Seren - 199 - 2007-2008 - April 2008

Bangor University’s Star Publication

ISSN 1755-7585

Easter Issue 2008

JACKSON’S FIVE

• New S.U. Sabbaticals Elected

• First All-Male Exec For 100 Years • Debut Single Out In June • Full Interviews Inside

by Emma Dixon

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t was a battle that was fought out over many weeks and in numerous locations.

It was in our library, our corridors, our toilets and on our Facebook and the effects were so vast they were even felt up at St. Mary’s. This year’s Students’ Union Sabbatical Officers elections are finally finished and we can all breathe a sigh of relief over no longer being bombarded with speeches, manifestos, leaflets and posters (although I for one will be missing the free lollipops).

That is, for about another two weeks when the Senator elections will start.

Such furious campaigning meant that the final results were extremely close.

Spencer George was voted in as Deputy President with a margin of only 109 votes over Emma Dodd, whereas Lottie Toogood was narrowly pipped to the post of Athletic Union President by Rob Samuel and his six

vote majority. Tom Hecht, our new Societies and Events Officer, received a very comfortable majority showing that a Colgate smile and the promise of an extra ball can get you very far in Bangor. Running without contest, John Jackson, President, and Rhion Glyn, UMCB President, both showed RON who’s boss as they each received 90% of the votes cast.

Turnout across campus however was the lowest it has been in three years. This seems to be a problem mainly amongst the first years in Bangor, as voting figures saw their biggest drops in student halls – notably Rathbone and on the Ffridd Site, the latter of which dropped from 341 votes cast last year to a pitiful 132 votes cast this year.

Rhion Glyn clearly worked hard to win the JMJ vote though as turnout shot up in the Welsh language halls from 75 last year to 114 this year. With just over 1,000 people

Rob ‘Hot Bod’ Samu els

Tom y am ‘Dre ile’ m S ht Hec

CONTINUED PAGE 15

er Spenc s b ‘A ’ e Georg Rh ‘Cheion Cha eky pp Glyn ie’

John ‘Puppy Eyes’ Jackson

Turn to page 10 for full election coverage

Inside This Issue

Student Ban ds CD 2008

Competitions Four Extra P ages Full details including tracklisting & band information can be found on page 11

Joe Beardwood and Electric Chicken Photos © Ricky Tillson (Bangor University Photography Society)

ns ElectioDiary Photo

Interview With The Twang

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008 Editor:

Emma DIxon

News Editor: Jo Caulfield

Letter From

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Travel Editor:

H

Rachel Eales

Features Editor: Siobhan Holt

Music Editor: Emma Dixon

Film Editor: Ian Davies

Books Editor:

Emma McColl

Sports Editor: Will Varley

Contributors:

Joe Firth Matt Richins Sarah Whittingham Chey Charlesworth Carolan Goggin Bianca Murray Zahra Albara Loran Perkins Jennifer Stanley John Jackson Willow Manuel Lee Howson Robert Mann Mark Varley Liam Watson David Moon Joel Golby Sophie De L’orme Dr Rashesh Mehta Alex Farley David Horn Lucy Neville-Davies Abby-Jay Wilson Liam Watson Becky Milne Vicky Parkes Laura Reilly Loran Perkins Photography: Bangor University Photography Society

Proof reading:

Emma Dodd; Carolan Goggin

Production Consultants: Daniel

Turner; Emma Dodd

Design:

Daniel Turner

The Editor

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Emma Dix

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eat. , they’re gr on page 17

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

ARE STUDENTS TO BLAME FOR BANGOR SEEING RED IN GREEN SURVEY?

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angor has finally come top of a poll… however it’s not one to be proud of.

We are officially the least environmentally-friendly city in Wales. If every person in the world were to live like a Bangor citizen, we would need nearly 3 planets to accommodate everyone, according to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). This ‘ecological footprint’ is created by calculating the land and sea area needed to feed, provide resources, produce energy and absorb waste and pollution.

Bangor Town Clerk Gwyn Hughes believes us students are partly to blame for the large footprint, as we double the population of the city for 8 or 9 months of the year. This means Bangor has to cope with a wildly fluctuating population base to provide services for.

Morgan Parry, head of WWF Cymru says

there’s only so much students can do as individuals. “Even the greenest city resident can, on average, only reduce their footprint by one third, therefore it’s also up to government and businesses to play their part to avoid the most devastating impact on the environment”. Mayor Doug Madge, a former Bangor University student, said the Council is working on the problem: “Bangor is in a transition period and we’re looking to improve the situation within the next 18 months.”

The University society Subject to Change has been out and about in the community, raising public awareness during this year’s Go Green Week and the climate change talks in Bali last December. The group have also submitted a proposal to the University’s new Environment Officer, suggesting simple sustainable practices to improve the environment of the University and indeed also the city.

There’s a hint of irony in all this, as Bangor unveils its new £7 million Environment Centre Wales, built to research ways of reducing environmental footprint.

However, the building itself is supposed to be a model of sustainability, with solar panels, ground-source heat pumps and a rainwater collection system. Perhaps that will help our rating next time around.

Joe Firth

r om . od f ly w fo 7th on o h s 1 e y r d a p i d o Free Thurs to av pm ow nt.

6.30 Book n ointme pp disa Thursday Supported by:

17th - Saturday 19th April 2008 7:30pm (2:00pm Saturday Matinee) THEATR GWYNEDD, BANGOR Adults: £7 Concessions £5 (Advanced Booking) £8/£6 (On the Door) Group Discount Available

Book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan New Music By Jeanine Tesori New Lyrics By Dick Scanlan Original Story and Screenplay by Richard Morris for the Universal Pictures Film. Originally Produced for Broadway by Michael Leavitt, Fox Theatricals, Hal Luftig, Stewart F. Lane, Nederlander Independant Presenters Network, L. Mages/M. Glick, Berinstein/Manocherian/Dramatic Forces, John York Noble and Whoopi Goldberg

News

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

THEY PAVED PARADISE AND PUT UP A DEBENHAMS

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lright, so calling Bangor a “paradise” is perhaps a little much, but you have to wonder what Joni Mitchell would make of all the redevelopment Bangor is currently undergoing.

In recent years, new buildings have started to crop up all over Bangor. There has been a new Marks and Spencers, a new car park, Neuadd Willis (1 and 2!) and the most recent edition to our streets: an enormous slate and glass structure termed ‘The Menai Centre’.

Situated just behind the old clock tower and adjacent to the cathedral’s Bible Garden, the multi-million pound development, home to 22 retailers, is nothing if not noticeable.

The powers that be maintain that new development is a boost for Bangor, giving people a reason to visit the city and providing more services for the locals. Valid though this argument is, some people are having difficulty with one aspect of these buildings: their design… or perhaps, the lack thereof.

Imagine walking down Bangor high street, look around. What do you see? An eclectic mix of local shops run by local people, old brick and stone buildings, quite a few pastry shops and the penny whistle man. Once you reach the clock tower, have

a glance around. There, without any warning, it suddenly hits you. Towering over our high street like an ode to the 21st century, this new building sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb.

Aside from the aesthetics, this redevelopment has serious implications for local business. Sioned Bebb, owner of Welsh bookshop Siop Pendref, was concerned when the redevelopment was first announced, that the new scheme did not have room for smaller shops.

“It’s going to be rather like a retail park that you usually get on the edge of towns, but it’s going to be in the city centre,” she said.

Inside, the new Debenhams is very 21st century. Shiny floors and bright displays, the store almost begs you to spend that final loan in a matter of moments. It is refreshing to see such a modern retail outlet in Bangor, even if it does feel a little incongruent.

In yet another redevelopment bombshell, it has been announced that Bangor will soon be the home to a multi million pound arts centre. With Theatr Gwynedd set to close in Autumn 2008, the university have announced plans to build a new “arts and innovation facility”. This includes demolishing

YOUR NEWS, YOUR VIEWS

Good news about the students’ union being renovated, it’s a shame we have to wait for a new theatre, but it doesn’t really bother me that much.

Chris

3rd year Psychology

TWO YEARS IN JAIL FOR STUDENT BURGLAR

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prolific burglar who specialised in breaking into student accommodation has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Peter Owen, 36, had carried out the thefts in order to fund his heroin addiction, a judge was told. He admitted breaking into student accommodation at Cae Llepa last December, stealing a DVD player and 29 DVDs. The five student occupants were all away for Christmas when the burglary occurred.

Owen was identified from a small trace of blood on the broken window he entered through. He was also charged with seven other burglaries carried out on student accommodation in Upper Bangor between 2003 and this February.

He was jailed at Caernarfon crown court last month.

Jo Caulfield

I’m really happy with the glass design of the new Debenhams, you get a nice view from inside. The SU needs work done to it, so that’s really good news.

Helen

2nd year Psychology

the current student union and creating one building full of exciting student related things. The building will house the student union, a new theatre as well as a bar and nightclub. As well as this, the new facility is set to be spared bland design as the architects appointed to design them created the award-winning Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

We are all in agreement that our SU could really do with more than just a lick of paint, but a major concern for all involved is: where are we going to go in the intermittent period? If the union gets knocked down, Time and Academi go with it, leaving a rather large hole in our social calendars. We are all aware of the delightful establishment that is The Octagon, but reducing our already rather pitiful night life to one club, surely that’s more than most students

Emma

1st year French and German

can take?

If we want Bangor to get better facilities, then it seems we’ll have to grit our teeth and put up with the disruption and inconvenience that comes with it. Although, it has to be wondered how many of us current students will be here to see the results.

from the saga of exams. And then, in what is perceivably the longest time of your life, await the result of your struggle with terrific anticipation. Finally, it’s graduation day! Let the jubilant mortar-board tossing begin.

This used to be the conventional way of getting recognised through the university.

Nowadays you could just do well in an unrelated field: sport, business… or perhaps achieve status from auditioning on Big Brother and be awarded with an ‘honorary fellowship’. Nice.

According to Warwick University, honorary fellowships should be given to individuals who meet one of the following criteria: • The very highest standards of scholarship • Outstanding achievement • A long and meritorious service of national and international impact This does sound most honourable. One might then be surprised to find Jade Goody’s mother among those hopeful for an honorary fellowship this year. Rewarding a woman for birthing and raising Jade Goody with

his February saw the launch of yet another social networking site: “Studyvox”. This new site, aimed exclusively at UK students, combines the social aspect of such pages with an academic element. As a site just for higher education students, the emphasis appears to be on forming a closer community at a much lower membership level than Facebook and Myspace.

Some of the more novel aspects of Studyvox include a forum for students to buy and sell unwanted items (for the financially challenged among us), advertise for jobs or even look for a new housemate. Members are also encouraged to form friendships and sub-

Jo Caulfield

Bangor is slowly modernising, which gives a great impression to new students. The new shopping centre will provide student jobs.

Steven & Laura

2nd year Psychology, 2nd year Criminology and Justice

THE FREE ‘DEGREES’ T his year Bangor University’s 07/08 honorary fellowship recipients include a weather girl and a comedian.

The big question is: why?

Imagine you’re in your third year (as some of you may well be). You’ve barely survived university living on some dubious meal of dry (and possibly rather green) bread but you’re inevitably still bankrupt. You’ve balanced studying with a range of pointless jobs and a very insignificant amount of alcohol, but come out the other end reasonably alive.

After several months without hot meals, natural light or social contact, you emerge

?

T

What do you think of all the redevelopment going on in Bangor?

The students’ union definitely needs a revamp, but I hope it doesn’t get knocked down too soon – where will we go?

THE NEW

academic recognition certainly meets the criteria for a “service of national impact”… an impact similar to an earthquake or outspread of STDs. So…who’s up for a free Bangor fellowship this year?

• Peter Bennett-Jones chairman of Tiger Aspect productions • Guto Harri - former BBC journalist • Griff Rhys-Jones - comedian • Sian Lloyd - weather presenter • Jim Perrin - famous rock climber • Llyr Williams - composer Although both the recipient and the university benefit from the publicity honorary degrees bring, it’s hard not to feel that 3 years worth of our hard work is belittled in the processes.

With degrees meaning less and less these days, it doesn’t help when they are simply handed out for free. However we do have Richard Attenborough on our list, so take that Cardiff.

Matt Richins

Soon to be Bangor graduates... have you seen them in the library?

sequent study groups with students on the same course as their own.

However, this site hasn’t got anything we haven’t seen before. It has more of an academic undertone, but this is simply an alternative to our existing sites, nothing new and nothing different.

It combines the usefulness (and uselessness!) of several sites we know and love: the quizzes of Facebook, the bidding forum of Ebay, and the advertising capacity of our very own Bangor Intranet. The question remains though- do we really need another site like this? With Facebook membership rumoured to be decreasing though, maybe its time is up and Studyvox might just become the new place we whittle away the hours when we really should be working.

Rachel Eales

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

A QUICK WORD DID THE EARTH MOVE FROM THE FOR YOU? o, I didn’t think so. As most people ing thrown out of bed and being hit by fall-

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are probably aware by now Febru- ing objects within their homes. ary 27th saw the biggest earthquake Despite this, the only reported injury in the UK for 25 years. The quake, measuring from the quake was student David Bates, 5.2 on the Richter 19, who scale only lasted for suffered a ten seconds but was suspected felt hundreds of broken pelmiles away from its vis when he epicentre in Market was hit by a Rason, Lincolnfalling piece shire. of chimney Once again howin his attic ever Bangor misses bedroom in out on all the exWombwell, citement with most South Yorkpeople being totally shire. Deunaware of anyspite the fact thing happening at there were all. Those who did so few injufeel it passed it off ries t-shirts either as being a stating “I drunken sensation survived the or just themselves quake, ‘08” imagining it. Siobwent on sale Ffridd site during earthquake han Holt, Features almost imEditor for Seren, said that she felt it but mediately. thought it was her neighbours having sex. So The last time there was a large earthnot really an earth shattering moment. quake in Britain, Bangor was much more in Although we missed out on the drama the mix. A quake of Richter Scale 5.4 struck of having an earthquake on our own door- Lleyn, North Wales in 1984. As the biggest step this did mean that we also missed the ever recorded earthquake on land in the UK, damage that went along with it. Many build- North Wales still has some claim to fame ings were structurally damaged, with chimwhen it comes to making the earth shake. ney stacks collapsing and windows being Sarah Whittingham smashed. There were incidents of people be-

FAIRTRADE SOCIETY

fairtrade@undeb.bangor.ac.uk

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reetings one and all and welcome to the first of many instalments updating you on the life and times of a new but prominent society at Bangor University.

The Fair Trade Society started in January and since its inception it has gone from strength to strength and now we have a full committee and over 30 members. We are a fully committed bunch with a united aim of highlighting the injustice of the current trading system and raising awareness of Fairtrade within the Uni and beyond.

So what exactly is Fairtrade? Well Fairtrade is giving third world producers a guaranteed minimum price for their crops, which covers the cost of sustainable production and also ensures a social premium which in turn gets invested into community projects such as medical centres, schools, and economic development projects.

GORDON BROWN OPENS NEW ENVIRONMENT CENTRE

In layman’s terms this translates into our responsibilities as a consumer, by making a Fairtrade choice when possible which in turns benefits developing countries.

The Uni Fairtrade Society came to its own in Fairtrade fortnight which is a nationwide campaign organised by the Fairtrade Foundation to highlight the plight of third world farmers and to raise awareness of fairtrade issues.

We kicked off Fairtrade Fortnight with a stall in the Main Arts Foyer on 25th February giving away free tea and coffee and selling a range of Fairtrade goods kindly supplied by Oxfam in Bangor and Dimensions Health Store.

On 28th February we screened Black Gold -a critically acclaimed eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar industry, Black Gold traces one man’s fight for a fair price and was very well received and attended.

Then on 4th March, we were privileged to have two Ghanaian Cocoa producers giving us a talk about how Fairtrade has secured their future and also we had the honour of announcing that Bangor is now officially a Fairtrade City.

Finally on 6th March we had Patrick Jones from South Africa who is from Lisbon Estates who are a major Fairtrade Citrus producer showing us how Fairtrade has changed their lives in the region and made them sustainable.

All in all a fantastic fortnight and many thanks to Jen, Helen, Andy, John, Emma,

T

he National Union of Students has dropped its longstanding opposition to university tuition fees.

Instead, it has adopted a policy of campaigning against any rise in the existing £3,300 cap on yearly fees. The government is likely to face calls for the fees limit to be lifted when it reviews university funding in 2009 and some universities have called for fees to be raised to £8,000 a year.

The change in policy came at the NUS annual conference this week, when delegates backed a motion mandating the union to draw up an alternative funding strategy which it can present to ministers. The union’s policy backs the principle of free education but mandates it only to campaign against the £3,300 cap being lifted. It also opposes a market in higher education in which some universities would charge more than others.

Scott, Jodie, Oxfam, Dimensions Health Store, Mark and all Wales Fairtrade Forum, and all who were involved.

So what’s next for the society? Well we meet on Thursdays at 6PM in Anglican Chapel on Princes Rd, Upper Bangor and have a website: http://bufairtrade. wordpress.com or find us on Facebook by searching for Fairtrade Bangor University.

Please come to the meetings and get involved!

Hope you find this article interesting, we will be writing another in the next edition, but in the meantime please check the website or drop us an email.

Remember people vote with your wallets and don’t forget: ‘OUT OF MANY: ONE PEOPLE’

Chey Charlesworth

(Publicity Officer) Bangor Uni Fairtrade society An NUS spokeswoman said: “Rather than just saying we want to simply abolish fees, it’s about how we can really engage intelligently in the debate. It’s about having something to take to the table, to be able to contribute something to the discussions.”

Figures published recently show that the number of students going to university has fallen since variable fees were introduced.

These statistics should serve as a warning to the government on the effects of fees on students and as an indication of what would happen should fees rise to £8,000 per annum.

Sam Burnett, President of our Students’ Union, said “I’ve always been of the opinion that students need to be realistic about how higher education should be funded and that tuition fees are a reasonable expectation. NUS will be fighting hard, I’ve no doubt, to ensure that the Westminster government ends up with sensible, student-friendly higher education policy.”

