Seren - 192 - 2006-2007 - April 2007

Easter Issue 2007

THE POWER OF THREE This y year’s President,, CSO and AU President g gain another term after successful election campaign

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ERE COMES A BRIGHT NEW DAWN FOR 3TUDENTS 5NION POLITICS IN "ANGOR OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITHx THE OLD !FTER A HECTIC WEEK OF VOTING AND LONG MONTH OR SO OF PREPARATION BY BOTH THE CANDIDATES AND THE %LECTIONS #OMMITTEE

THE RESULTS OF THE CROSS CAMPUS ELECTION AND THEREFORE WHO ARE TO BE THE NEXT 35 %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE WERE RELEASED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF &RIDAY T -ARCH 4HIS YEAR S ELECTIONS SAW ONE OF THE HIGHEST TURN OUTS YET AS PART OF A TREND IN RECENT YEARS OF VOTING NUMBERS INCREASING 4HE WHOLE ELECTIONS PROCESS WAS ORGANISED AND RUN AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE BY %LECTIONS 3ECRETARY *OHN *ACKSON AND 'ENERAL -ANAGER OF THE 5NION !NN 0ARRY

!LL OF THE CANDIDATES FOR VOLUNTARY POSITIONS WERE ELECTED &RIDAY *ONES WILL BE CHAIRING 35 MEETINGS NEXT YEAR (UW 0ARRY WILL REPLACE $AFYDD -ORRIS AS OUR )NDEPENDENT /Fl CER #HERRY (AMILTON WAS ELECTED TO BE ,'"4 /Fl CER !NUSHKA #HOPRA WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE US AS 7OMEN S /Fl CER 'EMMA 0LOWMAN WILL BE THE -ATURE 3TUDENT S /Fl CER AND 2AYCH #LAYTON WAS ELECTED AS 3TUDENTS WITH $ISABILITIES /Fl CER "ETHAN 7ILLIAMS WHO WAS UNCONTESTED WILL TAKE OVER THE SABBATICAL POSITION OF 5-#" 0RESIDENT NEXT YEAR 4HE OTHER FOUR SABBATICAL POSITIONS HOWEVER WERE CONTESTED AND IT CAN BE SAID THAT ALL THE CANDIDATES PUT UP A GOOD l GHT )N THE END THE POSITION OF %DUCATION AND

7ELFARE /Fl CER WENT TO 8ANTHE ,ARCOMBE

WHO ONLY NARROWLY BEAT OPPONENT 3TEVEN +EMPSTER BY SIXTY VOTES )T APPEARS THAT THE @CREDIBILITY

EXPERIENCE CONTINUITY POSTER CAMPAIGN DID THE TRICK #URRENT SABBATICAL OFl CERS 3AM "URNETT 0RESIDENT #AROLAN 'OGGIN #3/ AND !NDY @&RODO 2EDFEARN !5 0RESIDENT SPENT THE CAMPAIGNING PERIOD WORKING TOGETHER FOR RE ELECTION n AND IT WORKED !LL THREE WERE SUCCESSFULLY RE ELECTED INTO THEIR CURRENT POSITION FOR ANOTHER YEAR 4HE VOTES WERE HIGHLY SURPRISING AS ALL THREE CANDIDATES WON BY A LANDSLIDE 3O WHAT S IN STORE FOR OUR 35 IN THE COMING YEAR 7ITH THREE OF THE SAME %XECUTIVE MEMBERS ARE WE GOING TO SEE THE

SAME THINGS 7ELL WITH A SUCCESSFUL YEAR IN OFl CE ALREADY SURELY WE CAN ONLY SEE MORE OF A GOOD THING NOT TO MENTION THE INPUT OF THE NEW SABBATICAL OFl CERS AND ALSO THAT OF THE VOLUNTARY OFl CERS 4HE POSITIONS OF 3ECRETARY AND #AMPAIGNS AND 0UBLICITY /Fl CER STILL HAVEN T BEEN TAKEN UP ALONG WITH )NTERNATIONAL /Fl CER AND 7ELSH !FFAIRS /Fl CER 4HESE POSITIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE !'- FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED 4HESE POSITIONS ARE VITAL TO THE RUNNING OF THE 35 AND ARE ALL VOLUNTARY

Jennifer Stanley

In This Issue...

The Power of Three

News

The Rant

Tales From The Queer Side

Sport

Travel and Gap Year Special

The Great Orme

Storm Forecast

Doc Spot

Film

Games

Features

The Referendum

Strippers In Bangor?

Puzzles

The Bludgeoner

Music

Books

The AGM

One Minute Welsh

ELECTIONS RESULTS ELECTIONS RESULTS ELECTIONS RESULTS

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Seren - Easter Issue 2007

CONTRIBUTORS Editor: Emma Dodd Chris Thomson Jennifer Stanley Tom Laws Thomas Hecht Jeni Freeman Megan Tapper Janet Bultitude Matthew Love Helen Waller Spencer George Cat Prince Siobhan Holt Ross Butler Sophie de l’Orme Dr Rashesh Luke Wilsher Ian Davies Claire Mann Natalie Pierce-Jones Alex Farley Kirsten Buglass Jack Peat Will Varley Lexi Hindley John Jackson Dion Jones Jess Hughes

Becky Fountain Kerrie Gardner Lucy Digney Amy Garrett Sophie Shanahan Tom Heenan Joe Chapman Rachel Eales Loran Perkins Mark Varley Sam Evans Kevin Smith Liz Huxley-Jones Lizzy Joyce Sam Slater Clare Stapleton Jamie Clark Will Varley Proof Reader: Carolan Goggin Production Consultant: Dan Turner

Dear Reader, What a busy month it has been in the Students’ Union, what with elections and the referendum. You can catch up on the results from these events in this issue and reect on how this will impact on us. Thanks to everyone who turned out and voted, having helped count the votes myself, I know that was a fair few of you.

Also, Seren has now got its own ofďŹ ce in the Students’ Union, which makes putting the paper together a lot easier and better if you want to come and ďŹ nd us.

With Easter upon us, it’s time for a well earned break. I hope you enjoy this Easter issue of Seren, but I’ll just tell you one thing.

UnofďŹ cially, this is also the April Fool’s issue of Seren. With publication so close to the beginning of April, we couldn’t resist.

So, see if you can spot the article which is just pulling your leg! Drop me an email if you think you know which one it is.

Please come along and support us at our Student Involvement Night, more details are below. It should be lots of fun, with a great chance to dress up and it would be great to see you all. After Easter you will also be able to buy rafe tickets from the Seren team to gain your chance to win tickets to see Mr Scruff here in Bangor.

APOLOGIES

Enjoy the issue and have a great Easter.

POLOGIES GO OUT TO THE @9ES CAMPAIGN FOR THE REFERENDUM )N THE 2EFERENDUM 3PECIAL 3EREN ACCIDENTLY DOUBLED UP PART OF THEIR ARGUMENT !LSO TO %LISABETH 'RAY WHOM WE FORGOT TO CREDIT FOR THE "LIND $ATE PHOTOS TAKEN FOR THE 6ALENTINE S )SSUE

Emma editor@seren.bangor.ac.uk

!

COWBOYS and indians Seren sin night TUESDAY 24th APRIL ACADEMI ÂŁ2 WITH FANCY DRESS ÂŁ3 WITHOUT

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Seren - Easter Issue 2007

STRIPPERS IN MEDIA CAREERS INFORMATION DAY BANGOR? !

S A *OURNALISM AND -EDIA 3TUDIES STUDENT HERE AT "ANGOR 5NIVERSITY

) FELT IT WAS ONLY RIGHT FOR MY PROSPECTIVE CAREER THAT ) CHECK OUT THE -EDIA #AREERS INFORMATION DAY AT THE -ANCHESTER '-%8 ON 4HURSDAY &EBRUARY 4HE TICKETS WERE a EACH WHICH WAS PRETTY GOOD CONSIDERING WHAT ) GAINED FROM THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE $ESPITE THE INl NITELY LONG AND WINDING QUEUE TO GET INTO THE BUILDING ) WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED /NCE INSIDE ) WAS HANDED AN @%VENT 'UIDE WHICH WAS A PLAN OF THE WHOLE ROOM AND WHAT WAS TO BE GOING ON AT THE MANY DIFFERENT STALLS 4HERE WERE PEOPLE FROM EVERY ASPECT OF THE MEDIA INDUSTRY FROM RADIO TELEVISION AND JOURNALISM TO $ ANIMATION MUSIC TECHNOLOGY AND 02 ) WAS HORRIl ED WHEN ) SAW A NASTY LOOKING OPEN

BLOODY SLASH WOUND ACROSS A LAD S FACE BUT WAS THEN RELIEVED TO SEE HE WAS JUST MANNING A STALL ON STAGE MAKE UP 4HERE WERE ALL SORTS OF INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL THINGS GOING ON

4HERE WERE OVER l FTY STALLS EACH GIVING OUT THEIR OWN CAREERS ADVICE LITERATURE TO TAKE AWAY AND THE USUAL ENTICING FREE SWEETS AND PENS YOU WOULD EXPECT AT SUCH AN EVENT 4HERE WERE PEOPLE AT THE FAIR FROM SUCH HOUSEHOLD NAMES AS )46 ""# (OLLYOAKS

-ANCHESTER %VENING .EWS AND 'ALAXY -ANCHESTER ALL READY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM HUNDREDS OF EAGER STUDENTS !T l RST THE PLACE WAS ABSOLUTELY PACKED AND YOU COULD HARDLY MOVE FOR PEOPLE SCURRYING AROUND GATHERING TONS OF LEAm ETS AND FREEBIES )T REALLY MADE ME THINK ABOUT HOW POPULAR CAREERS IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY ARE TO STUDENTS AND THE LEVEL OF COMPETITION THERE IS )T MAY BE A DIFl CULT WORLD OF WORK TO BREAK INTO BUT EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE REALLY HELP YOU TO KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET AHEAD 4HERE WERE MANY SEMINARS HELD IN THE UPSTAIRS CONFERENCE ROOMS ON ALL SORTS OF TOPICS BUT ) ONLY ATTENDED ONE OF THESE 7ORKING IN .EWSPAPERS -AGAZINES /NLINE 4HREE EXPERIENCED SPEAKERS FROM

THE WORLD OF JOURNALISM GAVE THEIR BEST ADVICE AND ANSWERED OUR PRESSING QUESTIONS 7E WERE ENCOURAGED TO JOIN THE .ATIONAL 5NION OF *OURNALISTS .5* AND GIVEN LOADS OF HELPFUL TIPS ON GAINING THE RIGHT WORK EXPERIENCE HOW TO GET INTO YOUR PREFERRED l ELD OF JOURNALISM GETTING PUBLISHED USING THE MULTIMEDIA TO YOUR BEST ADVANTAGE INTERNET BLOGS ETC WHAT EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR GETTING PAID FOR YOUR WORK AND MORE !LL IN ALL ) HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME AT THE FAIR ) LEARNT A LOT AND FEEL A LOT MORE MOTIVATED TO WORK TOWARDS MY IDEAL CAREER ) WOULD RECOMMEND NEXT YEAR S -EDIA #AREERS )NFORMATION $AY TO ANY STUDENTS WHO WANT TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT IN THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE YET FUN AND EXCITING MEDIA INDUSTRY

Megan Tapper

MOUNTAIN WALKING CLUB

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EN AND WOMEN REMOVING THEIR CLOTHES FOR YOUR DELIGHT AND IF YOU PAY TO WATCH YOU LL BE HELPING A GOOD CAUSE 4HIS WAS THE ENTHUSIASTIC IDEA 2!' HAD FOR A CHARITY EVENT TO RAISE MORE MONEY THEN ANY OTHER (OWEVER "ANGOR S 3TUDENTS 5NION #OUNCIL HAD OTHER IDEAS AND VOTED @.O TO STRIPPERS IN "ANGOR 2!' FELT HAVING STRIPPERS AT AN EVENT WOULD DRAW IN MANY STUDENTS WITH LARGE PROl TS FOR CHARITY 4HEY BELIEVED THERE WAS NO HARM IN HAVING STRIPPERS IN "ANGOR AS THEY HAD FOUND A SUPPORTING VENUE AND ENSURED THERE WOULD BE MALE AND FEMALE STRIPPERS SO THE 35 %QUAL /PPORTUNITIES 0OLICY WOULD NOT BE BROKEN 3UPPORTERS OF THIS EVENT POINTED OUT IT WOULD BE A MATTER OF PERSONAL CHOICE AS IF YOU DIDN T WANT TO SEE STRIPPERS YOU SIMPLY WOULDN T TURN UP )T WAS ALSO FELT THAT THIS EVENT WAS NO MORE @DISRESPECTFUL THEN A PIMP AND HOES NIGHT OR A NIGHT BASED ON PROSTITUTION SUCH AS THE -OULIN 2OUGE THEMED 3). NIGHT TAKING PLACE THAT VERY EVENING )RONICALLY MANY OF THOSE OPPOSING STRIPPERS WERE FULLY DRESSED UP IN -OULIN 2OUGE STYLE OUTl TS 4HERE WAS STRONG FEELING THAT HAVING STRIPPERS IN "ANGOR WOULD LOOK BAD FOR THE

5NIVERSITY AND WOULD CREATE A DISRESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT -ANY BELIEVED THAT THIS EVENT WOULD NOT ATTRACT MANY STUDENTS AND WAS EXPLOITIVE OF MEN AND WOMEN )T WAS SUGGESTED THAT OTHER EVENTS WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY

FOR EXAMPLE THE UPCOMING @DODGEBALL EVENT WHICH MANY STUDENTS ARE TAKING PART IN )T ALSO HAS TO BE CONSIDERED THAT CHARITIES MAY NOT WANT MONEY FROM SUCH AN EVENT AND IT MAY COMPROMISE PEOPLE TORN BETWEEN USING A CHARITY S MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT OR STANDING BY THEIR PRINCIPLES AND NOT TAKING SUPPORT FROM A CHARITY FUNDED BY AN EVENT WITH STRIPPERS 3TRIPPERS IN "ANGOR HAS BECOME AN ISSUE WHICH HAS OPPOSED MANY INDIVIDUALS BELIEFS 4HIS WAS A HIGHLY EMOTIVE DEBATE RAISING QUESTIONS FOR AND CONCERNS AGAINST SUCH AN EVENT 3O WHAT S YOUR OPINION ON THIS MATTER ! HARMLESS BIT OF FUN IN THE NAME OF CHARITY OR AN INCONSIDERATE IDEA THAT OPPOSES THE FRIENDLY VALUES OF "ANGOR %MAIL EDITOR SEREN BANGOR AC UK WITH YOUR OPINION

Jeni Freeman

"

EFORE ) LEFT !USTRALIA TO COME AND STUDY IN "ANGOR ) HAD ALREADY HEARD OF THE 5NIVERSITY -OUNTAIN 7ALKING #LUB 5-7# AND HAD BOUGHT MY l RST PAIR OF HIKING BOOTS IN ANTICIPATION OF JOINING THEIR ADVENTURES IN 3NOWDONIA %IGHTEEN MONTHS ON ) HAVE NOT BEEN DISAPPOINTED %ACH 3ATURDAY MORNING ARMED WITH m ASKS AND *AFFA #AKES WE GATHER TOGETHER AT THE 3TUDENTS 5NION TO SET OUT FOR A DAY OF LEG STRETCHING SCRAMBLING AND CHEERFUL BANTER !ND NOW THAT THE DAFFODILS ARE OUT THE LAMBS ARE SPRINGING IN THE l ELDS AND THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER THERE S NO BETTER WAY TO SHAKE OFF THE COBWEBS OF THE WEEK 3NOWDONIA GENEROUSLY OFFERS US A WIDE VARIETY OF LANDSCAPES TO EXPLORE FROM THE JAGGED 'LYDERAU TO THE MAJESTIC #ARNEDDAU

LOFTY 3NOWDON AND THE GENTLE LOWER HILLS OF THE -OELWYN %ACH WEEK THE CLUB RUNS WALKS

OF VARYING LEVELS OF DIFl CULTY FROM GENTLE JAUNTS TO SOMETHING A BIT MORE FAST PACED OR MIND NUMBING 4HE FANTASTIC VIEWS THAT REWARD US FOR OUR EFFORTS KEEP OUR m ICKR ACCOUNTS IN OVER DRIVE AND GIVE US A STEADY SUPPLY OF PICTURESQUE COMPUTER DESKTOP PICTURES (OWEVER SOME PEOPLE WALK JUST AS MUCH FOR THE CHALLENGE OF NEGOTIATING A PARTICULARLY TRICKY STRETCH OF SCRAMBLE OR CONQUERING A DISTANT SUMMIT h%VERY WALK PRESENTS ITS OWN CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR HAVING A LAUGH v WROTE ONE CLUB MEMBER IN A RECENT ANONYMOUS SURVEY ) CAN CERTAINLY TESTIFY THAT FELLOW HIKERS ARE BOUND TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT

WHETHER THEY ARE SLIDING DOWN A SNOWY SLOPE ON THEIR FRONT LIKE A PENGUIN STEPPING INTO A PILE OF SNOW AND EXTRACTING THEIR LEG ONLY TO LEAVE THEIR BOOT BEHIND OR JUMPING BETWEEN !DAM AND %VE TWO TALL STONES AT THE VERY

TOP OF 4RYFAN 7ITH MEMBERS IT S NO SURPRISE THAT THE 5-7# IS JUST AS ACTIVE ON THE SOCIAL SCENE AS IT IS IN 3NOWDONIA 7E HAVE WEEKLY RENDEZVOUS AT THE PUB QUIZZES SOCIALS

DINNERS AND A BEACH PARTY TO LOOK FORWARD TO AT THE END OF THE YEAR !S A RESULT IT IS A CLUB IN WHICH MANY l RM FRIENDSHIPS ARE FORMED /NE MEMBER SAID h) WENT UP 3NOWDON IN MY &RESHERS 7EEK AND ON THAT DAY ) MET SOME OF THE PEOPLE ) M LIVING WITH NOW v 4HE 5-7# LEAVES FROM THE 35 FOR 3NOWDONIA EVERY 3ATURDAY AT AM AND MEETS AT THE (ARP EVERY 7EDNESDAY AT PM &OR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED CHECK OUT OUR m ASHY WEBSITE AT WWW UMWC ORG UK

Janet Bultitude

KILIMANJARO CLIMB Bangor student to tackle Africa’s giant peak in Tanzania

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N *UNE ) WILL BE LEAVING THE 5+ TO CLIMB -OUNT +ILIMANJARO

THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN !FRICA TO RAISE MONEY IN AID OF #ANCER 2ESEARCH 5+ ) HAVE COMMITTED MYSELF TO THIS CHALLENGE TO RAISE a FOR THIS CHARITY )T IS IN FACT NOT JUST ONE CHALLENGE BUT THREE THE l RST BEING TO RAISE THE MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP THE SECOND TO GET l T THROUGH A TRAINING PROGRAMME AND THE THIRD TO DO THE CLIMB ITSELF 4HE OBJECTIVE OF THE CHALLENGE IS TO CLIMB TO THE SUMMIT OF -OUNT +ILIMANJARO IN 4ANZANIA 4HIS WILL INVOLVE TREKKING THROUGH RAINFOREST AND HIGH ALTITUDE GLACIERS 4HERE WILL BE MANY DANGERS TO ENCOUNTER SUCH AS WILD LIONS AND

CREVASSES NEAR THE SUMMIT )N TOTAL ) WILL BE CLIMBING FEET 4HE MONEY RAISED BY THIS TREK WILL BE PUT TOWARDS RESEARCH INTO l NDING TREATMENTS TO CURE CANCER FASTER GET TREATMENT TO PATIENTS MORE QUICKLY AND DEVELOP ACCURATE AND SENSITIVE TESTS FOR PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCER $ID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY YEAR PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIVES IN THIS COUNTRY TO CANCER #ONSIDERING THAT THE MAJORITY OF US HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AT SOME POINT BY THE NEWS THAT A RELATIVE OR A CLOSE FRIEND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH SOME FORM OF CANCER THERE S DEl NITELY A WORTHWHILE END TO MY CHALLENGE

AND EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS )F YOU FEEL YOU CAN HELP ME WITH MY FUNDRAISING IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED ) HAVE PERSONALLY CONTRIBUTED a TOWARDS TRAVEL EXPENSES 0LEASE SEND ANY DONATIONS BEFORE !PRIL #HEQUES SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO #ANCER 2ESEARCH 5+ )F YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES ABOUT THE EXPEDITION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT CHP BANGOR AC UK OR CALL ME ON /NLINE DONATIONS ARE ALSO VERY WELCOME AT WWW BMYCHARITY COM MATTLOVE

Matthew Love

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Seren - Easter Issue 2007

THE BLUDGEONER LET THE BATTLE COMMENCE

4

HE "LUDGEONER IS IN A BIT OF AN ADDLED DELIRIUM n POSSIBLY BECAUSE HE S BEEN DOING LINES IN -AIN !RTS RECENTLY AND NOT FOR HANDING HIS WORK IN LATE OR POSSIBLY BECAUSE HE S JUST BEEN SOLD )T S RATHER LIKE THAT ROMCOM l LM

'LADIATOR WHERE #ROTCHETUS -AXIMUS GETS BUNDLED THIS WAY AND IN EXCHANGE FOR WADS OF CASH DANCING FOR THE HIGHEST BIDDER "LUDGE FOUND OUT THIS WEEK THAT 'ORDON "ROWN WAS PLANNING TO SELL OFF HIS STUDENT LOAN DEBT IN ORDER TO BALANCE HIS BOOKS AND LEAVE THE OFl CE TIDY FOR THE NEXT CHAP APPARENTLY HE S PLANNING A MOVE .OW THIS WORRIES THE "LUDGEONER n HE SINCERELY HOPES THAT SOMEONE IS KEEPING AN EYE ON ALL THIS IT S NOT LIKE HE HAS ANYTHING TO REPOSSESS ASIDE FROM A FEW MOULDY DISHES FROM AND A #LIFF 2ICHARD #$ HE BOUGHT ONLINE WHEN HE WAS DRUNK BUT HE D HATE TO BE FURTHER SOLD INTO SERVITUDE )T ALREADY TAKES UP A GOODLY PORTION OF HIS TIME HAND PRINTING 3ERENS WITH A RUBBER STAMPING KIT FROM ,IDL IN RETURN FOR A FEW SCRAPS OF FOOD AND THE ODD SOFTMINT 4HEY ARE AWFULLY BIG WORDS BUT THERE S

A TERRIBLE AMOUNT OF MARKETISATION AND PRIVATISATION GOING ON AROUND HIGHER EDUCATION n COMPANIES GIVING UNIVERSITIES SUITCASES OF MONEY IN ORDER TO FUND NEW HALLS OF RESIDENCE IN RETURN FOR YEAR CONTRACTS AND DEALS THAT WOULD RIVAL OUR m EXIBLE FRIENDS FOR SMALL PRINT )T S A SAD WAY OF THE WORLD THAT THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT HAVE SQUEEZED THE COUNTRY DRY OF CASH SAVE FOR CORPORATE BIGWIGS WHO BUY YOUR SOUL AND RENT IT BACK TO YOU AT A REASONABLE RATE "ANGOR IS SLOWLY BEING TURNED INTO A FACETIOUS FACELESS GAME OF -ONOPOLY ALTHOUGH HAVING SAID THAT "LUDGEONER WOULDN T MIND A FEW DECENT HOTELS AROUND THE PLACE FOR WHEN HIS FRIENDS COME UP INVOLVING THOSE WHO RUN EVERYTHING THOSE WHO MOAN ABOUT EVERYTHING AND NO ROOM FOR ANYONE ELSE IN BETWEEN 4HE "LUDGEONER LONGS FOR THE GOOD OLD DAYS BACK WHEN EVERYONE WAS INNOCENT AND CAREFREE WHEN HALLS OF RESIDENCE WERE LIKE "UDDHIST RETREATS AND m OWING WITH MILK AND HONEY WHEN 5NIVERSITY WAS A PLACE YOU WENT FOR INTELLECTUAL EDIl CATION AND THAT NICE -R 7ILSON WAS LIVING THE SOCIALIST DREAM 4HE 2IGHT (ONOURABLE -R "ROWN HAS BEEN LIKENED TO THAT BASTION OF SOCIALISM FROM YESTERYEAR 5NCLE *OE 3TALIN n MAYBE THERE S SOME HOPE FOR THE WORLD YET 4HE "LUDGEONER LIVES IN A BED SIT ON !NGLESEY AND RECENTLY WON THE GAME

)

T S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN STUDENTS START TO POP ON THEIR THINKING CAPS GRAB THEIR NEAREST LUCKY MASCOT AND HEAD TO 'RANADA STUDIOS -ANCHESTER FOR THE NEXT INSTALMENT OF 5NIVERSITY #HALLENGE (ERE AT 57" OUR STUDENTS ARE NO DIFFERENT 4HE 5NION RECENTLY HELD A QUIZ NIGHT IN THE SEARCH FOR THE BRAINIEST "ANGOR STUDENTS TO TRY AND WIN THAT COVETED TROPHY 4HE GROUP

CONSISTING OF FOUR MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO BATTLE THEIR WAY THROUGH AN INTERVIEW AND ANOTHER WRITTEN TEST WHICH THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE INDIVIDUALLY !LL STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TAKING PART IN THE COMPETITION WILL

HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS RIGOROUS PROCESS AND THEN IT IS THE TWENTY EIGHT TOP SCORING TEAMS THAT WILL GO OUT AND COMPETE ON NATIONAL TELEVISION 4HE NEXT SERIES IS DUE TO BE AIRED ON ""# IN !UGUST /UR FOUR l GHTING CONTENDERS REPRESENTING 57" ARE #HRIS 3AVILLE ,UCY 2YAN "EN 'ILBERT AND OUR VERY OWN %DITOR OF 3EREN %MMA $ODD 3EREN WISHES THE TEAM THE BEST OF LUCK

ESPECIALLY BATTLING AGAINST *EREMY 0AXMAN

Siobhan Catherine Holt

EIGHT HOUR SKI2HELP ART SOCIETY EXPOSED

4

HIS YEAR "ANGOR 5NIVERSITY S !RT 3OCIETY HAS HOSTED A PLENITUDE OF EVENTS ALLOWING STUDENTS TO EXPERIMENT WITH A RANGE OF ARTISTIC STYLES AND MATERIALS 3UCH EVENTS HAVE INCLUDED STILL LIFE DRAWING PORTRAITURE l GURATIVE ART

CAPTURING MODELS IN MOTION BY USE OF COLOUR AND MOST RECENTLY THAT STALWART OF THE ART WORLD THE NUDE MODEL -ATERIALS PROVIDED INCLUDE PENCILS PENS AND PASTELS AND SOCIETY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF WHICHEVER MEDIUM THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH ! SPECIAL SESSION LAST TERM INVITED MEMBERS TO HAVE A GO AT PAINTING PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF THOSE WHO HAD ONLY EVER DRAWN USING PEN OR PENCIL $IFFERENT TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN EXPLORED INCLUDING HOW TO BETTER REPRESENT PROPORTION AND HOW TO BALANCE THE COLOURS IN A PICTURE WHILST DISCUSSIONS HAVE DELVED INTO THE HISTORY OF ART INCLUDING THE IMPRESSIONISTS POST IMPRESSIONISTS AND POP ARTISTS 3TUDENTS WERE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEMPT A PIECE IN THE STYLE OF AN ARTIST THEY ADMIRED FROM ONE OF THESE CATEGORIES WITH A VARIETY OF WORK BY SOME OF THE FAMOUS ARTISTS OF THESE GENRES BEING DISPLAYED IN ORDER TO HELP THEM GET A

FEEL FOR THE STYLE &URTHERMORE OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO PRODUCE THEMED WORKS ALLOWING STUDENTS THE FREEDOM TO USE WHICHEVER STYLE AND MATERIALS THEY CHOSE n NOTABLY LAST TERM SOCIETY MEMBERS WORKED ON THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS THEMED AROUND UNIVERSITY LIFE 3OCIETY MEMBERS NEEDN T BE EITHER EXPERIENCED ARTISTS NOR KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE ART WORLD 4HE GREAT BENEl T OF THE !RT 3OCIETY IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT ARTISTS YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF AND TO EXPERIMENT WITH A VARIETY OF STYLISTIC APPROACHES 3OCIALS ARE HELD REGULARLY WITH THE CLUB OFTEN GATHERING IN 9R (EN 'LAN OR THE 9ELLOW 0UB AS IT MORE POPULARLY KNOWN AFTER SESSIONS !RTISTS OF ALL ABILITIES ARE WELCOMED REGARDLESS OF EXPERIENCE INEXPERIENCE %VER FELT THERE WAS A BUDDING 6AN 'OGH INSIDE BUT HAVEN T HAD THE OUTLET TO EXPRESS YOURSELF %NJOYED ART AT SCHOOL BUT LET IT FALL BY THE WAYSIDE &IND YOURSELF DOODLING IN LECTURES AND WONDER IF YOU COULD DO MORE )F ONE OF THESE IS YOU

WHY NOT CONSIDER GIVING THE !RT 3OCIETY A GO

Ross Butler

UNI’S COCAINE SHAME

2

ECENT SCIENTIl C TESTS CARRIED OUT BY THE $AILY 0OST HAVE REVEALED THE ALARMING SCALE OF COCAINE USE ACROSS .ORTH 7ALES 4HE RESULTS OF THE TESTS WERE PUBLISHED IN AN ARTICLE BY THE NEWSPAPER ON &EBRUARY EARLIER THIS YEAR 5SING CONTROLLED TESTING KITS THE $AILY 0OST S TESTING TEAM TOOK SWABS AT RANDOM LOCATIONS ACROSS .ORTH 7ALES AND FOUND A NUMBER WERE USED BY PEOPLE SNORTING COCAINE /F TOILET CUBICLES OR CHANGING FACILITIES TESTED EIGHT PROVED POSITIVE "ABY CHANGING ROOMS AT 4ESCO IN ,LANDUDNO *UNCTION WERE ALSO LACED WITH COCAINE 4HE STRONGEST SAMPLE WAS FOUND IN THE TOILET OF THE MAIN .ORTH 7ALES COASTAL TRAIN AND THREE OF THE POSITIVES WERE FOUND IN .ORTH 7ALES INSTITUTIONS n .%7) $EESIDE #OLLEGE AND "ANGOR 5NIVERSITY 4O TEST FOR THE DRUG THE TESTING TEAM USED PINK PADS RESEMBLING WET WIPES WHICH TURN TO BLUE ON CONTACT WITH THE DRUG /NLY COCAINE AND NOVOCAINE A LIQUID DENTAL ANAESTHETIC RARELY USED IN PUBLIC TURN THE PADS BLUE AS THE DRUG REACTS WITH THE SUBSTANCE COBALT THIOCYNATE 4HE PADS WERE PROVIDED BY #RACKDOWN $RUG 4ESTING n SET UP BY A POLICE OFl CER OF YEARS EXPERIENCE

$AVE 2IGG -R 2IGG SAID 4RACES OF COCAINE ARE EVERYWHERE YOU GO THESE DAYS 4HERE IS NOT A BANKNOTE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT IS NOT CONTAMINATED BY IT 4HERE IS A FEELING AMONGST USERS THAT IT IS A CLEAN DRUG AND THAT IT IS NON ADDICTIVE "UT IT IS A VERY ADDICTIVE DRUG THAT IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS TO USERS HEALTH 4HESE RESULTS COME AMIDST WARNINGS ABOUT COCAINE ABUSE AND THE EFFECTS IT HAS ON USERS ! "ANGOR 5NIVERSITY SPOKESWOMAN SAID )F THE 5NIVERSITY RECEIVED ANY EVIDENCE OF THE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS ON CAMPUS WE WOULD REFER THE MATTER TO THE POLICE )NFORMATION GATHERED FROM ARTICLE WRITTEN BY 2OLAND (UGHES PUBLISHED IN THE $AILY 0OST

&EB

Dion Jones

Bangor University Stage Crew: Opportunities for learning about back-stage technical (lighting and sound) operations or participating in production for shows. E-mail stagecrew@undeb .bangor.ac.uk.

