do, and that’s where I really joined the Conservative Party and got heavily involved in politics. When I graduated from Aberystwyth I came out to Cardiff where the National Assembly was only three or four years old at the time.

There was a lot of enthusiasm and a lot going on politically. I saw opportunities here to get involved in politics.

What enticed you about getting involved in local politics?

I think it’s about making a difference.

I like the fact that as a local Councillor you can make a difference that means things to people’s lives. Sometimes it’s very small, minor things, like getting a pothole repaired or getting their bins emptied if the Council has missed them. Other times it’s things such as, in Cardiff’s case, how the city will grow and develop; where the housing goes; what transport infrastructure is going to be like; education; care for the elderly or care for those who are not so elderly.

All those big areas but still, whether it is me as a local Councillor in my ward or as one of 75 councillors across the city, you feel you can make a difference to people’s lives.

I like the fact that as a local Councillor you can make a difference.

Adrian Robson

As a Councillor, what is your greatest achievement to date?

I’ve got a couple and they are all ward based which might surprise many people as a city-based councillor. One which is very current unfortunately, about nine or ten years ago, the Brook in my ward Rhiwbina flooded about 20 houses. So, it was an awful night following the Brook upstream seeing people who had been affected, but the council along with the Environment Agency started to put together a flood defence scheme and it was about implementing that. It was £1,500,000 in total, so it was not a small scheme, but it meant that areas of Rhiwbina do not flood, and water is held back from nearby Whitchurch and the River Taff. So, I hope it helped,

Central Square: If the White Paper goes ahead Cardiff Central will be expanded and refurbished. Source: Elliott Brown (via Flickr) in some small way, with the floods that we had over the weekend. That was a big scheme because it involved taking down some hedges in a conservation area and Grade II listed houses. So, some serious stuff about the conservation aspect. It was about bringing the community with you on that, you were not just tearing out hedges.

will go but we are a long way away from that detail being available yet. But, the principles of it, what is in that White Paper in terms of transport and infrastructure improvement. It is essential.

We have got to do it.

If Cardiff is going to be successful it is transport that is going to make or break this city.

Do you believe that local democracy is something we should continue to pursue?

Yes, absolutely. Whatever form that takes, you’ve got to have local democracy because when you look at higher levels whether that is the National Assembly of Wales or Westminster. They have a much wider reach and yes, they have their constituency, but they are there to govern the country and look at the big picture countrywide. Local Democracy is for those who are living in the city or the local authority area.

It is about having that direct and close link with their councillor. Most people probably cannot name their councillor, but they probably know that they have a Councillor and where to go to find them, what party they are from and who won the last election.

Would you vote for this White Paper?

Yes, with the caveat on Congestion Charges as that does cause me some concern. It’s not flushed out yet, this is only a White Paper. So, let’s see what they come back with, our group’s view is that you only need to look at Congestion Charges once you have got all the transport infrastructure in place first.

So, that there are other alternatives. It is all about the carrot and stick approach.

You need the carrot of the transport infrastructure before the stick in the form of tax.

What are your thoughts on this White Paper? Do you see it as feasible and necessary?

I’ve been on the Council since 2004 and throughout all my time as a Councillor I’ve been talking about transport infrastructure. If Cardiff is going to be successful it is transport that is going to make or break this city. There are no two ways about it. Whatever other ways you look at it, transport is the key to this city, in my opinion. This White Paper is good. There is a lot of good stuff in here; the Metro, Rapid Transit Buses, extra Cycle provisions, walking provisions and so on. There are two aspects where I query it. One is deliverability – will it actually happen? It’s all very well having grand plans, but I’ve been here before on the council and it does not happen. Let’s see if this time it does. I hope it will, certainly with the Metro. There is the issue around congestion charges. I represent one of the wards on the outskirts of the city where there are concerns of where the charge

What more can be done to deal with the Climate Emergency in Cardiff?

It’s about the realistic steps. You could say well let’s shut up all traffic to the whole of the inner city or something like that, but you have actually got to look realistic steps and it comes back to transport which is why this White Paper is so important because there have two options there. At the moment, with the exception of a couple of key bus routes; the one up to Thornhill where there are regular bus services or those in the West. A lot of the other parts of Cardiff, even if they have a bus service it is not well served. I think of places like Lisvane in the North and the West of the city. Lisvane has one bus every hour or two on Saturdays or something like that. The railway line that runs through my ward and goes to Whitchurch and Heath does not run on a weekend. The train is every half an hour. It is a great service when you get it right and time it, but all this transport infrastructure needs to be much more accessible and

Adrian Robson

Should student landlords be held more accountable?

Certainly, student landlords should be. If they are bad landlords, then they should be. There are some laws coming in to try and encourage landlords to be better landlords. It is a two-fold approach because the rental sector in a city like Cardiff is quite high. The student rental sector obviously has a high turnover and you do hear cases sadly, where landlords are taking advantage of students, houses are not up to scratch, fit for purpose and probably should not be lived in without some work.

To be fair, the council does try and tackle that as best they can. Equally, you have then got the other approach of those who are investors who are looking for longer term leases and not looking for student tenants in other parts of the city and the laws affect them as well. I think there is a balance to be struck and I think that we have not quite got it right yet. I’ve seen some awful student accommodation in Cardiff in my time here through friends and contacts after I graduated and some of the places they lived in were awful. I like to think that many of those places have been improved, but I bet that some of them have not.

What would you like to see implemented in Cardiff?

Transport is a big issue and we have to get that right. As a growing city which is full in its land space, in the long term we will need to look into where we build our suburbs. The Welsh Government will need to look into boundaries as we do have strong communities on the outskirts of Cardiff who will be reluctant to come into Cardiff. You think of places like Penarth who like the fact that they are in the Vale of Glamorgan and those sorts of areas and you cannot go much further into Newport as it is a city in itself. These are big questions which are not just for the Council but very much for the Welsh Government as well. They have got to start looking at the medium-term…the Welsh Government tends to look short-term.

Finally, in the spirit of unity, can you name an example of when you’ve had to work with an opposition councillor and why?

Funnily enough people think it does not happen, but it happens a lot. In the chamber, of course, we are there with our set speeches and people know what position each party or group is goingåto take, but certainly on a Planning Committee that is non-political.

Last night, I was on the Economy Scrutiny Committee which is looking at the budget coming up from a non-political viewpoint. So, we are asking questions about the Cabinet’s proposals about tourism and strategy and also about how libraries and pubs will go forward.

We ask questions because we are interested not because I’m a Conservative on this committee and I have to ask because that is the Conservative line. I ask questions because I am interested, and I think there are opportunities for the city to be strengthened.

What is the “Transport Vision to 2030” White Paper?

The White Paper was unvieled on January 15th, 2020 It includes five main proposals

What is a White Paper?

A policy document which outlines proposals for future legislation

1) The Cardiff Metro: A Crossrail tram-train line integrating the Bay and City lines with up to four services per hour in both directions.

2) Rapid Bus Services: A new electric bus network, these buses are aiming to be an affordable mode of transport with £1 journeys.

3) Citywide Cycleways: six new cycleways looping and linking the city centre with the wide outreaches of Cardiff.

4) Integrated ticketing system: There will be a new ticketing system which will be usable on all modes of public transport in Cardiff.

5) Congestion Charge: This charge will be applied to nonCardiff residents at a rate of £2 a day.

A vote to note took place on the White Paper in late January It passed with 49 votes for and 3 against You can find the full transcript of both interviews online at

gairrhydd.com

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POLITICS

Plaid Cymru fined £29,000

by Electoral Commission Lowri Pitcher Head of Politics

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n Tuesday, February 18 it was announced that pro-Welsh independence party, Plaid Cymru has been fined £29,268 for failing to report nearly £500,000 worth of party donations.

The Electoral Commission reports that Plaid Cymru failed to correctly register nine spending reports over a two-year period. The party failed to correctly detail a total of 36 cash donations with the sum of the donations totalling over £497,000.

The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the United Kingdom. Registered political parties are required to report donations, loans, election/referendum campaign spending and their annual accounts to the Commission, a body which is also entitled to investigate the aforementioned elements in political parties in the UK. Director of Regulation at the Commission, Louise Edwards said: “The total number and value of donations omitted from Plaid Cymru’s quarterly reports is significant and reveals a substantial degree of non-compliance.

Plaid Cymru is a well-established party and it should be able to meet its reporting obligations.”

A Plaid Cymru spokesperson stated that: “The matters highlighted by the Commission are historic in nature and do not involve any private donations...

As soon as Plaid Cymru were notified, the Party immediately corrected this oversight and is now in full compliance. All public funds have been fully reported in the party’s Annual Report.”

This is Plaid Cymru’s first major sanction by the Electoral Commission in recent years. The Party has only been investigated by the Electoral Commission twice previous to the most recent offence. Plaid Cymru was fined a £500 variable monetary penalty for the late delivery of quarterly reports which was paid on June 18, 2018. Additionally, in the last year, the Plaid Cymru Westminster accounting unit was investigated for the late delivery of 2015, 2016 and 2017 statements of accounts but the Commission rules that there were “mitigating factors involved” so the issue was not considered an offence, no sanctions were given and the case was closed without further action.

Fines issued by the Electoral Commission are not unusual for many political parties. However, the severity of the offence which merited a fine of nearly £30,000 is very unusual. Many parties have received fines of approximately £400 each for the failure to present spending reports by a specific deadline.

In a comparable instance, the Labour Party was made to pay £1,000 in June 2018 for failing to deliver accurate quarterly donations reports, the same charge as Plaid Cymru has received. Plaid Cymru now has a two week period, ending on March 2, to pay the fine.

Number 10 to consider scrapping BBC licence fee and introduce subscription service Following controversy last year that free tv licences for over 75s are to be revoked in June, Downing Street considers reforming the national broadcasting service

Lowri Pitcher Head of Politics

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he Sunday Times reported on February 16 that a Downing Street source had said: “We are not bluffing on the licence fee.

We are having a consultation and we will whack it. It has got to be a subscription model...They’ve got hundreds of radio stations, they’ve got all these TV stations and a massive website. The whole thing needs massive pruning back.​” It is reported that the Government will consider forcing the BBC to sell off some of its television channels, most of its 61 radio stations and largely reduce its online presence while expanding the BBC World Service.

The licence fee came into the spotlight last year after it was announced that the Governmentfunded scheme which provided free TV licences for those aged over 75 would come to an end in June 2020.

It was estimated that this will impact over 3.7 million pensioners and it became a topic of discussion during the December General Election, with parties including Labour, the Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party vowing to reinstate the free tv licences for over 75s.

The Government’s Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps responded to the reports of scrap-

Reform: Could the BBC become a Netflix-style service in the near future? Source: StockSnap (via Pixabay).

ping the licence fee all together on Sky News’ Ridge on Sunday Show by stating: “It is simply not the case that there is some preordained decision about the future funding of the BBC out there. The charter runs to 2027 so there is long way to go on all these decisions.”

In addition to the potential changes in the services offered by the BBC, one of the most notable changes in the proposed reforms is the scrapping of the licence fee which currently, for a full-colour licence fee, costs £154.50 per year and is set to rise to £157.50 from April.

According to TV Licensing’s web-

site, a licence is needed to “watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel”, “watch or stream programmes live on an online service (such as ITV Hub, All4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc)” and to “download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer.”

However, while countries such as Denmark and Finland have recently scrapped their tv licence systems and have replaced the cost through taxation, Number 10 is implying that the fee would be replaced by a subscription service.

According to Ofcom, approximate-

ly 50% of UK households subscribe to at least one streaming service.

Platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV and Sky TV are growing in demand while traditional broadcast channels including BBC One, BBC Two, ITV and Channel 4 are in decline.

Many people are dismayed at having to pay over £150 a year for a TV licence when subscription services such as Netflix start from £5.99 a month (totalling nearly £72 pounds a year).

However, supporters of the licence fee, which is the BBC’s main source of income, highlight that the subscription costs to streaming services such as Netflix do not fund national and regional rolling news channels, weather forecasts and live radio across multiple platforms. Services which do provide live-tv and commercial rights to sporting events such as Sky TV start at £22 a month (totalling £264 a year).

Details about the changes facing the BBC are unknown, as is the potential cost of a subscription service, especially so given that major changes are unlikely to come before 2027. However, Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan has announced that there will be a public consultation into the possibility of decriminalising the non-payment of the licence fee with results due to be published this summer.

Calls for stricter media regulation following the death of Caroline Flack A petition to the Government, titled “Caroline’s law” has recieved nearly 750,000 signatures

Maisie Marston Politics Editor

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he death of Caroline Flack has not only prompted an outpouring of grief and support for the presenter’s family, but also a renewed campaign which calls for the Government to place tighter regulations on the media.

On Wednesday February 19, a petition on ‘38 Degrees’ had been signed by almost 750,000 people; the petition calls for the Government to “To consider a law that would make it a criminal offence, not dissimilar to Corporate Manslaughter, for the British Media to knowingly and relentlessly bully a person, whether they be in the public eye or not, up to the point that they take their own life.”

The proposed law is also being backed

by Laura Whitmore who succeeded Flack on Love Island, and Hollyoaks actor Stephanie Davis, who reported that Flack was recieving death threats prior to taking her own life. Davis has also launched a campaign titled “Exploiting People in the Public Eye,” which she hopes will be brought to Parliament’s

attention.

In the wake of Flack’s death, the British tabloid press have faced heavy criticism over their treatment of Flack during the past few months. News stories about her increased after last December, when the police were called to her home after she had allegedly assaulted her boyfriend.

The issue of the tabloid press being seen to be unethical is not a new issue in the UK, most notably the Leveson Inquiry which took place between 2011 and 2012 brought to light the culture, practices and ethics at the heart of the British press. More recently, the treatment of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, by tabloid press has become controversial when the Duke of Sussex issued two claims against the New Group and the Mirror Group in October 2019.

Following Flack’s death, a spokesperson on behalf of Boris Johnson said that “the industry must continue their efforts to go further. We expect them to have robust processes in place for removing content breaching their acceptable use policies.” Tracy Brabin MP, the Labour Party’s spokesperson on Culture, has suggested Flack’s death “should be

Social Media: Many people are taking issue with the star’s treatment by the British press. Source: Today Testing (via Wikimedia Commons) a wake-up call” for Johnson’s Government, emphasising the importance of the second part of the Leveson Inquiry.

Part two of the Leveson Inquiry which was meant to investigate the relationship between journalists and the police, was dropped by the Government in 2018 as it was described as “costly” and “time consuming.”

Cardiff Central MP Jo Stevens who sits on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has also emphasised the importance of continuing

the Leveson Inquiry’s work, saying that part two “would have looked at precisely the role of newspapers in reporting on this sort of activity”. She also told BBC Radio 5 Live that her Committee will “want to look at” what the press and social media users had said about Flack, adding that “we also need to look at ourselves and how we behave ‘’.