NUS DROPS OPPOSITION TO STUDENT FEES

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or many of us here in Bangor, it seemed like the Environment Wales Centre would never be finished. Nestled amongst the University’s science buildings on Deiniol Road, the centre seemed to be under construction for an eternity, with the foundations alone taking an age to construct. All of this meant however, that the building would live up to its environmental aims by being ecologically friendly itself, designed to make full use of natural resources such as rain water and sunlight and keeping its energy consumption to a minimum.

The official opening of the centre, which is to house scientists from both the University and those from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology took place on 15th February 2008. The building, which cost £7 million, was opened by the Prime Minister, Gordon

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espite headlines in the Bangor and Anglesey Mail, Gwynedd Museum has not been saved. It’s funding has been granted an extension by the council until March 2009, but after that its future looks bleak.

County council cutbacks mean that the council, who currently run the museum, (although the building and most of the collections are owned by the university) say they can’t afford to keep it open. The Council wants the university to pay more of the £90,000 annual running costs. Currently the university contributes less than £10,000 and are being asked for another £35,000. This

Brown at a ceremony also attended by the University’s Vice-Chancellor Merfyn Jones and local MP, Betty Williams.

© Corporate Communications & Marketing, Bangor University

Gordon Brown praised the University for “expanding in so many different areas” and may sound a lot, but compare it to the estimate of £22 million for the new Students’ Union building.

The museum is of course an essential part of student life for anyone who studies heritage or archaeology modules and its contribution to these courses has been described as “vital” by Rai Karl, Head of the School of History, Welsh History and Archaeology.

It attracts 11,000 visitors a year, who spend their money in Bangor and North Wales and so contribute to the local econ-

taking on “the climate change challenge”.

This new build is obviously a significant achievement for a university of Bangor’s size and proves its ability to adapt to the changes in the needs of scientific research, as well as collaborating with groups from outside of the University.

Having such a prominent figure open the centre underlined its importance.

The centre will house eighty university scientists in its laboratories along with forty scientists from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, who will tackle pressing environmental issues. The combination of the two organisations means that expertise can be drawn upon from both, allowing research to really push the boundaries.

Jo Caulfield

Emma Dodd omy. There is no equivalent museum anywhere in North Wales, and its loss would be another nail in the coffin of North Welsh

The best outcome for the museum would be to move to premises in the new SU building. Then they could bring all the university collections together along with the county council collections in one purpose -built facility and keep it open to the public.

However, Meri Huws, Pro-Vice Chancellor, has said that “the university has no plans to run a museum” and that the new building would have only “a small display space”.

The suggestion to reconsider this situation

GWYNEDD MUSEUM NEEDS YOUR HELP! culture. Old collections and new finds will become centralised in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, which isn’t actually central or lost completely.

by the Friends of Bangor Museum was not well received. The tripartite committee established to consider the future of the museum includes representatives from university management, the county council and the Friends of the Museum, but does not include any academic staff and does not seem to be considering the implications on education for archaeology and heritage students...

If you want to know more or wish to get involved in the campaign to save the museum, please visit http://savegwyneddmuseum.org.uk/save/

David Moon

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

Politics UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL New NUS Constitution falls at bitterly divided Annual Conference

LEFT LEANINGS

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Iain Dalton

n case people haven’t noticed, it’s going to be local election time very soon. So I would suppose the question of the day is who to vote for? In Wales there are four main parties represented in the Assembly Government: Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru.

As for their records, successive Labour and Conservative governments scrapped student grants and introduced tuition fees – so if you have to work whilst you’re at university to support yourself or if you’re worrying about the huge amount of debt you’re going to get into by the end of university here’s who’s to blame.

As for the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru, although both have not governed from Westminster, both have been involved in coalition governments in the Assembly and have run several local councils. Both have been involved in making cuts to public services and if students aren’t using them at

the moment, they certainly will be in the future. Here in Gwynedd where Plaid Cymru are in control of the council, plans have been drawn up to close 29 schools, cut 300 jobs and withdraw funding from Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery.

For the majority of the population, including many students, there is no party that represents them. Thus a new one needs to be created, resting on policies that the majority of the population want. Fundamentally for most students, the demand for free quality education is a must, with the provision of a living grant for all students to live off, rather than many students being forced into parttime work.

Linked to that needs to be opposition to the policies of privatisation which have devastated the National Health Service (NHS), particularly the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). What happens under PFI is private companies are invited to raise the finance

A RANT FROM THE RIGHT

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Spencer George

es folks, the Apprentice is back on our screens. Sixteen hapless contestants fight it out hoping to win a job working for Sir Alan Sugar. Not only will the eventual winner earn a six figure salary, they will of course get their ten minutes of fame.

Whilst enjoyable, the structure of the show has become rather tired and predictable. Like any other reality TV program, the contestants are picked not on their abilities, but on their personality. This year’s contestants seem to be the worst yet. The lads were unable to identify, price and sell fish whilst the ladies managed to lose customers belongings whilst running a launderette. Each time the losing team ends up in the boardroom Sir Alan has taken pleasure in ripping apart their efforts. Despite the bitching, back stabbing and begging, Sir Alan has so far given three contestants the boot and in some twisted way we love it when he turns to

somebody, raises his finger and with a glint in his eye utters the immortal words, “You’re fired!”

However, despite the ineptitude of this year’s participants, I can’t help thinking how the Labour Government would fare in the boardroom. Imagine, if you will, the likes of Alistair Darling, Ed Balls and Gordon Brown all perched on their seats, heads down, fingers fumbling and beads of sweat running down their foreheads in the hope that Sir Alan would take pity on them.

I for one would hate to be in Sir Alan’s shoes. After all, each member of the cabinet has hardly got a great track record and they’ve certainly failed to impress since Gordon became the ‘team leader’. One can not help but notice that Ed Balls has done little to combat the rising levels of truancy in schools around Britain. An all time high of 63,000 pupils skip class every day, a shameful record

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t’s hard to put NUS Annual Conference into words. It’s chaotic, exhilarating, comical and divisive. It’s three days of impassioned debating on subjects ranging from tuition fees to military recruitment in schools, from accreditation for extra-curricular activities to ending child poverty.

It’s also full of nutters. There was the guy who claimed that One Water (charity bottled water whose profits go to building merry-go-round-powered water pumps in Africa) was a capitalist plot, the people who claimed all sabbaticals were right-wing fascists who sat around sipping Bollinger champagne (we get ours from Aldi ...) and the people who wrote to the Guardian before Conference claiming that NUS was linked to the CIA. Somehow, in between all the bickering and tub-thumping, we did manage to discuss some pretty important issues. So now your national union believes, amongst other things, that we should oppose Special Branch attempts to spy on Muslim students in universities (something we’ve already opposed here in Bangor), that the Government should raise the education leaving age to 18 and that there should be an NUS Nursing Students’ Campaign to address widespread problems with nursing courses.

But the biggest issue was the ratification of NUS’s new constitution, a project I personally was heavily involved in, as a

member of the Governance Review Steering Group. To everyone’s surprise, the constitutional ratification did not get the majority it required, getting 692 votes in favour, just 25 votes short of two-thirds. This was quite a blow for Bangor and the other unions whose disaffiliation campaigns had been defeated on the promise of far-reaching reform.

There is a fundamental split within NUS between the hard-left factions who want their national union to campaign on international issues, to “fight them on the streets”, and those who favour lobbying ministers and other key decision-makers directly, focusing solely on educational issues. This split has left the Union locked in a stalemate where a majority wants change but the minority is blocking it.

This year’s leadership have had all the right ideas, and it is a real shame that the positive initiatives they put forward have been hijacked by factions who have put a halt to the changes NUS needs so much without offering any real alternatives. Next year’s sabbatical officers will have to think long and hard about our involvement with NUS, whether we continue to fight for change or whether we cut our losses now and leave NUS to the factional in-fighting that dominates all NUS “democratic” events.

Carolan Goggin

Local Elections

for new building projects and then lease the buildings back to the NHS. Not only do these companies reap huge profits by doing this, but they can also re-finance their original loan once the building is built as they have a guarantee from a government institution they are going to get the money back. Add in that the NHS is locked into these deals for periods of up to 25 to 30 years when in some cases they may not need the buildings even 5 years into their life, and you have an NHS which is saddled with massive debts. Inevitably this means other services have to be cut, the most common recently have been mental health and maternity services. And it isn’t just restricted to the NHS: schools, museums, courts, and other public facilities (even police stations) have been built under PFI. Another issue that many young people and students are interested in is in opposing the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

These actions were justified as being part of

a war on terrorism – but all they’ve been is attempts at plundering the resources of these countries – if anything they’ve destabilised these countries and increased terrorism in the world – both in these countries and abroad. Additionally, draconian legislation reducing civil liberties and various other measures have seen an increase in state terrorism.

I’m involved in a group that aims to create a party like this, the Campaign for a New Workers Party (CNWP – see www.cnwp. org.uk). I’d look at the election materials of candidates in these elections and see if any match up to what I’ve outlined above. If they don’t match up then I’d argue that rather than ignore the elections, you should show your disapproval by spoiling your ballot paper. But more importantly get involved with campaigns that argue for things you’re in favour of, and help create the kind of party that is worth you voting for.

You’re Fired! for a government that once preached “education, education, education.”

One man sure to be dreading the boot would be the chancellor Alistair Darling. As if his monotonous delivery of the budget wasn’t enough reason to fire him, his continual denial about the state of the British economy means that surely the man is out of touch with reality. Under his short tenure as Chancellor, we’ve seen the loss of important data disks in the post, the dithering over nationalising Northern Rock and a budget that saw the introduction of further taxes.

Talk about kicking the public when they are down.

Finally we would come to the team leader himself, Gordon Brown. Despite attempting to blame everybody but himself, he wouldn’t be able to get away from the fact that his mismanagement of the economy leaves us in the financial disarray we find

ourselves. The public finances are in a mess, we have the largest deficit in the developed world, borrowing continues to increase and economic growth has been downgraded.

He lost the faith of his own party when he backed out of his decision to hold a general election and he even managed to get lost whilst attending dinner with the Queen.

On second thoughts if I were Sir Alan I would have no hesitation in who I would fire. For ten years he wanted the job and now that he’s finally leading the country Gordon Brown continues to prove that Tony Blair had good reason not to step down earlier than he did. In the style of Sir Alan, “This has been a total disaster from the word go.

You’re a lightweight. You’re a disaster. Gordon Brown, You’re Fired!”

THE BLUDGEONER

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t’s funny to think of the year coming to a close already, the nights are drawing out, the heating’s being turned off and Tesco have had bikinis on sale for at least three months. It can only mean that summer is approaching with some near to reckless abandon.

There is still time for firsts though, new things to do, experiences to try – a picnic at Roman Camp, or a spot of frisbee at Newborough beach and sand you’ll never be able to get out of your shoes again. It’s easy to lapse into routine and forget about the outside world – we live in nature’s Colditz, escape is impossible and resistance is futile.

But of course, for many young whippersnappers at university this year, May will see the first opportunity they’ve had to ‘engage’ in local politics and ‘vote’ for local ‘councillors’.

The opportunity to shape the local community into which they’ve been welcomed with open arms and lovingly accepted as a blossoming growth on the Tree of Harmony. Perhaps the Bludgeoner over-compensates with a twee rose-tinted Waltonian view of life; the Bludgeoner has of course seen it all before and got the t-shirt – admittedly now a threadbare rag used to polish the Humvee on alternate Sundays.

Young people are notoriously unwilling to get involved in said affairs, young being for the purposes of the local community the under 25s – young passes for anyone under 40 in the semi-rural blobosphere. This disentanglement, disenfranchisement or discombobulation, call it what you will, seems to be licence for the Angry People, or ‘candidates’ as they prefer to be known, to ignore the wishes, wants and wills of young people.

The Bludgeoner feels like it’s time that the whippersnappers at University were taken more seriously, that councillors should stop relying on the lazy politics of drunken debauchery and blight on the community and start seeing students for what they are – Angry People of the future, trying to get a leg up (and occasionally over) in life, seeking to better themselves and aim for a job that might put a dent in the tens of thousands in debt they try not to think about.

The Bludgeoner wouldn’t like to talk of revolution – the very thought of it makes his hips ache. Besides, the British are far too civilised for that sort of thing, these things are fuelled on tea until it’s all chucked in the harbour.

No, not revolution, we don’t want to see the River Tiber foaming with much blood just yet. Perhaps an incessant mild grumbling is in order.

The Bludgeoner lives in a Windmill in Old Amsterdam, recently visited

by Kevin McCloud as part of the hit Channel 4 series ‘Grand Designs’, with his five hamsters.

6

Seren - Easter Issue 2008

Features

Are you a Chocoholic?

Choose Life.

Choose a Job. Choose a Career.

Have you ever wondered what you want to do when you graduate?

Siobhan Holt interviews Jennie Preece, the Acting Head of Careers and Opportunities to find out what is actually available for Bangor students.

S

tudents often believe that the hardest obstacle they will ever overcome is conquering that Mount Everest (also know as the dissertation) and finally graduating in July. However, have you considered what you want to do when you finish university? Don’t panic, Seren is here to advise you on how to reach the top.

vised that the CCO welcomes students from all years and recommends that it is best to start considering your options in your second year. Furthermore, you can still seek guidance from the centre for up to three years after you graduate. If you move away from Bangor you can send in a query by email (see the careers website). Now if that isn’t reassuring, I don’t know what is!

“no two people are the same and so we offer one to one support. We help individuals gain insight into what they want to be.”

Here at Bangor University we have an amazing Careers and Opportunities Centre (CCO) which can point you in the right direction. With a success rate last year that had 91% of its students in either further study or employment you are in safe hands. Seren felt it was time to send along one of its career confused reporters to discover if the Careers Centre really was up to the challenge.

The Careers Centre is extremely helpful and they will talk students through their choices and help them make the right decisions about their future. Acting Head of Careers and Opportunities, Jennie Preece ad-

D

Seren recommends that every student should come along to drop-in and talk to a careers advisor about their options when they graduate. As Jennie explained, “no two people are the same and so we offer one to one support. We help individuals gain insight into what they want to be.” The Careers and Opportunities Centre offers excellent facilities and can help you write a CV, apply for jobs and help you gain work experience.

They even advise you on how to go about running your own business.

“Did you know that 60% of employers don’t actually care what degree you have” explains Jennie The Centre itself, on the third floor of the Students’ Union, is chocked full of magazines, books, flyers, DVD’s etc. Freebies are available on graduate employment, options that are available to you, such as postgradu-

ate study, and studying or working abroad, and many other topics. “Did you know that 60% of employers don’t actually care what degree you have” explains Jennie, “having a degree is not enough. It’s about employability. So the key is to learn how to market yourself and the skill you have acquired.”

Last year there were around four hundred thousand graduates in the UK alone.

Don’t become just another statistic, instead go and talk about your future and aim for the top!

Siobhan Catherine Holt

performances which had been entered for the competition in Scotland were nothing short of spectacular. The amount of time and effort that must have gone into those dance routines to get them to a national level must have been huge and from every member involved. It certainly showed on the night.

Bangor University offers a wide choice of dance classes from ballet and modern to street and break dancing. Membership of the AU is essential, but at the insanely cheap price of just £10 it’s a lot cheaper than the gym and ultimately a lot more fun. Classes range from beginners to advanced, and are taught by students.

The Dance Club is very active throughout the University’s student nightlife with regular performances at Varsity on a Thursday by the break dancers; and performances at various clubs and societies SIN Nights. BU Dance has the flexibility to allow members to be as involved as they want from performing in shows to occasional visits if your skinny

rorists and saving the world.

Ok so that’s all very interesting, but what does this have to do with chocolate? Well, research shows that cocoa beans are the most potent source of polyphenols, a large subgroup of antioxidants. By weight, cocoa powder has twice as many antioxidants as dark chocolate, which in turn has twice as many as milk chocolate. Unfortunately for the Milkybar Kid however, white chocolate has no antioxidants at all. So it seems the more chocolate you eat, the happier you feel, the happier your brain feels and the better your orgasm is. Could it be then, that chocoholics are actually addicted to these feelings, and not the chocolate itself?

As we are all aware (and as that broom handle Gillian McKeath delights in telling us), modern commercial chocolate products contain enormous amounts of sugar. This may partly explain chocolates supposed addictive properties.

Many people claim their attraction to chocolate is enhanced by a natural ‘sweet tooth’. Recent research at New York University suggests that this could be something else for your parents to feel guilty about. It seems that part of the reason why some people crave sugary foods and others don’t, is down to genetics.General sweetness and DNA aside, there are various chemical elements specific to chocolate that may help to stimulate cravings. In fact, chocolate contains over 300 chemicals and it is not known how all of these affect humans. Many women report chocolate cravings when pre-menstrual. This is possibly because chocolate contains magnesium, a shortage of which can worsen premenstrual tension (remember that one boys, it might make your lives easier). So there’s a bit of food for thought for you to munch on over the exam period. And the next time your mother preaches on about how bad chocolate is for you; chuck her this issue of Seren and whack out the Malteasers.

Jo Caulfield

Islamic Awareness Week

DROP-IN

Every Monday - Friday 2-4pm And Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9.30-11.30 am.

Or visitwww.bangor.ac.uk/careers

Dance To The Music

uring Freshers’ Week, you probably signed up for a variety of clubs and societies (I based my choices on which club or society was giving away the best free stuff and sweets!) However, when I was approached to write this piece on the Dance Club, I have to confess that I was a little skeptical.

The only experience I have had with choreographed dance was an Irish ceili and that was only after a few too many beverages.

Let’s just say that it didn’t end well!

Rather than focusing on one particular group within the Dance Club, I took the brave decision and went along to all their workshops for a week as well as attending their March performance in Powis Hall.

After hearing that the ballet and contemporary clubs had received third place in a national competition in Edinburgh I had to see for myself just how good they actually were.