ALL CHANGE IN SCHOOL OF OCEAN SCIENCES?

0

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N 7EDNESDAY T &EBRUARY THE 3NOWSPORTS CLUB DROVE TO THE 8SCAPE )NDOOR 3NOWDOME AT #ASTLEFORD ,EEDS 4HE EVENT WAS THE ANNUAL 3KI (ELP EIGHT HOUR SPONSORED SKI -ANY UNIVERSITIES TRAVELLED THE DISTANCE TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT )N PREVIOUS YEARS 3KI (ELP RAISED a FOR THE 4SUNAMI APPEAL IN

AND a FOR SPORTS RELIEF IN 4HIS YEAR "ANGOR RAISED a TO GO TOWARDS THE $ELMEIZA #HILDREN S (OSPICE AND 7ORLD 6ISION 4HE $ELMEIZA IS AN ORGANISATION THAT PROVIDES CARE FOR OVER CHILDREN THAT HAVE LIFE THREATENING ILLNESSES 4HE

EVENT WAS DEDICATED TO A YOUNG MAN WHO LOST HIS LIFE TRAGICALLY IN THE "53# "RITISH 5NIVERSITIES 3NOWSPORTS #LUBS MAIN EVENT

&OR US THE DAY STARTED AT AM AS WE HAD A THREE HOUR DRIVE TO #ASTLEFORD 4HE DAY CONSISTED OF THE "5)3# "RITISH 5NIVERSITIES )NDOOR 3KI #HAMPIONSHIPS l NALS AS WELL AS THE SPONSORED SKI TIME 7E HAD A REALLY GOOD DAY OUT WITH SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING AS WELL AS MEETING OTHER UNIVERSITIES WE EVEN HAD TIME FOR A FEW GAMES OF BOWLING BEFORE WE LEFT AT MIDNIGHT

Helen Waller

ROPOSED CHANGES TO DEGREES IN THE 3CHOOL OF /CEAN 3CIENCES HAVE BEEN MET WITH SOME DEBATE SOME AGREEING WITH THE IDEAS PUT FORWARD AND SOME NOT #URRENT l RST YEAR STUDENTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN TOLD OF THE CHANGES AS STAFF ARE UNSURE HOW THEY WOULD AFFECT THEM AS ALL CHANGES AFFECT THE THIRD YEAR OF STUDY 1UESTIONNAIRES ABOUT /CEAN 3CIENCE COURSES GIVEN TO STUDENTS REVEALED THAT STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL FEEL OVERWORKED WITH TOO MANY LECTURES AND TOO MANY ASSIGNMENTS )N RESPONSE THE SCHOOL IS GOING TO MAKE SEVERAL CHANGES FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE BENEl T OF THE STUDENTS (OURS ARE BEING CUT WITH THE LOSS OF SOME STAFF AND CREDIT MODULES WHICH WILL ALSO PUT A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS -ODULES WILL HOPEFULLY BE MORE SPECIl C TO CUT DOWN ON THE AMOUNT OF OVERLAP AND TO GIVE STUDENTS A MORE IN

DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT 4HE QUITE IMPRACTICAL DISSERTATION MODULE IS BEING DISSOLVED BECAUSE TOO MUCH OF THE THIRD YEAR ASSESSMENT IS BASED ON IT !LSO IN FUTURE JOINT HONOURS DEGREES THAT THE SCHOOL CURRENTLY OFFERS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO NEW STUDENTS THIS MAY TAKE A FEW YEARS TO COME INTO PRACTICE WITH THE EXPRESS INTEREST OF FURTHERING KNOWLEDGE IN ONE l ELD 3OME OTHER CHANGES HOWEVER ARE MORE CONTROVERSIAL AND IT S NOT QUITE CLEAR WHY 4HE SCHOOL ARE OPENING UP THE CHANCE TO STUDY FOR AN EXTRA YEAR AND GAIN A QUALIl CATION THAT IS RECOGNISED %UROPE WIDE 4HIS WILL ENABLE KEEN STUDENTS TO GAIN MORE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WHICH WILL BE LOST WHEN THE DISSERTATION MODULE IS DISSOLVED AND COME OUT WITH A RECOGNISED DEGREE FOR UNDERGRADUATE PRICES !PPARENTLY THIS IS ALREADY AVAILABLE IN #HEMISTRY !LTERNATIVELY

STUDENTS CAN STUDY AN ORDINARY -ASTERS

COURSE AND PAY HIGHER TUITION FEES 3OME PEOPLE ARE WORRIED THAT THEY RE NOT GOING TO COME OUT WITH THE DEGREE THEY SIGNED UP FOR AND OTHERS ARE ANGRY AT THE LOSS OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE 4HE EXTRA QUALIl CATION @MAKES UP FOR THE LOSS OF THIS PRACTICAL WORK BUT MANY ONLY PLANNED TO BE AT UNIVERSITY FOR THREE YEARS AND A FOURTH MAY BE IMPRACTICAL l NANCIALLY 4HESE CHANGES MIGHT MAKE "ANGOR S 3CHOOL OF /CEAN 3CIENCE EVEN MORE POPULAR THAN IT ALREADY IS AND IT MAY l ND AN INCREASE IN THE EMPLOYABILITY RATE OF ITS GRADUATES IN FUTURE YEARS (OWEVER THE LOSS OF JOINT HONOURS DEGREES MAY BE A DOWNFALL AS SOME JOINT HONOURS COURSES CAN BE HARD TO COME BY

Jennifer Stanley

5

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

TALES FROM THE QUEER SIDE 9 '

AY CULTURE IS CHOCK FULL OF GLAMOUR

GLITTER GLORIOUSNESS )T IS HEAVILY ASSOCIATED AND QUITE RIGHTLY SO

WITH HUGE /44 ICONIC l GURES %LTON *OHN

,IBERACE ,ITTLE 2ICHARD THAT DISPLAY THIS hOLD SKOOLv IDEAL OF PINK FEATHER BOAS CHEAP INNUENDO AND BAD MAKE UP THAT JUST LOOKS SO GOOD !ND NEVER MIND HOW FANTASTIC THESE ECCENTRIC CHARACTERS ARE IT WAS JUST THE FACT THAT THEY WERE OUT AND PROUD IN AN ERA THAT WOULDN T ALLOW THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO DO SO

THAT INSTIGATED THEIR WORSHIP ,ESS PEOPLE WERE OUT SUPPRESSION WAS ON THE UP WHILST LIBERATION WAS KEPT IN THE BACKGROUND SO THEN TO HAVE 3IR %LTON GRACING THE STAGE WEARING WIGS BIGGER THAN HIMSELF GAVE GAY CULTURE A PUSH IN THE ELABORATE DIRECTION "UT IT WAS HIS MUSIC THAT ALLOWED HIM TO BECOME SO ACCOMPLISHED A TRUE ICON NOT HIS SEXUALITY OR IMAGE WHICH ALLOWED ANYONE ,'"4 OR STRAIGHT TO APPRECIATE HIM 3O DOES BEING GAY MAKE YOUR MUSIC DIFFERENT OR APPEAL TO CERTAIN POPULATIONS -AYBE SO IF YOUR LYRICS ARE ABOUT THE SUBJECT

SUCH AS @0EACHES OR THE EARLY WORKS OF OUR NEW MODERN HERO "ETH $ITTO OF @4HE 'OSSIP WHOSE MUSIC NOW TRANSCENDS HER SEXUALITY WITH EVERY OTHER STUDENT SINGING hSTANDING IN THE WAY OF CONTROLxv WHICH IS ACTUALLY A RESPONSE TO THE REPUBLICAN ATTITUDE TO GAY MARRIAGE 3HE S LIVING PROOF THAT EVEN AS AN OUT AND OUT LESBIAN FROM A STATE WHOSE GENERAL CONSENSUS WOULD BE TO STRING EVERY ,'"4 PERSON UP CAN GRASP AN ENTIRE NATION -ANY MUSICIANS SUCH AS FRONT MAN +ELE OF @"LOC 0ARTY SPECIl CALLY ASK THE PRESS NOT TO EVEN TAKE HIM BEING GAY INTO CONSIDERATION DURING INTERVIEWS OR MUSIC REVIEWS AND WITH MORE RECENT UP AND COMING ACTS LIKE -IKA REFUSING TO RELEASE ANY INFORMATION OF HIS SEXUALITY GENDER ORIENTATION OR EVEN HIS SURNAME AS IT IS hCOMPLETELY IRRELEVANT v 4IMELESS MUSIC WHICH IS CHANGING THIS GENERATION S SOUND IS COMING OUT OF THE GLOBAL GAY POPULATION CONTINUALLY 4AKE 2UFUS 7AINWRIGHT FOR EXAMPLE HE IS DESCRIBED AS OUR TIME S ANSWER TO 'ERSHWIN !NTONY FROM MERCURY PRIZE AWARD WINNING @!NTONY AND THE *OHNSONS TOOK THE WORLD

BY STORM WITH THEIR GROUND BREAKING AND INDUSTRY ROCKING ALBUM WHOSE LYRICS WHERE FOCUSSED ON THE FRONT MAN S DESIRE TO BE A WOMAN ,OVE AND DESIRE ARE TWO OF THE MOST FREQUENTED SUBJECTS USED IN SONG LYRICS 7HAT ALLOWS MUSIC FROM A GAY ARTIST TO RISE ABOVE ITS SPECIl C CONTENT IS THAT LOVE HURTS LOVE HEALS LOVE DOES NOT CHANGE ITS FUNDAMENTALS BECAUSE YOU ENTER A SAME SEX RELATIONSHIP OR THE THING THAT YOU DESIRE THE MOST DOESN T CHANGE BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE A DIFFERENT GENDER EMOTIONS HAVE NO ORIENTATION

Jess Hughes LGBT Officer jess.hughes@undeb.b angor.ac.uk

The Rant

OU MAY HAVE NOTICED FROM READING MY COLUMN THAT ) LIKE TO RANT ABOUT THINGS ) VE RANTED ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM #HRISTMAS TO THE ENVIRONMENT TO

+EEPING IT IN THE FAMILY MOST ENLIGHTENING EXPLANATION WHY MOST EVERY THING YOU HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DO IN THE WORLD AND ESPECIALLY IN %UROPE HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD !S PERHAPS IN THE VIEW OF MOST OF YOUR DWINDLING BAND OF SUPPORTERS THROUGHOUT THE LAND YOU ARE OR FOR THEM YOU HAD BEEN THE BEST HOPE OF RUNNING AN UNCHALLENGED ,ABOUR 0ARTY WAY INTO THE FUTURE SO WHAT WENT WRONG .OT YOUR FAULT 0RIME -INISTER )T IS UNDOUBTEDLY DOWN TO THE LACK

IN HAMBURGER NEITHER APPLE NOR PINE IN PINEAPPLE %NGLISH MUFl NS WERE NOT

)N THE TIME REMAINING TO YOU DURING YOUR @PRESIDENCY 9OU SEE RANTING HAS ALWAYS YOU MAY YET HAVE TIME TO BEEN A FAMILY THING APOLOGISE TO OUR 'AELIC .ORDIC 4ONY "LAIR AND 'ERMANIC PARTNERS FOR THE 9OU SEE RANTING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FAMILY IRRITATION THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED THING -Y MUM LIKES TO RANT ABOUT POOR

BY YOU FOR NOT HAVING INSISTED SERVICE IN RESTURANTS MY DAD LIKES TO RANT ABOUT THE FOOTBALL AND MY NAN GOES OFF ON .OT YOUR FAULT 0RIME THAT YOU ALL DO BUSINESS IN ONE EVERY TIME #AROL 6ORDERMAN APPEARS -INISTER )T IS UNDOUBTEDLY ,ATIN ON HER 46 SCREEN (OWEVER ONE PERSON THAT ALWAYS LIKES DOWN TO THE LACK OF INVENTED IN %NGLAND OR &RENCH FRIES IN A GOOD OLD RANT ABOUT LIFE IS MY GRANDAD UNDERSTANDING BY YOUR &RANCE 3WEETMEATS ARE CANDIES WHILE 4OWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR HE WROTE SWEETBREADS WHICH ARE NOT SWEET ARE MEAT A LETTER TO OUR 0RIME -INISER ) WAS SO %UROPEAN COLLEAGUES OF THE s 1UICK SANDS WORK SLOWLY BOXING RINGS IMPRESSED AFTER READING IT THAT ) THOUGHT ) NUANCES OF OUR LANGUAGE ARE SQUARE AND A GUINEA PIG IS NEITHER FROM WOULD SHARE IT WITH YOU $EAR -R "LAIR

)T IS WITH CONCERN FOR YOUR LEGACY AS 0RIME -INISTER OF OUR GREAT AND DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY THAT ) WRITE TO YOU OFFERING WHAT MIGHT WELL BE PERHAPS THE

OF UNDERSTANDING BY YOUR %UROPEAN COLLEAGUES OF THE NUANCES OF OUR LANGUAGE ) WILL ENCLOSE A SHORT LIST OF A FEW WORDS THAT COULD WELL HAVE CAUSED CONCERN BUT FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE DELECTATION YOU MIGHT LIKE TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING s 4HERE IS NO EGG IN EGGPLANT OR HAM

'UINEA NOR IS IT A PIG s 7HILE THE PLURAL OF TOOTH IS TEETH WHY ISN T THE PLURAL OF BOOTH BEETH s /NE GOOSE GEESE 3O ONE MOOSE

MEESE )F YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF ODDS AND ENDS AND GET RID OF ALL BUT ONE OF THEM

WHAT DO YOU CALL IT )S IT AN ODD OR AN END s )F TEACHERS TAUGHT WHY DID PREACHERS

NOT PRAUGHT )F A VEGETARIAN EATS VEGETABLES

WHAT DOES A HUMANITARIAN EAT )N WHAT LANGUAGE DO PEOPLE RECITE AT A PLAY AND PLAY AT A RECITAL 3HIP BY TRUCK AND SEND CARGO

BY SHIP s (OW CAN A SLIM CHANCE AND A FAT CHANCE BE THE SAME WHILE A WISE MAN AND A WISE GUY ARE OPPOSITES /NE MUST MARVEL AT THE LUNACY OF OUR LANGUAGE WHEN YOUR HOUSE GETS BURNT UP AS IT BURNS DOWN IN WHICH YOU l LL IN A FORM THAT YOU l LL OUT )N THE TIME REMAINING TO YOU DURING YOUR @PRESIDENCY YOU MAY YET HAVE TIME TO APOLOGISE TO OUR 'AELIC .ORDIC AND 'ERMANIC PARTNERS FOR THE IRRITATION THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY YOU FOR NOT HAVING INSISTED THAT YOU ALL DO BUSINESS IN ,ATIN ) WOULD WISH YOU AND YOUR MINISTERS A MERRY #HRISTMAS BUT REGRET THAT THAT WOULD LACK SINCERITY 9OURS SINCERELY * * "UCKLAND

Spencer George

STUDENT VOLUNTEERING BANGOR

)

T S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN THE STUDENT CLUBS AND SOCIETIES HAVE A RE SHUFm E OF THEIR COMMITTEES AND 3TUDENT 6OLUNTEERING "ANGOR 36" IS NO EXCEPTION 4HE CURRENT 0ROMOTIONS #OMMITTEE SEE CHARMING PHOTO HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB THIS PAST YEAR AND HELPED MANY OF YOU STUDENTS TO GET MORE OUT OF STUDENT LIFE THAN ACADEMIC WORK AND DRINKING 4HEY HAVE BROUGHT GREAT NIGHTS OUT LIKE THE -OULIN 2OUGE NIGHT IN *ANUARY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY ENSURED THAT THE VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS HELD WITHIN THE COMMUNITY HAVE RUN SMOOTHLY AND VERY SUCCESSFULLY ) MIGHT ADD "UT LIKE ALL GOOD THINGS IT MUST COME TO AN END AND THAT S WHERE YOU COME IN 36" IS LOOKING FOR NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS 4HERE ARE POSITIONS FOR TWO &UNDRAISING /Fl CERS TWO 0UBLICITY /Fl CERS TWO 3OCIAL 3ECRETARIES AND THE #HAIRPERSON $O YOU THINK YOU ARE UP TO THE CHALLENGE (AVE YOU GOT GREAT FUNDRAISING IDEAS BURSTING TO GET OUT WHICH YOU KNOW WILL BRING IN CASH FOR A GOOD CAUSE /R DO YOU PRIDE YOURSELF AS THE PERSON WHO ALWAYS ARRANGES THE BEST NIGHTS OUT THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT FOR YEARS TO COME 0ERHAPS

YOU FEEL YOUR CREATIVITY HAS TAKEN A DIVE IN YOUR DEGREE AND YOU WANT TO GET THOSE JUICES m OWING AGAIN BY DESIGNING PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL SUCH AS POSTERS SCREEN SAVERS AND m YERS 7HATEVER IT IS THAT m OATS YOUR BOAT

WHY NOT l ND OUT MORE INFORMATION AT WWW UNDEB BANGOR AC UK SVB OR EMAIL JEN NA HUGHES UNDEB BANGOR AC UK AND APPLY NOW FOR A POSITION ON THE 36" 0ROMOTIONS #OMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TIME AT UNIVERSITY (ERE ARE SOME VERY EXCITING DATES ARRANGED BY THE CURRENT 0ROMOTIONS #OMMITTEE THAT ARE COMING UP SOON AND ARE WELL WORTH PENCILLING INTO YOUR DIARY • !PRIL "IKE RIDE FUNDRAISING EVENT %MAIL SVB FUNDRAISING UNDEB BANGOR AC UK TO JOIN IN AND HELP RAISE MONEY • -AY LISTEN OUT TO 3TORM &- FOR 36" S SLOT 'UARANTEED TO BE HILARIOUS • -AY 36" S AWARDS NIGHT AND ANNUAL REVIEW FOLLOWED BY WHAT IS SURE TO BE ANOTHER GREAT SOCIAL TH -AY 3). NIGHT STRIKE 7ITH A 'REASE ,IGHTNING THEME IT WILL BE ANOTHER GREAT NIGHT OUT FOR ALL YOU STUDENTS TO GET IN YOUR FANCY DRESS 3EE YOU THERE

Becky Fountain

WAR CHILD DOG TAGS AVAILABLE FROM HMV

7

AR #HILD DOG TAGS WENT ON SALE ON ND -ARCH THIS YEAR TO HELP FUND IT S WORK IN COUNTRIES SUCH AS )RAQ !FGHANISTAN AND THE $EMOCRATIC 2EPUBLIC OF #ONGO 7AR #HILD WORKS TO PROTECT STREET CHILDREN CHILD SOLDIERS AND CHILDREN IN PRISON 4HE DOG TAGS ARE AVAILABLE FROM (-6 NOW

Emma Dodd

6

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

COSMIC KERRIE 9

OU LL FANCY BREAKING A FEW RULES THIS MONTH

AND STEPPING OUT OF YOUR USUAL BOUNDARIES )N FACT ANYTHING PROGRESSIVE WILL m OAT YOUR BOAT 9OU MIGHT ALSO l ND YOURSELF BEING A LITTLE MORE PERCEPTIVE THAN USUAL n WHICH MIGHT EVEN MAKE YOU THINK TWICE ABOUT UNLEASHING YOUR l ERY TEMPER 3O DON T BE SURPRISED IF YOUR HOUSEMATES GIVE YOU A FEW QUIZZICAL LOOKS AS YOU SPRING ABOUT LIKE A NEW BORN LAMB "EST JUST PRE WARN THEM THOUGH YOUR INNER RAM WILL BE BACK COME !PRIL

5

SUALLY 4AURUS FOLKS ARE VERY CONTENT WITH THE SIMPLE PLEASURES IN LIFE ! DECENT MEAL

COMFY BED OR A DRINK DOWN THE PUB WITH THEIR FRIENDS USUALLY SATISl ES THEM (OWEVER THIS -ARCH THERE S A DIFFERENT SCENT IN THE AIR AND NO IT S NOT THE WHIFF OF THEIR FAVOURITE FOOD )N FACT IT S THE SMELL OF CHANGE OOH SHOCK HORROR AND THE DESIRE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND A BIT QUIRKY 3O MAKE THE MOST OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WALK ON THE WILD SIDE 4AURUSxBECAUSE YOU LL BE BACK TO YOUR STUBBORN SELF BEFORE LONG

Cancer (22nd June – 23rd July)

)

T LOOKS LIKE MONEY COULD BE COMING YOUR WAY SO PUT ON A CHEESY GRIN AND KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT TO ACCEPT IT (OWEVER IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE YOU LL BE SPENDING THIS MONEY AT THE END OF -ARCH BUT IT WILL BE ON SOMETHING WORTHWHILE 4HERE S A LUNAR ECLIPSE THIS MONTH AND AS #ANCER IS RULED BY THE -OON EXPECT TO FEEL QUITE POWERFUL ! WORD OF ADVICE THOUGH DON T HURRY DECISIONS OR MAKE RASH PROMISES UNLESS YOU ARE SURE YOU CAN ACHIEVE THEM 0OWER WITHOUT PLANNING IS AS BAD AS A HOT ROOM WITHOUT FANNINGxOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT

Gemini (22nd May – 21st June)

)

F YOU VE BEEN PUSHING A PROJECT OR CAREER ASPIRATION RECENTLY THEN BE PREPARED FOR IT TO TAKE OFF AT FULL SPEED !N ERA OF NEW GROWTH IS ABOUT TO BEGIN FOR YOU SO WHETHER YOU RE TRYING TO EXTEND YOUR EXPERIENCES OR YOUR HAIR NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT !ND

EVEN IF YOU RE NOT SURE WHAT YOUR GOALS ARE IN LIFE THE -ARCH TIME HEAVENS ARE SURE TO PUSH YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AT A VERY FAST SPEED 9OUR SHARP WIT SHOULD KEEP YOU SAFE JUST SO LONG AS YOU RE NOT TEMPTED TO STRETCH YOUR HANDS OUTSIDE THE CARRIAGE

Aquarius (21st January – 19th February)

Libra (24th September – 23rd October)

$

ON T WORRY IF THE UNEXPECTED JUMPS OUT TO SURPRISE YOU THIS -ARCH 9OUR PLANS MIGHT INITIALLY GO TITS UP BUT IT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE JUST WHAT YOU NEED &OR EXAMPLE SAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE PEANUT BUTTER ON TOAST WHEN SUDDENLY AFTER ACCIDENTALLY SPILLING SOME JAM ON THERE TOO YOU BECOME ENLIGHTENED 7ELL THIS IS KIND OF LIKE THAT ONLY POSSIBLY STICKIER !ND OH LA LA THERE IS LOTS OF LOVE m OWING AROUND ,IBRANS THIS MONTH )T LOOKS LIKE YOU LL BE EXTENDING PARTNERSHIPS OF ALL KINDSxUNTIL LATE -ARCH WHERE CERTAIN FRIENDS MIGHT REALLY START TO WIND YOU UP

APPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU -ARCH BORN l SHIES 9OU VE GOT A GREAT PRESENT A LUNAR ECLIPSE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH n WHICH WILL LEAVE YOU FEELING REFRESHED AND READY FOR ANYTHING 9OU LL BE FEELING VERY INDEPENDENT AND WON T WANT TO WAIT FOR ANY STICK IN THE MUDS WHO CAN T KEEP UP 3O DON T )T S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO CONCENTRATE ON GOING IT ALONE THIS -ARCH

AND SETTING UP NEW VENTURES OR EVEN AD VENTURES 4HESE NEW THINGS WILL BRING YOU LOTS OF LOVELY BUBBLY REWARDSxLIKE A GIANT !ERO CHOCOLATE BAR

#

APRICORNS AREN T WELL KNOWN FOR BEING ECCENTRIC SO YOU MIGHT BE SOMEWHAT SURPRISED AT YOURSELF WHEN YOU BECOME MORE BRASH AND OUTSPOKEN THIS MONTH 9OU LL FEEL THE NEED FOR CHANGE SO IF ANYTHING COMES ALONG THAT S SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT GIVE IT A GO "Y MID -ARCH THIS NEW ADDITION TO YOUR LIFE WILL FEEL ALL NICE AND m UFFY AND YOU LL WONDER HOW YOU EVER GOT BY WITHOUT IT (OWEVER SLOWLY BUT SURLY

YOU WILL SLOWLY SLIP BACK TO YOUR NORMAL SELF "UT IF THERE S ONE THING YOU SHOULD REMEMBER FROM THIS MONTH IT S THAT SOME SCARY THINGS CAN ACTUALLY BE NICE AND m UFFY ON THE INSIDE

h.