Whilst there have been calls from the public and those close to Flack, it is uncertain whether the law will actually change.

GWLEIDYDDIAETH 15 In other Government unveils post-Brexit news... immigration plan to mixed response

The Home Office have released their new immigration plan to come into force after Britian leaves the EU, the new plan includes a points system and bar on unskilled labour Hallum Cowell Politics Editor

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n Wednesday February 19, the Government unveiled new plans to prevent lowskilled workers from entering the UK after Brexit. The Home Office has said that people emigrating from EU and non-EU countries would be treated the same after the UK’s transition period ends on December 31.

The new plans would require people hoping to move to the UK to speak English and have qualifications. Immigrants would also have to have a job offer in the UK with a salary of at least £25,600 or £20,480 if there is a skills shortage in the profession they are going into. These highlighted areas currently include nursing, psychology, classical ballet dancing and civil engineering.

The skill threshold for immigrants would be placed at A-levels or equivalent, the cap on numbers of skilled workers would be scrapped and some high skilled workers would be allowed into the country even if they don’t have a job.

The Government wants to change to a points style system where only those who achieved above 70 points would be allowed to enter and live in the UK. Being able to speak English and the offer of a skilled job including an approved sponsor gives 50 points. The applicant would then have to gain the additional 20 points

through salary, qualifications or other attributes.

What counts as skilled work is also set to change with waiting staff and ‘elementary’ jobs in fishing and agriculture being taken off the list. There would also be some new jobs added including carpentry, plastering and childminding.

Many industry groups have been quick to condemn the plan. Tom Hadley, Director of Policy at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said “Jobs the government considers ‘low skilled’ are vital to wellbeing and business growth”.

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UK Hospitality also commented on the new plan saying “ruling out a temporary, low-skilled route for migration in just 10 months time would be disastrous for the British people”.

Additionally, the Royal College of Nursing, National Farmers Union and the Food and Drink federation have criticised the plan.

Priti Patel, the Secretary of State

Jobs the government considers ‘low skilled’ are vital to wellbeing and business growth.

Tom Hadley Director of Policy at the Recuritment and Employment Confederation

The wife of Lesotho’s Prime Minister is due to face trial on March 17 on accusations of ordering the killing of her husband’s estranged wife who was shot in June 2017. She has denied any involvement but cannot enter a plea until the trial starts next month.

UK’s Borders: leaving the EU has inevitably led to changes in immigration however not all changes have been well recieved.

Source: Dannyman (via Wikimedia Commons) for Home Affairs, has argued that British businesses will have to look to potential British workers to fill any gaps. She went on to argue that 20% of the working age population are available to work and that they could be encouraged to.

Critics have argued however that this 20% is mostly made up of the ill, students, and people with caring responsibilities. They have also said that most of the people that can work in Britain already are.

Jacob Rees–Mogg said on Twitter that the new policy is “a fair policy to attract talent and level for the less

well off ” and Priti Patel defended her plan by saying “we will no longer have the routes of cheap, low-skilled labour that has dominated immigration and our labour market”.

The Labour Party has accused the new plan of causing a “hostile environment” which would make it harder to attract workers.

Dianne Abbott MP called the language plan specifically ‘dog-whistle politics’.

The SNP has also condemned the plan as “devastating” for the Scottish economy. The Liberal Democrats have called the plan “xenophobic”.

‘Abolish The Welsh Assembly’ gains traction According to a recent poll, around 24% of people would vote to get rid of the National Assembly

Tom-Henry Jones Politics Editor

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ardiff University Politics Professor Roger Awan-Scully forecasts that the “Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party may win seats” at the next 2021 Assembly elections. According to a YouGov Welsh Barometer poll in January, about 24% of people would vote to get rid of the National Assembly for Wales.

Prof Awan-Scully speaking to the BBC, said ‘“if forces supporting antidevolution united, the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party could win seats.”

The next Welsh Assembly elections in May 2021 will provide a good indication into the electorate’s views on devolution in Wales. Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party is a single-issue party, first founded in 2015 by David Bevan.

Bevan, a former member of UKIP, has been leader of the party since its creation. Although it won no seats in the Assembly elections in 2016, the party won more votes than the Liberal Democrats in two of the five regional lists.

Since then the party has slowly grown in popularity.

Prof Awan-Scully believed “if forces that are broadly sceptical or hostile to devolution can organise around a single clear alternative, they will probably win some representation in the assembly.”

Despite overall support for devolution increasing in the years that followed devolution, there remains a “persistent body of opinion of people who when asked the question don’t really like the idea of there being a devolved level of government in Wales.”

Simon Rees, Press Officer of the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party, tipped to be an AM candidate in 2021 said “devolution has been going on for 20 years and people don’t feel that it’s mattered, that it’s helped people.” There is a variation in support for abolishing the Assembly across Wales, with the division being between North and South Wales.

In Cardiff 22% support abolishing the Assembly compared to 27% in Mid and North Wales.

Based on the results of the opinion polling, and Prof Awan-Scully’s analysis, the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party could make large inroads in the elections in 14 months time. Previously having very little resources and almost no media coverage in the 2016 elections, the party’s fortunes may fair differently in 2021.

Wales first achieved devolution after a referendum in 1997. Devolution was a process advocated by Tony Blair’s Labour Government which also oversaw the devolution of powers across the UK to Northern Ireland and Scotland. The Referendum in Wales was closely con-

tested, the winning majority only being 6000 votes with a margin of 50.3% to 49.7%.

There was a further referendum on devolution in 2011 which led to increased powers for the Assembly. The Welsh Assembly now has power over education, health, housing and other domestic affairs.

The Welsh Assembly in its 20 years has achieved various landmark moments. It became the first country in the UK to announce a charge for plastic carrier bags. There was also reform of the organ donation system which created “presumed consent”, a measure designed to save lives all over the UK. Welsh Labour has dominated the political landscape in the Assembly and

has governed continuously for the last 20 years.

The turnout in Assembly elections has never been higher than 46% compared to Scottish Holyrood elections which constantly achieve over 50% turnout.

This figure has often been used as evidence to show that the Welsh people are somewhat apathetic about the Assembly.

Ultimately, the electorate’s feelings towards the Assembly will be shown in the elections in May 2021.

As sentiment for abolishing the Assembly grows, the challenge will remain for supporters of the Assembly to prove it is still relevant and that it still has a prominent role to play in the lives of the Welsh people.

Welsh Assembly: The referendum in 1997 led to the establishment of the Assembly. Source: Lou.gruber (via Wikimedia Commons)

Election authorities in Afghanistan have declared the current President Ashraf Ghani the winner of their 2019 election with just over 50% of the votes. The result is being rejected by Ghani’s opponent Abdullah Abdullah.

Abdullah has said he will form an “inclusive government”, and has declared himself the winner.

After a Wall Street Journal article called China the “real sick man of Asia’’ the Chinese Government has revoked the press credentials of three journalists from the publications.

This act constitutes the first time a foreign corrospondent has been offically expelled since 1998.

Hours after prominent Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala, was acquited of terror charges over his involvement in the Istanbul’s Gezi park protest, he was arrested once again hours later for charges concerning the 2016 attempted Turkish coup. His re-arrest has caused outrage from a number of human rights groups.

Libya’s UN backed Government of National Accord (GNA) has withdrawn from peace negotitations after Tripoli was hit by rocket fire by forces loyal to General Khalfia Haftar, leader of the Libyan National Army (LNA).

The LNA controls much of Eastern Libya and is an opponent of the Government. The LNA has the backing of Russia and the UAE. Talks to broker a lasting ceasefire in the Civil War have faltered several times in the past.

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Your comment desk Adam Clarke Harry Clarke-Ezzidio Kat Smith Tehreem Sultan Columnist Indigo Jones

I Love EU, but sort it out

Funding pro-meat campaigns is both damaging and irresponsible Kat Smith Comment Editor

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ccording to Dutch animal welfare organisation, Wakker Dier’s research, the EU spends £166m on the “promotion of agricultural products” annually.

From saying that veal production gives ‘value’ to male calves born as a by-product of the dairy industry, to countering evidence that red meat is linked to cancer, these campaigns have sold the narrative that meat is good.

At first, I was genuinely hesitant to write this article. The caricature of the ‘preachy vegan’ is one I’ve tried to keep at arm’s length, and I’m sure that some people reading this will see the V-word and immediately recoil. But seeing that people will go so far as to fund propaganda to disprove literal science made me feel compelled to say something.

There is proof that the livestock sector is responsible for more emissions than all transport combined.

There is proof that pork, beef and lamb products are linked to cancer. We laugh in the face of climate change deniers but don’t want to swallow the pill that eating meat is not all that great.

Many of the projects given subsidies by the EU have a stated ambition of stopping the decline in meat consumption - due to Europe’s

young people increasingly turning to vegetarian and vegan diets. I understand that some people’s livelihoods depend on farming livestock and the production of animal products. But that’s not a strong enough argument. A job is not intrinsically a good thing – imagine saying crime is good because it provides a job for the police. That would be absurd.

After all, there will be no jobs on a dead planet.

These campaigns only play up to people’s confirmation bias. If you’re considering not eating animal products because you rationally know that it’s not good for the environment or the animals, but you really like a kebab after a night out, seeing an infographic or news headline that tells you that’s okay is going to be more appealing to you. We look for the information that confirms our beliefs - this coverage could easily allow people to turn a blind eye to the environmental and ethical horrors of eating animal products, just so they can enjoy their steaks and McDonald’s guilt-free. . No one wants to feel like they’re harming the planet, and it’s only natural to look for validation that your actions are fine.

It’s true that being vegan isn’t the easiest thing in the world and in many cases, some people genuinely don’t have the means to follow a vegan diet, whether this be

Meat in the middle: EU has to balance between promoting farmers and stressing the environmental impact. Source: James Smith (via Flickr)

geographical, health-wise or financially. But it’s definitely something that has an unnecessary amount of pushback, considering the positive impact it has on both the planet and our bodies. It’s a psychological battle for sure, especially when the convenience of eating everything is a lot easier, but being vegan is not the loss that so many people assume it is. But that’s for another article.

What’s important is that a reduction in meat consumption can only be a good thing, both at an individual and worldwide level.

In a way, if I was looking for a silver lining, the fact that these cam-

paigns exist is positive. It shows that the increasing popularity of veganism and vegetarianism in recent years is having some kind of impact.

If there are campaigns falling over themselves to reverse the trend of vegetarianism, this shows we can actually do something.

Either way, I am devastated that the EU has been supporting campaigns with unfounded claims and purely profit/industry-driven aims.

This is a huge wake-up call that we can always find the information we conveniently want to believe, but facing the truth can make the biggest impact.

Potential changes to the BBC licence fee How will these changes affect how we recieve BBC content?

Mary Isreal

Contributor

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he government has signalled a “massive pruning back” of the BBC’s activities. Since the fee’s introduction in 1946, the BBC has expanded and has retained its role as a universal broadcaster. However, with discussions of abolishing the license fee and replacing it with a Netflix-style subscription model, what are the implications of this potential change to the people of the UK? With the current license fee set in place, people are required to pay either £154.50 for colour TV or £52 for monochrome TV. Avoiding paying either of these amounts is a criminal offense and could cost the evader time in court. Whether or not a household participates in the watching of the BBC, they are required by the state to pay the fee. This means that there are people out there who are essentially getting robbed of their money as the fee only goes towards the BBC service and being allowed to access other channels, such as ITV, are just extra perks.

On the other hand, the current model actually benefits people aged 75 and over as they do not have to pay the license fee at all in order to access television channels. If a subscription-based strategy is put in place, older people will surely be at a disadvantage. Furthermore, an alternative model will require the BBC

to lose a number of its channels and services. Their wide selection of radio stations and TV channels would be in danger as losing the license fee means that people only subscribe and pay for the services that they actually use.

Scrapping the fee would surely be a shame, not just in regard to the reduction of BBC services, but for the way in which people have assimilated the current BBC into their lives.

However, losing the license fee could also mean losing the BBC. As the UK’s main provider of news, the BBC is an amazing national asset. But it is likely that a subscription model would mean that the BBC will work towards presenting a more businessbased agenda. Without the funding of taxpayers, their customers would undoubtedly become more concentrated in terms of demographic with factors such as political leanings and social class having more influence in the content that they produce. This means that particular viewpoints would have a lot more coverage in order to please their market and the specific groups of people who pay for

them to exist.

As technology evolves, a lot of changes have occurred to alter our traditional way of consuming media.

With the success of online subscription packages such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, people are switching from traditional media channels to online entertainment. Not only are they more accessible, but they give the consumer more freedom, in regard to the selection of entertainment and when and where channels

can be accessed. But the BBC is such an immense service to transform.

As a national institution, the BBC has provided and is continuing to provide news and entertainment, an essential part of the British culture.

Scrapping the fee would surely be a shame, not just in regard to the reduction of BBC services, but for the way in which people have assimilated the current BBC into their lives.

Hopefully the BBC is here to stay, in its current form.

Endangered species: Despite the shiny new buiding, is the BBC as we know it under threat? Source: JThomas Via: Wikipedia

SYLWADAU 17 Politics and We need Climate-change seriously the Media After yet another freak weather event, those at the top need to take action Harry Clarke-Ezzidio

Comment Editor

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s yet another storm battered the UK last weekend, many of us decided to hunker down and do what us Brits do best and complain about the weather. Storm Dennis brought extreme winds and rain, causing severe flooding across the UK – with Wales being hit particularly hard. In light of back-to-back storms hitting the UK (after storm Ciara hit prior to Dennis), and other recent weather anomalies seen across the world over, will these recent weather sensations finally open people’s eyes to the severity of climate change?

The reality is that, thankfully, most of us are fully aware about the grave realities of climate-change. So, here arises the question, what is making us neglect such a pressing issue? Well, since most of the majority is well aware and accepting of realities affecting the climate, there are also those who still question well-established scientific facts (hello, flat-earthers).

It’s just that when people disagree with over 97% of the scientific community it tends to cause a stir because the sheer ridiculousness and negativity of climate deniers stands out like a sore thumb.

If anything, the recent storms and flooding will probably go some way in convincing deniers that climate change isn’t such a crucial issue. Some who don’t really follow the latest re-

Alex Channing

search surrounding climate change – either through disinterest or ignorance – will use caveman logic and use this as evidence against climatechange. However, now the reality is pretty clear and conclusive.

Contributor

A

Whilst progress is being made, we’re still doing nowhere near enough to counteract the damage we’ve already done.

