Gair Rhydd 1069 - 25th January 2016

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gair rhydd | freeword Cardiff ’s student weekly Issue 1069 Monday 25th January 2016 Also in this issue

Advice: How to make those 2016 resolutions stick P8>>

NUS criticised by Students’ Union for lack of communication over maintenance grant abolition

Comment: How we respond to celebrity deaths P13>>

• Welsh Students’ Unions left unaware of changes to voting in Westminster despite alleged NUS knowledge • SU sabbatical officers pushed for emergency motion in shadow cabinet • Cardiff Central MP describes cuts to grants as “ideological attack” on students EXCLUSIVE Anna Lewis The National Union of Students (NUS) has come under criticism from Cardiff ’s Students’ Union elected officer team, after allegedly failing to provide important information about last week’s vote to cut maintenance grants.

Last Tuesday, the government rejected Labour’s opposition day motion to stop the cuts to maintenance grants for English students. In a controversial decision, only English MPs were allowed to vote following the debate regardless of the thousands of English students that attend Welsh universities.

According to one sabbatical officer, despite NUS’s knowledge of the situation, Students’ Unions and politicians across Wales were left unaware of this development. Talking to

Gair Rhydd, Vice President for Societies Hannah Sterritt explained that the news was only revealed through Twitter by a message written by NUS Wales President Beth Button, and not by NUS UK. In her tweet, Button explained that approximately 50 per cent of students in Welsh universities are funded by student finance England and would be directly affected by the decision. She also explained that she had talked to the House of Commons speaker John Bercow to contest the decision.

According to Sterritt, although the NUS are usually reliable at providing important information, Cardiff Students’ Union were unable to procure further details from the institution on the day of the debate.

As a result, the officer was left with no choice but to single-handedly inform other students’ unions and Welsh MPs of the news via social

media, phone and email.

Like Button, Sterritt also contacted the Speaker at Westminster to lobby against stopping Welsh MPs from voting, encouraging others to do the same.

As a result, thanks to the work of Cardiff Students’ Union, the MP for Cardiff Central Jo Stevens was also notified of the situation and was able to create an emergency motion in the shadow cabinet opposing the decision.

In response to these suggestions, NUS Wales explained to Gair Rhydd that the Speaker’s decision to create an English-only vote was made “at a very late stage in a fast-moving process, with minimal communication and little precedent as to how it can be challenge.”

It was also noted that as the government’s original Committee vote included MPs from Wales and Scotland, the Union “had been working

Pictured:

Students protest against cuts to maintenance grants (Photographer: The Weekly Bull via Flickr)

Continued on page 4

Politics: Cardiff Central race to be tight at Assembly Elections P18>>

Science: Why have alcohol limits fallen again? P21>>

2 EDITORIAL Gair Rhydd Coordinator Elaine Morgan Editor Joseph Atkinson Deputy Editors Carwyn Williams Anna Lewis News Anna Lewis Joanna Beck Toby Holloway Advice Gwen Williams Caragh Medlicott Comment Em Gates Charley Griffiths David Williams Columnist Helena Hanson Politics Carwyn Williams Luke Brett Sam Patterson Science Maria Mellor Lizzie Harrett Societies Aletheia Nutt Taf-Od Rhian Floyd Park Life Vacant Sport Jim Harris James Lloyd Jason Roberts Jamie Smith Social Media Editor Jack Boyce Proofreaders Emily Giblett Anwen Pembery Get involved Editorial conferences are each Monday at 5pm.

Proofreading takes place from 5pm on Thursdays in the media office during print weeks.

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At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our responsibility to maintain the highest possible standards. Sometimes, because of deadline pressures, we may make some mistakes. 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 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 free word Students under attack

With maintenance grants at great risk and universities campaigning to be exempt from FOI, we need to stand up Joseph Atkinson

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elcome back to uni! I hope everyone’s had a great Christmas and New Year without (too much) exam and assignment stress. At the time of writing I’m trying to balance managing the paper with writing my third essay in two weeks, so my apologies to the editorial team for being slightly less useful than usual. The holidays seemed to bring with them bad news story after bad news story; the floods in the North (which, as a Northerner, I’m obliged to say wouldn’t have happened in the South), a slipping world economy (which our generation are pretty used to really) and the deaths of two British cultural icons in David Bowie and Alan Rickman. I have to say that the story that affected me and many others the most, was the death of Bowie.

This to me says a lot about people’s priorities and the power that culture has to affect people compared to more ‘real life’ trauma.

There’s been quite bad news for university students too. The last few weeks have seen the government try a push through a number of measures that I and

many at Gair Rhydd believe to be unjust, and can only serve to make people’s lives more difficult. Most prominently, the SU has put up a fight against the government’s proposal to abolish maintenance grants in favour of replacing them with maintenance loans, and I’d like to thank them for that.

The maintenance grant, simply put, helps to balance the field. It enables people from less-privileged backgrounds to be on par with those who are fortunate enough to have their university life funded - or at least part-funded - from home.

I do not believe that the maintenance grant scheme is perfect; I receive the highest grant possible, but I have to say that the means by which they test your family income do not seem rigorous at all. It feels as though the system could be cheated, because of the ease at which information could potentially be false - to my knowledge my family has never been asked to provide documented evidence of their income.

It also fails to take into account those students who come from a family with a good income but are expected to be more financially independent. While they will always have a safety net behind them, it can be very difficult to make

ends meet with a minimal to non-existent maintenance grant and a similar maintenance loan. The system is by no means perfect, and the way it has been tested for throws up a number of issues that mean that it is not entirely fair for everyone. But for me, the maintenance loan represents more than ‘free money’; it represents one of the last crumbs of generosity in a university system that is becoming increasingly mean to students.

Our front page focuses on Cardiff Students’ Union’s success at bringing the matter to the floor in Parliament, where it appears the NUS failed. These are the sorts of issues that are clearly of paramount importance to students and therefore by bringing to the attention of Welsh MPs the fact that only English MPs were going to allowed to vote on the matter, the SU has done its job in protecting the rights of students.

Another issue that has been gathering pace over the Christmas break is the potential exemption of universities from Freedom of Information requests. Russell Group universities, including Cardiff University, are understood to be looking to cut themselves out of FOI legislation, claiming that it puts too much of a fi-

nancial burden on them. If this measure goes through, it would be awful news for Gair Rhydd, and more importantly awful news for freedom of speech.

FOI requests are necessary to obtain hard-to-get information that is in the public interest and would otherwise never come out. It can reveal financial mismanagement, misuse of expenses and all sorts of other behaviour that universities should be held accountable for.

Ironically it has been FOI requests that have revealed the hypocrisy of some unis when it comes to their reasoning for wanting be exempted - the News Media Association revealed that the 20 Russell Group universities employed just 26 members of staff who deal with FOI requests, compared to a total of 284 ‘communication officers’ between them. If employing one or two members of staff to respond to FOI requests is classed as too much of a financial burden, I wonder what employing ten times that number in comms officers would be classed as...

The SU needs to continue to stand up for us as students as it did so well in the maintenance grant case, but it is also up to students to get their voices heard and demonstrate against injustices.

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY: GAIR RHYDD 779 7/2/2005 This week we go back 11 years to the good old days of 2005, when most of us were still in primary school! At Cardiff Uni the hot topic was the news that an ex-student accused a top Iraqi politician, also an ex-Cardiff student, of being a violent Saddam Hussein loyalist. Jamal Hafid accused Qassim Dawoud of being Saddam’s “thug at Cardiff ” at the time he was here around 1980. He said he was also beaten by him and assaulted his family. Gair Rhydd issues from the 1980s report on the running battles between the two opposing Iraqi groups.

In other news, a student had to be rushed to hospital after falling from an upper level of the back of the students’ union building. His injuries were not life-threatening but caution was taken by the SU to ensure such an incident is not repeated.

The Students’ Union were also considering disaffiliating with the NUS, due to concerns the NUS were charging too much for what it was offering.

It was a time where the NUS were planning to introduce a charge of £10 for their NUS discount cards for the first time, and up to 95 per cent of students were against this. Ultimately we stayed with the NUS and we now pay for those discount cards, although I’ve easily saved more than the cost.

Students were looking forward to the start

of the first ever LGBT History Month, that we continue to celebrate in February. Throughout the month students will learn about the lives of LGBT people and their contribution to history. It was initially organised by the SchoolsOUT campaign group, and it was hoped that the event would help deal with the stigma left

by Section 28, which was repealed two years earlier.

There were some controversial issues in the letter pages, with the new bilingual policy the SU had introduced causing concern for some.

One letter expressed concern Gair Rhydd were printing negative letters, but the editor hit back with what the meaning of Gair Rhydd is; free word.

It seems odd that almost 11 years later, there is still dispute by some over these policies, and the referendum last year proved that the topic is still important and relevant now.

It was a great week for Cardiff sport, with women’s football, men’s hockey fourths and Medics men’s rugby all bagging titles. The women’s football team were crowned league champions after winning seven out of nine games.

In spite of this, Cardiff ’s first XV rugby faced relegation, and were reliant on other results to stay in the league.

- Carwyn Williams

EDITORIAL 3

Campus in Brief

Jack Boyce

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Double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah has declared that he is available to be picked for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the IAAF/ Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championship.

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fossilised skull and bones discovered on Lavernock beach, near Penarth, back in 2014 has finally been identified as a newly named dinosaur. Originally discovered by Nick and Rob Hanigan of Llantwit Major, the fossils were found to have dated back 201 million years.

Now, the fossils have been attributed to the ‘Dracoraptor hanigani’, which is Latin for “dragon robber”, and has found to be related to the iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex. Dr. Steven Vidovic, from the University of Portsmouth, wrote in the journal ‘Public Library of Science’, “You just don’t find these animals, so this is an incredible discovery.”

Double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah has declared that he is available to be picked for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championship. Held on 26th March, the championship will see 200 of the world’s best runners, along with 25,000 amateur runners race around Cardiff. Matt Newman, chief executive of the race organisers Run 4 Wales, stated that: “It’s a major coup for Cardiff 2016; Mo’s appearance has always been a key ambition for Run 4 Wales and this news will give a huge boost in the final nine weeks of preparation.”

Cardiff University has been ranked among the world’s most international universities in a respected global league table. Phil Baty, editor of the THE rankings, said, “An institution’s global outlook is one of the key markers of a prestigious university. It is great news for all the institutions in the list of the most international universities in the world. It is a sign of great potential, competitiveness and dynamism.” The ‘Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings” sees Cardiff placed 126th out of 800 universities from around the world, rising 56 places from its position last year of 182nd.

National

Dr David Richmond, the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), has stated in an interview with The Guardian that up to 20 per cent of hospital maternity units where consultants supervise births will need to close in order for mothers in labour to receive better care. If these plans go ahead, the amount of consultant-led maternity units will decrease from 147 to only 118 units. To combat this, Dr. Richmond suggested a large expansion of midwife-led units, with England having 101 of these units, which would enable women to choose where they wanted to give birth.

A lawyer for a British student has claimed that he was beaten and tortured by police officers in Belgium.

Elliot Meredith, 21, from Cheshire, said that he was subjected to two hours of physical and mental torture at the Saint-Gilles police station in Brussels, before being forced to give a false verbal confession that he pushed an officer. Meredith, who is on a ten-month internship in Brussels as part of a graphic communication degree at Bath Spa University, says that he was “manhandled” while ordering a takeaway during the early hours of January 17th. Jennifer Vanderputten, spokeswoman for the Belgian prosecutor, told La Derniére Heure that Meredith was detained for disturbing the peace.

The BBC has committed a further £3.5 million to continue funding schemes intended to increase representation of ethnic minorities both on and off screen.

The schemes, which already include a £2.1 million diversity creative talent fund designed to bring in people from diverse backgrounds into all levels of the corporation, will get £3.5 million to continue its work into 2016. BBC director general Tony Hall said the schemes were helping to “broaden the range of voices and backgrounds at all levels of the BBC.”

International

Protestors stormed Moldova’s parliament building after a vote to instigate a new pro-Europe government was approved. After the previous government were dismissed last October due to a corruption scandal, Pavel Filip, of the main pro-European coaltion, had been named Moldova’s prime minister. This appointment causes thousands of people to gather outside parliament in the capital of Chisinau and protest against the appointment of Filip, who previously held the title of technology minister. The Associated Press reported that protestors chanted “Thieves”, demanding an early election. Police allegedly were using tear gas to deter protestors, however the number of injuries is uncertain.

The immigration, refugees and citizenship minister of Canada, John McCallum, has shown his delight after the country are set to welcome 13,000 Syrian refugees the upcoming weeks. In an interview with The Guardian, McCallum says that “Canada has many times in the past decades accepted significant waves of refugees,” he continued, “But I think this is making history in Canada in the sense that we’ve never done it so fast.” The new government lead by the Liberal party’s Justin Trudeau made a promise in the run-up to last October’s elections that they were willing to bring 25,000 government-assisted refugees into Canada by the end of 2015.

Russian airstrikes in Syria have killed more than 1,000 civilians, with around 200 children, since they were launched back in September, says the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). SOHR have also stated that the strikes have killed 893 ISIS members, along with 1,141 militants from other oppositional fronts, such as al-Nusra Front. Russia, an ally of President Bashar alAssad’s government, has previously dismissed claims by organisations such as SOHR that their airstrikes have killed civilians, calling them “absurd” and made up of “clichés and fakes”.

Pictured: Russia has been conducting airstrikes in Syria since September 2015 (Photographer: kuhnmi via flickr)

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Protestors stormed Moldova’s parliament building after a vote to instigate a new pro-Europe government was approved.

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4 NEWS

news

Editors: Anna Lewis Joanna Beck Toby Holloway @GairRhyddNews news@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/news

Continued: Students’ Union criticise NUS

Continued from front page

on the premise that this would also apply to the vote”.

The NUS Wales President nonethe-less praised Cardiff Students’ Union for their hard work and described the officers as “crucial in bringing much-needed scrutiny and pressure on the UK Government’s ill-thought out decision to scrap student maintenance grants in England.”

Button continued: “The lobbying of Welsh MPs by students’ unions was a mark of the incredible strength of the student movement in Wales”.

The UK NUS President Megan Dunn has since spoken out against the “underhand tactics” used during the government debate and vote, including the failure to release a inequality impact assessment of cutting English maintenance grants.

In response to the cuts, Cardiff University students have organised a protest that will take place on Wednesday outside the Students’ Union.

Organised by the Cardiff Labour Students society, the event encourages people to gather with banners.

This is not the only protest held since the vote. On Tuesday, hundreds of students blocked Westminster Bridge in a day of demonstrations.

The bridge was reportedly closed for an hour and a half as protestors made their way to Parliament Square.

Meanwhile, Cardiff Students’ Union has released a statement condemning the decision, as they stated: “We, as your Students’ Union, cannot express how disappointed we are

by this decision.”

The message, which was written by all the elected officers, stated that the “discriminatory” cuts would discourage the poorest students from applying to university and “leave many of our current students shortchanged.”

Jo Stevens, MP for Cardiff Central, also voiced her opposition to what she described as an “ideological attack on students”, as she told Gair Rhydd that she spoke against the Conservative government’s decision during the debate on Tuesday.

Representing a constituency with one of the highest densities of students, Stevens condemned David Cameron’s party for failing to consult with students or universities about the decision and citied the case of the Student Welfare VP Kate

Delaney as an example of the damage that the cuts will cause.

During the debate the MP explained that without the maintenance grants, Delaney would not have been able to attend university or subsequently “give her voice to represent 30,000 students”.

Stevens criticised the government for failing to provide “any real reason or justification for why they are making this change.”

Gair Rhydd contacted the Conservative MP for Cardiff North Craig Williams but did not receive a response at the time of print.

Prior to the debate, Cardiff Student’s Union President Claire Blakeway encouraged students to contact both their local MP and their representative at home to show their opposition to the cuts.

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Without the grants, Delaney would not have been able to attend university

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Cardiff receives ‘red’ ranking for freedom of speech However, criteria called into question by students

Toby Holloway

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There is a big difference between free speech and bigotry

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ardiff University has been granted ‘amber’ on its attitudes towards free speech, while Cardiff University Students’ Union has maintained its ‘red’ ranking.

These results came after a nationwide investigation of all UK universities on their attitudes towards free speech, examining their various policies and the past actions of the organisations concerning freedom of speech.

The survey stated that institutions with a ‘red’ ranking have ‘banned and actively censored ideas on campus’, while those with an ‘amber’ ranking have ‘chilled free speech through intervention’. Universities with a ‘green’ ranking were reported to have ‘a hands-off approach to free speech’.

Cardiff University’s ‘amber’ ranking was acquired for the second year in a row, due to its continuation of policies such as: Dignity at Work and Study, Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment, Sexual Orientation Policy and their Religion and Belief Policy.

The university also banned the Cardiff University football team in 2013 for two weeks after they delivered a presentation on how to sleep with women with low self esteem, making jokes about date-rape and domestic violence.

The Cardiff University Students’ Union received their ‘red’ ranking due to a number of bans on various different things dating back to 2013, when they banned the promotion of ‘cruel’ sports and, most notably, the Sun newspaper.

The latter of these bans was initiated under the Union’s Policy on Sexist Media and Advertising.

In November 2014, comedian Dapper Laughs had his show at the Union cancelled, following a petition created by students lobbying the Union for the gig not to be held at Y Plas.

A spokesman for the Union said at the time: “The views of Dapper Laughs go against our policies and everything we stand for”.

The ban was also put in place as a result of the Students’ Union’s Anti-Lad Culture Policy.

The Union also attempted to stop feminist icon Germaine Greer from speaking in October 2015, following another online petition that cam-

paigned for her scheduled lecture to be cancelled after comments she made regarding transgender people.

However, the research’s criteria has caused anger amongst members of the University, with many stating that the rules in place are made in the interest of helping students and members of staff.