IP v 4HAT WAS THE SOUND OF THE 4RAVEL "UG AS HIS JAWS BIT RIGHT INTO YOUR BUM 3O PICK UP YOUR PACK AND GET MOVING OR IF YOU RE SKINT START PLANNING YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE ANYWAY 9OU LL BE FEELING QUITE CREATIVE THIS -ARCH TOO SO WHY NOT USE THAT ENERGY AND CHANNEL IT INTO DESIGNING YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY %VEN IF THE REALITY OF IT IS A LONG WAY OFF JUST THINKING ABOUT IT IS BOUND TO PUT YOU IN A GOOD MOOD &RESH CONNECTIONS WILL ALSO BE ARISING BOTH INTELLECTUALLY AND VERBALLY

SO ALL IN ALL LOOK FORWARD TO A GOOD MONTH

THAT WITH ANOTHER YEAR OF PRESIDENCY UNDER HIS BELT NOW WAS THE BEST TIME TO ANNOUNCE THEIR ENGAGEMENT .O FURTHER DETAILS ARE KNOWN AT THE PRESENT TIME BUT REST ASSURED 3EREN WILL HAVE ALL THE NEWS HOT OFF THE PRESS

Chris Thomson

Leo (24th July – 23rd August)

-

ARS IS COMING INTO YOUR SIGN THIS -ARCH WHICH MEANS YOU LL BE FEELING COMPETITIVE DYNAMIC AND STIMULATING )T COULD ALSO MEAN THAT YOU LL BE MEETING SOME EQUALLY COMPETITIVE DYNAMIC AND STIMULATING PEOPLE SO PREPARE FOR A BUSY MONTH (OLD YOUR HEAD UP LIKE THE PROUD LION YOU ARE AND MEET THEM HEAD ON THEY LL LOVE YOU FOR IT -ARS WILL ALSO HAVE YOUR LIBIDO l RED UP TOO SO PREPARE FOR SOME STEAMY TIMES AHEAD 4HIS WILL REALLY BE A BOISTEROUS MONTH FOR YOU ,EOS n GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY

Scorpio (24th October – 22 November)

"

OTH EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY YOU ARE TESTING YOURSELF AIMING FOR A DREAM THAT YOU HAVE DECIDED NEEDS TO BECOME A REALITY 9OUR VISIONS WILL BECOME CLEARER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH AND THINGS WILL START TO FALL INTO PLACE WITH EASE $ON T BE SUSPICIOUS IF YOU WORKED HARD YOU HAVE NO NEED TO BE (OWEVER AFTER THIS INITIAL SUCCESS YOU LL l ND YOURSELF FEELING A BIT CRANKY TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH UNLESS YOU SET YOURSELF ANOTHER TARGET TO OCCUPY YOUR PHENOMENAL WILL (OW ABOUT RE DECORATING THE WHOLE HOUSE 'O ON ) M SURE YOUR LANDLORD WON T NOTICE AT ALL

STORM SIN NIGHT

3

#

Sagittarius (23rd November – 21st December)

9

PRESIDENT ENGAGES EDITOR

ONSISTENCY LEADERSHIP AND EXPERIENCE WERE NOT THE ONLY THINGS 35 0RESIDENT 3AM "URNETT PROPOSED THIS MONTH AS HE ALSO ASKED FOR THE HAND IN MARRIAGE OF 3EREN %DITOR %MMA $ODD 5NBEKNOWN TO ALL 3AM AND %MMA HAVE BEEN DATING FOR THE BEST PART OF A YEAR NOW AND 3AM FELT

9

OUR FREEDOM WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU THIS MONTH SO DON T LET ANYONE CRAMP YOUR STYLE !ND THERE S ANOTHER TYPE OF CRAMP YOU LL HAVE TO AVOID TOO STOMACH CRAMPS 4HE STOMACH IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SIGN OF 6IRGO SO MAKE SURE YOU RE GOOD TO YOUR TUMMY THIS -ARCH 7E ALL KNOW HOW GOOD A GREASY KEBAB TASTES AFTER A NIGHT OUT BUT YOU LL BENEl T FROM AVOIDING THE KEBAB SHOP NEXT TIME YOU RE SLOSHED AND MORE THAN A BIT MERRY ) KNOW THAT BREAKS RULE NUMBER OF @4HE 'REAT 3TUDENT 'UIDE TO 3TUFl NG 9OUR &ACE 7HEN $RUNK BUT TRUST ME ON THIS ONE ) M AN ASTROLOGER

OU WILL EXPERIENCE A WELCOME BURST OF CONl DENCE AND ENTHUSIASM AFTER PREVIOUS TRIALS EARLY THIS -ARCH %ARLY IN THE MONTH IS ALSO THE TIME TO CONCENTRATE ON YOUR l NANCES AS UNEXPECTED EXPENSES MAY NIP YOUR TOES LIKE A NAUGHTY PUPPY 0UT SOME MONEY AWAY FOR EMERGENCIES

AND AVOID ANY EXTRAVAGANCES IN THE SHOPS BELIEVE IT OR NOT THE SPARKLY STILETTOS YOU VE HAD YOUR EYES ON ARE NOT A NECESSITY 2EALLY TRY AND CONCENTRATE ON THE LONG TERM (AVE PATIENCE AND FORESIGHT AND INVEST FOR YOUR FUTURExAND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT THOSE STILETTOS WILL BE IN THE SALE

Capricorn (22nd December – 20th January)

Pisces (20th February – 20th March)

(

Virgo (24th August – 23rd September)

Aries (21st March - 20th April)

Taurus (21st April – 21st May)

). 3). 3). LOOK WHERE WE VE BEEN AND WHERE WE ARE TONIGHT 3TORM &- HELD ITS LONG AWAITED LAUNCH PARTY ON 4UESDAY T &EBRUARY (EAVILY PROMOTED BEFOREHAND IT PROMISED TO BE A GOOD NIGHT 4HE NIGHT WAS TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR 3TORM &- "ANGOR S 3TUDENT 3OUND )F YOU MISSED IT HERE S WHAT HAPPENED !CADEMI WAS THE LOCATION AND PM THE TIME &ANCY DRESS WAS OPTIONAL ALTHOUGH A SURPRISING NUMBER DID TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRESS UP WITH 3UPERGIRL !UDREY (EPBURN

AND PLENTY OF PIRATES FAIRIES GANGSTERS AND CATS ALL KEPT IN LINE BY THE 2INGMASTER 4HE "ANGOR 5NIVERSITY "IG "AND STARTED PROCEEDINGS WITH A ROUSING ONE HOUR SET !LL THE FAVOURITES WERE PLAYED THE DANCE m OOR l LLING UP IN MINUTES 7ELSH SIGNED ARTIST 3ARAH ,OUISE WAS NEXT KICKING OFF WITH A #OLDPLAY SONG 4HE NIGHTS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT WAS ROUNDED OFF WITH A FABULOUS SET BY 4HE 7OLFENDEN 3TATE SEMI l NALISTS IN THE "ATTLE OF 4HE "ANDS HELD IN 4HE -ENAI 4HE NIGHT ENDED WITH THE

DRAWING OF THE MUCH ANTICIPATED RAFm E 0RIZES INCLUDED BOOKS $6$S AND #$S !FTERWARDS THE WINNERS CELEBRATED THE BANDS PACKED UP AND THE REST OF US DANCED MERRILY AWAY TO THE $* SETS (ELPING TO ORGANISE THE 3). NIGHT WAS DEl NITELY HARD WORK BUT IT ALL PAID OFF %VERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME THE BANDS WERE AMAZING THE PRIZES WERE GREAT AND WE RAISED A LOT OF MONEY FOR 3TORM !LL THIS AND WE MANAGED TO LOOK COOL IN GLOWSTICKS 4HIS REPORTER DIDN T GET HOME UNTIL AM AND AS A MEMBER OF THE 3TORM %XECUTIVE ) HAD TO HELP TIDY UP AFTER YOU ALL ONCE YOU HAD GONE TO YOUR BEDS -Y HEELED BOOTS HOWEVER MEANT THAT MY hHELPINGv CONSISTED OF SITTING ON THE STAGE SMILING AT THE BOYS WHO CARRIED HEAVY THINGS PAST ME 4HE NEXT MORNING ) WAS VERY TIRED BUT HAPPY AS A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

Natalie Pierce Jones

7

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Health THE GREAT ORME

3

PRING IS SUPPOSEDLY HERE THOUGH WITH "ANGOR WEATHER SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW DAYS WITH SOME GORGEOUS SUNSHINE HOPEFULLY A TASTE OF WHAT IS TO COME 7ELL ARE WE READY FOR SPRING SUMMER &IRST LET S DITCH THE BLACK AND DARK COLOURS WE NEED TO BRIGHTEN OUR WARDROBES AND THERE IS A LOT OUT THERE 4RY WEARING THE FOLLOWING BOLD COLOURS GREEN IS A LOVELY COLOUR FOR SPRING ALONG WITH YELLOW RED

BLUES AND PURPLES )F YOU DON T WANT TO GO FOR BLOCK COLOURS TRY COLOURFUL ACCESSORIES LIKE BANGLES EARRINGS A BEADED NECKLACE OR SCARF !LSO IN ARE GEOMETRIC PRINTS IF YOU RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO WEAR THEM THEN GO FOR

IT 9OU CAN TONE THE LOOK DOWN WITH PLAIN TROUSERS OR A SIMPLE SKIRT 4HE SMOCK IS BACK BUT PERSONALLY ) THINK THEY CAN MAKE THE THINNEST PERSON LOOK LIKE THEY ARE PREGNANT ) WOULD AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS THOUGH IF TEAMED UP WITH SKINNY JEANS OR BLACK LEGGINGS IT COULD WORK !NOTHER HOT TREND AT THE MOMENT IS MONOCHROME 4RY A STRIPED DRESS TOP SMOCK JUST REMEMBER LESS IS MORE WITH THIS TREND +EEPING TO A SIMPLE BLACK AND WHITE COMBO IS ALWAYS A DRAMATIC LOOK AND IF WORN CORRECTLY CAN BE STRIKING AND WOULD LOOK HOT ON A NIGHT OUT IN 4RASH -OST OF THE SHOPS ARE DISPLAYING A GREAT SELECTION OF SUMMER DRESSES ) LOVE THE TUNIC

DOC SPOT !

LTHOUGH WE ALL ARE AWARE OF THE HEALTH DEPLETING EFFECTS OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND TOXIC FOODS TOXIC EMOTIONS ARE OFTEN THE MOST HARMFUL OF THE AGEING PROCESSES 7HENEVER YOU CARRY RESENTMENT HOSTILITY REGRET OR GRIEVANCES IN YOUR HEART YOUR VITALITY IS ERODED 4RY THIS SIMPLE PRACTICE l ND A QUIET PLACE

SIT COMFORTABLY AND CLOSE YOUR EYES 9OU MIGHT SEE THAT YOUR MIND WANDERS WHEN YOU DO THIS 4RY TO CONCENTRATE AND AFTER SOME TIME IT WILL BE STILL !FTER A LITTLE WHILE

BRING YOUR ATTENTION INTO YOUR BODY AND SCAN FOR ANY AREA OF TENSION )F YOU IDENTIFY A PLACE OF CONGESTION HAVE THE INTENTION TO LET IT GO "RING ATTENTION TO YOUR HEART AND ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THINGS FOR WHICH YOU FEEL GRATEFUL !SK YOURSELF THE QUESTION 7HAT AM ) CARRYING WITH ME FROM THE PAST THAT IS NO LONGER SERVING ME WELL IN THE PRESENT )F YOU IDENTIFY ANY ENCUMBRANCES IN YOUR HEART HAVE THE INTENTION TO RELEASE THEM NOW ,ET GO ALL RESENTMENTS GRIEVANCES

OR REGRETS THAT YOU l ND !S YOU RELEASE THESE TOXIC EMOTIONS SEE IF YOU l ND THE

GIFT THAT THIS TOXIC EMOTION WAS HIDING &OR EXAMPLE IF YOU FELT PAIN AS A RESULT OF SOMEONE S BEHAVIOUR THE GIFT MAY BE THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED MORE SELF RELIANCE -AKE THE COMMITMENT TO REGULARLY ACKNOWLEDGE GRATITUDE AND RELINQUISH ALL GRIEVANCES FROM YOUR HEART %NCUMBERING YOUR HEART WITH TOXIC EMOTIONS PREVENTS YOU FROM FULLY EXPERIENCING THE MAGIC MYSTERY AND JOY THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU RIGHT NOW -AKE THE COMMITMENT TO RELEASE THE RESENTMENT

REGRET AND GRIEVANCES THAT ARE CAUSING YOU MORE HARM THAN GOOD 4HE PROCESS OF RELEASING EMOTIONAL TOXINS IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF RELEASING PHYSICAL ONES 9OU MUST l RST HAVE A CLEAR INTENTION THAT YOU WANT TO REPLACE LIFE DEPLETING EMOTIONS WITH LIFE ENHANCING ONES 4HE CONVERTING OF REGRET AND RESENTMENT INTO COMPASSION AND FORGIVENESS CAN DRAMATICALLY AWAKEN YOUR BODY MIND AND SPIRIT TO YOUR PRIMORDIAL VITAL ENERGY 9OU CAN WRITE ABOUT THE HISTORY THAT CREATED THIS TOXIC EMOTION DESCRIBING WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW YOU FEEL AS A RESULT OF THE

Sophie talks health, beauty and fashion tips

LOOK TEAMED WITH SHORTS OR TIGHTS THEY ARE VERY m ATTERING AND HIDE A MULTITUDE OF SINS /THER DRESS TYPES THAT ARE IN THIS SEASON INCLUDE MINIS VOLUME PRINTS BLOCK COLOUR

SHIFT AND METALLIC 0ICK YOUR FANCY AND TEAM WITH SOME SPRING HEELS WHICH MAKE LEGS LOOK INCHES LONGER AND ARE VERY STYLISH WITH SOME SKINNY JEANS $ON T BE AFRAID OF THE HILL IN HEELS DRUNK ENOUGH YOU WON T BE OUT OF BREATH 3EREN DOES NOT HOWEVER CONDONE EXCESSIVE DRINKING ! TREND THAT ) ADORE IS BIG BAGS THEY ARE FABULOUS AND SINCE WE ARE ALL STUDENTS YOU CAN l T YOUR NOTES MAKE UP AND EVEN A CHANGE OF CLOTHES ,IKE -ARY 0OPPINS WE CAN CARRY OUR LIVES AROUND IN THERE AND STILL

HAVE ROOM FOR MORE SHOPPING PERFECT !LSO NOTE THAT YOU CAN USE THIS WONDERFUL ACCESSORY TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR OUTl T WITH A REALLY COLOURFUL BAG !NOTHER TREND ) HAVE NOTICED IS CROPPED COATS 4HEY COME IN A VARIETY OF COLOURS 0EACOCKS HAS AN ESPECIALLY GREAT SELECTION 3O SLIP ON YOUR SEXY HEELS TUNIC DRESS

MINI COAT BIG BAG AND OVERSIZED SUNNIES AND

SITUATION *OURNALING UPSETTING EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES CAN IMPROVE IMMUNE FUNCTION

AS WELL AS GAIN CLARITY AND INSIGHT 3TEER CLEAR OF WORDS LIKE ABANDONED ABUSED NEGLECTED

AND MISTREATED INSTEAD DESCRIBE CLEARLY THE ACTUAL FEELINGS OF ANGER SADNESS LONELINESS AND FEAR ASSOCIATED WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES EVOKED /NCE YOU HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO TOXIC EMOTIONS

CREATE A RITUAL DESIGNED TO RELEASE THE HOLD THESE FEELING HAVE ON YOUR SOUL $O SOME DEEP BREATHING GET A MASSAGE POUND A PILLOW DANCE WITH ABANDON OR GO FOR A LONG RUN UNTIL YOUR BODY HAS RELEASED THE TENSION THAT IS STORED WITH REGARD TO THIS EMOTION 4HEN OPEN YOUR HEART TO FEELINGS THAT GENERATE THE AGE REVERSING EMOTIONS OF FORGIVENESS HARMONY LAUGHTER AND LOVE

RATHER THAN THE ENTROPY EVOKING ONES OF ANGUISH RESENTMENT REGRET AND DESPAIR 4OXIC EMOTIONS ARE HARMFUL ACCELERATORS FOR THE AGEING PROCESS AND IT NEEDS COMMITMENT TO RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR HEART AND MIND 9OU MAY l ND YOURSELF IN RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE LACED WITH CONm ICT

)F YOU ACCEPT THAT REALITY IS A SELECTIVE ACT OF PERCEPTION AND INTERPRETATION THE MOST EMPOWERING WAY TO TRANSFORM A RELATIONSHIP IS TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU VIEW THE OTHER PERSON %VERY RELATIONSHIP IS A MIRROR THAT CAN SHOW YOU SOME ASPECT OF YOURSELF 7HEN YOU ARE ENGAGED IN A CONm ICT ASK YOURSELF

WHAT IS THIS SITUATION TELLING ME ABOUT MY OWN NATURE 7RITE DOWN AS MANY TRAITS YOU CAN THINK OF THAT DESCRIBE THE PERSON WITH WHOM YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS .OW LOOK AT YOURSELF !RE THESE WORDS THAT OTHERS MIGHT USE TO DESCRIBE YOU $O YOU HAVE THE TENDENCY TO REm ECT THESE TRAITS (AVE YOU EXPRESSED THESE QUALITIES IN THE PAST -ORE OFTEN THAN NOT THE TRAITS THAT BOTHER YOU THE MOST IN ANOTHER PERSON ARE THE ONES YOU TRY HARDEST TO DENY IN YOURSELF !S YOU EMBRACE THESE DARKER QUALITIES IN YOUR HEART YOU MAY l ND YOURSELF LESS INCLINED TO JUDGE SOMEONE ELSE FOR EXPRESSING THEM !S YOU RELINQUISH YOUR JUDGEMENT AND INTERPRETATION YOU MAY OPEN TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE ARE QUALITIES THAT MAY BE ATTRACTIVE IN THE PERSON

WHICH YOU HAVE NOT ALLOWED YOURSELF TO SEE

DAZZLE "ANGOR (IGH 3TREET

Sophie de l’Orme

%VERYONE THINKS OF CHANGING THE WORLD

BUT NO ONE THINKS OF CHANGING HIMSELF OR HERSELF &OR MORE DETAILS SUGGESTIONS OR QUERIES MAIL HEALTH U? YAHOO COM

Dr. Rashesh

REFERENDUM 6

OTING FEVER HIT "ANGOR THIS MONTH WITH STUDENTS ELECTING BOTH NEXT YEAR S 3TUDENTS 5NION POSITIONS AND DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT THE 5NIVERSITY OF 7ALES "ANGOR SHOULD REMAIN AFl LIATED TO THE .53 /F LATE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN RAISED AS TO WHETHER THE .53 REMAIN VALUE FOR MONEY

-OREOVER THEY SUPPORTED LAST YEAR S !54 STRIKES PROLONGING THEM TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE STUDENT POPULACE &REE DISCOUNTS HAVE ALSO BEEN DISAPPEARING DUE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF .53 %XTRA CARDS AS WELL AS CAMPAIGNS BEING RUN WHICH HAVE LITTLE SIGNIl CANCE TO STUDENTS )T WAS THEREFORE DECIDED AT #OUNCIL THAT A REFERENDUM

SHOULD BE HELD AND THAT THE STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANTED TO REMAIN AFl LIATED OR NOT !RDENT CAMPAIGNING TOOK PLACE FROM BOTH SIDES WITH .53 7ALES ON CAMPUS INFORMING STUDENTS OF THE h.Ov CAMPAIGN AND AN %MERGENCY 'ENERAL -EETING WHERE THE STUDENTS ASKED QUESTIONS AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THEIR OWN VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT ACROSS 4HE MAIN CONSENSUS SEEMED TO BE EITHER hNOv OR THAT THE STUDENTS DIDN T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE MATTER TO ANSWER THE QUESTION (OWEVER THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ON THE SUBJECT WAS NOT THROUGH LACK OF INTEREST 4HE STUDENTS TURNED OUT EN MASS AT THE %'- TO SHOW HOW THEY THOUGHT AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MATTER THE MAIN QUESTION BEING WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM IF "ANGOR DID DISAFl LIATE !FTER AN EVENING OF LIVELY DEBATE WITH BOTH THE @9ES AND @.O CAMPAIGNERS AND EVEN SOME BOOING DIRECTED AT OUR 35 PRESIDENT THE STUDENTS SEEMED EVEN MORE WILLING TO VOTE 6OTING TOOK PLACE ON THE TH TH AND TH OF -ARCH AND A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS OVER TOOK PART /N THE MOST PART STUDENT VOTING IS USUALLY DRIVEN BY SWEETS AND BEING STOPPED AND HARASSED AT VARIOUS POINTS TO ASK IF THEY HAVE VOTED THIS YEAR IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE STUDENTS WERE MORE CONCERNED #AMPAIGNERS FOR THE %XEC ELECTIONS WERE ASKED THEIR CANDIDATE S POSITION ON THE

.53 DISAFl LIATION ISSUE BUT THE STUDENTS STILL SEEMED TO HAVE VERY LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT WITH MANY HAVING TO HAVE THE REFERENDUM VOTING PROCESS EXPLAINED TO THEM 4HE RESULTS WHICH WERE RELEASED ON THE TH -ARCH WERE A LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR THE @.O CAMPAIGN WITH TWO @.O VOTES TO EVERY @9ES 4HE 5NIVERSITY OF 7ALES "ANGOR

WILL NOW REMAIN AFl LIATED TO THE .53 FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT MONTHS AND THE STUDENTS CAN CONTINUE TO BE SAFE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THEY ARE REPRESENTED AT A NATIONAL LEVEL

Cat Prince

8

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Travel travel@seren.bangor.ac.uk

Memories of Mexico

$

URING THE SUMMER OF ) TRAVELLED WITH A FRIEND TO -EXICO FOR THREE WEEKS TO CLIMB -EXICO S HIGHEST -OUNTAIN 0ICO $E /RIZABA 4HE l RST THING ) NOTICED AS ) LEFT THE AIRPORT WAS THE SMELL -EXICO #ITY HAS A SORT OF SWEET ROTTING SMELL COUPLED WITH THE SMELL OF EXHAUST -EXICO #ITY IS THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED CITY IN THE WORLD ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST POLLUTED 4HE WHOLE OF ,ATIN !MERICA IS THE SAME WHEN IT COMES TO TRAVELLING AROUND BY ROAD IT IS CARNAGE /NCE ) GOT INTO A TAXI TO GO l ND A HOTEL IT QUICKLY BECAME APPARENT THAT DRIVING AROUND WOULD BE BY FAR THE MOST DANGEROUS ACTIVITY ) D DO WHILE IN -EXICO NEVER MIND THE CLIMBING 4HE l RST CORNER ) TOOK IN A -EXICAN TAXI WAS NEARLY MY LAST -EXICO #ITY IS LIKE MOST 3PANISH TOWNS AND CITIES IT IS BASED ON THE IDEA OF A CENTRAL SQUARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN -Y HOSTEL WAS JUST OFF THIS CENTRAL PLAZA AND THAT MEANT IT WAS RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR )N THE PLAZA IT IS EASY TO PICK UP A TAXI

AND THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING AND -EXICO S BIGGEST CATHEDRAL WERE ONLY A STONE S THROW AWAY ) HIT THE STREETS AT NINE TO SPEND A WHOLE DAY SIGHTSEEING AND BUYING SUPPLIES FOR CLIMBING "UT NOTHING WAS OPEN AND THE STREETS WERE DEAD .OT EVEN ANY BANKS WERE OPEN 3O ) WENT BACK FOR SOME BREAKFAST AND TRIED AGAIN AN HOUR LATER 3TILL NOTHING WAS OPEN SOME PEOPLE WERE BEGINNING TO STIR

BUT THE STREETS WERE STILL QUIET 3O MUCH FOR WORLD S MOST POPULATED CITY )T WASN T UNTIL AROUND ELEVEN THAT THE SHOPS STARTED TO OPEN AND THE STREETS l LLED UP 4HE FUNNY THING IS THAT THE SHOPS CLOSE AGAIN AT TWO TILL THREE FOR SIESTA AND CLOSE AT FOUR TO l VE FOR THE END OF THE DAY 4HE ATTITUDE IN -EXICO IS A CHILLED ONE 5NLIKE OTHER PLACES ) VE BEEN THE STREET SELLERS DON T HASSLE YOU IF YOU WANT WHAT THEY VE GOT GREAT IF NOT THEY DON T CARE

SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE ALONG )N -EXICO #ITY SHOPPING IS HARD 5NTIL THAT IS YOU l ND THE DISTRICT FOR THE THING YOU WANT !S YOU WALK AROUND YOU GO FROM THE ELECTRONICS AREA TO TEXTILES TO SPORTS EQUIPMENT WHICH IS VERY SURREAL AND ANNOYING AS YOU MUST WALK FOR HOURS UNTIL YOU l ND THE AREA YOU NEED 4HE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THERE IS AMAZING #ROWD IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH WORD FOR IT 4HE STREETS ARE RAMMED FULL AND IT CAN BE SLOW GOING TO MOVE THROUGH THEM AND HARD WORK WATCHING OUT FOR PICK POCKETS !FTER A COUPLE OF DAYS WE HEADED TO THE MOUNTAINS 4HIS CONSISTED OF A SIXTEEN HOURS BUS JOURNEY AND LOTS MORE HAIR RAISING MOMENTS (AVING SURVIVED THIS WE ARRIVED IN THE SMALL MOUNTAIN TOWN OF 4LACHICHUCA

WHERE WE GOT A FEW STARES AS WE STOOD ALMOST A FOOT ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE !FTER WALKING AROUND FOR AN HOUR WE l NALLY FOUND OUR GUIDE S HOUSE A CONVERTED TH CENTURY SOAP FACTORY 7E SPEND A FEW DAYS THERE CHILLING OUT AND EATING THEN WE WERE DRIVEN UP

THE MOUNTAIN TO START OUR ACCLIMATIZATION PROCESS -EXICO #ITY IS FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL SO WE WERE PRETTY USED TO THE THINNER AIR

BY THIS POINT BUT IT WAS STILL HARD GOING AS WE TREKKED UP FROM FEET TO WHERE THE REFUGE FOR CLIMBERS IS 4HREE DAYS LATER

WE WERE MET BY OUR GUIDE 2OSENDO AND WE ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN (EAVY RAIN STOPPED US FROM LEAVING AT MIDNIGHT AS WE ORIGINALLY PLANNED BUT TWO HOURS LATER THE SKY WAS CLEAR AND WE WERE UNDER WAY !S WE CLIMBED WE ROSE ABOVE THE CLOUD LEVEL AND COULD SEE THE RAIN THAT HAD PASSED HAD TURNED INTO A STORM ABOUT l FTY MILES AWAY 7ATCHING LIGHTENING FROM FEET IS AWESOME AND ) WAS JUST THINKING

h4HANK 'OD IT S NOT OVER HEADv WHEN A LARGE CLAP OF THUNDER SOUNDED NOT TOO FAR OFF 2OSENDO THEN SAID hIF YOU SWING YOUR ICE AXE AND IT MAKES A NOISE LIKE A LIGHT SABRE

DROP EVERYTHING AND RUN DOWN AS YOU RE ABOUT TO GET STRUCK BY LIGHTNINGv 7E PAUSED FOR A SECOND TO WATCH THE DAWN

AND THE COLOURS AND LIGHT LEFT ME BREATHLESS 7E COULD SEE THE SUN ADVANCING ACROSS THE LAND BELOW STARTING IN THE EAST AND PASSING OVER US LIKE A WAVE OF WARMTH AND JOY !FTER NINE HOURS GOING UP WE WERE TWO HUNDRED FEET FROM THE SUMMIT

FEET AND WE HAD REACHED THE CUT OFF POINT FOR SUMMIT ATTEMPTS BECAUSE OF OUR LATE START 4HE MOUNTAIN WAS NOW TOTALLY IN LIGHT WHICH MAKES CLIMBING VERY DANGEROUS AS THE ICE

HAD STARTED TO MELT &IVE HOURS LATER WE WERE IN A JEEP DRINKING BEER AND HEADING BACK TO THE SOAP FACTORY ) WAS DISAPPOINTED BY NOT HAVING SUMMITED BUT SINCE IT WASN T DOWN TO SLOWNESS RATHER WEATHER ) QUICKLY GOT OVER IT ) SLEPT FOR ABOUT TWO DAYS AFTER WHICH WE HIGH TAILED IT ON A NIGHT BUS TOWARDS THE JUNGLE AND THE RUINS OF 0ALENQUE ON THE 9UCATAN PENINSULAR ) ENJOYED TRAVELLING AROUND USING THE NIGHT BUSES 'ET ON GO TO SLEEP WAKE UP AND YOU RE THERE %ASY ) HADN T BEEN BOTHERED BY THE HEAT SO FAR AS WE HAD BEEN QUITE HIGH UP BUT THE JUNGLE WAS AWFUL 7E THOUGHT WE D SAVE OURSELVES SOME MONEY BY WALKING THE TWO OR THREE MILES TO THE RUINS FROM THE TOWN OF 0ALENQUE

BUT AFTER TWENTY MINUTES ) WAS SOAKED WITH SWEAT AND VERY ANNOYED 4HERE ARE MULTIPLE BUSES THAT TAKE TOURISTS TO THE RUINS AND WE HOPED ON ONE TO SAVE OURSELVES FROM THE SUN

4HE RUINS OPEN AT SIX IN THE MORNING AND WE WENT THEN TO GET THE BEST VIEWS AND PICTURES OF THEM WITHOUT THE CROWDS OF PEOPLE THERE 4HE RUINS ARE SURREAL -ASSIVE BUILDINGS OF LIGHT GREY STONE THAT SPROUT OUT OF THE LIGHT GREEN JUNGLE -OST OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDINGS ARE STILL THERE AND YOU CAN WALK TO THE TOP

h4HE l RST CORNER ) TOOK IN A -EXICAN TAXI WAS NEARLY MY LASTv OF SOME OF THE MORE STABLE ONES 4HIS REALLY BROUGHT OUT MY )NDIANA *ONES SIDE AND TOOK ME BACK TO BOYHOOD FANTASIES OF BEING AN EXPLORER !PART FROM THE RUINS THERE ARE LOTS OF WILDLIFE TOURS AND TRIPS THAT YOU CAN GO ON BUT SINCE WE WERE ON A TIGHT BUDGET WE MOVED ON TOWARDS THE 0ACIl C COAST !NOTHER NIGHT BUS THEN A TEN HOUR BUS JOURNEY OVER BUMPY AND WINDING ROADS LEFT ME FEELING TRAVEL SICK .EXT DAY WE GOT A TAXI TO THE COAST TO A SMALL TOWN CALLED 0ORTO !NGEL 7E WERE THE ONLY GUESTS IN THE HOTEL WE STAYED IN AND THE WOMEN WHO OWNED IT WAS SHOCKED AND APPALLED THAT ) COULDN T SPEAK 3PANISH SO SHE GAVE ME LESSONS (OWEVER SHE COULDN T SPEAK %NGLISH SO THESE LESSONS CONSISTED OF HER HOLDING MY HAND

GESTICULATING WILDLY AND GETTING ME TO REPEAT WHAT SHE HAD JUST SAID EVEN THOUGH ) HAD NO IDEA WHAT SHE WAS SAYING 0ORTO !NGEL IS A SMALL l SHING TOWN AND THERE IS NOT MUCH HERE TO DO HERE EXCEPT TAKE VARIOUS BOAT TRIPS TO WHALE WATCH OR SNORKEL 7E DECIDED TO GO OUT ON ONE OF THESE BOATS TO SAMPLE SOME LOCAL WILDLIFE 7E SAILED TO SEVERAL COVES

Adventures from across the Pond

From Bangor to Bangor

O YOU THINK COLOSSAL STUPIDITY IS A REASON TO HORRIBLY FAIL 7ELL ) CERTAINLY DO 4HAT IS THE EXCUSE ) INTEND TO USE ON MY UPCOMING l NALS 7INTER TERM HERE HAS DRAWN TO A CLOSE

AND THE LAST THING THAT STANDS BETWEEN ME AND THE DRUNKEN OBLIVION OF #ANADA 302).' "2%!+ ARE MY l NALS /NE THING THE !MERICAN PEOPLE SEEM TO LOVE IS EXAMS .OT ONLY DO YOU HAVE MID TERMS A HAPPY LITTLE EXAM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TERM AND IF THE 0ROFESSOR IS FEELING PARTICULARLY GENEROUS YOU CAN HAVE MID TERMS IN THE TERM BUT YOU ALSO HAVE THE HORROR OF l NALS "ARELY A WEEK GOES BY WHEN ) AM NOT BEING EXAMINED ON SOMETHING 4HE GREATEST ISSUE ) HAVE WITH THESE hEXAMSv IS THAT WELL THEY EXIST ) DON T SEE WHY ) NEED TO BE EXAMINED ) AM "RITISH 4HEY SHOULD JUST ACCEPT ) AM MORALLY AND LEGALLY SUPERIOR TO THEM ALL AND CONSEQUENTLY SHOULD BE GIVEN ! S JUST FOR GRACING THEM WITH MY PRESENCE 5NFORTUNATELY THEY DON T AGREE WITH ME 2ATHER THEY SEEM TO MOCK MY ACCENT AND MY hFUNNY LITTLE SAYINGSv !NY TIME ) HEAR THE PHRASE hFUNNY LITTLE SAYINGv A RED HAZE OF MURDEROUS THOUGHTS DESCEND UPON MY BRAIN 4HE IRONY IS THAT YOU SHOULD ALL HEAR SOME OF THE WEIRD STUFF THEY COME UP WITH IN DAILY CONVERSATION 'UY $UDE DUDE (EY DUDE YEAH WELL