Unfortunately us being aware of the realities doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things - as we’re not the ones who can do much to stop or reverse anything. Systemic change from governments to help stem, and eventually reduce carbon emissions, and put initiatives in place to switch to a more eco-friendly society based on renewable and sustainable sources of energy is what’s needed. Whilst progress is being made (albeit slowly), we’re still doing nowhere near enough to counteract the damage we’ve already done. For big corporations – with the biggest 100 companies contributing to over 70% of all global emissions – it isn’t worth the financial and practical hassle of switching to

Floody-hell: Storm Dennis was the second storm to hit the UK on consecutive weekends, with Wales being hit particularly hard. Source: Tomos Evans more renewable practices in order to do much. You can give up meat, or tick a few boxes. It just doesn’t make only shop second-hand, but as long as any financial sense, even though the big businesses and governments rest moral argument is strong. Although it on their laurels, your tofu addiction may sound cold and heartless, some won’t save the planet. That doesn’t big corps didn’t care about the condi- mean I’m condoning people being irtions of the people that produce their responsible and being wasteful, peolatest and greatest products, and they ple should try and be environmentally don’t really care about the condition responsible in their consumption. But of the planet. our ethical consumption will do nothScientists have already said that we ing to prevent more storms and other are past the point whereby individual sensational weather events, we don’t change can save us, and, whilst we can need to open people’s eyes to climate buy as many metal straws as our heart change – those at the top actually desires, the reality is we can’t really need to do something to tackle it.

Is Wales underrepresented in culture?

Wales and ‘Welshness’ is often forgotten in film and televsion.

Adam Clarke Comment Editor

L

ast week I had the pleasure of going to watch ‘Dolittle’, starring Robert Downey Jr as the famous doctor who can speak to animals. One thing which struck me about the film, and it wasn’t the paper-thin plot or quite ridiculous CGI, it was the fact that Downey Jr put on a Welsh accent to play the part. The fact is that no representation of Doctor Dolittle has ever been Welsh before, not in the 1920s novel

by Hugh Lofting or in any previous cinematic adaptation, yet Downey Jr chose to play him as a Welshman.

This made me think about how rare it is to hear Welsh accents in films and on TV, especially in big Hollywood productions. Whilst Scotland is strongly represented in popular culture from ‘Braveheart’ to Groundskeeper Willy, and Ireland also has a clear influence on films and TV on both sides of the Atlantic, it seems to me that Wales is somewhat underrepresented at the moment.

The fact is that many actors’ ‘Welshness’ is removed from their performances, with Welshmen such as Ioan Gruffudd (best known for playing Mr Fantastic) and Iwan Rheon (Ramsey Boulton in ‘Game of Thrones’) being given instructions to not only hide their accent, but to speak in a different one on screen. This seems bizarre to me, given that they are both playing fic-

tional characters. Especially in the case of ‘Game of Thrones’ where many regional accents of the UK are represented in the show and yet the actor’s natural Welsh accent is suppressed.

Cardiff has been used as a substitute for London on multiple occasions, for ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Doctor Who’ and yet rarely appears Also, it is not only the Welsh accent that is airbrushed from Hollywood, but many productions film in Wales and yet pretend it is somewhere else when it could easily be set in Wales. For example, ‘Sex Education’ a popular show on Netflix and we are rightly proud that it is all filmed in Wales, and yet the show is set in a fictional village in England.

Similarly, Cardiff has been used as a substitute for London on multiple occasions, for ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Doctor Who’ and yet rarely appears on screen as itself. I find it quite upsetting that filmmakers are loathed to set their productions in Wales, with Welsh characters and yet they’re happy to film them here.

Times are changing though and Wales is beginning to be repre-

sented more and more in big budget films. I can’t have been the only one shocked and pleasantly surprised when Brad Pitt found his way to the World Health Organisation facility in Cardiff in ‘World War Z’ and similarly Downey Jr’s decision to base his characterisation of Dr Dolittle on a Welsh druid from Llantrisant is refreshing for those of us who wish to see more of Wales on our screens.

It doesn’t always go well however, Tom Hardy’s attempt at a Welsh ac-

cent in ‘Locke’ is somewhat wide of the mark, sounding a bit more like Fireman Sam than Richard Burton but it is a sign that script writers and directors are happy to represent Wales on the big screen. Obviously in Britain, Wales has had a bigger impact from ‘Gavin and Stacey’ to ‘The Accident’ but it is only in the last decade or so that Wales is making an impact globally. In my opinion, this is long overdue, and long may it continue.

Accent action : Robert Downey Jr’s accent in ‘Dolittle’ has raised questions of Welsh representation in Hollywood Source: Gage Skidmore (via Flickr)

recent poll conducted by Lord Ashcroft Polls has revealed that discontent over Jeremy Corbyn was the main factor to blame in Labour’s catastrophic election defeat in the 2019 General Election – which left the party with their lowest number of seats since 1935. This raises many pressing questions regarding the mediatisation of politics, and whether too much emphasis is being placed on electing mediafriendly politicians with policy taking a backseat to a leader’s likeability. I would personally suggest that at the substance of all political discourse should be a focus on official party policy and what reforms the country is being offered.

This is what will be most essential to the lives of everyday people, and the aspect of political debate that will affect them the most. Labour in this election arguably had a number of transformational policies that would have been beneficial to many people within British society, but the result of the election demonstrates that policy is not always at the forefront of the public’s mind. As this election shows, it’s necessary to recognise the importance of having a strong leader who can inspire passion among the electorate. As opposed to the literal importance of policy initiative, a leader is a figurehead who provides a sort of symbolic importance to the people of a nation. They are often the sole individual who will represent tens of millions on a domestic and international level, and thus many want someone who they feel a sense of respect and admiration towards. It’s important to have a respected leader as they can inspire enthusiasm, excitement and commitment – something arguably of much importance to the success of a country.

In consideration of why Jeremy Corbyn was not respected or admired though, the role of apsects of the press’ adamant opposition towards Jeremy Corbyn becoming Prime Minister must be noted.

Endless publications were vehement in their opposition of Jeremy Corbyn and his ‘radicalism’. They branded him a scruffy, unprofessional, incompetent Marxist who was complicit in the party’s anti-Semitism scandal, and as a man who was all around unfit to be Prime Minister. While specific policy criticism was not wholly absent from the coverage, most of the beratement was directed at Corbyn as a person and his personal shortcomings. These publications can command millions of readers. As such, the influence that their constant criticism of Corbyn the man, rather than Corbyn the politician, had cannot be underestimated when considering why the individual personality of politicians appears to be so important to the public. This point is further highlighted by the fact that Boris Johnson’s character is rarely considered. He is also a flawed individual, but was never reprimanded by the media of Britain like Corbyn was. This demonstrates how important the press can be in the public’s perception of leaders and their subsequent likeability. Ultimately, perhaps actual policy initiative should always be the primary consideration of the electorate during election. However, this will be difficult to achieve when the press and their predispositions remain such a strong force in our political discourse.

18 COLUMN

Indigo Jones

COLUMN ROAD

Can we regulate the media?

How much of an impact does the media have?: Recent petitions have stated that we should have a law to further regulate the media. Source: Jon S (via Flickr)

Disclaimer: This article discusses sensitive subjects involving mental illness and suicide. If you are affected by the topics mentioned in this article, or are worried about somebody else the 24 hour number for Samaritans is 116 123, or email them at jo@samaritans.org.

I

n a previous column for Gair Rhydd titled “The Changing of looks and likes”, I discussed the negative implications of social media on mental health. In the article I touched upon the pressure put on social media users to keep a certain image, this isn’t limited to everyday users but also celebrities. The ability to share tabloid articles at the click of a button - whether they are slanderous or not - puts an undeniable pressure on celebrities to make their lives look picture-perfect. The effects of endless negative headlines about individuals has a lasting impact on celebrities, even if they put on a brave face and hide the influence it has on their everyday lives.

Following the tragic death of the former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack, people have called for a law to be made that restricts the extent that the media are able to “knowingly and relentlessly bully a person”, according to a petition on 38 degrees. After three days the petition had gathered over 750,000 signatures, demonstrating exactly how many people believe the severity of the endless slandering of

celebrities in the media. In the lead up to her passing, Caroline Flack’s name was frequently sprawled across the headlines of various tabloid newspapers. This was especially evident in the lead up to her trial which was meant to take place in March, following her arrest for alleged common assault on her boyfriend. As a result of this constant focus on Flack within tabloid newspapers, consumers would often abuse the presenter and share hateful messages on social media where they often discussed her personal life.

I am suddenly on a different kind of stage and everyone is watching it happen.

Caroline Flack

Caroline’s parents recently shared a previously unpublished Instagram post written by Flack herself, where she stated that celebrities often brush negative press under the carpet, and that “the problem with brushing things under the carpet is they are still there and one day someone is going to lift that carpet up and all you are going to feel is shame and embarrassment”.

Following her arrest, the presenter was very much aware that her life had completely changed and there was no way of sweeping anything under the carpet when the eagle-eyed press were

watching. She continued by saying “I am suddenly on a different kind of stage and everyone is watching it happen”. Some argue that this pressure put on her from the news media was one of the contributing factors leading up to her death, but who could truly know - even if we saw her life through a lens?

Several stars from Love Island have also lost battles with mental health problems, such as Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon. It’s unclear whether or not these problems stemmed from being on the show, or perhaps a case of the online abuse from the media and fans upon leaving the villa. Since the passing of these two stars, the producers of Love Island have set in place new support systems for when the islanders leave the show. With reality shows like Love Island the audiences tend to feel a strong connection to the members of the programme as they become invested in their lives after watching the show everyday for a long period of time. Due to this connection with the cast of the show they feel like they can further comment on their lives. They discuss who they like and who they dislike, meaning they share both positive and negative messages online. It is worth investigating whether or not there is a clear connection between shows like Love Island and mental health issues, or whether instead it’s a result of the backlash from the media.

Five days after Flack’s death, BBC Three aired a documentary starring

Stacey Dooley shining light on the goings-on of a psychiatric ward. The documentary demonstrated the social media pressure put on one patient, where her following on Instagram grew when she relapsed. It was a very fitting time to air this documentary as it demonstrates the struggles of those with mental illness, something some of us perhaps will never experience, thus educating its audiences in the process.

These situations created by the media are so common that we are helpless unless an effective scheme is made to hold those to account Bethan John

Bethan John, a student mental health nurse from Swansea University, believes that a law limiting the level of abuse that the media can publish could potentially prevent similar situations to what is believed to have happened to Caroline Flack. She states that “these situations created by the media are so common that we are helpless unless an effective scheme is made to hold those to account”.

She continues by stating that “the media, especially social media encourages mental health problems within the UK. Although we are more aware of the issues surrounding social media

and mental illness, we see it can also encourage others to see there are no consequences to their hateful words online and their actions as they are hidden behind a screen”. This type of online trolling has been evident since the early days of social media and has negative effects on anyone who lies victim to it. Although people often raise awareness of this online issue, very little is often done to prevent it.

Would the regulation of the media through a law like ‘Caroline’s Law’ truly stop tabloid journalists publishing slanderous articles about celebrities?

In my opinion, I don’t believe the media will ever really be held accountable for the wrongdoings of their celebrity bashing. It’s nearly impossible to regulate every article published online as a result of companies churning out hundreds of articles a day. Although there should definitely be stricter regulations made by the likes of IPSO to regulate slander. Perhaps the regulation done by social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram themselves isn’t enough, and maybe it would be worth creating an organization similar to OFCOM and IPSO, that specifically deals with regulating the amount of negative discourse towards celebrities or general users of social media.

Whether this would decrease the mental health issues that celebrities suffer from as a result of constant bad press and abuse in the media, who knows? But it wouldn’t hurt to try.

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20

All it takes is a conversation

Disclaimer: This article deals with sensitive themes which some readers may find distressing.

Please speak to the Student Support Service on 029 2087 4844 if you have been affected by any of the issues covered in this section.

Molly Govus Advice Editor

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ollowing the recent and tragic event of Caroline Flack’s death, it is expected that suicide and mental health is a huge and current topic within our society at the moment. The notion that even the most famous people suffer with mental health issues shouldn’t be too hard for the mind to grasp given the intense pressure of the media.

Despite this, even the ‘average Joe’s’ of the world, like you and me, have our own pressures and demons. We deserve the same amount of respect and support that is so often lacked within our society.

Whilst this dreadful event has gained lots of publicity and traction, rightly or wrongly, this should not be used as a publicity stunt to raise awareness. The topic of suicide and detrimental mental health issues should constantly and consistently be advocated for - the media should not need a catastrophic event to happen in order for awareness coverage to take place, and thus it is integral that this article remains prominent in the minds and hearts of our readers.

In the UK, 1 in 4 people suffer with a mental health problem.

All too often, we are met with the sad reality that a lot of us have mental health issues or know of people going through them. Mind UK’s recent statistics reveal that 1 in 4 people suffer with a mental health problem and that the way in which people deal with this is getting worse due to the increase in selfharm and suicide.

The over-arching problem with this is that, ultimately, people feel as

though there is no way out of their issues due to a lack of support. Arguably, maybe the ‘problem’ within mental health problems comes from a power much higher than us, but there are still things we can do to help ourselves and others around us before it is too late.

It is important and vital to note to not place yourself as a person’s main support source. Whilst you can be there for someone for a talk or advice, as much as you may want to be, you may not be a trained counsellor or therapist. We all wish we could give this special level of support, but for the most part, this should be left to the professionals. So, this then leaves us with the most important question that plays on everyone’s mind - what can we do?

And by saying that, I mean, what can we really, really do to make an important difference to someone’s life when they feel like all has failed? One of the most simple yet most significant characteristics we should all have more of is empathy when dealing with these issues. Not just your standard, ‘oh, I’ve felt that way before’, but instead, an empathy that speaks volumes. I’m highlighting a sort of empathy that shows the person that they aren’t alone when dealing with the issue and makes them realise that there is a light, no matter how small it may seem, at the end of a long tunnel.

As unfortunate as it sounds, I have been around and heard of a lot of people who turn other people’s problems into their own. Sometimes this is without even noticing, but this can leave people feeling as though they are overreacting and as though their problems aren’t ‘real’ problems. It is all too common to hear the phrases, ‘but at least you’re not...’ or ‘you’re lucky, I had...’.

This is not the mindset or the way in which we should be approaching such topics. It’s impossible to compare different people’s level of suffering because everyone’s expe-

Your advice desk Molly Govus Rhiannon James Columnist Satwik Shivoham

Recovery isn’t far away: With the correct support in place, recovery can be in reach. Know your own strength in order to get through hardships. Source: @dmey503 (via Unsplash)

Trust your judgement: It is important to know when someone is in need and to give them access to resources.