After attending the performance on the 10th March I was left rather gob smacked. The

E

aster is over for this year at least and you are now just surrounded by tonnes and tonnes of chocolate that your elderly relatives have generously given you. The only problem is that it’s pretty irresistible stuff. Now; we’ve all heard the word ‘chocoholic’- some of you may even profess to be one – but can it actually be a good thing? Research suggests that it’s probably all in the mind…

Chocolate ingredients seem to affect the brain’s own neurotransmitter network. Now, here’s a bit of science for you: neurotransmitters transport electrical signals between nerve cells. These signals cause changes in the sensations and emotions that we experience.

Chocolate naturally contains tryptophan, a chemical that the brain uses to make serotonin. High levels of serotonin can produce feelings of elation, even ecstasy (hence the name of the recreational drug that also works by increasing serotonin levels).

While tryptophan can make you happy, another ingredient could cheer you up that little bit more. Phenylethylamine naturally occurs in chocolate and high levels of this neurotransmitter help promote feelings of attraction, excitement and giddiness. Phenylethylamine reaches peak levels in the brain during orgasm, so perhaps that box of Quality Street on Valentine’s Day wasn’t such a bad idea after all…

Here’s some more science for you: in our bodies, a battle between antioxidants and free radicals takes place. Free radicals are rogue molecules of oxygen that damage cell membranes; they aid heart disease and are also linked to cancer. Think of free radicals as terrorist cells (get it…?). The brain is particularly susceptible to free radical damage, implicated in cognitive decline and memory loss as people age. However fear not children, for antioxidants have the ability to neutralise free radicals without becoming free radicals themselves; thus reducing the number of ter-

jeans are becoming tighter than they should be.

I urge anyone who is considering joining BU Dance to get down to Amser / Time and do it. Not only is it a great way to meet new people and get involved, it’s also a terrific way of staying in shape. So now that I have made full use of my Easter break and eaten lots of chocolate I will be making full use of the Dance Club and should be in decent shape for the Summer Ball. Who needs Mr. Motivator when you have BU Dance Club?

On behalf of Seren, congratulations on the club’s success at the Edinburgh competition and every best wish for the future.

Bianca Murray For more information on joining the Dance Club, visit the SU website.

I

f you missed the horde of Henna-decorated hands and the week-long invasion of the Main Arts Foyer last semester, you must have missed Bangor University’s first ever Islamic Awareness Week.

The newly-established Bangor Islamic Society organised an eventfilled week to raise awareness about the religion and to break down any prevalent pre-conceptions.

Stalls with free food and drinks, henna, posters and information on Islam were set up between Monday the 4th and Thursday the 6th March.

The society also hosted three successful evening events, which was a fun method of maximising minds and discovering more about the religion.

On the Tuesday we held an interesting talk about Islamic heritage in the western world. This speech shed light on the little-known Muslim scientific and social contribution to modern life.

Finally on the Wednesday there

was an opportunity to discover the truth about the last Muslim prophet, the Prophet Muhammed: a particularly meaningful topic due to the recent Danish cartoon incidents.

To end the week, a lively interfaith dialogue was organised between Christians and Muslims entitled ‘Who Is Jesus?’ This proved an excellent opportunity for the audience to explore the major similarities and differences of the perception of Jesus Christ according in these two universal religions.

These were the first events of their kind hosted in the university and were such a success the society has planned many more for the near future. So watch this space!

A big thank you to everyone who made the events a great success.

If anyone has any questions about past or future events, or about Islam itself, please contact islamee@undeb.bangor.ac.uk

Zahra Albara

7

Seren - Easter Issue 2008

Lifestyle Learning To Cook by Joel Golby Introducing Joel, our new Lifestyle Cookery Guru: “Learning to cook for yourself, in my experience, is a long, drawn-out process where any edible results are mere fluke. Having spent time trying to open a can of corned beef with a hammer, and having created a meal using one pan and a cleaver, I like to think I have a few notes to share making decent food with limited hardware and on a budget.”

I

Stir-Fry

n‛t yet masnt, and you have to f you‛re a stude r-fry, it‛s time sti of rm fo tered a basic u throw enough yo If . elf urs yo by start evaluating s, mange tout, ba in – carrot slice choi – you k stir-fryable veg pa , es ett urg ppers, co of sweet corn, pe feed two. And, piece of meat to can pad out one y quick. course, it‛s reall /Tofu (Optional) st or Pork/Beef 1 Chicken Brea c 1+ Clove of Garli l) or dried; optiona 1 Chilli (fresh n rso pe r pe les 1 Block of Nood ped vegetables ious, equally chop An amount of var se ; Thai 7 or Chine & Oyster sauce ews (if you sh Some Light Soy ca of l fu nd al); and a ha 5 Spice (Option have them) rt before you sta chop everything t the ge to d The trick is to an e; ly the same siz it cooking, to rough e a little oil – if n super-hot. Us ywok or frying pa water until ever or ce sau soy tle presticks, use a lit need any jar of again. You don‛t thing loosens up ster sprinkling, oy d an soy al t liber of made sauce, jus if you are less use more chilli d meat unan and feel free to illi ch c, rli ga Cook the ts, a wuss than me. e veg until it wil then chuck in th erything ev til it‛s browned, row Th y). time (obviousl en stirring all the nute or two, th in, cook for a mi else appropriate serve.

P

T

Insanely good stew

his is pretty seasonal and ‘hearty‛, so only really valid for the next month or so, but 1lb of meat in a massive pan can easily feed four, and it‛s equally good reheated. Get your mea t from the high street butc hers – cheaper, tastier, and allows an ‘I‛m-supportingtheindependent-retailer‛ sens e of smug self-satisfactio n.

The longer you cook this , the better it gets, so just set to simmer for an hour or two and ‘do some work‛ in the meanwhile. Serve with past a, or bread, or whatever.

1lb (454g) stewing steak Wedged, hardy vegetables – courgette, carrot, pota to etc.

An onion A couple of cloves of garlic A litre of vegetable stoc k (Not fancy – a cube will do) A tin of tomatoes A handful of lentils A plateful of flour Dash of Worcestershire sauce Chop the meat into appropri ate hearty chunks, then slap into the (seasoned) flour – gluten-free works, I che cked – to act as a thickening agen t. Fry off a finely chopped onion and the garlic until it ‘sweats‛, delectably, and fry the meat until browned (You might need to do this in batches). Add the veg at some point around this time and allows some time to soft en, then add the tomatoe s and stock bit-by-bit (To get the bits out of the tom ato can, swill with a little wat er and add that). Chuck in a handful of lentils. You will now be faced with a massive pot of stew – bring the boil , then simmer for as long as you can be bothered (40 minutes is a good marker) . If you know how to do dumpling s, do them. I don‛t.

The Great Orme

T

his season I have mostly been putting off my work by working my way through the entire box set of Sex and the City. Now if I watch this show - which I think is fabulous – I notice in every episode the characters are all styled and dressed to impress.

Immaculate, gorgeous fashion with hip accessories and hairstyles that ooze class. The important thing though is that each of the characters are different in their own way. You don’t need to mention it’s not real life, but a well-styled set involving lots of fashion people meaning us mere mortals on Bangor streets can’t really emulate New York fashion – but surely there’s something we can learn from Carrie and co.?

What I want this column to try and say is that following fashion to a T is dull.

Buying whatever is in the local shops and a few weeks later walking past someone in the same t-shirt is not cool - it’s tacky and lacks the individuality that distinguishes us. Remember girls: we are unique, and what better way to express our personalities and desires through fashion?

So take a look through your wardrobe and ask yourself - what does your fashion say about you? Some people seem to pull off effortless style, while others look desperate to impress, there is a thin line but some girls do manage to look casual but classy. I say be bold with your look and don’t always stick with the same colours and cuts.

Experiment. Try something different.

How about layers? Mix and match your style and you will make it unique.

In today’s world of fashion, anything goes. I know that living in Bangor we are limited by the shops and the god-awful weather but I’m a girly girl

Ways with Beans

resumptuous as it may be, I think it‛s safe to assume that anyone reading this has mastered not only the art of reheating a tin of beans, but also the giddy heights of slopping them on some toast. However, if you want to knock up something a bit more interesting, you can add some Worceste rshire sauce (not too much); a knob of butter and some milk stretches a tin a little further and makes the resultant mess a lot creamier; or you can serve the beans in a bowl with some toast soldiers, for what I call ‘Hobo Fondue‛.

and care that I look at least presentable, if you’re not one for caring then why are you reading this column?

Fashion doesn’t stop at clothes. I like a girl that wears flats, as wearing heels in Bangor in daylight just screams desperado (or vertically challenged).

We all know that the hills around here just aren’t worth it and in this small town you look like you’re trying too hard. There are cute ankle boots, flatknee highs, slip on flats that you can teem with some tights of colour or different patterns. Slip on a cute skirt, shorts or some long city-shorts and you will always look good. Mix in a couple of necklaces of different lengths, some towel-ruffled hair and minimal makeup, even add a hat, and there you have a casual girl that looks after herself.

There is so much variety to what difference some coloured shoes, the added cardigan, a few accessories and layers can make to an outfit meaning that each of us can look different and express something about our personalities. Are we daring? Do we ooze chic style? Are you a jazzed up librarian with foxy glasses? Or are you a gap girl of jeans and a t-shirt?

(Hopefully you’re not that boring). But daily you can change your look, your hair, make-up, all of which is pretty sweet considering it’s a free country.

Spring-clean your wardrobe, and try being green in ethics; I mean as in clothes where little kids make them in factories in the Third World is not worth the weekly buy of clothes we hardly wear. Buy items that will last and remember give it some style, but sometimes who am I kidding? In Bangor most of the time it is all too tempting to pull on some jeans and a hoodie.

Especially if you’re in your third year like me, because I personally cannot wait to flee Bangor’s tiny, rainy nest and get out of the style rut that this place makes you. So don’t be a fashion clone, something no-one should aspire to be.

Sophie De L’Orme

DR RASHESH ON RESILIENCE

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ou need to know what resilience is so that you can remember that you have it. Resilience is an emotional muscle that can grow with use and practice -- or atrophy if ignored. Everyone can grow this emotional muscle. Everyone needs to.

You are born with some resilience. You have the choice how to apply it throughout your life. To grow resilience you need fuel,

you need challenge and you need lots of practice. Some people believe that resilience is a trait that is inborn; you either have it or you don’t. But that is not quite accurate. You are born with some component characteristics that aid and abet the development of resilience. For example, there is a contribution that temperament makes to the acquisition of resilience; some people are simply born with less reactivity to stress. It makes them more hardy in the face of adversity and better able to draw on their cognitive abilities in situations that throw others off balance.

Some people are also born with more optimism or are more extroverted. Still others have more courage, are more prone to take risks. All of these qualities, generally thought to be inborn components of personality, influence the ease with which you develop resilience. But determination and practice can help anyone foster resilience. It is, in fact, more a learning process than an inherited gift. What, then, do you do to grow

resilience?

• When life hands you a setback, readjust your own identity. Stop thinking of yourself as a victim and start thinking of yourself as a problem-solver. Flip the switch in your brain. Don’t focus on yourself or your shortcomings focus on your goal and what you need to do to get there. Ask yourself, how do I solve the problem?

• Always challenge yourself to go just beyond your comfort zone. Risk builds resilience, and it’s OK to take reasonable risks.

The simplest way to go beyond your comfort zone is to learn a new skill. Take up skiing, or snowboarding. There is no end to the number of areas in which you can go beyond your comfort zone. If you argue a lot with your spouse, don’t give up. Try for an understanding one more time. If you are having trouble with someone, remember how much you care for him or her. The aim is to convert everyday stresses into opportunities for growth. You use them as springboards for

developing coping strategies that ensure the survival of self.

• Choose a hero, so that in the face of adversity you can maintain a positive identification. I know men who when facing difficulty summon up images of themselves as Russell Crowe in Gladiator. Women can summon up the story of Joan of Arc. Or think of a grandparent who survived the Holocaust.

• Think of stories of resilience and stars of resilience. Search for models of resilience and study what they did. You don’t have to go far to find them. You can either have someone who is very aspiring and motivated or it could even be your mentor or close friend.

• Actively gather information about resilience. Ask people you know how they have handled setbacks.

• Push yourself physically. Regular exercise helps you maintain a positive attitude and breeds feelings of strength. It is in fact a model of strength and what resilience feels

like. It’s easy to understand resilience when you experience it organically. When you run a mile, run a mile and a half. When you lift 10-pound weights, go for 15 pounds. Hold your yoga pose a few seconds longer.

• Teach yourself patience. Resilience requires being more strategic and less impulsive. Give yourself more time before reacting to inflammatory situations.

• If someone is rude to you, don’t immediately respond in kind or display contempt.

Take three deep breaths before you choose to act. You need to build more space between impulse and action. By definition, when you are less reactive, you become more resilient.

For more details or questions please do not hesitate to contact me on hsp214@bangor.ac.uk

Dr. Rashesh Mehta

8

Seren - Easter Issue 2008

Travel

! n i W

THE ROUGH GUIDE TO EUROPE ON A BUDGET

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o you’ve made it your ambition to get to that far away European country this summer. The first thing on your mind would be how can I afford this? And not far behind would be the question- how do I get there? Rough Guide’s latest publication: Europe on a Budget, answers both of these questions directly and more besides. It tackles the logistics of travelling through thirty-two European countries with limited funds behind you. From the small country of Andorra on the French/Spanish border to the sheer expanse of Russia in the East.

The beauty of this guide lies in its simplicity. If a country is pricey, namely our own shores of Britain, the book will tell you. (A notable feature for us being our public transport which has suffered from “chronic underinvestment” and of course our “stiff upperlip” comes in under ‘culture and etiquette’).

The Rough Guide presents a selection of the

available accommodation for each countryfrom the cheap but sufficient and agreeable campsite of Zeeburg in Amsterdam, to the Al Gazzettino Hotel in Venice, for the more affluent among us who fancy a treat.

As it is a budget guidebook, you will also find guidance surrounding the most costeffective ways to travel, and the safest. There are many budget rail passes and campsites available for travel across the continent and there is also the aptly named option of ‘couch surfing’- sleeping on a stranger’s couch in a strange country is not my idea of a relaxing and safe trip- but there you go, this guide really does give you all the options.

It chooses the best sights of each countrythe Eiffel tower and its long queues, the Louvre and the city of Momatre, to pick some of France’s enchanting but frustrating highlights. It also suggests itineraries for your whole trip- a good way to see the best of Eu-

rope, as with a continent this size you’re never going to see it all at once.

A guidebook is an essential for any trip, it may lack the personal touch of experience- but that’s where you come in, they give you the info, you make the stories.

locations. It is no use if the information you need to claim is in the bag which was stolen!

This extends to copies of other documents as well. It generally takes about ten days to replace a British passport from an embassy abroad, but this process is made much easier if you have a photocopy of the original, so keep this in a safe place. I keep these documents at the bottom of my backpack, so that I’m not constantly unpacking and repacking them.

You shouldn’t need them on a regular basis; only if something goes wrong.

On occasions, airlines have been known to lose bags or send them off to the wrong location, Heathrow’s new terminal five springs to mind. I was quite frustrated to find that my backpack had been sent to Prague three years before I managed to plan a trip there myself! In order to prevent a misplaced bag ruining the beginning of your trip, pack a complete change of clothes and your toothbrush in your hand luggage or a travel companion’s bag, preventing you from feeling quite so impotent if you have to wait a few days for your bag to be returned to you. Always make sure valuables travel with you and that sentimental items such as photos are in your hand luggage. It is the airline’s responsibility to return your luggage to you and they should deliver it your hostel, or your house if it was misplaced on the return journey. If it is lost completely, you are entitled to compensation.

On arriving in Cuba three years ago, I was unaware that they had recently stopped using the American dollar. The dollars I had brought with me were therefore only exchangeable at a terrible rate. I tried to get money from a cash point, but Cuba only accepts Visa and I had Mastercard and Maestro. My travellers’ cheques were American Express, so they weren’t accepted either. Every other solution impossible, I was forced to have money wired by my parents in the UK.

This can be done through companies such as Western Union, but is very expensive. They generally charge a standard fee, plus a percentage of all money wired – ouch! Try and research countries in advance about which cards they accept in order to avoid such situations.

It is important when travelling to be extra vigilant about your health, since seemingly

Rachel Eales

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ough Guides have generously provided us with a copy of this guide to give away- whether you fancy trekking across Eastern Europe this summer, or simply sunning yourself in the South of France, this book will make a good companion. All you have to do is answer this simple question.

Which two countries became the newest members of the European Union in January 2007?

Email your answer to travel@ seren.bangor.ac.uk by 30th April 2008 with the subject: ‘Europe Competition’. Please include your full name and contact details, the winner will be notified within the week and the results will be posted on the Seren website shortly after.

Good luck! But don’t forget- Rough Guides publish three-hundred travel titles, maps and phrasebooks and over sixty reference books on topics ranging from Climate Change to Classical Music. If you are not lucky enough to win a copy of The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget you can order your own copy from www.roughguides.com.

TRAVEL BROADENS THE MIND AND LOOSENS THE BOWELS

W

e all know that travel broadens the mind, provides great stories and invaluable experience, but what happens when it all goes wrong? It’s very important to have back ups in place if you need them and to know how to get out of sticky situations. As someone who

has experienced (and survived) appendicitis in Vietnam, jelly fish stings in Zanzibar and an inability to access money in Cuba, I think I’m ideally placed to impart some hard earned wisdom.

Travel insurance is something that nobody should leave home without. As students, we are used to scrimping and saving, but this

Travel is never just plain sailing and the most important thing is to be adaptable should not extend to travel insurance, as it could end up costing you more in the long run. Travel insurance can cover a multitude of potential problems, from lost luggage, to missed flights and stolen belongings, as well as medical bills and an emergency flight home if a relative is sick. Make sure to get a policy which covers any extreme sports you may wish to take part in. I personally recommend white water rafting at midnight in Iceland! Shop around for a policy, they can actually be obtained quite cheaply.