DUDE ) LIKE TOTALLY HAD THE MOST AWESOME WEEKEND DUDE 'UY .O 7!9 DUDE 7HAT DID YOU DO 'UY $UDE ) WENT LIKE BOARDING

DOWN THIS LIKE 3)#+ RUN DUDE IT WAS LIKE

SICK GNAR 3ICK GNAR IS THE HIGHEST ACCOLADE GIVEN TO AN ACTIVITY IN THE 53 &OR THOSE INTERESTED THE ORDER IS SICK GOOD GNAR GREAT SICK GNAR REALLY GREAT ) WOULD CONTINUE TO TRANSCRIBE BUT ) FEAR MY BRAIN MAY START LIQUEFYING 4HE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT ) HAVE STARTED TO USE THESE PHRASES IN MY DAILY LIFE ) HAVE FOUND MYSELF SAYING h$UDE 4HAT WOULD BE SWEET v AND h.O WAY $UDE ) WAS LIKE TOTALLY SCREWED v #AN ) TRUST YOU ALL TO BEAT THESE PHRASES OUT OF ME ON MY RETURN TO "ANGOR ) HOPE SO ) AM COUNTING ON YOU ALL

ERE IN -AINE WE HAVE JUST HAD 3PRING "REAKx AS MUCH AS ) WOULD LOVE TO REGALE YOU WITH HEDONISTIC TALES OF -IAMI "EACH -46 AND OODLES OF DRINK ) CANT UNFORTUNATELY THAT WAS NOT MY BREAK ) LEFT THAT TO MY OTHER INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS ) SPENT MY BREAK GOING BACK TO .EW 9ORK TO SEE MY FAMILY WHO HAD SO KINDLY m OWN OUT TO SEE ME FOR A WEEK

OH WHO AM ) KIDDING THEY HAD m OWN OUT FOR A WEEK OF SHOPPING AND SIGHTSEEING -ANHATTAN SECOND TIME ROUND WAS JUST AS FANTASTIC AS THE l RST THIS TIME AS WELL AS ALL THE USUAL SIGHTS ) GOT TO SEE A "ROADWAY SHOW AND AVOID SPENDING ANY OF MY OWN MONEY AS ) SAID A FANTASTIC TRIP )T WAS SAD TO SEE MY FAMILY LEAVE BUT ) STAYED ON IN -ANHATTAN TO SEE ONE -ISS %MMA $ODD THE EDITOR OF 3EREN FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE LIVING IN THE DARK AGES )T WAS GREAT TO SEE %MMA AND WE HAD A BLAST NAVIGATING OUR WAY ROUND 'REENWICH 6ILLAGE ENDING OUR LAST NIGHT @MERRY SHALL WE SAY 4RYING TO HAIL A TAXI AT THE END OF THE NIGHT PROVIDED ENTERTAINMENT !SIDE FROM 3PRING "REAK THIS MONTH HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING ONE 0AUL 2USESABAGINA

THE MAN WHOSE LIFE THE l LM @(OTEL 2WANDA IS BASED ON GAVE A LECTURE AT THE 5NIVERSITY )T WAS A FASCINATING TALK EXTREMELY MOVING 4HE )NTERNATIONAL /Fl CE ALSO HELD ANOTHER CLUB NIGHT @/RONOKA WHICH WAS GREAT FUN AND AN EXCUSE TO GET DRESSED UP GET DRUNK AND DANCE ,AST EDITION OF 3EREN ) WAS ON MY WAY TO 1UEBEC WELL ) CAN DEl NITELY RECOMMEND IT WE HAD A BRILLIANT TIME 4HE CLUBBING SCENE THERE IS REALLY GOOD TRYING TO WALK IN HEELS THROUGH SNOWFALL WHILST DRUNK WAS A CHALLENGE BUT AS THEY SAY @WHEN IN 2OME x AT LEAST ) KNOW NOW NOTHING WILL STAND IN THE WAY BETWEEN MY HEELS AND A DANCE m OOR

) M SURE THAT S A #6 WORTHY SKILL

$

(

(APPY %ASTER

Lucy x x x

Amy Garrett

AND EVERYONE HOPPED OUT SWAM AROUND AND GOT BACK IN AND WENT OFF TO ANOTHER COVE REPEATING THIS ALL DAY 4HIS WAS BY FAR MY FAVOURITE THING ) DID IN -EXICO ) SAW A BANDED SEA SNAKE A CONGER EEL CORALS AND LOADS OF l SH ) DON T KNOW THE NAMES FOR /N OUR LAST TRIP OUT TO SEA TO LOOK FOR DOLPHINS

OF WHICH WE SAW NONE THE BOAT S CAPTAIN DIVED OFF THE FRONT OF THE BOAT AND CAME UP HOLDING A GREEN SEA TURTLE 4HE TURTLE LOOKED MOST UNHAPPY AS MUCH AS A TURTLE CAN HAVE AN EXPRESSION ) FELT VERY ANNOYED AS ALL THE PASSENGERS GOT OFF AND SWAM WITH IT HOLDING IT AND PATTING IT !FTER l VE MINUTES IT HAD ENOUGH AND WHILE PEOPLE TRIED TO STOP IT IT DOVE AND SWAM OFF 4HE NEXT FEW DAYS WERE SPENT SNORKELLING AROUND IN THE BAY AND DRINKING #ORONA ON THE BEACH /NCE WE GOT BACK TO -EXICO #ITY WE VISITED A TEQUILA FACTORY WHERE WE GOT TO TRY LOADS OF DIFFERENT TYPES AND WERE SHOWN HOW IT WAS MADE /NCE WE WERE LOADED UP

ON TEQUILA WE WERE SENT INTO THE GIFT SHOP A GOOD PLAN FROM THE FACTORY S OWNER ) WASN T GOING TO FALL FOR THAT ) DID BUY A BOTTLE OF TEQUILA THOUGH 7OULD HAVE BEEN RUDE NOT TO 4HIS WAS THE END OF MY TIME IN -EXICO

AND DESPITE HURRICANE DELAYS ) GOT HOME WITH OUT A HITCH ) HAD SPENT THREE JAM PACKED WEEKS TRYING TO GET AS MUCH OUT OF THE PLACES AS TIME AND MONEY WOULD ALLOW -EXICO IS AMAZING THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY

THE FOOD IS GREAT THE WEATHER WAS BRILLIANT

AND ) WOULD THOROUGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE 4HE FACT THAT ) DIDN T SUMMIT THE 0ICO $E /RIZABA SIMPLY MEANS THAT ) HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE TO GO BACK AND SEE ALL OF THE THINGS ) MISSED

Luke Wilsher, Travel Editor

9

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Gap Year Anyone?

Fancy a break from the pressure of full-time education?

With a seemingly endless cycle of exams and study it is no wonder that many people choose to take a gap year after college or university. A gap year could be just the thing you need to recharge and motivate yourself before more studying. The possibilities are endless, be it going away to work in the local community, in the private sector or as a volunteer, on environmental projects, in the tourism industry or simply going to do and see all the things you’ve always wanted. You need not feel daunted by taking a whole year out either. The generous three month summer between terms gives you plenty of time to save and pack your bags for foreign shores.

Here are some ideas of what you could do.

Luke Wilsher Travel Editor

Around the World )

TOOK A GAP YEAR BEFORE STARTING UNIVERSITY LAST 3EPTEMBER AND FOUND IT A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS A GOOD EXCUSE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY VISITING PLACES ) D ALWAYS WANTED TO )T SEEMED PRUDENT TO DO SOMETHING SLIGHTLY RELATED TO WHAT ) WANTED TO STUDY :OOLOGY SO IT COULD BE POINTED OUT AS A hWORTHWHILEv USE OF MY TIME !S EDUCATIONAL AS TRAVELLING IS OTHER PEOPLE MAY NOT ALWAYS SEE GALLIVANTING OFF AROUND THE WORLD IN THIS WAY ) STARTED MY YEAR OUT WITH A THREE MONTH WORK PLACEMENT IN !USTRALIA ON A STUD FARM FOR RACEHORSES 4HIS WAS A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO MY GAP YEAR AS ) WAS FAR FROM HOME AND DID IT ON MY OWN BUT ) ARRANGED THE PLACEMENT BEFORE ) LEFT THE COUNTRY AND WORKED IN EXCHANGE FOR FOOD AND BOARD AT THE FARM SO HAD LESS TO WORRY ABOUT ) ALSO GOT TO SEE FOALS BEING BORN WHICH WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE !FTER THIS ) SPENT SOME TIME TRAVELLING IN !USTRALIA BEFORE RETURNING TO THE 5+ ) LATER VISITED 6ANCOUVER

$UBLIN AND THEN SPENT A COUPLE MONTHS IN %UROPE CATCHING TRAINS WITH AN )NTERAIL PASS ) TRAVELLED IN MORE DEVELOPED PARTS OF THE WORLD

WHICH MEANT MORE EXPENDITURE BUT THE RISK OF EXOTIC DISEASE WAS LOW OCCURRENCE OF ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND INTERNET CAF£S WAS HIGH

AND IT WAS GENERALLY LESS SCARY

4HE WORLD HAS SUCH VARIETY OF LANDSCAPES

WILDLIFE PEOPLE AND ARCHITECTURE A GAP YEAR IS A GOOD CHANCE TO SEE SOME OF IT 4HE SNOW COVERED MOUNTAINS HAD MAGICAL VIEWS WHEN ) SNOWBOARDED IN #ANADA AND THE SAND SEEMED ENDLESS NEAR .EWCASTLE

!USTRALIA IN THE 3OUTHERN (EMISPHERE S LARGEST COASTAL DESERT !T THE 'REAT "ARRIER 2EEF ) SAW COUNTLESS lSH AND CORALS PLUS THE ODD SHARK AND TURTLE WHILST THE #AMARGUE

$ELTA IN 3OUTH &RANCE WHERE ) WENT ON @3AFARI IS FAMOUS FOR ITS WHITE HORSES BULLS AND mAMINGOS &ROM 3YDNEY TO 6ANCOUVER

TO 6ENICE AND 'IRONA THE ARCHITECTURE AND PEOPLE CHANGED SO MUCH IT WAS HARD TO BELIEVE

)F YOU TAKE A 'AP 9EAR USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY NEW THINGS ) LEARNT TO SURF ON A THREE DAY TRIP OUT OF 3YDNEY AND TOOK A 3CUBA $IVING COURSE AT #AIRNS BOTH OF WHICH WERE IMMENSE FUN 4HERE IS ALSO FOOD AND DRINK ) WAS ALWAYS A FAN OF )TALIAN FOOD AND WAS RARELY DISAPPOINTED WHILST EATING OUT IN )TALY BUT MANY OTHER PLACES HAVE THEIR STYLES OF COOKING OR SOMETIMES A REGIONAL DISH !FTER THE 3AFARI IN THE #AMARGUE ) WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED IN !RLES BY A "EEF 3TEW WITH #AMARGUE 2ICE

HAVING RECENTLY VIEWED THE RICE lELDS %VEN EATING IN #HINATOWN IN 6ANCOUVER

WHICH HAS A LARGE COMMUNITY OF /RIENTAL PEOPLE WAS A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE AND ) WAS ABLE TO PRETEND TO BE IN #HINA ) ALSO MADE SURE TO GO 7INE TASTING IN !USTRALIA

VISITING SUCH WELL KNOWN WINEMAKERS AS *ACOB S #REEK AND 7OLF "LASS FOR SOME FREE TIPPLE #LOSER TO HOME

A VISIT TO THE 'UINNESS "REWERY IN $UBLIN WAS BOTH ALCOHOLIC AND FASCINATING 7ITH SO MUCH HAPPENING IT S A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE A DIARY AND WRITE DOWN THE THINGS YOU DO AND YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ! 'AP 9EAR WILL MAKE A BIG IMPACT ON YOU HAVING A RECORD OF IT WILL BE NICE WHEN YOU LOOK BACK PLUS IT MIGHT HELP IF YOU DECIDE TO WRITE A BLOG OR BOOK ABOUT YOUR TRAVELS

Tom Heenan

Au Pair in Madrid -

ANY STUDENTS CONSIDER WORKING ABROAD TO lLL THE THREE MONTH LONG SUMMER HOLIDAYS /NE OPTION IS TO BECOME AN !U 0AIR 4HE OTHER SUMMER ) CONTACTED A FAMILY THROUGH AN !U 0AIRING WEBSITE AND FOUND MYSELF IN A SMALL VILLAGE NEAR -ADRID 'REAT n FREE ACCOMMODATION CULTURAL AND LANGUAGE IMMERSION FODDER TO EMBELLISH ON THE OLD #6 AND UNLIMITED 3PANISH SUNSHINE SAY YOU 2EAD ONx 4HERE ARE COUNTLESS REASONS NOT TO BECOME AN !U 0AIR #HIEF AMONG THEM ARE

$O YOU KNOW ANYONE WHOSE PARENTS GOT THEM ONE TO ONE FOREIGN LANGUAGE TUITION AT THE AGE OF )F YOU DO

CHANCES ARE THEY RE SPOILT AS HELL 9OU LL BE TEACHING SPOILT BRATS

%VERY HUMAN BEING HATES THEIR BOSS )N OTHER JOBS YOU SPEND MAYBE HOURS A DAY DAYS A WEEK IN THEIR VICINITY !S AN !U 0AIR YOU LIVE IN THEIR HOUSE LITERALLY

)MAGINE ONE OF YOUR PREVIOUS BOSSES AND THINK OF IT

9OU WILL BE PAID LITTLE n MANY FAMILIES CONSIDER FOOD AND LODGINGS SUFlCIENT PAYMENT .OT ONLY THAT BUT YOU WILL BE WORKING INCREDIBLY LONG HOURS 0ARENTS WANT YOU TO SPEAK %NGLISH TO THEIR CHILDREN ALL THE TIME 'OD KNOWS YOU RUN

0ARENTS WANT YOU TO SPEAK %NGLISH TO THEIR CHILDREN ALL THE TIME 'OD KNOWS YOU RUN OUT OF THINGS TO TALK ABOUT OUT OF THINGS TO TALK ABOUT

9OU LL BE LONELY 9OU WILL HAVE NO COLLEAGUES IN THIS JOB AND WILL PROBABLY ENCOUNTER NO ONE YOUR OWN AGE 5NFORTUNATELY ) ENDED UP SPENDING HOURS UPON HOURS WATCHING TWO SCREAMING BOYS CYCLE UP AND DOWN A GLOOMY BASEMENT

3PANIARDS GET TOO MUCH SUNSHINE TO APPRECIATE IT LIKE A "RIT ) SOON REALISED ) WAS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE BOYS ROUND DOING PRECISELY WHAT THEY WANTED FROM DAWN TILL DUSK AND THAT THEIR PARENTS VIEWED ANY RELUCTANCE ON MY PART AS AN INSULT ) mED AFTER WEEKS SOMEWHAT EMACIATED FROM THE SCANT FOOD THEY ALLOWED ME !U 0AIRING ASIDE ) IMMENSELY ENJOYED MY TIME IN 3PAIN -ADRID WAS GREAT A BEAUTIFUL AND FASCINATING CITY WITH ITS $ALIS AND 6ELAZQUEZS A MUST FOR ANY ART LOVER

AND ) SAW IT ALL FOR FREE &ROM THE BOYS SCREECHING ) DID PICK UP SOME COLLOQUIAL 3PANISH CHIEmY @HOMBRE @FOR 'OD S SAKE /N MY #6 ) SPENT A @REWARDING MONTH GIVING %NGLISH AND MUSICAL TUITION !M ) GLAD ) DID IT 9ES 7OULD ) DO IT AGAIN .EVER

Sophie Shanahan

4HE WORLD HAS SUCH A VARIETY OF LANDSCAPES WILDLIFE PEOPLE AND ARCHITECTURE A GAP YEAR IS A GOOD CHANCE TO SEE SOME OF IT

Lanzarote Diving Lessons

$

URING THE SUMMER HOLIDAY BETWEEN SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY ) WENT TO ,ANZAROTE TO DO A 3#5"! DIVING INTERNSHIP AND HAD TWO OF THE BEST MONTHS OF MY LIFE )T WAS OBVIOUSLY NERVE RACKING ON THE RUN UP AND ON THE PLANE BUT ) HAD EVERYTHING SORTED BEFORE ) LEFT SO THERE WAS LITTLE STRESS WHEN ) LANDED ) D EVEN SENT A PICTURE OF MYSELF SO THE PERSON PICKING ME UP AT THE AIRPORT KNEW WHOM TO LOOK FOR 7ORKING IN A BIG TOURIST TOWN THERE WAS NOT A REAL LANGUAGE GAP BUT ) LEARNED A FEW CHOICE PHRASES THAT GOT ME SPECIAL TREATMENT IN THE PUBS AND CLUBS AND SOON lGURED THE BEST PLACES TO EAT 4HE STAFF AT THE DIVE CENTRE WERE BRILLIANT AND THE PEOPLE COMING THROUGH WERE LOOKING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME SO A SMILE AND A PLEASANT CHAT WENT A LONG WAY "EING THRUST INTO AN AREA WHERE YOU DON T KNOW ANYONE OR WHERE ANYTHING IS IS A VERY DAUNTING EXPERIENCE BUT IT FORCES YOU TO TALK TO PEOPLE TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND JUST TO LEARN YOUR WAY AROUND THIS LL SOON BREAK DOWN ANY SHYNESS ) THINK THAT BEING AWAY AND FENDING FOR MYSELF FOR TWO MONTHS BEFORE LEAVING FOR UNI WAS A REAL BONUS FOR ME )T GAVE ME A TASTE OF INDEPENDENCE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MONEY MANAGEMENT BEFORE IT WAS FORCED ON ME IN &RESHERS 7EEK %VEN THOUGH ) WAS ONLY ON THE ISLAND FOR TWO MONTHS ) WAS REALLY SAD TO LEAVE AND EVERYONE CAME OUT TO SEE ME OFF ) M PLANNING TO GO BACK SOON TO DO SOME MORE DIVING AND TO CATCH UP WITH THE PEOPLE ) AM STILL IN REGULAR EMAIL CONTACT WITH ) mEW HOME FROM ,ANZEROTE WITH SOME GREAT MEMORIES NEW SKILLS NEW FRIENDS AND THE WORST HANGOVER OF MY LIFE

Joe Chapman

Teaching in India 3 TANDING IN FRONT OF THE MAJESTIC WHITE DOME OF THE 4AJ -AHAL IT HIT ME AGAIN THAT ) WAS IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COUNTRY "Y THIS POINT ) HAD BEEN IN )NDIA FOR THREE MONTHS AND ) WAS QUITE ACCUSTOMED TO THE PLACE BUT THERE WAS STILL THE OCCASIONAL REMINDER LIKE THE ICONIC IMAGE BEFORE ME THAT REALLY TOOK MY BREATH AWAY ) HAD SPENT THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS TEACHING %NGLISH IN APRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE NORTHERN VILLAGE OF ,AMBAGOAN ) FOUND THAT BEING BASED IN ONE PLACE FOR THIS AMOUNT OF TIME GAVE ME THE FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY OF GETTING INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS MAKING SOME GREAT FRIENDS 7E WERE PAIRED OFF INTO SEVERAL SCHOOLS AROUND THE VILLAGE AND ASSIGNED OUR CLASSES AND TIMETABLES -Y DAYS THEN VARIED FROM RECITING NURSERY RHYMES WITH SECOND YEAR CLASS TO DESPERATELY TRYING TO CHALLENGE THE GRAMMATICAL KNOWLEDGE OF TENTH YEAR CLASS A VERY DIFlCULT TASK CONSIDERING THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF IT WAS FREQUENTLY BETTER THAN OURS /UR TURN AS TEACHERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MEMORABLE OR BENElCIAL TO THEIR STUDIES

BUT ) AM SURE THE SCHOOL WILL REMEMBER MY

TEACHING PARTNER AND ) FOR OUR RENDITION OF h3INGING )N 4HE 2AINv IN THE CENTRE OF THE SANDY PLAYGROUND 4HE BASIC FEATURES OF THE SCHOOL NO WINDOWS A VERY LIMITED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IT WAS LITTLE MORE THAN A STONE BUILDING WILL STAY WITH ME DESPITE THIS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR METHODS OF EDUCATION IS UNDENIABLE &OLLOWING OUR TIME AS TEACHERS WE TOOK A SAFARI THROUGH 2AJASTAN 4HIS TOOK ME TO THE 4AJ -AHAL IN !GRA AS WELL AS ON A CAMEL TREK THROUGH THE DESERT AND AN ELEPHANT RIDE IN *AIPUR !LL OF THESE WERE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES OF OUR STAY IN )NDIA ) THEN TOOK THE NEXT THREE WEEKS TO TRAVEL )NDIA UNAIDED

VISITING #ALCUTTA 'OA AND EVEN SPENDING TIME ON A "OLLYWOOD lLM SET IN 'UJARAT ) WILL TAKE THE EXPERIENCES AND VIEWS OF )NDIA TO MY GRAVE WITH ME FROM THE SNOW TOPPED MOUNTAINS OF THE (IMALAYAS

TO THE SEEDY TAXI DRIVER WHO WANTS TO TAKE YOU HOME WITH HIM AND NOT TO MEET HIS MOTHER

Rachel Eales

10

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Seren’s Radio Times

Storm

studio@stormfm.com MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Forecast

Bangor’s Student Sound 87.7FM

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

7am: Storm In A Tea Cup - Storm’s morning mainstream mix, with various hosts and featuring Storm soap “LL57” on Mon/Wed/Fri.

7am: Sunday Sessions

9am: Bangor’s Student Sound - Non-stop music

9am: Sunday Service with the Christian Union

Bangor’s Student Sound Non-stop music

11am: Storm Bites Varying presenters with a mid-morning mix of music and chat to accompany your elevenses and essay deadlines!

12pm: The Sunday Roast mainstream music & chat, with the LL57 omnibus

1pm: The S.U. Show All the latest news, chat & happenings from your Students’ Union, hosted daily by various members of the Union’s Executive Committee.

2pm: 2pm: Music Through The Ages with Jon Gauaghan

2pm: Connections Friday Jones & Sam Slater

4pm: Homeward Bound...

2pm: The Big Mix Up Claire Moor-Smith & Valentina D’erico

4pm: Homeward Bound...

Jack Jack & Isa Wilson

4pm: Homeward Bound...

The PJ Show with Peter & Jack

6pm: The Time Tunnel - Warm-up for Time/Amser, with Spencer, Alex & Tom.

8pm: The Forum John Jackson hosts the debating panel show, with ‘Your Forum’.

6pm: The Text Session Your txt requests with DJPJ, Claire Stapleton & Kayleigh Evans, with the Facebook group riddle of the week.

8pm: Alternate - Katty & Malice Unsigned/unknown Local/National/ International Bands.

6pm: Welsh Rock Huw Parry

7pm: Society Slot A different society each week.

2pm: Welsh Show with Stiwart Edwards

2pm: Plektrum with Martyn & Rob

4pm: Homeward Bound...

Huw & Tom hosts, Huw Parry & Tom Lansley

4pm: Homeward Bound...

Spencer’s Training Show

6pm: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - Eclectic mix of old and brand spanking new.

6pm: Sioe Laura Laura Parry

7pm: Ultrasound New, classic & obscure Indie with Storm’s head of music, Sean Clement.

7pm: The Sound of the AU A different club each week.

2pm: The Back Pages Saturday sports show with Spencer George, Alex Lidell and Tom Lindsay (the man who loves the ladies!)

Claire Stapleton, Jack Jack & The Other One

4pm: The Classical Show Pete & Jen with a classical mix.

6pm: The Sunday Forum - Storm’s news team with topical chat.

7pm: The Motel with Alex Thomas & Sarah Clinton

7pm: The Helpdesk at The Motel with Alex Thomas.

9pm: LIVE Lounge & Something A Bit Different- Live bands in-studio

9pm: Sin Roc Gymraeg - mainstream music & entertainment

8pm: 8pm: Solid Gold Soul

9pm: 9pm: Café Americana Trash DJ Holly with alternate music from across the pond.

10pm: WelshBoy Rap Show with Mike Walsh & his protegé Pimpasaurus

11pm: My Hood

Pre-Trash warm-up with Tom Giddings & Keira Ring.

9pm: The Jazz Show with Jack Baker

9pm: No Added Sugar

10pm:

10pm: Gary Brown Drum ‘n’ bass

11pm: The Parry Show

10pm: The Underground Colonel Kirkham’s LIVE dance mix.

David Pallant & Jack Green (Mancunians & music) with ‘The Weird Weekly’ & a film quiz.

10pm: Ed and Bob Show Non-stop music 10pm: The Dead Air Show! ?????????????

11pm: The Sounds of Gray coming soon...

Interested in radio? Want to get involved?

Join the Storm FM team and get your voice heard.

And it’s not just presenting either - you could work in marketing, news, production, I.T. and much more. today...

Contact Storm @stormfm.com E-mail - studio internally) 8048 (or 8048 8 3 8 4 2 1 0 e Phon sg to 60300 Txt - storm + m

Compiled by John Jackson

11

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

ONE MINUTE WELSH

Books

The Boleyn Inheritance Philippa Gregory

Woman at Point Zero Nawal El Saadawi

7

OMAN AT 0OINT :ERO WAS WRITTEN BY %GYPT S GREATEST FEMALE WRITER

.AWAL %L 3AADAWI IN AND IS A CLASSIC ON THE POSITION OF WOMEN IN !RABIC COUNTRIES ) DECIDED TO READ IT PARTLY BECAUSE ) WANTED TO READ SOMETHING OUTSIDE THE 7ESTERN CANON OF THE TYPICAL %NGLISH ,ITERATURE COURSE PARTLY BECAUSE OF ITS RELEVANCE TO CONTEMPORARY CONCERNS 7HILE 7OMAN AT 0OINT :ERO IS WRITTEN AS A NOVEL IT IS BASED ON A REAL ENCOUNTER BETWEEN %L 3AADAWI WHO WORKED AS A PSYCHIATRIST AND AN IMPRISONED PROSTITUTE NAMED &IRDAUS &IRDAUS WAS SHORTLY TO BE EXECUTED FOR MURDERING A PIMP BUT IN THE LAST HOURS OF HER LIFE SHE TOLD %L 3AADAWI THE STORY OF HER EXTRAORDINARY LIFE FROM HER PRISON CELL 4HE NOVEL IS A RE TELLING OF &IRDAUS NARRATION 4HE STORY BEGINS AS A FAMILIAR ONE AS WE FOLLOW &IRDAUS FROM HER CHILDHOOD IN A POOR PEASANT FAMILY WHERE SHE WAS SUBJECTED TO DOMESTIC DRUDGERY AND FEMALE CIRCUMCISION

THROUGH HER ARRANGED MARRIAGE TO A REPULSIVE OLDER MAN WHO ABUSES HER !FTER HE BEATS PARTICULARLY VICIOUSLY &IRDAUS m EES

AND BUMPS INTO AN APPARENTLY KIND CAFÂŁ OWNER WHO MAKES HER HIS MISTRESS 7HEN &IRDAUS ASKS FOR WORK AND INDEPENDENCE

HOWEVER HER NEW LOVER LOCKS HER UP AND INVITES HIS FRIENDS TO RAPE HER &OLLOWING THIS EPISODE &IRDAUS ESCAPES ONLY TO BE EXPLOITED IN PROSTITUTION

BY AN OLDER WOMAN AND GAINS INDEPENDENCE ONLY BY SETTING UP AS A PROSTITUTE ON HER OWN TERMS 4HE REMARKABLE CLAIM THE NOVEL MAKES IS THAT WHILE MOST %GYPTIAN WOMEN DREAD THE DEGRADATION OF PROSTITUTION ABOVE ALL THINGS PROSTITUTES ARE IN FACT THE ONLY ONES WITH INDEPENDENCE &IRDAUS TRIES A PERIOD OF @RESPECTABLE WORK AT AN OFl CE BUT l NDS THAT AS A FEMALE SHE IS AWARDED ONLY A TINY SALARY AND IS SUBJECT TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT FROM HER MALE COLLEAGUES 3HE REALISES THAT @ALL OF US WERE PROSTITUTES WHO SOLD THEMSELVES AT VARIOUS PRICES

AND AN EXPENSIVE PROSTITUTE WAS BETTER THAN A CHEAP ONE ! WIFE IS IN &IRDAUS EYES A PROSTITUTE WITH NO WAGES 7HEN &IRDAUS COMMITS THE CRIME FOR WHICH SHE IS ULTIMATELY HANGED n STABBING A MANIPULATIVE AND POWERFUL MAN WHO ATTEMPTS TO CONl SCATE HER EARNINGS n THE READER IS IN FULL SYMPATHY 4HE NOVEL PRESENTS A DYSTOPIA IN WHICH MEN RITUALLY AWARD WOMEN NEITHER RESPECT NOR INDEPENDENCE (OWEVER THE NOVEL IS MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLY A BIOGRAPHY WITH A FEMINIST MESSAGE )TS LAYERS OF IMAGERY CREATE AN EMOTIONAL INTENSITY OF ALMOST MYSTICAL DEPTH AND IT IS THIS INTROSPECTIVE ELEMENT WHICH LIFTS IT FROM A WORK OF MERE SOCIAL RELEVANCE TO A NOVEL WHICH WOULD DESERVE ATTENTION FOR ITS POETRY ALONE 0LUS IF YOU RE SHORT OF TIME AT JUST OVER PAGES THIS BOOK WON T TAKE UP TOO MUCH OF YOUR SCHEDULE )T S CONDENSED AND BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED AND A MUST FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN EITHER !RABIC LITERATURE OR THE POSITION OF WOMEN 2EAD IT