Defending Cardiff University’s decision to impose various bans, one English student said: “By banning sexist and transphobic speakers the university has protecting minority students and created an atmosphere of acceptance”.

Another Cardiff University student added: “I think there is a big difference between free speech and bigotry”.

Pictured: The Sun newspaper.

(Photographer: Simon Bleasdale, via Flickr)

NEWS 5

Sexual assault to be included in extenuating circumstances

Toby Holloway

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ardiff University has amended its examination guidelines to include sexual assault in their extenuating circumstances.

The change to the original policy was instigated after a similar decision was taken by the University of Birmingham.

According to Students’ Union President Claire Blakeway, although sexual assault has always been considered as an extenuating circumstance within Cardiff, this is the first time that it will be noted as a “specific point” in the guidelines.

The change was inspired as an online petition created by Birmingham students - appealing for all UK universities to change their guidelines for extenuating circumstances to include sexual assault - gained thousands of signatures when one female student had an appeal for extenuating circumstances dismissed, despite

providing medical evidence that she proved she was sexually assaulted while studying abroad in Queensland, Australia.

The student appealed to her university in Australia as well as the University of Birmingham to grant her an extension on her work, however both appeals were rejected and she resultantly failed to meet her deadlines.

The University of Birmingham told the student that her only option was to have all of her results from the year off her transcript, despite high marks in other assessments taken throughout the year.

Before the changes to the University of Birmingham’s guidelines were changed, they stated that extenuating circumstances should be granted to students who suffered: significant illness, accident or injury, the death or serious illness of a close family member or dependent, a family crisis di-

rectly affecting the student, absence caused by paternity leave, jury service (deferral of which has been denied by the Court), exceptional and unforeseen financial hardship.

The guidelines now include information on sexual assault after the success of the online petition. Cardiff University is one UK higher education institution that has responded to the petition by changing its own guidelines for extenuating circumstances, after the campaign gained support from some of Cardiff ’s key public figures. MP for Cardiff Central, Jo Stevens, pledged her support for the change in legislation. Speaking to Gair Rhydd, she stated: “When the story came out in the press earlier this month, I was concerned to hear that rape or sexual assault may not be considered an extenuating circumstance by Cardiff University”.

She added: ‘“As part of my regular contact with the Vice Chancellor, I asked Prof Riordan directly if this was the case and if the university would be updating its rules”.

After receiving a response from the Vice Chancellor, Ms Stevens stated: “The Vice Chancellor reassured me that rape and sexual assault would always have been considered to be an extenuating circumstance, and that in the light of recent press stories the university will be updating its guidelines to state this explicitly”.

She concluded her statement by saying: “I hope that universities across the country are able to make this change to ensure that no student who has suffered sexual assault or rape - very serious crimes with severe consequences for victims - is disadvantaged or unable to take a break from their studies should they need to”.

Student media risks losing valuable tool

Anna Lewis

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niversities could become exempt from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, in what could be a serious blow to student newspapers.

Under current regulations a public body must reveal its finances and operations under an FOI request.

However, the Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are questioning whether universities should remain within the law as part of a consultation on

educational reform.

The process follows after the prestigious Russell Group of universities, of which Cardiff is a member, requested to be made exempt from FOIs given that they can be classed as private not public institutions.

However, this claim has been widely reputed as it has been said that universities are largely funded by tuition fees that are created by the government.

The group also stated that re-

sponding to FOI requests is too expensive, after it was alleged that the 24 universities spent a collective £1.1 million dealing with inquiries during 2014.

This is the second time in recent months that the government is attempting to prevent FOI requests in universities. Previously David Cameron’s party came under attack after stating in their higher education green paper that institutions could be excluded from the legalisation.

The National Union of Students (NUS) has condemned this proposal, stating that: “Freedom of Information requests are an important channel for students and the taxpayer to hold institutions, which receive Government funds, either directly or indirectly, to account.”

Previously FOI requests have proved essential during Gair Rhydd investigations, as it was previously revealed that the University currently spends over £2 million in fossil fuels.

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I was concerned to hear that rape or sexual assault may not be considered an extenuating circumstance

by Cardiff Jo Stevens

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The group also stated that responding to FOI requests is too expensive

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Cardiff students in Jakarta during attack

Joanna Beck

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tudents from Cardiff University have been confirmed to be safe after it was revealed that a they had been staying in Jakarta during a terrorist attack.

The news followed after eight people were killed in Jakarta after an attack took place on 14th January 2016.

Multiple explosions and gunfire were reported near a shopping centre in Indonesia’s capital. Isis have claimed responsibility for the attacks.

28 Cardiff University students and three members of staff from the school of Geography and Planning are currently staying at the University of Indonesia on a field trip. A university spokesperson has confirmed that all staff and students are safe.

The spokesperson explained that “immediate contact was established with the field trip staff who were able to confirm that they were all safe, that students had been in touch with parents or guardians to confirm this and that the field trip is based some 40km away from central Jakarta where the incident took place”.

A total of six explosions rocked Jakarta targeting a Starbucks and a police station. Isis claimed that 15 civilians had been killed, but the Indonesian police have confirmed that

the death toll was in fact eight; four attackers and four civilians.

Cardiff University are continuing their trip and “continue to be advised by local staff and follow official Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidance to ensure their safety”.

The Government’s foreign travel advice suggests that there is a “high threat from terrorism” in Indonesia and that travellers should be particularly alert during holiday periods as “terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and intent to carry out these attacks at anytime and anywhere in the country”.

The university have assured Gair Rhydd that if FCO change their advice, “the University will take every action to ensure their immediate return”.

In addition, University staff have been advised to “use their discretion to support any student who may be distressed as a consequence of the incident and wish to return to the UK independently of the group”.

They have also suggested that any students that have been affected by the attacks should get in touch with the University’s counselling service: www.cardiff.ac.uk/studentsupport.

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Pictured: A Jakarta memorial (Photographer: Gunkarta via Flickr)

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University staff have been advised to “use their discretion to support any student who may be distressed

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6 NEWS

Students fight against NHS bursary cuts Members of Cardiff University take part in national march and debate

Anna Lewis

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As many healthcare students enter the course as ‘mature students’, individuals often have other financial commitments

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ardiff Students have taken their fight against cuts to NHS bursary funding to the next level, after attending protests and a government debate in London.

On January 9th protests were held across the UK as students voiced their anger against a government decision to scrap the NHS bursaries awarded to healthcare students.

Five members of Cardiff Students’ Union attended a 5,000 strong protest in London amongst other members of the University.

According to Students’ Union President and former VP Heath Park Claire Blakeway, the march was “really well attended”, and “fantastic to see so many people passionate about saving the NHS bursary”.

Talking to Gair Rhydd, Student Senator and nursing student Tim Nagle also described his experience at the Chair of Petitions committee, as he attended with 40 other people including fellow students, nurses and Trade Union officials.

During the initial discussion, Nagle alongside fellow attendees was asked questions about the help provided by the current bursary and details about his course.

Despite the high turn out of politicians however, it was noted that no Welsh MPs attended the debate. Although MP for Cardiff Central Jo Stevens has signed an early day motion to oppose the cuts, the MP for Cardiff North, including the Heath campus and University Hospital Wales, has yet to sign the appeal.

Blakeway has since stated that she

will continue to lobby and meet with both MPs to discuss the issue.

According to Nagle, the protest against cuts to NHS bursaries was essential for giving students, NUS Wales and trade union the opportunity to think about future plans for Welsh healthcare funding.

The senator stated that during the debate attendees generally agreed that the current NHS situation is “unsustainable” but expressed anger at the government’s unwillingness to discuss other alternatives to improve the situation.

Instead it was the students and representatives who voiced potential ideas to change the current system that now need to be taken into consideration, such as paying students the living wage instead of allocating a bursary.

Under the current system, student nurses and midwives do not pay tuition fees and receive a bursary from the NHS. If such funding is cut, UNISON has predicted that nurses could be left with debts of up to £50,000.

The Royal College of Nursing has also warned that the move may deter people from applying for such courses in future.

The government has defended the proposed cuts to funding by suggesting that it will create 25,000 additional places to students with nurses receiving 25% more financial support. It has also been suggested that this will save £800 million a year.

However, the cuts have been labelled as particularly detrimental to health care students given the long

hours of their course, making it impossible to hold a part-time job alongside their degree. It has also been noted that as many healthcare students enter the course as ‘mature students’, individuals often have other financial commitments and responsibilities.

During the debate a number of questions were allegedly left unanswered by politicians including the results of an impact assessment analysing the cuts and any potential effects on devolved nations.The event followed after a petition against the

cuts received the required 100,000 signatures within the 24 hours after the spending review was released.

Cardiff Students’ Union have also created their own open letter that has been signed by hundreds of healthcare students. The letter will then be sent to relevant government ministers in both the UK and Welsh government.

Last semester the Student Senate also agreed to oppose the cuts. As a result the Students’ Union will work with NUS Wales to campaign on the issue.

developing a great sense of trans experiences in the workplace which will only continue to grow, and we’re fully committed to helping you drive trans inclusion in your organisation.”

Cardiff also performed well in Stonewall’s 2015 Gay by Degree university guide last year, where they were one of only six to get a rating of 10 out of 10. The criteria used for this was based on a number of fac-

tors, including society involvement, anti- bullying policy, LGBT specific career advice and the consultation of LGB students regarding university decisions.

The 2016 Gay by Degree guide is due to be released later this year and, as with the employment index, is expected to include transgender equality information and guidance for prospective students.

Pictured: student protest in London (Photographer: Garry Knight via Flickr)

Cardiff named best university for LGBT+ employment

Joanna Beck

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Cardiff has remained in the top 100 for six years and the University has moved up four places from last year

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ardiff University came 20th in Stonewall’s top 100 employers index, making it the highest ranking university followed by Swansea, ranked 36th and Teeside University, who ranked 44th.

Cardiff has remained in the top 100 for six years and the University has moved up four places from last year to become the fifth highest ranking organisation in Wales. The National Assembly Wales came third overall and the Welsh Government ranks 17th, making them the two highest ranked government organisations included in the index.

Furthermore 23 per cent of the respondents to Stonewall’s LGBT staff questionnaire who worked in Wales said that they were comfortable coming out in their work environment,

making them one of the best areas in the UK. The index, which looked at a total of 400 companies and organisations, based their findings on a number of criteria, including; employee policy, training, career development and community engagement.

This is a big year for Stonewall, the group lobbying for gay and lesbian equality, as they included transgender equality in their study for the first time ever. Although this information was not presented in the employment index, it is a starting point for a deeper inclusion of transgender experience in the years to come. Chief Executive of Stonewall described this change: “Through consultation, feedback and gathering best practice, we’re

Pictured: Cardiff University flies the rainbow flag to celebrate its acheivement (Photgrapher: Cardiff University)

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8 ADVICE

advice

Editors: Gwen Williams Caragh Medlicott @GairRhyddAdv advice@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/advice

New Year, new you?

Caragh Medlicott and Gwen Williams

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Optimistically, we say ‘next year will be different’ and in all honesty, it’s good for us to focus on that, especially if the past year was a difficult one.

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n New Year’s Eve we were all full of wishes and promises that we would change one or even several things in our lives over the coming year. It may be a new look, a healthier lifestyle choice or something more serious, like wanting to become more confident. Somehow we acknowledge the first of January as a metaphorical reset button, or a restore to factory settings.

Optimistically, we say ‘next year will be different’ and in all honesty, it’s good for us to focus on that, especially if the past year was a difficult one. We are almost a month into 2016 and with our exams and coursework behind us for another term, perhaps you feel ready to begin making those changes. Here’s some advice on how to approach this: Firstly, change can be a big thing for an individual and is often quite scary. No doubt one of the biggest decisions of your life was to leave home and go to university in the first place. When making a change, just think to yourself “I did that, so I can achieve anything.” No matter what grade you get at the end of your degree programme, you have had to learn to face many changes over three years and that in itself is a success.

If you are going to change some-

thing about yourself, it must be your decision. Do not change for other people. You are you, own it! There is no such thing as perfection and your true friends will love you in spite of your quirks. If they cannot accept you, then trying to please them is a waste of time. In this case, the only change you need to make is who you spend time with.

When making changes to your life, don’t be too hard on yourself. In a world where we are judged based on what society deems to be normal, fashionable or conventional, it’s easy to be unkind to ourselves. If you are a worrier or lack self confidence, you may only need to change the negative opinion you have acquired of yourself. People are entitled to an opinion but it doesn’t make it a fact.

Not everyone will like you, but you shouldn’t be spending all of your time trying to please others.

Make sure that you are realistic about the changes that you make.

Choose goals that are obtainable.

For instance, if you want to become fitter, set yourself a starting target of running a 5k race rather than a marathon. With anything you do, you can’t expect the change to be instantaneous. Ironically, making a change is ‘a marathon not a sprint’ as they say. A gradual approach is far gentler and therefore easier to get used to.

So make sure you give an appropriate time scale for when you would like to complete the change.

If you want to make several changes, tackle one at a time to ensure that you don’t overwhelm yourself.

Again, it may take you a little longer to complete everything, but you will be happier knowing that you have achieved your goal rather than rushed and made little progress.

Remember you don’t have to change alone, why not get housemates or friends involved? If you are all trying to be healthier then why not look up some healthy meals and cook together (BBC Good Food is always a good shout). Motivate each other. Is one of your friends trying to do more reading? Why not pass them a book as a hint, hint when they’re sat blankly scrolling through Facebook on their phone. The great thing about setting goals to make positive changes with other people is you don’t have to go it alone. Even if you and your friends are all trying to achieve different things; if you support them, they’ll support you too.

Actually making the changes is only half the work, because once you’ve started making improvements you’ve got to actually maintain them. So what do you do once you’ve made the changes? Presuming whatever you’ve decided to change

about yourself or your life is healthy and positive, your next task is making sure you keep it up. There’s no use in getting fitter if you go right back to slumping on the sofa after you’ve achieved your fitness goal, (and no, walking to collect Domino’s does not count as exercise, no matter how much we all wish it did).

Try and make whatever you’ve changed instinctual to you; if you’ve tried to become more confident, make it habit to greet everyone with a friendly wave and a smile. If you’ve been trying to be more efficient and stay on top of work, stick to a library schedule that works for you.

And above all, the most important thing is to forgive yourself; slipping up once isn’t the end of the world.

Everyone’s human and one mistake doesn’t mean you’ve reverted back to where you were at the start.

As the wise David Bowie once sang: “Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, turn and face the strange!” It’s always intimidating to try and reshape who you are and the things you do, but provided you are doing it for the right reasons and have a healthy amount of determination there’s no reason you can’t achieve what you want. So, if you’re willing, 2016 can be the year for not an entirely new you, but simply a new improved edition.

Pictured: Change; a small word that means a lot.

(Photographer: Nana B Agyei via Flickr)

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The great thing about setting goals to make positive changes with other people is you don’t have to go it alone. Even if you and your friends are all trying to achieve different things.

”

ADVICE 9

Adjusting to life back home

Callum talks about returning from his time abroad Callum McAllister

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While returning to your home university doesn’t require the awkwardness of meeting new people, readjusting is about reconnecting with old friends.

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Elena Cassie

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All of us face this seasonal slump together, so don’t punish yourself when you’re feeling low.

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aking time out of your normal university life to go on an exchange is a fantastic opportunity. Yet at the same time you might end up feeling at a loose end. By going, you naturally become displaced: once, upon leaving to an unfamiliar country, and once when you have to return, just after you’ve formed a new set of friends and become comfortable.

This is more unpleasant for a return journey, because home is a place that you should feel ‘at home’ in, but may have become unfamiliar. However, there are some things you can to do to get back to where you left off.

On both leaving and returning, a place feels unfamiliar if you can’t experience it with people you feel comfortable with. While returning to your home university doesn’t require the awkwardness of meeting new people, readjusting is about reconnecting with old friends.

You may have lost contact with some of them, or may find that seeing friends after so long can induce anxiety. But you should take the initiative.

It can feel as though they wouldn’t be interested in meeting, or have forgotten about you. However, it’s likely that

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they might feel the same way, especially since it was you who left. Part of what makes returning difficult is loneliness, and believing that the place and people didn’t really miss your presence. But a place can feel much more like home once you’ve made the effort to reintegrate.

When you leave to somewhere new, you’re told to find places you enjoy going, to explore a new city and find the spots you love — cafes, bars, etc. In the same way, to feel comfortable returning to your old city you should try and make an effort to revisit the places you enjoyed going.

University work, as well as feeling isolated or disconnected with old friends, are always excuses to not to do things you once enjoyed around uni, but in the same way that you might have needed to take the initiative to force yourself into taking risks in socialising upon leaving for an exchange, you may need to again take the initiative to return to your old haunts.

At the same time, on returning home there is a certain feeling of loss, in that you leave a lot behind, with the place and people you discovered.

While readjusting is important, it can

feel as though that experience is lost entirely. There is an assurance with friends that you will stay in touch, and meet again, though it’s often unlikely.

Upon leaving, I actually told a friend directly that I would probably never see them again, unlike others who insisted we would meet soon.

As such, it’s important to make a conscious effort to stay connected, even in a small way, to make you feel as though you haven’t lost something.

This doesn’t mean arranging to travel halfway across the world to visit them sometime in the future, or FaceTiming frequently, but maybe a message once in a while, let them know what you’re up to and keep talking about your shared interests when it’s relevant.

And most importantly, it’s about being easy on yourself and knowing that having difficulty adjusting and readjusting is normal. What can be upsetting about struggling to readjust is feeling as though this is the place you should feel at home and comfortable in when it’s not; however, everyone has to readjust from a long time away, because you, your old friends and the city have changed in so many small ways.