Once you have insurance, keep your documents safe and copies of them in separate

I was quite frustrated to find that my backpack had been sent to Prague three years before I managed to plan a trip there myself! small complaints can lead to bigger problems. Infections in humid climates do not go away, so get them treated. My throat infection in Costa Rica worsened until the only way to treat it was with an injection of penicillin in the bum. I couldn’t sit down for three hours!

Mosquito bites aren’t just itchy, but can carry malaria and dengue fever, so protect yourself with both nets and insect repellent, as well as anti malarial tablets if you’re going to be in a malarial region.

It is important to be properly vaccinated against diseases such as yellow fever and encephalitis before you go to any country where there might be a risk, and make sure that you carry the certificates with you. Keep any receipts for medicines you receive, so that you can claim back for them from your insurance company. Make sure that the insurance company are aware if you are admitted to hospital. They can help pay for your care. A little man with a suitcase full of Vietnamese dong came and paid for my hospital care on behalf of the insurance company after my appendectomy, meaning that I didn’t have to worry about the financial side. Good

hospitals are often available abroad as long as you can pay for them.

Make sure you do not get dehydrated, especially if drinking alcohol in a hot climate and think about what you’re eating. A good rule about food is to eat what the locals eat.

A posh restaurant may seem the last place that you’ll pick up food poisoning, but if most people can’t afford to eat there, then the food might not be fresh. At least a street stall is likely to have a high turn over of custom, so the food will be freshly prepared. This also means you can taste more new things.

Ice cream is particularly bad for contracting food poisoning, because if it has melted and refrozen you can’t always tell and a case of Deli belly on a bus or train journey isn’t a lot of fun. Remember that if you are sick or have diarrhoea it is your body’s way of getting rid of the germs. Imodium may mean that you can survive a journey, but isn’t a long term solution. Fluid replacement sachets, such as

Diorylite are an important part of any traveller’s first aid kit and do taste horrible, but can get you back on your feet.

All these things I have learnt on my travels. Some things are avoidable and some things inevitable, but travel is never just plain sailing and the most important thing is to be adaptable and know how to deal with things when they do go wrong. After all, some of the best travel tales are those of misadventure, but make sure that you are well equipped to live to tell the tale.

Emma Dodd

A break from Bangor

S

o, last issue, I was two weeks away from going to Spain to start my placement at Universitat de Valencia. This issue, I’m home for Easter, having been in Valencia for a month.

I also remember saying in my last column that I thought the Valencian way of life would take some getting used to. I was half-right. Their day-to-day lifestyle is quite different from ours. Classes DO start at 8am (although none of mine do, ha-ha), lunchtime is from about 2pm until about 4pm, and the evening meal isn’t eaten until at least 8.30pm. Hence, classes don’t finish until 8pm (although again, none of mine do). Mind you, this is when classes are on. You get up and trek to Uni for a 10am class, only to find that it’s been cancelled.

It’s the stuff of dreams in Bangor, a rare occurrence that we all look forward to and hope for, but it seldom happens. Here, it’s perfectly normal. I’ve had ONE French conversation class since I’ve been there; the teacher is always ill. I complained about this to Mar, my Spanish-English conversation partner. She couldn’t understand why I was annoyed. To her, it’s just the way it is. I can understand her point. For me, Uni is a twenty-minute walk from my flat. For her, it’s a train or bus ride from Sagunt (just up the coast, into Valencia city centre), then a metro ride to the Uni campus. I’d be much more irritated if I’d made that long journey, only to discover that there was no class.

Apart from that, everything else in Valencia is fab. The shops are a bit lacking, considering it’s Spain’s third-biggest city (so their equivalent of Manchester), but apparently all the good outlets are in big shopping centres on the outskirts, so a few expeditions to find those are coming up.

The beach is beautiful, my flat is amazing and the rent is cheap! It works out at about one-hundred-and-seventy pounds a month. So considering I was paying twohundred-and-sixty a month in Bangor last year, it’s great. It’s in a nice, quiet area called Benimaclet, about ten minutes north of the city centre. It’s mostly a residential area and all our neighbours are Spanish, so we really get a taste of proper Spanish life, although the people in the flats above and below ours seem a bit scared to speak to us – apparently two Swedes and three English people are a frightening prospect!

The weather is nearly always hot. I’ve been freezing cold since I got home; it’s been anywhere between about nineteen and twenty-six degrees in Valencia for the past fortnight. We’ve only had four days of rain in the entire month. Do I sound smug?

I am!

Finally, the most important thing to mention is the nightlife. It’s buzzing!.

There’s no shortage of bars and clubs to go to. Like everything else in Spain, nights out run much later than they do at home.

If you’re out before midnight; you’re early and nothing really gets going until 2am. I usually only manage until 4am but it’s not unusual for people to be out until 7am. The music can be a bit hit and miss – for some reason, there’s a bit of a revival of Jammin’

by Bob Marley happening at the moment, although now my fellow Bangor escapee, Nicola, has discovered where the indie music club is, we’ll hopefully be avoiding that fate from now on.

Loran Perkins

Seren - Easter Issue 2008

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25 YEARS OF SEREN 25 YEARS OF SEREN

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his volume of 25 Years of Seren celebrates Seren from its fifth year up until its tenth-when a lot of you were probably still in nappies.

Amongst the celebration of the end of a period some would curse (the dreaded 1980s) we commemorate the student angst of the Tory years, Bangor’s student housing crisis and the constant fascination with sex, drugs and campaigns.

Sadly, 1988 saw the end of Seren’s regular back page cartoon: Phantom of the Octagon. In Seren, cartoons seem to fade in and out of fashion; some last a couple of years and others only a couple of issues.

Not a surprise to you I’m sure, but even in 1988 Bangor had a student housing crisis. Some of the student fury was vented on Seren as we found out what accommodation was really like in Bangor. How to survive on a 1914 camp bed was the title of one article, claiming that students who arrived in Bangor through clearing were sleeping on WW1 camp beds, several to a room. The advice: get a girlfriend/boyfriend who had a room to themselves. The terrible Llys Tryfan comes up again after a rant in 1983. Now they’re building over the top of it we can only hope that times have changed in terms of Halls of Residence building plans.

The most striking thing about looking back over Seren is what ap-

Jennifer Stanley

Check out the next issue of SEREN to find out how to access the SEREN archive of the last twenty five years online

25 YEARS OF SEREN

pears to be a far stronger sense of unity as students and there is a distinct lack of the student apathy seen in Bangor today. We notice this through the number of campaigns written about, such as The Campaign against Student Loans, Off the Shelf Campaign (designed to take pornography off the top shelves in newsagents) and Support Central America Week. As has been a regular annual feature of Seren, Union Elections appear to be at the heart of student life.

The pinnacle of this five year increment is the resignation of Margaret Thatcher which made its place in Seren history as ‘22-11-90: Thanksgiving Day’. I’m not sure there is any other way of expressing student life in Bangor at this time other than ‘The Tory years’. There is this impression left of anger at the government and how they treated students and an air of revolution in the form of campaigns and the right to complain. The Tory years of course still lived on until 1997 with John Major, but the resignation of Thatcher was a sigh of relief in the eyes of the Bangor student.

A topic that Bangor students don’t seem to be able to leave alone is sex.

Seren’s covered it from all angles: whether it’s sex before marriage, contraception, pornography or HIV & AIDS. However, HIV and AIDS is the topic that keeps coming up, whether it’s facts, contraception or World AIDS Day. The late ‘80s saw the aftermath of the National TV campaign and after all, what some would call one of society’s more promiscuous groups, students should be careful. Although, I’m not sure what use articles like seven uses for a condom are when they don’t even list sexual protection.

Now, at the end of my rant into nostalgia I didn’t experience, it feels sad. The Serens of yesteryear shows a more active and involved student population who cared a little more than where their next drink was coming from and moaned a little less about how ‘boring’ Bangor is.

25 YEARS OF SEREN

25 YEARS OF SEREN

Sadly, 1988 saw the end of Seren’s regular back page cartoon: Phantom of the Octagon.

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

YOUR NEW EXECUTIVE

INTERVIEWED President: John Jackson

Seren: What will be your first objective as President?

John: I think, probably, ensuring that the plans for the not too distant future development of the Union site are in our favour.

This is something that I have already been working on with the current President and the CSO. Seren: How do you plan to ‘get others involved’ as stated in your manifesto?

John: Essentially through publicising everything that the Union does in new and varied ways. I quite often find that people are interested in getting involved in certain events and activities, but don’t necessarily know how to go about it, or just put it off for another time. If we can adapt the current ways in which Union goings-on are promoted, using the newly formed committees and through more one-to-one communication, then I think participation will be improved - or at the very least more people will be aware of

things and will pass it on via word of mouth, which is one of the best forms of advertising.

Obviously media such as Seren will continue to be essential in this promotion too!

Seren: Any apprehensions about how the changes in the Student Union will operate?

John: A few. The forthcoming changes are some of the biggest we’ve seen, and it would be extremely naive of us all if we believed there would be no hiccups or teething problems. But I believe minor glitches can actually help things run more smoothly in the long run. What we need to be prepared for are the not-so-minor glitches! We need to have a back-up plan for each of the new systems, and having spoken to both the current Executive and my future Sabbatical team, I’m confident we can come up with sufficient ones.

Seren: Can you make a comment on the fact that there is an all male exec next year?

John: If you look at the election results

from an external perspective, it does appear to be an unequally male-biased team. However, female candidates did stand and it was a democratic election. Had the results gone differently we could have been looking at a team of three females and only two males; indeed the current Sabbatical team consists of just that. Essentially what I am trying to say is that yes, it is a male-biased team, but not unequally male-biased. I don’t believe there is a male/female liberation issue here at Bangor University; I honestly do think that concerns like this, for this institution, were left far behind in the last century. Don’t get me wrong, there are liberation issues that need to be addressed, but this really isn’t one of them. I know it’s easy to say, but I would sincerely have no unease with an all-female Sabbatical team, in the same way as I am happy with my fellow elected officers.

Seren: Will there be any changes for student media?

John: Yes there will - probably the biggest changes Bangor student media will have experienced for a very long time. Change for the better though, I think. In order to facilitate the organisation of the new constitution, the student newspapers (Seren & Y Ddraenen) and radio station (Storm) will cease to be specific committees, becoming more user-friendly societies. Also, more importantly they will have seats on the new Communications committee where they can work together and share resources.

And specifically for Seren, well, if it continues to go from strength to strength as I believe it has over the past couple of years, you will certainly be rewarded!

Seren: And finally, what would you most like to be remembered for?

John: Being me, involving people and seeing through changes for the better.

Emma Dixon

Deputy President: Spencer George Seren: First of all congratulations on being elected Deputy President!

Spencer: Thank you very much.

Seren: What does the job of Deputy President entail?

Spencer: The job focuses on two main areas: welfare and communication. Changes implemented from the Governance Review of the Students’ Union has meant that the issues that fall under these categories will need more attention; for example security on halls of residence sites and better means of communication between students and the Union.

Seren: What’s the first thing on your agenda for next year?

Whilst I’ve got my own goals and objectives to meet next year, I think the first thing on the agenda will be to sit down as a team and look at where the SU is now and plan for where we want it to be this time next year.

Seren: Did you get a positive reaction from the students when you were out campaigning?

Spencer: Overall I had a more positive than negative reaction from students. Most people were quite happy to talk to me and find out more about me, my manifesto, and the position I was running for. Some people just couldn’t be bothered to vote and that was a shame because it was a chance for them to get their voices heard and have their say in who runs their Students’ Union.

Seren: One of your main aims in your manifesto was to improve communications between students and the Student’s Union, how do you intend to go about doing this?

Spencer: This is certainly one of my key goals for the coming year. I am already working with the current CSO at looking to rebrand the SU as well as designing the new student handbook. However over the course

of the next year I hope to see the student media play a big role in promoting the Union and its activities and I hope to utilise students’ expertise in this area by encouraging them to get involved with the new communications committee. I also want to make sure that the newly elected officers offer a ‘human’ side to the Union by getting out and about to talk to students on a regular basis so that we can encompass as many views and opinions as possible in our day to day activities.

Seren: Any apprehensions about the new changes to the union made by the governance review?

Spencer: I believe the recent changes made by the Governance Review will result in a Students’ Union that is more democratic and transparent in its workings and I look forward to the challenge of implementing the changes over the course of the next year.

Seren: What do you hope your legacy

will be?

Spencer: It’s not something I’ve really given much thought to. For now I’m just looking forward to getting stuck into what promises to be a very challenging but very enjoyable role in the SU. Seren: Finally, what are your thoughts about the other Sabbatical Officers who have been elected?

Spencer: I think the Sabbatical Officers that have been elected are going to be a very strong team and will each bring different qualities to the posts they will take up. I think all the officers will contribute to what will hopefully be a very successful year for the Students’ Union.

Bianca Murray and Emma Dixon.

Athletic Union President: Rob Samuel

Seren: Congratulations Rob on becoming the new President of the Athletic Union.

How have you been involved in sports during your time here at Bangor?

Rob: Whilst in Bangor I have been the Athletics Club captain, helping to raise the profile of the club massively and more than doubling it in size. I have also worked to increase participation in sport throughout Bangor by organising intramural activities such as “The Crazy Sports Day” and also by setting up a mountain biking club; further trying to provide opportunities in Bangor for students to engage in sport.

Seren: Why did you wish to become Athletic Union President?

Rob: Sport is an integral part of university life for many students and I would like to devote a year to helping aid in the participation and performance for all sports clubs; competitive, non-competitive, large or small. I’m approachable, enthusiastic, committed and will put 110% effort into the job.

Seren: What are you looking to achieve whilst AU President?

Rob: I believe building a relationship and improving communication between the AU, Maes Glas, and the Sports Science Department (SSHES) would be extremely beneficial to sport in Bangor, in terms of both performance and participation. I would strive to see this through. I also believe that stronger communication between the AU and the sports clubs is important. I propose to set up

monthly forums in which AU clubs can voice issues both good and bad to the AU committee. It is vital that the AU knows what you, the students, want! I will also stress the need for floodlights at Treborth playing fields as the University is in dire need of increased outdoor evening training facilities. Treborth is a great facility which I believe can be improved. It is also important to look to what we already have in and around Bangor. Being situated between the sea and the mountains is unique and we should make the most of this – outdoor sports can thrive here.

Seren: Do you have any comments on the university sports strategy?

Rob: The planning and implementation of the university sports strategy is also central to improving sport in Bangor and I will make every effort to help the university with this process whilst representing the students

and expressing their views of what is needed.

It is crucial to look to the future and bring sport at Bangor University to a higher level.

Seren: Finally Rob how do you hope to see Bangor in the future?

Rob: Having coaches to work with the sports teams would be fantastic. Setting the foundations to see this happen, particularly with regard to the sports strategy is something I would like to aim for. Even after I’ve finished here I’d like to see the University working hard for this as it will help clubs which, at the moment, have to be run by solely the students themselves. When I leave Bangor I don’t want to think “that’s me done”, I want to come back in five to ten years time and see that sport is still thriving in Bangor.

Seren: Good luck for the forthcoming year!

Will Varley

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

S D N A B T N E D 8 U 0 T S 20

© Laurie Phillips (Bangor University

Photography Society)

Joe Beardwood is one half of Electric Chicken but a lucrative musician in his own right. Hailing from the small welsh town of Bedd Gelert which is known for little more than a legend about a dog he got into music and music technology “by messing around on the computer”. Although his track on the Seren CD is acoustic, his real passion is for electro music and he can usually be found in his College Road living room fiddling about with drum machines and keyboards. He performs his electro creations with another band, Filth Machine, who played at the Seren SIN night. Until recently they were a cover band who played the likes of Prodigy and Pendulum but now work on their own stuff and will have a demo CD out soon.

Electric Chicken consists of Tom Williams and Joe Beardwood who formed only two months ago. Their style of music is mostly acoustic with Joe and Tom taking turns to share the duty of lead vocals while the other accompanies with a backing guitar.

Their unusual name comes from a late night conversation between Joe, Tom and a few friends about battery hen farming – Tom had been quiet throughout the conversation until he piped up with “What? Electric chickens?!” The comment became legendary and the band found their name.

Tom Williams is also in a Welsh language band called Wyrligigs.

They have been around for about four years now and achieved success in the Welsh music charts with a top 5 single. ty)

graphy Socie

iversity Photo

ps (Bangor Un

© Laurie Philli

- Jim JOE BEARDWOODSonny 1

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© Laurie Phillips (Bangor University Photography Society)

IC CHIC CaKllEN

it - A Da y

© Laurie Phillips (Bangor University Photography Society)

Three piece band The Felonies feel most at home on the stage.

With a huge archive of music, playing live to people is at the heart the band’s psyche. Many songs have been written with many different styles and the band prefer to define themselves as “not one thing or the other”.

3

IT AWAY E K A T S E I THE FELON The Mephs consist of Gwyn on guitar; Jess on vocals and rhythm guitar; Danny on drums and Adam on bass. The band has had many gigs locally as well as playing venues in Liverpool, London and South Wales. They have recently began gigging around again and should have a CD recorded soon.

4 MTEHPEHS

Lady Valentine

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P T C E PERF

A Perfect Picture began with Alex and old friend Dave writing instrumental material.

The voice came when Alex met Raj who in university. With vocals, APP had a direction to work in and began writing more songs with stronger structures. The addition of a bassist was needed and found in the young and energetic Roy. With the edition of Luke on synth and piano we’ve gained even more of an edge over the usual musical offerings in the UK.

Prosidium is a four-piece Blackened Death Metal band. Guitarist Andy and vocalist Chris first formed the band in late 2006, recruiting Sion Mason on drums and Matty McCullagh on Bass,

by Spring 2007. After only 2 gigs, Prosidium signed to Complete Control Music on a 6-month deal, a label which has had the likes of Lostprophets on its books. Before long Prosidium started to headline the local shows and soon went into the studio to record a few tracks. Though they have existed in this current entity for only a year now they have played many gigs to great success and are now signed to Darkside Records, a Manchester based Metal record label. Prosidium will be continuing their efforts in the studio over the next few months to work on their first demo track leading to a full-length album. Until then they will be gigging all over the British Isles under the wing of Darkside Records, with a UK tour planned for the summer.