Sophie Shanahan

4

HE "OLEYN )NHERITANCE IS THE LATEST PUBLICATION FROM NOVELIST 0HILIPPA 'REGORY AND IN KEEPING WITH MANY OF HER PREVIOUS WORKS IT CENTRES ON THE 4UDOR PERIOD OF HISTORY .OW DON T LET THE MENTION OF HISTORY PUT YOU OFF 'REGORY S OTHER NOVELS HAVE TAKEN ACTUAL HISTORICAL EVENTS AND PEOPLE AND TURNED THEM INTO THRILLING STORIES (APPILY 4HE "OLEYN )NHERITANCE HAS PROVED TO BE NO EXCEPTION &OLLOWING ON FROM THE EVENTS OF HER PREVIOUS NOVEL 4HE /THER "OLEYN 'IRL ALTHOUGH USEFUL YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE READ THAT TO ENJOY 4HE "OLEYN )NHERITANCE IT TELLS THREE SEPARATE STORIES OF THREE VERY DIFFERENT WOMEN WHO ARE ALL INTERLINKED n !NNE OF #LEVES (ENRY 6))) S WIFE +ATHERINE (OWARD THE ILL FATED WIFE AND ,ADY *ANE 2OCHFORD WIFE OF !NNE "OLEYN S BROTHER 'EORGE !NNE OF #LEVES ARRIVES IN %NGLAND l LLED WITH HOPE FOR THE FUTURE AND EXCITEMENT THAT SHE HAS l NALLY ESCAPED HER TYRANNICAL AND CRUEL BROTHER !S ANYONE WHO PAID ATTENTION IN HIGH SCHOOL (ISTORY CLASS WILL KNOW

!NNE S MARRIAGE TO (ENRY WAS A DISASTER SHE WAS THE SECOND OF HIS WIVES TO BE CAST ASIDE FOR A MORE ATTRACTIVE MODEL AND YOU CAN T HELP FEELING SORRY FOR THE POOR GIRL AS HER HOPES ARE CRUELLY SHATTERED (OWEVER YOU CAN T FAIL TO BE IMPRESSED BY HER DIGNITY AND SELF RESPECT DURING A HORRIBLY EMBARRASSING

The End Is Nigh

DIVORCE HEARING AND THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE WHO WOULDN T SHARE HER TRIUMPH WHEN SHE l NALLY GETS WHAT SHE DESIRES MOST OF ALL n FREEDOM (OWEVER IT S DOUBTFUL THAT YOU LL FEEL SUCH SYMPATHY FOR *ANE "OLEYN /RIGINALLY ASSIGNED TO SERVE !NNE HER UNCLE IN LAW THE SINISTER AND CORRUPT $UKE OF .ORFOLK THEN ORDERS HER TO HELP HER YOUNG COUSIN IN LAW +ATHERINE (OWARD WIN +ING (ENRY AWAY FROM POOR !NNE WHO FEELS THAT *ANE IS HER ONLY FRIEND IN A STRANGE AND UNFAMILIAR NEW COUNTRY !LTHOUGH IF YOU HAVE READ 4HE /THER "OLEYN 'IRL IT WILL BE CLEAR THAT *ANE IS A VERY UNHINGED AND TWISTED WOMAN HER INSANITY IN THIS BOOK IS FAR MORE SUBTLE +ATHERINE (OWARD IS PORTRAYED AS A SILLY NAÆVE GIRL ALTHOUGH YOU ARE LEFT IN NO DOUBT THAT SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE S DOING WHEN IT COMES TO SEDUCING MEN SHE S MUCH LESS SAVVY WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH THE CUT THROAT WORLD OF 4UDOR POLITICS ,IKE MOST YOUNG TEENAGERS ALL +ATHERINE IS CONCERNED WITH IS HAVING A GOOD TIME m IRTING WITH HANDSOME BOYS AND WEARING THE LATEST FASHIONS !LTHOUGH +ATHERINE S SHALLOW VAPID AND DOWNRIGHT STUPID ATTITUDE IS VERY FRUSTRATING

HER COMPLETE NAIVETY HELPS YOU FEEL PITY FOR THE POOR GIRL WHO WAS JUST ANOTHER PAWN IN HER FAMILY S QUEST FOR POWER .OT CONTENT AT HAVING LOST !NNE "OLEYN THEIR MUTUAL UNCLE .ORFOLK PUSHES NIECE AFTER NIECE INTO THE PATH OF +ING REGARDLESS OF THE CONSEQUENCES /VERALL 4HE "OLEYN )NHERITANCE IS A GRIPPING READ FULL OF INTRIGUE PASSION AND POLITICS 'REGORY S TALENT FOR TAKING REAL EVENTS AND REAL PEOPLE AND CRAFTING THEM INTO SUCH ADDICTIVE STORIES IS FANTASTIC AND SHE COMPELS YOU TO KEEP READING EVEN WHEN YOU KNOW THAT THE ENDING FOR TWO CHARACTERS WILL BE FAR FROM HAPPY )F THIS BOOK INTERESTS YOU YOU MIGHT LIKE TO READ THE OTHER 4UDOR PERIOD NOVELS BY THE SAME AUTHOR )N CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER n 4HE #ONSTANT 0RINCESS 4HE /THER "OLEYN 'IRL

4HE 1UEEN S &OOL AND 4HE 6IRGIN S ,OVER /R IF YOU FANCY SOMETHING TOPICAL

SEES THE BICENTENARY OF THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY A TOPIC COVERED IN 'REGORY S NOVEL !

2ESPECTABLE 4RADE

ove him or loathe him, Harry Potter has become a phenomenon in recent years.

2007 marks the tenth anniversary of the publication of his ďŹ rst adventure, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on whether or not you’re a fan!) it will also be the year that it all ends. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and ďŹ nal instalment in the series, is due to be published at 12.01am on Saturday the 21st of July. It has been revealed that despite the fact that the book is already guaranteed to be a world-wide, record-breaking bestseller, Scholastic, who publish the Harry Potter books in America have planned a massive “There will soon be sevenâ€? marketing campaign, and we can expect that Bloomsbury will arrange something similar in the UK. As always, the plot and subsequent ending are closely guarded secrets, so the only details we have are sketchy, but JK Rowling has warned that several major characters will die. Odds-on favourite is currently Voldemort at 4-5, followed by Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy and Harry himself, all at 6-1, edging out previous favourite for the axe, Rubeus Hagrid. Everyone has their own theories and questions that need answering – Will Harry have to sacriďŹ ce himself to stop Voldemort?

Is Harry a horcrux? Severus Snape: good or evil? Is Dumbledore really dead? What’s behind that veil in the Department of Mysteries?

Just who is the mysterious R.A.B? Will Ron and Hermione ďŹ nally get together? Will Dudley Dursley ever lose weight? Whatever happens, when you consider that JK Rowling has had the ďŹ nal chapter written for years, he’s sure to be going out with a bang.

The RRP of the hardback edition is ÂŁ17.99, but many booksellers will be offering special deals. To take advantage of the best of these deals, pre-order your book from Amazon, Waterstones (both offering the book at half price, or WHSmiths (saving ÂŁ8 on the RRP). Finally, whatever you do, make sure to avoid newspapers/the internet/the television/family and friends until you’ve ďŹ nished the book. There’s nothing worse than someone spoiling the ending!

Loran Perkins

Loran Perkins

L

12

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Games

0LATFORM .INTENDO $3 0UBLISHER #APCOM $EVELOPER #APCOM 'ENRE !DVENTURE !GE 2ATING 0%')

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

2ELEASE $ATE TH -ARCH

0

4

HE 8BOX IS OUT AS IS THE .INTENDO 7II 7ITH THE RELEASE OF THE 0LAY3TATION ON RD -ARCH

THIS MONTH WILL SEE THE LAST MAJOR PLAYER ON THE VIDEO GAME SCENE ENTER INTO THE ARENA 4HIS NEXT GENERATION OF VIDEO GAME ENTERTAINMENT IS ACTUALLY THE SEVENTH GENERATION OF VIDEO GAMING THE l RST DATING BACK TO THE S WITH THE RELEASE OF GAMES SUCH AS 0/.' 3EREN TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT WHAT THIS LATEST GENERATION OF ENTERTAINMENT HAS TO OFFER 4HE 8BOX -ICROSOFT S SECOND ATTEMPT AT THE VIDEO GAMES MARKET LOOKS POISED TO THREATEN 3ONY S SUCCESS THIS TIME ROUND 4HE 8BOX ,IVE SERVICE HAS BEEN ENHANCED ALLOWING GAMERS TO DOWNLOAD TRAILERS FOR UPCOMING GAMES MUSIC VIDEOS

TELEVISION SHOWS AND EVEN RENT l LMS #RUCIALLY -ICROSOFT RELEASED THE 8BOX A WHOLE YEAR IN ADVANCE OF RIVALS .INTENDO AND 3ONY GIVING THEM PLENTY OF TIME TO STEAL GAMERS FROM THE OTHER TWO RIVAL CAMPS &URTHERMORE -ICROSOFT S MARKETING STRATEGY HAS INCLUDED RELEASING TWO VERSIONS OF ITS CONSOLE A CORE EDITION AS WELL AS A PREMIUM EDITION IN AN ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE GAMERS WITH VARYING BUDGETS 4HE 8BOX AS WITH ITS PREDECESSOR SUPPORTS $6$ PLAYBACK AND ADDITIONALLY THE PLAYBACK OF ($ $6$S VIA A SEPARATELY AVAILABLE EXTERNAL ($ $6$ PLAYER )NTERESTINGLY ($ $6$ DEVELOPED

BY A CONSORTIUM OF 0# COMPANIES LED BY 4OSHIBA IS CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN A FORMAT WAR WITH "LU RAY DEVELOPED BY 3ONY IN ORDER TO TAKE OVER FROM THE $6$ AND BECOME THE NEXT DOMINANT STANDARD IN VIDEO DISTRIBUTION 5NSURPRISINGLY THE 0LAY3TATION WILL SUPPORT "LU RAY DISC PLAYBACK OVER ($ $6$ !S WELL AS $6$S THE 8BOX ALLOWS THE PLAYBACK OF #$ 2 27 HOLDING -0 S 7-!S AND EVEN PHOTO #$S -ORE RECENT WAS THE RELEASE OF THE .INTENDO 7II WHICH HAS AIMED TO CAPTURE A MARKET OF GAMERS WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE PLAY VIDEO GAMES 4HOUGH SLIGHTLY CHEAPER THAN ITS RIVALS THE .INTENDO 7II IS ALSO A SIGNIl CANTLY LESS POWERFUL CONSOLE )T PLAYS $6$S BUT SUPPORTS NEITHER "LU RAY NOR ($ $6$ )T COULD BE SAID THAT THIS HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT OF A GAMBLE FOR .INTENDO CONSIDERING THAT CONSOLES HAVE ALWAYS RELIED ON GRAPHICAL SUPERIORITY OVER THE PREDECESSOR CONSOLES IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE GAMERS TO PURCHASE THE NEXT GENERATION (OWEVER .INTENDO SEEING GAMING CONSOLES HEADING THE WAY OF 0#S 0#S HAVE ALSO BEEN MORE POWERFUL THAN THEIR CONSOLE COUNTERPARTS UNTIL NOW THEREFORE YOU COULD HAVE ARGUED THAT YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUST HAVE BOUGHT A 0# OVER A CONSOLE HAVE ALTERED THEIR MARKET MODEL AND DEMOGRAPHIC SIGNIl CANTLY WHILST ATTEMPTING TO HONE IN ON THAT ELUSIVE FUN FACTOR !DVERTISEMENTS SO FAR HAVE TARGETED WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES AND THE FAMILY MARKET 'ONE ARE THE TRADITIONAL JOY PADS BEING REPLACED BY MOTION SENSITIVE PADDLES WHICH ALLOW FOR A MORE NATURAL FORM OF INTERACTIVITY 4HE 0LAY3TATION BOASTS THE MUCH HYPED #ELL PROCESSOR WHICH WAS CO DEVELOPED BY

)"- 3ONY AND 4OSHIBA AND IS LIKELY TO BE USED IN A VARIETY OF COMPUTING SYSTEMS ASIDE FROM THE 03 4HE GRAPHICS UNIT IS PRODUCED BY .VIDIA AND IS SLIGHTLY FASTER THAN THE 8BOX S !4) PRODUCED '05 -(Z VS -HZ 4HE BASIC IDEA BEHIND THE #ELL IS THAT MORE WORK SHOULD BE DONE IN PARALLEL WHICH IN THEORY MEANS THAT THINGS SHOULD RUN FASTER 4HE 03 COMES AT A MUCH HIGHER COST HOWEVER n WHEN RELEASED IN THE 5+ IT WILL COST AROUND a ONLY THE PREMIUM VERSION IS BEING RELEASED IN THE 5+ /BVIOUSLY THIS IS SIGNIl CANTLY HIGHER THAN BOTH THE 8BOX S a AND THE 7II S a RESPECTIVE PRICE TAGS 3EVERAL POPULAR GAMING SERIES WILL BE CARRIED ACROSS FROM THE 0LAY3TATION INCLUDING THE 4EKKEN &INAL &ANTASY AND $EVIL -AY #RY SERIES 4HE PREMIUM EDITION COMES WITH A '" HARD DRIVE ENDING THE NEED FOR 0LAY3TATION OWNERS TO PURCHASE A SEPARATE CARD IN ORDER TO SAVE GAMES 7I &I COMPATIBILITY AS WELL AS m ASH CARD READERS (OWEVER THE 03 WILL STILL ACCEPT 03 /NE AND 03 MEMORY CARDS IN ORDER TO ALLOW PLAYERS OF THE PREVIOUS CONSOLES TO TRANSFER THEIR SAVED GAME DATA 4HE 0LAY3TATION AS WITH THE 8BOX SUPPORTS ($ OUTPUT BUT UNLIKE SAID CONSOLE COMES COMPLETE WITH A BUILT IN "LU RAY DRIVE ! MAJOR HEADACHE FOR THE 0LAY3TATION HAS BEEN THE ISSUE OF BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY )NITIALLY IT WAS CLAIMED THAT THE 03 WOULD SUPPORT ALL GAMES PREVIOUSLY RELEASED ON THE 03 /NE AND 03 WHICH HAD ADHERED TO 3ONY S TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST 4HE VERSION OF 03 THAT WAS SHIPPED TO THE 53 AND *APAN INCLUDED THE SAME h%MOTION %NGINEv CHIP THAT WAS A PART OF THE 03 IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS )T WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THIS WOULD BE STRIPPED OUT OF THE %UROPEAN CONSOLE RELEASE AND INSTEAD REPLACED BY SOFTWARE EMULATION IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY AND TO LOWER COSTS 7HILST 3ONY STATE THAT RATHER THAN FOCUS ON THE ISSUES OF BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY

THEY WOULD PREFER TO MOVE FORWARD AND FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW GAMES TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE 03 THIS HAS PROVEN A RATHER CONTENTIOUS ISSUE WITH GAMERS )N RESPONSE TO -ICROSOFT S 8BOX ,IVE SERVICE 3ONY HAS DEVELOPED THE 0LAY3TATION .ETWORK IN ORDER TO ALLOW MULTIPLAYER GAMING AT NO COST THOUGH DEVELOPERS WILL BE ABLE TO CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES 7ITH THE 0LAY3TATION .ETWORK GAMERS WILL BE ABLE TO PAY TO DOWNLOAD A VARIETY OF 03 /NE AND 03 TITLES &URTHERMORE THE NETWORK WILL PLAY HOST TO 0LAY3TATION (OME

A COMMUNITY BASED SERVICE MUCH LIKE 3ECOND ,IFE AND ITS PEERS WHICH WILL ALLOW GAMERS TO INTERACT VIA AVATARS AND MEET TO PLAY ONLINE GAMES ETC !S FOR WHICH CONSOLE WILL BECOME THE DOMINANT MACHINE ON THE MARKET REMAINS TO BE SEEN 4O A PARAPHRASE AN ADVERT FOR A CERTAIN BREAKFAST CEREAL DON T LOOK AT ME ) VE GIVEN YOU THE FACTS )T S UP TO YOU TO CHOOSE TO BEAT CHOLESTEROL ) MEANx NEVER MIND WHATEVER

Ross Butler

HOENIX 7RIGHT WAS RELEASED ON THE $3 WAY BACK IN -ARCH OF LAST YEAR AND YET ) STILL COME ACROSS SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVEN T EXPERIENCED ITS UNIQUE DELIGHTS /RIGINALLY SEVERAL WERE MADE IN *APAN FOR THE '"!

BUT IT APPEARS THAT PRODUCTION WAS HELD BACK FOR "RITAIN AND !MERICA UNTIL THE TOUCH SCREEN FUNCTION COULD BE UTILISED WITH THE $3 )T IS A GAME NO LONGER IN THE CHARTS

BUT CERTAINLY IS A GEM WELL WORTH PLAYING 9OU PLAY AS .ICK @0HOENIX 7RIGHT A ROOKIE DEFENCE LAWYER WHO S JUST ABOUT TO TAKE HIS l RST CASE 7ITH THE HELP OF THE -AYA SISTERS -IA n YOUR BOSS n AND -AYA n A PSYCHIC IN TRAINING n YOU BATTLE THROUGH FOUR MURDER CASES THERE ARE l VE IN TOTAL BUT IF ) EXPLAIN MORE ) MAY BE CREATING SPOILERS 4HROUGH ALL BUT ONE OF THESE CASES YOU ARGUE THE DEFENCE AGAINST YOUR RIVAL -ILES %DGEWORTH A CELEBRATED PROSECUTOR WITH AN INTIMIDATING COURT WIN RECORD 7ITHIN EACH TRIAL YOU l ND CONTRADICTIONS AND PRESENT EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEM AS ONE WOULD EXPECT FROM A TRIAL 9OU ALSO HAVE A SET AMOUNT OF @LIVES A LIMITED AMOUNT OF INCORRECT OBJECTIONS YOU CAN MAKE )F YOU LOSE ALL OF THESE YOU END UP BACK AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE TRIAL (OWEVER THE BUZZ OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT EVIDENCE TO OBJECT WITH IS GREAT AND THERE IS SOME ODD SENSE OF PRIDE INSTILLED ON YOU FOR A SHORT SECOND WHEN 0HOENIX CRIES HIS FAMOUS @/BJECTION 0RE TRIAL YOU INVESTIGATE THE CRIME SCENES

SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE AND INTERVIEWING WITNESSES 5NFORTUNATELY THIS IS WHERE ONE OF THE MORE NIGGLING ANNOYANCES FOUND IN THE GAME OCCURS )F YOU l ND THAT YOU VE COME TO A POINT WHERE YOU CAN T GO ANY FURTHER IT S LIKELY YOU VE MISSED SOMETHING WHEN EXAMINING ONE OF THE SCENES OR YOU HAVE TO SHOW THE PERSON YOU ARE INTERVIEWING A PIECE OF EVIDENCE TO SPUR OFF AN EXTRA BIT OF CONVERSATION 3OMETIMES IT TOOK ME A VERY LONG TIME JUST TO WORK OUT WHAT ON EARTH ) WAS LOOKING FOR AND SPENT THE WHOLE TIME SHOWING EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF EVIDENCE TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON $ESPITE THIS m AW ) WOULD WHOLE HEARTEDLY RECOMMEND THIS GAME TO ANYONE OUT FOR A REASONABLY MENTALLY CHALLENGING GAME WITH A TOTALLY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO GAMING 0HOENIX 7RIGHT !CE !TTORNEY IS AN AMAZING GAME WITH CHOC LOADS OF POTENTIAL

WHICH HOPEFULLY WE SHALL SEE FULl LLED IN THE NEXT INSTALMENT OF THE SERIES WHICH HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED )N THIS SEQUEL IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE PLAYER WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE USE OF A MICROPHONE IN ORDER TO FURTHER IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE ACTION OF THE COURT ROOM ) M SURE THIS GAME WOULD INSPIRE SOME FUTURE LAWYERS AND SPUR ON MANY CRIES OF @/BJECTION UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY

Liz Huxley-Jones

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 0LATFORM 3ONY 0LAYSTATION 0UBLISHER 2OCKSTAR 'AMES $EVELOPER 2OCKSTAR ,EEDS 2OCKSTAR .ORTH 'ENRE !CTION !DVENTURE !GE 2ATING ""&# 2ELEASE $ATE TH -ARCH

)

N 'RAND 4HEFT !UTO 6ICE #ITY 3TORIES

YOU RETURN TO THE SETTING OF THE HUGELY POPULAR 'RAND 4HEFT !UTO 6ICE #ITY IN WHICH YOU ROAMED THE CITY CAUSING MAYHEM IN A PLOT LINE SIMILAR TO THE MOVIE 3CARFACE 3ET IN TWO YEARS BEFORE THE EVENTS IN THE ORIGINAL TAKE PLACE YOU TAKE ON THE ROLE OF 6IC 6ANCE BROTHER TO ,ANCE 6ANCE

A SOLDIER TRYING TO EARN ENOUGH MONEY TO CARE FOR HIS MOTHER AND SICK BROTHER IN A CITY CAUGHT UP IN A VIOLENT DRUGS WAR WHERE GANG RELATED SHOOTINGS ARE THE NORM AND LAWLESSNESS IS RIFE 7HEN YOU GET CAUGHT UP IN THE TOILS OF THE CITY AFTER RUNNING AN ERRAND FOR A CORRUPT SUPERIOR OFl CER YOU ARE SUMMARILY DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY AND FORCED TO MAKE A LIVING BY OTHER MEANS

RUNNING ERRANDS FOR VARIOUS CRIMINALS ALL THE WHILE BUILDING YOUR OWN EMPIRE .OT EVERYTHING IS AS YOU REMEMBER IT IN 6ICE #ITY AS A NUMBER OF NEW FEATURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THE GAME &OR INSTANCE

SHOULD YOU BE SO UNFORTUNATE AS TO BE BUSTED

BY THE POLICE OR EVEN WASTED WHILST RUNNING ONE OF 6IC S MANY PERILOUS ERRANDS YOU WILL l ND A TAXI WAITING FOR YOU AFTERWARDS TO TAKE YOU BACK TO BASE SAVING A GREAT OF TIME BY NOT HAVING TO MAKE YOUR WAY BACK ON YOUR OWN &URTHERMORE YOU CAN NOW BRIBE THE POLICE IN ORDER TO HAVE ALL YOUR WEAPONS RETURNED EVEN IF THE COST CAN BE FAIRLY STEEP !NOTHER TIME SAVING FEATURE IS THE hQUICK TRIPv FUNCTION WHICH ALLOWS YOU SKIP THE DRIVING SECTIONS OF SOME MISSIONS AND CUT STRAIGHT TO THE ACTION

! MAJOR NEW COMPONENT OF THIS RELEASE IS THE hEMPIREv SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO TAKE OVER VARIOUS BUILDINGS IN THE CITY IN ORDER TO BUILD YOUR OWN BUSINESS EMPIRE "UILDINGS CAN BE UPGRADED AND SPECIAL MISSIONS EXIST IN ORDER TO IMPROVE YOUR hREPUTATIONv WITHIN THE INDUSTRY !LL OF THIS ADDS TO THE PLAYABILITY OF THE GAME THERE BEING SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO SPEND YOUR TIME WITHIN THIS EXPANSIVE VIRTUAL WORLD INCLUDING SO CALLED hVIGILANTE MISSIONSv WHICH CAN BE USED IN ORDER TO IMPROVE YOUR CASH m OW 3TYLISTICALLY THE GAME IS SUPERB 7HILST DRIVING YOU CAN m ICK THROUGH A NUMBER OF RADIO STATIONS WHICH OFFER BOTH A WIDE SELECTION OF MUSIC AND HUMOROUS BANTER 5NLIKE MANY GAMES OUT THERE THE MUSIC IN GAME IS COMPRISED OF SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE HITS FROM THE S RATHER THAN SIMPLY ELEVATOR MUSIC 4HEREFORE YOU MAY l ND YOUR CRUISING INTO THE SUNSET SCORED TO .EW /RDER S "LUE -ONDAY

"LONDIE S (EART OF 'LASS OR EVEN &RANKIE 'OES TO (OLLYWOOD S 2ELAX 0ASTEL COLOURS AND S FASHION SENSIBILITIES DECORATE THE -IAMI INSPIRED 6ICE #ITY LENDING THIS GAME PERSONALITY IN SPADES !LL OF THIS IS HELD TOGETHER BY A SENSE OF HUMOUR WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGHOUT WHETHER IT BE IN THE DIALOGUE THE MISSION OBJECTIVES OR THE BACKDROP -OST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL THIS GAME IS FUN WHETHER YOU RE DRIVING ABOUT

IGNORING THE MISSIONS ENTIRELY IN ONE OF A PLETHORA OF VEHICLES ON OFFER OR USING A FORKLIFT TO SHUNT CRATES OF ALCOHOL AROUND BEFORE THEY EXPLODE WHICH ALL IN ALL MAKES FOR A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ADDITION TO THE 'RAND 4HEFT !UTO SERIES

Ross Butler

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

13

Film

Hidden (DVD - 15) ****

( TMNT (PG) ****

4

HE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS HERE MIGHT FONDLY REMEMBER THOSE HEROES IN A HALF SHELL FROM THEIR EARLY CHILDHOOD .OW ,EONARDO 2APHAEL $ONATELLO AND -ICHELANGELO ARE BACK IN A BRAND NEW #') ANIMATED ADVENTURE TO ENSURE THE EIGHTIES REVIVAL THAT IS BOUND TO CONTINUE WITH THIS SUMMER S 4RANSFORMERS DIRECTED BY -ICHAEL "AY NO LESS !CTING AS A DIRECT SEQUEL TO THE lRST LIVE ACTION lLM A YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE THE 4URTLES DEFEATED 3HREDDER ,EONARDO HAS BEEN SENT TO #ENTRAL !MERICA TO TRAIN TO BECOME A BETTER LEADER !PRIL / .EILL AND #ASEY *ONES HAVE BECOME 4OMB 2AIDERS OF SORTS AND THE REST OF THE 4URTLES ARE STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH NOT BEING THE DEFENDERS OF -ANHATTAN THAT THEY ONCE WERE )N STEPS -AX 7INTERS A WEALTHY BUSINESSMAN INTENT ON COLLECTING THIRTEEN MONSTERS IN ORDER TO RECTIFY A GRAVE ERROR HE MADE &IRST OFF THIS IS A CHILDREN S lLM SO BEAR IN MIND THAT THIS IS THE MARKET THEY ARE CATERING TO &OR US FANS WHO ARE ON A

Pan’s Labyrinth (DVD – 15) *****

&

OR THOSE OF YOU UNABLE TO GET TICKETS AT 4HEATR 'WYNEDD LAST MONTH WHICH WAS QUITE A FEW APPARENTLY

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO SEE THIS WONDERFUL lLM WHICH WON ITS FAIR SHARE OF /SCARS AND "!&4!S ALIKE 4HE lLM IS A GOTHIC FAIRYTALE OF SORTS SET DURING THE 3ECOND 7ORLD 7AR IN 3PAIN /FELIA IS SENT TO THE HILLSIDE WITH HER PREGNANT MOTHER WHO HAS JUST MARRIED A BRUTAL ARMY GENERAL CHARGED WITH ERADICATING THE HILLS OF THE REBELS lGHTING AGAINST THE NEWFOUND FASCIST REGIME IN 3PAIN /FELIA S OBSESSION WITH FAIRYTALES LEADS HER TO A LABYRINTH NEARBY WHERE A &AUN TELLS HER SHE IS A PRINCESS LONG THOUGHT LOST

BY THEIR PEOPLE "UT IN ORDER TO PROVE HER SOVEREIGNTY SHE MUST COMPLETE THREE TASKS

EACH MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE LAST IN ORDER TO MEET HER REAL FATHER THE +ING ONCE AGAIN 7HAT MIGHT SHOCK OR POSSIBLY ANNOY PEOPLE VIEWING THIS FOR THE lRST TIME IS THAT THIS IS MORE OF A TALE OF FASCIST 3PAIN IN WARTIME THAN THE FAIRYTALE WE MIGHT EXPECT 7HETHER THE CHALLENGES /FELIA FACES ARE IN HER MIND OR NOT IS PRETTY MUCH A MOOT POINT THEY ARE HER WAY OF DEALING WITH THE HUGE CHANGE FOISTED UPON HER AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE %ACH PERFORMANCE IN THE lLM

NOSTALGIA TRIP HOWEVER THIS BROUGHT BACK SOME PRETTY HAPPY MEMORIES 4HE STORY FEELS LIKE A REAL PROGRESSION FROM THE ORIGINAL lLMS AND ALTHOUGH ) WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY ONE OR TWO CHARACTERS HAD TURNED OUT IT STILL FELT LIKE A REAL 4URTLES ADVENTURE !T THE CORE OF IT IS THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN ,EONARDO AND 2APHAEL SOMETHING THAT DID PLAY A HUGE PART IN THE ORIGINAL STORY AND IT S NICE TO SEE THEM DEVELOP THAT RIVALRY FURTHER 4HE DECISION TO MAKE IT A #') lLM ALSO WORKS FANTASTICALLY WELL !LTHOUGH THE HUMAN CHARACTERS DO LOOK SLIGHTLY POOR IN PLACES THEY ARE STYLISED WITHIN THAT UNIVERSE )N SOME SCENES WATCH OUT FOR THE RAIN SCENE ON TOP OF THE ROOFTOP )-!') 3TUDIOS COME PRETTY DAMN CLOSE TO MATCHING THE TECHNICAL WIZARDS AT 0IXAR IT S 4(!4 GOOD ) SUPPOSE THE BIGGEST PRAISE ) CAN GIVE THE lLM IS THAT ) WALKED OUT FEELING LIKE ) WAS lVE YEARS OLD AGAIN %NJOY THE lLM FOR WHAT IT IS AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED

Ian Davies

IS INCREDIBLE AND THEY EASILY DRAW YOU INTO THE STORY WITHOUT ANY DIFlCULTY WHATSOEVER ! SPECIAL MENTION MUST GO TO $OUG *ONES

WHO PLAYED THE &AUN AND THE 0ALE PROVIDING A BRILLIANT PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN WHAT LOOKED LIKE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE COSTUMES &OR ANYONE WHO HAS SEEN ANY OF 'UILLERMO $EL 4ORO S OTHER lLMS "LADE (ELLBOY