Don’t sing the January blues

t’s that time of year again when we all have to accept that Christmas is most definitely over. All that’s left of the holiday season is a couple of suspicious looking oranges, some stale fruit cake and a case of severe indigestion. That optimism and excitement that we felt for a few minutes on New Year’s Eve turned out to be the result of a drunken haze which was very quickly replaced with a sense of dread.

Long since forgotten are those resolutions we made on New Year’s Day as we nursed our sore heads and bloated stomachs. Exams have been sat, essays have been handed in, and now we face the agonising wait to see just how much more work we should have done over the holidays. To top it all off the weather is consistently miserable and there appears to be no

5 things to do in your free time.

Once your deadlines have passed and the inevitable stress tears have been shed, we have come up with some close-to-home things you can do other than festering in your room 25 episodes deep into some crappy Netflix series:

1. Cardiff Bay If you can brave the cold there’s loads of fun stuff to see and do

end in sight.

In all honesty, it’s hard not to feel slightly blue at this time of the year.

With so little to tempt us into the outside world, hiding under the duvet with the curtains closed can seem like a desirable option. Try and remember that there are a few things that can help towards improving your mood: 1. Read a book for pleasure, not just for coursework. Take time to get lost in a fictional world.

2. Take some exercise. The university’s athletic union has a lot of great societies that usually let you join after Christmas, so think about trying something new.

3. Catch up with friends that you’ve

down the bay. Whether you want a spot of lunch or a stiff drink, there are multiple waterfront bars and restaurants. Not to mention the Dr. Who Experience, which every Cardiff Uni student should go to at least once.

If you’re more of a thrill seeker then a speedboat ride round the bay may be for you, it’s very fast and very fun.

2. Cardiff City Centre Cardiff is brilliant because St David’s shopping centre has all your favourite chain stores while the arcades offer a more unique shopping experience.

Wander down the many arcades to find independent coffee shops, vintage clothes and the oldest record store in the UK!

not seen since last term. Between going home for Christmas and slaving over assessments, you’ve probably not had much time together. Enjoy it.

4. Don’t feel guilty about New Year resolutions that you didn’t end up sticking to. Instead make yourself a more realistic set of goals about what you want to have achieved by the end of the year.

see what you find.

6. Make a list of fun things you can do when you’re feeling bored, like a stroll around Bute Park or a visit to the museum. This means you always have something to look forward to.

7. Get a good night’s sleep, after all those late nights cramming to meet deadlines.

5. Stock up the fridge with healthy food. The Mental Health Foundation suggests eating plenty of oily fish such as salmon or mackerel (walnuts are a good alternative for vegetarians) can help us feel better because omega-3 fatty acids contribute to combating lethargy and low moods.

There is a correlation between food and mood so be sure to Google it and

You are not alone in feeling this way. All of us face this seasonal slump together, so don’t punish yourself when you’re feeling low.

Talk to your family or friends about how you’re feeling, they’re most likely experiencing the same thing and remember to ask for help if you think you need it. Wishing you all a great term.

If shopping isn’t your thing why not play a round of crazy golf at St. David’s Treetop Adventure.

isn’t the time for ice cream, but it’s always time for a fudge Sunday at Joe’s Ice Cream. It’s right on the corner next to Roath Park. So you can stop by on your way to feed the ducks or go for a walk.

3. Penarth Penarth is only a short train ride away, yet it feels quite far from bustling Cardiff. It’s a quaint town with plenty of unique, and reasonably priced bistros to keep you well fed. If you love a bargain the town is packed with charity shops all in close proximity to each other. Not to be missed is getting a hot chocolate along Penarth pier.

4. Roath A little closer for most students is Roath. Some people may think winter

5. Caerphilly Caerphilly is home to the second largest castle in the UK. It was at this stunning location BBC Wales filmed parts of Merlin and Dr Who, so be sure to watch them before you go.

After a walk around the town centre shops, why not visit some of the local watering holes.

If it’s dry you may be able to have a drink overlooking the medieval structure.

Pictured Above: Adjusting to life back home can be difficult after an adventure (Photographer: Erik bij de Vaate via Flickr)

10 COMMENT

comment

Editors: Em Gates Charley Griffiths David Williams @GairRhyddCom comment@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/comment

English language: the key to a ‘One Nation’ society?

Why Cameron is right in addressing the issue of so many Muslim women not speaking the English language

David Williams

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With the increasing threat of ISIS there could be no better time to promote social integration of Muslims in Britain.

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ew figures have emerged which suggest as many as 22 per cent of Muslim women in the UK speak little or no English. David Cameron has pledged £20 million towards language tuition. Though he claimed that there is no direct link between language and extremism, he suggested that those who don’t speak English may be more susceptible to extremism. In patriarchal societies men may not want women to be able to speak English. Cameron believes if these women know English they are more likely to integrate into society and this will improve the chances of those on visas being able to stay in the UK. Cameron voiced “we will never truly build One Nation unless we are more assertive about our liberal values”.

David Cameron has faced backlash for his comments which are somewhat controversial, but anything anyone says about race, religion or immigration in contemporary society is

always seen as a controversial topic, especially in Britain. We should somewhat be applauding Cameron for addressing such an issue. Immigration has long been at the top of a pile of concerns the British public have, particularly in last year’s general election. With the increasing threat of ISIS there could not be a better time to promote social integration of Muslims in Britain. It is time to try to adopt Muslim groups into society rather than them being marginalised. This is by no means the fault of Britons alone, but also Muslim and other minority communities who refuse to integrate in to British life, learn English and adopt British values.

It strikes me how if a British person travels anywhere else in the world - especially to the Middle East - they would have to respect the cultural values and behaviours of that country. Simple things like no kissing in public or women having to cover

up in public places. Or, if that person was to emigrate to Australia they would have to meet a certain educational criteria and bring something beneficial to the country.

The point here is that if you move to a country you should make the effort to adapt and understand the language and values of that country, as well as retaining your own. Cameron’s proposal for language tuition symbolically promotes an effort by the British government to support Muslim groups, though it will be down to Muslims themselves to take up these classes and make the funding worth it.

Cameron’s comments about English tuition potentially counteracting extremism were arguably quite generic. Only an extremely small minority of Muslims are involved in extremist activity. Though he is not wrong in his comments, he also needs to be careful that he doesn’t shoot himself in the foot and make Muslim women

feel further marginalised rather than making them feel more included. The scheme should also include many other people in Britain who struggle to, or don’t speak a word of English, such as workers from the EU. A budget of £20 million is arguably quite high, it may seem Cameron is simply squandering money if Muslims do not take up the tuition.

At a time where student grants have been cut it may seem somewhat unfair that such a large sum of money is being spent on immigrants. There is a recurring theme where politicians seem apprehensive and even scared of proposing action on immigration and the diversity of society. When they do, they face fierce back-lash and claims of being racist.

Only time will tell if this strategy is cost effective and makes a difference. In the meantime, maybe people should lay off Cameron and give him a chance to address an issue we all want addressed.

Pictured: According to figures, 22 per cent of Muslim women can’t speak English (Photo hy John Keogh)

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The scheme should also include many other people in Britain who don’t speak a word of English.

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COMMENT 11

Should Parliament have debated the Trump ban?

Pictured: To suggest that we might ban a possible future president could contradict our national interest.

(Photographer: Gage Skidmore)

It seems like every week we’re reacting to a Donald Trump-related controversy, but are the presidential candidate’s views enough to warrant being barred from Britain?

Saxon Norgard

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I find Trump’s comments repugnant, but there is comical irony in banning a person from the country because that person wanted to ban others from their own.

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Adam Muspratt

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But I wonder what a discussion with ISIS would look like. What can we even offer them?

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Ps convened late last Monday afternoon after an online petition calling for US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump to be banned from the UK received over 575,000 signatures.

As per the government’s website www.petition.parliament.uk, petitions that receive 10,000 signatures or more will be given a response and those achieving over 100,000 “will be considered for debate in Parliament”.

Specifically, the petitioners argued that his plan to ban all Muslims from entering the US – proposed in a flourish of demagoguery after the San Bernardino terror attack late last year – constituted hate speech. They argue Home Secretary Theresa May should exercise her discretionary power to exclude him from entering the country.

Before I elicit the reasons for my difficulties with this petition and the use of Parliamentary time to debate it, I want to make it abundantly clear that not only do I find this and the majority of his comments to be repugnant in the extreme, but dangerous and irresponsible. He has consistently demonstrated a willingness to employ vilifying rhetoric under the guise of ‘tough talk’ to rile up the

worst within the GOP voter-base, exploiting the fears of ordinary, less informed individuals for political gain to an extent that I find despicable.

Nevertheless, the very first thing I thought after seeing the petition circulating around social media was the almost comical irony in the petitioner’s demands to ban a person from the country because that person wanted to ban others from his own. Of there are many rebuttals to this observation, but it led me – despite my personal disdain for Trump – to pause before adding my own signature.

Ultimately I realised that there was an even deeper irony at play. Just like Trump, who seems unable to understand that his divisive comments against Muslims fuel the rhetoric of groups like the Islamic State that seek to construct a fiction of East vs.

West and Islam vs. Christianity, we, by signing this petition and turning it into a national debate, fuel the attention-seeking behaviour that has propelled him to the top of the polls.

No other time in history has a presidential candidate been able to invoke such ire that the UK, or any other Western nation for that mat-

ter, has put before its Parliament a proposal to have them banned from the country. The reality, as unpalatable as it might seem, is that by having this conversation we have merely given his voice an international platform from which to spread its hate whilst achieving nothing in return.

Indeed this is no better represented by the fact that, at the time of writing, the second highest petition on the government’s website with nearly 500,000 signatures calls for the immediate cessation of all immigration into the UK until the Islamic State is defeated.

Another important reality that we must come to terms with is the fact that Trump not only has a chance of becoming the next President, but a very good one. Current polls have

him leading the GOP primary race with margins of up to 20 per cent, and with the wave of anti-establishment furore sweeping the country he will have an excellent chance of beating likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in a general election.

The US is perhaps our closest foreign ally and despite the problem one might have with its conduct in the past, no-one can deny that having the world’s most powerful nation on our side is beneficial. To debate or even suggest that we might ban a possible future President from our shores is not only absurd but contrary to our own economic and national security interests. Indeed in 12-months time when Barack Obama is replaced, our own government may well regret entertaining such a fanciful notion.

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To debate or even suggest that we might ban a future President from our shores is not only absurd but contrary to our own economic and national security interests.

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Conversing with the enemy

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Jeremy Corbyn has proposed the UK open up diplomatic back channels with ISIS in the hope of better communication.

Could this be beneficial or outright dangerous?

lmost every conflict throughout history has ended in some form of talks, and constantly fighting fire with fire can be unhelpful. Speaking on the Andrew Marr programme, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn shocked audiences by saying that diplomatic back-channels should be opened with ISIS in order to move forward with a “political solution”. Although he did stop short of suggesting a direct dialogue, the move by Corbyn has been trashed

by Tory and Labour politicians alike, even front bencher Hilary Benn took the situation by the reins to once again display Labour’s lack of cohesiveness, saying that “I don’t see what there is to negotiate about when it comes to Daesh. There isn’t.”

But I wonder what a discussion with ISIS would look like. What can we even offer them? I’d imagine they would ask to keep their invaded lands and sex slaves, but what can they offer us? A chance to join their murderous caliphate? I joke, but as is the nature of such a group which is willing to

end their own lives so liberally in the name of religion, rational discussion seems to be a misnomer.

Corbyn cites the back-channels that were established by the British government and the IRA as an example of productive discussion, but the key difference here is that, despite their abhorrence, the IRA had actual political aims and resisted the urge to murder innocents on every continent and commit genocide. The incumbent left-winger states that a solution demands an analysis and “some understanding of where their strong points are and where their weak points are”.

The strong points behind the ISIS operation? That would take some incredible feats of mental gymnastics.

I’d think you’d be hard pressed to give any form of credence to whatever ISIS is fighting for. Heaven forbid a dialogue be opened, but I highly doubt much would be accomplished with a group that wants to rule land with iron age laws. There is also the whole “death to the west” aspect

of their creed which would surely hamper any progress.

Granted, the higher echelons of the ISIS leadership are slated to be comprised up of ex-Baath party members, the party which ruled Iraq up until the 2003 US-led invasion. Around 400,000 members of the government and Iraq army were stripped of their employment and pensions during the deSaddamification, which undeniably left many of them feeling aggrieved.

These guys are probably more reserved and less nutty than your average ISIS militant, but they have been harbouring a large chip on their shoulder for more than ten years.

None more so than the fact they have a long résumé of being affiliated with murderous organizations.

I would argue that Jeremy Corbyn gives the leadership of ISIS more credit than they are worth - the sum of their actions speaks louder than words. Even if the Baath remnants’ alliance with ISIS is purely opportunistic, they have been united

by their shared horridness.

Even from a political standpoint, it seems erroneous to even attempt a discourse with such an organisation.

Doing so can legitimize them as an actual nation.

None the less is the fact that discourse with a combatant means compromise, and can we really afford to compromise with such a poisonousness ideology and let its existence continue, an ideology that will continue to fester and seems hellbent on the destruction of the values we hold dear? It would be a disservice to those who have already suffered and died if we treat ISIS in such a way.

This surely ranks near the top of Corbyn’s long list of ludicrous suggestions. I shudder to think of what he will think of next. I’d jest a hypothetical situation in which he’d open up discussions with the Argentines over the Falklands, or send nuclear submarines on patrol without weapons, but funnily enough he actually suggested both of these things a week ago.

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Even with a political standpoint, it seems erroneous to even attempt a discourse with such an organisation.

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12 COMMENT

The maintenance grant debate: The grant provides a lifeline to students who cannot afford university

Mark Sweeney

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It makes the case for going to university harder to make; people who go to improve themselves by working for good degrees are left saddled with massive debts.

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rants provide a lifeline to survive at university. The current government wants to cut them. We must act.

Around half a million of the poorest students rely on maintenance grants, which range from £500 to £3,400 per year, to help support them through university. These grants are now set to be replaced by a higher student loan.

I begin this piece by saying that by no means is the current method of assessment for student finance perfect.

There are discrepancies; students who have high earning parents who do not contribute to their education, students whose parents earn just above the cutoff for receiving a grant, but have many siblings so can’t contribute as much, I could go on. Because many students don’t receive grants themselves, they are apathetic to the issue. However, as a student community we must look out for each other. Together we are strong.

In the 1980s students received a grant of £1,430 with no tuition fees. Fast forward to 2016, students are saddled with £9,000 in fees, plus the highest cost of living in recent history. It is inherently unfair that those who went before us were effectively paid to go, but now it is our turn the ladder has been pulled up.

Students who receive the maximum amount of grant receive an additional £1,281, which helps cover food, bills, travel, books, social events. It stops you from being limited by circumstance, from having to live in overdrafts or spend hours working which, if you study a busy course, could endanger your degree.

Initially, this may seem appealing to students, especially those who are not supported by their parents. With the

ever increasing cost of living, it means that they have slightly more money. But, this is a change that disproportionately affects poorer students - they must borrow more than their supported counterparts, and as a result repay it for longer.

Students from poorer backgrounds will lose up to £10,200 funding over the course of a three-year degree. It makes the case for going to university harder to make; people who go to improve themselves by working for good degrees are left saddled with massive debts.

The point of a student grant is to make university more accessible for low-income students, by providing what their parents cannot. The occasional grocery delivery, money for nights out, allowances, house deposits, emergency loans. It’s little things like this that grants make up for.

But as we’re so often reminded, money isn’t free; it must come from somewhere. Increasingly austerity is given as the answer. I disagree. As pointed out

by Jeremy Corbyn before his election, if instead of, in the same budget, Corporation Tax was not dropped from 20 per cent to 18 per cent, but instead raised to 20.5 per cent, by half a percent, higher education could be free for everybody.

Imagine that.

In a society where people are better educated, with more skilled jobs and likely higher earners, the investment in higher education is more than repaid over a lifetime of higher income tax.

That is why I believe that investing in education is important. It benefits us all.

And when it is threatened, we have to stand together to campaign for what is right. Because together we can change things. We can make things better. Together we are strong.

The scrapping of student grants may not be as bad as we initially expect

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f you’re a student, then you’ll know that the government last year announced plans to scrap university maintenance grants (beginning in 2016). If you don’t know this then you’re not very good at being a student. No more ‘free money’; therein university is no longer accessible to the poorest in society; therein university is becoming more elitist and so on. True to an extent. However, the problem here is not that the grants have been scrapped; it’s the lack of something else in their place.

The grant system in general is extremely out-dated. The parameters for determining how much grant a student will get are very basic. I have received a grant myself, and there is much more to consider than simply income. I can’t tell you what it should be replaced with as I’m no economist, but there must be better ways to determine who are the most deserving of grants.

I am not a Tory supporter. At all.

But let’s remember, though maintenance grants are gone, money will now be there – just in the form of a loan. Those who require extra money are not being stripped of it completely. Remember tuition fees being raised? I was against them (and I still am, to some extent). Remember how no-one would want to go to university anymore and it was the beginning of austerity, and higher education was a neutron star about to collapse in on itself spectacularly? Well, it didn’t turn out so badly did it? Lots of people, perhaps too many (see two paragraphs down) still go to university.

We humans are silly in nature. Al-

ways wanting the end result, but not willing to suffer any hardship to get there.

Remember the recession? That was pretty awful. Not something we’d like to repeat. Cuts needed making and some were going to feel the force of them more than others. Again – I’m no Tory sympathiser. The cuts made were too drastic and in the wrong areas. Nevertheless, I am bored of this human culture that seeks some kind of economic paradise – a haven of global financial stability that involves no struggle to reach. It’s simply not real.

And hey, a few less people going to university may actually raise the stock of a degree. The vast majority of teens are pushed through the bottleneck of university nowadays. I have a friend who now works for an estate agency and, though I love university, it has been very refreshing to see someone forge a path for themselves in life without the rudimentary degree.