In The Blood And PROSI DIUM: Flames of Babylon 6

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Melanie’s RED NATURE Cry ing

Formed in 2004 Red Nature is an experienced band with a plethora of original and unique songs. The unsigned 5 piece have already enjoyed constant gigging in the local area and music festival slots in North Wales. Red Nature is a hard working and well respected band with a growing fan base in the North West. Currently looking for a record deal, the 5 members have their sights firmly set on recording a debut album.

8 LTEHTETWERINST: ER PPrizes fo

The Winter Letters were formed by Raj and Alex in February of 2006, a collaboration that quickly produced some pretty melodies and captivating lyrics. After a few shows in North Wales, it became apparent that the sound was lacking depth, and that elements of the acoustic sound were missing.

In a classical-inspired idea, a violin, played by Maddie, complimented the soft harmonies of the guitar. The Winter Letters avoid bass guitar and drums, so to add rhythm; Luke was brought in to play piano. What started off as a pair is now a quartet, which creates pop riffs with a folk twist.

rincess r Pages by

Jo Caulfield

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

Puzzles, Posers & Problems

Your Name:...................................................Your Bangor Uni E-mail:....................................

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WIN AN SERE PINT !

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S A L G (or 2)

08:00 - 10:00 Storm In A Tea Cup morning mix 11:00 - 13:00 Storm Bites - Geek Chic JackGreen and Isa Wilson 13:00 14:00 The SU Show 16:00 - 18:00 Homeward Bound 18:00 - 20:00 The Time Tunnel

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T A J L O O S E W O M E N R O

H A S O L L L H J E S P U I R

T M I T H E B I L L N R Q Y O

20:00 - 21:00 Debating panel show from the news team with special guests

Q F S K H N R H C F L M E X A

O A S I O R D I R D Y E L C T

H M T V R O T E D E B V A F I

W I E E U S P E R N A A D V O

R L E L S H A S P S B L R M N

O Y T L A U S A C H L F E N S

T O R C H W O O D O E R M M T

C F B A E I O U U J T T M E I

O I B R O M Y A R T O F E G I

D G N I N R O M S I H T K S H

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Tuesday

08:00 - 10:00 Storm In A Tea Cup

Wednesday 08:00 - 10:00 Storm In A Tea Cup

13:00 - 14:00 The SU Show

13:00 - 14:00 The SU Show with Xanthe Larcombe, the Union’s Education & Welfare Officer

16:00 - 18:00 Homeward Bound - Out Loud and Proud Music and chat from Bangor Pride

14:00 - 16:00 The Big Mix Up Clare Moore-Smith with mainstream music and chat

18:00 - 20:00 The Text Session DJPJ & DJ Hanniepants with your requests - text STORM and ur msg to 60300 20:00 - 21:00 Tuesday’s Gone Rock/Metal/Unsigned show with Gaz & Zara

21:00 - 22:00 Kate’s Kloset 22:00 - 00:00 Hip Hop and R&B with Kate Storm’s Paradox Barratt Dan & Sav provide a mix of 80s, 90s and today with 22:00 - 00:00 a bit of chat and general Tropical Storm rubbish!

19:00 - 20:00 The Speculative Analysis Show Highlights from SpecAnal’s weekly experiments and tours, with music and chat of a spooky variety 20:00 - 22:00 Bangor’s Student Sound Non-stop music 22:00 - 02:00 Trash LIVE! coming in January

Thursday

08:00 - 10:00 Storm In A Tea Cup morning mainstream mix 11:00 - 13:00 Storm Bites 13:00 - 14:00 The SU Show with Bethan Williams, UMCB President with a Welsh language show 16:00 - 18:00 Homeward Bound Lucy & Charlotte 18:00 - 20:00 Something Borrowed, Something Blue DJPJ with an eclectic mix of old and brand-spanking new 19:00 - 21:00 Ultrasound Lee Howson & Sean Lashec with their Trash cool-off of new, classic and obscure indie 21:00 - 22:00 The Jazz Hour with Jack Baker 22:00 - 00:00 The Underground Alex ‘Colonel’ Kirkham hosting underground dance at its best

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Forecast 11:00 - 13:00 Storm Bites

11:00 - 13:00 Storm Bites

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Compiled by John Jackson

16:00 - 18:00 Homeward Bound Spencer, Lex & Tom with the best of the 60s, 70s & 80s, including the 30 Second Challenge

R Y S H E T I N G S O I U D N

WHAT TO DO...

Storm y

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E F E R A E G P O T S S P I C

The numbers in the crossword grid are to be replaced by letters. Below the grid is the key showing 3 already completed letters. Fill in the other numbers, remembering to mark them off on the alphabet list as you go. Note that only 1 number represents 1 letter.

(1) Sudoku or (2) TV Wordsearch or (3) Codeword - or all 3 if you wish!

Next, fill in your name and Bangor Uni e-mail address (above) and hand this page in to the Students’ Union reception. Alternatively, e-mail your answers to: editor@seren.bangor.ac.uk Winners will be selected at random from correct entries and will be awarded by 10/05/08.

Seren’s Radio Times

Monda

3 Codeword

Hidden in the grid below are the names of various different TV programmes.

Usual rules for a wordsearch apply - horizontally, vertically and diagonally, but in straight lines only.

However, unlike some wordsearches, the words themselves are not listed, and the number of them remains a secret - see how many you can find...

compiled by John Jackson

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TV Wordsearch

Friday

08:00 - 10:00 Storm In A Tea Cup 11:00 - 13:00 Storm Bites - The Dave and Ryan Show Mainstream music & chat 13:00 - 14:00 The SU Show with the Union’s CSO & President, Carolan & Sam 16:00 - 18:00 Homeward Bound Matt & Lorna 18:00 - 19:00 Sound of the AU The best of the Athletic Union, hosted by Adam James 19:00 - 21:00 Music Team Show 21:00 - 23:00 No Added Sugar Winner of the Best Mainstream Show award 2006-07 - hosted by Jack Green and Dave Pallant, with lots of challenges

23:00 - 00:00 Late Night Quickie Station manager Mike with co-presenter, Biscuits

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Saturday 11:30 - 13:30 The Slightly Strange Dave Show Slightly strange, silly and other ‘S’ words! Random mix of music (incl. TV theme tunes!) with Strange Dave & co.

18:00 - 20:00 Bach A Tew (Little and Phat) Kerry Walton’s Welsh language show

Sunday

12:00 - 13:00 Hindi Music Show 13:00 - 15:00 The Chart Show Weekly countdown with Matt Ison 15:00 - 16:00 Around the World in 60 Minutes Em & Jen with a whistle-stop tour around the music world 16:00 - 18:00 The Classical Show Classical tunes you know, mixed with those you may not

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22:00 - 00:00 TomStock & Two Smoking Barrels 00:00 - 02:00 The Saturday Sessions If you’re interested in rounding up the weekend’s sporting action for Storm FM, both nationally and locally, then get in touch with Programme Controller peter.banks@undeb. bangor.ac.uk

18:00 - 18:30 7 into 30 The news team present the week’s happenings in 30 minutes, with Kate Barratt 19:00 - 21:00 The Motel Sarah & Alex with funk and big tunes, including the Helpdesk 21:00 - 22:00 Sin Roc Gymraeg Welsh rock music 22:00 - 00:00 Dead Air Mainstream chat, music and madness!

Phone: (01248) 38 8048 or just 8048 from internal Uni phones Txt: storm + msg to 60300 E-mail: studio@stormfm.com

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Societies & Events Officer: Tom Hecht

Seren: Congratulations on getting elected. So what will be the first thing on your agenda for next year? Your manifesto mentioned something about a Freshers’ Ball?

Tom Hecht: It does, that will be a fairly big thing to concentrate on over the summer, as will the whole of Welcome Week, not just the Freshers’ Ball. I really want to make Welcome Week work even better and make it even bigger than it has been before. We’ll be having lots of events throughout Freshers’ Week. I particularly look forward to organising Serendipity. The Freshers’ Ball is going to take some detailed planning over the summer. Hopefully we’ll have a good system whereby the Freshers can buy tickets over the summer. Depending on the uptake, we might be able to open it to other people as well.

Seren: That sounds good. So as an overall goal for the year, what would your ideal achievement be? What would you like to be remembered for?

Tom: OK, what would be my legacy? I guess that would probably be the Freshers’

Ball. That’s going to be a big event, but at the same time I don’t want to just concentrate on one thing, my job title is to provide a wide array of events and that’s what I want to do.

I’d also like to work with societies to raise their profiles as a whole, to bring them up to the same status as that of the AU clubs.

Seren: OK, on the topic of societies, your manifesto said you wanted to help the societies make the most of student media. What exactly were your plans for that?

Tom: Ultimately I’d like to promote more inter-society interaction, particularly with Storm FM and Seren becoming societies themselves. Seren and Storm FM are very much untapped resources for societies; writing articles for Seren is a great way to advertise, and Storm FMcan offer societies air time. I’d like to see more societies using what the student media have to offer.

Seren: The governance review made a lot of changes in the union. Your job role is a new one created this year- any apprehension about the new system?

Tom: No, not apprehension, I think these

are very positive changes. Especially my new job title and the description that it has; it lends me more time to work with societies.

The CSO’s role was very heavily made up of the communication aspect and now that this is transferred to the Deputy President I’d like to dedicate more time to working with societies.

Seren: One problem with the union and its executive is simply that no one knows what is going on, no one knows about the officers and what they do. What would you do to try to change that?

Tom: I found that when I was walking around halls many people didn’t think of themselves as being involved in the union until I mentioned Academi and then they realise that yes- it is part of the union. Welcome Week is a crucial time to pull people into the union. I’d like to talk to the peer guides and get them to bring their Freshers down to the union as a fundamental part of Welcome Week. Serendipity raises the profile of the union a lot, and with a Freshers’ Ball hopefully more and more people will get involved.

As a sabbatical team, we all agreed that we’d like to increase face-to-face communication to students. We’d also like to have dedicated notice boards, particularly in halls so more people can see what’s going on.

Seren: Just a last question for my own curiosity. We’ve got an all male exec for next year, would you care to comment on that given the student population here is around sixty-five percent women?

Tom: Well, yeah that’s an interesting one.

I don’t see it as a problem, yet I believe it’s the first time that it’s happened, so it will be interesting to see how it turns out. As long as female representatives keep coming along to be involved in the union, I can’t foresee any issues.

Seren: Nicely said! Thank-you for your time Tom, and good luck in office next year.

Rachel Eales

UMCB President: Rhion Glyn

Seren: Yn gyntaf hoffai dy longyfarch ar dy swydd newydd fel llywydd newydd UMCB. A buaset mor garedig a rhoi ychydig o fanylion o beth yw dy ddelytswyddau fel llywydd UMCB? Seren: Firstly can I congratulate you on your new role as UMCB president? Can I ask you to give some details about what your role as

UMCB president entails?

Rhion: Un or prif dyletswyddau yw bod yn lais cryf dros y Cymry ym Mangor. Fi fydd a’r cyfrifoldeb o neud yn siwr fod y Gymraeg yn cael y parch y mae yn ei haeddu oddi mewn i’r Brifysgol. Yn ogystal a’r agwedd fwy politicaidd hwn, byddaf yn trefnu bywyd cymdeithasol UMCB. Wythnos y Glas, Tripiau di-ri, dathliadau pwysig ac wrth gwrs ‘Clwb Cymru’.

Rhion: One of my main roles is to be a strong voice over Welsh in Bangor. I will have the responsibility of ensuring that the Welsh receive the respect that they deserve in this University. In regards to the more political aspects I will be arranging the social life of the UMCB, Blue Week, random trips, important celebrations and of course ‘Clwb Cymru’.

Seren: Sŷt aeth yr ymgyrchu?

Seren: How did the campaigning go?

Rhion: Aeth yr ymyrchu yn gret diolch, mae gen i griw da o ffrindiau oedd yn barod iawn i helpu.

Rhion: The campaigning went brilliantly

thanks, I have a great group of friends who were really willing to help.

Seren: Lle oeddach chi yn neud yn rhan mwyaf o dy ymgyrchu?

Seren: Where did you do most of your campaigning?

Rhion: Bues yn gwneud y rhan fwyaf o’r ymgyrchu yn Neuadd JMJ a hefyd Ffriddoedd.

Rhion: I did most of my campaigning in JMJ and also on the Ffriddoedd site.

Seren: Mae llawer o berson yn meddwl mai swydd Llywydd UMCB yw i edrych ar ol JMJ ac i drefnu noswaethiau Clwb Cymru, sut yr wyt yn teimlo am hyn?

Seren: Many people think that the role of UMCB is just to look after JMJ and arrange ‘Clwb Cymru’ nights, how do you feel about that?

Rhion: Mae yna fwy i’r swydd na hyn. Y mae’n swydd bwysig ac rwyf yn sylweddoli yr hanes sydd y tu ol i Undeb y Cymry ym Mangor. Mae llawer yn credu fod y swydd yn ymwneud a neuadd JMJ yn unig ond y

VOTE IN THE

STUDENTS’ UNION SENATOR ELECTIONS 2008 You can also vote at the Students’ Union AGM on 6th May

1st & 6th May 2008

NOT SO LONG AGO IN A UNION NOT SO FAR FROM HERE...

gwir yw fod yr Undeb wedi cael ei sefydlu a’r gyfer pob Cymro sydd yn fyfyriwr yn y Brifysgol.

Rhion: There is more to the job than that.

It is an important job and I am aware of the history behind the Welsh Union in Bangor.

Many people believe that the job is only about JMJ halls, but the Union has been established for all Welsh people who are students in the University.

Seren: A oes yna newidiadau, os yw beth da chi’n mynd i newid tra da chi’n mewn y swydd?

Seren: Will there be any changes? If so what changes will you make?

Rhion: Mae agweddau o’r Undeb a’r ‘Polisi Dwy Ieithog’ y buaswn yn hoffi ei gryfhau, ond rwyf am ddisgwyl hyd nes y byddaf yn y swydd ym mis Awst cyn cychwyn meddwl am hyn.

Rhion: I would like to strengthen the attitude of the Union towards the bilingual policy, but I will wait until I am doing the job in August before thinking about this.

Seren: Yn dy farn di pam yr wyt yn meddw dy fod wedi cael dy ddewis dros bawb arall fel Llywydd UMCB? Seren: In your opinion why do you feel that you were chosen to be the UMCB president?

Rhion: Erbyn yr oedd hi yn amser pleidleisio nid oedd ganddynt llawer o ddewis nagoedd!? Na, dwin gobeithio fy mod wedi cael fy newis gan fod y bobol sydd wedi pleidleisio yn credu y byddaf yn lais cryf dros y Cymry ac gyda’r gallu i wneud y swydd yn llwyddiannus.

Rhion: By the time it was election time they didn’t have much choice did they? No, I hope I was chosen because the people who voted believe that I will be a strong voice for the Welsh and because I will do the job successfully.

Seren: Diolch am dy amser a phob lwc mis Awst Seren: Thanks for your time, good luck in August

Willow Manuel

JACKSON’S FIVE Continued from the front page

voting out of nearly 10,000 students, apathy in Bangor is clearly rife. So why are so few turning out? There is always a problem with winning the third year vote as the majority of them are disinterested in voting for Sabbatical Officers that they won’t be around to benefit from. Many students in other years feel that the elections simply aren’t relevant as they don’t realise how much the work of the Sabbatical Officers affects their student lives. In reality, of course, what happens in the Students’ Union massively affects us all, especially as this year sees the implementation of a huge number of changes to how it is all run following the governance review.

Even Seren will face changes as next year it will be made into a society instead of being a standing committee.

Hopefully our new Sabbatical team will be able to ride through the new changes with ease, as they all assure us students that they are fully capable. One thing that has caused some degree of concern however is the severe lack of gender balance, as an all male executive has left many female students feeling seriously underrepresented. The students certainly had their chance to get the ladies involved though, as three women ran in the elections this year although they were all

beaten to the spot by their male counterparts.

Despite reassurances from the new Sabbatical Officers, there are those who are worried.

This has led to Lottie Toogood standing and being elected to the previously vacant position of Women’s Officer at the last Students’ Union council.

So what will the forthcoming year hold for our new executive? One thing to be sure of is that there will be many changes ahead, which we can all hope will be for the best.

Emma Dixon

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

ELECTIONS PHOTO DIARY Chris Reid, Rob Samuel and Lottie Toogood at Candidates’ Question Time

The candidates doing the ‘Bangor Bump’ at the Ceilidh Spencer George voting at the Ballot Bus

John Jackson making his speech

Spencer George sporting his trademark yellow sash

Guest morris dancers setting the mood

Emma Dodd voting in the Main Arts Foyer

Tom, Spencer, Lottie, Rob and Holly campaigning on the Normal Site

Chris Reid being interview by Isa Wilson for Storm FM

Rhion Glyn being interviewed by the current UMCB President, Bethan Williams

All photos on the pink background

All of the hopeful candidates

Sadie Jones and fellow supporters waiting nervously for the results

© Laurie Phillips (Bangor University Photography Society)

Sam Burnett, current President reading the results

Next year’s executive (left to right): Tom Hecht, Rhion Glyn, John Jackson, Rob Samuel and Spencer George

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

CA L

ike Morrisons and the Tin Whistle Man, Trash has long been integral to our student lives. Every Wednesday night we’d head (well, often stumble) down to Trash togged out in Topshop’s finest, ready to shake our moneymakers to the finest student DJs playing the latest indie and metal offerings.

But recently times have changed. From being a night that used to attract over five hundred students, Trash is now lucky to have half of that number through its doors.

Suggested reasons for this phenomenon range from the decline in Bangor’s metal population, to the change in the demography of Bangor’s students and the recent makeover of Octagon with its competitive Wednesday night special events. The usual cries of, “The music is crap!

The DJs play the same thing every week!” can still be heard from the mouths of most Trashgoers (or ex-Trash-goers) but this is an age old complaint and didn’t majorly affect Trash attendance until this year. So why have so many turned their back on Trash?