$EVIL S "ACKBONE AND #RONOS THEY WILL BE FULLY AWARE OF WHAT A WONDERFUL EYE FOR DETAIL HE HAS AND THIS IS NO EXCEPTION 4HE CINEMATOGRAPHY AND ARTWORK IN THE lLM BEATS ANY OTHER lLM EXCEPT PERHAPS #HILDREN OF -EN FROM LAST YEAR HANDS DOWN AND CREATES THE LUSH FANTASY WORLD THAT /FELIA POPULATES 0AN S ,ABYRINTH HAS BEEN PRAISED THE WORLD OVER AND RIGHTLY SO )T S AN INCREDIBLE PIECE OF WORK FULL OF THE ORIGINALITY AND VISION THAT MOST OF THE INDUSTRY IS MISSING RIGHT NOW 3EE IT AS SOON AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN

YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED 4HE $6$ HAS BEEN RELEASED BY /PTIMUM AS A TWO DISC EDITION &OR A FULL REVIEW OF THE SPECIAL FEATURES PLEASE LOG ONTO THE WEBSITE AT WWW SEREN BANGOR AC UK BUT THE FEATURES INCLUDE AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT THE WORK THAT WENT INTO BRINGING THE lLM TO LIFE ON SCREEN AND AN EXCELLENT COMMENTARY FROM 'UILLERMO $EL 4ORO

Ian Davies

IDDEN IS A &RENCH SUSPENSE THRILLER DIRECTED BY -ICHAEL (ANEKE

BEST KNOWN FOR HIS lLMS @#ODE 5NKNOWN AND @4HE 0IANO 4EACHER )T S AN UNSETTLING BUT THOROUGHLY GRIPPING lLM STARRING $ANIEL !UTEUIL AND *ULIETTE "INOCHE AS A MARRIED COUPLE 'EORGES AND !NNE

WHO RECEIVE ANONYMOUS SINISTER VIDEOTAPES CONTAINING FOOTAGE OF THEIR HOUSE 4HESE LONG LASTING TAPES BECOME MORE PUZZLING UNTIL ONE SHOWS THE HOUSE 'EORGES GREW UP IN 4O SAY ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE SPOILING THE SLOW BURNING MENACE AND TENSION THE DIRECTOR BUILDS UP SO WELL /NE SCENE IS GUARANTEED TO SHOCK YOU THAT OCCURS FROM NOWHERE 4HIS IS WHAT MAKES (IDDEN SO GRIPPING THE SENSE OF UNEASE AND UNPREDICTABILITY THAT CREEPS UNDER YOUR SKIN THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE lLM UNTIL ITS SUDDEN AND AMBIGUOUS ENDING 4HE LONG CONTINUOUS TAKES AND NO USE OF MUSIC ADD TO THE UNFAMILIAR STYLE OF (ANEKE S lLM )T S A TOTALLY ORIGINAL lLM AND THE lLM HAS MANY UNDERLYING ISSUES WITHIN THE STORY SUCH AS GUILT REVENGE AND EVEN POLITICAL MATTERS TO ADD MORE DEPTH TO A STRAIGHTFORWARD STORY 4HE ACTING FROM !UTEUIL AND "INOCHE IS SUPERB FULLY CONVINCING US OF THEIR

SITUATION AND ACTIONS THEY TAKE IN SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF THE VIDEOTAPES 4HE lLM CAN BE AN UNCOMFORTABLE WATCH FROM ITS LENGTHY SCENES OF COMPLETE SILENCE NOT KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT AND SUDDEN SHOCKS GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU JUMP (IDDEN ALSO HAS A SNAIL LIKE PACE WHICH WON T BE FOR EVERYONE BUT FROM THE OPENING SHOT YOU LL BE GRIPPED 4HE $6$ FEATURES ARE FEW BUT VERY INFORMATIVE !N INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR -ICHAEL (ANEKE IS SURPRISINGLY DETAILED IN DISCUSSING THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS LEFT

OPEN IN THE lLM ESPECIALLY A SECRET ABOUT THE lLM S ENDING 4HE @MAKING OF FEATURETTE EXPLAINS IN DETAIL HOW THE EXTENSIVE TAKES IN THE SHOT WERE lLMED AND ALSO THE SHORT TEMPER OF THE DIRECTOR IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG WITHIN THOSE SHOTS )T PROVES A VERY INTERESTING WATCH 4HERE ARE ALSO lLMOGRAPHIES AND A THEATRICAL TRAILER

7HAT HAPPENS NEXT 9OU LL HAVE TO WATCH IT TO lND OUT 4HE lNAL lFTEEN MINUTES ARE THAT OF PULSATING BLOOD RUSHING EVENTS WITH MUCH MORE ILLUSION TO COME FROM THE ILLUSIONIST HIMSELF 3OME OF THE EFFECTS USED IN THIS BREATHTAKING lLM ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD AND WILL LEAVE WITH YOUR MOUTH HANGING OPEN IN AMAZEMENT ! LOT HAS TO BE SAID FOR WRITER AND DIRECTOR .EIL "URGER WHO IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE lLM S SUCCESS

WHICH BROUGHT HIM AN /SCAR NOMINATION 4HE ACTING FROM %DWARD .ORTON IN HIS MAGICAL SCENES IS NOTHING LESS THAN MAGNIlCENT ALTHOUGH THE LOVE STORY WITH

*ESSICA "IEL LOOKED AS IF IT NEEDED TIME TO DEVELOP AND PROGRESS INSTEAD OF BEING RUSHED AND NEGLECTED 2UFUS 3EWELL AND 0AUL 'IAMATTI HOWEVER PUT IN A BRILLIANT DISPLAY OF DElANT ACTING AS THE VENOMOUS 0RINCE AND INQUISITIVE )NSPECTOR 4OGETHER WITH A PLOT EQUALLY AS GOOD AS THEIR PERFORMANCES MAKES h4HE )LLUSIONISTv IS A DElNITE @MUST SEE AMONGST ALL MOVIE GOERS AND IN MY OPINION A VERY ENJOYABLE ONE AT THAT

.EW ,INE #INEMA STILL NEED CONVINCING THE WORLD NEEDS ANOTHER KILLER SHARK lLM DESPITE HAVING SPENT A SMALL FORTUNE ON PRE PRODUCTION THUS FAR !S WRITER 3TEVE !LTEN SAYS h)T WAS FANS THAT GOT 3NAKES ON A 0LANE GREENLIT IT COULD HAPPEN WITH -%' 3PREAD THE WORD OVER THE INTERNET ON -Y3PACE ;HTTP WWW MYSPACE COM STEVEMEG= ON )-$" -%' FANS CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN v 3O IF THE PROSPECT OF A SHARK &)6% TIMES AS BIG AS A 'REAT 7HITE DUKING IT OUT WITH A HELICOPTER IS A VISUAL TEMPTATION TOO MUCH

TO RESIST THEN YOUR VOICE COULD BE THE EXTRA ONE NEEDED TO PRESSURE THOSE MOVIE EXECS INTO MAKING THE !LTEN DE "ONT DREAMTEAM A REALITY $O THE RIGHT THING TODAY

Mark Varley

The Illusionist (PG) ****

&

ROM THE SAME PRODUCERS OF AWARD WINNING lLMS h#RASHv AND h3IDEWAYSv 4HE )LLUSIONIST PROMISED TO BRING US A BIG HIT AND IT DOES "ASED LOOSELY ON 3TEVEN -ILLHAUSER S STORY h%ISENHEIM THE )LLUSIONISTv

THE lLM TELLS THE STORY OF %ISENHEIM %DWARD .ORTON A S MAGICIAN IN 6IENNA WHO IS CAPABLE OF PULLING OFF THE MOST MESMERIZING AND LOGIC DEFYING TRICKS 4HE lLM TOLD MAINLY THROUGH mASH BACKS

STARTS IN GOOD NATURE %ISENHEIM IS ATTRACTING LARGE CROWDS AND REWARDING REVIEWS THROUGH THE PHENOMENON THAT ARE HIS ENTHRALLING MAGIC SHOWS MUCH TO THE SATISFACTION OF HIM AND HIS MANAGER 4HIS IS UNTIL HE SETS FOOT ONTO A PATH OF SURE DESTRUCTION (E COMES FACE TO FACE WITH HIS CHILDHOOD LOVE

3OPHIE VON 4ESCHEN *ESSICA "IEL THE SOON TO BE 0RINCESS TO THE VOLATILE 0RINCE ,EOPOLD 2UFUS 3EWELL !S %ISENHEIM SUMMONS SOMEONE AT RANDOM TO PARTICIPATE IN HIS SHOW TRUE TO ALL ROMANTIC TALES IT IS 3OPHIE WHO APPEARS 4HE 0RINCE S LOYAL POLICE CHIEF

)NSPECTOR 5HL 0AUL 'IAMATTI DISCOVERS %INSENHEIM AND 3OPHIE S PLAN TO mEE 6IENNA AND IS SOON ON THEIR CASE 2ISKING THE NEAR FATES OF IMPRISONMENT AND EVEN EXECUTION %ISENHEIM LEAVES IT ALL TO DO WITH ONE lNAL TRICK WHICH ENDANGERS HIS LIFE

Sam Evans

RESCUE A RELIC

-

%' HAS BEEN IN DEVELOPMENT HELL SINCE ! DECADE ON IT SEEMS A THREATENED DIRECT TO $6$ *AWS AND THE DESIRE FOR A ST CENTURY BY WORD IN SEA TERROR HAS PROVIDED THE )NTERNET COMMUNITY WITH A REAL SENSE OF URGENCY TO PUSH -%' S PRODUCTION FORWARD 9OU SEE

-%' STANDS FOR -EGALODON A FOOT LONG

TON PREHISTORIC SHARK WHO PERFORMS SWIFT JUSTICE TO ALL WHO ENTER HER PRESENT DAY WATERY DOMAIN ! FUNDAMENTAL mAW IS THAT THE -EGALODON NO LONGER EXISTS NEVER EXISTED DELETE AS APPROPRIATE TO ONE S BELIEFS SO WHERE IS THE SCARY REALISM OF *AWS 7ELL THE FEAR FACTOR HERE IS SIZE )NDEED THE LEAKED CONCEPT ART CIRCULATING THE .ET OF -%' AND A DOOMED SURFER IS NOT EASILY FORGOTTEN !FTER ALL A CREATURE WHOSE MOUTHSPAN COULD TAKE OUT A WHOLE RHINOCEROS IN ONE SWOOP IS

QUITE FRANKLY THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES "UT EVEN WITH 3PEED DIRECTOR *AN DE "ONT COMMITTED TO THE PROJECT -%' OWNERS

Kevin Smith

14

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Music

Fallout Boy - InямБnity On High

Idlewild - Make Another World

!

)DLEWILD HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE FOR A LITTLE WHILE !FTER A SPLIT FROM 0ARLOPHONE %-) THEIR RECORD LABEL OF EIGHT YEARS IN THE NEW ALBUM @-AKE !NOTHER 7ORLD UNDER 3ANCTUARY 2ECORDS IS FAR FROM DISAPPOINTING 4HE 3COTTISH BAND THAT BEGAN LIFE AS A PUNK GUITAR GROUP HAS DElNITELY COME INTO THEIR OWN 'ONE ARE THE DAYS OF THE SCREAMING VOCALS AND STAGE DIVING SOUND WHICH WERE PRESENT IN THE lRST FEW ALBUMS

THE BAND HAVE NOW MATURED AS THEIR HAIR HAS GROWN LONG AND THE SONGS HAVE BECOME LYRICAL BALLADS THAT COME CLOSER TO POETRY THAN ANYTHING ELSE 4HIS HOWEVER IS NO DISCOURAGING THING 4HE NEW ALBUM IS FANTASTIC FOR OLD AND NEW )DLEWILD FANS ALIKE 4HE OPENING TRACK @)N #OMPETITION &OR 4HE 7ORST 4IME AS WELL AS A COUPLE

S AN AVID &ALL /UT "OY FAN THIS ALBUM WAS DElNITELY LONG AWAITED #ONTAINING THEIR MASSIVE HIT @4HIS !IN T A 3CENE )T S AN !RMS 2ACE THIS ALBUM IS FULL OF PLENTY OF PRE TRASH SONGS TO GET YOU GOING 7ITH NO REAL @SLOWIES WHICH IS A PLUS POINT FOR ME THIS IS THE PERFECT CHEER UP ALBUM -Y TIP IS TO TURN YOUR STEREO UP LOUD REGARDLESS OF ANY HOUSEMATE RELATED COMPLAINTS AND BOOGIE AROUND YOUR BEDROOM 4HIS ALBUM TOPS @5NDER 4HE #ORK 4REE WHICH ) PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT TO BE AN IMPOSSIBILITY BUT THEY DID IT 3O INVEST IN IT IF ONLY FOR THE COMEDY INTRO BY *AY :

Natalie Pierce-Jones

OF OTHERS HARK BACK TO THEIR ALBUM @4HE 2EMOTE 0ART THEIR MOST POPULAR ALBUM TO DATE WITH ITS UPBEAT OPENING TRACK SOUND THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO BE JUMPING AROUND IN A MOSH PIT AT A SWEATY GIG 4HE lRST SINGLE @)F )T 4AKES 9OU (OME WILL PLEASE EARLIER FANS EDGING TOWARDS THE lRST COUPLE OF ALBUMS WITH HEAVIER RIFFS AND A FASTER TEMPO GIVING IT A ROCKIER EDGE THAN THE OTHER TRACKS 3ONGS LIKE @&UTURE 7ORKS AND @/NCE )N 9OUR ,IFE ARE GRAND IF NOTHING ELSE FOR THE LOW 3COTTISH LULL IN THE VOCAL TALENTS OF -R 2ODDY 7OOMBLE ARE SOMETHING ) ENJOY MORE WITH EVERY NEW SONG ) HEAR 4HE ALBUM IS NOT WHOLLY GROUNDBREAKING IN ITS STYLE AND CONTENT BUT IS CRACKING FOR ARDENT FANS WANTING TO ADD MORE )DLEWILD TO THEIR COLLECTION OR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DISCOVER A NEW BAND THAT CREATES CONSISTENTLY GORGEOUS MUSIC

Kirsten Buglass

Scruff and Ready

4

HE lNE CITY OF "ANGOR IS ONCE AGAIN GETTING READY TO WELCOME -ANCHESTERIAN !NDY #ARTHY !+!

-R 3CRUFF -R 3CRUFF HAS BECOME A lRM FAVOURITE IN "ANGOR AND HIS NOW ANNUAL APPEARANCES ALWAYS ENSURE ONE OF THE BEST NIGHTS OUT OF THE YEAR &USING TOGETHER MULTIPLE DIFFERENT STYLES

RANGING FROM LATIN TO JAZZ TO HOUSE 3CRUFF IS ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL $*S ON THE CIRCUIT

AND ONE THAT WILL MOST DElNITELY WEAR OUT THE SOLES ON YOUR DANCING SHOES &AMED FOR PLAYING SETS OF IN EXCESS OF SIX HOURS DON T BE SURPRISED TO lND YOURSELF HAVING TO BE CARRIED HOME AFTER A LONG NIGHT OF BOPPING AND JIVING 3CRUFF S ECLECTIC REPERTOIRE HAS SEPARATED HIM FROM THE ABUNDANCE OF PAINT BY NUMBER $*S THAT LITTER CLUBS UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY AND HAS SEEN HIM TOUR WITH THE LIKES OF 2OOTS -ANUVA AND 4HE (ERBALISER TO NAME BUT A COUPLE )F YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE PLEASURE OF THE -R 3CRUFF %XPERIENCETM THEN NOW IS YOUR CHANCE AND IT IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY YOU SHOULD LET PASS YOU BY 3O WHAT IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO GIVE YOURSELF A NIGHT OFF

AND FOR THOSE ALREADY PLANNING A NIGHT OUT

DRAG YOURSELF AWAY FROM THE ALL TOO FAMILIAR MUSIC PLAYED IN !CADEMI ON A 3ATURDAY NIGHT AND TRY SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT &OR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE -R 3CRUFF HERE IN "ANGOR ON 3ATURDAY ST !PRIL KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR ONE OF THE 3EREN TEAM SELLING RAFmE TICKETS IN THE WEEK AFTER THE %ASTER BREAK

Arcade Fire - Setting the music scene alight

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

4

HE SECOND OFFERING FROM -ONTREAL BASED BAND !RCADE &IRE @.EON "IBLE

IS AN ALBUM OF CONTRADICTIONS )T IS AN ALBUM PRODUCED BY A BAND NEARLY EVERYONE HAS HEARD OF BUT NEARLY NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT AT LEAST IN COMPARISON WITH THEIR INDIE PEERS !N ALBUM OF SOARING

GLORIOUS AND UPLIFTING MELODIES BOUND TO THE GRIMMEST OF LYRICS lLLED WITH BRIMSTONE

ASH WAILING AND THE GNASHING OF TEETH @.EON "IBLE IS A SORT OF MAGIC MIRROR WHICH REmECTS THE NEGATIVITIES OF THE MODERN WORLD THROUGH ITS WORDS OF CRITICISM CONCERN AND CONmICT MUCH LIKE THE SUPERNATURAL BLACK MIRROR OF LORE AFTER WHICH THE OPENING TRACK OF THE ALBUM IS TITLED 4O SAY THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE ALBUM ARE LIMITED TO A BLEAK PORTRAYAL OF THE MODERN WORLD WOULD BE HIGHLY UNFAIR HOWEVER THE LYRICS BEING BOTH ANALYTICAL AND THOUGHTFUL 4HE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGION AND

h)T FEELS AS IF THERE IS REAL SUBSTANCE BEHIND THE THOUGHTS AND IDEAS OF !RCADE &IRE RATHER THAN CRITICISM FOR THE SAKE OF ITv SOCIETY IS EXPLORED IN SOME DEPTH WITHOUT SHOWING BIAS TOWARDS EITHER THE RELIGIOUS OR THE ANTI RELIGIOUS 4HOUGH THE WORDS THEMSELVES CAN FEEL SOMEWHAT CLUMSY THEY STILL MANAGE TO EXPRESS IDEAS WHICH HAVE VERY CLEARLY BEEN THOUGHT OUT AND CERTAINLY NO ONE CAN ACCUSE THE BAND OF JUMPING ABOARD POLITICAL BAND WAGONS OR TRIVIALISING THE ISSUES THAT ARE DEALT WITH AS SEEMS TO BE RIFE WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE INDIE MUSIC SCENE AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME )T FEELS AS IF THERE IS REAL SUBSTANCE BEHIND THE THOUGHTS AND IDEAS OF !RCADE &IRE RATHER THAN CRITICISM FOR THE SAKE OF IT 7HAT IS SO ENTHRALLING ABOUT THIS BAND IS THEIR UNIQUENESS OF SOUND WHICH SEEMS TO CAPTURE ELEMENTS OF CHURCH MUSIC COUNTRY

THE &RENCH #ANADIAN MUSIC SCENE AND CONVENTIONAL INDIE 4HOUGH 7IN S VOCALS CAN AT TIME SOUND WORLD WEARY .EON "IBLE IS AN ALBUM AS FRESH AS ONE CAN HOPE FOR AN ANOMALY OF ORIGINAL MUSICALITY TO MAKE THE REST OF THE MUSIC SCENE SOUND SIMILAR AND STAGNANT ! BREATH OF FRESH AIR AMONGST THE MOUNTAINS OF #$S YOU LL lND IN YOUR LOCAL MUSIC STORE

Ross Butler

The Horrors - Strange House

4

HE (ORRORS HAVE A STYLE AND SOUND THAT IS LIKE NO OTHER IN THEIR GENRE )F INDEED THEY HAVE A GENRE 3OUNDING LIKE 4HE #RAMPS INVITING )AN #URTIS TO THE @ADULT VERSION OF @4HE ,ITTLE 3HOP OF (ORRORS DEBUT LONG PLAYER @3TRANGE (OUSE STOMPS INTO VIEW WITH A RIFF THAT WOULDN T SOUND OUT OF PLACE ON A &EAR &ACTORY ALBUM @*ACK 4HE 2IPPER !S YOU CAN PROBABLY TELL

BY NOW THIS ALBUM FUSES ROCK AND ROLL INmUENCES THAT SPAN DECADES )T S A MINUTE ASSAULT ON YOUR EARS THAT REFUSES TO WAIT FOR STRAGGLERS .EW SINGLE @'LOVES HIGHLIGHTS 4HE (ORRORS POTENTIAL AND YET ALSO THEIR PROBLEM )T FEATURES A @TALKY INTERLUDE FROM CHARISMATIC FRONTMAN &ARIS 2OTTER

RECALLING *OY $IVISION S @.O ,OVE ,OST

WHICH IS AS PRETENTIOUS AS IT IS PIVOTAL LOVE OR HATE (OWEVER THERE S NOTHING TO DISLIKE ABOUT STAND OUT TRACKS @#OUNT )N &IVES AND @$EATH !T 4HE #HAPEL #ONTINUING THE *OY $IVISION COMPARISON

EXPECT THIS ALBUM TO ENJOY CULT STATUS MANY YEARS FROM NOW WHEN THE DUST HAS SETTLED )CONS IN THE MAKING

Chris Thomson

Alex Farley

Kaiser Chiefs - Yours Truly, Angry Mob

3

Kaiser Chiefs - more of the same or brand new direction?

O YOU ASK @7HAT CAN ) EXPECT OF THE NEW +AISER #HIEFS ALBUM 7ELL FOR A START THE CHANTS THE CATCHY ONE LINERS THE ERRATIC SCREAMING IS STILL PRESENT

SO NO WORRIES THERE )F YOU RE A FAN OF THEIR lRST ALBUM @%MPLOYMENT THEN YOU SHOULD LIKE ITS NEW MORE lNELY TUNED BROTHER .EARLY TWO YEARS AFTER THE RELEASE OF THEIR DEBUT ALBUM THE +AISER #HIEFS SECOND INSTALMENT @9OURS 4RULY !NGRY -OB BRINGS THE BREATH OF FRESH AIR THE BAND NEEDED &ROM THEIR LENGTHY TIME AWAY IT WAS NO SURPRISE THAT THEIR lRST SINGLE FROM THE NEW ALBUM @2UBY MADE IT TO NUMBER AS IT lNALLY PROVIDED US WITH A NEW +AISER S SOUND ,ISTENING TO THE SECOND SINGLE TO BE RELEASED FROM THE ALBUM @4HE !NGRY -OB

WE lND AGAIN THE +AISERS @WORKING CLASS MENTALITY WITH CLEAR SOUNDS THAT CAN BE

LIKENED TO THE #LASH AND THE *AM !LTHOUGH THE ALBUM MAINTAINS THE STYLE AND VITALITY THAT WE EXPECT OF THE BAND THERE ARE ALSO WHAT SEEM TO BE SOME CLEAR @ S INmUENCES IN @) #AN $O )T 7ITHOUT 9OU AND @ S INmUENCES IN @,OVE S .OT ! #OMPETITION "UT ) M 7INNING !S A WHOLE THE ALBUM WORKS WELL 4HE SINGLES COMPLEMENT AND WORK TOGETHER TO FORM A PRODUCT WHERE YOU DON T FEEL THE NEED TO PICK AND CHOOSE SONGS )T IS ARGUABLY A BETTER RESULT THAN PRODUCED

BY THE BAND BEFORE SHOWING A CERTAIN MATURATION IN THE +AISERS 3O IS IT WORTH A LISTEN 7ELL IF YOU RE A FAN THEN ) WOULD SAY CERTAINLY 9OU STILL HEAR THE SAME INDIVIDUAL SOUND THAT YOU EXPECT FROM THE GROUP BUT A BIT FRESHER RATHER THAN THE STALE OLD +AISERS TUNES WE VE ALL BEEN LISTENING TO FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS )F YOU RE NOT TOO KEEN ON THE SINGLE @2UBY THEN DON T JUDGE THE ALBUM BY IT 4HE REST IS MORE OF WHAT WE HAVE COME TO EXPECT OF THE GROUP

Jen Stanley

15

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Features University Getting You Down?

Mental health in students is on trhe rise, but is it still really taboo to talk about it?

)

TS SAD BUT EVEN THOUGHT WE RE WELL INTO THE ST CENTURY THE SUBJECT OF MENTAL HEALTH IS STILL VERY TABOO FOR SOME PEOPLE (OWEVER FEELINGS HAVE CHANGED FROM TWENTY YEARS AGO )T S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT PEOPLE MAKING BAD CONNOTATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ) THINK NOW IT S MORE THAT PEOPLE OFTEN JUST DON T FULLY UNDERSTAND MENTAL HEALTH AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT IF A FRIEND EXPRESSES SUCH A PROBLEM -ENTAL HEALTH DIFlCULTIES ARE RELATIVELY COMMON AND ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE WILL EXPERIENCE SUCH DIFlCULTIES AT SOME TIME IN THEIR LIVES 4HIS DOES NOT RELATE TO ONLY SEVER MENTAL ILLNESSES 4HE MOST COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DIFlCULTIES LIKELY TO BE ENCOUNTERED AMONGST STUDENTS ARE DEPRESSION VARIOUS FORMS OF ANXIETY OFTEN RELATED TO FEELINGS OF STRESS OBSESSIONS AND PHOBIAS AND EATING DIFlCULTIES ESPECIALLY BULIMIA 4HE -ENTAL (EALTH &OUNDATION HAS CONDUCTED ONE OF MANY STUDIES THAt REPORTED THERE IS AN INCREASE IN THE INCIDENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH DIFlCULTIES EXPERIENCED BY YOUNG PEOPLE IN GENERAL AND THAT STUDENTS HAVE POORER PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH THAN NON STUDENTS OF THE SAME SEX AND AGE 3OME STUDIES ESTIMATE THAT PER CENT TO PER CENT OF STUDENTS SUFFER FROM VARYING LEVELS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION -ENTAL HEALTH IN STUDENTS HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED MORE IN RECENT YEARS BY THE INCREASED lNANCIAL BURDEN THAT S BEEN LOADED ONTO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS SINCE THE INTRODUCTIONS OF FEES IN AND THEN THE

INTRODUCTION OF FURTHER TOP UP FEE S IN 4HE 3TUDENT ,IVING 2EPORT PUBLISHED BY -/2) FOUND PER CENT OF STUDENTS

ISOLATED !T A RECENT STUDENT COUNSELLING CONFERENCE IN .OTTINGHAM THE PSYCHOLOGIST AND BROADCASTER /LIVER *AMES LINKED INCREASING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONGST STUDENTS TO A CULTURE OF PERFECTIONISM -AYBE THIS IS TRUE OR MAYBE THE INCREASED PRESSURE TO GET A JOB AFTER YOU GRADUATE IS CAUSING STUDENTS TO PUSH TO GET BETTER AND BETTER DEGREES /THER STUDIOS HOWEVER HAVE NOT COMPLETELY ATTRIBUTED THE INCREASE IN MENTAL HEALTH TO A CHANGE IN THE STUDENT ENVIRONMENT BUT HIGHLIGHT THAT ENHANCED AWARENESS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION MAY HAVE LED MORE STUDENTS TO FEEL ABLE COME FORWARD

Feel you need someone to talk to?

"ANGOR RUNS A FULL TIME COUNSELLING SERVICE WHICH OFFERS DROP IN SESSIONS FOR STUDENTS TO TALK TO A TRAINED COUNSELLOR ON A ONE TO ONE BASIS AS WELL AS SEVERAL GROUPS AND WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHICH RANGE FROM COPING WITH EXAM STRESS TO LONG TERM COUNSELLING GROUPS (OWEVER FOR MANY STUDENTS TAKING THE BIG STEP OF TALKING TO A @STRANGER ABOUT SMALLER PROBLEMS SUCH AN EXAM STRESS AND WORKLOAD MAY BE WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES 0ERSONAL TUTORS ARE IN PLACE BUT MANY TUTORS DO NOT KNOW THEIR TUTORS ON A PERSONAL BASIS OR LIKE ME YOU SEE YOUR MIDDLE AGED MALE LECTURER AS NOT SOMEONE YOU COULD COMFORTABLY CONlDE IN

Peer guides are here to help too ! GREAT SCHEME /XFORD 5NIVERSITY RUNS IS A PEER SUPPORT SYSTEM $ESIGNED FOR ANYONE WHO FEELS THEY WANT SOMEONE THEIR OWN AGE TO TALK TO THE SCHEME IS MADE UP OF A PANEL OF VOLUNTEERS FROM A COLLEGE 4HEY CAN PROVIDE PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR HANDLING THE WORKLOAD AND SITTING EXAMS OR A LISTENING EAR AND A CUP OF TEA 0EER SUPPORT PANELS ARE GIVEN EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN LISTENING AND

hAS COURSE DEADLINES

EXAMINATIONS AND REDUCED STAFF TO STUDENT RATIOS HAS ALL CAUSED POTENTIALLY DISABLING EFFECTS FOR INDIVIDUALSv

ADMITTED TO lNANCIAL TROUBLE 3TUDENT DEBT AND JUGGLING PART TIME WORK WERE IDENTIlED AS THE WORST ASPECTS OF UNIVERSITY LIFE 4HIS ALONG WITH FACTORS SUCH AS COURSE DEADLINES

EXAMINATIONS AND REDUCED STAFF TO STUDENT RATIOS HAS ALL CAUSED POTENTIALLY DISABLING EFFECTS FOR INDIVIDUALS &OR EXAMPLE THE INCREASE OF STUDENTS TO UNIVERSITIES CAN ACTUALLY MAKE INDIVIDUALS FEEL INVISIBLE AND

WITH THEIR PROBLEMS 2ECENT SENSATIONALISM IN THE MEDIA MAY HAVE BROUGHT ACROSS THE FEELING THAT THIS SUBJECT AREA IS OVERLOOKED 5NIVERSITIES 5+ THE !SSOCIATION OF 3TUDENT 3ERVICES -ANAGERS IN (IGHER %DUCATION AND THE !SSOCIATION OF 5NIVERSITY AND #OLLEGE #OUNSELLORS HAVE ALL PRODUCED GUIDELINES AND REPORTS ON THESE ISSUES

Have a go!