Source: @jontyson (via Unsplash) rience is subjective and their own; to do so only invalidates people’s struggles. Due to recent events in the media and being an avid Twitter user myself, I have to say there is seeminglymore negativity surrounding Caroline’s death than support. This just begs the question: how far does it have to go until someone is listened to, when, even

How far does it have to go until someone is listened to? in death, they are still criticised for their actions? This reveals an awfully saddening truth about our society when dealing with topics of suicide and mental health.

The positive behind this, if any, is that our generation can be the start of removing the guilt stigma surrounding suicide. Suicide doesn’t have to be the answer, and it should not be seen as a viable option or something that people feel the need to turn to. As students, and with some of us within the 16-24 age bracket, we have the highest recorded suicide rates alongside over 65’s, according to UK Statistics.

This gives us all the more reason to be advocates for reducing this increasingly dangerous problem given that our peers are at the most risk.

There is still enough time to turn this around, and there is still enough good in the world to bring the rates of self-harm and suicide down.

A beautiful quote that I feel is integral to this topic is, “it is better for a million people to do something imperfectly than a hundred perfectly.”

Let me explain. If we all filled our hearts with a smidgen more of empathy and open-mindedness to-

wards the stigma of mental health, the impact would be immense. Even if the smallest impact is made in the world, it is nevertheless still an impact. There is still a difference to be made and I am completely certain that everybody reading this is capable. Asking someone if they’re okay or if they need a chat can seem like a minute effort, but for all you know, you may be the first person who has ever asked them if they need an outlet.

We are all worthy of the help that we need. There should be no guilt behind saying that you need support and it should not be seen as a weakness. Mental health problems are genuine chemical imbalances

There is no weakness in finding help. Only strength. that need the correct medical help - you are not ‘overreacting’, you are not ‘being dramatic’. These are real issues that need sorting using support, and there is no weakness in saying this. Only strength.

So, when I say that it all starts with a conversation, I mean it. If it means you talking to a friend and opening up about your mental health, that is a brilliant starting point. If it means you talking to a doctor or a therapist about medication, you are already halfway towards recovery. The hardest part about coming to terms with a mental health diagnosis could be getting to the therapist’s or the doctor’s office and sitting down in the chair. Don’t be afraid to start your conversation.

Remember to be kind to yourself in times like these. You are your own person with brilliant capabilities and characteristics.

CYNGOR

LGBT+ Pride Month

Contributors explore what this month means to them

Alex Channing Contributor

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s a young gay man, Pride Month holds a special place in my life as it’s a time where love and admiration has always been expressed towards me, by people like me, who understand my circumstances. The atmosphere of compassion and empathy in the community during this month has given huge growth to my own self-respect over the past years. Anyone who falls under the LGBT+ umbrella, whether you are out or not, should make the most of this month and embrace it, as it can give us feelings of solidarity and unity in a world that can still often be quite hostile. Although it’s an important time to still fight against the injustices that exist, it’s equally a great time to take pride and admiration in the massive lengths that LGBT+ people have come in past decades in achieving a sense of equality.

Maja Matera Contributor If you are bi, you have definitely experienced biphobia first hand – and people saying those things could even not be aware of what they are doing– because nobody told them before.

Society is more and more okay with people loving one gender or another– which is great–but BOTH? They say things like; “Ugh, gross!”, “Can’t you decide already?!”, “We’re sorry you go through puberty like that”, ”How will you ever get married?”, “Isn’t he afraid you’ll cheat on him?”, “You’re up for a

threesome then?”. At least that’s what I have heard – from people both inside and outside the LGBT+ community.

It is almost like you are never gay or straight enough to fit in. As much as I am happy to see the rainbow of support during Pride Month, I would love to stop feeling invisible in the community just because I could be in a “straight-passing” relationship. There are a good number of reasons why we need Bi Visibility Day.

Rosa Burston Contributor Pride Month is about celebrating personal and societal progress. It allows me to freely and openly discuss my sexuality, whilst also recognising how lucky I am to live in today’s society as opposed to living in the UK 50 years ago. Perhaps more importantly, Pride Month is an opportunity to support those who haven’t yet come out, and those who experience homophobia, transphobia, bullying and discrimination. We have to stand together in a show of acceptance and togetherness, ensuring that people see a community where they will be loved and supported. For me, Pride Month is an important time to educate myself and others about the more marginalised groups within the LGBT+ community; inclusivity of transgender, gender-nonconforming, asexual, pansexual, BME, disabled and people of other less well-known identities is essential. Pride Month is about learning, growth, support, celebration and acceptance of everyone who we interact with.

How lucky I am to live in today’s society as opposed to living in the UK 50 years ago.

Anonymous Contributor I had known about how I felt about my sexuality for a long time but had never felt fully comfortable with who I was. When telling my parents they batted it off with the “it’s just a phase” conversation, and at that point I doubted myself and found myself back

in the closet. A couple of years later I moved to Cardiff University and I finally began to be myself and feel confident with identifying as bisexual.

From someone who was so scared of what everyone would think of me and doubting myself for many years, I found comfort from the support of others through LGBTQ+ History Month and other events. At university, there was a network of so many people going through exactly the same thing; it was a breath of fresh air.

When attending these events, I was welcomed with open arms, and finally could be 100% myself and part of such an accepting culture.

To all of these contributors and many others, Pride Month means a great lot.

Pride flag: The flag of the Pride movement is a source of strength of the LGBT+ community.

Source: Ludovic Bertron (via Wikimedia Commons)

The benefits of podcasts

Sarah Harris Contributor

How can listening to podcasts benefit your life?

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few days into moving into my new place at the beginning of the academic year, I quickly realised that I needed to find a solution to cancel out the loud sound of traffic and cars on the main road opposite my bedroom window. I couldn’t listen to music because it got me too energised or I just ended up belting out a song whilst trying to get to sleep.

Earbuds didn’t work either; the traffic really was that loud. So, I decided to give the world of podcasts a go. I had absolutely no clue where to start. I’d always wanted to be one of those girls who goes for long, leisurely strolls and listens to her favourite podcast whilst gazing out of the window at the sunrise but instead I was more of a chaotic final year who dances around in her room at 2 am because she’s too caffeinated.

But nevertheless, I needed to find a solution to help me get to sleep and podcasts ended up being my answer.

Being a young, South Asian girl, I wanted to find something that was relatable.

By chance, I stumbled across my first podcast, a short series hosted by the BBC Asian Network; ‘Brown Girls Do It Too’. The podcast covered everything I was passionate about from feminism

Something for everyone: podcasts cover a range of subjects, even the most unique of topics. Source: @juja_han (via Unsplash) to inequality and I felt a part of the conversations these three women were having. I was super disappointed to find the series ended after six episodes and my avid search for a new podcast continued. You see, the wonderful thing about the podcast world is that there is something for everyone - literally. If you’re a plant lover, you’re sure to find a podcast with a special episode dedicated to Monstera’s. If you’re a food enthusiast or a film enthusiast,

you’ll find something dedicated to your passion. There is literally something for absolutely everyone and the best thing about it is how you’ll end up finding someone you relate to.

As someone who suffers from social anxiety, I found that podcasts helped in that aspect too. Usually, my walk to lectures would be an agonizing 15 minutes of avoiding specific routes just because there were so many other people around. Now, I just whack in my head-

phones, pop on my favourite podcast and pretend I’m walking with some of my closest friends and having the time of my life (not as creepy as it sounds, I promise).

Podcasts aren’t just a bit of entertainment or a sleep aid, they provide a sense of community and belonging for so many individuals. It’s so nice to realise you have so much in common with people you’ve never met and probably never will. A personal favourite of mine and a very popular podcast is ‘The Receipts Podcast’. The podcast features three strong females of colour who literally gather in their lounge every week and talk as though they aren’t recording for the world to hear. The podcast is uncensored and relatable for everyone.

It’s a great starting point. I guarantee it will have you in stitches.

So, if you’re a podcast virgin, don’t fret. Losing your podcast virginity is nowhere near as overwhelming as it may seem. Remember that Google is your friend. Simply type in your interest along with ‘podcast’ and I’m sure you’ll find something that meets your needs.

Oh, and whilst I’m here, it is worth mentioning that you should check out ‘Chai Podcast’. I was a guest host in the second episode, and it may just be your new favourite.

21

How to prepare for an interview Muskan Arora Contributor

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ne of the significant details, which we should always keep in mind, is to read about the company beforehand. You should be aware of the blueprint of the company’s journey and reputation in the market.

You should be aware of the name of the CEO and why you are interested to work in a certain department.

You should also be aware of basic current affairs and should have some related opinion or thought on the topic. Lastly, basic etiquettes are really important and should be kept in mind. Knock before entering the room, wish the person well when you enter and leave.

It is the bare minimum that will count. No matter what, do not forget to enjoy the interview and always keep a smile on your face. Be warm to the interviewer and be confident because you definitely have it in you to succeed.

Blood rushing and a nervous disposition - all of this occurs during the course of an interview. From entering into university or volunteering for a charity or applying for a job, an interview is required everywhere.

If we think about it, interviews are very crucial from the point of view of the interviewer and the company; they need to know the certain skills and behavioural patterns of the person they plan to hire.

Thus, all we need to do is to sell ourselves in the best and the most genuine way possible. We should keep multiple factors in mind when the interview is approaching. Firstly, a proper outfit is important as it counts as one of your first impressions and reflects how serious are you about being hired. Clothing also highlights personality and emphasises confidence whilst speaking.

Secondly, always be prepared with the answer of the famous question - tell me something about yourself?

This question is mostly answered wrong as people tend to state all the irrelevant facts and, trust me, the interviewer doesn’t need to know the number of dogs you have had. This question should subtly bring out the qualities required to get through whilst being a fun and unique fact about you.

Be ready with some positives and negatives about you, but the negatives should mostly constitute of features that can relate to the interviewer or the company in order for the interviewer to understand the habit and find strengths. Don’t oversell yourself while stating the positives as you do not want to come across as too egotistical. Another very prime aspect is to study the subject thoroughly before you sit for an interview.

Remember to research and work hard and I’m sure you will succeed.

COLUMN

22

SATWIK Speaks

Satwik Shivoham

Forming a healthy relationship

S

Things to keep in mind, in matters of the heart. Header: Albert Rafael (via Pexels). Left: Pikrepo. Right: Rawpixel (via Pixabay).

ince Valentine’s Day just went by, I figured some people might be exploring a new relationship or working on reforming things with their current partners. It can be difficult to judge what’s right for you in such a situation, where lots of emotions are involved. Forming a healthy relationship becomes quite tricky when we’re flooded with excitement, so in matters of the heart, the brain really adopts a more passive stance.

Because of this, we often end up taking hasty, heedless decisions which we regret later. I personally think dating shouldn’t be a daunting experience. If people are coming together to grow, enjoy and know each other better, there mustn’t be any toxicity or negativity which might degrade and disregard either’s feelings. After all, it takes two to tango, and neither’s happiness is any more important than the other’s.

As an outsider, an observer, I’d like to help you all take better decisions for yourselves, because if you’re flooded with emotions, I’m sure it’ll be difficult to rationalize and realize if something is affecting you negatively.

This column is a checklist for people who want to explore healthy dating and avoid feeling disregarded in the process. There are a couple of things

you must keep in mind.

Firstly, I believe that a healthy relationship must be an extremely accepting environment. Your partner must accept you wholly and wholeheartedly, without any extra efforts from you, and vice versa. You must be admired for everything you are, not everything you could be. It is okay if you’re not a “great” boyfriend or a “great” girlfriend, so long as you are earnest in your feelings and committed to becoming a better version of yourself with your partner. People often hold unrealistic ideas of their to-be partners and imagine a perfect version of them when in reality, relationships are far from perfect.

They are to be worked on constantly, and the simpler your expectations and ideas are, the less disappointed you’ll be. A “perfect relationship” is rare to find as it is, impossible even, but a healthy one isn’t all that difficult to achieve if you remember to accept differences. One relationship must not imply one personality. I’ve often found myself bonding better with people completely opposite to me, and that’s always worked fine.

I’m sure you’ve heard this a gazillion times, but the key to making any relationship work is communication.

If there’s free, sincere effort to com-

municate from either sides, no differences can impact you negatively.

That said, every relationship needs a certain level of compromise. Remaining completely staunch to what you are, especially if it is different from what they are, can cause a lot of problems. It’s great to be secure in yourself and resolute about what you are, but it’s unhealthy to never waver from it, especially if circumstances call for it. It’s important to sacrifice for another’s happiness.

One relationship does not imply one personality- accept your differences.

“To each their own” doesn’t work in relationships. If something from your lifestyle completely opposes your partner’s lifestyle, you must make an effort to find a middle ground. For instance, I’m not a morning person, I like to burn the midnight oil, and I can’t imagine being with someone who religiously wakes up at five to hit the gym. Naturally, it’ll be difficult to compromise, but is it something I can’t accept and admire? No! So, I’d either try to adapt to it, or even

try waking up early mornings to do things I enjoy most. Conversely, I could also expect my partner to wake up a few hours later. It’s only fair to live and let live. If your partner needs you to change something for their convenience, consider it, because it may not be a drastic change for you but it may mean a lot to them!

However, compromises on your part must never translate into complete submission- you were “you” before the relationship, and you must still remain “you”, in and after the relationship. If that causes too much conflict, never assume and enforce the idea that something is wrong with you or your partner- it simply means it’s not meant to be, and you are both too different. After all, there is only so much you can change in yourself.

No one partner must dictate your life, completely change your identity, upbringing, habits and thinking. To keep your balance, you must hold dearly to your own thoughts and ideas no matter how exacting the situation may be.

Neither you, nor your partner must have a right to completely break and reshape what the other’s taken decades to build inside the mind and body. No relationship should disturb your homeostasis- both physical and mental. Understand that no matter

the level of compromise, sometimes, you’re just not compatible and that is okay. Accept it mutually and move on, but never try to alter each other completely. Most people compromise too much in their relationships and end up feeling “lost”.

Don’t alter your personality too much, nor your partner’s.

That is simply because given the circumstances, they try to forge a new identity of themselves altogether, and that is never a healthy process.

Being forced to let go of how you’ve “always been” and how you’ve “always done things” is not healthy. Adapt when possible, but don’t alter.

Lastly, always go with your gut.

There’s this mysterious intuition that whispers into our minds if something isn’t right- never ignore it. If something inside is urging you to reconsider, telling you that a certain relationship won’t help you grow in any way, listen to it. You’ll recover from a separation with a partner, but you’ll never recover from separating with yourself.

Working part-time alongside your studies?

Celebrate your hard work by getting nominated for the ‘Student Employee of the Year Awards’ and win £100!

What is SEOTY?

Who can be nominated?