“When everyone’s super, no-one will be” said the fictional super baddie from Pixar’s the Incredibles, and when that sentiment is substituted with your average student trying to break free from the shackles of a higher education, consequently the value behind a degree diminishes.

“When everyone has a degree, no-one will give a crap about them anymore” is an example of potential future attitudes. This is degree-based inflation, people. Maybe scrapping the maintenance grants will put a stop to this.

Let’s give the new system a fair crack. Then, afterwards, we can complain if we hate it.

Pictured: Students campaign to save student grants (Source: Weekly Bull via Flickr).

Portia Ladrido

Joe Fletcher

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Nevertheless, I am bored of this human culture that seeks some kind of economic paradise – a haven of global financial stability that involves no struggle to reach. It’s simply not real.

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Pictured: George Osborne on budget day Source: Weekly Bull via Flickr).

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Should families have a say in organ donation?

f the person has already said what they want done with their organs, the ideal scenario is for families to follow and respect that. But, of course, there is not one type of family and a wide range of scenarios can come up along the way.

There could be a mother so devastated with her son’s passing that taking an organ from her beloved would just add salt to her wound. There could be a horrible death that dismantling a person’s body would seem unethical. There could be a number of things that may happen for families to go against their relatives’ will, but I

think it would be for the best interest of everyone involved if they just uphold the decision of the person who had already adamantly stated what he or she wanted.

For the person who is fixed on doing whatever they want to do with their organs, it is also their duty to let their families understand why or how they plan to do so. If, say they want to donate their organs, they should make a list of the good things that this donation can do to a stranger’s life— how so much good can come from so much pain.

If a plan of action is clearly pre-

sented to families when this kind of decision is being made, it could also be easier for families to follow what you want. Be honest. If you want to sell your organs to the black market, which I recommend you don’t, then make damn sure your reasons are at least worthy of a listen.

When the person has, for example, signed an organ donor card without informing their families, the best solution I can think of is to have a legal governing body within hospitals that could see to it that families don’t intervene. There are European countries that have an ‘opt-out’ policy in

which there is assumed consent of organs being donated unless they register to oppose it.

All of these are of course easier said than done. If you care for a person, you would want your image of them to remain intact. The actual intervention from families usually happens when there’s a sudden death - how can you expect them to deal with this issue while they are in grief? A myriad of emotions can come in to play and so it is imperative that there is a firm hand that could deliver the person’s wishes- whether it is an NHS authority or an inconsolable parent.

“

It would be for the best interest if they just uphold the decision of the person who had already adamantly stated what they want.

”

COMMENT 13

Mourning our icons:

Charley Griffiths

“

That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate that both were legends in their respective fields.

”

Bradley Walker

T

The aftermath of Rickman and Bowie’s deaths

he year 2016 has unfortunately got off to a bad start with the deaths of two fantastic British icons: David Bowie and Alan Rickman.

It is safe to say both the music and acting industry have lost two greats. Tributes have poured in on basically every social media platform from around the globe, but of course (with the internet being what it is) negativity was not going to be far behind. It didn’t take me long on Facebook to scroll through and find a comment from some barely literate troll saying something along the lines of “oh everyone is jumping in the bandwagon, suddenly being a fan” and so on and so on. There are just so many things wrong with these comments that I am not sure where to start.

Firstly, I will put my hand up and say I was not a true ‘fan’ of David Bowie.

Not in a bad way, I like a few of his songs and watched ‘Labyrinth’ growing up, but I have no posters of him on my walls, or any of his albums on my playlist. The same can be applied to Lemmy, of Motorhead fame, who also died in December 2015. I had

C

never listened to Motorhead’s music, but friends and family of mine did.

That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate that both were legends in their respective fields, and influenced many. And that certainly doesn’t mean I can’t be shocked or saddened by their passing.

Plus, with Bowie specifically, his music is entering the charts once again.

I don’t think it is unrealistic to say he may have gained new and younger fans who perhaps had not even heard of him before. Is this a bad thing? Certainly not.

What is bad, in my opinion, is the whole Celebrity Big Brother (CBB) debacle. But as this has been discussed already, I refuse to give the train wreck that is CBB even more publicity. It takes away from the issue at hand: that many people are grieving over the loss of a well loved public figure.

This brings me on to Alan Rickman, a celebrity death I was genuinely upset by. The internet was filled with Harry Potter quotes, for playing the role of Snape in the films was one of Rickman’s best loved and well known characters. Once again, this cued people to

argue that we should be remembering the actor, not the part he played.

While I see the point here, I feel I also have to argue against this. If playing a certain part is what made people love an actor, I see no problem in quoting famous lines from that character in tributes for the actor. Harry Potter was a beloved part of so many of our childhoods, why shouldn’t we remember Snape, the part that Rickman so excellently portrayed? Isn’t it basically the same as quoting lyrics from David Bowie songs? We remember the song, and therefore this is an appropriate tribute to the man who performed it, in the same way remembering a character brought to life so brilliantly by an actor is an appropriate tribute for them.

People need to stop being so negative around the deaths of celebrities.

Just remember them for what they were: extremely talented individuals whose influence lives on through the songs or movies they were a part of.

Fan or not, you can still appreciate that they were icons, and people will want to pay tribute to that.

Pictured: Rickman will be remembered by fans and fellow actors alike.

(Photographer: Marie-Lan Nguyen)

Channel 5’s Big Bother

hannel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother has this year seen some explosive and controversial arguments, however the death of David Bowie, while still leading to some misunderstanding and controversy gave the viewers a fairly touching moment, devoid of the usual manufactured sadness that’s spewed out on reality TV. Angie Bowie’s reaction to her ex-husband’s death was watched by over two million, this was preceded however by an explosive reaction from fellow contestant Tiffany Pollard. Pollard upon hearing about David’s death believed that Angie was referring to David Gest, a fellow housemate. This led to a divisive argument between housemates and a fallout between Pollard and Bowie.

Many have deemed this controversial reaction being aired as ‘inconsiderate’, to those who valued Bowie and his work greatly, and the almost comical reaction by Pollard may be

seen by some as a topical ploy to grab viewers. Angie Bowie being in the house is largely situational, but it did give Channel 5 an excellent way of getting people to watch the show; by airing the scene surrounding the death of a pop culture icon Channel 5 guaranteed viewers and publicity.

Whether it was right to air the scene in question however is a whole other matter.

The scene raises many questions about how much reality TV should air, in particular when the people in question are highly emotional and suffering almost a breakdown, is it right to keep these people in confined, filmed living quarters, and then air their reactions to emotional distress on TV? Over 200 people reported Big Brother following this episode for various reasons, the predominant reason being the emotional distress of Bowie’s ex-wife, with others reporting the breakdown of Tiffany and the house’s bullying

of the American reality star. The reports by viewers bring the emotional distress of Big Brother to the forefront of people’s minds. The confined space they’re kept in is emotionally taxing, and reactions to distressing anomalies such as the death of Bowie are blown out of proportion.

I think that Big Brother, while being inconsiderate of the housemates feelings towards the death of Bowie, and the subsequent fallout between Pollard and the rest of the housemates were right to air their reaction and the effects of it. Reality TV in essence is about the interactions between people, and their relationships; Channel 5 however should be more careful in regards to maintaining a healthy house, in particular attempting to limit the emotional distress it causes housemates.

These breakdowns while being entertaining however should be monitored. With the house this year seeing three housemates walking out

due to distress, one of whom being Angie Bowie herself. The volume of complaints show that people are alarmed at the emotional anxiety of this year’s crop of celebrities and it therefore may be time for Big Brother to change up the formula. The venom of the relationships in this series have caused more drama than ever before, and while that is the addictive formula for reality TV, the manic and angry nature of many of these fallouts may be extreme for Big Brother.

Their decision to air the scene however, and the media attention of it shows that scenes like this will never stop being aired. The general public love organic drama, and reality TV delivers it. It may however be time for shows such as Big Brother to take responsibility for how emotionally challenging this experience can be on the housemates, and have a bit more respect for their mental health and reactions to tragedy, relationship fallout and shock.

“

The scene in question raises many questions about how much reality TV should air, in particular when the people in question are highly emotional.

”

“

The almost comical reaction by Pollard may be seen by some as a topical ploy to grab viewers.

”

Pictured: Tributes to Bowie have been present for over two weeks now (Photographer: David Shankbone)

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THE GAIR RHYDD COLUMN 15

How much is that doggy in the doorway?

A dog is a man’s best friend, but is it right that homeless people should be allowed to keep their canine companions?

Helena Hanson

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Whilst the homeless, I believe, can provide a loving, caring and adequate home for an animal, what they often cannot provide is veterinary care, should the worst happen

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ou don’t necessarily have to own a house, to be able to provide a home.

In November last year Gair Rhydd reported that the number of homeless people sleeping rough in Cardiff has doubled in the past two years. It is not known how many of these people are animal owners, but when you take a closer look, it would appear there are a vast number of sleepy puppy heads snuggled into those sleeping bags too.

I often recall, when I see these pets, the incident that greatly upset everybody in September of last year. The internet was horrified when a video emerged of French animal rights group, Cause Animale Nord, abducting a puppy from his homeless owner.

Obviously, a petition was created to return the puppy to his owner, and this received just under a quarter of a million signatures.

Yet it appears that this respect for homeless dog owners is not replicated in Cardiff. Just last week I was walking through town when an altercation broke out in the doorway of Blue Banana. This dispute transpired to be a lady and a homeless man in conflict over his competencies as a pet owner.

“You’re selfish!” she barked, pointing in his face, as her ‘can I speak to the manager’ mum-bob bounced around.

She was clearly the kind of lady that complains about sell-by dates on coupons and demands refunds when she doesn’t like her lasagne. “Why would you get a dog, when you don’t have a house?” You see, here in lies the problem.

In fact, my extensive research into this, tells otherwise. This lady is simply ignorant. My exploration of this matter involves me kneeling down in the

rain, usually at around 2am, in my new white Asos midi skirt, in order to chat to the homeless and pet their dogs.

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure the dogs appreciate my Jaeger-soaked, tan-stenched, wet and cold hands patting them, although in fairness they usually politely sit and accept the affection, usually with an expression of sympathy for the intoxicated, snivelling and now exceptionally filthy human kneeled before them.

This…study has also taught me that, as British people, we always assume the worst. Upon seeing a little dog nestled in a blanket, living in the doorway of Specsavers, one becomes distressed and anxious that this little dog has most likely spent his whole life famished and depressed and is gradually starving to his impending and certain death. However, I can confirm that this is not often the case.

One evening last year, a friend and I decided to try and find and feed as many homeless and their pets as possible. We went into a corner shop, the type that sells tinned meat and 13p crisps and cherryade that looks like it has been there for longer than you’ve been alive. Truthfully, it wasn’t the most urbane shop I had ever experienced, but I was striving for affordable quantity. I didn’t consider quality.

Just as I’m pretty sure when Jesus was feeding the 5,000 he wasn’t overly concerned with the bread brand. I had assumed this, but it appears I was wrong.

The first man we ran into on our mission in the city centre was a friendly chap called Max. He was great, and largely appreciative of the snacks we brought. The dog, Chuckles, on the other hand, was not so polite. I held out the corner store dog treat stick out

to him, and he stared at it blankly. He then looked back up at me, the way you would perhaps look at somebody if they approached you in the street, held out their hand, and revealed a dead mouse, or a fresh poo.

“Sorry to be awkward” Max says, “but he doesn’t like the cheap shit”. This was initially funny. We laughed and I left feeling thankful that Chuckles was well-fed enough to turn away offerings that were not to his taste. It became marginally less comical, as the next four homeless dogs turned down our treats too. “It’s ok” one gentleman had said, “he’s just not hungry at the moment”, lifting his sleeping bag to reveal a ten pack of Pedigree’s finest ‘Meaty, Chunky Bites’. A polite explanation I think, that his dog was also better than corner shop doggy chews.

Ultimately, I ended up slumping home with half a dozen packs of rejected chew treats that are still cringing in the back of my cupboard somewhere.

I guess I’m still half hoping that one of my thieving house mates will eat one by accident. My point is that, although obviously this is only a fraction of those living with a pet in Cardiff, many of them are in great shape. Such good shape in fact, that they will shamelessly turn down chew treats that are beneath them.

Whilst the homeless, I believe, can provide a loving, caring and adequate home for an animal, what they often cannot provide is veterinary care, should the worst happen. Homeless dogs are often not vaccinated, and not neutered, because of both the cost and the fear involved in doing so. Many homeless, including Max, are too terrified to take their dog to a vet, in fear they will be taken away, or worse.

I don’t blame them. When people shouting abuse at them in the street, and when they live within a society in which they are invisible, why would they risk their only sense of home?

There are a number of charities in the UK that help with these issues.

They work to vaccinate and provide medical care for homeless animal owners and will provide the necessary support to the humans as well. ‘Pets of the Homeless’ is a great example, as is ‘Dog’s Trust’, so if you want to help but you’re not sure how, their websites are great.

Having money doesn’t make you a better dog owner. Just as it doesn’t necessarily make you a better tennis player, or baker, or general human.

I bet Crystal, fluff y toy poodle from Shrewsbury, who has a double bed, a solid gold collar, and a diamond encrusted tennis ball, would trade all of that to snuggle in the lap of her owner all day, or be taken on a walk that isn’t centred on the length of a mobile phone call.

Most importantly here, as stated on the ‘Pets of the Homeless’ website, having money, or a car, or a house, does not give anybody the right to make decisions for others, it does not give them exclusive domination over children, or animals or, well…anything.

The truth is that having money, or a mortgage, or a car, is not an indicator of how well you can care for an animal.

The homeless people of Cardiff are awesome, so if you can, chat to them.

They have great stories and if nothing else you may be able to cuddle a puppy for a while. But don’t bother with the corner store chew sticks, ‘cause apparently absolutely bloody nobody likes them.

Pictured: A homeless man with two dogs on the streets of Paris (Photographer: Elvin via flickr)

“

When people are shouting abuse at homeless people in the street, and when they live within a society in which they are invisible, why would they risk their only sense of home?

”

16 POLITICS

p politics

Editors: Carwyn Williams Luke Brett Sam Patterson @GairRhyddPol politics@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/politics

Spanish elections: Collapse of the two-party state

Over a month after the election, Spain is still scrambling for a government Joe Healy

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Many emigrated, searching for work elsewhere; most stayed, pinning themselves to whatever fate the PP would bestow upon them.

”

I

f you’ve ever been to coastal Spain, you’d be forgiven for thinking that life is simpler there: that Spaniards spend their days reposing beneath parasols, shading themselves from the unbearable heat, eating tortillas and drinking San Miguel - all this occasionally punctuated by an afternoon siesta - and that such a lifestyle leaves them unperturbed by unmistakably British matters like democracy. Yet, on a chilly, overcast Sunday in midDecember, 73 per cent of eligible voters across Spain, their coats fastened right up to their scarf-covered throats, determinedly headed for their local polling stations to play their part in the most open general election the country has ever hosted. That figure is impressive when compared to the turnout of 66 per cent for the British general election earlier in the year, but not as impressive as the years of sociopolitical revolt which preceded it.

Elections are relatively new in Spain.

The dictatorship of Francisco Franco, which spanned from before the Second World War until the mid-1970s, unsurprisingly stifled democratic decision-making. In Franco’s eyes, Spain needed to be one nation which spoke one language, supported one leader, followed one religion and aligned itself to one nationality. Spaniards who voiced their disagreement with this were killed, imprisoned, or forced to flee the country. These restrictions on freedom go some way to explaining the overflow of ideas that Franco would have regarded as ‘anti-Spanish’ spilling from politics on the peninsula since his death in 1975. When 2008‘s financial crisis knocked Spain

economically unconscious, the pipes burst and it awoke to find itself submerged in a pool of conflicting views about how best to deal with the biggest economic meltdown since its transition to democracy.

The ruling government in 2008 was that of the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE), the ‘Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party’ - Spain’s equivalent of the Labour Party - which suffered the same fate as its British centre-left counterpart in the elections following the crisis. The conservative ‘People’s Party’ (Partido Popular, or PP) successfully blamed the PSOE for the global banking crash and received an absolute majority of votes in the elections in 2011.

Despite coming to power on a ticket of economic stability, though, the PP oversaw only a negligible recovery.

Wages were frozen, VAT was raised, rent assistance for young people was ended and short-term work contracts did nothing to deal with the country’s colossal unemployment problem, particularly among young people, which, at its highest level in 2013, saw 56 per cent of under-25s jobless. Even today, that figure is 47 per cent. Like so many other countries, Spain was making its people pay for problems they did not cause.

Many emigrated, searching for work elsewhere; most stayed, pinning themselves to whatever fate the PP would bestow upon them; but some stood up for themselves. Since 2011, revelations of corruption within both the PP and the PSOE have left both parties’ reputations in pieces. Add this to a disconnected youth and a shrinking middle class who felt that politics was failing

them, and you have a social uprising on your hands.

Catalonia, a now semi-devolved area of 7 million inhabitants in the northeastern corner of Spain, suppressed under the Franco regime, with its regional language and culture under threat and its autonomy nonexistent, has always had an underlying nationalism among its people, but its movement for total independence accelerated after 2011. Spain’s second-most populated region boasts lower levels of unemployment and poverty than the country as a whole, and many Catalans are gravitating towards the idea that they would be better off without Spain “robbing” their taxes. The message from Madrid has always been clear: breaking up the nation goes against the Spanish Constitution. The Catalan regional powers ignore this, and so used their local elections in September as a de facto referendum. The people were split: the pro-independence parties gained just over half the seats and only 48 per cent of votes, but, stating their majority as a justification, they have started a ‘process’ of separatism, which they promise to deliver within 18 months, regardless of what the Spanish Government says.

In opposition to this grew Ciudadanos (‘Citizens’), a Catalan antiindependence party founded in 2006, which successfully rose to national level for the first time this December.