COMMUNICATION SKILLS .OT ONLY DOES THE HOUR TRAINING COURSE HELP ENSURE THEY WILL BE EFFECTIVE LISTENERS COMMUNICATORS AND HELPERS IN COLLEGE IT TEACHES THEM HOW TO COPE WITH THE DIFlCULTIES SUCH A ROLE MIGHT BRING 4HESE DIFlCULTIES MAY INCLUDE TIME LIMITATIONS

LEARNING WHERE AND HOW TO MAKE REFERRALS AND HOW TO AVOID GETTING TOO PERSONALLY INVOLVED "ANGOR HAS BEEN PRAISED FOR ITS PEER GUIDE SYSTEM WHICH IS VERY WELL ORGANISED (OWEVER ) HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL "ANGOR PEER GUIDES AND THEY HAVE ALL AGREED BEING TAUGHT SOME BASIC COUNSELLING SKILLS SUCH AS HOW TO LISTEN AND TALK TO A WORRIED PEER WOULD REALLY HELP THEM h) DID FEEL

ABIT h7AS THAT IT v ON MY PEER GUIDE TRAINING DAY ) DIDN T FEEL VERY EQUIPPED AT ALL ) FELT ALL ) HAD TO RELY ON WERE MY OWN EXPERIENCES AT 5NIv !MY 3LATER TOLD ME "ASIC COUNSELLING WOULD TEACH PEER GUIDES HOW TO TALK TO WORRIED PEERS AND IF NECESSARY WHERE TO REFER THEM TOO IF THEY FEEL THEIR PROBLEMS NEED TO BE DEALT WITH BY A PROFESSIONAL *ENNI .OBLE ADMITTED TO ME THAT SHE FELT COMFORTABLE TALKING TO HER PEER

WHO HAVING PROBLEMS 3HE FELT SHE COULD ONLY DO THIS BECAUSE SHE IS NATURALLY GOOD AT TALKING TO PEOPLE (OWEVER NOT EVERYONE HAS A TALENT FOR LISTENING AND GIVING ADVICE )T WAS ESPECIALLY NOTICED BY *ENNI IN SOME MALE PEER GUIDES WHO TEND TO HAVE POORER INTERPERSONAL SKILLS ESPECIALLY WITH FEMALE PEERS 7HEN MY OWN FRIEND WAS APPROACHED

BY HIS FEMALE PEER FEELING HOMESICK HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO HER BUT ) WAS ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH HER AND REASSURE HER THAT SUCH FEELINGS ARE PERFECTLY NORMAL ESPECIALLY FOR FRESHERS -AYBE BASIC TRAINING IN HOW TO DEAL WITH SUCH SITUATIONS WOULD BE A GOOD WAY FORWARD FOR THE PEER GUIDE SYSTEMS )F YOU HAVE BEEN A PEER GUIDE AND HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS TOPIC PLEASE E MAIL ME AT FEATURES SEREN BANGOR AC UK

Counselling service )F YOU FEEL YOUR PROBLEM IS GETTING TOO MUCH FOR YOU GO ALONG TO THE STUDENT COUNSELLING SERVICE IN 'LANRAFON &LAT A BUILDING ATTACHED TO THE END OF THE 3TUDENTS 5NION 9OU WILL BE ABLE TO TALK TO A PERSON WHO IS TRAINED LISTENER AND CAN OFFER WAYS TO HELP YOU )T MAY JUST BE A RELIEF TO TALK THROUGH YOUR PROBLEMS WITH SOMEONE )F YOU RE NERVOUS AND UNSURE ABOUT WHAT TO DO WHY NOT lRST VISIT THE STUDENT COUNSELLING SERVICE WEBSITE lRST AT HTTP W W W B A N G O R A C U K A R M A I N S S C COUNSELLING HTM 4HIS PROVIDES YOU WITH FULL DETAILS ABOUT THE SERVICE THEY PROVIDE AND HOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ! GREAT EXTERNAL SITE TO TRY IS HTTP WWW STUDENTDE PRESSION ORG

Claire Mann, Features Editor

Salsa: You never know you just might like it!

Thought about getting invlved with a club or society but are not sure how or what it involves? Well we’ve been sending out willing volunteers to have a go and report back to you. This week, Chris our music editor, normally to be seen in Trash every Wednesday tries dancing to a different type of music, Lizzie and Dion see what Scottish country dancing is all about and Jack our sports editor gets sent on a...pub crawl (well someone had to do it)

Beer and Ale Society: Much more than ‘it says on the tin’

!

NY WHO EXPECT TO READ THIS ARTICLE TO DISCOVER FRENETIC TALES OF DRUNKEN STUPIDITY PLEASE EXPECT TO BE DISAPPOINTED &OR A NIGHT WITH THE "EER AND !LE SOCIETY IS FAR MORE THAN ANYONE MIGHT COME TO EXPECT )T DOES INDEED INCLUDE TRADITIONAL PUBS WITH TRADITIONAL ALE ITS DOES INDEED INCLUDE DRINKING IF YOU WISH

AND IT DOES INCLUDE OUTRAGEOUS CHALLENGES )T S DElNING CHARACTERISTIC HOWEVER IS THAT IT INCLUDES ALL OF THESE WITHIN A FAR MORE HEARTENING ENVIRONMENT OVER YOUR AVERAGE SOCIAL NIGHT GETTING UNCONTROLLABLY DRUNK 4HE NIGHT KICKED OFF AROUND / #LOCK

WHERE INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS CONGREGATED IN THE "ELLE 6IEW PUB AND SOCIALISED AROUND EACH OTHER AS THEY WAITED FOR THE OTHER

PLUS PEOPLE TO ARRIVE !ROUND / CLOCK EACH TEAM GOT HANDED AN ENVELOPE EXPLAINING VARIOUS DIFFERENT TASKS TO BE COMPLETED WITH PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE BY THE END OF THE NIGHT 3OME TASKS WERE TO BE COMPLETED AT DIFFERENT PUBS FOR EXAMPLE ORDERING A DRINK IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN %NGLISH OR 7ELSH AT THE 4AP AND 3PILE ORDERING AND DRINKING YOUR DRINK ON SOMEONE S BACK AT THE (ARP /THER CHALLENGES WERE TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THE WAY TO EACH PUB SUCH AS lTTING THE WHOLE TEAM ANYWHERE FROM IN A PHONE BOX

KISSING A LANDLORD LADY STRIKING A "EATLES h!BBEY 2OADv STYLE POSE ON A :EBRA CROSSING OR HAVING A WHEELBARROW RACE ON THE (IGH 3TREET !LL TEAMS THEN HAD TO CONGREGATE AT 3KERRIES AT PM FOR SNACKS AND RESULTS

4HE NIGHT CERTAINLY PROVIDED ENTERTAINMENT BY THE BARREL FULL EXCUSE THE PUN AND EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT THEIR NIGHT WHEN WE ALL CONGREGATED AT THE END 4HE ATMOSPHERE WAS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS EXCESSIVELY DRUNK EVERY SINGLE PERSON WAS STILL HIGH ON THE EXPERIENCES OF THE NIGHT &UTURE SOCIALS ARE BEING PLANNED AS WE SPEAK AT THE "!!3OC SO MY ADVICE TO YOU IS TO JOIN QUICK AS ) CERTAINLY DON T WANT TO WAIT ANOTHER FOUR YEARS FOR THE NEXT "EER AND !LE SOCIETY

Jack Peat

Scottish country dancing: doing the Highland Fling

7

E ARRIVED AT THE VENUE SLIGHTLY LATER THAN PLANNED BUT WERE WELCOMED NONETHELESS !FTER EXCHANGING PLEASANTRIES AND A BRIEF INTROUCTION OF THE DANCES WE WERE DOING

THE EVENING BEGAN WITH A NUMBER OF LONG DANCES WHICH INCLUDED THE &LYING 3COTSMAN 3T !NDREWS &AIR AND TWELVE #OATES #RESCENT 7E THEN PROGRESSED INTO MORE ADVANCED SQUARE DANCES WHICH AT SOME POINTS PROVED CHALLENGING "Y THE END OF THE NIGHT WE WERE LEFT BREATHLESS AND SWEATY BUT WE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE EXPERIENCE 0ATRICIA 2EID WHO TEACHES THE 3COTTISH

COUNTRY DANCING SAYS THE CLASS CATERS FOR DANCERS OF ALL LEVELS FROM ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS RIGHT THROUGH TO EXPERIENCED DANCERS h)F YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF JOINING IN A SOCIABLE ACTIVITY ENJOY LIVELY MUSIC AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP lT WITHOUT GOING TO THE GYM THEN 3COTTISH COUNTRY CANCING COULD BE JUST THE THING FOR YOU v 3COTISH DANCING IS ABSOLUTELY n EXCUSE THE PUN n 3COT FREE WHICH IS GOOD FOR ALL YOU TIGHT STUDENTS AND TAKES PLACE EVERY 7EDNESDAY NIGHT FROM PM TO PM AT 0OWIS IN (ALL IN THE -AIN !RTS

BUILDING !S A BONUS FOR ALL YOU GIRLS OUT THERE THE MEN PROMISE TO WEAR KILTS IF NEW PEOPLE TURN UP TO THE NEXT SESSION 7E RECOMMEND THAT YOU GRAB YOUR KILT AND SPOREN AND HEAD DOWN TO 3COTTISH COUNTRY DANCING WHEN CLASSES RESUME AFTER THE %ASTER BREAK &OR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE 3COTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLASS PLEASE E MAIL 0ATRICIA 2EID ON ems20c@bangor.ac.uk

Lizzy Joyce and Dion Jones

h"

UT ) CAN T DANCEv h) LL LOOK STUPIDv *UST TWO OF THE RESPONSES YOU RE LIKELY TO HEAR IF YOU ASK THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE TO ATTEND A SALSA DANCE CLASS 9OUR RESPONSE NEED ONLY BE A MONOSYLLABIC hPAH v FOR ANYONE CAN SALSA DANCE REGARDLESS OF AGE OR ABILITY !ND YOU CAN THROW OUT THOSE NOTIONS THAT YOU NEED TO BE A TANNED SMOOTH TALKING SE¶OR OR A TALL SLENDER SE¶ORITA IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE %VERYONE FROM YOUNG TO OLD

BIG TO SMALL CAN GRAB A PARTNER AND LEARN A BACK BASIC STEP WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES (EY PRESTO YOU RE SALSA DANCING 3ALSA CLASSES IN "ANGOR ARE HELD IN THE 2AILWAY )NSTITUTE ON %USTON 2OAD EVERY 4HURSDAY EVENING 4HE CLASSES START AT PM AND RUN FOR AN HOUR (OWEVER IF YOU FEEL A LITTLE ADVENTUROUS AND WANT TO TRY OUT YOUR NEWLY ACQUIRED #UBAN SKILLS THEN MUSIC IS PROVIDED ONCE THE CLASSES HAVE ENDED FOR YOU TO REALLY LET YOUR HAIR DOWN 4HERE ARE TWO CLASSES RUN SIMULTANEOUSLY

A BEGINNER AND AN INTERMEDIATE CLASS SO THERE S NO NEED TO WORRY IF YOU DON T KNOW YOUR MAMBO FROM YOUR CUCHARACHA AS ALL

WILL BECOME CLEAR VERY QUICKLY "EGINNERS ARE BROKEN IN AT A SLOW BUT STEADY PACE AND IN NO TIME AT ALL YOU LL BE PERFORMING SPOT TURNS AND CROSS BODIES 4HE INSTRUCTORS ARE ALL VERY FRIENDLY AND WILL GLADLY HELP YOU IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO MASTER THE STEPS &OR THOSE WHO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE BASIC STEPS AND FANCY MORE OF A CHALLENGE THEN YOU CAN FEEL FREE TO STEP UP TO THE INTERMEDIATE CLASS 4HIS CLASS MOVES AT A FASTER PACE AND INCLUDES MORE COMPLICATED STEPS !GAIN HOWEVER THE TUTORS ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO OFFER ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING 3ALSA IS AN INCREDIBLY SOCIAL ACTIVITY AND IT IS EASY TO SEE WHY IT IS GROWING IN POPULARITY ACROSS THE 5+ )T IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO MEET NEW PEOPLE OR JUST TO HAVE A LAUGH WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND IS ALSO GREAT EXERCISE 3O WHY NOT POP ALONG TO THE 2AILWAY )NSTITUTE ON A 4HURSDAY EVENING AND GIVE IT A GO THERE S ALWAYS A BAR DOWNSTAIRS IF YOU RE IN NEED OF A LITTLE $UTCH OR MAYBE #UBAN COURAGE

Chris Thomson

16

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

STUDENTSтАЩ UNION AGM What is the AGM?

6.30pm,Tuesday 24th April.

Location TBC.

4HE !NNUAL GENERAL -EETING HAPPENS EVERY YEAR FUNNILY ENOUGH NEAR THE END OF SEMESTER )T S A CHANCE FOR ALL ITS MEMBERS ALL STUDENTS FROM ALL YEARS AND ALL COURSES TO MEET UP AND lND OUT WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A CHANCE TO GET INVOLVED IN THE 5NION IN THE FORTHCOMING YEAR

What will happen?

Life membership:

7ELL ESSENTIALLY IT S A BIG MEETING .OT ONLY CAN YOU CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS BUT IT S A GREAT WAY TO MEET NEW PEOPLE AS WE ARE ALL UNITED BY THE FACT THAT WE ARE STUDENTS WHATEVER THAT MEANS !S A 5NION WE ELECT A #OUNCIL MADE UP OF )NDEPENDENT #OUNCILLORS *#2 REPS COURSE REPS !5 3OCIETIES AND 5-#" REPS

AND (EADS OF 3TANDING #OMMITTEES TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR OUR 5NION FOR US #OUNCIL HOLD THE %XECUTIVE /FlCERS AND (EADS OF 3TANDING #OMMITTEES TO ACCOUNT TOO SO ONE OF OUR JOBS AT THE !'- IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DECISIONS #OUNCIL MADE WERE GOOD ONES AND THAT THEY DID THEIR JOB

)F YOU FEEL SOMEONE HAS DONE OUTSTANDING WORK FOR THE 5NION AND WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE THEM FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS NOMINATE THEM BEFOREHAND AND GIVE A LITTLE SPEECH AS TO WHY WE ALL SHOULD VOTE IN FAVOUR OF THEM GETTING IT

Why should I attend?

7HY NOT )TS ONE EVENING AND SURELY YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT THE MONEY YOU INDIRECTLY GIVE TO THE 5NION IS BEING WELL SPENT AND THAT THE 5NION YOU BELONG TO IS WORKING WELL 0LUS IT S A MASSIVE CELEBRATION OF ALL THAT S BEEN ACHIEVED THIS YEAR A FOND FAREWELL TO THOSE THAT ARE LEAVING AND A WARM WELCOME TO THOSE JUST GETTING INVOLVED

Constitutional Amendment RatiямБcation: #OUNCIL CAN AGREE THAT A CHANGE TO THE BELOVED CONSTITUTION HTTP WWW UNDEB BANGOR AC UK DEM 57"35?#ONSTITUTION? PDF WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA BUT ULTIMATELY ITS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE IF YOU AGREE WITH THEM

Why should I get involved? 4O INCREASE YOUR What about those other Councillors?

4HEY GET ELECTED BY THE COMMITTEES THEY SIT ON TO REPRESENT THEM

Reports:

!LL OF THE %XECUTIVE /FlCERS AND (EADS OF 3TANDING #OMMITTEES WILL REPORT ON THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE OVER THE YEAR 4HIS IS WHERE YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS

That sounds exciting. I didnтАЩt realise I had that much power. What else? !S YOU MAY BE AWARE ELECTIONS JUST TOOK PLACE FOR THE %XECUTIVE /FlCERS OF THE 5NION !S WELL AS TRYING TO RECRUIT AND VOTE IN PEOPLE FOR THE UNlLLED POSITIONS WE WILL ALSO BE ELECTING )NDEPENDENT #OUNCILLORS AND (EADS OF 3TANDING #OMMITTEES TO SIT ON #OUNCIL 4HERE ARE ALSO A FEW COMMITTEES THAT ANYONE CAN GET ELECTED ONTO

POTENTIAL AND THE POTENTIAL THAT WE COLLECTIVELY CAN ACHIEVE

What is a Head of Standing Committee? 4HE (EAD OF A 3TANDING #OMMITTEE LEADS AND DIRECTS THE COMMITTEE AND IS THE PERSON WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE TO #OUNCIL ! 3TANDING #OMMITTEE IS A SERVICE THAT THE UNION PROVIDES THAT WE THE STUDENTS RUN

POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR ELECTION AT THE AGM Union Secretary )TS NOT ALL MINUTE TAKING AND STEERING 4HE ROLE OF SECRETARY IS VASTLY UNDERUSED AND THE SCOPE FOR THE JOB IS PHENOMENAL #ONTACT STEERING UNDEB BANGOR AC UK FOR MORE DETAILS

International Students OfямБce 2EPRESENTING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND THEIR NEEDS AT #OUNCIL AND TO THE 5NIVERSITY AS PART OF THE 3TUDENT &ORUM !LSO WORKS WITH 3TUDENT 3ERVICES TO HELP )NTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Campaigns and Publicity Welsh Affairs OfямБcer Other positions ! 7ELSH SPEAKER LEARNER TO REPRESENT THE /THER POSITIONS INCLUDING THE HEADS OfямБcer INTEREST OF 7ELSH STUDENTS TO #OUNCIL AND TO OF 3TANDING #OMMITTEES LIKE 3EREN AND !SSISTING AND CO ORDINATING 5NION CAMPAIGNS AND PUBLICITY 2ECRUITING STUDENTS TO HELP IN THE CAMPAIGNS

THE 5NIVERSITY (EADS THEIR OWN COMMITTEE AND IS 6ICE 0RESIDENT OF 5-#" #ONTACT MATERION CYMREIG UNDEB BANGOR A

#ONTACT CAMPAIGNS OFlCER UNDEB BANGOR A C UK FOR MORE DETAILS

C UK FOR MORE DETAILS

3TORM &- WILL BE VOTED UPON

Sam Slater

#ONTACT PRESIDENT UNDEB BANGOR AC UK FOR MORE DETAILS

MY WEEK IN THE STARS ,

IKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ) CHECK MY HOROSCOPES ON A DAILY BASIS 7HEN ) MEET SOMEONE NEW IT ISN T LONG BEFORE ) HAVE MANAGED TO DISCOVER THEIR STAR SIGN )F A GIRLY FRIEND TELLS ME SHE HAS A NEW BOYFRIEND MY THIRD QUESTION NEXT TO WHAT IS HE LIKE 7HERE DID YOU MEET HIM IS ALWAYS

WHAT STAR SIGN IS HE ) M NOT OBSESSED ) DON T READ MY STARS AND TAKE THEM AS THE GOSPEL TRUTH ) M JUST CURIOUS AND LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING A MINI INSIGHT INTO HOW MY DAY IS GOING TO UNFOLD ,IKE 4OM #RUISE 3YLVESTER 3TALLONE AND THE $ALI ,AMA ) FALL INTO THE ZODIAC SIGN OF CANCER THE CRAB ST *UNE RD *ULY 4HE ASTROLOGERS SAY THAT PEOPLE BORN UNDER THIS SIGN ARE TYPICALLY SENSITIVE EMOTIONAL

CARING MOODY MANIPULATIVE AND THEY LIKE TO SPEND TIME AT HOME SURROUNDED BY THE PEOPLE THEY LOVE $O ) BELIEVE THIS 9ES ) DO

JUST LIKE ) BELIEVE THAT ,IBRAS LIKE TO EAT RICH FOOD AND THAT !QUARIANS TAKE AN AGE TO MAKE EVEN THE SIMPLEST OF DECISIONS

,OTS OF PEOPLE THINK THAT HOROSCOPES ARE A PILE OF RUBBISH h(OW CAN THEY BE ACCURATE TO EVERY PERSON ON THE PLANET v h4HEY ARE JUST VAGUE DESCRIPTIONS THAT ANYBODY CAN TWIST TO lT INTO THEIR LIVES v h4HAT COULD MEAN ANYTHING )T ISN T EVEN SPECIlCv 9ES ) VE HEARD ALL SORTS OF CYNICAL RESPONSES TO MY hSTAR SIGN MUMBO JUMBOv "UT ) BELIEVE MY STAR SIGNS SO ) DECIDED TO EMBARK ON A QUEST TO DISCOVER IF MY DAILY HOROSCOPE TRULY REmECTED THE WAY MY DAY UNFOLDED ) WASN T GOING TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN ) WOULDN T NEED TO 4HE COSMIC ENERGIES WILL DO THE WORK FOR ME /N -ONDAY THE lRST DAY OF THE EXPERIMENT ) EAGERLY CHECKED MY HOROSCOPES )T EXPLAINED THAT IF ) VERBALLY EXPLORED A SUBJECT WITH A FRIEND THEN THEY WILL FULLY UNDERSTAND SOMETHING WHICH HAS BEEN UNFOLDING BEFORE THEIR EYES THAT THEY HAVEN T YET REALISED ) WAS RATHER DISILLUSIONED

BY THE PREDICTION WHEN ) INITIALLY READ IT

BUT ) KNEW THE COSMIC FORCES WOULDN@T LET

ME DOWN 7ELL ACTUALLY THEY DID .OBODY SEEMED ESPECIALLY ENLIGHTENED AS A RESULT OF ANYTHING ) SAID TO THEM 4ODAY S PREDICTION SCORED A MISERABLE FOR RELEVANCE WHICH IS DISTURBINGLY POOR /H WELL THERE IS ALWAYS TOMORROWxx 4UESDAY ARRIVES AND ) M FEELING OPTIMISTIC CONVINCED THAT YESTERDAY WAS A BLIP !STROLOGERS ARE ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL

MAYBE THEY WERE HAVING AN OFF DAY WHEN THEY MADE YESTERDAYS PREDICTION 3O ) TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND LEARN THAT THE DAY hBRINGS A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE STRANGE ASSUMPTIONS THAT WE MAKE AND THE PRECONCEPTIONS WE UNCONSCIOUSLY HOLD v ) SPEND MY DAY ATTEMPTING TO WRITE PART OF MY DISSERTATION

BUT ACTUALLY ) END UP SPENDING MOST OF IT IN FRONT OF #OLD &EET ) THEN GO AND CO PRESENT THE 4EXT SESSION 3TORM &M AND ) END THE EVENING IN THE PUB WITH SOME FRIENDS 4HE ONLY ASSUMPTION PRECONCEPTION ) SEEM TO HAVE CHALLENGED CONCERNS MY HOROSCOPE

WHICH DON T SEEM TO BE AS ACCURATE AS ) D

EXPECTED THEM TO BE BUT THEN ON THE OTHER HAND MY ASTROLOGER IS CORRECT BECAUSE ) AM CHALLENGING A PRECONCEPTION 4ODAY SCORES A CONFUSED FOR ACCURACY )T S 7EDNESDAY AND ) AM EAGERLY AWAITING ANSWERS !CCORDING TO THE ASTROLOGER IN TOUCH WITH THE COSMIC SKY MY DAY WILL PROVIDE ME ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ) HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR A WHILE ) lND OUT THAT TWO OF MY HOUSEMATES TRULY LOVE ME BECAUSE THEY TREAT ME TO BEAUTIFUL mOWERS )N ADDITION THERE IS ONE PARTICULAR QUESTION ) HAVE BEEN ASKING MYSELF FOR A WHILE WHAT SHALL ) WEAR FOR MY DAD S TH BIRTHDAY PARTY .EW ,OOK PROVIDED THE ANSWER 4ODAY SCORED AN IMPRESSIVE )T S 4HURSDAY DAY FOUR INTO THE EXPERIMENT AND ) M OPTIMISTIC AFTER YESTERDAYS RESULT !PPARENTLY SOMETHING THAT SEEMS SMALL WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON MY LIFE 5NFORTUNATELY MY OPTIMISM IS SHORT LIVED 4HE DAY HAS BEEN FULL OF LECTURES AND THE USUAL MUNDANE THINGS THAT LIFE CHUCKS AT

US ALL ON A DAILY BASIS BUT NOTHING HAS A LIFE CHANGING EFFECT 4ODAY S SCORE &RIDAY 4ODAY MY ASTROLOGER TELLS ME THAT ) HAVE TO WATCH MY MONEY BECAUSE ) MAY BE TEMPTED TO SPLURGE "EING A THIRD YEAR STUDENT MONEY IS TIGHT LIKE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ) HAVE TO WATCH THE PENNIES ) DON T GO ANYWHERE NEAR THE SHOPS TODAY ) AM TOO BUSY TRAVELLING HOME ON THE TRAIN ) M SURE THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE BORN UNDER MY STAR SIGN HAVE MONEY PROBLEMS SO ) AM GIVING TODAY S PREDICTIONS A VAGUE 3O AT THE END OF MY lVE DAY EXPERIMENT THE SCORE IS WHICH IS A PRETTY DISMAL ) DON T THINK ) WILL BE KICKING MY HOROSCOPE HABIT JUST YET THOUGH BUT MAYBE ) SHOULD LOOK INTO CHANGING MY ASTROLOGERxxx

Claire Stapleton

inQUIZitive

ve

ati n i E G A IM

1. What is Earth’s largest continent?

2. On which Italian island did the Mafia originate?

3. Which pop duo was formed by a brother and sister called Richard and Karen?

4. In February 1998, which footballer became the youngest player to win a full international cap for England?

5. Who was George Michael’s partner in Wham?

6. Who played Gordon Brittas in “The Brittas Empire”?

7. What was the name of the mental and physical quiz hosted by Gordon Burns?

8. What was the Fonz’s first name in “Happy Days”?

9. What is the name of Springfield’s chief of police in “The Simpsons”?

10. Which Stanley Kubrick film starring Jack Nicholson was released in 1980?

11. Who played Vicki Vale in the 1989 film “Batman”?

12. Which British monarch was on the throne when man first landed on the moon?

13. Which gangster was shot dead by FBI agents outside a Chicago cinema in July 1934?

14. What was the name of the warship sunk by the submarine Conqueror during the Falklands conflict?

15. Which king of England was defeated at the Battle of Hastings in 1066?

16. Which French queen said, “Let them eat cake”?

17. At which cricket ground are the Ashes kept?

18. Which British athlete won the Men’s 100m at the European Championships in 1986 and 1990?

Wordoku “EASTER-DAY”

Same rules as number Sudoku, but the letters from “EASTERDAY” are in place of the numbers 1 to 9. Note though that there are 2 ‘E’s AND 2 ‘A’s!!!

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The prize puzzle this issue is the Easter-Day Wordoku (bottom left).

E-mail your answer to editor@seren.bangor.ac.uk or cut it out and hand it in at the Students’ Union reception, marked “Seren”. Don’t forget to put your name, tel no. and Uni e-mail address with your completed entry! Winners will be selected at random from the correct entries and fantabulous prizes will be awarded by 25/04/07.

FIGUREative

1. Insert a 3-letter word into each row that can be attached to the end of the word on the left, and to the beginning of the word on the right to form a longer word in each case. When you’ve finished, the centre letters of the six 3-letter words (when read vertically) will reveal the name of a spice...

DRESS _ _ _ LESS IMP _ _ _ PORT SOME _ _ _ SELF FOR _ _ _ MANIA MAY _ _ _ LINE REST _ _ _ WORK 2. Answer the first clue and then change 1 letter from the preceding answer to come up with the answers to the others... a. An urban area = _ _ _ _? b. Soft feathers = _ _ _ _? c. Sunrise = _ _ _ _? d. A grassed area = _ _ _ _? e. A young deer = _ _ _ _?

enCRYPTive

There are 4 men. ‘A’ can only see a brick wall. ‘B’ can only see a brick wall. ‘C’ can see ‘B’ and a brick wall. ‘D’ can see ‘C’, ‘B’ and a brick wall. They all know that there are 4 of them and where each of them is standing. They also know that they are each wearing a hat - 2 of them are black and 2 of

FACTive

Superman was originally created

by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster as a super-villain, not a super-hero.

Their short story “The Reign of the Superman” concerned a (Lex Luthor-like) bald-headed baddy bent on dominating the world. The story didn’t sell, forcing the writers to revise the morals of their ‘Man of Steel’.

3. Replace the blanks in the sentence below with 2 separate 5-letter words, but the same 5 letters must be used Using the cryptic clues given for each word, and the sen- below, work out the pairs of rhyming words that they tence must make sense..! “_ _ _ _ _ are the pillowcases indicate (initials in brackets). to match the _ _ _ _ _.”

E.g. Bloodthirsty tale (GS) = Gory Story 4. You have a 5 litre con-

Cryptic Rhymes

tainer and a 3 litre container.

1. Royal bird of prey (RE).

You need exactly 4 litres 2. DJ’s mistake (WS). of water, but you can’t see 3. Chocolate bar owned by Mr. Van Dyke (DT). through the container and 4.

Addressing many in the bay you don’t have an instrument (BS). with which to measure the 5.

Linked precipitation (CR). water. How would you get 6. Monster mood (HS). exactly 4 litres?

7. Clockwork canine (CD) 8. Desk legend (TF).

The Speaker of the House of Commons 9. Glue-covered mouse (SM). (currently the Right Honourable Michael 10. Living next door to Tony Martin MP for Glasgow Springburn) & Gordon (LN). traditionally renounces all political party ties as soon as s/he takes on the role.

11. Summer fruits cordial In turn, the major political parties choose (PD). not to stand against a Speaker who is 12.

Heavyweight lighter (HZ). seeking to be re-elected, theoretically giving him/her a free seat.

13. The mobile place (PZ).

However, in the last 14. Carbonated questions election, the Scottish Nationalist Party did (FQ). stand against Michael 15.

Sunburnt sibling (BS).

Martin !

16. Simian curtains (AD).

They lost!!

FACTive

them are white. The first to shout out what colour their own hat is wins £1000, however, if they get it wrong they are shot! They are not allowed to talk to each other, to turn around or look over the wall.

Which one shouts out the correct answer?

EXPOSEitive last issue:V

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Wordoku

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“Valentine”

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answers

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Female Sex Symbol Anagrams: 1. Salma Hayek; 2. Natalie Imbruglia; 3. Cat Deeley; 4. Sarah Michelle Gellar; 5. Cameron Diaz.

Male Sex Symbol Anagrams: 1. Stephen Gately; 2. Pierce Brosnan; 3. Julio Inglesias; 4. Cary Grant; 5. Ricky Martin.

this issue:MAGEinative Doctor Who: left to right and down) Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, William Hartnell, Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, Tom Baker, Paul McGann, Patrick Troughton, Sylvester McCoy & Colin Baker. nQUIZitive: 1. Asia; 2. Sicily; 3. Carpenters; 4. Michael Owen; 5. Andrew Ridgeley; 6. Chris Barrie; 7.