For the few of you who do still go to Trash, you may have noticed some changes being made this year in an attempt to win us back, such as drinks promotions (£1 on selected drinks before 11pm), which hoped to get us through the doors earlier. Then after Christmas the unthinkable happened: the metal room shut its doors meaning that Trash could only happen in the main room of Academi with DJs playing an amalgamation of both metal and indie. The reasons for this are ambiguous as while many theorise that it is simply a moneysaving tactic as less bar staff would have to be paid, Head of Ents, Adam Isbell insists that it was simply the only way he could see the atmosphere in Trash improving. This has led to an outpouring of controversy with many finding the mix of the two genres highly unpalatable, especially as it is often difficult for the DJs to decide amongst themselves when each of them should play and for how long. The problem

! ! ! !

WIN April : 25th estion ts Friday s of ticke simple qu bah held? u c is air a h p t R x is er 2 answ week To win ight of the to: s n r t e a Wh answ gor.ac.uk your ban Send eren. s @ r edito

Comedy night Monday 5th Ma y 3 x pairs of tic kets To win answer this simple ques tion: Which cider is comedy night sponsored by?

Send your answ ers to: editor@seren.ba ngor.ac.uk

TROPHE has been further exacerbated by the resignation of head indie DJ, DJ Grimjock, [sic] who has hung up his headphones in favour of the more specialist Blue Room once a month. However, whereas most of the metal fans remain faithful to Trash and still attend every week, it is the indie crowd that are fading with more and more choosing to stay at home with a cup of tea and The Apprentice. Those of the indie fans who do still attend have complained of their nicotine consumption massively increasing due to frequent and prolonged cigarette breaks while the metallers do their thing.

There are those though who welcome the changes. Third year Marine Biology student Benjamin ‘I love Trash’ Hobson says, “As each of the DJs gets less time to play than they used to, it means that they think more carefully about what tracks to put on. I think this has led to a better quality of music played all round”, whereas 3rd year English Literature student Alice ‘I’ll still be going to Trash when I’m 40’ Weston thinks that the new Trash brings the best of both worlds: “I liked the metal and the indie room equally so having the two types of music in one easily-accessible room saves my legs from doing too much walking meaning I have more energy to dance!”

The facts remain though that Trash is in trouble, and this is my appeal to you, Trash fans, to keep our night going strong. After all, without Trash where would we be? Most of my University friendships were drunkenly formed in the Trash toilets, whereas the majority of my boyfriends were pulled on the Trash dancefloor, so let’s all keep this social mechanism going or face the sticky-floored horror of Wednesday night Octagon for the rest of our student lives…

Nowadays just one lonely emo haunts the Trash dancefloor.

Photos © Sion Wyn Laszek

Back in the good old days: The dancefloor is packed and the emo has even pulled.

Emma Dixon

5xp air whole s of one m o onth’s To win f May. pass for th editor simply spo e t the in one curre (cons o f t nt Se he ph ult Fa ren ot ce and s ubmit book if yo os on this u’re s p the e nd of it into the trugg age li Stude April. nt’s U ng) nion b y

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ince my teenage years I have loved making and listening to mixtapes. From spending gruelling hour upon hour crouched over my parents’ hi-fi cassette player, perfecting the playlist in the course of an evening to today dragging and burning songs for an hour or so.

Tour und Anthems Ministry of So y Ma d 3r Saturday kets 2 x pairs of tic estion: this simple qu To win answer Sound logo? of ry st ni Mi e is th What colour : to s swer Send your an bangor.ac.uk editor@seren.

! ! ! !

WIN

Making the perfect mixtape is all about keeping a flow, a theme, translating feelings through the mix to someone special or just for yourself.

The tracklisting below is a mixtape compiled for you all to get the songs and listen to in its intended order, but also because each of the songs has a memory or feeling attached to them for me personally in the last six months. Some of them are new songs you might have heard. Others are more obscure and harder to find, but well worth the effort.

1. Los Campesinos! - Death To Los Campesinos!

2. Tokyo Police Club - Tessellate 3. Noah & The Whale - Jocasta 4. MGMT - Time To Pretend 5. Love Is All - Felt Tip (frYars Version) 6. Dntel - Roll On 7. Broken Social Scene - 7/4 (Shoreline)

8. Mystery Jets - Young Love 9. Eugene Mc Guinness - High Score 10. Dog Day - Oh Dead Life 11. Stars - Ageless Beauty (Most Serene Republic Remix) 12. The Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You

www.myspace.com/robotsmademedoit

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Music

Seren - Easter Issue 2008

The Teenagers - Reality Check

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ex? Drugs? Drunken debauchery?

Songs about taking your hot, cheerleading step-cousin’s virginity while on holiday in San Diego? Sung by three sleazy Frenchmen? Yes please. And that just about begins to describe Homecoming, the first track on The Teenagers’ debut album.

Reality Check promises to leave listeners doing the audio equivalent of the doubletake. Whether The Teenagers deliberately set out to be so unashamedly, well, shameful, with the content of their lyrics is debatable, but surely not all of the filth contained herein can be ‘lost in translation’. Which brings me on to The Teenagers’ second single, an ode to Scarlett Johansson (slyly titled Starlett Johansson, perhaps to avoid the inevitable lawsuit). To The Teenagers, Johansson is the embodiment of all things beautiful, and it is clear that they would happily swap all of their lurid escapades for one night of romance with the young actress. The song itself is a real treat, if a tad creepy in its obsession, and features all of the qualities that make The Teenagers so infectious: spiky guitars contrasted with smooth Phoenix-style synth, a danceable beat and those French accents.

Fans that have followed the band since their early demos might be a little underwhelmed with the standard of the album ‘filler’, but with polished versions of old favourites such as Sunset Beach, the tale of a guitar-thieving beauty on a Vodka-

Red Bull-fuelled one night stand, and F*ck Nicole, the biography of a junkie teen, added to shiny new gems like the Weezer-esque Love No and the increasingly infectious Streets Of Paris, this album is still a must.

But it is obvious that the band’s biggest fan of all is themselves, as both Make It Happen and Feeling Better promote the band as the saviours of all things musical. Make It Happen is the song World In Motion might have been had New Order collaborated with the French national football team instead of the English, whilst Feeling Better features the line: Who’s there for you when you’re cold and alone?/ The Teenagers! It’s all very tongue in cheek, but perhaps the band’s confidence is merited. Make It Happen in particular is one of the album’s highlights, featuring slick 80s synths, an insanely catchy chorus and hand-claps the Jackson Five would be proud of. As for Homecoming, the album’s most controversial track is also the finest. Arrogant, yet sexy, it tells you all you need to know about The Teenagers.

Laid back and almost ambient in sound, Homecoming will seduce you the same way a tall, dark stranger might from across a smoky, Parisian nightclub – with a sly wink, a Vodka-Red Bull and an invitation back to their hotel Jacuzzi – before running off with the chamber-maid in the morning.

frYars – The Perfidy EP

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o it’s a bit of an unwritten rule here at Seren’s ivory towers that we don’t really review anything apart from albums. But in this instance there’s going to be an exception as frYars’s The Perfidy EP is getting a look over. For this there are several reasons: because I really really love frYars and by the time he gets round to releasing an album I will have left uni, because I really really wanted to write about Crystal Castles but Alex got there first so this is my compensation, and also because I’m acting editor for this issue and can pretty much do what I want. So there.

Now that the politics have been dealt with let me tell you a little bit about frYars.

He is 18, his real name is Ben, he is from London and goes to the same school as Cajun Dance Party and Bombay Bicycle Club.

I was fortunate to not only be at his first ever gig but also to meet the man himself and I can confirm that he is as lovely as his music.

I would also like to confirm that although this review has so far sounded a little bit obsessive I am not a stalker. Although this is probably mostly due to geographical restrictions.

The Perfidy EP features four new tracks: Olive Eyes, Benedict Arnold, The Novelist’s Wife and Benedict Remixed which are based around the theme of ‘perfidy’- ‘a betrayal of trust or deliberate act of treachery’.

The opening track, Olive Eyes, is frYars’s

next single. After first hearing it live and thinking that it was bloody brilliant I was pretty excited at the prospect of getting my ears wrapped around a shiny EP version.

Oh, how disappointed I was to be! FrYars’s work to date has mostly concentrated on slow and mid-tempo pieces which perfectly compliments his thoughtful lyrics. Olive Eyes sees him delving into a fast-tempo world that simply doesn’t suit his style. The lyrics are of a typically high standard but they get lost in a confusing pseudo-oriental cheesy euro pop melody which sounds like he’s been listening to a bit too much of The Knife. Also any fans of cringingly preten-

Alex Farley

Lost In Translation?

Emma Dixon

An English Lesson With The Teenagers

The Teenagers seem to have their own ‘special’ take on our language. Here are some prime examples:

It was perfect, a dream came true/ Just like a song by Blink 182 Homecoming What about that movie Showgirls, I can’t believe you’re watching it again/ You’ve already seen it like fifteen times…

Love No I wish I’d been invited/ To your party in Disneyland Starlett Johansson

F

She impressed me with her ipod playlist, from Slayer to Aerosmith – no f***ing Jeff Buckley Sunset Beach If you need a band ‘cause you wanna dance, or missing your friends ‘cause you don’t have any/ well we don’t care, just buy our t-shirts…

Feeling Better If I had a uni-brow would you like me that much?

Wheel Of Fortune We’re in my room, watching Dirty Dancing/ I didn’t pick anything with Orlando Bloom, ‘cause I know you fancy him French Kiss Here’s the plan/ We want to heal the world…

Feeling Better

tious sixth form art projects should check out the video for it on YouTube. Saying that, the track has been getting some positive responses as I hear that Jonathan ‘down with the kids’ Ross is a fan. Enough said.

As this review is misleadingly starting to sound like I’m not actually the biggest fan of frYars I’m going to quickly move on to the rest of the EP. The last three tracks see frYars returning to what he does best: intelligent and reflective lyrics with just a touch of sadism over an array of electronic instruments. According to frYars’s blog, Benedict Arnold concerns ‘a metaphorical duel in which deception and foul play win through’.

Right. Basically it’s a really nice song, although there’s not that much else that can be said about it. In my opinion it’s not the most interesting of frYars’s songs and it comes to no surprise, therefore, that frYars feels the need to place the remixed version on the EP. Luckily Benedict Remixed is a pretty good offering. It’s basically a sexedup, more electronic-y version of the original and although not much has been changed it is a clear highlight of the EP. I’ve always been one to save the best until the last, back from when I was a child and I used to keep that last bit of waffle corner to eat with my beans. This review is no exception which is why it is now time to talk about The Novelist’s Wife. This track is an absolute cracker and shows frYars’s talents off at their very finest: dark but strangely beautiful and extremely intelligent lyrics with a subtly catchy chorus over gorgeous piano chords. Lovely. All said, The Perfidy EP is an alright effort but I would advise anyone to instead track down The Ides EP for a true taste of frYars at his best.

D

Nizlopi - Make It Happen

escribed as ‘one of the hardest working bands in the country’, Nizlopi are back with a second studio album. Make it Happen sees the band following two themes: the first echoed by hits like JCB whilst the second is environmentally and culturally aware. The album was produced by Phil Brown, who has not only been involved with greats like Bob Marley and Dave Gilmour but also worked with new talents like Laura Marling.

After six seconds of spooling tape the first real track Start Beginning hooks the listener, its upbeat feel and infectious sound setting the album’s tone. Picking up on the theme of relationships and love this song showcases the bands originality and ability. I’m Alive Again sees Nizlopi exploring a more culturally relevant idea with the same upbeat sound. Despite this the song’s strengths are added to by John Parker’s beatboxing, important in Nizlopi’s originality.

Phil Brown’s presence can be noted through the slight reggae feel to the song. Coming back with a new energy Feel Inside takes an overtly political stand commenting on topics like Iraq. The song has a loud hooky opening added to by the beatboxing, heightening its message. In direct contrast Last Night In Dakar takes the pace back down, opening

gently with bongos. The song maintains a political footing looking at life from a migrant’s view. This song’s style and point of view make it refreshing both on the album and in a wider sense.

The One follows a similar pattern to Drop Your Guard, its beatboxing helping it stand out. Part of Me again follows a similar pattern, looking at self-acceptance: If I turn out to be then this life is over for me/But part of me is gay, part of God is gay. Flooded Quarry brings an upbeat feel with a good pace and rhyme (even mentioning Welsh mountains!), again showing the strength of love. If You Care About It maintains the upbeat sound prescribing independence and truthfulness: can’t wait for any guru to heal us. Lay Down brings a gentle end to the album, showing the strength of dreams, before ending the album on a shhhhhush.

This album has a joint focus on a variety of wider issues as well as emotional issues.

The wider issues covered like Africa can seem a little clichéd but the album’s sound and feel more than make up for this. This is a refreshing and good album.

Dave Horn

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

The Twang Play Bangor

Live Review

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hat a year it has been for live music in Bangor.

But compared to last year it had to be! Apart from Wheatus and The Ordinary Boys that performed at the Summer Ball last year (although £45 for a ticket is steep if you only wished to see the bands) there were no other official gigs for those who enjoy their live music. I’ve lost count in the past of how many times I’ve looked up the venues for U.K gigs and seen pretty much every other University it seems listed, with Bangor missing. However last semester saw the brilliant Pigeon Detectives and We Are Scientists come to Bangor and suddenly this University was back on the map!

The Twang played at Time on February 22nd and

demonstrated what Bangor is missing a lot of the time- an alternative to Octagon or Main Bar! The Birmingham based indie rock band broke onto the scene in 2007 and were hailed as Britain’s best new band by NME Magazine. They played all their hits with the favourites ‘Wide Awake’, ‘Either Way’ and ‘Two Lovers’ getting the crowd really going. Their performance could be likened to an early Happy Mondays style of play with singers Phil Etheridge and Martin Saunders similar to Shaun Ryder and Bez of the ‘Mondays’ respectively as they seemed to be having a laugh and enjoying playing to the crowd throughout (Saunders did sing and didn’t just play the maracas it should be noted!). They aren’t a band that exactly keeps their lyrics mellow as front man Phil Etheridge says: “I ain’t going to sing about rivers, man, I don’t live by a river- I live by a canal and there’s bikes in it.”

With support bands, the gig ran for around three and a half hours which for the £12.50 ticket was, I feel, well worth the money as live music of this quality is so rare in Bangor and I thoroughly enjoyed the night.

I hope the Student’s Union can see how successful these nights have been in Time to try and get more bands to come to Bangor next year, as there will only be more demand, with the increase in the number of students coming to Bangor every year.

Unfortunately I don’t think we can expect Oasis or The Killers just yet!

Will Varley

Seren: So how are you finding Bangor then?

Martin Saunders: Well we were here before not too long ago. We had a little cottage in Anglesey and it was our soundman’s birthday one day and Bangor was the closest drinking town, we went out to The Octagon! It was a good night.

Seren: Now I noticed you’ve been touring loads for the past year now – do you not get bored of it?

Martin: You get tired of it but not really bored. We’ve done some good gigs the biggest ones we did were right at the beginning so we sort of felt like we peaked then and we’re getting all the little venues out the way now. But last night we were in Swansea which was a fucking great gig. You forget that when you come to places like this and they don’t really get bands here they’re well up for it so I think it’ll be a good night tonight.

Jon Watkin: It’s the drinking for me man cos if you’re drinking all the time it just really gets to you.

Seren: You’re music has quite an old school sound to it with all the baggy influences do you ever feel like you’re not relevant anymore?

Martin: Nah, because a good song is a good fucking song! We’ve got some great songs on our album like ‘Either Way’ and the stuff that we’re writing now are fucking amazing.

Jon: I mean you can listen to supposedly groundbreaking stuff but it’s shit if you don’t like it. You don’t always know how

G

Mystery Jets –Twenty One

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was lucky enough to bump into William Rees at a frYars gig in the basement of London’s Slaughtered Lamb pub late last year. The Mystery Jets guitarist was welcoming, polite and refreshingly humble.

We talked about my summer job at Hampton Court Palace and his burning desire to one day record a music video in the famous maze that accompanies it. So it gives me great pleasure to report that Twenty One, his band’s much anticipated second longplayer is about to make Mystery Jets the indie heavyweights they had, until now, only threatened to become. This album, produced by Indie dance guru Erol Alkan, sees the band at their pop-song-writing best. The introduction of more electronically-influenced keys, together with danceable beats and infectious sing-alongs, makes for an altogether more ‘fun’ album than its predecessor, Making Dens. Indeed, Alkan’s presence in the studio is strikingly obvious, but it must be noted that Mystery Jets’ new direction could additionally be attributed to Henry Harrison’s new role in the band.

The keyboard player, band ‘mentor’, and father to frontman Blaine, has taken up a new position in the band’s hierarchy, similar to that which a ‘Director of Football’ might assume at Bangor FC. Although the other members insist Henry is “still very much in the band”, he will no longer be touring with his young apprentices or, it would appear, be included in any promotional material.

Certainly the four remaining Jets are guilty of rooting through Henry’s old record collection in search of ideas and inspiration for this record. Most notably the compartment labelled ‘1980s’.

The album begins with the sound of police sirens, not unlike the beginning of Klaxons’ new-rave anthem Atlantis To Interzone. It’s a comparison which is worth exploring because what follows is raucous opener Hideaway, a song as urgent, eclectic and thoroughly original as anything the aforementioned band have produced.

New-rave it ain’t, but it’s dangerously close.

Rees’ Journey-tastic axe-shredding is complimented by bassist Kai Fish’s more-Musethan-Mystery Jets cyber-drone, and the result is a spine-tingling, future-Indie classic. The most intriguing aspect of the track is the subject matter of Harrison junior’s lyrics. Wising up to an illicit love affair between his girlfriend and an “undercover lover” – he discovers “a rubber in the sack” – Harrison fears his lust for revenge will land him in prison. What would his father say? Comeback single Young Love is next and features Laura Marling, currently winning widespread acclaim for her own debut album. Marling shares vocals here with Rees, collaborating brilliantly to tell the tale of separated lovers searching the streets for one another. Lyrically astute, cleverly structured and, above all, very marketable, the new single is a joy. But it is the album’s more ambitious moments that more accurately reflect the band’s accomplishments.