SEOTY is run by NASES (The National Association of Student Employment Services) and aims to recognise and promote students who work while studying. There are 5 student categories that celebrate the diversities of part-time work:

Whether you work through Jobshop, for the Student Union & University or for an external employer, any student employed between April 1st 2019 and April 1st 2020 can be nominated!

Just ask your employer to spare 10 minutes and head to nases.org/student-employee-of-the-year where they’ll find the full details, or contact Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk.

• • • • •

Above & Beyond Commercial Impact Step Up to Leadership Freelancer Best Team

Why is it beneficial?

Winners in each category receive a certificate, £100 prize, a chance to become overall Student Employee of the Year and online promotion. As well as looking great on your CV, it’s your chance to be recognised for your contribution to the workforce.

2nd floor, Students’ Union

cardiffstudents.com/jobshop

029 2078 1535

Jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk

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

SCIENCE

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/science

GWYDDONIAETH

24

Cardiff University leads new research into protecting smart devices from attacks Alexa, British Gas Hive, Echo Dot and Apple TV could all become safer as a result of Cardiff ’s new research into cyber security

Liv Davies Science Editor

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mart devices have become a ubiquitous feature in the modern home. From smart phones to smart energy monitoring devices, and even smart fridges, these devices have become essential to most people’s lives. However they have become an increasingly sensitive area for cyberhackers to attack, and gain information from these devices as well as overriding user controls.

Cardiff University’s School of Computer Science and Informatics has developed a system by which cyberattackers are classified and detected.

Benign and problematic activity can therefore be distinguished, leading to measures being put in place to prevent any information being stolen, or settings being overridden.

With an accuracy rate of over 90%, attacks were tested on Amazon Echo Dots and Apple TVs, and could be used in a similar way to anti-virus software. The team at Cardiff University developed a collection of smart devices that would simulate a tech-savvy home. A Belkin NetCam camera; TP-Link NC200 Camera; TP-Link Smart Plug; Samsung SmartThings hub; Amazon Echo Dot; Ap-

ple TV and a British Gas Hive, were all connected to motion sensors and a wifi-controlled lamp. Cyber-attacks were then sent to the home system, and were classified and detected.

These types of smart devices are known as the Internet of Things. This consists of interconnected devices that have the ability to transfer data over a network without any human interaction.

The UK’s Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport recently brought about a new law stating that all companies must “explicitly state” how long the company will provide security updates for within that device. These developments in this area

by Cardiff University are therefore necessary in order to prevent security attacks.

The paper, published in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers proposed that this new system contains a three layer Intrusion Detection System.

Firstly to detect and classify the normal behaviours of each device.

Secondly to identify malicious attacks, and then thirdly to classify these attack. This three-fold system should allow researchers to better understand cyber-attacks on these smart devices. Therefore they will be able

Alexa, keep me safe: New research by Cardiff University into cyber security aims to prevent cyber attacks Source: Stock Catalog (via Flickr) to combine these three layers with a combined average accuracy of 94.7%.

Ms Eirini Anthi the lead author of this study suggested “The insufficient security measures and lack of dedicated detection systems for networks of smart devices make them vulnerable to a range of attacks, such as data leakage, spoofing, disruption of service and energy bleeding … A relatively simple and seemingly harmless deauthentication attack can cause no

significant damage, but if performed on a device with critical significance, such as a steering wheel in a wireless car, it can pose a threat to human life.”

Is it hoped that this new technology will prevent cyber attacks on ever more common technologies, and prevent unwanted cyber intrusions in the home. This reinforces the importance of the research in Cardiff University for the general public.

New approach found by researchers show revolutionary antibiotics kill bacteria in a novel way Research into antibiotic resistance provides hope for MRSA infections

Will Howell Contributor

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ntibiotic resistant bacteria is a growing concern for public health. Due to many factors, such as over-prescription, failure to finish courses, and uses in animal agriculture, antibiotic resistant bacteria are steadily increasing. This is a serious concern, as antibiotics have long been the first line of defence against bacterial infections. For example,

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result.

However, a group of researchers at McMaster University have discovered two new antibiotics, corbomycin and complestatin, that might give cause for optimism. Traditional antibiotics, such as penicillin, kill bacteria by breaking down the cell wall that surrounds them. These novel antibiotics work in a completely different man-

Antibiotic breakthrough: With ever increasing antibiotic resistance, these findings could help fight infections in novel ways. Source: ProjectManhattan (via Wikimedia Commons)

ner, by blocking the breaking down of the cell wall. Bacteria reproduce by duplicating and dividing through a process known as binary fission; therefore, preventing the cell wall from breaking down inhibits the bacteria’s ability to reproduce.

Beth Culp, a PhD candidate at McMaster University and first author of the study behind the findings, explains that “Bacteria have a wall around the outside of their cells that gives them shape and is a source of strength. Antibiotics like penicillin kill bacteria by preventing building of the wall, but the antibiotics that we found actually work by doing the opposite -- they prevent the wall from being broken down. This is critical for cell to divide.

“In order for a cell to grow, it has to divide and expand. If you completely block the breakdown of the wall, it is like it is trapped in a prison, and can’t expand or grow.”

These new antibiotics come from the family known as glycopeptides,

a group of anti-bacterial compounds found in soil. They are often used to treat Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Corbomycin and complestatin have been shown to block infections in mice caused by MRSA, a promising advance in the fight against drug resistant bacteria.

“We hypothesised that if the genes that made these antibiotics were different, maybe the way they killed the bacteria was also different.

“This approach can be applied to other antibiotics and help us discover new ones with different mechanisms of action. We found one completely new antibiotic in this study, but since then, we’ve found a few others in the same family that have this same new mechanism” explained Culp.

While it is still early days, these are promising developments in the field of pathology and can provide important new tools in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Word of the week: Binary fission

Your science desk Liv Davies Hollly Giles

The splitting of a single-celled organism into two via asexual reproduction Asexual reproduction produces a genetically identical daughter organism.

This means that one cell divides into two cells and both cells are genetically identical.

GWYDDONIAETH 25

Infants have unexplained immunity to coronavirus

With over 75,000 cases worldwide and only nine of those from infants, it appears they may be naturally immune Mili Jayadeep Contributor

Sleeping Safe & Sound: It is not currently understood why infants appear to be less vulnerable but it does mean in all the chaos they can sleep safe and sound. Source: Petr Kratochvil (via Creative Commons) than that of adults. Children also have faster recovery systems when exposed to pathogens, so are more likely to respond better to infections. A published statistic states that adults are 25 times more likely to die from a chickenpox infection than children, demonstrating the efficiency of the younger immune system of children.

Another explanation could be that they have better respiratory health, as a result of less exposure to cigarette smoke and air pollution when comparing the respiratory system with adults.

It was also observed that children have less chronic problems and have better health in general. Many chronic conditions develop over time so it is possible that children have simply not had the time to develop these conditions.

Adults are also more likely to develop immunological complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) seen in the more severe cases of coronavirus infection. ADRS is where the immune function fails and consequently leads to inflammation and fluid build-up. On the other hand,

children had pneumonia, which is a development of the coronavirus infection. However, this did not escalate to cause further immunological complications.

In conclusion, there are a variety of explanations as to why infants are less likely to develop coronavirus but as highlighted above they are poorly understood by the scientific community to date.

It does however provide some hope that infants are less vulnerable and should not become infected.

Human Composting burials legalised in Washington as eco-friendly option

Washington is the first state to legalise human composting burial, saving 1.4 tonnes of carbon entering atmosphere Holly Giles Science Editor

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limate change was the Word of the Year for 2019 and it seems every day it affects another part of our lives and now it may even become part of our death.

It is commonly headlining the media and seems to govern every decision we make.

This has been taken a step further

by Washington this week as they have legalised “human composting” as a means of burial so people can die in as eco-friendly a manner as in which they lived.

The process is being run by the company ‘ Recompose’ under the leadership of Katrina Spade. She thinks that concerns about climate change has been the main reason for the company’s popularity; “So far 15,000 people have signed up to our

Holly Giles Science Editor

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C

oronavirus belongs to a virus family specific to the Middle East but it has been circulating global news recently due toits contagious nature and the symptoms and fatalities caused by it. Patients experience respiratory symptoms, fever and cough. In more severe cases, it can develop into pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome.

With the new coronavirus outbreak it has been noted by the scientific community that, children are a group of individuals seeming to be less affected.

There are only 9 reported cases of infants who have been taken to hospital following the infection. The age group ranges from 1-11 months and showed milder symptoms than affected adults.

None of the infected children showed any of the severe symptoms.

There has been a lot of speculation about why fewer children were affected compared to adults. It has been suggested that babies may be less likely to become infected or are at a lower risk of exposure to the virus.

Also there is higher activity in the innate immune response in a child than that of an adult, which may well explain this unusual phenomenon. Innate immunity is a non-specific immune response against pathogens, this is a defence mechanism passed to the child through vaginal delivery and breastfeeding. The immune system of a child is considerably more resilient

Rebel plants found to be fighting climate change

newsletter… The project has moved forward so quickly because of the urgency of climate change and the awareness we have to put it right.”

The company is now able to offer human composting burials to the public in the state of Washington but this process has been a long time in the making. Spade began thinking of the idea in 2003 and has been working with soil scientist Professor Lynne Carpenter Boggs for the last four years to establish the methodology of composing.

Boggs began with six participants who donated their bodies for use after their death and tested different conditions for composition.

She explained this was a distressing process for all involved; “We all kept checking in on each other. My physiology felt different, I wasn’t sleeping well for a few nights, I wasn’t hungry - it was a distress re-

sponse” The team pushed on however and reached a decided method; this involves the body being encased in a closed vessel with wood chips, alfalfa and straw before being slowly rotated to allow bacteria to break it down. This takes a process of 30 days, after which the remains can be scattered by the family.

Spade explains that the body being encased prevents 1.4 tonnes of carbon being released into the atmosphere when compared with cremation as the carbon is reintegrated into the soil by microbes.

With the 15,000 people already signed up this would amount to 21,000 tonnes of carbon being prevented from reaching our atmosphere.

A sponsor behind the movement Senator Jamie Pederson promotes the change “It’s about time we ap-

ply some technology, allow some technology to be applied to this universal human experience ... because we think that people should have the freedom to determine for themselves how they’d like their body to be disposed of.”

When I die, this planet, which has protected and supported me my whole life, shouldn’t I give back what I have left? It is just logical and also beautiful.”

Katrina Spade Chief Executive of Recompose

he common plant, plantain, has been defined as a rule breaker in a research paper published this week. It explains that the plant does not behave as one would expect in response to climate change and it is this rule breaking that has allowed it to thrive.

The research has been conducted

by Dr Annabel Smith, from UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, and Professor Yvonne Buckley, from UQ’s School of Biological Sciences and Trinity College Dublin Ireland. They have co-ordinated a global team in 21 countries which have monitored the plants and their behavior.

Dr Smith explained their findings; “We were a bit shocked to find that some of the ‘rules of ecology’ simply didn’t apply to this species, Ecologists use different theories to understand how nature works -developed and tested over decades with field research -- these are the so-called ‘rules’.

“One of these theories describes how genetic diversity or variation in genes embedded in DNA are produced by changes in population size.

Small populations tend to have little genetic diversity, while large populations with many offspring, such as those with lots of seeds, have more genetic diversity.

“Genetic diversity sounds boring, but actually it’s the raw material on which evolution acts; more genetic diversity means plants are better able to adapt to environmental changes, like climate change. We discovered that, in their native range, the environment determined their levels of genetic diversity. But, in new environments, these rule breakers were adapting better than most other plants.”

It is currently unknown if plantain is the only plant to respond in such a way but research by the team continues to see if these properties could belong to a wider plant group and could help predict our ecosystem with the future.

We were a bit shocked to find that some of the ‘rules of ecology’ simply didn’t apply to this species...

But, in new environments, these rule breakers were adapting better than most other plants Dr Annbel Smith UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences

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26

LGBT+ History Month Wales and the LGBT+ community

Natalie Graham @Caerdydd Editor

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e are currently in the midst of LGBT History Month, an annual celebration that aims to educate and give insight into issues that the LGBT+ community faces. This year LGBT+ History Month has been dedicated to journalist and LGBT+ activist Lyra McKee, killed last year during riots in Northern Ireland.

With this in mind the theme for 2020 is Poetry, Prose and Plays.

In 2017 a study conducted by the LGBT+ rights charity Stonewall, found that at least two out of five LGBT+ students have never been taught anything regarding LGBT+ issues in school. One in five also expressed they couldn’t distinguish anyone within their schools to seek out advice on same-sex relationships. In steps LGBT History Month, with the predominant aim of teaching young

LGBT+ History Month: Events hosted at the Students Union.

Source: Natalie Graham

Tirion Davies Natalie Graham

people about the history of the gay rights movement and the much needed need to promote an inclusive contemporary society.

LGBT+ History Month came to fruition in Britain in 2005, the natural response to an initiative created by a small group of British teachers.

Two educators and activists organised LGBT History Month as part of a Schools Out UK initiative, a programme aimed at educating young people on the adversities faced by the LGBT+ community, and make schools increasingly more inclusive regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Schools Out UK receives no core funding and is entirely reliant on volunteers.

Wales has a strong history of heterosexual people avidly supporting the LGBT+ community.

In an era of aggressive homophobia and anti-union rhetoric, two minority groups found common ground in a welsh mining community. Lesbian and Gays support the Miners (LGSM) was

an alliance of lesbians and gay men who supported the strike of 1984-85, raising a substantial amount of money.

This legacy has stood the test of time, portrayed through a BBC Wales poll conducted last year; which found that young people are more supportive of same sex relationships. 94% of 18-34 year olds said they were very comfortable with them.

However a Stonewall ‘LGBT in Wales’ report has emphasised that Wales still has a long way to go. One in six LGBT+ employees have been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues. Three in ten trans people experienced the same. One in four bi people aren’t open about their sexual orientation to anyone at work. One in ten lesbian, gay and bi employees reported not feeling comfortable reporting homophobic or biphobic bullying or abuse.

This makes LGBT History month even more important.

When asked what LGBT+ History month means to him, Joe; a third year

The return of the Vulcan

St Fagans is to take on rebuilding the classic pub Natalie Graham @Caerdydd Editor

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Your @Caerdydd desk

Pride, London, 2018: A celebration of the LGBT+community.

Source: Natalie Graham

and member of the LGBT+ community, stated that “It’s important to me as it’s nice to have that recognition. It’s also really important for younger people who are just starting to realise they’re not straight, it fosters a sense of inclusion.

It is also important to retrospectively show the struggles the community have gone through, it helps people appreciate why things are the way they are today as well as pride parades.”