Squeezing itself between the PSOE and the PP on the political spectrum and playing on the fact that it wasn’t either of them - and so wasn’t part of the corrupted, decaying mainstream,

displaying this with its baby-faced leader, Albert Rivera - it drew support from both sides, gaining 3.5 million votes and 40 seats. A spectacular feat for such a new entity. At least, until you compare that with Podemos.

The party name, meaning ‘We Can’, proved itself last month. Formed only two years ago, built from widespread indignation with the PP’s policies and national grassroots campaigning, Podemos grabbed 69 seats and over 5 million votes with its anti-austerity message. Both newcomers were still a distance from the PP (123 seats) and the PSOE (90 seats), but the decadeslong period of two-party dominance is dead.

Spain finds itself scrambling for a government: the PSOE and the PP could form a coalition, as together they’d have a majority, but it would be political suicide for them both.

Podemos and Ciudadanos are seemingly going to be in the frame somehow, but everything beyond that is presumable at best.

What is clear is that with Podemos’ success, the Spanish people have lunged away from ‘business as usual’ in European politics. This is a movement in its infancy: with the country still reeling from heavy cutbacks and the Catalan problem only growing, Podemos is in ascendance, and it has solutions. As we in the UK approach a referendum, Podemos shows itself not only as a symbol of contempt for neoliberal thinking, nor simply a radical protest on the periphery, but now also as a genuine challenge to the powers that be from inside the European Union.

Pictured: Spain Flag (Photographer: SubtlePanda)

“

The Spanish people have lunged away from ‘business as usual’ in European politics.

”

POLITICS 17

Russian security services responsible for assassination of Litvinenko, public inquiry finds

Sam Patterson

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It was meant to send a very clear message, that the Russian regime can and will come for Putin’s opponents and critics even if they find asylum in western nations.

”

Sambit Pal

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The UK is the first country to impose an economic benchmark for permanent settlement among prominent European countries.

”

O

n the 1st of November 2006, Alexander Litvinenko fell ill and was hospitalised, he was poisoned with an extremely rare radioactive chemical element known as Polonium-210. His death was the first known case of Polonium poisoning.

An inquiry lead by the British government concluded last week that this was indeed an operation conducted by the FSB (the Russian Federal Security Service), and that Litvinenko’s assassination was “probably” approved by President Vladimir Putin.

Alexander Litvinenko was granted asylum in the UK in 2000, he fled Russia after multiple attempts by the Russian government to convict him for “exceeding the authority of his position” after he, along with others at the FSB (Federal Security Service, Russia’s official security service) claimed that their superiors had ordered the assassination of Boris Berezovsky, a prominent Russian businessman, a member of the Russian academy of sciences and a staunch critic of Putin. Berezovsky resigned from the Russian Duma in July 2000 saying that he did not want to “aid the restoration of an authoritarian regime”, Putin said in an interview with the French newspaper “La Figaro” later that year that he had a “cudgel” for Berezovsky, “if we get angry, we wont hesitate to use it.”

After being granted asylum in the UK, Litvinenko worked as a journalist, worked with British intelligence services and wrote two books, “Blowing Up Russia: The Terror From Within” in which he argued that Russian security

agencies were involved in the 1999 Russian apartment bombings (killing hundreds and injuring nearly 2000), aiding Putin’s rise to power and legitimising Russian military operations in Chechnya, and “Lubyanka Criminal Group”, accusing the Russian secret service of other criminal operations. He also accused Putin of ordering the 2006 assassination of human rights activist and journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who published works critical of Putin.

A public inquiry led by Sir Robert Owen has just concluded that Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtum of the Russian security services were indeed responsible for the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, and that it was indeed an operation conducted by the FSB. Lugovoi and Kovtum were originally accused of the crime but the Russian government refused extradition requests by the UK government. Sir Robert Owen said that he’s “sure” that Lugovoi and Kovtum are responsible for the murder, and that the assassination was “probably” approved by Vladimir Putin personally.

David Cameron said that we have to maintain “some sort of relationship with them (Russia) because of the Syrian crisis”, but it would be done with “clear eyes and a very cold heart.” Theresa May announced that “the treasury has frozen the assets of the two men involved in the killing.”

Some commentators have questioned the affectivity of the measure.

The Russian Foreign Ministry responded to the public inquiry, claiming that it was “politicised”. They said: “we regret

that the purely criminal case was politicised and overshadowed the general atmosphere of bilateral relations.” Alexander’s wife, Marina Litvinenko was interviewed outside of the High Court last week, she said she was “very happy” that “the words my husband spoke on his deathbed when accused Mr Putin have been proven by an English court.”

She has called for the expulsion of all Russian intelligence operatives from the UK, for sanctions to be imposed on Moscow, and for a travel ban to be imposed on President Putin.

So why Polonium-210? There’s a very simple answer. Polonium is a radioactive chemical element, it is extremely rare and only 100g of it produced each year, almost exclusively in Russia. Alexander Litvinenko suffered an extremely slow and painful death residing in hospital for 3 weeks before he died, he converted to Islam while hospitalised.

The use of Polonium-210 was not merely intended to cause an unpleasant death, it was meant to send a very clear message, that the Russian regime can and will come for Putin’s opponents and critics even if they find asylum in western nations. The use of Polonium was intended to make official Russian involvement glaringly obvious, this makes Russia’s rejection of the inquiry’s conclusion as being “biased” and “politicised”, incredibly sinister.

The Russian state owned television network “Russia Today”, which has been criticised by news networks from across the political spectrum for being intentionally misleading state propaganda, has attempted to gain support

among UK left-wingers through it’s airing of Jonathon Pie’s “Real Fucking News” segment, in which he makes comedic criticism of UK government policy. In a recent segment, he joked that George Osborne would “pay good money” to be urinated on, and that David Cameron, “if he could get away with it”, “would build a prison on the Isle of Wight” and leave the Calais refugees “there to rot.” These comments are not inherently inappropriate, the problem is that they are part of an orchestrated attempt to foster support for an authoritarian, quasi-fascist regime.

Jonathon Swift’s critique of the UK governent applies with increased ferocity to the Russian Government. Whilst the UK government has accepted to take 20,000 refugees by 2020, Russia has refused to enter any scheme to help Syrian refugees. Russia blamed the refugee crisis on western powers, despite the fact that Russia is Bashar Al-Assad’s largest supplier of advanced weaponry. Whilst official Russian news outlets refer to Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria as being “anti-ISIS”, many reports from independent sources have concluded that Russia is directing far more airstrikes in defence of Bashar AlAssad, than in opposition to ISIS. All of this, along with the staggeringly high amount of civilian casualties resulting from Russian airstrikes in Syria, has caused many to comment that Russia is knowingly exacerbating the European refugee crisis. It would be a shame if Russia’s attempt to gather support among the UK left-wing were to be a success.

gration rate. The increased income cap for settlement in the country is one of the several measures the Conservative government has taken in recent years.

UK is the first country to impose an economic benchmark for permanent settlement among prominent European countries which receive migrant workers in large numbers. In Germany and France, immigrants have to pass some tests but the length of stay is the main criterion for granting permanent settlement.

Experts feel this measure will not

change the net migration level or the job market which the Conservatives are trying to secure for British nationals.

The latest Migration Statistics Quarterly Report published in November, 2015 shows the non-EU nationals employed in the UK remained the same at 1.2 million. There was an increase in employment of British nationals by 122,000 and EU nationals by 324,000 compared to last year. Some sectors will lose talents and experts which is why many are angry at the decision.

Earn £35,000 to settle in the UK

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on-European migrants, who have been working in the UK for five years, will now have to earn over £35,000 per annum or face deportation after April 16, 2016, according to the new immigration policy announced by home secretary Theresa May. The new policy will impact students, teachers, charity workers and other professionals who are either settled or planning to permanently settle in the UK after living here for five years.

“This (policy) unfairly discriminates against nurses, students and others who have been contributing to our culture,” says an online petition against the new rule. The petition claims it will affect more than 40,000 people who have been working in the UK for more than five years.

Though PhD students and scientists have been exempted from the list, students graduating from UK universities will now face difficulty in finding employment as most organisations may not like to offer salaries higher than the average UK annual income of about £26,000. Moreover, employers may not like to invest on a worker who would have to leave after five years.

After protests, the government has included nurses in the Shortage Occupation List and for the time being they are exempted from the rule.

According to the existing rule, immigrant workers who have been working in the UK for five years can naturally apply for permanent settlement and it would have been granted. Following recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee, the government has set this new criterion where the person will now have to show an income of £35,000 per annum.

The government is yet to respond to the newly floated online petition, which has got more than 70,000 signatures. The government is bound to respond to such petitions on the UK Parliament website when it crosses 10,000 signatures.

“We reformed the immigration rules for migrant workers while continuing to welcome the brightest and the best,” Theresa May had told the parliament last October while referring to the changes. “Since 2010 we have worked to build an immigration system that works in the national interest.”

The ‘national interest’, the home secretary refers to, is to reduce the net mi-

“

Russian Today has attempted to gain support among UK left-wingers through it’s airing of Jonathon Pie’s “Real Fucking News” segment.

”

Pictured: Theresa May visiting Al Madina Mosque in Barking (Photographer: Daniel LealOlivas via Flickr)

18 POLITICS

Cardiff Central set to be tight race

.

Carwyn Williams

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The seat is currently held

by Labour’s Jenny Rathbone, after narrowly taking the seat from the Liberal Democrats in 2011.

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Labour won by just 38 votes in 2011, so make sure you register to vote

ardiff Central is set to be the most exciting and tightest constituency in Wales at the upcoming Welsh Assembly elections. Many high profile figures have been selected to contest the student dominated seat, including two current Assembly Members (AMs), two former Big Brother contestants and the Deputy Leader of the England and Wales Green Party.

The seat is currently held by Labour’s Jenny Rathbone, after narrowly taking the seat from the Liberal Democrats in 2011. She won the race then by a mere 38 votes, proving that every vote will count at the upcoming election, and every candidate will be fighting for your vote.

Jenny Rathbone made headlines in October 2015 when she spoke out publicly against the M4 relief road.

A week later she was dismissed from her role as chair of the All Wales European Programme Monitoring Committee, and said: “there is an unhealthy culture at the top of the Welsh Government which does not allow for rigorous debate and reflec-

tion on the best use of public funds.”

Despite this shaky relationship with her party, she is determined to be reelected.

The other AM going for the seat is Eluned Parrott, Liberal Democrat.

After being elected as an AM for South Wales Central in 2011, Parrott has made a big impact in the Welsh Assembly, and was one of four AMs to talk about their experiences with mental ill health. She is the shadow minister for enterprise, transport, Europe and business and won the ITV Wales Politician of the Year ‘One to Watch’. She is no stranger to Cardiff University, having gained a degree in Music here and worked for the university’s community outreach programme.

On to the former Big Brother contesters, Joel Williams was runner-up on Big Brother 16 last summer. He serves as a community councillor on Marshfield Community Council, and is currently completing his A-levels. He said, “I am passionate about running a positive campaign highlighting the many positive poli-

cies we can offer.”

Glyn Wise is also a Big Brother runner-up, and became the youngest contestant when he appeared in 2006. He grew up in North Wales, but has since moved to Cardiff. In 2011 he graduated from Cardiff University with a BA in Welsh, and now works at the university’s Welsh for Adults centre as an Informal Learning Officer. He is the candidate for Plaid Cymru, The Party of Wales.

He said: “I look forward to using my experience in reaching out to people across all communities, many of whom have become disillusioned with politics in recent years.”

The Green Party candidate will be Amelia Womack, Deputy Leader of her party since September 2014.

Womack was born in Newport, but moved to London and stood for the Camberwell and Peckham seat at last year’s election, getting just over 10 per cent of the vote.

UKIP are also fielding a candidate, after getting 6.5 per cent of the vote at last year’s election in the constituency. Riverside councillor Moham-

med Sarul Islam will be standing has been a member for the party since 2014.

At last year’s general election, Liberal Democrat Jenny Willott lost the Cardiff Central seat to Labour’s Jo Stevens, but many predict the party will do better in the Assembly elections as they did better than expected in 2011.

The last national Welsh poll had Labour on 35 per cent, Conservatives on 23 per cent, Plaid Cymru 20 per cent and Lib Dems on a mere 5 per cent. This is worrying times for Labour, as this is down seven points on their 2011 election result.

Cardiff Central will be essential for the party to keep their party in government, but the Lib Dems will be fighting hard for your vote again, or risk losing all their members at the election.

In such an important seat, every vote will matter, so make sure your vote is heard and register to vote to make sure you have your say.

To register, go to gov.uk/registerto-vote.

Pictured: Above: A new dawn for the Welsh Assembly after May 5th?

Below:Jenny Rathone AM, Eluned Parrott AM, Joel Williams, Glyn Wise and Amelia Womack

Register to vote at: www.gov.uk/ register-tovote

POLITICS 19

NUS Wales launches election manifesto Jake Smith

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Half of all students in Wales worry about meeting basic living costs.

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Adam George

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Proposals put Vice Chancellors at odds with students

he National Union of Students in Wales launched its manifesto last month for the upcoming National Assembly for Wales elections in May. The manifesto, “Better education. Better society”, calls on the next Welsh Government to introduce policies to address issues affecting students, from living costs and tuition fees to housing and mental health. Further and higher education are the responsibility of the Welsh Government due to devolution and NUS Wales will be hoping to shape the debate around these areas in advance of the election campaign.

In their manifesto NUS Wales notes that over half of all students in Wales worry about meeting basic living costs, leading to the union to call on the next Welsh Government to protect and increase the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and the Welsh Government Learning Grant. Regarding tuition fees NUS Wales calls for the present

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system for Welsh domiciled students to be maintained, arguing the Welsh Government grant which has protected Welsh domiciled students from the increase in tuition fees since 2012 enjoys wide public support. The manifesto also says the incoming loan system for postgraduate taught students in England should be replicated in Wales.

The manifesto asks for continued financial support for Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol because of its work to enable Welsh medium education in universities. They also demand continued support for the Disabled Students Allowance in light of cuts to the support for students with access needs in England.

Turning to housing NUS Wales says a significant number of students suffer substandard rented accommodation while at university. The union calls for an end to unfair charges on tenants such as letting agency fees and for additional funding for councils to increase inspections of rented

accommodation to ensure standards are being met by landlords.

Insisting that all students should have access to the services they require to thrive NUS Wales also says the Welsh Government should look into opening a Gender Identity Clinic in Wales to ensure fair access to health services for trans people and to review the provision of mental health support in areas of Wales with a high student population. The union also calls for a review into sexist lad culture on university campuses and for stronger measures to tackle it.

Whether to retain the current tuition fee system in Wales is already shaping up to be a central issue of the Assembly election campaign.

Universities Wales, a group representing Welsh universities, has proposed that the system introduced by the current Labour Welsh Government should be replaced by means tested grants as a more affordable alternative. This proposal puts Vice

Chancellors at odds with NUS Wales and Cardiff University Students Union who said any such move would make university less accessible to students. The ongoing Diamond review into higher education funding and student finance in Wales is due to report in September and is likely to inform future policy in this area.

Voters will go to the polls to elect a new Welsh Assembly on May 5th.

Cardiff Central MP appointed to shadow cabinet

ecently elected Cardiff Central MP Jo Stevens has been appointed to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s frontbench in his latest reshuffle. Having only been elected in May, Ms Stevens must have made a good impression on Mr Corbyn.

The Welsh MP has been given the positions of both shadow minister for justice and shadow solicitor general. She will join her fellow Welsh MP Wayne David, the Labour MP for Caerphilly, on Labour’s Justice team.

He said: “I’m very pleased indeed with her appointment. She brings a wealth of experience to the team.”

The role of shadow solicitor general involves providing support to the shadow attorney general on civil litigation and advice on civil law matters and on the public interest function. Ms Stevens has a very long and established background in the legal field with ten years experience

in criminal defence work. She was previously a solicitor and director of a UK-wide firm of trade union solicitors. It is sure that Ms Stevens will use her new role to stand up for the trade unions in the United Kingdom, something many people see as under threat from Cameron’s Tory government.

The MP wanted to make it clear that she will still be putting the needs of her constituents first and they are her main concern. She stated “As always, my number one priority in Parliament is to represent my constituents in Cardiff Central and continue to be a strong, visible and efficient MP. That will not change.”

Ms Stevens’ appointment is part of the ongoing reshuffle of the Labour frontbench. The reshuffle has been very controversial so far and this appointment comes only days after the Cardiff South and Penarth MP, Ste-

“

ven Doughty, resigned from his post in the shadow cabinet. He famously quit his role as shadow foreign office minister live on national television in protest at some of the sackings made by Mr Corbyn.

Mr Doughty was one of three shadow ministers to step down in the wake of Corbyn’s reshuffle. He

said he was quitting because of the way that his colleague Pat McFadden was sacked as shadow Europe minister. Controversially, Mr Doughty decided to resign live on Daily Politics and stated that he agrees with Corbyn on a number of issues, but attacked the behaviour of “some of those around him and on his team.”

Welsh Tories split over income tax power referendum

Carwyn Williams

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he Conservative Party in Wales is split over the decision to devolve income tax powers to the Welsh Government without a referendum.

In their election manifesto last year, the party were committed to devolving some powers over income tax with the expectation of a referendum on the matter. Despite this, George Osborne announced in his Autumn Statement that a referen-

dum would now not be needed.

Five Welsh MPs have come out against this new position. Chris Davies, Byron Davies, David Davies, James Davies and David Jones met the Chancellor last week to discuss their concerns, saying in a letter beforehand: “We frankly feel that to impose such powers without a referendum would be disrespectful to the Welsh people,” Welsh Tory Assembly Member

Nick Ramsay has also questioned the decision.