The Krypton Factor; 8. Arthur; 9. Chief Wiggum; 10. The Shining; 11. Kim Basinger; 12. Elizabeth ; 13. John Dillinger; 14. General Belgrano; 15.

Harold II; 16. Marie Antoinette; 17. Lord’s; 18.

Linford Christie. enCRYPTive: ANSWER: ‘C’.

C’ can see that ‘B’ has a white hat and knows that ‘D’ is behind him. ‘C’ also knows that if ‘D’ could see 2 hats of the same colour, he would have shouted out.

Therefore, ‘C’ works out that his hat is the opposite colour to ‘B’s - black.

Cryptic Rhymes: 1. Regal-Eagle; 2. Wrong-Song; 3. Dick’s-Twix; 4. Beach-Speech; 5. Chain-Rain; 6. Hulk-Sulk; 7. Cog-Dog; 8. Table-Fable; 9. Sticky-Mickey; 10. Labour’s-Neighbours; 11. Pink-Drink; 12.

Hippo-Zippo; 13. Phone-Zone; 14. Fizz-Quiz; 15.

Blister-Sister; 16. Ape’s-Drapes.

FIGUREative: 1. AGE, AIR, ONE, EGO, HEM & ART - spice s GINGER; 2. a. TOWN, b. DOWN, c. DAWN, d. LAWN, e. FAWN; 3. THESE & SHEET; 4.

Fill the 5-litre container and then use it to fill the 3-litre one. Then empty the 3-litre one. You now have 2 litres in the 5-litre container. Pour this nto the 3-litre container. Now refill the 5-litre container and then pour that into the 3-litre one until it is full; you are now left with 4 litres in the 5-litre container.

P

UZZLEs, osers & roblems

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17

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Compiled by John Jackson

18

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Women’s badminton miss semis after closefought game

Bangor hosts Welsh Universities fencing tournament

The team consists of Emma Adams (top left), Jennifer Perrett, Laura Reilly (captain), Laura Thomas, Laura Tully (bottom left), Julie O’Reilly, and Ros Lancaster.

4

HE 5NIVERSITY OF 7ALES "ANGOR WOMEN S BADMINTON TEAM HAS BEEN AMONGST A NUMBER OF CONTINUED SUCCESSES FOR THE !THLETIC 5NION THIS YEAR 4HIS IS EVIDENT GIVEN THEIR ENCOURAGING PROGRESSION TO THE QUARTER lNAL STAGES OF THE NATIONAL "53! 3HIELD 4OURNAMENT IN WHICH THEY COMPETED ON 7EDNESDAY -ARCH 4HE TEAM FOUGHT VALIANTLY AGAINST A STRONG 5NIVERSITY OF 3HEFlELD SQUAD ONLY TO BE MARGINALLY DENIED A PLACE IN THE SEMI lNALS

LOSING THE GAME 4HIS HOWEVER DOES NOT OFFER A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE TEAM S SUCCESSFUL SEASON PRIOR TO 7EDNESDAY S GAME 4HE TEAM S RECENT SUCCESS IS UNDERLINED BY THEIR PREVIOUS COMPETITIVE MATCH THAT WAS PLAYED AWAY AT +EELE 5NIVERSITY BEFORE #HRISTMAS 4HIS WAS A TIE THEY WON GRACEFULLY DEFEATING THEIR HOSTS 57 "ANGOR IMPRESSIVELY GAINED ACCESS INTO THE 3HIELD 4OURNAMENT BY lNISHING lRST IN THE "53! 7OMEN S "ADMINTON .ORTHERN #ONFERENCE ! !FTER COLLECTING A TOTAL OF SEVENTEEN POINTS THE TEAM EARNED PROMOTION TO THE .ORTHERN #ONFERENCE ,EAGUE !

COMFORTABLY lNISHING ABOVE 5NIVERSITY OF #ENTRAL ,ANCASHIRE WHO EARNED A RESPECTABLE FOURTEEN POINTS 4EAM CAPTAIN ,AURA 2EILLY EXPRESSED HER EXCITEMENT AT THE TEAM TAKING PART IN THE TOURNAMENT "EFORE THE QUARTER lNAL TOOK PLACE SHE SAID h)T IS A

NEW EXPERIENCE TO GET THROUGH INTO THE CUP 7E WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO WIN BUT IT WILL BE A SUBSTANTIAL ACHIEVEMENT EVEN IF WE LOSE v 57 "ANGOR 7OMEN S "ADMINTON TEAM HAVE MADE A SIGNIlCANT IMPROVEMENT UPON LAST YEAR S EFFORTS WHICH SAW THEM MISS OUT ON PROMOTION BY A SINGLE POINT n ULTIMATELY THIS MEANT THEY FELL SHORT OF A PLACE IN THE "53! 3HIELD 4OURNAMENT 4HE QUARTER lNAL PROVED TO BE A TIGHT GAME 57 "ANGOR S ,AURA 2EILLY AND %MMA !DAMS MISSED OUT NARROWLY ON THE OPENING GAME GOING INTO A TIE BREAK AND LOSING 4HE 5NIVERSITY OF 3HEFlELD WERE UNYIELDING THROUGHOUT THE GAME AND FOUGHT HARD FOR THEIR SEMI lNAL PLACE 4HE SEMI lNALS OF THE TOURNAMENT WERE PLAYED ON -ARCH 4HE lRST TIE WAS BETWEEN ,ONDON -ETROPOLITAN 5NIVERSITY 7OMEN S ST AND THE 5NIVERSITY OF ,INCOLN ST 4HE SECOND TIE WAS A DERBY MATCH BETWEEN 3HEFlELD (ALLAM 5NIVERSITY 7OMEN S ST AND 5NIVERSITY OF 3HEFlELD 7OMEN S ST 57 "ANGOR 7OMEN S "ADMINTON TEAM HOPE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR NEXT COMPETITIVE TOURNAMENT THE 7ELSH 5NIVERSITIES #UP A COMPETITION FOR 7ELSH UNIVERSITIES ONLY 4HE TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD AT !BERYSTWYTH 5NIVERSITY ON !PRIL

4

HE UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS OF "ANGOR 5NIVERSITY S FENCING TEAM HAS BEEN SEEMINGLY UN TALKED OF UP UNTIL NOW (OWEVER THEIR lRST YEAR WITHIN THE "53! CHAMPIONSHIPS HAS BROUGHT SOME SURPRISING SUCCESS AND THEIR REPUTATION AS AN EXCITING UP AND COMING TEAM HAS ATTRACTED THE 7ELSH 5NIVERSITIES .ATIONAL #HAMPIONSHIPS TO "ANGOR FOR THE lRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY 4HE TOURNAMENT WHICH WAS HOSTED RECENTLY PLAYED HOST TO UNIVERSITIES FROM !BERYSTWYTH ,AMPETER 3WANSEA AND OF COURSE OUR VERY OWN "ANGOR "ANGOR 5NIVERSITY FENCING TEAM HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE AROUND FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WERE A MERE SEVEN MEMBERS 3INCE THEN THEIR PROGRESS HAS BEEN REMARKABLE 4HE TEAM NOW HAS AROUND SIXTY MEMBERS AROUND OF WHICH ARE ABLE TO TRAIN THREE TIMES A WEEK 4HEY ALSO HAVE A FULLY QUALIlED COACH 3IMON WHO HAS BEEN OF INTEGRAL IMPORTANCE IN THEIR RISE TO SUCCESS !LL MEMBERS ARE VERY AWARE OF THE ROLE HE PLAYS WITHIN THE CLUB FEELING @EVERYBODY IS BETTER BECAUSE OF HIM AND

THAT MUCH OF THE CLUB S CONTINUED SUCCESS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO HIM 4HE TEAM CAPTAIN

#HRIS 2EID IS ONE OF THE MORE EXPERIENCED MEMBERS AND HAS ALSO PLAYED A SIGNIlCANT ROLE IN DEVELOPING THE CLUB S SUCCESS AND ITS MEMBERS ABILITY (E WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE #OUP $E .ORM PRESENTLY AND IS REQUIRED TO WEAR HIS NATIONAL MARK IN THE TOURNAMENT -AES 'LAS PLAYED HOST TO THE .ATIONALS

IN WHICH AROUND FORTY PEOPLE FROM FOUR UNIVERSITIES COMPETED IN BOTH MEN S AND WOMEN S FOIL SABRE AND EPEE %ACH MATCH WAS EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING TO WATCH

AND TOWARDS THE CLIMAX OF THE EVENT THE COMPETITION WAS HEATING UP AND THE STAKES WERE RISING "ANGOR CAPTAIN #HRIS WON A GOLD IN THE MEN S FOIL BEATING OVER PEOPLE TO IT AND THEN NARROWLY MISSED OUT ON A CHANCE AT THE GOLD IN THE EPEE WHERE HE WAS DEFEATED CLOSELY IN AN EXHILARATING MATCH "ANGOR ALSO ACHIEVED A SILVER MEDAL IN THE MEN S SABRE THROUGH 3IMON (ODGSON

AND A BRONZE MEDAL WITH -IKE *AMES 4HE HERO OF THE TOURNAMENT HOWEVER WAS !LEXIS

4

Jack Peat

Jamie Clark

7-a-side goes to the death HROUGHOUT THE YEAR THE &FRIDDOEDD ASTRO TURF PITCH HAS BEEN HOST TO THE OFlCIAL "ANGOR 5NIVERSITY ! 3IDE FOOTBALL LEAGUE 4HE LEAGUE WHICH STARTED IN /CTOBER HAS BEEN PLAYED ON 3UNDAY AFTERNOONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND HAS PROVIDED CLOSELY FOUGHT MATCHES HEATED COMPETITION AND CLOSE RIVALRIES EACH WEEK 4HE LEAGUE CERTAINLY HAS PROVED A GREAT SUCCESS AND ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A LEAGUE LAST YEAR THIS WAS THE lRST OFlCIAL YEAR IN WHICH IT HAS BEEN PLAYED &IFTEEN TEAMS SIGNED UP AT THE START ALL CONSISTING OF AROUND TEN PLAYERS $UE TO THE ODD NUMBER EACH TEAM HAD ONE 3UNDAY OFF WITHIN THE LEAGUE SEASON )T WAS CERTAINLY NOTICEABLE THAT EVERY TEAM TOOK A KEEN INTEREST IN THE LEAGUE FROM THE BEGINNING MOST WOULD ARRANGE ORGANISED FRIENDLIES MIDWEEK AS TEAM TRAINING SESSIONS

"ANNERMAN !FTER TAKING UP FENCING A MERE FOUR WEEKS AGO SHE ACHIEVED A BRONZE MEDAL IN THE WOMEN S FOIL WHICH WAS COMPETED BETWEEN OTHER WOMEN (ER MEDAL SUCCESS CAME AS A REFRESHING VICTORY FOR THE FENCING TEAM AS TROUBLES RECRUITING WOMEN INTO THE TEAM HAVE BEEN A PROMINENT ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON !LEXIS RECOGNISED HER SUCCESS TO BE THE PRODUCT OF MANY HOURS IN THE GARDEN BATTLING HER BROTHER WITH STICKS 4HE TOURNAMENT WILL ALSO PROVIDE THE CLUB WITH AMPLE EVIDENCE THAT THEIR TEAM IS EXPANDING AS THEIR EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING RESOURCES ARE UNDER PAR AND ONLY CATER FOR AROUND TWENTY PEOPLE 4HEY ALSO HAVE THE BURDEN OF HAVING TO TRAIN AT THE .ORMAL 3ITE CAUSING INCONVENIENCE FOR MANY AND ALSO LEADING TO A LACK OF INTEREST IN THE CLUB

ESPECIALLY THE WOMEN S TEAM 4HE CLUB DO SEE MUCH POTENTIAL IN THE FUTURE YEARS HOWEVER

AND HOPE THAT A WOMEN S CLUB CAPTAIN AS WELL AS SOME POTENTIAL EXTRA FUNDING WILL HELP THEM EXPAND FURTHER IN FUTURE YEARS

AND VITAL TRAINING FOR THE 3UNDAY GAME )N THIS RESPECT THE ! 3IDE LEAGUE PROVIDED A GREAT ENCLOSED ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR HOBBIES AND INTERESTS COULD GET TOGETHER ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK AND PLAY REGULAR COMPETITIVE FOOTBALL &OR THOSE WHO AREN T SELECTED FOR THE 5NIVERSITY TEAMS OR CHOSE NOT TO PLAY AT THIS LEVEL THE ! 3IDE LEAGUE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR REGULAR lX OF MATCHES IN A MORE LAID BACK ATMOSPHERE )T IS ALSO A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR EXISTING MEMBERS OF THE FOOTBALL TEAMS TO LOOK AT POTENTIAL PLAYERS FOR THEIR SIDE AS MANY ALREADY RECRUITED PLAYERS WITHIN THE 5NIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAMS LIAISE IN AND OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT EITHER PLAYING OR ACTING AS AN OFlCIAL 4HE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE TOURNAMENT MUST ALSO BE ATTRIBUTED TO JUST A FEW

INDIVIDUALS 4HE LEAGUE WAS OPERATED AND MAINTAINED BY NO MORE THAN lVE PEOPLE

WHOSE JOBS WERE TO RECORD AND OFlCIATE AT EACH MATCH POSTING RESULTS AND TABLES ONCE THE DATA HAS BEEN COLLECTED 4HE JOB WAS CERTAINLY NOT AN EASY ONE BUT WAS ONE THAT SHOULD BE ACCREDITED WITH THE LEAGUES SUCCESS 4HE LEAGUE lNALLY CAME TO A CLOSE IN EARLY -ARCH WHERE TWO TEAMS ,ONGER AND THE (URRICANES WERE BATTLING OUT FOR THE TOP SPOT 4HE (URRICANES SEEMED TO BE THE FAVOURITE FOR THE TITLE AFTER SPENDING MUCH OF THE SEASON IN THE TOP THREE HOWEVER THE RECENT SUCCESS OF ,ONGER MEANT THAT THEY POSSESSED MUCH POTENTIAL FOR THE TITLE

AND WERE CERTAINLY NOT PREPARED TO LET THE (URRICANES TAKE THE TROPHY WITHOUT A lGHT 4HE LEAGUE lNISHED ON THE lNAL DAY WITH

,ONGER lNISHING ONLY HALF AN HOUR BEFORE THE (URRICANES GAME 4HEY WON THEIR GAME CONVINCINGLY HOWEVER THEY HAD TO WATCH AND WAIT TO SEE IF THEY HAD DONE ENOUGH TO GRAB THE TROPHY AT THE lNAL HURDLE 5NFORTUNATELY FOR THEM THIS WASN T TO BE THE CASE 4HE (URRICANES CAME THROUGH SHOWING THE CONSISTENT STYLE THEY HAD PLAYED WITH ALL SEASON AND WERE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR TOP POSITION AND GRAB THE TROPHY 4HE ENDING CERTAINLY WAS A lTTING ONE

EMPHASISING THE DRAMA THAT HAD TOOK PLACE WEEK IN WEEK OUT BETWEEN A RANGE OF TEAMS UP AND DOWN THE TABLE 4HE LEAGUE IS NOW MOVING INTO THEIR KNOCKOUT TROPHY

WHICH WILL SURELY AGAIN SEE THE SAME KIND OF DRAMA

Jack Peat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

The Hurricanes 33% Longer United Nations Cornwall Reds Chutney Ferrets Mike’s Bites FC Y Borth Rosies Jalapeno FC Brighton House Plas Arfon Broad Frame Resistors Rognab Warriors G’s + Hustlers FC OutRAGEous AC Treborth

19

Seren - Easter Issue 2007

Sport No Initiation, No Peer Pressure AU to take tough stance on club socials

)

NITIATION AND EXCESSIVELY ALCOHOL FUELLED SOCIALS SEEMS TO BE PART AND PARCEL OF SOME CLUB SOCIALS 4HE LONG RUN TRADITION OF BEING NOT ONLY ATHLETICALLY ABLE BUT SOCIALLY EQUIPPED HAS BEEN A PROBLEM DAUNTING MOST CLUBS FOR MANY YEARS NOW

AND IS TO SOME EXTENT IMBEDDED WITHIN CLUB HISTORY AND CLUB OBLIGATIONS (OWEVER

FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF A PUPIL IN %XETER 5NIVERSITY WHO DIED FROM ALCOHOL ABUSE DURING A GOLF SOCIAL "ANGOR !5 ALONG WITH MANY OTHER UNIVERSITIES ARE TAKING A

LONG NEEDED STANCE TO PREVENT FURTHER TRAGEDIES AND CURE THE EXCESSIVE SOCIAL BACKDROP THAT ACCOMPANIES MANY TEAMS TODAY 4HE NEW LEGISLATION THAT WILL BE IN PLACE FOR THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR WILL PRIMARILY TRY AND ABOLISH THE USE OF INITIATIONS THAT SEEM TO BE A MANDATORY PART OF JOINING SOME TEAMS 4HE INITIATION CEREMONIES ARE CERTAINLY PART OF MANY CLUBS HISTORY HOWEVER THEY CAN CERTAINLY POSE A BIG RISK TO STUDENTS IF CLUBS ALLOW THEMSELVES TO GET CARRIED AWAY WITH THE OCCASION 4HEY CAN ALSO MORE OR LESS FORCE STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN THINGS AGAINST THEIR OWN WILL PROMOTING AN UNHEALTHY CLUB ATMOSPHERE FOR NEWLY APPOINTED MEMBERS 4HE PRESSURE EXERTED ON STUDENTS MAY AS DEl NED BY THE !5 INVOLVE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL EATING CONCOCTIONS OF VARIOUS FOOD STUFFS NUDITY AND BEHAVIOUR THAT MAY BE DEEMED HUMILIATING )T SEEMS IN MANY CASES TO TAKE THE FOCUS OFF THEIR SPORTING ABILITY

AND RATHER PLACE CREDIBILITY ON THEIR ABILITY TO DRINK !NY CLUB AWARDING MEMBERS WITH STATUS OR ENTRY TO THE TEAM BASED ON

BUSA League round up, Sports and Recreation Committee update

THEIR SOCIAL PERFORMANCE SHOULD INDEED BE REVIEWED AND SHOULD CERTAINLY LOOK AT THE WAY THEY ARE PROJECTING THE CLUBS IMAGE AROUND THE UNIVERSITY 4HE PROBLEM OF INITIATIONS TIES VERY MUCH INTO THE PROBLEM OF PEER PRESSURE WITHIN CLUBS 7EEKLY SOCIALS ARE CERTAINLY HEALTHY FOR A CLUB AND ARE HEALTHY TEAM BUILDING OCCASIONS THIS FACT IS CERTAINLY NOT BEEN DEBATED BY OUR 5NIVERSITY OR ANY UNIVERSITY AT ALL (OWEVER IT IS WITHIN WHAT ENVIRONMENT THESE SOCIALS ARE TAKEN OUT WITHIN THAT POSES THE PRIME PROBLEM )F ANY CLUB DEEMS IT APPROPRIATE TO MAKE TEAM MEMBERS FEEL OBLIGED TO DRINK EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS IN THE NAME OF GOOD CLUB MORALE THEN THEIR ETHOS SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY RECONSIDERED -ANY PEOPLE WILL CERTAINLY FEEL PUSHED AWAY FROM CLUBS THAT PROMOTE THESE THINGS OVER ACTUAL SPORTING TALENT )T IS INDEED THIS PROBLEM THAT ALSO CREATED BY INAPPROPRIATE SOCIALS #REDIBILITY COULD BE BEEN GAINED IN THE WRONG PLACE )T HAS INDEED BEEN A HOT TOPIC AMONGST THE !5 AND OTHER MEMBERS WITHIN THE STUDENTS UNION WITH REGARD TO THE NEGATIVE IMAGE THAT SOME SOCIALS AND EVENTS PROJECT TO BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER STUDENTS -ANY CLUBS ARE NOW LABELLED AND EVEN TAGGED TO SOME EXTENT BASED ON THEIR BEHAVIOUR WHILST ON CLUB SOCIALS 4HE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE THEREFORE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLUB

THOUGH MAY NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CLUBS ACTIONS ARE STILL LABELLED WITH THIS NEGATIVE RAPPORT .OT ONLY THIS BUT THE NEGATIVE RAPPORT FROM CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE

CLUB ALSO REm ECT PEOPLES ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE UNIVERSITY AS A WHOLE (OWEVER THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE -ANY TEAMS ACCEPT THAT THEIR SOCIALS DO INVOLVE DRINK AND DO INVOLVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT (OWEVER IN NO ONE IS EVER FORCED INTO TAKING PART AND MANY TEAMS DO INFACT HAVE MEMBERS THAT DON T DRINK ON THEIR SOCIALS 4HE DRINKING GAMES WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY ARE A COMMON THING AND A LOT OF THEM SHOULD NOT BE ASSOCIATED PRIMARILY WITH THE CLUBS &RIENDS AND SOCIAL GROUPS MAY OFTEN GATHER OUTSIDE OF A CLUB AND DO DRINKING GAMES AS A MEANS OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE NIGHT )N MANY WAYS IT IS THE CLUB MEMBERS AS A WHOLE THAT DECIDE TO DRINK THE WAY THEY DO ON A NIGHT OUT AND IN THAT WAY IT COULD BE DEEMED THAT LITTLE PEER PRESSURE IS EXERTED (OWEVER IN THE SAME MOTION

IT MAY BE THAT THE LACK OF PEER PRESSURE IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT EMPHASISED ENOUGH

BY CLUBS 4HE l NAL POINT REMAINING TO BE DISCUSSED IS HOW THESE LAWS ARE TO BE IMPOSED .OT ONLY HOW THEY ARE IMPOSED BUT HOW ONE IS TO DEl NE WHAT SOCIALS ARE HEALTHY AND WHICH ONES ARE INAPPROPRIATE !S THE SOCIALS ARE SOMETHING THAT DON T NECESSARILY HAPPEN WITHIN THE 5NIVERSITY THEY WILL BE A DISTINCT DIFl CULTY IN MONITORING THEM UNDER THE NEW CODE (OWEVER THERE ARE GOING TO BE MEASUREMENTS THERE THAT CAN BE IMPOSED

BY THE 5NIVERSITY !S DEl NED BY THE !5

BREACHES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT WILL RESULT IN A REPORT FROM THE INVESTIGATING OFl CER AS TO THE SEVERITY OF THE PUNISHMENTS IF AT

ALL 4HE REPORT COULD RESULT IN A DISCIPLINARY HEARING CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 3TUDENTS 5NION DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE 4HE MAXIMUM PENALTIES COULD BE IMPOSING A l NE OF a REMOVING INDIVIDUALS FROM "53!

COMPETITIONS REMOVAL OF TEAMS FROM "53!

COMPETITIONS OR COMPLETE EXPULSION FROM THE !THLETIC 5NION !S THE INFRINGEMENTS OF THE LAWS OF CONDUCT ARE OFTEN BREACHED

BY BUT A FEW OF THE CLUB IT WOULD SEEM DESPERATELY UNFAIR IF PEOPLE WERE NOT ABLE TO REPRESENT THEIR 5NIVERSITY AT A SPORTING LEVEL SIMPLY BECAUSE THE MINORITY COULDN T CONTAIN THEIR OVER EXCESSIVE SOCIAL ATTITUDES 4HE PLACE OF THE TRADITIONAL @:ULU WARRIORS IN OUR SOCIAL SCENE SEEMS TO BE COMING TO AN END AS CLUBS ARE PUSHED TO SEEK THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES 4HE MESSAGE THE !5 IS SENDING OUT IS A l RM ONE 4HEY ARE NOT REALLY LOOKING TO REFORM CLUB SOCIALS AS THIS WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFl CULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE 4HEY ARE LOOKING FOR THE CLUB SOCIALS TO REFORM THEMSELVES 4HEY ARE LOOKING FOR TOWARDS THE CLUBS AND TEAMS AS MEMBERS OF THE !5 TO TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES TO IMPOSE THESE RULES AND BECOME A RESPONSIBLE ORGANISATION )F THESE MEASURES ARE TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY ENOUGH IT WILL HOPEFULLY NOT TAKE A DEATH AT "ANGOR FOR THE CLUBS TO REALISE WHERE THEIR SOCIAL LOYALTIES LYE

Jack Peat

RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM FACE LIVERPOOL HOPE

&

OR THE SECOND SEASON IN A ROW IT SEEMS TO BE THE BADMINTON TEAMS THAT ARE MAKING THE HEADLINES FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS 4HE -EN S TEAM ARE STILL BATTLING IT OUT AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE AGAINST "OLTON

WITH ONE GAME IN HAND THEY COULD SEE THEMSELVES BEEN PROMOTED THIS SEASON AS WELL AS A GO AT THE KNOCKOUT TOURNAMENT )F THEY SUCCEED THEY WILL BE PLAYING TEAMS SUCH AS 9ORK $URHAM ,EEDS AND .EWCASTLE 4HE 7OMEN S TEAM ARE ALSO l NISHED WELL

DESPITE THEIR UNFORTUNATE DEPARTURE FROM THE KNOCKOUTS 4HE -EN S FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM HAVE SHOWN A COMPLETE TURNAROUND IN THE 5NIVERSITIES FOOTBALL RECORD OVER THE PASSED FEW YEARS 4HEY HAVE l NISHED TOP OF THEIR LEAGUE AND SEEM TO HAVE COMPLETELY REVERSED THEIR RECORD FROM LAST YEAR 4HEY ALSO MISSED OUT ON A QUARTER l NAL PLACE IN THE KNOCKOUT CUP AFTER WINNING -ANCHESTER MEN S RDS TO CHALLENGE FOR THE PLACE 4HE 2UGBY ,EAGUE TEAM HAVE ALSO SEEN A CONTINUATION OF THEIR LAST SEASON GOOD FORM THEY l NISHED MID TABLE IN THEIR LEAGUE DESPITE BEING AMONG MOST OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE REGION -OST OTHER TEAMS IN THE TABLE ARE ACHIEVING SATISFACTORILY MOST OF THEM MAINTAINING THEIR LEAGUE STATUS AND BUILDING ON PREVIOUS SEASONS )N TERMS OF THE 3PORTS AND RECREATION GROUP THE l RST MEETING WAS HELD IN &EBRUARY BEARING MIXED FRUIT )T IS CERTAINLY ENCOURAGING THAT THE GROUP IS NOW OFl CIALLY UP AND RUNNING HOWEVER THE PROCESS STILL

SEEMS TO BE A VERY LONG AND TIRING ONE 4HE GROUP IS STILL WAITING FOR AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WITHIN THE ESTATES DEPARTMENT TO BE FULLY INSTALLED AND UNTIL THAT TIME NO SOLID PROGRESS CAN BE MADE (OWEVER THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS AND FACILITIES HAS BEEN BRANCHED UNDER THE HEADING OF "USINESS SERVICES AND AS A NON PROl T ORGANISATION

THIS SURELY IS THE WRONG PLACE FOR IT TO BE )T IS CLEAR THAT SPORTS AND RECREATION SHOULD BE APPROACHED FROM A SOLELY SERVICE ANGLE AS IT IS A SERVICE TO THE STUDENTS AND DOESN T MAKE ANY MONETARY RETURNS (OWEVER ONCE THE !SSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR BUSINESS SERVICES IS PUT IN PLACE A SPORTING STRATEGY WILL BE DRAFTED

AND HOPEFULLY SOME PROGRESS WILL BE MADE

Jack Peat

Bangor University 36-12 Liverpool Hope Lions.

,

IVERPOOL (OPE ,IONS WERE MAULED

BY A "ANGOR TEAM THAT DOMINATED FROM START TO l NISH IN THIS l ERY ENCOUNTER 4HE -ERSEYSIDERS BEGAN WITH THEIR TYPICAL ROUGHHOUSE TACKLING BUT ONCE FATIGUE QUICKLY SET IN THEY HAD NO ANSWER TO "ANGOR S CONTINUOUS PRESSURE 1UICK HANDLING FROM "ANGOR SET UP -ASTERS 3TUDENT %D -C$ERMOTT TO OPEN THE SCORING IN THE CORNER ,IVERPOOL HIT BACK WITH A TRY TO LEVEL THE SCORES BUT THE SHEER INTENSITY OF "ANGOR S FORWARD CHARGES

FROM $ANNY 7RIGHT 2ICH 3MITH 4HOMAS -OTTRAM AND -ATT $AVIES LEFT THE VISITORS OUT ON THEIR FEET -IDWAY THROUGH THE SECOND HALF "ANGOR WERE TEMPORARILY REDUCED TO TWELVE MEN WHEN -AN OF THE -ATCH 7ILL 6ARLEY WAS SIN BINNED FOR HOLDING DOWN IN THE TACKLE YET "ANGOR CONTINUED TO PLAY EFFECTIVE RUNNING RUGBY AND SCORED SOME GREAT TRIES 4HE GAME WAS WELL AND TRULY WRAPPED UP BY THE TIME ,IVERPOOL SCORED THEIR CONTROVERSIAL TRY IN THE LAST MINUTE OF THE MATCH AS "ANGOR HAD RACKED UP THE SCORING REGULARLY IN THE SECOND HALF 4OM "RADl ELD l NISHED WITH TWO TRIES -C$ERMOTT

7RIGHT AND -IKE "ARRON

2EGULAR l RST TEAM PLAYER *OE 3MITH ALSO SCORED A TRY AND PLAYED WELL ON THE WING AFTER HIS SUCCESSFUL SELECTION FOR THE 3COTTISH %XILES 3TUDENT 4EAM *AMIE 4EMPLE MARKED AN IMPRESSIVE DEBUT FOR "ANGOR LANDING TWO TOUCHLINE CONVERSIONS WHILST ADDING DEPTH TO THE FORWARD PACK ,IVERPOOL (OPE LATER ADMITTED THAT THEY UNDERESTIMATED "ANGOR AS THEY WERE SOON TO REALISE THAT YOU CAN T WIN A GAME SOLELY ON AGGRESSION /NCE THE MATCH STARTED THEY WERE MET BY AGGRESSION SKILL AND PACE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE Will Varley

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