Joe also highlighted that LGBT+ History Month is especially significant for trans people. “I think they are the Demographic within the LGBT+ community which is least represented at the moment”.

Cardiff has a vibrant gay scene, Joe noted that “The vibe is good, you go out to the gay clubs in Cardiff and I always know I’ll have a good time, it’s fun and upbeat and I think that’s reflected in the music and people there”. Growing from strength to strength Cardiff now offers everything from Cabaret and Drag to one off event nights and regular club nights.

In honour of LGBT+ History month Cardiff University LGBT+ Association and the Students Union are hosting “To the Future- A Celebration Event”.

Taking place next Friday (February 28) at the Students Union, the event is a celebration of the past month’s reflection on the LBGT+ community and raising awareness for mental health.

Pride Cymru have created ‘Leap into Sight’- Making LGBT+ History and lives visible. Taking place on Saturday February 29 at the Senedd Cardiff Bay 10:30-16:00, the day will consist of historical talks, discussions, film and entertainment all in celebration of LGBT+ History month.

Expect to hear from the man who first challenged the age of consent in the European Court 40 years ago, when he was 16; the LGBT+ migrants coming to South Wales; the man who founded Cardiff GLF; hidden histories of Welsh politicians, trans Romans and lesbian industrialists.

he Vulcan hotel was built on Adam Street, Cardiff in 1853.

Originally built to serve the predominantly Irish community of what was then called New Town.

The Vulcan, which has seen Cardiff’s evolution to industrial powerhouse and gain capital city status, closed its doors for the last time in 2012 after Brewery Brains had written it off as “no longer commercially viable”.

St Fagans, Amgueddfa Gwerin Cymru has taken on The Vulcan as an ongoing building project.

St Fagans, which chooses historic buildings across Wales to rebuild on the grounds of the museum, has chosen the Vulcan as one of its newer projects.

Staff from St Fagans historical buildings unit dismantled the Cardiff landmark in 2012, however it was only given

permission two years ago to rebuild the historic pub and foundations for the pub have now been laid at the national history museum.

The Pub, which has undergone redevelopment of around £30 million, will stand as a living time capsule to the early 20th century, having been designed to appear as it was in 1915 with its colourful tiled frontage.

Upholding the history of the building, St Fagan’s are working with the original tile manufacturer to recreate replacement tiles.

Staff are also engaged in archival work, researching the story of the Vulcan, as well as interviewing former landlords to assist with their interpretation of the pub.

The museum is looking for more financial support to complete the project and when the building is complete, there will be the chance to enjoy a pint in one of Cardiff's historic pubs.

The Vulcan Pub: Prior to 2012 closure.

Source: John Lord (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mourning Miriam Saleh

@CAERDYDD

Remembering Tiger Bay's resident and the Bay's history Tirion Davies @Caerdydd Editor

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t the beginning of February, an extraordinary thing happened in Cardiff. Traffic was stopped across the capital for a docks funeral, honouring the late Miriam Saleh, the matriarch of the Tiger Bay community.

Although Miriam Saleh tragically passed away suddenly in her sleep aged 76, she had decreed many times how her funeral should play out. She wanted to go out with a bang. And as the woman credited with embodying Tiger Bay, the community could think of no better way to honour Saleh.

Miriam Saleh was said to be a woman who was ready to help anyone on the docks during their hour of need. She was known to drop everything if she’d heard someone had died, noting that their family would need the support. Miriam Saleh was known to lift burdens off the shoulders of others and place them on herself; to many, her strength lied in helping others.

Tiger Bay funeral processions are iconic and date back as far as anyone familiar with Cardiff can remember.

The Tiger Bay community – which was built around the Cardiff docks at a time when the docks were not only the most prosperous in Britain, but also the world – is known to honour its residents in the most incredible ways. Between the hun-

Tiger Bay statue: The statue, named 'People Like Us', in honour of the people of Tiger Bay's community.

Source: Richard Croft (via Geograph)

Events - March 2020 SIX NATIONS England v Wales Saturday March 7

Wales v Scotland Saturday March 14

Cardiff: Holi Paint Party UK Tour 2020 Monday March 9, 10pm The Golden Moon Festival Ty Krishna Cymru Monday March 9, 6pm Paddy Fest - St Patrick's Day Cardiff 2020 Saturday March 14, 2pm

The former Tiger Bay: What is now Cardiff Bay is the remnants of what was formerly the community of Tiger Bay. Source: Tirion Davies dreds of mourners pouring onto the streets of Cardiff Bay, to the steel and jazz bands joining the mile-long procession, Tiger Bay knows how to celebrate a life. To many, the hearse carriage drawn by four white horses across Cardiff is bizarre. But it’s part of a years-old tradition the community abide by.

Some may be asking, where is Tiger Bay? At the height of the industrial revolution, huge demand for coal mined in the South Wales Valleys meant the development of four major docks around South Wales. By the 1880s, Cardiff – which was once one of Wales’ smallest towns – flourished, with its port handling more coal than any other country. A community was formed. One which was unprecedented.

Thousands of sailors between the late 19th century and early 20th century decided to lay down their anchors and call Tiger Bay their home.

Many of these sailors would go on to marry the local women of Cardiff, and thus created the iconic community of Tiger Bay. There was a sense of brotherhood

PRYZM:

Quids In: Kisstory Afterparty w/FATMAN SCOOP Monday March 2 Back to the Village Saturday March 7 from 11pm K-Club presents the K-POP UV PARTY UK Tour | Cardiff Friday March 27

New Theatre: An Inspector Calls From March 10

Friendsical From March 17

F.R.I.E.N.D.S: Source: Geoffrey Chandler (via Flickr)

in Tiger Bay. Dozens of nationalities would all join to create a blended community and with many sharing unique experiences, the bonds would become unbreakable. On any street you would hear multiple languages flowing freely and to an extent, the Tiger Bay community helped to form the Cardiff we know today, with people from all over the world coming together as a city.

According to Tiger Bay residents, during its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, there would be celebrations constantly. The music would carry through the streets and everyone was invited to the various parties which took place. The community would be fed and given something to drink, before everyone would move on to the next house. To many, they remember how the music didn’t die down for days after these parties.

However, for South Wales residents who were not members of the Tiger Bay community, Tiger Bay was remembered very differently. It had a notorious reputation for its red-light district, illegal gambling dens, rowdy pubs and its opium bars.

To many Tiger Bay children, the il-

legal activities would cut across their place to play. Bute Street was notorious for its seedy and criminal side and mothers would create excuses to keep their children away from the area.

Despite Tiger Bay’s colourful cultural basis, racial prejudice was still rife. On the ships, men of colour would be below deck, stoking fires whilst the white men were above board. For local Welsh women who were not originally part of the Tiger Bay community, marrying a man of another race meant they were ostracised. Women were stigmatised and called ‘prostitutes’ for loving men who were not white.

However, a sisterhood formed in the Tiger Bay community. Friendships were founded with neighbours in similar situations and they helped to raise families together. Communities were formed in solidarity and as their husbands spent long periods away from home, the women of Tiger Bay came to depend on one another.

To many, the women of Tiger Bay broke class, religion and race barriers.

Despite criminal activity existing across Cardiff, Tiger Bay undeservedly gained the worst reputation.

But Tiger Bay formed a generation of solidarity and brotherhood – and even birthed the legendary singer Shirley Bassey.

Some may only remember Tiger Bay as the basis of the 1959 film and some may only remember it as the home of Cardiff ’s notorious criminal activity. But as the 2017 musical indicates, Tiger Bay was a way of life.

Despite the old Tiger Bay community generally disbanding after the ceasing of coal exporting in 1964, the community lives on in people’s hearts.

Although it is now called Cardiff Bay, Tiger Bay will always be remembered, especially by those residents who watched it flourish. Miriam Saleh’s celebration of life is evidence of this.

Miriam Saleh was vital to the heart and soul of the Tiger Bay community and will be sorely missed by its residents.

Tramshed Cardiff:

Clwb Ifor Bach:

The Sherlocks + Trampolene + Al Moses Saturday March 7, 8pm

David Keenan Friday March 13, 8:30pm

Twin Atlantic + Special Guest: Friday March 13, 8pm

Gaffa Tape Sandy Tuesday March 17, 8pm

Louise Redknapp Saturday March 14, 7:30pm

Battle of the Bands: FINAL Friday March 20, 8pm

Palace + Special Guests Friday March 20, 8pm

Palace/Chartreuse Friday March 20, 8pm

Mungos Hi Fi Soundsystem Ft. Gardna Saturday March 21, 9pm

Noson Neithiwr Saturday March 21, 4:30pm

808 State Live + Special Guests Saturday March 28, 8pm

Plain White T's/Harry Marshall Tuesday March 24, 8pm

Jonas Blue + Support Friday March 6, 8:30pm

Pengshui Wednesday March 4, 8pm

27

Cardiff school gets support dog for its pupils Tirion Davies @Caerdydd Editor

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school in Cardiff has taken on a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as a support dog for its pupils.

Daisy the dog joined Cardiff 's Llanishen High School at the end of 2019 as a therapy dog, trained by Pets As Therapy.

The new addition to Llanishen High School follows in the lead of Bishop of Llandaff High School's labrador puppy Georgie, who was introduced in September of last year.

Pupils make appointments to meet Llanishen High School's spaniel puppy to take her for walks through the school hallways, or to have her sit on their laps during particularly stressful lessons.

Helping to feed and care for Daisy means that many pupils get the opportunity to learn about responsibility.

For A Level and GCSE students, Daisy's influence is incredible. Having a therapy dog helps to boost positivity.

In order to introduce a therapy dog into a school, there must be numerous safety checks and the agreement of parents, governors and the local council.

In Daisy's case, there was no objection. In fact, there was one mother who asked if her son, who had a phobia of dogs, was able to spend some one-on-one time with Daisy.

The interaction helped with the phobia, but also allowed the spaniel puppy to interact with pupils before joining the school community.

Daisy the spaniel is based in Llanishen High School's autism centre. where she helps to calm down some students. The autism centre is also where Daisy's quiet area to relax is located.

Research conducted by Frontiers in Psychology in the United States in 2012 has indicated the positive effect therapy dogs have in schools.

The research has shown therapy dogs can teach empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills. In many cases, therapy dogs in schools can increase attendance and improve motivation.

Therapy dogs are being introduced in schools across the UK to help reduce the high levels of anxiety and stress amongst students. Cardiff is choosing more and more to include therapy dogs in school environments.

Therapy dog: Llanishen High has decided on a King Charles Spaniel puppy. Source: Pixabay (via Pexels)

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

SPORT

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CHWARAEON

28

Your sport desk Reece Chambers George Willoughby Ella Fenwick Luke Wakeling Olly Allen Tom Walker

For more content, head to gairrhydd.com/sport

Financial Fair Play: Manchester City handed significant European ban

Reece Chambers details Manchester City’s two-year Champions League ban Reece Chambers Head of Sport

W

hen the announcement that UEFA had banned Manchester City from the Champions League for two years on February 14, very few fans, journalists or anyone with a remote interest in football would have expected it.

But after a year-long investigation from UEFA, why are so many people shocked by the outcome?

As a start, the ban is one of the first of its kind at the top level of European football and could have serious consequences for the future of the club.

However, the complexity of the ‘serious breaches’ put against Manchester City have been missed by the vast majority of football fans.

In short, the breaches refer to the club illegally inflating their sponsorship fees to get around Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. The whole concept behind FFP regulations is to ensure that European clubs can’t spend more than they earn which, in turn, ensures that they stay afloat financially and avoid mass debt.

Therefore, Manchester City’s ‘serious breaches’ refer to documents leaked by German newspaper Der Spiegel in conjunction with Football

Leaks from 2018. The leaked documents contained emails from Manchester City employees suggesting that so-called sponsorship fees would be paid by the club’s owner, Sheikh Mansour, rather than the official sponsor.

Such wrongdoing has been taken extremely seriously by UEFA, as shown with the heavy-handed ban.

But it also shows how they are unwilling to let elite clubs get around FFP regulations.

This isn’t the first time that Manchester City have been hit by FFP, either. Back in 2014, the club had been fined £50m for failing to comply with the rules after a number of years trying to turn the squad into title challengers.

An utter ignorance of FFP for a second time indicates that UEFA have no choice but to take the hardest line possible in punishing Manchester City. The club’s treatment of UEFA’s regulations, and subsequent breaches, have highlighted some of the biggest issues that face governing bodies against elite clubs.

UEFA’s action taken against the Premier League champions sets a precedent for other elite clubs. Not only will this not be tolerated, but similar breaches will result in severe punishment.

For Manchester City, clearing their name of any wrongdoing appears to be a straightforward task. The club have insisted that UEFA’s ruling is full of ‘false claims’ and they have no doubt that the ban will be overturned.

That decision, of course, isn’t down to the club or UEFA. Instead, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has the task of investigating the case independently and coming to a final conclusion.

On Wednesday last week, the club’s chief executive Ferran Soriano took a very strong line regarding UEFA’s sanctioning of the club.

“The fans can be sure of two things,

the first one is that the allegations are false,” said Soriano.

That insistence from Manchester City’s top dogs not only highlights their belief that the club has done nothing wrong, but could also lead to further fallout with UEFA. This is a case that only seems to be getting started and we certainly haven’t heard the end of it.

As Sam Lee from The Athletic put it, UEFA’s charges against Manchester City is like the first-leg of a European tie. The way that the club responds with legal action will be the second, and most decisive, part of this two-legged tie.

Etihad Stadium: The home of Man City. Source: Airviews via Flickr

Racism in football: latest incident a reminder of undeniable issue Tom Walker provides an account of the alleged racist abuse Moussa Margea suffered in the Primeira Liga last weekend

Tom Walker

Sport Editor

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n Sunday February 16, the whole sporting world was drawn to one particular football match taking place in the small Portuguese city of Guimaraes. However, it was not the match itself that was the talking point, as once again there was another alleged incident of fans spouting racial abuse from the stands.

This would, and quite frankly should, have been the stand-alone story. However, as the victim of the racial abuse, Porto forward Moussa Marega, proceeded to walk off the pitch in protest, a few of his teammates attempted to stop Marega walking off the pitch by blocking his path and dragging him back.

“It was a great humiliation; it was impossible to continue,” the Malian striker said to the RMC after the game.

Prior to walking off, Marega, who had previously spent a season on loan at Vitoria Guimaraes in the

2016-17 campaign, had chairs and other objects thrown at him from the stands after he put Porto 2-1 up on the hour mark. He responded by pointing toward his skin in front of a section of the stadium and picking up one of the chairs and holding it above his head in celebration, which the referee unbelievably gave him a yellow card for.

A reporter for Sport TV who was at the game, also explained that there were audible monkey chants taking place throughout the game.