Reminiscent of The Smiths in their heyday, Veiled In Grey certainly is one of those moments. Sprightly guitars reverberate throughout underneath Harrison’s best Morrissey impression. There’s even time for Smiths-like humour, as Blaine muses: I’ll bet you wouldn’t believe me/ If I whispered in your ear and said/ I can see a pink elephant/

And it’s standing on the corner of the bed.

The song builds to a final crescendo, Harrison wailing the final chorus over a cluttered but beautiful soundscape. With Journey and The Smiths in the bag, there’s still time for a further homage to the 1980s. Two Doors Down is what the lovechild of Cindy Lauper and Rick Astley would sound like when it screamed in the maternity ward. The story of an obsession with a girl who “plays the drums late at night” to annoy the neighbours and enrapture Harrison is quirky enough without the thick slab of synthetic glam-pop which accompanies it. Two Doors Down is Mystery Jets letting their hair down; it’s tracks like this one which validate Harrison Senior’s decision to step aside and leave it to the young’uns. Bristling with energy and confidence from the onset, layer upon layer of rhythmic melodies are added before the chorus – an eruption of 80s flamboyance.

Cleverly contrasted with these carefree jollies are the album’s more reflective moments. Chris Martin comparisons aside, Flakes sees Blaine opening his heart to deliver a piece of melancholy magic. If you want me gone there are kinder ways to say/ So long then spitting in my face. His poignant message of broken dreams and heartache is supported aptly by Rees’ ghostly fretwork. ‘Bonus track’ 21 is an even more convincing portrayal of loneliness, this time featuring only Harrison and an antique piano. An album that has everything, kitchen sink included, Twenty One is wise beyond its years.

Alex Farley

Interview long it’s going to be around for do you?

Seren: So you have had a bit of a bad experience with NME magazine after they built you up and then trashed you - do you worry about the fickleness of it all?

Martin: It’s obvious really I mean we were getting built up so we knew it was going to happen, we knew there was going to be a backlash.

Seren: Has it affected your fanbase at all?

Martin: Probably cos we’d probably be bigger. It’s not the end of the world though.

Jon: I think what this tour has shown is that we’ve got a really good fanbase.

The people that are coming are the really dedicated ones. If you like a band then you don’t listen to the press do you? You just like them.

Jon: I’d rather it this way round than if all the press loved you and the public hated you cos you’re in the shit then aren’t you?

Seren: So have you got any festival plans then?

Martin: We do with V yeah we just got confirmed the other day. We’re doing Rock Ness as well. But that’s all at the moment. It looks like we might be getting a bit of time off this summer so we can go away.

Jon: Go away have a nice holiday or something. Back to Bangor!

Martin: Back to Bangor in the Octagon!

Emma Dixon

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles

ameboys. Remember them? Much more fun than the leaner, meaner ‘DS’ or ‘PSP’ versions we are stuck with now. As with all prototypes, it had its flaws, but it was these quirky imperfections which we all warmed to and adored. Some of us still do. Ethan, founding member and one half of Canadian electro-new-rave sensations Crystal Castles, definitely does. His band is clearly inspired by the synthetic beeps, whirls and hisses that emanate from the retro portable, so much so that they utilize these dated sound-effects melodically over their simple beats. The music, completely unique and original, may yet prove to be a prototype for the music of tomorrow but, much like the machine which inspired it, it is this debut album’s slight imperfections which make it such a treasure to behold. Much like the Gameboy, the revolution has to start somewhere.

And it starts with Alice Practice. Once the infectious 8-bit beat kicks in there is no looking back. Alice Practice perfectly encapsulates the mass mayhem and hysteria of a Crystal Castles live show: keyboards beep and hum and twinkle a bit, nobody can hear a word of what little Alice (Ethan’s female band mate to whom the song is penned) is shrieking down her distorted microphone – but no one cares. In short, the song is controlled chaos. One of the first tracks to ever appear on the band’s myspace profile, the album version of Alice Practice is the very same ‘rough demo’ that spawned Crystal Castles’ diehard fan base. And Ethan and Alice wouldn’t have it any other way. Far too cool to sell out to dumbed-down, squeaky clean, polished versions of older songs, Crystal Castles’ album tracks can be split into two categories: those recorded before or after the band’s recording equipment was (surely) upgraded. This is the reason why the first half of Air War boasts far fewer layers than the second part; a sort of musical addendum included some time after. The difference in dynamics and overall sound quality is quite noticeable, but this does not detract from an album so individual in style, that it cannot be listened to just once.

Other album highlights

include two collaborations: Crimewave, released solely in 7 inch format last year, which samples American west coast experimentalists HEALTH, and Vanished, a reworked version of dance act Van She’s Sex City. Crimewave is particularly infectious. Creeping under your skin and into your head at will, it is known to be a popular choice among Radio One DJs as background filler for extended periods of monologuing. That’s about as mainstream as it got for Crystal Castles until their surprise cameo on cult E4 drama Skins earlier this year.

It would be easy to predict subsequent big things for Ethan and Alice and such an inspired debut album is a good start.

Crystal Castles don’t just specialise in future-rave floor fillers. Other strings to their bow include the sombre Magic Spells and the Blondie-tinged Courtship Dating¸ which samples a female scream to create a dead disco effect. Their biggest triumph, however, must surely be Knights – dance tracks are not supposed to cover such a spectrum of different emotions, with Alice’s usual ferocity reduced to a hushed whimper.

Much like the Gameboy, we eagerly await the next model but, much like the Gameboy, it’s unlikely anything will ever better this original.

Alex Farley

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

Film 27 Dresses ****

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major success on it’s release in the states, it is easy to see why 27 Dresses has struck such a big chord with audiences over there. For starters, following up her role in last year’s Knocked Up is Katherine Heigl as the film’s lead. She is getting to be a pretty big star and understandably so. Also, following up her directorial debut with Step Up is Anne Fletcher who is showing considerable talent for romance movies and has produced a film that may have its fair share of romcom clichés, but is such an enjoyable feel-good movie that you really won’t care.

Ever since she was a young girl, Jane Nichols (Katherine Heigl) has been in love with weddings, so much so that she goes out of her way to not only attend, but help organise, the weddings of every single one of her friends, not to mention keeping every single bridesmaid dress that she ever wore. And she can’t wait until it is her turn to walk down the aisle. The problem is that she is in love with her boss George (Edward Burns), but seems unable to actually tell him how she feels despite being encouraged by her friend and colleague Casey (Judy Greer). Unfortunately for her, just as she is about to tell him at the engagement party of one of her friends, her sister Tess (Malin Akerman) meets George and the two instantly fall for one another. To make matters worse, George soon asks Tess to marry him and the selfish Tess asks Jane to organise the wedding for her. Jane, unable to say no, agrees and finds herself struggling with the idea.

Meanwhile, cynical newspaper wedding columnist Kevin Doyle (James Marsden) has noticed that Jane is a frequent wedding attendee, and is doing a story on her for his paper in the hope of getting out of the wedding section. As he starts spending time with her, however, he starts to develop feelings for her and he must decide between going ahead with the story and pursuing a romantic relationship with Jane.

Conversely, Jane soon finds her emotions put to the ultimate test and must questions whether George really is the one for her or if she actually wants to be with Kevin.

She has been a bridesmaid a total of twenty seven times so surely it’s her turn to be the bride.

The script (written by Aline Brosh McKenna, who previously wrote the screenplay for The Devil Wears Prada) of 27 Dresses certainly isn’t one of the most original ever written for a romcom and is very predictable in places, but the way in which it is presented on screen makes it seem fresh. Much of this is thanks to the very good direction of Anne Fletcher, who has picked up a lot from her previous foray into the romance genre, and executes this film very well. One of the best scenes of the film, that really makes it stand out, is a montage where Jane models all of the twenty seven dresses of the title for Kevin. Much of the reason this film works, though, is also because

of Katherine Heigl who totally steals the show and is the driving force of the film. Her performance is very convincing and very likeable, so much so that you will instantly fall for her character and really care about what happens to her. The rest of the cast are also very good, although just like a bridesmaid must not outshine the bride, none of them outshine Heigl.

Another strong point is the soundtrack that really complements what is happening on screen, and in some cases adds to the effect. Overall, 27 Dresses is a very charming, romantic, heart-warming and funny romcom that has much to offer. It is a very enjoyable film that is hard not to love and if you are a fan of romantic comedies I highly recommend that you check this film out.

Robert Mann

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Drillbit Taylor

rillbit Taylor is the latest film from the creative team behind last year’s Knocked Up, Superbad and Walk Hard: The Dewy Cox Story. However, compared to those films, the advance word of mouth hasn’t been very positive, and the film has received a lower rating, obtaining a 12A rather than a 15. Anyone who saw Superbad will likely notice similarities between that film and this one with the rating being the main thing that sets them apart As both are co-written by Seth Rogen, it is clear to see why such comparisons can be drawn. Following in the footsteps of that film, Drillbit Taylor will likely seem underwhelming to moviegoers who enjoyed Superbad, but if you can set aside any comparisons and enjoy this film as it is there is still a pretty good film here.

Wade (Nate Harley), Ryan (Troy Gentile) and Emmit (David Dorfman) are three kids who have just started high school. Their excitement soon turns to anguish, however, as they immediately become the targets of bullies Filkins (Alex Frost) and Ronnie (Josh Peck). With them desperately trying to escape, the bullies come up with more and more extreme methods of getting them, and soon it is clear that they will need help. The three put an advert on the internet for a bodyguard. Unfortunately, most of the candidates are way out of their price range. That is, until they meet Drillbit Taylor (Owen Wilson), a homeless person who used to be in the army. At first Taylor

has no real interest in helping the kids and is only using them to get money. However, as he sees what they are going through with the bullies and develops a friendship with them, he starts to change his mind and begins to not only protect the kids but teach them to protect themselves. Going undercover as a

substitute teacher at their school he also develops a relationship with fellow teacher Lisa (Leslie Mann) and starts to appreciate life for a change. Things take a turn for the worse when they all discover that he isn’t who he claims to be but, as a changed man, he does what it take to make amends for his mistakes and deliver on the promises he made. Not only does he help Wade, Ryan and Emmit to fight for themselves but they teach him to be a better human being, and when it comes time for the ultimate confrontation with Filkins and Ronnie they must work together to bring an end to the menace once and for all.

Into the Wild ***** DVD Review

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very so often, you watch a film that can move you, excite you, change your perspective on many things and have a lasting, profound effect upon your very being. Hyperbole? Probably, but Into the Wild is all of those things and more. The film tells the story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who had just graduated from University with his whole life ahead of him, a place at Harvard Law School and everything within his grasp. But his mistrust of the world, specifically his parents and how people treat each other leads him to live rough for two years, ending up in Alaska in the wild.

Some of you may well be familiar with the real life events behind the film, which for the most part are as faithfully depicted as can be. But it is not so much the journey itself that Sean Penn is interested in telling, rather the friendships and people McCandless met on his way and the effect they had on each other. Yes, it is a road movie in many respects, enhanced by Penn’s mature direction and some of the most gorgeous cinematography seen in films of late. However, Emile Hirsch’s sympathetic portrayal of the romantic pioneer grounds the film, gives it emphasis, heart and soul. Backed by a stunning ensemble cast featuring Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, William Hurt and the brilliant Hal Holbrook, it becomes a masterpiece of modern cinema that has so far been criminally underrated and overlooked by many. To my mind, I doubt there will be a better film this decade, and will surely be looked back upon as one of the defining films of our generation.

Hopefully, we will get a better DVD in the future with a closer look at the film. In the meantime, the 1-disc version has the trailer, but excellent picture quality and sound. The 2-disc version is only available in the UK from HMV, but can be sourced easily from the States if you so desire! Unfortunately, the two *short* documentaries on the disc are not really worth the effort.

Ian Davies

*** One thing that should be pointed out about this film is that it is much better than the trailers and even the reviews have made it look. Sure, it isn’t a masterpiece or anything, but it at least proves far more entertaining than the trailers made it appear. The film has some genuine laughs and unlike previous Judd Apatow/ Seth Rogen produced efforts the humour isn’t of the gross-out or stoner variety, which is a major plus when compared with their other movies. Many of the laughs come courtesy of Harley, Gentile and Dorfman, who are the real stars of the movie. That’s not to say that Owen Wilson isn’t good here, because he is, it’s just that he isn’t at his best. The rest of the cast are pretty good too, but it is the leads who really carry the film, and help the film avoid the mediocrity that the quite weak and rather predictable script could have dragged it into.

The direction from Steven Brill, whose previous directorial efforts include Mr Deeds and Without A Paddle, is pretty standard but he has produced a film that is entertaining even if it won’t stay in your memory for long. That said, this film is probably one of the better efforts from Apatow and Rogen. It’s nothing special but it is very watchable and pretty enjoyable, and certainly worth checking out if you want to see something not too demanding, but fun.

Robert Mann

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

Books T

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

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hilippa Gregory’s latest trip into the streets of Tudor England is not a story about politics, nor is it strictly a historical romance. It is the fascinating story of one family and their lust for power in the court of Henry VIII. We all know the story of Anne Boleyn; the unfortunate second wife of King Henry who lost her head. This is the story behind her rise to the throne- told by her sister, Mary Boleyn.

Mary makes an excellent narrator, as the story starts when she is just fourteen years old, nothing more than an innocent child.

She is forced to abandon her husband and become the mistress of the king of England.

Having had two children by him, Henry’s interests then turn to her elder sister, Anne and Mary is forced by her family (ruled by her oppressive Uncle) to step aside.

She is kept at court in London as a lady in waiting to first Queen Katherine, then later to her own sister- though she yearns to be with her children, who are at the fam-

An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson

he new intriguing thriller by Nicola Upson has the prefect combination of death, theatre, love, fact and fiction.

An Expert in Murder is the first in a brand new series that features the famous golden age crime novelist Josephine Tey as the central character. Within the West End there is a lot of drama, love, lust and death, but the cast of Richard of Bordeaux didn’t expect all of it to happen to them off stage in their lives as well as on stage in front of an audience.

On the train from Scotland to England, playwright Josephine Tey meets Elspeth, a bright, young cheerful fan who recognised Tey on

the train, the next morning Inspector Archie Penrose has come to question Tey over the gruesome murder of Elspeth. Soon there are fears that the death is connected with Tey’s play, when the owner of the theatre is also killed in an act of passion and revenge. But who is to blame and will they be coming after Tey next or will it be one of the cast of her famous play. With twists and turns throughout the novel and a spectacular dramatic ending, this is the ultimate murder novel to haunt the West End.

Emma McColl

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby

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here is a forthcoming film based on this tremendous book, but in reading it, as opposed to watching it, I think that you get a real sense of the huge feat that was creating it. After all, the author had to

overcome huge difficulties in order to write this book. Bauby, former editor of French Elle magazine, suffered a stroke, the result of which meant that he suffered from LockedIn syndrome for the rest of his life. The only part of his body which was left mobile was his eyelid and therefore his only method of communication with the outside world. By blinking to indicate which letter he required, as a nurse read out the alphabet, Bauby dictated the entire book, which has become an international bestseller.

The result is a truly life affirming work.

The overall impression is that in writing the book, Bauby could learn to deal with his fate and the life that he had lost. There are memories of times with his children, contrasted to events in the present when they came to visit him in the hospital; there are anecdotes relating to friends and his work; and there are the everyday routines experienced by someone with his condition; but the truly remarkable section of the book is when he recounts the events surrounding the stroke and the emotions he experiences associated with it.

This is a beautifully written tale

about overcoming huge adversities and its creation fundamentally represents this. The frustration involved for someone so accustomed to writing, having to spend an average of two minutes dictating each word is quite hard to comprehend. It is humbling to see someone who has reached the top of their profession, then become quite impotent because of their body, but with all their mental capacity still intact. All in all, this book is worth reading, especially if you’re in need of a little reminder about what’s important in life.

Emma Dodd

ily home in the country. She watches Anne’s ascent to the throne and she endures the pitfalls (and benefits) of simply being ‘the other Boleyn girl’.

The story involves love, honour, betrayal, heartbreak and even the dangers of being homosexual in the fifteenth century. Set against the social upheavals of the reformation, England is a country divided. In the middle of it all is Mary, who has to deal with motherhood, marriage and the tragedy that eventually ends the life long rivalry between the two sisters.

The book is witty and engaging, particularly the charming method of Tudor courtship (the king has to simple utter ‘I want to have you’ to any girl in the kingdom for her to come to bed with him!) As with many stories, the book is better than the recently released film. The intricate plot and attention to detail draw you into Tudor England and once there, you don’t want to leave.

Rachel Eales

Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman

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he master of psychological thrillers is back with his new mind blowing novel, Obsession. With every new book Kellerman is able to twist and turn the story to create the ultimate gore core, and Obsession is no exception.

This gripping novel entrances the reader from beginning to end with a world of murder, deathbed confessions and crime.

Starting with the confession of a dying woman, LAPD officer Milo and Ps y c h o l o g i s t Alex Delaware trace the life of the once thought harmless woman to search for a murder that happened any where between ten and twenty

years ago at any of her past addresses. This case has hit home with Delaware as he used to give counselling to her daughter many years ago and feels it is his reasonability to clear up this mess. As they try to analysis the confession and back trace her life, more and more murders take place and they’re all connected in one way or another. This deep, dark and twisted tale, will not only have you in suspense over the latest twist, it will also deeply touch you with the vulnerable yet lovable characters and the terrifying situations that they are in. A must read for all those who love their psychological thrillers.

Emma McColl

Hard Boiled ***** DVD Review

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n 1986, action director John Woo changed the face of Hong Kong cinema and revolutionised the action genre with the release of ‘A Better Tomorrow’.