Mr Ramsey was one of four AMs sacked from the Welsh shadow cabinet in 2014 over the issue of devolving income tax powers.

However, Cardiff North MP Craig Williams has defended the plan. He said: “You’re going to have cases with business rates being devolved to areas like Manchester, where Manchester City Council might have more

fiscal responsibility than the entire Welsh nation.”

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, seems to be in favour when he announced he would use the power to lower income tax in Wales.

This is surely going to be a big issue at the upcoming Assembly election, and so a confusing image on the matter will be damaging for the Conservative Party.

As always, my number one priority in Parliament is to represent my constituents in Cardiff Central and continue to be a strong, visible and efficient MP. That will not change.

Jo Stevens

”

20 SCIENCE

science

Editors: Maria Mellor Lizzie Harrett @GairRhyddSci science@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/science

One fatality and five hospitalised after clinical trial Mared Elin Jones

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French health authorities have warned that three of the patients may have permanent brain damage.

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Maria Mellor

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Hookah smokers are exposed to a lot more toxins than they probably realise.

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man has died in France after participating in a clinical trial for a new painkiller developed by Portuguese pharmaceutical company BIAL. Following his admission to the Rennes University Hospital in Western France last week, a statement was released announcing his death on January 17th. A further five participants have been hospitalised, and despite being in a stable condition, French health authorities have warned that three of them may be affected by permanent brain damage.

The affected participants, all men aged 28 to 49, were taking part in a clinical trial conducted by private research company Biotrial on behalf of a separate company, BIAL. Each volunteer was paid €1900 (£1500) each in order to participate in the trial, which began on January 7th this year. Ninety of the 128 volunteers tested a molecule that inhibits fatty acid enzymes, while the remaining participants received a placebo in place of the actual drug. Though neither the French authorities nor Biotrial has disclosed the identity of the molecule administered in the trials, it is believed to be a molecule referred to by the codename of BIA 10-2474.

The trial was the first to test the molecule on humans, measuring the effects of healthy people receiving the drug, which was aimed towards treating anxiety and motor disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain in people with cancer, amongst various other conditions. Out of the 90 volunteers who

received the actual drug, six were seriously or fatally affected, and the trial was immediately terminated as soon as severe reactions to the drug were reported. The remaining 84 volunteers have received no adverse symptoms as a result of the trial, according to the Rennes University Hospital.

Though the incidents were publically acknowledged on January 15th, no official information has since been released, including the actual name and structure of the molecule used in the clinical trial. This has left both experts and the public in the dark as to the reason behind the failure of the trial, though BIAL claims they are “strongly committed” to discovering what went wrong.

Catherine Hill, a specialist in clinical-trial design and a former member of the scientific advisory board of France’s National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM), believes that one possible reason behind this incident is the manner in which the trial was conducted. It is apparent that all six of the affected participants were given their doses on a simultaneous basis as opposed to sequential administration, which is the common practice of one participant receiving a test dose and being checked for serious effects before allowing the drug to be administered to others.

According to Nature, simultaneous rather than sequential administration was identified as highly problematic following a tragic UK clinical trial in 2006 which saw multiple organ failure in six young men prior to

their deaths. “Treating several individuals on the same day in a phase I trial was a big mistake,” says Hill.

Though the disaster events of 2006 in London has since changed the ways in which UK clinical trials operate, a French law was passed in 2012 intended to streamline the tight restrictions regarding research involving humans and to make France seem a more attractive place for companies such as BIAL to enact clinical trials. Sequential administration is known to be more efficient in terms of both costs and time, and many experts believe that the administration of high dosages of BIA 10-2474 in several patients may be the reason behind the death of a volunteer.

Bial spokeswoman Susana Vasconcelos says that the trial had been

conducted “in accordance with all the good international practices guidelines, with the completion of tests and preclinical trials” and that the company “is committed to determine thoroughly and exhaustively the causes which are at the origin of this situation”.

When asked to respond the media queries, the president and chief executive of Biotrial, Jean-Marc Gandon, stated that he cannot immediately answer because he is focused on trying to save the patients’ lives, and that his company will respond later.

Whatever the reason may be behind this disastrous trial, it is hoped that the death of a volunteer will lead to tighter laws regarding human experiments, and that a similar situation may be avoided in the future.

Pictured: Those affected are currently at Rennes University Hospital (Photographer: Lydia)

Hookah contains more tar than cigarettes

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ecent trends have seen hookah usage on the rise. With fruity flavours, the Persian method of drawing tobacco smoke through water can tempt even non-smokers. Of course everybody knows that cigarettes are bad for you, but do we ever really think about the harm that a trip to a Shisha bar will do? A recent study has found that hookah contains far more toxins than cigarettes, despite the popular belief that the water filters out the harmful chemicals and tar.

Researchers gathered data from 272 different studies and found that 17 looked into the different levels of toxins. With this data the toxins inhaled from one cigarette were compared to one session of hookah. They found that hookah users inhaled 125 times the smoke, 25 times the tar, 2.5 times the nicotine and 10 times the carbon monoxide compared to one cigarette.

Lead author Dr Brian A. Primack

recognised that comparing the two forms of smoking in this way was not ideal, saying: ‘It’s not a perfect comparison because people smoke cigarettes and hookahs in very different ways.’

However this study allows for further investigation and possibly greater regulation on water pipe smoking.

A 2008 study also lead by Dr Primack noting that about 200–300 new water pipe cafés had opened in the U.S. between 1999 and 2004, usually in college towns. Researchers noticed that students who had used hookah perceived it to have a less harmful effect and thought it was less addictive, despite knowledge now that it actually contains more nicotine - the addictive chemical associated with smoking. Dr Primack said the studies suggest that hookah smokers are ‘exposed to a lot more toxins than they probably realise’.

The team from the University of Pittsburgh hope their findings will

Pictured: Communal pipes can be sneakily harmful (Source: traveljunction. com)

go on to be further refined by looking into the differences between cigarettes and hookah on a more precise level. It’s hard to compare one bowl of hookah to one cigarette, especially due to the communal nature of the water pipe and the differing sizes and

strengths of a bowl.

Primack mentioned: “We had to conduct the analysis this way - comparing a single hookah session to a single cigarette - because that’s the way the underlying studies tend to report findings.”

SCIENCE 21

Advised weekly alcohol intake reduced Mark Sweeney

“

Previously it was thought that men could drink more due to having a faster metabolism.

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Alice CampbellSmith

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Scientists hope to tackle the disease through using genetically modified males mosquitos.

”

T

Both men and women now have a 14 unit limit

he majority of students are well acquainted with alcohol and a post-Flux Sunday. A hangover is perhaps the most common side effect of a heavy night.

However, a recent change to NHS guidance aims to make us aware of the long term effects of drinking and reduce the lasting damage that excessive alcohol consumption can cause.

New guidance now brings male maximum drinking limits in line with female drinking limits, at 14 units a week. Previously it was thought that due a faster metabolism, men could drink more before experiencing long-term impacts of alcohol consumption.

Sir David Spiegelhalter, a Professor of Public Understanding of Risk at the University of Cambridge spoke about the new guidelines, saying: ‘These guidelines define ‘lowrisk’ drinking as giving you less than a one per cent chance of dying from an alcohol-related condition.’

“An hour of TV watching a day, or a bacon sandwich a couple of times a week, is more dangerous to your long-term health. In contrast, the average driver faces much less than this lifetime risk from a car accident. It all seems to come down to what pleasure you get from moderate drinking.”

The guidelines recommend that

the 14 units should be spread over three or more days, and avoiding binge drinking, with at least two alcohol free days per week.

The advice for pregnant women remains unchanged: alcohol is best avoided.

A common fact cited by drinkers is that alcohol provides some heart protection. However, an independent review found this only applies for women over the age of 55 when they limit their intake to 5 units per week.

However, on the same day guidance was published by the Committee on Carcinogenicity, which found that even with an intake of less than 10.5 units per week there is an increased risk of mouth, throat and breast cancer.

Research in Wales between 2008 and 2012 showed a decrease in those drinking above guidelines in all age groups, with males reported as drinking more than females in all age groups. The age group most commonly reported as drinking was those aged between 35 and 44.

But with the social aspect of university revolving so heavily around alcohol, is excessive drinking too engrained in our culture to let go of?

We are drinking less compared with earlier generations of students, and with pushes like Dry January it ap-

Pictured: It’s recommended that you spread your intake over the week (Photographer: Matthew)

pears that there is a shift away from excessive alcohol use. The authors of the new guidelines commented, “There is little evidence regarding the

impact of any guidelines in changing health behaviour.” For some people, even with the clear evidence, they’re comfortable with the risk.

duce the number of disease spreading females by 82 per cent in a year due to the inability to reproduce, consequently lowering the population.

Strategies which are effective at reducing the number of patients in-

fected with Zika virus are of utmost importance. Most pathogens have a period of high infection, before levelling off and subsiding. However with scientific intervention, the number of casualties can be substantially reduced.

Zika virus spreads across American continent

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he mosquito is well regarded as an irritating blood sucking insect capable of inflicting an itch lasting days. In some parts of the world, it can even spread life threatening diseases, including malaria. However, a new threat has emerged: the zika virus. Although little is known about this pathogen, it has already managed to cause epidemic status in El Salvador and health experts fear it could cause a widespread threat in America.

Worryingly, the outbreak has implications for pregnant women who catch the disease, involving birth defects and even microcephaly: babies born with abnormally small heads and consequent incomplete brain development. Symptoms of infected individuals include a rash, fever and joint pain. Understandably, these can easily be mistaken for a range of conditions, and delay the diagnosis.

When first identified in Uganda in the 1940s, the virus was not considered a threat due to the relatively mild symptoms. However, when seen to cause microcephaly, the status soon changed.

Currently, the prevalence of Zika virus encountered in clinics in Brazil is described by Dr. Vasilakis, as an

“avalanche,” with the growing number of microcephaly seen on a daily basis ranging from 10 to 15 patients.

A susceptible area that is particularly favourable for mosquito species which harbour the virus is the Gulf coast. Home to at least three different mosquitoes which transmit Zika, this significantly increases the prevalence amongst insect hosts and subsequently the likelihood of human transmission. In addition, as seen in malaria-stricken countries, poverty is another big factor.

Experts are still unsure about how did the Zika virus first entered Brazil. Some claim it was during the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. It is a possible scenario as the mass migration from all corners of the world favours the spread of diseases.

Arguably more fruitful efforts are in finding a solution to halt Zika virus transmission. Female mosquitoes are responsible for spreading the disease. Scientists hope to significantly reduce the female population by releasing GM (genetically modified) male mosquitoes into areas where the disease is prevalent. These GM mosquitoes have had their genes edited to make them sterile. Scientists hope these GM mosquitoes will re-

Pictured: The disease vector (Photographer: Jon Hayes)

22 SOCIETIES

societies

Editor: Aletheia Nutt @GairRhyddSoc societies@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/societies

Hannah’s Note:

Hannah Sterritt VP Societies

Bethan Jones

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Whilst checking, be sure to look out for changes in the shape, size and texture of your breast.

”

H

Happy New Year from Societies

i everyone, as this is the first Gair Rhydd of the year, Happy New Year and congratulations for getting through the exam period.

As a celebration we had the Big Refreshers Weekend at the Students’ Union, with an Activities Fair on Friday and lots of activities going on the whole weekend. It was great to see so many students finally out of the library and back in the building.

Membership to the Guild of Socie-

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ties and for the majority of Societies have halved for the new term and so if you haven’t yet joined anything it’s not too late! Look out for the Give it a Go sessions run by several Societies to try something new.

Whilst you were all studying hard, I was getting a lot of things planned for the term ahead as well as organising Refreshers and lobbying the government about the Maintenance Grants cuts. Equally, there has been a lot of work done around Societies

employability which will be kicking into gear over this term.

This week is also the penultimate week before the main Elections nominations close on the 4th February, so if you’re still not sure about putting your name forward for a position, pop in for a chat to ask any of us as the Elected Officers any questions about our roles, or any of the part-time positions too.

I hope you have a great week, just get in touch if you have any queries.

Cardiff, do you really know how to CoppaFeel?

oobs. Breasts. Bosoms. Not really a common topic of conversation in everyday life for the vast majority us, but for Kris Hallenga, boobs are a connection between her work, social calendar and physical health. Kris is 30-years-old and looking at her youthful complexion and styled blonde hair you would have no idea that she was diagnosed with Stage 4§ advanced breast cancer, aged just 23. For those of us who may be less aware of cancer treatment, there is no Stage 5 breast cancer, which tragically makes Kris’ diagnosis terminal. Let’s just stop here and pause for a moment. What things occupy the mind of the average 23 year-old? For most of us, life is just beginning, we may be at university or using our well earned degrees as we compete for our dream graduate jobs in the big wide world or some of the luckier ones amongst us may be exploring exotic places with unpronounceable names whilst travelling the world. It is needless to say that being given a diagnosis of terminal breast cancer at this point in our lives is just something that the vast majority of us would never anticipate, and neither did Kris.

Over the past few years breast cancer has gained increased public awareness through campaigns such as Cancer Research’s Race for Life, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and more recently, the Breastmates Campaign on ITV’s morning television show Lorraine. The majority of these campaigns are directed towards older women, correlating with Cancer Research’s observation that the majority of breast cancer diagnoses (80 per cent to be exact) are made amongst women aged 50 and over, with very little emphasis being

placed upon breast cancer prevalence in younger generations.

Since breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, it is unfortunately all too common for us to know someone in our lives, perhaps an elder relative or friend who has battled with this ruthless disease. But how often do we stop and think about the members of our own generation who attend chemotherapy, endure mammograms and take a cocktail of breast cancer fighting drugs daily just to stay alive? Does our society view breast cancer as a disease affecting only the older generations? And are many young people aware that they too are at risk of developing this disease? This is one of the key motives that inspired Kris and her twin sister Maren to create their charity CoppaFeel! only one month after Kris received her diagnosis.

Kris’s story began when she noticed a lump in her breast and visited her GP who dismissed the lump as being due to hormones, since she was so young. After spending 6 months travelling, she noticed a pain in her chest and with the lump still being present went back to the GP and demanded a referral. Kris was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer eight months after initially finding the lump in her breast. As we are all aware, as with any form of cancer, an early diagnosis is crucial and can have a hugely significant impact on the success of treatment and the prognosis of the patient. Having taken her late cancer diagnosis as her motivation for her charity CoppaFeel!, Kris is determined to encourage earlier breast cancer diagnoses among young people through raising awareness by encouraging and reminding us to get to know our boobs by checking them

regularly. Since starting her charity Kris has established a network of 55 University Boob Teams across the UK, created annual music festival Festifeel! And has been awarded Outstanding campaigner of the year at the 60th annual Woman of the Year awards 2015. Throughout all of her campaigning, the message never changes; checking your boobs regularly could one day save your life.

Having been part of Cardiff ’s CoppaFeel! Society for two years I have had many an opportunity to learn about boobs and have spoken with students about the importance regular breast checks. The most popular questions students ask is “how do I check myself?” and “how often should I check myself for signs and symptoms?” So let’s dive straight in and discuss the art of copping a feel.

Whilst checking, be sure to look out for changes in the shape, size and texture of your breast, nipple discharge, nipple inversion, rashes and for any signs of swelling. Finally feel the breast tissue (which starts from the collar bone and ends in the armpit) for any lumps or bumps. The take home message when checking is that if you spot anything abnormal or if there is anything that you feel is not quite right for you be sure to make an appointment with your GP straight away because ultimately nobody knows your boobs better than you do.

So how exactly are we spreading the boob love around campus at Cardiff? Your CoppaFeel! Society committee is determined to make this the biggest and breast (excuse the pun!) year yet and have a calendar jam packed full of fundraisers and awareness events, so be sure to pick up a cupcake (or five!) at our famous boobie bake sales in the student’s un-

ion and join us at our meetings and socials. As our members can assure you, all of us at Coppafeel! love having a good time and last year took on the Four Peaks Challenge. This was a fun packed weekend where we did a spot of sponsored mountain climbing in the wild Welsh hills together (and got absolutely soaking wet thanks to the lovely Welsh weather!) but all our hard work paid off as we raised heaps of awareness and over £3000 for CoppaFeel! So if you fancy getting involved and helping us in our mission to stamp out the late detection of breast cancer, come along to one of our society events and bring your friends and flatmates for a good time with great company and don’t forget to CoppaFeel!

For the more information about all things boob related and to keep up to date with our latest campaigns check out the CoppaFeel website at https:// coppafeel.org.

Pictured: Kris Hallenga§§

For more information, go to coppafeel.org

SOCIETIES 23

Tamil Society: Breaking the Silence

Ajitha Arunthavarajah

Chloe Lavington

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he Sri Lankan civil war that occurred six years ago is one that has been unheard of by most people but the atrocities are still ongoing up to this day. Were you aware of it?

Last month, the “Breaking the Silence” campaign was held in Cardiff with the motive of revealing the horrendous war crimes that occurred in Sri Lanka to the general public. Cardiff University’s very own Tamil Society organised stalls in the Students Union and the Heath Park campus to inform people about the violence, sexual assaults and inequalities inflicted upon the Tamil population.

Volunteers that were present at the stall explained that many amongst them were present in the UK as a result of their parents fleeing Sri Lanka from a key event known as “Black July”. This occurred in 1983 and lead to many Tamils evacuating the country and leaving their homes and lands behind. Tamils began to

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seek refuge in the western countries scubas Canada, Europe and the U.S. After 26 long years, the war was claimed to be ended in 2009. During the extreme months of the war, Tamil people were instructed to seek refuge in so called ‘no fire zones’. This was the last thing they did. These camps held the blood of 75,000 people killed innocently.

At the exhibition, students were asked about their opinions on what they just learnt. “I am truly shocked” one of them stated “the lack of media coverage is astonishing! We need to know more about this issue, the exhibition has been quite revealing…”

Another student thought the event “went really well and was a great success! There was a lot of interaction with the audience which showed that they were interested”.