The lack of support from Marega’s teammates is a stark reminder of the major issue at hand.

Marega later posted a message on Instagram calling the supporters who targeted him as “idiots” and said “I’d also like to show my thanks to the referee who did not defend me and who gave me a yellow card for

defending the colour of my skin. I hope I never meet you on a football pitch ever again. You are a disgrace.”

Speaking to RWC, Marega said that his teammates were “shocked” that he wanted to leave the pitch and they did not “understand” his situation.

The official Porto Twitter account tweeted “We are a family, Dragons Together,” alongside a picture of the Malian forward. But the actions that took place on the pitch did not display this ideology of family and togetherness.

As someone who has never been subject to any kind of racial abuse, I am in no position to give my opinion on what Marega himself, should or should not have done, but for his teammates to try and physically stop him leaving the pitch is unacceptable.

Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion organisation put out a statement on Twitter regarding the issue: ‘The blatant disregard for protocol is unacceptable, and players should be united and walk off together in their condemnation of

racism, instead of this.

Showing solidarity against the burning issue of racism, both in football and wider society is the least we can do whilst a more practical solution is brought forward, and what those Porto players did symbolised a complete divide on the issue.

This event could yet be one of the most shocking in recent memory of racist incidents.

Walking off with their teammate, or simply accepting and supporting his decision would have demonstrated a much greater sense of solidarity and narrowed the focus exclusively on finding those guilty for the racist abuse.

For such treatment of racist abuse to be seen in top flight European football is a terrible reflection on the sport. Intervention from the relevant governing bodies is the only way that improvements in education can be made.

ToTo contact contact our our sport sport desk, desk, drop drop usus anan email email atat sport@gairrhydd.com sport@gairrhydd.c

Celtic Dragons set for new netball season

CHWARAEON

Head coach Tania Hoffman has the responsibility of leading the Dragons against some of netball’s most elite personnel George Willoughby

Deputy Head of Sport

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he 15th season of the Vitality Netball Superleague has arrived and it is shaping up to be another extremely competitive year of action. Manchester Thunder are the reigning champions having defeated Wasps in the grand final last year. However, the focus will be on Cardiff-based Celtic Dragons who are looking to better their seventh placed finish last year. The Dragons’ 2019 campaign was one of frustration - recording just six wins and a points tally of 18.

However, this was a stark increase from their 2018 season where they finished bottom. The most notable area in which they have developed is their scoring. Last season, across the entire set of fixtures, the Dragons scored a total of 930 points. This was up from 552 in 2018. Scoring may now not be an issue, but keeping

the goals out will be one of the more challenging areas. Only bottom of the table London Pulse conceded more than the Celtic’s 1043 last season, and if Tania Hoffman’s side is to move their way up the table, the amount of points they surrender has to decrease.

The likes of Rebekah Robinson, Amy Clinton and Brittany Coleman provide the attacking threat.

New signing Latanya Wilson will certainly add strength to their defence, with the Jamaican a natural reader of the game. If she can gel quickly with fellow defensive players Dee Bolakaro and Abby Tyrell, the Dragons should be able to tighten up at the back. Meanwhile, the likes of Rebekah Robinson, Amy Clinton and Brittany Coleman provide the attack-

ing threat.

The Celtic Dragons will open their campaign with an away match against the Surrey Storm - a side which finished on the same amount of points as the Dragons last season. Furthermore, the Cardiff-based side got the better of the Storm in both of the occasions the two teams met. Celtic’s second match will be against a strong Team Bath side who will be looking to build on their third-placed finish last time out.

Netball in the United Kingdom has been gathering support, and it is expected that there will be near sellouts in many of the fixtures. Sky are continuing to show their support for the sport and will be screening all of the season opening matches.

As well as that, Sky are also offering the opportunity to watch the action on their YouTube channel via a live stream for those without a subscription.

It is anticipated that fan figures will set new records this season, with

ticket sales for the opening round of matches reportedly 53% higher compared to 2019.

Once again, there are some excellent sides in Netball Superleague and whether the Celtic Dragons can challenge the UK’s elite teams remains doubtful. The ‘Green Army’ has shown improvements over the last few seasons, but not enough to place themselves in playoff contention.

Sky are also offering the opportunity to watch the action on their YouTube channel.

Celtic Dragons head coach Tania Hoffman has a very difficult task in constructing a side and a suitable playing style that can be competitive in a league that is full of world class talent.

The four-wheel welsh dragon: Cardiff Racing

Gair Rhydd finds out about one of Cardiff University’s lesser-known sports Eszter Gurbicz Contributor

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ven though our university has had a Formula Student team for 16 years now, it still remains a bit of a mystery as to who they are and what they do. In short, they are a group of creative and hard-working individuals who like cars and engineering challenges. But let me explain in more detail.

Formula Student, or just simply FS, is a series of competitions held across Europe and all around the world during summertime. It originated in the US, but now there are events every year in the UK, the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, and the biggest one in Germany. The competitors are teams consisting of students from different universities. They are the ones who design, test, build and drive their own small single seater race cars.

Cardiff Racing is our university´s FS team and they have been participating in the competitions since 2004.

The team consists of students from a variety of degrees but mainly Mechanical Engineering, who have been involved since their first year. The cars are developed by the more senior fourth year students while the others are responsible for running the team as a whole, working in small groups and dealing with costs, sponsorship

and media.

The team takes part in the combustion category and enters the IMechE Formula Student competition (the UK based event) every year. The most successful event for them has definitely been the 2017 FS UK, where the team won the competition, being the first British participant to do so. This year´s Operations Director, James Lansdowne, has discussed future plans: “In addition to building and racing the combustion car, Cardiff Racing have begun development of an electric drive train, with the aim of transitioning to an electric powered car in the next few years.” In addition, the team also raises social awareness through their projects: “Alongside day to day activities, Cardiff Racing is proud to support two charities: Mind (the mental health charity) and Tŷ Hafan (providing palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions)”.

The team constantly improves and gives opportunities to young car and engineering enthusiasts to learn more about the field and to also gain additional skills. Thus, for many of its members, Cardiff Racing has become an important and essential part of their university experience here in Cardiff. As James explains: “being part of the team offers them practical experience in building the car and applying what they learn in lectures, and also gives students from all years the

Vroom: Cardiff Racing’s 2019 car. Source: Cardiff Racing chance to gain responsibility, practice leadership skills and work as a key part of a wider team.”

As per their website: “whether it’s pure engineering, business, or marketing, Cardiff Racing doesn’t just look to win, but to usher in the next generation of industry ready Engineers.”

As for the recent activities, the most challenging and busy part of the year - except the competition period of course - just began, as the team started the process of building the new car. They will also be participating in some events around Cardiff including the Museum After Dark, the Science

Fair and they´ll be holding a launch event for their 2020 car, which will be held around mid-June. And there’s a lot more to come as this year´s UK competition at Silverstone will be held between 22-26 July. The team is also going to participate in Formula Student Netherlands which will be a challenging experience as well as an exciting opportunity to race against more teams.

They are always happy to meet and talk to students who would be interested in their activities and encourage everyone to come and see them at one of their events.

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Olympic Spotlight: Alys Thomas Olly Allen Sport Editor

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t the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Great Britain achieved more success in swimming than most other sports. Their total of six medals in the pool was only bettered by medal tallies in cycling (12), gymnastics (six) and athletics (six).

Welsh swimmer Jazz Carlin was one of the stars of the team, winning silver in both the 400m freestyle and the 800m freestyle. However, her retirement last year means the baton has been passed to another Welsh woman to spearhead female aquatic success - Alys Thomas.

Thomas was born in Swansea, but grew up in Twickenham, first swimming competitively at the age of nine.

She would end up moving back to Swansea to study at the University, graduating with a psychology degree in 2015, and has been training at the Wales National Pool in the city ever since.

Thomas specialises in the 200m butterfly - the category she won gold in for Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Australia two years ago. She went into the competition very much under the radar, having competed in the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2014 with no joy.

She also failed to reach the Olympics in Rio in 2016, despite winning the 100m butterfly final in the British trials with a personal best of 58.66 seconds.

Unfortunately this was still a second outside the qualifying mark.

However, the past couple of years have seen her become one of the stars of British swimming. Her gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games was timed at two minutes 5.45 seconds, a games record in the female 200m butterfly. Her victory was evident with 30 metres to go, and it proved to be Wales’s only gold in the pool at the games.

Thomas was also part of the team that won bronze in the 4 x 100m medley.

More medals would follow later that year at the European Championships in Glasgow, as Thomas claimed bronze in both the 200m butterfly and 4 x 100m medley. In 2019, she narrowly missed out on the podium at the World Championships, ranking fifth in the 200m butterfly.

Now 29 years old, Thomas was certainly a late bloomer on to the world stage, but after her gold medal swim at the Commonwealth Games she explained how she always kept believing: “This is my first major international medal. I’m finally breaking through now and it says something about not giving up when you are young. There is plenty of time, just be patient, work hard and it will come. I had faith in that.”

Ahead of this summer’s Olympics, Thomas has a vote of confidence from compatriot Carlin who commented on two of Wales’s GB hopefuls: “Dan [Jervis] and Alys in particular have had a great last year and they’ll be really hoping to show themselves now on the world stage to put down that marker to everyone else.

“I think they are in a great position: they have put on some great performances, swam well at trials.”

The British Olympic trials take place in mid-April, and we’ll be keeping an eye out for Thomas’s results.

30 SPORT

More disappointment for Cardiff Blues

Jack Vavasour Blues Columnist

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nfortunately, as I write this column, once again I find myself faced with the fact that Cardiff Blues have failed to register a victory.

It is becoming repetitive as I dissect what Mulvihill and his team must do.

Yet it seems impossible to draw many, if any, positives from the results that we consistently have seen this season.

Mulvihill’s men travelled to Galway to take on 2016 Pro 12 Champions Connacht. Connacht presented a real opportunity for the Blues to take home a victory, but once again they fell short and were thrashed 29-0. Connacht took away the bonus point victory and Cardiff returned to the Arms Park with their tails between their legs.

To make matters even worse, Josh Adams left the field early during Wales’ Six Nations tie with Ireland.

Whilst the victory opened up a six point lead for Connacht in the league table, for the Blues it significantly damaged their Champions Cup ambitions for next season.

Having already been knocked out of the Challenge Cup this season, the Blues could once again finish the season empty handed.

Mulvihill could have at least qualified for Europe’s premier competition, yet that hope looks all but gone now.

It is difficult to imagine where Welsh rugby as a whole is supposed to go from this position. Under Gatland the national side was successful, yet on the domestic front struggled.

Scarlets’ success is an isolated example amongst the regions. This season only the Scarlets boast a record that includes more wins than losses. Ospreys have only won two matches from their 11 and Dragons have four from their ten.

With a host of young talent moving to England, Gatland’s law does not seem to have had the intended impact upon Welsh rugby as it was supposed to.

Many of these young players are pledging their allegiance to Wales, yet this does not help the strength of their regions. Louis Rees-Zammitt and Rhys Carre are two of the biggest names to have crossed the border for greener pastures, so while the national side should not suffer, it still damages the quality of players being produced by the regions.

Welsh rugby needs a shake up in order for teams such as the Blues to improve their form, and more importantly retain the quality players they keep seeming to lose.

If not, the Irish provinces and two Scottish clubs will continue to leave Wales’ domestic teams in the dust.

Cobras finish unbeaten for the first time since 1994

Cardiff University American Football Team beat Southampton to finish their 2019/20 regular season campaign without losing George Willoughby

Deputy Head of Sport

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he Cardiff Cobras have had an excellent regular season. Their win last Sunday over Southampton meant they finished a perfect 8-0 rounding off an incredibly consistent and impressive 2019/20 campaign.

Gair Rhydd Sport spoke to Club President Jack Pitt a few weeks ago looking at their start to the season, and we caught up with him once again, as he said that leading the team this season has been “an absolute honour”.

“We have had bumps on the road but together we have discussed them and come up with solutions that have enabled us to create a bit of history.

“It really stands testament to the quality of not only the players but the coaches too.”

Evident from our previous interview was the significance that Pitt placed on the mentality of the whole team. This stretches from the players to the coaching staff, and it is this same determination that has been at the focal point of the club’s success.

“The team’s commitment again is what impressed me the most,” said Pitt. “Every man works hard on and off the field in order to better themselves, in order to be able to contribute to the

team.”

The last time the Cardiff Cobras achieved a flawless regular season was back in 1994. This epitomises how good the team has been, but the hard work does not stop now. Success comes with expectation, and being undefeated means being favourites.

However Pitt is confident that his side “have what it takes”.

“There are a number of great quality teams going into the playoffs this year that have perfect or near perfect records much like us.

“We have to be cautious of what the other teams are capable of, but enter the games with confidence that we can execute.”

To end the regular season, Cardiff defeated Southampton 43-27. This was the second time that the Cobras scored over 40 points against a Southampton side that struggled to contain the rushing and passing attack of Cardiff.

Preparation and analysis is imperative to be successful in American Football, and this involves scouting opposition teams. The game plan was executed very well against the Stags, with Pitt outlining how prior to the match his side “felt we knew their tendencies coming into the game”.

“In the previous fixture, we had run more than 500 yards on them so

the bulk of the plan was to continue exploiting a clear weakness in their game.

“We decided to run inside until they stacked a lot of players in the box to stop the inside run, then we ran it outside and utilised the quick passes to exploit their overcompensation.”

The Cobras secured a playoff spot over two weeks ago so they don’t know at this point who they will be facing off against. Preparation has already started, and Pitt outlined how “[they] are excited to get going”.

“We have a week off now before our first game on March 1, and whilst we’re not certain of who we’ll be facing we certainly have an inkling. The

break gives us time to rest some niggling injuries and to get our heads into the film.”

Cardiff could cap off a history-making season with promotion and a potential upset against the Swansea Titans at Varsity in April. Swansea have got the better of the Cobras in the latest two encounters, however, this is a vastly improved Cardiff side who are “relishing the opportunity to prove ourselves to the rest of [the] Britball community.”

“For many of the boys including myself, these are the last few times they’ll be pulling on the jersey.

“They want to do it justice. It’s going to be one hell of a finish.”

Undefeated: Cardiff Cobras running back Ross Ludlow finding the end zone. Source: Jason Brown Photography.

Wales manager Jayne Ludlow awarded MBE

Women’s football in Wales has seen huge progress under her watch Olly Allen Sport Editor

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ongratulations are in order for Jayne Ludlow, who was awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace on Friday 14 February for her services to women’s football in Wales.

Ludlow has been manager of the women’s national team since 2014, and huge progress has been made in the female game in this country under her watch.