A new genre was born, known as ‘heroic bloodshed’. The star of most ‘heroic bloodshed’ movies was Chow Yun Fat, recently seen in the final part of the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ trilogy. Chow Yun Fat’s best films were directed by John Woo. After the massively successful ‘A Better Tomorrow’, John Woo went on to make the highly influential, ‘The Killer’ in 1989. Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriquez are notable directors who have been influenced by John Woo’s films, especially in terms of Woo’s chaotic, stylised gunplay action sequences.

Tarantino’s debut film as screenwriter, ‘True Romance’ contains footage from John Woo’s sequel ‘A Better Tomorrow 2’ and Robert Rodriquez adopted Chow Yun Fat’s heroic style of twin gun action in ‘Desperado’.

Jon Woo’s best film by a long shot was 1992’s ‘Hard Boiled’, again starring Chow Yun Fat. The film’s story is deliberately thin on plot as all that matters is the action sequences which, to this day, are still extraordinary and have never been surpassed even by today’s big budget Hollywood action blockbusters. The story essentially boils down to Hong Kong cop, Yuen (Yun Fat) who teams up with undercover cop Alan (Tony Leung), tracks down a ruthless gang of arms dealers who are killing innocent people at will. That’s pretty much it. The action is what makes this film a classic of the action genre. The opening shootout in a packed café, an ambush in a car warehouse and a huge battle in a hospital are all exemplary: brilliantly shot, edited and choreographed. A bravura single take of just one section of the hospital gun battle is worth the purchase of the DVD alone and is hilariously over the top.

‘Hard Boiled’ is a relentless barrage of superb action scenes which have to be seen to believe. Whilst the story isn’t as strong as ‘The Killer’, it does a good job of avoiding the melodrama that takes up quite of a bit of that film’s running time. The influence of ‘Hard Boiled’ still continues. Clive Owen starred in last year’s ‘Shoot ‘Em Up’ which was branded as homage to John Woo’s movies.

The computer game industry also released ‘Stranglehold’ which is basically ‘Hard Boiled’ for your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3. If you’re a fan of John Woo, particularly ‘Hard Boiled’, then this game won’t disappoint.

Mark Varley

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

NEUADD WILLIS STUDENT ACCOMMODATION JUST GOT BIGGER! We are pleased to announce that our new Showflat at Neuadd Willis is now available for viewing. The development will be ready for occupation in September 2008 and will increase the number of ensuite luxury rooms and studios available to 380.

STOP ESS....

PR P You will appreciate that rooms are booking up very fast..so don’t miss out.

STO SS.......

PRE We’re having an OPEN EVENING for viewing on Thursdya 17th April from 5.00 pm to 7.00pm.

Drinks and light refreshments provided.

Why not come along!

Our Wardens are planning a Pub Crawl afterwards....call us for more details or just simply turn up!

Our Showflat is really well worth seeing and it’s open everyday including weekends and evenings.

Just simply call into our office opposite Lidl or call us on either 01248 371450 or 07841369249 (evenings and weekends). Rents start from £77.50 per week.

Excellent Year for Dance Team

Sports Strategy Questionnaire - Voice Your Opinions

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his is your chance to voice your opinions on the current sports facilities at Bangor and any other sports related issues that you’d like to put forward. The questionnaire will be available on-line until May 2nd 2008. Bangor University’s Sports Strategy is looking to take into account all points from the questionnaire feedback and aims to improve facilities accordingly. The consultation process with all staff and students on both the current and future sports facilities is an important component, which will feed into the University’s Sports Strategy. If you wish to complete this very short survey then it can be found at http://snaponline.snapsurveys.com/ surveylogin.asp?k=120429697090. This is not just for students who participate in sports as it takes into account other factors such as travelling to University. Bangor University needs to hear from you, so have your say.

Rugby League Team Gutsy in Defeat Bangor University 10-30 University of Central Lancashire.

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his semester has been one of the busiest ever for Bangor University Dance Club with shows, charity performances and competitions.

The highlight of our year was an invitation to compete at the Edinburgh University “Dance Off ”. We don’t often get the opportunity to compete and this was a challenge not to be missed. Everyone practised for long hours working really enthusiastically to produce dances for each category available.

The hard work certainly paid off and we were proud to be placed third in both our ballet and contemporary dances. A big well done to everyone involved.

When we returned from our weekend in Edinburgh there was no time to rest. We were

asked to dance at both SVB’s Pirates of the Caribbean night and Storm’s Chicago themed night. Once again our dancers worked hard and produced excellent dances.

At the beginning of March we produced our end of year show, Dance TWO. This incorporated dances from different genres including ballet, street, contemporary, tap, modern and breakx; something for everyone. The show was a great success and raised over £200 for charity. So far this year Bangor University Dance Club has raised in excess of a stunning £800.

Bangor University Dance Club continues to go from strength to strength.

Abby-Jay Wilson

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angor’s ‘never say die’ performance in this Championship play-off was sadly not enough to put them through to the next round. Playing in brilliant February sunshine at Bangor City RFC, the home team dominated for large periods of the game but were unfortunately unable to convert pressure into points.

From the very start Bangor took the game to UCLAN; a team which travelled to North Wales after conceding only twenty eight points in their previous eight matches.

A solid defence thwarted the Lancashire team’s attack and eventually Bangor found themselves making some ground into their opponent’s half. Tom Hughes, Mark Ward, Thomas Mottram, Ben Richards, Olly Rowlands and Gethin Francis all provided the hard yards in the heart of Bangor’s midfield with team captain, James Fleming, at hooker,

marshalling the troops.

Great handling play enabled Brett Chandler to open the scoring for Bangor early in the first half as he spun out of an attempted tackle to dive over in the corner.

A further try was to follow shortly after for Tom Bradfield, who kept up his impressive strike rate by outstripping the visitor’s defence from forty metres out.

Unfortunately UCLAN managed three tries themselves in the first half and a further three in the second, yet Bangor kept their composure, and their discipline, which resulted in good spells of pressure throughout the second half on their opponent’s try line. Half backs Max Bracken and Ian Skinner worked tirelessly to keep Bangor going forward. Indeed their own brave, inventive play was often welcomed by a number of high tackles received in the process. Ironi-

cally Bangor lost the match despite putting in one of their best performances of the season, epitomised by Mark ‘Bernie’ Ward who worked himself to a standstill at prop. Tom Hughes was forced to leave the field after sustaining an elbow injury in the first half after the prop forward had produced some trademark rampaging runs straight through some timid Lancashire defence.

Emotions ran high at the end of the match as third year players had played out their last competitive match in Bangor colours. There will be more games however with the Aberystwyth Varsity challenge and a third encounter with Chester which promises to be a tough end to the season; anything but a friendly.

Will Varley

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Seren - Easter Issue 2008

Kite Surfer’s Diary

Spring in Step for Trampoline Club

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iam Watson is a second year student studying a BSc in Design and Technology leading to QTS. Liam is also one of the three founders of the newly formed Bangor University Kite Sports Club. During the Christmas break he went on a trip to Fuerteventura to kite surf and wrote a diary of his time there.

“It’s 5.30pm on Tuesday 18th December and I leave on a train from Warrington Bank Quay station to Crewe where I’m meeting

“...from super flat shallow lagoons to full on wave sailing spots...” my friend Steve. As I get on the train, I receive lots of strange looks as I’m carrying a huge black bag which is holding all my kit and clothes. We’re heading to Cardiff airport where we’ll catch an early morning flight to the kite surfing hot spot of Fuerteventura.

I’ve wanted to go to Fuerteventura for a while now so when the opportunity to go for a week in the University holidays came up, I jumped at the chance.

“Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands and is a superb spot for kite surfing. The island offers a variety of conditions depending on the time of year and location; from super flat shallow lagoons to full-on wave sailing spots. It’s the all year round windy conditions that make this island an ideal place to kite surf and although the summer sees the best cross shore winds, winter brings the best waves.

“There were a few reasons why we chose this destination. Firstly we wanted to kite surf and Fuerteventura is renowned for its idyllic location. It was also an ideal opportunity for Ric (Chairperson of Bangor University Kite Sports Club) and me to check out the island as a possible destination for a club trip later on in the year. Not to mention the chance to catch some rays in the middle of December; something we never get the chance to do here…

“I meet Steve in Crewe and we both head to Cardiff airport for the night as our plane leaves at 7am the following morning. We now get even funnier looks as there is a huge pile of bags and kit next to us. After finally finding the right bus terminal at Cardiff we make it to the airport only to find that the airport isn’t open twenty four hours a day.

We make do with cups of tea, cup-a-soups and crisps courtesy of the vending machine.

The minute we see a café opening its doors we’re the first ones through the door for a nice full English breakfast (at 3:30am!).

“We finally arrive in Fuerteventura and it immediately feels windy so we desperately want to head straight down to the beach before Ric arrives (he’s catching a later flight from Manchester). Unfortunately we turn our backs on the weather for a second while we wait for our bags and before we know it it’s pouring down with rain. As we drive to Corralejo where we’re staying, the roads are more like rivers. We get to our hotel and spend the rest of the day unpacking and having a look around. We go for a nice Chinese meal in the evening before heading back to our rooms.

“The next day we wake up eagerly and have a cooked breakfast at a cafe on the beach with an awesome view. We then go into town and manage to hire a car and head down to the aptly named Sotavento in the south. This is where one of the events of the Kite Surfing World Championships is held. We spend a whole day kite surfing on the stunning white sands and enjoy the warm sunshine until we’re exhausted. We stop off for some tea before heading back to the hotel.

“We spend a whole day kite surfing on the stunning white sands and enjoy the warm sunshine until we’re exhausted.”

“The next day we decide to check out the famous Flag Beach which is quite close to where we’re staying in Corralejo. It is a well known beach amongst kite surfers and one which they go to quite a lot due to the opportunity of having the kite surf school’s rescue boat on hand if the wind drops or an accident occurs. This beach is famous for kite surfing because of the cross-shore winds in the summer and the inshore winds in winter.

Flag Beach is a long, sandy beach with reefs at both ends. But the weather isn’t on our side today as the wind isn’t strong enough for us to kite surf. Not to worry, Ric and I get some surfboards out and surf the waves while Steve does some sunbathing. The following day isn’t windy either, so we take a break and wander around Corralejo for a bit of shopping.

“The next few days (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) we get a nine seater minibus with two more friends and head back down to Sotavento. This was an awesome experience especially cruising over the lagoon at Christmas in nothing but board shorts, rash vest and sunglasses.

“This was the most amazing holiday ever and I will never forget it.”

Liam Watson If you like the look of this and would like to give it a go please email kitesports@undeb.bangor.ac.uk Bangor University Kitesports club will be participating in the Student union give it a go scheme after Easter. For this they have teamed up with a women’s kite surf team called the Turbulence Angels who are sponsored by the kite shop in Llandudno. One member of the team is currently ranked NUMBER ONE WOMEN’S KITESURFER IN THE WHOLE OF THE UK. They will be running a massive day on the beach with them as a give it a go session so if you are interested in having a go look out for more information to be placed around the university or please email them on kitesports@ undeb.bangor.ac.uk.

ver the course of the year the university trampoline club has grown dramatically in size and strength.

In the 1st semester over 25 new members joined and, regularly bouncing, the sessions were at times extremely busy, and even now in the 2nd semester we still have new students appearing each week to bounce. Improved communications with the local trampoline club, as well as having a number of university coaches helping in coaching children, the local community and schools with the 5x60 program, have all played a part in strengthening the University club. Coaches have been given funding to improve their already existing coaching qualifications to the next level and also to bring new coaches into both clubs.

The club has participated in a number of competitions through the year. The first major competitive event of the university calendar is the BUSA regionals held this year in Nottingham at the beginning of February with 15 members representing the university across all 3 categories. Some of the club’s competitors from last year’s BUSAs had to move up a category due to making the finals last year - as always the standards are increasing. Everybody who competed did extremely well. Two of our competitors, Chris Randell competing in novice and Annabelle Mella competing in intermediate, did extremely well and made the top 10 in their categories thus allowing them to progress through to the finals held this March. Two weeks after BUSA regionals the club travelled down to Bath for a friendly competition. Everyone that competed performed well: Stephanie Pilborough, who was competing in elite, came in at 2nd, and Christina Green, who competed in intermediate, came 3rd.

Finally March came and the date for the BUSA finals. With one withdrawal due to an injury, three competitors made the trip across to Manchester on an early Sunday morning. This competition is the most difficult in the university calendar, with the best of the universities as well as the best in the country competing in it. Chris Randell after only bouncing with us for 4 months has shown tremendous improvements in skills by coming top ten in regionals and now competing against those that have come top ten in the southern regionals, and top five in northern. Unfortunately, had Chris landed on the mat at the end of his first routine, he would have made top ten. In his second routine, staying on the bed, he did very well coming in at 15th and we look forward to his progression up the categories next year. The other members competing for the club were in the elite category although this has no qualifying round and goes straight to finals with the highest category and the best in the country competing in it. Chris Benson, although he has been competing for a number of years, competed as elite for the first time.

With no full time coach to help him at this level, he came a very impressive 25th out of 48. Last but not least, Stephanie Pilborough, who was for the first time competing for the university at BUSA in the elite category, came in at 5th, only beaten by national competitors.

I’d like to say a very well done to all those who have competed this year and to those that have shown improvement in their bouncing. A very big thank you to all the work the committee members, especially the captain, and competition sec and the work from all the coaches throughout the year, without which the sessions would not be able to run and we would not be able to compete.

Lucy Neville-Davies

24

Seren - Easter Issue 2008

Sport

Rugby League Team Champions!

Women’s Rugby Team Looking For New Players

Bangor Women’s rugby club training times:

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Tuesday meet outside the Belle Vue Pub (Upper Bangor) at 6.15pm for training at Menai Bridge Rugby Union Club.

Fridays meet outside the Student’s Union 5.30pm for training at Bangor City Rugby Club.

Chester University 0 - 32 Bangor University.

angor’s Rugby League team reclaimed the North West Division title after a nervous performance against Chester University. Long before kick-off the players knew what rested on this match: win it and you’re the champions, lose and it’s second place. It was not until the second half of the match that Bangor took control as the opening half was strewn with errors; luckily Chester did not have the power or skills to capitalise on Bangor’s mistakes. Try scorers for Bangor were: Brett Chandler 2, Will Varley 1, James Fleming 1, Tom Bradfield 1 and

Phil Holland 1.

Chester never looked like scoring as Bangor’s defence, as it has countless times this season, held firm. Champagne flowed after the match as Bangor celebrated winning the title that they first won in 2006. The team has gone from strength to strength this year with considerable interest from first year players, which has seen the squad almost double in size from last year. Although key players will be leaving at the end of this year, the club will be hoping to continue its success through the next campaign and of course if there’s any-

one who’d still like to join this year then you are more than welcome as we’re building for next year’s squad.

Our one training time left this semester (normally there’s a Sunday afternoon session too) is a 6:30pm, meet outside the Students’ Union on Tuesdays. There is always transport provided for training at Bangor City Rugby Club so all you’ll need are your boots and kit.

Will Varley

*** Transport provided both nights *** All abilities welcome so come and give it a go!

You can contact us via our email: womensrugby@bangor.ac.uk

Vicky Parkes Badminton Club to Challenge Best in Wales

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angor University’s Badminton Club lost to Cardiff at the end of the last semester in the Welsh Cup but gave a very good account of themselves as they competed all the way. Fortunately they will be playing Cardiff again in an attempt to level the scores at the Welsh Universities Cup in April. Playing alongside UWIC, Swansea and Aberwystryth, Bangor will be hoping to bring some silverware back up to North Wales. More will follow on this in the next issue.

Laura Reilly

Swansea Trip for Athletics Team

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n Friday 1st February amidst the hustle and bustle of the second Serendipity, the Athletics team slipped away to Swansea for the annual BUSA crosscountry race. With a mini-bus packed full of ‘mad members’, food galore and crazy banter the journey didn’t seem to take that long. Finally we arrived at our destination, an incredible bunk house on the Gower peninsula. With the previous stop off at the supermarket and comfy beds before us we were well prepared for the following day.

The race took place at Swansea University where over forty universities were competing. The course consisted of a few fields, with a few hills thrown in and lots of mud! The men’s A race went first, then the ladies and

lastly the men’s B race. There was loads of support, competitors ‘egging each other on’ and University friends shouting all around the course. The Bangor Athletics team can proudly and justly say we by far had the best chant for our team-ask any member! Both our ladies and men’s team did extremely well. The lads A team came twenty fifth out of forty and the ladies came twenty eigth out of thirty five.

Worn out with laughter, excitement and mud we headed to the nearest pub to catch the rugby match. With that and another food stock up at the supermarket (us Athletic members like our food) we headed back to base. The next morning we sadly said goodbye to the bunk house and Swansea.

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This was concluded by huge Sunday lunches, followed by the few braver ones of us with massive ‘meant to be shared’ extreme chocolate extravaganza desserts. Unfortunately I have to say the journey back in the mini bus wasn’t as pleasant as the one there. In future the Athletic Club account is going to have to cover costs for gas masks alongside the need for hurdles, etc! Without a doubt, however, I can admit that our Bangor Athletics team did our University proud and represented us brilliantly. Thanks and well done to the Athletic team.

Becky Milne

Bangor Triumphs Against Aberwystwyth in Varsity Weekend

ebruary’s first Annual Varsity Match against Aberwystryth University was a huge success with many teams from Bangor competing for a year’s bragging rites! It’s satisfying to see, despite our University being relatively small in size, the number of sports teams that compete year after year and often with success. Bangor University won 11-4 overall with the Riding Club coming second in their competition. Listed below are the results of the Varsity and a big well done to everyone who took part!

Men’s Hockey

Won 3-1

Women’s Fencing

Lost 117-116

Women’s Hockey

Won 6-0

Men’s Badminton

Won 6-2

Men’s Football

Won 4-1

Women’s Badminton

Won 6-2

Riding

2nd

Women’s Football

Lost 2-1

Netball

Won 30-21

Rugby League

Won 58-12

Men’s Basketball

Won 72-70

Men’s Rugby Union

Won 19-5

Women’s Basketball

Won 46-41

Women’s Rugby Union

Lost 10-0

Men’s Fencing

Won 135-115

Will Varley