The exhibition also comprised a successful cake sale with the collaboration of Baking society- the purpose of which was to raise money for

Pictured: Tamil Society Members at an awards evening in 2015.

“ a preschool to build a well and provide fresh water supply to children affected by the war. Indeed, the charity called Serendip Children’s home supports the orphans and destitute children and widows from the north and east of Sri Lanka. In addition to this, Amnesty society raised further awareness for this cause by screening the Channel 4 “No fire Zone” to

their fellow members.

Tamil society is extremely pleased with the turnout of this event and offers its gratitude to Baking Society, Amnesty society and all the volunteers that contributed in making this event so rewarding!

Tamil society aims to provide a variety of events across the year, so keep a look out for our future events!

Cardiff Volunteering: New year, new you, new volunteer

appy New Year from all of us at Cardiff Volunteering! We hope you had a restful break and those pesky exams are out of the way! You may now be thinking about the semester ahead and for some of you final years, this will induce an end-of-uni panic about your career prospects! We know this feeling all too well but luckily, it’s never too late to start volunteering with us and gaining some valuable experiences for your CV and job interviews! If you aren’t a final year, this is even better as now is the perfect time to start banking those experiences for future use. We thought it would be handy to give you the low-down on what we’ve got coming up over the next few months…

Some of our regular projects still have spaces available. There’s environmental champions and advice squad which both do not require a police check and have a flexible com-

mitment requirement. Both have a campaign, events based focus with the champs promoting sustainability through recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation and Fairtrade consumption, Meanwhile, the advice squad providing information on student issues including money, exams and housing.

There’s also spaces on our primary school tutoring project (pretty self explanatory) and our secondary school tutoring projects Whitchurch High Reading/Maths. If you have a valid DBS check you may be able to be fast tracked into one of these projects!

If fun and games is more your thing, there are spaces available on Friends 4 U, a council led initiative involving one to one contact with children considered “at risk” on the social services register. Alternatively, inclusive sports supports children and adults with additional needs to play sports in a safe environment. To

sign up for any of these projects, head to our website and download the application form!

The Internships, Work Experience and Volunteering week is fast approaching on the 25th-28th January.

Our very own Rachel will be delivering a bespoke “Volunteering 101” session on the 25th from 3-4pm in room 4I – spaces are limited so sign up soon! The 28th January is also a firm date for the diary with the week culminating with an expo style fair with many employers and third sector organisations eager to offer you work experience, internships and volunteer placements. Of course, we’ll be there so head for the orange and come chat to us!

Finally, it wouldn’t be a Cardiff Volunteering article if we didn’t mention JAILBREAK! For those of you who don’t know (where have you been?!)

JAILBREAK is a charity challenge to get your team of 3-4 as far away from

Cardiff, and back, as you can in 52 hours – with no money! We’ve got a whole pile of prize categories and lots of challenges whilst you’re away to keep you entertained and on the ball.

Tickets are £15 per person and we ask for a minimum sponsorship of £50, with all funds raised going to Cardiff Volunteering and RAG. JAILBREAK 2016 is the weekend of 4-6th March!

For more information, visit cardiffstudents.com/jailbreak.

If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, we are also holding a student sleep out, where you’ll camp outside the SU with nothing but a pillow, sleeping bag and a cardboard box! This fundraiser will be raising money for our homelessness projects, and it’s only £5 entry, including hot drinks, snacks and a breakfast the next morning. More details will be coming soon! Keep checking our events pages for much more coming up over this semester.

Tamil society aims to provide a variety of events across the year, so keep a look out for our future events!

”

“

It’s never to late to start volunteering with us and gaining some valuable experience.

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24 PARK LIFE

ppark life

Editor: Vacant @HeathParkCSU VPHeathpark@cardiff.ac.uk gairrhydd.com/park-life

Katey’s note: Welcome back!

The new term is up and running and there’s loads to be excited about at the Heath!

Katey Beggan VP Heath Park

Tim Nagle

Nikolai CiecierskiHolmes

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For any healthcare students out there who are feeling the pressure: don’t sacrifice things that make you happy.

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elcome back to university!

Revision Aid is over and the new term is well underway and I am sure that many students are breathing a sigh of relief that exams are over and done with! This term is always one of the busiest with refreshers events, student elections and huge society collaborations in Cardiff Fringe and Go Global.

Coming up over the next two weeks we have AU’s Got Talent where anyone and everyone is invited to enter

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university accommodation; we want to hear what you have got to say. We will be giving out postcards throughout the week ready for you to fill in and give us your opinions.

Nominations for my job of Vice President Heath Park are currently open and will close on February 4th.

There are full-time and part-time officer positions open for nominations.

Being an officer at Cardiff Students’ Union is an amazing experience and you get to be in the middle of key

“ conversations and decisions that will directly impact the students that you represent! I would strongly recommend running for an officer role in the elections; if you are unsure about what officers do or whether you could do the job then please email me on vpheathpark@cardiff.ac.uk or drop into the office on the third floor of the SU.

Government threat to healthcare funding

y name is Tim and I am a second year mental health nursing student. You may not be aware that nursing students, along with midwives and other allied health professionals receive free education. Our fees are paid by the Welsh government and we receive a bursary from the NHS. £1,000 of this bursary is paid to everyone with further elements means-tested depending on personal circumstances. Students are also able to apply for a reduced maintenance loan.

Healthcare students have very intensive degrees with up to 40 hours a week in lectures and placements where we are expected to work on wards or with community teams learning from clinical staff. This clinical learning can equate to 2,300 hours of work, providing patient care over the three years of the degree. This often means working

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themselves to perform in the show, which will showcase how much talent we have in our sports clubs! It will be a good laugh so please come along for a fun-filled evening. You can buy tickets on the Students’ Union website.

During the same week (Monday 8th) we have our Speak Week campaign.

This is a campus-wide event where we go out to get as much feedback as we can from all areas of your university life. You can give us feedback on anything from your course structure to

shifts of up to 13 hours, nights and weekends meaning it can be difficult to undertake regular paid employment as we also have the same academic assessments as other students.

The government has proposed scrapping the financial support for healthcare students in England moving towards a system of loans meaning we will be paying to work! Even though this may seem reasonable, bringing us in line with all other students, over 150,000 have signed a petition opposing these changes.

Despite these proposals only affecting students in England the Students’ Union has adopted a policy opposing these changes and will oppose any attempts by the Welsh government should they choose to follow suit. As a constituent member of the National Union of Students we stand with colleagues across the country to ensure

fairness for all.

I was fortunate to receive a ticket to attend a discussion in Parliament with members of the Parliamentary Petitions Committee and view the debate discussing the proposals. I was able to speak and represent the views of students in Wales. I stressed the impact that increased debt would have on future students. The impact that higher student numbers will have on the quality of education in universities and also on the education that current professionals are able to offer their students on placement. We all know that education is better in smaller groups and, for healthcare, a poorer education will inevitably result in poorer care putting patients at risk.

The debate was well attended with MPs from many parties speaking in defence of the NHS and healthcare students. There was plenty of admira-

tion for the work that healthcare students do on clinical placements and the efforts they put in to support the health service staff.

There was agreement, amongst MPs and students, that something needs to be done to increase the numbers of healthcare staff. It cannot be the case that the prospect of debt approaching £55,000 will attract people to professions where there is limited scope to earn high wages. Something needs to be done but this is not it.

One of the most striking comments was made by Ben Gummer, the Minister representing the Government.

He suggested that moving to a loan system, the same one that many of you will be utilising will be extending the ‘benefits’ that the changes in 2012 brought to students. I ask you, what are the benefits of a huge debt, a debt the taxpayer will probably write off?

I’m on placement full-time this year and things are going to get more difficult. But in reality, my increased commitment to dance has enhanced my enjoyment of my course, and I’m even performing better academically as a result. As our hours increase and our holidays become more fleeting, I know that I’ll be fine because I’ve got

my hobbies and that balance is what makes me love what I do.

So my advice for any healthcare students out there who are feeling the pressure at this daunting time of year, don’t sacrifice the things that make you happy. Be sensible, know when to knuckle down and remember, you are more than your course.

Coping with pressure

he Christmas holidays have been and gone and after a much-needed (and I think well-deserved) break, it was straight back to placement blocks or lectures for many Heath students. It is one of the times in the year where you realise just how long it is until your next week off.

Over the holidays I was lucky enough to visit lots of family who I haven’t seen in several years and you always get the inevitable questions like “how are things at school?” where you have to politely remind them you are now in your twenties and finished school years ago. When you tell them what you’re actually up to, this is normally followed by a remark along the lines of “you must be a busy boy” or “I bet you’re having to work hard”.

And that got me thinking; I am

pretty busy and it can be pretty hard work, especially if you leave everything to the last minute like I always do, but when I started medical school I was expecting much worse. I pictured myself working all day every day in lectures and then in the library after dark, though through the Welsh winter, you’re lucky if you see the sun at all while you’re on placement.

However, this has not been the case. I’ve had the pleasure of being part of a variety of societies and sports, both healthcare-related and not. After rowing for several years at school I did the logical thing and took up ballroom and Latin dancing when I came to uni and find myself dancing four to five times a week now, as well as juggling committee duties. I thought I was starting to overcommit and had to remind myself that

Nominations for my job of Vice President Heath Park are currently open and will close on February 4th.

”

“

We all know that education is better in smaller groups and, for healthcare, a poorer education will inevitably result in poorer care putting patients at risk.

”

Pictured: DanceSport members with their trophy haul after competing in Birmingham.

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28 SPORT

Cardiff City: Pressure heats up on Slade & co. after being hit by transfer embargo

Dan Heard

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As always with Cardiff, there is no simple answer, and no quick fix either.

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Don’t get me wrong, Slade does seem a nice guy - but Cardiff don’t play nice football, at least not anymore.

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e’re now just over the halfway point of the 2015/16 Sky Bet Championship season, with Cardiff City lying safely in mid-table, only a hanful of points away short of the final play-off places. There is still a lot of football to be played before May but at the minute, the Bluebirds are effectively where many fans and pundits predicted they would be, both now and at the end of the campaign. So, why then are fans continuing to stay away? Why has boss Russell Slade recently been given, quote, “two games to save his job”, and why is there just so much discontent around the Cardiff City Stadium, when only a couple of years ago the Welsh capital was hosting Premier League football?

As always with Cardiff, there is no simple answer, and no quick fix either. Despite remaining unbeaten in the league during the opening six

games, City have since rapidly fallen away from the automatic promotionchasing pack to land amongst the teams vying for the play-offs. And why is that a bad thing, if that’s where everyone thought they’d be? Because there is just so much expectation.

Since suffering relegation two seasons ago, there has been such an enormous amount of pressure not only on successive managers but also on the team as a whole to emulate the class of 2012/13 and storm back to the promised land. But two managers, four transfer windows, endless streams of players bought and sold and millions of pounds later, we are still here. And I can’t see it changing anytime soon either.

So, does the blame need to be laid solely at Slade’s door? He has, and probably never will be popular with the majority of fans, who demanded an established, proven manager to

take charge following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure in September 2014. What they got was a former PE teacher whose crowning glory was leading Leyton Orient to within ninety minutes of the Championship.

Don’t get me wrong, Slade does seem a nice guy- but Cardiff don’t play nice football, at least not anymore. It isn’t even entertaining, hence the vast numbers who’ve deserted the Cardiff City Stadium in their in droves over the last year. Results are ground out (sometimes), the style of play is turgid, almost non-existent, (even with first team coach Paul Trollope’s input), and the teams picked have no real structure or fluency. It is almost like watching Sunday League, only you don’t have to pay to watch that.

Former defender Darren Purse said in recent weeks that Slade now had just two games to save his job,. against Hull City and Wolves. Following the embarrassing Third Round FA Cup exit at home to League One side Shrewsbury Town, many agreed with the ex-City skipper in his assessment.

Despite wholesale changes, even a second-string Cardiff couldn’t seal a victory. Forgotten men (some may argue for a reason) Federico Macheda and Alex Revell led the line, but showed exactly why they aren’t, and never have been, good enough to start.

Sammy Ameobi, heralded as the missing piece when signed on loan from Newcastle, will probably be relieved to head back in the summer, given the little impact he has had. Genuine talents, like Player of the Season 14/15 Bruno Manga, a powerhouse, and the exciting fans favourite Fabio, are left to warm the bench, while mediocre replacements Lee Peltier and Scott Malone do little to justify selection.

Meanwhile, Adam Le Fondre and Tom Adeyemi, both of whom could walk into any top-six side, were shipped out on loan, proving to be pivotal to their new sides. Why the hell aren’t they still here?! Even those who’ve stayed, such as Anthony Pilkington and Sean Morrison, two of Solskjaer’s best signings, have lost any of the flair they once had. Cardiff now play like a team content to be where they are, and appear to be in no hurry to change that. Of course, it can’t, or, actually, won’t be changed soon, as the

one route to solving this, player recruitment, has now been emphatically shut down. On the 15th of January, Cardiff were placed under a transfer embargo by the Football League, following a “breach of Financial Fair Play rules”, with the ban in place for the rest of the January transfer window.

The only thing more embarrassing is the fact this is the second time in six years we’ve been in this situation.

The embargo means that no new players can be bought, so turning the loan of striker Tony Watt, one of the few bright sparks of recent months, into a permanent deal, now can’t happen.

One of the directives Slade was given on his appointment was to scale back the playing squad and get rid of high earners. While to a degree, he succeeded, only a handful of players he’s signed have proven to be successful, while others, like Le Fondre and Adeyemi, who could make the difference, were deemed luxuries Cardiff literally couldn’t afford. Of course, the stress of having to sign players will no longer trouble Slade, as this decision has now been taken away regardless, until the summer, and who knows what will have happened by then.

Before this becomes (too much of ) a rant, the two games that were meant to save Slade’s job ended in a win and a defeat, losing to Hull but completing the double over Wolves. So, what happens now? Cardiff face another away trip to Huddersfield this week, before starting February at home to MK Dons. Where City will be after those games is anyone’s guess. The same could be said for where they’ll be come May, or where Slade or half the players will be next week- on their way out, or still clinging on to their roles? I can only empathise with the fans as, being one myself, I know watching Cardiff over the last few seasons has been anything but inspiring, or even enjoyable. I don’t know when, or even if things will change, for better or worse. It seems very few, even at the club, do. So, I’ll end as I began, by stating that we’re halfway through the season, and Cardiff are where they are. This could be where we end up in the league, but where we end up in the future, on and off the pitch, is a whole lot more confusing and potentially worrying.

Pictured: Clockwise from above: Russell Slade looks on during Cardiff ’s FA Cup loss to Shrewsbury; City players huddle up; Fan frustration continues to grow after lacklustre performances.

(Photographer: Jon Candy via flickr)

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On the fifteenth of January, Cardiff were placed under a transfer embargo by the Football League, following a “breach of Financial Fair Play rules”.

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SPORT 29

For and Against: Varsity in Swansea

FOR Kelsey Rees

AGAINST Dan Heard

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here is much debate on whether or not the annual Welsh Varsity should be held in Swansea for a second consecutive year. In light of these debates, here are my reasons as to why I have nothing against the event being held at our opposing university this year.

As a member of the Cardiff University Ladies Hockey Team, I play on our Astroturf pitch located in Taly North weekly. As familiar as I am with the field, I can honestly say that our pitch isn’t up to standard, and can be greatly improved. On the other hand, the Astroturf pitch located in Swansea’s Sports Village is a waterbased, knitted nylon, all-weather pitch, considerably more aestheti-

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orgive me if I’m wrong, but surely the Welsh Varsity is just that- not “the Swansea Varsity”?

It’s contested every year between Cardiff University and Swansea University, and should be reflected as such in where it is hosted. It will be two years in a row now that Varsity has been held down in Swansea, with the University’s International Sports Village (or Sketty Lane, as everyone called it last year) being the location of events for sports such as football, tennis, American football and even water polo, with the boat race taking place on the River Tawe. The centrepiece of the whole day, the rugby, will once again be contested at the Liberty Stadium, home of the Ospreys.

I still reminisce at the sight of that

cally pleasing and enjoyable to play on. The pitch is also centred around a balcony view, a feature making it better and easier for spectators. Swansea University also have a much more up to standard athletics running track, as Cardiff University doesn’t even have one. When a track is needed, we have to shamefully borrow the facilities from other opposing university Cardiff Met! Therefore, in Swansea there is no need for any inconvenient travelling to this sports facility. One other very useful advantage of staging The Welsh Varsity in Swansea is the several on site facilities. Unlike in Cardiff, the nearest cashpoints and convenient stores for booze are located in the Swansea Students’ Un-

ion, at a very close proximity to the Sports Village. As University students, we should all understand the importance of this fact, as the nearest available place in Cardiff for such necessities would be the large Tesco supermarket located just outside of Talybont. A walk far too long to be expected of us typical students! For the Cardiff University goers, holding The Welsh Varsity at Swansea can be a lot more fun and enjoyable. You get to travel with your group of mates on a bus, singing songs and chanting crap about Swansea. The final rugby varsity match is held in the Liberty Stadium. Although this stadium is considerably smaller than Cardiff ’s Millennium Stadium, the size comes

at an advantage as it creates a much better atmosphere. After the event, Cardiff students tend to stick around for a night out on Wind Street, a fresh and completely new scene for those who haven’t experienced a Swansea night out before. If you choose this option, you then get to enjoy a drunken train journey back with your mates, how is that not a good time?