The national team has broken into the top 30 of the FIFA women’s rankings for the first time during her time in charge, whilst they came incredibly close to qualifying for the 2019 World Cup, something which was only a distant dream a decade ago. Wales were still in the hunt going into their final qualifying match against England, and attracted a crowd of over 5,000 to Newport’s Rodney Parade for the vital fixture - a new attendance record for the women’s game in Wales. Unfortunately a 3-0 defeat dashed their hopes, but giant strides had been

made throughout the campaign.

In their latest bid to reach a firstever major tournament, Wales are currently mid-way through the qualifying campaign for the 2021 European Championship, sitting second in their group after two wins and two draws from four games. It means they are well-placed to make the finals automatically or at the very least compete in the play-offs.

As well as her role as manager of the senior team, Ludlow and her coaching staff also oversee all of Wales’s women’s youth sides, meaning she is heavily involved in player development.

As a player, Ludlow represented her country 61 times, scoring 19 goals. At club level, she first played for Barry Town Ladies before featuring for Millwall Lionesses and Southampton Saints while completing a physiotherapy degree at King’s College, London. She then went on to establish herself as one of the finest female footballers in Britain at Arsenal, becoming the club’s highest ever goalscorer and winning nine league titles, six FA Cups, a UEFA Women’s Cup.

Upon her retirement, Ludlow was appointed manager of Reading FC Women, taking them to third in the WSL 2 table in her one and only season in charge before taking up the Wales job.

Speaking about receiving her MBE, the 41-year-old said: “I’m honoured and humbled to get this recognition. I hope all those working alongside me are as proud of this

as I am. I am very lucky to have been given so much help from our women’s team staff and players over the last few years and as a group we are benefiting from loving the experience of working together as a national team.

“I hope all those who have helped me along the way from my days in Treherbert to the football clubs I have represented will enjoy this recognition too.”

Honoured: Jayne Ludlow’s services to women’s football in Wales have been commended. Source: Lewis Mitchell

BUCS Highlights

CHWARAEON 31

A round-up of Cardiff University’s sporting action from the latest BUCS Wednesday Loughborough 1s 43 - 0 Cardiff 1s

Women’s Rugby

Liliana Podpadec Contributor

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fter topping the league unbeaten, Cardiff University Ladies hosted Loughborough for the chance to be promoted to the Ladies rugby Super League.

The match took place on Cardiff Met’s 3G, which resulted in a fast paced affair throughout.

The game kicked off and both teams were eager to get the first points on the board. Within the first 10 minutes, Loughborough capitalised on a Cardiff mistake and got a runaway try. This was only a

glimpse of what was to come, as Loughborough were a very physical team and really put the pressure on Cardiff throughout the whole match.

Cardiff suffered some detrimental injuries to key players throughout the first half which meant substitutions were required. Despite this, the team did well to keep the intensity up and constantly test Loughborough in the second half.

However this was not enough, as Loughborough ran in six more tries and a further three conversions.

Although the final score was high, it did not take away from the performance of the girls and was up there with one of the best of the season. Credit to all.

Cardiff 1s 22 -34 Hartpury 1s

Cardiff 2s 41 - 18 Cardiff 3s Women’s Netball

Catrin Powney Contributor

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n internal battle this week occurred within the Cardiff University Netball Club, as the second and third teams faced off in their Western Tier 2 league fixture. Entering the game, the seconds found themselves in second place whereas the thirds were placed in fifth.

The seconds had multiple injuries to account for leading up to the game, which meant that Penny Islef was pulled up from the thirds to play goalkeeper for the seconds.

The first quarter was very evenly matched, as each team kept their centre pass and took it to goal, un-

til some great interceptions from Carys Evans meant that the seconds started to pull ahead. The seconds seemed to step it up going into the second quarter, and they extended their lead further, despite some outstanding shots by thirds’ captain Nadia Pettitt.

At half time the seconds were leading 18-9, and the thirds struggled to maintain their momentum in a very fast-paced game and fell behind 3415 going into the final quarter.

Some strong attacking work from Olivia Crannage meant that the seconds powered ahead, and the game ended 41-18.

Both teams not only put on a solid performance but showed some great club morale in what was a great showcase for Cardiff Uni Netball.

Men’s Rubgy

Ben Lovell-Smith Contributor

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battle-hardened Cardiff fell at the last hurdle against Hartpury to lose 34-22 as their relegation dogfight with Northumbria continues in BUCS Super Rugby. With just three games left of the season, Cardiff were hoping that they could pick up their first win since October against Hartpury, who they defeated at the beginning of the season. However, it was not to be, as the away side travelled back over the Severn Bridge with all the points.

Hartpury took the early lead from the tee, before Cardiff levelled in the opening period of the match to make the scores 3-3.

It was Hartpury who would lay the first punch. From an attacking scrum in the Cardiff 22-metre, the left wing McNab scythed through the defence to score, courtesy of an intricate set play.

Prepared for a dogfight, the Cardiff forwards seemed to embrace the pitch conditions. After retrieving the ball deep in the Hartpury half, the pack edged onwards and with good patience they crossed the line.

The topsy turvy nature of the game continued, as both sides exchanged tries again before half time. Hartpury struck first with clever tight play, as rampaging openside Everitt crossed down the left.

With the last play of the half, Cardiff pulled the game back again. Indiscipline gave Cardiff a kick to the corner, which the forwards welcomed with open arms.

After a number of phases they were over the line. Ed Dunford made the play of the half as he converted from wide out, battling against strong wind.

Hartpury began to hit their rhythm after half-time, their structure and diligence gave Cardiff’s outside backs all sorts of issues. Smart play from the Hartpury blinside, Howard, broke the line as he picked through the centre of the ruck to put outside centre Cole Swannack in for the try.

However, Cardiff again would not lie down as Hartpury failed to exit from kick off. A fine demonstration of second row play by Griff Evans, who charged down the box kick and grounded the ball to level the scores again.

Cardiff’s match fell apart in the final twenty minutes, as they repeatedly failed to exit. Pinning Cardiff within their half, Hartpury were given a penalty to take the lead. In the swirling wind, the kick hit the post. As Cardiff once again aimlessly kicked down field, Hartpury counter attacked, punishing Cardiff with strong attacking verve and crossing the line.

Hartpury put the dagger in the Cardiff heart as they scored with the last play of the match to take a bonus point, whilst ensuring that a losing bonus point for Cardiff was out of reach.

Under the floodlights: A great effort from the grounds team ensured the game at Llanrumney was on. Source: Cardiff Uni RFC Twitter

Togetherness: Cardiff 2s come out victourious over inner-Uni rivals.

Source: Catrin Powney (Cardiff University Netball)

Karate National Championships Mixed Karate

Matthew Beville-Anderson Contributor

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ardiff ’s Karate club went back to Sheffield for another year of competing at the BUCS National Championships! Following plenty of intense training for the competition and dieting over the past semester, the team were ready to get out there and give it everything they had.

The competition brought along their Europe class athletes to show off what Cardiff ’s Karate club was capable of. The likes of world champions were there as the hosts, so it was definitely a day for the team to impress with their hard work and preparation.

First up was a show stopping kata competition. Many teams were of a professional standard, performing slick and rehearsed patterns of movements to the judges. The competition was impressive, the likes of other teams certainly sent their best, but Cardiff certainly didn’t step down to the challenge.

The kata team came out with a superb score of 7.3 against some of

the best karate athletes in Britain.

Even in the midst of this however, Cardiff was able to stand its ground.

Next came the kumite competition, consisting of men’s and women’s sparring, which were definitely fights to remember. With a high degree of violence being shown by the other teams, the aim was to fight fair and fight well, which was precisely what the Cardiff teams did.

The women’s senior team did outstanding, with Rachel Lee winning a very tough first fight and making a debut to show Cardiff what she was truly capable of, proving she is a great addition to the team.

The men’s senior team fought especially well against the likes of English national athletes, making the club proud. Louie Leverett and Matthew Beville-Anderson both displayed a strong fight.

They competed well against the competition presented by the other universities.

Overall, an exciting weekend away of competing for the Cardiff team, leaving satisfied and ready to train hard to return next year to perform even better.

Getting to know: Iestyn Harries George Willoughby Deputy Head of Sport

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n our latest installment of getting to know, Deputy Head of Sport George Willougby spoke with Iestyn Harries - the captain of Cardiff University’s Golf team. Documenting his experience with the club, Harries pointed out how useful the Give it a Go (GIAG) session was.

“I have always played golf but for some reason [I] didn’t join the club in my first year, which was a massive regret”, said Harries “I then attended the GIAG session they held at the Adventure Golf and really haven’t looked back from there.”

Golf has been a big part of Harries’slife going back to the early ages of being just three-years-old. Remarkably he can remember his first shot on a course.

“It was a junior night at my local golf club and I pulled out [my] driver and hit what I thought was a good shot. I stand in that same place now and think I would be able to putt it further.”

His first shot may have only gone a few feet, but Harries has certainly progressed his game since then. With a long career full of brilliant moments, picking a personal highlight can be a troublesome task. However, Harries remembers one particular moment which was “Varsity last year”.

“We had only beaten Swansea once in something like 20 years.

It all came down to a 40-foot putt on the 17th. It was fantastic and I don’t think we stopped celebrating until the following Wednesday.”

As with all the athletes we speak to in our getting to know segments, one of the most challenging tasks is balancing playing for a sports team and completing your degree.

Harries was quick to point out that “it is tough”.

“I think the key is to plan out each week as it comes.

“When I take breaks from university work, I try to play as much golf as I can.

I think it’s a good way for me to relax.”

Golf has had a significant impact on Harries’ sporting and social life. He told Gair Rhydd Sport that it has been the “highlight of [his] university experience” and it would be “hard to think what [he] would have done if [he] hadn’t joined the society.”

Golfers go through a demanding season, but is a successful league campaign as rewarding as beating Swansea at Varsity? This is the question we posed Harries and he responded with “I think it has to be Varsity”.

“It’s the highlight of the year for the students and you feel like each shot you take not only affects you but everyone in the team.

“The adrenaline you have as you hit each shot is crazy.” The social aspect is a huge part of any society, and it can potentially compensate for a side struggling to win on the pitch. Considering the two, Harries understood the importance of both.

“I think that good socials come from a strong team performance,” - said Harries.

If Harries was to give advice to his fresher-self, it would be to “100% join a society”.

“Although I had a fantastic first year, I think the golf would’ve added a lot more enjoyment to it.”

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

sport

Marega Incident Racism in the news again Page 28

CHWARAEON

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chwaraeon

BUCS Highlights Netball, Karate and more Page 31

Blues Column Struggling Blues lose yet again Page 30

Swimmer Alys Thomas in profile Olly Allen Sport Editor

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n this week’s Olympic Spotlight, we profile Welsh swimmer Alys Thomas. Born in Swansea, Thomas grew up in Twickenham, but returned to the Welsh city for university and has trained there ever since. At 29 years old, she was a late bloomer onto the world stage, but goes into the Olympic trials in April having won Commonwealth gold in the 200m butterfly in 2018. She has one of the best chances of Team GB success in the pool.

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Cobras finish undefeated George Willoughby

Deputy Head of Sport

Silver lining: Heneghan (left) was 0.09 seconds away from gold, but was fifth going into the final lap. Source: James Heneghan.

Cardiff University Athletics Club thrive at BUCS Indoor Championships Luke Wakeling Sport Editor

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ardiff University Athletics Club earned their best performance in years at the BUCS Athletics Indoor Championships last weekend.

There were silver medals for James Heneghan and Lauren Cooper in the 1500m and 3000m respectively and a bronze for Esther Adikpe in the 400m.

Jonny Hopkins and John Howorth also finished fifth in their events meaning all the distance athletes got top-five finishes, highlighting the strength in depth in the current CUAC squad.

Heneghan discusses the closely contested final and “long-term” aim of winning a BUCS medal at University.

“It’s been an aim to medal at BUCS since coming to University and it took a while to sink in after the race that I had actually won a medal.

“I wanted to race from the front,

keep it slow to start and then build the pace gradually, like I had done to win my semi-final, and for the first 1000m, I led it like I planned.

“However, I switched off for 100m and found myself in 5th with 400m to go. At that point I panicked as the people ahead of me were fast sprinters, but I managed to find something and started overtaking them again.”

The BUCS indoors was one of CUAC’s best perfromances in years

James Heneghan

Heneghan took the 1500m silver in an impressive time of 3:59.35 minutes, with the top six all within a second of each other; the winning time was 3:59.26 and sixth was 4:00.87, including Cardiff’s Howorth in fifth with a time of 4:00.73.

“To miss out on the win by just 9 hundredths of a second having made a small mistake was quite annoying at first, however, to get silver after being in 5th with 400m to go felt like an amazing result.”

Heneghan’s aims for the rest of the season include making a final at Senior British Championships and competing well at the BUCS outdoors and National U23 championships, whilst hopefully picking up some PBs along the way.

The 1500m runner is excited about the future of CUAC, with the current crop of athletes showing great potential.

“This BUCS indoors was one of CUAC’s best performances in years.

There are a lot of talented athletes at the University at the moment, so personally I’m excited to see how we all progress.”

Fellow silver medallist Lauren Cooper is another of these talented athletes, coming second in the 3000m in a time of 9:50.96 minutes.

Cooper was “really pleased” with her performance considering her ranking and condition before the final.

“I’ve been struggling with a chest infection and was unsure if I’d be able to compete. I was ranked eighth going into the final, so second was a great outcome.

“BUCS indoors was my primary aim, so I’d been training pretty hard for it, but as its cross-country season, I also had to factor that in. I was a bit worried I’d have heavy legs from all the mud, as BUCS XC was only two weeks ago.”

BUCS is the highlight for many athletes at University, with the best competitors from all over the country visiting the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Heneghan and Cooper exemplify CUAC’s current success, with the future bright for Cardiff University Athletics Club.

The squad will look to build on this momentum ahead of BUCS Outdoors and Varsity.

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he Cardiff Cobras - the University American Football Team - finished the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record.

With the victory over Southampton on Sunday, Cardiff went unbeaten, a feat they last achieved back in 1994.

Gair Rhydd Sport was able to interview Club President Jack Pitt about their fantastic season, the pressure of playoff football and looking ahead to Varsity. Read the full story on page 30.

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Financial Fair Play: Manchester City banned from Europe Reece Chambers Head of Sport

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t was announced on February 14 that Manchester City had been banned from the UEFA Champions League and fined £25m for ‘serious breaches’ of Financial Fair Play. Having already been fined £50m in 2014 for similar wrongdoing, the club has been hit with the hardest line possible by UEFA. Head of Sport, Reece Chambers, details the ins and outs of the sanction and what it could mean for the future of Manchester City over the 28 next few seasons.