To conclude my argument, I will end on the most important note. The best thing about holding the Welsh Varsity in Swansea is the fact that we get to humiliate them in competition on their own turf. Leaving them to feel ashamed at the fact that they once again lost to the all superior Cardiff University team on their home field.

excellent 27-22 Cardiff victory (which was celebrated long into the night back in Y Plas, I can tell you…). I was part of the CUTV team that covered the day, reporting on a great football match, before donning my best suit and taking my place in the punditry box overlooking the pitch at the Liberty. Seeing the stadium fill with so many red and green shirts, and watching fans filter in and out of the various events, all offering great support, was amazing to see, even in the sweltering heat that saw a few of use suffer!

And, though I must say it was a fantastic experience, why are we having to go back to Swansea again this year?

Surely, it should be held in Cardiff one year, and Swansea the next. Not to fly the flag for Cardiff a bit too much, but

we do have the seventy four and-a-half thousand seater Millennium Stadium (sorry, Principality Millennium Stadium, like it’ll catch on) within sight of the Student’s Union and, importantly, the Student Media office where all the broadcasting equipment we could ever need is available, meaning we wouldn’t have to get up at stupid-o’clock and lug boxes and crates of microphones, cameras and miles of cables around all day. It would be better for the students supporting too, making use of the brilliant sporting facilities Cardiff have on offer (even if it does mean making the trek to Llanrumney for the football), before heading to the Millennium, the venue for historic Six Nations and Rugby World Cup victories, for the most important match in the Uni-

versity Sporting Calendar for the two sides. (Be honest, who wouldn’t want to play the biggest game of their University sporting careers where Sam Warburton lifted the Triple Crown in 2012?)

Though, the day in Swansea was one I’ll never forget, in order for it to justify being called The Welsh Varsity, a competition contested between Cardiff AND Swansea, then the host venues need to alternate accordingly.

Admittedly, regardless of where it has been held, the end result has always been surprising and exciting, regardless of who wins. But, by having each University alternate year in, year out, that variety will only help to create lasting memories that we all want to experience. Roll on Cardiff 2017.

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The best thing about holding The Welsh Varsity in Swansea is the fact that we get to humiliate them on their own turf.

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Who wouldn’t want to play the biggest game of their university sporting careers where Sam Warburton lifted the Triple Crown in 2012?

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30 SPORT

Natalie Machin

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In the women’s tournament, Natalie Machin was the sole representative for the club and was placed in the top draw. The standard for this was very high, with the top seed, Hana Ramadan, having a world ranking of 83.

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Rhys Thomas

Cardiff Blues Columnist

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University Squash team impress at BUCS Individuals Tournament

ver the weekend 4th–6th December, Cardiff University Squash Club ventured to the University of Birmingham to participate in the 2015-16 BUCS Individual Championships. The tournament was in eight grades (A-H) for the Men’s championships, and three grades for the Women’s (A-C).

All draws apart from the A’s operated as a knockout, with a plate for first round losers to ensure that each player was able to play at least two matches. In the A draws, however, each player was guaranteed four matches, and these results would then give them a final ranking from 1-16.

In the Women’s tournament, Natalie Machin was the sole representative for the club and was placed in the top draw. The standard for this was very high, with the top seed, Hana Ramadan, having a world ranking of 83. In her first match, Machin came up against the third seed for the tournament and, despite a valiant effort, lost 3-1. This placed her

During the university break the Blues have played five matches, remarkably winning three - Montpellier and Scarlets at home, and most satisfyingly a win at local rivals Dragons with Rhys Patchell kicking a last-minute winning penalty. The capital city two losses came away from home in the Challenge Cup with a one point loss at Montpellier and 34-26 loss at Harlequins, which was a surprising result when you consider that they scored four second-half tries after being 28-0 down at half-time! At the time of writing they are yet to play Italian part-timers Calvisano in their

in the bottom half of the draw, where she battled through to a 3-2 victory.

Machin’s next match was slightly easier, and that 3-1 victory guaranteed her a top 10 finish. Unfortunately, she had sustained a leg injury on the Saturday, and so lost her final match on the Sunday 3-0. This gave her a final ranking of 10, a fantastic effort from the Club President.

In the Men’s tournament, the club had 7 players, including Robert Luke in the A draw. Like the Women’s top draw, this included world ranked players, including Marwan El Shorbagy, who had a world ranking of 9 in 2015. Unseeded for the tournament, Luke’s first opponent was the overall fifth seed. This, however, did not faze him, as he came through with a 3-1 victory, placing him in the top 8 for the tournament. Luke then lost his next two matches 3-0, but came back stronger on the final day to cruise to a 3-0 win his last match, giving him an overall ranking of 7 for the tournament.

Joseph Cornwall was in the B draw,

final Challenge Cup pool fixture, but a bonus-point victory is practically a forgone conclusion. If results go their way the Blues could secure a place in the quarter-finals as they did last season.

The Blues have also been active in the transfer market. Former Australian international tight head prop Salesi Ma’afu was signed with immediate effect after after his release from French giants Toulon after being convicted of assault. Most excitingly, Wales and Bristol back Matthew Morgan will be arriving next season. Able to play fly-

but never really got going, losing his first round match 3-1, and then the first round of the plate 3-0. In the D draw, Kieran Collinson gave a good show. Having narrowly missed out in his first round match, losing 3-2, he won the first round of the plate 3-0, including an 11-0 in the final game.

Unfortunately, Collinson then lost in the plate quarter final 3-1, but this didn’t take the shine off a great performance.

In the F draw, Cardiff had two representatives, Harry Henshaw and Josh Watkins. Both players came through their first rounds with easy 3-0 wins, meaning that they both came up against members of the Swansea University first team in the second round. Unfortunately, Henshaw lost 3-1, however Watkins triumphed by the same margin, moving him into the quarter finals. Here, Watkins got off to a bad start, going 2-0 down. This, however, seemed to kick start his game, and he eventually came through to win 3-2 and earn himself a place in the semi finals. In this round, he came up against Pierse Herrod, the member of the Swansea team that had knocked Henshaw out in the earlier rounds.

Seeking revenge, Watkins won 3-1 to

dump Herrod out of the tournament and move into the final. Here, Watkins again went 2-0 down before he really got going, but came back to level the match at 2-2. Unfortunately, the final game didn’t go his way, as he lost the match 3-2. It was still a valiant effort, though, and earned the club its first medal and trophy of the tournament.

Edward Bottrill was representing the university in the G draw, but came up against a strong opponent in the first round, where he lost 3-1.

His plate first round match didn’t go to plan, either, as he lost again by the same margin.

Finally, Robbie Williams was playing in the H draw. Unfortunately, Robbie lost 3-1 in a close first round match. This didn’t seem to put him off his game, though, as he came back to win his plate first round match easily, 3-0.

This took him through to the quarter finals, where he lost out in a tough match 3-0 to eventual winner Tom Maskell. Not a bad opponent to lose out to, then.

All in all, it was a very successful tournament, with almost everyone outperforming their official ranking from the start of the weekend.

half or full-back, he is reminiscent of Shane Williams - fast and agile, he is sure to attract fans at the Arms Park.

Home grown fly-half Rhys Patchell is leaving for the Scarlets at the season’s end, with the Blues not guaranteeing him a starting spot in his favoured position due to the presence of Gareth Anscombe. This sends out a bad message - having developed the player, the Blues are now letting him go and starting an inferior player, Anscombe, instead. Having said that, Patchell will do well at the Scarlets as he suits their expansive and attacking style of play.

The announcement of Wales’ 37man squad for the RBS Six Nations saw nine Blues players earning a call-up - Cory Allen, Gareth Anscombe, Alex Cuthbert, Kristian Dacey, Tom James, Gethin Jenkins, Josh Turnbull, Lloyd Williams and skipper Sam Warburton.

Realistically only two or three will be starting the first match in Ireland (Sam Warburton, Gethin Jenkins and Gareth Anscombe), but it shows the developing strength of the Blues squad that nine have been selected, as opposed to the six who represented Wales at the Rugby World Cup.

Pictured: Cardiff Medics’ Squash team in action at the 2015 Medics’ Varsity (Photographer: Cardiff Students)

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All in all, it was a very successful tournament, with almost everyone outperforming their official ranking from the start of the weekend.

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SPORT 31

Cont’d: Lacrosse national call-ups

Continued from back page

squad and will be looking to impress over the coming few months to potentially earn a spot on the final squad list for July. Paul, who started playing at Timperley Lacrosse club in South Manchester aged 11, arrived at Cardiff as an outstanding goalkeeper but over the past few seasons has worked hard to become an outstanding midfielder with one hell of an engine as well as becoming one of the top face off specialists in Wales with uncanny hand speed.

Meanwhile Jamie, now in his fourth season after starting lacrosse at university, has developed into a ball winning defender with a knack for ground balls and a great lacrosse IQ. All three of the boys have a hard six months to go in order to ensure they are ready for the test of international competition along with being an integral part of the university team over the final few weeks of the season.

The Welsh Dragons (development squad) has included the selection of University captain Mark Cork and goalkeeper Samuel Hobby.

Nick Goodwin and University ViceCaptain Alex Russell have both been selected to represent Wales at U19 level, a huge achievement by both as they only started playing lacrosse last academic year.

Other members of the men’s first team will be looking to represent the Welsh Universities side at the British National Championships in May. International success within the lacrosse club is not limited to the men’s team, with two of the current Ladies’ 1st Team gaining caps for their respective countries at junior and senior level.

Current Ladies’ 1st team cocaptain and 2nd year medical student, Bex Jordache, is one of the few Cardiff students who can boast about winning a World Cup medal. Bex was part of the bronze medal winning England U19 Team that competed last summer at the U19 World Cup, held in Edinburgh, where England surprised everyone in beating Australia in the 3rd/4th play-off match. The midfielders dedication and hard work in the build up to the World Cup, which

included up to 12 gym sessions a week, 3 weekly lacrosse sessions, regular England squad training weekends and a lengthy alcohol ban, was not only rewarded by the bronze medal but also being named Cardiff University’s Fresher of the Year at the annual AU awards night last summer.

Naturally, Bex chose to take a break from International lacrosse following the World Cup to allow her to enjoy the more social side of university life; however, she is back, this time as a coach, helping the new generation of U19 England players.

Her ultimate aim is to make the next World Cup in 2021.

Another member of the ladies’ team who is looking to be part of a World Cup is Anni Seaborne. The 5th year dentist is relatively new to the international scene, becoming a member of the Wales Elite squad last February alongside Cardiff alumni Amy Rochford.

After initially being approached

by Wales management following an impressive performance in Varsity, the defensive midfielder was called

up as an injury replacement to the February 2015 tour to the USA and has since remained part of the squad, earning her first cap against England at last years’ Home Internationals, the lacrosse equivalent of the Six Nations.

Unfortunately, she sustained a spinal injury last May and was sidelined until early December; however, now recovered she is hoping to cement her place in the Welsh squad and ultimately make the final roster for the 2017 World Cup which will be held in England next Summer.

Anni is not the only Cardiff lady in the Welsh set up with a further five ladies, Fiona Tait, Sophie Snell, Maeve McKenny, Anna Jones and Ella Fairlie, impressing at recent trials in November and being selected to join the Talent and Development squad.

Cardiff University Lacrosse Club will be running a Give it a Go session on Friday 29th January, 6.30 at Talybont Astro. Anyone and everyone welcome. For more information, visit their website.

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The Welsh Dragons (development squad) has included the selection of University captain Mark Cork and goalkeeper Samuel Hobby.

Wales announce Six Nations squad

Jason Roberts

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We have selected a squad that rewards players’ form, as well as picking a lot of experience.

Warren Gatland

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Dan Heard Cardiff City Columnist

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ales head coach Warren Gatland has announced his 37-man squad for the Six Nations, which includes 31 players that took part in last autumn's World Cup, as well as ten that ply their trade outside Wales. The squad contains a blend of youth and experience, and will expect to contend at this years tournament.

The only uncapped player named in the squad is the 23-year old Scarlets scrum-half Aled Davies, who has been rewarded for his impressive form in the Pro12 for the Carmarthenshire outfit.

With Rhys Webb still injured and Mike Phillips retired from international rugby, it perhaps wouldn't be surprising to see Davies usurp Lloyd Williams as well as his Scarlets teammate Gareth Davies, and claim the starting number 9 jersey for the tournament opener against Ireland in Dublin.

Despite having one eye on the 2019 World Cup in Japan, Gatland has stuck with his elder statesmen in the front-row, with the 35 year-old Gethin Jenkins and the 33 year-old

Paul James both making the squad.

Both are highly unlikely to make the World Cup squad in four years, but should provide much needed experience for this years campaign at least.

And with the highly-rated Scarlets youngster Rob Evans contending for starting loose-head spot, there's no guarantee that either of the two will see an extended amount of playing time.

Notable omissions include the aforementioned Rhys Webb, as well as the talismanic Leigh Halfpenny, who both miss out through injury.

Meanwhile, Cardiff Blues' Rhys Patchell is once again overlooked in favour of his teammate Gareth Anscombe, while the days of James Hook may well be numbered after being left out for young talents such as Bristol's Matthew Morgan.

Speaking to the BBC, Gatland commented, "We have picked a larger squad than normal, we have a few injuries at the moment, those players aren't too far away from getting back on the field so we are happy with the mix.

"We have selected a squad that re-

wards players' form, as well as picking a lot of experience, and that continuity is important to us.”

The Welsh campaign begins away to Ireland on February 7th, before their home games begin with con-

It wasn’t the happiest of times for Cardiff City since the end of last term, as the Bluebirds suffered a mixed bag of results on the pitch, and ran into plenty of problems off it.

Cardiff struggled for consistency over the busy festive period. A win against the then in-form Brentford and a draw against Nottingham Forest were cancelled out by disappointing losses to strugglers MK Dons and Birmingham City.

Following successive home games in which leads had been surrendered, to Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday

respectively, Cardiff were hoping that victory over the Bees would kick-start a good run of festive form. It wasn’t to be.

A controversial penalty from Paul Caddis gave Birmingham all three points at St. Andrews, with defender Sean Morrison limping off with a knee injury that ruled him out for up to a month. More bad news arrived in the shape of another ankle injury to Ben Turner with the big man likely to be out for the rest of the season.

In the following games, City lost 2-1 to MK Dons and then salvaged a point at home to Nottingham Forest leaving

them 10th at the end of 2015, six points off the play-off places.

Onto 2016 and after the New Year win over Blackburn Rovers, City faced League 1 side Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup Third Round and lost the tie thanks to an Andy Mangan header. A disappointing two goal defeat away to high-flyers Hull heaped more pressure on boss Russell Slade, who even had chairman Mehmet Dalman say the “jury is still out” on the former Leyton Orient man.

Just days later, the Bluebirds were handed a transfer embargo, their sec-

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secutive fixtures against Scotland and France.

They will then head across the border to face England, and finally conclude the tournament in Cardiff against Italy on March 19th.

Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Paul James (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain).

Backs: Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Liam Williams (Scarlets). ond in six years, for what the Football League deemed a breach of Financial Fair Play rules. City are now unable to sign players for the remainder of this window, which saw the tying-up of a permanent deal for on-loan striker Tony Watt collapse, with even the possibility of extending his loan denied.

There was some consolation as Cardiff did the double over a struggling Wolves side, and completed the loan signature of Feyenoord midfielder, Lex Immers.

But regardless of this news, things remain as tumultuous at the Cardiff City Stadium as ever.

sport p

Editors: Jim Harris James Lloyd Jason Roberts Jamie Smith @GairRhyddSport sport@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/sport

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The Cardiff University lacrosse team have received a number of international call-ups following impressive performances. Lacrosse is amongst a number of sports at the University that has seen an influx of new members Anni Seaborne

W

ith its mixture of physicality, speed, agility and skill, it is not surprising that lacrosse is now the fastest growing sport in the USA, with approximately 750,000 athletes taking part at school and university level and a professional league now fully established. In the UK, even though it is not seen as a mainstream sport, lacrosse too is anecdotally one of the fastest growing sports in recent years with 200,000 people participating in both men and women’s lacrosse in the past year. Cardiff University Lacrosse club has also seen this increase in participation with the club growing from around 30 or so members back in 2011 to a thriving 154 members today. This increase in participation has subsequently led to an increase in performance, with the men’s 1st team making three consecutive BUCS trophy finals and currently are sitting comfortably in the Premiership. The ladies’ 1st team are fighting for promotion back into the Premiership after a two year absence. Along

with the club becoming increasingly more competitive over the last few years the addition of men and women’s second teams and a women’s beginners’ team has been possible. The success of the clubs’ teams has led to and been a result of considerable individual success. There are currently five international athletes and a further nine who are part of the women’s and men’s development programs.

This coming July will see Hungary host the men’s European Championship event, over the last few months Wales lacrosse has held a series of trials to pick a squad for this upcoming tournament. Seven members of this year’s university first team attended the trial process, which along with selecting the European squad was looking at selecting U19 and development squads. With the first trial taking place at the start of the September and the final trial at end of November the boys have seen multiple exhausting weekends to fit in around day to day life.

There was a record turnout with over 50 players taking part across these trial days. The emphasis from the beginning was on the fact that everyone was

fighting for their place on the flight to Budapest. Several Cardiff University Lacrosse club members, past and present, took part in these trials as much for the experience as the right to represent their country. Lacrosse is a relatively small game in the UK and especially Wales, so the opportunity to train with so many high level players is not to be missed. From Welsh speakers to those with strangely American sounding accents and Welsh Grandparents, everyone was equal until proven otherwise.

The squad announcements took place just before Christmas with Silas Fuller being selected to represent Wales at this years’ European Championship event. Silas, now in his fifth year of playing lacrosse, picked up a stick for the first time in the 2nd year of his medical degree. Silas has transitioned over the last couple of seasons from an aggressive hard hitting short stick defensive midfielder into a reliable, athletic and commanding defender and will look to impress in his first International competition. Paul Chapman and Jamie Bodnar-Horvath have both made the reserves list for the

Pictured:

The men’s lacrosse team in action at Welsh Varsity 2015 (Photographer: Taliesin Coombes)

Continued on page 31

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